-■; .-"••* -x

LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

NO- J 3.

SOURCE

THE

mm®,

* '*^**.^*r

AND

BEE-KEEPER'S ADVISER.

EDITED BY

THOMAS WILLIAM COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S., etc.

Author of 'The British Bee-keeper's Guide Book.'

January- December, 1887.

PUBLISHED BY JOHN HUCKLE, KINGS LANGLEY, HERTFORDSHIRE;

AND BY

KENT AND CO., 23 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

. - ■>,.-■■■■

LIBRARY

!TV 0

UNIVERSITY
SACHUSETTS

.,' ■ 3T, MASS.

j

fo>7 7 _

LuNDUiN :

Printed by Stkangeways and Sons,

Tower St., Cambridge Circus.

INDEX.

Abbott, Bros., their cot-
tager-crate, 290

Abbott, J. A., his visit to
America and Canada, 6,
47,51

Accommodation cells, ISO

*A. E.' wants a diploma,
548, 572

African bees, 525

After-swarms, 212, 330

Age of bees, 224, 225

Agriculture and apicul-
ture, 561

Alighting-boards, 19S

Allan, J. his description of
a Stowarton hive, 305

Alley, H. , Bee- keepers'
Handy Bonk, 154

Allotment garden, manag-
ing stock on an, 10, 28, 41

Amateur Expert, crate ex-
hibited by the, 59, 12S ;
jottings by, 23

American ' artificial honey,'
222

American Beekeeper's Maga-
zine, 22, 53, 80

American blight, 439

American cloth, 188, 294

American hives exhibited
by Messrs. Abbott, 186

* A more excellent way,' 201

Andreu, F., La Apicultura
Mobilista en Bspana, 210

Andreuidee, 261, 262

Ants, 144 ; and aphides, 450 ;
and bees in Jamaica, 514

Antenna: of bees, 320

Aphides, the producers of
honey -dew, 420; their
countless numbers, 430 ;
their migrations, 439;
their organism, ib. ; their
enemies, 450 ; their re-
lations with ants, 450

Aphis, 212, 439 ; vastatrix,
440

Apiary, position of, 19 ;
clearing up, 452 ; com-
petition, 489

Apis dorsata, 39

Apiculture and agriculture,
1, 561 ; lectures on (sec
Lectures'); patents relat-
ing to, 521

Apifebris, 117

Apifuge, the new, 99, 108,
116, 131, 137, 110, 217,
227, 248, 257, 280, 318,
415, 456; and methyl sali-
cylate, 121 ; experience
with, 163, 290 ; tests of,
202 ; uses of, 270

Apifuges, 8, 38

Aplaugh, Mr., his machine
for inserting foundation
in sections, 469, 472, 474

Argentine bees, 552

Arnold's soap, 415

Artificial combs, 16S

Artificial comb-compresser
168

Artificial pollen, 93, 152 ;
supplying bees with, 122

Artificial swarm, 352 ; how
to make, 253

Artificial swarming, 131,
574 ; antiquity of, 111

Association, a useful, 435

Associations, non-members
of, 352 ; and members'
honey, 415

Aspect of hives, 431, 490

Asp in wall and Treadwell,
147, 470

Autumn food, 417; plants,
late, 100

Average yield per hive, 113

Avoiding extremes, 353

Bacilli, 354

Bacillus, 354 ; its tenacity
of life, 391 ; alvei and
depilis,153; Gaytoni, 112,
12±, 164, 283, 365 ; minor,
307, 337, 372, 399

Bacteria, 391

Balsams, their composi-
tion, 271

Barbaglia.on the wax found
on the leaves of boxus
sempervirens, 147

Bare-headed nymphs, 497

Barrowful, a, of honey, 425

Barrels for storing honey,

250
Basswood honey, 510
Be ready, 272
Bee, the song of the, 214 ;

mistake of a, 27, 62
Bee-bobs, 119

Bee-colonies, experiments
to ascertamdevelopment
of, 193
Bee-conciliators, 1, 17, 99
Bee disease, 515, 527
Bee-farm, 64, 542 ; starting
a, 413, 435, 442, 466; A
Modem, 517
Bee-farming, 512
Bee-fever, 117
Bee flora, 175, 237, 248;
alfalfa, 1SS ; azaleas, 205 ;
berberis Darwini, 1 , 5 ;
blackberries 301 ; bor-
age, 227, 237, 301 ; buxus
arborescens, 175 ; Can-
terbury bells, 237 ; car-
raway, 155 ; Chapman
honey plant, 9S, 209;
Clarkia, 228; clover, red ;
112, 255 ; clematis, 564 ;
clover, white, 255 ; co-
toneaster niicrophylla,
2S3; crocuses, 1S4, 227;
echinops ritro, 3, 159 ;
echioops spha3rocephalus
3, 159, 173, 177, 210, 217 ;
erica carnea, 124; forget-
me-not, 237; fuchsia, 504 ;
gautheria, S ; hawthorn,
552 ; kalmialatifolia, 199 ;
lady slipper, 254 ; lini-
nauthes, 227, 301, 336 ;
lythrum salicaria, 500;
mignonette, 237 ; nepeta
mussini,227,240, 301, 3S6,
485 ; nepetos purpurea,
271 ; orchis, 520 ; poker
lilies, 501; poppies, 237;
rhododendrons, 205; rue,
228 ; scrophularia, 1S1 ;
snowdrops, 227; statice
limonium (see Lavender) ,
307,338; sunflowers, 386,
501 ; strobilauthes, 381 ;
sycamore, 262 ; thyme,
228 ; wall-flowers, 237 ;
wood-sage, 228
Bee - flowers, sowing in

waste places, 217
Bee forage, 203
Bee-hives, notes on, 120,

161, 141. Sec Hives
Bee-houses, 144, 205, 237,

165
Bee-keeper, becoming a, 42
Bee-keeper'snight-mare,a,

182
Bee-keepers' Associa-
tions and Shows : —
Aberdare, 368, 332;
Ambleside, 395; Armagh,
357 ; Banbridge, 347 ; Bel-
fast, 381 ; Berks, 5, 48, 96,
171, 289, 331 ; British, 13,
34, 81, 127, 159, 179, 183,
222, 224, 232, 235,318, 431,
441, 449, 451, 470, 509, 513 ;
Bucks, 70 ; Bury St. Ed-
munds, 203, 232, 216, 2S9 ;
Caledonian, 334, 317;
Cambridgeshire, 316;
Cornwall, 47; Craven,
119, 396; Derbyshire, 70 ;
Devon and Exeter, 24;
Dungannon, 357 ; East
Lothian, 127 ; Essex, 70,
535 ; Faringdou, 346 ;
Forfar, 395; Glamorgan-
shire, 71, 346, 362, 373 ;
Gloucestershire, 101, 331 ;
Hants and Isle of Wiaht,
1, 49, 119, 225, 332, 333,
409; Hawkshurst, 216;
Hereford, 410 ; Hereford-
shire, 70; Horsforth, 71,
409; Hants Agricultural,
315; Irish, 104, 119, 159,
216, 256, 298, 355, 493, 547 ;
Kent, 492 ; Lancashire,
o94 ; Lancashire and
Cheshire, 2, 94, 215, 246,
416; Leeds, 204; Leices-
tershire,71, 256, 344, 517 ;
Lincolnshire, 1, 321, 535 ;
Lowestoft, 205 ; Maer
(Staffordshire), 369;

Manchester Exhibition,
317 ; Manchester, 391 ;
Middlesex, 61, 95, 127,
145, 330, 380, 432, 514;
Monmouthshire, 333 ;
Newcastle-on-Tyne, 179,
309 ; Newton Abbot, 231 ;
Norfolk and Norwich,
283 ; Northamptonshire,
355 ; North-east of Ire-
land, 191, 3S1, 424, 436,
483,195; Norwich Show,
1; Notts, 204, 431; Ox-
fordshire, 71 ; Prescot,
322; Reading, 167, 242,
278; Royal Agricultural,
179, 192, 309; Royal
Counties' Agricultural,
167, 242, 278; Rutker-
glen, 481 ; Saltaire, 38 ;
Shrewsbury Horticul-
tural, 380; Shugborough,
394; Somerset, 368;
Southampton, 332; South
Kensington, 1 ; South-
gate, 3S0 ; Spalding, 192 ;
Staffordshire, 307, 394;
Stone, 394 ; Strabane,
334 ; Suffolk Agricul-
tural, 246 ; Surrey, 127 ;
Swanmore,333; Paunton,
368; Warwickshire, 215,
345 ; Waterford, 410 ;
Wellington (Somerset),
368 ; Wilts, 278, 395 ;
Winchcombe and Sude-
ley, 382 ; Windsor, 5 ;
Worcestershire, 61, 94,
309; Wrockwardiue,409;
York, 276 ; Yorkshire,
61, 119, 204
Bee-keeping, and teaching,
43 ; how to commence,
64, 276 ; making it pay,
101 ; profitable, 208 ; re-
vival of, 214; boobs on,
303 ; in the Isle of Man,
436; a novice's experi-
ence in, 445 ; in Ireland,
465; as a livelihood, 479;
with other pursuits, 485 ;
increasing knowledge in,
519
Bee-loving hen, 268
Beeman's tour, 9S
Bee-ology, 235
Bees, flowers for, 3 ; effect
on, of various perfumes,
8 ; treatment of, 19, 239 ;
supplying with water,
39 ; working pieces of
new comb, 40 ; on roof
of house, 41, 42 ; where
they may be kept, 43 ;
who may keep, ib. ; sin-
gular mode of bringing
a nest of, to the ground,
46; voice of, 56; hearing
of, ib. ; then* power of
talking, 58; brain- weight
of, ib. ; in skep, dead,
64; in confinement, 100;
are able to sting, 115 ; in
the suburbs, 112 ; mov-
ing from one side of high
fenc3 to another, ib. ;
packing, 122 ; starved,
123 ; race of, 123 ; do they
hear ? 131, 149, 152 j in a
loft, 134, 141 ; fighting
after uniting, 134 ; how
to manage and control,
135; human breath offen-
sive to them, ib. ; diffe-
rent, found in a colony,
ib. ; fighting, 154 ; birds
eating, 161 ; sundry ex-
periences with, 163 ;
sensitive to atmospheric
influences, 161; by the
side of a railway, 165 ;
clustering' outside, 176;
their dwellings, 179 ;
and roses, 183, 233 ; and
flowers, 183 ; and clover,
ib. ; depredations on
fruit, 186 ; dying, 188,
233, 46S ; and ripe fruit,
196, 207, 216, 236, 249, 280 ;
and sparrows. 197 ; can
they hear ? 197 ; in boats
in the East, 213; eating
fruit, 216 ; and straw-
berries, 219 ; no respecter

of persons, 219; stung
by, ib. ; birds and, il>. ;
and grapes, 223 ; unpro-
tected, 226 ; and noise,
229 ; diseased, 239 ; slug-
gish, 250 ; their fertilisa-
tion of flowers, 254 ; breed
of, 262; fraternisation of,
272 ; changing queens,
273 ; management of, for
profit, 276 ; water for,
280, 300 ; obstructing
then." queen, 231 ; protec-
tion of, from heat and
cold, 237 ; leaving glass
jar, 293; on a ti*ee, 293;
tumbling out of hive,
293 ; attacking chickens,
294 ; hanging outside,
294 ; building outside
super, 294 ; on, 303 ;
working in the sections,
311; giving salt to, 314;
my pet, 325 ; driven, 327 ;
attacked by a swarm of,
347 ; escapade with, 350 ;
getting from the ' gable
end of a house, ib. ; pre-
paring for the winter, ib. ;
vagaries of, in swarming,
351 ; attacking fruit, 352 ;
vicious, 359 ; the, 363 ;
black, 366 ; a pound of,
365 ; near house, 385 ; in
a box-hive, 375 ; in a
thunderstorm, 3S5 ; and
manure-heaps, 411, 44 1,
477, 487, 505; invading
shop, 414 ; casting out
young, 416; refusing to
raise queen, 437 ; and
essence of lemon, 437 ;
utilising wax, 447 ; with
white backs, ib. ; and
manure-heaps or drains,
466; breeding, 475; injur-
ing roses, 481; building
drone-comb, ib. ; amount
of, for winter, 510; age
of, 510 ; enemies of, 190 ;
dead and dying, 498 ;
what they can do, 505 ;
short of food at beginning
of year, 508

Bee-space between bottom
bar and floor-board, 89

Bee-sting a useful tool, 75

Bee-stings, quicklime a re-
medy for, 40 ; receipt for
the cure of, 57

Bee-subjugators, 7

Beeswax, and its conver-
sion into money, 116,
168, 303 ; its production,
ib. ; its colour, ib. ; its
constituents, ib. ; cost of
its production, ib. ; on
the proportion of honey
to, ib. ; uses of, 2S2 ; how
made, 4S1. Sec Wax.

Bee-tent, 143; at Horti-
cultural Show, 101

Bee tour through Lanca-
shire and Northumber-
land, 243, 269, 279, 293

Bee-way sections, 174

Beginners, caution to, 276

Bell-glass to hold 35 lbs,
133 ; on bar-frame hive,
219; fastening foundation
in, 239 ; clearing a, 339

Bellows - smoker, how to
make, 31

Benzoic acid, 506

Benzoin, 487

Bertrand, M., his fumi-
gator, 250

B e s s 1 e r, Lehrb itch der
Bienenzuht, 559; his por-
traits of bee-keepers, ib.

Birds, 370 ; and bees, 219 ;
eating bees, 161, 173 ;
reptiles, bees, 399

Bitter almonds, essential
oil of, 488

Bitter honey, 389

Black bees, 195

Black honey, 492

Blacklead a lubricant, 561

Bleaching honey, 301

Blow, T., among the Car-
niolan bee-keepers, 9 ;
his invertible bive, 67 ;
his dividers, 125

Blue tits, 4

Botubus lapidarius. 217

Bonnier, G. ct Georges de
Layens, Noucello FLove,
302

Borax, 134

Borgue honey, 3S8

Bottles, small, 337

Box-hives, driving bees
from, 339

Box-trees, 184

Boyle, Hon. R.. his use of
glass hives, 130

Boys and girls, for, 292,
302

Braula cmca, 194, 3S9, 437,
5 S3

Brazilian bees, 21

Breeding for qualities, 22

Breeding space, 478

Breeding and stimulation,
158

British B.K.A., work for,
401

British bees, 129, 206

British aud American in-
ventions, 113

British honey, 167

British Honey Company,
3 v3 ; suggestions to the,
441

British invertible hive
made watertight, 132 j
keeping rain from, 139

British wild bees, 100

Broad shoulders, 211

Brood, drone and worker,
219

Brood, capped, 220 ; cast-
ing out, 262 ; addition
of, 263; introduction of,
into nuclei, 283; rotten,
304 ; desd, 380, 427

Brood-cell covers, 467, 480

Brood-combs, size of, 180 ;
extracting honey from,
327, 372, 333, 402, 411,
412, 425, 433, 445, 463,
466

Broodless colonies, 437

Brood-nest enlarging, 203,
223

Brood-spreading, 117

Brother Jonathan, 311

Brown paper not suitable
for dividers, 198

Brown and Poison's corn-
flour, 175

Bumping. 330, 312, 415,
423, 426, 435 ; a success,
400; a failure, 400, 415

Burns, salve for, 309

Burrowing bees, 261, 262

Burying beetle, 273

Butler, Dr., 157, 158,491

Buzzing and humming, 58

Cages and introduction, 475

Calif ornian honey, 166; in
England, 234

Calvert's carbolic acid, 200,
250, 555 ; soap, 208

Camomile weed, 337

Camphor a cure for foul
brood, 14, 15

Canada, 13, 170 ; bee-keep-
ing iti, 6, 73; wintering
in, 13, 72; sending honey
to England, 170, 282 ;
* the winter is past,"
216 ; season in, 515

Canadian bee-feeder, 407,
463 ; bee - keepers, 1 ;
experiences, 163 ; hives,
97

Candy, 41, 136, 490 ; soft,
Good's, 30, 554; warm,
100 ; making, 112 ; re-
cipe for winter, 488 ;
white, 554; Scholz, ib.

Cane sugar, 212 ; in honey,
239

Cappings of brood - cells,
ISO

Carbolic acid solution, 60,
134, 135, 250, 304, 339,
343, 406, 415, 427 ; for re-
moving sections, 566

Carbolised cloth, 393, 402,
406

Carbolic fumigation, 220

Carbolic sheet recipe, 417

Carniolan bee-keepers, 9

Carniolan bees, 19, 40, 97,

IV

INDEX TO VOLUME XV.

130, 145, 160, 182, 218,
224, 337 ; transferring, 42

Carniolans and Ligurians,
144

Carniolan queens, 259

Carr, W. B., his metal
ends, 57 ; his advocacy of
the use of small frames,
97 ; his device for fix-
ing foundation in Lee's
frame?, 553

Cast on back frames, 293

Casts, 212 ; feeding, 283

Castor-oil plant, 250

Caucasiau hees, 4-0

Caught in the act, 300, 323,
361

Caution, a, 237; a word of,
242

Cedar oil and olive oil, an
apifuge, 109

Cellar wintering, 124

Cells, ISO

Central Africa, tribes of,
smoke bees, 111

Ceylon folk lore, 523

Chaffinches, 161

Chelifers, 563

Chemists, query for the, 496

Cheshire, F., 394, 464-

Chile, exports of honey and
wax from, 215, 548, 553

Chilled brood, 239, 273; and
diseased, 49S

Chimney swallows, 370

Christmas greeting, 553,554

Chrome alum, 122

Chrysalis, 212

Chyle stomach of the bee,
ejection of chyle fro m, 539

Cinnamon oil, a remedy for
bee-stings, 410

Clearing-up, 407

Clover in front of hives, 28,
141

Coffee pernicious to bac-
teria, 10

Cold cream, 309

Colonies, small, 44, 69 ;
defunct, 45 ; to be kept
strong, ib. ; equalisation
of, 69 ; examination of,
in spring, 92 ; strong, 254

Colony of B's, a full, 507

Comb-f oundation, 200, 238 ;
fixing in skeps for con-
demned bees, 361 ; worker
and, 512. See Foundation

Comb honey, 203; keeping,
554 ; in sections, 560

Combs, empty, 19; transfer-
ring from large frames to
standard, 29; built irre-
gularly, ib. ; broken donna
in autumn, 112; stored
with syrup, utilisation
of, 124; structure of, in
a hive, 179; old, 199,239;
spare, 210, 218 ; of pre-
vious year, 250 ; crooked,
ib. ; fixed together, 315 ;
clearing out, 352 ; work-
ing out, ib. ; position of,
426; preserving through
■winter, 437; affected with
foul brood, 45S ; age of,
490, 573 ; best way of ob-
taining a quantity of, 511

Coming bee, the, 206

Committee-men, 5, 17

Committee, criticised, 193

Conversaziones,34, 183, 318,
470; scientific subjects
at, 56

Condemned bees, 165, 218,
236, 329, 330, 339, 341,
544; treatment of, 417;
an iting to f ramc-hivo, 427

Condy's fluid, 250

Cook, Prof., his apiary and
"work, 471

Co-operative show, 341,
436, 447

Co-operators, amongst the,
378

Corn-plaster, 309

Cornell, Mr., bin poction-
orate and sections, t, L6;
his snpor, 128 ; hi E »tuj-
dation uxor, 431 ; hie gift
of Mr. Aplaugh's ma-
cuixiG for foundation fix-
ing to fchoB.B.K.A., W9,
471,471-

< .:: c il "Univ:;;>',y apu n'1

tare at, 226
Cosmetic specialities, 309
Cosmdtiquo, 309

Cottagers' Apiary Compe-
tition, 465, 4S9

Country life, 92

County Associations. 509 ;
members of, 100 ; ex-
perts, 196, 217 ; secre-
taries, their duties, 509

Cowau hive, 112, 144, 327,
566 ; damp, 210

Cowau, T. W., his Guide-
book, 2; his Doubling and
Storifying, ib.; on the
proportion of honey to
wax, 147 ; his inventions,
327 ; his visit to America,
439 ; his reception, ib, ;
presentation to, 450, 451;
liis narrative of his visit
to Canada and the Uni-
ted States, 470. 515

Crates of thirty-five sec-
tions, 76, 83

Crates and sections, 151

Creme celeste, 309

Crimea, bee-keepingiu, 565

Croakinc, 30, 187 ; queens,
110, 152. 173

Crooked combs, 134, 250,
283

Crowding bees, 339

Crown - boards, 478 ; v.
quilts, 22

Cubic contents of one
pound of honey, 304

Cumbarland, a voice from,
87

Cupid and the bees, 138

Curiosities of bee-life, 148

Curtis, Dr., on the source
of honey-dew, 420

Cyprian bees. 3, 98, 105,
120, 128, 129, 181; ex-
perience of bee-keepers
with, ib. ; instructions
for manipulating them,
ib. ; characteristics of, 136

Cyprian queen, experience
with a, 40

Dadants, Messrs., founda-
tion-makers, 471 ; hives,
563

Dampness, 22

Danish bee-keeping, past
and present, 244

Dead brood, 371, 411, 431

Dead larva: and young bees,
200

Death's head moth, 45S,
553

Demarca, G., 159, 286

Deunler, J., Das Bicncn-
icacks und seine Vcrter-
wimg, 111, 128, 168, 296

De quibusdam, 1S7, 290

Dor Pralctische Imlcer, 527

Desborough, J., on the life
of worker-bees, 158

Desideratum, a, 506

Diagrams, Sartori's, 552,
566

Diarrhoea, remedy for, 309

Dines, Mr., his crate, 12S

Disclaimer, a., 28

Discouraged one, 86

Diseased brood, 447

Distance-guides, absence
of, 383

District associations, 50,
55, 74, 503

Dividing, by a lady, 250 ;
for increase, 301

Division-boards, 158, 211,
510

Dobbie's Bee Pasturage, 375

Dokoupil, M., 9

Donholf, Dr., ou propor-
tion of honey to wax, 146

Doubling, 19, 73, 209, 220,
223, 250, 233, 478; and
stoiifying, 144

Driving, 48.3

Driving bees, 222, 253, 303,
327, 330, 403, 512; par-
tially filled skep, 220;
and uniting, 326 ; time
for, 314 ; by a novice, of
bees by candle-light, 413

Drone-breeding, 160

Drone - brood in workor-
comb, 210

Drone, young, 1 14 ; the
lazy, yawning, 301

Drone-comb, L80, 2-40,250,
389, 107, 438, 550: whon
built by tl'.o bees, 39; size
of, 180 ; in lower hive, 283,
and drone foundation, 574

Drone-cells, 180

Drone-eggs, 339

Drones, 136, 173, 183, 233,
321?, 447; havimr white
eyes, 28; selected, 74;
why they do not store
honey, 77 ; value of, ib. ;
casting out, 250, 339;
abo«t=d. 262; white-
headed, 315; presence of,
478

Drought, 354, 379

Drv-suq-ar feedinc. 14, 26,
30,10i),124,144;210;and
dead larva?, 273

Dry sugar, 364

Duncan's pearl sugar, 93,
124

Duties on wax and honey
in France, 4

Dysentery, 29, 64; in an
observatory hive, 29

Dzierzon, Dr., ou honey-
dew, 419 ; on brood-
covers, 467, 481

Earthen pans for honev,
365

Earwigs, 375, 533

East winds and smoke v.
carbolic, 268

Eastern races, 453 ; build-
ing comb between frames
and quilts, 504

Echoes, passim

Economical cushion and
feeder, 550

Eggs, queen and worker,
identical, 124 ; several,
in one cell, 177, 250

Egyptian babe embalmed
in honey, 331

Elizabeth, Queen, her fond-
ness for metheglin, 213

Ellwood, Mr., 471

Embalmed in honey, 171

Embedding foundation, 45

Enamel cloth, 64, 92, 100,
144, 165, 209, 478

Ends of sheet metal, 63

English bees, 160; queens,
two, 410

Entrances, 211, 243, 417,
528 ; distances of, 229 ;
shading, 510

Ericacece, 8

Eristalis fossarum, 478

Erslev, H. Forcr i Biavl
T. W. Cowan, 302; on
drone-comb, 452

Eucalyptus honey, 139, 155

Evans, Dr., 158 ; on the
cause of honey-dew, 420

Evelvn, Mr., his glass hive,
140

Examination of bees, 44

Examinations, 125, 235

Excluder sine, 152, 283,
303, 336

Exhibition in France in
1S87, bee-section in, 215

Experience, my, 142

Experts, becoming, 64 ; pay
per day, 112 ; visits of,
172, 182 ; aud foul brood,
181; spring tour of, 218;
a word for the, 256;
examinations, 348 ; con-
duct of, 536

Extracted honey, strain-
ing, 123; or section hon-
ey? 167; working for, 349

Extracting, 88, 288, 293,
330, 352, 354, 365; and
feeding, 293 ; from brood-
combs, 372, 380

Extractor, how to make,
11 ;. size of, 77 ; distance
of baskets from spindle,
in, 153; for heather
honey, 177 ; conveying
foul brood, 508

Eyes of bees, 318

Facts, 567

Fastening combs in skeps,
415

Fecundation, in confine-
ment, 431 ; late, 451

Feed your stocks, 519

Feeder, condition of, 165;
a cheap, 501

|.\, [i,, ■. tw. 11: , ifil. 330,
355, 379, 458; simplicity
in, 14, 51; without feed-
ors, 174 ; out-of-doors,
203 ; swarm hived on
combs, 210; for winter,
-107

Feeding bottle, 211

Fermented syrup, 375

Fertile worker, 100, 136,
314, 199 ; eggs and erubs
of. 177 ; getting rid of,
147 ; theory respecting,
185

Fertilisation, pure, 122;
signs of, 240; methods
of, 293; of queens, 324,
105 ; of plants, self, 254 ;
cross, ib. ; insect, ib. ;
wind, ib. ; of flowers,
490 ; by bees, 520

Fighting, 112 ; and robbing,
273

First swarm, how I lost,
2S1

Firth, J. C, 169

Fixed-comb system, 211

Fixing dummies, 141

Flat-bottomed foundation,
503

Flavours of honey, 459

Flight of bees, ' rata of,
364 ; distance of, ib.

Floor-boards, 407; cleaning,
45 ; size of, 53 ; moveable
or fixed, 229

Flour candy, 4S3

Flowers for bees, 3; aud
honey, 301 ; structure
and fertilisation of, 490,
500

Fly-catohers, 370

Food, for bees, 44 ; mode-
rate supply of, 69 ; recipes
for, 93, 514; for the
season, 155 ; of larva>,
184 ; amount of, for
winter, 45S, 510

Foreign :— Australia, 234,
255, 492; Austria, 138;
Canada. 47, 441, 450.
559 ; Denmark, 244 ;
France, 4, 194, 215. 246,
297, 481, 492, 547, 553;
Greeca, 278; Hanover,
232; Italy, 138, 148, 194,
475 ; Minorca, 563 ; Na-
tal, 563 ; New Zealand,
163 ; Norway, 5-46 ; Si-
lesia, 245; Spain, 24;
Switzerland, 14, 138, 147,
193, 541 ; Tasmania, 168 ;
United States. 256

Foreign bees, 97, 145, 173,
175, 457 ; gleanings, 392

Formic acid, 40, 115, 561 ;
use of, 124 ; and carbolic
acid, 165
Forty-frame hive, 4S7
Foul brood, 26, 52, 164, 181,
188, 197, 206, 228, 242,
250, 273, 324, 326, 336,
365, 371, 391, 396, 39S,
403, 417, 423, 434, 4,37,
445, 447, 454, 457, 463,
46S, 482, 489, 550, 556;
query respecting, 176 ;
kuowledge of, 217 ; in a
district, 224 ; directions
issued for cure of, by
Lancashire and Cheshire
B.K.A., 242; again! 259,
538; suspected, 338; my
experience with, 359 ; and
profitable bee-keeping,
432; curiug, 434; cure
of, 454, 456 ; propngatmg,
466
Foul -broody hive,use of, 200
Foundation, 45, 136, 175,
219, 243 ; full sheets for
sections, 41 ; making, ib.;
when and how to use, 42 ;
flat-bottomed wire, 45;
fixing, 63 ; utilising last
year's, 64; tests for, 130,
161 ; purity of, 146 ; its
brittlouess, 199 ; white-
coloured, 314 ; fastening
in skeps, 401 ; supply of,
511 ; advantage of, 538 ;
•u. worker-comb, 550, 572
Foundation-fixer, 321, 431
Four-bee-way sectious, 217,

336
Fowls and bees, 88
Frame, deep, 64
Frame-distance, 19, 117, 144
Frame-block, 123
Frames, 243 ; number of,
53, 262, 453 ; reversing,
64, 110; removing from
full hive, 123; improve-
ments iu, 125; sizo of,
152; and sections, 174;

combs filling, 239 ; spaces

beneath, 308, 333, 379 ;

number of, to winter in,

330; position of, 444;

withdivided top-bars, 511
Fruit-blossoms, store from,

93
Fumigating combs, 566
Fumigation, 250; required,

51S
Fumigator, 177, 199; sili-

cylic, 164

Galvanised iron reservoir,

varnishing, 122
Galvanised piping not; in-
jurious to wax, 124
Galvanised receptacles, 10
Geese, value of. 555
Glass hives, 129, 140 ; in-
ventor of, 76, 83
Glass shade, 200
Glass on alighting-board

a preventive of robbing,

506
Gleanings, 28, 39, 147, 286
Gloves, 100 ; suggestion

for, 104
Gloucestershire, district

work in, 527
Glvceriue, 19; waxbalsain'-

309
Goat, stung to death, 2/2 ;

and bees, 288
Godfrey, R. R., 144,161
Godman, A., 469, 474
Good's candy, 44, 522, 553
Gossip, 196
Granulated honey, 51, 4S2,

457
Grape sugar, 212
Grass befoi-e hives, 198
Green, W. T., his Imperial

hive, 326
'Greenock' disease, 2S3
Griffin, W. N., 234, 423
Grimshaw, ft. A. H . his

paper on ' The Vocal

Organs of Bees,' 34, 56;

his workin Yorkshire, 46;

his paper ' Ou the Visual

Organs of Bees, 318 ; his

apifuge, 227, 516, 392
Grizzly bear and the bees,

421
Guazzoni.his cornb-prasser,

168

Hannington, Bishop, an
adventure with African
bees, 525

H a w k h u r s t Cottagers*
Competition, 46S

Healing salve, 309

Heariug, organs of, in bees,
57

Heather, sending hives tc-
the, 283, 303, 314, 327,
339, 352 ; a trip to, with
bees, 537

Heather honey, 238 ; ex-
tracting, 188, 314 ; util-
ising, 389 ; crop of, how
to make the best of, 243

Heddon, J., Success m Bc'o-
cultwe, 2 ; his hive, 50,
63, 99, 101, 136, 141, 166,
456 ; his syrup, 44 ; his
recipe for syrup-food, 93;
his plan of preventing
swarms, 15S ; his apiary,
471 ; subject to a bee-
disease, 517 ; half-a-day
with, ib.

Hedges, willow, 30

Hehner, Otto, 450 ; on the
requirements of bees, 464

Heredity, 23

Hereford honey fair, 421

Hessian fly, 354

Hetherington, Car/tain,
his apiary, 470, 473

Hilbert's fumigating pro-
cess, 250

Hill's device, 417

Hippuric acid, 417, 437

Hive, a cheap, 484 ; mea-
surement of, 89 ; 280
pounds from one, 508;
with twenty frames, ib.

Hive-building, 554

Hives, 3, 303 ; examination
of, 4 ; dry, 23 ; patented
in the United States, 52 ;
position of, 4, 417; surface
for, 27; smoke necessary
in examining, 112 ; pack-
ing, 122; changing, 177;

INDEX TO VOLUME XV.

with moveable and
fixed combs, 211 ; price
of, 212 ; aspect of, 223 ;
removal of, 272; deser-
tion of. 250 ; modern
essential, 276 ; higher-
roofed, 280 ; shading,
2S7 ; for doubling, 453;
broken into, 52S

Hive covering-, 92

Hive-construction, 165, 197,
413, 417, 480 ; improve-
ments in, by whom claim-
ed, 42, X4S

Hive-entrances, 4, 109, 140,
165, 375, 452

Hive-roofs, 379

Hobbv, our, 285

Holy-lands, 140

Honey, 36-4; packing- for
transport, 10 ; in Pales-
tine, IS ; specimens of,
28 ; uses of, 29 ; frames
of, 44 ; in zinc vessels,
73 ; and pollen producing
plants, 77; harvest, time
of, 112; judging, 130;
what shall wo do with
our ? 145 ; analysed, 155 ;
a sting-averter, 116 ; as
an article of food, 191, |
357;whereitispriucipally |
produced, if). ; as food for j
infants, 207 ; a royal
luxury, 213 ; versus sugar,
235, 258 ; preventing un- I
tinued treacle - valve
affecting, 239 ; how and
why plants produce, 254;
the flavour of, 25S, 459 ;
price of, 262, 503, 507,
514, 536, 539, 519, 562;
flow, 262, 4S2; harvest,
277, 314, 354, 370, 385,
453; taking, 277 ; market-
ing, ib. ; transmission of,
per railway, toshows,281;
packing, 2SS ; disposing1
of, 238 ; used for curing
erysipelas, 298 ; bleach-
ing, 304 ; specific gravity
of, ib. ; prospects, 308 ;
with taste of prussic acid,
314 ; when ripe, 314 ;
keeping, 327 ; extracting
from brood-combs, 327 ;
Egyptian babe embalmed
in, 331 ; making bright,
337 ; and sugar, relative
sweetness of, 339 ; using
fermented, 339 ; ripening,
351 ; exhibited, 352 ; in
auv form, ib. ; black, 364,
492; and pollen, 365; ob-
stinate, ib. ; marketing,
367 ; temperature for
keeping, 383, 542 ; pre-
servation of, ib. ; bitter,
389; dark, 425; by the
hundredweight, 372,
400, 415, 423, 446, 455;
tainted, 437; unsealed,
ib. ; from unsealed sec-
tious fermented, ib.
candying quickly, ib. ;
difficult to extract, 437,
488 ; by the pound, 446 ;
sale of, 475 ; uses of, in
India, 481 ; granulated,
482 ; as medicine, 486 ;
large yields of, 487 ; sam-
ples, 4SS ; old, for spring
feeding, 508; linden or
basswood, 510; sour and
rancid, 552; price of, 573

Honey associations, 230,
312

Honey beer, 144; beverage,
275 ; vinegar, 281 ; wine,
339 ; lemonade, 410

Honey-bottle, Walton's, 44

Honey companies, 2

Honey company, another,
529

Honey-comb designs, 200,
205, 228, 283

Honey-dew, 212, 352, 411,
419, 429, 542 ; produces
dysentery, 375 ; use of,
for feeding in spring, ib. ;
and frozen bees, 401 ;
estimation in which it
was held by the ancients,
ib. ; how produced, ib. ;
caused by aphides, 420 ;
in Suffolk, 421, 429 ; dif-
ferent opinions as to its
origin, ib. ; its taste, ib. ;

large quantity of it, ib. ;
its producers, 439, 449 ;
its curative qualities, 450

Honey-drop not, 528

Honev, imports of. 2, 81,
92, "96, 172, 225, 25S, 298,
34S, 111, 453, 503, 513,
548

Honey-jars, 528

Honey market, 153

Honey locust, 39

Honey - producing flowers
and plants, 227

Honey-sac, 212

Hops, injuries to, by
aphides, 419

Hot v. cold systems, 363

How to do it, 504. 524, 53?

Howard frame, 153 ; sec-
tions, 151 ; slotted divi-
ders, ib.

Howells, Rev. J., 213

Huber's apiavv, 186

Humble bees, 226, 207, 217,
302,325; inNewZealand,
168 ; the ways of some,
237 ; visits to flowers, 254 ;
and clover blossoms, 2S2 ;
proposition for, 436

Humming, 56

Hut, in the, 107, 142, 206,
226, '270, 358, 382, 476,
483. 505, 5il

Hybrids, 3, 195, 233, 323,
364

Hlusbrici'tes Jjehrbuch dcr

Bieacnzuclit, 559

Imperial hive, 283

Increase, how and when
to, 302

Increasing stocks and
honey, 100

India, uses of honev in, 4S1

Indian bees, 260, 3S6

Inoculation, 385, 390, 412

Interbreeding, 105

Insect exhibition at Paris,
4S1

Insects at fault, 63 ; ferti-
lisation by, of flowers,
254 ; vision of, 2S7

Instinct of bees, 152

Introducing queens. Sec
Queens

Inventions, British and
American, 7 ; new, in
bee-appliances, 469

Invertible frames, 132

Invertible hives, S, 16, 25,
38. 45, 51, 52, 75, 121. 123,
134, 176 ; and how I use
them, 99; are they water-
tight ? 109

Inverting, 327 ; frames,
Canadian opinions of,
146 ; sections, 89 ; skeps,
165

Ireland, bee-keeping, 2, 80

Irish bee-keeping, past and
present, 241 ; standard
hive, 29S ; bee - keeper,
424

Irish B.K.A., sale of mem-
bers' honey by, 416 ; stan-
dard hive of, 461

Italian hybrids, 2L0

Italianising, 308

Italians, Oarniolans and
blacks, 283 ; their high
qualities, 307 ; or hy-
brids ?, 3SS

Ivy honey, 518

Jenkins, H. M., notice of

his death. 34
Jenyns, F. G., A Bookaboub

Bees, 2
Jonathan, how cousin, gets

comb-honey, 289
Jones, D. A., departure of,

for Canada, 4 ; his works

and apiary, 471
Jones-Heddon hive, 75
Jottings, 46, 80, 93, 118, 145,

182, 224
Journal, motto for, 69;

hints for, 511
Jubilee designs, 180, 283;

year, how bee-keepers

should honour it, 202 ;

proposed show in year

of, 221 ; the queen's, 265
Judge, appreciation of, 415
Judges, decisions of, 101 ;

hints for, 131 ; at shows,

their decisions, 427

Judgiug, 162, 187, 425, 130,
3S9, 402, 415 ; appliances
at shows, 50

July 4, 299

Kandratieff, his apiaries,

194
Kaugaroo Island, 255
Keep colonies strong, 509
Keep geese, keep bees, 555
Keeping honev, 327
Kentrapone, 117, 133
Kenworthy, (). J. Fox,

death of, 45, 82, 145
Killick's wax - extractor,

76, 119, 313, 330
Knickerbocker and Lock,

queen-raising, 470
Kohler method, 137, 293

La Circ des AbciVcs, ct son

Utilisation, 518
Lady bee-keepers in Eng-
land and America, 473
Ladybirds, 449, 485
Lancashire bee-cellar, 279
Langstroth hive, 29
Larva?, food of, 184
Lavender-water, 388
Layens, M. de, 13S, 146
Law on bess, 239
Leaf -cutting bees, 62
Lectures on bees and bee-
keepin?, 41, 133, 139,
14S, 171, 182, 246, 403
Lecturing tour, northern,

222
Lee's folding sections, 7 ;
frames, sections, and
crates, 69, 125, 145, 160,
183, 206, 218, 225, 354,
370, 385, 417, 431, 469,
474, 552 ; fixing founda-
tion in, 553
Lcs Abcdles. 112
Leuckart on the food of

larva?, 185
Ligurian bees, 97, 337, 361 ;
preferred, 112 ; pure,
122 ; loss of, through
mismanagement, 153 ;
keeping pure, 239 ; six
stocks from two, 4L
Lignriauising, 240
Lincolnshire B.K.A., 369
Linden honey, 510
Little Wonder, 403
Locality of apiary, 277
Long words, 195
Lowe, J., death of, 4
Lowestoft apiary, 239
' Ludovicus Vives, 490

M'Knight, B.., memoir of,
170 ; at Owen Sound, 4-71

M'Lain, W. N., his experi-
ments in controlling the
fecundation of queens,
431

H'Nally, Messrs., 4S, 483,
495

Madagascar bees, 75

Mahin, M., on getting rid
of fertile workers, 147 ;
introduction of queens,
ib.

Manipulating, 68, 354,
392 ; tent at Manchester
show, 465

Manipulation, 4, 294 ; best
time for, 283, 2SS, 308,
373, 379, 400, 407, 412 ; in
high wind, 339

Maraldi and glass hives,
130

Marigold flower, plaster
for wounds, 309

Marketiug honey, 367

Martins, 370, 399

Matamata apiary, 169

Meadows, W. P., his ex-
tractor, ISO

Mead or metheglin, 217 ;
recipes for, 427

Megachile muraria, 262

Mehring, ef Frankenthal,
his discovery of making
artificial comb, 16S

Mel et sal, 188

MeUa, 275, 292

1 Mel sapit omnia,' 16, 172,
181, 188

Metal ends, 211, 226, 303

Meteorogical observations
for July, 36S

Methyl salicylate, 7, 117,
2SS

Mexican bee, 79

Miee, 4

Microscope, works on the,

334 ; Mr. Cowan's in

America, 472, 473
Middle sections, removing,

424
Mid Wales, a visit on bee

business in, 460
Miller, Dr. 0. C, reply to,

399 ; on bee-keeping as a

livelihood, 479
Minorca, bee-keeping in,

Modem Bee.lccepiag, 2
Monkeying with bees, 373
Morren. C-, on the strac-

ture of aphides, 44't
Moth in hives, 200; in spare

combs, 352
Mouse, in a hive, 452
Moveable frame-hive, in-
ventor of, 76, 83
Moveable bottom - board,

211
Moveablo comb system, 211
Moviug bees, 39, 149, 210,

409.478; half-a-mile,335;

and uniting, 33S ; a short

distance, 339
Musty smell in feeders, 210
My Bees, 501, 512, 521, 532,

544, 569
My year's work, 485

Natal, bees in, 563
Natural swarming, 204
Nectar, 212 ; in flowers,
object of, 184 ; secretion
of, 455
Neighbour, Messrs., inver-
tible hive, 121 ; inver-
tible section rack, 79,
128 ; good example set
by, 232
Newman, Mr., of Chicago,

471
New races of foreign bees,
139, 160, 175, 186, 195, 218
New Zealand, bee-keeping

in, 375, 3S3
New Zealand and Austra-
lasian Bet Journal, 33S
Nitro-benzol, 488
Nomenclature, 9, 17, 27, 1S7
Non-swarming, 53, 144
Norway, bee-keeping in,548
Notes by the way, 150, 249
Notes on current topics, 336
Nouvellc Flore, 132
Novice, experience of a, 87
Novice's metal corners, 3SS
Nuclei, 2S2
Nucleus swarming, 134

Obituary:— M. Mona, 14;
0. Fumagalli, ib.; Jules
Madare, ib. ; M. Gerard,
■ib. ; J. Anderson, ib. ; A.
Butlerow, ib. ; H.J. Jen-
kins, 34 ; F. Kenworthy,
45, 82, 146 ; J. Bolton,
223 ; D. Stewart, 420

Observatory hive, 64, 153,
23S, 355 ; stocking an,
100; and judging, ^403

One and a half sections, 165

One hundred pounds per
hive, 455, 496

One-pound bottles, 361

Ontario bee-keepers, result
of their exhibition at s.
Kensington, 46 ; library
of, 503

Orchids and pollen masses,
254

Outlines of bee-keeping for
beginners, 43, 67, 115, 135,
179, 211, 231, 253

Overstocking, 482

Packing, 22 ; swarms, 200 ;
honey, 238

Packing-cases, cheap, for
transmission of honey by
railway, 271

Painting hives, 119, 143

Palestine bees, 18, 140

Pallus Romulus, on meth-
eglin and oil, 214

Pai'allel v. right - angled
frames, 363, 379, 384, 412,
432, 522, 526, 531, 550

Parallel system, 379

Parsons and bees, 499

Patent rights, 200

Patents relating to apicul-
ture, 522

Patenting inventions, 69

Pea-flour, 173, 135, 223

Penrose's Carousal of Odin,
214

Peppermint, 38S

Persevering, by, 35S

Pheasants and bees, 64

Philadelphia, Mr. Cowan's
reception at, 472

Philology, 1S1

Phorodon humuli, 449

Photographs of Swiss api-
ai-ies, exhibited by Mr.
Cowan, 183

Phvsiological queries, S, 3S,
75,99

1 Pieces,' 176

Pine-wood the best for hive
making, 327; attractive
to bees, 437

Pipe-cover queeu-cae-es430,
574

Pitched paper for quilts,
361

Plauta, Dr. A. Yon, on cane
sugar in honey, 29 ; on
the colour of wax, 146;
his experiments on the
brood of larva?, 185 ; on
brood-covers, 467, 4S1

Platelayer's report, 456

Plinths, 165

Poison-bag, 115

Poisonous )iouey, 76, 77,
8S, 198, 2S2

Poisonous plants, 205

Pollen, separation of, from
wax, 10 ; grains in honey,
17 ; storing of, by bees,
40; and syrup, 44; na-
tural, 112 ; baskets, 212 ;
dried, 239 ; iratberiug,
245 ; masses, ^249, 520 ;
vessels, 2d4 ; clogged
combs, 339, and honey,
493 ; carriers, 520

Porto Rico sugar, 14, 51,
53. 64, 124

Position of apiary, 92

Posterior legs of the worker
bee, 503

Poultry-farming, 167, 486

Pound of honey, visits of
bees to flowers for a, 363

Praktische Imlcer, 542

Preparations, 45, 204

Preparing hives, supers, 70

Preventing swarms set-
tling on high trees, 61

Propolis, 212, 552 ; use of,
164

Propolisation, preventing.
175

Queen, 35 ; finding in a
swarm, 41 ; found on
alighting - board, ib. ;
preventing entering up-
per boses, 100,124; dead,
109, 210, 250, 352, 427;
loss of, 112, 129; found
alone, 123 ; depositing
eggs, 124 ; a drone breed-
er, 188 ; clipping wings
of, 1S8; raise X in April,
200; injured, 200, 294;
introducing to two weak
stocks, 219 ; unfertilised,
229 ; impregnation of,
239 ; our, and G-ovemour,
265 ; her history, 266 ;
and the bees, 202 ; lost
and found, 301; joining
swarm, 314 ; laying
drone and worker eggs
at same time, 323 ; cause
of dead, 326; old, 3391;
loss of, and uniting,
352 ; diseased, 397 ; not
finding the, 401, 423;
driven bees without, 427;
producing diminutive
bees, 437 ; taking away
diseased, 455 ; supersed-
ing, 26S, 478; piping, 561;
releasing at sunset, 574

Queens, young, 19; raising'
in swarming time, 40 ;
age of, 39, 200, 47S ; ex-
periment of raising dur-
ing queen's presence, 59 ;
changing, 110; croaking,
ib. ; dying, cause of,
118 ; return of, 165 ;
raising of, 1S5, 362 ; ball-
ing, 229 ; effect of cold
on, ib.; observations on,
266; changing, 307; fe-
cundation of, 303, 324;

Yl

INDEX TO VOLUME XV.

in section cases, 312 ; two
in one hive, 337 ; in se-
cond rear, 447 ; young,
453, 462 ; by post, 531

Queen- cell surrounded
with drone-comb, 229

Queen-cells, 212, 180; and
drone hatching from,
314

Queen-excluding zinc for
dividers, 77

Queen - introduction, 147,
154, 222, 262, 467, 493,
555 ; another success in,
258, 262, 407, 430

Queen-mating-, 314

Queen-raising, 210, 301,
313, 315 ; in nuclei, 41 ;
or introduction of queen-
cell, 2S1

Queenless stocks, 37, 64,
69, 226, 364, 437, 508

Queen Victoria's train and
the bees, 317

Queen-wasps, 89, 180

Quilt,2U; position of .while
supering, 47S

Quilts, 407, 64, 478 j chang-
ing, 4 ; porous, 175

Queries, 111 ; bvabeginner,
176

Query, 551

Rabbet, 9, 17, 27

Races of bees, 2 ; crossing,

22; the new means of

interbreeding, 105, 298
Railway station, bees at,

213
Ray nor feeders, leaking,

210
Raynor, Rev. G., his recipe

for makincr carbolic acid

solution, 402
* Ready, aye, ready,' 180
Red-backed shrike, 370
Red Indians, amongst, 476
Reed, F-, bis apiary, 382
Releasing queen, 574
Remedies for coughs, 309
Removing stocks, 69, 123,

219, 489
Renfrewshire Stewarton,

306
Re-queen mv stocks, how

may I ? 297
Re-queening stocks, 250,

327, 330, 336
Reque-t. a, 222, 260
Resuscitation, 164
Retrospect, a, 1
Reversible section rack,107,

311 ; frames, 16, 110
Rigb.t-n.ngl ed v. parallel

frames, 556
Ripening honey, 351
Robbers, how known, 573
Robbing, 53, 124, 136, 330,

355, 365, 406, 573 ; pre-
venting, 379, 475, 506
Roofs of hives, 109, 211
Root, A. I., 9S, 471
Routh, Mr., answers to,192
Royal jelly, 124,184, 238

Salicylic acid solution, 8,

28/134, 136,417; feeding

with, 100 ; and borax,

427

Sorters1 Company, 182, 188

Salve for wounds, 309

Sartori, M., his apiary,

138 ; diagrams, 518, 552
Schedules for shows, 103
Schonfeld,Pastor,on brood-
cell covers, 467, 480; on
the food of larva1, 185
Schulz, Otto, on artificial

combs, 168
Schwcinfurth, Dr., his ex-
periences with African
bees, 525
Scotch bee-keeper, a, 322
Scotch exhibit of honey
at Glasgow, 421

Scotch hive - manufac -

turers, 100
Scripture texts, 571
Second-class examinations,

442
Second swarms returning,

308
Section, the one-and-tbree-
quarter, 10S; distauce,
154; the first, 280; broken,
338
Sections, 237, 354 ; utilising
for feeding, 53; woods of
which they are inade.147;
in frames,165; unfinished ,
219, 330 ; removing, 222,
283, 308, 336, 380, 452 ;
skeleton case for holding,
260; treatment of, 262,
311, 312; in a time of
drought, 288 ; removing
propolis from, 304 ; fas-
tened to separators, 314 ;
breaking up, 339 ; taking,
352; refusing behind
hive, ib. ; slinging, 362 ;
unsealed, 364, 47S ; re-
moving middle, 3S4;
orange - coloured, 427 ;
the new, 516, 524, 53S ;
bleeding, 529 ; still on,
542
Section cases and sections,
127 ; Woodley's, 177, 237,
431
Section-crates, with queen-
excluders, 186
Seed-vessels, 254
Selborne Society, 191
Selected queries, 501, 511,

524, 534
Separating doubled hives,

64
Separating of wax, 76
Separators, 143, 175, 237,
294, 524; tin and wood,
100
Shades for swarms, 243
Shelter, planting for, 511'
Siebold, Professor von, 325
Simmins, S., The Non-
Sicavming System, 3, 348; j
his self-acting syrup-can,
68; hisUnionorUniversal
hive, 385, 403 ; she of
frames advocated by, 97;
hive cover, 122; his comb-
honey supers, 267 ; on
buying and introducing
queens, 291 ; his apiaries,
335, 529 ; Modem Bee-
Farm, 547
Simplicity in feeding, 14
Sirex gigas, 315
Skep overthrown, 64
Skep, from, to bar-frame,

198
Skeps, feeding, 22 ; making
the best of twelve, 239 ;
v. foul brood, 475; cover-
ings for, 490
Skin diseases, wax - salve

for, 309
Slots, width of, 154
Slotted dividers, 150, 162,

163, 501
Smoke, 60, 135, 318, 395 ;

how long known, 111
Smoker, for bees, 141, 173
Snow, clear away the, 38
Spain, bee-keeping in, 24
Spare combs, 207
Sparrows and bees, 197
Specific gravity of honey,

304
Spiders, 219
Spinete, P., model apiary

conducted by, 148
Spircea, essence of, 8, 57
Spreading biood, 124
Spring, dwindling, 45 ; feed-
ing, 53; flowers, 64, 68;
management, 69 ; by
Amateur Export, 232 ;
examination of colonies,

95, 132 ; work in apiary
in, 93

Stamens, 254

Standard frame, 3, 16, 109,
123, 132, 211, 564 ; Irish
B.K.A.,461; top-bar,565

Starters of foundation, 311

Stands, 19

Statistics, 410; wanted, 393

Stewart, D., death of, 420

Stewarton hive, 136, 174,
273, 305, 335

Stimulating, 77, 93, 112,
118, 177/200, 210

Stimulative feeding, 245

Sting, 115 ; effects' of, 370,
40^ ; preventers, 271

Stock, the, 212; dwindling,
53, 339

Stocks, weak, 219; tra-
velling by rail, 123 ;
strength of, 219

Stores, superabundance of,
176; for winter, 354; de-
ficiency of, 462

Storifying, 207, 478

Storifying hive, 212

Sudeley, Lord, his planta-
tions, 377

Sugar for feeding, S9, 112,
338

Sugar syrup, 100

Suggestions, 198

Summer shade for hives, 89

Sundries, 10, 16

Sundry experiences with
bees, 163

Sunflowers and insects, 406

Super, bees ascending to,
283

Super-crate, exhibited by
Mr. Hooker, 186

Supered colonies swarm-
ing, 268

Superficial area of sealed
comb, 386

Sivpers not accepted, 29 ;
giving, 203; putting on,
222; removing, 338; lclt
on hives, 447; andsuper-
ing, 532

Surplus boxes, 243 ; cases,
removal of, 268

Sussex, and Yorkshire, 25;
a voice from, 87 ; Asso-
ciation, 259

Swallows, 370, 394

Swarm, how to put into a
hive, 231 ; a vagabond,
250 ; adventure, a, 280 ;
erratic, 293 ; feeding,
339 ; can it be left to
evening ? 508 ; natural,
placed on stand of parent
stock, 508

Swarms, 15S, 181, 222;
putting together, 77 ;
prevention of, 158; caus-
ing them to settle, 173 ;
and swarming, 212 ; pos-
sible number of, ib. ;
value of, ib. ; purchasing,
223 ; setting up, 243 ;
how to treat, 253, 288 ;
returning, 273 ; small,
339

Swarming, 212, 373, 532;

natural or artificial, 232 ;

time of queens, young

and old, laying eggs, 518

Symington pea-flour, 89,

175
Syrians, 136, 139
Syrup,136,181,230; amount
stored, 136 ; in rusty tin,
200 ; recipe for, 25? ; for
winter-feeding, 417
Syrup-feeder, 110
Syrup-feeding, 23, 452
Syrphida!, 450

Tabanus bovinus, 314
Tar, 64 ; for hives, 100
Teachers and bee-keeping,
43,49

Temperature of hive, rais-
ing the, 38 ; for keeping
comb honey, 388, 542

Third- class candidates,
431 ; certificate, 64, 229,
314, 352, 410

Thirty thousand stings,
412, 414, 444

Thistle honey, 474

Thoughts on current
topics, 132, 173, 372

Thymol, 250

Tinker, Dr., his frames, 97

Tit killed by bees, 84 ; and
bees, 197

Tits, 161, 226, 371

Toads, 27, 371. 399

Tomtits, 37, 486, 551; prob-
lem, 531, 555

Tooth-stopping, 309

Top-bars of frames, 524

Toronto industrial exhi-
bition, 441, 472 ; recep-
tion of Mr. Cowan at, ib.

Transatlantic bee- keepers,
511

Transferring, 89, 112, 12t,
134, 188, 273, 294, 315,
416, 512; stores, 431;
time for, 113 ; to smaller,
sized frames, 206

Transparent roofing, 208

Trap for escape of bees,
566

Travelling box, 283

Treacle, 403

Trimorphism, 500

Tristram, Canon, 42

Trouessart, M., 464

Turner's honey - squeezer,
64

Twichbells, 478

Uncapped nymphs, 496
Uncapping cells, 100 ;

sealed honey, 123
Unicomb observatory hive,

29,41
United bees fighting, 437,

484
Uniting, 41, 53, 165, 250,

314, 339,352, 403, 521; in

autumn, 462 ; queenless

stock, 53 ; two weak

skeps, 220
Uric acid, 477, 4S7
Unslaked lime, 250
Useful hints, 2, et passim

Van Deusen, Messrs., their
wired foundation, 243

Vaniere, Prtvdium kusti-
cum, 127

Tarnish for hives, 175

Varnishes, 88

Varnishing interior of
hive, 210

Vaseline, 8

Veil, 135, 414

Ventilation, 22, 164, 287,
386, 457 ; in winter, 463

Vespa Norvegica, 314

Vienna, apiarian exhibi-
tion at, 138

Village clubs, 61

Visual organs of bees, 318

Vol. XV./end of, 567

Von Berlepsch, on the pro-
portion of honey to wax,
146,148

"Wales, visit to apiary in, 36
Walton, E. C, his honey

bottle, 44
Ward, T. E., his cure for

foul brood, 397
Warm covering, 463
Warning, a word of, 287
Wasps, 175, 225, 295, 330,
372, 38S, 406, 411, 414, 4 H,
487; a word for, 373;
and grapes, 223 ; how
caught, 401 ; how to de-
stroy, 402 ; injurious to
bees, 384; nest of, and
foul brood, 455

Wasp-trap, an Irish, 456
Water for bees, 45, 133, 173,

212, 280, 300, 330
Watertight roofs, 257, 296
Wax extractor, Killiek's,

39,53
Wax foundation, 239
Wax, 512 ; separation from
pollen, 19, 53, 111; its
uses, 29 ; production of,
29, 126 ; imports of,
91. 132, 553 ; ancient
uses of, 126; history of,
ib. ; adulteration of, 296;
analysis of, ib. ; employ-
ment of, for economical
purposes, 308
Wax-melting, 25, 42
Wax-moth, 168, 220
Wax-scales, 179
W. B. C. metal ends, 165,

217, 243
Weather, passim
Webster, W. B., his lectur-
ing tour through Wales,
1 ; his swivel frame-
lifter, 33, 60 ; his fumi
gator, 60, 392 ; lectures,
4, 61, 216
Weakening sections, 542
Weight of combs before
and after slinging, 104 ;
in proportion to comb
surface, 364
* When doctors differ,' 96
White ants, 21
White earthen jar for

honey, 236
White, Gilbert, 419,430
Wide sections, 488
Width of sections, 198
Wild flowers, our, 191
Wintergreen, 7, 57, 154, 238
Winter, making up stocks
for, 239 ; passages, 44,
132, 417, 439, 490, 503, 524 ;
preparation for, 278, 407,
452; stocks, 464; stores,.
294; quilts, 510; flights
of bees, 530 ; smallest
amount of stores for,
534 ; packing, 538
Wintering, 164,430; amount
of food for, 351 ; requi-
sites for, 510 ; bees in
cellars, 515
Wire-cloth mesh, 89
Wiring frames for founda-
tion, 256
Wired foundation, 259, 267,
303, 335, 400 ; a desidera-
tum, 511
Woiblet spurembedder for
fixing foundation, 115,
136,139,144,151,177,186,
197, 220
Woodleigh, 152, 162, 175,

217, 423, 462, 466, 536
Woodley, A. D., his tin
section cases, 177, 237
431
Worker-bees, 136 ; age of,

157, 208, 228, 236, 249
Worker-cells, 180
Worker-comb, 180
Work for B.B.K.A., 443

Xenophon, his account of
effect of poisonous
honey, 198

Yeast, 463

Yorkshire, small voice
from, 26 ; County Asso-
ciation, 37, 50, 01 ; notes,
299

Young, Ivan, Pral-tish,
302 ; at Toronto exhibi-
tion, 441, 472

Zig-zag slides, 528 ; en-
trances, 552

Zoubareff, M. A. do, his
pamphlet on honey, 210

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbancieways' Printino Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.'

[No. 237. Vol. XV.]

JANUARY 0, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfottorcal, Sotrtcs, #r.

A RETROSPECT.

We have passed the threshold of another year,
but before we commence the activities and duties
of that on which we have entered it is desirable to
cast a retrospective glance on the progress of api-
culture during the year 1886.

In looking back, then, on the year that has just
passed our mind is chiefly attracted to the numerous
shows which have been held in various parts of
the United Kingdom. We are pleased to be able
to note these visible indications of the growing
interest taken in apiculture by agricultural and
horticultural societies and by the public generally.
Wherever a meeting of a society for the pro-
motion of agriculture, horticulture, or floriculture,
is now held, the bee-keepers are invited to take
their part in adding an attraction and in giving a
zest to the show. The claim of Apiculture to be
allied to Agriculture is now generally recognised.
This has been notably the case during the past year.
The bee department at the Royal Agricultural
Show, held at Norwich, was no unimportant
auxiliary to the attractions of that exhibition.
The visit to the department by their Royal High-
nesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, their
daughters, and suite, will cause it to be borne in
remembrance by bee-keepers. On that occasion
the number of exhibitors was very large and the
exhibits were of a very diversified character, and
the most, improved methods of bee-culture were
brought before the notice of British agriculturists
in a very practical form. Again, when the Royal
Horticultural Society renewed its provincial shows
by holding one at Liverpool, the Council of the
British Bee-keepers' Association rendered material
assistance towards the arrangement of a depart-
ment for bees, hives, honey, &o. The Royal
Counties Society, which had held its meeting
in 1885 at Southampton, this year held it on
Southsea Common, on which occasion it was
accompanied by that enterprising Association the
Hants and Isle of Wight B. K. A. ; and as this was
the first occasion when a bee show had been held
in Southsea, this Association made the best of the
opportunity thus presented. The meeting of the
Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, held at Lincoln,

was also an opportunity which the Lincolnshire
B. K. A. took advantage of, much to the promotion
of bee-keeping in that district. But the great and
outstanding event of the year has been the South
Kensington Exhibition. Never before has there
been made so effective and complete a display of
the products and appliances connected with bee-
keeping. To be fully realised, it was necessary
that it should have been witnessed. It was held
in one of the finest buildings in the United
Kingdom, in the large and commodious Con-
servatory adjoining the Albert Hall. No less than
290 exhibitors sent contributions to the Exhibition,
and the amount of honey was calculated to be
nearly twenty tons. The honey was of a superior
quality, and it was exhibited in a most attractive
form. There was a great rivalry among the com-
peting counties for precedence. The premier prize
was awarded to the Lancashire and Cheshire B.K. A.
Conferences were held on the occasion, when im-
portant papers were read by several leading bee-
keepers. After an interval of five weeks the
delegates from Canada exhibited their honey at
the Exhibition. This exhibit consisted of about
eighteen tons of honey ; but the flavour of the
honey was by the best judges considered to be not
comparable to that of the United Kingdom. The
oprjortunity of practising fraternal courtesies and
amenities towards the Canadian bee-keepers was not
neglected ; and many pleasant and instructive
meetings were arranged, in which the mutual
methods of conducting bee-keeping in Canada and
Great Britain were earnestly discussed. The ban-
quet, which was held in South Kensington Ex-
hibition, and the Conversational Meeting in the
evening, are amongst the most pleasant reminis-
cences of our retrospect. The visit of the Canadians
will be long held in remembrance as a chief feature
of the year 1886.

There has been a considerable development of
the work of the B. B. K. A. in the counties. Dr.
Walker was specially deputed to visit South Wales
with a bee tent. In Glamorganshire the cause was
much advanced. Thence he proceeded to Cardigan-
shire and Montgomeryshire. A lecturing tour was
also conducted by Mr. W. B. Webster, who delivered
lectures in the principal cities and villages in North
Wales. Considerable progress has been made in
Northumberland ; and as the Royal Agricultural
Society will hold its next annual meeting, in July

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 6, 1887.

at Newcastle, it is expected that the work already
begun there will be then consolidated and com-
pleted. The Association representing the counties
of Lancashire and Cheshire has made considerable
progress this year. By the presence of its repre-
sentatives at the Liverpool and South Kensington
Exhibition and by their regular attendance at
the quarterly meetings of the B. B. K. A., the
northern counties have been brought well in touch
with the central Society. Ireland, too, has pro-
gressed considerably during the year ; although
not largely represented at the South Kensington
Exhibition, it held its own, and secured a large
share of the honours bestowed in proportion to
the number of exhibits sent in for competition.
The future of bee-keeping in the United King-
dom materially depends on the loyalty of the
affiliated Associations and the support they are
prepared to render to the Central Society. There
is yet much fallow ground to be broken up, and
the work before the Parent Association is as
arduous as it is important. May all bee-keepers
give cheerful and ready assistance in promoting
the progress of the work which yet remains to
be done.

In literature we may point to the large circula-
tion Modem Bee-keeping, issued under the auspices
of the British Bee-keepers' Association, has attained.
A new edition, bringing the work up to the present
times, consisting of 10,000 copies, has been issued.
We may say, without fear of contradiction, that the
circulation of this work is unprecedented in the
annals of bee-literature, being far in advance of
any work of a similar kind. Mr. Cowan's Guide-
Boole has also met with much success during the
year ; it has now reached its eighth edition, and
the number of copies issued has been 15,000. The
work has already been translated into the Swedish
and French languages ; and arrangements are now
being made for its being translated into Danish,
Russian, and Spanish. Mr. Cowan has also sent
forth a pamphlet on Doitbling and Storifying, which
will prove of great service to bee-keepers desirous
of increasing their produce of honey. A cheap
edition of the Rev. F. G. Jeuyns' work on Bee-
keeping for the Young has been published. The
first volume of Mr. Cheshire's work is completed,
and the second is being continued in monthly
parts.

By the aid of the various shows, and the action
of the Honey Companies, the sale of honey has
been much popularised, and a great impulse has
been given to its sale during the year. Already we
hear that the wholesale buyers arc unable to
purchase sufficient sections to meet the demands
made upon them. This is promising news for the
cultivators of honey and emphasises the advice
we have frequently given to bee-keepers, namely,
not to place before the public immediately after
the honey season the whole of the produce of their
apiaries, but to keep it in reserve till they are
warranted in asking and obtaining a higher price
for their honey. We hope the attention of
bee-keepers will, in the expectation of increasing
amounts of honey being produced, direct their

attention to the discovery of further utilities of
honey in the way of beverages, comestibles, <fcc.

During the year considerable attention has been
paid to the introduction of new races of bees.
From Cyprus, Carniola, the Holy Land, South
Africa, America, &c, there have been considerable
importations. These attempts to introduce bees of
superior powers have found much encouragement
amongst our leading bee-masters, but the English
black bee still continues to hold its place in the
estimation of the great body of bee-keepers.

The imports of honey for the year are not yet
complete ; we hope, however, in the course of the
present month to have full statistics before us, when
we propose to take the opportunity of dealing with
both the honey imports for 1886 and the wax
imports and exports for 1885.

Notwithstanding the grand display of honey at
the South Kensington Exhibition, the season of
1886 cannot be pronounced to have been a prosper-
ous one. In some localities it has been favourable,
but the yield in the United Kingdom generally
has not reached the average of previous honey
yeai's. Hope, however, ever dwells in the hearts
of bee-keepers ; and we trust, with enlarged expe-
rience, and with improved appliances, their best and
brightest hopes for 1887 may be fully realised.

G. H.

USEFUL HINTS.

To our readers, old and young, experienced and novices,
a hearty greeting with the new year : may it prove to
each and all a year of happiness and prosperity, and not
less so to our great care, the bees. The old departs, the
new enters — enters in a mantle of white, departs with
storm and hurricane, fatal, alas, to many a poor mariner
—enters with joyous forecast, the pleasures of hope, to
all, save the aged, the worn, and weary. Days are
creeping out, fog and cloud will soon give place to
sunshine, and our little sun-worshippers will soon again
be flitting from flower to flower, and carrying home to
their callow brood the precious burdens of pollen and
nectar. At present many of our hives are deep below the
banks of snow, but we cannot help anticipating, in
thought at least, the good time coming. The late
storms, we fear, will have disarranged many apiaries.
Fortunately, our own have stood firm — not a hive over-
turned, not a roof displaced.

The departed year will assuredly rank as an annus
mirabilis in the records of apiculture. Progress has been
its watchword, and long will it be remembered in con-
nexion with the gracious patronage of Royalty and the
visit of Colonial apiarists to our shores. And not less,
perhaps, by the importance of the bibliological additions
to scientific and practical apicultural literature which
have issued from the press. New editions of those truly
practical works — Cowan's British Bee-keepers' Guide, and
Modern Bee-keeping, have been called for ; and Mr.
Jenyns' excellent little work, A Book about Bees, has
been published in so cheap a form as to render its useful-
ness to the rising generation tenfold that of the previous
issue. Professor Cook, treating of the new work of Mr.
James Ileddon, Success in Bee Culture, says : —

' It ia wholly, from first to last, practical. Rarely does
any work bring such a profusion of rich, practical hints
as does this. On every page is some suggestion which
commends itself to the wise apiarist. I would advise any
bee-keeper who has not read Success in Bee Culture to
procure a copy and study it thoroughly, since nothing will
tend more to win success.'

January 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

We need scarcely remark that Professor Cook is
strongly in favour of ' inversion,' and uses the Heddon
hive, of which he speaks most highly. He also refers in
flattering terms to Mr. Simmins' brochure, The Nortr
Siuarming System, as a 'racy little work from England,'
and says : —

' If unfinished combs next to the entrance of a hive are a
sure security against swarming, it is surely an interesting
fact which can be turned to good use. Mr. Simmius' idea
of crowding bees into the sections reminds me of much that
has been said by two of our distinguished bee-keepers,
Messrs. Heddon and Hutchinson. Simmins' method of
direct introduction of queens is not new in America. This
work, I am sure, will interest and benefit the American bee-
keepers who may read it.'

We think the Professor confuses Mr, Simmins' former
and later systems of ' Queen Introduction,' since his
former plan, of introducing a queen with brood and bees,
has been long practised in America and elsewhere ; but
so far as we are aware, his later system, of introducing a
queen sola, after dark, at the top of the hive, and after
thirty minutes' fasting, has never before been set forth
as a system, nor practised individually. We still, there-
fore, adhere to our motto of ' Suum cuique,' in this, as in
other cases.

Hives and Standard Frames. — In our last ' Hints'
we confessed to a longing for a larger frame, which might
be worked in connexion with the present Standard, and
expressed an opinion that such a frame might be success-
fully introduced by private enterprise. We are pleased
to learn that Mr. Simmins is of the same opinion, and
that for three years his brain has been at work on the
subject, resulting in the production of a hive for which
he is now obtaining a patent. By the courtesy of the
inventor we have been favoured with a sight of the
drawings, and a full description of the hive. To this
hive Mr. Simmins referred in his letter (No. 700), and
stated that if there appeared a desire for a larger frame,
he might at some future date describe the hive he used,
in which could be worked advantageously a 14" x 14"
frame together with the present Standard. Without
going into a full description of the hive — which, we
hope, together with the drawings, may shortly appear in
the Journal — we may say the distinctive features of the
hive consist of four novelties, which are more par-
ticularly to be protected by patent, viz. : — (1.) A key
arrangement for holding shallow frames and skeleton
section-holders in place, for inversion, when desired.
(2.) Folding skeleton section-frames, which can he used
either with or without a rack, in various parts of the hive.
(3.) A pliable adapting-board, and (4) a weather rabbet
for protecting the joints of the hive. Besides these,
there are other features entirely new to us, such as
metal rests let into saw-cuts on floor-board ; a sunk floor-
board forming a permanent feeder; as luve-entrances,
small circular holes ; the plan of suspending the 14-inch
frames, which are partly close-ended ; bee-space provided
at top of frames instead of bottom ; an ingenious and
simple plan of enlarging or diminishing the bee-space ;
the shallow, or super-frames (12" x 6"), standing on end
close up to the larger ones, &c. The hive itself, when
complete, with roof, forms a most picturesque object,
and its appearance is thoroughly English, sound, and
substantial, and it is clearly impervious to weather.

Taken as a whole it is simplicity itself, notwithstand-
ing its various parts — all of which can be worked on the
invertible system — although Mr. Simmins is not an
advocate of the plan — and we cannot but aug'ur a suc-
cessful future for a hive which unites in itself so many
good points, and which can be worked with the greatest
ease, both with the standard and larger frames.

Flowers for Bees. — We have received a beautifully
illustrated annual from Messrs. Webb & Sons, which
they style Webb's Sjn-ing Catalogue of Vegetable and
Flower Seeds, and in which thev give a short but useful

essay on ' Flowers for Bees.' We quote the following as
of considerable importance and interest : —

' AVherever fruit trees are grown in quantity, either out
of doors or under glass, no better assistants in ensuring
fertilisation can be obtained than the bees, and some of the
most successful market fruit growers attribute the regularity
of their crops to the industrious aid of these insects. Most
of our hardy fruit trees, however, flower in early spring,
and there is a long period during which the bees have to
seek their honey and pollen supplies in other directions.
To assist in this we have prepared the following list of
plants that are most serviceable for the purpose, and which
are most frequented by the bees. The object is to obtain
as long a succession of bloom as possible, and this can be
effected with most annuals, or biennials, by sowing batches
of seed at different times, so that plants are had in all
stages. Have a good quantity of whatever plants are
employed, as patches are not of much use, and will be
scarcely sufficient to keep the bees at home, and it should
be remembered that if this can be accomplished much
time will be saved in the filling of supers, a quick reti r j in
honey amply compensating for expenditure in the purchase
of seeds. Four plants that should be grown extensively
are Limnanthes Douglasi, mignonette, borage, and the
corn-flower (Oentaurea cyanus). As much ground as pos-
sible should be devoted to these. Sweet scabious is a good
plant for summer flowering, and does particularly well on
banks or mounds. Sweet alyssum and the white arabis
also merit a portion of the ground, and will well repay for
the space occupied. Wallflowers are almost indispensable
in early spring, and cannot be too freely employed. The
phacelia is a capital plant for a later period, as also are
candytuft, stocks, and sweet peas.

' Suitable additions to this list will be found in the
following annuals :— Ambrosia Mexicana, Calliopsis bicolor,
Cerinthe' major, Clarkia pulchella, Colinsia bicolor, Col-
lornia coccinea, Gillia tricolor, Leptosiphon densiflorus,
Lupins, Nasturtium, Phlox Drummondi, and Whitlavia
grandiflora. Shrubs like the berberis, lilac, and ribes, are
useful, and among trees the lime and sycamore are perhaps
the best.

'All the sunflower tribes are favourites with the bees,
also thyme, and most herbs may be added with advantage.'

It is a pleasing circumstance that one of our largest
and most suocessful firms of seed-growers acknowledges
the growing importance of apicultnre, as Messrs. Webb
do by stating that : —

' The number of amateur apiarians has increased greatly
in the past few years, for, apart from the bountiful stores
of honey so easily obtained under the modern system of
management, it is now generally recognised that bees
perform a most important work in the garden.'

We may here mention that Mr. Cowan informs us
that he has grown Echinops spheerocephalus for eight or
ten years, and classes it high as a bee-plant.

Many of our readers, no doubt, are well acquainted
with Echinops" Ritro, an ornamental perennial border-
plant, which bears a blue flower, and of which bees are
very fond.

Cyprians. — Much has been written respecting the
Cyprian bee, some praising it highly, others condemning
it utterly. Our own view, after some years' experience,
is that it is, when thoroughly acclimatised, the best
honey-bee of all. We have no difficulty in handling
them, although, as with other races, colonies vary in
temperament. The capping of their sections is extremely
light, consequently the honey is more apt to ' sweat.'
The breeding power of the queens is simply marvellous,
and large hives, with ample ventilation, are required to
prevent swarming. The cross between the Cyprian
and Italian is one of the best, if not the best. Next we
should place that between the Syrian and Italian, or
between the Syrian and Black. All these hybrids are
splendid workers, extremely prolific, and produce fine
sections, though somewhat more lightly sealed than
those worked by pure Blacks. The cross between the
Carniolans and the Eastern races has not proved very

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 6, 1887.

successful with us in a few cases we have tried, but
we hope to experiment further in this direction.

Thus far our Carniolans have failed to give anything
like the surplus obtained from Cyprians, Syrians, Ita-
lians, and Blacks, but they are, undoubtedly, most amia-
ble iu temper, so much so, indeed, that ' a little child
may lead them.'

Entrances, Manipulation, Changing Quilts, &c.
Frost-bound as the country is, and blocked with snow,
it seems sadly out of place to discuss these matters, but
when the thaw comes, and the sun shines, a change of
quilts, from damp to dry, will be advantageous. En-
trances aro best kept at summer's width, and should
occasionally be cleared from dead bees and other refuse.

When changing quilts the amount of sealed honey near
the tops of the frames should be noted, and, if required,
food must be supplied in shape of candy, &c, beneath
the renewed quilts, since strong colonies will be breeding
now, and the consumption, of stores will increase daily.

But examination must be made on fine warm days
only, and our watchwords must still be rest and quiet
repose.

After long frost dysentery will appear in many
colonies, which must be treated as previously advised.
Nothing tends more to keep bees healthy than an occa-
sional cleansing flight. On Christmas Day, which was
bright and warm, all our strongest colonies were in full
flight, and their cheering hum spoke pleasantly of sum-
mer days to come.

Assuredly a sheltered position, with sunny southern
aspect, conduces towards the healthiness of an apiary.
Beware of bluetits and mice, keep the hives snug and
warm, with plenty of covering, disturb as little as possi-
ble, and make all necessary preparation for the busy time
coming, and when at last the harvest arrives you will
reap the due reward of foresight and industry.

THE DEPARTURE OF MR. D. A. JONES FOR
CANADA.

The last of the Canadian delegates, Mr. D. A. Jones,
of Beuton, Ontario, has taken his departure from our
shores. Mr. Jones's time at the last was (as usual
with parties sailing for the West) fully taken up, but the
Lancashire and Cheshire bee-keepers were fortunate to
have him spend his last evening in England (Wednesday,
the 28th December, 1886) with some of their members
at the Bear's Paw Restaurant, Liverpool, when the few
members, who at the short notice Mr. Jones had given
them of the exact day of his departure had been gathered
together, spent a very enjoyable evening, Mr. Carr en-
tering into a very interesting discussion on the merits of
the improvements in the Oarr-Stewarton hive, and on
the best means of putting honey up cheaply and attract-
ively for sale.

Mr. Jones, to those who saw him off at the steamer,
expressed himself very warmly at the kindly way ho had
been entertained during his visit to England.

DEATH OF MR. J. LOWE.

All who take interest in bee-literature and doings will
receive with regret the sad tidings that Mr. John Lowe
died on the 15th December at his residence, Slateford
House, near Edinburgh . From time to ti mo d uring the last
twenty-live years lie lias cnrichod the pages of the Journal
<>f Horticulture with interesting communications on bee-
subjects. He also, for a period, contributed weekly
articles on the same subjects to the Farmer.

Mr. Lowe was u skilled practical bee-master, and first
set up an apiary, within Edinburgh, near the Dean
Bridge, but I he Egyptian race which ho introduced
proving offensive to tho surrounding inhabitants coni-
pellod liim in remove it.

As an able controversialist and elegant writer he had
few equals. He held his opinions with great tenacity,
aud to his skirmish with Mr. Woodbury iu 186-'! on the
subject of foul brood, and his persistency in maintaining
it was only an artificial disease created by experiment-
alists, we are indebted for the efforts that were subse-
quently made to discover its cause and cure. The
controversy brought into the field the testimony and
experience of the highest authorities of the day, such
as the ' Renfrewshire Bee-keeper,' the ' Hampshire,'
the ' Lanarkshire,' ' B. and W.,' &c, &c. The result of
their evidence was to prove that ' foul brood ' was a real
and not an artificial disease.

As a man and member of society Mr. Lowe was
genial, affable, and unwilling to offend, being animated
by a true Christian spirit, and cherishing the kindliest
feelings towards all. It was his lot to be bereaved of
his wife and children, save one daughter who survives
him, but with fortitude he bore the loss, and meekly
bowed to the stroke. Many of his reflections having
reference to time and mortality are embodied in beautiful
pieces of poetry.

Mr. Lowe was much respected by the circle in which
he moved, and to show their appreciation of his worth
and service in the Clydesdale Bank, where he long held
a responsible position, the Directors, on his being attacked
by paralysis three years ago, generously retired him on
a life pension of 15(K. per annum.

The death of such a man, followed as it was on the
18th by that of Dr. John Mackenzie, who in 1860 wrote
a little book on The Management of Bees, makes a great
blank in the bee-world.

MR. CORNEIL'S SECTION-CRATE AND
SECTIONS.— AN APOLOGY.

I received a letter this morning from Mr. W. Chitty,
of Pewsey, in which he complains that in the B. B.
Journal for November 18th I used words that go
beyond friendly criticism. I very much wish he had
called attention to them in tho Journal the following
week, as it would have given me an earlier opportunity
of tendering him, which I do now, my humble apology
if any of my words have caused him any annoyance. —
Amateur Expert, January 1st, 1887.

FRANCE.

At the close of the recent meeting of the 'Socioto
Centrale d'Apiculture et d'Insectologie ' of Paris, a
discussion took place regarding the Bee Association, or
' Groupement Apicole,' so designated, to be formed for
Seine-et-Oise. The Chairman pointed out that it was
for the promoters of the movement to explain to the
members present the basis upon which this new organiza-
tion was to be brought about. Whereupon Monsieur
Asset urged that in the articles of constitution provision
should bo made for the establishment of a practical
apiary, stating that, although the primary object of the
proposed ' groupement ' was that of opposing certain
municipal regulations which were considered an en-
croachment upon the bee-keeping interests, the apiary
ho advocated would serve as a means of raising funds for
the Association . — L'Apicidfeur.

According to tho Apiculteur, the duties payablo upon
bee-produce, when imported into France bj' sea, are as
follows: — Wax — Brown, yellow, or white, in admitted
bulk, 1 franc per 100 kilos, except Algerian, which is
duty free. When manufactured into candles, 10 francs
per 100 kilos. Wax refuse in bulk is also free. Honey,
when imported by sea, is subject to a duty of 10 francs
per 100 kilos gross weight, which brings it up to about
I 1 frniics por 100 kilos net.

January 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

BERKS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
Windsob Branch.

The above branch held its animal general meeting' at
the Albert Institute, Windsor, on Thursday, December
16th. The meeting began with the hon. secretary's
report for the year 1886, and then followed the election
of officers for the ensuing year. The hon. secretary,
the Rev. R. Ellington, congratulated the society
upon its satisfactory condition. In January, 1886, it
became affiliated with the county society. The number
of members on the books last year was 17. During the
last twelve months they had risen to 42. In August
the branch held a show in the grounds of Clewer Park,
in conjunction with the Clewer Horticultural Society.
Prizes were given away to the amount of about Gl.
The manipulating tent, presided over by Mr. A. D.
Woodley, the expert to the County Association, brought
in between 21. and 31. to the receipts. There were some
good samples of comb and run honey shown, and one
cottager sent over 100 lbs. of tilled sections. Considering
the size of the branch the show may be looked upon as
very successful. The receipts amounted to 11/. 15s. 0d.,
while the total expenditure was 9/. Is. lid., leaving a
balance of 21. 13s. Id. The hon. secretary was invited
again to take office, and the former committee were
unanimously re-elected.

After the business of the meeting was concluded a
social gathering of friends of members was held.
Admission was by ticket, each member receiving two for
distribution. Several members of the committee gave
short addresses on various subjects connected with
bee-keeping, and a discussion followed. There was a
small exhibition of appliances by Mr. Sevenoaks, and.
honey by the hon. secretary. Mr. John Minter, of
Clewer Nurseries, brought a microscope, and exhibited
some very interesting slides. A table, presided over by
Miss Goring, a member of the branch, was set apart for
light refreshments in the shape of tea, coffee, and
biscuits, the arrangements having been carried out by
Mr. G. Cartland. After a very pleasant evening the
company dispersed about ten p.m., several persons
having given in their names as members for 1887.

(foresponftwa.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents arc requested to write or, one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W. C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see'2nd page of Advertisements).

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

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE-MEN.
[753.] As the time approaches when the members of
the British Bee-keepers' Association will be called upon
to elect the Committee for the ensuing year the thought
occurs to me, as indeed it has on previous occasions, that
some guidance from you would be of much value in
regard to the choice of the candidates who may offer
themselves for the coming year. In venturing to broach
the subject, let it not be thought that any pretence is
made by me to stand in any other position than that
of an ordinary member of the Association, heartily
desiring its welfare; nor more particularly let it be
supposed that any observation of mine should imply
other than the fullest appreciation of the invaluable
services which the Committee has devoted in the past,
and notably during the year now closing, to the interests

of the Association ; but my feeling is that gratitude for
these services should, besides securing for them a stereo-
typed expression of thanks at the annual meeting of the
members, show itself in endeavouring to make the Com-
luitteo more perfect in its individual composition, so
that the work performed may be the contributions of
all its members. An examination of the reports of
Committee meetings in the British Bee Journals shows
that a certain number of gentlemen devote a large
amount of time and labour, not to mention expense, in
promoting the interests of the Association ; and it may
be concluded that from this section of the Committee
the numerous sub-committees are also drawn. Now as
the interests of the Association are so faithfully guarded ■
by these more diligent members, it seems to be incum-
bent upon the electing body that no imperfect workers,
or drones, shoidd find a place in the new Committee. It
is presumed that the number forming the Committee is
requisite to carry on the work of the Association ; if,
therefore, any gentleman now forming one of that
number foresees the probability of his not being able to
undertake his full share of the work, it becomes his duty
to abstain from offering himself.

You, Mr. Editor, may materially assist and influence a
good choice by placing before your readers a record of
the attendances of the several members at ordinary and
special Committees during the past year, and by bringing
under notice other eligible persons whom it would be to
the interests of the Association to have upon the Com-
mittee.

And here the thought strikes me that desirable as
it is that the Committee shall be within easy distance
of the place of meeting, one exception might be made to
secure if possible an eligible member residing in the
district in which the Royal Agricultural Show is held,
who would thus be able to render valuable assistance to
the Committee in carrying out the important work of
the bee department at such show. I merely put this
forward as a suggestion, thinking that something practical
might arise out of it.

In venturing to open the subject 1 have endeavoured
to avoid giving offence to anybody, and I may have erred
in judgment in busying myself upon it, but if my act
results in bringing assistance to the harder-worked
members of the Committee I shall be rewarded.

Wishing you a happy new year, and prosperity to
the Bee Journal, as also to the cause it aims to promote,
I am, &c, — J. Gahratt, JECockenden, St. Mary Cray,
Dec. 28.

[The record of attendances at Committee-meetings
would only partially show the interest taken by the Com-
mittee in the work of the Association, as a large amount
of work is done by those who are unable to attend through
means of the post. If a less number of Committee-men
were elected by the members, and the Committee were
given power to elect the remainder, as proposed by Mr.
Stewart at the last annual meeting, many eligible mem-
bers might be drafted in, and the large amount of work
would be more easily overtaken. — Ed.]

NOTES OF SEASON 1886.
[754.] When I examined my hives in April I found
all very flourishing and happy, except my two stocks of
Ligurianised fiends, who had some honey left but no
brood. I had removed their queens in October, and
substituted two British princesses in their room, but the
demons had evidently objected to the prospect of a
peaceful reign, and had repeated the crime of January
30. I placed in the midst of each hive a comb full of
brood and having a queen-cell on it ; one stock im-
mediately left the hive in disgust and quartered them-
selves upon their next neighbours, leaving the brood to
perish ; the other reared the brood and then left the
hive, compelling the third hive from their own to make

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 6, 1887.

room for them. They did all (and more) of the sentry
work required in the two hives during the summer, and
just because my gardener chose to work one day for an
hour in front of them, they sallied forth and stung some
men who were slating the roof of the house, a hundred
yards off. Several were still alive in October who must be
more than a year old, showing that the common idea of
the working bee living only six or seven weeks in the
summer is incorrect. Should any be still surviving next
season I will let you know. Virgil gives seven years as
the limit of a bee's life. Doubtless their numerous
enemies, birds, &c, shorten their average life immensely,
but I am not inclined to think that such industrious
creatures die of premature exhaustion.

Upon two of my hives I placed very large sections,
12xox2 inches, with wooden separators. A few of
these were filled with lovely large combs, quite even,
of about 4i- lbs., but in most of them the bees had built
from top to bottom four large lemon-shaped combs,
attached merely by the button at each end ; the spaces
between these were filled up with flounce-shaped pieces,
broad and wide at the bottom and rising up to a point,
built on to the dividers. It was a most beautiful
specimen of constructive engineering, but not very con-
venient for unpacking.

Two swarms in succession absolutely refused to make
themselves comfortable iu one of the hives vacated by
the queenless Ligurians, though it was full of clear last
year's comb. In each case they deserted it the next day.
I suppose they knew by instinct that the habitations of
the wicked could never be blessed. So I had to melt all
the combs down and purify the hive thoroughly before I
could get desirable tenants to take to it.

On the whole, my yield of honey per hive this year
was about half that of last year, which I think pretty
good, considering that we had only twenty-one really
fine days between May 15 and August 15. — C. C. James,
Papworth St. Agnes Rectory, St. Ives, Hunts.

A BEE-MAN'S TRIP TO AMERICA,

And His Gleanings fbom some Tbans Atlantic

Bee-keepebs.

[755.] Acting on your suggestion I purpose for the
benefit of our fellow-apiarians to take notes of such
points of American bee-keepers' practice as are most
likely to cause discussion or experiment in new directions
in the old country, omitting all mention of such plans
as most resemble our own. My object in this journey
being chief!}' connected with the manufacture of ap-
pliances my visits Will generally be to those who are well
known in connexion with that industry.

Db. Tinkeb, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

A pleasant twelve days' sea voyage and a tedious
twenty-four hours in ' the cars' brought me at 8 p.m.
within a few minutes' walk of the doctor's fireside, where,
though unexpected and unknown, a letter of introduction
from my father and an explanation of the object of my
visit immediately procured for me a hearty' welcome.
Being unable to inspect bees or works at that late hour
we naturally fell to talking of ourselves. The doctor
had been suffering for some years from a slight but in-
curable deafness, which he found to be such an impedi-
ment to his obtaining eminence as a physician that he
resolved to abandon Ins practice in favour of his present
occupation, which had always been in accordance with
his natural tastes. In his new vocation he has been so
far successful that though of comparatively a few years'
standing lie is already justly considered one of the best
authorities on bee matters generally in the United States.
He lias chiefly devoted his attention to the perfection

of cellar-wintering, queen-raising, and the manufacture
of dovetailed sections. He finds that if kept in the
dark, bees go into the hibernating condition at a tem-
perature of 50° Fahr., and that their slumber (?) becomes
more intense and the consumption of food less as this is
reduced, until 41° are reached, beyond which point
activity increases and more food is consumed. In a
cellar kept at 41° a stock remains quiet and without
taking food for seven to eight days, when the bees wake
one another up, have a concert and a feast, and again
go to sleep for a like period, consuming only an average
per stock of one pound of food per month, and when
put out, after two and a half to three months' confine-
ment, voiding very little fa3ces. Bees kept on their
summer stands usually consume four or five times as
much food, and are always much weaker in spring. He
generally puts his hives into winter quarters about the
middle of November, and on the first fine daj' in
February he prefers to take out all stocks and give one
flight, though he does not consider this necessary. They
are then replaced in the cellar and the temperature
increased to 48°, when breeding commences without
feeding, and when spring weather becomes assured they
are put on their summer stands. He is convinced that
this method is a long way ahead of any other, and his
opinion is supported by the fact that in the spring of
1884 he was the possessor of the only live bees in his
county, all others having perished.

For queen-raising he much prefers the ' grafting
process.' He removes the queen from any strong stock,
and three days afterwards examines for queen-cells. All
such which are deficient in royal jelly he destroys as
worthless, while from such as are well supplied with
their food he removes the larvse only, replacing them
with others from worker-cells of the stock he selects to
breed from, and being careful not to introduce any larva
of over iV in diameter when curled up. For the removal
of the larva? he uses a thin basswood twig, with the
bark whittled to a long quill-pen-like point, and finds
that by selecting small subjects a failure very rarely
occurs.

He thinks that queens raised from more mature larva!
are generally the largest, but is of opinion that those
raised from smaller worms generally live longer and are
more prolific.

An inspection of his apiary and machinery next
morning proved most interesting. His establishment is
not a large one, but by employing a special machine of
his own invention, and by giving their manufacture his
personal attention, he produces sections which for white-
ness, smoothness, and accuracy, are admitted by his rivals
to be unequalled. He uses only white poplar, which
cannot be made into one-piece sections, but in spite of
this drawback the beautiful appearance of his dovetailed
boxes causes a demand which he finds it difficult to
supply.

A brief inspection of his apiary brought a very
pleasant visit to a close, and I started on my road to
Medina with mixed feelings of regret at leaving one
whom I already respected and of pleasure in the prospect
of making the personal acquaintance of the well-known
veteran, Mr. A. I. Root, of whose establishment I intend
writing you in my next.- — J. A. Addott, Medina, Ohio,
U.S.A., Dec. 15.

BEE-KEEPING IN CANADA.

[75G.] Mr. C. N. Abbott's interesting letter under this
heading, in 5'our last issue, will have done much to
enlighten English bee-keepers on the way our children
manage things apicultural in Canada; but it cannot be
regarded as complete in itself. "With characteristic
modesty, Mr. Abbott' has contented himself with merely
mentioning the qualifications of his correspondent as
those of a purely negative kind, such as that he is 'a

January 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

young friend lately arrived at Ontario,' and ' a young
man who is not, and never has been, a bee-keeper.' The
letter you have already published, however, will satisfy
bee-keepers that any short-comings or omissions on the
part of the correspondent will be more than supple-
mented by the graphic and humorous pen of Mr. Abbott.
The hives and sections exhibited over here by our
Canadian friends attracted so much attention among
practical bee-keepers that it will be a surprise to your
readers to learn that they have not been adopted in the
country of their birth, and that those lovely sections we
all so much admired at the Colinderies were produced
in hives something like those of twenty years ago, and
not such as Mr. Abbott has at Soivtb.aH, Why is this ?
Mr. Abbott is manifestly prepared to discover a reason.
I hope he will not disappoint us. Let him be careful, at
the same time, to indulge in charitable criticism only of
our late visitors, and not lay himself open to the charge
of speaking unkindly of them as soon as their backs are
turned, after they had received every kindness and hos-
pitality during their visit, which, I trust, afforded them
as much pleasure as it did ourselves. Apropos of such
criticism, and in reference to Mr. Abbott's postscript, the
Canadians regard their country as an integral portion of
the British Empire, and you can hardly offend them
more than by calling them 'Yankees.' — A British Bee-
keeper.

BRITISH AND AMERICAN INVENTIONS.

[755.] Like ' Amateur Expert,' ' Renfrewshire Bee-
keeper,' and others, I must add my protest against the
theory that 'nearly all of the appliances have been
furnished us by the inventive genius of the Americans.'
Take one-piece sections of the present day as an example,
and undoubtedly one of the most important and useful
inventions.

As I think probably very few bee-keepers are aware
of the real origin of folding- sections, a short history
correcting the generally accepted opinion that they are an
American invention, may not be out of place at the
present moment.

At one of the annual exhibitions held at South
Kensington, that for ' Agriculture and machinery used
in connexion therewith,' and, if I mistake not, held in
the year 1872, Messrs. Colman, of Norwich, had on
exhibition, and in work, a machine for making boxes for
packing tins of mustard ; these boxes had V grooves cut at
the required distances, just in the same way as the present
one-piece folding section. To make these boxes, boards,
about 5 ft. long, 6 in. wide, and i in. thick, were passed
through the machine, and came out the other end ready
for folding together, and as rapidly as the attendant there
could take them out of the way. I think all will agree
that this was the first, and, perhaps, most important step
in the direction of one-piece sections.

As sectional supers came more to the front in 1875
and following years, I, in the former year, having in my
mind's eye the machine described above, could at once
see its adaptability for turning out sections. Losing no
time, I consulted an engineer in 1875, or the early part
of the following year, and from other inquiries found it
would be infringing the patent of Messrs. Colman, and
was advised to let the matter drop.

However, not to be outdone, I made folding sections
as follows : — The two ends and the top were six
or eight inches wide, in these longitudinal saw-grooves
were made every two inches, cutting through the wood
within one-thirtieth of an inch, and when filled could be
rapidly and easily subdivided into single sections, by
simply running a penknife through the saw-groove. The
bottom part of the ends were grooved to receive bottom
rails, and being accurately made to drive in tightly, kept
the section in position. The top and the upper part of
the two ends were cut through at an angle of 45°,- and on

the outside, when lying out flat, end to end, a wide
piece of tape was glued on, thus forming the joints
corresponding to the thin part of wood left uncut in the
V joints of sections as now made.

This, then, the first folding section ever made, was
exhibited at the Kensington Show of the B.B.K.A. and
was awarded first prize at least one season before the
American one-piece section was heard of in this country;
and I have no hesitation in adding that, could I legally
have applied the above machine to section-making, they
would have been perfected in this country without any
assistance from our American friends. I think there can
be no manner of doubt this was a step two in the same
direction ; and up to this time, as far as my knowledge
goes, the Americans had done nothing whatever towards
perfecting a folding section.

What has followed since the time my exhibit was
awarded a first prize requires no explanation further
than that the Americans have simply followed out the
idea first invented by Messrs. Colman, adapted to
section-making by me, and still further carried out and
perfected by the Americans in one-piece sections of
to-day.

In the face of these facts, I most emphatically contend
that in no sense can the Americans claim to be the
inventors of the sections in question. It must be highly
gratifying to all English hive- makers, in the Journal of
of the 9th December, to have such high authorities
agreeing that our appliauces are far more substantial and
better made with us than they are in any part of
America.

I note, and quite agree with your remark in the same
issue, that the Americans have frequently taken ideas
from us, which they do not credit us with, flagrant
instances of which can be pointed out to this day. — ■
James Lee, December 23rd.

NEW BEE-SUBJUGATORS.

[756.] In your report of the Irish Bee-keepers' As-
sociation, on page 583, you tell us that ' Mr. Sproule
handed round a bottle containing a substance mentioned
in Mr. Cheshire's new book for rubbing on the hands
to prevent the bees stinging while manipulating.' This
was called methyl salicylate, but in Dublin was only
known and sold as ' oil of whiter-green.'

I have not seen the second volume of Mr. Cheshire's
new book, in which this substance is named, for with
the second volume I am wise by experience, having
with his first volume patiently waited, month after
month, for the separate parts, only to find the whole of
the first volume published, whilst the monthly sub-
scribers had arrived but halfway through. It is only
fair to say that the publishers allowed me the cost of
my monthly parts on returning them and purchasing
the volume. I wanted to do the same with the second
volume, but they didn't see the affair in my light,
so I am impatiently waiting for the second volume
complete.

As one who has taken some little interest in the true
use of the bee's sting, I may be pardoned for having
endeavoured for some time, by experiments, to discover
a preventive against bees stinging, and this I have been
doing until winter suspended my experiments, yet not
before I bad achieved success satisfactory to myself. I
have, however, the greatest pleasure in hailing Mr,
Cheshire as the discoverer of, perhaps, the most useful
article in the apiary, and I feel sure your readers will
thank him for generously presenting yet another dis-
covery to the public.

Will you allow me now to say how far on the road
I had gone (a different road but with the same goal) j
afterwards to make some new remarks on the discovery
which will facilitate the miking or obtaining it, anbl

8

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 6, 1887.

also to acquaint our fraternity -with another substance
which I believe is equally efficacious ?

On one occasion I had been attacked by bees on ray
hands, from which 1 could not remove the smell of
petroleum, although it was not discernible to myself.
I had tried two or three good washings with soap in
vain, so determined, as they were so susceptible to its
odour, to use vaseline (the jelly of petroleum) as the
vehicle or basis of my lubricant, anticipating that when
the bee came to sample the surface of skin (preparing for
business) with its too highly sensitive palpi or feelers,
placed near the sting aperture, she would hud the ad-
hesive and sticky slight film of vaseline, with which
I had rubbed my hands, an unsuitable medium, besides
rendering difficult the pincer-like purchase she obtains
with her claws, by which to insert the sting. Scenting
this substance successively with vanilla, vervain, berga-
mot, lavender, thyme, lemon, &c, separately, and in
various combinations or chords ; rubbing my hands with
various herbs the essential oils of which, residing in the
hairs of the leaves, were seized by the vaseline with
which my hands were very slightly smeared, I had
various degrees of success. We must bear in mind,
en passant, that perfumes when skilfully mixed are
capable of producing effects totally different from those
of their separate components, that they may be tuned,
so to speak, into harmonious chords or blends, just as
the notes of musical instruments, or the colours on an
artist's canvas may be so arranged as to produce an
agreeable sensation upon the eye, the ear, or the
nostrils.

This is an Art
AYhieh does mend Nature : change it rather :
The Art itself is Nature.

SlIAKESrEARE.

but

We must also not forget (hat the slightuess or intensity
alone of almost every odour renders it agreeable or dis-
agreeable to us (then how much more to the bee whose
olfactories are susceptible to an incomprehensible degree).
The scent of a crushed bee's poison in a hive arouses
their anger, but the same chemical substance when
' like linked sweetness long drawn out' may be as agree-
able and charming to them as the aroma of queen or
home to a lost bee.

To resume ; I came to the conclusion that any very
slight soupcon of myrtle, olive, savin, bilberry, barberry,
or dark green smooth-leafed scented sap evergreens pro-
duced very marked effects upon bees, to us favourable
and the reverse, but this latter caused by intensity of
the odour.

I might have wandered about long enough without
' striking ile,' but you will admit I was very warm, as
we used to say at the game of ' hide-and-seek,' very near
Gituitheria procumbens, partridge-berry, tea-berry, or
winter-green, of New Jersey, from which is extracted
Gaultheria oil, or oil of winter-green, and new elixir.
Any way I had got into the family when I was amongst
the Ericacea3, and I make no doubt that the whole
family may be used as ' apif uges ' (may I coin a
word ?), provided only that their scent be used weak
enough.

Speaking theoretically (until spring comes), I have no
hesitation in saying that essence of spiroea (meadow-
sweet) ' will charm the angry insects down ' equally with
oil of winter-green. True oil of winter-green is very
expensive, some 2s. per ounce, though, like charity, a
little of it goes a long way. Being so expensive, however,
it is well that readers of the B.B.J, should know that
oil of winter-green and essence of spiraea may be pro-
duced artificially by chemistry. Many chemists even
are not aware of this, and 1 am in communication with
a manufacturing chemist respecting the cost of artificially
manufacturing these two substances. I will let you
know the result so as to facilitate the cheapening and

obtaining of them, at present difficult. Meantime the

following may be of interest: —

a ,. ,. • 1 , to j „,i ,. I = Essential oil of winter-green
Salicylic acid + Wood ether -J ,- , . , ■ -, , f, .
J I orsalicylateofoxideofmethyle.

c ,. ■ t,. , ., , , , ) =Essence of spinea, or

Sahcmc + Bicliromite of potash Saiicvlic acid 01fHyauret
+ Sulphuric acid f of saiicyle.

Oil of winter-green gently heated with an excess of
of potash, adding afterwards an acid, deposits salicylic
acid.

Salicylate of oxide of ethyle C4 H5 O + C14 H5 Os, when
purified, has the same smell as the true oil of winter-
green, imitated by methyl salicylate C„H30 + 014 H505,
orCH3C7H503.

Now comes the strangest part of the business:' — If
methyl alcohol, or wood spirit, or hydra-ted oxide of
methyl, be oxidised by means of a platinum wTire heated
to redness, and suspended in the same, the product is
formic acid and water, the active ingredients in the bee-
poison itself. Again, if salicyl aldehyde (syn. essence of
spiraea or meadow-sweet) be oxidised, salicylic acid
C7 H6 03 is formed, our remedy for foul brood.

We have, therefore, salicylic acid administered at the
head of the bees as part of its food, and we have, alas !
formic acid at the tail of the bee in its poison. Inter-
mediate we have two apifuges (bee-tamers, subjugators,
or what not), oil of winter-green and essence of spira3a,
strongly-scented compounds of these two acids. I throw
out the idea that bees will he more irascible during
feeding with salicylised syrup than usual. Can we not now
account for the beautiful scent we observe on opening
some hives (especially demons), and also can we not
account for the varying aromas of bees, by which they
recognise their queen and co-inmates of the hive, and by
which guide too they work peacefully in the dark?

In using any of these apifuges it will be well to
remember that failure will show not that the remedy is
wrong, but that we, the dispensers, have probably used
too much of it.

Finally, I wish to tell your readers that Mr. Cheshire
has opened a door by concentrating our attention on
Gaultheria, and I shall be much mistaken if before long
we find not only spiraea equally effective as a protectant
against stings, but nearly, if not all, the carbo-hydrates,
the volatile odoriferous essences of plants, such as berga-
mot, carraway, cassia, cloves, lavender, mint, rose,
peppermint, thyme, lemon-grass, and even turpentine.
1 think we shall find the very slight rubbing of hands
with any pure oil or vaseline, using not more than
a pin's head size, afterwards brushing the hands care-
lessly through a lavender bush or scented herb bed,
rnbbing the hands together afterwards, will prove
effective. — It. A. H. Giumshaw, Crag Hill, Ilorsforth.
near Leeds.

PHYSIOLOGICAL QUERIES. -INVEKTIBLE
HIVES.

[756.] On the larva assuming the pupa form, has it
ever been noticed its relative position in the cells when
the comb is in its normal position as built by the bees ?
"Will inversion be in any way detrimental to the brood ?
These questions seem to arise in connexion with the
untried invortible hives, which I have no recollection of
ever having seen alluded to, but which may, perhaps,
bo more curious than useful, and yet it is a point worthy
of notice. Some of our leading apiarists, from constant
study of the internal economy of the hive, may, perhaps,
throw some light on the question, which I cannot help
thinking will not only bo interesting, but prove of some
benefit also. I use the word 'untried' advisedly, and
would add a caution to all but the skilled to take this
advice of 'Amateur Expert' — to go slow ; and, to empha-
sise the caution, would beg leave to refer to R. 1''. Holter-
mann's communication in the Journal of Dec. 9th reply

January 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

to a question at the late conference by Mr. D. A. Jones,
one of the respected delegates of the Ontario Honey
Exhibit ; and to the writer of the very valuable series
of ' Useful Hints,' from which it appears the Kansas
and Western U.S.A. bee-keepers have, after a season's
trial, thrown the system overboard. If the system of
inverting; is an aid to success, it will make headway ;
but to rush to such a conclusion before testing' practi-
cally would be simple folly, and would lead many to
give up bee-keeping in disgust. — James Lee, Dec, 29£A.

AMONG THE CA1INIOLAN BEE-KEEPEKS.
By Thomas B. Blow, F.L.S.

[758.] Whilst greatly obliged to Mr. Benton for the
slight corrections he has made on my observations in
Carniola, yet I take exception to some of his remarks, as
all through the article I strove to state facts only as I
found them, and about which I have no wish or intention
to enter into controversy.

I stated no reason for the mixed colouring of the bees
around Trieste, though I did form an opinion of the
cause, which is not the same as Mr. Benton's opinion.

The block that Mr. Dokoupil uses I can assert, from
my dealings with him, is a perfect success ; so is the
candy he makes and uses with it ; and though I have
only his word that he was successful in sending bees to
America, yet I have no doubt whatever that he has done
so, for all the bees I have ever had from him have
arrived in splendid condition, so fresh that I should not
have hesitated in sending them on to America. He has
entirely discarded the use of comb-honey with his
travelling-boxes, using nothing but candy, and I certainly
am of opinion that he is the most advanced bee-keeper
in his district.

I was quite aware that very large apiaries were to be
found around Laibach, and I stated ' that the district
around is a great one for bees.' I knew, too, of the large
hive-faetory referred to, and had the catalogue of its
productions in my pocket all through my journey, but
my object was bees rather than appliances, and I did not
care to waste time in visiting it. I saw a number of
frame and other hives of various patterns, but for ono
frame-hive I saw at least one hundred of the boxes I
spoke of.

I am quite certain about the statement of Mr. Am-
brozic. He said he bad sent many queens to South
America by the plan mentioned, and that the loss per
cent of queens was not great. He mentioned that out of
one lot of thirty queens, twenty-six arrived safely and in
good condition, and the voyage was a long one, too. I
am sure bee-keepers would be glad to hear of Mr. Benton's
plan of sending forty queens a long journey safely in one
stock. Is it a plan only, or has it been successfully
practised ? I must still stand firmly by my statement
that Carniolan bees have not the restless tendency of
other races when travelling, and this remark I apply to
all other races. During my journey from Cyprus the
bees I had with me never ceased to worry and gnaw at
the wires that covered the openings in the boxes, and
this caused great mortality. I shipped Eastern bees on
to America from Cyprus for Mr. Benton, and these
arrived here in just the same state, and more than half
the bees were dead in each nucleus hive. The Italians
have similar tendencies, though less decided than the
Eastern races.

I have imported from Carniola during the past
summer dozens of full stocks, and they have always
arrived in the most tranquil condition and with hardly
a dead bee.

I have the right, I believe, to speak with some
authority on the suitability of the Eastern races of bees
for this climate, as I have handled and had in my apiary
a far larger number of stoclts of these bees than any
other individual in England. I have raised various

crosses from them and studied them a great deal. It is
hardly likely that I should quietly drop these bees if they
had had any good qualities after the trouble and expense
of taking a journey to Cyprus and Syria. I admit that the
Cyprians are better than Syrians, but that is not saying
much, and I now unhesitatingly condemn both fur use
here. They do not winter well, are very liable to
dysentery, and to spring dwindling, and on an average
season they will not produce as much honey as blacks.
I do not make those assertions on the results of a single
stock or season, but from many stocks oxtending over
some years. Mr. Benton has bad no experience what-
ever with these races in this country, and we must judge
by results here. With regard to the question of their
irritability and robbing tendencies, the less said the
better. They have a reputation in this country that
they will not readily lose.

As I stated before, I have no desire to enter into any
controversy or to charge Mr. Benton with change of
opinion (as I changed my opinion of Cyprians after a
year or two experience with them), but if we read his
early experiences with Syrians they were then far ahead
of all others, and now are despised. I do trust that
Mr. Benton will abandon his profitless yearly Eastern
expedition, and settle in Carniola, where there is great
need of a scientific queen-raiser such as he, and 1 can
assm-e him that he will have an unlimited demand for all
the queens he may raise there, as no better bees can be
had and none more suitable for our climate.

NOMENCLATURE.

[759.] I should think about the last thing you need
have done in a recent number was to deprecate the
giving up of the Journal by any one whom depressed
apiculture did not prevent continuing it, or to offer any
'excuse' for writing discursively on topics of general
interest. To myself they were all very interesting, and
I was glad to meet with the derivation of ' topsy-turvy'
in a paragraph relating to a matter on which I had in-
tended to write to you. As we shall soon begin a new
year let us by all means start, if possible, with correct
nomenclature. This was advocated some months ago in
the matter of crates and racks, dividers and dummies, &c.
I quite agree with you about the use of the words
' reverse ' and ' invert,' but I am not sure that I agree
with any one as to the sense of practising the plan in-
dicated. What do the bees think of it, I wonder ? Has
any one tried the effect of an entrance at top of front of
hive, with suitable arrangements for movement inside ?
Would the bees put the whole arrangement ' top-side-
t'other-way ?'

But nomenclature. I don't know why we have no
right to use apiarian as a substantive. Sucli a practice
is common enough with moderns and the man who wrote
' Eheu,' &c. But as I was once denominated an aparian,
or, if it must be written, apearian, why I go in for
apiarist.

But I have not got to my object yet. It does not
much matter whether we call the article which holds
the sections a crate or a rack, but I think a serious error
is being made in the use of the word 'rabbet.' We
could not on any ground call a bottle a cork, but some-
thing similar to this is being done. You have copied it
from Neighbour's advertisement of the Sandringham
hive in which we read of shifting rabbets, and see that
they are oblong pieces of wood which slip up and down
in grooves. Now, surely it is the groove which may be
called the rabbet, and not that which slides in it. One
dictionary tells me that a rabbet is ' a joint in carpentery,
a groove;' while the Glossary of Architecture, informs
me that it is ' a rectangular recess or groove cut in a piece
of timber to receive the edge of a plank.' Here at the
edge it is no doubt most correctly spoken of, but I do
not object to the use of the word by accommodation

10

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[January 6, 1887.

elsewhere, only we ought certainly to keep the term for
the hollowed space, and not for that which fills it. This
is topsy-turvy work with a vengeance, and much of it
would prevent our communicating intelligibly with one
another. The fact is that 'rabbet' is a corruption of
' rebate,' something bated or beaten back, a term used
in knitting, and a good example of a rabbet is the notch
cut in a door-post to receive the door,— C. R. S., South
Cornwall, December 20th, 1886.

SUNDRIES.

[760.] Our friend Simmins — and all bee-keepers ought
to consider him as such — seems to have been somewhat
'riled' at 'A. H. B, K.'s remarks anent queen intro-
duction, and well he might. But hard words, you know,
take a long time to smooth down again, while nothing is
gained by using them. ' A. H, B. K.'s ' law ' is sound and
practicable, but Simmins's is better, not in its efficiency,
but in its simplicity. I have had considerable experience
in both during the last season, and have been eminently
successful with each. But who would go to the trouble, in
the middle of the season, to deprive a stock of every means
of raising a new mother, when by simply keeping your
fresh queen in a receptacle by itself for half an hour the
thing is done ? Here you only handle one bee, but to
deprive a populous colony of eggs and young brood at
such a time, why, it will not bear comparison. Your
stock must be queenless for forty-eight hours, according
to ' A. H. B. K.,' Simmins less than a quarter of the
time. As to the success of each, they are about equal ;
neither Mr. Simmins's plan nor ' A. II.°B. K.'s ' are in-
fallible, but both are near enough to infallibility to be
considered a great success. Queen-cages must be at a
discount ; a very considerable one too. I would not give
' tuppence ' for a bushel.

One colony of bees, occupying two skeps, standing
side by side, as seen by ' Engine-driver,' was observed by
myself, and noticed some two years ago in B.B.J.

Our American friends are ' going in ' for Mr. Cheshire's
' foul-brood ' cure, and according to their experience there
is nothing to beat it. I daresay they would have dis-
covered this before if it had been an American that had
introduced it.

Professor A. J. Cook has discovered that coffee is
about as pernicious to bacteria as water would be.

Fancy a County Association giving up the circulation
of the Bee Journal in the place of the county expert !
They say opinions differ. I should hardly think that
the opinions of its members had been consulted at all.

What must we store our honey in ? Mr. 0. Hehner
tells of elder-wine becoming poisonous by being stored
in galvanised receptacles, and honey will be so affected.
I know an instance of a family being poisoned by elder-
wine stored in red glazed crocks. Perhaps we had better
not store honey in these likewise. We must stick to tin,
it is far more preferable, if only for its cleanliness.

Honey at \d. per pound net is the future price when
' S. L. B.'s ' Mexicans are introduced. Why, bee-keeping
then will lose half its pleasures (?). No more gloves, no
more veils, but what a glorious time for the bees that do
sting! Mexicans will collect, Ligurians, Blacks, &c.,will
store, and we — well, it will be too common to eat honey
then. — W. B. Wkijsteh.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS.

E. W. P. — Separating Pollen from Wax. — Melt the wax, and
keep it just melted, but not boiling, for five or six hours,
then let it cool, and the separation will then be found to
have taken place.

J. C. Merrick. — Packing Honey for Transport. — Please
refer to page 303 of previous volume, where you will find
full and clear directions for packing honey. The directions
referred to were issued by the Irish and other bee-
keepers' Associations.

business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros,, Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T, B., Welwyn, Herts.

Boktt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St, Neots.

Hole, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury.

Howabd, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour* Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,

E.C. .
Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C,

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F. , Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiaby. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage Gd.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

NOW KE AD Y !

VOL. XIV. of

IUhe ^British jBee Journal

EDITED BY

THOS. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.,

Containing upwards of COO pages, with numerous Illus-
trations, and Complete Index.

Bound in Cloth, price 10s. Cloth Cases for Binding, Is.
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Jan. 6, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

Special prepaid j££dvertisements.

No reduction made for continuous insertion.

Exchange Column. — Sales of Honey arid Second-hand
Goods. — Intended to aid Bee-keepers in the disposal of Bee-
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Terms : Twelve words and under, Fourpence ; for every ad-
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1. QIMMINS' ORIGINAL NON-SWARMING SYSTEM
O includes also other subjects of the first importance

to all who hope to compete successfully -with present low
prices. 2*. &d., post free.

2. QIMMINS' METHODS OF DIRECT QUEEN IN-
O TRODUCTION, 6J<i. Of the Authok, Rottingdean,

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Make it Pay. By A. Rusbridge, Is. 6d„ post free,
Is. 84 Address J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts. 3932

THE MANAGEMENT OF STRAW SKEPS. De-
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results at the least possible cost. By attention to its teach-
ings, Cottagers will be enabled to make their Bees a more
profitable source of income than hitherto. Price One Penny.
Six copies and upwards, post free. J.Huckle, KingsLangley.

WANTED. — Copies of British Bee Journal for January
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Apply J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

EXTRACTED HONEY.— From the Right Hon. Lord
Sudeley's Bee Farm (situate in the Fruit Plantations),
mostly from unfinished Sections, in clear glass bottles, with
special label, or in bulk. Prices on application to Estate
Office, Toddington, YYinchconibe. (156)

CANADIAN HONEY TINS.— The 60-lbs. empty Honey
Tins, in which the Extracted Honey was brought from
Canada, can bo had at Is. 2d. each, including the box.
Also the 10-Ibs. Tins, with self-fitting tops, at 3s. per dozen.
Apply to J. Huckle, King's Langley, Herts.

ADVERTISEMENTS WANTED for Insertion in Re-
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Whole Page. Address W. T. Atkins, Secretary, North
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FOR SALE. — Foundation Machine, Observatory and
Frame Hives. Apply to C. C. Cust, Temple Terrace,
Dorchester. h 32

WANTED, by an educated young Man, a Situation in
an Apiary as Clerk or otherwise. Good references.
Country life main object. Address B,, 28 Amhurst Park,
London, N. 1

FOUR DOZEN 1-lb. Sections of Comb Honey for Sale.
Good Colour. Apply to W. Hanson, Corringham,
Gainsborough. 2

FOR SALE, Half-Hundredweight of good Extracted
Honey, at 6<i. per lb. on Rail ; buyer find receptacles.
Also Single Comb Extractor, in good condition, 5s. Address
A, Snook, S. Marston, Swindon, Wilts. 3

DO NOT LET YOUR BEES STARVE!
Use specially prepared Soft CANDY CAKE, in 1 lb.
Boxes, ready for use. Thomas B. Blow, Welwyn, Herts.

Protect your BEES from the COLD !

FOR SALE, 200 PIECES of CARPET, Id. per
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Address T. Burberry, Basingstoke.

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F.R.M.S., &a. Crown 8vo, boards, Is.; postage Id.
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Send Post Card for CATALOGUE of

KITCHEN GARDEN and FLOWER SEEDS,

Herbaceous, Alpine, Aquatic, Spring- flowering Plants.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
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Price One Shilling, post free.
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LARGE BUYERS supplied at very low prices
with best CANADIAN BASS-WOOD V-CUT, ONE
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Manufacturers of Specialities may send Wholesale

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GUIDE-BOOK PaM?HLETS.-lfo. 1.

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TOR

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No. Length. Height. Per. 100. Per 500. Per 1000.

1. — 4£ x 3| | 3s. | lis. | 21s.

Six of these just fit our Woodbury Frame.
2 — 6| x 3| | 3s. 6d. | 13s. | 25s.

Four of these fit our Woodbury Frame.
3. — 51 x 4i- | 3s. 6d. | 13s. | 25s.

These fit our old pattern hives.

4.-4 X 4^ | 3S. | lis. | 21s.

The ordinary 1-lb. Section.

5. — 6 x 5 )

5a. -G| x 5| | 3s. 6d. | 13s. | 25s.

56. — 51 x 6| )

These are the 2-lb. Sections in most general use.

6. — 4i x 4 | 3s. | lis. | 21s.

Six of these fit the Association Standard Frame.

7. — 6| x 4 | 3s. 6d. | 13s. | 25s.

Four of these fit the Association's Frame.

Special .quotations for large quantities on application. Weight per 1 00, from 6| to 8^lbs

COMB FOUNDATIOJN. GUARANTEED pure beeswax.

1 lb 2s. per lb.

3 lbs. to 5 lbs. ... Is. lOd. per lb.

5 lbs. to 25 lbs. ... Is. 9id. per lb.
25 lbs. to 50 lbs. ... Is. 9&. per lb.

50 lbs. to 100 lbs Is. 8id. per lb.

SPECIAL QUOTATIONS FOR LARGE QUANTITIES.

ZHIOHSTIErX" BOTTLES.

Per Gross.

Original Honey Bottles ... 15s. 9d.
Screw-cap Bottles 25s.

Per Gross.

Opal Honey Pots 18s.

New Half-pound Pots lOs.

ABBOTT'S PATENT FRAMES, 27s. 6d. per Gross.

ALL THE ABOVE ARE PACKED AND PITT ON RAIL FREE.
ADDRESS—

ABBOTT BROTHERS,

SOUTHALL, LONDON.

ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE FOR 1887, FREE ON APPLICATION.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.

[No. 238. Vol. XV.]

JANUAEY 13, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

tentorial, Harass, #r.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTBACTOB.

We have "been frequently asked to give instructions
for making an extractor. Although we do not think
that it will generally pay an amateur to make one for
himself, yet there are those who like to make all their
own appliances, and for these we intend to comply with
the request, and to give such details as may enable any-
one who understands working in tin to accomplish his
object.

For this purpose we will select the simplest form of
cylinder extractor, that known as 'Cowan's Amateur,'
which has "been the type for most of the extractors made
since its introduction in 1875.

In our experiments on extractors, commencing in
1873, we made no less than thirteen different patterns,
and hy constant trial and alterations were able to decide
on the best forms. Extractors were tried with four and
six frames, hut we found these as unsatisfactory as
Mr. Eoot, who says in his A B C of Bee-culture .—
' Experiments have been made almost without number,
and the general decision now seems to be in favour of a
machine made entirely of metal, with everything
stationary about it except what must he revolved. The
momentum of heavy metal revolving' cans, or of honey-
after it has left the comb, defeats the very object we
have in view ; and nothing will so effectually convince
one of the difference as an actual trial of the two
machines side by side". With the light all metal
machines the comb is revolved at the speed required
almost instantly, and as soon as the honey is all out of
the comb the operator is aware of it, by the decrease in
the weight as he holds the crank in his hand ; but with
the heavy, unwieldy machines the stopping and starting
take more time than doing the work. The same ohjec-
tions apply to making machines for emptying four
combs at once. They require to be made much iarger,
and are correspondingly heavy and unwieldy.'

After trying extractors with revolving cans we found
them so unsatisfactory that they were also given up.
Experiment also enabled us to decide the distance the
combs shoidd be from the spindles ; and this is of great
importance, because if the combs are too near, as in some
extractors we have seen, all the honey is not extracted ;
and although it may be convenient to have a can as
small as possible in diameter, yet there is a limit to the
minimum size for securing efficiency. In experimenting
many hundred combs were extracted and carefully
weighed, the hees allowed to clean them, after which

they were again weighed. The difference in the weights
enabled us to determiue the amount of loss in honey,
and by this means we were enahled to arrive at the
most suitable measurements.

Before proceeding we must here remark that no zinc
or galvanised iron should on any account be used for
extractors, or for any utensils for the reception of honey.
The acid in the honey acts upon the zinc, and the oxide
of zinc quickly poisons the honey. The same applies to
galvanised iron, as the galvanising, as it is called, is only
a coating of zinc. Nothing but tin or tinned iron
should be used, and all iron parts coming in contact with
honey should be tinned. We have always strongly
insisted upon this, and have several times given our
reasons for it in the Bee Journal.

The illustrations, will, we hope, assist in better under-
standing the construction of one of these extractors.

As we have a standard frame we will give dimensions
suitable for this frame, and anyone having another size
will have to alter the proportions to suit it.

FIC

Fig._ 1 gives a vertical section of the extractor, and
fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the comb baskets.

We will commence hy makiag the spindle and frame.
The spindle A is made by rolling up a piece of tin, and
making a tube f of an inch in diameter. It will next be
necessary to make the grooves for the cages to slide in,
and these will also form the uprights at the angles B.
Cut four pieces of tin 1EJ inches long and 3£ inches
wide, fold a seam along the two edges £ of an inch
wide, then turn these up at right angles J of an inch,

and we shall get a trough in section like this J ~\.

At one end cut the corner, and turn up the edge i an
inch thus | , as this will have to he placed to

12

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 13, 1887.

the bottom, and form the ledge for the comb baskets to
rest upon.
The frame for keeping these together, C C 0' C, fig. 2,

Fig. 3.
edge uppermost.

ric a

being 12 x 10 inches, we shall want strips of tin
If inches wide with a seam folded on one edge J of an
inch wide and an | of an inch wire folded in the other
edge. These strips must be bent at right angles, so that
when they are soldered together they may form two
square bands 12 x 10 inches. Fig. 3
will show the arrangement of these
at the top and bottom of the frame-
work. The four uprights can now
be soldered on to these bands. Place
one of these with the wired edge
down, and with a little solder tack
the uprights m their proper posi-
tion. It will be noticed, by referring
to fig. 2, that they have to be fixed
to the long sides, C C, taking care
that the piece turned up at the end
of the slides is at the bottom. Now
tack on the top band to the upper
ends of these slides, with the wired
Be careful before finally soldering
that everything is perfectly square, or the cages will
not slide in properly. When it is found correct the
whole framework can be laid down in a position most
suitable for finally soldering all together. On the two
narrow sides solder two brace wires diagonally from the
opposite corners, as shown in fig'. 3. One will lay flat
against the wire cage when it is in position, and the other
to complete the X will have to be bent where the two
wires intersect, so as to make it also lay flat. If these
wires be 5 of an inch thick and are well soldered at the
ends and at the place of intersection they will be amply
strong enough to prevent any bulging, even with the
heaviest combs in the baskets. For fixing the spindle to
this frame we must make two pieces, D D, in the form
of an X. These can be made of strips of tin If inches
wide, with wire folded in the edges for strength, or, if
the wire is not used, the tin should be a little wider
and folded three times. They should be when finished
not less than lg inches wide. Fix them as shown in
fig. 2, and solder them where they cross. Then bore a
f inch hole in the centre of each, and push through
the spindle, which must bo firmly soldered in its place.

"We will now make the comb baskets or cages. These
are in two halves, and are made two inches wide inside,
so as to take combs of any thickness and sections, if it
be desired to extract the honey from them.

The wire cloth used for the purpose, fig. 4, is made of
stiff tinned wire four to five meshes to the inch. Two
pieces are required 15 x 9J inches and two pieces
15 x 9j inches. Get a strip of tin long enough to go
right round the edges E E f of an inch wide and turn it
up at right angles, thus L J now place the wire cloth
inside this and solder it in, being very careful to solder each
wire. Next hammer down the turned-up edges flat on
to the wire and again solder each wire to these. They
will then present the appearance of fig. 4. We now

— m —

:::::::::£

:xr:::

have to make frames for them. The frames, however,
have only two sides and a bottom. Tin 2J inches wide will
do and turn up one edge at E

right angles for j of an inch.
Then bend them thus J

the long ends F F, fig. 5,
beingwhen finished 15 inches
an I the short one Q 9f
inches for two of them, and
the other two must be ' a
little smaller so as to fit
into these. We say when " „. '.

finished because we intend °' '

to turn in a bead with a wire to strengthen the top and
give something to take hold of. The wire-cloth frame,
fig. 4, can now be soldered into these frames, and we
shall have half a cage as seen in fig. 5, which shows a
frame of comb in position. e

We then put a wire along
the top II H, turning the
tin over it and soldering
the wire to the top end of
the tin surrounding the
wire cloth. The inner bas-
ket which has to fit into
the outer one need only
have the wire fixed along
the top on that side where
is placed the wire cloth, as it would be obviously in the
way if it were also at the ends. The baskets when put
together are seen in fig. 6. Should the frames have pro-
jecting shoulders, or long ends, holes must be cut
in the bottom of the cages or in the wire cloth
to accommodate them.

The advantage of these baskets is that any
thickness of comb can be put in for extraction.
Pieces either from skeps or other hives can also
he very eadly put in by opening the cages.

Fig. 5.

Combs containing brood can also be laid in ■=
without damaging them, although we do not FIG 6
recommend any but the experienced to extract from such
combs. The combs can also be reversed without touching
the frames by merely drawing out and turning the cages.
Fig. 3 shows one pair of cages in position and the
other being withdrawn. We prefer having a piece of
folded tin, 1 1, fig. 2, fixed across where the crosses end,
and this prevents any springing at the corners.

The can has to be made lb inches in diameter and 24
inches high. The top and bottom must have a wired
bead and against it a strong hoop at least one inch
wide and of T\ inch wrought-iron. This may be
riveted on to the can. There is no difficulty in making
any part of the can except the conical bottom, J, fig. 1.
For this cut a circular piece, as in fig. 7. It must be 19

K m

no 7

inches in diameter and a piece K L M must be cut out of
it as shown, 2\ inches wide at K M. Turn up the edges
K L, M L half an inch in width and draw the opening
together. It will then present the form of fig. 8. Tack on

January 13, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

13

temporarily a piece of tin across the opening- to keep it
the right distance apart. Then turn down the edge all

Fie 8

round the circumference, and try this bottom in the can,
and if it is too tight or too loose untack the strip of tin
across the opening and fix it in the right place. The bottom
can now be laid down and a trough-shaped piece, fig. 0,
soldered over the opening on the turned up edges K L,
M L. This must be cut a little larger than the wedged-
shaped piece cut out of the bottom, and
will form the channel leading towards
the honey valve. The bottom can then
be soldered from the inside into position
as shown in fig. 1. Then punch a hole _._ c
at N and solder in the honey valve 0.
Before proceeding any further test the can by pouring-
water into it, and if it leaks remedy the defects.

The tin work is now ready, and we have only to put
the machine together and put on the gearing. The
amateur had better purchase the gearing P and honey
valve 0, as it will be cheaper for him to do so than to
make them. The bracket Q has to be screwed on to the
can and the small gear wheel, which has a short length
of iron rod R attached to it, is soldered into the top end of
the hollow tin shaft into which it fits. A plain piece, S,
carefully tinned, is soldered on the bottom, and this must
work in a bearing T fixed to the bottom of the can, as
shown in fig. 1.

Should the bee-keeper prefer it, he can substitute for
the gearing a cranked handle at the top end of the shaft,
this being kept in its place by a wrought-iron bar placed
across the can and screwed to it, but he must not expect
the same speed with this as with the multiplying gear,
nor does it work so smoothly or evenly. These extractors
are also made with an extra can below them ; and in this
case they have no conical bottom, but instead there is a,
bar of flat iron for the bottom of the spindle to work
upon. The bottom of the extractor is made to fit in the
top of the can and a wire gauze screen is used through
which the honey is strained. Of course if such a. can is
used to hold about 50 lbs., both the conical bottom and
the honey valve must be fitted into it instead of into the
body of the extractor.

We hope that the description as well as the illustra-
tions will be sufficiently clear to enable the amateur to
make his own extractor.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The next Quarterly Conversazione will be held at
105 Jermyn Street, London, S.W., on Wednesday,
January 19 th, commencing at six o'clock. Mr. R.
A. Grimshaw, of Horsforth, near Leeds, has kindly
promised to read a short paper on ' The Vocal
Organs of Bee,?.' The Secretary will be glad to
receive notice of additional subjects for discussion
from other members.

The annual general meeting of the members will
be held at 105 Jermyn Street, S.W., on Wednes-
day, February 16th, at 3.30 p.m. The chair will
be taken by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, President
of the Association. Notices of motion for this
meeting should reach the Secretary not later than
Monday, January 31st,

Jtaip.

CANADA.

Our bees are once more in their winter quarters,
and bee-keepers have a season of comparative leisure
before them.

Our methods of wintering in Canada are various. A
few, but I think none, of our most advanced bee-keepers
winter their colonies upon their summer stands without
any further protection than the summer hive. It appears
in the past, when the old box-hive was still the prevail-
ing, if not altogether the hive in use, colonies were
always wintered in this manner, and our fathers state
winter losses were rarely heard of. It may be that the
shelter at that time afforded by our forests aided them,
and the increased manipulation of the bees, close extract-
ing, &c, interfere with successful wintering now.
Certain it is that forty years ago great winter losses
amongst bees in Canada were rare.

Two great methods of wintering bees are resorted to
by Canadian bee-keepers, they are wintering in reposi-
tories and outdoor wintering in clamps or their equivalent.
Repositories are either specially made for the purpose, or
consist of cellars under dwelling-houses, which have
originally been built for household purposes and are
often used by the bee-keeper for both. Repositories
specially constructed, are either houses double-walled
and packed with sawdust between, making them frost-
proof cellars, generally with a workshop above ; these
repositories are ventilated in various w7ays, the houses
generally have sub-earth ventilation by means of a tile
pipe, running a sufficient length and depth under the
soil, to enable the atmosphere passing into it from the
end remote from the bee-house to be of an equal tempera-
ture by the time it enters the bee-house at the other end,
and this irrespective of the rise and fall of the tempera-
ture outside. A pipe, often a wooden box, generally
forms the other and upwards ventilator, and this ventila-
tor can be opened or contracted to further regulate the
temperature of the repositor3'.

The colonies are placed at least twelve inches above
the floor, and piled one above another with the lids off,
and the propolised cloths on ; sometimes the latter are
replaced by clean cotton and a light chaff-cushion.
Opinions vary as to the temperature of the repository ;
all agree it should never fall below 85° or even 40°.
The tendency has been for the last year or two to raise
the temperature in wintering, and in consequence many
favour a temperature not lower than 50° to 55°.

Bees are generally placed in these quarters the latter
part of November, and remain there until the bees can
gather 'pollen and natural stores. Some will carry their
bees out during early spring for a cleansing flight, and
return them to the repository ; such a method is very
generally condemned. Towards spring the tempera-
ture is raised, and the bees commence brood-rearing, and
all conditions being favourable when placed upon their
summer stands are almost quite as strong, or even
stronger than when placed indoors.

When wintering outside in clamps, the hives have an
outer case, allowing sufficient packing of chaff or saw-
dust to keep out the frost, the lid is removed, passages
bored through the upper half of the combs so as to
permit the bees to pass from comb to comb without
going around them (this prevents much loss), on the top
bars of frames are placed strips to raise the cloth
sufficiently to permit the bees to pass from comb to
comb over the frames. The entrance is left open to allow
the bees a flight when desired. We have a number of
reports where hives were left covered entirely with snow
for some time, and wintered well. We have also reports
of colonies, which, buried in a dry soil over winter, and
coming out in fine condition; but such practices are

14

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 13, 1887.

exceptional as yet, however satisfactory the results may
prove to be. It is generally admitted that bees wintered
on their summer stands and packed about with chaff and
sawdust during- the cold winter and spring, are less liable
to spring-dwindling, and build up in good condition for
the early honey flow. — R. F. Holtebmanx, Brantford,
Canada.

SWITZERLAND.

In passing a retrospective glance upon the main
features of the year which has just closed from a bee-
keeper's point of view, the Bulletin d' Apiculture de la
Suisse Kormande arrives at the conclusion that in
Europe it has proved exceptionally unfavourable to
apiculture.

In the course of its twelve months, adds the same
Journal, the losses of prominent members of our com-
munity have been very severe. Switzerland deplores,
among others, the removal by death, of M. Mona ; Italy,
Mr. C. Fumagalli, the author of a hive largely in use
among Italians; France, M. Jules Madare, President
of the Societe de la Somme, and M. Maurice Girard, a
distinguished entomologist and author of a valuable
book on bees ; Scotland has lost her James Anderson, a
veteran of Scotch apiculture, who in his day was remark-
ably successful with the Stewarton hive ; and, lastly,
Russia has seen the passing away of Dr. A. Butlerow,
Professor of Chemistry and of Medicine at the St. Peters-
burg University. Dr. Butlerow was the promoter of
modern bee-keeping in Russia, and his works are con-
siderable, among which is a Russian translation of
Berlepsch's book. The deceased doctor was also founder
of a school of apiculture.

€ttXX£B$0\X£ltnt£t

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write or. one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boolcs for Review,
&c., must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c}o Messrs. Strangcways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W. C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Ruckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when spcalcing of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

SIMPLICITY IN FEEDING.

[761.] At one time I looked upon the work of feeding
in large apiaiies as one of the greatest annoyances, and
the necessary preparation a waste of valuable time.
Syrup had to be made over a stove before it was thought
possible _ that it could be appropriated by the bees. I
was satisfied that all this labour could be avoided, and
before establishing out-apiaries I determined, if possible,
that it should be done. The result of careful experi-
ments was the present system known as 'dry-sugar
feeding,' by means of dummies filled and arranged" at
the side of the brood-nest. Though the term applied to
the new process was not exactly correct, as the sugar
used (Porto Rico) is moist and soft, it is thus distin-
guished from syrup feeding, and appears appropriate.

Though invaluable for stimulative purposes, and in
some cases to complete storage, at times it was still
necessary to give syrup, when desirable, to feed rapidly,
but this difficulty has been overcome by my self-acting
syrup feeders. There was still, however, one other point
to be overcome.

Many stocks are either neglected by their owner, or
happen to run short of food before it is possible to feed
in the ordinary way. Hence the use of 'candy' during
winter, than which there is no more troublesome nor
expensive food to make ; expensive because of the great
waste of time taken in its manufacture when one might

be profitably employed at something far more remunera-
tive.

It is pretty well understood by practical bee-keepers
that the outy suitable candy is that which always pre-
sents a moist surface to the bees, without wasting too
freely, great care being required to get it just right, as,
if too dry, the bees will not make much use of it until
they can obtain water, while if too soft the whole will
run away in waste, making everything stick}-, the pooi
bees included, and thus doing more harm than good.

When I say that I have struck the ' happy medium,'
and no more cooking is required, even for winter-feeding,
or for supplementing the stores of those running short
before spring opens, the importance of the following
plan of giving uncooked sugar without the expense of a
feeder will be acknowledged. Porto Rico sugar is of
exactly the right condition to take the place cf candy,
if only properly applied. There is only one way that I
have found it can be done without waste where the bees
are admitted to the sugar from the bottom of the lump,
and that is, when placed on the frames just over the
cluster, and pressed down tightly.

First lay a sheet of newspaper over the frames, on this
place several pounds of the above-mentioned sugar and
press it down well all round. It then forms into a cake
with a crust that I have known to support the weight of
clustering bees and newly-built combs, after the bulk
had been used in spring, just as if it had been an in-
verted dish. No grains are wasted ; first, because of the
pressure, and then the moisture of the hive causing all
to adhere closely together. No liquid appears, and
yet the sugar is always in the best possible con-
dition for use. The body of sugar adds an additional
protection to the bees, and, unlike sticks of candy, the
crust is left till last, forming a complete air-chamber
immediately above the cluster.

A strong colony will soon open a way through the
paper where it bulges down between the frames. For a
weak lot a slight tear should be made to .give them a
start. Instead of paper a piece of cheese-cloth can be
placed first on the frame, and would be preferable if
applied in mid-winter.

It is hardly necessary to say that this sugar can be
moulded to any shape to suit the formation of roof or
quilting, which latter should be very warm. For slow
feeding, where it is known the bees have some stores on
hand, or for brood stimulation later, porous cloth only
need be applied ; but where the case is urgent, or more
rapid feeding is necessary, place a piece of oiled cloth
next above the sugar, with smooth side to the same.

In cases of emergency, where bees have been bought
in spring short of food, and being in odd hives, 1 have,
placed the usual dry-feeding dummy close on top of the
frames, with the slot next to but standing across them.
The hives being smaller than the ' standard,' no other
feeders were at hand suitable. When covered up warm
the sugar soon disappeared, and though side feeding is
at times more convenient to the bee-keeper, without a
doubt in cool weather, there is no place so suitable for
the bees wherefrom to take their food as that immedi-
ately above the cluster.

I do not suppose every one will discontinue the
preparation of bee-food by cooking, but at my own
apiaries, of several hundred colonies, no time is now
wasted in that manner, and I have no doubt this last
application of ' dry-sugar feeding ' will be welcomed by
many who are now getting anxious about the condition
of their stocks. — S. Simmins.

CAMPHOR AS A CURE OF FOUL BROOD.

[702.] I think we may safely come to the conclusion

that camphor is useless as a cure of foul brood, as no

one in reply to my Query G74 writes in its favour, and

two write against it, I certainly expected to see some

January 13, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

15

one write in its favour, aftev its being; recommended in
the Journal by you, Mr. Editor, although you did not
write from your own experience ; and if report is correct
our County Expert carried a stock of camphor with him
on his tour, so as to supply any one with it where they
had got foul brood. But in one apiary where he recom-
mended its use, it did about as much good as it did in
mine.

In reply to Mr. Ward, How are we to know when the
disease has attacked the queen so as to displace her ? If
I was not certain about the queen I mentioned in my
previous letter, I certainly should not have any faith in
any other, as I had the pleasure of driving the bees
this autumn at the same apiary she came from, and
there is no trace of foul brood there at that time, and I
don't believe there is within three miles of them.

He also says if the queen is healthy, the so-called
Cheshire cure will cure a hive ; my experience says it
won't. When I first found out that I had got foul
brood, I at once sent to one of his recognised agents for
some, so as to have the right article, and I carried out
his instructions as near to the letter as I possibly could
upon the two hives that were affected, but to no
purpose. I reduced it to about four times the strength
he recommends, and then they would not take it. I
then tried spraying- the combs with it, but they gradually
got worse, and at last I turned them out and put them
into a clean hive, and before I would go through that
process of spraying, &c, again, I should give up bee-
keeping. I certainly mean trying one of his recom-
mendations in the spring as regards putting some medi-
cated syrup out for them to steal, and if it answers I
will publish it in our Journal. Of one thing I feel
certain, that there is no occasion to destroy your hives ;
that they can be disinfected. Three years ago I sold six
hives for a gentleman who makes his own hives, and
who was adopting the standard frame, these not being
standard size. Knowing that he had got foid brood, I
did not like to have any dealings with him (and if I
had known as much about foul brood then as I do now
I certainly should not), but he assured me that the}' had
been disinfected, and that there was nothing infectious
about them ; they had all had bees in them and died
out.

I did not feel very easy about their coming upon my
premises, so that I moved them as near direct as possible.
Three went to one place, and the other three went to
separate places, and they are not near one another by at
least two miles. I examined the whole of these hives
last autumn, and there is not a trace of foul brood in
either of them ; so that the gentleman was candid in
saying they had been thoroughly disinfected. Further,
I don't think it is communicated in wax-foundation,
as I have supplied these four parties with foundation
bought through the Journal, and they have now
amongst them more than a score of bar-frame hives all
clean.

I think Mr. Saddler has done us a good turn in pub-
lishing his experience of foul brood. I quite agree with
him that the simplest way of dealing with foul brood is
to destroy the affected combs. I tried putting clean
combs into the centre of the brood-nest whilst feeding
with salicylic acid, but after about the ninth day they
took the disease as bad as the others. He quite bears
out my opinion that you may have the disease very bad
in a hive, and yet the queen is not affected. Mr. Ward
will say how do I know that. Just one instance. Two
years ago a stock of Ligurians belonging to the gentle-
man I have previousfy mentioned, had got it very bad ;
he shook them off the bars into a straw skep, intending
to keep them there for a couple of days, before putting
them into another frame-hive, but not agreeing with the
change they took flight, and went straight into the
weather tileing of a gentleman's stable about half a
mile off. As they bad become such an intolerable

nuisance there, I was asked to come and take them out,
which I did in September last, and there was not the
least sign of foul brood anywhere ; and there was no
mistaking the Ligurian bees and the old queen; they had
one unbroken piece of comb over five feet long.

I should like to see ' Knownothing ' give us his recipe
for using Calvert's No. 4, as I consider Is. Gel. per bottle
for such a small bottle as Mr. Cheshire's agents send
out is far too dear, and then carbolic can be bought
almost anywhere.

I am sorry that I cannot endorse your opinion of Mr.
King's article on Foul Brood. It appeal's to me to be a
rare piece of Yankeeism. He puts one small measure of
the dissolved phenol crystals into a pail, and measures
with the same measure 490 parts of what I may call
syrup, and then makes a mark upon the pail, so as to
have a correct measure. I should call that anything but
a correct measure. Only fancy filling this small measure
499 times, and I cannot make anything else of it ! The
odds are if he tried it over half-a-dozen timei, he would
not make his measurements agree within hah? a pint on
either occasion of trying. If he had quoted ounces or
pints, I think any one could have understood it. And
then when heated up to 150° Fahr. the bees would eat it
with avidity. Let him try drinking his coffee heated up
to that heat, and see how fast he could get on. And I
have yet to learn that bees can take anything hotter than
we bipeds can.

And then he wants us to believe upon hearsay
evidence that he has cured his large apiary of foul brood
in less than twelve months by using phenol, according to
his formula, not Mr. Cheshire's.

I should imagine that the manager of an apiary of
400 hives would be able to carry out Mr. Cheshire's
instructions fairly well. And yet Mr. King says that
in the experiments made with phenol previous to his
taking them in hand, the solution had been used too
strong, too sparingly, not half sweet enough, nor yet
warm enough. And then to finish up, asks all that are
interested to carry out Mr. Cheshire's formula literally
and accurately. That last sentence has put me into
a fog altogether.

It seems to be admitted by all your correspondents
that the Cheshire formula is too strong, and that bees
won't take enough of it to do them any good until it is
reduced. ' Knownothing ' says I am quite right in sup-
posing that the disease is not propagated readily in a
neighbourhood. I don't know when I said so ; at least,
my opinion is quite the reverse, but there is something
peculiar about straw skeps and foul brood, of which more
anon. — Man of Kent.

p.S. — Win ' Platelayer ' give us his experience of the
last season, and whether his bottle of phenol is still on
the shelf?

[We do not think we can yet come to the conclusion
that camphor is useless as a cure for foul brood unless we
disbelieve the statements that are constantly made by
competent bee-keepers of complete cures by its means.
We know it has not been successful in some cases, but we
have no personal experience, having fortunately succeeded
perfectly well with salicylic acid when foul brood was
raging fearfully in our own apiary. However, we see
frequent reports of cures effected by means of camphor
in the leading Continental bee-papers. We attended a
large meeting of the Societe Komande d' Apiculture last
October, and there met a gentleman who had successfully-
cured his hives with nofhing but camphor. We have
also heard of others who had succeeded with phenol,
and even with common carbolic acid, as recommended in
some German bee-books. In 13S5 we attended a meeting
of the Italian bee-keepers, when this question of phenol
treatment was discussed. It was not favourably enter-
tained ; M. Tartuferi, one of the largest bee-keepers in
Italy, and owner of a thousand hives, stating that he did

16

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 13, 1887.

not want anything better or simpler than salicylic acid,
having had no difficulty in curing his hives with it.
Both salicylic and phenol have now been in use for
upwards of ten years, and both have their advocates.
We must, however, admit that although we have seen
large apiaries that had been completely cured with the
former, Mr. King's is the only wholesale treatment with
phenol we have heard of, and hope it may be as suc-
cessful as he states. It is true we have never detected
any of the germs of foul brood in honey under the
microscope, even with the highest powers ; but it has
not, we think, been conclusively proved that the virus
of the disease may not be conveyed in it, and your ex-
perience, borne out by that of others, is strong evidence
in favour of the theory that honey may be the medium
through which foul brood may be promulgated. Pure
phenol in crystals can be purchased at 3s. a pound.
There is no difficulty in making the solutions, see page
]53, Bee-keeper's Guide Book, where the proportions are
given. — Ed.]

MK. CORNEIL'S SECTION CRATE AND
SECTIONS.— AN APOLOGY.

[763.] Having noticed 'Amateur Expert's' apology
to Mr. \V. Chitty in your last issue, I felt interested to
examine both the original paper in the Bazaar and also
the criticism. Referring to these, may I venture to say,
in the first place, that while it is always pleasing to see
a writer willing to apologise for any offence, real or
imagined, that he may have caused, I quite fail in
this case to see how any reasonable person could have
taken offence ? In the first paragraph relating to Mr.
Chitty 's paper, 'Amateur Expert points out, but
certainly not in an offensive manner, an error, which if
uncorrected might have led many bee-keepers to spoil
all their sections next year. Had I made such a mistake
I should have felt grateful to anyone who set me right.

The next paragraph appears to call for no comment ;
and the same applies to the first part of the third : but
if Mr. Chitty chooses to ' fit on the cap ' as to mislead-
ing instruction in gardening and other journals— in
which undoubtedly from time to time much that is mis-
leading has appeared — I do not see that he need com-
plain of unfriendly criticism. Had he complained that
' Amateur Expert ' wrote under cover of a worn deplume
instead of boldly signing his own name, I should fully
sympathise with him. — J. Lin gen Seageb.

SUNDRIES.

[764.] Having made a few new hives this winter,
and being rather fond of having names for some of them,
I should like to have one named Mel sapit Omnia, but
as I fear being a cause of offence to 'Amateur Expert,' I
should like to get his permission to have it done, as in
the Journal for Sept. 2nd, page 408, he threatens pains
and penalties to anyone infringing his trade-mark. By
the bye, I was wondering what had become of him,
thinking perhaps he was hybernating, like the bees ; but
it appears in our last, a fitful gleam of sunshine fetched
him out, but only to reply to Mr. Chitty, and apologise,
— for what ? — what I think was a justifiable action in
pointing out some discrepancies in his (Mr. Chitty's)
description of Mr. Cornell's super ? I hope we shall
soon hear from him again, as we cannot afford to lose
his racy, piquant articles which enliven all around, also
his remarks and experiences have been very instructive.
I hope he will not forget to give us his experience with
bees that are bred from that Cyprian or Holy Land
queen which he introduced last autumn.

I should like to say a few words about the Standard
frame. I think it is a pity after all the trouble and
bother of settling on a certain size, that a few are think-
ing and advocating changing, what to me appears a very

suitable size. If any alteration is deemed advisable, I
should think shallow frames would be the most
suitable, like those advocated in the Secord by Mr.
Carr, as at the late South Kensington show we had a
specimen of what could be done with such a hive in a
moderate season. — John Walton.

A ROMAN RELIC.

[765.] In 1868, a gentleman of Colchester (Mr.
Joslin) found in his grounds a monument to a Roman
soldier (centurion). An interesting description of it was
written by the Rev. B. Lodge. A doubt arose as to the
name, &c, of a small sword or hanger at the right side
of the figure. And in a note we read that Forcellini,
quoting Antonius Augustinus, says that the weapon was
without a point, to intimate that the superior officer, like
the queen-bee, should direct, but have no sting.

Can any of your classical readers tell us anything
about Antonius Augustinus, date, &c. ? — J. Lawson
Sisson.

[In 1587, Antonius Augustinus (or Antonio Agustin),
archbishop of Tarragona, published a work, entitled,
' Dialoyos de Medallas, Inscrwiones,y otras Antiyuedades.
Ex Bibliotheca A. A. Plates, 4to. Tarragona, 1587.'
There was another edition in 4to., Madrid, 1744. Of the
above work there were two Italian versions. Also a
Latin translation by And. Schott, Eol. Antverpias, 1617,
and Autv. 1653-54, 3 parts, 68 plates. — Ed.]

INVERTIBLE HIVES.

[766.] May I be allowed to endorse Mr. James Lee's
sound advice to bee-keepers, namely, to test new ideas
practically before rushing to conclusions, and his further
caution for all but the skilled ' to go slow'? A great deal
of harm has, I believe, been done by those fertile
workers, who have put forward crude, unfertilised notions
in the guise of proved facts, and no doubt numbers of
beginners have thrown up bee-keeping in disgust because
they have failed to secure the impossible results these
others professed to have obtained and promised them.
It is an act of generosity, more or less, for a man to
publish his ideas to the world; but what I complain
about is that, in the bee-world especially, many writers
forget to mention that their ideas are nothing more
than ideas, and that they have never really been put to
a practical test.

On the other hand, it is unfair to condemn a system
without trial merely because it is new, or, perhaps,
because in a single instance, and under unknown con-
ditions, it has not proved successful. My own ex-
perience of the system of inversion, which Mr. Lee is
entirely wrong in speaking of as untried, bears out this
view.

In 1885 I got some reversible frames frcm Messrs.
Neighbour and others, but reversing them seemed to
make no difference in results, as far as I could see ; later
on, however, happening to read Mr. Garratt's very in-
teresting article on reversing skeps, I determined to give
the plan a trial. The skep on which I experimented
was in no way a specially selected one, but one of
average strength. The result surprised me. It gave the
earliest sections in the apiary, and a number far in
excess of the average per stock. A single trial cannot
be conclusive, but this one, I need hardly say, has very
much modified the opinion formed previously ; and I am
very sanguine that, though reversing frames with its
attendant disturbance of the brood-nest may do more
harm than good, the Ileddon system, so well spoken of
by the majority of those who in Americ.i have tried
it, may be a very long step in advance.

Bee-keeping on modern principles is in its infancy, it
is hardly out of the experimental stage, and I trust
English authorities on bee matters will, while cautioning

January 13, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

11

novices not to go too fast, give every encouragement to
progress and experiment, and condemn nothing merely
on the ground that it has not been tried, or that it is of
foreign invention.— D. A. Thomas.

POLLEN GRAINS IN HONEY. (741.)

[767.] In answer to your correspondent in The
British Bee Journal, 16th December, 1886 (741), page
500, 1 drew attention to the beautiful object found in
the honey-comb, ' pollen.' A paper of mine was read in
reference to this object at the Koyal Microscopical
Society meeting in 1865 — see Quarterly Journal of
Microscopical Science, 1865, page 163. With regard to
the various pollens which the bee collects they are far too
numerous to name. They are often spores of different
plants, as well as pollen, thus collected. The bee in
collecting them makes up, or builds, the honey-comb,
mixed together with the wax. If they are found in
honey, it is by accident, or by pressure of the honey-
comb, which is gently heated by the trade to extract
the honey. Thus the polleu is often found in the honey
of the shops, but the best way to get a great variety is
to soften by gentle heat part of the honey-comb on a
slide for the microscope ; your correspondent will find
then numerous pollens and spores of plants. A better
way still to exhibit the pollen is to gather them from
various flowers, and immerse them in olive oil on a slide
for the microscope. I have mounted many very suc-
cessfully, having made it a study for some years. There
is a difference of opinion in respect to the food of the
larva; of bees. My belief is that honey forms the chief,
and that pollen is not used as food. — Edmund Gill,
Linn Villa, Sutton Hill, Surrey.

NOMENCLATURE.

[768.] I notice in your last issue that ' C. R. S., of
South Cornwall,' calls attention to the word ' rabbet '
being improperly used in your columns. Johnson's
Dictionary informs me that a 'rabbet' ' is a joint made
by paring two pieces of wood so that they wrap over
one another.' Now the shifting slide mentioned in
describing Neighbour's Sandringham hive is itself com-
prised of several ' rabbets,' so that it really ma)' be called
a rabbeted slide. Would this term suit ' C. R. S.' better ?
It seems to me a not very important matter to call atten-
tion to. — Alfbed Neighbour.

NOMENCLATURE.

[769.] Mr. Editor, permit me to draw your atten-
tion to letter 759, page 9 ('Nomenclature'). I am
much obliged to 'C. R. S.' for opening up this subject.
By looking over the dictionary you will see that a
' rabbet ' cannot be any way but on the edge, or at an
outside. Such a rabbet as used in Neighbour's adver-
tisement no one can understand. The English language
is not so scarce of words as to necessitate the use of one
w-ord being used for two such different operations as the
two mentioned. A rabbet has only two sides, that is, a
bottom and one side. Now this one in Neighbour's adver-
tisement has three sides, a bottom, and two sides. Our
trade name for the latter is a raggle, although I do not
find the word in the Dictionary.

While I am at it I might make a remark about
bumping. [You might try how 'jerk' would do instead of
that very objectionable word ' bump.' It was no wonder
that Mr. Johns had some difficulty about what was
meant. We can understand the crate, but the rack we
must try and keep from our bees. — N. P.

COMMITTEE-MEN.

[770.] Though a new member of the B.B.K.A., I
would respectfully make a suggestion on the above
subject which has occurred to me through reading Mr.
J. Garratt's letter (758) with the Editor's foot-note, in
the B.B.J, of the 6th January, 1887. The committee
should doubtless be chosen from members who live at a
convenient distance to attend the committee and sub-
committee meetings, but why not allow county repre-
sentatives, who are qualified members of the B.B.K.A., to
be ex-officio committee-men, so that the county repre-
sentatives might render assistance to the committee
where the large amount of work arises, viz., when they
are undertaking important work in his county ? — Nota.

THE SALTAIRE EXHIBITION.

[771.] While the question is at the front as to the
Yorkshire B.K.A., &c, I would just like to ask you,
sir, if a bee show could not be held in Saltaire during the
great exhibition to be held there. The Prince of Wales
is, I believe, going to be there, so if our friend Mr.
Grimshaw with his active pen could only stir up some
of the bee-keepers in the neighbourhood, something
might be done as regards getting an assistant- secretary,
seeing the whole county is too large for one, or, if it could
be done, to be divided into parliamentary divisions,
which is very feasible. Hoping something will be done,
as to the show to be opened, I believe, in May next.—
Samuel Watson, Brighouse.

[The Secretary of the B.B.K.A. informs us that he has
had some correspondence with the secretary of the ex-
hibition alluded to by our correspondent. The B.B.K.A.
anticipate no difficulty in securing such an exhibit, pro-
viding the executive of the Saltaire Exhibition will
provide the necessary attendance during the time. — Ed.]

BEE-CONCILIATORS.

[772.] I think most people agree that prevention is
better than cure, and if Mr. Cheshire has discovered a
means of preventing stings while manipulating, he has
given a boon to the majority of bee-keepers by making
it known in the generous manner he has done.

In the past and at the present time bees are looked
upon as so many incorrigible ' demons,' or ' fiends ' (see
Journals), and we have therefore employed none but
drastic measures, believing that anything of a mild
character would be incapable of coping with their
terrible diabolical natures. We have not studied their
requirements, their rights, their claims, their feelings,
but have driven, coerced, and even slaughtered them.
Patrotism with bees is a crime. To defend home and
stores a greater crime still. They must be subjugated.
And how ? Why, like unarmed rebels before soldiers,
bayonets, sent head over heels, followed by volumes of
burning smoke, or Mr. Webster's 2>leasant carbolic fumes.
But with all our subjugating apparatus we get stung.
What we want is peace and no coercion, and I hope
Mr. Cheshire has found the remedy.

I consider Mr. Grimshaw's new coined word anything
but appropriate for the ' family ' he got into. ' Apif uges '
would imply something to drive bees headlong in terror
and confusion, and I feel sure that is not what Mr.
Grimshaw wanted to discover when he commenced
experiments last summer.

Now, sir, ' bee subjugators ' have been used for many
years, and have not proved absolutely infallible ; and now
we are going to try another ' law ' I would suggest that
it be called ' the bee conciliator.' Let us take advantage
of the high development and fine, extreme sensitiveness
of their olfactories, and present something of a pleasing,
enchanting nature ; something to move into activity

18

THE BRITISH BEE JOUENAL.

[January 13, 1887.

those gentle, amiable, social properties they possess, and
at the same time subduing' all pugnacious* propensities.
I feel certain such a remedy will be found, if it is not
already. — A. Geeen, Selston, Alfreton.

THE BEES OF PALESTINE.

(Extract from Natural History of the Bible. By H. B.
Tristram, M.A., LL.'D., F.R.S.)

The honey-bee and honey are frequently mentioned in
Scripture, and bees were, from a very early epoch,
reclaimed and kept in hives, as well as sought for among
the rocks. The hive-bee of Palestine much resembles
our own Apis meltifica, and still more closely the hive-
bee of Italy and Southern Europe (Apis ligustica), but is
decidedly smaller, and of a much lighter colour. The
swarms, or colonies, are also generally more numerous,
and the cells of the combs are of course a little smaller,
while the combs themselves are frequently of great size
and weight. It is the Apis fasciata of Latreille ; and
now, as of old, is quite as abundant in a wild state as
reclaimed. Indeed, the wild bees, of precisely the same
species, are far more numerous than their hived relatives,
and the greater quantity of the honey sold in the south
of Palestine is obtained from wild swarms.

Most of the allusions to bees in Scripture refer to
these unreclaimed stocks, which when robbed attack
their plunderers with great fury. Iu some parts of India
so enormous are the swarm? of wild bees, that there
are ravines which it is impossible to traverse, owing to
the fury of their attacks. ' The Amorites, which dwelt
in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you,
as bees do ' (Deut, i. 44). ' Thev compassed me about
like bees ' (Ps. cxviii. 12). ' The Lord shall hiss for the
fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and
for the bee that is in the land of Assyria' (Isa. vii. 18).
In this passage allusion appears to be made to the well-
known custom of arresting bees by loud sounds, a custom
which has come down from the earliest times, and is
practised among ourselves in the tinkling and jingling of
iron utensils to induce a swarm to settle when it has left
the hive. The word 'hiss' alludes to the call to
attention universally used in Eastern countries, which,
instead of ' hallo,' or ' hey,' is always ' hist ' or ' hiss.'

The abundance of bees of old is attested by the
frequent mention of the Land of Promise as ' a land
flowing with milk and honey' (Deut. viii. 8). Few
countries are more admirably adapted for bees than this,
with its dry climate and its stunted but varied flora, con-
sisting, in large proportion, of aromatic thymes, mints,
and. other labiate plants, as well as of crocuses in spring;
while the dry recesses of limestone rocks everywhere
afford shelter and protection for the combs. Thus, the
rocks are generally spoken of as the treasure-houses of
the bees : ' With honey out of the rock should I have
satisfied thee ' (Ps. lxxxi. 16). Wild honey is also found
in trees. Thus, ' All they of the land came to a wood ;
and there was honey upon the ground. And when the
people were come into the wood, behold, the honey
dropped ' (1 Sam. xiv. 25, 26).

In Judges, xiv. 8, we read of a swarm of bees taking
up their abode in the carcass of the lion which Samson
had slain, upon which he propounded his riddle: 'Out
of the eater cometh forth meat, and out of the strong
cometh forth sweetness.' We must not suppose that the
carcass was a putrid and corrupt mass, for in the dry
season the heat will speedily render a carcass in that
climate a mere mummy without any offensive smell
until it is moistened, and the ants speedily clear away
all the softer parts of the body, if any are left by the
vultures, so that merely the skeleton and hide would
remain. Even in this country, wrens and sparrows
have been known to make their nest in the body of an
exposed crow or hawk.

in the wilderness of Judrea, bees are far more numerous

than in any other part of Palestine, and thus honey was
part of the homely diet of the Baptist in the desert, as it
is to this day among the Bedouins, who squeeze it from the
comb and store it in skins. Such stores the men possessed
who petitioned Ishmael for their lives on that account :
' Slay us not, for we have treasures in the field .... of
honey' (Jer. xli. 8).

Honey was from the earliest times an article of com-
merce from Palestine. It was among the delicacies sent
down by Jacob Math his sons to the governor of Egypt
(Gen. xhii. 2), and is mentioned by Ezekiel among the
commodities exported to Tyre : ' Judah, and the land of
Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy
market .... honey' (ch. xxvii. 17). It is probable
that in several passages honey (Heb. debash) stands for
the Arabic 'dibs,' the sweet syrup made by boiling
down the juice of the grape to the consistency of treacle ;
but in most instances bees' honey is undoubtedly in-
tended. Wax was also employed for various purposes,
but not, so far as we know, for candles. It was an
ingredient in various ointments and perfumes.

The method of keeping domesticated bees has probably
not varied from the earliest times, and they are reared,
especially in Galilee, in great numbers. The hives are
very simple, consisting of large tubes of sun-dried mud,
about eight inches in diameter and four feet long, closed
with mud at each end, having only an aperture in the
centre large enough for two or three bees to pass at a
time. The insects appear to frequent both doors equalty.
These tubes are laid in rows horizontally and piled in a
pyramid. I counted one of these colonies consisting of
seventy-eight tubes, each a distinct hive. Coolness
being the great object, the whole is thickly plastered
over with mud and covered with boughs, while a branch
is stuck in the ground at each end to assist the bees in
alighting. At first we took these singular structures for
orans or hen-houses. The barbarous practice of destin-
ing the swarms for their honey is unknown. When
the hives are full the clay is removed from the ends of
the pipes, and the honey extracted with an iron hook ;
those pieces of comb which contain J'oung bees are
carefully replaced, and the hives then closed up again.
Honey, wild or from hives, is always to be purchased,
and it is used for many culinary purposes, and especially
for the preparation of sweet cakes. It has the delicate
aromatic flavour of the thyme-scented honey of Hybla or
Hymettus.

But, however extensive are the bee-colonies of the
villages, the number of wild bees of the same species is
far greater. The innumerable fissures and clefts of the
limestone rocks, which everywhere flank the valleys,
afford in their recesses secure shelter for any number of
swarms; and many of the Bedouins, particularly in the
wilderness of Judasa, obtain their subsistence by bee-
hunting, bringing into Jerusalem skins and jars of that
wild honey on which John the Baptist fed in the wilder-
ness, and which Jonathan had long before unwittingly
tasted when the couib had dropped on the ground from
the hollow tree in which it was suspended. When we
see the busy multitude of bees about the cliffs, we call
to mind the promise : ' With honey out of the stony
rock would I have satisfied thee.' Amidst all its deso-
lation the Land of Promise is, even to the present day,
' a land flowing with honey.'

The Orientals have a sweet tooth, and are in the
habit of eating honey to a degree that would nauseate a
Western stomach.

The Word of God is frequently compared in Scripture
to honey for its sweetness (Ps. xix. 10, &c.) Deborah
(bee) was a favourite and appropriate female name
(Gen. xxxv.)

The number of species of humble bee in Palestine is
very great, and mason bees are especially numerous, but
their stores of honey are too inconsiderable to have been
an object of search.

January 13, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

19

smtxuB.

Queries and Answers are inserted free of charge to Correspondents
Mlicn more titan one query is sent, cac/i should be on a separate piece
oj paper.

Oar readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who seek assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[773.] Managing Stock on an Allotment Garden. — As some-
time I may want to take some bees down into an allotment
garden, I should be glad of the opinions of others as to
the best way of managing a few stocks so as to run the
least risk of losing swarms. I should not be able to go
to look after them in the daytime, and only occasionally
in the evening, as most of my spare time will be taken up
among rny bees at home. I do not particularly mind
whether I work them for comb or extracted honey ? —
John Walton.

[774.] Separation of Wax from Pollen, dc. — Can any reader
of the British Bee Journal inform me how I can separate the
wax from old combs, pollen, &c. ? Is there no cheap wax-
extractor to be got that would be useful to a cottager ?
or can I have one made, and what about the price ? I
have tried the boiling process mentioned in your last
number, and find it a very tedious job. It is a great
waste to throw all old combs away, and I am not able to
purchase an extractor at prices advertised. — A. S.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

J. B. — Treatment. — In the first place we think you erred in
putting sections on your swarm, as the honey flow must
have been nearly over at the time of putting them on.
Secondly, when putting into winter quarters each comb
should have been examined, and the bees confined by
division - boards to as many combs only as they could
cover, and, not having sufficient stores for winter, should
have been fed. We advise you to leave them entirely
alone, i.e., not to disturb, or even touch the hive, until
a fine warm day enables you to raise the quilt, and, if
food is required, place flat cakes of soft candy on the
top of the frames, and cover up with dry and warm
quilts. We think you will find the bees alive, but
probably requiring food. The few dead, of which you
speak, may be accounted for by the normal winter
mortality. With the above exceptions your treatment
was correct.

S. L. B. — Carniolans. — You can prevent these from swarm-
ing by giving them plenty of room, and carrying out the
instructions given in the pamphlet. If you refer to the
article you allude to, yon will see that we stated that, ' by
giving plenty of room we were able to control them,' and
that we did not given them up solely on account of their
swarming propensities, but because we found other bees
superior to them.

W. (Salisbury). — 1. Distance of Frames. — We place our
frames wider apart for winter, so as to get a larger
number of bees to cluster compactly between each comb.
It does not matter how thick the store combs are. Ours
are usually 1£ to If inches thick. 2. Doubling. — When
doubling, as soon as the two lower hives are filled with
bees, and before they become too crowded, add a third
or a fourth if necessary. 3. Stands. — The hives are on
low stands, and are, when piled up, much too heavy to be
turned over by the wind. 4. Empty Combs. — If you have
empty combs, you should use these in preference, to
brush the bees back upon. Failing combs, you can use
foundation. You must make sure of brushing the queen
into the hive. 5. Position of Apiary. — Our neighbour-
hood is a good one, but we atti'ibute our uniform harvests
to the use of young queens only, which we breed by
selecting only the best, and destroying all those not up to
our standard. We should not expect black bees to give
us quite as much, but even these can be improved by
selection in breeding.

business ^Directory.

of Bee-

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Hole, J. B. W., Tarrington, Ledbury.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,

E.C.
Walton, E. O, Muskham, Newark.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour * Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

Walton, E. O, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, P., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stotharb, G., Welwyn, Herts.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiary. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage 6d.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

HOfV H !ES ^Sl X3> -52" !

VOL. XIV. of

T[he ^British jBee Journal,

EDITED BY

THOS. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.,

Containing upwards of 600 pages, with numerous Illus-
trations, and Complete Index.

Bound in Cloth, price 10s. Cloth Cases for Binding, Is.
each ; post free, Is. 3d.

KENT & CO., 23 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON;
J. HUCKLE, KINGS LANGLEY, HERTS.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 13, 1887.

* HIVES and SECTIONS^

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ -

BEFORE ordering their season's requirements, Bee-keepers will do well to notice prices of Hives,
Sections, Foundation, &o. &c, supplied by THE BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' STORES, 23 Corn-
hill, London, E.C. This Central Depot (opposite the Royal Exchange) will, it is hoped, prove a con-
venience to Bee-keepers who may be in the City for a time, or in business.

Arrangements have been concluded with Mr. D. A. Jones, of Canada, for the supply of the celebrated
' JONES-HEDDON ' HIVE,— the Hive of the Future,— and the various improved Half-pound and Pound
SECTIONS, as exhibited by him at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. The construction of these
sections is such as to enable the bees to pass freely from one section to an adjoining one, and experience
has shown that they are filled more rapidly and completely than the old sort in common use in Great
Britain. The sizes of the sections kept in stock will be — 4A x 4| x 2, 4^ x 4|- x 1A, 4A x 3A x 1-|.
The old kind, with closed sides, will also be kept in stock and sold at the same prices as the other kinds,
but the kind advocated by our Canadian friend are strongly recommended by us to purchasers. Those
who intend exhibiting should not fail to use the new kind. These Sections are made of the best bass-
wood, and will be found superior to, and of better finish than, those of American manufacture.

The 'JONES-HEDDON' HIVE,

Including bottom-board ; queen-excluding division board, made of wood and perforated metal ; cover ;
two six-inch brood-chambers, each containing eight frames ; two surplus arrangements filled with sections,
both with wide frames. Made of good sound Canadian Pine. Price, painted and complete, 17s. 6d.

The brood-chamber is in two sections ; also the surplus arrangement, which may be interchanged or
inverted at will. The cover, bottom-board, and top and bottom of each sectional case has one half of a
regular bee-space, so that the surplus cases, with the sections, may be placed between the two brood
chambers, or the latter part may be transposed or inverted — in fact, all parts of the hive are perfect!}-
interchangeable.

THE 'JUBILEE' HIVE,

Double-walled, of good Canadian Pine, planed and with frames ; to meet the requirements of Cottagers

and others. Price, 5s.
Surplus arrangement for same, combining lift and super for sections. Price, Is. 6d.

The 'IMPERIAL' HIVE, for Doubling.

This hive has been so arranged that the inner walls on which the frames in the upper tier rest, can
be taken out and the hive used for sections, if required. For wintering, the upper storey is inverted and
slides down over the body of the hive, thus forming a very compact, (practically) treble-walled hive.
Price, 12s.

The 'Jubilee' and ' Imperial' Hives have been specially designed by Mr. D. A. JONES, the well-
known Canadian Bee-keeper, in conjunction with leading British Apiarists. We hope this fact in itself
will be a sufficient recommendation of the goods and a guarantee of their quality.

SAMPLE SHIPMENTS EXPECTED ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY.

The CANADIAN Improved One-pound and Half-pound One-piece V-cut SECTIONS

Of best basswood, in original Cases of 500 Sections, at lis. 3d. per Case.

O D CT /"^ I A I — *" or^er to faci^ate 0U)' arrangements for supply of large consign-
^J I £2i \J I #* Lb b meiits, and thereby reduce the cost of transport, we will allow a

MISCOUNT OF FIVE PER CENT on all Orders for HIVES and SECTIONS

received before 25th March. Orders will be executed in rotation, so ptleasc order early.

No deposit required with order, but payment to be made before delivery, when purchaser

receives notice of the goods being ready for despatch.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London, E.C.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkangeways' Pkintinq Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.o.'

[No. 239. Vol. XV.]

JANUARY 20, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sbttoral, Julias, $t.

BRAZILIAN BEES.

The last volume of the Journal contained various
inquiries respecting the bees to be found in Brazil,
which were not, however, satisfactorily answered.
Some light has been thrown on this subject in a
work recently published in two volumes entitled,
Three Thousand Miles through Brazil, by J. W. Wells
(Sampson Low). Mr. Wells was a civil engineer
engaged in extensive surveys in the vast country
of Brazil, aud these volumes record the story of
seventeen years of his life passed in the exercise
of a profession which carried him over a very con-
siderable portion of the country, and brought him
into intimate relations with all the phases of
Brazilian life. These years were passed in farms,
in huts, under canvas, or with only the starlit
skies for a canopy ; riding, tramping, boating,
canoeing, or rafting on many streams and rivers.
Great varieties of climate were met with in these
peregrinations.

The volumes do not record a specialist's researches
and discoveries, but merely an engineer's matter-
of-fact experiences. In his life in the woods, the
campos, aud the marshes, he several times came in
contact with the bees of that country. These
are generally the stingless bees (sp. Melipona),
which are so frequently met with in Mexico and
other parts of the American continent, but he also
describes some singular bee -nests, the homes of
bees which are ' terrible stingers.'

When surveying his first section, in the Rio
Pariiopera, he came across some bees which are
called Mandrasia bees. He says : —

' There are many varieties of small black bees, not
larger than a common house-fly — good charitable bees
that make excellent honey and do not sting ; rarely a day
passed hut we found a nest of the mandrasia bee. It is
really wonderful how the men found them out; I believe
I might have spent a week in the woods without dis-
covering a nest. It is only done by watching a bee
when it hovers around a tree-trunk without apparently
any ostensible purpose; suddenly it will disappear, and
an accustomed eye may be able to distinguish a small
hole in the trunk not larger than a pea, and on tapping
the tree it will be found hollow in the vicinity of the
hole ; if the tree is felled and the hollow excavated with
an axe, the cavity will be found to contain a mass of
balls of thin brown wax, about the size of a large walnut,

and filled with deliciously fragrant honey far superior to
that of the common English bee. The bees fly about in
myriads, but inflict no inconvenience beyond their sticki-
ness, for they are so sticky that they seem as though
they have just emerged from a honey-pot.'

In passing from Masquita to Picada, while sur-
veying his second section, he encounters others of
the same species : —

' A small black bee, common to the grass districts, is
very troublesome and annoying ; it does not bite or sting;
it worries one by its persistent creeping and crawling by
dozens over hands, face, and neck, into eyes, ears, and
gets tangled in the hair. Brush away a crowd, others
instantly take their places. Open your mouth, a number
are ready to explore it.'

In certain parts these been are very trouble-
some : —

' Out in the open chapador there existed a con-
siderable annoyance in the form of bees. This
insect buzzes not, neither does it sting or bite, but it
alights on one's flesh in myriads, and devotes all its
energies to systematic tickling and minute exploration ;
it gets into one's ears, eyes, nose, down the back, into the
hair, into the clothes ; perpetual slapping availeth not,
for if a dozen of the sticky things are smashed, a couple
of dozen are hovering round for a place to prospect upon ;
the nuisance can be avoided to a certain extent by
wrapping one's head in gauze. Fortunately the pest did
not cover a considerable area.'

AVhen passing up the Valley of the Sapao, the
author finds bees in ant-hills, with ' tons of honey :'

' That day's march was up the valley ; a notable feature
of the day was the number of ant-hills four to six or
seven feet high, — constructed of clay originally by a
species of white ant, but then occupied — certainly one
out of every three — by "the bee of the white ants." These
bees had turned the ants out of their quarters and domi-
ciled themselves in their place. Without exaggeration
I believe many tons of honey could be collected from
these mounds ; in one hill alone we extracted sufficient to
satisfy the appetites of every one — even the mules had
their share. The honey is found in little compact balls
of delicate black wax about one and a half inch in
diameter; each ball is separate and distinct from its
neighbour, and the honey is most excellent in flavour.
The bees of course flew about us, but were perfectly
harmless ; they are small and black, not much bigger
than a house-fly. The mystery is how they can conquer
and drive off the white ants; perhaps many a battle
was fought before they gave up possession ; now the
bees were evidently masters of the situation. Several
dozens of the mounds were examined and more than a
third were occupied by the bees, but only on two or
three occasions was the same mound found occupied by
the bees and ants.'

22

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 20, 1887.

On the Rio do Soniuo, a beautiful stream in a
lovely country and climate, Mr. Wells saw some
curious bee-nests, -which are built by another species
of bee, very different from the stingless Melipona : —

' The cliffs present bare smooth surfaces of variously
coloured rocks, on which a very curious structure often
attracted my attention ; in a full view it resembles a
dark bullock's hide stretched and nailed to the wall of
rock, averaging eight by six feet in length and width ;
sideways it appears inflated and distended and culminates
in a hanging point or apex, near its lower side. These
curious formations are the nests of the shupd, a bee that
produces great quantities of excellent honey, but are
terrible stingers; and from the position the nests are in,
half way up the smooth surface of the rooks, are difficult
of access unless the gatherer is enveloped in leather and
lowered down by ropes from above, which is sometimes
done.'

'AMERICAN BEE-KEEPERS' MAGAZINE.'
The price of the American Bee-keepers' Magazine has
been reduced to 25 cents (one shilling) a-year, and it is
now one of the cheapest bee journals in the world. This
paper was started in 1870, and was for over two years
edited by H. A. King, assisted by Mrs. E. S. Tupper,
Professor A. Wood, and M. E. Williams, during part of
the time. It subsequently passed into the bands of
A. J. King & Co., and is now edited by Messrs. Aspin-
wall and Treadwell, who are both practical bee-keepers,
as may be seen from their articles. The Journal has
been very much improved since it was first started, and
now contains practical articles by the leading American
bee-keepers. We are able to judge of the improvements,
as we have subscribed to it regularly since the first
number was issued. Whilst wondering how they can
print and circulate a journal forming a volume of over
400 pages at so low a price, we congratulate the pro-
prietors on their enterprising policy, and wish them every
success.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — 'First it hailed, then it blew, Then it
friz, then it snew, Then there came a shower of rain,
Then it friz and snew again : ' — are lines which well
describe English weather during the last five or six
weeks; and although we have now a decided thaw,
nevertheless it is a very cold one, and on the higher
grounds, under hedges, and other places, the wreaths of
snow still remain, ' waiting for more,' as our weather
prophets say. We scarcely remember a winter more
calculated to try the various systems of autumnal pre-
parations for wintering ; and where these have been
faulty, or have not been made at all, especially where
the supply of food has failed, the results will prove
disastrous in the extreme.

Examining Hives. — No doubt we shall all he anxious
to ascertain the Condition of our colonies at the earliest
possible suitable moment, but we must put in our caveat
here, and deprecate any interference whatever with
hives or colonies until that moment arrives. There is,
perhaps, no kind of interference more injurious to bees
than too early examinations after long and severe frost,
when the abdomen is distended with faecal matter, and
when the slightest excitement will assuredly cause an
outbreak' of dysentery, which if the bees had been left
to themselves might never have occurred at all.

What to do. — Until mild settled weather arrives —
weather in which bees can fly freely — let us content
ourselves by keeping entrances clear, supplying soft

candy, where required, under quilts, by changing quickly
damp quilts for dry ones, and by carefully looking to
roofs and covers, and guarding against leakage, or snow
penetration ; all of which operations may, with care, be
performed without the least jarring or disturbance.
Where moveable floor-boards project beyond the hives,
the projections forming a lodgment for snow and rain,
and causing internal dampness, we advise a change for
dry ones.

Ventilation and Dampness. —As regards ventilation
and dampness, however, as in most other matters,
opinions vary. Professor Cook tells us that he sealed a
large colony of bees with ice, frozen solid, at the entrance
of the hive, that the colony remained thus, and also en-
tombed in a snow-bank, for more than three months,
and wintered exceptionally well. As the hive was
glued, or propolised, at the top, he remarks that the
ventilation must have been slight indeed, and hence he
draws the inference that, under the best conditions,
little heed need be given to ventilation. He tells us also
that even during terribly disastrous winters bees have
wintered in many cases remarkably well in very damp
cellars.

From Mr. Heddon, too, we have the statement, ' In
all my varied experience and observation I have been
unable to discover any ill effects from dampness, of
itself. We ourselves are wintering all our colonies
under enamel-cloth, which allows of little or no upward
ventilation, and we all know that bees, in a state of
nature, so propolise the interior of their domicile as to
render it impervious to air or moisture.'

Crown-boards v. Quilts. — Dr. Southward, who
possesses a large apiary in Michigan, U.S., and has been
very successful in out-door wintering, uses the old-
fashioned wooden crown-board, which the bees propolise
and glue down tightly. Over this he places chaff packing ;
and in the very severe winter of 1884-5 he carried
through his large apiary with almost no loss.

May it not be said to those, therefore, who adopt the
practice of placing absorbents in the shape of pervious
coverings over their bees — Aquilam volare docetis, which
naughty boys translate as having reference to grand-
mothers and eggs P We have repeatedly noticed that
colonies left unmanipulated in the autumn, with quilts or
crown-boards well propolised, have wintered perfectly
and have been amongst the foremost hives at spring.

' Packing.' — Those who are in favour of the pervious
quilt will no doubt be able to bring forward advantages
possessed by it, but wherever it is used successfully we
think it will be found that a good deal of outer packing
— of sawdust, chaff, cork-dust, or even boards — has been
called into requisition.

Feeding Skeps. — In feeding colonies in skeps a large
feed-hole — say of four inches diameter — is an advantage,
since over this a large cake of warm soft candy may be
placed, and will be taken with avidity by the bees.

The quantity of food contained in a skep may generally
be pretty accurate^ determined by its weight, when
balanced in the hands of one who knows its age and
history, without breaking it off from the floor-board,
which should never be done during the winter, as skeps
are propolised more firmly to the floor-board than are
frame or box-hives of any description ; and it is best that
they should remain so, having the entrance sufficiently
large to admit of free ventilation, and to be kept clear of
refuse.

Crossing the Various Races. — Since our remarks
on this subject appeared in last ' Hints,' we have received
the January number of the American ApicuUurist, in
which are some very able and suggestive papers by well-
known apiarists on the methods of breeding bees in
order to perpetuate desirable qualities.

Breeding for Qualities. — Naturally the chief
points to be considered in the solution of such a problem
as breeding for qualities, are the prepotency of the queen

January 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

23

or the drone as regards certain points or characteristics,
such as working qualities, temper, adherence to combs
when under manipulation, comb-building, fecundity, &c.
Dr. Tinker, who has given much attention to breeding,
gives it as his opinion that 'the drone is prepotent in
transmitting working qualities, disposition, and the form
and size of the male progeny ; while the queen is prepo-
tent in transmitting fecundity; comb-building faculty;
peculiar maternal instinct ; and the form and size of the
female progeny.'

Heredity. — He is careful to state that no rule in the
heredity of bees is invariable, but exceptions, which
establish rules, occur in the heredity of all the animal
creation; these exceptions are, however, so few that the
rules can be depended upon in developing a superior
strain of bees. He also goes so far as to assert that ' the
coming bee will be a cross-bred bee, developed from
Syrian or Cyprian mother stock : the cross will be with
Italian drones.' Mr. Demaree, writing on the same sub-
ject, says, ' I look to my breeding queens for the peculiar
type of workers I want, and to the drones for
temperament.'

When in last 'Hints' we stated that 'the cross be-
tween Cyprians and Italians was one of the best, if not
the best,' we omitted to say that the cross alluded to was
from a C}rprian mother and an Italian drone. Our
Syrio-Italian crosses have also been from Syrian queens
mated with Italian drones, both crosses having proved
excellent workers and of gentle disposition. Under
manipulation they are very quiet, closely adhere to the
combs, and rarely show any disposition to attack. The
cross between the Syrian queen and the black drone is
also a good bee, but more uncertain in temper than the
two former crosses. The above remarks refer only to
the.first crosses, but we have no doubt that their good
qualities may be transmitted to their progeny by careful
breeding and selection.

We should like to see our queen-breeders advertising
queens thus mated, being well assured that no better
bees, or bees better adapted to the English climate,
than the progeny of such queens exist. It must be
generally conceded, particularly in times of depression
and severe competition like the present, that attention
should be given to producing a superior race of bees as
well as to improvements in appliances. In this matter
there can be no doubt that other nations — e.g.,
Germany and America — are far in advance of us. Is
it not a fact that there is not a single isolated apiary
in this country where any particular race of bees can
be bred in its purity ? We are aware of the various
means by which, without complete isolation, queens may
generally be caused to mate with selected drones, but
there is always a doubt, hence the prevalence of the
importation of queens into the countiy, many of which
are of inferior quality. We do not even avail ourselves
so far as we know of the best appliances for procuring
pure fertilisation, such, for instance, as 'Alley's drone
and queen trap,' which ought to be in use in every
apiary professing to breed queens of specified races, even
if possessed of an isolation of a two or three miles
radius. Hence the constantly recurring complaints of
hybridised queens being sent out as pure. Certainly
there is room for improvement here, especially in the
'selection of the fittest' both as regards queens and
drones. These remarks apply not only to one race, but
to all, since our native black bees, or German brown,
ought always to be bred by selection.

Dry Hives. — Our previous remarks on dampness must
not be misunderstood, or misconstrued into an approval
of keeping hives in a state of perpetual dampness. We
have quoted authorities to show that, under certain con-
ditions, it is not injurious for a time at least, and this
we did with a view to discourage, too early, frequent,
undesirable spring manipulations. But where dysentery
exists, or hives have become saturated with moisture, or

combs mouldy, nothing more conduces to the recovery
of the bees than a change to a clean, dry, warm hive, with
an application of warm porous quilts as soon as weather
will permit ; and in extreme cases, weather failing,
manipulation should be performed in a warm room, the
hives being returned to their stands in the evening, when
it is too late for the bees to fly. Tlris is much better
than allowing the bees to perish in foul, dysenteric,
damp hives. In such cases we always operate indoors
by lamplight, and at night, when scarcely a single bee
leaves the combs or becomes excited.

Syrui>-Feeding. — A Warning. — Let us warn our
readers against syrup-feeding for some time to come.
The only admissiable food, before the end of February or
middle of March— according to. the weather — is sealed
comb-honey, candy, or diy sugar. Several cases of
destruction of colonies by syrup-feeding have already
come under our notice. The bees become excited, and
with distended abdomens, perish, or, attempting to fly,
never return to the hives. If the food is consumed in
cold weather, befouling and besmearing the combs and
interior of the hive with swollen bodies, they fall, and
decomposition increases the evil. Frames of sealed
honey should be slightly warmed before being placed at
the side of the cluster, a centre hole being cut in the
comb as passage-way for the bees.

Preparations. — Again, we advise all, especially
those possessed of the larger apiaries, to make prepara-
tion for the approaching campaign — hives, sections and
cases, foundation, and fixing the same in frames and
section boxes — may well and profitably occupy spare
time in the evening or otherwise. Hives which have
been previously in use should be scraped thoroughly
clean, disinfected, and repainted. Spare quilts and floor-
boards should be kept dry and ready for use. Removal
of hives to new positions may be made, and apiaries set
in order, and kept neat, no accumulation of ' odds and
ends ' being allowed, nor refuse of any kind. Where
not objected to, sawdust spread around the hiye is
beneficial, absorbing moisture and preventing the chilling
of bees which settle upon it. Many other little matters,
too numerous to mention, will occur to those who give
thought and time to their bees.

'AMATEUR EXPERT' WAKES UP AND 'JOTS.'

* Mel sapit Omnia.'

Hybemating! 'A. E.' hybernating ! No, no, friend
J. Walton. It is with me, as it was with that immortal
son of Vulcan, —

' Toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes ;
Each morning sees some task begun,

Each evening sees its close ;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night's repose.'

And then, besides that, 'Mel sapit Omnia 'with me.
And so you wish to savour your new hive with ' met.' I
thank you for the compliment ; put the words on, by all
means.

Since I 'jotted' last I spent a most enjoyable day
with Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Mr. Corneil, who came
down to my ' hive.' I showed them some of my local
' lions,' which included a real primitive English apiary, a
herd of shorthorn cattle, a nobleman's park and grounds,
as well as a portion of the inside of the mansion, one of
the finest private collections of old paintings in the
kingdom, a real live Earl, and — would you believe it ? —
an oak with the largest girth round the butt they had
ever seen. Chalk that, please; that is one point for the
old country.

As the pheasants flew up he would call out for his
shooting-iron, for, be it known, a mighty hunter is
D. A. Jones, Our evergreens, most of which were new

24

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 20, 1887.

to them, gave them unbounded delight ; and to get clear
of the fogs of London, and see the clear vault above
them once more, gave them a far better character of an
English winter than they had begun to entertain.
I packed them up some few samples of seeds of things
they saw, also sprays of various evergreens — holly, ivy,
and mistletoe. Even the old people over yonder will
feel young at the sight. One who left here when twenty
years of age begged that a spray of holly with berries
might be brought back to her. How one's heart goes out
to them at the thought ! The Atlantic now rolls between
us, but space can never divide hearts that are knit to-
gether. But the leave-taking came at last — a true
Canadian one — and now they are at home once more,
amongst kindred and friends.

I have heard from Mr. McKnight, who is full of
' recollections of the enjoyable time they spent in dear
old England.' May none of us say a word that shall
mar the pleasure of those recollections.

Now I predicted that we should all want to rush
off and change our hives and appliances that we have
proved for those that we have not, and this seems very
near being realised. Let us, by all means, 'prove all
things,' but, at the same time, take especial care to
' cleave to that which is good.' I know of a ploughman
that complained of his plough, and the farmer sent for
the maker, who could not only make a plough, but guide
it as well as a few men. Having gone a few furrows
with it himself he told the farmer — a modern one, seated
on his hunter — the plough had a serious fault, but it was
all behind the handles. Well, it is much like that with
our hives. Capable of improvement they are, but the
chief fault, speaking metaphorically, is ' behind the
handles.'

I am highly delighted to see our esteemed friend, Mr
J. Lee, keeps his pen from getting rusty.

You will not give me much more room, but I am
inclined to think if I wanted to work an ' off ' apiary as
Mr. J. Walton suggests, I should 'clip the queen's wings,'
put the hives on very low stands, and have alighting-
boards right down on to the ground.

As to that Holyland queen, thereby hangs a tale. I
am not quite sure, but when I closed up in October there
seemed every probability of my having a case for Mr.
Cheshire, probably of arrenotokia. (What words these
men of science find for us!) I have not yet quite shaped
all my ' burning deeds and thoughts,' but must bring
these discursive ' Jottings ' to a close by wishing you all
' A very happy new year.' — Amatetjr Expert.

SPAIN.
In a letter addressed to the Bulletin d' Apiculture de la
Suisse Romande, Mr. Fr. Andreu, of Mahon, Minorca,
writes as follows :— ' The bee flora of this island
is rich in honey and in variety. The only enemy which
bees have to contend with are the northerly winds,
which are terrible. There are plenty of old-fashioned
apiaries ranging from forty and a hundred hives each,
but only a very small profit is derived therefore, the
hives being very much neglected and the cottagers
ignorant of the art. The introduction of the new hives
will revolutionise Spanish apiaries, particularly in these
parts of the country. Then will the good quality of
our honeys be appreciated abroad, which deserve to be
better known than they are at present. When we first
imported new hives from England, a few years ago,
they proved to be a new article to everybody ; but the
earliest results obtained with them were so good that
they soon became a subject of general conversation and
of articles in the press. Several bee-keepers adopted our
hives as soon as they had seen the advantages they
offered and the results we obtained from them. °

'We have every reason for being satisfied with the
results obtained last season, one hive having brought in
125 francs, or say an average of 90 francs per hive,
although a great many of them had only been stocked of
late. At present, however, they are all well provisioned
witli plenty of br«od, so that better things are to be
expected from them next season.

' Our hives are mostly square in shape and on the
supering system.

' Generally speaking, everything new here in Spain is
criticised, particularly anything relating to agriculture,
but thanks to the good results we are obtaining and our
offers to assist in anything we can, bee-keeping is attract-
ing more attention than heretofore. There are already
a number of small apiaries in this island, where the new
system of hives predominates, and many are projected
on the mainland.'

DEVON AND EXETER BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
Torquay Branch.
The annual meeting of the above took place on
Thursday evening, January loth, in Wood's Rooms,
Torquay. The report and statement of accounts were
read and adopted, the accounts showing a balance in
hand of nearly 41. Mr. Masters proposed and Mr.
Vallance seconded that the following should form the
Committee for this year : Messrs. R. Kitson (chairman),
H. Bradshaw, W. Winget, Rev. W. B. Davis, Messrs.
G. Pullen, J . Coombes, J. Erench, and G. Vail, Hon. Sec.
It was resolved that the meetings be held quarterly.
Mr. Winget proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Kitson
for all his work during the past year, which was
seconded by Mr. French.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write ok one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessaHly
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must bo addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2ndpage of Advertisements),

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

BEE-KEEPING IN SPAIN.

[775.] Bee-keeping is still carried on in the old-fashioned
style in Spain, and amongst the bee-keepers there are
very few indeed who use modern hives. The hives in
general use are most varied in form and in the materials
from which they are constructed. Some are round,
others square or long and are made of cork, basket-work
covered with mud, straw and wood, and even hollowed
trunks of trees are commonly used.

In all Spain there are only three or four provinces
where bee-keeping is carried on largely as a business,
more especially in the Alcarria, where almost every village
of any importance possesses from ten to twelve cohnen-
ares, each of these containing from thirty to forty hives
(colmenas). A colmenar [what we should understand
as a bee-house. — Ed.] is a small structure of brick. Up
the centre of this building is a passage into which open
the doors on either side of it of the fifteen or twenty
compartments which contain as many hives. Outside
are generally placed two or three common hives to receive
any of the swarms that may leave the hives in the col-
menar.

In the Alcarria the laws for the protection of hives

January 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

25

are very stringent. The bees are also frequently moved
from one locality to another to lengthen the honey
harvest. In the other provinces landed proprietors and
farmers generally keep from two to six hives, but this is
principally either for their own use or for amusement.

Bee-keeping is still in a primitive condition, and not
much attention is given to the bees. They are selected
and purchased and their surroundings are kept clean, but
they are then left entirely to themselves. They are in
no way assisted, and are allowed to work in their hives
just as they like without any interference on the part of
the bee-keeper.

Lately a few Spanish gentlemen have purchased from
abroad modern hives made on the improved systems; but
this has been more for curiosity and for their own amuse-
ment than with the object of their general application.

lake most of our large landowners, Mr. M and his

brother Count de B are amateur bee-keepers; but

as a member of several agricultural societies Mr. M

takes a very great interest in such matters, and having
read the French translation of your excellent work (the
British Bee-keeper's Guide-book) thought it might be very
beneficial to propagate the new methods and sound teaching
it contains amongst our agriculturists. — C. Wellen-
kAmp, Ckaflan Mallorga.

[The Spanish translation is already in the press, and
will be ready in time for the work of the spring season.
—En.]

WAX-MELTING.

[776.] A lady correspondent is in trouble about
melting her old combs, and no one of our many gentle-
men bee-keepers seems to have sufficient chivalry to
help her. I have not time just now to write much,
but will tell her what I can in a few words.

If }rou are fastidious don't take the job in hand, it is
' messy ' from beginning to end ; but if you do not mind
a little mess you will like the wax when you have
clarified it. Get a large saucepan and boil all your old
combs in it, until all the wax has left the pollen and
other debris. Next get a piece of cheese-cloth, or other
strainer that you do not much value, tie it rather
' baggy ' over a pan, and pour the contents of the sauce-
pan on to it; you will then get the water and wax in the
pan and the debris on the top of the strainer. If the bees
are not flying, burn the latter out of the way or bury it,
which you prefer; when the contents of the pan are cold
the wax will be on the top, and you can remove it from
the liquor, and of course throw the latter away. I have
a tin baking-dish that holds about a quart, into this I
put some water and also the wax, first removing any im-
purities that might have settled on the underneath side
of it. I now place this vessel inside a saucepan with
some water in the latter, but not sufficient to make the
tin containing the wax to float about. Now make the
saucepan hot, but not boiling, and keep it hot as long as
you can, but do not let it boil, and the longer you keep
it hot, and the slower you allow it to cool, the clearer
your wax will get. You may stand the tin dish and its
contents in the oven if you have a kitchener ; but it is
risky : you must watch the heat, and be sure to keep it
covered or you will spoil the colour by making it dark.
The impurities will again have settled, which you must
remove. I wanted to say something about foundation
malting and spoiling, but have not time, and perhaps
some would vote me a nuisance and meddler ; but if this
is any help to ' A. S.', or any in trouble like her, it will
have answered the purpose of — Amateur Expert.

SUSSEX AND YORKSHIRE.

[777.] It is very probable that in the course of a few
weeks I shall, for business reasons, be obliged to remove
my place of abode from this my native county (York-
shire), to the southern one, Sussex, and shall feel obliged

if any reader of this Journal, who is acquainted with
the neighbourhood of Petworth in that county, would
give me some information under the following heads : —
(a) Nature of bee flora in the district. (6) Time of
honey harvest in an average season, (c) Prevailing
winds, (d) Is there any heather near and at what
distance ? Any other remarks likely to be useful would
be gladly welcomed.

Now a few words as to Yorkshire. I regard it, Mr.
Editor, as a blot upon the reputation of this county of
broad acres that its Association should be so inactive, to
put it mildly. I have heard of the County Secretary
once, and then it was only casually through a friend who
had heard of a visit he paid to an apiary or apiaries in
Ryedale. The district round here is a very good one for
bees, and bee-keepers are multiplying yearly, until
sections, which before the Royal Show of 188o were an
unknown commodity here, are now getting difficult to
sell.

When I first heard of County Associations some
three years since, I naturally expected that Yorkshire
would possess a good one, but was disappointed to find,
after some inquiry, that it existed ' somewhere in the
West Riding.' Its existence must be infinitesimally
microscopical, seeing that our energetic friend, Mr.
Grimshaw, cannot 'spot' it. I hope he may be successful
in galvanising it into life, and may he be elected district
adviser. — Old Ebor.

INVERTIBLE HIVES. (766.)
[778.] I quite endorse that portion of Mr. Thomas's
remarks when he says that ' many writers forget to
mention that their ideas are nothing more than ideas,
and that they have never really been put to the practical
test.' As ' it is unfair to condemn a system without trial
merely because it is new, or, perhaps, because in a single
instance, and under unknown conditions, it has not
proved successful,' so also is it unfair, and even wicked,
to advocate the use of a certain hive for the purpose of
selling it, or a certain system of management, with the
experience of a single season, and with one or two hives
only.

1 am sure that the readers of the Journal as well as
myself will be much obliged to Mr. Thomas if he will
give us his ' own experience of the system of inversion '
in detail, and will also give the names of ' the majority
of those who in America have tried it,' and have ' so well
spoken' of ' the Heddon system/ and in what periodicals
they have written, and when.

A friendly discussion on the advantages or disad-
vantages of this hive and system in the Journal will be
at any rate as useful as the long discussions as to the
latest fashion of introducing a queen, and may be the
means of obtaining information useful to those who think
with Mr. Lee and others that it is ' best to go slow ' in
adopting radical changes in bee-keeping, especially for
beginners, and that ' the old, experienced bee-keepers
should thoroughly test these novelties first,' is the sound
advice of Mr. H. R. Boordman, an experienced American
bee-keeper.

Although I quite agree with Mr. Thomas that ' bee-
keeping on modern principles is in its infancy,' I also
think that if a profit or income is desired from the
pursuit, that simple, inexpensive hives, with standard
frames and walls at least f inch thick, are all that are
necessary to obtain success, providing always that the
seasons are favourable and that the bee-keeper has fairly
mastered the rudiments of the subject, and does not over-
manipulate his bees, as in my opinion is generally done.

There are not a few of us bee-keepers who cannot look
back with regret at useless bee furniture, &c, that we in
our novitiate have spent our money on.

I cannot, as an old bee-keeper, close these few remarks
without a word of caution as to the purchase of the

2G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 20, 1887.

Jones-Heddon hive of the substance exhibited, I will not
at present say anything as to the system, as I do not feel
that sufficient time has elapsed since it was introduced
to enable English bee-keepers to form a sound opinion.
It also appears, from the statement of Mr. Ilolterman,
of Brantford, in Canada (in the Journal, 724), who says,
' to the best of my knowledge, and I am pretty well
posted as to apiculture in Canada, that there was not
one colony in the Heddon hive last winter,' that the
Canadians have not any more experience in these partis
cular ' invertible ' hives than we have in England ; and I
venture to say that not one pound of the Canadian honey
at the Exhibition was obtained from bees in a Joncs-
Heddon hive.

There is one thing that I, as a practical bee-keeper of
thirty-five years' experience, feel bound to say, that f of
an inch in thickness, as in the Jones-Heddon hive
exhibited at the Conversazione at South Kensington, is
not sufficient for the external walls of hives that are
wintered out-of-doors in this country.

In Mr. Ileddon's book, Success in Bee-keeping, he
describes the thickness of his hives thus : — ' The end
pieces being g, and the side pieces of J inch lumber after
being dressed on both sides, the long pieces being nailed
into the short ones.'

I would suggest to those English manufacturers who
propose making hives on this plan that they should not
use less than, at the least, f-inch stuff for the outside of
these single-walled hives. This will be just double the
thickness of the hive exhibited by Mr. Jones, one of
which I hope to try next season with an outer case. —

J0HNT M. HOOKEB.

FOUL BROOD.

[770.1 The ' Man of Kent' is amusing in his way of
slashing about a scientific subject, and in the second and
third paragraphs of his last letter he jumbles up my
name with that of Mr. Cheshire in a very funny manner.
I beg to inform him I have no agents recognised or
otherwise.

As regards his replies to my question which he
puts into paragraphs two and five, I do not consider
either attempt any reply at all. If the 'so-called
Cheshire cure' failed him because the bees would not
take it 'four times stronger ' than recommended by Mr.
Cheshire, nobody will blame the bees or Mr. Cheshire
either, but when he says in his last paragraph that all
admit the Cheshire formula is too strong, I find myself
in ' a fog' as he is.

No wonder his experience differs from mine and
others, and that he can agree with Mr. Saddler that it
is simpler to destroy the combs— and I should add the
bees too— but even that he has tried without success,
and the net result of his experience really is that when
the bees themselves take the matter in hand and fly
away to a gentleman's stable the disease is cured —
probably by ammonia.

If the ' Man of Kent' will kindly inform me how to
distinguish a diseased queen from a health}' one without
reference to her brood, I shall be ever grateful to him. —
Thomas F. Ward, Church House, Highgate, Middlesex,
Januarg 14, 1887.

DRY SUGAR FEEDING.
[780.] For the satisfaction of others I can endorse
Mr. Simmins' plan of dry sugar feeding for or in winter,
so far as regards skeps. It is not my own experience,
but that of a life-long bee-keeper in Seascale. If he
fears the bees are likely to run short of stores in mid-
winter or early spring. Ilis plan was to fill a hand
basin with raw sugar, tightly pressed down ; damp the
face of sugar, then reverso the basin and place the
same over the crown of hive, first removing the cork or
plug in the eed-hole, covering all well up afterwards,

and on next inspection always found the sugar taken
clean up. I had this some four years ago, but never
tested it. These skeps were within a quarter mile
of the sea-shore, and exposed to storms from the west. —
W. G., Rastrkk.

A SMALL VOICE FROM YORKSHIRE.

[781.] Having seen it stated in the British Bee
Journal that we bee-keepers in Yorkshire keep very
quiet about our doings, perhaps you will give me space
in the Journal to make a few remarks as to my doings in
the bee line during the last nine years, as I have been a
bee-keeper for a little over that time, and perhaps keep
bees on a different system to most of )'Our correspondents,
I ma)- first of all state that I have tried most plans of
keeping bees, and am, I may say, a good amateur car-
penter, so that I can go into the profit part of the
business as a guide, at all events, to the Yorkshire
working man.

I find that a hive with ten Woodbury frames is the
largest that should be used for this county, and I also
think that if any one has used Abbott's wide-shouldered
frames they have no wish to try any others. I made a
hive on Mr. Simmins' plan last year, but find the frames
simply detestable, and I am sorry to have to say that, as
I so heartily agree with, I may say, everything else that
Mr. Simmins states. During all these years I have
wintered a few single-walled hives, and find them just as
good as those with double walls if the outside frames
(two on one side and one on the others) are removed and
dummies put in their place. This makes the hive double-
walled on two sides, and I find seven frames the bees
number to winter the bees on, as when confined to that
space you require no chaff-cushions, slips at the ends of
the frames," or winter-passages.

My first swarm last year was from a single-walled
hive, although I had four skeps and seven double-walled
hives. I have never found the slightest difference
between the single and double, if only the bees are
confined on seven combs. I use the ordinary summer
quilt.

On looking at my accounts I find that at the end of
1870 I was 4QI. Vis. 4rf. on the wrong side, but I then
kept a good many bees and had a large stock (for me) of
hives and appliances. At the end of last season I was
■jOI. 7s, 7d. to the good for the nine years. I have, of
course, put down all the honey as having been sold,
although I have given a good deal away, &c, but I am
putting myself in the place of a working man, in which
case, perhaps, nearly all would have been sold. A
working man, however, would not have got his account
so much on the wrong side to start with, as I have
always tried anything new that came out that I thought
worth trying.

One year I had mora than twenty hives and did not
get a single pound of honey, and had to spend 71. on
sugar in the autumn to keep them alive. I never knew
such a season, and hope I never shall again. There was
not a single bee alive, the following spring, in the whole
district, except my own.

My plan of keeping bees is as follows :

Supposing I winter eight hives, and they each swarm
twice, I put two swarms together, in every instance, on
seven or eight frames only (according to size of swarms),
and put a super on at once. This is supposing I have
been able to give them old combs. If they have founda-
tion, I put them on ten frames, feed for a few days, and
then remove two or three frames and super them. This
I have done for many years, and I can quite endorse
what Mr. Simmins says about it at once crowding the
bees into the supers.
In 1884 I wintered 8 hives, and took 550 lbs. of honey.

1885 „ 7 „ 600 lbs. „

1886 „ 15 „ 350 lbs. „
Last season was only a moderate one all over England,

January 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

27

The stocks, after they have swarmed, I always extract
from, and I do not see that it does much harm disturbing
the brood-nest.

I have an idea that the swarms, being young bees,
take better to supers. In the autumn I bring them up
into pairs and join them, so that I always keep m}' bees
strong in both summer and winter, and am never
bothered with having worn-out queens. Yorkshire is
not a very first-rate county for bee-keeping, so that we
do not look for very great results, although I have taken
more than SO lbs. in sections off one hive.

Last year I tried Mr. Blow's Si x 4j sections, which
work with a row of 4j x ±\ sections.

In every case the bees started first with the large
sections, and a most beautiful shape they are. I should
like them better if they were two inches wide, as I never
am able to get sections built out the right weight with
dividers unless they are two inches wide, which is the
only width I shall ever use, and I shall certainly always
use dividers.

As one of your correspondents remarked, ' We never
hear anything of the Yorkshire Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion.' I am not a member of it myself and do not
think I should ever become one. I have often induced
cottagers to start bees in frame-hives, but have always
found them go back to the old skep : and with prices as
low as they have become I do not think the average
working man would make anything out of bees, and
certainly not unless he was a good carpenter.

If I ever joined an Association it would be for the
pleasure I should have in talking over matters with
brother bee-keepers, and not from any advantage I
should expect to get from it. What greater pleasure
can one have than talking with Mr. Abbott, say, for a
couple of hours, over a good cigar ? — as I have had the
pleasure of doing. I fear this letter has grown longer
than it ought tc have done, but as I am letting off nine
years' ideas in it, it seems to me miserably short, as I
could go on indefinitely on such an interesting subject ;
but perhaps at some future time you will allow me a
little more space, Mr. Editor. May I recommend bee-
keepers, during this stormy weather when the snow is on
the ground, not only to shade the entrances, but to
spread some loose hay, or straw, or leaves, all about the
front of their hives. This will save hundreds of bees
which would otherwise, if the sun came out, perish in the
snow.

I fear some may think that I am rather dogmatic in
my views and have written as if I was able and wishful
to lay down the law to others ; but such is not the least
my desire, and my excuse must be that it is most difficult
to condense a great deal into a small space without
appearing to dictate. I do not altogether think it un-
desirable for a cottager to keep bees in frame-hives, but
with present prices very few would make it pay, and
they must be pretty good carpenters.

I forgot to say that I only keep black bees. Are they
hardier than other breeds, or would, say, Italians winter
as well on my plan without chaff-cushions, &c. ? Per-
haps some one of more experience can tell me. How is
it that people will go in for extractors with gearing ?
Mine is one of Abbott's without gearing, and if I so
desired I [could throw out all the brood with it. Very
few turns, and the honey is out. Why get up unnecessary
speed? — Abthur J. H. Wood, Bellivood, Ripon.

P.S.— I ought to state that in 1886 I bought some
skeps cheap in the spring (about March), so that I did
not actually winter fifteen hives. If I did not explain
this it woidd look as if I had not followed my plan of
always doubling in the autumn.

In 1885 I also had a skep in addition to the seven
frame-hives, but as I sold the swarm from it, I did
not count it in stating the amount of honey I took.
-A. W. J

TOADS EATING BEES.— SURFACE FOR
HIVES.— MISTAKE OF A BEE.

[782.] I am sorry that truth compels me to confirm
the statement of Mr. Walton, that toads are very
destructive to bees. The hive of a very strong stock of
blacks had a small alighting-board, so that during
the late honey season incoming bees collided against
those that were leaving the hive and frequently both
fell to the ground. To overcome this fault I placed a
board sloping up from the ground to the edge of the
alighting board, the hive being on nine inch legs. One
night in June on visiting this hive writh a lantern I
found a toad seated close to the edge of the alightiug-
board. He apparently attracted the bees in some way
(I heard no noise), remaining quite still until the bees
were within his reach, when he pounced upon them and
bottled one after the other most rapidly, taking several
while 1 watched him. I removed the toad to a distant
part of the garden, and altered the board so that it no
longer touched the ground. On several other occasions
I have found toads near the hives at night and have
observed them pick up the bees that have been recently
killed (such as robberd) and devour them. I have never
observed them stand on their hind-legs to reach the bees.

I find that a very good surface for hives to stand upon
can be made by first spreading a layer of brick rubbish
or stones, then a layer of fine cinder sittings mixed with
a small quantity of gas tar, and then again a layer of
sittings. This after wetting forms a solid smooth sur-
face in which no weeds will grow and in which nothing
will burrow. If four square tiles or bricks are let into
the surface (taking care they are level) the leg's of hives
resting upon them are preserved from decay, and there
is no harbour for insects such as ants or earwigs.

Curious Mistake of a Bee. — A lad)' ■ was sitting at
needlework in June, 18S6, near an open window, upon
the sill of which she placed her reel of cotton, the end of
the reel that was uppermost (it was standing on end)
had no label upon it. The reel had not been in this
position many minutes before a bee with its legs laden
with pollen alighted upon it and deposited its load of
pollen in the hollow of the reel. After a few minutes
it again returned with a second load and so continued
for about two hours, during which time it had made a
number of journeys, always returning loaded with pollen
which it deposited as at first. Unfortunately the reel
was removed and its contents thrown away without the
result of the numerous journeys being observed. I
should be glad to know if any of your numerous readers
have observed similar behaviour in a bee. — Harold
Adcock, Middleton, Northampton.

NOMENCLATURE.

[783.] There must always be different opinions as to
the amount of accuracy desirable in treating of any
given object. I am not too particular, I think, but
sometimes I find it difficult to follow, as I strive to do,
the descriptions of designs figured in your useful paper.
Even if we accept Johnson's definition a ' rabbet ' as a
' joint made,' &c, I do not think Mr. Neighbour is in a
better position. He says ' the shifting slide is itself
comprised of several rabbets.' What! a block of wood
comprised of joints? Impossible. Fitted to others in
its place by joints, but surely it cannot be made up of
them, any more than the well-known ' trimmings ' in
Pickieick could have been the leg of mutton. Strictly,
I take a rabbet, or a scarf, &c, to be no thing at all, but
only a form ; but waiving this I do not object to the
groove in which the piece of timber slides being
called a rabbet, though it is not strictly so, or, what
is more like it, the piece taken out of the top of these
moveable ends (of top hive), but if I understand aright
that E E are the blocks of wood then I do think

28

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 20, 1887.

the right use of terms forbids to call them rabbets. I
quite see Mr. Neighbour's position, and I assure him that
I have no desire to act the part of the captious critic.
He wants a handy word to designate his ingenious
device, but he must not use one which is already
applied to a form of juncture of two pieces of wood,
and it is not for me to suggest one, which, in truth, I
find not easy, for 'ends' and 'carriers' and 'blocks'
are already appropriated. — C. R. S.

A DISCLAIMER.

[784.] A reference is made in the last issue of the
Journal by ' Man of Kent ' to my ' Agents ' calling at-
tention to the price charged for phenol as excessive.
Since I have no agents, and stated so in the Journal
now quite two years since, I ask who are representing
themselves so to be ? When my experiments and dis-
coveries were first promulgated, I agTeed to guarantee
phenol and give directions through Messrs. Holland and
Lyon, receiving a royalty of id. per bottle which
royalty was to supply a sum to be devoted to further
experiments. As a result, I have not received, as I
before stated, sufficient to pay the postage of the letters
I have been called upon to write in connexion with this
subject. It is simply preposterous that I, who have not
been excelled by any living bee-keeper in the amount of
time and energy I have devoted without any thought of
reward beyond that of following research and aiding
my fellows, should be not once or twice, but frequently
in your Journal, addressed as though guilty of extortion.
I have sought no man's silver or gold, but, on the con-
trary, have expended and am expending my own freely,
in my devotion to scientific apiculture. I trust that care
will be in future exercised that such statements as
those made by ' Man of Kent ' may not appear, and that
you will in justice publish this disclaimer. — F.
Chbshiee, Avenue House, Acton, W.

[It seems to us just possible that the phenol might
have been purchased by 'Man of Kent' while the
agencies were still in force.]

GLEANINGS.
In the Bienenzeituny, Major V. Mann gives his ex-
perience with regard to drones having white eyes.
He refers to what Baron V. Berlepsch says respecting
them in the Bienenzeitung in 1885, p. 169 : ' I possess a
Cyprian colony, in which there are several hundred such
drones; only one single drone has eyes of the usual
colour.' Major V. Mann says that in all his experience
he never saw- a drone with white eyes return to a hive
when once it left it. He has seen them in numbers in
front of his bee-house crawling about in the grass, and
saw them rise fifty or sixty cm., but always to drop
down again. He also saw them come out of the entrance
and crawl about on the alighting- board. Some were put
into a box, taken into a room, and placed on a table,
with the lid slightly opened. The drones did not leave
quickly as other bees do, but came out languidh-, crawled
on the table, and dropped on the floor. None flew to-
wards the window. He concluded that these abnormal
drones are blind. They, however, have a keen sense of
smell. He placed half a ripe pear on the window-sill,
and they crawled out of the box towards it, and re-
mained upon it, but none of them attempted to go
towards the light of the window. During the slaughter
of the drones he observed those with white eyes were
driven out much sooner than the normal drones. Six
days after these albinos were driven out he examined
the hive, and could not discover one, although there were
plenty of others. "When he took hold of them a yellowish
liquid f;eces was ejected, which does not occur if an
ordinary drone is grasped. He is of opinion that these
albino drones are diseased.

In a note F. M. Vogel, who has examined them micro-
scopically, says the eyes are quite transparent, the pigment
being absent, and the hairs at the corners of the facets
are also colourless. The simple eyes were also white.
The lower of these simple eyes projected, and shone like
a fine crystal. He agrees with Major V. Maun in con-
sidering them blind.

In the Chemical News A. B. Griffiths, who has been
studying the action of salicylic acid on ferments, states
that a solution containing 02 grains of salicylic acid
per 1000 c. cm. of water quickly destroys some micro-
organisms,[such as Mycoderma aceti, Bacterium lactis, and
other. It seems to act upon and to dissolve the cell-
walls of these organisms. Although living torula; are
not destroyed, their activity is impeded by the solution
of salicylic acid. Saliva does not exert its fermentative
faculties in the presence of this acid.

Replies ta (Jimies.

*** In their answers, Correspondents are respectfully requested to
mention in each instance the number and the title of the query asked.

(773.) Managing Stock on Allotment Garden. — I have
for several years managed stocks on allotment gardens
half a mile away, and have had excellent results from
the following plan. I use a hive containing twelve standard
frames, having another the same size full of empty combs,
which I place on the top when the first is full of brood,
and when doing so (about the end of June) I take one
comb of brood from the bottom hive, placing in the top one
among the empty combs, and place an empty frame with
narrow strips of guide, not in the place of the brood
extracted, but immediately over the entrance and in front.
This frame will not be filled with comb before the harvest
closes, and the top hive will contain 80 lbs. of honey in
a good season, and swarming is prevented. I have taken
in this way over 100 lbs. from one stock. — T. F. Ward.

[773.] Managing Stock on an Allotment Garden. — I
should go to work on the non-swarming system, as bees
always work better for sending off a swarm. Make it as '
soon as there are any drones in the hive. It is very easy
to prevent after-swarming by giving them room to work in.
Place two empty frames with comb starters in the front
part of the hive next the door. As soon as they are drawn
out replace them by others. Cut those drawn out to fill
the sections. The best way to cut the combs is to have
a box just to hold the comb with saw-cuts 4J x 4J, or the
size of the inside of section, and with the comb so cut fill
the sections. — E. L. Richardson, Grcsham House, Corbridge.

xx cries.

Queries and Answers arc inserted free of charge to Correspondents
When more than one query is sent, each should be on a separate piece
oj paper.

Our readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who seek assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[785.] Clover for front of Hives. — A lady has a plot of
ground in front of her half-dozen bee-hives which is
generally full of weeds all summer, owing to her gardener
being shy of the bees. Can any one advise her what
mixture of white clover and other seeds to sow it with so
that it will grass itself over? — Mrs. Sumner.

[786.] Specimens of Honey. — I have been hunting up
for some time now all the specimens of honey I can get
hold of, and am anxious to make it as comprehensive as
possible ; and I noticed at a recent meeting held in London
that the following exhibited samples of honey which I
would like to have the address of, viz., Messrs. Haw,
Gardner, & Co., Liverpool (Chilian, Cuban, &o., honey), Mr.
Liddell, Lancaster (English heather), and Mr. Carr, Higher
Bebington (white clover). If any bee-keeper can give me

January 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

!9

the addresses of any others who could possibly assist me in
this matter I would deem it a great favour. — Altos.

[787.] Would any of your readers give instructions for
making an unicomb observatory hive? — Castle Douglas.

[788.] Would some experienced bee-keepers kindly give
treatment for bees badly troubled with dysentery ? Also,
the most suitable coverings for hives ' kept in a bee-house,'
for spring, when breeding is at the height ; for summer,
during the honey-glut ; and also for winter ? Is the
American-cloth so often mentioned in the B, B. Journal the
same material as is often called oil-cloth ? — Fab North.

<2Mj0£S ixom % Hiboes.

Port Mohan-, Minorca, Dec. 27. — On Nov. 1st we looked
over the eleven hives in our apiary. My best hive had ten
combs full of brood, and the rest four or five each. (I had
stimulated them just a little after the summer heats.) On
the loth of this month, profiting by a very fine day or two,
we looked them over again. Best hive had brood in only
six combs, the rest in two to four. Shall not handle them
again till the middle of February, when I intend to begin
stimulating. We calculated they had 2 ewt. of honey for
winter, which, though not sufficient in a cold climate, I
consider all that is necessary in a country where they can
pasture all the winter long when the weather permits it.
One of my transferred hives occupied five storeys last
summer, though it was transferred so late that only a
fortnight's honey-flow fell to its lot (from May 1 to 15),
and only 50 lbs. of honey were got out of it. By November
we had reduced it to two storeys. On examining it this
month we found the lower storey empty of brood and honey,
and, as the combs were new, I thought constant passage
through them to the upper storey would soil them, and
reversed the order of things, putting the lower and empty
storey on top. Now what I wish to inquire, Mr. Editor, is
whether I did right in so changing the two storeys ? for
evidently the bees had not intended to winter in the lower
storey. I preferred to leave the empty combs on to taking
them off, thinking the bees would at times occupy them
and thus keep them clear of moths, &a. Our climate being
comparatively mild (thermometer generally ranges about
55° to 65" Fahrenheit, and never goes below 40°) I do not
anticipate any bad results, but may be mistaken for all
that. Two or three months ago I wrote a couple of articles
on modern bee-keeping for one of the most influential of
Spanish journals published in Barcelona, the Diario, which
caused quite a sensation, and overwhelmed me with letters
of inquiry from all parts of Spain. I have hopes that next
spring will witness many attempts at bee-keeping in frame-
hives on the part of amateurs. Whether success will attend
their efforts is at best problematical, though under proper
teaching much might be done in this beautiful climate.
I am sorry I have succeeded in obtaining but a few sub-
scribers to the British Bee Journal, as the generality do
not understand the English language. French is more
generally spoken, and I have therefore given course to
many copies of Cowan's Guide in that language, also to
the Swiss Bulletin d' 'Apiculture of Mr. Cowan's friend,
Mons. Bertrand. — F. C. Andreu.

[We should not have changed the hives in the way you
have done, but would have preferred to have left only the
one containing stores. The stores should be at the top of
the hive where the heat is greatest. — Ed.]

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamingion, January 10(7;, 1887. —
Since my last echo, written at the beginning of December,
the weather has not been suitable for bees getting out in
any considerable numbers, but as we have had a fall of
snow, I have found a few brought out by the reflection.
On Saturday last snow fell to the depth of nearly a foot,
and so made plenty of work in clearing the roofs of the
hives, and putting blocks and boards to shade the entrances
to prevent the bees being enticed out — to their deaths ;
for I find, as a rule, when once they are on the wing they
never get back to their hives when snow is on the ground.
— John Walton.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
nterest will be answered in this column.

W. C. C— 1. Wax.— In No. 186, Vol.XIV.,we gave statistics of
the amount of wax imported and exported during the year
1884, from which it appeared that we imported in that
year 28,258 cwts., value 105,8132., and re-exported 10,378
cwts., value 36,4672. ; in 188.3 we imported 38,295 cwts.,
value 140,253/., and re-exported 10,328 cwts., value
26,7062. The value of the honey imported in 1885 was
61,344/., but we are not in a position to say the
amount or the value of the honey re-exported. —
2. Uses of Honey.— The Rev. V. H. Moyle, who has
devoted much time and attention to this subject, has pub-
lished a leaflet showing the chief manufactures in which
honey is an ingredient, which would render you much
assistance. 2. Uses of Wax. — Wax is valuable for many
purposes in this country, but it is of still more im-
portance in parts of Europe and America. It forms a
considerable branch of trade and manufacture as an
article of extensive use in the religious ceremonies of the
inhabitants. Humboldt informs us that wax to the value
of upwards of 83,0002. was at one time annually exported
from Cuba to New Spain, where the quantities used in
the festivals of the Church are very great, even in the
smallest villages. The value of that exported from
Cuba in 1803 was upwards of 130,0002. At the Zurich
Exhibition, in the year 1883, there were no less than
twenty-two distinct uses of wax exhibited, among which
were, — painting in wax colours, wax modelling, wax salve,
wax plaster, wax tapers, moulds of teeth, anatomical
preparations in wax, meerschaum tubes, wax matches,
comb foundation, candles, medals, photographs, &a.
Wax is applied extensively in the arts and manufactures.

T. P. — Transferring Combs from large frames to Standard. —
Do not attempt it until the weather is warm, or you will
so check the prosperity of your stock as to render it
useless for the season. You need not fear loss of brood ;
even if you have to cut off some parts of the comb con-
taining it you can give the cuttings for the bees to hatch
out, the only loss being the few cells actually divided
by the knife. In a strong colony this will soon be
repaired.

O. T. — 1. Combs Built Irregularly. — From your letter you do
not appear to have been sufficiently careful in spacing
your frames, and probably your hives did not stand
level. Hence your difficulty. In your new hives keep
your frame 1^ inches from centre to centre, preferaby by
metal ends. — 2. Supers not accepted. — There are so many
reasons for this that without fuller particulars we cannot
name the special one. The colony which deserted the
lower liive for the super, and made that its home, did so
from the absence of queen-excluder, allowing the queen
to ascend and make her brood-nest there. A conversation
with some experienced bee-keeper would do more good
than much reading. We hope you will suceed in future
as well as you appear to have done in your first season.

D. Shaw. — Langstroth Hive. — You cannot do better than
use the Langstroth hive as you have done, but we should
prefer having an outer casing, and the space between the
two filled with chaff, for winter. When using the Carr-
Stewarton we did not get more honey than we have done
with the ordinary frame-hive, in which the bees developed
much faster. Shallow hives were tried long before the
moveable frame-hive was invented, and are still used in
some places, but they have not been found profitable.
We should advise you only to try one or two, and com-
pare results before you go in largely for the Heddon hive.
In this hive, the frames are always kept at a certain
distance apart, by wide ends, and are kept in their places
by means of screws ; but, having tried such frames, we
should not care to use them again. We hope to be able
to give a description and illustration of Shuck's invertible
hive shortly.

M. H. — Dysentery in an Observatory Hive. — We advise you
to procure a small box, sufficiently large to receive the
two frames — side by side — from the observatory hive, and
to transfer frames and bees to this box. The frames
should be transferred in the room in which the obser-
vatory stands, and the sides, bottom and top bars of

30

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 20, 1887.

the frames (while the bees are upon them) should be
scraped, or sponged, clean and a little salicylic acid
solution, or Condy's fluid, applied, so as to wet the
frames as little as possible. A cake of soft candy —
[.finely powdered loaf sugar mixed with liquid honey to
the consistency of putty)— should be laid upon the tops
of the frames in the box, covered with thin paper and
pressed closely down upon the frames. Cover over with
Eeveral thicknesses of flannel or woollen cloth of loose
texture, and over all a board to keep the material close
to the frames. Place the box in the position which the
observatory hive occupied, providing an exit for the bees
to fly outside. It was an error to feed with syrup, and
this has probably caused the mischief, but it is very
difficult to winter bees in an observatory hive, especially
small colonies, and it is doubtful whether yours will
recover. Failing the box recommended, it will be best
thoroughly to disinfect and clean the observatory hive
and to return the bees to it. When transferring disturb
the bees as little as possible. An expert would perform
the operation in five minutes.

Enquirer. — Soft\Candy. — We can recommend Good's candy,
a kind of food much used in America, which ismade by
mixing together liquid honey and very finely powdered
loaf-sugar until the consistency of dough, or stiff putty,
is attained. The paste is then laid on the frames over
the cluster in the form of a cake, and covered with the
quilt.

A Hawes Bee-keeper. — We have forwarded a sample of
your honey to Mr. 0. Hehner, and trust to be able to
insert his report thereon in our next issue.

Dry Sugar Feeding. — Referring to Mr. Simmins's letter
on dry-sugar feeding, in last Journal, will he kindly state.
Will the usual-size hole for syrup feeding cut in quilts, say,
1J x J, be sufficient to pile the sugar over, or must there be
a larger hole made ? 1 mean to have ticking next frames,
the sugar placed on that, and then the thick quilts over the
sugar, or American-cloth next the sugar if preferred, and,
Will the sugar so placed do for stimulating feeding in the
spring? — F. J.

Croaking. — May I say that on several occasions I have
heard such a sound coming from the hives as a correspon-
dent called ' croaking ? ' I could hardly believe it came
from a hive at first, but I have no doubt now. — Br. W.

Hedges. — I also saw in the Journal a correspondent
making inquiries about a hedge for the protection of hives.
I would say that a willow hedge answers the purpose
admirably. I planted such a hedge three years ago, by
putting in willow sticks about four feet long, crosswise,
and the first year it certainly protected the hives. Now it
is seven feet high, and, although my apiary is in a very
exposed situation, during the recent gales my hives and
covers were not displaced in the least. It seems the best
time to plant is early spring, and it requires constant
clipping to keep it within bounds, but repays;the labour by
making a thick, bushy hedge. My hedge is made up of
several varieties of willow — I think six or seven — the
bloom of which in spring is very pretty, besides supplying
the bees with pollen.— Br. W.

Erratum.— Pago 16, colmun 1, lino 16, for promulgated read
propagated.

.Show J^nnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shows are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

July 11-13. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. Sec. J. Huckle, Kings
Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Rickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., Dowry Works, 256a Hotwell Road,

Bristol.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Hole, J. R. W. , Tarrington, Ledbury.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Meadiiam, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,

E.C.
Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

Walton, E. C. , Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herta.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B„ Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiary. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage 6d.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

Iff O -W 15. 3ES A I> "5T I

VOL. XIV. of

Jlfhe ^British JBee Journal,

edited by

THOS. W. COWAN, F.G.8., F.R.M.S.,

Containing upwards of 600 pages, with numerous Illus-
trations, and Complete Index.

Bound in Cloth, price 10s. Cloth Cases for Binding, Is.
each ; post free, Is. 3d.

KENT & CO., 23 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON;
J. HUCKLE, KINGS LANGLEY, HERTS.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Sthanoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 240. Vol. XV.]

JANUARY 27, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

Bingham Smoker.

€tnxtaxwlf Sottas, #r.

HOW TO MAKE A BELLOWS SMOKER.

A good smoker is an indispensable implement in the '
apiary. One of the best is the Bingham, and although
there are many sold as Bingham
smokers, some of these are only
very inferior imitations of it.
There is nothing more trying to
the patience than to find, during
an operation, that the smoker one
is using will not work and will
not send forth the needed smoke ;
and yet it has been our lot, not
unfrequently, to come across such
a smoker when assisting a brother
bee-keeper in his manipulations.
We have seen some made in this
country that worked quite as well
as the originals, but the majority
are made with a view to cheap-
ness, and not efficiency, and quite
regardless of the principles upon which a smoker should
be constructed.
The usual defects consist in using unsuitable springs,
and leather for bellows, and in not
making the entrance in the barrel above
the blast-pipe in the shape of a funnel.
This defect, if the pipe and the hole
above it are not exactly in a line, causes
a great deal of air which ought to be
driven into the smoker to pass on one
side, and the full power of the bellows
is not utilised. The spring being of steel
instead of brass, and
the wrong shape,pre-
veuts the bellows
working smoothly
and closing suffi-
ciently, so that the
whole volume of air
in the bellows can-
not be driven out.
The only drawing
and description of a
Bingham smoker we
know of is that
given lately by Mr.
Cheshire, but from
his drawings it is
evident that he has
either never seen a
*=■' genuine one, or else

he has never dissected one to ascertain its mechanism,
and has not understood the principles upon which

Fis. 3.

it is constructed. We need hardly say that if any
one made a smoker from the drawing given by
him, it would only resemble the Bingham in outward
appearance, and would be no better than many of the
imitations at present in the market. The illustration he
gives ou page 13 of the prac-
tical part of Bees and Bee-
keeping, and which appears to
be an exact facsimile of the
illustration given in the first
and second editions of our
Guide-book (see illustration in
previous column), with the
smoke added, is that of an old
pattern discarded in 1883 ; but
even in this the interior is
similar to the one we are
about to describe, and which has been the only pattern
sent out by Mr. Bingham since 1883.

The illustrations we give are drawn one quarter of full
size, or a scale of 3 inches to
a foot, except Fig. 9, which
is 2 inches to the foot.

Fig. 1 is a vertical, and
Fig. 2 a horizontal section,
through the blast pipe and top board of the bellows.
Fig 3 is a section of the bottom board through the valve.

We will first make the tin work of the smoker.

The barrel, A, is 2^ inches in diameter and 6J inches
long. No solder should be
used, as the heat would soon
melt it and the smoker would
come to pieces ; therefore all
the joints in the tin work
must be made without it. The
lower edge of the barrel is
turned outwards, and the
bottom has its edge turned
over this, as shown at B. The
nozzle, C, is 5§ inches long,
and fits over the top end of
the barrel, tapering to the top,
at which the opening, D, is
half an inch in diameter.

Three quarters of an inch
from the bottom of the barrel
bore a half-inch hole, E. Then get a piece of wood
an inch in diameter, and cut one end to the shape of a
cone. Place the pointed end in the hole and drive in the
tin until you have a funnel as seen in the illustration.
This funnel, although apparently of trifling importance,
and is omitted in nine out of ten smokers as well as in the
illustration above alluded to, adds greatly to their
efficiency. If the blast-pipe does not correspond exactly
with the hole in the barrel, without the funnel, part of
the air is blown on to the round surface and is lost,
whereas when it impinges on the inner sides of the funne,
it is propelled forward, in the direction of the arrows,

Fia. 4.

32

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 27, 1887.

1 1

i !

■

3
Q

! i

•

W

/'"

--*U

|»

1 "1

v_

X

Pig. 5.

through the opening, E, and not a particle of air is
■wasted.

We have next to make the support, F G, -which carries
the barrel and the hand-guard. This should be a piece of
tin 7i inches long and If inches -wide. At 1J inches from
one end cut in f of an inch
■with a pair of shears, on each
side, and turn these edges
over and hammer them down
flat. Do the same thing at
the other end and turn down
the edges of the centre part at
at right angles, thus : I I .
Turn up the end, F, at right
angles, and the end, G, at. an
angle of forty-five degrees,
as seen in Fig. 1. The dis-
tance between F and G should
be 4| inches from angle to
angle.

For the hand-guard, cut a
piece of tin 6J inches by 4
inches and bend it, as shown at I, Fig. 2. Then get a
short piece, H, and turn up the end at right angles,
thus : ]_• £ke top end must be shaped as shown at H,
Fig. 2, as it is intended to support
the barrel. This piece as well as the
hand-guard can now be riveted to the
support, F G. At | of an inch from
the end corresponding to the hole in
the barrel, punch a |-inch hole to
allow the blast-pipe to pass through.
The support is now ready to be fixed
to the barrel by means of two rivets,
seen in Fig. 1. The grating, L, is of
sheet-iron, with"g-inch holes punched
closely all over it. Two strips of
sheet-iron, j$ of an inch wide, are
riveted on in the shape of a cross
and turned down right at angles to
form legs, M, which must be 1| of an
inch long. Before putting in the grating, spring the legs
out a little, so that when pushed down the barrel it will
be kept in position.

"We will next make the springs. There is nothing-
better for this purpose than No. 16 brass spring wire ;
and this, together with the shape, is what makes the

Bingham bellows work
p ' H )n so smoothly and plea-

santly, without fatigu-
ing the hand of the

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

operator. The best way to make them is to drive into
the edge of a piece of inch board two iron pins W of an
inch in diameter, and projecting about f of an inch.
Cut your wire 14 inches long and lay it on the board
against the iron pins, so that both ends project the same
length beyond them. By referring to Fig. 6 it will he
seen that the end, P, is turned to
the right over pin «, and the end 0
to the left over pin b. Each end
must have two complete turns and
part of a third turn until the ends
P and U stand at right angles, in
the position shown in Fig. 6. The
•wire is then taken off the pins and bent at N, until the
two spirals meet and the wires P and O are brought in
contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 7. Close to
the coils give the wires a slight bend, seen in Fig. 8,
which shows the spring when it is slightly pressed down,
as it would be when between the two boards of the
bellows. The springs, however, are stronger if left at
right angles. The only metal work remaining to be made
is the spring Q, of which a side view is seen in Fig. 1,
and a plan in Fig. 5. This consists of a piece of No. 22
brass spring wire 3 inches long bent into the shape shown

in Fig. 1, so as to allow the valve sufficient play, and an
eye is turned at the end through which it is fastened by
means of a tack to the bottom board of the bellows.

We will next proceed to make the bellows. For the
wood-work we can have nothing better than well-
seasoned yellow pine free from knots, as lime-wood, which
is usually used, is not so common with us as it is in
America.

The pieces of wood necessary will be :
Two pieces 5\ x 5 x f inchesj planed on both sides. _
Two pieces 4£ x J x TV inches at one edge, and i inch
at the other, as shown at K, Figs. 1, 4, and 5.

One piece S, Jig. 1, 4| x J x * inch, with a gioove
tV inch wide, sawn half way through J inch from the
ends. These are to allow "the wire to pass through
which is used for fastening the support of the barrel
F G to the woodwork.

One piece T, 2-J x f x § inch.
One piece U, 2 x 2 x j inch for valve.
In the board, Fig. 4, taking as a centre f inch from
the edge cut out with a centrebit a f inch
hole. In board, Fig. 5, two inches from
the edge, cut out a hole H inches in dia-
meter.

In piece S, at f inch from one end,
bore a g inch hole, and drive into it tightly
a piece of brass tube, the mouth of which
is contracted to finch as seen at K. This
contraction is easily made by driving the
tube into a conical hole drilled in a piece
of iron. Just below the blast-pipe chisel
out a piece is inch deep to admit a strip
of wire gauze which is to be placed there
to prevent the possibility of any dirt or ash
from the smoker getting accidentally into
the bellows.

The piece S can now be glued on the
board, Fig. 4, in the position shown by the
dotted lines, it being on the underside in
the illustration. To prevent its being
broken off, drive two wire nails through,
and clinch them as shown in Fig. 1. Glue
the strips R on each of the boards, with
the thickest edges towards the hinge, and
the piece T § of an inch away from K,
Fig. 4. Secure all these pieces with a
couple of nails each, but do not allow
the points of the nails to go through the
boards, and thus disfigure them. The piece
of wood V, Fig. 4, is 3£ inches long by
ySth inch square. The two ends are
rounded, so as to allow them to fit tightly
into the holes of the spirals in the spring.
A piece of No. 22 wire is inserted through
the holes, and lays along the side of the
wood, and when the springs are in the
position seen in Fig. 4 the ends of the wire are turned
up, and prevent the springs from slipping off.

The boards are now ready to put together, and to
have the hinge put on. This is a strip of leather 5 inches
long and 15 inches wide.

Lay the two boards, Figs, 4 and 5, so that the strips
K face each other. Then glue the ends, and put on the
leather. The valve TJ can then be fixed. It has a groove
sawn out through half its length to allow the spring Q
to work in it and keep it in its place, and this side is
rounded off as shown in Fig. 3. The valve can be fixed
to a piece of leather W, 8£ x 2 inches, by means of a
short tack driven through the centre, the point being-
riveted on the other side. The wood of the valve
should not be glued to the leather. Two tacks at one
end, Fig. 5, will keep the leather in its place, and allow
it to move freely up and down at the other end. Now
nail the spring Q in its place, and put the loose end into
the groove of the valve. Nail a strip of leather about

January 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

33

4i inches long by | inch -wide loosely over the valve, so
that when this is open, the opening does not exceed £ of
an inch.

The leather used for the bellows should be Persian, or
a similar strong and not too pliable leather, and must be
cut to the size and shape shown in Fig. 9. The widest
part of the leather is 2J inches, and the narrow ends
1| inches. If many pieces are to he cut it is better to
have the pattern made of sheet zinc to cut the leather
out by.

The spring being in its place and at right angles, we
shall want something to keep the boards the exact
distance apart while we are fixing on the leal her. This
can be a stout wire cramp, bent thus j™~ |. the

distance between the points being just 2f inches, or a
piece of wood may be used with a notch the same size
cut out of it. Carefully glue the edges of the boards,
commencing from the narrowest part, and lay on the
leather, starting from where the tapered part begins ;
and before removing the cramp, drive in a tack close to
the end in each board. The ends and other sides can then
be glued, and the leather secured in its place. The two
end pieces which have to go over the hinge are better
fastened with paste. Where the ends overlap, the
edges should be thinned down by paring with a sharp
knife. All round the edge we can nail strips of leather
j inch wide by means of tacks, of which there should be
six on the longest side and five on the shortest. These
strips of leather need not be glued.

It now remains only to put the bellows and barrel
together to complete the smoker.

The support of the barrel is slipped on to the piece of
wood S and a couple of tacks, as seen in Fig. 2, are driven
into the wood on each side through the tin sides of the
support F, G, which we previously turned down at right
angles. As an additional precaution against accident
and breakage we can tie the support to the wood by
means of annealed iron wire, which is passed through
the saw grooves in piece S and over the angles of support
F, G. Bring the ends together and two or three twists
with a pair of pliers will make all firm.

If our instructions are carefully carried out we shall
have a real Bingham that will send a greater volume of
smoke, and that to a greater distance, than any other
smoker we know. We have had such a smoker in use
since 1878, and although we have been obliged to renew
the barrel which became worn through from constant
use, nothing has been done to the bellows, which is jnst
as good as it was on the first day we had it. A smoker
like this will burn almost any sort of fuel that will pro-
duce smoke when smouldering. We use old rags, brown
paper or sacking, but peat, decayed wood, or even
ordinary fire wood will do, when it is well kindled.
In using old rags we tear them into strips about four
or five inches wide, and roll them up loosely until they
nearly fill the barrel, they are then tied to prevent
them from unwinding when stored away, for we always
get a lot ready at one time. One end of the roll for
about | of an inch is dipped into a weak solution of salt-
petre and when dry this end will light easily with a
match. Brown paper is rolled up in the same way, but
we generally lay in a few straws, cut to the same length,
between the layers. One end of these brown paper rolls
is also soaked in the solution of saltpetre.

When we use sacking it is generally from an artificial
manure bag, as these cost us nothing. The edges of
these rolls are also soaked in saltpetre solution to make
them light more readily. Firewood is cut four inches
long and split into pieces \ to f an inch square, and must
be perfectly dry. To light if put a few live coals or
lighted shavings into the barrel and fill up with the
sticks. Put in the lighted end of either fuel used to-
wards the grating.

When the smoker is stood on end, as in Fig. 1, the
upward draught causes the fuel to burn freely. When

we wish to extinguish it the smoker is laid down on the
bellows bottom and the nozzle plugged. A smoker pro-
perly charged will burn for five or six hours without any
replenishing. A roll of rag five inches long and 2|
inches in diameter has lasted us during a whole day's
operations. If the grating gets stopped up it can be
cleaned with a wire, and the nozzle should always be
kept clear.

We hope these details will enable those who have
asked us to give them to make an efficient smoker and
will explain the reasons for the complaints we get from
time to time about smokers not working properly.

WEBSTEB'S SWIVEL FBAME-LIFTEE.

This appliance, which was shown at the Conver-
sazione of the British Bee-keepers' Association, held on
the 19th inst, and evidently met the approval of all
present, is the invention of Mr. W. B. Webster, and
will no doubt supply a want long felt.

As the illustration denotes, it consists of a handle
H revolving on a swivel, a bar B, which carries two
dogs or clutches D, one on each end ; these being opened
by raising the rod B, but automatically closing by
the pressure of the spring S on each end of same rod,

^£5?

two guides G G carry this rod and keep the whole firm ,
preventing any swaying of the clutches. Such is a
description of this ingenious appliance; its manner of
use will present itself to our readers.

As is well known, in removing a frame from a hive,
both hands have to be employed ; with this instrument,
only one — the left hand — is needed, leaving the right
hand free to do anything that is required, such as catch-
ing the queen, on taking one off the comb the frame can
be replaced in the hive, still only using the left hand
to do so. If both sides of the frame have to be ex-
amined, it can be turned round in its natural position by
means of the swivel handle ; this will be found of great
importance, as in the ordinary method the frames have
to be turned upside down in order to examine the
opposite side ; the bees being thus ' inverted,' commence
righting themselves, throwing all into confusion, in
which the queen joins, and so frequently escaping ob-
servation. By the peculiar arrangement of the clutches,
the heavier a frame is the tighter the grip, there being,
therefore, no chances whatever of its falling.

In the Ileddon hive this will no doubt be found a very
necessary appliance, there being no ' ears ' to the frames
to hold by, when any necessity arises for removing
one.

84

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL

[January 27, 1887.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
Committee meeting held at 105 Jermyn Street, on
Wednesday, January 19th. Present the Hon. and Rev.
II. Bligh (in the Chair), Rev. Dr. Bartrum, Rev. F. Gr.
Jenvns, Rev. F. S. Sclater, Captain Bush, Captain
Campbell, J. M. Hooker, H. Jonas, and the Secretary.
The minutes of the last meeting having been read and
confirmed, Dr. Bartrum moved, and the Chairman
seconded, ' That this Association desires to express the deep
sense of the loss the Royal Agricultural Society and the
British Bee-keepers' Association have experienced in the
death of Mr. H. M. Jenkins, late Secretary of the Royal
Agricultural Society. Mr. Jenkins was always most
willing and anxious to assist in the advancement of
Britisn bee-keeping as an industry closely connected
with the progress of agriculture; and this Association
desires to express its deep and sincere sympathy with
Mrs. Jenkins in the affliction that has befallen her, and
begs to assure her that the memory of Mr. Jenkins will
be long and gratefully cherished by this Association.'

On the motion of Mr. Jonas, and seconded by Captain
Bush, it was resolved to arrange for an expert's or
lecturing tour in the Northern counties preparatory to
the Newcastle Show.

The statement of accounts for the past year, as audited
and duly signed by the Auditor, Treasurer, and Secre-
tary, was presented, and, after some discussion, was
passed, and ordered to be printed in the Report.

The Finance Committee presented a lengthy- report
of the financial condition of the Association, accompanied
by statistics and recommendations in regard to the ex-
penditure during the ensuing year.

Captain Bush moved, and Captain Campbell seconded,
a vote of thanks to the Finance Committee, for their full
and complete report.

Prior to the Conversazione, which commenced at six
o'clock, a meeting of County Representatives was held.
There were present, W. Horton Ellis, Devon ; Mr. A. B.
Lipscombe, Herts; Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Wilts; J.
Garratt, Kent; T. J. Witt, Surrey; W. L. McClure,
Lancashire and Cheshire.

The minutes of the last Quarterly Conference having
been read, Mr. McClure called attention to the rules laid
down for the management of the County Competition at
South Kensington, and on behalf of the Lancashire and
Cheshire Association he was requested to state that it
was considered advisable that in any such future com-
petition the regulation as to corking of the bottles of
honey should be dispensed with, and that the mode of
fastening the mouths of the bottles should be left entirely
to the discretion of the exhibitor, and that in the event
of any method being adopted which in the opinion of the
judges was not secure the same should be disqualified.
In regard to sections, Mr. McClure further recommended
that no limit should be made in regard to size or weight,
and that the mode of protecting them from bees or other
injury should be left entirely open, in order that scope
might be given for new inventions in this direction.

The matter having been discussed, the Chairman
pointed out that the regulations had been made upon the
recommendations and suggestions of the County Repre-
sentatives themselves at a fully attended meeting ; and
although some members of the Committee were in
accord with Mr. McClure 's views, the majority were of
opinion that for exhibition purposes it was necessary to
have the regulations defined. In the event of any such
competitions being arranged in the future, full con-
sideration would be given to the views of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Association.

The meeting then resolved itself into the Conver-
sazione, when among the audience assembled were the
Rev. F. G. Jenyns, the Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh,
the Rev. Dr. Bartrum, Mr. Jonas, Captain Campbell,
Mr. Meggy, Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. T. B. Blow, Mr. Hen-

derson, Mr. Garratt, Mr. Sambels, Mr. Baldwin, Mr.
Haviland, the Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Mr. J. Lee, and
other gentlemen, and two ladies.

The Rev. F. G. Jenyns (Chairman), in opening the
proceedings, said the Committee felt great satisfaction
at seeing so many friends of their cause gathered
together for the purpose of hearing the paper which
Mr. Grimshaw had kindly promised to read, entitled
' The Vocal Organs of Bees.' It had been said — and he
thought with truth— that there was nothing too minute
in nature to justify the closest and most careful obser-
vation ; there was no doubt that wonderful discoveries
had, in many instances, been led up to from insignificant
beginnings. At first sight it seemed to be unimportant
what cause gave rise to the buzzing or humming, but at
all events the subject was interesting to bee-lovers, as,
indeed, was everything connected with the organization
of the bee. He hoped and believed he would learn
something that evening, which possibly some day or
other might be turned to practical use. He knew very
little respecting the organs of sound in the bee, and
what little knowledge he had was gained from Mr.
Cheshire. That gentleman, if he could have been
present, would have no doubt contributed some valuable
information to the discussion— valuable, because given
by a very close observer who had a thorough acquaint-
ance with the subject.

Mr. Grimshaw, in the course of a few prefatory
remarks, said he felt considerable diffidence in speaking
on a high scientific subject before the select audience
present that evening, and for the purpose of showing
how the paper he was about to read had originated he
wished to carry their minds back twelve months to the
quarterly meeting held in January, 1886, when he had
the honour of communicating to them by means of a
paper his opinions regarding the bee-sting. On that
occasion the discussion which followed trenched upon
the subject of the vocal and auditory organs of bees,
and his views thereon were asked. At that time he
had almost completed a paper on the question, and
he undertook with their consent to read it on tho
earliest opportunity. He had now much pleasure in
doing so, as follows : —

The Vocal Obgans of Bees.

It may be thought that the subject I have chosen to
say a few words on is more fitted for discussion amongst
physiologists than bee-keepers. Perhaps so ; yet the in-
teresting conversation at the quarterly meeting just a
year ago leads me to suppose that the more the bee-
keeper studies the construction and habits of his
favourites, the more successful will he become as a
honey-farmer, exactly as the most economical and trust-
worthy engineer is he who best has studied the scientific
' why and wherefore ' of . the intricate machinery under
his charge. If bees can hear, we may reasonably con-
clude they have a voice. If bees have a voice, there is
at once a strong presumption that they can hear, and
that these two faculties are given them for the purpose
of communicating with each other. I know of nothing
in nature having the one organ without the other.

It is on record that during swarming bees have been
dispersed by the noise of a band of music, re-assembling
in the intervals of silence. The whole of an apiary has
been suddenly aroused by the noise emitted by an in-
jured queen, the bees stinging every living thing within
reach. A sound uttered by the Death's-head moth
{Acherontia atropos) is said to paralyse them. The
queen and imprisoned young queens evidently hear and
reply to each other before the issue of a swarm. Kirby
tells us {The Honey Bee, Nat. Lib., p. 54) that the an-
tennas, ' by a peculiar structure may collect notices from
the atmosphere, receive pulses or vibrations, and commu-
nicate them to the sensorium, which communications,
though not precisely to be called hearing, may answer

January 27, 1887. J

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

35

purpose.' I wonder why this is not precisely
lied Bearing ! Then, again, they are provided

the same

to be called bearing ! Then, again, they are pr<
with depressions on the antenna; which Mr. Cheshire
reasonably suggests are ' auditory hollows,' connected as
these depressions are with the end of a nerve, precisely
as the auditory hollow on the transmitter of a telephone
is connected with the telegraphic nerve-wire. Such an
extremely sensitive diaphragm may easily be susceptible
to myriads of impressions from members of their own
kind, although not responding by visible signs to un-
intelligible tones made by methods used upon them in
vain by modern scientists.

It is well said* that we ourselves are not visibly
affected by the sound of booming cannon, the roar of
thunder, or the surging of the waves on a rock-bound
coast ; yet let a child's tiny shriek fall on one's ear in
our crowded streets and all is alarm and agitation. To
deny the power of hearing to bees because they don't
respond to our sound productions, is equal to doubting
the efficacy of the telephone or microphone when their
transmitting accuracy is disturbed by violent usage.

Much could be advanced, and innumerable instances
quoted, in favour of the theory that our favourite insects
can hear, much also that they cannot ; amongst the
ancient unbelievers being- Linna3us and Bonnet: Aristotle
and Huber remain doubtful, yet the latter somewhat
inconsistently gives instances of sounds uttered by them
with the effects produced upon the hearers. Then comes
the question, Can they speak P I mean by speaking the
utterance of sounds intelligible to themselves.

Dr. Wollaston (Ins. Misc., p. 104) says, ' Since there
is nothing in the constitution of the atmosphere to
prevent vibrations much more frequent than any of
which we are conscious, we may imagine that animals,
like the crickets (Grylli), whose powers appear to com-
mence nearly where ours terminate, may have the faculty
of hearing still sharper sounds which, at present, we do
not know to exist ; and that there may be other insects
(this is what I wish you to specially notice), having
nothing in common with us, but endowed with a power
of exciting, and a seuse that perceives, vibrations indeed
of the same nature as those which constitute our ordinary
sounds, but so remote that the animals who perceive
them may be said to possess another sense, agreeing
with our own solely in the medium by which it is
excited, and possibly wholly unaffected by the slower
vibrations of which we are' sensible.' This is what I
call a fair description of intensely sensitive auditory
organs. Flies on the diaphragm of a microphone have
been heard to utter trumpet tones otherwise inaudible
to us.

If I can show that bees utter sounds certainly under-
stood by us, how many more must there be which we,
with out comparatively coarse appreciation and imperfect
comprehension, are unacquainted with ? We all know
the lazy contented boom of the drone, as contrasted with
the irritated whizz and whirr of the disturbed honey-
gatherer. We recognise the contented hum of the quiet
prosperous hive in opposition to the sharp ' poop, poop '
of theloit queenless bee. The sounds of swarming are
as distinct to us as are our own distinctive notes. Many
of these regular tones, 'familiar to us as household
words,' are doubtless of no special moment to the bee,
yet they show to their community that ' all goes well,'
everything is as it should be outside the hive ; these
involuntary notes are a sort of perpetual assurance that
the outside world is going on much as it should.

Our vocal organs, as we know, consist, firstly, of a
reservoir of air in the lungs, which can be compressed
by means of the diaphragm and the rib-muscles, and
expressed either gently or with considerable force ; and,
secondly, of an air-tube (the throat), at the opening of
which is the glottis. It is the striking of air upon the
lips of the glottis which, with muscular contraction and

* Cheshire.

expansion tightening or slackening them, causes the
varying- sounds of the human voice. Let them be so
tightened that they touch each other, and their vibra-
tions become so rapid that a high note in the scale
results ; slacken them, and the notes fall in exact ratio.
From the human voice let us go to the sound produced
in some musical instruments — the oboe, the bassoon, and
various others. Here two pieces of reed are scraped
down until they are exceedingly thin ; they are fastened
together and placed within the lips, when, after a little
practice, we are able to produce the peculiar buzzing
notes which give to reed instruments their characteristic
charm.

So, I contend, is it with the vocal organs of bees ;
they have their air reservoirs (I do not allude to the
trachea in the abdomen) which serve for them the same
purposes as our own, namely, for oxygenizing the life
fluid, and for uttering these signals to others of their
kind which we term language.

Behind each of the bee's four-wings, two on either
side, are spiracles or air-throats, and these are so placed
with regard to the wing, that upon air being expelled
from the reservoirs, it impinges upon the edge of the
wing exactly as the air from the lungs of the musician
strikes upon the edges of the reeds, or upon the lips of
the glottis in the case of vocalists, causing such vibra-
tions as produce notes. Add to this, muscular tightening
or slackening of the film, and its height or depth is
varied. This, I imagine, will produce the voice-tones
which may be a perfectly comprehensible language to
bees, although unheard by us, in the same sense as a
whispered conversation at the other end of the room
would be here inaudible. In passing : — A j'Oung sou of
mine has informed me that last season he repeatedly
observed his pet humble bees vibrate their wings when
not extended so as to join the two side wings together
by the bent plate and hooks, and that the sound pro-
duced with the wings, so to speak, loose, were quite
distinct in tone and character from the usual bee-notes.

I do not suppose this theoiy will ever be more than a
hypothesis until we introduce the receiver of the micro-
phone into the observatory-hive — not a difficult thing
for scientists. As for the well-known notes we actually
hear, it is no new theory that they are produced as
Swammerdam says : — 'By the motion of the wings, which
is increased by the internal air propelled out of their
bodies through the air-tubes at the same time ; for some
of these pipes open with wide apertures under the wings.
Certain cavities, also, fit for receiving and vibrating
the air, and formed under and behind the wings,
contribute to this. Xor must the shoulder-blades be
excluded from their share in this music, since they are
placed just above the wings, joined to the chest, and
having under their breadth the openings of several air
pipes. It is thus the motion of the wings, with the
assistance of all these parts, and by force of the pro-
pelled air, makes the humming noise peculiar to that
insect.'* Reaumur attributes the sounds of bees ' to the
wings beating more or less rapidly against the air, ac-
cording also, it may be, to the different angles at which
it is struck; t and he expressly says, that a bee whose
wings are eradicated is perfectly mute. Hunter, on the
the other hand,J affirms that, though the wings be : i
off, and the legs held fast, they can still emit a shrill
peevish sound, as they can also do when their wings are
smeared with honey, and even when they are held under
water, which he observed to vibrate at the point of
contact with the air-holes at the root of the wings.

Since writing the above, the sixth part of Mr.
Cheshire's admirable work on bees has appeared, and he,
as ever, goes most exhaustively into the question. He
quotes Landois, who noticed three tones in the flight
sound : — (1), the wing beats, (2), vibrations in the

* Biblia Nature, i. p. 168. t Memoires, p. 617.
+ Phil. Trans. 1792.

30

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 27, 1881

abdominal rings, (3), notes from the true vocal apparatus
placed in the stigmatic orifices (he stopped these with
wax and brought the humming to a close at once). Mr.
Cheshire tells us that the wings undoubtedly do the
buzzing, but the humming is as clearly the outcome of
an apparatus within the spiracles of the bee. He goes
on to describe this anatomically, and concludes by
attributing the voice of the bee to sounds emitted by
plaited and fringed curtains lying behind the edges of
the spiracle, these curtains being played upon by air
puffed in and out at the will of the bee. Whether by
this means, or by the air being forced against the wing
edges, by vibration of the wings, or by all of these
methods, I hope I have shown you that there is a strong
weight of evidence, containing facts which if not al-
ready known to us may be easily verified, in support of
the assertion that bees, in common with many other
insects can hear, by organs not dissimilar to ours, that
they can also utter varying voice tones by a method also
much resembling that producing the voice-tones of man
and the greater part of animated nature which inter-
communicates impressions and desires, and that these
two faculties, hearing and speaking, are possessed by
bees, not without an object, as we can perceive always
in the works of nature if we examine them closely, but
with the distinct object of being used as we use language,
and as every other animal uses language which possesses
the apparatus suitable for vocal signalling.

Granting this much may we not, without disagreeing
on points of anatomical structure, conclude that the
voice of bees is duplex, first vibratory by the wings as
exemplified by the hummer wood, continuous during
flight, and conveying only a general assurance of con-
tentment or alarm ; secondly, truly vocal by means of
the air-sac (the lungs), the spiracle (the throat), and one
or more vibrating lips against which the air strikes in
respiration, producing notes some of which even we can
hear and understand? The vibratory method I will
illustrate by the hummer and the truly vocal by the
oboe reed.

[The discussion on precediug paper, with the remainder
of the matters discussed at the Conversazione, will be
given in our next issue. — Ed.]

€axxt8$avfotm£.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be talcen of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to ■write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee ofgoodfaith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strang sways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin* s Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

*m* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when spealdng oj
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige (>y mentioning the
number of the letter, a3 well as the page on which it appeal's.

TWO VISITS TO AN APIARY IN WALES.

[780.] (Jlanrafon, the residence of Nicholas Bennett,
Esq., J.I', for Montgomeryshire, is situated in the lovely
valley of Llawry Glyn, through which the noted trout
stream, the Trannon, flows. Although Glanrafon is only
a few miles from the summit of Plynlimmon, contrary to
what might be expected, it is admirably situated for bee-
culture, being sheltered by lofty hills covered with rich,
honey-yielding plants flowering at various periods of the
year. In the spring immense quantities of plants of the
orders Salicaceae and Corylaceaj shed their pollen; the
latter, however, has little attraction for bees, being wind-
fertilised ; but, later on, in addition to other honey-

yielding plants, scores of acres of white clover are
cultivated — thence an immense quantity of honey of the
richest aroma might be collected ; but,

'Alas ! full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.'

Some of the hills appear to be gilded when they are
covered at a period of the year with the blossoms of
Lotus corniculatus (a plant much visited by bees). At
the same period one hill is a mass of thousands of 'white
butterflies,' the flowers of the sweetest of plants, Orchis
bifolia. There are also miles of plants of the order Eri-
caceae which tinge the mountains with the purple heather.

Mr. Bennett may truly be said to be a disciple of Dr.
Bevan, having enjoyed the friendship and acquaintance
of the ' bee-doctor' in his early dajs for a considerable
time, and from him learning a great deal of bee-keeping,
&c.

Mr. Bennett is now advanced in years, and vast im-
provements have been made in apiculture since Bevan's
time, but still with very great regard for his first bee-
master he shows his visitors a very rare work upon bees
by his friend Dr. Bevan. Mr. Bennett has all his life
studied bees with his favourite hives, facsimile Bevan's,
from which he has taken immense quantities of the
richest and most beautiful honey. January, 1886, found
the apiary consisting of a large number of Bevan's hives,
and, alas ! the poor bees gone to their final rest, except-
ing one solitary colony in a very weak condition. It
might be mentioned that the much-respected mother of
this gentleman, Mrs. Bennett, when only fourteen years
old, found a stray swarm on the Plynlimmon Hills, and
successfully hived it herself in a milk stean (a small milk
pail),without help, from which the whole of the neighbour-
hood has been supplied with stocks through her kindness.
Mrs. Bennett had great delight and success with her bees,
but she has gone to her rest many years ago, and the
stocks of bees in the apiary dwindled down to almost
extinction. The surviving queen was found in possession
of a space between the ceiling and floor of a large room
of the hall — the bees of which plundering all hives in
the vicinitjr. As it has been impossible to disturb ' the
Gipsies,' as Mr. Bennett has named them (and it might
be added Mr. Bennett has the greatest regard for Gipsies
of another kind, and is a true and good friend to them),
they must have an immense quantity of honey, having
never swarmed and being each year exceedingly strong
in bees.

Mr. Bennett has taken immense quantities of honey
of delicious aroma and other good qualities, but at the
time of the visit he was sorely distressed about his
stock in Bevan's hive — ' his sole remaining joy,' or ' last
of his flock.' He consented with great reluctance to
have the hive opened or examined ! — knowing nothing of
the modern methods of bee-keeping, having not even so
much as heard of the existence of the British Bee
Journal. No John Peels about, and work of County
Associations complete, &c. However, one of Bevan s
hives was prepared for the reception of moveable frames
— frames prepared and all got ready for transferring the
stock to the new hive — but, upon turning it out, behold!
the honey had been extracted by the six-legged bees to
their dwelling already mentioned, and only about half
a pound of bees left, but queen extra muros ! A few
days after a frame with -adhering bees was lifted out of
the now modern hive, a fertile queen was placed right
in their midst, which was joyfully received, and which
eventually built tlio colony into a very successful and
prosperous one. Mr. Bennett was amazed at these pro-
ceedings, telling a friend some time after that he thought
he was fifty years in advance of any bee-keeper in his
neighbourhood with his Bevan's hives, hut now he found
he was fifty years back !

1887, January. During the year such progress has
been made, such knowledge gained, that Sir. Bennett

January 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

37

expressed to me that lie could hardly have believed it
could have been possible to have made such alterations
and improvements in his apiary. There is now a good-
sized bee-house filled with hives, of course with moveable
frames and all latest improvements ; a large row of hives
containing Standard sized frames, suitable for the pro-
duction of comb or extracted honey, and all capable of
working on the very latest systems of honey production.
The hives are arranged most artistically amongst the
shrubs of his pretty and picturesque garden. The
manipulating house is fitted up with improved Kaynor
extractors, wax extractors, honey ripeners, &c: arrange-
ments and apparatus for queen -raising; compartments
for sections and feeders, &c; in fact, a complete arrange-
ment of modern bee-keeping apparatus. Then there is
the workshop fitted with a beautiful lathe, built by the
late R. lioberts of Manchester, connected with which is
a circular saw, drilling machine, fret-saw, &c. ; and an
adjoining room fitted up as a complete smithy. It
should, however, be mentioned that Mr. Bennett has all
this for his private amusement and pleasure, and in no
way with a view to pecuniary interest. He is a most
ingenious gentleman, and has devised some very useful
plans for feeding bees, preventing bees from robbing,
and others connected with managing and arranging
hives.

Perhaps the fellowing illustration of the cleverness
of Mr. Bennett may be useful to some of your readers.
Fitting up a hive with moveable combs he fixed it in
such a manner that the 'Gipsies' were forced to travel
through it — this was easily done by making a hole at
the back of the hive and fixing it on the outside of the
entrance of the wall through which the bees made their
way to and from their inaccessible stores ; but, for a long
time, no notice was taken of their furnished apartments,
until Mr. Bennett hit upon the plan of placing a comb
containing eggs and brood into this hive ; the bees, as

A Floor-board. E Feeder.

B Sheet of Tin perforated. F Uncovered Spout to pla( e in D.

c Holes in perforation, |" diam. G Bee Entrance.

D Entrance for Feeder.

he calculated, immediately took possession, filled eight
standard frames with honey in a week, wax foundations
toak their place, and a very large quan-
tity of honey thus secured at various
intervals during the season. Mr. Bennett
has also invented a floor-board and a
modification of Messrs.
Neighbour's feeder, by
means of which condemned
bees may be fed.

This parish contains an
enormous amount of sick-
ening superstitions con-
nected with bee-keeping and bees, ail account of which
I am afraidwould make these notes too long ; but, with
your permission, I shall be pleased to communicate at
some futuie time, — T. Boxner-Chambeks, F.L.S.,
London,

Feeder.

YOBKSHIEE COUNTY ASSOCIATION.

' Another race the spring and fall supplies ;
They droop successive, and successive rise.'

[700.] I fear your readers are getting ' Yorkshire
relish ' ad nauseam, but I intend to pursue the subject
relentlessly until one of four things happens: (1.) Until
you, pere Editor, are sick of the question, aud your gorge
rises proportionately with my choler. (2.) Until we are
convinced, by a communication from the Hon. Sec. that
the Association is so working as to justify its fitness to
survive, that it has a raison d'etre. (3.) Until it ex-
plodes with pop-gun report, and melts into thin air,
leaving us unfettered to form new Associations in
districts where we will not ' give to airy nothings a
local habitation and a name ; ' or finally (4.), Until the
B.B.K.A. emancipate us by expunging the Association
from their books.

With all respect to the Hon. Sec. (who, I hear, is an
estimable gentleman) may I ask one pertinent question ?
Does he read his B.B.J J and, if so, why does he leave
us so totally in the dark by not responding to our
inquiries either in love or auger ? Neither contemptuous
silence nor sulks befit the occasion, for if my com-
ments call forth no repty, surely those of your other
correspondents should command some sort of courteous
consideration. Even the gods of wood and stone had
their prophets who spoke, but now, alas ! the invocation
to Baal brings not the fire to our sacrifice.

' For ever close the impenetrable door ;
It naught avails that in its torpid veins
Year after year life's tottering spark remains.'

Instead of ' Up mounts the chief ' to tell us of the
Association and its work, so that helpers might join in
it, we have only the gloom and silence of space. Poor
Milton's lines steal into the mind : —

' The sun to me is dark and silent as the moon
When she deserts the night, hid in her vacant interlunar cave.'

I want to make a dreary, dry, and weary subject
arouse the interest of my brother bee-keepers of the
county, hinc illce laclwymce. Are we to conclude that
our Hon. Sec. scorns to speak, or dreads to speak, under
some such idea as, ' Sh, sir, if I utter but a single tone
the whole thing will collapse?' Would we could cre-
mate it, and preserve ' the sacred ashes in a little urn,'
perchance to be mistaken for Prince's mixture by some
snuff-taking New Zealander ear. Macaulay !

I saw in an index the other day ' Bees and rheumatism,'
I should have liked to read something about ' Bees and
bile,' for my bile was very active on the 0th inst. when
I received the following, the signature, &c, of which I
will suppress : —

1 Dear Sir, — Excuse me for being so bold as to write to
you, but as I have seen your name in the B.B.J., and as I
am a Yorkshire bee-keeper, I should be glad to join any
Society that would be a help to us in bee-keeping. I did
join the Yorkshire Society, and I wrote twice for infor-
mation about my bees, and I got no reply until the contri-
butions became due, but declined to pay. I have fourteen
frame-hives. There are only two more in our village, and
they are all for the brimstone pit here. I shall be glad, if
you ever come my way, to give me a call, as I take a great
interest in bees.'

Such a letter ought to do more either to awaken the
Association into new life, or to give it the coup de grace,
and cause it to be put decently away than any amount
of appeals or diatribes from — R. A. H. Gbimshaw.

TOMTITS AGAIN.

[701.] 1 wish to say a few words on the black-headed
tit. I have four good stocks of bees in bar-frame hives.
On the 12th of January I noticed something or other
had visited two of my hives by the zigzag blocks under
the porch having been removed, as they did not fit very

38

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 27, 1887.

tight ; and about fifty wings and legs of bees were lying
about near to the hives. I kept watch for about half
an hour, and I saw, to my surprise, that it was a black-
headed tit, and then it was at the entrance tapping,
when out came a bee to see what was the matter. No
sooner had it appeared than Master Tit caught it and
flew away with it. He came back in five minutes and
fetched another, and I got my gun and shot it ; then I
set a trap at the entrance and caught two others. I
can prove that they were not dead bees before they
were caught by them, for they disturbed the bees so as
to cause several to flv about. — B. W.

APIFUGES.

[792.] Mr. A. Green (page 17) considers the word
inappropriate. I certainly paused before I dared take
the extreme liberty of coining a word ; but as far as I
can see it must hold the field until a better is given ; one
not twice its length and having an absence of euphony.

If the Latin dictionary be referred to, the vevbfur/io will
be found to bear the construction, to run away, to be off,
to vanish, avoid, forbear ; and it was in any, or all, of these
senses I used it (there is semi-conciliation here), not in
the sense of a helter-skelter, terrified stampedo down
amongst the frames. If we use bee-conciliators we shall
in all probability find our hands covered with bees during
manipulation, a consummation not devoutly to be wished.
■ — R. A. H. G., Horsforth, near Leeds.

PHYSIOLOGICAL QUERIES. -IN VERTIBLE

HIVES. [756.]
[793.] I see James Lee, in B. B. J. of January 6, very
properly calls attention to the state of the larvae in the
cells when the comb is in its normal position as built hy
the hees. J. Lee asks if inversion is detrimental to the
brood, and he seems very strongly to object to invertible
hives, which, he says, have not been tried. I beg to say
I have tried them with several hives this season, and all
gave me nearly double the amount of sections.

I see D. A. Thomas gives a good account of inversion
with one hive, I having tried several, claim a right
to say it is a good plan, and it seems not to hinder the
bees in their work, as breeding goes on the same ; and
my hives went into winter stronger than any other hives
that were not inverted. I do not like the reversible
frames, as they disturb the brood-nest too much, so I
think the Heddon hive just what is wanted, and mean to
try a few this next season, as I did so well with my
upside-down ones last; and as the Jones-Heddon hive
is so cheap I advise the cottager bee-keeper to try it.

Bee-keeping is now taking a step in the right way, I
think. With the valuable B. B. J. first (not the
expert), and the British Bee-keepers' Stores with its cheap
appliances, keeping down the price of hives of fancy
dealers, and the British Honey Company last, but not.
least, to buy our honey for cash and to sell it cheap, so
all can have a taste ; with the New Year and the Jubilee
Year too, I trust the cottager is going to have his chance
to gather honey to help in these bad times. It was out of
his reach when hives were such a price and no market for
his honey. — Devonshihe Dumpling.

SALTAIRE EXHIBITION.

[794.] I notice on page 17 an appeal from Mr. Samuel
Watson for something to be done towards getting together
a bee show at the above exhibition about seven miles
from here ; and it is suggested that I should ' stir up '
some of the bee-keepers in the neighbourhood. Now,
Mr. Watson, don't you think I've done a fair share of
stirring up lately ? You see our five-barrod-gate of an

Association prevents any action beyond 'stirring up;'
anything more would be audacious presumption so long
as it hangs with the proverbial tenacity of a creaking
gate.

I can assure the Secretary of the B. B. K. A. that the
attendance at Saltaire will be enormous, and it woidd be
a fitting opportunity for the County Association to rise
to the occasion and distinguish itself; but let us have no
fiasco. If we have anything let them give us such
manipulation as will tend to promote scientific bee-
keeping in the district. — R. A. II. G., Horsforth, near
Leeds,

CLEAR AWAY THE SNOW.
[795.] In most towns there is a law requiring every
householder to clear away the snow without delay from
the front of his own house. As our bees are not able to
do this for themselves their masters should make it a
point of conscience to do it for them, and thereby save
thousands of precious lives. Snow has been lying in
front of my apiary for twenty-four days, and this morning,
feeling sure that the brilliant sun and milder weather
would have wakened up my pets, I went to enjoy the
sight of their pleasure. The whole scene was alive with
them, as on a tine day in April ; but alas ! the snow was
plentif ully sprinkled with dead and dying, those who had
alighted and fallen upon it becoming quickly numbed
and stiff. My wife, ever fertile in resource, suggested
covering the snow with ashes, so I shovelled it away as
fast as I could, clearing about two yards in front of the
hives and sprinkling ashes plentifully over the remaining
patches of ice. Straw or hay would probably have done
as well; but I shall always in future make it a rule to
clear away the snow immediately after a fall, and thus
guard as well as I can against their first flight being
fatal. I did not observe a single bee that had settled on
the snow recover itself.

While watching one of my hives I was greatly sur-
prised to [see an unmistakable drone make its appearance.
Dan any one tell me what has been observed of drones
surviving the winter ? I thought they were never
allowed to try the experiment. I doubt if this one will
be allowed to re-enter. I also noticed one bee dragging
out a team of three dead ones fastened together length-
wise by the feet. I thought it did both his brains and
his heart great credit. — C. C. James, PapioortJi St. Aynes
St. Ives, limits, January 19th.

RAISING THE TEMPERATURE.— A CHEAP
FEEDER.— WAX EXTRACTOR.

[796.] In examining my stocks during the cold
weather last spring, I used an indiarubber hot-water
bottle placed over the frames to prevent loss of heat.
After removing the box of cork-dust on top of the
quilt, I placed the bottle on the calico quilt, leaving the
two back frames clear which may then be examined,
and so on ; before closing up I put a loose quilt over the
bottle for a minute or so, so as to confine the heat; it
may then be removed, and the corkdust-box replaced,
the bees will not only have suffered no loss of heat, but
will probably have gained some by the transaction. I
did not find it excited them if not kept on too long ; but
on one occasion when I raised the temperature too high
in a stock suffering from d3rsenteiy, it made them leave
the hive in large numbers, they voided their fpeces very
freely, and I noticed a marked improvement in their
condition afterwards, and dysentery soon left them ; I
infer, therefore, that when bees are lethargic from being
in this state, raising the temperature on a suitable day
may be of great advantage to them.

Those who continue to use syrup for spring feeding
instead of following the very excellent plan Mr. Siua-
mins has given us for feeding with dry sugar, can make

January 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

39

very cheap feeders by taking- a piece of wood six inches
square, cutting a two-inch square hole in the middle,
and covering this with a piece of tin four inches square,
tacked on at one corner, having previously bored about
a dozen or so holes in it, corresponding with the hole in
the wood ; this forms the stage over the feed-hole. Invert
over this with a small tin shovel the ordinary glass jam
or marmalade jar, of which there are usually quantities
about. This feeder can be made by anyone for a few
pence except the shovel, which should cost 6rf. I have
used nothing but this the last two years for autumn
feeding.

Wax ExrEACTOB. — For this purpose I bought last
year a tin saucepan and steamer, 7 in. in diameter, at
a cost of Is. Id. In the steamer I had a tin dish made
1 in. deep, raised by strips of tin I in. off the bottom,
and the same distance clear from the sides all round,
with a small spout from it, coming through the steamer,
extending about 3 in. beyond and downwards at an
angle of about 45°, for the melted wax to run through.
In this saucer I have a perforated zinc cylinder, with
bottom of same material, J in. less in diameter than the
rim of the dish, raised j in. from the bottom by cross
strips of tin, and coming up to the top of the steamer to
hold the wax to be melted. These additions cost me Is.,
so that I have a very serviceable wax extractor for 2s. Id.
I may say I followed as well as I could the plan in
Cowan's Guide-Booh. Would this suit your correspon-
dent < A. S.' (774) P— W. H. Jenkins.

AN EXPERIENCE IN MOVING BEES.
[797.] A recent experience of mine may possibly be
useful as a warning to other bee-keepers. Last Monday
I moved a skep to a stand some ten yards distant, in a
diagonal line, from its former position. For three or
four weeks before the snow had been lying all about
and the bees had not left their hive for a longer time
than that. I thought it was quite safe to move them,
and was so advised by a friend more competent than
myself. The next day was warm and bright, and the
bees came out in numbers. I was away from home all
the middle of the day and did not see them flying ; but
the next time I looked at my hives, on Thursday morning,
I found more than fifty bees lying dead on the alighting
board of an erupt}7 wooden hive I had placed on the old
stand, and several more bodies scattered about the neigh-
bourhood. The only way I see of accounting for this is
the following. I had placed a plank leaning against the
front of the skep during the tnow to shade the entrance.
It did not prevent ingress or egress, but I suppose it so
disguised the front of the skep as to make it unrecog-
nisable to the bees who returned, and that they
accordingly flew off to the old position and then perished.
Had I known the thaw was coming so rapidly, I should
have, of course, removed the plank; but on Tuesday
morning the snow was still so deep and so glaring in the
sun, that I thought it better to leave it. I am afraid the
loss of life will be serious at this time of the year ; it is
sad to see the beautiful yellow Italians lying crowded
on the alighting board of the empty hive. — F. 0.
Hodgson.

GLEANINGS.

Our attention has been called to our translation and
summary of Dr. de Planta's researches on the nectar of
plants to the last but one paragraph, on page 543 of pre-
vious volume. Dr. de Planta has explained to us more
clearly the ideas he meant to convey with regard to
cane-sugar in honey. The paragraph should therefore
read thus : — ' Whilst cane sugar is present in a great
number of nectars, and often in considerable quantities,
it is, on the contrary, generally rare in honeys, and
is frequently entirely absent. It is found only in the
honeys of the Alps in relatively larger quantities.'

In the Bulletin d 'Apiculture de la Suisse Komande,
G. de Layens says that when a queen is removed from a
colon}' with a view, for example, of making an artificial
swarm, the bees build drone-comb, and from this bee-
keepers have generally concluded that they continue to
do this until the queen becomes fecundated. By his
experiments and observations, he concludes this is a mis-
take, and that from the moment the young queen
leaves the cell to the time she is fecundated the bees
build worker-comb, and not drone-comb, as many bee-
keepers think.

In the AmericaiiBee Journal, T. J. Burrill says : — The
flowers of the honey locust (we presume he means
Gleditschia triacanthus) are what botanists call poly-
gamous, that is, they are sometimes perfect, having both
stamens and pistils, and sometimes these organs are in
separate flowers. In this case they are evidently upon
different trees, and the case is not a very uncommon one.
Probably these trees will continue year after year to do
just the same thing ; still it would not be surprising
upon close looking if some of both lands of flowers
should be found on the same tree.

In Hice-Bees indigenous to India, J. 0. Douglas says
Apis dorsata builds under boughs, normally a single
comb, but under favourable conditions, as in caves, it
duplicates its comb. Cells, four and a half to the inch,
no drone-comb differing from worker found in any comb
examined. In a comb from S. Coimbatore the actual
measurements were — three cells = ■045", i.e. 215" each,
or 4'65 cells per inch; other three were '225", '218",
'230"; average, 4'425 per inch. The Sikkim variety is
larger than that found in the plains, and the hill varieties
generally appear darker and larger than those of the
plains ; specimens from Jubbulpore are very light-
coloured. A comb of the Sikkim variety would be
interesting, to ascertain if it differed from the comb of
the plains, and if it has drone-cells. In many parts it
migrates at certain seasons, and it leaves its comb
readily on failure of pasturage. It is reputed vicious,
but this is not confirmed by experts; nor is its sting-
exceptionally severe. This bee is confined to the plains,
or does not extend beyond about 3000 feet of altitude.
It builds no special drone-comb, all its cells are the same
size, and its drone is not differentiated from the worker,
as is that of other species, but is of the same size arid
shape as the worker, excepting that it has the eyes
meeting as in the drone of A. mellifica.

In the Biencmcirtseliaftlif/es Centralblatt M. Ugen
describes his experiment with regard to the requirements
of water by bees. He says at certain seasons bees require
water more than at others. They cannot raise brood with-
out it, and he finds in the spring they need more than at
any other time. Owing to inclement weather in the
spring they are frequently unable to get any, and many
perish in the endeavour to find it. He lias tried various
ways of supplying it in the hives and finds the best is by
filling combs with water, and placing them in the hives
near the outside, putting a comb of honey on the outside
next to them. He found weak colonies did not take the
water, and the quantity consumed by the various stocks
was in proportion to their strength. When bees are
supplied with water in this way they do not fly out to
get it, consequently the mortality is much smaller.

In the Bee-keepers' Guide J. E. Pond, junr., says,
' Every bee-keeper of experience knows that bees don't
like to store honey in shallow cells, and that they won't
rear brood in cells more than regulation depth. My
thoughts on this just gave me a clue to the whole busi-
ness. My top bars are g-inch wide. In early spring I
shave the combs in brood-chamber to just the width of
the bar, and replace them in the hive just bee-space apart.
When the honey season begins I put on sections and the
bees at once occupy them, for they find the room the}'
want for storage, and they at once use it; the brood-
chamber being used only for its legitimate purpose, viz.,

40

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 21, 1887.

that of rearing brood. Of course the size of the chamber
must be proportioned to the size of the colony to produce
the best results; but no matter how much room is given
honey will not be stored in shallow cells so long as space
can be found in which to work up deep ones. This with
myself is not a matter of theory ; it is one of experi-
mental knowledge. I have practised the above method
for four seasons and find the results the same.' [This
entirely agrees with our experience, and with what we
have for many years taught, and for this reason we use
no projections or distance-guides to our frames. — Ed.]

In the Bulletin if Apiculture de la Suisse Bomande,
E. Bertrand says one colony headed by a Cyprian queen,
raised at Nyon in 1885, a daughter of one received direct
from Mr. E. Benton a few years ago, has shown qualities
worthy of being recorded. It gathered this season about
40 kilos (about 88 lbs.) which is the maximum quantity
of honey collected by an}' colony during this bad season.
After the honey harvest, i.e. from 8th to 24th June, it
gave six natural swarms of which four weighed from
2.900 kilos (6 lbs.), to 2.200 kilos (nearly 5' lbs.), and
two smaller ones and the stock still remained strong.
The colony rapidly developed in the spring, and wishing
to raise queens under the best possible conditions they
were kept a little cramped for room, notwithstanding
that they were supplied with two supers which increased
the size of the hive to 100 litres (about 6100 cubic
inches). Notwithstanding this room the bees crowded
outside; 80 queen-cells were constructed. The mother
of this colon}- was crossed probably with an Italian or a
cross breed drone, the workers being well marked. The
workers produced are very active and tolerably quiet,
which he particularly mentions as a contrast to the
character and the want of activity of the imported queen.
He says home-bred Cyprians the same as Italians pro-
duce superior bees to those imported. The cross breeding
seems to produce excellent results, and the introduction
of Cyprians into an apiary ought to give bees with good
qualities. The future will be able to settle this point.

In the same journal we find M. Du Pasquier stating
that he employs quicklime as a remedy for bee-stings.
It neutralises the poison which is an acid.

In the Canadian Bee Journal G. M. Doolittie says he
uses side storing only in connexion with top storing and
never recommends exclusive side stoiing. Bees, he says,
prefer to build combs at the sides of the hives, and store
honey on the top, therefore he gets sections filled with
comb at the sides and when they are raised to the top
they are at once filled with honey. He uses wide frames
which are interchangeable, so that the process causes but
little labour, and after years of trial of all kinds of sys-
tems he says he knows no other system which will give
as good results.

In the American. Bee Journal, H. B. Hill, referring to
a visit he paid to Mr. J. B. Hall's apiary in Canada, says,
one of the things he saw there that interested him was the
Caucasian bee. These are smaller than the common bee,
and very dark, with a distinct silvery band bordering the
back segment of the abdomen, and in mass present a bluish
appearance. lie says they do not seem to know how to
gather honey. One of the assistants thought ' The}7 went
to the field to get what they wanted to eat in the honey
season, and came home without any.' Although they
are accused of being unprolific, lie thinks they can raise
more queens and drones to the square inch than any
other race of bees in America. The Caucasian bees are
very gentle in their disposition, and Mr. Hall says ' they
were the quietest bees he had ever handled.' It is im-
possible to handle them so roughly as to make them
sting the operator, although if squeezed they will
sting. They appear to he very hardy winterers. When
crossed with Mr. Hall's ' comb honey ' bee, they are very
prolific as comb-honey producers, and are beautiful as
well as gentle.

In the Jiee-l-cepers Magazine we find TI, E. Shannon

giving the Carniolan bees a very good character. He
says they are very hardy, and the best comb-builders he
ever had, and that they make the nicest section honey.
They protect their hives as well as Italians, as far as he
is able to judge. He has some Carniolan swarms that
built more comb in August and September than the
best Italian stands did in the honey season. They also
work on red clover as well, if not better than Italians ;
hut the}' swarm more, and some queens raise very poorly-
marked bees.

In the American Bee Journal we find that at the
Marshall County Convention the Mayor of Marshalls-
town stated lie successfully prevented swarms from
settling in high trees by using what is called a ' Yankee
Queen-stick.' It is made by taking a stick two inches
square, the top end dressed down to ^ square for about
a foot. On this are nailed laths, six or eight inches long,
to form a network. When a swarm is about to settle,
this queen-stick is held among them, and he found that
they would settle on it.

In the Official Report of the United States Entomo-
logist, N. W. McLain, on ' The Production of Wax,' says
he observed that if pieces of new comb were exposed on
a warm day the bees would tear off pieces of the wax
and carry them to their hives for use in comb-building.
He therefore put pieces of new comb in a shallow, square
tin pan having a close fitting cover, and having holes in
the bottom. This pan was placed on the cloth covering
the frames, and holes made through this to correspond
with holes in tin pan, so as to admit the bees. The heat
arising from the bees produced a high temperature, which
kept the wax plastic and easily worked. When this
assistance was given comb-foundation was worked out
with great rapidity, principally by the young bees,
aided by the field bees at night, as the comb-building
progressed more rapidly at night thau by day. There
being no necessity for wax producing, the working force
laboured without hindrance during the day in the fields,
and with equal energy by night in the hive.

In the Canadian Bee Journal, S. Corneil says he finds
it most desirable to raise queens during swarming time.
Cells nearly ripe are placed in cages on the frames over
a cluster. When a hive swarms, one of the unfertilised
queens is at once run in at the entrance of the old hive,
and in twenty-nine out of thirty cases last season they
were accepted. This is a sure plan to prevent second
swarms, and at the same time gain ten or twelve days.

In the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society we
find that Herr K. Mullenhoff, continuing his studies of
bees, has investigated the behaviour of the insect in
gathering and storing the honey. He discusses the
damping and the compression of the pollen, the mar-
vellous adroitness of the bee in forcing its way into
flowers, the careful avoidance of mixing the kind of
pollen during one gathering, the renewed salivating and
compression which the pollen receives from the younger
indoor workers before it is stored in the cells, which are
always the cells of workers and not of drones. The
pollen is frequently deposited in layers, and frequently
hermetically sealed with honey, over which a thin
pellicle, like a layer of cream on milk, is formed,
and this can be pushed aside for the deposition of
more honey or walked over without causing overflow.
The bees which are going up and down over the full
cells often exhibit protruded stings, and that in normal
circumstances. Drops of poison from the end of the
sting are seen to be deposited on the hone}-, and the
presence of formic acid, absent in pure nectar, is thus
explained. The acid doubtless exerts an antiseptic in-
fluence on the honey ; and the author has beautifully
shown that in uncovered honey-cells none is present, and
that fermentation soon sets in, which could however be
prevented by the addition of iV per cent formic acid.
Herr Mullenhoff suggests the possible expediency of re-
moving the honey from the uncovered cells, and thus

January 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

41

economising the time and energy of the hees, while the
honey could be readily and cheaply preserved by the
addition of ^ per cent formic acid from a pipette.

In the Canadian Bee Journal, in an editorial it is
stated that those who have not used full sheets of section
foundation in their sections should try and observe the
difference in quantity of honey secured. Our experiments
have fully convinced us that sections should contain full
sheets, and with the beautiful light section foundation
we are now making there is no danger of any backbone
in the comb honey. In a letter from Mr. Cornell lately
he says : — ' Dr. Tinker wrote me to try a quarter-inch
starter in the bottom of the section as well as the visual
starter at the top. I did so, and as my section cases
reverse just as readily as not, I reversed the cases, when
the two starters were joined, or nearly so, and the result
is that the sections are filled, without so much as a hole
for the passage of a single bee.'

Bees, and their Management. — On Tuesday evening,
January 18th, the attention of the Uttoxeter Mutual Im-
provement Society was directed to the above subject, Mr.
Thomas Harper reading a paper upon Bees, and this was
followed by a descriptive lecture by Mr. F. Harper. Mr. J.
Spencer presided, and in his opening remarks said he had
known Messrs. Harper as practical bee-keepers for some
time, and as they were well acquainted with the subject
they were to speak upon he had no doubt but that their re-
marks would be interesting and profitable. The paper was
then read, in which the writer briefly traced the history of
the honey-bee, mentioning several varieties now kept in this
country. The physiology of the bee was described, showing
how these insects are fitted by nature for the objects of their
existence — to gather honey, and to assist in the fertilisation
of flowers which afterwards produce fruits or seeds. The
value of honey as a heat and force - producing food was
spoken of, and some of the uses to which it may be put were
mentioned. Mr. F. Harper followed with some remarks
upon the best methods of managing bees, he also exhibited
hives and various appliances, and explained their use and
advantages. The methods of supering and doubling were
shown, also driving condemned bees, and making artificial
swarms from either straw or bar-frame hives. At the close,
pieces of corab and comb-foundation, dead bees (including
queens, drones, and workers) were passed round, as well as
sections of comb-honey. The meeting was well attended,
and included a good number of young men, who were very
much interested in the subject. At the close a vote of
thanks was given to Messrs. Harper for the trouble they
had taken.

&tym from % gilies.

Mayfietd, Sussex. — One of my stocks of bees got blown
over by the severe storm at Christmas time, and as I was
away and the men rather afraid of bees it was put back on
its stand almost anyhow. On my going down to the
country about a fortnight after I found that the hive was
raised from the floor-board on two sides about two inches,
allowing the cold wind and ah' to pass through. I took the
hive indoors, rearranged the frames, which had got rather
mixed up, and found the bees none the worse. This seems
to show that cold does not necessarily injure bees, the
weather having been of the coldest and most wintry descrip-
tion.—J. B. S.

kCplbs 10 $mm%>

*** In their answers, Correspondents o>re respect/idly requested to
mention in each instance the number and the title of the query asked,.

[773.] Managing Stock on Allotment Garden. (J. Walton.)
— If for comb-honey, use ten frames in brood-nest, and
' tier up ' your racks by placing empty one under partially
filled one. If for extracted, use empty combs in supers,
and extract freely or ' tier up ' with another set of combs
as with racks. Clip the queen's wings, have the hive
almost on the ground with alighting-board touching the

same, all grass and weeds clear around the hive ; the bees
will swarm even tben sometimes. — W. B. Webster.

[771.] Separating Wax from Pollen.— Tie your combs up
tight in a piece of strainer cloth along with a stone or
stones of sufficient weight to sink this bundle to the bottom
o£ your boiler, light the fire and let it boil a short time,
then allow it to get cold. Your wax will be in a sheet at
top; press the bundle a little with a stick while boiling.
You must remelt this sheet of wax by water heat, and
allow it to cool gradually in tall vessels. — W. B. Webster.

[785.] Clover in Front of Hive. — Why not sow Limnan-
thes ? This does not grow very high, and looks nice ; it
sows itself after the first year, and provides plenty o£
honey. If you particularly desire clover and grass, pur-
chase some lawn grass seed already mixed of a good firm. —
W. B. Webster.

[786.] Specimens of Honey. (Aros.)— Mr. Carr, of Higher
Bebington, Cheshire, can give you the addresses of the
parties mentioned. — W. B. Webster.

[787.] (Castle Douglas.)— An Unicomb observatory hive
is an oblong case having the two longest sides fitted, prefer-
ably, with double glass § inch apart, of sufficient inside
capacity to take your frame with J inch bee space all round,
a removable cover fitting on top with a ventilating hole
covered with perforated zinc, a chamber called a flight-
chamber at bottom and underneath, communicating with
oblong case, having perforated zinc on one side for the
purpose of ventilation. An observatory (full) hive is dif-
ferently constructed, and would require illustrations.—
W. B. Webster.

[788.] Dysentery. (Far North.)— If hive is damp, remove
frames — indoors— en bloc into a fresh dry hive. Provide
clean dry quilts, place some nice warm cakes of candy
under quilt, enamel cloth on top of frames, then felt and
chaff cushions on top make good coverings for hives during
winter and spring; for summer remove chaff cushions.
Enamel cloth is American cloth of a description that has
little or no smell. — W. B. Webster.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

.411 queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personnl
nterest will be answered in this column.

H. T. — Uniting queenless stock to another indifferent-shaped
hive. — There is no doubt that your stock is queenless.
You can now only prepare for uniting by approaching the
hives to one another a yard a-day, reckoning only those
days on which the bees are flying freely. When the
weather is suitable for uniting (which will not be until
April) get some standard frames, cut out the combs from
the odd-sized frames, and splice them into the standards ;
you can then easily unite the two lots by opening out the
frames of the receiving stock with as little disturbance as
possible, and gently placing the others between them
alternately.

W. G. — Queen found on alighting-board. — It is not likely
that there were two queens present, and therefore your
stock is queenless. You can do nothing at present, but
when the weather is warmer you must unite with another
stock. In the meantime, approach the hives to one
another by a yard a-day, reckoning only the days when
the bees are flying freely.

A Cottager. — Making Foundation, &c. — We do not think
the apparatus you describe well adapted for making
foundation, and do not advise you to persevere with it.
In dipping, so much depends on the temperature of the
wax that it is doubtful if you ever succeed in making the
plain wax-sheets. It is much better to continue the
small strips of well-made foundation, which many skilled
bee-keepers give to swarms in preference to whole sheets.
Queen-raising by nuclei is described in most of our bee-
books, and articles have appeared in the Journal. The
queen in a swarm may be found by shaking out the
bees, and as they run back into the skep guided by
feather she may be easily picked up. Evening is the
best time to do this.

J. B. S. — 1. Bees on Hoof of House. — Bees twenty feet from
the ground should do as well as if nearer to the ground,
considering that in a natural state they live in hollow
trees. 2. Ligurianizing Six Stocks from Two. — Stimulate

42

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[January 27, 1887.

your two stocks, and devote them to providing drones
and queens as you propose. It does nut follow that your
neighbours will not have black drones flying as soon as
you have Ligurians, still if your queens should be mated
with blacks your hybrids will do you good service.

E. F. S. — 1. Bees in Hoof of House. — As you say you do
not understand bees, you had better let some more
experienced bee-keeper undertake the job of removal ;
which is one which often taxes the skill and patience of
good bee-men. 2. Hive Making. — Refer to pp. 59 and
69, Vol. XIV., by following the directions there given you
cannot fail to make a good serviceable hive. 3. Becoming
a Bee-keeper. — Get Modern Bee-keeping and Cowan's
Guide, read them, and also get acquainted with an
experienced bee-keeper — your county swarms with them
— discuss what you read with him, and with a little
practice you will soon get on.

Surrey. — Transferring Carniolans. — The operation must
not be performed before April, and then only in fine,
warm weather. A Carniolan queen may be introduced
at any time during the summer, but if done during the
honey harvest the income will be checked. We advise
you to leave the introduction till near the close of the
season, unless you intend to increase by swarming, when
the queen might be given advantageously to the old stock
after the departure of the swarm. From experience we
say that Ligurians are better honey-gatherers than
Carniolans, and about as gentle when properly handled.
We should doubt whether the cross between Carniolans
and blacks are superior to either race pure.

T. M. G. — Foundation. — You will find it difficult to get
foundation drawn out in time to use on the doubling
system during the present year, and if successful the new
combs, being tender, would not be well adapted for
extracting. Having twenty colonies, and not wishing
for increase, we advise you to take away, say, the two
outside frames from each colony, and supply their places
with whole sheets of foundation, the bees being confined
by division-boards. Cover up warmly and feed with
syrup at the feed-hole. As the colonies increase in
population give more foundation, and spread brood judi-
ciously until your hives are well filled with bees and
brood, which they ought to be by the time the honey-flow
arrives, when you may proceed to doubling, using the
forty frames of old comb previously abstracted in the
upper hives. To these latter any combs which can be
spared from the lower hives may be added and founda-
tion again given below. Do not remove combs in the first
instance until the bees are crowded — about the end of
April or early in May. Much depends upon the season.

T. Hill. — Canon Tristram's Natural History of the Bible
is published by the S.P.C.K., Northumberland Avenue,
price Is. Gd.

Trade Catalogues. — We have received from Messrs.
Abbott, Brothers, Southall, London and Paris, their cata-
logue of bee-hives and appliances. This valuable catalogue
has been considerably enlarged, and contains many im-
provements in appliances and reductions in prices. Also
from Mr. Eedshaw, The Apiary, South Wigton, near Lyster,
his catalogue of hives and bee-keeping appliances. On the
outside page of the wrapper will be found four very complete
collections of bee-keeping appliances suitable to a beginner,
with the prices attached.

In answer to several inquiries we beg to say that the
'British Bee-keepers' Stores,' 23 Cornhill, E.C., are in no
way connected with the British Bee-keepers' Association or
with the British Honey Company.

Wax Smelting. — F. H. Lemare of 4 Sydney Terrace,
Guildford, writes: — If the lady, said by 'Amateur Expert" to
be in trouble as to "Wax Smelting" would think it worth
while to send her combs, there is a man here who would
melt them for her and return the wax. His calculation is,
that -1 lbs. of comb produce 1 lb. of wax, and his charge is
at the rate of Grf. for the 1 lb. of wax. Of course only 1 lb.
of wax would not pay. The melted wax is free from
' pollen and other debris.' In looking over the catalogue of

Mr. Bedshaw, South Wigton, near Leicester, we note his
wax extractor, which he styles 'The Poor Man's Friend,'
which would be found of great servioe for small lots of wax
and for slender purses.

Dead Queen — Dead Bees have been forwarded to Mr.
Cheshire, and we await his report.

.©how ^Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and wider, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shows are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. Sec. J. Huckle, Kings
Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Biekards, Poole, near Leeds.

business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., Dowry Works, 256a Hotwell Koad,

Bristol.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Hole, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Walton, E. G, Muskham, Newark.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H.T Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

Walton, E. G , Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. G, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B„ Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. G, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howabd, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Walton, E. G, Muskham, Newark.

±,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.'

[No. 241. Vol. XV.]

FEBRUARY 3, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOR

BEGINNERS.

I, — Where bees may be kept, and who is suited

TO KEEPING THEM.

1. Bees can be kept in any place where there is
a small piece of garden, and fields, meadows, or
heath, within easy reach, more especially near
orchards and fruit gardens, or where clover, sain-
foin, mustard, rape, and buckwheat, are cultivated.

2. The best spot to select for placing the hives
is in a garden not far from the house, where they
will be sheltered from wind and be free from dis-
turbance by strangers, and out of the way of
domestic animals. It is very important if such a
sheltered place cannot be found to plant a hedge
or other wind guard on the northern side of the
hives ; and if there are a few fruit trees about so
as to shelter the bees from the fierce rays of a
summer sun it would be an advantage.

3. Most persons can keep bees if they have suffi-
cient time to spare during summer, when most
of the work has to be done. Even the cottager
who is at work from morning till night will be able
to devote a little of his leisure time to this pursuit,
which will add to his income in an agreeable
manner. Any one who is sufficiently vigorous and
strong, and can still lift from fifty to sixty pounds
in weight, can walk without assistance, and has
good eyes sharp enough to distinguish a bee's
egg at the bottom of a cell, is able to keep bees.

4. The object of keeping bees is generally
either pleasure or profit. If they are kept for
pleasure it is better to have only two or three
hives ; but if profit be the object the bee-keeper
should possess at least ten or a dozen hives. In
either case not more hives should be kept than can
be properly attended to, for one hive well looked
after will make a better return than a dozen that
are neglected.

5. There are some districts where bee-pasturage
is so scarce that the bees even in the best seasons
cannot procure the necessary stores to keep them
through the winter. These are not suitable districts
for keeping bees.

6. Places exposed to the wind, or on the borders of
wide rivers and lakes, where there are many manu-

factories, such as breweries and sugar refineries,
which allure the bees, who there meet with certain
death, are also not suitable.

7. Those who suffer so severely from a sting as
to be obliged to call in a doctor, or take to their
beds, or who have not sufficient courage to bear
calmly an occasional sting, or who will not attend
to their bees themselves, and are not able to make
their hives, or have not got the means to procure
them, or will not when needed feed their bees if
they are in want, had better not undertake bee-
keeping. (y0 be continued.)

TEACHERS AND BEE-KEEPING.

Three or four months ago we drew attention to
a suggestion thrown out at the Annual Meeting of
the British Bee-Keepers' Association held at South
Kensington. It was to the effect that a great
impetus would be given to bee-keeping if the
attention of masters and mistresses of schools of
various grades throughout the country were called
to the subject. From altogether another quarter
the idea is again brought to our notice, as will be
seen from a letter in this week's issue of the Journal.
(P. 49). A further proposal of a practical kind in
connexion with the point is that ' The Teachers'
Union ' could be turned to good account for the
purpose advocated. We entirely approve . of the
suggestion. Such an existing organization, if in-
terested in the matter, would not only save much
trouble and expense to those anxious to make a
move in the direction indicated, but would furnish
excellent opportunities for securing intelligent
audiences to lecturers on apiculture.

Now in order to give new energy to the sugges-
tion of our correspondent we would point out two
or three simple matters which should at once engage
the attention of the Committee of the B.B.K.A.
In the first place, means should be taken to ascer-
tain the names of schoolmasters and schoolmistresses
who already possess stocked hives or are interested
in the pursuit of bee-keeping. To all such an
appeal might be made to do what is in their power
to promote the spread of information about api-
culture. Next, from among these names a selec-
tion should be made of those known to belong to
' The Teachers' Union.' These friends should be
requested to try and secure the interest of the
officials of the Union in their own neighbourhood.

44

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 3, 1887-

When once the sympathies of such leading members
■were aroused there would be no difficulty in making
arrangements for lectures, and possibly for the dis-
play of hives and honey. This last point would be
certain to exert a powerful attractive influence. A
third matter would be the securing of efficient
lecturers or exponents of the elements of bee-
keeping. This might be accomplished either by the
Committee of the B.B.K.A. taking the subject in
hand, or by individual and qualified members of
the Association offering their services to the branch
of ' The Teachers' Union ' nearest their own abodes.

We have before pointed out the immediate ad-
vantages which would be gained by teachers who
might be induced to interest themselves in api-
culture. The importance of this point will justify
a repeated reference to it. In the first place, then,
bee-keeping supplies a hobby admirably adapted to
those whose profession makes a severe call on
physical energy, and especially on brain power. A
certain amount of bodily exercise is required in
attending to hives, while no exhausting toil is
needed. The mental faculties are quietly and
healthfully called out in devising various little
expedients for making improvements, meeting
difficulties, or securing the best results in honey
and strength of stocks. These considerations tell
with great force in the case of female teachers, and
we are thoroughly convinced that an immense
development of bee-keeping is yet to take place
through our gentler sex. A second benefit would
be the certainty that pupils of these teachers would
be aroused to take interest primarily in our pet
insects, and later on in natural history generally.
We need not point out to our readers the humanising
and elevating consequences of such results. Thirdly,
a fresh link would be forged in the happy bonds
existing between many teachers and their pupils ;
and so an indirect stimulus would be applied to
those feelings of mutual regard, which go so far in
lending a zest to efforts to impart knowledge on the
one hand, and to imbibe it on the other. Fourthly,
the giving away of sections or other small quantities
of honey would often afford pleasure to the givers
and receivers, and would certainly . call further
attention to the industrious producers of the
delicious article of food. We say nothing of the
profits to be derived from a few well-managed
hives, though this money-consideration would be,
in many instances, by no means an unworthy or
futile motive for keeping bees. We repeat our
conviction that the enlistment of schoolmasters
and schoolmistresses in the army of apiculturists
would prove an immense addition to our power.
No such recruiting officers could be elsewhere
secured. Each one is the centre of a company of
possible additions to our rank and file. Each one
possesses more than average ability and intelligence,
which, if brought to bear on bee-keeping, would
assuredly aid in its development. We invite them
to help in an endeavour to gain our school-teachers
to the interests of the good cause.

In a future number we will comment on the
second suggestion contained in our correspondent's
letter — the subdivision of County Associations.

NOVELTIES.
Walton's Honey Bottle.

On page 542 of our last volume
we described a wicker-work cover-
ing for honey jars which was
introduced by Mr. E. C. Walton,
Muskham, Newark, at the Nor-.
wich Show ; and we are now able
to give an illustration of it which
the inventor has been good enough
to send us. The cover is made to
suit any sized jar, and it will be
seen that by slipping up the ring
the jar can be easily removed for
cleaning purposes.

USEFUL HINTS.

The departure of frost, with a return of mild weather,
and an occasional bright day, have afforded our bees
an opportunity of flight after a long confinement, and
at present all colonies appear healthy and strong.

Pollen and Syrup. — Soon will the crocuses and
snowdrops tempt the bees to pollen-gathering, and
stimulate the queens to breeding in earnest. Then the
time will have arrived for supplying artificial pollen, and
for gentle feeding to stimulate to further efforts. Pea,
rye, or wheat meal may be sprinkled upon the crocus
blooms, and will be duty appreciated by the bees. It
may also be placed in skeps or boxes, amongst shavings,
and placed in a warm, sunny spot near the hives ; a piece
of honey-comb laid upon the shavings will soon guide
the bees to the spot. A graduated feeder, in which one,
two, or three holes can be used at pleasure, is best for
this early season by those who follow up this practice of
stimulating. For ourselves we prefer to uncap a few
cells near the brood-nest, which arouses the bees suffi-
ciently.

Taking a Peep. — To ascertain the condition of the
bees, and the amount of food, gently turn aside the
quilt — on a fine day only — and notice the number of bees
crowding to the top of the hive, on the admission of
light ; also the quantity of sealed honey at the top of
the frames.

If there are no winter passages in the combs, al-
though the outside frames contain honey, bees will
often starve from inability to reach it. In such a case
feed with soft, warm candy over the cluster. A flat
cake of two or three pounds, rolled in thin muslin, and
pressed down upon the frames, the quilts and chaff-
cushion laid upon it, and over all a board, or flat straw
cover, will enable the bees to feed in comfort, until
warmer weather encourages them to extend their circle
to the outside combs. At. present this is the oidy ex-
amination admissible, except in extreme cases, when
indoor manipulation must be resorted to.

Small Colonies. — Small or weak colonies should be
closely confined by division-boards, and fed as recom-
mended above, with a view to union with stronger ones
later on, or the preservation of their queens, which will
often be found of great use when the general overhauling
takes place.

Food. — For various kinds of food refer back to former
' Hints ' under ' Ifeddon's Syrup,' ' Good's Food,' ' Frames
of Honey,' &c, of which, we consider the latter, as
general food, the best. It should never, however, be
given when granulated, a cold slab of granulated honey-
comb being about as useful as a slab of ice at this time
of year. All such combs should be removed from the
hives, the division-boards moved up to the cluster, an4

February 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

45

Good's (soft) candy placed on the frames above the
bees.

Cleaning Floob-boabds. — As spring advances, and
the bees begin to work, a change of floor-boards is ad-
vantageous. Let the hive be gently raised from the
board by pushing wedges beneath, allowing it to remain
in the raised position for a few minutes until the bees
are quiet, when it may be placed on a clean, dry board
on its former stand. "When board and stand are in-
separable, the hive should be removed while the board
is scraped and thoroughly cleaned. If boards are
separate from the hive — as we much prefer them — it is
a very easy matter to slip under the hive a dry, clean
board in place of the fold one.

Defunct Colonies. — When bees are flying freely it
is well to watch the hives carefully and to note any
showing no signs of energy or life ; or when clearing
entrances, if dead bees are found in numbers ; in either
case an examination should be made at once to fully
ascertain the state of such colonies, which often will be
found to have perished. These hives should be removed
since they afford incentives to robbing.

"Wateb. — Strong colonies when breeding largely
during the spring months require a constant supply of
water, which is best given in shallow troughs near the
apiary, stones being placed in the water to prevent
drowning. These should be filled up, as required, with
clean water, in which a handful of salt has been mixed.
Some advise a comb filled with water to be placed inside
the hive, but in a large apiary the plan involves too
much labour and disturbance of hives. The bees prefer
to carry in water, and if it be found near home much
bee-life will be saved, since many bees perish while
searching for water in ditches and ponds during the pre-
valence of cold winds. Let the water troughs be placed
in a sheltered spot with the sun full upon them. Italian
bees are far more eager in the pursuit of water than are
the black races, which may, probably, be accounted for
by the extraordinary fecundity of their queens.

Spbing Dwindling. — This searching for water is
often a prolific source of spring dwindling ; also too
early and too frequent manipulation, and stimulation by
driblets of syrup, may be placed in the same category.
However prolific a queen may be, when in the early part
of the spring — the breeding season — her subjects are
reduced in numbers until they cover two or three frames
only, it is best to unite such small colonies, for, although
with care and constant attention they may be built up
to strong ones by the time the autumn arrives, yet no
surplus must be expected from them. The union, how-
ever, should not be made sooner than the month of
April, or early May, when, by judicious feeding and
the addittion of a frame or two of brood from the
strongest hives, populous colonies may be created by
the arrival of the principal honey-harvest. There is no
better rule in apiculture than that which demands that
' All colonies must be 7cej>t strong? Weak colonies never
give satisfaction, but bring endless disappointments,
causing many beginners to give up bee-keeping in dis-
gust. Let it be remembered that in our changeable
climate, even in the finest summers, and in districts
where nectar-yielding plants abound, the harvest is
short, and only strong colonies can yield a satisfactory
return. This, of course, is taking a honey-view, but
where the sale of bees, or queens, or general increase of
colonies, is the object, a different method must be pur-
sued— a subject which concerns the expert more than
the general apiarist, and into which we shall not, there-
fore, enter. Strong colonies, young and prolific queens,
plentiful store, a southern aspect with shelter from the
north, and as little disturbance as possible, are golden
rules.

Foundation. — For some years we have used in our
own apiary the light, flat-bottomed wire foundation
for brood combs with the best results, and on our recom-

mendation large quantities have been sold, affording to
the purchasers general satisfaction. The article is of
American manufacture, and, being desirous of encourag-
ing our own trade, we intend in future to wire the
frames, and to use English foundation of a light descrip-
tion, since, with the heavier foundations, we have found
the bees, especially in the ' honey-flow,' to leave a solid
septum, indeed, scarcely to draw out the foundation at
all. The small instrument introduced by Mr. Cowan
at the Conversazione held at the C'olinderies we find
very useful in imbedding the wire in the foundation,
but we are not aware who the manufacturer is, or where
the article can be obtained. Perhaps the inventor will
kindly say.

Hives. — "Whether invert ible hives will ever come
into general use remains to be proved. Catering for
those who believe in, or feel inclined to try, the plan,
Mr. Neighbour has introduced an extremely well-made
substantial hive, of four invertible and interchangeable
boxes, which may be used for obtaining either extracted
or comb honey, and which appears to us to avoid the
objectionable points in the American Ileddon hive, the
walls being much thicker, and the close-ended frames
being dispensed with. Perfect simplicity and a moderate
price are also great recommendations.

Pbepabations. — Again let us advise all apiarists to
have an eye to preparation for the fast approaching
season.

' All things decent and in order ' is the best of
mottoes.

3) n QpemoriauL

It is with feelings of the deepest regret that we are
called upon to chronicle the early and sudden death of
our friend and fellow-worker, Mr. Charles James Fox
Kenworthy, Hon. Sec. of the Middlesex Bee-keepers'
Association. He died of diphtheria, after a few days'
illness, on the 26th ult., at Kerrison Lodge, The Park,
Ealing, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Ken-
worthy was the eldest son of Mr. James Lees Kenworthy,
F.B.A.S., an old and respected resident in Ealing, and
was related to Mr. C.N. Abbott, of SouthaH, and to Mr.
Charles Atlee, a gentleman who took a deep interest in
the formation of the British Bee-keepers' Association.
Mr. Kenworthy's father kept several hives of bees, and
from his earliest years his son imbibed a love for bees
and bee-keeping. As he grew in years this love strength-
ened with Ids strength, and he became in time a very
expert manipulator; and it was ever his delight to assist
young bee-keepers and to impart whatever knowledge
he possessed to others.

Mr. Kenworthy was intimately connected with the
history of the British Bee-keepers' Association. "When
Mr. Hunter, who was the first Secretary of this Asso-
ciation, resigned his office in September 1875, he was
succeeded by Mr. Cleaver, who officiated from September
187o to June 1870, wrhen, in consequence of his
numerous other engagements, he was compelled to resign.
The position of the "Association was at this time very
uncertain, and its finances at a low ebb. The committee
of that day were highly pleased to accept the willing
services of Mr. Kemvorthy as Secretary, as he was known
to many of them as an enthusiast in bee-keeping and
well versed in keeping accounts. Mr. Kenworthy began
his duties on the loth of June, 1876, being then in his
twenty-second year. During his Secretaryship the
B.B.K.A. (in September 1876) held a three-days show
in Alexandra Palace, in which Mr. Kenworthy had a
favourable opportunity of exercising his special powers
of organisation. In a great measure the success of
that exhibition was due to him, and it was said
on the occasion that ' his exertions on behalf of the
Association were beyond all praise.' In the early
part of 1878 Mr. Kenworthy, in consequence of the

46

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 3, 1887.

pressure of other duties, family afflictions, and the
unhappy divisions then existing in the Association,
resigned the office of Secretary. On the 25th March,
187S, the Secretaryship was accepted by the Rev. H. R.
Peel, who, by his experience, energy, and decision, placed
the Association on that firm and solid basis which from
that time it has occupied.

In April 1884, it was intimated to Mr. Kenworthy
that the Middlesex Bee-keepers' Association, which had
been recentlj- established, required the services of a
Secretary. He at once expressed his readiness to act in
that capacity. The work connected with a county like
Middlesex is most arduous and difficult, but Mr. Ken-
worthy has been unwearying in his endeavours to bring
it abreast with the other successful Associations in
the land. For some time he has been associated in his
office with the Hon. and Eev. H. Bligh. Within the
last few weeks he has introduced some new ideas into the
management of the Association, and he has been working
out the details of this scheme in a most masterly manner.
Mr. Bligh, in a letter now before us, says, ' that ever since
we struck out the idea of my being associated with him
he has seemed to work energetically and to have
developed great power of administration. He will be
much missed in the Association, and it will be difficult
to find any equal to him at the level to which he had
raised himself.'

At the establishment of the Bee and Fruit Farming
Company he was appointed Secretary ; and at the last
annual meeting of the British Honey Company he was
elected its auditor.

Mr. Kenworthy's work, however, was principally
among the j'oung. He was always a boy amidst boys,
participating in their joys and pleasures, and sympathising
with all their cares and sorrows. He was a staunch
advocate of total abstinence during his whole life, and
he was never weary of inculcating temperance principles
among the youth by whom he was surrounded, and in
promoting their moral and social welfare. He took a
prominent part in all schemes which would beneficially
employ the leisure time of his young friends ; and so we
find him the Secretary of Bands of Hope, the Beaver
Swimming Club, the Crusaders' Cricket Club, and so
forth. By his soft, winning, and attractive manners, he
won all hearts, both young and old. His character was
most estimable ; he was amiable, genial, kind-hearted, and
generous, and ever willing to assist in any work which
had for its object the advancement of his fellow-creatures.

He was buried in Ealing Cemetery on Saturday, the
20th ult., a large concourse of friends and neighbours
testifying, by their attendance, their high esteem for him
and his life-work, and their sympathy with his bereaved
relatives. We were pleased to see, among others, as
representing bee-keepers, the Hon. and Bev. 11. Bligh,
Mr. J. Garratt, and Mr. G. Henderson.

[The writer of the above is reminded that it has been
his melancholy duty, within the space of a very few
years, to pen obituary notices of three Secretaries of
the British Bee-keepers' Association.]

JOTTINGS BY AMATEUR EXPERT.

' Mel sapit Omnia.'

Mr. Grimshaw is at ' York' again; he means to succeed
if it is to be done by wearying all parties interested by his
importunity. I have a suggestion to make to him, which
I hope lie will be able to accept and act upon. What
Swanmore is to Hants, and Hertford is to Herts, Leeds
may become, in his able hands, to York, if he can only
be induced to go to work. Let him ask all the clergy, &c,
if they will allow him to lecture on bees in their village
schools and talk to the people in simple language, taking
a few simple appliances with him; and having shown
them some inducements for keeping bees, give them five
minutes of the wonders of the busy insects themselves,
and ask them all to join a 'bee-club,' and show them

what he can give them for their one shilling per annum.
Mr. Huckle will give him some leaflets and back numbers
of the B. B. J. for distribution. I am quite sure Mr.
Grimshaw will gain more profit from this than he ever
can hy throwing stones into a pond that does not even
contain a frog to croak.

Talking about croaking reminds me. I hope all those
who own ' croaking ' bees are satisfied with Mr. Grim-
shaw's excellent paper on the ' Vocal Organs of the Bee,'
and that they will endeavour to notice the different
' croaks ' in future, and moreover that none of them will
ever 'croak' themselves.

There is one line in 'Devonshire Dumpling's' letter
that will make the ' f ancy dealers ' close their teeth tight,
I guess. It is about ' cheap appliances and low prices.'
The worst thing they will wish him is that he were a
manufacturer, and had to live on some of the 'fancy'
profits gained from some of their wares.

The Rev. C. C. James is going to shut his stable-door
now he has lost his horse. He says, ' Snow has been laying
in front of m}r apiary for twenty-four days.' I did not
allow the snow to lay in front of mine for forty-eight
hours, as I went and shovelled it away, consequently I
enjoyed the sight of a flight of my pets, and I don't think
I lost a dozen through the snow. They brought out
their dead, and I judge the flight did them no end of
good altogether. Keep the ground in front of 3'our
hives rolled hard so that you can shovel the snow away
when it comes, and as they say across the Atlantic, Don't
you forget it !

Mr. F. C. Hodgson should have removed all traces of
his old stand as far as possible and not have placed an
empty wooded hive there, as he confesses he did ; the
board in front did not do so much harm as the ' decoy '
hive, as the board probably helped them to mark their
new site, but seeing a hive on their old site they at-
tempted to enter that, and so perished.

My voting list for the Committee of the B.B.K.A.
reveals the fact that we have lost the future services of
Mr. D. Stewart. In losing him we lose an old and use-
ful member whose place it will be difficult to fill. Living
in town as he does lie was always at hand when impor-
tant work wanted doing. He worked hard at the
Healtheries, and much of the success of the reception
we were able to give to the Canadians, I believe, was due
to his efforts. Last year he advocated reform, but now
we lose him altogether. I for one am deeply sorry.

The Ontario B. K. A, had a ' rousing ' meeting on
January 6th to welcome home their delegates. Mr.
Jones had not arrived in time ; the other three, viz.,
Messrs. Pettit, Corneil, and McKnight, were all present,
they were highly flattered by our treatment of them.
They were gracious enough not to insist that their
honey was better-flavoured than British, and they have
great hopes, which I have no doubt they will realise, of
finding a good market in England for the future. Mr.
Corneil said British bee-keepei's were a class of men that
knew their business, and there was nothing equal to a
trip to London to take the conceit out of a man —even a
bee-keeper. They managed to hand over O.'SW. for their
16'91 tons of honey, that they sent, after all their ex-
penses were paid. The expenses were heavy of course,
although they had a heavy subsidy from the Govern-
ment, and the price realised is a fair one considering the
price of honey in Canada.

Here is a wrinkle that may be of use to some one.
A Michigan man found a bees' nest in the arm of a tree
six inches in diameter and sixty feet from the ground;
he wanted the honey, so he shot the bough off with his
rifle, taking sixty-four bullets to complete the job. I
confess it would have cost me a night's sleep scheming
how to do it before I should have hit on that plan, — 1
Amateur Expert,

February 3, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

47

CANADA.

Seventh annual meeting; of the Ontario Bee-keepers'
Association, 1.30 p.m., January 5th, 1887, in the City
Chambers, Toronto.

The President, Mr. S. T. Pettit, of Belmont, occupied
the chair, and in his opening remarks stated that no
doubt the production of honey would require to be very
much increased to permit Canadian honey to remain
constantly upon the British market, for should this
constant supply fail they must expect to lose very much
of the vantage-ground they would previously have secured.
He would emphasise the necessity of sending only the
very best honey as to colour, texture, and flavour.
For extracted honey only such as had been capped by
the bees previous to extracting should be produced, and
for this purpose recommended the tiering-up system as
allowing ample room for storing and at the same time
ripening of hone)'. No one contended that artificially
ripened honey was better than naturally ripened honey,
whilst many claimed that the artificially ripened was
very much inferior. The question of legislation re foul
brood was before the Association, a committee to see
railway directors about reducing freight on honey, and
also to see about arranging to send honey to the British
market.

Mr. J. A. Abbott, of London, England, was introduced.
He was warmly greeted, and expressed his acknowledg-
ment of his warm reception. Mr. Abbott was elected an
honorary member of the Association.

Mr. J. B. Hall then stated he was one of a committee
from the Oxford Bee-keepers' Association to ask the
O.B.A. to seek for legislation for foul brood. At a
later stage of the Convention a committee was ap-
pointed to ask the Legislature to pass an Act to that
effect.

Mr. S. Cornell, of Lindsay, then brought up the pro-
position of asking the Government to grant a sum of
money to pay the expenses of a scientific lecturer to
deliver a course of lectures in Canada.

The impression was that after the late grant bee-
keepers should not ask for such an outlay, and for the
present the matter was dropped.

The evening session now opened. This session had
been set apart in honour of the returned delegates.

Mr. S. T. Pettit addressed the meeting. He mentioned
how Doctor Thorn, of Streetsville, had, in his retiring
address as President of the Association, pointed out the
advisability of the display at Kensington, and, step by
step, the work had been executed until, at the close of
the Exhibition, they felt their most sanguine expecta-
tions had been realised, and Ontario bee-keepers had
every reason to congratulate themselves on their success.
The different characteristics of honey from other colonies
•were given, and in his opinion none could compete in any
quantity with Ontario honey. He emphasised the neces-
sity of sending only the clearest and best honey, and by
so doing they woidd have a trade-mark which could not
be imitated to any extent.

Mr. S. Corneil then spoke. He mentioned the mistake
made by sending too large packages of extracted honey,
also crates of comb honey, both for selling and exhibition
purposes. They had used a very small package of tin,
also in glass, besides distributing free to visitors a large
quantity in ' tastes ' of honey. He was satisfied with
proper management Britain could consume more honey
than Ontario could produce. The honey must, how-
ever, not go through too many hands.

Mr. E,. McKnight then related, in his well-known
pleasing strain, many amusing incidents of their journey
and work. He thought much credit was due to those
who had brought out their honey, not knowing what
their returns would be ; also to the Ontario Government
for their grant, and the Dominion Government for their
ever-ready and courteous assistance, also the transport

lines. Mr. McKnight had a large number of letters
speaking in the highest terms of Ontario honey.

A unanimous vote of thanks was then passed to the
British tee-keepers for their very kind reception of the
Ontario delegates, and all the attention which had been
shown them.

Mr. Abbott thanked the Association on behalf of the
British bee-keepers.

9 a.m., January 0.

President in the chair. A discussion upon the hive
question then took place. There was a very great
diversity of opinion as to the best hive. Mr. Pettit
thought a frame not less than 8 inches, or more than
0 inches, would be the best, and he recommended the
tiering-up system. There were some who thought a hive
with comb less than 8 inches advisable, and one or two
did not object to a frame a little deeper than 9 inches.
The tiering-up system was recommended to enable hor.ey
to be ripened, and at the same time allow lees ample
storage room.

Mr. J. B. Hall then spoke of what had been done
during the presidency of Mr. Pettit, and largely through
his instrumentality they had secured incorporation, a
grant of $1000 to defray expenses at the Colonial, an
annual grant of $o00, the grand display of honey in
England, and he would, therefore, ask the Association
to re-elect Mr. Pettit.

Rev. W. F. Clarke objected to presidencies for more
than one year.

The Rev. W. F. Clarke and Mr. J. B. Hall were also
nominated, the latter, however, asked to withdraw, and
when his request was not granted he asked all who
wished hi in well to support Mr. Pettit.

Mr. Pettit was elected President, and Mr. J. B. Hall
Vice-President.

The Directors were then elected, who, during a meeting
after the close of the Convention, elected Mr. W. Couse
of Meadowvale, Ontario, Secretary.

The utility of perforated metal was next discussed.
All wdio had used it and knew what it was to be with
and without it testified that it was a great acquisition
to the apiary.

Mr. Abbott related the first experiments with it, how
it had been in favour, but was now but little used ; the
variation in the honey flow might, however, make the
difference.

The afternoon session consisted chiefly of business,
and at 3.00 p.m. the Convention adjourned to mest in
Woodstock the second week in January, 1838. — R. F.
IIoltehmann, Brantford, Canada.

ASSOCIATIONS.

CORNWALL BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Cornwall Bee-keepers'
Association was held on Wednesday, January 26, at the
Town Hall, Truro, under the presidency of the Rev. 0.
R. Sowell. There were also present the Rev. A. R.
Tomlinson, Mrs. Tomlinson, Mrs. Polwhele, Mrs. Hockin,
Messrs. T. R. Polwhele, T. Cragoe, T. Treleaven, G. E.
George, G. Gradidge, and C. Kent (lion, secretary).

On the motion of Mr. Cragoe, seconded by Mr.
Gradidge, the following report of the committee was
adopted : —

The committee have to congratulale the Association
upon an increase in the number of members and upon
having passed a fairly successful year. Our members
now number 179 as compared with 160 last year, but the
total subscriptions promised and received are slightly less,
being 42A 18s. Gd. as compared with 461. 3*. last year.
The amount not paid is 11/. 10s. Gd., but the committee
have every reason to believe that the greater part of this
will be collected during the coming year. The visits to
the apiaries of members in 183o were so sreatly appre-i

48

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 3, 1887

dated that the committee decided to adopt a similar
course in the past year. This useful work was carried
out by the Rev. C. JR. Sowell, Rev. J. A. Kempe, Mr. T.
Treleaven, and the Secretary. It would be a great
advantage if a few of our members could gain experts'
certificates to enable the committee to divide the county
into districts, and so carry out a systematic visitation to
all members, at least once a-year, at slight cost. The
annual show of appliances was again held in connexion
with the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association's
exhibition, and the St. Austell local committee made a
grant of 167. towards the expenses. Mr. S. J. Baldwin
was engaged as expert, and the show was a most attrac-
tive and successful one, though owiug to its being held
so early in the season the competition in the honey classes
was limited. Shows were also held at St. Germans,
Wadebridge, and Fowey, but in neither case did the
takings meet the expenses. At these shows the mani-
pulation tent was under the charge of the Rev. J. A.
Kempe, Rev. C. R. Sowell, Mr. T. Treleaven, and Mr. E.
Gradidge, to whom the thanks of the committee are due
for their kind exertions to promote the interests of the
Association.

The statement of accounts showed that the assets
exceeded the liabilities by '21. 8s. Id.

The Earl of Mouut Edgcumbe was re-elected president.
The vice-presidents were re-appointed as follows: — Hon.
and Rev. J. Townshend Boscawen, Mrs. Digby Collins,
Mr. T. Martin (Plymouth), Lord Robartes, Sir John St.
Aubyn, Bart., M.P., and the Earl of St. Germans. Mr.
A. P. Nix was re-elected treasurer, and Mr. C. Kent
secretary. The following were elected as the com-
mittee : — Mr. A. Bailey, Liskeard ; Mr. W. K. Baker,
Towednack; Mr. J. Branwell, jun., Penzance; Mr. G. H.
Chilcott, Truro; Mr. T. Cragoe, Sunset, Truro ; Mr. G.
Dixon, Truro; Mr. G. Gradidge, Truro; Mr. G. E.
George, Probus; Mr. J. W. Harrison, Tregony ; Mrs.
Hockin, Flushing; Mr. J. Lander, Laveddon, Bodmin;
Mr. II. B. Neame, Portreath; Mr. W. Nickell, Helland ;
Mr. W. Prockter, Launceston; Mr. T. R. Polwhele,
Polwhele, Truro ; Mrs. Polwhele, Polwhele, Truro ; Mr.
E. Rashleigh, Par ; Rev. W. Rogers, Mawnan ; Rev. C. R.
Sowell, St. Goran; Mrs. Tom, Rosedale, Truro ; Rev. A.
R. Tomlinson, St. Michael Penkivel ; Mrs. Tomlinson,
St. Michael Penkivel; Mr. T. Treleaven, Creed; Mr. J.
"Williams, Scorrier House, Scorrier.

Votes of thanks to the Chairman for presiding and the
Mayor for the use of the room terminated the pro-
ceedings.

BERKS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

AVe give below an abstract of the Annual .Report of
the above Association, which was held at Reading on
Saturday last. In our issue of January Oth, we bad the
pleasure to notice a pleasant social gathering of the
members and friends in tho Windsor district. We under-
stand_ that arrangements have been made to hold one of
a similar nature at Reading, on February 24th ; and it is
hoped to extend these gatherings to all the eleven
districts into which the county has been divided, thereby
enabling its members to talk over bee matters, and take
counsel with each other for the coming season. Arrange-
ments have been made by the Berks B.K. A., in con-
nexion with the Hants and Isle of Wight B. K. A., to
take charge of the bee department of the Royal Counties
Agricultural Societies' Show to be held at Reading in
June next. A show will also be held at Windsor in
connexion with Prince Consort's Association, in which
Her Majesty takes so great an interest, besides shows
in other parts of the county.

The Committee beg to present their Seventh Annual
Report to the Members, and to congratulate them on the
strength of the Association — there being now 26G
members on the list, conclusively proving that its ad-

vantages and privileges are being appreciated, and that
the Association has been enabled to spread and encourage
modern bee-keeping among a larger circle and over a
wider area. This increase has been largely due to the
adoption of the District or Branch system, which has
been very successfully at work during the past year.
The thanks of the members are due to those gentlemen
who have so kindly undertaken the duties of District
Honorary Secretaries, for their earnest efforts on behalf
of the Association. There are still wanting Hon. Secre-
taries for the Abingdon, Bradfield, and Maidenhead Dis-
tricts.

Among the chief features of a very active year's work
was the Great Exhibition of Honey, &c, held by the
British Bee-keepers' Association at South Kensington,
from July 30th to August 5th, and it may safely be said
that on no previous occasion has there been brought to-
gether such a magnificent display, notwithstanding the
fact that the honey season had been but an indifferent
one. On the invitation of the British Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation, your Committee decided to take part in the
County Competition, and sent out a circular asking
members to contribute to the display, which was
responded to by the following : — Messrs. Bowly, Bunce,
Champion, Clegg, Coombes, E. Cooper, G. M. Ma}r,
Miller, Rayer, Reeley, Whittle, Wright, W. Woodley,
and Woodley Bros. The Committee were enabled to
stage upwards of half a ton of hone}"- and wax on the
Berkshire stand, proving that the County can hold her
own in the bee-keeping world.

The Annual Show was held at Reading, on August
26th, when the Corporation kindly granted your Com-
mittee the free use of the Abbey Ruins, and the Reading
Horticultural Society allowed their large tent to be used
on the occasion. This was one of the most successful
shows ever held by a County Association, and almost the
first that has been held independently. The classes for
honey, wax, hives, &c, were well filled. Class 14, for
recent inventions of service to bee-keeping, and Classes
15 to 20, for honey in its applied form, were particularly
noteworthy. The prizes were kindly distributed by Mrs.
Murdoch. The Silver Medal of the British Bee-keepers'
Association was won by the Rev. R. Errington ; the
Bronze by W. Woodley ; and the Certificate by
Woodley Bros. The judging, which was a very arduous
task, was ably carried out by the Hon. and Rev. II.
Bligh, Rev. J. L. Seager, and Otto Hehner, Esq., F.C.S.,
F.I.C. The bee tent was a source of much interest, and
the driving competition by amateurs was well contested.
The show was visited during the day by upwards of
3000 people.

Very successful shows have been held under the
auspices of the Windsor Branch, at Ciewer, on August
2nd, in conjunction with the Ciewer Horticultural
Society ; and by the Faringdon District, in conjunction
with the Faringdon Horticultural Society.

The See Journal has been circulated among most of
the members, and under the now system adopted this
year, considerable improvement has been apparent, but
with the more rapid issue difficulties continue to arise
by members detaining it more than the allotted time.

Most of the members' apiaries were visited by the
expert at the commencement of the season. He reports
that, owing to the late spring, bees were in a very back-
ward condition, and, in consequence, the honey yield must
be considered below the average.

The bee tent has been of much use at the various local
shows, viz., Henley-on-Thames (in conjunction with the
Oxfordshire Bee-keepers' Association), Beading (twice),
Whitchurch, Steventou, Shiplake, Windsor, Easthamp-
stead, Bradfield, Winkfield, Abingdon, Faringdon,
Maidenhead, Remenham, AVokingham, and Walthara-
St.-Lawrance, when lectures have been given on
practical bee-keeping, by Messrs. A. D. Woodley,
Fewtrell, Webster, and Cobb.

February '6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

49

In June of this year the Royal Counties' Agricultural
Society will hold their Annual Show at Reading-, when
your Committee propose to unite with the Hants and
Isle of Wight Bee-keepers' Association in a joint Show.
To make the Bee Department a success, members are
asked to kindly he prepared to exhibit and otherwise
support the Committee.

With great regret the Committee have to announce
the resignation of the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Bowty, who
has ceased to reside iu the county, and is at too great a
distance to give the necessary personal attention to
the duties. The thanks of the members are due to
him for the vast amount of time and labour he has
devoted to the interest and welfare of the Associa-
tion ; his duties have been ably carried on by Mr.
A. D. AYoodley. The Association have also lost the
services of Mrs. Curry, and Mr. W B. Kingswood
from the Committee.

The Committee regret to have to present you
with a Balance-sheet showing a deficit, but this is
more than met by arrears of subscriptions and out-
standing accounts.

HUNTS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Huntingdonshire Bee-
keepers' Association was held in the ' Fountain ' hotel at
Huntingdon, on Saturday, January 15th. The President,
the Earl of Sandwich, was in the chair, and the members
present included Col. Marshall, Rev. H. S. Budge, Rev.
C. C. James, Mr. T. Coote, jun., and Messrs. C. N.
White, J. H. Howard, A. Cbilds, E. Allen, Z. Hobbs,
&c, &c.

The first business was to present the balance-sheet for
the past year. This showed a deficit of 51. 8s. iid.,
the receipts being 18?. 16s. Qd. and the expenditure
231. 19s. lOid. The Secretary (Mr. C. N. White) then
read the annual report. Lectures had been given at
Hemiugford Abbots and at Offord Cluney, and from
both of these places new members had been promised
for the ensuing year. The bee-tent was erected at the
annual show, and addresses were then given to large
audiences by Mr. J. II. Howard and the Secretary (Mr.
C. N. White). At the annual show held at St. Ives on
August 5th. the B.B.K.A. silver medal was awarded
to Mr. T. Cook of Yaxley, the bronze medal to Mr.
J. II. Howard, jun., of Holme, and the certificate
of the Association to Mr. J. H. King of Holme. The
report and balance-sheet were adopted upon the motion
of Col. Marshall and the Rev. H. S. Budge.

Lord Sandwich accepted again the office of presideut.
Captain Fellows, M.P., Mr. F. R. Beart, Captain Dun-
combe, Lord Esme Gordon, Lord Douglas Gordon, and
Messrs. H. Goodman, A. W. Marshall, A. Sperling,
C. P. Tebbutt, A. J. Thornhill, W. Wells, T. Coote, jun.,
and Mrs. Puckle, were elected vice-presidents ; Rev.
C. G. Hill, Mr. J. H. Howard, Rev. J. Jickling, Mr. J.
Linton, Rev. N. Royds, Mr. G. J. Rust, Rev. C. C. James,
and Messrs. F. B. Thackray, A. Sharp, B. Bull, Z. Hobbs,
A. Childs, and E. Allen, were elected Committee ; Col.
A. W. Marshall treasurer ; and C. N. White secre-
tary. Mr. J. Linton and Mr. J. II. Howard were
appointed to represent the Society at the quarterly
meetings of the British Bee-keepers' Association.

The Earl of Sandwich moved that in future the
members of the Society should be divided into two
classes — cottagers and amateurs ; and that, in order to
prevent the bulk of the prizes falling into the hands of
two or three individuals, no member should be permitted
to take more than one first and one second prize at any
competition. This was seconded by the Rev. IT. S.
Budge, and unanimously adopted.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the
Earl of Sandwich for his services as chairman.

HANTS & ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPERS'

ASSOCIATION.
Swanmore Branch.

A committee meeting of the above Society was held
on Tuesday evening, January 25th, 1887, at Swanmore
Vicarage; when there were present the Rev. AV. E.
Medlicott (in the chair), Miss Medlicott, Miss Myers,
and Messrs. C. Martin, E. Ainsley, G. Horner, and H.
AV. West (Hon. Secretary).

The lion, secretary said that he had called the meet-
ing to consider the advisability of holding a series of
lectures in the villages comprising the district ; he stated
that he was himself most strongly in favour of the
scheme, as from his experience of last year, not only
were the lectures then given well attended, but that
many people who then knew nothing whatever of bee-
keeping, were now, through hearing those lectures,
bee-keepers. The hon. sec. also said that the number
of new members gained at those lectures more than paid
the expense of them.

A discussion then ensued, the Rev. AV. E. Medlicott,
Miss Myers, Mr. C. Martin, &c, taking part in it. The
Rev. AV. E. Medlicott expressed himself most strongly
in favour of the lectures being held, and also kindly
offered to give two of the series. Mr. C. Martin fol-
lowed, to the effect that he was sure the lectures were a
means of doing good work amongst the poorer class, and
rightly mentioned that that was the class which they
wanted to reach ; in concluding, he also said that he
would be happy to help the hon. sec. by taking one or
two of the lectures. The hon. sec. thanked both these
gentlemen for their kind offers, and the meeting closed
with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

€mm$o\xtotmz.

The Editor does not liold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W. C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking oj
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on vihich it appears.

TWO SUGGESTIONS.

[798.] AVith your permission I should like to offer
two suggestions for the consideration of your readers
in general, and of the Committee of the B.B.K.A.
in particular. I have been examining the Rev. F. G.
Jenyns' Book about Bees — a most interesting book — and
I have been thinking two things which I hope every
teacher in the country will do. I can conceive no hobby
which a teacher can follow which is at once so pleasur-
able and profitable as bee-keeping. Even our lady
teachers might take it up. All would find in it wholesome
relaxation for both mind and body, and any one fond of
using tools could, perhaps, make a hive or two.

Many teachers keep bees, but many do not. .How
shall we induce them to do so ? AVell, the Teachers'
Union includes more than 300 local associations, whose
meetings are held in some school, monthly, bi-monthly,
or quarterly. Could not some of our experts be sent to
address each of the County Associations upon the sub-
ject of bee-keeping once during the coining season? The
dates of meetings could be obtained from the local
secretaries, whose addresses would be found in the
Annual Report of the Union. I think many would be
glad to hear about the subject. Last year I addressed

50

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL

[February 3,?1887.

the members of one Association upon bee-keeping, and
by the time tins appears in print shall, I hope, have
brought the Booh about Bees under the notice of the
members. I made, at least, one convert. I forgot to
mention that meetings are held generally on Saturday
afternoons, and that the Union numbers about 10,000
members.

My second suggestion is this. Our County Associations
are not able to do so much as I think they might,
because they embrace too large an area. Why not
follow the example of the Teachers' Union, and have
district associations, each -with its honorary officers ?
The meetings might be held in some school, the use of
which most school managers would readily grant for
so useful an object. The teachers would, if bee-keepers,
be pleased to act as local secretaries, at any rate, for
their own parish, and the Association would be more
in touch with its members. The cottagers would,
perhaps, be more easily reached by this means.

If you, Mr. Editor, will kindly allow these suggestions
to be discussed — if they are deemed of sufficient general
interest to be discussed — in the columns of the B.B.J.,
perhaps some practical result may follow? Such, at any
rate, is the hope of — A Worker.

JUDGING APPLIANCES AT SHOWS.

[790.] Most of us will remember that when the great
annual bee-shows were being held in various parts of the
kingdom during the past summer, the decisions of the
judges called forth rather severe comments from several,
both exhibitors and non-exhibitors. It is not my desire
to rekindle a phase of the subject which is happily now
laying dormant, but to suggest what I hope will prevent
a repetition of some of the anomalies then complained of.
Undoubtedly the judges have far too much to do in a
given time. The amount of work involved in doing-
justice to our large classes of appliances is equal to the
work expected of the agricultural-implement judges at
the Royal Agricultural Society, and similar shows; and
yet we expect two, or three men at most, to do the work
of ten or a dozen. Consequently many of the newest
appliances do not get sufficient attention, exhibitors
especially stay away, at least until they have forgotten
the disgust with which they left the last show at which
they exhibited, and bee-keepers generally do not attach
as much value to the awards as they would if those
awards gave more satisfaction when made. To increase
the number of judges is not practical on the score of
costs ; moreover, outsiders would be rather amused at
the sight, so that all thoughts of reform in that quarter
had better be abandoned at the outset. Possibly it
■would be wise to select the judges from a wider area ;
but this by the wa}r.

The next best remedy I have to suggest is on the lines
of "what was commenced at the spring quarterly con-
versazione of the British Bee-keepers' Association last
year. Appliances were brought to that meeting and
discussed, and a vote taken as to their utility. At the
last Conversazione, held on January 10th, of this year,
the vote was dispensed with, and I think wisely, because
that vote was not binding on the Committee of the
B. B. K. A. to grant a certificate of utility, conse-
quently it might lead to disappointment and unpleasant-
ness. But I think those who bring out new appliances
from time to time might well be encouraged to bring or
send them to the Conversaziones and get the members
there assembled to discuss them, and the new points in
the various appliances should be recorded to the credit of
those who first exhibited them, subject of course to the
protest, of any who may be able to prove priority. This
will probably prove the most fruitful source of any
trouble there may bo in my scheme, but something of
this kind may -well be recognised amongst us, as we do
not as a rule go to the Patent Office; and I much doubt

if anything appertaining to bee-hives could ever be
granted a patent ' that would hold water,' but the fact
of our avoiding the Patent Office need not prevent us
from doing justice to any one who had applied a new
idea to bee-appliances, by withholding the credit of the
same from any exhibitor who may have pirated another's
ideas.

The next requirement is a Standing Committee of
members of the B. B. K. A. for appliances only. Its
members need not be chosen exclusively from those
fifteen overworked gentlemen that compose the General
Committee of the B. B. K. A., although those who usually
act as judges at our great shows should of necessity be
on it. The duties of this, which we will name ' Appliance
Committee,' should be to thoroughly overhaul the new
appliances that may be submitted from time to time, and
award certificates to those of sufficient merit. Then
when these various articles already certified as containing
merit are brought together at the great shows, the duty
of the judges would be to define the degrees of merit in
each case and make their awards accordingly. A silver
medal, awarded after such an ordeal, would be far more
valuable in the eyes of manufacturers and bee-keepers
generally, and we should get the award of one set of
judges at one show reversed b}r another set at another
show less seldom than at present ; competition in ideas
and workmanship would be more spirited, and judging
would be done with greater care.

What I should wish for, above all things, is to see this
well discussed by those most interested ; as a rule we are far
too apathetic in everything except grumbling. Some of
my remarks may seem like reflecting on those gentlemen
who undertake the duties of judges from time to time, I
need scarcely assure them I give them every credit for
doing their best ; what I desire is, that their best efforts
may for the future give satisfaction. — Amateur
Expert.

YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION.

[800.] I see by your show announcements that the
Yorkshire show is announced to be held at York in
August. Now, I hope that the show, and especially the
bee-department, may be a success, and I trust that the
bee-keepers of Yorkshire will do all they can to make it
so. I also notice that the Hon. Secretary resides at
Poole, which is only a few miles from Horsforth, so that
I was rather surprised that Mr. Grimshaw was not
acquainted with him. Now, I think that if Mr. Grim-
shaw and the Secretary would co-operate, and use their
best endeavours, they would greatl}' improve the exhibi-
tion, and also the Yorkshire B.K.A., which, there can be
no doubt, requires improvement. AVe should be pleased
to see Yorkshire enter the county competition at the
B.B.K.A.'s annual show, as I feel confident that there
are many practical bee-keepers in Yorkshire, and I think
Yorkshiremen would prove bad to beat.

Mr. Editor, I must not trespass too much upon your
space, but I cannot close this without another word to
the Yorkshire Association, which has been somewhat
like the fat boy in Pickwick, doing its work and going
about half asleep ; but let it wake up with the present year,
as there is a great deal of work to be done, and let it be
done in a manner worthy of our grand old county, and
then it will be a pleasure to belong to the Yorkshire
B.K.A. — A. Woodhead, Ooole.

THE HEP/DON HIVE.

[801.] I havo just seen your issue for January 0th,
and am very pleased to find our old friend James Lee
coming to the fore again. I am also glad to be able to
confirm all his statements with reference to one-piece
sections, &o. As I was one of the few bee-keepers who
took special notice of i,he machine referred to, I can

February 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

51

perhaps throw some light on the reversable hive and its
application to practical bee-keeping. In nearly all my
conversations with bee-keepers on this side the question
of the Heddon hive has turned up, and, excepting in the
case of those most interested in its sale, the verdict has
been invariably against it. At the Ontario Convention
the opinion of the meeting as to the best hive was asked ;
and though many practical honey-raisers spoke on the
subject, no one mentioned the Heddon, or owned to
using a reversing hive of any kind ; and on the matter
being put tothe vote, the meeting was almost unanimously
in favour of the Langstroth. I am further able, through
the courtesy of Mr. Aspinal, editor of the Bee-keepers'
Magazine, to give an extract from a letter which will
appear in the February number of that journal, from
the pen of the Kev. W. F. Clarke, the. chief, if not the
only disinterested advocate of the Heddon hive in this
country. He says, in reply to another correspondent,
and referring to the half bee-space, ' I visited Mr. Heddon
on my way to the North American Bee-keepers' annual
meeting in October, and he distinctly told. me that he
never claimed to have that feature patented. Moreover,
he. thought so little of it that he meant to cease using it.'
And further, ' It is a mistake to suppose that ease of
inverting is the main feature of this hive ; it is not. I
see no need of inverting the brood frames more than
once, the object being to get the comb built out evenly
and fully. With such shallow frames even once in-
verting is not always necessary. I judge from my own
experience, and from conversations with Mr. Heddon
and his assistants, that the inversion of the section rack
is unnecessary, and often inadvisable.'

Mr. Clarke mentions the many advantages possessed by
this hive, but he does not give one which was not also
common to the old Carr-Stewarton, and almost equally
so to the Woodbury, or any other frame-hive. I have it
also on good authority that Mr. Heddon gave it as his
opinion that the mere making of hives 6 inches deep
would not be any infringement of his patent. Where
then is the valuable part of his 'invention?' He dis-
claims and abandons the half bee-space, does not think
much of the reversing, and claims nothing for the
.shallow boxes. I hope some one will enlighten us upon
this. I shall look with interest at the future numbers of
the Bee-keeper's Magazine.

By the way, many of ns might take that little monthly
with advantage. It is ' well gotten up,' and costs only
twenty-live cents per annum— Is. Id. — which low price
is making it popular. Its circulation is about 9000. — J. A.
Abbott, Ifew York, January Vith, 1887.

SIMPLICITY IN FEEDING.

[802.] In addition to the method lately explained,
there are others which suggest themselves in cases of
emergency for early spring feeding. Where a colony
has been found short soon after mid-winter, I have given
lumps of granulated honey placed upon the bare frames,
and so kept them along until syrup could be fed with
safety.

At other times, rather than break open the cluster,
a frame of sealed stores has been laid on the top-bars
and all covered up warm. Certainly the comb is cut
about more than when inserted below, but then in cases
of this kind we are fortunate in being able to save the
stock, and there is a great advantage in thus placing the
comb of honey, as it is within easy reach of every seam
of bees.

A note of warning here may not be out of place. If
colonies have died from any cause, and stores are care-
lessly left in the hive, the other bees will find it out as
soon as a few warm days come; and in carrying that
little honey home to their own hive much needless loss
of life will occur, just at the time when every bee should
be restrained from flying as far as possible.

In like manner out-door feeding is very injurious,
unless in skilful hands, and even after the hives are well
populated with young bees, the practice is liable to lead
to serious loss of strength.

Several correspondents wish to know if the Porto
Rico sugar may be placed over the feed-hole in first
thicknesss of material laid on the frames. Using it in
that manner has proved quite satisfactory to myself;
but the hole must be immediately above the cluster,
and to prevent the closing of so small a space by
pressure from above, a piece of wood 0 inches long by
li inches deep should be placed close to the opening
before arranging the sugar. — S. Simmins.

INVERTIBLE HIVES (79:1).

[803.] In my remarks (778) I ventured to state it as
my opinion that 'a friendly discussion on the advantages
or disadvantages of this hive and system in the Journal'
would be the means of obtaining information useful to
those who wish to be careful how they discard their
present hives and appliances before rushing into the
trouble and expense of purchasing others, however much
they may have been cracked up by those who, them-
selves, have had to admit that they are, at present, for
all practical purposes untried, either for wintering or
honey-getting. I had hoped that this suggestion would
have elicited the attention of some of our many practical
and experienced bee-keepers, whose names alone would
have been a guarantee for the soundness of their opinions
and advice, whether for or against this or any other
particular system or theory in connexion with bee-
keeping.

' Devonshire Dumpling,' who may for aught I know be
one of these, prefers to give his ideas under an assumed
name, which many will think somewhat detracts from
their value, writes : ' I beg to sajr I have tried them with
several hives this season, and all gave me nearly double
the amount of sections,' — I presume lie means double the
amount of sections that other hives gave that were not
inverted.

It is no uncommon thing in some seasons for different
colonies in an apiary, in similar hives, and under pre-
cisely the same conditions, so far as we know, to give us
double the amount of honey that others do, whether we
are working for comb or for extracted honey ; therefore,
as 'Devonshire Dumpling' says, 'I having tried several'
(hives) 'claim a right to say it is a good plan.' I think
we may fairty ask him to give in the Journal more
detailed particulars of his experience, the conditions
under which the comparison as to the yield of honey
was made, the total number of colonies in the apiary,
the number of those inverted, the ages (approximate) of
the queens, description of the hives that each was in,
the number of swarms from each inverted or other hive,
and the number of sections or pounds of extracted honey,
and other information he may be able to give, will, I am
sure, be most interesting to your readers.

It would almost appear unnecessary for ' D. D.' to try
the Jones- Heddon hive, as the invertible hive he has
used gives ' nearly double the amount of sections' of
his ordinary hives. Surely he cannot hope to do more
than nearly double his crop by the use of a particular
'cheap' hive.

However cheap invertible hives can be obtained, you,
Mr. Editor, will, I think, agree with me the time is not
yet come for ' the cottager bee-keeper to try it.' What
is required for the cottager, and what can now be
obtained from most or all British manufacturers of hives,
is simply a hive with standard frames and walls at least
§ inches (not § inches) thick, enough to stand exposure
in our damp and variable climate, having a proper pro-
jecting roof or cover.

Competition has brought the price of hives down, and.

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 3, 1887.

it is only by the use of machinery aud the quantity sold
that there can be any profit; and I am convinced that
the British hive-maker can hold his own against all the
world if sound workmanship and finish are taken into
consideration.

To be cheap a thing must be what it professes, well
made, suitable to the conditions and purposes for which
it is intended, otherwise it is 'dear at any price] however
small. — John M. Hookek.

INVERTIBLE HIVES (793.)
[804.] The 'Devonshire Dumpling' has entirely misap-
prehended my views as to invertible hives. I simply
advised that caution should be used, and I still think it
will be wise for bee-keepers to pause before going largely
into inversion of hives. Nothing I have written justifies
the assertion that ' I seem very strongly to object to
invertible hives.' So far from my condemning invertible
hives, I have designed a hive and frames complete, which
I think will favourably compare with the cheap hives of
which ' Devonshire Dumpling ' speaks. These hives can
be used as invertible hives, or not, at the pleasure of their
owners. The improvements in construction embrace
every requisite of a modern hive, and I am bold enough
to say that the method adopted is a step forward in
several details that have hitherto been done in a crude
and makeshift manner at the best. I am patenting this
hive, and I hope shortly to have the unbiassed opinions
of reliable apiarists on its merits.

I read with astonishment ' Devonshire Dumpling's '
advice to cottagers, to try the Jones-Heddon hive.
Surely it requires no argument to prove its utter unsuit-
ability to the cottage bee-keeper, seeing more skill and
judgment is required to manipulate this hive successfully
than any other in use at the present day.

With regard to ' Devonshire Dumpling's ' experience in
inverting, 1 would remark that facts stated under a nom
de plume lose half their value. I, for one, am anxious
for information, aud ask ' Devonshire Dumpling ' to give
us further particulars of his management. The expres-
sion used of having ' tried the inversion of several hives
this season ' is a loose way of putting it, and what would
be preferred, I apprehend, is something more than such
an unknown quantity. — James Lee, January 2M2nd.

INVERTIBLE HIVES.

[80S.] Whilst all our inventors are busying themselves
over new designs for invertible hives I take this oppor-
tunity to warn them off my latest invention— the
grandest and most decided advance in bee-culture of
modern times. Even if scouted by an unsympathetic
public I look to a grateful posterity to erect a statue
(wax) in my honour. It is such a great and well-known
advantage to be able to reverse the hive at any and
every time and renders the bees so comfortable and con-
tented that I propose at once making a hive to have
every facility in that direction. It will be constructed
with circular frames fixed to an axle passing through the
centres, the body of hive to be cylindrical and to be half
inch wider in inside diameter than the outside of frames,
a portion of the top staves being removed to allow of a
section crate above, the said section crate to be either
fixed or revolve separately. The brood combs when
finished will resemble cart-wheels revolving in a barrel
with a hole up top for the bees to get into the sections,
the centres of frames being connected to a handle out-
side. It will be among other advantages : 1 st, A great
novelty (this is enough alone to command an enormous
sale). 2nd, The immense saving of labour to the bees
in having the honey just collected and stored at bottom
of frames carried upstairs by revolving t lie handle, and a
fresh set of cells brought down handy for the field bees ;
I do not think it necessary to be constantly inverting it —

perhaps for a man with but little spare time once every
ten minutes would be often enough. 3rd, A great in-
ducement for the queen to la}' eggs when she comes
unexpectedly upon empty cells which she distinctly
remembers filling a few minutes before and thus be
stimulated to renewed efforts. To enumerate all the
advantages would, I fear, cause our courteous Editor to
hint about advertisement colnmns, so I must conclude
with an appeal to the honour of brother bee-keepers not
to appropriate my idea, as the doctors — I mean circum-
stances over which I have no control — prevent me from
taking out a patent in — Colney Hatch.

FOUL BROOD.

[806.] Just a few lines in reply to Mr. Ward. He says
he lias no agents recognised or otherwise. I don't know
where I said that he had, in fact, I don't know what
he sells.

Mr. Cheshire's cure did not fail with me because I
gave it to them four times stronger than recommended, as
it was quite the reverse of that. That sentence should
have been ' reduced four times below the strength recom-
mended,' but by some means the word'below ' wasomitted.
I don't know whether the mistake was mine or the
printer's, but even then 1 don't see how he manages to
make it stronger by reduction; but I suppose in these
days of inverted hives, he thought he would invert me.
Perhaps I went too far in saying that all agree that the
Cheshire formula is too strong, but even Mr. Ward
recommends giving it to the bees in small doses.

Inverted again, killed the bees, and then coidd not
cure foul brood, but now we have it ammonia's the
thing; take out a patent, Mr. Ward, as there is plenty
of that about, but not where that lot of bees went to.
I am sorry that I cannot tell him how to distinguish
a diseased queen from a healthy one, but if he wants to
requeen any of his hives I should advise him to get his
queens from an apiary that he knows to be clear of
foul brood.

Thanks, Mr. Editor, for your footnote to your last
letter, I am in hopes that the correspondence will do
some of us afflicted ones good. — Man op Kent.

HIVES PATENTED IN THE UNITED STATES.

[807.] Your readers may not be aware that the
specifications of patents taken out in all countries
where there is a patent law are filed and can be iuspected
in the library at the Patent Office, Chancer}' Lane, with-
out payment of any fee, simply by signing your name
and address in a book as you enter. There is also a
library of the scientific books of all countries.

After the little business I had at the Patent Office this
week was done I amused myself looking at the places and
specifications of some of the American bee-hives. Seeing
from the general indexes the great number of hives that
had been patented in the United States I thought it
might be of interest to your readers to know the number
of patents taken out under the heading ' lee-hives] not
including extractors, feeders and smoke.rs, &c, and I
counted up the numbers, which are as follows : — From
the commencement up to the end of the year 187.'!, 591 ;
1874, 22 ; 1875, 17 ; 1876, 22 ; 1877, 33 ; 1878, 33 ; 1879,
18; 1880, 12; 1881, 10; 1882, 8; 1883, 10 ; 1884,8;
1885, 20; part of 1886, 6: total, 816.

You will see that the year 1886 is not yet completed,
but up to the latest returns the enormous number of 816
patents have been taken out for ' bee-hives.' I examined
about thirty of the most recent ones, and I should much
like those gentlemen who consider that we get all our
best ideas from America to spend a day there in search
of ideas worthy of imitation, and I feel convinced that
whatever their opinion of the superiority of American

February 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

5S

appliances had previously been lie will go away surprised
to find that any one would ever patent the rubbish he
sees illustrated and described there. Upon inquiry of a
patent agent, I find a patent costs more there than here,
since the alteration of our patent law. — -John M.
Hooker.

<£.c{j0.es ixam % lite.

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington, January 19th. — After
such a long spell of cold weather we have had a grand
change, and such a time for the bees to fly ; there was no
mistake about their enjoying it, after being cooped up so
long. As there was such a lot of snow lying about among
my hives, I had to put straw down to save the bees from
settling on it to their destruction. January 20th. — On
looking over some hives to-day, at dinner-time, with the
sun shining bright and warm, the pleasant hum of the bees
was very enjoyable after such severe weather ; bees on the
whole look bright and healthy. January 25th. — Another
nice mild day, bees flying in great numbers. January 2(ith.
— Such a lovely day ! I took advantage of it, and had the
afternoon to look over my stocks, and found four lots that
had lost a good number of bees (bad management) ; but I
excuse myself on the plea that I had not time or a chance
to see to them ; a couple of stocks bad dysentery very bad ;
found all other stocks in fair order ; had quite a job in
drying quilts, &c. January '21th. — Sun shining very warm
again, birds and bees singing away, hope we shall not have
a pinch for it. January 31st. — A very nice day again, bees
fetching water, showing they are making a move for breed-
ing, etc. — John Walton.

TrefEglwys. — Bees here had first flight on 20th January.
They were unable to fly from 12th November to[29th January.
To-day, 29th January, first pollen gathered. Leg of one
pollen-gatherer sent to editor with this note. — T. Bonner
Chambers, F.L.S.

South Cornwall, January 25th. — It is long since I sent
forth a sound from these parts (in this column at least).
Like many others, I suppose, there has been little or
nothing to report. The weather has not been so severe as
in some parts of England, but we have had an unsettled
and uncomfortable winter. Yet bees have flown at intervals.
Many are out to-day, and I have had the opportunity of
taking a peep at some of them. I perceive that five stocks
are well supplied with sealed stores till breeding sets in at
any rate, and I expect that nine others are equally well off.
I am sorry to say that I know of two small stocks starved
to death for want of judgment. But ' live and learn,' only
in the process the bees do not do the former. In your last
number you mentioned the use of crown-boards. I have
used them (in five slips) for years a-top of some of Lee's
hives, which stand well. They have then- uses. They
make a snug cover for winter, and enable you to close a
portion of the top of the hive when repairing, say, towards
the close of the season, with a single Benthall crate. But
the disadvantage for winter work is this, that if they lie
next the hive you cannot well inspect at this season without
a jar, therefore put down a cloth first, and, if you like, your
slips on top of this. So I see the top-ventilation theory is
being given up. I don't wonder at it. I remember years
ago mentioning to Mr. Abbott how inconsistent it seemed
to me with the determined practice of the bees to propolise
every crevice. — C. B. S.

Loughbrickland, Co. Down. — This parish lies high, from
400 to 500 feet above the sea. The few bee-keepers in it
find it well suited for producing honey. All stocks that
were properly prepared have wintered so far well, and are
fairly strong. Since the snow melted the bees have had
several cleansing flights. — H. W. Lett, M.A.

Up&es ta ($wm$t

*** In their answers. Correspondents are respectfully requested to
mention in each instance the number and the title of the query aslced.

[774. ] Separation of Wax from Pollen, &c. — Like your
correspondent ' A. S.', I have been perplexed in the sepa-
ration of wax from all refuse, but now I find it is easily

separated by a wax-extractor that is within the reach of
every cottager, invented and made by myself, and the price
would be complete, 3s. M., or a cheaper one still without a
receptacle for the wax for 2s. ; hut a basin will answer this
purpose. I have lent mine to several bee - keepers in my
district, and they say it is a great boon, as there is no mess
and no time wasted and extracts every particle of wax from
any old combs, cannot get out of repair, and will last a life-
time.— Wm. Killick, Sandhurst.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

W. G. — Uniting Queenless Stock when Frames are not inter-
chaugeable. — See reply to H. T., page 41 current volume.

Inquirer. — The American Bee-keepers' Magazine may be
procured through Mr. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

John Bichardson. — Non-swarming. — Consult Simmins's
Non-swarming System as applied to Hives in Present use.

Beeswing Distance of Combs. — The distance, by actual

measurement, from centre to centre of naturally-built
combs is 1^ inch, and that is the distance preserved by
properly constructed metal ends. If you wish to reduce
the space it can be done by putting ends on alternate
frames only.

J. P. — The comb forwarded is not affected with foul brood.
The brood has been chilled and dried up. It is difficult
to say what has been the cause of the decay of the hive.
Probably the queen has died, the bees have been unable
to raise another in her stead, and they have gradually
dwindled away.

Gen. B. — 1. Utilising Sections for Feeding. — If you have
a stock in a frame - hive short of food 3'ou can hang
the sections in a frame, tying a string round them if they
do not fit well. Uncap them, warm them, aud place them
within the divider, crowding the bees by removing outside
combs. You can give sections to bees in skeps by placing
them over the feed-hole and covering up, but at this
season candy or dry sugar is better ; in either ease remove
the sections when the honey is cleared out and give others.
2. Sugar for Dry Feeding. — Porto-Rico.

Constant Reader. — 1. Uniting. — Wait for a few weeks
until the weather is warmer and the bees more active.
Meanwhile, get the two stocks together by moving one,
or both, not more than a-yard a-day, only counting such
days as the bees are flying freely. If they are short of
food you can give some combs from the stocks you found
dead with plenty of food — provided, of course, they did
not die of disease. To unite, if in frame-hives, open out
the frames of one and place the others between them
alternately ; if in skeps drive both, mix, and return to
the combs. 2. Robbing. — You had better remove the
honey from the dead stocks — robbing, when once set up,
is difficult to stop.

S. G. F., Hornsey. — 1. Size of Floor-board. — The position
of the floor-board is quite correctly shown. It is the size
of the outer casing, and answers as a support both to it
and the hive which is placed inside. 2. Spring Feeding.
— It is impossible to say how long you must feed the
bees when you first have them, but you must occasionally
examine the hives, and if the bees are not bringing in
sufficient to supply their requirements they must be fed
until they do. 3. Number of Frames. — Twelve frames
would not be too many in an Abbott hive, but they must
only be given to the bees gradually as they need them ;
there should never be more frames in the stock hive than
can be covered by the bees. 4. Distance of Baskets from
Spindle in Extractor. — We think four inches too close,
and have found five inches the nearest that the cages can
be brought to the central spindle without considerably
diminishing the extractive power.

Putting Swarms Together. — Will Mr. A. J. H. Wood
tell me how to put two swarms together if they don't swarm
on the same day ? When I attempt this they fight dread-
fully with great loss of bees. — Beeswing,

54

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 3, 1887.

Size of Extractor. — Will any reader of the Journal in-
form me what extractor will suit best for a small apiary?
I have five hives, and some of the frames are larger than
others. The largest size is 13J inches long by 101 inches
deep, the top bar being 17 inches long. — W. M.

We much regret tliat, through want of space, we have been
obliged to postpone the appearance of the Discussion on Mr.
Grimsliaw's paper.

g'how Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under. Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shows are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle. on.
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

pQusiness ^Directory.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional lieadings, Five Shilling's
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Hole, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury.

Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour* Sons, H9 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howabd, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

Walton, E. C. , Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 1-49 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simminb, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, I'\, 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts

om
ht

SKEPS, FOUNDATION, &c.
lib. Ql- or 1/10.
Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
G. STOTHARD, WELWYN, HERTS, a 2324

QJir A l> Having had many enquiries fro

OP \Jr\ t\t those who cannot obtain the rig
kind, we now offer Genuine PORTO RICO, on rail at
Brighton, 21s. per cwt„ lis. 56-lbs., 5s. 9d. 28-lbs. DUTCH
CRUSHED, best for Syrup, 22s. 6d. per ewt., lis. 6rf. 56-lbs.,
6s. 28-lbs. Quantities of not less than 2 cwt. of Dutch
Crushed, direct from London, at 19s. 6rf, per cwt, ; not less
than 10 cwt. Porto Rico, at 18s.

Address: Simmins' Factory, Brighton. (161)

WHY BUY A HIVE?7

WHEN you can get one by looking in the Dictionan/,
Greatest number of words from OBSERVATORY.
Entrance Fee, Is. Prize:— An OBSERVATORY HIVE,
If entries insufficient, half money returned. Enclose a
Post-card for successful one. Entries close February 21.
Results week after. Address —

Mr. CHITTY, Apiarist, PEWSEY.

TO BE GIVEN AWAY!

ONE AND A HALF DOZEN

Clark's Patent Climax Hives.

IN order that these Hives may be more generally known,
the Licensee has determined to give away among Pur-
chasers of undermentioned Goods during this February,
One Dozen No. 2, and Half-dozen No. 1 HIVES (full par-
ticulars given in last year's Advertisement), at the rate of
one among every thirty Purchasers, to be distributed by a
lottery, to conduct which he will endeavour to obtain the
assistance of persons of known integrity. Purchasers of
any two articles above Is. to have one chance, and each
2s. Gd. one chauce ; every further 2s. Gd. an additional
chance.

N.B. — In order to have a chance of securing one of these
Hives gratis, Orders must be sent in during February, as the
lottery will take place early in March and Hives at once
forwarded to respective AVinners.

PRICES.

Finest quality White Basswood A SECTIONS, 4£ x 4J x
2, per 100, 3s. ; 500, lis.; 1000, 21s. 5Jx6J, per 100,
3s. 6d. ; 500, 13s. ; 1000, 25s. PURE FOUNDATION,
BROOD, per lb. 2s. ; 5 lbs., Is. Wd. ; 5 lbs. to 25 lbs., Is. QUI ;
SUPER ditto, per lb. 2s. 9rf. SMOKER (Bingham), 2s. 9d.
REGULATING FEEDERS, Is. Gd. ' LITTLE WONDER '
EXTRACTOR, 10s. VEILS, Is. 3d. PINE'S METAL
ENDS, per gross, 7s.

TOOLS FOR HIVE MAKING.

Set of 36 best Cast Steel Black Bits and Iron Brace, 15s. Gd
Beech Brace, Lignum head, 26 Bits ditto, 18s. Gd. Set of
12 Cast Steel Chisels, from 1 in. down, 5s. Gd. Handles,
2d. each. Tenon Saw File, 3.!d.; Hand Saw, id. Marking
Guages, 9<7. Mortice ditto, from 2s. Gd. to 3s. Gd. Best
Twist Gimlets, assorted, three, 10i<(. Small Hammer, Is.;
larger, Is. Gd. Name Stamps, Steel, id. per letter. Oil
Stones from Is. to 3s. Best Smoothing Planes, 2 in. 3s. Gd,,
2i 4s., 2} 4s. 3</. Best Jack Plane, 4s. 9d. Best Try Plane,
6s. 6<7. Best Cast Steel Hand Saw, 22 ins., 4s. ; 24 ins.,
4s. Gd. Tenon Saw, 14 ins., Iron Back, 3s. 9d, ; Brass ditto,
5s. Gd. Dove-tail Saw, 3s. 2 ft. Rules, 2 fold, Is. and Is. Gd.}
4 fold, Is. 3d. to 2s. 3d. Spokeshave, Is. Id. Squares, 6 in.,
Is. 8<7.; 9 in., 2s. 3d.; 12 in., 3s.

Kindly oblige by adding sufficient postage for small
packages of goods.

All Orders to be addressed to W. J. GREEN,

Hive Works, Friar Street, Sudbury, Suffolk.

a 2325

^iAA±-

the:

="V

^fcli^

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Steangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 242. Vol. XV.]

FEBRUARY 10, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

€bxtaxml, gottas, $**

DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.

In our last issue ive noticed one or two sugges-
tions made in a letter from a correspondent ( ) ; and
we promised to say something this week about the
second of his proposals. This related to the forma-
tion of branches or district Associations of the
County Associations. It is somewhat remarkable
that a practical emphasis to this idea was given
by the report of one of our most flourishing Associ-
ations, which appeared in our columns last week.

Now, we who are bee-keepers, and who wish to
make our own views widely prevail, may learn
a lesson from political workers. Their watch-
word is, ' Organize, organize, organize.' The loss
of most elections on one side or the other is put
down to the want of organization ; and most
victories are hailtd as evidence of what can be done
by organization. So far as truth lies in these
assertions, all that it amounts to is that to push a
cause you must have plenty of people interested in
the cause — interested so as to work for it — working
for it systematically. Let us, then, see how far
these requisites will be secured by the formation of
a number of District Associations of bee-keepers.

Our first point is to secure numbers to show an
interest in the subject of apiculture. There are,
happily, now thousands throughout the country
who keep bees, and who manage them in an intelli-
gent manner. Many of these also, we are glad to
know, are members of our various County Associa-
tions. Still there are very large numbers who do
not think it worth while to join these bodies,
because they feel it doubtful how far they will
derive advantage from membership. Distance from
headquarters, inconveniences of getting to the
meetings, the uninteresting nature of much of the
necessaiy routine business, all combine to prevent
people from joining the larger Associations. But if
only four or five neighbouring bee-keepers will but
combine to talk with each other about their methods,
their difficulties, and their successes, a great stimulus
will be given both to the pursuit of bee-keeping
and to united efforts to improve the art. Then,
if such a small Society be affiliated to the central
County Association, new strength will be added to
the parent body, while each of the remoter and dis-

trict members will feel possessed of a share in the
larger Society and its doings. One very important
matter in each case will be the securing of an
energetic man as the honorary secretary for each
small branch. Still further stimulus may be given
by holding shows — on however diminutive a scale —
once a-year. Then, the best exhibits in each of these
should, as a rule, be reserved for the county show.
Prizes and commendations thus gained will promote
a healthy emulation, and the successful competitors
will learn to believe in their own powers, and will
be led on to renewed effort for improved methods
and more careful attention to details.

A last essential — but by no means the least — will
be encouragement from the more influential bodies.
We, therefore, would very earnestly commend this
matter, in the first place, to the notice of the Com-
mittee of the B.B.K.A. We venture to suggest
the collection of information from those Associations
where the plan of branches is in full operation.
From the knowledge thus gained, it would be no
difficult matter to select such salient points as
might be embodied in a leaflet for circulation
wherever the possibility of establishing District
Associations seemed advisable or possible.

There are many counties which have cultivated
District Associations with success, for example, the
Herts, the Hants, the Bucks, the Staffordshire, &c.

At the beginning of this article we referred to the
report of the Berks County Association. On turning
to it, in our last week's issue, it will be seen that
there are affiliated branches to the number of eleven.
The vigour these have imparted to the central
body is manifest from the shows held in various
neighbourhoods. We had the pleasure of acting as
judge at one of these, and were distinctly impressed
with the excellence of the exhibits, the best of
which subsequently took the first prize at the
County Show at Reading. We know also the
excellent spirit prevailing among the members of
this District Association, and we have reason to
believe a similar good feeling exists in all the
affiliated branches. In advocating the adoption of
our correspondent's suggestions, we are, therefore,
speaking from known facts of the advantages that
would certainly come from its adoption. But, while
earnestly directing the attention of the Committee
of the B. B. K. A. to this matter, we would, with equal
fervour, urge all central Committees to promote in
every possible way the establishment of branches

56

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL

[February 10, 1887.

in all towns and villages in which the existence of
even three or four bee-keepers is known. As the
rain-drops make the runnels, and the runnels the
streamlets ; the streamlets, again, form the rivers ;
and the rivers replenish the ocean itself ; so we
may expect wonderful results from the union of
individuals into small societies ; of these into
County Associations, and of the County Associa-
tions with the great central body — the B. B. K. A.

SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS AT CONVERSAZIONES.
There is an idea that scientific subjects should not
be brought forward at meetings of bee-keepers, but
that only those of a practical character should be
discussed. "We have always considered this a mistake,
and we are glad to find gentlemen willing to bring for-
ward scientific papers for discussion, anticipating that
something, however little, may be added to our previous
stock of knowledge. There are plenty of persons who
do not know what has been discovered in any particular
branch of study, or where to refer to for the information,
that it must always be of some use to have papers similar
to the one read by Mr. Grimshaw at the last Conversazione
of the B. B. K. A., and more especially when the subject
is handled in so pleasant and able a style. That bee-
keepers do take an interest in such subjects was evinced
by the discussion which followed.

It is difficult for bee-keepers generally, to get informa-
tion on scientific subjects, as our knowledge in these is
constantly increasing, and the discoveries are published
in pamphlets and proceedings of scientific societies not
accessible to every one. There is no book to guide the
scientific student and to point out what has been done in
any particular direction, and by whom, or where the in-
formation is to be found. For instance, how many bee-
keepers are there who know that Leuckart discovered
and propounded that the larvse of worker bees were
weaned, whilst those of queens were not, but were fed
with the same food during the whole of their darval
existence; or that this discovery was published in 1855
at p. 209 of the Bienenzeitung, and that it is referred
to in several books ? Or how many know what has
been done with regard to arriving at some knowledge
of the difference of the food of larva; and that of the
queen and drone, or of the discoveries of Schonfeld,
Holz, Schiemenz, and others, in connexion with this?
Or that Schiemenz, after elaborate researches and a
minute description of the five gland systems in the
bee, arrived at the conclusion that the food given to
the queen 'consists of secretion from system 1, although
the others cannot be excluded from its composition ? '
There is, as we have said, absolutely no work in the
English language that gives us this and similar inform-
ation, or a correct history of the more recent discoveries
in connexion with the life -history of bees, which are
found scattered in different publications. The French
bee-keepers are more fortunate, as they have their
Maurice Girard, who, in 1878, published an excellent
compilation, a new edition of which was not long since
published, with references, of all that was known up to
that time. We have no similar book of recent date,
and until this want is supplied the student will have to
wade through volumes of Bee Journals and other books
to find what he wants. These Conversaziones assist
greatly in spreading such a knowledge, and frequently
add something now to that previously known.

The subject chosen by Mr. Grimshaw was not a new

one, and, as ho observed, had been studied by Swain-

merdam and others in the last century. Many doubtful

lointsjwere cleared up later by Dr. II. Landois, who, in

867, published Die Ton- und Stimmapparate der In-

secten, which treats the subject in a most exhaustive

I

manner. M. Girard, in the book above alluded to,
entitled Les Abeilles, in describing the various sounds
produced by the bee, makes constant reference to
Landois. Mr. Grimshaw refers to Mr. Cheshire; but
in justice to those who have written before him, we
must point out that he has added nothing to what
was already known, and appears to have taken his
information from Girard, even to the 'plaited and fringed
curtains lying behind the edges of the spiracle' (see pp.
■55-00 of the work above mentioned). He does not
appear to have paid much attention to Landois's work, or
he would not have made the ludicrous mistake he has in
the title, wdiich he gives. To call a ' Stimmapparate '
(voice apparatus) a ' Stummaparate ' (dull apparatus),
to say the least is droll. In 1868 Marey registered, by the
' graphic method,' the number of vibrations of the wings,
and the tone produced in consequence; but Girard points
out that these experiments are very uncertain, owing to
the difficulty of performing them. The chairman pointed
out this difficulty ; and it is also shown by the fact that
Landois gives the notes formed by the wing-beats of the
bee as representing 440 vibrations, wdiereas the graphic
method only gives 100, but he also observes that when
the bee is tirid the vibrations decrease to 330. Girard
says the humming sound is not produced by the wings
only ; and an example he gives is that of a humble bee
(Bombus terrestris, hwtorum, or lapidarius), which, if
shut up in a box, and the wings are only producing a
slight tremulous motion, a loud humming noise will be
heard— a sign of anger or fear. If the spiracles, he says,
be stopped with wax, the humming will cease. Cha-
brier and Burmeister, as well as Landois, have recog-
nised three different tones : 1st, produced by the wing-
beats ; 2nd, by the vibration of the abdominal^ rings ;
and, 3rd, the most acute and intense, from the action of a
true vocal apparatus placed in the stigmatic orifices.
We were pleased to find a reference made by Mr. Meggy
to an article which appeared a couple of years ago in a
German magazine on the subject.

That bees possess a voice nas been long admitted;
and Baron von Berlepsch, Oettl, Dr. Pollmann, and
many others, have described the various sounds. Sta-
hala has given to the sounds different meanings,
whether correct or not we cannot say ; at any rate
it is generally supposed that they are understood by
the bees. For instance, he says, if in winter one taps
the hive and a loud ' Iluumm' is heard, it is a sign that
the bees have their queen and sufficient food. The loud
' Dzi-dzi' is heard when both stores and bees are dwin-
dling. The loud ' Dziiiiii' will be heard when they are
too cold. ' Iluuuuuu' is produced by queenless stocks
both in summer and winter. A loud ' Wuh-wuh-wuh '
is only heard when breeding is going on, but never when
the hive is queenless or has an unfertilised queen. Be-
sides these there are some dozen other sounds given,
such as those produced by the young queens and bees in
anger or otherwise.

When, however, we come to the question of hearing,
we encounter a very much greater difficulty. The
depressions on the antemife have long been observed, and
in 1838 A. Lefebvre published his Note sur le sentiment
olfactif des Insectes, in which he describes these as
organs of smell ; and. in 1847 Erichson held the same
views in his De fahriea et usu Antennarum in Insectis.
In 1850 Ed. Perils continued Erichson's observations,
and published (arriving at the same results) his Memoire
sur le siege de I'Odorat dans les Artieules ; and more
recently, in 1881, G. Hauser published an elaborate
treatise, in which he went most exhaustively into the
question, entitled Physiologische und histologische TJnter-
suchungen i'tber das Oeruchsoi-gan der Insecten, winch is
by far the most important work we have on the subject,
and he also arrives at the same conclusion, and is fol-
lowed by Schiemenz in 1883, who holds the same opinions.
On the other hand, we find Dr. Braxton Hicks, in

February' 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

57

1860, in Lis paper, On certain Sensor;/ Organs in Insects
hitherto undescribed, states ' that there is every reason
to think that the antennal organs are those of hearing.7
This view he also expresses in The Honey See, published
by him in conjunction with J. Samuelson. Again, in
1878, we find V. Graber writing and holding a similar
view in Vber neue, otocystenartige Sinnesorgane der In-
secten ; and also Paolo Mayer, Sopra certi organi di senso
nelle Antenne dei Ditferi in 1878.

That they are organs of hearing is by no means proved,
and Mr. Cheshire's is only an opinion which adds nothing
to what is already known. It would be interesting if
Mr. Grimshaw would try his experiments with a micro-
phone on bees, for Sir John Lubbock, who had an ex-
tremely sensitive microphone sent him by Professor Bell
and attached it to the under side of one of his ants' nests,
could distinguish nothing but the ants walking about.
But he says, ' It is, however, far from improbable that
ants may produce sounds entirely beyond our range of
hearing. Indeed, it is not impossible that insects may
possess senses or sensations of which we can no more
form an idea than we should have been able to conceive
red or green if the human race had been blind. The
human ear is sensitive to vibrations reaching at the out-
side to 38,000 in a second. The sensation of red is pro-
duced when 470 millions of millions of vibrations enter
the eye in a similar time ; but between these two
numbers vibrations produce on us only the sensation of
heat; we have no special organs of sense adapted to
them. There is, however, no reason in the nature of
things why this should be the case with animals, and the
problematical organs possessed by many of the lower
forms may have relation to sensations which we do not
perceive.' He further describes structures which ho
only says ' may very probably be auditory organs.' That
bees should hear seems reasonable ; but it has not yet
been satisfactorily proved where the auditory organs are
situated, and certainly the weight of evidence so far is in
favour of these depressions on the antenna; being con-
sidered olfactory.

Another question of interest and importance brought
before the meeting by Mr. Grimshaw, was that of using
an essential oil to prevent bee-stings. The idea of using
something as a preservative is also not a new one, and
carbolic acid, oil of tar, a solution of clay, and other
things have, from time to time, been recommended ;
but none of these would be very pleasant on the face.
Some years ago we came across a receipt which
was said to be a sure preservative against stings of
every sort, including those of the bee and mosquito: —
i oz. oil of peppermint, § oz. oil of winter-green, i oz.
spirits of camphor, and J oz. of glycerine: the mixture to
he well shaken before use, and to be rubbed on sparingly
over the exposed parts of the body. We have never
tried ir, as we do not fear a sting or two, and can
manage very well with smoke or carbolic acid ; but
there may be those who would like to do so, and report
their experience. In a list we have before us of Messrs.
Burgoyne, Burbidges, Cyriax & Parries, the price
quoted for oil of winter-green is 1*. 9d. an ounce, and as
there is no difficulty in cultivating Gaultheria pro-
cumbens, we do not see why, if there were a demand for
it, the plant could not be grown. It is very common
in America, grows freely in this country in a peat
border, and is easily increased by division. If, however,
it can be made artificially, and is equally as good, there
would be no necessity at all for cultivating the plant.
Bee-keepers will owe Mr. Grimshaw a debt of gratitude
for bringing this matter before the meeting, and also in
his able article on bee - subjugators, on p. 7 of this
year's Journal, in which he goes into the question very
thoroughly. We hope his endeavours to get essence
of spircca manufactured cheaply will succeed, and that
he will be rewarded by finding it as efficacious as he
anticipates,

A NEW METAL END.
We have received from Mr. W. Boughton Carr a
specimen of his new ' metal end ' for frames, and by his
kindness, are enabled to give our readers illustrations of

A, Top view of frames, with ' metal ends,' showing frames spaced
at usual distance of 1 ^ from centre to centre.

the manner in which it is used. This metal end is dif-
ferent to any of those in common use, and, in our
opinion, removes many of the objections raised against

B The same, with frames spaced to allow a quarter inch between
the face of combs.

them. Since Mr. Abbott first introduced broad shoulders
in England, in 1873, this manner of keeping the frames
at the proper distance apart has been extensively

C, View of under side of frames, showing the ' metal end ' of centre
frame drawn back for closing up to the quarter inch distance without
altering the level of either upper or lower side of frames. D, Sec-
tional view of ' metal end ' from the outside. E, Perspective view of
ditto from the inside. (D and E are full sisc.)

adopted. Lately, however, metal ends in one form or
another have come into use, but their shape is such that
a frame furnished with them could not be conveniently
used in a hive where there are no such ends used. The
ordinary cast-metal end
is so thick on the under
side of the top bar, that
the rabbet on which it
slides has to be cut
deeper to accommodate
it ; and if a frame with-
out these ends be used,
it necessarily stands be-
low the level of the top
of the hive at least an
•Jth of an inch, and is
brought so much closer to the bottom board. Another ob-
jection to them is that the distance between the frames is
fixed, and they could not be brought closer together. The
new metal end which we have before us gets over these

D

68

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 10, 1887.

difficulties and can be used in any hive where they have
not been previously used, and in other hives a very
trifling alteration would make them equally serviceable.
Mr. Carr's end (figs 1) and E) is made of tin, stamped
out of one piece and being made by machinery, the
greatest accuracy is secured. It fits on the frame end
like a collar, and can be slipped on and off very easily,
the mouth of the collar having the sides (//, fig. E) un-
soldered, there is sufficient spring in them to grip hold of
the wood and to retain the end at any part it may be
placed. Fig. A shows the ends pushed up against the
side bar of the frame, and in this way provides the usual
distance of 1 ■& from centre to centre. If, however, Ave
wish to bring the frames closer together so as to allow
only I of an inch between the face of the combs, we have
merely to slip back the ends on every alternate frame as
in Fig. B, and our object will be accomplished.

It will be noticed that if such ends are used when they
are pushed back, the wood of the frame comes in contact
with the top of the runner, but as the tin of the metal
end is so thin, the level of the frames is not perceptibly
altered. The possibility of moving the frame laterally
we consider an important improvement, and one that
will be appreciated by those who, like ourselves, have ob-
jected to any projection on the frame-ends.

For many years we have advocated bringing the frames
to \\ inches from centre to centre for the purpose of pre-
venting the production of useless drone brood. This
was impossible with the ordinary ends ; but with these
even those who have not acquired the skill or patience
to adjust their frames, are enabled within certain limits,
to do so mechanically, without the danger of bringing
them too close together and thus injuring the brood.
Those who have used ends of the old pattern and wish
to adopt these, would have to raise the metal runners an
eighth of an inch, and if these are not used, an eighth
inch strip of wood must be nailed on to the rabbet.

The following are some of the advantages claimed by
the inventor for this new metal end over the ordinary
one now in use : —

1. The triangular J-inch projection for gauging the dis-
tance between the frame and side of the hive is done away
with as of no real use whatever, the distance being ac-
curately kept by the end of top bar working against the
outer wall of the hive.

2. Being made of tin, instead of cast metal, the Jr-inch
bearing on which the top bar rests in the old style of ' end '
is replaced by a collar of tin passing all round the bar, and
this collar being no thicker than paper, neither stands up
above tops of frames, nor raises the frame up perceptibly
on the under side, from the bevelled runner on which it
works.

3. They give the long-desired lateral movement which
enables the bee-keeper to alter the spacing of frames at
certain times, for certain purposes. This alteration can be
effected very rapidly without removing a frame, and almost
without disturbing the bees.

4. No alteration is made in the distance between bottom
bar and floor-board, nor does it interfere with the level of
tops of frames if the ' ends ' are removed altogether.

5. They are put on and taken off more easily, and when
on are far more secure.

6. They cannot drop off through shrinkage of top bar,
and may be tightened up in a moment if they should be-
come loose.

7. They combine extreme lightness with strength, and,
while as cheap, are less liable to breakage than ' ends '
made of type metal.

8. The ' end ' makes a perfect gauge for enabling manu-
facturers to produce top bars of uniform width and thick-
ness. (The want of uniformity in this respect has long
been felt.)

9. There is no need to remove the ' end ' when extracting
honey. The reduced size of projecting shoulder allowing it
to pass through the ordinary mesh of wire used for cages.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH. BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mr. Grimshaw's Paper, on the Vocal Organs of

Bees.

Discussion.

Mr. Meggy thanked Mr. Grimshaw for the interesting
facts he had laid before them, and would be glad to
know whether he had seen an article which appeared
about a couple of years ago in a German magazine in
reference to the sounds made by bees. The writer
stated that he had observed forty different sounds made
by bees, from which he inferred that the latter must
have means of communication by sound. These par-
ticulars were made known before Mr. Cheshire brought
out his work, and before special attention had been called
to the question.

Mr. Grimshaw was sorry that he had not read the
article referred to. He had had various theories on the
subject, and had been obliged to dismiss them almost as
soon as formed. He was in hopes about twelve months
ago that some interesting discoveries would be made by
a gentleman, whose research was, however, unfortunately
stopped by death. He had proposed at swarming time
time to introduce the receiver of a microphone in the
hive, and at the following season turn the microphone on
to the bees at the mouth of the hive, so as to see whether
he could produce the same state, of contentment. He had
heard of cases where one lot of bees in quite a distant
part of the manipulating tent have ascended up their
wall or post upon hearing the agreeable noise made by
the driving in a skep going on in another part of the
tent.

The Chairman thought that Mr. Cheshire drew a dis-
tinction between buzzing and humming, the buzzing
being connected with the wings, and the humming with
the spiracles. He (the Chairman) had gathered from Mr.
Grimshaw's paper that it was through the spiracles the
varying sounds were emitted, whilst the noise made by
the wings did not vai'y at all. It would be interesting
to know whether the peculiar sound they were all
acquainted with was affected in pitch according to the
speed of the wings' vibrations or the way in which the
air escaped through the spiracles. One would imagine
that it was far more difficult to make a distinction of
sounds. by wings than by spiracles.

Mr. Webster said the difference of sound iu the wing-
vibrations was easily explained. In the case of a tuning-
fork with extra long prongs the vibrations would be less
frequent than with shorter prongs, and the sound pro-
duced consequently deeper than that which resulted from
quicker vibrations; and there was no doubt, that the
high or low notes were governed by the pace of the wing-
vibrations.

Mr. Grimshaw indorsed Mr. Webster's opinion. The
notes varied in the musical scale pro rata with the
number of wing-beats. The drone sounds were low
tones compared to the sharp, shrill sounds of the busy
workers, whose wings were quickly beating. If one
placed his ear immediately outside a frame-hive, tones of
all kinds could be heard.

The Chairman remarked that when hanging in a
cluster they could not vibrate their wings.

Mr. Grimshaw had no doubt in his own mind that,
independently of the wing-sounds, the noises heard in
the hive were produced by the bees conversing together
— perhaps arranging to kill the queen or drones.
(Laughter.) He fully believed that they did converse
as intelligently as other members of the animal kingdom.
Their brain weight in comparison with the weight of
their body ranked very high indeed, much higher than
the ant, so much praised by Sir John Lubbock.

In reply to tho Chairman, who asked whether Mr.
Grimshaw believed that the chief means of communica-

February 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

59

tion possessed by bees was through the voice, and not
by touch, the latter gentleman said that he was not
prepared to speculate so much as that. It was well
known that the olfactory organs of bees were sin-
gularly acute, and in a high state of development.
They could trace flowers at great distances by smell.
He could not hazard a conjecture as to the principal
means of their intercommunication, but he thought that
the vocal organs could claim their due share. They
were not given without an object. It was necessary for
bees to intercommunicate, and it was fair to assume that
the vocal organs took part in such intercourse.

The Chairman said that some of Huber's experiments
went to show that if the queen were separated from the
rest of the hive the bees could not be assured of the
safety of the queen unless they could touch her. They
were quite near enough to tali, but could not tell one
another that the queen was safe.

Mr. Grimshaw thought that if the organs of touch
were the only means of communication the news passed
with extraordinary rapidity.

Mr. Meggy thought Huber's experiments threw some
doubt on the question of intercommunication by hear-
ing, and he suggested that Mr. Grimshaw should, during
the following summer, undertake to repeat Huber's ex-
periments.

Mr. Baldwin said that he had tried to make the bees
raise queens while the queen was present. He had
divided a hive and placed two pieces of perforated
zinc with a space of more than half an inch between the
halves. The bees, however, did not attempt to raise
queens ; but after he removed the queen they started
doing so on both sides of the division. In the first
instance they could not touch the queen, but evidently
knew that she was there.

Mr. Grimshaw said he founded his views on the law
of nature. Every organ had its use, and he contended
that as the bees were provided with vocal and auditory
organs they must use them. These organs were not
rudimentary, but perfect.

Mr. Meggy said he was satisfied that Huber was
wrong, and he hoped that Mr. Grimshaw would not
hesitate to repeat the experiments of that naturalist
because he was a man of great fame.

Captain Campbell explained some experiments he and
his son had adopted in reference to the vocal and
auditory organs of bees.

Mr. Haviland would like to know, in reference to Mr.
Baldwin's experiments, whether the entrances of the
divided hive were close together, and whether the bees
had access to each part by running in and out ; because
if the entrances were so close together that the bees of
one division could return to the other, they would be
able, of course, to communicate with one another.
Huber particularly requested that other people woidd
test his observations. There was no doubt that several
of the conclusions he came to were not perfectly
accurate, and it would be a good thing if they could be
tested again. He had often wondered why Mr. Cheshire
or others had not done so. If Mr. Cheshire would say
what sort of experiments would be the most advan-
tageous to try, a great deal of evidence would soon be
accumulated. He (the speaker) would like to know
which sound Mr. Cheshire attributed to the air coming
out of the spiracles against the wings. The ordinary
sounds made by the bees when flying were caused by
the beating of the wings against the air. The wings
did not come near the spiracles in the act of flight. The
only other noise made by the wings he thought was
similar to the piping of queens, that was the rubbing
of the wings together the same as grasshoppers did.
He put three young queens recently hatched in an ob-
servatory hive, after having cut off their wings. The
bees killed two of those queens, and were very angry
with the other queen for twenty-four hours. She ran

about to escape them ; wherever she stopped she piped,
although there was no other queen in the hive.

Mr. Grimshaw said he drew a distinction between
buzzing or humming, and the vocal sounds. In his
opinion the noises heard when the bees were compara-
tively at rest were the vocal sounds, and were caused
by the blowing of air in and out on the plaiting or
curtain which was within the spiracle, and also on the
edges of the wings. He contended that if they could
hear (and they were furnished with auditory hollows)
they could speak.

Mr. Baldwin said the hive he referred to was known
as a twin hive with entrances at opposite ends. It
had one entrance at the south and the other at the
north. He divided it and put in the division a piece of
perforated zinc, and turned the hive round to east and
west. He left the bees with the perforated zinc division
about five days, and there was no attempt to raise
queens. He then divided the brood, giving eggs to both
parts of the hive, and put in the double division with
about f inch between, and then the bees did not attempt to
raise queens. The queen in the one part was continually
egg-raising. As they refused to raise queens with
the double division, he took away the queen, when they
started raising queens.

The Chairman considered Mr. Baldwin's experiment
went far towards disproving the accuracy of Huber's
observations, but the result of Mr. Baldwin's research
seemed to him unanswerable, except on the theory that
bees could speak and hear. Still, whatever might be the
purpose for which their auditory and vocal powers were
given them, he thought it was going too far with the
present knowledge at command to suppose that these
powers were capable of being employed in the same way
by the bees amongst themselves as those of human beings.
On behalf of the company present, he heartily thanked
Mr. Grimshaw for his interesting paper.

Mr. Samhels then exhibited a new and improved
section crate.

Fig. 1.

Kg. 2.

Mr. Sambels explained that his super crate was the same
as he bad shown at the last quarterly Conference of the
Hertford branch of the Herts B.K.A. But a description
of it was not given at the time in the B. B. Journal for
want of space, consequently he had brought it to this
meeting that those present might have an opportunity of
criticising it. He was not a manufacturer of bee-keepers'

00

THE BK1TISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 10, 1887.

appliances, but had designed it for his own use, because
he thought it combined all the good points that he had
seen in others, as well as a few that he had seen no-
where else. Proceeding to take it to pieces, he said the
crate was made of four pieces of board 4j inches deep,
which was exactly the depth of the sections he intended
to use. The bee-space was a separate frame of four pieces
of wood, as seen at B, Fig. 1, and in section at B, Fig. 2,
it was rabbeted out to give greater strength for removing,
when stuck down with propolis. On the insides of the
two sides of the crate were tacked two fillets -iV of an inch
square to form a bee-space round the end of each row of
sections. In the front end of the crate were fitted two
iron thumb-screws, T, Fig. 1, with brass thumb-pieces
and nuts, which, when screwed tightly against a sliding
board, pressed the latter tightly against the sections and
dividers, and so held all in position by pressure. The bee-
space was made separate from the crate to allow of the
crate being inverted without removing the bee-space. He
did not believe any amount of inverting would increase the
amount of honey stored in any one hive if the bees were
kept from idleness by other methods, but he believed in-
verting supers at the proper time would decrease the number
of ' pop-holes ' in the sections. The dividers (D, Fig. 2)
were perforated with slots, to allow the bees free access
from one row of sections to another ; they were also cut
sufficiently short at the ends for a similar purpose. He
had two sections fitted with foundation on Mr. Cornell's
plan, which was done for the especial benefit of his
Hertford friends, but he would like to point out a plan
of fixing foundation they had been using in Herts for the
past two years : it was recently
explained by some contributor,
whose name he did not re-
member, in the Journal. It
consisted of simply running a
saw-kerf the length of the end
quarter of each section, and
having folded the section as
seen in fig. S, the foundation
was then placed in position,
and the second flap of the sec-
tion closed on it, holding it
secure. He need scarce point out that was not practical
for the narrow strip at the bottom, unless you used four-
piece sections, but was a great saving of time and trouble.
He would also call attention to the fact that his sections
had ' ways ' on all four sides.

(Mr. Sambels requests us to state that having had
several inquiries already since the Hertford Conference,
to save the time of his friends and himself, he has
placed the original super- crate in the hands of Mr.
Blow, who will be happy to supply purchasers in the
usual way.)

The Chairman expressed the indebtedness of the
meeting to Mr. Sambels for his kindness in laying
before them his new contrivance.

Mr. Webster then exhibited his frame swivel (see p.
33, January 27), which was invented for the purpose
of doing away with the necessity of using both hands to
lift a frame out of the hive. By means of the swivel one
hand only was employed for lifting the frame, whilst the
other was free for manipulations. The swivel was also
contrived to permit of the frame being turned round while
held up. He also exhibited another invention of a similar
character which needed a pin to be put through every
frame.

The Chairman considered it a very ingenious idea,
and complimented Mr. Webster, at the same time
suggesting that the grippers should be made wider and
stronger, so that a frame, when filled, might be held
securely, lie thought it would most probably come into
general use.

Mr. Webster then exhibited his fumigator, which was
intended to be used with carbolic acid, and was con-

Fig. 3.

structed to prevent any of the acid being blown on to
the hands of the manipulator. He had not used smoke
for two 3rears, and had found that carbolic answered
every purpose of smoke.

Captain Campbell said when the bees were really
savage a few drops of ammonia must be put in.

Mr. Webster said when the bees were very savage he
preferred covering them up and leaving them alone for
an hour or two, until a more favourable opportunity.

Mr. Baldwin wished to know whether there was any
special objection to smoke. He found it answer very well.

The Chairman thought carbolic of more effect than
smoke. Having failed with smoke on one occasion, ho
saturated his pocket-handkerchief with a very weak
solution of carbolic, and after wringing it out he stripped
off the quilt and laid it on, when the bees became
perfectly quiet in a minute or two, and he took out
the frames without any further difficulty.

Mr. Baldwin related his experiences at Lichfield, where
he attempted to handle a hive of Cyprian bees after
using smoke, and had cause to regret his mistake. He
knew nothing about these particular bees when asked to
handle them, and never expected to find C3'prians at
Lichfield. As soon as he saw their breed, of course he
altered his tactics, and proceeded with more care and
ultimate success. The whole affair was a source of amuse-
ment to the owner, who told his friend of the joke he
had played. There was no doubt that the remedy to be
used must vary according to the breed of the bees.

Mr. Blow said he had almost abandoned Cyprians
altogether, and he thought all wise bee-keepers would do
the same. Their advantages were counterbalanced by
disadvantages. Smoke must not be used in handling.
He kept one stock just for experiments. If great care
and gentleness were employed, and a long time allowed
for manipulations, the operator could avoid being stung,
but otherwise they were uncontrollable. Carbolic acid
was no better than smoke for Cyprians. That breed of
bees was not suited to the English climate, but if they
were kept they must be handled upon Mr. Raynors
system, that was, with the utmost care and gentleness.

Mr. Baldwin said it would be difficult to follow Mr.
Webster's advice in the bee tent by putting off manipu-
lations when the bees were angry, which would cause
great dissatisfaction to an audience.

Mr. "Webster admitted this, and said he had no ob-
jection to smoke, but the fumigator was far more con-
venient, involving much less trouble.

Mr. Grimshaw laid before the meeting a sample of his
' apif uge,' which he believed to be a genuine sting-pre-
venter.

At this juncture Mr. Garratt took the chair on the
retirement of the Rev. F. G. Jenyns, who was compelled
to leave the meeting.

Mr. Stanford said, in reference to the oil of winter-
green, that Mr. R. Sproule, of the Irish Association, ob-
tained some early in the season, and certainly its effects
were magical.

Mr. Webster remembered that Mr. Hart brought a
bottle of the oil to the Reading Show, which was
described as containing a preventive of bee-stings. Mr.
Cheshire took the bottle home with him.

Mr. Sambels asked whether the plant referred to was
not similar to meadow-sweet, of which there was plenty
to be obtained.

Mr. Grimshaw replied that an immense quantity of
that plant would be required to obtain a few drops of
essential oil by distillation.

Mr. Haviland said that the danger during manipula-
tions was not confined to the operator. He always had
fears for the safety of persons looking on, or moving
about near at hand.

The Chairman commented on the interesting dis-
cussion which had taken place, and said he was sure
all bee-keepers would be pleased to know that some-

February 10, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

61

thing- had been discovered which would assist them
greatly in controlling their bees. He thought the meet-
ing would desire to express its best thanks to those
gentlemen who had so kindly introduced subjects for
consideration. By their aid the Conversazione had been
most pleasing and profitable. The company were
specially indebted to Mr. Grimshaw for his very able
contribution.

Mr. Grimshaw thanked the Chairman for his kind
remarks. "Without presuming to claim credit for any-
thing original in discovery, invention, or research, it
always afforded him immense gratification if he could
be the means of starting an interesting discussion. He
concluded b}r expressing his acknowledgments for the
patience with which they had listened to him.

The proceedings then terminated.

YORKSHIRE BEE-KEEPER'S ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of this Society was held on the 29th ult. at
the Church Institute, Leeds, Thomas Clark, Esq., Burley-
in-Wharfedale, in the chair.

After the conclusion of official business, the hon. sec.
(G. II. L. Richards, Esq.) made a proposal, seconded by
Mr. Daniel, of Horsforth, and carried unanimously, That
a paragraph report of the meeting be drawn up and dis-
seminated amongst the newspapers in suitable parts of
the count}', embodying Mr. Grimshaw's suggestion that
off-shoots, or district societies, are the best means by
which County Association work can be efficiently carried
on in a county so vast in extent as our own ; that a single
body of workers, however diligent, cannot do justice to
subscribing members so far away from the central body ;
and that subscribers cannot be expected to go to the
expense and trouble of attending meetings, &c, so far
away from their own district as the official body neces-
sarily is; and that bee-keepers in various parts of
Yorkshire are hereby earnestly desired to assist in sys-
tematising the work of the county by uniting together
iu forming district associations, appointing their own
district secretary, having perfect self-government, fixing
their own terms of subscription, &c. Also, that by a
subscription to the parent society of 5s. per annum per
branch society, the district secretary and another member
of such district society thus become members of committee
of the Yorkshire County Association. They would be-
sides have the advantage of the bee-tent for shows, of
purchasing requirements in large co-operative quantities
at reduced rates, and of participating in competition for
prizes, and exhibiting honey for sale, &c, at honey fairs, &c.

It was also decided that the hon. sec. be instructed to
subscribe for a copy of the British Bee Journal.

A proposal by Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Dodgson,
of Skipton, to the effect that Mr. R. A. H. Grimshaw, of
Horsforth, be appointed joint hon. sec. with himself, was
carried unanimously.

The question of the Saltaire Exhibition was then
brought forward by Mr. Richards, who said he had
offered (to the Exhibition Committee) to have exhi-
bitions of bee-manipulations every Wednesday afternoon
provided the expenses were paid, but he could not lay
before the meeting any definite decision as yet.

Respecting the recent strictures on the Association in
the B. B. J. the hon. sec. gave a satisfactory explanation
as to why they had not been replied to by him.

The annual meeting of the members of the Worcester-
shire B. K. A. will be held at the Guild Hall, Worcester,
on Saturday, February 10, at Sp.m. In the unavoidable
absence of the President, Earl Beauchamp, the chair will
be taken by Walter Holland, Esq., Mayor of Worcester,
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Association.

The members of the Middlesex B. K. A. are reminded
that their Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, the
10th inst., at 105 Jermyn Street, at 5.30 p.m.

Cams pontic lite.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be token of anonymous com-
muni cat i'o lis, and correspondents arc requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their veal names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W. C All business com munications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Hucele, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

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

YORKSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION.

[808.] Those of your readers who have followed this
subject through your columns during the last few months
will be considerably diverted to know that I might have
' saved my wind to blow my porridge with ' until the last
letter from me appeared. The hon. sec. does not take
nor read the British Bee Journal, so that all our appeals
and complaints did not reach him. Now, however, he is
posted up somewhat, through the kindness of a friend in
sending him a few copies of the B. B. J. This resulted
in a courteous invitation being sent me by Mr. Richards
to attend a meeting of the Y. C. A., with results which
will be found in another column of the Journal.

To prevent a recurrence of our worthy hon. sec. not
being kept au courant with ' what is going on,' my first
proposal (carried unanimously) as a member of the Y.C. A.
was that the Association do henceforth subscribe for one
copy of the B. B. J., to be filed by the hon. sec.

A satirical friend litis suggested that I have been
dexterously translated into the ' upper house.' Eh
Men! nous verrons. I don't care what house it maybe
called if it only give birth to measures beneficial to the
bee-keeping fraternity, viz., active district associations.
— R. A.H. G.

VILLAGE CLUBS.

[809.] With reference to your article and ' A Worker's
letter in your issue of the B. B. J. for this week I should
like, with your permission, to make one or two remarks
on the subdivision of County Associations. I feel the
more prompted to do this from having read Mr. Grim-
shaw's different letters in relation to the York Association,
and also 'Amateur Expert's ' most (in my opinion) valuable
suggestion, in the current number of the B. B. J., in reply
to that gentleman.

With regard to the subdivisions of County Asso-
ciations it may, 'perhaps, be of some slight service if
you would kindly make known the terms, &c, upon
which the Hants and Isle of Wight Bee-keepers' As-
sociation proceeded to carry out this very idea, — ■' the
subdivision of the county,' — now more than twelve
months ago. Some two years ago a Village Bee Club
was started here in Swanmore, and in the course of a
year its numbers had so increased that it was deemed
advisable to hold a meeting of its members and to elect
regular officers and committee. This was done, and the
neighbouriug villages hearing of our doings came in to
join us, until our Village Club had swollen to the extent
of fifteen villages and some eighty members. . I was a
member of the Hants County Association ^and also was
chosen Secretary of the Village Club, and as such began
to feel that if we went on as we were going, we must
eventually come into antagonism with the County As-
sociation itself. In this difficulty I wrote to our Hon.
County Secretary, explaining the whole thing to him ;
he, I must say, met me in the most handsome and
gentlemanly manner, and the result of our correspon-
dence was that a special general meeting of our Village

G2

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 10, 1887.

Club was cnlled, and I moved a resolution that we
should he affiliated to the Hants County Association.
This, to my pleasant surprise, after some argument was
carried unanimously. We thus became part and parcel
of the Hants Association, no longer in antagonism to, but
working in all good fellowship and harmony with it.

The terms of our amalgamation were as follows : —
First of all we were to have our own officers, and to
govern ourselves by our own Committee, &c. ; also to
have our own rules. On our subscriptions, as an affilia-
tion fee, we pay to the County Association the amount
of 25 per cent, we retaining the 75 per cent for our
own purposes, such as prizes at shows, expenses of
lectures, printing, &c. For the said affiliation fee of
25 per cent the County Association agree to consider all
our members full members of their body and entitled to
all their benefits.

I do not know, Mr. Editor, if I have already trespassed
too much on your space, but I should like to be allowed
to say that the above scheme has now worked thoroughly
well with us here for more than twelve months, and
I think that after that amount of trial I may fairly
recommend it.

A word also, if I may, as to holding simple lectures on
bee-keeping. Last year we held a series in different
villages, and the amount of astonishment expressed at
the different views, by people who had hardly any idea
what bee-keeping is, was very great. New members
at once flocked in, and already this year I have
several members joining who were convinced by the last
year's lectures ; so much good did I consider they did,
that another series begins on Monday next, February
7th.

I shall be most happy more fully to explain anything
should any reader of the B. B. J., or member of a County
Association, wishing to help his over-worked (and at
the best of times they have a lot to do) County Secretary,
care for any further details.

In conclusion, I enclose you a copy of our rules and
officers, and also our last year's report. — H. W. West,
Hon, Sec, Hants and Isle of Wight Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion, Swanmore Branch., Feb, 5.

PREVENTING SWARMS SETTLING ON
HIGH TREES.

[810.] In the Journal for January 27th, under the
heading ' Gleanings,' there is a paragraph relating how
an American gentleman succeeded in preventing swarms
settling in high trees by using what is called a ' Yankee
queen-stick.' I have attained the same end by placing
a round felt hat on end of a long pole, and holding it up
among the bees. It does not seem to be of much use
raising the hat among the swarming bees till once they
are on the point of settling, then place the hat as close
as possible to the spot where they are preparing to
cluster. This seems, in my experience, to be a condition
of success. It is simply a modification of Langstrotli's
bee-bob.

Early last summer I told a neighbouring bee-keeper
of the plan, and when his bees swarmed, and were
beginning to cluster in a low bush, he stuck an empty
hive in centre, and the bees at once took possession.

I would recommend bee-keepers whose hives may
stand near trees, or high thorn hedges, to try the method,
being careful to attend to what appears to me to be the
condition of success — placing the hat as near as possible
to the spot where the swarm is preparing to cluster.
This seems to be the experience of our American friends
as well.: — John Petebs, Gourock, Scotland, 5th February.

of a bee,' I would say, last August I was on a vist to a
friend near London, and being in his green-house I noticed
a small bee, about half the size of our common hive bee,
busy at a reel on a shelf. I found he visited this reel
and had nearly filled the hollow with small pieces of the
vine leaf, cut beautifully round, and wedged into the
hole. After replacing the reel I watched the little
fellow over and over again go to the vine, cut a leaf and
then fix it into the hole with some glutinous matter. I
do not know what became of it. I have also often
noticed the same kind of bee visit holes in posts in our
garden here, and deposit an extraordinary quantity of
leaf-cuttings.

I do not think there was any mistake on the part of
the bee. — Be. W., Cowley, St. John.

LEAF-CUTTING BEES.
[811.] In reference to your correspondent wishing to
know if others have noticed similar behaviour in a bee,
which ho mentions under the title of ' Curious mistake

CURIOUS MISTAKE OF A BEE. (782.)
[812.] I am reluctant to believe that one of our
beloved and dear little friends made the mistake men-
tioned in the above paragraph. The reel of cotton is so
very unlike the cell of a bee. It is much more probable
that it was the work of the rose-leaf cutter. This ' little
busy bee ' builds its nest in the crevice of a wall or in
chinks in timber-work, and in using the reel of cotton it
was carrying out its usual instinctive propensities. The
only mistake made was in taking the reel for a permanent
abode. The rose-leaf cutter is smaller than our black
bee, but might easily have been mistaken for one by a
casual observer. It is a great pest to florists, as it
disfigures the roses by cutting hundreds of small circular
pieces out of the leaves. It commences its nest by putting
at the far end a plug of these pieces ; then comes a
supply of pollen, next an egg, then more pollen, then
another layer of leaves, and so on until it has filled up its
apartment. Probably in another hour it would have
filled up the hole in the reel. It is a pity that this was
not preserved.

I wonder if^it would interest the readers of the Journal
if I now go on to tell of a great puzzle I got into last
summer in respect to the proceedings of a rose-leaf
cutter P If I do I fear I shall be too diffuse and weari-
some, but that I can't help. I must begin by writing
about a garden-seat I made. Its manufacture may give
a useful hint to some of our amateurs. The basis or
stand was the frame of an old sofa. On this I nailed
two boards of inch stuff, each a foot wide ; next a
reclining back of the same stuff, then end-boards for
arms, cut in curves as tastefully as lack of artistic skill
and bad chisels would permit. Oh, but j'ou can't think
how grand it looked when finished and painted ! I
placed it on a small lawn on the southern side of a high
grassy bank, which the inhabitants of this country —
certainly ' a peculiar people,' but possibly not very
' zealous of good works ' — perversely call a ditch. Thus
sheltered it made a very pleasant lounge on a summer's
day. Yes, don't be impatient, I am coming to my
subject now. I was sitting on this §eat one day in June
or July, when I saw a bee come out of a crack between
the two boards forming the seat, close to the end-board
or arm. I was wondering for a minute or two where it
came from, when it came back, bearing in its mandible
a circular bit of leaf. Another minute of wondering,
and out it came once more. I suppose it made a dozen
or more journeys while I waited and watched. Well
enough I might be puzzled, for the crack seemed to lead
to nowhere.' In my extremity I called in a friend who
is well known hereabouts for his scientific attainments,
and who is indeed of world-wide fame by his publica-
tions and work in connexion with ocean telegraphy. He
came, and after a minute examination of the premises
taken possession of by the bee, he was quite as much
bewildered as 1 had been. There seemed to be no place
beyond the crack to which the bee could get access.
This crack we could readily explore. The arm was

February 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

63

nailed flush on to the seat, and over the end was placed
a piece of wood covering the joint. My friend measured
and tapped and stood, watch in hand, timing the hee,
which made an entrance and exit once in about three
minutes. Nowhere to go ! Then what became of the
multitudinous loads it carried into the crack ? The
learned and the unlearned might have been seen on their
knees — nay, prone upon the grass — looking earnestly,
prying in all directions, but they failed to solve the
mystery. The next day 1 took off the strip of wood
nailed between the arm and seat, to see if, by any
chance, a hollow place had inadvertently been left. But
no, all was solid. There was no visible interstice but
the open crack.

In my despair, I then most reluctantly resolved to take
off the end, or arm, which, as I have said, was made of
inch stuff. With some difficulty I accomplished this,
for, with the usual result of amateur carpentry, I had
succeeded in nailing it on so very tight that for a long
time it refused to come asunder. At length the mystery
was revealed. The arm had formed part of a large
American box, the boards of which were joined by what,
I believe, is called the ' groove-and-tongue ' method. I
had quite forgotten that the edge of the arm I had nailed
to the seat contained the groove. So here was a narrow
channel running the whole length of the arm, about
twenty inches long, and crossing the crack. Into this
channel, right and left of the crack, the bee had been
working, and had nearly filled it up with rose-leaves,
pollen, and eggs. In due time, but for m}r interference,
the progeny would have come forth to add to the troubles
of rose cultivators.

This is my diffuse and prolix story. I could scarcely
expect the Editor to find it of sufficient interest for
publication but for the fact that at this season there iu
less than usual to be said about bees. — C. C. P., Valentia,
County Kerry, January 22, 1887.

INSECTS AT FAULT.

[813.] The incident related by Harold Adcock in your
issue of the 20th instant, reminded me of a similar occur-
rence I witnessed last autumn. When a wasp flew in at
the open dining-room window, and after careering rapidly
round the room above the heads of the family, who were
seated at the table, suddenly darted into one of a series
of deep circular holes, each about the size of a honey-
comb cell, which embellished the edge of the oak mantel-
shelf. After remaining a few seconds he emerged, and
flying straight to the open window disappeared.

On searching the hole we found he had deposited a
small line green caterpillar, many insect remains were
entombed also in the same repository, so doubtless he had
been in the habit of utilising the ornamental aperture
as a store-room.

Subsequent cold winds necessitated the closing of the
windows, no further opportunity was therefore afforded
of watching the interesting movements of this erratic
specimen of ' Vespa vulgaris.' — Emily Cexveiihouse,
The Hundred Acres, Sutton, Surrey, Jan. 30.

THE HEDDON HIVE.

[814.] "We need scarcely wait for the appearance of the
February number of the Bee -keeper's Magazine, as
advised by Mr. Jas. A. Abbott in the Journal last week
(801), to see Mr. Heddon's own disclaimer of the ad-
vantages (?) of the half bee-space, or the good points
that he now claims for his new hive, as he has given
them to the world on page 789 of the Canadian Bee
Journal for Dec. 29th, 1886, and also in his circular
for 1887 to his customers and friends. His own words
are : —

' The combined experience of my foreman, students, and
myself, during the past season, brings us unanimously to a

conclusion somewhat at variance with those with which we
entered the season of 188G.

' After the first inversion of the brood-combs which secures
the complete filling of the frames, we never care to invert
them again. When the brood-chamber is large and deep,
by virtue of its being composed of two brood-sections, the
interchanging of them accomplishes all, and better, than
can be accomplished by inverting. When the brood -
chamber is contracted to one case, it is then so small and
shallow that all the favourable conditions that could result
from inverting are always present. In regard to reversing
surplus sections, we find the following serious objections to
inverting them by whole cases.

' If the combs are not sufficiently developed to be properly
attached to the sides of the sections, they will fall over,
making a bad mess. On the other hand, if they are pretty
nearly all capped over and then reversed, they will either
be finished without being attached at the top at all, or else,
what is oftener the case, be ridged and made to look bungled
as they are attached to the bottom-piece, now at the top of
the case. They are also not so white and beautiful as those
not so reversed. There is, however, a short period in the
development of these little surplus combs in which inverting
results in all the advantages ever claimed for it ; but as it
is a fact that the combs of a whole case are rarely all at this
stage of development at one time, we are unanimously in
favour of inverting them by wide frames ....

' In the light of the foregoing we unanimously advise
making the new hive with full, rather than half bee-spaces,
as was adopted when considering both systems three years
ago. This will also save much complication when using
the new hive in the same apiary with other style of hives
with fidl bee-spaces. The grand functions of the hive
consist first, in the arrangement by which the combs can
be divested of queens or workers, and their conditions
instantly determined without the labour of removing or ex-
posing them to robber bees. Second, a brood chamber
divided in horizontal sections. Third, the break-joint
honey-board as used with the new hive. Fourth, the set
screws for tightly compressing the frames to avoid propolis,
and to support them when we may desire to invert them.'

My quotation is rather long-winded, but from it I
conclude : (a) ' Spreading brood,' as we practise it, is
equally as good as Mr. Heddon's ' inverting,' or, as he
now recommends, ' interchanging.' (b) If the season is
bad no amount of inverting section cases will get the
sections finished off, quickly, white and clean, and with
few ' pop-holes,' while in a good honey flow most of ns
have not much to complain of on that score, if our stocks
are strong. The removal of the centre rows of sections
and placing the half-finished outside ones in their places,
we scarcely need Mr. Heddon to tell us, is advisable some-
times, (c) How Mr. Heddon can clear his frames from
queen and workers more quickly and easily than we can
from our ordinary standard frame hives I shall be happy
to learn, at present I don't see it. (d) The ' break-joint
honey-board ' is with us an ' improvement ' that we have
relegated to the limbo of antiquity, (e) The set screws
for sections may be useful, but for brood frames we shall
at present decline their use with thanks, (f) The dis-
tance the Americans are ahead of us, and the amount
they can learn us, if this is their ' latest and best,' is very
infinitesimal indeed. — Amateue. Expert.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Castle Douglas.— 1. Ends of Sheet Metal.— Yowc end is
ingeniously fonned, bur we do not consider it as good as
the cast metal ends at present in use, and the important
space of J inch between frame and hive side is not kept.
There would be also a vast amount of propolization.
2. Fixing Foundation.— -Your plan of only partly dividing
the top bar by a saw-cut on the under side, so that it
might be sprung open to receive the sheet, would not be
so convenient as having the cut through it. The small
grip upon the sheet would not in all cases be sufficient to

64

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 10, 1887.

prevent falling, and the nails would not bring the top bar
down flat, but would allow it to remain concave on the
upper surface.

W. Wilson. — 1. Sleep Overthrown. — By the syrup running
cut, the combs are certainly broken down. When righting
it you should have removed the floor-board and replaced
the combs, keeping them as nearly as possible in place by
putting two or three sticks through them. They will now
be fixed together in a mass, giving you more trouble to
separate ; still, you had better do so the first warm day
before brood is in progress. If you have some bar-frame
hives and some stored combs, it would be as well to
make up a set of four or five, drive the bees and hive
them on them, giving them the broken combs to clear
out when weather permits. 2. Bees in Skcp Dead. — Your
neighbour must have made a mistake as to the age of the
hive. A swarm of 1885 could not have existed until now
without brood combs. From the combs being so small,
and no brood having been raised in them, it must have
been a late cast or virgin swarm of 1886 which lost the
queen, and consequently died out. 3. Inversion. — Had you
placed a sheet of excluder between the skeps when
inverting, the combs would have been built down-
wards in the top one instead of continued upwards, as
was the case. Your plan of inverting frames by a piece
of hoop-iron pivoted to the end bar is similar to Neigh-
bour's plan. Your experience of the combs being less
liable to damage in extracting after inversion, owing to
their being built and fixed to all sides of the frames, is in
accordance with others'.

0. W. — If the honey in the outside frames is not granulated
the bees will reach it through the winter passages, and
use it when the temperature is sufficiently warm. Mean-
while warm candy — made, as you propose, of fine sugar
and syrup— placed over the cluster will be advisable, until
you can examine the hive.

M. Htjmtbet.— Observatory hive, Dysentery, Quilts, &c—
The hive may be cleaned a second time, but the bees are
not in sufficient numbers to draw out foundation. Con-
tinue te feed with candy. Toward April you may give
syrup. If the bees survive they will require to be re-
inforced with young bees at spring. You may change the
damp floor-boards ; you will then discover which hives
are attacked by mice, and by reducing the size of entrance
may keep them out in future. You are quite right in
changing damp quilts for dry ones.

F. W. C. — Honoring. — Spring FJmoers. — Separating Doubled
Hives. — If the removal had been made a month earlier
there would have been less chance of bees returning.
During the winter months we constantly move colonies
short distances, and never lose bees to any extent worth
naming. If fine days occur soon after removal, a few
bees will fly around the old spot, but eventually return to
their hive. Possibly a sudden change of temperature
chilled the bees. You will find the colonies none the
worse in the end. Your spring flowers are much earlier
than ours. We have no bloom at present, neither furze,
crocus, nor snowdrop. Our experience, too, differs
respecting condemned bees, of which we have about
twenty lots, and have often had more during many past
years, but have no robbing ; indeed, when possessed of
plentiful stores, they are far less given to robbing than
the Eastern races of bees. To separate your double
hives, at any time during mild weather inject smoke into
the lower hive, so driving the bees into the upper one,
which remove at once from the lower, placing it on a
fresh floor-board, and setting it on the old stand. Then
examine the lower hive, and transfer any frames con-
taining brood to the centre of the other, making room for
them by abstracting sealed or empty combs. Any
adhering bees may be shaken on a board in front of the
populated hive, or on the top of the frames. A careful
look-out must be kept for the queen when manipulating
the lower hive. Another plan is to separate the two hives,
placing each on separate floor-boards, and manipulating
each hive singly, transferring queen, bees, brood, and
sufficient store of sealed honey, to one, and reserving
the remaining combs for future use. The operation is very
simple and should be quickly performed. Separate the
hives with a chisel, blow in a little smoke, and operate

towards evening to avoid robbing. We advise you to
break up the combs of heather honey ; it would be bad
policy to give them to a swarm. Messrs. Turner,
Badcliffe-on-Trent, Notts, advertise in our columns a
very useful ' Squeezer ' for heather honey, which is of
more value than other kinds of honey, and, from its
greater density, of less value to the bees. It is very likely
that you may find the bees domiciled in the upper hives,
in which case you have simply to remove the lower. In
that case the first plan suggested is the best.

Amateuk. — Queenless Stock. — In all probability your bees
became queenless and deserted, to join some other colony,
on one of the fine mild days on which the bees were
flying freely, since the departure of the late severe
weather ; or they might have dwindled and been driven
out by robbers. This might have occurred immediately
after packing for winter from injury to or loss of queen.

B. Chapman. — 1. Tar. — Yes. Stockholm and gas tar should
be heated nearly to boiling point, and well mixed, being
allowed to cool before the spirit of turpentine is added.
The more turpentine used the quicker the mixture dries.
A pint of turpentine to ten pints of tar will do, or two
of turps to ten of tar, if you wish it to dry quickly. We
do not paint over the tar, but if any other colour is
desired it may be done. 2. Deep Frame. — There has
been no authorised decision in regard to a deeper frame
than the Standard. From 10 in. to 12 in. deep by 12 or
11 in. long is a good size. Your experience with the
deeper frame is the same as our own. Abbott's frame
increased in depth to 14 in. would be rather too deep.
We should prefer 12 in. depth. 3. Bee Farm. — Judging
from your description of the four-acre piece of land, with
its surroundings of woods, limes, hawthorn, &c, we
should think it a good speculation at a moderate rent.
4. Plteasants. — Pheasants do not devour bees, neither do
fowls, but we have seen them occasionally pick tip a
drone. 5. Becoming Experts. — We can hardly advise you
as to your sons becoming experts. If handy, industrious,
honest, and anxious to learn, young men of from seventeen
to nineteen years of age would find no difficulty, we
should think, in making arrangements with some of our
larger apiarists on the terms you suggest. Mr. Simmins,
we believe, trains young men ; probably others also who
are possessed of large and well-managed apiaries.

W. C. T. — There should be no difficulty in your obtaining
information respecting the examination for a third-class
certificate. Mr. Kent, hon. sec. of the Cornwall B. K. A.,
Truro, would be pleased to give you the desired in-
formation.

Far Nokth. — The samples of enamel cloth forwarded are
suitable for placing on tops of frames. Nos. 1 and 2 are
the best for the purpose.

B. E. Lloyd. — Both samples of Porto Bico are good ; but
No. 2 brown is the more suitable for feeding bees on Mr.
Simmins' plan.

C. C. M. — There is no occasion for suspecting foul brood
in the hive from which the frame forwarded came. The
comb is healthy and the honey in good condition. The
comb was slightly mouldy, and the hive must have been
damp. We consider the measures taken were the best
that could have been adopted for the preservation of the
remaining bees.

H. L. — The foundation remaining from last year may be
advantageously utilised this season. You can remove the
brittleness, and render it fit for use by hot water. Let
it be hot to the hand ; about one pint of boiling to two
of cold will be right. Just hold the sheet in the water
for half a minute.

J. H. — Your letter respecting the Yorkshire Bee-keepers'
Association has been received with thanks ; but we con-
sider, now that Mr. Grimshaw has consented to be co-
secretary with Mr. Bickards, and new hopes are enter-
tained for the future success of the Association, that it
Would be more discreet not to publish it.

Beceived from Mr. John Smith, the Boyal Nursery,
Clewer, Windsor, a packet of seeds, sought after by bees,
containing twelve assorted varieties, with full directions for
cultivation,

February 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

65

Beceived from Mr. Henry Dobbie, Cringlefold, Norwich,
Descriptive Catalogue of Vegetable and other Seeds, Herbs, Ac.

Cohbection. — Useful Hints, p. 45, 7 lines from end, for
and the close-ended frames being dispensed with, read but
the close-ended frames have not been dispensed with.

We liave reports of several County Associations in type, to
which ice hope to give insertion in our next issue.

.gfhow jgtnnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shows are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

July 11-15. — Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

business directory.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Jo.urnal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Buktt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neota.

Hole, J. E. W., Tarrington, Ledbury.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts

f&l

MR. J. A. ABBOTT

EGS to announce that he has returned from his
American Tour, having made most favourable ar-

^pf rangements for the supply of

SECTIONS, HIVES, Ac., Ac.

It is now arranged that he will continue to trade in
conjunction with his Brothers, and he therefore requests
that all business letters be addressed

ABBOTT BROTHERS, Southall.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Feb. 10, 1887.

I11B1

2324

THE WINDSOR BEE-KEEPER'S
Choice Selected Collection of

SOUGHT AFTER BY BEES. Free by post, 2/6.

SOLD EY

JOHN SMITH, The Royal Nursery, Clewer, Windsor, Berks.

SKEPS, FOUNDATION, &c.
1 lb. 3/- or i/io.
Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
G. STOTHARD, WELWYN, HERTS, a 232

0 J Y /** A O Having had many enquiries from

OUxjrVfVi those who cannot obtain the right
kind, we now oiler Genuine PORTO RICO, on rail at
Brighton, 21s. percwt., lis. 56-lbs., 5s. 9d. 28-Ibs. DUTCH
CRUSHED, best for Syrup, 22s. 6d. per cwt., lis. 6d. 56-lbs.,
6s. 2S-lbs. Quantities of not less than 2 cwt. of Dutch
Crushed, direct from London, at 19s. Gd. per cwt. ; not less
than 10 cwt. Porto Rico, at 18s. For Cash only with Order.
No Samples sent, as we recommend only what we would
use ourselves. Subject to fluctuations in Market.

Address: Simmins' Factory, Brighton. (161)

GENUINE PORTO RICO SUGAR.

J-ewt. bag, 5/3 ; J-cwt. bag, 10s. 3d. ; 2-ewt. bags @ 19/0 cwt.
W. B. WEBSTER, Wokingham, Berks. 21

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

IWHjL send to any address 26 varieties of BEE-
FLOWER SEEDS, including the Noted CHAPMAN
HONEY PLANT, for 2s. post paid. GARDEN SEEDS.—

1 will send 21 packets of Garden Seeds to any address for
2s. Gd. post paid. BAR-FRAME HIVES with Straw
bodies, the hive least affected by heat or cold. My Hives
and Appliances are all forwarded carriage paid, and re-
turnable if not approved on arrival. Please send your
address on post-card, and I will send Descriptive and
Priced Catalogue post free. Address John Mooke, Seed
Merchant, Market Place, and Prospect Farm, Warwick.

RARE BARGAINS.— Owing to change of Pat-
tern, I have bought Mr. Blow's OLD PATTERN
HIVES, ' Standard' size. 10/6 for 7/6, 15/0 for 12/0, 21/0
for 18/0. Two Cork Hives, 35/0 for 25/0 ; Cowan, 27/6 for
24/0, all new. DARK FOUNDATION, 1/5 per lb. MELI-
LOTUS LEUCANTHA, 2/6 per 100. Address E. Jackson,
Welwyn, Herts.

QCREW CAP JARS.— Fifty 2-gross Cases of
IO new Straight Shape 1-lb. JARS to be Sold at a great
reduction, together or separately. Address Fredk. Pear-
son, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

EARLY BEE FLOWERS. — Plant now.—
Strong Plants of ARABIS and LIMNANTHES, 1/9
per 100, free. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth, St.
Ives, Hunts.

FOR SALE.— OBSERVATORY and FRAME
HIVES, STOCK FOUNDATION and FOUNDATION
MACHINE, with SECTION CRATES and FRAMES, to
be sold cheap. Apply to C. Cust, 3 Temple Terrace,
Dorchester. a 2347

QTANDARD BROAD-SHOULDER FRAMES,
I J Is. 8d. per doz. STANDARD FRAMES, with Metal
Ends complete. Is. Gd. per doz. All made of best Pine,
with saw-cut for Foundation. Sample, 3 Stamps, free.
Terms for quantities. Address

A. GREEN, Selston, Alfreton. a 2350

TO BE GIVEN AWAY!

ONE AND A HALF DOZEN

Clark's Patent Climax Hives.

IN order that these Hives may be more generally known,
the Licensee has determined to give away among Pur-
chasers of undermentioned Goods during this February,
One Dozen No. 2, and Half-dozen No. 1 HIVES (full par-
ticulars given in last year's Advertisement), at the rate of
one among every thirty Purohasers, to be distributed by a
lottery, to conduct which he will endeavour to obtain the
assistance of persons of known integrity. Purchasers of
any two articles above Is. to have one chance, and each
2s. Gd. one chance ; every further 2s. Gd. an additional
chance.

N.B. — In order to have a chance of securing one of these
Hives gratis, Orders must be sent in during February, as the
lottery will take place early in March and Hives at once
forwarded to respective Winners.

PRICES.

Finest quality White Basswood A SECTIONS, i\ x 4J x
2, per 100, 3s.; 500, lis.; 1000, 21s. 5Jx6J, per 100,
3s. Gd. ; 500, 13s. ; 1000, 25s. PURE FOUNDATION,
BROOD, per lb. 2s. ; 5 lbs., Is. lOd. ; 5 lbs. to 25 lbs., Is. 9Jd. ;
SUPER ditto, per lb. 2s. 9d. SMOKER (Bingham), 2s."9d.
REGULATING FEEDERS, Is. Gd. ' LITTLE WONDER '
EXTRACTOR, 10s. * VEILS, Is. 3d. PINE'S METAL
ENDS, per gross, 7s.

TOOLS TOR HIVE MAKING.

Set of 36 best Cast Steel Black Bits and Iron Brace, 15s. Gd.
Beech Brace, Lignum head, 26 Bits ditto, 18s. Gd. Set of
12 Cast Steel Chisels, from 1 in. down, 5s. Gd. Handles,
2d. each. Tenon Saw File, 3id.; Hand Saw, id. Marking
Guages, 9d. Mortice ditto, from 2s. Gd. to 3s. Gd. Best
Twist Gimlets, assorted, three, 10Jd. Small Hammer, Is. ;
larger, Is. Gd. Name Stamps, Steel, id. per letter. Oil
Stones from Is. to 3s. Best Smoothing Planes, 2 in. 3s. Gd,,
21 is., 2J 4s. 3d. Best Jack Plane, 4s. 9d. Best Try Plane,
6s. 6d. Best Cast Steel Hand Saw, 22 ins., 4s. ; 24 ins.,
4s. 6d. Tenon Saw, 14 ins., Iron Back, 3s. 9d. ; Brass ditto,
5s. 6d. Dove-tail Saw, 3s. 2 ft. Rules, 2 fold, Is. and Is. 6d.;
4 fold, Is. 3d. to 2s. 3d. Spokeshave, Is. Id. Squares, 6 in.,
Is. 8d.; 9 in., 2s. 3d.; 12 in., 3s.

Kindly oblige by adding sufficient postage for small
packages of goods.

All Orders to be addressed to W. J. GREEN,

Hive Works, Eriar Street, Sudbury, Suffolk.

a 232s

SHORTLY WILL BE PUBLISHED, No. II. or
GUIDE-BOOK PAMPHLETS.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,

AND

HOW TO MAKE A BELLOWS
SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

J. HTJCKLE, KINGS X, -A. 3ST G-Ij E 1T-

THOMAS B. BLOW has for SALE, suitable
for a BEE and POULTRY FARM, 18 Acres of
Land in Northamptonshire, on borders of Bedfordshiie,
with HOUSE and suitable OUTBUILDINGS. Contains a
bed of Valuable BUILDING STONE, and has Frontage to
Street of large Village. For Plan, Particulars, and Price,
apply to T. B, Blow, Welwyn.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 243. Vol. XV.]

FEBRUARY 17, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfottorial, Unfixes, $r.

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOR

BEGINNERS.

{Continued from page 43.)

II. HOW TO COMMENCE BeE-KEEPING.

1. The beginner should never make a start on a
large scale. He had better commence with one or
two hives, and increase as he gets experience, not
forgetting that there is a great deal to learn —
although not more than any one of ordinary intelli-
gence can manage — before he can expect to be a
successful bee-keeper.

2. The best time to commence is in the spring,
and it can be either by the purchase of a swarm, or
a stock of bees, in a skep or a wooden hive. If the
bee-keeper decide on the purchase of a hive, he
should secure this from the nearest bee-keeper of
his neighbourhood in the beginning of April. If he
is not able to afford the cost of such a hive, he will
have to begin with a swarm, which he should secure
in May or the beginning of June.

3. If he has had no previous experience in keeping
bees, it would be better for him to consult, and get
the help of, the county expert ; or if he is not able
to do this, to enlist the services of a practical bee-
keeper in his district.

4. Should he not be able to get any such help,
he must try and get a swarm from a hive which
was known to have swarmed the previous season,
because the queen of such a swarm would be a
young one and in her prime. The larger the
swarm, the better. The bee-keeper can judge the
strength of the swarm by its weight or measure.
Three pounds of bees, or a little more than a gallon,
would be a medium swarui ; and five pounds, or
about seven quarts, would be a good swarm.

5. Much greater care should be exercised in
purchasing an old hive, and it should be well
examined before it is taken. If in a skep, blow in
a little smoke at the entrance, and after a few
minutes turn it up. The hive should be full of
bees, and these can be driven down with a few
more puffs of smoke. (Instead of smoke carbolic
acid can be used ; but this will be explained in
another chapter.) Examine the combs, and see
that they are free from mould, and if, on pushing
them apart, brood is found, it shows that the queen

is present. The combs should be straight and
regular, coming down to the bottom of the hive.
If the combs in such a hive are not too black or
old, it can be purchased, especially if it had
swarmed the previous season. This hive can be
kept for supplying swarms, or the bees can be
driven and the combs transferred to a frame-hive
in the manner to be explained later.

6. If the purchase of a frame-hive has been
decided upon, the same observations should be
made while the bee-keeper is taking out the combs
and examining the hive. If the operator is a skil-
ful oue, and his movements are carefully watched
by the beginner, this will be as good as a lesson
for him.

7. Make up your mind to be guided by the
instructions given for at least two years, with
what help can be obtained from the expert or a
friend, and only after that try experiments.

BLOWS BRITISH IIEDDON INVERTIBLE
HIVE.

We noted in our account of the meeting of Herts
bee-keepers at Hertford that Mr. T. B. Blow, of Welwyn,
exhibited a hive on the reversing principle, and at the
time we had not space to describe it, but we promised
to do so in some future number.

Mr. Blow has endeavoured to combine in this hive
the use of the shallow bars suitable for extracting
purposes or to hold sections, and the ordinary Standard
bar-frames.

Fig. 1 shows the floor-board, which is so constructed
as to have a full entrance the whole width of the hive

so that very efficient ventilation is secured in the hottest
weather, and the risk of swarming through overheating,
&c, is avoided. A half bee-space is fitted round three
sides of the floor-board, and to the front is fixed the
porch. This is a feature not at all noticed in the foreign
reversible hives, but is of great importance, not only as

68

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 17, 1887.

a shelter from the sun's rays, but as a roof to prevent
water getting on the alighting board and rendering the bees
chilled when they are returning home during a sudden
storm in the spring.

P'rorn the illustrations, 2 and 8, it will be seen that
each body will hold ten bar frames and one dummy. To
the dummy springs are attached, and the frames are
held firmly in place by this means and each box can be

Fig. 3.

readily inverted without any danger of the bars falling
out. It is claimed that spring dummies have an advantage
over screws, as the pressure from the springs is alwavs
constant, whereas if any shrinkage takes place, the

Fig. 4.

pressure from screws will cease, and, again, if screws
are wood they swell when exposed to wet, or if iron
they rust.

Each frame will contain three 1-lb. sections, thus a
hive with two super boxes on will hold sixty pounds.
Dividers can be very easily applied, and if used have
four slots, enabling the bees to get, very free access to
all parts of the combs.

Two of the bodies form a hive that will take standard
bar frames, see fig. 3, so that the introduction of these
shallow invertible boxes does mean that the appliances at
present in use are to be thrown aside as useless. To keep
the boxes in exact position, one upon another, it was ori-
ginally intended to use buttons, as in the Stewarton hive,
and as shown in the engravings, but loose tongues of
wood have been found to answer better, more especially
when two boxes are used with standard bars for wintering
purposes. A queen-excluding dummy with half bee-
space in each side is used between the body boxes and
super boxes. Fig. 4 shows the hive complete with two
body boxes and two supers.

At the meeting referred to, this hive was very favour-
ably received as a step in the right direction.

SIMMINS' SELF-ACTING SYRUP-CAN.
On page 115, Vol. XIII,, was given a full description
of several styles of feeders invented by Mr. Simmins —
viz., the Commercial, the Frame, and the Amateur
Feeders. The principal feature in these feeders is that
they dispense with cooking, and reduce sugar to syrup
without stirring by the addition of water in certain pro-
portions. The loaf-sugar and cold water should be put
in the feeder in the proportion of 1 lb. of sugar to half-
pint of water. Warm water should be used in cold
weather, or, if preferred, at all times ; though if cold be
used the sugar will soon be reduced to syrup. The Self-
acting Syrup-Can, recently brought out by Mr. Simmins,
is fitted with a lining of perforated zinc, and the syrup
is made on the principle of the above feeders ; and as the
trouble of cooking or mixing sugar and water is thus done
away with, it will be found a great saving of time, and
will prove a great accommodation in all apiaries where
the practice of feeding with syrup is still adhered to.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — A fortnight's fine weather, with several
days of brilliant sunshine, and high temperature, have
effectually aroused the bees and enticed them forth in
search of pollen, of which at present they find but little.
The nut-bushes, laden with catkins and shedding pollen
abundantly, have been our chief source of supply, the
crocus and snowdrops not yet having made their appear-
ance.

Spring P'lowers. — Soon, however, we may hope to
welcome these sweet harbingers of spring, together with
mezereon, the bloom of the elms, poplars, furze, aconites,
et hoc genus onme, gladdening our hearts, as well as the
bees, after the long and trying winter, now, as we hope,
drawing to its close, although, while writing, severe
frost has again appeared, and the clouds are threatening
snow.

Manipulating.— The late fine weather may have
tempted the inexperienced to manipulate too freely, the
ill effects of which will soon become apparent from the
dwindling of the population where the brood-nest has
been broken or much disturbed. At this early period
we cannot too strongly urge, upon all, the absolute
necessity of abstaining "from interference with colonies
further than merely raising quilts, supplying food where
it is required, and a change of floor-board, all of which
operations should be performed with the minimum of
disturbance.

Feeding,— Consumption of stores by strong colonies,

February 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

60

during the late fine weather, will have become more
rapid ; and it behoves the careful apiarist to have an eye
to this matter, and not to allow his forwardest and best
stocks to perish from want of food. Often have we
beheld this piteous sight — hives literally full of bees
utterly prostrated by famine — the dead and dying bees
blocking the entrances, covering the floor-boards, or
languidly clustering between the combs emptied of their
honey, but partly filled with starving brood. Prevent
the occurrence of so painful a catastrophe by a timely
supply of food. Soft warm candy, or sealed honey,
should still be given.

Moderate Supply. — Soon, in finer, warmer weather,
syrup will be admissible, precautions against robbing-
being taken, and care being exercised against too rapid
feeding, for if colonies arc overfed, mischief will result
from filling up the brood-combs and thus giving a check
to the production of brood. Food supplied in excess
is almost as bad as starvation. This warning becomes
more necessary where colonies are only moderate in
strength and confined by division-boards to a few combs.
In such case the brood-iiest is quickly filled, breeding
altogether ceases, and day by da}' the colony becomes
smaller until the end comes.

Small Colonies. — Hence building up small colonies is
a work requiring much care and judgment, lacking
which it is far better to unite.

Equalisation. — Here one of the great advantages of
moveable combs is realised. Given a small colony with
little food or brood, and a large one with abundance — or
the converse — what more easy than to transpose brood
or honey, and thus to equalise the two, always pro-
viding that frames are interchangeable ? But whatever
manipulation may be deemed necessary at this early
season, ' when 'twere done 'twere well 'twere done
quickly,' that no chance of robbing and consequent
encasement of queens may be afforded.

Motto for 'Journal.' — Thinking of Shakespeare
reminds one that ' our Journal ' is sadly in want of a
motto. Why should we not have one, and what better
one could we adopt — in these days of sedition, change,
home rule, misrule, and what not — than 'Stick to your
Journal.' — Cijmheline, Act iv. Scene 2. (Shakespeare.)
Yes, we say emphatically, if you have the interests of
bee-keepers — whether cottagers, amateurs, or profes-
sionals— at heart, ' Stick to your Journal! Not that we
apprehend sedition in our camp, but we would have all
our fraternity loyal and true, and eager to extend its
circulation to all classes of our fellow-countrymen by all
means in their power, realising, as we do in our own
person, how great would have been the advantage
derived in our younger days from the perusal of such
an organ. Post tenebras lux! and the deprivation of
' the Journal ' now would assuredly cause the deprived
justly to exclaim, ' Quanta sunt tenebree ! vie mihi! vte
mihijVce!' ('How great the darkness to me ! Woe to
me, woe to me be ! ')

Queenlessness may generally be discovered when
the bees begin their spring flights. Listlessnes3 or in-
activity, carrying in little or no pollen, sluggishness or
want of alacrity in entering the hive on returning from
the fields, restlessness exhibited by going in and out of
the hive in an inquiring manner, indisposition to defend
the hive, are all more or less signs of the loss of queen.
Colonies acting thus should be examined at the earliest
opportunity, and will generally be found to possess
neither eggs, brood, nor queen, in which case an early
union should be made with some other colony.

Spring Management. — Next in importance after a
good and safe system of wintering, we place spring
management ; and, with a view to honey production,
the first requisite is to obtain large colonies by the time
the honey harvest begins. It is of no use for hives to
possess the maximum of population when the harvest is
nearly over. It must be a very weak colony, or a very

poor queen, that cannot raise the population to ' boiling
point ' during a plentiful harvest, but after this the bees
aro merely consumers instead of producers until another
harvest arrives. Evident as the truth of this statement
must appear to $ny one for a moment considering the
matter, how many there are who keep bees on the plan
of getting their colonies up to full strength just when
the honey harvest ends ! It may be from want of care,
knowledge, or experience, or from not doing things at
the proper time, or, indeed, from a variety of causes ;
but certain it is that with many bee-keepers this is the
rule and not the exception. Again, therefore, we re-
iterate our former advice to keep no weak colonies, but
to make it a rule to have all strong and full of bees by
the end of May or the beginning of June, when the
white clover commences to bloom. Sometimes and in a
few districts surplus may be obtained from fruit-bloom,
but in this climate, with its frequent cold and late
spring's, it is very rarely indeed that bees can do more
than supply their own necessities of daily consumption
before the time above mentioned, even in our southern
counties. If we take the 7th of June as the general
time at which colonies should be ready for the harvest,
then six weeks previously — i.e., about the 25th of April
— preparations should commence for raising the popula-
tion of the hives by stimulating to brood-rearing, by
judicious and careful brood-spreading, by the union of
weak colonies, and, in all these operations, by the least
possible interference with or manipulation of the bees
and their hives. By such means we venture to say that
half-a-dozen strong colonies thus prepared will collect
more honey than a score of others which have been left
to their own devices or treated according to ordinary
methods, whether the object be comb or extracted
honey. Our ideas on stimulation and brood-spreading
we hope to give in future ' Hints,' also advice as to the
manner and time of the general spring overhauling or
examination of colonies, — which is not yet.

Patents. — A more general inclination appears to be
springing up amongst English inventors of apicultural
appliances to resort to the Patent Office for protecting
their inventions. The recent reduction in fees for
patenting, and the reasonable sum for which provisional
protection for a period of nine months can be obtained,
together with the unscrupulous manner in which any
unpatented article or idea is seized upon by other in-
terested persons, readily accounts for this development.
Mr. Root, editor of American Gleanings, some time ago
made the following statement in regard to the same
subject from an American point of view : — ' I am very
glad indeed to note the disposition among bee-keepers
of forbearing to copy the works of each other, patent or
no patent. The supply dealer who would unhesitatingly
copy something well known to be the property of
another, without getting the privilege of doing so, by
purchase or otherwise, would very likely lose more than
he made, so strong is the disposition of our people to
give honour to whom honour is due.' He would, be a
very bold man who would endorse this statement if it
were applied to Englishmen. And yet we have always
believed that honour and honesty prevailed, to say the
least, in as great a degree on this side of the Atlantic as
on the other. The subject has of late been repeatedly
brought under our notice by inventors submitting thoir
novelties for inspection and advice, almost invariably
with the proviso that the invention is to be protected,
and must therefore be considered private and confidential.
Amongst the last articles with which we have been
favoured are a standard frame, and sections of various
sizes and shapes, by our old friend, Mr. James Lee,
which bid fair in our estimation to hold the field against
all comers. So great is the ingenuity displayed, and
yet so perfect the simplicity, that we shall be much
deceived if the invention does not command a very
large sale both in England and America, in both "of

70

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 17, 1887.

which countries we understand that it is intended to
take out patents. More at present we must not divulge,
except that it is in contemplation to provide perfect
machinery for turning' out the articles in the large quan-
tities likely to be demanded. The specimens forwarded
to us are of the most perfect and accurate construction,
and when arrangements are completed, can be supplied
at the present prices of good frames and sections both
here and in America. We believe that hives on the
same principle will be supplied also, but a specimen of
these we have not yet seen. The reproach, if there be
any truth in it, that for our best ideas in apicultural
appliances we are indebted to Americans, is surely being
wiped out, and now we are going to turn the tables upon
our cousins. Can we fancy ourselves sending sections
to Amei'ica, and actually manufacturing them in that
country, instead of receiving them from thence ? ' So
the world wags, so the world wags.'

Preparing Hives, Supers, &c. — We well remember
the late Mr. Pettitt, of Dover, exclaiming loudly against
painting hives, because, as he maintained, it prevented
the escape of moisture from the interior, an idea con-
trary to the natural instinct of the bee, which leads it to
cover the interior walls of its domicile with varnish, or
propolis, to prevent the escape of heat or moisture.
Hence we find experienced apiarists recommending a
coating of varnish to he applied to the inner walls of
modern frame-hives. A composition, formed of two-
thirds resin and one-third beeswax, should be melted,
mixed well together, and applied warm with a brush,
care being taken to brush it well into the corners and
cracks, thus saving the bees much labour at a season
when time and labour mean honey. Mr. Heddon re-
commends lubricating the hive bearings with tallow,
and rubbing it well into the wood, when, he says, you
will enjoy the luxury of removing covers, supers, honey
cases, &c, in the twinkling of an eye, without a snap,
jar, or bee protest.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BUCKS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of this Association was held on
Thursday, February 3rd, at the George Hotel, Ayles-
bury, when there were present the Eev. J. Hill in the
Chair, the Kev. E. K. Clay, the Eev. F. S. Sclater (Hon.
Secretary), Mr. W. Sturdy, &c. The Secretary read
the annual report and balance-sheet.

The Committee congratulated the Association on the
fine exhibit of honey which secured for Buckinghamshire
the fourth prize in Class I. at the recent South Kensing-
ton Show, and which included honey collected from
thirty-eight different bee-masters. Lectures have been
given at Amersham and Wolvcrton, whilst the bee-tent
has been usefully employed at Stoke Green, High Wy-
combe, Denham, Mentmore, and Oving. Experts' work
has been chiefly done through the local advisers, to
whom the thanks of the Association are due. The
honey census has been very partially collected this year,
through the failure of members to make a return as
requested. Returns were received from fifty-five mem-
bers. Honey yield : — Extracted, 2018 lbs. ; 1-lb. sections,
2506; 2-lbs., p ; other supers, 103 lbs.; wax, 48 lbs.
The Association was able to sell at a good price the
whole of the honey taken to London. From the balance-
sheet it appeared that there was a deficit on the year of
12/. Is. 2d.

Baron F. de Rothschild, M.P., was elected President
for the ensuing year, and the other officers were re-
elected.

The annual drawing for three hives afterwards took
place, the winners being, 1st, Mr. W. Garrett, Fenny
Stratford; 2nd, Mr. J. Elliott, Wicken; 3rd, Mr, C.
Middleton, Eton.

DERBYSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The fifth annual general meeting of the Derbyshire
Bee-keepers' Association was held in the Guildhall on
Friday, 21st January, 1887. Col. Sir H. Wilmot, Bart.,
V. C. C. B., presided, and amongst those present were
the Rev. J. Wadham, and Messrs. W. Newton, W. Wilks,
W. Handley, D. Cooper, A. Cooper, Holmes, Fearn,
Johnson, Austin, Sims, Boden, Atkins, and Hodder.
We extract Hhe following- from the Report for the past
year :—

' The Committee, in setting before you their fifth
Report, are glad to be able to congratulate the members
of the Association upon the sure and steady progress
which has characterised their efforts for the past year,
and upon the permanent position it has now attained in
the count}'. The number of subscribing members is now
350, which, with twenty-three donors to the prize fund,
makes a total of 373 as against 267 last year. After
paying all expenses, we are able to carry forward a
balance of 25/. 16s. 2s d. ; the sum being 71. 8s. id. in
1885. The annual show for 1886 was, by permission of
the Committee of the Derbyshire Agricultural Society,
held in connexion with theirs, on September 8th and 0th,
and was a great success. The number of exhibitors was
about the same as last year, but the apparatus showed a
marked improvement. The quantity of honey was much
larger, and its quality pronounced by the judges to be of
the first order. The Committee, in concluding their
Report, desire to point out the good accruing to the
Society from the various lectures held in different parts
of the county, and trust that the members generally
will do all in their power to advance the cause of the
Association.'

The President (the Duke of Devonshire) and Vice-
Presidents were re-elected. Mr. Copestake was re-
appointed Treasurer, and Mr. W. T. Adkins, Secretary.
The Secretary then moved the re-election of the District
Secretaries, which was carried. The draw for the two
prize hives next took place, the successful members being
Mr. G. Griffin, Clay Cross, and Mr. J. Dowens, Foxlow,
Buxton. It was decided to allow the Secretary a sum
of 10/. per annum for his services, instead of 5/. as
hitherto accorded.

ESSEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Annual Meeting of the Essex Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation was held on Saturday evening at the Corn
Exchange, Chelmsford, Mr. G. H. Aubrey presiding.
There were also present Messrs. F. H. Meggy (hon.
secretary), Reginald Christy, Leonard Brown, Edmund
Durrant, F. Maryon, W. T. Braddy, W. Debnam,
and others. The annual report and accounts were
presented. The report recapitulated the work of the
year, and recommended that from the 1st of January
agricultural labourers should be admitted to the benefits
of membership on ihe payment of a subscription of Is.
per annum. The financial statement showed that, not-
withstanding the heavy expenditure during the past year
entailed by the holding of county shows, and the large
number of members visited by the expert and receiving
copies of the Bee Journal, the income for the year balancad
the expenditure and left a small surplus to carry forward.
It was shown that there were about ninety new members,
the total number of members and donors being over 300.

HEREFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the members of the above
Association was held on Monday, January 31st, in the
Woolhope Club Room, at the Free Library, when there
was a good attendance. Dr. Chapman was voted to the
Chair.

From the annual statement of accounts it appeared

February 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

71

tlint there was a balance in favour of the Association of
187. 19s. Ad. The report stated that the season had been
moderately favourable, and fair yields were reported
from most districts, the honey not being' contaminated
with honey-dew so much as last year. Three private
demonstrations had been given in the gardens of mem-
bers with most satisfactory results, and the report dwelt
upon the advantages of this plan to cottage bee-keepers
who did not attend horticultural shows. Demonstrations
were also held in connexion with the horticultural shows
at Hereford (St. Peter's) and Boss. Honey fairs had
been organized in different parts of the county with
much success, and the Association had taken a part in
the Exhibition at South Kensington.

On the election of officers Mr. Rankin was unani-
mously re-elected President. The Committee, with the
exception of those members who had resigned, were re-
elected, and the Rev. James Oakley, the Rev. — - Herbert,
Mr. Edgar Morris, and Mr. Spencer were added to it.
Mr. Watkins was re-elected as Secretary, the work he
had done for the Association having been warmly eulo-
gised. Messrs. Hole and Meadham were elected experts,
and Mr. F. James representative to the Bee-keepers'
Association.

GLAMORGANSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
The annual meeting of the Glamorgan B. K. A. was
held at Cardiff on Thursday, February 3rd, C. F.
Gooch, Esq., in the chair. The Report and Balance-
sheet were passed. After the election of Committee
and Chairman, the latter referred in very warm terms
to the past services of the Hon. Sec, Mr. E. Thornton,
and he was sure all the members would regret that
he felt it necessary to resign. A cordial vote of
thanks was given to Mr. Thornton for his past services.
Mr. Clark, Penarth, was elected hon. sec, and Mr. W.
Gay, 4 Flora Street, Cathays, Cardiff, was elected hon.
asst. sec. and expert for the County. Messrs. D. A.
Thomas, Ysgnboaven, and 0. F. Gooch, Cardiff, were
elected representatives for the County. Mr. W. Gay,
certified expert of the B.B.K.A., and expert of the
county, then read a paper on the profitable management
of a hive, &c. A general discussion followed. A vote
of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.

LEICESTERSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The general annual meeting of this Association was
held on Saturday, January 20th, at the Old Town Hall,
Leicester. Mr. Carter, of Mill Hill House, Leicester,
was voted to the chair.

The Report and Balance Sheet were adopted. A dis-
cussion then followed on the ways and means of im-
proving the position of the Association ; and as the em-
ployment of an expert to visit the members was thought
likely to be beneficial in this direction, it was proposed
by Mr. Meadows, seconded by Mr. J. Cooper, and carried,
that the prize-money usually offered for appliances be
applied towards paying the expenses of an expert.

Proposed by Mr. Fosbrook, seconded byMr. Foxon, and
carried, That arrangements be made for an expert to visit
the apiaries of such members as required his assistance.

After a short discussion on the difficulties members
found in disposing of their honey, it was proposed by the
Rev. M. A. Thomson, seconded by Mr. Meadows, and
carried unanimously, That a honey fair be held in the
current year in accordance with Rule.X.

The business of electing Committee and Officers was
then proceeded with. The re-election of the Secretary
was coupled with a gratuity of three guineas, and a
hearty vote of thanks to him and his wife. A special
vote of thanks to the Leicestershire Agricultural Asso-

ciation for their liberality was passed. The meeting-
closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Both before and after the meeting Mr. W. P. Meadows
interested the bee-keepers present by exhibiting and ex-
plaining the working of the Jones-IIeddon and the
Bebington hives.

OXFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting was held at the Clarendon Hotel
on Wednesday, January 20th, when there was a large
number of members present. The Right Hon. the Earl
of Jersey (President) occupied the Chair.

The Secretary presented the balance-sheet, from which
it appeared that the total receipts amounted to 331. 7s. 3d.,
while the expendituie reached 35/. 2s., being a balance
on the wrong side of 1/. 14s. 9d. The report stated
that the number of those who have joined the Society
during the year was no less than 01 ; thus, notwith-
standing the loss of 25 members, there is a net increase
of 30 members, bringing the total membership of the
Society from 102 to 138. A spring tour had been
undertaken by Messrs. Perry and Cobb, the former
taking the northern, the latter the southern part of the
county. The autumn tour was carried out by Mr.
Cobb alone. Nearly every member was visited, and
had his bees examined, and advice given to him. It
was decided not to hold a show this year, partly on
account of the expense incurred the previous year, and
partly because it was hoped that an offer which was
made to secretaries of flower shows would accomplish
the same object as a honey show. The bee-tent again
visited several places, viz., Henley (two days), when the
Berks Association also sent a tent with exhibits of
honey, bee-furniture, and appliances ; Trinity College,
on the occasion of the Royal Horticultural Show at
Commemoration ; Headington, Watlington, Woodstock,
and Shipston. At the latter place the Rev. II. Barton
acted as expert.

On the election of officers Earl Jersey was re-elected
President ; the Rev. F. C. Dillon, Secretary ; the Vice-
Presidents were re-elected, and the following were
elected Local Secretaries : — The Rev. H. Sturges (Wit-
ney), the Rev. W. Neame (Islip), the Rev. D. Thomas
(Cuddesdon), the Rev. C. "Williams, of Benson (Wat-
lington district), Mr. W. C. Hayes (Chipping Norton),
Mr. Scrivener (Bicester), Mr. C. Harris (Oxford), and
Mr. T. Hughes, of Combe (Woodstock district).

At the conclusion of the meeting the Earl of Jersey,
with characteristic generosity, handed the Secretary an
amount to cover the deficit on last year's account.

HORSFORTH DISTRICT BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The bee-keepers of Horsforth have met, and come to
the following conclusions: — 1. The society shall be called
the Horsforth District Bee-keepers' Association. 2. The
annual subscription shall be 2s. Gd. 3. That monthly
moveable meetings at convenient centres be summoned
b3r the hon. secretary, for purposes of mutual improve-
ment in bee-culture. 4. That 5s. be at once forwarded
to the hon. sees, of the Yorkshire Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation, thereby qualifying the Hon. Sec. and another
member as County committee-men, in accordance with
the recent resolution of the Y.B. K. A. 5. That bee-
keepers within the district desirous of joining the Asso-
ciation be hereby invited to communicate at once with
the district secretary. 0. That the district hon. sec.
be N. F. G. Burniston, Esq., Throstle Nest Apiary,
Horsforth, near Leeds. 7. That the treasurer and dis-
trict adviser be A. W. Henderson, Esq., Bank Terrace,
Horsforth.

The members at the close of the meeting congratulated
themselves upon being the first to have the honour of
taking this new departure in our county.

72

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 17, 1887.

ferespntrenx*.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed"
by his corespondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, out as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cfo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W. C Ml business communications relating
to -Advertisements, &c., must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

*** In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking oj
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as welt as the page on which it appears.

WINTER MANAGEMENT IN CANADA.

[815.] You did me the honour of asking me to occa-
sionally pen a few lines for the Journal. Nothing would
afford me greater pleasure than to do so if I were per-
suaded that anything I could write would be of interest or
profit to your readers. I certainly owe }'OU and your con-
stituents a debt which cannot be paid by me in this way.
I have no faith in my ability to teach the British bee-
keeper the mysteries of his craft. I know them now too
well to doubt their skill in these, or to esteem my own
in any way superior to theirs. I am conscious enough
of the fact, however, that I owe both them and you a
heavy debt of gratitude, and would discharge it (in part)
in this way. But how shall I place the first item to the
credit side of my account with you ? is the question that
suggests itself to me. I repeat, Not by a lesson in bee-
keeping certainly. Let present circumstances then suggest
my topic.

It is ten o'clock p.m. The family have retired, and I
sit alone at the table with a bright fire blazing in the
grate. The temperature of the room is about 05°.
The glass outside registers 3° below zero. What a
difference in temperature between the within and the
without ! You say, How intensely cold it must be to
cause the mercury to drop so low ! Methinks your
sympathies go out to the unfortunate men and women
who are compelled to be out on such a night, and you
bless your stars your home is in Old England and not in
Canada. What are McKnight's feelings you, perchance,
ask yourself ? Well, they are those of the poet when he
wrote —

' Backward, turn backward, 0 Time, in your flight,
And make me a boy again just for to-night ! '

for I hear the merry jingling of the sleigh-bells and the
rollicking laughter of a happy sleighing party out for a
pleasure drive. Wrapped in their warm robes they skim
over the well-beaten snow road, the hoofs of the horses
keeping time to the ' tinkling of the bells,' and the
hilarity of the party raised to its highest pitch by the
bracing air of a genuine typical Canadian winter night.
The earth is blanketed with the ' beautiful snow,' a foot
and a half thick ; the air is as still as death, the moon
looks down from a cloudless sky and her rays are reflected
back with such brilliancy that the very stars are chased
out of the firmament. It is not a night for Canadian
youth to huddle together by the ' ingleside,' but such an
one as they love to meet with one another on the hill-
side and engage in the exciting sport of ' toboggen ' sliding
— strike across country on snow-shoes, or drive out in
sleighing parties. It is, I repeat, just such a night as
Canadian youth delight in, and will suffer nothing by
comparison with one of sleet and wind or of heavy hang-
ing clouds without either.

Bray don't pity us because of the severity of our
climate. We don't need your commiseration on this
score. But how, you ask, does it affect your bee-
keepers? Well, it necessitates a different mode of
winter management from that practised by our British

brethren. It makes winter protection a necessary element
on success. We winter in two ways — indoors and out.
The indoors method I need not dwell upon, as you do not
need to practise it. Every house has its cellar, and most
people keep their bees where they keep their roots and
perishable vegetables. A few have ' bee-houses ' specially
constructed for wintering their pets. Those who winter
on the summer stands use double-walled hives, or some-
thing better than a simple outer case. These double-
walled hives, however, are the exception and not the
general rule.

I shall attempt to briefly describe the method generally
practised in outdoor wintering. It consists of an outer
case with some kind of packing between and above.
This outer case is constructed in the following way, with
modifications here and there. First make a rough stand
five or six inches wider every way than the bottom
board of the hive. Now set your hive on this stand with
the centre of the bottom board over the centre of the
stand. The stand will then project five or six inches
every way beyond the outer limits of the bottom board.
Now make a case the outer limits of which will corre-
spond with the outer limits of the stand. This case must
be open at bottom and top ; the top of this case should
be.six inches higher in front than back and about twice
the height of the hive. When this case is placed over
the hive it rests on the stand, which makes a nicely
fitting bottom for it. The front of this case must have
an opening below corresponding with the entrance to the
hive. Now erect a nice little bridge between the hive
and the outer case that will permit the bees free access
to the outer world, and preventing the packing when put
in from blocking up this passage. The hive is now sur-
rounded by a case with an empty space between and
around of some five inches or so. Before packing between
and above the hive itself must be prepared. This ia
usually done by spreading a quilt over the top of the bar-
frames. This quilt should be a little larger than the top
of the hive. The empty super is now placed on the top
of the hive and this keeps the quilt securely in its place.
The case is now ready for the packing, and the best
material for this purpose is cork-dust, such as fresh
grapes from the Mediterranean are usually put up in.
The next best is dry saw-dust, such as may be procured
in a factory where dry deals and boards are repped in ;
saw-dust. from green logs should never be used. Cut
straw, dry leaves or chaff will do, hut not so well.
Whatever material is used it should be well packed
around and over the hive right up to the roof of the
case. The quilt over the bars precludes the possibility
of the packing getting to the cluster. A roof or top,
projecting a little over the frame, is now put on and the
work is done. Some people place a device on top of the
bars and under the quilt to allow the bees a passage over
the top bars. I have put them away both with and
without this device and found no difference in wintering.
The front of the case being higher than the back causes
the roof to shed the rain freely. I did up fourteen
stocks in this way last year and the rain came through
the winter finely. I have over forty put away at the
present moment, and I have no fears for their safety.

Brobably you prepare your own bees for winter in
some such way. If so this paper will be neither interest-
ing nor profitable to your readers. — R. McKnight,
Owen Sound, Ontario.

BEE-KEEPING IN CANADA.
[816.] A correspondent under the above heading,
B. B. J. p. G05, writes in a tone which can scarcely be
passed in silence with justice. I am in a position to speak
witli knowledge of the Caledonian Show ; it is not far
from the home of my parents, not far from my present
place of residence, and I have been in the placo many
times.

February 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

73

In the first place, the Caledonian Show is not what
we know as a large show. The directors of such a show
as the Caledonian generally know but little about bee-
keeping, and it is considered one of the most insignificant
of the departments. The prizes only extend to the best
10 lbs. of extracted, or, iu a mistake, they may even say
strained honey, and the best 10 lbs. of comb honey.

Now, at just such a show I have seen a pan of broken
comb take the first prize from beautifully filled sections,
and the dark inferior grades of honey get the preference
because the judges knew nothing about bee-keeping, and
they think such looks more natural.

We must remember that bee-keeping has made won-
derful progress during the last few years, and the know-
ledge the bee-keepers possess has not yet been trans-
mitted to the general public, or, at least, only in a small
measure. So much so, that at our Provincial Exhibition
last year, when showing goods to the judges, they
glanced over the list, and then remarked, ' Wax and
honey extractor, is that not all the same thing ?' But is
that an indication of the state of apiculture in our land ?
Far from it.

The hives spoken of at Caledonia were either frame-
hives, or the}' were there as a joke, or a curiosity. I
have no hesitancy in saying this as bee-keepers know
better in that locality. No intelligent bee-keeper uses the
box-hive. I have been amongst many bee-keepers during
the last five or six years ; and with the exception of the
second year when I went to a box-hive locality, and pur-
chased seventy-nine stocks in such hives and transferred
them during fruit-bloom, I have rarely seen a box-hive.

There are, however, quite a few in exceptional
localities in Ontario, although, I believe, more in the
province of Quebec. Ontario is the honey-producing
part of Canada, at present however. These remarks,
coupled with my previous one on Canadian hives, will, I
think, throw sufficient light upon the question. I regret
that Mr. S. T. Pettit, the President of our 0. B. K. A.,
should have found it necessary to leave England before
the time when the British and Canadian bee-keepers
met ; there would have been another Canadian to assist
in throwing additional light upon bee-keeping as con-
ducted here. The conversational powers of a few (three)
must have been, at times, taxed to the utmost.

I have had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. J. A.
Abbott of Southall, London, England, and spent an
afternoon partly journeying by rail with him. I learned
very much of interest and solid profit from him, and had
a very pleasant time. It is a bad season to judge of bee-
keeping in Canada, but I think Mr. Abbott will have
gleaned sufficiently to be in a position to endorse the
majority of the statements made, or the tenor of them. —
R. F. Holtermann, Brantford, Canada.

DOUBLING.

[817.] Last season I followed the instruction in your
admirable article on doubling, and as a consequence had
large stocks and no swarms. I have six hives, and my
average was sixty-one pounds per hive, section and ex-
tracted, taldng the 4J x 4{ section at one pound. The
previous season, commencing with three stocks and in-
creasing by natural swarming to six, I had an average of
eighty-three pounds per hive. The difference in the season
would account for this increased result. There is, how-
ever, one drawback to this method of doubling ; that is,
brood in the upper boxes. One of my hives had four
bodies, holding twelve frames in the lower hive, ten in
the others, and had brood in the middle frame of all the
upper boxes in September, which was a great incon-
venience in extracting ; and when 1 had worked the hive
gradually down, I found the lowest compartment quite
empty of brood or honey. In another hive what held
twenty-two frames in the body and twenty in the upper,
I had brood in both, and a quantity of drone-comb drawn

out between the two tiers of frames and well up into
some of the upper ones. I therefore think that some
kind of queen-excluder should be used above the frames
in the lower body ; not excluder-zinc, which I consider
an abomination, and would, in all probability, make the
bees swarm ; but either by strips of wood on the top of
the frames leaving the required width between, or a pro-
perly made board to fit the hive, with long strips cut out
of it, or the top bar made wide enough to prevent the
queeu going up. I have no difficulty with queens in my
sections, and the tees seem to find no hindrance to their
working by having to pass through the narrow strips of
the section. The hive that gave me the best result last
year was one with twenty-five frames in the body and
sections above. I had 108 lb. sections on at one time,
and full of bees, but owing to the season had only sixty-
three completed. Can you suggest any plan to overcome
this difficulty ?— W. II. Jenkins.

[You do not say so, but we presume you have yowx
frames fixed by broad shoulders or some other means,
to the regulation distance apart of about li in. from
centre to centre. This, we think, is the main cause why
you have brood right up into the top storey. We keep
the two lower storeys for brood and bring the combs to
lj in. from centre to centre, but when we add our third
storey the frames in this are placed at lj in. from centre
to centre. The queen seldom rises into this storey as
the combs are too thick for her to lay in, and they form
a better barrier to the storey above than any queen-
excluder. We tried boards with slits in them the same
as Heddon now uses before we used excluder zinc more
than twelve years ago, when we worked large supers,
but as they were constantly shrinking and expauding
they did not exclude the queen from the supers. We
have placed a square of enamel cloth over the frames
li in. smaller all round than the top of the hive, and this
prevents both queen and bees from passing up the
centre, which is the most likely place for the queen to
use in going up. It is carrying out the principle of the
Stewarton hive, in which the openings into the supers
are on either side of the brood nest. Another way is,
when you put on a third storey to remove all combs
containing honey in the lower hives, and to put them
into the upper hive, placing them If in. from centre to
centre, and giving the lower storeys empty combs for
the queen to lay in. When combs are only used for
extracting there is not such an objection to the queen
going up as there is when sections are worked. Still
an endeavour should be made to keep the queen to the
two lower boxes and secure honey in the two upper
ones. — -Ed.]

HONEY IN ZINC VESSELS.

[818.] Having in November and December read the
various opinions in the B. B. J. as to the danger of
keeping honey in zinc vessels, and having myself in use
a large galvanised iron reservoir obtained during the
summer from Messrs. Abbott, I without delay bottled
off its contents, which had been standing about ten
weeks, into glass jars, and at the same time made a care-
ful chemical examination. I may say that the vessel
had been in use all through the summer and autumn, the
quantity of honey it contained varying according as I
drew off and sold, or added to the store. It had never
been cleaned or emptied. As the result of analysis, I
could find no trace of zinc in any of the clear honey
bottled off. I found, however, on washing out the dregs
with hot water, that the washings had a metallic taste,
and contained a considerable quantity of zinc salts in
solution.

I draw the conclusion that the action on the hive is
confined to the film of honey in immediate contact with
it, which remains adherent and does not diffuse through
the main mass unless it is rubbed off and stirred up. As
there must always be risk of such disturbance, the use of

74

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 17, 1887.

unprotected galvanized reservoirs cannot be considered
free from danger.

To arrive at something certain as to the energy of the
chemical action, I, on the 30th of November, cleaned a
piece of sheet zinc six inches by two inches, having a
surface of twenty-four square inches. And, after weighing
it on a delicate chemical balance, I immersed it in half a
pound of clear pure honey contained in a covered glass
beaker which I kept on the chimney-shelf from day to
day, occasionally warming on the hob and stirring with
a glass rod. I took out the zinc a few times, washed it
with distilled water, and re-weighed. The weights were
as follows: —

Grammes.

Nov. 30, 1886. Original weight of clean zinc = 29-0250

Dec. 1 „ Weight after immersion =29-0134

„ 2 „ „ „ „ =29-0075

„ 1-1 „ „ ,, ,, =28-9990

Jan. 29, 1887. „ „ „ =28-9910

Total loss of weight in two months = 0-034 grammes or
0-52 grains of metallic zinc. The action is thus seen to
be slow and of no great amount even with the assistance
of heat and stirring.

I intend to varnish the inside of my reservoir. Can
any of your readers say whether the ordinary varnish
sold as 'White Hard' spirit varnish, would answer the
purpose of protection without giving a taste to the
honey? — R. E. Lloyd.

DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.

[819.] I am delighted to see your leader on this sub-
ject, it gives all your readers the lines to work on, and I
need not say how my ideas exactly coincide.

' Amateur Expert,' who is always terse and business-
like, even in his most playful vein, places me under
obligations to him for his valuable hints. I shall make
it a point to try and pierce the veil of his incognito,
which he freely admitted nearly fell (or was torn) from
the statue at one of the Canadian gatherings.

These very hints of ' A. E.' (without any effort on my
part) have brought me letters asking for advice as to the
formation of District Associations, and my help in
lecturing in various parts of our county; with each of
these I have complied, and so will continue to the fullest
extent of my leisure, but our county is so large and
individual exertion so seemingly barren of results, that
a score or two working enthusiasts might be imported
from our champion counties with the greatest advan-
tage to us. My time, however, is so full}' occupied by
business that I must often let the will go for the deed.

There is a splendid harvest of young bee-keepers who
are longing for the Society and mutual pleasure of asso-
ciation, but the workers (may I say the high and dry P)
are hard to move. They do not fear

' Lest they
By thousands tumble from their honey'd dome
Into a gulph of blue sulphurous flame.'

Enthusiasm is wanting amongst those who have learnt
their bee-keeping by practice and current literature
without, association, and they appear now desirous of
sipping their nectar under their own hedges. To all
such ' high and dry ' I now appeal for the sake of those
others who want light and leading. The Yorks B. K. A.
have now (before ' A Worker's ' suggestion in a recent
issue was made) passed a resolution inviting the bee-
keepers of various parts of Yorkshire, without more ado,
inform themselves into District Associations, no matter
how small. These are to be entirely self-governed
and self-officered ; they are to have the fullest and
freest liberty, and by payment of 5s. per annum per
Association to ' the County,' can have the advantage of
their secretary and another member being on the
committee, with themselves having all the privileges of
membership. So that now nothing remains but for our

brethren in various parts of Yorkshire to organize
themselves, and this will be perhaps best done b}' one
or two in each district calling, by cheap advertisement
in daily paper, a meeting of bee-keepers to discuss and
carry out the idea. I would suggest as a start that —

Bradford, Scarborough, Doncaster,

Skipton, Walton, Brighouse,

Harrogate, York, Wakefield,

Thirst, Hull, Goole,

Middlesbrough, Barnsley, Harrogate,

be the first great districts (each of which is equal to
some counties), to again subdivide some time in the dim
and distant future by the natural process of development,
i.e., by the simple one of

1 When the church can raise a choir,
Why then they'll raise a song,'

no matter , how small the choir. So pull yourselves
together, ye ' high and dry,' and let us have some public
spirit for the sake of the bees who sacrifice so much for
us and our service. Don't let us be saturated with the
spirit of this ditty :

' We're honey-and-wax-3'oung-rnen,
We're wood-nails-and-tacks-young-men,
Oh, isn't it funny, we're going to make honey
Turn fast into money-youDg-men.'

It's all very nice to think of

' A golden hive, on a golden bank,
Where golden bees by alchemical prank
Gather gold instead of honey.'

' Ho, ho, to ye,

Woe, woe, to ye '

if ye turn from the warning in the sulphur-pit couplet. —
11. A. IT. G., Horsforth, near Leeds.

SELECTED DRONES.

[820.] The question of the survival of the fittest
amongst bees is a very important one, and no doubt
ought to receive more attention than it does at present.
We all know that some queens possess better qualities
than others, and we ought to preserve those good
qualities as far as we can ; but how can this best be
done ? I know, sir, that your advice is very valuable on
this subject, and ought to be acted upon ; but without
all act upon it, the few will not obtain the results ex-
pected.

I think it is quite as important that the drones should
be selected as the queens, and here arises the difficulty.
Supposing the strongest two hives in the apiary con-
taining two of the best queens are chosen in the spring
for breeding queens and drones, it is absolutely necessary
that the drones be flying before anj' others within a
radius of several miles, or the probability is that the
young queens will not mate with the drones prepared
for them, and as skeps generally produce drones early,
there is but little time for getting a lot of selected
queens impregnated by selected drones. Virgin queens
(bees) are somewhat like the tender sex of another
species, they prefer selecting their own husbands, and
will not always accept what is offered them.

Early last June, a hive was found to be queenless and
without brood. A frame of brood was at once given
and a queen raised from that brood — or eggs, rather.
Her majesty began to lay and, in due course, young bees
appeared, two-thirds of which were, in appearance,
beautiful Ligurians. They are hybrids, of course.

Now, sir, there was not a single Ligurian within a
distance of thdke miles, and therefore this young queen
must have been mated by a drone from that distance.
There were plenty of English bees near and doubtless
many drones at that time, but she rejected them. — A.
Geeen, Selston, Alfreton.

February 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

75

RESUSCITATION OF BEES.

[821.] On "Wednesday, the 19th ult., a thaw set in, and
upon visiting my hives I found that, although shaded as
they were, the bright half-hour's sunshine about noon
had tempted the bees out, and about two hundred had
paid the penalty, and were to be found upon the snow
and ice, apparently dead. I picked up about a score, and
while engaged in conversation with another person I
suddenly became cognisant of a movement on the part
of the bees in my hand. As it was evident the bees had
been revived by the warmth, I heated a saucer in an
oven, and gathered up sufficient (of the to all appear-
ance dead bees) to fill the saucer, and after changing the
saucer a time or two for one freshly heated, I had the
pleasure of seeing nearly the whole of the bees revive,
and return to their respective hives. It was the more
remarkable as some were taken from pools of icjr water,
and others had small particles of snow and ice clingnig
to their bodies. — G. N. Railway.

MADAGASCAR BEES.
[822.] As communication between Madagascar and
the rest of the world is very slow, I have only just heard
of the question asked by ' Colenso ' as regards the cubic
contents of the hollow tree stated by me to contain
about two hundred and eighty cubic feet. I must thank
' Colenso ' for kindly pointing out a very stupid mis-
calculation, and apologise to your readers for the same.
What I should have written was about sixty cubic feet,
if in my mind's eye I had not seen a tree of twice the
diameter. — C, P. C, Madagascar,

PHYSIOLOGICAL QUERIES, &c. (756).

[823.] No reply to the former query has yet appeared
in the Journal, which I regret, as it is an interesting
subject, and evidently has an important bearing on the
new system of inversion advocated by a certain section of
American apiarists, and more lately brought before the
notice of bee-keepers in this country. The discussion
raised relative to the latter question is instructive. I had
several opportunities of closely examining the Jones-
Heddon hive at the Colinderies, and from personal
observation I can fully endorse the remark of J. M.
Hooker (766) that hives of such thin material are not
sufficient for use in this country, and I should never
think of using them without an outer case, and the
hive then becomes too expensive.

' Devonshire Dumpling's ' advice to cottagers to try
the Jones-Heddon appears to me too ridiculous to notice,
and I can only account for such advice by supposing
' D. D.' is endeavouring to grind his axe at the expense
of the poor cottager. I am one of those looking for
information that can be relied on, and if ' D. D.' will
give the particulars of his management, and if he would
also add the district where his apiary is situated, it would
give additional interest to the information. The one or
two isolated cases given without any particulars furnish
no data sufficiently reliable to be a guide, and my advice
must also be to go slow with the new system. — W. Soab,
1 Sussex Villas, Kensington,

PHYSIOLOGICAL QUERIES: INVERTIBLE
HIVE.

[824.] I beg J. Lee's pardon if I misapprehended his
views as to invertible hives. I see it is the Jones-
Heddon hive he objects to, and not so much the upside-
down plan ; and I am glad to see J. Lee is making a
hive like the Jones-Heddon, but one that is adapted to
the British climate. So far, so good. I see he seems
astonished at my advice to cottagers to try it. Now,
Mr. James Lee, you say that your British Invertible
hive requires no arguments to prove its utter unsuit-

ability to the cottager, as it required more skill and
judgment to work it ; I say ' work ' it, as some of my
cottage bee-keepers might not understand what ' mani-
pulate ' means. I did not think of advising a cottager
that was not a bee-keeper, or a Journal reader, or one
unskilled. Does 'J. L.' think, after the establishment of
the Bee-keepers' Association for so long, and the British
Bee Journal, with all its useful information, that cottagers
have made no progress? Surely they are not all kid-
glove bee-keepers that subscribe to the Journal; and
what does the Journal teach them ? I venture to say
that there are more skilled cottage bee-keepers on the
weather side than on the lee of the ship, or the advice
of the Journal cannot be much good ; but yet it has
come from a monthly one to a weekly one, and I fancy,
Mr. Editor, it is going the right road to be twice a-
week soon. I hope we shall get some skilled cot-
tagers if we have none now equal to the gentlemen
bee-keepers. And how much more skill does it require
to work the Jones-Heddon hive ? Are there British
Invertible hives in this country ? Has J. Lee had any
experience with either ? by his inquiry I should say
not; and as my invertible hive is not very easy to work,
I think the Heddon Mve will be easier—more honey I
do not expect. — Devonshire Dumpling.

INVERTIBLE HIVES. (793.)
[825.] I see J. M. Hooker (803) is coming down on
poor ' Devonshire Dumpling ' like a thousand of bricks.
Poor 'Dumpling! ' I hope he will escape in safet}', as I
have the pleasure of knowing him and am well acquainted
with his mode of working. I tried inversion last season,
although on a smaller scale than 'D. D.' ' J. M. H.' is
not far from the mark in supposing ' D. D.' ' to be one of
these.' I don't suppose ' D. D.' will mind me telling
' J. M. H.' that he had one swarm last summer from a
right-side-up hive. I can assure 'A. E. ' that a hot
dumpling is a ' rum article ' for ' fancy dealers ' to close
their teeth on. I think ' D. D.' knows a little about
manufacturing hives, as well as how to use them and the
profits to be derived from them. I have used cheese-
boxes and they answered very well, and they are much
thinner than the Jones-Heddon. Our friend Neigh-
bour has got a ' nobby hive ' which no doubt will suit
J. M. Hooker, as it is J inches thick and prettily
decorated with thumb -screws. Hurrah for Mr. Sim-
mins! I am sure we are all glad to see his notice in
the valuable British Bee Journal — good luck to them all,
dealers, fancy dealers, upside downers, and rightside
uppers. — Apple Dumpling.

The Bee's Stino a Useful Tool. — From lengthened
observations, Mr. W. F. Clarke, a Canadian, has come to
the conclusion that the most important function of the
bee's sting is not stinging, but its use by that wonderful
creature as a tool. Mr. Clarke says he is convinced that
the most important office of the bee's sting is that which
is performed in doing the artistic cell work, capping the
comb, and infusing the formic acid by means of which
honey receives its keeping (Qualities. The sting is really
a skilfully contrived little trowel, with which the bee
finishes off and caps the cells when they are filled brimful
of honey. This explains why honey extracted before it is
capped over does not keep well. The formic acid has not
been injected into it. This is done in the very act of
putting the last touches on the cell work. As the little
pliant trowel is worked to and fro with such dexterity, the
darts, of which there are two, pierce the plastic cell surface,
and leave the nectar beneath its tiny drops of the fluid
which makes it keep well. This is the 'art preservative'
of honey. Herein we see, says Mr. Clarke, that the sting
and the poison-bag, with which so many of us would like to
dispense, are essential to the storage of the luscious product,
and that without them the beautiful comb-honey of com-
merce would be a thing unknown. This is certainly a most
wonderful provision of nature.— Iron,

76

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 17, 1887

Replies to |m,

*t* In their answers. Correspondents are respectfully requested to
mention in oach instance the number and the title of the query ashed.

[774.] Separation or Wax from Pollen. — I always found
extracting wax was a messy job, as after boiling and straining
through a cloth, as described by ' Amateur Expert,' I
buried cloth, wax, and all, because it was so messy, and I
made up my mind never so do any more ; but speaking to
neighbour Killiek on the subject, he told me it was an
unnecessary trouble, and offered to lend me his extractor,
which offer I soon accepted, as he said there was no mess ;
and having a few old combs that I had not disposed of, I
followed his instructions, and, to my surprise, every morsel
of wax was extracted, leaving all the pollen, &c, easily to
be cleared away, and the wax wanted no more refining.
It is the best and simplest one I ever saw, and every
cottager should have one that has only got a few stalls of
bees, as I think we ought to produce more wax, and get it
made into foundation, instead of purchasing so much, now
it can be done so easy with little experience, and the times
won't allow us to be too extravagant. — T. B.

ti cries.

Queries and Answers arc inserted free of charge to Correspondents
Whan more than one query is sent, each should be on a separate piece
of paper.

Our readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observation's permit, the Correspondents who seek assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[826.] Crates of Thirty -five Sections. — Have any of
your readers tried crates of thirty-five sections instead of
twenty-one? If so I should be glad to hear their experi-
ence thereon. Having a hive suitable for storifying, and
wishing to work for sections, I thought of having two
crates made to carry thirty-five sections to each. There
are nine frames in the hive at present, well covered, and
with plenty of sealed stores, but when full it takes fifteen
frames. — West Somerset.

[827.] Moveable Frame-hive. — To whom is due the
honour of the invention of the moveable frame hive? Give
the date or year. — Douglas.

[828.] Glass Hive. — Who was the first inventor of glass
hives ? — Douglas.

[829.] Poisonous Honey. — Is honey produced from the
rose-laurel and the yellow azalea proved to be poisonous ?
If so, how does it not poison the bees when they gather
it? — Douglas.

(&t\m% from % ptbes.

Plymstocks, South Devon, Jan. 26th. — The sun coming
out brightly, and the bees flying, I ventured to examine and
see if there were sufficient stores. Found them rather short,
so shall have to try Mr. Simmins' latest dodge. Received
with what equanimity I could the first sting of the season.
I have been wintering my three stocks under enamel cloth,
and am amazed at the result. They were very short of
stores when put into winter quarters, owing to an illness
which prevented me feeding, and yet they are not entirely
without now, and wonderfully strong. One lot was a single
driven stock and they were fairly fed up before I got ill,
they are now nearly as strong as the others. Your advice
in the ' Correspondents ' column, Mr. Editor, made me
hesitate before trying this plan, but ' Useful Hints ' decided
me for it, and I'm glad he did. — Trevor Saynor.

Malvern, January 28(/i. — To-day being beautifully fine,
and bees flying freely, I took the opportunity to examine
my hives. I found all in good condition, scarcely any
stores touched, and in one stock breeding had not only
commenced but there was a quantity of sealed brood, and a
good number of young bees flying out for the first time.
This is the more remarkable considering the sharp frosts
we have had.

Swaninore, Bisliop Waltham, January 29t7i. — After a long
spell of very bad weather we have at last a few mild days
on which it has been possible for the bees to get out for a
flight, and of which they have not failed to avail themselves.
The general report of the district is that so far the bees
seem to have wintered well. My own are all apparently
strong and no signs of dysentery. — H. W. West.

North Leicestershire, January 31st. — From December 6th
to 31st inst. (fifty-one days), the bulk of the bees kept to
close quarters ; a few ventured out on the 18th and 19th,
but only to perish in the snow. Losses are almost nil, but
some stocks are very short of food, apparently through late
breeding in October and November. Since the 20th the
bees have been in flight daily, and seem very much inclined
to while away their time in robbing all round. — E. B.

Uttoxeter. — On February 2nd I was called upon by the

coachman fiom Miss W , with a request to go and see

her bees. I said it was too early to examine bees yet. But,

he said, Miss W is afraid they will be short of food.

Impossible, I said, I attended to them myself in the
autumn and they had abundance. Being urged I promised
to go on the following Friday if it was a nice day. Friday,
February 4th, was a fine day, so I set off to the place in
question, a distance of about five miles. The coachman
acting as my assistant, we commenced with No. 1, a bar-
frame hive. As soon as the roof was lifted off I said, Some-
thing has been the matter here, and was answered that the
hive had been blown over late last autumn, and George
(servant-lad) said he had put it all right again. Well,
I said, if bees will winter this way, they will winter nearly
any way. The bars were all out of place, nearly cornerways
in the hive, the quilt laid on anyhow just over the cluster,
there was an opening in the left front corner that I could
get both my hands in right into the hive without touching
quilt, hive, or bars. Well, I thought, this is enough to
kill them all, such a winter as we have had. But the
bees were healthy and well and numerous. Their loss had
been very small. It was only the work of a minute or so
to put all right, in doing so I saw a patch of brood in
various stages on one bar about as big as a five-shilling
piece. The straw hives (four or five in number) were then
examined, and floor-boards cleaned ; all were in good order.
Lastly, another bar-frame hive was looked at, which was
all right, only some of the quilting a little damp ; this was
changed, and all made snug and comfortable. I may say,
in conclusion, that this lady has kept bees now for some
years, devoting time, attention, &c, to them, and every
penny profit realised is devoted to charitable purposes, — an
example worthy of imitation. — F. Harper, Uttoxeter, Staf-
fordshire.

Fakenham, Norfolk, February 1th. — Not having opened
one of my hives since August, and as I did not feed in the
autumn (though I had taken 60 lbs. from it), I was anxious
to know what state the bees were in. January 28th being
a very fine and warm day I could not resist the temptation
to look at them (against instructions). To my great surprise
I found grubs and brood on two frames which appeared
to be in a forward state ; there was plenty of food, very
few dead bees, and quilts perfectly dry. Is it not unusually
early ? I did not winter them in the usual way ; instead
of cutting holes through the combs, I left the empty crate
on, so that the bees could run over the top of the frames.
I put the wood dividers down to keep the bees from getting
through, and then put the quilts in the crate. I also put
a piece of glass across, so that I could see the bees, and
left them on twelve frames. I peeped at them several
times during the very cold weather, and always found them
between the frames and crate, going from one end of the
hive to the other, and appeared very healthy. I have now
reduced the number of frames, which is usually done in
the autumn. I generally winter in that way, and do not
reduce the number of frames till early spring, and always
find them in good condition,

Alton, Feb. 10. — Mice in Hives. — Thinking it would be
of interest to the readers of your valuable Journal, I here-
with give an account of my finding traces of mice in my
hives. As soon as the snow was gone, and the weather
warm, and the bees were out having a cleansing flight, I
went round my apiary to open tho roofs of hives to give
them an airing ; when, on opening one of tho hives — the
bees being placed at the back part of the hive — I saw a lot

February 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

77

of dead bees on the top of the covering, all wet, and shook
them all off. I went again next day, when I saw a lot more
all bitten to pieces. I went again the following day, when
there was another lot, having a hole bitten between the
wings, also a large plum-stone carried up with them. Being
at once convinced that the bees did not carry the stone up,
I put in a trap for mice. Next morning there was one
mouse, second morning caught three, third morning two
mice, making a total of six mice. The trap was placed on
the floor-board inside of hive in front of the division-board.
I have now twenty stocks of bees, which all appear very
strong. I examined the one where the mice had been at
play, and found no damage done by them, and, to my
delight, found a large patch of brood, this being on Satur-
day the 5th, it being a very warm day; so, judging by the
one, the bees are very forward in this district. I have not
lost one stock this winter. — F. G. Ayling.

Lismore, Feb. 12. — The weather is very dry here, not a
drop of rain these last eight days, some of which were sunny
and fine, allowing bees to fly freely. Some days, however,
there were frosts at night and light cold wind by day, so
that the bees, on the whole, have not had as much benefit
from the crocuses — which are now out in sheets — as might
have been expected ; still I have seen a good many little
orange-coloured loads going into the hives. I think my
bees have now given up going back to the old site. I stuck
a big branch of laurel in front of the hives, and this seems
to have at last attracted their attention to the change of
locality. Besides crocuses and snowdrops and gorse, we
have in the gardens here a good deal of a dwarf heath now
in bloom, on which the bees work most energetically on
fine days, seeming to prefer it to anything. A good deal of
hazel is also out. I alluded some time ago to a plan I
have adopted of feeding my hives in spring without remov-
ing roofs or disturbing the cushions, &c. I found last
spring that some hives which I tilted up a tiny bit in front,
and fed by pouring in a little syrup, got on just as well as
the hives on which I had elaborate and scientific feeders ;
so, for convenience sake, I have adopted the r>lan to all my
hives, only making an entrance at back of hives by means
of a tin tube about J inch wide, with a little flat rim or
collar at one end by which to secure it after the wall of the
hive has been bored to receive it. The pipe is made long
enough to project J inch beyond the inner wall of the hive.
When not open for syrup to be poured through, I keep it
clo: ed with a cork. By means of a funnel with bent pipe I
pour into each hive at evening its allowance of syrup. In
one or two hives I have a little trough beneath the pipe on
the floor-board about g inch deep, with wooden sides and
coarse perforated zinc cover, through which the bees can
suck the syrup. The trough can hold about two wineglass-
fuls of syrup. In this way any one can feed twenty or
thirty hives in a few minutes, and there is no fear of dis-
turbance of quilt or roofs and covers put on insecurely.
Also where hives are exposed to wind, and have to be
secured, they need not be disturbed. I bore the hole for
the pipe at the centre of the back of the hive, about 1 inch
above the floor-board. My frames are at right angles to
the door. For ladies who do not like lifting off heavy hive-
roofs this plan is very convenient. — F. W. C.

Navan, Ireland. — The past honey season has been a
fairly good one in this district. I commenced the season
with seventeen stocks of bees, thirteen in bar-frame hives
and four in skeps. I obtained about 600 sections and
nearly 200 lbs. of extracted honey. From three of the
straw hives I got very little, as they swarmed and took to
the sections badly. The other gave me over forty sections.
My bar-frame hives seldom swarm. From my best hive I
took eighty-three sections and 16 lbs. of extracted honey ;
another gave me 62 lbs. of extracted and twenty-one sec-
tions. I intended to have sent some honey to the Irish
Association's Honey Market, but getting what I considered
fair offers, I sold privately. I got from 9s. to 12s. per
dozen. — M. D.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of -personal
interest will be answered in this column.

J. Drinkall. — Why Drones do not store Honey. — There are
physiological reasons why drones are not able to store

honey. The tongue is much shorter than that of the
worker, and the body is much larger, so that the drone
cannot put its head and thorax into worker-cells. The
gland structures are also different, and those producing
the ferments necessary to convert the cane sugar of
nectar into the grape sugar of honey are so altered and
diminished in size as to make them incapable of yielding
this secretion. In bees there are four systems of glands
which yield secreting fluids. In the drone, System I. is
entirely wanting, but, according to Schiemenz ( Ueber das
herkommen des Futtersaftes und die Speicheldrilsen der
Biene, 1883), this system exists in the worker for the pur-
pose of supplying a secretion for brood-food, and also
for feeding the queen, with probably additions from the
other glands. System II. in the drone is different, the
secreting cells of the worker being replaced by fat-cells.
In System III. the glands, as well as the reservoirs
attached to them, are much smaller in the drone ; there-
fore secretion could not be produced in nearly the same
quantities as in those of the worker. If these three
systems are brought into action either together or
separately in the conversion of nectar into honey it is
evident that drones are not physiologically adapted for
this purpose.

W. M. — Size of Extractor. — You have now evidently found
out one of the disadvantages of not having all your
frames Standard size. The Baynor extractor will take
your largest size ; the cages of this are 11J inches.

Beeswing. — Putting Swarms Together. — Throw both the
swarms on to a board in front of the hive that they are
to occupy, and let them run in. Secure the least valu-
able of the two queens if you happen to see her ; do this
just before dusk. Prop up the front of the hive at least
an inch to give them a clear passage. You can sprinkle
each lot with syrup scented with a few drops of essence
of peppermint if you like, but there is no absolute
necessity.

De B. — Buttercups, gorse, and broom secrete honey, but
not to a great extent ; they are, however, prolific in the
production of pollen, especially gorse and broom. The
horse-chestnut produces both honey and pollen, the
former rather copiously.

F. H., Kent. — Queen - excluding Zinc for Dividers between
Sections. — There seems every reason to suppose that
this, or zinc, or tin, having even larger holes, would be
less obstruction to the work of the bees than close sheets
of wood or tin, while preventing bulging of the combs.
Try it by all means.

W. T. C. — No. Glass is quite unsuitable for putting on
the top of frames at any time. You can exhibit honey
at a show of the B. B. K. A. without being a member.

Honey-drop. — Stimulating. — It is best to commence by un-
capping cells around the brood-nest, and when brood is
in progress give thin syrup. Whether your stocks have
sufficient stores depends upon the amount contained in
the ten frames upon which they were wintered. If well
filled there should be plenty.

K. G. — We hope to be able to give insertion to the engrav-
ings of your plan of reversing frames in our next issue.

J. A. B. — Poisonous British Honey. — We have had no ex-
perience of poisonous honey, and are doubtful if there
is any dangerously poisonous nectar secreted in this
country.

Hawes Bee-keeper. — A sample of your honey having been
submitted for analysis to Mr. Hehner, he states that it is
unadulterated.

Putting Swarms Together. — I may say I join swarms
in the usual way. If they come off on the same day they
join without any precautions. If some time has elapsed
I smoke well the hive I am going to unite to and throw
the other swarm on to board in front of hive, and
sprinkle with thin syrup. If I see any signs of fighting I
at once open out the hive and mix the bees with the last
swarm, sprinkling all with syrup. Young bees do not often
require you to use scented syrup. The mere fact of opening
out the hive stops the fighting to a great extent by fright-
ening the bees. — Arthur J. H. Wood.

A Rectification.— In my letter to the British Bee Journal

78

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 17, 1887.

of January 20th, I said, in reference to a 2-lb. section sold
by Mr. Blow of 8i x 4J dimensions, ' I should like them
better if they were 2 inches wide.' I find they are 2 inches
and the mistake arose from my using Tery thin tin dividers
with them and wooden dividers with the 1-lb. sections
running parallel with them, so that the 2-lb. did not come
nearly so far to the end of the crate as the 1-lb. At the
same time I ought not to have made the mistake, as it is
depreciating what I look upon as a most beautiful section,
as in my opinion it is very necessary to keep down the
height of sections if we wish them finished quickly and
well. I only used these sections on three hives and they
were well finished off in every case. — Arthur J. H. Wood,
Ripon.

ighow j?$_nnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Shoio, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shoivs are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huekle, Kings Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Rickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bkos., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Hole, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury.

Hov.ard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Meadhah, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 1-49 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothakd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Country Honey Subtly, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

THE WINDSOR BEE-KEEPER'S
Choice Selected Collection of

SUBS

i) 30) o

SOUGHT AFTER BY BEES. Free by post, 2/6.

SOLD BY (162)

JOHN SMITH, The Royal Nursery, Clewer, Windsor, Berks,

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

I WILL send to any address 2G varieties of BEE-
FLOWER SEEDSJ including the Noted CHAPMAN
HONEY PLANT, for 2s. post paid. GARDEN SEEDS —
I will send 21 packets of Garden Seeds to any address for
2s. 6d. post paid. BAR-FRAME HIVES with Straw
bodies, the hive least affected by heat or cold. My Hives
and Appliances are all forwarded carriage paid, and re-
turnable if not approved on arrival. Please send your
address on post-card, and I will send Descriptive and
Priced Catalogue post free. Address John Mooee, Seed
Merchant, Market Place, and Prospect Farm, Warwick.

i^ARLY BEE FLOWERS. — Plant now. —
Li Strong Plants of ARABIS and LIMNANTHES, 1/9
per 100, free. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth, St.
Ives, Hunts.

Patent Bee Feeder.— Removing the Flask.

Or for giving warm syrup in cases of dysentery.

SUGAR.

. Having had many enquiries from
those who cannot obtain the right

Genuine POETO RICO, on rail at
, lis. 56-lbs., 5s. 9d. 28-lbs. DUTCH

kind, we now offer
Brighton, 21s. perewt,
CRUSHED, best for Syrup, 22s. M. per cwt., lis. 6rf. 56-lbs.,
6s. 28-lbs. Quantities of not less than 2 cwt. of Dutch
Crushed, direct from London, at 19s. 6d. per cwt. ; not less
than 10 cwt. Porto Bico, at 18s. For Cash only with Order.
No Samples sent, as we recommend only what we would
use ourselves. Subject to fluctuations in Market.

Address: Simmins' Factory, Brighton. (161)
QKBPS, FOUNDATION, &c.

° 1 lb. 21- or 1/10.

Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
G. STOTHARD, WELWYN, HERTS, a 2324

QCREAV CAP JARS.— Fifty 2-gross Cases of
O new Straight Shape 1-lb. JARS to be Sold at a great
reduction, together or separately. Address Fredk. Pear-
son, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

FOR SALE.— OBSERVATORY and FRAME
HIVES, STOCK FOUNDATION and FOUNDATION
MACHINE, with SECTION CRATES and FRAMES, to
be sold cheap. Apply to C. Cust 3 Temple Terrace,
Dorchester. A 2347

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Steangewats' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 2U. Vol. XV.]

FEBRUARY 24, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfohorial, Sottas, #r.

THE MEXICAN BEE.

There is not so much known about the different bees
in the American Continent as might be expected. In
these days when there is a great tendency to obtain
everything new and novel, and when there is such a
great desire to introduce new races, it cannot be un-
profitable to glean what information we can of the
numerous varieties. By the Mexican bee many have
thought that there is only one variety, ' the Stingless
Bee;' but besides this we are assured there are many
other kinds domesticated in that country. We doubt
but that many of the species which are said to be
without stings do in fact possess that organ, though
often a feeble one, and are not readily provoked to use
it. Great attention is paid to the Mexican bees by the
natives, not so much on account of their honey, although
remarkably rich and delicate, as for the sake of the wax.
In Yucatan there are colonies of them domesticated
consisting of five or six hundred hives.

Hernandez describes several kinds of the insect in
Mexico, — one resembling the European, and which pro-
duces a honey like our own. It is domesticated by the
Indians, who lodge the swarms, he says, in the hollows
of trees. A second species is noticed by the same author
as smaller than ours, so much smaller as to resemble
' winged ants,' and as without stings. They build their
nests, which are composed of several layers, in the rocks,
and also suspend them on trees. Their honey is dark-
coloured and high-flavoured. The cells are of smaller
dimensions than those of the domestic bee; and it is
probable, though not so stated, contain only brood ; the
honey being found in small cups. The larvse, it appears,
are esteemed a delicacy, for the historian tells us that
when roasted and seasoned with salt they have the taste
and flavour of sweet almonds. This species collect their
honey and live much in the same way with the honey-
bees of Europe. Other small stingless bees are men-
tioned, which establish themselves underground in nests
of a globular shape, but of very coarse workmanship ;
their honey, too, is inferior, and is never used but in
default of better. In domesticating their bees the
Mexicans lodge them in hives formed of short logs of
wood, from 2 to 3 feet long, hollowed out about 5
inches in diameter, having the ends filled with clay and
a hole for entrance bored on one side, about half-way
between the ends. They are suspended in a horizontal
position from the branches of trees.

The interior of a hive presents, like that of a humble
bee, a confused and irregular appearance. The combs,
which have but one series of cells, are placed, some in

a vertical position and others horizontal. They are
grouped together in an oval mass, and occupy nearly
half of the internal space, while the other half is stored
with the honey cups. The hone}', as has been stated, is
deposited in small globular bags, hung round the sides
of the hives, or placed at the bottom; some of these
receptacles are more than 1A inches in diameter ; and in
many instances are so connected together that, as in the
case of cells of common honey-comb, one side serves for
two cups, thus combining economy and strength. And
these magazines of honey being altogether apart from
the brood - combs, and noways connected with them,
great facility is afforded in depriving the bees of their
stores. The honey is thin in consistency, but of a very
agreeable flavour, and gives out a rich aromatic perfume.
The wax is coarse, and of a brownish yellow ; propolis
does not appear to be used. The Mexican bee is smaller
by one-fifth than the European. Many of the species
to which has been given the denomination of Melipona
or Trigona are described as having no stings, or at least
so feeble a weapon as to produce no sensible injury ; and
from this circumstance they are known in the Spanish
colonies by the name of Angelitos, or little angels. The
population of a hive is generally under a thousand.

A glance at the habits of some of the many varieties
cannot fail to be of great interest, although the intro-
duction into our apiaries of the so-called ' stingless bee '
might be the reverse of an improvement. We have
noticed that the honey in Mexico obtained from these
bees was thin in consistency, and this in a country
where the bee flora is almost perfect; what could we
expect on these shores? perhaps the honey would not
keep and soon turn sour. The fact of the Mexican bee
storing its honey in large cells, or cups, and always away
from the brood; what a revolution in apiculture its
introduction would cause !

NEIGHBOUR'S INVERTIBLE PRIZE SECTION
RACK.

This improved rack was shown by Messrs. G. Neigh-
bour & Sous at the great show at South Kensington
last autumn, where it was awarded a silver medal.

The illustration shows so clearly the arrangement that
only a few words will be needed in explanation. The
outer casing of the rack is really in two halves, and
each can be used separately if required. It will be seen
that the rack consists of a tray composed of a frame
with two bars across the bottom and four sides, which
are half the height of the sections. The frame is just
half a bee-space in thickness, so that to have the full
bee-space an additional frame, also half bee-space thick,
has to be placed between the tray and the tops of the
hive-frames to secure the requisite bee-space. Three
rows of. seven sections are put in this tray, and they
are wedged up by means of a screw working against a
board at the ends of them, The top tray is the exact

80

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 24, 1887.

counterpart of the lower one, and slips over the sections.
These two form an outer casing, and hy screwing up the
sections the whole case can he inverted,- or by merely

removing the upper half any of the sections can he
removed separately.

These cases are used in pairs for storifying, are made
with either wood or metal cross bars, and by the above
arrangement are perfectly interchangeable and invertible.
Great care must be exercised in inverting just at the
right time. The centre sections are always more ad-
vanced than those at the sides, and the inversion should
only take place when the outer ones are in a sufficiently
forward state.

BEE-KEEPING IN IRELAND— HONEY PRODUCE
IN 1885.

In reference to the above the Registrar-General states :
An effort was made to ascertain the extent to which
bee-keeping is followed in Ireland, and the degree of
success attained in this special branch of rural economy.
The inquiry related to the season of 1885. As this was
the first occasion on which any inquiry in relation to this
subject was made, it can be readily understood that the
returns were in many instances defective ; and that there-
fore the results obtained do not set forth the actual fact
with that accuracy and completeness which may be hoped
for in future, now that it is known that returns regarding
this question will be collected each year with the agricul-
tural statistics, and that the enumerators have, according
to instructions,, pointed out to all those bee-keepers who
had not hitherto kept any records on the subject, the
desirability of noting the particulars as to which inform-
ation is required. From the tabulated returns it will
be seen that there were 21,327 swarms at work in Ireland
during the season of 1885, of which 6027 were located
in the province of Leinster ; 6554, in Munster ; 6440, in
Ulster ; and 1406, in Connaught. Of the 21,327 swarms,
6283 were at work ' in hives having moveable frames,'
and 16,044 'in other hives.' The quantity of honey
produced, according to the returns, was 302,297 lbs. Of
this 60,226 lbs. were produced in the province of Leinster ;
103,528 lbs. in Munster; 83,348 lbs. in Ulster; and
36,1951bs. in Connaught. Of the 302,207 lbs., 105,4141bs.
were produced ' in hives having moveable frames,' and
196,8831bs.' in other hives.' It was stated that 187,481 lbs.
was 'run honey,' and 114,816 lbs. 'section honey.' The
average number of pounds of honey to each hive having
a moveable frame was — For the whole of Ireland 20 lbs. ;
in Leinster, 10 lbs. ; in Minister, 20 lbs. ; in Ulster, 20 lbs. ;
and in Connaught, 24 lbs. The average number of pounds
to each of the other hives was — For Ireland, 12 lbs. ; in
Leinster, 11 lbs.; in Munster, 15 lbs.; in Ulster, 11 lbs. ;
and in Connaught, 16 lbs. The average quantity produced
in all hives was: In the whole of Ireland, 14 lbs. ; in
Leinster it was 13 lbs.; in Munster, 16 lbs. ; in Ulster,
13 lbs. ; and in Connaught, 10 lbs. The number of stocks
brought through the winter of 1885-6 amounted to
16,362, of which 4403 were in hives having moveable
frames, and 10,860 in other hives. According to the
returns collected there were 7165 lbs. of wax manufac-
tured in 1885, of which 1573 lbs. were from hives having
moveabh- frames, and 5502 lbs. from other hives.

JOTTINGS BY AMATEUR EXPERT.

' Mel sapit Omnia.'

We have got over the annual meeting- and the election
of the Committee of the B. B. K. A. Mr. D. Stewart's
place is filled by the Rev. G. V. Oddie, a very good bee-
keeper, but a gentleman probably not known by a dozen
members of the B.B.K.A. outside his own county. This
gives Herts four seats on the Committee of the B.B.K.A.,
and three of the four gentlemen live almost within sight
of one another. Very handy this if they all happen to
be on the same sub-committee.

The Rev. G. Raynor carried his ' reform hill,' lowering
the qualification from 11. to 10s., although some of us
'Radicals' wanted 'universal suffrage ;' but if defeated
we still hope.

I was struck with the fact that each of the candidates
got fewer votes this year than formerly, although the
'roll' of the B.B.K.A. is larger than it ever was. The
reason, I learn, is, that members generally used greater
discrimination than heretofore, and instead of giving all
their votes, only voted in many cases for those they
actually knew. This is a healthy sign. Many votes
were also lost through the members failing to 'brass-
up' in time.

The meeting was not only a very full one, but was
marked by the keen interest taken by all present in the
proceeding's. While this is so, we never need fear as to
the future of the B.B.K.A. I was sorry Mr. Cowan
was not present, but he is very hard at work to get his
work well in hand before April, when he hopes to see
the scenery between the 'Atlantic and the Pacific'
Imagine him toiling, as he often does, for the good of
others, from 6 a.m. to 10.30 or 11 p.m., and all for the
love of it, and yet we sing, ' Britons never shall be
slaves ! ' It reminds me of an old girl who said, ' She
not only liked work, but she actually loved it.'

Our President was as gracious as she always is. Her
Ladyship is a true ' Queen Bee ' in her benevolence as
well as her devotion. To her influence with H.R.H.
we mainly owe our great show at the ' Colonial ; ' from
her purse came a good slice of the prize money ; nay,
more, to her Ladyship we are mainly indebted for the
privilege of getting the medals cast from the die of the
Indian and Colonial Exhibition medals ; and, to crown
all, when there was no wherewithal to pay for the
medals, from our President's purse at once the money
was forthcoming.

After this, some of the exhibitors who had almost
despaired of ever getting their medals will understand
why they have been so long in coming. Doubtless most
or all will get them by the time this sees the light ; and,
for myself, I confess when I do get mine I shall value it
more for the sake of the Baroness than for its other
associations. While jotting about medals, may I say
I think the new pattern B. B.K. A.'s medals are very
pretty ; the device of the ' queen-bee ' has given place
to a view of a modern apiary. Had I been in position
to have given a suggestion at the time the thing was
being considered, I should have gone in for a bust of
her ladyship the President. What do the readers of
the B. B. J. say to that ?

I have run out my allotted space before I turn to
' jot ' about passing matters. May I tell ' F. II., Kent,'
if he uses queen-excluder zinc for dividers he will not
get his sections finished smooth, but they will be un-
dulated, like the waves of the sea on a small scale.
What a rebuke from the bees themselves to those who
advocate narrow sections for storing as being more
' natural ! '

How homely friend McKnight makes us feel one
can almost see him sitting by his ' ingleside ' over yonder,
burning his ' midnight oil ' for us. The two ' Dumplings '
are jovial fellows. Mr. Grimshaw, too, I imagine, is in
the height of his element; from quoting poetry he turns
poet (?) himself. Well, I hope he will get 'plenty of

February U, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL

81

work to do. There is nothing beats good 'chatty*
meetings of district associations and lecturing in small
villages for getting new members : and as to my incog,
he must be joking, as I thought long ago he had seen
through it, considering at Jermyn Street he has more
than once been within nose -rubbing distance of —
Amateur Expert.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Annual General Meeting of the above Associ-
ation was held on Wednesday, February 16th, 1887, at
3.30 p.m., at the offices of the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 105 Jermyn Street,
St. James's. The spacious Board Room was crowded by
an audience of ladies and gentlemen, amongst whom
were the Baroness Burdett-Coutts (President of the
Association), the Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh, the Rev.
F. T. Scott, the Rev. George Raynor, the Rev. Dr.
Bartrum, the Rev. F. G. Jenyns, the Rev. J. L. Seager,
the Rev. F. S. Sclater, the Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Mr.
Hooker, Captain Bush, Mr. Zehetmayer, Mr. Otto
Hehner, Mr. Sambels, Mr. Haviland, Mr. Blow, Mr.
Lyon, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Meggy, Mr. Horton Ellis, Dr.
"Walker, Mr. Eastty, Mr. Athawes, Mr. Henderson, Mr.
Bunbury, Mr. Neighbour, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Willard.

Owing to the absence of the President at the com-
mencement of the proceedings, her Ladyship having a
prior engagement, the Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh took
the chair temporarily.

The Secretary read the minutes of the last Annual
General Meeting, which were confirmed.

Mr. Horton Ellis moved a vote of thanks to the
retiring officers and committee for their services during
the past year. As one of the county representatives, he
wished to say that bee-keepers all over the kingdom
must feel indebted to those gentlemen whose zeal in
their duties had done so much to benefit the cause.

The Rev. W. E. Burkitt seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously,

At this juncture the Baroness Burdett-Coutts arrived,
and presided till the conclusion of the proceedings.

Her ladyship moved that the report and balance-sheet
issued for the year 1886 be received and adopted, with a
vote of thanks to Mr. Kirchner, the auditor, which reso-
lution was passed unanimously. The following is the
report : —

The Committee have much pleasure in presenting1 to the members
their report for the year 1886. In no previous year has the work of
the Association been more successful; this success being mainly due
to the support and patronage which has been given to the Association
by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and
other members of the Royal Family, and to the loyal and pecuniary
support given by the County Affiliated Branches.

Considerable progress has been made both in North and South
Wales, associations having been formed in the counties of Glamorgan,
Cardigan, and Montgomery. The Committee are much indebted to
Dr. G-. Walker and Mr. W. B. Webster for their lecturing tours in
North and South Wales.

As indicated in the last report, the Committee have taken steps to
provide a work on bee-keeping in the Welsh language. The ' Skep '
pamphlet translated into Welsh was issued early in the year, and
efforts are now being made (the Committee being aided by some
residents in Wales) to translate and circulate ' Modem Bee-Keeping '
in Welsh also.

The Royal Agricultural Show of 1887 will be held at Neweastle-on-
Tyne. The Committee consider this an opportune time for the Asso-
ciation to endeavour to advance and consolidate their work in the
North of England. With this view they have resolved to arrange for
a lecturing or expei-t's tour during the ensuing spring months.

Considerable assistance is also needed towards the development of
the work in many of the larger counties, such as Yorkshire, and
others. The funds at the disposal of the Committee being very
limited, they are reluctantly compelled to withhold assistance in
some cases where it is urgently needed. It is therefore hoped that
the aims and objects of the Association will be made more widely
known by the members and others interested in the progress of our
home industries.

During the past year the work of the Committee has been more
than usually arduous. In addition to the ordinary standing sub-
committees, it was found necessary to appoint other special sub-
committees for certain particular work.

Seventeen general committee meetings have been held during the
year, in addition to a large number of sub-committee meetings.

The sixth edition of ( Modern Bee-Keeping,' consisting of 10,000

copies, has been issued during the year. A special sub-committeo
was appointed for the revision qf the work, and a fair proportion of
this edition has already been disposed of.

Four quarterly meetings have been held during the year for the
discussion of various subjects connected with bee-keeping. As inti-
mated in the last report, the usual papers have been dispensed with
at these meetings, and in place thereof discissions have been intro-
duced upon various subjects. Several new inventions have been sub-
mitted to these meetings for criticism.

A special social meeting to welcome the representatives of Canadian
bee-keepers attending the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, consisting
of Mr. Pettit, President of the Ontario Bee-Keepers* Association,
and Messrs. S. Cornell, D. A. Jones, and R. McKnight, was held at
South Kensington on October 6th. Upwards of 100 sat down to
luncheon. Dr. May, Educational Commissioner for Ontario, and
Pasteur Descoulayes, Secretary of the Soci<£te Romande d' Apiculture,
were also present. Subsequently a conference was held in the Con-
ference Room attached to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, at
which nearly 250 members and friends attended.

Examinations for third-class certificates have been held in the
counties of Buckinghamshire, Glamorganshire, Hampshire, Hertford-
shire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Somersetshire, Stafford-
shire, and Wiltshire. The Committee again call the attention of
county secretaries to the absolute necessity of making the arrange-
ments for these examinations strictly in accordance with the rules
laid down. On one or two occasions during the past year the exami-
nations have failed entirely through the insufficient arrangements,
much needless waste of time aud money on the part of the examiner
and the candidate being caused thereby.

Three candidates have taken second-class certificates during the
year.

The Committee are much indebted to the following gentlemen for
acting as examiners or judges at county shows, viz., Rev. C. G.
Anderson, Rev. Dr. Bartrum, E. H. Bellairs, W. Broughton Carr,
R. R. Godfrey, W. N. Griffin, J. M. Hooker, the Rev. F. G. Jenyns,
the Rev. F. S. Sclater, the Rev. J. Lingen Seager, and Dr. G. Walker.

The Committee much regret that they have not been able to pro-
vide for the exhibition of the historical collection of appliances,
ancient and modern, presented to the Association by Mr. T. W.
Cowan in 1885. The provision of a permanent museum for this and
other objects of the Association only awaits the necessary funds.

Three exhibitions have been held during the year.

1. At Liverpool, in connexion with the show of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society. In consequence of the early date at which this
show was held, it was found impracticable to arrange for a thoroughly
representative display of honey, &c. The department allotted to
bees and bee-keeping appliances, although small, proved one of the
most attractive in the exhibition. The Committee were supported
most efficiently by the executive of the Lancashire and Cheshire
Association, 10?. being contributed by this affiliated branch towards
the expenses. The Rev. Dr. Bartrum, Mr. W. Broughton Carr, and
Dr. Walker, officiated as judges, to whom thanks are due for their
gratuitous services.

2. At Norwich, in connexion with the Royal Agricultural Society's
Annual Exhibition. This exhibition of honey and appliances was by
far the best ever held in connexion with the Royal Agricultural
Society. The entries were large and the exhibits numerous, and of
good quality, occupying a space of 200 feet in length by 20 feet in
width. The Bee Department was honoured by a special visit from
their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, the
Royal Princesses, the Ladies-in-Waiting, with other distinguished
visitors from Sandringham. The Royal party made a thorough
inspection of the various exhibits throughout the department, being
conducted by the Chairman, Mr. T. W. Cowan, and the following
members of the Committee, who explained the uses of the various
exhibits, viz. , the Rev. G. Raynor, the Rev. J. Lingen Seager, the
Rev. F. G. Jenyns, Captain Bush, R.N., Mr. J. M. Hooker, and Mr.
H. Jonas.

3. At South Kensington, the Committee were enabled to arrange
for what may be considered the grandest and most effective display
of honey and bee-keeping appliances that has ever taken place in.
this country. Such an exhibition was rendered possible by the kind
permission of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Executive President of the
Royal Commission of the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, and by the
support given by the President of the Association, and those who sub-
scribed liberally to the Donation and Guarantee Funds.

The Committee were most loyally supported, both pecuniarily and
otherwise, by a large number of the county associations. Reference
to the balance-sheet will show that several of the county branches
contributed largely to the fund raised for carrying out the exhibition,
apart from the ordinary statement of income and expenditure. A
separate balance-sheet relating to this show, together with a list of
contributors to the donation and guarantee funds, is published at the
close of this report.

The thanks of the Association are due to Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen,
Secretary to the Royal Commission, who was most assiduous in his
labours to promote the success of the exhibition, and also to the
President and Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, who gave
material assistance. Messrs. T. "W. Cowan, C. E. Fletcher, R. R.
Godfrey, and W. Martin, also merit the thanks of the Association for
performing the most difficult task of judging so large a quantity of
exhibits. The Committee have much pleasure in announcing that
His Royal Highness the President of the Royal Commission has been
pleased to permit the exhibitors at this exhibition to receive medals
struck from the dies as used by the Royal Commission.

The Committee feel sure that this act on the part of His Royal
Highness, and the munificence of the generous donor who provided
for the cost of these medals, will be highly appreciated, both by the
exhibitors and the members of the Association generally.

The thanks of the Association are due to Mr. T. W. Cowan and
Rev. F. G. Jenyns for donations of books to the Library.

The Committee consider that the Association has march reason to
congratulate itself on the work of the past year. A great stimulus
has been given to the industry of bee-keeping throughout the United
Kingdom, and the demand for honey hag considerably increased,

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 24, 1887.

Great progress has been made by Honey Companies and other agencies
in bringing- the valne of pure British honey under the notice of the
residents of London and other large tAvns.

The Finance Committee have again to report their satisfaction with
the manner in which the accounts have been kept by Mr. Huckle.
The receipts and expenditure have been exceptionally large in con-
nexion with the several exhibitions held during the year, so that the
work devolving on the Secretary has been very heavy. The assets of
the Association having been carefully valued, they are glad to report
that the accounts for the year show a balance on the right side.

The Rev. G. Raynor said that the pleasing duty had
fallen to his lot for several years past of proposing a vote
of thanks to the Council of the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the gratuitous use
of their Board Room for committee and other meetings,
and he had much gratification in asking the meeting to
vote a similar resolution on that occasion. He need not
enlarge on the benefit derived by the Association from
the kindness of the R. S. P. C. A., and he thought the
members present could hardly express their thanks in
sufficiently warm language. From his own personal
knowledge he felt sure that the goodness of the Royal
Society was highly appreciated, because they of the
B. B. K. A. would certainly be in a difficulty if deprived
of the advantage of meeting in that beautiful room.

The Rev. F. T. Scott had much pleasure in seconding
Mr. Raynor's proposition. The Society conferred an
immense advantage on the B. B. K. A. by placing their
Board Room at its disposal. It was a most comfortable
room, and well suited to the requirements of the Associ-
ation, which was thus saved considerable expense. Some
charitable institutions proposed to commemorate the
Jubilee year by providing themselves with new offices,
but he did not think the Association would be able to
do that, nor was there any necessity while they had
such excellent accommodation.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

The President returned thanks on behalf of the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in her
capacity as President of the Ladies' Committee of that
body. It was a source of great pleasure to the Society
to know that their Board Room was occupied from time
to time by an Association whose objects tended to the
furtherance of those principles in which the Society was
deeply interested.

The Rev. Dr. Bartrum moved the re-election of the
President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Auditors, Analyst,
Librarian, and Secretary for the year 1887. He con-
sidered it a great privilege to be allowed to propose, as
he had done in previous years, the re-election of the
noble lady in the chair that day, who stood at the head
of their Association, and who was, in fact, their queen-
bee. She was an excellent example of the advantage to
the community at large of ladies taking their proper
place in thesocial scale. It was a great gain to the cause
of bee-keeping that their Society was led by one who
showed so much active sympathy with the work, and
who was always ready to assist with her counsel and
benevolence — indeed, the Association could scarcely go on
were it not for the valuable aid given by the Baroness.
The Vice-Presidents proposed to be elected were the
heads of the various County Associations, among which
were the Princess Christian, some Pukes and Earls,
and, generally speaking, persons occupying leading posi-
tions in society. He moved that Mr". W. O'B. Glennie
be re-appointed Treasurer. That gentleman held an
official position in the Bank of England, and had been a
staunch friend of the cause and a member of the Com-
mittee many years. With regard to Mr. Otto Hehner,
Mr. Henderson, and Mr. Huckle, they were well known
to the members of the Association, and their claims on
account of past valuable services were indisputable.

The Rev. F. G. Jenyns seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.

The President, in acknowledging the honour conferred
upon her, said it was difficult to express how much she
appreciated it. Every opportunity that sho could find
to promote so useful and important an industry as bee-

keeping -would be utilised for that purpose. A . great
many public objects which had arisen, developed, or been
created during the reign of Her Majesty the Queen,
would during the present year, no doubt, be brought
prominently under notice. It might be that so small an
industry as the one in which they were engaged would
not obtain a very large share of public attention ; but
she thought that if statistics were published of the agri-
cultural and food developments during the last fifty
years, the production of honey could not be left out of
consideration, and their Societ}' must take credit for
having popularised an industry which had added greatly
to the welfare and amusement of all classes. She was
afraid that any advice of hers in regard to management
would not be very valuable, but they would remember
that the bees managed their own affairs extremely well,
and in that respect did not give much trouble to their
queens. (Laughter.) It was a great pleasure to be for
another year associated with those officers of the Society
who had always co-operated with her in the kindest way
when she required any information. (Applause.)

The Secretary read the results of the election of Com-
mittee for the year 1887, the following members being
successful : — T. W. Cowan, Hon. and Rev. II. Bligh,
Revs. G. Raynor, F. S. Sclater, F. T. Scott, J. L. Seager,
E. Bartrum, F. G. Jenyns, G. V. Oddie, Captains Bush,
C. D. Campbell, Messrs. W. H. Dunman, J. M. Hooker,
H. Jonas, G. Walker.

Captain Bush moved a hearty vote of thanks to the
scrutineer of the voting-papers (Mr. Dunstan), for the
satisfactory manner in which he had performed his
troublesome and uninteresting task.

The Rev. F. S. Sclater seconded the vote, which was
unanimously carried.

The Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh said a sad task had
now fallen to his lot, and that was to move a resolution
with respect to their late friend, Mr. Fox Kenworthy,
who within a few weeks had passed away, and left
vacant an onerous post in the bee world. Perhaps there
was no one better qualified to speak of that gentleman,
and the good name he had left behind, than himself (Mr.
Bligh), because he had acted with their lamented friend
as co-secretary of the Middlesex Bee-keepers' Association
for the last two or three years. He (the speaker) never
met with any one more thoroughly devoted to his work,
or one who was more ready to give his time and labour,
at considerable self-sacrifice, to their cause. At the time
he was taken from them his good work was beginning to
develope itself and show the results of continuous efforts.
Mr. Kenworthj- was known to them not only as Secretary
of the Middlesex Bee-keepers' Association, but he had
also acted for a considerable time as Secretary of the
parent body at a time of great difficulty. The resolution
was : —

'That the members of the 13. B. K. A., assembled at the
annual general meeting, have heard with the deepest regret
of the early death of Mr. Fox Kenworthy, formerly Honorary
Secretary of the Association, and wish to record their appre-
ciation of the good work which, under difficult circum-
stances, he then did for it ; and also wish to express their
deep sympathy with Mrs. Kenworthy on the death of a son
who was highly esteemed and respected by all.'

Mr. Hooker seconded the motion, and said he heartily
endorsed Mr. Bligh's eulogy of the late gentleman, whom
he knew both in his private and public capacity.

The President thought there was no need to go through
the formality of putting the resolution to the meeting,
because the expression of regret and sympathy contained
therein must commend it to every one.

The Rev. G. Kaynor moved : —

' (1) That in Eule 4 the words, " Subscribers of 11. per
annum and life members alone shall be eligible for election
as members of the Committee," be omitted, and in lieu
thereof be added the words, " Subscribers of 10s. per annum,
donors of prizes of 11. in the preceding year, and life
members alone, be eligible for election as members of the

February 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

88

Committee." (2) That in Eule 5, the words " but not " be
omitted, and in lieu thereof be added the words " and also." '

He eDtered into a retrospective view of the subject,
and recounted the proceedings which took place at the
previous annual general meeting in reference to the
motion of Mr. Stewart, which was lost on being put to
the vote. He opposed Mr. Stewart's proposition on that
occasion because it was introduced at the fag end of the
meeting, when very few members remained to discuss
the question. There was now a good opportunity of
considering the matter, and he would like to know the
sense of the meeting thereon. Mr. Cowan was fully in
accord with the motion, but earnestly hoped the qualifi-
cation would not be reduced below 10s.

The Bev. F. G. Jenyns seconded the resolution.

Captain Bush opposed the reduction of the qualifi-
cation. He said that nearly all the members of the
Committee lived some distance in the country, perhaps
twenty to fifty miles ; and surely, if they could afford
to pay the expense of travelling to and from London to
attend meetings, they could afford to pay 1/. annually to
the Association. The resolution was a mistake, because
members desirous of being put on the Committee would
he willing to raise their subscriptions to the required
amount ; and if they could not do so, probably they were
not in a position to spare the requisite time to attend
meetings. Besides, the Association would most likely
suffer a pecuniary loss if the resolution were carried, and
he did not think it would be better served.

Mr. J. Eastty supported the resolution, saying that
there were bee-keepers in London who would probably
be willing to serve on the Committee, but who could not
afford to pajr 1/. annually. Bees were successfully kept
in South Kensington, and he himself had raised 18 lbs.
of honey in Bermondsey.

Mr. Bunhury said the reasons which held good in
reducing the qualification to 10s. were equally in favour
of a reduction to 5a., and he moved as an amendment
that a 5s. annual payment entitle the subscriber to serve
on the Committee.

Mr. Meggy seconded the amendment, and said that he
believed the success of the Association depended on the
width of its basis.

Mr. Sambels spoke in favour of the amendment, and
pointed out that, under the present rules the Committee,
by uniting amongst, themselves, could return any member
they chose, owing to the plurality of their votes.

Mr. Baldwin hoped that in no case was the amount of
subscription paid to the Association governed b}r a desire
for plurality of votes.

The Rev. F. G. Jenyns explained that the united
strength of the Committee's polling power only amounted
to sixty votes.

Mr. Athawes supported the amendment, and objected
to plurality of voting.

The Rev. G. Kaynor disputed the cogency of Captain
Bush's arguments. He thought, as a tentative measure,
10s. was low enough, because every person who had the
well-being of the Association at heart would be prepared
to pay that small amount, especially as it constituted the
qualification necessary to serve on the Committee. He
was of opinion that it would be better to pass the reso-
lution, and see how it worked for a year or two.

Mr. Horton Ellis having seconded the amendment, in
the place of Mr. Meggy, who was ruled out of order, it
was put to the vote, and negatived by 14 to 7. The
original motion was then carried by a majority of 10 ;
15 for, and 5 against.

The Hon. and Bev. Henry Bligh moved: —

' That in Eule 8 the words " from the unsuccessful
Candidates, according to the priority of votes obtained at
the Election," be omitted, and in lieu thereof be added the
words, " by the Acting Committee.'"

The Rev. F. S. Sclater seconded the motion.

The Rev. G. Raynor suggested that the substituted

words should be, ' from those members who are eligiblo
and willing to serve.'

A long discussion enjaed in which the President, Mr.
Sambels, Mr. Lyon, tire Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh,
the Rev. J. L. Seager, and Mr. Blow took part, the
mover undertaking to withdraw his motion- This course
being objected to, a division was taken, when a majority
of 12 were in favour of the withdrawal — 1& for, and 0
against.

The Rev. Dr. Bartrum moved :

' That the following words be added to Eule 8 : " Every
member willing to serve on the Committee, and who has
not served during the previous year, must be nominated by
one or two members of the Association. The name or
names of the person or persons so nominating, together
with the name of the nominee, shall be stated on the voting
paper. Every member desirous of nominating a member
of the Committee shall have a paper sent him for that
purpose, on applying to the Secretary for the same, the
written consent of the nominee to be forwarded to the Sec-
retary with the nomination paper." '
He thought the present system of electing members of
the Committee was unsatisfactory, and different to that
carried out by other institutions. In the case of the
British Dairy Farmers' Association, with which he was
acquainted, the practice he had endeavoured to embody
in the resolution was in force, and had acted very well.
It seemed to him that old and tried friends of the cause
like Mr. Cowan and Mr. Raynor ought not to be put to
the trouble every year of finding a nominator. Those
who had done good work in the past should be freed
from such obligation. However, that was a question for
the meeting to decide.

Mr. Baldwin suggested that the nomination form l:e
bound up with the rules.

Mr. Sambels seconded the resolution.

Mr. Haviland thought the old members of the Com-
mittee would find no trouble in obtaining nominations.

Mr. Athawes moved as an amendment that the words
' who has not served during the previous year ' and ' one
or,' be omitted.

Mr. Hooker seconded, and Mr. Blow supported the
amendment.

The Rev. Dr. Bartrum consented to the omission of the
words ' one or.'

The Rev. G. Raynor and the Rev. F. G. Jenyns agreed
with Dr. Bartrum in thinking that old members of the
Committee ought to be exempted from the ride compelling
annual nominations.

The amendment having been put to the meeting, was
carried by a majority of 3 — 14 in favour and 11 against.
It was then submitted as a substantive motion in the
following form, and carried unanimously : —

' That the following words be added to Eule 8 : " Every
member willing to serve on the Committee must be nomi-
nated by two members of the Association. The names of the
persons so nominating, together with the name of the
nominee, shall be stated on the voting paper. Every mem-
ber desirous of nominating a member of the Committee,
shall have a paper sent him for that purpose, on applying
to the Secretary for the same, the written consent of the
nominee to be forwarded to the Secretary with the
nomination paper." '

The Rev. W. E. Burkitt moved :—

' That in framing Schedules, special care should be used
to make all Eules definite, and that they should be strictly
enforced ; also that it should be the duty of the Committee
to make sure that the Judges shall make themselves
acquainted with the Schedule before commencing their
duties.'

Mr. Walker seconded the motion.

The Rev. F. T. Scott objected to that part of the
resolution which saddled the committee with the duty
of making sure that the judges studied the Schedule
hefore commencing their duties.

The Rev. G. Raynor thought that meeting was

84

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 24, 188?.

scarcely the proper tribunal before which to bring any-
improper action of the judges, to whom a certain amount
of discretion must be allowed. l.

The Rev. Dr. Bartrum thought the motion implied a
censure on those gentlemen who, at enormous trouble
and personal inconvenience, had undertaken an onerous
task. He hopjd Mr. Burkitt would be satisfied with
the protest he had made without pressing the motion
to a division.

The Bev. J. L. Seager moved : —

' That the Committee be requested to draw up a form of
Rules for exhibition, with a view to establishing uniformity
at all shows throughout the Counties ; a recommendation
being added that the shows should be advertised as being
held under the B.B.K.A. Eules.'

He thought, possibly, that this would prove generally
acceptable, as well as meet Mr. Burkitt's wishes.

The Rev. F. S. Sclater seconded, and Mr. Sambels
Supported the motion.

The Rev. W. E. Burkitt agreed to withdraw his
resolution, and support Mr. Seager's.

After a few words from the President, Mr. Seager's
motion was carried unanimously.

The Hod. and Rev. Henry Bligh moved a hearty vote
of thanks to the Baroness Burdett - Coutts, for her
kindness in being present, and for the admirable way in
which she had presidei 1 over the meeting that day. He
also wished to draw their attention specially to the
Baroness's goodness i relation to the medal. It had
been debated by the Committee what form the medals
commemorative of the South Kensington Exhibition
should take, and ultimately application was made for
leave to give the Colonial Exhibition Medal to all those
who had exhibited at the Honey Show. Tins, however,
it was found would involve a very large cost — quite
beyond the means at the disposal of the Committee. At
this juncture the President kindly came forward, and
generously offered to defray the whole expense. He was
quite sure they would all thoroughly appreciate such
kindness, and tender her their most heartfelt thanks.

The resolution having been carried by acclamation,
the President briefly expressed her acknowledgments
for the cordial vote of thanks passed to her. It had
afforded her the greatest pleasure to assist the Committee
in regard to the medals. She thought the proceedings
at the South Kensington show marked a distinct step in
advance of the former position of the B.B.K.A. The
holding of the British Honey Exhibition last year in the
Conservatory at Kensington was due to a very kindly
act on the part of the Prince of Wales, which was not
accorded to any other industry. She knew that the
show was admired very much, and she thought that the
Prince had given a substantial proof of his appreciation
of the movement by permitting the die which was used
for the Colonial Exhibition to be placed at the disposal
of the Committee. It was to be hoped that the medals
would give pleasure to all the fortunate recipients of
them. Since they last met, she had been asked to
become President of the Middlesex Bee-Keepers' Asso-
ciation, and had complied with such request. Her
ladyship concluded by expressing the pleasure with
which she found herself amongst those who were
devoted to the interests of the Association.

Great Tit Killed by Bees. — The great tit (Parus major)
ia a well-known enemy to the bee-keeper. First he comes
to pick up the dead bees thrown out during the winter, and
when theBe are exhausted he pecks at the mouths of the
hives, and when a bee comes to the door to see what is the
matter he snaps it, and flies on to the top of the hive or
some convenient post, perhaps, and there dresses his prey
preparatory to eating it, generally commencing by biting off
the tail end of the bee, with the sting attached ; this he never
eats, but leaves it on the top of the hive or post. I was once
very much annoyed by a pair of these tits daily molesting
■ ■ hive, and not only killing a number of bees, but keeping

them in constant commotion at a time of year when they
should have been at rest ; so I set a small trap, used for
catching mice, at the entrance of the hive, and in a very
short time I saw one of the tits fly on to it and get caught
by the leg, when immediately a number of bees rushed out
and stung him round the beak and eyes, and in exactly four
minutes he was dead. I ought to say that I should have
put him out of pain at once only the bees were roused by
finding they had got their enemy in their power, and had I
interfered to do so I should have got well stung, so I ran to
the bee-shed for my veil, but when I returned the tit was
just dying. I do not think I have molested one of these
birds since, the whole family are so useful and interesting ;
I always encourage them in the garden. During the present
hard weather the great tit daily pays visits to the bee-hives.
F. Botes (Beverley). — Field.

l&amtyavtozxat.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boolis for Review,
&c, omsfc be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c)o ITessrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when spealdng of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United King-
dom during the month of December, 1886, amounted
to 1639/.

We are now in possession of the full returns for the
past year, which are as follows : —

January . . . . . . . . . , 424

February . . . . . . . . . . 451

March 2,722

April 1,113

May 1,541

June 2,900

July . . . . . . . . . . 6,505

August . . . . . . . . . . 1,255

September 2,812

October 1,257

November . . 2,527

December . . . . . . . . 1,639

Total for the year . . . . £25,146

Comparing this total with the figures for which we
have authentic data, we find that the total imports were
as follows : —

1883 1884 1835 1836

33,778/. 62,357/. 01,344/. 25,146/.

It should, however, be remembered that the figures
for 1883-5 are approximate only, the order from the
Board of Trade to tabulate honey only dating from
January, 1886. These latter, moreover, do not include
the vast quantity of honey sent through Colonial Govern-
ments to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. Honey
will be included for the first time in the Annual Returns
of Imports and Exports to be shortly published ; and
although we may expect the total to appear insignificant
beside the immense sums paid annually for eggs, butter,
&c. &c, the item will unquestionably be of considerable
interest to the public at large, besides awakening bee-
keepers to the fact that we are still unable to entirely
supply the home consumption. As some time may,
however, elapse before these 'Annual Returns' are
officially published, it has seemed to mo better not to
await them, but to send them to the Bee Journal made
up as in former years.— E. H, BijLLAins, .Feb, 18,

February 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

85

SIHMINS' 'UNION' OR 'UNIVERSAL' HIVE.

[330.] This hive has had three years of careful consider-
ation, and was in the first instance developed because I
had found the ' Standard' frame (14 inches by 8i inches)
decidedly inferior to larger frames I had formerly used,
either for the production of honey, or bees for sale. After
various experiences, a frame 14 inches by 14 inches lias been
found the most appropriate, all things considered, as it
enables a stock to build up more rapidly in early spring and
gives greater security in winter, as the stores are arranged
in the best possible position, in relation to the cluster.

As a single frame, the present ' standard ' is too small ;
as a storifying frame it is too large ; therefore a smaller
extracting- super is connected with the large hive, and
which can be used both at the back and front of the
14 inch-by-14 inch frame, as well as on top.

The frames of this shallow hive (fig. 1) are 12 in. by
6 in. x f ; there are eight of them spaced rather more than
the 1J in. from centre to centre. By a simple metal key
running throughout the length of the hive, the frames
are all held securely in place, as the said key passes

Fig. 1.

through a saw-cut in each end of the top bars. There are
plain metal ends on the frames, which are grooved to cor-
respond with saw cuts, so that the key is entirely hidden.
The key is entirely hidden from the action of the bees, and
as the frames hang clear of each other, the weather has
no effect upon the wood as with close-end frames, or
broad shoulders when used in a limited space.

A novel feature in connexion with the shallow chamber
is that the usual bee-space is at the top instead of at the
bottom, as of old. The reasons for this are (1 ), to give
greater strength in the margin above saw-cut in hive side;
(2), to receive pliable honey board (Fig. 2 or 3) across and

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

close on the frames as constantly recommended by us as
the only means of totally excluding brace combs. Of
course this implies that the extracting super can also be
used independently of the large hive, similar to the
' Stewarton,' and with but a slight alteration in the
position of the saw-cut, Heddon's half bee-space can be
provided for those who desire to try inversion. At the
same time the hive, as presented, can be used either way
up, though I do not claim that any advantage is to be
gained by inverting brood combs during the honey season.
"When used by itself the small hive has a sunk floor-board
which acts as a permanent feeder, when inverted.

When either extracting or comb supers are used on end
against the large frames (Figs. 4 and 5) the f-in. space is
placed next the latter. If on top, the same can also be
done, though my own practice is to keep such the right

Fig. 4. Fig. 5.

way up with the bars across those of the lower frames,
close on to them ; this also excludes brace combs when
working for extracted honey, and when one has ones
tried the plan, he will never again submit to a clear bee-
space immediately above the brood frames. It is there
alone that comb attachments are liable to be built, but
any space allowed between further super additions are
not subject to this annoyance. In following out this plan
of working for the past six years I have not had a
single piece of comb attached to our sections, as often
is the 'case on
the underside
of sections
worked with
the clear
space under.

The comb
super (Fig. 6)
is also 14 in.
by 14 in., con-
taining three skeleton folding frames (Fig. 7), enabling
each set of seven 4j in. by 4| in. sections to be inverted
separately at will when full
sheets of foundation are not
used. I, however, prefer
to fill the section with
foundation, which gives a
comb more perfect than a
starter only, followed by in-
version. The sections are
securely keyed in position
that the crate may be used
Fig- 7. on end with the large frames

and also to aid in 'throwing' out the bees without

Fig. 8.

handling each section separately, though if supers be
removed during the middle of the day a little smoke

SG

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 24, 1887.

will generally clear out most of the bees then at
home.

The large hive is (Figs. 8 and 9 A) 10 in. by 19 in.
outside, and is arranged to take either the 17 in. or
15g in. top bars of the Standard frame, as in AB. With-
out any alteration
it also takes our
large frames (Fig.
10), which have
their ' lugs ' placed
down the side on
the same level as
those of a standard
frame : thus they
stand 51 in. higher,
but to economise
heat above the clus-
ter and also to en-
sure that the)' hang
' true ' it has been
necessary to make
these frames close-
ended above the
level of the side
walls upon which
they rest. The hive
is double-walled, and packed with cork -dust on two
sides. For my own use I retain the same dimensions,
but at the front (south) wall have no space between the
double lining (Fig. 0 D) ; and as the hive and floor are
square the entrance can be placed in any position in re-
lation to the frames. This floor is also invertible and a
permanent feeder, with circular flight holes. I prefer
this to any other arrangement but can allow the sliding
entrance as generally used if desired.

The large frames (Fig. 10) are set at If in. from centre
to centre as we have found this the best for a fixed
distance with a frame of this
size, because in winter the
cluster can be compact with-
out spreading the combs, and
the large surface of comb ad-
mits of sufficient stores being
placed within easy reach of the
same; in summer it presents
the same advantage of con-
traction that I have practised
with various frames for the
past ten years. Hence it is shown that few manipula-
tions are necessary, and, when handled, one frame stands
as two of the ' Standard ' size.

The extracting super, with its frames keyed in position,
was designed in the first instance to accommodate a new
mode of extracting ; the fixed combs, also enabling those
bees to be ' thrown ' out which smoking fails to drive
down. No alteration is made in the distance from centre
to centre of the shallow frames, when the same are used
on a separate stand as a brood-chamber as well, as this
arrangement permits of plenty of stores for winter, and
more room for the bees to cluster between, as in this case
the bee-nest is spread out horizontally instead of in an
upward direction as in the deep frame. Thus, to suit
their own particular formation, the deep and shallow
chambers are each arranged to meet all necessary con-
ditions without further manipulations.

"Where the large frames are not desired the outer ease
will do for giving protection to the small hive, or the latter
can stand all the year round without other protection.

There are no plinths used anywhere about the hives,
but the upper edge of each chamber has a ^-inch rabbet
cut out all round the outside, thus forming a gutter to
carry off any moisture and making it impossible for the
same to penetrate into the hive.

The small hive has no dummies, but the larger one has
one dry-sugar feeding dummy, and ono plain dummy

Fig. 10.

supplied with it ; or two original dry-feeding dummies if
Standard frames only are wanted.

All parts of the hives are tongued and grooved,
so as to come correct to guage, that any one may
buy in the flat and put them together at home.

I have been fully
aware that the
greatest obstacle in
the way of intro-
ducing another
frame would have
been the loss of
uniformity, seeing
that the ' Stan-
dard' is so gener-
ally used, simply
because it is the
' Standard,' and
for that reason
has been recom-
mended by many,
myself among the
number, before I
was really aware
that I was using it
at a serious loss. I
have accordingly ensured that the present hive will, with-
out alteration, take in the same body (14A in. space) my
new large frame, the ' Standard ' frame with either 17 in.
or 15j in. top bar, the crate of twenty-one sections as one
large frame, the shallow chamber of eight frames as a
combined frame ; and, moreover, that the large frames
may be used in any existing Standard hive, the latter
also serving as a cover or shelter to the shallow hive, when
used independently. Hence the hive is very appro-
priately called the ' Union,' or ' Universal.' — S. Simmins.

A DISCOURAGED ONE.

[831.] I have received (on Saturday) my first dis-
couragement in bee-keeping, and in the midst of my
trouble I turn to you, in the hope that I may receive
some small crumb of comfort. 1 may say that I had
anticipated your appeal to the teachers of schools to take
up the ' hobby,' and this gave me the more satisfaction
to see the appeal. I had always a burning desire to be
the possessor of at least one or two hives, but up till last
back-end I was in the dark how to procure a hive.

Accident, however, threw an opportunity in my way ;
a friend, who had just made a good start, having to
dispose of his stock by order of his employer. To make
a long story short, I bought a swarm which had come
away in May, and which my friend had hived in a box
hive (not frame). My friend is one of the old school, on
the verge of conversion, but a most enthusiastic bee-
keeper withal. I lend him my Journals each week, and
they do a great amount of good, as there are a few of
the old school here. Of course I cannot presume to
educate them yet. To contiuue my story : — The hive is
a box, with a hole in the crown for supering, and is
enclosed in a substantial case, which I have packed with
chaff, and the whole has been kept 'dry as a bone.'
During the long spell of snow my friend paid me a visit,
with the sorrowful news that a neighbour had lost his
stock (a weak one) through the ravages of mice, which
had ' cleared the shop ' of every bee. He thought it
advisable to have a peep at my stock, to see how they
appeared to be stocked. Of course, I need not say that
he could not see much by talcing off the bit of board
which covered the hole, but he advised me to give them
some syrup ; and being onty too thankful for advice, I
gave about a pint, when I saw a warning against feeding
with syrup in the Journal, and I at once discontinued.
It occurred to me at the time that surely a swarm
coming so early as May ought to be sufficiently stored,

February 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

87

even in a poor honey season, when thej' had been allowed
to keep all their takings. I hope I have shown wisdom
in deciding to let them alone till late next month, i.e., if
I have any left. As you now know the particulars with
respect to the constitution of my apiary (?), I will now
tell my tale of woe. During the prevalence of the late
cold and boisterous winds, I have kept the sliding doors
closed up to about one bee-space. On Saturday last we
had a grand spell of sunshine, though the wind was very
cold. I left home for the day, leaving things as usual,
and on Sunday, on taking a walk round my garden, I
was staggered to see about a score dead bees lying in
front of the hive. But oh, worse still. I opened the
doors, and to my great horror I found the entrance
crowded with dead or dying pets. The thought of it
makes me ill when I recall it. I should think there were
about one hundred dead, or dying. I cleared the entrance,
of course, but I shudder to think of what may be the state
inside. Can you account for it ? "What am I to do ?
I look about for some to advise me, but alas ! I will
await my next issue of the Journal with impatience.
Perhaps, if I stop here, you will permit me to write to
you again. I wish that box-hive far enough. Please
give me a good dose of advice, but pray don't call me
knobstick, and tell me to go out of the business. —
Discoueaged, Alderley, Creioe.

[The syrup you gave during the frost would not have
much effect upon the bees until warmer weather came.
' The grand spell of sunshine' aroused the semi-dormant
bees, and, partaking freely of the syrup, excitement
followed, when, rushing to the narrow entrance, a block
took place, and many were suffocated. Your discovery
of the state of things on the following day was fortunate,
and, in all probability, saved the colony. Raise the hive
from the floor-board about an inch, by gently inserting
wedges on four sides, when you can clear out the dead
bees and refuse by inserting a piece of stout wire, with
hook at end. If you find piles of dead on the board,
turn up the hive and ascertain whether the whole have
perished. If you find few dead— say a hundred or two —
clear them out, lower the hive gently to the board, keep
the entrance at full summer width, not less than six
inches, and give a cake of warm candy at the feed-hole.
We do not think, however, that you will find the bees
short of food, but you ought to be able to discover this
by lifting the hive, and if you turn it up j'ou may as-
certain, to a certainty ,their state. — Ed.]

EXPERIENCE OF A NOVICE.

[832.] Being a novice at bee-keeping, I should like to
be allowed to give you my experience during the last
two years, so that I may have the assistance of your
valuable paper ere another season comes upon us.

I must begin by stating that I live in a neighbourhood
not particularly well suited to bees, being near the sea,
where high winds are prevalent, and the fields around
chiefly occupied by broccoli and potatoes. "Within a
a distance, however, of from two or three miles there is
a large quantity of both heather and gorse. Two years
ago I commenced bee-keeping with three stocks, and did
remarkably well, taking no less than 70 lbs. of honey
from one hive and forty-eight sections from another.
This determined me to increase my stocks, which I did
in the autumn by means of driven bees. I opened the
season last year with twelve stocks, expecting, before the
summer ended, to take a large amount of surplus honey.
Alas ! I was doomed to disappointment. Up to the
third week in June the bees did wonders. My hives
were literally crammed with bees, all my hives were
either doubled or had two tiers of sections. One hive I
doubled and in addition added three crates of 21-lb.
sections, and the whole were taken possession of by the
bees. All seemed to be going on swimmingly until the
end of June, when the honey flow almost ceased for the

season. I took a little honey from a few of the hives,
but in August, when I came to examine the brood-nests,
I found they were all empty, and the greater number of
the sections were unfinished. I had to give each hive in
the autumn 16 lbs. of syrup, and I found by October
that hives which had contained enough bees to cover
twenty frames only contained sufficient to cover six or
seven." I successfully introduced, late in the season, a
Carniolan and a Ligurian queen, by following Mr,
Simmins' directions.

My stocks are at present all alive though not strong,
covering about four frames on an average. I may say
that I used no excluder zinc, so that the queens (all
young ones) were able to roam about at leisure. I shall
be very glad if any of your correspondents can tell me
wherein I erred, and how I should act for the future.

My own idea is that the queens raised too large a
number of bees, and that towards the end of the season,
the honey harvest failing, this large number of bees
exhausted the gathered stores, and then numbers of them
perished prematurely, from having to range long distances
in search of the sweets of life. Had I used excluder
zinc, and confined the queen to so many frames, say ten
or twelve, I believe the results would have been more
satisfactory. I shall be grateful for any help your kind
readers may be able to give me. — Rjquieeb.

[There does not seem to have been any honey in your
district after June, consequently when the flow ceased
breeding also ceased, and we think you erred in not at
this time removing your sections. If your colonies did
not develope to their full strength before the honey flow
commenced they could not store any, but in your case
there does not seem to have been much honey to store
when they had become strong. East season was a bad
one in most districts, and the one before an exceptionally
good one. As brood-rearing with you ceased so soon it
is not surprising that your colonies dwindled down by
October. Breeding should have been encouraged by
stimulative feeding, so as to have had a large number of
bees to commence the winter with. The old bees died
off naturally, and, unless breeding had been kept up,
restricting the queen to a certain number of frames
would not have assisted you. — Ed.]

A VOICE FROM SUSSEX.
[833.] We are very, very sorry to inform you that the
queen of our hive has been missing for a very long time,
and we cannot tell what has become of her majesty.
We are rather afraid that she has perished with her hive,
for she had nothing but drones there. Could her parents
tell us what we are to do, and where we might get
another queen ? Or, if the parents have another young
princess to spare, we would gladly accept her as our
queen, providing she will stay at home and attend to
the duties of the hive. We do not mind what breed, or
what colour, or what country, she may come from, pro-
vided she does not lay too many drones' eggs. Tell her
there is plenty of good honey in Sussex, and plenty of
good working bees, but no store-room. We will start
the new hive with worker-comb foundation. — A Foeest
Bee, Sussex. -

A VOICE FROM CUMBERLAND.

[834.] I am rather inclined to think that the Cumber-
land Bee-keepers' Association is in a somewhat similar
position to that of the Yorkshire. Why such slow pro-
gress has been made I am unable to say, unless it is that
those who should have been the principal workers are
satisfied with the little knowledge they have got, and do
not care to let it be known amongst their more unfortu-
nate neighbours. I wish to ask the chief actors, or
rather those who should have taken the more active part,
why they did not continue and keep it on the move
when there was every prospect of the Association doing

88

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[February 24, 1887

so well. At the commencement — that is, in 1883 —
some of those who took an interest in it did exert them-
selves a little in getting the Association into a workahle
form, and the number of members in a very short time
was upwards of seventy. After the autumn of 1884
nothing more was done, or very little. Since then all
has been darkness, and whether the Association is really
dead or alive I know not ; but there need be no wonder
about it getting into such a low state when we
have not a doctor in the county who is willing to come
forward and give his advice, and try to stop the course
of the disease. I have never once heard of a resi-
dent bee-keeper in Cumberland giving a lecture on bee-
keeping, except a cottage bee-keeper at Keswick ; and I
believe this is the only place where the annual meetings
have been kept up. It appears that we have not got
the right sort of workers in Cumberland who are willing
to give a helping hand now that it is so much needed.
We have in this county a very large number of bee-
keepers, and most of these keep their bees on the old
barbarous system. I think by this time, if those con-
nected with the Association had acted up to the spirit
in which it was formed, some scores of those might have
been induced to keep their bees on the humane prin-
ciple. We have had neither lectures nor shows, except
one tour through the neighbourhood by Mr. White and
another by Mr. Sissons. After these gentlemen had
livened things up a little I looked for some of our own
members to follow their example. I see in the list of
members the names of either seven or eight clergymen.
Surely one might think that out of this number some of
those reverend gentlemen would have taken a little
more interest in it, and not allowed it to be neglected as
it has been. We want a Kaynor or a Bligh amongst us.
If this had been the case Cumberland would have been
in a more flourishing state than it is at the present time.
I hope that another attempt will shortly be made to
revive the Association, and not let it be said that a
cottage bee-keeper is the only one that is anxious for the
future prosperity of the Cumberland Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation.— Worker Bee.

gleplus t0 $mxm.

*.* In their answers, Correspondents are respectfully requested to
mention in each instance the number and the title of the query ashed.

[818.]— In reply to ' E. E. Lloyd,' I have had some ex-
perience in varnishes, and I do not think there is any
varnish or polish made (we must remember they are only
gums in solution) that will withstand the salts or chemicals
held in solution in water. To prove my assertion, let any
one try the effect of a good strong solution of soda in water
on any varnish or polish, be it on wood or your hands, and
they will soon see how rapidly the gums are decomposed ;
but they must not neutralise the soda by the addition of
Boap. I should recommend him to treat his vessel as I am
doing Clark's patent feeder. I make them hot, and pour
Borne melted beeswax in. It will not break off, and is just
the thing. — W. T. Green.

[82G.] Crates of Thirty-five Sections. (West Somer-
set.)— Nothing is gained by having so many sections in one
rack ; the weight of rack is increased, this being a great
consideration. A portion of the rack would have to be
enclosed underneath, as it would more than cover the right
number of frames for a brood-nest, hence there would be a
great loss of heat. Work your bees on the storifying
principle, not laterally, you will not be then far wrong. —
W. B. Webster.

[827.] Moveable Frame-Hive. (Douglas.)— To Major
Munn is ascribed the making of the first moveable frame-
hive, this being considered a failure, the date being 1841.
Ten years after, Langstroth so improved on it as to make
it practicable. — W. B. Webster.

[827.] The Frame-Hive. — The moveable comb frame
hive was introduced and improved upon by Mr. Langstroth
about 1852.— J. D. McNally.

[827.] Inventor of Moveable Frame Hive. (Douglas.) —
Huber is credited as being inventor of moveable frame (top
bar) ; but Langstroth improved it by adding the end rails
and bottom bar ; although it appears to have been in use
as early as 1675-6 by Geo. Wealer, as one author says,
and probably even then an old invention. — Edward
Clowes.

[828.] Glass Hive. — About the first mention we have of
glass hives were those used by Mr. Maraldi about the year
1777 for the purpose of watching how bees paired. Many
conjectures regarding the pairing of bees have been pub-
lished ; one of the most ingenious appears to have been
suggested by Aristotle, and revived by Maraldi, the cele-
brated inventor of glass hives. — John D. McNally.

[828.] Glass Hive. (Douglas.) — Such a thing I have
never heard of ; if you mean an observatory hive, that is, a
hive having glass inserted in portions of it for the purposes
of observation, the first record that I can find is Huber. —
W. B. Webster.

[829.] Poisonous Honey. (Douglas.) — According to my
experiences, poisonous honey produced in England is a
myth ; I never trouble my head about such a thing when
eating any description of English honey. Your second
query has puzzled the greatest scientists, and cannot be
satisfactorily answered. How is it that the goat, for
instance, will eat leaves and thrive on them, whereas a
horse, doing the same, would be killed? To bring it
nearer to the subject, How is it that a very few people cannot
eat honey, as it produces nausea ? It doesn't with me. —
W. B. Webster.

umz&,

Queries and Answers are inserted free of charge to Correspondents
When more than one query is sent, each should be on a separate piece
oj paper.

Our readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who seek assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[835.] Artificial Swarming.— Who is reputed to be the
first that practised artificial swarming ? — Edward Clowes.

[836.] Quieting Bees. — "Who was the first that found out
a method of quieting bees through the influence of smoke ?
— Edward Clowes.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-heepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for its to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

E. Shotter. — Fowls. — Fowls rerely attack bees. Ours
have the range of the apiary, and we have never seen
them attack the bees. The most they do is to pick up
an occasional drone when it comes across their path.

Cottager. — Extracting. — It is better not to extract from
combs of the year, at least before the autumn, by which
time they have generally become tough enough for
extracting. The American flat-bottomed wired founda-
tion is the best for the purpose. If this is used there
will be no danger of breakage towards autumn, with
ordinary care. We never use excluder zinc. If brood is
deposited in the upper storeys it is easy to remove it to
the brood-nest below, and to remove the outer combs of
honey from the lower to the upper chambers. Excluder
zinc disheartens the bees, and hinders free and hearty
work. At least this is our experience, but it has its
advocates, which are more numerous in America than in
England. Wiring the frames, with a view to extracting,
is better even than wired foundation. If your colonies
are strong, when the honey season arrives, you may
safely insert two or three frames of foundation, in each
of your colonies, close to the brood-nest, and remove the
frames displaced by these— provided they are free from

February 24, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

89

brood — to the upper chambers. These frames of foun-
dation will be utilised for brood, since queens prefer,
above all things, to deposit eggs in newly-built worker
comb.

A. W. — 1. The sugar forwarded is not suitable for dry
sugar feeding ; Porto Rico is the best. 2. Enamel cloth,
like sample, will answer your purpose. 3. For syrup-
making, Sir. Simmius uses Dutch crushed sugar, which,
we note, he recommends in his advertisement to his
customers; it answers its purpose well, but we prefer
Duncan's Pearl or crystallized sugar.

Ignoramus. — 1. Age of Queens. — The first swarm, which
you had in June, 1885, would have a queen of 1884.
When that stock, No. 1, swarmed in June, 1S86, the
queen went with the swarm, No. 2 ; the second swarm
had a young queen, No. 3 ; thus No. 1 and No. 3 have
each a queen one year old, and No. 2 a queen three
years old (unless she had been superseded by the bees,
which is sometimes the case). 2. American Bee-keepers'
Magazine may be procured from Mr. Huckle, King's
Langley, or from Messrs. Aspinwall & Treadwell,
Barrington-on-Hudson, New York. 3. Symington's Pea
Flour. — Yes, that will do very well for artificial pollen.
4. Measurements of Hive. — The only measurements
which need be kept to are the width from side to side,
144; in., and the depth from the edge of sides on
which the frames rest to the floor-board, which must be
8A in. The length of the hive is a matter of detail, and
regulated according to the number of frames you intend
to use. 20 in. for a single hive is a very convenient
length. Refer to pp. 60 and 69, Yol. XIV. 5. Queen-
wasps. — It is early to see these upon the wing. Carrying
pollen would show that the stock carrying it in has com-
menced brood-raising.

J. C. I. — 1. Inverting Sections. — The object in inverting
sections is not so much getting them filled quickly as
having them fixed to the bottom securely. Turning
them on one side would only accomplish this in a partial
degree. Before trying either plan read ' Amateur Ex-
pert's ' note in a recent issue. The advantage of re-
versing is very doubtful. 2. Wire-cloth Mesh. — Wire-
cloth of ^-inch mesh is used by a few bee-keepers in
America, and the inventor claims great results through
the bees being able to form a solid cluster. This, how-
ever, like many other new ideas, requires proving before
it can be recommended.

J. B. S. — Bee Space between Bottom Bar and Floor-board. —
Let there be y^ths of an inch only between the bottom bar
of your frames and the floor-board of your hive, whether
you use metal ends or not. This reply meets both your
queries.

East Lothian. — Transferring.— We suggest that you should
stimulate the bees in the skeps, and get swarms from
them as early as possible, and transfer twenty-one days
after swarming. For method of transferring consult
Modern Bee-keeping or Cowan's Beekeepers' Guide.

A. F. — Summer Shade for Hives. — If the hives are single-
walled it is very necessary that they be shaded in some
way or other during the hot summer weather, otherwise
the bees are likely to swarm. If the temperature rises
rapidly above 95° swarming is induced, and this may be
brought about if the hive is fully exposed to the sun,
and its rays strike directly the thin walls of the hive.
If the bees are not ready to swarm they spend a great
deal of their time outside when they ought to be working
inside. Double walls are a protection. We do not think
you have quite understood the outer cases alluded to.
The hive we use is not double-walled, but by means of
the outer eases we make it so. The hive itself, which
has no top or bottom, stands on the floor-board, and the
outer cases surround it. In winter the space between
the hive and outer casing is filled witli chaff, which is
removed in the summer, and allows a free circulation
of air between the two, especially if the latter be wedged
up to allow the air to enter at the bottom. The outer
cases are made of four boards nine inches deep, and are
exactly like the hive, or like a box without top or bottom.
They are made of half-inch stuff, and have a plinth
round the lower edge, so that when one is put on the
top of the other they are kept in position. One can be
placed above the other to any height, and the loose roof

is then placed above them, just as is shown in the illusd
tration on p. 12, which also shows the four hives plaoe s
one above the other surrounded by the four outer case,
and covered by the sloping roof. With
such hives there are too many bees to
allow any snails to congregate ; but bees
do use the space between, more espe-
cially at night, when they do not find
room inside the hive. In very hot wea-
ther we put the outer cases one on the
top of the other in such a way that there
is an outlet for the air between each. The sketch we give
will illustrate our meaning. The shaded part represents
the hive, and the outer lines the casings, as seen when
looking down upon them from the top.

Trade Catalogues. — We have received Trade Catalogues
from Messrs. G. Stothard, Welwyn, Herts ; T. B. Blow,
Welwyn ; E. C. Walton, Muskham ; Simmins, Brighton.

.©how ^Announcements.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Rickards, Poole, near Leeds.

business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H,, Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Feb. 24, 1887.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE I

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in the pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4W.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

properly mixed — 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME- LIFTER

WILL BE READY SHORTLY.
With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive,
replaced and examined on both sides without inverting, with
one hand, leaving the other free for manipulating, at the
same time preventing soiling the hands with propolis.

W. B. WEBSTER,

SOLE MANUFACTURER AND INVENTOA,

WOKINGHAM, BEBKS.

AWARDS FOR FUMIGATORS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London.
2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
London.
2nd Prize Altrincham, Lancashire and Cheshire B. K. A. '

LYON'S Patent METAL EM

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5£ lbs.

Price for 1887 5/Q per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress, The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per botlle, post free.

CHESHIRE CCTXS.XS.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

METHYL SALICYLATE, or ' APIFUGE.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rcl., London, S^E.

M?Q> DEALERS.

SEND to A. P. Hutchtngs for quotations of
AMERICAN WHITE BASSWOOD ONE-PIECE
SECTIONS of the finest manufacture and quality, 300,000
will shortly be on hand. Special terms for all Orders
before March 25. Don't fail to get my prices before you
Order elsewhere ! Address, West Kent Steam Power Hive
Works, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

s

%

THE WINDSOR BEE-KEEPER'S
Choice Selected Collection of

if $&ewBsts

SOUGHT AFTER BY BEES. Free by post, 2/6.

SOLD BY (102)

JOHN SMITH, The Royal Nursery, Clewer, Windsor, Berks.

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

I WILL send to any address 26 varieties of BEE-
ELOWER SEEDS, including the Noted CHAPMAN
HONEY PLANT, for 2s. post paid. GARDEN SEEDS.—
I will send 21 packets of Garden Seeds to any address for
2s. Sd. post paid. BAR-FRAME HIVES with Straw
bodies, the hive least affected by heat or cold. My Hives
and Appliances are all forwarded carriage paid, and re-
turnable if not approved on arrival. Please send your
address on post-card, and I will send Descriptive and
Priced Catalogue post free. Address John Moore, Seed
Merchant, Market Place, and Prospect Farm, Warwick.

iTiARLY BEE FLOWERS. — Plant now. —
[i Strong Plants of ARABIS and L1MNANTHES, 1/9
per 100, free. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth, St.
Ives, Hunts.

Sectional view of New Patent Bee Feeder.

Simple, Safe, Clean !

Unrivalled for Summer
Feeding. No excitement.
No robbing.

Note bottom of
feeding flask brought
within reach of Bees,
also how quarter inch

No waste of syrup.

An Improved Slide for 1SS7.
Stocks may now be fed in
the coldest weather, with-
out fear of chill.

cavity crossing the
combs gives safe
and easy access to
all the cluster.

No metallic surface.

See Advt. next week. Price Is. Gd. each, complete.

Send P.0.0. to Patentee, J. P. HOPKINS, Milverton, Somerset.

SUGAR.

. Having had many enquiries from

those who cannot obtain the right

kind, wc now offer Genuine PORTO RICO, on rail at
Brighton, 21s. per cwt., lis. 56-lbs., 5s. 9d. 28-lbs. DUTCH
CRUSHED, best for Syrup, 22s. 6d. per cwt., lis. dd. 56-lbs.,
6s. 28-lbs. Quantities of not less than 2 cwt. of Dutch
Crushed, direct from London, at 19s. 6rf. per cwt. ; not less
than 10 cwt. Porto Rico, at 18s. For Cash only with Order.
No Samples sent, as we recommend only what we would
use ourselves. Subject to fluctuations in Market.

Address: Simmins' Factory, Brighton. (161

QKEPS, FOUNDATION", &c.

*"» 1 lb. 2/- or 1/10.

Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
G. STOTHARD, WELWYN, HERTS, a 2321

O CREW CAP JARS.— Fifty 2-gross Cases of
O new Straight Shape 1-lb. JARS to be Sold at a great
reduction, together or separately. Address Feedk. Pear-
son, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

FOR SALE.— OBSERVATORY and FRAME
HIVES, STOCK FOUNDATION and FOUNDATION
MACHINE, with SECTION CRATES and FRAMES, to
bo sold cheap. Apply to C. Cust, 3 Temple Terrace,
Dorchester. a 2347

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbangbways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.'

[No. 245. Vol. XV.]

MARCH 3. 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

$bHoriaI, Ifalias, #c

OUR WAX AND HONEY IMPORTS.

Having been enabled in our last issue, through
the kindness of E. H. Bellairs, Esq., Hon. Sec. of
the Hants and Isle of Wight Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion, to give the returns of the value of honey
imported into the United Kingdom during the
past year, and as we are now, by the official pub-
lication of the 'Annual Statement of the Trade of the
United Kingdom with Foreign Countries for 1885,'
in possession of the amount and value of the im-
ports of wax for that year, we are in a position to
compare these data with those of the respective
preceding years.

The subjoined tabular statement specifies the
foreign countries and the British possessions from
which wax is exported, with the amount and value
of the same : —

evets. £

Germany 10,749 29,054

France 1,244 6,088

Portugal 965 5,523

Italy 666 3,978

Morocco 964 5,287

China 778 2,354

Japan 6,115 12,883

United States of America ... 2,911 17,639

Chile 499 3,461

Brazil 5,605 17,886

Other Foreign Countries ... 1,432 4,126

Total from Foreign Countries

West African Settlements ...
British Possessions in South

Africa
Mauritius

British East Indies ...
Hong Kong ...
Australasia ...

British West Indies

Other British Possessions ...

Total from British Possessions

Total ... 38,925 149,253

It will be seen from the above that the mean
value of wax per cwt. is 31. 16s. &d.; in the previous
year it was 3/. 14s. 10c?. There has been a con-
siderable increase in the amount received from the
British possessions over the previous years. Wax

is of various kinds — vegetable, mineral, and insect
— and from the preceding statement of the value,
we are able to deduce the nature, of the wax
imported. That from Japan is 2/. 2s. 1<7. per cwt.;
from Germany, 21. 14s.; from China, 3/. 0s. 9d. ;
wdiile that from Italy fetched 51. 19s. 5cl; from
the United States, 67. Is. -2d.; and that from
the British possessions averaged 5/. 17s. 3rf. We
note that Holland, which figured as a contributor
in the previous year, is absent from the list this
year ; while China and South Africa, which were
absent the previous year, appear this year as large
importers.

The following statement gives the value and
amount of the wax exported from the United
Kingdom to the respective countries : —

cwts. £

1,342 4,825

3,561 13,827

31,928

108,279

291

1,737

1,286

2,040

903

7,659

11,776

5,465

625

892

1,012

1,770
5,367
6,921

48

279

6,997

40,974

Russia ...

Germany

France

Other Foreign Countries
British Possessions

1,409

3,573

443

5,044

11,918

1,092

10,328 36,706
Comparing the quantities of wax imported during
the two preceding years, the results are, —
1883. 1884. 1885.

28,192 cwt. 28,258 cwt, 38,925 cwt.

The value of the above for the same years is, —

97,142?. 105,8131. 149,253/.

While the amount of the wax exported for the same
years is, —

12,504 cwt. 10,378 cwt, 10,328 cwt.

And the value thereof, —

41,339/. 36,437/. 36,706/.

From a comparison of the above we see that
there was a considerable increase in the import of
wax during the year 1885 over that in 1884, while
that re-exported during the same years has almost
remained stationary. It is evident that if it would
pay bee-keepers to direct their attention to the
production of wax together with that of honey, —
and we see that many practical bee-keepers are so
doing, — there would be a market for it in this
country. The amount of wax used in the produc-
tion of comb-foundation by manufacturers alone
is very large, and an attempt should be made
by bee-keepers to raise a larger quantity in pro-
portion to its requirements. The British Honey
Company have done much in increasing the pro-

92

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

[March 3, 1887.

duction of honey : could they not also find it to
their interest to stimulate the expansion of that
of wax?

In our last number Mr. Bellairs gave us, so far

as ho was able, the value of the imports of honey

for last year and that of the three preceding years.

The values for 1S84, 1885, and 1886 are,—

1884. 1885. 1886.

62,357/. 61,344/. 25,146/.

Those of 1884 and 1885 are approximate only,
and those of 1886 do not include the honey sent
through Colonial Governments to the Indian and
Colonial Exhibition.

For some years past we have been indebted to
S. Seldon, Esq., of the Statistical Office, Customs,
and to Mr. Bellairs, for the information that has
appeared so regularly in our pages of the value
of the monthly imports of honey into the United
Kingdom ; and we are sure that bee-keepers are
fully sensible of their indebtedness to those
gentlemen for the trouble they have so kindly
taken. From January, 1886, the imports and
exports of honey will be found in the 'Annual
Statement of Trade with Foreign Countries.' As,
however, this Statement does not usually appear
before the month of September, we are pleased to
be assured by Mr. Bellairs that he will continue
his good offices by forwarding month by month the
accounts as he has done in previous years.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — During the last fortnight the weather
has continued cold, cheerless, and changeable, and our
bees have been entirely confined to their hives, with the
exception of one fine day which enabled them to fly
freely and to display their numbers. 'All things come
to those who wait,' and 'Post nubila Phccbus' is a true
proverb in more senses than one. Soon, therefore, shall
we realise that—

. . . ' Day by day
New pollen on the lily petal grows,
And still more labyrinthine buds the rose.'

Country Life.— After our experience of the dense
London fog up to noon on the 17th nit., the day after
our annual meeting, when gas and electric lights failed
to dispel the gloom, and, unable to decipher the figures
on the dial-plates, we were compelled to resort to the
nearest policeman to learn the time, we congratulated
ourselves in the words of our favourite poet, —

' 0 fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint,
Agricolas !'

And choked almost to suffocation, pitying the gasping
Londoners while contrasting their state of existence
with that of our own happy country fraternity, we
exclaimed in fullness of heart, —

' We possess the flowers and trees,

Modern hives and golden bees ;

Fruit and nectar, both divine,

We shall reap at harvest time.'

And, finding on reaching our quiet country home, with
its hive-scattered lawns and shrubberies, that the day
had been one of brilliant sunshine, we were more than
ever impressed with the truth of the old saying, ' God
made the country, man made the town.'

Enamel cloth and Hive-covering. — Although we
have repeatedly explained the way in which we use the
enamc 1 cloth as a coveringfor hives, weare constantly asked
for information thereon. Indeed the reiteration we are

compelled to use in this, our department — reiteration of
methods of management, facts, advice, So., &c, many of
which have been ever present to our minds for well-nigh
half acentury, and haverepeatedlyappeared in the columns
of our Journal, is one of our most irksome tasks ; and yet,
with the knowledge that all this repetition is absolutely
necessary, we must not shirk a duty so obvious, asking
only that our readers will exercise a little patience and
forbearance towards our wanderings into ' devious paths
and pastures new.' The enamel cloth we always use is
American, and we place the enamelled or glazed side
downwards upon the frames. These American cloths
are sold by most English dealers in two sizes to suit
small and large hives, and are neatly bound on two sides
with strips of tin. In making winter preparations wa
place several thicknesses of felt, carpet, chaff-cushions,
or both, upon the enamel cloth, and over all a weighted
crown-board. These prevent all escape of heat, and we
have wintered upwards of fifty colonies during the
recent severe winter, and brought them safely through —
thus far — without a single loss. The interiors of the
hives are perfectly dry, combs and all, and the bees in
perfect health, without a symptom of dysentery. Our
apiary occupies a bleak position, some of the hives
facing east and south-east, and the entrances have been
kept at summer width, the narrowest being six inches,
and others the wdiole width of the hive, while severe
frost and snow, with easterly winds, have prevailed for
many weeks.

Spring Examination op Colonies. — Most apiarists
recommend a thorough examination of all colonies at
spring. Columella advised that the hives should be
opened at spring, and all filth which had accumulated
during the winter should be removed ; and most modern
bee-keepers follow his advice. Spring is rather a loose
term, and allows a wide margin as to the precise time of
this general examination. Our own idea is that the
middle or end of the present month is soon enough, and
that it should be performed in fine weather only. The
colonies should be disturbed as little as possible during
the examination, and to this end we prefer the use of
diluted carbolic acid in preference to smoke. (See Modern
Bee-keeping, p. 29.) An old calico or woollen quilt steeped
in the solution, and laid over the frames of the hive will
effectually quiet the bees, when operations may be com-
menced. A spare hive and floor-board, perfectly dry
and clean, should be placed on the stand of the hive
under examination, the latter having been removed a
couple of feet to one side. Leave the brood-nest until
last, removing the surrounding frames on both sides one
by one to the new hive. When the next is reached, if
breeding is in progress, we prefer to transfer the four or
five frames which compose it without separating them,
which may easily be done by placing two short laths or
thick pieces of wire under both ends of the frames and
removing them altogether. It is not at all necessary to
' interview ' the queen if you are convinced she is there
and performing her duties. The outside frames having
been replaced in their former position, division-boards
may be applied as required, sealed honey supplied if
needed, and the quilts returned. The signs of breeding
will be occasional dead larva? on the floor-board, eggs or
brood in the comb, vigour and dash of the bees carrying
in pollen, &c. The emptied hive, when scraped, disin-
fected, and dried, will be ready for the next operation.
These manipulations must be performed quietly but
quickly, giving no chance of robbing, to prevent which
all frames not under inspection should be covered with
the carbolised cloth. With a little practice it is surprising
how quickly these examinations may be accomplished.
When the enamel sheet is used there is great advantage
in its lightness, flexibility, and in the non-adherence to
it of propolis. It may be stripped off the frames quickly,
and a slight spraying of weak carbolic solution will at
once keep the bees in check, when it should be allowed

March 3, 1*87.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

93

to fall back into its place, and each frame may be un-
covered separately as required. The condition of the
colony as regards population, stores, brood, &c, should
ba noted either on tahlets attached to the hives or in a
book kept for the purpose, together with the date of
examination.

Artificial Pollen, &c. — On every bright day bees
will now be very busy on the crocus and other spring
blooms, on which the scattering of pea or other meal will
greatly assist them. A supply of water must not be
neglected. Also on bright days remove hive-roofs, or
covers, turning them up to the sun, but do not forget
when night comes to replace them. Dislodge spiders,
their eggs, larvae of moths, &c.

Coming Campaign. — These matters completed, a
beginning will have been made for the approaching
campaign, and bee-keepers and bees will have been
aroused to make further preparation for reaping a future
harvest.

Stimulating. — By 'stimulation' is usually under-
stood a supply of food given in driblets, generally at
spring time. The system has its advocates and oppo-
nents. The former argue that the bees and queen
perceiving that food is coming in are incited thereby to
earlier preparation for brood-rearing than would other-
wise have taken place. The latter, granting this, are of
opinion that the bees, stimulated to early brood-rearing,
are induced to leave the hive in search of pollen, water,
or food at unseasonable times and during the prevalence
of cold spring winds, and so perish in numbers, being
chilled and unable to reach their hives, hence follows
spring dwindling with its attendant evils, until finally
the colony is often lost. In our opinion spring dwindling
arises chiefly from another cause, viz., dysentery or
diarrhoea. The intestines having become diseased by
improper food, and too low a temperature, the vitality
of the colony is reduced, and that to so great an extent
that its members perish while in search of food and in
the performance of their heavy spring labours. Once
entered upon the downward road the final catastrophe
soon follows, the brood-nest becoming circumscribed, no
matter how prolific the queen may be, it gradually be-
comes less and less ; eggs laid are neglected or devoured
owing to the paucity of nurse-bees to incubate them,
and the end comes through robbery, desertion, or death.
We have never found judicious feeding of fairly populous
colonies at spring injurious, but care must be taken to
feed so sparingly that the brood-nest shall not become a
repository for food instead of brood. Many colonies
have at spring more honey than their wants demand.
In such casus we prefer the repeated uncapping of a few
cells near the brood-nest to give syrup, the stimulating
effect being quite as great, and, as the brood is extended,
the outer clogged honey-combs may be extracted and
returned to the hive. This plan is productive of more
extensive and more certain stimulation of brood-rearing
than any other with which we are acquainted.

Food Recipe. — The following recipe is recommended
by Mr. Heddon : —

'Into a boiling-pan put three pounds of water, heating it
until it boils, and with a wooden spoon stir the water as
you sift into it ten pounds of granulated sugar. When it is
all dissolved, and the syiup is boiling, pour in one half tea-
eupful of water in which has previously been dissolved a
level teaspoonful of tartaric acid. Stir it a moment longer,
and then remove it from the fire. Give the syrup warm
(not hot).' J L

For spring use from four to six pounds (say pints) of
water may be used. Duncan's Pearl sugar we think the
best of any we have used. For stimulating, a bottle-
feeder is best, and from two to six holes may be
used, according to the size and needs of the colony.
The food should be given warm at night to prevent
robbing ; and as a further precaution the entrance must
be contracted.

Committee Criticised. —Since the work of the
acting Committee of the B.B.K.A. is often freely can-
vassed and criticised, — not always in the most flattering
manner, — the unbiassed opinion of an outside friend, who
writes to us as follows, may fairly be given : —

' It strikes me that Captain Bush's view of reducing the
qualifying subscription for membership on the Committee
is the correct one. I cannot understand how a man can be
expected to attend from twelve to eighteen meetings in the
year, to travel, say, from fifty to a hundred miles (the double
journey), and, in not a few cases, be obliged to undergo the
expense of passing a night at a London hotel, — from
inabilitity to reach his home, — and yet be unable to
subscribe his pound to the funds of the Association 1 I do
not wonder that you find a difficulty in inducing qualified
men to give their time and money — no doubt, often at
great inconvenience to themselves — at such a rate, in order
to advance bee-keeping chiefly amongst cottagers, however
favourite the pursuit may be. To me it speaks volumes for
the patriotic spirit of our leading bee-keepers, that on such
terms you are able to procure an acting Committee at all.'

To our friend we replied that — ' The. case being thus,
all the more reason why members of Committee should
be relieved from an annual subscription of one pound ; in
fact, that the argument cut both ways.' We do not
anticipate, indeed, a revolution, from the reduction of
the franchise, and believe that even universal suffrage
will not destroy the edifice built upon a foundation so
secure.

JOTTINGS BY AMATEUR EXPERT.

' Mel sapit Omnia.1

Glorious weather for bees and bee-keepers! My
queens are all breeding except one — that Holy Land —
and all hives have plenty of stores and bees. But stores
will decrease fast now, with bees active and queens
breeding, let us remember. ' Expert-in-Chief ' Baldwin
predicts a good year, as bees have wintered well, if — -
that if is the rub — their owners will only give them
proper care during the spring. Tell us, ' A. E.,' what is
proper care ? Meddle as little as possible, meddle as
much as necessary, but always see to it, above all things,
that they never for one hour are short of food right up
to the time of the clover glut.

I hope the delusion of ever getting bees to store much
from fruit-blossoms in England is about exploded by
this time. An enthusiastic contributor to our Journal
talked last year of getting one ton from this source alone,
but I never heard that he succeeded. I shall be pleased
to hear that his hopes were realised, as I could but
admire his courage when he put the ' hope ' in print,
and must confess his courage alone merited success.

If you wish to live a life of peace now-a-days you
must praise everything, and if you depart from that
path the 'fortune of war' is your portion. Well, come
war or come peace, I confess I deem it necessary to put
in a word of caution to those who are young or un-
successful at bee-keeping. As bad workmen complain
of their tools, so unsuccessful bee-keepers hope to get on
better if they get expensive and elaborate appliances and
hives. And if they are readers of the B. B. J. they will
find plenty to allure them into investing their money.
Hive construction, like most things, has its cycles. We
are emerging from the simple on to the elaborate ; the
last cycle of the elaborate reached its zenith about the
year 1882, when we had hives with brass runners to
support the frames, so that you might summer on the
'cool' system, and winter on the 'hot.' Hives with
' peep-holes ' and glass shutters, trap-doors, knobs, and
buttons and hooks ad lib., sections ' in front of them,'
sections ' in rear of them,' sections ' each side of them,'
and crates of sections on the top. Added to this there
was excluder-zinc here, there, and everywhere; and
cushions enough almost to pad an ordinary armchair.
They were things 'fearfully and wonderfully made,'

94

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 3, 1887.

and the price of twenty such hives would build a
cottage.

But all this has given way in great part for a neat,
simple class of hive, fitted with ten or eleven ' Standard'
frames and good porches and roofs, and most of us have
found that by good management with such hives we can
more than double the record in bad seasons that we used
to get when we used ' fads ' and lots of manipulation,
even if seasons were better. And now we are coolly
asked to go back to this kind of thing again. The old
birds won't be caught with chaff, so I don't attempt to
advise them, but to the younger I say, ' Save your
money,' at least all of it except threepence ; and with
that go and purchase Mr. Cowan's new ' Guide-book
Pamphlet' on Doubling and Storifying. I had hoped
some one would have said a good word for it in the
Journal long ere this.

Mr. Pettit, the President of the Ontario Bee-keepers'
Association, has gone home from London to Canada a
convert to its teachings, and in his Presidential address
at Toronto the other day almost went so far as to beg of
the Canadians to adopt it. Mr. Cowan has set himself
the task of showing how ' honey can be produced profit-
ably in this country at the present low price with very
little trouble, and with very much less apparatus than is
usually employed by bee-keepers;' and in my judgment
he has succeeded admirably, and if you are bewildered
by the allurements that are being spread around at the
present time, there can be no better advice than is given
in these sixteen pages of this pamphlet, for remember,
'It is the expensive appliances, frequently more for
show than use, which run away with all the profit, and
leave the bee-keeper at the end of the year with a
deficit.'

Some are complaining that our ' Standard ' frame is
too shallow. The Americans and Canadians have used
a deeper frame for years, and their newest ' craze ' is the
shallow ' Heddon,' but our ' Standard ' is a happy medium
between the two extremes.

I wish I lived in Sussex, for having conquered my
small world, I thought of sitting down to weep for
other (bee) worlds to conquer ; but however much I
sympathise with ' A Forest Bee,' Sussex is too far away
to get any help from — Amateur Expert.

ASSOCIATIONS.

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The Annual Meeting of the above Association was
held at the Bear's Paw Restaurant, Liverpool, on
Tuesday, the 8th of February, C. P. Titherley, Esq. in
the chair. Present: Rev. J. F. Buckler, Colonel Heme,
Messrs. W. B. Carr, W. Lyon, W.Liddell,W. Caldwell,
G. Roberts, W. L. Maclure, and F. II. Carr.

The accounts of the Association were presented to the
meeting, and after the minute of the Committee with
reference to the donation of 10/. to the B. B. K. A. for
the Royal Horticultural Show held at Liverpool had been
read, they were passed unanimously.

The report of the Committee for 188G was read by the
Rev. J. F. Buckler, and passed unanimously.

The report states that the Committee have much
satisfaction in noting the success which has attended the
Association's work during 1886, which has been
chiefly in connection with shows, viz. : — June 29th
to July 5th, Royal Horticultural at Liverpool, in con-
nexion with the British B. K. A. July 24th, Iluyton
and Winston Cottagers' Horticultural Society. July
30th to August 5th, South Kensington Honey Show.
August 2nd, Frodsham. August 5th, Barrow, Chester.
August 25th, Handbridge, Chester. August 26th, Lan-
caster. September 9th to 11th, Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Society's Show, held at Chester. As no

charge for admission could be made to the bee tents at the
Liverpool Show, there was an outlay of over 10/., which
was to some extent covered by special donations. The
exhibit sent to South Kensington will long be remem-
bered by those who saw it, as far ahead of anj- other
sent to the county competition, which was the first held
by the British Bee-keepers' Association. The expenses
connected with this exhibit were heavy, but having
taken the first prize, and many members giving special
donations to the cost, and as those who took charge of it
worked gratuitously, the nett cost is a small charge on
the year's accounts. Of the 283 members referred to in
the Report for 1885, 105 have resigned ; 60 have joined,
leaving 238 members' names on the books, including 41
in the artizan and cottager list. The disposing of
members' honey is a question which has had attention,
and a good quantity has been sold at remunerative
prices ; and it is hoped the committee for 188" will
be able to arrange the sale of even a larger quantity.
The committee think it well to put on record that the
first conversazione held by members of the Association
took place in December, 1880, and though the number
present (about 60) was not as large as might have been
expected from the long list of members, still, as a
successful commencement has been made, they hope
meetings of a similar kind will often be held in the
future by the L. and C. B. K. A., as such meetings
bring the members and their friends together.
Through the kindness of examiners from the British
Bee-keepers' Association, candidates had a chance of
getting third-class certificates at the time of the Royal
Horticultural Show held at Liverpool, and once since ;
but of the ten candidates who came for examination,
only three obtained certificates. It is a great satis-
faction to your committee that this year's work has been
done in good harmony with the British Bee-keepers'
Association.

Some alterations of rules were proposed by Mr.
M'Clure.

The Patrons, President, and Vice-presidents were
unanimously re-elected. Eev. J. F. Buckler, Col. Heme,
Messrs. W. B. Carr, J. M. Gibbs, Win. Lees M'Clure,
Geo. Roberts, Wm, Roberts, H. II. Williams, G. G.
Parker, and §George Aitken, were appointed the Com-
mittee for 1887. Wm. Lees M'Clure was appointed
Honorary Secretary, and Mr. W. Tyrer, Treasurer.
Mr. Wm. Lees M'Clure was appointed to attend the
quarterly conferences in London; Mr. F. H. Carr,
expert; Mr. J. A. Bally, auditor of the Association, and
Mr. Gibbs was re-appointed Librarian. A vote of
thanks was given to all the officers of the Association.

After the Annual Meeting a committee-meeting was
held, when it was proposed and carried unanimously, that
the Committee meetings be held on the fourth Monday
of each month, except when that day falls on or after
the 25th of the month, and in that event the com-
mittee are to meet on the third Monday of the month.

WORCESTERSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The aunual meeting in connexion with this Associa-
tion was held on February 19, 1687, at the Guildhall,
Worcester. The Rev. E. W. Isaac presided in the
absence of the Mayor (Alderman Holland), and among
those also present were the Revs. R. T. W. Brayne and
W. M. Kingsmill, Mrs. Swinden, Messrs. II. Goldingham,
J. A. Watson, T. Cook, C. II. Haynes, J. Powell,
G. II. Latty, E. A. Dimmock, A. Thorpe, A. E. Bryan,
J. W. W. Boughton, II. W. Carey, J. Neal, A. II.
Martin (Hon. Sec), E. Davenport (Expert to the Asso-
ciation), &c.

The aunual report stated that the work done during
the past year had been curtailed owing to the apathy
of the members themselves by the non-payment of sub-

March 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

95

scriptiona, and by a want of interest shown in the
promotion of the objects which the Association had in
view. The number of members at the close of the year
was 186. The total income had amounted to 55/. 2s. &d.,
and there was a balance of 8/. 6s. 4d. in the hands of the
treasurer, as compared with an adverse balance of
3/. 5s. 6d. at the beginning; of the year. Early in April
Mr. C. Brown resigned the appointment of expert to the
Association. Mr. Davenport, of Stourport, who had held
the office of expert to the Hants and Isle of Wight Bee-
keepers' Association, and had a first-class expert certi-
ficate from the B. B. K. A., was elected to the vacant
post, and made a tour among the members. Owing to a
want of funds, the committee were reluctantly compelled
to abandon the holding of an annual show of bees, hives,
honey, and apiarian appliances, and they wished to
impress upon members that if one was to be held in the
coming year a special subscription must be raised to
defray the expenses of the same. The committee had
determined to circulate the Bee Journal every fortnight
among the members during the ensuing year. The com-
mittee regretted the removal from the county of Mrs.
Piers F. Legh, who had given the Association most
valuable help ever since it was started. In conclusion
the committee expressed the hope that members would
take more interest in the Association, and bear in mind
that one of the main advantages to be gained from
membership was that the members would probably learn
something about bee-keeping themselves and might help
to instruct others who know little or nothing about it.

On the motion of Mr. Latty, seconded by Mr. Cook,
the report was adopted.

Mr. Davenport (expert) said he commenced his tour
of inspection among members towards the end of April,
but owing to serious domestic affliction, his visits were
considerably interfered with. In many instauces he
found very good results, which showed that in spite of
indifference amongst some of the members the work of
the Association had not been in vain. As to the future
of the Association, it would require the united efforts of
members if its prosperity were to be increased. Among
certain things which he regarded as important, he sug-
gested the division of the county into districts, with a
secretary and adviser in each district. As to the bee
tent, he thought the time was past when they could
expect to make it a source of large profit at the various
horticultural shows, and he suggested its being thrown
open free of charge, and hoped tbat contributions would
be voluntaril}' tendered. He thought that driving from
the old skep should be abandoned to a certain extent,
and more attention given on these occasions to bar-
framed hives.

Mr. A. H. Martin said they were obliged to Mr.
Davenport for his report, and he hoped that the work of
the bee tent would be extended. With regard to
throwing it open, he should like to see it sent to every
village green in the county and demonstrations given to
the villagers in the summer evenings. He much regretted
that, owing to want of funds, their operations had been
somewhat curtailed, but he trusted that the coming
season would bring increased prosperity to the Asso-
ciation.

Mi-. Goldingham said that the Association was to a
great extent a trading Association, and lie considered
the suggestion of throwing the bee tent open at horti-
cultural shows a very good one.

Earl Beauchanip was re-elected President of the Asso-
ciation, and the' following were elected Vice-Presidents :—
The Bishop of Worcester, Lady Hindlip, Lady Georgina
Vernon, Lord Edward S. Churchill, Sir Richard Temple,
Bart., M.P., Sir E. A. H. Lechmere, Bart., M.P.,
Mr. John Corbett, M.P., the Hon. G. H. Allsopp, MP.,
and the Mayor of Worcester. Mr. T. J. Slatter was
re-elected Honorary Treasurer, and Mr. A. H. Martin
Honorary Secretary. Mr. A. H. Martin and Mr. C. H.

Haynes were appointed as representatives of the Asso-
ciation at the Conferences of the British Bee-keepers'
Association.

The annual ballot for hives resulted in Mrs. Huddle-
ston, of Dunley, Stourport, and Michael Portinan, of
Astwood Bank, being the winners.

The Chairman said a most pleasing duty remained for
him to propose a vote of thanks to their Hon. Secretary
for the attention he had bestowed on the work of the
Association, and they were all greatly indebted to him
for all he had done. This was seconded by Mr. Golding-
ham.

Mr. Martin, in returning thanks, said he was one of
those who believed that, although much had been ac-
complished in the past, there was a great future before
the bee-keepers of this country. The great apiarian
exhibition held last July, and the exhibition of the
Ontario bee-keepers later in the year, at the Colonial
Exhibition, should stimulate them to continue their
exertions in the objects which the County Associations
were endeavouring to promote. In conclusion, he pro-
posed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding at
the meeting, and said that the committee must shortly
meet to consider the suggestions that had been proposed
for the working of the Association in the coming

MIDDLESEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Annual meeting of this Association was held on
Thursday, February 10th, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts
in the chair. Present : Dr. Rayner, Major Fair, Messrs.
W. H. Kennell, W. M. Graham, J. Peers, T. Leadbitter,
G. Henderson, 0. Lambert, R. Rose, S. J. Gunn, G.
Moyes, and the hon. sec. the Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh.
The following resolution was carried unanimously : —
' The members of the Middlesex Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion desire to express the deep-felt sorrow and sincere
regret with which they have heard of the sad news of
the sudden and early death of their late secretary,
Mr. Fox Kenworthy. They feel that the well-known
excellence of his character, the deep interest which he
took in the affairs of the Association, and his unwearied
labours for it, will make his loss more keenly felt by
them. They would give expression to their sense of
gratitude which they owe to him for the present state
of efficiency to which, mainly by his labour, the Associa-
tion has been raised. They beg leave to offer to Mrs.
Kenworthy and her family their sincere condolence,
and to assure her of the very great respect and esteem
in which the memory of her son is held by them.'

The Baroness Burdett-Coutts was elected President
for the ensuing year ; Vice-presidents, Lord George
Hamilton, the Right. Hon. S. H. Walpole, Sir J.
Lubbock, the Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, Mr. Nelson, and
Mr. Lafone ; treasurer, Mr. Rose ; hon. sec, the Hon.
and Rev. H. Bligh ; provincial secretaries, Major Fair,
and Messrs. Graham and Harris ; committee, Messrs.
Jones, Henderson, Zehetmayr, Mason, and Lambert;
auditor, Mr. W. G. Jefferys ; expert, Mr. Fewtrell.

Mr. Bligh presented the statement of accounts for the
South Kensington show, and announced that the Baroness
Burdett-Coutts had kindly cleared the deficiency
amounting to 12/. or IS/. A vote of thanks to the
Baroness Burdett-Coutts for her liberality and kindness
in presiding was carried unanimously.

The following is an abstract of the report: — Increase
in the number of members, a growing interest in bee-
keeping, and a marked improvement in the method and
practice of the bee-keepers of the county, are among the
satisfactory results which the committee are enabled to
record in this their fourth annual report. The early
months of the year were made use of for a series of
lectures on bee-keeping, most of them delivered by the
Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Rector of Buttermere, Wilts, and

96

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[March 3, 1881

Secretary of the Wilts Couuty Association, given at
Ealing-, "Hampton Hill, Brentford, Pinner, Sudbury,
Staines, Uxbridge, and Twickenham. As soon as the
bees had got into regular working order, the usual
spring tour was made by Mr. Fewtrell, B.B.K.A., first-
class expert, over the larger portion of the county ;
whilst Mr. Baldwin, Expert-in-Chief of the B.B.K.A.,
broke up some new ground in the north-east corner of
the county. In the general working of the Association
the district system has been further developed, and the
committee gladly record that three new districts are now
efficiently worked, where a year ago little or nothing
was being done. The number of members added during
the year' to the roll of the Association is perhaps the
best proof of the advance which it has made. At the
beginning of the year 1886, there were 139 members;
there are 200 names upon the books now, or a net gain
of 01. In the great exhibition of Honey and Bee-
keeping appliances at the Indian and Colonial Exhibi-
tion at South Kensington in the competition between
the counties of England, our Association competed, and
staged, as a single exhibit, 6 cwt. of honey (232 lbs.
sections and 440 lbs. extracted), out of 0 cwt. contributed
by 24 members for the purpose. Our exhibit did not
take a prize; but, at the same time, was universally
acknowledged to have been one of the most striking-
features of the show. Ten, at least, of the exhibitors
will receive the large bronze medal given by the Exe-
cutive of the Colonial Exhibition, and the rest will
receive a certificate of merit. In the spring, the com-
mittee secured at second-hand, and at a very moderate
outlay, a good manipulating tent, which, for all practical
purposes, was equal to new. This was brought into
requisition at several flower shows. With a view- to the
increase in the number of members, and also to secure
the early payment of subscriptions, the committee have
determined to return to all whose subscriptions are paid by
the 31st of January ten per cent in the shape of prizes
to be drawn for at the annual meeting.

During the progress of the meeting the drawing for
prizes took place. Ninety-seven members had qualified
themselves to take part in the drawing, and the
following nineteen won prizes: — M. de Paula, hive;
Miss Morgan, Bingham smoker ; Miss lleyn, Benthall
crate ; Mr. A. Mitchell, Benthall crate ; Mr. F. Hughes,
Benthall crate; Mr. Harveyson, Abbott cage; Mr. C. J.
Athey, Abbott cage ; Miss George, Bingham knife ;
Mr. Campbell, Abbott feeder; Miss C. Hale, Raynor
feeder; Mr. H. Jonas, section crate; Mr. A. Stent,
feeder; Mr. D. II. Dun-ant, feeder; Mr. W. Hinde,
BiD"-ham knife; Mr. W. Willan, atomizer; Baroness
Burdett-C'outts, smoker; Mr. B. Johnson, wire veil;
Mr. Wall, veil ; Mr. Bligh, 100 sections.

BERKS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The. Berks Bee-keepers' Association opened the cam-
paign of 1887 by a social meeting at the Assembly
Rooms, Friar Street, Reading, on Thursday last,
February 24. A committee meeting was held previous
to the social to elect a hon. secretary in place of Mr. J.
Bowley, who has removed from the county, and we were
pleased that the Rev. Roland Erring-ton, Rector of
Clewer, has kindly undertaken the duties of hon. secretary
with Mr. A. D. Woodley, 26 Donnington Road,
Reading, as assistant secretary. That being the only item
on the agenda paper a vote of thanks was accorded tu
Mr. Enington for consenting to take the office, the
meeting adjourned sine die.

The social meeting opened at eight o'clock, and the
spacious room was soon a busy scene inspecting the many
interesting articli s kindly brought by friends. Mr.
Blow, of Welwyn, brought his new hive, recently limned
in British Bee Journal, also one of his Carniolan hives with
painted front, said painting representing the Old Testa-

ment story of the two she-bears tearing the children who
cried to the Prophet, ' Go up, thou bald-head; ' also several
physiological subjects illustrating the honey-bee. Mr.
Webster, Wokingham, exhibited his ' Jones-IIeddon '
hive, fumigators, foundation, and frame-lifters, &c. Mr.
A. D. Woodley, Reading, a new reversible crate, new
cheap hive similar to the Sandringham hive, also a Com-
bination hive, and miscellaneous articles and literature
connected with the craft. Messrs. Abbott, Southall, sent
a collection of small articles ; a friend with a microscope
and microscopic slides came in for a fair share of atten-
tion. There was the hearty grip of the hand by brother
bee-keepers whom we had not met for a season, short
lectures by bee-keepers of known ability, viz., Messrs.
Blow, Webster, and A. D. Woodley, each illustrated by
the magic lantern with photographic slides taken from
the object depicted ; selections of music in the intervals
between the lectures by Mrs. Frank Oooksey, who kindly
and ably presided at the pianoforte ; comestibles, nearly
all containing honey in some shape or form ; and though
we did not go the length of sweetening our tea and coffee
with honey, we certainly enjoyed the delicious honey
ices Mrs. Curry regaled us with. Miss Darvill, of
Reading, had a fine display of sweets and sweetmeats,
many of them containing honey. Mr. Blow's hive was
considered a great advance on the Jones-Heddon for our
climate and style of wintering, though the general
opinion of the meeting, as far as I could gather by
remarks passed by practical bee-keepers, was decidedly
in favour of the English Combination Hive, which has
been proved to be adapted to the requirements of the
bees, as also of bee-masters for every style of supering
either for extracted or comb honey, and the consensus of
opinion on the ' Jones-Heddon' hive was to go slowly with
it. Altogether a very pleasant and profitable evening
was spent, and great credit is due to Mrs. Curry for the
admirable way in which she superintended the affair
from the beginning. — Your Correspondent.

Cnrrespmxijttxa.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will bo talccn of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested io write on one side oj
the paper only, anil give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports o)
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'Tlic Editor of the " British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c.t must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langlcy, Herts (sec 2nd page of Advertisements).

*** In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking oj
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it aptpcars.

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of January 1837 amounted to 736/.
[From a return furnished by the Statistic Department,
ELM. Customs, to E. H. Bellairs, Wingfield House, near
Christchurch.]

WHEN DOCTORS DIFFER WHO SHALL
DECIDE?

[837.] Mr. Simmins, in his description of his very ingeni-
ously contrived 'Universal Hive,' sa3's: 'This hive has had
three years of careful consideration, because I had found
the standard frame (14 by 8£ inches) decidedly inferior
to larger frames I had formerly used. After various
experiences, a frame 14 by 14 has been found the most
appropriate, all thiugs considered, as it enables a stock to
build up more rapidly in early spring and gives greater
security in winter, as the stores are arranged in the best
possible position in relation to the cluster.' Mr. Situmius

March 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

07

says, 'As a single frame the present standard is too
small ; as a storifying frame it is too large.'

Mr. Cowan does not consider the standard frame too
large for storifying, for, in his useful little pamphlet,
Doubling and Storifying, he illustrates three or four hives
high having standard frames, and tells us how large
quantities of extracted honey can be obtained by stori-
fying with these hives.

Mr. Broughton Can- advocates the use of the Carr-
Stewarton-sfze hive somewhat modified, having a frame
14 by Hi, three inches less in depth than the standard.
It is illustrated, and his management is fully described in
the Bee-keeper's Record of January last. Mr. Broughton
Carr is an old and advanced bee-keeper, and we have
recently had an opportunity of witnessing the success of
his system of management in the beautiful honey he
exhibited in the county competition at South Kensington,
and also of seeing the' small frames of combs from which
the honey had been extracted.

Dr. Tinker, an advanced American bee-keeper, has
given up the ' Gallup frame,' which is 11| by 11J, and
has adopted a shallower and longer frame, 9£ deep_ by
14f wide. He says:— 'I had abandoned side storing,
and with that the " Gallup frame," as it did not present
enough surplus room on the top of ten frames to corre-
spond with the large amount of brood-comb below. The
other objection was in the distance that the frame had to
be lifted to get it out of the hive. The greater facility
in lifting out a shallow frame will not be fully realised
bv any one till thev try one by the side of a deep frame.'
If this is felt in a difference of depth of 9£ and Ill-
inches, how much more will it in the case of the
standard 8-\, and Mr. Simmins' frame, 14 inches !

The reasons above given by Mr. Simmins for the
necessity of changing from the standard to a much larger
frame do not appear to me to be sufficiently conclusive to
render such a change desirable. I have never had any
difficulty in wintering stocks and building them up in
spring, if they have not been robbed too much and have
had ample natural stores to carry them through, and
have not been disturbed during the winter. These stores
would be in the ' best possible position,' the upper part
of the comb in the standard frame as in the larger
14 by 14 frame; and if the hive has been properly pre-
pared, and contracted in the autumn, so that the bees
have only just as many frames of comb as they can
cover, with winter passages cut through them, a good
queen and a dry hive, there should be no difficulty. The
' rapidly ' building up — in both cases, I presume— is done
by judicious stimulative feeding and spreading the brood
from time to time, as the bees hatch out to cover the
combs and become crowded. If this system is correct I
fail to see the advantage the larger frame has over the
standard.

A hive containing ten standard frames, taking outside
measurement of the two breeding surfaces of each frame,
equals 2380 superficial inches ; whereas a hive of six
frames 14 by 14 equals 2352 inches, only 28 inches of
surface less than the ten standard frames. Those who
work for comb honey frequently reduce the breeding-
space to nine and even eiglit standard frames. Taking
the superficial area of the top of frames on which to
place supers, we have in the case of the ten standard
frames 217 inches, which would take the ordinary crate
of twenty-one sections. In the case of the six large
frames of Mr. Simmins, only fourteen sections could be
placed without projecting beyond the area of these
frames. I am aware that Mr. Simmins has had great
experience with bees, although I do not recollect seeing
his name as a large exhibitor of hone)' at any of our
principal exhibitions. Perhaps he can tell your readers
the amount of honey ho has taken from hives having
14 by 14 frames, and the number used in each storey.
The standard frame is now almost universally used in
England; and, depend upon it, if the seasons are pro-

pitious, the management judicious, and the b>es arenot
over-manipulated, as much honey will be obtained in a
well-constructed hive with standard frames as in any
other yet invented. I have been induced to make these
few remarks knowing that there are a few — and I be-
lieve only a few— who would like another size frame
adopted.— Johx M. Hooker.

FOREIGN BEES.

[838.] The very important question as to the superiority,
or otherwise, of foreign bees and their suitability to our
climate, is one that can only be decided, I think, by ex-
perience ; and that not of one or two bee-keepers merely,
but of many in different parts of the country. Will you,
therefore, grant me a little space in which to relate my
own experience, premising that though I am not a bee-
keeper on a large scale— my stock rarely exceeding thirty
hives at one time— yet I have for many years given very
careful, attention to the subject, and know as much about
it, perhaps, as most people ?

My first Ligurian queen was purchased several years
ago of Messrs. Edey, of St. Neots, and she was certainly
all I expected her to be — gentle, handsome, and ex-
tremely prolific ; and her progeny for several generations
have retained their good qualities, and though, of course,
crossed with the common black bee, were never especially
fierce or unmanageable. I have some of this strain now,
as good bees as one need have, but on the whole I have
not found them better honey-gatherers than the native
blacks, as they waste their energies in working and
breeding at unprofitable times.

I afterwards bought two queens, so-called Ligurians,
of one of the most noted dealers — I won't now mention
names — very handsome bees — one especially was of a
lovely gold colour. But neither was so prolific as a
common native queen. The progeny proved idle and
fierce, and the next generation so bad every way, and
especially so savage, that I was most thankful to root
them all out and re-queen with anything I could get.

Last year' I resolved to try Carniolans, having heard
so much of their gentleness. So I applied early in the
year to what I thought was the best source of supply
for a queen of undoubted purity and good quality, and
one was sent me in due course. Imagine my disappoint-
ment at finding her bees about as difficult to handle as
Cyprians! And I Lave since heard from the importer
that it is very possible she is merely a hybrid. This is
very satisfactory as an explanation, but it nai-dly consoles
one for the loss of a season and the full price of a best
queen.

I may add that my so-called Carniolan is extremely
prolific, and so also are two queens that I reared from
her last autumn, all three have wintered well. All
this goes to show that one may possibly get a good
foreign bee. But in the present uncertainty as to
quality, it is safer to stick to those of one's own
rearing, as showing the difference between the two
races.

I may say that, at the present time — end of February
— in my own apiary all the bees of foreign extraction
have brood in all stages, hut the black stocks have not
yet commenced to breed so far as 1 can tell. This is
a cold situation on the Derbyshire hills. — Geoege
Shipton.

CANADIAN HIVES — CYPRIANS— CHAPMAN
HONEY PLANT.
[839.] On p. 60o of last volume of B.B.J, appears a
letter from Mr. C. N. Abbott, in which he says: 'A
young friend lately arrived at Ontario ; in his first letter
to me, after having settled down, Nov. 20th, 188(5, writes
" A few days past I was at a show at Caledonia, but
did not see any bees and hives (frame-hives) such as
you have at Southall. The hive3 were very funny-

38

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 3, 1887.

looking objects, something' like those of twenty years
ago.'' These are but a few words, but to my mind
they let in a deal of light on a big subject, as they show
that the principles sought to be thrust upon English
bee-keepers by our late Canadian visitors are not general
in their own home counties, or surely at a large show
there would have been a sufficient display of frame-hives,
amongst the many, to have rendered the presence of
ancient hives alone less remarkable, particularly to a
young man who is not, and never has been, a bee-
keeper.'

Now I am not going to dispute the statement that
there were funny-looking hives without frames at the
show referred to — it is just possible that such was the
case. We have in Ontario, as well as you have in
England, eccentric people that do funny things, but the
fact remains undisturbed that moveable frame-hives are
not only generally, but universally, used by professional
bee-keepers.

That last- quoted remark, 'particularly to a young-
man who has not, and never has been, a bee-keeper,
are but a few words, but to my mind they let in a
deal of light.' It occurs to me that in all probability
the young friend was looking at butter-firkins, washing-
machines, or some other wooden ware. Such mistakes
often occur. If Caledonia had a large show it was only
so comparatively, for it is but a small place indeed.

I guess the most of us will agree that Mr. Abbott
is about right about the stinging qualities of Cyprian
bees ; but is it not more than a year or two ago since
they were brought to England and Canada ?

I feel quite sure that we all owe a vote of thanks to
Mr. Abbott for the opportune warning he has given
about the so-called Chapman honey-plant. The Com-
mittee appointed by the North American Bee-keepers'
Association to report upon said plant ascribe to it all
the characteristics of a much-to-be-dreaded noxious
weed. They report that it is perennial, seeds itself, is
a strong growing plant, will root out all other vege-
tation, and, I learn from another source, that stocks will
not eat it. Now I submit that any plant answering to
the above description must necessarily be a noxious
weed, and yet the said Committee think there is no
danger. What more could be said of sour-dock, ox-eye
daisy, ragweed, pigeon-weed, Canada thistle, and many
more troublesome weeds ? I sincerely hope that those
who contemplate buying or selling and scattering noxious
weeds will think fairly before acting. Surely the farmer
has enough to contend with alreadjr, and we bee-keepers
should think a second time, and honestly too, before
adding anything more to his already too heavy burden.
— S. T. Pettit, Belmont, Ontario, Canada, January 25.

P.S. — I have just returned from a visiting trip through
Kent, Essex, and Lambton, and find that those who
winter out-doors begin to complain of too steady cold
weather. We have just had a big thaw, but the weather
was unsuitable for the bees to get a good flight. Most
of us begin to think that in-door wintering is the only
safe way here. — S. T. P.

A BEEMAN'S TRIP TO AMERICA.

(Continued from page 7.)
Mb. A. I. Root's Establishment.

[840.] In my last I promised to give an account of my
visit to Mr. Root at Medina, feeling sure that an account
of the largest bee-keepers' supply iu the world could not
be without interest to your readers.

Although I reached Medina some time after working
hours I found Mr. Root still busy in the office. The
motto of the establishment is evidently 'By industry
shall ye thrive,' for there was no encouragement either
by example or precept for idlers. A ready welcome
was accorded me, and the next few days were most

enjoyably spent in exploring the different departments
and discussing the merits of the various processes. The
little picture is a fair one of the factory as it was a few
years ago, but it is now about double as large, and the
substantial way in which it is built plainly shows the
owner's confidence in the future of bee-keeping. The

cSJ

first object of interest was a new engine of ninety horse-
power and most improved construction, which had just
displaced a smaller one and which was separated by a
stout fire-proof wall from the wood-working department-

In this shop were machines for making nearly every
wooden article that a bee-keeper could require. Two
planers, half-a-dozen machines for different parts of
section-making, a borer, and jnany saw-benches of dif-
ferent patterns were to be found amongst the number,
and others were being fitted up, this shop being all new
and not yet in full swing.

A capital feature in this department was a system of
big tin tubes which, being connected at one end with
the furnace, and at the extremities with each machine,
and being also in connexion with a centrifugal fan,
carried away all sawdust and chips and put them right
into the fire. Besides saving sweeping and stoking, the
purity of the air, which this ensured, added greatly to
the comfort of the workmen. Above this department
were the paint and tin shops where there was every
facility for turning out extractors, smokers, &c. In the
base of the older building I found the engineers' shop,
where skilled hands were fitting up saw-spindles, founda-
tion-mills, &0.

The arrangements for cutting the rolls of the latter
were most ingenious, but too complicated for description.
There were also a machine for perforating zinc and one
for grinding plane irons, the advantages of doing all
possible work at home being fully recognised. This
idea was so thoroughly carried out, that not only was all
the printing and bookbinding done on the premises, but
there was even a machine for making envelopes. I will
not tire you with details of my visits to the packing,
printing, book-keeping, or similar departments, but after
having refreshed at the ' lunch-room,' will pass on to the
' counter-store.' This is a feature which is greatly ap-
preciated by bee-keepers living at a distance from towns,
as the stock consists of hundreds of articles of domestic
use, which such customers find it very convenient to
order with their bee-goods, as the prices of all things are
moderate, and their utility can be relied on. Of course
one of the first pleasures of the visit was an introduction
to Mr. Root's son, Ernest, to whom I am indebted for
most of my information. The bees were naturally in
winter quarters, so I could not see much of them. In
the foundation-room there was also not much to be seen
as most folks like their comb freshly made. Mr. Root's
ideas on bee-keeping are so ably and frequently given in
his Gleaninys and in his A B C of Bee-culture, that any
remarks on them would be tedious; but I would strongly
advise all bee-keepers who have not seen the latter book
to order it at once of their supply dealer as it is full of
interesting matter of all sorts. — J. A. Abbott, Southall,
February 1887.

March 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

99

INVERTIBLE HIVES AND HOW I USE THEM.

[841.] Will you allow me a small space in your Journal
to say what hives I use and how I use them ? Some
seem to want some information on the plan. But, first,
let me say to W. Soar that his cap won t fit, so lie must
please wear it himself or try it on some one else. I am
not a hive-manufacturer, or have I any connexions with
any, although I make my own hives and appliances, and
look after my 200 stocks myself, so that W. S. need
not be afraid of my grinding' my axe at his expense,
or at any cottager's ; and had I seen Blow's British
Heddon hive I should have given the same advice for
cottagers to use it as I did the Jones Heddon. I have
not seen what the thickness is to be of the imported
hive. Has anybody told W. S. that it is to be the
same as the one exhibited ? I quite agree that it wants
an outer case, — that I always use ; so I believe you do,
Mr. Editor, and I think there's no hive to equal it. And
now to my mode of working. In 18S5 I made up my
mind to invert some hives, and the first were four straw
skeps; that was an easy matter, as I had some straw skeps
with cheese-boxes over them. This was done for the con-
venience of supering and feeding, as I had a hole in the
top of the hive and the bottom of the cheese-box. Now,
any cottager can manage this job, and the time to turn
them is when the bees are ready to swarm and the flow
of honey coming in. I use them in an outer case, and all
is kept snug- out of wind and rain. As I could not see
what was going on in straw skeps, I thought I would try
some bar-frame hives for that purpose. I made a few ten-
bar hives, rabbeting the sides double the proper depth, so
that the tops of the bars were free from the floor-board
when upside down. The frames had a bit of wood nailed
to each corner, so they could be all wedged up tight to-
gether ; these were inverted in outer cases. I examined
the combs for brood and eggs before inverting, and four
days after found eggs hatched out and brood going on
all right. I have sent one of nry frames to you. W.
Soar might call on you and see it. — Devonshire
Dumpling.

PHYSIOLOGICAL QUERIES, ETC. [824.]

[842.] ' Devonshire Dumpling' appears unable to see
with his own ej'es, as I have never said, ' I am making a
hive like the Jones-Heddon.' One may well express
astonishment at ' D.D.'s ' advice repeated to cottagers, to
try the invertible hives. To such bee-keepers I see no
single point that can be recommended. Why, even its
inventor has sent out a disclaimer of its supposed advan-
tages (see 814), heralded into the world with a great
flourish two seasons back ; and thus it appears it is being
rapidly modified out of existence in the land of its birth.
No, ' D. D.', my definition of a suitable hive for cottage
bee-keepers would be very far removed from such an
expensive, purely experimental, and confessedly untried
system — as far as this country is concerned — as the
invertible plan.

There are others asking for particulars of ' D. D.'s'
experience in inverting ; and to say that the facts given
bearing on this question are meagre is putting it too
favourably — it amounts to nil. But instead, like a
drowning man catching- at a straw, 'D. D.' wants to
know if ' I have had experience.' The question is quite
unnecessary, as I started the discussion with an implied
admission of having no experience, and I venture to say
that not one bee-keeper in a hundred knows anything-
about the matter from experience.

_ Where do we get our facts from ? Why, Mr. Heddon
himself has been honest enough to admit (and all will
respect him the more) that, with one exception, the
conclusions he arrived at in 188-3 are erroneous, and this
exception of inverting once only (brood-combs alone) to
secure the complete filling of the frames is more than

likely to be accomplished without the necessity of in-
verting at all. — James Lee, Feb. 19.

THE NEAV APIFUGE.
[843.] A few weeks ago I gave you a somewhat prosy
statement of my views on a new compound, calculated to
conciliate

1 Our dear little friends, with the nimble tails,'

and I should not have troubled the fraternity further on
the subject, had I not then stated that I was in treaty
with a manufacturing chemist for its production, and
that I would continue my experiments of last year
(stopped, of course, by winter), as to its efficacy, at the
same time promising- to report results.

I have now the highest pleasure in informing you that,
after a slow and tedious process, success has been reached
to a degree far beyond even my hope. I have, however,
had to modify and alter my formula considerably, in order
to make the apifuge a complete success. On Saturday
last, I manipulated, two hives, at 70° in the sun, and
noticed this peculiarity about the bees on the approach
of my hands: — They seemed charmed, and subsided
amongst the frames, as boiling water subsides on the
introduction of a spoon. A twelve-year old youth moved
his fingers in the porch, to force the bees to crawl in and
out through them during a vigorous cleansing flight ;
there was not a soupcon of a sting. I may say that
another substance recommended for the same purpose as
mine is so difficult to obtain in a pure state, and there-
fore of a sufficient strength to be useful, that I concen-
trated my attention on the production of a compound of
such an exact undiluted strength that it can be taken
into, and used in the apiary, with as much, and more
confidence, than the best gloves. I needn't say that it is
the exact dose in medicine which is beneficial. So with
the apifuge. As I could not distribute it adequately, I
have placed the sole agency in the hands of Abbott Bros.,
Southall. — R. A. H. Grimshaw, Cray Hill, Horsforth,
near Leeds.

BEE-CONCILIATORS.
[844.] I am surprised that no one has protested
against the use of apif — oh ! I forgot, I must not use th; t
awful word ; Mr. Abbott says it is ' Copyright ' and Mr .
Grimshaw tells me it is ' Registered,' so there is no know-
ing what pains and penalties are involved in the use of
it — say ' anti-sting.' There is nothing- which so im-
presses the spectators at a show as the unconcern with
which the manipulators and the judges and others within
the vail stand surrounded by bees and without getting
stung. A common remark is that they must use some-
thing repugnant to bees. Hitherto this insinuation could
be repelled, and the reply truly made that nothing- was
required but coolness and care. Alas ! in future, when
the subtle and peculiar odour of methyl salicylate per-
vades the tent, the soft impeachment can no longer be
denied, and the charm attending the cool, careful mani-
pulation of an expert will be gone. I well remember
my first visit to Mr. Abbott in his little garden at Han-
well, where I, a perfect novice, stood quite unprotected
while he opened hive after hive, lifted out frames, and,
to my great delight, allowed me to do the same. There
is nothing which tends to promote neat and careful hand-
ling of bees so much as the absence of protection and the
full knowledge that carelessness and jarring will at once
bring their punishment, and on the contrary, the use of
anything which gives the operator a feeling that how-
ever careless he may be he cannot suffer for it, can only
lead to a slovenly, slap-dash method. If the use of sub-
stances to prevent stings should come into general use
the effect upon the rising generation of bee-keepers can
but be to render them very unworthy successors of the
present skilful manipulators. — E. Lyon.

100

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 3, 1887.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS.

All queries forwarded will ho attended to, and those onty of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Letters or queries asliingfor addresses of manufacturers or corrcspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to lettors, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bcc-hccpers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

Fab North. — 1. Enamel cloth. — Glazed side next the bees.
2. Uncapping. — Uncap a few cells of honey, occasionally,
above the cluster of bees, or near to it. This may be
done without removing the frames by using a little smoke
or carbolic acid solution. If the outer combs contain
granulated honey it is best to remove them, and to feed
en syrup, otherwise let them remain. Uncapping, as
advised above, is sufficiently stimulating without giving
syrup.

Eectok. — 1. Late Autumn Plants. — Batches of bee-flowers,
such as borage, mignonette, phacelia, the sunflower
tribes, and others, may be sown late in the season to
produce autumnal blooms, but no appreciable amount of
honey is ever obtained from garden plants, except in
market-gardening and flower - seed - growing districts.
Second crops of red clover and crops of buckwheat are
amongst the best for yielding honey towards autumn.
Candytuft, stocks, and sweet peas, sown late, will also
yield autumn bloom. 2. Feeding with Salicylic Acid. —
Salicylic acid, when mixed with dry sugar, would not be
taken by the bees. The only plan of administering it
effectually is either in syrup or by fumigation.

T. Nixon. — 1. Tar for Hires. — Six pints of gas-tar, one pint
Stockholm-tar, and one pint of spirit of turpentine, form
a good varnish for outdoor work. The tar should be
heated and well mixed, and the turpentine added when
cooling. A good recipe also is the following ; — One
gallon of gas-tar, one ounce of nitric acid, half pint of
spirit of turpentine. The acid to be mixed in gradually.
This composition, which dries quickly and sets very hard,
should be well brushed on, after the manner of paint,
and not too thickly, and it will not melt or become sticky
with the summer heat. 2. Placing a small above a
larger Hive. — By the plan you propose you would find
great difficulty in removing the upper hive when filled,
since brace combs would be built between the two hives.
A much better plan is to. put the large hive below the
small one — covering up with strips of carpet and boards
any paits which project beyond the upper and smaller
hive — and to allow the bees to work down into it. Fill
the frames of the lower hive with foundation, which will
greatly expedite matters. No board is required between
the two hives.

H. W. D. — 1. Ilembers of County Associations. — Members
of County Associations are entitled and invited to attend
the quarterly and annual meetings of the B. B. K. A., but
have not the right of voting ; neither have their elected
representatives this right. A subscription of five shillings
per annum constitutes membership, and confers the right
of voting on any question brought before the above-
named meetings, and also gives one vote for each
member at the annual election of the Committee of the
Association. 2. Separators. — Tin separators are in com-
mon use between sections. The tin used should be as
thin and light as possible. Many advanced bee-keepers
advocate thin wood separators. Either kind may be
perforated as desired. 3. Preventing Queen entering upper
Boxes. — In tiering up, whether for extracting or for
obtaining comb-honey, we never use excluder-zinc. By
keeping the brood-chamber sufficiently large and free
from storage of honey, and by giving room beneath it,
in the form of ' ekes' or shallow chambers, with sufficient
bottom ventilation, the queen, as a rule, may be pre-
vented from entering the upper boxes and from leading
off swarms, i. Stocking an Observatory Hive. — A small
swarm will be required for an observatory hive of four
frames. We should prefer nice, straight, newly.built
combs to giving foundation, but cither may be used.
Shake the bees on a sheet in front of the wedged-up hive
and allow thorn to enter at the bottom. If it is simply

a case of transferring, remove the bees, with their queen,
combs, and brood from the ordinary to the observatory
hive.

Honet Deop. — The dust of lump sugar will make useful
syrup ; it is desirable that it should be as free from dirt
as possible.

John Bdxl.— Gloves.— Be a true ' John Bull,' and do without
them. They are great hindrances to manipulation, and
when once stung they retain the smell of the poison, and
invite further attacks. The best gloves are the two pairs
of fine cotton texture, well wetted with water. The Eev.
W, E. Burkitt could supply you with the special in-
formation you require ; the gloves mentioned by him
were leather gloves, manufactured by a dealer in High
Street, Andover. Some gloves have recently been im-
ported from the Continent made of American cloth ; but
they look clumsy, and would be found awkward and
troublesome in working with them. Now that Grini-
shaw's Apifuge and Lyon's Sting-Preventer are before
the public, we should be pleased to have some indepen-
dent opinion of their value.

H. P. — 1. Dry Sugar Feeding. — Mr. Simmins recommends
for this purpose Porto Bico sugar : that you have for-
warded is a sample of sugar called ' pieces.' If presented
to the bees they will utilise it, but you cannot expect
that the result will be so beneficial as the using of that
which the experience of practical bee-keepers has found
most serviceable. 2. Fertile Worker. — There can be no
doubt of the presence of a fertile worker in your hive ;
and in due time we shall be pleased to receive the results
of your experiments as to the full development of the
drones so produced.

Bee-ologist. — British Wild Bees. — Monographia Apum
Anglice, by W. Kirby ; British Bees, by Lieut. Shuckard,
with illustrations; Apida—Bees, by F. Smith, Brit. Mus.
The above books are out of print, but may occasionally
be found on book-stalls. The most exhaustive and com-
plete work on wild bees is Apidee Europccm. This is being
published in parts at the present time ; as a book of
reference it is invaluable, and the excellent illustrations
it contains are a great help in determining species. This
work comes out quarterly, and the annual subscription
is fourteen marks.
; B. Young. — Scotch Hive Manufacturers. — We have no doubt
that there are in the north of Scotland numerous dealers
in bee-appliances ; but though very desirous of giving all
possible and all proper information to our readers, we
consider that it is more the duty of bee-keepers in that
part of the kingdom to advertise their wares in our
■Journal, than that our Journal should advertise them.
The Journal has a large and an increasing circulation
in Scotland, and we suggest that purveyors of appli-
ances in that part would find it to their advantage and
profit to make use of our Journal towards the development
of their business.

Welsh Novice. — Directly you commence to increase your
stocks you reduce your yield of honey. If we could
absolutely have the entire control of their swarming, we
should — in order to get the greatest yield of honey —
prevent such entirely, but this, up to the present, being
an impossibility, we should manipulate our stocks that
from those who show the greatest swarming proclivities,
make our artificial swarms, and rear the queens from
those who have the best storing qualities, not forgetting
to rear the drones also from such stocks. You will
usually find these two latter qualities go hand in hand.

Taffy. — 1. Soft Warm Candy. — This is simply candy,
made either by boiling and stirring while cooling or by
kneading finely ground sugar in honey to the consistence
of dough, warmed to about 80° before giving it to the
bees. 2. Enamel Cloth is that used for chair-covers but
without the imitation leather grain upon it. 3. Bees in
Confinement. — Having kept your bees confined by per-
forated zinc and fed (?) them with syrup during the
winter, the wonder is, not that four lots arc dead but that
the other four are alive. Eelease the others at once and
give them soft candy if they require food. -1. Location
of hives. — You had Letter replace them on their stands
as last year. Another winter leave them alone instead
of moving them into a shed. 5. Erica vulgaris.

March 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

101

J. G. — It is always a very delicate matter to interfere with
the decisions of judges. These judges are not appointed
to their arduous and often thankless position without
much anxious thought. It would appear from your
statement, and the subsequent act of the Committee,
that in the instance mentioned the judge might have
erred ; but before saying that he had so done it would be
just on our part to remember the advice, Audi alteram
partem.

H. C. — 1. Dust thrown out by the bees. — The sample you
send is simply the cappings removed from sealed honey in
order to get at the contents of the cells, just as one
throws away the cover of a pot of preserves. 2. Bee-tent
at Horticultural Show. — You had better write to the Hon.
Secretaries of the counties named, and arrange for the
tent to be sent to your local show.

C. Fox. — Whether you can mate bee-keeping pay depends
in a great measure upon yourself and the locality in
which you are situated. You must not expect, if you
purchase a few hives and give them no further attention,
that you will make a living. We should advise you to
get one or two hives only to begin with, and when you
are able to manage them properly to go in for more. In
this way you may be better able to judge whether you
are fitted to undertake bee-keeping on a large scale.
The Heddon hive is not suited to this climate, and if you
wish to use it, you must have an outer covering for
winter. We advise you not to go in largely for these
hives until we have had some reports of their success in
England. A simple hive with Standard frames is all you
need for storifying. We did not find the shallow frames
a success for this purpose. If you will say what other
questions you wish answered, we shall be pleased to give
you all the help we can.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, icill be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

j Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.
Edet & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Received from Mr. Alfred Rusbridge, The Apiary, Sidle-
sham, Chichester, for the library of the British Bee-keepers'
Association a copy of the Tidsskrift for Biavl, or the Danish
Bee Journal for the year 1S86. It contains a translation of
Mr. Rusbridge's book on bee-keeping. In comparing the
translation with the original many words appear very simi-
lar in sound, although the characters differ. H. B. H.
the Princess of Wales has been pleased to accept a copy of
both. In the Tidsskrift we notice a description of Mr.
Cowan's hive with illustrations, articles on bumping, and
translations from the British Bee Journal.

,g>how jSLnnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Sliillings and Sixpence; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shores are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at Ycrk,
Secretary, H. L. Rickards, Poole, near Leeds.

business ^Directory.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhaii, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour* Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.G.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

SraaiNS, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

Walton, E. G, Muskham, Newark. ,

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

ITALIAN BEES of the BROS. CIPPA,

BEE-KEEPERS

BELLINZONA (Suisse Italien).

Successors of the old-established Bee Business of the late
Professor A. MONA.

SEASON.

A Fertilised
Queen with a
Cluster of Bees

Swarm of
.} kilogram.

Swarm of
1 kilogram.

Swarm of
1J kilogram

Francs.

Francs.

Francs.

March and April

8

16.50

24

1 to 15 May ...

7.50

15

22

16 „ 31 „ ...

7.50

14

20.50

1 ,, 15 June ...

7

13

19

16 „ 30 „ ...

6.50

12

17.50

1 „ 15 July ...

6

11

16

16 „ 31 „ ...

5.50

10

14.50

1 „ 15 Aug. ...

5

9.50

13.50

16 „ 31 „ ...

3

9

12.50

1 „ 15 Sept....

4.50

8.50

11.50

Francs.

16 ,, 30 ,, ...

4

8

10.50

13

1 „ 15 Oct. ...

4

8

10.50

13

16 „ 31 „ ...

4

8

11

14

Carriage not paid. A Queen arriving dead, if returned at once,
will be replaced without charge. Terms, Cash. Be particular
to give the exact Address and Name of the Station. Queens
reared by selection. Five per cent discount on an order for 10
Queens or Colonies at a time ; 10 per cent if 20 Queens are
ordered ; 15 per cent on 50 ; and 20 per cent on 100 Queens or
Colonies ordered at one time. Write, if possible, in French or
German. We have been acknowledged as the sole successors of
the late A. Mona by the official Federal Gazette. See notice
in British Bee Journal (page 424 of 9th Sept, 1SS6).

a 2393 -(164)

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Mar. 3, 1887.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FDMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in the pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4.Vd.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker belloivs.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

properly mixed — 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME -LIFTER

WILL BE BEADY SHOBTLY.
With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive,
replaced and examined on both sides without inverting, with
one hand, leaving the other free for manipulating, at the
same time preventing soiling the hands with propolis.

W. B. WEBSTER,

SOLE MANUFACTURER AND INVENTOR,
WOKINGHAM, BERKS.

AWARDS FOR FUMIGATORS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize Silver Medal, Boyal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,

London.

2nd Prize Altrincham, Lancashire and Cheshire B. K. A.

LYON'S Patent METALEM

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STBONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINES VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress, The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1,8,

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rcl., London, S.E.

TO DEALERS.

CI END to A. P. Hutchings for quotations of
lO AMERICAN WHITE BASSWOOD ONE-PIECE
SECTIONS of the finest manufacture and quality, 300,000
will shortly be on hand. Special terms for all Orders
before March 25. Don't fail to get my prices before you
Order elsewhere ! Address, West Kent Steam Power Hive
Works, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

THE WINDSOR BEE-KEEPER'S
Choice Selected Collection of

lllil ©f f 3L0W1ES'

SOUGHT AFTER BY BEES. Free by post, 2/6.

SOLD BY (162)

JOHN SMITH, The Royal Nursery, Clewer, Windsor, Berks.

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

I WILL send to any address 26 varieties of BEE-
FLOWER SEEDS, including the Noted CHAPMAN
HONEY PLANT, for 2s. post paid. GARDEN SEEDS.—
I will send 21 packets of Garden Seeds to any address for
2s. 6d. post paid. BAR-FRAME HIVES with Straw
bodies, the hive least affected by heat or cold. _ My Hives
and Appliances are all forwarded carriage paid, and re-
turnable if not approved on arrival. Please send your
address on post-card, and I will send Descriptive and
Priced Catalogue post free. Address John Moore, Seed
Merchant, Market Place, and Prospect Farm, Warwick.

Patent Bee Feeder.— Removing the Flask.

Or for giving warm syrup in eases of dysentery.

bUOAK. thoge ,,

had many enquiries from
those who cannot obtain the right
kind, we now offer Genuine PORTO RICO, on rail at
Brighton, 21s. per cwt., lis. 50-lbs., 5s. 9<J. 28-lbs. DUTCH
CBUSHED, best for Syrup, 22s. 6<7. per cwt., lis. 6d. 56-lbs.,
6s. 28-lbs. Quantities of not less than 2 cwt. of Dutch
Crushed, direct from London, at 19s. 6rf. per cwt. ; not less
than 10 cwt. Porto Bieo, at 18s. For Cash only with Order.
No Samples sent, as we recommend only what we would
use ourselves. Subject to fluctuations in Market.

Address: Simmins' Factory, Brighton. (161
QKEPS, FOUNDATION, &c.

° 1 lb. 3/- or 1/10.

Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
G. STOTHARD, WELWYN, HERTS, a 2324

QCREW CAP JAES.— Fifty 2-gross Cases of
|kj new Straight Shape 1-lb. JARS to be Sold at a great
reduction, together or separately. Address Fredk. Pear-
son, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

FOR SALE.— OBSERVATORY and FRAME
HIVES, STOCK FOUNDATION and FOUNDATION
MACHINE, with SECTION CRATES and FRAMES, to
be sold cheap. Apply to C. Cust, 3 Temple Terrace,
Dorchester. A 2347

QECTIONS.— 5000 1-lb. White Lime dove-tailed

|ij Sections, cost from Abbott 81. 15s., sacrifice lot for il.
Address E. Hurst, Wilmington, Polegate, Sussex.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stuangeways' Piunting Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.'

[No. 24H. Vol. XV.]

MARCH 10, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

(^tutorial, Motlm, #r.

SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHEDULES.

The time is drawing near when the committees
of the various Associations will be taking into con-
sideration the task of drawing np their various
schedules for the regulation of their annual shows,
and it may not be considered inopportune to throw
out a few suggestions or hints which may be of
some assistance to them in this duty. Bee-keeping
cannot now be considered to be in its infancy ;
it has been developing in experience for some
years ; the lessons of the past should not be lost
upon us, and we are all desirous that our api-
cultural system should be approximating the goal
of perfection. Admittedly there are still before us
many debateable points. We are not all in agree-
ment respecting the highest points in judging
either hives or honey. In time these differences
may possibly be adjusted, and these points solved.
It would be an advance in that direction if, as
suggested at the last annual meeting, the Com-
mittee of the B.B.K.A, could see their way to draw
up some simple rules for judging, which from such
a quarter would be sure to find acceptance with the
several affiliated Associations.

During the past year discussions have arisen ill
our Journal which have proved of the greatest
utility, and viewing these with an editorial eye,
it may be allowable while the committee of the
B.B.K.A. are pondering over the above matter to
throw out a few hints pro bono publico.

The little contretemps at the Indian and Colonial
Exhibition was not without its benefits. The
county competition was an experiment which in
its results more than surpassed the most sanguine
expectations of its promoters. It was difficult— it
haying been a first endeavour — to know how the
scheme would work, and therefore it cannot be
wondered at that all was not right, that the
judges' work was not the acme of perfection. It
has simply shown us, as might have been antici-
pated, that on a future occasion a few slight
alterations will be necessary in the details to
render such an exhibition more complete.

Turning to the last annual meeting, Mr. Burkitt's
resolution will have its results. We feel sure that
gentleman had no desire to throw more work on the
officers of Associations j he may have had in his

mind's eye cases which have come under his own
notice, where there has been a long list of rules,
and the judges have received copies just as they
wero beginning their arduous duties, without time
being allowed to grasp some of the more minute
details. To overcome this difficulty, let us suggest
that it would be wise if secretaries were to forward
to the judges a copy of the rules a few days prior
to the show, so that they could make themselves
thoughtfully and thoroughly acquainted with them.

Another point which occurs to us relates to
judges. Rules for judging, suggestions forjudges,
&c, are all very well in their way ; but, after all,
it is able and experienced men that are required, —
men who know their subject, and are well up in it, —
men who are known to give their judgment to the
best of their ability, — men in whose verdict all will
be ready to acquiesce. Of late the cry has been —
loud and urgent — that the B. B. K. A. should frame
rules for judging, so that any one may undertake
the duties of a judge. But unless such judges were
able to give a reason for the decisions they may
arrive at, there would still be much dissatisfaction.
The resxilt of a show is not merely for the present,
it influences the direction of the work of the
bee-keepers for the future season, therefore much
necessarily depends on the confidence that can be
placed in the opinions of the judge. We would
say to the various associations, Follow the example
of other societies, and obtain judges well qualified
for their work.

Another suggestion, and we have done for the
present. Offer, in future, medals for the encou-
ragement of the production of wax and the use
of honey in various forms. Comestibles of all
kinds with honey as an ingredient are now nu-
merous, we are glad to say. Honey in medicine
is regaining its proper footing, and honey is being
utilised in many other ways ; and now, when con-
sidering what to do with our increased produc-
tions of honey, we would desire especially to direct
the attention of committees to this matter. Don't
forget to encourage all the utilities for honey ; offer
prizes for honey comestibles, honey medicines, and
have a separate class which will cover anything
worthy of commendation in which the products of
the apiary are employed. By such encouragement
fresh channels will be opened, larger quantities of
honey will be disposed of; and need we say prices
will improve, and bee-keeping considered one of the
most profitable of inchistries f

104

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 10, 1887-

ASSOCIATIONS.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

This Association held its Annual Meeting on Thursday,
February 24th, at Gloucester. Report was read showing
increase of members, &c. Financial statement closed
with a working balance in hands of treasurer. Per-
mission was given for the formation of a Bristol district
association under their enterprising- local secretary, Mr.
Appleton, which it is hoped will much assist in the
better working of that portion of the county. Received
with regret the resignation of the Hon. Secretary, the
Rev. John Turner, Mr. Slade, of 12 Promenade Villas,
Cheltenham, being appointed Hon. Secretary.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Annual General Meeting of the above Association
was held on Thursday, February 24, at 2 p.m., in Dr.
Traill's Class-room, 35 Trinity College, H. Chenevix,
Esq., J.P., in the chair. Present — Miss E. E. Rutherford,
Miss Violet Knight, Dr. J. Purser Allen, Messrs. J. M.
Gillies, J. Edmondson (treasurer), C. F. Knight, J. K.
Milner, "Walter J. Stanford (lion, secretary), and M. H.
Read.

The following is an abstract of the report adopted : —

' The heavy debt of 30/. carried into last year's
accounts from 1885 has, owing to the great liberality of
a few gentlemen, been cleared off. The Committee
made arrangements to send an exhibit of Irish honey to
the British Bee-keepers' Show at South Kensington.
Only four members, however, availed themselves of the
facilities offered, owing to the extraordinary lateness of
the season ; and three exhibits of 1-lb. sections, and two
of 1-lb. bottles, were delivered at the show from Ireland,
and with these five exhibits one second prize and two
highly commended in a class of forty-two entries, and
one highly commended in a class of thirty-eight, were
secured ; honours equivalent to 80 per cent of the Irish
exhibit. The only appearances of the bee tent this year
were at Dunadry, co. Antrim, on July 26th, and at the
Giant's Causeway, Portrush, on July 27th. After much
difficulty a honey market was at last started in Dublin
for members of the Association in August. The com-
mittee were fortunate in securing the services of Messrs.
Carton Brothers, 17 Halston Street, as agents, to whose
untiring energies the success of the scheme is largely
due. Fourteen different members sent up honey amount-
ing to 1228 lbs., for which a total of 50/. 9s. lOd. was
realised, or an average of 9-86rf. per lb. Two conver-
saziones were held during the year, in June and
November, which were well attended. Several interest-
ing and instructive papers were read, and various other
subjects of apiarian interest were freely discussed and
appliances exhibited. The list of members now numbers
eighty-three, of whom six are life members, and seventy-
seven annual, as against three life members and 106
annual in 1884, and four life members and sixty-three
annual in 1885. It will be seen, therefore, that though
there was a very heavy fall in 1884-1835, we are
again on the rise slowly, having added sixteen to our
total since last year, with twenty-eight new subscribers.
Several new names have already been received for 1«87.
They also desire to bring under your notice that this
past year the Government have for the first time included
apiculture in their annual agricultural returns, thereby
proving how important a part of the industry of the
country it is considered. Ireland having taken the lead
in this important matter it is much to be hoped that
England and Scotland will very soon follow her example.'

The financial statement shows that the income from
annual subscriptions for 1880 amounted to 23/. lis. 6c/.,
as against only 17/. 9*. (id. for the year 1885. Besides

this there were special donations towards paying off the
outstanding accounts of the Association amounting to
10/. 10s. aud also 3/. 18s. Cd. from sundry sources, making
a grand total of 47/. 9s. Of this 12/. 5s. lid. was ex-
pended to meet the current expenses of the 3'ear, and
30/. 0s. 3d. to pay off the Association's debts, leaving a
balance in the treasurer's hands of 5/. 2s. Wd.

The following were elected to serve as officers for the
ensuing year : — President, the Lord Ardilaun ; Vice-
presidents, the Rev. R. Bellew, W. J. Brandy, Esq., the
Rev. Canon Proctor; hon. treasurer, J. Edmondson,
Esq.; lion, secretary, H. Chenevix, Esq., J. P.

A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Stanford for his
services as lion, secretary during the past year, wbich
was duly acknowledged by that gentleman.

The committee for 1837 are, — the Rev. P. Kavanagh,
Messrs. Walter J. Stanford, J. K. Millner, Dr. Traill,
Messrs. M. H. Read, J. M. Gillies, C. F. Knight, R.
Sproule, Dr. Allen, Dr. O'Farrell, J. S. B. Vanston, the
Rev. T. Lindsay, Edward Byrne, J. P., John Jones, M.D.,
S. K. Twigg.

It was moved by Dr. Knight that steps be taken by
the incoming committee to place the Association on a
more representative basis by conferring powers on district
branches to nominate a member or members for election
on the general committee and by indicating clearly on
the voting papers that such members had been so nomi-
nated. This was seconded by Mr. Gillies and passed.

It was moved by Dr. Knight that District Associations
be formed throughout Ireland.

Mr. Stanford objected to District Associations being-
formed at all at present on the grounds that the Irish
Bee-keepers' Association itself was not strong enough to
subdivide into smaller associations. He suggested that
the matter should be allowed to drop for another year.
Mr. Read said that local secretaries would meet the
requirements of Irish bee-keepers at present. Mr.
Chenevix was of the same opinion. After some discus-
sion, therefore, the motion was withdrawn.

It was moved by Dr. Knight that steps be taken by
the incoming committse to carry out the plan of the
Cottiers' Fund. This should be done by some few
members each sending a name of a suitable cottager in
their neighbourhood for approval to the committee, who
should select one or more of these names and supply
them as funds permitted with the appliances neces-
sary to start bee-keeping. The members who nominated
the choseu ones to become responsible for repayment in
easy instalments for the appliances furnished. This was
seconded by Mr. Stanford and passed.

The meeting adjourned with a vote of thanks to the
Chairman.

Weight of full Bars of Comb eefoke Slingi.vg and
after. (Standard size.) — I thought it might interest
some readers of the Bee Journal to know this. Last year I
weighed one box of ten bars, the top storey of a hive :—

Fcll. Emptt.

lbs. ozs. lbs. ozs.

4 2 1 4

5 5 1 3

5 4 1 4

6 0 1 S

5 3 1 2

6 9 1 4

5 12 1 5

5 1 1 2

5 12 : 1 2

5 3 1 2

54 3 12 4

J. W. L.

' Gloves.' — A Suggestion. — Cut off the finger-ends of the
gloves, if not quite prepared to manipulate without some
protection, then if desirous of making doubly sure of being
unharmed, a very small application of Grimshaw's 'Api-
fuge' ought to suffice. — C. A. J.

March 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

105

CntTcspcwaenie.

Tho Editor docs not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publicatio'n, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be draven on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports oj
Associations, Shoics, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c}o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. .Martin's iane.Xondon, IF. C.' Ml business communications relating
to Advertisements, £c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langlcy, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking oj
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter^ as xcell as the page on which it appears.

THE NEW RACES AND THE BEST MEANS

OF INTEE-BREEDING AND SECURING

FERTILISATION.

Cypeians.

[845.] The recent statements of Mr. F. Benton in
reference to these bees will have interested many : but I
do not see why he should fear that others may say he is
actuated by interested motives. We all know that his
motives are honourable, and if there is one man more
capable than any other of forming a correct opinion of
these bees it is "himself. I believe that, as a rule, bee-
dealers, as well as manufacturers, recommend an article
because they honestly telieve it to be of value, and I
would ask, "Who is there better able to judge correctly
than those who provide for the many ? I know that there
a ie others who hold their peace, fearing they will be
insidered 'interested'; but, friends, if your opinion is
worth anything at all, by all means let us have it. The
majority will believe in your sincerity. Time proves
all things, and truth will prevail.

I am afraid Mr. Benton has not had the recompense
he deserves for all the trouble and expense he has been at
in bringing the new races more prominently before the
public, and placing Cyprians in particular more within
reach of those who can afford to pay for them. The price
has been high — too high to enable bee-keepers generally
to adopt them ; but I feel certain, could he but see his way
clear to make a considerable reduction from his charges,
the demand would be so much greater as to fully repay
him.

The reports regarding the temper of Cyprians have
been so conflicting it cannot be wondered at that so
much uncertainty exists in regard to them. The bad
opinion, as expressed by some, results from one of two
causes ; either through careless handling, or the _ bee-
keeper has hybrids, which he persists in calling ' Cyprians.'
If we speak of Cyprians, once and for all, let it be under-
stood that we mean what we say. Cyprians are not
hybrids, and hybrids are not pure Cyprians. This
seems plain enough, but, strange to say, a well-known
writer in another journal speaks of the doings of his
Cyprians; but he tells us they are descended from a
queen he had ten years since. I wonder how much
Cyprian blood there is in those bees at this day J" I have
no doubt his bees were benefited by tho introduction of
Cyprian blood at that time, and I am certain are the
better for it now, but why call them ' Cyprians,' after
being crossed and re-crossed as hybrids through several
generations? Again, a noted Scotch bee-keeper has
strongly condemned ' Cyprians,' though at the same time
showing good results from them; but in private con-
versation he has informed me that he had never been
stung by the pure bees, but the hybrids were hard to
deal with.

The Rev. G. Baynor has had a lengthened experience
with these bees, and continues to speak well of them ;
but I believe he has had some trouble with dysentery.

It would be interesting, therefore, if that veteran bee-
keeper could give us a little information as to the hive
he uses for wintering; and how the frames, &c, are
arranged.

We have heard of the grand results gained by that
practical bee-keeper, Mr. Cowan, from his Cyprian (P)
stocks. Now, I may be mistaken, but I have reason to
believe that in his apiarj' it would have been the excep-
tion rather than the rule to find pure Cyprians ; and if
the Editor will kindly put us right, upon this point, it
will be satisfactory to all, and particularly to myself, as
I do want to get at the bottom of the whole question.
Let us know only what are being called Cyprians, and
what not; then we can clear away this mist overhanging
that remarkable race.

Mr. Blow, of Welwyn, after all the the trouble and
expense he was put to in bringing over many stocks,
condemns them utterly. Though on one occasion it
will be remembered ho had to flee from the enraged
bees without obtaining what he had bargained for, he
says he had no difficulty in managing them abroad ; but
arrived here he could do nothing with them. His ex-
perience simply shows that it does not do to buy stocks
indiscriminately. What is wanted is an established and
permanent modern apiary in Cyprus, where year after
year the disposition of the respective colonies may be
tested, and breeding be carried on only from the most
docile, of course having regard to working qualities as
well. Another of our well-known bee-keepers has long-
since given Cyprians a bad name, but I am aware that
hybrids resulting from indiscriminate mating had some-
thing to do with his verdict. It is within my knowledge
that the same gentleman, not more than a year since,
bought many stocks from an apiary where only hybrid
Cyprians are kept, and in hives with frames so propolised
that the average bee-keeper would hesitate before at-
tempting to remove one. I had some of the same, and all
were transferred to new frames, while with one or two
exceptions they were as peaceable as Ligurians. Those
that did. sting were no worse than a Ligurian hybrid
stock, from which I removed the queen because of their
vicious nature.

I have had many pure Cyprians, and not one stock
but what coidd be handled without smoke at any time
of the day, dull days or fine days, in season or out of
season, without receiving a single sting. They rest more
quietly upon the combs under manipulation than any
other bees I have seen; they are the best of honey-
gatherers, exceedingly prolific, and under proper
management give no trouble in swarming, while not
the least of their good recommendations is their extreme
beautv. Upon examining a hive of these bees, proceed
as follows : —

1. Peel the quilt back with a firm but careful motion,
using no intimidant.

2. Wait a few second?.

•'!. Make no hasty movement.

4. As with other bees, remove combs carefully.

5. In shaking them from the combs, as with any
others, I never give a thorough shake to begin with.
Give one or two gentle jerks, and then be as rough as
you please.

Mr. Cheshire, than whom there is no more observant •
bee-keeper, will surely be credited. He considers that
Cyprians are most amiable, judging from his own stocks,
and having also examined those at my Kottingdeau
apiary under varying conditions.

I have had Cyprians storing honey and breeding when
Ligurians and common bees would be doing nothing;
in fact, there never appetrs to be a time during the
season when they cannot get a living. G. M. Dooliltle,
a well-known American writer, speaks well of their
working qualities, and says what is quite true, that,
unlike common bees, one may stand for hours by the

106

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 10, 1887.

hive, and not one bee will attempt to sting. Unfortu-
nately, Lis experience Las been with one colony only,
and, whether through wrong treatment or not, I cannot
say, he condemns them as quite unmanageable.

Mr. Heddon, another prominent apiarist in the States,
condemns them without trial, and draws some very
erroneous conclusions from the statements of others, who
have had but one or two queens; and it is even open to
doubt whether such were pure.

Perhaps the worst failing Cy'prians have is that they
use a great deal of propolis, often of a very dark colour.
Their cappings are thin, and lie close upon the honey,
giving the same a dark, damp appearance, and therefore
they are in both respects quite unsuitable for section
work. They are also almost certain to start fertile
workers, if by any means the queen is removed ; but
this appears to be no trouble, as such subside immediaely
upon the introduction of another laying queen, while
there is no attempt to molest her.

It has been stated that they breed too late in the
season, using up all their stores, and also that they
winter badly ; but this is entirely a fault of those
making such statements. I have long since been told
that Ligurians also disposed of their stores in like
manner, but if the apiarist persists in giving them a small
daily supply during the autumn, of course brood-rearing
will be continued. Give them the whole of their winter
stores, or the quantity necessary to complete such, in the
course of two or three days, at the end of August, if you
like, but never later than the latter part of September.
Nevermind if some brood is thrown out to accommodate
it, so that every comb is almost solid with sealed food ;
then leave them alone ; and I have yet to see the stock
so treated which did not soon cease breeding entirely,
finding nothing more was to be had.

With the more prolific races it does not do to com-
mence slow feeding, even as early as the last of August,
when a colony does not appear to have quite enough
store to carry it through, as all will simply be wasted,
and the strength of the stock as well. Let no one say I
am wrong in advising the destruction of the brood" in
such cases. I have seen it done by the bees on their own
account when storing naturally late in the season, some-
times as early as the middle of August, and nothing
would induce such colonies to breed again until after the
'turn of days,' though headed by young and prolific
queens, and in the following year giving a good account
of themselves.

Now, how about d)'sentery, or bad wintering qualities?
Strange as it may appear to some of your readers, I have
always found this more prevalent with double-walled
hives, and where the frames run across the entrance.
But too often there is hardly sufficient space for a bee
to crawl under the frames ; bees die and drop to the
floor-board, get into a mass, and block up such a shallow
space. A warm day comes, and the bees have all they
can do to _ find the entrance, while many wander about
In an excited state, soon to drop among the heap upon
the floor, daubed by their own excrement and that of
others, which should and would, under proper conditions,
have been voided while upon the wing. The living do
not, _ because they cannot, remove such a mass of cor-
ruption, which is being rapidly added to, because of
insufficient ventilation and the foulness of the hive. The
stronger the colony thus situated, the more certain and
rapid is its destruction, unless the evil be remedied at an
early stage. Hence we see why the more prolific races,
being in larger _ numbers during winter, suffer from
dysentery when improperly hived.

The too-small space under the frames is the rule,
rather than the exception. I have on many occasions
drawn attention to this matter, and have given a full
half-inch as the space to allow when hives are first made,
though in winter several inches would be better. The
more room given there, the cleaner will be the floor ;

better ventilation will be secured, and the health of the
bees maintained in consequence, more particularly if the
frames stand 'end on' to the entrance, facing the
mid-day sun. Do this as I have done, and 3-011 will have
no more complaints to give about the wintering qualities
of Cyprians.

The beginner should on no account obtain Cyprians,
as he is sure to get a mixed race which will give him
trouble ; but the man of average experience, who cau in
a measure direct the breeding department, will find the
introduction of these bees of immense value, making his
stock more substantial, and causing his returns to be
more certain ; as a cross with this race gives that equal
and general good condition of stocks, hitherto found
wanting in every apiary, large or small.

In future papers we will talk about thoss hybrids, and
how to get in them all the good qualities of the Cyprians,
without their faults, and without that stinging pro-
pensity characteristic of hybrids as generally known,
and which, through careless observation or heedless
expressions, have often been the cause of giving pure
Cyprians a bad name. — S. Simmins.

[For two years we had twelve pure Cyprian stocks
from imported queens purchased of reliable dealers, and
should have had no difficulty in keeping the race pure
to this day had we wished to do so. Of these queens
we destroyed several the first season, because they did
not satisfy us, and did not come up to our Italians, and
these we replaced by others, some imported and some
bred at home from selected stocks. From our experience
of home-bred queens, we believe in them, and also that
any one taking the trouble can secure pure fertilisation
if he wishes. When we speak of Cyprians we also mean
the pure race, and for two years pure Cyprians with us
were the rule and not the exceptiou. Our correspondent
has had, we believe, considerable experience with these
bees, therefore we are glad to find he does not differ
from us as to their not being suitable for beginners; but
we do differ from him most distinctly as to the reason.
Why is a beginner sure to get a mixed race which will
give him trouble ? Does Mr. Simmins wish us to believe
that Cyprian queens as imported and sold by our respect-
able dealers are a mixed race ? Mr. Benton we know
supplies Cyprians; does he mean that a beginner pur-
chasing queens sent over by him would not get the pure
race ? Our experience is that pure Cyprians vary con-
siderably in temperament, and that veiy bad-tempered
bees may yet be perfectly pure. The experience of the
leading bee-keepers confirms this. As Mr. Simmins has
appealed to Mr. Cheshire's statements in support of his
arguments, we would point out their value by showing
that he also gave them a bad character ; and if our
readers will refer to the discussion on Mr. Blow's paper,
on p. 29, Vol. x. British Bee Journal, they will find the
following words of Mr. Cheshire's : — 'The third queen,
which he got from the north of the island of Cyprus,
raised bees of a dark colour. This last queen sent by
Mr. Benton was going on fairly well. She was ex-
tremely small, her bees were small though bright. With
regard to the tempers, the queen (the third in number
that came into his possession) had raised bees that were
not generally irritable, but if they were disturbed they
were furious beyond expression. On one occasion when
he transferred a swarm from one hive to the other, he
was stung at least a hundred times during the operation,
they were utterly uncontrollable ; yet these bees pre-
viously had been easily handled.' Mr. Cheshire's
considering Cyprians most amiable is so diametrically
opposed to his own statements respecting their temper,
that we have no doubt our readers will be able to
reconcile them somehow. We have only to repeat what
we have said over and over again, that Cyprians vary in
temperament, and some better selection must be adopted
before we can hope to have nothing but amiable bees,
—En.]

March 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

107

THE REVERSIBLE SECTION RACK.

[846.] This section rack has been designed to mini-
mise manipulation with the If" section, for when with
a crate of these sections one full one has been taken
off the hive, and when no separator had been in use,
the remainder must be moved up so as to have sections
filled out to the same extent opposite each other. With
this rack the whole sections are filled in and the crate
full comes off at one time wholly finished.

There is a second advantage gained by its nse (this
is connected with the open-sided If" section) ; it is that
the brood-nest can be contracted in the honey flow, the
queen kept out of the sections without use of excluder
zinc, and a full bee passage of a quarter of an inch
allowed the bees to the sections, by which, and with
plenty of room in the sections, it is expected the bees
will be prevented from swarming, and that as much
comb honey will be stored as would be in frames
worked for extracting.

The principle is very simple ; it is applicable to all
sections without or with separators of only same size as
section with which they are employed ; it is also appli-
cable to all section-crates which are slightly wider
than the sections contained in them. But the section-
crate for which it has been especially designed is the
Raj'nor-Benthall pattern, made a \" wider than the
open-sided section on each side, to allow of bee passage
round, and prevent pop-holes through the combs. Eight
If" sections fit in the space of seven two-inch wide ;
these eight are divided into two equal portions, the
sections in each of which are clamped together by four
slips of angle tin covering the four corners, and clasped
or bent down over the narrow part of end sections at
both top and sides. The opening at top and bottom of
these sections is t",t" or excluder zinc size, that at the
sides a quarter of an inch wide. When these racks
are first placed in the crate, the iV opening is down,
and when the comb is drawn out and a little honey
stored in the centre of crate, the two racks are reversed
and the sections previously on the outside are now
brought to the centre, and when a little honey is again
stored in these, the racks are turned on their sides, and
as the queen can now do no damage, a full \" bee-
space passage is allowed to the bees to work in the
sections. By means of these racks every section in the
hive can be placed directly over the centre of the
brood-nest, or within the width of a section of the
centre, and it is about the centre of the hive the chief
storage and sealing over is done. One of Mr. Simmins's
separators with a half bee-space added at the corners
at each side would be required at the centre, when
the end sections had not been evenly drawn out, and
at the ends a half bee-space of -fa" must be added to
face of boards closing up, when they touch the sections.
The ledges for the sections to rest on are rectangular
tin tunnels, inverted sides }" deep, width |" ; these are
tacked underneath to sides of crate, which are 4J" deep,
the outer side of crate being flush with side of tin
tunnel.

If there are any advantages in inversion of section
honey-comb, these racks seem to overcome the drawback
to inversion of crates of them at one time, which draw-
back is that all the combs not being in the same state
of development at same time, and in consequence it is
difficult to know when to invert : Mr. Heddon seems
inclined to find fault with inversion altogether on this
account. With the racks there is no difficulty in secur-
ing the fitness of the comb and finding out the time
for that purpose, shortly after the outside sections have
been placed in the centre, the racks should be filled
with sections of same standing, and fit for inversion.
Should anyone interested in this crate or rack not
thoroughly understand it I shall be most happy to ex-
plain everything required, and should a demand arise

for either rack or crates, I should place samples in
the hands of a manufacturer and have them made in
quantity. — W. B., PairicksweM, Limerick.

IN THE HUT.

' Where the bee sucks,
There lurk I. '

[847.] I purpose, with your permission, to send you
occasional notes, criticisms, suggestions, and hints on bee
topics amongst the Horsforth bee-keepers, who I find
are in the habit (like some kinds of bees) of resorting to
secluded and solitary nooks, in which they may discuss
their hubby free from the ken of the outside world. In
such a nook is ' The Hut,' which I ought to try and
describe to your readers, for, if I mistake not, its
seclusion, or at least the seclusion of its inmates, is fated
to experience fierce assault 'in the coming by-and-by.'

(When people think

' A chiel's among 'em takin' notes,
An' faith he'll prent it,'

it may be as bad for the chid as for Stephenson's coo 1)

Picture a sharply-sloping hillside in Airedale, well
sheltered by wToods of beech, birch, sycamore, and hazel
on all sides but due south. A clearing of half an acre
or so is utilised as a bee-garden (how much nicer
bee-garden sounds than apiary !), and along the ■western
side, under the protection of a hedge against that bete noir
of black bees— the north-east wind, a row of hives is
ranged. They are unlike 'the great Orion, sloping
slowly to the west,' but resemble somewhat true orthodox
Christians in sepulture in that they possess in their
arrangements this relic of Paganism — on the re-awaking
resurrection of early spring, they shall greet the great
sun-god at his rising.

On the northern side of the clearing is a wooden hut,
quite open on the south side, provided with a firmly
fixed table, and canvas-covered, hay-stuffed seats, which
at this season are highly charged with elements pro-
ductive of rheumatism and hseniorrhoidal disturbance ;
so, like the objectionable dishes in Mark Twain's book,
those seats are ' passed,' in favour of the table. Here, in
the hut, midst bosky wood and mossy boulders, the
calumet of peace is smoked, with perhaps a wandering-
Jew (W. J.) in perspective, probing about and pottering
under stones for ants' nests, or else amusing the blue tits
with shot from his catapult.

High noon, an hour before, and one after, are marked
by incisions cut in the table on the line of reflection cast
by a sharp-edged supporting pillar, and it is by the
decisions of this homely sun-dial that adjournments are
made. So you see all discussion is at present perforce
standing, that is, when there are several subjects on foot,
and frequent reference has to be made to the standing
orders of the Association of which these happy bee-ists
are members. Hearty jokes (artichokes, if you will)
are anything but rare in this bee-gavAen, and are as
freely taken as given. I do not, of course, impute to
anyone the taking of 'what isn't his'n'; acting on the
motto ' Honi soit qui mal y peme,' which, being freely
translated and pronounced, meaneth ' Honey and soot
killed Mally (local for Mary) Spence.'

In one debate as to the best material for smokers, a
j Hutite suggests that cigars are best, when obtainable,
but for old hands an efficient substitute may be found in
good tobacco. Seriously, chemists frequently get corru-
gated paper as packing for bottles, and most of them
will obligingly hand it over to us. A better thing,
however, is old cord trousers (cut into strips, and rolled
the size of the smoke-chamber), those of juveniles being
much relished and preferred, or abhorred, bythe bees.

There is one thing, we framewell (Yorkshire dialect),
to succeed with in this part — we use only one kind of
frame—' Abbott's broad shoulders.' It has been found

108

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 10, 1887.

so convenient, when a vagrant swarm has hived itself
in a decoy, to trundle the lot home again at nightfall,
paying the owner the cost of the hive. One can, besides,
' help a worn and weary brother,' with a frame or two
of drawn-out foundation, when packing-up for the
heather, and so on.

Moral: — Have as much uniformity as you can in
forming district associations; the co-operative system of
purchasing will then come into play. — X. Tractoe.

THE ONE-AND-THREE-QUAETER SECTION.

[648.] It might not be amiss now that the time of
preparation has come for securing the results of next
honey season, to review the objections raised agaiust the
disuse of separators, and reconsider the claims of the
If section as being the best for storage of its surplus
comb-honey.

The disuse of separators is objected to, — First]}-, that
without their use the comb is irregularly sealed over ;
secondly, too bulged for glazing ; thirdly, that in packing
for transit the combs frequently touch one another ; and
lastly, that in unpacking it is difficult to know which
comb to take out first without causing damage. It has
been proved that 'perfect!}- level If sections can be
worked without separators.' (See Mr. Grimshaw's
letter, No. GOO, page 537, B.B.J, of last year.) This
success, probably, was in a honey-glut, or good honey
year, the indispensables of level hives and careful manipu-
lation being also observed ; but it is not to be expected
that in a bad year or intermittent honey flow, when
work has to be done piecemeal, that the same symmetry
of proportion can be preserved by the bees; for such
times, and to bring the If into general use, Mr. Simmins
has invented a separator (and allowed me to call the
attention of bee-keepers to it), that, while it allows of
the same full appearance of the section, as if no separator
had been used, ensures a perfectly even section — one fit
for glazing and exhibition at all times. This is accom-
plished by thickening the corners of the separator at
point of contact with the section the -j\nds of an inch on
each side, or Tsths of an inch, a full bee-space altogether.
Thus the face of comb is brought within a half bee-
space of outer edge of section. But this separator is
not recommended when it can possibly be done without,
as it is found the comb-honey harvest is greatly increased
where no separator had been used. With regard to
bulging too much for glazing, this seems but to improve
the appearance of the section should it occur, for we
read of some of those worked without separators, that
were at the Canadian Exhibition? — ' better than which
eyes need ne'er wish to look upon; too bulged for
glazing, but all right for the fancy boxes.' With two
tacks or small screws through the cardboard into the
wood, the comb is kept at any required distance from
the glass; and the cost of those boxes can compare
favourably with glazing when the time occupied by the
latter is taken into account. In packing in travelling
crate, there is no danger of the combs touching one
another, for if packed in them in the same way as they
had been in the crate on hive, there must be a bee-space
between each two combs; and in unpacking, were the
crate made a little longer than the enclosed sections, and
the same arrangement used as in that on hive — a board
with wedge, or board alone to close up— there would be
no difficulty, on removal of this board, in knowing which
section to take out first. Why was it that, whereas in
Canada separators are in general use (see Mr. M'Knight's
letter in B.B.J, of Nov. 11th last), nine-tenths of the
sections at the Colonial Exhibition were produced without
their aid P Our Canadian friends knew very well that when
worked without separators, sections both look and sell
better. At the close of the honey season, when it
becomes necessary for the bee-keeper to have his sections
sealed over quickly, the 1 finch, with the usual separator,

makes a narrow section, one well suitable for that
purpose. Thus we see the If inch is the best suited
section for great produce ; the best in appearance for
sale and exhibition, and a good narrow for use at the
close of the honey season. The best section therefore
for general use, and one well suited at all points for
storage of the surplus comb-honey of the coming season,
appears to be the If inch wide, worked either with or
without separators. — W. 13., Patriekswell, Limerick.

THE NEW APIFUOE.

[840.] Mr. Lyon (p. 90) having thrown down the
gauntlet hy writing satirically of the fact that I have
deemed it necessary to make it ' registered,' I am re-
luctantly compelled to take up the challenge in order
that your readers may not be misled, and that your oft-
quoted motto ' mum cuique ' ma}' not be prostituted by
one who seems desirous of ' ploughing with my oxen.'

In speaking of ' apifuge ' he says, ' Oh, I must not use
that awful word,' &c, &c. He was not always so sensi-
tive, and must know that he can use it, but not to sell
his goods by.

No sooner did my article appear on the exhaustive
experiments I have made than Mr. F. Lyon began to
advertise methyl salicylate. No sooner did an adver-
tisement of Grimshaw's apifuge appear than he followed
by using a word to sell his goods by, which word he
knew I had coined or invented. This manoeuvre being
stopped by a letter from me, he now, like a familiar
rodent in a corner, proceeds audaciously to lead the
readers of the B.B.J, into believing that methyl salic}r-
late is used in the manufacture of ' apifuge,' for he says,
'Alas, in future, when the subtle and peculiar odour of
methyl salicylate pervades the tent,' &c., &c, when at
the same time he has not a shadow of evidence, either in
my writing or speech, nor evidence in any way, to
support him in his assumption. Is not this ' trying to
sharpen his axe on my grindstone ?' Or perhaps is it a
' ballon d'essai' to try and ascertain what apifuge is com-
posed of by a negative process of getting me to deny
erroneous assertions ? We thus see how really necessary
it was for me to register the apifuge, attended, as in-
ventors in bee-keeping are, by ever-vigilant outsiders.

I tried methyl salicylate and it failed. It failed also
when Mr. Cheshire got stung on the knuckle whilst
manipulating the 'awful example' the Rottingdean
demons. It failed when Mr. Hart gave Mr. Cheshire
his bottle of it, saying, ' he reckoned nothing of it ' (vide
conversazione). It failed also because (vide Mr. Cheshire's
book) it is so ' liable to be terribly adulterated and
weakened ' that its price to-day goes from — well, very,
very low up to 32s. per pound.

The last sentence in his letter is too rich to be passed
over, so I will give it in e.vtenso : — 'If the use of
substances to prevent stings should come into general
use, the effect upon the rising generation of bee-keepers
can but be to render them very unworthy successors of
the present skilful manipulators.' And this comes from
him who sells a lotion professing to be the only cure for
stings ! How absurdly inconsistent !

Again, what is there ' slovenly or slapdash ' in a
method which allows naked hands, and gives perfect
protection against stinging, besides a feeling of calm
confidence even in times of accident? I think the
'charm attending the cool, careful manipulation' is on
my side. Cyprians, Syrians, or Ligurian half-breds, it
matters not which of these ; one can have the really
best workers with perfect impunity. For myself I do
not see that apifuge is anything but a boon to the vast
majority of bee-keepers, amongst whom we may dare to
include some timid or nervous ladies (of course there are
no nervous men !), gloved and gauntleted up to the
elbows, to say nothing to those to whom a sting or two
is a serious matter on account of their extreme suscepti-

March 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

109

bility. For example, I wish Mr. Lyon had seen ray
hand after using Dr. Pine's lotion for two days in ray
attempts to reduce the swelling from one sting I
purposely obtained in hii honour on Saturday, February
2Gtb, in order to test its efficacy; whilst Mr. S. Abbott
was trying in vain to get stung (after using npifuge,
which is not repugnant to bees) by a tribe of demons we
disturbed by kicking the hive, he playing an imaginary
piano on the alighting-board with his fingers, and pushing
two or three bees in at the entrance as he crushed them.

Surely Mr. Lj'on is prepared to admit that bee-
keepers do get stung, and don't, like it, else why his
lotion ?

Ah ! does not the crux of the whole thing rest here,
that it is a contest for very existence by the law of
natural selection between —
Grimshaw's Apifuge, ) I Dr. Pine*s Lotion,

an alleged perfect ■ and • an alleged ' perfect
preventive, ] ( cure?'

Prevention being notoriously better than cure, do you
see that ' Othello's occupation's gone' if my stuff win the
contest ? — R. A. H. Gri.ushaw, Cray Hill, Horsforth,
near Leeds.

AN APIFUGE.
[850.] Some two years ago I came across a receipt to
prevent mosquitos and other insects from biting travellers
in hot climates, so thought it might also prevent bees
stinging. I have used it two years when manipulating
and consider it a great preventive against being stung.
I also apply it to any one that gets stung and it has
proved very effecacious. One ounce cedar oil, one ounce
olive oil, mix and rub a drop or two on each hand when
manipulating. — J. W. L.

APE INVERTIBLE HIVES WATERTIGHT?

[851.] May I be allowed to ask Messrs. Neighbour and
Sons to explain in your columns how they mean the rain
to be kept out of the hives figured on the first page of
cover of No. 244 of the B. B. Journal? The adver-
tisement says their ' British Invertible B. F. Hives ' are
' adapted to our British climate;' but I doubt it, unless
the hives be sheltered by a shed or placed in a house.
The hive seems a good one, and from the illustration
(which I hope you will transfer to j'our columns that it
may be preserved with the volume when bound) easy to
manipulate; but unless it can be made watertight at the
joints where one box sits on the other I shall not like
to risk a colony of bees in it except in the height of a
very dry summer.

To a bee-keeper like myself, who makes his own hives,
but recommends to his friends and correspondents good
and simple hives no matter who is the maker, the ques-
tion is an important one. I am constantly being asked
and written to about the best hives to purchase, espe-
cially by beginners in bee-keeping, and I should not like
to be wrong as to the properties of the hive I recommend.

I am afraid, that, in the recent craze for invertible
hives there is a danger of losing sight of the essential
qualification of hives being thoroughly weathertight at
all seasons. And so many new things have, during the
last ten years, been pointed out, and urged upon us and
then allowed to pass silently into forgetfulness, that one
cannot swallow all at once the doctrine — untried and un-
proved— that we must convert all our trusty bar-frame
hives in which our bees have done so well for many
years, into invertible hives or we will be left behind the
times as to bee-keeping. — II. W. Lett, Isl.A.., Affhaderg
Glebe, Loughbricldand, Co. Down.

THE STANDARD THE RIGHT SIZE.

[852.] The bee season is approaching, and bee-keepers
are considering which system of management to employ.

Some will adopt the invertible system, but the majority
I think will ^o very slowly in that direction, and many
will not move at all, since they profess their inability to
see how any good can result from turning so many
thousand head of brood upside down. At present there
seems but little evidence pro or con either in England or
America, and therefore all must watch and wait.

The interchangeability of the different parts of hives
seems to me to be the leading idea, and not merely their
invertibility, in Cmada, and the same idea has been
advocated by Mr. Cowan for some time. The same id.'a
produced the Association standard frame — a frame too
large for some, and not large enough for others, so that
I presume it is just the right size. There are frames of
three sizes to select from, the diminutive, the medium
and the gigantic, and each size has its advocates.'
Many, no doubt, would like to give the shallow frame a
trial, but do not see buying new hives for the experi-
ment ; and to such I say there is no need to do so, as
they can be worked in the hives now in use, whether
comb or extracted honey is desired. — A. Green, Selston,
Alfreton.

ROOFS OF HIVES.
[853.] In a book on pigeons J have seen a recom-
mendation for making travelling boxes out of paper in
order to combine lightness with strength in the folio v-
ing manner. Dissolve one ounce of Scotch glue iu twenty
ounces boiling water, and the last thing before using stir
into it a little at a time twenty grains chrome alum
dissolved in ten ounces more of hot water. This will
entirely prevent the glue being ever affected by damp
and keep the whole manufacture hard and stiff, but iu
more must be prepared than can be used at a time, as
when once cold and stiff no amount of heat will re-dis-
solve the glue. Sufficient sheets of any waste paper can
be glued together and left to dry in a press. I should
like to try this plan for making roifs of hives, but have
failed to obtain the ingredients necessary. I therefore
take the liberty of asking if any readers of the Brit'sh
Bee Journal could inform me where the chrome alii n
can be got. I presume that best Russian glue woul 1
do in the place of Scotch glue mentioned. — J. B. Butler,
Bristol.

DEAD QUEEN.

[854.] I started bee-keeping about seventeen months
since, and on the whole, have been very successful. Last
season I had three frame-hives, from which I obtained
nearly two hundredweight of honey, mainly by following
minutely the instructions in your Journal. I venture to
say that you do not possess a inore devoted admirer in
the British Islands than your humble servant. I look to
you as my pore in the bee line, and your Journal co mes
as a ' boon and a blessing' every week, to delight the
heart and relieve the monotony of my existence as a
certificated teacher in a remote country Board School.

Fired by the above success, I determined to have a
Ligurian stock of bees, so last season I obtained from
Mr. Simmins a splendid queen, which I introduced about
6th September, 1836, to a strong stock of brown bees,
covering about ten to twelve frames, quite thick. I
afterwards gave the same stock 15 lbs. of syrup, by rapid
feeding from five holes. On 10th January, Ligurian bees
were on the flight-board, and flying about freely.

To-day I picked up my Ligurian queen, on the ground
before the hive, apparently quite dead. Temperature
42° Fahrenheit, by mercurial thermometer in shade.
No sun, slightly mizzling with rain all day. I picked
her up at twelve, in the middle of the day. Temperature
at 7 a.m. same day was 40° Fahrenheit, so there could
have been no sudden rise of temperature. I could not
believe for some time it was the queen, I was so struck
with my loss. However, I took her into the house, and

110

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 10, 1887

held her in my hand before (he fire for nearly an hour.
She just moved a leg or two, showed her sting', and
became quiescent. Is she dead, or only a case of
suspended animation ? I send her to you by this post,
to see if you, pcre editor, can tell me the cause of death,
or how it was. Are they getting ready for swarming,
and thrown out a surplus queen ? Is my hive queenless ?
what am I to do? See what my ambition to have a
Ligurian stock lias come to. I now have eight blacks
and brown stocks, and one stock of half blacks and half
Ligurians. If they have no queen, will they rear one
now ? What was she doing outside the hive ?

Please help me out of my dilemma. I await your
verdict with interest. I believe, two weak stocks, that
are covering' six or eight frames, better than joining; I
don't want to join. — Chas. J. Jelfs, Dodford, Broms-
yrove, Worcestershire, \£th February.

[Your Queen-bee is as dead as Queen Anne. It is im-
possible to say what was the cause of the queen's death.
Sometimes bees will supersede a queen, without any
apparent reason, and it is probable that yours are raising
a queen. As you do not wish to unite, on the first
suitable opportunity examine the colony, and, if you
find queen-cells in progress, use your discretion as to
allowing it to stand. Were the case our own we should
certainly unite it to our weakest colony, first cutting out
the queen-cells. If there are no queen-cells, uniting is
the only alternative, since it is too early to obtain queens,
and, if this were possible, the risk of introduction now
would be great.

For your consolation, however, we may state that, in
March last, a strong Italian colony, in our own apiary,
taking a fancy to change its queen, destroyed her, and
raised another in her place, which mated successfully
about the middle of April, and is now a most prolific
breeder, and a beautiful queen in size, shape, and colour.
It must be noted, however, that drones were plentiful in
our apiary at the time this queen matched. — Ed.]

REVERSING FRAMES.

[855.] 1 beg to take the opportunity of -writing to
you, in reference to the article which appeared in the
B. B.J. of December 1, 1886, on ' Reversing Frames and
Hives,' in which you were of opinion that if reversible
frames were to come into general use, a simple appliance
must be used that will utilise our present frames and in
no way interfere with their size, with which I quite
agree. I now submit to you the following simple plan,
whereby any one might try reversible frames for a few
pence. I first cut off the ears of the top bar, then glue

O

o

in little angle pieces in the angles at the bottom of the
frame, so as to strengthen the bottom part of the frame,
which also forms a hold for screws which are screwed in
about half an inch from the sides of the frame. I get
tint a new top bar, which may be either broad-shouldered
or metal-ended, and in this bore two holes of the size of
the head of the screws, and from these holes are two

wedge-like slots, which, when the bar is pushed, tighten
both the bars. This same top bar would do for any
frame, and section-cases, if worked in the rear of the
hive, might by the same be inverted and kept in position,
— R. G., West End, Bodmin.

'CROAKING QUEENS' (203.)

[850.] ' Amateur Expert,' in ' Jottings ' for the 3rd
ult., ' hopes that all who own " croaking " bees are
satisfied with Mr. Grimshaw's excellent paper on the
" Vocal Organs of the Bee," and that they will endeavour
to notice the different " croaks" in future, and, moreover,
that none of them will ever " croak " themselves.'

I read Mr. Grimshaw's paper with considerable in-
terest, and I beg to assure your facile and racy corre-
spondent that — as in the past, so in the future — the
different ' croaks ' will receive their due share of notice
from me at least. ' A. E.' hopes that all who own, &c.
This is pressing into the service the whole army of bee-
keepers— a mighty host !

An attentive examination of the paper in question
discovers nothing that in any degree militates against —
much that favours — the possibility of the existence of such
a sound ; and this whether we investigate and analyse
the minute anatomical structure and arrangement of the
spiracles and their relations to the wing's, or simply
follow Mr. Grimshaw in his description of some of the
sounds. ' We all know,' sa3Ts he, ' the lazy contented
boom of the drone as contrasted with the whizz and whirr
of the disturbed honey-gatherer. We recognise the con-
tented hum of the quiet prosperous hive in opposition to
the sharp " poop ! poop ! " of the lost queenless hive.'
Now this sharp' poop! 'poop!' is clearly a species of
'croak.' It is just possible, however, that this 'poop!
poop ! ' sound or croak is never uttered by a queenless
stock. ' Stahala,' quoted in the Journal of the 10th
ult., states that the sound " H-u-u-u-u-u-u ! " is pro-
duced by queenless stocks both in summer and winter,' a
very different sound from ' poop ! poop ! ' ' Stahala '
furthermore adds, 'A loud " wuh-wuh-wuh !" is only
heard when breeding is going on, but never when the
hive is queenless or Jias an unfertilised queen.' This
' wuh-wuh-wuh ! ' or rather, to give it its proper pro-
nunciation, this ' vuh-vuh-vuh !' is the abrupt croak,
rattle, or, drum-roll that I have on former occasions de-
scribed as peculiar to the queen, and, as I have never
heard such sound emitted by a virgin queen, possibly
peculiar to one fertilised. It does not, however, neces-
sarily follow that an unfertilised queen is, anatomically,
incapable of uttering such sound, but only that her con-
dition and surroundings, in the virgin state and in the
fertilised, differ, and that the necessity for the emission
of this sound is, therefore, in the former state absent.

This, Sir, is an apparently trivial subject upon which
to write, but occasionally gieat truths and important
facts are evolved and receive their elucidation from very
small data, and I consider it the duty of each of us, no
matter how humble-so-ever his intellectual status, to do
what he can for the general good.

Finally, being of a somewhat hopeful disposition and
temperament, 1 shall perhaps the more easily put into
practice ' A. E.'s ' last piece of advice — viz., ' never to
croak.' — Edwabd C. Andeuson.

Syrup Feedek. — I think my own syrup feeder is the
simplest and best. I find tumblers and tin lids about the
house that, fit each other. Bore five small holes in the tin
lid near the centre, fill the tumbler with the syrup, put on
the lid and turn down on the stage, which is placed over
the feed-hole. The stage is a square piece of wood J of an
inch thick, about i\ inches square, with a round hole in it
1 J inches across, and covered with perforated zinc, cut with
scissors and nailed on. No shovel is required, not a drop is
spilt, and the tumbler can be turned up any time, and be
refilled before it is quite empty. — Beeswing.

March 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

Ill

|leb.icfo.

Das Bienexwachs tjnd seine VEnwERTrxa by
J. Denuler. Published by the author at Enzheim.
There have been a good many pamphlets on the uses of
honey as food and medicine, but up to the present time,
■with the exception of what is found in large and costly
books, nothing has been done in a separate and cheap
form to bring the utility of wax before the notice of the
public. Occasionally we have seen articles exhibited
in which wax was used, and after our visit to the
National Exhibition in Zurich, in 188-*», we described in
the British Bet Journal the fine collection of things wo
saw there. That wax has a variety of uses not generally
known, we were convinced by the fact that there wer«
no less than twenty-two articles in which it formed an
ingredient, or in the manufacture for which it was used.
These were 1, glass engraving; 2, painting in wax
colours; ", wax modelling ; 4, bleached wax ; 5, cosme-
tique ; 6, wax for waxing thread; 7, corking wax; 8,
preparation for waxing floors; 9, wax salve; 10, wax
plaister; 11, solution in benzole ; 12, various forma of
wax tapers; 13, cold cream; 14, mould of teeth; 15,
Anatomical preparations in wax; 16, meerschaum tubes;
17, collar glazed with wax; 18, wax matches; 19, comb
foundation ; 20, candles ; 21, medals ; 22, photography.
Such being the various uses to which it can be put, it
is with pleasure that we welcome the appearance of
this pamphlet, which commences by giving a history of
the production of wax, then its conversion into founda-
tion, and its uses in the household, and, lastly, its uses as
a medicine. We find a description of the best way of
obtaining the wax pure, and how to detect its adul-
terants. M. Dennler is well known as one of the editors
of the Elsass-I/Othnngische Bienenzeitunr/, is the chair-
man of the Strasburg section of the Bee Society, and has
taken an active part in disseminating a knowledge of
bee-keeping. He is also one of the lecturers of the
Society,and it gave us great pleasure when we visited him
at Enzheim to find that he practises in his apiary what
he preaches out of it. His other occupations prevent
him keeping more than twenty hives, and most of them
are of the Baden type. lie told us he had three harvests
of honey during the season ; first, fruit trees in April,
which give the honey a slight-rose coloured tint ; second,
Trifolium incarnatuni, from the end of May to the
middle of June, this honey has a yellow tinge; third,
linden, which has a yellowish hue. With the multipli-
cation of bee-keepers a larger quantity of wax is
required for foundation, and it is therefore important
that there should be no waste, and even the oldest combs
contain something worth getting out of them. How it
is to be done this pamphlet explains, we therefore
recommend it, and shall hope, from time to time, to
give our readers some useful extracts from it.

Implies 10 #mies.

[835, 836.] (Edward Clowes.) — Your two queries are most
difficult to answer. The possibilities of artificial swarming
were known to the ancients ; whether they practised it or
not it is impossible to say ; but no doubt they did. In
order to give you some idea as to how long smoke has been
known as an intimidant to bees, I may mention that
Johnstone, in his travels in Central Africa on the Upper
Congo, found that many tribes here were bee-keepers,
suspending their hives — made of rushes — on the branches
of trees, and using smoke when taking the honey. When
did this commence? Here we find totally uncivilised
people, having had no possible chance of intercourse with
civilisation, practising a method which we, in our self-
sufficiency, consider ourselves the introducers of. The
partially civilised natives of India use smoke in taking
the nests of Apis dorsata and other varieties. — W. B.
Webstee,

(tmries.

Queries and Answers arc inserted free of charge to Correspondents
When more than one query is sent, each should be on a separate piece
of paper.

Oar readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who seel: assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[857.] Would any reader of the Bee Journal say at what
distance Ligurians should be kept from blacks to keep them
pure ?— J. W. L.

[858.] How far off might I place a nucleus hive with a
young queen from an apiary of a dozen hives and expect to
get her fertilised ?— J. W. L.

[859.] Will some one kindly tell me the best way to
pack bees in Combination hive to send by rail ? Will the
bars want any fastening put to them? also if it will be best
to let them travel by night or by day ? May they be sent
by passenger or goods train? Any inform it ion will oblige.
— H. B.

d£rlj0cs from % Uta.

Cambridge, February 1st. — Bees have been flying freely
during the past week from my hives, many of them visiting
a large tub of rain-water which stands a short distance
from the hives. The bees appear very healthy, fly strongly
and without falling to the ground, as often happens, after
they have been shut up in the hives for a long time by stress
of weather, — J. S.

February 2GtJi. — A most lovely day, the air filled with the
joyful hum of bees. Examined all my stocks, eighteen in
number, all perfectly healthy and strong. Eggs in all,
hatching brood in several ; iu one hatching brood in three
frames the centre patch as large as a saucer, young bees
flying. The greater part of the stocks were made up of
condemned bees in September, packed for the winter
between cork-dust dividers, made so that the cork-dust
can be emptied and dry sugar substituted ; frames covered
with American cloth, and over that trays three inches deep
with canvas bottoms, filled with cork-dust. Frames parallel
to the front of hives. — F. L.

Upton, St. Leonard's, Gloucestershire, Feb. 28. — Examined
my thirteen hives this day. All single-walled Simmins's
hives g" thick, except one. Seven had enamel cloth on all
the winter, the remaining six carpet and chaff cushion.
Bees all dead in three hives owing to weakness or insufficient
stores, the remaining ten in good condition, though stores
almost exhausted. . The surviving ten stocks consist of
one Cyprian, two Carniolans, one Ligurian, three Hybrids,
three Blacks. Of the three last stocks two were blacks and
one hybrid. — E. Wilkins.

Goole, March 5. — During the last two or three weeks the
weather has been all that could be desired — beautiful, warm,
bright days, which our pets have made the most of, carrying
in a quantity of water and artificial pollen which we have
supplied, as there are no flowers yet in bloom. We have
not lost a single hive this winter up to the present, and I
think it is not at all probable that we shall (thanks to the
Journal), as all have plenty of sealed stores, and the bees
are in good condition. Let us hope that we may have a
better honey season this year than last, for some of our
hives had to be fed up for winter as they had not been able
to gather sufficient stores, let alone surplus, and we had
very few swarms, although all the stocks were strong. —
A. Woodhead.

The Mall House, Lismore. — Our daffodils (the Irish
daffodil) have been out a few days, and are crowded with
bees. In view of the fact that our blossoms and vegetation
in the south of Ireland is at least ten days or a fortnight
ahead of England, I do not think it amiss to begin a very
gentle stimulation about March 1. The celandine is out
now, and daisies in abundance, gorse in quantities, crocus,
daffodils, heath in gardens (snowdrops over), scillas, and
primroses both wild and in gardens, and the laurustinus,
are sheeted with bloom. The ribies will be in bloom in
less than a week. Under these circumstances I think a

112

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 10, 1887.

little gentle stimulation advisable, especially as some of my
stocks are a trifle short of stores. I shall be glad to know
your opinion. Last year we had no honey stored in May,
but the year before, which was an average fine spring, I had
a beautiful crate of sections finished by May 25. Last year
one terrible storm in May destroyed all the fruit-tree bloom
and made an end of the apple crop, pears, &c. I observe
the bees much prefer the white and purple and purple
striped crocuses to the common yellow ones. I have
quantities of each, but see the bees frequenting the former
in much greater numbers. There is a very large pale
purple striped variety, that they seem to prefer to any
other.— F. W. C.

[Your season is exceptionally early ; at least a month
earlier than ours. In mild weather you may safely begin
to stimulate. If any are short of food feed copiously, giving
sufficient room in the brood-nest by occasionally adding
empty brood combs as required. We shall hope to hear of
your success in reaping a bountiful harvest. — Ed.]

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS.

All queries forwarded wUl be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, qttcries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

J. S. S. — 1. Cowan's Hives. — In hives of this character
having no shoulders to the frames, the quilts should be
large enough to completely cover the frames aDd also
rest upon the sides of the hive. This will prevent the
bees getting up. 2. Examining Hives. — When opening
bar-frame hives smoke at the entrance is not necessary,
a little blown under the quilt will have the desired effect.

31. F. — Bees in town, a mile from open country. — There is no
reason against bees doing fairly well. Scores, or perhaps
hundreds, of stocks are kept in the suburbs of London ;
depending for their living almost entirely upon flowers
and trees in gardens, and hardly ever getting to really
open country.

J. Turncock, Jun. — The sample of sugar forwarded is that
recommended by 3Ir. Simmins for dry-sugar feeding.
Tou will find it serve your purpose.

C. A. T. — Loss of Queen. — It is almost impossible to say the
cause of the death of your Italian queen. Since worker
bees — her progeny— appeared three weeks ago, it is
evident that breeding had been carried on during the
winter and in severe weather, which is a bad sign in an
autumnally introduced queen. Imported, or travelled
queens are rarely long-lived. Death might, however, have
been caused by robbing — by which in the spring queens
are often destroyed ; or it may have arisen from old age.
If you left the hive raised from the floor-board for any
length of time, it is most likely that robbing was the

[ cause of the misfortune. At this time the bees are very
eager to appropriate their neighbours' stores, that it is un-
safe to open a hive at all during the hours of flight ; and
the evenings nt present being too cold for manipulation,
it is best to leave the bees alone, save to supply food
where it is required. 2. Bacillus depilis. — The disease of
your other colony is, from your description, Bacillus
depilis. Clear out the dead bees and feed at night with
warm phenolised syrup, according to 3Ir. Cheshire's
recipe ; or with salicylised syrup, according to Mr.
Cowan's. We have cured with both.

W. Bakeb. — Loss of Queen. — You do not say whether you
opened your hive to give the candy. However, that may
be, we think the encasement of your queen arose from
the entrance of strange bees into the hive, alarmed and
chased, by which the queen rushing wildly to the entrance
was surrounded and encased by her own bees, for pro-
tection from the enemy. On the entry of strange bees
into any hive, its rightful occupants will always encase
their own queen to preserve her life, and on the departure
of the intruders, will release her uninjured. You did
quite right to rescue and return her to the hive. In
future, feed at night, and cover up securely, to prevent

any scent of food escaping, which entices other bees to
attack. It might, however, chance that the queen was
aged, and about to be superseded by the bees. If so, you
will probably find her dead body cast out of the hive.
We advise you not to disturb the hive again.

Samuel Watson. — 1. Loss of Queen. — The peculiar hum to
which you allude denoted excitement arising from the
loss of the queen. It is impossible to assign a cause for
her death without a knowledge of the previous history
of the colony. At this season old queens are often de-
throned, from the loss of fecundity, and young ones
raised in their place. 2. Mr. Abbott publishes a number of
leaflets on bee-keeping. 3. We are pleased to hear that
you are working for the good cause.

J. C. R. — Transferring. — 1. Do not attempt to transfer before
the middle or end of April. We should prefer allowing
the hives to swarm, and to transfer three weeks after
swarming. If you follow this advice set the swarms on
the stands of the old stocks, and remove the latter to a
new position until you transfer them. 2. We prefer Ligu-
rians to Carniolans. 3. The time of the honey harvest in
your locality depends, as in other places, on weather,
and on the kind and quantity of bee forage, such as fruit
bloom, and early nectar-yielding plants. In an early
season it will probably commence about the end of April ;
in a cold late season about three weeks later.

J. H. W. — Moving Bees from one side of high close fence to
the other. — If you do it now you will lose a few bees, but
not many. Put small skeps on the old places to collect
stragglers, and in the evening return them to the hives.
If you delay, your best plan would be to shift them along
by degrees until behind the new position, as in your
sketch, then mount them up on a stand to above the
fence, turn them round by degrees to face the other way,
and then lower them to their permanent places.

Sagged Down. — Combs broken doicn in Autumn. — Carry
the hive indoors, pass a piece of wood under the ends of
all the frames and lift them bodily out. Then separate
the fallen combs and tie them into the frames. Use
smoke to keep the bees quiet.

F. J. — 1. Making Candy. — If you follow the instructions in
Modern Bee-keeping you will get it right ; but, if you burn
it, it will not set -hard, and it will be moreover bad for
the bees. 2. Drone (?) on Flowers. — You must have been
mistaken in the insect which you saw.

W. G. Campbell. — Les Aheilles, Organes et Fonctions, by
Maurice Girard, is published by J. B. Bailliere et Fils,
19, Rue Hautefeuille, Paris : London house, 20 King
William Street, Strand. The price of the book is fr. 4.50.

A Beginnee. — 1. Sugar. — The sugar enclosed is suitable for
dry-sugar feeding. 2. Stimulation. — We prefer syrup to
dry sugar for stimulation. It should be given warm and
at night from a bottle feeder. A pint every three or four
days is sufficient. 3. Natural Pollen. — With plenty of
hazel in bloom within half a mile artificial pollen is not
necessary. Whenever bees have access to abundant
natural pollen they will neglect the artificial.

E. Lupton. — Fighting. — The bees dragged out from the
hives nolentes volentes are undoubtedly robbers, but so
persistent are they in their evil course that they will
attack again on getting free from their pursuers until at
length they pay forfeit with their lives.

J. C. and Son. — The sugar is suitable for dry sugar feeding,
but not for making syrup on 3Ir. Simmins' plan : Mr.
Simmins uses for this latter purpose Dutch crushed.
See his advertisement.

C. A. Jones. — We always bind up the advertisements with
our volumes. With the contents to each number and the
copious index we have a full synopsis of the contents of
each volume.

Bebkshihe Hoo. — We believe that the pay of an expert
varies from 5s. to 10s. a-day with expenses. We
consider you would have no difficulty in estimating the
value of your time in rendering assistance to those who
may require it. We did not require your postscript to
prevent us from falling into the possible mistake of sup-
posing you belonged to the profession mentioned.

R. T. S. — Red clover (Trifolium pratetise) is not of much
use to common hive-bees ; their proboscides are too short

March 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

113

to reach the nectaries. Ligurian and Eastern bees are
able to work upon it, as also humble bees.

Welsh Novice. — The conditions being in both cases identical,
you may calculate that the average yield per hive in an
apiary of 100 would be equal to that in one of twelve.

J. H. M. — We suggest that by stimulating the bees in your
sleeps you should get swarms as early as possible, and
after twenty-one days transfer. The directions in
Modern Bee-keeping are so precise that we do not think
you would rind any difficulty iu driving.

H. E. S. — There are no symptoms of foul brood in the
portions of comb forwarded.

Received price list of Apiarian Appliances manufactured
and sold by Wm. M'Nally, Glenluce, Wigtownshire, N.B.
A bottle of Grimshaw's Apifuge from Abbott Brothers.

.@how Announcements.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at Ycrk,
Secretary, H. L. Rickards, Poole, near Leeds.

business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Bdrtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.
HONEY MERCHANTS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.
Country Honey Supply, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Sijimins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.
Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

METAL ENDS.

Arimtt Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour. & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Walton, E. C, Muskham, Newark.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howakd, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

THE WINDSOR BEE-KEEPER'S
Choice Selected Collection of

SOUGHT AFTER BY BEES. Free by post, 2/6,

sold by (162)

JOHN SMITH, The Royal Nursery, Clewer, Windsor, Berks.

CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

I WILL send to any address 26 varieties of BEE-
FLOWER SEEDS, including the Noted CHAPMAN
HONEY PLANT, for 2s. post paid. GARDEN SEEDS.—
I will send 21 packets of Garden Seeds to any address for
2s. M. post paid. BAR-FRAME HIVES with Straw
bodies, the hive least affected by heat or cold. My Hives
and Appliances are all forwarded carriage paid, and re-
turnable if not approved on arrival. Please send your
address on post-card, and I will send Descriptive and
Priced Catalogue post free. Address JonN Moore, Seed
Merchant, Market Place, and Prospect Farm, Warwick.

HONEY BOTTLES.

(No. 45.)
Price, 1 lb., 15/9 per gross.
„ 2 1b., 19/9
FREE ON RAIL IN LONDON.

ABBOTT BROS., SO'JTHALL, LONDON. ll^p

OKEPS, FOUNDATION, &c.

° 1 lb. Q/- or 1/10.

Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
G. STOTHARD, WELWYN, HERTS, a 2324

QEED of CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT, 3c7. per

k^ packet. Figwort, Melilotus, Cornflower, Borage, Cat-
nip, Spider Plant, Limnanthes, and all the leading Bee
Flowers, in large or small quantities. Send for Catalogue,
post free. Plants of Figwort, Limnanthes, Golden Rod,
Melilotus, Thyme, Myrobella Plum, &c. Price on appli-
cation. Address Hy. Dobbie, Cringleford, Norwich.

DO NOT LET YOUR BEES STARVE !
Specially prepared CANE SUGAR SYRUP, either
Plain or Phenolated, in 28 lb. tins ; per tin, 8s. SOFT
CANDY in 1 lb. boxes, either with or without Pea Flour.
Finest Refined CANE SUGAR, in 2 owt. bags ; per cwt.,
19s. 6d. ; 1 cwt. bag, 19s. 9rf. ; i cwt. bag, 10s. 3d. Perfection
FEEDERS, 2s.' and Is. 3d. Dry Sugar FEEDERS, Is. 6d.
Address Thomas B. Blow, Welwyn, Herts.

Comb Foundation for Supers.

Abbotts' No 6 Foundation; 12 Standard Sheets to the lb.

Price 1 to 2 lbs. 2/9 per lb. I Price, 5 to 25 lbs. 2/6 per lb.

„ 2 „5 1bs. 2/7 „ „ 25 „ 50 lbs. 2/5 „

Price, 50 to 100 lbs. 2/4 per lb.

SPECIAL QUOTATIONS FOR QUANTITIES.

Parcel Post. — For weight of package allow for 2 lbs. or less.
1 lb. 5 lbs. or less 2 lbs.

ABBOTT BROS., SOUTHALL, LONDON

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Mar. 10, 1887.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs, Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in the pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, i\i.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

0 oz, Bottles of Agent— carbollo aold, oil of tar, and water,

properly mixed— 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

WILL BE EEADY SHORTLY.
With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive,
replaced and examined on both sides without inverting, with
one hand, leaving the other free for manipulating, at the
same time preventing soiling the hands with propolis.

W. B. WEBSTER,

SOLE MANUFACTURER AND INVENTOR,
•WOKINGHAM, BERKS.

AWARDS FOR FUMIGATORS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,

London.

2nd Prize Altrincham, Lancashire and Cheshire B. K. A.

NOTICE TO DEALERS.— In thanking my
numerous Patrons, I beg to say my SECTIONS are
on the way, and will arrive in London shortly. The fol-
lowing sizes in stock: — 4Jx4jx2, 4Jx4|xli, 4x4Jx2,
4 x 4J x li, either open top or at all four sides." 5J x 6J x 2
and 6J x 5J x 2, open top. 11 Sections same price as 2".
Order at once, or you may be disappointed, having received
a large number of orders, Address A, F. Hutchings, West
Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray.

Sectional view of New Patent Bee Feeder.

Simple, Safe, Clean !

Unrivalled for Summei
Feeding, No excitement.
No robbing.

Note bottom of
feeding flask brought
within reach of Bees,
also how quarter inch

No waste of syrup.

An Improved Slide for 1S87.
Stocks may now be fed in
the coldest weather, with-
out fear of chill.

cavity crossing the
combs grves safe
and easy access to
all the cluster.

No metallic surface.

See Advt. next week. Price Is. Qd. each, complete.

Send P.0.0. to Patentee, J. P. HOPKINS, Milverton, Somerset.

AGENTS Wanted In all parts of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland, for the SALE of HIGH CLASS
BEE-KEEPING APPLIANCES. Address ' Manufacturer,'
c/o A. H. Haines, 125 Houndsditch, London.

FIRST CLASS Open Sided 4-1 x 4£ x If One-piece
AMERICAN SECTIONS. Free on rail at Liverpool.
1000 for 1/. ; 500, 10s. G(/. Less for larger lots than for
smaller quantities. Apply to R. White & Co., Importers,
Patrickswell, Limerick. Trade supplied.

p, LASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
VT Price List, sent Free. Address Fhedk. Pearson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. A 2407

IMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
L HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, l<f. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. A 2402

FOR SALE.— A Large Wroiight-iron Six Feet
DRIVING WHEEL, for Circular Saw or other Ma-
chines ; Handle, Bearings, &c, complete. To sell Cheap,
having adopted Steam Power. Address John Moore,
Prospect Farm, Warwick. (165)

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

CHSSHIKS CITRXi.

Guaranteed, with Directions, J /2IPer bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 '3.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&a., &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 8.E.

\&£

CJJk-W SJESCTIOIffS

Made of clean White Basswood, planed both sides and beautifully jointed.
Price, 4| x 4} x 2, open top and bottom, only 21/- per 1000.

C — M * ' || V-

4£ x 4£ x \\, as above, open all round, for use without separators, price 10/- per 500 Case. Free on rail,

ABBOTT BROTHERS, SOUTHALL, LONDON,

^v^:

iAAui

British

the:

%

--^^fej*^=p

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbanoewais' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 247. Vol. XV.]

MARCH 17, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

editorial, goitres, #c.

OUTLINES

FOR

OF BEE-KEEPING
BEGINNERS.

(Continued from page 67.)
III. — Bees abe able to Sting.

1. Worker and queen bees are furnished for then-
defence with a stinging apparatus, whose principal
parts are the sting and poison-bag.

2. The poison is a clear liquid, and is introduced
through small openings in the sting into the wound
when stung. After a few moments there is a sen-
sation of heat, and this spot begins to swell, the
swelling spreading to the surrounding parts. If
children are stung on the head, very often the
whole face becomes swollen, and it takes several
days for them to recover.

3. With grown-up people, after they have been
stung several times, the effect produced is less
marked, until, with very few exceptions, the parts
stung no longer swell, and the bee-keeper is said to
be sting-proof. Where stung, there is still the
sensation of pain, but this passes away without any
swelling,

4. When stung, remove the sting as quickly as
possible with the point of a pen-knife, and wipe the
place with a handkerchief moistened in water. A
little honey put on the wound gives relief, but it
should not be rubbed, as this helps to spread the
poison and causes more irritation.

5. The poison (called formic acid) has a peculiar
smell, which can be recognised when one is stung.
It is this smell that makes the bees angry ; there-
fore, when working amongst them, always have a
pail of clean water handy, so that you can plunge
your hands into it to remove the acid. For the
same reason, care must be taken not to crush a
bee. If it is absolutely necessary to kill one, its
head should be squeezed.

6. When a bee persists in buzzing round the
bee-keeper's head, he must move away quietly, and
when at some distance from the hive, it will
generally leave him. If the bees are angry in con-
sequence of having their hive upset, they should be
sprinkled freely with water, poured through the
fine rose of a water-can, or with a syringe, before
anything further is done to them.

(To be continued.)

WOIBLET SPUR EMBEDDER FOR FIXING
FOUNDATION.

When we attended the Conference at the Indian and
Colonial Exhibition on the Cth October last we intro-
duced to the notice of the British and Canadian bee-
keepers present an apparatus invented in Switzerland for
securely fastening foundation in wired frames (see
British Bee Journal, 1886, page 474). As we have since
received several inquiries about this apparatus we will
give our readers a description of it.

Fig. 1 shows the instrument one half its actual size, and

which consists of a brass toothed wheel a, working on a
centre at d, fixed on one side of the wheel to a rod I,
driven into a wooden handle e.
In fig. 2 the principal parts are shown full size. The

FIC ,2.

FIC . 3,

A

diameter of the wheel across the teeth is f§ of an
inch and the width of the toothed part is -.^- of an inch.
There are twenty-six teeth, which have a V groove at
their edges e, fig. 2. This is also shown at e in fig. 8, in
which one of the teeth and a portion of the wheel will
be found enlarged four times. Fig. 4 shows the double

FIG. 4,

dots made by the teeth, full size and also their exact
distance from each other.

The frames have to be wired with No. 30 tinned wire,
as in fig. 5. Five wires are sufficient, although six are
better, and are frequently used. The top and bottom
bars are pierced with small holes by means of a fine
bradawl. The frame is then placed over a board which
fits it exactly and is § of an inch thick, having two pieces
nailed on the back, as in fig. 6, and first recommended by
Mr. Abbott many years ago for fixing foundation with
his wax-smelter. We then proceed to put in the wires
and fix each end by turning it down and driving a wooden
peg into the hole, which can then be cut off level with
the surface of the bars. The wires must be drawn
pretty tightly, and it is for this reason that we put the

116

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 17, 1887.

board inside the frame. If we did not do so the tighten-
ing of the -wire would curve the top and bottom bars
inwards, but the board prevents this taking place. The
frames now wired are ready for the foundation.

Place a sheet of this on the board and over it put the
wired frame so that the foundation touches the top bar.

ri c. s.

^

w

^

Have a lighted spirit-lamp by the side of you, and in the
flame heat the wheel of the embedder and place the V
groove on the wire. Then run the wheel along from one
end of the wire to the other. The heat melts the wax
at each point, which cools as fast as the wheel travels

FIG. 6.

forward, and the wire will be found covered with wax,
because the teeth are so close together. The operation
is completed so rapidly and perfectly that no one who
has once used it will ever think of employing any other
means of embedding wire.

We have been particular in describing the method of
working, because it is different to the ordinary way of
embedding, where the wire is only pressed into the
foundation at intervals of § inch to one inch and not
covered with wax, and also we are anxious that a good
thing should not be discarded because it is not properly
understood and incorrectly described. Mr. Cheshire has
figured something of this sort, and has given instructions
for using it, which are likely to mislead, for such an
embedder as he shows could not possibly work as it is
intended to do. He was at the Conference and we
showed him the instrument, which was the first ever
shown in England, and he pictures a thing with a wheel
1 } inches in diameter and with only nine teeth instead of
twenty-six, and those nearly gth of an inch wide instead
of dV, and § from point to point. His description is so
amusing that we cannot refrain from giving it in his own
words. In Sees and Bee-keeping, page 208, he says :
' Some use the wheeled apparatus (fig. 60). The method
of operation is obvious. The wheel, which is stellate, is
grooved at the edge, so as to hold the wire beneath and
between the cutting points (pp). As the wheel is driven
the wire in short lengths is pushed down into the body
of the wax. The foundation is now very securely held,
but it cannot be safely given in all cases without attach-
ment to the top bar.' It may be obvious to the writer,
but we know such an apparatus could not bo used in this
way without damaging the foundation and doing more
harm than good. Surely the Swiss apparatus ought to
have been correctly described, or if it was not understood,
as appears to us was the case, it should have been left
out. We wonder if tho writer has over tried the method
he describes and who the ' some ' are who use the
embodder ho figures. The beauty of the Swiss invention
is that the teeth being so fine and close together the

wire is entirely covered with the molten wax (without
even disfiguring the foundation), and not pushed firm
into the body of the wax, and it thus gets over a
serious objection which formerly existed to wired founda-
tion. We recollect some years ago when it was first
introduced we objected to it after trial, because we
found that where the wire had not been covered with
wax the bees did not use the cells through which the
wires passed. A striking instance of this came before
our notice at a show, we think at Windsor, where in a
large observatory hive of Mr. Abbott's make we called
the attention of the Kev. G. Raynor to the fact that in
combs perfectly filled with brood there wore lines of
empty cells corresponding to the wires in the foundation.
Since that time such foundation has been greatly im-
proved and the wire is now properly embedded, but still
it has to be fixed to the top bar, and even then the
combs can never be so firmly fixed in the frames as when
the frames are first wired. Foundation in wired frames
embedded with the Swiss embedder requires no other
fixing. The instrument is the invention of Monsieur
Woiblet, and he calls it the ' Woiblet spur ' from its
resemblance to one. When alluding to it we shall in
future always call it the ' Woiblet Spur Embedder.'

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — Easterly winds and frosty nights, with
days of mist and fog, have fallen to our lot of late.
Possibly the best weather for the bees. Days of brilliant
sunshine and unseasonably high temperature in February
and March have never in our experience preceded a
bountiful summer. ' Better have the cold weather now,
sir, than later,' says our weather-wise factotum in his
oracular manner. Whether the old saw — ' Mists in
March mean frosts in May ' — will prove correct of the
present season we shall be able presently to note ; but,
certainly, an English month of May without frost, and
free from the ' Blackthorn winter,' would be next to a
miracle. The great advantage of a cold and backward
spring is threefold : — (1), Ardent bee-keepers are unable
to manipulate the bees to their hearts' content ; (2),
vegetation is in abeyance until there is little fear of later
frosts nipping the fruit in the bud or bloom ; (3), there
is no inducement to the bees to wander forth and perish
in search of non-existent pollen and nectar. We can
always supply our bees with flour-cake, artificial pollen,
candy, syrup, water, and all other good things at home,
and so encourage their breeding propensities to the full
extent. Then, when the good time comes, our hives,
teeming with population, will render a good account of
the deliciously scented clover fields and other nectar-
yielding crops.

Apifuges. — In our early days we knew an ' aged
Corycian who possessed a few acres of barren land, too
poor for plougning, unfit for cattle, herds, or flocks, or
for growing vines; yet this old man cultivated white
lilies, poppies of every shade of colour, and other plants
in which his bees delighted. He was the first to hive
the spring swarms, the first to squeeze the luscious honey
from the combs in autumn.' He kept one hundred
hives, on the old-skep-natural-swarming system, and
managed them all himself. The bees paid his rent, and
maintained his family. Indeed, he was one of the most
successful bee-keepers we ever knew, but he used no
apifuge — neither veil nor gloves. Stripped to his shirt,
with bare, brawny arms and bronzed chest and neck,
from early morn to dewy eve ho lived amongst his bees.
Him have we often seen covered with living bees, hiving
swarm after swarm in quick succession, unmindful of
their stings, and happier far than kings. He used no
apifuge — no rut the bee a to flight for him.

Honey a Sting Avebteb. — Allurements he pre-
ferred. Arms, face, and neck, were all besmeared
with liquid honey, until they glittered in the sun

March 17, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

117

like varnish, and him the bees never stung. Why
should ,not our lady bee-keepers — and timid gentle-
men, too — anoint the hands with a little honey — the
smallest quantity will suffice, and wear a veil ? How
changed are we ! Begloved, beveiled, apifugated, we go
forth conquering- and to conquer. But why squabble
about a technical scientific term ? The despised dead
languages of ancient Greece and Home are not so poor
and circumscribed that they cannot supply a duplicate.

Methyl Salicylate., on Kentdapone ?— Let Mr.
Lyon take heart. We do not wish to ' put the bees to
jlight' Fugitive swarms and deserting colonies are not
so rare that we need desire to increase their number !
Let him call his ' Methyl Salicylate' ' Kentrapone,'
which is simple Greek for ' sting-averter,' surely a more
appropriate term than ' Apif uge ' or ' put-the-bees-to-
fiight.' This newly coined word, we presume, is formed
after ' Febrifuge,' or ' put-to-flight-the-fever.'

Apifebius, on Bee-fevep.. — But is not this rather
dangerous ground ? There is such a disease as ' Api-
febris,' or ' Bee-fever.' Alas, bow many a poor wife
prostrates herself — a suppliant with votive offering —
praying that her lord may be restrained from spending
all his time and means on the new-fangled ' apistical
appliances' (forgive the ' apt alliteration's artful aid').
Or it may be that the loife is bewitched — for sometimes,
' though hardly ever,' the lady becomes the enthusiast,
although we should never be so uugallant as to accuse
her of harbouring 'a bee in her bonnet' — then the
husband, perchance, becomes the deprecator, since there
are few households in which both husband and wife are
smitten with the disease, or can afford to devote all
their time to ' apif uge?,' et hoc genus omne. By the
way, we never chance to meet a gentleman, now-a-days,
who confesses himself ignorant of the ancient classics,
however much he may despise them. The schoolmaster
is, indeed, abroad.

Brood-Spreading. — Whether any disturbance of the
brood-nest of a colony of bees during the spring months,
or, indeed, at almost any other time, is advantageous or
disadvantageous is a moot question. Our own opinion
is that, unless in very exceptional cases, more harm is
done than benefit derived. And this opinion seems to
be fast gaining ground amongst skilled apiarists both at
home and abroad. We do not mean to assert that in
able and experienced hands, during suitable weather
and under favourable conditions, it may not sometimes
be done with advantage, but we have almost invariably
found that, given a strong healthy colony, with a
prolific queen at its head, and sufficient stores, the
increase of population is greater when the nest is left
undisturbed than when brood-spreading is practised.
The brood-nest is always globular in shape, and in
whatever manner it is attempted to spread it, this shape
or form must be destroyed. If you place an empty
comb in its centre, you divide it into two portions, and
the bees into two clusters, one of which retains the
queen. If you place the outside combs, each containing
very little brood, in the centre, j-ou destroy the circular
form of the nest. If you turn round, or reverse (not
invert) any of the brood-combs, again you destroy the
globular form. And in all these cases you remove a
portion of the brood away from the stores prepared for
its use, since pollen and diluted honey are always placed
in the cells around the outsides of the nest and the
cluster of bees, the former taking exactly the shape of
the latter.

When the combs range from front to back of the
hive, and a southern aspect is given, the nest will
always be found on the south side, immediately over
the entrance, because that is the warmest part of the
hive, and consequently best adapted for brood-rearing ;
and if care be taken that the combs, outside and beliind
the nest, are not too heavily clogged with honey, any
surplus which might interrupt the extension of the nest

laterally, or backward, will quickly be removed by the
bees, and the cells having been thoroughly cleaned out
and polished, the queen will find ample room for increas-
ing the nest to the full extent of her powers, and the
opportunity of keeping it in the particular form which
she and her children instinctively prefer. These remarks
relate to the spring months, as a matter of course, since
when the summer is advanced, and surplus-boxes are in
position, brood-spreading is no longer thought of, as we
assume the brood-chambers to be full of eggs and
hatching larvfe.

There are experienced apiarists who persist in spread-
ing brood, but they are few in number. Professor Cook
simply adds empty combs as needed, placing them next
to the brood, which can hardly be called spreading.
Mr. Miller does very little in this way, but when he
adds extra combs he generally adds them outside the
brood-nest. Mr. Demaree does not spread brood because
he believes that his bees build up more rapidly by being
allowed to follow their own instincts, which lead them
to concentrate and pack closely the brood in the early
season. If he thinks the brood-nest too much contracted
he adds combs at the side of the brood as fast as the
bees can cover them. Mr. Brown considers that the
' spreading-brood furor ' has consigned many colonies to
the shades. Mr. Hutchinson does not approve of the
so-called brood- spreading : if extra combs were needed
he would put them at the side of the brood-nest. Mr.
Heddon does not practise it, but prefers sectional brood
chambers, and when required adds an empty comb
chamber below the full one, which has no tendency to
cool the nest, but the spreading S3rstem, he thinks, has.
Mr. Pond does not use spreading at all, but prefers build-
ing up by adding frames of brood from other colonies,
considering the main point to be, keeping the brood in the
centre of the cluster, so that it majr have all the heat
possible. And Mr. Newman, the editor of the American
Bee Journal, from whence these views are selected,
believes that spreading brood is often disastrous,
especially when practised by any but experts. The
above-quoted authorities are practical, experienced bee-
keepers, in most cases conducting large apiaries.

Again, during our entire bee-keeping experience we
have always kept some half-dozen colonies in skeps
of medium size, from which we take natural swarms,
and these colonies have, almost without an exception,
given us earlier swarms than frame-hives. Why is this
so ? Simply because the brood-nest in skeps cannot be
disturbed either by spreading brood or by other manipu-
lations. With us, too, these colonies winter remarkably
well, no matter how severe the winter may be. Why ?
because there can be no escape of heat or moisture
through the thickly propolised interior of dome and sides
of their domiciles, nor can their combs be pulled about
in the autumn and the propolis broken up or removed
altogether, under the idea of ' winter preparation, putting
into winter quarters, &c., &c.' We are really inclined
to the opinion that the bane of modern apiculture is too
much interference with the internal arrangements of the
hive at unseasonable times and for purposes to be depre-
cated. But, even so, we are by no means unmindful of
the great advantages of moveable comb-hives over those
with fixed combs, when rightly and carefully worked
and manipulated.

Fhame-distance. — When preparing frame-hives for
winter, we contracted, by division-boards, each of four
hives, containing strong colonies, to six frames, placing a
strip of wood J inch wide, and of the same thickness
and length as the top bars of the frames, alternately
between the broad-shouldered frames, thus rendering the
distance from centre to centre of frame 1| inches.
These colonies were the first to rear brood at spring.
By the middle of last month their combs were filled
with sealed and hatching brood to an extent far sur-
passing other colonies located in similar hives with

118

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 17, 1887.

combs at the usual space of 1| inches, and we were
obliged to add, at the sides of the brood-nests, frames of
sealed honey. We attribute this early breeding- to the
bees being able to keep up a higher temperature by
clustering in thicker ' seams ' in the wider spaces than
those wintered on frames at the ordinary distance.
Here, then, is surely a hint for enabling bees to pass
safely through a winter of long-continued cold. A space
of lj inches, or at most If inches, from centre to
centre of combs in the brood-chamber during the honey
season, is better than 1 J inches, since the bees are thereby
prevented from storing honey in quantity therein, and
are driven upwards and compelled to store in the supers.
But this view applies only to the production of comb-
honey in preference to extracted.

Cause of Queens Dying. — For several weeks past we
have received numerous queries as to the loss of queens
— queens cast out of the hives dead, and in some cases
queens of last year, in others last year's imported queens,
without any apparent cause, and often leaving abund-
ance of brood in the hive. Without an exact know-
ledge of the history and conditions of the various
colonies bereft of mothers, it is impossible to assign a
cause. But, generally speaking, there are three very
common causes of queen-destruction at spring: (1.)
Keeping hives open too long a time when manipulating
on a fine day while bees are in full flight, thus allowing
the entrance of strange bees, and consequent encasement
and death of queen. (2.) Careless feeding-, by which
robbing is encouraged. And (3.) encasement by her
own children of an aged and effete queen, which ter-
minates in her death. When a queen ceases to lay, or
produces drone eggs only, the usual method of despatch is
by encasement, i.e. hugging- to death. We know that a
theory has been started that bees encase their queens in
order to urge them on to laying, and sometimes, while
so actiug, with the best intentions, kill them unin-
tentionally. In that theory we do not believe.

Feeding and Stimulation. — While concluding these
hints, reports of a fall of snow, from eight to ten inches
deep, in Scotland, reach us, and snow is falling thickly
in our eastern counties, with bitterly cold north-east
winds, and sharp, frosty nights. Where feeding is a
matter of life or death, let warm, soft candy still be
given. During such weather it is useless to offer syrup,
since the bees will not take it, but candy will be joj'f idly
accepted. The beginning of next month will be soon
enough to stimulate, except, perhaps, in southern districts.
In this we must be guided by the weather and the forage,
since no general rule can be laid down to meet all cases .
Reserve and disinfect all combs upon which colonies have
perished, if not too old and clogged with pollen, storing
them in a dry place, and keep them free from moths.
These will be found very useful for swarms, for ex-
tracting purposes, or for enlarging brood-nests. All
other work preparatory to the quickly approaching
season, such as providing section-racks and hives, and.
inserting foundation, should now be pushed forward
without delay. Keep all colonies as warm as possible
by adding extra quilts and coverings during the cold
weather. By these means breeding will be encouraged
and population increased before the honey season arrives.

JOTTINGS BY AMATEUR EXPERT.

' Mel sap t omnia.'

1 hope the various Hon. Secretaries and Committees
will profit by the excellent advice given them by the
Editor in current number of the Journal on the question
of show schedules.

Our esteemed friend, the contributor of ' Useful
Hints,' gives us a quotation from a letter he received as
to committees, &c. I presume none but a party of
English gentlemen would do the work as our committee
and officers do theirs. It is a characteristic of our

nationality, and it will be a bad day for our country
when such cease to be found. The extent of their sub-
scriptions is an index of the length of their purses, and
not of the depth of interest they feel in the objects of
our Association. There are many amongst us in humbler
walks of life, working in less prominent spheres of bee-
keeping whose interest and self-denial equal, or even
exceed, these gentlemen's proportionately, and that is
my chief reason for wishing to remove all fancy qualifi-
cations. We should have 'one man one vote,' and
' universal suffrage,' and never fear but that only those
who have time and money to spend in the service of
the Association and are above suspicion, would get
elected on the Committee.

Our versatile friend, Mr. Grimshaw, has turned from
poetry to ' wrangling ' (nothing offensive is meant by
the word). He complains of another sharping his axe
on his grindstone ; well I complain that Mr. Grimshaw
has sharped his axe on our grindstone and got us to
turn it while doing so. I refer to the gratuitous ad-
vertisements he has got in the form of letters in the
Journal, on the sole assumption of his invention being
such a blessing to bee-keepers. Of course he has perfect
right to his ' invention,' whether it be artificial ' winter-
green,' or the word ' Apifuge.' But if he is going to sell
hardware, he should live at Birmingham. I am one of not
a few of those who contend that all honorary officers of
associations should not have the shadow of a suspicion
of being a dealer. Here is Mr. Grimshaw in Co. with
a great firm for the sale of an article which his official
position gives him an opportunity of pushing ; it stands
to reason that the other goods made by the same firm
will be pushed at the same time ; we get the thin end
of the wedge — unintentional I have not the least doubt,
but none the less true — from ' X.-tractor,' one of his
friends with him ' In the Hut.' Mr. Cheshire's experi-
ence of ' Cure for Foul-brood ' may be of service to
Mr. Grimshaw, he will find it in a recent number of
B. B. J.

Our Berkshire friends are good at ' Comestibles,' they
seem to have made their late Annual Meeting a jovial
' picnic,' and a very bright idea too.

The Rev. H. W. Lett, M.A., asks if the ' Invertible
Hive ' is water-tight. I remember the question was put
to Mr. Jones at our late great Conversazione at South
Kensington, and he replied, ' Yes ! ' which brought out
the retort, ' It would not be in our climate,' and im-
mediately Mr. Jones — who is nothing if not keen at
parrying an awkward question — said, ' Water in Canada
is as wet as it is anywhere.' But we must not forget
the Canadians winter in cellars.

I notice the Editor's reply to our disconsolate friend,
' Chas. J. Jelfs.' May I suggest she succumbed to the
pressure of breeding, as many queens do in early spring,
and such queens if they do not die are speedily ' im-
proved ' out of existence by the bees in a most summary
manner. The Syrians and Cyprians are especially good
at this work. Join them, Sir ! join them ! never caudle
queenless stocks this time of year, nor any other time if
you wish to make bee-keeping pay.

Dear ' Bees-wing ' thinks his own feeder is best after
all, — of course he does, and so it is. I am glad to find he
puts his wits to work to contrive a feeder out of a few
simple things that he has to his hand, instead of
spending a half-crown in one. A day labourer came to
me to-day with a pardonable glow of pride, to ask my
opinion of a feeder he has schemed, and considering his
scanty advantages, very clever it was, as I told him.

In the Canadian Bee Journal for February 16th,
fifteen of the principal bee-keepers of Canada and the
United States of America give m answer to a ' Selected
query ' as to the best cure for foul brood, and not one of
them seems ever to have given salicylic acid or phenol
a trial. Rather slow this for our Transatlantic friends I

As to virgin queens ' croaking ' I would refer our

March 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

119

' hopeful ' correspondent 'Edward C. Anderson' to the
remarks made by Mr. Haviland at the late Conver-
sazione as reported in the B. B. J., and remain ' croakingly '
• — Amateur Expert.

ASSOCIATIONS.

YORKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
Craven District.

A meeting of persons interested in bee-keeping was
held at Skipton on Saturday, March 5th. Bee-keepera
from Bolton-by-Bolland, Bradley, Cononley, Gargrave,
and Skipton, were present, and Mr. Tordoff, Gargrave,
was voted to the chair. It was decided to form a branch
of the Yorkshire Bee-keepers' Association to be called
the ' Craven District Bee-keepers' Association.' The
annual subscription was fixed at half-a-crown, and per-
sons wishing to join the Association are requested to
communicate with the Secretary. The following officers
were appointed : — President, Rev. A. P. Howes (rector
of Bolton Abbey) ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. G. H. Tordoff
(Gargrave) ; and Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. Dodgson (Skip-
ton). An executive committee will be elected at a
meeting of members to be held the first Saturday in
April.

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPERS'

ASSOCIATION.

Swanmore Branch.

The above Society has just completed a series of
lectures on bee-keeping for the benefit of cottagers, &c,
in the above district, at Bishops Waltharn, Droxford,
Botley, Swanmore, Exton, Corhampton, and Curdridge ;
the lectures being given by the Rev. W. E. Medlicott,
Hon. Treasurer ; Mr. II. W. West, Hon. Sec. ; and Mr.
C. Martin, the Hon. District Adviser.

The subject at all the lectures was thoroughly well
handled, the lecturers lucidly explaining the methods of
right and wrong dealing in the manipulation of the
hives, and showing the great advantage attached to the
modern mode of bee-keeping over the old barbarous one
of murdering the bees at the end of summer. The
lecturers were assisted by a fine set of slides showing
every phase of bee-life and bee-keeping, a splendid set
of diagrams, and bar-frame and other hives. The
audiences showed great interest in the subject, and an
addition to the number of members has been the result.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

A committee meeting was held on 7th instant
at 35 Trinity College. Present: Dr. G. P. Allen (in
the chair), Dr. Traill, Dr. O'Farrell, Messrs. Vanston,
Read, Milner, and the Hon. Secretary. It was deter-
mined to hold a bee show in July or August. Arrange-
ments were made for the printing and distribution of
leaflets pointing out the advantages of belonging to the
Association, and of a new circular relating to the sale of
members' honey.

Cheap Wax Exteactor I am very much obliged to you

for inserting my query (No. 774), as by that means I have
found the article I want, namely, a cheap wax extractor,
and KiDick's answers the purpose well. It is, as is said, a
great boon to cottage bee-keepers, although it would be
useful to one possessing, say, thirty or forty stocks. All
you have to do is to put it in a slow oven with any old
combs on the top and a little water in the pan, and in
about an hour all the wax is run from the combs into the
pan below. The plan far exceeds either Mr. Webster's or
' Amateur Expert's ' process, as there is no mess, and by
putting it in a slow oven the wax is not discoloured and
turns out in a cake when cold, — A. S,

(fewspnfowa.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal/' cjo .Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements),

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

PAINTING INTERIORS OF WOODEN HIVES.

[8G0.] I was very glad to read the ' Useful Hint ' at
page 70 about painting or varnishing the interiors of
wooden hives. I have always painted the whole of the
insides of my hives — two coats of ordinary oil paint — I
am not particular about the colour, but I take care to
rub it thoroughly over every part of floor-board, brood
nest, super cover, and roof. This I did with the first
wooden hives I made, now many years ago, and I
have advocated the practice in every lecture I have had
the pleasure of giving on modern bee-keeping in differ-
ent places throughout the counties of Down, Antrim,
Armagh, and Tyrone. Most bee-keepers, like Mr. Pettitt
of Dover, have exclaimed against the practice, but I
remain unshaken in my advocacy of it. AVhat led me
to it was because a new straw skep is invariably varnished
with propolis as soon as possible % the bees; and reason-
ing as to the why and wherefore, I saw that the moist
vapour which rises from the hive would condense on the
propolised or painted surface and quickly run down
where the bees could use it with their food, or it would
escape at the entrance and do no harm. Whereas I
observed in hives with unpainted interiors that the
moisture in cold weather sank into the wood and
saturated it, whereby the bees were kept in an unnatural
damp house for the winter months. Of course in dry
warm weather it makes no matter, but our climate being
mostly damp we have to provide for it. Then I tried
the experiment mj^self, with the result that in hives
whose interior is painted the quilts and winter packing
remain always dry and sweet, while in one hive which
I keep for curiosity with an unpainted interior I have to
change the quilt and packing several times during each
winter. Then as to the paint on the inside being
injurious to the bees, which has been urged against my
practice, why I have changed a strong colony into a hive
on the second day after the interior had been painted,
and I never had a better producing stock than it was
immediately afterwards. All I look to is that the paint
be quite dry. Moreover, it is a curious fact that bees
are attracted by fresh paint. I observe that whenever
any painting is being done outside my residence the bees
quickly find it out and visit it, but for what purpose I
am not in a position to decide. This partiality has been
noticed loug since, see for instance some correspondence
about it in Vol. xiv. of Science Gossip for the year 1877.
A couple of years ago I read a paper before our North-
East of Ireland Bee-keepers' Association, in . which I
advocated on the above grounds the painting the interior
of all wooden hives, but I was condemned by all my
fellow bee-keepers. I rejoiced, therefore, when I found
the Editor of the British Bee Journal telling how good
it is to make the wooden hive as to its inside as com-
fortable as the bees make the skeps of straw.

As I am not ashamed of my opinions I have no occa-
sion to adopt a fictitious name. — H. W. Lett, M.A.,
Ayhadery Glebe, Loughbrickland, Co, Down,

120

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 11, 1887

CYPRIAN BEES.

[861.] I notice that in your last issue Mr. Simmins
speaks strongly in favour of these capricious insects, but
I hope ' our Editor's ' remarks will be sufficient to pre-
vent any one being misled. In case they are not so I
will add some of my experiences. These were not with
one stock hut with man}', all of them headed by queens
imported diiect from Mr. Benton ; though when an ex-
perienced apiarist gets one stock and finds it ' quite un-
manageable,' he has every reason for believing that an in-
crease would not be productive of benefit in that direc-
tion, rossibly my difficulties may have beeu the result
of improper treatment, though I am generally considered
to handle bees as well as most folks, and everything con-
nected with their importation made it to my interest to
make the best of them, as, whatever other faults they had,
they were certainly profitable to sell, and had I been un-
scrupulous enough to recommend them they would no
doubt have paid well ; but, as Mr. Simmins remarks,
some manufacturers, &c, only recommend what they
honestly believe to be good, and I believe the firm I
belong to (Abbott Brothers) are generally put in that
class. Truly some statements were made at first based
only on the reports of Messrs. Jones & Benton which had
to be contradicted, but there was no intentional deception
in this. I have found that while the Cyprians are in
small colonies only, or while the hives contain only
young bees, they may be easily handled, but that when-
ever a stock is in condition to work a super or store
surplus honey it is as dangerous to handle as a bomb-
shell.

As I at first devoted all my spare time to raising queens
I had no strong stock to handle, and therefore could not
fully appreciate their temper, but my subsequent ex-
perience is as much as I want. I remember one opera-
tion in particular. I had to remove a queen from a full
colony and felt determined that it should have every
chance of behaving well. Having put on a new straw
bat and veil, and a freshly washed holland jacket, made
on purpose for handling bees, with tightly-fitting waist-
band and belt, the attack was made very much as directed
by Mr. Simmins, without smoke.

The combs were handled in turn, the queen caught
and carefully put in her box ; but here the trouble began.
The bees suddenly found some flaw in my management,
though I cannot say where ; and though I had only to put
the combs up together and replace the quilt, I was forced
to retire twice before I could do so. The bees rose in
a cloud and attacked me on all sides. Stings on the
hands did not much matter, but when busybodies force
themselves between one's coat-buttons and explore until
they find a tender spot, it is more than a regular bee-
man cares about. The second attack was made with the
addition of string tied round the ankles, india-rubber
gloves, and a smoker, but even thus armed I could not
stay within range long enough to put on the quilt.
Their resentment was now at its height, and a poor
sparrow who settled near them was violently attacked
and barely escaped with his life. Even when I con-
sidered all was over, and I had, after rest and refresh-
ment, retired to my bedroom, an unsuccessful pioneer
flew out on the removal of my waistcoat and attacked me
with spirit. I do not say that Cyprian bees cannot be
handled any more than I would say that tigers cannot be
tamed or bomb-shells charged, for I have sometimes
managed them very pleasantly, but I would strongly
advise any one who has anything to do with them to be
prepared for a desperate battle at any moment. — J. A.
Abbott, SouthaU.

NOTES ON BEE-HIVES.
[862.] In the issue of the British Bee Journal for
March 10, the Rev. II. W. Lett, M.A., asks Messrs.
Neighbour & Sons to explain how they mean the rain to

be kept out of their 'British In vertible Bar-Frame Hive.
Unless their hives are sheltered by a shed or placed in a
house, he doubts their ' being adapted to a British
climate.'

Messrs. Neighbour & Sons state their hive, No. 100
of their latest catalogue, or the above, will surpass
all imported ones, because made to suit the British
climate.

From ]an inspection of the illustration and accom-
panying description of it, it is not surprising that
such an inquiry should be made, nor would questions
about the inferiority of the patent Heddon hive he
more remarkable, after a careful reading or study of
Success in Bee Culture, by Mr. Heddon, containing so
admirable a description of the Heddon new hive and
system.

Mr. Cheshire states, on page 90 of Bees and Bee-kecpi >uj ,
Vol. ii., that Mr. D. A. Jones, while retaining the
specialities of the Heddon hive, has introduced several
modifications, which will be generally accepted as im-
provements. Several of the largest British bee-keepers,
manufacturers, and appliance-dealers, have decided not
to supply the patent ' Heddon hive,' one dealer is ready
to make a ' Heddon hive ;' another says, the Success
in Bee Culture is the best thing he has read, taking
into consideration all things ; while auother wishes
for Mr. Heddon to give up his screws and close-ended
frames.

As so much has lately been said in the B. B. Journal
about the pet Standard frames, and so little about the
size of the patent Heddon frame, it would be interesting
and useful to compare these sizes together with the ne .v
14 x 14 in. frame of Mr. Simmins and the framj of
Messrs. G. Neighbour & Sons. The 4^x4|- in. section
seems to have a controlling power over the Heddon
frame, but not entirely. When the Heddon sized frame
is worked a la Heddon, it will be difficult to equal. The
size and arrangement of the frames of Messrs. Neighbour
do not at once appear to do so ; and I do not think that
Mr. D. A. Jones's arrangements are equal to those of Mr.
Heddon.

It should be well understood that some frames are
right for surplus honey, some for rearing bees, and some
for a medium course ; would it not be well to arrange
for these purposes the frames in the following order re-
spectively, viz., Heddon, Simmins, and Standard, because
a specialist will always have some colonies doing one
thing and some another ?

I am quite aware of the disadvantages, or more
correctly the inconveniences, of having various-sized
frames in an apiary or in this country. I also know a
great deal of the sentimentality as well as the good con-
nected with the Standard-sized frame ; but I believe the
time is coming when honey-raising will be developed
into an industry on a different footing to what it is now,
and upon more scientific principles. I am afraid the time
is past when the cottager is the pet object to stimalate
to walk in the better way, for will it really pay him
to really keep all the bees he can at the present prices
and low, falling prices of honey ? Cannot good Mr.
Simmins or someone give a lesson on raising wax ? Can-
not a few lessons be given on bee-breeding, and upon
other subjects we are so much in the dark about ?

As it would take a small pamphlet to go over the
Heddon system seriatim I shall forward, with your kind
permission, other notes occasionally; but it would be
well to compare the floor-board and stand of the two
hives in question (quite different in illustration), as well
as the roofs of each. It should be mentioned or noted,
that Mr. Heddon uses a shade-board which is kept in
place by means of a large stone, and is to my mind
evidently superior, as it protects the hive from undue
heat in summer, and would act as a slope to turn off any
rain encountered in this climate. — T. Bonner-Cham-
bers, F.L.S., March 11.

March 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

121

IS NEIGHBOUR'S BRITISH INVERTIBLE HIVE
WATERPROOF ?
[863.] In reply to the Rev. H. W. Lett's inquiry
in the previous number of your Journal, we beg leave
to say that undoubtedly the best protection for such
a hive is inside a bee-house or within an outer covering,
but our notion has been that the British invertible hive
may be kept in the same way as bee-keepers are in the
practice of keeping the original and well - known
Stewarton boxes, which are of the same thickness of
material, and where the owners either provide protection
from weather according to their own taste, or, as is the
case in some instances, leave the hives exposed. Mr.
Lett is no doubt apprehensive that the rain will gain

The British Invertible Bar-frame Hive.

access at the crevices. To guard against this we make
the boxes to fit as close as possible together, and recom-
mend that the roof be made secure by first putting on
two coats of paint, and whilst wet stretching unbleached
calico, then, when dry, adding two more coats of paint.
We are about adopting a waterproof wrapper for the
sides, which we think will be an improvement and
supply the double purpose of keeping the hive thoroughly
dry throughout the year, and also form a desirable shade
during the hottest part of the summer.

This extra protection can be either carried out by the
purchasers or supplied by us direct at a fractional
additional cost ; and if it prove as satisfactory as we
anticipate, we will, with Mr. Editor's permission, publish
a fuller description in a future number of this Journal. —
Geo. Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent Street, London.

INVERTIBLE HIVES.

[864.] Having recently procured one of Neighbour's
Invertible hives, which is alleged to have been adapted
to suit the British climate, I was a little disappointed in
finding it very imperfect as to the resistance of wind
and weather, and indeed but little better suited for
outdoor use here than the new Heddon Invertible hive.

If this hive were allowed to remain unprotected in
those parts where the several boxes rest on each other,
the rains of this neighbourhood would penetrate to the
inside in a few minutes, and in the event of its being
left in this place without the boxes being attached firmly

to each other by some means, the whole affair would
soon be blown into the lake piecemeal.

Notwithstanding the various opinions pronounced on
the merits and demerits of the peculiarities of this new
hive, I incline to think that under intelligent manipu-
lation it will become a success.

Mr. T. B. Blow has corrected one of the deficiencies
alluded to, in his new invertible hive, and the size of
the frames adopted by him is also an advantage as com-
pared with other hives of this class, but the new hive
still remains imperfect for outside purposes, in the want
of due protection from beating rains.

Seeing how much interest appears to be felt in the
Heddon Invertible hive, it is much to be desired that
any new version or modification of it which may yet
appear may be free from the defects pointed out, and
the communication on this subject by the Rev. Mr. Lett,
in your last issue, is very timely. — W. J. M., Loioeswater
Hall, Loioeswater, Cumberland.

APIFUGE AND METHYL SALICYLATE.

[865.] Mr. Grimshaw's letter resembles the wail of a
peevish child who fears the loss of a new toy. Let him
not be troubled, I do not covet his ' Apifuge,' neither
have I attempted to deprive him of it.

I have not his faculty for saying very little in a great
many words, but, lest it should be thought that I am
quite swamped by his exuberant verbosity, I should like
a few words in reply.

Mr. Grimshaw is rather egotistical in assuming that
my actions are in any way influenced by his. Let me
assure him that his doings and writings are quite un-
important to me.

I happen to employ methyl salicylate in m}r own
business, buying it in a pure form in quantities. There-
fore, finding there was likely to be some demand for it, I
offered it for sale, but not before the season commenced.
If, in the meantime, Mr. Grimshaw wrote an article,
that was no fault of mine, and no reason why I should
abstain from offering it. If it proves to be useless, no
one will buy it, and Mr. Grimshaw cannot complain.

The word Apifuge is not ' copyright,' that term only
applying to designs and literary compositions. Hence
my ironical remarks which have so stung Mr. Grimshaw.
If he will refer to Act 46 and 47 Vic, cap. 67, sec. 105,
he will find that he is liable to a penalty of 201. for
applying the term ' copyright ' to an article not legally
entitled to be thus termed. He might have also noticed
that in my advertisement of 24th February, I placed the
word 'Apifuge' in inverted commas, to indicate that it
was not my term, but quoted from someone else. I do
not want to know the composition of his preparation ;
if I did I should take more direct means than the round-
about way he suggests.

It matters not whether the smell pervading the tent
be that of methyl salicylate or of any other compound.
The taunt will still remain unanswerable that the bold
operators have besmeared themselves with some sub-
stance to protect them. While discoursing upon the
ease with which bees are subdued and rendered harmless
by smoke only combined with care and skill in manipu-
lation, I must confess I am too dense to see any incon-
sistency in my raising a protest against the use of these
substances merely because I happen to be the proprietor
of Dr. Pine's Lotion. It may seem inconsistent to decry
an article which I offer for sale, but although my
personal opinion is against the use of these substances,
many may differ from me and wish to purchase methyl
salicylate, not knowing where to procure it.

I am sorry my lotion failed to cure Mr. G., possibly
the wound was poisoned by his ' Apifuge.' The lotion
is intended to cure the effects of stings, not those of
poisonous substances. It would not have commanded a
sale for ten years if not found efficacious. — F. Lyon.

122

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 17, 1887.

Jfcptbs Icr (f uxrirs.

[818.] Varnishing galvanised Iron Beserroir. (R. E.
Lloyd.) — I should not recommend Tarnishing the gal-
vanised iron reservoir you have in use. Is there any
objection to coating it with white enamel, such as used
in baths, saucepans, &c. ? I have had no experience with
this, but should fancy it would be far preferable to a zinc
vessel or to one varnished. — J. T. Pattison, Cheshunt.

[853.] Chrome Alum. — Mr. J. B.Butler, Bristol, can pro-
cure chrome alum of any dealer in photographers' neces-
saries ; it is used in small quantities by makers of dry-
plates, and has the property of rendering gelatine or glue
insoluble. Bichromate of potash, of any chemist, and
many other chrome salts, have a somewhat similar effect.
I think Mr. Butler's suggestion a good one, and well worth
a trial. Any good glue would do, but common glue, being
adulterated with other gummy substances, would not be
rendered sufficiently insoluble. — J. A. Abbott, Southall.

_ [853.] Anj' good glue, size, or gelatine will do, and
bichromate of potash can be obtained at any chemist's
who supplies photographers. The process is the same as
used in carbon photographic printing, and to render the
glue insoluble, should, when dry, be exposed to full day-
light. It is not sensitive while wet. The mixture would
keep good for a week or more if kept wet in a cool place, or
if dry, excluded from light and air, or the article could be
made of plain glue and paper, allowed to dry, and then
saturated with a cold solution of the bichromate. — H. M.
Appletox, Bristol.

[857.] Pure Ligurians. (J. W. L.) — You would have to
keep them at least froni two to three miles away ; even at
that distance they will occasionally get cross-fertilised.
Hybrids arc usually splendid workers. — W. B. Webster.

[857.] (J. W. L.) — You must put Ligurians quite five
miles from blacks to keep them pure. You may put your
nuclei any distance from three yards to one mile for the
purpose mentioned. — Amateur Expert.

[858.] Pure Fertilisation, (J. W. L.) — Any distance from
a yard to two miles ; but then there is no certainty that a
drone from this particular apiary will be the selected one,
as there may be other apiaries within a mile or two. — AY. B.
Webster.

[859.] Packing Hives. (H. B.) — Cut a piece of wood the
exact length to fit inside the hive, as seen in the sketch.
The hive walls are represented at H H. In the piece of
wood cut as many notches to fit the bottom rails of the
frames, as seen at F, as you intend to send bars in the
hive ; this keeps the bottoms of the fames from oscillating.
Now fix the ends of the top bars by putting a fine screw
down through each into the top of the hive- walls ; this will
make the frames a fixture. If you put nails instead of
screws, you will have a fine opportunity of testing the
efficacy of Mr. Grimshaw's ' Apifuge.' Now fasten a strip

H

r^l

H

of perforated zinc over the entrance, remove all the quilts,
and fasten a sheet down on the tops of the frames so secure
as to be only removed with tools, and so that no bees can
possibly escape. You do not say how far you intend to
send them, nor when. You must choose suitable weather,
so that the bees do not get chilled ; and if it is in the
hottest of summer you must so pack the lid of your hive
separate that the railway people cannot put it on, and so
smother the bees. Goods train will do if sent in a covered
truck, but more care is taken by passenger trains. By
taking the extra precaution of binding each comb with two
' foundation fixers,' bees so packed have been carried on a
three hundred miles' journey in the month of August by —
Amateur Expert.

[859.] Packing Bees. (H. B.) — Tie two thin tapes round
each frame, as in transferring ; nail two pieces of wood
along the ends of the frames on top, so as to fix the frames

tightly together and prevent them rooking ; in place of the
quilt, fix a flat board having an oblong hole at least three
inches wide, and of sufficient length to cover all the frames,
a strip of perforated zinc being tacked on top to cover
same ; fix a piece of the same material over the en-
trance, which should be at full width ; screw the body to
the floor-board and the roof to the body ; cord firmly and
label ' Live Bees, with Care,' ' Not to be roughly handled,
or thrown down.' More ventilation will be necessary in
warm weather by increasing the size of the hole in the
board on the top of the frames. — W. B. Webster.

items.

Queries and Ansvicrs are inserted free of charge to Correspondents
When more than one query is sent, each should be on a separate piece
°J paper.

Our readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who scelc assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[806.] Water for Bees. Would some bee-keepers kindly
tell me how I can make a watering-place for bees that
would look a little ornamental, as well as being useful,
and they would much oblige — J. F.

[867.] Bell Glass to holdSo lbs. Will any of your readers
give size of bell-glass inside measurement to hold 35 lbs. of
honey-comb worked in it ?— A Subscriber.

<&t\pt$ foam % Uiues.

Keswick. — Supplying Bees with Artificial Pollen. — The
weather here has been most favourable for our little pets.
We have had a few dull days, but as many bright and
sunny. Bees have made the best of it, though there has been
very little to be done in collecting natural pollen. Palms are
not yet quite in bloom ; crocuses are the only plants that are
of any value to the bees. I have given them flour in crocuses,
but tilling them with artificial pollen occupies too much
time, so, as soon as they were working well on the crocuses,
I made some little cups out of yellow paper, and put a
crocus flower in them to attract their attention. These
artificial cups I make about an inch in diameter, and a
little more in depth, but it does not matter about the size ;
when larger they hold more flour. They are much better
than crocuses when a few scores of them are planted here
and there among the natural blooms ; the bees collect it
out of them much quicker, and at the same time there is no
waste as with the flowers. I noticed some of my best
stocks going in their hives at the rate of ten bees per
minute laden with this artificial pollen. These cups are
simply made by clipping pieces of paper 3 x 2J inches,
take something the shape of a trowel-haft, lap one half of
the paper round the tapered end, and twist the other, and
it is made. A small piece of stick can be tied to it, or it
can be stuck in the soil without. This will be a nice occu-
pation for the lady bee-keepers. — R. Philipson.

Swanmore, Bishop's Waltham. — I am glad to report on
the whole fairly favourable weather for the bees. On many
days during the past fortnight they have been enabled to
take good, healthy, cleansing flights, and to-day, March the
9th, I see they are carrying pollen — a favourable sign at
this time of the year. I have seen a good many stocks
during the past week or so, and I am very glad to note
that as a rule bees in this district have wintered well ; in
my own no trace of dysentery, or in fact anything wrong.
I find, however, that the consumption of stores has been
considerable, and feeding will shortly have to be started in
some cases ; I am not, however, an advocate for early
feeding, except in cases of necessity. — H. W. West.

East Yorkshire, Beverley. — My bees, fifty-eight stocks,
have wintered well without a single loss, notwithstanding
that nearly a dozen of them are small lots with young
queens in makeshift hives, and during the great storm we
had in late autumn several of these were either blown over
or had their covers swept off with the gale, and four of
them had all their quilts and coverings blown away, leaving
the bees exposed to a downpour of rain ; still they are
looking healthy, and have been carrying in pea-flour in
quantities during the last week or so. These nuclei are

March 17, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

123

kept, of course, to unite to any stocks that may chance to
become queenless ; but should they not be required for this
purpose I shall have no difficulty in building them up into
strong colonies by the time of the white clover honey
harvest. Those colonies, thirty in number, which were at
the heather are remarkably strong, and have been breeding
ever since the frost and snow left us early in January.
Mine are English bees, which for honey gathering and
sealing, quietness under manipulation, freedom from rob-
bing, and hardiness, there are no foreign bees to compare
with them. — F. Boyes.

Ripon. — Invertible Hives. — I have just come in from
shading my hives and spreading hay round about them, as
we have had a very deep snow last night, and the sun is
now shining bright and hot. My fourteen hives have
wintered well on my plan (see B. B. J., January 20th), and
I do not see any difference between those in double or
single-walled hives. Talking about hives, I have never seen
anything, while mentioning invertible hives, about the
upward slope of the cells. We used to read about ' beautiful
provision of Nature,' ' worderful instinct of bees,' in that'the
cells all had this upward slope to prevent the honey running
out. Now it is proposed to invert the cells, what will be the
result ? I should say thin honey would run out, and the
bees, after disgorging it, will have to make a clean bolt
before the honey follows them. Nothing would induce me
to use an invertible hive, or even section crate. I never
have any difficulty in getting my sections well filled, and
without pop-holes, but then I keep my bees unusually strong
(see B. B. J., January 20th), and that is the whole secret of
it. I had dozens of sections last year that I could not tell
the top from the bottom of. But the times go very fast
now, although we have already gone back to the crown-
board, or rather American-cloth, which has the same effect,
viz., stopping upward ventilation. Some .years ago we were
told that the crown-board was the cause of dysentery, and I
believe myself that such was the case, but no doubt we
shall hear more about the enamel-cloth in times to come.
Dysentery, as we all know, is caused by dampness, and if
you had a large room badly ventilated, and with a small
fire, it would probably be damp. In the same way as a
small fire will not warm or dry a large room, so the heat
from the bees will not warm and dry a large hive, and I
therefore prefer the ordinary quilt, with a much-contracted
hive— seven Woodbury frames — for wintering, and I never
have dysentery in my hives, although I do not use cork, or
any other cushions, and many of my hives are of only half-
inch board. — Akthuk J. H. Wood.

The Apiaries, Glenluce, Wigtownshire, March ^.—Tra-
velling south this morning from Glasgow to pay my brother's
apiaries a visit, I have just arrived, after a somewhat long
and wearisome journey and intense cold, notwithstanding
-the day is lovely with bright sunshine overhead. All my
brother's bees have wintered well, and to-day they are busy
working on the crocuses and snowdrops, carrying in pollen.
I examined fifty stocks, and found the bees very healthy
and breeding. Should the season turn out good, we may
expect to hear of some good results from this district. All
my brother's bees are the common blacks, his hives being
mostly made for extracting on the storifying or ' tiering-up '
principle. The apiaries, which are considered the largest
in Scotland, are at all times open for inspection, and those
visiting the locality will find it instructive to give those
apiaries a visit and learn the method pursued by Mr. Wm.
M'Nally, in Scotch bee-keeping. — J. D. M'N.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only he inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-lceepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

J. B. S. — Bees Starved. — Your bees have died of starvation.
In their chilled and weakened condition they were unable
to leave the cluster to take advantage of the proffered
candy. Your assistance was rendered when it was too
late.

0. B. T.— •Brood Chamber— Sluive off.'— We do not find
any reference in our issue of January 27th to the subject

of the above heading— nor in any recent number. If
you refer to stimulation by uncapping sealed honey near
the brood-nest, it may be done now, at any time during
fine weather, by turning biek the quilt, and uncapping a
few square inches of comb above, or on either side of the
brood-nest, close to the cluster of bees. Breaking the
caps of the cells by scratching will do equally well.

E. yv_ P.— Removing Hives. — If your bees are in frame-
hives procure frames, made of laths, to fit the tops of
your hives and tack upon them strong coarse canvas.
Remove the quilts and screw down the canvas-frames on
the tops of the hives, having first closed the hive-
entrances. A strong screw, on eaeh of the. four sides
of the hives, driven into the floor-board will render all
secure. Each hive should be ' corded' in the manner of
a box, for convenience in carrying, and must travel right
side uppermost. If skeps, invert, tie canvas over the
mouths and let them travel inverted. See also ' Packing
Hives, p. 122.

W. MncHELL. — 1. Bees. — The bees marked 3 are but a
slight remove from black. Supposed Palestines are
hybrids, far removed from pure. Supposed Italians are
but little different to blacks. When dead, bees are
always shrivelled up, but if forwarded alive in Benton,
or similar cage, a more satisfactory investigation could be
made. 2. Simmins' Hive Cover.— You will find the cover
as made for hive 17 J in. square will also do for 17 in. frame-
hive, if the outer dimensions do not exceed 19 in. If
larger, then add the greater length required to both long
and short side. Cut one piece carefully, and then mark
off your board with that, reversing each time. For
mitres bevel off to gin. on underside.

C. A. J. — Removing Frames from Fall Hive. — If the founda-
tion is properly fixed by insertion in saw-cut or other-
wise, and the hive is perfectly level, the comb will be
built evenly by the bees. To secure the correct distances
between frames many devices are employed, such as
staples, broad shoulders, metal ends, &c. To overcome
the difficulty of removing the frame from a very full hive,
make the hive wider (or longer) than the ten frames
required, and insert two division-boards, one on each side,
and fitting close all round ; and then, by removing one
of these when examining a hive, you obtain space and
avoid all danger of injuring your bees or your queen.

Westboubne. — Straining Extracted Honey. — If the honey
is thick from suspended pollen no amount of straining
will clear it. If it is required to remove the fragments
of wax, if left at rest for a few hours they will float, and
can be skimmed off.

W. F. A. — 1. Stocks Travelling by Rail. — The safety de-
pends upon the packing. Skeps should be tied over with
cheese-cloth or paper-hangers' canvas, not with sacking
or any close-textured material, and travel upside down,
the top resting upon a ring of hay or straw to prevent
jarring ; a rope put round to form a handle to lift by is
an addition to the chance of safety. Bar-frame hives
must have the quilts, (fee'., removed, and replaced by a
square of open material, the frames kept from moving by
two slots screwed firmly across the whole of them, the
entrance closed by perforated zinc. If pads of hay en-
closed in canvas are fixed to the bottom boards to prevent
jars, and rope handles to lift by, it will be all the better.
See above, reply to ' E. W. P.' 2. Cost of Carriage. —
You had better inquire at the station at which the bees
are to be sent or delivered.

H. Mee. — Queen found alone. — It is a case of robbery,
the other bees having been killed or joined the robbers.
Keep the queen warm, with a few workers to take care of
her, and some food, and she may survive to be united to
another stock which you may find queenless.
T. E. Garton — The standard frame of the B.B.K.A. is 14
inches long by 8J deep, the top bar being 17 inches long,
-| ths of an inch thick, the bottom bar \ -th, the side bar 1th,
the width being -Jths of an inch. Between the bottom of
the frame and the floorboard a passage of J inch should
be left. The distance between the tops of frame and the
rack should not be less than ^th, and not more than Jths
of an inch. Number of frames should be from ten to
twelve, according to district. The size of frames arrived
at, you will be able to ascertain the dimensions of the,

124

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 17, 1887.

frame-block ; you will find very full directions for making
frame-blocks in British Bee Journal, Vol. III., page 6.
Wax.— Galvanised piping will not be deleterious to the wax.
M. H. — Spreading Brood. — Under no circumstances must
yon spread the brood now ; wait until the middle of April,
and even then it is a risky operation for an amateur. Do
not change the bees from one hive to another until warm
weather sets in. In doubling, the combs without the
bees, but with brood and eggs, are added over another
strong stock ; this must be done just before the honey-
How commences, the bees shaken from such combs
being treated as a swarm ; that is, supplied with founda-
tion as you have no spare combs.
Wheatfield.— 1. Eggs. — It is an established fact that_ the
eggs to produce either queen or worker are identical.
2. Royal Jelly.— It is a peculiar— we might almost term
it lacteal — secretion of the worker bees. 3. Queen De-
positing Eggs.— The extremity of her body is inserted
into the cell. 4. Use of Formic Acid. — This statement of
the gentleman has been greatly ridiculed, although he
does not say that formic acid is used in capping the
honey-cells, but simply injecting it into the honey
contained therein.
Dumfeies.— 1. Yes. 2. Of no use, it being much too early
to get the queen fertilised. 3. Unite the queenless stock
to another having a queen. 4. Such hives are too
cumbersome, and you would do well to discard them.
Out-of-door wintering in single chaff hives — i.e., double-
walled hives packed with chaff — is successful in North
America and Canada, although cellar wintering is much
more general. We should very much like to know how
you would succeed if you could possibly try this latter
plan in your district.
Ignoramus. — Your bees have died of the disease called
Bacillus Gaytoni, or depilis. See reply in our last issue
to ' C. A. T.,' p. 112.
W. T.— 1. Dry Sugar Feeding.— The important thing is to
get a sugar which is as far as possible free from chemicals
as well as from those dyes which are used to make sugar
bright yellow or snow-white. For dry sugar feeding the
order of merit might thus be arranged, — Porto Eico,
Barbados, Jamaica, and such other old-fashioned raw
sugars, if therefore, as you say, you have a difficulty in
procuring Porto Eico, proceed to Barbados, and so on.
2. Preventing Queen from ascending into Supers. — The
use of excluder zinc under the sections is for many cogent
reasons undesirable. Allow not less than a quarter of an
inch and not more than three eighths between the rack
and frames.
F. W. C, Lismore, and E. Piiilipson, Keswick.— The heath

forwarded is Erica cornea.
An Amateur. — 1. The terms 'bar-frame hive' and 'move-
able-frame hive,' apply to the same kind of hive. 2. The
Cowan hive is obtainable from C. T. Overton, Lowfield
Apiary, Crawley, Sussex, to whom apply for prices.
H. W. Perkins. — Bobbers attacked your hive in great
numbers, and the bees, unable to defend themselves,
were obliged to succumb.
W. H. A. — 1. Transferring — It is sometimes recommended
that this should be done twenty-one days after swarming,
when there will be but little brood in the hive ; and if
you swarm the stock artificially it would be the same.
It is not at all necessary, however, to wait for swarming,
either natural or artificial, if you take care not to chill
the brood. Choose a warm day, and either drive the bees
out, or, which is by far the better plan, remove the combs
by ' bumping ; ' lift them out one at a time and tie them
into the frames, shake the bees oif the second and suc-
ceeding combs on to the first placed in the bar-frame
hive, putting each frame of comb into it. As tied in by
this plan the brood and bees are not separated for many
minutes, and no risk of chilling is incurred, as is the
case when all the bees are driven out and not returned
until all the combs are tied in, as usually recommended.
2. Utilisation of Combs stored with Syrup. — These may
be tied into frames and given to the bees, either in the
hive or behind the divider, to be cleared out.
Amateur Naturalist. — Loss of Queen. — Please refer to
'Useful Hints, p. 118, where you will find similar cases

to yours argued at some length. Your hive being queen-
less, your best plan will be to join it to another.
M. E. M. — We prefer sample No. 1 for dry- sugar feeding.
For syrup feeding use Duncan Pearl or American Granu-
lated.

Correction. — Gloucestershire Bee-keepers' Association,
p. 104. The local secretary for Bristol district is Mr. J. B.
Butler. Mr. H. M. Appleton is a member of the Committee
of the Gloucestershire B. K. A., and local secretary to the
Bristol district of the Somersetshire B. K. A.

Eeceived from Mr. H. Dobbie, Cringleford, Norwich,
a collection of seeds of border annuals, with a packet of
Chapman honey-plant.

Eeceived from G. Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent Street,
and 127 High Holborn, their trade catalogue of hives, bees,
and appliances, 70 pages.

.gfhow j^[.nnouncements.

July 11-15. — Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business directory.

K-*-1

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.
Edet & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hctchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.
HONEY MERCHANTS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simjiins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. * 127 High Holbora.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Mar. 17, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

23

CORNHILL, E.C.,

Opposite the Royal Exchange,

And within Five Minutes' walk of Cannon Street Station, Liverpool

Street, Broad Street, and Underground Railway Stations, and close to the Bank

to which Omnibuses run from all parts of London.

o

>

-♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦<-

HIVES.

'JUBILEE,' 5/- ; Super, 1/6. Superior to many

Guinea Hives.
'IMPERIAL,' 12/-. For Doubling.

Both the above take B.B.K.A. Standard Frames.
' JONES-HEDDON,' 14/6, made up complete.
,, „ 17/6, Painted, & with Sections

SECTIONS.

Best Canadian BASSWOOD, V Groove, One-
piece, Planed and Slotted all round.
H x 4] x 2. 21/- per 1000.

H x H x H
4£ x 3i x 1£

10/- per 500, or 2/6 per 100.

FIRST SHIPMENT EXPECTED DAILY. OTHERS TO FOLLOW.
ORDERS EXECUTED IN ROTATION.

ass.

Per
Gross.

BOTTLES, Clear White G

TIE-OVER, reputed 1 lb.

In Original 5 Gross packages 11/9

In 1 Gross packages 13/9

SCREW-CAP, in Original 5 Gross packages 19/3
„ „ in 1 Gross packages ... 22/0

CORK AV ADS for Metal Caps 1/8

Free on rail London. Packages free.

SUGAR for Feeding.

PORTO RICO (packages about 2 cwt.)...
DUTCH CRUSHED

Delivered free to Railway Company, London
ENGLISH REFINED or ' PEARL,'

In 7 lb. bags per bag

Subject to Market fluctuations.

Being STAPLE GOODS no Sample will be sent.

CANDY, Phenolated, and with Pea

Flour, Tin about 2 & lb. ... 1 0

Ter
Cwt.

16/6

18/0

1/6

BOOKS.

Heddon's Success in Bee-Culture

Cowan's Bee-keepers' Guide ...

Cheshire's Bees and Bee-keeping.
Vol. I.

Modern Bee-keeping

British Bee Journal ; weekly . . .

Bee-keepers' Record ; monthly

(fee. &c. &c.

Pub.

Cash

Post

at.

price.

free.

—

2/0

2/2

1/6

1/2

1/4

7/6

5/8

6/0

0/6

0/5

0/6

0/2

0/2

10/10

0/2

0/2

2/6

FOUNDATION.

BROOD, 1 lb. @ 1/1U-. 3 to 5 lbs. @ 1/9+ per lb.
SUPER, 1 lb. @ 2/7. 3 to 5 lbs. @ 2/6 „

SUNDRIE S.— FUMIGATORS, by
Webster. METAL ENDS, by Abbott, Broughton,
Carr, and Lyon. Skeps, Straw Supers, Veils,
Frames, wired and in the flat, Cheap Glazed
Travelling Crates, to hold 1 dozen Sections,
ifcc. <fcc. ifec.

+ 353" O «3 -fiL T .A. X. O «3- XT !

ISSUES "ST 3ES T.

— cm

Export Orders with Eemittance or Bank Credit receive special attention.

Commandes pour l'exportation accompagnees de remises ou credito de banque reco'ivent une attention spiiciale.

Export ordern mit Geldsendung oder Bankcredit sind mit besonderer Aufmerksamkeit besorgt.

Commandi per esportazione accompanati con rimesse o Credito sull' Banca recovano attenzione spjciale.

Speciel opmserksomhed skjtenkes Expert ordre som ledsages af Bimesse eller Ba ikreinbours.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London, E.C.

(Opposite the Royal Exchange),

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Mar. 17, 1887.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE I

WEBSTER'S mmrnm

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No 'going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in the pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4W.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smaller bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

properly mixed— 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

WILL BE KEADY SHORTLY.
With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive,
replaced and examined on both sides without inverting, with
one hand, leaving the other free for manipulating, at the
same time preventing soiling the hands with propolis.

W. B. WEBSTER,

SOLE MANUFACTURER AND INVENTOR,
•WOKINGHAM, BERKS.

AWARDS FOR FUMIGATORS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,

London.

2nd Prize Altrincham, Lancashire and Cheshire B. K. A.

NOTICE TO DEALERS.— In thanking my
numerous Patrons, I beg to say my SECTIONS are
on the way, and will arrive in London shortly. The fol-
lowing sizes in stock :— 4£ x 4| x 2, 4£ x 4-J x V2, 4 x 4§ x 2,
4 x 4i x 1 J, either open top or at all four sides. 5£ x 6£ x 2
and 6|x5Jx2, open top, 1} Sections same price as_2".
Order at once, or you may be disappointed, having received
a large number of orders. Address A, F, Hutchings, West
Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray,

Patent Bee Feeder —Removing the Flask.

Or for giving warm syrup in eases of dysentery.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gravenhobst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIENENZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.

Also, ' DER PRAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. Sohwethohke & Kon (M. Bruun), Brunswick,

AGENTS Wanted in all parts of England, Soot
land, and Ireland, for the SALE of HIGH CLASS
BEE-KEEPING APPLIANCES. Address ' Manufacturer,'
c/o A. H. Haynes, 125 Houndsditch, London.

FIRST CLASS Open Sided 4J x i\ x If One-piece
AMERICAN SECTIONS. From steamer direct, free
on rail at Liverpool. 1000 for 11. ; 500, for 10s. GA rates
for smaller quantities. Apply to R. White & Co., Im-
porter Patrickswcll, Limerick. Trade supplied.

GLASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
Price List, sent Free. Address Fredk. Pearson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. A 2407

TMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR- FRAME
J_ HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, Id. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. A 2402

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5| lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, J/8 per botile, post free.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2'per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, S.E.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Regent Street, W.

Eighth Edition. Fifteenth Thousand.

BEE.KEEPERS' GUIDE BOOK. Containing Manage-
ment of Bees in Modern Moveable Comb Hives, and
the Use of the Extractor. By Tnos. Wu. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.R.M.S., &c. With numerous Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo.,
price Is. 6d. ; or in cloth gilt, 2s. 6d. Postage 2d. To be had
of Houlbton & Sons, Paternoster Square, all Hive dealers,
Secretaries to Bee-keepers' Associations, and of J. Huckle,
British Bee Journal Office, Kings Langley, Herts.
French Edition, price Is. 8d., now ready.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stranqeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 248. Vol. XV.]

MARCH 24, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

jbiianal, Maims, fc,

EXAMINATIONS.

Upon reference to the report of the last Com-
mittee Meeting of the B. B. K. A. (see page 127), it
will be found that the annual examination of
candidates desirous of gaining first or second-class
certificates will be held in London on Wednesday,
April 20th. The examination will be open to all
candidates who have already obtained a third-class
certificate. An entrance-fee of five shillings will
be required from each candidate. Candidates
intending to compete must give notice to the
Secretary, J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts, on or
before Wednesday, April 13th.

IMPROVEMENTS IN FRAMES AND
SECTIONS.

We have had forwarded to us for inspection
some frames and sections patented by Mr. James
Lee, containing improvements which promise to
be of use to bee-keepers. For some years bee-
keepers have been using dovetailed sections, or
those in one piece with V 01' square grooves, which,
if care were not taken in the folding, sometimes
broke and became useless, and unless very accur-
ately made, were often not square.

This invention is an improvement which is a
decided step in the right direction ; and if Mr. Lee's
ideas are correct, which trial will be able to prove,
we shall be able to secure some of the advantages
claimed for the invertible hive without any of its
disadvantages.

The frames, sections, and hives, are all put to-
gether without nailing, and the principal improve-
ment consists of a ' continuous dovetailed groove '
with tongued ends to fit. By referring to the
illustrations the method of construction will be
more readily understood. Fig. 1 shows the frame,
and fig. 2 is a full-sized diagram of the joint in a
standard frame. The top rail of the frame is in
two parts, with the dovetail grooves on the under-
side which receive the ends of the bars tongued to
fit these grooves. The lower ends of the bars have
similar grooves and receive the bottom rail, which
is also in two parts.

For putting the frames together a frame-block is
used, and with it the frames are completed, and
foundation fixed very rapidly. In using the block
one half of the top bar of the frame is dropped into

r I a. 2

the groove made to receive it ; the sides are next
added, the dovetails being pressed down as far as
they will go. One of the halves of the bottom rail
is then slipped into the
groove at the bottom of the
side bars and pushed down.
The foundation is then laid
on, covering the half top
bai-, and passing half over
the bottom rail. The second
half of the top bar is then
pushed down and pressed
tightty on to, and securely
fixes, the foundation. The other half of the bot-
tom rail is also put in its place, but allows the
foundation to hang loosely, to allow of stretch
ing, there being a space of -^ inch full between
and also to prevent bulging, Mr. Lee being of
opinion that this will
secure well - filled
frames without any
necessity for inverting
them. The top bars
are also slightly con-
vex on their inner
edges so that they give
an equal grip through-
out when pressed
tightly home.

Sections are made
on exactly the same principle, fig. 3, and are
also put together on a block. The top and
bottom rails are in halves, and foundation is to
be placed filling the sections, and secured by

126

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 24, 1887.

driving the half rails down. It will be seen that
there are passage-ways on all the four sides. In
use they are fitted into the frames which have
passages cut out of top and bottom rail to corre-
spond with those of sections. These are placed with
the longest sides next the top and bottom rails so
as to have a -|- inch space between them, and they
have a passage-way at the ends, like in those of
of Mr. Sambels (see page 59 of Journal). The
separators, which are also like those shown by Mr.
Sambels, have openings corresponding, forming
permanent passage-ways for the bees, and with
full sheets of foundation perfectly filled sections
will be the rule without the necessity of pop-
holes. This is a very important consideration, and
if it is as successful as Mr. Lee thinks it will be,
a great point will have been gained. The frames
which hold the sections have the half-bee space at top
and bottom, so that they can be used for storifying,
the separators spring on, and their points fit into
grooves in the side bars. When filled, the sections
can be placed on their projecting ends, and in case
of a bruised cell the section itself would not get
covered with sticky honey, and the foundation show-
ing through the top rail, can be covered with a
label. Hives and section-racks are made on the
same principle of continuous dovetailed grooves
and tongues, and are intended to be sent away
in the flat, and put together without any nailing.
Mr. Lee has also sent an ingeniously constructed box
for the carriage of sections. Three sides fold up,
and by means of three loose pieces which are pushed
into the grooves, the box is completed.

The workmanship is all that can be desired for
accuracy and finish, and the whole method of put-
ing together so simple, that with the block even
quite a novice could not go wrong. If they can
be manufactured at a reasonable price, and Mr.
Lee assures us that they can be made to com-
pete successfully with the Americans, we are sure
these improvements will be appreciated by British
bee-keepers.

SLOTTED DIVIDERS.

We desire to call attention to the illustration of
an article designed by Mr. T. B. Blow, of Welwyn,
Herts, which will be found of service to pro-
ducers of comb honey. It is a slotted divider, for

use more especially with the 4 bee-way sections.
By its use the bees have free access to every
part of each section, and thus popholes and other
imperfections may be avoided. A form of slotted
divider was mentioned both by Mr. Corneil and
Mr. Jones, but the great drawback stated by them
was the expense of production. This, we under-
stand, has been got over by Mr. Blow, who has
provided special machinery to produce these dividers,

They are produced either in wood or metal. The
slots, too, can be made a little wider than in illus-
tration, so that ordinary 2 bee-way sections can
be used. These, then, have'almost equal advantages
with 4 way ones.

BEES -WAX AND ITS CONVERSION INTO
MONEY.

By J. Dennler, President of the Strassbiirg Enzheini Bee-keepers'
Association; Editor of the Elsas Lothringcr Bee-l:eeper; Author of
Honey as Food and Medicine, and Honey and its Use.

HlSTOBICAl.

Bees -wax was known in ancient times. The Bible tells
us of a land flowing with milk and honey ; and where
there was honey, there must also have "been wax. Pliny
speaks of white wax, and in the time of Dioscorides wax
was rolled into sheets after a method described by him.

At that time materials for fighting' made out of wax
fetched a high price ; they were used at divine service,
and the consumption which was at first comparatively
small, was afterwards increased by the spread of Christ-
ianity. The bleaching of wax was at that time followed
as an independent trade, and one sees how extensive it
was by the fact that towards the end of the seventeenth
century there were in Hamburg above fourteen bleaching-
houses for wax. Certainty, with the exception of oil
and tallow, as well as the inevitable torch, no other
material for lighting was known except wax. and wax
coidd only be used by very rich people.

Even princes who allowed themselves this luxury (as
it was then held) were accounted extravagant. But,
besides for tapers, wax was used in still larger quantities
for the representation of artificial flowers and fruits,
which were much used as ornaments for rooms, for arti-
ficial flowers made of stuff were not then known.

The Reformation dealt a great blow to the wax trade,
in that the Evangelical Church did away with tapers at
their divine service.

By the introduction of sugar bee-keeping was decreased
still more, and the production of wax was reduced to a
minimum. As important competitors of wax, there
appeared in trade the wax obtained from various plants
and minerals, such as stearine, paraffine, kerosine, and
others, which lowered still further the price of bees- wax.

Germany has always produced a very much-prized
wax for technical, medicinal, and artistic uses, as well as
the various Austrian provinces and Switzerland. Turkey
is said to produce the best of all known sorts of wax.
Turkish wax is also the dearest ; usually bright red in
colour. France produces a large quantity of splendid
wax. Closely following the French comes the Spanish,
in cakes of from 2\ to 3j lbs. in weight. Italy produces
large quantities of excellent wax. Of the various kinds of
wax other than European, the West Indian, Egyptian,
and Barbary wax are highly prized.

The Production op Wax.

Bee-keepers, and amongst them Swammerdam, Ma-
raldi, Reaumur, and others, were for a long time of
opinion that the bees collected the wax directly from
the flowers (Swammerdam : Biblia Natune ; Maraldi :
Observations stir les Abeilles ; Memoires de I' Acad, des
Sciences, 1712; Reaumur: Histoire Nat. des Abeilksi)
But the experiments of Hunter have shown that the
bee plays by no means so simple a part in the production
of wax, for this great anatomist, as long ago as the year
1702, gave a description of the segments of the bee's
abdomen, by which the wax is separated into small
scales (Philosoph. Trans., 1712), an observation which
Huber of Geneva confirms in his Nouvelles Observations
sur les Abeilles, II, chap. 1. Already in 1864 (1664 P)
Martin John had made the same observation.

(To be continued.)

March 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

127

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The first meeting of the newly-elected Committee was
held at 105 Jerrnyn Street, on Wednesday, March 16th.
There were present the Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, the
Rev. Br. Bartrum, the Rev. F. G. Jenyns, the Rev. F. S
Sclater, the Rev. G. Oddie, Captain Camphell, H. Jonas,
J. M. Hooker, W. O'B. Glennie, Treasurer, and the
Secretary. Letters were read from the Rev. J. L.
Seager, the Rev. Geo. Raynor, Captain Bush, and Dr.
Walker, regretting their inability to be present.

It was resolved unanimously that Mr. T. W. Cowan
be appointed chairman, and the Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh
vice-chairman, for the ensuing year. The following sub-
committees were appointed : — Finance : the Rev. Dr.
Bartrum, the Rev. F. G. 'Jenyns, and Mr. H. Jonas.
Educational : the Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, the Rev. Dr.
Bartrum, the Rev. Geo. Raynor, and the Rev. F. G.
Jenyns. Exhibitions : the Rev. F. S. Sclater, the Rev.
J. Lingen Seager, Captain Bush, H. Jonas, and J. M.
Hooker. County Associations : the Rev. F. S. Sclater,
the Rev. J. Lingen Seager, Captain Bush, Rev. G. Oddie,
and Di: Walker.

An application from Mr. H. Bunhury, of Bury St.
Edmunds, requesting the B.B.K.A. to undertake an
exhibition of hives, honey, &c, in connexion with the
Suffolk Agricultural Society in June next, was con-
sidered. It was resolved that Mr. Bunbury's application
be acceded to subject to terms to be arranged. The
Exhibitions Sub-committee were requested to prepare a
suitable schedule in accordance with the amount proposed
to be expended.

The following resolution passed at the Annual General
Meeting of the members, was referred to the Exhibi-
tions Committee, with the request that they should
report thereon at an early date, viz., ' That the Committee
be requested to draw up a form of rules for exhibitions,
with a view to establishing uniformity at all shows
throughout the counties — a recommendation being added
that shows should be advertised as held under the
B.B.K.A. rules.'

It was resolved that the date for the annual first-class
examination to be held in London should be fixed for
Wednesday, April 20th, the date of the next quarterly
meeting.

MIDDLESEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Committee meeting on the 16th, at 105 Jermyn
Street. Present, Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, in the chair,
Major Fair, Dr. Raynor, Messrs. Jonas, Kennell, Gunn,
Hasluck, Campbell, Leach, and Graham.

The general routine business having been disposed
of, it was resolved that the M. B. K. A. defray the
expenses of a lecture on bees to be delivered at South-
gate by Mr. Sambels on the 24th inst. That the silver
and bronze_ medals of the B. B. K. A. be allotted to the
N. E. Province for competition this year at a show to be
held at Palmer's Green on the 8th and 9th July, in
connexion with the Wood Green Horticultural Society's
Show, and that 41. be added thereto towards additional
prizes.

The following representatives were elected to serve
on the Committee of the B. B. K. A., Dr. Rayner for
N.W. Province, W. M. Graham for N.E. Province.

SURREY BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
On Saturday, 12th inst., the above Association held
their eighth annual meeting at the Royal Arms Coffee
Tavern, North Street, Guildford. There was a large
attendance, and John C. Ramsden, Esq., of Busbridge
Hall, one of the vice-presidents, took the chair. Amongst
those present were Mrs. Maclear, Messrs. S. Wellings,
F. H. Lemare, and J. Harrison (district secretaries), Mr.

Thos. Chapman (chairman of the committee). Mrs.
Tickner, Mr. E. Daw, and Captain Campbell, were also
present.

The Secretary (Captain Campbell) read the report of
the Committee, from which it appeared that 140 new
members had joined during the year, and the Association
now numbers 420 subscribers and donors. The county
was divided into districts, of which ten are already
organized, including Guildford and Godalming, Croydon,
Sutton, Leatherhead, Haslemere, Abinger and Wotton,
Cranleigh, Chobham, Camberley and York Town, East
Molesey and Surbiton. Bee and honey shows and
lectures had been held at various localities during the
year, besides the annual countj' show at Leatherhead
on the 31st July last. The Association also took part in
the National Exhibition of British honey in the Winter
Gardens of the Albert Hall, South Kensington, when a
magnificent display of British honey from nearly all the
counties of England was collected, and at which fifteen
bronze medals were awarded to the county of Surrey,
besides the silver and bronze medals and certificates of
merit of the British Bee-keepers' Association for the
Leatherhead show. The financial statement was then
read, showing a sum of 8/. 16s. Sd. due to the treasurer,
but with assets to the value of 87/. in property of the
Association. The report and statement of accounts
were adopted and officers re-elected, and after the usual
vote of thanks to the Committee, office-bearers, &c, the
Chairman presented the medals to those of the exhibitors
that were present, including Captain Campbell, amidst
the cordial cheers of the meeting. Mr. W. B.Webster of
Wokingham was then invited to exhibit and explain some
inventions and appliances in bee-keeping, and described
some new methods adopted in bee-culture. Coffee and
tea were served, and after some pleasant conversation on
bee matters, the meeting concluded with a hearty vote
of thanks to Mr. Webster for his interesting remarks.

FORMATION OF EAST LOTHIAN BEE-
KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
On Friday, March 4th, a meeting of those favourable
to the formation of an association for the purpose of
promoting the study and practice of bee-keeping was
held at Haddington— the Rev. John Kerr, M.A., Dirleton,
in the chair. The Chairman, after explaining the objects
of the meeting, stated that he had already received
letters from over thirty gentlemen in different parts of
the county, who were ready to join such an association
as was proposed, and that, in addition, he was aware of
others being favourable, who had not yet sent in any
letter to that effect. Besides the primary purpose of
such an association, it was also intended to arrange with
certain merchants in the different towns in the county
to dispose of the honey grown by members of the asso-
ciation, so that bee-keepers who were members might
have no difficulty in finding a market for their honey.
The meeting then agreed to form an East Lothian Bee-
keepers' Association, and appointed office - bearers as
follows: — Hon. President, Sheriff Shirreff; President,
Rev. Mr. Kerr, Dirleton ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr.
James Ovens, Haddington; who along with the following
gentlemen — Messrs. J. Stirling, and Adam Paterson,
Haddington; Bertram, Gifford; G. T. Clarke, Kirkland-
hill ; and Barnes, Innerwick — form the committee. After
hearing several letters, all advocating the formation of
an association, the meeting considered the draft rules of
the Association, which were remitted to the committee
for revision and for presentation to a future general
meeting of the Association for final adjustment. Some
conversation then took place among those present on the
proposal contained in the rules to have shows of honey
and exhibitions of bee-keeping appliances in connexion
with the shows of the East Lothian Agricultural Society
and the Horticultural Society, of which the members
present heartily approved.

128

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 24, 1887.

Corrcspoittrewe.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will he taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, hut as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be d>awn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editoe of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strang eways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, 1F.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking oj
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

SECTION-CASES AND SECTIONS.

[808.] The time is fast approaching, notwithstanding the
frost and snow we have had during the last week, wiien
bee-keepers should lay their plans and provide them-
selves with all the requisites for the coming honey season.
It is not an uncommon thing to put off obtaining these
until they are wanted. The bees swarm, and the supply
dealer is written to and expected to send hives at a
minute's notice in which to put the bees. The honey
harvest finds us without sufficient section-cases or sec-
tions with foundation fixed ready to use when they are
required, and a quantity of the early and best honey is
put in the brood frames, the queen has not sufficient
space of comb in which she can lay, and the desire to
swarm is the result. This fever once started it is difficult
to stop, although had additional room been given at the
proper time, either by adding another storey of frames
for extracting, or by tiering up crates of sections, in most
cases it would not have arisen ; the bees would have
been content to have gathered all the honey they could if
they had supers to put it in and the queen had not been
crowded, and had sufficient space to lay in.

Those who intend working for honeycomb, and have
not sufficient crates for tiering up, will do well to decide
at once the sort of crate, the size and width of sections,
and whether they will use separators or not.

There has been a great variety of section-crates ex-
hibited during the last summer, and several of the best
have been illustrated in the B. B. Journal.

I now propose to call attention to what appear to me
the good or weak points they possess, and I also send a
woodcut of a super-crate, in which I think most of the

desirable parts are contained, and which I will describe
hereafter.

The crate Mr. Dines exhibited at Norwich, and of
which you gave a cut on page 508, was one of the first
that claims the advantage of being capable of inversion.
The depth of case gives a half bee-space at top and
bottom in addition to the depth of the section used. In
preparing for putting sections in position, the case is
placed over a piece of wood of the thickness of the half
bee-space required ; the sections and separators are then
adjusted, and are kept in position by a board, which is
tightly pressed against the sections by screws ; this is
the only support they have. Should there be the least
shrinkage of the sections, they would drop on the ex-
cluder if one is used, or, if not, then on the frames,

crushing any bees there may be between. The screws
are also liable to become set tight.

The crate exhibited by ' Amateur Expert ' at the last
Conversazione, and illustrated on page 59, also depends
entirely on the screws for keeping the sections in position.
The bee-space is kept by having a loose rebated frame,
in which the case stands, keeping it the proper distance
from the excluder or frames below, the case proper being
exactly the same depth as the sections used. This case has
pieces of wood on the sides, between which the separators
go, and, being notched out to correspond, form passages
for the bees to pass along. There are also two holes in
the separators opposite to where the sections touch each
other. This improvement of the separators by having
these holes in it is not a new idea. I pointed this out on
page 558, as it was previously illustrated by Mr. Greer
in Gleanings on page 089, but Mr. Sambels tells me
he had not seen it at the time he suggested it as an im-
provement to Mr. Cornell's super. There is a difficulty
in getting the separators in and out without removing
several of the sections, and in taking out sections they
would be likely to fall and irritate the bees.

Mr. Cornell's super was well described at the time it
was illustrated on page 531, and is to my mind the best
invertible crate for H-inch sections, but it has the same
difficulty as that of ' Amateur Expert ' in the removal of
separators.

Mr. Neighbour's invertible super crate is a very good
one ; the sections are supported by metal ribs both top
and bottom, and whichever way they stand can with a
little care be inverted ; even without the screws the sec-
tions cannot drop and stop the bee-space, and is readily
tiered up. This is one of the best ; but it lacks the bee
passages, which I think a great point. The section
crate here shown is similar to that illustrated in Modern

Bee-keeping; but by adopting the separator of Mr.
Greer, without otherwise altering the arrangement, we
have a crate possessing all the good points contained in
the others, except that of reversing. It will be seen that
the sections do not touch each other or the ends of the
crate, being kept apart by quarter-inch strips of wood on
which the separators rest. These separators have holes
through them, corresponding to the spaces between and
at the end of sections, and can be removed at pleasure if
sections are used. Having entrances on the sides as well
as top and bottom, in addition to the passages, the bees
can cluster round all the sections, and pass from one to
the other without difficulty, and thus do away with
their need for popholes to get from one side of the
comb to the other. They can be tiered up three or four
high. With regard to sections, I think that the best
width for them is If inches wide, with entrances on all
sides ; and I would on no account advise the giving up
of separators. If, however, some bee-keepers would like
to try without them, they must be very careful that the
sections stand perfectly level on the hive. — J. M.

IIOOKEB.

CYPRIANS.

[809.] I have to thank the Editor for his reply to my
request, but I am afraid he did not quite understand me.
He should know that I had not the slightest intention
of implying that any dealer would supply hybrids for

March 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

129

pure queens, and I am quite sure none of the readers of
the Journal will consider that I so intended it to be
understood. What I did mean is only what I know to
be the case. It is a fact that many obtain one or more
pure queens in the first instance ; they rear others from
these, and get them hybridised, and yet without intend-
ing to give a false impression, speak of these as of the
pure race.

The Editor tells us that for two years it was the rule
for his apiary to consist of pure Cyprians ; thus it is left
for us to understand that during other years my applica-
tion would be found correct, and that it was the rule for
hybrids to predominate. However, what I wish to
arrive at is the comparative merits of the pure and
hybrid bees. For my own part I do not look upon
Cyprians as suitable for all purposes, but value them
very highty for extracting, and more than any kind for
crossing with other races. I am pleased to find that the
Editor is "at one with myself as to the superiority of
home -reared queens, but there are very many who
cannot be satisfied unless they have an imported queen.
Of course one must import for breeding purposes in the
first instance, but those who obtain only one or two of
any kind rarely have the opportunity of thoroughly
testing any particular race, and as a matter of fact the
number who can or do secure pure fertilisation is very
small indeed.

Though I have not under my own management found
Cyprians to vary in temper I have given the opinions of
others, and have shown that the ' better selection '
desired by the Editor is to be obtained by establishing a
permanent apiary in Cyprus under such efficient manage-
ment as Mr. F. Benton could give, if only he could rely
upon someone to take charge during his enforced absence,
but this unfortunately he has not yet been able to do.
Such selection can be made at home, but as yet many
bee-keepers cannot be so persuaded. In quoting Mr.
Cheshire's earlier experience with Cyprians the Editor
only states what that gentleman has himself recently
told (Vol. II. Bees and Bee-keeping, Part I.), where also
will be found Mr. C.'s present opinion of them, which is
decidedly in favour of Cyprians as imported at this day.
— S. Simmins.

[It is very difficult, indeed, to understand what the
gentleman mentioned really does mean. He gives
nothing but what was already known, both as regards
their management and temper, but this is what he does
say : ' But I " speak that I do know and testify that I
have seen " in adding that, although now and again a
vicious Cyprian stock is met,' &c, and ' Cyprians have
faults in our climate, as well as excellencies, quite out-
side the question of temper ; but their surpassing loveli-
ness of form and colour would induce some to keep
them, especially if their disposition could be reckoned
upon, and to this end irritable colonies, whenever
discovered, should be re-queened.' If his opinion was,
that they were as amiable as our correspondent suggests,
there would have been no occasion to say anything
about their disposition being reckoned upon. We usually
consider amiable people those whose tempers can be
depended upon, and those whose bad tempers may break
out at any unexpected moment as the most dangerous of
all, whatever their other qualities may be. Bees are no
exception. Still, Mr. Cheshire may consider bees with
such treacherous dispositions amiable. Mr. Abbott's
experience (page 120 B. B. Journal) is both instructive
and interesting, and should serve as a caution. — Ed.]

CYPRIAN BEES.
[869.] Headers of the Journal will be greatly obliged
to Mr. Abbott for his letter respecting these bees —
personally I was delighted to read it, I think Mr.
Abbott hit the nail on the head when he spoke of
weak colonies being easily handled ; this is so with all

bees I fancy, but when we get a hive crowded, say on
twenty frames, if they have any nastiness about them
it is then they show it.

I had an idea we had done with these bees years
ago ; what is it that is bringing them to the front again ?
then' good qualities or the dealers ? The same may be
said of the Carniolans, they were dismissed long ago,
but it would appear that as soon as any one gets a
quantity of them for sale we hear of them as being very
active, very hardy, and great honey gatherers.

What has become of the British bee ? not ' black,'
please, we do not call a brown horse ' black ; ' and
what has our native bee done that it is no longer
worth mention in the Journal ? Is it not too bad that
dealers should be trying all they know to drive it out of
the country simply because they cannot make it profitable
to sell the queens ? and what do people think of them-
selves who purchase these foreign bees and locate them
against their neighbours' apiaries, and by so doing turn
ail the bees in the district for miles round into hybrids ?
and we know what hybrids are. Is such a proceeding
considered a neighbourly act ? Bee-keepers must have a
very queer sense of justice if they think so.

Is it not time someone spoke out about these things ?
and why do we nearly always read of these foreign bees
in the Journal as ' golden bees ? ' No doubt they are
golden to those who sell them, but I fear the purchasers
soon find the gilt rubbed off. It seems to me that unless
these bees have something more than colour to recom-
mend them the public will at last get their eyes open
(they have had them closed frequently by these 'in-
sinuating devils') and will in future use more caution
in introducing them into their gardens, except of course
those who like well stinging, plenty of robbers to annoy
their neighbours and themselves, with plenty of queens
(pure no doubt) to sell at exorbitant prices, and so bring
discredit and disgust on bee-keeping generally. — F,
Boyes, Beverley.

GLASS HIVES.
[870.] It seems to be taken for granted that Maraldi
was the inventor of glass hives. Was he ? I doubt it.
It is true that M. Figuier in Les Insectes says, 'All the
fables, all the hypotheses spread about and cherished by
the ancients respecting thes9 industrious little insects
were dissipated in a moment, when, by the invention of
glass bee-hives, first made in the beginning of last century
by Maraldi, a mathematician of Nice, we were enabled
to observe their operations and habits. Thanks to the in-
vention of Maraldi,' &c. Arthur Murphy, the well-known
translator of Tacitus, wrote at the latter end of last
century a poem, The Bees. It is simply a translation
into verse of the fourteenth book of the Prosdium
Uusticum of Vaniere the Jesuit. In the preface, Murphy
says, 'Maraldi, a famous French philosopher, was the
first that invented glass hives, and through that trans-
parent medium was able to observe the manners, the
genius, and all the labours of those wonderful insects.
He published his account in the Ilistoire de I'Academie
Royale des Sciences on the 6th of November, 1712.
Vaniere professes to have collected his materials from
Maraldi, and has done them ample justice.' Both in the
poem itself, and in the precis of it, it is asserted that the
bees carry the wax upon their thighs, and, in fact,
Maraldi and he knew no better than their predecessors.
I possess a little work by the Hon. Robert Boyle,
Fellow of the Royal Society; entitled, A Disquisition
about the Final Causes of Natural Things, and printed in
1688, written really to oppose the philosophy of Des-
cartes. There is a passage in this work which seems to
prove that Robert Boyle had a glass hive in his house
some twenty-four years before Maraldi's was heard of.
It is this : ' Divers strange things are deliver'd, not only
by poets, but by more credible writers, about the won-
derful sagacity and government of bees, in point not

130

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 24, 1887.

only of economy, but of politicks too. But tho' I shall
not build anything upon the authorities that I myself
suspect, yet, having had the curiosity to keep for a good
while in my closet a transparent hive, whence there was
a free passage into a neighbouring garden, and having
thereby had the opportunity to make frequent observa-
tions of the actions of these little animals, and par-
ticularly to see them at work, about making their combs
and filling them with honey, I confess I discover'd some
things that I did not believe before, and was induc'd to
look upon them as very fit instances of creatures en-
dow'd with natural instincts and providence.' Now two
things are clear from R. Boyle's work — 1st, That he had
a glass hive (perhaps he invented it) long before Maraldi :
and, 2nd, that he believed, as Maraldi and Murphy did,
that the bees collected wax, and carried it home on their
legs. — J. Lawson Sisson.

FOUNDATION.

[871.] The price of pure bees-wax beingnow so much
higher in price than it was a few years ago, and foundation
being so much lower, seems to give one the idea that this
contradiction must be the result of either a very ' long '
profit having been made in earlier days or a substitute
for bees-wax being used now. I am well aware it is so
in some cases, but all must not be ' tarred with the same
brush.' We are all aware of the absolute necessity of
having pure bees-wax only in our foundation. I have
had inquiry after inquiry made to me as to the cause of
foundation sagging to such an extent as to cause the
total destruction of stocks, and where, in response to my
wish, I have had a sample of the foundation sent to me,
it has usually been found to be adulterated. Mr. O.
Hehner in the Bee Journal of last spring gave a rough
test, which he said at the time was not to be entirely
depended upon. I should now like to add to this test
another one, which I think if acted upon will prevent
any unsuitable foundation being foisted upon bee-keepers
and so ruining many of their prospects during the ensuing-
season. Perhaps the practice of scenting foundation is
not of very great moment ; foreign wax has not the
aroma of English, and the first thing an amateur does
when looking at foundation is to place it to his nose and
take a long, long sniff. ' What a nose it has got ! ' is his
exclamation, Yes it has, but much too strong and pun-
gent for a genuine odour. So you see some manufac-
turers must pander to the tastes of their customers a
little. The fault of adulterated foundation is its inability
to stand the internal heat of the hive at breeding time,
and when laden with honey, brood, and bees, down it
comes on the floor-board in a perfect ' conglomeration '
of wax, bees, brood, and honey. Now the melting point
of pure bees-wax is 146 degrees Fahr., and this is where
our tests should be directed. If the foundation will
stand 145 degrees before it melts it will stand the heat
of the hive at breeding time, unless the stock is placed
in the broiling sun with entrances nearly closed, under
which conditions wax, either pure or otherwise, will melt.

The difficulty is the knowledge how to make this test,
and I will now explain how it can be done at a nominal
cost. The appliances necessary are, — a thermometer that
will register 200 degrees Fahr. or over; this can be pur-
chased for Is. 6d. and can be tested as to its accuracy by
immersing it in water gradually brought to the boil, and
then noting whether it registers 212 degrees Fahr. or if
it will not register as higlr a degree as that try it with
boiling spirit — rather dangerous without proper appli-
ances ; this boils at 176 degrees Fahr.; — a capillary tube,
this" can be made, but they are very cheap, by drawing
out a thin glass tube made hot in the gas or spirit-lamp ;
— an empty condensed milk tin and an empty lobster can
without top or bottom : this latter is your stove ; your
fire must be a lamp of some description. Place the
lobster can on the table, out of any draught, and put

your lamp inside; see that it has ventilation, or it will
not burn ; now place the milk tin on top and nearly fill it
with warm water; have your capillary tube ready, melt
a portion of the wax to be tested in an old spoon and fill
a portion of the tube ; now tie this piece of tube to the
bulb of the thermometer with a piece of cotton, plugging
the ends of the tube; then immerse it in the water,
allow the water to get gradually hot, and when the ther-
mometer registers 146 degrees Fahr., if pure, the wax in
the tube will assume suddenly a transparent look ; it has
melted.

You must not with these rough appliances be particular
to one degree, but it is sufficient to gain a knowledge as
to whether the foundation is fit to use or not. Don't
forget that there must be no draught, or your thermo-
meter will jump up and down like a jack-in-the-box. —
W. B. Websteb.

NOTES ON CARNIOLAN BEES.

[872.] Perhaps the following may be interesting to
some of your readers ; but I hope to supplement it at
some future time with other particulars.

On Saturday last I received, through the kindness of
Mr. T. B. Blow, Welwyn, by letter post, ten Oarniolan
worker bees in a common lucifer match-box. They
were, to all appearance, quite dead ; but, accidentally
placing the box containing them near a window, through
which the sun was shining very brightly, they soon
recovered and began buzzing and humming about quite
joyously. I might here say what struck me at once was
their large and powerful-looking wings, and their
beautiful and symmetrical appearance. The thorax is
entirely covered with a rich pubescence or fluff, like a
beautiful sealskin in appearance ; the chitinous case of
the abdomen is of a beautiful chestnut colour, with rings
or bands similar to the thorax in colour, only a shade
lighter. Two of the Oarniolans were selected, and
placed under a thin tumbler glass with two black bees,
which I at once took from a hive, selecting a 3'onug
black and one more advanced in life ; they were now
supplied with food — the Carniolans having been without
since leaving Mr. Blow's apiary. On Sunday evening-
one of the blacks (the younger one) died, and on the
following morning its sister perished. One of the
Carniolans died on Tuesday morning, the other during
Tuesday night or early on Wednesday morning. Does
not this show a great amount of physical strength in
favour of the Carniolans? By microscopical and
geometrical examination I find the area of wing surface
greater in the Carniolans ; and, upon careful weighing,
that the ten Carniolans weighed twent}' grains, while
the blacks only balanced sixteen grains.

Mr. Bennett, whom I mentioned in 3'our issue of the
27th January, and who had never seen a Carniolan bee
previously, at once saw the distinguishing features I have
mentioned, and expressed himself that Carniolan bees
and black bees should not be compared for beauty — the
blacks being much inferior in this respect.

I think it is one of the first points in beauty of bees
the amount of pubescence upon the thorax — and it is
only fair to Mr. Blow for me to add, having imported a
good number of Ligurian or Italian bees from various
dealers in Italy and Switzerland, that the stock I pur-
chased from him surpasses them all in this particular.—
T. Bonnee-Chambebs, F.L.S., March 5th, 1887.

JUDGING HONEY, &c.
[873.] I was exceedingly glad to find from the report
of the annual meeting of the B. B. K. A. that it is
intended to draw up a form of ' rules for exhibition.'
The subject of judging honey is a very difficult one to
deal with, and probably it would be almost impossible
to formulate a code of marks such as has been suggested
from time to time in the British Bee Journal for colour,

March 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

131

consistency, &c. But I think that this would be a very
suitable time for the 13. B. K. A. to print (together with
the rules for exhibition) a series of hints, which would
be alike useful to exhibitors aud country judges. It is
of great importance that it should be known what are
the most desirable points to aim at obtaining when we
exhibit at shows, and at present it is almost impossible
to know to what standard we should try to attain.
These hints might be as short and concise as possible for
easy reference, but at the same time should be sufficiently
explicit, for example, for an exhibitor to form a clear
idea whether ho had better send to the shows a light or
dark sample of extracted honey, if in other respects his
samples are the same. If the committee of the B. B. K. A.
would undertake this task I am sure many bee-keepers
would greatly esteem their labours. — Edward J.
Gibbins, Neath, March 4.

BO BEES HEAR?
[874.] This seems to be an undecided question at present.
I read on page 58, February 10th, a very interesting dis-
cussion on vocal organs of bees by Mr. Grimshaw. I
have a strong opinion that bees do not hear; they will re-
spond to the slightest touch or shake, biit will not respond
to the report of a gun a few yards off. I have often
fired a gun close to my hives, which makes no impression
whatever, but driving a heavy - loaded wheelbarrow
close behind them will at once arouse them. Then
comes the question, How do they communicate ? which
would be very interesting to our readers. Mr. Baldwin
gives his experience of trying to make bees raise queens
while the queen is present by dividing the hive with
perforated zinc, and the bees did not attempt to raise
queens. My experience was last summer with a hive
doubled for extracting. The hive being very strong in bees
at the close of the honey harvest, I thought I would try
the plan to make two lots of them a week before I made
an entrance between the two storeys, to get the bees a
little used to the two entrances. I then lifted the queen
with bar into the upper box, placed a square of per-
forated zinc between the two boxes, and they at once
commenced to raise queens. The hive with the young-
queen has wintered up to the present. The one with
the old queen a friend is in possession of, so I can-
not form an idea as to the way of their communication.
— T. DrjNSTEB, Staplehurst, Kent.

APIFUGE.

* Hang out our banners on the outward walls j
The cry is still "They come."' — Macbeth.],

[875.] Like King Bick, I find there are two, yea,
three Richmonds, in the field.

' Useful Hints ' (the calm, respected ' Useful Hints ')
takes me to task on the suitability of the word
' Apifuge.' Now if he will refer to p. 38, present vol.,
whereon I answer Mr. A. Green on this subject, he will
find me state that the verb/agio bears other construc-
tions than simple fight ; it also means to avoid, forbear,
&c. : res niefugit, the thing- escapes my notice, I do not
perceive it, am not aware of it ; populus tamen vidit id
quodfugit Lycurgum. And I used the verb in the sense
that bees would avoid a substance on which apifuge was
rubbed, and forbear to sting if they did alight. I am
sure your esteemed (U. H.' would not of set purpose
lead your readers into the error that apifuge puts the
bees to flight, and so on, for it seems to me that is the
only sense his words can be read in. It would in that
case be an act of gross injustice to the article which is
before the public, and of which much more, I can assure
you, is destined to be heard. The simple fact is, bees
pursue their ordinary avocations when it is used, and
take no notice of intrusion. As to the word Kentrapone,
or sting-averter, this is trying to knock one bogey down

m order to set up a more hideous one with a vengeance.
Kentrapone (if that word were adopted) would not turn
stings aside. I have admitted that there may be a more
suitable word than mine, but it has to be found yet,
meantime ' Apifuge ' will easily carry the burthen of a
somewhat lame name. If 'U.'H.' will insist on being
so intensely literal in his translation, —

Febrifuge does not literally put the fever to flight (a
remedy for abating the violence of fevers).

Vermifuge does not literally put the worms to flight
(but is a medicine for expelling worms).

Galactofuge does not literally put the milk to flight (a
remedy which decreases the secretion of milk).

As Mr. Lyon's actions, in my opinion, do not coincide
with his utterances, the only part of his letter I will
notice is his last paragraph, wherein he says, ' I am sorry
my lotion failed to cure Mr. G., possibly the wound
was poisoned with his Apifuge. The lotion is intended
to cure the effects of stings, not those of poisonous
substances.' Reader, is this not stabbing a man behind
his back, is it not a stab in the dark P In his previous
letter he insinuated that Apifuge is methyl salicylate,
without a particle of evidence. This week he insinuates
it is poisonous. Would that some substance were in-
vented as a preventative against the poisoned arrows of
our loving fraternity — some scorpiofuge, Mr. 'Useful
Hints,' eh ?

Well, I suppose I must reply and say that Apifuge
is not poisonous, and that my hands had not touched it.
I could retort on Mr. Lyon if I so pleased by opening up
the question of ' Ac. Acet.'

' Amateur Expert ' (this was the most unkindest cut of
all), in a vigorous, manly, stand-up attack upon me, hints
that I either have made, or shall make, use of my official
position to push the sale of this apifuge, and refers to
gratuitous advertisements I have got in the shape of
letters to the British Bee Journal. Now, since my
article was (or intended to be) brought out for sale I
have only written once on this subject (p. 99, excepting
of course my reply to Mr. Lyon's attack on me, to which
I was reluctantly driven in self-defence), and this once
was in fulfilment of a promise made in your columns to
report the results of my efforts. I think if ' A. E.' had
looked at the prominent advertisement of my agents he
would have thought twice, and found second thoughts
best, before ascribing to me such meanness as this. Even
if such were the case, apifuge would only be having ac-
corded to it the same notice which is given to Bick, Tom,
and Harry's hives and appliances week by week. I
notice that ' A. E.,' too, falls into the error that the new
substance is artificial wintergreen. It is not. I am not
' going to sell hardware,' any more than Messrs. Cowan
and Cheshire (forgive the comparison) sold hardware by
inventing- and naming their respective hives and dis-
coveries ; therefore my residence in the Birmingham of
bee-keepers must be postponed. Bid you mean Coventry,
< A. E. F ' Et tu, Brute ?

Mr. Cheshire's conduct with regard to his cure for foul
brood was my very model, even though it ended for him
so pecuniarily unsuccessful, which would not have been
the case had he not had ' the wreckers on his coast.'

Now if your readers will not again accuse me of
seeking free advertisements, I will give you a short
history of my conduct as regards Apifuge : — About two
months ago I wrote a long article on my experiments
and efforts to have made a certain substance, &c. I told
your readers everything I could on the chemistry of the
how and why, without (then) any mental reservation or
equivocation whatever, never thinking of having to
baptize the child as well as to bring it into the world.
About three weeks after that, at the Conversazione, I
had pleasure in submitting the first little drop which
had been made (about half-an-ounce) to the B. B. K. A.,
and this I shared after the meeting with Mr. Stanford,
Irish Hon. Sec. I then kept back nothing from you, ex-

132

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 24, 1887.

cept certain alterations in my formula, saying my happi-
ness consisted in being able to say that the substance
could now be produced. Up to that moment I had no
thought beyond presenting the discovery to the bee-
keeping world. At this point, however, I was compelled
to overhear this remark, ' The proper thing for Mr.
Grimshaw to do is to get a quantity and distribute it : '
— my business engagements forbade this. The next
morning, Thursday, I read in B. B. J. ' A Disclaimer '
from Mr. Cheshire, and (acting upon his example) I went
on the Saturday to Southall, and placed the whole
question in the hands of respectable agents in whom I
have implicit confidence. I hope, however, my results
will be different from his. — R. A. H. Grimshaw, Crag
Hill, If ors forth, Leeds.

BRITISH INVERTIBLE HIVE.
[876.] I noticed H. W. Lett's letter in the Journal
wherein he asks if Neighbour's British Invertible Hive
is watertight at the joints. As I have purchased one of

SECTION A.B.

:£

Device for making HecUlon Hivo watertight between storeys and
for supporting frames.

A, side of hive ; B, oncl bar of frame; C, bottom bar of frame;
Z, looso zinc frame between each storoy, also support to frames
whether inverted or not.

the above hives I am able to say that it is not, neither is
the original Jones-Heddon Hive. I have designed a
simple device which will make both the above hives

watertight, and it will also form a support to the frames
whether inverted or not. Please find sketch enclosed,
which I hope will make it easily understood. — J. Hall,
Station Hill, Wigton, Cumberland, March 10.

THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS.

[877.] I have been thinking that as I had a few
moments at my disposal I would send a few lines to the
Journal in case you may have room for them.

Was and Honey Imports. — We are very much in-
debted to the kindness of Mr. Bellairs, and to yourself, Mr.
Editor, for the information you from time to time give
us in regard to the imports of honey and wax into this
country ; but it strikes me there is a something which
we do not clearly understand respecting these products,
nor why the foreigners should be able to send us such a
quantity when we here cannot dispose of our stock. It
might be interesting to know how much of the wax is
animal and how much vegetable ; and, again, how much
of the honey is manufactured, say, the product of man,
and how much pure honey, the product of the bee. The
latter is a weighty question just now, when English
honey cannot find a market, whilst every large town is
swamped with foreign compounds called honey.

Standard Eramb. — I think it would be a pity to
altar this now, unless some very grave objection can be
urged against it. A deeper frame would be much more
liable to break down. The only fault I find with it is
that it is hardly strong enough, and the top-bar should be
broader.

Winter Passages.— I consider these all moonshine
if stock are properly looked to in the autumn. I never
use them now, and never feel the want of them ; they
are a source of weakness to the combs.

Invertible Frames. — Novices beware, or you are
going to be caught in a trap here ; look out for collapse
of new combs, endless trouble, and much cost in new
frames, &c.

Spring Examination of Colonies. — If all be going
on right, let well alone. No colonies should yet be short
of food ; if they are, it is bad management. First week
in May is early enough to remove bees and combs into
clean hives ; to those who think of doing so now, I say,
Don't. — F. Boves, Beverley.

IJLcbicixr.

Nouvelle Flore pour la determination facile
des Plantes sans mgts TECHNIQUES, avec 2145 figures
in^dites. Par Gaston Bonnier, Professeur de Botanique
a l'Ecole Normale sup^rieure, et Georges de Layens,
Laure'at de l'lnstitut (Academie des Sciences). Paris :
Paul Dupont, e'diteur, 41 rue J. J. Rousseau. Price
4frs. 50 cs. (about 4s.)

It will need no apology in introducing this book to
our readers. There is a growing desire amongst our
bee-keepers to know something about botany, but it has
been a subject not so very easily learnt, and unless the
study had been commenced early in life there was very
little chance of getting even enough knowledge to deter-
mine with certainty the name of a plant. Much of this
difficulty has arisen from the scientific language of the
books, which has frightened many who could have made
the study both agreeable to themselves and others.
There are many who do not wish, nor have the time to
go deeply into the subject, but who would still like to
be able to find out the names of some of the plants they
see, if it could be done easily. This is just the book
for such.

Some of the prefatory remarks are so to the point
that we translate the author's own words. They say : —
' When we first commenced the study of botany and
wished simply to find the name of a plant we remember
the difficulties which we encountered. The little know-

March 24, 18*7.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

133

ledge we had acquired before, in reading the elemen-
tary botanical works, were hardly of any use for our
purpose. In fact, the authors of most of the floras have
a special language so mixed up with technical terms,
that to find the explanation of them at every moment a
special vocabulary has to be referred to. The descrip-
tions are full of scientific Latin and ancient medical
terms. It is, so to speak, a new language that has to be
learned, and it is the same in every work. This is the
principal obstacle which those who wish to occupy
themselves with botany have to encounter.'

Many will be ready to endorse these remarks of the
learned authors.

Now the book which we have before us gets over these
difficulties, and will enable any one with a very little
knowledge of the subject to derive much pleasure and
pick up instruction in an easy manner.

In the first place all technical terms are avoided as far
as practicable, and in the second any words out of tho
common that are used are explained.

The work consists of 270 pages, and to facilitate
reference there are 2145 original illustrations of the
special distinctive characteiistics of plants. The plan
adopted is that of synoptical tables, and inquirers are
passed on by easy questions from one to another until
they arrive at the name of the species they are examin-
ing. Let us, for instance, take a strawberry blossom
and see how easy it is to determine its name accurately
by means of these tables.

We first refer to the ' General table ' on page 19, and
we find two questions asked there, namely, Is it a plant
with flowers or without? We find our plant has a
flower, and the first question resolves itself into two
othei s : Are the stamens and pistils on the same plant,
or on different plants ? We find our flower answering to
the first, and here again two questions follow : Are the
flowers solitary or united in clusters ? Again the
answer to tha first brings ns to two more, and so on
until we get to the end, where we find that our flower
belongs to plants with petals separated ; and here we are
referred to the next table, where, after answering one or
two questions, we find the flower belonging to the rose
family on page 49. This table, in addition to the
questions has illustrations of each genus, and we soon
find it belongs to the genus Fragaria or strawberry, and
on page 51, to which we are then referred, we find the
specific name. It takes much less time to find out the
name of a plant than we have taken to describe the plan,
and we were astonished at the rapidity when we put it
to the test on several plants. Our readers may object
that we have already used technical terms in mentioning
petals, stamens, &c, but every word of this sort is ex-
plained, and illustrations accompany the explanations, so
that a child can understand them. At the end of the
book there is an alphabetical index of all the species of
plants, and what makes it of special value to bee-keepers
is, that all the flowers visited by bees are marked with
a *. This from such authors as these is of no incon-
siderable value, for M. G. de Layens is well known as a
leading, and one of the most observant bee-keepers in
France, the author of VElevage des Abeilles, and who
assisted M. Gaston Bonnier in his researches on the
nectaries of flowers, especially in connexion with bees.
M. G. Bonnier is also well known as one of the leading-
French botanists, and as author of several botanical
works as well as Les Neetaires which is one of the
most important of those written in connexion with the
mutual relations of insects to flowers. Those of our
readers who know the French language would do well
to get the Nouvelle Flore because in it they will
find nearly all the plants we have in England. In the
British flora there are only about 150 plants not fouudin
France, and of these 100 belong to Scotland and Ireland,
so that for England the flora is nearly complete. Of
course it contains a great many not found in Great Britain.

We have every confidence in recommending this work,
more especially as flowers are so pleasantly associated
with bee-keeping. Some of our happiest days have been
spent in botanising, and we have found it a recreation as
beneficial to health as it is enchanting.

Lecture on Bee-keeping. — At the Savings' Bank, Ear-
ingdou, on Monday evening, March 14th, Mr. A. D. Woodley,
expert to the Berkshire Bee-keepers' Association, gave an
interesting lecture on 'Bee-keeping,' his remarks being
illustrated by magic - lantern slides, exhibited by Mr. E.
Wright, who kindly lent his lantern for the occasion. Mi'. G.
J. Haines took the chair, and there was a fair attendance.

LepBis la (jiicncs,

[886.] Water for Bees. — (J. F.) — A small ornamental
flowerpot-stand, to hold one pot, having a hive trough
round the pot filled with clean moss ; this has a very nice
effect, the moss making a good landing-place for the bees.
Fill the trough with water as well as moss, and put a nice
shrub in the pot. A small ornamental fountain, the water
running over virgin cork and moss, would look pretty. — W.
B. Webster.

[867.] Bell Glass to hold 35 lbs.— (A Beginner.)— The
rule_ for finding contents of spheroid is ,

~ (diameter2 x fixed axis) ;
6

therefore for bell-glass will be

In this case

~ (diameter2 x fixed axis) -f 2.

^1 (122 ins. x 30 ins.) -~ 2 = 1131f cubic ins.

The space occupied in a hive to contain 35 lbs. of honey is
about 8" x 13i" x 10J" - 1113 cubic inches. The bell-
glass, if a spheroid, should be 12" base x 15" high, but its
form would be a matter of taste and convenience.. — W. M.

Graham.

(Sklj0.es from % H te.

Bishop's Waltham, March 15th. — Since writing my last,
we have had a radical change again in the weather to
intense cold on Saturday 12th, nine degrees of frost,
Sunday ten degrees, Monday at 11 p.m. twelve degrees,
and as I write this (Tuesday) there are two inches of snow
on the gTound, and it is still snowing, the three previous
days have however been lovely and warm during the middle
of the days, and the bees have fairly revelled in the snow-
drops and Arabis. — H. W. West.

Wadhurst, March 16th. — I have kept bees for years on
the careless system, but your Journal has infused into me
a zeal for the work, and I hope to succeed. I think the
storifying system likely to auswer ; the best results I saw
last year among all the condemned bees I took, was from a
skep placed on the top of a new empty skep in the autumn
of 1885 ; it was literally filled with pure white honey, and
why may we not expect results quite as good from bar-
frames ? May I ask if Ligurians are good on ordinary
clover? [Yes. — Ed.] I shall amuse you, perhaps, by
telling you I have made some iron hives ; they seem to do
well, I allow 2J inches for cork-dust all round, they are
not likely to blow over. I thank you for your kind replies
to our many questions. — Vulcan.

' Honey Cott,' Weston, Leamington, March 21st. — Almost
the whole of the month, thus far, it has been very severe,
with a deal of snow threatening, though very little has
really laid. There have only been a few solitary half hours
or so that bees could venture out, to get a little pollen or
water; they have scarcely had a chance at the crocuses,
though they have been in flower a long time. Have just
been up among the bees now, at noon, on the first day of
spring, so-called, but scarcely a bee to be seen or heard ; not
very promising or cheering : but, as in the case of Picciola,
the prison flower, we must hope and tell our neighbours also
to hope. — John Walton,

134

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 24, 1887.

Eevlin House, Donegal, March Uth.—My bees have
wintered so far very well, notwithstanding the rather severe
winter, heavy snow, and slight frosts. Bees carrying in
pollen on 19th nit., and every fine day since. I began to
stimulate on the 6th inst. , did not do so last year till the
23rd March. I have not had a look at them yet, as there
have been some cold days, especially the last few days,
sharp frosts and some snow, and very cold east wind. I
have an Observatory hive with two frames, which I used
for raising queens, and having left a young queen in it, I
thought I would see if it would winter outside, and I find it
has survived so far, not having enough honey, I put
some candy on top of frames, which was their principal
food. Gooseberry bushes are out in blossom here, but am
afraid the frost has injured them. — George Turner.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only he inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately jfolloicing Hie receipt of their communication.

H. ySf.—Bees Fighting after Uniting.— The camphor smell
of one stock may have'led to the disaster, and there may
have been some fault in your method, which you did not
notice.

H. W. — The pattern of enamel cloth will be found to
answer your purpose. The shiny side is to put next the
frames.

H. A. P. — There are no symptoms of foul brood in comb
forwarded ; it is a case of chilled brood.

M. D. — The piece of comb received is old, and many of
the cells are full of last year's pollen, but the comb
is healthy and may be used without prejudice to the
bees.

New Beginner. — Transferring. — Yes, you may transfer to
the larger hive, but it is best to wait until the middle
of next month, and, even then, to transfer indoors to
prevent robbing. For 'Transferring' see Mr. Cowan's
Guide Booh, or Modern Bee-keeping.

A. M. M.— 1. Crooked Combs.— Since you say the combs
are too irregular to be transferred, it is best to allow
the bees to swarm naturally, and three weeks after-
wards to remove the bees in the old hive (cutting
away the combs) and to place them on foundation.

2. If your stocks have sufficient food they will do well
enough presently. It is too cold for them to fly much,
and there is but little forage to entice them forth.

3. Hires Invertible. — Either of the invertible hives you
name are improvements upon the American, and are
better adapted to this climate. Are you aware that the
frames are close-ended and difficult to manipulate ?

C. A. J. — 1. Artificial Swarming. — There is no necessity
for giving a comb with brood in the case you mention, as
there are already five in the hive, and the chances are
that some of the brood will not have hatched out.
Besides, the hive will already be in the position of an
established stock, having a large population of old bees,
as well as large numbers of young ones which could not
fly. It is very different with a nucleus where there are
not many bees, and most of these old, except the few
that had hatched out from the comb of brood inserted
when first the nucleus was formed. 2. Nucleus Swarming.
— There is no need to cage the queen in the stock
removed, because the flying bees of the nucleus are very
few in number, and will be returning, probably laden, to
a hive full of bees, capable of protecting their queen from
the few Btrangers should they be unfriendly. On the
other hand, although the bees of the stock will be also
returning laden to the nucleus, they will be so numerous
as to quite outnumber the small population of the latter.
Therefore, in order to avoid the risk of losing the young
queen, we prefer to cage her. 3. Carbolic Acid. — We quite
approve of carbolic acid, if used with care. Four table-
spoonfuls to one quart of water are the usual proportions.
The Bev. G. Eaynor, who has used it for upwards of
twenty years, recommends the following solution ; 1J oz.

Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid, li oz. glycerine, and 1
quart of warm water. Great care must be taken in
using, as it is very poisonous. 4. Salicylic-Acid Solu-
tion.— During all the years we have used it we have
never had such a growth as you mention. It is possible
that your acid may be impure, as it is frequently very
much adulterated. The pure acid is largely used as an
anti-ferment. We should not use the solution, but
prepare another. 5. Borax. — The sample of powdered
borax which you send is correct. Borax, which is biborate
of soda, can be called ' soda borax.'
Inquirer.— Bees in a Loft. — Without doubt bees may be
kept, and prosper, in a loft, care being taken that the
hives are not too crowded, and that the bees have free
means of ingress and egress. The plan suggested will be
found to work very well.

„g)how Announcements.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business directory.

i ■» I

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. E., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C..
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.
HONEY MERCHANTS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Kegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B„ Welwyn, Herts.
Lvon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Mar. 24, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

etVTRAL 0 (.

23 CORNHILL, E,C„ ^^D

Opposite the Royal Exchange,

And within Five Minutes' walk of Cannon Street Station, Liverpool

Street, Broad Street, and Underground Railway Stations, and close to the Bank,

to which Omnibuses run from all parts of London.

-*«...* **♦*♦**♦*♦■>♦■>♦*♦*<>*««•»«♦* »*♦«♦*<>«-

HIVES.

' JUBILEE,' 5/- ; Super, 1/6. Superior to many

Guinea Hives.
' IMPERIAL,' 12/-. For Doubling.

Both the above take B.B.K.A. Standard Frames.

'JONES-HEDDON,' 14/6, made up complete.
„ „ 17/6, Painted, & with Sections

Best Canadian BASSWOOD, V Groove, One-
piece, Planed and Slotted all round.
4i x 1{ x 2. 21/- per 1000.

il x n x u f

10/- per 500, or 2/6 per 100.

FIRST SHIPMENT EXPECTED DAILY. OTHERS TO FOLLOW.
ORDERS EXECUTED IN ROTATION.

Per
Gross.

11/9

BOTTLES, Clear White Glass.

TIE-OVER, reputed 1 lb.

In Original 5 Gross packages

In 1 Gross packages 13/9

SCREW-CAP, in Original 5 Gross packages 19/3

„ „ in 1 Gross packages ... 22/0

CORK WADS for Metal Caps 1/8

Free on rail London. Packages free.

for Feeding. ?e*

° Cwt.

PORTO RICO (packages about 2 cwt.)... 16/6

DUTCH CRUSHED 18/0

Delivered free to Railway Company, London.

ENGLISH REFINED or ' PEARL,'

In 7 lb. bags per bag 1/6

Subject to Market fluctuations.
Being STAPLE GOODS no Sample will be sent.

CANDY j Phenolated, and with Pea

Flour, Tin about 2| lb 1/0

Pub.

Cash

Post

at.

price.

free.

—

2/0

2/2

1/6

1/2

1/4

7/6

5/8

6/0

0/6

0/5

0/6

0/2

0/2

10/10

0/2

0/2

2/6

Heddon's Success in Bee-Culture

Cowan's Bee-keepers' Guide . . .

Cheshire's Bees and Bee-keeping.
Vol. I.

Modern Bee-keeping

British Bee Journal ; weekly . . .

Bee-keepers' Record ; monthly

&c. &c. &c.

-:• SO* O C AT ALOCrXJB ISSUE

BROOD, 1 lb. @ 1/1U. 3 to 5 lbs. @ l/9i per lb.
SUPER, 1 lb. @ 2/7. 3 to 5 lbs. @ 2/6 „

SUNDRIE S,— FUMIGATORS, by
Webster. METAL ENDS, by Abbott, Broughton,
Carr, and Lyon. Seeps, Straw Supers, Veils,
Frames, wired and in the flat, Cheap Glazed
Travelling Crates, to hold 1 dozen Sections,
&o. &c. &c.

■"S-ES T.

*

|jg§= Export Orders with Remittance or Bank Credit receive special attention.

Commandes pour l'exportation accompagnees de remises ou credito de banque recoivent une attention speciale.
Export ordern mit Geldsendung oder Bankcredit sind mit besonderer Aufmerksamkeit besorgt.
Commandi per esportazione accompanati con rimesse o Credito sull' Banca recevano attenzione speciale.
Speciel oprnterksomhed skjeenkes Expert ordre som ledsages af Rimesse eller Bankrembours.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London, E.C.

(Opposite the Royal Exchange),

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Mar. 24, 1887.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in the pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4Jd.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

properly mixed — 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME- LIFTER

WILL BE READY SHORTLY.
With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive,
replaced and examined on both sides without inverting, with
one hand, leaving the other free for manipulating, at the
same time preventing soiling the hands with propolis.

W. B. WEBSTER,

SOLE MANUFACTURER AND INVENTOR,
WOKINGHAM, BERKS.

AWARDS FOR FUMIGA.TORS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,

London.

2nd Prize Altrincham, Lancashire and Cheshire B. E. A.

'OTICE TO DEALERS.— In thanking my
numerous Patrons, I beg to say my SECTIONS are
on the way, and will arrive in London shortly. The fol-
lowing sizes in stock : — 4J x 4J x 2, 4J x 4J x 1£, 4 x 4£ x 2,
4 x 4£ x 1J, either open top or at all four sides. 5J x 6J x 2
and 6Jx5Jx2, open top. 1J Sections same price as 2".
Order at once, or you may be disappointed, having received
a large number of orders. Address A. F. Hutciiings, West
Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray.

Sectional view of New Patent Bee Feeder.

Simple, Safe, Clean !

Unrivalled for Summit
Feeding. No excitement.
No robbing.

Note bottom of
feeding flask brought
within reach of Bees,
also how quarter inch

No waste of syrnp. u

An Improved Slide for 1887.
Slocks may noio be fed in
the coldest weather, with-
out fear of chill,

cavity crossing the
combs gives safe
and easy access to
all the cluster.

No metallic surface.

See Advt. next week. Price Is. Gd. each, complete.

Send P.0.0. to Patentee, J. P. HOPKINS, Milverton, Somerset.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Geavenhobst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIENENZEITUM.

Sample copies sent on request.

Also, ' DER PRAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. SonwiiTHcnKE & Son (M. Beuiin), Brunswick,

AGENTS Wanted in all parts of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland, for the SALE of HIGH CLASS
BEE-KEEPING APPLIANCES. Address 'Manufacturer,'
c/o A. H. Havnes, 125 Houndsditch, London.

THIRST CLASS Open Sided 4^ x 4£ x If One-piece

T AMERICAN SECTIONS. From steamer direct, free
on rail at Liverpool. 1000 for 11. ; 500, for 10s. 6d. rates
for smaller quantities. Apply to R. White & Co., Im-
porter Patriekswell, Limerick. Trade supplied.

r\ LASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
\JT Price List, sent Free. Address Feedk. Peaeson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. a 2407

TMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
JL HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, Id. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. a 2402

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 &/Q per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 2/2 per bottle, post free.

Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c., at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 8.E.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. 6rf. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messes. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Reqent Steeet, W.

Eighth Edition. Fifteenth Thousand.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE BOOK. Containing Manage-
ment of Bees in Modern Moveable Comb Hives, and
the Use of the Extractor. By Thos. Wm. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.R.M.S., &c. With numerous Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo.,
price Is. 6d. ; or in cloth gilt, 2s. Gd. Postage 2d. To be had
of Hotjlston & Sons, Paternoster Square, all Hive dealers,
Secretaries to Bee-keepers' Associations, and of J. Huckxe,
British Bee Journal Office, Kings Langley, Herts.
French Edition, price Is. 8d,, now ready.

J

=^JhA

British

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Siranqewats' Pkintinci Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.'

[No. 240. Vol. XV.]

MARCH 31, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

^bitonal, pittas, #r.

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOR
BEGINNERS.

(Continued from page 115.)

IV. — How to Manage and Control Bees.

1. The honey-bee has become a domesticated
animal ; it accepts the dwelling which we select for
it, and takes the food we provide it with ; becomes
used to the care and attention we bestow, but does
not learn to know its master, and if he disturbs its
dwelling, or interferes with its flight, will sting
him just as readily as it will a stranger. It goes
its own way, interferes with no one, and will not
allow any one to interfere with it. Fright and
fear are the means by which bees may be con-
trolled. (The Eastern races are an exception, but
as these are not suitable for beginners, we shall not
refer to them.)

2. Many bees are very quiet, and with gentle
handling much can be done with them ; more
especially is this the case with pure Carniolan and
Italian bees. Others are not so manageable, and
we have to resort to other means. Smoke or car-
bolic acid frightens bees, and they immediately
rash to the cells to fill themselves with sweets.

3. Before examining a hive blow a little smoke
in among the bees. "Whatever has to be done
should be performed as rapidly as possible, and if
any operation takes a long time it will be necessary
to give more smoke. Quiet manipulation will
generally prevent bees becoming angry, but should
they show their tempers they can be subdued by
giving them, from time to time, more smoke.

4. For this purpose a smoker should be used,
Brown paper, rags, old fustian or sacking rolled up.
lighted, and put into the barrel with the smoulder-
ing end downwards, will answer the purpose for
supplying smoke, and will keep alight for a con-
siderable time. Care must be taken not to give too
much, so as to stupify the bees.

5. If cai'bolic acid be used the treatment must be
different. A solution is made by mixing four table-
spoonfuls of No. 5 Calvert's carbolic acid in one quart
of warm water, shaking it up well. With a goose-
quill apply some of the solution to the alighting-
board and round the entrance, as well as a little
within. If a skep is to be examined, turn it up

carefully and spread over it for a few seconds a
piece of thin calico moistened slightly with the
solution, when, on its removal, it will be found
that the bees have run down amongst the combs.
For moveable comb-hives raise the quilt slightly at
one end of the hive, and apply the feather dipped
in the solution along the tops of the frames, or the
calico may be spread over them the same as de-
scribed for a skep.

6. As cai'bolic acid is a poison, great care is
required in its use, and should any of the solution
come into contact with the hands they should be
immediately rinsed in clean water. Should there
be any cuts or cracks on the skin still greater care
must be taken.

7. During great heat, causing much perspira-
tion, and in very windy weather, when the bees are
blown about and the smoke driven away, they
should be left alone.

8. Bees do not like bad smells ; dust or dirt and
dark colours irritate them. Human breath is also
offensive to them. Persons dressed in dark clothes
and having dark hair are more liable to attack than
those having light hair and wearing light-coloured
garments.

9. Beginners who have not yet got used to stings
should provide themselves with a veil to protect
the face. This can be made of coarse black net,
one yard by eighteen inches. Fasten the ends to-
gether, run a hem round the top, insert an elastic,
and draw it up until it fits round the crown of a
hat. The rim of the hat keeps the veil from the
face, and the lower end can be tucked in under the
coat about the neck.

V. — The Different Bees found in a Colony.

1. The bee is a sociable insect, and cannot live
long by itself. Many bees live together and form
a society called a colony. In the colony is found
one large bee which may be recognised by her form,
size, and colour, being longer and of more slender
structure, with comparatively shorter wings than
the others. This is the queen; she is the only
fully developed female who lays all the eggs, and
is the mother of all the bees in the colony. She
passes through various changes from the time the
egg is laid to leaving the cell as a full-grown insect
in from fifteen to seventeen days, and can live five
years, although she usually serves the bee-keeper
only for two to three years.

136

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 31, 188?.

2. The other bees are the workers ; upon them
devolves all the work of collecting and defending
their stores, building comb, and feeding and pro-
tecting the brood. They are females, but are
undeveloped as far as regards their reproductive
organs. They mature in about twenty-one days
from the day the egg is laid, and fly out for col-
lecting in from eight to fourteen days. Those
hatched in the autumn generally live through the
winter, but during the summer, when they have
much work to do, they usually live from six to
eight weeks.

3. During the swarming season there appear
male bees. These are called drones, and are re-
cognised by the noise they make when flying ;
they are more bulky than the queens and larger
than the workers ; have no stings, and do no work.
At the end of the swarming season, when their
services for impregnating the queen are no longer
needed, they are driven forth by the workers. In
queenless hives they remain sometimes until the
following spring.

4. Sometimes what are known as fertile workers
are found in queenless colonies no longer having
the requisite means of producing a queen, but from
the eggs they lay only drones proceed.

USEFUL HINTS.
Weatheb. — The present March will long he remem-
bered as one of the most severe on record. Frosts,
snowstorms — snow lying to a depth of eighteen inches —
gales, almost hurricanes, have prevailed ; and 25 degrees
of frost have been registered sufficient, we fear, to
kill in many cases the embryo buds on the fruit trees,
if not the embryo brood in our hives. But we have •
only neighbour's fare, since we are told that the ex-
perience is the same 'from Northern Denmark to
Southern Spain.' What all this portends it is difficult
to foretell, but we trust a fine summer and a good season
for the bees will follow. Every gleam of sunshine, and
every opening flower, is utilised by the bees, but we
hear complaints of dysentery and the loss of many
colonies. Feed, feed, is still the order of the day, since
there is very little either in field or garden upon which
the poor insects can regale themselves.

IIeddon and Stewabton Hives. — Some doubt seems
to have arisen respecting the weather-proof qualities of
Mr. Neighbour's Heddon Hive. For many years we
kept bees in Stewarton hives, having no outer cases, in a
sheltered position, without any protection whatever, and
we never found the wet to penetrate. The bees pro-
poliso the boxes so firmly together, stopping even the
smallest chink, that it is next to impossible for the rain
to enter ; and with a well-made, well-painted Heddon
hive we should have no fear of weather.

Foundation and the Woiblet Spur. — We are in-
debted to Mr. Cowan for his lucid description of M.
Woiblet spur for embedding wire in foundation. The
one he kindly presented to us is beautifully finished, and
works well on the plan suggested. Over a spirit-lamp,
ve keep boiling water, in which to dip the instrument,
in preference to heating the wheel in flame. Unfortu-
nately all plans of wiring frames, and embedding the
wires in foundation, occupy much time, and we have
little doubt that the rapidity and ease with which wired
or unwired foundation can be inserted in Mr. Lee's new
frames and sections will obtain for them almost universal
acceptation. Wo much wish that dealers could supply
foundation in sheets 13^ in. x 8fin. instead of 13.', in.
x 8 in., which is not wide enough to pass through the

bottom bar of the standard frame. Wired foundation,
being an American production, we fear some time must
elapse before sheets of the former size can be procured,
but Mr. Neighbour informs us that he will procure them
with the least possible dela}', and no doubt our other
firms will do the same. Mr. Cowan has alluded, in his
article on the Woiblet Spur, to the combs built upon
wired foundation in Mr. Abbott's observatory hive ex-
hibited at the Windsor Show, which was held on the
loth July, 1830, and we well remember the circumstance
to which he refers, viz., that in the combs filled with
brood there were lines of empty cells corresponding to
the wires in the foundation. Since that time, as Mr.
Cowan justly observes, the wired foundation has been
greatly improved, and we have used it for the last four
or five years in our own apiary with complete success,
never finding it to bulge, or break down, under the
weight of the bees in the hottest weather, nor have the
queens ever refused to breed in the cells through which
the wires pass. Formerly the wires were too numerous,
being at, one inch distance only, and the}' were untinned,
and so liable to rust. Now they are placed at double that
distance, are well tinned, and much reduced in substance.
The foundation is flat-bottomed and light, but the bees
draw it out into combs as quickly as they do other
kinds, and moreover it has this advantage over unwired,
that the combs may be safely passed through the ex-
tractor as soon as built, without fear of breakage. The
only drawback with us has been that in some cases the
bees have refused to carry down the combs below the
foundation-sheets, that is, within an inch of the bottom
bar of the frame, thus causing too much space at the
bottom of the hive and waste of room. But with
broader sheets, to pass through the bottom, and top-
bars also, according to Mr. Lee's plan, we anticipate
obtaining perfectly straight combs, and frames as well
filled as by inversion. Mr. Lee has conferred a great
boon upon our fraternity in general, and we trust that
he may reap the benefit to which this invention, as well
as his antecedents, fully entitle him. To those, to whom
time is not an object, and who prefer the wired frame,
we recommend the Woiblet spur.

Svnup and Candy. — We are often asked what are
the relative values as regards weight and quantity of
honey as stored by the bees, and sugar syrup prepared
from the common recipe of 10 lbs. of sugar to six pints
of water. Roughly speaking, this quantity may be
taken as 1G lbs. of syrup, and it is calculated that in
consuming, ripening, and storing, the bees will reduce
it to 10 lbs. of' food, which are equal to about the same
quantity of honey. Other circumstances must, of course,
be considered, such as the time of year, the strength of
the colony, whether it is breeding, whether honey is
obtained from the fields, &c, but, as a general rule, we
have proved by experience that it is tolerably correct.
We still continue to feed on soft candy, introducing a
small quantity of pea-meal, and a little salicylic-acid
solution. Finely powdered white sugar and liquid honey
form the staple of the candy, which the bees take with
evident approval. This food excites less than syrup, and
there is not so great a desire, or necessit}', to leave the
hive as when feeding on the latter.

Bobbing. — Bees are so much inclined to robbing now,
that where feeding is in process the utmost care is
necessary. Colonies being fed should be watched, and
if much excitement is noticed contract entrances and
use freely carbolic solution.

Cvbbians and Sybians. — On the vexed question of
the qualities of the Cyprian bee we are often asked to
slate our experience, which extends over a period of the
last five years only. In April, 1882, we introduced our
first imported Cyprian and Syrian queens, and, classing
both races in the same category, related our experience,
after nearly a year's trial, in the monthly issue of the
B, B. J. of February 1st, 1883 (Vol. x. p. 212). Becent

March 31, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

137

experience has led us to modify the views there ex-
pressed, which were summed up thus — '(1.) Extremely
prolific. (2.) Excellent honey-gatherers. (3.) Extremely
vindictive, and difficult to handle. (4.) More liable to
disease than other races, especially to dysentery.'
Although we have not bred the two races pure, to
any large extent, we have always kept a few colonies
of each, and have used imported queens occasionall)',
beside our homebred purely fecundated ones.

Our opinion under the heads 1 and 2 remains un-
altered. As regards fecundity Syrians, perhaps, yield
the palm to Cyprians, but both are extremely prolific,
and their crosses with the black bee can hardly be
equalled. Their honey-gathering qualities are of the
first order, and they constantly work later in the day
than the black bees, and in weather when the blacks
remain at home. For extracting purposes, in our opinion,
they, especially the Cyprians, have no equal, but in
working sections they use so little wax — barely half as
much as blacks — and the capping is so light and thin,
rendering the comb in appearance dark in colour, and
the honey liable to ooze, that their sections cannot com-
pete with those of the blacks, although the honey is of
equal, and often of superior quality.

Under heading 3 our opinion is modified. When
once aroused, by careless handling, smoking, or other-
wise, no words can express their persistent anger. But
there is no necessity for provoking them. Truly, they
are not the bees we would recommend to a novice who
is always manipulating and smoking his bees. Smoke,
whether much or little, the}' resent most furiously.
Smoke we never use noiv, having entirely discarded it,
and given away our smokers. A little weak solution of
carbolic acid is all we use, and, more often than not, we
dispense with that. Gentle, quiet handling — even under
the provocation of a sting or two — in four cases out of
five, is all that is necessary. If by any untoward chance
their anger is aroused, a light sheet, sprayed with
carbolic solution, and thrown over the open hive, will
in a few minutes allay their anger. For our own part
we would rather manipulate Cyprians and Syrians than
blacks and hybrids, although, by using the same means,
there is no difficulty with either. A little discrimination
in this, as in all other matters, is advantageous. For
instance, as Mr. James Abbott truly observes, small
colonies are more easily handled than large ones, and he
might have said that large, prolific colonies defend
their brood and stores far more vigorously than weak
ones. But this is a truism which applies to all races,
even to the quiet, tame, spiritless Carniolans. Our first
experience in manipulating Cyprians was with smoke,
hence we were led to describe them as ' extremely
vindictive.'

Fourthly, we spoke of them as liable to disease,
especially to dysentery.

Since those words were penned we have not met with
a single case of dysentery, or any other disease, in Cyprian
or Syrian colonies. If our readers will turn to the refer-
ence we have given above, they will find the case de-
scribed which led us to the erroneous conclusion that
these Eastern races were especially liable to dysentery.
The summer of '82 was cold and wet, and consequently
very little honey was stored in our apiary. The first
Cyprian queen was introduced in April, so that before
the colony was completely cyprianised the middle of June
had arrived. After that date the weather was so un-
settled that, without feeding, the bees could scarcely
collect sufficient food for daily use, and the hone}- was
thin and poor in quality. No wonder, therefore, that
bees brought from the fine and warm climate of Cyprus
should succumb to dysenterj' under such disadvantageous
circumstances. All this teaches us that it is unwise to
give a decided opinion upon any matter before a full and
sufficient trial has been made. Had we possessed our
present experience that loss would never have occurred,

since it might easily have been prevented by checking
late breeding, and exchanging a few combs of unsealed
sour honey for ripened sealed combs. "We hope the day
is far distant when these excellent and beautiful bees
shall be discarded from English apiaries.

Last autumn we obtained two imported Cyprian
queens from Mr. Benton, and these are now reigning
over strong colonies, and doing as well as we could wish
in all respects. We prefer, however, home-reared queens
— with an occasional importation — if only we can get
them purely fecundated, but, surrounded as we are by
bees of all races, mongrels included, it is only by prac-
tising the Kohler method that we can attain our object.
That process is a slow one, and often requires much
time, which can be ill spared during the busy summer
months.

It is with much pleasure, therefore, that we are assured
that Mr. Simmins possesses all the requirements for pure
fecundation, and we shall hope in future to draw chiefly
upon him in preference to rearing our own queens, since,
most certainly, we do not intend to give up either the
Cyprian or Syrian races.

Both are most valuable if used only for purposes of
crossing. There is no finer bee in appearance, and for
work and hardiness of constitution, than the Syrio-black
cross.

Apifdges. — Noting Mr. Grimshaw's reply to our re-
marks on his newly-coined term, ' Apifuge,' we have to
say that we had not read his letter (B. B. J., page 38)
before those remarks were written, but we do not see that
his derivation from fugio, instead oifugo, as we supposed,
improves his position. From childhood we have been
fully aware of the difference in meaning between fugio
and fugo. Using the former in the sense of ' to escape,'
we cannot see that the word will bear the meaning
which he intends. For instance, we have the word
' centrifugal ' (from centrum and fugio) ' flying from a
centre,' — (Skeat), and the expressions 'avoiding,' or
' escaping from,' the centre, make no real difference. The
verb 'fugio ' throws its action on centrum, and in apifuge
fugio must transfer its action to its object, apis, and the
meaning will be ' flying from the bees,' whereas if fugo
had been used we should have had the meaning of
' putting the bees to flight,' in unison with ' vermifuge '
and ' febrifuge.' A word must bear the meaning
which its construction warrants, independently of the
intention or wish of Mr. Grimshaw. Both ' vermifuge '
and ' febrifuge ' are formed from fugo (not from fugio),
and, we presume, the authors of these words thought
fugo the most suitable or they would not have selected
it. Professor Skeat, in his Etymological Dictionary,
tells us that ' febrifuge ' is derived from 'febri-s, fever ;
and fugare, to put to flight,' and he gives the meaning
of ' febrifuge ' ' fever-dispelling.' Mr. Grimshaw says
' febrifuge does not put the fever to flight ' — i.e., does
not dispel it — but merely ' abates its violence.' Nuttall,
in his last edition, and all other lexicographers with
whose works we have any acquaintance, are in agreement
with the Professor, who is the great authority at both
Universities. The same also maybe said of 'vermifuge.'
When Mr. Grimshaw says ' vermifuge does not literally
put the worms to flight, but is a medicine for expelling
worms,' surely he is quibbling. No one supposes that
worms possess wings ; neither when an army is put to
flight does any one credit its individual soldiers, or the
army itself, literally with possessing wings. To expel, or
drive away, means, therefore, to put to flight, so long as
the beings acted upon are living. We have no doubt
whatever that Mr. Grimshaw ' used the verb in the
sense of to avoid,' but it seems to us a mistake to do so,
since, so far as we are aware, there is no precedent for
such usage in conveying the sense he wishes.

But we come now to a more important matter still.
In all seriousness surely Mr. Grimshaw does not mean to
promulgate, or perpetrate, such a macaronic solecism—

13S

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 31, 1887.

such an etymological monster — as ' Galactof uge,' a
thorough mongrel, half Greek, half Latin (Td\a, gen.
yakaicroQ, milk, and fur/are, to put to flight)^ And
he says it only ' decreases the secretion of milk! ' Well,
in our simplicity, we should have thought driving away
a part of the milk was much the same as preventing its
secretion. Surely he must drop the initial syllable
'Ga' to agree with the terminal 'fuge' from 'fugare.'
' Kentrofuge ' would be less barbarous aud less hideous.

As regards the suggested word, ' Kentrapone,' or
' Kentrepone,' our 'Authority' condemns it as 'hideous
with a vengeance.' Perhaps his ear has not become
attuned to the Greek language. To our feelings it is,
to say the least, as euphonious as ' Apifuge.' Its de-
rivation from to tzkvTpov, a sting, and rotn-u, to turn
aside, is very simple, and the euphony, to our ears,
is pleasing. A friend, however, suggests ' Kentrotrope '
as a better word, and more in accordance with usage
and analogy. Therefore, if anyone wishes to adopt it,
let him do so, or shorten it to ' Kentrope,' and he will
have a much better word than ' Apifuge,' notwithstand-
Mr, Grimshaw's dictum. But if all are declined we shall
not grieve overmuch.

There is no plant of the scent of which bees are more
fond than of that of the herb balm (melissa).* The plan
of rubbing the hives with this plant before hiving a
swarm, prevailed almost universally in olden time, and
even now we often use it. A solution of a little honey
and water, scented with the essential oil, essence, or
extract of balm, will form a better lotion for the pro-
tection of the hands and arms than all the modern
' f uges ' with their abominable stench ; and the cost is a
mere trifle.

We commend to our youthful readers the fable of
' Cupid and the Bee,' with its excellent moral.

' Cupid, one day, not perceiving a bee which rested
upon a rose, was stung upon his finger, and, uttering
cries of pain, he flew to the beautiful Cytheraf exclaim-
ing, " I am destroyed, O mother, I am destroyed, and
: hall surely die ; a little winged serpent, which the
country people call a bee, has stung me." To him
Cythera replied, " If the sting of a bee, 0 Cupid, causes
so much pain, how much, think you, do they suffer
upon whom you hurl your darts P '_" (Anacreon, Ode XL.)

Jfrnripr.

ITALY.

Chevalier L. Sartori, of Milan, was, a few days ago,
favoured with the visit of two Japanese delegates, viz.,
Messrs. G. R. Hida and H. Danke, Counsellers of the
Japanese Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce. The
distinguished visitors had not been long in Mr. Sartori's
well-known apiary before it became evident that they
were not novices in matters connected witli bee-keeping,
as their numerous and pertinent inquiries plainly testified.
Nothing, it appears, escaped their observation, aud much
interest was exhibited when examining the new large
plates recently published by Mr. Sartori, with explana-
tions in four languages. In fact, before bringing their
visit to a close, they left an order for 400 sets of these
illustrations for the Government of Japan, upon which
notes will be inserted in the Japanese language. Of
course, the natural beauty of the Italian bee was,, of
itself, an object of no small interest, and a few stocks
were ordered for shipment to their country. They were,
however, not a little surprised when Mr. Sartori placed
before them two large plates illustrating Japanese bee-

* Greek for bee.

t Cythera (Venus), an island lying S.E. of the ' Pelo-
ponnesus (modern Gerigo) in which Venus was especially
worshipped ; as she was also in Cyprus, whence wo obtain
our beautiful yelluw Cyprian bees.

keeping. Before leaving, they expressed themselves
highly pleased with what they saw in Mr. Sartori's noted
establishment. — Apieoltore.

AUSTRIA.

Next month an apiarian exhibition will be held in
Vienna, and such a large number of exhibitors inteud to
compete, native and foreign, that the extensive premises
of the Botanical Gardens will hardly afford room enough.
The hives wherein ' the little busy bee has improved
each shining hour,' from the earliest period of bee
history down to the present day, will form an attractive
section of the exhibition. — Daily Telegraph.

SWITZERLAND.

New Experiments calculated to ascertain the
Proportion of Honey used by Bees in the
Production of Wax.

In making the experiments which I am going to
describe, I have not made it a point to ascertain whether
or not bees build their combs more economically with
one kind of sugar than with another, my object having
been simply to arrive at the quantity of honey used by
bees working in an apiary at their free will, and at a
season when they take to comb-building with more
readiness than in any other.

The experiments hitherto made in this direction
differed so much among themselves that it was im-
possible to. arrive at a reliable conclusion. It is this
fact which induced me to recommence these experiments,
taking for basis the various plans previously adopted. But
at the very outset two questions arise which in practice
have often been confounded, but which must be distinctly
separated, viz. : —

1st. Even when honey is plentiful, it is not ad-
vantageous to induce bees to produce wax, although
it may be done at a small cost, because, in the first
place, if only a few empty frames are given to a strong
colony among a good supply of ready-made comb-,
within which to store the incoming harvest, and yet to
find sufficient scope to give vent to their comb-building
propensity, they would be almost sure to build drone-
comb. On the other hand, if plenty of comb-building is
given them by reducing them, as it were, to a combless
swarm, they would no doubt build numerous worker-
combs, but they would not have sufficient cells wherein
to store the incoming honey, the production of wax not
being in proportion to the collection of honey. Therefore,
at the time when honey is plentiful, it is not advisable
to set bees to comb-building. 2nd. AVhen, on the
contrary, the honey yield is great, is it advantageous
to set our bees to produce wax ? This is the point I
have tried to solve.

The basis of what was considered to be the best
experiments made consisted, briefly put, of selecting
two stocks, say A and B, of the same strength, one of
which — A, for instance — was supplied with empty
frames, and the other, B, ready-built combs. A little
later on, the honey gathered by B is weighed ; the same
with that found in A. This done, the quantity of wax
produced is ascertained; the difference between the
weight of the honey compared with that of the wax
produced represents the proportion between the honey
and the wax. This method is, however, incorrect in
several respects.

1st. Even supposing that by some chance ono queen
were as prolific as the other, they would not lay the same
number of eggs within a certain number of days, because
one of the hives afforded, from the very first day, all
the desired accommodation for egg-laying, which would
not be the case with the stock whose combs are built at
a slow pace. Therefore, at the end of tho experiment
there will be more brood in one than in the other ; hence
a difference also in the consumption of honey, a difference
which is left out of reckoning, and —

2nd. It was generally supposed that by choosing from

March 31, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

139

an apiary two stocks, apparently of the same strength
internally, and of similar activity externally, one could
compare the work done by either of them without risk
offering to any great extent ; hut very frequently this is
not the case as I will presently show.

Having examined two stocks, which for the present
purpose I will call No. 1 and No. 2, and having, more-
over, ascertained that the strength of the latter was
about twice that of the former, I reduced them both to
the condition of a swarm. The bees, finding themselves
now free to set about bringing in their harvest, under
identical circumstances — for both hives had been de-
prived of their brood — at the closing of each favourable
dav I used to'take the exact weight of the honey brought
in. No. 1 had stored kilos 2,140, and No. 2 kilos 2,030,
that is, nearly as much as No. 1, whereas it ought to
have gathered only about half that quantity. This year
M. Bertrand witnessed results similar to this, in the
opposite direction. A stock of his had gathered kilos 37
of honey, whilst another, of about the same strength, had
brought in, during the same interval, kilos 18. The
question with me now is, not to find how to explain this,
but rather to show that all experiments having for basis
the simple comparison of actual work done by two
colonies of the same strength cannot be relied upon. —
G. dr Layens.

(To be continued.)

Lecture on Bee-Keeping. — Southgate Branch of the
11. B. K. A. — A lecture under the auspices of the Middlesex
B.K.A. was delivered at the Village Hall, Southgate, by
Mr. John P. Sambels, on Thursday, 24th March, on ' Bees
and Bee-keeping.' Owing to the inclemency of the weather
the attendance was not so large as could have been desired,
but those present were well repaid for their trouble, if one
can judge by the interest shown. The subject, it is needless
to say, was treated in the lecturer's usual happy manner,
and he kept his audience spellbound during one hour and a
half. The appliances used in the illustrations were lent
by Mr. P. P. Hasluck, the hon. Secretary of the Southgate
Branch of the Association, and Mr. Sambels kindly ex-
hibited an invertible section crate designed by himself, and
some specimens of Canadian honey. At the conclusion of
the lecture the Bev. James Baird, President of the South-
gate Branch, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer,
which was heartily accorded by those present. It is to be
hoped that this lecture, and the coming show en the 8th and
9th July next, will give a great impulse to bee-keeping in
the neighbourhood.

A Hint. — Bee-keepers would do well to oil the leather
parts of their smokers to prevent cracking. Castor, train,
sweet, or olive oils will do. — One in the Leather Trade.

How to Embed Wire in Come Foundation without a
' Woiblet Spur ' or ant Embedder. — Wire frames, and
procure board to fit as in ordinary fixing. Lay foundation
on the wet board, resting on a stool convenient to a clear
charcoal fire. Heat the frame over the fire and press down
while heated upon the foundation, and it will be embedded
at once. Half-a-dozen may be fixed by this method, while
one could be done by the ' Spur.' — Expeditus.

Keeping Bain from the British Invertible Hive. — The
Bev. H. W. Lett asks bow the rain is to be kept out of the
British Invertible Hive. As they are at present constructed
this is impossible without affording the hives some outer
covering. But why should there not be a double fillet fitted
to all the joints. The simplest way is this : — Bun a plough
one inch deep along both top and bottom of every box, and
then plane down the outer edge § inch ; then make a double
fillet to fit into the plough of upper box and hang over the
edge of lower box. By this means I think damp and
draught may be excluded. — C. W. Scott, Bray, Ireland.

Eucalyptus HoNEy. — M. Guilmith, the French traveller,
while on a journey in Australia, discovered some bee-bives
in a gigantic eucalyptus-tree, of 120 metres in height. The
honey was strongly scented with the perfume of the flowers
of the tree. Professor Thomas Karraman has examined it,
and believes it to have beneficial medicinal properties. —
Hull News.

€axxm$avfomttt

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com*
mum cations, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports oj
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
ific, must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Beo
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St Martin's Lane, London, W.C .' All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Hucele, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

*** In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige hy mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on whioh it appears.

THE NEW RACES, AND THE BEST MEANS

OF INTER-BREEDING AND SECURING

FERTILISATION.

Sybians.

[878.] Notwithstanding statements to the contrary, I
have not, with any race of bees, known individual colonies
to vary in temperament. Just as I have found the dis-
position of any one queen's progeny in the first instance,
so the same character has been continued throughout.
The only difference at all discernible is that, generally
speaking, bees are more easily handled when buildiug up
in spring, than at any other time.

Any sudden exhibition of ill-temper from a stock
otherwise found to be of gentle disposition, can only be
caused by some oversight on the part of the operator,
some hasty movement, or crushing of bees, as it would
be unreasonable to suppose that even those of the most
amiable disposition would not use that defensive weapon
ever at command in case of carelessness being at any
time shown by the bee-keeper. More often than not,
however, the first object attacked would not be the
operator, but some person or thing not quite so near.
It is a remarkable fact that in handling various colonies
time after time without being stung myself, the same
bees have attacked chickens near at hand ; and I believe
it is generally understood, that, while subject to the bee-
master, no robber dare approach the open hive without
being immediately attacked. The foregoing then shows
how much depends upon the bearing and manipulation
of the bee-keeper, even where gentle bees are concerned.
They are quiet under the hand of man, but will submit
to no other interference.

Now I do admit that, generally speaking, different
colonies vary in temperament as compared with each
other, though as yet I have not found it so with
Cyprians. Syrians vary in this respect to an extent
which seems almost incredible. The most vicious colony
I ever met with is one I now have of this variety, and
the temper of this individual stock never varies, nor does
that of another not quite so bad. I do not condemn
Syrians because I have among them the worst-tempered
bees I ever had, for having others of this kind that can
be handled absolutely like flies, it is quite evident that
the bad temper need not be perpetuated.

The foregoing shows conclusively how entirely wrong
are those who condemn any particular variety, because
the one or two imported queens they had purchased
happened to throw vicious workers. Those who rear
these bees in their native land must, in their own
interests, breed from amiable stock, and in course of
time no more queens that produce vicious stocks will be
sent out.

At first sight Syrians appear rather dark in colour
as compared with Ligurians, though having the same
number of yellow hands, but unlike the latter they are
yellow on the underside of the abdomen.

Syrians are good workers, hut not as generally so as
Cyprians, and being less beautiful than the latter, I have

140

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 31, 1887.

decided not to keep them extensively, but shall probably
continue to experiment with about a dozen colonies, as
they may possess some unexpected qualities which might
be of advantage in crossing with other races.

It has been said of these bees, that, more than any
other kind, they will breed heavily into late autumn, but
from my own experience, I can state, as a fact, that this
peculiarity has been entirely overcome in the same
manner as I recently pointed out in connexion with
Cyprians.

It should be hardly necessary to state that the treat-
ment recommended in these papers refers solely to stocks
in normal condition, or such as are populous and well
established, headed by queens raised or imported not
later than June. Nothing but absolute starvation will
stop the laying of a young Syrian raised towards
August ; and queens of these more prolific races ought
not to be obtained after midsummer, unless they be such
as were reared early, or during the preceding year.

It has on several occasions been stated that when
young, Cyprian and Syrian bees can be handled very
easily ; but is not this the case with all bees ? In
speaking of the disposition of any kind, is it not implied
that one is speaking of an average working stock which
therefore includes bees of all ages ? How then can the
comparison with older bees show that the latter are un-
manageable because of their age ? Again, why are
vicious bees easily managed if in nuclei ? I tell you,
friends, that if bees are vicious as a populous colony,
nothing will alter that disposition. As a matter of fact,
I have on several occasions made up nuclei from ill-
tempered Syrian colonies, which were occupying three
chambers, and none of the nuclei were in the least better
behaved than the parent colony. On the other hand, I
have built up mild-tempered Syrians from nuclei into
populous colonies, when they were equally as well dis-
posed as at first.

Palestinbs.

These, often called ' Holy-Lands,' are sometimes con-
fused with Syrians. Bee-keepers should endeavour to
correct this mistake as the two are quite distinct.
Palestines come from the Holy Land, while Syrians are
found much farther north. The former are exceedingly
beautiful, being even more yellow than the Cyprians,
and having also a quantity of grey hair about the
body ; the drones also are very yellow, whereas Syrian
drones can hardly be distinguished from blacks in many
instances.

I have had no Palestines for the past six years, as my
experience was not at all favourable with them. They
develop fertile workers and supersede queens to an
alarming extent ; but there is another peculiarity about
them which I have not found with the most savage
Syrians, and that is a very unpleasant habit of biting
one's fingers during manipulation. I believe Mr. Benton,
also, does not recommend this variety, and though they
are fairly good honey-gatherers, for my own part I shall
not again keep them. — S. Simmins.

'APIFUGE.'
[870.] In common I doubt not with most practical
bee-men, I have been amused at the storm which has
raged around this word, both as regards its meaning and
also its utility. Of the first I will say nothing, but as
regards the second, I think we want something more
than the sanguine expectation of its inventor. At
present, the notion of a substance that will prevent
stinging savours too much of the ignorant prejudice one
so often meets with in the bee-tent, which found ex-
pression from the Cornishman, who thought he had been
defrauded, when he exclaimed, ' He guv they bees
chemicals.' For my own part, I confess to an utter in-
ability to believo in any substance checking a bee that
has made up its mind to part with its ' business end.'

Having experienced many thousands of stings, and
observed the conditions under which they were ad-
ministered, I am convinced that nothing short of
absolute prevention in the shape of external protection
will deter a bee whose mind is made up. He flies
straight at his goal as an arrow from the bow, and is
generally in such a hurry, he fails to strike home true,
but entering obliquely, a large part of the venom is
wasted. Your bee that hesitates is ' lost ' (as a patriot),
and once settled on hand or face, is as safe as a fly, be
you dressed with ' Apifuge ' or any other ' chemical,' or
with honest clean water. If this is not the experience
of all who have studied the matter, I am much mis-
taken. We shall be glad to hear the last of ' Apifuge'
as another of those treacherous traps for impoverishing
humanity, and giving point to those angry growls from
disappointed reformers who only desire in taking up bee-
keeping to benefit their tenants. — E. II. Bellaibs.

GLASS HIVES.
[830.] The Rev. J. Lawson Sisson iias rightly ques-
tioned M. Figuier's assertion that Maraldi was the in-
ventor of glass hives, and quotes Robert Boylo as
having kept bees in these homes some twenty-five years
earlier, namely, in 1688. But the truth is glass hives
were invented much earlier than this, how much it
would be difficult to say. Pepys tells us in his Diary
5th May, 1665, that ' after dinner to Mr. Evelyn's, he
being abroad we walked in his garden, and a lovely
noble ground he hath indeed. And among other rarities
a hive of bees, so as being hived in glass, you may see
the bees making their honey and combs mighty
pleasantly.' As this was written very nearly 100 years
before the description of Maraldi's glass hive was heard
of, we have another instance of the Gallic tendency to
appropriate to themselves whatever inventions have
been made for advancing human knowledge. "Without
claiming the invention as exactly English, it is desirable
to protest, seeing how frequently foreigners, and especially
our nearest neighbours, ignore tho researches of our own
countrymen in the department of science. — E. II.
Bellairs.

HIVE COVERS, &c.

[831.] In answer to those correspondents who wish

to know the best plan for keeping wet out of the joinings

of hives when storifled, and also for keeping the wind

from blowing them apart, I find a good plan is to put a

beading round the lower part of the upper hive of f in.

wood, of course flush with the hive

bottom, bringing it well to a point

(see sketch at B). Being J in. wood

it keeps the drip well off the hive.

By putting a small button at A in

the middle of the top of each side,

which will turn up under the beading,

the hives are kept well together.

Instead of the beading, and a plan
I much prefer, is to make some of
Simmins's covers of an extra size.
These come well down over the sides,
forming a good shade in hot weather
and keeping off even a driving rain. I made three for
myself last year, and there has not been a sign of
dampness inside them, while many other roofs, with
plenty of slope and apparently perfectly sound wood,
are unaccountably damp inside. I consider them the
best, covers out, and they also fit either skeps or any
sized wooden hives.

I found out a little plan the other day which answers
admirably for fixing dummies in any part of the hive. I
got some large pins and twisted them in the middle into
a loop, and by putting a small staple on each side of
the centre of brass wire — which clench on the other side

March 31, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

141

of the dummy — a small bolt is made ■which the least
pressure against the sides causes the dumnry to be held
in its place, and it also has the advantage that it lifts
with the hive when the latter is propped up during a
honey glut in hot weather.

You can make your hives double-walled on two sides
by this plan, and make use of the same sides in contract-
ing the hive for winter.

Cut the pins' heads off. The least touch of the points
keeps the dummy in position. Drive the staples close
down on the bolt. — Arthur J. H. Wood, Bellwood,
Bipon, March 15.

NOTES ON BEE-HIVES.

The Heddon New Hive.

[882.] On page 620 of Gleanings in Bee-Culture for
1884, the Editor, Mr. A. I. Boot, says:—

' I am very glad indeed to note the disposition among
bee-keepers of forbearing to copy the works of each other,
patent or no patent. The supply-dealer who would unhesi-
tatingly copy something well known to be the property of
another, without getting the privilege of so doing, by pur-
chase or otherwise, would very likely lose more than he
made, so strong is the disposition of our people to give
honour to whom honour is due.'

That hero of American apiculture, Father Langstroth,
penned Mr. James Heddon the following last year, which
is published by his permission :

1 He who makes an important invention and patents it,
is a public benefactor, and no one who calls himself an
honest man should attempt to infringe upon his rights.'

The following are the plain patent claims of the inven-
tion of Mr. Heddon : —

'1. Set screws, used in combination with brood or surplus
frames, and an outer case, for the purpose of supporting
said frames, when inverted.

' 2. The use of one-half bee-spaces, when united with each
other to form a whole bee-space of about three-eighths of an
inch.

' 3. A brood-chamber of a bee-hive made in two or more
horizontal sections, for the purpose of interchanging, or
alternating said sections with each other.

'4. The combination of frames filled with combs, by in-
verting, and a case closely fitting the ends of said frames,
all in such a manner as to leave few or no lodging-places
for bees when we desire to shake them out of said case and
from among the combs.

' 5. The combination of my sink, break-joint, honey-board,
with a double brood-chamber, as described.'

The above are the main functions of the late invention,
but what they will hold no one knows, as it has not yet
been tested in court. Mr. Heddon hopes no one will ever
know; and hopes the sentiment of the progressive bee-
keepers of the age will never sustain an infringement of
his late invention to compel him to ask the aid of the
law.

Patent law declares that the maker, user, or vendor of
a patented machine, or manufacturer, are each and
severally liable to prosecution for infringement.

' The price of an individual right to make for one's own
use, and use the new hive, or any of the Bpecial features of
the invention, is So.'

' Any hive containing even one of my principles, although
it may not have the appearance or the name of my hive,
will be no less an infringement.'

Messrs. Geo. Neighbour & Sons inform me their
British Invertible Hive is, in several respects, similar

to the ' Heddon,' but not as imported. I find in their
advertisement of 20th January in the British Bee Journal
that for 17s. Orf. they offer a complete hive suitable to
inter on the summer stand, hut now in a more recent issue
of the B. B. Journal they state for an additional fractional
cost they will add to the roof, and a wrapper is in pre-
paration for it.

It is stated in America that the benefits accruing from
a use of the genuine new hive are as much greater than
those of the Langstroth as the Langstroth are superior
to the old-fashioned bee-gums.

A correspondent under the letters ' W. J . M.' in last
week's issue evidently has his bee-hives in an unsuitable
locality, and I very much doubt whether he has ever seen
one real genuine imported Heddon hive much less having
a perfect acquaintance with the new system a la Heddon,
as I am informed that there are not half-a-dozen im-
ported Heddon new hives in this country. How can any
person pass judgment upon a hive they have never seen,
and which they do not understand ?

Will Messrs. Geo. Neighbour & Sons be so good as to
state how their British Invertible Hive is superior to that
of the new hive, and how it is similar yet different to the
imported one ; and will good Mr. Editor say if he con-
siders there is any danger of infringing Mr. Ileddon's
rights by using such hives in this country?

Future notes will deal more particularly with the
system of management. — T. Bonner-Chambers, F.L.S.,
March 18th.

_ [We do not consider that Mr. Heddon has any patent
rights in this country. — Ed.]

SMOKER FOR BEES.

[833.] In the British Bee Journal, issued on 27th January
last, careful directions for making a smoker are given,
and in the issue of 17th instant I notice that Mr. Cowan
is about to publish Guide-booh No. II. — How to make a
Smoker.

Now, as I had found by experience, before the first-
named date, that my Bingham smoker was liable to fail
me by ceasing to keep alight at critical moments, I had
thereby been moved to make a smoker from first princi-
ples and remedy its defects, and have succeeded, as I
think, in considerably improving on the details of the
Bingham type. I venture to thiuk that a description of
my most successful smoker may not be unacceptable to
your readers.

(1.) My bellows are without valve. Sticking a piece
of paper over the Bingham valve will convince the most
incredulous that that valve is useless. No one will deny
that it adds something to the trouble and expense of
manufacture. If experience is not enough, common
sense will suggest that air will not lift a valve when it
can getin without doing so at the blast-pipe. Lastly,
trial will prove that the valve is worse than useless,
since it will be found, in ninety-nine cases out a hundred,
to allow air to escape from it that ought to be forced
through the smoker.

(2.) The grating of my Bingham smoker has only
sevenand a half holes not obstructed by the bars that
are riveted across it to
keep it in place, while my
new smoker has the whole
area of its grating — 2J
inches diameter — full of
holes, the supporting arm
being cut out of the same
piece of tin as in sketch.
And subsequently turned
up at right angles.

The above two im-
provements are, I submit,
of radical importance, but my smoker has others which
are convenient if not essential. These are : —

(3.) The diameter of the barrel is increased to 24

142

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 81, 1887.

inches to allow another cylinder to be placed inside it
carrying the fuel.

(4.) The fuel is contained in a separate tin cylinder
i inch less diameter than the barrel, slipped ready loaded
and lighted into the latter. This keeps the outer barrel
cool, and allows two or more loaded interior cylinders to he
kept ready for instant use. The interior cylinder is kept
out of contact with the barrel by having a few V cuts
made in it with a cold chisel while the tin is flat, the points
'of these V's being subsequently sprung outwards to
project beyond the general outline of the interior cylinder
and to touch the barrel. The space thus secured between
the barrel and interior cylinder is most valuable in re-
ducing the temperature of the smoke.

(5.) In place of the hand-guard, my smoker has its
barrel covered with a layer of cord neatly wound round
it to act as a non-conductor, and this is overlaid with
longitudinal strips of mahogany, which are secured by
brass bands, just like the ' lagging ' of a steam cylinder.
This effectually keeps heat from the hand, and presents
a handsome appearance.

I have no anxiety now about my smoker being ready
whenever I want it. — T. I. N.

IN THE HUT.

' Where the bee sucka
There lurk I.'

[884.] Alas! the hut has been passing through a
stage of spring repairs, and the garden-gnome has
altered the position of the gnomon of our extemporised
sun-dial.

A strange smile, and a sickly, flits over the rotund
and jovial countenance of a hutite, as he sees week by
week a notice that the Yorkshire Agricultural Show
will be held next August, and here we are in the midst
of a snowstorm, with the glass at .30° (and 20° during
the night) accompanied by a howling north-easterly
gale.

I'oor bees ! your lot is indeed a hard one ! After
having been tempted and treated on the 3rd and 4th
inst., to a feast of pollen and pea-meal, alluringly laid
out for you in the golden chalices of the crocus by your
ever attentive servant, man, the cup is dashed from your
lips, and to-night you will have to beat a retreat up into
the honeyless attics of your cells ; — attic bees indeed !
The wind and sleet are whirling round your porches, and
dare you, at your peril, to come round the corners of your
stores, or, shivering and shaking, down you will drop.
Rough Rab was right when he said,

' The best-laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft agley.'

Reader, have you ever seen anyone in a fit of ague ?
If so, watch a chilled bee and note the similarity of the
symptoms. If the bee be not a little martyr to rheuma-
tism when chilled, my name's not ' X.-Tractor.'

N.B. — (Don't dismiss the idea as unworthy of serious
consideration.) Salicylate of soda is almost a specific
for rheumatism in animals and men ; should not, there-
fore, the salicylic acid in the artificial food of our bees
be the preventive against that chemical change in their
life-fluid by cold which, in the human subject is made
known to us by an attack of rheumatism, sciatica, lum-
bago, or whatever special form of the same thing as our
own pet little weakness ?

We must remember that the rationale of salicylic
acid as a preventive and cure of foul brood has not
been worked out yet. I am much mistaken if it will
not read somewhat like this : — The microbe of foul
brood finds it impossible to 'increase and multiply' as
it would like, in an antacid condition of the blood.
If we get a chill, saccharine substances in the blood
become by some means so turned into acids, that we
begin to feel that pain which 1 call rheumatism. Now

microbes in the body of the bee, and elsewhere, have the
power of turning saccharine fluid into acids. Ergo, I
think, if impropitious weather chill the blood of our
bees, their bodies are more susceptible, and prone to
attack from those myriads of microbe germs (Saccha-
romyces urycoderma,mycoderma aceti, &c), constantly on
the look out for those starved and atonic subjects, which
are ever the first prey to disease.

I notice that at Horsforth our bee-hives are not
subjected to freezing temperature until December 1st,
falling to 16° by the 3rd, 10° of frost just before Christ-
mas, i6° on New Year's day, and 23° of frost on
January 17th. The coldest in February was 16° on 10th,
and 12° of frost on March 12th. Altogether the season
up to now has been exceptionally regular and even,
both extremes being gradually led up to. I think it
is the ' sudden change ' which does the mischief, as the
boy said when he fell off a wall. — X.-Tbactob.

MY EXPERIENCE.

[885.] Being a constant reader of your Journal I
notice all reports and experiences are of a very bright
character. My experience of bee-keeping is anything
but bright, and I think this spring I am nearly cured
of bee-fever.

In 18841 obtained one skep, which had two swarms, and I
purchased one swarm in bar-frame hive, which made four
lots. The skep I transferred into bar-frame hive, and I
put the two swarms into bar-frame hive. I took 6 lbs.
of honey, the first and the only honey I have had. I will
say nothing about the expense, as you, a bee-keeper,
know what it is to purchase nine stocks and hives, and
sugar by the cwts., for I have given them plenty. I have
only had two cases of starvation, and these were cases of
robbing.

There is something very interesting about a bar-frame
hive I had in 1885. It was queenless. I gave a frame of
eggs April 19th, 1880, and they hatched three queens
April 30th, and May 3rd — drones must be flying in
April — I found one dead outside. On May 19th there
was fifteen inch super of eggs and brood, and on June 24th
I took out this young queen and some of the young bees
on two sealed brood combs and put them into observatory
hive, and put them into my sitting-room, and enjoyed,
and learned, a very great deal about the habits of bees.
The hive at once formed queen-cells and hatched a queen,
which was laying well in the autumn. The young queen
in observatory hive, after laying well and getting strong,
emigrated, I don't know where, and left me empty hive.
I did not give ventilation enough, so she moved her house-
hold.

In 1886 I was going in largely ; all my hives were
well stored with sealed stores. I set them in one long
row, from north to south, facing east, well sheltered from
north and east. I put a tiled house over the whole
length, and put carpenters' shavings round the outside
of the hives in the house, and covered the whole of the
roofs of the hives over with leaves, and loft them for
the winter perfectly dry.

The result was eleven stocks dead, and all of them
with sealed stores, so it was not starvation ; the remain-
ing six bar-frame hives veiy weak. One I have examined
and put in a clean hive, as it was very foul ; the queen
seemed strong, but very few bees, but plenty of stores.
The only return I have had is 0 lbs. honey, the pleasure
of the Observatory hives, and plenty of stings in driving,
enough to make me sting-proof. I have doubled the
hives when strong, and some I have put supers on top,
and the only time the bees would go up into them was
when I put my finger there.— John S. Bbowne, Albury
Heath, Guildford, March -2lst, 1887.

[With the letter a stock list was enclosed confirmatory
of the above statements.' -Ed.]

March 31, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

113

BEE TENT.

[836.] It is so much more convenient and comfortable
to deal with one hive, and one cluster of bees under con-
trol by smoke, than to have to deal also with homing
bees of the same hive, or with homing or robber bees
of the other hives not under the influence of smoke, that
I determined to think out a tent of cheap and easy
construction.

I made a clothes-horse of three folds or frames, large
enough to enclose a hive, myself, a friend, and a small
table ; and high enough to allow me to stand up when
roof is spread. Mosquito net, of the size of each frame
of the horse, is sewn into a margin of tape, and this tape
is hooked on to small screws on the frame ; thus back
and two sides of the tent are formed. A piece of wood,
of the same thickness and length as the other cross bars
of the frame, has a loop of strong tape (webbing) nailed
on at each end. This loop is big enough to slip over the
projecting top ends of the fronts of the side frames. On
this piece of wood is nailed a piece of calico, rather
bigger than the square formed by the three folds and the
connecting cross piece. Holes strongly bound with tape
are made in this calico at the points where, when
stretched as a roof, the side frames meet the back frame,
so that when the cross piece of wood is looped over the
frames in front, the calico stretched tightly will let the
holes fit over the tops of the frames at back and thus
form a roof. Strips of cloth from corner to corner
diagonally are securely sewn to strengthen the roof to
prevent the frames from getting much out of square.
For the door, or entrance screen, a piece of mosquito net,
rather larger than the corresponding pieces on the frames,
is nailed to the front cross bar, and allowed to droop to
near the ground : on its edge near the middle, and near
the bottom, pieces of tape are sewn for tying the door in
windy weather, if necessary, to the side frames.

The tent is now complete with roof, door, and sides;
and can be moved from place to place as it is; or by
simply pushing up the back corners of the roof, and
raising and removing the cross bar, the roof and door
can be rolled up on the bar, and the three frames can be
folded, either with or without the net on them, and the
tent can be stowed away until again wanted.

If more economy is needed old calico instead of net
could be used. I use calico for the top as desirable in
showery weather or in light rain. I use net for the
sides to get air freely, and to allow friends to see the
manipulations. With many hives I think this tent will
be found useful and cheap. I will not dwell on the
pleasure of receiving the warm thanks of the housewife
for the nice clothes-horse so kindly made her: all that
goes without saying. — T. I. N.

BRITISH AND AMERICAN INVENTIONS: BEE
PASSAGES AND SLOTTED DIVIDERS.

[887.] In your Editorial remarks in last year's Journal,
p. 507, you say, ' We do not forget, too, that the Ameri-
cans have taken a great many ideas from us, which, un-
fortunately, they do not credit us with, and we _ are
frequently amused and have often alluded to inventions
brought out by them long after they have been in use in
Europe.' In these remarks I quite agree, but whilst
knowing this, let us not fall into the error ourselves and
give Englishmen the credit of originating ' ideas ' when
precisely the same things have been previously done
by Americans and even illustrated in some of their
periodicals.

On p. 125 in last week's Journal, after describing some
of Mr. James Lee's patented inventions, speaking of his
section, which, when in position, of themselves give pas-
sage-ways between the sections, and also between the
outside of the crate and the sections, you say, ' and they
have a passage way at the ends like in those of Mr.

Sambels (see Journal, p. 59).' Now these 'side-passages,'
as they are called, are an American invention and were
first brought into general notice in England by Mr. S.
Corneil, when he exhibited and explained his super crate
at the meeting- on October 20th, which was illustrated in
the Journal of the 18th of November, p. 531, If you
compare this with that shown on p., 59, you will see that
so far as the side-passages are concerned Mr. Sambels has
simply copied that of Mr. Corneil, although I do not
think the latter gentleman was the originator of them,
but that it was the invention of Mr. Oliver Foster, of
Mount Vermont, Iowa (who, I believe, was also the first
to use sections open on all sides).

These passages are formed by nailing two strips of
wood on the sides of the crate ; whereas the top and
bottom of Mr. Lee's sections project, and when brought
together the bee-passages are formed without any extra
pieces being nailed to the sides to interfere with the re-
moval of the separators, as in that of Mr. Sambels.

Separators. — You also say ' the separators, which
are also like those shown by Mr. Sambels, have openings
corresponding, forming permanent psssage-ways for the
bees.' Here, again, let us not claim this as an English
invention. I mentioned, on p. 558, that it was not new,
' having seen it described and illustrated in one of the
American bee papers.' In last year's Oltaninys, p. 698,
Mr. W. H. Greer, of Paris, Tenn., U. S. A., referring to
Mr. Foster's open side-sections, says, ' Ever since I be-
came acquainted with the open-end section I have felt
that it was " the thing" but in practice I met with diffi-
culties. It seemed to be intended to be used without
separators, and, in consequence, with sections both wide
and narrow, I had bulged comb, so I have attempted to
devise a separator that could be used with open -end
separators; and here it is —

Tin separator, expressly for U3a in sections, with
openings all round.

' The slots are intended to match with the edges of the
sections, and will enable the bees to have the same free
communication that they have without them. I think
the slots in the separators should be f-inch wide.'

So far as the side-passages and the openings in
separators are concerned, I think I have^ shown that
the Americans have the priority of invention. At the
Conversazione on the 6th of Octaber, held at South
Kensington, I exhibited a crate of sections having
separators with openings like that of Mr. Greer. In the
Journal of November 18th there is a wood-cut showing
a suggested improvement by Mr. Sambels, afterwards
alluded to by me on p. 558.

With Mr. Lee's sections, as illustrated, and also in the
crate on p. 128, described by me, the passages are not
only at the sides but there are passages between the sec-
tions from end to end corresponding with the openings in
the separators (which is not the case either with Mr.
Greer's or Mr. Sambels'), there will therefore be no occasion
for pop-holes.— John M. Hookeb, 70 TyrwMtt Road,
St. Johns, S.E.

PAINTING HIVES INSIDE.

[888.] There is no doubt that the unprotected wood '
of the hive absorbs moisture, both from the bees and
from the air which enters the hive, which moisture is
very objectionable both in frosty and in dry weather.
The bee's by ventilating their hive can drive out moist
air and get in dry air, in dry weather ; but if the wood
of the hive be wet the dry air admitted becomes moist

144

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[March 31, 1887.

and tends to produce mildew, and is, I have no doubt, a
source of dysentery.

All my hives are covered inside with a good layer of
shell-lac varnish (made by dissolving shell-lac in methy-
lated spirit to produce a solution as thick as thin cream),
and put on with a brush. No moisture can be absorbed ;
no comfortable cracks or corners for insects are left ;
and the nice clean appearance of the wood remains
Honey is easily wiped away, and propolis removed with
facility by a rag soiled with turpentine or kerosine,
neither of which will touch shell-lac. 1 consider this
varnish much better than paint for interior of hives. —
T. I. N.

Honey Beeb. — Boil two handfuls of hops in five galloni
of water for fifteen minutes, then strain into an open
vessel, let it cool down to 100° Fahr., then mix four pounds
of honey with it, and add one or two cupfuls of fresh hop
yeast, cover up, and let it work from twenty-four to thirty-
six hours, slim off as often as scum rises ; roast half-
cupful of yellow sugar till it becomes brown, then dissolve
it again with water, add this to the beer to give colour ;
then draw off into bottles or casks and cork well. In two
or three days it will be ready for use. This will make a
most delicious and cooling drink for farmers and field-
labourers in haying and harvest time. Cappings will do
just as well, and even better, than honey. When they are
well drained of their honey, throw them into a tin pail,
pom- boiling water over, so that the wax will melt ; let cool,
remove wax, strain and prepare as above, adding less or no
honey at all. — Canadian Bee Journal.

wwmB.

Queries and Answers are inserted free of charge to Correspondents
When more than one query is sent, each should bo on a separate piece
oj paper.

Our readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their l:now.
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who seek assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered in (/ris way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[889.] Bee-hives. — I should be very much obliged if any
of the readers of the B.B.J, who have seen bee-houses
either on the Continent or in this country would give me
as many details of construction as possible. I want a
house to hold 150 hives, at least. I particularly desire to
know how near together hives may be placed, so as to avoid
queens mistaking the right entrance. Also, what height
from the ground is most desirable ? ' Would it be any harm
if I put the hives alternately one foot and two feet from the
ground ? By this means I should get the entrances more
separate. — Edward J. Gibisins, Neath, March 26th.

[890.] Has any bee-keeper tried mixing formic acid with
syrup for autumn feeding, and in what proportion ? — H. W.

dfojmes from % Htbts.

Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland. — I have just had a look over
the hives — ten bar-frame and one skep ; the latter was a
late swarm. Finding it rather light about a month ago, I
cut a hole in crown and put candy on it. This did some
good, but unfortunately I did not supply another cake
in time, and lost the stock, which was a pity, as there was
a nice patch of brood showing all was well. Must be more
careful next time. The others are all strong, the weakest
covering five frames fully. This has been my second year
in the business, and I like it very much. I have got over
the trouble about stings, and don't mind a few now. The
above skep is the only loss I have had yet. My bar-frame
hives are all my own make, and I never had an opportunity
of visiting a bee-tent or seeing hives, &c. ; the little I know
is from Cowan's Guide and the Bee Journal. I am sorry to
have to report a great many losses of stocks among my
friends. I saw about twelve bar-frame hives and six skeps
lost already, and I heard of more. Some that I examined
had the frames full of dead brood, which, I think, was from
autumn dwindling. I enclose a queen and workers from one,
and would like to know what you think of them. — John
Barnes. [The bees forwarded are black or British beeB.]

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

H. Harvey. — Non-Swarming.— The garden position would
he most conducive to non-swarming ; beneath the zino
roof (it not too near it) to honey-getting. Why not try
both?

Windermere. — 1. Enamel Cloth. — Do not remove the
cloth. The moisture is a sign that the bees are strong
in numbers. A chauge of floor-board will be an ad-
vantage. 2. Frame Distance. — We advise you to make
your frame distance lg inches.

Angler. — The sample of honey forwarded is thin and has
little body. The honey has lost much of its flavour
through having undergone a slight fermentation.

Expensifuge. — 1. Cowan Hive. — In Cowan's Guide-hook, in
the chapter entitled ' Hives,' you will find such full
instructions for the making of these hives that you will
find no difficulty in their manufacture. 2. We are
pleased to receive your appreciation of our pamphlet,
Doubling and Storifying. 3. The suggestions contained
in your letter will receive our best attention.

B. Westlake. — The sample of sugar is not ' the most
suitable for feeding bees at the present time without
being liquefied.' We should advise you to procure Porto
Bico or Barbados for dry sugar feeding.

K. Drummond. — The sample, No. 1, is the preferable for

dry sugar feeding.
W. Baker. — Your hive now being queenless, your best plan

would be to unite it to another stock when convenient.

E. T. — We should think that the drone observed by you
had not lived through the winter, but is a young drono
of this season. The date of its appearance as given by
you is very early for the presence of drones.

W. P. Meadows. — It is not stated on p. 126, that Mr. Blow
was ' the first to make slotted dividers ; ' it is specially
mentioned that these were shown by Messrs. Jones and
Corneil, but that Mr. Blow had designed a form of
dividers which would be of service to the producers of
comb honey.

B. T. A. — The address of Mr. Fred. Knock, the mounter
of microscopical objects, is Parolles Boad, Miranda Boad,
N.

C. B. — The subject of dry sugar-feeding will be found fully
treated in previous numbers of the Journal, more
especially, — Vol. XIII., No. 147, 'Another Point Gained ;'
No. 156, 'Dry Sugar Feeders;' Vol. XIV., No. 162,
'Sugar as used in Apiculture;' Vol. XV. No. 238,"
' Simplicity in Feeding.'

Novitas. — 1. Carniolans andLigurians. — Other things being
equal we consider that you will find the Carniolans the
better honey-gatherers. 2. No particular advantage
would arise from the cross of Ligurians and Carniolans,
as the two races are too nearly allied. 3. Your sug-
gestion is not practicable.

A. F., Ellis E.C., and Others.— Woiblet Spur Embedder. —
The description should be sufficient to enable any one
to make the embedder correctly, and we have no doubt
some of our dealers will advertise it. It is made by M.
J. A. Woiblet, Sanges, Neuchatel, Switzerland.

H. B. — Bees in Lofts. — Many experienced bee-keepers have
found it more advantageous to keep bees in the open
than in lofts, and have therefore discontinued the
practice. The homing instinct of bees would be as true
with holes in walls leading to their domiciles as with the
entrances of hives in a garden or a field. The over-
crowding in our reply had reference to the desirable
facility of the bee-keeper in his manipulations.

John Orr. — Woiblet Spur Embedder. — There is really only
about J of an inch at the top where the wheel will not
reach, and this can easily be pressed in with the finger-
nail, so that there is no necessity for a second instrument
to finish off with. We do not think the work could be
so rapidly done with the tool suggested as with a wheel.

John Dixon. — Ants. — Ants do not generally trouble bees to
any great extent, though we have heard of a few instances
where their presence has been disastrous, but the hives
in such cases must have been very weak.

Mar. 31, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

.gfhow j^Lnnouncements.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St
Edmunds. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

business ^©lrectory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Bubtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester,

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhau, M-, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark,

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent,

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

„ 3 „ 4 „ „ „ „ 13/-

„ o „ G „ „ „ „ 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

HP My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era hi Modern Bee-leeeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnace.

GUXDE-BOOIL PAMPHLETS. -Wo. 1.

DOUBLING AND STORIFYING

FOR

Extracted and Comb Honey, and the
Prevention of Swarming.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.
Post Free, Threepence Halfpenny.

J. HtTCKLE, KULTO-S LA1TGLET.

NOV/ BEADY.
GUIDE-BOOK PAItXPHXiETS Uo. II.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,
AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

HUOKLE, IKZHSTGrS LA1TG-LEY.

SIMPLICITY-EFFICIENCY-STABILITY-ECONOMY.

Send Id. Stamp for Illustrated, Descriptive, and Instructive Circular.

UNIVERSAL HIVE.

Address simply —

Factory, BRIGHTON.

Kindly ivriie your Address plainly, and in full, whether referring to former communications or not.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Mar. 31, 1887.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes tire Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparatron.
Can be carried in the pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4j,d.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

properly mixed— 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

WILL BE EEADY SHOETLY.
With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive,
replaced and examined on both sides without inverting, with
one hand, leaving the other free for manipulating, at the
same time preventing soiling the hands with propolis.

W. B. WEBSTER,

SOLE MANUFACTURER AND INVENTOR,
•WOKINGHAM, BERKS.

AWARDS FOR FUMIGATORS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,

London.

2nd Prize Altrincham, Lancashire and Cheshire B. E. A.

NOTICE TO DEALERS.— In thanking my
numerous Patrons, I beg to say my SECTIONS are
on the way, and will arrive in London shortly. The fol-
lowing sizes in stock :— 4J x 4J x 2, 4Jx4-ixlJ, 4x4£x2,
4 x 4J x 1A, either open top or at all four sides. 5J x 6J x 2
and 6Jx5Jx2, open top. li Sections same price as_2".
Order at once, or you may be disappointed, having received
a large number of orders. Address A. F. Hutohings, West
Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray.

Patent Bee Feeder. — RemoYing the Flask.

Or for giving warm syrup in cases of dysentery.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Geavenhokst, BrunBwick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIENEliZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.

Also, ' DER PBAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. SonwETBOHKB & Son (M. Beuhn), Brunswick,

FIRST CLASS Open Sided i\ x 4$ x If V-out one-
piece SECTIONS. From American steamer direct,
1?. per 1000; 10s. 6(7. for 500, less for larger lots. Address
R. White & Co., Importers Fort Etna, Limerick. The
Trade supplied.

G1 LASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
T Price List, sent Free. Address Fbedk. Pearson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. A 2407

TMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
JL HIYE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, Id. Address Isaac Hale ,
Maker, Horncastle. a 2403

LYON'S Patent METAL EM

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

CHESHIRX: C

Guaranteed, with Directions, J/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 6.E.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. Gd. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messes. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Regent Stkeet, W.

QKEPS, FOUNDATION, &c.

° 1 lb. 2/- or 1/10.

Dealers and others apply for List (110 Illustrations),
Or. STOTHARD, WELWYT*, HERTS, a 2324

Eighth Edition. Fifteenth Thousand.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE BOOK. Containing Manage-
ment of Bees in Modern Moveable Comb Hives, and
the Use of the Extractor. By Thos. Wm. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.R.M.S., &c. With numerous Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo.,
price Is. 6d. ; or in cloth gilt, 2s. 6d. Postage 2d. To be had
of Houlston & Sons, PaternoBter Square, all Hive dealers,
Secretaries to Bee-keepers' Associations, and of J. Huckle,
British Bee Journal Office, Kings Langley, Herts.
French Edition, price Is. 8d., now ready.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbanqeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.'

[No. 250. Vol. XV.]

APEIL 7, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfoitoxml, itoltas, $t.

WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUK HONEY?

This question has been asked times without
number, and vaguely replied to in as many dif-
ferent ways. ' Sell it, of course,' would be the
ready and common-sense response of the apiarian
who keeps bees for profit. But do the producers
always go the right way to work to attain their
object ?

Honey at present is not a daily article of food,
and is by no means a household requisite ; but, ' It
should be,' says every reader of the Journal; and
' These are my sentiments,' re-echoes the honey
producer. ' Every Association is endeavouring
to advocate this,' replies a third. But, in our
opinion, much depends upon the bee-keeper himself.
' How so 1 ' we fancy we hear a score of enthusiasts
exclaim. To such we remark, 'Be patient.'

Honey was used by the ancients as a daily article
of food ; but gradually, through causes too well
known for repetition here, it discontinued to be
considered a domestic requisite, and till within a
few years since was looked upon more as a luxury.
Happily this state of affairs is slowly vanishing,
and by the many laudable endeavours of lecturers
and writers in bee periodicals, the good properties
of honey and its great value as an article of diet
have become more widely known. ' If this is the
case, why trouble yourself any further?' would be
the taunt of the near-sighted critic ; ' bide your
time, and the demand and production will equalise
themselves.'

In this go-ahead age this will not answer ; we
must ever push on ; failure in one direction must
only stimulate to redoubled perseverance in another.
We must create a demand for honey, and if we
succeed in this before long we shall find the pro-
duction barely equal to keep pace with it. At
one time the great importations appeared likely to
swamp our little industry. Prices, it is true, have
gone down, but parallel with this, the brimstone
pit is dying out : a more humane system is prac-
tised ; larger quantities of honey are produced of a
quality which will hold its own against all comers,
and bee-keeping is steadily becoming a national
industry.

Bee-keepers talk of honey as food, ifcc, but in

how many cases is it absent from their tables, how
little is it used by them ! To such we should say,
' Practise what you preach.' ' All very well, Mr.
Editor, but our bees must pay the rent.' How
much better than buying butter at Is. 6c?. per lb.
(often nothing better than butterine), cheap jam,
sugar, &c. — injurious to health — if some of the
honey were used in the house, and the money
which would have been spent on the above com-
modities saved for the rent. Health would be
maintained, and, in the end, a better price would
be realised for the remainder of the stock of
honey.

It is reckoned that there are about ten thousand
members belonging to the various Associations.
Many are non-bee-keepers, but then there are
apiarians who are non-members, so if we look upon
this number as producers of honey we shall be well
within the mark. Now, if our advice is taken, and
wc average the consumption at half a cwt. for a
year per household (being a trifle over one lb. per
week), we shall at one sweep dispose of the large
amount of 250 tons. We feel confident that all
would be the richer by this, and that the results
would prove more than satisfactory.

JOTTINGS BY AMATEUR EXPERT.

1 Mel sapit omnia.'

I beg to congratulate Mr. James Lee on the latest
evolution he has given us from his fertile brain. It
is very clever, and I hope he will not be disappointed
as to price of production. I am sorry they cannot be
produced in bulk in time for this season. My congratu-
lations extend to Messrs. Neighbour also for bringing
him to the fore after a season of comparative obscurity.

Mr. F. Boyes wants some one to ' speak out ' about
foreign bees. He says, amongst other things, ' Carnio-
lans were dismissed long ago,' &c. Allow me to tell
that gentleman that Carniolans are the bees of all others
for timid bee-keepers. They are probably not the best
honey-gatherers, but they will require some beating at
that ; and as to gentleness, they are far and away ahead
of all kinds. I need not say I never sold a bee or a
cent's worth of appliances as a dealer in my life, so that
his other remarks do not apply to myself ; and I am all
the more free to recommend them, especially as we are
likely to be able to get a better article imported than
formerly.

During the past week I have beeii into the country
north of London amongst the Middlesex bee-keepers ;
they are developing an amount of energy that speaks
well for the future of their Association. Very grati-
fying it is to hear a departed friend for whom one has

146

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 7, 1887.

great regard spoken well of ■when going' over the ground
after him. I felt it so in respect to the late Mr. Fox
Kenworthy, so bright and cheerful, but quiet and unas-
suming as he was, for whom one could have wished a
long life of usefulness, but early called away to —
' That great cloister's stillness and seclusion,
By guardian angels led,
Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution,
He lives.'

I see my friend, Mr. Graham, has given 'A Beginner '
the size of a bell-glass to hold 35 pounds of comb honey.
"Will ' Beginner ' kindly say what he will take for it
nicely filled and sealed P

Mr. Webster does good service by pointing out that
' scent ' is no guide as to the purity of foundation.
Many boil their wax, especially if it is adulterated, in
honey for the very purpose of giving it ' a good nose.' I
know of a fine batch of paraffin wax boiled in lime
honey, and sold as bees-wax to a dealer, but the
purchaser was too keen to be caught so easily, and,
moreover, had too great a regard for his reputation in
the matter of bees-wax.

Here are a few extracts from the Canadian B. J. of
March 2nd in reply to a query on inverting frames : —

Dr. Duncan. — ' Never tried them.'

H. D. Cutting. — 'Bees doing well enough without
it, so do not practise it.'

It. Cause. — ' Do not use reversible frames.'

Judge Andrews. — 'I avoid the use of any humbugs,
hence do not know what antics the poor bees may cut
up, but suppose they might possibly retain their usual
common sense — would not do useless work ! '

Dr. Thorn. — 'Never used them, cannot afford to
" advance" fast enough to throw away hives every year
or two when new are placed on the market.'

S. T. Fettit (President Ontario B. K. A.)— 'Never
tried them, and thinks he never shall ; knows he is out
of fashion, but fashions change, and is strongly of
opinion that if he remains where he is with respect to
invertible hives, in a few years he will be in fashion
again. The word inversion has another meaning than
that intended for it to convey here, but we may all better
understand the other meaning later on.'

Bather warm of the ' Judge ;' fancy I would like to
spend an hour with him. 'Peck-a-boo ' is giving a very
interesting acconnt of the visit of the Canadian delegates
to England in the C. B. J. week by week. Read it!

Send Mr. Grimshaw to Coventry ! Dear me, no ! lie
is far too good a fellow for that. Our humourous
friend, the Rev. J. Lawson Sisson, tells me 'I hit
the nail on the head in a way I little thought,
Birmingham is the place for hardware.' I am slow
at puns, so give it up. Mr. Grimshaw has had his
revenge : I will tell him a secret (' A. E.' does not
want a Febrifuge, 'Useful Hints.') The lady that is
queen in ni}r hive suddenly developed an interest in
the B. B. J., so during my absence she got the first read-
ing of Mr. Grimshaw's letter, and exultingly met me
with, ' Mr. Grimshaw says you are a " Brute," and so
you are, three of you to set on one.' Latin was no part
of a lady's education in the good old days when Mrs.
'A. E.' went to school. 'A house divided against
itself '

But Mr. Grimshaw has fallen into a slight error.
Messrs. Cowan and liaynor and some others have always
freely given the result of their brains to bee-keepers,
merely giving the patterns of their new appliances to
some one of the many manufacturers whom they can
recommend as giving good work at a fair remuneration,
but they have no agents for, nor pecuniary interest in,
the sale of any of the appliances that bear their names.
Mr. Cheshire adopted a course similar to Mr. Grimshaw
with regard to his ' Phenol,' with the result that he got
disappointment and annoyance where he hoped for, at least,
some slight remuneration. I certainly did not wish to

impute meanness to Mr. Grimshaw, but only wanted to
keep him clear of what will probably mar his future
career of usefulness to the Association.

Thus far last week, but was crowded out in the cold.
Arbitrary people are Editors — at least some of them ;
but the (B) world goes round as usual, although it left
behind — for one week at least — Amateur Expert.

BEESWAX AND ITS CONVERSION INTO
MONEY.

{Continued from page 12G.)

Beeswax then is not found ready-made in nature,
but is a production of the bee's body ; it is like honey,
an organic production, and not a mechanical or technical
one. "Wax is formed in the body of the working bee,
of fluid honey, and pollen. But it is not formed in-
voluntarily, as every well-nourished animal bodj' forms
fat, but voluntarily, viz., it is formed when the bees
wish to form it, viz., when they have taken fluid
honey, and pollen, in a larger quantity than they need
for their own bodily nourishment, and the surplus is
neither given as food to the brood, the queen, nor the
drones, but is retained, further digested, and allowed to
pass into the blood-vessels, in Older to be organicall}',
chemically distilled there, and to be separated as a kind
of fatty matter by the segments of the abdomen.

The wax leaves the separating organs in a fluid state,
and solidifies in the form of small transparent white
little scales, five-cornered, shining like mother of pearl,
about two square millimetres in size, as are found in
large numbers on the floor-boards of a strong building
colony.

"When the bees want to build a comb, they hang
together in the form of a bunch of grapes, by which a
certain amount of order is observed. The bees do not
hang irregularly one upon another by their booklets or
their feet, but the whole bunch is formed by the bees
holding together in the form of a chain. The great heat
generated in the bunch of bees facilitates the separation
of the wax from their bodies.

Newly-built combs vary in colour from a light yellow
to an orange red. It is remarkable that a light yellow
wax comes from dark kinds of honey like, for instance,
heather honey, and a dark orange red wax from white
honey, as, for instance, vetch honey.

This circumstance, which Mons. de Layens, a well-
known bee-keeper and author in France was the first to
notice, led this sagacious inquirer to think that the
colouring of the wax is probably owing to the pollen,
which was also chemically proved last year by Dr. A.
Von Planta, the famous Swiss chemist.

Beeswax consists of two different combinations. It is
a mixture of cerotinic acid (cerin), which is soluble in
alcohol, and of melissin or myricin, which is only slightly
soluble in alcohol. Besides these constituents beeswax
contains organic colouring matter, as well as other
organic matters, which latter are separated in the
purifying. The colouring matter bleaches best in the
clear sunshine, when quite pure the wax forms a com-
pletely white, colourless, and tasteless mass, which in
thin scales is very transparent, shows a splintery fracture,
and at 20°C. assumes that peculiar kneadable condition
which is especially described as ' like wax.' The melting
point of wax is very high, between 03° and 64°G, and
the latter is a good means of recognising the genuine-
ness of the production, together with the specific weight,
which lies between O"9l3o and O'OOO.

The preparation of wax not only makes great claims
on the vital powers of the bees, but also costs them, as
well as the bee-keeper, much honey. It has been calcu-
lated that for one pound of wax, from ten to fifteen
pounds of honey are needed, without counting the loss
of time caused by the building. Von Berlepsch makes
the proportion from 13 to 1, Dr. Donhoff from 14j to 1,

April 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

147

and Cowan estimates the production of wax at 20 to 1.
But 20 lbs. of honey are worth 20 marks, while for 1 lb.
of wax one gets only 2 marks. A judicious bee-keeper
will see by these figures how valuable good combs are.
(To be continued.)

GLEANINGS.

In the Bee-keeper's Guide, M. Mahin saj-s that in the
breeding season there is little difficulty of getting- rid of
fertile workers, but late in the season when brood-
rearing- in normal colonies has ceased, and queens cannot
be reared and fertilised, the difficulty has been found to
be much greater. It is a remarkable fact that colonies
having laying workers will continue to raise drone brood
long after breeding in other colonies has ceased. In fact
he does not know that they would cease at all until so
reduced in numbers that they could no longer care for
their abnormal brood. He has discovered a method by
which a queen can be introduced into a laying colony
having- laying workers at any time. lie puts a young
impregnated queen in a cage that contains food enough
to last an indefinite time, and then cuts out a piece of
comb in the centre of the space occupied by brood, and
inserts the cage in its place. The hive is then closed and
left undisturbed for about, eight days, when he opens it
aud fixes the cage so that the queen could find her way
out, and as quickly and with as little disturbance as
possible closes the hive up again. lie says he has reason
to believe that this plan, if carefully followed, will
always succeed.

In the Bee-keepers' Magazine J. Aspinwall, in speaking
of the colour of wood from which sections are usually
niade, says he has his doubts as to white wood being- the
best. He saj-s that when a jeweller wishes to exhibit the
beauty and the brilliancy of his diamonds, or the purity of
his pearls, he does not place them either on a linen sheet
or a white velvet cushion. He groups them artistically
upon a dead black cloth, and goes so far as to paint the
outside and the inside of his show-window a deep black.
The darkest buckwheat, he says, would look white if it
could be got into ebonized sections. Propolis would not
show so much on such a section. Although an ex-
tremely white section may be beautiful to look at alone,
when contrasted with the honey it contains it must be
admitted that it detracts from the beaut}' of the latter,
and were the section dark-coloured, the honey would
look all the whiter. Buckwheat, he thinks, would com-
mand one cent or two per pound more could we make it
appear lighter by contrast with a dark section. He
thinks it worthy of a trial in the markets.

In the American Bee Journal the Rev. L. Johnson
says that the reversible hive has only been tried by its
inventor and one or two others for two seasons. These
men are practical apiarists, and in their hands it has
done well ; but when others, with less knowledge and
without properly understanding what is intended by this
hive, undertake its use, it may receive a backset from
which it may not recover for years. He is in favour of
making every progressive step in bee-keeping that is
possible, but so much enthusiasm often ushers in a new
thing as to do it harm. He urges bee-keepers to carefully
ponder before doing away with the old, tried, and profit-
able standard hives which we now have and adopting
something we do not yet understand. Take hold cautiously,
and let those who have the time and money with, which
to experiment enjoy the benefits for a time.

In the Bulletin de la Societe d 'Apiculture de la Somme,
Ph. Jacques Baldensperger, who resides at Jaffa, says
that during the months when the sun shines he has not
much time to spare. This is from the beginning of
March, when the bees prepare for swarming and collect
honey from orange-blossoms ; after this yield of the
month of April, comes a moderate harvest in May from
Barbary fig, and in July the "principal harvest in the

year is collected from thyme, which is as good as that
from orange. Between the harvests the time is spent in
rearing Palestine queens, as well as Syrians at Beyrouth,
at the foct of Mount Lebanon, a journey of twelve hours
by steamer from Jaffa, and with sending them off to
England, America, and a few to France and Germany.
England takes more than all the other three countries
put together; and it is there that bee-keepers have pro-
perly appreciated the value of the Oriental races — the
Cyprian, Syrian, and Palestine bees. He spends his
time in Jaffa from October to June, and in Jerusalem
from July to September.

In the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society we
find that Professor G. A, Barbaglia has examined the
chemical constituents of wax found chiefly on the upper
sides of the leaves of Bo.vus sempercirens, and finds that,
like Chinese wax and bees-wax, it contains palmitic acid.

J|0rcrigir.

SWITZERLAND.

New Experiments calculated to ascertain the
Proportion of Honey used by Bees in the
Production op Wax.

(Continued from page 139.)

I will now explain, therefore, what were the circum-
stances I placed myself in when I undertook my ex-
periment.

1st. My stocks had been allowed to work freely in
the apiary, without interferences, so that that nothing
could be altered in the natural order of their duties.

2nd. My experiments were made at a season when
temperature was high (maximum at least 20° Centigrade),
this being the temperature which bees, in their natural
state, choose for the production of wax.

3rd. I had also selected for my experiments a season
when honey was rather scarce, so as to be sure that the
stocks which were building, as well as those which were
not, had sufficient room in their combs for storing all the
honey they could bring in.

4th. I experimented on two stocks of nry apiary
which differed in strength as well as in quantity of
brood, but which, judging from external appearance,
both worked with about the same amount of energy.

Now, these two stocks, which I will here call A to the
strongest, and B to the less stronger, were both reduced
to the condition of a swarm. To A seven built frames
were given, beween which I inserted empty ones. This
I did in order to feel that the bees were obliged, as it
were, to build, aud that at the same time there was a
sufficiency of built combs to receive the incoming honey,
and that, moreover, the egg-laying propensity of the
queen would not be checked for want of room. To B I
gave eight ready-built frames ; here the bees could not
build combs for want of space.

5th. I made two experiments, one after the other,
and each one lasted exactly eight days. At the end of
the eighth da}' all the combs were taken away from the
hives and replaced by others, but the order was reversed ;
here, then, B was placed in the necessity of building-
combs, whereas A was prevented from doing so. This
crossing system is an important one, as it permits, whilst
experimenting on any two hives, of obtaining data for
comparing, by simply adding, at the end of the experi-
ment, the differences which are noted between them.

6th. At the conclusion of the experiments, the honey
collected by the colonies A and B (which did not make
any wax) was added together ; so was also the honey of
the colonies A and B (which made wax). Lastly, the
quantity of wax made by the two colonies was added
together. Owing, however, to great dampness, the
honey gathered during the sixteen days of the experiment
contained a considerable quantity of water, consequently
at the end of the time none of the cells had been sealed

148

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 7, 1887.

up. The honey, which was very thin, contained, there-
fore, more water than that in the sealed-up cells. In
order to neutralise this misleading circumstance, I ascer-
tained the thickness of the sealed-up honey as well as
that of the thin liquid one (honey) which had just been
brought home. This done, I added a sufficient quantity
of water to the honey which had been sealed up by the
bees, until it had been brought to the same degree of
thickness of that which had not been sealed up. By these
means I was enabled to arrive at the extra quantity of
water contained in the honey which had just been
gathered, and I deducted this quantity of water from my
calculations. Finally, the difference in the quantity of
honey gathered by the stocks which built combs and
that of those which did not build indicated the weight
of the honey consumed in the production of a given
weight of was.

7th. During the sixteen days my experiments lasted,
the queens did not lay a uniform number of eggs, as they
were not of identical fecundity. Nor did it happen that
during the same period the laying of eggs by these two
queens did progress with the same disproportion ; as a
result of this, in the stocks which had not been building,
16,064 eggs [were laid, whereas in those which had
been building, the number of eggs laid was 16,634, or
as near as possible the same number. This small
difference of brood represents a quantity of honey
consumed the weight of which must be added to that
gathered by the stocks which had been building comb.
But as the eggs did not open until the end of three days,
and that it was only then that they began consuming
honey, the number of larvee which had been fed was 358.
It is the honey consumed by these that must now ha
arrived at.

According to the investigations made by Berlepsch,
47 grammes of honey and pollen would have sufficed to
feed these 358 larva3 until they closed themselves up in
their cell. Other experiments, made by myself, show
that to feed their brood bees use about as much honey as
pollen, consequently 25 grammes will be the maximum
quantity of honey used up by my bees in the partial
feeding of this brood, of which only a few cells were
sealed over.

We find, therefore, that the difference in the quantity
of honey gathered was one kilo and 202 grammes. That
of wax produced 191 grammes. My bees had, therefore,
used 6 grammes, 3 of honey in order to produce one
gramme of wax.

In previous experiments my bees had started comb-
building on eight frames, and as the honey yield was an
indifferent one, with the exception of the first day, they
built almost worker [comb throughout — I say almost, or
nearly so, because in a corner of the largest comb there
were to be found a few drone-cells ; the latter had been
built the first day, when the honey yield was greatest,
almost two kilos having been brought in.

It will be seen, therefore, that in practice it is possible
to get bees to build worker-combs rather economically
by feeding them with a cheaper kind of honey, say some
of the foreign kind, to be had on the Havre market at
from 50 to 60 francs the 100 kilos. But, to obtain this
result, three things are essential, viz. : — ■

1st. — A rather poor yield of honey.

2nd. — The removal of all the brood-combs of a hive, to
lie replaced by empty frames, the latter to be placed
between the full ones. The brood-combs removed, will
be given to a weak stock.

3rd. — Never to induce comb-building unless when the
temperature is high. — G. de Layens, Bulletin d' Api-
culture de la Suisse Itomandt,

ITALY.

According to our contemporary, the Apicoltore of
Milan, the Co-operative Bee Association of Molisana,
called 1 he Societu anonima cooperativa per Vapkoltura

Molisana, was bold enough a little while ago to spend
1920 lire for a model apiary, the management of which
has been entrusted to a noted expert, Signor Ferdinando
di Jorio di Spinete, and now has invested in addition
thereto the following sums in connexion therewith, viz.:

Lire.

For the purchase of 64 stocks 2400

For the purchase of 20 ditto in common skeps 400
For the registration, &c, of the Society .... 115

Sundry duties 50

Bee implements 85

Office expenses 50

Insurance, &c 20

Total 3120

It is reported, adds the same journal, that there is every
reason to anticipate a fair dividend at the end of the
coming season.

Curiosities of Bee Life. — This formed the subject of a
very instructive and interesting lecture delivered on Friday
night, March 25th, to the members of the St. Silas' Mutual
Improvement Society by Mr. B. A. Grimshaw, of Horsforth,
member of the Naturalist Society. The chair was occupied
by Mr. B. Holgate, and there was a large attendance of
members and friends. The lecturer observed that the
honey-bee seemed to be developed under a never - erring
guidance into a creature gifted with something much
higher in the mental scale than instinct — nothing short
of reason could account for the many marvellous things it
performed. He then entered into a lengthy and elaborate
description of the peculiar functions of the queen-bee, the
duties of nurses or new-hatched bees, the keeping watch over
the hive by seutinels, or stay-at-home bees, the expelling of
drones on the approach of winter, and the duties of the
foragers, or workers, which commenced in spring by visiting
the earliest blossoms for pollen or bee-bread, which they
used in the rearing of young bees, and collected in a recep-
tacle on each hinder leg. The process of gathering the nectar
from various flowers, of storing it in the cells of the hive,
and of its ultimate conversion into honey, were next
minutely described by the lecturer. The subject of swarming
was next touched upon, the lecturer remarking that a strong
hive or stock of bees consisted of some 30,000 or 40,000
workers, etc., and as it took 5376 bees to weigh a lb. of
themselves they will weigh about 6 lbs. The operations of
the bees throughout the winter were next touched upon,
showing bow they cluster on the honey-combs somewhat in
the shape of an inverted saucer. The lecturer concluded
by remarking that in whatever direotion we turned our
studies we perceived the marvellous wisdom of the Creator
in providing for the wants of all living things, both great
and small, as completely in the minutest degree as for man
himself, and that everything in nature had been fashioned
in a marvellously intricate festoon of harmonious depend-
ence and enjoyment, yet everything existing for the glory
and praise of the Maker of all things.

Lecture on Bee-keeping. — A lecture, under the auspices
of the Working Man's Club, Ascot, was delivered at their
comfortable Hall, Ascot, by Mr. W. B. Webster, on Monday
evening, March 28th ; the chair being taken by the Bector.
The Hall was well filled with a very appreciative audience,
among them some vex'y old skeppists, who expressed great
astonishment at the results which Mr. Webster showed
could be produced by the modern system. After a hearty
vote of thanks to the lecturer the company spent some
time in examining the different appliances shown, some
converts being the result.

Hive Construction. — Mr. Cheshire, in Bees and Bee-
keeping, and Mr. Baitt, in the Bee-Keepers' Record, gives
the honour of an improvement in hive-construction to
Mr. J. H. Howard, Holme, England, which in my humble
opinion ought to be given to my neighbour, Mr. Andrew
Buchan, Dalkeith, Scotland. The improvement referred to
is described by Mr. Baitt in the following words ; ' The
more recently made ones avoid the necessity of outside
plinths to cover joints— a clumsy plan at tho best — by
having all their parts made to break joint in the solid
wood. Thus the hive proper covers the edges of the floor-
board, each hive section does the same to the one below,

April 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

149

and the roof similarly fits on above.' This description
equally applies to Mr. Buchan's Midlothian storifying hives,
designed by him in 1885. — Wm. Pubves, Dalkeith.

' Bee Bobs.' — In some districts swarms are secured by pre-
paring a hive and placing it on a small table furnished with
a white cloth, some little time before the swarm comes off.
If this plan is reliable, it might be adopted for making the
1 hive ' into a 'Bee Bob ' by dropping in block, then fix three
legs made 4 x 3 x J thick, feet pointed or spiked, then make
a |-inch round hole in each leg at a suitable distance from
the top of each, through which pass two garden sticks (the
legs arranged tripod fashion), one stick passes through the
holes in the two legs, the other through No. 3, its end
resting on the cross stick, on which place the floor-board.
Bore a small hole in the top of each leg, through which
pass a short wire pin put in at an angle upwards to pene-
trate the skep. If the swarm do not accept and are about
to settle on a bush the tripod may be carried at once to
where the cluster is forming, if it can be placed over the
cluster the greater chance they will ascend, or if not, may
be caused to go up by the aid of smoke or a feather dipped
in the carbolic mixture. — W. G.

Moving Bees. — I should like to suggest to any one about
to move bees, if obtainable to secure a donkey and truck for
the purpose. I have just moved my apiary about 2J miles,
four hives at a load, without any other preparation than
perforated zinc over the entrances. I have not one item of
damage done to them. The slow and short steps of a
donkey make him the most suitable for this purpose. My
moving was done each evening, after the bees had gone to
..est. — C. H. Bicklet.

&tmMptitotmi.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
hy his correspondents. No attention will he talc en of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, hut as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
le drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boolcs for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c}o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

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

E. R.GODFREY'S GUIDE FOR JUDGING HONEY.

[891.J I have occasionally noticed in Bee Journals
expressions of dissatisfaction from correspondents with
the awards made by judges at some of our exhibitions.
Possibly they may have had just cause for being- dis-
satisfied. On the other hand, I inay remark, it is no
unusual occurrence to find exhibitors dissatisfied when
the}' have no reason to he so. That errors in judging do
occur few will deny; and with a view to lessening such
I have prepared the enclosed Guide, which I venture to
think will (if followed) be effective. — R. R. Godfeey,
Grantham.
Points to be considered in the Judging of Extracted or

Hun Honey, with a Standard of Marks obtainable for

each point, and remarks on quality desirable as a

standard of excellence.

Marks.

1 . Flavour. Full and palatable 25

2. Condition. Clear, free from debris or sedi-

ment, and of even consistency 21

3. Density. Thick but liquid, free from ap-

pearance of candying 18

4. Colour. A deep, bright amber 15

5. Bouquet. Fragrant and pleasing 12

6. Form shown. Attractive, neat, clean 9

Total 100

Honey that may be candied should, however, not be
passed, from the fact that it is so, should it have other
desired qualities, -

Points to be considered in the Judging of Comb Honey.

Sections.

Marks.

1. Flavour 25

2. Density 18

3. Colour 15

4. Bouquet 12 — 70

(Remarks as for extracted honey).

5. Completeness. Combs fully worked out to sec-

tion—comb well attached to top, sides, and
bottom, all cells even and regularly sealed,
nice delicate colour and dry, preference to
those produced with least trace of guide-
comb 21

6. Form shown. Attractive, neat, clean 9

Total .
Glass and other

Supers.

100

Marks.

1. Flavour 25

2. Density 18

3. Colour ■ • 15

4. Bouquet 12 — 70

(Remarks as for extracted honey).

5. Completeness. Combs fully worked out, all cells

sealed even and regular, nice delicate
colour, combs straight 21

6. Weight. Such being so varied must depend

upon conditions of schedule 9

Total 100

P.S. — Any comb having had brood disqualified.

Points to be considered in the Judging of Hives, Ex-
tractors, and Collections of Bee-keeping Appliances.

Hives.

Marks.
Construction, completeness, and simplicity of

arrangement 40

Nicety of workmanship and accuracy of fittings 30

Soundness and quality of material 20

Price and value 10

Total 100

Extractors.

Marks.

Efficiency 30

Simplicity 25

Substantialness 25

Portableness 10

Price and value 10

Total 100

Collection of Bee-keeping Appliances.
Hives, extractors, articles applicable to bee-keeping in
single, largest number, their utility generally, nicety of
workmanship, and finish of all.

DO BEES HEAR ? [874.]
[892.] This must ever remain hut an hypothesis,
since we cannot obtain absolute proof of the theory ; yet
the doubts as to their power of hearing may he reduced
into such small compass by evidences in favour of the
affirmative side, that it may almost be considered as an
established fact that bees do hear.

Primary and almost satisfactory testimony is offered
hy the knowledge that bees possess (1) vocal organs and
(2) organs justly supposed to be aural because of their
peculiar anatomical construction, differing as these
latter do from the touching, the smelling, the seeing, and
the tasting organs. Now if we have our five senses,
all of which we use, and the bee has quite similar
mechanism to our own, which we admit it uses in four

150

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 7, 1887.

out of the five cases, is there not strong prima facie
evidence that it uses the fifth (the hearing) sense,
especially as it uses its correlative the vocal organs ?

In a general survey of animated nature one may find
individuals of sex not using organs with which nature has
provided them, hut never do we find any species en-
dowed with any complete (that is, not ahorted) appara-
tus which does not, as occasion requires, call such
apparatus into play. Here we have hollows on the
antemue of our bees ; a thin film or diaphragm is
stretched across each hollow, and opposite and in con-
tact with this film is the end of a nerve connected
with the hrain. Given a suitahle, perfect, useful ap-
paratus, and the use of it follows. Given a chronometer,
and its use follows as a logical sequence.

Mr. Dunster (874) cannot get his hees to shmo him
any response to the report of a gun, but does he give any
outward and visible sign that he hears it? Sir John
Lubbock found it necessary to qualify his opinion
against bees having the sense of hearing by saying that
his evidence was only of a negative kind— that he does
say they cannot hear, hut only he cannot make them
give evidence of it.

To simplify the question of auditory operation, or
hearing, may we begin by requiring, as the only con-
ditions— (1) a vibrating, (2) a conducting or transmitting,
(3) a receiving medium ? (It is not necessary that air
should be any of these.) Let us place the ear on a rail-
way metal at the end of a tunnel, and we can hear a
train enter at its other end ; the end of a tuning-fork put
to the teeth, or the ear at the end of a long rod or table,
will show us that once the power of hearing be given,
the means may vary, but each goes to prove the
existence of the sense. The blows of an axe or spade
vibrate the earth and send the mole clown into its deepest
chamber. The same blows send up the worms who
think the vibration is caused by the burrowing of their
enemy the mole. Reasoning thus, some birds actually
stamp the ground in order that they may get a meal
of worms. Thus the moles and worms hear, as do the
bees when the slight touch or shake, or the heavily
laden wheelbarrow, Mr. Dunster speaks of, are brought
into play.

There are very many instances quoted of bees hearing :
a very telling one being given by Mr. Cheshire, who
saw a small knot of bees in an obscure part of the
tent commence ascending, immediately the swarm in a
driving operation began running into the upper skep.
When a skep of bees is thrown on to the sheet in front
of a frame-hive, the instant those nearest to the door
get on the march there is a sound we all hear and know,
which puts the lot to the ' right-about, quick-march ' in
the desired direction. This movement is so sudden
that the peculiar merry hissing or hushing sound is in
all likelihood the signal to march ; and although the
crowd is so great that the citadel gate will not admit
them, march they will ' onward and upward,' like so
many silly bees as they are, just because they are told
to, exactly as they will commence fanning in the most
absurd position just because the word was passed to
fan or they heard some sisters fanning. I contend that
bees do hear. — R. A. II. Guimshaw, Crag Hill, Horsforth,
?iear Leeds.

SLOTTED DIVIDEES.

[893. J On page 143 of B. B. J. (887), Mr. Hooker
has given your readers his version of ' slotted dividers,'
amongst other matters, claiming them as an ' American
invention.' I will endeavour to give the facts about
them, so far as I am concerned.

When Mr. Corneil exhibited his super crate at the
meeting on October 20th last year, the moment he sat
down, I stepped up to him and suggested cutting slots
in his dividers, and that gentleman's reply led me to the
conclusion that the idea was as new to him as it was to

myself, as I had not up to that time been so fortunate
as to see it in Gleanings, nor was I aware until a fort-
night since that Mr. Hooker had brought out a new
section crate, so that Mr. Hooker did not help me to-
wards the idea. I exhibited my new crate at Hertford,
and Mr. Corneil, who was my guest at the time, said
nothing to lead me to judge that he had seen or heard
of the idea across the Atlantic.

I was careful at the Conversazione in Jermyn Street
(see B. B. J. page 60) as to what 1 claimed as my
' inventions,' and Mr. Hooker, who sat opposite me at
the time, said nothing about his own crate or the idea
being an American one ; and if Mr. Hooker thought the
idea worth anything to bee-keepers, I am surprised that
he did not bring it to our notice before.

I am pleased the idea is likely to become general ; my
thanks are due to Mr. James Lee for giving credit to
where — as far as he was concerned — credit was due.

Mr. Hooker should be satisfied with describing his
own super without disparaging other people's ; what he
said about the sections falling out of mine when the
screws were loose was ' bogie. I think I satisfied the
Southgate bee-keepers on the 24th ult., that a fair amount
of jarring could not jar them out. As it happens it
does me no injury as I have no pecuniary interest, but
we look for some observance of the golden rule. — J. P.
Sambels, Cole Green, Hertford.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[894.] From 'Useful Hints 'notice concerning improve-
ments in frames and sections I for one was anticipating
something far beyond the construction given in the Edi-
torial illustrated in issue of March 24, and I am bound to
say that in neither frame nor section is there aught
original save the adapting of the running dovetail joint
and the bottom rail as a foundation guide. This latter
in practice will prove a sad mistake. So far as pro-
viding for full sheets of foundation in the bar-frame
practically wiring is preferable. But here let me ask, is
it wise to exclude drone-rearing in drone-cells proper ?
also can drone-rearing be frustrated entirely, even though
all worker-cell building may be tried a compulsion ? My
experience has proved otherwise. Then why not slightly
encourage nature's effort and allow for the same ? I
mention this, as a special feature is noticed that comh-
filled frames will be the result with ' Lee's ' frame. Such
may be, for a first season, and perchance many dwarj
drones attending, where a brood-chamber is completely
furnished on such principle ; but has ever any bee-master
found the standard frame in successive use, that the hees
respect an even and well comb-filled frame ? Therefore,
as passage-ways more or less through, below, and at side
of combs, are shown a necessity in positive use, why at
the start completely ignore them ?

I give an illustration showing a frame which in
practice will compare
more than favourably
with 'Lee's.' The top
bar and sides are grooved
to just where the latter
diminish. The founda-
tion can be placed into

groove either before or after the bottom (dovetailed)
rail is added. A slight addition of molten wax holds
foundation secure ; and is the latter cut at corners, as
shown, here drone-cells proper are found constructed
in most cases with a young queen to suit and satisfy all
her need.

The thickness of top bar between sides is i inch, and
shouldered as the Simmins' frame, for the £ inch lug, just
keeping the latter always to size for those who prefer
metal ends, and at the same time the top bar is
strengthened by an extra thickness, nor is it an already
weak bar; still further weakened by separation. Again

April 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

151

with a sheet of foundation held as shown all sufficient
room for expansion is allowed ; and if it is of such strict
necessity to have a comb-filled frame, just run the first
season without the bottom rail, and after the bottom
edge of worked down comb has been cut away to receive
the same put the rail in place : but this is a useless work;
as I have before remarked.

Again, as to sections. Dear me ! little did I think a
six-piece section would be heralded in as a step forward,
when the four-piece section and double top rail sections
for holding the foundation, making a five-piece section,
had fallen away, giving place to the one piece V out ;
and I certainly felt we were going backward when I
made the four-piece section, of
which I send you illustration. This
section the four sides are grooved
to receive the foundation, as
shown. The foundation is cut by
a special tin die to exact size, and
at same time the centre bee passage
is also cut, which allows of expan-
sion until such time the bees have
made sound and ?trong the same
by extended cells.

Now we come to slotted dividers. Well, here I think
Mr. Hooker's letter, No. 868, proves design and originality,
neither is there anything in providing ' special machinery '
for their production. ' Dies ' for the same long ago I
could place my hand upon not many miles from here.
These in wood especially, with much other which is now
agitating the new hand, will be tried and found wanting ;
many old hands, who coidd produce honey under
every disadvantage, will abide well-nigh stationary in
limited trial only. Mr. J. Hall, No. 876, gives an
ingenious one ivai/ watertight joint, but how about the
' 'tother way up ? ' Mr. F. Boyes (877) entirely I
endorse. Last, though not least, Mr. W. B. Webster,
871, on ' Foundation.' Has he a. foundation for asserting
that one, or more, or the whole of British foundation-
makers are dishonest ? Would it not be far wiser for
him to give his tests (of which there are several more
simple and less inexpensive than his last) and so expose
the guilty, rather than say all ' must not be tarred with
the same brush,' yet still leave us all liable to suspicion ?
Were we all near Mr. W. no doubt he would not go to
Mr. Grimshaw for help, but have to find the oldest of
all 'fuges,' — Refuge, — from the angry storm. — J. H.
Howard, Holme, Peterborough.

CRATES AND SECTIONS.
[895.] As economy is a great point to be considered
in bee-kesping in order to make a profit at the present,
and in all probability future, low prices and slow sales, it
has long since occurred to me that a single-walled hive
for summer use, having a good watertight outer case, to
be packed with chaff, &c, if it should have to be wintered
out-of-doors, would be the most economical as well as
the most useful ; in fact, just such a hive as that
described by Mr. McKnight, of Ontario, on page 72 of
this Journal. The body of the hive might be made of
one inch and f inch wood with h inch rabbets in the
former to take a standard sized frame (but with top bar
only 15i inches long). Such a hive with ten frames and
a thin dummy would be 16| to 16§ square, still there
would yet exist the crate difficulty, outside lifts and
deep roof, being required if we use the 4j x 4j sections,
unless we reduced the length of the frame so as to make
the hive about fourteen inches from side to side (outside
measurement). To avoid this we could increase the
length of the 1-lb. section to five inches, making it
3|- x 5, which with f inch wood used for crate would
make just 16j inches. A 2-lb. section for this sized
crate would be 7 x 5, and if a half-pound is required
31 x 2L

The kind of crate I would prefer would be one similar
to the one exhibited by Mr. Sambels, being the height of
the _ section ouly, but without the inside fillets, and
having strips of tin at the sides and two angle tins,
thus — J_ in the centre to support the sections.

I send herewith an illustration of a frame to form a
bee space for this kind of crate, and at the same time to

Or

=£]

prevent the sections from being propolised, and think
the only explanation I need give is that the strips of
wood 1 x f rest on a rabbet shown in section of frame.
They are placed about § inch apart and immediately over
the interstices of the frames below, and may be fixed or
loose. A strip is shown in the section of frame at a.

In regard to the divider, shown on page 126, allow me
to suggest that the side slots need not be more than one
inch long, which would be quite sufficient for the bees to
pass, and sections for use with such a divider having slots
only one inch long at the sides would give more strength
to the lug at the corner, being less liable to break away,
and would keep the heat in better. I suppose sections
will now be made some with slots on the right side only,
some with slots on the left side only, and some on both
sides.— A. T. Wilmot, St. Albans, March 26.

THE WOIBLET SPUR EMBEDDEE.

[896.] It was with great pleasure that I read your
description of the ' Woiblet Spur,' as I can quite believe
it is exactly what most bee-keepers require. There are,
however, one or two matters connected with its use to
which I should like to draw your attention and that of
the readers of the B. B. J.

1st. The method of wiring frames as described by you,
viz., carrying the wire from the top to bottom bar
would, as a rule, be a failure, owing to the bottom bar
in most of the frames sold by dealers being too weak
to keep the wire tightly stretched, for as soon as the
board (Fig. 6 in your description) was removed the
bottom bar would be bent towards the top and the wire
would thus become slack. Under these circumstances I
always lace my frames from side to side bars, as in
sketch, placing the sheet of foundation between the

wires and fixing it to top bar, and then twisting the
ends of wires together until they are quite tight, so that
there are two wires on either side of foundation.

I have up to the present (for want of such an ap-
paratus as the Woiblet Spur) pressed the wire into the

152

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 7, 1887.

wax with the point of a small bradawl, first warming
the sheet of foundation ; and although the wire has not
been covered with wax, I have always had the cells
drawn out and used as readily as those which the wire
(Wilson's of Oakham) did not cross, as I shall be happy
to prove by sending a frame of comb for your inspection.
In fact, unless the comb is closely examined and held
before a bright light no one could tell that it had been
wired. I used frames of foundation wired in this manner
last year for extracting without a single comb giving
way.

The description you mention as given by Mr. Cheshire
is certainly surprising as coming from a practical bee-
keeper ; but a drawing in one of the dealer's catalogues
is still more absurd, for if the apparatus is anything
like the drawing, the wire would be pressed into the
foundation by teeth about an inch apart and nearly half
an inch across, and of such a large size that I should
expect they would punch a hole in the wax on either
side of the wire. — Habold Adcock, Middleton, North-
ampton,

CROAKING QUEENS.

[897.] On page 110 I am slightly misquoted by a
slip of Mr. Anderson's pen. The expression I used in
my paper was, ' We recognise the contented boom of
the quiet prosperous hive, in opposition to the sharp
" poop ! poop ! " of the lost queenless bee.' Your corre-
spondent makes me say the lost queenless hive. The
notes I allude to are well represented by the upper G of
the tenor singer, and are produced by keeping bees
prisoners under a glass after destroying or changing their
characteristic aroma by feeding on peppermint syrup ;
the noises are are made both under the glass, and whilst
trying to escape by flying against the window-pane.

Some time ago when this subject was before us in
your columns I told you on my part I had distinctly
traced the croaking in a hive to the striking of wings
against the hard shining surface under an American-
cloth quilt. It was a drone ; ' I see'd him do it.' We
can imitate him (or the other bees) with a pen or pencil
held in one hand, one end near a window pane, a sheet
of paper, or wood, and by playing the ' devil's tattoo '
with the fingers of the other hand on the pencil, so that
its end strikes the object, we may account for many
noises heard in hives produced by blows or vibrations of
wings, which are often mistaken for voice tones. I am
quite with Mr. Anderson as to the importance of studying
minute details in any branch of science, and we have
only to refer to the works of the ' early fathers ' in bee-
keeping to find justification in discussing apparent
trivialities, indeed we need none. — R. A.H. Grimshaw,
Horsforth, near Leeds.

NOTES BY WOODLEIGH.

[898.] Excluder Zinc. — Could we not dispense with
the cross pieces left in a sheet of excluder zinc as now made
and have the width only, and let the slots run from side
to side ? I should think stout wires stretched in an iron
frame the proper distances apart would not be such an
impediment to worker bees to get through as the flat zinc,
the iron frame could easily be made the size of a 21 lb.
section crate. If, as I suggest, with zinc, the sheets
would require to be thicker, or it would bulge and not
answer the purpose intended.

Instinct. — l)o Bees Talk? — Last summer I had
a fine bell-glass filled, as I thought, from external
appearance, with splendid honey, but when I came to
take it off the hive I found the centre of it full of
brood in all stages of development. I had taken the
precaution to use excluder zinc, and so of course did not
expect anything of the kind, although I could not
account for a few drone bees walking leisurely about in

the super a few days before I removed it from the hive,
but thought perhaps the excluder had dropped off the
rabbet on one side and so given them access to the dome;
but when I got it into a back room, where I always
manipulate my large supers, I found the zinc in place
just as I had put it before it was put on the hive, though
a glance told me the super was spoiled by brood, among
which was a number of drones. The queen must have
got through the excluder zinc shortly after the super
was put on, and when through had not been able to get
back into the body of the hive, and here confined in a
bell-glass she had done her best to carry on the well-
being of the colony though on a limited scale. But why
all this description, you say, about a broody super, that
is a common occurrence ? Yes, sir, it may be a common
occurrence, but the following remarkable incident I
noticed helps to prove that bees must have a language,
or some means of communication that is not known to
us at present. Here in this bell-glass were drone bees
that had been bred in it, drones that had never seen the
light of day, had never used their wings, could not, by
actual sight, know the shape of the outside of the hive
or the position in which it was situated or in what it
differed from others in the same row or apiary, unless it
was communicated to them by worker-bees who were
able to pass the excluder, or by other drones that were
bred in the hive below from eggs deposited by the queen
before she got up into the super. Yet when I removed
the board with zinc centre from the bottom of the super
the drones took flight through the partly open door and
instead of flying to one of the fifty busy hives immedi-
ately in view of the door they very quietly careered
round to the side of the house to their own hive, al-
though the row of hives — of which theirs was number
one of the row — was not in view from the door through
which they made their exit. Now how shall we account
for the above unless bees do communicate their ideas to
each other, or that they had in this instance given the
di'ones instructions by some means as to the latitude of
their domicile while still prisoners in the super? The only
other alternative we have in the case is, that the drones
were piloted to their right hive by worker bees who had
left the super before them and were still flying about
round the partly open door, or else it must have been
the sounds of distress that were uttered by the bees of
the hive on the loss of their food, brood, and queen, as I
think I have made it plain that when I removed the
super I had all the brood and queen with it. I know
the hive was in great commotion at the time, and the
hive, though not visible from the door, is only a few
yards from it ; and if bees have a language and are able
to lament when a great disaster occurs to the colony,
then probably the sounds of the sisters' voices in great
distress attracted the sympathies of their big burly
brothers the drones, and acted as a beacon light does to
the lost mariner. — Woodleigh.

SIZE OF FRAMES.— ARTIFICIAL POLLEN.

[899.] I observe that the size of bar-frames is some-
times discussed in the Journal, my experience has been
that hives containing ten of Abbott's large tapering-
frames give at least 20 lbs. more honey per hive than
hives containing ten Association frames. These large
hives winter wrell with all the frames in ; mine appear
now almost as full of bees as they are at swarming
time, judging by the numbers that come out on fine
days. I have not opened out a hive yet ; they are
covered first with enamel cloth, then thick felt, then an
inch thick board, with a feed-hole through all these
layers, and finally plenty of flannel felt, and chaff-
cushions on the board, which feels quite warm under
the cushions. Fearing some of them might be short of
food I took off the perforated zinc which covered the
feed-hole, intended for syrup feeding, and am now giving
them tumblers of raw West India sugar turned over

April 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

153

the feed-hole. I can see when to renew it, and some
hives are very hungry. After the hees had finished all
the pollen in the crocuses, I spread honey very thinly
on small pieces of board and dredged a good layer of
pea-flour over it, and placed these some distance from
the hives ; they soon cleared the boards, and doing this
rather late in the day I saw no robbing set up.

Do you approve of it ? The floor-boards seem quite
dry as far as I can see without much disturbance. —
Beeswing.

[We think the device is one to be commended for it»
simplicity and efficiency. — Ed.]

HONEY MARKET.— OBSERVATORY HIVE.

[900.] Several of your correspondents, in writing to
the Journal, complain of having no market for their
honey, and if they have they require to sell it at a very
low price. Then others say they have a good market
and get a good price, by doing all they can to make a
market among their friends and others.

Now, I think a good plan for creating a honey market
would be for bee-keepers to exhibit their honey, bees, &c,
at. the horticultural shows generally held in their own
village every year. I believe that if the committee of
such shows were approached in a proper manner they
would be very happy to assist bee-keepers by giving
them accommodation at their shows, and if this were
done the bee-keepers in their own village could often very
have a very nice display of honey, &c, and they also could
explain to the people going the round of shows various
matters in connexion with bees and bee-keeping, and in
this way it would also prove a greater attraction to the
flower shows. I would like if some of your numerous
correspondents would give us their opinion about this,
being better able to write and advise than I am in
connexion with this matter.

Another request I would ask of some of the readers of
the Journal — if any of them would be kind enough to
give a description of how to make a simple observatory
hive to hold either two or four standard frames, suitable
for the exhibition of bees at a flower show, as I would
like to try and make one, so as to have it ready for the
horticultural show in our village, at the end of the
season, as I intend to get up an exhibition of bees,
honey, and appliances, along with other two or three
bee-keepers this year. — Thohnton Hamilton.

LOSS OF LIGURIANS FROM
MISMANAGEMENT.

[001.] It was in July, 1880, the exact date was the 5th,
on opening one of my hives — to which I had lately intro-
duced a laying queen, which I expected to find, by that
time, presiding over a goodly quantity of brood, — to my
dismay, I could discover neither brood, nor eggs, neither
after searching over all the combs could I catch a
glimpse of the queen.

Now, having, for some time, wished to possess a
Ligurian hive of bees, I determined to procure a queen
of that race, and so immediately posted down to a
reliable dealer, for that purpose. I obtained a fine
healthy, lively one, which had, I was informed, only
arrived from Italy three clays previously. When I
arrived home it was too late to introduce her, so I post-
poned the operation until the next day.

On the following morning on opening the hive, to
which I had intended to introduce her, I discovered, by the
unexpected presence of eggs in the combs, that their
queen was unmistakably present; so not wishing to
destroy her in order to introduce the Ligurian queen, I
procured a couple of pounds of bees without a queen,
introduced my Italian to them, and hived them on four
frames of foundation.

I stimulated them with syrup, until, with the addition

of two frames of hatching brood, I had eight combs
pretty well covered with bees, and almost one mass of
brood by the middle of September, when I commenced
the autumnal feeding in conjunction with my other
hives.

At the end of September I examined all hives before
packing for the winter ; my English and cross-breds had
sealed the syrup up well, and were in splendid con-
dition'; but on opening- the Italian hive, I found that,
instead of storing the syrup, they had converted the
combs into a mass of brood, with but little sealed stores ;
so I had to continue feeding them now with thicker
syrup and more rapidly.

On examining them on loth October, I found they
had only about 20 lbs. of stores in the six combs to
which I had contracted them, and that each comb had
about 1 lb. of unsealed food ; I added a frame of capped
stores weighing 5 lbs. taken from another hive, and I
intended to extract the unsealed honey; but being away
from home except at the end of each week, I had no
favourable opportunity of doing so, so wintered them as
they were. If I had known what I do now, I should
have carried the hive indoors, extracted the uncapped
honey, added candy to make up the deficiency in their
stores, and then returned them to their stands in the
open.

All went well, or apparently so, until the last day
of the year, when I discovered on my daily inspection
of the hives, about fifty dead bees on the alighting
board in front of the entrance to the Italian hive,
and I saw at once that dysentery was the cause. The
next day, another batch of fifty was removed from the
entrance, and the hive was carried indoors. An empty
hive was prepared ready to transfer the combs and bee's
into, with chaff-cushions contracting the hive so as to
contain only four frames. The next morning the room
containing- the hive, which only registered 32°, was
heated by a stove to 60° ; the combs were removed,
the unsealed honey extracted, and the bees which still
remained alive, about 10,000, were shaken into the
clean hive. Candy was placed over the frames, and a
chaff -cushion on top. There were about -5000 dead
bees on the floor-hoard of the old hive.

The hive containing the surviving bees was then
removed to a dry, underground cellar, registering 88°,
where they remained until 5th February, the tempera-
ture varying from 36° to 47° ; the dead bees raked from
the bottom of the hive also varied with the weather
from 4 to 12 per diem, more dying when the tem-
perature was high ; this was no doubt caused by the
bees being enticed out by the warmth, and not being
able to find their way back in the dark.

On 5th February the thermometer registered, in the
open, 40° at 9 a.m., and 50° at 3 p.m. ; the warmth also
in the cellar making the bees uneasy, and, consequently,
the mortality great, I removed the hive to its old stand
in the open, and the bees had a cleansing flight. I
noticed that, while the warm weather lasted" the death-
rate, now they were in the open, had decreased from
ten to five per diem.

The weather soon, however, changed cold again, and
perhaps my wisest plan would have been to have again
removed the hive to the cellar, still I hoped that,
having pulled through so far, they would continue to
do so until the weather permitted my uniting them to
another hive. However, the heavy fall of snow in the
night of 14th March, and the accompanying frosty
nights, and sharp east winds, proved too much for
them ; and they succumbed, on 17th March, 1887, the
victims of mismanagement on the part of their owner.

Moral : Do not stimulate too late in the season.
Always extract all unsealed stores before wintering.

Perhaps from my trial of them, I may not be accurate
in my impression, that Italians do not cap over their
honey so well as other races, and that the capping is

154

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 7, 1887.

very thin and unsuitable for sections. I can, however,
affirm that no quieter bees to the manipulator could
exist, although they were most vigilant in defending their
hive from robbers, when they were strong and in health.
It has been complained in the Journal that we only
hear of successes, and not of disappointments, and for
that reason I have penned the foregoing ; however, a
person must be indeed courageous to sign his name to a
eonfesMon of this description. I therefore, ever hoping,
sign myself — Xil Despikandum.

|Ubidxr.

The Bee-keeper's Handy Book. Twenty-two
Years' Experience in Queen-beaiung. By Henry
Alley, Wenhain, Massachusetts. — Practical bee-keepers
well know the importance of queen-rearing as a branch
of apiculture, and here we have a work treating
especially of this subject. Mr. Alley, who is the present
editor of the American Apiculturist, has had twenty-
seven years' experience in bee-keeping, twenty-four of
which have been devoted to queen-rearing ; and as he is
acknowledged by American bee-keepers to have pro-
duced and reared more queens than any other breeder,
he may be regarded as one speaking with authority. In
former editions the largest part of the book was devoted
entirely to queen-raising, but as the author found many
who purchased it were not experts in bee-keeping and
desired more information suited to beginners, he has,
in response to a request, enlarged his work and given, at
the commencement,. practical instructions in bee-manage-
ment. The fii st part consists of 175 pages, and contains
everything it is necessary to know to become a grod
bee-keeper. Mr. Alley is one of those who gives
' honour to whom honour is due,' and in the descriptions
of hives and appliances, great care is taken not only to
describe them correctly, but also to give the names of
inventors as well as the names of the various bee-keepers
whose opinions he quotes. Amongst the hives described
are the Langstroth, Quinby, Baystate, Van Deusen-
Nellis, Shucks Universal and Invertible, the Heddon-
Langstroth, and many others, of which also illustrations
are given. A chapter is devoted to invertible frames,
in which he says, ' The idea of reversing the hives for
tiering up and other purposes, is not by any means new
or original with the present generation, having been
practised and strongly advocated by a successful Russian
apiarist in the eighteenth century, and claimed by him
to be one of the most valuable features of his hive.'
Who will say after this that there is anything new
under the sun ? There is also a useful chapter on comb-
foundation making, and tetts for bees-wax are given,
which will be appreciated by manufacturers. Feeders
and appliances of all sorts are described, and valuable
hints will be found on wintering. The last chapter of
about a dozen pages is on bee-pasturage. The second
part is devoted entirely to queen-rearing, and Mr. Alley
adopts the motto, ' Better, not cheaper queens,' with
which we entirely agree. This subject occupies about
ninety pages, and is treated by the author in a most
practical manner, showing his complete mastery of it.
The system has already been briefly described by Mr.
Blow in his article 'Amongst the Queen-raisers of North
Italy,' on page 9G of British Bee Journal for 1880, and
some of the illustrations there were from Mr. Alley's
book, although by some oversight their source was not
acknowledged. We shall on some future occasion hope
to give extracts, and describe more fully the methods lie
so warmly advocates. This book should be in every bee-
keeper's hands, and will prove a valuable addition to our
bee literature being honestly written by a practical bee-
keeper, who gives his readers the benefit of his experi-
ence. This work is a handsome octavo volume of 269
pages, beautifully printed and copiously illustrated.

$t\m% ham % Uta.

Soutli Derbyshire, March 22th. — Have not had the heart
to send an ' Echo' ere this, as I could scarcely conceive a
more unfavourable spring for bees. A month of sharp
frost followed by three weeks of cold, rough winds disposes
of most of February and March. To-day, however, the
wind has dropped and the sun shines warmly, so that
there is a general exodus of bees. I have taken the op-
poitunity to glance through my hives and put them straight
for work. For the time of year I never before saw so little
brood, my hand would easily cover the patches, though
there appears to be about the average amount of bees.
Out of twenty hives, I have lost one through starvation
(and robbing, too, I fancy), and one is queenless. I purpose
trying the 'let-alone' system this season, allowing no brood
spreading, simply to add combs outside the nest and to feed
when necessary. — M. J. Astle.

North Leicestershire. — April 1st and not a leaf to be seen ;
crocuses just well up ; snowdrops and aconites gone. The
snowdrops bloomed and faded almost unvisited by the bees,
who have only had four really good days foraging, viz.,
February 22nd and 27th and March 26th and 29th. Stocks
continue strong, but require feeding to prevent the destruc-
tion of brood. — E. B.

Woore, April itli. — On April 2nd I examined three frame-
hives, found new-laid eggs and hatching brood ; colonies very
healthy, but getting rather short of food ; have commenced
to feed to-day. — J. S. L.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS

M.E. Kirk. — Fighting. — The excitement, which you describe
by saying, ' The hive was almost covered with bees,'
probably arose from the bees rejoicing and 'playing' in
the glorious sunshine. You did wrong in removing the
quilts and enlarging the entrance, thus giving free en-
trance, above and below, to the bees from your other
hives, against which it was impossible for the attacked
colony to defend itself. At this time of year the heat is
never so great as to be injurious to the bees, and being
unable to obtain honey from the fields they were only too
happy to obtain such an opportunity of robbing a neigh-
bour as you presented to them. It is possible, but not
likely, that the first excitement might have been caused
by a small colony having deserted its hive, and settled on
the outside of yours, with a desire to gain admittance, but
the former explanation is far more probable. We do not
think much damage is done except the loss of a few bees.
The bees would encase their own queen to preserve her
from the stings of the intruders. It will be well, how-
ever, to obtain an interview with her majesty on some
fine evening when bees have ceased to fly, and also to
notice whether the colony works vigorously, and carries
in pollen, wdien the weather permits. Contract the en-
trances of all your hives to about two inches in width, so
that if a spirit of robbing has been engendered each
colony may be able to defend itself.

W.H. Jenkins. — 1. Sectiondistance. — Section-racks are made
to receive either three or four rows of sections of seven in
each row, and to cover the top of a hive containing ten
standard-frames. If three rows (twenty-one sections) are
used, spaces sufficiently wide between the rows (say, 1 in.
full) are allowed for convenience in removing and in-
serting sections while the rack is in use. If four rows aro
preferred (twenty-eight sections), with the view of abetter
retention of beat, the rows must touch each other, or
nearly so, and the rack will project slightly over the sides
of the hive. These dimensions refer to 1-lb. sections =
4J" x 4}" x 2". 2. Slot loidth.—lhe width of 'slots,'
or passage-ways, cut out of dividers for single sections,
should be one bee-space, i.e., a quarter of an inch full,
and these should correspond with the side passages of the
sections, supposing the sides of the sections touch. If
the tops and bottoms of the sections project a half bee-
space beyond their sides, thus forming a full bee-space
between the rows of sections, the openings in the dividers
must still be J in., and must stand opposite the spaces
between the rows. 3. Wintergreen. — Amongst essential

April 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

155

or volatile, oils, oil of wintergreen [Gaulthcria procumbent)
is synonymous with the oils of partridge-berry, methylo-
salicylio ether, and salicylate of oxide of methyl. This
' Oleum gaultherice ' (Pharmacopoeia of United States) is
procured from the leaves, or the whole plant of Gau'.theria
procumbens, a herb common in North America, and
known also by the names of ' box-berry,' ' chequer-
berry,' ' partridge -berry,' ' mountain -tea,' and 'winter-
green.' When diluted it is agreeably fragrant. When
mixed with a dilute solution of potassa it solidifies
to a crystalline mass (salicylate of methyl and potassa)
from which the oil may be again separated by the addition
of an acid. Salicylic acid may be obtained from this
' Oleum gaultherice ' by acting upon it with a strong and
and hot solution of potassa, and afterwards separating the
acid as before. But the greater part, if not the whole, of
the salicylic acid of commerce, is now obtained by Pro-
fessor Kolbe's method, which consists in acting on sodium
carbolate with carbonic acid. See ' Cooley's Gyclopicdia.'
Oil of wintergreen, pure and simple, we do not advise
you to give to bees in syrup. It is much better and
safer to keep to the solution of salicylic acid as recom-
mended in Mr. Cowan's Guide-Bool:, p. 151.

0. W. — Food for the present Season. — The candy made as
you propose will do, but we should substitute pea-flour
for ordinary wheat-flour. The best method of feeding
for a busy man is the dry sugar plan. Cover a frame
both sides with the thin board used for picture-books,
leaving an inch space open at the top of one side. Fill
the trough thus formed with Porto Eico sugar and use as
a dummy. Crowd the bees so that they are in contact
with the feeder, and place enamel cloth on top of the
frames to condense moisture.

Inquirer. — We have not advanced so far in our endeavours
to unravel the mysteries of the physiology of the bee as
to be able to determine whether the eggs and grubs in
the pieces of comb forwarded are the progeny of a fertile
worker or a fertilised queen.

E. — The comb forwarded shows chilled brood much de-
composed, and requires vigilant watching.

Insects. — The two insects are drones, and being very
small, they have most probably been bred in worker-cells.

B. T. S. — We have no experience of caraway as a bee plant.
You will be able to tell whether it is of value to bees at
the time it is in flower.

C. H. B. — We do not think that the sample of sugar,
stated by your grocer to be Porto Bico, but which we
call ' pieces,' would be found suitable for dry sugar
feeding. We would recommend you to get pure Porto
Bico or Barbados for this purpose.

W. G. C. — Honey. — The sample of honey labelled ' Edward
Pink & Sons ' has been submitted to Otto Hehner, Esq.,
analyst, and his reply is, ' The sample consists of genuine
honey.'

J. A. Watson. — We suggest that you should forward a
sample of the honey to Mr. Hehner for analysis.

Eucalyptus Honey. — With reference to the short para-
graph in B. B. J. of 31st March about Eucalyptus Honey,
our readers may be interested to know that it can be
obtained of the British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E .0. ,
who, we are informed, have recently received a consignment.

.gfhow J5.nnouncements.

June 23, 21.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eiekards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

SIMPLICITY-EFFICIENCY-STABILITY-ECONOMY.

Send Id. Stamp for Illustrated, Descriptive, and Instructive Circular,

P UNIVERSAL HIVE.

Address simply —

Factory, BRIGHTON.

Kindly write your Address plainly, and in full, whether referring to former communications or not.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 7, 1887.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

ii 3 ,, 4 „ ,, ,, ii 13/-

ii 5 ,, 6 ,, ,, „ n 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance,
gg* My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375

For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnace.

NOTICE TO DEALERS.— Iu thanking my
numerous Patrons, I beg to say my SECTIONS are
on the way, and will arrive in London shortly. The fol-
lowing sizes in stock :— 4J x 4| x 2, 4£ x 4£ x U, 4 x 4i x 2,
4 x 4£ x 1 J, either open top or at all four sides. 5 J x 6J x 2
and 6Jx5Jx2, open top. H Sections same price as 2".
Order at once, or you may be disappointed, having received
a large number of orders. Address A. F. Hctchings, West
Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray.

Sectional view of New Patent Bee Feeder.

Simple, Safe, Clean !

Unrivalled for Summer
Feeding. No excitement.
No robbing.

Note bottom of
feeding flask brought
within reach of Bees,
also how quarter inch

No waste of syrup.

An Improved Slide for 18S7.
Stocks may now be fed in
the coldest weather, with-
out fear of chill.

cavity crossing the
combs gives safe
and easy access to
all the cluster.

No metallic surface.

See Advt. next week. Price Is. 6d. each, complete.

Send P.0.0. to Patentee, J. P. HOPKINS, Milverton, Somerset.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gkavenhobst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIENENZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.
AIbo, ' DEE PRAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Bational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. Schwetschke & Son (M. Bechn), Brunswick,

Eighth Edition. Fifteenth Thousand.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE BOOK. Containing Manage-
ment of Bees in Modern Moveable Comb Hives, and
the Use of the Extractor. By Thos. Wm. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.R.M.S., &c. With numerous Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo.,
price Is. 6d. ; or in cloth gilt, 2s. Gd. Postage 2d. To be had
of Hoclbton & Sons, Paternoster Square, all Hive dealers,
Secretaries to Bee-keepers' Associations, and of J. Huckle,
British Bee Journal Office, Kings Langley, Herts.
French Edition, price Is. 8</., now ready.

GLASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
Price List, sent Free. Address Fredk. Pearson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. A 2407

TMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
{_ HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, 1</. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. a 2403

WOIBLET SPUR! WOIBLET SPUR!!

.4 JUBILEE PRESENT.— HUGHES' EMBED-

J\ DEB SPUE, equal to the WOIBLET SPUB. Having
a large number now nearly completed, I can supply them
at the low price of 6<?. each. CAKLIN CUTTER same
price. The two combined lid., postage paid. Orders
executed in rotation. Address A. Huohes, Stonehouse
Apiary, Halstead, Kent.

LYON'S Patent METE ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PEOPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5| lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 pel' gross.

DR. PINES VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

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Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 Q,

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F.LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 8. E.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 18G1.
Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents : Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Regent Street, W.

NOW BEADY.
GUIDE-BOOK PAMPHLETS. No. IX.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,

AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., E.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

J, HTJOEIE, XXltSra-S t,ANGIBY,

BvnsH

THE

%

-^Aii^g

Communications to the Editor to be addressed < Stban<}eways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 251. Vol. XV.]

APRIL 14, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Atonal, faints, $t.

THE AGE OF WORKER-BEES.

While there are many points in the physiology
of the honey bee waiting to be determined by the
painstaking efforts of the curious searchers after
knowledge, one of the questions which for many
ages puzzled the minds and baffled the researches
of philosophers and students has for many years
received a satisfactory solution. We refer to the
once-vexed question of the longevity of worker-
bees.

In a very early number of the British See Journal
(Vol. I., p. 46), in reply to a question respecting
the age of the worker-bee, the Editor was able, with
a full degree of authoritativeness, to give the fol-
lowing reply : —

' The introduction of a Ligurian queen to a full stock
of black bees proves that the life of bees in summer is
very short. As it may be presumed that the black
queen continued to deposit eggs up to the time of her
removal from the hive, it must be evident that black
bees will continue to hatch out until the expiration of the
next twenty-one days at least. From that period, and
not until then, will it be possible for any young
Ligurians to emerge, but after that date the blacks
will die, and the Ligurians increase so rapidly that in a
few weeks the hive will be almost entirely populated
with the latter. We think we may safely say, if the
exchange of queens is effected during the height of the
breeding season, that three months after the birth of the
first Ligurian bee not a single black worker will be
found in the hive.'

But we believe it would be interesting, — at all
events to beginners in bee-keeping, — to trace back
and recapitulate the origin and circumstances by
which our present knowledge on this question has
been attained, and to note the continuous steps
which have led from the darkness of ignorance to
the light of truth and the assurance of fact.

The views enunciated by ancients and moderns
to very recent times on this subject ^were not
determined by ocular demonstration, but were
vague guesses and foundationless conjectures. This
arose in a great measure from the nature of the
hives in which the bees were domiciled, preventing
their owners from investigating their interiors.

Ancient writers who have touched upon the
longevity of bees have constantly and persistently

confused the duration of the existence of com-
munities and that of individual bees.

We are indebted to the philosopher Aristotle, who
flourished about 384 B.C., for the knowledge that
prevailed in his days of the natural history of
animals. In his works, in all probability were
incorporated the floating ideas that writers previous
to him had accumulated. A portion of his Natural
History of Animals was devoted to bees ; and in
touching upon the age to which bees attained, he
extends it from six to ten years. Virgil says that
bees reach the seventh summer, — ■

' Neque enim plus septima ducitur astas.'

Columella speaks of the duration of their life
as being ten years ; but the construction of his
language inclines us to think that he refers rather
to the existence of the community (examen) than
to that of individual bees.

The long period assigned by the ancients to the
existence of stocks is not far from correct if the
hive be not changed or the combs renewed, as the
accumulation of the cocoons or silken pellicles with
which the cells are successively lined, and the excre-
ment of the larvte left behind each lining, gradually
render them unfit for their use as brood-cells. Dr.
Hunter found three of these linings deposited in a
single season, and counted upwards of twenty in
the cells of an old comb, which, taking the average
of three generations yearly would make the age of
the community about correspond with that stated
by some ancient writers.

There are many instances on record of the
lengthened existence of a stock in the same
domicile. Mr. Esjtinasse tells us that he once took
a hive which had stood fourteen years, having
found it very weak, and yet during the previous
summer it had thrown off a swarm. Delia Rooca
says that he has known hives in Syria continue in
a flourishing state from forty to fifty years. Butler
mentions that some bees had their location under
the leads over the study of Ludovicus Vives in
Oxford, and remained there from the year 1520 to
1630; in the latter year it had been found necessary
to renew the leads, when the bees being disturbed,
' an incredible mass of honey was taken.' M.
Mouffet supposes that bees may live thirty years,
and says he knew a stock that continued in the
ceiling of the Duchess of Somerset's house more
than three decades of years, and questions whether
they died of age at all.

158

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 14, 1887.

Dr. Butler, in his Feminine Monarchic, with a
nearer approximation to the real fact, says, ' The
truth is, a bee is but a year's bird, with some
advantage.' Thorley, in his Melissologia, says,
' Observe with some strictness a hive of bees in
July and you may perceive many of them of a
dark colour with wings rent and torn, and in
September not one of them to be seen ; and in my
opinion a bee lives no longer than two summers ;
yet that is a long life if compared with wasps, the
drones, silkworms.'

The erroneous supposition which had for so many
ages prevailed respecting the bee being a long-lived
animal has in these present days been disproved ;
and this ' curious arcanum in natural history,' as
Dr. Evans styles it, has been ' unlocked.'

The change in the form of hives, the advent of
Ligurian bees into this country, and the introduction
of queens of this race, have for ever settled the
duration of the life of the worker bee. Every bee-
keeper is now-a-days able to substantiate for him-
self the truth of the statement we have given from
the Bee Journal. The short life of the worker-bee
during the summer months is due to the hard work
it has to perform, and during the honey glut ' the
three months ' is even reduced from six to eight
weeks ; but if bees are hatched in the autumn they
will live during the winter and commence the work
of the hive in the spring, — so extending their life
from eight to nine months.

If any of our readers are disposed to study this
question further we would desire to direct them
to an exhaustive and painstaking paper in the sixth
volume of the Transactions of the Entomological
Society, p. 226, written by one who nobly served
the cause of apiculture in his time and generation,
— the late Mr. J. G. Desborough, of Stamford.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — "Weather still cold and ungenial. Wednes-
day, March 29th, and Sunday, April 3rd, were the only
days, since writing our last Hints, on which the bees
were able thoroughly to enjoy themselves. Those were
days of brilliant sunshine and high temperature, and
colonies displayed themselves in full strength, carrying
home large quantities of pollen from various sources, but
chiefly from the willow. Storms, wind, snow, hail, and
rain, have been frequent, and although fruit trees give
promise of profuse bloom, at present we have none open
except on peaches and nectarines, and our spring is a
late one.

Food and Bacillus. — Now we are feeding on syrup,
salicylised or phenolised, for we Jhear that Bacillus alvei
has appeared in our neighbourhood, and that Bacillus
depilis is very prevalent. Does not the latter lead up to
the former, or rather is not this ' bee-dropsy,' as it used
to be called, incipient foul brood ?

Probably the skilled in this matter will tell us that the
hacilli are not the same. Wherever the one has pre-
vailed, in our experience, the other has not been far
distant. We strongly advise all, as a precautionary
measure, to use one or other of the above-mentioned
remedies. If careful to use the exact quantities pre-
scribed (see Cowan's Guide-Boole, pp. 151-3), our bees
consume the food as eagerly as they do plain syrup, and
there can be no question of either acting as an antidote.

Breeding and Stimulation. — A sufficient supply
of food is now a matter of the utmost importance, the
consumption in all nourishing colonies being greater

than ever. Often during this month have we known
large colonies brought to the verge of starvation, and
not unfrequently to perish, from lack of food, while the
owner has nattered himself that ' a week ago they had
enough for a month's consumption.' Surely it is better
rather to overdo than to underdo in an unpropitious
season like the present. Bees, like young plants, and all
young animals, should ' be kept going on.' Any check
to growth, or semi-starvation, is certain to result in
loss to the owner.

It is well to keep the nest, at present, between
division-boards, giving a frame of comb, containing a
little sealed honey, at the sides, as more room is required,
and to keep all colonies as warm as possible, in regard
to quilts and covering, feeding at the top from a good
heat-conserving feeder.

From colonies wintered on more combs than required
— their outside frames being clogged with granulated, or
partly granulated, honey — it will be of great advantage
to withdraw such outside combs, to pass them through
the extractor, and to return them to the hives for the
bees to clear out. We have found no kind of spring
stimulation equal to this ; and the method is perfectly
safe, since it affords neither encouragement to robbing
nor inducement to the bees to fly abroad in unseasonable
weather. The honey thus obtained is of second-rate
quality, but when rendered fluid by heat is useful in a
variety of ways for home consumption.

Stimulation, in other eases, should be carried on as
before, by breaking the capping of cells near the
nest.

Swarms— Natural and Artificial. — Probably the
advocates of artificial swarming outnumber those who
prefer the natural system. The objections to the latter
are said to be uncertainty, inconvenience, waste of time,
uudesirable increase, loss of swarms, multiplication of
small and useless second swarms, settling in inconvenient
places, refusal to swarm at all, and remaining idle at
home, &c. Bearing all this in mind, we have never
seen artificial swarms work with half the energy of
natural ones, and the queens reared under the natural
impulse are almost invariably the longest-lived and the
most prolific. The management of an apiary must, of
course, be conducted according to the intentions of its
owner, whether, for instance, it is worked for the pro-
duction of comb or extracted honey, for increase with a
view to the sale of bees or for queen-raising, or even for
a combination of all these points.

But whenever it can be arranged to indulge, without
actual loss, the natural instinct or propensity to swarm,
we strongly advocate doing so. Much depends on
weather. In some seasons there is very little disposition
to swarm. In others, it is next to impossible to prevent
the issuing of swarms from half-finished supers, not-
withstanding that plenty of room has been given in all
directions. In <U. H.' of April 15th last {B.B.J. .
vol. xiv. p. 162), we gave, under the head of ' Preventing
After-swarms,' a modified plan of the Heddon system,
which we have practised successfully, and which gratifies
the natural instinct for swarming, either with or without
increase, and while working for comb or extracted
honey.

With slight alteration, or adaptation to circumstances,
we think the plan would prove successful in all cases.
For example : when a swarm has been installed in the
position of its parent, with the rack of sections over it,
brood-combs, minus queen-cells, at an interval of a day
or two may be transferred from the latter to the former,
more room being afforded, and an additional rack added,
so that a constant addition of youug bees is made to the
swarm at the expense of the parent colony, which, no
increase being desired, is not allowed to rear a queen,
or to do so iu nucleus only. Under the swarm-prevonting
plan, when a swarm is put back, and the queen-cells are
cut out, the bees work with little or no energy, and .

April 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

159

more often than not, sulk, and refuse to work at all ;
and swarming is prevented at the loss of honey. When
'putting back' is practised, it is always best to give
room below the nest, by nadiring with a small sectional
hive, about 6 in. deep, containing frames of 4 in. depth,
placed at 1J in. from centre to centre, and having full
sheets of worker-celled foundation ; and drone larvae
should be destroyed when excising queen-cells. At the
same time more super room may be given if honey is
coming in fast.

Mr. Demaree states that, if he wishes to prevent
further increase, he places his swarms on half the usual
number of Langstroth frames (equal to about seven
English standard frames), using only ' starters ' in them,
and fills up the space at the sides of the frames with
division-boards standing a half inch apart. Over all he
places queen-excluder zinc, and upon it sets the first tier
of surplus cases.

By this management the whole force of the new
swarm is spent in producing surplus, and comes out as a
mere nucleus, being disposed of, as such, at the close of
the season, either by uniting or allowing it to perish.
The parent colony is allowed to raise its queen, and is
retained in stock. If increase is desired he hives the
swarms on full sets of frames (equal to twelve English
standards) filled with worker foundation, and gives the
colonies abundance of room as fast as they require it,
practising the tiering system to supply their needs.

If the queens are old there will be danger of swarms
issuing, but, as a rule, no swarms will issue from new
colonies if the queens are satisfactory to the workers.
This influence, or queen condition, gives the key to the
situation. In practising this plan the swarm should
occupy the position of the parent colonj', the latter being
removed to a new stand. If the queen which leads off
the swarm is more than two years old, the introduction
of a fertile young queen would go far to prevent all
probability of swarming.

To practise either of these systems to the greatest ad-
vantage, fertilised young queens should be introduced to
the parent colonies immediately after swarming, and
shortly afterwards surplus cases given. By these_ plans,
whether increase is desired or not, the natural instinct of
the bees is gratified and the swarming energy is utilised,
a far more satisfactory practice, to our ideas, than the
usual artificial system of ' maldng two out of three,' &c,
recommended in our English apiaries.

Lose no time in completing all possible preparations for
the coming season.

ECHINOPS SPH/EROCEPHALUS.
This plant which is just now all the rage amongst
American bee-keepers, and has been by them called the
Chapman honey plant, owing to it having been intro-
duced by Mr. Chapman for this purpose, is a native
of southern Europe and Western Asia. The name is
derived from echinos, hedgehog, and oj>s, appearance,
referring to the globular and spiny character of the
flower. The English name is Great Globe-thistle. It
belongs to the order Composites, composite flowers. The
plant is bushy, with stems from four to six feet, and
alternate leaves, green and slightly hairy above, whitish
and downy beneath. They are large, pinnatifid {i.e.
divided half-way to the midrib in segments in a feathery
manner), sinuate (with a curved margin), with unequal
segments, and slightly spinose (hard-pointed lobes). The
stems are erect, branched, and streaked with longitudinal
lines. The flowers are globular, of a very pale blue,
and the plant continues in bloom from July to
September. The lowest florets expand first, and the
others continue to do so in succession, so that each flower
is a considerable time before it is fully blown. It is
commonly grown as an ornamental garden plant, and at
a distance resembles a gigantic and handsome thistle.
It grows without care, and almost any waste place will

do, although it thrives better in a light calcareous soil.
It is visited b}r the honey-bee as well as by humble bees
and wasps. AVe
have grown it as
an ornamental plant
for some years, and
it is easily cultivated
in shrubberies, and,
where hoeing is fre-
quent, as in well-or-
dered gardens, can
be easily keptwithin
bounds. Whatever
it may be as a honey
plant in other pla-
ces, we cannot call
it a first-class one in
our district, and so
far, we have only
placed it in the
second rank amongst
bee flowers. We
do not recommend
its extensive culti-
vation, for it is
useless as a fodder
plant, and we doubt
if it will answer
to grow for honey
alone. The seed can
be sown from April
to June in a bed,
and then pricked out
in October, from two
feet to two feet, six
inches apart. When
the plants are fully established they can be propagated
by division of the roots in the spring. It is a perennial
and is sometimes called Echinanthus.

Another perennial plant, much handsomer, belonging
to the same family, is Echinops ritro (Small Globe-
thistle), which grows only from two to three feet high,
and has smaller heads of flowers of a deep azure blue,
with a metallic lustre.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The next quarterly conversazione will be held at 105
Jerrnyn Street, on Wednesday next, the 20th inst., at
six p.m. Members desirous of introducing subjects for
discussion, or submitting new and useful appliances for
consideration, should lose no time in communicating with
the Secretary. Arrangements have now been made by
the Committee to give awards of merit to useful inven-
tions which may be submitted from time to time for
consideration.

The annual first-class examination will be held on
Wednesday the 20th inst. Due notice of time and place
of meeting will be given to each candidate.

The usual quarterly meeting of County Representatives
will be held at 105 Jermyn Street, at five p.m. on the
same day, when the subject of the rules for the manage-
ment of County Shows, in accordance with the resolution
passed at the annual general meeting of the members,
will be considered.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of the committee was held on the 5th
inst. Present : Dr. J. P. Allen, in the chair ; Rev. P.
Kavanagh, Messrs. Milner, Edmondson, and Reid, Dr.

160

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 14, 1887.

Knight, and the hon. secretary (Mr. Chenevix). The
hon. secretary reported that the guarantee fund reached
at present the amount of 141. A further amount of 10s.
was contributed by a member of the committee. The
schedule of prizes for the Association's forthcoming
show was settled, but the place and date of the show
were referred to a sub-committee. Another sub-com-
mittee was appointed to prepare plans for model hives,
and draw up a scheme for enabling members to obtain
them on specially advantageous terms.

€axxt&$avtoma.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side o)
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports 0/
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo .Messrs. Strangeicaj/s and Sons, Tower Street, XJpper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, £c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

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

THE NEW RACES AND THE BEST MEANS

OF INTER-BREEDING AND SECURING

FERTILISATION.

Carniolans.

[902.] As a pure race these are the nearest possible
approach to an ' all-purposes ' bee. They can certainly
be improved by crossing, but in their purity a remarkabla
race is presented, possessing nearly all the good qualities
of every other race combined, with almost none of their
defects. They have been considered by some to be the
common black bees, but only a very careless observer
would call them one and the same. The white pubescent
bands on the abdomen of the Carniolan are broad and
very clearly defined, while near the junction with the
thorax there is a faint copper colour on the upper part
of the first segment.

Some of the queens are very similar to those of the
black races, but they are more generally tinged on the
abdomen with yellow, while others are quite yellow.
All, however, produce workers of the typical kind.
The queens are exceedingly prolific, giving this race
great advantage over the blacks, though in some respects
they have points of value in common with that kind.
For instance, they produce very white comb honey, and
use but little propolis.

Carniolans winter perfectly, with little or no care on
the part of the bee-keeper, being very restful during the
longest spells of cold weather. They have, therefore,
great vitality, and I will tell also why they keep up
their numbers at all times, and what makes them appear
even more prolific than they really are : it is their
longevity. My own experience has shown that in both
summer and winter these bees live longer than any
others. This quality alone is a grand recommendation,
and to see stocks come out in spring stronger than they
were when settled down for winter is with them the
rule, and but seldom the exception. That they are little
inclined to sting is another of their good qualities, and
one which probably more than anything will bring them
into favour, more especially with beginners.

It has been said that their one fault is excessive
swarming, but this has not been my own experience, and
I do not see why, under proner management, any trouble
should be found in that direction, especially if young
queens are kept.

Hints have been thrown out to the effect that they
gather no more, if as much, as blades or Ligurians,
but, as a matter of fact, I have known them in nearly

every instance do far better than either of the above
side by side in the same apiary.

Statements have been made to the effect that the new
races are being praised to the exclusion of the natives.
In the foregoing papers I have given an impartial
opinion, showing the good qualities possessed by each
variety which are certainly worth perpetuating. My
experience has not been with two or three queens, or
colonies of each, but with many stocks, which have
been subjected to careful observation. One corre-
spondent thought we had heard the last of these bees
long ago, but I would remind him that Cyprians,
Syrians, and especially Carniolans, are all gaining
ground ; they have come to stay, but it would be un-
reasonable to expect to hear the last of them before the
beginning was told.

As to our English bees being neglected, I have always
been a strong advocate of their best qualities, and I may
presently have some things to tell of them that the
same correspondent had not even dreamed about nor
imagined. We do not certainly call a brown horse
black, but why does he call a black bee brown ? I con-
sider my own eyesight to be as good as any, but I have
yet to see the brown bee spoken of by himself as the
British bee. — S. Simmins.

MR. LEE'S FRAMES AND SECTIONS.

[903.] I am sorry that my frames and sections, as
illustrated in the British Bee Journal, p. 125, do not
come up to Mr. Howard's anticipations as expressed on
p. 150.

Mr. Howard — who has wares of his own to advertise
— at the same time would naturalty feel a little jealous
of the praise my inventions have received from practical
men of such standing as Mr. Raynor, Mr. Cowan, Mr.
Broughton-Carr, Mr. Cheshire, and Mr. Raitt, whose
opinions are not influenced by having axes of their own
to grind ; and I do not think your readers will be ready
to take his interested opinion, in preference to that of
the above well-known gentlemen — who have given a
very favourable criticism in the B. B. J., The Record,
and in Bees and Bee-keeping — after having seen them
and put them together, which Mr. H. has not.

Mr. Howard asks, ' Is it wise to exclude drone-rearing
in drone-cells ? ' If Mr. Howard wishes to encourage
drone-breeding in the hive, full sheets of drone founda-
tion can be fixed in my frames as easily as full sheets of
worker. Neither is it original, but ancient history, for
the bee-master to cut out in suitable positions, either
foundation or perfectly built comb whenever desirable for
the encouragement of drone-breeding.

In my simplicity I have always been under the im-
pression that one of the things most desired by the bee-
master was to have all his frames completely filled with
comb, and securely fixed on all sides. The strong point
mentioned in favour of inversion was, that the combs
were thereby built to completely fill the frames, so that
they were, among other advantages, not liable to be
damaged when the honey was extracted.

I claim that by using my frames and fixing full sheets
of foundation in the frames as they are put together,
there is no need for ' a slight addition of molten wax ' to
hold the foundation secure. Taking the frames in the
flat, three of my frames can be completed — comb-founda-
tion and all — ready for putting into the hive in the same
time as one ordinary frame where it is ' molten wax '
holds foundation.

At the present price of honey, and a possible chance of
its being lower (let us hope not), we shall have to
simplify and cheapen all our appliances, and economise
labour in every way that we are able. And I hardly
think using frames ' the first season without a bottom
rail, and after the bottom edge of n'orked-down comb has

April 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

161

been cut away to receive the same, put the rail in place]
as mentioned by Mr. Howard, as necessary, ' to have a
comb-filled frame,' will conduce to that economy of time,
and commend itself to bee-keepers generally.

With regard to what is said about ray sections being
six-piece sections, and not being in advance of the four-
piece, or the V-cut one-piece sections ; I hope you -will
not think I am taking up too much of your valuable
space, but I feel called on to make a few remarks. In
the first place, the four-piece sections were difficult to
keep square, and frequently when filled and were being
taken out of the crate they would come apart and spoil
the honej'-comb. The one-piece sections frequently
break in putting together, and the time required for
fixing foundation, are both drawbacks to them.

Although my sections have six pieces, I can prove by
ocular demonstration that they can be put together, and
foundation securely fixed, without the aid of molten
wax, either as starters — within | inch of, and with a
narrow strip at bottom (after Mr. Cornell's excellent
method) — or with full sheets securely fixed on two sides,
in less than half the time the one on the four-piece
sections. They are much stronger when put together,
and are not liable to break as is the case with the others.
When placed side by side a bee space is left between the
sections from end to end of crate, so that the clustering
is most thorough and complete.

I am quite content that my frames, sections, &c,
should be judged on their own merits by impartial
judges, and do not feel disposed to run down the manu-
facture of others for the sake of the more prominently
bringing mine before the public. Time proves most
things. — James Lee, 43 Olycena Road, Lavender Hill,
London, S. IF.

R. E. GODFREY'S HINTS TO JUDGES.

[004.] Following my last on points to be considered
in the judging of honey, &c, I pen a few plain and
simple hints for consideration by judges new at work,
and which may not. perhaps be passed altogether un-
heeded over by those more experienced. I hope I may
not be thought intrusive or irksome to your readers and
that some profit may result from my remarks. You will
have my best thanks for placing them before my brother
judges through the medium of your Journal. — E. E. G.

Gentlemen accepting an engagement to act as judges
at any of our exhibitions should at the earliest oppor-
tunity procure a copy of schedule of prizes, conditions,
and regulations, and make themselves thoroughly con-
versant with them. If in doubt of the meaning of any
particular clause communicate with the secretary on the
day and hour fixed for the exhibition, repair to the scene
of action and report themselves. Should it be that all is
not ready to commence judging (and it does more
generally so happen) take a stroll and view the sur-
roundings. Don't stand by to witness unpacking and
staging. Avoid giving the slightest cause for suspicion of
having a knowledge of ownership of a single exhibit.
Should, however, all be in readiness, procure judge's
book, and ascertain from the secretary if all exhibits in
competition which are staged are in conformity with the
rules and regulations of the Association. If any irregu-
larities be pointed out (as is not infrequently the case at
our exhibitions) and are left open, ask the committee to
consider them, and if desired to do so assist them in
arriving at a right decision. Get well acquainted with
the order and position of the various exhibits. This may
be better and more speedily done with the assistance of
the secretary or staging committee. All being so far
understood, and the building cleared of all persons except
the officials engaged, commence the duties and get done
as quickly as after due examination of the respective
exhibits will admit of. After the award-cards are
placed walk round and compare notes, the duties being

thus completed. If time admits use the opportunity to
assist the committee in entertaining visitors, interview
any critic or be interviewed, and subdue if possible
discontent whenever noticeable. — R. li. Godfbey,
Grantham, April 6.

FOUNDATION.

[905.] My letter (871) in this Journal, wherein I
gave a test for detecting impure foundation, was written
simply for the benefit of bee-keepers, and not for the
purpose of instruction in making a chemical analysis of
wax. I maintain that by using heat as the test we
arrive at a sounder knowledge as to whether our founda-
tion will stand the temperature of the hive ; such a test
is without doubt the best for that purpose. I really,
myself, do not mind if another substance other than
wax is used, providing it will answer the bees' purpose
for comb-building, and stand the beat so as not to break
down or stretch; but this substance has yet to be dis-
covered.

I will now give further tests as to wax. First, by the
sense of touch. ' Pure wax should not be unctuous to
the touch ; ' this is readily detected after feeling paraffin
wax and is a very good off-hand test, although not to be
depended upon without considerable experience. ' Pure
wax should not yield more than 3 per cent to cold rectified
spirit, and nothing to water or to a boiling solution of
soda ; the two latter fluids after filtration neither being
turbid nor yielding a precipitate on the addition of
hydrochloric acid. Boiling water, in which it is agitated,
is not, when cooled, rendered blue by iodine. Specific
gravity 0'050 to 0'970.' Now a lot of the above is just
Greek to many bee-keepers, and all, except touch, cost
money to perform, while the heat test costs nothing. I
presume this is a fair translation of ' less inexpensive.'
As even if you purchase your thermometer — a brewer
will readily lend you such an one — you have your
eighteenpence worth still in hand, as well as your glass-
tube for further experiments. I am extremely sorry
that I have raised the ire of Mr. J. H. Howard in giving
the information contained in this letter (871), my regret
being more profound, as this is the first ' growl ' that I
have experienced after the many communications that I
have contributed to these columns : but nemo mortalium
omnibus horis sapit, perhaps I did wrong in giving it. —
W, B. Webster.

BIRDS EATING BEES.

[000.] As this is just the season at which I find birds
most apt to eat bees, and as I dare say the usual con-
troversy as to whether they Mil working bees or not
will soon set in, I write to give my experience this year,
as yet, which exactly coincides with that of the last two
years, for which time I have closely watched the move-
ments of birds about my hives.

The only birds I have ever detected killing my bees are
three kinds of tits, the coal-tit, blue-tit, and great-tit
(there are long-tailed tits about, but I never saw them
eating a bee, dead or alive), and chaffinches. The tits
begin earliest. In January last, when we had a couple
of fine days, in which the bees took cleansing flights and
cleared out the accumulated dead bees from the hives, I
saw four coal, two blue, and one great-tit eating the
dead bees as fast as they were brought out. I watched
them very closely, and for the first day or two I could
not see them make any attempt to catch a live bee ; but
after a little while, when the dead bees were all gone, I
saw two of the coal-tits and one blue catching bees, and
immediately shot them. None of the others which had
been so much about the hives while the dead bees were
plentiful seemed to touch the live ones, though I have
little doubt they would have joined the others if they
had been let continue at their work. I do not think any
birds touched my bees since till last Wednesday, March

162

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 14, 1887.

30th (perhaps they may have done so on Tuesday, hut I
did not see them). On that morning', before ten o'clock,
I saw a blue-tit killing bees at the hives. My son imme-
diately shot him. The hives are in a small garden, with
a, range of two-storey offices at the west, a wall ten feet
high at north and east, and a low wall at the south.
Most of the hives are in a row, about fifteen feet from
the north wall, and the rest a little in front of them, and
when the bees are flying well from fifteen hives they go in
a continuous stream over the top of the east wall, as there
is a quantity of hazel in full flower in that direction.
The blue-tit had hardly been shot when a pair of chaf-
finches took their post on the top of the wall, and com-
menced flying up at, catching, and eating the passing
bees as fast as ever they could. They were immediately
shot, and before half -past eleven o'clock six others shared,
the same fate; but though the place all about is literally
alive with chaffinches, no others have since molested the
bees. I find this to be the case every year; a few
individuals take to killing the bees in exactly the same
place just at this season in bright, dry weather, when the
bees are flying in numbers and while the other insects
are rather scarce, but the general run of the chaffinches
do not touch them, and when once there are plenty of
small insects flying they let the bees alone entirely ; but
if the first that attack the bees are not at once shot they
cause a much larger number to follow their example, and
the execution which a single chaffinch in a favourable
situation can do is wonderful. Once while my son was
running into the house, about, twenty-five yards off, for
more ammunition, I saw a cock chaffinch kill and eat
nine bees. Chaffinches never come down to the hives
like the tits.

I have just given my actual experience, such as it is,
and for what it is worth. This place literally swarms
with all kinds of birds, and chaffinches are, if anything,
the most numerous. I really do not think that the
number that kill bees is much, if anything, more than
one per cent of the entire number about. As I have
said, I immediately execute any individual convicted on
satisfactory evidence of killing bees, but I never do
so on suspicion. I think- that if other bee-keepers
would closely watch the dealings of birds with their
bees, they would come to the same conclusion that I
have, that it is absolutely necessary in the interests
of their bees to kill immediately any individual birds
that take to killing bees, but that to try to exterminate
the birds about their hives because some individuals
of the same species kill bees is useless cruelty.

I may add that I have never seen any bird kill bees
in summer when drones are flying, but I dare say that
if the birds which kill bees at this season were left alive
they would do so, and, most likely, prefer drones; and I
am strongly inclined to suspect that those birds that
kill drones in summer, when insects are plentiful, have
killed workers in spring, when insects are scarce. I do
not believe that a swallow ever killed a bee. There are
no flycatchers here.— G. J. H., April 4th.

THE NEW JAMES-LEE FRAME.

[907.] In answer to a correspondent, James Lee
states, — that the sample frames he has made on his new
plan are of both pine and lime. As regards strength, the
following extract from Mr. Cheshire s Bees and Bee-
keeping, vol. ii., p. 194, will fully answer : —

' Two practically essential questions at once suggest
themselves: Is the foundation firmly held? and is the
frame thus pushed together sufficiently solid for work?
The result of experiment is far more to the purpose than a
statement of opinion. Two sheets were tested. The first
remained unmoved until the strain reached 19 lbs. ; it then
broke, part being left in the cleft : the second, at 15 lb.
parted at the side, some portion being withdrawn, and
some left in the cleft. The weight was distributed by

clamping the sheet. The rigidity of the frame is remark-
able, aud its accurate make prevents any trace of winding.
The dovetail, also, has great holding power. The lighter,
invertible standing frames were more easily tested than the
standards, and here the dovetails bore an average strain of
52 lb. before the side bar was broken from its place.'

The lighter frame referred to is made of pine, on the
same principle as the Standard. The latter is equally as
strong, where, the strength is most required, i.e. the top bar,
and the bottom dovetail will be found more than equal
to what it has to do. These frames will be brought
before the quarterly meeting of the B.B.K.A.. on the
20th inst,— J. L.

SLOTTED DIVIDERS. [893.]
[908.] On page 150 of the B. B. J. Mr. Sambels
says, I have given my ' version of slotted dividers,
claiming them as an 'American invention ;' and goes on
to say, ' I will endeavour to give the facts about them,'
as if what I had written were not the facts. I quoted
from ' Gleanings ' ipsissima verba, and gave the woodcut
also to show priority of invention. Although Mr.
Sambels had not up to that time been so fortunate as to
see it in ' Gleanings,' or to see the crate I exhibited at
South Kensington on October 6th, the facts remain the
same; it is no new version of mine. I do not for a
moment wish to contend that the idea of ' slotted divi-
ders ' is not original with Mr. Sambels, or that he ever
saw or heard of them before : but he is not prior in such
invention, this is all I have said.

With regard to the crate itself, the one I exhibited is
precisely similar to it, and has equally all the faults
pointed out by me on page 128; the only difference
fjeiug in the way the bee-space is obtained. I used one
of Heddon's excluder honey-boards; Mr. Sambels had
an arrangement of loose rebated frames, like that used
by Messrs. Abbott in their invertible crate exhibited at
the Colinderies (for which they obtained a medal), with
the omission of the metal ribs in the centre that sup-
ported the sections. The systems of screws and pressure
board are just the same as that exhibited by Mr. Dines
at Norwich, illustrated in November number of the
B. B. J., page 508. The side passages and the arrange-
ment for supporting the dividers are like those in Mr.
Corneil's crate, with the addition of the slots which, in •
my case, were copied from Mr. Greer. Mr. Sambels is
surprised I did not say anything about my crate when
he exhibited his. The fact is that I did not think ' the
idea was worth anything to bee-keepers ; ' and having
adjusted the sections in it a few times, I made up my
mind, as I since told Mr. Henderson, that although I
had it I should never use it, there being so many crates
that were more easily manipulated and better in every
way.

Mr. Sambels says, ' as it happens it does one no injury
as I have no pecuniary interest.' I can assure him I
should be sorry to say or do anything knowingly that
would injure him or any man. I should also be sorry
to see others give up useful appliances which they have,
for new ideas which will only give disappointment; and
I think it is the duty of those having some experience to
give a word of caution. Satis verborum.— John M.
Hooker.

NOTES BY AVOODLEIGH. [891 & 893.]
[909.1 I am very pleased to see our veteran friend,
R. R. Godfrey, to the front re the Judging Question,
and as the time is drawing near when we shall have to
submit our exhibits to the judgment of those who ought
to be_ experts in the art, as a bee-keeper and also°an
exhibitor of some years standing I thank Mr. Godfrey
for his synopsis on judging honey and appliances, and
consider it a long stride toward the goal.
I should think the ideal bottle or jar of honey should

April 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

163

contain, say, the six good points, and each point should
be represented by an equal number of marks, say,
twenty-five each, and then the judges could credit^ the
number according to merit on each point of the exhibits
submitted to them up to the maximum number, twenty-
five on each points, or 150 on the whole, six points to a
perfect sample of honey.

There is one more point in judging which Mr. G.
does not notice, but which, in my opinion, goes to the
root of the matter, and has been the cause of much
heartburning among exhibitors in the past, and that
point is, that judges should make themselves acquainted
with the rules and regulations of the show on which
they are going to adjudicate. I consider judges should
endeavour to meet the wishes of donors of prizes for a
specific exhibit, and also be bound by the rules and
regulations as much as exhibitors are ; and, again, when
schedules state expressly and unequivocally for what a
prize is offered, I myself think the terms of the schedule
should be respected and acted on by the judges.

[893.] Mr. Hooker and Mr. Sambel's may both be
right as to slotted dividers. Mr. Hooker speaks of them
as an ' American invention,' and Mr. Sambels gets the
assertion mixed up with Mr. Cornell, the Canadian.
There may be many inventions known to Americans
and unknown to Canadians ; in fact, we here, though
divided by a wide tract of water, have equal, if not
greater, facilities for knowing American ideas as our
Canadian brethren, though the division between their
two countries may be of a more skeleton form than a
slotted divider. — Woodleigh.

CANADIAN EXPERIENCES.

[010.] On page 94, current year B. B. J., 'Amateur
Expert' is mistaken in supposing that I am a new convert
to the tiering-up or storifying system for securing largo
crops of best honey. I have practised it and advocated it
for some ten years or more. But the idea of placing a
portion of the surplus combs under the brood-chamber
is new to me, and I am free to admit that lam indebted
to Mr. T. W. Cowan's Guide-book Pamphlet, No. I. for
that idea.

It may be of interest to some of your readers to know
that I have ever since commencing bee-keeping used a
frame 13| inches deep and 14| inches wide, and I wish
to say that in my experience a frame of that or similar
dimensions has but one redeeming quality, viz., no pollen
will ever find its way into the sections. But I think its
disadvantages are many: — 1. In order to prevent the
combs from breaking down some supports must be given
them. 2. They are difficult to lift out without hurting
bees, and that makes them sting. 3. The large square
shape makes them awkward to uncap for the extractor.

4. From the fact that the queen does not seem to care to
occupy the lower corners of so deep a frame, more drone-
comb will be built than in shallow frames, for worker-
comb is built in nearly every case only when the bees
are followed closely by the queen. 5. 1 think the bees
go up more readily and work more earnestly and fill both
sections and extracting combs fuller over shallow frames
than over such deep ones. 6. And last, but not least, a
hive built to accommodate a frame from 12 to 14 inches
deep presents too small a top for surplus receptacles.

I would just add that in this country opinions differ,
but I think the most of us agree that a hive with frames
from 9 to 10 inches deep will winter fully as well as that
of a deep frame, and build up just as rapidly in spring. — ■

5. T. Pettit, Belmont, Ontario, Canada, March 25.

APIFUGE.

[911.1 In your answers to correspondents on page 100
you invite 'independent opinion of its value,' and as Mr.
Grimshaw has been attacked in your recent issues by
those who have certainly not tried the substance, I thinik

in common justice to it a few words from one who has
will be seasonable.

A few days ago I opened a hive for a thorough
manipulation, having previously rubbed a few drops of
apifuge on my hands, the result being that during the
whole manipulation there was not the least attempt at
stinging, in fact, all the sting seemed taken out of them
by the agreeable odour it possesses ; the mere fact of
spreading the naked hands over the frames caused the
bees not to boil up and take a vagrant flight, but simply
to recede quietly to about one inch below the top-bar,
just where they ought to be. I removed the dummy
and examined each frame separately, having neither
veil, gloves, nor smoke, with the thermometer at 60°,
and can only come to this conclusion that to the majority
of bee-keepers apifuge cannot be other than a boon. —
Author Henderson, Upperhead Roio, Leeds, April 2.

SUNDRY EXPERIENCES WITH BEES.

[912.] As I have received many useful hints about
bees from }rour numerous correspondents, and many in-
teresting details as to their habits and rather eccentric
behaviour, perhaps a few of my own observations and
experiences may be interesting to the readers of the
Journal. Having early learned the advantages of giving
plenty of room to strong stocks, even before 1 adopted the
bar-frame hive some eight or nine years since, I have
seldom been troubled with too many swarms. The year
before last, however, several very strong ones would come
out, and one of these I lost, and this one made me know
how far bees could fly upon occasion. On going home
from my work on Saturday, at about two o'clock, I
noticed a strange commotion in one of the hives and
immediately after a large swarm issued which I
watched in expectation that it would settle, but noticing
that the centre of the circle was gradually shifting down
a field joining my garden, I got at once over the fence
and followed at a gentle trot down the field, all the
while saying to myself, 'Now, if I had not been at home
this swarm would have been lost.' Instead, however, of
settling, as I expected they would, in the fence at the
bottom of the field, they kept steadily on in their circular
dance across three or four more fields and a part of a
common, and appeared to be flying direct to a large tree
about a mile from where they started, but instead of
settling there the}' turned at right angles from this tree
in another direction, taking in their course across a field
of wheat.

Thinking I might do some damage to the wheat, I
hesitated to follow them. It is said that ' he who hesi-
tates is lost.' Whether this be so or no my bees were
lost to me from that moment, for they appeared to be
making their way to a coppice stretching on for several
miles, and though I searched and made inquiry among
the cottagers near, I never found them. The interesting
point in this is, how many miles must these bees have
flown ? As they were flying in circles all the time it
must have been considerable. The next morning I was
about taking a walk with my son, to see if we could
find the vagrants, when another swarm issued from a
hive near, and this, we found, had settled very high
indeed in an elm-tree, near by my cottage, and at the
extreme end of the branch quite out of reach. This,
however, we hived very easily by passing the clothes-line
over a branch above, and by cutting the branch off on
which the bees had clustered they were gradually
lowered and shaken over the bars of a hive prepared for
them, scarcely a bee being lost or injured. Of course,
care had to be exercised that the branch did not suddenly
snap off.

I mention this as there have been some suggestions as
to preventing bees from flying so high, which might not
always succeed, even if you were watching at the time,
— C. Shufflebotham, Coventry.

164

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 14, 1887.

RESUSCITATION.— A WRINKLE.

[013.] It may be of interest to state how I recently
rescued a stock from almost certain non-existence.

On hurriedly examining my seven stocks in beginning
of February I found that one of two that I had wintered
on candy alone had almost finished its cake, and I at
once determined to try the Simmins plan of placing
sugar over the frames. This I did, but as I subsequently
found, put back the quilt rather negligently, thus allowing
the heat to escape. A fortnight later, seeing that the
bees of this stock did not avail themselves of a fine day
to have an outing, I examined again and found the sugar
untouched and the bees with only a glimmer of life in
them, many indeed dead. I was in a fix. Take them
into the house I could not, for the other members of the
household are by no means in love with my pets.
Suddenly I struck upon an idea and forthwith put it into
execution. The sugar was taken off — a small quantitj'
of granulated honey placed near end of frames instead —
the quilt placed and (this is the idea) a heated brick laid
on the quilt. In a few minutes I was satisfied that the
scheme was a success. The colony was saved, — Welsh
Novice.

FOUL-BROOD, &c.

[014.1 Foul-brood is not a pleasant subject for bee-
keepers, but it is a very necessary one sometimes to face,
for it causes immense discouragement and loss. I have
long recommended my parishioners to take up bee-
keeping as a pleasant and profitable occupation for their
leisure hours ; but foul-brood has wrought such havoc
amongst us, that I have had cause to regret that I have
ever done so. I should, consequently, he truly glad if
some simple and certain method of cure could be found
out, and also if the subject could be brought forward
still further in your columns.

Finding the disease reappear in my own apiary last
year, I procured a salicylic fumigator, but was surprised
at its costliness — too much, by far, for a poor cottager.
I used it perseveringly, and it certainly seemed to check
the disease, as I have not seen as yet any sign of its
having spread bej'ond the two hives, adjacent to each
other, in which it first appeared ; but whether it has
cured it remains to be seen. I opened the diseased cells
as far as possible, and the salicylic fumigation appeared
to dry them up. I also poured into them syrup medi-
cated with Cheshire's prescription ; and kept in each
hive a lump of camphor. Examining these two hives
on February 21st, to see how they had passed through
the winter, I find that, although one appeared to be
strong and in a healthy state, the other had dwindled
down to a mere handful of bees, without a queen, al-
though I gave it a new queen late last autumn ; so I united
the two together.

On a former occasion, when troubled with this an-
noying disease, I destroyed hives, frames, and combs,
isolated the bees, and commenced altogether afresh ; but
I hope that this will not be necessary this time. The
hint given by the writer of ' Useful Hints ' as to the
' use ' of a piece of calico saturated with a solution of
carbolic acid, I found extremely ' useful ' last year ; it
not only dispersed the bees quickly from full sections,
but it also, several times, acted admirably instead of
smoke, and quieted some fierce Ligurians when smoke
seemed useless. Many other hints given in the Journal
are very valuable, and the kindly feeling shown by your
correspondents, and their willingness to help one another,
are, I think, very pleasing. I cannot help hoping that,
with a little further advance, a few more difficulties re-
moved, and a few more ' Useful Hints,' bee-keeping may
attain a position and success which it lias not yet ob-
tained in this country. — Rectob.

P.S. — I intend to try a Jones-Heddon hive this year ;
the principle of it seems excellent, but I doubt its
adaptation in its present form to our climate,

NOTES ON BEE-HIVFS.

Painting the Interiobs of Wooden Hivb».

[015.] From careful experiments for some time past,
especial!}' during the whole of last winter, confirming
them by tests during the present one, I come to the
conclusion that there is not the slightest necessity nor
advantage in either painting, varnishing, or otherwise
coating the interior of hives. The use of propolis is not
to condense aqueous vapours, as Rev. H. W. Lett
supposes or intimates in his recent communication to the
British Bee Journal, but to close up chinks, to keep out
enemies and robbers, to cover rough surfaces and
objectionable ones, to preserve the interior from decay
and from the attacks of animal and plant life, and par-
ticularly to keep out currents of air.

Bacillus Gaytoni is all fudge — it is true, however,
that such symptoms described under this heading, or
Bacillus depilis, appear, but my experience and experi-
ments point undoubtedly that these are brought on and
are the results of bad and imperfect ventilation. Bees
do not cluster in the manner stated on page 117 so
much for the reasons there stated as for the fact that
that part of the hive is nearly always best ventilated
and free from draughts. A cold draught is as
destructive to the health of bees as it is to our own.
But when the air is not renewed in a hive of bees, and
their exhalations condense into water during cold
weather, the bee-hive resembles a damp cellar; the
honey, souring in those combs on which the bees cluster,
gives them dysenteiy and other disorders. We need not
wonder what killed the bees when we had covered them
up so warm !

During the past year I found a colony of bees in
a flourishing condition, the combs of which were sus-
pended from the surface of a beam of timber in the open
air, at the Fridd Farm, Tref Eglwys,— they had reared
a large quantity of brood, and collected from eight to
nine pounds of honey for future use, and all done in a
very exposed position. Of course, this does not prove,
that protection from the British climate is not necessary,
and of no advantage ; but I have found several similar
examples, proving that propolis is not necessary to con-
dense aqueous exhalations and other vapours in order to
supply them materials to use their honey when in a
candied condition, at any time. A damp atmosphere is
not necessary and helpful to bees to rear brood ; the air
in the hive should be as pure and dry as we require for
our own room at all times. A painted or varnished
interior tends to lower the vital energies of the bees, and
lowers the temperature of the cluster — even when there
is a proper entrance to the hive. The best covering for
an interior would be a layer of cork. We should go a
step further back than the straw skep to study the
interior of a hive, i.e. to a hollow tree, or to a hollow wall.
The straw hive of old, as long as it is new, is known to
be the best of all wintering hives, but it is no better
than a wooden box so soon as its inside is covered with
propolis, excepting that it is not likely to be displaced
internally so much by its meddlesome owner, and that
the bees generally have time to arrange their waxworks
to properly ventilate or turn the air-currents. The
following is a good ride : ' Have a strong colony with
plenty of honey, and the air in your hive as pure and dry
as you require it for your own room.'

I consider an oil-cloth a most dangerous winter
covering. An excellent cover is a straw mat. In order
to keep the straw from being glued over, a piece of linen
cloth or calico .should be kept next the bees. A box of
chaff, or, better still, a box of cork-dust, might be
substituted for the straw mat, over any of which should
be placed a flat board under a heavy weight.

Having regard to your space, I am sorry I cannot detail
my experiments to show how sensitive bees are to atmo-
spheric influences and temperature. I think we can
safely lay it down as an axiom that bees do not use their

April 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

165

own condensed exhalations, and that such exhalations
are highly injurious to them, if allowed to remain in
their hive ; furthermore, I am sure these are easily
demonstrable facts. Great care should be exercised in
uniting several lots of condemned bees at end of each
season. — T. Bonnbr-Chambbrs, F.L.S., March 2-ith.

HIVE CONSTRUCTION (P. 149).
[916.] I do not know for how long the honour of the
improvement, consisting in avoiding plinths, has been
ascribed to either Mr. Howard or Mr. Buchan. But
this I know. That for at least ten years I have made
my own hives without plinths, by placing the floor-boards
inside the outer walls and the roofs outside them. My
plan is fully described and illustrated in the Journal, vol.
xiv., p. 57. — F. L.

[889.] Bee Hives.— (Edward J. Gibbins.) — See Bee Journal
for Jan. 21st, 1886, Feb. 4th, 1886 (86), and Root's ABC
of Bee Culture. The same question was answered for you
by several bee-keepers in March, 1886. Mr. Sirnmins, of
Eottingdean, has a very large bee-house. Perhaps he
would give you better information. — W. B. Webster.

[890.] (H. W.) — Although I have never tried mixing
formic acid with syrup with the idea of preventing or
curing foul brood, I find there is considerable chemical
affinity between formic and carbolic acids ; the formula of
formic acid being CHO HO, that of carbolic C^HO. The
Bari and other tribes of the Soudan consider that milk is
rendered more wholesome by washing then: milk vessels
with the excreta of the cow. A similar course may be
beneficial to the bees, formic acid being their excreta ; but
I should prefer waiting evidence before applying these
means. — W. B. Webster.

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington, April 11th. — There have
been but a few nice days lately that bees could fly ; it has
been dull, with a north-east wind that has cut without
mercy. To-day (Bank Holiday) the wind is keen from the
east, but the sun is warm, and the bees have taken advan-
tage of it, and have brought in pollen in quantity. The
first thing in the morning I regaled them with pea-flour,
for which they have a great liking. I have examined a
good quantity of stocks, and taken spare combs away, but
to say that all stocks are strong would be too much to say,
though I have some good stocks. Even those that had the
most food some time back have used it up very much.
The palm is not much out at present, and no blossom
scarce as yet, only a few blossoms in a sunny corner,
though there is great promise when the plums and apple-
trees do come out. — John Walton.

North Stafford, April lltli. — Yesterday being a nice
sunny day, I noticed my bees (blacks) at most hives bring-
ing in a moderate supply of pollen, which, I imagine, must
be gathered chiefly from the palm willow, so I thought
to-day being fine I would venture an examination of them,
and found brood in various stages and quantities from small
patches on a single comb to three almost filled combs. All
bees appear healthy in both my fourteen bar-frame hives
and five skeps, the latter of which are all driven bees. I
have lost two stocks, one disappearing suddenly and
mysteriously, leaving sealed stores, the other perishing, as
I think, for the want of winter passages in two centre
combs in a spell of hard weather, all bees being dead with
plenty of sealed stores in rear combs. — E. C.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

P. Girdlestone. — Inverting Skeps. — The skep, after in-
version, is sunk beneath the level of its original stand,
the same entrance being used. There have been scarcely
any details as yet published. Iu your district there was

a very bad honey crop last season. If you had fixed
some pieces of comb in the super the bees would have
worked. We had a similar case, but within half an hour of
placing foundation in the supers they were busily engaged
drawing it out, and they filled it in ten days. Why not
use bar-frame hives? You have greater control over
your bees.
Inquirer. — 1. Hive-roofs. — If you make each division of
the hive to overlap the one underneath, and have the
roof perfectly sound and watertight, your hives will keep
quite dry. 2. Queens. — Unless the alighting-boards of
your hives touch the ground, which must be perfectly
free from grass or weeds, you will lose the queen, as
even under these conditions she sometimes fails to get
back into the hive unless yon are there to look after her.

3. Uniting. — Unite to another stock, caging the queen
for greater safety. This must be done on a nice warm
day. 4. Enamel Cloth. — If your stocks are strong, hives
watertight, and plenty of ventilation, the enamel cloth
will not be damp. Have you plenty of warm cover-
ing over the enamel cloth ?

J. — 1. The ' W. B. Carr ' metal ends can be used with

Lee's new frames. 2. The wire may be obtained from

the dealers in bee appliances. 3. Mr. Lee's address is

attached to his communication on p. 160.

J. Orr. — A reply to your question by Mr. Lee will be found

on p. 162.
M. E. M. and J. G. — The samples of sugar forwarded would

be found servicable.
M, 0. — The comb forwarded was not affected by foul
brood ; the special appearance of some of the cells was
caused by a coating of mildew on the pollen through
damp. We should not destroy the combs. Rub them
with a soft brush, and spray with salicylic acid, and
return to the bees.
T. G. Barlow. — W. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester.
John. — Abbott Brothers, or W. Baker, Muskham, Newark.
W. H. Hughes. — The syrup prepared according to the
recipe is quite innocuous ; the disaster has probably
resulted through the rustiness of the feeder ; we should
suggest that the feeder be changed at once.
J. W. — The principal use of metal ends is to keep the
correct distances of frames ; though for many reasons at
times advanced bee-keepers find it desirable to dispense
with them. The metal ends mentioned will be found as
serviceable as any others in the market. Both metal
ends and broad-shouldered frames have their special
advantages.
A. P. J. — The bees do not appear to have died of dysentery.
You have taken the wiser course of altering your mode
of feeding. Some of our correspondents have experienced
the same difficulty with feeding bees in the manner men-
tioned. The sugar forwarded is not that which we would
recommend.
W. M. — Foul Brood. — Use the Cheshire Phenol Solution a3

given on p. 153 of our Guide Book.
J. W. H. — 1. Bees by the side of a Railway. — It would not
be advisable to place them so close as to be shaken by
passing trains. The small number of bees on the wing
caught by the trains would make no practical difference.
2. lh inch Sections. — You may do without separators, but
some care is necessary to prevent some of the combs
being built out too far at the expense of the adjoining
ones. 3. Foundation. — Seven sheets to lib. is quite
heavy enough. The sample you send is dark, but the
wax is pure and it will answer very well for stock hives.

4. Sections in Frames. — The 4J x 3J x lb would not fill
standard frames exactly. You would find giving the
sections in racks in the usual manner better than several
frames of six sections each.

M. E. K. — There is every probability that your queen is
in full performance of her maternal duties. Nothing
can be done for the ' handful ' of queenless bees left in
the other hive.

C. C. M. —1. Providing the queens are young— last season's
— you have every chance of obtaining a surplus. 2. Read
The British Bee-Keepers' Guide for transferring. As soon
as warm weather sets in, 3. A frame of brood would be

16G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 14, 1887.

of much service, if you can spare it from other colonies
and there are sufficient bees to take care of it. You
should not examine colonies for sealed brood in January,
they ought then to be left entirely undisturbed.
. A. Watson. — The sample of Californian honey is, we
should say, some that has been a long time in the
country ; and a sale not having been effected at the
original price it has been reduced to that at which it has
been offered to you.

Beceived two pieces of comb, but with no accompanying
letter or address.

Received from Mr. J. H. Howard, Holme, Peterborough,
and Mr.W. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester, their 'Appendix
of Modern Bee Appliances.' This catalogue, containing
many important novelties and improvements, is well worthy
the attention of all bee-keepers.

Beceived from Thomas G. Newman & Son, Chicago, 111.,
their Illustrated Catalogue of Bee-keepers' Supplies for 1887.

Eriutum. — P. 141, col. 2, line 4 from top, for inter read winter.

Heddon Hive. — I notice in this week's B. B. Journal
that J. H. Howard says on page 151, ' Mr. J. Hall, No. 876,
gives an ingenious one-way watertight joint, but how about
'tother way up ? ' Mr. Howard evidently does not fully
grasp my idea. There is no ' 'tother way up' to trouble
about, as the loose zinc frame has not to be inverted at all,
but always remains in the position shown in sketch. How-
ever, I don't think it is worth while spending much time in
trying to improve the Heddon hive, as I expect it will soon
be a thing of the past. — J. H.

.gjhow jE^nnouncements.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 16. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Knowle, Secretary.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

pEBusiness directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Apfleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
TnE British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,
Dublin

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Howakd, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. Gd. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE FLOWERS.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. 3d.
12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. Sd. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling, post free.
HENRY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

ITALIAN BEES of the BROS. CIPPA,

BEE-KEEPERS,

BELLINZONA (Suisse Italien).

Successors of the old-established Bee Business of the late
Professor A. MONA.

SEASOH.

A Fertilised
Qnecn with a
Cluster of Bees

Swarm ol
i kilogram.

Swarm of
1 kilogram.

Swarm of
lj kilogram

Francs.

Francs.

Francs.

March and April

8

16.50

24

1 to 15 May ...

7.50

15

22

16 „ 31 „ ...

7.50

14

20.50

1 ,, 15 Juno ...

7

13

19

16 „ 30

6.50

12

17.50

1 „ 15 July ...

6

11

16

16 „ 31 „ ...

5.50

10

14.50

1 „ 15 An?. ...

5

9.50

13.50

16 „ 31 ,, ...

5

9

12.50

1 „ 15 Sept....

4.50

8.50

11.50

Francs.

16 „ 30 „ ...

4

8

10.50

13

1 „ 15 Oct. ...

4

8

10.50

13

16 „ 31 „ ...

4

8

11

14

Carriage not paid. A Queen arriving dead, if returned at once,
will be replaced without charge. Terms, Cash. Be particular
to give the exact Address and Name of the Station. Queens
reared by selection. Five per cent discount on an order for 10
Queens or Colonies at a time ; 10 per cent if 20 Queens are
ordered ; 15 per cent on 50 ; and 20 per cent on 100 Queens or
Colonies ordered at one time. Write, if possible, in French or
German. We have been acknowledged as the sole successors of
the late A. Mona by the official Federal GazetU. See notice
in British Bee Journal (page 424 of 9th Sept. 1886).

A2393 (1G-1

April 14, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[IMPORTANT NOTICE.— In offering Home-reared Queens, it should be distinctly understood that
only purely mated Queens are sent out. Hybrid crosses are so named, and are mated as stated,
in connection with respective prices.]

TJHE BRITISH EMPORIUM

for

QUEENS, NUCLEI, and SWARMS.

No Foul Brood either in my own, or Foreign Apiaries from which my
Imported Queens are obtained.

CARNIOLANS.

Imported Queens, 10/6, Home-reared, 7/6 each.

These have nearly all the good qualities of every other
race comhined, and none of their defects, while they winter
better than any, are very gentle, and good workers ; also
beautiful in appearance, having several broad white bands
on the abdomen.

An impression prevails that these bees swarm to excess,
but as the demand has been greater than the supply, and
there were no queen-raisers in their native land, the
probability is that many old queens have been sent over,
and hence undue swarming has resulted ; but with young
queens, which alone I send out as ' home-reared,' this race,
judging from my own and several friends' experiences, can
be restrained from swarming, however energetic the queen
may be.

Having an excellent stock of these bees on hand, during
the season I shall be raising queens on a large scale from
selected imported mothers of different strains, particularly
from two referred to below as 1 and 2 ; and having many
others from which I am breeding thousands of fine drones,
I am enabled to offer queens which will produce some of
the choicest pure stock yet seen.

CARNIOLAN BREEDING
STOCK FOE 1887.

No. 1. Imported Yellow Queen, selected from a large
number for fine appearance, turned out exceedingly prolific
and produces bees of good colour. Daughters of same are
either yellow or ringed, and therefore readily found among
workers.

No. 2. Imported, and of another strain ; produces some
dark queens, but generally 'ringed' or yellow-banded.
Workers very good. During season 1886 this queen pro-
duced more bees, and the latter more honey, than those of
any other stock in the same apiary, consisting of Ligurians,
Hybrids, and Syrians ; though when imported in Autumn
of '85 she was placed with rather a weak lot.

My drones are reared from still another strain, and from
stock which in 1886 drew out foundation and stored heavily
during the latter part of August (no heather). While
therefore I offer the purchaser young queens bred from
stock of good character, my arrangements provide for an
infusion of fresh blood ; advantages which are not to be
obtained with imported queens of any one strain bred for
many years in the same district.

CYPRIANS.

Home-raised Queens, 10/6.

These are the most beautiful bees yet cultivated, and can
be handled without smoke. They are exceedingly good
honey - gatherers, but are suitable only for extracting
purposes, as their cappings are not of good colour.
Cyprian Queens crossed with Carniolan drones, and
Carniolan Queens with Cyprian drones, 7/6 each.

The former are very desirable bees and more hardy and
energetic than pure Cyprians.

The latter are the best ' all purposes ' bees known, and
are sure to give satisfaction.

Any other cross with Cyprians can be supplied, but I can-
not undertake to supply those not mentioned at short
notice.

My Cyprian Queens and drones are reared only from
stock which can be handled like flies at any time, whether
honey is being brought in or not, so that both the pure bees,
and those crossed with Carniolans, will be gentle in dis-
position.

SYRIANS.

These are not recommended, but can supply them bred
from gentle stock, and crossed with Cyprians or Carniolans
for 10/6 each.

LIGURIAN, OR ITALIAN
ALP BEE.

Imported or Home-reared, 7/6 each.

My Imported Queens are from very choice strains, and
have been much admired.

Those raised at home are bred from a queen whose bees
last season gathered over 50 lbs. in seven days, and gave
the largest increase in the same apiary.

BLACK STRAIN.

HIGHEST RECORD ! 200lbs. COMB HONEY ! '

Bearing in mind that many still prefer the old Black race,
I am breeding from a strain, respective stocks of which have
produced (No. 1, '85), the mother colony 150 lbs. comb.

(No. 2, 1886), 198 well-finished sections, 60 others partly
filled, and the stock combs at end of season one solid block
of honey.

(No. 3, 1886), first swarm, 78 lbs. comb.

I offer young Queens of this strain mated with drones
from either choice Carniolan or Cyprian stock, as may be
desired, at 7/6 each with usual guarantee.

SWARMS BY THE POUND.

Three-pounds weight 21/-

Single pound 7/6

Half-pound 4/-

NUCLEI.

Bees on 3 combs in Standard frames
■i 2 ,, ,, ,,

I, 1 ii n ii

10/-
8/-
6/6

The above rates include packing and free delivery up to 10 lbs, weight Add cost of Queen required in each instance.

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH WITH ORDERS. Address—

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 14, 1887.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

„ 3 „ 4 „ „ „ „ 13/-

ii 5 n 6 ,, ii ii ii 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.
gg* My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modern Bee-heeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
produoing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnace,

NOTICE TO DEALERS.— In thanking my
numerous Patrons, I beg to say my SECTIONS are
on the way, and will arrive in London shortly. The fol-
lowing sizes in stock :— 4J x 4J x 2, 4J x 4J x H, 4 x 4J x 2,
4 x 4J x li, either open top or at all four sides. 5J x 6| x 2
and 6Jx5Jx2, open top. Ii- Sections same price as2".
Order at once, or you may be disappointed, having received
a large number of orders. Address A. F. Hutchings, West
Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray.

Patent Bee Feeder— Removing the Flask.

Or for giving warm syrup in cases of dysentery.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gravenhorst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIEKENZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.
Also, ' DEB PEAETISCHE IMEEE.' Compendium of
Eational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 markB.

C. A. Schwetschke & Son (M. Bruhn), Brunswick,

Eighth Edition. Fifteenth Thousand.

BEE-KEEPEKS' GUIDE BOOK. Containing Manage-
ment of Bees in Modern Moveable Comb Hives, and
the Use of the Extractor. By Thos. Wm. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.B.M.S., &c. With numerous Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo.,
price Is. Gd. ; or in cloth gilt, 2s. 6d. Postage 2d. To be had
of Houlbton & Sons, Paternoster Square, all Hive dealers,
Secretaries to Bee-keepers' Associations, and of J. Huckle,
liritish Bee Journal Office, Kings Langley, Herts.

French Edition, price Is. 8d,, now ready. *

GLASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
Price List, sent Free. Address Fredk. Pearson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. a 2407

IMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, Id. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. a 2403

WOIBLET SPUR! WOIBLET SPUR!!

A JUBILEE PRESENT.— HUGHES' EMBED-
DEE SPUB, equal to the WOIBLET SPUE. Having
a large number now nearly completed, I can supply them
at the low price of 6d. each. CABLIN CUTTEB same
price. The two combined lid., postage paid. Orders
executed in rotation. Address A, Hughes, Stonehouse
Apiary, Halstead, Kent. A 2518

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 eacu> Post lree- Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

CBCESIIIBX: CTJKE.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

loz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, S.E.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Regent Street, W.

NOW READY.

GUISE-BOOK PAMPHLETS. Wo. II.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,
AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

J. HECKLE, KINGS li-A-DSTGLETT.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.o.'

[No. 252. Vol. XV.]

APRIL 21, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(KWtdrial, Sottas, $t,

EXTRACTED OR SECTION HONEY?

April is now well advanced, and the weather
still continues unfavourable for the bees. Bitter
east winds still prevail, varied occasionally by north-
east. The past winter truly has been most trying.
Everything is backward, vegetation is almost at a
standstill, although fruit trees are doing their very
best to show signs of life. All things, however,
come round to him who will but wait ; and when
our patience is well-nigh exhausted we may expect
the welcome spring, and with it renewed animation
in our apiaries.

"With the honey season of 1887 (shall we call it
the Jubilee year 1) now so close on us, many
apiarians will be exercising their minds as to which
is better to work for — 'Extracted or Section Honey.'
Given as a fact that there are tons of the much-
coveted nectar secreted in the season without
any trouble on our part, but provided by an all-
wise and bountiful Creator, and that we have
strong and healthy colonies to gather it, it rests
with the bee-keeper for the most part to decide
whether sections or liquid honey will return him
the more profit.

If we are to listen to our Canadian friends
sections must be the rule, as we have been told
that they have secured the markets in England
for extracted honey, and in future British bee-
keepers must depend solely on comb honey for
their profits.

This information we accept with all due courtesy
and caution. But we have it from good authority
that English honey is holding its own in spite of
all opposition, and is now sought after and appre-
ciated as it should be.

Judging from the number of new methods and
appliances introduced since this time last year,
many stocks, and perhaps apiaries, will be devoted
to trying which is really the best, and we shall be
pleased to chronicle results at end of season.

But we must not on this occasion step aside
to spy into experimental apiaries in this year of
joy and jubilee. Judging from the diminution of
importations it clearly demonstrates that British
honey is pushing its way into the markets in which
we were told it could never gain a place.

British honey is very different from what it used
to be when our Journal was first started ; good and
clean honey used to be the exception, but now it is
almost the rule. We are confident that there is a
profitable and a ready market for both extracted and
section honey ; in some places the former, and in
others the latter, will find the readiest sale, whilst in
others an equal quantity of each will be required.
It will be wise for bee-keepers to study their
markets and work accordingly. Some apiarians
are beginning to lose heart and to say with the low
prices of honey bees will not pay. But such are, we
venture to say, mistaken, as with present quotations
very excellent returns can be made from this pursuit.
We have lately heard that agriculture being in such
a state of depression farmers are advised to look
more closely into the smaller industries of the farm.
We are reminded of the large sums of money
annually sent out of this country for the millions
of eggs exported from France. We are told, on the
other hand, that the French are a thrifty nation and
are content with small profits ; be this as it may
they manage to get no unworthy sum in return.
Poultry-farming pays we have not the slightest
doubt, but it cannot be for an instant compared
with bee-farming. With this last there is not much
trouble; not a great outlay; no three acres required ;
no rent to pay for pasturage. The bee is free to
wander where she likes, visiting this bright flower
and that fragrant bush, performing many duties,
gladdening man's heart by her joyous hum, and
returning to her master with her rich store. The
channels for the disposal of honey are now so mul-
tiplied that the bee-keeper is saved the trouble of
hawking it about.

We are confident that even with existing circum-
stances bee-keeping can be made to pay, and pay
far better than any other industry, and we can-
not do better than re-echo the French Bishop's
advice to his poor clergy, and to say to all in search
of a means to increase their incomes, ' Keep bees,
keep bees.'

ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE KOYAL
COUNTIES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

We have pleasure in announcing that this Society,
which has by its liberal assistance to the bee-keeping
industry, established a reputation second only to the
R. A. S. E. for importance amongst bee-keepers and
others, intends holding its 1887 Show at Reading, in

168

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 21, 1887.

the latter part of June. Last year the Show was held
at Portsmouth, and the Hants B. K. A. succeeded in
organizing a very large and important honey depart-
ment. This year the Berks B.K. A. have invited the
Hants Association to assist them in organizing a still
larger Joint Exhibition, and already preparations are
on foot for ensuring a thoroughly representative ex-
hibition. A liberal schedule is being arranged/and the
work of arrangement, &c, has been entrusted to a joint
committee consisting of — (Berks) Mrs. Curry, Eev. R.
Errington, Messrs. F. Cooksey, H. Fewtrell, W. Woodley,
A. D. Woodley; and (Hants) Rev. W. E. Medlicott,
Messrs. H. W. West, Evan Maberly, and E. II.
Bellairs.

BEESWAX AND ITS CONVERSION INTO
MONEY.

By J. Dennleb.

(Continued from page 147.)

It is to the interest of every bee-keeper to seek to
protect his combs from the ravages of the wax-moths.
These moths, of which there is a large and small
kind, lay their eggs in the combs, or in the debris
of the bee-hives. It is the larva? which come from
these eggs which spin round the comb and eat it. It
is specially the large kind of larvae which very much
increase the difficulty of preserving the combs. The
right means of getting rid of them or killing them con-
sists in hanging up your stock of comb in hermetically
sealed boxes, and in the hot time of year burn a piece of
sulphur in it every three or four weeks. One can also
protect the combs from the wax-moth by hanging them
up in very airy places.

Artificial Combs.

There came a time when the bees did not content
the demands of the bee-keeper in what refers to the
accuracy in the building of the rows in the middle of the
comb, and the habit of the bees in beginning to build
their comb on the ledges and the sides gave some bee-
keepers the idea of providing the middle of the small
frame and wood for the comb with a sharply projecting
cage of wood (Giebelhausen and Bottner). A line of
wax was also recommended (Dr. Honert). The bees
were to build regularly on it. Sometimes they did and
sometimes they did not. Tongs, also, were prepared
which represented the pressure of the cells on the little
pieces of wood (Wilde).

Otto Schulz writes (History of Artificial Comb) that
it certainly succeeded in inducing bees to build straightly
by time-wasting manipulations, yet all one's wishes were
not fulfilled, and the vexation was especially great when
the bee-keepers in the early spring put in a little frame
provided with a pressed-out piece of foundation and at
the beginning of the building perceived that principally
drone-cells were being built.

The carpenter, Mehring, of Frankenthal in the
Palatinate, was the first to have the happy idea of con-
structing a pair of plates of wood with the corresponding
indentations of the foundations of the cells, with which
he pressed out in wax the first partition walls of the
comb. Biimmler in Homburg, Kunz in Jiigendorf, Sand
in Gundau, Peter Jacob in Fraubrunnen in Switzerland,
perfected the ingenious discovery of making, and soon
provided very useful wares. But it was Otto Schulz, of
Buckow, who, later on, brought the artificial combs to a
perfection hitherto maintained. Since then he has
never been unfaithful to his principle— to establish a
product of blameless perfection at a low p-ice and in
great quantities. That this undertaking has grown in
the hands of the ' Bee-lord ' (literally the bee-village-
amgistrate), as our manufacturer is called in the bee-

world, is to be seen by the fact that his business in-
creases every year, and that, for instance, in 1885, he
produced and despatched about 18,000 kilogrammes (a
kilogramme = 2i lbs.). Competition was not wanting.
Artificial comb manufactories shot up like mushrooms
from the ground in the two last decades. Of the best
known we may mention in Germany, Friedrich in
Griefswald, Hermann Bruder in Waldshut (Baden), A.
Herlikofer in Gmiind (Wiirtemberg), Adam Wendler in
Aschaffenburg (Bavaria), Weyell and Breidecker in
Sauer-Schwafbenheim (in Rhenish Hesse), Voight in
Bahn (Pomerania). In Austrian Hungary, Anton John
Wagner in Vienna, Joseph Lud\vig,the Master Carpenter
of Moravian Bee-keepers' Union in Briinn ; in Switzer-
land, Siegwart in Altdorf (Uri), Hermann Brogle in
Siesseln ; in England, Abbott of Southall, London ; in
America, Ch. Dadant of Hamilton (Illinois).

By the recent discovery of an artificial comb-presser
bee-keepers are enabled to press out for themselves the
artificial combs they require, instead of selling the wax
they have got at ridiculous prices. Rietsche in Bieberach
(Baden) supplies such presses, as well as Hermann Greve,
in Neu-Bradenburg (Mecklenburg), and Hiring and
Fahrenholz, in Berlin. The Italian hand-presser of
Guazzoni, who also invented the wax-holder, is a very
practical hand-presser (see illustration in the original).
Of course in the home manufacture of these artificial
combs one must not expect first-rate goods, for every
trade needs long practice, and a bee-keeper will seldom
attain to this in the manufacture of artificial comb if he
has only to produce what he requires for his own wants.
(To be continued.)

Jforciigir.

TASMANIA.

From the Hobart Mercury of the 10th of February we
take the following cutting :—' St. David's Club.— The
usual weekly meeting was held at eight o'clock last
evening in the club-room. Present— the Dean (in the
chair), Revs. G. F. M. Fielding, G. W. H. Dicker, G. A.
Breguet, Mr. B. T. Solly, and other members. The
business of the evening was a lecture by Mr. Fielding
upon " Bees and Bee-Culture," a subject upon which the
rev. gentleman is somewhat an enthusiast. He gave a
resume of what is now termed the "old-fashioned"
method of bee-keeping, passing on to speak in detail of
the various steps and stages which have brought bee-
culture up to its present pitch of perfection. Dividing
the hive into the three divisions of queen, workers, and
drones, the lecturer described how the work of the hive
was carried on, how certain laws were conformed to, the
industrious and ingenious habits of the inmates, &c. A
feature of the lecture was the exhibition of the many
and varied contrivances for facilitating the storage and
yield of honey, together with different breeds of bees.
A vote of thanks was heartily accorded the lecturer, and
the meeting adjourned.'

[We hear also from other sources that Mr. Fielding
has delivered courses of lectures on the improved
methods of bee-keeping, in Tasmania. With their fine
climate, and the introduction of modern appliances, and
the ' different breeds of bees,' our Antipodean daughters
bid fair to equal, if not to surpass, the mother country.
—Ed.]

NEW ZEALAND.

Humble Bees.— The Dunstan Times, New Zealand,
of February 4th, reports ' that a humble bees' nest is
to be seen in a garden at Otekaike,' and says, ' The
Oamaru Mail states that these useful insects have made
their appearance throughout the district with remark-
able suddenness.'

[We congratulate our brethren at the Antipodes that

April 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

169

after so many trials, extending over a long course of
years, the introduction of the humble bee is at length un
fait accompli. — Ed.]

A Visit to the Matamata Apiary.

The following is taken from the New Zealand Herald
of March 6th, 1886 :—

'Amongst the several rural industries now being
carried on at Matamata, there is none more generally
interesting to visitors than that of apiculture. Bee-
farming has now become an established industry in
England, America, on the Continent of Europe, and in
Australasia, and deservedly so, for very few industries
connected with rural pursuits have made greater progress
during the last few years, or shown better results when
systematically carried out. The importance of apicul-
ture as an industry attracted the attention of Mr. J. C.
Firth, who, with his characteristic enterprise, started the
nucleus of a bee-farm some three years and a half ago,
with Mr. Hopkins, the well-known apiarist, as manager.
The result has proved the good judgment of Mr. Firth,
for instead of the whole of the honey that is secreted in
the clover blossom now " wasting its sweetness on the
desert air,"as formerly, many tons are annually harvested,
which find a ready market, at a remunerative price.
There is one thing- worthy of mention. The honey
raised at Matamata is without doubt equal to the best
raised in any part of the world. That is the opinion
of everyone who has tasted it; and the demand for the
" Tower brand" of honey is increasing so rapidly as to
warrant the further extension cf the apiaries.

' Connected with the management of the apiaries, of
which there are two at present, there are two substantial
buildings — one containing a large workshop, in which
the hives, frames, and other appliances are made, a
honey-room for storage of honey, a fumigating room,
and an office. The first thing that struck us on entering
were the large stacks of 2-lb. tins of honey — close on
10,000. These had been brought from the principal
apiary, and were ready for soldering, preparatory to
being labelled and cased for market. At the time of
our visit the season's crop of honey was nearly all in,
and this will amount to about ten tons — the produce of
200 hives — an average of 100 lbs. per hive. What an
enormous quantity it seems to be gathered by such little
workers; well may the honey bee be held up as a
pattern of industry. In the fumigating room, which for
the nonce had been turned into a wine room, we were
shown a number of casks containing fruit wines, mead,
cider, and vinegar in a state of preparation. These had
been made principally with honey, and gave promise of
turning out excellent in quality. The honey used in
their manufacture had all been obtained by washing the
cappings of the combs ; the portion shaved off before
extracting the honey from them, and which is useless,
for market. Mr. Hopkins, the manager, is of opinion
that were mead, honey, and fruit wines, honey vinegar,
and other such like products obtainable, an immense
demand woidd soon spring up for them. We have no
doubt that this might be made a very profitable branch
of bee-keeping if bee-keepers would but turn their
attention to it. It would not only be the means of
utilising a vast amount of surplus honey, but a great
benefit would be conferred on humanity by placing
within reach some wholesome, health-giving beverages
in place of the vile compounds now sometimes sold as
wines. There is no reason why we should not again
revive some of those ancient beverages, such as mead,
metheglin, miodomel, so highly prized when honey was
considered as an indispensable article of food for man,
before sugar took its place.

' The other building is used for manufacturing comb-
foundation. To those of our readers who have not
seen this ai-tificial aid to bees, we may explain that
comb-foundation is sheets of thin beeswax impressed

with the bases of the honey-cells, thus forming a founda-
tion upon which the perfect comb is built. Usually
these sheets are made about 16f inches long, 9 inches
wide, by one-eighth of an inch thick. These are fastened
in small wood frames, and placed in the hives for the
bees to finish. It is calculated that for each pound of
comb-foundation used there is a saving of 15 lbs. of honey,
to say nothing of the numerous other advantages gained.
Four of the latest and most improved machines for
making it are in use at Matamata, and, in fact, every-
thing that can be devised for purifying the wax and
manufacturing a first-class article. Some idea of the
progress of bee- culture in Australasia may be formed
when we state that in 1870, when Mr. Hopkins first
commenced to manufacture comb -foundation for sale,
about 300 lbs. were sufficient for all demands ; the
demand has steadily increased since, and the sales this
season amount to five tons. That made at Matamata is
in use throughout the whole of the Australasian colonies,
and what appears very remarkable is, that several bee-
keepers who have gone to the expense of procuring
machinery, &c, for making comb -foundation, have
found that it pays them much better to send to Mata-
mata for what they require, even to sending all the way
from Queensland for it.

' The home apiary, situated near to the manager's,
is a small one of about thirty hives, principally devoted
to queen -rearing. Here we saw a large number of
miniature or nucleus hives, in which the young queens
are reared and kept until they are required. Until quite
lately none but pure Italian bees were kept and bred in
this apiary, but in December last some pure Cyprian
queens were imported from Messrs. Neighbour and Sons,
the well-known English apiarists. These for the time
were located here for the purpose of having the young-
queens reared from them mated by Italian drones, as the
progeny from this cross are now considered to be the
best working bees cultivated. There is no danger of any
queens reared at this apiary being mated by drones other
than those bred there, as the nearest bush is at least
five or six miles away, and the nearest apiary is two and
a half miles distant. Queens are sent through the post
to all parts of the colonies in small ingeniously contrived
cages made for the purpose, and will travel over a twelve
or fourteen days' journey confined in the mail bags with
very little risk of dying.

' The " Burwood Apiary," situated some two and a
half miles from the "Home Apiary," is devoted to honey
production. The hives — about 22 in number — are set
out in long rows in an enclosure of about an acre, sur-
rounded by pine-trees, and are well sheltered. The
extracting-house, where the honey is extracted from the
combs, stands nearly in the centre of the hives. At the
time of our visit extracting was going on. One man
manipulates the hives, removing the full frames of honey
and replacing them with empty ones. These are placed
in tin baskets and taken to the extracting-house, where
another man with a peculiar knife resembling a narrow
trowel, and called an uncapping knife, shaves off the
cappings of the cells into a large can, the combs are then
placed in narrow wire cloth baskets which are fixed to a
frame-work in the extractor; the framework is then
made to revolve rapidly by turning a handle, and the
honey is thrown by centrifugal force from the combs
against the inside of the extractor. When one side of
the combs are emptied they are turned and the other
side extracted. From the extractor — which stands on a
platform about four feet above the floor— the honey runs
into a triple strainer and from there into the honey tank,
capable of holding about 3000 lbs. Here it is allowed
to remain for a day or two to get thoroughly ripe, when
it is skimmed and run off into tins for market. The
combs — which are not injured in the least by the extract-
ing process — when emptied are given back to the bees to
refill, and emptied again and again. This system of

170

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 21, 1887.

taking honey is a vast improvement on the old-fashioned
way of sulphuring the bees and breaking up and straining
or squeezing the combs. By the latter method the
delicate flavour of the honey is destroyed, and in fact
usually it is not fit to eat ; but by the method described
the original aromatic flavour which makes fine honey so
delicious is preserved and it is kept from all foreign sub-
stances. One peculiarity about the Matamata honey is
its rapid granulation and very fine grain. In the hottest
weather it granulates in about three days and from the
time it is extracted, and in more than one instance this
season it would not run from the tank thirty-six hours
after being taken from the comb. When placed in a
dish on the table its colour and grain give it the ap-
pearance of butter, from which it is sometimes difficult
to distinguish it.

' Mr. Hopkins informed us that the past season has been
a very fair one throughout New Zealand for bee-keepers,
and that he estimates the season's crop at over S00 tons
for this colony. He thinks the Auckland province alone
will have produced nearly one half of that quantity.
Altogether, we look upon the industry of apiculture as
one of much importance to the State, and well worthy of
any direct encouragement the State can give it. We
congratulate Mr. Firth on his enterprise and the example
he has set to other colonists to " go and do likewise.'1 '

CANADA.

Sending Honey to England.

A meeting of the directors of the Ontario Bee-keepers'
Association was held on the 16th of March at the Albion
Hotel, Toronto ; S. T. Pettit presided. We extract the
following account of the meeting from the Canadian Bee
Journal : —

The President explained the object for which the meet-
ing had been called, viz., to decide in what shape our honey
should be put up for the English market, and whether
or not the Association should undertake to handle the
productions of its members.

The first question decided was, that glass was the
package to be adopted and that the probable size was
one pound.

The question of the Association's taking hold of the
matter then came up, and, after much discussion, Mr.
Oorneil intimated that the Association was not incor-
porated as a trading body, and unless they procured a
special clause enabling them to do this they could not
undertake the work. This was concurred in by F. H.
Macpherson.

It was decided, however, that the honey must go to
England in bulk, to be put up there in the style of
package in which it is intended to reach the customer.
The package considered most suitable for snipping it
was the 60 lb. tin, such as we make and sell, and which
was used for the bulk of the extracted honey which the
delegates took with them last summer. It seemed to be
generally considered that no honey should be shipped to
commission men, and that the work would be a matter
of private enterprise.

Mr. Cornell advised mixing our honey and blending
the flavours to make one uniform brand or flavour. It
would be much easier to control the market and keep
the reputation we had gained, than by attempting to
keep on the market three or four different flavours of
honey ; and in this Mr. Pettit agreed, with the proviso,
of course, that no dark honey must be sent or mixed.

Mr. R. F. Holtermann, in a letter written subsequently
to the above meeting, informs us ' that a meeting has
since been held by a county association, at which a
resolution was passed urging the Ontario Association to
reconsider the matter, promising at least 10,000 lbs. of
honey on the spot if season permitted, providing one of
the four directors would go which had the work in hand
last year, and take the honey to England. The Ontario
Association has an annual grant of $500 ; it is proposed

that this be taken to defray the expenses of the director,
and the balance offexpenditure and payment for time be
shared by the contributors. What effect this will have
time will tell.'

r. Mcknight.

In the same number we find an interesting memoir
of one of the Canadian Delegates to London, Mr. R.
McKnight, whose genial bearing and marked intelligence
will be in remembrance by those who were present at
the Conversazione at South Kensington, or who visited
the Canadian Honey Exhibition. We have much pleasure
in transferring this memoir to our columns : — ■

R. McKnight was born in the County Down, Ireland,
in the year 1836, and like many of his fellow-citizens
before him he left home and friends at the early age of
19 years, and hied himself to Canada, via New York,
which port he arrived at about the latter part of the
month of June, after a six weeks voyage. While in the
city of New York he engaged with the captain of a
whale-ship to go to the Polar seas on a whaling ex-
pedition, but through 'some delay in the ship's sailing he
broke off his engagement. Leaving New York he came
West, and in the township of Tossoronto, County of
Simcoe, he found employment in a saw -mill. His
history shows the ambitious desire of our friend, and to
this ambition and a desire to ' stand on the top of the
heap' may be ascribed his success in life. Six months
in his mill life brought him ' to the head of the class,'
and the mill was placed in his charge, and was conducted
by him for three years. In 1860 he left the saw-mill
and took charge of a school in the adjoining township of
Essa, where he remained for three years. Leaving Essa
he came to Tecumseth, where, in a school only two or
three miles from this village (Beeton), he taught another
three years, and during this time he secured the highest
grade of a first-class teacher from the County Board.
He then bade good-bye to the school-room and entered
the military school at Toronto, and in the following
spring he bade bis adieus to the latter, carrying with
him a cadet's commission. The mercantile business then
received a share of his attention. He opened a general
store in the little village of Markdale, County Grey,
where he remained for two years, then selling' out and
removing to Cookstown, County Simcoe, where he added
the drug business to his general store. Tiring of the life
of a bachelor he decided to join the army of benedicts,
and found his partner in life in the person of Miss
McLean, of Elm Grove. In the spring of the year his
store and dwelling were destroyed by fire, everything
being consumed. He succeeded, however, in paying up
every dollar of his indebtedness, and he was hard pressed
by the wholesale houses with whom he did business to
rebuild, they promising to give him all the necessary
support, but he decided it unwise to bother himself with
heavy liabilities, and the following fall he moved to the
then rising village of Meaf ord, where he went into the
drug and grocery business. It was not long before he
became one of its most enterprising citizens, taking an
active part in everything pertaining to the advancement
of the village. Three years later he was selected by
the Reform Convention of East Grey to contest that
intensely Conservative constituency against Mr. Flesher,
but he was beaten by some 600 votes. At the next
election he was again chosen to fight the battle of his
party against his old opponent, and this time he reduced
Mr. Flesher's former majority by 800 votes. Some two
years after this, Mr. Scott, the local member for North
Grey, was unseated and disqualified, and he was asked
by the Reform Convention to go up and contest that
riding. Here, again, he was handicapped, — being prac-
tically an outsider, while his opponent, Mr. Creighton,
the present member, was editor and proprietor of the
Owen Sound Times, and was well known throughout the
riding. Notwithstanding all this, Mr. M. was only
defeated by 59 votes. During all these contests he lost

April 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

171

no friends in his own party, but gained many personal
if not political friends amongst his opponents. Shortly
after his contest in North Grey the Registrarship of the
County became vacant by the death of the incumbent,
and Mr. M. was offered and accepted the position.

This removed him from the arena of politics and
gave him leisure to practise other pursuits for which
he had a strong liking — notably floriculture and horti-
culture. His home at Owen Sound testifies to his taste
and skill in both. Nor does he confine himself to his
own home pursuits, but in everything for the good of
his town he takes a lively interest. He is at present
president of the Mechanics' Institute, a member of the
Board of Education, also of the Board of Health, is one
of the executive committee of the Board of Trade, and
an active member of the Masonic fraternity, indeed his
is a busy life.

As a bee-keeper he has had about seven years' ex-
perience, and he is fairly well known as one of the
leading apiarists. He has been one of the leading spirits
of the Ontario Bee-keepers' Association, being present at
the convention held in Toronto, when it was first
organized, and he presided over the deliberations of
that meeting in the City Hall for three evenings. He
was elected the Sec.-Treas. of the newly organized
Association, and on him devolved the perfecting of the
organization, which he did thoroughly and well. For
two years he held this position, and during that time
edited the Bee Department of the Canadian Farmer.
The following year he was elected president, and he has
been on the executive committee ever since. His
colonies now number 175, the product of two hives
bought seven years ago. In the meantime he has sold
perhaps $200 worth of bees. He was appointed one of
the delegates to represent Ontario's honey display, and
it was a most fortunate thing that Mr. MeKnight was
appointed one of the Commissioners at the Colonial.
The magnificent display of honey was due in a very
great measure to his efforts, as after a fair trial we all
found that he possessed the art of staging the goods to
the best possible advantage, and we think we maj' say
without fear of contradiction that he has no superior, if
an equal, in this line.

To him alone was left the entire arrangement of the
display, and the bee-keepers of Ontario should feel very
grateful for his untiring efforts in watching and carefully
keeping the display up, changing it from day to day and
from week to week, making it always look fresh, as if
just placed in position.

He not only worked in the honey building, but
frequently spent hours after midnight with the pen to
maintain the honour and reputation of the bee-keepers
of Ontario. He made many warm friends while there,
and after he left many a kind word could be heard from
those who regretted he had to leave so soon.

BERKS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Windsor branch of the above Association held
their second social gathering at the Albert Institute,
Windsor, on Tuesday, April 12th. At half-past six a
committee meeting was held, when it was resolved to
hold the Annual Show at Windsor this year in con-
junction with the Prince Consort's Association meeting.
It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr. G. P. Cartland,
that the balance-sheet should be printed and circulated
among the committee before the annual meeting of the
Association iu January each j'ear. At the conclusion of
the committee meeting, the public were admitted.
Among others present were, Mr. G. P. Cartland, Mr.
Darby, Mr. Sevenoaks, Mr. W. Carter, Rev. R. Errington
(Hon. Sec), Mr. A. D. Wcodley (expert), Mr. W.
Woodley, Mrs. Curry, Messrs. Gower, G. and H.
Willis, J. Smith, D. Smith, R. Brown, and others.
Mr. Sevenoaks exhibited some appliances, and Mr. A.
D. Woodley introduced a very neat metal section

case. The section slips into the case, the bottom and
sides of which are solid, and then the top, like that of
an ordinary tin canister, fits on, and the thing is com-
plete. They are painted in four colours, and when
stained in any way can be washed.

Miss Goring very kindly presided at the refreshment
stall, and in the course of the evening Mr. Woodley gave
an address on ' The Relation of Bees to Fowers.' The
company separated about 10 p.m.

Lecture on Bee-keeping. — An interesting lecture on
' Bees and Bee-keeping ' was delivered on the 12th inst.,
in the School-room, Badsworth, Yorkshire, by Mr. R. A. H.
Grimshaw, of Horsforth, Co-Seeretary of the Yorkshire
B. K. A. The chair was taken by Lieut. -Colonel Eamsden,
of Rogerthorpe Manor, who introduced the lecturer to an ap-
preciative audience. The usual diagrams, frames, sections,
combs, &c, were exhibited and explained, but the chief aim
of the lecturer was directed to the great advantages of the
frame-hive over the old dome-shaped skep (all the bee-
keepers present, we may remark, were skeppists), and the
almost national necessity there was of farmers availing
themselves of every opportunity to eke out their incomes in
these times of agricultural depression and competition.
It was argued that if bees did not yield us one drop of
honey it would still, indirectly, well pay the agriculturalist
and fruit-farmer to keep bees in such a rich pastoral
district, because of their services in fertilising and cross-
fertilising the clovers and fruit trees. Mr. Grimshaw
strongly urged his hearers to form themselves into a
village bee-club or branch association, fixing their sub-
scription at, say, 2s. 6rf. each per annum, out of which
they should buy a hive of Association Standard size from
which they could take a pattern if they desired to make
their own. Frames could be bought cheaper and truer
than they could be made, and should, at all hazards, be of
a uniform size in each apiary or bee-garden ; indeed, if
they were to form a society, they should keep one uniform
size in the whole district if possible, for lending, giving,
and selling facilities. This hive could be offered as a prize
to their own members at the local show. He also re-
commended them to subscribe 5s. od. per half-year for the
British Bee Journal, which could be passed round for reading
among the members. They should, besides, send up for a
copy of Modern Bee-keeping, which could be read aloud — a
chapter at a time — at their monthly meetings, to be fol-
lowed by discussion. From the enthusiasm of Mr. Tyne,
the schoolmaster at Badsworth, and others, it is very pro-
bable these suggestions will he at once carried out. — Great
credit and praise are due to Lieut. -Colonel Ramsden, for
the large-heartedness and public spirit he has shown in his
efforts to benefit those near him by arousing the desire to
' go in ' more for the scientific, or modern aspect of bee-
keeping. The usual votes of thanks were passed and truly
acknowledged.

Lectuee on the Honey Bee. — On Wednesday evening,
April 14, at the Biological Room in the Yorkshire College,
under the presidency of Mr. H. Bendelack Hewetson,
M.R.C.S., a lecture was delivered by Mr. G. H. L. Rickards,
M.R.C.S., on ' The Honey Bee and Bee-keepmg,' before the
Leeds Naturalists' Club and Scientific Association. After
describing in popular language the life-history of the bee,
and the internal economy of the hive, the lecturer explained
the modern appliances for bee-keeping, illustrating this
portion of his remarks by reference to a large collection of
hives and other implements which had been kindly lent by
Mr. W. Dixon of Beckett Street. The lecture was listened
to with the greatest interest by a large number of the
members and their friends, and at the conclusion several
questions were asked, and replied to by the lecturer.

Embalmed in Honey. — ' When he dies (the Hpoongee or
Buddhist priest) he is embalmed in honey six months ;
then in great pomp and state his body is burned. The
honey is sold, and by some is much esteemed for its sup-
posed healing properties. It is said to find its way into
the bazaar market, and European officers who will eat
Burman honey are not to be found.' (Extract from a
letter of an officer from Burmah in the Irish Times of
April 9th, 1887.)— Moral (for the British public): Don't eat
Burman honey.

172

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 21, 1887.

€axx£S$Bvfotmtt

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c., must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c., must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

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

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of March, 1887, amounted to 11141.
Particulars of the Quantities of honey imported into
the United Kingdom during 1886 and whence.

Cwts.

France 994

Portugal 560

Australasia 332

Canada 426

United States 4569

British West India Islands 1354

Spanish ,, „ 5272

Chile 7352

Argentine Republic 284

All other Countries 406

21,549

[From Returns furnished by the Statistical Depart-
ment H. M. Customs to E. H. Bellairs, Wingfield
House, near Christchurch.]

' MEL SAPIT OMNIA.'

[917.] I am glad to have an opportunity of ac-
knowledging the debt that I, in common with the
readers of the B.B.J., owe to the writer of ' Useful
Hints ' for his most interesting dissection of the now
notorious word ' apifuge.' It is well for us all (con-
sidering the countless number of new words that are
necessarily introduced into our language from day to
day) that those who coin or introduce them should be
subjected to the searching criticism which the author of
' apifuge ' has encountered in your columns. When, how-
ever, he is accused of ' promulgating or propagating a
macaronic solecism,' in inventing another term (Galac-
tofuge) which is rightly called ' an etymological monster,'
I should think he must have felt as guilty as if he had
committed the seven deadly sins all at one time. How
many of your readers could explain the meaning of a
'macaronic solecism ?' Who would not be nervous if
such an epithet were hurled at his head P The expression
is a perfectly correct and proper one, but I suspect that it
puzzled most of those who noticed it, and I confess that
I was glad to have the ' Imperial ' at my side to test its
accuracy. The author of this overwhelming epithet has
evidently been engaging in the word-competitions that
have been so popular of late.

My chief object, however, in writing to you is
to inquire the meaning which is intended to be
attached to the words which appear so often in your
columns, ' Mel sapit omnia.' I have always thought the
expression a doubtful one, but I should like to know the
meaning intended to be attached. ' Sapere,' connected
with the Greek aa^fe, first of all means 'to taste,' or 'to
have a taste or flavour of ' a thing, so that 'Mel sapit
c7nnia' must be explained, 'Honey has a taste of every-
thing.' But does it taste of everything ? Some amusing
passages might be quoted where the word is used in the

sense of to smell of, but the expression cannot be in-
tended to mean ' honey smells of everything.' The
chief and ordinary meaning of the word sapere, as used
in countless passages by a wide range of authors, is ' to
be wise, sensible, discreet,' and not a few of your readers
will at once recall the line which every student of Horace
must remember, typical as it is of ' the poet of middle-
aged men,' ' JDulce est desipere in loco ' — ' Sweet it is to
lay aside one's wisdom at the fitting place and time.'

It is evident that the author of the phrase does not
use ' sapit ' in the ordinary or neuter sense, so that wo
must continue our search for the proper meaning. Some-
times the word is used in the sense of ' to know,' ' to
understand ' a thing, as in a passage quoted by Cicero,
and worthy, I think, of quotation in your columns :
' Qui sibi semitam non sapiunt, alteri viam monstrant ' —
' Those who know of no by-path for themselves are
showing the road to the other.' And a passage from
the Epistles of Horace may also be quoted : — ■
' Quum tu . . .
Nil parvum sapias et adhue sublimia cures.'

' When (or while) you have no taste for anything trivial,
and still care only for lofty themes.'

Thus, then, I am at a loss to comprehend the meaning
of the expression as used in your columns ' Mel sapit omnia.'
It cannot be ' Honey knows or understands everything.'
I suspect the writer intends it to convey the meaning
' Honey gives wisdom to everything,' a meaning that it
cannot for a moment bear. There is a passage in the
Vulgate (St. Matt. xvi. 23, St. Mark, viii. 83) in which
the words occur ' Tu non sapis ea quee Dei sunt ' — ' Thou
savourest not ' (R.V., ' mindest not ') ' the things that be
of God.' This quotation, however, does not help us in
any way. We come back then to the meaning, the
only meaning which I think the words can bear, ' Honey
has a taste or flavour of everything ; ' and such a sense
seems to me simply to approach the absurd. Others,
however, may take a different view, and I trust some
further light may be thrown on an expression which
appears to have been accepted as correct for a con-
siderable time. — Oxoniensis.

EXPERTS' VISITS.

[918.] May I ask you for advice or arguments, more
conclusive than my inexperience can as yet furnish me
with, wherewith I can combat the strange antipathy
some of our bee-keepers show to the bare mention of the
proposed experts' visit ?

I have no wish to force such a visit on them, but
when my duty leads me to go the round of our members
and take down the names of those anxious to gain more
experience by such means, or of those who are proud to
let the expert see what progress they have made from
year to year, I am here and there nonplussed by an
unexpected answer such as this : ' No, thank you ; no
expert's visit for me. I don't hold with that constant
pulling about of one's hives, chilling of brood, and
bringing foul brood about. Foul brood was never heard
of before these new-fangled frame-hives came into use ;
there is no such thing ever known in straw skeps.'

How far can it be proved whether foul brood did or
did not exist in former times ? Surely it may have done
so, but was simply never taken notice of, and in most
cases probably burnt out by the old-fashioned custom of
killing off all but the best and strongest stocks.

If this question has already been well thrashed out in
your Journal, I beg you will kindly excuse my repeating
it, for though I have read it diligently for about a 3rear,
I find myself as greatly puzzled this season as I was last
to give an answer to these same members. — L. S.

[Foul brood, though not so called, hasexisted from remote
times, many apiaries having been depopulated by its in-
roads. It has, we believe, been more common in modern

April 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

173

days, but -we have at the present day more means of eradi-
cating it. We are afraid that experts are not so careful as
they ought to be. In visiting apiaries infected with foul
brood, they cannot be too careful in washing their hands
and cleansing all the appliances they have had in use.
■ — Ed.]

IN REPLY TO NOTICES IN B. B. J. OF
APRIL 14.

[919.] Echinops Spharocephalus. — We had a specimen
of this on our Wilts ' Trophy ' at the South Kensington
Bee Show last summer. During the whole time it was
daily visited by a small humble bee (only one) about
10 a.m. He was very punctual, and was seldom seen
again the same day ; he came again when we were
packing up, and hovered about for some time searching
for it in vain.

Birds eating Bees (906). — Some twenty-five years ago,
I watched a blue-tit (early in the year) tapping at a
hive door. He snapped up the first bee that came out,
carried it off to a post, held it down with his claw,
pecked at it, ate it, and returned for another ; this went
on for nearly half-an-hour. On examining the post, I
found seventeen bee-stings which he had left. So I am
convinced that some blue-tits, at all events, eat live bees.
I can say the same of swallows and sparrows, both of
which every year I watch flying over and round my
hives (especially when approaching showers cause the
bees to hurry home), and unmistakably catching them as
they fly.

Reply to C. Shufflebotham (912). — During the swarming
season, I usually keep a bucket of water and powerful
garden syringe near my hives, if a swarm seems inclined
to go off my own premises, I throw a jet of water into
the air so that the falling spray may sprinkle them,
which causes them to settle very quickly. I believe this
is a very old, but effectual dodge. — W. E. Bubkitt.

THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS.

[920.] FobeignBees. — Thanks, 'Amateur Expert.1 I
said nothing againstthe gentleness of Carniolan bees, I took
that to be pretty generally known ; and as to timid bee-
keepers, they never entered my mind when I penned my
letter against the indiscriminate introduction of foreign
bees to the annihilation of the British bee. Of course
bee-keepers must have their ' fads,' and possibly Car-
niolan bees in a good district in the sunny south may
gather enough to keep them through the winter ; there-
fore, if 'Amateur Expert' has the happiness to live in
that favoured portion of our island, 1 say by all means
recommend these bees, but to those who unfortunately
have to exist in what is proverbially known as the coldest
part of this country — the eastern side of Yorkshire — I
say, keep to the British bee, which is indigenous to the
country, has withstood all the vicissitudes of our
treacherous climate for countless generations, and is,
therefore, the survival of the fittest in the struggle for
existence.

Cboaking Qtjeens. — I gather from Mr. Grimshaw's
letter that he does not believe that queens ' croak,' but
attributes the sound to ' a drone striking its wings
against the hard shining under-surface of American
cloth.' Well, now, that may be a solution of his case,
but it doe3 not satisfy me, for I have heard the noise,
an unmistakably loud croak, frequently in my hives, not
often twice in the same hive, but always under similar
conditions, viz., when manipulating with smoke and
when the bees were pretty much subdued, and this in
hives where no American cloth was used and when
there were no drones in the hive ; every one knows the
peculiar cry of distress of a bee when caught between the
quilt and a frame, in closing up the hive : but the croak I
have beard has sounded sometimes deep down in the centre

of the hive. I believe it to be the queen because I never
heard the noise made by more than one bee in each hive
at a time.

Pea-Flotte. — I find the best way of giving bees pea-
flour is to purchase, for Qd., from the grocers, an empty
sugar-cask, with one end knocked out, then to drive a
stake into the ground and fasten the cask horizontally
on to it with the open end having a southern aspect.
Now put into it a tray or shallow box, in which plase
the pea-meal and put a few branches inside on which
the bees can climb to rub and clean themselves and
transfer the flour to their pollen-baskets. The advan-
tages of this method are that a sudden shower of rain
cannot spoil the flour, as it does if given in the open ;
the bees are sheltered from rough winds, mice cannot
climb up into it, as they will into almost anything to
get pea-meal, of which they appear to be very fond; and,
lastly, should the weather suddenly become very cold
and the bees be unable to get out to the meal, it will be
there for them when it changes.

Wateb. — Bees must have water in the spring. I give
it them by filling tho3e large earthenware covers used
for skeps and placing them on a sunny, sheltered border.
I then sift out the ' dust ' of what is called ' cork-dust '
and lay a good stratum of these cork chips on the water,
which they absorb and form a floating scum, whereon
the bees alight and drink in security.

SiroKEBS. — ' T. I. N.' has some practical remarks on
these, which one wonders manufacturers of them have
not discovered before. I can fully corroborate him in
regard to the uselessness of a valve ; mine broke, so I
blocked up the hole and used it all last year without one,
and it seemed to go much better.

Dbones. — I am quite of Mr. Howard's opinion that
we ought not to exclude drones from hives, having
practically solved that point to my own entire satisfac-
tion. I will cite a case or two. Having a hive that
usually lay dormant a long time in the spring, but which
when it did start generally outstripped most of the
others, I thought it would be well to have plenty of
drones in it to fertilise young queens, so introduced two
full sheets of drone-comb into the centre of the cluster,
besides which it had already its own ordinary quantity
along the bottoms and edges of the other combs. The
result was that it abounded with drones all the summer,
but it gave the greatest weight of honey in the whole lot.
Last year I again let it have all this drone-comb, and
again it turned out one of my very best honey-producers.
Another hive, driven bees from the same district, had
two sheets of drone-comb given it, as I was anxious to
perpetuate this strain of bees, which I fetched from the
highest and coldest spot on the eastern seaboard of
Yorkshire ; and this hive also did well, filling and sealing
every comb in the doubling box and giving two or three
crates of sections besides. Pray let us hear no more
about useless drones. — -F. Bo yes, Beverley.

CROAKING QUEENS. (897.)
[921.] Mr. Grimshaw, on page 152, draws my atten-
tion to a slight slip of the pen in my communication
upon this subject, inserted in your issue of March 10th.
The expression used by your correspondent was, ' We
recognise the contented boom (or hum ?) of the quiet,
prosperous hive in opposition to the sharp " poop !
poop ! " of the lost queenless bee.' For ' bee ' I substi-
tuted ' hive,' as indeed I remarked, it appeared to be an
error, possibly a printer's.

I am obliged to Mr. Grimshaw for the correction. It
enables me to recognise the sharp ' poop ! poop ! '
he speaks of, which, under the circumstances he men-
tions, I have many times heard uttered. But this is a
very different sound from the croak, ruttle, or drum-roll
I attribute to the queen. The latter sound is quite an
octave lower, far more rapid in succession, and even to

174

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 21, 1887.

be differentiated from the croaking noise referred to by
him, and pointed out by me in my first communication,
viz., that produced by the wings of a bee when fixed
between the quilt and a frame top-bar, and which ceases,
as I then observed, upon the release of the bee. — Edward
C. Anderson, Lydgate House, Wolsingham, April Vlth.

BEE- WAY SECTIONS.

[922.] Apropos of four bee-way sections and slotted
dividers, I think it would add greatly to the usefulness
of both if the slots were divided into two. The division
in the bee-space of the section coming against the di-
vision in the slot of the divider would then prevent the
latter from warping, which, in its present condition, it
will be certain to do. With four bee-way sections now
in use the same result may be obtained by driving a
small wire point into each side of the section. Of course
the tops and bottoms of both sections and dividers will
remain the same as at present. I enclose drawings to
explain my meaning. — W. H. Dolan, Loose, Maidstone.

FRAMES AND SECTIONS.

[923.] Rather mean to say, ' An axe to_ grind,' and
that motives other than interest in what is practical
should be imputed. I might retort that same purpose,
adding that while I turn and grind alone, the many
worthy ones named are turning the stone, while Mr. Lee
grinds the axe of another in his own interest. Nor should
Mr. Lee be too confident I have not seen his productions.
Now, friend Lee, your application of the ' bastard dove-
tail ' to the standard frame is of merit ; but this applica-
tion alone is all you can claim as original to your frame
and section. Saws vertical, and running at the degree of
angle desired, cut both groove and tennon, — your work
testifying the same ; and such is a joint of ' ancient days,'
but of later days produced in many a joiner's workshop
as described. To proceed. As honey-production in
general is the main object in bee-keeping; I am surprised
my query re drones is answered as it is. To the
practial apiarian the question gave its own answer, and
in frames it was not a question of drone production, but
the uses of a frame and foundation compelling in the
right direction — not all drone-cells, nor quite all worker
either. I am much obliged for the information ; it is
'ancient history' that foundation and built comb have
been cut for given purposes by the bee-master. _

Again, defending the wrong principle of guidingthe
bottom of foundation with a split bottom rail, by bring-
in" the merits (?) claimed for inversion to the rescue, is
merely proving this bottom rail guide to bar-frames of
theory only, nor does it add to the merit of its principle
by quoting me ; that which I wrote as an illustration
showing how useless it was to work for comb-crammed
brood frames, and Mr. Lee might have been sufficiently
charitable to quote this is useless work. Now foundation
held only between a split top bar, in either frame or
section, may stand a test without the hive; but within !
the precaution of molten wax, or a couple of brads, may
not be great loss of time in adding after all, nor expense
either. In practical test the principle has been tried and
found wanting, nor would I ever risk wood and founda-
tion alone within the hive.

If Mr. Lee will defend his frame and section by actual
apiary work and experience, not forgetting that split
rails, glass rails, and projecting ends for bee-spaces are
not quite ' ancient,' but fast becoming so, we may both
get out of the ' shop' into the apiary, and there discuss
bee spaces, completing, clustering (?), the merits (?) of
inversion, right way up, and the right way to bear no
ill impression of any man, — John H. Howard,

FEEDING WITHOUT FEEDERS.

[924.] Now that the time for spring stimulation has
come round, a suggestion as to a very cheap and simple
method of feeding, which dispenses with all appliances
and preparation, may prove acceptable to bee-keepers.
It is to take an empty comb, and, laying it flat on a
table, place a heap of moist sugar* on it. Spread this
with a knife or with your hand, so as to fill the cells on
one side, taking care not to bruise or cut the comb.
There is no need for ramming the sugar down into a hard,
solid mass, as filling the cells up level is all that is
wanted. If the bees have any difficulty in liquefying
the sugar, the comb can be well sprinkled with water,
either before or after filling; I think before would be
preferable. The reason for filling only one side of the
comb is that, while filling the other side, a quantity of
sugar would fall out again from the side previously
filled, and it is also unnecessary, for as many combs as
desired coidd be so stored and given to a hive.

Before returning the comb to the hive, brush or shake
off all loose surplus, so as to avoid its falling on the
floor-board, and thus being wasted. Place the sugared
combs in the hives towards the outside of the nest, but
inside the division-boards, with the full side towards the
cluster, as the bees always prefer to have the empty face
of a comb outwards. I think one standard frame so
filled will last a breeding hive for about a week, but am
not quite certain as to the exact time. I think, too, that
this way of feeding will be found to cause little, if any,
more excitement than uncapping sealed honey, and that
as the sugar is already stored in the combs, the bees do
not trouble to remove it to another part of the hive, but
use it as required, consuming it in preference to breaking
into their stores of sealed honey. I cannot vouch for the
perfect accuracy of this view of the bees' proceedings, as
I have not observed them closely enough for this ; but I
can say that I am now using this method, and find it to
answer satisfactorily. It is very similar to the method
advocated by Mr. Simmins, but dispenses with the
dummy as an unnecessary expense; herein I think is the
only difference in the bee-keepers' method of proceeding.

How this method would answer for autumn and
winter feeding I cannot say, as I have only tried it
this spring, but should think it would do, providing
the hive was kept reasonably dry, so as to prevent
the sugar from absorbing too much moisture, and so
flooding the hive with syrup. For this purpose, I
should propose filling only the upper portion and ends
of the central combs, or turning their sugared face
towards the hive walls ; the outer combs being arranged
as before mentioned. — Student.

STEWARTON HIVES.
[925.] Several new designs in hives have been given
lately, so I think I will also give mine, and ask public
opinion on it, if you will favour me. To begin with, I
secede from the bar-framist, because my experience has,
so far, taught me that I can succeed just as well without
them. My Stewartons are just as strong, if properly
managed, as my bar-frame hives, and they give me just
as much honey, but not in so saleable a form. Also, the
Stewartons, owing to their thin sides, require an outer
case. The frame-hives take a lot more work for the
same results, and are clumsy to take to the heather. I
have tried to remedy some of these defects in my new
hive. I have not made it specially invertible, because it
is only with deep frames that inverting is required.
With shallow frames we can transpose, which is far
better. The body-boxes are six inches deep, and fourteen
inches in diameter inside, and fitted with nine or ten
fixed bars. The sides are a full three-quarters of an inch
thick, and have a peculiar arrangement to prevent wet

* I use white at !£<*. per lb., and find it answer very well.

April 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

175

getting in at joints. Either section-boxes or extracting-
supers may be used above, all having this joint For
my own part, I work only for sections. It would be
interesting if Mr. Cowan would say what the difference
between working his Stewartons and bar-frame hives is.
I mean in building up in spring. Which get strong
quickest, and with what attention? I think this hive
would do well for cottagers and others, who never make
a good job with moveable frames. Not that 1 have had
any experience with this hive, or intend to go in largely
with it. My idea is to try and get sections as easily as
possible. The cover for above hive is the same as Mr.
Simrnins's, and a very good form I find it, and not very
difficult to make. — Ggorge D. Clark, Kirklandhill,
Dunbar.

[The arrangement alluded to for keeping out the wet
consists in having a V groove on the bottom edges of the
hive-sides, and bevelling off towards the outside the
top edge. Our frame-hives are always the forwardest,
aud are ready for honey-gathering first, but they have an
advantage in the moveable combs which enable us to
assist them more than we can the others, and therefore
they are much quicker in building up in spring.— Ed.]

THE NEW KACES OF FOREIGN BEES.

[926.] I did not intend writing any more on this
subject, but I see Mr. Simmins, in an addendum to his
article on Carniolans, does me the honour of making
some remarks on my letter.

He first says he has given an impartial opinion on
the different varieties of foreign bees — of course I do
not for a moment doubt him when he says so, but a
naughty little bird in flying across my garden whispered
that his very glowing articles on these bees, appearing
simultaneously with his full-page advertisement directing
people where to go to get them, may possibly create in
some refractory minds the very smallest semblance of a
doubt on this point. I should be sorry if it did, and
had I had my gun I should certainly have shot that
naughty little bird for its impudence. Since then a
neighbour informs me that he heard it whispering in
his garden that it believed Mr. Simmins had made an
omission when he stated it was ' unreasonable to expect
to hear the last of these bees before the beginning was
told,' and that he ought to have said his beginning, for,
continued the little bird, have we not had our Cowan's
and our Kaynor's, and many others' opinions years ago ? '
That little bird is becoming incorrigible, and I shall
certainly make it my duty to shoot it the first chance
I have.

When Mr. Simmins writes, ' I may presently have
some things to tell of English bees that the same
correspondent (myself, readers) had not even dreamed
about nor imagined,' I must tell him I shall be delighted
to learn these things, if they are worth knowing, about
our British bees — not ' English,' please, that would be
too selfish a definition — but he must be careful what he
states about me, I am a very queer man, and have dreamt
some very funny things at one time and another ; and as
to my imagination, it, probably, I fear, doesn't soar so
high in regard to foreign bees as his own, yet it is not
given either to him or any one to define its limits on
British bees or anything else. He continues, ' We do
not certainly call a brown horse black, but why does he '
(I) ' call a black bee brown ? I consider my own eye-
sight to be as good as any, but I have yet to see the
brown bee spoken of by himself as the British bee.' I
certainly did not expect to see this from Mr. Simmins,
whose writings are generally so practical, particularly in
regard to the management and manipulations of the hive,
and I can only account, for it by supposing that he either
meant this as a joke or he is totally colour-blind, for
surely no one with the smallest knowledge of colours
wiH call our native bee ' black,' I spoke of our native

brown bees as ' British,' for do we not all know that
every animal, whether beast, bird, or insect, which
breeds naturally in this country is called 'British?' —
F. Boyes, Beverley.

BEE-FLOWERS.

[027.] A valuable shrub for bees, which I think has
not been mentioned in the Journal is the Tree Box
(Buxus arboreseens) and is worthy to be noticed as a
fitting companion to that beautiful ornamental shrub
Berberis Darwini. Both are excellent for bees, but the
tree box, coming into bloom some time before the latter,
is, I think, the more valuable. It has been in flower
here for more than a week, and has been crowded with"
bees all day long, whenever the weather would permit
them to get to it. — F. Boyes, Beverley, April 18th.

NOTES BY WOODLEIGH.

[928.] Separators— May I ask if it was the fault
of your engraver that the feet of the separators were
not shown in the engraving some weeks ago in your
columns, or did ' A. E.' intend the strips or small fillets
nailed on the inside of sides of crate to take the place
of feet and carry the separators between them? I
have been in communication with bee-keepers on the
same subject.

I have always used thin sheet zinc for separators and
cannot see any objection to its use as such. Something
has been said about using perforated zinc for separators.
I cannot see any advantage there can be in the perforated
over the plain, in fact 1 think there would be a great
disadvantage in giving the bees peep-holes at each other
while busy at work (it would lead to needless gossiping).
Then another asks if excluder zinc will do for separators.
I have not used it for such a purpose. Can anyone that
has enlighten us as to the plain or corrugated surface of
the sealed sections when it has been used ?

Pea-Flour. — I find Symington's patent pea-flour the
best for artificial pollen, or Brown and Poison's coru-
flour and the pea-flour mixed ; the bees take it with
avidity and it is a great saving of bee life. The above
flours are both impalpable powders and easily worked
up by the bees.

Propolisation. — If the wood bearings for frames
are lubricated with black lead, no propolisation will ^
take place and no obnoxious emanations will exude from
it as from tallow.

Porous Quilts. — Our theories and practice change
almost as quickly as the seasons or the fashions. How
short a time ago — vide previous vols, of B.B.J. — leading
bee-keepers were advocating porous quilts and covers,
now it is impervious American cloth and a resinous
composition for hive interiors. Mutatis, §c.

Foundation. — Wanted, some inventors to turn their
inventive genius on super foundation-making, and give
us a foundation that leaves no thicker midrib when
worked out than the bees do in the natural comb, also
a good tough strong foundation that will not sag, or
break out in the extractor. Could not some textile base
be used after the method of Abbott's wooden base
foundation ? What kind of foundation do our Canadian
friends use ?

A Varnish for hives warranted to fill cracks if used
as directed. Take two gallons of gas tar, boil for four
hours, take from over the fire, add by stirring half a
gallon of turpentine, then boil again for half an hour or
so, and apply while still hot.

Wasps. — The erratic specimen of wasp (?) (813) that
deposited the caterpillar in the crevice was not the Vespa
vulgaris, but a smaller kind of solitary insect, closely allied
to the V. v. in shape and colour, but very different in its
habits and actions. I had three of the same kind of
insects under observation last summer and I am looking
forward to the sequel this coming season.

The bee noticed by Harold Adcock visiting the bobbin

176

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 21, 1887.

was not the honey-bee, but the solitary bee that generally
builds its nest in a small hole in mud walls, &c, and a
very wonderful provision of nature in connexion with
this' hind of bee is that it prepares its nest, then deposits
an egg-, inserts some food, then another wad of pieces of
leaves, then another egg and more food, and so on, yet
the last egg deposited, perhaps four or five days after the
first, developes and arrives at maturity first.

Inwertiblk Hive. — I think the patent invertiblehive
of the Jones-Heddon type must be getting rather shaky
after the rough handling it has received from British bee-
keepers, considering how slight the material was from
which it was constructed, and I shall not be surprised
if it follows in the wake of a large majority of its
predecessors, whose only chronicle of existence is the
archives of the Patent 'Office. Our thanks are due to
Mr. Hooker for the trouble he has taken in enume-
rating the number of American hives that have been
patented. One would judge by results that the Patent
Office gets the lion's share of the profits. I should
expect, from the advice given to cottagers to invest
in cheap Yankee invertible hives by ' Devonshire
Dumpling,' that D. D. must of necessity be a townsman
who does not know anything of the capabilities of
cottage bee-keepers, who has never had opportunities of
mixing with them, or knowing how difficult it is to
induce them to adopt the modern system, even with
hives that have been worked in their own gardens, but
to advise cottager Smith to buy a Jones hive, and then
tell him that his neighbour P.obinson had one last
season, and that when his bees had worked out and
built the comb to the top bar Robinson turned his hive
' topsy-turvy ' for the bees to build the comb to the
bottom bar, why, my dear D. D., he would consider
you were the inventor escaped from Colney Hatch. —

WOOBLFIGH.

QUEEIES BY A BEGINNEB.

Now, Mr. Editor; please answer these
Few simple inquiries about my bees.

Suppose it's winter time, with a deep snow,
And a bright sunshine sends light from below,

Tempting the bees to fly forth from their doors,
What is the remedy ? Suppose it pours,

And the wet penetrates clean through the roofs,

Are outside plinths all wrong ? What are your proofs ?

Suppose, when spring has come, robbing is rife,
Would it be well to stand by with a knife

And kill the robber bees ? If a queen dies
Is it a matter to cause much surprise ?

Should tomtits kill the bees, fat toads, or mice ?
Dear Mr. Editor, what's your advice?

If wax-moths eat the comb what is the cure ?
Will chalk lines keep off ants ? are you quite sure ?

As for the moths and ants, why don't the bees
Tackle such feeble foes as these with ease ?

Should hives have legs or not? square legs or round ?
Are they not steadier down on the ground?

How many stings shall I have to endure
Before I cease to swell ? fifty, or more ?

What's the subscription I should have to pay
To join as a member the B. B. K. A. ?

What are the benefits I should derive ?
Would some one teach me to manage a hive ?

And, Mr. Editor, one question more,

Which you've not answered yet, am I a bore?

EOBERT S. BoUTH.

Will some kind friend, by pen or mouth,
Givo full replies to Mr. liouth 1

Our readers will greatly oblige us by answering, as far as their know-
ledge and observations permit, the Correspondents who seek assistance.
Answers should always bear the number and title placed against the
query replied to. Any queries unanswered Ml this way will be answered
by the Editor and others.

[929.] Can any reader of the British Bee Journal inform
me whether foul brood is known to exist anywhere near
Ettington, a village six miles from Stratford-on-Avon,
Warwickshire? I have been offered some skeps as a gift,
but would not take them if this disease is common in the
locality.— E. J. Gibbins, Neath, April 13th, 1887.

(Btl^otB from % Hito

East Yorkshire. — Since my last report we have had very
variable weather, cold frosty nights and snow, as well as a
great storm which could not let my hives alone, but blew the
tops off two of them, and sent all the coverings into the
next parish. As I did not go down until the following
evening I fear these two lots have got a nasty chill to their
brood. Now we are having a rather long spell of harsh, icy,
north-east winds, with strong sunshine, but, being dry, not
altogether unfavourable for bees. My own were never
looking so forward and well, breeding going on extensively
all round ; every hive (fifty-eight) in good condition, with
fertile queens, all carrying in pollen and water daily. I find
1 lb. of peaflour last them nearly an hour to carry in, and
4 or 5 lbs. per day would not satisfy then, so eager are
they for it, showing how largely breeding is going on. At
night some of the hives, cold as the weather is, are
humming as if it were May, with perspiration issuing from
the entrances. I saw the first drone yesterday, April 10th.
— F. Boyes.

Muskham. — The weather here has been very severe for
the last eight or nine weeks, and there are no signs of a
change. Hardly a day since Christmas have bees been able
to get an airing, for the days have been dull and cold with
easterly winds and severe night frosts. Numbers of stocks
have been lost owing to scantiness of spring stores, the cold
having been so protracted. I think there will be few May
swarms in Notts, as there are no signs of drones yet. I am
glad to be able to say I have not seen nor heard of one case
in this neighbourhood of that dreadful disease foul brood.
I hope that the coming season may be more favourable than
the last, and that bee-keepers may have large crops of
honey from their ' Jubilee Bees.' — E. C. Walton.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

'All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is ?neant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in aduance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

E. J. G. — The sample of sugar received is that which is called
in the trade 'pieces. ' ' Pieces ' are the drainings of sugar
refineries, and though made to look very nice, they do
not have much of the saccharine element in them. They
are a far remove from Porto Bico, and other primitive
West Indian sugars. The bees will utilise the sugar, no
doubt ; but the experience of bee-keepers teaches that
that sugar is the best which is most beneficial to the
bees ; and, therefore, Porto Bico and other like sugars
are recommended.

Fokest of Dean. — Superabundance of Stores. — The bees
have consumed the candy in preference to the sealed
honey which from your description, is aphidian. We
advise you to extract the outside combs — up to the brood-
nest — and to return them to the hive. If more food is
required, feed slowly on syrup, say in a week's time after
extracting. Keep plenty of warm covering over the
frames.

W. T. C. — Clustering Outside.— The internal heat of the
hive, caused by the excitement of the bees during re-

April 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL

177

moval, was the reason of the bees hanging from the
alighting-board. If you had raised the skep slightly from
the floor-board, after placing it in position, there would
have been no ' lying out.' It is probable that a little
breakage of comb-honey may have occurred during re-
moval which would increase the heat and excitement.
There is no cause for alarm. Judge of the quantity of
stores by the weight of the skep, and feed if necessary.

D. Matier. — 1. Smoker. — We scarcely understand what you
mean by a ' fumigator.' If you mean for injecting the
fumes of salicylic acid into foul-broody hives, we do not
think an ordinary smoker could be so used successfully.
There are, however, scarcely any limits to the invention
of the present age. 2. Extractor. — As a general rule,
the specific gravity of heather honey is too great for any
extractor thoroughly to relieve the combs of it.

B. C. — 1. Changing Hives. — Transferring colonies to clean
hives may be done on any fine day ; towards evening
when bees have ceased working, is the best time. Let it
be done quickly but quietly, removing the central frames
of the brood-nest without separating them, and, when all
the frames have been transferred, brush out of the old
hive on to the top of the frames any bees remaining.
The old hive should be displaced by the new one before
commencing the operation. 2. Stimulating. — Stimulation
may now be commenced.

A. E. P. — The pieces of combs sent are not affected by
foul brood ; but portions of the combs are in a very sad
condition, and should be at once melted down.

E. M. L. — The method proposed by you is practicable.
The combs being attached to the sides of the hive, the
cutting off the tops of the combs will not prejudice the
operation. But we would suggest that you should make
an artificial swarm by the ordinary method.

H. W. D. — We are not able to distinguish between the
eggs and grubs of fertile workers and those of fertilised
queens. The fertile worker lays her eggs sporadically,
the queen regularly.

C. A. J. — Many eggs in one cell. — This frequently happens ;
but there is nothing to be apprehended from that cause.
We should say that your queen is healthy and in good
condition.

John Orr. — Woiblet Embedder. — We are not aware that
Mr. Boot has described such a tool. The embedder shown
in his book is not used hot as you propose, but is made
of a hoop of tin with pieces of tin soldered on at distances
of about half an iuch to one inch apart and is used cold,
the wire being pressed into the body of the wax founda-
tion. One reason for thinking a wheel will work quicker
is that when the V groove in one of the teeth is once
placed on the wire the Woiblet embedder can be run
along it without removal, whereas the form you suggest
being only a segment of a circle to embed a wire 8J inches
long would necessitate its removal several times, as we
presume from your sketch you do not propose to make it
the length of the wire.

Beceived from A. F. Hatchings, St. Mary Cray, Kent, his
1 Illustrated Price List of Improved Bee-hives and Appliances
required in Modern Bee-culture.' Pp.16. A very useful and
compact catalogue. Also some samples of sections recently
imported from G. B. Lewis & Co., America.

Beceived from Mr. A. D. Woodley, 26 Donnington Boad,
Beading, Expert of the Berks B.K.A., some samples of a
new style of section case. These are made of tin and glass,
with a tight-fitting lid which keeps the whole compact.
With glass in front and back they are well suited for pur-
poses of exhibition. We consider them to be superior to
the ordinary cardboard cases, which are easily damaged by
any leakage of honey ; but Mr. Woodley's cases can easily
be washed and used again. They are durable, cleanly,
and neat. They were exhibited at the meeting of
the Windsor Branch of the Berks B.K.A. and much appre-
ciated by those present on that occasion.

We have a small quantity of surplus seeds of the Echinops
sphcerocephalus, or Chapman's Honey Plant, which we should
be pleased to distribute amongst bee-keepers who would take
an interest in its cultivation. Apply to Editor,

.@how ^Announcements.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 16. J. Huckle, Secretar3\

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Knowle, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association). H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay

Dublin.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepeks' Stokes, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Buktt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. R, St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour* Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
' British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merohant6' Quay

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepeks' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 21, 1887.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

i) 3 ,, 4 ,, ,, ,, ,, 13/-

»» 5 ,, d ,, ,, ,, ,, i-^r

For Countries out of Europe add 50 0/° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.
HP My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Ijipeeial Ottoman Bank, Laknaca.

Sectional view of New Patent Bee Feeder.

Au Improved Slide for 1887.
Stocks may now be fed in
the coldest weather, with-
out fear of chill.

cavity crossing the
combs gives safe
and easy access to
all the cluster.

No metallic surface.

Simple, Safe, Clean !
Unrivalled for Summer
Feeding. No excitement.
No robbing.

Note bottom of
feeding flask brought
within reach of Bees,
also how quarter inch

No waste of syrup.

m3H

See Advt. next week. Price Is. 6d. each, complete.

Send P.0.0. to Patentee, J. P. HOPKINS, Milverton, Somerset.

TOY HIVES from 4/6 ; SUPERS, 21- ; COMB
U FOUNDATION, 1/9 ; SUPER ditto, 2/8- Cheaper
for quantities over 3 lbs. SECTIONS, 2/6 100 ; Double Royal
FEEDER, post free, 2/6 ; SMOKERS, 2/9 ; FRAMES iu Flat,
require no Nails or Glue, 1/- doz. ; Duncan's Granulated SUGAR
for Feeding, 7 lb. bag, 1/7 ; Poeto Rico, ditto, 7 lb. bag. 1/1.
Cheaper in larger quantities. Borage Plants, 8d. 100, post free.
Strong MAY Swarms, 10/6. Order early. Catalogue sent for
J stamp. Address ALFRED JOY, (170)

MID KENT BEE FARM, AYLESFORD, KENT. a 2524

CHEAP AITLIAlSrCES.

STANDARD BROAD SHOULDER FRAMES,
O with Saw Cut, 1/8 per dozen. Frames with Patent
Metal Ends, complete, 1/6 per doz. Also Cheap SHALLOW
Frames. All are made of best Pine, accurately Cut, and
well Planed. Send Three Stamps for Sample to —

A. GREEN, SELSTON, ALFRETON. a 2527
NOW READY.

GUIDE-BOOK PAMPHLETS. DIo. II.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,

AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

J. KXTOKLB, ICI2TG-S LA3STGLEY.

GLASS HONEY JARS a Speciality. Write for
Price List, sent Free. Address Feedk. Pearson,
Stockton Heath, Warrington. a 2407

TMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
L HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, Id. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. a 2403

T^M^EXCELSIOrEXTRACTi

Extracts Four Frames at once, Moveable Strainer to strain

the Honey as it comes from the Combs, Treacle Valve,

Moveable Lids, and extracts Sections. Price 32s. 6d.

BEE-HIVES and APPLIANCES of SUPERIOR QUALITY

Prices Reasonable. Lists on Application.

Five per cent discount off all Orders before Mat 1st.

D. & A. COOPER, Spa Lane, DERBY.

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. &d. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE FLOWERS.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. 3d.
12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. 3d. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling , post free.
HENRY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

CHESSIRIi CTTX&3ES.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1 /2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c., &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, {HHarieyfor^^ S.E.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiaby. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage Gd.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stiiangewayb' Pemtinq Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.o.

[No. 253. Vol. XV.]

APRIL 28, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

(ibitorial, itotias, #r.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Subscriptions foe 1887.

We are desired to remind those Members who
have not yet paid their subscriptions for the
current year that they will confer a great favour
upon the Committee by forwarding the same to the
Secretaiy at the earliest possible date. As the
Association becomes more dependent every year
upon those who are more intimately acquainted
with the bee-keeping industry either as manufac-
turers of appliances or as bee-keepers, it is hoped
that all those so connected will give their support
to the Association, and make its aims and objects
known as much as possible.

It should be borne in mind that entries for the
Royal Agricultural Show, to be held at Newcastle,
close on May 12th. Application for schedules of
prizes should be made as early as possible.

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOR
BEGINNERS.

(Continued from page 130.)

VI. — Bees Require a Dwelling to Live in.

1. The honey-bee does not like dirt, and it
differs from ordinary domesticated animals kept
in stalls and stables, by itself attending to the
cleanliness of its own dwelling. It gets rid of its
dejections outside of its residence, and when in
health never soils the inside ; it ventilates it and
constantly renews the air, so that the newly-stored
honey does not become contaminated by foul smells
or unwholesome surroundings. A stall always has
a bad smell, it is, therefore, not right to speak of a
stall of bees (an expression not at all uncommon
in some country districts). The dwellings in which
bees live and build their combs are called hives.

2. Wind, wet, aud cold, are injurious to bees ;
the hive must, therefore, be well protected against
these. A good hive must be warm, have a good
covering, and it must be placed in such a position
that the keen north-east and the moist south-west
winds do not easily find their way into the entrance-
hole.

3. Hives are made of different materials and vary
in shape. Those formerly in use were called sheps ;
although these are still found, and are extensively
used by villagers, modern bee-keepers have adopted
wooden boxes, as in every way preferable.

i. Skeps are usually made of straw, and are
generally dome-shaped, or circular with flat tops,
having a hole in the crown. They are worked on
the swurming principle, and have fixed combs.
The modem wooden boxes used for hives have even
sides, generally at right angles to each other. In
them the combs are moveable, and for this reason
they are called moveable comb-hives. They offer
greater facilities for manipulation than skeps ; at
the same time they present considerable advantages,
and if managed properly, enable the bee-keeper to
obtain a very much larger quantity of honey.

5. Besides skeps and moveable comb-hives, there
are what are called Steioarton hives. These are
also of wood and are eight-sided (octagonal). The
central combs are moveable, the outer ones being-
fixed. Stewarton hives are easy of management
and give better results than skeps.

6. Wooden hives should be well made by a good
carpenter, who is also a bee-keeper and understands
the requirements of bees. Accuracy of workman-
ship is of the greatest importance, and the simpler
the construction, the more easily will the hives be
manipulated. The wood used must be well sea-
soned, dry yellow deal or pine free from loose'
knots and cracks.

VII. — The Comb Structure in a Hive.

1. When a swarm is placed in a hive the bees
constituting it begin to build combs. These are
made of wax, which is secreted by the bees and
appears in the shape of small, thin, five-sided
scales between the rings on the under-side of the
worker's abdomen. The wax is produced from the
honey consumed by the bees, of which several
pounds are required to yield one pound of wax.

2. During comb-building the bees hang quietly
in clusters. They work up the wax-scales with
their jaws, and, by adding a liquid (saliva), they
knead the wax into a soft paste. Comb-building is
commenced at the top and continued downwards,
the central division wall or foundation being
always begun first. This forms the basis of the
cells, which are placed on each side in such a way
that the base of one forms portions of the bases of

180

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 28, 1887.

three on the opposite side. Two rows of such cells
with a central division constitute a comb, and from
this shape the cells fit so closely together that no
room is wasted.

3. The cells are usually six-sided, and are not
quite level, having a slight inclination upwards in
the direction of the openings.

4. Only well-fed bees can make wax and build
combs. When bees are queenless or food is scarce
combs are not built.

5. When bees are placed in an empty hive they
at first build combs with small cells, called luorher-
cells ; later, larger cells are constructed, and these
are called dro7ie. cells. Sometimes the bees change
the size of the cells on the same comb, and go from
worker to drone, or from drone to worker ; they
then construct between them irregular-shaped cells,
which are called accommodation-cel\s. The change
is usually made in from one to six rows ; these cells
may be of almost any shape, and have sometimes
five or seven sides.

6. Cells intended for brood are of two regular
sizes ; those in which workers are bred are one-fifth
of an inch between the sides, and five of them
measure one inch. Comb containing such cells is
called worker-comb. Drones are reared in larger
cells a quarter of an inch between the sides, four
measuring one inch. Such comb is called drone-
comb.

7. Brood - combs are of a certain thickness,
worker-combs being about seven-eighths of an inch,
and drone-combs about one and a quarter inch
thick.

8. Both sizes of cells are used for storing honey,
and these vary greatly in length. Should these
honey cells be afterwards used for brood, they are
reduced to the length required.

9. There are sometimes cells of a different shape
called queen-cells. These are round, resemble
somewhat an acorn, are about an inch in length,
and one-third of an inch across. They usually
hang with their mouths downwards, and are
generally found at the edges of the comb.

10. Queen-cells are coustructed of a mixture of
wax and pollen, making them porous, and are
covered with a number of depressions, wThich give
them greater strength. The walls are thick and
much material enters into their composition, which,
as soon as the queen is hatched, is used elsewhere,
the cell being cut down until it resembles a small
acorn-cup.

11. The cappings of brood-cells are porous, and
consist of a mixture of wax and pollen, those of
honey-cells being made of wax only.

12. If the hives are furnished with strips of
comb the bees will continue them down, and they
will act as guides. Comb may be constructed
parallel to the entrance or at right angles to it, the
direction being determined by the guides.

(To be continued.)

W. P. MEADOWS' PATENT EXTRACTORS :

THE RAYNOR AND THE GUINEA.
At the first Quartorly Meeting of the British Bee-
keepers' Association for 1880, held in Londcm April 23th,

the first of these extractors was shown and a short com-
ment made upon them in the Journal of May 6th. Alter
a season's trial we again refer to them.

The principle upon which their merit consists is an
outer cage of sheet-metal upon which are fastened strips
of metal edgeways to form a rest for the wire mesh
necessaiy for the honey-comb to rest upon. These strips
edgeways offer no resistance to outflow of honey, at the
same time do not allow of the wire bulging, although the
wire-netting used is finer than that used in the old form
of extractor.

The way they are made also prevents the splashing
of honey. The metal revolving cage receives it and
carries it into bottom of cylinder, at the same time
effectually stops draughts to comb and chill to brood.

The users of these machines signify their approval
of them, and the numerous prizes they gained last
summer attest their value.

The principle was originally applied to ' The Raynor,'
but Mr. Meadows informs us he has adapted it to his
Guinea and Little Wonder, and already has sent out
a large number of extractors fitted in this way.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — The month of May, the swarming month,
is close upon us, with weather still cold and changeable,
and but little forage for the bees. A long and trying
winter, truly we have passed through, but genial showers
and sunny days will soon bring forth our spring flora,
and although the time of honey is not yet patience will
assuredly gain its reward at last.

Ready, aye Ready. — Only let us be ready when the
influx arrives — ready in bees, ready iu all that appertains
to the storage of an ample and bounteous supply of the
nectar of the gods.

Jubilee Designs in Glass. — In this year of Jubilee,
many will be anxious to honour our Queen by wonderful
device i wrought in comb-honey ; and glasses, with designs
in comb-foundation deftly arranged, will, no doubt, be
the order of the day, and when skilfully completed by
the bees will form a great attraction at our principal
shows.

Queen Wasps are showing themselves in numbera

April 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

181

about the hives, and our garden syringe is daily at work.
The bloom on the gooseberry bushes is also a great
attraction. Our young people succeeded in taking not a
few in butterfly nets, and claimed the stipulated ' penny
per head.' Wasps in abundance towards autumn are
undesirable for more reasons than one ; and as a man is
known by his companions, such likewise is the case with
the bee. When seen with wasps, imbibing the sweet
juices of the grape, the peach, and the nectarine, the bee,
although comparatively innocent, receives the larger
share of blame.

Feed is still our cry. The consumption by populous
colonies is now great, and the income at present, in many
districts, is small. The finest granulated crystal cane-
sugar may be purchased at 2d. per lb. ; who, then, would
let their bees starve ? Consider the importance of having
the hives full of bees ready for the good time coming,
when we may address the apiarist in the words of the
poet : —

' Tityre, tu quod, opium somnos suadente susurro,
Ad septum reeubas, si placet esto deus.'
A pleasant and god-like occupation, truly.

Syrup may now be given rather thinner in consistency,
and, in average weather, a quart weekly will generally
suffice to keep a strong colony advancing. Give it warm
and at night. Let there be no disturbance of the brood-
nest further than to add, in case of necessity, an empty
comb on its outside.

This treatment may be continued safely until the
middle of May. In earlier districts, with fine weather
and fruit trees in bloom, sections, or other supers, will
be required on strong colonies.

Swarms. — Natural swarms in May will be ' few and
far between.' We are intending to place our first on
Lee's frames, and hope, and expect, to obtain perfect
combs. Swarms in May are generally small, but with
fine weather make splendid colonies, filling their hives
with brood before the white clover harvest begins.

Foul Bkood. — We have a word of exhortation on
this subject for county experts, whose calling and status
in the County Associations open to their inspection
almost all apiaries. Surely these men should have a
thorough knowledge of apiculture in all its branches, or
how can they advise others ?

We hear mutterings of experts who do not know foul
brood when they see it — of others, who never disinfect
hands or clothes after manipulating foul-broody hives
before proceeding to the next apiary; of foul -brood,
which had never existed in a district, following in the
wake of the expert. We hear that, in consequence of
these reports, mauy apiaries are closed to the expert.
And no wonder. One can scarcely imagine a more fertile
means of spreading this dread disease than an expert's
visit under such circumstances. There is no disease more
contagious, and we have well-authenticated cases of its
first appearance shortly after experts' visits. We wish
to put this very strongly before all experts, who, as a
rule, are a most respectable body of men anxious to
advance the science of apiculture by all the means at
their command.

There certainly ought to be a rule in all County Associ-
ations compelling experts, under a penalty, to thoroughly
disinfect both hands and clothes after every visit. An
outer dress, well saturated with a disinfectant, should be
worn during manipulation^, and the hands should be
repeatedly sprayed with weak carbolic solution, or other
disinfectant. An expert should be as careful not to
spread foul brood in his district as doctors are to avoid
carrying the infection of small-pox or scarlet fever from
house to house. If some steps are not taken in this
direction ' Othello's occupation will soon be gone.' We
are strongly of opinion that this subject demauds the
careful attention of the General Committee of the central
Association, and that it may well be discussed at the
quarterly meetings of the county repies3ntatives. Lntil

some steps are taken we advise all experts carefully to
disinfect after manipulating, no matter whether foul
brood be present or absent. A spray disperser, very
effective, strongly made and lasting, which can be
applied to any ordinary bottle, is the one commonly
used by gardeners under the name of ' Cooper's patent
protector. We have had one in use for five years, and
it is still as effective as ever. Its cost is about Is. Gd.
or 2s.

Cyprians. — In our former notice of these bees several
points were omitted to which we may now shortly
refer. The flight of the queens is stronger and more
rapid than that of black queens, and they are rarely
lost on the mating flight, owing probably to these
qualities. Indeed we do not remember losing a single
queen on these excursions. These remarks are true also
of queens bred from impurely fecundated mothers, which
are usually very fine and large. Cyprians raise numerous
queen-cells, more than are desirable according to our
ideas, and they do not fill sections so well as other
races, many of our 1-lb. sections weighing 12 or 13 ounces
only, and so strong are their breeding propensities that
on one occasion when honey failed, they filled the
sections with brood and queen-cells.

Philology. — Our frater, ' Oxoniensis,' is shocked at
the expression ' macaronic solecism,' and evidently feels
for the author of ' apifuge ' in having so awful an ' epithet
hurled at his head.' Let us assure him, however, that
the gentleman in question has perfectly recovered from
the shock, since we had the pleasure of making his ac-
quaintance at the late conversazione held in Jermyn
Street, and found him smiling and agreeable, especially
while discussing our late tournament, indeed evincing
not the slightest symptom of any recent shock to the
system ! Our nerves certainly were extremely agitated
on reading the monster ' galactof uge/ hence the ' over-
whelming epithet ' ' macaronic,' linked with ' solecism,'
arose to our lips (pen). Mr. Grimshaw assures us that
he has not the honour of having coined the word. It is,
we believe, in common use by the medical and chemical
professions — more shame to them. ' Lactifuge ' is, no
doubt, the proper term to express the required meaning.
As to the soft impeachment that we have been ' engaged
in word-competitions,' we must beg to enter a disclaimer,

utterly despising, as we do, such modern Well, we

had almost written another ' overwhelmer,' but we re-
frain. With ' Oxoniensis ' in his remarks on the coining
of words we are fully in accord, and they vividly recall
to mind the controversy which ensued on the necessity
arising for a word to express a message by wire on the
discovery of telegraphing by electricity. The battle was
between telegram v. telepomp. The late Mr. Shilleto,
the noted Cambridge classical ' coach,' maintained that the
meaning of the former word was inappropriate, viz., 'a
written letter, sent from afar,' and suggested that the latter
meaning, ' a message from afar,' was the proper word ;
and although in our opinion he was perfectly right, his
ruling was not accepted, the chief objection being that
' telepomp ' would be shortened into ' pomp,' as in the
case of ' omnibus ' into ' bus,' and there might arise mis-
takes between ' pomp ' and ' pump,' notably the ' Aldgate
pump ! '

We are not inclined to break a lance in defence of
' Mel sapit omnia,' which, as we have often wondered,
has escaped notice so long. Probably ' sapit ' has been
credited with bearing the rendering ' flavours,' or ' gives
a zest to,' which it certainly will not bear. A Mr.
Mason, in a severe critique, published in the Canadian
Bee Journal of February 23, upon a former communica-
tion to that journal by 'Amateur Expert,' improves
upon ' Mel sapit omnia' by writing it ' Mel sanit omnia;
which he translates ' Honey heals everything,' but omits
to say how he forms ''sanit' from the Latin verb
' sanare,' seeing there is no other from which it can be
derived. But, perhaps, this is the latest American

182

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 28, 1887.

discovery, or shall we say invention in the classical
line ?

A correspondent, in defence of ' Galactof uge,' reminds
us that the generally accepted word 'Lactometer' has
a Latin and Greek derivation. Here the proper word
is ' Galactoraeter,' which is pure Greek, and no mongrel,
being formed after ' barometer,' ' thermometer,' ' hygro-
meter,' aud a host of other words. What a pity that
'Scientists' will be so perverse ! Our correspondent ap-
parently does not perceive that

' Two wrongs don't make a right,
Two blacks don't make a white.'

Dr. Goodwin, Bishop of Carlisle, in a short biography
of Dr. Thompson, the late Cambridge Professor of Greek,
and Master of Trinity, relates the following anecdote : —
' An inventor of some new contrivance desired to adver-
tise his invention with some new Greek name, after the
pattern of the Eureka shirt, the Eucnemida gaiters, and
the rest. The Professor of Greek seemed to the inventor
the proper person to whom to apply for help in the
formation of his new name. Application was made,
and, in answer, the Professor expressed himself in this
fashion : " My business as Professor of Greek is, to the
best of my ability, to keep the language free from im-
purities. To apply to me for a new Greek word is much
the same thing as' writing to the Archbishop of Canter-
bury and asking him to invent a new heresy. If, how-
ever," he added, " you must have a new name, take this"
■, and he then gave a most ingenious Greek com-
pound, with a marvellous number of syllables, and by
me quite unrememberable. Professor Selwyn told me
the story and repeated the name ; I wonder if any record
of it exists. It was a verbum sesquipedale (eighteen
inches in length) beyond all mistake.' (Macmillaris
Magazine, March, 1887).

Probably the word was of the same class, or similar to
' Aldiborontiphouskiphornihostikos,'

which is not quite eighteen inches long.

We trust our patient readers will pardon this long
digression, particularly as we promise not to offend again,
at least on any slight provocation.

JOTTINGS BY 'AMATEUR EXPERT.'

1 Mel sapit omnia.'

I presume ' Oxoniensis' is not familiar with the motto
of the Salters' Company, and its arms consisting of the
three hard-boiled eggs. The Salters say, ' Sal sapit
omnia,' inferring even such tasteless things as hard-
boiled eggs. I substitute ' Mel ' for ' Sal,' intending that
those readers of the B. B. J. that honour me by reading
the emanations from my pen should also infer that these
' jottings ' required ' savouring ' with ' mel ' to make
them palatable. The reasonings from the classics I must
leave some of my scholastic readers to answer. A very
clever and 'practical working mechanic assured me in
good faith last week that the schoolmasters had com-
mitted moral suicide ; they had ventured beyond their
depth in word-construction and pronunciation and were
drowned. Be it so. Practical people that call ' a spade
a spade ' will suffer no loss.

The quotations from the Gospels of St. Matthew and
St. Mark rightly, in my opinion, give the sense of
' savour ; ' it was not that Peter ' minded not ' — i. e.,
paid no heed to — the things of God, but that bis con-
duct on that occasion did not 'savour' (to taste of) of
them, hence the epithet, ' adversary.'

But I was asked the meaning of 'Mel sapit omnia'
last week in another quarter; and I, thinking the answer
would better suit my questioner, substituted ' sweetens '
for ' savours.' Honey sweetens everything. He looked
thoughtful for a moment, and as his eyes met mino
replied, ' Blowed if it does though, it don't sweeten my
old woman none ; she always is agoing on about the
" blessed bees," tho mess, the sugar, and the honey

sticking all over the house.' Poor chap ! he wants a
febrifuge. A guest of mine refused to eat honey at my
table recently because he feared it contained stings. I
assured him I had extracted them all, and so induced
him to eat. Gentle reader, is it so with my 'jottings ?'
Whatever this errant pen runs on to jot, do believe there
is no venom intended, but just sufficient ' formic acid ' to
keep the various matters treated on from ' fermenting,'
and thus becoming unwholesome.

'L. S.' cannot get people to have the expert. Pro-
bably he is a good man, but I would greatly blame the
people to take him on trust. I know a duly certified
expert that did more harm to his Association in one
week than four years have put right. You don't get
people caught twice , and what earthly use is it sending
bookworms to handle bees?

No, Mr. Boyes. I cannot allow you to back out of
your strong remarks (809, page 129) about Carniolan
bees, with thanks to me for telling you what you did not
wish to learn, and the feeble admission that ' possibly in
a good district in the sunny south they may gather enough
to keep them through the winter.' On your own showing
you have never tried them. I quite agree with your re-
marks on page 129, as far as they apply to Cyprians,
Syrians, and many strains of so-called Ligurians (I say
so-called, because I believe the Cyprians have been
crossed into the Ligurians by some breeders to improve
their colour), but to apply the same scathless condemna-
tion to the Carniolans is unwarrantable. Try them in
your cold east Yorkshire, and you will find them as
hardy as your blacks (?), and, I repeat, they will require
some beating as honey-gatherers ; and if they hybridize
your British (?) you will have no cause to regret it,
either for temper, industry, or physique, and if you do
not care to try them don't hinder others from doing so.
Can't you get your little bird to whisper something as to
my being the sixty-ninth cousin to the wife of some one
that has some to sell ? Shoot that little wretch at your
first opportunity.

Gentle readers of the B. B. J. did you ever get a bee-
keeper's nightmare ? Has it ever been your lot to have a
fine lot of bees given you by a friend ? And when, with
a glowing heart, you have acknowledged the gift by re-
turn of post, did you retire to bed — to sleep — perchance
to dream — ah, horrid, horrid thought ! Eoul brood ! !
That gehenna of all scourges to bee-keepers, have they
got it, and is that the reason your friend is so suddenly
liberal ? To refuse the gift would be to outrage friend-
ship, receive them and so introduce the plague into your
own neighbourhood, there to work ruin to your poorer
neighbours, whom you love so well (?). Unhappy man
that I am ! Why did he make me the gift ? Is it not
better to endure the ills of outraged friendship than to
cause your poorer neighbours to suffer loss ? To look a
gift horse in the mouth would be rudeness indeed ; I
must accept him, yes ! And resort to phenol, thymol,
salicylic, or carbolic, or, peradventure, burn them in-
stantly on arrival without, unpacking ! Ye spirits of
the night, keeping guard over my would-be slumbers,
will you not dispel this phantom that banishes sleep
from this throbbing brain ? Tell me, is there foul brood
to be found within six miles of the birth-place of the
Bard ? Happy thought ! I will ask the readers of the
B. B. J. ! ! How refreshing now does gentle sleep steal
over these eyelids weary ! To awake ! Ah, there is the
rub ! To sleep and then to awake, write a letter to tho
Editor — the thought is charming ! ! why did it not occur
to me before? And so, after two hours' fitful tossings,
he sleeps well. — Amateuh Expert.

A correspondent informs us that ' recently Mr. B. T.
Andrews, Hon. Secretary of the Hertford District of the
Herts B.K. A., lectured to the Herts Natural History Society
on " Bees," and he out-Cheshired Mr. Cheshire by exhibit-
ing some twenty diagrams of various parts of the bee, some
of which were enlarged 8000 diameters and upwards.'

April 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

183

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Meeting of the Committee held at 10) Jermyn Street,
on Wednesday, April 20th. Present : T. W. Cowan (in
the chair), Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, Rev. F. S. Sclater.
Rev. F. G. Jenyns, Rev. G. Raynor, Captain Bush,
Captain Campbell, J. M. Hooker, W. OB. Glennie
(treasurer), and the Secretary. Letters were read from
the Rev. F. T. Scott, Dr. Bartrum, and Dr. Walker re-
gretting their inability to be present.

The minutes of the last Committee meeting were read
and confirmed.

The Finance Committee presented their report re-
commending the payment of certain bills. The same
were examined and ordered to be paid. In consideration
of the balance in the Treasurer's hands being at a low
ebb it was hoped that members in arrear with their
subscriptions -would kindly pay the same as early as
possible.

A letter was read from Shropshire soliciting support
to a proposed exhibition of honey, &c, at the Shrews-
bury Horticultural Show to be held in August next, with
the view of resuscitating'the Shropshire Association. The
application was referred to the County Associations
Sub-Committee with power to make such arrangements
as might seem to them advisable.

The Exhibition Sub-Committee presented their report
in regard to a code of rules for the management of
County Shows in accordance with the resolution passed
at the Annual General Meeting. These rules having
been considered, they were referred to the meeting of
county representatives for further consideration.

Meeting of County Representatives.

Present : The Rev. E. Clay and R. King, Bucks ;
Mrs. Curry and W. B. Webster, Berks; Mr. Graham
and W. Rayner, Middlesex ; Rev. W. E. Burlritt, Wilts ;
C. H. Haynes, Worcestershire ; W. L. McClure, Lanca-
shire and Cheshire.

The minutes of the last Quarterly Conference were
read and confirmed.

The resolution relating to the preparation of a code of
rules for the management of County Shows having been
read by the Secretary, these rules were considered
seriatim, and various suggestions made thereon, more
especially in regard to the following points : —

(1.) That the rules should provide that all honey ex-
hibited should have been gathered by bees which were
the property of the exhibitor at the time the honey
was gathered.

(2.) That the paper edging- covering the edges of
glazed sections should be white in colour.

(3.) Li regard to the exhibition of run honey in
white flint glass jars, Mr. McClure contended that this
ought not to be insisted upon, as the expense of such
jars placed an obstacle in the way of cottagers exhibiting
honey.

Various other suggestions were made, and the rules
were referred to the Committee for further consideration,
to be ultimately published in the British Bee Journal.

It was pointed out that the rules would in no wise be
compulsory, but were intended as a guide for the drawing
up of schedules.

The second Quarterly Conversazione of the present
year was held on Wednesday, April 20th, at 6 p.m., in
the Board Room of the Royal Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals, 105 Jermyn Street, when amongst
the numerous audience of ladies and gentlemen were Mr.
Cowan, the Rev. F. G. Jenyns, Mr. Hooker, the Rev. G.
Raynor, Mr. Glennie, Captain Campbell, the Hon. and
Rev. Henry Bligh, the Rev. W. E. Bjurkitt, the Rev.
E. K. Clay, Mr.'Grimshaw, Mr. M'Clure, Mr. Baldwin,
Mr. Graham, Mr. Rayner, Mr. Webster, and Mr. Leigh.

Mr. T. W. Cowan presided, and in opening the pro-
ceedings, said that it was usual at their meetings to exhibit

new inventions and implements relative to bee-keeping,
and to introduce debateable subjects for discussion. He
therefore invited any one present to lay before the
meeting any matter in relation to bees or bee-keeping
which he thought deserved consideration.

The Rev. E. K. Clay said that a farmer in his district
complained that bees had.destroyed his roses ; also that,
owing to the constant extraction of honey by the bees
from white clover that plant was rendered useless to
graze sheep upon, because the bees had robbed it of all
nutritive power. Prima facie there appeared to be some
force in the farmer's contention regarding the clover, but
he woidd like to hear the opinions of persons better ac-
quainted with the subject than himself.

Mr. Rayner said that the bees came to the flowers to
fertilise them, after which the latter soon began to droop
and fade, because the part they had played in life was
accomplished.

Mr. Webster thought it was a provision of nature that
the flowers contained nectar in order to induce^the bees
to fertilise them. If there was no necessity to get the
bee to the flower the nectar would not be there. When
the flower fades it turns to seed.

Mr. Baldwin said if the nectar were not present it was
a question whether any seed would be got from the
flowers. He had never seen bees on roses except the
wild rose. He had often wished those flowers contained
something for the bees.

Mr. Graham said that a friend of his had told him that
the flowers would be preserved much longer if the whole
of the pollen-masses were to be nipped off the blooms,
which would continue to produce honey. He had tried
the experiment with success, the blooms lasting five
days, while in other cases they faded in six hours.

Mr. Grimshaw agreed that the roses were not de-
stroyed by the honey bee. It was a mistake to suppose
that the value of the clover was deteriorated by the
visits of the bee. The contrary was the fact. As soon
as the saccharine matter of the plant stopped flowing the
seed increased, and was converted by a chemical process
within the cells of the plant into nitrogenous matter.
Thus the value of the clover was increased, and the
weight of it per acre was considerably greater when
bees were kept in the neighbourhood than in districts
where they were absent.

The Chairman said that the question before the
meeting had been thoroughly discussed in America ;
where it was generally the opinion that clover was im-
proved by the visits of the bee. Mr. Clay could tell his
friend the farmer that the small quantity of honey the
bee took amounted to nothing ; because in any case it
would be evaporated before the clover was made into
hay. The clover contained starch in the plant itself
capable of being converted into sugar in greater quan-
tity than the small portion of secreted nectar, which was
evaporated. Fertilisation of flowers was not the only
object for the presence of nectar, although that was one
of them. The chief object of the nectar in the plant was
to nourish the seed, or particular parts of plants. Nectar
would be found secreted some time after the plant had
been fertilised by the bee, and until the ovary had been
developed to a certain extent. Then it ceased, because
there was no longer any need of special local nourishment.
There was no doubt that the nectar did attract the bees,
and was to some extent there for the purpose of in-
ducing them to fertilise flowers ; but there were many
plants which did not secrete nectar at all, and yet were
visited by bees, and there were many which secreted
nectar, though this did not in any way assist in fer-
tilisation.

The Rev. Mr. Jenyns, speaking as a rose-grower, said
he never saw a bee upon the roses ; and he felt quite sure
that the bees could not be blamed for destroying those
blooms.

A gentleman whose name did not transpire said he

184

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 28, 1887

thought the hees very seldom went to apple-trees. They
favoured pear and peach trees, hut very seldom apple-
trees.

Mr. Baldwin thought a great deal of honey was
ohtained from apple-blossom, at least that was his
experience.

Mr. Webster endorsed this view, saying that he knew
a gentleman who boasted of his success in growing
apples, which he attributed to the bees.

In reply to a gentleman who asked whether the fact
that the blossom died off rapidly after the visits of bees
was an advantage or not, the Chairman said that after
the fertilisation had been accomplished, the object of the
flower had been attained, and there was no longer any
need for it.

The Rev. G. Raynor said his part of the country was
noted for red clover. Some years ago he had about a
score hives of Italian bees, and during one wet summer,
the second crop of red clover, which was generally
allowed to stand for seed, failed almost entirely through-
out the country to yield any seed at all. The one
exception to this was a farmer, whose farm was about
half a mile from his (the speaker's) apiary, who suc-
ceeded in obtaining a good crop of seed, which he (the
farmer) attributed entirely to the presence of yellow
bees.

The Rev. Mr. Clay said that in Buckinghamshire,
where he lived, the hills were covered with box-trees,
and he thought a great deal of earty honey was derived
therefrom, as the bees seemed very busy round those
blooms.

Mr. Rayner said he had noticed the bees amongst the
crocuses during the early spring-time. Those flowers
very soon went to pieces after the visits of the bees.

The Rev. F. Gr. Jenyns, the Chairman, and Mr. Baldwin
thought that a very small quantity of honey was obtained
from the box-tree, which supplied only pollen.

Mr. Grimshaw said a sure test of the presence of
honey in the blooms was the odour which could be de-
tected from a mass of them. When a distinct perfume
was conveyed to the nostrils, either agreeable or other-
wise, as in the case of mignonette or clover, there was no
doubt honey to be found in the blossom, and that per-
fume was afterwards conveyed to the honey produced by
the bee. He was inclined to the belief that box did not
yield any honey at all, and he thought that the only
odour it gave off was from the essential oil of the leaves ;
or it might be that pollen grains bursting on the sensi-
tive parts inside the nostrils produced the impression
referred to by Mr. Clay.

Mr. Webster said that very little honey was obtained
from the willow, yet that tree emitted a pleasant odour.

Mr. Grimshaw would like to know if it was a debate-
able point whether the object of the nectar in the flower
was not principally to tempt the visits of insects. He
had understood the Chairman to dispute this, and he
respectfully asked on whose authority the Chairman
propounded an opinion at variance with the generally
accepted view.

The Chairman said he knew perfectly well the
generally accepted idea, namely, that the object of the
nectar in the flower was to promote the fertilisation of
the plant by insects. Darwin, Miiller, and others, up-
held that view, and he admitted that in many flowers it
was the case ; but the fact that an immense number of
plants did not require insects at all for their fertilisa-
tion had induced another set of thinkers to believe that
the nectar must be therefor some other purpose. Gaston
Bonnier and others had made many observations and ex-
periments ; and were of opinion that the primary object
of the nectar was the nourishment of particular portions
of the plant, and not fertilisation. That school of
thought, amongst which he (the Chairman) was one
from observation and experiment, had likewise come to
the conclusion that in plants which were originally in-

tended to be self fertilised, the bees had induced an
irritation by their constant visits until the incessant
scratching of the plant had caused a large quantity of
nectar to flow, and have made the plant dependent upon
insects for fertilisation. For instance, in Scrophularia
nectar was secreted in abundance after the flower had
been fertilised and the stamens and stigma had withered,
hut it served here for the nourishment of the ovary, and
when it was no longer needed for this purpose the secre-
tion ceased. There was no doubt that the constant irri-
tation had produced diversity in the flowers. Now some
flowers had arrived at a condition that they could not
do without insect fertilisation, but he believed that they
were not so originally. He admitted that the point was
debateable, inasmuch as some of the great men referred
to had differed in their conclusions on the subject ; and
that as many examples could be brought forward to
show that fertilisation by insects was not necessary as
the contrary.

Mr. Grimshaw thanked the Chairman for his able and
lucid statement.

The Chairman (T. W. Cowan) said : — There is an im-
portant question I should like to bring before the meeting,
and upon which a very interesting discussion might be
started. It has reference to the food of the queen-larva
(royal jelly), the food of the other larvae, and also with
respect to the digestion of such food. I am now in a
position to give some recent investigations which will, I
think, clear up those points conclusively. We have been
taught for some time that the food which is given to the
worker and other larvoe is partly digested in the chyle-
stomach of the worker-bee ; for this digestion, and the
providing of this food, the young bees act as nurses.
Dufour was one of those who taught this, although
Swammerdam alluded to it before ; and we have alwaj's
accepted the idea that the larvoe were fed with this
semi-digested food. Leuckart was also a partisan of
this theory. However, when the glands were dis-
covered, Leuckart thought he was not quite satisfied
with this theory of semi-digestion, and he suggested
that the larvae were fed with a secretion from the
different glands. In the honey-bee there are four pairs
of glands; three pairs in the head, that is, two pairs in
the upper part, and one pair in the jaws, and one pair in
the thorax. Leuckart supposed that these glands
furnished the food for the larvae as well as the food
for the queens. Schiemenz, who was a pupil of Leuckart,
was induced to take up and investigate the matter
thoroughly. He did so, with instructions from Leuckart
to examine specially the functions of these glands in
relation to the food, and he published the result of his
researches in 1883. I have his work here with all the
drawings, if anyone present likes to look at it. He
went into the subject very fully indeed, and it is the
most complete description of the glands we have. He
came to the conclusion that the food was a secretion
produced from the glands. For some years since 1854
Schonfeld has been at work likewise on this subject. He
described the digestive system of the honey-bee parti-
cularly in the Bienenzeitwng and his discoveries from
1854 to 1883. Below the honey mouth (Magemnund)
there is a neck which connects the honey-stomach with
the chyle-stomach, and from this mouth into the chyle-
stomach there is a prolongation through which the honey
and pollen passes from the honej'-stomach into the chyle-
stomach ; and Schonfeld, by experiments and microscop-
ical examination, showed that this internal prolongation
could he turned inside out or inverted so that the bee
could disgorge the digested food from its stomach by waj'
of the cesophagus into the cells. These alleged dis-
coveries were thought to be very singular by Leuckart,
Fischer, Vogel, Dzierzon, and others, but they continued
to insist that the food of the bee was a secretion ; some
were going so far as to call it Mihhsaft., or milk food.
Leuckart says that the food of the larvae of the queen,

April 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

185

workers, and drones, is exactly the same. But Leuckart,
in 1858, discovered that the food of the larvae of worker-
bees was subject to some variation, that it was not al\va3Ts
the same during the whole of its larval existence. For
the first three days the food was liquid; and appeared
like a secretion. After that pollen and honey were added
to it, which could be detected by the microscope. The
queen-larva, on the contrary, was fed with the same food
throughout its larval existence, that is, from the very
first day of the larva leaving the egg to the day it was
sealed up ; and he said it was owing to this that the
queen was produced instead of a worker. The weaning
took place on the third day, and it was exactly at this
time that the ovaries began to make their appearance in
the female bee, and by changing the food in 4the case of
a'worker this development was arrested and a worker
produced, whereas by continuing the same food a queen
was produced. The same thing took place with regard
to the drone, except that instead of three days the drone
was fed on the same food for five days. "We have
always hitherto been led to believe that this food was
alike, at any rate during the first three days, and that
the greater abundance given to the queen-larva produced
the development more rapidly. Dr. A. de Planta has
been at work for two years in trying to settle the ques-
tion by analysing this food, and has had considerable
difficult}- in carrying out his investigations. Some idea
may be formed of the magnitude of the work he has
been engaged on when I say that he has had to operate
upon 120 queen-cells, 4000 drone-cells, and 10,000 worker-
calls. I believe only one chemical analysis of the food
had been made prior to this, namely, by Schlossberger
in 1871. He took all the food he ould get hold of, put
it together aud analysed it on the supposition that the
food was the same all through. Dr. Planta was not
satisfied with that, and wished to settle the point by
analysing the different foods separately, and his chemical
experiments have confirmed step by step the observations
of Schonfeld, and have shown him to be right. Dr.
Planta analysed the substances contained in the queen-
cells, worker-cells, and drone-cells, and the result of these
investigations showed, as regards the different ingredients
of the different foods, the following proportions : —
Albumen 46-5 per cent for queens.

„ 50'16 „ workers.

„ 39-91 „ drones.

Fatty Matters. ..12-62 per cent for queens.
„ 6-84 „ workers.

„ 7-85 ,, drones

Sugar 1790 per cent for queens.

„ 27-65 „ workers.

,, 1'17 ,, drones.

The above tables refer only to dried food. As regards
the water contaiued in each food there is not a very great
difference. The proportions are as follows : —

60-64 per cent for queens.

71-09 „ workers.

72 75 ,, drones.

These figures show that the food of the queen contains
less water than that of the drones or workers; and I dare
say all of you know that the food in a queen-cell is much
stirrer in substance, and is able to stick to the top of the
queen-cell hanging down and to support the grub. With
regard to albumen, you see the worker stands at the head,
whilst in respect to fatty matter the queen is first, and the
drones and workers in nearly equal proportions. In regard
to sugar the workers are first, then comes the queen, and
the drones have very little indeed. Drones are the fewest
in the hive, and I think we must not grudge them the
small quantity of honey they take, seeing that they get
so little sugar during their larval existence. The figures
I have given may not convey much to you, but with
regard to richness of the food I may tell you that in 100
queen-cells there are 356 times more dry nutritive sub-

stances than there are in 100 drone-cells, or 232 times
more than in 100 worker-cells. Then Dr. Planta tried
another experiment, namely, in order to judge upon an
equal basis he compared the dry substance in 100
grammes of fresh food. In this he found that it con-
tained 4'02 grammes more of dry nutritive substance
than 100 drone-cells, and 3'20 grammes more than those
of workers. Testing in every way the food of the queen,
there can be no doubt that it is the richest and best from
the commencement. Now, if the food were a secretion
similar to milk, it would always be the same, or at least
it would vary to a very trifling extent ; but as it varies
as greatly as Dr. Planta has shown, and has chemically
proved to be different in its composition, there can be
no doubt that it is a digested food elaborated in their
chyle-stomach, and that the bees at will vary the in-
gredients thereof to suit their particular purpose. Thsy
can voluntarily add the necessary ingredients, such as
pollen, honey, and nectar, more or less diluted with
water. So far as can be ascertained there do not ap-
pear to be any particular bees set apart for the purpose
of feeding particular grubs, but that up to a certain age
the feeding capacity is the same in all cases. "We
suppose that the bees must have the voluntary power
of supplying one kind of food or the other as may be
wanted. This subject is a very important oue, because
upon it to a great extent is based the raising of queens.
The question natural! y arises, Are queens that are raised
by natural means as good or better than queens raised
artificially ? Now, I always maintained, aud I think
I have good reason for maintaining, that queens should
be raised from eggs, because they get the better food
from the very first day when the eggs hatch. The
analysis of Dr. Planta and the conclusions he come3 to
go a great way in favour of that theory. Queens must
be better if raised on the best food from the commence-
ment. I have known queens started on larvae four days
old. If a queen-cell is started after the fourth day there
has been one day in which the development of the
ovaries has been arrested, and she can never make a good
queen. Also microscopically Dr. Planta has been able
to show that the worker larvae receive this digested food
for the first three days, and after that pollen and honey ;
drone larvae are reared after the fifth day: while the
royal food is always a chyle food, and never has either
pollen or water mixed with it.. I think I have
now placed this matter before you as fully as I am able
to do. It appears to me that we may now look upon
this question as decided, namely, that the food is produced
in the chyle-stomach of the bee, and is not a seci-etion.
I do not wish it to be understood that the secretion of
the glands has nothing to do with the food, because
Schonfeld, Holtz, and others admit that the secretions
from the glands are added to the chyle food, but
are not the actual food itself, which consists of digested
pollen and honey. The results of the investigations
referred to will be published in Germany in about a fort-
night's time, and I hope then to be able to say something-
more on the subject in the columns of the Bee Journal.

Mr. Rayner and the Rev. G. Raynor agreed that
queens raised from eggs in the natural way were better
than those raised from larvae four days old.

Mr. "Webster said that he had twenty or thirty queens
raised artificially on Alley's system, and he could not
detect any difference between them and those raised in
the ordinal'}' way.

Mr. Baldwin and Mr. "Webster discouraged the raising
of queens in small colonies.

Mr. Grimshaw asked whether if the worker bees in
feeding the larvae mix their proportions in some inju-
dicious quantities, the result would be that a fertile worker
would be produced.

The Chairman said it was supposed that the workers
who became fertile had received an extra large propor-
tion of rich food. Instead of being weanel at the proper

186

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 28, 1887.

time, the rich food had been continued to them beyond
that period. If a worker were fed thus for four days
the organs would have one day's development. In an
ordinary worker they were stopped on the third day.

After a few words from Mr. Rayner to the same effect,
Mr. Webster asked whether the bees committed any de-
predations on fruit. He thought peaches suffered from
their attacks.

The Chairman said he thought bees would not attack
pjeaches or grapes until after wasps had penetrated the
skin thereof and made a hole through which the juice
could be sucked.

Mr. "Webster was under the impression he had seen
bees go to sound fruit, make a hole, and suck juice there-
from, and this opinion was confirmed by a gardener he
knew.

The Rev. G. Raynor thought there must have been
some wound in the fruit not noticeable. Perhaps the
fruit was dead ripe, and the juices were oozing through
the skin, in which case the visits of the bees were ac-
counted for. Bees had not the power to penetrate the
skin of fruit.

Mr. Graham and Captain Campbell agreed with Mr.

Raynor, and pointed out that the mandibles of wasps

were much larger and more powerful than those of bees.

The Chairman said that the only fruit the bee could

pierce was the raspberry, which was very thin-skinned.

The Chairman exhibited some section boxes prepared
by Mr. D. A. "Woodley for sale and exhibition purposes.
Each oue consisted of a frame- work of tin, with three
sides turned up at the edges. Into that frame work the
section with side glasses was placed, the whole being
covered with a little cap, there being a margin of some
width at the sides. He thought it a neat way of glazing
and sending sections about ; the price of them was not
stated.

Mr. James Lee explained and exhibited a new system
of hive-making, the principal feature of which appeared
to be the ready, novel, and convenient way of putting
together and taking to pieces the frames and sections,
which were intended to be filled up with foundation,
leaving no passage at the bottom.

The appliances were examined, and commented on at
some length by several of the audience, the general
opinion being favourable to Mr. Lee's exhibits, the Rev.
G. Raynor and the Chairman endorsing that view.

Mr. Hooker exhibited a super crate, for which he
claimed some advantages. The bees could travel from
end to end between the sections, and round the outside
of them. The sections could also be got at and removed
by an instantaneous method.

Messrs. Abbott showed some useful American hives
and frames, the principal merit of which was their
cheapness, the price being 7s. 6d. in the flat and 9s. Gd.
made up. They also exhibited a novelty entitled a
' J ubike embedder,' made out of a clothes peg, and sold hj
the trade for llrf. This article was not manufactured
nor recommended by Messrs. Abbott, but merely laid
before the audience as a specimen of the inferior work-
manship put in the market at the present time. An
opal jar price l%d., an American uncapping knife, price
Is. (id., and a small phial of Grimshaw's apifuge (a pre-
ventive of bee-stings)[were also exhibited by the same firm.
Samples of section crates with queen-excluders be-
tween each frame, specimens of simplex glazing, and
improved drone-trap for preventing swarming, were
exhibited on behalf of Mr. \V. P. Meadows.

The Chairman showed the Woiblet Spur Embeddor,
and produced two photographs of Forsay's apiaries in
Switzerland, which he was sure would be interesting
1o all who were acquainted with the works of Francois
I ruber. One of the photographs showed the identical
house' in which Iluber lived, which was now occupied
by a large bee-keeper, who kept about 200 hives, and
had not. had a natural swarm for j'ears. The second

photograph showed another apiary belonging to the
same gentleman, and devoted entirely to queen-raising.
Only Italian bees were kept at the latter apiary, which
was five miles distant from the other one. It was
pleasing to know that fifty years after Huber's death
an enthusiastic bee-keeper lived on the spot where that
great man had made all his observations. His (Huber's)
grandson was a personal friend of the chairman, whom
he called on in Lausanne and presented with a photo-
graph of his grandfather taken from an original
miniature.

Mr. Lee exhibited a portable box, provided with
leather hinges and which could be taken to pieces and
folded up. It was designed for carrying sections with
safety.

Mr. Baldwin moved and Mr. Graham seconded a vote
of thanks to the Chairman, which was briefly acknow-
ledged, and the meeting was brought to a close.

€axxts$avfomtt.

The Editor docs not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention vnll be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on, one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
he drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boolcs for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of tlie " British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strang excays and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's'
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%'* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, ivill oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

THE NEW RACES, ETC.

[030.] Your correspondent (920) appears unwilling to
admit that his fancy in regard to the colour of the
British bee is an error, but nevertheless ho will find few
agree with himself on that point. I do know of one or
two who have endeavoured to draw a line between what
they were pleased to call black and brown bees ; but
such persons have generally been obliged to admit that
there was really no such distinction when a little
common sense was brought to bear upon the subject.

In his former letter the same correspondent expressed
his opinion that we had long since heard the last of
Cyprians, &c, but now he mentions Messrs. Raynor and
Cowan as giving their ' last ' years ago. Now, does he
consider that both of these gentlemen have a decided
preference for Cyprians F Why, then, does he make
such contradictory statements — and how does he mea-
sure time ? Does he suppose that even a decade of years
is sufficient to establish the merits or demerits of any
variety ? Surely no shorter time can be allowed for a
thorough and general trial. Prejudice never can be
overcome, but many of the difficulties arrayed against
those who introduce anything new can and will be over-
come with regard to the new races of bees.

The survival of the fittest ! Oh, yes ! of course the
peculiar colour of the natives in your correspondent's
own district must have something to do with their other
remarkable qualities. He may be possessed of bees thus
selected, shall we say, by Nature, or by the bee-keepers'
own happy-go-lucky style of the let-'em-alone policy?
Really, I have something yet to learn, even in the matter
of breeding, though I must confess I had been under the
impression that practical bee-keepers were taking this
matter of selection into their own hands, and, too, were
doing it just a little bit better than Nature unguided.

Well, friend Boyes, suppose you have the survival of
the fittest, you have but the best of one race only, and I
agree with you a good sort at that ; but you are not
going to sit down and be satisfied when a little persua-
sion will convince you that there are better bees of

April 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

187

another sort, and you do not need to be told that even a
combination imparts more vigour and brings more profit
from the stock of whatever kind you may name. Can
you be content to stay when but half-way up the ladder,
and say you have done ? I think not.

And wliy that insinuation as to my impartiality ?
How much better had you come straight to the point,
and have said out what you mean. Of course, I know
full well that those who have no charity towards their
neighbour will say as you insinuate. Now, let me speak
plainty. My advertisements are in because it is the
season for so advertising. My articles on bees are given
now because I always do my best to give statements
just when they will be appreciated, aud I cannot con-
ceive any better time than the present for explaining
what I have myself gleaned from an extensive expe-
rience with the varieties of bees under consideration.
"What I have found to be of value in connexion therewith
has been appreciated by myself, and if others wish to
take advantage of such statements and to make a trial
for themselves, the whole season lies before them, and
they may get their queens from whom they will.

Mr. Boyes must consider that there are others beside
myself who are in the trade ; but why must one's state-
ments be all for 'self ?' Does he so lose faith in human
nature that he cannot conceive a man giving an honest
opinion ? Even in trade, is it all for self ? Far from it.
First there is the deeply implanted instinct of self-
preservation — a man must work or die ; and in working
he labours for the good of all ; each depends upon the
other, and the whole community forms one vast 'mutual
benefit ' society. Friends, may we have heard the last of
such insinuations, which destroy all good feeling and
disgrace the pages of the Journal, while forming no part
of, but being one of the greatest hindrances to, a full and
fair discussion. — S. Simmins.

DE QUIBUSDAM.

[031.] It is some time since I found leisure to write
under this heading, but as ' Oxoniensis ' has touched a
subject closely allied to ' Nomenclature ' on which I once
addressed you, let me follow him. Certainly it is difficult
to assign a satisfactory meaning to -mel sapit omnia, or
rather to see how the combination of words can be used
with any appropriateness. I feel that it would be rather
straying away from the subject of bee-keeping if I said
all I intended to with respect to the classical uses of the
word sapere which ' Oxoniensis ' quotes, but I should
just like to suggest whether he is not a little inconsistent
in his statements. In the first place, he says that sapere,
connected with the Creek aafyfe, means ' to taste ' or ' to
have a taste or flavour of ' a thing, while afterwards he
gives ' to be wise,' &c. as the chief and ordinary meaning.
I accept the former, though the connexion with naipi)Q
(clear or manifest) is not quite clear to me. I daresay
' Oxoniensis' is aware of the late use of the word in the
sense of having an agreeable flavour, or of being pleasant
to themind. Like many .Latin words its meaning seems
to have waudered curiously to and fro between neuter to
active, but the conclusion arrived at must I fear (for
' A. E.'s ' sake) be accepted that mel sapit omnia will not
stand criticism.

Though no doubt ' A. E.' will be the best exponent of
his own meaning, it has always struck me that he did
not mean to convey that ' honey had a taste ' of any-
thing, but that it ffave a flavour, that an agreeable one
to whatever it was used with. But it must be confessed
that these qualifications are absolutely not conveyed by
the words themselves.

By all means let us be correct in our mottoes and in
our nomenclature, and with respect to the latter I should
like to ask whether a hive intended to be turned topsy-
turvy is correctly named ' invertible,' as one able to be
inverted ? I am sorry I have not the ' Imperial,' but I

like the word less every time I see it. Verbal criticism
is not the most agreeable occupation, but the word has
to me an unacceptable, not to say an objectionable appear-
ance, and I do think that the use of the i instead of a is
at least debateible, aud if the spelling is wrong 1 hope it
is even yet amend/ble.

I am glad that suggestions have been made for judging.
This is practical ; but rules as to colour and granulation,
for example, must vary with localities. I should like to
say more on this subject at a future time than you will
bear with now. As I wrote a year ago on ' Croaking,'
I may just say that when I heard it there was at any rate
no American cloth on the hive. The tree box which Mr.
Boyes meutions is certainly much frequented by bees in
the spring, but its odour in passing is most offensive,
and, knowing what privet is capable of, I am thankful
that it does not bloom in the summer. I know of no one
in these parts who is yet prepared to turn his frames or
his sections upside down. (What a crash if we were
treated so !) I, for one, am quite satisfied with present
residts and have no belief that the method will be found
successful. Nor do I think these accurately designed
bee-spaces can be maintained. Frames in the body hive
will vary with the weight of hone}r, and so will the
carriers of sections, whether metal or wood, and 1 mean
to keep my sections together with springs, quickly set
and quickly withdrawn, till screws with their objection-
able projecting heads have become things of the past.

One word more. What a revolution from the one-
way section sent me in mistake last year to that of four-
way now advertised ! i shall not be surprised if these
cause trouble, giving less control over the bees when
shifting and removing, encouraging more propolisation
and sometimes inducing the construction of comb attach-
ments. We shall see. — C. Ft. S.

NOMENCLATURE.

[932.] ' To your tents, 0 Israel.'
To your dictionary, 0 erudite ' Oxoniensis.'
Our sapient critic confesses to have been right glad
of his ' Imperial' at his side, and thinks he has scored
two imperial p'ints in his pseudo-exhaustive criticism by
managing, through its aid, to comprehend the meaning
of ' macaronic solecism.' In order that he may look up
'all the fuges,' I will refer him to a lexicon by one
Webster, Ed. 1836 (each. amp. ter in die.)

The village lads here frequent!}' capture a kind of bee
which they call ' double stenged.' I think we have got
such an one in ' Oxoniensis,' for his shaft (917) is split
like that of our own worker-bee, and dug in somewhat
at random, one half for me and the better half for
' Amateur Expert ' (I hope his better half will give him,
'A. E.,' the moral support this time). I have but to
deal with dart No. 1. I laid a trap and another fell
into it. In one of tire early lessons of manhood we
were taught to be cautious, therefore, 'Oxoniensis,' when
he attempts trenchant criticism, should read carefully
and quote accurately before charging me with 'inventing
another term Galactofuge,' aud that 'he (myself) must
have felt as guilty as if he had committed the seven
deadly sins at one" time.' He says also that I should
feel nervous with such a macaronic solecism hurled at
my head ; and, again, ' that the author of this over-
whelming epithet [Galactofuge] has evidently been
engaging in the word-competitions that have beenso
popular of late.' * Here comes the pit into which
our ' Ox.' has fallen. I did not invent the _ word
Galactofuge, it is a common medical and dictionary
term , as are Galactometer, G alaxy , G alactagogue, Galactia,
Galactin, Galactirrhcea, Galactocele, Galactites ; it is as
significant and common in its proper place as tonic,

* See ' Usaful Hints ' on this, p. 181. The overwhelming
epithet is ' macaronic solecism,' not ' galactofuge.' — Ed.

188

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[April 28, 1887.

diaphoretic, or purgative. Thus do I consign my critic,
' 0.,' to the purgatory of etymological investigation ;
a further course of ' Imperial' will do good. — 11. A.
H. Grimshaw, Crag Hill, llorsforth, near Leeds, April
•22nd.

MEL ET SAL.

[933.] Evidently of late a spirit of fastidious hyper-
criticism has appeared in the pages of the B.B.J. , which
has resulted in the edification of a few, but which, I am
afraid, has proved a bewilderment to the majority of
your readers. The last aspect of this spirit has shown
itself in an onslaught on the motto adopted by your
interesting correspondent, the ' Amateur Expert.'
' Oxoniensis,' clad in the panoply of classicism, has run
full tilt on our friend, who, though perhaps temporarily
recoiling under the first fierce shock, 'will, I feel sure,
speedily recover and be found with his front to the
foe, with his banner bravely flaunting in the breeze,
bearing the now familiar motto, Mel sapit omnia, as
brightly legible as ever. 'Oxoniensis' must feel much
refreshed after his lengthened flight. I have found it
very interesting to follow him in his gyrations. He has
passed from sapere active to sapere neuter. He has
pointed us to a rather dubious derivation, and has also
directed us to a very pleasant compound. He has loitered
in Tusculum, and tarried in Brundusiiim. He has in-
terviewed rhetorician and poets. He has visited writers
sacred and writers profane ; and the result has been that
the ground he has alighted upon is soft and uncertain.
Within the narrow canons of criticism the deductions of
' Oxoniensis ' may be entertained. But the limits of the
lines drawn by classical writers are sometimes rigid and
constrained. Could not ' Oxoniensis ' (Alma Matre
favente) widen his circle and extend his horizon ? Latin
need not necessarily be confined to classical writers :
there was a Latin literature after they had passed
from the scene. There is Latin patristic, there is
Latin mediaeval, there is Latin heraldic, and. Latin is
intimately connected with various sciences in recent
times. Evidently Mel sapit omnia is a modification of
Sal sapit omnia, which, though of post-classical origin,
is an old and world-wide proverb, and is best known as
the motto of an august and respectable City Company.
' A. E.'is not isolated : the contention does not only rest
with him. Salt savours all things ; and as this is true of
the wider world, so Mel may be said to be the great in-
spiring power of the more limited bee-keeping world.
Mel is the end-all and be-all of the industry and activity
of the honey bee. Mel is the bright goal in prospect of
all bee-keepers. Mel, we may safely say, has ever been
that which has permeated and leavened the writings of
' A. E.'; and I trust that all that those engaged in bee-
keeping may say aud write, do and think, will ever be
savoured with Sal and sweetened with Mel. — T. V.
Ainctis.

MEL SAPIT OMNIA.

[034.] The motto of the Salters' Company (vide their
hall in Cannon Street) is Sal sapit omnia, which I have
always taken to mean 'Salt seasons all things.' Our
friend ' A. E.' in using the modification Mel sapit omnia,
intends, I suppose, to convey that his writings are all
seasoned or flavoured with honey. I am curious to see
the replies to ' Oxoniensis.' — F. Lyon.

[922] Foul lirood. — From the applications for Cheshire
cure, I could take a map of the United Kingdom and colour
in the districts most affected by foul brood. One in
particular I should shade in pretty heavily. I can tell Mr.
Uibbins that I do not recollect (of course I cannot answer
for others whom I supply in wholesale quantities) sending
any to the neighbourhood which he names ; I should there-
fore consider it clean. — F. Lion.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for its to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

Perplexed. — Transferring. — The young bees you describe
as crawling on the ground had no doubt fallen from the
combs, when transferring, on the floor-board, and being
unable to remount had crawled out of the hive. On being
again returned, still unable to mount the combs, they were
extruded by the older bees. A very slight degree of cold
chills young bees. You would have done much better to
have transferred the whole of the frames, combs, and
bees to the new hive, simply shaving off the excrescences.
If the transferring was done in the open air, on a fine
warm day, the absence of hives for a distance of one mile
— or even of three — would not secure you from an attack
of robbers, and it is not at all unlikely that your bees
suffered from these, as well as from the other cause
suggested.

Patience. — Bees dying. — The particulars you give are not
sufficient to enable us to form an opinion as to the cause
of your bees dying. Had you stated fully their antecedents,
stores, kind of hive, and management we might have done
so. From what you say we are inclined to think that the
food given was insufficient and of too coarse quality ; or
dysentery may have attacked them. Study Modern Bee-
keeping or Cowan's Guide.

Eev. J. H. — The seed forwarded under the name of Alfalfa
from your son in America is Lucerne, which is quite
common in England and on the Continent. It is a good
honey-plant, but yields no pollen.

H. — The queen you send reached us too much dried up and
shrivelled to speak with certainty. She is very dark, but
we have seen many pure Italian queens quite as dark.
You may j udge better from her progeny, and if she was a
hybrid there would be many black bees amongst the
workers.

Far North. — Some disaster has befallen yonr queen during
the winter season. She is evidently now a drone-breeder,
and there is no probability of her restoration to her
former fertile condition.

C. K. — In the locality where you are situated, without a tree
or a shrub for swarms to settle on, you would find clipping
the wings of the queen an advantage ; but you must ex-
ercise great care in the operation so that her ovaries
should not be injured.

J. Hewett. — 1. Thickish brown-paper glued on the sides of
sections would not answer the purpose of a divider. The
bees would waste all their energy in their endeavours to
remove it. 2. Your proposed plan of covering up the
bees would not be practicable. The covering, be it a
quilt or enamel cloth, must be placed on the tops of the
frames.

E. P. — The two pieces of comb have come to hand. They
are not affected with foul-brood.

M. H. — American cloth. — It is right to use the shiny side
next the frames. But for moisture to come ' through the
sides ' of the hive, presuming they are of wood, cannot
be owing to the use of the cloth. Probably the roof leaks
and the water runs down the hive-sides. The cloth need
not be taken off in hot weather, except to put on a rack
of sections.

J. C. I. — Drones. — A stock which is ready to swarm always
contains drones.

It. L. E. — Frames of comb filled with heather-honeij. — If the
bees will not clean them out, try the following plan : —
Immerse the combs in water at about 00 °, leave them
until quite warm through, aud biy them one at a time flat
on the top of the frames, cover up warm with quilts.
The honey will soon be carried down. When the lower-
side is emptied turn the comb over, or else it will be
destroyed, to get at the other side.

*„* The length to which our report of the meetings of the
B.B.K.A. has extended has obliged us to postpone several
communications.

April 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

189

jghow Announcements,

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 16. J. Huekle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Neweastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huekle, Kings Langley.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Knowle, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association). H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

pfjjusiness directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quav

Dublin.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.G.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.
Edet & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hotchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M , Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F. , Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simhins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepees' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Lyon, P., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANT.

Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

The 'DERBY EXCELSIOR' EXTRACTOR

Extracts Four Frames at once, Moveable Strainer to strain
the Honey as it comes from the Combs, Treacle Valve,
Moveable Lids, and extracts Sections. Price 32s. 6d.

BEE-HIVES and APPLIANCES of SUPERIOR QUALITY.

Prices Reasonable. Lists on Application.

Five per cent discount off all Orders before May 1st.

D. & A. COOPER, Spa Lane, DERBY.

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY JARS.

No. 4. Screw Jar, No. 5. Screw Jar,
No. 1. including Cap & Cork, including Cap & Cork.

1-lb., 12/6 gross. 1-lb., 23/- gross. 1-lb., 23/6 gross.
2-lb., 20/6 „ 2-lb.,33/- ,, 2 gross cases, 22/9
Five gross lots as follows : — per gross.
No. 1, 11/3 gross; No. 4, 21/-gross; No. 5, 21/6 gross, in
gross cases, free on rail. Cases all free. Cash with Order.
Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Post Free.
FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4J4

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Ag-ent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionably mixed — 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S

NOW EEADY.

SWIVEL FRAME

LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send/or ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Koyal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, fcr useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

After 9th May, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Telegrams -WEBSTER APIARY, WOKINGHAM.

Porterage Is, (l^l)

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 28, 1887.

ROTTINGDEAN, V*

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one lime), each 14/-

,, 3 „ 4 „ „ „ » 13/-

„ 5 ,, 0 „ ,, ,, i! 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

%§* My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
fiame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modern Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Laknaca.

Patent Bee Feeder. — RemoYing the Flask.

Or for giving warm syrup in cases of dysentery.

TOY'S HIVES from 4/6 ; SUPERS, 2/-; COMB

V* FOUNDATION, 1/9 ; SUPER ditto, 2/8- Cheaper
for quantities over 3 lbs. SECTIONS, 2/6 100 ; Double Royal
FEEDER, post free, 1/6 ; SMOKERS, 2/9 ; FRAMES in Flat,
require no Nails or Glue, 1/- doz. ; Duncan's Granulated SUGAR
for Feeding, 7 lb. bag, 1/7 ; Porto Rico, ditto, 7 lb. bag, 1/1.
Cheaper in larger quantities. Borage Plants, 8d. 100, post free.
Strong MAY Swarms, 10/6. Order early. Catalogue sent for
h stamp. Address ALFRED JOY, (170)

MID KENT BEE FARM, AYLESFORD, KENT, a 2524

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. Qd. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE FLOWERS.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. 3d.
12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. 3d. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling, post free.
HENRY DOBBIB, Cringleford, Norwich.

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS'

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/Q per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 /JJ,

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &o„ at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 HarleyfordlRd., London, S.E.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiaby. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage Gd.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

The Patent

RAYNOR,

GUINEA,
Little Wonder.

Nono to equal theni.

I. P. MEADOWS,

8YST0N,
near Leicester.

Communications to the Editor to he addressed ' Stranoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 254. Vol. XV.]

MAY 5. 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

tfbitorial, Solias, &l

OUR WILD FLOWERS.
As with the soft zephyr or the tempestuous
blast it is impossible to trace whence it cometh or
whither it goeth, so with philanthropic objects it is
difficult to point out the actual real good that may
in the end result from praiseworthy endeavours.
The snow-ball, so small at first, continually rolled
over earth's winter's shroud, increases as it is
pushed along till at length it becomes too unwieldy,
and remains a mark of exerted perseverance.
Societies are started with a primary object, and
when their endeavours are being crowned with
success, not unfrequently outsiders perceive that
good is resulting in a direction never dreamt of by
the original promoters. An instance of this has
forcibly come under our notice in the objects of an
Association called the Selborne Society. Its work
is divided into several branches, but the third sec-
tion, dealing with the protection of our wild plants
and flowers, is the division that will prove of
benefit to bee-keepers, and has been the means of
calling forth our remarks on the present occasion.
In one of the letters of the March number of a
pamphlet published by that Society, the writer
remarks : 'Our teeming population has been born
of industrial prosperity, so that streets of dreary
houses have spread over the land ; large dis-
tricts have been blasted with sterility by fac-
tories, minings, and smeltings, and year by year
the orchis and primrose yield to the cabbage,
favourite dells of the nightingale become cinder-
heaps, and bosky hillocks of the yellowhammer,
" rows" and " courts." .... Rural England has
shrunk and must shrink, but we still have a country
of excelling beauty and variety, and to preserve
this in the fulness of its riches against needless
and wanton attacks is the work which the Selborne
Society in its modest way would seek to further.'

The protection of wild flowers would indeed prove
a great boon to bee-keepers, as, after all, the
majority of those following the pursuit have to
depend almost entirely on the flowers in our hedge-
rows, fields, and woods. Those possessing bee-
farms may plant, and with great advantage and
profit, but by far the larger number of those keeping
bees have neither the. time, money, nor estate, to
devote to the cultivation of honey-producing plants

By the protection of our wild flowers not only
will our charming country be beautified and men's
hearts gladdened by the varied and rich hues of
our flora, but great quantities of nectar will be pro-
duced, to be carried home by the bees, and so enrich
their owners. Thus the Selboroe Society, by their
modest endeavours, will actually be assisting one
of England's advancing industries, providing a
source of income to many of its rural inhabitants,
and doubtless doing good in a direction they could
never have thought of.

Wild flora will always prove a profitable pasturage
for our bees, as the cultivation of small gardens of
flowers for our favourites is useless. Commons sur-
rounded by woods are well known to make an apiary
productive, those abounding with wild thyme and
various other flowers which the scythe never
touches are especially good. As Thomson says : —

' Here their delicious task the fervent bees
In swarming millions tend : around; athwart,
Through the soft air the busy nations fly,
Cling to the bud, and, with inserted tube,
Suck its pure essence, its rethereal soul;
And oft with bolder wing, they soaring dare
The purple heath, or where the wild thyme grows,
And yellow load them with the luscious spoil.'

HONEY AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD.
We have much pleasure in transferring to our
columns some well-timed remarks on the value, of
honey which appeared in the Liverpool Journal of
Commerce of April 23 : — ■

' The value of honey as an article of food is, we are
afraid, only imperfectly appreciated by the public.
Every one is ready to acknowledge its luscious sweet-
ness, but comparatively few are cognisant of the fact
that, in addition to this quality, it is in the highest
degree nutritious. It is more aperient and detergent
than sugar, and no healthier food can be found for
children and those who cannot do with an excess of cane
or other sugar. This needs only to be generally known
in order to bring honey into more prevalent use than is
the case at the present moment. Apart, however, from
this primary domestic consideration, the matter has an
important commercial aspect. Not long since we used
to rely upon the production of our own hives ; but this
is now changed. With the increased facilities for trans-
port and low freights it has been found a profitable
business to bring the article from many quarters of the
globe. California, Canada, Chili, New Zealand, Portugal,
France, the West Indies, and many other parts are now
laid under contribution, and in some cases the trade has
assumed enormous proportions, employing much capital

192

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 5, 18S7.

and labour. This is particularly the case in California,
■where it promises to become even more extensive in
the future. Like many other products, however, honey
has had to bear the brunt of the depression and com-
petition of the present day, and latterly prices have not
been remunerative to the producers, some losing as much
as 50 per cent on their importations. This has been
caused principally by the cheapness of sugar and the
consequent low prices of preserves and other dietary
articles into which sugar largely enters. Another factor
is the want of a better knowledge on the part of the
public respecting the value of honey as a wholesome
article of diet, to which Ave have already alluded. Much
lias been done during the past few years to place it
before consumers in a perfectly pure state, and the
success which has attended the efforts in this direction
is veiy gratifying, and will, no doubt, be in due time
fully acknowledged by the public. Judging from the
present position of the article, there can be no doubt
that the bottom prices have been reached, and an advance
is inevitable, as the producers show no inclination to Sell
at the late ruinous figures. In addition to this there is
even- prospect that the coming season in California will
be a poor one, thus limiting the output from the most
prolific source. What would tend to place the article
upon a better footing would be an improved system of
distribution, and that the public should be made more
familiar with its value as a food product.'

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Our readers are reminded that the entries for
the Royal Agricultural Show to be held at New-
castle-on-Tyne close on May 12th. Provision is
made in the Schedule for the return of all fees
for honey entered which the exhibitors may not
be able to send for exhibition.

Honey-rjroducers and manufacturers residing in
the Northern and Midland Counties should give
this Exhibition their best support.

SUFFOLK AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

A liberal Prize List for honey and bee-keeping-
appliances has been prepared in connexion with
the Suffolk Agricultural Show to be held at Bury
St. Edmunds. Entries close on June 6th.

Early application for Prize Lists of this and the pre-
ceding Show should be made to the Secretary of the
B.B.K.A., J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

LINCOLNSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The first schedule of bees, hives, and bee-
appliances, which has reached us this year is that
of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society ; and we
hail it as the harbinger of the numerous apicultural
shows whicli we hope will be held during this
Jubilee year 1887. The Lincolnshire Agricultural
Society have wisely entrusted the Bee Department
to the Lincolnshire B. K. A.; and we feel sure that
Mr. R. R. Godfrey and his experienced assistants
will worthily discharge the trust thus reposed in
them. It will be seen from our advertisement
columns that the prizes offered for excellence in
articles exhibited is rather in excess of those of the
previous year. The Exhibition will be held in
Spalding on Thursday and Friday, the 23rd and
24th of July. We hope the bee-keepers not only
of the county, but of the United Kingdom, will

assist and encourage Mr. Godfrey, and by their
united efforts make the exhibition a great success.

Me. Cheshire has requested us to state that his
address in future will be Rosemont, Tweedy Road,
Bromley, Kent.

ANSWERS TO MR. ROUTH.
Dear Mr. Editor, my name you will see
Is quite a new one in the Journal B. B.,
I've made an attempt, tho' living far south,
To answer the queries of Mr. E. Routh.

Suppose it is winter, and sunshine bright,
And snow reflecting into the hives, light,
Tempting the bees to an unlucky flight,
A zig-zag entrance will make it quite right.

For seven long years bees I have kept,
And never yet had a quilt the least wet,
My covers stand on the hive sides exact,
And a plinth all around keeps as dry as my hat.

Supposing 'tis spring, and you've robbers, you think,
Close the hives at eve with perforated zinc;
Next morn, if robbers arc about quite thick,
Sprinkle them well with powdered carbolic,
Then, when they have gone their reception to brood o'er,
Put a zig-zag entrance to each hive door.
But I wouldn't advise — 'twould worry my life,
To stand by and kill each thief with a knife.

Should tomtits kill bees, as truly 'tis said,
The safest remedy is one ounce of lead
Administered sharply with powder so fine,
And an unerring aim, as straight as a line.

If hive sides be stout, and entrances narrow,
Neither mice nor fat toads will cause any sorrow.

Queen-bees too will die, they cannot survive,
If attacked by disease destructive of life ;
And this is a fact, not learned nor wise,
And therefore should cause not the least surprise.

If moth are in hives, your bees are not strong,
Get your hive full of bees and the moth will be gone ;
Old, musty, house carpet for quilts, you will find,
Afford fine nurseries for all the moth kind.

A chalk line for ants is nothing but gammon,
Might as well stop a whale with a rod used for salmon.
Tho' I've ants all around, I ne'er found any wrong,
If only my bees are kept thoroughly strong ;
But should you by chance come across a big nest,
A pot of boiling water will lessen the pest.

I prefer legs to hives, and have them male square,
A foot or so from the soil, makes the b3es more secure,.
As often when hives are close to the ground,
A retreat for ants, slugs, and other insects is found.

The number of stings one would have to endure,
To make him sting-proof, is rather obscure,
I should say five stings a-day, for three weeks or more,
Such as I've had to go through, would effect a sure cure,
Whereas one sting would formerly close my eye for a day,
Ten now make no difference, so I say sting away,
But nine times out of ten, the stinging is due
To bungling hands or the fear that you shew.

The subscription you pay to the B. B. K. A.
Is just five shillings, so post it away
To Mr. J. Huckle, King's Langley, Herts,
And then you can have the advice of experts ;
And if you're in doubt, and want their advice,
I'm sure you won't have to write to them twice.

Now, Mr. Editor, my task is done,
Will you kindly answer the last question.
But perhaps you think— I feel rather sure —
That Mr. It. Routh is not such a bore
As your humble servant, a stranger to all,
Jno. 0. Clemmow, of Ladock, Cornwall.
[We have been not a little surprised at the number of
poetical replies we have received to Mr. Routh's inquiries.
We think, however, that the above, which was the first to
come to hand, will be sufficient for our readers. Will our
correspondents, A. E., W. W., G. W., P. L., J. L. R., J. H,
T. M., and E. C., accept our thanks for the trouble they have
taken and our regrets that we have not been able to avail
ourselves of their appreciated versifications ? — Ed.]

May 5, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

103

Jforcip.

SWITZERLAND.

Experiments calculated to ascertain the Work

and Development of Bee-Colonies by means of

Hives placed on Scales.

We have more than once pointed out the usefulness
and interest that can be derived from a study of the
variation in the weight of hives permanently kept on
scales, particularly when the observer also notes, along
with the changes" in weight, those of the temperature,
atmospheric pressure, amount of rain fallen, clearness or
otherwise of the sky, changes and directions of the wind,
the flight of bees, and, at the proper seasons, the flowers
and trees furnishing a pasturage for bees. The Bulletin
has occasionally reported extracts of our experiments, or
of those made by some of our friends, and those who
attended the 'Concoiirs' held at Lucerne in 1881, or
visited the Zurich Exhibition of 18S3, will doubtless
remember Mr. 17. Kramer's beautiful graphic pictures,
embracing several years.

At Mr. Kramer's suggestion, a few Swiss bee-keepers
undertook similar observations, simultaneously, in the
winter 1884-85. Two of these, viz., Dr. R. Kubli, of
Grabs, St. Gall, and Mr. D. Reber, of Dreilinden, St.
Gall, who had been able to continue their experiments
throughout the year 1885, have published the results
obtained, in a pamphlet of sixty-three pages, containing
clear and minute explanations. This book, called,
Beitrag zur Arbeitsleistung unci Entwicklung der
Bienenevolker, gives not only the historical progress of
two stocks, with notes on the meteorological observa-
tions, on the flora, &c, but the authors have iucluded
many other interesting details, as well as remarks upon
the construction and dimensions of hives, and the mode
of using them.

They have divided the year into four seasons. The
first, or the dead period, embraces the months _ of
November, December, and January ; the second period
is that which precedes the season of early activity, say,
February, March, and nineteen days of April ; and the
third, or the harvest period, comprises ten days of April,
May, June, and July — that is to say, 103 days, during
which the scales had shown increases of weight inter-
leaved with decreases ; and, finally, the fourth period,
consisting of the months of August, September, and
October.

At Grabs. At Dbeilinden.
Net Weights from Kilos. Kilos.

April 20th to 30th ... 8-610 0-570

May 1st to 31st 0-850 6-570

June 1st to 30th 31-900 12-300

July 1st to 31st 6-370 14-000

47-760 33-440

It must he remarked, however, that the colony at
Dreilinden threw off a swarm on the 0th of June
weighing kilos. 2-720, which gathered kilos. 26 of hone}'.
The heaviest day at Grabs was the 26th of June, when
the scales registered kilos. 3j, and at Dr3ilinden the 12th
of July, which registered kilos. 2-200.

According to this, report, the flowers which pre-
dominated at Dreilinden, as well as at Grabs, in April,
were those of the cherry-tree, the cardamine, and the
dent-de-lion ; in May, the dent-de-lion and the apple-
blossom, with the fir-tree towards the end of it. This
fir-tree lasted till about the 8tlr of June, when there
appeared the raspberries, white clover, and various other
honey-producing plants. In July, the bees worked
mostly on this white clover, lime-trees, and on a few
other trees. The first hay was cut between the 10th
and the 24th of June.

One of the studies one of the above-named gentlemen

made was to ascertain how much a colony consumes in
one year. During three of the periods the scales gave
precise figures, but in the harvest season the registrations
were incomplete for those days when no honey was
brought in, and they had to estimate the evaporation of
water issuing from the stored honey.

Mr. Reber's register gave the following figures : —

Days. Kilos. Grammes.

Winter period 00 2-210 average 25

Period preceding harvest 80 5-205 „ 65

Period after the harvest... 02 5-043 „ 55

Period of harvest 103

12-458

36-940 estimated 300
average

365 49-398, or, say, 1 cwt.

M. Kubli had found in round numbers : —

Kilos. Grrammes.

Winter period 3-000 average 33

Period preceding harvest 7'500 „ 93

Period following harvest 5"500 „ 60

Harvest period

16-000
30-000

46-000

291

Here, at Nyon, we have no record of weights repre-
senting the whole season, and must therefore content
ourselves with an approximate estimate. For the
winter season our scale has given us kilos. 1-800. Sundry
deductions made in April have given us 200 and 250
grammes per day ; in May and June we were able to cal-
culate a daily consumption of from 450 to 500 grammes ;
and about 50 to 60 kilos for the whole year. But our
hives are much larger than those at St. Gall and our
colonies are considerably stronger in the harvest season.
The hives at Dreilinden measure 54 litres ; those at
Grabs, 70 litres. The body of our Dadant hives
measures 66 litres, and each super 34 litres; and at
harvest time our colonies occupy, besides the body, one,
two, and even three of these supers, which brings up the
total to about 100, 134, and 168 litres — occasionally
a fourth super is required. As the harvest does not last
here, at Nyon, more than twenty or twenty-five days,
our course is well defined : we must stimulate breeding
as much as possible in order to dispose of a strong army
of workers at harvest time, even at the cost of a great
consumption.

Now in localities where harvest is not limited to
twenty -five days, but spread over 103, like at St. Gall,
would it be just as advantageous to stimulate brood-
rearing? This inquiry can only be answered by ex-
perience, but we are inclined to give an affirmative
reply. A worker that can participate in the harvest
will produce more than she will cost for rearing and
keeping.

If the flora is poor, and the yield of honey limited,
reduce the number of your colonies by half, and have
them all the stronger in the same proportion at harvest
time. You will then have the largest amount of honey
brought in, as the number of outdoor workers will be all
the greater in each hive, and you will have only half
the number of bees to keep during the dead season.
In conclusion we keep our bees from nine to eleven
months in idleness, figuratively speaking, in order to
have harvesters during over the remaining months. If ten
colonies, able to develop themselves freely, can produce
as many and more workers than twenty kept in small
hives, it becomes advantageous to stimulate brood-rearing.
The cost is less, so it is the room occupied by the bees, and
the trouble is not so great. The principal conditions for
the full development of a colony are, other things being
equal, large combs and roomy hives. In winter, as well
as in autumn, our stocks do not consume more than those

194

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 5, 1887.

at St. Gall. It is mostly in April, May, and June, that
the consumption of food is greatest, but at this season
each reared bee is a producer.

The book in question contains a communication from
Italy which, we think, will bear out our theory, as it
originates from a locality where honey is scarce, and
bees, by reason of their being kept in small hives with
small combs, do not obtain their full development.

This question of development of colonies in its relation
witli the size of hives is an all-important one. Such
competent and conscientious apiculturists like Mr.
Kubli and Mr. Eeber are in a favourable position to
find a solution, and we earnestly wish they would give
us the benefit of their experiments. But let us return
to their interesting book.

The authors compare their results; examine the
influence of the three principal factors, viz.,flora, weather,
and method of cultivation, not forgetting the style of
hives used and the race of bees, and then try to arrive at
results. We will limit ourselves to a few of the weak
points to be noticed in their methods, viz.: — 1. The hive
at Grabs had thin walls and was not sufficiently pro-
tected against the cold. From November to end of
March the consumption had been kilos. 7'400, whereas in
that at Dreilinden, which was better protected in this
respect, it was only kilos. 5'24o. 2. Its interior arrange-
ments, separating the brood-nest from the store-chamber,
leaving only a small bole for communication, was a dis-
advantage. 3. The slinger was not brought into requisi-
tion often enough, or else the hive, notwithstanding its
seventy litres capacity, was yet too small. On the 28th
June, at the height of the harvest season, bees were
hanging out.

With its fifty-four litres capacity the hive at Dreilinden
Was even more defective as regards room ; the extraction
of honey wras insufficient and a swarm had issued. A
queen requires, says Mr. Eeber, a large number of cells
to develop her brood in, and workers require a great
many too, to store their honej' in and to evaporate the
excess of water which it contains. These authors do not
consider swarming advantageous for the production of
honey. There would be several other subjects in the
pamphlet which might be pointed out, but we think
enough has been said to show the usefulness of their
undertaking, and we tender them our thanks on behalf of
our bee-keeping fraternity. — Translated from the Bulletin
d 'Apiculture da la Suisse Romande for December, 1886.

ITALY.

According to the Apicoltore, Mr. G. Kandratieff,
Director of the Imperial Opera of St. Petersburg, has
availed himself of a short visit in Italy in order to make
an inspection of the most important apiaries. Mr.
Kandratieff is the proprietor of two large apiaries in
Russia, one of about uOO stocks in the Caucasus and
another of about 200 in St. Petersburg. Notwithstanding
the great difference of climate between the Caucasus,
where winter is almost unknown, and St. Petersburg,
where it is both most severe and long, Mr. Kandratieff
obtains, it appears, almost the same amount of profit in
proportion from the one as from the other. It appears
that Mr. Kandratieff is a perfect master of the Italian
language and a constant reader of the Apicoltore, which
has been his guide in his apicultural pursuits.

The same contemporary reports that Signor Sartori
has contributed exhibits to a great bee show held this
month at Vienna, with the main object of establishing a
honey market for the convenience of the inhabitants of
the Austrian capital and a means of facilitating the sale
of honey now being produced in that country.

FRANCE.

Tin' Socie'te Centrale dApieulture et dTnsectologie of
France held a meeting in Paris in March last. In the
course of the proceedings it was stated that the Insect

Exhibition would be opened on the 27th of August, and
remain open until the 28th September next.

M. Savalle suggested that a committee of three mem-
bers be appointed to visit and report upon the apiaries
whose owners desired to compete at that Exhibit ion in
the special class for 'well-managed apiaries] but M.
Rame pointed out that such a course as that suggested
by M. Savalle would involve the Central Association in
greater travelling expenses than could conveniently be
afforded, whereupon M. Hamet moved that the examin-
ation of such apiaries be entrusted to the local Societies
near which the apiaries are situated. It was further
ruled in connexion with this subject that such visits
must bo made before the 20th of September, to the end
the jury may have time to examine the reports and
arrange for the awards. Rules as to the manner in
which the said reports are to be tabulated were drawn
up and approved. As regards apiaries within a certain
radius of Paris, a Committee of inspection, consisting of
three members, would, however, be appointed, particu-
larly as in the course of the discussion M. Ramt5 re-
marked that there would be no difficulty to obtain from
the Railway Companies a reduction of 50 per cent upon
the rates for the members of their Commitee of In-
spection.

Subsequently the conversation turned upon an insect
submitted by M. Crevoisier, of Havre, found upon his
bees. This gentleman was of opinion that the presence
of this insect caused a decrease in the numerical strength
of his colonies. The insect was thereupon submitted to
examination by means of a magnifying glass, and pro-
nounced to be a specimen of the Braula ceeca, and the
general opinion of the meeting was that although the
presence of these insects in large numbers was undesirable,
yet it did not constitute an infectious disease, nor was it
fatal to a stock.

Afterwards, in the absence of M. Bourgeois, who had
failed to be present as promised, M. Hamet pointed out
a novel application for a steam wax-melting oven, which
he demonstrated can also be used as an economic incu-
bator. It transpired in the course of conversation that
at about the end of February last M. Bourgeois placed
about twenty poultry eggs in his steam wax-melting
oven, with the result that a dozen chickens were thereby
obtained. M. Bourgeois fully believed, however, that
had the temperature been more steady and certain pre-
cautions taken, which had been overlooked during his
absence from borne, every egg would have been suc-
cessfully hatched.

A general conversation upon sundry other matters
brought a pleasant meeting to a close.

NORTH-EAST OF IRELAND BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The Annual Meeting of the above Association was held
at 41 Waring Street, Belfast, on Friday, the 22nd ult., at
three o'clock. There was a large attendance of members.
Among those present were W. J. Johnston, J.P., F. D.
Ward, J.P., Rev. H. W. Lett, M.A., Richard Niven,
W. H. Phillips, W. E. Best, A. Morris, E. Malcomson,
S. Cunningham, G. Hull, G. M'Neill, T. M'Henry, S.
Refausse, &c. &c. The Rev. H. W. Lett, M.A., presided.

The Hon. Secretary (Mr. Paul M'Henry) read the
Annual Report, which was of a very satisfactory character.
The Financial Statement was equally satisfactory, show-
ing the Association to be in a healthy condition. Mr.
M'Henry stated that Sir John Lubbock, M.P., had con-
sented to become an honorary member of the Association,

Mr. A. Morris, in moving the adoption of the Report,
referred to the efforts the Canadians wore making to ad-
vance bee-culture, and pointed out that they looked to
this country as a market for their honey. He pointed
out the difficulties which they had to contend with, and
urged on bee-keepers the necessity for renewed exertions,
He considered if bee-keeping could be made a profitable

May 5, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

19:

investment that it should receive more attention than it
has in the past in this country.

Mr. F. D. Ward, J.V., in seconding the adoption of the
Report, said although he only kept a few hives he be-
lieved bse-keeping could be made a profitable pursuit ;
he expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present at
this year's annual meeting of the Association.

It was resolved that a Show be held this year, the 19th
of August being fixed. A Committee was then appointed
to carry out the arrangements.

A ballot was then taken for a bar-frame hive, presented
to the Association by Mr. Niven, and-Mr. W. J. Johnston,
J. P., was declared the winner.

In the evening a Conversazione, under the auspices of
the Association, was held in the Museum, where there
was a large attendance of members.

Tea having been partaken of, the Mayor (Alderman
J . H. Haslett, J. P.) took the chair and delivered a brief
address, in the course of which he referred to bee-keeping
as an industry, and urged its being followed more by
small farmers as a means by which they might augment
their incomes. He also spoke of the efficient manner in
which the Association was creating an interest in humane
bee-culture and to the success which had attended its
efforts.

The Rev. H, W. Lett, M.A., gave one of his very in-
structive lectures, which was listened to with much at-
tention. In the course of his remarks he drew attention
to the necessity of members trying to make a market for
their honey in their own particular neighbourhood, and
gave some instances which came under his notice where
this had been particularly successful. He also drew
attention to a plan which had been adopted with success
in some parts of England, viz. of allowing the bee-tent
to be erected in the grounds of some of the local gentry,
on the occasion of fetes, &c.

Mr. A. Morris gave the result of his experience, and
advocated bee-keeping to all those who had facilities for
keeping them.

The Chairman stated that he would he glad if any
present, who were in doubt about their bees or manage-
ment, would make use of the question box which had
been provided, and any questions asked would be replied
to before close of meeting.

A number of microscopes were exhibited during the
evening by members of the Association and their friends,
and the slides illustrating the anatomy of the honey-bee
and other insects were in great request. Mr. Smith ex-
hibited some dead queens, workers, and drones, also some
specimens of comb, with queen-cells, &c. &c. The Rev.
H. W. Lett, M.A., exhibited the sheets published by the
B. B. K. A., and described the same. Mr. W. Lonsdale,
Lurgan, and Mr. Morrow, Banbridge, sent bar-frame
hives of approved construction, which were explained by
Mr. S. Hill and Mr. Paul M'Henry during the evening.
Appliances were exhibited by Mr. Lonsdale and the
Belfast Nursery Company, who exhibited some sections,
glazed after the style advocated by "W.J. Stanford, Esq.,
in the Irish Bee-keepers' Association Pamphlet.

A vote of thanks was passed to the ladies who had
acted as tea-makers.

The customary votes of thanks being passed, brought
a very enjoyable evening to a close.

Long Woeds. — Apropos of the long names in your last
issue, we have in our trade, Clark's Hoplemeuroma and
Neurasthenipponskelesterizo, both of which by long prac-
tice we can ' speak trippingly ' off the tongue. — Detjgo.

Db Quibusd.oi. —In my last I did not write that frames
in the body hive will ' vary ' with the weight of honey, but
that they will ' sag. ' I have since had an example. I took
out a filled frame for the benefit of a hive the supplies of
which were getting short. The top bar was of three-eighth
stuff, but in the centre it had dropped one-quarter inch.
What prospect then is there of our being able to preserve
these exact bee-spaces so carefully provided ? — C. E. S.

€mx£S#avfotmL

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com
munications, and correspondents are requeued to write on one side nj
the paper only, and give their real names an I addresses, not necessarily
for publication, bat as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be d. awn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of tho "British Bee
Journal/' c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W. C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Lingley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

*** hi order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, wilt oblige by -mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

THE NEW RACES AND THE BEST MEANS OF

INTER-BREEDING AND SECURING

FERTILISATION.

Hibbibs, Blacks, &c.

[935.] We now have to consider the disposition and
working qualities of the various crosses and the best
means of ensuring the production of docile bees, without
detracting from their value as honey-producers.

As it is intended to make use of the native race it will
be well to first consider what they are capable of.
Nearly all bee-keepers have a certain partiality for
blacks, and it cannot be wondered at when we come
to think of the beautiful colour of their comb-honey.
They are also less inclined to swarm than any other
kind, but the great reason for this is that the queens are
not very prolific ; and, in fact, it would be a serious error
for any one to attempt to build up a large apiary with
these bees and expect to make a fair profit at the same
time, unless in an exceedingly good district.

Though they do not winter so well as Carniolan bees,
they have great conservative energy, and are capable of
maintaining a higher temperature than any. Hence the
reason why they are such good wax workers, and why
with comparatively small numbers a colony of blacks
readily takes to the supers.

On the whole (in their purity), they are not noted for
the best of tempers, and besides being behind the foreign
varieties in breeding they discontinue storing in the
autumn, while the more prolific kinds continue to gather
heavily.

Many years' experience has shown me that to obtain
thoroughly reliable workers producing comb of the first
quality, one must take a black queen as a base to start
upon, and crossing with drones of either the Ligurian,
Cyprian, or Carniolan races, the latter by preference.
We then dispose of the objections to the pure black,
while retaining their good qualities. Though some
believe they have cause to differ as to Cyprians, I have
found the drones of each variety named carry a mild dis-
position to the hybridised workers. Indeed I have
always found the drone to impress the disposition of
the mother colony upon his progeny. Black drones
should be rigidly excluded, as it is these crossing with
foreign queens which have caused so much to be said
against hybrids. Such a cross is of the worst temper
imaginable, and though it may be pleasing for a bee-
keeper to raise queens from the valuable one he may
have purchased, unless he can depend upon getting them
purely mated he will do far better to raise plenty of
drones from such and improve his natives, and so raise
bees that he can easily handle.

If a good working cross is desired while one wishes to
have colour as well, then take a Carniolan queen and
mate her daughters to Cyprian drones. Though springing
from a race not actually having yellow bands, this first
cross will in mauy cases produce workers infinitely mora
beautiful than Cyprians themselves, as they have all the
yellow and a great deal more down about them. In

1%

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 5, 1887.

some instances the first cross varies from Carniolan to
Cyprian forms, and a second cross with Cyprians would
he desirable to get good colour.

If comb-honey be the object, however, colour from
Cyprians must not be sought, as the nearer you approach
to them the darker will be their cappings. It would be
better in that case to cross once into Cyprian and back
to Carniolan again, if blacks are not used ; or begin on
Cyprian queen and cross twice to Carniolan drones, the
workers leaving nothing to be desired, putting colour out
of the question.

"With Ligurians proceed in the same way, crossing
with Cyprian drones for colour, though, of course, the
■workers resulting therefrom would not give good comb.
Carniolan or black queens with Ligurian drones would,
however, give excellent bees for white comb-honey where
one will look only at the business point.

The crossing of two or more varieties will always give
an improvement in the working capabilities of the bees,
the main point being to make certain that the drones
used come from good-tempered, and otherwise desirable
stock. This is even more important than the disposition
of the queen's colony. — S. Simmins.

[030.'

BEES AND EIPE FRUITS.

^)36.] I should very much like to obtain the opinion
of '"bee-keepers on the point wdiich I brought forward
for discussion at the last Conversazione of the B. B. K. A.
that is : — Do bees commit any damage to ripe fruit ?
must say that it is with considerable reluctance that I
hold the opinion that they do. Until last season I ' ran
with the stream ' of other bee-keepers and scouted the
idea of such a thing happening, but, alas ! my ideas
received a sudden check, and I fouud my pets busily
engaged piercing the shins of peaches and revelling on
the sweet juice. At the Conversazione these opinions
of mine we're — "Well, I was considerably 'sat upon,' but
having recovered from the effects, I have risen again to
the occasion.

Most of the arguments against such a bad practice on
the part of the bees were based upon the assumption
that their jaws wrere not strong enough to make a hole
through a fruit skin as tough as that of the peach. I
must emphatically negative this ; even our friend, the
Chairman, gave his opinion that they could pierce the
skin of the raspberry, so partially negativing the idea
that they could so pierce that of the peach. Has any
bee-keeper placed paper in his hive ? If not, let him do
so, the bees will soon cut it up into small pieces and
carry it thus outside. How about gnawing clean
through the tapes after transferring ? I reckon there's
tougher work in these two cases than with ripe peach-
skins.

I now give an extract from Gleanings of the 15th
April, 1837, from the pen of A. I. Hoot:— 'But if there
are cracks where the bees can see thr-ough and smell the
feed, they will often (at least in our apiary) bite away
the solid wood until they can squeeze through where
cracks and openings are.'

Mr. Hay nor also observed that the jaws of bees were
much weaker than those of wasp3. I am well aware of
this, but that is no argument that it is impossible for
them to break the skin of other fruit than raspberries.
A gentleman gave it as hi- opinion that if I had taken
a magnifying glass I would have seen a small puncture-
presumably made by a wasp beforehand. My eyesight
is sufficiently good to detect the mark made by the first
'chop' of a hungry wasp's jaws, in several instances
where I saw the bees commence gnawing the skin there
was no such mark. I am well aware that the bees
would sooner go to the pari of the fruit ihat had been
damaged beforehand, as a larger amount of saccarhiue
matter would be found there.

I am also aware that the infinitesimal amount of

damage — first damage I mean — committed by bees is as
a grain of sand in a bushel compared with that of wasps;
but this does not alter the truth of my assertion that
bees can pierce the skin of peaches and some other
fruits. I do not in the least wish to be dogmatic, but
I feel confident as to their capabilities in this direction, if
not in all cases their desires. I have written this letter,
not for the purpose of publisbiug our pets' failings, but
in order to lay before those who I find frequently com-
plain of the presumed damage done to their fruit by the
bees, the fact, that although they may commit a very
small amount, the wasps are the chief culprits. If one
entirely negatives their assertions of this damage you
are simply laughed at as one not knowing much about
bees. — W. B. Webster.

COUNTY EXPERTS.
[007.] Poor experts! foul-brood will be to you as an
incubus like unto the bses. How I should like to meet
the County Expert that doesn't know foul-brood when
he sees it ! "What lucky experience ! (?) But I know
it to be a fact and can bear out ' U. H.'s ' assertion.
It is but a short time since I examined a colony that
had been pronounced by a county expert (unqualified)
quite healthy and flourishing, that was reeking with
foul-brood ; I pitied the owner who was elated at the
expert's (?) report, but desired my opinion before giving
vent to a very loud hurrah ! The expression on her face
when I showed her hundreds of foul larvre, was indeed
grievous. But, ' U. H.,' do you really think that
one who has passed a second-class examination is as
ignorant as this? If so, who are the 'exuniners?' I
remember being closely questioned upon this matter at
each of the three examinations that I had the pleasure of
' going in ' for. The fact is, it is only a few of our
counties that have properly qualified experts, and I take
it that in each case they should hold, at least, second-
class certificates ; I do not mean to assert that there are
not as good bee-keepers without a certificate as with,
but such certificate is a guarantee as to their ability.
District secretaries should, also — where they are pre-
sumed to give advice — hold third-class certificates ; these
are easily obtainable by any one having a good knowledge
of modern bee-culture. — W. B. Wkbsthb.

GOSSIP.

[038.] It is a long time since I trespassed on the
columns of the Bee Journal, and if I do so now I shall
venture to put the blame on the present esteemed Editor.
Last autumn, when I was ' doing ' the Colinderies, I
chanced to stumble into his company in the Canadian
honey department, and will now offer my humble apology
for interrupting his conversation with the gentleman in
charge — Mr. M'Knight, I should presume from what
I gather on page 170. Of course we were strangers, and
I had to introduce myself as an occasional correspondent
sometime before he became Editor, when he was kind
enough to invite me to do so again.

As I have paid several visits to Canada, and have
travelled the countiw from Quebec to the Falls of Niagara,
I was naturally interested in seeing such a splendid
collection of honey. My first visit was in 1858, my last
in 1875, but during the whole time I never remember to
have seen a single honey bee. I remember in 1873 in-
specting a vast quantity of hives in the patent depart-
ment at Ottawa, but at that time anything past the old
straw skep was now to me. What a change, in both
countries in a few years ! I hardly know which 1 am
most afflicted with, the bee mania, the bird mania, or
the wasp mania, all equally interesting in their way.

I should not have ventured to take up the pen had I
not noticed the interesting article of ' G. J. II., page 161.
I am very pleased to say my experience with the birds

May 5, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

197

mentioned (all of which are residents with me) differs
from his. I can honestly and faithfully declare that I
have never been able to detect a single bird killing- my
bees. That the great tit is fond enough of bees I am
well aware, but they only act as scavengers in picking
up chilled or dead bees. Did ' G. J. H.' ever try the
effect of feeding the tit family ? It is an old saying,
' If thine enemy hunger, feed him.' Give them a few
bones to pick, or a lump of scrap suet suspended to
peck at. It will afford amusement and pleasure,
and they will amply repay for the little attention in
destroying thousands of insect enemies in the garden,
which I can vouch for by close observation. Again,
there is no need to use powder and shot to destroy the
tits, and probably fruit trees into the bargain, they will
both build and roost on anything of a convenient size ;
I have taken them to lectures many a time in old boots,
boxes, tea-pots, &c. There is not a 'darned' bit of
pride in their nature, and they will put their trust in
you and not be afraid ; but do try feeding before killing
them. It would occupy too much space to enter into
the habits of each to relate the good they do in other
ways.

I have only met with one queen-wasp so far this
spring. — J as. Hi am, The Wreri-s Nest, Astwood, Redditch.

THE WOIBLET SPUR EMBEDDER.
[939.] I have for a long time used wired frames, and
have pressed the wire in the wax with the point of a
knife; and although none of the wire has been covered
with wax the queen has laid in every cell. Having seen
Hughes' Embedder Spur advertised in the B. B. J., I
sent for one, and I was highly pleased with its simplicity
and also in the way it did its work ; first warming the
sheet of foundation in the sun, or by the fire, I could em-
bed the wire with great ease and very quickly. I
recommend my brother bee-keepers to give it a trial, and
I think it worthy of high praise for its cheapness as well
as for the way it works. By its means bee-keepers can
save themselves much labour as well as time. — T. S.

FOUL BROOD.

[940.] I am much obliged to Mr. Lyon [992] for his
answer to my query in B. B. J., April 21, respecting
foul brood in Warwickshire. The expert of that county
has also kindly written informing me that the district is
quite clear of this disease. Allow me to express a hope,
however, that Mr. Lyon will not too hastily infer that a
district is infected because several bse- keepers have
ordered bottles of ' cure.' I, for one, obtained a bottle so
as to be forearmed in case the disease should appear, and
doubtless hundreds of others have done the same. I am
glad to say I have never had occasion to use it, and trust
I never shall, but it is a satisfaction to know that a
remedy is close at hand in case my bees ever require it.
As may be seen on reference to former advertisements,
when I buy swarms I stipidate that the seller's district
shall be free from foul brood, and also that his apiary
has never suffered from the disease. It is surprising how
very many offers have fallen through owing to this latter
clause. It is impossible to be too careful to avoid intro-
ducing this destroyer to a hitherto clean country. As an
example, I may say I know a man who introduced an
alien queen two years ago. Very shortly foul brood ap-
peared, and in spite of all the many remedies, he was
compelled to practically destroy his apiary of forty stocks.
Unfortunately the mischief did not end here, for the in-
fection was carried by robbers, &c, to the neighbouring
cottagers' skeps, and thus the circle of an infected area
ever grows larger unless prompt measures are taken for
its eradication.

Mr. ' Amateur Expert ' has a hearty laugh in last
B. B, J. over my query, but surely it is a matter of grave

importance, worth considering. I had no reason to sus-
pect any disease in Warwickshire, and had in fact
examined the stocks offei'ed to me a year ago, but as my
friend does not personally manage his bees, I applied to
the editor of the Bee-keeper's Adoiser, and, as I have
always experienced in all cases of difficulty, received
through his hands the desired information. — Edwakd J.
Gibbins, Neath, April 28.

CAN BEES HEAR?
[941.] Several letters have recently appeared iu
B. B. J. as to whether ' Bees can Hear,' to which I say
Yes. I have been fond of bees over fifty years and a
close observer of them. May I give three reasons for
saying they can ?

1. Last June I happened to have my head just in front
of a Ligurian stock. I was very close and was looking
into the entrance ; there were probably about 100 bees
sitting outside, not in touch of those inside. All at once
I heard something like a hissing noise from inside the
hive. The 100 outside seemed to hear this sound at the
same moment that I heard it ; they were on the move
at once ; a few seconds more and a fine swarm was rolling'
out of the hive.

2. Take a swarm into a straw skep when they are all
in quiet. Shake them out in a lump on a cloth, stand
the skep (with room for them to crawl into it) a few
inches from the lump, then take a tablespoonful (or
more) of bee3, lay them down at the entrance of the
skep, so that they are an inch or so from the bulk (or
lump of bees), and there is no continuity of touch. Now
if this spoonful of bees commence to enter the skep they
will set up a humming noise, whereupon the whole bulk
seem to hear it at once, turn toward the skep, set up a
humming and march straight for the same skep. Or try
the same with a driven stock, then put down their own
hive bottom board and all take a spoonful ; put them
on the alighting-board and you will get the same result,
perhaps more instantaneously.

3. Eight or nine days after the issue of a first swarm
go to the stock hive at night, place your ear against the
back of it; and if they are intending to throw off a
second swarm you will hear the well-known tooting or
shouts of defiance from two or more queens. If you
take time you will sometimes find a considerable number
of minutes quite quiet, then one queen sets up tooting her
note of defiance, and directly she ceases another queen
from a distant part of the hive answers her back. I say
they can hear one another and bandy the well-known
tooting or note of defiance from different parts of the
hive. — David Ovendbn, Penge, S.E., 18th April.

HIVE CONSTRUCTION.
[942.] I beg to inform ' F. L.' that I too, for more
than ten years, have had hives without plinths, the
same as he describes ; but neither ' F. L.'s ' nor my
own are interchangeable storifying hives. Mr.
Buchan was the first to use a break-joint in the
latter named hives as represented in-the margin, so
as to make all the hive-joints without plinths, wind,
and water-tight. For this original improvement in
hive-construction he ought in common fairness to
receive the honour due for it. — Wu. Puhvjes, Dal-
keith, N.B. 18th April.

n,

i.

ij

SPARROWS AND BEES.

[943.] In B.B.J. (906) ' G. J. II.' gives his useful ex-
perience of ' birds eating bees.' May I add my London
experience ?

For five years, ending last February, I kept b?es at
Blackheath. My neighbours encouraged the London
sparrow in a large growth of ivy, and during the entire

198

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 5, 1887.

breeding season these sparrows committed havoc
amongst my bees. They seemed to almost entirely rear
their young with my poor slaughtered bees. The female
sparrows seemed every year to commence this slaughter,
and then the male sparrows seemed to act under the
direction of their wives and set at this slaughter with
a vengeance. These impudent sparrows would select a
twig opposite a hive ; they would settle on this twig,
from thence fly straight at the hive-alighting board,
take a worker-bee, settle on the ground, peck it to death
quickly, carry it to their young, and be back in two
minntes for another. Occasionally they would vary the
diet with a drone.

Of all the birds in the air, I believe the London
sparrow is the greatest enemy to bees kept in the
suburbs.— David Ovenden, Penge, S.E., \8th April.

WIDTH OF SECTIONS.

[044.] Seeing that there is a good deal of contro-
versy in the B. B. Journal respecting the best width for
sections, I should like to state, through the medium of
its pages, that I believe I was the lirst to import and
recommend the use of the narrow section into this
country. As many readers of tho Journal know Mr.
Froucrook took out a patent for the one-piece section
with bee-ways and comb-grooves. Apart from the idea
not being original, his specifications were so carelessly
worded, that the sections coidd be manufactured in two,
three, or four pieces, or in one, leaving out any one of
the particulars mentioned, i.e., the comb-groove, &c. In
the spring of 1883, Mr. Froucrook threatened to prose-
cute those who had manufactured and used any other
one-piece section than his own. About this time I im-
ported from Mr. Lewis the 4J x A\ x If section in one and
two pieces. I quote the following from my catalogue,
1883 : ' They are in two pieces and can be had either If
or 2 inches wide, but the former are to be preferred, as
they do not require separators when comb-guide is
used, and there is no escape of heat, or space between
separators for bees to propolise. The bees are said to
ripen and seal their honey faster in them.'

The same year the ' Royal Show ' was held at York,
and I entered for competition in the 10s. class a hive
fitted with these narrow sections with close top, and I
dare say Mr. Hooker will remember his remarks to me
about them, — remarks not in their favour ; for when I
praised them, he seemed indignant at my opinion of
the article: 1 did praise, having tried and proved their
value, besides having heard them highly spoken of by
many of my customers to whom they had been supplied.
I believe these narrow sections give satisfaction in every
case. — E. C. Walton, Muskham.

SUGGESTIONS.

[045.] The early spring months are very trying and
often disastrous to the lives of our dear little bee friends.
The outer surroundings of the hive have an important
bearing on what may be termed the minor essentials to
successful bee-keeping. Given a good aspect I would
strongly deprecate allowing grass to grow near the hive
in any shape or form, but if allowed to grow long and
feathery, it is not only a great nuisance to bees in the
summer months, but in the early spring is very destructive
to bee life ; in hurrying home from passing storms many
drop in the long damp grass — get chilled — never to rise
again.

Again, I have often noted alighting boards with a too
sharp slope smoothly planed and painted, on which the
bees cannot get foothold. I have grieved to see the
heavily-laden bees after dropping on such alighting boards
either roll off, or on the first attempt at walking make,
not a step forward, but two backwards. To remedy

this evil take a coarse rasp, such as farriers use, and
draw the teeth longitudinally from end to end. An
ordinary pocket-knife with a sharp point will answer
the purpose tolerably well by scratching the surface
rather deeply. — James Lee.

FROM SKEP TO BAR-FRAME.

[046.] Being a bee-keeper on a small scale and a con-
stant reader of the British Bee Journal, I thought I
would write you a little about my experience as regards
bees.

I have kept bees here for about ten"years, both in straw
skeps and in plain boxes home-made. To get the honey
I used to sulphur them in autumn, till last spring, when
our expert came here and put two of my stocks from
straw skeps into a bar-frame hive; and during last
summer I drove all the other stocks myself and placed
them in bar-frames. Considering the season, I did very
well with them, and find the bar-frame hives much better
than straw skeps and much more profitable ; but I think
bees would winter better if the roofs and outside walls of
the bar-frame hives were made thicker. The walls, say,
1 in. and roofs |- in. thick, of good, sound, well-seasoned
deal and kept well painted with oil paint.

I think if bees were kept warm and dry during the
winter we should not hear any more of foul brood, which
I fancy is caused by having such thin boxes and getting
damp inside. I packed my boxes between walls with
hay chaff, and on the top I have one or more pieces of
thin red woollen carpet for quilts with a good heap of
chaff on the top. Being at my work close to my cottage
I have time during the winter, when I get a nice warm
day, to remove the roofs of hives and shake up the chaff
if anyway damp. If the roofs feel damp inside I take
them into my cottage and dry before the fire. I have
not lost one stock this winter, and I have nine stocks
now very strong, and two weak stocks ; and the first
swarms I get this season I shall bundle, queen and all,
into my weak stocks to strengthen them. I intend doing
away with chaff packing between the walls of hives next
winter, as I think the bees would winter better with the
air passing between walls.

I hardly ever get stung, as I never give my bees much
chance to sting me. I bought a yard of strong black net
and made it into a bag, which I put over my felt hat and
tuck inside my vest ; for the hands I have a pair of soft
leather gloves, and on the end of the gloves I have the
top part of a thick pair of old woollen gloves sewn on
fast, which I draw well over an old coat right up to my
elbows. Being so well protected I am the master of my
bees any day, and do not want such nostrums as apifuge
or sting-preventer, as my simple preventer is enough
without those moonshines. About here people use
washing blue, onions, turps, &c, those things are no
doubt good in pickle, paint, and washing water, but for
stings they are nil bosh. Bees cannot abide me, and would
push their tails into me very quickly if I were not in
armour; and in my situation I have no fancy to go about
with swollen face and black eyes, making me look as if
I were related to Tom Sayers. — R. G., Coldra, Caerleon,
Mon.

Poisonous Honey. — Much has been written upon
the poisonous effects of certain plants, sometimes upon
the honey, sometimes upon the bees themselves. Every
schoolboy must remember the account given \>y Xeno-
phou of the effect produced upon the Ten Thousand by
the honey in the neighbourhood of Trebizond. The
soldiers suffered in proportion to the quantity they had
eaten ; some seemed drunken, some mad, and some all but
died. (Anab. iv., 8.) This quality in the honey has
been referred to by Pliny and others to the poisonous
nature of the rhododendron, which abounds in those
parts; but from inquiries which we have made from

May 5, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

199

Dropinore and other spots abounding- with this shrub,
we cannot learn that any difference is perceived in the
honey of those districts, or indeed that the common bee
is ever seen to settle on its flowers. If the Kalmia lati-
folia be a native of Pontus, the'danger is more likely to
have arisen from that source, as the honey derived from
it has been known to prove fatal in several instances in
America.

Bees Used in Warfare. — A small privateer, with
forty or fifty men, having on board some hives made of
earthenware, fidl of bees, was pursued by a Turkish
galley manned by 500 seamen and soldiers. As soon as
the latter came" alongside, the crew of the privateer
mounted the rigging with their hives and hurled them
down on the deck of the galley. The Turks, astonished
at this novel mode of warfare, and unable to defend them-
selves from the stings of the enraged bees, became so
terrified that they thought of nothing but how to escape
their fury ; while the crew of the small vessel, defended
by masks and gloves, flew upon their enemies, sword in
hand, and captured the vessel, almost without resistance.
It must strike the reader how well furnished this vessel
must have been to afford on the moment masks and
gloves for forty or fifty men. The following receipt to
disperse a mob may, perhaps, be found useful. We have
heard of a water engine being effectively employed in the
same service. During the confusion occasioned by a time
of war iu 1525, a mob of peasants assembled in Hohnstein,
in Thuringia, attempted to pillage the house of a minister
of Eleude, who, having vainly employed all his eloquence
to dissuade them from their design, ordered his domestics
to go and fetch his beehives and throw them in the
middle of this furious mob. The effect was what might
be expected: they were immediately put to flight, and
happy to escape imstung.

<fttc.rc.es.

[947.] I have been making my own eomb-foundation, but
have had much trouble through its being too brittle, and in
some cases breaks before I get it off the block. Will you
kindly tell me how to make it more flexible and better to
work? — John Dunning.

jgrjjgej from % gite,

Hartlip Vicarage, Sittingbourne, April 18th, — Do you
know that a Honey Company in Liverpool is selling excellent
' Calif omian ' honey at &d. per lb. , carriage paid to this
place. I am feeding my bees with it, outside their hives,
as it has been much too cold as yet to handle them. This
is a glorious day for them and they are working well, but
what of to-morrow ? — let Aix-les-Bains say, perhaps snow.

South Cornwall, April 22nd. — It has appeared useless to
repeat the burden of the two or three ' echoes ' a-week which
have lately been sent, and of your own notes, but now that
a few drops of rain are falling, the precursors, it is to be
hoped, of copious showers, we may sound the note of hope.
Notwithstanding the cold winds which have prevailed for
two months, I am sure the bees have clone their best. "With
plenty of tempting sunshine there have been some calm and
mild days, and our little friends have carried in abundance
of pollen, but certainly not much honey. It is very in-
teresting to note (when one has leisure) the varied colours
of the contents of their baskets. I have taken an oppor-
tunity of examining some half-dozen hives and find large
patches of brood with many already vacated central cells.
Some stocks were very strong and will soon require at-
tention. Happily supplies are ample as yet, and I am
glad that I left as much as I did of natural food. The
blossom of bush fruit is very backward, and the few goose-
berry buds which the bullfinches left me have had great
difficulty in expanding. But now we shall be full of hope,
and so may ' April showers bring forth May flowers.' —
C. E. S.

Kendal, April 30. — On examination of my hives on
April 9th I found all had wintered well and were abundantly
stored, but unfortunately one of them had lost their queen,
so I put a frame of brood out of another hive in and they
made a queen, but as there were no drones I sent to Mr.
Simmins for one. She arrived on April 25 ; so I took the
remaining brood out, and at night I kept the queen without
food for thirty minutes, then I turned up the quilt in the
centre, gave them a puff of smoke, let her run in and soon
heard the sound of welcome. On the 28th I took a frame
out and saw the queen moving about and a quantity of eggs.
— George F. Martindale.

Chippenham, Wilts. — A longer and more trying winter
and spring for bees I never remember, neither do I re-
member a spring in which they worked less and were con-
fined so much to their hives by ungenial weather. And yet
they appear healthy and fairly strong. During the last
week they have started in earnest and are evidently making
great efforts to make up lost ground. I noticed to-day
(April 30) the pollen-carriers from my strongest stocks were
entering the hives heavily laden at the rate of thirty-five per
minute, the weaker stocks not averaging more than fourteen
per minute. I should like to know from other echoes if this
is a fair rate of progress. — W. A. Warrilow.

Eempstone, near Loughborough, May 2. — All the colonies
in this immediate neighbourhood are alive and able to kick,
except a few bees which have either kicked the bucket or
their interfering master. Many of the stocks are getting
very short of food, and if not attended to promptly will
starve or just be ripe for sections in August, after the honey
flow. I saw the first drone on the wing on the 3rd of April.
They are very busy just now (not the drones) on the goose-
berry trees, and what pellets of pollen they bring home ! —
Arthur Felstead.

[We appreciate your appended suggestion. — Ed.]

Harborne, Birmingham. — Considering the cold east winds
and frosty nights we have had for so long, my hives are
wonderfully strong, but not nearly so as they were this
time last year. Every year at the beginning of April I
crowd the bees into as small a space as possible, the
strongest stocks only having six frames left them ; then
about a fortnight later I put back the surplus combs, one
every week, in the centre of the brood nest, and it is really
wonderful to see the energy with which these stocks work,
in comparison with those left with ten or twelve combs.
Yesterday, May 1st, they were hard at work bringing in
pollen of all colours in great quantity, besides water, and
honey from gooseberry and currant blossom. All we want
now is a warm moist month to repay us, in some measure,
for what we have gone through. — H. J. Sands.

Belfast, April 28th. — The reports that have reached
me from all parts of this district are very favourable.
Bees have wintered well and only want fine weather. I
am sorry to say since Sunday last it has been more like
midwinter than end of April ; we have had hail, snow, and
frost, with occasional bright sunshine. However, a change
has taken place to-day, which I hope will continue, viz.,
weather warm and calm. Furze, willow, and dandelion,
affording great pasturage if bees can only get out. — P. M'H.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspond
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Corrcspondods
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

John Boss. — Fumigator. — Many of those who have made
trial of Webster's fumigator prefer it to the ordinary
smoker.

A. Pinney. — Old Combs. — It would be very bad policy to put
a swarm on mouldy combs and sour honey. Melt them
down, and put the swarm on foundation. Very likely the
sour honey killed your bees.

E. Bichards. — Fertile Worker. — According to your descrip-
tion the brood is that of a fertile worker. You say,
' there is a fine lot of bees ; ' are you quite certain that a
queen did not escape your notice? Carefully examine

200

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 5, 1887.

again, and if the colony is queenless almost your only
plan will be to give a fertile queen caged on a frame of
brood.
N. Chapman*. — Calvert's carbolic acid can be obtained from
any chemist. Do not reduce the ■width of the frame
shoulders ; an inch and a half is the correct width. Your
drones were early, but it is a good sign.
Primrose. — 1. Glass Shade. — If the glass shade is of clear
white glass and sufficiently strong it will make a good re-
ceptacle for comb-honej*. No ventilation is required.
Foundation starters, as guides for combs, are desirable.
2. Packing. — There is no difficulty in sending swarms long
distances. At this time of 3*ear there is considerable risk
in transmitting colonies on combs. For packing, we
must refer you to our back numbers.
B. J. G. — Moth in liives. — Moth and grubs are frequently
found among the debris in a hive, and if not removed, as
you have done by shifting the bees and combs to another
hive, might attack such combs as are not covered by the
bees. They do not injure the bees nor affect the honey ,
but destroy the combs if allowed to increase. Examine
the combs, and if you see a whilish trail running across
the cells at the bases, against the midrib, remove it with
a pen-knife, and kill the grub which you will find in it.
The bees will soon repair the slight damage to the combs.
Strong stocks with the combs covered by the bees are
safe from the attacks of moth.
T. C. E. — Dead Larvaand Young Bees. — The bees arrived so
flattened as to be undistinguishable ; but from your de-
scription it appears that some cold night the bees con-
densed themselves, and left the edges of the brood to be
chilled, and these chilled bees are those which are being
thrown out.
T. Lightfoot. — 1. Stimulating. — Syrup made from crystal
sugar in accordance with instructions given in Cowan's
Guide-hook for spring feeding will suit you better than
that made from the sugar you have sent. Porto Eico is
a raw sugar suitable for dry-sugar feeding. 2. Method of
Management. — Do not give the bees too much room and
several of the stocks will undoubtedly swarm naturally.
As they do so, divide the combs containing queen-cells
and the young bees in the old stocks from which the
swarms issue into nuclei. You will thus get queens
raised under the swarming impulse, which are always the
strongest and best. If they do not swarm naturally about
the middle of July take matters in hand yourself by
making artificial swarms from as many as you wish. You
will thus get sufficient young queens with proper manage-
ment to requeen all your stocks if you think well of doing
so. Note. Be careful to do this before the queens have
stopped laying, which they frequently do when the great
honey flow ceases. 3. Comb-foundation. — Tried by the
ordinary rough-and-ready tests your wax foundation
seems good. We should not scruple to use it.
J. B. S. — Syrup in Rusty Tin. — The small amount of iron
taken up by the syrup will not be injurious to the bees ;
still it is better to keep food or honey in earthenware or
glass kettles.
W. H. V. — Queen Raised in April. — If you or your neigh-
bours have plenty of drones flying, she may be fertilised,
but the weather is against it. You would have done better to
have united your queenless stock at once instead of giving
eggs. If she does not lay soon you had better unite.
Brixton Tuenovee. — As the river has many tributaries,
some clear and some muddy and turbid, yet still rolls on
its seaward course, so bee-keeping is occasionally diver-
sified by sundry disturbances, which, however, soon flit
past, and the good work proceeds on its onward march.
Teevor EAYNon, — Age of Queens. — An old queen may be
known by the worn appearance of her wings and by her
movements not being so agile as those of a young one.
Mes. Hay. — Use of Hive, die., having had Bees affected by
Foul Brood. — If you have many other stocks which are not
at present affected, we should say that the value of one
empty hive would not be worth the risk. If you decide
upon using it, scald it well out with strong soap and
carbolic acid and water. The combs should be melted
down, and the syrup in them boiled before being given
to other bees. The drawn-out sections would, if placed

upon another hive, most certainly infect it, and these

could not be disinfected without spoiling them, the wax

had better be melted and the sections burned.
Primrose. — Honey-comb Designs. — By referring to page 224

of previous volume, you will find a letter from Mr. Wm.

M'Nally giving detailed instructions as to the method of

making honey-comb lettera and designs.
G. G. — Patent Rights. — A hive being patented we conceive

that you have neither a legal nor a moral right to make

one without permission of the patentee.

Eeceived from Mr. Harry F. Eow, Braintree, Essex, his
Illustrated Catalogue of Bar-frame Hives and Bee-keepers'
Appliances. 2-1 pp.

Eeceived from Mr. A. Cockburn, of Cairnie, by Keith,
N.B., his Illustrated Catalogue of Bar-frame Hives and
Apiarian Appliances for the practical and profitable manage-
ment of Bees.

Eeceived from Mr. C. Eedshaw, South Wigston, near
Leicester, his Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of
Hives and Bee-keepers' Appliances. This Catalogue con-
tains some specimens of the blue and gold labels supplied
by Mr. Eedshaw.

Eeceived from Mr. A. Watkins, of Hereford, Schedule of
Prizes for Show of Hives and Honey to be held at Boss,
Herefordshire, in connexion with the Herefordshire Agricul-
tural Society, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, June
14, 15, 16.

.@how ^Announcements.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 16. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Knowle, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association). H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Beos., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadiiam, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 119 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

May 5, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bkos., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Kegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simuins, S., Kottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Lyon, F., 91 Harleyford Koad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANT.

Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

FRY'S HONEY and FRUIT SYRUPS, CHAM-
PAGNES, COEDIALS, and BEVERAGES (Awarded
Five Prize Medals) for Shows, Fetes, and Private use.
Price Lists free. Agents Wanted. Manufactory : Bishop's
Waltham. a 2561

BROOD FOUNDATION FRAME, Is. U. to
2s. per lb. A few HIVES left. Sec previous Adver-
tisement. STOCKS of LIGURIAN and ENGLISH BEES.
Address E. Jackson, Welwyn, Herts. a 2584

STEWARTON HIVE,

TAMES ALLAN, Hive Maker, Stewarton, N.B.
V Established 40 years. Maker of the famous Stewarton
Honey-yielding Hive, wrought on the Storifying or Tiering
rpinciple, with instructions for use. Covers and Appliances
of Apiary supplied to order. A 2572

TOY'S HIVES from 4/6 ; SUPERS, 2/-; COMB

** FOUNDATION, 1/9 ; SUPER ditto, 2/8- Cheaper
for quantities over 3 lbs. SECTIONS, 2/6 100 ; Double Royal
FEEDER, post free, 1/6 ; SMOKERS, 2/9 ; FRAMES in Flat,
require no Nails or Glue, 1/- doz. ; Duncan's Granulated SUGAR
for Feeding, 7 lb. bag, 1/7 ; Porto Rico, ditto, 7 lb. bag, 1/1.
Cheaper in larger quantities. Borage Plants, 8d. 100, post free.
Strong MAY Swarms, 10/6. Order early. Catalogue sent for
J stamp. Address ALrBEB JOY, (170)

MID KENT BEE FARM, AYLESFORD, KENT, a 2521

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiary. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage %d.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

GUISE-BOOK. PAIVSPHIETS. Mo. IS.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,

AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

HTCKLE, ZKIZtTO-S I, -A. 3ST <3- Ij E "X".

The 'DERBY EXCELSIOR' EXTRACTOR

Extracts Four Frames at once, Moveable Strainer to strain

the Honey as it comes from the Combs, Treacle Valve,

Moveable Lids, and extracts Sections. Price 32s. 6d.

BEE-HIVES and APPLIANCES of SUPERIOR QUALITY.

Prices Reasonable. Lists on Application.

Five per cent discount off all Orders before May 1st.

D. & A. COOPER, Spa Lane, DERBY.

No. 1

SPECIAL PEICES.

No. 4. Screw Jar, No. 5. Screw Jar,
including Cap & Cork, including Cap & Cork,

1-lb., 12/6 gross. 1-lb., 23/- gross, lib., 23/6 gross.

2-lb., 20/6 „• 2-lb.,33/- ,, 2 gross cases, 22/9

Five gross lots as follows : — per gross.

No. 1, 11/3 gross; No. 4, 21/-gross ; No. 5, 21/6 gross, in

gross cases, free on rail. Cases all free. Cash with Order.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Post Free, a 2D56

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 41d.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionably mixed- 6d. each.

NOW READY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
' of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.
1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.
Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-

bition, for Bee Subjugators.
2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,

for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.
2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

Alter 9th May, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Telegrams -WEBSTER APIARY, WOKINGHAM.

Porterage Is. (171

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 5, 1887.

ROTTINGDEAN,

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one lime), each 14/-

ii 8 „ 4 „ ,, „ ,i 13/-

ii 5 ii 6 ii ii ii n 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 0/° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

fjgp My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Siinmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnaca.

Sectional view of New Patent Bee Feeder.

Simple, Safe, Clean !

Unrivalled for Summer
Feeding. No excitement.
No robbing.

Note bottom of
feeding flask brought
within reach of Bees,
also how quarter inch

No waste of syrup,

See Advt. next week.
Send P.0.0. to Patentee, J. P.

An Improved Slide for 1S37.
Stocks may now be fed in
the coldest weather, with-
out fear of chill.

cavity crossing the
combs gives safe
and easy access to
all the cluster.

No meta'lic surface.

Price Is. 6d. each, complete.
HOPKINS, Milverton, Somerset.

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. Gd. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE FLOWERS.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free. Is. 3d.
12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. 3d. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling, post free.
HENRY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-exiled Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5| lbs.

Prhe for 1887 5/6 per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Eveiy
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE7SLOTION.

The ONLY CUKE for Stings, 1/8 per botile, post free.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8,

HIVE MAEEES supplied with SPEINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON^^HarSyforTRdTL^n, 8.E.

LINCOLNSHIRE i

SOCIETY,

siP-^LUiiisra- ESiiiBiTioisr.

Thursday and Fkiday, July 21st and 22nd, 1887.

THE following Sums will be offered in Prizes for BEES, HONEY, HIVES, &c.,
exhibited on the 21st and 22nd July: —

BEES, £5 5s. HONEY, £5 12s. 6d. HIVES, &c, £14 10s. 6d.

ENTRIES FOR THIS DEPARTMENT CLOSE 4th JULY.

For Prize Lists, &c, apply to R. R. GODFHEY, Hon. Sec, Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Association, Ghantuam •
or to STEPHEN UPTON, Sec, St. Benedict's Square, Lincoln.

Communications to the Editor to he addressed ' Steangeways' Feinting Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c.

[No. 255. Vol. XV.]

MAY 12, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

editorial, ifotkes, $.t.

'A MOKE EXCELLENT WAY.'
While there have been various differences as to
the appropriateness of the word 'Apifuge' as applied
by Mr. Grinishaw to the composition he has brought
before the public for quieting bees, yet there can-
not be any divergency of opinion as to the de-
sirability of having some- such agent "which will
mollify the temper of bees, and which will engender
a greater degree of confidence in the mind of the
bee-keeper. If Mr. Grimshaw has been fortunate
in making the discovery of such an agent, or even
an approach to such a result, another hill-top has
been gained, and great is the amount of gratitude
which is due to him from all bee-keepers.

It is, indeed, a subject for wonder that so many
generations should have come and gone, and so
many ages rolled past, and yet the temper of bees
seems as irascible as when David expressively said
of his enemies that ' they compassed him like bees,'
or when the Eomans described them as animals
feres naturce. With all our boasted advancement
in science and civilisation, we have made little or
no progress in the humane treatment of honey-bees.
The means that we have taken to subjugate them
have not met with success. All the coercion
acts that we have promulgated, — all the coercion
bills that we have issued, have not had the effect of
bringing them to be the willing servants of man.
They are still ready to fight, to the death, in defence
of their ' hearths and homes.' From the time of
Columella, and no doubt long anterior to him, we
have been engaged in one continuous warfare against
them. What numerous agents have we not em-
ployed to subjugate and bring them subservient to
our dominion ; and yet, with a bravery and a
resolution that we must respect, they are still
implacable and defiant. We have brought against
them all the means which the ingenuity of man
could devise. Volcanoes of smoke have been
belched into their domiciles ; ' tumultuous clouds,
instinct with fire and nitre,' have been rolled into
their midst ; buckets of carbolic acid have been
' disgorged' in 'baleful streams' amongst them ; they
have been ' stupefied with the narcotic fumes of
puff-ball;' they have been rendered insensate by
chloroform or ether ; they have been smothered and
: suffocated, as Dr. Butler has it, with ' dank straw

or hay, with brimstone, bunk, puk-fists, touchwood,
and mushrooms.' Smokers of all kinds, cold-blast
and hot-blast, have been invented with a view to
subdue them. Saltpetre, tobacco, wintergreen, oil
of tar, brown paper, corduroy, fungus, and all other
noxious and filthy substances, have been arrayed
against the poor speechless sufferers. We have pro-
claimed that the object of our establishment of
Bee-keepers' Associations has been 'the advocacy
of humanity to that industrious labourer — the
Honey-bee.' We have arrogated to ourselves a
superiority in humanity to our predecessors, who
with one act put an end to what they considered
their surplus stocks. We have ' sat in the seats'
of the Preventers of Cruelty to Animals. We have
called the bees by most endearing names, — ' our
'pets,' our 'favourites,' our 'dear little friends.'
And yet what tortures have we inflicted upon the
quivering creatures to make them feel that we are
their masters ! We have dosed and physicked, we
have suffocated and asphyxiated, we have nico-
tinised and carbolicised them, that they, — cowed,
subjugated, and demoralised, — should pass under our
'Caudine Forks!' And, let us ask against whom
have we employed all this machinery? Against
'the little busy bees,'

' That with their pretty buzzing melody
Came here to make us merry ;' —

insects so ' fearfully and wonderfully made,' showing
in so great a degree intelligence and instinct in
their habits and in the architecture of their combs
and cells that the very heathen attributed to
them a divina mens"' (a divine mind). And can
we, who have attained with our greater knowledge
a further insight into their wondrous structure,
— their arteries, their nerves, their tissues, their
spiracles, their eyes, and their whole physiology,
resist saying, 'The Hand that made them is Divine?'
And yet in how sad a method have we treated this
reflex of Divinity! We sorrowfully confess that
these deeds have been done in our ' times of
ignorance,' — ' our salad clays when we were green
in judgment.' Let the time past suffice us to have
wrought in this misguided fashion, and let us ac-
knowledge that a new light has beamed upon us.
The darkness of the long night is yielding to the
dawn of a brighter and happier day.

Mr. Grimshaw has appeared as a pacificator ;
he desires to establish an entente cordiale between

* Yirgil, Georgic iv. 220,

202

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 12, 1887.

us and our bees ; he points out ' a more excellent
way' of treatment. He has inaugurated a new era.
He is the prophet of a new evangel.

We have been experimenting with the ' Apifuge '
on a stock which was vicious in the extreme. The
effect on the bees was sedative, taking from them
the disposition to attack and sting. It had no
repellent power, the bees fearlessly approached it,
and seemed desirous to examine this new agent.
Having satisfied themselves of its innocuousness,
and even its pleasantness, they resumed their work
as if saying, ' The good time has come.' The sub-
stance is not displeasing ; and washing the hands in
warm water will readily take away any odour.

Ladies and beginners in bee-keeping will hail the
' Apifuge ' as a good friend, removing their fears
and creating a pleasant confidence. It will be the
means of vastly increasing the number of bee-
keepers.

We have received several testimonials from those
who have given the Apifuge a trial. We have
already on p. 163 given the testimony of a cor-
respondent who says ' that during the whole of the
manipulation there was not the least attempt at
stinging, — in fact, all the sting seems taken out
of the bees by the agreeable odour it possesses.'
' C. A. J.' says she would wish to add her testi-
mony to that of the previous writer : ' I have tried
it on two occasions, and the result was exactly the
same as that described by that correspondent.'
'A Lady Amateur' writes : — ■

' I should like to add my testimonial to Mr.Grinishaw's
Apifuge. It seems to me simply perfect. I have manipu-
lated my bees without veil or gloves, and have not
received a single sting. I was attacked by one angry
bee in the face, but it was sufficient to raise my hands
to my face to protect me. One great advantage is that
it gives me entire confidence. I had lost mine to a great
degree, having once been attacked by a whole hive when
driving bees.'

We have received other testimonials, but our
space will not permit their insertion ; at the same
time we shall not be surprised to hear of some
failures.

We think that there can be little doubt, on the
whole, as to the virtue and the value of the discovery
made by Mr. Grimshaw. ' He that hath deserved
should bear the palm.' Let Mr. Grimshaw bear
the palm, and have all the honour and reward that
he deserves.

THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.

The air is resonant with sounds of loyalty.
From every city, village, and hamlet, there are
stirrings of mind and heart to mark this year with
some remembrance as a year of Jubilee. Church
and State, all grades and conditions of men, are
earnestly desirous to raise some monument which
will cause them to remember this the fiftieth year
of Her Majesty's reign.

We conceive there is no class or body of men
among Her Majesty's subjects who are more
solicitous of evincing their loyalty to their Queen
than bee-keepers. With the community at large
they have that respectful feeling towards a sove-

reign whose reign has been one of peace and of
progress in all the arts and sciences ; and in their
hearts, as in those of others, a sense of gratitude is
alive to Him who has spared her as their ruler for
so many years, and under whose mild and gentle
sway Britain has made such wonderful progress
among the nations of the earth ; and the hope is in
every heart that her life may be long spared to
reign over a loyal and contented people.

We bee-keepers may be but a ' feeble folk,' yet
we consider there are special reasons why we should
not be behindhand other communities in raising
our voices in welcoming this auspicious year.

From Her Majesty, and from many members of
the Royal family, we have received many tokens of
the interest they have taken in our special in-
dustry. We have several members of the Royal
family acting as Presidents of the County Associa-
tions. We feel that we were deeply indebted to
the Prince of Wales for his kind and gracious
permission in holding our long-to-ba-remembered
sho.v at South Kensington ; and the presence
of Royalty has been frequent at the bee-depart-
ments of numerous agricultural shows.

From the study of the economy of the honey-
bee there is much to incite bee-keepers in their
devotion to their Queen. In the constitution of
our realm, and in the order of government by bees,
there is much that is congruous and parallel. The
bees have, says Shakespeare, ' a king,' (i.e. a queen)
' and officers of sorts,' — -they have a ruler in whose
welfare they take an intense interest : —

' They link with industry the loyal mind.'
The prosperity of the hive rises or falls with the
health and condition of the queen. Again, Dr.
Butler, in his Feminine Monarchic, says : — ' The
bees abhor polyarchy, as anarchy, God having
showed in them unto men an express pattern of a
perfect monarchy, the most natural and absolute
form of government. ' Together with bees we have
had a 'feminine monarchy,' and we all have good
reason to rejoice that that monarchy has continued
with so much benefit for the long period of fifty
years.

Should we not then, in some direct manner, take
our part in the general rejoicings which are sound-
ing from every quarter of the Queen's dominions?
We conceive that there will be no dissentients in
this, and that all are anxious to commemorate the
year of jubilee. The question is, How can this be
best effected ? We should suggest that the Com-
mittee of the British Bee-keepers' Association should
forthwith meet and give this matter their best and
most earnest consideration. Having resolved on
some mode of honouring the event, it might be
requisite to call a general meeting of the members
of the Association and to ask their assistance in
carrying out their views.

Bearing in remembrance the happy meetings that
bee-keepers held last year at South Kensington, and
feeling assured that bee-keeping derived a great and
continuous impetus from that show, and that it is
always desirable to keep bee-keeping before the
eyes of the public, we would suggest that this year
should not pass away without holding a similar

May 12, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

?03

exhibition to the South Kensington, improved upon
by all the experience of the past.

The question would then arise, Which place
would be most suitable for the show ? We would
suggest that, if possible, it should be held in con-
nexion with the American Exhibition, which will
doubtless this year be the great outstanding attrac-
tion in the metropolis. We know the difficulties
which stand in the way of accomplishing our sug-
gestion. We are aware of the great difference be-
tween the two undertakings, the South Kensington
and the American — the one in a great degree was
public and philanthropic, the other is a purely
commercial and private speculation. But as all
obstacles were overcome in obtaining permission to
hold the show at South Kensington, and we found
ourselves amidst Indian and Colonial objects, so
the unexpected may again occur, and there may
be a possibility of seeing bee-keepers among Ameri-
cans during the coming season.

We leave the suggestion in the hands of the Com-
mittee, convinced that whatever is practical will be
done by them, not alone for the progress of bee-
keeping, but to show the loyalty of bee-keepers to
their Queen and Sovereign.

NOTICES.

Our readers' attention is called to the fact that
the date for closing Entries of the Bury St.
Edmunds Show has been changed from June 16th
to June 6th. The date has been altered to suit
the arrangements of the Suffolk Agricultural So-
ciety, in order that the exhibits of honey, &c,
might be published in the general catalogue of the
Exhibition of Stock, &c.

Entries for the Koyal Agricultural Show close
to-day. Post entries at double fees will be received
up to June 1st.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — With the exception of an occasional day
of sunshine, the weather still continues cold and un-
genial, with frosty nights, easterly winds, and cold
showers.

Forage. — Fruit trees are full of bloom which has
little chance of unfolding' itself, and there is little bee-
pasturage at present available. Our apiary is surrounded
.with numerous poplars, of four different species, which
are full of bloom, shedding their catkins all around, on
which the bees feast with evident satisfaction, appearing
to prefer working upon the fallen ones to those still
hanging upon the trees. Beneath the trees the ground
is covered with bees busily at work with merry hum,
while scarcely a bee is to be seen upon the trees.

Probably the pollen is more easily collected from the
withering bloom, and exposure to the cutting winds is
avoided. Furze, dandelions, blackthorn, and a few other
wild flowers, are all our forage at present. When Eurus
ceases to blow we shall hope for better times. No honey
has yet been carried into our hives, but stores are still
plentiful within, and the population increases so rapidly
that our forwardest colonies are ready for surplus cases.

Feeding out-of-doors we do not recommend. The
disadvantages, in our opinion, far outweigh the ad-
vantages. Our objections are : 1 . It encourages a desire
for pilfering. 2. The fighting over the exposed food is
considerable, consisting of a series of single combats. 3.
Bees, when laden with food, often become chilled and

unable to reach their hives. 4. All bees, say within a
radius of a mile, discover the exposed food, and if foul-
brood exists in the neighbourhood, are tolerably certain
to communicate it. These, we think, are weighty reasons
against the practice of out-door feeding, when compared
with the peaeefulness and quiet of top-feeding for each
colony separately from a good heat-conserving feeder.
If comb-honey be the food there are plenty of top-
feeders in which it may be given, such for instance as
Neighbour's, or it may be laid over the feed-hole and
covered. All syrup should be phenolised or salicylised,
since foul brood at this season is especially to be dreaded,
and therefore to be guarded against.

Enlarging Brood-nest. — The brood-nest, in prolific
colonies, should be continually enlarged by the removal
of outside combs which ai-e honey-clogged, passing them
through the extractor, and returning them to the hives,
when they will quickly be utilised for brood-rearing, and
will supply a stimulus to the bees, but too much room
must not be given, indeed, very little more than can be
filled. 'Crowding' the bees is a most important principle,
which must not be neglected imtil the hives are quite
full of bees and forage is plentiful in the fields, when
supers should be given without delay.

Giving Supers. — The enlargement of the upper parts
of the combs with new wax is a sure sign that more
room is required, and super arrangements should be made,
uncapping a few cells in the upper parts of the combs
before placing sections in position.

Comb Honey, during the early part of the season,
in our opinion will pay better than extracted, since it is
the finest in quality, keeps a long time free from granula-
tion, and is liable to no admixture of aphidiau excretion,
which spoils so many late supers. Our fruit and haw-
thorn honey we often keep a whole year — and have kept
it two years — without the slightest granulation. We do
not work, therefore, for extracted honey in the early
season, but delay our doubling operations until the first
supers have been removed, preventing swarming, by
giving room above and below the brood-nest, with ample
ventilation in hot weather. If the bees, notwithstanding
all these precautions, will persist in swarming — which
very rarely happens, — we adopt one or other of the
plans described below which gratifies the natural desire
for swarming, and keep3 up the working energy at fever
heat.

The forwardest and strongest colonies having received
supers for storing from fruit and other early bloom, the
second-best should be stimulated, and assisted by all
possible means ; weak colonies which are unlikely to
afford surplus should be united to the stronger ones, thus
forming populous stocks by the time of the arrival of the
white clover honey. Or if preferred two moderate-sized
colonies may be united, and supers given a couple of days
afterwards.

Suppose, now, that all surplus arrangements, intended
at present, are complete and that our bees are at work in
the sections. These must be carefully watched, and as
soon as the cases are about two-thirds filled they should
be raised and a case of empty sections placed beneath
each, thus affording space between the partly filled cases
and the brood-combs, an arrangement which will gene-
rally satisfy the bees at the critical moment when the
swarming fever is most likely to seize them, and will
afford them ample opportunity for expending their
energy in the storage of honey, instead of frittering away
the precious moments in the vagaries of swarming.

Any sections in the upper cases which are finished
and well sealed should be removed, and their places
taken by those nearly completed, the gaps being filled by
empty ones, always keeping the cases containing most
honey at the top. To an exceptionally strong colony
space may also be given below the brood-chamber by
inserting a shallow chamber containing frames of from
four to six inches deep with full sheets of foundation.

204

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 12, 1887.

This system will generally prevent swarming, but
occasionally — so strong is the impulse of nature — that in
spite of every precaution a swarm will issue.

Natural Swarming. — Then let us suppose that one
of our strong colonies, having accepted and commenced
work in its supers, casts a swarm. What course shall
we take F _ When the swarm has settled, sprinkle it
slightly with water from a garden syringe to prevent its
rising again, and to cause it to cluster more closely while
you are engaged in arranging the hives. Returning to
the parent-hive, remove the surplus cases, and from the
brood-chamber take all the frames (except two, well
filled with brood, but without queen-cells) and, placing
them in an empty hive, close up with division-boards
and remove the hive to a new position. Add to the two
frames of brood, left in the parent hive, on each side,
sufficient frames, containing full sheets of foundation, to
fill the hive ; place zinc-excluder upon the frames and
return the surplus cases just removed, wedging up the
brood-chamber a couple of inches in front. Now hive
your swarm in a zinc pail, throwing over it a thin cloth
or small sheet, and, carrying it to the parent hive, cast
it down in front of it, watching until you see the queen
enter, and hastening the ingress by guiding it with a
carbolised feather. A few minutes will suffice for the
operation, and the swarming impulse being satisfied, the
work will be continued in the section cases with even
greater diligence than before. The part removed to a
new position may either be allowed to raise its queen
and to form a separate colony, or it may be broken up
and its brood divided amongst other colonies. If the
former plan is adopted a good colony will usually result,
and there is no fear of its casting a second swarm, as all
the bees, save the nurses, will have returned to the parent
hive. When we desire no increase, we leave as many as
four frames of brood in the hives, to which the swarm is
returned, placing them alternately with full sheets of
foundation, being particularly careful to remove all
queen-cells, and strengthen other colonies with the
remaining sheets of brood. There is another plan which
succeeds equally well. As soon as the swarm is well
out, and has compactly clustered, keep it quiet as before
by using a garden syringe. Remove all surplus cases
from the parent hive, and, taking out every frame from
the brood-chamber, destroy all queen-cells save one
well formed and perfect. Replace in the parent, hive
the frame having the queen-cell and three others in the
same position towards each other as they occupied before
with adhering bees, brood, and honey. Fill up the
brood-chamber with frames containing- sheets of founda-
tion, or preferably with comb already built, and let
the hive occupy the same position as before. Take
a new hive and place therein the remaining six or
eight frames, whichever it may be, filling up with
frames of foundation, and place it in a new position,
with the surplus cases upon it, and a sheet of excluder
zinc between. Now hive the awaiting swarm in a zinc
pail as before, carry it to the new hive in the new
position, and cast it out in front of it, carefully guiding
in and hastening its entrance. In this case, as in the
former, the swarming impulse will have been gratified,
and work will be carried on with redoubled energy.
Either plan may be varied by giving more or less brood
to the swarm in accordance with the intentions of the
owner as regards increase of colonies or otherwise.
Whichever plan is used, the queen will soon be at work,
and the bees will be storing honey in the sections more
rapidly than before swarming for the simple reason that
they have no other place in which to deposit it, but the
best of all is that the swarming propensity will have
been indulged, and to those who have never tried the
system the manner in which the bees work will be a
new experience. Provided the queens are not more
than two years old, and are prolific, there will be no
further attempt to swarm or to supersede them.

Preparations. — Let there be no delay in any
preparations still required. Hives and section cases, all
ready primed with foundation, should now be in store,
ready at a moment's notice, for, notwithstanding the
lateness of the season, natural swarms may be cast earlier
than expected. When queen-cells are in progress, bees,
like time and tide, wait for no man, and makeshifts are
not desirable. Early swarms will often store more
section-honey than old stocks, and with a market glutted
with American and other extracted honey, good sections
will hold their own, and will always bring a fair return
sooner or later.

ASSOCIATIONS.

NOTTS. BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of this Association was held at the
People's Hall, Heathcote Street, Nottingham, on Satur-
day, May 1. Mr. P. Pilgrim, of Shelford, presided, and
amongst those present were : — Messrs. Brearley, A. Fel-
stead, A. Simpson (Mansfield Woodhouse), E. C. Walton
(North Muskham), J. Colgrave, Allsebrook, Turner, and
Marriott. Mr. F. H. K. Fisher, hon. secretary pro tern.,
said that he had been asked to officiate for Mr. E. Ferney-
hough, who through pressure of business had been unable
to attend to the work incident to his acceptation of the
post of honorary secretary and treasurer. He (Mr.
Ferneyhough) was not able to be present at the meeting,
and had not as yet prepared the statement of accounts.
There was still a balance on the wrong side, but it was
considerably less than that of last year. Up to some
short time ago he was iu hopes that there would be a
balance in hand, because so little had been done by the
Association last year. They had a great many members
— 109 — last year, and the only business was that done at
the Mansfield Agricultural Show, where they had a bee-
tent, and a few prizes in connexion with other shows.
Messrs. Morris and Place last year offered the Association
the use of their mart for the purpose of holding a honey
fair, but this matter had fallen through. The prizes won
at the Mansfield Agricultural Show were in the hands of
Mr. Barron. The holding of a honey fair ought to be
one of the points to be taken up strongly by the com-
mittee this year if they went on with it. Members stated
that the chief difficulty they had in connexion with bee-
keeping was getting rid of their honey. If a fair was
held this would be done away with. In conclusion, Mr.
Fisher stated that Mr. Ferneyhough (Radcliffe-on-Trent)
had promised to get his accounts properly made out
in a few days. Mr. F. H. K. Fisher (Farnsfield) was
appointed secretary, Lord Newark president, and Lord
Charles Bentinck, Mrs. Robertson (Widmerpool Hall),
and Mrs. Hole (Caunton Manor), vice-presidents. Mr.
E. C. Walton, of North Muskham, was re-appointed
manipulator and lecturer at shows held in connexion
with the society. The following were appointed on the
committee for the ensuing year : — Revs. T. B. Garland,
and H. P. Ling ; Messrs. A. Felstead, T. Rose, W. Silver, -
Mrs. Wotton, Marriott (Nottingham), Brearley (Carlton),
Godfrey (Langley), Gosling (Arnold), R. Turner, and E-
Ferneyhough (Radcliffe). A vote of thanks was accorded
Mr. E. Ferneyhough for his services as honorary secre-
tary and treasurer, and a similar compliment to the
chairman closed the meeting.

YORKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

A Committee meeting was held on 30th ult. at Leeds.
W. Clark, Esq., in the chair.

After transacting the usual business it was decided to '
print Mr. Grimshaw's suggestions on the formation of ■
district associations, and to send the circular to each
member of the ¥ . B. K. A. asking them to get the same
inserted in the best local paper of their own district.-

May 12, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

205

The committee were also informed that the Hon. Sees,
were waiting a reply from the Saltaire Exhibition Com-
mittee to their offer to give lectures and manipulations
at regular periods during the forthcoming exhibition.
Since the last meeting a new district association had
been formed at Horsforth (Hon. Sec. Mr. Burniston), and
another at Skipton (Hon. Sec. Mr. Dodgson), and there
is every probability that others are in course of
formation.

Specimens of Cyprian, Syrian, Liguriau, and other bees
preserved in spirit by Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall,
were exhibited by Mr. W. Dixon.

The customary vote of thanks terminated a highty
successf id meeting.

LOWESTOFT BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the members of the above
Association was held on Thursday afternoon, May 5th,
at the Public Hall, the Rev. C. T. Scott in the chair.
A very satisfactory report was read by the Honorary
Secretary, Mr. L. Wren. The balance-sheet showed
that the receipts for the year, including balance from
last year, were 20/. 0s. &d., and that there was a balance
in hand of 4/. 9s. od. The re-election of the old com-
mittee took place with the addition of Messrs. K. Rix
and S. Cox, and the committee's report was unanimously
adopted. Mr. Wren was also re-elected expert, secretary,
and hou. treasurer. Mr. Wren read an excellent paper
on the ' Management of Bees for Profit.' The Chairman
proposed a hearty vote of thanks tothe expert, which
being seconded by Mr. Thornhill, was carried nem. con.

€axxz&$avfotMzt

Nails.

Nails.

Nails for fixing.

Tlie Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous "com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should,
he dVaicn on- separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to "The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c}o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as -well as the page on which it appears.

HONEY-COMB DESIGNS AND LETTERS.—
BEE-HOUSES.

[948.] From the great number of letters I have
received this spring asking how to prepare supers of
letters to put on the hives, and this being the Jubilee of
our Sovereign the Queen, there seems to be a growing

Dotted Hues show the foundation view under side.

appreciation as to how to build them. With your per-
mission I here subjoin a drawing of the figures 1887

with further note how to build these. It will be to
the advantage of your readers to look over my article
on this subject in B. B. J. of May 20th last year, page
224.

To begin I here show a super 16 x 8 x 3 inches deep.
Two of these supers cover ten frames as one super, the
black marks show where the blocks are put in, to pre-
vent the bees from misshaping the figures ; the dotted
lines show the foundation fixed in centre of each figure,
one inch of a guide is sufficient. The blocks are fixed
from the outside with nails or brads, and when the super
is filled and sealed it is then taken off. The blocks being
removed leave the 1887 completed. As I mentioned
before these letters and figures do not as a rule pay.
However, last year I had built on one hive, before the
end of July, the words, ' Scotia,' ' Caledonia for Ever/
' Dumfries Show, 1886.' With the former one I gained
first prize at Dumfries Show and at all places wherever
shown. With the others I secured premier medal for
display of honey, these being- prominent in the exhibit,
which paid me. When the word is too long it has to
be built in more supers, thus ' Scotia ' is in two supers,
and ' Caledonia ' in three.

I hope I have made all plain, and will be pleased to
answer any question on the subject through the columns
of B.B.J.

Bee-houses. — I have just made one, and have placed it
out two miles from my home apiary to hold twenty-two
hives. Size of house, 9 feet 6 inches x 6 feet 6 inches x 7
feet high. There is no floor in it, and the hives sit on
stands on ground, four on each side and three in the end.
The door is in the other end, the top row of hives, 3 feet
6 inches from ground, are similar to bottom. I leave
here abundance of room to manipulate and storify if
required with room to store spare hives and appliances
and all secured with lock and key. I have not the least
doubt but bee-houses can be made to pay in the hands
of an expert, as I hav6 wrought them for several years
on a smaller scale. The cost of fitting up a house some-
thing like my own should be about 3?. 10s., or say 3s. Qd.
per hive ; any cheap hive will do for the inside. Scant-
ling of timber for same is framing of 3x2 white pine ;
boards of dressed yellow f sarking, joints covered with
strips lixl!>; roof of § sarking and covered with
Willesden paper, two-ply, the whole painted three coats
white lead paint. One has here a substantial building to
keep hives. I know the advocates of bee-houses are in
the minority of bee-keepers, but I have found these
houses so far profitable. — William McNally, Gknluce.

POISONOUS PLANTS.
[949.] I may be allowed to add a fact on your in-
teresting reference to the poisonous nature of certain
plants, &c. (see p. 198). Some few years since I had
unusual facilities for observing bees working on rhodo-
dendrons, azaleas, and kalmias, that I can confirm the
inference you have drawn, 'That the common bee is
scarcely or never seen to settle on these plants.'_ In these
species, with their numerous varieties, nectar is secreted
in abundance, and proves for humble-bees a veritable
land flowing with honey. One of its components must
be something akin to alcohol (in bee-life) asthe nectar
has a similar effect on the humble-bee, as this spirit on
the human species. These bees visit and collect the
nectar with extreme avidity, and it has such an im-
mediate effect that, as a rule, they are apparently
thoroughly intoxicated by the time their honey sacs are full.
In walking through grounds extensively planted with
the above, and when in bloom, I have frequently seen
upwards of a dozen in this state, tumbling and rolling
over in a most comical fashion, vainly attempting to take
flight; although I cannot say for how long this fit of
inebriety continues. — James Lee.

206

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 12, 1887.

BRITISH BEES. (930).

[050.] As a bee-keeper of thirty years I cannot allow-
even Mr. S. Simmins to libel our British bees by de-
scribing them as black -without protest. There is in
some parts of the country a race of small degenerate
bees of a very dark colour, but there is also in every
county to be found a fine handsome race of native bees,
similar in colour to the Carniolan, and without a particle
of foreign blood in them. If Mr. S. has never seen
them I can tell him of a gentleman, well known as a
first-rate bee-keeper in the county of Lincoln, who has
carefully avoided all foreign strains, under the belief
that some day the pure British bee woidd become a
valuable article in the bee-market. The small dark-
coloured bee referred to I attribute to the fact that in
some parts bees have been known to occupy a hollow
tree or a church roof for a great many years, and with
constant breeding in the same combs, the cells of which
become both small and black, the race degenerates ; but
to describe such a bee as the true type of the British,
would be about as truthful as to describe the race of
men who work in our coal-mines as a type of British
manhood.

If I did not know Mr. S. personally, I should think he
was joking on this subject. — Thomas F. Wakd, Church
House, High-gate, Middlesex, May 2.

LEE'S SECTIONS— APPLIANCES-FOUL
BROOD.

[951.] Having had Mr. Lee's new sections submitted
to me some time ago, I have been intending to write a
few words with regard to them, but have not found time
to do so. I fear now that anything I might have said
has been forestalled in the Journal. The principle seems
to me decidedly an advance forward, which is more than
can be said of many new inventions nowadays ; and, as
Mr. Lee suggests, I believe that the bees will not be in-
clined to make ' popholes ' in sections of this kind. With
regard to the price, I cannot think that they can be made
to compete with the cheap rate of the ordinary ones ;
but, personally, I fancy a small extra cost will in the end
repay the purchaser.

I should advise the use of these sections, giving the
bees a passage above and below, and not at the'sides.
From your article I gather that you would so use them,
but Mr. Lee himself thinks the space is better given
vertically (i. e. the long strips form the top and bottom
of the sections). One drawback to this would be the loss
of surface on the top of the frames, as much of it would
be covered by a vacuum. I find bees fully appreciate a
direct passage of this kind, and fill the sections more fully
and with greater speed than those in ordinary use. I
should like to write at greater length on this subject, but
I must not trespass at present on your space.

May I add a few words on another topic ? Many letters
have appeared of late in your columns (written chiefly
by novices) finding fault with goods supplied to them.
Being in no way connected with the trade, but having
had occasion for many years to use the hives and other
appliances of most of our leading dealers, I wish to bear
testimony to the uniform excellence of the things they
have sent me.

One word, in conclusion, to those who have had no ex-
perience with foul brood. Be very careful in equalising
stocks, that diseased combs arc not put into hives which
are in a healthy condition. The disease, which is most
prevalent at this time of the year, is spread in this way
much more than is generally recognised. — A. G. Rad-
CLIFFE, Hast Orinstead, May 0.

THE COMING BEE.
[952.] The following from the pages of Dr. Jessop's
new book Arcady, one that should be read by every

parson and landholder in England, is too good not to be
read in the B.B.J.: —

' " I'm an apiary, sir," said a shiny being who called
upon mo the other day. "A what F" " An apiarist is, I
believe, the more correct term, sir; and I am collecting
orders for my new hives." How that man did talk !
He had got hold of some scheme, and I am seriously in-
formed it is actually a feasible one, for increasing the
normal size of the common domestic bee (Apis ignora-
tissina) by somehow knocking two cells into one, and
producing a sort of double-barrelled bee, " and adding
enormously to your stock of honey, sir." It appears that
we cau absolutely increase the size of our bees indefi-
nitely, and that the men of the future will have hives as
roomy as an oniuihus. Appalling prospect ! Think of a
bee as big as a rat bouncing into your greenhouse,
bellowing hoarsely while he ravishes the orchids, or
flopping into the nursery sugar-basin, glaring with his
huge eyes at the terrified baby. Edith Evangeline — for
Sara Anns have gone to a better world — would drop
down inane, a lump of hysterical despair. We shall
have to suppress these things by Act of Parliament at
last. Meanwhile my shiny friend does not lack for
orders, and if he has his will he will speedily improve
off the face of the earth the little busy bee whom we
used to sing of, and because we sang of, to love.'

Joking apart, Arcady is a book to be closely read,
pencilled,marked,and carefully digested by every one wdio
realised the width of the Doctor's remarks in his capital
article in the Nineteenth Century of March last. — Rectoh,
Buckland Filleigh.

IN THE HUT.

[953.] Two huttites at the end of March got summary
(yes, the weather also gave summery) notice to remove
their hives from a garden in which they were placed.
Lucky for them it wasn't later. Willy-nilly, out they
must go ; for the ancient gardener really couldn't stand
'em (the bees). The difficulty was they had only about
three hundred yards to go, and bees were all flying, and
carrying in pollen from the willows ; so the rule — not
the two-foot rule, but — the two-mile theory, was to be
tested.

By the aid of a hand-barrow and plenty of tobacco
much may be accomplished, and this was done so success-
fully that on examining the spot afterwards instead of it
proving a veritable necropolis, there were not found so
many as a dozen bees out of near a dozen hives. There
are now two more sceptics in the world as to the dogmas
of our bee books. — (Is not skeptic a better word than
skeppist in these philological days P) The explanation
that the dead bees might be ' what Moses was when
Abram built de ark — tbar or thar'bouts ' availed not.

In 'Echoes,' p. 154, a correspondent finds 'new-laid
eggs ' in his hiva. We know what he means, but to the
ex-bee-mundane mind it must read very funny. ' A. E.'
recently found fault with me for mentioning broad-
shouldered frames, and now another huttite invites him
to tell us of a better if he can and it shall have a fair
trial, as it was only after mature deliberation that wo
determined to replace all frames by these.

A hint to those who intend to transfer his bees and combs
to other frames for uniformity's sake : — If the transfer be
to smaller-sized frames, fasten, with a tack, a bit of wood
under each projecting shoulder of the empty frame so as
to lengthen it (it will thus not drop down into the hive) ;
comb or foundation being duly fixed, insert one or two
judiciously, near centre of brood-nest taking out the two
outside empty combs, shaking or brushing off any ad-
hering bees, the rest having been driven towards brood-
nest by a little smoke. Now at leisure these combs may
be cut to fit tightly into the smaller frames, securing
them with a couple of tapes ; and, in a few days, this
process may be repeated till all are done, always having
care to work the old frames to the outside so that they

May 12, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

207

may be pretty clear of brood and bees. Finally, the
whole transfer may be made into the clean hive in a few
minutes some fine day, without having a row, or danger
of chilling brood or robbing.

I hope our readers will not forget, in fixing foundation
in sections, that the top quarter of the section may be
split by a penknife, the foundation inserted in the slit
and the fixing up completed without the aid of Parker
fixer. No wax running, running the risk of unfixing the
foundations of the dental mechanism of the unfortunate
whilst eating section honey.

The Woiblet Spur Embedder I Is this an equestrian
term ? I saw that spur on the table at Jerniyn Street
on 20th ult., and it was indeed a ' Wobbler ' at one end
with a tin Carlin cutter at the other, so that when using
the cutter the spikes of the ' business end ' would wobble
into the palm of the baud in a highly successful manner.
Seriously, it is a most useful little implement.

Mr. Bellairs starts a new theory : — ' The bee which
hesitates is lost, and cannot sting.' Huttites well appre-
ciate and are grateful for statistics of honey imports, but
they cannot take this on. Their bees often meander
leisurely about, searching for a nice place, and finding
one they deliberately lay hold of the skin, as it were, with
boot-hooks, and proceed to insert their weepon with all
the calm determination and vigour Mr. B. would exhibit
in putting on a Wellington boot. In short, they sting
a la belle air, but not a la Bellairs. ' 0 Sophonisba !
Sophonisba 0 ! '

Our dear ' Useful Hints ' in his remarks on experts last
week makes us smile all over. Fancy an expert entering
one's bee-garden clad in a diver's dress, or divers dresses,
well saturated with water containing a disinfectant,
frequently asking a kind attendant to ' spray ' him ! I
should think if he asked him to spare him, his request
would be far likelier to be complied with. Fancy expert-
in-chief B. being thus sprayed ; his nose in the air sniff-
tering in the carbolic fumes as some other old war-horse
would smell the battle from afar ! And then what has
to be done unto him who standeth and manipulateth in a
cold or damp suit ? Who is to pay his doctor's bill for
rheumatic fever ? — X-Tractor, Horsforth,

BEES AND RIPE FRUIT. (936.)
[954.] I noticed bees attacking ripe fruit last year
during very dry weather when mignonette and other
bee-plants were quite neglected by them. I thought
perhaps the flowers were too dry to attract the bees,
and had them well watered in the evening. Next day
the bees had neglected the fruit entirely, and were quite
busy amongst the mignonette. — H. 0.

HONEY AS FOOD FOR INFANTS.
[955.] I was glad to see your remarks on honey as
food in to-day's paper, and can give a good instance of
its value. We have a fine infant just being weaned.
His food was sweetened with honey while the supply
(the last pot) lasted. When the supply was gone, the
food was sweetened with suyar, and he was troubled
with sickness after every meal from his very strength
and heartiness. I scoured the country, and secured more
honey, on using which again all sickness ceased. This is
worth knowing by all (or rather, I should say, the few)
mothers who have the sense to look after their children
properly. — Pater.

HUMBLE BEES.
[956.] I am a bee-keeper, but it is only of Humble-
bees. My father has some hives which really were
bought for me, but I found the honey-bee is not to be
played with, so I resigned from that part of bee-keeping.
Last summer I had my humble-bees. They were jet-
black, with a dark-red abdomen. I have tried to find

out the name of this bee, but did not succeed. I also
had the queen of my small stock, of about fifty bees,
and she was distinguishable by her shiny abdomen, which
was bai'e, — not covered with hairs, as the workers were.
I also had what I called drones in the same hive, and
they were yellow and black bees, but with a red
abdomen. Perhaps you would like to know what sort
of a hive I had. It was a clock-case, with the works
taken out, and for the doorway was a hole where the
catch had been. Here is a sketch of my hive.

I read in the B. B. J.
of a children's column
being proposed, but I
am sorry to never have
seen any appearance of
it. I would willingly
be one of the corre-
spondents.

But to return to my
narrative.

While I was looking
in my hive once, I saw
a bee busy opening one
of the oval cells which
contained young grubs,
and presently, up comes
another bee (which I
judge was the queen), and drove it away, after which it
proceeded to fasten up its young. When it had finished,
it went away again. Soon after, up came the other bee,
and began opening ; then the queen chased it away, and
while it was chasing the other one, other bees came and
continued opening the cell. So Mrs. Queen had her work
set, but finally she drove them all away. Can you tell
me the reason of such proceedings ?

My bees also carried in pollen, which they stored in
cells and sealed, as well as honey.

When winter came on, I took them into the attic, to
try and keep them till spring, but did not succeed.
Could you tell me how I might keep them alive through
winter ? I am going to try again this next summer. —
Darcy R. Grimshaw (age 13), Horsforth, Leeds.

[We have been very much pleased with your letter.
It gives tokens of an observant mind; and when you
grow older you will continue to find much that is
lovely and wonderful in the works of Nature to engage
your attention and to fill you with good thoughts. We
cannot explain the opening of the cells containing the
larvae, but perhaps humble bees, like wasps, destroy the
larvae towards the middle of autumn. It is only the
fertilised females survive the winter, and they spend the
winter away from the parent nest. We shall be pleased
to hear from you ag.rin. — Ed.]

SPARE COMBS.
[957.] I have just had your pamphlet on Doubling
and Storifymg, which, I presume, was written principally
for the benefit of amateurs like myself ; but there is one
difficulty connected with it which I should be glad if
you can help me in getting over. I must state first that
I have only been keeping bees in bar-frame hives for two
years, and have now nine stocks, all, I believe, healthy
and strong ; but I have no spare combs, and you state
that in order to work this syssem to the best advantage
it is necessary to have a large number of frames of empty
comb. I shall be glad, therefore, if you will state in the
next number of the Bee Journal how these can be best
obtained, whether it would be right to give the strongest
stocks foundation at once or later on, and whether syrup
or dry sugar would be best give them at the time. —
William Holjian.

[You can give your strongest stocks comb-foundation
to work out. If they are strong enough, we should

208

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 12, 1S87.

place a hive filled with frames of foundation below the
stock. This will give them room, and they will build
downwards. As the brood in the upper store}' hatches
out, if any honey is coming in, the cells will be filled
with it, and the lower storey used for brood. When
there are bees enough to fill the two storeys, put a third,
also filled with frames of foundation, at the bottom. In
this way you will soon get a stock of combs. You can
feed with syrup as long as the bees are not able to get
enough food, but stop as soon as they do. See also
page 103 of Cowan's Guide-Book.~\

CALVERT'S SOAP.

[958.] I am glad to see mentioned in the Journal of
the 28th nit., under ' Useful Hints,' that you recommend
experts to disinfect their hands or clothes after mani-
pulating foul-broody hives before proceeding to the next
apiary. This I think extremely necessary, and can re-
commend for such a purpose a soap manufactured by
Calvert & Co. for doctor's use, and sold in small tablets
in a tin box that can be put in the waistcoat pocket.

I have for some time used their carbolic soft soap for
washing out the interior of my hives each spring. I am
thankful to say we are not troubled with foul brood here,
but I mention the soap for the benefit of my fellow-bee-
keepers.— B. Le Neve Foster, Mvhurst, nr, Guildford,
May 4.

HOW LONG DOES A WORKEB-BEE LIVE?

[959.] I can state as a positive fact that I have
several, probably some thousands of bees in my apiary at
this moment who cannot be less than twenty months old.
The proof is this. In October 1885 I took away the
queens from the two orange-banded — probably Ligurian
— stocks in my garden. There has been no other foreign
queen in the apiary since that time. They killed the
brown queens that I gave them, and in April 1886 were
broodless. I gave each of these hives at that time a
frame full of brood from other hives, hoping they would
hatch out queens ; but no, in May they deserted their
hives, quartering themselves, with or without invitation
I cannot say, on their neighbours, No. 7 and No. 2, for
whom they did a great deal of light skirmishing duty
during last summer. To-day about one bee in every ten
in No. 7 is orange-banded. I have not observed No. 2
quite as closely; but I see plenty of them there also on
the alighting-board. These have all certainly survived
their second winter, and I do not observe that any of
them yet have that dark, polished appearance which I
take to be a mark of a very old bee. — C. C. James,
Papworth St. Agnes Rectory, May 1.

[Is it possible that the queen in No. 7 has been
crossed with a Ligurian drone? We have never heard
of such a case as worker-bees living for twenty months.
—Ed.]

TRANSPARENT ROOFING.

[960.] The squire of my parish has just sent me own
a pattern of Miether, Robbins & Co.'s transparent wire-
wove roofing for my sheep-houses. I think it would be
found suitable for roofs of hives. I intend to try it ; it
is a non-conductor. Sheets five feet by four feet, price
sixpence per square foot. Their address is 83 Upper
Thames Street, London. — Bbctor, Buckland FiUeigh.

What Bees Gather. — One remarkable circumstance
about bees is the number of commodities of which they
are either the collectors or confectioners. Besides honey
and wax, there are two other distinct substances which
they gather — bee-bread and propolis. Before we knew
better, we thought, probably with most of our readers,
when we saw a bee ' tolling from every flower the virtu-
ous sweets,' with his legs full of the dust of the stamens,

that he was hurrying home with the wax to build his
cell, or at least with the material wherewith to make
that wax. We thought of Titania and her fairies, who
' for night tapers crop their waxen thighs,' and many
other pretty things that poets have said and sung about
them ; or, if in a more prosaic mood, we at least con-
ceived that, if not furnishing fairy candles, they were
laying the foundation for what Sir F. French calls ' the
gentleman's lights.' No such thing. Their hollow legs
were filled with the pollen or farina of flowers, which
has nothing whatever to do with the composition of wax,
but constitutes the ambrosia of the hive — as honey does
its nectar — their bee-bread, or rather, we should say, bee-
pap, for it is entirely reserved for the use of their little
ones. Old Butler had so long ago remarked that ' when
they gather abundance of this stuff (pollen) they have
never the more wax ; when they make most wax they
gather none of this.' In fact they store it up as food for
the embryo bees, collecting from thirty to sixty pounds
of it in a season ; and in this matter alone they seem to
be ' unthrif t of their sweets,' and to want that shrewdness
which never fails them, for they often, like certain over-
careful housewives with their preserves, store away more
than they can use, which, in its decomposition, becomes
to them a sore trouble and annoyance. They are said
always to keep to one kind of flower in collecting it,
and the light red colour of it will often detect them
as the riflers of the mignonette bed; but we have
seen them late in the season in layers of different
colours (not collected at the same time probably), and
sometimes their whole body sprinkled with it, for they
will at times roll and revel in a flower like a donkey
on a dusty road.

Profitable Bee-Keeping. — ' My object is to induce
cottagers living in the country to keep bees ; first of all,
as a means of eking out a too scanty livelihood, and, in
the next place, as a rational amusement and most in-
structive pursuit. There are, in fact, within the reach
of our labouring population few pursuits so interesting
and so profitable as this of bee-keeping. It has this
further advantage, that it demands comparatively but
little attention, and interferes with no other occupation
or duty. Nor is the capital required to commence bee-
keeping beyond the reach of our labouring poor. A
swarm in May, a straw hive or skep [or bar-frame hive] in
which to put the bees, and an old bench, or the stump of
a tree, with a hackle to shelter the hive, are all the needful
stock-in-trade of the adventurous bee-keeper. A little
saving on the part of an industrious man will soon supply
what is wanting. To wealthier bee-keepers I would sug-
gest the gift of a swarm as one of the most satisfactory
ways of helping a poor family, where there is sufficient in-
telligence and a disposition to pay attention to the bees.
But when once the bees are there, and well established,
all expense ceases. With moderate but sufficient care
thej' ought in a year or two to pay the rent of house and
garden, and add, besides, many little comforts which
few of our labouring poor are able to command. It is
surprising how few bees are kept in England, compared
with the number of hives one sees in other countries.
Thus we import from abroad immense quantities of
honey and wax every year, while many hundreds of tons
of these commodities are left ungathered in our own
fields and woods. A bountiful Providence has given to
us no lack of the " fatness of the earth," which honey and
wax may most fitly be called. In some years it super-
abounds in most astonishing quantities, but too often
there are no labourers to gather in the riches, and they
are lost. Even where bees are kept they are frequently
mismanaged, if not utterly neglected; so that not a
tenth part of the honey is harvested which might be
collected.' After telling how, in a single season, he
obtained 2 cwt. of honey, besides the wax, from seven
hives, without destroying the bees or depriving them of
their winter supply, the rev. gentleman adds : ' I would

May 12, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

209

say, then, to our cottagers in -town and country, "Keep
bees." Everywhere, save perhaps in London and a few
other large cities, bees may be kept profitably — in some
places, of course, more profitably than iu others, On an
average, every stock-hive that has well survived the
winter should yield, in tolerably good seasons, from ten
to twenty pounds of honey in caps or boxes, without
destroying the stocks. It will thus be seen that ten
hives, at this rate, should yield -57. to 101. per annum,
supposing the honey to fetch only Ls. per lb. I repeat,
therefore, to our cottage friends, " Keep bees." Let me
add, " Take care of your bees." It is worth while to
manage them well ; the more you look after them, with-
out over-much meddling, the better they will pay. The
bee-master's eyes should be frequently upon them, espe-
cially in the busy swarming time. Here his wife and
children may greatly aid him by their watchfulness.
Lastly, I say, " Never destroy your bees." The practice
of "burning" or " brimstoning " bees is about as wise as
killing a goose for her eggs. A more wasteful or mis-
chievous proceeding there never was — to say nothing of
the cruelty of it. Those murdered bees — as many of
them as survived the winter — would have been as in-
dustrious as ever on the return of spring, and have well
made up to their master for his kindness in sparing their
lives. Of course it follows that, if hives are never to be
destroyed, the bees must not be robbed of all their stores:
there must be moderation in plunder. Some honey must
be left in the hive to keep them alive and in health
during the winter and early spring months. Sound
judgment, too, must be exercised as to the time when to
rob them, as well as the quantity which may safely be
taken.' — Rev. P. V. M. Filleul.

€d^atB ixmrt % ||te.

Beverley, April 29th. — Again I have to report favourably
of my bees, notwithstanding the very cold wind, which has
kept them more or less at home since my last report,
except when the sun shone. However we have just had
three consecutive sunshiny days, with the wind, although
cold, very moderate, and with the gooseberry- trees, &c, in
full flower ; the bees have made the most of this favourable
time, pouring into the hives laden with pollen and honey,
and the perfume can be smelt yards away. Finding that
some of my strong hives had risen considerably in weight,
I examined a few of them and found combs filled from top
to bottom with new honey, of course unsealed, the strong
perfume telling plainly from whence gathered. Some of
these hives are crowded on eleven and twelve standard
frames, and should we have fine weather I must give more
room either in the shape of more combs or sections. I
hesitate to give crates of sections on account of the sharp
frosty nights, and the consequent difficulty the bees have
in building comb; neither can I extract the honey, it not
being sufficiently ripened. This is just a time when great
care is needed, as should we have cold set in for any length
of time, as we had last year, the bees will want all their
stores. The difference between my strong hives and weak
ones is plainly shown at dusk, for while the former are
roaring hke a furnace, the latter are still as death. — F.
Botes.

Broadstairs, Kent, May 1th. — The weather has been
rather cold lately, and I do not remember having so much
rain at this period for some years ; Broadstairs being, as a
rule, the last place for rain. The old local proverb runs,
' When England wrings Thanet sings.' I have doubled the
two strongest stocks (covering nine frames each), placing
brood combs in doubling-box, and sheets of foundation
below in body-box. By-the-by, is ' doubling ' the best
term for so treating a hive ; should it not be ' ekeing ? '
Those'stocks covering six or seven frames I hope to double
in about three weeks time ; and shall try a couple with
quarter-inch starters in body-box as a non-swarming safety-
valve, treating the stock as though no empty space existed
below. The stocks generally have wintered very well, thanks
to the kindly attention of our local expert during -my ab-

sence. I cannot say I have been uniformly successful in
making stocks from condemned bees. One lot has a patch
of brood about four inches diameter, and just enough bees to
cover it. They are now packed up, with cork-dust to the right
of them, cork-dust to the left of them, cork-dust in the front
of them, cork-dust at the back of them, cork-dust on the top
of them. All this cork-dust absorbs the sun's warmth in
the day time, and gradually gives it off at night ; and I
think with a few frames of hatching brood from another
stock that lot ought to pull up. Gooseberry bloom is
nearly over, apples just beginning. As for wasps, though
in the garden a great deal I have not yet seen a single
specimen. — T. W. Oetzmann.

North Leicestershire, May 7th. — Everything is very back-
ward here for the time of year, and the bees do not seem to
make much progress, as there has been very little weather
fine and warm enough to tempt them out. To-day — at
least, during the morning — they were working hard on the
lesser celandine, currant, gooseberry, and plum blossoms,
and arabis. Nothing else ready. — E. B.

'Honey Cott'l Weston, near Leamington, May 9th. — After
many changeable and stormy days, we seem to have drifted
into some nice weather for our bees, which they have
thoroughly enjoyed. With plum-trees in full bloom, dande-
lion coming out, wood anemone, and other flowers, there
is a prospect of a goood start for the season. I have found
in several instances, where the bees had enough food and
were left to their own sweet will, that they have not bred
up so well as others that have been stimulated ; whereas,
in a few other cases, those with plenty of food have done
exceedingly well. There has been any amount of young
bees showing themselves during the last fortnight. Have
been transferring a few stocks that I bought last autumn,
and hope, with a little attention, to build them up in time
for the clover. Am hoping to do a little spreading of brood
if the fine weather continues, though it is just possible we
may have (as we generally do) blackthorn winter. — John
Walton.

Belfast, May dth.— Since my last, I have been doing
' Amateur Expert,' and I found lots of brood and plenty of
stores in several of the hives visited. I am glad to say a
favourable change has taken place in the weather, which is
now warm and showery and bees are doing good work. I
have tried my stock on the dry sugar (Porto Rico), and will
be able to report favourably or otherwise later on, have fed
my thirty hives (which I was fortunate enough to bring
through the winter) on dry sugar for stimulating ; and if it
is what is claimed for it, it will do away with one of the
troubles of modern bee-culture, viz., making syrup for a
number of hives. — P. McHenry.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asldng for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted' as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondciits
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for'us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

H. L. S. — The sample of enamel cloth has been received,
and it will prove serviceable.

T. Nixon. — 1. If your queen is now laying only drone eggs,
there is no prospect of her being refertilised. Being a
young queen, her ovaries have been injured in some way.
You must unite or get a fresh queen. 2. If your bees
are obtaining a sufficiency of natural food, you have done
right in stopping the supply of artificial.

H. G. Biech. — Doubling. — If you' place a hive full of bees
above or below, you should spray them with scented
syrup as you propose. It is much safer to place the
frames alternately, and unite in the usual manner. The
old queen of 1885 is worthless, and you would get
nothing for her.

F. Nell. — Chapman Honey Plant. — We are not surprised
that you cannot get seed in Sheffield, and that no plant
of this name is known. There is, in fact, no plant of
this name here ; and it has been named Chapman Honey
Plant because Mr. Chapman is supposed to have been
the first who called attention to it as a honey-yielding

210

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 12, 1887.

plant. You will find it is perfectly well known by the
English name of 'Great Globe-thistle,' or by its botanical
name of Echinqps spherocephalus. We have plenty of
English names for flowers without adding to the con-
fusion by introducing new ones given without any sense
or reason. "We send you some seed.

H. J. Knight. — 1. Dry Sugar Feeding. — Mr. Knight ap-
pears to have fallen into the error of making his bees
rely upon dry sugar during winter. The process is in
many quarters greatly misunderstood ; and as the origin-
ator of the system, I am glad of the opportunity to warn
the uninitiated, and to repeat what I have many times
stated, that bees cannot exist upon dry sugar as their
only winter food. In fact, neither that nor candy should
be given until the approach of spring, unless in cases of
extremity ; and on no account ought a stock to begin the
winter with either. Porto Eico does well as a winter
food, but it must be stored by the bees as syrup by the
end of September. As soon as all surplus honey is
removed in autumn, start with dry feeders ; and then if
in some cases there is not sufficient store, feed rapidly
with syrup, so that the bees may settle down quietly
before October comes in. Such store should last till
April, when dry sugar may again be resorted to with
advantage. 2. Feeding Swarm hived on Combs. — A swarm
hived on combs would be far better without feed of any
kind, as a rule ; but if the weather is very bad, a lump of
Porto Rico over the feed-hole pressed down tight would
keep them going, while the cells would not be clogged
with syrup. — S. Simmins.

W. S., Aboyne. — 1. Dead Queen. — See answer to W. P.
When manipulating during spring the bees will occa-
sionally '|ball' the queen; if she is killed her body would
be cast out of the hive. There is a very good chance of
a virgin queen getting fertilised now, although less pro-
bability in your locality. 2. Bees. — The bees sent are
Ligurians, of course it is impossible to say with certainty
unless a description of the other bees in the hive is sent.
3. Laying tivo or three Eggs in Cells. — This is not unusual,
and is more observable when her laying space is re-
stricted.

W. P. — Death of Queen. — Weak starving colonies frequently
vacate their hives and join other stocks, the queen of this
colony is refused admission, and is cast to the ground, or
the queen has been found past work, and has been de-
throned ; this may be the case with yours. Examine
your stocks and note whether queenless or not.

J. H. D. — 1. Stimulating. — It will be quite sufficient for
stimulating purposes to uncap your honey cells once a-
week ; in fact this plan would be better than syrup
feeding. 2. Moving Hives. — Yes; if the hive is very
•strong and on the point of swarming. Empty combs
are preferable to foundation, give two combs of brood
if possible.

Bees — Novitas. — Italian Hybrids. — The bees sent are
Italian hybrids ; the colony may have got hybridised
whilst in your possession. Any of the various bee-ap-
pliance manufacturers advertising in these columns. It
does not follow that because your hybrids are so vicious
that all are so, we have some very gentle Italian hybrids ;
they are splendid workers.

R. E. C. — 1. Coxvan Hive damp. — You do not say what
kind of quilt you use. It is clear that the dampness in
the inner hive arises from condensation of the vapour
which, from defective ventilation, cannot escape. 2.
Musty Smell in Feeders. — As the food is consumed, air,
to take its place, enters from the hive ; and as this must
smell musty from the damp, the smell is accounted for.
3. Leaking Ray nor Feeders. — The cause is most probably
badly-fitting caps to the bottles. If air can enter except
through the holes, it will allow the food to run out.
i. Spare Combs. — The granular dust which you find in
the bottom of the box may be owing to the pollen being
attacked by mites. 5. Drone Brood in Worker Comb. — ■
This seems to point to some injury to the queen, as she
J3 in her second year only. Perhaps in a short time she
may discontinue drone-egg laying. If she does not, she
must be removed. G. Queen Raising. — Even if yeu have
no opportunity of raising queens to replace old ones in
the best manner, you can with littlo more trouble do

better than you do. Instead of killing the old queen,
and allowing the bees to raise one from her eggs, after
four days destroy all commenced cells, and give them a
comb of eggs from [a young and vigorous queen. You
will get a better queen raised. If your stocks are strong
and drones flying, you may do it now ; and your young
queen will be in lay when the honey flow is on. If you
delay, you had better leave alone until after the flow.
7. Varnishing Interior of Hive. — There seems an advan-
tage in having a clean, washable surface ; and as to im-
permeability to air, there can be very little difference, if
any, between half-inch wood varnished and unvarnished.
J. Brown. — The probability is that the bees were starved,

and therefore deserted the hive.
P. Bobbin, and H. Worth. — The portions of comb forwarded
were not affected with foul brood, but with chilled brood.
H. 0. — Put the foundation in the saw-cuts, and wire from
side to side as proposed.

From M. A. de Zoubareff we have received a pamphlet
on honey and its uses, entitled, Mi/od leak peishcha e kak
leakarstvo. This will be a very useful little pamphlet
for the bee-keepers of Russia to distribute, as it sets forth
the various uses of honey, with recipes gathered from
English, German, and French works. The same author
has also sent us the numbers of the Russian Bee Journal
for this year, entitled, Roosskee ptchelovoodnee liestok, of
which he has become the editor after the death of Pro-
fessor Boutleroff. The Journal comes out monthly, is
well got up, and carefully edited, and will be sure to do
good to bee-keeping if the future numbers are as carefully
written as those we have seen. We shall have occasion
sometimes to give extracts from them.

We have received from Mr. Francisco F. Audreu a
pamphlet in Spanish, entitled, La Apicultura Mobilista
en Espana. It consists of 38 pages, and is an intro-
duction to bee-keeping in moveable comb hives. As
improved methods of bee-keeping are just now being
introduced into Spain, this little pamphlet will be useful
in giving an outline of the subject, and we wish it every
success.

Received Schedule of Prizes from the Leicestershire Bee-
keepers' Association of the Exhibition of Hives, Bees,
Honey, and Appliances, to be held at Ashby-de-la-Zouch,
on July 28th and 29th.

Received Schedule of Prizes of Aberdare Horticultural
Society's Show, to be held at Aberdare en Thursday,
August 18.

We have received from Mr. Leslie Tait, Foveran, near
Aberdeen, specimens of sections manufactured by him.
They are one piece V-grooved, with and without bee-
passages on all four sides, and also two-piece dovetailed
sections. They are made of different qualities of wood, and
the prices range from 15s. to 24s. a thousand.

Received from Messrs. Abbott Bros, a sample of a
material for aprons, shirts, quilts, tent-screens, &c. It
has for pattern cells with queen, worker, and drone.

We understand that Mr. John D. MeNally, a member of
the family of MeNally, well known in the Scottish apicul-
tural world, has been appointed one of the correspondents
for the bee department of The Farming World, formerly
the Scottish Agricultural Gazette.

.©how J5.nnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shows are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

June 15, 16.— Wilts Agricultural Show. Rev. W. E.
Burkitt, Secretary.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 6. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Entries close May 12. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

May 12, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Knowle, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business ^Directory.

B

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Founds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bkos., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Appleton, H. ftl., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskharn, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stokes, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.
Eb-ey & Son, St. Ncots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B. , Muskharn, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskharn, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
SiiraiNS, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskharn, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, London, and Merchants' Quay,

Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANT.

Pearson, F. , Stockton Heath, Warrington.

AR-FRAME HIVES, 7s. 6d., 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d., and 17s. 6d. each.

' Bar Frames (Association Standard), Planed and Saw-cut

for Foundation. Price, in the flat, Is. per doz., 10s. 6d. per gross;

put together, Is. 6d. per doz., 15s. per gross.
Sectional Supers, from 2s. Qd. each.

Cylinder Honey Extractors, 32s, 6d., 27s. 6d., and 18s. 6d. each.
Feeders — Regulating Bootle Feeder, Is. 6d. each; 15s. per doz.

Cooper's Venetian Feeder, Is. 6d. each; 15s. per doz. Feeder on

Simmins' principle, 2s. 6d. Honey Jars, from 12s. 6d. per gross.

All other Appliances at Moderate Rates.

Stocks of Bees and Swarms. Foreign Queens direct i'rojn

Mr. Frane Benton. Catalogue on Application.

D. & A. COOPER, SPA LANE, DERBY.

white mm glass mun MRS.

SPECIAL PBICES.

No. 4. Screw Jar, No. 5. Screw Jar,
No. 1. including Cap & Cork, including Cap & Cork.

1-lb., 12/6 gross. 1-lb., 23/- gross. 1-lb., 23/6 gross.

2-lb., 20/6 „ 2-lb.,33/- ,, 2 gross cases, 22/9

Five gross lots as follows : — per gross.

No. 1, 11/3 gross; No. 4, 21/-gross; No. 5, 21/6 gross, in

gross cases, free on rail. Cases all free. Cash with Order.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Post Free, a 2556

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can he carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4^d.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker belloics.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionably mixed — 6d. each.

NOW BEADY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

After 9th May, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Telegrams -WEBSTER APIARY, WOKINGHAM.

Porterage Is. (171

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 12, 1887.

ROTTINGDEAN, V

(172)

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-
„ 3 „ 4 „ „ „ >. 13/-

H 5 ,, 6 ,, ii ii ii 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 0/° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Bemittance.

glf My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the rna]ority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A Neiv Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Befer:nce, address Impeeial Ottoman Bank, Laenaoa.

Patent Bee Feeder.— Removing the Flasi

Or for giving warm syrup in cases of dysentery.

s ~w -A. dr, mts: ss.

HOME-BRED SYEIAH, PAXESTXNE,

IiIGVBIAN, and BX.ACK.S. Also

NUCLEI.— With Pure, Imported QUEENS of any Baee.

QUEENS. EGGS and PRIZE POULTRY.

SEND FOB LISTS. OBDEB EABLY !
E. WOODHAM, Bee and Poultry Farm,
Abbotsley, St. Neots. a 2588

STEWARTON HIVE,

JAMES ALLAN, Hive Maker, Stewarton, N.B.
Established -10 years. Maker of the famous Stewarton
Honey-yielding Hive, wrought on the Storifying or Tiering
rpinciple, with instructions for use. Covers and Appliances
of Apiary supplied to order. A 2572

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. 6<?. per 100,
Is, per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE FLOWERS.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. 3d.
12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. 3d. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling, post free.
HENBY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

S

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/Q per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 eacn> Post iree- Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKEBS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 HarleyfordRd., London, S.E.

~W I P 3E5 S6. !S BTTG-ZiOSS.

THE present is the best time for Planting or Sowing
the Seed of this splendid Honey-yielding Biennial.
It blooms magnificently from June to August. For Strong
Plants or Seed apply to J. Gakkatt, Cray Valley Bee Farm,
Hockenden, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

FRY'S HONEY and FRUIT SYRUPS, CHAM-
PAGNES, CORDIALS, and BEVERAGES (Awarded
Five Prize Medals) for Shows, Fetes, and Private use.
Price Lists free. Agents Wanted. Manufactory : Bishop's
Waltham. a 2561

BEES, Early Swarms for Sale, 15s. each. Orders
in rotation. Address A. D. Woodley, Donnington
Road, Beading. .. . (173)

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkanoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.c'

[No. 25G. Vol. XV.]

MAY 19, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sbitorial, Sottas, #r.

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOR

BEGINNERS.

( Continued from page 180.)

VIII. — Hives with Moveable and Fixed Combs.

1. According to the old style of bee-keeping a
swarm was placed into a skep, and the bees were
allowed to fill it with combs, which they built in
any direction they liked. In such skeps the bees
attach the combs to the top and sides, so that
they form part of the dwelling and cannot be re-
moved from the hive without cutting them out ;
boxes were worked in a similar way. This is
called the fixed-comb system.

2. According to the improved modern system of
bee-keeping, the swarm is placed into a box fitted
with frames, to which are fixed, on the under side
of the top-bar, strips of comb, or comb-foundation,
which guide the bees and induce them to build
their combs in the direction in which the bee-
keeper wishes them to be. The bees do not attach
the combs to the sides of the hive, but build them
inside the frames. These frames of comb can be
easily taken out, their position inside the hive
altered, or they can be removed and replaced by
others. This is called the moveable-comb system.

3. In order to derive the greatest advantage
from the moveable-comb system it is very im-
portant that only one size of frame be used in
the apiary, and this must fit into every hive.

4. The British Bee-keepers' Association adopted
some years ago a Standard frame, which has come
into general use, and we advise the beginner to
use no other. The outside dimensions are 14 inches
long by S-J- inches deep, the top bar being 17 inches
long, fths of an inch thick, the bottom bar -Jth
of an inch,
the width being |ths of an inch.

5. The hives should be made so as to leave a
\ of an inch passage at the ends of the frames,
and not less than fths inch at the bottom. The
dimensions of a hive to suit the Standard frame
would be 14| inches wide and SJths inches high,
inside measurement. The length will be in pro-
portion to the number of frames used, allowing
\\ inches for each frame. The hive can be ex-
tended to take any number of frames, but generally

and the side bars \ of an inch thick,

ten or eleven are used. For a ten-framed hive,
placing them at li inches from centre to centre
15 inches will be required, and this space will
easily take eleven frames when they are wanted
closer together, or at a distance of \\ inches from
centre to centre.

6. The frames are frequently provided with broad
shoulders, or metal ends, to keep them the proper
distance apart, and these have entirely superseded
distance-pins, nails, staples, screw-eyes, &c, used
formerly so extensively abroad and adopted by
some bee-keepers here. Metal ends are made of
different patterns, Carr's having the advantage
that the bee-keepjer is able to alter the distance
of the frames from l1- to \\ inches from centre to
centre.

7. The projecting ends of the frames rest on
the top edges of the hive, which is here f-inch
lower than the sides. When the frames are in the
hive the top edges of this and the upper sides of
the top-bars will be level.

8. One or two division-boards are necessary for
each hive, so as to be able to reduce its size to
the strength of the colony. The division-boards
fit close inside the hive, and are placed on either
side of the frames, the hive being made a little
longer to receive them.

9. A moveable bottom board must be provided
as well as an entrance at least 8 inches long and
fths of an inch in depth. " This entrance can be
closed more or less as needed by means of slides
or blocks. In front of the entrance an alighting-
board should extend to some considerable distance,
and slope to the ground.

10. Over the tops of the frames is placed what
is called a quilt, usually consisting of a piece of
unbleached calico, and three or four thicknesses
of drugget, or a chaff-cushion, box, or some suitable
warm material.

11. The hive must have a roof constructed in
such a way that there will be room under it for
placing a feeding bottle or racks of sections (to be
described later). A box similar in size to the hive
will do, with strips of wood nailed on the lower
outside edge, to prevent, rain driving in at the
joints. Tiie sides and back can be cut down, to
give an inclination to the boards fixed on it so
that rain will run off the roof at the back, instead
of dropping in front of the entrance. The boards
should project at least 3 inches all round, and the
roof must be made waterproof.

212

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 19, 1887.

12. A single hive consists of one box fitted with
frames, division-boards, roof, &o. A storifying hive
is composed of two or more such hives placed one
above another, with one roof over them.

13. The more carefully the hives are made, and
the more accurately the frames fit, the greater will
be the ease of manipulating them.

14. If the bee-keeper wishes to make his own
hives he bad better purchase a good one as a
pattern, but in any case he would do better to
procure the frames of a hive-maker, unless he has
special tools for making them accurately.

15. Good hives are now so cheap that it will
hardly pay the bee-keeper to make his own. The
prices range from 10s. to 15s. for such a hive as we
have described.

IX.- — What Bees Carry into the Hive.

1. Bees do not require to be fed daily like
other domestic animals, but collect their own food.
They store more than they require for their own
use, and only require the bee-keeper's assistance if
he takes too much from them, or the season has
beeu a bad one. They live upon the sweet juices
of plants, which are converted by them into honey,
the fertilising dust of flowers (pollen) aud water.

2. The best food for them is the nectar, which
they find in the flowers of many plants. They,
however, also collect the sweet juices which are
found on the leaves of some plants, and even the
liquid excreted by insects, such as the aphis, which
collects on the leaves. This is called honey dew.

3. From these juices the bees make honey.
They convert the nectar into honey by adding a
liquid secretion (saliva) which has the property of
changing the cane sugar of the nectar into the
grape sugar of honey. The quality of the honey
depends, like milk, upon the raw material from
which it is made ; that from nectar being the best,
whilst that from honey-dew is usually very dark
and inferior in flavour.

4. Sweet liquids are swallowed and carried into
the hive by the bee in the honey sac ; water is also
carried in the same way, whereas pollen is packed
in hollows on the hind-legs called pollen baskets.

5. Bees also collect a resin-like substance called
propolis, which they obtain from the buds and
limbs of trees. It is used to seal up every crevice
about the hive.

6. When the bees return to their hive laden,
they disgorge the honey into the cells. Both
honey and pollen are stored for future use. Water
and propolis are used at once, not stored in the
cells, and are only collected as they are wanted.

X. — Swarms and Swarming.
1. If, in spring, a colony has its hive full of
comb containing brood, is crowded with bees and
food is coming in plentifully, it makes preparations
for sending off a swarm. Queen-cells will be con-
structed in which an impregnated egg is placed.
In three days the egg hatches, aud a grub (larva)
crawls out ; this is fed on rich food for five days,
after which it no longer requires feeding, and is
sealed up by the workers in its cell, where it spins
a cocoon, and changes into a chrysalis. In about

sixteen days from the time the egg was laid, the
queen, in a perfect state, is ready to leave the cell.
The youug queen makes, with its jaws, a circular
cut in the cell-cap, forces it open, and crawls out.
The old queen does not usually wait until this
takes places, but generally soon after the queen-
cell has been sealed over, selects a fine day, and
between the hours of ten o'clock in the morning
and four in the afternoon, leaves the hive with part
of the population. This is called swarming.

2. The bees which leave with the old queen form
with her the first swarm, the hive from which they
left being the stocl: In a good season, if the stock
be strong, other swarms will issue as the queens
mature and hatch out. These are called casts or
after-swarms. Casts have young queens, and are
therefore generally better than first swarms, pro-
vided they have plenty of bees.

3. The first cast or second swarm usually leaves
the hive on the ninth day after the first, but
occasionally sooner. Sometimes third, fourth, aud
fifth swarms may be thrown off at intervals, gene-
rally, of one or two days. These usually contain
so few bees that they are worth very little, and
should be united to others.

4. In the south of England, in favourable seasons,
swarming begins about the end of April, but is
sometimes delayed until the middle of June. Iu
the North and in Scotland swarming takes place
much later, frequently not beginning before the
end of May.

5. Early and large swarms are profitable ; late
and small swarms are worth little, although by
judicious management they can be built up into
strong colonies before the winter.

{To be continued.)

BEES AND HONEY.

The honey-bee has been an object of great interest
from the very earliest ages : the most ancient historical
records make frequent reference to it. 'A little halm and
a little honey ' formed part of the present which Jacob
sent iuto Egypt to Joseph in the time of the great famine.
The ' busy bee ' figures also in Greek as well as in Hebrew
history. The little creature has given a name to many
females of high degree. The Hebrew name of the bee
(Deborah) was given to Rebekah's nurse, as also to that
magnanimous prophetess whose courage and patriotism in-
spired the flagging zeal and waning energies of her dis-
pirited countrymen. The Greek name of the bee (Melissa)
was given to one of the daughters of Melissus, king of
Crete. It was she who, with her sister Amalthrea, is fabled
to have fed Jupiter with the milk of goats. She is said,
also, to have first discovered the means of collecting
honey from the stores of the bee, while some ancient
writers inferred that she not only bore the name, but that
she was actually changed into a bee.

Another Greek story tells of a woman of Corinth, also
bearing the name of Melissa, who, having been admitted
to officiate in the festivals of Ceres, the goddess of
agriculture, afterwards refused to initiate others, and wras
torn to pieces for her disobedience, a swarm of bees being
made to rise from her body.

The old Greek name for the bee seems to have fallen
into disu-e in this country as a name given to females,
though there can be no reason why its use should not be
revived, for it is at least as melodious as the Hebrew
name of the same significance, still applied to many a

May 19, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

213

matron and maiden — a name, which is expressive of
honeyed sweetness, as also of unwearied energy and un-
tiring industry.

Those who have had personal knowledge and experience
of bee-culture will hear out the remark that bees are not
particular as to the size or the position of the home in
which they choose to dwell, so that it suffices for them to
carry on with security their wonderful operations. In
their wild state, cavities of rocks and hollow trees are
alike available ; and in their domestic conditions they
have no preference for a straw skep over a wooden box,
nor for the wooden house over the straw castle.

The bee, which, while under proper control and
management is one of man's best friends, proves, when
assailed by him in any way, a terrible adversary.
Allusion is made to this by Moses in his story of what
befell the Israelites in their wilderness sojourn: 'The
Amorites came out against you, and chased you as bees
do, and destroyed you,' The strength and force of their
sting is such as to enable them to pierce the skin of the
horse and other large animals and kill them. Their
ordinary speed when in flight is from sixty to eighty
miles an hour, and they have been known to fly past the
windows of an express train when travelling- at full speed
in the same direction. The manner of attack is to dash
straight at the object aimed at ; and commonly when ex-
cited by the presence of some unknown spectator, and
especially by the intermeddling of some undexterous or
mischievous person, they will attack the face, aiming
especially at the eyes. When, therefore, the thousands
which inhabit a single hive are aroused by the sound of
alarm, well understood by all the inmates, to repel an
invader, they salty forth with a courage and determina-
tion which none can withstand, attacking their foes on
every side with a fury it is impossible to resist. King-
David must have witnessed just such a scene, which he
reproduces in his description of the fierce attacks, the
determined onslaughts of his bitter and unrelenting foes:
' All nations compassed me about . . . they compassed
me about like bees.'

Somewhat recently,- the mishap of a porter in handling
a box of bees in transit by railway created an amusing
and rather alarming scene at the station. There was a
general stampede of passengers and officials flying in
everj- direction, chased by the infuriated bees. It was
only when some one, skilled in the management of bees,
catching the queen and placing her in the box, restored
confidence and quiet, for, flocking loyally to herstandard,
the whole colony returned to the case, which was in due
time forwarded to its destination. But even this was a
small affair compared with what is related in ancient
history of persons being driven from their habitations,
and the inhabitants of an entire town being compelled to
flee before myriads of bees. ^'Elianus, who flourished
about 200 a.d., gives an instance of this in one of his
seventeen books on animals. Mungo Park, too, the
African traveller, mentions a modern instance which
took place near Dooproo : ' Wo had no sooner unloaded
the asses than some of the people, being in search of honey,
inopportunely disturbed a large swarm of bees. They
came out in immense numbers, and attacked men and
beasts at the same time. Luckily, most of the asses
were loose, and galloped up the valley ; but the horses
and people were very much stung, and obliged to scamper
off in all directions. In fact, for half an hour the bees
seemed to have put an end to our journey. In the
evening, when they became less troublesome and we
could venture to collect our cattle, we found many of
them much stung and swelled about the head. Three
asses were, missing, one died in the evening, and another
next morning. Our guide lost his horse, and many of
the people were much stung about the head and face.'

The fierceness and unrelenting cruelty of the ancient
Assyrians, and the terror with which their swarming-
multitudes filled the inhabitants of the lands they invaded.

have caused them to be likened to bees in their much-
dreaded attacks on such as have aroused their anger :
' And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord
shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the
rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the laud of
Assyria. And they shall come, and shall rest all of them
in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and
upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.' The ' hiss ' was
simply a call, in allusion to the note of the queen-bee, as
she issues her roj'al mandate to her ever royal subjects
to prepare for action. It has also been supposed to allude
to a custom prevailing- in very ancient times in connexion
with bee-culture, or honey-raising in the neighbourhood
of rivers. During "the dry season, a number of hives
would be placed on a flat-bottomed boat, in the charge
of an attendant. Very early in the morning the boat
would begin the day's voyage, gently gliding down the
river, the bees sallying forth with the sun to collect their
golden stores and deposit them in their several hives,
which they commonly know by some mark. The
innumerable flowers on the banks of the rivers offered
them a fine harvest-field. At the approach of evening,
the well-known wdristle or 'hiss' of the care-taker — a
decent imitation of the queen's own call — would bring
them back to their hives in multitudes, when the boat
would be paddled back to the farm or other place of
rendezvous.

As an article of food, and as much-valued and even
royal luxury, honey has been used from the remotest
ages. Nor was it much, if any, less in request as a
healing- medicine for both inward and outward applica-
tion. And though it may have fallen somewhat into
disuse in these days, when many good things are over-
looked, and when the artificial too often supplants the
real, it may be safely predicted that the wide and rapid
spread of bee-culture will induce a return to some of the
wiser uses and methods and forms of adoption employed
by our early forefathers, as well as stimulate to the new
applications and new developments of its wondrous
powers.

When and by whom mead or metheglin was first
made from honey, could not be easily determined. The
two words are not unfrequently applied to the same
liquor; but that is not correct, as they are dissimilar.
Both, however, are made from honey, sometimes also from
the refuse or washings of the comb. Queen Elizabeth had
such fondness for metheglin as to prescribe carefully how
it should be made and with what variety of herbs it
should be flavoured. In Wales, it long continued to be
held in high esteem ; and its various beneficial properties
have been quaintly set forth in a letter addressed to Clifte
the historian by the learned Welshman, Kev. James
Howells (born 1594), brother of Thomas Howells, some
time Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol. The uniqueness
of the communication is the apologv for its quotation in
full :—

Sik, — To inaugurate a new and jovial new year unto you,
I send you a morning's draught (namely, a bottle of methe-
glin). Neither Sir John Barleycorn nor Bacchus hath any-
thing to-do with it ; but it is the pure juice of the bee, the
laborious bee, and king of insects. The Druids and old
British bards were wont to take a carouse hereof before they
entered into their speculations ; and if you do so when your
fancy labours with anything it will do you no hurt ; and I
know your fancy to be very good. But this drink always
carries a kind of state with it, for it must be attended with
a brown toast ; nor will it admit of hut one good draught,
and that in the morning ; if more, it will keep a-humming
in the head, and so speak much of the house it came from,
I mean the hive, as I gave a caution elsewhere ; and because
the bottle might make more haste, have made it go upon
these (poetic) feet :

J. H. T. G. Salutem et Annum Platonicum.
The juice of bees, not Bacchus, here behold,
Which British Bards were wont to quaff of old ;

214

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 19, 1887.

The berries of the grape with furies swell,
But in the honeycomb the graces dwell.

This alludes to a saying which the Turks have, that there
lurks a devil in every berry of the vine. So I wish you
cordially as to me an auspicious and joyful new year, because
you know I am, itc.

Metheglin is no doubt a healthy beverage, containing
an admixture of milk. Pallus Romulus, when he was a
hundred years old, told Julius Ctesar that he had pre-
served the vigour of his mind and body by taking methe-
glin inwardly, and using oil outwardly. Metheglin and
mead may be made very strong, and of course, they both
contain some amount of alcohol. In Virgil's days,
metheglin was used to qualify wine when harsh. He
writes of

' Huge heavy honeycombs, of golden juice,
Not only sweet, but pure, and fit for use ;
To allay the strength and hardness of the wine,
And with old Bacchus new metheglin join.'

Mead or metheglin was the nectar of the Scandinavian
nations which they expected to drink in heaven, using
the skulls of their enemies as goblets. Thus we read in
Penrose's Carousal of Odin :

' Pill the honeyed beverage high ;
Fill the skulls, 'tis Odin's cry !
Heard ye not the powerful call,
Thundering through the vaulted hall ?
Fill the meathe, and spread the board,
Vassals of the grisly lord ! —
The feast begins, the skull goes round,
Laughter shouts — the shouts resound.'

In England at the present time, mead, like many other
old and excellent domestic compounds, has passed'almost
entirely out of use. In very few houses could it now be
found. Here and there in a farmhouse where old customs
linger, it may still be had ; and it is still used for colds
and other complaints, both in the case of men and cattle.

The revival of bee-keeping and the conduct of the
enterprise on scientific principles will restore honey to
its wonted place in the domestic economy ; and if care-
fully studied and thriftily managed, the cultivation of
bees and the product of honey may be made to form not
only an important article of food and a considerable item
of domestic revenue, but an ample source of amusement,
and means of recreation healthful alike to body and
mind.— Chambers' Journal.

THE SONG OF THE BEE.

Hail to thee,
Little brown bee !

After the winter long, I love to hear thy song,
To see thy shapely form, when the March sun lies warm
Upon thy prison-home, tempting thee forth to roam ;
Thou bringest joy with thee, thou little busy bee.

I hear thy morning psalm amid the downy palm —

Now distant, now more near, faintly, then rising clear

Telling forth the measure of thy toilsome pleasure ;
Thou workest merrily, thou singest cheerily.

From golden crocus-cup gold-dust thou gather'st up,
Which, by true instinct led, thou dost transmute to bread :
Ah ! thou alchymist bold, couldst but thy song unfold
Some of the mystery wrapped in thy history !

Herald of spring art thou. The robin from his bough
Sings loud, but what cares he how many flowers there be '
Strangely the cuckoo cries, the lark thrills from the skies,'
But only thou dost sing for the earth's blossoming.

Ami when May, ' the merry month,' decks the wild cherry,
And makes the orchards gay ; and all the fields display
Their wealth of colouring ; and white-robed hedges flin"
Their fragrance on the wind,— thou think'st it all designed

Especially for thee, and sing'st for very glee !
Swift on the heels of May the summer comes, each day
Bringing thee new delight ; upsprings the clover white,
Whose dewy depths distil rich nectar — Drink thy fill !

And then, full soon, July ; the great sun mounts the sky
And pours his fervid beams downright, and nature seems
To sleep, not a bird sings ; and yet the still air rings,
To the accustomed ear, with music, loud and clear : —

For why ? ' The limes are out ! ' and everywhere about

The honey-laden trees flit honey-laden bees,

The solitary song swells to a chorus strong,

And sun, and bees, and flowers, rule the enchanted hours.

Then the brief summer wanes ; days shorten, night regains
Lost hours ; a little while the purple heather bell
Glows on the distant hill, and then the song is still,
The merry toil is done, the shapely form is gone.

-W. H, Dorking.

Farewell to thee,
Little brown bee !

jfATtip.

CHILI.
Expoiits of Honey and Wax fbom Chili in 1835.
Honey. —

Feom To

Valparaiso ,-, , y, ., .
t„i„„i . i Great Britain

-lalcahuano

Valparaiso
Coquimbo
Talcahuano

Valparaiso
Talcahuano

Valparaiso

Coquimbo I
Talcahuano |
Coronel

Prance

Germany

Peru

Uruguay

for ships' stores

Kilos.

190,935 1

131,570 f

247,389 )
12,150 I
36,153 |

403,835 I
1,870 |

920

25,700

1,692 )

135 I

2,002 (

1,360 j

Kilos.

= 322,511

= 295,692

= 405,705

= 020

= 25,700

= 5,139

Total exports in 1885

n 1884

Decrease in 1885

= 1,055,717
= 1,864,761
= 809,044

Wax.—

Valparaiso
Talcahuano

Valparaiso

Coquimbo

Talcahuano

Valparaiso
Talcahuano
Coronel

Valparaiso

Talcahuano

Valparaiso

Great Britain j 8j»Jg J = 27,442

Prance

Germany

Belgium
Ecuador
Peru

Uruguay

Total exports in 1885

„ 1884

Decrease in 1835

21,730
5,715

5,517 1

675 i =
1,272 j

47,880 )
177 =
261 j

3,558 =

242 =

973 =

4,780 =

7,464

48,318

3,553
242
973

4,780

= 92,777
= 102,634
= 9,857

Extracted from ' Estadistica Comercialde la RepiibUca
de Chile correspondienfe al ano de 1885.

FRANCE.

Socicte Ccntrale d'Ajuculture et d'Insectolor/ie. — This
Society held another meeting in Paris on the 20th of
last month. The communications handed in from
several correspondents showed that the mortality of

May 19, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

215

stocks during' March arid April has been very great,
even in apiaries where want of food was out of the
question. It appeared, from the general tone of the
remarks made, that many of the stocks which have
succumbed gave no sign of decline in February, but,
generally speaking, their populations dwindled away
afterwards, and their queens died. The Professor of
Luxembourg stated that, in his opinion, this was to be
attributed to two causes, the first being that the majority
of the queens which had died must have been old, and
the second must be found in the fact that this year the
cold lasted much longer than usual.

Among the communications received by the Society
there was one from the Ministry of Agriculture en-
closing a copy of his Statistique Agricole for 1885, from
which it appears that the value of the honey exported
during that year was 936,236 francs, and the imported
753,196 francs.

M. Hamet mentioned that wax from French colonies
competed against that produced at home. The chair-
man suggested that it would be well to ascertain if this
was a fact, and if so, to agitate for an import duty like
in the case of wax from foreign countries.

With reference to the prizes which are to be awarded
this season for ' well-kept apiaries,' M. Sevalle proposed
that Messrs. Asset and Saint-Pee be added to the com-
mittee. The chairman replied that by adding the name of
M. Sevalle himself, the author of the proposal, the com-
mittee would be constituted.

M. Eame stated that a bee-section had been formed
for the great Exhibition of 1889, viz., Group viii.,
class 76, to be called ' Insects utiles — Apiculture — Serici-
culture, §c, et Insectes nuisibles.'' The committee ap-
pointed in connexion with this branch will be composed
as follows : — Chairman, M. T. Blanchard, a member of
the Institute ; Vice-President, M. Paine, a member of
the Societe d' Apiculture et d'lnsectologie ; M. F.
Henneguy, Professor of the Versailles School of Horti-
culture ; M. Balbiani, Professor at the College of France ;
and M. E. Menault, Inspector of Agriculture. Subse-
quently M. Eame pointed out that bee-keepers intending
to exhibit in that Exhibition should send in their
declaration or application for space this year, to the
end a suitable spot could be secured.

The chairman pointed out that, for the time being,
bee-keepers should devote their attention to the prepara-
tion of exhibits for the September show. — Apiculteur
of Paris.

ASSOCIATIONS.

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE ASSOCIATION.

Mr. W. B. Webster of Wokingham will lecture on
behalf of the above Association, in the Market Hall
Coffee Tavern, Corn Market Street, Lancaster, on Friday
evening, May 20th, at seven o'clock. The chair will be
taken by the Rev, J. Bone.

WARWICKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Warwickshire Bee-keepers'
Association was held at the Grand Hotel, April 28th.
The Rev. Canon Evans presided ; and among those
present were Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Stuart, Miss
Keyte, the Rev. W. K. Suart (lecturer), Messrs. J. N.
Bower (hon. secretary), J. R. Inglethorp (assistant
secretary), Jacob Rowlands, J. Y. Young, J. Cook,
E. M. Pearson, C. Butler, J. Burman, E. Johnson,
Ward, T. Warburton, and C. W, Summerskill (expert).
The committee reported that there was a steady and
increasing progress of the society. During the year
moi-e work had been done than in any previous year,

and the society might be congratulated on its
Notwithstanding this, it would be seen by the Uii
sheet that there was a pressing need for further ana in-
creased subscriptions to the society, otherwise some of
its most useful operations, particularly as to expert's
tours, would have to be curtailed. The receipts from
all sources, including balance from last year, amounted
to 124/. 3s. 6d., and the expenses to 134/. 6s. 7d,, making
a deficit of 10/. 3s. Id. This deficit was accounted for
by the increased endeavours of the committee to render
additional help to bee-keepers by carrying out the
autumn tour of the society's expert as well as the one
in spring. The committee sincerely hoped that this
deficit would at once be cleared off by members assist-
ing in obtaining new subscribers, and by outstanding
subscriptions for the past year being paid up. The bee
tent had visited, in connexion with horticultural shows,
the following places : — Kenilworth, Harborne, Quinton,
Handsworth, Ullenhall, Nuneaton, Bedworth. The
county show was held at Nuneaton on August 31st
and September 1, in conjunction with the Warwickshire
Agricultural Society. This was the largest show the
society had held since its formation. The silver medal
was awarded to Mr. D. Ingleby, Knowle ; bronze medal
to Rev. J. Sunderland, Eggington Vicarage ; certificate
to Mr. B. P. Walton, Weston. The judges were : Hives
and appliances, Major Dey kin and Mr. C. Butler ; honey,
Rev. J. E. Sale and Mr. J. Burman. It was proposed to
hold a series of lectures in various villages through
Warwickkshire during the coming spring, when all
members residing in the neighbourhood were requested
to attend. In concluding their report the committee
begged to thank Mr. A. H. Foster for kindly placing his
office at their disposal for committee meetings, Mr. J.
Lawrence Ilawkes for his service as auditor, the Rev. W.
K. Suart for kindly lecturing in Birmingham, the judges
who rendered their services at the county show, and
other gentlemen who had in other ways rendered valuable
assistance to the Association. The Chairman, in moving
that the report be approved and adopted, said he was
present at a meeting of the society at Leamington two
years ago when prizes were distributed by Lord Leigh,
and he was struck with the interest which seemed to be
taken in bee-keeping. At the same time he was very
much disappointed at not seeiug more of the cottager
classes present to carry off the prizes. There seemed at
the present stage of the society rather a preponderance
of middle-class members who carried off the prizes, but
it was nothing more than might be expected. Cottagers
as a class rather waited to see experiments tried by
other people before they ventured themselves en an occu-
pation of this land. He had no doubt, however, if the
Association persevered, the interest of its work would
soon reach the humbler stratum of society whose welfare
really the members of the society had mostly at heart when
they joined. In a few years they would find the cottagers
stimulated by the success of their neighbours, although
they did not belong to the same social class, embarking
upon this most interesting — and he trusted it would be
to them profitable — pursuit. The Rev. W. K. Suart
seconded the motion. He remarked that the adverse
balance was not due to bad management or lack of
members, but the society had so enlarged its sphere of
work that the expenses had been proportionally increased.
The resolution having been carried, the officers of the
society for the ensuing year were elected. At the close
of the business of the meeting the Rev. W. K. Suart
gave a most interesting lecture on the external structure
of the bee, illustrated by a series of cleverly-executed
diagrams. Votes of thanks to the lecturer and chairman
were passed. The ballot for three hives then took place,
which hives were won by Mr. C. W. Bird, Kinwarton,
Mr. W. Hill, Chilver's Coton, and Mr. T. Huxley,
Erdington. Mr. Bower urged those present to do all in
their power to get new subscribers, and condemned the

216

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 19, 1887.

action of a few former members who bad left the society
after acquiring sufficient practical knowledge to start
bee-keeping.

HAWKSIIEAD AND DISTRICT BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

Tbe general annual meeting of the members of the
above was held in the Town Hall, Hawkshead, on
Saturday evening, the 30th idt. Mr. James Postle-
thwaite was voted to the chair, and proposed, whilst
Mr. Joseph Coward seconded, that Lieutenant-Colonel
Sandys, MP., be president for the ensuing year. It
was proposed by Mr. Isaac Postlethwaite, and seconded
by Mr. Rogerson, that Mr. William D. Heelis be Hon.
Secretary, and Mr. Lister Hon. Treasurer. The following
were elected members of the Committee : — Mr. Wrigley,
Mr. Horrax, Mr. John Abbott, jun., Mr. George Rigg,
Mr. James Postlethwaite, Mr. John Burrow, sen., Mr.
Thomas Walker, Mr. Joseph Coward, Mr. James Roger-
son, Mr. Isaac Postlethwaite, Mr. Cornelius Coward, Mr.
James Leviston, Mr. J. N. Fell, Mr. "W. A. Rushforth,
Rev. W. P. Dawe, and Mr. William Carter. It was
proposed by Mr. Isaac Postlethwaite, and seconded by
Mr. George Rigg, that the Secretary convey to Mr.
William Feilden Whittaker, who was obliged to sever
his connexion with the Association in consequence of
his leaving the neighbourhood to go abroad, the cordial
thanks of the members for all that he had done in pro-
moting the Association. The first committee meeting
was fixed for the 11th June.

The Show will be at Ambleside this year.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Committee of the above Association held a meet-
ing on the 3rd inst. Present, Mr. Read, in the chair;
Dr. Knight, Dr. Allen, Dr. O'Farrell ; Messrs. Gillies,
Milner, Vanston, and the Hon. Secretary. Mr. O'Reilly
of Sans Souci, Booterstown, was unanimously co-opted
a member of the Committee. It was resolved to hold
the Association's Show at the Salthill Gardens, near
Dublin, on the 9th and 10th of August.

(faTOMiibcnxe.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will he taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, hut as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boolis for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editok oF the "British Beo
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, W.C All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must I e addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Jung's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

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

' THE WINTER IS PAST.'
[901 .] ' Time works its changes,' is a saying as trite as it
is true. When last I wrote you Canada was wrapped in a
mantle of snow ; her lakes and rivers bound down, or
bridged over, by ice twelve to eighteen inches thick. To-
day the lakes are open. The whistle of the steamboat
is once again heard in the harbours of her inland waters.
Her rivers, untrammelled, roll seaward, swollen by in-
numerable streamlets which carry down in liquid form
1he crystallised covering that lay lightly upon the face
of the country for months past. The feathered songsters
(most of them migratory) are again carolling in her
woods and orchards. Insect life has revived and is
again on the wing. Tho familiar hum of the honej'-bee
falls upon the ear of the apiarist with a sweetness, if not

a harmony, surpassing that of the Eolian harp. They
have passed some five months of ' hibernation (if you
will) in happiness and contentment. Some, of course,
have passed to the bourne from whence no bee returns.
The mortality, however, has not been greater than might
have been expected.

The autumn flowers of last year were barren of nectar.
Little or no honey was stored after August, and bees,
if not fed, were put into winter quarters with scant
provision for carrying them through till spring flowers
furnished a fresh supply. This is the only cause from
which I hear of loss being sustained. Some of my own
bees have perished from starvation. Not being at home
last autumn their wants were not well attended to, and
their mortality has been greater than is usual with me.
About twelve per cent of those wintered in my bee-
house are defunct. Of fourteen stocks wintered outside
in my home apiary only six survive — another proof To
me of the advantages of indoor wintering. The outside
hives were quite as well supplied wdth stores when put
away as were those in the bee-house, yet the proportion
of loss by the latter method of wintering was six times
as great as that in the former. The average consumption
of stores when placed in the bee-house does not exceed
eight pounds per hive during a confinement of five
months, while it requires nearly three times that
quantity to bring them through when kept on their
summer stands.

I have had a marked proof of the advantages of ample
unoccupied forage-ground during last season. The
neighbourhood in which I live is slightly overstocked
with bees. My increase at home was about seventy-five
per cent by natural swarming. Last spring I moved
twelve of my weaker stocks to my farm, some thirteen
miles distant. There are no bees but my own in that
neighbourhood. Those twelve increased to forty-two,
and I took as much honey from them in proportion as I
did from those at home. Forty out of those forty-two
came through the winter in fine condition. They were
kept on their summer stands, with precisely the same
protection as the fourteen at home got — that is, they
were prepared in the manner described by me in my last
letter. I intend to profit by this experience, and have
made provisions for moving a portion of those now at
home into the country before swarming time. I shall
thus have three yards to look after this summer. — ■
R. McKnight, Owen Sound, Ontario, April 30?/*.

BEES AND RIPE FRUITS.

[962.] Mr. Webster asks if any bee-keeperhas placed
paper in his hive. Some years ago I fitted up four or
five sections for a last effort late in the season. They
were not in a crate, but tied together and placed on the
top of one of Mr. Lee's old hives I think. But the point
is that the end of one was secured with a piece of good
stiff cardboard, made fast with gummed paper, and the
bees ate a hole through. Paper they will make light
of. During a very busy season I once left a swarm on
the ground for three or four clays with an old table-cloth
under them. They gnawed away a hole as large as the
top of a hat. That they feed on raspberries, I suppose,
I must believe. My people who pick the fruit tell me
so, not heeding my assurance that they would not have
any to pick but for the bees, et id genus omne; but
whether they make the first puncture is more than I can
say, and I do not see that it is of much consequence.
We rob them, don't we ? — C. R. S.

BEES EATING FRUIT (93G.)

[9G3.] I have been growing fruit and keeping bees for

about forty years, but I have never known bees to eat

ripe fruit. 1 have had much trouble to keep wasps from

ripe grapes, peaches, &c, indoors. I have netted the

May 19, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

217

ventilators to keep tlio wasps out, but I found if I
could exclude robins and tomtits the wasps could
not penetrate tbe skin, consequently they could not
damage the fruit. The bird alights on the top of the
bunch of fruit, and pecks several small holes, after which
Mr. Wasp can operate, and after the syrup has run from
his work on the other part of the fruit he can penetrate
it and go on bravely. I have no doubt there are numbers
of your readers who have noticed pears and other fruit
pecked in the manner described round the stalk, and
that is the spot where Mr. Wasp starts operations.—
John Moobe.

HUMBLE-BEES.

[064.] The opening of cells containing new-laid eggs
by worker humble-bees was well described by Huber
in 1801. Mr. Darcy Grimshaw would, I think, read his
account with very great interest but for two drawbacks,
it is difficult to get at, being in Vol. VI. of the Linnean
Society's Transactions, and it is in French. Whether
anything has ever been written on this subject I do not
know. Huber noticed this habit in nests of red and
black humble-bees. The name of Mr. Darcy Grirnshaw's
bees, at any rate, I have little doubt is Bombus lapidarius.
In two colonies of these same bees I have seen what Mr.
Grimshaw describes, with this exception that the cells
contained new-laid eggs and not young grubs. My ob-
servations do not go so far as Huber's, but so far as
they go they agree with his. He found that the worker-
bees try to open those cells only which contain new-
laid eggs, that the mother has to defend them during
the first day only ; that the workers who endeavour to
open the cells are fertile workers, who, if they get their
own way, eat up the eggs, and themselves lay others in
their place, and these produce drones only. Huber
describes these fertile workers as quarrelling and eating
up one another's eggs after he had removed their
mother.

Do other kinds of humble-bees quarrel in this way ?
So far as I am aware scarcely anything is known of the
habits of humble-bees.

The boxes I kept the bees in had for their sides a
1-lb. section, a fixed wooden bottom, and a moveable
glass top. The chief difficulty in watching a colony is
that if moved 300 yards, or even three miles, most of
the bees will not leave their new position. The great
John Hunter in springtime made places for the humble-
bees well provided with moss and covered with moveable
slabs. In these several queens built. — G. D. Haviland,
Warbleton, Haivkhurst.

W.B.C. END.— THE APIFUGE.— SECTIONS.

[965.] May I advise ' X-Tractor ' to give the W.B.C.
end a trial before fitting up entirely with Abbott's broad-
shouldered frames? The possibility of drawing the
frames closer together, and so preventing honey storing
' below-stairs,' is a great advantage, and even if he
does not approve of this, it is a handy and useful
appliance, and inexpensive as well.

I have been trying the apifuge, and am delighted.
The smell is by no means disagreeable, and I rubbed a
little on my neck and face, and worked without a veil
with perfect immunity. The stock which I handled
first comes of an awful race, well known here as ' reg'lar
devils, sir, beggin' your pardon,' and they certainly
maintained their reputation last year. A gentleman
who was looking on, and had somewhat boastfully de-
clined the use of a veil, saying, ' I'm not a bit afraid,
bees never sting me,' had ruefully to confess, with the
Captain of the Pinafore, that they ' hardle ever ' did a
minute later, and bore evident marks of my bees de-
moniacal tendencies on his face for some days after.

I should like to suggest caution in accepting Mr.
Kadcliffe's conclusions. ' The principle seems an ad-
vance,' ' I believe the bees won't make so many pop-
holes,' 'I fancji extra cost will repay,' are hardly the sort
of testimony I like to see, and I should certainly require
something more definite before discarding our old friend
the V-cut sections. I am rather struck with the four
bee-way sections, however, and am inclined to try a few
by way of experiment.

Honey is being brought in in small quantities in this
part of the world, and as the weather is just now
glorious, and apple-blossom opening fast, I have ven-
tured to super my strongest stock, having ten frames
below |-inch apart, with the W.B.C. ends on. — Tbeyor
Saynob, Plymstock; South Devon.

THINGS IN GENERAL, BY WUODLEIGH.

[966.] Mr. Webster (937) first pities the county ex-
perts re the possibilities of their propagating foul-brood
during their tours, then expresses a wish to meet the
county expert who is not familiar with the pest, evidently
implying that said expert is a rara avis, yet in his very
next sentence he gives the thrust to the hilt into some
poor nameless county expert whom he terms unqualified.
In behalf of the unqualified county expert, may I ask
Mr. AVebster if the weather was such that enabled the
said county expert to examine the said foul-broody hive,
or was it so cold that the unqualified one took a mere
cursory glance at the exterior of the hive, and because a
few bees were visible at the entrance, or maybe dis-
porting themselves in the fitful sunbeams, the county ex-
pert gave the welcome report of ' All's well ? ' Perhaps
Mr. Webster will notify to the said county expert, who-
ever he may be, as to his gross mistake in his report and
give him a chance of explaining.

Though I boast of no scroll of parchment endorsed by
the great and leading lights of our ' art,' yet I yield the
palm to none in the practical part of the business, even
to the inclusion of a knowledge of foul-brood ; fortunately
for me my knowledge of the dreaded pestilence was not
acquired in my own apiary : and if care and circumspection
will prevent its introduction there, I intend giving it a
wide berth.

Mr. Webster asks the pertinent question, Who were
the examiners, if a second-class expert does not know
foul-brood when he sees it ? Mr. Webster must know
that many a shallow pate gets through an examination by
tbe aid of a good coach, and also what numskulls one
meets with in every walk of life, who have all scrambled
through some kind of examination and are in and hold
their present position and emoluments by virtue of their
parchments, and not because of either the quantity or
quality of brains contained in their craniums.

I notice in our ' lieport ' that I am appointed District
Secretary for my part of the county, and no doubt I am
expected to give advice, and now, after giving advice
gratis for some years past as free as water to all and every
one who has asked for it, to know that my advice is
empirical, that I am not duly and properly qualified, — in
fact, that I am not a regular certified practitioner, but
only a quack. Bee-keepers of my district and acquaint-
ance, beware of W. Woodley.

I have grown a few plants of Ecliinops Sphcerocephalus,
the Chapman houey plant, for several years, and it
certainly is a favourite flower with the bees ; but I do
not consider it so good as borage, as it only produces
one cluster of blossoms, while borage grows and blooms
for a month in succession.

I think the suggestion of the sowing of bee-flowers in
waste places a good one and worthy of the support of
Bee-keepers' Associations, at the same time I think we
must endeavour to propagate kinds that will not prove a
nuisance to our best friends the farmers.

Apifuge, like everything- else in the world, has its

218

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 19, 1887.

failures as well as its successes. A lady I know tried
it, discarded her gloves, anointed her hands with
the apifuge, went valiantly to work, and received six
stings during manipulation of first hive, lost all faith,
washed her hands, donned her gloves, and proceeded
with examination of No. 2, wiser, if not with more com-
fortable feelings.

I can endorse friend Webster's assertion in 936, having
seen in 1884 a large bed of strawberries in front of an
apiary cleared nearly b}' the bees there. There is no doubt
that bees are able to pierce the skin of the ripe strawberry.
Wasps are very strong in the jaw, I have seen a
prisoner wasp bite a horse-hair through at one grip like
a pair of nippers. — Woodleigh.

SPARE COMBS.

[967.] I query whether it is at all necessary to have
any spare old combs when working on your doubling and
storifying system. Last year I piled up one of my hives
on to forty-two frames of which only six or seven were
old combs.

I find that a good queen lays in every cell of founda-
tion as soon as it is worked out, except of course just at
the corners, whilst with old combs at first she only lays
a round patch in the centre. For extracting I prefer
new combs if not laid in. Last year when extracting
the top storey of ten frames spaced about 1| inches, I
always found I got just over forty lbs. (averaging four
lbs. a frame), the middle frames having about six lbs. in
each ; and though all new combs, the only breakage I
had was the top bar of one frame. (I took 130 lbs. from
this hive last year, all collected between June 24 and
August 9.) — E. B. Doivnee, Surrey.

CONDEMNED BEES.

[908.] In the Journal of this date, I notice Mr.
Oetzmann of Broadstairs says, ' I cannot say I have been
uniformly successful in making stocks from condemned
bees.' I am sorry to say this season I am bound to
bear him testimony. I usually take a large quantity, but
whether from too contracted a circle, and they wend their
way home again, or whether last fall the bees were more
worn out than usual, somehow or other I have fewer
good lots. I always give them combs of honey to
save additional labour and my several lots together.
Maybe I am not as careful of the queens as I ought to
be. I solicit correspondence hereon. — Rector, Bach-
land Filleigh, N. Devon, May 12.

LEE'S PATENT FRAMES.

[9C9.] Several inquiries from correspondents relative
to the above, and as they are now in commerce, I would
beg leave to advise those who are desirous of letting the
foundation hang half through the bottom rail to use the
wired, as I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do
not guarantee the unwired not to bulge if tuch founda-
tion is passed between the halves of bottom rails.
Experiments are being carried out with unwired founda-
tion in four apiaries, but owing to the backward season
the tests have not yet been made. To prevent any
misunderstanding, I would add that unwired foundation
fixed within a j" of the bottom bar is held securely,
and from its peculiar grip, perfectly straight and without
the faintest sign of buckling.

Although generally understood, it is a fact worth
repeating, that in all cases hives should stand perfectly
level at right angles to the frames ; if this important
feature is neglected more or less imperfectly built comb
is the result. — James Lee, 43 Oh/cena Road, Lavender

mu,s.w.

CARNIOLAN BEES.

[970.] ' Amateur Expert ' has evidently put a false
construction on my letter (p. 129), on Cyprian bees. If
he will read again he will see there is but one sentence
which applies, or at least which I intended to apply, to
Carniolan bees, viz., that ' I had an idea they were dis-
missed years ago ;' and I must say that I can scarcely
divest myself of that idea still, seeing that these bees
have been before the public so long, and it is only now
lately that anyone seems to have recommended them —
at least I have carefully read the Journal for some years,
and this is the impression left on my mind. I suppose
it was open to me as well as to every other reader to ex-
press an opinion without raising the ire of anyone else ;
but ' Amateur Expert ' seems to me a little pugnacious,
and withal, I fear a little inconsistent : he was down on
to Mr. Grimshaw like a thousand of bricks about grinding
his axe, &c, »r\Vpifuge, but though he sees others
grinding away weekly he says nothing.

I have not tried Carniolans myself, though at one time
I was strongly impressed with a desire to do so, but as my
inquiries gave me such poor encouragement, except as
regards swarms, I gave up the idea. A friend of mine,
well experienced in bee-keeping, equal in fact to an
' Expert,' has tried them side by side with his natives,
with the result that he got plenty of bees, but not an
ounce of honey. Will ' Amateur Expert ' please state
the heaviest weights of honey taken from two or three
of his best hives of Carniolans last year ? I consider the
concluding sneer he gives me anything but well-timed and
in no way warranted by anything I have said in regard to
him. — F. Boyes.

THE NEW RACES, &c.

[971.] Mr. Simmins is quite right ; I refuse to admit
that brown is black. It does not matter to me who
agrees or who differs with me ; it is a question of prin-
ciple, not of persons. But I must ask Mr. S. not to class
me with ' those persons whom he has known, and who
have endeavoured to draw a line between what they
were pleased to call black and brown bees.' I have not
tried to make any such distinction ; in fact, I was quite
unaware that there were two varieties of our native bees,
therefore his allusion to ' a little common sense ' (a com-
modity of which I fear we are all more or less deficient)
has no application in my case.

Now what did I write against foreign bees at all for ?
Certainly not with the remotest idea of doing harm to
anyone, but solely from a desire to prevent the exter-
mination of our British bees. For many years I have
paid a good deal of attention to natural history, and,
knowing the baneful effects which have followed the in-
discriminate introduction of alien species into new coun-
tries, I looked upon it not only as the right, but the duty,
of every bee-keeper to caution the inexperienced in these
matters. Could those who introduce these bees into new
districts keep them to themselves it would be different ;
they might keep scorpions if they liked, so that they did
not let them loose to do others harm, but I think a great
responsibility attaches to them when it is borne in mind
that the purity of all their neighbours' bees is destroyed,
which some probably have spent considerable time and
trouble in selecting, as far as they were able, for their
good qualities. I am sure I should not feel comfortable
if I thought I had been the means of turning all the cot-
tagers' bees in these parts from gentleness into demons,
for be it remembered that many of these poor people keep
their bees close to their own doors, and have children
daily playing near them. — F. Boyes.

AN EXPERT'S SPRING TOUR.
[972.] I have just been making my spring I iur among
the members of our Association, and I am happy to say

May 19, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

219

that with very few exceptions I found the hees in excel-
lent condition ; notwithstanding the long winter and the
adverse weather the stocks, as a rule, are strong and in
a forward condition. I met with the first natural
swarms of this season on Tuesday, the 10th inst., at
Peopleton near Pershore. Of course I took off my hat
and paid my dutiful respects to the queens who had
sent off, so far as I knew, the first swarms in this year
of jubilee. And fine swarms they were too, completely
filling the skeps in which they were placed.

I have not met with the slightest trace of foul brood
in any part of the county ; but, of course, I must speak
on this subject with bated breath, for has it not been
asserted in the Journal that all experts do not know it
when they see it, and possibly I may be one of them,
and yet I flatter myself by thinking I know a little
about it? Have I not seen it? Have I not smelt it?
Have I not suffered from it ? and have I not subdued it
more than once ? I testify what I do know that in no
apiary that I have visited this season have I found foul
brood.

I cannot, however, positively assert that our county
is entirely free from this pest, because there are many
bee-keepers who do not belong to our Association, whilst
there are a few members whom I have not yet visited,
but up to the present we can show a clean sheet, which
I think is cause for gratitude. In one or two instances
I have found the bees hard at work in the sections storing
honey, gathered from the fruit-blossom which abounds
in some parts of this county.

On another occasion I rnay'Jiave something to say on
the subject of honey, as I find from certain ' opinions' of
professed judges that they do not know evetything, and
consequently are not always right in the opinions they
express. — E. Davenpobt, Expert to Worcestershire
U.K. A.

Bees no Respecters of Persons. — The Viceroy of India
(Lord Dufferin) and his staff had a singular experience at
Dehra Doon recently. His Excellency and suite attended
service at the church — or, to put it more correctly, went to
church for the purpose o£ attending service — and soon after
entering the sacred edifice were alarmed at hearing a great
commotion outside. The disturbance arose, it proved on
inquiry, from the fact that a swarm of bees had attacked
members of the Viceroy's bodyguard and others outside the
sacred edifice. The Viceroy and his party had, fortunately,
got into the church, and the doors were closed. The body-
guard escort outside fled. A horse belonging to an officer
of the Goorkhas was so badly stung that it lay down, and
the bees would not leave the poor animal till they lighted a
fire round it and drove them away. Ladies and children
shrieking, horses plunging and bolting — the confusion was
immense. The bees chased the church-goers for a quarter
of a mile down the main road. A Correspondent hears,
but cannot vouch for the fact, that the Viceroy himself
on leaving the church, did get one sting in the back of
his neck. I saw the party retreating in a closed carriage,
not attended by their bodyguard. When the harvest moon
arose, shedding her mild beams over the walls of the Dehra
church, one window was still in the occupation of the
enemy who had inflicted so serious a defeat on the Supreme
Government itself. — Daily Paper.

Stung by Bees. — We see, in the Annual Report of the
London Guarantee and Accident Company for 1886, that a
banker, ' stung by bees,' received as a solatium 61. ; an
auctioneer, who was stung by an insect, had the same
amount awarded to him.

Bibds and Bees. — From my own experience I think Mr.
Hiam is right. Give the birds a few crumbs and they will
not touch the bees. I have ' swarms ' of birds ; my one hive
is surrounded with nests, but not a bird has touched the bees.
They do not seem to look at them. The bees are well and
happy in the midst of swarms of birds of all sorts. I fear
Mr. Oveuden's London sparrows are starved. — H. Robertson,
Parkwood, Torquay, May 10th.

#ttmr.

[973.] Arsenical Fumes. — A few bee-keepers in this dis-
trict are much exercised about their bees, owing to the
erection of buildings for arsenical purposes. It is rumoured
that in the process of burning the fumes escape and cover
the surrounding neighbourhood. The bees, attracted by the
sweets, repair to the spot and suck it in and become poisoned.
Could any of your correspondents give any information on
this matter, and what would be the radius that such an
operation would be effective to the destruction of bee life ? —
John Brown, Lewanwick, Launceston.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication..

Novice. — Weak Stocks. — 1. Unite the weak stocks and
feed. Buy swarms. You would find difficulty in pur-
chasing established colonies at this late period. 2. Yes ;
a 3-lb. swarm, if possessed of a young ancl vigorous queen,
may be built up, say from the early part of June, into a
sufficiently strong colony to give a good account of the
heather harvest.

M. T. W.— Brood, Strength of Stocks.— 1. Drone brood is
olten mixed with worker. There is evidently an inten-
tion to swarm, and probably the queen is aged and will
be superseded at swarming time, or soon afterwards. 2.
Four standard frames full of brood betoken a fair-sized
colony, which will increase rapidly and become populous
by the time of the chief honey flow.

E. S. A. G. — Spiders. — There is nothing unusual in a spider
killing a bee, for when it gets into the web it is powerless.
Spiders are reckoned amongst the enemies of bees and are
mentioned as such in bee books. Old sacks over skeps
frequently harbour spiders, should be constantly ex-
amined, and the spiders destroyed.

W. Mitchell. — Foundation. — There is much time saved by
giving full sheets of foundation, and we prefer them to
strips. We have never found bees object to wired founda-
tion. If they do not take readily to the foundation you
have, try the ordinary foundation and wire your frames
yourself.

R. L. Richardson. — Unfinished Sections. — If you give the
bees the unfinished sections they will complete them.
We should cut off the cappings about ^-iuch down, the
cells will then be drawn out and completed. They will
contain different sorts of honey, and if yon do not wish
this, cut the combs down to midrib ; or it would be better
still if you reserved those containing heather honey to be
completed with the same at the moors.

Amateur Bee-keeper. — Removing Bees. — You must take
your bees at least two miles in an opposite direction to
the clover fields, and after a few days you can move them
to the clover. As you are only one mile away, if you
moved them at once many bees would return to then-
original place and would be lost. Were they ours we
should not move them at all as they would find out the
clover if the weather was fine, even from their present
position.

0. W. — Bell Glass on Bar-frame Hive. — It would be a much
better plan to use an adapting board witli a hole almost
as large as the bottom of bell glass, this hole to be covered
with excluder-zinc as the queen is much more likely to
pass up into bell glass, on account of the size of this hole,
than into sections.

F. Lester. — Introducing Queen to two Weak Stocks. — By
all means unite the two stocks, and when they have
settled down, say in three days, remove the queen and
introduce the Carniolan.

G. G. — Your bees are British bees.

F. W. C— The comb forwarded containel chilled brood,
not foul.

2i0

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 19, 1887.

G. Lindsey. — The comb is not affected with foul brood ; it
is a case of chilled brood. Spray the combs with salicylic
acid solution, or place a piece of camphor in the hive.

E. Gibbins, Neath. — 1. Carbolic Fumigation — We never ex-
perienced such a proceeding on part of the bees, as they
always commence gorging, presuming there is uncapped
honey in the hive ; place a few drops of common liq.
ammonias on sponge. 2. Foundation Fixed with Woiblet
Spur Enibedder. — There is no necessity for inserting the
foundation in saw-cut, neither is there for melting wax ;
the wires hold the foundation firmly.

Cyhro Back. — 1. Queenless Hive. — If your hive had been
queenless ail the summer, they would have entirely
dwindled away long before August. The absence of queen
renders the bees more suitable. 2. Capped Brood. — This
may be known by the cappings, which are convex and
have a dull appearance against honey cells, which are
concave, and have a shiny appearance in consequence of
their cells being capped with wax, whilst brood-cells are
capped with pollen and wax mixed. The brood-cells are
situated in centre of comb, the honey-cells partially sur-
rounding on top and sides. 3. Driving partially-filled
Sleep. — This is always difficult, as regards the time
occupied in so doing ; they should be ' bumped.' This
plan is much easier than driving in nearly all cases. 4.
Irritability of Bees. — This varies very much, according
to the weather ; on warm, sunny days they are gentle, on
cold, rainy ones the reverse. 5. Doubling. — This should
be done with two strong colonies about a week before
white clover blooms, if tins is your chief supply. To
perform this, remove the brood combs — after shaking all
the bees off, back into their hive — from one hive and place
them on top of the hive to be supered ; the bees hatching
out make a very strong colony ; as the cells are thus
emptied they are refilled with honey, which will then be
coming in plentifully. 6. Two Weak Skeps. — Unite the
two skeps by placing one on top of the other with a piece
of excluder-zinc between ; allow only one entrance, that
of the bottom hive, and remove queen from upper one ;
to make matters more certain, scent both lots with thin
syrup, in which a few drops of essence of pepperment has
been put.

F. D. S. — Wax-moth. — The 'long grubs' you describe are the
larvas of the wax-moth. They must be destroyed, either
by crushing them, or, if they are wriggling their way
through the comb, by pricking them out with a penknife.

Deceived from Messrs. Edey & Son, St. Neots, Hunts,
their Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of Hives and Bee
Furniture, 48 pp. Also their Catalogue of Poultry and Game
Appliances, Greenhouses, &c, 16 pp.

Received frem Mr. H. Chenevix, Hon. Secretary of the
Irish Bee-keepers' Association, schedule of prizes of ex-
hibition to be held at Salthili Gardens, near Dublin, on
August 9th and 10th.

Beceived from Mr. Paul M'Henry, Hon. Secretary of the
North-east of Ireland Bee-keepers' Association, the Annual
Beport. This Beport contains ' Useful Hints to Bee-
keepers,' extracted chiefly from the pages of the British
Bee Journal; '.How can we further the Objects of the
Association ? ' ' Invertible Hives,' ' Hints on Spring Manage-
ment,' 'Directions for Packing Honey,' 'Facts for Be-
ginners,' &c. These papers are well written, and will prove
of great service to the members of the Association.

Beceived from Messrs. Abbott their Price List of hives,
&c, as sold at their depot at Paris.

.Show J5.nnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
SJiow, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to those Associations
whose Shores are announced in our general Advertising
Columns.

June 15, 10.— Wilts Agricultural Show. Bev. W. E.
Burkitt, Secretary.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries closo June G, J. Hucklc, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Post entries to June 1st. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26 -2S. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade,
Secretary. »

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight'Assoeiation.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

^Business ^Directory.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Beitish Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hdtchinos, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

S'roTnARD, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANT.

Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

May 19, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

BAR.FRAME HIVES, 7s 6d , 10s. 6d., 12s. 6<i., and 17s. 6d. each.
Bar Frames (Association Standard), Planed and Saw-cut
for Foundation. Price, in the flat, Is. per doz., 10s. Gd, per gross ;
put together, Is. 6d. per doz., 15s. per gross.
Sectional Supers, from 2s. 6d. each.

Cylinder Honey Extractors, 32s, 6d.,27s. Gd.,and ISs. G<J. each.

Feeders. -"Regulating Bootle Feeder, Is. Gd. 'each; 15s. per doz.

Cooper's Venetian Feeder, Is. 6d. each; 15s. per doz. Feeder on

Simmins' principle, 2s. Gd. Honey Jars, from 12s. (3d. per gross.

All other Appliances at Moderate Rates.

Stocks of Bees and Swarms. Foreign Queens direct from

Mr. Frank Benton. Catalogue on Application.

D. & A. COOPER, SPA LANE, DERBY.

S If? :E C IJi. OL PRICES.

No. 4. Screw Jar, No. 5. Screw Jar,
including Cap & Cork, including Cap & Cork.

No. 1.

1-lb., 12/6 gross. 1-lb., 23/- gross. 1-lb., 23/6 gross.

2-lb., 20/6 „ 2-lb.,33/- ,, 2 gross cases, 22/9

Five gross lots as follows : — per gross.

No. 1, 11/3 gross; No. 4, 21/-gross; No. 5, 21/6 gross, in

gross eases, free en rail. Cases all free. Cash with Order.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Post Fkee. a 2556

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4Jd.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionably mixed — Sd. each.

NOW READY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

After 9th May, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Telegrams -WEBSTER APIARY, WOKINGHAM.

Porterage Is. (171

BEES, Early Swarms for Sale, 15s. each. Orders
in rotation. Address A. D. Woodley, Donnington
Road, Reading. (173)

FRY'S HONEY and FRUIT SYRUPS, CHAM-
PAGNES, CORDIALS, and BEVERAGES (Awarded
Five Prize Medals) for Shows, Fetes, and Private use.
Price Lists free. Agents Wanted. Manufactory : Bishop's
Waltham. a 2561

THE present is the best time for Planting or Sowing
the Seed of this splendid Honey- yielding Biennial.
It blooms magnificently from June to August. For Strong
Plants or Seed apply to J. Garratt, Cray Valley Bee Farm ,
Hockenden, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

QEED of CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT, 3d, per

O packet. Figwort, Melilotus, Cornflower, Borage, Cat-
nip, Spider Plant, Limnanthes, and all the leading Bee
Flowers, in large or small quantities. Send for Catalogue,
post free. Plants of Figwort, Limnanthes, Golden Rod,
Melilotus, Thyme, Myrobella Plum, &c. Price on appli-
cation. Address Hv. Dobbie, Cringieford, Norwich.

TOY'S HIVES from 4/6 ; SUPERS, 2/-; COMB

« FOUNDATION, 1/9 ; SUPER ditto, 2/8. Cheaper
for quantities over 3 lbs. SECTIONS, 2/6 100 ; Double Royal
FEEDER, post free, 1/6 ; SMOKERS, 2/9 ; FRAMES in Flat,
require no Nails or Glue, 1/- doz. ; Duncan's Granulated SUGAR
for Feeding, 7 lb. bag, 1/7 ; Porto Rico, ditto, 7 lb. bag, 1/1,
Cheaper in larger quantities. Borage Plants, 8d. 100, post free.
Strong MAY Swarms, 10/6. Order early. Catalogue seut for
i stamp. Address AI,?SS3 TOY, (170)

MID KENT BEE FARM, AYLESFORD, KENT, a 252-i

THE Subscriber is prepared to execute these for Pur-
chaser's own Bees to finish. My productions re-
ceived First Prizes and Honourable Mention at Aberdeen,
Stranraer, Rutherglen, South Kensington, Matleck Bath,
Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Dumfries.

Estimates given for Designs to commemorate Queen's Jubilee.
RICHARD McNALLY, Longforth, Glenluce, N.B.

6UXSE-BOOB PAiSSPHSSTS Uo. 1.

DOUBLING AND STORIFYING

FOR

Extracted and Comb Honey, and the
Prevention of Swarming.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Threepence Halfpenny.

J. HTTCKIE, ICHTO-S Ij -A. 1ST a-XIEY.
GUSBE-SOOS6 PAHPHLZTS — Wo. II.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,
AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

O". HUOKLE, KIETGS Ij -A. 3ST OrH, E "ST.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gravenhorst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIEKENZEITONG.

Sample copies sent on request.
Also, ' DER PRAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. ScHWETSonKE & Son (M. Bruhn), Brunswick,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Hay 19, 1887.

'M

(172)

ROTTINGDEAN, X

3U^3^nCSIB.— %W If you would Sell your Honey, place it before the Public in an attractive form, for

which purpose use only

WOODLEY'S NEW FANCY TIN CASES

For the SALE and EXHIBITION of SECTION HONEY, coloured by Patent Process in four different tints, with
Glass both sides. Price 22/- per gross ; 2/- per dozen. Sample post free for 6 stamps.

A. D. WOODLEY, Manufacturer of every Description of Bee-keeping Appliances, Donnington Ed., Reading.

GREAT REDUCTIONS IN PRICE.
Stock Foundation, 2/- per lb. ; 5-lb. Parcels, 9/3 ; 10-lb. Parcels, 18/-. Super Foundation, 2/9 per lb. ;

5-lb. Parcels, 13/6. Guaranteed purity.

Sections the very finest and best White Basswood, open four bee-ways, 1-lb., 4Jx4JxlJ or 2 ins., 3/- per 100;

' 11/- per 500; 21/- per 1000. 2-lb., 54; x 6Jx2 in., 3/6 per 100.

Woodley's Reversible Section Rack, 3/6. | Woodley's New Doubling Hives, from 12/6.

Straw Skeps, thoroughly well made, with wood tops and large Supering Hole, 18/- per dozen, 1/8 each.

SEHD FOR PRICE 3E.IST, FREE OH RECEIPT OP POST CARS.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-
„ 3 „ 4 „ „ ., .. 13/-

„ 5 „ 6 „ „ >■ .. 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

jgg* My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A Neio Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375

For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnaca.

STEWARTON HIVE,

JAMES ALLAN, Hive Maker, Stewaeton, KB.
Established 40 years. Maker of the famous Stewarton
Honey-yielding Hive, wrought on the Storifying or Tiering
principle, with instructions for use. Covers and Appliances
of Apiary supplied to order. a 2572

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. Gd. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE ELOWEBS.

Sis best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. Sd.

12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. 3d. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Begent Street, W.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling, post free.
HENRY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

LYON'S Patent METAL EPS,

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PBOPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STBONG. One gross weighs 5£ lbs.

Price for 1887 5/Q per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 eacu> Post lree- Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'STlOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

CJSS3E3^ia:3C3K,S3 <O"O"^2.30.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl SalicylateToT^Sig Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c., &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 8.E.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbanqeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, St. Martin's Lane, w.o.'

[No. 257. Vol. XV.]

MAY 26, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

€bttaxml, Itotkts, $t,

PROPOSED SHOW DURING THE YEAR OF
JUBILEE.

It will be seen, on reference to our report of the
proceedings of the last meeting of the British Bee-
keepers' Association, that the subject of holding, in
London, an exhibition of bees, honey, and appli-
ances, during the present year of Jubilee, was fully
discussed ; and the Committee, believing that great
and lasting advantages would accrue to the cause
of bee-keeping from holding such an exhibition,
were unanimous in their opinion of its desira-
bility. But it would appear that the Association,
having already made the necessary arrangements
for holding several shows during this year (and
the carrying out these arrangements will absorb
the whole of their available income), are not in
a position to take upon themselves the responsi-
bility of such an undertaking without the general
and generous aid of the bee-keeping public. To
carry out an exhibition on the same scale, and with
the hope of the same degree of success, as the South
Kensington, it is estimated that about 2001. would
be required. The Committee are therefore naturally
desirous of ascertaining the views and the wishes of
bee-keepers on this subject before proceeding to
action.

Last year when the proposal was put forward to
hold the exhibition at South Kensington, the Com-
mittee threw themselves with confidence on the
generosity of bee-keepers. This confidence was not
misplaced. The proposal was favourably and
eagerly entertained ; and with all promptitude a
fund was opened to receive donations and subscrip-
tions towards a guarantee fund for covering all
possible charges. The result was that, through the
willing assistance of the affiliated Associations and
the liberality of individual bee-keepers, the Com-
mittee were encouraged to make the necessary
arrangements for the exhibition ; and it is with
peculiar feelings of satisfaction that they are
enabled to look back on the success with which
their labours on that occasion were crowned.

It would be impossible, at present, to say whether
the amount estimated by the Committee would be
required, but we may safely say that, as probably
there will be but little in the way of receipts from

any source to help in reducing the expenditure, the
larger portion of the expense must be met by
special subscriptions ; and if the Committee can
have the assurance that such help will be forth-
coming, they will gladly put forth all their energy,
and utilise all their experience, that the exhibition
may prove to be of lasting benefit to the British
honey producer.

Much of the success of the proposed exhibition
would depend on the locality where it would be
held. Last year bee-keepers were especially for-
tunate in having such a location as the great Con-
servatory at South Kensington placed at their dis-
posal. Two localities have been mentioned as
suitable, viz., the Horticultural Gardens at South
Kensington, and the American Exhibition. We are
of opinion that bee-keepers would prefer the latter,
not only because that exhibition is the great attrac-
tion of the season to the sight-seeing public, but also,
perhaps, theremightb% if suggested, a friendly com-
petition between British and American products and
appliances. Such a friendly rivalry would give a
character and a point to the assemblage of bee-
keepers, and would be perfectly in harmony with
the objects of the American Exhibition. And from
what we have incidentally heard, we have reason to
believe that the conductors of that exhibition
would not be disinclined to think favourably of
the proposal.

The matter, then, rests with the bee-keepers of
the United Kingdom. The success of the exhibi-
tion, on the broad principles of that of South
Kensington, depends on the support whioh may
be given to it by the affiliated Associations ; by the
manufacturers of bee-keeping appliances, who will
chiefly be benefited by the exhibition ; and by the
amount of donations and subscriptions to the
Guarantee Fund from bee-keepers generally.

The great object of the Exhibition will be to
demonstrate to the world that Great Britain is a
honey-producing country ; that it is able, without
foreign aid, to supply the demand of honey for this
country ; that British honey is equal, if not superior,
to that produced in any other countries ; and that
in bee appliances and manufactures we arc not in-
ferior in these to any other nation.

It would at present be beside the mark to speak
of the features of the Exhibition ; these would be
developed in proportion to the favour entertained
of it by the public : but we may safely say that

222

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 26, 1887.

all the experience of the past would be brought
to bear on it by the conductors so that it may
be made as perfect as possible. At the South
Kensington Show the Committee had every reason
to be satisfied with the assistance rendered them
by the affiliated Associations and bee - keepers
generally. If the same assistance be forthcoming
on this occasion, we feel assured that the result
would eventuate in a success which would be grati-
fying to all concerned; and we trust that the conduct
of all may be characterised with unanimity, earnest-
ness, and zeal. We shall be pleased to be the
medium of any communications and to do all in our
power to promote the effective carrying out of the
wishes of the bee-keeping world.*

A BEQUEST.
We notice in the communication of our corre-
spondent ' Amateur Expert ' a request that English
bee-keepers should forward any spare books on bee-
keeping they may have to Mr. Couse, of Ontario,
Canada, to help the formation of a library in con-
nexion with the Ontario Bee-keepers' Association.
The compliance with this request will in a slight
degree show ' the deepening sense of brotherhood
which makes all nations one,' and also will enable
us to repay a debt which has been long due
for the gift of one of the best works on api-
culture by an American author to the library of
the British Bee-keepers' Association. In June 1880
the B.B.K.A. received a book, accompanied by a
letter from Mr. J. Y. Detwiler, of Toledo, Ohio,
saying that having read over the list of books in
the library of the B.B.K.A., and having noticed
the absence therefrom of Quinby's Neiv Bee-keeping,
he had forwarded it, ' trusting that those who may
enjoy its perusal will find it, as I have done, a most
valuable auxiliary to successful bee-keeping.' We
hope that British bee - keepers will follow the
example set by Mr. Detwiler, and avail themselves
of the opportunity now presented of assisting
our friends in Canada.

BBITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Northeen Lecturing Totje.
The lecturing tour through Durham, Cumber-
land, and Northumberland, arranged by the British
Bee-keepers' Association, will be conducted by Mr.
W. B. AVebster, who, on his journey to the north,
will also give two lectures in Lancashire by desire
of the Lancashire and Cheshire B. K. A. Starting
on the morn of the 20th, the first lecture will be
delivered at Lancaster, another in the same county
on the 21st; Morpeth, on 24th; Felton, 25th;
Alnwick, 26th; Belford, 27th; Paxton, 28th;
Rothbury, 30th ; Hexham, 31st ; Haltwhistle,
1st June ; and others on the journey home.

USEFUL HINTS.
Weather and Bloom, — We are still in the midst
of gales and storms on this 20th day of May. No

* Subscriptions should be forwarded to Mr. J. Huelde,
Kings Langley, Herts,

chance for a bee to leave its hive, while fruit trees are
laden with bloom, and all colonies are taking syrup
freely to keep the masses of brood from starving. Only
yesterday we saw a fine colony, having abundance of
brood, perish from want of food. An occasional fine
day, on which bees could work with a will, has been the
exception and not the rule. The hawthorn bloom is
beginning to show itself, broom, furze, apples, pears,
and other fruits, show a mass of bloom, but unless we
get a speedy change of weather all will be lost to the
bees. Our beds of Aubrietia purpurea have formed
perfect sheets of bloom for weeks, and have been
covered with bees whenever the weather permitted.
Limnanthes Douglasii forms the edging to our kitchen
garden borders, sowing itself annually and is breaking
into bloom. All this is very tantalising, but we must
' hope on, hope ever.'

Swarms. — We hear of no natural swarms at present,
but if a burst of fine weather comes, no doubt they will
be numerous enough, and a careful watch should be kept.
Towards the close of the fruit-tree bloom swarms
generally issue about the end of May. Before the white
clover blooms there is a scarcity of forage, and such
swarms must be liberally fed or starvation may prove
fatal. Unless carefully tended, swarms issuing in the
early part of June will undoubtedly surpass them, these
latter being larger, enjoying- warmer weather, and a
greater choice of forage.

When swarms are desired from skeps well populated,
if no inclination to natural swarming appears, such may
be driven, and the driving affords a good opportunity of
introducing a queen of another race. The whole of the
bees should be driven out, and the queen secured. They
should then be divided into two portions, one containing
twice as many bees as the other. To the larger lot,
which forms the swarm, the queen is returned, and they
are placed upon whole sheets of foundation, in a frame-
hive, and located on the old stand. The smaller lot is
returned to the parent skep, — which is to occupy a new
position, — and the new queen is dropped into their midst
as they run in. This method of introduction rarely fails,
and the combs and bees may be transferred, at any time
desired, to a frame-hive. From sundry indications it is
likely that the present may prove a swarming season,
especially if a ' burst ' of hot weather succeeds to the
cold, rain, sleet, and snow, now experienced. In such
case it will be advisable not to attempt returning swarms,
but, while gratifying the swarming instinct, to obtain
through it honey in its various forms, or honey and
increase together, on the systems suggested in former
' Hints.' In the hands of an amateur we are convinced
that this is the most lucrative and the safest plan, if
not in those of an expert. In all cases we advise placing
the swarm upon the stand of the parent colony — which
effectually prevents absconding — confining it to the
number of frames which it is able to cover, and supering
at once.

Putting on Supers. — Although many will havo
placed supers on the hives before this is in print, still
a few general directions may prove acceptable to others.
A hive should be full of bees, and honey coming in,
before the attempt is made. If the outer combs are
already sealed, uncap them and place them in the centre
of the brood-nest, and put on the super. The bees will
relieve these combs of their honey, carry it to the super,
and the queen willsoonfill these emptied combs with brood.
Supers must be warmly covered with woollen materia],
and should not be disturbed until three-parts filled,
when empty ones may be placed beneath, if occasion
require it. As supers approach completion signs of
swarming will probably be manifested, when ventilation
must be given below by wedging up the hive from the
floor-board, or by placing an eke under it.

Removing Sections. — Many recommend filled sec-
tions to be removed one by, one, as completed, others

May 26, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

223

allow the whole number contained in the rack to
remain on the hive until all are finished. By the latter
plan the sections are worked more evenly, and there
is no loss of honey if a judicious system of tiering up is
practised. Before placing section cases on the hives the
practice of some is to crowd the bees on a less number
of frames than the usual ten by withdrawing the two
outside ones, thus forcing the bees into the supers.

Enlarging Brood-nest. — Our own plan is, with
full colonies, to allow ten Standard frames at least,
unsealing the outside ones and placing them in the
centre, as advised above, or, if honey is coming in
abundantly, to remove the outside frames and to place
a couple of full sheets of foundation in the midst of the
brood-nest. By a prolific queen such sheets will be
filled with eggs long before the cells are drawn out, and
in an incredibly short space of time. The objection,
which prevailed some weeks ago, to dividing the brood
does not hold now, since the great heat pervading the
interior of the hive prevents chilling the brood. Indeed,
after the departure of a swarm, the parent hive is
almost deprived of working bees, yet no ill effects
follow.

"Doubling. — We can give no better advice, as regards
doubling, to those who prefer working for extracted
honey, than to refer them to Mr. Cowan's Bee-keepers'
Guide Booh, pp. 54-6; and to his Guide Book Pamphlet
No. 1, on Doubling and Storifying. The latter contains
many useful hints for the prevention of swarming,
amongst them, when working for comb-honey and ex-
tracted, to place a hive containing empty combs or
foundation beneath the brood-chamber, with section
racks above. We advise all to procure this useful
pamphlet, which is published at the nominal price of
threepence.

Purchasing Swarms. — There is no better plan of
commencing bee-keeping than by purchasing from a
neighbour a good natural swarm about this time, or
not later than the second week in June. Such a swarm
should weigh at least 4 lbs., should be hived in a stout
roomy skep, and conveyed at night to the premises of
the purchaser, and transferred to a modern frame-hive
well primed with full sheets of foundation. From such
a swarm in a good season, a rack of sections, more than
sufficient to pay its cost and that of the hive during
the first year may be obtained. For the first week the
swarm should be fed with about a pint of syrup every
evening, and, during fine weather, the combs will be
fully built out in ten or twelve days, when a super may
be placed upon it. A south-east aspect, sheltered from
the cold winds and open to the south, should be selected,
and during bright and hot weather shade must be
afforded to prevent the falling of the newly-built combs,
which are fragile to a degree, and will bear no handling,
except with the greatest care. An entrance stretching
across the whole width of the front of the hive is
desirable, and, in case of the bees clustering outside the
hive, it must be slightly raised at the back to cause a
current of air to pass beneath the combs. These are
ABC instructions, but our readers will bear in mind
that they are addressed to beginners only.

Bees and Grapes. — Under this heading Mr. Doo-
little gives in the American Bee Journal of the 4th inst.
the results of his observations, spread over a course of
years, with a view to ascertaining the truth or falsehood
of the charges brought against our bees of destroying
grapes. Speaking of various kinds of thin-skinned
grapes, subject to bursting during a damp night or
moist, warm weather, he relates that he ' found scores
of these at such times newly cracked around and near
the stem ' upon which he knew that no bees had been
at work the day before, his examination having been
made early in the morning before the bees were out,
and when he found these cracked grapes afterwards
covered by the bees, he knew that they were merely

sucking the juice from the fruit, so that instead of being
the cause, they come in merely as an effect. Again,
on examining the tougher-skinned varieties, he discovered
a triangular piece of skin, about /? of an inch, on each
side torn out of the sides of hundreds of perfectly sound
grapes. Through these holes the bees were sucking the
sweet juices of these sweet grapes. Carefully watching
the grapes early in the morning to discover if any
appeared freshly cut, as if done in the night, none were
so found ; he felt convinced that the bees really tore
open the grapes, but, after long watching, he failed to
see a single attempt at aught save sucking the juice
through the holes already made, and soon became con-
vinced that the bees were not the cause of rending the
skins. These examinations were all made before noon,
but it appears that the real culprit was a lazy wasp,
which did not commence operations early, for on con-
tinuing his watch in the afternoon Mr. Doolittle had
ocular demonstration of the actual commission of the
depredations, and witnessed numbers of the triangular
rents made by a species of wasp which seems plentiful
in those parts. He further states that the wasps,
followed by his bees, together with the cracking of the
grapes, resulted in the loss of half of his grape crop.
This result exactly tallies with our own experience,
which we gave some ten years ago in the columns of the
Times, where a lengthy discussion on the subject took
place, in which the late Mr. Hunter, Mr. Carr, and Mr.
Shirley Hibbert, a very keen observer in all matters
relative to horticulture, gave very decided proof to the
same effect. In years when wasps have been numerous,
often have we watched them pierce the skins of grapes,
peaches, nectarines, and other fruits, closely followed by
the bees, who take advautage of the punctures made
ready for their use, but never have we witnessed a single
bee pierce the skin of any fruit except that of an over-
ripe raspberry.

DECEASE OF MR. JOHN BOLTON, OF
GRANTHAM.

With deep regret we have to chronicle the decease
of the above-named much-respected gentleman, which
took place at his residence, Grantham, on Friday last,
the 20th inst., very suddenly. Mr. Godfrey writes us
that he spent Thursday evening with him to chat over
arrangements for the forthcoming Spalding show, when
he appeared in his usual robust health except a slight
lameness in one foot for which he was having treatment.
An appointment was made for the following morning to
examine his bees, but the weather turned out too un-
favourable for the work.

On Friday evening his housekeeper took in his bed-
room candle about nine o'clock, and as he required nothing
more, retired, leaving him taking a book from his shelves.
A short time after a lumbering noise was heard, and, this
not being unusual, no notice was taken of it ; his house-
keeper ongoing in to prepare his room on Saturday
morning, found him upon the floor dead, and, looking into
his bedroom, saw he had not been in bed. His doctor,
after examination, stated he had been dead some hours,
and that his death was instantaneous. The conclusion
come to is, that death took place at the time the noise
was heard the previous evening.

Apart from the well-known interest Mr. Bolton took
in horticulture, and his large circle of friends in that
branch, we would here speak of him as having been
one much interested in apiculture. His sudden
removal has left a blank, more especially in Lincolnshire,
where he had long and earnestly worked in our cause.
Those of our friends who have been accustomed to visit
the Lincolnshire shows and honey fairs, — not one of which
Mr. Bolton failed to attend, — can bear testimony to the
happy welcome he gave them year after year, and his
constant desire to assist them ; but the loss of his able

224

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 26, 1887.

assistance at his usual post, — the most laborious of all
at our shows, ' staging,' — 'will he most felt hy Mr.
Godfrey, who knew, perhaps, more than any one his
valuable help.

Mr. Bolton was horn on the 22nd of April, 1824, at
Amerside-lau, in the county of Northumberland, and
was one of a family of nine. Early in life he took
to gardening as his favourite pursuit, which he con-
tinued with much success. He was engaged at Pat-
ter-dale House, afterwards at Dalkeith Castle (Duke
of Buccleugh), from whence he came to Belton House
(Earl Brownlow), where he remained to the time of his
retirement, some few years since, having been for many
years head gardener there. On his retiring the noble
Earl, in recognition of his valued services, granted him a
handsome pension for life. He was unmarried.

Deceased was interred in the Grantham Cemetery on
Monday, his funeral being attended by four of his
brothers and many friends.

JOTTINGS BY AMATEUR EXPERT.

' Mel sapit omnia.'

Well, sir ! my banner still flaunts. Thanks to my
classical friend ' T. P. Atticus' we (?) have fought the
battle bravely and well. I say we advisedly, just as all
the snobs and tailors boast on the arrival of the news of
a bravely-fought battle by our unique little army how
bravely ?ye— meaning the army and themselves — have
beat them. 'Atticus' has done the fighting, and I do
the shouting. If my shouting comes full late, my in-
dulgent readers woidd bear with it I am sure if "they
knew the cause ; let me say it was not because I had not
recovered from the recoil of the ' first fierce shock.'

I feel very keen on your 'Jubilee' project, and am
sorry no one has responded to the call you have made.
Our fraternization with our Canadian brethren last year
was so good that I vote loudly for going in for a turn
with our cousins from the States ; nothing but good can
come of it. Moreover, they are desirous of drawing
closer in the bonds of friendship with British bee-
keepers; one post last week brought me five requests
from them to open correspondence on apiculture with
them — ' they wanted to know more about us.' Here is
some amusement I shall be glad to put any one on to
that has the time and the will, the prospects of the usual
remuneration are abundant, as Saxon blood flows as
strong over yonder as it does with us.

The Ontario B. K. A. are forming a library, so here is
a chance of British bee-keepers giving practical expres-
sion to their love for our 'brothers' in Canada. If you
have an odd volume on bee-keeping they will be thankful
for it. If you will send it on to myself, care of the
Editor, I will be happy to forward it, or you can
send it direct to the Secretary of the O. B. K. A.,
Mr. W. Couse, Meadow Vale, Ontario, Canada. ' Don't
you forget it.'

Mr. Grimshawis a happy man, he is among the 'palm-
bearers' and recipients of 'honours and rewards.' Al-
though I have hit Mr. Grimshaw on another issue, I
have carefully refrained from appearing to detract from
the efficacy of his discovery, for the simple reason that
it has not been before us sufficiently long to get a fair
test. I have not had a sting yet this year; I can
frequently go well into the month of June without
getting one. Take a few good supers off and get a
cool spell and then go and test the ' Apifuge,' and you
will have a better idea as to its efficacy ; or, better still,
wait till the month of September, and then, if I remember
it, I will be happy to give my verdict and my ' palm.'
Meanwhile use it fairly.

Amongst all your correspondents that have been
hybernating, but have awoke with the bees and are now
with them ' in full flight,' I welcome our humorous
friend the Devonshire ' Kector.' My thanks are due to

him not only for his bits of genuine humour, but for his
calling attention to Arcady.

Another Rector's (959) positiveness as to the age of
his bees is good reading. I will not attempt to refute
his assertions, but give him another fact to put with
his own. I have a queen-bee that is 'black' enough to
suit any one short of Mr. E. Boyes, but about one-half
of her progeny are as yellow-banded as many Ligurians.
I have no ' yellow-jackets' in my apiary, nor have I had
near me for the past three years. I can only account
for it as what poultry and dog-fanciers term a ' throw
back.' The remainder are brown or black or both, which
you please to call them.

Mr. E. J. Gibbins stands greatly in fear of getting
foul brood into his district and apiary. I can under-
stand his almost extra precautions in face of that fear.
May I tell him for his comfort (?) that it has raged
around me for the past five years and yet I have escaped ?
How long I shall continue to do so I should not care to
conjecture, but my immunity I attribute to cleanliness.
I am always careful to give clean hives, &c, every
spring, never to leave a lot of putrid, mouldy combs about ;
and although I have had condemned bees from very
suspicious districts, yet I have always escaped hitherto.
I think food has much to do with it also. If I fed my
bees on cheap beetroot sugar, as recommended recently
by ' Student,' I should soon expect to get foul brood and
consider if I escaped I did not get my deserts.

I have read all Mr. F. Boyes' communications again.
I give him up. All I have to say is Carniolans are the
bees for timid bee-keepers, and they are Legion ; and
the yellow bees are only suitable for specialists whose
potentiality of pain is lower than it is with — Amateur
Expert.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The usual monthly meeting of the Committee was
held at 105 Jermyn Street on Wednesday, May 18th.
Present — T. W. Cowan (in the chair), the Hon. and
Rev. H. Bligh, Rev. Dr. Bartrum, Captain Bush,
Captain Campbell, Rev. F. S. Sclater, Dr. Walker, H.
Jonas, J. M. Hooker, and the Secretary. Letters were
read from the Rev. F. G. Jenyns, Rev. J. L. Seager, and
the Treasurer, regretting their inability to be present.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Report of the Finance Committee was considered,
and various payments recommended were ordered to be
made. Special attention was called to the fact that
there was still a number of subscriptions outstanding.

The Secretary reported the receipt of the reports and
balance-sheets of the several Associations for the past
year. The Secretary was instructed to write to the
Lincolnshire Association, expressing the regret of the
Committee that their Association should have ceased to
be in affiliation, owing to their non-compliance with the
rules.

The Exhibition Committee, having further considered
the rules for the management of County Shows, as
referred to them by the quarterly meeting of County
Representatives, presented their report. The rules, as
amended, were ordered to be printed, and the Secretary
was requested to forward a copy to each County
Secretary.

The subject of holding an Exhibition in London
during the present season was fully discussed. The
Committee were unanimously of opinion that such an ex-
hibition would be conducive of much good to the bee-
keeping cause ; but as the Association's work, as ar-
ranged for the year, would absorb the whole of its
income, it would be necessary to have a special fund for
the purpose of such an exhibition. Fully 200/. would
be required to carry it out successfully. The Chairman

May 26, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

225

was requested to bring the matter before the bee-keepers
of the United Kingdom, and others likely to be inter-
ested, through the columns of the Bee Journal.

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of this Association was
held upon Saturday, May 14th, at the rooms of the
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in South-
ampton. Amongst those present were the Rev. W. E.
Medlicott (chairman), Rev. J. L. Carrick, Messrs. C.
Martin, J. J. Candey, A. Broom, T. Giles, H. West, E.
Maberly ; and Mr. and Mrs. Bellairs, who arrived that
day from the Continent. The annual report and
accounts were adopted with a special vote of thanks to
Mr. Stokes, the manager of the Wilts and Dorset Bank,
Christchurch, for acting as auditor. All the officers
were re-elected with the addition of the name of the
Rev. J. L. Carrick upon the Committee, and Mr. Evan
Maberly as Assistant County Secretary.

The accounts show a 'turn-over' of 377?. 2s. 6d., but
there is a debt amounting to 43/. Is. Wd. owing to the
Treasurer. Nearly 100/. has been distributed in prizes,
and a considerable sum has been expended in local
shows, experts' tours, &c. The Report deals with these
at length, and alludes with legitimate pride to the special
visit of the President, H.R.H. Princess Beatrice and
her husband, to Southampton, to do honour to the
Association. It also states that preparations are being
made to arrange a joint show with the Berks B. K.A.
at Reading', upon the occasion of the intended Show of
the Royal Counties Agricultural Society. There are 400
members, and it is evident Hampshire has been making
large strides in apiculture during the past year. The
name of Mr. H. W. West, of Swaumore, is honourably
mentioned in connexion with branch work, and the
Association is to be congratulated in having found an
Assistant Secretary in Mr. Evan Maberly.

€am&$artimxa.

Tlie Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate jneces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'Tlie Editor of the " British Bee
Journal," c}o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Upper
St. Martin' s Lane, London, W.C .' All business communications relating
to Advertisements, &c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's
Langley, Herts (see 2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate -reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the tetter, as icell as the page on which it appears.

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of April, 1887, amounted to 1711/. —
[From a Statement furnished by the Statistical Depart-
ment H.M. Customs to E. H. Bellairs, Wingfield, Christ-
church.]

MR. LEE'S NEW FRAME.
[974.] On the 4th of May I received one gross of
Mr. Lee's new frames, with foundation to match. As
the only axe I have to grind is to get best value for my
money, I should much wish to give the result. Within
ten minutes or so of receiving them I had put them
together, and was on my way to hive number 2 with
four of Lee's frames. I removed two of their frames
to number 6 and gave four of the new frames. I
examined them on the 6th, three were worked out. One
of the frames had the foundation slipped out at the

corner, and hung down like a dog's ear about four
inches. As the foundation was very tough it had not
broken, so I out with my pocket-knife, opened the top
bar of the frame, and pushed it into place, closing it
up with my thumb and finger. The frames were used
without metal ends or distance-pins of any sort, and
were not hammered together at the corner, which,
perhaps, accounts for the corner slipping out. The
foundation was worked out straight as a dart, no pop-
holes, and firmly fixed, top, bottom, and sides. In look-
ing over the hive yesterday I thought they wanted
another frame, so I went to the box where I keep them
in the flat and put a frame together and into the hive
with it in no time. There was hardly a cell in the Lee
frames but what had either grubs or eggs in them (not
hen's eggs). I was delighted with them, — so straight
and clean. I feel I shall now be able to follow the
advice of Pore Editor in his book Storifying and Doubling.
I had previously resolved to use the W. B. C. metal ends,
and no other; but judge of my disgust when they
arrived and I tried to fit one on. However, I see by
this week's Journal it is to be adapted to the new
frames.

In my humble opinion, — and I have no interest or con-
nexion amongst dealers, — these frames will prove a
blessing to us all who, like myself, are not blessed with a
lot of spare time. I make no pretensions to be a
prophet, but if I did I should say this frame is the
frame of the future, and think when used with the
W. B. C. end it is simply perfection. I think it should
be called the ' Lee Jubilee Frame.'

In regard to drones, I think by cutting out a strip
ljs inches from one side and 4 inches from the bottom
of one or two frames, we shall get as much drone-comb
and brood as will satisfy any one. I will try it. As
this is how I obtained drones with the old style of
frames, may I recommend these frames to ' X-Tractor?' —
Charles J. Jelfs, Dodford School House, Bromsgrove,
Mag \7th.

P.S. — Bees here are having a glorious time on the
damsons, plums, pears, &c.

AGE OF BEES.— WASPS.

[975.] I cannot allow the 'proof by your correspon-
dent, Mr. James, of a ' positive fact' that he has bees
in his apiary ' who cannot be less than twenty months
old' to pass without comment. The same ' proof coidd,
according to my experience, be used to show that bees
lived twenty years. The fact that Ligurians are seen in
a hive a considerable time after a black queen has been
established there may surely be accounted for by their
baing natives of other hives who have taken up their
abode there. I have frequently noticed unmistakable
Ligurians in my hives with black queens, and have
always assumed that they were either trespassers or
immigrants from other hives who had permanently
settled there. This is a subject upon which we have
yet much to learn.

It has been ascertained by experiment that wasps will,
under certain circumstances, of themselves leave their
native habitat and become life-members of a neighbour-
ing colony; and if wasps— why not bees p This is one
of the many points as to which bee-keepers who attempt
to make the subject a science would derive profit from
studying the habits of kindred insect tribes, such as
wasps and humble and other bees. While mentioning
wasps may I be allowed to say that it has always been
a matter of regret to me to see in the Journal, as we did
particularly last year, recommendations from different
correspondents for the wholesale massacre of these un-
happy innocents. In the first place, it should be known
that the slaughter of queens in spring can have very
little (if any) effect in preventing colonies being started
in the neighbourhood.

226

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 26, 1887.

A proportion — no one knows how large — of those
destroyed are probably sterile, and a large number of
the fertile that survive the winter meet with violent
deaths at the hands — or rather at the mouths — of their
numerous enemies, prominent among these being toads
that secrete themselves in holes likely to be inspected
with a view to occupation. Besides these many are
slain in contests for building sites, which take place
when, as must frequently happen, the same site is re-
garded as eligible by two or more candidates.

It may not be a very consoling thought to anyone who
has spent his time and trouble in slaying (it may be)
his thousands to reflect that perhaps one half of the
victims were sterile, one quarter would in anjr case have
been destroyed, say, by toads or birds, and the other
quarter — well, he has saved jealous rivals the trouble of
disposing of them, or being disposed of by them, or
perhaps both.

But apart from these conjectures, and apart from the
regret that it must be to every true lover of nature to
see the wholesale slaughter of any creature recommended,
I believe, Mr. Editor, that wasps, like most, if not all
other insects, are not without their use, though they
may be in the autumn an annoyance to the bee-keeper.
It is well known that in spring they destroy vast hordes
of aphides and other insects whose ravages on the buds
and blossom of fruit and other trees are most serious.
It may well be that by removing these pests they are
doing the work for which the percentage of our fruit
and honey they are apt to take without asking in the
autumn is but a just recompense. — John M. Stone,
Lee Park, Blackheath, lQth May.

IN THE HUT.

' There I crouch when owls do cry.'

[976.] Buck had to sip sedative soothing syrup from
the poppy when his system craved for the narcotic and
stimulant which nearly every nation on the face of the
earth uses in some fashion or other. Unlike him, the
huttites, taking full advantage of Jean Nicot's discovery
by burning the leaves of Nicotiana Tabaeum (perchance
sophisticated with leaves of varieties of the Brassica family)
in retorts of asbestos, seek comfort in the bowl, for in
baccy 'nalian orgies

,' The bowl affords relief.'

The poor bees, too (bless 'em), get their little solatium,
not sub rosa, but under the quilt, their inmost privacy
being invaded for the purpose. What a jolly good smoke
one does get during a manipulation !

All the huttites have ' taken the veil' and dipped it in
the waters of Lethe (not the Water of Leith, Midlothians).
In future they're going to do without 'em, and try to
forget they were ever used.

Hint as to fastening honey labels on tin canisters : —
Mix a little honey with flour paste, and paper sticks to
tin.

I notice that the favourite prescription of a Chinese
doctor is a horrible pill compounded of parts of snakes,
wasps, centipedes, toads, and scorpions, ground small
and mixed with honey. The Chinese are no fools, and
the above is not near so nasty as was the ammonia of
our forefathers in pharmacy, and as are the musk and
civet of to-day ; the only difference being, we do not all
know whence and how obtained.

In Emin Basha's last letter (as late as October 18S6)
he says: 'Instead of sugar lue use honey; instead of
coffee we use the seed of a species of hibiscus ; instead
of stearine, candles made of wax; soap has been made
from tallow and the ashes of various trees; while meat,
a few vegetables, and oil got from sensum seed, have
prevented us from starving. The tobacco we are growing
now is very good.'

' So work the honey-bees,'

contributing to the sustenance and comfort of our pioneers
of civilisation when almost in extremis. — X-Tbactos,
Horsforth.

HUMBLE BEES.
[977.] Your correspondent, ' D. B. Grimshaw,' says
that he could not find out the name of his humble bees.
There can be little doubt that they were the red-tailed
bee (Bombus lapidarius). His failure to keep them
through the winter probably arose from want of warmth
and quiet. If he will give them a good depth of earth
and plenty of moss before the cold sets in, they will build
a winter nest and hybernate safely. Of course he under-
stands that it is only the egg-laying queens that survive,
and that they sleep all the winter. — Bbnj. Lomax,
Brighton.

UNBBOTECTED BEES.

[973.] I, and my bees have just past an exceptionally
cold winter ; the only difference ill our situations being
this trifling (P) circumstance, /found means wherewith
to keep up two fires, — aye, and pass a great portion of
my time in near proximity thereto, while my bees — bless
the little gems ! — were on the bleakest of the bleak ele-
vations of the village, destitute of flannel, cork-dust,
carpet, quilt, or packing of any kind. One of the stocks
— equal in point of strength to any I have — having
spent the time in a cheap half-inch stuff hive, with
double walls, but nothing more to cover them as roof
but the half-inch stuff mentioned. I need not name the
contretemps that caused this want of what is deemed
necessary care and protection from inclement weather,
it was unavoidable under the circumstances, and when
I had my supposed tenantless hives — eleven in number
— brought nearer to my domus, my surprise was great
indeed, and my delight was excessive, as the ever-
welcome hum sounded in my ears. Not a bee ap-
parently any the worse for being thus ' left out in the
cold,' down, down, I know not how far below zero.

Old, aged, as I am, I am not too old to learn ; tell nie
then, O ye learned in the anatomy, the physiology, the
temperature of a bee, what lesson am I to draw from
the facts now related. Am I to disregard in future all
the admonitions, the counsel, the cautions which our
experts and bee-masters so earnestly publish ; or am I
to look upon the incident as constituting a marvellous
escape from a violent death — a being frozen to death ? —
An Aged Amateur.

P.S. — 1 find the stuff is not half -inch, it is only three-
eighths.

[Our correspondent may consider himself exceptionally
fortunate ; but we should not advise any one to take his
experience as a precedent. — Ed.]

METAL ENDS.— TITS.

[979.] Will any one kindly inform me in the next
Journal what is their opinion of metal ends versus broad-
shouldered ? Ten of the metal ends exactly fit into
a hive 14J in. wide, which is the width of many hives;
but if there is a half bee-space at the sides of each comb
when a centre comb is put to the side of the hive there
will only be a half bee-space. Accordingto this, there ought
to be £ in. blocks at all the four corners to keep the
combs off the sides, and the hive ought to be 14| in.
wide to take ten frames. Is this right ? It seems to me
that y in. is too thin for a top bar, and I think the metal
ends ought to take i in. tops. Are there any made that
size P

How is it that people will write to the Journal and
say that tits do not kill bees, but sometimes eat dead
ones that they find on the ground ? I shot exactly a dozen
of the groat tits last spring in two days, which were
hard at work on the bees, When the snow came T

May 26, 1887.]

THE BE1TISH BEE JOURNAL.

227

could not keep the shades over the entrances unless
I used very heavy pieces of pot or sheet lead. The tits
pulled anything light down, and when the bees came out
to see what was the matter they were at once killed. —
Akthuk. J. II. Wood, Belhvood, Hipon, May \±th.

[The ends are a question of taste. Hives should be
made long enough to take a division-board as well as ten
frames ; therefore, we think 1-JJs inches not long enough.
It is not very important to put in the ^ inch blocks,
as you suggest, because in any case the bees would
have J inch space, which is sufficient for their move-
ments. We have for years used the f inch top bar, and
have never found it too thin, or give way in the ordinary
way of using. — Ed.]

APIFUGE.

[980.] Does the exception prove the rule, if so, I
am proud to be able, through some suffering, to bear
testimony to the efficacy of Mr. Grimshaw's apifuge ?
Up to date I have used it on four or five occasions,
notably on removing a particularly irascible colony into
a clean hive with perfect success. But now comes the
proof of the rule. I went last evening to put a crate of
sections on a colony I had hitherto esteemed a particu-
larly good-natured one. Being in a hurry, I omitted to
smoke them. On carefully peeling off the quilt they set
up a whirr of anger and astonishment at having their
interior exposed, but on spreading my hands, previously
rubbed with the apifuge, over the frames, they quietly
subsided under its benign influence. One bellicose indi-
vidual, however, who had heard the commotion from
below, came rushing up, and without waiting to learn
the cause of the misunderstanding, or whether it had
been, or could be, amicably settled, as indeed it had,
thanks to the apifuge, so far as the majority were con-
cerned, rushed at the nearest part of the supposed
enemy's forces, which happened to be my left hand,
and taking a good grip with its forefeet, applied its
business end to its particular function in a business-like
manner. It then made offensive demonstrations in the
direction of my face, but, as I now had charge of its
weapon, I merely smoled a smile of derision, and went
on with my job. May I conclude from the above experi-
ence that the use of apifuge does not do away with the
necessity for smoking ? — Walter F. Cbomey, Levens.

[One errant radical is generally to be found in an
assemblage of the loyal and well-disposed. — Ed.]

■ GRIMSHAW'S APIFUGE.

[981.] Allow me to bear testimony to the value
of 'Grimshaw's Apifuge' to all bee-keepers. I have
kept bees for the last thirty years, and have been
stung many hundred times, and till now I have never
dared to do anything to my bees without first smoking
them and also wearing a bee-dress and gloves. I have
lately purchased a bottle of this wonderful stuff, and
cannot persuade my bees to sting me, do what I will
with them. By using it the only unpleasant part of
bee-keeping is done away with. If you jar or shake the
hive bees are sent out at once to attack the intruder,
but the moment they smell the ' apifuge ' they change
their minds, and either settle harmlessly on the hands
or face or return to the hive. The scent is not at all
unpleasant, rather the opposite. I have one very savage
hive that smoke would only partially subdue ; the effect
of the apifuge on this hive was instantaneous, and not
a bee offered to sting me. One great advantage apifuge
has over smoke is that in the use of the former no time
is wasted by the bees, whereas when the latter is used
they glut themselves with honey out of the cells, which
they return back after the manipulation is over, and
this occupies a considerable time. Let me recommend
all bee-keepers to try it. — Nigel Gresley, Nether&eale
Rectory, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, May 21st.

HONEY-PRODUCING FLOWERS AND PLANTS.
[982.] Doubtless most of the readers of your valuable
and esteemed Journal are aware that much has appeared
in its columns in reference to many kinds of flowers
and plants which are more or less valuable as honey-
producing plants, and some of the accounts given appear
very contradictory. I think if our friends were to give
us a few more particulars respecting the kind of soil and
the treatment the various kinds of plants require to make
them honey-producing, the apparent contradictions would
be much lessened. I may add that I take a very great
interest in the Journal and also in growing many
kinds of plants which have been recommended from time
to time in its columns, some of which I find entirely
useless as bee-plants in my soil.

With your permission I will illustrate, in some small
measure, my meaning, and to do this I will describe the
soil, and follow on with a few different kinds of plants.
The soil, then, is a rather strong and stiff kind of clay,
top soil, and clay subsoil, it is very bad to work if much
is done to it in wet weather ; but if dug up rough and
allow it to get well frosted, it works very well. I find
that a good coating of burnt earth of auy kind answers
better than manure for a time and makes it work much
better and prevents the cracking which often occurs in
dry weather.

Now let me give a few remarks respecting the plants
which I have tried upon this kind of soil. First, Borage,
this I find to be the best of all plants which I have tried;
it grows very strong, each plant growing to about 3 ft.
high, and many of them where they have room will
measure 5 ft. through, aud this will be always in bloom
from the middle of June until the sharp frosts come
and kill it, and it is also very thickly covered with bees
all the time the weather permits them to fly; there is
no slackness, and they visit it from morning till night ;
I have often heard them flying about it when it has been
too dark for me to see them, and I believe they collect
large quantities of one of the very best samples of honey
from it. I find the bees leave nearly everything for it.
Just to prove this; there is a meadow between my apiary
and where these said plants are grown, and last summer
when the Dutch clover was in full bloom I walked about
the meadow several times, but I could see there were
very few bees upon it, while the borage was one mass of
bloom and bees, as though there were many hives hidden
beneath the plants.

Next to the borage I findNepetaMussini. This is also
a very excellent plant for bees, and is visited nearly, if
not quite, as much as borage. It does not grow so high as
the borage, and would suit those who had not much
room to grow plants, but it grows very strong with me.
I have several plants which measure 4 ft. across, aud
only 0 in. high ; the masses of bloom and bees working
upon it from morning till night would surprise those
who had not seen it, and I can highly recommend it to
those who wish to grow flowers which will look pretty
and suit their bees at the same time. I have been told
that cuttings of this plant were advertised in British Bee
Journal at Is. 6d. per dozen, but I did not see it myself ;
be this as it may I think it a very high price. To those
who would like to try its value, I shall be pleased
to send them a few cuttings, but not at Is. 6d. per dozen;
but I must ask them to enclose me a stamped and ad-
dressed envelope to C. H. W., Aylesford, Maidstone, or
their requests cannot be attended to.

Next in value comes Limnanthes, which I find a
valuable plant for the time it lasts in bloom, which is
only about a fortnight, and then all i3 over until another
season.

Next come crocuses and snowdrops; these are also
valuable : I grow them close to my hives in large
masses, and they are very pretty when in bloom. It is a
pleasing sight to see how the bees roll and sport in
them in early spring when they cannot get anything else.

228

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 26, 1887.

This spring I took some pea-flour and put it into a
bottle with a wide mouth and a perforated cap, and shook
the flour over the crocuses. It was surprising; to see
what large quantities the bees would take away when
found by them in this way. I have grown large
quantities of pea-mint, but it is not worth much to the
bees. I have also grown largely of wood sage ; it is a rare
thing to see any bees on it. ClarMa is also neglected by
the bees, but white arabis is fairly visited until tho
fruit blooms appear when that is also neglected. Thyme
is a fair plant while in full bloom, but the bees only
visit it for a few hours in the day. Rue : I have often
watched to see if I could find a bee to settle upon it, but
I never could, although it is surrounded with the bees in
visiting other plants. There are many other plants
which I could speak upon, but I fear I have already
trespassed too far upon your valuable columns, so I beg-
to sum up by saying that I find my bees neglect nearly, if
not quite everything for borage and Nepeta Mussini, the
latter is quite hardy and the cuttings strike readily with
a little care in the open ground.

I have a little borage and plenty of Limnanthes seed
and shall be pleased to send a little to any one on the
aforesaid terms. I may also add that in very dry weather
I always give my plants when I think it necessary a good
soaking with water such as runs from sinks and wash-
houses, and the effect is very remarkable.

I beg pardon for trespassing so far upon your columns,
but I hope it may be some little use to some of our bee-
keeping friends, which I am sure will give you all the
satisfaction you require and I shall be well paid also. —
C. H. W., Aylesford, Maidstone.

HONEY-COMB DESIGNS.
[933.] Many bee-keepers would possibly like to have
nice mottoes and designs to set off their exhibits of
honey after the manner described by Mr. Wm. McNally
in your issue of the 12th May (948), but are debarred
from the cost of purchasing the blocks or of making
them themselves, and the almost utter worthlessness of
the articles after the present season is over. To over-
come this difficulty I suggest that 4-inch square cards be
used to fit in or on to our 1-pound filled sections, with a
letter cut distinctly out of the centre of the card, the
ground- work of the card to be of a nice bright blue, or
any other colour suitable to each individual taste, and
on the coloured ground-work of the card some pretty
gilt devices, such as flowers, fruit, birds, or bees. I
claim for this idea economy and effectiveness, no loss of
time to the bees in filling out blocks, and no detriment
to the sections after being exhibited in this manner.
Bee-keepers by purchasing half-a-dozen alphabets would
always have it in their power to form any device they
liked, and with care the cards would last for many
years. Will some manufacturer of bee-appliances take
this idea up, and issue cards after the manner I have
described at a moderate price ? — John Goodall, Hands-
worth, Woodhouse, Sheffield, May 21st.

HOW LONG DOES A WORKER-BEE LIVE?

[984.] The proof brought forward by Mr. C. C. James
(p. 203) that he has some thousands of bees not less than
twenty months old is far from convincing me, for, as be
has had Ligurians, nothing is more likely than what you
suggest, that one of his queens has been crossed with a
Ligurian drone, amongst whose progeny will often be
found marks of what I consider the improved strain,
evidenced by many workers as yellow or orange-banded
as the purest Italian Alp bees. And of this several of
my own stocks are examples. Five or six years ago
my friend, Mr. A. Morris, kindly sent me a swarm of
cross-bred bees, who, and all whose descendants, have
done well in my hives. My stocks have never been

nearer than five miles to any other bees of the Italian
Alp or Ligurian strain. I have not at any time given
them yellow queens or imported new blood, and yet
every season during the past five years I have observed
numbers of workers amongst the black population as
clearly marked as if they had just come from Liguria.
If Mr. James's proof is correct, I have bees not twenty
but more than sixty months of age, and still as vigorous
as if only born yesterday ! My impression is that this
appearance of 3'ellow-banded workers where it might be
expected all would be black or nearly so, is merely the
occurrence of one of these genuine traits like the dark
complexion or thick lips sometimes met with in human
beings very many generations from the original negro
father or mother. — H. W. Lett, M.A., Aghaderg Glebe,
Lou ghbrickland, Co. Down.

FOUL BROOD.

[935.] Several letters have lately appeared in your
columns in regard to the spreading of foul brood by
experts in visiting apiaries, but we do not seem to get
the opinions of those who, living in infected districts,
ought to be able to give us some useful information in
regard to the rapid means by which the disease spreads
through a district, until it is an exception to find any
healthy stocks. I will mention several cases which have
come to my notice during the last few years. In the
year 1883 I was asked by a gentleman to go and see his
bees as they seemed to be rapidly dwindling away. On
examination I found that the hives were simply reeking
with foul brood, but although there was plenty of honey
in them, there were no signs of robbers ; and at the wish
of the owner I completely destroyed all combs and hives,
although I thought it unnecessary to do away with the
latter which might have been disinfected. The same
year, two other stocks about one mile off were found to
be suffering from disease, one very badly, which was
destroyed at once, and the other after the owner had
attempted to cure with salicylic acid and failed, was
destroyed in the autumn, but not until he had procured
another stock in a skep, which, wheu transferred to a
frame hive in the spring, was also found to be infected,
and had to be destroyed.

During the summer of 1886, in another apiary of six
stocks, two or three were found to be diseased, and I
directed the owner to use phenol solution ; but in conse-
quence of the directions not being fully carried out, the
cui-e was only partially successful, and they were put into
winter quarters with the disease still in the hives, but I
have had no opportunity to visit them this spring, and so
cannot say as to their present condition.

The last case I have had brought to my notice wa3
about three weeks ago, when I found one stock diseased
in an apiary of six, but apparently of recent outbreak, as
it was not in an advanced state, so after reducing the
brood-nest to a limited size, I gave the owner some
phenol solution (the curing powers of which I have con-
clusively proved to my own satisfaction. See B. B. J.,
vol. xii., page 298), and hope to be able to make a good
report later on.

There are two questions now arise which I will
attempt to answer ; the first is, How is the disease spread
through a district ? and, secondly, What are the means
we ought to take to eradicate it ? for it is certain if we
do not get rid of it, it will most assuredly exterminate all
bees from the infected districts, and apiculture will in tho
said districts be given up in disgust. As to the first
question, it is well known that the disease is spread by
healthy colonies attacking those that are diseased, and
carrying the Bacilli spores back with them to their
hives, which in turn become infected, and also by
healthy colonies being handled after those infected have
been examined, and no precautions being taken to
disinfect the hands and any utensils used. But, to my
mind, there is another, and far more wide-spread, method

May 26, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

229

of propagation than is generally supposed, for it being
undoubtedly possible for robber bees to carry tbe spores
from colony to colony, I believe it is just as possible for
tbe disease to be spread by bees from infected stocks
visiting flowers and leaving Bacilli spores thereon, and
for otbers from healthy stocks to revisit them and carry
tbe germs of disease back to their hives.

Now, if this is the case, and it seems to me quite
probable, it is useless for us to go on curing individual
stocks, for whilst we are so doing they are spreading the
disease around to other and healthy colonies; therefore,
we .ought to totally destroy all those infected, and if the
hives be of wood, to thoroughly disinfect them, and they
could be used again. It will, no doubt, be argued that
those possessing only two or three stocks would be very
loth to destroy them, but I think that could be met by
bee-keepers in an infected district combining together
and raising a kind of guarantee fund to compensate all
whose stocks had to be destroyed ; or, still better, by the
County Associations taking the matter up, and paying
any expenditure out of their funds, which would ill
itself be a great stimulus to bee-keepers to join them,
and would do more good to bee-keeping than any shows
can do. I can only say that I shall be only too happy
to help in any way to rid the district of the pest, which
takes away all the pleasures, and, by the constant
anxiety, makes the apiarian's life anything but a
happy one.

I would, in conclusion, strongly advise all, especially
those living in an infected area, on examining stocks, to
use instead of a smoker, a spray-diffuser made of a small
piece of metal tube, about four inches long, and a smaller
piece, two inches long, fixed at right angles at the top
end of it; the longest piecs is put through an ordinary
cork to fit in a bottle to hold the solution of phenol,
■which I use the same strength as recommended by Mr,
Cheshire for making phenolated syrup. When opening
the stock, the diffuser is put to the mouth and a fine
spray blown over all the frames, which can be repeated
when necessary. To the use of the above I attribute
(rightly or wrongly) my freedom from infection, as,
with the exception of the case mentioned when I infected
one stock (B.B.J., vol. xii., page 298), I have never had
the disease in my apiary, although last year one of my
stocks completely cleared a diseased hive a short distance
off of their honey, but they have not shown the slightest
signs of disease. — J. T. Harveyson, Finchley, May list,

€t\$t% from % Hibts.

Ealing, May 15th. — To my great surprise, I had a fine
swarm this morning. — J. Gay.

Hartlip Vicarage, near Sittingbourne, Slay l&th. — I have
had my first swarm to-day, at 1 p.m., from a Carniolan
stock, and this in spite of a north-easter, which was blowing
sharp at the time, and made the gentle ones angry, so the
first swarm gave me the first sting of this season. Tbe
queen must be a rare breeder, for she alone, from all my
stock, swarmed last year, and provided enough bees for a
second, which came out nine days after her. We have
abundance of food in our cherry orchards at the present
time, and only want fine warm weather to enable the bees
to gather it. — Thos. Scott.

Oldcombe, Ilminster, Somerset, May 22nd. — I hoped to
have been able to send an ' Echo ' from this part of the
country before this, but there has scarcely been sound
enough from the hives to cause one, in fact on only five or
six days during April and about the same number up to
date in the present month have tbe bees been able to get
out to do anything like work. I have seventeen stocks alive
out of twenty that I put into winter quarters, most of my
hives face south and east, but I had four facing the west ;
and, strange to say, three of these I found had perished
f-"tn starvation previous to my first examination in the
eaily part of March, although they were well stocked for
winter, and the fourth proved to be queenless. I have re-

queened this stock in a most simple manner — about three
weeks since I selected a comb of brood from one of my best
stocks on which the queen was, and simply placed it, bees
and all, into the centre of the queenless hive, just using a
puff or two of smoke ; the next day I found she had been
accepted, and had filled a large portion of one of the empty
combs with eggs. Tbe apple orchards round here are one
mass of bloom, but up till to-day no bees have been able to
take advantage of it ; but I trust before it is all gone we may
have a few fine days, and be able to replace the feeding-
bottle by the super. — J. Saeell.

1 Honey Cott,' Weston, Leamington, May 2Zrd. — Black-
thorn winter we are indeed having, with north wind very
boisterous, hail and rain storms making it next to impossible
for the poor bees to get out, while of those that do many never
return. — John Walton.

Limerick, May 23rd. — Bees in this district, as a rule, are
strong. We had splendid weather from the 1st of May up to
the 17th ; it has been wet and cold since. Honey was coming
in from apple-blossom fast, and I had them at work in the
sections, but I fear they had to use all they got these past
cold days. We are very late this year, apple-blossoms are
only well out, and May flower in strong bud, of which there
is a good show. Stocks came through winter well, they
stored an exceptionally large quantity of ivy honey last
autumn. I trust we shall be able to send you a good return
of year's work later on. I intend to work the If section on
the storifying principle, as I find bees have more freedom
without a divider, and sections are more evenly finished if
the hive is perfectly level Alba.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters ov queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-lceepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

H. — Queen-cell surrounded with Drone-comb. — -This is not
an unusual case. If the bees have no opportunity of
rearing a queen-cell from worker-brood, they will in
sheer desperation endeavour to do so from drone-brood ;
but the contents of such will not be of any service to the
bee-keeper.

K. Deusoiond. — 1. The bees are not likely to take the
hellebore sprayed on gooseberry bushes and fruit trees.
2. The quantity of syrup stated would be far too much,
especially as honey can now be procured by the bees from
natural sources.

E. M. — The bee sent was not the queen, but a newly
hatched bee with all its incipient fluffiness about it.

D. H. D. — For the purpose of cleaning floor-boards it is
preferable in small hives that they should be moveable ;
but bee-keepers prefer in longer hives that they should
be fixed, as in cleansing them the frames can easily be
moved from one end to the other. 2. The bee forwarded
is a Bombus sylvarum.

E. Gibbins. — 1. Balling Queens. — Frequent examination
of hives in spring often causes balling, as would also the
close proximity of the entrances. 2. Distances of En-
trances.— We think twelve inches apart too close for
entrances, they should certainly not be nearer than two
feet. 3. Effect of Cold on Queens. — Cold winds will
frequently stop queens laying, more especially if the
bees are short of stores. 4. Unfertilised Queen. — The
queen sent is a young one. We have examined her
under the microscope and have found the spermatheca
filled with a clear liquid and not to contain any sper-
matozoa, showing that she had never successfully
mated. If she has laid it could only be drone-eggs. It
is possible that the bees lost the queen you say did so
well last year, and the one you have sent has been raised
since that time, when there were no drones about to
accomplish impregnation. 5. Carpentering should not
be done in a bee-house as the constant disturbance would
be injurious to the bees.

Ccmbbian. — Third-Class Certificate. — Third-class examina-
tions are arranged by the County Associations. Any one
can compete. We are not aware than any examina-

230

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[May 26, 1887.

tions have been arranged for Cumberland. We believe
the Committee of the B.B. K. A. will arrange for an
examination to take place at Newcastle, at the time of
the Eoyal Agricultural Show in July next. Whether
anything can be done to revive bee-keeping in Cumber-
land in this year of jubilee depends entirely upon the
residents of Cumberland themselves. The British Bee-
keepers' Association is alwaj'S ready to assist a movement
of this kind. For papers relating to examinations, apply
to the Secretary, J. Huckle, Eings Langley, Herts.
A. H. W. — Please refer to reply given to ' Cumbrian.'
An1 Early Deone. — The syrup given now should consist of
10 lbs. of sugar to seven pints of water. It would be
better if you gave them access to the syrup through one
hole in the feeding-stage. They will then take what
they want without getting too much.

A better spur-embedder than the Woiblet : — the Heel !

Beeeived from Abbott, Bros., some samples of capsules,
stamped with very neat and appropriate designs.

^Business directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will he inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appletos, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Ncots.

Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Hutcbikgs, A. P., St. Mary Cray, Eent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, Or., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W.B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 Eing William St., Strand.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, P., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Lyon, P., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston,"Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepees' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, P., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

jghow Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Sliow, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

June 15, 16.— Wilts Agricultural Show. Eev. W. E.
Burkitt, Secretary.

June 21-25. — Boyal Counties' Agricultural Show at
Beading.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 6. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Post entries to June 1st. J. Huckle, Eings Langley.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfleld. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. See., Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — L-ish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

-He JUNE + 21-S5, + 1887. ^
THE HANTS and ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPEES' ASSOCIATION

THE BERKS BEE -KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION
Intend holding a Large JOINT Jubilee Exhibition in connexion with the above.

LIBERAL PRIZES. GREAT FACILITIES FOR TRADERS.
For Schedule and all Particulars apply to the BEE SECRETARY, 17 MARKET PLACE, READING.

May 20, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

BAR-FRAME HIVES, 7s. Gel., 10s. 6cL, 12s. 6d., and 17s. 6d. each.
Bar Frames (Association Standard), Planed and Saw-cut
for Foundation. Price, in the flat, Is. per doz., 10s. 6d. per gross;
put together, Is. 6d. per doz., 15s. per gross.
Sectional Supers, from 2s. Gd. each.

Cylinder Honey Extractors, 32s, 6d.,27s. 6d.,and 18s. 6d. each.

Feeders.— Regulating Bootle Feeder, Is. 6d. "each; 15s. per doz.

Cooper's Venetian Feeder, Is. 6d. each; 15s. per doz. Feeder on

Simmins' principle, 2s. Gd. Honey Jars, from 12s. 6d. per gross.

All other. Appliances at Moderate Rates.

Stocks of Bees and Swarai3. Foreign Queens direct from

Mr. Frank Benton. Catalogue on Application.

D. & A. COOPER, S?A LANE, DERBY.

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY MIS.

SPECIAL PEICES.

No. 4. Screw Jar, No. 5. Screw Jar,
No. 1. including: Cap & Cork, including Cap & Cork.

1-lb., 12/6 gross. 1-lb., 23/- gross. 1-lb., 23/6 gross.J

2-lb., 20/6 „ 2-lb.,33/- ,, 2 gross cases, 22/9

Five gross lots as follows : — per gross.

No. 1, 11/3 gross ; No. 4, 21/-gross ; No. 5, 21/6 gross, in

gross cases, free on rail. Cases all free. Cash with Order.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Post Fkee. a 2550

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE I

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

■With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4hd,

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionally mixed— 6d. each.

NOW READY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME -LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3<J.
Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

After 9th May, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Telegrams -WEBSTER APIARY, WOKINGHAM.

Porterage Is, (171

BEES, Early Swarms for Sale, 15s. each. Orders
in rotation. Address A. D. Woodley, Donnington
Road, Reading. (173)

T70R USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR

J} with the SIMMINS' thickened at the Corners by a
Half Bee-space.

20,000 4|-x4£x If V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMERICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. The Trade supplied. R. White & Co., Patricks-
well, Limerick.

/COMPLETE DESIGNS OF ANY THREE
\j LETTERS in Super 16 x 8 x 3, with Foundation
fixed, ready to go on Hive, 7s. 6d. carriage paid. ' 1887 '
same price. BLOCKS alone, 3s. M.

WILLIAMS, Round Table Apiary, CAERLE0N.
A 2634

s ^sr .&. s& ss: @.

"OME-BRED SYRIAN, PALESTINE, LIGU-

RIAN, OARNIOLAN, and BLACKS.
NUCLEI, with prime imported Queens of any race.
Also QUEENS. PRIZE POULTRY, principal
varieties. Lists ready.

E. WOODHAM, Bea and. Poultry Farm,

Atabotsiey, St. Ueots. a 2632

HONEYCOMB DESIGNS,

THE Subscriber is prepared to execute these for Pur-
chaser's own Bees to finish. My productions re-
ceived First Prizes and Honourable Mention at Aberdeen,
Stranraer, Rutherglen, South Kensington, Matlock Bath,
Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Dumfries.

Estimates yioen for Designs to commemorate Queen's Jubilee.
RICHARD McNALLY, Longforth, Glenluce, N.B.

iSS

sEg,.^>gS-SS.

QEED of CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT, 2d. per
O packet. Figwort, Melilotus, Cornflower, Borage, Cat-
nip, Spider Plant, Limnanthes, and all the leading Bee
Flowers, in large or small quantities. Send for Catalogue,
post free. Plants of Figwort, Limnanthes, Golden Rod,
Melilotus, Thyme, Myrobella Plum, &c. Price on appli-
cation. Address Hy. Dobeie, Cringleford, Norwich.

Wholesale and Setail Prices on Application.

Send Two Stamps for Illustrated Catalogue. Address—

A. F. HUTCHINGS,
West Kent Steam Power Hive Works, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

EE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiaey. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage 6d.

BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLE

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

EXHIBITION OF

In connexion with the Suffolk Agricultural Society's Exhibition,

To be held at BURY ST. EDMUNDS,

On Thuesday and Feiday, June 23rd and 24th, 1837.

Secretary ; John Huokle, Kings Langley,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 26, 1887.

ROTTINGDEAN, V

i^JO^CICSSj. — HP J/" yow would Sell your Honey, place it before the Public in an attractive form, for

which purpose iise only

WOODLEY'S NEW FANCY TIN CASES

For the SALE and EXHIBITION of SECTION HONEY, coloured by Patent Process in four different tints, with
Glass both sides. Price 22/- per gross ; 2/- per dozen. Sample post free for 6 stamps.

A. D. WOODLEY, Manufacturer of every Description of Bee-keeping Appliances, Donnington Rd., Reading.

GREAT REDUCTIONS IN PRICE.
Stock Foundation, 2/- per lb. ; 5-lb. Parcels, 9/3; 10-lb. Parcels, 18/-. Super Foundation, 2/9 per lb.;

5-lb. Parcels, 13/6- Guaranteed purity.

Sections, the very finest and best White Basswood, open four bee-ways, 1-lb. , 4Jx4|xlJ or 2 ins., 3/- per 100;

11/- per 500; 21/- per 1000. 2-lb., 5J x 6}x2 in., 3/6 per 100.

Woodley's Reversible Section Rack, 3/6. | Woodley's New Doubling Hives, from 12/6.

Straw Skeps, thoroughly well made, with wood tops and large Supering Hole, 18/- per dozen, 1/8 each.

SEND FOR PRICE LIST, FREE GET RECEIPT OF POST CARD.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-
>» 3 ti 4 ,, ,, i] ,» 13/-

», 5 ,, 6 ,, ,, ,, ,, 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

&T My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modern Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Laenaca.

STEWARTON HIVE,

JAMES ALLAN, Hive Maker, Stewaeton, N.B.
Established 40 years. Maker of the famous Stewarton
Honey-yielding Hive, wrought on the Storifying or Tiering
principle, with instructions for use. Covers and Appliances
of Apiary supplied to order. a 2572

The oldeBt Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Regent Street. W.

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. Od. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE FLOWEES.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. 3d.
12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. Sd. 24 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling , post free.
HENRY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS'

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

cs23::es2s:eie:e&:e3 c

Guaranteed, with Directions, J/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&o., &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 8.E.

^ijkA^

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbanoeways' Printinq Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus.'

[No. 258. Vol. XV.]

JUNE 2, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

(Sffoitorml, Halites, #t.

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOE

BEGINNERS.

( Continued from page 212.)

XT. — How to Put a Swarm into a Hive.

1. The bees which leave the hive to swarm fly
out in large numbers, thousands of them wheeling
about in circles so that the air seems alive with
bees. They soon settle, usually on some bush or
tree at a short distance from the hive, and form
a cluster, which grows larger and larger as the
straggling bees join it. As soon as most of them
have settled and become quiet the swarm should
be placed in a hive, or it will of its own accord
seek a home and be probably lost to the bee-
keeper, as under such circumstances bees will
sometimes fly a great distance before they settle
again.

2. If the queen does not join the bees when
clustered, they return to the old hive. They will
also leave the hive if the queen be not secured
with the bees when the swarm is hived. Some-

. times swarms do not seem inclined to cluster; and
if the bee-keeper sees that they rise higher and
higher into the air, he should endeavour to stop
their flight by throwing water from a syringe over
them in such a way as to resemble rain. This will
generally have the effect of making them settle at
once.

3. If the bees have settled on a bush near the
ground, sprinkle them with cold water from a
garden syringe and close clustering will be the
result. Spread a cloth under the cluster, and at
one end place a floor-board, bringing the end of
the cloth over the edge of the board and place the
hive on it with the front, as near as possible to the
cluster, propped up about one and a half inches by
means of a stone or block of wood. With a sudden
jerk dislodge the bees on to the cloth in front of
the hive, which they will quickly enter.

4. If the branch on which the bees have clustered
is small and not valuable, cut it off, taking care to
avoid all jarring, and shake the bees on to the sheet
in front of the hive.

5. If the bees have clustered on the branch of a
tree too valuable or too thick to cut off, shake

them first into an inverted sleep. Hold the skep
bottom upwards in one hand under the cluster,
and with the other give the branch a smart shake
so as to let the bees fall into it. If they are to be
kept in the skep put a floor-board over and turn
the skep on to the stand the bees are to occupy.
If they are to be put into a frame-hive invert the
skep and with a sudden jerk throw the bees down
on the cloth close to the front of the hive.

6. If they alight on the trunk of a tree brush
them gently into a skep, or, if possible, place its
edge near the upper part of the cluster and drive
them up by blowing a little smoke, or placing a
cloth dipped in carbolic solution under them. A
piece of comb containing brood fixed inside the
skep will induce the bees to take to it more
readily.

7. If the bees settle on the ground, the hive
should be set close to them, and with a spoon
gently place a few near the entrance. The hum
of these will entice others to follow, and in a short
time they will all enter.

8. If moveable comb-hives are to be used it is
best first to secure the bees in a skep or a metal
pail, from which they can be poured out gently on
to the cloth in front of the hive.

9. In moveable comb-hives with legs, turn up
the quilt and remove three or four of the outer
frames, and from the pail pour out the bees into
this space. They will run in and cluster among
the other frames; then return the frames which
have been taken out and lay the quilt gently over
them, leaving a small opening at one corner for the
straggling bees to enter. Put on the cover and
prop it up to allow free ventilation until the even-
ing, when it can be put in position.

10. The bees should be taken to the stand which
they are to occupy as soon as possible after they
have been hived, and should be shaded while they
are in the receiving hives or skeps from the heat
of the sun.

11. Despatch in hiving is important as bees
become more difficult to handle the longer they
are out of the hive, and there is a danger of their
rising and flying away.

12. If the bees are to be kept in a straw skep
it will require no preparation, but should be per-
fectly clean. Frame-hives will require the frames
furnished with guide-combs or comb-foundation,
and when they are propped up during hiving care

232

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 2, 1887.

should be taken to have the frames hang at right
angles to the front, otherwise the heat and weight
of the bees would displace the comb foundation, and
they might possibly break away from their attach-
ments. Great care should also be taken in moving
these hives when the swarms are in them, and they
should be carried very steadily and held level.
The hive should bo adjusted in its place, taking
care that it is level across the combs.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Bury St. Edmunds Show.— We desire to call the
attention of our readers to the fact that entries for
this Show close on June 6.

Bee-keepers and manufacturers residing in the
counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and the adjoining
counties, should give this Exhibition their best
support. It is hoped that this Exhibition will tend
to revive the work which has been somewhat re-
tarded in consequence of the Suffolk Association
having been suffered to lapse during the past year.

A GOOD EXAMPLE.
We have much pleasure in giving insertion to the
subjoined extract from the Canadian Bee Journal, aud
in calling the special attention of manufacturers to it as
an act worthy of all commendation: —

' From the American Bee Journal we clip the following,
relating to the Heddon Hive. Messrs. Geo. Neighbour &
Sons, in a late letter, say that " Mr. Heddon and his ' new
hive ' are ' well known in England.' " In a recent letter, they
say that as they wish to make some hives containing "some
of the features " of Mr. Heddon's, and desire to "do honour"
and " not be considered pirates," they send ten dollars as a
"token of respect and appreciation." As the hive named
is not patented in England, this shows that Messrs.
Neighbour & Sons are most scrupulously honourable and
just in their business relations. With pleasure, therefore,
do we put this news item on record, as a pattern for bee-
keepers everywhere.'

SPRING MANAGEMENT BY AMATEUR
EXPERT.

' Mel fcapit omnia.'

If you have mismanaged your bees during the past
eight weeks your prospects of a good honey crop are nil.
If you have managed them so well that all your hives
are crammed with bees and well filled with brood, you
need not trouble to read this any further, as you do not
require any advice I may be able to give you. But few
of us have all our hives equally strong, aud as it is yet
too soon to super in these parts, the point is how can we
improve the occasion and turn the time now being spent
in comparative idleness by the bees to good account. I
will commence by saying whatever strength your stock
may be, be sure to give them too little room rather than
too much while the cold weather lasts. When it is
warm the bees can and do spread themselves out aud
cover more space of comb, hut during 1 he cold nights they
crowd together and leave all the outside combs, as little
short of 80° Fahr. will do to hatch brood in, and 85°
will be better still.

Wo will suppose you have a weak stock, and one or
morestrong ones, and you wisli to make this weak stock
sufficiently strong to be of service, I purpose telling you
how you may ' rob Peter to pay Paul ' to accomplish it.
Now I am talking about strong stocks, aud by that I
mean a hive that is as full of bees as it can well be, and
the queen still laying. If it is not so, leave it aloue, as

it is better to have one weak aud one strong than two
only moderate. Get a little syrup over night, aud scent
it, and feed the two or more hives with it that you
intend to operate on. Having done S3, anoint your
hands with Mr. Grimshaw's 'apifuge' some time about
mid-day, open the two hives — if you can get help so
much the better — go gently but firmly, and do not
tremble, the bees will come and smell at you, but never
mind. Take out two frames of bees and brood from
the strong stock, be careful not to have the queen on
either of the combs, stand in front of the hive a few
feet, and gently tap the top of top-bar with one hand.
Most or all of the old bees will fly home to their old
hive, and you can now give the combs and young bees
to the weak stock. If the latter has been so we.ik as
not to cover all their combs, you can take two empty
combs from it, and having shaken off all the bees
from the combs, give them to the strong stock in
place of the full ones and young bees you have taken.
If you think this is robbing the strong stock too much
you may give only one comb or you may take one
comb from more than one strong stock it' }'ou have
them ; or, on the other hand, you may simply shako the
young bees on to a sloping board in front of the weak
stock and allow them to run in. This latter is preferable
to giving brood without bees, probably, as for want of
sufficient bees in the weak stock to cover the brood, it
may get chilled, and it is astonishing how fast a weak
lot may be made strong by this method.

Why feed with scented syrup, ' A. E.?' (a.) Because
the bees in the weak stock shall fail to recognise those
given them from the strong one as not being their ' own
kith and kin.' (b.) Because neither lot shall not ball their
queens. The danger of this is greater in the weak lot
than in the strong one. And, (c), because there shall be
no fighting. Now tell us why you say 'apifuge,' and
make no mention of smoke ? Because smoke causes the
bees to gorge more fully, and consequently makes them
more sluggish, whereas you want them to be so nimble
that the old ones readily take wing when you ' tap ' the
bar of their frame.

One word in closing. If you have not fed during the
past cold spell, you must expect to find all your bees
dead to-morrow morning ; aud if you want any profit on
a season like this, you must feed ! feed ! ! feed ! ! ! For
the present I have said my say, so au revoir.

Jfnrap,

HANOVER.

Natural on Artificial Swarming?
A natural swarm issues when there is an excess of
population in a hive. This, however, is only found to
be the case when the colony has a fertile queen, a large
and healthy population, and an adequate supply of food.
The departure of a swarm is, as it were, the creation of
a new being of the same kind. Other animals, it is
possible to propagate by breeding from a single in-
dividual, but our honey-bee cannot thus be propagated.
The united efforts of the queen and thousands of worker-
bees are necessary to the existence of the colony. I
look upon swarming as an act of reproducing or pro-
pagating the species. When bees have the opportunity
of taking advantage of the necessary favourable con-
ditions, their inherent instinct is always sure to awake.
As soon, therefore, as nature sends warm weather and
nectar, we find the queen actively engaged in laying
eggs, the extension of the brood-nest keeping pace with
the rise in temperature and tlio development of bee-
pasture. When a colony has raised a very large number
of worker-bees, and the combs down to the very edges
are full of sealed and unsealed brood ; when drones have
made their appearance and queen-cells been commenced,

June 2, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

233

we mavr expect a natural swarm to issue. As a rule,
the old queen with a portion of the population leaves
her hive between nine o'clock in the morning; and three
in the afternoon.

Most of the young bees which have to keep warm and
feed the brood, remain in the hive. In the course of a
few days a young queen hatches, and if the colony has
no intention of sending out further swarms, the workers,
after the young queen has been impregnated, destroy
all the other queen-bees which are still in the cells, and
the parent hive will then be in order again. In natural
swarms it seems as if the bees acted with deliberation,
and what is more after the swarm has been hived and
placed in position in the apiary, we find that no bee of
the new colony returns to the old hive, but all enter
their new home. The population of the swarm are more
industrious than the other colonies which have not
given off swarms. It is as if every individual bee knew
that it is necessary to work hard in order that comb-
niaking may progress and provisions be accumulated for
the coming winter.

In natural swarming-, the initiative proceeds from the
colony. The bee-master certainly may assist and
stimulate the impulse of swarming by a plentiful supply
of food and increase of the temperature in the hive, <fce.
We bee-keepers of the province of Hanover, therefore,
are in the habit of placing the parent hives in our
sheltered bee-house in such a position as to bo exposed
to the sun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We use round hives
made of straw and having thick walls, and from the
middle of April we stimulate our colonies by giving
them plenty of honey. An artificial swarm is the work
of man. As the initiative proceeds from the bee-
keepers, there is a possibility of serious mistakes being
committed, to the detriment of the colonies.

From what I have said about natural swarms, it will
be seen when and how artificial swarms ought to be
made.

1. An artificial swarm should only be made at the
proper time of the year, when there are plenty of
worker-bees in the hive, when the combs are quite full
of brood, and when we have either sealed royal cells or
queens at our disposal.

2. Swarms made artificially ought to resemble natural
swarms.

•3. Some comb with brood as well as worker-bees to
nurse the brood, should be left in the hive from which
an artificial swarm has been taken. Care should also be
taken to ensure the early reinstallation of a queen in the
parent hive.

If these conditions are complied with in making
artificial swarms, a bee-master is not only enabled to get
swarms when he likes, but he also prevents waste of
honey which is a consequence of natural swarming.

Permit me to show you the best way of making
artificial swarms. You are aware there are various
methods, the best of which in my opinion is that adopted
by Mr. C. J. II. Gravenhorst, the most skilful living
bee-master. He takes all the bees of a colony together
with the old queen, and places them in a new hive in
which he inserts some guide-comb, one honey-comb, and
one brocd-comb, but the latter for one day only.

Most of the old bees, of course, return to their old hive
in the course of the day, and thus the brood receives the
necessary attention. A mature royal cell or a queen is
then introduced iuto the parent hive which is thereby
placed in the position of a colony which has given off a
swarm and its existence is secured. If the artificial
swarm be made before the commencement of the real
honey season a parent hive deprived of a swarm and
managed in the way I have stated is in a position to
yield incredibly large returns. The number of worker-
bees in such hive is increased eveiy day by the young
bees which leave their cells, and as no eggs are deposited
because the queen is either still in the cell or, if hatched,

has not yet become impregnated, all the worker-bees
can devote themselves entirely to gathering honey.
Indeed it is not uncommon for such a colony to collect
200 lbs. of honey in a season if the bees are able to
fully utilise the acacias and lime-trees.

This method, of course, necessitates a honey extractor
to remove the honey from the cells frequentty ; if this
is done at the proper time and while pasture continues
abundant, a queen -excluder will be quite superfluous.
Even shoidd the queen have become fertile she will
scarcely be able to deposit eggs into a great number of
cells as most of them will be fidl of honey. The
artificial swarm also makes good progress and very
beautiful worker-cells are made by the bees while such
a colony makes no preparation for swarming the first
year.

Taking the brood-combs from the parent hive and
leaving the queen and the old worker-bees in their old
place in the apiary is in my opinion a mistake. If this
is done, breeding will go on with increased energy, and
in a short time the colony will again make preparation
for swarming. Instead of accumulating honey, the bees
will direct all their efforts to swarming, and should no
autumn pasture be available the result of the bee-
master's exertion will be an increase in population
instead of a good honey harvest.

The artificial swarm will also have a bad time of it.
All the worker-bees which fly out to gather honey and
which are old bees, return to their former hive the
helpless only remaining to nurse the most helpless.
Such colonies frequently become a prey of moths. This
method of making artificial swarms is the most wretched
one that has ever been devised. It may happen that
such a colony will commence to work when there are
hardly any flowers left to visit.

On whatever plan a bee-keeper makes an artificial
swarm it is necessary that he should examine the colonies
operated upon the following day, and again a few days
later to see whether his performance has been a success.
If not, he ought to assist the colonies by inserting some
brood-comb, honey-comb, or empty comb. Man's
work is seldom such that he is able to exclaim, like
the Architect of the universe, ' It is very good ;' but if
he succeeds so far as to have all his colonies in a con-
dition to follow to the fullest extent their instinct to
accumulate honey when the season is at its best, then he
may be called a bee-master, and will derive ample
returns from the pursuit of bee-keeping.

It is a mistake, however, to suppose that artificial
swarms can only be made when bees are kept in hives
with moveable combs. Nowhere, perhaps, are more
artificial swarms made than in the Luneburg district.
The Luneburg bee-keepers generally allow their colonies
to swarm voluntarily, but when a stock does not send
out the first swarm readily, they do not wait long but
drive the swarm out of the hive and they do not lose
much time over this. At this time of the season the
bees readily enter the empty hive which is fixed on the
hive from which the swarm is to be taken. The queen
is among the first bees that leave the parent hive. It is
not necessary to drive off a large number of worker-
bees, as the" Luneburg Heath bee-keepers are in the
habit of putting up the swarm where the parent hive
has been, the latter being removed the day afterwards
and put in the place of another hive which is able to
part with a portion of its population. In some districts
another method is adopted which is much more simple
and gives good results.

A parent hive which has given off a first swarm
and is about to send out a second swarm, is made to
change places with a colony having a large population
that is not inclined to swarm. The bees of the latter
enter the hive that is going to swarm and leave it
again when the first second swarm takes its departure.
By means of such a colony we are able to deprive

234

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 2, 1887.

four colonies at least of their superfluous population
and to make as many large swarms; as swarming- in-
volves a great expenditure of honey, the Liiueburg bee-
keepers prevent the issue of swarms when no longer
desirable. "When a colony has furnished one large first
swarm and one or two second swarms, it must not part
with any more bees, for it is one of the first rules that
the parent hive should retain a very large population in
order to till our honey-casks.

The colonies iu an apiaiw of sixty hives are all in the
condition of a stock with moveable combs from which
swarms are obtained a la Gravenhorst. As the old
hives do not give up swarming voluntarily the bees are
driven off in the evening, and all the royal-cells cut
away, the empty parent hives being tied up and left
without bees for a night. The bees are shaken into the
grass and an empty hive is placed over them. During
the night the bees ascend into the crown of the hive,
accepting one of the queens and killing the others. The
next morning the swarm is driven back into the parent
hive, and then all inclination to swarm will be found to
have passed away.

It is further to be remarked that a natural swarm is
rarely ever such as to satisfy bee-keepers in regard to
population, and the swarm, therefore, has to be assisted.
First swarms with small popvdation are strengthened by
bees from second swarms, and second swarms are
added to second swarms until the hive is half full of
bees.

These few remarks of mine will show you that the
bee-master will give no preference either to artificial or
natural swarms. I accordingly answer the question
asked as follows : —

1. A beginner in bee-keeping must remain satisfied
with natural swarms until he has made himself
thoroughly acquainted with the life and doings of
bees.

2. A bee-master will not decide either in favour of
the one or the other, but will always proceed in a
manner which in any given case appears to him to be
most advantageous. — Lehzen of Hanover. (Trans-
lated from the Nordlinr/en Bienenzeitung).

AUSTRALIA.
A very curious discovery was made some time ago by
a French naturalist, M. Guilmeth, in the course of one
of his journeys of exploration in Australia. It was in
the month of May, when one day M. Guilmeth noticed
in the thickest part of the branches of a eucalyptus tree
at about eighty metres from the ground a kind of a hut of
a very peculiar shape, about which there was quite a
swarm of black bees unknown to him. He ordered his
men to proceed with the cutting down of this gigantic
tree, an operation which occupied twenty-eight hours. It
was then found that this peculiar object was a monster
hive or bee-nest, weighing 4500 kilos, and containing
3500 kilos of an exquisite honey strongly flavoured with
eucalyptus. This discoverv was the subject of a lecture
delivered by Dr. Thomas Caraman at one of the recent
meetings of the Academy of Medicine. — From the
Patriotc de BruxeUes,

CALIFORNIAN HONEY IN ENGLAND.

We have before us the Annual Market Iteview of the
honey and beeswax business of California for 1880, as
issued by Messrs. Schacht & Lemcke, of San Francisco,
Cal., shipping and commission merchants. From it we
glean some very interesting information. We find that the
number of cases of honey (each case, we believe, holds
an average of 112 lbs.) shipped to England in 1885
amounted to 10,000, and in 1880 only 3475 cases, of
which 1500 were of the production of 1885. These
gentlemen estimate that the total production of honey
for 1 880 amounted to 2000 tons extracted and 500 tons
comb honey. The exports to England as given here look

well on paper, but on a closer examination we find that
a very large quantity of the honey thus shipped to the
British market remains unsold on the docks even to this
date, so that the reason as given by Messrs. S. & L. for
the small shipments of 1880 is nearly in accordance with
the facts as we find them. The reason they give is that
' the small shipments to Europe in 1880 were caused by
the low prices ruling there iu consequence of too heavy
shipments in the preceding years, and by no means by
the decreasing demand abroad, because California^ honey
finds more and more favour everywhere. On the 14th of
October last no less than 010 cases of Californian honey
were put up by auction at the docks in London, Englaud,
and one-half of it only found buyers, the balance being
still on hand. The commission merchants carry stocks
generally about a }rear before disposing by auction, so
that it is probable man}' of the 1886 shipments are still
waiting for purchasers. We give in the above only the
number of cases held by two firms, and it is probable
that there is iu small lots at least as much more of the
1885 crop as here given. The prices at which honey
was disposed of in California was 3 to 4J cents per
pound, according to quality. It has then to be sent to
England, freight paid, and stored there for nearly a year
(the 910 cases reached Loudon July, 1885), there to be
sold at an average of 20s. per cwt. (112 lbs.), the lowest
being 13s. Qd., and the highest 26s. Off this 20s. must
be deducted for discount, commission, brokerage, trade
allowances, postage, insurance, dockage, and other
charges, amounting, we are told by the principal of one
of those firms, to about 2s. per cwt., so that the exporter
gets 18s. per cwt. nett, and out of this has to pay
freights, &c. The price per pound received, on the
average, for the honey which was disposed of at that
time was, therefore, from 3 to 3J cents per pound.
Most of you will be able to figure up the profits in these
transactions. We give these particulars that some of
those who still have faith in the ' commission' system of
disposal of our honey m the English market may have
new ideas to think upon. All the facts and figures
given here are taken from written and printed matter
hefore us. — Canadian Bee Journal.

DEVON AGRICULTURAL SHOW, AT NEWTON
ABBOT 18th, 19th, AND 20th MAY.

(Extract from ' Devon and Exeter Gazette.')
The Bees and Bee-keeping Appliances.
The show of bee appliances and bee manipulation
experiments in connexion with the Devon and Exeter
Bee-keepers' Association was conducted by Mr. James
Dallas (Hon. Secretary), assisted by Mr. W. N. Griffin,
so well known to bee-keepers in Devon as having started
the Association some thirteen years ago, and who acted
as its Hon. Secretary during the first, ten years of its
existence. The exhibition, on the whole, may be con-
sidered a fair one. There are very good displays of
hives and bee appliances exhibited by Mr. Baldwin and
Mr. Butt. There are also some of this year's sections of
comb honey exhibited by Mr. Tribble, and considering
the lateness of tho season they did much credit to the
exhibitor. There is every chance of the present being a
good year for honey, although there is a probability that
it will be late. In the class for new appliances and
articles made from the products of the apiary there
were several worthy of notice. Mr. Griffin had on view
his now celebrated honey dubbin, known as ' Griffin's
Leather Preservative and Waterproof Compound,' which
has been highly spoken of by the leading sporting papers,
and a short, time ago the Court Circular, in a special
article devoted to it, spoko of it as a very useful com-
position. It has been tested by the Admiralty, and
found to he of great merit as a preservative of leather.
From the numerous high-class testimonials wo have

June 2, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

235

perused we consider it a really good article. Passing on
to the honey extractors there are several very useful
machines shown. Bee-keeping', we may certainly say, is
becoming a national industry, and we are pleased to see
that the agricultural class are doing all they can to
promote the efforts of the Devon and Exeter Association.

A short distance from the tent which contained th"
appliances, the bee manipulations were conducted by
Mr. Baldwin, of Bromley, Kent, who is expert-in-chief
of the British Bee-keepers' Association. The first day,
through the severity of the wind, the manipulations
could not be held; and the last day of the show the
gale was so terrific the bee-tent was much injured,
together with many others.

The Association offered prizes for competition in
eighteen classes, which were very well filled. The
judges were the Rev. P. Williams, rector of Rewe; Mr.
J. Thaeker, Ottery St. Mary; and Mr. J. P. Kitson,
Torquay. Amongst the prize list Mr. S. J. Baldwin
was awarded first prizes for hives, collection of appliances,
and comb foundation; Mr. Skinner obtaining second for
bar-frame ; Mr. Butt first for straw hive. Mr. J. Thaeker
was awarded a prize for last year's sections. A special
prize for excellence was awarded to Mr. W. N. Griffin
for his honey dubbin or leather preservative and water-
proof compound.

CoiTCSpiTUCUtC.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for Uie opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
he drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Rcviev),
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus.' All business communioattoTis relating to Advertisements, &c,
must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's Langley, Herts {sec 2nd
page of Advertisements).

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

BEE-OLOGY.

[986.] I think ' Useful Hints ' is in error when he
attributes the visits of his bees on the fallen catkins of
poplar-trees to searching for nectar. I have noticed
the same peculiarity in their preferring the fallen to the
persistent flower-buds of the balsam poplar, and have
found those on the ground rich in propolis round the
flower bases, for the fact is that nectar ceases to flow
when the catkin breaks from the tree, the sap pressure
being thus removed and the exudation of nectar thus
stopped.

I should like ' X-Traetor ' to think of the wonderful
and wise provision of nature which sends the scent of
nectar down on the gentle gale to our bees in their huts
(wooden or straw, it matters not), for the heaven-sent
perfume enters the abode of the humblest peasant as
as freely as it does the costly mansion of the wealthy,
the picturesque skep, or the dog-kennel-like bar-frame
hive (do not our gardens look like doggeries or henneries,
pace Mr. ' U. H. ?') But I am digressing. Our bees
ride out against the wind empty-pouched, and are
guided to their food by their never-erring sense of smell.
They may dive into the shelter of a drain, tack about,
port and starboard, extend themselves out full-length
and rise ou the airy billows, or, bending the abdomen
inwards, swoop downwards and forwards against the
wind, just as other barks do before the wind, but ever
unerringly on the scent-laden waves towards the nectar
fields. Then when heavy laden how easily they float
homeward, requiring little exertion beyond that used to
just sustain them !

Omniscient critics may tell us of their bees always

flying empty with the wind, and laden against it home
again ; their bees always do behave differently to most
others. We know that the bees from one hive gather from
various quarters at the same time, but the fact remains
that the infinitesiraally fine sense of smell as a nectar
guide, and the intensely acute telescopic vision as a
colour and pollen guide, are the normal and chief stays
on which our bees depend.

This morning I saw half-a-dozen bees engaged in
removing a tattered piece of tape from a hive, and the
rapid rate they went at it along the alighting-board
excited my curiosity. They looked like half-a-dozen dogs
dragging a sledge, each dog having in its mouth a cord,
passed longitudinally between the fore and hind legs.
Sometimes we notice bees seemingly entangled in beds
of ravelled string or cottou, and if we proceed to set
them free with a pair of scissors we find a method in
their madness, — the jaws have hold of a single thread,
which passes under the thorax and abdomen, thereby
not interfering with either leg or wing movement.

Do we ever wonder why the bees' gathering is circum-
scribed within about a two-mile radius ? I came home the
other night into a storm (not domesticus, but) the centre
of a cyclone with hail, rain, and wind beating and
blasting from ' a' the airts the wind can blaw.' As I
climbed the hill I trembled for the poor bees, for every-
thing was so fair and sunshiny three miles away.
Imagine, if you can, my delight to find all light, and
not a bee abroad or stirring.

A delicate aneroid barometer falls on the approach of
a bank of clouds ; the sensitive petals of the daisy, the
anemone, and many other flowers close on the approach
of rain, in order that their pollen may be protected from
the destruction wrought on its contact with moisture.
Then why may not the hairs of bees, either on the body
or on the antennas, be equally hygrometric, and warn
the bee of a coming storm, whilst she is comparatively
near home in her gathering-ground of about twelve mile3
circumference ? Certain is it they get a storm warning
somehow, for look how they come trooping in (and none
leaving) sometimes, and look, too, how soon we have to
troop indoors for shelter and smoke ! Bees often fly in
light rain, for then the rapid vibrations of the wings
beat the drops as they fall into a harmless spray ; but as
for the heavy thundershowers, I closely connect them
with the restricted area in which the bees fly, and see
another marvel of providential wisdom. — R. A. II.
GaiMSHAW, Crag Hill, Horsforth, near Leeds.

HONEY v. SUGAR.

[987.] From a hygienic standpoint the value of honey
is scarcely realised by the masses. Were it the case the
use of it would have kept pace with the increased use of
sugar for the past twenty-five years, which it has not.
Years ago honey was to a great extent the sole sweeten-
ing medium, and the general health of civilised people
was better than of the same classes to-dajr. The price
of honey has gradually placed it among the luxuries,
while sugar, from its cheapness, has been substituted in
its stead. ' Had the science of bee-keeping,' says one
•writer, 'been in its present advanced stage when the
sugar-cane industry began its rapid growth, the use of
sugar would have been considerably retarded by the con-
temporaneous march of its more wholesome competitor,
hone}", which then held the field.'

By modern methods employed in bee-keeping the
purity and perfect cleanliness of honey are guaranteed,
and had the rational culture of bees marched along
with scientific sugar-making at an early date we should
have heard less of cheap and nasty substitutes (as the
glucose mixtures for instance, manufactured potatoes,
sawdust, rags, &c, frequently) for pure sugar and whole-
some honey. The latter would have been produced at
so low a rate that it would have held its own as the

236

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 2, 1887.

most delicious food, sweetmeat, and saccharine diet,
either rich or poor coidd possess.

As some are already aware, honey is a perfect substi-
tute for cane sugar in preserving fruits, in wine and beer
making, and for cider in manufacture of vinegar, while
as a medicine in many forms it is invaluable.

A leading medical and scientific journal advances the
following good points in reference to its use: 'But for
cane sugar there would most probably not be so many
millions of artificial teeth in daily use as there are,
the grape sugar of honey being at once fit for assimila-
tion, whereas cane sugar (one has noticed how the
eating of sweets increases thirst !) calls on a laggard
saliva to convert it into grape sugar, and rests on nooks
and corners among the teeth, fit food and breeding-
ground for caries, schizomycetes, sphreromyeetes, and
what not, which turn it into acid, the said acid acting
upon the lime of the teeth and dissolving them.'

Because cheap cane sugars have been taken into the
stomach in unreasonable quantity, the liver has been
unable to transform them, resulting in disordering both
organs.

Dyspepsia and biliousness are probably caused more
by the use of cane sugar than most of us think ; indeed,
Mr. Cheshire tells us that if cane sugar be injected into
the blood, it is at once excreted, which is not the case with
grape sugar. Let us then remember that it is only grape
sugar which the system can at once use as heat-giving,
fattening food, and this it is which honey supplies ready
prepared for us by the bee in Nature's laboratoiy.

Honey will carry along with itself into the stomach
for digestion more bread (starch, &c.) than butter, each
helping the other, and a pound of honey at 8d. or Od.
per pound will consequently go as far as two pounds of
butter costing 8s. Here, then, is decided economy.

It can be used for almost every purpose we now use
sugar fo:-, and by the principles of modern bee-keeping-
it is becoming more plentiful and cheaper year by year.
A great objection to its free use in past years was its
comparative high price, owing to the restricted supply
caused by the annual destruction of bees. This is now
removed.

Another serious objection was the fact that honey
disagreed with many people. The wonder is that it
agreed with any one, for a common way of obtaining it
(after smothering the bees) was to cut out the combs,
containing young bees and pollen besides honey, and
squeeze the whole in a cloth, straining the result for
use.

It will thus be easily seen, without entering into
details, how much objectionable matter was thus im-
ported in the honey, which would tend to disorder delicate
stomachs. All this is now changed. No brood (young
bees) is now allowed by the bee-keeper to be hatched in
the clean, snow-white sections we see in the shop-windows
of fruiterers and grocers who sell the honey, the whole
of which honey and comb may be spread on bread and
eaten, the cells being so thin that it takes six cell-walls
to equal the thickness of ordinary note-paper. — (Dr.) W.
G. I'iiblpb (Practical Farmer).

BEES EATING RIPE FRUIT.
[983.] I am truly surprised to read what Mr. John
Moore says about wasps not eating ripe fruit. He can-
not have been a very close observer of the wasp and his
doings when he says that Mr. Wasp will not touch
grapes indoors unless robins and tomtits first have a
bite. I always have found the wasp will eat grapes
and every other sort of fruit without the aid of robins
or tits either. I advi.e Mr. Moore not to write such an
article as that to any on ■ of the gardening papers, if he
do ho will get a good snubbing for his pains in saying-
wasps will not eat grapes before ' bobby ' begins his work
for him.

Does Mr. Moore know the wasp was' the first paper-
maker, and. that he can bite and chew almost anything,
aye, even chew and bite Mr. Moore? — R. G.

OBSERVATORY HIVE.

[980.] Having an observatory hive, which I can ex-
amine in my house, I write to suggest that the large
number of drones in a hive may be accounted for by the
necessity of maintaining the heat in a hive. During the
summer the workers are out collecting while the drones
crawl about over the brood.

Can any correspondent explain why the queen lays
her eggs in a semicircle ? I would suggest this is also
for warmth. — Edward Liddf.ll, The Limes, Watford.

AGE OF WORKER BEES. (959.)
[990.] If my brown queen in No. 7 had formed, as
you suggest, a mesalliance with a Ligurian bandit,
surely by this time at least four-fifths of the bees
in the hive would be orange-banded instead of only
about one-sixth, who, I contend, must bo the survivors
from those born in 1885. — C. C. James, Papworth, St.
Agnes Rectory, St. Ives, Hunts, May 2'Ard.

[On the contrary, it is quite in accordance with the
well-established fact, that if an English queen mates
with an Italian drone only a few of her workers will
show the yellow bands, whilst most of them will re-
semble the mother and show no trace of Italian blood
at all.— En.]

WHITE EARTHEN JAR FOR HONEY.

[991.] May I suggest what I think would be a useful
article for those who store a quantity of honey for family
consumption in winter : — It is a pure white earthen jar,
with a screw lid, in shape and size like our glass jars.
They would look nice with a label even for sale purposes,
but their value would be in their strength ; they would
be less liable to break when the honey is solid and is
wanted without spending time to melt it. If such jars
were obtainable, I, for one, should much like to have
some. — J. E. Rosoman, Leatherhead, May 20th.

CONDEMNED BEES.— (968.)
[992.] In reply to ' Rector ' and Mr. Oetzmann, con-
demned bees in this localit}' have been exceptionally
good. I have, for myself and friends, taken upwards of
sixty skeps last autumn ; these have been wintered in
lots of from one to five skeps to each bar-frame hive.
I find that they have all passed through the winter in
first-rate style. Those hives that were made up with the
contents of only one skep have done equally well with
those that contained from three up to five with a con-
sumption of not half the quantity of stores.

Some of these were hived on foundation, others on
empty combs (of course they were supplied with at least
20 lbs. of syrup), and one lot, after refusing the founda-
tion, which was undoubtedly adulterated, built their own
comb perfectly straight, though they were not taken
before late in October, and are now crowded on eight
frames all filled with brood, collecting honey from fruit
in abundance. After this, please don't let those who
have no empty or stored combs despair, as I find no
difference between those supplied with stored or empty
combs, and those with foundation.

I noticed rather a peculiar occurrence with regard to an
Italian queen introduced to a black stock so late as
November 10th last, While watching the hive one fine
day last month, I saw her quietly leave, returning in
about half-an-hour. Now, please, don't say you must
have been mistaken, as twice since that time I have seen
her leave ; and each time I have been accompanied by a

June 2, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

237

riend, not a novice, but one that has kept bees for
fifteen years and knows a queen when he sees one. Once
she only stayed away five minutes. Apologising for
the length of this letter — but as it is my first 1 have had
rather a lot to tell you — hoping those who have not
empty combs or stored ones will not hesitate to take
condemned bees this season, and that it may thus do
some small amount of good, is the hearty wish of — Nil
Despeeandum.

A CAUTION.

[903.] In using wired frames, will your readers kindly
note that the comb-foundation, besides having the wire
embedded into the mid-rib, must be firmly fixed into the
saw- cut of top-bar, or else fastened to the same with
melted wax ; if this is not done and the frame put into a
strong stock, the comb-foundation will slip down the
wires and form an interesting, but not a model comb ?
May I suggest that any one can make a wire embedder
by taking a circular piece of tin, cut nicks in all round
about an eighth of an inch apart and three-eighths long,
break every other tooth off, and, with a pair of pliers,
bend each of the others half-way round, make a hole in
cent:e of tin, fix a handle ou, and you have an embedder
that wall do its work as well as one costing half-a-crown.
Foundation should alwaj-s be warmed when using the
embxlder. I hope that this will be the means of
saving some sheets of comb-foundation. — H. J. Sands,
Harborne.

THE WAYS OF SOME 'HUMBLE BEES.'
[994.] Deae Me. Ebitoe, — This is a copy of a
letter which I sent to the Leeds Mercury on my humble
bees kept during the summer of 1885 : —

' I have got two chocolate-cream boxes, with a small
square hole cut in the front, at which the bees go out and
in as ihry please. I get the bees by taking their nests in
the woods, and catchiDg a few of those which could fly. I
gave them some sugar, moistened with water, in a little tin
lid, at which they began dunking immediately, and they
settled and made themselves at home in then- new quarters
at once. I keep the boxes out in the garden, and often
watch the bees come out of their house and fly right away
out of sight and over the trees, but they never forget the
way home again. Although I often handle them, they
never think of stinging me. Sometimes they seem quite
drowsy, as if they couldn't fly. If I take one in my hand
when it is in that state, and lift up my finger on its right
side, it will lift up one leg, and then if I lift up my finger
on the other side, it will lift up a leg on that side. It
seems as if it said, " Don't hurt me." I call them my
performing bees. They express their anger by running
about the box and making a buzzing noise. They do that
when I lift up the lid to look in. The young bees come
out of oval cases like brown paper. The bee begins to eat
a small hole, and sometimes the others help it.' — Daecy
Gkimshaw, Crag Hill, Sorsforth, near Leeds.

SECTIONS.— BEE-HOUSES.
[905.] I hardly care to write in defence of my last
fetter to you, and certainly I do not wish to enter into
a controversy on the subject. Allow me, however, in
answer to the article in the Bee Journal, No. 905, to say
that I purposely expressed myself somewhat kypotheti-
cally. There is a certain danger in writing too definitely
about new inventions, which have not been fully tested,
but I fully believe, as I have already stated, that these
sections loill be a success. I may add that three or four
years ago I had considerable experience with sections
corresponding somewhat in principle with Mr. Lee's.
Tbe sections I tried were clumsily made by a village
carpenter, and cost more than the ordinary V sections,
hut I was repaid by the extra amount of honey taken.
The difficulty of having them made was my only reason
for discontinuing the use of them.

I am glad to see the subject of bee-houses is again
brought forward by a prominent Scotch bee-master. If
hives are not crowded too much, they are invaluable for
wintering and supering, though one hardly dares to
venture the opinion in opposition to the majority of
leading apiarians. — A. G. 11., Fonthill, Last Grinsteacl,
Sussex.

WOODLEY'S NEW EXHIBITION CASES.

[996.] I should like, in the interest of all exhibitors,
to draw their attention to this new and most useful in-
vention to all exhibitors of comb honey.

I am a fairly large exhibitor, and on seeing Mr. A. D.
Woodley's announcement of this new exhibition case
in the British Bee Journal, I requested him to send me
a sample.

I am very pleased to be able to say that the case
bears out what Mr. Woodley said about it, and it is
without doubt the most excellent of show or exhibition
cases, not only for its clean and handsome appearance,
but also for its cheapness, which places it within the
reach of the humblest cottager, and also for the correct-
ness of its fit for the sections, and what is much to
be commended, its fair way of allowing the whole of
the sections to be easily seen by the judge — the edge
turned over being one quarter inch bare. With this case
the tedious and time-wasting way of separate glazing
with paper is done away with, and the result is a very
handsome section either for exhibition or sale, and the
thanks of the bee-keeping public are due to Mr.
Woodle}' for his production. — H. W. West, Bishop
Waltham.

BEE-FLORA.
[907.] In the Bee Journal for May 5th, page 198,
describing my home-made bee-dress, it should have been
a pair of soft leather pruning-gloves, and on the end of
the gloves I have the top part of a thick pair of woollen
stockings sown on fast.

I send you a small list of seeds, the flowers of which I
notice my bees are very fond of, and that any poor
cottager can buy cheap, and save his own seed yearly
without more expense.

Wall/lowers. — Pick the seed-pods when turning quite
brown, dry them on paper indoors, and place when quite
dry in paper bags. Sow in spring, about April. Treat
all the following seeds tame way.

Mignonette. — Pick off the seed-pods when you find the
seed in the pods quite or nearly brown. Place them
when gathered in an old jug or tea-pot till you have
picked all the pods during the season ; let them rot alto-
gether, then wash in cold water to get the pulp away
from the seed ; rub all of it between the hands well, the
seed will then sink to the bottom of the vessel. Dry on
paper.

Borage. — The seed of this will sow itself and come
up plentifully in the spring.

Forget-me-not. — Cut off the seed branches when
turning a dark brown, put in a paper bag in a warm,
dry place ; when quite dry rub the seed out. They are
rather small, black seeds. I sow my seed about June
when ripe, but the spring answers for general purposes.

Poppies. — The heads should be cut when you can hear
the seed rattlimr about in the heads when given a gentle
shake. If the seeds do not come out freely, dry on
a plate, or any other thing handy. Turn the heads
upside down, the seed will then fall out. The large,
flowering sorts of poppies I find are what the bees are
the most fond of.

Canterbury Bells. — Treat the same as for poppies.
Sow the seed thinly on fine soil in a warm, sheltered
situation, early in the spring. Prick the plants out as for
cabbage. When large enough plant out, one foot apart

238

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 2, 1887.

each way, in good ground for flowering the following-
season. I could give many more sorts, but for a poor
man with the fields around him the sorts here will be
sullieient.

The best hive for a poor man, who has but very little
time during the summer months to look to his bees, is a
flat-lopped straw skep with a straw super on the top. I
do not myself really think the real country cottager will
be ever got to understand the modern bar-frame hives.
One countryman asked me how was he to put ' the
blooming bees iuto they things?' Another one, who
had his bees put into a bar-frame hive for him, put a lot
of sacks all over the outside of the hives to keep them
warm during winter.

It being a very fine day down here last Sunday week, I
took a walk to a friend's garden. He told me he had had
a swarm of bses, and I asked how he put the bees into his
bar-frame hive. He said he got a man to help him to put
them in. They carried the whole of the bar-frame hive
with them up into a large tree, and shook them into the
hive. — H. G., Caerleon.

COMB FOUNDATION.

[998.] I have used a large quantity of the wired
foundation so highly spoken of by the writer of ' Useful
Hints' and, I must confess, with good results, but there
is a point in connexion with it which ought to be
brought before the notice of the manufacturer.?, who
evidently have never seen natural comb, as built by the
bees, otherwise they would not go on wiring the founda-
tion the wrong way up ; it must be just as easy to svire
it the right way as the wrong way, but perhaps they
don't care which way so long as it sails. Bses always
build their combs, with perpendicular walls, the strongest
possible way, and the Americans, who want teaching
better, always wire their foundation, so far as I have
been able to find out, the other or weaker way.

Is there no one in this country who makes tills wired
foundation ? if not it is high time there was. Are all
our manufacturers asleep ? Surely the tons of this
foundation imported into this country ought to be sulli-
eient to awaken them. But there is one thing I will
give the Americans credit for, and that is, the excellency
of their foundation ; it seems to have a tenacity about it
we don't get here. Much of our English foundation is
far too heavy and soft, no wonder it breaks down. Why
some of it is so soft it won't bear its own weight in hot
weather, how can it be expected to bear the weight of
the bees, &c. in the hive? — F. Boyes.

Royal Jelly-. — It is a nutritious material which
contains nitrogenous and hydro-carbonaceous material.
It is doubtless a model food, and is supposed to be the
same material that is fed to the queen when she is
hardest at. work laying. It is already digested by the
worker bees, and so is all ready for absorption. — Pbof.
A. J. Cook, Lancing, Mich. (Canadian Bee Journal).

(tucm

[999.] Heather Honey. — AVill any reader kindly say in
the next issue of the Journal what is the average weight of
honey a good hive of bees might be expected to collect in one
season from the heather, with favourable weather and abund-
ance of heather? — J. J. W. C.

Grantham, May list. — The season is very backward bore,
fruit -blossom only now at its best. Spring Mowers arc
plentiful, but the weather, oh dear! bees can do nothing,
feeding iu most cases necessary to keep stocks well going.
I hear of only one swarm this season in the neighbourhood,

and that was found on a hedge, and it took off before it
could be hived. Passing the notorious hostel, ' The Living
Sign,' the other clay, I notice it still holds its own as one
of the wonders to explorers to Grantham, and certainly the
bees were right merry there, and I am assured they rarely
go inside the hotel to indulge. — K. K. G.

Sivincshead, May 28th. — The cold, ungenial spring, with
continued frosts, N.E. and N.W. winds, and temperature
1-41 dog. below the average for April, and the bitter and
sudden storms lately, causing many a pollen-laden bee to
drop in attempting to clear hedges, has seriously checked
the breeding and caused a great fatality among old queens,
prompting and encouraging robbing, very difficult to stop in
large apiaries, so that it is only the fittest that survive ;
hence the utility of keeping young queens and strong
colonies of bees. No surplus has yet been obtained even
by Fen House Apiary with seventy acres of closely-planted
orchards, one and a half acre of crocus, and many bulb
flowers. Yet a skep amongst others bought of a cottager
lately was very strong, and it had a large hole in the
bottom of the floor -board, which was rotten and near
breaking. During the last five years I have driven for
cottagers and others over 220 sleeps in the district ranging
from Cliff's Heath, Sleaford, and Fen to sea-coast, and only
met with one case of foul brood (four years since), caused
by wet through a mouse-hole, which I bought to experi-
ment with, aud subsequently burnt it and boiled the honey
it contained to feed to a separate stock in an old hive, both
of which I was prepared to sacrifice, but it did them no
harm. In this district they do not, as a rule, ' fad ' with
their bees. — Robukt Tuorpe.

North Leicestershire, May 30th. — Three really good days
during the past three weeks, and that is all. The remaining
days were either windy, wet, and snowy. The wind on aud
about the 20th instaut destroyed the bees by the hundred,
and stripped the currants and cherries of their bloom. The
weather is still very cold, and matters get worse daily.
With the bees themselves distraction of grubs and death
from starvation seems the order of the day, and nothing
but copious feeding keeps stocks from dwindling even at
this time of the year. There is abundance of nectar if the
bees could but get oat. Apple-trees here are just beginning
to bloom, and the maples and sycamores already show their
clusters. — E. B.

Aboyiie, Aberdeenshire, May 2 if/i. — It is flattering to
think that, notwithstanding the inclemency of our northern
climate, we can, at least this season, boast of about as early
swarms as you can in the south. We are well sheltered in
the bosom of surrounding hills, with abundance of flowers
and honey-producing shrubs, and far from the noisome
smell of factories or other public works. About ten days
ago, under the influence of a very hot sun, a bar-frame in
my apiary threw a large swarm at an early hour, while on
the same day, about noon, a straw skep of home con-
struction followed suit. Both are doing well, as the loads
of pollen by day and the strong hum by night seem amply
to testify. I have heard much of the vaunted pretensions
of Ligurians over the native bee, how they work late and
early, how fast they breed, and how much honey they
gather in the course of a season. I have had them now in
my apiary for a considerable time, but I regret to say that
I find them in no one point better, and in some points
worse, than the hardy black (or brown) bee. I hope to be
able to give a few more details of my experience with them
in the course of the season. — W. S.

Lisinore, May 27th. — The weather here for the past
month has been, on the whole, very favourable for bees. I
have not been very lucky with queens this spring. I lost
one stock in the very early spring from queenlessness ;
another followed suit soon after. The latter swarmed last
season, and had in autumn a fine young queen. Two
stocks' swarms of last season next gave in, but so recently
that I was able to unite them to other stocks. And now
the queen of what was my best hive last year has given up,
and is doing nothing ; she was only a year and three-
quarters old, aud began to lay earliest of all this spring,
so that when I left home on March 19th the hive was
unusually strong ; but on my return on May 5th J found
scarcely any brood, and only bees to cover two bars. So
my sixteen bar-hives are reduced to eleven ' effectives,' of

June 2, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

239

which three are supered — two very hard at work up above,
the third just beginning operations. The remaining hives
will be ready for supers in about a week or a fortnight. I
fancy there ' is no accounting ' for queens. Some of my
most rapidly increasing stocks did not swarm last season,
so I presume have old queens ; and I have lost two stocks
with young queens. Of five skeps, four are flourishing ;
one small stock has died out, queenlessncss also. Bobbing
is the plague of my apiarian life. It was very bad with mo
last year, and I thought it was the fault of my ' condemned
bees,' but this season I had no condemned bees, so I don't
know what to blame. I notice that the robbers are very
small boes, black and old-looking. I do not think any of
my own hives have such small bees. The loss of a few
stocks is perhaps a merciful dispensation. For I began
last year with five stocks and three condemned lots ; and at
the end of the season I found the increase amounted to
sixteen bar-frame hives, and five skeps. If I can manage
my present lot of fifteen communities, it will be about as
much as I can do. Can anyone explain how it was that
the honey in the hive (which I found on January 31st
tenantless, the bees having died out from queenlessness)
was not granulated ? The cold was extreme at night, and
the door was fully open, with perforated zinc over a portion
of the opening. The bars were almost all full of heather
honey, with beautiful white sealing. The weather was so
cold few bees were out, and there was scarcely a trace of
robbing. The hive must have been empty some time, and
I can't understand why the honey was not congealed. —
F. W. C.

Malum, Minorca, May 21st. — We are in full honey-flow
since April 20th. So far the honey is exceeding white and
beautiful. Have taken out capped honey for the extractor,
and some GOO or 700 sections are rapidly being capped. —
F. C. Andrhu.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to tetters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-lcccpcrs, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is nccesso.ry for us to go to press in aduan.ee
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

B. H. B. — Law on Bees. — If bees swarmed on a neighbour's
garden, and were removed by the owner, the latter could
not be proceeded against except for trespass. The owner
might, however, be prevented from entering to take away
his bees. A swarm of bees flying from a person's hive
would be considered his while he kept them in sight ; if
the owner lost sight of them then he could not claim
them.

J. — Bees. — We are unable to discover in the bees forwarded
any trace of the strain of Carniolan bees.

M. Whittle. — 1. Honey. — The sample of honey was pure
and of a good flavour. The grain of the honey appeared
as if it had been pounded to give the honey a better colour.
2. Wax. — The wax has been forwarded to Mr. Hehner to
be analysed.

J. J.W. C. — Dried Pollen. — The white hard substance is
last year's pollen.

H. B. — Queen Impregnation. — If impregnation is delayed
beyond the twenty -first day the queen will only lay drone
eggs, although Berlepsch and Dzierzon both give examples
of exceptions ; in one case a queen being properly im-
pregnated at thirty days and in another case forty-seven
days. If your queens hatched on 5th April and 5th
May do not lay yet, you should discard them and replace
them with fertile ones, because if a queen has been
properly impregnated she usually begins to lay worker-
eggs about forty-eight hours after. We think the ' Kohler '
system very good if properly carried out.

Inquired. — 1. Fastening Foundation-strips in Bell-glass. —
Warm the bell-glass sufficiently to make the wax melt,
and if the foundation is cut to the shape there will be
no difficulty in making it adhere. 2. Preventing Untinned
Treacle Valve affecting Honey. — If you dissolve propolis
in spirits of wine you can varnish your treacle valve

with it, or warm the valve and rub in some beeswax.
3. Frames. — Although the frames are better for storifying
when they are completely filled, yours worked down to
within half an inch of the bottom wdl do very well. If
you wish the combs to fill the frames completely, tie two
pieces of tape round the frames as in transferring, and
then cut round the combs ; they will drop down on to
the bottom bar and will be completed by the bees and
fastened to the top.
William Pascoe. — I. Treatment of Bees. — We are obliged
to refer you for information on the treatment of bees to
such works as Modem Bee-keeping aud Cowan's Guide
Book. 2. Tims of Supering. — When the bees have
swarmed, is not the right time place supers on the hive.
The proper time for putting on supers is when the hive
is full of bees and brood, when the weather is fine, and
the honey yield abundant. It is no use specifying any
date ; putting on supers, which is virtually enlarging the
hive, would be an injury rather than a help if placed on
in cold and miserable weather, as it would tend to cool
the hive when the heat should be economised. 3. Old
Combs. — If the death of the bees has not been caused by
any infectious disease the comb may be used again.

B. Douglas. — Diseased Bees. — Your bees are suffering from
a disease known in Germany by the name of ' Maikrank-
heit,' as it usually appears in May. The distention is
caused by the abdomen being filled with excreta which
the bees have not been able to void. It is supposed to
proceed from the pollen collected having been touched
by frost, which is very prevalent in the early spring
mornings. Salicylic acid in the syrup is recommended
as a remedy and keeping the hive dry, and preventing
any moisture accumulating inside.

H. P. Jones. — Diseased Bees. — See reply to B. Douglas
above.

P. P. H. — The promiscuous use of an extractor in a district
where foul brood is suspected is a very possible medium
for the conveyance of foul, brood. Too much caution
cannot be observed in thoroughly cleansing it in its
passage from one apiary to another.

J. Cole. — Chilled Brood. — The piece of comb forwarded
was filled with chilled, not foul, brood. Chilled brood is
caused by disturbing the hive at inopportune times, or
by unsealing the honey-cells, or by giving the stock too
much syrup, whereby the queen is stimulated to egg-
laying, and more brood is produced than the bees can
cover and give the requisite warmth to. In foul brood
the caps of the sealed brood are indented aud pierced ;
the cells contain a sticky, coffee -coloured substance,
emitting a most disagreeable smell, perceivable at some
distance from the hive.

H. B. and Beta. — The pieces of comb forwarded are cases
of chilled brood. See reply to J. Cole above.

J. Wood and S. Oh Field. — We do not sell swarms or any-
thing in the shape of appliances. Please refer to our
advertisement columns. You can get such swarms from
most of the dealers in appliances.

W. Coxon. — It depends upon the wording of the schedule.
If the class is for 1-lb. sections these certainly would be
disqualified. If the wording was 'not exceeding a certain
weight' then they would.be eligible.

T. S. B. — 1. Making the Best of Twelve Stocks in Sleeps for
Production of Honey. — If you transfer at once, at the same
uniting two lots in one hive, you will have six stocks
which will do you service and (weather permitting) store
honey for you. Six strong stocks are far better than
twelve weak ones. 2. Making up Stocks for Winter. —
1 lb. of bees on foundation will do no good. A swarm
should weigh at least 3 lbs. 3. Wax Foundation. — To
obtain wax in good condition for use, we should suggest
that in place of your making it yourself you purchase it
it from the recognised manufacturers.

Matbr. — 1. Keeping Ligurians Pure. — As you say there are
black bees, you can only attempt pure fertilisation by the
plan described by Mr. Baynor. The nucleus should be
made up with a comb or two of hatching brood witli the
drones and queen, and must be kept in a dark place
until brought out for flight at a time when naturally flying
drones would be at home. 2. To Liyurianisc the Black

240

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 2, 1887.

Stock, you had better remove the black queen arid give
the Ligurian to them, and let the Ligurians raise cells.
Eight or nine days after removing the queen, make up
your nuclei, giving each one or two queen-cells. 3. The
Signs of Fertilsation are visible when the queen returns
to the hive if you -watch for her. 4. Drone Comb. — You
may cut the clrone comb right out, and if you like piece
some worker comb into its place, secured by a few
thorns or splinters ; or if you wish simply to destroy the
drones, cut off the projecting caps of the cells.

.g>how ^Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place oj
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shoics are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

June 15, 16 — Wilts Agricultural Show. Eev. W. E.
Burkitt, Secretary.

June 21-25.— Eoyal Counties' Agricultural Show at
Beading.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 6. J. Huekle, Secretary.

July 11-15.— Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Post entries to June 1st. J. Huekle, Kings Langley.

July 21.— Prescot Horticultural Show. R. Kugby,
Secretary, Station Eoad, Prescot, Lancashire.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 2G-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27.— Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27.— Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eiekards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blaekrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester Horticultural Show.
W. Little, Secretary, Eastgate Eow, Chester.

August 24. — Laneastei Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Eoyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClnre,
Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

^Business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
he ping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
loill he inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutcuinos, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadiiam, M , Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. V., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Eoad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.

Howard, J. PL, Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.K.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

ITALIAN BEES of the BROS. CIPPA,

BEE-KEEPERS,

BELLINZONA (Suisse Italien).

Successors of the old-established Bee Business of the late
Professor A. MONA.

SEASON.

A Fertilised
Queen with a
Cluster oi Bees.

Swarm of
A kilogram.

Swarm of
1 kilogram.

Swarm o
l.l kilogram

Francs.

Francs.

Francs.

March and April

8

16.50

24

1 to 15 May ...

7.50

15

22

16 „ 31 „ ...

7.50

14

20.50

1 ,, 15 June ...

7

13

19

16 „ 30

6.50

12

17.50

1 „ 15 July ...

6

11

10

16 „ 31 „ ...

5.50

10

14.50

1 „ 15 Aug. ...

5

9.50

13.50

16 „ 31 „ ...

5

9

12.50

1 „ 15 Sept....

4.50

8.50

11.50

Franca.

16 „ 30 ,, ...

4

8

10.50

13

1 „ 15 Oct. ...

4

8

10.50

13

16 „ 31 „ ...

4

8

11

14

Carriage not paid. A Queen arriving dead, if returned at once,
will be replaced without charge. Terms, Cash. Be particular
to give the exact Address and Name of the Station. Queens
reared by selection. Five per cent discount on an order lor 10
Queens or Colonies at a time ; 10 per cent if 20 Queens are
ordered ; 15 per cent on 50 ; and 20 per cent on 100 Queens or
Colonies ordered at one time. Write, if possible, in French or
German. We have been acknowledged as the sole successors of
the late A. Mon.i bv the official Federal Gazette. See notice
in British Bee Journal (page 424 of 9th Sept. 1886).

A2393 (16-4

June 2, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

BAR-FRAME HIVES, 7s 6d., 10s. 6d„ 12s. Gd., and 17s. Gd. each.
Bar Frames (Association Standard), Planed and Saw-cut
for Foundation. Price, in the fiat, Is. per doz,t 10s. Gd. j>or gross ;
put together, Is. Gd. per doz., 15s. per gross.
Sectional Supers, from 2s. Gd. each.

Cylinder Honey Extractors, 32s, 6d., 27s. Gd., and 18s. Gd. each.

Feeders — Regulating Bootle Feeder, Is. Gd. each; 15s, per doz.

Cooper's Venetian Feeder, Is. Qd. each; 15s. per doz. Feeder on

Simmins' principle, 2a. Qd. Honey Jars, from 12s. Gd, per gross.

All other Appliances at Moderate Rates.

Stocks of Bees and Swarms. Foreign Queens direct from

Mr. Frank Benton. Catalogue on Application.

P. & A. COOPER, SPA LANE, DERBY.

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY MIS.

SPECIAL IFIRICIES- ■

No. 4. Screw Jar, No. 5. Screw Jar,
No. 1. including Cap & Cork, including Cap & Cork.

^§Sl!

mi.

l-lb., 12/6 gross. 1-lb., 23/- gross, lib., 23/6 gross.

2-lb., 20/6 „ 2-lb., 33/- „ 2 gross cases, 22/9

Five gross lots as follows : — per gross.

No. 1, 11/3 gross; No. 4, 21/-gross ; No. 5, 21/6 gross, in

gross cases, free on rail. Cases all free. Cash with Order.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Post Feee. a 2556

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMMTOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No 'going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4Ld.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionably mixed — 6d. each.

NOW READY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

■WOKUffG-SSA-E!!::, EESEtrKESK.
After 9th May, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Telegrams -WEBSTER APIARY, WOKINGHAM.

Porterage Is. (171

THE CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT.

Strong Plants to flower this Season, 7s. 6d. per 100,
Is. per dozen. Free per Parcels Post.

BEE ELOWEBS.

Six best kinds for Succession, large packets, free, Is. 3d.

12 packets, 2s.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS.

12 choice and brilliant sorts, Is. 3d. 21 ditto, ditto, 2s. 3d.

BEE PASTURAGE:

Dealing with the Propagation and Successful Cultivation of
Honey and Pollen-producing Trees, Shrubs, and Plants.

Price One Shilling, post free.
HKrTSY DOBBIE, Cringleford, Norwich.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1881.
Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents : Messes. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS.,

149 Regent Steeet, W.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' PRACTICAL
NOTE BOOK. By Thomas W. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.R.M.S., &c. Crown Svo, boards, Is.; postage Id.
Indispensable for everyBee-keeper. Published by J.Huckle,
Kings Langley ; may also be obtained of all Hive-dealers

_a_ snow o:f

Hives, Supers, Bee-Furniture, and Honey

Will be held at SALTHILL GARDENS, DUBLIN,

On 9th and 10th of August, 1887.
Prizes in all Departments open to general competition.
Additional Peizes in the Honey Department open,
without entrance Fee, to Members only.

Full particulars on application to Heney Cijenevix,
Hon. Sec, Blackrock, Dublin.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Pateon : H.R.H. the Peixce of Wales, K.G.
Peesident: The Right Hon. Loed Weni.ock.

THE FIFTIETH GREAT ANNUAL SHOW

Will be held on THE KNAVESMIRE, YORK,
2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of August, 1887.

The Entries close on Saturday, June 25th.

Prize Lists and Forms of Entry for Stock, Bee Ap-
pliances, and Implements, will be forwarded on application
to Marshall Stephenson, Secretary. 176

SiAST BAIT OS1 SSTTSY, 6tb JUKTE3.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

EXHIBITION OF

BEES, HIVES, and HONEY,

In connexion with the Suffolk Agricultural Society's Exhibition,

To be held at BURY ST. EDMUNDS,

On Thursday and Feiday, June 23rd and 24th, 1837.

Secretary : John Huckle, Kings Langley.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[June -2, 1887.

C. T. OVERTON, Manufacturer of all kinds of Bee-keeping Appliances.

The COWAN HIVE and EXTRACTORS a Speciality.

The following Goods are offered at a low price, for Cash only :— OVERTON'S IMPROVED FEEDEE, 1/3 each, 12/0 doz.
Best BINGHAM SMOKEE, post free, 3/3. (This Smoker was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Colonial Exhibition.)
CANDY for WINTER FEEDING : Sample, 1 lb., post free, 9d. ; 1 lb., Gd. per lb. ; 2 lbs., 5id. per lb. ; 10 lbs. 5Jd. per lb.
METAL SCEEW CAP BOTTLES, 26/6 per gross; 25/6 per gross in crate of 5 gross. BEOOD FEAMES, Plain, in
flat, 8/- per 100 ; Broad-Shoulder, 16/- per 100.

CHARLES T. OVERTON, LOWFIELD APIARY, CRAWLEY, SUSSEX.

OUR Second consignment of FOUR BEE-WAY SECTIONS, BINGHAM SMOKERS (7/6 each), and a
variety of other goods just to hand. Among other new ideas in Hives, we beg to offer EDEY'S DOUBLES,
complete in two chambers, 10/6. Single Parts — Bottom, 1/3; Body, 2/6; Metal Corner Frames in flat, 1/-;
Dummy, id. ; Water-proof Cover, 1/5; Invertible Crate, 2/6. In Flat — Complete Hive, 5/- ; .in lots of five, 23/9. If
frames are wired and fitted with foundation, 5/- extra is charged : this is well worth the extra expense.

CARNIOLAN QUEENS, after June 7th, 8/- ; Home Bred, as List, ENGLISH SWARMS, 12/6.
A full line of all other goods on hand, for instant delivery. See List, free.
EDS'? AN© SON, STEaM JOENESY WOESS, BT. HBOTS.

have received Hundreds of Testimonials during- last 5 years for my Celebrated, Genuine

(2

'j' Is. 9d. PURE FOTLNDA-

Analysed) WAX FOUNDATION, 1 lb., 2s. ; 4 ]
TION, i lb., Is. lOd. ; 4 lb. @ Is. 7d. SUPER, 1 lb., 2s. Sd.; 2 lb. @ 2s. 6d. STRAW
HIVES. Is. 3d., Is. 7d., and Is. lOd. The 'BRITISH' HIVE, deep-hinged Roof, 11 wide-
shoulder Frames, Dummy, Crate of 21 Sections, 8s. 3d complete. SIMPLICITY HIVE, deep
Roof, 5s. HONEY EXTRACTORS, 8s. 3d. and 22s. 6d. Bottle Feeder, 6d. Wide-shoulder
Frames, Is. 8d. per doz. Plain Frames, lid. and Is. per doz. Smoker and Guard, 2s. 9d. Sections,
3s. and 2s. 6d. per 100 ; 500, 10s. Stocks, Bees with Italian Queen, in Standard Hive, 20s. and 30f.
h. Cyprian Queens in Sept., 7s. 6d. 'Dealers quoted.' Be sure and send Card for Catalogue (110 Pictures.)
Order early. G. ST0THARD, 1st Class Expert B.B.K.A., British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts. A 2451

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

„ 3 „ 4 „ „ „ „ 13/-

„ 5 „ 6 „ „ „ „ 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

gfP My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A Neio Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to he weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnaca.

T70R USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR
r with the SIMMINS' SEPARATOR thickened at the
Corners by a Half Bee-space.

20,000 4-1 x 44 x 1J V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMERICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. For smaller quantities apply to J. H. Howard,
Holme, Peterborough; or to R. White & Co., Patrickswell,
Limerick. The Trade supplied.

Publications of the British Bee-keepers' Association.

HONEY AS FOOD. By Frank R Cheshire, Esq.,
F.R.M.S. Price 3d.
ADULTERATION OF HONEY. By Otto Hehkeb,
Esq., F.C.S., F.I.C. Price 6d.
BEE HOUSES AND HIVES. By Rev. George Raynor.
Second Edition (enlarged), Price 6d.
Address J. IIUCK1E, Kings Xiangley, Herts.

BEES, Early Swarms for Sale, 15s. each. Orders
in rotation. Address A. D. Woodley, Donnington
Road, Reading. (173)

QEED of CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT, 3d. per

O packet. Figwort, Melilotus, Cornflower, Borage, Cat-
nip, Spider Plant, Limnanthes, and all the leading Bee
Flowers, in large or small quantities. Send for Catalogue,
post free. Plants of Figwort, Limnanthes, Golden Rod,
Melilotus, Thyme, Myrobella Plum, &c. Price on appli-
cation. Address Hy. Dorrie, Cringleford, Norwich.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/0 Pel' gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

£33E3E:e5SSi:E&3:K.:E! C?"Or2Ee,DES.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 IQ,

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in hulk,

&c, Ac, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyforcl Rcl., London, S.E.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbangeways' Feinting Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 259. Vol. XV.]

JUNE 9, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(S&xtaxml, ^aimts, #r.

IEISH BEE-KEEPING : PAST AND
PKESENT.

Seven years ago, chiefly at the instigation, and
largely at the expense, of the President and Hon.
Secretary of the British Bee-keepers' Association,
the Baroness Burdett-Coutts and the late Kev.
IT. B. Peel, that Society were induced to send
a mission to Ireland with the purpose of stimulating
bee-keepers to form themselves into associations,
and of awakening the nation to the possibility
of a new industry in their midst. Much judgment
was displayed in the selection of two most able, ex-
perienced, and enthusiastic bee-masters to conduct
this mission ; these were Mr. C. N. Abbott, of
Southall, and Mr. W. Carr, of Newton Heath, Man-
chester. The ground these gentlemen had to break
up was fallow ; their experiment had not been pre-
viously attempted, and many were the obstacles
they had to overcome. Their mission occupied
them about a month, and they were most favourably
impressed with the capabilities of the country for
the production of honey in large quantities. Per-
haps we may not be wrong in our conjecture in
attributing to the opinion formed by one of the
gentlemen above mentioned during his sojourn, of
his recently counselling one of his sons to locate
himself in Ireland with a view of establishing a
branch of his business for the supply of the growing
demand for bee-appliances there.

Messrs. Abbott and Carr having fulfilled their
mission, presented to the Association a very able,
painstaking, and exhaustive report, which was given
in extenso in the number of the Bee Journal for July
1881. It maybe interesting at the present time to
allude to this report, and thus to contrast the past
and the present state of bee-keeping in Ireland.

The peregrinations of Messrs. Abbott and Carr ex-
tended over many hundreds of miles of country —
through Minister, Leinster, and Ulster ; they made
their journeys on rail, car, and foot ; and wherever
they went they were filled with admiration of the
wondrous floral beauty of the land, and the indis-
putable evidences it presented of its general
suitability for bee -pasturage.

Notwithstanding these great advantages, they
found a large portion of the country without bees,

and the people, with a very few exceptions, in sad
ignorance of their value. Excepting at Clonmel
and Newtownards there were no evidences of
attempts made to cultivate bees. Even where
bees were kept, no attempts were made to attend
to them scientifically, and the sulphur match at the
end of the season was lighted for their destruction.
The report states : — ■

' Bee-keeping in Ireland consists in providing swarms
with ill-made skeps of sugar-loaf shape, made of soft
straw that sinks with the accruing weight, sticks being
thrust across (at any angle) from below the centre to
near the crown. They are exceedingly rough both inside
and out, and when stocked are set upon a stone or stool,
and very little, if any, protection is given to them ; and,
as a consequence, they quickly become rotten, and the
bees and their enemies find an easy way through them.
In a few instances ekes were added to the hives to give
them more room ; but even with this addition we did not
find a hive, other than tbose containing late swarms or
queenless stocks, that could contain its population ; and
though the country was overflowing with honey, and
the hives were full (?) of it, the bees were idly clustering
about their homes, having nowhere to store a surplus if
they gathered it. Not anywhere, save in Clonmel and
Newtownards, did we see a hive surmounted with a
super, or any means in operation by which bees could
be deprived of their honey without their destruction;
and, as a rule, the principle of driving bees, either as a
means of artificial swarming or depriving, was unknown.'

The report concludes with these words : —
' Finally, we take leave to record our conviction that,
with a fair knowledge of the science that governs the
art, bee-farming would more than doubly increase the
profits of agriculture, and smooth the way to comfortable
independence to many who are now barely able to gain
a livelihood in that beautiful but neglected island.5

The mission of these gentlemen has not been
without result. Bee-keeping at the present day
presents a very different aspect. Earnest men,
having at heart the welfare of their fellow-country-
men, have not been neglectful of the advantages to
be derived from the formation of Associations and
the profits to be reaped from the practice of in-
telligent bee-keeping. From year to year we have
noted the growth of Associations and the numerous
well-conducted shows that have been held in various
places in Ireland. Especially would we mention
the efforts that have been made by the Irish Bee-
keepers' Association, in Dublin, and the North-east of
Ireland B. K. A., in Belfast, to sustain the interest
that has been awakened in their respective districts.
We have before us the Prize-sheet of the August show

242

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 9, 1887.

to be held by the former Association at Salt Hill,
near Dublin, together with a supplement relating
to the arrangements for disposing of any of the
honey unsold at the show, and also a circular
calling upon the bee-keepers in Ireland to make an
effort to popularise the bee-show, so that it may not
only attract those for whoso benefit it is more es-
pecially intended, but also others who 'are seeking
an innocent means of recreation.' The Association
evidently is earnest in its desire of making this show
a success, and we hope that it may lead to most
valuable results.

In sending forth their Annual Report, the Irish
B. K. A. published also several well-written papers
on the more prominent subjects of bee-keeping.
These were contributed by some of our most ad-
vanced bee-keepers, both in Britain and in Ireland.
There were several pages also devoted to the
statistics of bee-keeping in Ireland, which had been
compiled by order of the Government in Ireland.
In this matter we must allow that our sister island
has taken a step in advance of this country.

We have also before us the Annual Report of the
North-east of Ireland B. K. A. ; this Association,
too, has followed the good example set it by the
Irish B. K. A., and the Report contains several in-
structive and well-timed articles written by the
Rev. H. W. Lett, W. E. Betts, W. J. Stanford,
Arthur B. Johnston, and others. This Society
announces that shows in connexion with their
Association will be held in Belfast, Strabane, Ban-
bridge, Dungannon, Lisburn, and Newtownards.

Great credit is due to the Hon. Secretaries of
these Associations for their exertions in dissemi-
nating a knowledge of bee-keeping, and we hope
they may see ■ that their well-meant efforts will
be abundantly successful not only in their own
districts but throughout Ireland.

ROYAL COUNTIES AGRICULTURAL SHOW,
READING.
We would remind our readers that entries for
the great show of bees, hives, and honey, to be
held at Reading, in connexion with the Royal
Counties Agricultural Show on June 20-24th,
will close on Saturday next. Under the united
efforts of joint Committees of the Berks and Hants
Association a liberal prize list has been prepared,
and every inducement offered for a large and
attractive show. Candidates for third-class certifi-
cates should not delay in sending their application
by the above date.

A WORD OF CAUTION.
A singular document, purporting to be a pro-
spectus of a Bee-keepers' Union, has been forwarded
to us. It contains no names either of the promoters
or the secretary ; the name of the printer is also
omitted. The document is rough in arrangement,
slatternly in style, ungrammatical in construction.
Glowing hopes are dangled before the bee-keeper's
vision ; but how they are to be realised we are ' lost
jn conjecture,' Like some cheap medicines >vhich

profess to be panaceas for all ' the ills that flesh is
heir to,' this prospectus proposes to accomplish
everything the bee-keeper can possibly require at
little or no cost. We note the articles which pro-
vide for the defraying the expenses of the Council,
We advise our readers to receive the statements of
this prospectus with a large ' grain of salt,' and to
exercise considerable caution before they part with
their cash.

FOUL BROOD.

As foul brood is prevalent in various parts of
the kingdom, we extract, for general benefit, from
a leaflet issued by the Lancashire and Cheshire
Bee-keepers' Association the directions sent forth
to its members : —

'Foul Brood. — This is known to exist in our counties,
therefore the committee, with the view of assisting bee-
keepers in freeing themselves of this terrible pest, have
had a remedy put up in bottles which the ton. sec-
retary will forward to any bee-keeper on receipt of 9rf.
in stamps. The bottles contain an oz. of concentrated
phenol ; the following directions are on the label
attached to the bottles: — " Directions for use. — First,
add the contents of this bottle to one pint of water to
make the diluted solution, then mix, with each pint of
food, this small bottle, once filled, with the diluted
solution." The ounce bottle of concentrated phenol,
price Gd., at 2 South John Street, Liverpool, or 9rf., sent
per post to any address, is thus sufficient to give to bees
with twenty pints of food. With this inexpensive
remedy, so easily procurable, it is to be hoped all in-
terested (and this includes every bee-keeper having even
a single stock) will try to stamp out the malady. All
infeetsd combs should be burnt; and to transfer stocks to
hives that have been painted inside and out can certainty
do no harm, the paint to be dry before the stocks are
transferred. Intending purchasers should be careful to
inquire whether the disease exists in the district from
which they may be negotiating for stocks.'

USEFUL HINTS.
Weather and Prospects. — The first week in June
past, fruit bloom over, the hedges becoming white with
hawthorn bloom, easterly winds, which have continued
for eight weeks without intermission, still prevailing —
cold and copious showers, almost frostj' nights, hives
full of bees and brood, extensive feeding every night,
hives and section-racks all in readiness for swarms, white
clover expected to bloom in a week or ten days : — such
is our report on this 6th day of June, 1887, and yet our
hopes of a honey yield, and a good one too, are not
dashed yet. Our weather-wise country friends proclaim,
' No settled weather now before the 21st,' which can
hardly mean a good honey year. Still we hope. Bees
are in splendid condition where they have been well
looked after, and all ready to give a good account of the
honey when it comes. Moreover we have great promise
of a bountiful harvest in other produce. The corn-crops
are looking remarkably well. Never was there a better
prospect for heavy hay-crops, — in fact, the whole country
is looking magnificent, robed in emerald green, and be-
girt with many coloured wreaths of the sweetest-scented
flowers. Sun ! Sun !! is all we want to start our hy-
menopterous treasury on their summer raids upon the
nectar-yielding blooms. The old saw, ' A saiivaring
June keeps all things in tune,' must apply to bees and
honey as well as to other things, therefore we shall
continue to anticipate the beautiful sight of well-filled,
evenly-wrought, straight-sided, sweet-scented sections of
chpicest cloyer honey, since a month or sj.\ weeks of fine

JuHfe §, 188'?.]

T&fi B&lTlsM BEE JOllRfrAL.

^a

Weather will afford to those who are Well prepared a
bounteous harvest.

Foundation and Frames. — The wired foundation
cut into sheets sufficiently large to fill Lee's patent
standard-frames, passing well through the bottom bars,
of which we spoke several weeks ago as having been
ordered by Messrs. Neighbour from the American
maker, has arrived, and several frames of it have been
inserted in the midst of populous colonies in our apiary.
These are being worked out to perfection, and in a short
space of time will be entirely tilled with brood. They
are the most perfect combs we have yet seen, beautifully
straight and without a flaw, attached to the sides of the
frames all round and free from pasaage-ways through
the combs. The same may be said of unwired founda-
tion, inserted similarly in these frames, with half-inch top
bars some time since, except that the combs are not quite
so even on the surface as those on the wired foundation.
From the first we had no doubt in our own mind of the
ultimate success of this system of inserting foundation.
The rapidity and ea=e with which the frames are put
together and filled with foundation, together with the
perfect combs resulting therefrom, require merely a trial
in order to convince the most sceptical of the advantages
of this plan over all others. In our experiments thus tar
there has been neither sagging nor breaking down of the
foundation. Owing to the backwardness of the season,
the cold weather, and the roominess of our hives, we
have not been able at present to obtain the natural
swarms which we intend to place upon these frames, and
thus thoroughly to test the system, but with a change of
weather we shall soon expect our usual six and seven
pound swarms, which in hot weather will soon prove
the substantiality or the contrary of this method. With
half-inch top bars and W.B. C. metal ends we have no
fear of the result, but wo advise a nail to be driven
through the centre of the top bar to prevent the founda-
tion drawing out. We entirely sympathise with Mr.
Boyes in his wish expressed in our last issue (908),
.p. ^38, that this wired foundation could be turned out
by our English makers of quality equal to the American,
and we are not without hope that the wish may be
gratified. We never could understand why the makers
insert the wires the wrong way in the foundation, but
such is undoubtedly the fact. Our experience, however,
does not tally with that of Mr. Boyes when be states
that ' bees always build their combs with perpendicular
walls,' if by that he means with the cells in straight
horizontal rows parallel to the top and bottom bars of
the frames. We have plenty of combs built without
foundation, or even starters, with the rows of cells
ranging in various directions. No doubt the natural
way of building comb, as a rule, is with horizontal rows
of cells, but the American wired foundation compels a
vertical arrangement of these straight rows instead of a
horizontal one, inasmuch as the wires must hang vertically.
But notwithstanding all this we find in actual practice
that the bees draw out the combs with vertical rows of
cells just as willingly and as quickly as with the
horizontal, and we have not noticed any tendency to
weakness in the combs thus built. During all the years
we have used the American wired foundation in large
quantity we have never experienced the breakage of a
single comb built upon it. It is a patented article, made
by Van Deusen & Sons, of New York County, United
States of America ; and we are in full accord with Mr.
Boyes when he says that in view of the many tons of the
foundation imported into this country our manufacturers
must be asleep if they make no effort to produce an
equally saleable and good article.

Surplus Boxes. — ' When is the right time to put
supers on a swarm f ' is a question often asked. We
reply that if zinc excluder is used between the brood
and surplus compartments, it is best to super imme-
diately the swarm is hived, confining the bees to as many

frames only as they can cover, and placing them upon
full sheets of foundation, giving more space as required.
By this plan, if the honey-flow is abundant, work is
immediately commenced in the supers. But if excluder-
zinc is objected to, work must be well advanced below,
and the queen laying freely, before the surplus cases are
given, otherwise she will at once ascend into the supers
and there deposit eggs. If after this long, cold, and
moist season, we get a few weeks of bright, settled
weather, swarms will be plentiful, and it behoves every
bee-keeper to turn them to the best account. By no
plan can this be done so well as by placing the swarm
upon the parent stand, and pursuing the systems recom-
mended in former ' Hints.'

Entrances and Shade. — As the heat increases, the
entrances to the hives should be enlarged to the full
width of the hive, and half an inch deep ; in addition, it
is well to raise the hive from the floor-board one-eighth
of an inch behind, giving air all round. A greal deal of
unnecessary swarming takes place from want of bottom
ventilation, which is especially required when colonies
are working rapidly in section - cases. During hot
weather shade for swarms is absolutely necessary, to pre-
vent newly-built combs from collapsing. Here, again,
bottom ventilation is most desirable and enables the bees
to work with ease and comfort, and to dispense with the
incessant fanning at the entrances, so often witnessed in
badly-ventilated hives.

Setting up Swarms. — When plpxing swarms on
their permanent stands the hives must stand perfectly
horizontal, or level, as it is usually expressed. This can
only be accomplished by the use of a spirit-level, which
should be a sine qua non in every apiary. If a hive is
pitched a little too much to right or left, or to front or
back, it is impossible for the bees to build straight combs.
The force of gravity prevents. Hence arise nine-tenths
of the complaints which reach our ears on this score.
The only deviation from the horizontal allowable is a
pitch of half an inch from back to front, which enables
the bees to carry out refuse matter with greater ease
than when the hive stands perfectly level.

Thus far had we written when our factotum appeared
at the study window, hatless and coatless, to proclaim
the arrival of our first swaim! A pure Italian colony,
domiciled in an Eclectic hive — the only one amongst
fifty — has distinguished itself by leading off with at
least a 6-lb. swarm. The swarm has quickly settled in
the centre of a thickly-foliaged fir, and clustered closely
around its stem, happily at no greater distance than
some six feet. from the ground. Our pen is cast aside, a
sheet is spread beneath the tree, and upon it is placed
a roomy step, resting against the stem, which holds it up
in front. With carbolised goose-quill we now proceed
to brush off the bees, which, falling upon and around the
skep, immediately commence to hurry in, and in five
minutes all have entered.

Dear readers, we pray )"ou to excuse further prosy
' Hints,' on the plea of placing our first swarm on Lee's
frames filled with Van Deusen wired foundation, of
which we promise a full and particular account in future
prosings.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE
HEATHER HONEY CROP.

I am asked by our friend who fills the chair in
Tower Street to answer the query the number of
which is represented by three nines [990] in last week's
Journal, put by a correspondent with long initials.

As I sat down to comply it occurred to me that the
whole question of making the most of the heather honey
crop might be of interest, not only to our friend
'J. J. W. C.,' but to many more of our readers.

I have yet to see the sample of heather honey that
can be extracted from the combs, except probably Cornish

244

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 9, 1887.

heather, consequently it is advisable to get heather honey
stored in sections; and what so toothsome or elegant as a
well-filled heather honey section ! On the contrary, no
kind is better adapted for extracting than clover honey ;
and certainly there is nothing in the shape of run honey
to compare with a real good sample of clover honey, with
sufficient nectar from a general flora to give it a bright,
gold colour, tastily put up in good white glass bottles.
It is irresistible ! With two such articles you are certain
to get a good connexion, ready sales, and, at any rate, a
fair profit. But the question before us is, How to raise
them ?

When you get your sections make suro that they are
clean and well finished, and also strong, as they will get
an extra amount of handling as you will see presently.
Fill them with foundation on Mr. Corneil's plan, as
illustrated in this Journal (p. 531), use a reversing crate,
and if the weather is fine when you read this, they ought
to be_ on, providing — that is always the chief factor in
6Upering — providing your bees are ready ; if they are not
ready, putting on supers is worse than useless. Reverse
the crate as soon as the large piece of comb is built down
to meet the narrow strip, and make an effort to get as
many sections built out with comb as you possibly can.
I wish you to mark this point: — your chief aim must be
numbers of sections built with few or no 'pop-holes.' It
does not matter so much if the cells are not built out to
their full depth providing the sections are well built out
at the midrib and well fastened all round to bear the
strain of extracting. Use vigilance and keep your bees
comb-building and give as many crates of sections as you
can get them in the humour to build while the flow of
clover honey is on ; and when that ceases take them all
off, whether sealed or unsealed, and extract the whole lot.
If there is a cold spell on after you have extracted, and
you cau give the empty sections to the bees to clear out,
without getting more stings than you can endure, you
may do so ; it will improve the sections, but it entails
labour, and probably pain.

The honey extracted from the sections is your article
for bottling, and I venture to assert that nothing taken
from the brood-nest combs can compare with it for ap-
pearance. Having secured your sections well filled with
clean empty combs, you are ready for the heather honey
flow. Do not extract from the brood-nest if it is possible
to_ get your stocks to the heather with heavy combs
without a breakdown. With this in view it is wisest to
provide tough old combs for the brood-nest, although
they are objectionable on other grounds. If you extract
from the brood-nest, of course the bees will first fill it
with heather honey before taking to the sections. But
if you have extracted or not, put on the sections at once ;
and being provided with combs built with clover honey,
the bees are thus in a position to commence storing the
heather honey as fast as they can gather it.

By this arrangement, 'with favourable weather and
abundance of heather,' and plenty of bees and proper
attention — do not forget the two last items, friend
' J . J. W. 07 — you may get 200 sections of heather honey
from one hive; and what is more, if you know where, get
two shillings per section for them wholesale, if they are
a thorough good sample.

... Do name the market, that is a dear good
fellow. . . No ! I have already given you the wrinkle
how to get the sections. I am no honey factor, but only
an — Amateur Expert.

Jfnrcip,

DENMARK.
Danish Bee-keeping, Past and Present.
The changes that have taken place in Danish bee-
keeping during the last twenty-five years are very
considerable, and this is easily explained when we

remember that it was about thirty years ago that Pastor
Dzierzon, of Schlesien, invented the moveable comb
hive.

The official returns of the number of hives in Denmark
in 1861 have been carefully analysed by Baron Bretton,
who was at that time one of our most skilful bee-keepers.
According to these returns, our country had 80,000
colonies and in the previous year 40,000 had been de-
stroyed. The returns were made on the 15th July, that
is, after most of the swarms had issued so that the 80,000
may be taken as giving the greatest number of hive3
found in that year in Denmark. If we take the number
in proportion to square miles and to 1000 inhabitants we
find, according to Bretton's list for 1861, the following: —

per square per 1000

mile.* inhabitants.

Danish Islands 143 48

Jutland 70 50

Denmark 113 49

Schleswig 425 171

Holstein 489 140

Lauenburg 400 152

France 400 110

Hanover 900 327

The returns in 1881 showed in Denmark 186 per
square mile and 65 per 1000 of population.

With this table in view the question arises : Is Den-
mark sufficiently stocked with bees, or will it support a
far greater number of colonies than it at present possesses ?
The last part of this question we can decidedly answer
with a Yes 1 Take, for instance, Hanover, which with
almost the same condition as our countrjr, has eight
times as many hives per square mile and seven times as
many in proportion to inhabitants, as we had in 1861.
Holstein had three and a half times, and Schleswig three
times as many as we, and yet there is no doubt that
these two duchies might have supported a yet larger
number. Our colonies in the next twenty years in-
creased about sixty per cent in proportion to area, and
thirty per cent to inhabitants, but have not nearly
reached the number the country could support. I think
at least four times as many hives could be kept.

It has been suggested that the more fertile tracts of a
country were not so suitable for bee-keeping as those
less fertile, and consequently less cultivated. This may
be true, but if we compare J utland with our own fertile
islands we find it is just these islands that have the
most colonies. We can explain this by assuming that
no part of Denmark has a sufficient number of colonies,
so that they would stand in more even proportion to the
population than to the area. If we compare the neigh-
bouring countries, although their conditions for bee-
keeping are similar, the numbers of hives kept vary
greatly. On an average we find provinces with a poor
population, for instance the west of Jutland, and pro-
vinces in which the land is subdivided amongst many
cottagers, as in Scotland, have the largest numbers of
colonies, whilst those provinces where the estates and
farms are large, despise the small income to bo derived
from bee-keeping.

Many skilful bee-keepers are working zealously in some
of the provinces to spread a knowledge of bee-keeping,
and this I think is the best way I know of to advance
the pursuit. It would be good if the Government would
properly acknowledge the importance of bee-keeping as
a pursuit for cottagers and assist more in the future than
it has hitherto done.

The introduction of modern methods of bee-keeping
into Denmark has resulted in advancing the pursuit
considerably, partly by increasing the number of colonies
and partly by enabling the bee-keeper to realise a
larger income from every single colony. Rational man-
agement, enabling the bee-keeper to take the surplus
honey without destroying the bees, has gradually spread

* One Danish mile is equal to twenty English miles.

Juiie 9, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

245

during the last twenty-five years, and consequently the
number of colonies has increased. It is a pity that sleeps
and moveable comb hives are not separated in the official
returns. However, I believe I am not far wrong when
I say that of the 130,000 colonies found here in 1881,
there were at least 20,000 in moveable comb hives.

If -we bear in mind that the honey extractor has im-
proved the product, a colony in a moveable comb hive
we may reckon will make a return of fourteen shillings
a-year whilst the destroyed skep would only produce
seven shillings. This can be proved by the fact that the
income produced now is much more than that in 1861.
Then we reckoned 40,000 colonies destroyed equal to
about 14,000^. a-year. Now -we reckon '55,000 skeps
destroyed besides 20,000 moveable hives giving a total
of about 24,250^. I admit that this calculation is un-
certain, inasmuch as we do not know the exact number
of frame-hives, but my calculation is rather under than
over the mark. I know that one of our hive-makers has
to this date sold about 3000 such hives.

The present returns are not made at a favourable time,
but as they are taken at the same time as those for
cattle this evil is not likely to be remedied. If in future
the Government could be induced to separate skeps from
moveable comb hives in the returns, they would be of
considerably more value in calculating the progress of
bee-keeping in Denmark. The improved methods may
quadruple the income of a colony, but modern bee-
keeping requires both knowledge and labour. It is not
sufficient to persuade the skeppist to purchase good hives;
he must be taught how to manage them as well, or it is
not impossible that the new method would be less re-
munerative than the old. It is not enough to secure
more honey, it should also be of good quality so as to
command a high price. I have shown that at present
bee-keeping produces about 24,250Z. a-year, but there is
no doubt that with the same number of colonies more
than double this amount could be secured if the manage-
ment was prudent, which in most cases it is not. Every
year thousands of colonies die because the bee-keeper has
managed badly, and a still larger number from the same
cause give a very poor return.

Bee-keeping is now with us a source of income to be-
tween twenty and thirty thousand labourers and their
families, and might be considerably increased if a know-
ledge of the best methods was more widely spread.
Practical bee-keepers can do much to help, and it would
be good if the Government could be induced to help the
associations to send out experts and pamphlets on bee-
keeping.— Hans Erslev.

SILESIA.

On Pollen-Gathering, and Stimulative and
Compulsory Feeding.

A great deal has been written on this subject.
Pfarrer Deichert, Mr. Brauner, of Neudobern, and others
have given excellent advice on bee-pasture ; and in No.
15 of the Bienenzeitung , of 1882, Tirpitz, of Mr. Wechsel-
burg, called special attention to Epilobium montanum as a
plant which is eagerly visited by bees.

Though bee-keepers cannot be reminded too often of
the importance of the cultivation of honey plants, the
weather unfortunately but too frequently prevents the
bees from utilising them, as we have seen in the present
year. This being the case, I have been endeavouring
during the last few years to prevent as much as possible
the disastrous visits of bees to the first flowers which
make their appearance in spring, viz., the hazel (Corylus
Avellana) and the alder (Alnus glutinosa), and to supply
colonies with pollen inside the hive.

I collect the pollen and give it to the bees in the
following manner: As soon as the catkins are so far
developed as to open on sunshiny days in February and
March, when the pollen begins to discharge, I engage a
number of women and children to pick the catkins

which I have spread out loosely on sieves, such' as are
used for separating corn from chaff, or on ventilating
windows, &c, and of these I place as many as a dozen,
one above another, on a heated stove, or in a very warm
room.

Between every two sieves or ventilators I place two
pieces of wood, in order that the catkins may not be
pressed together. Under the lowest sieve a large sheet
of smooth paste-board is put for the pollen which falls
through to collect upon ; from this it can be swept off
easily.

When the temperature rises to about 20° R. (77°
Fahrenheit), or a few degrees higher, the catkins soon
open. As soon as they do so, the top sieve or ventilator
with the catkins on it, is carefully taken down and
placed on a large sheet of paper, previously spread out
on a table ; the open catkins are then shaken up with
the hand, when the pollen is deposited on the paper.
The remaining sieves are treated in the same manner.
But as the catkins are not deprived of all their pollen
the first time they are stirred up, the sieves should be
replaced and exposed to the heat of the stove a second
time, but the order should be reversed, so that the sieve
which was first at the top is now at the bottom. A
few moments afterwards the shaking out of the pollen
is repeated. Even after the catkins have been shaken
repeatedly they should not be thrown away, but be
carefully preserved in a dry and calm spot, where they
must be turned over frequently, in order that they may
not become heated or otherwise spoilt, which happens
very quickly. When afterwards a sunshiny and calm
day occurs allowing the bees to fly out, these cations are
spread out in front of the hives on a cloth, a door, or
other contrivance ; it is a pleasure to watch the bees
crowding indefatigably among the catkins in order to
extract the last grain of pollen.

Bees are greatly assisted in their search for pollen by
the catkins being shaken up frequently. They may be
placed before the ,bees during a good many days, but
should be kept from getting wet. When at last all the
pollen has been removed from the catkins they may be
treated with boiling water, and the liquid be given to
the cattle to drink.

In this manner bees are kept from starting on ex-
cursions which would prove disastrous to them, more
especially if water be given them at the same time.

Although it may appear difficult and hardly worth
the trouble to procure this beautiful yellow pollen in the
manner indicated, yet in reality it is both easy and
remunerative.

I am paying here 25d. (3d.) for a casket (J bushel)
of catkins, and at this rate a child can easily earn Gd.,
although hazel trees are not plentiful here, and the alder
catkins have to be collected in the neighbouring district;
a basket of these catkins sometimes yields h lb. of pure
pollen. Whoever has an opportunity should also have
catkins collected later in May from Pinus silvestris, in
order to procure a supply of pollen.

When the weather is still unfavourable to breeding
on an extensive scale, I give this pollen to the bees on
small pieces of comb which I place on the alighting
board near the entrance of the hive. I take an old
comb, and with a sharp knife, previously dipped into
water, I cut through the cells half-way down : I then
warm thin pieces of wood or cardboard, and place the
cells upon them, where they soon get fixed. Into these
cells I loosely scatter the pollen, which is first passed
through a good sieve. If the comb used for this pur-
pose is quite free from the smell of honey, there need be
no fear of robbery. But care should be taken that
every colony is liberally supplied when the first dis-
tribution of pollen is made in spring. The bees set to
work very eagerly to make pellets, the edges of the
cells affording them a good support. The trouble of
fixing the pieces of comb is avoided if a piece of an

S46

THE BRITISH BEH JOlJiiKAL

[June 9, 1581

artificial comb is used for shaking the pollen into.
When the weather permits of opening the hives
frequently, and encouragement can be given to extensive
breeding, the pollen is placed inside the hive, where the
hees accept it just as eagerly; a special feeding
apparatus is not necessary, as the portion of the comb
which remains after the cells have been cut away half-
way down may be used for this purpose. If a comb
with cells of normal depth be filled with pollen, the
latter is moistened with saliva by the bees, and gradually
becomes hard, so that it can no longer he made into
pellets. When all the pollen collected has been con-
sumed by the bees before the state of the weather allows
them to fly out, they may be supplied with flour in
the manner I have described ; it will likewise be accepted
now, and thus the question asked by the late Baron von
Berlepsch, as to feeding bees with flour in the hive, may
be considered as solved. — A. Geuneet, Peiskerwitz,
near Kl. Bresa, Silesia.

FRANCE.

Those of our readers who have followed the reports
which we have been giving from time to time upou the
progress of apiculture in France) will doubtless have
perceived that on that side of the Channel, no less than
on this, bee-keepers have been for some time past greatly
preoccupied with the growing necessity of finding in-
creased facilities, beyond those now existing, for the
ready disposal of their produce. Although it may be
added that it is not only of late that this necessity has
made itself felt, yet it is safe for us to say that it has
become considerably more accentuated ever since our
' British Honey Company, Limited,' has been established
among us ; in fact, our confreres have been, ever since
that event took place, seriously considering the ad-
visability, or otherwise, of starting some such channel,
and upon such a basis as would best meet the special
needs of their requirements.

Accordingly, suggestions were more than once solicited
from the bee-keeping community by our contemporary
the Apicutteur of Paris, and now in its last number we
have an outline of the constitution of an Association or
Syndicate as, it is thought, might probably commend
itself to the bee-keeping community of France.

We do not purpose, however, placing before our
readers every point which, according to the programme
before us, this ' Syndicat des Producteurs Apicols' of
France would differ, in its intents and purposes, from
those of our ' British Honey Company,' as they are
somewhat numerous, and necessarily so, in view of the
fact that this French 'Syndicat' would practically deal
in everything connected with apiculture. However, our
purpose here will be served if we mention one or two
points which are most striking, and mostly directed to
the increase of facilities for the disposal of honey.
Thus, Clause 2, for instance, suggests the adoption of
special hand-barrows which would perambulate the
streets of Paris selling honey in attractive recipients,
the shape and design of the barrow, as well as those of
the pots and the labels, to be protected from becoming
common property by registration and otherwise. As
the Syndicate would deal only in honey of good quality,
it is anticipated that such a course would soon become
a most effective mode of disposing of a great deal of
honey.

According to Clause 15, the head office of the Syndi-
cate would be established in Paris, where it is desired
that further suggestions and provisional adhesions be
addressed.

Clause 10 provides for a maeting of the Board of
Management at least once in every six months, and
suggests the 15th of July as the date for holding the
general annual meeting of its members.

Clause 6 states that the annual subscription to member-
ship would be fixed at five francs per annum, whilst life-

membership will be secured by the payment of fifty
francs. Members purchasing from the Syndicate would
be entitled to 5 per cent discount.

Should this project eventually take a practical form
we will refer to it again at some future opportunity.

ASSOCIATIONS.

SUFFOLK AGRICULTURAL SHOW.
Buby St. Edmunds.
Owing to the lateness of the season only a small quan-
tity of honey has been entered for the Bury St. Edmunds
Show, to be held on the 23rd inst. Bee-keepers having
last year's produce on hand will do well to enter the
same without delay. Address, J. Huckle, King's
Langley.

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

On Friday evening, May 20th, a lecture was delivered
in the Market Hall Coffee Tavern, Lancaster, under the
auspices of the Lancashire and Cheshire Bee-keepers'
Association, by Mr. W. B. Webster, of Wokingham,
an expert of the British Bee-keepers' Association, on
' Bees and Bee-keeping.' There was not a very large
attendance. The Rev. J. Bone presided ; and amongst
others present, were Mr. Win. Lees McOlure, of
Prescot (hon. sec. of the Lancashire and Cheshire
Bee-keepers' Association), Messrs. Wm. Liddell, J.
Hatch, T. Stirzaker, J. Warbrick, Gooch, Bailey,
Drinkall, Taylor, Redmayne, and others.

The Chairman having introduced Mr. Webster, the
Lecturer said he wished to give them a little information
as to how they could profitably keep bees, and also keep
them more humanely than had hitherto been the custom.
In a hive, as most of them knew, there were three kinds
of bees at certain seasons, and two at others. There
was what was called the queen-bee, which was not
really the queen, but simply the mother bee, the only
one that bred in the hive. Then there was the drone,
which was larger than any bee in the hive, and the
worker, which built the combs and collected the honey
and pollen with which to feed the young bees. The
queen-bee laid an egg, and in twenty-one days it became
a worker-bee. The same egg that produced a worker-
bee would, by different feeding, produce a queen-bee in
sixteen days. The queen afterwards laid another egg,
which was what might be called an unfertilised one, and
in twenty-five days it turned into a drone. When the
services of the drones were no longer required in a hive,
the other bees threw them out. Queen-bees lived four
or five years, but modern bee-keepers only allowed them
to remain in their hives two or three years, which was
as long as they were considered useful. After exhibiting
a queen and drone bee, and the cells in which the
different bees were hatched, the lecturer went on to
describe and condemn the old-fashioned mode of keeping
bees. When a swarm took place, after the bees had
been got into the hive they should be removed at once
to the place where the hive was intended to remain,
instead of leaving it near the place where the bees
originally settled. That would prevent, in many in-
stances, absconding swarms. The old method of ob-
taining the honey from a hive by means of sulphur,
which generally had the effect of destroying the bees,
was described as inhuman and a crime, because it was
unnecessary to kill the bees to get the honey. They
could take the honey from any hive in a much easier
way than by killing the bees. If they had only a
common straw skep, the best way was to cut a round
hole, three inches in diameter, in the top, puffing a
little smoke into the hive, and stopping up the

Jane §, 1887 ]

THE BRITISH bE'E iOUMAfj.

£4?

entrance. Then they could place a super or crate of
sections on the top of the original hive, removing the
plug from the entrance, and the bees, finding there
was no furniture in the upper one, would begin to fill
it with honey. They would by that means get lllbs.
or 151bs. of honey from the top one, and leave the bees
what they had collected in the bottom one to feed on.
By that means they could make a profit of a guinea
each year from an ordinary hive, and still have the
same stock as they commenced with. The next step
in bee-keeping was what was called sectional supering.
A box fitted with a round hole at the bottom was fixed
over the hole in the top of the hive. A piece of bees-
wax was placed in the section, and the bees built their
comb on that foundation, and on the same lines as the
beeswax ran. Then they had between each row a
piece of zinc, and the bees built until their backs came
in contact with the zinc, and the honey was thus
finished off flush. By that means he (the lecturer)
obtained a profit of 21. 9s. from a hive last year. The
frame -hive was next described, by the use of which
the owner had perfect control over the bees. The
method adopted to make the bees build in the frames
was illustrated, and also how to make the hive larger
as the bees filled the frames already in. Another
advantage was that they could always see whether
the bees had plenty to eat, or were starving. They
could also see whether a hive was queenless, and thus
going to the bad, and remedy it by giving the bees a
new queen. If a hive had lost its queen the bees had
power to raise another from an egg which would other-
wise have produced a worker, by feeding the egg in a
special way, though the same process of feeding would
have no effect upon an egg which produced a drone.
Then if they had frame hives they could see whether their
stocks were strong or weak. If the}' found they had two
weak stocks in the winter it was always best to put them
together and make one strong colony. Proceeding to speak
of subjugating bees, the lecturer said they were not
afraid of mankind, but they were irritated by a noise,
and thoroughly frightened by tobacco smoke or the
fumes of carbolic acid. If they had an ordinary skep
hive of bees, and they wanted to take them out into
another similar one, the best way was to puff a little
carbolic acid into the entrance of the hive by means of
a smoker, and then tap the outside of the hive smartly.
The tapping and the smoke thoroughly disorganised
the bees, and they proceeded to gorge themselves with
honey, and almost forgot to sting. Then the hive
could be turned upside down, and a few more puffs of
carbolic acid would keep the bees from getting out.
The second hive could then be fixed or held on the
edge of the original one, and the bees would begin to
crawl rapidly into it, because it was dark, and when
the last bee had got into the new hive, it could be
placed on the stand and the honey taken from the first
one, without the loss of a single bee. After describing
and illustrating the bar-frame hives, the lecturer said
that the only means of preventing bees swarming was
by keeping the hive a little too big for them. This
could be done by taking out the frames filled with
honey, and putting empty ones in their place. There
was a growing and increasing demand for honey, which
was not only very nutritious but a'sp contained medi-
cinal properties, and therefore bee-keepers should en-
deavour to get as much honey as they could from
their stock. There was another aspect of bee-keeping,
namely, the fertilisation of flowers. The bees, in col-
lecting honey, conveyed the pollen from the male to
the female fiowers, and thus fertilisation took place,
and seed was formed. The formation of seed was an
important factor iu clover, and it was therefore to the
advantage of farmers to keep bees if only to pro-
duce seed by fertilisation, because seed meant weight.
Farmers by keeping bees could increase their income

considerably, because they got better hay by their
means, and had also the profit from the honey. He
(the lecturer) did not see how any person could keep bees
without them returning their owner a certain amount of
profit, if they attended to them as they deserved. The
more attention they devoted to bees the better they
paid. Of course they must not interfere too much with
them. Once a-week was quite often enough to extract
honey from the hives, because taking the honey caused a
commotion in the hive and interfered with the work of
the bees. Many people commenced bee-keeping and
found they were out of pocket. That was not the fault
of the bees, but of the owner. The reason probably was
because they did not attend to them properly. People
who began bee-keeping should only have one hive at
first, and master that before they got any more. In
conclusion the lecturer spoke of the advantages to be
derived from membership in the Lancashire and Cheshire
Bee-keepers' Association. At the Indian and Colonial
Exhibition he (the lecturer) was literally astonished at
the exhibition of honey -sent by the Association. People
now knew that Lancashire and Cheshire could produce
better honey than any other part of England. There
was no honey in the exhibition that could touch that
sent by the Lancashire and Cheshire Association.
Therefore it was to every bee-keeper's advantage to
belong to the Association.

In answer to Mr. Liddell, the lecturer described the
method of doubling, the object of which was to get a
very strong colony of bees just at the time honey was
coming in. The same gentleman also asked a question
respecting non-swarming bees, and Mr. Webster replied
that it was impossible to prevent swarming altogether.
They might retard it in the way he had already described,
but as swarming was natural they could not altogether
prevent it. In answer to further questions, the way to
deal with diseased bees and the method of introducing a
new queen into a hive were described. The latter
method was as follows : — When a queen had got too
old the frames in the hive must be lifted out in the diy
time until the queen was discovered, and then it must be
removed. Then a new queen being in readiness must be
kept in a box without food for some time, and at night,
when all was quiet, and the fierce sentinel bees on guard
at the entrance, the covering of the hive must be raised
at the corner furthest from the entrance, and the queen-
bee inserted, a little smoke being puffed into the hive at
the same moment. The queen-bee being hungry would
call for food, and the young bees round about, who were
always located at the point furthest from the entrance,
would commence to feed the queen ; and if once the bees
could be induced to feed the stranger queen she would
be accepted. By this means a new queen could be intro-
duced forty times out of fifty without being killed, and
was much superior to the old method of caging the queen
when putting it into the hive.

The discussion afterwards became general, and various
matters of detail respecting bee-keeping were talked
about by those present, and at the close a hearty vote of
thanks was passed to the lecturer, a like compliment
being paid to the Chairman for presiding.

Swarms in Scotland. — Mr. David Malcolm, residing at
Ormiston, had a fine swarm of bees on Tuesday, 24th May.
Mr. Johnstone, Kose Cottage, has since had a cast from
one or two of his fine hives. There was a swarm of bees
at East Hopes on 31st May. Mr. T. Williamson, Letham
House, had a swarm of bees on Tuesday, 31st ult., which
is the first recorded in this neighbourhood. On Wednesday,
John Dow, joiner, Salton, had a good swarm. Mr. David
Taylor, Hardgate Street, Haddington, also reports a swarm
on Wednesday. Mr. Duncan Eobertson, Samuelston Mains,
writes : — ' Asa favourable sign of the season', I beg to report
that I got a very fine swarm of bees at noon on Wednesday,
1st June. I have not for some years seen the old hives so
strong as they are this season, which I take as indicating
a fruitful season.'

248

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 9, 1887.

€am$$mxtoma.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Jssociations, Shotos, -Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.' All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of -^duertisemcnis).

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

A BEE TOUR THROUGH LANCASHIRE AND
NORTHUMBERLAND.
[1000.] Receiving instructions from the British B.K.A.,
I commenced my journey through the above counties on
the 20th ult. After a succession of small mishaps, such
as missiDg an important train, leaving my hat to take
care of itself on a journey to Scotland, the find being no
doubt greatly appreciated by some canny Scot, — I
arrived in Lancaster just in time to step upon the
platform, — train arrived at 7 p.m., lecture advertised at
same hour, so needs must, &c. I was bound to dismiss
all thoughts of dinner until I had finished my discourse.
Messrs. McClure and Liddell were in a great fright at my
late arrival, but everything passed off satisfactorily, when,
after adjourning to the Counties' Hotel with some kindred
bee-keeping spirits and refreshing the inner man, I spent
an hour in very pleasant company. The next morning
was spent visiting the apiaries of the district, the con-
dition of most of the colonies was grand, all hives in a
more forward condition than in the south, vegetation of
all sorts being quite a week earlier than here, in Berks.
Saturday I started for Poulton-le-Fylde, here the bar-
frame hive was well understood by a few, nearly all the
hives being in good condition, but scarcely as^forward as
those at Lancaster. There are here several gentlemen,
who will, without doubt, make excellent bee-keepers.
I next visited Blackpool, being driven there by a gentle-
man who takes considerable interest in bee-keeping. The
wind of the previous Friday had played sad havoc with
the tender spring leaves of the trees, and instead of
bright green their foliage was brown as in autumn.
Monday afternoon, in company with Messrs. McClure
and W. B. Carr, I attended a meeting of the Lancashire
and Cheshire B.K.A. A subject of great interest was
brought forward ; recent advices from isolated parts had
revealed the fact of the existence of ' foul brood.' Mr.
McClure, in his usual energetic manner, obtained the
sanction of the committee to ' go in ' for a good supply
of phenol and carbolic soap : these are now being dis-
tributed to those who require it. I trust the committee's
efforts will be crowned with success. This is a good
lesson for some of our sleepy County Associations.
Tuesday morning Mr. McClure and myself unearthed a
properly constructed Canadian ( ?) winter cellar ; this
subject will form such an object of interest that I
purpose treating it in a separate letter, of course with
Mr. Editor's permission. A hurried good-bye, and I was
off to Morpeth, Northumberland. "What a ride 1
Smoke, coal-dust, chemical factories, iron-works, myriads
of high chimney-shafts, each belching forth its volumes
of black sulphurous smoke, until I arrived in Yorkshire ;
here we rushed through the station sacred to ' Apif uge '
and hut-tites. I think this was the first pretty spot that
I had seen since leaving Lancashire. Arriving at New-
castle in a drizzling rain, I thought that if there was an
uninviting spot to locate a bee-keeper in England, it is
Newcastle — it's black, that is all the description I can
give of it. Arriving at Morpeth I was met at the station
by Mr, Schoii«ld, the organizer of the expedition, and

' placing my legs under his mahogany,' I was ' at home '
in fact with Mr. and Mrs. Schofield, and of course with
the baby you could not feel otherwise. A lecture very
well attended concluded the day's programme. The
next morning was too wet and cold to do anything with
the bees. — W. B. Webster, Wokingham, Berks.

APIF UGE.

[1001.] Being a novice in bee-keeping, and very
desirous not only to avoid the inconvenience of stings,
but to manipulate my bees with as little discomfort to
them as to myself, I determined to try the far-famed
' apifuge.' The clumsy veil and gloves, and the still
more barbarous practice of smoking the bees, have always
been to me most objectionable, apart from the irritation
caused in the hive by the process of smoking, to say
nothing of the loss of time and strength on the part of
the bees in loading themselves with honey, which has
afterwards to be disgorged before they can settle down
again to their arduous duties. I accordingly tried the
' apifuge,' and was perfectly delighted with the result.
The effect upon my bees was simply charming, not one
attempting to sting me. A few crawled affectionately
over my ringers, and seemed to express their gratitude
for the discontinuance of their enemy the smoke. Nor
was there any agitation in the hive during the peaceful
manipulation. But strange to say, a day or two after
using the ' apifuge,' there appeared on my hands and
neck, where the bee-soother had been applied, three or
four irritable bumps, red and swollen. It at once
occurred to me, has the apifuge caused this ? but this
suggestion I sought immediately to dismiss from my
mind, and should have thought no more about it had it
not again occurred. The next time an examination of
the hive was necessary, I handed the operation over to
my nephew, who after duly fortifying himself with
'apifuge,' proceeded to manipulate the bees, and with
the same peaceful effect upon them, not a single bee
exhibiting his temper or attempting to sting. But,
strange to say, the day following similar red bumps
appeared on his hands and neck, causing the same
itching and irritation I had experienced. Can the
' apifuge ' be the cause of this ? is a powerful query still
resting upon our minds. Will any of my fellow-bee-
keepers who have used 'apifuge' kindly communicate
through your columns if a similar suffering has resulted
from its use. It would be a grievous loss if so valuable
an addition to apiarian appliances should be rendered
objectionable by some powerful irritant contained in its
composition.' — E. Musgrove, Sidcup, Kent.

[We are informed that there has been a large demand
for the ' apifuge ' since its introduction to the public, a
considerable number of bee-keepers must therefore have
made trial of it. We should be glad to hear from such
if they are able to confirm, or otherwise, the experiences
of our correspondent. We have experimented with it on
several occasions, but we have not noticed any such
results. — Ed.]

BEE FLORA.

[1002.] Can you afford space for me to speak a few
words to the public ? It is in reference to my letter which
appeared in B. B. Journal for May 26th, 1887, p. 227,
No. 082. I fear very many of our bee-keeping friends
will feel somewhat disappointed in the long delay which
must elapse before I can send cuttings and seed to all
my applicants ; but when 1 tell them that the applications
are so numerous that letters arrive nearly a hundred at
a time, and considering I havo to be at my work from
6 a.m. until 5.30 p.m., they will then be able to realise
the delay which must occur in some cases, but I am
taking them in rotation as they arrive as near as I can.
But I feel bound to lay those aside for a few days which
ask for a reply, in order to get those off which ask for

June 9, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

249

no particulars, as the latter are very much in a majority.
I also fear I have left many of our friends in doubt
respecting' the way in which I described the Nepeta
Mussini. When I say it only grows to 6 in. high I speak
of its habits of growth, as it does not stand upright, or it
would be about 2 ft. high ; it is now coming uicely into
bloom, and I find my bees are quite aware of it also.. I
hope this notice will not prevent those who intend to
write for cuttings and seed from doing so, as I shall be
very pleased to keep on attending to them until I have
completely executed my orders. If cuttings and seed
fail I will communicate again.

I am very pleased to say that all my bees are doing
very well indeed, considering the unsuitable weather we
have had for them. There are very many friends who
have been kind enough to send me some seed of various
kinds. They are too numerous for me to write to privately,
so I beg to take this opportunity of thanking them for
the same. I will do my best to test their value, when I
will, if circumstances permit, report upon the same. —
C, H. W., Ayksford, Maidstone.^

AGE OF WORKER-BEES.

[1003.] In your issue of the 2nd inst. I see (990)
'C. C. James' still believes he has bees two years old. 1
have proved to my own satisfaction that bees do not
exist much longer than eight months, including the
winter season ; in summer time they do not exist nearly
so long. I have a stock with black queen now hatching
about five per cent of yellow-banded bees, which is open
to the inspection of any one. interested, and which con-
firms your foot-note to ' 0. C. J .'s ' letter. — Nucleus,
Betley, near Crewe.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

[1004.] So Mr. Boyes has plenty of common sense.
Of course he has. He says black bees are brown,
American manufacturers have never seen natural comb
as built by the bees, as they wire their foundation the
wrong way up, as his bees always build their combs with
perpendicular walls (like a factory chimney, I suppose).
Surely ' F. B.' is, like our English foundation, heavy, and
during the two or three warm days has naturally given
way.

Experts are in hot water, and well they may be, seeing
the expert has closed up and supered a stock of bees
belonging to a reverend gentleman close by.

What to gather we should like to be told, as our bees
require feeding every night during this weather. Hail-
stones, we presume. — Apple Dumpling, Kent.

BEES AND RIPE FRUIT. (9S3.)

[1005.] Allow me, Mr. Editor, as a bee-keeper and
fruit-grower, to endorse Mr. Webster's assertion, and to
place it on record that bees can, and did undoubtedly,
pierce the skins of sound, ripe peaches, and to a less
extent plums, with us, and to a serious extent, last year.

I may here remark, and with all deferential respect
for your opinion, Mr. Editor, to the contrary, that no
' wasp-prepare-the-way theory ' can be admitted in our
case, for the simple reason that there was not a single
wasp about at the time, and that the first peaches attacked
were under glass. Later on in the season they attacked
peaches and plums on the walls to an alarming extent.
The latter fruit was very plentiful last year, and cracked
very much after the showers, as plums always do if they
get the rain on them during the ripening process. I am
open to the conviction that it may have been the juice
oozing from the cracked plums that was the inviting
attraction to the bees, and which whetted their appetites

for a further onslaught of the sound fruit of peaches on
the walls. But I am at a loss to understand why they
should have attacked the peaches under glass in the first
instance.

As a bee-keeper of several years, and a fruit-grower of
longer standing, I must confess that last year was the
first time I have seen bees damage fruit to any extent
worth speaking of. I believe I drew the attention of our
much-respected Rector and bee-Mentor (the Rev. F. G.
Jenyns) to the fact of the bees damaging the fruit in
such wholesale manner. His bees shared in the treat
which our orchard plums provided, for they winged
their flight Rectory-wards thick and fast. — J. Kipling
Knebworth,

POLLEN-MASSES.

[1000.] Can you tell me what the substance is which
grows on the heads of the enclosed bees ? I saw several
in two black stocks which I examined to-day, and also
in one Ligurian stock. It looks beautiful under the mi-
croscope, and the bees are able to move the substance
about. An answer in the Journal will oblige — T. W.
Jones.

[The substance is not a growth from the head of the
bee. The material is a pollen mass from an orchid, which
has stuck to the forehead of the bee. The mass had been
dragged to pieces, and so used by the bee in the fertili-
sation of other blooms. See Darwin's Fertilisation of
Orchids, p. 34. This excrescence has frequently been
considered the effect of disease. Dzierzon, in his Hational
Bee-keeping, in his chapter on 'Diseases of Bees ' (p. 279),
says: — ' The horn or tuft, formerly reckoned among
bee-diseases, which appears after the fruit-bloom, de-
serves at least to be mentioned as a curiosity. Professor
Theodor von Siebold has proved, in the Bienenzeifung,
that the yellow or dark-green tufts showing on the fore-
heads of individual bees are not a fungoid growth at all,
but are the very elastic pollinia of certain orchids that
are left sticking to the bees.' — Ed.]

(Btlpts from % Jpbxs.

Weybridge, May 29.— I had a fine swarm on May 28th.
I find bees generally late. — W. Ledgek.

Carlisle, June 2nd. — I had yesterday a fine swarm, which
I believe is about the first in this district. — John Clay
Stedhan.

Harborne, June 6th. — The long -looked -for fine weather
has come at last, bees working grandly, the sweat of the
bees drop from the flight -boards in the early morning.
What a difference from three days ago I Feeding every
night to keep stocks alive, bees expelling mature as well as
immature drones, no wonder a bee said as he entered the
hive, ' There is no place like " comb " when the weather is
like this.'— H. Sands.

Goolc, June 2nd. — The late month has been a very cold
one indeed, and our bees have not been able to do much work.
Fruit trees began to open their bloom about the 9th, but
the weather was so cold that very few bees left their hives
in search of the precious nectar, and we have had very few
fine, warm days since, so we have given up all hopes of any
surplus until the clover blooms. I noticed the first drone
flying yesterday. All our hives but two are strong in bees
but. have no stores, so have kept the queen breeding by
gentle feeding. The two weak stocks we intend to unite,
and I would ask if it would be best to unite at once, or wait
until just before the clover blooms, and then add supers at
the same time ; also is the sample of American cloth suit-
able for quilts ? — A. Woodhead.

[Unite without delay, and if the weather should once
more become unseasonable, feed gently to get them in
good form for the clover and limes. The American cloth
will be found suitable.]

250

THE BRITISH BEE JOtTONAL.

[June 9, 18*-?.

Graffham, near Petworth.~- Weather here very dull and
cloudy. Wind N. and N.E. for a fortnight. Sycamores,
chestnuts, and maples, in full bloom. No swarms yet in this
part. — Coltrip Gilbeiit.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to tetters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements, We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest xcill be answered in this column.

G. W. W. — Crooked Combs. — If a spirit-level is used for
placing the hive perfectly horizontal, so that the frames
with foundation hang perpendicularly, the bees are com-
pelled to build straight combs and within the frames.
The metal ends will keep the frames at the proper
distance from each other, viz., one and half inch from
centre to centre.

W. S., Aboyne. — Bees Sluggish. — 1. The queen is probably
worn out and the bees are raising a young one to succeed
her. Foul brood will also account for the sluggishness of
the bees. Thoroughly examine the skep by driving out
the bees if necessary. 2. When a colony is very small
with a prolilic queen at its head she will often lay
several eggs in a cell, the bees being too few in number
to encourage her to extend the nest.

B. Sandall. — 1. Uniting.- -Eemove the weak colony from
its stand and in place of it set an empty sleep, in front of
which shake off the bees from each comb and return the
empty combs to the hive. When the bees have entered
the skep replace it by the frame-hive, raised slightly in
front, and shake out the swarm in front of it. Shake the
weak colony upon the swarm as it runs in. Either queen
may be removed, or you may leave the destruction of one
to the bees. All this must be dono in the evening.
2. Drone Comb. — Bees will store honey in drone-comb in
preference to worker-comb. 3. Doubling. — You have
done right in placing an empty hive beneath the colony.
The queen in the upper hive will descend and breed in
the lower one. As the young bees hatch out above the
bees will store honey in the combs, which can be
extracted.

A Victim. — 1. Foul Brood. — We have no experience of
fumigation with carbolic acid, as we always administer
it in the form of phenol according to Mr. Cheshire's
directions, but Calvert's No. 5 can be applied by fumiga-
tion. See Webster's advertisement in our columns.
2. It may be used for disinfecting hives, washing the
hands, Ac. — about one part to twenty of water. 3. It
is very doubtful whether frost will destroy the bacteria.

4. Condy's fluid is a good disinfectant, or antiseptic, and
would no doubt thoroughly disinfect hives, but we never
heard of its being used as a specific in foul brood.

5. Thymol is used by fumigation and by means of any
ordinary fumigator. G. Unslaked lime, or newly slaked,
is a powerful disinfectant and may be used for hives.
7. It is better to spray the hands with a weak solution of
carbolic acid than to use it mixed with vaselin.

H. H. H. — Fumigation.— The process you refer to is called
' Hilbert's fumigating process;' the fumes of salicylic
acid have the power of penetrating everything in the
hive, and destroying the germs of foul brood. The
apparatus used for the purpose is M. Bertrand's fumi-
gator, in which a spirit-lamp has the flame so legulated
that the acid placed in a metal dish above it is gently
evaporated. For details of process consult Cotcau's Guide-
book, pages 138, 139, last edition.

E. G. V.— Castor Oil Plant.— There will be no harm in
growing the castor oil plant in the vicinity of bee-hives.

T. M. — Barrels for Storing Honey. — If you use them, take
out one head, otherwise you will find when the honey
poured in by the bung-hole liquid becomes set and
solid it will be a difficult matter to get it out. Treacle

barrels would be as good as any, they will only requiri)
washing to be ready.

E. F. W.—Dead Queen.^-The queen was fertile, the sper>
matheca being full of spermatozoa. Exhaustion waa
probably the cause of death from cold and want of
food.

Aged Amateur. — 1. Hive Desertion. — Your bees most likely
left their hive for want of food. 2. Comb of previous
year. — If the combs are clean and white they had better
be left in the glasses, but if discoloured the honey would
be of less value if they are not removed.

H. C. — Requcening. — You do not mention whether you
purpose to purchase the new queens, or to rear them
yourself. If the former, it may be done at once, intro-
ducing the queen in Mr. Simmins' method ; if the latter,
we should recommend that during the honey glut you
remove the queen from the stronger stock, and let the
bees raise queen -cells ; one of which when almost matured
insert in the weaker hive, first having taken away the
queen.

H. A. — A Vagabond Swarm. — The swarm you found was a
' vagabond' swarm, and had most likely left its hive for
want of provisions. Such swarms frequently leave their
new quarters when hived if there is a scarcity of stores.
By inserting a comb containing unsealed brood at the
time of hiving, and after that feeding liberally, such
swarms are induced to take to a strange dwelling which
they otherwise Would abandon. We never hive a swarm
without at once commencing to feed them, even if they
are able to get an abundance of food naturally.

Miss E. V. — Dividing by a Lady. — As you would have a
difficulty in lifting your hives, the plan you propose, — to
make the ' swarm ' of frames of hatching brood from
more hives than one, with a queen, — will give you a good
stock ; and as all the old bees will be with the old stock,
and no brood to raise, you should super it at once.

B. Kirke. — The drones, mature and immature, that the
bees are casting out, are indications of starvation. Feed

— feed — feed !

S«ow Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations wliose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

June 15, 16.— Wilts Agricultural Show. Eev. W. E.
Burkitt, Secretary.

June 20-23. — Eoyal Counties' Agricultural Show at
Eeading. Entries close June 11th. See Advertisement.

June 23, 21. — Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 6. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastleon-
Tyne. Post entries to June 1st. J. Huckle, Kings Laugley.

July 14. — Oxfordshire Association at Headington. Hon.
Sec, Eev. F. C. Dillon, Enstone.

July 21. — Prescot Horticultural Show. E. Eigby,
Secretary, Station Eoa.l, Prescot, Lancashire.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 20-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec., Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E, Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Bow,
Chester.

June 9, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

251

August 24. — Laueastei Agricultural Show.
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

W. Liddell,

August 31-Sept. 3.— Royal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hou. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

^Business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Adve?'tisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bkos., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M , Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS. ^

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. .Strand.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, b.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,
Pearson, F„ Stockton Heath, Warrington,

BAR-FRAME HIVES, 7s 6i., IDs. Sd., 12s. 6&., and 17s. 6d. each.
Bar Frames (Association Standard), Planed and Saw-cut
for Foundation. Price, in the flat, Is. per doz., lOd. 6d. per gross;
put together. Is. 6d. per doz. , 15s. per gross.
Sectional Supers, from 2s. 6d. each.

Cylinder Honey Extractors, 32s, 6d., 27s. 6d., and 18s. 6ii. each.

Feeders. -Regulating Bootle Feeder, Is. Gd. each; 15s. per doz.

Cooper's Venetian Feeder, Is. 6d. each ; 15s. per doz. Feoder on

Siinmins' principle, 2s. 6d. Honey Jars, from 12s. Gd. per gross.

All other Appliances at Moderate Rates.

Stocks of Bees and Swarms. Foreign Queens direct from

Mr. Frank Benton. Catalogue on Application.

D. & A. COOPER, SPA LANE, DERBY.

BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE; or, Manual of the
Apiary. By A. J. Cook. 14th Thousand. The whole
work has been thoroughly revised, and contains the very
latest in respect to Bee-keeping. Price 5s., postage Gd.
BEE JOURNAL OFFICE, KINGS LANGLEY.

Publications of the British Bee-keepers' Association,

HONEY AS FOOD. By Fraot R Cheshire, Esq.,
F.R.M.S. Price 3d.

ADULTERATION OF HONEY. By Otto Hehneb,
Esq., F.C.S., F.I.C. Price Gd.

BEE HOUSES AND HIVES. By Rev. George Raynob.
Second Edition (enlarged), Price Gd.

Address J. HUCSLE, Kings Langrley. Herts.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. Gd. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, "925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents : Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR <fe SONS,

149 Regent Street, W.

BRITIS1I BEE-KEEPERS' PRACTICAL
NOTE BOOK. By Thomas W. Cowan, F.G.S.,
F.R.M.S., &a. Crown 8vo, boards, Is.; postage Id.
Indispensable for every Bee-keeper. Published byJ.HucKLE,
Kings Langley ; may also be obtained of all Hive-dealers

IRISH BiE-KIEPIRS' ASSOCIATION.

.A. SHOW OF

Hives, Supers, Bee-Furniture, and Honey

Will be held at SALTHILL GARDENS, DUBLIN,
On 9th and 10th of August, 1887.

Prizes in all Departments open to general competition.

Additional Prizes in the Honey Department open,
without entrance Fee, to Members only.

Full particulars on application to Henry Chenevix,
Hon. Sec, Blackrock, Dublin.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Patron : H.R.H. the Prince op Wales, K.G.
President: The Right Hon. Lord Wenlock.

THE FIFTIETH GREAT ANNUAL SHOW

Will be held on THE KNAVE SMIRE, YORK,
2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of August, 1887.

The Entries close on Saturday, June 25th.

Prize Lists and Forms of Entry for Stock, Bee Ap-
pliances, and Implements, will be forwarded on application
to Marshall Stephenson, Secretary, 176

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 9, 1887.

C. T. OVERTON, Manufacturer of all kinds of Bee-keeping Appliances.

The COWAN HIVE and EXTRACTORS a Speciality.

The following Goods are offered at a low price, for Cash only :— OVEETON'S IMPROVED FEEDER, 1/3 each, 12/0 doz.
Best BINGHAM SMOKER, post free, 3/3. (This Smoker was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Colonial Exhibition.)
CANDY for WINTER FEEDING : Sample, 1 lb., post free, 9d. ; 1 lb., 6d. per lb. ; 2 lbs., 5Jd. per lb. ; 10 lbs. 5J<?. per lb.
METAL SCREW CAP BOTTLES, 26/6 per gross; 25/6 per gross in crate of 5 gross. BROOD FRAMES, Plain, in
flat, 8/- per 100 ; Broad- Shoulder, 16/- per 100.

CHARLES T. OVERTON, LOWFIELD APIARY, CRAWLEY, SUSSEX.

OUR Second consignment of TOUR BEE-WAY SECTIONS, BINGHAM SMOKERS (7/6 each), and a
variety of other goods just to hand. Among other new ideas in Hives, we beg to offer EDEY'S DOUBLER,
complete in two chambers, 10/6. Single Parts — Bottom, 1/3; Body, 2/6; Metal Corner Frames in flat, 1/-;
Dummy, id. ; Water-proof Cover, 1/5 ; Invertible Crate, 2/6. In Flat— Complete Hive, 5/- ; in lots of five, 23/9. If
frames are wired and fitted with foundation, 5/- extra is charged : this is well worth the extra expense.

CARNIOLAN QUEENS, after June 7th, 8/-; Home Bred, as List, ENGLISH SWARMS, 12/6.
A full line of all other goods on hand, for instant deliver;/. See List, free.
EPEY AND SON, STEAM JOINERY WORKS, ST. NEOTS.

I have received Hundreds of Testimonials during last 5 years for my Celebrated, Genuine
(Analysed) WAX FOUNDATION, 1 lb., 2s.; 4 1b. @ Is. 9d. PURE FOUNDA-
TION, 1 lb., Is. lOd. ; 4 lb. @ Is. 7d. SUPER, 1 lb., 2s. 8d.; 2 lb. @ 2s. 6d. STRAW
HIVES, Is. 3d., Is. 7d., and Is. lOd. The 'BRITISH ' HIVE, deep-hinged Roof, 11 wide-
shoulder Frames, Dummy, Crate of 21 Sections, 8s. 3d. complete. SIMPLICITY HIVE, deep
Roof, 5s. HONEY EXTRACTORS, 8s. 3d. and 22s. 6d. Bottle Feeder, 6d. Wide-shoulder
Frames, Is. 8d. per doz. Plain Frames, lid. and Is. per doz. Smoker and Guard, 2s. 9d. Sections,
3s. and 2s. 6d. per 100 ; 500, 10s. Stocks, Bees with Italian Queen, in Standard Hive, 20s. and 30s.
h. Cyprian Queens in Sept., 7s. 6d. 'Dealers quoted.' Be sure and send Card for Catalogue (110 Pictures.)
Order early. G. ST0THARD, 1st Class Expert B.B.K.A., British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts, a 2451

Send for Illustrated, Descriptive, and Instructive Circular.

FACTORY, For HIVES and

APPLIANCES.

OARNIOI/AM BEES have come to stay, and will hold their own wherever introduced. Good workers;
Vittllltvurvi^ amiable and beautiful ; and for wintering are perfection. We are now booking Ord«rs
for SIX-FRAME STOCKS, to be delivered in July and August. STANDARD FRAMES, good sound Combs,
with Brood and Stores. Also THREE-FRAME NUCLEI in like condition. SIMMINS, Rottingdean, Brighton.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

.. 3 „ 4 „ „ „ „ 13/-

n 5 ,, o ,, ,, ,, ,, 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J" to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.
%ff" My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, aB they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modern Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a .2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnaca.

FOR USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR
with the SIMMINS' SEPARATOR thickened at the
Corners by a Half Bee-space.

20,000 4} x4JxlJ V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMERICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. For smaller quantities apply to J. H. Howard,
Holme, Peterborough; or to It. Wuite & Co., Patrickswell,
Limerick. The Trade supplied.

BEES, Early Swarms for Sale, 15s. each. Orders
in rotation. Address A. D. Woodley, Donnington
Road, Reading. (173)

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINES VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottlo, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or 'Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 /Q,

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&o.| &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, S.E.

^1±AA^

IWTISH

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 260. Vol. XV.]

JUNE 1(5, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

OUTLINES OF BEE-KEEPING FOR
BEGINNERS.

{Continued from page 232.)
XII. — How to Treat Recently-hived Swarms.

1. The careful bee-keeper will endeavour to get
his swarm to build out its combs and fill the hive
as quickly as possible, and he will not leave the
bees to do so without any assistance from him.
Feeding gently will have the effect of keeping
many bees at home comb-building who would
otherwise be in the fields collecting. All swarms
should be fed, even in fine weather, for the first
week at any rate. At the time of hiving, give
them a bottle of syrup, placed on the top of the
frame in such a manner that they may have access
to two or three holes in the feeding-stage. A hole
must be cut in the quilt to allow the stage to be
placed over it, and care should be taken to cover
over the bottle so that strange bees cannot get at
it from outside, otherwise robbing may result.

2. The syrup used should consist of 10 lbs.
white lump sugar, 7 pints of water, 1 oz. of
vinegar, and 1 oz. of salt, and the whole boiled
for a few minutes, after which 1 oz. of salicylic acid
solution should be added. This solution may be
made by dissolving in 1 pint of warm water \ oz.
of salicylic acid and \ oz. of soda borax.

3. The swarm should only have as many frames
as it can comfortably occupy, the space being closed
up with a division-board, and the spare frames
hung in the division at the side. From sis to
eight frames are usually sufficient.

4. Swarms are greatly assisted by having given
to them one or two frames of comb with hatching
brood. These can be taken from established stocks
if the bee-keeper have them, and they be strong
enough to spare any.

5. At the end of a week, examine the hive, and
if the combs are built out, put in a couple more
frames. Add frames as soon as the bees require
more room until the hive is filled with combs.

6. The first consideration of the bee-keeper
should be to make sure worker-brood is being
raised. If during the examination the queen has
not been noticed, and the combs are not found to
contain worker-brood, if possible, without delay,

place in the centre, amongst the combs, a frame of
comb containing eggs taken from another hive.
Should the swarm have lost its queen, royal cells
will be at once started. Should only drone-brood
be found, the queen must be removed, and the bees
should be united to another swarm having a fertile
queen.

7. In ordinary seasons the bee-keeper will have
to be contented if a young colony fills its hive with
comb and collects enough stores to carry it through
the winter without his assistance. In bad seasons
it wrould be necessary for him to supply the bees
with most of their winter provisions, and only in
very good seasons can he expect to get any surplus
honey.

XIII. HOW TO MAKE AN ARTIFICIAL SWARM.

1. If, during the month of May, honey being
abundant, a stock hive is found crowded with bees
containing drones, and is not inclined to swarm
naturally, not having therefore commenced queen-
cells, it can be swarmed artificially.

2. Prepare a hive in the same way as for natural
swarms, that is, hang in it frames furnished with
guides or comb foundation. If there are frames
available containing empty combs, so much the
better, as these can be used to advantage.

3. If an artificial swarm is required from a
straw skep, it may be obtained by driving the bees.
Remove the skep containing the stock to some
quiet spot, turn it bottom upwards, and stand it in
a pail for convenience. On the old stand place an
empty skep. On the inverted stock put an empty
skep, bringing the edges together at the point
towards which the combs run. Push a skewer
through the edge into the lower hive so as to form
a sort of hinge, and support the upper hive by
means of a couple of stout wires bent at right
angles at either end. Stand in front of the opening
with back to the strongest light and commence
rapping on the sides of the lower hive with open
hands hard enough to jar the combs, but not so
hard as to run any risk of breaking them from
their attachments. After a few raps, which must
be kept up regularly, the bees will commence their
ascent to the empty skep.

4. As the driven bees ascend a sharp look-out
must be kept for the queen, and after she is seen
stop the driving when about half the bees have
left. Remove the swarm and the stock, and place
them on the opposite sides of the old stand, with

254

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 16, 1887.

an interval of about three feet between them. The
bees in the skep placed on the old stand can be
shaken out in front of the swarm. If the stock
or swarm appear too weak, either would be
strengthened by bringing one nearer to the old
stand, moving the other further away.

5. If the queen be not found during driving, the
bees should be returned and another attempt made.
Care must be taken to leave sufficient bees in the
stock to nurse the brood and build queen-cells.

6. The driven swarm can be placed in a moveable
comb-hive, if the bee-keeper wishes to do so, pre-
pared as recommended above (2).

7. If the bee-keeper has one colony in a frame-
hive, and wishes to make two, he must take a
comb of brood and bees on which the queen is
found, and place it in a hive, filling this up with
empty combs or frames with guides. Then put it
on the stand where the stock stood, and remove
this to a new position. Insert an empty comb at
the side of old stock, bringing the other frames close
together. The bees on the wing will return to the
old stand, join the queen, and form the swarm.

8. Artificial swarms should be made when the
weather is fine, and many bees flying, and should
always be fed. As most of the old bees will leave
the old stock, this should also be fed, especially if
it be short of stores or the weather bad.

9. Care should be taken not to multiply colonies
too fast, by making many swarms. Aim at having
a few wry strong colonies, rather than a large number
of weak ones.

HOW AND WHY PLANTS PRODUCE HONEY.

(A Paper read at the Vermont Convention.)

Self-fertilisation takes place where the seed-vessel and
pollen are together on the same flower, and come in
contact, and cross-fertilisation occurs when pollen from
one flower is carried to the seed-vessels of another
flower. The reasons why nature desires to cross plants
is to secure greater height, weight, and vigour, and more
seeds. Most plants are spoiled by self-fertilisation, the
same as close breeding in animals ; some plants usually
self-fertilise, as the pea, lettuce, onion, and ground-nut ;
hut large new varieties of peas are obtained by cross-
fertilisation. The means whereby nature obtains cross-
fertilisation are three: wind fertilisation, as in grasses;
insect fertilisation, as in most flowers; as in honey-
suckles. The prepotency of the pollen from another
plant over that from the plant itself, is among the
curious features of plant life. Plants also obtain cross-
fertilisation by having the pollen and seed-vessels on
separate plants, as in the case of willows. On separate
parts of the same plant, as in corn, when in the same
flower it is attained by having pollen ripen before the
seed-vessel ; or vice versd, as in the plaintain, fire-weed,
gentian, and verbena. There must be some great benefit
in cross-fertilisation to offset the great waste of valuable
pollen in some flowers, and small, closed flowers of violet
have 100 grains, while the peony has three and one half
million grains.

In relation to the means taken by nature to entice
insects to plants, it is to be noticed that wind-fertilised
plants are dull in colour, destitute of odour, and contain
no honey, as in the case of pines and all conifers, hemp,
hop, and grasses. Large, conspicuous flowers are visited
much more frequently, and by a greater variety of
insects, than small, inconspicuous ones. Bees probably
distinguish flowers by bright-coloured leaves. When

bright blue flowers were cut off in an experiment, bees
crawled over to get other flowers. When the small,
upper leaves, which bees do not use to stand on, were cut
off, the bees visited the flowers as usual. Odours
attract insects, as shown by flowers covered with a
muslin net. When possessed of odour they do not so
much need colour. Fourteen per cent of white flowers
have a sweet odour, while only eight per cent of red
ones have it. Honey was certainly put in flowers to
entice insects. When the honey-sac was cut off a large
number of flowers, more than half of them were not
visited by insects, and produced no seed. Even dark-
coloured streaks on coloured leaves of flowera are
believed to be for guiding the insect to the honey-sac, so
that it can suck a greater number of flowers in a given
time, and hence produce more perfect cross-fertilisation.
As honey is of use to plants only as it helps to cross-
fertilise them, it is always placed where it will aid
in this.

When mature, the pollen-vessels and the seed-vessels
always stand in the pathway leading to the honey-sac.
A certain amount of heat is necessary for the formation
of honey. With some flowers, if the sun ceases to shine
for half an hour, bees will cease to work on them for
lack of honey. In most plants the construction and
position of the pollen-glands and the seed-vessels are
evidently arranged with the evident intention of making
the bees rub against them when it seeks the flower for
honej'. In such cases the pollen is moist or glutinous.
In wind-fertilised plants the pollen is dry and powdeiy,
and the seed-vessel is usually sticking- out, and hairy, to
catch the pollen.

Many flowers are irregular, one or more leaves
flattened to serve as a landing-place for the bee, and
their honey-sac is on that side of the flower. Violets
have large conspicuous flowers adapted to cross-fer-
tilisation, and these flowers are very fragrant, and
have much honey. In the harebell the honey-sac is at
the bottom of the bell. The pollen-vessels open first, and
shed pollen into the bottom of the bell, around the
honey-sac. The seed-vessel remains closed. Several
days later, when the pollen is dead, the seed-vessel opens
and receives pollen from other flower3. In the daisy,
one head has many flowers. The outer white leaves serve
as an attraction and resting-place, and produce no pollen.
Inner flowers have pollen-vessels in the form of a hollow
tube, into the middle of which the pollen falls, and
is pushed up and into view by the tip of the seed-vessel.
Afterward, when the seed-vessel is full grown, and most
of the pollen has been brushed off, the top opens and
exposes the inner face to the seed-vessel to pollen
brought from other plants.

In a common garden-bean the stamens shed pollen
on the middle of the style. One of the flower leaves is
wound into a tube containing both stamens and style.
These remain inside the leaf until a bee alights on the
wing petals, then its weight presses down the blossom,
and first the end of the style touches the bee, and it gets
any pollen which it has brought from the last-visited
flower ; next, the style sticks out still further, and the
pollen on its middle hits the same spot, and prepares the
bee for the next flower.

In the lady-slipper the honey-sac is at the bottom of
the slipper. The bee enters the large slit on the upper
side of the slipper. Edges are inflexed, so that the bee
cannot creep out the same way. There are two small
holes near the stalk, through which it can get out. In
doing so it must brush against the seed-vessel and pollen-
masses. If the pollen-masses were first the plant would
be self-fertilised, but in fact the seed-vessel comes first,
and pollen is carried off to be loft on the stigma of the
next flower it enters.

Orchids have a sticky material that will set at once;
as soon as the insect's head touches it the honey is free
in tho sac. When the sticky material requires more time

June 16, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

255

to harden, the honey-sac is empty, and the honey is con-
tained in the lining of the sae, and the hee has to bore
through the wall of this lining in several places before it
can get all the honey.

Bees have habits which help cross-fertilisation. They
work on flowers of one kind as long as they can before
changing to another kind. This is not to help the plant,
but because they have learned how to stand and work
better. Bees search for honey by instinct, by experience,
since they work as soon as they emerge from the pupa
state. They search introduced plants as readily as native
flowers which do not secrete honey, and often try to
suck honey out of the honey-sacs that are too long for
them to reach. Bees cannot tell without entering a
flower whether other bees have exhausted the honey,
and hence the flower is more perfectly cross-fertilised.
Mr. Miller found that in a certain set of blossoms visited
by a bumble-bee, four-fifths had been previously visited.

The great number of flowers which bees can visit in a
short time greatly increases the chances of any given
flower being cross-fertilised. In one minute a bumble-
bee visited twenty-four of the closed flowers of flax. In
fifteen minutes a single flower on the summit of a plant
of evening primrose was visited eight times by various
bees. In nineteen minutes every flower on a certain
flowering plant was visited twice. In one minute six
flowers of a harebell were entered by a pollen-collecting
bee, for when collecting- pollen they work more slowly
than when collecting honey. It was estimated at one
time that the flowers in a certain flower-bed were each
visited thirty times daily during the week or more than
there were in blossom. Bumble-bees in collecting honey
fly at the rate of ten miles an hour.

Bees have other habits which are directly opposed to
cross-fertilisation. In flowers having several honey-
sacs, if a bee finds the first one it searches is empty, it
does not wait to search the others. Bees often get the
honey by biting holes in the blossoms and sucking it out
of the side. Whole fields of red clover have been
examined in which every flower was thus bitten. The
biting is done by bumble-bees, and then hive-bees suck
through the holes. Bees are very successful in thus
biting holes, always hitting the spot outside just over the
honey-sac. In all such cases the plant is not fertilised.

The facts are that plants are very thoroughly fer-
tilised by insects. A gentleman marked 310 plants
which were incapable of self-fertilisation, and carefully
put pollen on the stigmas of each day after day ; he left
an equal number to the insects. His produced 11,237
seeds, and the bees 10,836, a difference of but one hi
35, and this difference is fully made up by the fact that
he worked during a cold spell with continued rain
when the bees did not. Of white clover, 10 heads un-
protected gave nearly ten times as many seeds as 10
. heads covered with gauze ; 20 heads covered produced
only one poor seed, and 20 heads open gave 2290 seeds.
. Of red clover, 100 heads covered gave nothing, and 100
heads open produced 2720 seeds. Insects will abun-
dantly cross-fertilise plants growing one-third to one-
half mile apart.

In the United States, hive-bees never suck red clover.
In England they only suck it through holes made by
bumble-bees. The clover cannot be fertilised by the
hive-bee — it is too small — but it is cross-fertilised by the
bumble-bee. Hence one gentleman has made this state-
ment : The safety of England depends on the number of
cats she keeps. He proves his proposition thus : With-
out the aid of bumble-bees the red clover could not be
fertilised. Bumble-bees make their nests on the ground,
where they are the prey of mice. Cats destroy the mice
and give the bees a chance to live. Hence he reasons,
no cats, many mice; many mice, no bumble-bees; no
bees, no clover ; no clover, no cattle ; no cattle, no beef ;
and without beef where would the Englishman be ? —
Pbof. W. W. Cooke. — (American Bee Journal.)

Jteip.

AUSTRALIA.

The people of Kangaroo Island have not yet realised
what has been done for them by the Ligurian Bee Act.
In these times of depression, when every new industry
however small deserves attention, it seems passing strange
that the islanders have not done more towards develop-
ing what should be a highly remunerative undertaking.
They are in a unique and commanding position. Kangaroo
Island is the one place in the world set apart for the
rearing and production of pure Ligurian bees, which by
an overwhelming weight of authority is pronounced to
be the best race of bees known. There are several races
of bees bred and manipulated for their honey. Amongst
these are the common black bee, the Ligurian, the
Carniolan, the Cyprian, the Syrian, and the Holy Land
bee, each of which has its adherents. But no bees have
so many admirers as the Ligurian, none are such general
favourites, and for none is there such a constant and
regular demand. When it is known that bees which are
hybridised after the first cross gradually acquire the bad
qualities and lose the good qualities of both stocks, and
that the fashion of crossing and hybridising has become
so common that in some parts purity of race has already
become lost, the value of a place whence a pure race can
be obtained can scarcely be over-estimated. Even in
Italy the craze for hybridisation and experiment has
become so great that it is feared purity of race will
become a thing of the past. It must be remembered
that the mating of bees cannot be controlled like the
mating of horses and cattle. All attempts in that direc-
tion have signally failed. If therefore there be two
sorts of bees in a neighbourhood, the chance of purity
being retained is at all times very uncertain, with a
growing tendency to a dangerous cross.

Particulars have reached us of a case in which a
gentleman, notwithstanding great attention to breeding,
had a little time ago to destroy several swarms of the
second cross, which had become so fiendish in disposition
that nothing could live near them. They attacked the
cattle, horses, fowls, and every living creature with
demoniacal fury and determination, and followed the
bee-master into the house, so that had it not been for
their destruction it would have become uninhabitable.
They attacked strangers going along a public road fifty
yards from the hives, and even settled in numbers with
persistent viciousness on a toy dog that had been bought
for one of the children. This viciousness seems the rule
with second crosses. Under these circumstances it is not
to be wondered at that a pure and gentle race should be
highly valued, and that Mr. Root, one of the first bee-
masters of America, on hearing of the dedication of the
island to Ligurians, wrote to Mr. Bonney, an apiarian of
whom any country might well be proud, that all the
world would yet come to Kangaroo Island for its pure
Ligurians. There are other facts which show the
correctness of Mr. Root's anticipations. "Well-known
British bee-masters have called attention to the advan-
tages which Kangaroo Island now has; and one of them,
Mr. Raynor, while stating that England could not boast
of anything like such advantages, has curiously enough
related that thirty-five years ago, when sailing past
Kangaroo Island, he exclaimed, 'What a magnificent
location for an apiary ! ' Mr. Bonney has had frequent
applications for information with regard to Kangaroo
Island queens from Victoria, New Zealand, and Queens-
land, and is confident that with proper attention a large
bee trade could be done.

The islanders should remember that their greatest
advantage is not in respect of the honey crop, although
that would be considerable, but in respect of the rearing
of pure Ligurian queens. At present considerable sums

25(5

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 10, 1887.

of money are sent from all parts of Australia for the
purchase of queen-bees in Italy, the whole of which
would come to Kangaroo Island if the demand could be
supplied with certainty and dispatch. Those bees
which have been hitherto raised on the island excel the
imported bees in strength and fertility, for the long
vovage from Italy in a confined space is always detri-
mental and often fatal. There are scores of men in
America who make a handsome living out of queen-
rearing, and a large traffic is done by post between the
States and Canada, and there would be no difficulty
whatever in sending queens from South Australia even
so far as New Zealand. A skilful apiarist might easily
raise four or five hundred queens his first season, and
1000 queens a-year could easily be disposed of after the
establishment of a proper queen-rearing apiary became
known at 14s. to 11. each. It can readily be seen,
therefore, what a loss there is in the neglect of this
industry by the Kangaroo Islanders. It is not necessary
to say much about honey. No country in the world
excels Australia in either the fineness or the yield of its
honey; and the French physicians have recently dis-
covered that eucalyptus honey is most useful in medicine.
The production in "America in 1881 was 200,000,000 lbs.
(the value exceeding 30,000,000 dollars), of which a
large quantity was exported to England. Care and
attention in this matter would add no little to the
farmers' profit, as the island is as prolific in honey as the
mainland. But as the pleasure and profit of bee-rearing
are greatly increased by the possession of good working
and tractable bees, and as the island has a monopoly in
this respect, it will be almost criminal neglect if the
islanders continue to ignore such a great advantage. —
South Australian Advertiser, April 5.
UNITED STATES.
Apiculture at Cornell University. — A course
in apiculture under Professor Comstock has just been
added to the regular work. This course is intended to
supplement the Professor's lectures on the subject. Each
student is given a colony of bees, and is expected to
attend to it himself. The bees given to the students are
Italians, and are the property of Professor Comstock.
The students taking this course have just had some
practical work. A swarm of black bees had taken
possession of a tree near Fall Creek, just opposite the
Professor's house, and had to be taken care of to prevent
them from hybridising the Italians. The tree was cut
down, the bees hived, their queen and drones destroyed,
and an Italian queen given to them, making them now
harmless neighbours. Thus it will be seen that pro-
gressive and scientific apiculture is now being taught as
a practical pursuit in several of the colleges in America.
— American Bee Journal.

ASSOCIATIONS.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of the committee was held on the 7th
inst. Present : Dr. A lien in the chair, Dr. Knight, Dr.
O'Farrell, Dr. Traill, Mr. Read, and the Hon. Secretary,
Mr. Chenevix. The Hon. Secretary reported that forty-
three new members had joined the Association since the
last report was printed. He stated also that, in accordance
with the instructions given him by the committee, he had
secured the services of Mr. Green, expert of the British
Bee-keepers' Association, to lecture and manipulate bees
at the show in August. A sub-committee was appointed
to complete the arrangements for this show. It was
resolved that a conversazione be held in July.

LEICESTERSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
The expert of this Association has just finished his
pr inz tour. He has visited a large number of apiaries,

and a considerable number of new names has been added
to the subscription list.

A Jubilee Offer. — In order to clear off the debt of
the Association, Mr. J. W. Bickley, of Melton, offers a
donation of one pound provided nine others can be
found to imitate him. Bee-keepers of Leicestershire, to
the rescue ! — E. B.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cfo Messrs. Strangeways and Sous, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.' All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of May, 1887, amounted to 1912/.
[From a return sent by the Principal of the Statistical
Department II. M. Customs to E. H, Bellairs, Wingfleld,
Christchurch.]

A WORD FOR THE EXPERTS.
[1007.1 In your issue of the 9th inst., ' Apple
Dumpling ' says, ' Experts are in hot water, and well
they may be, seeing the expert has closed up and
supered a stock of bees,' &c. In my journeyings a great
many varieties of bee-keepers are met, and to the majority
general advice and instruction has to be given ; and I think
it is far better to have supers on in readiness than to allow
the hive to become crowded with bees before extra space
is given, in other words, ' give room in advance of their
requirements ' as a preventive of swarming, &c. I
frequently place supers on hives long before the bees are
ready rather than leave them to the tender care of some
gardeners (many of whom seem to have an inborn
prejudice against 'them patent hives'), or perhaps to
some local expert (?). It may perhaps interest 'Apple
Dumpling ' to know that another reverend gentleman,
in Kent too, for many years known and respected as an
authority on bee-matters, remove! a super from a hive
on the 3 1st ult., nearly all the sections being well filled
—not with ' hailstones ' — but beautiful honey from the
fruit-blossoms, and from the same stock this day (11th
June) about twelve more may be removed, and this has
all been done in spite of cold ' nor'-easters,' lack of sun-
shine, and necessity for feeding (?). Apologising for
trespassing on your space, Mr. Editor, — Roland Grf.en,
Kent.

WIRING FRAMES FOR FOUNDATION.

[1008.] I see in pages of B. B. J. this method of
fastening foundation is gradually making way, the reason
it has not already become universal is surprising when its
advantages over the split top bar are apparent.

The ' tedious methods ' were in use by us until about
five years ago, when a few frames roughly wired were
tried", and the result was so satisfactory that the next
season these wired frames obtained the exclusive use in
our apiary.

From that time they were offered for sale, the wire
being strung through holes in the top and bottom bar,
but finding this wire had an inclination to ' kink ' when
drawn through, our present method was arrived at.

Three half-inch wire nails are drawn through top and

Jnne 16, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

257

bottom bars of frame, one in centre and one each an inch
from ends (inside), these are partially hooked so as to
hold -wire by the use of a split key or turning- tool (a
small pair of round nosed plyers will do) ; the wire is
then hooked over the bent nail, the diagonal braces being
first put in starting from centre of top bar, the nails are
then driven down tightening up wire, and the frame is
ready to receive foundation.

The sheets are best cut so as to touch the frame nearly
all round, and are laid on a half-inch board with ledges
projecting ; the wired frame is then placed upon the sheet
of foundation and embedded by the Woiblet spur. This
is all that is necessary, although melted wax may be
poured from a smelter on the edges if desired.

Probably fewer wires would be sufficient to keep the
foundation straight and even, but when it is desired^ to
strengthen it sufficiently to extract from soon after giving
to bees, six wires (including diagonal braces) are none too
much ; and as thinner foundation may with economy be
used, this number will really effect a saving in first cost,
not taking into consideration that the comb will, when
built out, stand any ordinary usage.

The objection (so called) of the bees to raise brood in
cells through which wires pass is theory rather than
practice. We have not noticed half-a-dozen such combs
in some hundreds we have in use or storer" for sale ; and
if it were so pollen or honey would be placed in them
readily. That wired frames of foundation will take the
place "of wired foundation when once used is the opinion
of — John Edey, St. Neots.

WATERTIGHT ROOFS.
[1009.] Seeing by several letters in the B. B. J. that
some of your correspondents seem to find a difficulty in
making a hive thoroughly watertight, which is at the
same time interchangeable, I thought that I would send
you a drawing of the hive we find best. I don't think
the drawing requires any explanation, you will see the
hive is perfectly watertight, and all the parts inter-
changeable. You can pile as many hives as you like one
on the top of the other. The hive is in three parts—

floor-board, body, and roof, which is hinged to the front
with a pair of pivot hinges, as recommended in B. B. J.
It will take two tiers of frames — 12 in. each, without
alteration, of twelve frames and two tiers of sections
above. It has a hinged shutter in front, and the
entrances can be closed right up by two strips of zinc.
The frames are quite plain, without shoulders or metal
ends of any sort, resting on zinc runners. You will see
the chief feature is in having the sides sloping all round
instead of perpendicular.— FT F. McKenzie,

A LITTLE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH
CARNIOLAN BEES.

[1110.] In the j'ear 1878, having frequent oppor-
tunies of going to see friend Martin, at Messrs. Neigh-
bour's bee-farm at Hampstead, among other things, the
Carniolan bees I especially noticed; and as I heard a good
character of them as regards gentleness, combined with
energy and industry, I decided to try them ; so the same
autumn I got an imported queen from Neighbour's for
10s. Qd. I safely introduced her, and the next year bred
several queens from her. Of course, there was not
much chance for the queen to mate with Carniolan
drones; some got mated to Ligurian, while others got
mated to English drones. Those mated with Ligurians
were very nice-looking bees, but not equal in honey
gathering to those mated with English drones, as the
stocks bred from these were the ones that gave me moie
honey than ever I had from an English stock. I will not
say but that in previous years I had taken as much from
Ligurian stocks bred from queens got from Mr. Abbott.
Of late years, Ligurians have been nowhere against the
Carniolans, only that they are prettier bees.

In the summer of 1881 I took 70 lbs. in sections from
one of these stocks of Carniolans, while the same year I
did not take more than a little over 40 lbs. from either
English or Ligurians. I do not boast of it as a great
yield, but it was the best among my stocks, and our
locality is not good enough to get more, as far as I can
see. In 1885 I took 76 lbs. off another stock of these
Carniolans ; and, what is more, I have every reason to
believe the queen was one that was bred in 1881. In the
autumn of same year I thought I would supersede her,
but she appeared so fat and sleek that I could not find
it in my heart to take her away ; but in 1886 they did
not do so well.

I got another imported queen in August, 1885, and
raised a queen from her, and just managed to get her
mated to an English drone, though I had not many left.
I introduced her to a stock of English bees, where she
did well, and filled up the hive last spring. And this is
the peculiarity I want to be noticed particularly : the
stock stood side by side with an English one, and they
had both been stimulated the same ; I supered them the
same night, and when in about a fortnight or three
weeks' time I took off the honey, judge of my surprise
to find the sections from the English stock were very
dark, and thickly capped over, while the sections from
the Carniolan stock were very light and transparent, and
not so thickly capped either. I only had two or three
pounds more than from the English stock, but it was far
better to look at, showing to me that they had been
going for the white clover, while, from the appearance
of the honey, the natives had been going for, or chiefly
for, the beans, of which we generally have our share in
this part of the country.

I raised several queens last year, and hope to further
test their work for light honey against the English. As to
their quietness and docility, they are about like most bees,
in my opinion ; if they get thoroughly roused they can use
their business end as well and as thoroughly as others,
as on one or two occasions I have a lively recollection of
them, while in a general way they are more quiet. — John
Walton, Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington.

APIFUGE.

[1111.] I am sorry to say that I can confirm your
correspondent's remarks as to the effects of using apifuge
upon the hands. Both hands and wrists became covered
with red and white eruptions of the most itching and
irritating nature. I was so convinced at the time that
this was the result of the apifuge that I have not used it
since. — Scotus.

[1112.] Like your correspondent, E. Musgrove, I used

258

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 16, 1887.

the apifuge with great pleasure in hiving my first swarm
of the season this morning. Daring the afternoon I have
been much irritated by two large bumps on my wrist,
but I did not think of attributing them to the apifuge
till I read just now of ' E. M.'s ' experience. I have used
it once before, and had no inconvenience. At your
request 1 send this. Allow me to record my pleasure in
your clever Journal. — Maby Constable, Manningtree,
June 9th.

[1113.] I can understand the effect of this bee-
soother on Mr. Musgrove and his nephew if there is any
preparation of Arnica montana in it, for some persons are
very sensitive to this drug. Maybe, it runs in families.
I remember that, some years ago, Mr. Squires, one of the
well-known druggists in London, telling me of his expe-
rience of it. He and I were walking under the 'portico
of the Beau Rivage Hotel, Oudry, Lausanne, and he
asked me whether the Arnica montana grew near where
I lived. It was growing in the meadow before my
house at Cour. In passing through Paris, Mrs. Squires,
having sprained her ankle, called in a doctor, who gave
her a lotion of arnica, which her husband applied. He
was about to tell me the effect it had upon him, when
I rudely interrupted him by saying, ' You've got
erysipelas.' I had long known that in some persons the
use of arnica was objectionable. Mr. Squires then told
me that he coidd not go into a room where dry bundles
of arnica were stored without suffering slight erysipe-
latous inflammation. I have used both arnica and
apifuge. I experience no unpleasant effects. More than
that, I had a sting on my wrist two or three days ago,
and rubbed the place well with a finger moist with
apifuge. I thought I never felt a sting less. Was it
fancy ? — J. Lawson-Sisson.

[1114.] Having made several trials of the useful
' apifuge,' I can say that no disagreeable effects have
followed its use with me. Its application to the hands
in the manipulation of two hives was most successful ; in
the case of the third hive it was not quite so much so,
the bees on the opening of the hive flying straight at the
hands and stinging viciously. Possibly the scent had
faded to some extent. — 0. T., Blackheath,

[Mr. Grimshaw, in a private communication, says
respecting his apifuge: 'I must write and put some
people right as to its use.' — Ed.]

HONEY v. SUGAR.

[1115.] In your issue of June 2nd, page 235, you give
a long article on this subject signed by one ' (Dr.) W. G.
Phelps {Practical Farmer).' I read this with considerable
interest, for it touched a question on which I had written,
my remarks appearing in your columns (page 493,
October 21st). This interest waxed into warm appre-
ciation when ' (Dr.) W. G. Phelps ' did me the hnnourof
quoting me: — ' Says one writer, and following up with
an extract from my article in the B. B. J., I felt as
though I was caressed by a velvety hand. I heard the
exquisitely soft drip, drip, — 'sweet music's melting fall,'
— as other weak mortals would who found themselves
quoted. My diploma'd admirer did not, however,
append my name or initials to his excerpt.

Further on he tells you, ' A leading medical and
scientific journal advances the following good points in
reference to its use,' proceeding with a long quotation
from my said article, not 'Precept upon precept, line
upon line, here a little and there a little,' but verbatim.
I read on. Aha! what's this? Why the whole thing
is my own article nearly word for word, and tins ap-
pears as an original contribution by our worthy Doctor,
whether of divinity, philosophy, law, or medicine, I
know nor care not !

Unlike the distraught mother who shrieked ' Me
nown ! me cheyild !' I murmur something not loud, but
deep, and wander into a soliloquy as to whether Doctor
means Debtor, seeing that this proud author is indebted
to me for the very words he uses ; whether ' (Dr.) W. G.
Phelps {Practical Farmer)1 should not be designated
instead ' practical plagiarist :' but anyway if any of your
readers care to compare the two articles they will agree
that he is certainly a distinguished man. The incense
which erstwhile charmed me, now ouly incenses me.
Mr. Phelps' rechauffe is only a hash from a joint I laid
before you ; his ' resurrection steak ' may be a toothsome
morsel, yet it is well that attention should be called to
the cold joint whence it is taken. If ' (Dr.) W. G. Phelps'
be desirous of masquerading in foreign garb, it is but just
that the protruding ears should be pointed out. I have
no objection to ' Practical Farmers,' but I resent the idea
of being practically farmed by the Doctor. — R. A. H.
Gbimshaw, Horsforth, near Leeds.

[We have taken the pains to compare Dr. Phelps'
article with that of Mr. Grimshaw, and we find in it
more of Mr. Grimshaw than of Dr. Phelps. The com-
munication of Mr. Grimshaw originally appeared in the
Leeds Mercury and was reprinted in our columns. We
know not through how many transmutations it may have
subsequently passed, probably it did find its way into
some ' medical or scientific journal,' where Dr. Phelps
may have seen it without having a knowledge of its
source. It has also been printed, as from the Practical
Farmer, in the American Bee Journal. Mr. Grimshaw
may well feel flattered at the wide circulation his com-
munication has had. A short time ago we received an
apparently original article from a newspaper published
in Graaf Reinet, South Africa, with a request to reprint
it in the Bee Journal, but on perusal we found it was one
of our own brain-children which had somehow wandered
to that distant land. — Ed.]

QUEEN INTRODUCTION : ANOTHER
SUCCESS.

[111G.] Will you kindly allow me a little space in your
valuable Journal to testify to the efficiency of Mr.
Simmins' plan of queen introduction ? On Thursday
last (May 26), I received per post a Carniolan queen
from Mr. Blow, and at about 3 p.m. on the afternoon
of the same day I removed the queen to be superseded
(from bar-frame hive). At 10 p.m. I removed 'her
Carniolan majesty ' from amongst her faithful subjects ;
and ' good gracious ! ' Mr. Editor, I had a job, bees
running all over the box in fearful consternation, and
buzzing about my ears, and I all the while in mortal
agony for fear of losing such a valuable mite ; but,
however, after a minute or two of hunting I saw ' her
ladyship ' crawling up the side of the box, and I can
tell you it was not long till she was safely enclosed in a
wine-glass, and 3Tou may guess I was truly thankful.
Well to make a long story short, I got a brother bee-
keeper and with him repaired to the hive with the
queen (after she had been enclosed for thirty minutes)
and introduced her as Mr. Simmins describes, which
is very simple. On Monday I examined the hive and
found her all right and laying.

Swarming very much earlier here this year, one camo
off on the 28th, and another to-day. Hoping I have
not trespassed too much on your valuable space. — ■
Bonnie Scotland, Kircudbrightshire, N.B. May 31s*.

THE FLAVOUR OF HONEY.
[1117.] In all discussions in regard to ripening honey,
one essential fact has been entirely ignored, and yet the
quality, if not entirely, is more dependent on it than
on any other. That honey must be of a certain con-
sistency is conceded by all ; so quality first, and quan-

June 16, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

259

tity next, is what we are all in pursuit of; and how
to get the latter without failure of the first is yet an
open question. Admitting proper consistency, quality,
then, is due to its peculiar flavour, which is derived
from the nectar of the flower. All flowers and
plants possess a peculiar and distinct odour, which is
due to a volatile, or essential, oil peculiar to itself,
and this same oil we find in the nectar of the
flowers ; this it is that gives honey its distinct flavour.
When flowers are macerated in water, then distilled, the
essential oil of the flower passes off with the steam, and,
if condensed, the oil is found in minute quantities
floating on the water ; and this, as its name indicates, is
very volatile, and, if exposed to the atmosphere, in time
all evaporates. Thus, the flavour of the honey is depen-
dent on the quantity of this oil present in it. Some
flowers possess more of it than others ; and, as a natural
result, we find some honey with more of a distinct
flavour. If the retention of this oil is desirable, then
that method by which there is the least loss is the one
we are in search of. That we have not yet attained this
is evidently a fact ; but that it is attainable is beyond
question, and I doubt not but that careful experimenting
will yet give us a standard to go by. — G. W. Brodbeck,
{American Gleanings).

THE SUSSEX ASSOCIATION.

[1118.] I have just received the balance-sheet of this
Association for the years 1885 and 1886, with the inti-
mation that subscriptions should be paid at once for
1887. I see the annual meeting was held at Horsham
on the 20th January. I have generally contributed my
' mite,' but do not now see any use in belonging to it.
I have never had a visit from the "expert, or heard
anything of the Association's work ; and from the fact of
the meeting being held in January for two years, and
the balance-sheets not issued until June, it looks as if the
committee are ' behind ' in all ways.

I have not given 2s. Qd. to the Association in the
hope of getting five shillings in return in the shape of
gratuitous advice from the experts (which is in some
cases rather dear), but in the hope of seeing the Sussex
Association come to the front again ; but I am afraid we
must conclude, by results, that there are more ' drones '
in the committee than ' workers.' I hope soon to see a
young, vigorous queen installed in our midst, or I am
afraid the Association will soon come, as I have heard
several say, to an inglorious end — which would be a
great pity. There is honey in abundance and plenty of
' workers ' amongst us, and it only requires a good
prolific queen to preside over us in the shape of a good
Secretary and officers to once again make our Association
a prosperous colony, and the happy hum of a thriving
community will he heard in this, and make itself heard
in adjoining counties as well. I hope other members
will take the matter to heart, and in the hands of
' workers ' who have plenty of time and brains bring the
Association up again to compare with others. — A Cot-
tage Bee-eeeper.

[There is earnestness in the piteous cry of this ' Cottage
Bee-keeper,' and we hope it may reach the ear of some
who are ready and willing to aid and uphold this evidently
falling cause. — Ed.]

FOUL BROOD AGAIN!

[1119.] Readers of the British Bee Journal will not
fail to recognise your solicitude for the general good
shown in reprinting last week the extract given on page
242.

On the evening of the 0th I kept an appointment
made with a neighbour, and with him examined a stock
he had recently received as his start in bee-keeping from
a large and well-known apiary. He was loud in praise
of the fair way he had been treated, which I at first

supported; hut ere long I was obliged to point out to
him an irregular line of dark, sunken cells ; on opening
man j' of these, all toe opened were found to contain the
fateful brown jelly-like substance, all outline of the
embryo being lost. Now when I add that some four
3'ears ago I started much as he did — only with a swarm
— getting hive and bees from this same apiary, and that
for a season I endured foul brood, only eradicating it in
the following spring by driving and starving out the bees,
then after twenty-four hours hiving them in an entirely
new hive, surely you will say that some means should
be devised of preventing beginners in our interesting art
being thus handicapped. It is true there were not many
on each frame infected, for capped brood was abundant,
with, as I describe, only a kind of broken line of these
bad cells on both sides of three frames, the smell being
clean and pleasant; could I have been mistaken? My
advice was to trust that the promised honey-flow would
work a cure, but my friend having read, and evidently
inwardly digested, your strictures en the subject, asked
me to remove all frames tainted so that he might destroy
them ' at whatever cost.'

It must be hard on the apiarist in a large way of
business to know what to do ; on the other hand it is
harder on novices who may happen to go to him for their
start.— A B.B.K.

WIRED FOUNDATION.

[1120.] I am sorry, in pointing out that the American
makers of this foundation wired it the wrong way, I did
not make my meaning clear in regard to the mechanical
construction of the cells — ' bees always build their combs
with perpendicular walls ' should have been ' with per-
pendicular cell walls.' Your experienced correspondent's
remarks in ' Useful Hints ' are quite in accordance with
facts, the natural disposition is with the cells in horizontal
rows, with, as he justly mentions, many modifications,
prompted probably in the first instance by necessity and
afterwards carried on by the same impulse, nevertheless
I think I am quite correct in stating, after examination
of hundreds of combs, that the cells have always perpen-
dicular walls ; of course we have all seen very peculiarly
shaped cells, and what may be termed abortive cells,
where the bees have changed from worker to drone cells
and where obstacles have impinged upon their working,
&c, but these exceptions only tend to prove the rule.
My experience of the practical utility of this wired
foundation is quite corroborative of your correspondent,
for out of between 150 and 200 combs built on it I have
not had a single break-down in the hive — a happy contrast
to some English flat-bottomed foundation, of which I
believe I had no less than thirty sheets give way last
year, and others that did not actually give way altogether
stretched down to the bottom bar and bent it down
nearly to the floor-board.

When we 'get this foundation made equally good in
England and wired the right way up, I venture to predict
that it will drive all other kinds out of the market, and
we shall hear no more of 'breaking down,' 'sagging,'
' buckling,' &c. The objection which used to be urged
against its use for the brood-nest is no longer tenable,
my queens seeming not only to have that special liking
which most queens have for newly-built combs but to be
imbued with a strong desire to fill every cell of the wired
foundation so that the combs are even slabs of brood —
this may be through the regularity and evenness of the
cells, for when stretching takes place many of the cells
are not used for breeding purposes.

May I be permitted to suggest the use of a small screw
instead of the nail advised to be driven through the centre
of the top-bar to prevent the foundation drawing out.
The jar caused by driving the nail being likely to crack
the foundation along the top-bar if it be at all brittle, a
mishap not always readily perceptible. And, again, in
the ' setting up of swarms,' where it is stated that a pitch

2(10

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 10, 1887.

of half an inch from hack to front is allowable ; this, of
course, is meant to apply only where the frames run from
back to front, and not to those hives with the frames
from side to side — this, of course, is understood by most
of us, but beginners might get combs but rather out of
the frames.

I strongly advise your readers to bear in mind what
the writer states about the transfer of the super to the
swarm if no excluder be used (and I never use it), the
queen will undoubtedly ascend the super and breeding
will be carried on there, better keep it off a day or two
until the combs are sufficiently advanced to give occupa-
tion to the queen below.

Apologising to the writer of ' Useful Hints ' for my
intrusion on bis valuable writings. — F. Boyes, Beverley.

SKELETON CASE FOR HOLDING SECTIONS.

[1121.] I have just designed a tin skeleton case for
holding sections, the object being to divide the rows of
sections in a crate into two parts, so that when the bees
have started the middle, sections they can be quickly
placed at the end, and the end ones in the centre, thereby
stimulating the bees to work harder and build straighter
combs. They can be reversed upside down at the same
time if desired. I have had them made to hold three
and four sections to suit a twenty-one and twenty-four-
section crate. They are made by machinery, and are
therefore exactly the same size respectively and inter-
changeable.

Owing to the delay in the manufacture, I have been
unable to get a block prepared to show them, but I hope
to have this ready in a short time.

The ends are slotted, and are 4j x 4£ inches, thus
leaving a \ inch space between the rows of sections, and
have strips of tin connecting the ends, angled on one
side and straight on the other, keeping the sections in
their places, and allowing them to slip out on one side
only. By their use a crate can be quickly cleared of its
sections, and are a convenient means of packing sections
for sending away, as the face is completely protected. —
W. H. Jenkins, Exchange Buildings, Swansea.

A REQUEST.
[1122.] Perhaps ' A. E.,' or Mr. Webster, or some of
your other correspondents, or all of them, might favour
me with their ideas of a cheap case in which, say, from
twenty-five to fifty sections might be packed off safely
for railway travelling, and which a cottager might make
for himself. The difficulty of sending away sections was
a source of great trouble and annoyance and loss to
myself and many more in this neighbourhood last
season ; and if you could assist us by telling us how we
may avoid a repetition of last year's troubles, I (I may
as well say we again, as I have no doubt many more
cottagers have felt the same difficulty) should be grateful.
— Uncebtificated Village Expebt.

INDIAN BEES.

The quantity of honey produced in Coorg may be
roughly estimated at 25,000 lbs., of which 14,000 lbs. is
from the domesticated, and 11,000 lbs. from the wild
bees. The price realised for the former averages 3 annas
the pound, and for the latter, which is of inferior quality.
2 annas the pound. The latter is valued most for the
wax. The best wax is sold at 8 annas 8 pie the pound,
and that of the ordinary quality at 5 annas 0 pie the
pound.

The demand for honey is small. The quantity ob-
tained la absorbed by the local consumption, being used
with food by most classes of the people, and as a cooling
drink especially on festive occasions. It is used also
medicinally. The ryots of Yedavanac, near Somvarpett,

who keep bees, sell the honey in the weekly markets in
Mysore and South Canara, but not in any large quantity.
Some honey is also imported from the Munjarabad Taluk
of the Hassan District of Mysore for local consumption.

The right to collect honey in the Government reserved
forests is rented out yearly for about Rs. 270. The wax
from wild bees is exported by the contractors chiefly to
Madras and the ports on the western coast. Bees are
domesticated by villagers in several parts of Coorg, but
chiefly in the Yedavanad of the Naujarajapatna Taluk,
and in the Yelusavirshime Taluk. The domesticated
variety is known as the Tudv<5 or Madike (potjenu). It
is a light black bee, with light grey wings, about the size
of the common English fly, and is probably the Apis
fturea. It might be improved by the substitution of the
Italian large yellow queen-bee, or the ordinary queen
honey-bee, Apis mellifica. The Cj'prian or American
variety of bee might also be tried to obtain a cross. Some
of the European planters might be entrusted with the
experiment, and proper bee-hives should be supplied to
them. At present earthen pots are used by villagers as
bee-hives, with holes pierced in them. At the time the
bees are expected to swarm, in the months of January
and February, the inside of the pot is rubbed with wax,
and they are pi aced with the mouth of the pot down-
wards in the jungle. On the bees collecting inside after
ten or twelve days, the pots are carefully removed at
night to the houses of the ryots, where they are kept
under the eaves of houses, or under plantain trees. The
bees extract honey from the bushes and creepers which
are in flower in the jungle. When the honeycomb has
formed in the inside of the pot in the months of May
and June, the bees are removed bv raising the pot up
slightly, and blowing them aside while it is dark. These
bees do not sting so badly as the wild variety. Few of
them are killed in the process. Another pot is usually
placed afterwards over the first, into which the bees
creep after the removal of the combs, but generally they
effect their escape into the jungle. A portion of the
honeycomb is generally left in the pot as an inducement
for them to return. Occasionally larvsa are found when
the ryots delay too long to remove the honeycomb.
These are taken and eaten. These bees are found also
wild in the jungle, in the hollows of trees, and in de-
serted white-ant hills.

The varieties of wild bee, besides the partly domesti-
cated TudvtS or Madike bees, are known as the Hejjenu
(the large bee), Kolu or Kaddi Jenee (the stick bee),
and Nasare or Midi Jenee (the small bee). The Hejjenu
is a thin long bee of a dark brown colour. They form
numerous fine honeycombs on large trees and on rocks, in
the months of January, February, and March. A jungle
tribe called the ' Jain ' (honey) Kurubars climb the trees
at night, and smoke the bees by applying torches. As
much as 12 seers of honey is obtained from one comb,
and as many as a hundred combs may be counted on one
tree. They generally return each year to the same tree,
and gather, at times, under the roofs of large buildings.
A precipitous rock near Ramaswamikanve, known as the
' Jainkal betta ' (honey-hill), is covered with combs each
year.

The combs are valued, however, most for the wax,
which is exported to the coast. The Kolu or Kaddi
Jene is a small black bee about the size of a young fly.
They are found on hedges and on the branches of small
trees. The combs are small and round in shape. They
give little honey, and what is obtained is used mostly
medicinally as a cure for coughs.

The Nasare or Muli Jenee is a very diminutive black
bee, which builds its comb in the hollows of trees and in
the crevices of rocks. The combs are very small, the
wax thin, and both it and the honey, which is slightly
acid to the taste, are of a black colour. It is mostly
eaten on the spot by the herd boys, who search for it
when grazing their cattle. Of these varieties none are of

June 16, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

261

any importance except the Hejjenu, first mentioned,
which is probably the Apis dorsata. It might probably
be domesticated. Their habits are not known to differ
from those of bees on the plains. — Asian.

(Btyntz ixam % Sta.

Bevlin House, Donegal, June 4th. — Bees have been work-
ing splendidly here since the 23rd ult., before that we had
some very severe weather, cold with a good fall of snow and
hail, which destroyed some of the early apple and sycamore
blossoms. I have not seen such a sight of blossoms on
both for years, the apple-blossom is nearly fallen now, but
the sycamore is still in bloom, also the hawthorn of which
there is an abundance, there is a regular smell of honey
about my apiary. I had my first swarm on the 28th ult.,
and two more since, and several more ready any day for it.
I have about 200 sections on different hives that I don't in-
tend to let swarm, and they are working in them beautifully.
So far my experience of black or brown bees is not very
favourable; out of thirty stocks put up for winter, ten were
black bees, the remainder Italians ; at the end of March I
found five of the black stocks without queens, and only two
Italians without, I can hardly imagine what can be the
cause, as five out of the seven were last year's queens. A
friend asked me the other day to have a look at his two
stocks of black bees, when I found one of them had no
queen, very few bees, and any amount of honey, some of
the frames completely full, she was a last year's queen, and
put up strong for winter. What can be the cause '? I have
lost my faith in condemned bees ; one of those found queen-
less was three stocks of condemned bees united, and there
were also condemned bees united to some of the others, all
queens were safe when put up for winter. I have been
thinking, that perhaps, too much in-breeding has something
to do with it, as I don't suppose there has been any new blood
introduced into the locality for miles round since bees were
known, except what I have got myself the last two years. I
find that I can have swarms from Italians three weeks or a
month earlier than from black bees, the queens are more pro-
lific and the bees work better. There is here an insect, or I
suppose I should call it a kind of bee, for it carries pollen,
and I see it working on flowers, there is about twelve feet
of a dry bank, and it is all perforated with round holes,
which they go into, they are nearly as large as a smali
Italian, with a black body, and I see two sizes, they were
flying about very early in the season and there seems to be
a lot of them. I intended to have sent you some of them
but perhaps from the description you will please tell me
what they are, or I will send you some of them at any time.
There is another kind that I see working on honey plants,
smaller and of a reddish colour, I don't know where they
locate themselves. I have not seen a single wasp this
year, queen or otherwise, they must have completely died
out. — G. Turner.

[The bees are burrowing bees, and belong to the class of
Andrenidffl, of which there are many varieties ; with the
exception of their appearance, they have little in common
with the habits of the hive bee.]

Odcombe, Ilminster, June 6th. — With the exception of the
4th and 5th inst., we have had another fortnight of
most unfavourable bee-weather. It has now taken a turn
for the better, which I trust may continue for a few weeks ;
we may then get some supers filled. The apple-bloom is
nearly all gone, and in this part we mnst rely on the
meadows, previous to their being mown, for any surplus
honey ; but fortunately the grass is rather late, and mowing
will not be general for the next fortnight or three week. I
had my first swarm yesterday, from a hive of ten frames,
which had just commenced work in sections, and which I
have treated as I usually do, viz. : place the swarm on the
stand of the parent hive, and give it two frames of brood,
four empty combs, and fill up with bars guided with
foundation, and put on the sections. Cut out all queen-
cells but one from the parent hive, and put in two sheets of
foundation in the place of the two frames of brood given to
the swarm. — J. Sarell.

Loose, Maidstone, June 10th. — The last few days have
been very favourable for the bees, and they have been

working vigorously on the sycamores, chestnuts, holly,
maple, and hawthorn, all of which are now in full bloom.
The weather, on the whole, last month was very unsettled,
but we had a few very fine days, which the bees took
advantage of. I had a large swarm issue on the itth of May,
which is the first I have heard of ; but as it came from a
hive that I wished not to swarm I at once returned it,
giving more room below (making fifteen frames in all,
spaced a quarter of an inch apart), and put on a crate of
partly worked-out sections, which by the 26th were three
parts sealed over, so placed a second crate underneath the
first, which same is now well advanced, and as the bees
still crowd out behind the dummy I intend putting a third.
I had two swarms on the 26th, one of which I also
returned, at the same time putting on a crate of partly-
filled sections, which are now three parts full. The other
swarm, which was placed in a new hive, has filled eight
frames with brood and honey from starters only. I have
also two other stocks working well in sections, — W. H.

DOLAN.

Swineshead, Lincolnshire, June 13th. — The continued
frosts in May have verified the old adage, viz., ' As many
rime frosts there are in March, there are the same number
in May.' Mr. J. H. Brown, who keeps a record of the tem-
perature of the weather, and myself, have for some years
noted the fact. This year there were seventeen in March
and fourteen in May, also three other mornings very near,
which have very much checked the breeding of bees, and the
sudden storms have caused a great fatality amongst the
heavy pollen-laden workers ; yet the apple-blossom, and
may, and other flowers being kept back, have assisted them
the last few days, having splendid weather to fully avail
themselves of it, so that the hives are fast filling with pollen
and honey, causing swarms from skeps ; but I find the
utility of my long twenty-frame hives, which have an extra
entrance on the west side behind to raise nuclei and young
queens in and prevent swarming, as orchard and fen-house
apiaries are often not under supervision. — Robt. Thorpe.

North Leicestershire, June 13th. — To-day is the tenth
successive fine day. Bees have been hard at work early and
late, and have collected more than is required for present
use. More room is called for, and there is a good reason
to hope that stocks will be well up to the mark when clover
begins to bloom. Bees at present are at work on sycamore,
hawthorn, apple, charlock, 'greens,' dandelion, meadow
orchis, gilliflowers, and mountain-ash. — E. B.

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington, June 13th. — After a
week's nice weather we seem fairly to have got to a yield of
honey, with miles of large hawthorn hedges in full bloom,
some of which are nearly twenty feet high, and clovers, and
trefoil, beans, &c, blooming, too, takes me back to one of
the Crystal Palace shows, where Mr. Busbridge showed
honey from whitethorn and clover, which, as the Editor
remarked, grew together simultaneously at Sidlesham.
Have been very busy last week supering stocks. Had my
first swarm only on Saturday, while to-day I have had a
monster swarm of Camiolans, which, after taking out
queen-cells and a frame or two of brood, I shall return, as
I do not want to increase my number of stocks but little, if
any at all. There is great promise of a good yield of honey
if the weather keeps nice. — John Walton.

Blaclclieath, June 13th. — The season has been very late
with us, the fruit-tree blossoms coming and going without
much advantage to supers. At present the weather is
glorious, and bees are beginning to take to upper boxes. A
fine swarm came oft' on the 26th of May, and a cast, almost
as good, followed a few days later. — Charles Toland.

Beverley, June 13th. — I am far too busy taking oft' crates
of filled and completed sections to answer the remarks of
your correspondent, ' Apple Dumpling.' Weather glorious
here. Bees doing wonders. No swarms ; but honey
' superabundant.' — F. Boyes.

Leeds District. — Since the 4th of June the bees have
been working better ; but very few swarms have as yet
appeared. Hives are strong, and have wintered well ; and
with the plentiful supply of blossoms we are this year
favoured with, there is every probability of a good honey
harvest. — Wji. Dixon Beckett, Senr.

262

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 16, 1887.

NOTICE !
Our practice is to have the Journal ready for press on
Tuesday evening, but as next Tuesday is the day of Jubilee,
we shall be compelled to finish on Monday. We should there-
fore be much obliged by our correspondents and advertising
friends sending their communications so that they may reach
us by Monday morning at latest.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

All queHea forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in tins column.

Frater. — 1. Number of Frames. — Six standard frames are
not sufficient for a strong swarm ; we never give less than
ten. You ought to supply eight, at least. Increase the
brood-nest by adding more frames. Also more sections
may be given behind. Much, however, depends on the
season and income. You may remove to an outhouse in
October. An empty frame may be added at spring for
drone -breeding. 2. Nuclei. — Workers and drones are
both put into nuclei. The brood is given to keep up
a supply of young bees. Sufficient honey is usually
transferred to nuclei over and around the brood in the
frames ; but it is good policy to feed with syrup.
3. Sycamore. — We believe that the bees gather pollen
from the sycamore, but not much honey. 4. Price of
Honey. — There are no statistics which would enable us to
give the weekly price of honey. 5. TIoney-Flow. — You
can only judge of the honey-flow by the flowers in bloom
and the weather — sunshine, temperature, &o. 6. Queen-
Introduction. — The plan you suggest of introducing a
queen may probably succeed, but we advise you, in
preference, to follow Mr. Simmins's method of direct
introduction.

E. P. — The two pieces of comb are not affected with foul
brood, but only with chilled brood.

C. C. T.— Breed of Bees. — The bees forwarded are common
English bees.

T. Cotton. — Casting out Brood. — Casting out brood at this
time of the year is usually a sign of want of food, or it
may be the removal of brood that has become chilled.

A Learner, — Sections. — You should put one rack of sections
on first, and when the bees have taken to this, raise it and
place a second between it and the top of hive. If hives are
sufficiently strong, you could put a third under the second,
— when the bees are working well in the first two. This
way of proceeding would be better than giving them the
three racks at the same time, more especially as you do
not expect your honey-flow for a week or two. The top
rack will be completed first. Proceed in the same way
with the sleeps, and if strong and honey abundant they
would bear two racks of sections.

M. Lin, Essex. — Burrowing Bees. — The bees carrying
pollen into worm-holes and into holes of the wall are not
your hive-bees, but some species of Andrenidse. The
Andrenidas are a section of the class Apidre. Probably,
the bee passing into holes is an Andrena Trimmcrana. This
is a burrowing and solitary-living bee. They are male
and female. If you had taken the trouble to dig into
the holes where you saw the bees enter, you would have
discovered their cells. These cells are beautiful speci-
mens of insect architecture. They are neat and perfect.
They are shaped like a thimble, made from particles of
sand, glued together by some viscid fluid which the bees
are able to secrete. The outside of the cell is roughish,
but the inside is perfectly smooth. In each cell is a
pellet of sweetened pollen about the size of a red ourrant,
sufficient for the sustenance of the infant bee. They
collect a large amount of pollen for their family. The
bee that you saw entering into the crevices of the wall of
the house is another kind of solitary bee, probably what
is termed Megachile muraria.

G. Clark. — Aborted Drones. — The bees were dead on arrival,
and somewhat smeared by the food (?) which you packed
with them, which was unsuitable for the purpose. The
bees are evidently affected with Bacillus Gaytoni. The
wingless drones were aborted through chill in development.

.gfhow ^Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

June 15, 16.— Wilts Agricultural Show. Eev. W. E.
Burkitt, Secretary.

June 20-23. — Royal Counties' Agricultural Show at
Beading. Entries close June 11th. See Advertisement.

June 23, 24.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 6. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Boyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Post entries to June 1st. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 11. — Oxfordshire Association at Headington. Hon.
Sec, Bev. F. C. Dillon, Enstone.

July 21. — Prescot Horticultural Show. B. Bigby,
.Secretary, Station Boad, Prescot, Lancashire.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. B. B. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 2G-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanrnore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York,
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blaekrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Bow,
Chester.

August 24. — Lancastei Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Boyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

business ^Directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. P., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Kegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,
Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent,

June 16, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

203

British Bke-eeepeiis' Stokes, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, P., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

BEES, Early Swarms for Sale, 15s. each. Orders
in rotation. Address A. D. Woodley, Donnington
Eoad, Evading. (173)

BAR-FRAME HIVES, 7s. Gel., 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d., and 17s. 6ii. each.
Bar Frames (Association Standard), Planed and Saw-cut
for Foundation. Price, in the fiat, Is. per doz., 10s. 6d. per gross ;
put together, Is. 6d. per doz., 15s. per gross.
Sectional Supers, from 2s. 6d. each.

Cylinder Honey Extractors, 32s, 6d., 27s. 6d., and 18s. 6d. each.

Feeders — Regulating Bootle Feeder, Is. 6d. each ; 15s. per doz.

Cooper's Venetian Feeder, Is. 6d. each; 15s. per doz. Feeder on

Simmins' principle, 2s. 6d. Honey Jars, from 12s. 6d. per gross.

All other Appliances at Moderate Rates.

Stocks of Bees and Swarms. Foreign Queens direct from

Mr. Frank Bentqn. Catalogue on Application.

D. & A. C00PEK, SPA LANE, DERBY.
The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.

Price 6s. 6d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUB & SONS,

149 Eegent Street, W.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Patron : H.B.H the Prince of Wales, K.G.
President: The Bight Hon. Lord Wenlock.

THE FIFTIETH GREAT ANNUAL SHOW

Will be held on THE KNAVESMIEE, XOEK,
2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of August, 1887.

The Entries close on Saturday, June 25th.

Prize Lists and Forms of Entry for Stock, Bee Ap-
pliances, and Implements, will be forwarded on application
to Marshall Stephenson, Secretary, 176

jlHY'S Prize Medal Honey Beverages, Champagnes,
Syrups, and Cordials, sell well. Assortments on Sale

TO SECRETARIES OF SHOWS.
I

or Eeturn. Lists free. Also Fry's ' Anti-sting,' 6d. and Is.
Anti-sting Soap, 6 d. Tablet. Agents Wanted.

MANUFACTORY: BISHOP'S WALTHAM. a 2662

FOR USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR
with the SIMMINS' SEPABATOE thickened at the
Corners by a Half Bee-space.

20,000 4£x4ixlJ V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMEBICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. For smaller quantities apply to J. H. Howard,
Holme, Peterborough; or to E. White & Co., Patrickswell,
Limerick. The Trade supplied.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one lime), each 14/-

)> 3 >i 4 ,, ,, ,, ,, 13/-

>i 0 ,, o ,, ,, ,, ,, L^j-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.
Hf My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISRTAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnaca,

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern.,, The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, °ANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PEOPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STEONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 $/Q per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Eegistered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 IQ,

HIVE MAKEES supplied with SPEINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 HarieySrd Rd^Tondon, S.E,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 16, 1887

SWARMING SEASON,

TIME SAVED IS MONEY EARNED!

All Goods ready for instant Delivery.

Just to hand, a Shipment of the Finest and "Whitest AMERICAN
SECTIONS ever imported, 11/- per 500.

YUCCA BRUSHES, 3d. Improved BRUSH (for Extracting), 9d. each.

WIRE EMBEDDER and ROLLER, 1/6 each (Root's).

WOIBLET SPUR EMBEDDER, 1/6 each.

EDEY'S Improved SMOKER, with Moveable Shutter and Flue Cleaner, 2/9 each.

BINGHAM, Imported, 7/6. Fuel for ditto, 3d per lb.

EDEY'S Method of Fixing Foundation in Dovetailed Standard Frames,

Wired. Send for WIRING OUTFIT of 1 dozen Frames, Foundation Nails, all necessary Tools, 7/6. See List.

NOTE. — Special Split Key and Woiblet Spur included in price; the Key has been used by us for
FOUR YEARS. Hundreds of Frames have been extracted without a breakdown. Sample Frame, 9d.

EDEY'S COTTAGER'S EXTRACTOR (52).

This revolves two Combs at a time ; the Honey may be emptied by the
Screw-valve at foot. Not shown in engraving. Price 17/6 ; Crate, 2/-.

LOCK-UP TRAVELLING CAN, to hold 5G lbs.

Honey. Price 5/9.

NESTED TINS for Honey, the Set of 4, holding to-
gether 35 lbs., price 1/4 ; postage 6d.

BEES.— English Swarms, 12/6 each ; Palestine
Queens, 15 1-; Syrian, 20/-; Home-bred ditto, half price;
Black Queens, 4/- ; Syrio-Carniolan Queens, the most
Prolific and Best Queens in existence, price 9/- each ; Imported
Carniolans (BENTON'S). 8/- each.

DOUBLE your HONEY HARVEST by Using W0RKED-
OUT COMBS!

Clean WIRED COMBS in Frames, 10/- per doz

Edey's Cottager's Extractor.
CHEAP, STRONG, EASILY MANIPULATED.

EDEY'S DOUBLER (7 a). Complete for Doubling or Tier-
ing. As shown, with 20 Frames, 2 Dummies, Waterproof Cover, Contracting
Entrances, price 10/6. In flat, each, 5/-.

For Supering: Complete Hive, 6/6 ; Section Crate, 2/6; Ad-
ditional Body-box, 2/6 ; Crate of 5 Hives, 23/9.

THE UNIVERSAL (No. 7). Of superior workmanship, high
outer sides. A first-class Hive for general work, with Super Crate, price 12/6.

FOUNDATION. — In addition to the ordinary Brood and Super,
we have a few Parcels of very Thin and Delicate SUPER FOUNDATION, for
filling Sections completely. Average weight, 20 sheets to the lb. 3/6 per lb.

EDEY'S DOVETAILED FRAMES. Best and

Cheapest made. No Frame-block needed. 2/ - per dozen ; 12/8 per 100.

Hive of Standard size, Frame Top 15i ins. long.

For a full line of our Manufactures, see List, free.

EDEY & SON, Steam Joinery Works, ST. NE0TS,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stranoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 201. Vol. XV.]

JUNE 23, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

€b%taxml, Ultras, #r.

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE.

Victoria, Empress-Queen of hearts,
We, loyal subjects, bring' to thee

The fruit, of ours, from many parts,
In this thy year of Jubilee.

Fruitage of love in words of love, —
Fruitage of wealth in deeds of gold,

From poor below to peer above
Our level fealty behold !

Our voices blend in unison
In the great psean raised to thee,

From myriad throats we speak as one,
In this thy year of Jubilee.

Gentle and wise, and good and great
In loyalty of womanhood,
. Thy rule has blessed thy vast estate;
On virtue based, thy throne has stood.

Almighty Sovereign of the spheres,

Commend our gracious Q.ueen to Thee ;

Thou hast been with her all the years,
Graciously bless her Jubilee.

W. H.) Dorking*

'OUR QUEEN AND GOVERNOUR.'

As we take up our pen, with the sounds of
' clanging steeples.' which ' with gala-flags are
hung,' and with the notes and signs of prepara-
tion for the approaching day of Jubilee meeting
us on every side, it is difficult to withstand the
temptation of bearing our part in the expression of
loyalty which the event has evoked ; and seeing the
exhibition of feeling is so widespread, — we may say
so world-wide and universal, — we cannot consider it
our duty to be silent. There are some special
reasons why bee-keepers should take their part in
the general gratulations. In their twofold position
as citizens of this great country and as bee-keepers,
they can join as earnestly and as fervently as the
most loyal in the loud shout, Long live the Queen !

There are many points of similitude — 'to compare
great things with small' — between the Royal Lady
that reigns so beneficently iu our midst and the
hive-queen that rules over thousands of industrious,
loyal, and attached subjects, whose interest bee-

* From the Commonwealth. The lines are from the pen of a
bee-keeper who has frequently contributed to our pages.

keepers have so much at heart, and over whose
welfare they so anxiously and sedulously watch.

We do not propose to specify with any degree of
minuteness the points of resemblance that have
occurred to our mind, it will suffice on the present
occasion only to note the historical steps which
have led to the recognition of the relation which
the queen-bee bears to the other denizens of the
hive.

Our gracious Majesty now sits securely on a
throne as firmly fixed as that of any monarch on
the face of the earth ; but as we pass upwards
through the line of her ancestors, we note the
many changes the dynasty has undergone. Saxons,
Danes, and Normans, the houses of Plantagenet,
Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart, and Hanover, flit
before our vision, — all helping in the progress of
years towards the consolidation of the kingdom as
we now rejoice to view it. The hive - queen has,
too, her history, and we would desire to trace
it from the first faint dawnings of light which
have from generation to generation led up to the
full knowledge which we possess of her position and
duties in the economy of the hive.

For our first knowledge of her we must hark back
many ages. We must consult that repertory of the
knowledge of the ancients, Aristotle, who wrote
B.C. 384, to ascertain the views that were -in his
time entertained respecting queens, or rather, as he
calls them, kings. Aristotle informs us that there
were two sorts of kings, or rulers ; the better sort
of a red colour, the inferior black and variegated,
and of a size double that of a common bee. The
cells of those rulers were placed at the bottom of
the combs. The king had a sting, which however
he seldom used. To the king belonged a peculiar
scent which had the power of attracting his
subjects from a distance. The king never left the
hive, even for food, or for any other purpose than
swarming. When the king died, all was dis-
turbance and ruin. But though Aristotle had some
faint traces of truth he had no clear idea of the sex
of the queen, and so he calls her fiao-iXtvc, or king.

Passing on to Virgil, wdio flourished about the
beginning of the Christian era, he styles the ruler
Bex, or king, and describes with great spirit the
attachment of the bees to their ' governor ' : —
' Lydian nor Mede so much his king adores,

Nor those on Nihis' or Hydaspes' shores,

The state united stands while he remains,

Bat should he fall, what dire confusion reigns !

266

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 23, 1887.

Their waxen coinbs and honey, late their joy,
With grief and rage distracted, they destroy ;
He guards the works, with awe they him surround,
And crowd about him with triumphant sound ;
How frequent on their duteous shoulders bear,
Bleed, fall, and die for him in glorious war.'

Georgics, iv. 211.

Pliny throws no light on the sex of the governor
or ruler. After him we pass through many hundreds
of years, which in many things, as well as bee-
keeping, may well be styled ' the dark ages,' till
we arrive at the beginning of the seventeenth
century. In 1609, Dr. Butler, well named 'the
Father of English apiarians,' wrote his Feminine
Monarchy. In that he gives the ruler a more
precise designation. He says : ' I am enforced to
strain the ordinary signification of the word Hex,
and to translate it queen ; sith the males here bear
no sway at all, theirs being an Amazonian or
feminine kingdom.' But Butler was not so far
advanced in his knowledge as to say that the
queen was the mother of the whole community ;
his idea was that the queen-bees bear only 'lady-
bees,' and that in special cells, which ' for the most
part are outside of the combs ; for though it be fit
for princes to be near their chief cities, yet they do
not love to be pestered in the midst of them.
These cells were larger than the rest, to show
that subjects' houses should not match their
sovereign's in greatness.' Neither does he incline
to the opinion that worker-bees are undeveloped
females ; for he says, ' Honey-bees are the females,
by whom the bees of both sexes (first the females
and then the males) are bred.'

We must give the honour to the Rev. Samuel
Purchase for being the first to describe the ruler by
her true name, namely, 'Queen-mother.' In his
work, entitled A Theatre of Political Flying Insects
(1657), he says, speaking of swarming : — ' Signs of
after -swarms are more manifest and certain, for
about eight to twelve days after her first swarm is
cast, the next princess will begin to tune in her
treble voyce a mournful and begging note, as if she
did pray her queen-mother to give her leave to be-
gone The first day after the grant from the

queen-mother,' &c, &c. Another and important
step was taken by Swammerdam, whose work on
Insects was published in 1669, when he stated 'that
from one female, the only one in the hive, all these
kinds of bees are produced,' that is queens, workers,
and drones.

This great fact having been thus enunciated, the
queen had now arrived at her true position as the
queen-mother of all the population of the hive.

From this time, by the labours of Maraldi,
Reaumur, Huber, and others, the life of the queen
has been further elucidated and the arcana of the
mysteries which had gathered round her have been
gradually opened.

At the present day the position of the queen is
higher than at any previous time. Enterprising
men have gone to distant climes, have imperilled
their lives, and have circled the wide earth for
improved races and strains of queens. Since the
introduction to the notice of the public of the

virtues of the Ligurian bee, a considerable traffic
has arisen in foreign queens ; and many persons
have devoted their lives and their energies to
provide for this want. Lately we have heard that
the government of South Australia is so interested
in the purity of the race of bees that it has passed
an Act of Parliament and set aside an island for
the purpose of keeping pure that race which they
consider the most important. All bee-keepers,
then, feeling how dependent the hopes of progress
in bee-keeping are on the welfare and well-being
of their queens, are prepared in more senses than
one to ' acclaim with one glad voice ' ' Vivat
Regina 1 '

OBSERVATIONS ON QUEENS.

'God save the Queen !' Such is the heartfelt expres-
sion from every loyal worker in this great empire, more
especially in this year of Jubilee ; and may the year be
one of peace and prosperity to all, whatever their calling
may be !

This year of Her Majesty's glorious reign is an excep-
tion, and we may be excused for mixing matters a little,
though in a paper devoted exclusively to bees the men-
tion of our own sovereign but reminds us of the great
similarity between our own government and that of the
hive. It has been stated that the queen-bee does not
govern the liive. Well, as a matter of fact, our own
Queen could not rule without the assistance of many of
her subjects ; and so it is with the honey bees ; it is
merely a question of mutual assistance — a true common-
wealth. The presence of our queen, the existence of the
hive queen, tends towards a condition of peace and
prosperity. Let either be removed, and the community
is thrown into a temporary state of disorder, until a new
head be established.

I have been asked to write something about Queens ;
but what? We have recently had so much about queen
introduction that it is hardly advisable to start that
subject again. Their natural history, too, has been
treated of lately by a more able writer than myself,
so I have decided to give a few general observations
that may prove of interest to practical bes-keepers.

We have already seen that the queen is the life and
soul of the hive, and knowing that the apiarist must be
studying his own interests by ascertaining that every
queen he has is doing well. Your queen may be prolific,
but her bees, perhaps, do not come up to the standard for
honey-gathering ; they may be of bad temper, or perhaps
they gather propolis in undue quantities. The mother
of such bees should be superseded at the first opportunity
by one known to be of better character.

When a colony does not come along in the spring as
it ought, the fault can mostly be found in the queen ;
but it requires care and judgment before one can decide for
certain. The condition of the stock during the previous
autumn should be taken into consideration, also what stores
they had to winter on, and whether they were properly
packed. If these matters can be satisfactorily accounted
for, then proceed accordingly, and do not hesitate for one
moment, as everything depends first upon the queen.

It is not generally known that a queen taken from a
hive while in full laying order is nearly always accepted
at once by any colony that has no queen, Young queens

June 23, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

267

that have only recently commenced to lay are more restless
and are not so readily taken to without precautions.
Fertile queens, long confined, are frequently objected to,
and, like unfertilised queens, run much risk if due care is
not exercised.

The statement has been almost universally accepted that
the queen leaves the hive only to be fertilised, and when
going off with a swarm. For my own part I am con-
vinced by several cases of actual observation that queens
do sometimes take an airing, especially after confinement.
In spring when a general flight taies place, queens are
not balled so much by strange bees entering the hive as by
her own bees when returning from flight, just as young-
queens often are after an excursion in search of drones.

Does any one know where to get queen-excluding
zinc ? I have tried the correct material, and yet I find
not only virgin, but large laying queens go through.
Certainly it excludes drones, and that is the only use I
have for it. The best way to exclude queens from supers
is to use all worker comb in them and to give her plenty
of room below.

Many want to know the best time to buy queens.
Any time from May to August, certainly not later,
though often they are inserted later, to the almost certain
ruin of the stock. A young queen given late breeds
late ; nature will have her period of repose, consequently
by the time she would lay well next spring, her bees
will be dying off rapidly, in consequence of frequent
flights before young bees are hatching freely. Again in
spring how many there are who, finding a stock queen-
less, send off for a new queen ! How much better to
unite at once, for what does the dealer from whom he
purchases? He runs considerable risk in wintering
nuclei for the sake of the young queens, as he is aware
they are much sought after early in the season. As the
queens are disposed of, often to be introduced to colonies
(?) weaker than the nuclei they are sold from, the dealer
unites, thu3 gaining strength while pocketing cash into
the bargain, the purchaser often finding, to his regret,
that his bees have not sufficient ' backbone ' left to do
the new queen justice. If one must try a new variety,
why not give her foreign majesty a fair trial with at
least an average stock in good heart, and thus be in a
position to give a full and faithful report ?

I am in a position to state that many queens are lost
by being inserted where there already exists a virgin
queen. These are sometimes difficult to find I am fully
aware, but where there is the least uncertainty, by in-
serting a comb with eggs, one can soon tell if a queen
is in the hive. If one is present they will not complete,
even if they begin to build queen-cells, though more
often none are started. In the absence of a queen, cells
are rapidly completed.

In giving queens by my direct method I have been
much interested to find that very often the bees exhibit
personal attachment for their original queen. While
accepting the new sovereign, I have noticed they behave
with every sign of queenlessness, and continue to build
queen-cells, such state of excitement being kept up for
several days.

I have other things to mention in regard to fertilisation
of queens, but this must be given in the concluding
paper on the foreign races, which I am reminded re-
mains incomplete. I hope to find time for the same at
an early date. — S. Simmins.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — ' That an Englishman is always known
by his remarks on the weather ' has become a proverb.
This, no doubt, in a great measure arises from the
changeable, fickle climate of his native land. When he
becomes acclimatised in other lands, with climate less
fickle, he ceases to remark on the weather.

The Anglo-Australian, for instance, has little cause to

speculate on change of weather. For six months —
twelve months — one year — the Australian sky is never
clouded, save by an occasional thunder-storm, and oh !
how weary the eye becomes from gazing day after day
on the brazen vault of heaven, on the 'never green
Eucalypti,' on the arid, scorched, and burning plains.
How many who have gone out there exclaim, ' England,
with all thy faults, I love thee still ! '

Frost, snow, hail, rain, &c, have at length given place
to real summer weather. And the change has been very
sudden ; so much so that bees have exhibited signs of
mental disorganization, not knowing whether to swarm,
or to fill sections, or other supers, or to ' hang out ' idly,
and do nothing. In well-organized apiaries, however,
they are filling sections, or swarming for increase, or
raising young queens in nuclei, according to their owner's
wishes, and to his heart's content. They are indeed,
under sunny skies, revelling in the May bloom, on the
bean-fields, on the broad 3rellow plains of mustard and
brassica, and conveying home no stinted quantity of
luscious nectar. May this pleasant realisation last. May
the refreshing shower fall, ' keeping all things in tune,'
causing the sweet-scented bloom of the white clover
fields to fill the air all around. But the ' Mower,' with
its horrible everlasting jingling, fills our ears, alas ! The
meadows, laden with the perfume of the blooms of their
shorn flowers, are already being rendered bare and
honeyless. Why cannot the farmers wait a little, and
give our bees a chance, and themselves reap heavier
crops? Still our hope, in the grazing districts, is the
white clover. Then the limes. And then

Sections are filling fast. Our plan has been to give
small triangular pieces of the thinnest foundation in
these, in preference, of late, to full sheets, on account of
the ' buckling.' But in Lee's sections we have given full
sheets, which are beautifully drawn out into splendidly
filled sections. This is owing, no doubt, to the inserted
foundation being stretched and held firmly in position —
so that the bees are, in a manner, compelled to build
straight comb.

Our only regret is, that all our sections are not of this
pattern. AVe have also in use several of Mr. Simmins'
'Comb-honey supers,' each containing 'skeleton folding
section frames,' holding seven of the 4j x 4j x If inch
sections, so that each super contains twenty-one sections.
The whole arrangement is very neat and expeditious,
a principal feature being the discarding of separators.
The three skeleton folding frames are kept in position
by keys, which are most easily inserted and withdrawn.
These are the sole invention of Mr. Simmins, we believe,
and are patented.

Wieed Foundation. — Mr. Boyes' remarks on this
subject, in our last issue, are very much to the point,
and there is no necessity for any apology from him.
We are always glad of suggestions. The insertion of
screws into divided top bars is a longer process than the
simple driving in of a nail, which secures the foundation
equally well, and has this advantage, that the divided
bar can be more easily reopened than when screwed. If
the frames of foundation are prepared upon a block,
resting on a firm bench, the driving in of a French nail
does not perceptibly shake the foundation. For some
years we have used the nail in preference to the screw,
and find that it answers the purpose just as well.

Our advice as to placing the hives of swarms level,
except with a slight inclination to the front, should
have been qualified, as Mr. Boyes justly observes, by
stating that the hint applied to those with frames
ranging from back to front. Our hives being all upon
this plan, we are apt to ignore the parallel system. It is
evident that to raise one side of a hive having parallel
frames would throw the combs out of the vertical ; and
this is one of the disadvantages of the system, for we
count it a decided advantage that hives should have a
slight inclination from back to front, not only to assist

2GS

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 23, 1887.

the bees in carrying out refuse matter, but also as
affording an easy escape for condensed moisture. A
quarter of an inch pitch is, perhaps, sufficient.

Superseding Queens is a practice often adopted by
skilful apiarists, but one which, as a rule, we do not
follow ; although the ages of our queens being known,
any queen fading in fecundity after her second year, if
not superseded naturally, is removed and replaced by
another. Generally speaking, an old queen is superseded
by the bees, very often during the aerial flight of a
natural swarm an old queen, whether from some defect
in the wings or elsewhere, is lost, and the bees return to
the parent hive, rarely attempting to swarm again unless
the loss occurs early in the season. In such case they
will cluster outside the hive in large numbers, remaining
at home apparently idle. When this occurs it is best to
give surplus boxes and bottom ventilation, driving the
outlying bees into the hive. About twelve or fourteen
days after the loss of the old queen her successor may be
expected to mate when she will find plenty of empty
cells for the reception of the eggs. These remarks have
reference to skeps rather than to frame-hives, in which
the loss of the queen can be discovered, and more easily
remedied by the introduction of a fecundated queen
without loss of time — a matter of great importance
during the honey season. The most prolific queens,
those which have produced large swarms to lead them off
(for the bees lead off the queen) are those which are
most often lost during the issue of a natural swarm, and
such queens are usually two years old at least, and often
three or more. Here, then, we have nature superseding
queens without the aid of the bees or their master,
and there seems to be a growing opinion amongst the
greater part of experienced and able apiarists in favour
of allowing the bees to supersede their queens. The
general idea seems to be that a prosperous colony will
not tolerate an aged or unprolitic queen, and the general
consensus of opinion amongst the foremost American
apiarists is, that, as a general rule, it is best to allow the
bees to do the superseding of their own accord. Then,
again, there is the difference in queens to be considered.
We have repeatedly had queens of three, and even four,
years old better than others at one and two years.
Another point to be considered is the time at which the
change should be made. During the honey-flow, except
in the case of change while swarming, would be most in-
opportune, hence we find that the most usual time of
superseding is during the latter part of July and the
month of August, and not unfrequently the old queen is
tolerated until the young one commences to lay. Often
have we witnessed this, but never knew the old queen to
survive through the winter.

Sdpered Colonies Swarming. — An Italian colony,
large and strong, which had received a case of sections,
and before we were aware of the fact had quickly filled
it, sent forth a swarm as we stood watching it.
Immediately the bees began to tumble out, helter-skelter,
we sat down beside the hive in order to seize the queen
on her exit. At first the rush was somewhat slow and
deliberate, but increased in energy, until quite at the fag
end of the exodus out came the queen, which was imme-
diately, while taking a turn or two on the alighting-
board, taken in the fingers, and with half-a-dozen of her
children placed in a small wire cage, which at swarming
time we always carry in our fob and returned to our
pocket. The swarm was now well out, and after circling
around for ten minutes partially settled on a bush near
by. Now was our time for action. The square frame-
hive was raised and an eke four inches deep was placed
below it. The case of beautifully filled sections was
removed and an empty one took its place. By this time
the bees, despairing of their queen joining them, had
begun to return to the hive, their entrance being
expedited by carbolised goose-quill. When all had
entered we placed the mother and her few attendants

on the flight-board and watched her majestic entrance to
her domain. And now a second case of sections is fast
approaching completion, and a third has been inserted
beneath it, and all goes on quietly without further sign
of swarming. We excised no queen-cells, but have no
doubt that the bees have done so, or at least allowed the
queen to do it. Koom and ventilation below and above
was all we depended upon, and the bees are perfectly
satisfied and are working splendidly. The queen was of
last year and very prolific, and of course we did not wish
for increase. The captured queen might have been
utilised otherwise than by returning to the hives and the
section cases would have been filled almost equally well.

Addition of Brood. — To swarms working for
surplus an addition of a brood-comb or two from other
colonies is very advantageous during the first ten days
after swarming, since no young bees will be forthcoming
for about a month after hiving, and young bees do not
work in the field until a fortnight old; hence, from the
loss of old bees and the non-production of young ones,
the colony becomes reduced in numbers, and often the
queen's domain — her brood-nest — is partly stored with
honey.

East Winds and Smoke v. Carbolic. — Although
the weather continues bright and fine, we still experience
strong easterly winds, which always render the bees
irritable and restless when handled. Smoke, we think,
is to be deprecated as causing too much disturbance in
the hive. Since we gave up smoke our manipulations
have been far quieter and the bees in a more natural
state and less irritable, remaining quietly on their combs
without clustering or rolling off during inspection. A
piece of calico or house-flaunel is sprayed with weak
carbolic solution, and gradually takes the place of the hive
quilt while being drawn aside without the escape of a
single bee. The bee3 retire below, i.e. to the lower
parts of the combj, and the frames may be quietly raised
one by one as desired when an examination is necessary.
If the operation is protracted, a little fresh spray may
be thrown over the cloth while resting on the hive, and
will effectually keep the bees quiet ; indeed, this method
of manipulation is the most simple and effectual of any
we have tried, and is far superior to smoke. And what
a relief to lay aside the dirty bellows smoker, with all its
paraphernalia of fuel, lighting, relighting, &c, and, after
all, linding fuel not alight just at an important moment !

Removal of Surplus Cases may be effected in a
similar manner about noon on a fine day, when few
bees will be found in the cases. Having removed the
covering and spread the carbolised cloth over them, raise
the cases slightly on wedge3. Then pass a carbolised
quilt between the hive and cases, and remove the latter
to the manipulating room or to a shady spot, where
each section may be withdrawn and the few remaining
bees brushed off.

Bee-loving Hen. — In the centre of our apiary, in
the midst of fifty hives, under the floor-board of a strong
colony of Italian bees, standing upon a few bricks, a
fine cuckoo dorking hen has made her nest. One by one
eggs were deposited until the number reached twelve.
Incubation then began, and the expectant mother has
for ten days closely hugged her eggs within a foot of
the flight-board of the hive, under which she sits with
its teeming population busy all around her. A bee-
house containing eight hives — two of them holding
strong colonies of Cyprians — stands in rear of the
hen, with other hives in front of her. Hives to the
left of her, hives to the right of her ! and no sting has
as yet annoyed the poor patient hen. The dangerous
time will be when the brood emerges. Bees hatching
above, chickens below! However, we shall hope quickly
to remove the latter out of harm's way. Every morning,
when her fellows are fed, stealthily the hen leaves her
nest; after regaling herself, stealthily she returns,
causing neither commotion nor irritation amongst the

June 23, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

269

bees. For many years we have rarely kept less than
fifty head of poultry located close to our apiary, of
which they have the full range, and our chickens are
never stung, nor did we ever see the latter attack the
bees, with the exception of a few straggling drones
being picked up and devoured. In these hard times
then, to the well-worn ' Keep bees ' of the Bishop, let us
add, ' and poultry also.'

A LOWESTOFT APIARY.

Talcing advantage of a day which put itself forward as
the first of spring we paid a visit to an apiary of Mr. L.
Wren, the expert of the local Bee-keepers' Society.
Here we found a dozen hives, and learned that there were
another dozen in another garden, and between thirty and
forty at Beccles ; the home apiary is kept expressly for
raising Ligurian queens, the others for honey. The bees
were somewhat torpid, but being gently stimulated by the
influences of the heightened temperature. They were
quartered in the bar-framed hives, which were imbedded
in shavings and other things to increase the temperature.
Scanty were the flowers in the neighbourhood, but the bees
were ' improving the shining hour,' and every now and
again a home-returning labourer negotiated the safety door
of the hive. The bee has the credit for a great deal of
sagacity, but it was easy to see that the bump of loca-
tion or of topography, as the phrenologists would say,
was not so very well developed. Frequent mistakes
were made as to the hive, and the bee having tried to get
"iito ' the wrong box ' was beaten off from hive to hive till
it found its own. It should be said that the hives were
placed very close together, and such mistakes were almost
pardonable. The bees did not appear to be at all laden,
and the examination of the honey-bag of one or two
revealed the fact that the land was not yet abounding
with honey. Over the tops of many of the hives artifi-
cially-prepared food consisting of cakes of sugar, flour,
and wax, or a something which looked very much like it,
were placed, and the bees had made prodigious bites out
of these. The circumstances of one hive had induced an
attack of dysentery or an inlet of a chilling draught,
which had brought about a heavy mortality, and the car-
casses of the deceased, ' uncoflined and unwept,' were
plentifully scattered about. A bee, it must be understood,
is an insect with very little sentiment, few affections, and
no sympathy. It pays no attention to dying relatives,
and if one happen to expire the bees do not stop to
render succour or pay any mark of respect to the corpses.
A sharp eye is kept on the queen or mother bee, who
seems to be regarded with the same respect that the
farmer bestows on a favourite brood mare ; the drones or
males come in for the harshest of usage, and the work
of cell-making goes on grimly. The apiarian community
would be a good subject for women's rights speakers, and
we are surprised that the society has not adopted the hive
as its armorial insignia. Bees are veritably brought face
to face with petticoat government, although it is a mis-
take to suppose they are governed by the queen. The
bee is like a great many people in this world : it has
obtained a great reputation for all sorts of things on a
very narrow basis. Mr. Wren showed us a fine-looking
queen which he had obtained from Germany, audit seems
that the breed of bees is to be improved by the same
means that stock is improved. Her apiarian majesty
now crosses the Atlantic Ocean (hi boxes), and New
Zealand and Australia are continually demanding good
Ligurian queens. The pure Ligurian or Italian bee is
the best worker, and as the aboriginal English bee is
approached in breed matters go wrong. Having seen
Mr. Wren take out cluster after cluster of bees and
examine them (we are not certain whether he did not
make them protrude their tongues and feel their pulses),
we just waited to see the way in which the new wooden
hives are made — by a clever adaptation of a small circular
saw worked by a pretty gas engine. Any one who is

about entering on the profitable path of bee-keeping
ought to pay a visit to Mr. Wren, and we prophesy that
apiculture will shortly progress rapidly iu Suffolk. The
profits are good, and honey is of great value to the com-
munity. By default of bees tons of good honey may be
lost to us which flowers have produced in vain. Here is
the discovery of a new harvest. Honey has qualities
which admirably adapt it to beer-makers' use, and in
Great Britain alone some 9,000,000 lbs. a-year are used
in the breweries, being very much better than sugar for
such purposes. At the present time we are importing
vast quantities of honey from America, and the demand
is so great that there is a great deal of adulteration
resorted to. California has grown richer with her bee-
farming than with her gold-mining, and we think that
Suffolk, at an humble distance, should follow in her wake
and take to bees. — The Lowestoft Standard.

CnrrespiTtrciTa.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com'
munications, and correspondents ore requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
tC*c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckxe, King's Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements)-

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

A BEE TOUR THROUGH LANCASHIRE
AND NORTHUMBERLAND.

(Continued from page 248.)

[1123.] On the afternoon of Wednesday I set off for
Ecklington, being due to lecture at Felton, two and a
half miles from Ecklington station. I was met here
and hospitably entertained by a number of the bee-keepers
in the neighbourhood. Felton is par excellence the bee-
keeping district here. Thousands of sycamores, or, as
they call them here, plane-trees, grow in and around the
village. At this time the bees were ' roaring ' on them.
I here met the breeder of a celebrated queen that pro-
duced a colony which stored 200 pounds of surplus honey
in one season in two crops, clover and heather. The
bees were in fine condition ; in fact, I did not see a weak
stock among the large number of bar-frame hives that I
examined.

Thursday I ran over to Warkworth in company
with Mr. Greenwall, who lives here ; had a look round
its ancient castle, and then on to Alnwick, where I
lectured during the evening. Both the bees and bee-
keepers here were conspicuous by their absence.

The next day, Friday, I was due at Belford, where
the energetic (?) organiser of this lecture was — after
some trouble on my part — discovered, but he knew, or
did not want to know, much about the lecture, so that
I had to set to work, and with the assistance of Mr.
Colville of Chatton Heath, managed to get a few of the
bee-keepers together and held our meeting.

Paxton in Berwickshire on Saturday completed the
week. Here I found a gentleman greatly interested in
the industry, and endeavouring to spread it abroad as
much as possible. What a charming change after my
my experiences at Alnwick and Belford !

After spending a rather lonely Sunday at Berwick-on-
Tweed — I had to wait eight and a half hours for a train
— I arrived back at Morpeth at 7 p.m. I had promised
Mr. SchoSeld to dine with him, but, alas ! man proposes,
but trains dispose.

On Monday I had a regular day among the bees, it

270

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 23, 1887.

being just the right sort of weather. I was driven from
Meldon station by Mr. Britain, first to his apiary, where
I was most hospitably welcomed, and then on to the
largest bee-keeper's apiary in the county, Mr. Codling's.
I found all the bees here in grand order. In the after-
noon, after another pleasant drive to Middleton station,
I took train to Rothbuiy, where I had a most numerous
and intelligent audience.

Hexham on Tuesday. Here I was nearly ' mobbed '
as to who should dispose of my person while I stayed
there, it falling to the lot of Mr. Bell to entertain me.
A well-attended meeting in the evening, which, as we
commenced and finished early, wa3 ' wound up ' by a
quiet little conversazione, strictly confined to bee matters.

I had a good look round the next morning at the
apiaries of most of the bee-keepers in the neighbourhood,
and whilst walking to Corbridge, in company with Mr.
Bell, he accosted a straw skeppist with the question,
' How is it you were not at the lecture last evening ?'
the said skeppist, with unblushing effrontery, answering,
' What for, mon ? I ken mair aboot bees than ony-
body.' I did not try to make any impression here,
especially as he was well aware that I was the lecturer.

Haltwhistle was my next stop. Here we had a well-
organised and well-attended lecture, thanks to the
energy of Mr. Macadam. I here made the acquaintance
of a blind bee-keeper, owner of three stocks. I ran over
to his house the next morning and had a pleasant half-
hour's chat on bee-matters.

My last lecture was at Bellingham. Here one of the
most pleasant days was spent in the company of the
Rev. J. G. Flint, who piloted me about among the bee-
keepers of the district. All seemed pleased to get any
little bit of advice or commendation. I found very
little of the 'I-ken-mair-aboot-bees-than-onybody' style
of bee-keeper in this neighbourhood. Indeed this was a
finale that made me almost wish that I had not finished
my course. But back to friend Bell's to spend the last
evening in Northumberland, and then, after a long
journey of considerably over 300 miles, found me safely
ensconced in my own armchair on Sunday morning. I
had what is called a good forty winks that afternoon.

Unfortunately I found two districts affected with
' foul brood.' In one it was almost the exception to
find a healthy colony. I took a gentleman round with
me, and instructed him in every particular as to its
detection, and also how to deal witli it afterwards. He
made a very apt scholar, and I trust will be of service in
eradicating the disease from the district.

I think that after this, with the assistance of such an
energetic secretary as Mr. Schofield, that the North-
umberland Bee-keepers' Association will be started on a
good sound basis, with a local secretary to each of the
districts I visited. Such were the plans I advocated,
and saw well started.

Number of bar-frame hives examined, 370. Next
week I will give a description of the Lancashire bee-
cellar.

IN THE HUT.

1 Where golden bees by alchemical prank
Make gold instead of honey.'
[1124.] I never so clearly realised the existence of 'golden
bees ' as I did the other day whilst watching the labours
of an artificial swarm now they have fairly got to busi-
ness. Bees were crowding in with their loads of nectar
and pollen — the odour of the former being distinctly
perceptible —

' The weary porters bearing in
Their heavy burden at the narrow gate.'

About every tenth bee appeared like a yellow spectre
amongst the crowd, covered as it was with glistening
chrome-hued dust — head, thorax, legs, and abdomen.
I can only compare the tint to that of newly electro-

deposited gold : furnace-refined gold doesn't seem to be
sufficiently lit up.

The following may be new to some readers, as it was
to me, copied from a friend's MS.: —

' A Yankee out a walking in Virginia (in Teeling),
While to himself a talking, experiences a feeling,
Strange, fearful, and alarming.
From his caput to his knees

(As he suddenly discovered)
He was covered o'er with bees.
They lit upon his eyelids and perched upon his nose ;
They colonised his puzzled face and swarmed upon

his clothes ;
Explored his swelling nostrils, dug deep into his ears ;
They crawled up his trowsers, and filled his eyes with
tears.

Did he holler like a loon ?

Or, was he scar't ?
Did the crittur cut and run ?

Ne'er a one.
Wasn't scar't a mite ;

Never cuts nor hollers ;
But hived 'em in a nail-keg tight,
And sold 'em for two dollars.'

I rejoice to see 'Amateur Expert ' again amongst us,
We can ill afford to do without ' Jottings.' Goodness
knows, the necessary reports of Association meetings,
&c, are dry enough reading at best. I know a youth
who makes it a matter of almost religious duty to pore
through the Journal word by word, week by week, and
on winter evenings before a roaring fire it proves to him
— well, an effective cure for insomnia. Therefore the
columns of the B. B. J. are much more palatable when
they have the peculiar twang a dose of ' Jottings Zest '
gives. My poor attempts at compounding ' Yorkshire
Relish ' make me appreciate the light appetising sauce of
' A. E.'

How refreshing it is to stumble on something about
bees in church ! — I mean something in church about
bees. I was caught in flagrante on the 24th morning,
turning down the page whereon it says ' They came
about me like bees.' I should dearly like to drop into
some church and find one of our grave and reverend
seigneurs preaching about bees after the manner of
Canon Hole, and roses. Surely if there are ' sermons in
stones,' there are ' discourses on drones ; ' ' words of
wisdom for workeis;' 'The Biblical biology of bees;'
' The quest of the queen,' &c.

If the huttites had known of the passage of Ambassador
Webster through Horsforth the other day they would
have tried to 'hive' him for a bit, and he might have
assisted them in the fumigation of our huts ' par le
fumigateur Webster,' which being translated may read
' Webster the Smoker.' By the way, the fumigator is
favourably mentionediu this month'sBeiue Internationale.
— X-Tr actor, Horsforth, near Leeds.

USE OF APIFUGE.

[1125.] In justice to your correspondents, if not to
Apif uge, I should not be silent respecting the complaints
of E. Musgrove in last week's issue, and confirmed in
this week's, to the effect that my substance causes lumps
or blotches on the hands. Such adverse comments are
not in the ratio of one per thousand of the instances
where the stuff is used with success, and this percentage
about tallies with those idiosyncrasies of constitution
which will be found occurring when any powerful drug
or perfume is used — they are the exceptions which go to
prove every rule. The smell and taste of honey itself — •
our great desideratum — produces precisely similar sym-
toms on certain constitutions to Apif uge (Pere Lang-
stroth and many others to wit). The scent of roses,
musk, heliotrope, violets, and many flowers, the smell
and taste of parsley, celery, garlic, and many culinary

June 23, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

271

herbs, are distinctly objectionable to some (pepper and
other condiments as food may be also included in the
list). When the use of these is persisted in we find
symptoms appear such as are complained of. It will
perhaps be so with Apifuge, but the instances will be so
very rare and exceptional that they will be of little
account, especially when I assure the subjects that the
ultimate result on their skin will be beneficial, not dele-
terious. I did not, nor do I, desire this substance to be
used as a medicine for outward application, or I might
at the outset have told the public that on myself it
instantly stopped the pain of stings, that it accelerated
the healing of slight wounds and abrasions, that its effect
in cutaneous affections is decidedly beneficial, and that,
especially where there is a tendency to scrofula, it
improves the skin.

In speaking of constitutional susceptibilities, the Rev.
J. Lawson-Sisson (1113), to use his own witty expres-
sion about myself, has ' hit the right nail on the head '
when he says ' it runs in families,' and his instance of
Arnica montana is much to the point. I ma}r, however,
whilst thanking him, give him the assurance that the
presence of A. montana would effectually condemn
Apifuge as a bee-sting-preventer if it were used in its
composition, which it is not.

Mr. Lawson-Sisson again was right in instancing
Apifuge as a pain-killer of bee-stings. He asks, ' Was
it fancy?' If he will kindly try again he will find it
was not.

Some people seem to think that if a little be rubbed on
the hands the bees will not sting the face or neck", and
that they can immediately dispense with the smoker
along with the veil and gloves. This is incorrect to this
extent: Apifuge certainly charms (puzzles rather) the
bees, but is only a direct protective for the surface on
which it is rubbed ; and the smoker should only be dis-
carded after experience. Again, it is only fair to ask
people to use the same care in manipulating with, as they
do without it. The application, too, of a few drops
should be repeated when the odour ceases to be per-
ceptible on smelling at the hands.

I did not say as much as I might justly have done in
favour of this stuff when I first brought it out ; I was
afraid of the accusation of being perhaps too sanguine as
to its various merits. I knew I had found a sting-
preventer, and as such only I laid it before your readers.

I need not worry you by saying anything further
beside remarking that I have experimented in very many
ways with Apifuge, even to the taking of it inwardly,
but neoer with any disagreeable or painful effects. — R.
A. H. Ghimshaw, Horaforth, near Leeds.

APIFUGE.

[1126.] I have tried this soother in examining my
hives at three separate times since spring-. In lifting
a few days since frames of a hive to one consisting of
four boxes holding thirty-eight frames, every frame
examined carefully on an extremely hot day, I can both
testify to its great assistance and less worry and cause
of gorging to the poor bees, and am thoroughly satisfied
with its use. (Page 256, Nos. Ill and 112.) As to the
red and white eruptions, I for one have not experienced
this trouble. I usually rub a few drops of glycerine on
my hands and wrists first, but merely for the object of
preventing the too rapid evaporation owing to the great
heat of my hands, and also I find the apifuge is more
easily applied to the surface and more evenly. I trust
Mr. G. will be able to suggest some relief to those who
suffer from the use of it from tender skins. — W.
Goodail, The Knowle, Rastrick, June 18th.

STING PREVENTERS.— NEPETOS PURPUREA.

[1127.] I have tried methyl salicylate many times

this year, and I have observed that it answers very well

until my hands began to get hot, and then the bees
began to sting. 1 have only once used Grimshaw's
Apifuge, but the effect of it seems to be the same, and
as soon as my hands got hot, I received several stings.
They both have one great advantage, namely, that they
give confidence, but I am not perfect!;/ sure that they
afford any extra protection to cool hands wet with
water. When the hands get warm, I have tried dipping
them in water, and putting on more of the salicylate, but
it was of little if any use. I think the way in which
the sting-preventer operates is to prevent the bees from
noticing the animal smell of the hands. On former
occasions I have tried vinegar, and it had some effect.
I have also used it frequently for putting on gloves after
the bees have stung them, and for this last purpose it
seems to me to answer admirably. When the hand is
stung, a drop of honey prevents other bees following suit.

A recent correspondent speaks of the Nepeta Mussini
(932). Is it the same plant as the Nepetos purpurea
mentioned in Miss Cooper's letter in the Journal of the
1.5th April, 1865? I bought some cuttings from that
lady for Is. Gd., and I consider it was a very good in-
vestment. It is one of the few things that bees will
touch in a small garden, and they are always at it — last
night till about 8 p.m. — and it flowers all the summer.
Patches of it look very well, and cuttings grow most
easily. I have given some to a non bee-keeping friend,
as he thought it was so pretty. — L.

[We invested Is. Qd. in Miss Coopers Xepeta purpurea,
and with our correspondent have had every reason to be
satisfied with it as a bee-plant. The Nepeta Mussini is
very similar to it, but rather larger-leafed.— Ed.]

CHEAP PACKING-CASES FOR TRANSMISSION
OF HONEY PER RAILWAY.

[1128.] Premising that ' Cottager' glazes his sections
of honey before he sends them to market, I commend to
his notice grocers' empties. Wrap and tie your honey in
parcels of, say, a dozen in each parcel, then procure your
box, say, \c. starch box, cost '2d. or 3^.; then place a
little meadow hay at bottom, then your parcel of honey,
pack tightly round sides and overtop, cord, and label,
' Honey-comb, with care, this side up,' and your honey
will travel from Land's End in Cornwall to John o'
Groats in Scotland without the least damage. I myself
have sent some to India, Bid Suez Canal, packed as above
described, and it has opened as clean and nice as when
first packed. Then for larger quantities, say, half gross
of sections, ask your grocer for a cube sugar box, cost
Qd. Tie up your sections in dozens in brown paper, put
a layer of hay, then a layer of two dozen sections, then
another thin layer of hay, another two dozen sections,
more hay, at same time well packing round each side of
the parcels with hay, then your last two dozen sections,
and over all pack very tightly with more hay ; cord and
label as above. I forgot to mention handles of cord.
Make two holes large enough for cord to go through,
one a little lower than the other, so that your handle
crosses the grain of the wood, and about two thirds of
height of case. If no handles are provided the railway
porters are apt to walk cases by the corners in a zig-zag
manner, thereby shaking the contents more than the
journey by rail. — W. Woodlby.

BALSAMS: THEIR COMPOSITION,

[1120.] ' It is asserted by a medical writer that of
four celebrated quack medicines (viz., the Balm of
Gilead, the Balsam of Rakasira, the Balsam of Mecca,
and the Balsam of Honey), not one contains a single
particle of the article of the name the proprietors have
given them, the three first being composed principally

272

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 28, 1867.

of spirits of wine, and the latter of tincture of benzoin.'
— (Herald.) ' — August 1 826, Galignanis Messenger.

Fancy tincture of benzoin being used to manufacture
Balsam of Honey !— J. Lawson Sissox.

BE BEADY.

[1130. "1 Dear me, Mr. Editor, how important it is to
be always ready ! so much so that one can scarcely
realise the same in reality unless they get into such a
mess as I am in at the present time. I thought I was
safe, but this beautiful weather has come and found
me behind. _ Plenty of honey to be got, and plenty of
bees to get it, and not half enough room to store it,
although my hives hold from fourteen to twenty
standard frames each, and super crates on containing
twenty-one and twenty-four one-pound sections, still the
bees continue to cast very large swarms, in some cases
from seven to eight pounds each. On the 10th inst.
very little done in supers, now, the 14th inst., supers
full, and nearly all the queens are crowded completely
out of laying room. I had two large swarms on
the 24th ult., one the 2Gth, one on the 28th, one on
the 30th. I cannot say how they have run since, as
I have been so very busy in trying to fetch up lost
time that I have not had time to book the proceedings
of the bees. They keep me so very busy every evening
that I scarcely know which way to turn for the best.
This must teach me a good lesson, to be ready at
another time, and I hope it will have some little effect
upon some more of our bee-keeping friends to be ready
at all times.— C. H. W., Aylesford, Maidstone, June 14.

EEMOVAL OF HIVES.— FRATERNISATION OF
BEES LEFT BEHIND WITH EACH OTHER

AND A STOCK THAT REMAINED.
[1131.] Lately I removed seven or eight stocks in
bar-frame hives, and one similarly hived stock that was
in an old granary, within a hundred yards of the apiary.
The hives were taken away (all except one stock) on
the 25th of May last, in the early afternoon of that day
when the bees were flying freely, and, of course, numbers
were shutout of .each hive. I had an idea that these
bees might be received in the hive left behind, and so it
happened.

Within an hour after the disappearance of the last
of the seven hives there was not a stray bee to be
seen. I had put an open newspaper on the site of each
hive, as it was removed, for the bees to collect on, and
I shook off at the entrance of the hive a few score bees
that were the first to gather upon it at one place ; at
this time the air was full of stray bees wheeling hither
and thither in an evident state of excitement. Their
numbers, instead of increasing, fell off as hive after hive
was shut up (by perforated zinc secured over entrance),
and it struck me the bees were being admitted into the
hive before referred to. The hive in the loft was re-
moved last, the stock was a strong one, and a large
number of the bees were from home, as they kept
arriving while we were securing the hive, and clustered
about the entrance made for them in the we.ither-
boarding of the old granary. Half an hour afterwards
I visited the place prepared to collect the bees with the
intention of carrying them to the hive in the apiary,
but found they were gone ; they had probably found then-
way themselves ' of their own sharpness.' — T. P. C.

A Goat Stung to Death by Bees.— About a week
or ten days ago, two goats (male and female) were
tethered together on a small plot of grass about fifteen
yards from two hives of bees, and twenty from the
cottage. The cottager, who resides in the parish of

Denham, near Uxbridge, was from home at his dailv
work at the time, leaving his wife in charge of bairn,
goats, and bees. The wife, being very timid of the bees',
and seeing a commotion near the goats, thought the
former were swarming upon the latter, and at once sent
for the services of the local adviser and expert, who
was soon upon the scene. On his way his doubts and
fears were roused as to the probability of bees choosino-
such a situation, knowing the peculiar odour of goats,
and at the same time rejoicing to add a little more to
his experience. However, on reaching the desired spot,
affairs looked different from that of swarming, and
certainly the bees had everything their own way" sting-
ing the passers-by, attacking those who came near, but
the poor tethered goats seemed to be the special object
of their resentment, for they were most vigorously
assaulted. No time was lost in releasing them from
their uncomfortable position, and most speedily did they
rush to their shed, still pursued and attacked by the
bees, which were after a few moments ' excluded.' ' The
piteous bleatings of the goats showed that they were
suffering intense pain, and on quietness being restored
more than a hundred stings were ' extracted,' chiefly
from the nostrils, eyes, and ears of one of the un-
fortunates. The other was not quite so badly attacked.
The cottager himself soon returned, and pulled out
ninety-six more stings from various parts of their bodies.
One goat died before morning, the other still survives,
but the bees were disposed of and cleared away within a
day or two after the occurrence.

dfojroxs from % Jibes.

Chertsey Grove.— Having noticed through the valuable
Bee Journal some of the ' Echoes from the Hive,' I may
just echo and say that after a long winter and careful
feeding I managed to bring all along eleven stocks out of
twelve, the one dying from cold or short food, but the
others seemed to come on very well until I found one stock
was gone, and after examination it proved to be queenless,
and the stronger lots had killed off the remaining bees. I
removed all bars, cleansed the hive well, and having had a
splendid swarm come out on June 9th, have repfenished
the hive, using the combs that had been deserted, but
adding two bars I had saved from last year, and giving two
bars fresh with foundation comb. - The second swarm
came out on the 13th of June, very strong, and from a hive
which by weight seems full of honey. On this hive I have
put on a super containing ten sections. On examination
of another box I found the queen was gone, but there was
live brood in the cells. In this box I put the second
swarm. This led me to ask the aid and opinion of the
Surrey Bee-keepers' Association's expert, who paid me a
visit on the 10th, and he expelled all my fears, as I thought
it must be foul brood. But there was no appearance of
this. I was very glad, as I am very fond of bees, but am
not an old hand at keeping them.— B. A. Driver.

Lowestoft, June lith.—l have been over to my Beccles
apiary to-day, and find the bees are doing well, honev
coming in fast.— L. When.

Odcombe, Ilmimter, June Wth. — We have had most
glorious bee weather for the past fourteen days, and where
hives are strong the bees are rendering a good account of it.
I have not experienced such a ' honey flow ' during the four
years I have kept bees. I have given my bees plenty of
room (eleven standard frames in body of hive and twelve
of the same size in super) ; and although the thermometer
in my garden has been about 86° each day for more than
a week past no swarms have issued since the 5th inst. ; in
fact, the bees appear to forget the ' swarming fever ' in their
desire to fill every available space in hive and super with
honey. I must be busy with the extractor next week
should the weather continue fine.— J. Sarell.

World's End, Neiobury, June 20th. —A fortnight of
splendid bee weather. Busy with section-crates. Very

June 23, 1887.]

'THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

273

few swarms up to date from either skeps or bar-frame
hives ; large numbers of skeps and a good few bar-frame
hives lost in this district during the winter and spring ; in
some cases spring dwindling has occurred notwithstanding
the most vigilant care and attention. — W. Woodley.

Lismore, Ireland, June 16th. — I do not hear of much
foul brood about here, and wherever it has appeared I have
hitherto been successful in getting the colonies totally
destroyed. When bees abound as they do here, I am sure
it is better to stamp out at once any sickly stock. I never
saw such work in my hives for the time of year. A hive
that was working in three section-racks, and had already
stored a fan- share of honey, swarmed to-day. I will put
the swarm on the old stand, following up directions. I
have reversed two fine skeps, and will let you know the
result by-and-by. We never had such a hot, dry spring,
and the white clover is coming in now. All my eleven bar-
hives are working in supers, most of them in two and three
racks. There have not been many swarms so far, and bees
have been very gentle. — F. W. C.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, quenes, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Inquirer. — Dry-sugar feeding and dead larva. — I only
recently stated that dry sugar left in the hive during
winter did more harm than good. It should be unneces-
sary to repeat that all stores required for winter should
he given not later than the end of September. Towards
spring dry feeding may be resorted to, in preference to
syrup, where any colony has unexpectedly run short.
It is not always a sign of starvation when bees are
throwing out drone or other larvfe piecemeal. The
brood along the lower edges of the combs may become
chilled during cold nights, and so be thrown out.
Brood may also be injured by improper ventilation and
consequent overheating ; or, in your correspondent's
case, it is quite possible, with such an abundant flow
of honey, the bees are removing the larvae to make
room for storing it; the remedy in that case would
be to give more sections, or combs, for extracting.

J. B. S. — Chilled Brood. — Leave it alone ; no harm will
arise, and the bees will soon clear it out.

J. S. Lawton. — There is not the slightest cause for appre-
hension of foul brood being caused by the operation
mentioned in your letter.

G. G. — Transferring. — About twenty-one days after the first
swarming would be a suitable time for transferring.

A. G. E. — 1. Burying Beetle. — The name of the beetle is
Necrophorus vespillo, one of the burying beetles. The
circumstances under which you found it are common to
the tribe. They burrow under dead carcasses of all kinds
and there deposit their eggs. It is impossible for it to
have any connexion with the death of the bird under
which you found it. — 2. We should be obliged by your
taking the trouble to distribute spare copies of the
Journal.

F. Mosgeove.— Foul Brood. — You did very wrong in placing
any combs from the affected colony in the new hive. The
germs of the disease can be carried on your fingers or
clothes ; how much more so would they be carried on a
comb which had been both built and stored in the diseased
hive. The germs of the disease are contained in the
honey, and brood fed on such honey will assuredly
become affected. We should strongly advise you, as you
have only one colony, to destroy bees, combs, and frames,
and start afresh, after thoroughly washing out both the
hives with a strong solution of carbolic acid, then allowing
them to dry, afterwards exposing to the air to get rid of
the smell. This plan, without doubt, is the most satis-
factory and inexpensive.

F. W. C. — Queen. — The queen has not reached us alive
she was drowned in the honey which had exuded from
the piece of new comb. There was no perceptible appear-
ance of the external feature you note. The honey from
the new comb was of a delicious flavour. The old comb
contained chilled brood.
H. F. — We are pleased to hear that your erratic bees
have at last settled down. Yours has been a singular
experience.
W. T. C. — Bees changing Queens. — From your description
of your bees lying and clustering about the hive, halting
and sluggish in their work, we should conceive that they
are superseding their queen. Leave the hive and bees
as they are, and wait for result.
A Learner. — Returning Swarms. — Swarming cannot be
absolutely prevented, but its probability may be mini-
mised. When swarms leave supered stocks, bee-keepers
desirous of honey - getting return them in the evening
after having cut away the queen-cells from the stock hive.
In the case of stocks supered after first swarms have
issued, the returning at night of second swarms is gener-
ally sufficient, as the young princesses heading the latter
will be almost sure to engage in royal combat with their
sisters in the hive, and in the morning there will be only
one regal survivor.
Miss Daly. — Fighting. — Fighting and robbing generally
accompany each other, and should be prevented by every
possible means. It seldom happens between strong
stocks, but is generally carried on against weak and ill-
provided hives, and is often induced by carelessness in
feeding. Spilling syrup or leaving honey about the hives
creates a spirit of cupidity amongst foragers, and the scent
from the outside having attracted them, they find their
way into the interior, and the destruction of the hive
is imminent if the bee-master does not take means to
prevent the result. Narrow the entrances, passage for
the ingress and egress of two bees being for the time
sufficient ; or exchange the positions of the hives of the
robbed and the robbers — this will nonplns the latter, and
generally the fighting and the robbing will cease.
E. Sampson. — A very full description of the Stewarton hive
will be found in The Stewarton ; the Hive for the Busy
Man: London, 1881. By the Rev. E. Bartrum, D.D.

Received a very nice sample of this season's honey as
regards colour, consistency, and aroma. This is the first
we have seen this year in London, and is produced by Mr.
D. A. Thomas, of Sevenoaks.

Received from Mr. H. W. West, of Stanmore, Bishops
Waltham, schedule of prizes of show-honey, bees, &c, to
be held in connexion with the Show of the Bishops
Waltham Horticultural Society at Holm Oak, Bishops
Waltham, on July 27th.

Correction. — The last paragraph but three in my letter
(1009) ought to be as follows: — 'It will take either two
tiers of frames, twelve in each tier, or twelve frames and
two tiers of sections, without any alteration to the hive.'
I may further say that we give a sheet of one-ply AVillesden
paper all over roof and then paint. — F. F. McKenzie, The
Warren, Longhton, Essex, June 16th.

jghow j^Lnnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Slwivs are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

June 23, 21.— Suffolk Agricultural Show at Bury St.
Edmunds. Entries close June 6. J. Huckle, Secretary.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Post entries to June 1st. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July II. — Oxfordshire Association at Headington. Hon.
See., Rev. F. C. Dillon, Enstone.

July 21. — Prescot Horticultural Show. R. Rigby,
Secretary, Station Road, Prescot, Lancashire.

274

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 23, 1 87.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Eow,
Chester.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Royal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M, Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Eoad, Eeading.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.
HONEY MERCHANTS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,
Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, P., Munich, Germany
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

)>(

In Mahogany, stained and varnished. The best-finished
things of the kind ever offered. Post free, 1/3.
T. WHEELER, Rushett Apiary, Long DittoD,
SURREY. A 2683

EXHIBITION OF HONEY, BEES, & HIVES,

')

At ELY,

JULY 27th and 28th, 1887.

(OPEN TO ALL ENGLAND.)
Judge: E. E. GODFEEY, Esq., Grantham.

TaTKTETEEKT PHIZES. FEES, Is. and 2s. 6(1.

Schedules and Forms of Mr. E. Peters, 7 Downing Street,
Cambridge.

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Patron : H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, K.G.
President : The Right Hon. Lord Wenlock.

THE FIFTIETH GREAT ANNUAL SHOW

Will be held on THE KNAYESMIRE, YORK,
2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of August, 1887.

The Entries close on Saturday, June 25th.

Prize Lists and Forms of Entry for Stock, Bee Ap-
pliances, and Implements, will be forwarded on application
to Marshall Stephenson, Secretary. 176

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE!

WEBSTER'S FUIMTOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4Jd.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can he adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic aeid, oil of tar, and water,

proportionably mixed— 6d. each.

NOW READY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME- LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is, 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show,

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

June 23, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

REGISTERED

a

TRADE MARK.

BREFFIT'S LIMITED,

THE AIRE & CALDER GLASS BOTTLE CO.

83 Upper Thames Street,

NET PRICES PER GROSS OP

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY JARS,

Including CORK WADS for the SCREW CAPPED JARS.

PACKAGES FKEE AND DELIVERY FBEE ON KAILS, LONDON.
Screw°cSpPed. A SAMPLE CASE, containing one of each of the JARS sent,

Carriage Paid, for 2/6.

Telegraphic
Address:

' BREFFIT'S,
LONDON.'

Square
Screw Capped.

lib.

20/-

Octagon

Screw Capped.

1 lb. 20/-

TTpright
Screw Capped.

1 lb. 20/-
Jlb. 18/-

TIE-OVER JAES.

-Hb. ... 7/6
lib. ... 10/8
21b. ... 18/6

Upright
Jelly Jar
1 lb. 10/6

Plain Greek-
shape Jelly Jar.
lib. 10/6

Reversible Section Holders,

(PEOTECTED).

Set of Six, with Dividers for 21 Sections, 1/6.
24 „ 1/9.
Crates, fitted with Holders and Dividers, on Tin Eests, for
21 Sections, 3/9 ; 21 Sections, 4/-.

W. H. JENKINS, Exchange Buildings, Swansea.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE,

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one lime), each 14/-

,, 3 ,, 4 ,, ,i ,, ,, lo/-

,, 5 ,, 6 ,, ,, ,, ,, lAJ-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

f^ My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, aud
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modern Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address — ■

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Baot, Labnaca.

SUPERIOR BEE VEILS.

IRE GAUZE FRONTS, Is. 2d. each, 3 for 3s.
Traps for Cleaning Supers, 5d. each, 3 for Is.
Post free. Address, W. Crisp, Halstead, Essex.

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PBOPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STBONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/@ Per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, g/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Yeil bears the Begistered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1 /g,

HIVE MAEEES supplied with SPBINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&o., &c, at lowest prices.

F. LY^94Hffigyfbrd Rd.3 London, 8.E.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 23, 1887

SWARMING SEASON.

TIME SAVED IS MONEY EARNED!

All Goods ready for instant Delivery.

Just to hand, a Shipment of the Finest and "Whitest AMERICAN
SECTIONS ever imported, 11/- per 500.

YUCCA BRUSHES, 3d. Improved BRUSH (for Extracting), 9d. each.

"WIRE EMBEDDER and ROLLER, 1/6 each (Root's).

WOIBLET SPUR EMBEDDER, 1/6 each.

EDEY'S Improved SMOKER, with Moveable Shutter and Flue Cleaner, 2/9 each.

BINGHAM, Imported, 7/6. Fuel for ditto, 3d. per lb.

EDEY'S Method of Fixing Foundation in Dovetailed Standard Frames,

Wired. Send for WIRING OUTFIT of 1 dozen Frames, Foundation Nails, all necessary Tools, 7/6. See List.

NOTE. — Special Split Key and Woiblet Spur included in price; the Key has been used by us for
FOUR YEARS. Hundreds of Frames have been extracted without a breakdown. Sample Frame, 9d.

EDEY'S COTTAGER'S EXTRACTOR (52).

This revolves two Combs at a time ; the Honey may be emptied by the
Screw-valve at foot. Not shown in engraving. Price 17/6 ; Crate, 2/-.

LOCK-UP TRAVELLING CAN, to hold 5G lbs.

Honey. Price 5/9.

NESTED TINS for Houey, the Set of 4, holding to-
gether 35 lbs., price 1/4 ; postage 6d.

BEES.— English Swarms, 12/6 each ; Palestine
Queens, 15]- ; Syrian, 20/-; Home-bred ditto, half price;
Black Queens, 4/- ; Syrio-Carniolan Queens, the most
Prolific and Best Queens in existence, price 9/. each ; Imported
Carniolans (BENTON'S). 8/- each.

DOUBLE your HONEY HARVEST by Using W0RKED-

OUT COMBS!
Clean WIRED COMBS in Frames, 10/- per doz.

Edey's Cottager's Extractor
CHEAP, STRONG, EASILY MANIPULATED.

EDEY'S DOUBLER (7 a). Complete for Doubling or Tier-
ing. As shown, with 20 Frames, 2 Dummies, Waterproof Cover, Contracting
Entrances, price 10/6. In flat, each, 5/-.

For Supering : Complete Hive, 6/6 ; Section Crate, 2/6 ; Ad-
ditional Body-box, 2/6 ; Crate of 5 Hives, 23/9.

THE UNIVERSAL (No. 7). Of superior workmanship, high
outer sides. A first-class Hive for general work, with Super Crate, price 12,6.

FOUNDATION. — In addition to the ordinary Brood and Super,
we have a few Parcels of very Thin and Delicate SUPER FOUNDATION, for
filling Sections completely. Average weight, 20 sheets to the lb. 3/6 per lb.

EDEY'S DOVETAILED FRAMES. Best and
Cheapest made. No Frame-block needed. 2/- per dozen ; 12/6 per 100.

Hive of Standard size, Frame Top loi ins. long

For a full line of our Manufactures, see List, free.

EDEY & SON, Steam Joinery Works, ST. NE0TS.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stuanoeways' Peiniies Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C,'

[No. 262, Vol. XV.]

JUNE 30, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

tfbitonal, ftoitas, $l

A NEW HONEY BEVERAGE.

It is very pleasing to note the increasing
number of those who are cultivating bee-keeping
as a pursuit either for pleasure or for profit. The
number of bee-keepers is rapidly advancing year
by year. Great perfection is being arrived at in
the construction of hives and in the manufacture
of bee-appliances ; and attention is being directed
in a greater degree to the cultivation of honey-
yielding flowers and plants. The result of this is
that a larger amount of honey is annually pro-
duced throughout the kingdom, and the honey so
produced is of superior flavour and quality. The
burden that rests heavily on the mind of many
bee-keepers is, In what manner can we utilise our
increased yield of honey 1 Is the demand in-
creasing proportionately to the enlarged supply?
These questions require a reply.

During the past few years considerable advance
has been made in increasing the number of outlets
for the utilisation of honey. It is but right that
we as bee-keepers should acknowledge and express
our indebtedness to various gentlemen connected
with the Berks B. K. A. for the great interest and
inventive ingenuity that they have displayed in
furthering this object. In this connexion we are
pleased especially to recognise the services of, and
the active part taken by, the Rev. V. H. Moyle,
of Ashhampstead Vicarage, looking upon him as we
do as the principal agent in stimulating those in
his vicinity to bestow their attention in this
direction. In reply to a communication, Mr.
Moyle some time ago informed us that he was
engaged in compiling a pamphlet setting forth the
various utilities of honey. This pamphlet has not
yet reached us, and we presume that it has not
been published. Some such pamphlet is a great
desideratum ; and we consider that no one is more
competent than Mr. Moyle to produce it, he
having for many years devoted much time and
attention to the consideration of this subject.
Messrs. Huntly and Palmer of Reading have con-
sumed much honey in their well-known Honey
Drop Biscuits. Messrs. Blatch of Theale, with
their honey beverages; Mr. George, of Reading,
with his confectionery; Mr. G. E. Darvil, with his

sweetmeats of all kinds, containing a large pro-
portion of bond-fide honey; Mr. Thomas, with his
honey toilet preparations ; Messrs. Cross, with
their various methods of applying honey in medi-
cinal and pharmaceutical preparations, have done
much towards popularising the use of honey.
Besides these, Messrs. Fry and Sons, of Bristol,
have produced very nice honey chocolate tablets
and creams ; Messrs. Fry's (of Bishop's Waltham)
honey beverages, champagnes, syrups, and cor-
dials, are well known ; and our friend, Mr. W. N.
Griffin, of Freshford, Bath, has invented a dubbin
in which honey is an ingredient and which has been
highly spoken of as a preservative of leather.

Much of the honey collected in the British
Isles is especially adapted for being utilised in
various articles of food, beverages, confectionery,
sweets, medicines, &c, possessing as it does an
exquisite flavour and aroma ; and in this respect
we ■ may claim that it possesses considerable supe-
riority over foreign honeys. It is of primary im-
portance that bee-keepers, and all others interested
in the promotion of bee-culture, should direct their
attention to the increase of such manufactures, as
by so doing they would create an increased demand
for their own produce. The fact cannot be brought
too prominently before the British public that
honey is not only of good service in its old form
of ' bread and honey,' but that it can be applied
to manifold medicinal and sanitary purposes ; that
it is far superior to its younger rival, sugar ; and
that the more varied its applications the better for
the honey industry generally.

The British Honey Company, Limited, — who in
their progress have had many difficulties to over-
come and much uphill work to accomplish, — have
devoted much thought and attention to this matter;
and after a series of experiments have succeeded in
producing from British honey and fruits a beverage,
which, whilst retaining the flavour of honey in a
marked degree, is quite free from the viscous pro-
perties noticeable in many of the honey beverages
which have been brought before the public. The
new beverage is termed ' Mella,' and, while of a
highly effervescent character, is non-intoxicating.
The taste of the honey is perfectly distinguishable
when drinking it. It is prepared for the market
with the aid of the most approved machinery ; and,
we are informed, it is intended to be retailed at a
low price, thus bringing it within the reach of all

276

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 30, 1887.

classes. We advise all our readers to give this
beverage a fair trial.

"We congratulate the British Honey Company
on this success ; and we trust that they will con-
tinue to be found in the forefront of those who
are catering for the public in the various modes
which may be adopted for the utilisation of honey.

YORK SHOW.
We beg to remind intending exhibitors that late
entries will be received up to July 2nd upon pay-
ment of extra fees. See advertisement.

MANAGEMENT OF BEES FOR PROFIT.*

By L. Wren, Hon. Secretanj of the Lowestoft Bee-keepers'

Association.

Mr. Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen, during the short
time I may occupy your attention it is my intention
to speak upon the practical side of bee-keeping. My
desire is to open the way for a discussion upon the
subject, with a few remarks culled from experience,
gained, not only in my own apiary, but also from
numerous visits made to successful and non-successful
bee-keepers. I have carefully watched and noted the
causes which have led in the one case to success, and
in the other to failure.

How and When to Commence.

The question is often asked, How shall I commence,
and when is the best time ? If a person has a knowledge
of bee-keeping, and desires to spend as little money as
possible, then I should say the autumn, because cottagers'
bees can be had for the trouble of driving, &c., and
sugar being cheap they can be fed up for the winter at
a small cost. But to winter bees some experience is
necessary ; therefore it is not safe for a novice to begin
in the autumn, except he has a practical friend to give
him some assistance. The next best plan, so far as outlay
is concerned, would be to procure an early swarm, not at
all times an easy matter. If the season is good it will
doubtless give some surplus ; still I think I may safely
say that not more than one swarm in twenty will give
the owner any surplus the first year. If }'0u are not
limited in means, then by far the most profitable way
is to commence in the spring with a good stock on seven
well-built combs. I have sent out such stocks, which
have given sufficient surplus the first year to pay for
hive, stock, and the necessary appliances required.

Caution to Beginnebs.
Many who commence bee-keeping soon give it up. I
advise starting with one stock, and not launch out
further until it has paid all costs. Such advice is worth
but little, for I often find the young bee-keeper with
five or six hives before the end of the summer. An
experienced apiarist would put two or three stocks into
one hive ; but that woidd never do for our young
beginner. His stocks are ofteu weak, and the following
summer they do nothing ; he is disheartened, and sells
out at a considerable sacrifice, declaring bee-keeping does
not pay. No, it never will in the hands of such persons.
The amateur needs caution. There is a tendency to
spend money upon useless articles. I am satisfied that
the necessary appliances for successful bee-keeping could
be printed on one or two pages of note-paper, and yet we
see catalogues advertised of sixty or seventy pages with
100 illustrations. When the tyro receives such a cata-
logue he fancies the more he can purchase the greater
will be his success, whereas a practical bee-keeper that
works for profit buys but few fancy articles.

* A paper read at the annual meeting of the Lowestoft Bee-
keepers' Association, May 5th, 1887.

Shows.

Shows are not an unmixed benefit to the novice.
True, he may learn a little, and get some useful hints
in the bee -tent; but when he goes to the appliance
department be is bewildered — he had no idea so many
things were required. He endeavours to gain informa-
tion by making inquiries for what purposes the various
articles are used. Of course the vendor is there to do
business, and the enterprising bee-keeper purchases a
few articles such as none of his neighbours possess. By
the time he leaves he has secured a drone -trap, the
latest novelty in the shape of a queen-cage, transferring
rack, &c, spending 20*. or 30s. over articles that are not
worth a cent to him. He has bought some experience,
but paid too high a price for it.

Modern Hives are Essential.

Unfortunately most of our best books upon bee-keeping
are written by gentlemen who have a liberal supply of
that useful commodity called money ; consequently the
majority of the hives illustrated are expensive, and some
complicated. I would say, adopt the most simple hive
that can be made — only it should be well made and
painted to stand the weather and keep the bees dry ;
above all things it should be easy to manipulate. Don't
attempt to put bees into a box which will not keep out
the rain. I consider a good, sound hive a profitable
investment. Always see that the floor-boards are
tongued. It should also be capable of expansion for
the summer to prevent swarming, and all the bars of
one size. I consider reversible or invertible hives or
frames require too much time for the average bee-
keeper. I have a hive here which I shall be pleased
to explain at the close of the meeting. It may assist
some of the members in making or altering their present
hives.

Bees and Queens must not be Ovehlooked.
I do not advise the beginner to speculate in expensive
bees, but to rest satisfied with the English until he has
gained some experience. The native bees, well managed,
will give very fair results, though I have not found them
equal to the Ligurian or hybrids ; neither do I advise
the buying of a number of imported queens. It will pay
to purchase one occasionally to improve your stock. I
find queens raised at home from good stock are worth
double the money for work, and last longer, than any
imported queen I ever bought. Whatever race of bees
you keep, it is essential that stocks be strong. If you
have weak stocks in April, it will pay to unite two, or
even three, if very weak. It is not wise to unite too
early in the year. Providing each stock has a fertile
queen, some persons can hardly believe it possible to get
a stock to cover twenty frames by the tim-1 honey is
coming in. It can be done ; and such a stock, if you
prevent it swarming, will be certain to render a good
account of itself when the results of the season are
summed up. To bring an average stock up to that
strength, get them to rear all the young bees possible
before May. When the honey is coming, confine your
queen to seven or eight bars, put on supers, or extra
body-boxes. To succeed you must have good queens.
Last year I had one stock that made no progress.
On July 20th the bees did not cover six frames, and there
was scarcely any honey in the hive. I killed the queen,
and two days later inserted a Ligurian queen, reared in
June. I examined the hive on September 16th (that
would be seven weeks after the young queen was intro-
duced) when I found ten frames covered with bees, and
more honey than they required for the winter ; aud I
would also add that between August 6th and September
16th, five Ligurian and Ligurian-hybrid stocks gave me
100 lbs. of extracted honey ; but the English standing in
the same garden gathered no surplus during that time.
I do not recommend these bees for trade purposes
because I do not profess to sell queens,

June 30, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

277

Locality.
Much depends on locality, both for quantity and
quality of honey. I would prefer a district where you
are not dependent upon one kind of plant or flower, no
matter how rich it niay be in honey. If the weather
should prove unfavourable just at the time it is in flower,
the harvest is lost. To ensure success a variety is
necessary, and such as will follow each other. If the
season is good, bees will give a surplus in almost any
locality. Still, some districts are much better than
others, principally because of the greater variety of
flowers, &c. I have known bees give 40 to 60 lbs. extra
by moving them from one district to another in the
same county.

PREPARATION FOB THE HONEY HARVEST.

In my visits to apiaiies of customers and friends I find
some rejiocing over their success, and others complaining
that bee-keeping does not pay. On inquiry, I find he
who succeeds gives attention, and at the proper time;
sections and doubling-boxes are on ready for the harvest.
The unsuccessful one leaves the bees to take care of
themselves. My advice is, Have everything ready before
they are wanted, and give bees the necessary attention
when required. Bees set us a good example. They do
not put off until to-morrow what can be done to-day.
If bee-keeping is to be profitable, it must have the same
thought, care, and attention, we give to other matters of
business.

Prevention of Swarming.
To secure a good harvest you must prevent swarming.
Although I average from tliirt}' to forty stocks, I have
not been troubled with a swarm from a bar-framed hive
for the last three years, except from a hive that was
neglected. Last year I had stocks covering twenty
frames and tilling sections. Bee-keepers may adopt
somewhat different methods for the prevention of
swarming, but the principle is the same, i.e., giving
plenty of room for work before the bees have a desire to
swarm. I have tried different arrangements according
to the hive. If the body-box holds only ten frames, just
before swarming time I take out three frames with
brood, moving the remaining seven bars towards the
back, placing three empty frames in front with narrow
guides, not more than one row of cells exposed, putting
on an extra body-box, placing the three frames of brood
in the centre of extra box and filling up with empty
combs, adding a crate of sections on the top. If the hive
will hold sixteen frames I work it rather differently. If
the bees cover most, or all the bars, I take away three or
four from the front, putting in empty frames as before,
I leave seven or eight for the brood-nest, then a queen-
excluder, and behind it five frames for extracting, and a
crate of twenty-one sections on the top, leaving the three
bars in front uncovered. The bees can then cluster up
the front of the crate if the night is hot. The crates can
be tiered if required, and the bars at the back can be ex-
tracted as filled. If the bees should fill the front bars
with comb, take them away and give empty ones in
their place. If the hive will hold only ten frames, and
the queen is very prolific, then a shallow box filled with
narrow frames containing only guides placed under the
body-box is a safe preventative, adding sections on body-
boxes as before. The same arrangement will prevent a
skep swarming.

Taking Honey
Is a pleasure to the bee-keeper, and if you desire good
coloured sections for sale they must be taken away about
once a-week, putting those partially filled to the centre,
placing the empty ones outside. If honey is coming in
rapidly a strong stock will generally fill twenty-one so
quickly that they can all be taken off at the same time.
When one crate is partially filled place a second under-
neath the first. When honey is falling take away the
full sections and keep the unfinished in close quarters,

otherwise many will be left only half filled. I find it
does not pay so well to work for sections after the best
of the season is over ; they are filled too slowly to look
well. If other duties demand so much of your time in
summer that you cannot give attention to the bees, pro-
ceed to prevent swarming, letting them have plenty of
room according to their strength. A very strong stock
to be left all the season should have at least twenty
frames and fifty or sixty lb. sections. The honey then
could all be taken at the close of the season. There is
one advantage in this plan of procedure — the honey is
well ripened.

Marketing Honey.
Retailing, as I do, about half a ton of honey during
the year, I have gained some knowledge of what best
suits the retail customers. Appearance goes a long way
witli the general public. I often notice in offering two
sections of the same weight and quality of honey, the
average buyer will give twopence more for the best in
general appearance. When I speak of general appear-
ance I mean not onl\- a white, well-filled comb, but a
clean section. It is a great mistake to use old dirty
sections when new ones are so cheap. The 1-lb. section
is more saleable than the 2 lbs., I should say one hundred
to one ; therefore, if jrou desire to sell your sections do
not use the 'Mb. size. The same remark applies to
extracted honey. It will sell better if the colour is good,
the bottle nicely tied down, and a bright label on ; a
tumbler to hold halfslb. sells readily at sixpence. When
empty the tumbler is more useful than a bottle. The
2-lb. bottles are a slow .sale. Two-lb. tins sell to those
who have to carry honey a great distance. I advise all
bee-keepers to retail their honey among their friends. It
will bring a larger profit. Several who have tried it
have been surprised by the large profits they have
received by adopting this plan. You must not sell the
single section or bottle at the same price you do wholesale
quantities. In the one case you perhaps sell one or two
cwts. at once ; in the other, you call on sixty or seventy
people to sell the same weight. Remember, also, the
trader cannot pay rent, rates, taxes, assistants, &c,
except he makes a profit. AVhen I commenced selling
honey I bought principally of my customers, but have
been compelled to produce it with my own bees, for two
reasons, viz., the supply was so uncertain, and some will
sell their best sections at lOd. or Is. retail, and when
they had sold all they could they brought the worst to
me, and expected the same price, 10s. or 12s. per dozen.
They thus brought down the price and supplied me with
an article of lower quality, compelling me to offer them
a lower price than I had previously given. If one desires
to sell their extracted honey wholesale it must not be
bottled, it costs too much for carriage, and often several
of the bottles come to hand broken. The wholesale
buyer will generally send cans for what you have to sell.
If your honey is in sections have them nicely cleaned.
When sending in sections gentlemen often write stating
they were too busy to clean them ; therefore the buyer
has to pay some one to do the work. He dared not trust
any one to do it, otherwise many would be spoilt. Time
is money, and to have five or six dozen of dirty sections
come to hand just at the time when one is going from
fourteen to seventeen hours per day to keep up with the
pressing wants is no joke. At such a time, if two lots
were offered, one clean and fit for sale and the other with
the propolis left on, I take the clean and return the other.
I do not think we shall see good English honey any
lower in price than it is at present. Still I am satisfied
that a person living in the country, where he has no
extra rent to pay for standing his bees, can make them
pay even if he sold his honey at sixpence per pound, but
the bees must have attention. Persons are willing to
feed their pigs two or three times a-day, but bees are
expected to manage themselves, except when they swarm
and the honey is ready for taking away. Do not force

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 30, 1887.

your honey into the market when it ia full. Extracted
honey will keep for years, and sections can be kept good
for two years. Honey will generally make a better price
in November and December than in August.

Preparing for Winter.
I believe the success of the summer depends very
much upon the attention given to the bees in the autumn.
[t is very essential there should be plenty of bees in each
hive. By no means attempt to winter a weak stock. It
is also of the utmost importance that each stock has a
good supply of food. I consider nothing is equal to good
honey for wintering bees, and if you do leave ten pounds
or fifteen pounds more than they may require for the
winter you will be compensated during the following
summer. Failing natural stores then good sugar in the
form of syrup is the next best. By no means give bad
honey in the autumn, save that for the spring feeding.
I find the loss of bees during winter and spring is greater
after such summers as 1885, when so much dark (almost
black) honey was stored by the bees. If feeding is
necessary it should if possible be completed by the end
of September ; still, it is possible to feed up a stock much
later if necessary. On the 18th October last I drove two
lots of cottagers' bees rather than he should burn them.
As my other bees were packed for winter I had no desire
to disturb them by uniting the two lots with them. I
therefore put them in a hive, giving them combs from
which honey had been extracted. They stored over
twenty pounds of sugar made into syrup in about ten
days. So far they have passed through the winter well.
Not only do I advise packing early, but if you are
satisfied they have plenty of food do not disturb them
till February, except they have dysentery. The less bees
are pulled about the better. I have briefly touched the
points I think of most importance in the management of
bees for profit, and I trust the bee-keepers present will
supplement it by their own experience, and that such
information may assist us in making this year one of the
best we have known for profit. I shall be pleased to
answer any questions or give any further information
I can.

GREECE.

It is reported, on the authority of the Apiculiore of
Milan, that George 1., King of Greece, with a view to
remind his subjects of the prosperous condition of bee-
keeping in former days, is writing a book on the bees of
Mount Hymettus. It is added that the book is so far
advanced that it will be ready for the press very shortly.

WILTS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The first show of the season was held at Swindon on
June 15th and 16th, in connexion with the annual show
of the Wilts Agricultural Association. The time, of
course, was too early for any new honey to be exhibited,
but there was a good display of hives and all necessaries
for the apiary.

Owing to the large number of entries for the Agri-
cultural Show, the bee-tent unfortunately was hidden
away behind the implements, in a field adjoining the
show-yard, and so was found with difficulty even by the
members of the Association, the result being a loss of
nearly 8/. to Wilts B.K.A., but it is hoped that this
will be paid by the Committee of the Agricultural Show.
The management of the bee-show devolved entirely on
the Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Hon. Secretary and expert,
assisted in the tent by Mrs. Carrey, of Reading, Mr.
W. N. Griffin, of Freshford, Bath, and Mr. J. E.
Whatley, of Blunsdon, who kindly provided bees for
driving. The exhibition comprised all the necessaries
for a beginner in apiculture. Some good hives were
exhibited by Messrs. Abbott, of Southall, and Messrs.
Neighbour and Sons, of London, exhibited their in-

genious frames and sections, which can be put together
without nailing, the comb - foundation, to ensure the
building of straight combs, being inserted at the time the
hives are made. Mr. Griffin exhibited his now cele-
brated dubbin, which has been so highly spokeu of, and
which was recently awarded a special prize for excellence
at the Devon Agricultural Show ; here Mr. Griffin was
awarded a first prize. Messrs. Fry and Sons, of Bishop's
Waltham, sent various kinds of honey drinks ; and some
new section-boxes were exhibited by Mr. Woodley, of
Rsading ; the latter receiving a first prize. Mr. Baker,
of Muskham, displayed some neat section-boxes for the
carriage of about one and two-lb. bottles of honey. In a
small collection exhibited by Mr. Burkitt were some
useful adjuncts of the apiary, as well as an observatory
hive stocked with bees. During the two days of the
Show manipulations with live bees were conducted at
intervals, showing the various processes of bee-manage-
ment, such as driving bees, and transferring combs from
one hive to another, the operations demonstrating how
quiet bees will remain under proper management. The
enclosure where these operations were carried on was,
however, protected by a net, as a safeguard to the public.
Lectures were also delivered, and various questions put
by those interested in keeping bees were answered. The
judges were Mrs. Cuvrey and Mr. W. N. Griffin, and
their awards were as follow : — Hives, price 15s. : 1, C. E.
Payne, Yeovil. Buttermere skep crate : 1, W. E. Bur-
kitt. Extractors, price 11. Is.: 1, Baker, late Walton ;
ditto, h.c, price 15s. Collection of bee - furniture :
J. Abbott; special, W. E. Burkitt. Straw skeps: 1, II.
Iluish, Patney. Special for travelling section-crate :
Abbott. Special prize for new frames and sections
filled without nails ; Neighbour aud Sons. Houey
dubbin : 1, W. N. Griffin. Special for honey drinks :
Fry and Co., Bishop's Waltham. Section-boxes : 1,
A. D. Woodley. Baskets for honey-bottles : h.c, Baker.

THE ROYAL COUNTIES AGRICULTURAL
SHOW AT READING.

The Berks and Hants Bee-keepers' Association held
their exhibition in conjunction with the Royal Counties
Agricultural Show at Reading on the 20th, 21st, 22nd,
aud 2:jrd of June. The weather was particularly fine ;
the town was decorated with flags, banners, and illumi-
nations, to celebrate the double event of the Queen's
Jubilee and the visit of the Agricultural Society.

The Berks and Hants Bee-keepers occupied a large
tent, near the entrance, in which there was a good
displaj' of hives and appliances, honey, and also of
honey sweetmeats and other manufactures in which
honey was used.

The prize schedule consisted of twenty-five classes, in
which there were 110 entries.

Class 1 (open to all England). — For the best 21 lbs. of
super honey, 1, Hants B.K.A. silver medal, W. Woodley,
World's End. Class 2. — For pure extracted honey put up
in the most attractive mode for purposes of sale, 1, J. J.
Candey, Laudport ; 2, W. Woodley ; 3, H. Cobb, Dorchester.
Class 3. — For the best design in honey-comb worked by the
bees, 1, W. Woodley; 2, J. J. Candey; 3, A. 1>. Woodley.
Class 1. — For the largest and best collection of appliances
applicable to modern bee-keeping, 1, Abbott Bros. ; 2, S. J.
Baldwin. Class 5. — For the best observatory hive stocked
with bees and queen, 1, W. B. Baker, Muskham. Class
6. — For the" best Ligurian, Carniolan, Syrian, or Cyprian
queen-bee, to be exhibited alive and visible with her

workers, 1, S. J. Baldwin ; 2, Abbott Bros. Class 7 For

the best bar-frame hive, price not to exceed 30s., 1, Abbott
Bros.; 2, S. J. Baldwin; 3, A. D. Woodley. Class 8.—
Ditto, price not to exceed 20s., 1, Abbott Bros. ; 2, S. J.
Baldwin ; 3, A. D. Woodley. Class 9. — For the best cotta-
ger's hive, price not to exceed 10s. 6d., 1, W. B. Baker ; 2,
S. J. Baldwin ; 3, Abbott Bros, and A. D. Woodley, equals.
Class 10. — For the best honey extractor, 1, Berks B.K.A.

June 30, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

279

silver medal, Abbott Bros. Class 11.— For the best section-
rack prepared for putting on the hive, 1, Abbott Bros. ; 2,
A. D. "Woodley. Class 13. — For any recent invention
calculated to be of use to the bee-keeping industry, 1,
Hants B.K.A. silver medal, A. D. Woodley. Class 14. —
For the best collection of honey applied as food and con-
fectionery. 1st prize, Hants B.K.A. silver medal, G. E.
Darvil, Beading. Class 15. — For the best general collection
of honey and wax in other applied forms. 1st prize, Berks
B.K.A. "silver medal, W. N. Griffin, Freshford. Class 16.—
For the best collection of bee-flora (natural or dried). 1st
prize, Hants B.K.A. silver medal, Miss H. C. Myers, Swan-
more. Class 17 (open to members residing in Hants and
Berks, or within three miles of the boundary lines). — For
the best 12 lbs. of super honey, in sections not exceeding
2 lbs. each. 1st prize, Berks B.K.A. silver medal, H. W.
West, Swanmore ; 2nd prize, bronze medal, H. Cobb,
Dorchester ; 3rd prize, certificate, A. L. Cooper, Beading.
Class 18. — For the best 12 lbs. of super honey, in sections
not exceeding 2 lbs. each. Cottagers and artisans only, 1,
Mrs. J. Cobb. Class 19. — For the best 12 lbs. of super
honey, in sections not exceeding 1 lb. each, 1, W. Woodley ;
2, H. Cobb ; 3, A. D. Woodley. Class 20.— For the best
12 lbs. of super honey, in sections not exceeding 1 lb. each.
Cottagers and artisans only, 1, Mrs. J. Cobb; 2, Jas.
Welch, Chilton. Class 21.— For the best 12 lbs. of ex-
tracted honey, in 1 lb. or 2 lb. vessels, 1, H. Cobb, Dor-
chester; 2, H. Fewtrell, Beading; 3, J. J. Candey. Class
22. — For the best 12 lbs. of extracted honey, in 1 lb. or
2 lb. vessels. Cottagers and artisans only, 1, Mrs. J. Cobb ;
2, Wm. Webster, Reading. Class 23. — For the best super
of honey (not in sections), exceeding 10 lbs. weight, 1, W.
Woodley. Class 24. — For the best sample of bees -wax,
weighing not less than 2 lbs., 1, W. Woodley ; 2, W.
Burgiss, Hinton ; 3, Mrs. S. Burgiss, Hinton. Class 25. —
For the best home-made hive, the work of an amateur.
1st prize, Berks B.K.A. silver medal, A. E. Fry, Beading;
2nd prize, bronze medal, H. Fewtrell ; 3rd prize, certificate,
A. H. Miller, Egham.

Considering the lateness of the houey-flow the ex-
hibition of comb-honey was very good. Mr. W. Woodley,
of World's End, Newbury, had a fine lot of honey in the
different classes, his large supers and his designs in honey-
comb were very good, and show his skill as a bee-
master. In one of the classes for extracted honey, an
exhibit of fine colour and good consistency had a peculiar
flavour of meal or malt, which, although not disagree-
able, was so unnatural to honey that it lost the first
position, which it would otherwise have obtained. Many
were the suggestions as to the cause ; it was thought it
arose from artificial pollen having been fed the bees,
some of which might not have been consumed, and that
the cells containing it being only partly filled were used
for honey. It transpired that the honey had been heated
in a vessel.

In the hives, Class 7, that of Messrs. Abbott Bros,
was a well-made hive containing twelve wide-ended
frames in the body box running parallel to the entrance,
with dummy and space at back for manipulating, a
second hive also containing- twelve frames and dummy
for storifying. This top hive had moveable supports
for the frames, and on their removal could be inverted
to form an outside cover for the stock hive, after the
method invented by Mr. James Lee, and now used in
Messrs. Neighbour's Sandringham hive. In order to
secure the sides and ends of hive a small angular
L-shaped brass plate is nailed on the corners, and
makes a neat and firm pole. The frames are made on
Abbott's patented principle. A sheet of perforated zinc
is provided to keep the queen in the stock hive. The
floor, with legs, and the roof, are well and carefully put
together.

_ The second prize hive, Mr. Baldwin's, is also a double
hive, each containing twelve frames, with Carr ends to
keep the distance, parallel to the entrance, with dum-
mies, zinc-excluder, floor-boards, and roof.

In Class 8, Messrs. Abbott's hive consists of three
bases, each containing ten patent frames and dummy,

floor-board without legs, and roof similar to the ' Gayton'
hive— a very good model for a hive.

Mr. A. D. Woodley's hive is a shallow hive of four
storeys, each containing hanging frames ; in the two
upper boxes the frames contain sections, but are capable
of being used as ordinary frames when working for
extracted honey. Some slight modifications would make
this a useful hive. Many of the sections were exhibited in
Mr. A. D. Woodley's enamelled glazed cases, which are
a great improvement on the paper boxes, as they can be
washed and used again and again for exhibition purposes.
A silver medal was awarded him for his new invention.

The judges were the Revs. W. E. Burkitt, F. Sclater,
Dr. Andrews, Messrs. E. H. Bellairs, Evan Maberly, and
J. M. Hooker.

Mr. J. M. Hooker was the examiner of experts ap-
pointed by the B. B.K.A.

Mrs. Currey, of Reading, presided at the sale counter!
Mr. Fewtrell lectured and manipulated in the Bee-tent ;
and Mr. Darvill, of Reading, showed the different pro-
cesses in the manufacture of various kinds of con-
fectionery.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com*
mxmications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.* All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c., must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, King's Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, loill oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

A BEE TOUR IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

BY W. B. WEBSTER.

A Lancashire Bee-cellar.

[1132.] Mr. McClure, with his usual forethought, think-
ing that I should like to explore all the places of note
having any connexion with bee-keeping, had previously
written Mr. Greenhalgh, of Hermitage Green, asking per-
mission to look over his apiary, received a cordial reply
in return, and he also kindly promised to meet us at the
railway station ; so that the Monday morning saw us
alight from the Liverpool express, and were presently
greeted by one who, at the first glance, I would ' dub ' a
Colonial. With a hearty shake of the hand we were
quickly installed in Mr. Greenhalgh's trap and on the
road to his house, which, after a pleasant two and a half
miles' drive, we reached.

Having seen to the safety of the horse we walked to
the apiary. Here the hives were dotted about in a young
apple orchard, and quite a lively appearance they pre-
sented. All were in Langstroth hives, sloping from
back to front, so that the combs were quite at an angle
in the hive. Having inspected these, which I found in
an exceptionally prosperous condition, our attention was
next attracted by what appeared to be the roof of a
house poking above the ground ; this was the roof of the
bee-cellar. It was formed in the sandstone. A space,
after much labour, had been dug out of the solid stone,
to the depth of o feet ; this, no doubt, was a rather
stupendous undertaking, and no doubt required a vast
amount of perseverance, as it measured 10 feet by 7 feet.
Upon the edges of this hole a double wall had been built
to the height of 18 inches, and upon this was laid a
double gabled roof, which was formed first by laying
1-inch spruce boards filleted and tarred ; upon this 4
inches of sawdust, and over this the roof proper of 1-inch

S80

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 30, 1887.

spruce filleted and tarred. Sand was piled up from the
level of the ground to this roof, 18 inches. The ends were
treated in the same manner. A flight of seven steps
took us down to the entrance. A couple of ventilators,
one at each end under the eaves, were found to be more
than sufficient. A bent tube prevented any light from
entering these ventilators. There was no sub-earth ven-
tilation. AVhat temperature, I first asked, did you
register? Mr. Greenhalgh informed me that in no
instance during the past winter did the thermometer
fall below 40° Fahr., and never reached higher than
42° Fahr. On one day it registered 15° Fahr. below
freezing outside, whilst inside it was at 42° Fahr.

The hives were piled up in tiers, each tier breaking
joint with the one underneath, a space of two inches
intervening between each tier. Each hive had its
entrance wide open, but covered with strips of per-
forated zinc. A single quilt of coarse sacking (Ameri-
can flour -bags) covered the frames. One colony, on
being placed in the cellar with roof and ordinary quilts
on, showed evident signs of suffocation, which, upon
removal of roof and alteration of quilts, quickly re-
covered. An ordinary paraffin lamp raised the tem-
perature two degrees, but there was found no necessity
for continuing it.

The nature of the ground — sandstone — being of such
a dry character, dampness was no trouble ; in fact, when
I viewed it, everything was as ' dry as a bone.'

The bees were placed in at the commencement of
November, and taken out in February. All but one
were allowed to fly in January, and returned ; but the
necessity of this was not apparent. Their weight was
scarcely diminished at all ; very slight evacuations were
noticed. The one hive not allowed a fly presented no
difference to the others. A nucleus colony on only one
frame, but having two empty ones, one on each side,
was successfully wintered, and when I saw it at the
end of May was in a very prosperous condition, cover-
ing, I think, five frames. Here we find a great suc-
cess scored; not a single colony lost, and no traces of
dysentery.

The cellar forms a capital honey house, and was
used in early spring, after removal of bees, as a rhubarb
forcing-house. A mushroom bed was in an evident
flourishing condition when I w~as there.

WATER FOR BEES.

[1133.] "Water being a necessity to bees, the methods
adopted of furnishing an artificial supply is worthy of
notice. I have just read in the American Bee Journal a
communication from Mr. C. H. Dibbern of an excellent
method of supplying this necessary, that, witli your per-
mission, I think is worth quoting.

' Set a barrel on a sack spread over a box, and put a
pailful or two of water in every morning. Bore a gimlet
hole in the barrel near the bottom, and allow the water
to drip out on the sack, which should be kept wet all
day. Occasionally throw in a handful of salt, as the
bees seem to require it, and will keep the water pure
and sweet.'

I may be allowed to add a caution as to using salt ;
bees undoubtedly require it, but I should say in very
limited quantities. Two barrels in use would be ad-
visable, in one a small percentage of salt may be added
to the water, and the other without the addition of
salt.

While on this subject 1 should like to add a note of
warning. Several instances having come under my
notice of wooden tubs filled with water, and placed in
the sun to have its temperature raised for the purpose
of watering plants, &c, capillary attraction taking place
at the sides of the tub is just the point our favourites
delight to sip the moisture, and in taking flight from
such positions they more than frequently take a gentle

swoop downwards, are caught b}' the treacherous water
with fatal results to hundreds of bees in the course of a
week. — James Lee.

BEES INJURING RIPE FRUIT.

[1134.] I trust during the ensuing fruit season further
light will be thrown on this subject raised by Mr.
Webster at the late Conversazione, and the discussion
on the same subject in the pages of the Bee Journal.
When I have been asked to express an opinion I have
given a decided ' No ' to the question, and I cannot but
think it is only in very few and isolated cases that bees
are seen attacking fruit, and then let us hope only after
wasps have paved the way by piercing the skin.

The strength of the wasp's jaw is amazing, and a
simple proof, after catching a specimen and applying a
light pressure to its body, is to insert a human hair
between its jaws ; it is instantly nipped asunder with a
noise plainly to be heard. They are, besides, an extremely
voracious race of insects, feeding, as is well known, indis-
criminately on fruit and animal matter, and the way
they oftentimes treat the common house-fly, who may
unluckily fall a prey is surprising ; the captive's wings
and legs are instantly nipped off, and the body carried in
triumph to their nest. — James Lee.

A SWARM ADVENTURE.

[1135.] Being a subscriber to your valuable Journal,
and only an ' amateur ' in the art of bee-keeping, would
some of your numerous subcribers kindly state the reason
of swarms taking flight after being hived in the usual
way? If it is not trespassing too much on your space I
should like to state the circumstances.

On the 13th inst., about 10.30 a.m., a swarm issued
from one of my stocks and settled close by. I at once
hived them in a straw skep, rested it on two bricks on the
ground, shaded them, and they appeared to take to it
wonderfully well. At about 3.30 a neighbour informed
me that he had just seen a swarm pass over, and that
they appeared to come from my stocks. I had a look
at stocks and swarm, but did not raise the latter up as
there was about the usual number flying. However, I
took a stroll in the direction the bees had flown and
found they had gone into a clock-tower, about a mile
distant. Still believing they were not mine, and they
having settled on private premises, I did not consider it
was my business to interfere with them.

You will readily understand my surprise when in the
evening lifting up skep to transfer them to bar-frame
hive at finding it empty ! I did not like being taken in
in this way, and on the following morning I made it my
business to proceed to the tower (having of course got
permission to do so) to see if there was any possibility
of getting tham back. I soon discovered them nestled
in some old combs. Bees evidently had been there be-
fore ; but to cut a long story short, I drove them from
their home with a smoker, and they quickly settled in
an oak-tree, and after mounting a ladder of about sixty
rounds I hived them once again. They also this time
took to the skep well. I did not give them a chance to
escape for as they had settled I packed them up with
canvas and brought them home, keeping them in it until
the evening, when I deposited them in a bar-framo hive
with seven sheets of foundation. I am glad to say that
on the following day they worked out nearly three sheets
and are still going on all right. — O. E. C.

THE FIRST SECTION— HIGHER-ROOFED
HIVES— APIFUGE.

[1130.] On Saturday I took off my first section for
1887. The hints for obtaining sections, as given by the
two leading contributors in the B, B. Journal, are ex-

June 30, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

281

cellent, and beginners cannot do better than follow the
advice they have given. The hive from which I have
taken these sections swarmed on Jime 5th.

From the parent hive (which had ten frames full of
brood) five frames were taken, partly for stocking an
observatory hive and partly to keep in hand for
strengthening swarms. Five sheets of foundation were
inserted in the place of those taken, supers were put on
again and the swarm returned. There are now fortj'-
mne sections on the hive, forty-two being very fully
advanced, with honey of the best quality.

May I suggest that roofs should be made higher than
those usually sold? Mine are specially made to take
a large number of sections which it is often necessary to
have on a hive at one time.

I find ' Apifuge ' a much greater success than I antici-
pated ; no evil effects, as described in letter No. 1001,
have troubled me. — Ashton Ct. Radcliffe, Fonthill,
East Grimstead, June 20th.

HOW I LOST MY FIRST SWARM.

[1137.] On Saturday last, after a week of constant
watching, a fine swarm issued from my Neighbour hive
and settled close at hand on the thick bough of a mul-
berry-tree. I called the gardener, and we hived them in
a straw skep in the most approved fashion. I propped
open the front with a stone and set the hive as a table-
cloth on a table just in the shade of the mulberry ; this
was about 2.30, and I had to leave home for four hours
in the afternoon, so I left the bees as they were in the
skep, meaning to transfer them to a bar-frame all ready
with comb, &c, on my return. I told the gardener to
keep his eye on them, and to move them into the shade
as the sun got round. He neglected to do the latter
part, but visited them each half-hour till 5.30, when lo,
and behold ! every jack-bee had left the skep and have
been heard of no more, though I have searched high
and low.

I have now advertised them in the local paper. 1
suppose it was carelessness in not keeping them shaded. —
Swabmless.

QUEEN RAISING OR INTRODUCTION OF
QUEEN-CELL.

[1138.] How long will a queen remain alive in a
sealed cell after being taken from the hive ? On
Saturday evening, June ] 1th, in Kingston, while
changing some bees out of a makeshift hive into a
newly-painted one, I cut out a queen-cell, which not
being required by the bee-keeper, I carefully wrapped in
paper, enclosing it in a cardboard box, and took home
with me to Richmond (nearly five miles), when I placed
it in a bos-cage lined with wool on the top of bars, first
cutting a hole in the quilt, but divided from bees with a
small piece of perforated zinc. The cell was inserted
nest day at 4.30 p.m. (the earliest time I could possibly
spare) on a bar of comb containing worker and drone
brood in hatching condition, closing all carefully up. I
opened the hive one week later, when, to my agreeable
surprise, there was a fine young queen walking about
perfectly ' at home.' As there was not the least sign of
any egg-laying, I cannot say how long ' her majesty ' had
been out, or whether fertilisation had taken place or
not. Before closing, I wish to thank you sincerely for
your last kind answer to my query ; also for answers to
other queries, hints, &c, which are sometimes of almost
priceless worth. May an all-wise Providence richly
bless and prosper our esteemed editor, committee, and
other bee-keepers, this Jubilee year. — Herbert Craw-
ley, Richmond.

[If the queen-cells are unsealed, the larva, when
deprived of the attentions of the nurse -bees, quickly
dies. But if the cells are sealed when removed from

the hive, and the temperature is kept sufficiently high —
as in 'queen-nursing' — the young queens will not only
survive the removal, but will hatch out as well as if left
in the hive. The usual plan is to remove the cells to
the nursery a couple of days before hatching. We
desire to thank you for your kind wishes.- -Ed.]

THE TRANSMISSION OF HONEY PER
RAILWAY TO SHOWS.

[1139.] I should like to endorse Mr. Woodley's state-
ment in your last issue (1128) in regard to the packing
of honey for transmission by railway. For the last nine
years I have had the pleasure of unpacking Mr. Woodley's
honey at shows in all parts of the kingdom, but I can-
not recall one single instance in which it arrived in a
damaged state. So much for the exhibitor. This
method, however, requires improvement. It is perfectly
impossible to repack in the same form at the close of
the show, the time allowed does not permit of this being
done.

I would suggest that the thin layers of hay be tacked on
a piece of thin cardboard in order that the packer may
get over his work quickly. Bottles of run honey should
be placed in partitions of corrugated paper or other
pliable material, not wrapped up in paper or packed in
chaff. Partitions made of corrugated paper sufficient
for twelve bottles may now be obtained for about Id.
The sides, bottom, and top of the box should also be
lined with this paper, or hay pads. In this way the
work can be done quickly, efficiently, and cheaply, both
by the exhibitor and the show officials. — J. Huckle,
Secretary British Bee-keepers' Association .

[As many large shows will be held in the course of
next and following months, the attention of exhibitors
at their shows is directed to the above recommendation.
—Ed.]

Bees Obstructing the Queen. — There are many
unforeseen incidents and dangers arising in the working
of our railway system, but it is doubtful whether a train
was ever brought to a standstill by such a curious cause
as that which stopped the Queen's progress southward on
her last journey from Balmoral. Everyone knows the
elaborate preparations which are made for the safely of
her Majesty on her travels ; therefore it was with no
small degree of alarm that the down distant signal of
Hincaster junction, near Kendal, was found to be out
just before the approach of the Royal train. The driver
very judiciously brought the train to a standstill in the
darkness ; and upon the signal-lamp being examined, it
was found that the light had been extinguished by a
large swarm of bees that prevented the signalman re-
lighting it. The Westmoreland Gazette, which is respon-
sible for these particulars, says that Dewhurst, the
signalman, regrets he had not time to secure the unwel-
come intruders in a box aud send them forward with the
train ; but, had he been able to do so, it is doubtful
whether the Queen would have been able to utilise such
a novel Jubilee gift.

Making Honey Vinegar. — When making vinegar,
one must know that water will turn into vinegar pro-
viding it contains the necessary quantity of sugar stuff,
and is exposed to fresh air and a warm temperature.
The warmer the temperature and the better the circu-
lation of air, the sooner the vinegar forms. A barrel is
laid down, and an inch hole is bored in the upper end
of each head, near the upper stave. This admits of a
good air-passage over th'3 body of the honey water.
Tins, with fine perforations, nailed over these holes, with
the rough side outward, exclude flies and skippers.
Take about one pound of honey to one gallon of water,
thoroughly mix up, and nail a perforated tin on the
buug-hole. We take thirty-five to forty pounds of

282

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 30, 1887.

honey for a barrel containing forty to forty-five gallons
of water. The warmest place in the yard is the best
place for the barrel. If the sun shines on the barrel all
day, it requires from the beginning of April to the end
October to make vinegar satisfactory for all purposes.
If not sour enough by fall, it will be all right by
Christmas or spring if placed in the cellar or a warm
room. — C. F. Mum, American Gleanings.

Bumble-bees and Clover Blossoms. — An inquiring
friend would know ' Why the first crop of clover has no
seed ; whether it is possible to distinguish the difference,
if any, between the blossoms of the plant bearing the
seed and that which bears the fertilising quality ; and
has the bumble-bee anything to do with i t ? So far as
examined, the blossoms of the first crop of red clover
have good pistiles throughout, and good stamens, with
plentj7 of what we should call good pollen. In other
words, we cannot see why they are not just as capable
of fertilisation as those which come later. Experiments,
repeated on the second crop for six years, give varying
results, but in all cases they show that bumble-bees in
Central Michigan increase the crop from 100 to 400 per
cent. Other insects may also help in this matter. In
Kansas they tell me bumble-bees are scarce, but clover
seeds freely. Honey bees at the Michigan Agricultural
College, without any question, increase the yield of
seeds of white clover enormously, in one case as 236
exceeds 5. I am satisfied that in some locations at
least bumble-bees should be encouraged for the good
they do to red clover. Now the problem is this : How
can the entomologists rear and keep over winter large
numbers of fertile queens ? It seems to me not im-
probable that the time may come when bumble-bee
queens will be reared, bought, and sold for their benefit
to the crop of clover seed. — Farmers Advocate.

The Uses op Beeswax. — The uses for wax are
numerous and important. Its property of preserving
tissues and preventing mould or mildew was well known
to the ancients, who used cere-cloth for embalming, and
waxed for encaustic painting, as in the wall pictures of
Pompeii. Wax candles and tapers play an important
part in the processions and ceremonies of the Roman
Catholic Church. Wax is used by the manufacturers of
glazed, ornamental, and wall papers, and on paper collars
and cuffs for polishing the surfaces. It is used in
varnishes and paints, and for the ' stuffing ' of wood that
is to be polished, as for pianos, coach work, fine furni-
ture, and parquet floors. Electrotypers and plasterers
use wax in forming their moulds. Wax is an important
ingredient in preparations for covering surfaces of
polished iron and steel to prevent rust. Combined with
tallow, it forms the coating for canvas and cordage to
prevent mildew, as in sails, awnings, &c. Artificial
flowers consume much wax, and, despite the introduction
of paraffin, ceresin, and mineral wax, its use appears to
be extending. One of the oldest of its applications is in
the laundry and in polishing woodwork. — American Bee
Journal.

Sending Canadian Honey to England.— I am
satisfied England is waiting to receive all the honey
Canada can produce, and that the amount sent to the
Exhibition was onlj- as a drop hi the bucket. I would
suggest that a competent man be appointed in England,
one who is thoroughly and practically acquainted with
bees and honey, to take charge of our honey interests in
England, and, if necessary, one in Canada to assist in
grading, collecting, inspecting, and shipping the supply;
and, if the supply can be depended upon, we have
nothing to fear as to the final result. A bee-keeping
friend in 1870 having a large quantity of honey re-
quested me to dispose of it in England. I reluctantly
consented. After six weeks corresponding with parties
in England who were strangers to me, I succeeded in
disposing of my trial shipment by the ton, netting O^c.

with an urgent request for a much larger shipment,
requesting it to be put up in forty-pound cans, and not
in casks as before, promising the sale would realise 10c.
net. I also sent another shipment in casks of 300 and
500 pounds (a poor way of putting up) to a practical
bee-keeper, who, being much pleased with it, immedi-
ately arranged to sell to large firms and other insti-
tutions, who agreed, in writing, provided the supply
could be depended upon, to take four tons per month
the year round. Of course the honey had to be un-
packed in England and put up in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6-pound
cans, according to the requirements of the trade. This
shipment netted 9^-c. per pound. I was very strongly
urged to ship all honey in future in smaller packages, it
being more convenient in filling orders that every man
should have his own tub, &c. My limited experience is,
the individual who ships honey in casks and barrels
makes a costly mistake. Canadian honey at this time
was comparatively unknown in England, consequently
we had to start low, with the intention of gradually
raising the price, and in time would make it pay well. —
Lewis Maesh, Holloivay, Ont. (Canadian Bee Journal.')

The venom of the wasp, bee, and hornet, is a most
irritating poison, but it is quickly neutralised by the
application of orret oil to the punctured part.

An intoxicating and poisonous honey is extracted
from the flowers of the monkstool or aconite by the
choura, or wild'rock bee of Gurwhal (Apis irritabilis).
These facts make it not improbable that many more
persons die from eating poisonous animal food than is
generally supposed, and without the cause of death ever
being suspected.

djkjws fram % ||te.

North Northumberland, June 23rd. — The last fortnight
has been extremely good weather for bees, the 16th, 17th,
18th so warm that it was impossible to tell which hive
might take it into their head to swarm. Some have
swarmed that had not even queen-cells started ; several
have flown away. The yield of honey is very good.
Clover is now just ready for work, which will be plentiful
if we have a little rain. Swarming is from two to three
weeks earlier than last year in this district. Many more
stocks of bees than there were a few years ago. — G. A.

Brentwood, Essex, June 25. — As I never or very seldom
see an ' Echo ' from this part of the world, I thought I
would send a very faint one, but question very much if many
of the Essex folks will see it as our County Association very
unwisely took a step backward in giving up the circulation
of this very valuable Journal amongst its members. On
June 18th I examined a hive, and to my surprise found a
large number of sections sealed, but was content to take but
three for a start, as I was requested to get a crate off by
Jubilee Day ; on which day I took off the remainder of the
twenty-one sections, every one perfectly sealed, which I
have every reason to believe is the first lot taken in this
neighbourhood this season, and at the time of writing this
the same hive has a crate filled with fully worked out
sections, and some partially sealed over. I may just add
that I have had no swarms at present from any of my five
hives but all are working well in the sections, and,
weather permitting, shall have more off to-morrow ; the
strongest lot of bees are on fourteen frames and the weakest
on eleven. Now one word for Apifuge, which I have tried.
I find no unpleasant feeling from it in the least, and had
but one sting while I have used it ; so much so that I have
discarded my veil while I am depriving the hives of their
sections ; and I think all bee-keepers owe friend Grimshaw
a great debt for bringing out such a charm. — Chips.

North Leicestershire, June 21th The fourth week of unin-
terrupted fine weather is well on its way, and the bees are
filling bars and sections quicker and earlier than usual.
Many stocks have not yet attained their full strength, and
drones are scarce, as are swarms also. White clover is in
full bloom in the meadows, and just beginning to show a

June 30; 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

283

head here and there in the pastures. One little drawback
to this pleasant state of affairs is that sycamores are stream-
ing with honey-dew. — E. B.

Kingston. — Hives appear to be doing fairly well in this
district now. One lady bee-keeper had a fine swarm on
May 31st. Have not heard of any others about. Most bees
seemed three weeks behind as to brood. — H. C.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information! can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Nokth Deebyshiee. — Drone Combs in lower Hive. — The
absence of facilities for raising drones in the upper hive,
all the combs being worker, theirnatural instinct prompted
the bees to build drone-combs. Although the frames are
set 1J inch apart you would find when the time for
sealing arrived that some combs would be left thin, to
allow for the caps in the opposite faces. The natural
position of drone combs is in the lower part of the hive,
and if you had given the frames above the stock instead
of below worker combs would have been built.

•G. Anbeeson. — 1. At this time of the season you might
remove the pollen-bound combs and substitute in their
place empty combs or foundation sheets, placed alter-
nately. 2. We should prefer to retain the old queen to
inserting queen-cell. Much depends on the age of the
queen. If not too old, there is no advantage in risking a
certainty for an uncertainty. 3. We have forwarded your
letter to Mr. Webster.

H. W. W. — Probably there may be in your neighbourhood
some plant from which the bees have been gathering
honey which has been the cause of their death. (See reply
- -to'R.')

Novice. — It would be desirable in building honey-comb
designs to make use of excluder zinc. Mr. M'Nally, of
Glenluee, or Mr. Woodley, of Newbury, Berks, would be
pleased to furnish you with any further information.

A Leaknee. — You might improve on the piece of enamelled
cloth forwarded. It has a smell which would prove
offensive to the bees.

M. and T. — Doubling. — A reference to Mr. Cowan's
pamphlet on Doubling and Storifying will show you that in
his instructions he mentions that he does not use excluder
zinc when doubling hives. ( See p. 8. ) A piece of American
cloth placed over the brood-nest will generally have the
effect of preventing the queen ascending to the upper
hive.

An Amateu'e. — 1. The bees will not ascend to the super till
they find the lower hive inadequate to their requirements.
When they desire more storage room they will ascend.
Patience with bee-keepers is a virtue. 2. Casts should
be fed. The size of the cast Bhould determine the
number of frames in the hive. We should say that six
would be more than enough.

it, — Bees dying From your description we should have

said that the bees were suffering from Bacillus depilis,
but the specimens you enclose show no loss of pubescence.
It is quite possible that the colony is collecting from some
poisonous plant or flower. We advise you to raise the
hive slightly from the floor-board all round by small
wedges, sufficiently to cause a current of air to pass be-
neath the combs, but not enough to admit of the entrance
or exit of bees. Feed also on phenolated syrup, and do
not open the hive or attempt to manipulate. Under this
treatment probably the colony will soon recover. We
have no experience of the ' Greenock disease.'

Mateu. — 1. Hybrids. — The specimens forwarded are hybrids
very little removed from blacks. The three orange bands,
which form the mark of a pure Italian, cover the upper
half of the abdomen. 2. Drones. — There are few hives
in which the bees do not succeed in raising a few drones,
even when their combs are built upon full sheets of

worker foundation. But even supposing the non-existence
of drones in a hive, the colony, at this season, may safely
be divided, since there is no doubt that drones exist in
the neighbourhood. 3. Italians, Carniolans, Blacks. —
In our experience Italians are better honey-gatherers than
Carniolans. The cross between Carniolans and blacks
would probably be an improvement of either race pure,
but the temper might be uncertain. 4. Introduction of
Brood into Nuclei. — The reason for introducing brood
into nuclei is that in all probability without it the bees
would swarm out and desert the hive, having a virgin
queen only. Besides a succession of bees is required.
5. Excluder zinc. — Foundation will be drawn out quicker
when placed in the body of the hive than behind excluder
zinc. We find that the zinc very much impedes the
work of the bees.

Waltee F. Ceomey. — The specimen with white flowers is
Cotoneaster microphylla. The one with blue flowers is a
member of the Borage family, a species of Anchusa, but
from the small portion enclosed we are unable to deter-
mine which with certainty.

H. S. W. — Crooked Combs in Bar-frame Hives. — Remove the
whole of the frames en bloc. Separate the combs, and if
possible straighten them by gentle pressure ; if very
crooked, cut down to the midrib on the convex side ; press
the comb flat, then tie on to your frames again, keeping
the midrib in the centre of the top bar ; never mind the
outsides, if the midrib is straight you are right. The
small amount of brood sacrificed will be of no moment.
The assistance of an expert would be desirable.

New Scbsceibee. — Mrs. Tupper says, ' Bees do nothing
invariably.' It is difficult to control the ways of bees ;
they have a will of their own, which even old bee-keepers
cannot manage to dominate.

J. Edwaeds. — 1. The best time for manipulating bees is the
middle of the day when the larger number of them are
busy foraging. 2. By laying a handkerchief moistened
with carbolic acid solution on the top of the sections, the
bees will be driven down, and then it will be a compara-
tively easy matter to remove the sections. See last
week's ' Useful Hints.'

Received from Mr. W. J. Green, 36 Friars Street,
Sudbury, Suffolk, the model of a hive which he purposes to
style the ' Imperial ' hive. This hive has various novel
features and answers the double purpose of an ordinary
and an observatory hive. It will be exhibited at the next
conversazione, when those present will have an opportunity
of passing their opinion on it.

^how Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations ivhosc
Slwics are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

July 11-15. — Royal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 11. — Oxfordshire Association at Headington. Hon.
Sec, Rev. F. C. Dillon, Enstone.

July 21. — Prescot Horticultural Show. R. Rigby,
Secretary, Station Road, Prescot, Lancashire.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. R. R. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Rickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Row3
Chester.

284

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[June 30, 1887.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon.lSecretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Royal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathorns, Prescot, Lancashire.

^Business directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Koad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 Higli Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, P., Stockton Heath, AVarrington.

EXHIBITION OF HONEY, BEES, & HIVES

At ELY,

JULY 27th and 28th, 1887.

(OPEN TO ALL ENGLAND.)
Judge: E. B. GODFREY, Esq., Grantham.

NINETEEN PRIZES. FEES, Is. and 2s. 6d,

Schedules and Forms of Mr. R. Peters, 7 Downing Street,
Cambridge. (177)

yorkshireTgriculturaiT society.

YOEK SHOW, 1887.

NOTICE.

No Entries can be made after this day (June 25th) except

by payment of Late Entrance Fees, viz. :

Exhibitors of Implements to pay a late Fee of 10s. with

each Certificate.

Exhibitors of Live Stock to pay as under :

Members of the Society, 10s. on each separate Entry.

Non-Members of the Society, £1 on each separate Entry.

All other Charges as before.
LATE ENTRIES will be received up to SATURDAY, JULY 2nd.
MARSHALL STEPHENSON,
York, June 25th, 1887. Secretary.

TO SECRETARIES OF SHOWS.

IHRY'S Prize Medal Honey Beverages, Champagnes,
' Syrups, and Cordials, sell well. Assortments on Sale
orReturn. Lists free. Also Fry's ' Anti-sting,' 6d. and Is.

Anti-sting Soap, Gd. Tablet. Agents Wanted.
MANUFACTORY: BISHOP'S WALTHAM. A2662

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FDIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, i!A.

Without Bellow^, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water

proportionally mixed— 6d. each.

NOW READY.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILLUSTEA TED GA TALOG UE of all descriptioiis
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators. .

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER,

nxr:

XEX! x>, eek:

June 30, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

Reversible Section Holders.

(protected).

Set of Six, with Dividers for 21 Sections, 1/6.

24 „ 1/9.

Crates, fitted with Holders and Dividers, on Tin Bests, for

21 Sections, 3/9 ; 24 Sections, 4/-.

W. H. JENKINS, Exchange Buildings, Swansea.

w

SUPERIOR BEE VEILS,

IRE GAUZE FRONTS, Is. 2d. each, 3 for 3s.
Traps for Cleaning Supers, 6d. each, 3 for Is.
Post free. Address, W. Crisp, Halstead, Essex.

Finest CYPRIAN Queens.

DIRECT by MAIL from CYPRUS to any Address in EUROPE.

From 1st MAY to 30th AUGUST.

For 1 or 2 Queens (if ordered at one time), each 14/-

,, 3 ,, 4 „ i, „ ,, 13/-

,, 5 ,, 6 ,, ,, ,, ,, 12/-

For Countries out of Europe add 50 J° to above prices.

All Orders to be accompanied by a Remittance.

gg* My Queens are all very prolific, long-lived, and
much larger-bodied, than the majority of those supplied by
others, as they are reared naturally, under the swarming
impulse, in April, May, and June, from the strongest of
my forty colonies of Bees kept in double-walled moveable
frame-hives, and all having choice Queens, which produce
workers so gentle that they can be handled without smoke,
and even without a veil on the face, just as I do myself
(see Mr. S. Simmins' statements on page 37 of his work
entitled, A New Era in Modem Bee-keeping). This is
principally owing to the fact that I have weeded out from
my Apiary all such Queens which appeared to be weak or
producing troublesome workers. Address —

M. G. DERVISHIAN, Larnaca, CYPRUS, a 2375
For Reference, address Imperial Ottoman Bank, Larnaca.

LYii^iTMETArEM

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PKOPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs o\ lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 Per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Begistered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.

CHESEEIRI! CUKE.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, <fec, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, S.E.

WANTED.— ROOT'S 'A B C,' HEDDON'S
' SUCCESS IN BEE-CULTURE,' & CHESHIRE'S
DIAGRAMS. Eeply W. G. Campbell, Hornefield, Tot-
tenham.

WANTED.— SITUATION in AUSTRALIAN
or NEW ZEALAND APIARY. Age 21. Holds
First Class Certificate of British Bee-keepers' Association.
Has been 5 years with Chartered Accountants. Address
W. G. Campbell, Hornefield, Tottenham, England, to 15th
July, 1887 ; subsequently, o/o Marshall Bros., 106 Market
Street, Sydney.

WANTED, a SITUATION as BEE-KEEPER
in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Establishment.
No objection to fill up time in Garden or House. Third
Class Certificate. Married ; aged 35. Apply J. G. Cheek,
Great Dunmow, Essex.

FOR SALE. — CYLINDER HONEY EX-
TRACTOR, Cog-wheel Gearing, Moveable Strainer
and Tap, complete, 17s. 6d. Address G. Cooper, Nor-
manton, Derby.

FOR SALE. — ASSOCIATION STANDARD BAR-
FRAMES, Planed throughout, with Saw-cut for
Foundation. Price in the flat, 10s. 6d. gross ; nailed to-
gether, 15s. gross. Address Cooper, Spa Lane, Derby.

a 2695

BORAGE.— Good Strong Plants, 5s. per 1000.
SEED, 4s. per lb. Apply Estate Office, Toddington,
Winchcombe.

REDUCTION in Price to clear out Stock.—
BAR-FRAME HIVES, with 20 Frames for Extract-
ing ; or 10 Bar-Frames, and 3 Crates each, for Comb
Honey, about half usual price. Address John Moore,
Prospect Farm, Warwick.

SPRING TRAVELLING CRATE

For LEAF SHOW CASE, price 2s. 6(7., postage, Is. 3(7.

Case and Crate combined, 6s., on rail. Case alone, 4s.,
postage, Is. 6ii., or on rail, is. Grf. Apply to W. H. DOLAN,
Loose, Maidstone. See also Advt. June l&th. a 2702

MANUFACTURERS OF BEE-KEEPERS'
APPLIANCES are invited by the Committee of the
Bedfordshire Bee-keepers' Association to Exhibit their
Goods at the ANNUAL SHOW, to be held at Bedford on
July 13th, 1887. A small Fee will be charged.

Felmersham, Bedford, W. BUSHTON,

Jtine 22nd, 1887. Hon. Sec.

FOUNDATION.

1 lb. 2/-. 4 lbs. @ 1/9 per lb. Analysed (British Brand).
SUPEE, 2 lbs. for 5/-.

G. STOTHARD, Foundation Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gravenhorst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLDSTRIERTE BIEHENZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.
Also, ' DER PEAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.
C. A. ScHWETSOHKB & Son (M. Bruhn), Brunswick,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 30, 1887.

SWARMI

TIME SAVE

G SEASON,

EY EARNED!

All Goods ready for instant Delivery.

►■♦♦♦♦■■♦♦♦♦♦»<-»»*4

}.»»♦♦♦ » »»»+» + » »»^^.»^»»» »»■.».»+■».»..»» + »»» ♦ » »-

Just to hand, a Shipment of the Finest and Whitest AMERICAN
SECTIONS ever imported, 11/- per 500.

YUCCA BRUSHES, 3d. Improved BRUSH (for Extracting), 9cL each.

"WIRE EMBEDDER and ROLLER, 1/6 each (Root's).

WOIBLET SPUR EMBEDDER, 1/6 each.

EDEY'S Improved SMOKER, with Moveable Shutter and Flue Cleaner, 2/9 each.

BINGHAM, Imported, 7/6. Fuel for ditto, 3d. per lb.

EDEY'S Method of Fixing Foundation in Dovetailed Standard Frames,

Wired. Send for WIRING OUTFIT of 1 dozen Frames, Foundation Nails, all necessary Tools, 7/6. See List.

NOTE. — Special Split Key and Woiblet Spur included in price; the Key has been used by us for
FOUR YEARS. Hundreds of Frames have been extracted without a breakdown. Sample Frame, 9d,

EDEY'S COTTAGER'S EXTRACTOR (52).

This revolves two Combs at a time ; the Honey may be emptied by the
Screw-valve at foot. Not shown in engraving. Price 17/6 ; Crate, 2/-.

LOCK-UP TRAVELLING- CAN, to hold 5G lbs.
Honey. Price 5/9.

NESTED TINS for Honey, the Set of 4, holding to-
gether 35 lbs., price 1/4 ; postage 6d.

BEES.— English Swarms, 12/6 each ; Palestine

Queens, 15-; Syrian, 20/-; Home-bred ditto, half price;
Black Queens, 4/- ; Syrio-Carniolan Queens, the most
Prolific and Best Queens in existence, price 9/. each; Imported
Carniolans (BENTON'S). 8/- each.

DOUBLE your HONEY HARVEST by Using W0RKED-

OUT COMBS!
Clean WIEED COMBS in Frames, 10/- per doz.

Edey's Cottager's Extractor,
CHEAP, STRONG, EASILY MANIPULATED.

EDEY'S DOUBLER (7 a). Complete for Doubling or Tier-
ing. As shown, with 20 Frames, 2 Dummies, Waterproof Cover, Contracting
Entrances, price 10/6. In flat, each, 5/-.

For Supering : Complete Hive, 6/6 ; Section Crate, 2/6 ; Ad-
ditional Body-box, 2/6 ; Crate of 5 Hives, 23/9.

THE UNIVERSAL (No. 7). Of superior workmanship, high
outer sides. A first-class Hive for general work, with Super Crate, price 12. 6.

FOUNDATION. — In addition to the ordinary Brood and Super,
we have a few Parcels of very Thin and Delicate SUPER FOUNDATION, for
filling Sections completely. Average weight, 20 sheets to the lb. 3/6 per lb.

* EDEY'S DOVETAILED FRAMES. Best and
Cheapest made. No Frame-block needed. 2/- per dozen ; 12/6 per 100.

Hivo of Standard size, Frame Top 151 ms. long.

For a full line of our Manufactures, see List, free.

EDEY & SON, Steam Joinery Works, ST. NE0TS.

J

^±A

.'^•n'^

E90URNM

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Sikanqewats' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.'

[No. 263. Vol. XV.]

JULY 7, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

$bitoraI, Ifcrlias, $t.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Address of Secretary. — All communications
from this day until Thursday next, the 14th inst.,
should be forwarded to 6 Simpson Street, New-
castle-on-Tyne.

Third Class Examinations. — Arrangements have
been made for holding a Third Class Examination of
Candidates at the Royal Agricultural Show, New-
castle-on-Tyne, on Tuesday next the 12th inst.

Examiners' Report. — The following Report has
been made by the Board of Examiners, in reference
to the First and Second Class Examination held on
April 20. ' Four Candidates submitted themselves
for examination, three of whom held Second Class
Certificates, one being a Candidate for Second
Class only. The result of the Examination is as
follows, the names of the Candidates being placed
in the order of merit : —

'First Class.— 1. W. M. Graham, Church Street,
Lower Edmonton ; 2. W. G. Campbell, Hornefield,
Tottenham ; 3. W. de Lacy Ahern,. Sutton, Surrey.

'Second Class. — G. Munday, Aylestone Park,
Leicester.

' As on former occasions weakness was displayed
in the lecturing and vivd voce portions of the exam-
ination ; and we express a hope that future Candi-
dates will give their best attention to the subjects
as set forth in the Syllabus and to lecturing in
public. Clearness and simplicity with a thorough
knowledge of the subjects being of the utmost im-
portance, those who aspire to First Class Certificates
will do well to bear in mind that a fair acquaintance
with orthography and English composition is a
sine qud non for obtaining them.

Thos. W. Cowan.
F. G. Jenvks.
Geo. Raynor.' -

OUR HOBBY.

How often are we brought face to face with the
directly beneficial effects on the mind of a health-
giving hobby !

Save us from our friends without hobbies.

The harassing cares of business, and the worrying-
anxiety of professional duties, bring one down to a
nervous, fevered state in which some soothing in-

fluence is almost absolutely necessaiy, in order
that the calm equilibrium of ' a healthy mind in
a healthy body ' may be restored. In such cases
comes forth ' the hobby,' be it the art of gardening,
the study of botany, or what not.

A stroll in the woods ; a lounge on the way-
sides of the country (magnifying-glass in hand,
perhaps) ; the vigorous handling of a spade in the
trenches (the celery trenches) ; the calm contempla-
tion of the beauties of nature ; all these we say,
tend to produce that change of labour and thought
which is rest.

When the optical sense becomes saturated and
charged with any certain key of colour, the eye
becomes weary and inflamed ; it seeks repose by
resting upon the complementary colour, the absence
of which prevented an harmonious combination
such as would satisfy the visual nerves by its
completeness. Unrest and irritation resulted, and
did we not voluntarily supply the missing link,
kindly Nature herself would have stepped in to
fill the gap and give the eye rest. That is to say,
the rest colour springs into the retina ; for example,
the greenery of our fields and woods turns the grey
walls and rocks into soft, harmonising purples ; the
brighter greens appear almost yellow, whilst in
the shade they deepen into blueish purple. Thus
does Nature give us her own perfect harmony and
repose.

The great hero of rose-growers* was once im-
pelled to return to his country home by the con-
templation of a fresh rose in the hands of a London
flower-girl,— a penny rose — the unrest and agitation
of a sojourn in town needed but a suggestion from
his beloved hobby, to urge him into taking the
next train down to his roses. A year ago we
stopped to watch a honey-bee rest a while on the
steps of St. Paul's Cathedral, alone as she
the very core of civilised and unsuitable
and where no one would expect to find
connecting link between ourselves and
Then arose a vision of our hives in June ; filled
sections; the much-dreaded natural swarms; and
all the other ills that can befall a bee-keeper away
from his bees. We seek in vain for consolation in
the saying that 'it is the unexpected that happens,'
for it is the dread expectancy itself we find, on our
return, to have occurred.

* Canon S. E. Hole.

was in

places,

such a

home.

286

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 7, 1887.

A few weeks ago we noticed a queen humble-bee
flying about under the railway arch on the Borough
side of London Bridge. Speculation as to what
brought her there only reopened the vista of
longing for a return to other humble-bees.

Revenons a nos abeilles. Who but a bee-keeper
can feel that delightful thrill of satisfaction which
fills the breast on the return to refreshment from
labour 1 The merry hum of workers ; the lazy
boom of drones ; these sounds are such sweet
contenting music to his ears, that if he do not give
a sigh of mingled joy and thankfulness for being
permitted to enjoy such a recreative hobby, well — -
he must have a coarse appreciation indeed of
blessiugs bestowed, coarser than, we apprehend,
is generally found amongst bee-keepers in this
land.

' Man goeth forth to his work and to his labour,
until the evening.' The evening meal being over,
how joyfully does he hie him to the neighbourhood
of his hives ! Soothing influences are around him ;
all is quiet ; calm reflection fills his mind, bringing
into it that very repose which rests his world-torn
spirit, and fitting him anew to recommence the
harassing grind of duty in the morn, a duty he is
better enabled to continue, because his mind and
body obtains there rest.

His bees, however, unlike him, are working con-
tinuously on to their death, for the moon is rising
and their day's work still goes on, still they set
forth in their quest for nectar. Let him listen at
this time near the back of a prosperous hive, and
it seems as though the real labour of the day is
only just begun, for all are at home, yet rest not.
Iu the morning he is up with the lark, for how
can he, for very shame, remain at rest on such a
bright morn, when he knows his little slaves were
at work as soon as either lark or chanticleer
heralded the d&jt The dew is yet on the grass
(' ilka bled o' grass has its ain drap o' dew '), there
has been no rain for weeks perhaps, so his bees
have said they must draw water. The doorstep
of the hive is cold and moist by reason of the
condensed vapours of the night ; two or three
weary, sleepy-looking bees crawl lazily about just
under the porch, tired of the night's sentry duty ;
a few more, which have the air of having been
up all night, venture forward, as if testing the
barometrical and thermometrical conditions of the
air — diagnosing the new-born day, so to speak.
All at once the fit seizes one to fly round on a
more extended meteorological expedition ; and
returning, it sallies forth on a far voyage, accom-
panied by a confiding sister bee. Single bees
return, and pairs go forth, until soon all is activity,
and the joyous bee-keeper is assured of a fine day
by his own true little weather prophets. And yet,
how quietly they work during the early morning !
He cannot hear the usual hum of noon, and thinks,
maybe, their little wings are softly damped with
early morning mist, and do not buzz as they
surely will when crisped and dried by the sun's all-
vivifying beams.

Solomon sent the sluggard to the ant; but, as
bee-keepers, send us to our bees.

JUBILEE DESIGNS.

In almost every hamlet and town throughout
the kingdom the spirit of loyalty has been demon-
strated in the various processions of the trades,
manufactures, and societies that have perambulated
through the principal streets and roads. It may
be possible that Bee-keepers' Associations have
borne a part in these enthusiastic displays, though
the record of such has not reached us. Tableaux
vivants after the frontispiece of Modern Bee-keeping ,
or some of the plates in Mr. Jenyns' work on bee-
keeping, would have proved most effective, and
would have given a local place to bee-keeping
amongst the other industries of the respective
places. When we visited the Reading Show last
week we were much gratified at the Jubilee designs
of Mr. W. Woodleigh, of Newbury, which we con-
sider much in advance of those exhibited by him
at Soufli Kensington.

At Blandford, Mr. J. J. Alsford, the expert of the
Dorset B.K.A., exhibited in Jubilee week in his
shop-window in the Market-place a very beautiful
work of his bees, which he had caused to form the
letters ' F. T. T.' (the initials of a local celebrity),
with comb filled with honey, flanked with the
workers in a glass hive. Large crowds of spectators
were continually gathered round the window. Mr.
Alford had also, exquisitely worked, the word
' Jubilee ' iu honey iu comb, about six inches deep
and fifteen inches long, with this declaration in
verse — ■

' My bees unite to swell with me
The universal Jubilee.'

At Bedford Dr. Wray,the inventor of the 'Mel-pel,'
displayed the following amongst the decorations of
the town :

The Royal Arms, surmounted by a real straw-hive or
skep, upon which was inscribed —

' The Honey Bees.'

' Creatures that by a rule in nature teach
The art of order to a peopled kingdom.'

Atop of the hive stood a 'smoker,' by means of which
the modern bee-man keeps peace with his bees, and
shares with them their plenty. The legend, therefore, on
the smoker was : —

' V.R. Peace and Plenty.'

Next above this came a queen-bee, much enlarged ;
and over her (with the following lines between) was a
portrait of our Gracious Queen Victoria : —

' First in the throng, and foremost of the whole,
One stands confest the sovereign and the soul.'

The background was a red curtain, and the whole sur-
mounted by festooned flags ; the Royal Flag in the
centre of those of All Nations ; St. George's, flanked by
Union Jacks ; the Royal Standard ; and, above all,
Medallions of the Queen in 18:57 and 1887.

GLEANINGS.
In the Bee-heeperi Magazine, G. W. Demaree, de-
scribing his system of controlling increase, says that
when a swarm issues it is hived on five frames of stan-
dard Langstroth size, the rest of the brood-chamber
being filled with division boards cleated on the sides, so
as to make them stand half-inch apart. Over all goes a
metal queen excluder, and the surplus cases are tiered on

July 7, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

287

top, as many as needed for the surplus crop. The new
hive occupies the old stand, and the old hive is set at its
rear and disguised by spreading some cloths over it.
In six or seven days after the swarm issues, he lifts
out the combs in the old hive, shakes nearly all the
bees off of them in front of the new hive, and moves the
old hive to a new position in the apiary. If there is a
case of partly filled sections on the old hive, it is trans-
ferred to the new, as the old colony will be some time
getting ready to gather surplus honey. The result of
this management is that the new swarm is sure for sur-
plus for all it can get. The queen can occupy but
a small space for brood, and the honey is forced into the
surplus cases. The honey is all taken from them as fast
as completed, and the colony goes down to a mere
nucleus by fall, and the ' way of all the earth,' unless
you choose to unite them in the fall. In this way he
gets a good yield from the swarm, and the old colony
rears a vigorous queen, gathers sufficient stores for win-
ter, and so gets no increase. He says the plan, in a ' nut
shell,' is to use up increase in producing surplus honey.

In Gleani?igs, A. I. Root gives the results of his ex-
periments on the protection of bees from heat and cold.
He says that some years ago he made such full and
complete experiments in trying to decide whether the
chaff hive was an advantage in winter as well as in
summer, and that he was not mistaken in thinking he
would get more honey in a well-protected super than in
one exposed directly to the weather, especially when
there are cracks admitting rain and wind. He verified
it again in the house apiary, by having the bees build
and store comb-honey in sections protected by good
warm covering, and without any protection except a
piece of sacking. He repeatedly caused the bees to com-
mence storing and stop storing in supers by putting a
close, warm top over them and taking it off again.
The fierce heat of the sun would stop work, and within
a week or ten days cold nighls would also stop work ;
whereas if an outer hive or top confined the air at such
a time, work would go right along. Colonies of equal
strength were tested side by side, and more bees went to
the fields and more pounds of honey were gathered when
protection was given.

In the Canadian Bee Journal, Dr. 0.0. Miller says he
prefers giving for brood-chamber the smallest room the
queen will fill in early spring, then increasing to the
largest room just before harvest, to be again contracted
on putting on the supers. He prefers top storing to any
other, although G. M. Doolittle recommends top and
side storing combined. Of eleven bee-keepers who give
their opinions, nine prefer top storing.

In the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society,
M. A. Forel gives an account of past and recent ex-
periments on the vision of insects, and sums up the
conclusions as follows : —

(1.) Insects direct themselves in flight almost wholly,
and on the ground partially, by means of their facetted
eyes. The antennas and buccal sensory organs cannot
serve for directing flight. Their extirpation makes no
difference.

(2.) J. Miiller'a mosaic theory is alone true. The
retinulse of the compound eyes do not each receive an
image ; but each receives a simple ray more or less
distinct in origin from that of its neighbours. (Midler,
Grenacher, Exner.)

(3.) The greater the number of facets, the more
elongated the crystalline cones, the more distinct and
the longer the vision. (Muller and Exner.)

(4.) Insects can see particularly well the movements
of bodies, and better during flight than when at rest, the
image being displaced in relation to the eye (Exner).
This perception of the mobility of objects diminishes as
the distance increases.

(5.) Contour and form are only indistinctly appreciated

and the more indistinctly the fewer facets, the shorter
the crystallines, the farther and smaller the objects.
Insects with big eyes with several thousand facets can
see with tolerable distinctness.

(6.) In flight insects can by means of their compound
eyes appreciate with accuracy the direction and distance
(not too great) of objects. When at rest they can also
estimate the distance of fixed objects.

(7.) Certain insects (bees and humble-bees) can clearly
distinguish colours, and that better than form. In others
(wasps), the perception of colour is very rudimentaiy.

(8.) The ocelli seem to furnish only very incomplete
vision, and to be simply accessory in the insects which
possess also compound eyes.

In The production of Comb Honey, by W. L. Hutchin-
son, he says that separators are needed when sections two
inches wide are used, or when they are to be glassed.
They are also needed with any system that does not
admit of tierring-up ; because when sections are removed
singly, or by the wide frame full, bulged combs will be
the result, unless an unprofitable amount of manipulation
is performed, when the spaces are filled with new sections.
With wide frames separators are certainly a convenience,
that is, they furnish a ' strop ' against which to push the
sections, thus keeping them in line, and their edges even
with the edge of the wide-frame. It is only by the
adoption of ' tiering-up ' method, in whicli a whole case
of sections is removed at one time, that separators can be
abandoned with any hopes of success. Black bees, he
says, or those having a dash of black blood in their veins,
are more inclined to build straight true combs without
separators, than in any variety of bees which he has tried.

USEFUL HINTS.

Hot, scorching days, with close, stifling nights, mists

in early morning betokening another sweltering day.

Such has been the order of the day with us for over a

month — not a drop of rain. Oh ! may we shortly see —

' At last
The clouds consign their treasures to the field,
And, softly shaking on the dimpled pool
Prelusive drops, let all their moisture flow
In large effusion o'er the freshened world. '

This dry weather suits the clover, and where the grass
is not already cut, the bees are working it well. The
acacias are just over; there is a large tree here which
the bees have been working from morning to night.
The limes are in bud and promise a plentiful supply
of honey if we only get a few days' rain, already some
of the earliest trees are bursting into blossom ; with us
there are trees in different stages whicli usually yield a
honey-glut for a full month. Dutch clover will be
reappearing in fields which have been mowed ; last
year the greater part of the surplus consisted of that
gathered from the aftermath of clover.

Hives should be well shaded from the scorching rays
of the sun, and water provided if not obtainable, near at
hand ; of course not forgetting the pieces of stick or cork
placed on the water to afford a foothold for our protegees.
Plenty of ventilation should be given by propping up the
hive from the floorboard ; those whose hives possess
moveable floorboards will now experience their benefit,
the fanners at once relinquish their labour as soon as a
free wide entrance is provided. A large board leant
against each hive, if not already in the shade, gives great
relief from the heat, although it may be rather unsightly.
A plan which we adopt is to drive a yoke of wood in
front of the hive, the cross-piece some six inches higher
than the top of the hive, and stretch a piece of unbleached
calico across to the back of the hive, and have always
found it very useful.

A Woed of Warning. — "You who have new untried
hives, look to your roofs when this dry spell of weather
is over, or rather, look to them at once before the rain

288

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 7, 1887.

comes, for the sun may hare opened the joints, and the
first shower will soak the quilts, and if not noticed,
occasion great damage.

Sections have been deserted or not taken to in conse-
quence of the continuous drought. Even brood placed in
the supers has been abandoned. There is very little fear
of the queens being crowded out by the honey-gatherers,
still fresh room must be given them in the brood-nest.
Doubling will give us the best returns. If we do not
provide our queens room in advance of their require-
ments, we must expect swarms which will issue too late
to give us satisfactory results. In those cases where
swarms have been returned to the parent hive, they have
refused to occupy the supers and have swarmed out
again. Swarms of three weeks or a month old that have
not yet been supered may have a case of sections placed
on them if the other stocks are collecting a surplus.

Manipulations should never be undertaken in the
heat of the day, the bees are very savage, and well they
might be, when thus disturbed ; the early morning or
before sunset are the most favourable times for making
an inspection.

Sending Hives to Heather. — Where it is intended
to convey the hives to the heather preparations should
be made for the bees' safety on the journey. A special
single walled travelling box is best, provided with
squares of wood tacked on the sides to take the ends of
the frames and prevent the combs from jarring. These
strips of wood should not reach to the bottom of the box,
but should afford a space of half an inch or more all
round below them. With such a box provided, the
frames and bees can be readily lifted out from their hive,
placed in the box and fastened down for the journey.
This is much safer than attempting to pack them up in
their permanent hive, and is very little extra work, as
doubling boxes would come in very well for this purpose.

Extracting. — This should be performed in the cool
of the evening, after the bees have ceased flying. Great
care should be taken to prevent the bees, if possible,
getting a scent of the honey. In many instances,
especially with Ligurians or Hybrids, even when the
bees refuse the supers, honey may be extracted from the
body-box, but do not extract from those frames con-
taining brood. The best way to obtain the honey from
these is to uncap it, and place the frame between two
combs well filled with brood in the centre of the nest,
when the bees will speedily clear it out, and store the
honey in the outer frames. Do not extract the honey
from unsealed combs, as it will only spoil the rest, if
mixed with ripe honey.

Bees and Roses. — During this hot, dry weather, we
have noticed several hive bees working double roses, but
only those that distinctly show the stamens and pistils,
such as, of course, are useless for exhibition purposes.

Packing Honey. — Those who have sections and
bottled honey to sell cannot do better than follow the
advice of friend Huckle (1189) in last week's Journal,
and of Mr. Woodley (1128) of the week before ; every
pains certainly should be taken to relieve the show
officials of unnecessary labour.

Goat and Bees.— The account on this subject in the
issue of 23rd June should be borne in mind by every bee-
keeper, not only goats but horses and cattle should be
rigidly excluded from proximity to bee-hives. The
owner evidently did the best he could under the circum-
stances ; namely, got rid of the bees at once.

Disposing of Honey. — Let me remind bee-keepers now
is not the time to get rid of your honey ; keep it in a dry,
cool place, and it will remain good till the winter, and if
it is. then kept in a dry, warm place it will keep till next
year without any danger of spoiling. Honey will fetch
a much better price in the winter than now, and last
yeai-'s sections are often allowed to compete in early
allows, when the present year is a bad one. We have
seen and tasted honey in sections kept over som? years,

and should not have known it from freshly gathered, of
course care was taken to keep it covered from the air.

Methyl Salicylate (Oil of Winter-Green).—
We have tested this, and must say it affords a great pro-
tection, the bees do not seem to object to it ; in fact, it
rather soothes them, and though it does not attract the
bees, two or three occasionally crawl on the hands and
commence licking it off; we have experienced no un-
pleasant effects from its application.

ASSOCIATIONS.

NORFOLK AND NORWICH BEE-KEEPERS'

ASSOCIATION.

This Association held their annual show in conjunction
with the Rose Show on June 30th in the grounds of
Carrow House (the residence of Mr. Oolman) and of
Cavrow Abbey. It was a glorious day, and the show was
well attended by the elite of the town and county. The
rose3 were very fine indeed. The Rev. P. Page-Roberts,
who we believe is a bee-keeper, obtained no less than
four first and one third prizes for roses in the different
classes.

In the bee department the exhibition of hives and
appliances was small and not up to what one usually
expects to see at an important show of this kind, the
large firms of manufacturers of hives and appliances
being conspicuous by their absence, although the prizes
offered for the collections were good. It is a great
question whether the time has not come when this class
should be altered, and that the largest collection, which
entails a large outlay for carriage, packing, unpacking,
&c, and which limits the competition to one or two
firms, should give place to a specified number of hives,
Sea., after the collection class in the Bury St. Ed-
munds schedule, which should increase both the
number of exhibitors and the usefulness of the exhibits.
The only hive of any merit, and well made, was ex-
hibited by Mr. Blake. It consisted of body-box, a
super, with shallow frames same size as hive, and a rack
of sections with deep covers, the price being only 10s. 6d.
The exhibition of both comb and extracted honey was
very good, and the four judges took considerable time
and pains to arrive at their unanimous decisions. The
following is a list of the awards : —

Class 1. — For the best stock of Ligurian or other foreign
bees : 1st prize, Mr. H. Beswick ; 2nd, Mr. J. J. Rice.
Class 2. — For the best collection of hives and bee appli-
ances : 2nd prize, Mr. J. J. Rice. Class 3. — For the best
complete and most practical hive : 1st prize, Mr. J. Blake,
2nd, Mr. Wren. Class 5. — For the best exhibition of super
honey from one apiary : 1st prize, Mr. H. Beswick ; 3rd,
Mr. A. G. Copeman. Class 6. — For the best super of honey
not in sections : 1st prize, Mr. C. G. Cooke ; 2nd, Mrs.
Eendle. i Class 7. — For the best twelve 2-lb. sections of
honey in the comb: 1st prize, Mr. H. Beswick; 2nd,
Mrs. Kendle. Class 8. — For the best twenty-four 1-lb.
sections of honey in the comb : 1st prize, Mr. C. J. Cooke ;
2nd, Mr. M. Mason ; 3rd, Mr. H. Beswick. Class 9.— For
the best 24 lbs. of extracted honey in 1-lb. or 2-lb. glass
jars : 1st prize, Mr. M. Mason ; 2nd, Mr. J. Lawrence ;
3rd, Mr. Eeeve ; extra 3rd, Mr. C. J. Cooke ; highly com-
mended, Mr. H. Beswick. Class 10. — For the largest and
best collection of extracted honey in glass jars, Mr. A.
West. Class 12. — For the best twelve 1-lb. sections, bona-
Jicle cottagers : 1st prize, Mr. R. Howes ; 2nd, Mr. J. Nichols ;
3rd, Mr. J. Spanton, jun. Class 13. — For the best twelve
1-lb. bottles of honey, bona-Jide cottagers : 1st prize, Mr.
M. Mason ; 2nd, Mr. Chaplin ; 3rd, Mr. G. H. Richmond ;
highly commended, Mr. Goldhawke. Class 14. — For the
best super of honey, open to bona-fide cottagers only : 1st
prize, Mr. R. Howes ; 2nd, Mr. Moore.

Mr. J. M. Hooker, who assisted in the judging, was
also appointed by the B.B.K.A. to examine expert
candidates. The Abbey and grounds were illuminated
with much skill and taste during the evening.

July 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

289

BURY ST. EDMUNDS SHOW.
The following awards were made in the classes allotted
to bees, hives, honey, &c, at the Suffolk Agricultural
Show, held at Bury St. Edmunds on June 23 and fol-
lowing dav, viz. : — For the best collection of hives, &c,
1st, Mr. 'Wright; 2nd, Edey & Sons. For the best
twelve sections of comb and honey, 6J x 5j, Mr. H.
Beswick ; no second prize 'was awarded in this class.
For the best twelve sections, 4J x 4J-, 1st, G. E. Kemball ;
2nd, H. Beswick; 3rd, G. E. Kemball. Highly com-
mended, Miss Gayton and Dr McNab. Commended
H. Beswick. This was an excellent class, consisting of
thirteen entries. For the best exhibit of honey from one
apiary. A third prize only was awarded in this class to
Mr. H. Beswick. The Rev. George Kaynor judged, and
the arrangements were most efficiently made by Mr.
Mr. H. C. Bunbury.

BERKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual show of the above Association was fixed
to take place at Windsor on July 14ih. This date has
been altered. It will probably take place the week
after, but the day is not yet settled. The Hon. Sec.
hopes this will catch the eye of those to whom he has
sent schedules, and so apprise them of the change of
date.

Cnraspcmaenrc.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith'. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
&c, m,ust be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Stranyciflays and Sms, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Hqckle, King's Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

HOW COUSIN JONATHAN GETS COMB
HONEY.

[1140.] Most of our readers have heard of Mr. Henry
Alley, of Wenham, Mass., of queen-raising fame ; he is
the present editor of the American Apiculturist, a
monthly bee-paper that is second to none in the value
of its articles on points of real practical interest to bee-
keepers. The number for June has five articles on comb
honey from the pens of the following well - known
American bee-keepers : — G. M. Doolittle, Dr. G. L.
Tinker, A. E. Manum, Dr. C. C. Miller, and G. W.
Demaree. To reprint them in e.vtenso would be beyond
the limits of these columns, so I will endeavour to give
you a digest of them: the information is too late to be of
benefit for the present honey crop, but as our minds are
now occupied with honey-getting the facts will probably
be more firmly fixed in our memories at the present time
than they would be in the winter when bees are quiet.

Mr. Doolittle strongly emphasises the necessity of having
good queens at the head of all stocks, and also the
absolute necessity of having stocks full of young bees by
the time the clover blooms, which with him is about
June loth. He advises spreading brood cautiously by
turning sides to comb, uncapping sealed stores, removing
the outside combs to the centre when bees are sufficiently
strong to bear that treatment, hut not till then, never
letting the bees feel their larder is getting low, and by
keeping the stocks warm with packing. He gives full
sheets of foundation in his sections and gives the sections
in rows, not a crate full at once, and does not give his
sections in tiers, but spreads them out laterally even

beyond the limits of the brood-chamber. Mr. Doolittle
does not give full sheets of foundation to swarms in the
brood-nest, and in common with most of our transatlantic
cousins uses the ' honey-board,' or queen-excluder.

Dr. G. L. Tinker shows his appreciation of a strong
stock of young bee3 by giving details as to wintering and
building up in spring. He recommends sufficient stores
in late autumn to last till May 1st, then give frames of
sealed stores sufficient to last till the fruit-blossom crop
and wraps all up warm. He winters on about 800
square inches of comb surface, and at the time of the
fruit-bloom gives another case of combs of about the
same capacity underneath the original one, so that the
queen can extend her brood downwards and thus get
from 1400 to 1800 square inches of brood ready to hatch
out by about June 1st. This, the doctor contends, ex-
hausts the queen so that she requires a rest, and will not
hatch so many bees after the honey-glut is over. He
uses full sheets of foundation in the sections for
economy but starters for looks, and 4j x 4j x lg sections
with dividers, but seven to the foot without. Narrow
sections, he says, on a contracted brood-nest leads to
pollen being stored in the sections, he also recommends
the open-sided sections where separators are used. Dr.
Tinker always puts at least one section containing comb
partly built out the previous season as an inducement to
the bees to enter. He tiers his super crates as we do in
England, and has a say about inverting the brood-
chamber and insists that no brood frame should be
less than six inches deep. The doctor is very fond of
swarms, having evidently never tried the non-swarming
system of Germany and England, and gives a long
description of his treatment of swarms and the construc-
tion of a honey hoard, on which the success of his system
in his opinion entirely depends.

Mr. Manum uses the 4jx4^xl3 sections filled with
full sheets of foundation, and fitted with wood separators.
He goes in for quality and appearance, and gets his
stocks strong enough to swarm by the time the white
clover and raspberry bloom. He only allows each hive
to swarm once, and gives one third of the swarm back to
the old stock, unites the two-thirds of the swarm to the
two-thirds of the next swarm that comes from another
hive, and so has large colonies without impoverishing the
old stocks or increasing the number of his hives unduly.
If the stocks swarm late he returns one-half and puts
four half swarms together, his object being, of course, to
have all sufficiently strong to work in supers. He also
tiers his sections, having had, he says, as many as six
sets, containing in all 192 sections on at one time. He
sometimes inverts the sections to get them better finished,
and places the outside ones in the middle and vice versd
if necessar)'. He also gives a chapter on introducing
queens by cages, a subject on which they can all learn
from John Bull if they will.

Dr. C. C. Miller says the two first requisites of success
are plenty of bees and plenty of pasturage. To get this
he gives plenty of stores in autumn and little or no
meddling. The doctor's crates hold each twenty-four
1-lh. sections, and he points out the advantage of giving
a partly-filled section as an inducement to the bees to
commence. If one stock is earner than another he goes
so far as to divide the first crate of partly-filled sections
amongst the others. He also gives his sections by crates,
adding the empty crate underneath in the early part of
the season and on the top later on. He uses the Heddon
slat honey -board as a queen -excluder, and takes the
middle sections away as soon as filled, putting the out-
side ones into the centre of the crate to be finished. Dr.
Miller's honey-flow is evidently not so good as some of
the other contributors.

Mr. Demaree prepares for his honey harvest late in the
previous autumn, packing his hives up strong with young
bees, plenty of stores, and takes care to leave them alone
during winter, He deprecates ' brood-spreading ' and

290

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 7, 1887.

inverting brood combs, but is not dictatorial to others
-who prefer that plan. He also prefers to contract deep
frames to tiering shallow frames, and contracts iiis brood
chamber by allowing the outer frames to be filled with
honey instead of contracting them by dummies during
the time the bees are filling supers. This gentleman uses
full sheets in sections if the honey flow comes in a short
' rush,' but starters only if it is continuous and steady.
He also tiers sections by crates, grouping the partly-filled
sections downwards to get them finished off at the end
of the season, but says nothing about the use of partly-
filled sections as a start to the bees.

The number of the Apicultitrist is an excellent one and
can be read by all with profit. By it we can test our
own methods and practice, and see how far we are behind
or before our cousins over yonder.

In all probability, by the time my readers are conning
over these lines Mr. Oowan will be on the deck of one of
the best ' (Junard liners ' on his way to see ' Cousin
Jonathan ' as well as our old friends in Canada. I hope
he will see some of these sections taken, off and the
efficient bee-masters that have written the articles, and
that he may have a prosperous trip and a safe return to
the old country, his brother bee-keepers, and the B. B. J.
— Amateur Expert.

APIFUGE : A LADY'S EXPERIENCE.

[1141.] With regard to Apifuge I should like to say
that I find it most successful. Plitherto my bees have
always stung my hands (I wear a veil) as I do not like
working in gloves. The stings with me are most in-
convenient, as they swell and stiffen, rendering me help-
less for fully a day. Since using the Apifugel can put
my hands into a hive without fear ; and on Saturday
last I removed seventeen filled sections crowded with
bees from the top of a not very good-tempered lot with-
out receiving one sting. As for my smoker I never
light it now. I do not suffer from any after effects,
it is as innocuous to me as water. This from a lady
bee-keeper ought to give others confidence. I hope
many will try it, and find the comfort from it that I do.
— Bee-Kay, Waltham Firs, Great Grimsby,

BE QUIBUSDAM.

[1142.] I am trying 'Apifuge' with success. It has
no ill effect on me, and the bees seem startled at it.
One suddenly alights on your hand and — ' Halloo ! what's
this?' he seems to start in amazement and forgets to
sting. That be will never do so while you use the
article must not be expected. Its use increases con-
fidence, which is a great thing. Moreover it seems to
have a similar effect on the bees to smoke. They run
down and bury their heads in unsealed cells. Wasps
are unusually scarce this year; I don't think T have
seen half-a-dozen.

At the beginning of this week bees were very busy
on laurel, ilex,sycamore, and various other leaves. There
had been a refreshing dew, and small dots of moisture
were visible on the foliage. There the bees were at
work ffir honey dew, I presume, and it seemed to me
that the warm, moist drops draw forth some flavour from
the foliage, and that the bees get moisture and some
other article at the same time.

_ You have lately given some useful directions to be-
ginners. To some of them a difficulty may arise in
getting bees out of certain crates. If you have not
helped them I hope I shall not be considered pre-
sumptuous if I point out how easy the work is after
all.

Three days ago I took from a skep a good example of
Abbott's Cottager's crate. Through the four glass sides
you see four fine seams of honey. Of course there were
hundreds of bees in it. I put a seacale pot just out of

the sun near the hive, mouth up, with two slips of wood
laid parallel to one another towards one side. On these
I placed the crate, covering it over with a cloth on all
sides, but letting light in to the pot between one of its
sides and the crate. Late in the evening I returned ; all
the bees except two had gone clown and out. I re-
moved the crate, laid it gently on one of its sides, still
covering all, turning the opening at the bottom (a round
one) to the light. In two or three minutes the captain
and mate left the ship.

Why does my good friend Mr. Griffin spell his excel-
lent article 'dubbin' after the fashion of an illiterate
country saddler ? We do not put ' blackin' on our boots,
or clean our tinned ware with ' whitin.' — C. K. S.

HONEY ASSOCIATIONS.

[1143.] In the editorial for June 30th of British
Bee Jownaltlie important question is asked, Whether the
demand for honey is increasing proportionately to the
enlarged supply ? I say that it is not. The supply of
honey is not so great as it might be with better manage-
ment, but it increases every year, and at a faster rate
than the demand. The abolition of the sulphur-pit is
the fundamental cause of the rapid increase in the
number of stocks, and to a great extent the enlarged
supply of honey. The amount of honey imported is
insignificant and on the decline, and no longer any
justification for the reckless policy of our Bee Associ-
ations.

Every Association has for its avowed object the
benefit of bee-keepers, especially the cottager, and any-
one who did not know better would imagine that all
their efforts were devoted to that end, but, unfortunately,
by some means or other, the bee-keeper, and especially
the cottager, derives but small benefit. The motives of
B. K. Associations are good, no doubt, but their policy
is bad. The all-important question is obtaining new
members, and if the Report shows an excess of new
members over those who have left disappointed and
disheartened, to say the least the Association is said to
be in a prosperous condition. It matters not how many
leave, so long as others are found to join. Then, as
regards expenditure, how can we account for the almost
invariable deficit at the end of the year ? Has the
cottager cost too much ? Certainly not ; the money has
been expended in fishing for new members so as to
make the Association strong. But, alas ! they vanish.
An Association's strength does not lie in its numbers,
but in the unity, prosperity, and satisfaction of those it
does possess. One volunteer is worth two pressed
members, and it is better to let them come than drag
them in.

How much money has there been expended on the bee
tent manipulations, and where is the single member who
has derived one pennyworth of good from them? The
bee tent is not for bee-keepers, and they never ought to
enter after keeping bees one season. A skep of bees is
taken into a netted arena, and after a good supply of
smoke and honey to make the bees harmless, an expert,
perhaps covered with some intimidant, bravely frightens
them from one skep to another, and then the said expert,
who is often a manufacturer of appliances, gives a
' lecture ' on bee-keeping, which is simply an advertising
medium for his goods.

What exaggerations ! How the dark side is kept out !
How painful to the experienced apiarist to stand and
listen to such statements as the following — 'Scarcely
any outlay and but little risk ! ' 'A hundredweight of
honey per hive at from a shilling per lb. upwards!'
But these are mild compared with some I have heard.
However, a convert is made and some appliances sold,
the poor bee-keeping cottager's money having done both.
Shows ought to be held when possible for the exhibition

.July 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

291

of our produce, as they are beneficial to bee-keepers,
but the bee tent and 'lectures' ought to be done away
with at once. — Looker-on.

MR. S. SIMMINS ON BUYING AND INTRO-
DUCING QUEENS.
[1144.] In your issue of the 23rd inst. there appears
a letter from Mr. Simmins offering to purchasers of
young queens some excellent advice ; and as the advice
he gives applies so very aptly to myself, I purpose, in
great measure at least, in future to follow it. ' In spring,'
says your correspondent, ' how many there are who,
finding a stock queenless, send off for a new queen. How
much better to unite at once, for what does the dealer
from whom he purchases ? He runs considerable risk in
wintering nuclei for the sake of the young queens, as he
is aware they are much sought after early in the season.
As the queens are disposed of, often to be introduced to
colonies (?) weaker than the nuclei they are sold from,
the dealer unites, thus gaining strength while pocketing
cash into the bargain, the purchaser often finding, to his
regret, that his bees have not sufficient " backbone " left
to do the new queen justice. If one must try a new
variety, why not give her foreign majesty a fair trial,
with at least an average stock in good heart, and thus be
in a position to give a full and faithful report ? '

About the middle of April, examining my stocks, I
found three w-hose queens were drone-breeders, two of
which were young queens hatched out in the early part
of the season of 1886, and exceptionally active and fertile.
A mild open winter before Christmas, an inordinately
severe and prolonged one afterwards, had in my opinion
injured the young queens, and I determined therefore to
replace them at the earliest. The stocks were crowded
upon eight frames, and were, to say the least, strong.
I wrote to one of our largest queen-rearers and dealers,
asking when, at the earliest, he could send me queens of
a certain kind. He replied that, weather permitting, he
could let me have them by the middle of May. I there-
upon ordered two, and of course forwarded the amount
due for them. Now, sir, this is the 25th of June, and
my queens have not arrived. I have waited from day
to day, hoping and trusting, but up to this present in
vain. In May I wrote and asked the dealer to apprise
me, by letter or post-card, two days before sending on
the queens, of his intention of doing so, in order that I
might have the old queens removed and the hives ready
for the reception of the new, and this he very kindly
promised to do. On June 16th I am informed that
' having had no fine weather here until the Oth, we are
behind with queens, but hope to attend to you very soon
now.' Despairing, I wait no longer, but, taking out the
drone-breeders, unite the bees to other hives ; a course
of action that I clearly should have two months before
adopted.

I am quite aware that the spring has been exception-
ally severe, and that, do what one could, hives were and
are backward, and the coldness and severity of the
weather here are much greater than in the south of
England at any time. We seldom have less than seven
months' winter, and more frequently eight, i.e., from
October until May ; and yet young queens, even in this
cold region, have hatched out in April, and been fertilised
by the end of May, nearly a month agone. Let me give a
case in point. In the early part of April, one of my
strongest hives — the strongest then — swarmed out (it
being an unusually warm bright day) to get a cleansing
flight. The bees were crowded upon ten frames, and
the hive was increasing mightily. The queen was of
last year's rearing. Well, as I have remarked, they
swarmed out. I was from home at the time, and did
not return until evening, when a friend of mine, who
was working in my garden told me of the circumstance.
Going to the hive, I found it still in a state of great

excitement, and I concluded, therefore, that her majesty
had been lost in the flight. Some four days after this,
it having become warm again, I opened the hive and
found five unsealed queen-cells. This confirmed my
opinion respecting the loss of the queen. I had purposed
opening the hive again in due time, cutting out three
queen-cells and introducing them into the two hives in
which were the drone-breeding queens; but, unfortun-
ately the weather became so prolongedly and intensely
cold that I dare not. When I did open the hive, how-
ever, and which was about three weeks afterwards, all
the queen-cells had been cut down, and the young, un-
fertilised queen was upon the combs ; all others of the
young queens, if any had been permitted to hatch out,
having disappeared. A fortnight passed, and the hive
having again become restless and excited, I again opened
and examined it. No evidence of a queen, no young
brood, not an egg. 1 thereupon introduced a frame of
eggs from a Syrian stock as a test experiment, i.e., if the
bees drew down queen-cells, their young, unfertilised
queen must ha 7e been lost; but if no queen-cells were
drawn down, she, although still unfertilised, was safe
among them. Some four or more days after this, I
again examined the frame I had introduced, but not one
queen-cell existed, and as further proof of the young
queen's presence, she was actively laying, and was there-
fore fertilised.

But, sir, what I would wish to be understood, as
deducing from the foregoing is this : — While many bee-
keepers are (and truly according to Mr. Simmins) wrong
in not at once uniting, and thereby, although diminishing
the number of their stocks, increasing the strength of
those which remain, dealers in queens may possibly err in
misleading their customers as to the length of time they
may have to wait before their wants are supplied. My
young queens were first expected to be forwarded about
the middle of May. June 16th arrives, and ' it is hoped
that the queens may be sent very soon.' June 25th is
here, but the queens are not. Surely if we, living in
one of the coldest counties in the north of England,
hundreds of feet above the sea-level, with scarcely ever
less than twelve feet of snow from first to last during
the winter, and this of almost arctic length and severity,
can have swarms (and these are neither few nor far be-
tween), and can get queens hatched out in April, and
fertilised and laying in May, surely, I say, dealers and
queen-rearers, domiciled in the south, and owning, per-
haps, 300 or 400 stocks, should be able to despatch
queen before June 25th, in this the year of Her Majesty's
Jubilee ! My queens are coming, and so is Christmas.
They are to be beauties of their race, and this, from my
knowledge of their rearer, I can very easily credit; but
they must come soon to be of use, and even then I must
impoverish some of my strongest stocks to 'give each her
foreign majesty a fair trial.'

Mr. Simmins opportunely indicates how, by the inser-
tion of a comb with eggs, to prove the existence or non-
existence of a virgin queen in a hive. It will have been
seen from the foregoing that I am enabled to verify the
correctness of his statement.

In concluding this letter, I have to remark that my
stocks were strong when I placed myself in communica-
tion with the queen-rearer, i.e., they were crowded each
upon eight frames. Had uniting with other stocks not
been had recourse to, upon how many frames would they
be had they been permitted to remain to this day ?
How much ' backbone ' left to do the new queen justice ?
— Edward O. Anderson, Lydyate House, Wolsinyham,
Darlington, June 2oth.

P.S. Much has been urged against Syrians and their
non-wintering characteristics, and, in addition their fierce-
ness and vindictiveness. The Syrian stock, from which
I took the frame of eggs to place in the hive as a test
experiment, I have had three seasons. They are pure,
or very nearly so. I have found them the hardest

292

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 7,1887.

workers, the most prolific, under careful, gentle manage-
ment the most docile, and the best 'winterers of any bees
of an}' kind in my apiary. The queen of this stock I
have had three seasons, She now reigns over eighteen
standard frames, twelve of which contain brood, most of
them full from top to bottom. The stock is contained
in a twin hive, with south and east entrances, and botli
are open. I shall, after the bees are thoroughly accus-
tomed to go in and out of both the entrances, i.e., in the
course of a week, place a division-board in their midst,
and thus separate them into two. The one therefore
queenless will, I doubt not, soon proceed to erect queen-
cells, &c. ; meanwhile, I anticipate that the bees in each
Live will remain of their average strength.

AMERICAN 'ARTIFICIAL HONEY.'

[1145.] At the annual conversazione of our North-east
1.B.K.A, one of the queries, which it fell to my lot to
answer, was, 'What is Californian honey?' and my
reply was, ' Californian hone}7 is honey or nectar gathered
by bees just as our own do, but what is sold as " Cali-
fornian orange-blossom and cherry-blossom honey " is a
chemical compound of syrup with a little flavouring;'
and I am sure any one who knows the taste of pure
honey, and has ' sampled ' the ' Californian honey,' will
agree with me. Of course, if persons are satisfied with
the imitation article, they are welcome to the delusion ;
and for their benefit, that they may have a cheap and as
little nasty article as possible, I send them the following
receipt for the making of artificial honey from an
American print : —

' Artificial Honey. — Three pounds loaf sugar, one pint
water, two ounces gum arabic. Dissolve the gum in
the water, add the sugar, and boil for twenty minutes .
taking care that it does not burn. Now flavour with
five drops of a mixture made as follows : — Oil of rose,
ten drops; oil of peppermint, twenty drops; oil of
spearmint, ten drops ; essence of jasmine, half ounce ;
alcohol, two ounces. When the five drops of this
mixture are stirred well in, add a little tincture of
saffron, and the "honey" is ready for sale when cold.' —
H. W. Lett, M.A., Aghaderg Glebe, Loughbriekland, Co.
Down.

'MELLA.'
[1146.] I am pleased to see you refer to this refreshing
drink in last week's Journal, for I believe it only requires
to be tasted to insure its being appreciated. I supplied
my friends with half a gross on the day of the Queen's
procession to Westminster Abbey, and they one and all
spoke in high praise of it. One great charm it possesses
over similar beverages is that it leaves the palate so per-
fectly clean and fresh, whereas most of the sugar-
sweetened drinks leave the palate clogged and stick}',
and this advantage that 'Mella' possesses is, I believe,
solely due to its being sweetened with pure honey. Its
peculiar power of assuaging thirst is due to the healthy
action of the honey on the salivary glands. — H. Jonas.

Mm. Spuiigeon and the IIoenets' Nest. — Mr.
Spurgeon, speaking at a Blue Ribbon Society meeting,
related the following anecdote: — He had once had a
hornets' nest in his garden. He tried to kill the hornets
singly, but it took him a long time to dispose even of
one. At last, on a fine night — he did not previously tell
them of his intention — he heated a poker red-hot and
dropped it in the hole where they were. He did not
stay any longer, but at once went in for meditation. He
never saw another hornet. They seemed to be so pleased
with the poker that they stopped in their hole for ever
afterwards. The living fire of the Gospel was wanted
to burn, not one special sin only, but all sins from the
human heart.

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.

The Queen and the Bees.

I want this morning to do three things. I want to
tell you a story ; to give you a text ; and to ask you to
learn two lessons. The story is one which I saw in the
papers only last week, and it is this. A fortnight ago,
the Queen, as you may remember, was travelling from
Scotland to London. She was coming up from her
Highland home at Balmoral to take part in (hose great
Jubilee festivities of which, ten days ago, we all heard
and talked so much. Now all of you know that when
the Queen travels by rail every provision is made for her
comfort, and every precaution is taken for her safety.
And so, no doubt, it was then. But there are things
which even kings and queens, and those who make
arrangements for them, are unable to control, and thus
it was in the case before us. At a certain point on the
road there was a signal, and in proper course the signal
should have shown a light. But when the driver of the
Queen's train approached, behold all was dark ! There
was the post, and there was the lamp, but in it was no
light. Under such circumstances the rule is to stop.
Accordingly the driver stopped his engine, and with i:
stopped the royal train.

What was the explanation ? The explanation is said
to have been this : a swarm of bees attracted by the
light had crowded into the signal lamp, and by the
sheer weight of numbers had extinguished its light and
so made the signal void. Thus the bees put out the
light by which the Queen of England had to travel, and
stopped her royal progress. Now I want you to learn
from this curious story these two lessons: —

I. Learn, first, what great things can be accomplished
by very little things when they are uuited, or, as we
say, banded together.

One bee could have done nothing towards extinguishing
the light : it would only have been itself destroyed had
it attempted to have done so ; but united, banded to-
gether, these bees succeeded in accomplishing the task.
So, boys and girls singly are weak, and comparatively
powerless, but united, banded together, how much they
are able to accomplish. This is why we ask you to
join Bands of Hope, and Sunday Schools, and Christian
Churches, that you may be the better able to do good
work in the world, and so to serve your day and
generation.

II. Learn, secondly, how much harm may be ac-
complished by little things, and especially by little
things combined.

The bee is a very tiny creature, but the bees com-
bined put out the Royal light, and stopped the Royal
progress. Now, God wishes you all to be His kings and
queens — ' He hath made us kings and priests to God.'
But if you are to be kings and queens, you must have
light — the light of conscience — the light of truth — and
the light which comes from Jesus Christ, God's Son.
You must have light by which to travel ; and you must
also make progress — a royal progress, though it be a
pilgrim's progress — from this world to the brighter,
better world which is on high.

And what you ought to remember is that it is quite
possible for your light to be extinguished and your
progress stopped, and that by very little things. You
are not likely, while you are children, to be tempted to
commit great sins — you are not likely, so long as you
are boys and girls, to be guilty of murder, or of burglary,
or of forgery, or even of intemperance — but you are very
likely to be tempted to little sins, or sins which you
regard as little, to little untruths, to little dishonesties,
to little acts of disobedience, to little failures in work
and duty, to little thoughts of envy or jealousy, of
unkindness, or of pride ; and these little sins indulged in
are quite sufficient to put out your light and stop your
onward progress,

July 7, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

293

As the bees made the lamp, which should have been
light, all dark, so will these little sins make your souls
all dark ; and as the bees stopped the onward progress of
the Queen, bound though she was to all the joy and the
triumph of her Jubilee, so will these little sins hinder
and stop your progress to glory and eternal life.

So now I will give you my text — 'They compassed
me about' (says the Psalmist), 'they compassed me
about like bees; but in the name of the Lord will I
destroy them.' These little temptations, as you may call
them, will certainly compass you about. There is not
one of you whom they will not compass about. If you
would retain your light — if you would continue your
heavenward journey in the name of the Lord by His
grace and with His strength — in the name of the Lord
you must destroy them. God help you all to do so !

[The above sermonette was preached on the morning
of Sunday. July 3, by the Rev. J. Byles of Ealing to the
children of his flock. The circumstance on which it
was founded was given by us last week. Some of our
correspondents have cast some doubt on its authenticity,
and have promised to endeavour to verify the story. —
Ed.]

(&t\m ixam % Ute.

Odcombe, Ilminster, July 2n<Z.— I have been very busy for
the past fortnight extracting and removing sections, but
now, although the weather continues most splendid, the
flow of honey is diminishing in consequence of the mowing
machines having completed their work round here, but the
white clover will afford supplies for some time to come,
especially if we get a few showers of rain shortly. I have
given a fair trial to the four bee-way sections without
separators, and find they are completed more quickly and
quite as evenly as the close-sided ones with separators. On
the 30th ult. I removed two crates of sections of twenty-four
each from one hive all perfectly sealed and even, in fact,
quite interchangeable ; these had the open sides and no
separators, no propolis, and sections almost as clean as
when put on. I have always looked on separators as a
nuisance, but a necessary evil, and for the future shall
work without them, but such good results will not, accord-
ing to my experience, be obtained unless open-sided sections
be used, as the bee-ways appear to form the boundary
between each comb. I am always careful to apply the
spirit level to each hive before supering or putting in
foundation. I have tried the plan of putting a handkerchief
damped with weak carbolic solution over the sections or
frames when removing them, as I have seen recommended
in the Journal, and find it quite a success, as it is much
more effectual in driving the bees down out of the supers
than smoke and no troublesome smoker to be attended to.
— J. Saeell.

South Cornwall, July 2nd. — We have certainly been
having a very remarkable season. In May the orchards
were ablaze with such a display of blossom as had not
greeted our eyes for sixteen years. But for many days
there was a great deal of fog, and the bees could not fly
freely. Yet it was warm, and nectar seemed in process
of being developed, so that when the sun shone out of an
afternoon the bees worked with a will. Then came the great
heat suddenly, and hawthorn followed apple bloom, to be
succeeded by charlock, which has been more abundant than
usual, to the trouble of the farmer, for ' what is one man's
meat, is another man's poison.' At a far earlier date than
usual, we found white clover opening, so that for six weeks
there has been no cessation of work. Alas ! that the heat
has dried up the pasture, and clover is well-nigh at an end
for the time. I say ' for the time,' for should the much-
desired rain speedily fall, I have great hopes that we may
have a second crop of that on which our honey harvest
chiefly depends. The first crop has been a small one, and
for some days the flow of honey has not been great. Never-
theless, I can show a nice lot of well-filled sections. I
should say that clover is about three weeks earlier than
usual.

Glanclywedog, Llanidloes, July ith.—l have just taken
about 35'lbs. of honey from one of my hives, samples of
which I send you, and I should very much like to know
your opinion of it. I have been getting my bees to build
out as many sections as possible, to be ready for the heath
honey. The above honey is som: extracted from unsealed
sections. It was just twelve months to-day I commenced
bee-keeping, but the first stocks I had got so much knocked
about in transit that they all died in about three weeks.
About last August I got a hive of bees on ten frames.
Later on I got three lots of condemned bees which I
successfully hived, making two lots of them. These three
stocks came through the winter safely. No. 1 stock: 2
bodies with 22 standard frames, and 1 crate of 21 sections,
ready for 2nd crate. No. 2 : 10 frames and 10S sections,
35 lbs. of honey extracted to-day, remaining sections three
parts filled. No. 3 : 2 bodies (22 frames) and about 90
sections, more than half sealed. How is this for success ?
I may here say that I have taken the B. B. J. and attribute
most of my knowledge of bee-keeping to its pages. As one
of a great many I tender you my best thanks for the very
valuable information it contains week after week. Beside
the 35 lbs. extracted to-day, I have takeu at least 25 lbs.
from the frames in the different hives this season. — W. H. H.

[The darker honey is unexceptionably good, both in flavour
and consistency : the lighter requires ripening, and though
of good body, you would not find it marketable. Your
success has been grand. — Ed.]

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS.

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving siion
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, ts meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear lit mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in adoance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and tiiose only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Ll. E.— The bees will leave the glass jar if it be taken to a
darkened room where they will fly to the light ; or use a
box fitted with a bee-trap so that they can get out but
not in. 2. Extracting and Feeding.— Extracting should
be completed as soon as possible after the close of the
honey harvest. If, after the honey harvest you keep the
bees breeding by stimulative feeding, this should be dis-
continued by the middle of September, and the stocks
then fed up as rapidly as possible with syrup of a thicker
consistency than that used for stimulative feeding.
3. Swarms have been known to fly long distances in
search of a location. 4. Bees in a tree.— The only way
of driving bees from the tree would be to inject smoke
through a hole below the nest and drive them into a skep
placed above. It will be necessary to secure the queen.
The operation is a difficult one ; and except in the hands
of an expert there is much probability of its failure.

A. H.— 1. Erratic Swarm.— Bees do nothing invariably : so it
is with swarming. Whenever we find a swarm leave a bar-
frame hive, after placing them in one, we provide them
with a frame of uncapped brood. They, like many insects
and animals have a strong attachment to their young—
although with bees it is any other bees' young as well ; and
this prevents their leaving the hive. An idea prevails
among several advanced bee-keepers, that when a swarm
clusters they send out scouts in order to find a location,
these returning lead the swarm off to the place they have
chosen ; if so, moving the hive some distance away from
the position they clustered on before scouts returned
would have the desired effect. 2. Cast on Back Frames —
Bemove the front frames now they have got properly
to work on back ones, and add gradually. 3. Bees
tumbling out of Hive.— No doubt it was one carrying out
a dead bee or a robber. The queen does not ' tumble out '
in the arms of her consort in so unceremonious a manner.

Northumbria.— Mr. Webster's Tour in Northumberland. —
You will see that a further account of same is published
in the Bee Journal of the 23rd ult., and also another in
the issue of 30th,

294

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 7, 1887.

M. E. Eirk. — 1. Injured Queen. — The queen sent was very
badly injured on the third segment of her abdomen.
This could be seen from the outside ; any internal
examination was impossible, as she was dried and decom-
posed beyond such. You did quite right in adding the
swarm. It is sometimes eight or ten days before a queen
commences to lay, and even longer. 2. Bees attacking
Chickens. — Numberless cases of this description have
come under our notice.

D. M. — American Cloth. — There is no objection to the use
of American cloth over sections.

Exton. — Winter Stores. — Leave the capped stores in the
body hive untouched, they will be of service for the
winter.

Ashleigh. — lie-queening. — When you observe symptoms of
failure in your queens will be the proper time for re-
queening.

T. D. Schofield. — The bees are best-tempered when they
are busy bringing in honey, this would be the best time
for manipulating. Manipulation should only be per-
formed when absolutely necessary. Over-manipulation
will make the bees savage, and is injurious to the stock.

J. A. J. — Bees building outside Super. — As the super does
not cover the frames, and the bees have made their way
into the space outside the super and bar, and built comb
between the inside and the outside walls, the sooner the
extra comb is excised the better. Use a little smoke to
remove the bees, and the comb can be easily cut away to
the level of the top of the frames with a common table-
knife. To prevent the repetition of such an occurrence
cover the ends of the frames with a piece of flannel or
wood, and so oblige the bees to store their honey in the
recognised receptacle. If one super be not sufficient place
a second under it.

C. D. — Transferring. — The bees are re-establishing them-
selves now, and transferring should be postponed to the
end of the season.

E. Sag. — 1. Separators. — Have you foundation in your
sections, and has it been inserted in the middle of the
top-bar ? If these conditions have been observed the bees
would not, except in isolated cases, have built to the
separators. — 2. Bees Hanging Outside. — To prevent the
bees hanging outside in the idle way described, we should
recommend that the hive be raised, and a frame-hive or a
flat-topped skep be placed on the stand under the old hive,
when the bees would in all probability take possession of
it ; or drive them in by smoke. Most probably the skep is
clogged with honey, and the bees have nowhere to store
their honey.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Eoyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

^Business ^Directory.

^how Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place oj
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

July 11-15. — Eoyal Agricultural Show at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. J. Huckle, Kings Langley.

July 14. — Oxfordshire Association at Headington. Hon.
Sec, Eev. F. C. Dillon, Enstone.

July 21. — Prescot Horticultural Show. E. Eigby,
Secretary, Station Eoad, Prescot, Lancashire.

July 20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Society at Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldneld. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

August 3-5.— Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Bow,
Chester.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will he inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

HowAKn, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Eoad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. * 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F. , Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

July 7, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

WANTED.— A PARTNER with £500, to join
a Practical Apiarist and Queen-raiser, holding a
First Class Certificate of the British Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion, for the purpose of Eaising Ligurian Queen Bees in
the Island of Kangaroo, South Australia. Address, W. G.
Campbell, S.S. ' Port Pirie,' Adelaide, to end of August ;
subsequently e/o Makshall Bros., 106 Market Street,
Sydney, Australia.

SUPERIOR BEE VEILS.

WIRE GAUZE FRONTS, Is. 2d, each, 3 for 3s.
Traps for Cleaning Supers, Gd. each, 3 for Is.
Post free. Address, W. Crisp, Halstead, Essex. A 2700

BORAGE.— Good Strong Plants, 5s. per 1000.
SEED, 4s. per lb. Apply Estate Office, Toddington,
Winchcombe.

FOUNDATION.

1 lb. 2/-. 4 lbs. @ 1/9 per lb. Analysed (British Brand).
SUPER, 2 lbs. for 5/-.

G. STOTHARD, Foundation Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gravenhobst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIENENZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.

Also, ' DEB PBAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. Schwetschke & Son (M. Bruhn), Brunswick,

LYON'S Patent METAL END{[

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PROPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT YET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5J lbs.

Price for 1887 5/6 per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 each, post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CURE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.
CUES

:ire curs.

Guaranteed, with Directions, 1/2 per bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer.'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8,

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F. LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, S.E.

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No ' going out.' No tainting or soiling of
comb3. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4Jd.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any' ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water

proportionately mixed— 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis, lg, 6d. each. Postage 3d.
Send for ILL USTBA TED CA TALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

Opinions by a few Bee-keepers of WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR.

* I am delighted with its action. In about five minutes I had all
the bees out of a very largo skep. It does its work much more clear
than the Smoker, and your vision is not obstructed by smoke in
operating.'— A. W., Monmouthshire.

* Was away on expert work and came across a strong cross-bred
stock with a very bad character, a few days before they had com-
pletely baffled their owner. I found them with very slight fumigation
as quiet as sheep. I and all who have seen it used are very much
pleased with it.'— W. E. B., Wilts.

1 1 have used your Fumi^ator and find it more effectual than a
Smoker.'— S. L. a. H., Herts.

* Fumigator was more effective with a hive of Syrians than any-
thing I have yet adopted.' — B. E. W.

' I have the pleasure of bearing the strongest testimony to the
value of your Fumigator as a bee-quieter.' — G-. A. P., Ireland.

' I think it is a great boon; myself, I shall nevtr use a Smoker
again.'— W. W. W., Yores.

' I shall not use a Smoker again.' — A. W. L., Glo'ster.

' The most vicious Eastern bees are utterly beaten.' — F. CHESHIRE,
Acton,

' Having used your Fumigator, I am so satisfied with it, that I
shall not use a Smoker again.' — A. H.

' It does its work quickly and well, and has the advantage of being
ready at a moment's notice without lighting or any preparation." —
W. R. F., Middlesex.

1 Found it succeeded admirably.' — W. F. H. M.

' I drove a skep in five minutes with your Fumigator ; never could
do it under fifteen minutes with smoke. No more smoke for me." —
T. E-, Ireland.

' I am quite satisfied with it.' — H. B., Essex.

* I find it acts well with the bees.' — C. D. C, Surrey.

* I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the value of your
invention.'— W. V. R., Devon.

* I have used your Fumigator with great success and approval.'—
W. G. C, Expert (1st Class), British B.K.A.

' I like it exceedingly.' — B. L.t Susses.

' It gives me great satisfaction.' — A. H., Berks.

*I must say that it is most efficient ; I have done with smoke.' —
H. W. W.

' It gives me great pleasure to be able to praise yonr grand invention
so highly.'— J. M.

1 It iB the most effective quieter of bees I ever met.' — E. B.

' I find the Fumigator an extremely handy and effective appliance
as compared with the Smoker.' — A. D., Wales.

' Your Fumigator is a decided success and should be used in every
apiary.'— W, R.

' This new weapon of defence is a most valuable addition to the
appliances used in modern bee-keeping.' — W. V. R.

* I find it most effective ; it is much handier than the Smoker.* —
R. F.

'It is much more convenient than a Smoker; saves all trouble of
lighting, and is equally effective.' — H. F., Expert (1st Class),
British B.K.A.

( Le Fumigateur Webster, mis a l'e'preuve sur une colonie d'un
mauvais caractere, a bien refoule' les abeilles vers le bas des rayons et
permis la visite sans piqures, croyons-nous.' — Revue Internationale
d' Apiculture.

W. B. WEBSTER, BINFIELD, BERKS.

ADVEETISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 7, 1887. ■

SWARMING SEASON.

E

:Y EARNED!

All Goods ready for instant Delivery.

-<-»■»»■■♦■»»»»■»•♦ » ♦ ♦ ■»■»♦■♦■»»-♦♦■»■»»♦♦<>■» ♦ ♦ » t

>■»♦»■»♦■♦ ♦♦■»»»-*-»-<'-»^-K*-»-»-»-«

Just to hand, a Shipment of the Finest and Whitest AMERICAN
SECTIONS eyer imported, 11/- per 500.

BEES.— ENGLISH -SWARMS, 10 6 each. We also have on hand Benton's First Grade
CABNIOLAN QUEENS, 9/- each; SYBIANS, 17/6; PALESTINE, 12;6.

NUCLEI (Three Feame).— CARNIOLAN, 20/- ; PALESTINE, 25/- ; SYRIAN, 30/- ;

including Combs, Brood, and Food. SWABMS at same prices ; if in Hives (Ten Frame), add 5/-.

SYRIO-CARNIOLAN Home-bred QUEENS.— These are extremely Prolific, stocks
Winter well, and are good Honey gatherers. See B. B. J., p. 22. A limited number from 7/6 to 10,'- for selected.

WOIBLET SPUB EMBEDDEB, 1/6 each.

EDEY'S Improved SMOKER, with Moveable Shutter and Flue Cleaner, 2/9 each.

BINGHAM, Imported, 7/6. Fuel for ditto, 3d. per lb.

EDEY'S COTTAGER'S EXTRACTOR (52).

This revolves two Combs at a time ; the Honey may be emptied by the
Screw-v.alve at foot. Not shown in engraving. Price 17/6 ; Crate, 2/-.

EDEY'S Method of Fixing FOUNDATION in

Dovetailed Standard Frames, Wired. Send for WIBING OUTFIT of
1 dozen Frames, Foundation Nails, all necessary Tools, 7/6. See List.

LOCK-UP TRAVELLING CAN, to hold 50 lbs.

Honey. Price 5/9.

NESTED TINS for Honey, the Set of 4, holding to-
gether 35 lbs., price 1/4 ; postage 6d.

A Large Stock of HIVES, FRAMES, SECTIONS, and most other
Goods of approved Quality are waiting Orders. These we can fill
Promptly, and have not received a complaint. [f^//;,„

DOUBLE your HONEY HARVEST by Using WORKED
OUT COMBS!

Clean WIRED COMBS in Frames, 10/- per doz

Edey's Cottager's Extractor.
CHEAP, STBONG, EASILY MANIPULATED.

EDEY'S DOUBLER (7 a). Complete for Doubling or Tier-
ing. As shown, with 20 Frames, 2 Dummies, Waterproof Cover, Contracting
Entrances, price 10/6. In flat, each, 5/-.

For Supering : Complete Hive, 6/6 ; Section Crate, 2/6 ; Ad-
ditional Body-box, 2/6 ; Crate of 5 Hives, 23/9.

THE UNIVERSAL (No. 7). Of superior workmanship, high
outer sides. A first-class Hive for general work, with Super Crate, price 12/6.

FOUNDATION. — In addition to the ordinary Brood and Super,
we have a few Parcels of very Thin and Delicate SUPEB FOUNDATION, for
filling Sections completely. Average weight, 20 sheets to the lb. 3/6 per lb.

EDEY'S DOVETAILED FRAMES. Best and
Cheapest made. No Frame-block needed. 2/- per dozen ; 12/6 per 100.

Hive of Standard size, Frame Top 15?, ins. long.

For a full line of our Manufactures, see List, free.

EDEY & SON, Steam Joinery Works, ST. NE0TS.

J

^=?lJtr±^t^k

THE

^i^tdkjJz

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 264. Vol. XV.]

JULY 14, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

tfbifcorial, Sottas, #r.

WASPS.

We have of late been much exercised in our
minds by the reports which have reached us re-
specting the paucity of wasps. What has become
of them '] They have not recovered from the
singular fatality which swept over them last
year. They have 'fallen from their high estate,'
and they now appear to be lying in a low and
abject condition. One correspondent lately re-
marked that he had not seen a single wasp this
year, and inquired whether they had disappeared
from the face of the earth ; another said in our
last issue, ' Wasps are unusually scarce this
year; I don't think I have seen half-a-dozen.' In
the spring we heard little of the appearance of
queen-wasps ; and so far as reports reached us we
might say that their number might be counted ' on
the fingers of one hand.' And this condition draws
forth no sympathy for these insects. While we
hear of hobbies being made of humble bees, beetles,
ants, butterflies, &c., who ever heard of wasps being
so affectionately treated, or of anyone desirous of cul-
tivating a closer acquaintance with them 1 Wasps
are a kind of Ishmaelitish insect, ' their hand is
against every man, and every man's hand is
against them.'

What a contrast does the report of queen-wasps
this year present with the large number that were
seen and captured in the spring of the preceding.
Then we heard of these wasps being killed by the
hundreds ; and in one Devonian village above
a thousand were destroyed. We fear that the
'wasping season' this year has not been a suc-
cess, or very profitable to those village lads and
lasses who by the capture and destruction of those
insects manage to gain some little addition to
their pocket money. We are inclined to think that
last year the employed gained an advantage over
those that employed them ; for, as the result
proved, not one in the Eundred of those destroyed
would have become, had their lives been spared,
founders of colonies of wasps. It was evident,
that, owing to some natural obliquity, the female
wasps at the close of the autumn of the previous
year when they retired to their winter's sleep had
not been mated. It is a curious problem for those

who take an interest in natural history to solve
how it came about that the number of queen- wasps
was so abnormally large in the spring of 1886.
Was it that the wasps had by some mysterious
intuition become aware that something had gone
wrong in the ' even tenour ' of their existence, and
that there was some fear of their numbers being so
reduced that they would not be able to perform
that portion of work which by Nature's law is
allotted to the species ; and were they therefore
prompted to raise a larger number of queens than
usual, so that, haply, the mistake might be rectified,
and the ' permanence of the kind ' at the end of
the season might not be endangered? Evidently
some such apprehension must have passed through
the communities of Waspdom. The attempt to
ward off the impending danger was not successful,
and at the end of the season throughout the United
Kingdom the cry arose, Where were the wasps ? We
can point only to two places, Freshford near Bath,
and a village in Aberdeenshire, where the wasps
were as numerous and as troublesome as usual.

We do not apprehend that the usual destruction
of queen- wasps in spring by bee-keepers can be con-
sidered as a very great factor in the reduction of the
species in the autumn. From time immemorial a
destructive warfare has been waged between bee-
keepers and wasps with the view of keeping down the
number of the latter. One example will suffice. In
an old AViltshire paper we read : ' The Earl of Radnor
has for many years paid Is. per nest for wasps' and
2s. per nest for hornets' — the queen in each case
being invariably produced with the nests. It is a
kind of harvest for the men " the wasping season
be." Upon refei-ring to the books we find that the
sum of 506^. 2s. has been paid for the destruction
of wasps and hornets within the last twelve years,
being on an average of 4:21. 3s. 6d. per year.' But
does this extermination have the effect of preserving
the hives from the visits of wasps, or ptrevent fruit
from being damaged by them 1 The zone thus de-
nuded forms a hunting-ground for all the wasps in
the surrounding country, and the destroyers do not
fare any better or find their fruit less damaged than
that of their neighbours.

There can be no doubt as to the injury inflicted
on bees by wasps. The author of British Bee
Farming says : ' Wasps abound in woody wild dis-
tricts. I have noticed in one wild woodland in
Cheshire that wasps- abound in such prodigious

296

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 14, 1887.

quantities that the peasantry state they cannot
from this cause keep bees. One cottager in parti-
cular had four large colonies of bees in his garden
last summer, strong enough, he thought, to resist
any foe ; however, every stock was destroyed in the
autumn by wasps.' By reference to the past
volumes of the British Bee Journal several instances
will be found of the same destructive results.

The wasps, however, have their part to perform
in the economy of Nature. They destroy an infinite
number of aphides, flies, caterpillars, spiders, and
other annoying insects. The year 1811 was very
similar in respect to wasps as last year ; it was
remarkable for the small number in the autumn,
though that of the females in the spring had
been very great; and it is said in consequence
of this, that flies in many places were so nume-
rous as to be quite a nuisance. Dr. Ormerod
mentions instances where the destruction of wasps
has resulted in swarms of flies almost as bad as
the plague in the days of Moses. And we were not
much surprised to hear that the flies last year were
most annoying and persistent in their attacks. One
gentleman who had thus been troubled found a
vent to his feelings by inditing a letter to the
Times newspaper, indignantly declaring that this
plague of insects was due to the selfishness of a few
bee-keepers, who, for the sake of obtaining a little
more honey, had destroyed all the wasps, and the
consequence was that insects were everywhere in
the ascendant.

Reaumur has observed that in France the but-
chers are very glad to have the wasps attend their
stalls, for the sake of their services in driving away
the flesh-fly. As wasps collect little or no honey,
they are continually engaged in predatory ex-
cursions, and the number of bees, flies, spiders, &c,
that they take to their young is enormous. When
their young increase in greater quantities towards
the end of the season, the wasps are not particular
whence-they obtain their supplies; they then cannot
resist the temptations of saccharine substances ;
they rob hives of their honey ; they purloin the
sugar from grocers' shops; they enter into the secret
places where good house-wives keep their preserves,
and they suck the juice from the peach, the pear,
or other ripe fruit. So strong are sweets temptations
for them that they, like poor peccant humanity un-
equal to the resistance of surrounding enticements,
incontinently rush to their destruction, and easily
fall victims to their predacious habits. But wasps,
it becomes us to say, though given so much to
pillaging, cannot be said to be selfish creatures;
the Sic vos non vobis element is as strong in them
as in bees, for their object is to provide food for
the young brood of their colonies.

Though wasps may be so few at present, they
may soon be in our midst again as numerous as
ever. White of Selborne says that in 1781 there
were no wasps in his neighbourhood; but in 1783
they were to be found in myriads.

There are many ways by which wasps may be
trapped to destruction. Dr. Butler says, 'Set by them
Sider, Verjuice, sour drink, or grounds, in a short-
necked vial, open, or other glass, covered with a

paper that hath a hoal in the middle, and so you
shall catch many.' Another preventive is, Keep
colonies strong and protect the entrances.

We shall be pleased, as a phase of natural
history, if bee-keepers will keep notes as to the
prevalence, or otherwise, of wasps in their respective
districts.

BEESWAX AND ITS CONVERSION INTO

MONEY.

By J. Bennler.

(Continued from page 147.)

By the invention of the moveable bar-frame hive and
honey slinger the production of wax has sunk to the
lowest minimum. The bee-keeper who uses moveable
bar-frame hives only allows his bees to build as much
wax as he needs comb for brood and honey. The combs
designed for the latter are never worn out, and can be
used not only ten, twenty, or fifty, but even fifty times
fifty years and more, as the damage caused by the
slinging is always repaired by the bees. Brood-comb,
on the contrary, must from time to time be melted down
and replaced by new.

An apiary of twenty to thirty bar-frame hives will
only yield very small quantities of wax. It is therefore
all the more necessary carefully to collect together all
wasted wax in order to melt it down. The most suitable
apparatus for this is the sun wax-melter, which consists
in a little box of pine-wood with a moveable glass cover.
In the middle there is an inclined plate of tin, upon
which the waste wax is laid.

If the wax-melter is placed in a very sunny place the
wax melts and flows into a little tin trough, which is
placed under the tin plate. The refuse is taken away
when the flowing down of the wax has ceased.

Whoever through want of a wax-melter wishes to
melt down small quantities of wax should put them in a
loose box, place a few laths in a kettle, so that the bag
shall not touch the bottom, weight it with a stone, pom-
water over it, and then let the mass boil. The wax
melts and rises to the surface of the water, when it is
taken off after it has got cold.

In order to free the so-called raw wax, which has
been obtained in this manner, from any impurities which
it may still contain, it is melted once again in a kettle
half-tilled with water, stirred well together for a few
minutes, and then left for about two hours over a
moderate fire, that is to say, so that the mass never
bojh. When the kettle is taken off the fire, it is
skimmed and left until the cake of wax has got stiff,
The impurities which have attached themselves to the
wax have now partly sunk to the bottom of the kettle
and are partly sticking to the under side of the lump of
wax, from which they are carefully separated with a
knife. Many bee-keepers repeat this melting down a
second time, and thus get a better, purer wax.

The Adulteration and Analysis op Wax.

It does not altogether redound to the credit of the
present age that it is often called the century of adul-
teration, and this is not to be wondered at. The im-
pure spirit of adulteration has crept into all branches of
human work, so that now the predicate 'pure' can bo
ascribed to only very few articles of trade. Of late
attempts have been made to dispossess the honey of our
bees by any possible substitutes, and it is not a hair
better with regard to our wax. Tallow, stearin, vege-
table wax, earth wax (ozokerit), and other inferior kinds
of wax are mixed with bees-wax, and as such are used
in commerce.

The adulterations of wax, writes Br, A. yon Flanta.,

July 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

297

are so difficult to detect, that it is scarcely practicable
for those who are not experts. Pure bees-wax melts at
G3°-5 0. I have proved the melting point of twenty-five
such pure specimens of bees-wax obtained from different
countries, and it entirely agreed with that stated above.
But since then adulteration has been attempted with
earth-wax, paraffine, and animal fats, the melting point
does not provide enough security. Otherwise this method
will provide a good criterion for those who are not
experts.

There remains, therefore, no other way but to go to
the chemist with his analysis of wax, who will under-
take the fixation of cerotinie acid and the non-fugitive
fatty acids, and from that will provide a much safer
criterion with regard to adulteration.

The following domestic analysis has, however, often
afforded good service : — (a.) When wax is chewed there
should be no unpleasant taste, and it should not stick to
the teeth. If wax is adulterated with other ingredients
the taste can be usually recognised. It sticks fast to the
teeth, so that the existence of rosin can be assumed.
(b.) To separate pure beeswax from adulterated is also
determined by first bumping quickly on a hot iron plate
a small bit of beeswax which is known to be pure.
The smell which is given off is noticed. Then a piece
of wax is burnt which is to be examined. If it contains
ceresine there is given off a disagreeable, fatty, white
shoke, which differs the more from the smell of wax the
more ceresine there is mixed with the wax. This is a
simple waj' of proving the purity of the bought artificial
combs.

[To be continued.)'

HOW MAY I RE-QUEEN MY STOCKS ?

This is a chapter for small bee-keepers. The above
question was put to me during the past week by the
owner of seven stocks. He has kept bees for three years
only, and as he has managed to prevent swarming, ex-
cept in one instance last year, some of his queens are old,
and consequently he has three colonies not up to the
level of the others, which he rightly attributes to his
queens being past their prime, and hence his appeal to
me for advice, which I gave him, and now repeat in
these columns for the benefit of any who majr be in a
similar position.

I need scarcely go over the ground of showing the
necessity of having vigorous queens at the heads of all
colonies if we wish to make bee-keeping profitable.
Some queens are vigorous even at the age of four years,
but by far the larger majority are not so. Others are
almost worthless at the outset, and as the only real
' proof of the pudding is in the eating,' having proved
such and found them worthless, the wisest precaution is
to be careful not to breed from such.

As to superseding, the bees will do it, but they will
often lose a lot of time over the operation in the very
height of the honey season, whereas if we do it for them
we can choose our own time and that when honey is not
so plentiful. But I will assume that you take all this as
granted and proceed to give you the advice I gave my
neighbour.

He wished to re-queen three colonies, so I advised
him to proceed thus : — Remove one of the old queens
and destroy her ; now take the young queen from the
stock that swarmed last year, which is his strongest and
best, and introduce her to the stock from which the old
queen was taken and destroyed. You have thus given
one good queen in the place of a bad one, but you still
require three queens. Five days after this prepare two
empty hives and place them on stands somewhere apart
from the rest of your stocks, open the strong stock that
is queenless, and you will find several queen-cells, scat-
tered doubtless on two or more frames. If this is so
take one frame containing one or more of these queen-

cells with all its adhering bees and place it in one of
the empty hives ; now give two more frames, without
queen-cells if possible, but with its adhering tees, and
close and wrap them up snug and warm. Proceed to
treat the second empty hive the same way. You will
then have divided your strong stock of, say, ten frames,
thus : — No. 1, three frames ; No. 2, three ditto ; and the
original hive has four left. If they should not each
have an equal number of bees you may take a frame
from the strongest lot and shake as many of the bees
from it on to a sloping board in front of the weakest
lot and allow them to run in and thus equalise them.
You must be careful to give each lot one or more queen-
cells and its fair portion of young brood. Should all the
queen-cells be on one or at most two of the frames you
must cut some of them out and insert them into a frame
that contains none, as failure must result unless each lot
has at least one queen-cell — it is so important that I repeat
it to emphasise it. Care must be taken not to crush or
violently jar the queen-cells during the operation. I
point out these matters that you may be guarded, but
the operation is not so difficult as it reads if you will
only go coolly along and neither bustle nor fume nor flurry.
Fourteen days after you may look and see if they are
hatched out ; let it be done in the evening, because if done
at midday it is possible the young queens may be out for
a fly while you are examining their home, and you may
prevent their safe return. If they are hatched out and
there is no young brood in any of the nuclei hives it will
be advisable to give a frame from some other hive, and
thus prevent all the bees from boiling out with the young
queen on her wedding trip. Ten or fourteen days after
you may hope to find eggs and brood, and then, of course,
you know success is assured to you.

During this time two of the old queens have been at
the head of their colonies, your next operation is to re-
move them and introduce the young ones into their
places ; you can unite the bees and combs back again to
their original hive or you can give some of them with
the young queens when you introduce them into their
new homes ; for myself, I prefer to give the queens singly.
If honey has been abundant the combs in the nuclei will
have been filled with stores as fast as the brood has
hatched out; if this is so it is advisable to extract at
least the lower part of the combs, which should be the
brood-nest, thus giving the young queens full room to
develop their egg-laying energies.

When is the best time to commence queen-raising ?
Now ; before the drones are killed off, and while the
colonies are vigorous and have not naturally lost the
swarming impulse. How would you introduce the young
queens ? By Mr. Simmins' method, if done singly, but
by drawing the nucleus step b}r step alongside the colony
and feeding both for one night with scented syrup, and
lifting the frames, bees, and all complete, out of the
nucleus and placing them alternately with the other
frames in the original stocks, if I preferred uniting. I
hope none will run the risk of losing next year's harvest
on account of having doubtful queens at the head of
colonies because of the little trouble involved.

There is still another course which is simple ; it is
buy, but it must be from those that have queens to sell,
not from — Amateur. Expert.

FRANCE.

In commenting upon the outlook of the French wax
market, the Apiculteur of Paris expressed an opinion in
one of its recent numbers that the footing which France
had set in Madagascar with the supposed pretext of
finding new outlets for French goods, was not likely to
produce the desired effect so far as the home apiculturists
are concerned; for it would appear that at Marseilles,
which is one of the greatest wax markets of Europe,
prices have already been forced down in consequence of

298

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 14, 1887.

supplies coming- in from Madagascar, now offered at
from 2.20 francs to 2.80 francs per kilo. In view, there-
fore, of this new intruder, the Apiculteur urges home
bee-keepers to agitate for an import duty to be put upon
Madagascar, as well as upon all foreign wax, except, of
course, where existing treaties of commerce render such
a step impossible. The Apiculteur promises to return
to this subject in a future number. It remains, of
course, to be seen whether wax-manufacturers, who are
large buyers of this article, and consumers generally,
will side with bee-keepers in their endeavours to raise
the price of this important commodity at their expense.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Committee was held on the 5th
iust. Present : Mr. Read, in the chair ; Dr. O'Earrell,
Dr. Traill, Dr. Knight, Dr. Allen, Messrs. Sproule, Gillies,
and the Hon. Secretaiy. A Sub-Committee had pre-
viously been appointed to draw up a specification of a
hive to be recommended for general adoption by the
Association with instructions that it should be capable
of being made cheapty.

Mr. Gillies, on the part of the Sub-Committee, read
the following report : —

Cheap Standard Hive. — Resolved, That the length of
top-bar shall be 16 in., out to out, width gin., thickness
f in., sides j x fin., bottom g x gin., outside measure-
ment of frame 85 x 14 in. The top-bar of the frame to
be what is known as open-ended with screw distance-
keepers 1 inch in length and t<t in. across the eye outside
measurements ; the eye screws to be inserted immediately
over side-bars. Hive to be 22 in. long, 14J wide, and
95 deep from top of frame to floor-board inside. Walls,
if single, to be of f in. wood, with a strip of wood at
the top to cover the ends of the frames, and 10i in.
deep ; if double, these details may be varied where
necessary. The floor to be of 1 in. timber planed on
both sides, nailed to rabbet in the sides, and, if joined, to
be tongued and grooved.'

A hive made by Mr. Sproule according to the above
specification was exhibited. It will be observed that the
dimensions given for the frame are the same as those of
the British Association's frame, except as regards the
length of the top-bar. Some objection was made to
this alteration, but it was pointed out that a consider-
able saving in the expense of making the hive was
effected by it.

It was also suggested that the best method of keeping
the proper distance between the frames should be left
an open question ; but the Committee decided in favour
of the distance-keepers recommended in the report.
These, which were introduced by Mr. Gillies some years
ago, possess the very important advantage that, accord-
ing as they are screwed a longer or shorter way into the
top-bar, the distance between the frames is varied at
the pleasure of the bee-keeper. In the end, after much
discussion, the report was adopted without alteration.

The Use of Honey in Cubing Erysipelas. — A
neighbour lady tells me that she completely cured a
case of this disease with honey, after the doctors had
given her child up and said it could not possibly get
well. The way she applied the honey was by saturating a
sheet with honey, and wrapping the patient in it; but it
was a very bad case, and the disease had spread all over
the child's body. I suppose all that would be necessarv
would be to cover with a cloth the part affected,
saturating it with honey. — Gleaninys in Bee Culture.

€0XXCB$QvfoMt£t

Mr. "W. Couse, Secretary of the Ontario Bee-keepers'
Association, desires us to convey his thanks to Mr. T. B.
Blow, of Welwyn, for the donation to the Library of the
Association, of his work Among the Queen Raisers of North
Italy and Carniokij and to * Amateur Expert ' for forward-
ing the same.

The Editor docs not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be talien of anonymous com.'
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real ?itimes and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.' All business communications relating to Advertisements,
iCc, must be addressed to Mr. J. Hucele, Kings Langlcy, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige l>y mentioning the
number of the tetter, as well as the page on which it appears.

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of June, 1887, amounted to 1737/.
[From a return furnished by the Statistical Department
H. M. Customs to E. H. Belhirs, Wingfield, Christ-
church.]

THE NEW RACES, AND THE BEST MEANS

OF INTER-BREEDING AND SECURING

FERTILISATION.

[1140.] We have now to consider the methods most
serviceable for securing the fertilisation of our queens.
We can but make every preparation, and the rest must
be left at the mere}' of the weather. From my own
experience I know only too well how sadly disap-
pointing it is to have dull or windy weather just when
young queens might be flying. But bee-keepers are ever
hopeful, and sooner or later the good rime generally
arrives.

A plan often recommended is that known as the
'Kohler' process. The queens are confined in nuclei
placed in a dark, cool room, as also the hive containing
drones. About 4 p.m. each day after the queens are five
days old, these are stood out facing the afternoon sun, in
positions to be numbered, or otherwise marked, to ensure
that each occupies the same position daily until the
queens are mated. Where a few only are raised this
does very well, if the evenings happen to be fine, but
when many are wanted, it is quite out of the question.

Though mating by selection can be carried out in
spring occasionally, I have found autumn the most
favourable time, as the weather, as a rule, is more settled.
By making a colony populous with drones queenless early
in August, the annual slaughter will not occur; feed
heavily, see that they raise no young queen, and you
are safe.

Another method that will bo generally successful is
as follows. Place all queen nuclei and drone hives of
one kind facing the south ; another variety stand with
all entrances facing the west, with a shade board on the
south side of each of the latter. The drones and queens
of each respective position will then be more likely to fly
at the same time. Those facing south at the usual hours,
and the others about the time they have ceased.

It has been stated that drones take up favourable
positions where they congregate in large numbers await-
ing the arrival of the young queens. I have seen the
same thing, and am aware of two favourite resorts near
here where the roar of hundreds of drones fills the air,
and many of them are to be seen sweeping by. Never-
theless, I know as a fact, that where many drones fly
from near the starting-point of the queen, she is almost
certain to mate with such nearer neighbours if only in
sufficient numbers. It appears strange that while many
queens may fail to get mated while the weather happens
to be not quite favourable, some few do meet a drone,
but these, upon examination, will almost always prove
to be line, extra-developed queens. The hint should

July 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

299

therefore he taken, and one should strive to breed only
the finest.

But to return. Another plan is to restrain all un-
desirable drones by excluder zinc. Great care must be
taken that hives containing confined drones are opened
only at early morning and evening, as when once at
liberty any hive will accept them during the season ; in
fact, a large number of those which start on flight from
a certain hive, never return to the same, but make their
home with any neighbouring stock, until flying again
another change is made. Without due care, therefore,
little good will be done by using excluders.

Fertilisation in confinement ! What a desirable ac-
complishment that would be if only it could be reduced
to a practical certainty. For many years I have experi-
mented in this direction, as also with artificial fertilisation ,
but until this season in vain ; valuable points have been
gained, but the end is not yet. Details of the many trials
and experiments would fill a volume in themselves, hut
would be of little use to the reader. Should present
more extensive experiments reduce the matter to practice,
then the same shall be explained at some future date. —
S. Sijimins.

JULY 4, 1887.

[1147.] 8 a.m. — Well, yesterday was a broiler. I
wonder what to-day will be like. Glass falling the
least hit. Other things just the same as yesterday.
Good morning, my dear bees ! Are you all happy and
going to be good to-day ? You know you have given
me but little rest latel}' with your perpetual threats of
swarming ; but you have all got plenty of room now and
plenty of work to do ; so you need not go dawdling and
wasting your time like young lovers. The sun is at your
back till noon, and the whole dozen of you seem happy
and contented. Now, please be good, and do not swarm.

12.0. — Thermometer in shade, 82°. Alighting-boards
are black already instead of grey. This is getting
serious, and the sun will be round in front of you in
half an hour, and burn savagely till six. Can I not help
you in any way ? Let me see — my wife is away — why
not the best pair of sheets ? Come, John, and help me
to arrange them. Yes, you must put on your veil, for
the heat makes them very peppery, and each hive has
two sentinels ; one has orders to fly straight at your
nose, and the other to buzz about your head, asking
where you will have it, generally ending by himself
selecting the nape of your neck. Now, quick is the
word. I have run forward the roof of each hive about
a foot. We will lay the sheets along the tops, weighting
them with stones, so as to hang down in front and keep
the alighting hoards in shade. There, my dears, you
look now like the old-fashioned bathing-machines I
remember in my younger days, with big awnings in
front, under which that horrid ogress used to duck me.
Now do not fly about wildly as if you had lost your
way ; your homes are all safe there under the awning,
and have all got their numbers painted very large upon
them ; so you cannot mistake your own rooms.

2 p.m. — 83°. 1 say, this is really too bad. How,
when all the others are as good as gold, what in
the world do you mean, No. 5, in pretending to
talk about swarming ? You know very well that you
are only twenty-four days old, and you have got a nice
super to fill, and plenty of sections also in the rear ; and
there you are hanging out and festooning just as if you
were a grown-up stock. What ! your Queen says ' she
really must insist upon new nurseries with proper
accommodation for her children, or else ....?'
Well, be good for to-day, and I will see if I can help
you in the evening.

3 p.m. — 85°. No. 5 really means business. What is
to be done ? Happy thought, the hydropult ! There is
still some water in the pond, though the pump in the
yard is dry. Now, is not that nice ? Ah ! I thought

ladies woidd not risk getting their bonnets wetted, and
that you would go quietly to your rooms for a bit. But
has it not cooled the air all along the line, and made
you look more like bathing-machines than ever ?

4.30. — No, I see your majesty of No. 5 will not be
put off. I will have all my staff ready at sunset, if you
will only keep good till then. A little more hydropult ?
By all means. Glass fallen nearly a tenth. I think it
will rain to-night.

8.30. — Decidedly the air is cooller. Now, ladies of
No. 5, excuse a little 'baccy smoke at the front door and
on the clusters about it. My screwdriver has prised up
your super — do not he alarmed, it is but half full, and
you shall have it back again in a few minutes. Then
this cloth, damped with nice solution of carbolic, will
soothe you while my masons are at work ; they have
just a smack of apif uge about them. What do I see ?
Twelve frames all beautifully finished and two section
frames nearly full in the rear, besides the super half
filled — well, you do deserve praise for good use of your
time since you were hived on June 10. Excuse my
moving your bedrooms a little ; I will do it as gently as
I can, beginning from the rear. Now I have slid them
all back, leaving a space between the third and fourth,
which will just take these three pretty new frames, with
their tempting foundation-comb. You can build some
splendid nurseries for her majesty in them. I do not
think you can want this beautiful sheet of honey ; I
will give you two more section frames instead. Now
you have got your super back, and are safe in bed again,
with sheet and blanket comfortably tucked in. Good
night, dears ; you have been very good, and when I have
' extracted ' the comb I have taken, you shall have it
close to your house to lick clean.

July 5, 2 a.m. — Hurrah ! it is raining. — Q. C. James,
Papworth, St. Agnes.

YORKSHIRE NOTES.

[1148.] Prevention of swarming being all the fashion
now, and as I still work on the swarming principle,
perhaps some of your correspondents will tell me if my
present prospects are as good as they would have been
without the swarming.

I wintered thirteen stocks — ten in frame-hives and
three skeps. I have sold five swarms and have eight
additional swarms. Up to this time I have taken
330 lbs. of extracted honey from nine stocks, and have
the eight swarms and one stock, with about 350 lbs.
of sections on them, mostly finished off. I see. in the
British Bee Journal of June 30 the Hon. Sec. of the
Lowestoft Bee-keepers' Association says that not one
swarm in twenty will give a surplus the first year.
This is quite contrary to my experience. The first
frame-hive I ever possessed, which is ten years ago,
filled me ten frames with guides only, and gave me
32 lbs. in sections, and the swarm was only hived on
the 27th June and was not taken to the moors. As I
stated in a letter to the British Bee Journal this spring,
on the swarming plan you always get your old queens
superseded, and in doubling in the autumn you get the
late brood from two hives, besides having a lot of spare
combs to store away for the following year. However,
if all is well next year I shall try a hive or two on the
non-swarming principle. I forgot to say that, in addi-
tion to the 350 lbs. in sections on the swarms, I have
taken 33 lbs. in sections.

In answer to Mr. Simmins about queen-excluder zinc,
I may say that for six or seven years I have crowded
my bees on seven frames (with zinc above) to get them
into supers, and have never had a queen go up into the
supers, although the swarms would swarm again, for
want of breeding room I expect, which causes me always
to add a few combs now after they are well started in
the supers. I have always got the zinc from Abbotts',
but expect it is the same as sold by all the trade.

300

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 14, 1887.

In ' Useful Hints ' this week I see it stated, ' Manipu-
lations should never be undertaken in the heat of the
day ; the bees are very savage,' &c. &c. [This was
written in one of the hottest days of the present hot sea-
son.] And in Notices to Inquirers, in the same number,
you say, ' The bees are best-tempered when they are busy
bringing in honey ; this would be the best time for man-
ipulation.' Is not this rather puzzling for beginners ?

My bees are always savage for some reason or other,
and 1 could not walk amongst them without a veil and
gloves on. I have never bothered them with manipu-
lations, but I fancy that by extracting every j-ear from
the same strain of bees they breed more savage every
year. I always smile to myself when I see that any
one has taken honey, &c, without any protection, and
then writes off to the Journal congratulating themselves
on their narrow escapes. I always think what a ' funk '
they must have been in all the time.

I should much like to see any one come among my
bees without protection : I will give them Grirnshaw's
Apifuge to boot if they will do it. [We recommend
our correspondent himself to test its powers, and report.]
It would be a deciding test as to its efficacy, but I don't
think they (the bees) would ever have the chance to
smell it, as they always seem to me to fly tail first.

I quite agree with ' Looker-on' as to Bee Associations,
and have always held the same opinions. Unless the
Associations can find you a market for your hone}',
what earthly good are they ? They increase the demand
for hives and appliances and benefit the manufacturers,
but certainly not the honey producers ; indeed, they do
actual harm to the latter by persuading so many to keep
bees that the working man is out of the race altogether
from the low prices and difficulty of getting a market
of any sort, and yet the Associations were started with
the object of assisting the working classes. I hope I
shan't bring too great a storm on my head for my
heresy, but I am open to conversion. — Abthue J. H.
"Wood, Belhvood, liipon, July 8th.

WATER FOR BEES.

[1140.] Reading the method of giving artificial supply
of water to bees, in last Journal (page 230), I will, with
your permission, give you a few details of how I con-
structed an artificial supply for my bees at the beginning
of this year, and which not only gives them plenty of
water, but looks ornamental into the bargain, and now,
on July 2nd, at 7 p.m., is literally covered by the little
water-carriers. In rny garden grows a very old and
large hazel bush, in middle of which I firmly fixed a
barrel and which is now quite hidden from sight by the
leaves. This barrel is about a yard from the ground,
which here is a little higher than where I give the supply.
I have the top end taken out and made into a lid to
keep out dirt; the tap hole is in the bottom, and into
this I secured one end of a piece of half-inch piping,
which piping I run underground to the required spot,
where I turn the end straight up about a yard. In this
end of pipe I fastened a straight tap, the uppermost end
of which I confined with a wooden plug, having a small
hole through it into which I inserted a very fine metal
tube, so that my stream of water should be as fine as
possible.

I then got some mossy stones and made a mound of
them some four feet wide at bottom, and finished it off
in haycock fashion ; at the top I placed a flat, mossy
stone through which I drilled a hole into which the
wooden plug loosely fitted. The tap is just underneath
the flat stone at top, a small space being left for my
hand to set on the supply or take off, a small, mossy
stone covering the opening when my 'bee-fountain' is at
worlc.

Amongst the stones I filled in soil and planted snow-
drops, bluebells, small ferns, thyme, arabis, &c, which

not only look well, but afford a safe footing for the bees
as they alight, for the sprays of water which fall on
them from the fountain, which rises about two feet
above the mound of mossy stones, and is sent hither and
thither by every breath of wind.

Man}' who have known my small apiary for some time,
and have come and seen this for the first time, ask,
' Where does the water come from?' In all honesty I
am obliged to answer ' From the pump.' But this does
not satisfy them, and I then explain the very simple
means of conveying the supply, which altogether, giving
my labour in, cost me something like five shillings. —
Elihu Clowes, Blachbrooh.

MIDDLESEX B. K. A. AND THE WOOD GREEN
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

[1150.] The Wood Green and District Horticultural
Society held their Show yesterday and to-day in the
grounds of R. D. M. Littler, Esq., Palmer's Green. The
Middlesex Bee-keepers' Association were to have held an
exhibit for the purpose of showing the great improve-
ment made in the management of bees, and an expert
was to attend and give short lessons, &c, in the bee-tent,
as per announcement on placards and programmes.
Myself and many visitors were much annoyed at their
being no exhibit whatever, except a little honey shown
in the flower-tent by a member of the Society.

Now, sir, I wish to enter my protest against this bad
behaviour, whomever it may concern. The officials on
the ground, were very courteous and extremely sorry — to
those who made inquiries — that the expert and the bee-
tent had not arrived, although some telegrams had been
sent by them without receiving a reply. No mention of
this disappointment was made at the distribution of
prizes, and the show passed over as if no bee exhibit had
been advertised. As a visitor who went specially to see
the bee-tent, I was much annoyed. This kind of treat-
ment will tend to do an incalculable amount of damage
to the Wood Green Horticultural Society. — A Visitoe,
July 9.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT.
' The sad-eyed justice with its surly hum,

Delivering o'er to executors pale

The lazy yawning drone.'
[1151.] These three last lines of the Home Rule
practices in the commonwealth of bees always struck
me as being hard upon us ' the drones.' However being
educated I've learnt to deal with facts as I find them ;
therefore availed myself of my knowledge of hive laws
and early last week took the liberty of lodging outside
our strictly governed and well-stored butt ; and as through
the glass I was contemplating the sj-mmetrical cells of
our well-filled and sealed ' super ' was surprised to see
one of them occupied by a bee, who was again occupied
in filling himself with the public property. On looking
closely to see where the burglar had entered I observed
at the mouth of the cell four other bees just finishing the
business of sealing it up — in fact, the thief caught red-
handed had been pushed in and sealed up alive, ' like
maudlin Clarence in a malmsey butt,' — a prompt, albeit
severe, yet, as I think, more richly deserved reward for
evil doing than the death yearly meted out to us for
doing what nature framed us to do. Well, sir, I con-
tinued to watch, and in the evening the thief was dead —
sealed up and left on the scene of his wickedness as a
warning and caution to all bees and humans who would
sacrifice country to self and the commonwealth to
personal aggrandisement. For three days the traitor's
body was left to public gaze, then with that regard to
sanitary measures in which we are so far ahead of poor
humanity, it was unsealed, exhumed, and buried without
the camp ; and on the next day — again an example of our

July 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

301

unrivalled economy — the cell was infilled with the hest
lime hone}', alas ! poor simpletons, not for the workers,
Sic vos non vobis ; but, there, they'll kill me, so I needn't
cry for them ; they go on as usual, only since the event
1 relate no more cells have been broken into and a
wholesome lesson has been taught that those who are to
shuffle on may well lay to heart, as coming from a
doomed yet wide-awake, though maybe — A Lazy
Yawning Dhone, July 8th.

P.S. — I think I saw enough of the deceased to state
that he was not a foreign invader, but a traitor in the
camp. From which are we most in danger ?

EXTRACT FROM A MANUSCRIPT GAME LIST,
FISH LIST, &c.

[1152.] ' Qlis or Olys, Switzerland, January 2St,h, 1821.
—On the side of a mountain, exposed to the south, many
insects came forth and bees swarmed. This was bad
management on the part of the farmer, who should have
chosen a northern aspect for his hires. The bees, revived
by the premature heat, were exposed to considerable in-
convenience from the frost a night.' (No doubt. —
J. L. S.)

The writer of the above was a well-known sportsman,
and in his manuscript book, which I possess, he inserted
feathers from various birds, those feathers are not only
as fresh in colour as at first, but have printed on the
opposite pages a ' photograph ' (a photograph without
light !) of themselves — especiall}' teal, heron, heathcock,
plover, &c, exquisitely defined in brown. — J. Lawson
Sisson.

A LOST AND FOUND QUEEN.
[1153.] I had a swarm of bees out of a bar-framed
hive on the 16th June, and removed the queen-cells on
the 10th, or rather, thought I did, but being only a
novice, must have let an additional one escape me, as a
cast left the hive on the morning of the 28th, which
was at once hived in a skep. About half-an-hour after
hiving, it left the skep and returned to the hive. The
next morning the cast left the hive again, and was again
hived in the skep and protected most carefully from the
great heat, and in the cool of the evening I searched for
the queen, but without success, so left the bees in the
skep, and, having to leave home early the next morning,
gave my gardener orders to watch the bees most closely
and note their proceedings. Early in the day they all
left the skep, and went back to the parent hive, when
they clustered on the top and upper parts of sides and
front. The gardener, thinking something was strange
in their conduct, opened the hive and found the queen
on the inside of the roof. As soon as he had secured
her the bees all quietly returned to the hive, and resumed
work, and have almost completed a crate of sections since.
I suppose when the swarm was leaving the hive, the
queen must have escaped through some opening in the
bars, and did not accompany the bees. But what appears
to me strange is whether she did not accompany them
on the first occasion, and did they leave the hive on the
next day without having had the queen with them from
the previous morning? — E. A. Gibbon, Rosslare, co.
Wexford, Ireland.

FLOWERS AND HONEY.
[1154.] I thought it might be interesting to some of
your numerous readers to hear a word or two from me
again now that I think I have discharged all my orders
for cuttings of Nepeta mussini, borage, and Limnanthes
seed. Still, I have got some left. I have received many
aelmowledgments from those who have received some of
the above. Some say they arrived in good condition,
while others say that they were so withered that they
are afraid they will not strike. No doubt it would have

been better if all had been sent per parcels post and
packed in damp moss, more particularly for long
journeys. I thought such a thing might happen that I
have omitted sending to some who have applied, or any
other mistake which may have occurred upon my part.
If so I beg them to send me a post-card and they shall
be attended to immediately, or if any have failed in
striking they can have a fresh supply, but I would
advise them to have them sent as above. I have de-
cided to strike a large quantity of Nepeta mussini, and
will offer them to our bee-keeping friends later on.
Some have inquired what distance apart the plants
should be. I have advised 3 feet 0 inches apart each
way, thinking that to be an average distance for all
kinds of soil, but if the soil is rich and strong 4 feet
apart would be better. It is a very pleasing sight to see
the large masses of bloom, which look so very handsome
— more so when a bee-keeper approaches, and sees the
multitude of bees at work upon it from early morning
until late at night.

When I get away from home I aotice large numbers
of bees upon blackberry bloom and other wild flowers,
but it is very seldom I see any on them near my home,
hence the quantity to be found on the borage and Nepeta
mussini. No doubt some would like to know how I get
on for honey. Well, Mr. Editor, with your permission
I will tell them later on, but it must not be understood
that I possess a very large number of stocks, and, again,
I have lost some very valuable time this year through
not being able to attend to the bees at the proper time.
Still, I have no reason to complain. For example, being
in want of a little comb honey on Saturday, the 9th inst.,
I went to one of my best stocks to see if a little could be
got. There were three crates of sections upon the same,
two containing twenty-four each and one twenty-one,
all 4| by 4J by 2, the top one contained twenty-one
beautifully filled and sealed, the second twenty-four
equal to the first, and the third had about one dozen
completed and the remainder in a more or less advanced
stage of completion. This crate I did not disturb ; but
being a large hive I could examine four frames at the
end of the section crate without disturbing the crate.
The outside comb had nearly two inches of room ; this
was completely crammed with beautifully sealed honey
and fastened to the hive on the outside, apparently for
support. This comb weighed 7 lbs. gross weight. This
I took away. The second had sealed honey about two-
thirds of the way down, and the third and fourth about
half-way down ; the remainder parts of the three combs
being completely crammed with beautiful-looking and
sealed brood. The hive holds fourteen frames, so there
were ten which I could not examine without disturbing
the last set of sections, which I did not do. I gave the
bees, in exchange for the forty-five sections and the
heavy frame, one frame of foundation placed between
two frames containing brood. It should be distinctly
understood and well borne in mind that all plants grown
for the production of honey should have a good airy and
sunny position, or the honey which they produce will be
of an inferior quality and very much less in quantit}'. —
C. H. W., Aylesford, Maidstone.

DIVIDING FOR INCREASE.

[1155.] To do this successfully, queens should be
reared and ready to furnish each new swarm with a fertile
queen at the time of forming such colonies; the time
saved in breeding is very important.

To Rear the Queens. — Form a nucleus from the
strongest colonies, select a comb containing capped brood
and plenty of eggs and young larvee ; look it over care-
fully lest the old queen is on it; cut one-third or one-
half the lower part out of this comb, which gives the
bees room to build cells on the lower edge — a convenient
place for the operator to remove them, when forming

302

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 14, 1887.

other nuclei. Place this, with its adhering bees, in _ an
empty hive, and next to it another comb containing
honey and bee-bread ; this affords food and protection.
Give the nucleus colony at least a quart of bees, and
put it on a new stand, and confine the bees there until
the next morning. Then contract the entrance so that
but one or two bees can pass out at the same time. They
will usually build six or ten or more queen-cells on the
eighth or ninth day after the nucleus was formed.
Then open the hive, and, with a very thin-bladed knife,
cut out all the queen-cells but one, and use them im-
mediately in forming other nuclei, by attaching each to
a frame of comb and bees taken from an old colony as
before described, and placed in an empty hive.

In transferring queen-cells care must be taken not to
expose them to cold or heat, or to denting the cell.
Leave about an inch square of comb at the base of the
cell, and insert it among the young brood. Never leave
a nucleus colony destitute of young brood after the
young queen hatches, as the bees are very apt to abandon
the hive when the young queen goes out to meet the
drone. Now watch and care for the young queens until
they become fertile.

When and how to Increase. — When your colonies are
strong and you are ready to form new ones, first cage
the young queen, then from a number of colonies take
sufficient frames and bees to form a good colony of bees ;
close up the hive of the new colony until the next
morning, then open it, and on the second or third evening
liberate the queen. Continue in this manner until you
have such increase as you desire, but in all the operations
use plenty of smoke.

Again the forwardness of the season must be your
guide as to the time to form colonies. You can rear
queens early and keep them in readiness ; a colony of
bees without a fertile queen build mostly drone-comb.
The bee-keeper that rears queens for new colonies must
have the hives for the season ready early. Success is
not in the number of colonies on hand ; it is not bees we
want, it is honey. It is not a great number of workers
in one field that will secure this, but a large force in
each hive.

The apiary should have the cheerful ray of the morning
sun. A very good way to check robbing is to place a
bunch of grass or wet hay over the entrance to the hive.
The bees will find the way to their own hives, but robbers
will be caught by the sentinels while passing through
the grass. The moth is a scavenger which comes to
clean up the wreck of the negligent bee-keeper— S. D.
Babbeh {Semi-tropic California).

JUbufos.

Praktisk lommerboy i tidsmosssiy biskjbtsel. By Ivar
S. Young. (Christiana, 1887.)— This is a handy little
volume on bee-keeping much in the style of Modem Bee-
keeping published by the British Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion, and from which some of the illustrations are taken.
The well-known frontispiece entitled 'Hiving under
Difficulties ' has been adapted to the super skep in use in
Norway. This book is nicely compiled, the illustrations
neatly executed, and it cannot fail to be useful to the
Norwegian bee-keeper. Mr. Young has added at the
end a list of honey-plants with their times of flowering
and values. We wish this work every success, and hope
it may be the means of spreading a knowledge of bee-
keeping amongst the agricultural classes.

Forer i biavl efter Thou. Win. Cowan, translated by
Hans Ersler, editor Tidskrift for biavl. (Kjobenhavn,
1887.)— This is a translation of our Guide-book into the
Banish language. In order to make it of additional
service to the Danish bee-keeper, the descriptions of
several of the best frame-hives in use in the country
have been introduced, making it a complete guide-book

for the practical management of bees in moveable comb
hives. The same illustrations have been used as in the
last English edition, and the printing is well done.

Nouvelle /lore du Nord de la France, et de la Belgique
pour la determination facile des plantes sans mots tech-
nique avec 2282 figures par Gaston Bonnier et Georges de
Layens. (Paris, 1887.)— This is a new work just re-
ceived. It is on the same principle as the Nouvelle jiore
we reviewed some time ago (p. 132), and what we said
then applies equally to this book. There is one advan-
tage the English student would have in perusing the
present work — namely, that it approaches more nearly
to the British flora as it contains all plants found along
the sea-coasts of Belgium and France, which are mostly
also common to our shores. The figures are a great
assistance in determining floras with the greatest ease,
aud we only wish it could be translated into the English
language for the benefit of those who do not understand
French.

The Production of Comb Honey, as practised and advised
by W. F. Hutchinson. Those who want to know all
about how to produce honey in sections should get this
pamphlet. Mr. Hutchinson is a well-known American
bee-keeper, and he writes from practical experience of
the subject. The pamphlet contains chapters on supers,
separators, sections, tiering up, driving swarms on empty
combs,f oundation, and on empty frames. Mr. Hutchinson
hives his swarms upon empty frames, although the non-
use of foundation is only one part of the ' system.'_ The
reasons are fully explained in the pamphlet, which we
recommend to our readers.

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
Bees for Boys.
The bees I like best are Humble Bees. I have
kept them now for three successive years and am im-
proving upon their habits. Last year it wa.sBombus
lapidarius, but this year it is Bombus terrestris. You
have given a sketch of my hive before in the Journal,
though I have made alterations in it ; for instance, I
took part of a section, cut a hole in it, and made it as a
porch to keep out the light. Then I put a dividing
board, with a hole in it, and between that and the porch
was the ' feeding-place.'

Situation of Nest.— While one of my playmates was
finding the nests of birds in the woods he turned up a
sod, and saw a lot of pieces of grass, hay, &c, and,
being on the look-out, as I had told him, for a humble
bee's nest, he gave it a few taps, to see if there were
bees inside. But he heard no noise, and when I arrived
I looked into it more closely and found it was really a
ne3t.

It was behind a holly -bush, under a sod, and it seems
as though the queen built there to be out of the sun's '
rays, so, according to nature, I placed the hive out of
the sun*s rays when I got home. When I saw the nest
you may be sure I was not long in leaving bird-nesting,
running off home for the ' Clock-case' hive.

Taking the Nest.— I laid the hive down near the nest,
and began pulling the outside straws away and packing
them in the clock-case, the bees buzzing all the while.
At one time out came a very large bee, fluttered its
wings as if in anger at being disturbed, and then went
back, but never took to flight. I guessed this was the
queen, because all the other bees were small ones, and
you may judge I kept still while she was out, lest I
frightened her and she flew away. When she had got
nicely settled I commenced operations again, and lifted
out the whole nest, wrapped round with hay and fastened
together with wax, which, by the way, is not like the
honey-bee's wax, it is nearly black; but, as soon as I
was sure of the queen, bees, and combs, I packed it
temporarily and hastened home. I will tell you more
about them shortly.

July 14, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

303

I should like my young friends to note that -when I
mention bird-nesting, it is not to rob them. — Daecy
Grimshaw, Horsforth, near Leeds, June 2oth.

[The following
poetry by a youn;

ON BEES.

lias been forwarded to us as a first attempt at
beginner in bee-keeping. J

At early morn, if clear and bright,
The busy bee will take her flight
To gather food from fields around,
Where sweetest nectar doth abound.

To clover bloom she hies in haste,
Nor does she useful moments waste,
But flits about from flower to flower
With merry hum each golden hour.

Well laden with the treasured sweet,
For occupants of hive to eat,
She wings her way on homeward track,
Nor thinks her fastest speed too slack.

With haste she journeys on her path,
O'er tree, and hedge, and nearest rath,
And flying straight for open door
Arrives thereat with many more.

Discharging now her honey sack
With eager haste she hurries back,
Nor stops to work each sunny hour
Till forced to fly from passing shower.

Her sister worker with her feet
Collects the bread for brood to eat ;
And toiling home with laden spoil
Arrives exhausted with her toil.

Within the hive is ever rife
The constant din of active life,
Where none employment ever lacks
From queen to bees secreting wax.

The mother-bee her calling plies
To crowd the hive with busy lives ;
Within the cells with graceful bend
She drops the tiny eggs on end.

Her subjects which remain at home
Engage with will at building comb,
While some, with half-digested food,
Proceed forthwith to feed the brood.

Some more are using nature's glue,
Collected by a merry few
From poplar buds, and other such
Buds from which it oozes much.

The ' lazy drones' (?) — how much they eat
Of luscious honey pure and sweet —
Keep up the heat, 'tis understood,
Of hive, and help to hatch the brood.

But their chief good and greatest need
Is surely this in very deed —
To fertilise the virgin queen
In aerial regions seldom seen.

At length, the hive being overstocked,
And future work being well-nigh blocked,
Some bees with queen proceed to roam
In search of such another home.

J. Smyth, Drumwhan, July oth.

ffifym fxam t\t Uto.

'Honey Cott,' Weston, Leamington, July 4th. — Glorious
time for bees and bee-keepers, both are kept well awake by
plenty of hard work, the roar of the bees continually is
something to make one glad. An old-fashioned bee-keeper,
who has five stocks in skeps and only had one swarm and
would not feed his bees because it was end of May and
beginning of June, and nearly let one lot die, sees the folly
of it, but I dare say he will_hold to his old ways still, as he
has been shown and told the right way many times before. —
John Walton.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters ov queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can he purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be ansicered in this column.

J. J. W. C. — The bees forwarded are but a slight remove
from pure blacks.

W. H. A. — Excluder-Zinc. — Your experience in the use of
excluder-zinc is similar to our own. It is, however,
approved and much used in America. Much depends on
the manner of application. The adapting-board should
allow full three-eighths of an inch as a bee-space on the
wider side of the zinc. When this is allowed bees will
often work quite freely through the zinc into the supers
above. Probably your bees would have swarmed zinc or
no zinc.

Lanarkshire. — Hives, d-c. — The least complicated hive
substantially built of well-seasoned wood is the best. A
plain hive, taking twelve standard frames, capable of
doubling and storifying, will suit you best. For such a
hive you will be charged about los. We cannot recom-
mend dealers. W. B. C. are the initials of the inventor
of the metal ends, which] are simply distance guides for
frames. Wired foundation has thin wires embedded in
the wax, to strengthen the combs and prevent falling
from heat, and from breaking in the extractors.

S. M. — Moving to Heather. — If the weather prove fine
during the heather bloom it will pay well to remove your
bees to the centre of their work. A friend who kept bees
within two miles of heather repeatedly noticed that his
bees did not visit it at all, even in fine weather ; but when
he moved them to the heather, they rewarded him with
a plentiful harvest of the finest honey.

J. C. I. — Honey.— 'We think the flavour of the honey for-
warded good, and find nothing in it objectionable what-
ever. We should think it probably got from sainfoin, or
clover. The taste of prussic acid we are not acquainted with.

A. S., Co. Antrim. — 1. Removing Bees from Trees.— It is
always difficult to give advice as to removing truant
swarms from trees and other awkward places. Probably
by placing a skep over the hole 10 inches in diameter,
and smoking from below, they may be induced to leave
and ascend into the skep ; but we rather doubt it. Fail-
ing this, can you cut out the combs they have built and
brush the bees from them into a hive containing some
combs and brood, andt place the latter over the top hole
to induce the straggling bees to join their fellows ? This
will depend on whether you are able to reach them
through the top hole. If not removed they will, as
you say, probably die during the winter. 2. Driving.
— We should drive a swarm from the straw skep now,
and place them in a bar-frame hive on, say, four sheets
of foundation. In twenty-one days after all the brood has
hatched drive all the bees and unite them to those in the
bar-frame hive, giving more foundation, then secure all
the honey in the straw skep ; and should the season remain
favourable those in the bar-frame hive will be in good
order for winter. If necessary you must feed the swarm,
and if the stock has not enough about the middle of
September to last them over winter, that must be fed up
as well. 3. Probably No ! except the season is remark-
ably fine in late autumn to allow comb-building and
feeding.

J. B. S. — Red Clover. — Being red clover, it is very question-
able whether the returns would compensate you for the
trouble ; moreover, being only half a mile distant, the
bees will work it if they can find nothing more profitable,
Were the distance greater, and the crop white or alsike
clover, or better still, sainfoin, it would probably be worth
your while, but under the chcumstances, you had better
'let 'em alone.'

Robert Weleord. — Books on Bee-keeping. — We can confi-
dently recommend for your use as a beginner Manage-

304

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 14, 188?.

ment of Straw Skeps (Id.) ; Modem Bee-keeping (6d.)
Cowan's Guide-book. These will give you all the infor-
mation you require, and will be sufficient till you are
further advanced in bee-keeping. The above books are
procurable from J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

High Peak. — Bleaching Honey. — Exposure to the sun will
cause the wax of sections to whiten. Stirring honey will,
by destroying the grain, give it a whiter appearance. But
we should prefer honey to remain in its natural colour.

T. P.M. — 1. Specific Gravity of Honey. — This depends on the
chemical composition of honey. Sometimes honey is
found as liquid as sweetened water, at other times so dense
that it becomes granulated before the cells are sealed.
There is consequently much difference among the
authorities ; but the average specific gravity of honey is
1-350. 2. Cubic Contents of one Pound of Honey. — If we
take as our basis clover honey, the specific gravity of
which is 1-370, it would be rather less than twenty-
one cubic inches to the pound.

H. J. C. — Rotten Brood. — The five pieces of eomb were
forwarded to Mr. Cheshire. This is his reply : — ' There
seems some mistake. I have been unable to find any
evidence of rotting brood, and but one cell sealed, and
that contained a mature bee (dead). Bees do die in the
cell from other causes than either foul brood or chill,
but the question is too large to discuss in small limits. —
F. C

Ignoramus. — The easiest method would be to melt the
combs.

E. C. T. — 1. Carbolic Acid Solution. — The carbolic acid
solution consists of four tablespocnfuls of the acid to one
quart of water, and well shaken before using. A portion
of the mixture is kept in a wide-mouthed bottle, and
applied with a goose-quill. 2. Sections. — Sections must
be carefully scraped to remove propolis.

Received from Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall, their cata-
logue, containing prices for June, July, and August, 1887.

.@how jgLnnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No cliarge made to Associations whose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

July 21. — Prescot Horticultural Show. E. Eigby,
Secretary, Station Eoad, Prescot, Lancashire.

July20-22. — Lincolnshire Agricultural Societyat Spalding.
Entries close July 4. E. E. Godfrey, Secretary.

July 26-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. Entries close July 12. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

July 27. — Kent Association, at Ashford, Kent. Hon.
Sec, J. Garratt, Hockenden, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Eickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chcnevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 11. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Eow,
Chester.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Eoyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

^Business ^[Directory.

For the use of manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. P., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhaji, M, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Eoad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, P., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Eoad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

July U, 1887. j ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

XffOISOBa— 6©° If you would Sell your Honey, place it before the Public in an attractive form , for

which purpose use only

WOODLEY'S NEW FANCY TIN CASES

For the SALE and EXHIBITION of SECTION HONEY, coloured by Patent Process in four different tints, with
Glass both sides. Price 22/- per gross ; 2/- per dozen. Sample post free for 0 stamps.

A. D. WOODLEY, Manufacturer of every Description of Bee-keeping Appliances, Donnington Rd., Reading.

GREAT REDUCTIONS IN PRICE.
Stock Foundation, 2/- per lb. ; 5-lb. Parcels, 9/3; 10-lb. Parcels, 18/-. Super Foundation, 2/9 per lb.

5-lb. Parcels, 13/6. Guaranteed purity.

Sections, the very finest and best White Basswood, open four bee-ways, 1-lb., 4£x4£xH or 2 ins., 3/- per 100;

11/- per 500; 21/- per 1000. 2-lb., 5\ x 6fx2 in., 3/6 per 100.

First Prize, Silver Medal, Berks and Hants Bee-keepers' Show, Royal Counties Agricultural Show., Reading,

First Prize, Wilts Agricultural Show, Swindon.

Straw Skeps, thoroughly well made, with wood tops and large Supering Hole, 18/- per dozen, 1/8 each.

SEN'S FOR PRICE LIST, FREE OW RECEIPT OF POST CARS.

WANTED.— A PARTNER with £500, to join
a Practical Apiarist and Queen-raiser, holding a
First Class Certificate of the British Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion, for the purpose of Baising Ligurian Queen Bees in
the Island of Kangaroo, South Australia. Address, W. G.
Cajh>bell, S.S. 'Port Pirie,' Adelaide, to end of August;
subsequently c/o Marshall Bros., 106 Market Street,
Sydney, Australia.

SUPERIOR BEE VEILS.

WIRE GAUZE FRONTS, Is. 2d, each, 3 for 3s.
Traps for Cleaning Supers, Gd. each, 3 for Is.
Post free. Address, W. Crisp, Halstead, Essex. a 2700

FOR USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR
with the SIMMINS' SEPABATOB thickened at the
Corners by a Half Bee-space.

20,000 4} x 4J x 1| V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMEBICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. For smaller quantities apply to J. H. Howard,
Holme, Peterborough; or to R. White & Co., Importers,
Patrickswell, Limerick. The Trade supplied.

LYON'S Patent METAL ENDS.

The only perfect pattern. The metal being flush with
the inside of the Hive side, CANNOT BE FIXED TO IT
BY PBOPOLIS. All the so-called Improvements CAN.

The Special Alloy used allows them to be LIGHT TET
STRONG. One gross weighs 5| lbs.

Price for 1887 5/© per gross.

DR. PINE'S VEILS.

Prize Medal, 1879, for the best Bee Dress. The only
Medal ever awarded to a Veil, 2/2 eacu. Post free. Every
genuine Veil bears the Registered Trade Mark.

DR. PINE'S LOTION.

The ONLY CUBE for Stings, 1/8 per bottle, post free.
CHES

:3tE3 CX7XS.S.
Guaranteed, with Directions, 1 /2 P™ bottle, post free.

Methyl Salicylate, or ' Sting Preventer,'

1 oz. bottle, post free, 1/8.

HIVE MAKERS supplied with SPRINGS, GLASSES for

Sections, PHENOL, METHYL SALICYLATE, in bulk,

&c, &c, at lowest prices.

F.LYON, 94 Harleyford Rd., London, 8. E.

CATALOGUE

Post Free. (100 Pictures.)

G. STOTHARD, British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.

Price 6s. 6<J. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents : Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS,

149 Regent Street, W.

The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
renowned C. F. H. Gravenhorst, Brunswick.

DEUTSCHE ILLUSTRIERTE BIENENZEITUNG.

Sample copies sent on request.

Also, ' DER PBAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
Rational Bee-culture, by C. F. H. Gravenhorst. Third en-
larged and improved edition, with fifty-two new original
Pictures, and a frontispiece. Trice i marks (Is.), stitched ;
well bound, 5 marks.

C. A. Schwetschke & Son (M. Bruhn), Brunswick

GDI3S-300E PAMPHLETS.- Wo. 1.

DOUBLING AND STORIFYING

FOR

Extracted and Comb Honey, and the
Prevention of Swarming.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Threepence Halfpenny.

J- HUCKLE, ZKUKTO-S L .A. 1ST a-LEY.
GUIDE-BOOK PAMPHLETS No. II.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,
AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

J. HtTCKLE, 3CI3STC3-S Ij ^-3ST G-I, E Y.

HONEY AS FOOD. By Frank E Cheshire, Esq.,
F.R.M.S. Price 3d.

A DULTERATION OF HONEY. By Otto Hehneb,
J\. Esq., F.O.S., F.I.C. Prioe 6<f,
£.<56?.?i-s y, HtTCS&S, ffitggs Siang-iey, Herts ,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 14, 1887.

SWARMING SEASON.

TIME SAVED IS MONEY EARNED!

All Goods ready for instant Delivery.

Just to hand, a Shipment of the Finest and Whitest AMERICAN
SECTIONS ever imported, 11/- per 500.

BEES.— ENGLISH SWARMS, 10/6 each. We also have on hand Benton's First Grade
CARNIOLAN QUEENS, 9/- each; SYEIANS, 17/6; PALESTINE, 12/6.

NUCLEI (Three Frame).— CARNIOLAN, 20/-; PALESTINE, 25/-; SYRIAN, 30/ ;

including Combs, Brood, and Food. SWARMS at same prices ; if in Hives (Ten Fbame), add 5/-.

SYRIO-CARNIOLAN Home-bred QUEENS.— These are extremely Prolific, stocks
Winter well, and are good Honey gatherers. See B. B. J„ p. 22. A limited number from 7/6 to 10/- for selected.

WOIBLET SPUE EMBEDDEE, 1/6 each.

EDEY'S Improved SMOKER, with Moveable Shutter and Flue Cleaner, 2/9 each.

BINGHAM, Imported, 7/6. Fuel for ditto, 3d. per lb.

EDEY'S COTTAGER'S EXTRACTOR (52).

This revolves two Combs at a time ; the Honey may be emptied by the
Screw-valve at foot. Not shown in engraving. Price 17/6 ; Crate, 2/-.

EDEY'S Method of Fixing FOUNDATION in

Dovetailed Standard Frames, Wired. Send for WIRING OUTFIT of
1 dozen Frames, Foundation Nails, all necessary Tools, 7/6. See List.

LOCK-UP TRAVELLING CAN, to hold 5G lbs.

Honey. Price 5/9.

NESTED TINS for Honey, the Set of 4, holding to-
gether 35 lbs., price 1/4 ; postage 6d.

A Large Stock of HIVES, FRAMES, SECTIONS, and most other
Goods of approved Quality are waiting Orders. These we can fill
Promptly, and have not received a complaint.

DOUBLE your HONEY HARVEST by Using WORKED-

OUT COMBS!
Clean WIRED COMBS in Frames, 10/- per doz. xp, » ^ u c ■ ,n Wy^ww^ <> jTitvYyTTr

' 7^ ~^~^Z — _ —)»,- Edey's Cottager's Extractor.

CHEAP, STRONG, EASILY MANIPULATED.

EDEY'S DOUBLER (7 a). Complete for Doubling or Tier-
ing. As shown, with 20 Frames, 2 Dummies, Waterproof Cover, Contracting
Entrances, price 10/6. In flat, each, 5/-.

For Supering: Complete Hive, 6/6 ; Section Crate, 2/6; Ad-
ditional Body-box, 2/6 ; Crate of 5 Hives, 23/9.

THE UNIVERSAL (No. 7). Of superior workmanship, high
outer sides. A first-class Hive for general work, with Super Crate, price 12/6.

FOUNDATION. — In addition to the ordinary Brood and Super,
we have a few Parcels of very Thin and Delicate SUPER FOUNDATION, for
filling Sections completely. Average weight, 20 sheets to the lb. 3/6 per lb.

EDEY'S DOVETAILED

Cheapest made. No Frame-block needed.

FRAMES. Best and
2/- per dozen ; 12/6 per 100.

Hive of Standard size, Frame Top 151 ins. long.

For a full line of our Manufactures, see List, free.

EDEY & SON, Steam Joinery Works, ST. NE0TS.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Pbinting Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 265. Vol. XV.]

JULY 21, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

THE FORMATION OF AN ASSOCIATION
FOR NORTHUMBERLAND.

A meeting of bee-keepers and others interesting
themselves in the formation of this Association was
held in the bee-tent in the Agricultural Show
Ground at Newcastle on Thursday, July 14, Mr.
McAdams, of Haltwhistle, in the chair. The follow-
ing resolutions were passed unanimously : —

(1.) That a Bee-keepers' Association be formed
for the County of Northumberland in affiliation
with the British Bee-keepers' Association.

(2.) The objects of the Association shall be to
teach the residents of the county the most profit-
able and humane system of bee-culture, and to
spread a knowledge of the uses and disposal of bee-
produce.

(3.) That the Duke of Northumberland be
requested to act as President of the Association.

(4.) That the following do form a provisional
Committee with power to add to their number,
viz., Messrs. R. W. Bell and G. Charlton of Hex-
ham, Messrs. McAdam and J. F- Graham of Halt-
whistle, Messrs. Sisterson and Kyle of Bellingham,
Messrs. T. W. Atkinson and W. Codling of Morpeth,
Messrs. J. Luck and J. Mack of Felton, Messrs.
Greenwell and Carr of Alnwick, Messrs. Colville
and Best of Belford, and Robson and M. J. Archer
of Rothbury. The duties of the provisional Com-
mittee being to prepare rules, secure members, and
make such suggestions as may seem to them
advisable for the future government of the Associa-
tion, and to report to a future meeting to be held
not later than the third Monday in September at
Newcastle.

Residents of the county being desirous of
assisting in the formation of the Association are
requested to communicate with the Hon. Secretary.
Mr. F. E. Schofield, Newcastle Street, Morpeth.

THE STEWARTON HIVE.
A correspondent who has purchased some Stewar-
ton hives, requests that some instructions should be
given in our columns as to their management. He
reminds us that since we last described this system
of bee-keeping many years have passed away, and

that many new subscribers to the Journal have not
had an opportunity of gaining any knowledge of
it. In the first volume of the Journal this system
was well ventilated by the communications of ' A
Renfrewshire Bee-keeper,' who has introduced many
improvements into the Stewarton hive, and who
has ever had a high opinion of its excellence. In
November, 1880, the Rev. Dr. Bartrum read a
very valuable and excellent paper entitled ' The
Stewarton Hive, the Hive of the Busy Man,' at a
conversazione of the British Bee-keepers' Association.
Since that time there has been no description of
it in the Journal, and, therefore, we have much
pleasure in complying with the request of our
correspondent.

The hive, as Dr. Bartrum informs us, derives its
name from the town of Stewarton or Stuart-town,
in the north of Ayrshire, on the borders of Ren-
frewshire. It is said to have been invented about
the year 1819, by a cabinet-maker named Robert
Kerr, of that place, a man as remarkable for his
skill in bee-keeping, as in the secrets of his par-
ticular trade. ' Bee Robin ' was the nick-name
given by his neighbours to Robert Kerr, and wre
can well imagine that his skill as a workman
assisted him in no slight degree in improving the
form of the wooden boxes in which he kept his
bees. The octagonal form of the Stewarton hive
was without a doubt known before Kerr's time.
' The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper ' informs us that
its invention is generally ascribed to the Rev.
William Mewe, minister of Eastlington in Glou-
cestershire, about the year 1652. In April, 1675,
John Gedde obtained a patent from Charles II. for
his octagon boxes. They appear, however, to have
been used in Scotland with good success before that
date. These octagons consisted simply of a series
of boxes of uniform depth, with a 5-inch square
central hole in each top. Robert Kerr seems to
have introduced the moveable slides of wood work-
ing in grooves 1-|- inch bars on top of what are
called the body boxes. Of late years various
changes have been introduced by ' The Renfrew-
shire Bee-keeper.'

Mr. James Allan, Stewarton, Ayrshire, who is
the principal manufacturer of these hives, gives
us the following information : —

The Stewarton Hive. — The non-swarming or stori-
fying system of keeping "bees in colonies has been suc-
cessfully wrought in Scotland for centuries, and the

30G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 21, 1887.

Three Body anil one
Honey Box.

principle is now being adopted by advanced bee-keepers
in England and America under the name of tiering.

This honey - yielding hive
originally consisted of three
octagon body or breeding-
boxes, 14 inches wide inside
by 6 deep. These formed what
was was called a set, 18 inches
being usually deemed sufficient
depth of breeding space for a
colony ; while the octagon
supers or honey boxes were
al;o 14 inches wide by 8, 3J,
and 4 inches deep, and were
divided sectionally when so
required. All the boxes, breed-
ing and supers, carried alike
seven immoveable bars \h
inches broad. The f bee-
spaces between these were
filled with moveable strips
of wood called slides — with
shuttered windows, front and
back, sliding- doors (locally
termed mouth -pieces), hooks
or screws for tying together or weighing, wooden buttons
to prevent displacement, with pegs to take the place of
slides and plug when the slides were withdrawn, complete
the description. The breeding-boxes are now supplied
with 0 1 1 inch moveable bars.

The Renfrewshire Stewarton. — Nearly thirty years ago
' A Renfrewshire bee-keeper ' met with the Stewarton
hive and improved it by introducing the moveable comb
system, increasing the depth of boxes to seven and nine
inches respectively, so as to make them available singly
for a swarm, or two 9-inch boxes forming a set for a
colony, narrowing the width of bars in the breeding-
boxes to lg inches, the natural thickness of brood combs,
retaining the lj-inch width for end and super comb bars,
as most suitable for honey storage. The four central
complete frames, as well as the bars in all the boxes, are
grooved to receive comb-foundation, and kept in position
with j-inch brass screws, having triple instead of single en-
trances to the breeding boxes. So changed the hive became
Irnown to the trade as ' The Renfrewshire Stewarton.'

Management.— After a breeding-box has been fitted
with comb-foundation guides, and a set of slides run in,
it is ready to receive a prime swarm. This hive being
detachable from cover and free of legs, can be set over a
swarm and bees run up, or shaken into it, with as much
facility as a straw skep. So soon as a second prime
swarm can be obtained — say within eight or ten days —
it is similarly hived in another breeding-box, and is im-
mediately set down alongside the earlier. At dusk,
same evening-, the first is set on top of second hive swarm,
closing sliding door of upper box at once, and the slides
of the lower box withdrawn one after the other, and as
quickly as possible spaces plugged with corresponding
pegs to keep in the bees. It is well for expedition these
bo previously arranged on top of upper box ere a slide
bo withdrawn. Should the evening be at all chilly, a
puff or two of smoke at entrance expedites the ascent
and union. The object of combining two prime swarms
in one colony is to ensure a harvest of finest virgin honey
the same season. A single prime swarm could only at
most be expected to fill the colony for the first summer
without yielding any surplus.

If weather continue fine and honey abounding, the
conjoined colony will speedily comb their breeding-boxes,
and require one or two supers for honey storage. If
after sheeting witli narrow strips comb-foundation, two
supers be used, run a full set of slides into the upper, and
a full set of pegs into the lower. Every subsequent
addition to the super file must alone contain a set of
slides ; every super below it be pegged so as to give the

honey-gatherers unrestricted passage through all the
supers. Access to the supers from the breeding-boxes is
to be afforded by withdrawing the outermost slide on
either side and substituting pegs therefor. Should
honey flow continue with settled fine weather, the
second outermost slide may be drawn, either in whole or
in part, in keeping with the weather, but on no account
must other slides be touched, otherwise the queen would
in all probability ascend, and the beauty of the supers be
destroyed. So soon as the supers are set on, they must
at once be covered all round with four-ply warm woollens
tied round closely. After honey is being stored in supers,
if 7-inch breeding-boxes be employed, a third pegged
breeding-box is given below to prevent swarming.

The colony must be protected from wet, and shaded on
sunny side by a full-sized archangel mat hung loosely,
and when in full work all the three entrances in lower
box fully drawn for the sake of ventilation, besides
affording freest egress and ingress to the overflowing
population. This hive offers facilities in skilled hands
for supering and nadii-ing to any extent.

All fresh additions of super space must be given by
placing the empty on the top of the filling ones and
breeding space at bottom of the pile. In an extra good
season the ' Renfrewshire Stewarton ' colony required
seven full-sized supers (see illustration) to keep the bets
fully employed, and yielded close on 200 lbs. of honey by
the end of the season. The lowest and successive supers
had better be removed to preserve their purity so soon as

July 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

307

central comb can be seen through windows to he sealed
out. This is best effected in the middle of a fine day,
when a large proportion of the workers are absent in the
fields, by temporarily running in the slides of upper
breeding-box, and carefully drawing a strong thread or
thin brass wire below and above each completed super to
sever comb attachments. The preceding illustration of a
' Renfrewshire Stewarton ' in full work, from a photo-
graph, rests on a C-inch glazed fire-clay pipe, faucet end
sunk 1C inches firmly into the ground, a long bung of
wood in upper end, on which is screwed a 0-inch square
of inch wood, to which the moveable floor-board is held
down with 2-inch iron button.

By the kindness of Dr. Bartrum we are informed that
he has received a telegram announcing the safe arrival
of Mr. and Mrs. Cowan at New York on Monday, the
18th.

We note that Dr. Bartrum has been presented by the
Earl of Yerulam to the Rectory of Wakes Colne, Essex.
The headmastership of King Edward VI.'s School, Berk-
hamsted, will therefore shortly be vacant.

Mr. W. G. Campbell, Hornefield, Tottenham, who, we
announced in our issue of July 7, passed his examination
for first-class certificate, has sailed for Australia.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — In our locality the drought still con-
tinues, and the bees in consequence languish. In the
shorn meadows the white clover blooms not, and from
their surface all verdure has vanished. The fields will
soon be whitening for the harvest, and the honey-flow
in the year of grace '87 is all but over. Even the limes
yield not their accustomed nectar, and no refreshing-
shower revives their drooping foliage. Short has been
the harvest, but in many districts bountiful and the
quality most excellent. The heather is yet to come- —
heather, true Scotch heather — the queen of honey plants,
alone yielding nectar fit for the gods. We southerners
must content ourselves with honey from inferior plants,
as blackberry, buckwheat, ivy, &c. For ourselves we
look forward with hope to an ingathering from the
Statice limonium (sea lavender), from which, in the
month of August last, our supers were refilled with
sections of the whitest, and withal of well-flavoured,
comb-honey.

Changing Queens. — From the present Time to the
end of next month we consider the best time for de-
throning aged or unprolific queens. Remove a superior
queen in her prime from a populous colony, and let her
replace one of the condemned ones. In the queenless
colony select a couple of brood combs and break down
in each a few cells, beneath and around newly laid
eggs, towards the end or the middle of the combs, thus
inducing the bees to build queen-cells around these
selected eggs to the number of six or eight at even
distances, and close the hive. On the eleventh or twelfth
day afterwards, remove the queens to be superseded, and
having carefully cut out from the queenless colony as
many queen-cells as required, leaving one or two only,
insert them one by one near the centre of the brood-
nest in each of the colonies deprived of its queen, and
protect each cell by a wire-cloth cage. On the fifth or
sixth day after inserting the cells, the young queens will
have hatched, and may be liberated if this has not been
already done by the bees, any other queen- cells which
ma}r have been formed having been previously cut out.
Great care is necessary in handling the queen-cells, as the
least pressure will destroy the nymph. At the base of
the cell a triangular piece of comb should be cut out
and inserted with the cell. In actual practice the

operation is most easy, and failures rarely occur. As a
rule, however, the bees, particularly Italians, will super-
sede their own queens when requisite, and in an apiary
where natural swarming is allowed, there will be little
necessity for practising any artificial method.

Italians Best. — Let us give a word of advice in
favour of the Italian bee. After an experience of some
twenty summers, our good opinion of this race is not
only maintained, but increased. An experienced friend
who lately visited our apiary, after inspecting colony
after colony of Italians busily at work in piled sections
of the finest quality, exclaimed, ' Have you no blacks?'
Yes, we had blacks also, but on them were no sections,
and from half-a-dozen colonies only one swarm had
issued, while case after case of first-class sections has
been removed from the Italians. Our present strain —
the best we ever possessed — are dark-coloured Italians,
larger bees, better workers, and more hardy than the
lighter strains, and were procured for us from Switzer-
land by Mr. Neighbour. As producers of comb-honey,
both as regards quantity and quality, they have, in our
experience, no equals. Quiet as Carniolans to handle,
prolific as Cyprians, and in wintering qualities sur-
passed by none, the dark Italians are, par excellence,
the bees for us. Even in this exhaustive drought they
manage to scrape together and store a little surplus,
while others remain at home idle ; and where room is
given, they are less inclined to swarm than any kind we
have tried.

Bacillus Minor. — We notice in several American
communications, also in our contemporary, the Record
(current number), descriptions of diseased brood, which
differs considerably in its symptoms from the ordinary
foul brood {Bacillus alvei). Of this disease we have had
cognisance for some years, but always felt inclined to
consider it incipient ford brood, which, if allowed to
remain undisturbed, would end in the malignant
Bacillus alvei. The symptoms are — listlessness in the
bees, while other colonies are energetically at work ;
death of the larva? at all ages, but chiefly in its early
stages ; putridity, free from the usual offensive smell of
foul brood; death of the nymphs, unable to emerge from
the cells, but free from putrescence, and pierced and
sunken cells ; of the few young bees which emerge most
are imperfectly developed, some being wingless, others
having one wing only, some minus a leg, and many
extremely diminutive — the prettiest little dwarfs, in-
deed, that can well be imagined. Gradually the colony
dwindles: although, when possessing a prolific queen,
the population is often maintained at par for many
months— even to the end of the second year after the
commencement of the attack.

On opening a diseased hive there is no offensive smell
perceptible, but still there is an absence of the pure
fragrance emanating from a healthy colony during the
storing season, — a certain acidity which betokens fer-
mentation. With the editor of the Record, we are
inclined to the opinion that the disease is partly con-
genital, but not entirely so, since we have known cases
in which the contagion has been conveyed from hive to
hive, and in which a change of queens has resulted in
the infection of the newly-introduced and healthy queen.
We have been in the habit of designating this disease by
the title of Bacillus minor, although its deadly effect,
though slower, is equally sure with that of ' Bacillus
major alvei.' That its cause is a species of Bacillus we
have not the least doubt, and we hope to be able to
induce Mr. Cheshire fully to experiment upon some
diseased colonies, and to report the results. Some of
the queens lose their pubescence, and become feeble and
languid, and whenever, in such cases, an attempt has
been made by the bees to supersede the queen, it has
invariably failed, the embryo insect perishing either in
the larval or pupa stage. Much of the dead larvae in the
early stage becomes desiccated, and is extruded by the

308

THE BRITISH BEE JOUENAL.

[July 21, 1837.

bees, and may often be found on the alighting-board,
while beneath may be seen, often in considerable
number, the abortive nymphs. Our attempts at curative
measures have always failed, although we have applied
phenol, salicylic acid (both in syrup and as disinfectants),
camphor, coffee, &c. Queens of other infected colonies
have, to all appearance, continued in a perfectly normal
condition, retaining their pubescence and fertility to the
very last. "We trust a remedy may soon be found for
this insidious and most dangerous disease.

Time of Manipulation. — Mr. Wood (1148) takes
exception to the advice given in the last ' Hints ' (which
were written for us under exceptional circumstances).
Truly, we can sympathise with those who have avoided
exposure to the sun's rays, during the heat of the day,
while manipulating. We have always advocated the
following rules : — 1. During spring and autumn, when
bees are inclined to robbing, manipulate in early morning
or late evening, provided always that the temperature is
sufficiently hin-h to prevent chilling bees or brood.
2. During the honey-flow, let all manipulations —
whether for taking off or putting on sections, examining
brood-nest, exchanging queens, withdrawing combs for
extracting, et hoc genus omne — be performed while the
bees are at work in the fields, and not when they are
all at home, in the morning or evening. The difference
between 'spotting' a young queen (or even an old one.)
will be fully realised only by those who have made trial
of the above rules, as also will the ease, or difficulty, of
removing sections or other supers. But there are excep-
tions to all rules, and even now, in the middle of July,
we scarcely dare open a hive or expose a comb of
honey during working hours, since, in consequence of the
severe drought through which we are passing, their
inclination to rob in our apiary is as keen as at any
period of the year.

Fecundation of Queens. — Examination should be
made at evening to ascertain whether the young queens
are in existence, and laying, which all should be during
the present hot season at ten or twelve days of age, if
not five or six days earlier. Our queens have all mated
successfully without an exception.

Second Swarms Returning. — Mr. Gibbon's ex-
perience (115.3) is not singular. Small second swarms
will often return to the parent hive, as if aware of their
inability to found a colony through paucity of numbers.
His young queen failed to gain admittance to the parent
hive, and sheltered beneath the roof. Had she not been
secured she would have led forth the swarm again, or,
the bees refusing to follow, would have perished in the
attempt.

Space beneath Frames. — The amount of space
which should be allowed between the bottom bars of
frames and the floor-board seems to be a moot point.
Some recommend \ in., others f in., which appears rarely
to have been exceeded. Experimentally we have allowed
to several newly hived swarms 2 inches, and have not
contracted the hives. As we expected, the bees have
confined themselves to the frames, building out the
combs on full sheets of foundation, adding no brace
combs below. The result would, in all probability, have
been different had we confined the bees to the frames
they were able to cover. Our object in the experiment
was to provide space at the bottom of the hive, with a
view to a more perfect system of wintering, having
repeatedly observed that colonies wintered with an eke
beneath the hive had emerged from the most severe
winters in a more perfect condition than others not so
treated. In case of internal winter dampness, where
J, in. space only is allowed, the lower parts alone of the
combs are injured. When from two to four inches have
been allowed, perfect dryness of the whole interior has
been the result, and there has been no blocking of
entrances (loft at summer width) by dead bees and
refuse.

Honey Prospects.- — From most parts of the United
States complaints reach us of the failure, to a great
extent, of the honey crop. Such reports as — ' The
lightest honey crop for many years,' ' Clover dried up
by drought,' ' Plenty of bees, but little honey,' ' Bees
can hardly make a living,' ' Not a pound of surplus
taken in this neighbourhood,' and much else to the
same effect we frequently read in the American journals.
Not since '68 have we in England experienced so dry
a summer, and yet in our journals, so far from reading
desponding reports of the honey yield, all appears to be
couleur de rose. Can it be that Englishmen report their
successes but not their failures? At all events we
venture to forecast a better price for honey, especially of
the higher grade.

Removing Sections. — Even where unfinished we are
removing section cases. Our plan of operation is as
follows : — On a fine day, between ten o'clock and four,
while the bees are in full work, the section case is un-
covered and a cloth steeped in carbolic solution and
squeezed dry, is spread over it. The entire case is then
slightly and gently raised by the leverage of a couple
of chisels, allowed to fall back into its place, and slowly
screwed round to thoroughly separate all attachments.
It is then carried to the honey-room and the sections
are removed one by one, the few adhering bees, being
brushed off with a feather, quickly return to the hive.
The finished sections are stored, and those uncapped are
returned to the hive for a few days for the bees to
finish. Care is taken to spread a carbolised cloth over
the hive while the sections are under manipulation. A
weak solution (one part of the acid to twenty parts of
water) only, must be used, or all the bees will be driven
out of the hive.

Italianising. — The present and next month are the
best time for introducing Italian, or other foreign queens.
These may now be obtained at moderate prices, and we
strongly advise a trial of the dark strain of Italians,
being careful to obtain a guarantee of purity of race.
Oar supply dealers may be fully trusted to send out
pure queens, and purely mated, while amateurs, unfortu-
nately, though chiefly no doubt through ignorance, often
send out impurely mated queens.

May the fertilising showers soou descend and procure
for us a second harvest from revivified white, and second
crops of red, clover, ling, cole, mustard, &c,

BEESWAX AND ITS CONVERSION INTO

MONEY.

By J. Dennler.

[Continued, from page 297.)

The Employment of Wax for Economical

Purposes.

Beeswax, on account of its lighting powers, is used

for the manufacture of candles and wax-tapers. Besides,

on account, of its tenacity and ductility, firmness and

difficulty of melting, it is indispensable for the great

industry of making wax figures and for modelling. But

also in house-keeping wax renders us important services.

In the following we have some of these remedies and

recipes : —

(a.) Sewing Wax.
The beeswax is made into little round balls to give
more stiffness and smoothness to the thread for sewing.

(b.) Wood Wax.
Melt together one part of yellow wax, two parts of
rosin, one part of turpentine, and some lard. Let it get
slightly cold, and roll out the mass on a slab into sticks.
This is the warm-melting wood wax. At the present
time the cold-melting wood wax, recommended by Dr.
Lucas, is often used, which is prepared from rosin and
spirit.

July 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOUBNAL.

309

(c.) Primitive Wax.
Melt two parts of wax, and stir into it, after it is
taken off the fire, one part of turpentine.

(d.) Wax Polish.
Mis 200 grammes of potash and 200 grammes of
water, heat it to hoiling point, and gradually, after re-
peated stirring, 400 grammes of yellow wax. After this
lias been boiled again, pour in £>00 grammes of water,
and heat it until a milky fluid results. This is useful
for polishing furniture and floors. (J3ls, Loth. Bee-keeper.)

(e.) Waterproof Packing Paper.
Take twenty-four parts of blue soap and four parts of
white soap, fifteen parts of wax, and boil it with 120
parts of water. Dip the packing paper into it and let
it well soak, and hang it up on cords to dry.

(/.) Leather Oreese.
For the preparation of this, mix 1J kilogrammes of
pure yellow wax in 1A kilogrammes of turpentine oil,
Ts kilogrammes of castor oil, 12i kilogrammes of linseed
oil, and li kilogrammes of tar, and let the whole be
thoroughly well mixe4. The leather by repeated appli-
cations (some six months altogether) is protected by this
grease against the influence of air, heat, perspiration, or
other moisture.

(ff.) Wax Ointment for making Boots Waterproof
Is prepared by melting together Qh parts of yellow wax,
26i parts of mutton tallow, Gi parts of thick turpentine,
G| parts of olive oil, and 13 parts of lard, and stirring
into this 5 parts of well-mixed lampblack, and the mass
is then poured into little wooden boxes. The wax is
made warm and is rubbed in with the fingers, by means
of which the hard leather is softened, and becomes
perfectly water-proof.

(A.) Means for Removing the Cracks in Horses' Hoofs.

Wax and honey in equal parts are well melted to-
gether over a slow fire, and thoroughly well mixed.
It is used after this manner : the hoof having been
thoroughly cleansed with tepid water the above mixture
is well rubbed in with a brush. After several appli-
cations the fissures and cracks disappear, and the hoof
gets an advantageous softness.

Application of Wax in Medicine.
(o.) Remedies for Coughs, Expectoration, Erysipelas

of the head.
Breathe the vapour of wax which has been melted on
a hot iron or a brazier.

(b.) Healing Salve.
Honey, oil, and wax melted together into a salve
hastens the healing of old wounds and fistulas.

(c.) Marigold-jlower Plasters for Wounds.
Out of marigold flowers a plaster can be made by
bruising the flowers and the stalks and mixing it with
as much lard as will cover them, letting it boil over a
moderate fire for an hour, and it is then squeezed through
a cloth. The stuff that is pressed out is put over the
fire, and as much yellow wax added as will make it of
the consistency of a plaster. If less wax is used, mari-
gold flower salve is obtained. Both preparations are
useful in all kinds of wounds.

(d.) Remedy for Diarrhma.
In France the following remedy is found of frequent
use : — Scoop out the core of a quince, fill it with hot
wax, let it roast for a long time by the fire, and eat it
night and morning for three days consecutively.

(e.) Salve for Wounds left after Removing Warts.
Prepare a salve of white wax and fresh unsalted butter
equal parts, and mix a little white wine with it.

(/.) Salve for Burns.
Wax and linseed oil give an excellent plaster for
burns. Stahl's burn-salve is made of equal parts of
butter and yellow wax.

(g.) Corn Plaster.

For corns a good plaster is made of wax, tallow, and
some verdigris.

(/(.) Tooth-stopping.

The tooth-stopping is prepared by melting together 3
parts of pure white wax with 3£ parts of mastic and a
few drops of oil of peppermint, and making it into the
pill on a marble slab. The hollow teeth are filled with
this so that the food may not lodge in them and irritate
the nerves of the teeth.

(i.) Wax Salve for Skin Diseases.

5 parts of white wax, 5 parts of spermaceti, 5 parts
of sweet almond oil, are melted together in an enamelled
vessel, and are poured out into little paper boxes, and
when cold are cut up into little slabs.

Cosmetic Specialities.
(a.) Glycerine Wax Balsam.

2 parts of white wax, 2 parts of spermaceti, 8 parts
of sweet almond oil, 4 parts of glycerine, ^ part of attar
of roses, are carefully melted together in an enamelled
vessel before a slow fire, stirred till it is cold, and put
into glass vessels.

(5.) Crime Celeste.

Ik parts of white wax, 3 parts of spermaceti, 3 parts
of sweet almond oil, are melted together in a porcelain
dish over a water bath, and after it is cold 2 parts of
rose water are added, with continual stirring.

(e.) Cold Cream

Is used to keep the skin delicate and soft. It is pre-
pared by rubbing together in a water bath 1 part of
white wax, 2 parts of spermaceti, 8 parts of sweet
almond oil, and 5 parts of rose water.

(d.) Cosmctique.

Melt in a porcelain dish over a water bath 500
grammes of yellow wax, with 125 grammes of white
soap, take it from the fire, let it get cold, and mix in
it before the mass has set 5 grammes of bergamot and
1 gramme of Peruvian balsam. It is rolled out into
little sticks on a glass or marble slab, and these are
covered with paper.

ASSOCIATIONS.

WORCESTERSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSO-
CIATION.

A meeting of the Committee was held at Worcester
on the 16th Last., Mr. C. II. Haynes presiding. It was
with great reluctance that the members present unani-
mously resolved that owing to an insufficiency of funds
it was inexpedient to hold a show of honey, &c, during
the present year.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW.

The Annual Meeting of this Society was opened at
Xewcastle-on-Ty ne on Friday, the 8th of J uly , when the
general exhibition and trials of implements, and the
trials at the working dairy commenced. The public
were admitted to the whole of the show-yard, including
that of the bee-keeping appliances and honey, on Monday,
the 11th.

It will, I think, be interesting to give the scope of this

310

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 21, 1887.

Show as compared with that held at Kilburn and those
since held, which are as follows : —

*z

■s*

.Number of

O J2

M as

Persons

»ja

2^^

Admitted.

W

1-H

1879

London (Kilburn) ...

2879

11,879

187,323

1880

Carlisle

1485

4196

92,011

1881

Derby

1229

5960

127,996

1882

Heading

1450

6102

82,943

1883

York

1653

6058

128,117

1884

Shrewsbury

1664

5241

94,126

1885

Preston

1563

5318

94,192

1886

Norwich

1823

4656

104,909

1887

Newcastle

1833

3616

126,133

Thursday was the first dajr of a shilling entrance,
when upwai'ds of 77,000 people paid for admission. At
Norwich last year there were 42,000, and at York, in
1833, there were 63,000.

No doubt the knowledge that the Prince of Wales and
his two sons would visit the Show was an additional at-
traction to many, and assisted in increasing the numbers
to such extent as has never before been witnessed on one
day at any agricultural show. Throughout the whole
time of the Show we were favoured witli magnificent
weather.

The bee department had its full share of patronage,
and, if possible, more interest was shown than at
Norwich. On Thursday the tent containing the hives,
&c, and honey, was crowded from end to end by people
anxious to learn something of ' modern bee-keeping ,' and,
if we mistake not, hive-makers had a bus}' time of it
taking orders. The bee-tent was thronged during
manipulations, and many were the inquiries as to
what time the ' mon was going to perform with the
honey flies.' Could 'Looker On' have seen what we
saw, he would not then think that ' the bee-tent and
lectures ought to be done away with at once.'

The exhibition was truly educational, and the omission
of ' the largest collections ' of the many obsolete and useless
bee appliances which are usually sent to swell the
numbers, was, we think, most beneficial. Those who
wish to commence bee-keeping, and followed the awards
in the various classes of appliances, would not be led
into making purchases of articles unsuited to their
purpose. The schedule was drawn with this idea, and
we think the result most satisfactory.

There is one thing which we would like to mention,
and that is, the careless way in which some, of the
exhibits are sent notwithstanding the trouble taken bv
the Committee of the B.B.K.A. in drawing up rules
and instructions to which the approval of the county
delegates was obtained, and which were embodied in
the prize schedule. Some of our largest firms of hive-
makers sent their exhibits without fixing the labels upon
them, so that it was impossible for the Secretary or
show manager to stage the goods. It is evident the
rules on the schedule are not read, or the mistakes
could not be made, and the articles disqualified in
consequence.

In Class 212, for the best hive, not to exceed 15*., it
says, ' The exhibit must include two similar body boxes,'
&c, &c. Notwithstanding this, four out of the ten hives
sent were disqualified on account of the two body boxes
being quite different in size, and in no way similar except
that they were made of wood. Again, in the extractors,
Class 214, the schedule reads, ' With arrangements for
reversing the sides of the combs either automatically or
by hand, without necessitating the taking out of the
frames of comb or the wire cage containing the same in
order to turn the other side for extracting.' Surely this
is plain enough, and yet thi-ee or four were disqualified
because they did not comply, and the frames had to be

taken out of the extractor before the sides could be
changed. In Class 215, Section Racks, two or three were
disqualified, as they did not comply with the schedule.
In hives, the first prize was awarded to Messrs. Neigh-
bour for a well - made hive, which is a marvel of
cheapness, and is certainly all that can be desired ;
and as they are bound to supply similar hives at
the same price, 15s., for twelve months, we describe
it, that those who did not see it at the Show may
have an opportunity of availing themselves of procuring
such a bargain. They supply floor-board and stand
with two similar body boxes with Lee's patent frames,
an additional body box with moveable frame supports
which cm be taken out when frames arj not used, when
it will form an outside protection for racks of sections,
or can be inverted and slipped over the stock hive in
winter as an additional protection, a rack of twenty-one
sections and separators with suitable roof. The second
prize went to Messrs. Abbott Bros, for two suitable
' Gayton ' hives, both filled with their patent frames and
a good rack of twenty-one sections floor and roof ; the
materials and workmanship are good and well worth
the money, 15s. The third prize was given to Mr. S. J.
Baldwin, for a well-made hive, two similar body boxes,
rack of sections, floor-board, and roof. In the class for
the best storifying hive for 10s. Grf., the hives were all
very good and cheap for the money. It is somewhat
surprising that although Newcastle is so close to Scot-
land, none of our Scotch friends exhibited either hives
or hone}'. The chief prizes, both for comb and extracted
honey, were awarded to bee-keepers in the Southern
counties, — 4 to Berks, 4 to Herts, 3 to Norfolk, and 1 to
Suffolk, 1 Lichfield, i Nottingham, and 1 Yorkshire.

The sections were not so good as we have sometimes
seen them, but we understand that the judges considered
the extracted honey of very fine flavour and quality.

The judges were Mr. John M. Hooker, Mr. Walter
Martin, and Mr. W. Kaitt.

The following are the list of awards : —

Hives, Honey, $-c. — p'or the best and most complete
Frame-Hive for general use in an apiary, with arrange-
ments for summer and winter use — 1, G. Neighbour and
Son, 1/.; 2, Abbott Brothers, 15s.; 3, S. J.Baldwin, 10s.
For the best and most complete Storifying Frame-Hive,
with arrangements for summer and winter use, price not
to exceed 10s, unpainted — 1, G. Neighbour & Son, 1/.;
2, Dines and Son, 15s.; 3, Abbott Brothers, 10s. For
the best honey extractor — 1, W. P. Meadows; 2, Abbott
Brothers, 10s. For the best two Section Racks, price
not to exceed 3s. Gd. each — 1, Abbott Brothers, 15s. ;
2, W. B. Baker, 10s. ; 3, Turner & Son, 5s. For the best
feeder for slow stimulating feeding — 1, W. P. Meadows,
10s.; T. B. Blow, 5s. For the best Feeder for quick
autumn feeding, capable of holding at least 5 lbs. of food
at a time — 1, G. Neighbour & Son, 10s. ; Abbott
Brothers, 5s. For the best large Smoker — 1, T. B. Blow,
10s. ; 2, W. P. Meadows, 5s. For the best ordinary
sized Smoker— 1, G. Neighbour & Son, 10s.; 2, W.
Dixon, 5s.; 3, W. P. Meadows, highly commended.
For any other appliance for quieting Bees. — W. B.
Webster; 10s. For the best sample of Worker Comb
Foundation in sheets for Standard frames, to consist of
2 lbs. of thin for supers and 2 lbs. of thick— Abbott
Brothers, 15s. For Useful Inventions introduced since
1885. Special prizes according to merit — Silver Medals
were awarded to A. D. Woodley (Tin Section Crates),
W. P. Meadows (W. B. Carr's Metal Ends), A. Goodman
(Comb Foundation Miil), James Lee (new Method of
making frames, James Lee (Self-fastening Section),
James Lee (System of Hive Construction for sending
out frames in the flat, no nailing required), Abbott
Brothers (Patent Frame Groove), British Honey Com-
pany (Mella). Bronze Medals, W. P. Meadows (Raitt's
Honey Press), A. Goodman (Metal ends). Certificates,
W. P. Meadows (Howard's Section Glazing); W. P,

July 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

511

Meadows (Lamp and Can for Uncapping); W. P.
Meadows (Stand for Uncapping') ; T. B. Blow (Queen-
introducing stage) ; W. B. Webster (Swivel Frame
Lifter). For the best twelve Sections 5j x 6j of Comb
Honey— 1, W. Woodley, R; 2, H. Beswick, 10s.;
3, Miss M. L. Gayton, 5s. For the best twelve Sections
4i x 4J x 2 of Comb Honey— 1, W. B. Baker, 1/. ;
2, H. Beswick, 10s. ; 3, H. "Wood, 5s. For the best
twelve sections 4J x 4J of Comb Honey — 1,H. Beswick,
1/. ; 2, Miss M. L. Gayton, 10s. ; 3, A. D. Woodley, 5s.
For the best twenty-four 1 lb. glass jars of Run or Ex-
tracted Honey— 1, W. Woodley, 11. ; 2, Miss M. L.
Gayton, 10s. ; 3, W. F. Askew," 5s. ; W. E. L. Duffin,
George Colville, and J. Lane, highly commended. For
the best twelve 21b. glass jars of Run or Extracted
Honey— 1, Miss M. L. Gayton, 11.; 2, W. C. Brown,
10s. ; 3, J. Townsley, 5s. For the best Exhibition of
Honey from one Apiary in quantity not less than 1 cwt.
— 1, W. Gulston, 30s.

We regret that the following numbers in the Catalogue
were disqualified, not having complied with the conditions
of entry, viz. 1, 3, 8, 11, 22, 24, 25, and 34, belonging to
—Messrs. Neighbour (1, 3, 25, 34), James Blake (8),
Dines (11), W. B. Baker (22), W. P. Meadows (24).

The Judges were Messrs. J. M. Hooker, Walter
Martin, and W. Raitt.

The Bee Department was thronged with visitors through-
out the Show. Sir M. White Ridley, Bart., Lady Ridley
(at whose residence II.R.H. the Prince of Wales stayed
during the Show), Lord Armstrong, and other notabili-
ties, paying the department a visit. A large number of
sales was effected, a very small portion of the exhibits
being returned ' unsold.' *

(feRSpoutrwcx.

The Editor docs not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations sliould
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to "The Editor of the "British. Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
nuniber of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

REVERSIBLE SECTION-HOLDERS.
[1156.] I now send you a sketch of my reversible
section-holders, they are made of stout tin to hold either

the ends are connected with strip of tin flat top and
bottom one side and angled on the other, to keep the
sections in place. The ends are 4j x 4 J with slots on the
four sides, allowing the bees free access to the sections
all round the extra i-inch in width (4^x4|) projecting
\" on each side, being to keep the rows this distance apart.

Single Holder

The dividers have also j" slot on the four sides, and are
therefore most suitable for use with four bee-way sections.
All are made by machinery, of stout material, with a
view to their lasting, they are quickly reversed, easily
removed from the section-crate, a single section can be
taken out and replaced without trouble or loss of time,
they also afford a safe means of packing sections for
transit. In the crates I have had made, I rest the
section-holders on the edge of a strip of angled tin, thus
offering the least possible surface for propolisation. —
W. H. Jenkins, Swansea.

Crate of Section-holders.

three or f our 4J x 4J sections, the width of sections being
so variable I have, after consulting the best authorities,
had the holders made to suit a section li-| in width,

BEES WORKING IN THE SECTIONS.

[1157.] The one-pound sections for comb honey have
become very popular. They are attractive in appearance,
and hence sell well. They hold about the quantity an
ordinary family desires for one meal. In some quarters
the two-pound sections are used extensively, but the
tendency is to the smaller section. In buying sections
be sure that they are clean, and that they are accurately
made, so as to fit together neatly and firmly. Nearly all
the sections are now dovetailed. White poplar is much
used in making them, because it is easily worked, and
makes a smooth, clean, sweet section.

The hives made in the last few years are mostly
intended to take on a section-case for holding these sec-
tions. This case fits down close on top of the brood-
chamber, and then the top of the hive fits on the ease
and becomes its top. These cases hold the sections and
bring them close down to the tops of the brood-frames,
leaving a passage of about three-eighths of an inch
between.

Sometimes bees are a little slow about going to work
in sections. They will fill the brood-chamber with honey
and then swarm, refusing to store in the sections. This
can usually be overcome by having one or two of the
centre sections already full or partly full of honey. If
you saved carefully the partly filled sections last fall you
can now use them very profitably by putting one or two
of them in the centre of the sections on each hive. The
bees are at once attracted into the sections, and almost
always will go to storing in them immediately — provided
there is any honey in the fields for them to store.

It is always best to use starters in the sections. A
starter is a piece of comb, or of comb-foundation, put in
the section just where you want the bees to begin work.
If you have nice white comb you can cut this in small
pieces and fasten a piece in the centre of the top bar of
each section. To fasten these comb-starters you can use
a cement made of one-fourth resin and three-fourths bees-
wax. Melt these together, dip the edge of the starter in
the cement and set it quickly where you want it. The
cement cools rapidly and holds the starter firmly.

Of later years nearly all producers of comb honey are
using starters of comb foundations in the sections. For

312

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 21, 1887.

this purpose very thin foundation is used. A very small
piece of the foundation will do, but if it nearly fills the
section, so much the better. This foundation starter can
be fastened in the centre of each section by carefully
pressing the edge of it down on the centre of the top-
piece with a knife. Where many bees are kept this pro-
cess is rather slow, and a small foundation-fastener is
used that does the work quickly and well.

As fast as sections in the centre are rilled with honey
and sealed it is a good plan to remove them, moving the
partly filled ones to the centre, and putting empty sections
with starters at the outside. — 0. Clute {Philadelphia
Press).

BEOTHER JONATHAN.

[1158.] It would seem from the Jottings of ' Amateur
Expert,' culled from the American Agriculturist, that
there is as much diversity of opinion amongst our
American cousins as amongst ourselves regarding the
royal road to success in bee-culture, and I do not think
any of them can give us much start in the race for
honey; indeed, were we to exchange places, i.e. take our
bees to their climate and pasturage, and let them bring
theirs to ours, I almost dare stake a dollar on ours.

I see one or two of them put a partly built-out section
of the previous year to entice the bees into the racks of
sections. This is a plan I have adopted for the last few
years and find it very successful. If I have, plenty I put
one in each corner of the rack, and if they contain any
honey I uncap it and it quickly fetches the bees up. A
partly filled section of heather honey is so pow-erfull}'
scented the bees cannot resist such a bait, and they rush
up at once.

I notice Mr. Manum tiers a large number of sections
on a hive at one time ; this is, in my opinion, a retrograde
plan. I have tried it and don't think I shall soon do so
again, after seeing the state of the sections. What with
the heat of the hive and the constant travelling of the
bees over the lower sections, to say nothing of the pro-
polis, they are so discoloured as to be nearly unsaleable ;
besides, where is the advantage ? Bees don't like travel-
ling over sealed honey so much, and the lower racks
being filled and sealed nothing is to be gained by leaving
them on the hives, and the plan necessitates a large out-
lay in racks.

On the other hand, Dr. Miller removes the middle
sections as soon as sealed. This is bad policy ; I think
it upsets the bees and the breaking up of the cluster,
when comb-building is decidedly a backward movement,
besides the loss of time incident to such frequent mani-
pulation. I find nothing better than the plan advocated
by the writer of ' Useful Hints ' in the Journal, viz. to give
a rack beneath when the first one is about half finished.
I never have more than three racks on a hive at once
and seldom more than two, and I may add seldom less.
I see our cousins use full sheets of foundation in supers.
No doubt the sections are more quickly filled by this
mode, but those who adopt it in this country must
remember that American super foundation is very much
thinner than our English is, and the latter leaves too
thick a midrib for some people when used in full sheets,
and is expensive too.

So Mr. Cowan is off across the little pond ! We all
wish him a pleasant trip and safe return. — F. Boyes,
Beverley, July 12.

QUEENS IN SECTION CASES.
[1169.] Thrice within the last few days I have found
a queen in the upper row of sections whilst taking honey.
I cany away the section cases to a distance from the
hive, and shake or brush off the bees into a straw skep ;
and afterwards throw the bees down in front of the hive.
I did not use smoke or carbolic cloth in these cases, and
never do unless the stock is very savage. I think it is
advisable to warn bee-keepers of the risk they run of loss

of queen. I suppose the queen was seeking in vain for
cells in which to lay eggs. I believe one of the queens
was a young one running away for refuge, as after I put
her back in the hive I found two dead ones in front next
day just like her. Still I believe my experience proves
there is some risk in the method of taking honej'. —
L. Williams, Wheedle;/, Oxon, July 13th.

[With regard to your inquiry as to the minimum
wholesale price of honey, we have heard that bee-keepers
have offered 1-lb. sections at 7s. per dozen. — Ed.]

HONEY ASSOCIATIONS.

[1100.] ' Looker-on ' runs full tilt at our Bee-keepero'
Associations in his letter of July 7th, and some of his
points hit the mark. The manipulations in bee-tents,
for instance, are now, I think, of but little value in
advancing the cause, for the really practical manipulations
of modern bee-keeping cannot be shown there, and the
class it is most desirable to get at — old-style apiarians —
seldom attend. In our county we have, during the
present and past seasons, done some useful work by
means of private demonstrations held in the garden of
some enthusiastic member. Six in the evening is the
time selected, and in each case a thoroughly representa-
tive audience of working people have been drawn to-
gether. A screen is put up in the most suitable place,
either round the hives or perhaps on a lawn. Anything
which happens to be required to be done to the hives is
taken as the basis of an informal lecture — perhaps supers
want taking off and replacing ; perhaps a swarm requires
more room ; and if a hive has recently swarmed the
ripe, or newly vacated queen-cells, are always objects of
interest. It is also well to extract from a few combs,
and, in fact, there is far more scope for showing practical
work than at a show. The most essential point is that
the gathering be held during the long evenings and
during the honey-flow.

Perhaps ' Looker-on ' will explain how an Association
spends its money in hunting up new members ; I find no
funds are spent in that direction, but in organizing shows
and in sending the expert round to members who apply
for his services. I see, too, that whenever an Associa-
tion finds that the bee-tent ceases to pay its way they
gradually give up its use. The statement, also, that
very little is expended on the cottager, is, in my opinion,
utterly unfounded ; for these members, with their visit
from expert, prizes at local shows, and perhaps loan of
Bee Journal, certainly cost more than the 2s. Gd. per
annum which they contribute, and my experience is that
as soon as the average cottager ceases to draw his full
money's worth out of the Association he does not resign,
but stops paying.

I am afraid that the efforts made by some Associations
to promote the sale of honey are somewhat amateur
and feeble. Honey, like any other commercial product,
can only be pushed on the market by some business
means ; and the formation of a central depot to which
each member can send his honey is quite useless, unless
the manager of such a depot has means of disposing of
the honey through the ordinary retail channels— grocers
and others. It is very certain that the public will not
flock to purchase at any depot.

The other method of selling honey is through the
means adopted by Lincolnshire, Herefordshire, and
perhaps some other Associations, viz., an annual honey
fair, held on market-day in a good business town.
This means has in every case been fairly successful,
and draws general attention to the important subject of
'Honey as Food ; ' but the advertising must be thorough
and the selling arrangements business-like and complete,
not the bazaar and flower-show-style of thing at all. A
good proportion of the honey should be in bulk to be
weighed out into purchaser's jars at moderate prices,
and the public should be advised of this beforehand. —
Alfred Watkins, Hon. Sec, Herefordshire B, K. A.

July 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

313

QUEEN-KEAEING.

[1161.] I note that in two instances in the last issue
(July 14th) of this Journal advice is given as to rearing
Queens; and in both instances — notably the American
extract — it has been advised to raise the same in nuclei.
This is a very grave mistake. Bear it well in mind, all
who wish to raise strong, healthy, and vigorous queens,
that it is absolutely imperative that the larva should be
fed in full colonies, in which there are plenty of young
(nurse) bees. When the cell is sealed over then they
may be transferred to nuclei. It is principally in the
rearing, i.e. feeding, that the vigour of the future mother
is implanted. Place a queen-cell with a larva but
recently hatched in a nucleus, and you obtain a second,
maybe a third-rate queen; but allow this to be fully
fed in a full colony and then transferred, the same egg
would produce one both vigorous and healthy. Re-
member that in dividing a stock and putting these divi-
sions, or nuclei, in different positions, f ully one third of the
bees will return to the original stock and frequently
more than one half. You thus have quite a depopulated
nucleus to rear that which it is our greatest desire to
bring up strong and healthy. There is plenty of time,
eight days between the sealing over of the cell and
emerging of the queen, to form nuclei ; do not form
these on any account until the cell is sealed over and
turning dark in colour. This is very perceptible when
the larva is getting nearly fully developed ; when it
is in this condition a little rough usage will not cause
any damage. I have carried such cells out of the hive
two or three miles without injuring them in the least.
The cells are then in the same condition as if reared and
matured in full colonies.

I am quite sure our old f riend ' A . E.' will pardon my
calling attention to this fact, of which I know lie is quite
cognisant. I am rather of opinion that it was a slip of
the pen or memory to advise transferring the queen-cell
five days after formation, as in the case of a cell being
formed over an egg the iarva would have but recently
hatched. I will find yet another fault; do not leave it
so long as fourteen days, making nineteen in all, before
you look to see if the virgin queen has come forth, as
perhaps she may have been reared from a two or three
day-old larva. This would make its age twenty-two
days, and instead of finding a virgin it would most likely
be a matron, which in the event of your wishing to
mate with a selected drone would be rather disappointing.

I will venture a little advice as to the manner of
rearing the queens as ' A. E.' advises, where most of the
queens will be of one age — and this is quite a desidera-
tum. Place a nice new comb in the centre of the hive
before removal of the queen. Look at in three days ; if
eggs have been deposited cut two or three oblong holes
right through the comb and among the eggs, these holes
to be quite an inch deep. Now take a match and with
its rounded end twist this in every other cell along the
row on top of the holes cut ; this destroys the eggs in
these cells operated upon : then so destroy every egg in
the corresponding row on the opposite side of comb ;
then replace this comb and remove the queen. Bees
always prefer to build queen-cells on new combs, they
also prefer a position snch as is offered them at the top
of each of these holes. You will find on looking at this
comb in nine days after that you have a nice row of
queen-cells in just the right condition for transferring
and also both easj' and safe to remove to nuclei.

Do not bother about cutting your combs to insert these
cells, but just shift the frames in your nuclei a little bit
apart, and place the queen-cell between the top bars of
the frames, securing it there by passing a narrow strip of
tin flatways, right through the piece of comb attached to
the queen-cell and allow this to rest on the two top bars
of the frames, press the frames together just to steady
the cell, but be sure and not squeeze the cell itself ; in
about two hours the bees will have fixed the cell quite

firmly in this position. By these means you can easily
see whether it is hatched out at any moment by simply
turning up the quilt. — W. B. Webster.

KILLICK'S WAX-EXTEACTOH.
[1162.] The article on ' Beeswax and its Conversion
into Money' on page 296 of B.B.J, induces me to say
that I have just been giving Killick's wax-extractor
a thorough trial, and rind it the cleanest and simplest
contrivance possible, and the wax as it runs out is fit for
exhibition without any second heating or scraping. I
tested it with some very old comb containing stale bee-
bread, also with new comb. I am sure it will be a
great boon to all who desire to economise time and
money. I have on two or three occasions done some
fair work with the sun wax melter, but you must be
continually looking at it to replenish, and if a cloud
comes over, work ceases. — W. E. Burkitt, Hon. Sec.
and Expert Wilts B.K.A.

(&t\tm ixam % ||itas.

Summerhill, Aberdeen, N.B., July 11th.— All my stocks
are doing remarkably well this season. One tills four
storeys of ten frames each, another nineteen frames and
three crates of fourteen 2-lb. sections, while others are
nearly as good. I had a swarm weighing over five lbs. on
June 15 (early for this northern part), which is now
crowding two crates of 1-lb. sections. I have not taken
off any sections yet, but a good many are just ready. —
A. Cadenheat'.

Kilmintjton, Axminster, July 12th.— We certainly have
had [a splendid honey season throughout the month of June.
The' bees have done splendidly. I have taken off forty- six
sections fiom one of Neighbours' bar-frame hive, and have
taken six bell-glasses from Neighbours' cottage straw-hive.
I have nineteen hives of different sorts, which, I am pleased
to say, are full of honey that was gathered in the month of
June. All through the month of May it was very cold so
as to keep the bees from gathering, so 1 stimulated them by
feeding; consequently they were strong by the time the
warm weather came. There are about 120 stocks of bees in
this neighbourhood, chiefly straw skeps, which are very
strong. I have just been to a person to try and get her to
let me drive them for her instead of burning them ; but
I have not succeeded in doing so, as she seems to think
burning them the best plan. I think it will be a good day
when such bee-keepers have their blind eyes open ; if they
were to take up the Bee Journal, which I advise every one
to do, they would see the advantage of modern bee-keeping
over ancient, and which gives us every information needed.
— J. W. Sanders.

Chippenham, July 18th.— Not seen a wasp at present.
Flies considered unusually numerous, sale of fly-papers
much beyond average. — Q. E. D.

Evesham, July 18th. — Since June 1st we have had glorious
weather, and bees have been hard at work. The ' Garden
of England ' has literally been flowing with honey, and one
hears all round of supers and sections filled very rapidly
and frames in the hives full from top to bottom. Swarms,
as a rule, have not been very prevalent, the bees being
almost completely overwhelmed by the honey-glut and able
to think of nothing else. We have suffered very much the
last fortnight from the heat and want of rain, and there are
no flowers in bloom now, and though we have had some
soft refreshing showers the last few days honey gathering
is practically at an end. In this district the Jubilee year
will be remembered as one of the best we have had for a
long time, and if the season has been short the honey is of
most excellent quality and great in quantity. — A. H.
Mat.tin.

' Excelsior Apiary,' Cheltenham, July 18th.— Doubtless,
at least for this district, the ' honey -flow ' of '87 is over. It
has ceased equally as suddenly as it began. For five weeks
the sun has shone gloriously, and for that period our little

314

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 21, 1887.

pets have wrought nobly and well. I suppose the white
clover has really been the only harvest here, and from this
source some beautiful honey has been gained, but even this
has been much limited by the extreme heat and extended
drought. Our last hope was the ' limes,' but these, from
the above cause, have been the most utter failure that I ever
remember, countless numbers of the blooms having never
opened, and those which did only to wither in the effort.
Still, ' big stocks ' have done well, and had the limes yielded
would have done grandly. I have taken 2 cwt. up to the
present time in sections, and have now over 300 on, nearly
the whole of which, a few fine days with a flow, would
complete, beyond which many frames are blocked up with
honey, some of which weighing 6 lbs. The rain has come,
and upon the latest rows of limes in this town, which I find
are still in bloom and very near to my apiary, the bees are
working with a mighty roar, and my hopes rise of yet
securing, for two hive9 at least, the expected cwt. per hive.
In regard to ' Yorkshire Notes ' and the question of surplus
from a swarm the first year, on June 10th, from a small
skep, I hived a swarm, giving one brood-comb, three empty
combs, and four with starters only, from which, on July 4th,
I had taken 18 lbs. in sections, and twenty-one more are
now on, most of which I trust will be completed. The
parent stock I divided and are both strong. — T. Fowler.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-lceepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

J. Ward. — Name of Insect. — The insect forwarded does not
belong to the order Hymenoptera, which includes the
Apido?., or bee family ; we are not much interested in the
Diptera, to which your specimen belongs. We have,
however, much pleasure in informing you that its specific
name is Tabanus bovinus (the large Gadfly) ; it lives by
sucking the blood of horses, oxen, and other animals. It
is more common on the Continent than in Britain ; and
rarer in Scotland than in England. For further par-
ticulars, consult Walker's British Diptera, vol. i. p. 175.
An illustration of the T. bovinus and larva will be found
in Chambers' Cyclopaedia.
James Ball. — Sample Foundation. — The sample sent is of
very fair quality, its melting point being 144° Fahr. Pure
bees-wax melts at 146° Fahr. — a variation of two degrees
is of small moment with super foundation. It is made
from bleached wax. This white-coloured foundation is
coming much into vogue. It being white gives it a much
thinner appearance than if made with unbleached wax.
Although, at the same time, it may be thicker, the flat-
bottom also adds to its thin appearance ; but, according
to our experience, bees work upon a natural-shaped base
a great deal better. Pure bees -wax (white) cannot be
obtained without bleaching.
J. Sanders- — 1. Ripe Honey.— Honey is ripe when sealed
over. Flavour is not a criterion. As to ripeness, unripe
honey is thin, and will ferment very soon after removal
from hive ; especially in warm weather. 2. Time for
Driving from Sleeps. — If you mean for the purpose of
removing the honey, as soon after the cessation of the
honey-flow in your district as possible.
C. A. J. — 1. Queen joining Swarm. — The queen does not
lead the swarm, as supposed by many inexperienced bee-
keepers, but joins it when on the wing ; the swarm com-
mences to settle and then the queen settles with them.
In your case she evidently was one of the last to do so.
2. Queen-cells and Drone hatching from same. — The large
number of queen-cells is very unusual, if your bees are
English. A queen (?) cell with drone inside is always
abnormally formed ; not only as to its surface, but also
as to its position on the comb. We have opened number-
less such cells, the drone being invariably dead. How
long was it from the time you cut out the cell until the

drone hatched out ? 3. Giving Bees Salt. — Salt cannot
possibly make your bees savage, as if you do not give it
them they will get it elsewhere. Our bees are always
regaled with several saucers of salt and water. They do
not chase us round the apiary. Bee-keepers who keep
their bees near the sea do not, as a rule, have to scamper
round their garden whenever they go into it. 4. Queen
mating. — We do not consider your argument sufficiently
cogent to prove the possibility of fertilisation of queens in
confinement. This, which has often been attempted, has
hitherto presented difficulties which appear to be insu-
perable. For many reasons, which we cannot mention
in this short reply, we believe that the fertilisation in
mid-air is the more satisfactory, and therefore more
desirable.
A. M. — Sections fastened to Separators. — Is your hive per-
fectly level? This sometimes causes it. Did you put any
starters in your sections ? this would be another cause, if
omitted. Always have your separators perfectly clean
and free from pieces of wax. If separators have any wax
sticking on then the bees are very likely to fasten their
combs to them. Zinc separators are th.3 least likely to
have the sections affixed to them.
J. C. I. — Honey with Taste of Prussia Acid (see p. 303). —
Diluted prussic acid has the odour and taste of peach-
bbissom and bitter almond. At Ipswich a few years ago
I was told by a clergyman (a bee-keeper who had a peach-
house), that he dared not let his children eat the early
honey because it had so strong a taste of prussic acid. —
J. Lawson Lissox.
Hydro. — 1. Removing Hives to Heather. — Great care should
be taken in fixing the frames, otherwise there is danger
in their breaking. Directions will be found in previous
numbers as to the best method of fixing frames. 2. Ex-
tracting Heather. — Heather-honey maybe extracted with
ease when first gathered, but in a few days it settles into
a solid jelly, which cannot be extracted by an ordinary
extractor. The comb should be cut into cubss, placed in
a conical bag, and exposed to the heat of a fire, when the
honey will exude.
T. Fisher. — Orret Oil. — We have not been able, from
British sources of information, to obtain any knowledge
of this oil. Probably it is a local designation. We will
endeavour to ascertain particulars of it from Canada.
A Constant Subscriber. — Fertile Worker. — The most ex-
pert bee-keeper cannot always restrain the swarming im-
pulse in bees ; and we are not surprised at your inability
to effect this. We are inclined to think that the young
queen has been lost in her matrimonial flight, and that,
' from the excessive number of drones and drone-cells,'
a fertile worker is at present in your hive.
T. D. J. — 1. Uniting. — There would he no danger in driving
and uniting the bees at the time mentioned, taking the
precaution to see at the time of the operation that both
the stocks are gorged with scented syrup. 2. Close of
Honey Harvest. — No general rule can be given as to
the time when the honey glut will be over ; but in
most districts this year, where there is no heather, the
harvest will be over before August. In many parts the
harvest is over already. 3. Third-class Certificate. —
There is no difficulty in obtaining this certificate. It is
necessary for the candidate to prove to the judges that
he has a fair knowledge of bees and an ability to
manipulate. The second and first are more difficult,
and require some acquaintance with the literature
of apiculture. The place and time of examination are
arranged by the secretary of the county in which the
candidate resides.
S. L. B. — Wasp. — The name of the specimen forwarded
is Vespa Norvegica. Our correspondent writes: 'Could
you name the enclosed wasp for me? — evidently quite
distinct from the common wasp. It built a paper nest in
a hedge, which when I destroyed another was imme-
diately begun and finished in a few days ; hut the colony
was very small, I think less than twenty in all. I can-
not compare the common wasp with it, for, strange to
say, in this locality (Fermanagh), where usually they
appear in myriads (sometimes a veritable plague), this
year I have not seen one single specimen male or
female ! '

July 21, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

315

W. P. Askew. — The name of the 'large insect resembling
a wasp' is Sirex gigas, or gigantic sawrly. The Sirex is
an internal borer of trees ; the larvic cause much damage
to fir and other trees. It is remarked that the larva
take a very long time before they reach maturity. It
belongs to the order Hymenoptera. See Kirby's Ento-
mology, p. 121. Being a fine specimen we presented it
to the Entomological Department, South Kensington.

G. T. — The bee forwarded is an Apis Ligustica, or Ligurian
bee, with some slight modification of the usual bands.

J. M. P. — White-headed Drones. — The cause of this
abnormal appearance is that the drones are aborted in
development. Sometimes the workers, in their impatience
during the glut to fill the cells with honey, will not wait
for the full growth of the drones, but incontinently lug
them out in all their immaturity. On p. 117 of Mr.
Cheshire's work on bee-keeping will be found an account
of albino drones.

Beeswing. — Queen-rearing. — Consult 'Useful Hints' on
this subject in this issue.

Novice. — 1. Combs fixed together. — Beniove both frames at
once and divide the combs with a knife, and turn the
frames round so that the same two surfaces are not
opposite to each other. Any time of the day will do.
2 and 3. Transferring. — Drive the bees as you propose,
cut or break out the combs from the skeps and tie each
into a frame, being careful not to injure the brood. The
outside combs being built of drone cells should not be
transferred. Having tied the combs into the frames and
placed them in the bar-frame hive, turn the bees among
them, and place the quilts over them. When the time
arrives for reducing for the winter, remove such frames
as are not covered by the bees.

Beceived from Mr. John Walton, Honey Coit, Leaming-
ton, a section of honey. We found it of excellent quality
and flavour and delicious in taste. Such honey ought to
fetch a good price in the market.

,§>how Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place oj
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shouis are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

July 26-28. — Gloucestershire Agricultural Show at
Cheltenham. W. D. Slade, Sec.

July 26, 27. — Warwick Agricultural Society at Sutton
Coldfield. J. N. Bower, Secretary.

July 27. — Bishops Waltham Show. (Hants and Isle of
Wight Association.) H. W. West, Hon. Sec, Swanmore
House, Bishops Waltham.

July 27. — Kent Association, at Ashford, Kent. Hon.
Sec, J. Garratt, Hockenden, St. Mary Cray, Kent.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 11. — Taunton Flower Show, at Yivary Park,
Taunton, Somerset. Entries close August 8. Hon. Sec,
W. B. Maynard, 5 Hamnet Street, Taunton.

August 12. — Maer Pete and Honey Show. Entries close
August 5. John B. Critchlow, Hon. Sec, Maer Farm,
Newcastle, Staffs.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 11. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Bow,
Chester.

August 21. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Boyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

business directory.

For the use of Manufacturers and Purchasers of Bee-
keeping Appliances.

The Name and Address and Business of any Manufacturer
will be inserted in this List, under one heading, for One
Pound per annum. Additional headings, Five Shillings
extra. Advertisers in ' The Bee Journal,' whose orders
amount to Five Pounds per annum, will be inserted Free.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abeott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

ArPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromlej7, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Both, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. P., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhaji, M-, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 119 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme. Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Siiimins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. &127 High Holborn.

Stothakd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 21, 1887.

Jfl'OT'XCrTn.— t©° V y°u would Sell your Honey, place it before the Public in an attractive form, for

tuhich purpose use only

WOODLEY'S NEW FANCY TIN CASES

For the SALE and EXHIBITION of SECTION HONEY, coloured by Patent Process in four different tints, with
Glass both sides. Price 22/- per gross ; 2/- per dozen. Sample post free for 6 stamps.

A. D. WOODLEY, Manufacturer of every Description of Bee-keeping Appliances, Donnington Rd., Reading.

GREAT REDUCTIONS IN PRICE.
Stock Foundation, 2/- per lb. ; 5-lb. Parcels, 9/3 ; 10-lb. Parcels, 18;-. Super Foundation, 2/9 per lb.

5-lb. Parcels, 13/6. Guaranteed purity.

Sections, the very finest and best White Basswood, open four bee-ways, 1-lb., 4JxIJxlJ or 2 ins., 3/- per 100;

11/- per 500; 21/- per 1000. 2-lb., 5£ x 6Jx2 in., 3/6 per 100.

First Prize, Silver Medal, Berks and Hants Bee-keepers' Show, Royal Counties Agricultural Show, Reading.

First Prize, Wilts Agricultural Show, Swindon,

Straw Skeps, thoroughly well made, with wood tops and large Supering Hole, 18/- per dozen, 1/8 each.

SEND FOR PRICE 2.IST, FREE ON RECEIPT OF POST CARS.

Send for Illustrated, Descriptive, and Instructive Circular.

SIMMINS' FACTORY

J

For HIVES and
APPLIANCES.

flARNIOLAN BEES have come to stay, and will hold their own wherever introduced. Good workers;
^ amiable and beautiful ; and for wintering are perfection. We are now booking Orders

for SIX -FRAME STOCKS, in full-sized Hives, with Cover, @ 27/6, to be delivered in July and August.
STANDABD FRAMES, good sound Combs, with Brood and Stores. Also THREE-FRAME NUCLEI in like condition.

NOTE.-A.LL SIMMINS' QUEENS ARE REARED FROM MOTHERS WHO HAVE NOT SWARMED.

SUPERIOR BEE VEILS,

WIRE GAUZE FRONTS, Is. 2d. each, 3 for 3s.
Traps for Cleaning Supers, &d. each, 3 for Is.
Post free. Address, W. Crisp, Halstead, Essex. a 2700

HOME-RAISED Healthy CYPRIAN QUEENS,
bred from BENTON'S FINEST SELECTED 1886
QUEENS, delivered safely at 8s. each. Sample Workers
of each Queen if desired. Address Eiinesi E. Davis,
Bookham Mills, Leatherhead. A 2820

FOR USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR
with the SIMMINS' SEPARATOR thickened at the
Corners by a Half Bee-space.

20,000 4} x 4j x 1| V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMERICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. For smaller quantities apply to J. H. Howard,
Holme, Peterborough; or to R. White & Co., Importers,
Patrickswell, Limerick. The Trade supplied.

Self-acting Fountains & Aquariums.

Suitable for Greenhouses, the Dining-room, &o.
Send for Catalogue, Post free.
NEW PATENT HONEY SQUEEZERS.— Having made
Special Terms with Manufacturers, can sell this handy
utensil at 1/6, 1'9 Post free.

'LITTLE WONDER' EXTRACTORS at 7/6.
SPENCE, Manufacturer, &c, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

' A 2827

HONEY TINS.

10 lb.
51b.
2 1b.
1 lb.
A lb.

55/-
30/-

15,-
10/-

8/6

per gross

5/- per dozen.

3/- ,,

16

1/-

-19 „

W. PC JENKINS,

EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, SWANSEA.

(180)

CATALOGUE

Post Free. (100 Pictures.)

G. STOTHARD, British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

a 2777

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No 'going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, 4^d.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,
proportionally mixed— 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d.

Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize, AHrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B, WEBSTER, BINFIELD, BERKS.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stranoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 206. Vol. XV.]

JULY 28, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(fbitorial, ^atuts, $t>

QUEEN VICTORIA'S TRAIN AND THE

BEES.
We published in a recent number a story taken
from a Westmoreland paper relating to the alleged
stoppage of the Royal train on Her Majesty's last
journey from Balmoral. It was said that a swarm
of bees, by getting into a signal-lamp, had extin-
guished the light, and had thus obliged the driver
of the Queen's train to pull up to inquire the
reason that no light was showing. We had our
misgivings about the entire correctness of the
incident, and finding that other bee-keepers were
similarly exercised in their minds, we determined to
get information of an unimpeachable kind with regard
to the facts of the case. We, therefore, wrote to
the signalman in charge of the lamp which has
become so famous, and we have received from him
a full reply. We are now consequently in a posi-
tion to furnish our readers with a true and particular
account of what did take place.

The locale of our story is Hincaster Junction,
near Milnthorpe, Westmoreland; The lamp-posts
on the line are fitted, it seems, with cases to receive
the signal-lights. These cases have lids, in which,
for letting out the heated air, are holes from half
an inch to an inch in diameter. Through these
holes a swarm of bees did find their way into the
lamp-case at Hincaster Junction. The lamp was
put into its position at 11.30 p.m. on the night of
Her Majesty's last journey from Balmoral to
Windsor, and with such force as to shake the bees
down in sufficient numbers to close the ventilating
holes and thus put out the light. The astonished
signalman was unable to rekindle the lamp owing
to its novel occupants, and he left the swarm until
the following night, when he took an old straw-
hive, the inside of which had been treated with
syrup or some sweet liquid, and placed it on the
top of the lamp-case. The bees gladly accepted
the proffered home, so much more comfortable than
the strange abode they had selected. They were
again left undisturbed for twenty-four hours, when
the signalman carried the hive down the post, a
distance of fifty feet, to the ground. Having
reached terra firrna he wrapped a cloth round the
hive-bottom and conveyed the swarm to his garden

half-a-mile away, where, he says, 'they are doing-
well and appear content with their new home.'

A further point of interest, and one that clears
up some difficulties which had occurred to us, is
that the lamp in question is only lighted on special
occasions during the period from March to August
each year, as it is connected with simply a ' day-
signal box.' It is not easy, therefore, to decide the
exact date when the bees settled on the post ; but
as combs had been begun it is certain some time —
probably half-a-day — had passed before their first
discovery. Any way, the story of the swarm
having been attracted by the light of the lamp, and
so flying at night, is effectually disposed of by the
facts narrated. Moreover, Her Majesty's train was
not stopped, nor her journey in any way interfered
with, by the strange vagary of a scout choosing
so extraordinary a place for a settlement as the
lamp-case on the top of a railway signal-post.
It is certain that from time to time these
scouts surprise us by ' the unexpected,' and show
that they will not be treated or represented as
if 'unconscious automata.' Their manifestations
of will and wilfulness occasionally become annoying
enough to apiarians, but we are sincerely glad to
find that the vagary of the Westmoreland leader or
ruler of the swarm did not, as was reported, cause
any discomfort, or even a momentary delay, to our
gracious Sovereign Lady as she journeyed from her
northern to her southern home. Had any such
inconvenience occurred it would have been an un-
worthy requital on the part of the bees for the
interest that some members of the Royal Family
take in apiculture.

We wish the Hincaster Junction signalman all
success with his swarm which has attained such
wide-spread notoriety, but we hope he will instal
the colony in a bar-frame hive, and, discarding the
' old straw hive,' will become an enthusiastic bee-
keeper using modern methods. We give him
hearty thanks for enabling us to put the facts of
this curious case distinctly and truthfully before oixr
readers.

MANCHESTER EXHIBITION.
We beg to call the attention of exhibitors to the fact
that the entries for the Manchester Exhibition close on
August 1st. Liberal prizes are offered. The Bee De-
partment is under the management of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Association. We feel sure a good entry
will be made,

318

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 28, 1887.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.;

Committee Meeting, held at 105 Jerrnyn Street, on
Wednesday, July 20th. Present : the Hon. and Rev.
H. Bligh in the chair, the Rev. Dr. Bartrum, Revs. F.
G. Jenyns, G. Oddie, and E. S. Sclater, Captain Bush,
Captain Campbell, J. M. Hooker, and the Secretary. A
letter -was read from the Treasurer regretting his in-
ability to be present. Correspondence was read from
Mr. T. Bonner Chambers respecting the appointment of
an examiner to attend the Tref Eglwys Exhibition.
The Secretary was requested to inform Mr. Chambers
that the application must come through the Secretary of
the Montgomery Association, in accordance with the
rules of affiliation.

Judges were appointed for the following country
shows, viz. : on July 26 at St. Ives (Herts), and Chel-
tenham (Gloucester) ; on July 27th, at Bishops Wal-
tham (Hants), and Ashford (Kent) ; on July 28th,
Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Leicester) ; on August 16th, Salis-
bury; August 18th, Aberdare.

A report was read from Mr. W. B. Webster respecting
his course of lectures and visits to bee-keepers on behalf
of the Association in the County of Northumberland.
Resolved that the best thanks of the Committee be given
to Mr. Webster for his report and services. The Secre-
tary reported what steps had heen taken by the residents
of Northumberland to form an association for that county.

It was resolved that the prize list for the bee depart-
ment of the Royal Agricultural Show of 1888 be con-
sidered at the next meeting.

Quarterly Meeting of County Representatives held at
the close of the above Committee Meeting. Present :
W. de Lacy Ahem (Surrey), Mrs. Curry and W. B.
Webster (Berks), W. Rushton (Beds), 'Rev. W. E.
Burkitt (Wilts), Jesse Garratt (Kent), F. H. Meggy
(Essex), — King (Bucks).

The minutes of the last Quarterly Conference were
read and confirmed. The Secretary reported that the
rules for the management of country shows had been
further considered in accordance with the resolution of
the last Quarterly Conference and had since been issued
to each County Secretary.

The advisability of the British Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion offering prizes for honey at count}' shows, open to
members of the B. B. K. A. only, was fully discussed.
On the motion of Mr. Webster, seconded by the Rev.
W. E. Burkitt, it was unanimously resolved, ' That this
meeting of County Representatives fully approves of the
proposal of the B. B. K. A. to offer prizes, open to its
members, at the county exhibitions.' Mr. Garratt sup-
ported the motion, as tending to identify the counties
more with the central Society, and at the same time
giving additional attractions to the county shows.

Mr. Rushton reported that, with the consent of
H.M. Inspector of Schools, the subject of bee-keeping
had been taught in their night-school during the past
winter. The scheme as arranged was intended to extend
over three years. The examination subsequently took
place at the end of the term. A good proportion of the
schools passed the examination. The grant earned
amounted to nearly 2/. The Educational Department had
since repudiated the arrangement and refused the amount
of grant earned.

Mr. Rushton was requested to send full particulars to
the Secretary of the B. B.K. A., in order that the central
Society might be enabled to take the matter up.

Mr. Meggy raised the question as to the advisability
of making it compulsory for the 'queen' to be caught
in ' driving competitions,' the general opinion of the
meeting heing that it was not advisable to alter the
rule in this respect.

The Quarterly Conversazione of the Association was
held at 6 p.m., when among the audience assembled
were the following members and county representa-
tives : — Mrs. Curry, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Garratt, the Rev.
Mr. Burkitt, Mr. Bunbury, Captain Campbell, Mr. Lyon,
Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Meggy, Mr. Web-
ster, and Mr. Daintree.

Mr. Bunbury (Suffolk) having been voted to the chair,
called upon Mr. Grimshaw to read the paper he had
written on

The Visual Organs of Bees.

The worker-bee has about 12,000 eyes, the drone
more than twice that number, and the queen only some
ten thousand (quite plenty, one would think), but, as we
know, all three kinds possess the three large simple
eyes — stemmata or ocelli — fixed quite in the central line
of the head ; those of the drone being on what we may
term the forehead of the bee, whilst the simple eyes of
the female are on the top of the head. Observation, in
addition to anatomical structure, tells us that the bee
has a vast range of vision, and that this must be of a
telescopic nature goes without saying when we consider
that she has to discern minute specks of colour at what
(remembering the small comparative size of the insect)
must be called immense distances; the flower on its part
m.iking these specks easiest to be seen by using as a
colour-bait the attractive and somewhat gaudy primaries
— red, blue, and yellow, most frequently.

Each of these myriad eyes serves as a minute long or
short range telescope, according to its position on the
curved eye-mass, the longer distances being taken by
those nearer the centre, and the shorter by the separate
eyes near the margin. The bee thus gets an accurate
picture of the country extending in a semicircle before
it, but in all prohability appearing like a flat wall ; that
is, without perspective. The circle of its vision may be
represented by a circumference of twelve miles, or two
roilej in every direction.

At this range any bright speck of colour is a bid of
wages, which, ill the majority of instances will be paid
for services rendered by the bee, the flower doing its
utmost to attract its attention by using, as I said, most
frequently, the glaring primary colours. Large flowers
are single and solitary, whilst small ones are massed
together by the plant into a head, a spike, or an umbel.
These conglomerations of small flowers are again massed
together by the hand of nature into sheets of bloom, of
which mountain thyme, the sages and saxifrages of the
Alps, or the purple heather of the moors, are familiar
examples ; and, so that there shall be little chance of
the bee not seeing them, the most telling background or
setting is used in nature's colour-grouping — red is set
in green, blue in orange, yellow in purple, and vice
versa.

Green, orange, and purple set each other off, as do
russets, grays, and browns. All for a purpose, and
nothing without a purpose. Thus, so far as the bee is
concerned, colour is for the eye, and the eye for colour.
So, we may say, the telescopic eyes of the bee are in-
tended and used for little else than as first guides to
flowers. On approaching a flower, now come into play
the guides to its contents — scented nectar — these are the
organs of smell, situated, a3 we are told, in the antennae ;
and these organs discriminate which flowers ought or
ought not to be visited, for many of the colour-baits
prove 'a vain delusion and a snare.' The^e perfume-
guides are an infallible means of detecting bee-food, for
where there is not nectar there is pollen ; besides we
must not conclude when we see bees paying visits to
flowers which are to us odourless that they are nectar-
less, and that consequently the bee's search is fruitless,
for nectar and perfume exist in minute quantities far
beyond our discernment. Fortunately, or unfortunately,
for us our sense of smell is by comparison a very coarse
and untrustworthy affair.

July 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

319

I think that before a bee alights on a flower its com-
pound eyes become useless, that is, superseded, and
during its search in the flower-folds they are protected
from friction and stickiness by the countless hairs
serving as eye-buffers, the antenna? and tongue doing
all the searching and gathering. Indeed, these tele-
scopic eyes must be useless at such very close quarters, or
they would be provided with an adaptable focussing-
arrangement somewhat similar to our own. They are
admirable for their purpose, and when that fails some
other power takes up and continues the sense chain,
notably, touch and smell, these being intensified at short
ranges in the same measure as the vision of the
compound eye falls short. What, then, is the use of
the three large simple eyes, microscopic in their
action ? For use in the flower-depths where the hairs
of the bee become bathed in sweet liquid, or in narrow
flower tubes laden nolens volens with pollen granules ? I
think not. Other senses are of more service.

I will lay before you two hypotheses as suggestions
of the true place occupied by these eyes in the economy
of the bee. The first of these suggests them as homing
ijuides. We have dazzling tints tempting the bee
through its compound eyes (flower-guides) ; nectar
appealing to the food-guides; and as there must be a
guide somewhere to dulce domum, where shall we look
for it ? Let us test the return journey by the same
means as the outward trip. Dazzling tints for the
telescopes there are none ; landmarks for the telescopes
plenty ; but, alas ! as soon as the neighbourhood of these
landmarks be reached, the next guides, the scent-dis-
cerning antennse, totally fail, as is proved by the
frequent dying of bees when with a few feet of home,
the hive having been removed from its old stand. Tele-
scopic and microscopic eyes, hearing, touch, smell, all
fail the bee when its home is interfered with to the
extent I name. Where is the homing power ? If it be
instinct, instinct fails a few feet from home. Instinct
will not lead it to take advantage of hedges, houses, or
drains in strong winds. If reason be its homeward
guide, reason fails also a few feet from home. So also
do these three eyes, as organs of vision simply.

My first proposition is, that as the simple eyes are
arranged in a triangle on the head of the bee it makes
use of some superior kind of trigonometry in finding its
way home, just as it uses some more intricate system of
mathematics than we are acquainted with in its cell-
construction. The three simple eyes are not arranged in
an obtuse triangle without the angle principle being
brought into play as a factor in its vision, for it is in
accordance with the triangular principle that the two
side eyes have an outward aspect and inclination whilst
the lower and front eye looks forward.

From our limited knowledge let us reason from what
we do with triangles in optics to what the bee may do.
By a system of triangles, aided by telescopes (like the
bee) we ascertain the distance of remote objects, the
height of mountains, the distance to the earth's centre,
its diameter and circumference, the form, size, and
distance from us of the sun, moon, and stars. The vision
through the bee's three eyes must perforce give it the
bases and apex of an inverted triangle, whatever use it
puts the knowledge to, thus obtained. This local
triangular vision in connexion with distant telescopic
vision is certainly an actual occurrence, and is in singular
similitude to our own triangulations, whatever may be
thought of such a coincidence. Now it is a well-known
fact that upon a bee's first trip from home it circles round
it a few times, then approaching and receding (without
turning round) from the entrance in an almost straight
line, is if taking bearings to use the stereotyped phrase.
Yes, but taking bearings on what basis? Let the
mariner take bearings without his angles, and his instru-
ments as correct bases, and note the disastrous result.
On the other hand, let the bee with its telescopic range

note prominent objects in its range of vision, and at the
same time note with its short focussed three simple eyes
the position of near objects with regard to distant ones,
and its way home is assured, so long as the distant land-
marks are kept in view. It can return to its own garden
and hive to a certainty. Remove the hive and all its
local triangular calculations are disarranged. It is lost.
The unerring aim of the insect for the old spot, whether
its home be there or not, goes a long way to support the
suggestion that its homing guide within well-known
landmarks is by calculation almost entirely mathematical,
and that without this triangular calculation all its other
guides — sight, smell, hearing, and touch — fall with the
bee to the ground.

My second hypothesis as to the use of the ocelli is not
quite so vague in its character as the foregoing. We
rind the worker-bee in the deep darkness of its cell carv-
ing out with its jaws the unshapely little heaps of wax
into a series of triangles of almost mathematical exact-
ness. Well, darkness is only a comparative term — absolute
darkness we can scarcely obtain. The skull-like frame-
work in which these eyes are set is so waved or convoluted
that the two upper eyes are directed outwards and the
lower one forward, this triangular outlook being further
secured by an arrangement of hairs which prevent the
eyes seeing in any other direct-ion. We have next the
wedge-shaped head of the bee, apex downwards, and
from the centre of the cell-base we have a series of
wedge-shaped results in wax, one triangle being- from the
middle of tn-o walls to the centre (this gives us the cell-
floor) and another from the corners of the cell-walls to
the centre (thus we get the wall). As the bee works
upon the plastic wax it supports itself by its six legs on
six rudimentary cell-walls and gnaws away the super-
abundant wax from the circular to the angular form, its
guide in this operation being probably, first, the immove-
able stariug simple eyes, fixing the triangles, next the
highly sensitive tactile antennae, and, finally, for
smoothing down and chiselling purposes we have the
wedge-like head. As for the existence of stemmata in
the queen, which does not build, a moment's reflection
will show you that as the worker is but an imperfect
queen, or the queen an imperfect worker (I don't care
which), this point is disposed of. With regard to the
drone, a little physiological reasoning will discover the
necessity for their existence. I put these two theories
before you more as suggestions for interesting speculation
— at least so they have proved to me — than as distinct
statements of proven fact, for such I fear they will
never be.

Mr. Garratt did not think he could add any remarks
of interest to the paper which had been so ably prepared,
but would like to ask one or two questions. He did not
feel quite sure whether it was intended that the meeting
should regard the statements Mr. Grimshaw had made
as ascertained facts, or as speculations. It seemed to
him that they were speculations, and he thought towards
the conclusion of the paper just read Mr. Grimshaw ad-
mitted that. He was startled at the outset to hear that
bees had so large a number of eyes. Many writers on
bees had fixed the number of separate eyes at 800 in
each compound eye, and now it was said that instead of
hundreds there were many thousands. He would like
further light thrown on this matter. It seemed quite
reasonable that if bees had as many eyes as stated they
must serve different purposes, or nature would not have
been so prodigal in designing such an organ of vision.
Also with regard to the organs of smell being contained
in the antenna?, he thought that statement was purely
speculative. Certainly more light had been thrown on
the subject by Mr. Cheshire in recent times than before,
but Mr. Grimshaw had gone further than Mr. Cheshire.
It occurred to him that that subject, like many others of
a scientific character in relation to bees, might be taken

320

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 28, 1887.

into consideration by the Association with the object of
promoting further research and discovery. One of the
aims of the institution should be to encourage experiment
for the purpose of gaining increased scientific information.
Many of the points touched on by Mr. Grimshaw were
well worthy of further elucidation. The knowledge of
the habits, instinct, and mode of working of bees was in
its infancy, and he recommended that the Association
should organize a system of close and methodical obser-
vation in the direction suggested.

Mr. Webster thought Mr. Grimsha w's figures respecting
the number of facets in a bee's eye far more correct than
Mr. Garratt's computation of 800. He had counted 100
facets in a bee's eye which occupied no more space than
a pin's point, but he had no instrument fine enough to
compute the number of facets in a single eye. With
regard to bees building their cells hexagonally he thought
the bees built the cells round in shape, and that by pres-
sure the}' became hexagonal, lie did not believe the
triangular eyes had any influence on the building of
hexagonal cells. As to bees taking points by triangles
in the same way as mariners, he doubted the assertion,
because bees frequently made mistakes by entering the
wrong hives. They became mixed up to a considerable
extent. Where two species of bees were kept like the
black and Italian, dozens of the latter might often be
found in the black bees' hives. On the other hand,
Italians would not permit strangers in their hives.

The Chairman would like to know what colour bees
had a preference for. In his garden there were large
patches of yellowr flowers, which were generally supposed
to be bee flowers, but the bees did not appear to work
on them in nearly such large force as on the mignonette.

Mr. Grimshaw said that in his remarks about colour
he had excluded from consideration clover, heather, or
any flowers which attracted bees by their odour. He
thought it could not be questioned that the eye was
intended to distinguish colours. Sir John Lubbock's
experiments showed that they preferred flowers with a
blue tint. He believed the object of bright colours was
to tempt the bee to visit such plants, and when the bee
arrived within a certain range it knew whether or not
anything could be gained by an inspection of the flowers.
Its telescopic vision enabled it to see these colours at a
great distance. There was no doubt that both humble
bees and honey bees visited flowers without finding
nectar therein ; and it must be taken for granted that
colour was the attraction in the first instance. With
regard to Mr. Webster's remarks about cells he thought
if an examination of the outer edges of the comb were
to be made it would be found in many instances that
the cells were quite angular, where there could be no
pressure. With regard to the hexagonal shape of the
facets of the separate eyes of the compound ej^e-mass the
outer walls were not hexagonal but circular ; therefore
it might be that the chitine in a soft condition was
pressed into hexagonal form, but in its outer edges it
was free to assume any shape. In reply to Mr. Garratt
he could say that his (the speaker's) figures were quite
within the mark when estimating the number of facets
at 12,000 for a worker, upwards of 21,000 for a drone,
and about 10,000 for a queen. The queen did not
require so many eyes as a worker, and the drone, need-
ing a very extended vision, had double the number of a
worker. A drone flew only in fine weather and at a
different altitude to other bees, and the object of its
search was so rare that extraordinary powers of vision
were necessary.

Mr. Meggy would like to know how far the statement
was to bo considered reliable that the bee had a sensa-
tion of feeling in its antenna? ; and he would also like to
hear a few words from Mr. Grimshaw in reply to Mr.
Webster's remarks as to the failure of bees to find their
right homes, probably owing to a want of sight. Mr.
Cheshire's observations tended towards the belief that

the antennae were the seat of feeling. Mr. Grimshaw
could perhaps say whether the Germans agreed with
Mr. Cheshire's views. Possibly Ligurian bees went to
other hives for the purpose of robbing, and not because
they had lost their way, as Mr. Webster suggested. In
an early volume of the first edition of the Popular
Educator, published about twenty-five years ago, a
statement was made on the question of Euclid as to the
exactitude of the bees working in the hexagonal. The
writer tried to show that the bees were not quite exact
in their mathematics, but his arguments were afterwards
vigorously assailed, and the bee's measurement found
correct.

Mr. Grimshaw said with regard to bees not always
coming back direct to their own hives, he thought one
or two exceptions must not be taken as upsetting the
rule. There was a saying that if a strange bee went to
a hive with its honey sac full it was received with open
arms. With regard to the smell organs being situated
in the antenna?, experiments had been made by clipping
off the antennae of insects for the purpose of seeing
whether or not the latter would find nectar. The result
of such experiments was that droue, queen, worker-bee,
ants, and other insects possessing antennas, and which
feed on scented substances, went wandering about in a
very aimless manner after being deprived of their an-
tenna?. In addition to that there were certain depres-
sions on the antenna? provided with nerves, which the
highest authorities argued could be put to no other pur-
pose than that of smelling.

Mr. Webster did not know whether it was that the
bees wrent visiting one another, or that by mistake they
entered the wrong hives and were accepted for the time
being because they brought supplies with them ; but an
examination of his stocks of black bees, night or morn-
ing, would often show more than a hundred Ligurian
intruders.

Mr. Grimshaw said Mr. Webster's remarks struck at
the root of one of the bee-keeper's articles of faith.
They all knew that sentries were placed at the entrance
to a hive day and night, which were able to detect
strangers by the smell. All bee-keepers must have
witnessed the conflicts which took place from time to
time on the alighting board between strange visitors and
the inmates of the hive.

Mr. Daintree endorsed Mr. Grimshaw's views. He
frequently searched his hives, but seldom or never found
an Italian bee in the wrong hive. He thought bees had
a keen sense of hearing. A party of hand-bell ringers
came into his district twelve months ago, and im-
mediately they began to ring their bells, although at
a long distance off, the bees flocked out of all the hives
in large numbers.

Mr. Webster was of opinion that bees going to a hive
to rob were stopped by the sentries not so much by a
sense of smell as by the particular action of the strangers
in approaching the hive. He believed that the sentries
could tell the difference between a bee which had lost
its way and a bee which came for the purpose of robbing.
A robber bee going to a hive made a peculiar kind of
hum, which was totally distinct from a bee bringing in
honey.

Mr. Grimshaw said that in cases where hives had
been moved in the day time, the bees belonging thereto
would fly about the old stands, and frequently die from
inability to find their homes instead of entering other
hives. With regard to the bees' eyes, there was no
doubt they were so placed for the purpose of giving
triangular vision. They represented the instruments
which the civil engineer used in his measurements, and
combined a triangular system of optics with telescopic
arrangements.

Mr. Hooker thought Mr. Grimshaw's arguments very
feasible, and suggested that Mr. Webster should pro-
pound an alternative theory if he did not believe them.

July 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

321

Mr. Webster believed that the two sets of eyes were
for seeing far and short distances, but he did not think
that the bees acted on the principles of trigonometry.

Mr. Meggy thought that the ocelli were placed so as
to give the triangnlation, but that the compound ej'es
gave the short sight for use in the flower especially.
From observations made in his own apiary, he believed
it was very rare for bees to make a mistake and visit the
wrong hive.

Mr. Grimshaw believed the bee saw objects near to
it by means of the short telescopes. The telescopes
varied in length, the compound e3re-mass being rounded.
The facets near the centre had a longer range than
those at the outer edges. He did not think the bee used
the three simple eyes for ordinary vision at all, because
the other eyes answered the purpose admirably.

In answer to Mr. Meggy, Mr. Grimshaw said that the
eye was shaped like an orange, and that if a section
were taken, it would be found that some of the eyes
had short tubes and others long tubes. He believed
that bees saw short distances with the short tubes, and
long distances with the long tubes, in the same compound
eye-mass.

" Mr. W. J. Green, 36 Friars Street, Sudbury, Suffolk,
sent for exhibition a model of his new patent ' Imperial '
Hive. This hive is a bar-frame hive, with the greater
part of the bottom and all the four sides removeable, so
that the brood-nest is practically in mid-air, thus afford-
ing access to frames at any part without the necessity of
taking off the supering case or doubling body, which
might prove of service for removing piecesof dropped comb
or for requeening, and would enable the bee-keeper to re-
move extra queen-cells. A small hook goes with the hive
for the purpose of pulling the queen-cells down. It has
glass sides for summer use, so that the progress that the
bees make from day to day maj7 be noted. For winter
use glass, being a conductor of heat, is taken out and
wood panels inserted, which would make it a complete
double walled hive all round. The entrance is, although
very simple, different, as it enables it to be closed against
robbing bees, but not to exclude the air. The top bar is
formed in two distinct pieces, sufficient^' far apart to al-
low foundation to be easily inserted. The glass being kept
up to the top of frames any description of frames may
be transferred into this hive by simply cutting ends short
and gradually introducing its own frames. The bar
sustaining frames will be of iron. A model of a doubling
box for the above hive had also been forwarded.

Mr. Garratt said if the hive would be the means of
producing more honey than any other hive, that wrould
be its greatest recommendation ; but on that point the
inventor was silent.

A conversation ensued on the merits of the invention,
without any unanimous opinion being expressed.

Mr. Green had also forwarded for exhibition a
feeder, the idea of wdiich occurred to him when he
was transferring a lot of bees into his Imperial hive,
and, desiring to feed them, he took a piece of old
comb and poured some honey on it, which soon sunk
into the holes ; the bees went down head first into
the combs. On the same principle Mr. Green had
formed his feeder.

Mr. Hooker, Mr. Lyon, Mr. Webster, and Mr. Garratt
commented on the contrivance, the general opinion
being that the zinc would be too cold for bees in winter
time, and that the invention, although ingenious, offered
no advantage over systems at present in vogue.

A foundation-fixer, on the principle of Parker's, was
exhibited, which Mr. Hooker disapproved, because the
motion thereof was not always parallel, like the Parker
foundation-fixer.

Mr. Lyon and Mr. Griinshaw used the haft of a
pocket-knife, which answered the purpose, and was
cheaper than any foundation-fixer.

The Rev, W. E. Bttrkitt exhibited a new wax-

extractor, introduced by Mr. Killick, and which he had
tried. He spoke in praise of the article, saying that he
had never found any way of extracting wax so success-
fully as by means of the invention now before them.

Mr. Garratt, Mr. Lyon, Mr. Daintree, Captain Camp-
bell, and the Chairman discussed the matter, some of
them referring to other modes of extracting wax which
they considered to be considered to be equally effectual
as the method in question.

The Chairman moved, and Mr. Garratt seconded, a
vote of thanks to Mr. Grimshaw for his valuable and
interesting paper.

Mr. Grimshaw briefly thanked the audience, and said
he had been amply repaid for his trouble in preparing
the MS. by listening to the very interesting conversation
which ensued thereon. He thought the B.B.K. A.
should take some formal notice of scientific research
amongst its members. The Editor of the British Bee
Journal was, he believed, also of the same opinion, for
that gentleman had written a very interesting article on
scientific subjects for conversazione. They must blend
practice with theory, and he hoped other members
would be induced to turn their intention in a scientitic
direction, and communicate their observations through
the medium of the Journal or at the quarterly meetings
of the B.B.K. A. He would be happy to assist in
any way practicable.

Mr. Hooker moved, and the Rev. Mr. Burkitt
seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was
suitably acknowledged, and the proceedings terminated.

LINCOLNSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

This is one of the most popular and prosperous
Associations in connexion with agriculture in all
England, and is celebrated for its hospitality to the
judges and for the kind consideration shown to the ex-
hibitors and general good management. This year the
annual exhibition was held at Spalding, and was opened
on Wednesday, the 20th, continuing during Thursday
and Friday. Spalding- is a nice old agricultural town.
The show ground was situated on the eastern side of
the town, about a quarter of a mile from it, on the
Halmer road leading to Fuluey and Weston. The
greater part is attached to Cley House, the residence of
Mr. Clarke. Seldom have we seen grounds so eminently
suited for the purpose of an exhibition of this kind held
during the very hottest da}rs of this season. The fine
old trees surrounding and intersecting the grounds (about
seventeen acres) seemed almost as if they had been
planted for the purpose of affording shade from the
scorching sun, and adding picturesqueness and beauty
to the occasion. The town and the whole length of the
streets and roads from the station to the show grounds
gave evidence of the liberality and good taste of the people
of Spalding, and their hearty desire to welcome the
Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Venetian masts
were placed at short distances from each other on both
sides of the roads, and a continuous line of bright and
various coloured pennons stretched from pole to pole.
The whole effect was very good indeed. The refreshing
breeze assisted in showing the decorations off to the best
advantage.

Passing through the turnstiles, by the implements in
motion and under some trees into a second open space,
the visitor has on his left under the trees in a prominent
position the shed in which the exhibition of bee appli-
ances, honey, &c, is placed ; on one side of this is the
bee tent and in a lean-to building on the other side are
observatory hives with the different races of bees with
their queens. In the classes for bees there were seventeen
entries, in which Ligurians, Carniolans, Syrians, and
blacks, were fairly represented. In honey in the various
classes there were forty-two entries, the greater part being
of very good quality. In Class 4, for the largest exhibi-

322

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 28, 1887.

tion of extracted honey, Mr. J. R. Truss, of Bainton
Heath, Stamford, obtained first prize with 527 lbs., and
Mr. Robert Thorpe, of Swineshead, near Boston, the
second prize with 805 lbs., both exhibits being of good
quality. The section honey was fairly good, but not
such as we sometimes see. In the class for appliances
there were thirty-five entries. The hives were an
average class, there being no new features that require
noting. The same may be said of the supers. The
Raynor Extractor exhibited by Mr. Meadows is consider-
ably improved since it obtained the first prize last year.
It was far in advance of the other exhibits and well
deserved the first prize which was awarded it. The
most complete collection of hives, &c, is still part of the
schedule here, but we trust this may give place to more
useful classes, as at Newcastle and Bury St. Edmunds.

The following is the list of awards : —

Bees. — I. For the best specimens of Ligurian honey-
bees, to be exhibited with the queen in an Observatory
hive — 1, W. B. Baker, North Muskham, Newark; 2, B.
Thorpe, Swineshead, Boston; 3, C. M. Hufton, Cowbit,
Spalding. II. For the best specimens of Carniolan, Cyprian,
or Syrian honey-bees, to be exhibited with the queen in an
Observatory hive — 1, W. Edey & Son, St. Neots, Hunts ;

2, S. J. Baldwin, Bromley, Kent ; 3, C. M. Hufton. III.
For the best specimens of Old English honey-bees, to be
exhibited with the queen in an Observatory hive — 1, F. W.
Biggall, The Grange, Gayton-le-Wold, Louth; 2, H. 0.
Smith, Louth ; 3, W. B. Baker.

Honey. — IV. For the largest and best exhibition of ex-
tracted or run honey in glass jars, computed to contain one
or two pounds net weight of honey respectively, the pro-
duce of one apiary during the year 1887 — 1, J. B. Truss,
Bainton Heath, Stamford (527 lbs.); 2, B. Thorpe (395 lbs.).
V. For the best twenty-four 1-lb. sections of comb honey,
in crate— 1, F. W. Biggall; 2, W. Sells, Uffington, Stam-
ford ; 3, Lydia Brown, Whaplode, Spalding. VI. For the
best twelve 1-lb. sections of comb honey, in crate— 1, W.
Sells; 2, H. 0. Smith ; 3, Amy Hanson, Whaplode, Spalding.
VII. For the best twelve 1-lb. glass jars of extracted or run
honey— 1, J. B. Truss ; 2, F. W. Biggall ; 3, W. C. Brown,
Appleby, Doncaster. VIII. For the best glass super of
comb honey- 1, W. Sells; 2, W. Emington, Alford Street,
Grantham ; 3, W. Sells. IX. For the best super of any
other description of comb honey — 1, E. Brown, Spalding.

Hives, &c. — X. For the best, complete, and most prac-
tical hive on the moveable-comb principle, two of the
frames to be fitted with comb foundation, with arrange-
ments both for storing surplus honey and for wintering.
Price not to exceed 1/. 10s. — 1, S. J. Baldwin ; 2, Abbott
Bros., Southall, London; 3, S. Dickens & Co., Friern Park
Apiary, North Finchley, London, N. XI. For the best,
complete, and most practical hive on the moveable-comb
principle, two of the frames to be fitted with comb founda-
tion, with arrangements for storing surplus honey. Price
not to exceed 7s. 6<t— 1, W. B. Baker ; 2, W. Edey & Son ;

3, Turner & Son, Badcliffe-on-Trent, Nottingham. XII.
For the cheapest, neatest, and best super for harvesting
honey in the comb in a saleable form — 1, Turner & Son ;
2, Abbott Bros.; 3, W. B. Baker. XIII. For the best
honey extractor — 1, TV. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester;
2, Abbott Bros. ; 2, W. B. Baker. XIV. For the best and
most complete collection of hives and bee-furniture most
applicable to modern bee-keeping, no two articles to be
alike— 1, Abbott Bros. ; 2, W. Edey & Son ; 3, W. B. Baker.
XV. For the best straw hive complete, with floor-board,
cover, super, and feeder, showing the most simple and
ready means of managing with a view to obtain super
honey, and the best method of feeding — 1, Abbott Bros. ;
2, W. Edey & Son ; 3, S. J. Baldwin.

Bee Driving. — XVI. To the competitor who shall show
the greatest skill in driving a stock of bees from a straw
hive and in capturing the queen, and who shall best explain
the method and objects of the operation — 1, J. B. Truss.

Lincolnshire is one of the best counties in all England
for the production of honey, and we are surprised to find
that there is no County Association in affiliation with the
British Bee-keepers' Association. Thtre are now no less
than some forty County Associations in affiliation with

the parent Association, and we hope that some of the
leading bee-keepers in Lincolnshire will call a meeting
and form a Committee for the purpose of establishing a
Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Association, with proper rules
for the future management, the appointment of the Com-
mittee, the keeping and auditing the accounts, and
publishing yearly report with balance-sheet, as is done
by the other County Associations. We are confident
that the B. B.K.A. will do all they can to assist a Com-
mittee in such an object. With the encouragement
given to bee-culture by the Lincolnshire Agricultural
Society, and the general interest now taken in the same,
there ought not to be any difficult}' in the matter.

The judges appointed by the Lincolnshire Agricultural
Society were Mr. Frank Cheshire, Tweedy Road, Brom-
ley, Kent, and Mr. Walter Martin, Wainfleet, Lincoln-
shire. The Steward was Mr. R. R. Godfrey, Grantham,
and Mr. S. J. Baldwin was expert.

PRESCOT AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

The third annual exhibition under the auspices of the
above Society was held on Thursday, July 21st, in a field
in Parkside, Prescot. A new feature in this year's
show, and one that indicates the thorough activity and
energy of the Committee, was an exhibition of bees,
hives, and honey, from the Lancashire and Cheshire
Bee-keepers' Association, introduced for the purpose of
encouraging bee-keeping, through the exertions of Mr.
W. L. McOlure and Mr. W. Tyrer, the secretary and
treasurer of tho Lancashire and Cheshire Bee-keepers'
Association. Prizes were offered for the best comb
honey, and for the best twelve jars of run or extracted
honey.

The first three prizes were for the best comb honey
in sections (from 12 lbs. to 20 lbs. in weight) : 1, H. T.
Gibbs, Lower Bebbington, Cheshire; 2, Jas. Scotson,
Holt Hall, Gateacre. The second three prizes offered in
this section were for the best twelve jars of run or
extracted honey: 1, H. T. Gibbs; 2, Major Dean, and
for the third prize Wm. Tyrer (Prescot) and Thomas
Munnerley were each entitled to the certificate of the
B. B.K.A.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com*
manications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, mwst be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts {see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, a3 well as the page on which it appears.

A SCOTCH BEE-KEEPER.

[1163.] There is nothing gained without perseverance,
and this truly may be said about the subject of our
memoir, Mr. William McNally, Glenluce, better known
in the bee-keeping world as the ' Wigtownshire Bee
Farmer.' The name McNally is of late years well known
as that of a Scottish family who have attained some
degree of prominence as bee-keepers. The originator
of the ' hobby ' in the family is Mr. William, who is the
second son of Mr. Ebenezer McNally of Glenluce. He
was educated at the Glenluce Academy, and after passing
all the necessary requirements was apprenticed to the
joiner trade. Having served a period of fouryears he went
to push his way in the world in Glasgow ; but after a few

July 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

years of city life he returned to his native home and
started business on his own account about the year 1&76;
and since then he has made a very remunerative trade,
his obliging manners and strict attention to business
winning him a well-deserved name among the farmers
and others in his locality. In the year 1677 he began
bee-keeping with one single hive, or rather a skep, for up
till that period nothing else was used in the south of
Scotland. The following year Mr. McNally paid a visit
to some friends near Manchester, where he was intro-
duced to the late Mr. Pettigrew, whose kindly advice
was appreciated by Mr. McNally, and with the impres-
sions left on his mind by Mr. Pettigrew he commenced
bee-keeping in earnest, and in the following years he
gradually increased hisstocks until now he has about 140
hives, the majority on the bar-frame system, though he
does not entirety discard the straw skep. Any amateur
starting for the first time he invariably advises to adopt
the frame system. In Wigtownshire, which has seventeen
parishes, Mr. McNally has induced hundreds to take up
the hobby, and is always ready to give any advice
required by beginners. It was not until the year 1884
that he began to step out from home and meet his
brother bee-keepers. In that year he and his brother
Richard, who also owns a large apiary, exhibited at
Edinburgh, and carried off the lion's share of prizes in
connexion with the Caledonian Apiarian Society and
the Highland Society's Silver Medal for the best display
of honey-comb. The following year, at Aberdeen, the
same victory was won by the brothers, and the medal was
secured for a second time for the best display of honey.
The following year, however, Mr. William preferred
exhibiting alone, with the result that singly he won the
medal for a third time for the best display of honey;
his brother .Richard on this occasion securing the second
place. A visit to his apiaries, which are all located
within easy reach of each other, will at once show the
visitor that Mr. McNally possesses a great knowledge of
bee matters. His neat and well-arranged hives, all
painted white, have a very striking appearance : these
are seen to great advantage when passing by rail, which
is close by his largest apiary. There is abundance of
bee plants, specially planted for the bees in the vicinity;
and this with the great supply that the district produces
places Glenluce as second to none in the kingdom for
producing large quantities of honey in a good season.
There are miles of clover and heather hills which pro-
duce the far-famed Scotch heather honey.

Leaving the apiary we come to the 'honey warehouse,'
where an endless variety of all kinds of bee-keeping
appliances is to be seen, as well as. hundreds of well-
filled sections, supers, and extracted honey just from the
hives. Here it is made up into marketable form and
sent by rail to Edinburgh, London, and Glasgow ; and
the very attractive way it is put up secures the highest
price. A look round the ' honey house ' shows the walls
literally covered with prize cards won at the various
competitions, not only in Scotland but England as well.
This with the large variety of silver and bronze medals
goes to prove that Mr. McNally must be a hird opponent
to beat in competition. "Within the last three years he
has had to devote his whole time and attention to bee-
keeping and to keep a steady output in season of from
five to six hives per day, which, he informs us, is a regu-
lar thing.

We can think and judge that bee-keeping will not at
least decrease in Scotland. Mr. McNally has many new
ideas and novelties in the way of bee furniture that we
have never had the privilege of seeing previously till now.
The honeycomb letter building is a novel thing, Mr.
McNally being the originator and inventor, and makes
this class of work a special feature. His premises and
workshops are commodious and well adapted for doing a
large business, and being so near to railway there is no
difficulty in despatching orders. The extreme kindness

of Mr. and Mrs. McNally is beyond all praise, and our
first visit to this apiary will not soon be forgotten. As
it is our intention to return again to this veteran and
give some of his sayings on bee topics, for the present
we wish him continued success and a large honey harvest
during the present season 1887. — ' Au Kevoie.'

HYBRIDS.

[1164. J No more Ligurians for me ; when they have
become crossed they are something too awfully fierce.
As long as they remain pure, well and good, but when
black blood comes in, then look out ! However, I have
managed fairly well with cross-breds for three years
past, but this year I have had two hives which it is im-
possible to do anything with ; smoke or carbolic, is of no
use whatever. I have been obliged to wear double
cotton gloves, but they have stung me through theiu,
and even through my clothes ; the cause of their ire
being raised was that I was examining one of the hives,
being tiered, to see to what extent the grubs in the
upper division had hatched out. I found that some of
the grubs were those of drones in worker-cells ; this I con-
sidered to be a sign that something wras wrong with the
queen, therefore as I knew them to be fierce I decided
to replace her. Accordingly I set to work to do so, but
their ferocity was so great that I further decided to put
them all down, and this I have done, and am" glad of it
too, for they stung servants about the house, people
in the road, men on the haystack, even hens and
chickens.

Can you give me any reason for queen laying drone
and worker eggs at same time '? I mean why had one
worker cell a worker grub, whilst the next door cell con-
tained a drone ? Do you think Apifuge would have
quieted the brutes ?— E. W. P.

[The cause of the queen laying worker and drone eggs
thus promiscuously may be caused either by accident or
old age. Mr. Cheshire says that old queens have been
forwarded to him for dissection, and he 'invariably
found the spermatheca either quite denuded of its sper-
matozoa, or only containing such a miserable residue as
to clearly show that the eggs could, at the best, be but
occasionally fertilised.' "We believe that the Apifuge
would have been found effective. — Ed.]

CAUGHT IN THE ACT.
[116-5.] I have been hoping that some one more able
than myself would ere now have issued a protest against
that which appeared in July 14th, from the pen of ' A Lazy
Yawning Drone' [1151]. He begins with, 'those last
lines,' i.e., the last — the last before the last — and the
last before it — those last lines, indeed ! Will the writer
tell us how he was able to contemplate the symmetry of
the cells of a ivell-filled and sealed super? Being educated
perhaps he will also tell us how in such well-filled and
sealed super there could be a bee in one of the cells
helping himself to honey ? ' Himself,' indicating that
the said bee was one of those whom Shakespeare is said
to have been so ' hard ' upon in the ' three last lines '
quoted by ' A Yawning Drone.' Perhaps, also, we may
be told how this drone, forced into a cell and sealed up
alive, was 'left on the scene of his wickedness as a
warning and caution,' &c. For three days the dead
body of the bee, sealed in the cell, was left to public
gaze ? How's that, umpire ? The said body was then
exhumed, for sanitary reasons, and buried (?) ' without
the camp,' and the next day the cell from which the

-filled with the best
its being
and the

proper sort of thing to put into a newly emptied corpse-
holder. If this be not so, I fail to see how bees show

324

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 28, 1887.

' that regard to sanitary measures' which puts them so
far ahead of ' poor humanity.' Please remember, Mr.
Editor, that your readers are of the 'humanity' order,
poor and suffering, and that the}' will ever be grateful
to you if you will, at least during the hot weather,
kindly protect theru against ' A Lazy Yawning One's '
effusions, lazy and yawning not beiug the only adjectives
applicable. — U. N. Abbott, Fairlavm, Southall, July
23rd.

P.S.— I think it a good thing that July the 4th [1147]
passed off so well, and trust bee-keepers will not be
afflicted with such another ' hot 'un.' Fancy, a swarm
twenty-four days old 'meaning business ' at 3 p.m., and
will not be put off at 4.30, notwithstanding the best
pair of sheets and the hydropult ! 'Bees be werry
warious.'— C. N. A.

FOUL BROOD.

[1166.] I am sorry to have to raise this cry when all
around seems so fair and promising, but my feelings
have received lately such a ' damper; that out of regard
to others I would earnestly warn ' new hands,' like
myself, of the prevalence of this pest. Strong hives,
cleanly surroundings, are of no avail. To recite my case :
everything seemed flourishing, when, in looking for queen-
cells' after a very strong swarm had issued, I noticed a
peculiar-looking worker-cell. The cap was barely raised
above the walls ; it looked darker, and I fancied a little
crack was at one part, so I opened it, and there was the
fatal brown matter instead of a perfect bee ! Then a few
similar cells could be seen, and some on another frame.

True mine is but a slight attack and of recent origin,
— only one hive affected — but there it is ; and I am con-
vinced that the disease is much more common than is
admitted. It was not in my case easy to detect, many
would have passed it over, and yet 1 had never seen foul
brood before. "What then of those frame-hives rarely
examined, and of skeps which are a closed book to their
owners !

I at once placed the case in the ' doctor's ' hands, and
he bids me take heart, although I am so disgusted I
would fain consign all to the old brimstone pit ! Perhaps
such experience, however, may stand me in good stead,
if I persevere ; at any rate, I will no longer pity those
who find it of long standing in their apiaries, as I now
know how easy it is to detect. Is there no physician to
aid us and our bees? Can it not be prevented by
' stamping out ' and the aid of an insurance society ?

That it was introduced into this hive by robbing 1
have no doubt, as the hive is so strong, and the infected
cells few and scattered. I have always put salicylic acid
in the bees' drinking water, a precaution taken by few,
by none that I know of. My bees drink it readily, and
I hope stranger bees frequent the same vessel, as the
locality is thereby benefited. I intended giving my
address, in order to warn the neighbourhood, but this is
styled 'Quixotic,' so I will merely sign myself, with
your permission, — West Kent, July 12th.

HIVING BEES.

[1107.] There was a lively bee-hiving out at Judge
Odour's ' oakey wood ' place the other day — the whole af-
fair being fully up to reputation as regards the tragic and
ludicrous. Judge Odom had charged Mr. Roberts, the
overseer, to watch the bees, and let no swarms get away.
Swarming season approached, and Roberts made ready
for his apiarian harvest by preparing hives, and con-
veniently placing tin pans, bells, horse-shoes, and other
instruments of music likely to compose and detain a
swarm of bees on taking French leave.

He did not have long to wait. The other morning
the hottest kind of a swarm darkened the air, and
Roberts put his orchestra in motion with a vigour that

would cause any musically educated bee to pause, reflect,
and turn back. They did pause, and with one accord
pitched upon a tree in the yard, where they formed
themselves into a funnel-shaped mass.

Roberts then played upon them with a huge syringe
from a bucket of water, and having effectually, as he
supposed, put out the incipient flame that lurks. in their
tails, prepared to gather them into his garner. The
bunch of bees were some ten or twelve feet from the
ground, and the object was to laud them safely within
the bee-hive. A serious difficulty here met Mr. Roberts,
to wit, how to bring the hive in proximity with the
bees, and retain it there. The gods of genius were
propitious; necessity, prolific old mother of invention,
brought forth a son in the person of ' Blind Phil,' a
coloured man on the place, who is nearly or quite blind.

' Phil, come here,' said Mr. Roberts, ' I want you to
hold this bee-hive under that bunch of bees, while I
climb the tree and sweep them in.' And without
ceremony or unnecessary delay, he seized Phil, and
placed him directly under the bees, put the bee-hive on
top of his head and directed him to stand fast.

Broom in hand, Mr. Roberts then ran up the tree with
the nimbleness of a cat or squirrel, and, crawling out,
hung himself on a limb, and cautiously began to sweep
them off, letting them fall in lumps into the open box on
the negro's head below. Mr. Roberts congratulated
himself on the success of his scheme. Sometimes a wad
of bees would miss the hole and strike Phil on the
shoulder, which made him restless.

' Stand firm, Phil,' said a voice from above, ' and they
will not sting you. If a bee finds out that you are
afraid of him, he will sting you certain. Just let him
know that you are not afraid, and there is no danger,'
remarked Mr. Roberts by way of encouragement.

'Ouch! golly! I'm stung for shuah ! Whew! Mars
Roberts, I'm got to drap dis box ! '

' Stand still, you chicken fool you ! I'll soon have
them all in. Who cares for a bee ? '

Just then an old-liner marched down Phil's back,
under his shirt, and Phil became still more uneasy, but
Mr. Roberts spoke soothing words from above. Sud-
denly, however, the bees seemed to realise who was
disturbing them, and about forty ' business fellows '
popped Mr. Roberts simultaneously, and he, dropped his
broom, lost his hold, and came down with a crash upon
the negro and box.

With a whoop and a wild screech, Phil got upon his
feet and lit out, followed by a crowd of bees. He forgot
his blindness and went he knew not whither, striking the
garden palings broadside, and levelling three panels
with the ground. He never stopped, but continued to
charge around the inclosure until the vegetables were all
destroyed.

In the meantime Mr. Roberts was fully employed ; in
fact, he was ' very busy.' Around the house and through
it, then under it, out to the gate, through the house-lot,
and ' over the hills and far away.'

Neither were the bees idle, but diligently ' improved
each shining hour,' flitting- from flower to flower (Roberta
and Phil were the blossoms), culling all the sweets and
raising merry ' Hail Columbia.'

The swelling has all gone down now, and if any one
sees a stray swarm of bees in the neighbourhood they
need not hesitate to hive them, as Mr. Roberts and Phil
will lay no claim on them. — Albany, Ga., News.

FERTILISATION OF QUEENS.
[1168.] Mr. Henry Alley, in his very valuable llandy-
Uouk of the Apiary, expresses the opinion that if one has
a considerable number of colonies of Italian or Syrian
bees, and half a mile away there are numerous colonies
of black bees, not one queeu in twenty-five will be mis-
mated. From this opinion I must respectfully dissent.

July 28, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

325

If one has a small number of one race of bees, and from
one to two miles away there are a considerable number
of another race, it is not uncommon, as I know by obser-
vation, for one-half the young queens to mate with drones
of the other race. When I bad the only Italian bees in
this vicinity, a black queen five miles away produced
banded bees ; and it is almost an absolute certainty that
she had mated with one of my drones.

It is impossible to tell with any certainty bow far
drones and queens will fly. It is probable that the former
fly several miles, and queens may fly further than is
generally supposed. It is my opinion that a young queen
is never fertilised on her first flight, no matter how many
drones there may be in the air in the vicinity of her hive.
I have watched a great many for the purpose of finding-
out, all that may be known concerning their habits, and
my observations are to the following effect :

A j'oung queen, before she comes out in earnest, fa-
miliarises herself with the locality of her hive. She
comes out and flies around in the vicinity of the hive for
not more than five minutes at a time, and then enters the
hive and remains for about five minutes. During the
time she is on the wing, she may be observed to approach
her hive, in some cases several times, without entering,
and she is probably not out of sight of it at any time. I
have observed five of these five-minute excursions in less
than an hour; but I have never known a queen to return,
having mated with a drone in less than seventeen min-
utes from the time she left the hive. I do not say that
they never do mate and return in less time than that,
but none that I have observed have done so. This gives
a queen time to travel several miles, if need be, and her
frequent short flights seem designed to enable her to
take a longer flight, if necessary, without getting lost.

Now I venture the opinion that, other things being-
equal, a queen is quite as likely to mate with a drone be-
longing to a colon)' half a mile or more away as with one
from a colony in the same apiary. The instinct that
prompts the queen and drone to fly abroad,prompts them
to leave the vicinity of their homes, and thus prevents
in-and-in breeding.

I think it beyond dispute that drones have places of
rendezvous, where, from I know not how far, they con-
gregate. In my early bee-keeping daj'S, from twelve to
fifteen years ago, the place of meeting was in the edge of
a wood a quarter of a mile east of my house. In 1883
and 1884 the playground seemed to be partly over my
own premises, and this year over a woods pasture just
south of my place. Now, it is a question of some im-
portance whether in a given locality there ma}' not be
more than one place of congregating, and also whether
the resort of my drones may not be farther away than
that of some other drones. In that case my queens would
be more likely to meet drones from a neighbour's apiary
than from my own.

The above facts and surmises have a hearing upon
what I am about to relate. I had in the spring thirty
colonies of bees, all except a very few were Syrians, the
rest being Italians. There were but two colonies showing
any black blood, and I presume that in an area of two
miles in diameter there are not as many colonies of bees
belonging to other persons as I have, and I am confident
that there is not a colony of blacks within half a mile.
I have purposely allowed my bees to have a liberal supply
of drone-comb, and the number of drones has been large ;
and yet, out of thirty-one queens reared, twenty-three
have mated with black drones, and of the eight remain-
ing two or three are doubtful.

I have never before had such an experience, and I am
at a loss to account for it. Have black drones come from
a mile or so away and established a resort into which my
queens have gone ? Or have rny queens passed by the
resort of their male neighbours, and gone to that of the
drones of some other locality '■ Or is there somewhere
in this vicinity a colony of blacks having drones that are

more amorous and enterprising than my Italians and
Syrians? One of these hypotheses must be true, but
which one I have vainly tried to ascertain. There is no
doubt at all that these queens mated with black drones,
and not with mixed ones, because they produce many
bees that are entirely black; and the queens themselves
are pure Syrians and Italians.

It is commonly recommended to rear queens early in
order to have them purely mated. In this I have gene-
rally failed. My early queens would not mate with my
early drones until the weather became warm — almost
hot — and by that time black drones were plentiful.
More of my queens are purely mated in the late summer
and early autumn than in the earlier months. The
reason may be that at that time drones and queens do
not venture so far from home. — M. Mahin, D.D., New
Castle, Ind. {American Bee Journal.)

MY PET BEES.

[1160.] I said in my last letter I would tell you more
about my humble-bees. During the winter I made
spare hives, one out of a small yeast-box. It resembles
a Cowan hive. Most of your readers will laugh when
they hear of me taking an artificial swarm off humble-
bees, but I did so ; and this is the way I proceeded I
have helped my father to take artificial swarms, so I
knew how to manage. The stock was in the ' Clock-
case ' hive, so I took the ' Cowan ' hive and placed it
near. Then I took out some of the brood and cells con-
taining honey, which I placed in the ' Cowan ' hive, and
put it in place of the old stock. The latter I removed
to another part of the garden. But I forgotto tell you
that I had a lot of queens in the hive (here is a differ-
ence between humble and honey-bees), so I took one or
two of the newly-hatched ones for the artificial swarm.
But all the bees, with the exception of a queen, one or
two workers, and a few drones (which the boys about
here call ' double-steng'd 'uns,' because they cannot sting),
have gone to the place of the old stock.

At the interval of rest while writing this letter, I go
to see a new lot of humble-bees, and find one tugging
at a piece of straw to take into the nest. You will hear
undoubtedly about the new lot, which is very pros-
perous,soon. — Daecy Grimshaw, Horsforth, near Leeds.

PROFESSOR VON SIEBOLD.

Karl Theodor Ernst von Siebold was born afWiirzburg,
in Bavaria, on February 16, 1801. His In-other was the
well-known traveller and philologist. Karl was brought
up chiefly, under the superintendence of his father, for
the medical profession, and he carried on a practice for
a few years as a physician at Heilsberg and Konigsberg.
In 1835 he received the appointment of Master of the
Lying-in Hospital at Dantzic. Early in his life he
showed an interest hi zoology, and in 1840 he removed
from Dantzic to Erlangen, where he taught comparative
anatomy, zoology, and veterinary medicine. In 1845 he
was appointed Professor of Zoology at Friburg, and
shortly afterwards he made a prolonged sojourn on the
Adriatic. At this time he worked with immense zeal
and ardour at the anatomy of the marine invertebrates ;
and as the result of this work and his lectures com-
bined he commenced the elaboration of his well-known
Lehrbuch der vergleichenden Anatomic der Wirbellosen
Thiere. In his preface to this work", which has been
translated into English and French, he insisted on the
importance of a knowledge not only of the minute
anatomy but also of the developmental stages of the
forms described. Generous aid in the completion of this
at the time most excellent treatise was given to him by
0. Vogt, H. Stamiius, A. Krohn, H. Koch, and A.
Kolliker ; and in 1840 he founded, in connexion with the

326

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[July 28, 1887.

last-named of these eminent biologists, the Zeitschrift
fur wissenschaftliche Zoologie, a journal which has ever
held a leading position among the scientific publications
of our day, and one which is still known and esteemed
wherever zoology is studied.

In 1850 Von Siebold was appointed to the Professor-
ship of Physiology in the University of Breslau, and also
received the charge of the Physiological Institute of that
city.

In 1 853 he was appointed Professor of Zoology and
Comparative Anatomy in the "University of Munich, and
Director of the Zoological and Zootomical Cabinet in that
city. These positions he filled during the remainder of
his life.

Shortly after his appointment to the Munich Professor-
ship he commenced an elaborate series of investigations
into the vexed question of ' Parthenogenesis,' entering on
the subject with a belief that facts bad been misunder-
stood ; and his treatise on this phenomenon, as found by
him to actually exist in bees and moths, was a genuine
contribution to science. This work was published at
Leipzig early in 1856, and was translated by Mr. Dallas
the following year into English.

Somewhat earlier in date he published a memoir on
' Tape and Cystic Worms, with an introduction on the
Origin of Intestinal Worms,' which was deemed worthy
of being translated into English, by Professor Huxley,
for the New Sydenham Society. The good that this
translation effected by introducing some scientific facts
to the notice of our medical men it is not easy to
calculate.

In 1858 the Royal Society elected him as one of their
honorary members. In 1867 he was made a correspond-
ing member of the Institute of France. There seems
little need to enumerate all the honours that were con-
ferred on him during the half century that he was known
as one of the distinguished zoologists of Europe.

In the important and indispensable catalogue of Scien-
tific Papers published by the Royal Society, we find a list
of over 130 memoirs ascribed to Professor von Siebold.

Failing health during the last few years interrupted
this, up to 1874, steady flow, and Dr. Ehlers undertook
much of the labour of editing the Zeitschrift. Those who
had a personal knowledge of Von Siebold will remember
his pleasant and friendly manners, the readiness with
which he placed at the students' disposal all the informa-
tion in his power, and the visitor to the Zoological
Museum at Munich will not soon forget the vast stores,
not only collected, but scientifically arranged, under the
superintendence of Von Siebold.

Professor Von Siebold died at Munich on Tuesday,
April 7, 1885. He favoured the moveable frame inven-
tion, and was a progressive apiarian.

(JBrJKttS foam % Hxtres.

Bournemouth, July 19t7».— My bees, twelve stocks, have
done fairly well through this dry season, with the help of a
little feeding with syrup, and now that is not wanted, as
we have plenty of heather in blossom on the surrounding
moorlands and among our pine-trees, but the absence of
rain since the early part of last month or the end of May
has seriously decreased supplies from other bee flowers.
I notice in this land of rhododendrons (Bournemouth) the
honey bee seldom visits its flowers, and they were all
' ablaze ' with blossom this season, — at a time when other
flowers were scarce here ; but the ' humble bee ' seems to
glory in it, and loves the rhododendron blossom, ' tumbling
over and over in it' for its pollen.— Thomas W. Blake.

Chertsey Grove, July 20.— Some three weeks ago I made
an ' Echo'' in your valuable Journal, when ray fears were
that I had foul brood, but only turned out to be queenless.
Well, I may just say that I had then put on a crate of
sections to two of my boxes, and on July 12th I looked at
one of them and was able to take off seventeen well-filled
sections, leaving the rest partly capped and replacing others

in place of those I took off. On July 14th I looked at the
other box, and was able to take off eighteen well-filled
sections first, and the rest were nearly all filled and partly
capped over, and of course I replaced the ones by well-
combed sections and each of these boxes bad twelve well-
filled bars of brood and honey. I also saw in your last
issue something said about wasps. Since then I have
taken close notice of them, and last night I saw five flying
about my hives and to-day about the same number. I only
hope they will not increase ; I kill all I can to lessen them._
I hope all your readers have done better than I have,
although I do "not complain. — Robert Driver.

Caerleon, South Monmouthshire, July 25.— Bees doing
nothing in the way of storing since July 5th. The effect of
the long-continued drought will be a serious loss to bee-
keepers down here. The aftermath clover and limes, from
which we get our surplus, failed entirely this year through
want of moisure. All the sections I have taken were
finished before July 1st ; nothing since. I fancy that many
when they remove their sections will find they have more
unfinished than finished ones. — Silurian.

East Mailing, Maidstone, July 25. — My experience in
this neighbourhood is very like many others this year. May
nearly a failure from bad weather, but June a success, the
bees taking full advantage of the white clover ; but I was
surprised, considering the sunny weather, at the small quan-
tity they were bringing in from the limes until I saw your re-
marks last week about the effects of the long drought even on
the limes. Some of my early honey had rather a milky
appearance, but if allowed to stand was beautifully clear.
I think this was from the white clover. I never saw fewer
queen-wasps than I have this year. — E. P.

Kingsbridge, South Devon. — Wasps are plentiful in this
district. I have two nests within ten feet of each other in
my garden. Bees have ceased gathering unusually early
this year ; I suppose owing to the long absence of rain.
Average time for the last fifty years of ceasing to gather has
been about 20th July. By what I can ascertain it has been
a bad breeding season, as I believe showery weather is more
favourable. — John E. Adams.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Eees Evans. — Foul Brood. — Yours is a case of foul brood,
with pierced and sunken cells, rotten larva?, and the
peculiar scent attaching thereto. Place a lump of cam-
phor, the size of a walnut, enclosed in a bag, inside the
hive to which you have joined the diseased bees, and feed
on phenolised syrup according to Mr. Cheshire's recipe.

East Dulwich. — Cause of Dead Queen. — In all probability,
your bees were superseding their queen for some reason
best known to themselves, and the dead queen you found
was either the old one or a supernumerary. Do not
interfere with them. It is as well, however, to lower
the hive sufficiently to prevent the entering of bees, in
cases of robbing, but allowing a current of air to pass
beneath the combs.

B. E. — Drones. — On the approach of the swarming sea3on,
drones arc brought into existence ; their purpose in life
is to fertilise the young queens. At the close of the
season, when their services are no longer required, and
when their presence is a burden, the drones are merci-
lessly driven out of the hives and allowed to perish.

Robert Driver.— 1. Drones.— Your difficulty with regard
to your drones has been settled by the bees themselves by
this time. 2. Driving and Uniting. — Your proposed plan
will act very well, and should produce a large colony for
wintering. The other portions of your letter we have
transferred to our ' Echo ' column.

East Kent. — It very much depends on the state of the comb
whether they are worth keeping after three or four years

July 28, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

327

old. Foundation is now so cheap that it is a very easy
matter to renew comb. If combs at that age are tough,
clean, and free from moth, they can be used for colonies
which are being worked for extracted honey, or for the
bees to winter on. Bees winter on old, tough combs
better than new. 2. The honey-harvest has now in most
districts been gathered in, and the thought of the bees is
now devoted to the destruction of the drones.

Ekaon. — 1. Keepinj Honey. — Not lower than 45° F., and
in a perfectly dry place. 2. The above appli3S to this
query. 3. Extracting Honey from Brood Combs. — It is
preferable not to extract honey from combs containing
brood. -1. The honey surrounding the brood-nest will
be best left for the bees' consumption. 5. Driven Bees. —
Unite the driven bees to the stock in bad condition. If
healthy, first remove the queen from the hive, then feed up
fast. Why not get the driven bees from a greater distance?
You will lose a great number by their returning to the
original stand. 6. Re-queening Stock. — This cannot
be done without loss of breeding time, unless you
purchase or raise the queens in nuclei. 7. Inverting. —
Let it alone.

Jas. Mebson. — 1. Driving Bees. — You can drive the bees as
soon as possible after the honey flow ceases. If you do
so now, no doubt much of the brood would be destroyed.
It is very bad policy to place driven bees in an empty
skep for them to build combs ; they must bs placed in a
frame-hive on combs or combs and foundation, pre-
ferably the former. You must feed up as fast as possible,
and finish doing so before the commencement of October.

2. Address of Hon. Sec. Devon and Exeter Bee-keepers'
Association. — Mr. Jas. Dallas, Albert Memorial Museum,
Exeter. 3. British Bee Journal. — You will find that with
its aid every information on modern bee-culture can be
obtained.

E. Spiller. — Sending Bees to Heather. — Beady built combs
are much better than foundation for such purpose.

Novice. — Cowan Hive. — 1. There are several successful bee-
keepers living in the neighbourhood of Highgate and
Finchley with no greater facilities than yours ; conse-
quently we see no reason why you should not attain to
the same measure of success. 2. None of Mr. Cowan's
inventions are patented or registered, consequently all
bee-keepers are quite at liberty to copy any or all of them.

3, 4, 5, and 6. Your better plan will be to purchase one
' Cowan ' hive from one of the respectable dealers, and
copy that in every detail. When ordering, say you want
it fitted with 17 in. top bar, standard size frames ; ten
frames will be large enough for your district. Each
frame takes 1-^" or H" bare. 7. Pine is the most suit-
able wood for hive-making, get it free from shakes and
knots and well seasoned. Your sketch is very neatly
done.

,g?how j|£nnouncements.

business directory.

August 3-5. — Yorkshire Agricultural Society at York.
Secretary, H. L. Bickards, Poole, near Leeds.

August 11. — Taunton Flower Show, at Vivary Park,
Taunton, Somerset. Entries close August 8. Hon. Sec,
W. B. Maynard, 5 Hamnet Street, Taunton.

August 12. — Maer Fete and Honey Show. Entries close
August 5. John B. Critchlow, Hon. Sec, Maer Farm,
Newcastle, Staffs.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Salthill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. Sec,
Henry Chenevix, Blackrock, Dublin.

August 11. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Horticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Bow,
Chester.

August 16-17. — Wilts County Show at Salisbury. Hon.
Sec, Bev. W. E. Burkitt, Buttermere Bectory, Hungerford.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Boyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathorns, Prescot, Lancashire.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bbos., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.
Edey & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.
HONEY MERCHANTS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Benton, F., Munich, Germany
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Sihmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
Beitish Bee-keepees' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H. , Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

w

AX EXTRACTOR, complete, 3s. 6d, ; post-
age, i§d. Success guaranteed.
Address W. Killick, Sandhurst, Berks. a 2660

NORTH-EAST OF IEELAND
BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

THE FOURTH ANNUAL SHOW of HONEY,
BEES, HIVES, & BEE-KEEPEES' APPLIANCES
will be held in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, WELLINGTON PLACE,
BELFAST, on Friday, 19th August.

Entries close 12th August.
Schedules and Entry Forms can be had on application to
PAUL M'HENBY, Linen Hall, Belfast ; or
SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM, Glencairn, Belfast.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 28, 1887.

zktotxoie.

(S^1 If you would Sell your Honey, place it before the Public in an attractive form, for
which purpose use only

WOODLEY'S NEW FANCY TIN CASES

For the SALE and EXHIBITION of SECTION HONEY, coloured by Patent Process in four different tints, with
Glass both sides. Price 22/- per gross ; 2/- per dozen. Sample post free for 6 stamps.

A. D. WOODLEY, Manufacturer of every Description of Bee-keeping Appliances, Donnington Ed., Reading.

GREAT REDUCTIONS IN PRICE.

Stock Foundation, 2/- per lb. ; 5-lb. Parcels, 9/3 ; 10-lb. Parcels, 18/-. Super Foundation, 2/9 per lb.

5-lb. Parcels, 13/6. Guaranteed purity.
On each occasion these Gases have been Exhibited they have been awarded FIRST PRIZE, as follows :—
Newcastle Royal Agricultural Show — Silver Medal. Reading Royal Counties Agricultural Show-
Silver Medal. Windsor: Berks Bee-keepers' Association— Bronze Medal. Swindon: Wilts Agricultural

Show — First Prize.

Straw Skeps, thoroughly well made, with wood tops and large Supering Hole, 18/- per dozen, 1/8 each.

SEND TOR PRICE I.IST, TREE OS RECEIPT OF POST CARS.

Send for Illustrated, Descriptive, and Instructive Circular.

SIMMINS' FACTORY.

For HIVES and
APPLIANCES.

G Pk RN IC^Lj A. N b^S haTe eome to stay, and will hold their own wherever introduced. Good workers;
\jr\i\ii&\Sk-tnLt.i amiable and beautiful ; and for wintering are perfection. We are now booking Orders
for SIX -FRAME STOCKS, in full-sized Hives, with Cover, @ 27/6, to be delivered in July and August.
STANDARD FEAMES, good sound Combs, with Brood and Stores. Also THREE-FRAME NUCLEI in like condition.

HOTE.-AU SIMIWSNS' QUBEWS ARE REARED FROM MOTHERS WHO HAVE NOT SWARMED.

SUPERIOR BEE VEILS,

WIRE GAUZE FRONTS, Is. 2d. each, 3 for 3s.
Traps for Cleaning Supers, Od. each, 3 for Is.
Post free. Address, W. Ceisp, Halstead, Essex. a 2700

IMPROVED British Bee-keepers' BAR-FRAME
HIVE, made of One-inch Well-seasoned Wood, Eight
Frames, Waxed, Quilt, Walker's Feeder, Excluder Zinc,
Floor-board, Waterproof, and Cover. Hive complete, 5s.
each. Directions for Management, Id. Address Isaac Hale,
Maker, Horncastle. a 2714

FOR USE WITHOUT SEPARATORS OR
with the SIMMINS' SEPARATOR thickened at the
Corners by a Half Bee-space.

20,000 4-J- x 4} x 1J V-CUT, Open or Close Sided, First-
Class AMERICAN SECTIONS, now landed at Liverpool.
Free on rail or steamer there, 20/- per 1000 ; 10/6 for
500. For smaller quantities apply to J. H. Howaed,
Holme, Peterborough; or to R. White & Co., Importers,
Patrickswell, Limerick. The Trade supplied.

Self-acting Fountains & Aquariums.

Suitable for Greenhouses, the Dining-room, &c.
Send for Catalogue, Post free.
NEW PATENT HONEY SQUEEZERS.— Having made
Special Terms with Manufacturers, can sell this handy
utensil at 1/6, 19 Post free.

'LITTLE WONDER' EXTRACTORS at 7/6.

SPENCE, Manufacturer, &c, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

A 2827

HONEY

TINS.

10 lb. .
5 lb. .
2 lb. .
lib. .
lib. .

55/- per gross
• 30/- „

15/-

10/-
. 8/6

... 5/- per dozen.
... 3/-
... 1/6

... 1/-
... -19

CATALOG

Post Tree. (100 Pictures.)

G. STOTHARD, British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

a 2777

MANIPULATE WITHOUT SMOKE !

WEBSTER'S FUMIGATOR

Entirely supersedes the Smoker, both in Simplicity and
Effectiveness. No 'going out.' No tainting or soiling of
combs. Always ready for use without any preparation.
Can be carried in pocket.

With Bellows, 4s. 6d. ; postage, ild.

Without Bellows, 3s. ; postage, 3d.

Can be adjusted to any ordinary smoker bellows.

6 oz. Bottles of Agent— carbolic acid, oil of tar, and water,
proportionably mixed— 6d. each.

WEBSTER'S SWIVEL FRAME - LIFTER

With this appliance, frames can be removed from hive.
Examined on both sides and replaced without inverting, and
with one hand only, leaving the other free to perform any
manipulation, at the same time preventing the soiling of
hands with propolis. Is. 6d. each. Postage 3d,

Send for ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of all descriptions
of Appliances. Post free on receipt of post-card.

W. PC. .JENKINS,

EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, SWANSEA.

(180)

AWARDS LAST SEASON.

1st Prize, Silver Medal, Royal Counties' Agricultural Show.

Highest Award, Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhi-
bition, for Bee Subjugators.

2nd Prize Bronze Medal, Colonial and Indian Exhibition,
for useful Inventions introduced since 1883.

2nd Prize; Altrincham, for useful Inventions.

W. B. WEBSTER, BINFIELD, BERKS,

^^333

the:

%=

Communiaationi to the Editor to be addressed ' Steanoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W,C

[No. 207. Vol. XV.]

AUGUST 4, 1887.

[Published Weekly."]

(frftttmial, ftoiias, $r.

CONDEMNED BEES.

The approach of the time when cottagers are
wont to consign their bees to the brimstone pit
causes numerous inquiries to be made as to the
best means of rescuing them, and, at the same
time, making the best use of them. Where con-
demned bees can be obtained they offer a con-
venient and inexpensive method of increasing
stocks, and are often most useful in strengthening
stocks which otherwise might not survive the winter.

When stocks are made up entirely of condemned
bees, some disappointment is sometimes experienced
in spring from dwindling. When this takes place
it is owing to faulty management in autumn. It
should be borne in mind that the- bees -when taken
have done their work for the year and are pre-
paring for a season of rest. It is quite: contrary
to nature to take them, put them into empty
hives, and call upon them to undergo the ex-
hausting labour of comb-building, at a season too
in which naturally combs are not built. Every
one knows, or should know, that the life of a bee
is measured by the labour performed by it, and
thus the condemned bees, if exhausted try comb-
building in autumn, succumb to the trying work
in spring ; they have not strength and vitality left
to resist the fatal influence of cold winds, and so
they die, and the stock dwindles away before suffi-
cient young bees are produced to keep up its
strength.

All this teaches us that we must give these bees
as little work to do in autumn as possible by giving
them ready-stored combs, and placing them, as far
as possible, in the same position as they would
have been had they been left undisturbed, and
thus the process of making up stocks from con-
demned bees should commence now. As in most
districts the honey harvest is practically over by
the end of July, a few strong stocks may be set
to work to provide combs for the bees which will
be taken, as a rule, towards the end of August.
By feeding rapidly, removing outside combs as soon
as sealed, and giving sheets of foundation in the
middle of the hive, a few stocks may provide suffi-
cient combs, with the addition of those which may
be removed from other stocks for the winter, to
furnish several lots of condemned bees. As a

guide to the number to be provided, we may
reckon that six combs will be required for every
two skeps taken. Of course, it depends upon the
size of the skeps in use. In most places from two
to three pounds of bees will be as much as we may
expect to get from each skep. Five pounds will
about cover six combs, standard frames.

Providing Combs. — Combs are so valuable for
this purpose that even unsightly ones are better
than none ; and it may not generally be thought
of that even small pieces, such as are trimmed off
in transferring, may be utilised. Crowd them into
a frame, place a piece of wire netting on each side,
place the frame in the middle of a strong stock,
and in forty-eight hours a very fair comb will be
produced. Old black combs in frames need never
be cut out " and " destroyed ; if they are roughly
scraped down to near the mid-rib and given to
bees they will be speedily rebuilt, and such rebuilt
combs are tough and excellent for extracting
purposes.

When some fifty stocks or more can be obtained,
the providing combs for them, and more especially
making syrup for the stores, is rather a heavy job,
and by the usual plan of boiling a very messy one.
Some feeders are sold in which sugar is placed in
a perforated zinc basket and water added to dis-
solve it. This plan saves the boiling, but as the
bees can only feed from the top of the solution,
which is thin, while the dense is at the bottom,
they have more labour to evaporate the food down
than if very thick syrup is given them. Good
thick syrup may be made in large quantities by
the following plan : —

Take a cask, stand it on end, and take out the
other head. Make a strong canvas bag, long
enough to hang within six inches of the bottom of
the cask, and fix it in by means of a hoop resting
on the top edge. Put a tap, or, better still, a
treacle-valve, near the bottom, and the apparatus
is ready. Fill the bag with sugar, which should
be ' preserving lump ' or crystal, not raw, and fill
up the cask with cold water. As the sugar dis-
solves the dense solution sinks to the bottom and
can be drawn off. More sugar and water being
added, a nine-gallon cask will provide a hundred-
weight of syrup a-day if required. Having suggested
plenty of work for the present preparation for the
expected condemned bees, we will touch upon the
methods of taking them in a future issue.

S30

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 4, 1887.

MIDDLESEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
A third-class examination will be held at South-
gate on Saturday, August 20th, in connexion with
the Middlesex Bee-keepers' Association's North-east
Provincial Show of Honey, Hives, and Bee-furniture
on that day. Candidates should at once send their
names, with 2s. 6<Z. entrance-fee, to the Secretary,
the Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, The Vicarage, Hampton
Hill.

KILLICK'S WAX-EXTRACTOR.
This extractor was exhibited at the late Conver-
sazione by the Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Hon. Secretary
to the Wilts B.K.A. The mode of using it is very
simple, and from the samples we have seen of the
work it has done we should say it is most effective.

The pieces of comb are placed on the round dish,
a, with lid, b, closed. The wax as it melts runs
under lid through strainer, c, into pan, d, in which
a little water is placed. The whole is put in a slow
oven. If the oven is hot the wax will not get
burnt or disooloured, because as soon as it melts it
runs under the lid through the strainer into the
water in pan. If placed in the oven about an hour,
more or less according to heat, this would prove
sufficient. It then should be taken from the oven,
and when cold the wax will turn out in a cake.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — Although showers have fallen in many
districts they have avoided our locality, and our fields
are still parched, affording no forage for the thirsting
bees. Honey storage has long since ceased, and colonies,
though not drawing upon collected stores, are living
from hand to mouth.

Robbing. — The greatest care must now he used in
manipulating hives. During the dearth of honey, in
this bright hot weather, the temptation to robbing is so
strong that it is unsafe to open a hive during working
hours. We have witnessed the destruction of a colony
in the short space of five minutes under similar circum-
stances to those which now prevail. When, therefore,
manipulation is necessaiy let it he done in early morning
or late evening, before or after the hours of flight.

Extracting. — 'Where colonies have been working in
(sections, or other supers, the brood-nest will often be
found blocked with honey, no available space for brood-
rearing being left in the hive. In such cases it is of the
utmost importance that breeding space be provided at
once, since on the September hatched bees successful
wintering chiefly depends. About half the combs in
each hive should be thoroughly extracted, those being

chosen which contain the greatest amount of pollen, and
the remaining combs of sealed honey reserved for winter
store for the bees. The extracted combs should be
returned to the centre of the hive to form the future
brood-nest. The queen is thus stimulated to laying, and
the hatching out of a good batch of September brood is
secured. This, like many other operations in apiculture,
admits of delay only at the serious loss of the apiarist.

When taking cottagers' bees at the end of September
we have often found a whole hive an entire mass of
sealed honey, with a young and evidently prolific queen
followed by a handful of old bees. We need hardly say
that such a colony is doomed to perish before the spring,
if not before the winter arrives.

After Swarms headed by young queens, and not
over- burdened with stores, may be fed up to strong
colonies, or spare combs of sealed honey may be given on
either side of the brood-nest. Such colonies generally
winter well, and are often found amongst the best at
spring.

Be-queening, and the introduction of imported
queens, may now be successfully carried on, and by such
means the working power of the apiary another season
may be largely increased, but the introduction must be
made at night for the reasons stated above.

Feeding. — The sooner colonies in want of winter
stores are fed the more opportunity will be afforded
them of getting all food sealed, and of setting their
house in order for winter, and, in view of the prevalence
of foul brood, we strongly advise that phenolised syrup
be used. If Mr. Cheshire's recipe is adhered to bees
wdl never refuse the syrup. At least this is our
experience.

Water should be supplied to every apiary where a
natural supply in the immediate neighbourhood does not
exist. During the present drought our bees consume a
large quantity, the troughs being covered with thirsting
bees from morning till night. These troughs should
stand clear of shade, with the sun's rays full upon them,
as the bees prefer tepid water to cold.

Condemned Bees will now be eagerly sought, but
we advise caution in this matter while foul-brood exists
to a large extent in too many localities. Bees taken
from an infected hive will convey the seeds of the
disease on their antennas, legs, and indeed on almost
every part of their bodies, and we have little doubt that
the disease has often been introduced into apiaries by
condemned bees. Skeps should be thoroughly examined
before driving, and if the slightest suspicion exists of the
presence of the disease, we advise the entire apiary being
left, if not to the sulphur pit, to the devices of the
owner, aided by the county expert, to endeavour to
work a cure. These condemned bees are very useful as
an autumnal addition to small or queeuless colonies,
and many a strong colony, headed by Italian and
Cyprian queens, have we built up of such material. For
doing this we prefer August to September, as the bees
have more time for breeding and making preparation
for winter before the cold is upon them.

Cottagers and others, who work on the skep system,
will be willing to part with their bees earlier than
usual owing to the present dry season, as they are well
aware that their bees are wasting rather than gathering.
Driving or ' bumping ' should be neatly and quickly
done without any mess, and the emptied skeps given
back to the bees to clean before being stowed away
for use another year.

Unfinishrd Sections are best extracted, and, when
thoroughly cleaned by the bees, should be stored in a
dry place for use next season. Fumigation with sulphur
will keep them free from moths, and racks filled with
these should be tied up as parcels in paper to keep them
free from dust. A little attention bestowed now will be
amply rewarded on the approach of another season. If
the honey-flow has ceased, all supers should be removed

August 4, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

331

from the Lives ; and where the latter are crammed with
honey, extracting, as advised above, should be practised,
but if, owing to the removal of large quantities of super
honey, a sufficient quantity has not been left for win-
tering, a supply of sealed combs must be given, or other-
wise the colony must be fed up to sufficient weight on
phenolised syrup of a thick consistency.

Heather should be in full bloom by this time ; and
if the fine weather continues, we may hope for an ample
yield of the delicious nectar afforded by tlus plant. We
are often asked by those who reside within a couple of
miles of the heather, whether a larger quantity of honey
would be gathered by the bees, if they were moved over
the intervening space, and placed in the midst of their
labour. To such we reply undoubtedly, Yes. Those
only who have tried both plans can realise the advant-
age_ of the bees being close to their work, especially
during the latter part of the season. We have known
colonies located two miles distant from the heather,
never to visit it at all during even the finest weather ;
while those set down in its midst have filled hives and
supers, yielding an ample return.

Delicious Honey ! — From a paper contributed by
Miss Gordon Cumming to the Nineteenth Century of
June last on ' Strange Medicines,' we cull the follow-
ing:— 'Abdallatif, a traveller of the twelfth century,
relates that one of his friends found in the tombs at
Ghizeh a jar carefully sealed, which he opened and
found to contain such excellent honey that he could not
resist eating a good deal of it, and was only checked in
his feast by drawing out a hair ; whereupon he investi-
gated further, and found the body of an ancient
Egyptian baby in good condition, and adorned with
jewels. He does not record how he enjoyed that meal
in retrospect. Imagine dining off the honeyed essence of
a baby of Pharaoh.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BERKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The seventh Annual County Show of the Berkshire
Bee-keepers' Association was held in the Home Park,
Windsor, on Tuesday the 19th, in conjunction with the
Prince Consort's Association. There are branches of this
Association at Abingdon, Bradfield, Farringdon, Maiden-
head, Newbury, T wy ford, Wallingf ord,Wantage, Windsor,
Wokingham, most of which were present in the com-
petition for the prizes.

The day was all that could be desired. The situation
of the tents among the magnificent trees of the Home
Park, with a grand view of Windsor Castle standing
above the green trees and shrubs, was truly beautiful, and
more than words can describe.

At an appointed time, her Royal Highness the Prin-
cess Christian drove on to the ground, went through the
tents, and afterwards gave the prizes away to a very
large number of persons from both the Associations, and
then left for London.

The exhibition of hives and appliances was small, and
it was evident that the show could not have been so well
advertised as it ought to have been. In the best collec-
tion of hives and appliances there were only two entries,
which the Judges considered about equal, the first and
second prizes being added together and equally divided
between Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall, and Mr. A. F.
Hutchings, of St. Mary Cray, Kent. Mr. Hatchings
also took the first prizes in both classes for hives.

In the honey classes there were a fair number of
entries, the extracted honey was very good, but the sec-
tions were not so good as this county usually produces.
Mr. William Woodley exhibited a design in honey-
comb. It had a crown above the letters 'V. K.,' and the
words ' Jubilee, 1887,' below. There was a stall sup-
plied with various articles of food and beverages, of
which honey was a principal ingredient.

The Judges were Mr. Otto Hehner, of Billiter Squaic,
London, and Mr. John M. Hooker, of 76 Tyrwhitt Road,
St. John's, S.E. The Hon. Secretary is the Rev. R.
Errington, Clewer Rectory, Windsor, and Mr. A. D.
Woodley, of Reading, is Assistant Secretary and Expert.

The following is a list of the prizes awarded : —

Open Classes. — For the best Observatory Hive, stocked
with bees and their queen — 1, A. F. Hutchings, of St. Mary's
Cray, Kent, 20.s. For the best collection of Hives and Bee
Appliances, no two articles to be alike— A. F. Hutchings,
and Abbott Brothers, of Southall (bracketed equal). For
the best Hive complete, with facilities for harvesting honey,
with arrangements for wintering ; price to be a considera-
tion— 1, A. F. Hutchings; 2, A. D. "Woodley, Beading.
For the best and cheapest Frame Hive, price not to exceed
10s. to be purchased by the Committee — 1, A. F. Hutchings ;
2, 0. Bedshaw, Wigstone, near Leicester. For the Straw
Hive best adapted to modern bee-keeping, price not to ex-
ceed 5s. — 1, W. B. Webster, Wokingham. For the neatest
and best Back containing 1 lb. sections, prepared for placing
on the Hive— 1, C. Bedshaw; 2, A. D. Woodley. For the
best Crate for the safe conveyance of honey, by rail or other-
wise— 1, A. D. Woodley. For the best Honey Extractor,
price to be considered — 1, A. F. Hutchings, 10s. For the
best sample of Thick Comb Foundation manufactured in
the United Kingdom from pure bees' wax, not less than
2J lbs., with price per lb. attached — 1, T. B. Blow, Welwyn,
Herts. For the best sample of Thin Comb Foundation
manufactured in the United Kingdom from pure bees' wax,
not less than 2§ lbs. with price attached — 1, A. F. Hutchings.
For the best Feeder — 1, W. B. Webster, Wokingham. For
the best exhibition of Honey from one Apiary, the prizes
presented by Mr. Biehardson-Gardner.M. P. — 1, W. Woodley;
2, Woodley, Bros. For the best Super of Honey (not sec-
tional)— 1, J. Bayer, Jun., of Stanmore; 2, W. Woodley.
For the best 21 1-lb. Section of Honey — 1, J. Bayer, Jun. ;

2, W. Woodley ; B. W. Bunce, Theale, highly commended ;
and Champion, of Beading, commended.

Special Class (open to Members of the Berks Bee-keepers'
Association). — For the best 21 1-lb. Sections of Honey, the
prizes given by the British Bee-keepers' Assaciation — 1,
J. Bayer, Jun. , silver medal ; 2, W. Woodley, bronze medal ;

3, Woodley Bros. , certificate. For the best 12 1-lb. Section
of Honey — 1, W. Woodley ; 2, J. Bayer, Jun. ; Woodley
Bros., highly commended. For the best exhibition of Bun
or Extracted Honey in glass vessels — 1, W. Woodley ; 2, H.
Fewtrell, Beading. For the best 12 lbs. of Bun or Extracted
Honey, in 1-lb or 2-lb. glass vessels — 1, W. Woodley : 2,
H. Fewtrell ; J. Bayer, Jun., a special prize; and Woodley
Bros., highly commended. For the best collection of Pure
Beeswax — 1, W. Woodley ; no second prize awarded.

Special Prizes. — For Becent Inventions (open to all) —
1, A. D. Woodley, for Section Cases, bronze medal; 2,
H. Augur, Windsor, for ' Winter Passages,' certificate. For
the best collection of Honey applied as food; 1, Darvill,
Beading, silver medal. For the best collection of Honey
applied as beverages — 1, S. Fry, Waltham, for 2d. honey
beverages, silver medal.

The humane system of procuring honey is generally
adopted by cottagers who keep bees, and the Association
are able to trace satisfactory results of their efforts in
this respect.

THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

This Society held its annual show on July 20th and
two following days at Cheltenham in the Pittville
Grounds. The Gloucestershire Bee-keepers' Association
held their annual show in conjunction with the above
Society, and we understand that it was the largest exhi-
bition of honey ever held in the county. The amount
entered for competition was about three quarters of a
ton. The honey in the comb was of good colour, but
the sections were not so well filled as they ought to be,
having lots of ' pop-holes ' at the corners, which in some
cases were partly covered by the lace on the glass boxes
and by the wide coloured paper used to fix the glass at

332

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 4, 1887.

the sides of the sections. This paper covering over edge
of section and on glass should never be more than three
eighths of an inch.

The extracted honey was very good indeed, some of
the exhibits being remarkable for colour, consistency,
and delicate flavour. Lord Sudeley was an exhibitor in
most of the honey classes, one being for a design in
honeycomb — his Lordship's crest with 1887. We under-
stand that Lord Sudeley has planted some two or three
hundred acres of fruit-trees of all kinds, and has estab-
lished an apiary of over two hundred hives of bees in
the centre of it, so as to ensure the proper fertilisation
of the fruit blossoms. He will no doubt be amply repaid
in both fruit and honey for his forethought in the matter.

In hives and appliances there were very few entries,
and the question was naturally asked, Where are our
leading hive-makers ? Are they willing to let smaller
men come to the front, having themselves already more
orders than they can execute ? Mr. A. F. Hutchings,
of St. Mary Cray, Kent, obtained first prizes in both
the hive classes. In the collection of hives, &c, there
was only one entry, that of Mr. E. J. Burtt, the expert of
the Association ; there were no other exhibits requiring
special mention. Mr. W. D. Slade, of Cheltenham, is
the hon. secretary, and took the management of the
show. Mr. John M. Hooker, one of the Committee of
the British Bee-keepers' Association, acted as judge.
Mr. Hooker also examined and passed Mr. ft. Woodward,
of Charton Kings, Cheltenham ; Mr. Geo. Newman, of
Sutton House, Gloucester ; and Mr. Arthur James Brown,
of Bradley, Wootton-under-Edge, as third-class experts.

The awards were as follows : —

Hives.— Best moveable frame hive for doubling — 1, Mr.
A. F. Hutchings, Kent ; 2, Mr. A. J. Burtt, Gloucester.
Best moveable frame hive — 1, Mr. A. P. Hutchings ; 2, Mr.
A. J. Burtt. Best flat-topped straw hive, with roof — Mr. A.
J. Burtt. Largest and best collection 'of hives and bee-
furniture — Mr. A. J. Burtt. Best cylinder extractor — 1, Mr.
W. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester ; 2, Mr. A. P. Hutchings.
Best stock of bees in observatory hive — Mr. H. A. Purnell,
Cheltenham. Best 24 1-lb. sections of comb honey — 1, Mi-.
A. A. Cole, Cirencester ; 2, Lord Sudeley, Toddington ;
3, Mr. F. Butler, Gotham, Bristol ; H. C, Mr. B. W. Lloyd,
Chippenham, and Mr. C. Marshall, jim., Cheltenham.
Best 12 1-lb. sections of comb honey — 1, Mr. W. Woodley,
near Newbury ; 2, Mr. A. A. Cole ; Mr. E. W. Lloyd, Bad-
minton; H. O.j Mr. F. Butler; C, Lord Sudeley. Best
exhibit of 24 1-lb. glass jars of run or extracted honey —

1, Mr. A. A. Cole ; 2, Mr. B. W. Lloyd ; 3, Mr. C. Marshall.
Best exhibit of 12 1-lb. glass jars of ditto— 1, Mr. W. Woodley ;

2, Mr. R. W. Lloyd; 3, Mr. A. A. Cole. Best super of
honey in the comb, not sectional — 1, Mi'. E. A. Brown,
Gloucester ; 2, Mr. T. W. Swinbourne, Winchcombe.
Designs in honeycomb — 1, Lord Sudeley (his Lordship's
crest was worked in honey and comb weighing about 25 lbs. ) ;
2, Mr. F. J. Chinniek, Cheltenham ('1886,' worked in about
15 lbs. of honey and comb).

Special District Phizes. — Largest, best, and most at-
tractive display of honey in any form, from any one of the
districts in the county of Gloucestershire — 1, Cheltenham
district, 155 lbs. ; 2, Gloucester, 301 lbs. ; 3, Winchcombe,
184 lbs.

Cottagers' Classes. — Best bar-frame hive made by a
cottager, a member of the Gloucesterehire Bee-keepers'
Association, who is not a joiner or carpenter by trade —
Mr. F. W. Shearman, Dursley. Largest, best, and most
attractive display of honey, in any form or forms. — Mr. J.
J. Smith, Beckford. (This competitor showed 85 lbs. of
honey, and also a wasps' nest, perfect, under a case.) Best
t> 1-lb. sections of comb honey — 1, Mr. D. Sheppard, Winch-
combe ; 2, Mr. J. J. Smith ; 3, Mr. A. Jones, Gloucester.
Exhibit of run honey in glass jars, not less than (> lbs. — ■
1, Mr. Samuel Martin, Great Winchcombe ; 2, Mr. D.
Sheppard ; 3, Mr. Wm. Harris, Winchcombe.

In a smaller tent, adjoining the one devoted to exhibits,
Mr. E. J. Burtt gave illustrations of manipulating with
live beea,

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.— SOUTHAMPTON SHO W.

This Association held its chief Annual Honey Show upon
Saturday and Monday last at Southampton as usual in
connexion with the Koyal Horticultural Society of
Southampton. In consequence of the heavy outlay in-
curred last year at the several shows held within the
county the executive of this Association had wisely decided
upon a policy of retrenchment, and the schedule only ex-
tended to one third of the prizes offered last year when
H.R.H. the Princess Beatrice attended to distribute the
prizes.

As a consequence this show was in some respects very
much smaller — a much smaller marquee being employed,
and the exhibits in the hives and appliances classes being,
in fact, conspicuous by their absence. There were no
entries at all in Class IV. for general collections, and it
seems likely the offer of prizes will not be repeated in
this class, as it was generally felt the show, as a whole,
did not suffer in consequence. But in the hive classes it
is not a little remarkable there were only two entries for
cottagers' hives, and even one of these was not forth-
coming, so that prizes went literally a-begging.

But if the hive-manufacturers were not forthcoming
the bee-keepers themselves mustered in a manner hither-
to unknown in even so well worked a county as Hants ;
and although upon the occasion of the royal visit last
year a truly magnificent exhibition of honey, &c, was
staged, a belief was generally expressed that the show
this year, as regards honejr, was even finer. There were
only five classes proper to honey, and the entries for
these numbered no less than ninety-one, Class XL (for
one pound sections) staging as many as twenty-seven
exhibits. The task of the judges was, in fact, herculean,
for with hardly an exception every section and bottle
was of first-rate quality, and we fear many exhibitors
who came with a conviction that they could not be
beaten went home disappointed.

Although the judging of honey is amongst the most
difficult of tasks, and there exists so great a diversity of
opinion on the subject, it must have been some consolation
to disappointed exhibitors to find the Hants B. K. A. had
secured the services of Mr. W. N. Griffin, than whom it
would be difficult to find one more learned in the subtle
variations of different honey samples. Of course there
was some heart-burning, in one or two instances audibly
expressed ; and as the judges had to do their work whilst
exhibitors were still staging their goods in other classes
it was unfortunate that these did not always understand
that judges' comments should not be overheard or listened
for.

It is worthy of note that the Hants B.K.A. has for
some time instituted a regular class for honey- comb
designs, following the example of the Scottish bee-
keepers, and we think the system might well be followed
by other county associations. Now that it is known that
Hants will regularly give premiums for such, bee-keepers
have an opportunity of exercising their ingenuity in this
direction, with a prospect of recognition ; and there can
be no doubt that these designs attract more attention
from the general public and are more generally admired
than anything in the Shows. It may be that a 20-lb.
super worked in the letters spelling Jubilee is not so re-
markable as a 1-lb. section, but on the other hand it draws
attention to the really wonderful control we now have
over our bees, and often secures a wealthy purchaser for
the whole, who otherwise would have been content with
the humble section.

In the 'Inventions' class Mr. Woodley's tin section-
cases were properly awarded the highest honour the Hants
Association gives, viz., the Special Diploma, as marking
the most valuable invention of the year ; and Mr. Fry of
Bishop's Waltham, for his aerated honey drinks, and Mr.
Darvill of Heading for his honey sweetmeats, were also

August 4, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

333

specially honoured. Mr. Griffin displayed his 'Honey
dubbing,' but as extended trial of this is necessary to
prove its usefulness, it was felt a medal could not now
be awarded. We understand, however, that it is to be
well tested in the Highlands this autumn, so that Mr.
Griffin may hope for the honour upon a future occasion.

As usual the exhibits of Hampshire bees-wax were of
exceptional merit, and Mr. Allen Broom is to be con-
gratulated upon his method of making it more generally
marketable. He displayed a number of small cakes
moulded from egg cups which were retailed at 2d. each,
and we understand he was successful in clearing a good
profit upon the number he sold. The silver medal for
the best home-made hive was carried off by Mr. Arthur
Stephens, gardener to E. II. Bel lairs, Esq., for a thoroughly
well-made serviceable hive, Mr.. J. J . Candey of Landport
being- awarded the bronze medal.

Annexed we give the list of awards : —

Open to All England.

Class I. For the best 21 lbs. of super honey, in sections
not exceeding 2 lbs. each. — 1st, silver medal, W. Hunt ;
2nd, bronze medal, W. Woodley ; 3rd, certificate, H. W.
West. II. For pure extracted honey put up in the most
attractive mode for purposes of sale. The exhibits to con-
sist of 12 lbs., in vessels not exceeding 2 lbs. net. — 1st, 10s.,
W. Woodley, 2nd, 5s., J. J. Candey; 3rd, 2s. Gd., W.Hunt.
III. For the best design in honey-comb, worked by the bees.
—1st, 10s., W. Woodley; 2nd, 5s., A. Privett ; 3rd, 2s. 6d.,
J. J. Candey. IV. For the largest and best collection of
hives and appliances applicable to modern bee-keeping (no
two articles alike, and honey excluded from the exhibit. No
entries. V. For the best Observatory Hive, to be exhibited
stocked with bees and queen. No entries. VI. For the
best and most complete Bar-frame Hive, price not to ex-
ceed 20s.— 1st, 10s., T. Tanner. No other awards. VII.
For the best Cottager's Hive, price not to exceed 10s. Gd. —
2nd, 5s., T. Tanner. No other awards. VIII. For the best
section rack prepared for putting on the hive. — 1st, 10s.,
T. B. Blow ; 2nd, 5s., T. B. Blow. IX. For any recent in-
vention or inventions calculated to be of use to the bee-
keeping industry. — 1st, Special Diploma, A. D. Woodley ;
2nd, S. Fry ; 3rd, G. Darvill ; highly commended, W. N.
Griffin.

■ Open to Members residing in Hants, or within three miles
of the boundary lines.

X. For the best 12 lbs. of super honey, in sections not
exceeding 2 lbs. each. — 1st, silver medal, E. J. Ainsley ; 2nd,
bronze medal, Bev. P. P. Izard ; 3rd, certificate, W. Hunt
and C. Kichmond ; highly commended, Bev. W. E. Medli-
cott, XI. For the best 12 lbs. of super honey, in sections
not exceeding lib. each.— 1st, 11., T. Giles; 2nd, 10s., W.
Hunt ; 3rd, 5s., Bev. W. E. Medlicott ; highly commended,
E. Ainsley ; commended, G. Horner. XII. For the best 12
lbs. of extracted honey, in lib. or 21b. vessels. — 1st, 10s.,
J. Dauncey; 2nd, 5s., J. Candey; 3rd, 2s. 6d., E. Buss;
highly commended, Bev. P. P. Izard. XIII. For the best
121bs. of extracted honey, in 1 lb. or 2 lb. vessels, for cottagers
and artisans only. — 1st, 10s., A. Stephens; 2nd, 5s., G.
Holley ; 3rd, 2s. 6d., A. Broom ; highly commended, G.
Horner. XIV. For the best sample of bees' wax, weight not
less than 2 lbs.— 1st, 10s., W. Burgess; 2nd, 5s., Mrs.
Burgess ; 3rd, 2s. %d., A. Broom. XV. For the best home-
made hive, the work of an amateur (not being a carpenter
and joiner), cost of material to be stated. — 1st, silver medal,
A. Stephens ; 2nd, bronze medal, J. J. Candey ; 3rd, certifi-
cate, G. Isaac.

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-
KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

SWANMOEE BRANCH.

The second annual exhibition of honey, bees, &c,
took place on Wednesday, July 27th, at Holm
Oak, Bishop's Waltham, in connexion with the
Bishop's Waltham Horticultural Society's Annual

Show. There was a capital display of honey and bee
appliances in the tents set apart for the purpose. The
exhibition, consisting as it did of one of the very best
displays of honey we have ever seen, amounting to
nearly 9 cwt., shows that the branch is doing an im-
mense amount of good in inducing the cottagers to take
an interest in the rearing and proper treatment of
bees.

Mr. A. Privett had a capital show of bee appliances
and honey in his tent, and Mr. S. Fry staged a good dis-
play of his celebrated honey drinks and syrups ; Miss
Myers, of Swanmore House, exhibited a large and varied
collection of bee flora — the sources from which bees de-
rive their sustenance and procure honey — and for this
she was deservedly awarded a special first prize. The
other prizes were given by the judge as follows, the
judge being the Rev. F. S. Sclateri—

Class I. For the best 12 lbs. of super honey, in sections of
1 lb. and not exceeding 2 lbs. each, presented by Mrs. Myers
— 1, C. Bichmond, Swanmore ; 2, Bev. W. E. Medlicott,
Swanmore ; 3, Edward Ainsley, Swanmore. II. For the
best 12 lbs. of extracted honey in bottles of 1 lb. or 2 lb.
each, presented by W. H. Myers, Esq., J.P. (President of
the Branch)— 1, Mr. H. W. West, Swanmore Park ; 2, Miss
Myers, Swanmore House ; 3, Mr. A. Privett, Bishop's
Waltham. III. For the largest and best display from one
apiary, comb and extracted — 1, Mr. H. W. West, a bronze
medal and 10s. ; 2, Mr. W. Candey, Botley, certificate and
5s. IV. For the best super worked on the top of a straw
skep (cottagers and artisans only), given by the Misses
Goodlad — 1, F. Sparksman, Bishop's Waltham; 2, F.
Quintin, Corhampton. V. For the best single comb taken
from a straw skep (cottagers only), presented by the Bev.
W. E. Medlicott, hon. treasurer — 3, J. Scorey, Corhampton.
VI. For the best 12 lbs. of super honey in sections of 1 lb.,
not exceeding 2 lbs. each (cottagers ouly) — 1, J. Griffin,
Bishop's Waltham ; 2, C. Nicholson, Preshaw. VII. No
entry. VIII. For the best and strongest skep of bees not
being a swarm of this year — 1 and 2, J. Scorey; 3, E.
Singleton, Swanmore. IX. For the best 6 lbs. of super
honey (cottagers only) — 1, C.Nicholson; 2, J. Griffin. X.
For the best 6 lbs. of super honey (confined to members
who only possess one hive)— 1, E. J. Ainsley, Swanmore ; 2,
Miss Bessie Martin, Swanmore ; 3, W. G. E. West, Swan-
more Park. XI. For the best piece of pure bees' wax not
less than 2 lbs. in weight— 1, Mr. H. W. West ; 2, Mr. G.
Homer, Swanmore. XII. For the best piece of pure bees'
wax, weight not less than 2 lbs. (cottagers only) — 1, F.
Sparksman ; 2, T. Quintin.

The best thanks of all were heartily conveyed to the
judge for the very satisfactory and painstaking way in
which he got through an arduous task, and to the
B. B. K. A. for its kind assistance in sending down a
judge free of charge.

MONMOUTHSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The Caerleon Horticultural Society held theil' annual
exhibition on July 21st, One of the novelties of the
show was the bee exhibition of Mr. W. Williams, Round
Table Apiary, to whom was also awarded an extra prize
and a very highfy commended card. A pretty honey-
comb had been worked out by the bees, the design
being the figures 1887, and the various combs displayed
the processes by which the honey is worked. At his
apiary Mr. Williams has twenty-one stocks, twenty of
which are on the new principle, whilst one is kept on
the old to show the marked difference between the two.
These stocks are capable of producing with careful and
proper management no less than 1000 lbs. of honey
during the season. At the flower show the proprietor
had a swarm of bees together with the queen and all
her attendants, the sight of which proved exceedingly
interesting.

334

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[August i, 1887.

EAST LOTHIAN BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

This Association held their bee and honey show on
the Oth of July in Aimesfield Park, Haddington, in con-
nexion with the County Agricultural Show. This being
the first bee-show held in the county, and too early in
the year for this district, there was not a very large
display. The attendance during the day was large,
admittance being free. Messrs. Pringle, Copath, and
Mason, Dalkeith, officiated as judges. List of awards : —

Class 1. — For the best twenty-one 1-lb. sections: 1,
Mr. Wood, Whitekirk; 2, Rev. Mr. Kerr, Dirleton.
Class 2. — For the best super of comb honey: 1, Mr.
Wood, Whitekirk; 2, G. D. Clark, Kirklandhill ; 3, Mr.
Taylor, Haddington. Class 3. — For the best collection
of appliances : 1, Rev. Mr. Kerr ; 2, Mr. T. Robertson,
Westbarns. Class 4. — For the best observatory hive
stocked with bees : 1, Rev. Mr. Kerr ; 2, Mr. G. D. Clark.
Class 5. — For the best frame-hive for cottagers: 1, Rev.
Mr. Kerr ; 2, Mr. G. D. Clark ; 3, Mr. T. Robertson.

There were also some designs and letters wrought in
comb-honey, shown by Mr. G. D. Clark, and some
specimens of honey-producing flowers by Rev. Mr. Kerr.

CALEDONIAN APIARIAN SOCIETY.

The fourteenth show of this Society was held at Perth
on the 26th July, and the three following days in con-
nexion with that of the Highland and Agricultural
Society.

There was a very marked improvement in every depart-
ment. The exhibits were numerous, and the arrange-
ments of the different articles, as well as their general
appearance, were such as to produce a favourable im-
pression on all the visitors. An immense quantity of
honey, in sections, boxes, &c, and of very superior
quality, was submitted to the Judges, who must have
had very considerable difficulty in making the several
awards.

The variety of implements and appliances was large,
and some of the more recent were regarded with
interest, notably a new patent mould for securing wax
foundation in frames and sections, exhibited by Mr.
Neighbour of London, but not for competition. Designs
illustrative of the anatomy of the bee, and dried speci-
mens of the flowers which it frequents, adorned the
sides of the tent. Liquors, confections, and sweet cakes,
in which honey is the leading ingredient, occupied a
prominent place in the collection. Altogether the show
was one of the best, if not the best, of the series of
exhibitions for which this Society has maintained an
honourable place. Much of this may be traced to, and
connected with, the indefatigable zeal and industry of
Mr. Bennett, the Hon. Sec. and Treasurer.

The Judges were the Rev. J. Balfour Robertson of
Leswalt, Rev. A. R. Findlay, Birnam ; Alfred Neighbour,
Esq.,London ; Messrs. McNally, Glenluce, Wood, Kilmun,
and Bailie Lauchland, Kilmarnock.

STRABANE (IRELAND) HONEY SHOW.
The thriving little town of Strabane, in Co. Tyrone,
had its annual festival of combined Shows on the 27th
and 28th of July, at which honey, hives, and bees were
well to the front. Ever since modern bee-keeping was
introduced into Ireland, these items have always formed
part of the yearly programme at this place, but the dis-
play on Wednesday and Thursday last was superior to
that of any former occasion. In honey alone there were
forty-three entries, the quality and appearance of which
was excellent, all produced in bar-frame hives in the
immediate neighbourhood, where the old straw skep is
fast passing out of use. It is in great measure owing to
the encouragement afforded by this local Show that the
better way of bee-keeping has taken such a firm root in
the counties of Tyrone, Donegal, and Derry.

This has been a prosperous year with bees in the north-
west of Ireland, one gentleman near Strabane, having
but two stocks, has harvested 140 lbs., another with
twenty has taken 600 lbs., while a third, at St. Johnston,
has got 2000 lbs. off his forty colonies, and within a mile
of the latter place there are seven bar-f ramists. The fol-
lowing is the prize-list : —

Bees. — For the best hive for observation purposes, ex-
hibited with the queen and bees — 1, W. R. Orr ; 2, George
Turner. Honey. — One super of honey, under 25 lbs., and
over 10 lbs.— 1, W. J. Smith; 2, J. C. Boyd; V.H.C.,
Thomas M'Gonagle ; V.H.C., William M'Ghee; V.H.C.,
Lady Alexander Hamilton. Twelve sections of honey, 1 lb.
size— 1, James Elliott; 2, James Clarke; V.H.C, Miss
Jane Clarke; V.H.C, W. J. Fulton; V.H.C., G. W. Hat-
chell, M.D. ; V.H.C, Dr. Britton. Six sections of honey,
1 lb. size— 1, James Elliott ; 2, Miss Jane Clarke and H. W.
Lett (equal); V.H.C, S. H. Orr; V.H.C, Dr. Britton.
Twelve sections of honey, less than 1 lb. size — 1, William
M'Ghee ; 2, S. H. Orr ; H.C., George Turner. Six sections
of honey, less than 1 lb. size— 1, S. H. Orr; 2, George
Turner. Six jars of honey, 2 lb. size — 1, George Turner;
2, S. H. Orr. Six jars of honey, 1 lb. size— 1, George
Turner ; 2, W. J. Fulton. Best hive for general use in an
apiary— 1, W. J. Fulton; 2, W. B. Orr. Best hive for ob-
taining honey in sections— 1, W. B. Orr ; 2, W. J. Fulton.
Special Prize. — For the best exhibit of super honey, sec-
tional or otherwise, produced in a bar-frame hive purchased
from W. B. Orr— 1, Dr. Britton.

As regards the j udging it was evident that perfectly
white sealing was the only point attended to ; full sec-
tions, perfectly filled, and free of popholes, were nowhere,
and neither consistency, flavour, nor colour of the honey
was tried, as in no instance did the judges take a section
out of its case, or taste it.

A peculiar feature among the exhibits was a large
class of non-sectional supers, measuring 14 x 14 x 3, some
of which looked particularly good. The narrow H inch
sections were present in another class, but the general
opinion is not in their favour.

The Hon. Secretary of the Shows, Mr. W. R. Orr, de-
serves credit for his arrangements.

He is also a very successful bee-keeper, well deserved
the first prize, won by his Jubilee hive, which is of small
size, which he considers suitable for his district of country,
the feature of the hive being that the super-cover also
constitutes the section crate, thus simplifying the opera-
tion of tiering up storeys of section-holders.

The Show was crowded on both days, and useful lec-
tures on bee-keeping and hive-management were given
by the Rev. H. W. Lett to many inquirers and intending
bee-keepers in a plain and concise manner.

€oxxztyavfomtL

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com'
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real 7iames and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, hut as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangcways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circws, W.C All business commioiications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, JiTings Langley, Herts {see
2nd page of .dducrtisemeuts).

■%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, wilt oblige by mentiojting the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

MR. SIMMINS'S APIARY.
[1170.] If I wanted to describe in two words the con-
trast between the localities of Mr. Blow's bee-yarden, which
I visited ten months ago, and Mr. Simmins's apiary which
I saw yesterday, I should call the former a paradise and
the latter a rolling prairie. I well remember my feelings
when about five years ago I made my first excursion to
Rottingdean, how, between surprise and disgust, and

August 4, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

335

more and more surprise, I had a good time of it. As I
rode the four miles a-top of the 'bus which, to begin
with, starts from Brighton within an hour of noon (!)
my mixed feelings shaped themselves into one question
many times repeated, ' "Whatever could Mr. Simmins
have been thinking about ? ' meaningless enough to the
reader till I explain that I had known Mr. Simmins
when he lived in a paradise (I still speak comparatively)
and had taken his bees regularly every autumn to the
skirts of a real forest where the heather spread away as
far as the bees could reach. But here was a long dusty
road all ups and downs, the sea on the one side —
beautiful ! ah, yes, but the bees couldn't forage there, —
and on the other side never a tree. Positively not
a tree can be seen all the way, exceptins only at
Ovingdean, a little place which lies half a mile
off the road to the left, in a hollow in the downs,
there a group of trees can be distinguished by the
careful observer, but it seems to have teen .doing its
best the last fifty years or so to hide itself, and has
succeeded pretty well, for I don't suppose one out of
fifty passers-by has ever seen it. Near the road there
were fields of waving wheat and oats and barley, as
yesterday, but beyond only the bare downs, not even
sheep-dotted. However, by-and-by I came to fields of
sainfoin, then sighted Rottingdean down in a valley at
right angles with the sea, and beyond, more sheep-forage,
and sheep too, of course. Then it began to dawn on me
that perhaps (!) Mr. Simmins did know what he was
about after all, and readers of the Bee Journal will,
doubtless, confirm the correctness of my changing im-
pressions as to that conclusion. Twice have I been to
see Mr. Simmins since ; which brings me down to my
visit of yesterday.

Rottingdean, spite of its name, has not decayed yet.
It has two laggard busses now, and boasts, perhaps, a
hundred trees, mostly grouped at the upper end of the
one street, as if for company, and mostly sycamore.
There is a ruined cottage, a large horse-pond, and an old-
fashioned little church with nothing particular about it,
except that it has a pent-house roof over the clock,
which, perhaps, objects to have its face washed ! The
village consists of about sixty houses, all told.

Mr. Simmins is a genial man, of few words and
weighty; age about thirty, tall and well built, brown
hair, eyes, and beard, which he keeps well trimmed as
most bee-men do. I have not heard him laugh (he seems
too busy), but I saw him smile a good deal at the baby,
and that is something when there are four more — children
I mean, not babies. The three eldest were away, and Mrs.
Simmins told me during dinner she longed to have them
home again. I saw their pictures, and quite believe Mrs.
Simmins.

Now I feel sure the readers of the Bee Journal will
forgive all this personal talk, for everybody knows that
Mr. Simmins never appears at the ' shows,' so I have
just been showing him up a little — at home. The
apiary is away from the house, and covers an exten-
sive area; a parallelogram surrounded by a substantial
seven-feet high stone wall and subdivided within by two
other walls, that is to say, there are three square enclo-
sures communicating each with each. No. 1 contains an
apiary and manipulating buildings ; No. 2, the factory
and a waving field of melilot clover just blooming and
yielding a scent which was quite new to me and very
pleasant. My ! how much pleasanter to the bees, they
were thick upon it ! No. 3, another apiary, and in it some
semi-wild rabbits burrow at will.

Of the factory I shall say nothing, except that Mr.
Simmins intends springing therefrom one or two real
surprises in the matter of extractor, uncapper, &c, but
alas ! they wall not be ready for this season's harvest.
A new book is also on the tapis, at a popular price too.
My business with Mr. Simmins was to buy a couple of
queens. I paid 7s. 6d. a-piece for them — a Carniolan

and Ligurian, the latter imported. Cyps. Mr. Simmins
had sold out of. I can testify to the careful selection of
my home-bred Carniolan, as also to the fertility and
youth of two or three others selected from stocks while
I was present for customers. The hives are scattered
about in diagonal lines, though at first sight appearing
to be in picturesque confusion, but nevertheless it was
perfectly evident that Mr. Simmins knew each one,
somewhat after the manner of a shepherd with his sheep
I suppose. To me they seemed all alike. There were
Cyprians crossed with Carniolans, — and Carniolans pure,
— Ligurians pure and crossed with Carniolans, — an Albino
(a strain of bees selected from Italians by American
breeders), and several hives of Syrians, one of them
just then in an awfully bad humour. The Cyprians,
however, were as gentle as could be desired ; we looked
at several ; no smoke, yet beautifully quiet ; all of which
had had their queens taken from them for sale and were
supplied with home-raised queens on point of mating.
I saw Mr. Simmins pack a six-frame stock and a
three-frame nucleus for a customer. I plied Mr.
Simmins with a few questions, but what with other
callers and general bus3'-ness my information came rather
disconnectedly. I really intended to ' interview ' him,
you know. How long have you been in the bee way,
Mr. Simmins ? About twenty years. Have you had any
experience of foul brood ? In the past I have, before I
came here. How did you get rid of itP I starved it
out. What do you think of Mr. Cheshire's Cure ? I
think it will prove effectual if you re-queen as well. Do
you use apifuge P I use smoke of rotten wood. "What
sort of a honey season have you had? Bad, for comb
especially. We have had no rain for seven weeks, but
have been sadly troubled with sea-fogs ; and these
thistles, you see, (we were walking up the downs) will
come to nothing, whereas they generally yield much
honey. The wild thyme, too, has been a failure. But I
depend more upon my bees at Balsdean for honey, that is
a very fertile valley two miles further on. This is my
breeding place, being isolated, nobody has any bees within
mating distance, so I nave it all my own way and can
ensure purity. Here I told Mr. Simmius my impressions
about the surrounding country, and he smiled; but then
had I not just come through the delighful scenery which
lies between Dorking and Brighton, via Horsham, across
the "Weald of Sussex, and was I not fresh from the glories
of ' my own, my native land,' — mine to look at and to
boast about, — Boxhill and Norbury, Leith Hill and
Holmbury ?

Good-bye, Mr. Simmins, I shall (all well) come and
see you again and walk over to your honey factory at
Balsdean. — "W. Hollieb, Dorking.

THE STEWARTON HIVE.
[1171.] In your article on the Stewarton hive you
refer to the fact that in 1830 I read a paper before the
B. B. K. A. on this hive and you proceed to give
numerous details respecting it. Allow me to express a
hope that none of your readers will be thereby beguiled
— especially when they gaze on the wondrous represen-
tation of body boxes piled on each other which adorns
your columns — into the purchase of a Stewarton. There
is a vast difference between 1830 and 1387. Bee science
has advanced by leaps and bounds in the interval. What
I could conscientiously recommend in 1880, I should
hesitate even to approve in 1887. The Stewarton has
had its day and has done excellent work. It has taught
bee-keepers the importance of storifying, of enlargement
of the hive above and below with the increase of popu-
lation. But of late years the same principle has been
applied to the bar-framed hive and with even more
satisfactory results. The enormous harvests sometimes
secured in the Stewartons have been surpassed when
three or four bar-framed hives have been piled one upon

336

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 4, 1887.

another. The slides of the Stewarton cannot he com-
pared in point of convenience to the frames of the modern
hive. In dry weather they shrink and perhaps fall into
the hive when you endeavour to draw them out or to
put them in their place ; in wet weather they swell to
such a degree that it is often almost impossible either to
draw them out, or to return them if you have succeeded
in extracting them. The manipulation of bees, more-
over, in the bar-framed hive is infinitely more easy than
in the Stewarton. In point of expense the bar-framed
hive of 1S37 will bear comparison with the Stewarton.
— E. Baetrum, Berkhamsted, Herts.

RE FOUL BROOD.— SPACE BENEATH
FRAMES.

[1172.] I would advise 'West Kent' to remove the
queen on suspicion, for we know that sometimes the
disease takes possession of her and every egg she lays has
the gems of disease in it. This advice I gave last year
to the ' Man of Kent,' and it would be interesting to
hear from him how he has fared this year after the
robbing of a diseased stock by all his other stocks. I
hope he will favour us with another letter on this subject.
I know from experience how difficult it is for a novice
to get rid of the disease, while at the same time he is
using phenol the queen is producing it in every cell. Take
her away, and for three weeks the disease may be
stamped out by the Cheshire cure ; if, however, it
should appear again when the 3Toung queen begins to lay
a little patience and repeated application of the medi-
cated syrup with Mr. Cheshire's directions will effectually
cure any attack.

I am very glad to see that }'ou, Mr. Editor, are giving
attention to ' space beneath frames,' for I am convinced
that it is a very important subject since the adoption of
a S3rstem of frames running parallel with the entrance,
and many good stocks have come to grief in winter
through the want of more space below the frames. It
is quite a mistake to suppose that a few inches of vacant
space below means draught, and many years ago when I
used the old straw skep 1 frequently observed how much
healthier and stronger these stocks were which had not
time to complete comb-building in the autumn ; and even
in the good old time of the Woodbury hive I seldom lost
a strong stock in winter, but since adopting the parallel
system I regret to say the winter destruction has been
great with me, and I have seen some painful sights in
other apiaries; I trust, therefore, that we shall soon have
a hive combining with other advantages a clear two-
inch space below the frames for winter use only ; and if
proper attention is given to top packing we need have no
fear for the safety of our bees even in such a winter as
the last. — Thomas F. Waud, Highgate.

NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.

[1173.] Four Bee-ioay Sections. — As I anticipated in
the Journal, these are a failure with me when used with-
out separators. To be sure they are filled and sealed, and,
I thin];, rather more quickly than when separators are
used, but they cannot be glazed, nor can they be packed
without bruising one another unless kept in the same
order they occupied in the rack ; besides, the propolis
has to be scraped off four sides instead of two, and they
are also much more difficult to handle without breakage.

Taking off Sections. — I take off the rack complete,
place it at the back of the hive, then take out the
sections one by one, and shake out the bees in front of
the hive, having first placed a sloping board from the
entrance to the ground. Five minutes suffice to clear a
rack of twenty-one sections of every bee, and as each
one is cleared it is placed in a Coleman's starch box.
Scarcely any smoke is necessary, just a few puffs to
send the bees down from the rack before lifting off.

Bees and Hoses.— As a rosegrower on rather a large
scale, and an exhibitor occasionally, having for years had
some thousands of rose-trees constantly under obser-
vation, I wish to state my opinion that there is not a
shadow of anything to support the supposition that bees
do injury to rose blooms, that is, spoil any that would
be otherwise fit for exhibition. Bees frequent roses for
two purposes, i.e. for pollen when the honey season is
about over, and when flowers are scarce, and for water
which has been held by the cup-shaped flower after a
shower, or has been condensed on the petals during the
night. I quite agree with the opinion expressed by the
writer of ' Useful Hints ' that if a bee can reach the
stamens of a rose bloom that flower would never stand
the exhibition table.

Re-queening Stocks. — I seldom raise queens, and Mr.
Webster's letter is a well-timed caution against raising
them in nuclei, as at this time of the year I can get more
than I want for the asking, i.e. condemned bees, and by
keeping separate those from hives which have swarmed
and casts, you can either unite the bees and queen or
queen alone after having taken away the old one by any
of the methods so frequently mentioned in the Journal.
Be careful in uniting bees, it is easier said than done.
They should be put together on the evening of the day
they are driven, as they are then gorged, and will be
accepted. If delayed until the next day, it is more
difficult.

Excluder zinc. — When Mr. Simrr>in3 asks where ex-
cluder zinc can be procured, he meaus, no doubt, the
correct size, and yet he knows better than I do that
queens vary much in size, therefore to get ' the correct
size ' we must first measure our queen. The best ex-
cluder zinc that can be used in a hive is plenty of room
below for the queen with a reasonable quantity of drone
comb. Are we not ourselves to blame a good deal by
trying to work against nature by filling our hives with
all worker comb, the result being that in accordance with
the natural instincts of the bees to rear drones, they fill
the supers with drone-comb? Mr. Simmins tells us, if
I remember rightly, that he supers on nine combs. No
doubt there is a difficulty in keeping clown a vigorous
laying queen on nine bars. I cannot do it with our
native bees. I like supering on from eleven to fifteen
bars, then there is little fear of the queen ascending the
supers if only some drone-comb exists in the hive. And
why should we exclude drones ? where is the hive that
has any prosperity about it without them ?

Wasps. — Are you not a little premature in proclaiming
a scarcity of wasps ? After long observation I have
come to the conclusion that the number of queen-wasps
seen in any spring is no criterion as to the abundance
or otherwise of wasps in the autumn, and no reliable
conclusions can be drawn therefrom. My own opinion
is that, like bees, they have good and bad years, and
that their abundance or scarcity depends very much on
the season — a dry summer being favourable to their
increase and a wet one the reverse, hence 1 shall not
be surprised to hear they are more plentiful than agree-
able in some parts of the country this autumn, notwith-
standing the scarcity of queens in the spring ; besides
August is the month when they become so intrusive, and
until then very few people notice them.

I was glad you mentioned some of this beautiful,
active, intelligent, and useful creature's good qualities ;
it is without doubt one of the most harmless creatures
in existence, seldom or never taking the offensive, indeed,
unless you interfere with its home, scarcely any amount
of ill usage will make it attack you. This is contrary
I know to public opinion, but 1 don't care a rap for
public opinion on natural-history matters; it is generally
made up of old exploded notions, popular prejudices,
and superstitions, having their origin in inaccurate ob-
servation, therefore in nine cases out of ten it is
erroneous.

August 4, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEl'i JOURNAL.

337

Wasps, like 11111111)16 bees, fly at a lower temperature
than hive bees, which they excel in beauty, intelligence,
and courage ; bees being their equals in one point, viz.,
untiring industry. No doubt they do much injury to
ripe fruit, but then they do an incalculable amount of
good to the trees by ridding them of aphis, &c. I think
the injury they do to bee-keepers has been much over-
estimated. I cannot recall to mind a season when they
have done me sixpenny-worth of injury, and this is a great
district for wasps. — F. Boyes.

CARNIOLAN BEES.

[1174.] As Carniolans are to a certain extent still on
their trial against other foreign races, I would like, with
the Editor's permission, to give my experiences with
them, although I am only a bee-keeper of twelve months
standing. Last year I commenced bee-keeping by getting
two rather late swarms, and with the help of a friend 1
put them safely into bar-frame hives. However, I was
very unluck)' with them, as the queen of one swarm died
suddenty soon after all drones had been killed ; and the
other swarm proved to be a cast, the queen of which
failed to get fertilised with me. Under these circum-
stances I had either to let them die out or send for queens
to a dealer. Well, after a great deal of debating as to
what race I would go in for, I decided to go in for Car-
niolans, and I sent to Mr. Simmins for two of his home-
raised Carniplan queens, which, with much fear and
trembling, I introduced according to the Simmins' fasting
method, and to my great delight I found both queens
laying when I examined at the end of sixty hours.
Well, both hives wintered well, and I devoted one of
them to increase, and I have made six good stocks out of
it besides having extracted nearly 40 lbs. and taken
15 lbs. in sections. The other hive I prevented from
swarming, and up to to-day, July 2otk, although this is
not a very good district and the limes have been an
utter failure, 1 have taken 90 lbs. in sections, 12 lbs.
extracted from brood-combs, and there are still 21 lbs.
in sections on the hive which are nearly finished. I
think this is not a bad score for any race of bees, and I
daresay it would have been better if the hive had been
in the hands of an expert. — W. B. M., Donnybrook,
Dublin. '

CAMOMILE WEED, &c.

[1175.] I should be much obliged if you would
answer me the following questions in next number of
B.B. Journal. Two or three large fields near my apiary
have not been cultivated this year, but the camomile
weed has seeded itself all over them, and now the fields
are one mass of the white flowers, and on hot days it is
very unpleasant walking near them, as they give off an
offensive smell ; they also give off a very loud hum of
bees. What is camomile honey like ? Is it poisonous
or unpleasant in any way ? I have heard of camomile
pills for indigestion ; if I find my honey very objection-
able I think 1 had better put it in small bottles and sell
it as a crack cure for indigestion (camomile honey 2s. 6d.
a bottle).

Is there any way of making honey bright ? The first
lot I took this year is very good flavour, very light in
colour, thick, but not bright, which, of course, makes it
impossible for me to show it. What makes it dull ?

I wish you would use your influence against a practice
which is becoming very common, viz., putting extracted
honey into bottles which only hold 12 or 13 ounces and
then selling them as 1 lb. bottles. I find that a Bottle
Company (who seem to do a large honey bottle trade) are
offenders ; their (reputed) 2 lb. screw cap bottles hardly
hold l.£ lbs. Why shouldn't prizes be offered for honey
bottles at bee shows ? Of course only those holding ex-
actly the right amount would have a chance of netting a

prize, and bee-keepers would know where to get the best
bottles without writing to different firms for samples.
The prize winners would do the best trade, and there-
fore the trade would be obliged to make their bottles
the right size.

My bees have done fairly well. The clover has failed
owing to want of rain. The limes are just coming out,
but unless we have rain very soon, the bees will leave
everything for the honey dew, which is very abundant.
— E. B. Downeb, Surrey, July <kth,

[We have had no experience with camomile honej',
we presume it would partake of the qualities of the
flowers, which have a strong though not ungrateful
smell, and which possess tonic and stomachic virtues.
Honey may be made brighter by continuous straining
—Ed.]

BACILLUS MINOR.

[1176.] I am much obliged to the writer of ' Useful
Hints' for his description of Bacillus minor in a recent
issue.

By it I have been able to identify the state of one
of my hives as being affected by Bacillus minor during
the last three weeks. I knew it was not true foul brood
as described in British Bee-keeper's Guide, and could
not make out what it was. As yon say there is no cure
for it yet discovered, on Saturday I took out all the
frames containing any brood — there were seven — and
inserted in their places six other frames of healthy
brood and a partially finished queen-cell, as there seemed
a desire on the part of the affected bees to rear another
queen.

The frames of brood, &c, I am going to boil down
for the wax. I believe the disease to have been im-
ported about a month ago, when I added a ' colt' to this
hive to strengthen it — said colt was a stray one, from a
straw skep, I suppose.

Our honey crop has been quite up to the average; no
rain for forty days, which shortened the clover crop
considerably. — W. H. Payton, Glemsford, July 2'ird.

[If you are right as to the nature of the disease you
have taken very effectual measures for curing it. — Ed.]

TWO QUEENS IN ONE HIVE.

[1177.] From one of my hives a swarm issued about
six weeks ago unknown to me, but I thought they ap-
peared in greatly reduced numbers round the entrance,
and I therefore took off the sections and went over the
frames, when I was fully satisfied that my conjectures
were right. There were two empty queen-cells and also
two young queens, so I closed up again, and left them,
as I thought, to the enjoyment of a battle royal. To-day
I went over them thoroughly again, and took away sec-
tions. On looking at each frame separately, lo ! I dis-
covered the two queens still in existence, and all the
nine frames completely covered with brood and eggs.
Now my object in giving these particulars is that you
may be able, if }'ou will be good enough, to advise me
whether I ought to destroy one of these, or leave them
both in their glorv. — S. Pkatt, Fakenham, Norfolk ,
July 30.

[The bees will in due time record their preference.
Wait and watch. — Ed.]

LIGURIANS.

[1178.] A great deal having been said lately in your
columns in praise of Ligurian bees, I trust you will allow
me to relate my first experience with them. On exam->
ining my stocks (blacks) in April last I found one queen^
less, and seeing an advertisement in the B. B. J. by Mr,
Simmins of Ligurian queens, I ordered one, and success-

338

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 4, 1887;

fully introduced her by his simple and excellent method-
The hive was getting very weak, and I gave it two
frames of brood from another lot. Towards the end of
June the bees appeared much stronger than I had anti-
cipated, and gave signs of swarming. The hive was a
small one— ten frames. I had added a rack of sixteen
sections, and they had been taken to rather reluctantly.
In the second week in July I gave them a body-box,
and they appeared very busy, but on the 25th instant
they swarmed, not having drawn out any combs in the
body-box. The brood-chamber is full of brood, but
there is practically no honey ; they have not even filled
the small section-crate. They have worked all along,
early and late, and yet seem to have but little to show
for it. — Hebbebt H. Pbatt, Stokeville, Stoke-on-Trent,
July 27.

[The bee enclosed in your letter was so utterly smashed
that it was beyond all recognition as to race. — Ed.]

€tym ixam % Uta.

Beverley, July 2oth. — This grand season — the Jubilee
year for bee-keepers— is at last over. Bees have ceased
work and killed off the drones. No rain, all, parched up. —
F. Boyes.

North Leicestershire, August 1st. — The honey-flow termin-
ated rather suddenly on Sunday, July 17th, but not till the
bees had secured large quantities of first-rate honey in
both bars and supers. Here and there a stock is still
adding a little to its stores, but, as a rule, unfinished
sections are being cleared out, and their contents carried
below. On the whole it has been a very remarkable season,
bees starving until June 4th, and then enjoying an un-
interrupted revel in plenty for a period of six or seven
weeks' duration. — E. B.

Lismore, Ireland, July 28. — Such a honey season as it
has been here ! It has been nothing but extracting, and
supering, and taking off sections, so that for the most part
I have just had to lump my record. But one hive was
noted, and worth noting, for it gave 110 lbs. of sections of
really first-rate appearance, of which I removed sixty-three
the day before yesterday. I have had four skeps inverted
which have yielded me excellent returns. I put boxes over
them, holding eight or nine bar-frames each, with wide flat
wooden covers made weather-tight with tarred felt or calico.
I was under the disadvantage of having only a very limited
number of old combs, so many of the bars had to be drawn
out, as I only use guide combs. Still I was able to extract
from the combs three times, getting a fine lot of honey
each time. One of the skeps I supered, but did not get
more than eighteen perfect sections and about eight pounds
extracted. I am sure for skeps there is nothing like
inverting. I let them get a good lot of honey sealed before
I inverted, and am going to put them back again into the
old position now. If I find they are not heavy enough to
go tlirough the winter well, I will feed ; but we get so much
heather and ivy honey here I do not think it will be neces-
sary. From one of my skeps I got as much honey for ex-
tracting as from a bar-frame hive of three storeys, because
in the latter I was so hampered by the queen laying in each
Btorey. Next season I shall try excluder with my doubled
hive, at any rate between the second and third storeys, I
found the skeps so convenient with the excluder zinc over
the hole in the bar-frame super boxes ; the queens never
once got up, and I extracted away in peace and security.
I have had great ease and comfort in the removal of my
sections. I follow the plan which I observe some of your
correspondents advise for glass supers. I take off the whole
crate or crates in the morning with a little smoke to quiet
the flying bees, and then remove each crate and place it on
top of an empty hive, narrowing the door to one or two bee-
spaces. Then I put on the cover of the hive, having pre-
viously stuffed the ventilating holes with paper. I also put
a cloth sprayed liberally with carbolic solution over the
sections. The empty hive, or hives rather (for I generally
take four or five racks at a time), I place in a shady spot

among gooseberry-trees, or under a tree some little distance
from the hives. In three or four hours I return and find
the sections empty, except half-a-dozen bees who are only
too glad to be sent off homewards. All the others have
made their way out through the door and go home. As I
have to send off almost all my sections by rail it is very im-
portant for me to get them off quite undamaged, which is
not easy to do at the hives ; the bees here propolise so
much. Moreover the plan is so stingless and quiet. —
Fanny W. Cubbey. [The grub enclosed in the queen-cell
forwarded was that of a drone, and therefore interesting.
Of course it would not have come to maturity. — Ed.]

Dublin, July 30th. — It is a long time since you have had
an echo from my hives. I had not time to look after many
stocks, as my profession would not admit of it, but I again
started with two hives in May last. No. 1 on five frames,
the brood of which I spread to seven, and in a day or two
added two frames more, making eleven frames by the end
of May. By June honey was coming in rapidly, and I
placed them in one of Abbott's doubling hives (10s. 6d. one),
which, I consider, the cheapest and most serviceable in the
market, as will be seen by results. I got seventy-eight 1-lb.
sections off this hive by the end of June, and one frame of
honey weighing 6J lbs. (which was next to impossible to
extract it was so thick). Very little honey coming in since
(though they have still a crate of sections, twenty-one, which
are nearly complete from mignonette and other flowers).
I keep my bees in a suburb of this city, Dublin. We are
greatly burnt up, no grass, and no flowers on the lime-
trees, all dropped off from the great drought. I sold all
my sections at 9<i and 9A<f, to grocers, but sections (1-lb.)
are now retailing as low as 7d. per section in the grocers'
shops here. Many grocers have offered as low as id. per
section to country customers of theirs, so I have heard from
a country friend of mine. It is thus destroying our honey
market, where as high as Is. per section was paid in the
early season. Hive No. 2 yielded only 30 lbs. of extracted
honey in frames. It was a transferred stock in May. So
you see the great difference in bees (both blacks) under
similar circumstances in the same locality. What do you
think of stock No. 1 — nearly one hundred 1-lb. sections ? —
Jno. PnESER Allen, [A very satisfactory report, indeed. —
Ed.]

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or_ where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving suoh
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only 0/ personal
interest will be answered in this column.

B. Auld. — 1. Suspected Foul Brood. — We are of opinion,
from the condition of the piece of comb forwarded, that
your suspicions of foul brood have not been borne out.
From several cells healthy bees were being hatched out,
and the usual indications of diseased brood were not
visible. Some of the brood were, however, dead, and it
would be desirable to make a thorough examination.
2. Removing Supers. — About midday, when bees are
at work in the fields, apply a carbolised clothe to the
upper box, after removing the covering, or smoke, if you
prefer it, to drive the few bees at home downwards, and
then remove it to a room or outhouse, and, taking out
each comb, brush off the bees, allowing them to fly home.
Proceed similarly with the lower box. When extracted
give back the combs for the be»s to clean.

A Welsh Bee-keepeb. — 1. Sugar. — The samples of lump
sugar forwarded would answer your purpose for making
syrup for winter feeding. We have a preference for pearl
crystallised sugar. 2. Size of Hives. — Consult on this
point Modem Bee-keeping or Cowan's Guide-book. The
size of the one mentioned has not met with approval
from experienced bee-keepers. A review of British Bee-
farming will be found in Vol. VIII., p. 181. We shall be
pleased to have, at your convenience, your remarks on
the ' size of hives.'

August 4, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

339

B. C. H. — Casting out Immature Drones. — When immature
drones are cast out early in the season it is an indication
that the bees require feeding ; when cast out after the
cessation of the honey-flow, il proves that they desire
no useless mouths to feed.

K. D. — 1. Feeding Swarm. — Your action in feeding the
swarm was in accordance with the usual practice. 2.
Eanoigs. — If your stock is strong the bees will give a
good account of the earwigs. These inseots are very
undesirable companions of bees. They do not, however,
much harm to the bees ; their principal object in resort-
ing to hives is warmth. We should not recommend you
to use Keating's powder.

Benton Shipping Case. — An illustration of this was given
on p. 345 of Vol. XI. Modifications of it may be procured
from most hive-makers.

East Kent. — 1. Drone Comb. — We think it a great mistake
to put starters only in frames at the commencement of
the season ; there is a desire then to raise drones ;
consequently, the comb built from the foundation to
bottom is invariably drone. 2. Stock Dwindling. — Your
stock has not recovered from the swarming. It will get
stronger directly, as evinced by its having a large
quantity of sealed brood. This applies to it if it is
perfectly healthy, of which condition you say nothing.

R. Middlebeook. — Breaking up Sections. — Cut out of
section-frame ; then slice the comb across the cells close
to the midrib, and drain through a piece of strainer cloth.
If you have an extractor, you can pile up — after uncapping
— a lot in each cage and extract.

E. S. — Using Fermented Honey.— Boil it, and add to every
10 lbs. a tablespoonful of solution of salicylic acid. Skim
it thoroughly. Do not boil honey in the day-time when
bees are flying, unless you want the house full of them.

John Haigh. — 1. Honey Wine. — In order to ascertain the
necessary gravity for this, dissolve your honey in warm
water until the liquor will support an egg, the surface of
which above water should equal the size of a two-shilling
piece. Your wine will be very intoxicating if made with
honey. 2. Relative Sweetness of Honey and Sugar. —
Sugar itself varies so greatly in sweetness that it is
difficult to make a comparison.

J. H. D. — Condemned Bees. — It would be very bad policy to
purchase them from any one so close. The greater
portion would fly back, even if you gave them brood
comb. Do not try it.

Eosbercon. — 1. Uniting. — The advice given in the book
should be followed if either of the queens is known to be
inferior ; but if you have no choice between them you
may leave them to fight it out. 2. Your swarms which
have filled only three and a half frames since the end of
June must have been very small or the weather very un-
propitious. Unless they increase so as to cover at least
five frames when crowded for the winter they are likely to
die out.

E. P. — Condemned Bees. — You had better unite on the spot.
Take one lot in the skep into which it was driven and
place it, mouth up, on the ground, place another on it
mouth to mouth. Lift both together and give a violent
bump on the ground. Have ready your canvas and
string, throw away the upper skep (now empty) and tie
the bees in as quickly as possible before they have time
to recover from the bump. They will require no scent
or any other preventive to fighting ; being without combs
they will have nothing to fight for, and therefore will
peaceably unite. One of the queens will be killed unless
you pick one out before uniting.

Lascelles Carr. — 1. Crowding. — When the time arrives for
this operation all the brood will have hatched out, except
perhaps in one or two of the centre frames. As to the
outside frame containing honey, you may extract it and
put the combs behind the divider for the bees to lick out,
or you may preserve them in a dry, warm place to give to
the bees in spring. You may with care extract honey
from combs also containing brood, but it is not advisable
for fear of injuring the brood. 2. Sections not completed.
— You did right in removing the crate, which was very

. incomplete, but very wrong in exposing it out-of-doors, as

you have probably found out by now ; if you have not
. started robbing you are fortunate.. Take it in and give
the sections behind the divider in the hive, having the
crate of incompleted ones on it. The emptied sections
will do for next year if preserved from damp and mice.
You need not fear swarming now. 3. Manipulation in a
high Wind. — The free circulation of air no doubt pre-
vented the bees feeling the effect of the carbolic acid
cloth. A good smoker vigorously used would have been
more effective and saved you some pain and the bees some
lives.

T. C. — -Number of Frames to Winter on. — This will depend
on the strength of your stock when you prepare it for
winter. The frames of autumn should be reduced until
those left are crowded with bees. If you can have seven
frames full of bees, they should have about 20 lbs. of honey
to subsist upon. It is advisable to cut winter passages in
the comb about three inches from the top of the frame,
for the bees to pass through.

T. D. S. — 1. Drone Eggs. — We never knew a case of a
queen being reared from an egg laid in a drone-cell, but
have witnessed repeated attempts of bees when in despair
to raise queens from drone eggs. 2. Clearing a Bell
Glass. — The best way to clear a bell glass of bees is to
remove it from the hive on a fine day when the bees are
at full work and to place it in a dark room, leaving the
door slightly ajar so that the bees may fly to the light
and escape. 3. Carbolic Solution. — Probably you did not
saturate the cloth sufficiently with carbolic solution.
The cloth should be kept on the hive while manipulating
and merely turned aside while raising a frame. By this
means we find that the bees are far more easily manipu-
lated than by means of smoke and are much quieter
during manipulation.

J. W. J. — Taking Boxes to Heather. — Slightly raise the
upper box from the lower by wedges, gently inserted, and
pass between the two boxes a feather moistened with
carbolic solution. Then lift off the upper box and place it
on a piece of canvas, which must be tied or tacked to the
hive to afford ventilation and prevent the escape of bees.
Place another piece over the lower box and place them in
a spring van and travel slowly by night.

Amateur. — Taking Bees to Heather. — Please refer to
reply given to ' J. W. J.' Your proposed plan of fixing
your frames will work well. Your frames being three
years old, are sufficiently tough for transit. The honey
should be extracted before removal.

J. — The comb forwarded is not affected with foul brood.
The cause of the bees dwindling cannot be laid to the
account of the comb.

E. Tolley. — Old Queen. — The cause of the gradual dwind-
ling of your stock was that your queen was aged. There
was no symptom of foul brood in the piece of comb
forwarded.

Eeceived from a correspondent a section of honey, which,
having broken away from its attachments during transit,
must have been a sad trouble to the Post-office authorities.
The flavour of the honey is the reverse of agreeable. It has
been contaminated by being mixed with honey-dew. Though
not fit for humans, it will not affect injuriously bees.

Eeceived from Mr. J. Walton a bottle of extracted honey.
We found this, for consistency and flavour, a speoimen of
what good honey ought to be.

,ghow Announcements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

August 11. — Taunton Flower Show, at Vivary Park,
Taunton, Somerset. Entries close August 8. Hon. Sec,
W. B. Maynard, 5 Hamnet Street, Taunton.

August 12. — Maer Fete and Honey Show. Entries close
August 5. John E. Critchlow, Hon. Sec, Maer Farm
Newcastle, Staffs.

3i0

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August A, 1887.

August 9, 10. — Irish Bee-keepers' Association at Soutkill
Gardens, near Dublin. Entries close August 2. Hon. S9C,
Henry Chenevix, Elackrock, Dublin.

August 14. — Handbridge, Chester St. Mary's Ho ticul-
tural Show. W. E. Little, Hon. Secretary, Eastgate Row
Chester.

August 16-17. — ^Wilts County Show at Salisbury. Hon.
Sec, Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Buttermere Rectory, Hungerford.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 31-Sept. 3. — Royal Manchester and Liverpoo
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

business ^(Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

HuTCHrNGS, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhaii, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,
Pearson F. Stockton Heath, Warrington.

B

EES!

B

EES!!

B

EES ! ! !

Hudson's Extract of Soap

and Dry Soap

Dissolved in hot water is the very thing for cleaning Hives
and Frames,

Bee-Stings.

HUDSON'S EXTRACT OF SOAP and DRY SOAP,
made into a paste and immediately applied, have for years
been used in cases of Stings ! .

Sold everywhere. Packets, One Penny and upwards.

rriO ALL /GARDENERS.

i'om A

all ki

i Plan

Hudson's Soap.

For Cleansing Plants from Aphides and all Parasites ; to
prevent American Blight, all kinds of Scale, &c. ; and for
Washing all Hard-wooded Plants, always use

(181)

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY JARS.

EEDTJCEri PBICES.
No. 1. No. 4. No. 5.

1-lb., 12/- gross. 1-lb., 22/- gross. 1-lb., 22/- gross.
2-lb., 20/- gross. 2-lb., 32/- gross.
In one gross cases, free on rail. Cases free.
Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Free, a 2848

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

COOPER'S DERBY EXCELSIOR

HONEY EXTRACTOR.

E

XTRACTS Four Combs at once, with Moveable Strainer
to strain the Honey as it runs from the Combs.
Treacle Valve, Moveable Lids. This Extractor will also ex-
tract Sections. Price 32/6. To extract Two Combs at once,
price 27/0. See Figs. 6 and 7 in Catalogue, sent Free on
application. BAR-FRAMES, Standard size, Planed and
Saw-cut for Foundation. Price in the Flat, 1/- per doz. ;
10/6 per gross. If Nailed together, 1/6 per doz. ; 15/- per gross.

D. & A. COOPER, SPA IAITS, DERBY.

NOETH-EAST OF IEELAND
^.PERS' ASSOCIATION.

BEE-KELr

THE FOUETH ANNUAL SHOW of HONEY,
BEES, HIVES, & BEE-KEEPERS' APPLIANCES
will be held in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, WELLINGTON PLACE,
BELFAST, on Friday, 19th August.

Entries close 12th August.
Schedules and Entry Forms can be had on application to
PAUL M'HENRY, Linen Hall, Belfast; or
SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM, Glencairn, Belfast,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkanqeways' Pbinting Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 2G8. Vol. XV.]

AUGUST 11, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfoitortal, ^duts, #r.

TO CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
A National Co-operative Flower Show will be
held at South Kensington on August 23rd, two
prizes are offered for honey, which are open to
members of co-operative societies only. Space
free of charge will be granted for the exhibition
of appliances relating to bee-keeping ; intending
exhibitors should write to Mr. W. Broomhall,
Secretary, 1 Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C.

CONDEMNED BEES.

{Continued from p. 332.)

While the number of advanced bee-keepers who
seek to rescue condemned bees from their fate in-
creases, the number of bee-keepers of the old
smotheration school, thanks to the good work done
by the various Associations, steadily decreases, and
thus as the demand increases the supply is reduced.
Nevertheless, there still remain numerous bee-
keepers, especially in remote country places, who
have either not heard of the way to take their bees
without killing them, or from ignorance of the best
way to make use of them, or from prejudice or want
of time, still continue to 'put them down,' and
these should be carefully sought out, both for the
sake of obtaining the bees and to teach them how7
to avoid their errors in the future. It is next to
useless to try to find condemned bees in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of large towns, in the suburbs
of which some one most likely resides who makes a
practice each year of seeking out and taking the
bees. Lengthy excursions should be taken and in-
quiries made as soon as possible, or it may be too
late for this season ; and to avoid carrying the
necessary implements about, perhaps fruitlessly, it
is better to seek the bees one day, and, having
found them, make an appointment to come at some
future time to take them. It often happens that
the existence of a few skeps may be found by
watching for bees on the wing and noticing their
flight. If brisk and rapid they are going from
home ; but if laden and homeward-bound the flight
will be heavier and nearer the ground. Notice the
direction of honieward-flying bees, and if a cottage
is seen in the line of flight inquire at it.

Some difficulty is occasionally experienced in
obtaining permission to take the bees. There may
be some prejudice existing, such as that ' bad luck '
would follow. Cottagers cannot at first understand
what use the bees can be to any one ; they often
say it is better to kill them right out than to let
them starve — which opens the way for a short
lecture. Then, again, they think some advantage
is about to be taken of them, and that they will
not get so much honey as if they put them down.
In some cases, unfortunately, it happens that some
one having in a previous year undertaken the task
without adequate experience has made a mess of it,
and perhaps set the bees all round robbing and
fighting. No one should rashly undertake to teach
others until he has had fair experience. Failure on
the part of one who is presumably an expert dis-
credits future visitors on the same errand. A good
deal of tact is required in dealing with these ob-
jections. The best means is generally to offer
sixpence or a shilling for the bees, which would be
useless dead.

Having found the bees and arranged to come
again and take them, the question arises how to do
so. Every bee-keeper who feels himself competent
to take condemned bees is necessarily conversant
with the method of driving, either open or close, as
explained in books and exhibited at shows.

When this method is practised, however, great
danger of robbing being set up is incurred. When
several lots are taken at one place, towards the end
the robbers become so troublesome that it is im-
possible to get all the bees out. As fast as the
original occupants run up robbers run down to the
deserted combs, and so it happens that when the
skeps of comb are delivered to the owner and
placed in the house, the bees among them fly about
and cause great annoyance, this being a serious
reason against the bees being driven as compared
with being smothered, when no bees are left anions
the combs to cause trouble. Moreover, robbing,
when once established, leads often to all-round
fighting and destruction of stocks. Robbing may
be prevented by closing all the stocks in the
garden by pushing a wisp of grass into the en-
trances lengthways, so as to confine the bees but
not to exclude air. In hot weather great caution
is necessary not to leave the hives closed too long
for fear of over-heating. If eight or ten lots have
to be taken, which will occupy in driving at least

342

THE BRITISH BEE JOtJftML.

[August 11, 1887.

twenty minutes a lot, and in some cases longer, by
the time all were done damage would most likely
occur to the confined stocks, and therefore the
process called 'bumping' is to be generally preferred.
This differs from driving in that in driving the bees
are taken from the combs, which are left in the
skep, while in bumping the combs are taken from
the bees and put into pans to be carried indoors,
while the bees remain in the skep. Instead of
occupying twenty minutes or longer, four or five
minutes suffice to clear the combs of every bee,
and no bees — or at any rate only a very few stray
robbers — are taken indoors. This process has been
several times alluded to in our columns, but as it
may not be familiar to all our readers we reproduce
the details with a few additional hints.

On arriving at the garden, get the owner to give
you a history of the bees — as to which are stocks
and which swarms — and proceed tj mark them. A
ready way of doing this is by stones placed upon
the alighting-boards — one for a stock, two for a
swarm, three for a cast, four for a virgin swarm.
You will then know which queens to preserve when
uniting. Now close all the entrances as described
above, giving just a puff of smoke to prevent the
sentinel attacking. Ask the owner for some large
pans and some sacks to cover them ; put a pan
covered with a sack on the ground near the first
stock to be taken, give a good puff of smoke, and at
once lift the skep, turn it up, and give it a good
bump on the ground in the direction shown by the
arrow in the illustration, the x shows the point at
which the skep should strike the ground.

It is important to note the direction of the blow, if
correctly given the weight of the combs carries them
forward and they break off close to the crown. If,
however, the blow is delivered vertically on to the
point marked with a x , the combs will probably be
broken up. If there are sticks through the combs,
they must before bumping be either divided be-
tween the combs with a keyhole saw or a pair of
strong shears, or they may be withdrawn by a
pair of pincers, giving a screwing motion. Having
broken the combs out, replace the skep on its stand,
upside down of course, lift the combs out one by
one, and having a stick laid across the skep, rest
the comb on it, and with a goose- wing brush off the
bees into the skep as each comb is cleared, put it
into the pan and cover with the sack. When all
the combs are out replace the skep right side up-
wards for the bees to cluster in ; to hasten them,
take a wing (not the same as you vise for brushing

off the bees), dipped in a dilute carbolic acid, and
brush the whole of the floorboard with it and prop
up the skep at an angle of 45° with a stick in front ;
the floorboard being so distasteful the bees will not
loiter upon it, but join the cluster at once. The
old queens may be picked out from swarms at once
and the bees united to another lot, but don't leave
a lot of bees without a queen or they may unite to
some lot which you do not wish them to. Do not
forget to remove the grass from the entrances of the
stocks left before going away. When several lots
have to be taken in one day it is necessary to work
all day, and it is best to take those nearest home
first, leave them to cluster and return over the
same ground to take them away. If from only one
place, the evening is the best time, as little time is
lost waiting for the returning foragers.

For carrying the bees home, skeps are about
the most inconvenient receptacles possible. The
best way is to have some boxes made, 14i x 9 x 8i
in. deep, which will just take six frames, make an
entrance along the bottom of each, which close with
perforated zinc. Along one edge of the top tack a
piece of paperhangers' canvas, or cheese-cloth, and
take with you laths cut to the right lengths for
sides and ends of the boxes, and some french nails.
When the bees are clustered take one lot, place
the skep gently on the ground mouth up, place
another lot on it mouth to mouth, lift both together,
bump the lower one on the ground to shake all the
bees out of the upper one into it. Have your box
ready with the canvas turned back and your laths,
hammer, and nails, all ready ; throw away the
empty skep, pour the bees out of the other into the
box, turn the canvas over and nail on the laths. Carry
the boxes with the canvas sides vertical and don't
pack them together close, but allow plenty of air
to enter. When you get home, all that is necessary
is to supply alighting-boards, remove the canvas,
and give six combs, which you have had already
stored, as described in our last. Just put the combs
in on the bees, as they feel the weight they will run
up between them ; put the fullest combs outside,
and those not so full in the middle, open the
entrance, and cover with a quilt and roof. The
bees may be wintered in these boxes by placing
them in larger ones with entrances and packing all
round with chaff, cork-dust, or any similar warm
material. The boxes must be placed upon the
stands which they are to occupy before releasing
the bees. This must be done in the evening, never
release condemned bees in the morning. If you
drive the bees, you must have as many skeps as you
have stocks to take, as each lot must be left on its
stand to receive the foragers. They can be brought
home separately or united in twos as above.

Arrange the hives with the combs and the quilts
on, place a large board sloping up to the entrance,
and throw the bees on it. If the combs should not
be fully stored, feed rapidly with thick syrup. All
food should be sealed by the end of September.
There is an additional advantage in the bumping
process, viz., that as you take out the combs you
can see at once if foul brood exists. Even if you
should find it, it does not follow that you need

August 11, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

343

abandon the bees, but on bringing them home in-
stead of giving the combs to them keep them con-
fined for at least forty-eight hours, hive them by
throwing them on a board, feed with food medicated
with Cheshire cure, burn the canvas which covered
the boxes, and either burn the boxes— which need
only cost id. or 6d. each — or boil them in a copper
of water containing carbolic acid. A very useful
hint was contained in our last to get the combs
stored with medicated food. It will do no harm
even if no disease exists in any of the stocks you
take. Do not omit to point out the disease to the
cottager, and caution him as to not allowing other
stocks to rob the honey from an infected stock, and
instruct him how best to cure it. As a rule foul
brood is more likely to be found in low-lying
localities than on high lands.

THE BRITISH HONEY COMPANY.
The second Annual Meeting of the Shareholders
of the above Company was held in Jermyn Street, on
Thursday, August 4. A full report of the meeting
will be found in our columns. The Balance-sheet,
which had been forwarded to the Shareholders
prior to the meeting, represents the liabilities and
assets, with the profit and loss accounts of the year
1886. From the balance-sheet it would appear
that 6119 shares have been taken up by the public,
and 1622/. has been received on calls made thereon.
The net sales of the Company for the year have
amounted to 1226/. lis. 9c/., on which after adding
stock inhand there was a gross profit of 521/. 19s. id.
The expenses of the Company show a marked
diminution. In the first balance-sheet there was a
debit balance of 508/. 6s. id., this year only
134/. 4s. 2</. The Directors are very sanguine as
to the future success of the Company, and that the
object of its establishment, viz. to promote bee-
keeping by the ready sale of British honey and to
assist small bee-keepers to dispose of their stock,
will be attained. The Directors have had numerous
difficulties to contend against since the establish-
ment of the Company, chiefly through the mis-
apprehensions of bee-keepers as to its objects and
intentions. These difficulties are gradually being
overcome, and the public generally have confidence
in the Company and the articles it produces. The
experience of the past indicates that the Company
must not look for success from the sale of honey
alone, but that they must enlarge the basis of their
operations by taking advantage of the powers con-
ferred on them at the establishment of the Com-
pany. For this purpose they have during the past
year been selling fancy boxes and bottles for the
sale and exhibition of honey, and they have brought
out a new non-intoxicating drink, to which they have
given the name of 'Mella'; and as time advances
and opportunities present themselves there is no
doubt that there will be further developments by
the Company. In the meantime wTe feel assured
that the scope and position of the Company are
getting more recognised, the desire for pure British
honey is increasing, and the virtues of honey as
food and medicine are more fully known.

THE BRITISH HONEY COMPANY.

The Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of
the above Company was held at 105 Jermyn Street, St.
James's, on Thursday, August 4th, at 4 p.m., in order to
transact ordinary business, to elect two directors, and to
appoint the auditor for the ensuing year. Among the
audience were present the following directors and share-
holders : Mr. D. Stewrart (Chairman), the Hon. and Rev.
H. Bligh, Dr. Walker, Mr. Zehetmnyr,Mr. OttoHehner,
Mr. Henderson, and Mr. Timberlake.

Mr. Stewart, after beiug appointed Chairman, read
the notice sent to every shareholder convening the
meeting. He said they had all seen the balance-sheet,
which he considered on the whole to he satis-
factory, and although at present they were not doing a
very extensive business, the Company was making
decided progress, and there was a prospect of better
times in store. The figure? still showed a loss, but the
loss was a very different one from that which they were
obliged to record after the first year's trading. The
present loss inspired them with fresh hope3 and courage,
and showed a continued confidence in the stability
and success of the Company. They would remember
tha't the Company was not started with the expectation
that it would turn out a money-making enterprise, hut
more for the purpose of developing a trade for the
benefit of tho British honey-producer, and thus promote
bee-keeping. They had comparatively small funds at
command to carry out this object, and therefore it was
necessary to act with great caution. They must always
have a reasonably large amount in hand, so as to make
advantageous purchases. As a trading community they
sold to dealers, who looked for the usual trade profits,
and the Company was, therefore, obliged to sell at such
a price as would enable the dealers to attract customers.
He thought they were gradually attaining one of the
original objects of the founders of the Company, which
was to develop a taste for and knowledge of British
honey in competition against the foreign article, which
had fallen into disfavour, partly owing to the adultera-
tion of it, and generally because of its inferiority even
when not spurious. He was glad to say that they were
obtaining by degrees an extensive clientele. They did
not depend on chance customers, their trade being done
principally with buyers who came again and again,
which showed that the produce supplied by the Com-
pany was trusted and approved of. That fact encouraged
them to look forward to a time when their affairs would
be in a satisfactorj"- condition. They were enabled to
turn over their capital again and again during the course
of a year hv means of sales and judicious purchases, and
were thus working on sound commercial principles. The
proportion between the income and annual expenses wa3
not what it would be if they were dealing with a large
business. The expenses need not grow pro rata as the
business grew, which important consideration they had
found out in the second year of trading. As he had
already announced, two of the directors (himself and Dr.
Walker) would retire from office that day, and it would
bo the duty of the meeting to elect two gentlemen to fill
their places. The shareholders had hitherto shown con-
fidence in the management by re-electing the retiring
directors, and by allowing the Board to carry on the
work of the Company in its own way without inter-
ference. The shareholders knew in many ways, from,
the columns of the Bee Journal, and from friends
probably, how the work of the Company was being
carried on, and he was happy to say that the directors
had had no inquiries of a kind which betrayed any want
of confidence in the management. It was for the share-
holders to determine whether the retiring directors
should be re-elected, or other gentlemen he appointed to
take their place. Any shareholder could propose any
one he chose for election. With regard to the auditor,
it would be necessary to elect a gentleman for that

?A4

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 11, 1887.

position, owing to an unfortunate death which had
occurred since the last meeting. They had had the
benefit of the services of the auditor of the present
balance-sheet, who had done his work very well indeed ;
and it would be proposed to appoint him to the post. In
the temporary absence of the Secretary (Mr. Iluckle), he
wished to say how well satisfied they were with the way
in which he had fulfilled his duties. He was always at
his post, and always industrious in the performance of his
duties. He begged to move, ' That the balance-sheet as
issued to the shareholders be accepted.'

The Hon. and 1! iv. Henry Bligh seconded the resolu-
tion with great pleasure, and regretted that he had not
been able to devote as much time to the C'ompanj- during
the past year as he could have wished, owing to the
many engagements which demanded his attention.

Mr. Otto Hehner congratulated the directors on the
highly satisfactory balance-sheet they had presented
when compared with that of the previous year. The
first year's finaucial statement showed (he was speaking
from memory) sales to the amount of 800/., on which a
profit of 90/. was made, which represented about ten or
eleven per cent ; while in the balance-sheet before them
the total sales amounted to 1226/., with a gross profit of
521/., which meant upwards of forty per cent. He could
not understand how it was possible there could be so
much variation in the rate of percentage on two different
year's profits.

The Chairman said there were several minor matters
which affected the gross profits of the past year. The
principal cause, however, of the increased rate of profits
was that towards the end of the previous year's accounts
the Company made a large purchase of honey at an
exceptionally low rate. That purchase came into stock.
The prices during the past twelve months had kept up to
a good average, and thus a very large profit was realised
on that one consignment, which was an excellent quality
of honey.

Mr. Timberlako explained as an additional cause for
the increased rate of profits that during the first year
they had used nothing but bottles, whereas now they
used stone packages. The former cost 18s. per gross,
while the latter could be obtained at half that amount.

Mr. Hehner asked question in reference to the item
of petty cash, which was satisfactory explained ; and
Mr. Henderson suggested that the Annual Meetings of
the Company should be held earlier in the year.

The Chairman assented to the proposition, and men-
1 ioned March or April as a suitable time for bee-keepers.
He explained that the delay on the present occasion had
arisen partly in consequence of the death of their late
auditor earl}- in the year.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr. Henderson moved, ' That Mr. Stewart and Dr.
"Walker be re-elected on the Board of Directors.'

Mr. Hehner seconded the motion, which was carried
nem. con.

The Chairman moved, ' That Mr. Arthur Kenworthy
be appointed auditor to the Company for the ensuing
year.' That gentleman had given great satisfaction to
the Board, and he thought had also acted in the interests
of the shareholders, whose servant, he was.

Mr. Henderson seconded the resolution, which was
pessed without opposition.

The Chairman thanked the meeting for his re-election,
and assured the shareholders that his best energies would
be devoted to the prosperity of the Company. The
position was by no means a sinecure, but entailed a con-
siderable amount of anxiety and lo.-s of time. Neveitbe-
less, whilst he saw a prospect of success he was glad to
continue the work, and he thought the shareholders
might rely on the directors faithfully discharging their
duties. He was grateful to bee-keepers generally for
the way in which they had supported the Company
from its commencement, which had gone far towards

promoting bee - keeping and developing the honey
iudustry.

Dr. Walker also expressed thanks for his re-appoint-
ment on the Board, and quite agreed in the Chairman's
remarks concerning the arduous nature of the duties
entrusted to the directors. He said there were several
definitions of the word ' sinecure,' two of which were,
' plenty to receive and nothing to do,' and ' plenty to do
and nothing to receive.' He thought the office of
director must be classed in the latter category.
(Laughter.) The work was of an anxious and re-
sponsible character, but he was pleased to place his
services at the disposal of the Company. It must be
borne in mind when considering- the financial position of
the Company that at present their task was an uphill one,
for they had to contend against the large amount of pure
foreign honey imported, and also against the large
quantity of honey in the market which was perfectly
innocent of bees. The public did not know much about
honey, and it was wonderful how they could be imposed
upon with glucose, which was often nothing but starch
made out of old pawn - tickets and sulphuric acid.
(Laughter.) Last year the Company had carried out
some experiments, and produced a new honey drink, for
which they had been awarded a silver medal at the
Newcastle Show. He hoped the new venture would be
a success. The drink was a pleasant one, and not too
sweet.

Mr. Hehner proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the
directors of the Honey Company, which he considered
they richly deserved, because their work was of a very
onerous character, for which they received no remunera-
tion. They were trying to benefit the whole bee-keeping-
community of the country, and in the carrying out of
such object were necessarihr doing their best for the
shareholders.

Mr. Henderson seconded the motion, which was
unanimously carried.

The Chairman gracefully acknowledged the compli-
ment on behalf of himself and his co-directors. They
were quite content to do the work so long as they
received the confidence and support of the shareholders.
He lived in L mdon, and consequently his expenses in
relation to the Company were trilling compared to those
of the other directors, who often had to come to town
specially in regard to the Company's affairs.

The minutes of the meeting were then read by the
Secretary, and signed by the Chairman, after which the
pi'oceedings closed.

ASSOCIATIONS.

THE LEICESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

The annual show of this Societ}' was held at Ashby-
de-la-Zouch on July 28th and 29th in grounds belonging
to the celebrated Ivanhoe Baths, in close proximity to
the town and the railway station. The saline baths arc
said to be most beneficial in cases of chronic rheumatism.
Ashby is purely an agricultural town of between seven
and eight thousand inhabitants. There is a fine old
castle standing in a commanding position, which has the
reputation of never having been taken, of which there are
fine views from the high ground on the opposite side of
and looking over the town.

The Leicestershire Bee-keepers' Association, which is
in affiliation with the British B. K. A., held its annual
show in conjunction with the Agricultural Society,
whose catalogue contains the schedule of prizes offered
for bees, honey, hives, &c.

The show of honey at Ashby was of a very superior
quality with but few exceptions, particularly the honey
in bottles and jars. The comb honey in sections was
good for the season, but here, as at most of the shows

August 11, 1887.]

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

345

this year, the sections are not so well filled as usual,
there being popholes in nearly all the corners.

The exhibition of hives and appliances was good,
although not a large one. In the best collection Mr.
Meadows, of Syston, near Leicester, obtained first prize.
In addition to the hives he had several extractors, wax
extractors, syrup cans, honey ripeners. feeders and
smokers. The tin ware was all well made, good, and
useful. His patent Kaynor extractor, as now shown,
is unquestionably the best and cheapest in the market :
it is simple and free from the fixed cages that were
once thought necessary, giving plenty of room, so
that frames can be turned in the extractor without
taking them out as was the case with the older patterns.
He also exhibited some of Mr. James Lee's patent frames
and sections, which excited a good deal of attention,
which, from their strength, the ease with which they are
put together and the foundation is fixed, in addition to
other good points, must come into general use, and if
produced at the same cost, will, wo think, in time super-
sede all others. Mr. C. Bedshaw, of South Wigston,
Leicester, was awarded second prize for a very good
exhibit of hives, extractors, &c, — a very useful assort-
ment of appliances generally. In the class for best hive
complete for 10s. Go!., Mr. Meadows took first with a
good and cheap hive. Mr. C. Bedshaw took second ; the
third prize was withheld, the judge pointing out that the
frames in the other hives were loose and would be liable
to crush the bees, and generally were not up to the mark.

The following is the list of awards : —

For the best stock of bees of any race exhibited living
with queen in an observatory hive — 1, Mr. W. P. Meadows,
Syston, 20s. ; 2, A. Cooper, Ashby, 15s. For the best
exhibit of super honey in 1-lb. or 2-lb. sections — 1, C.
Foxon, Croft, 20s, ; 2, F. Berry, 12s. M. ; 3, Eev. N. Gresley,
Netherseale, 7«. 6df. For the best extracted or run honey
in glass jars — 1, Mrs. Bippin, Waltham, 20s. ; 2, Miss
Chester, Waltham, 10s. ; 3, Rev. M. A.Thompson, Thistleton,
5s. ; highly commended, Mr. Ball, Waltham. For the best
twenty -four 1-lb. sections of comb honey — 1, W.P. Meadows,
Syston, silver medal; 2, Mr. Ball, Waltham, 10s. For the
best run or extracted honey in twelve lib. jars — 1, Mrs.
Bippin, Waltham, bronze medal ; 2, Miss Chester, Waltham,
certificate and 5s. For the best frame-hive with arrange-
ment for summer and winter. Price not to exceed 10s. 6d.
— 1, W. P. Meadows, Syston, 15s. ; 2, C. Bedshaw, South
Wigston, 10s. For the cheapest, neatest, and best super for
harvesting honey in the comb — 1, C. Bedshaw, South
Wigston, 5s. ; 2, Turner & Son, Radcliffe, 2s. 6d. For the
cheapest, neatest, and best show-case for sections — 1, C.
Bedshaw, South Wigston, 7s. 6d. ; 2, W. P. Meadows,
Syston, os. For the best collection of bee appliances — 1, W.
P. Meadows, Syston ; 2, C. Bedshaw, South Wigston.

Great credit is due to the Secretary, Mr. Ball, of
Waltham, for the general management of the show and
the manner in which the exhibits were staged, when we
consider that he was unable to unpack anything over
night, the carpenters not having fixed the tables when he
left the ground at eleven o'clock, and had to he put up
during the night. Everything was properly staged and
all ready, so that the judging- was finished and the awards
fixed to the exhibits in good time.

Mr. John M. Hooker acted as judge, and examined and
passed as a third-class expert Albert Henry Windsor, of
Netherseale, near Ashby, who is a pupil teacher of
eighteen jrears of age, and we understand he is a gentle
and good manipulator and promises well.

Show at Sutton Coldfield. The exhibition was a very
good one, notwithstanding the non-delivery of many
exhibits. The prizes were distributed by the Mayoress
(Mrs. Stone), assisted by Lord Leigh (President of the
Association), the Mayor (Alderman J. B. Stone), and
others. The following was the prize-list : —

Bees : (1) Ligurians or other foreign : 1, Abbott
Brothers, Southall. (2) English bees: No award. Hives:

(1) For the best and most complete hive on the moveable
comb principle : 1, Abbott Brothers, Southall ; 2, C.
Bedshaw, S. Wigston ; 3, S. J. Baldwin, Bromley.

(2) For the best and most complete hive on the moveable
comb principle for cottagers' use: 1, Abbott Brothers;
2, A. T. Adams, Crick; 8, Abbott Brothers; O. Bed-
shaw was commended. (3) For the best frame-hive for
general use, the work of an amateur or cottager being a
member of the Association: 1, 0. E. Harvey, Yardley;
2, W. Alliband, Claverdou; 3, T. Grosvenor. Supers:
(1) Back containing 1 or 2-lb. sections prepared for
placing: 1 and 2, Abbott Brothers. (2) Ditto, suitable for
cottagers: 1, Abbott Brothers; 2, C. Bedshaw. Honey:
(1) Super honey from one apiary : 1, II. Wood, Lichfield ;
2, W. L. Pridniore, Hinckley. (2) Twenty-four 2-lb.
sections of comb honey : No award. (3) Twenty-four
1-lb. sections : No award. (4) Twelve 2-lb. sections : 1,
H. Wood, Lichfield. (5) Twelve 1-lb. sections : 1, H.
Wood, Lichfield; 2, Baldwin, Bromley; 8, W. S. Prid-
more, Hinckley. (6) Super honey : No award. (7) Bun
or extracted honey : 1, Mrs. Heath, Knowle; 2, H.
Wood, Lichfield; 3, W. S. Pridmore, Hinckley. Cot-
tagers' class. For members of the Association residing
in the county not having competed in the previous
classes: (1) Honey in comb, taken from one hive, with-
out destroying bees: 1, T. Grosvenor, Knowle: 2, W.
Woodward, Brinklow. (2) Twelve 2-lb. sections of
comb honey: 1 , T. Grosvenor, Knowle. (8) Twelve 1-lb.
sections of comb honey : 1, T. Grosvenor, Knowle ; 2, S.
Upton, Perry Barr ; 3, W. Alliband, Claverdon. _ Two
extra prizes, open to cottagers not having taken prizes in
previous years, for the best exhibition of run honey and
for the best and largest collection of honey, were not
awarded. Miscellaneous prizes : (1) Collection of hives
and bee-furniture most applicable to present system: 1,
Abbott Brothers; 2, Baldwin, Bromley. (2) Finest
samples of beeswax: 1, Abbott Brothers; 2, Adams,
Crick. There were no awards in the driving competi-
tion, there not being enough competitors.

WARWICKSHIRE BEE-KEEPEBS'
ASSOCIATION.
The eighth exhibition of bees, honey, bee-furniture,
and practical apiarian manipulations, promoted by the
Warwickshire Bee - keepers' Association, was held on
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 2nd and 3rd, in con-
junction with the Warwickshire Agricultural Society's

HUNTS AGBICULTUBAL SOCIETY.

This Society held its annual exhibition at St. Ives,
Hunts, on July 26th. The old town was gaily decorated on
the occasion. Flags were suspended in every street, and
most of the business establishments were closed at an
early hour, so that both proprietors and assistants might
have an opportunity of visiting the exhibition. There
were two tents on the ground set aside for the purpose
of an exhibition of bees, hive3, honey, &c, in connexion
with the Hunts Bee-keepers' Association. A number of
experiments were conducted by Mr. C. N. White, the
Secretary to the Association,, who has taken a great
interest in its welfare. The show was a small, but, at
the same time, successful one ; and has rarely, if ever,
been surpassed in the history of the Society. The prizes
were awarded by the Bev. F. G. Jenyns of Knebworth
Rectory, who remarked that the cottagers' exhibits were
most creditable. The prize list was as follows : —

Bees. — I. Best specimen of English bees exhibited with
their queen, in a unicomb observatory hive: C. N. White.

Hives. — II. The cheapest and most serviceable hive on
the moveable-comb principle, for general use, with arrange-
ments for taking surplus honey : 1, J. H. Howard. III. The
best straw skep with floor-board and arrangements for the
storing of surplus honey : 1, J. H. Howard.

Honey and Wax.— IV. Best twelve 1-lb. sections of comb

346

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 11, 1887.

honey : 1, J. H. Howard, jun. ; 2, A. Sharp ; 3, J. Linton.
V. Best six 2-lb. sections of comb honey: 1, F. Allen ; 2,
Eev. J. F. Trumper. VI. Best exhibit of comb honey (not
sectional) : 1, J. Linton ; 2, E. Allen ; 3, Mrs. Allpress.
VII. Best twelve 1-lb. bottle of run honey : 1, Rev. C. C.
James; 2, B. Allen; 3, J. Linton. VIII. Best sample of
beeswax (in one cake, weighing not less than three pounds) :
1, Bev. C. C. James ; 2, Bev. H. Gee; 3, E. Allen.

Cottagees Only. — IX. Best twelve 1-lb. sections of comb
honey: 1, B. Bull; 2, F. Whybrow; 3, B. W. Allpress.
X. Best exhibit of comb honey (not sectional) : 1, Z.
Hobbs ; 2, B. Bull. XI. Best twelve 1-lb. bottles of run
honey : 1, B. W. Allpress ; 2, B. Bull ; 3, C. Colbert.
XII. Best sample of beeswax (in one cake, weighing not less
than three pounds): 1, C. Colbert; 2, Z. Hobbs; 3, B.
Bull.

In addition to the above prizes the following from the
British Bee-keepers' Association were awarded : — Silver
medal for the best exhibit of twelve 1-lb. sections in the
show : J. H, Howard, jun. Bronze medal for the best
exhibit of twelve 1-lb. bottles of run honey in the cottager
class : R. W. Allpress. Certificate for the best exhibit of
comb honey (not sectional) in the cottager class : Z, Hobbs.

G LAMORG ANSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY'S SHOW.

The above show was held at Aberdare on the 3rd and
4th inst. The following are the awards in the honey
classes : — For the largest and best exhibit of super
honey— 1, Mr. James Lewis, Plasdraw, Aberdare; 2,
Mr. D. Daniel, Llwydcoed, Aberdare. For the best
twelve 1-lb. sections of comb honey — 1 and silver medal
of the B. B. K. A., Mr. W. Williams, Blackweir, Cardiff;
2 and certificate, Mrs. Ingledew, Cardiff ; 3, Mr. D. P.
Davies, Aberdare. For the best twelve 1-lb bottles of
extracted or run honey — 1 and bronze medal, Mr. W.H.
Jenkins, Exchange Buildings, Swansea; 2, Mr. E. J.
Gibbins, Neath ; 3, Mr. G. H. Rake, Aberdare. Mr.
W. Gay, Cardiff, acted as judge and manipulator at
the show. The quantity of honey staged (taking into
consideration the excellent prizes — 11, 15s., and 10s. —
offered for each class) was small, there being only two
exhibits, about 100 and 60 lbs. for the bulk, seven
exhibits for twelve sections, and four for extracted ; the
quality being fairly up co this year's average.

The judging, we regret, did not give general satisfaction ,
the prize and bronze medal being awarded for an exhibit
containing at least two different kinds of honey, both
in colour and flavour. It is full time that the Council
of the B.B.K.A. should take up the question of judging,
especially where the Association medals and certificates
are to be awarded. Six of the bottles awarded the first
prize at the above show were light in colour and had
slightly granulated ; one of the remaining six contained
true coloured honey, a light and darker shade, the re-
maining five were good samples so far as taste and colour
were concerned. The judge may be right in his award,
but we should have preferred the prize being given to an
uniform sample as far as colour went, although the
flavour may not be as good as the one containing
several different kinds of honey. Perhaps Dr. Walker,
Messr3. Baldwin, Hooker, Blow, or any of the other
gentlemen that visit shows for the purpose of judging,
may be induced to form themselves into a committee,
discuss this matter, aud establish a judging standard.

THE FARINGDON BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
In Faringdon and the neighbourhood there is a branch
of the Berkshire Bee-keepers' Association, of which Mr.
F. Burrell is hon. sec. The annual show was held on
Bank Holiday, August 1st, in the Corn Exchange.
There was a very choice display of honey. The greater
portion was in 1-lb, sections, or 1-lb, glass bottles, the

former looking remarkably clean and the latter very
tempting. The judging of the exhibits was carried out
by Mr. Woodley and Mrs. Currey of Reading, with the
following results : —

I.— For the best six sections (not over one pound in
weight): 1, 10s., Mr. Levi Inwood, Uffington ; 2, 5s., Mr.
M. Whittle, Lockinge; 3, 2s. 6<t, Hon. 0. W. Craven,
Ashdown. II. — For the best six pounds of extracted honey
in 1-lb. glass bottles: 1, 10s., Mr. L. Inwood; 2, 5s., Mr.
J. Goodman, Uffington ; 3, 2s. 6d., Mr. M. Whittle. III.—
For the best and largest exhibit of honey from one apiary,
gathered during 1887 : 1, 10s., Mr. F. Burrell, Faringdon ;
2, 5s., Mr. A. Goddard, Faringdon; 3, 2s. 6d., Mr. F.
Liddiard, Faringdon. 1, 292 lbs. ; 2, 21(3 lbs. ; 3, 238 lbs.
IV. — For the best super of any description, not sections :
1, 10s., Mr. L. Inwood ; 2, 5s., Mr. M. Whittle; 3, 2s. 6<J.,
Mr. E. S. Edmonds, Faringdon. V. — For the best exhibit
of comb honey, not over three pounds in weight : 1, 10s.,
Mr. W. Ilott, Woolstone; 2, 5s., Mr. W. Morris, Eaton
Hastings ; 3, 2s. 6rf., Mr. H. Pike, Faringdon. VI.— For
the best four pounds of run honey in bottles : 1, 10s., Mr.
H. Pike ; 2, 5s., Mr. E. Newman, Faringdon ; 3, 2s. 6d.,
Mr. W. T. Jordan, Eaton Hastings.

Mr. F. Burrell, the indefatigable hon. sec. of the
Association, deserves a word of praise for the manner
in which he worked to make the show instructive and

CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This Society held its twenty-fourth annual show in
the grounds of Jas. Crossley, Esq., Egremont House, in
the city of Ely, on Wednesday and Thursday, July 27th
and 28th. As of late years in addition to the numerous
other departments, the Society continues that of bees,
hives, and honey, and this year they have cause for
satisfaction at the success attending it. The exhibits
were arranged in a long shed with staging similar to
that of the Lincolnshire, with the manipulating tent in
close proximity, which attracted large numbers of visitors
to see Mr. Baldwin's skilful operations, and hear his able
and instructive lectures.

This is the Society's first visit to Ely since their intro-
ducing a bee department to their annual programme, and,
as might be expected, drew a large number of bee-keepers
of the surrounding neighbourhood to witness it, who no
doubt would take home with them many useful hints,
Mr. Peters, the Secretary, who is most anxious to see
success in bee-keeping, and spares neither time nor
trouble in keeping it to the fore, deserves the hearty
thanks of all engaged in the work, and of the Cam-
bridgeshire Bee-keepers' Association especially.

The various classes, ten in number, were not on the
whole so well filled as might have been expected, con-
sidering the very liberal prize schedule, and competition
was small, the principal prizes going to a few. In the
honey classes, with one or two exceptions, the quality
was very inferior. Some sections staged by Mr. M.
Mason, of Gressingham, as also the whole of his extracted
honey, were as fine in quality as could be desired. Some
beautifully finished sections were staged by Mr. Howard,
of Holme, and Mr. Drake, of Sutton, also a nice bell-glass
by Mr. Geldard, of Cambridge, which secured second
honours in the class for cottagers. Mr. F. Whybray, of
Peterborough, obtained first prize, 20s., with great credit
to him.

In the hive classes Mr. Howard, of Holme, had it all
his own way. His collection of hives and appliances
was very good, and contributed largely to the effect of
the show. The judging was entrusted to Mr. R. R.
Godfrey, and who, by desire, also superintended the ar-
rangements of the bee department.

Mr. R. A. Grimshaw, of apifuge notoriety, honoured
the show with his presence, and kindly volunteered his.
able assistance.

August 11, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEB JOURNAL.

347

THE CALEDONIAN APIARIAN SOCIETY.

We inserted in our last number a report of the Show
held by the above Society at Perth, the following is the
prize list : —

Bees.— Best specimen of British bees— 1, W. Munn,
Ardenadam ; 2, W. W. Young, Perth. Best specimen of
Cyprian, Ligurian, or any other foreign bees — 1, William
Wilson, Falkirk; 2, William Sword, do.

Hives. — Best hive for observation purposes — 1, W.
Munn ; 2, W. W. Young ; 3, W. M'Nally, Glenluce. Best
frame hive— 1 and 2, W. M'Nally ; 3, W. W. Young. Most
serviceable hive for transmission to heather — 1, W. M'Nally.
Beet straw hives and supers— 1, W. M'Nally ; 2, J. D.
M'Nally, Springburn, Glasgow.

Comb Foundation. — Best ten sheets made of pure bees'
was— 1, W. W. Young; 2, W. M'Nally; 3, J. D. M'Nally.
Best two cakes of wax— 1, W. W. Young ; 2, W. Sword.

Honey. — Best display of honey and honeycomb — 1, W.
M'Nally; 2, W. Birrell, Perth; 3, J. Edward, Fowlis,
Dundee. Best two supers above 20 lbs. each — 1, Sidney
Boebuck, Dumfries ; 2, W. Sword ; 3, W. Wilson, Falkirk.
Best super above 12 and under 20 lbs. —1, W. Sword; 2,
Sidney Boebuck ; 3, W. Wilson. Best super of honey not
under 10 lbs. —1, W. Sword; 2, Sidney Boebuck; 3, W.
Wilson. Best display of honey and honeycomb under 100
lbs.— 1, J. D. M'Nally; 2, W. Wilson ; 3, Sidney Boebuck.
Best twenty-four 1-lb. sections of comb honey — 1, W.
M'Nally ; 2, Sidney Boebuck ; 3, W. Birrell. Best twelve
2-lb. sections do. — 1, Sidney Boebuck ; 2, W. Birrell ; 3, W.
Wilson. Best twelve 1-lb. sections do. — 1, W. M'Nally ;
2, Sidney Boebuck ; 3, P. M'Whannell, Perth. Best twelve
1-lb. glass jars of run or extracted honey— 1, W. Birrell;
2, W. Low, Stanley; 3, Sidney Boebuck. Heather honey,
not less than 10 lbs.— 2, J. D. M'Nally ; 3, W. M'Nally.
Best design in pure honeycomb worked by bees — 1, Sidney
Boebuck; 2, Harry Wood, Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Special Phizes foe Ladies. — Best super above 10 and
under 20 lbs. — 1, Mrs. Boebuck, Dumfries; 2, Mrs. Young,
Perth ; 3, Mrs. Agnew, Stranraer. Best glass super of
honeycomb — 1 and 2, Mrs. Low, Stanley ; 3, Mrs. Agnew.
Best twelve 2-lb. sections of honeycomb — 1, Mrs. Young ;
2, Mrs. Roebuck. Best display of run or extracted honey
in glass jars — 1, Mrs. Low; 2, Mrs. Young ; 3, Mrs. Agnew.

Comestibles. — Best liqueur or wine made from honey —
J. D. M'Nally. Best cake made with honey — 1, J. D.
M'Nally ; 2, William Sword ; 3, W. M'Nally. Best collec-
tion of articles made from honey as food and liqueur —
J. D. M'Nally.

Miscellaneous. — Best collection of bee furniture —
L, W. M'Nally ; 2, George Brown, New Pitsligo ; W. W.
Young. Best honey extractor — 1 and 2, W. M'Nally. Best
extractor or press for heather honey — 1, W. M'Nally ; 2, W.
W. Young. Best collection of objects illustrating the
economy of the bee — J. D. M'Nally. Best display of honey-
producing plants— 1, J. D. M'Nally ; 2 and 3, W. M'Nally.
Best straw hive stocked with bees — 1, W. W. Young; 2,
James Johnstone.

BANBRIDGE (CO. DOWN) BEE AND HONEY
SHOW.

For some years the Banbridge Farming' Society has
devoted a special section to bees and honey, with the
object of encouraging the modern improved system of
bee-keeping. The Bee-tent of the North-east of Ireland
Bee-keepers' Association, with lectures, and manipulation
of bees in bar-frame hives and skeps, has year after year
been a feature of this show. These efforts of the Com-
mittee have not been in vain, the modern hives are
scattered about the district, one man in the town devotes
himself to manufacturing wooden hives of the most
approved kind, and at the exhibition on the 2nd inst.
there was a larger number of entries of honey than on
any former occasion, and all of excellent quality. The
judges were Messrs. P. M'Henry and S. Cunningham,

who did their work carefully and with that thorough
painstaking scrutiny which evidenced them to be practical
bee-keepers, who can discern a good section as well as
the best on the stalls from one imperfectly filled.
The following is the prize list : — ■

For best stock of specimen of Ligurian or black bees, to
be exhibited with their queen, in an observatory hive —
1, William Morrow, Banbridge ; 2, William A. Potts, Cappy,
Banbridge.

For best section of honey in either wood, glass, or straw,
and not less than 5 lbs. weight— 1, Isaiah J. M'Cabe, Eil-
kinamurry, Katesbridge ; 2, Thomas Gillespie, Banbridge.

For best six 1-lb sections— 1, Bev. H. W. Lett, Lough-
brickland ; 2, Thomas Gillespie ; 3, Samuel Hill, Solitude
House, Banbridge.

Best six glass jars of extracted honey, not less than 1 lb.
each— 1, Thomas Gillespie; 2, Isaiah J. M'Cabe ; 3, W. A.
Potts.

There was a keen competition for the different prizes,
especially in the two latter classes. Here, as elsewhere
in Ulster, the old straw skep , though still to be found
in remote cottage gardens, is not recognised in the show
yard.

In Ireland we still support big non-sectional supers,
and it was a pity to see some splendid cases of pure
and luscious honey, so soon (as the owners declared) to
be washed and strained, and then sold for not half of
what the same in 1-lb. sections would have brought.
The time has surely come for those who draw up the
schedules to abolish such supers, and give more encourage-
ment to 1-lb. sections.

About Banbridge the honey yield has this year been
very good, one farmer has taken as much as 120 lbs. in
sections from one stock, and another bee-keeper, with
seven, has averaged 50 lbs. from each hive.

Attacked by a Swarm of Bees. — On Saturday
afternoon, July 30th, an accident of a peculiar and
serious nature occurred at Sidmouth. It seems that
Miss Skinner, of Sid Abbey, Sidmouth, was accompany-
ing her sister, Mrs. Groves, in a donkey-chaise for a
drive, and on proceeding down All Saints' Road a swarm
of bees, which came over an adjoining hedge, suddenly
pitched upon the donke3''s head, stinging the poor animal
very badly. Miss Skinner, who was walking by the
side, attempted to release the donkey from the chaise,
but failed to do so, and the result was that the torture
under which the animal was suffering caused it to kick
violently, capsizing the carriage, Mrs. Groves being
kicked by the donkey and dragged a considerable
distance. Both Mrs. Groves and Miss Skinner were also
severely stung, and the latter in her continued endeavours
to release the animal was knocked down, the chaise
passing over her. Mr. and Mrs. Peed, of Khandwa
Villa, who witnessed the accident, immediately ran to
the assistance of the unfortunate ladies and had them
removed to their house not ten yards off. Dr. Pullin
was quickly summoned, and after a short time the
sufferers were removed to Sid Abbey, where the medical
attendant discovered that Mrs. Groves had sustained
very serious injuries, both her thighs, a rib, her collar-
bone and right shoulder being fractured. Miss Skinner,
although more fortunate, was very much cut and bruised
about the face and head. Mrs. Groves towards evening
recovered slightly from the shock to the system, and at
midnight Dr. Pullin by tire aid of chloroform succeeded
in setting the fractures. Last evening Mrs. Groves still
remained in a critical condition. — Devon and Exeter
Daily Gazette, August 1st. [We regret to hear that the
lady most severely injured has since died. An inquest
has been held, and a verdict of ' Accidental death '
returned. A juror thought it. inadvisable to hive bees so
near the highway, which opinion was conveyed to the
owner of the bees through the foreman.]

348

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 11, 1887.

(torespotttrettce.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
he drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c}o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&G.t must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts {see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of hone}' imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of July amounted to lt>87£. [From
a return furnished by the Statistical Office to E. H.
Bellairs, Wingfleld House, near Christchuivh.]

EXPERT EXAMINATIONS.
[1179.] During the present season I have had quite
a number of candidates to examine for experts' certifi-
cates. I have passed several and rejected others.
Some of the latter ought not to bave been sent up by
the Secretaries of Associations, not being the sort of
men calculated to be useful in the instructing others,
in addition to want of experience and knowledge. In
my opinion a man should be quick, intelligent, and fairly
well educated before be is sent up for examination, even
for (what the B.B.K. A. calls) a third-class, or, as I should
prefer to call him, a practical expert. The time is
usually very short, the examiner, frequently after a long
journey by train, having acted as judge at an important
county or other show, is asked, single-handed, to examine,
as was my case, six candidates in the day, or rather,
what remained of it.

The first difficulty that arises is that there is only
one skep for all to drive, and that a swarm of the present
season with tender combs and full of hone}7. Then the
bar-frame hive is half a mile off, and several journeys
have to be made this distance, as it is only fair that the
candidates should not be asked to manipulate a hive
that has just been gone over, and perhaps roughly
handled by the last man. All this take3 time, and
the poor examiner must himself occupy a little in dis-
cussing the luncheon usually provided for him on such
occasions.

Having pointed out some of the difficulties one has to
contend with, I think it would not be too much to ask
secretaries, who, I admit, at this time have much to do,
that they should, in some way previously ascertain,
if not from personal knowledge, from the clergyman of
the parish, or from some well-known bee-keeper, or
other person in the neighbourhood, if the candidate is
the right sort of person to assist in instructing others,
and if he would be likely from his disposition to do so,
and if from his knowledge of him and bis success as a
bee-keeper he would be likely to pass, so that the little
time at the disposal of the examiner should not be
wasted when there is so much to do, and that he should
be spared the unpleasant task of rejecting the candidate
for his general unsuitableness and want of knowledge.
Then, again, the secretaries should see that the candi-
dates arrange, either themselves or some one for them,
that skeps and bar-frame hives are provided at no great
distance that their knowledge may fairly and properly
be tested. In my opinion it is not advisable or fair to
the candidate that the manipulations should take place in
the public bee tent for more reasons than one. Remarks
are frequently made by lookers-on which are not calcu-
lated to advance the object in view. Then, again, where

many hives are driven, robbing is sure to commence,
the bees become furious, fighting becomes general, and
possibly the queen is ' balled,' and the candidate gets
stung unnecessarily, aud does little that he is expected
to do, which, had the conditions been normal, be would
probably have obtained the required number of marks in
his practical work.

I am induced to make these remarks from past ex-
perience. I may also mention that on two occasions no
examination took place, no bee3 having been provided. —
John M. Hookeb.

SMOKE -CARBOLIC ACID -APIFUGE— SIM-
MINS'S NON-SWARMING SYSTEM.

[1180.] In answer to 'E. W. P.' (1164), you think
that apifuge would have more effect than smoke or
carbolic fumes. Well, I for one should be inclined to
doubt it. Two years ago I got some bees from a neigh-
bour, who said thejr were so wicked he could not manage
them. I found smoke of little use ; they retreated
before volumes of it, but always returned to the charge
whenever the smoker was laid down. Then carbolic-
acid fumes were tried, and had some effect, but were not
quite satisfactory, because these bees would, under the
influence of the fumes, allow the hive to be opened and
some of the frames to be lifted quietly, then all of a
sudden they would attack in a cloud. I still kept this
breed of brees, because they were such good workers,
though almost unmanageable, and dangerous to passers-
by on the road near.

When apifuge came before the public, I hastened
to get a bottle, and, after donning a veil, rubbed my
hands and wrists with this invisible soap, and pro-
ceeded boldly to the 'wicked' hive. Gently I turned
back the quilt, spread out my hands to bless them
into peace and quietness, but I think there was some
mistake amongst those bees, because they never stayed
to feel the pleasant scent of apifuge. Straight they
shot at face, hands, and body; aud sting! did they
not ? My hands were about covered with their
lances, and then they went at my clothes in perfect
madness. I didn't run, I am too well hardened for
that, but wince I did, till I got a knife and cleared
the back of my hands from poison-bags. Not to be
beaten, I again put some apifuge on my bands, and with
no better results, so closed that hive as soon as possible.
That apifuge is useful in some cases I know, but, after
repeated trials, I think that it is utterly useless with
thes3 particular bees. I disturb these bees as little as
possible now, aud when I do always using a cloth
saturated with carbolic acid. I may say that these bees
are crossbreds, black with just a touch of Ligurian, the
queen being very black.

And now a word on Simmins's non-swarming system.
I have tried it on three hives and utterly failed. No. 1
on June 1st was covering eleven frames, so I took away
two full ones and put three empties in their place, and
put on 21-lb. super with built-out combs. Bees com-
menced filling super and building in frame nearest the
nest. Three weeks after I took out the combs in front
and looked at them. The one next the nest was almost
built and filled with sealed larva?, second built out a
little, the other untouched. I call that failure first.
Right through the season the front combs as soon as
built the least bit were thus filled. No. 2 did the
same. No. 3 did what is rather uncommon, with three
21-)b. racks of sections on, and four empty frames in
front, which the bees had never touched from the
beginning of June ; they swarmed on July 3rd or 4th.
A friend has hail a Stewarton swarm which had an
empty body-box beneath it from the beginning of the
year. I rather think the exceptionally hot weather
created these two cases. — Geobge D. Clabk, Kirkland-
hill, Dunbar, August 1st.

August 11, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

349

WORKING FOR EXTRACTED HONEY.

[1181.] Just at the present time there seems to be a
' craze ' among- bee-keepers on the subject of comb honey
production, many who have heretofore worked almost
exclusively for extracted honey changing their tactics
and are now advocating- and talking comb honey to the
exclusion of that which they formerly endorsed. I fear
this is not a wise policy, for it can only result in soon
lowering the price of comb honey and advancing the
price of extracted, this causing an expensive changing
of fixtures the second time. It seems to me that the
well-balanced apiarist should produce both comb and
extracted honey ; and as he sees the tide swaying toward
the side of the one he should go a little heavier in the
opposite direction, but not enough as to throw aside all
his fixtures along the line the tide is moving. We have
many farmers in this locality who, when mutton and
wool are low, sell out their sheep for a mere song, and
go into the so-seeming more profitable business of beef
and butter, paying a high price for cows in high tide, for
everything in the cattle line. In a few years times change,
and cattle are at low tide; beef and butter are sold for
a song, while mutton and wool are now bringing a good
price again. These farmers now for a second time be-
come discontented, and change their cows for sheep,
only at a great loss again. So they keep on doing in a
sort of will-o'-the-wisp chase, losing money at every
change. Others keep both sheep and cows, never
running out of either, but in time of good prices with
the flock, raise a little more from the sheep, and these
again increase that herd when high prices are paid for
the production along that line. In this way a steady
growth is maintained, while by the other plan a down-
ward tendency is a sure result.

As I have worked for years for both comb and ex-
tracted honey, and believing that the present time is
favourable to the production of more extracted honey
and less comb, perhaps I cannot do better than to tell
the readers of the American Apiculturist how I proceed
to accomplish what seems to me to be the best results.
The first thing necessary in the successful production of
extracted honey is a good queen to produce hosts of
workers to gather the harvest. In fact, whether all
realise it or not, the whole of bee-keeping centres in the
queen. Without the queen it would be impossible to
produce a pound of extracted honey, hence it becomes
apparent that the better the queen is, the more honey
we obtain. When all come to realise the great value of
really good queens, we shall have taken a long stride
toward succes.-f ul hone)r production. But good queens
are only of value when we surround them with" favour-
able circumstances, thus getting large numbers of eggs
laid at the right time, and causing each egg to be
nourished to a perfect bee, so that we can have the
bees in our colonies by the tens of thousands at the right
time. Failing in this, the flowers will bloom in vain as
far as filling our surplus combs with honey ready for the
extractor is concerned.

But ' what are favourable circumstances ? ' is asked, to
which I reply, an abundance of food and warmth. The
abundance of food is quite easily secured in this day of
bee feeders, and especially so if the apiarist has set aside
the previous season, as he should, combs solid with honey
which are ready to set in the hive at any time. But the
warmth is not so easily secured, especially when our
honey harvest comes early from white clover, which
requires the getting of a large quantity of eggs laid early
in the season in order to have the bees in time. Several
years ago I tried artificial heat to help forward things,
but aftt-r numerous experiments which resulted only in
harm, I gave it up.

As soon as all the combs are filled with brood which
were first given them, more are added till the hive is
full of comb and brood. In adding- these combs, I prefer

to add two at a time, using- one which is empty and one
filled with honey such as spoken of above. The empty
one is placed at the outside, and the full one in the
centre. Before putting- in the full one I break the
cappings of the cells by passing a knife over it flatwise,
for by this means the bees are obliged to remove the
honey, and in doing so are stimulated to apparently
greater activity than by any plan of feeding with which
I am acquainted. As the honey is removed over to the
outside empty comb, the queen fills the emptied comb
with eggs, which, when hatched into larvas, require the
honey brought back by the nurse bees to feed said larvas ;
and as the honey is now being carried again, activity is
still kept up, and the queen now goes over and fills the
comb with eggs also. In this way one hive is soon filled
with eggs, brood, and bees just in time for the harvest.

Having the hive filled as spoken of, and the honey
harvest at hand, or just commenced, if we wish no
increase from our bees, no time is to be lost in putting
on the surplus arrangement, otherwise the bees becoming-
crowded, may get the swarming fever. For extracting,
I prefer another hive of the size of the first, but some
prefer one of only one-half the depth. As to results,
there is probably no great difference, but I consider it
quite an object to have all hives and frames alike in the
apiary. In putting on this surplus arrangement, I
prefer to use empty combs if possible instead of comb
foundation. I also prefer to use two large or wide
dummies, one at each side, for a few days, so that one-
half of the room is taken up, which leads the bees along
gradually instead of thrusting a large amount of surplus
room upon them at once. From experience I believe
them less liable to swarm where this course is taken,
for they seem to bend every energy to fill this small
additional room, while, where a large amount is given
at once, they are injured should it become cool ; or, if
warm, they swarm from being loath to enter it. As
soon as the half of the hive given them is partly filled
with honey, the dummies are taken out, the combs
spread apart, and frames filled with foundation put
between them. At this stage I would just as soon have
foundation as empty combs, for the bees are now ready
to work upon it, while before they were not. The time
for taking out the dummies is when you see the cells
being lengthened out with new comb along the tops of
the combs.

How you will proceed in the future depends upon
whether you wish your honey all ripened in the hive till
the harvest is over, or ripened in a warm room by evapor-
ation. Sometimes I think that honey left on the hive
through the season is of a better quality than that ex-
tracted every week or so ; then, again, I am not so sure
about it. Of one thing I am certain, more honey can be
secured with less hives and fixtures where it is extracted
when the bees first begin to seal it than can be gotten
by the other method.

As to the labour, there is little difference, except that
when we extract often the labour comes at a time of
year when we are the most crowded. To be sure the
operation is gone through with oftener, but to offset
this there is little or no uncapping to be done, while the
hone)' leaves the comb more clean with less than one-
half the labour in turning the extractor. If the season
is warm and dry, I would just as soon have honey
extracted as above as that left on the hive the season
through, but if cool and damp I prefer it ripened all
that is possible by the bees, and even then it is not as
good as the other. In my opinion the season has more
to do with the quality of the honey than the process of
ripening. If we desire to extract oftener, the hive we
have already added (if both contain two thousand oi
more cubic inches') is probably all the room the bees
will need, but if left on during the season, one more and
probably two will be needed. In putting on the third
story, Ido not use the dummies, for by this time the

350

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 11, 1887.

weather has got so warm and the bees so numerous that
they will spread out so as to occupy the whole of the
extra hive. This hive should he put on when the bees
have the combs in the second storey sealed along the tops
of the frames, or soon after you would commence ex-
tracting if working the other way. Many say, Raise up
the second storey and place this third hive between the
two ; but after repeated trials of both, I prefer placing
it on top, for I think the bees will occupy it just as
quickly if the honey flow continues, while if it from any
cause should be cut off at this time or soon after, we
are in much better shape in not having the honey
scattered through three hives with few, if any, combs full.
If a fourth storey is needed, put on the same as the
third, when, after the season is over, you will begin to
carry the honey to the honey-house and extract.

To get the honey off, I find it is the best way to go to
a hive and blow a perfect deluge of smoke down on the
bees from the tops of the combs, and as soon as the
bees have run below, take off that storey, and set it on
3'our wheel-barrow or honey cart, not attempting to get
more than one store}' from one hive at the same time ;
for, if we do, the bees will return to the next storey
before you can get it off, when smoke is of little use to
drive them. Before extracting, save plenty of good, full
combs for wintering and spring feeding. If the weather
is cool when you wish to extract, place the combs of
honey in a small room for three or four hours previous
in which the temperature is kept as warm as 100°,
when you can take them as you wish to uncap and
extract them, doing this work as easily as on a hot day
in July or August.

In the above I have given a brief outline of how I
work for extracted honey, and as a proof that it is an
average plan at least, will say that I have taken as
high as 566 pounds of honey from a single colony in one
season.

In conclusion, I will say that the getting of multitudes
of bees just at the right time has more to do with the
successful working for honey than anything else, and
when all realise this, and work for the same to the
fullest extent, one-half of the colonies will gather as
much surplus as the whole do under one present
management. — G. M. Doolittle (American Apicultu-
rist), Borodino, N. Y.

AN ESCAPADE WITH BEES.— GETTING THEM
DOWN IN A SKEP FROM THE GABLE END
OF A HOUSE.

[1182.] About the year 1879 I supplied a swarm of
Ligurian bees with an English-bred queen, in a large
Pettigrew skep, to a friend of mine, who built a recess
for them to stand in in the gable end of his house. I put
them up, and they did very well there, and established
themselves without feeding. As the next year was very
indifferent, they did not swarm, and he did not get any-
thing from them, but he let them stay. I believe he
never fed them at all, or very little, in the spring. When
summer came he supered them, and took off a straw cap
between twenty and thirty lbs., and put another on, and
they nearly filled that. He was at work at our place
(being a master bricklayer), and used to be alwa}'S
asking me to drive his bees, so that he might have all
their honey, &c. He promised to send a trap over for
me. I told him, as it was an awkward place to get a
heavy stock down from, he had better put up a scaffold
to place them on, which he said he would, but he did not.
He sent the trap for me, and I went over and took all
things requisite for driving the bees, but when I got
there I found all he had got was a single ladder raised
up against the wall, and 1 told him that would not do.
I went up and brought down the super, which was nearly
full again. I went up again, and blew in a little smoke at
top of the hive, also at entrance, and lifted the hive up,

board and altogether. I said to him it was too heavy
for me to bring down ; but he was very anxious to fetch
them down, and called out to me, ' Come down, and let
me bring them down;' which I accordingly did. He had
his veil on, and went up and lifted off the hive at the
back of the ladder and stepped down one or two steps,
but then he could not get down any lower nor yet up
higher to put it back again ; and as the holes at top
and entrance were not stopped up, the bees were re-
covering from the effects of' the smoke. His head was
just opposite the front of the hive, so that his breathing-
over the top set the bees on, and they came out very
angry and excited. His veil had got drawn up from
protecting his throat, and the bees did sting him furiously,
but he stuck to the hive well ; and there he had to stay
till his man came back with another ladder. He kept
saying he should drop the bees, but I begged him to stick
to them. I went up the other ladder and helped him
carry the hive down and set it on the wall, and the bees
were at him awfully, but they took no notice of me. I
told him to run under the shade of some kidney beans,
where I heard him howling out, ' They're a-killing me !
they're a-killing me ! ' I went to him with smoker, and
at last succeeded in driving them off, when, to speak
within the mark, I might say there were scores of stings
injhis throat ; I shall never forget the job of pulling them
out, they were nearly as thick set as his beard. I got him
to rub some soda on it, and went to drive the bees, which
I did without any further mishap. After I had done I
went into his house, and had a little refreshment with
him ; he also had some, and after that he was very bad.
He thought he was going to die. I stayed with him till
ten o'clock when he had some oatmeal gruel and went
to bed.

I went over the next morning, expecting to see him
still very bad, but, to my surprise and joy, he said he had
had a good night's rest and was quite well. He is a very
hardy man, and was in good health, or I think it would
have caused his death. He weighed the hive after the
bee3 were out, and it was 72 lbs. (the thick board 6 lbs.
more), which, with the supers that were taken off, made
a total of about 120 lbs., which fact he very much wished
me to publish, as he said it was such a good yield. He
did sing the praises of the Ligurians, even though
the}' had served him so. Of course, we ought to have
stopped up the entrance and the holes at top, and then
they could not have got at him, but he did not anticipate
such a job — 78 lbs. was no trifle to hold, and the ladder
between himself and the hive. Seeing him again last
week, and singing out to him, ' They're a-killing me,'
made me think, as bee-drivings were at hand, I would
send the account to the Journal. — John Walton, Honey
Cott, Weston.

PREPARING BEES FOR WINTER.

[1183.] Bees instinctively begin to make preparations for
winter somewhat earlier in the season than is commonly
supposed. In preparing for winter, as in all other
matters relating to bee-keeping, the apiarist should see
to it that the method of management is as nearly as
possible in agreement with the instinct and habits of the
bee. When bees build their combs after their own
design, as in box-hives, spaces are left between wide
enough to admit of elongating the cells in order that a
large share of the winter stores may be placed in the top
of the hive, easily accessible in the severest weather. I
find it a good practice to widen the spaces between the
comb-frames near the close of the honey-gathering season,
in order that the bees may by elongating the cells place
a largo share of the winter stores above the cluster.

As soon as the storing of surplus honey is done the
condition of every colony should bo examined, the
amount and character of the winter food ascertained, the
number of comb-frames and the size of the apartment
should be determined by and adapted to the wants of

August 11, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

351

each colony. After the supply of winter stores had been
equalised among all the colonies, if the supply is insuffi-
cient, feeding- should be done before the advent of cold
nights.

Bees expected to perform the function of hibernation
should not be too old nor yet too young. Both queen
and worker bees should be in full physical vigour. The
bees constituting the colony, when placed in winter
quarters, should be such as are hatched after the mid-
summer working season is past and before the bees cease
flying freely in the fall.

Towards the close of the working season the workers
instinctively cease stimulating the queen for oviproduc-
tion ; gradually the bees cease flying, and the cluster is
formed for winter. After the cluster is formed the
colony should remain undisturbed. If the bees are to be
packed on the summer stand the work should be done
with care and without disturbing the bees, and before
the temperature at night reaches the freezing point. If
the bees are to be placed in a clamp, or in a cellar, or
winter repository, great care should be taken not to
disturb the cluster when the hives are removed from the
summer stand. I have found woollen quilts or woollen
blankets the best covering for winter. Wool, better than
any other material which I have tried, prevents the
radiation of heat and permits the escape of moisture,
thus securing warmth and dryness. Hives should be
placed eighteen inches above the bottom of the cellar or
winter repository, and in tiering them up one above
another it is better that they rest on a rack prepared for
the hive rather than one upon another. — From the Official
Report of Mr, McLain to the ' United States Entomologist '
for the year 1886, issuedhy the Department of Agriculture
at Washington.

VAGARIES OF BEES IN SWARMING.

[1184.] On a Wednesday, about the middle of June,
I had a swarm come out about eleven in the morning.
As my workshop is at a little distance from my house,
there is a white cloth hoisted up to let me know when
bees are swarming. I saw it up, and on reaching home
I noted that the bees were going back, so I looked about on
the ground in front of the old stock and there found
the queen surrounded by a few bees ; so, as I did not
want her back in the hive till I had cut out the queen-
cells, I got a skep and put in two or three handf uls of
bees, and then put the queen to them, and set them on a
board, and removed the old stock, and set the skep in
the place, so that in an hour or so when I looked at
them there was a good swarm. I shaded them pretty
well too, and they seemed all right ; but about 3 p.m. I
saw the signal up again, and I went down and found the
swarm had come out, but the queen could not fly with
them, and had crawled up to the entrance of another stock,
where I discovered her balled, and when I got her away
she was dead. I cut the queen-cells out of the old stock,
and set it in its place again, and of course the bees had
nothing else to do but go back. On Saturday night I
did not want them to raise queen-cells, so I took a queen
from another hive, and introduced her to them by direct
introduction. The next day, being Sunday, about 12.80
noon, they had evidently accepted the queen, as they
were swarming again. I hived them all right, and,
as I usually do, set them where they were to stand, or
as near as I possibly could. I was very particular about
shading them, more than usually so, as I thought the
sun had driven them out before, but about four o'clock
judge my surprise when I saw the bees swarming ! I
went up to see where they came from, and naturally
looked at the hive where I had put the swarm, when, lo
and behold, it was empty ! I just looked, and thought
they were going to settle in the plum-tree again, but
directly afterwards they appeared to be going further,
and I soon saw it was a planned job of absconding.

I went out into the road, and saw a young woman who
told me the way they had gone. I followed, and found
them going into a hole in an elm-tree not more than two
hundred yards away. Fortunately it was not very high
up, so that I was able to get up and put some grass in
the hole, and returned home for a skep, ladder, smoker,
and some carbolic acid mixture. When I got back,
the bees were clustering all over a thick branch. I took
my Clark smoker — ' Jumbo,' as I call it — and standing on
the ladder, was able to get both hands to the smoker,
and pulling out the grass, sent volumes of smoke into
the hole, which made the bees come out a great deal faster
than they went in. I placed the skep on the branches,
and by the aid of a rag tied on a stick steeped in carbolic
I managed to reach them and make them run up into the
skep. I then went and got my tea, and on return
found them all nicely up in the skep. I carefully carried
it down, tied it up, and took it back to my apiary, when
I returned them to their original hive. They settled
themselves down, and went to work with a will, and
filled about sixty 1-lb. sections besides cramming the
outside combs with honey. — John Walton, Honey
Cott, Tireston, Leamington.

€t\nt% frcrm % gities.

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington, August 3j'd. — The
season, which has been short and sharp, is quite over, and
although stocks are heavy, there is a strong inclination on
the part of the bees to try and rob a little more from their
neighbours if there is a possible chance. It shows the
necessity for contracting the entrances to the smallest
possible limit to prevent it, also to keep out wasps, which
are getting rather numerous, and to all appearance by the
end of the month will be a great nuisance. Have finished
taking off all sections and racks. The unfinished ones I
intend to place over the tops of hives to be cleaned out by
driven bees. Also have nearly taken off all top storeys
that were for extracting. These hives have yielded well.
I have worked several with shallow frames, same as advo-
cated by Mr. W. B. Carr, and liked them very much. The
Carniolans (with me) have shown their superior honey-
gathering powers again this season, both as regards quantity
and quality. Queens mated with English drones and bees
bred from them beat English and Ligurian bees out and
out. I cannot get Ligurians to equal them. — John
Walton.

Malvern Link, August 8th. — -In reading your Bee Journal
about the Lincolnshire bee-keepers, wbere they take honey
by cwts., I think they ought in fairness to give us the
number of hives, or it will act as a damper to the spirits of
young bee-keepers. I have had three years, and have now
six stocks. First and second years no luck ; this year,
155 lbs. in sections and extracted (all from the old English
black bees). I think of trying the dark strain of Italians.
— A Member of Wokcesteksbiee B. K.A.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondeids
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in aduance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

H. C. — Amount of Food for Wintering. — The amount of food
for winter depends on the strength of the stock. Four
pounds of bees may be crowded upon seven or eight
standard frames. These frames should contain about
twenty pounds of sealed food, be it honey or syrup, the
former to be preferred. "We have sought for, but have
failed to alight upon, the words quoted from Modern Bee*
keeping ; but the above information may suffice.

A Member of the Worcestershire B.K.A. — Ripening
Homy. — Your best plan is not to extract the honey till

352

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 11, 1887.

it has been sealed over by the bees. Unripened honey is
best put into some deep tank or vessel and allowed to
remain for a week. The thin honey rises to the top,
while the ripe honey descends to the bottom. Then the
honey can be thickened by evaporation, but it loses the
special taste and flavour of honey, and is then more like
sugar-syrup.

W. B. — Removing Bees to Heather. — There is a great
probability that your bees, taken the short distance
named, would return to their old homes and so be lost ;
hut is it not possible for you to convey them a little
further into the midst of the heather and so safely reap
the advantage which appears to be so nearly within your
reach ?

E. E. H. — Loss of Queen and Uniting. — In transferring the
bees from the skep to the frame-hive we fear the queen
has been lost. Having a small swarm in a frame-hive
it would be desirable to unite the two. In uniting, bring
the hives closer to each other, about a yard a-day,
reckoning only those days on which the bees are flying
freely. When the weather is suitable unite the two lots
by opening out the frames of the receiving stock as gently
as possible, and place those of the other between them
alternately. See reply to ' Subscriber.'

J. E. — Extracting. — Extracting should be done indoors-
The hives you extract from should be securely covered
down before leaving, or it will cause much robbing and
fighting. Wired frames are preferable for extracting,
but tough combs will bear the process with little fear of
breaking from the frames. It is desirable to extract as
soon after the honey yield is over as convenient, but
September will not be found too late for the operation.
AVe prefer the evening for taking away the frames from
which you purpose to extract, as affording less induce-
ment for robbing and an opportunity of extracting by
daylight and returning the frames in the evening.

Subscriber. — Uniting. — Open the hive to receive both and
separate the frames wide enough to admit the others
between them. At night, lift out the frames from the
other hive, place them gently between the others and
close all up. No smoke or disturbance is needed. If
you fancy one queen more than another the worst should
be removed at the time of preparing the hives for
uniting.

C. Watson. — 1. Taking Sections. — You might have
brushed the bees off with a wing, or driven them off by
smoke. Never leave honey out in the open or you will
surely lose it. 2. Refusing Sections behind Hive. —
Examine the excluder and be sure to put the side which
is burred in stamping the holes away from the hive. If
it was put the other way it might account for the
refusal.

A. Shaw. — Honey-dew. —Although bees gather this and
store it, it is not by any means desirable and spoils good
honey with which it is mixed. As you have only had 12 lbs.
from the lime-blossoms as yet, you must wait until next
year for more from that source.

Leicestershire Amateur. — 1. Moth in Spare Combs. —
Fumigating with sulphur will destroy them. 2. Cleaning
out Combs. — If you put them behind the dividers and
more honey was put into them, it showed that the honey
harvest was not over and that you could still obtain a
surplus by extracting. Do not put them out-of-doors,
you will set up robbing. 3. Working out Combs. — Put
the foundation in the middle of the hive. 4. Bees
attaching Fruit. — Possibly this dry season they are in
want of moisture and supply themselves in the readiest
way. Try giving water.

Model. — Dead Queen. — The queen externally was free from
blemish ; but too long an interval had elapsed since her
death to make any satisfactory investigation as to the
state of her productive organs.

C. W. Winton. — Artificial Swarm. — When you made the
artificial swarm, the old queen was taken to the new
hive. The remaining bees, under the circumstances,
would raise another queen in about twelve days, who
being fertilised without delay, the original stock would soon
re-establish itself. Though not consciously following
the prescribed method adopted by bee-keepers, the result
lias been better than might have been anticipated. Your

bees have done well, and you have entered into their
labours.
A. E. A. Edwards. — 1. Exhibited. Honey. — Honey is better
exhibited in a liquid state, as it enables the judge to note
its colour and consistency better. 2. ' Honey in any
Form.1 — Sections shown under this head should be ex-
hibited in glass boxes ; extracted in bottles ; supers under
glass. The more attractive the whole of the exhibit is
the better. 3. Third Class Certificates. — Yes ; a good
practical knowledge of bee-management is the chief
point. Third-class examinations are generally arranged
by the Secretaries of County Associations, 4. Non-members
of Associations. — Yes; but a non-member would, of course,
be charged a higher fee. The terms would rest with the
County Association in which he resides.

business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muakham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B„ Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M-, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft,

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, .149 Regent St. & 127 HighHolborn_

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Sihmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin
Pearson, F. Stockton Heath, Warrington,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stranqetvays' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C

[No. 269. Vol. XV.]

AUGUST 18, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

^tutorial, Ifcrthts, #r.

AVOIDING EXTREMES.

The old copybook heading that ' Practice is more
to bo trusted than theory,' certainly holds good with
regard to bee-keeping, yet many ' old school ' men are
much too apt to take the former as their sole guide
in matters apicultural, and look down with pitying
contempt on the teachings of modern science, greeting
what they term 'new-fangled notions' with a sort of
supercilious sneer.

When we speak of bee-keepers of the ' old school '
we mean skeppists, whose reiterated boast it is that
they kept bees when their hearers were boys, and that
the}' ' ken mair aboot bees than onnybody,' as one of our
contributors recently put it — which expression, by the
way, will live.

We often meet these ancient worthies, and find great
delight in hearing of the wondrous things bees did in
their day, and in the old time before them. There
used to be skeps which harboured two distinct kinds of
queens, the one for laying young bees, and the other for
some unknown purpose. Useless is it attempting to
gainsay such assertions, for such queens had been
positively heard to bark at each other before the issue
of a swarm. Bees, in these (shall we say middle or
dark ?) ages, used to know their masters. A painter's
apprentice might paint a hive-stand at noon, in mid-
summer, without fear of getting stung so long as the
bees' master stood near. And when the great Reaper
gathered the old man into his gainer, when the grim
Forester who levels all brought the old oak down,
his beloved bees were duly whispered to at night,
a bit of crepe was tied to the skep, and some, perhaps,
of his favourites accompanied his remains down the
pathway to the hearse. Alas that the romance has
fled ! During the busy circling and whizzing of a swarm,
ran tan went pot and pan, for this was the master's
mysterious settling charm. The swarm, too, in these
times, was always headed by a j'oung queen which
lived just a year, as did the bees. Indeed, certain of
the old skeppists were so superstitious and ignorant as
to the living contents of their hives that they doubted
the existence of the queen, for the precise reason that
they had never seen one, and did not believe any one
else had. Then came the horrors of the sulphur-pit,
and the disgusting messes which were hawked about
and called honey. True they got some fairish honey at

times from such new combs as had not been spoiled by
brood and pollen, and from which the honey was drained.
Of course, too, they had their mead made from the
stuffed old combs, together with the sticky residue after
honey had been squeezed out. It was well the ancients
did not know (nor, perhaps, care much) what they really
did drink as ' nectar fit for the gods.'

When we reflect that a century ago Huber was ex-
perimenting with observatory hives, citing the scientific
fact of Debraw (an Englishman) having seen the queen
lay eggs, and quoting Schirach's experiment on the con-
version of a common grub into a queen, it really seems
absolutely incredible that at this very day the most
absurd ignorance still exists, and old prejudices still
obtain, — aye, and to an extent little dreamt of by those
who do not come in contact with the keepers of straw
hives.

In medias res. We are not sure whether we ought
not to recommend the Committee of the B.B.K.A. to
firmly set their faces against the use of the skep in any
way by discontinuing to teach ekeing, bumping, supering,
or driving. Ought we not rather to seriously consider
whether or not we are merely temporising with an ad-
mitted evil when we teach the cottager to manage (or
rather, further mismanage) skeps ?

Let us now look at the reverse of the medal. Let U3
regard him who has a spasm of bee-colic. He hears in
the lecture-room how profitable bee-keeping is ; he sees
in the bee-tent ' how easily it is done,' and forthwith
orders a stocked hive, probably at the fall of the year.
He reads the current literature, and spies the existence
of tame or harmless bees from Carniola, hard workers
from Cyprus and Syria, and quiet Ligurians. These must
be invested in at so much per head. Pity it is, how-
ever, he has not hives numerous enough for all the
varieties he feels he must have. Veil, excluder-zinc,
drone-trap, gloves, extractor, smoker, uncapping knife,
foundation-fixer, wax-smelter, spray-diff user, et hoc genus
omne, these become at once absolutely necessary to him.
A debtor-and-creditor account of expenditure and receipts
is faithfully kept, and when a balance is struck at the
end of the second season, there is a decided loss. One
bee-keeper gives it up in disgust as one who has tried it,
and he is thus enabled to speak with some authority
when he says that bee-keeping does not pay. Modern
or scientific bee-keeping gains nothing by having in her
ranks such fickle sanguine subjects. Because at their
Midas touch their honey was not turned into veritable
gouttes d'or, they plunge to the other extreme and turn

S5i

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 18, 1887.

goll into drops of honey. The mischief caused by the
unfavourable reports spread by one of these disheartened
' Excelsiors ' is probably greater than the good produced
by any single lecture.

Far be it for Us to throw cold water on healthy
enthusiasm. That is the great mainspring which keeps
the mechanism of our existence as a brotherhood of bee-
keepers pulsating with that healthy regularity which
betokens real advancement. Far be it from us also to
deprecate the use of scientific appliances. They are the
cog-wheels which enable the machine to record the
progress made. It is only the blind, crass ignorance of
the past which is so puffed out with pharisaical conceit
that it will not, if it could, learn from anything of to-
day, and the hot-headed impetuosity which looks not
before it leaps (the vaulting ambition), we desire to con-
demn without mincing words or clipping phrases.

Rather let us turn our gaze to those forcible examples
of our national and characteristic temperament — men
with us at the present day — bee-masters in very sooth,
with whom the new rung out the old, from whom the
old traditions passed away before the march of that
science yielded by their own close observation and careful
study ;— men who still keep an odd skep ' for auld lang
syne/ yet who themselves have hidden the merely pictur-
esque and sentimental by the glorious building to whose
erection they have contributed so much, be the same a
hive, a frame, an extractor, or a smoker. Pillars these
of steady perseverance lasting through long years, round
which we miy gather and take lessons against haste
in anything, bee-keeping in particular.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather and PnospEcis.—Still the drought con-
tinues, and the whole country, as far as the eye can
l'each in every direction, has the appearance of parched
stubble-fields from which the corn has been already
garnered. Our meteorologists tell us that up to the
present time the rainfall of the year has been two
inches; the average fall should have been twenty
inches at least. Want of water is causing great distress
in many districts, and the springs are so low that heavy
rainfalls will be required to replenish them. Fruit, still
unripe, is falling from the trees, which, on heavy soils,
are themselves dying, owing to the cracked surfaC3 ad-
mitting to. the roots the atmospheric air.

The Hessian fly is devastating the crops of our over-
burdened, ruined farmers, and the scourge of Bacillus
aloei-^major and minor-^-ia decimating the apiaries of
our largest and foremost bee-keepers, while corn aDd
honey are quoted at prices lower than they have ever
reached before. Call lis pessimist, if you will, but there
is no exaggeration h re, and the season of 1887 will
assuredly ruin its thousands. In the midst of all our
troubles we have, however, cause for thankfulness. Our
honey crop is good — a full average one, we should say —
and of good quality, although the continued heat and
drought are, we hear, fostering the supply of that
abomination which we call aphidean honey, and which
the black bees delight to gather, while in mauy hundreds
of sections, collected by the Eastern races of bees, we
have not a single ounce of the black compound — honey
we refuse to call it.

Sections, Extracting, and Manipulating. — Re-
moving sections and extracting, where not already ac-
complished, should be completed without delay. It is
impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast law to suit all
cases and circumstances.

If bees are still gathering, although but little, remove
Sections and other supers in line bright weather, during
midday hours, whereby much time and trouble will be
saved. The same remark applies to the withdrawal of
outside frames for extracting, which should be returned
at night only. If the bees are bent on robbing, let all

operations be performed in the evening, and, under no cir-
cumstances, expose or manipulate the brood-nest during
the daytime. The carbolised sheet is far more deterrent of
robbing than the bellows-smoker. Indeed, we look upon
the latter as a thing of the past, never more to be tole-
rated in our apiaries. Those who have tried the former
will never return to the latter.

Introducing Queens may be carried on to the end
of next month, but it is better to get them in as soon as
possible, since the excitement of introduction generally
causes ovipositing, which is undesirable after the middle
of September. Some American apiarists of note cage
the new queen in the hive before removing the reigning
queen, keeping the former under confinement two days,
at the expiration of which, if the bees appear well dis-
posed towards her, the old one is removed and her suc-
cessor released. The presence of the reigning queen is
said to exert no influence over the reception of the queen
designate, and the plan causes no cessation of egg-laying.
Have any of our readers tried the plan ?

Lee's Frames and Sections. — We have a good
word to say for both of these. In the body-frames, as
a rule, the combs are built straight, and attached to the
bottom bar. We believe this would be invariably the
case if more room — say from one to two inches — were
allowed between frames and floor-board.

The sections are the most perfect we have yet seen —
perfectly even, marble-like slabs, free from passage-ways
at the corners, or any other irregularities. We hope the
inventor will be able by next season early to put them
into the market in quantity, and at a reasonable price,
when we shall certainly use no other section, so far as
we ourselves are concerned. His method of placing the
sections on the hive is admirable, and when taken off
they come out as clean and as free from propolis as the
day they were put on.

Some of dies? sections, worked in our apiary, will
shortly be exhibited in the shop of a leading London
supply dealer, and, we hope also, at a future con-
versazione of the B. B.K. A., when all may see them and
form their own judgment thereon.

Bacilli. — We continue to receive sad reports of the
destruction worked by these pests. Mr. Cheshire has
kindly paid a visit to our apiary, and taken a specimen
nucleus of four frames affected with the Bacillus minor
upon which to experiment, and we shall hope to submit
his report to our readers in due course. We have in-
serted in all our hives, near the entrance, a small muslin
bag containing a lump of camphor the size of a walnut,
so that the scent may permeate the whole interior of the
hive. This, we think, will act as a prophylactic at all
events, and, in the case of affected hives, will prevent
the spread of disease by robber bees, if it does not effect
a cure. Again we most earnestly urge the greatest
caution on all apiarists, both as regards the contraction
and conveyance to others of the disease in neighbour-
hoods where it is known to exist. We are happy to
report that Mr. Cheshire believes the Bacillus minor to
be quite distinct from foul brood, or Bacillus aloei.

Stores. — A correspondent, ' II. C.,' referring to the
statement in Modem Bee-keeping that ' two square
superficial feet of honey are sufficient for bees to winter
upon,' asks — ' Does this mean that two frames (which
present more than two feet of surface) entirely filled
witli honey would be sufficient? If not, how many
frames would be?' The statement, which is of im-
portance to all bee-keepers, will be found on page G8 of
Modern Bec-lccepint/, last edition, is as follows : — ' With
frame-hives, each stock, if carefully wintered, according
to directions given further on, will be amply provided if
it have about two square superficial feet of sealed
honey,' and is, to say the least, somewhat indefinite.
In the same sentence, however, we are told that, ' In the
middle of September, if sleeps weigh 1'Olbs,' — allowance
being made for old and heavy combs, when the weight

August 18, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

855

ought to he more — ' they may he considered heavy
enough to stand the winter.' This evidently supposes
that nearly 20 lbs. of sealed honey is the required storage
for an average sized colony to winter upon.

Again, if 'we refer to page 8:!, of the same edition, -we
find the statement, ' Six standard frames are sufficient
for a strong colony ' — i.e., to winter upon.

Now, the inside dimensions of the standard frame are
13i x 8 inches — equal to 103 square inches as the surface
of "one side of a comb. But if the expression ' two
superficial square feet of sealed honey' means that both
surfaces or sides of the comb are to be taken in the com-
putation, then for each standard comb we get 216 sq. in.,
and two standard frames will contain 4.'12 sq. in., or
exactly three square feet, of sealed honej'. We have,
therefore, in two standard frames one square foot of
surface more than required for the winter sustenance of
a strong colony, — which we all know to be absurd.
Hence it is evident that the expression, 'superficial
square feet of sealed honey,' refers to one side of the
comb only, when it will be found in entire agreement
with the recommendation ' to winter a colony on six
standard frames ; ' since a standard frame when well
filled will contain 5 lbs. of sealed comb honey, four of
these will supply the required quantity of 20 lbs., and
leave two frames of empty combs for the brood-nest in
the centre.

But in reality the sealed honey sliould be — and will
generally be found — stored in the upper and back parts
of all the six combs, while the brood-nest also extends
over the lower and front portions of every comb token
the aspect yiven is south of S.E. or S. W.

In our experience, however, a strong colony, when
placed in winter quarters, should cover well ten stan-
dard frames, and we do not care to winter any that
require less than eight. We find, also, that 25 lbs. of
sealed food is not too much for a strong colony during
the six months from September to March.

Feeding and Robbing. — Colonies whose stores have
been closely extracted should be fed, without delay, up
to the required weight for wintering, but in rapid feed-
ing care must be taken lest the brood-nest become
clogged with the food. This may be prevented by an
occasional examination and re-arrangement of the combs.
The strictest precautions are necessary also to prevent
the ' setting up ' of robbing. Not a drop of honey or
syrup must be exposed in the open apiary. Once set
upon raiding, bees become so thoroughly demoralised
that the destruction of large apiaries has frequently been
the result. The other day only we saw the drawing-
room of a friend literally filled with bees. The carpet
and furniture were covered with crawling bees, unable
to fly because gorged with hone}'. And all this was
caused by incautiously placing upon the table temporarily
a few sections of honey recently removed from the hive,
and leaning the window open. What more likely to
create an inclination to rob throughout the whole
apiary ?

ASSOCIATIONS.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
The above Association held their annual show on
Bank Holiday, August 1st, in connexion with the North-
amptonshire Horticultural Society. About 700 lbs. of
honey were staged, most of it being of excellent flavour
and aopearance. There were in all twenty-five entries.
Mr. J. it. Truss of Ufford Heath, Stamford, carried off
the silver medal witli twelve 1-lb. sections which would
have been hard to beat anywhere; while the first prize
for extracted honey — a Cowan hive, given by Mr.
Lamport Gilbert, the Hon. Sec. — went to Mr. A. Holli-s
of Boughton for a dark honey of excellent flavour and
consistency. The bee tent having been lent to the

Cambridgeshire Agricultural Society, and having been
detained by the Railway Company, did not appear,
much to the annoyance of all concerned, and to the dis-
appointment of the many visitors. Mr. J. Shaw of
Moulton Park and Mr. Lamport Gilbert acted as judges,

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION SHOW -
AT SALTHILL GARDENS.

This show, which was held on the 9th and 10th of
August, was remarkable from its being unconnected
with that of any other society. Additional attractive-
ness was, however, sought to be given to it by military-
music and the choice of a particularly pretty and agree-
able situation on the seaside. It was hoped that by
these means a large number of the general public might
be induced to attend, besides those specially interested in
bee-keeping. In this respect the result did not equal the
expectations formed, but of bee-keepers, and those
wishing to become such, probably few who were able to
come omitted to do so.

The Dublin press gave long reports of the proceedings,
and on the whole it is believed that, in spite of the
limited character of the attendance, the show will be
found to have given a great stimulus to bee-keeping, and
to have drawn a large amount of public attention to the
work of the Association.

A special feature in this show was that in the honey
department, besides the classes open to general competi-
tion, there were also classes open, without entrance-fee,
to members onky. In the department for hives and
appliances the exhibits were twenty-eight in number,
mainly from Messrs. Abbott Brothers and Messrs.
Edmondson Brothers. No exhibits were sent from
England, except an interesting one from Mr. James Lee,
consisting of a pair of supers, with his new sections in
frames, put together by means of continuous dovetail
grooves and tongues. In the honey department there were
thirty-seven entries, only one of these being in the class
for 2-lb. sections. In addition, Mr. Stanford had a fine
exhibit of honey, but this was precluded from competi-
tion by the rule forbidding judges to compete in any
class. This rule, besides diminishing the competition in
honey, had a most injurious effect on the class for
amateur hives, two of the best amateur hive-makers
being unable to compete, since their services as judges
were urgently required. The sections, except when sent
in show-cases, were piled on the tables in pyramids, which
had a pretty effect. Some, which had not been glazed,
were covered with thin white tarlatan, to protect them
from bees. This, however, but imperfectly effected its
object, for on the second day much uneasiness was caused
to the Committee by finding, before the show opened,
that large numbers of bees had made their way in under
the coverings, while, of course, many more were buzzing
about the tent. No serious consequences, however, ensued.
The bees, after penetrating beneath the gauze failed to
find their way out again, and were thus prevented from
returning to their hives and bringing fresh marauders
back with them, while the public were not frightened
from the tent, but allowed the bees to buzz about their
heads with the most admirable coolness.

In the bee-tent the attendance was highly satisfactory,
and the greatest interest was shown in the lectures,
which were given in the most able and interesting
manner, accompanied with extremely skilful manipula-
tions, by Mr. Roland Green, the well-known expert of
the British Association.

The weather was favourable, and the show, on the
whole, passed off most satisfactorily. The Hon. Secre-
tary, H. Chenevix,Esq., was ably assisted by several mem-
bers of the Committee, especial acknowledgment being due
to the indefatigable ardour and unremitting exertions
of the late Hon. Sec, Mr. Stanford. Mr. T.' Elderkin,
one of the exhibitors, also rendered most valuable

856

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 18, 1887.

assistance, and the warmest thanks of the Committee
are due to Mr. Kelly, the stationmaster of Salthill
Station, immediately adjoining the gardens, who, with
the kind permission of the Traffic Manager, issued tickets
for the show, placed porters at the gate, and gave
important aid in other ways.

In the judging department the Committee were fortu-
nate in securing the services of a well-known and very
experienced bee-keeper, the Rev. H. W. Lett, who
travelled a long distance to be present at the show. The
following is the prize-list : —

For the most economical (best and cheapest) hive, on the
moveable-comb principle, with crate of sections, price not
to exceed 15s.: 1, Edmondson Brothers, 10 Dame Street,
Dublin ; 2, Same ; 3, Abbott Brothers, Southall, London,
and Merchants' Quay, Dublin. For the same as preceding,
price not to exceed 10s. 6d. : 1, Edmondson Brothers ;
2, Abbott Brothers ; 3, Same. For the best straw hive with
super (cost to be taken into consideration), complete, with
floorboard, price not to exceed 10s. : prizes equal, Abbott
Brothers and Edmondson Brothers. For the frame-hive
best adapted in all respects, price included, to be employed
profitably for general purposes : 1, Edmondson Brothers ;
2, Abbott Brothers ; 3, not awarded. For the hive best
adapted in all respects, price included, to be employed
profitably for extracting purposes : 1, Abbott Brothers ;
2, not awarded ; 3, Abbott Brothers. For the best hive for
general purposes, made by an amateur : 1, not awarded ;
2, J. G. Barlow, Stream Vale, Clonmel ; 3, not awarded.
For the cheapest and best super for 1-lb. sections, adapted
for frame-hives : 1, Edmondson Brothers ; 2, Abbott
Brothers. For the cheapest and best super for 1-lb.
sections, adapted for straw hives : 1, Edmondson Brothers ;
2, not awarded. For the best and cheapest collection of
articles required in modern bee-keeping, other than hives
and supers : 1, Abbott Brothers ; 2, Edmondson Brothers.
For the best twenty-four 1-lb. sections of comb honey :
1, Miss Mary Daly, Brownstown, Navan ; 2, G. W. Har-
graft, Woodbrook, Shim-one ; 3, F. H. Jones, Mullinabro',
Co. Waterford ; 4, Thos. Elderkin, Kilcarberry, Ennis-
corthy. For the best twelve 2-lb. sections of comb honey :
Prize not awarded, but special prize given to the Rev. Robert
Seymour, Aghar Bectory, Enfield. For the best twelve
1-lb. bottles of extracted honey: 1, Miss Mary Daly; 2,
J. G. Barlow; 3, Miss F. W. Currey, The Mall House,
Lismore.

For Slembers of the Association only.

For the best twenty-four 1-lb. sections of comb honey :
1, Miss Mary Daly ; 2, T. Elderkin ; extra prize, Miss F. W.
Currey; very highly commended, T. Elderkin; highly com-
mended, Miss E. E. Butherfoord, The Ghan House,
Carlingford. For the best twelve 1-lb. bottles of extracted
honey; 1, J. G. Barlow; 2, Miss Mary Daly; extra prizes,
Miss Bertha Doyne, Searield House, Gorey, and Miss F. W.
Currey.

The following is the report of the judges on the hives
and appliances: —

'In presenting their report, the judges regret to be
obliged to state that, on the whole, the hives exhibited were
not up to standard, either as regards workmanship or
material used. There was a marked absence of variety of
design for the different classes, the same hives, adapted to
suit the specifications of the class, appearing again and
again. The judges were very much struck by the great
cheapness of various exhibits, as compared with former
prices ; but they hope efficiency will not be sacrificed for
cheapness, and that the uncertain climate will induce
manufacturers to build strong, weather-proof hives. The
exhibits, however, showed that a spirit of enterprise was
being largely diffused among manufacturers.

' Class 1 calls for no special remarks.

' In Class 2, second and third prizes were awarded to
hives without either doors or porches, which the judges
consider very essential points, but in other respects the
hives were satisfactory.

'There were only two exhibits in Class 3. The judges
considered neither of the hives shown to be thoroughly
satisfactory, both having equal merits and faults, and,

consequently, equal prizes were awarded to each of
them.

' In Class 1 the judges reluctantly awarded first prize to
a hive, price 21., being the only hive exhibited deserving of
a first prize.

' In Class 5, sufficient attention had not been given to
weather-proofedness, and, consequently, no second prize
was awarded.

1 Class 6, the amateurs' class, was disappointing, neither
exhibit being worthy of commendation. The judges hope
amateurs will give more attention to workmanship in
future.

' Classes 7 and 8 call for no special remarks.

' The collection of appliances in Class 9 was specially
good, the articles in both exhibits being very carefully
selected.

' The first prize exhibit included comb foundation sam-
ples ofJDublin manufacture. This being the first venture
in this direction, is deserving of great praise. The feeders
were also exceptionally good, both in design and make, as
were also a collection of bottles and a Kaynor extractor.
An observatory unicomb hive, stocked with bees, was much
admired. The second prize exhibit included a collection of
bee literature and honey-tins, with patent air-tight lids and
fitted with treacle-taps, being a new departure in appliances.
The Bev. T. Lett, E. D'Olier, W. J. Stanford, Judges.'

The judges' report on the honey classes is as follows : —

' The display of honey was rather good, especially in the
classes confined to members of the I. B, K. A., but with
few exceptions the exhibits of sections were not first-class,
which the large harvest of honey gathered this year made
somewhat inexcusable. Very good run honey was shown,
but sufficient care was not taken in some instances with
the straining, and some of it was thinner than consistent
with ripeness. The judges were very well pleased with the
get-up of both sections and run honey ; though some of the
exhibitors neglectad glazing their sections, which were in
consequence a great attraction to the bees. They found
the Woodley tin cases with glass sides very convenient for
examining the sections, they were so easy to replace, also
the cardboard boxes, but those glazed with paper and paste
when opened hid to remain so. Tom Sell's labels looked
very pretty on many of the bottles. None of the bottle3
were fastened with sealing-wax, as had occurred in previous
shows, and necessitated breaking some of the bottles to
judge of their contents. Screw caps were much used, and
are the best to be used in exhibits.

Iu Class 9 (for exhibits of twenty-four 1-lb. sections), the
judges had no difficulty in awarding first prize, the exhibit
to which it was given being first class, and uniform
throughout, which is more than could be said for the rest.
Indeed the judge. 3 were very much inclined to withhold
some of the prizes on account of insufficient merit. There
was one exhibit of 131 sections in this class, but apparently
worked with dividers, and judged too light for 1-lb. , other-
wise it would probably have taken second instead of third
prize.

Class 10 (for exhibits of twelve 2-lb. sections.) — In this
class there was but one exhibit, which the judges consider
of insufficient merit for the prize of 15s. in the catalogue,
but awarded it a special second prize.

Class 12 (for exhibits of twelve 1-lb. bottles of run
honey.) — This class was but little contested, and the judges
had little difficulty in settling the order of merit. An
exhibitor of white clover honey, which carried off first
prize, was the only really bright looking one in this class.

Class 13 (for exhibits of twenty-four 1-lb. sections, con-
fined to members of the I. B. K. A.) had a full number of
exhibits, but, as in the ease of Class 10, none of them but
that which was awarded first prize wore first-rate, the pop-
holes being too large, and in some cases combs not built
down to the bottom.

Class 11 (for exhibits of twelve 1-lb bottles, confined to
members of the I. B. K. A.) — In this the entries were full,
aud, in general, of good flavour, fair consistency, and
bright in appearance. Some of them wero not carefully
strained, and some not handled cleanly; but the remainder
taxed the judges' powers of discrimination. Finally, a
specimen of dark honey was awarded first prize, the second
being taken by a beautiful set of hawthorn honey, which,
however, was scarcely of the proper consistency. Special

August 18, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

357

third prizes were awarded to two exhibits, one of fine dark
honey, and the other slightly crystallised.
Judges — Robert Sfkoule, J. M. Gillies, M. H. Bead.

On the evening of the first day of the show a con-
versazione was held, by kind permission of Dr. Traill, in
his rooms at Trinity College. A very interesting paper
was read by Mr. II. Bead, ' On obtaining Comb-honey
combined with Extracted,' and thoroughly discussed.
There was a good attendance of members, and Mr.
Koland Green, the lecturer at the show, was also
present.

[It has given us much pleasure to receive such excellent
reports of this and the other Irish shows which have been
held this year. — Ed.]

ARMAGH (IRELAND) HONEY AND BEE SHOW.

Por the first time a Honey and Bee Show has actually
been held in the city of Armagh, and the event took
place on the 10th inst. The record deserves to be made,
as, before the development of the County Armagh Bee-
keepers' Association into the North-East of Ireland Bee-
keepers' Association, the bee-keepers of the ancient city
never could be induced to get up a bee and honey show.
However, they have got aroused at last, and had a large
exhibition of bees, honey, and appliances, for which they
offered sixteen prizes, and for which the}' had thirty-one
entries on Wednesday. The judges were the Rev. II.
W. Lett, Loughbrickland, and Mr. John Burnett, Man-
chester, and the following are the awards : —

Stock of bees to be exhibited in an observatory hive,
credit to be given for both bees and hive — 1, W. E. Orr,
Strabane ; 2, William Lonsdale, Largan. Twelve sections
of honey — 1, Samuel H. Orr, Loughgall ; 2, Wm, Lons-
dale ; 3, David W. Shaw, Anahilt, Hillsborough. Six
sections of honey : 1, Mrs. Griffiths, Killynure ; 2, David
W. Shaw and Samuel H. Orr — equal. Twelve jars of
extracted honey : 1, Robert Brown, Donaghmore ; 2, David
W. Shaw ; 3, Rev. Robert W. Knox, Saintfield. Six jars
of extracted honey : 1, Robert Brown ; 2, John Tufft, Moy.
Collection of bee appliances, hives, and utensils for use in
an apiary : 1, W. R. Orr ; 2, "William Porter, Jerretspass,
Newry. Bee-driving competition : 1, Rev. Robert W. Knox,
Hillsborough ; 2, Wm. Lonsdale.

The sections of honey were not as well filled as some
that have been shown at other places in Lister this
season; and while the judges were unanimous in picking
out the heaviest and most complete sections for first
prizes, they had some difficulty in deciding between those
coming second and third. In the extracted honey classes,
Mr. Brown's exhibit deserves special mention as being
as near a model sample as well could be, pleasant flavour,
pale light amber colour, quite clear, very dense and con-
sistent, and with a delightful aroma. There were two
specimens in this division of dark honey, which one or
two of the visitors called ' heather honey,' but which, on
being tasted, proved to be unmistakable aphidean, or
honey-dew.

The collections of bee appliances and utensils for use
in bee gardens were as complete in first-class hives,
extractors, feeders, foundation, veils, gloves, smokers,
knives, sections, &c, as need be, and great interest was
taken in them by the crowds who visited the show yard
during the day. In the bee tent there was a most suc-
cessful bee-driving contest between two competitors, the
Rev. R. Knox catching the queen and clearing out his
bees in seven minutes, and W. Lonsdale doing the same
in ten minutes. A short lecture was then given, and
numerous questions on modern bee-keeping answered by
the Rev. II. W. Lett and others.

DUNGANNON BEE AND HONEY SHOW.
At the Horticultural Show held in Dungannon, Co.
Tyrone, on the 3rd inst., there was a large class devoted

to bees and honey, of which the following is the
prize-list: — I. Stock of bees to be exhibited in an
observatory hives, credit to be given for both bees and
hive : W. Lonsdale, Bee Garden, Lurgan. II. Twelve
sections of honey: 1, S. Orr, Loughgall; 2. W. Lons-
dale ; 3, J. Tufft, Drumgold House, Moy. III. Six
sections of honey: 1, S. Orr; 2, W. Lonsdale; 3, J.
Tufft. IV. Twelve jars of extracted honey: 1, R.
Brown, Donaghmore ; 2, J. Tufft and James Moore,
Mullaghfurtherland (equal). V. Six jars of extracted
honey: 1, J. Moore; 2, R. Brown; 3, J. Tufft. VI.
Collection of bee appliances, hives, and utensils for use.
in an apiary: 1, Wm. Lonsdale; 2, S. J. Baldwin,
Apiary, Bromley, Kent. VII. Bee-driving competition :
W. Lonsdale.

The Rev. H. W. Lett, Loughbrickland, was to have
been judge, but was prevented from attending; his
place, however, was well supplied by Mr. W. R. Orr,
Strabane, another member of the North East of Ireland
Bee-keepers' Association. Indeed, the show at Dun-
gannon may be regarded as a branch of the North East
of Ireland B.K.A., most of the exhibitors and prize-
winners also belonging to it, so that these provincial
exhibitions are portions of the work that the Associa-
tion, whose head-quarters are now in Belfast, has helped
in great measure to inaugurate.

Mr. Lonsdale's observatory hive was a large one, con-
taining six standard frames, well covered with black
bees. Apropos of this prize, it might be asked why at
other shows have judges so often given the preference
to foreign insects wlien all other points were equal ? To
say the least, it is not patriotic to do so. Again, how are
exhibitors to know what is meant by ' best specimen' or
' best stock ' of bees ? There ought to be more definition
for the assistance of all parties. The writer has seen a
single frame in an ' observatory ' beating one with half a
dozen equally good combs, a thing which nobody could
understand. There was a close competition in the
honey, both sections and bottles, for which there were
many entries, all of a very good quality.

It was pleasant to see Mr. Baldwin, Bromley, Kent,
showing his collection of bee-appliances, though' he was
not as successful as the local man. For the bee-driving
competitions there were three entries, Mr. Lonsdale
winning by clearing out most of his bees and capturing
their queen in three and a half minutes. The Committee
required each intending bee-driver to provide a skep of
bees, which were then drawn for the subsequent process,
an arrangement which prevents the possibility of any
unfairness.

Honey as an Article oe Food. — ' Whilst I was listening
to these details, we discovered a number of peasants run-
ning on the hill, striking on brazen vessels to attract a
swarm of bees which had just left the hive. These insects
are extremely partial to Mount Hymettus, as it is covered
everywhere with wild thyme and other odoriferous plants.
The honey extracted is of a white colour, verging towards
yellow, grows black when long kept, and always retains its
fluidity. The Athenians gather vast quantities of it every
year; and we may judge of the value set upon it by the
use made of it ; they employ honey in their pastry, as well
as their ragouts, and the eating of it, it is said, will prolong
life, and to be particularly salutary for aged persons. I
have seen some disciples of Pythagoras take no other
nourishment than honey, and yet preserve their health
and strength.' — Baethelemv. Travels of Anaehafsis the
Younger in Greece. (London, 1798.)

[The above forwarded to us as genuine history must not
be considered so. The Abbe Barthelemy was a learned
archaeologist ; and though his work, the Travels of
Anacharsis the Younger in Greece, is a pure fiction, it is
considered to be a faithful portraiture of the manners
and customs of the country in the age of Pericles,
more than four hundred years before the Christian
era. — En.]

858

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 18, 1887.

€am&$avfotmt.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for tho opinions expressed,
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com.'
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, bat as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Boohs for Review,
&c., must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Boe
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langloy, Herts (see
■2nd page of Advertisements).

*»* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as tho page on whioh it appears.

IN THE HUT.

' Oh, for lodgings in some vast wilderness — of heather.'

[1185.] On July 28th I happened to pass through
Ely at the time of the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely
Agricultural Show, and thought I would see for myself
' how the)7 do it ' in this land of skeps, for a land of
skeps it is par excellence (?) judging as one may from
the railway carriage window. My incognito was not
long preserved, however, for on approaching the bee-
tent, Baldwin, S. J. (not special jurist), E.I.C. (not
East India Company, but Expert-in-Ohief), was just
getting ready for an attack on the bucolics, and used
me as X-tractor during his manipulations. Mr. Editor,
there were four of us, on a fine day, and — we enjoyed
ourselves. I assisted by sitting on a wooden trestle (or
tressel, I don't know which) in the tent, whilst Mr.
Baldwin performed on the bees, and gave them an
opportunity of performing- on me. Then I had her
majest}' to show round in a bottle. The expert had his
smoker, and I had mine. He used old carpet, and I
' baccy.' Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Howard made us very
welcome ; but oh, for a fine extempore discourse ! I
would that I had the flow of language of our E.I.C; I
think I would take to the Church. Well might the bees
be subdued. The network of the tent was surrounded
by eager faces mostly, but in truth there were a few
skeptics, one of whom told the audience that ' he'd
heeved more swarms then him, ay, an before breakfast,
teiv.' Thus did he staud condemned out of his own
mouth of being either a base perverter or a beery chaw-
bacon — or both.

A huttite asks a puzzling question. One of his hives
at heather is a doubled one well filled with bees, and the
owner of an adjoining skep of recently driven bees says
they have left the skep and joined the hive. He claims
10s. for 0 lbs. bees. Huttite refuses to pay, for he
would rather do without 'em ; besides, the next morning
a large cluster were on the hive roof, having been
perhaps turned out. The owner of the skep was another
member of the race discovered by Mr. Webster in
borderland, nobody knew more aboot bees 'nor him, so
he said. He hadn t tried frame-hives, for he didn't like
'em.

A north-of-England bee-keeper told me the other day
that he overcomes the difficulty about extracting heather
honey by using behind and above queen-excluder — super
foundation in the ordinary frames. He had never had
any mishap. We won't try it, however. Our plan this
year has been to do little extracting between clover and
Leather seasons, because of the many cells filled with
honey-dew; to take the hives to the heather heavy
instead of light, thus forcing the bees to store in supers.
— X-Tbactob, Ilorsfortli, near Leeds.

'BY PERSEVERING.'
[118C] — You kindly inserted two letters of mine in
your valuable Journal, Nos. Gi'.'J and 007, last year, de-
tailing my adventures and misadventures in trying to

become an apiarist. With your permission 1 should like
to relate my further experiences, which, though probably
not instructive, may prove interesting' to some of your
readers.

Yrou may remember that according to 057 I closed my
first half-year bee practice with five stocks and eighty-
six stings. Having read your Journal weekly with much
interest, and having noticed how often the question was
asked, ' What number of stings must I receive before
becoming inoculated ? ' I determined to pay particular
attention to the number of stings I received, and to the
effect they had upon me ; and, knowing I was right as
to the actual number (eighty-six) received last year, paid
particular attention to those received this. Well, the
painful score ran up by twos and threes, with an
occasional dozen to relieve the monotony, if monotony
there be in such things, until 130 were scored, then the
swelling in a great measure ceased, and all after ill
effects disappeared; in short, I was inoculated. 'Tis
true the pain at the time of being stung is excessive for
a few seconds, but what of that ? even that is decreasing
gradually, and though a slight swelling sometimes occurs,
it is of no consequence even if discernible by the public.
Therefore to my fellow-novices I would sa}r — Persevere ;
some may take more, some require fewer stings, but by
perseverance all will in time become, as I believe I now
am, inoculated.

But to return to my bees. Two of my five stocks
appeared so weakly I determined to unite them, and
after some trouble did so ; they having since done fairly,
and with the other three wintered well. In the early
spring I purchased two stocks in skeps, and having
transported them to my apiary, transferred them success-
fully to bar-frame hives. All these I began to stimulate
in the early part of April, mostly on dry sugar; but
being obliged to leave home for a month in May I filled
all dummy feeders with dry white sugar, added to each
a few more bars of foundation, and left hoping for the
best.

Unfortunately I was detained away longer than I had
expected, and just as by my previous arrangement I
ought to have returned, six of my stocks swarmed, but,
thanks to the watchfulness and skill of my assistant, all
were secured in skeps.

On the day of my return my seventh stock showed
signs of swarming, but by the addition of foundation
bars I turned their purpose, and have since kept them
drawing out combs for their weaker brethren. With
the five swarms in skeps I had great trouble in inducing
them to inhabit bar-frame hives (possibly because of the
heat of the weather and that the said hives had only
recently been painted), but after giving me an infinite
amount of work they settled it thus amongst themselves
— two should unite, one should decamp, and the remaining
three settle respectably. Since then all have done well,
and though I cannot lay claim to the large honey
receipts described by some of your correspondents, yet,
for a beginner, I do not think I have done badly, and
am told the honey I have got is of good quality.

With regard to the dry dummy feeders which I on
leaving home filled with sugar, I found them on my
return filled with comb containing brood and honey.
These proved an awful nuisance to me, for I could not
drive the bees from the rear of the combs, and the latter
were too weak to stand the jar consequent upon breaking
off the fronts and backs of the dummies, consequently
many bees paid the penalty for playing with their dinner
things with their lives. My love of bees having in-
creased writh my knowledge of and power over them,
and disliking to cause needless pain, I bought a Webster's
fumigator, a bottle of liquid, barrel, and bellows, and
having charged it strictly according to instructions on
the bottle, proceeded to manipulate No. 1. Was not I
pleased ? The bees were so quiet I could do as I liked.
No fear of the fumer going out, no choky smoke to

August 18, 1887.]

TEE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

359

-contend with, but all serene ; the pleasant hum of bees
beneath me and the bright blue sky overhead. Ah, I
exclaimed, this is the implement for me ; henceforth this
is the only subjugator I will use. Closing No. 1, I
opened No. 2 (my object in both being to extract two
bars of sealed stores). What a change ! Before, all
was peace and goodwill, but here just the reverse. Out
they came boiling over the bars on to my hands, and, as
if to show their scorn of the fumigator, actually running
hissing up the barrel. Indeed, had it not been for the
poor despised smoker, which meanwhile had been quietly
smoking itself away, No. 2 would have come off
victorious, whereas by its aid they, like No. 1, had to
yield up their stores. Since then I have tried the
fumigator more heavily charged with liquid, but have
decided that on the whole I prefer the smoker. I now
own twelve strong stocks, and so end my further ex-
periences as a novice, as I, having successfully managed
so far, will, with your leave, discard my previous nom de
plume, and, adopting my family motto, sign myself—
Pehseverando.

VICIOUS BEES.
[1187.] What am I to do with my vicious bees P
When I read in the Journal of the extracting system I
often think with a smile, I should like to see the man
who would do it with my demons. On June 11th I put
a large swarm in a ten-frame Woodbury, filled with
foundation. The next morning they boiled out at the
entrance in such an extraordinary way that, after de-
luging with water, shading, and trying everything, I at
last raised the hive half an inch from the floorboard all
round, by means of wooden blocks at each corner, and
also put on two supers each holding six 2-lb. sections.
I ought to have mentioned the hive, had an outer case
of i-ineh pine with a 2-inch space all round between it
and the hive ; this I now put on, and the 2-inch space
was full of lees as also the supers, but they seemed more
settled, so I put on the roof to cases and left them.
Ten days after I went to see if they were working- in
sections, and to my surprise found both full of comb, and
(what I had never seen before) the 2-inch space all
round also full of comb, and all in ten days. I now
replaced the full section with empty ones, but the 2-inch
spaces being crowded with bees, thought I would leave
the comb there till cooler weather compelled them to
draw inside the hive. That cooler weather hasn't come,
and as I thought the large entrance to outer case, and
the s-inch space all round bottom of hive, gave great
facilities for robbing bees and wasps, I set to work
yesterday at 7 p.m. to remove the outer comb, and drop
the hive down on to floorboard. Veil and double cotton
gloves were put on, and carefully taking off roof I laid
carbolised calico (according to your directions) all round
on the top of the comb to be removed, trusting this would
drive the bees down into hive. After waiting five
minutes, without removing the calico, I then severed
the comb from the outer cases by passing a thin knife
all round, and lifted it carefully off. I immediately
realised I was to have a rough time of it, being at once
surrounded by a crowd of angry bees, and my gloves
especially covered with them. Fetching smoker, and
dipping my gloves in water, used the former freely, and
then with knife and dish went for the hive with the
view of getting the hits of comb off the back. I got
the comb it is true, and also something besides, as certain
sharp twinges in my ankles and legs informed me. I
now tried for the combs on sides of hive, but was met
by such a volley of angry bees from beneath, back, and
sides, like sparks from a blacksmith's anvil, that I deter-
mined to drop the hive on to floorboard first. All this
time I had a perfect swarm of angry bees around me,
and the moment my hand approached the first block it
was black with stinging bees, and in the end I was
obliged to lever the hive up with one long stick while

I knocked the blocks away with another ; smoke being
utterly useless,

Now, sir, I shall be obliged if you, or some kind reader
of the B. B.J. with experience, will kindly tell me where
I erred in my proceedings, and how I ought to have
managed the matter so as not to have so fearfully excited
the stock, for now, twenty-four hours after, no one can
go into the garden without being stung and driven into
the house.

And what is my reward, fearfully swelled ankles and
two dishes of nice-looking comb, but tasting fearfully
smoky ? Fancy oneself extracting with such demons ;
why the garden would be unapproachable all the summer,
— J. Robinson, Beyton, Bury St. Edmunds, August Wth.

[You ask ' wherein have I erred?' To be candid,
then, we reply:— (1) In placing so large a swarm
in a small ten-frame Woodbury hive. Such a swarm
would have quickly filled two such hives. But why use
an old-fashioned ' Woodbury ' — the hive of thirty years
ago ? Why ignore all the modern expansible frame-
hives, which possess every possible scientific improve-
ment, and are easily adapted to small or large swarms.
(2) In giving too little super space ; 24 lbs. in sections
are a mere trifle for a large swarm. We should have
placed such a swarm upon fourteen standard frames,
and upon these a 28-lb. crate of 1-lb. sections, to be
tiered up, after three or four days, by placing a similar
one beneath it, in the midst of a copious honey-flow like
yours. We only wish we had such a honey-producing
country as we know yours to be! (3) In raising
the hive J-in. A j-in. is sufficient for ventilation
and for the passage of bees. Probably comb was
built in the inch space you gave, between frames
and floorboard, and when removing the wedges you
crushed bees and combs, hence the anger of the poor
bees. You need not have feared the robbing of a colony
like yours. Crushing of bees, and the consequent strong
smell of formic acid (sting-poison), so enraged the bees
that we congratulate you on escaping with so little
damage. (4) The worst error of all, if worst can be, was
to attempt the manipulation of so large a colony at
7 p.m., when every bee was at home ! Have we not
recommended in the columns of the Journal, ad nauseam,
to manipulate during the honey season only on fine days
and between the hours of 10 and 3 ? Had you followed
this advice, and manipulated slowly and quietly, not-
withstanding former mistakes, you would have succeeded
with hare hands and escaped punishment. Our advice,
under ' Useful Hints,' to manipulate in ' early morning or
late evening,' only applies during a honey dearth, or
when robbing is rife ; and yours was not a case of open-
ing the hive at all, from whence the great danger arises.
Whenever, in future, you thoroughly irritate the bees
(which never should be done) throw over the hive a
small sheet steeped in carbolic solution, and leave them
for an hour, when they will have become quiet, and you
may then proceed and complete the operation. In such
cases smoke is worse than useless. Y'our hive, without
doubt, is clogged with honey, and about half the comb
must be extracted, or you will lose your bees from want
of breeding-space. Can you not obtain the help of a
qualified expert? — Ed.]

MY EXPERIENCE WITH FOUL BROOD.

[1188.] I know the opinions of the different authori-
ties on the subject of foul brood, and I know what argu-
ments can be and are going to be brought against my
theory of the disease. I have a firm belief in all the
experiments on the disease that have been reported to
the bee papers, but I am careful not to get a party's
opinion so mixed with his experiments but that I can
consider each separately. It is my intention after I
state my experiments to base my arguments solely on

3G0

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 18, 1887.

the evidence to be found in the American Bee Journal,
Gleanings, and other bee-literature.

I am going- to offer no plan of cure adapted to all cir-
cumstances, for I do not believe that a treatment is yet
found, or ever will be invented, that will suit every case.
Therefore every bee-keeper should learn all he can about
the disease, and when it is among his bees he will know
better what to do than anybody can tell him. I am
determined to argue the question honestly and fairly ;
and if any one sees where he thinks I am wrong 1 would
be pleased to hear of his experience, and I will not con-
tradict his experiments.

On June 16, 1885, I discovered foul brood in one
of my hives in the shape of discoloured larvre, but I
do not think that it was foul brood though, because
the disease always appeared in my mind as associated
with 'sunken caps with pin-holes in the tops.' I was
uneasy, though, about it. The honey-flow from flowers
ceased that year about May 25, and as I had finished
extracting I was doing very little to the bees except
watching that discoloured larvre which I could not
understand. On June 21 I opened a hive that had it
so badly that about twenty per cent of the brood
was dead with the disease, as near as I should guess. 1
then began to examine other colonies. I found none free
from it, though some cases were not bad. I saw that
there was only one thing that could cause this state of
affairs, and that was foul brood, and that I must get
some remedy and go to work to cure if.

I had read Mr. Cheshire's experiments and views on
the subject the }"ear before, and 1 was so favourably im-
pressed with them that I took my Bee Journal for 1884
and re-read the articles on pages 044 and 740, and, as
you may suppose, with no little interest. When I was
through studying the articles I was just as sure that I
could cure the complaint with his remedy as is Mr.
Cheshire himself. The medicine I got was called
'chemically pure carbolic acid.' I had then sixty-five
colonies of bees, and as I wanted to cure them all at
once I fed each colony every day. Every evening, as
soon as there was no danger of robbing, I would com-
mence to feed, raising the cover of each hive and pouring
about four ounces of food down between the frames. I
kept this up for eight days, and as I could see no im-
provement I decided on a more thorough treatment,
which was this. I would extract the honey from the
frames and cut out the combs all but about two inches
at the top, which had never had any brood in it ; I filled
these strips of comb with this phenolated syrup, put
them in a hive washed with carbolic soap ; then I would
take the brood from a colony of bees and put the bee3 in
the hive thus prepared. I also had a lot of this pheno-
lated food|in a barrel, arranged so that all the bees could
help themselves to it, which they did. I had prepared
twenty-six colonies in the manner above mentioned
before I could see whether I was curing them or not.
But as soon as they had larvre three or four days old I
could see that 1 had not cured them. I stopped work to
watch the result of what I had done: I soon became
satisfied that phenol would not cure it.

Now do not put me down as saying that Mr. Cheshire
did not cure this disease, for I know he did cure it; and
I will explain why he could cure it, and I could not, after
I get through telling my experience.

I gave up the phenol cure on July 15, and I was just as
confident on that day that I could cure my bees as I was
the day I commenced it. I had a boiler made large
enough to boil my hives in. I sent for Mr. D. A. Jones'
book on the subject, put some colonies in starvation
quarters and went to work cutting out combs and boiling
frames and hives. About this time the hives emitted a
strong stench that surpassed anything I eversaw reported.
About this time, too, I was taken with a peculiar com-
plaint of the throat, which I attributed at the time to
the disease, but since then I thought it might have been

produced by the mental anxiety I was in. I boiled every-
thing, and when I starved a colony I put them in a clean
hive with clean frames with foundation and fed them
with boiled honey. I worked thirty in this way. I did
not wait until time for sunken caps to appear, for I was
a firm believer in the ' germ theory,' and the least indi-
cation of disease in the larva? satisfied me that I did not
cure it. I did not cure one ; but I am ashamed to say
two colonies were starved to death and two very strong
colonies smothered. Please do not understand me to say
that Mr. Jones never cured this disease; I know he has
cured it. And I will explain why he could cure it, and I
could not, after I get through with my own experience.

I began to wonder why the disease did not get any
worse in some colonies that I had not worked on. I
doctored the worst ones it is true, but they had it as long
as the others, and I could not see why it did not get
worse. (I will in the future give my opinion, which is
founded on observation, why some colonies have the
disease worse than others.) Just about this time I saw
the following in Gleanings from Dr. 0. M. Blanton, of
Greenville, Miss.:

' Last year, about June 1, one of my neighbours, Mr.
S. C. Vaught, discovered dead brood in his apiary. It
first commenced with the capped brood, but soon ex-
tended to the larva;, which in some instances in both soon
became decomposed. On examination I found some of
the capped brood with minute holes in the cappings and
the decomposition complete. Some of the pupre just
dead I found reversed within their cells. There was a
very disagreeable odour from the decayed brood, but not
such as described in articles on foul brood. Upon inquiry
I found ten apiaries within a radius of fifteen miles of
me affected by it ; some to the extent of fifteen per cent,
and most of it confined to the capped brood. Two
colonies in my home apiary were affected slightly. The
"Refuge Apiary," with its bright new combs, had it in
every colony, but it did not reach putrefaction before the
bees removed the dead and filled the cells with honey,
and the queen commenced laying as vigorously as ever.
Mr. Yaught's apiary of about 250 colonies was so diseased
that he determined to let them work out their own salva-
tion, which they did. I uncapped the dead pupre of
some colonies and the bees soon cleaned the cells. Just
before the discovery of this condition of things the bees
gathered a great deal of dark, sour honey-dew (aphides),
and I attributed the disease to that cause. This year, as
far as I can learn, there is no evidence of the disease.
It certainly cannot be the forerunner of foul brood, or
we should have it this year.'

Nearly sick with worry, and almost despairing of ever
curing my bees, I need not sa}r that I gladly welcomed
the small ray of hope that my bees possibly had the
same disease as Dr. Blanton's. Still I could not help
feeling pretty much like a broken merchant as I left my
bees and went out into the country to get a rest, which
I badly needed, having worked very hard for over two
months of the warmest weather we have.

When I came back to Mobile about September 25 my
bees were gathering fall honej', the disease had almost
entirely disappeared, and even the three and four storey
hives (six in number), in which I left a lot of diseased
brood from other hives, had developed into populous
colonies and had queens of their own rearing, some of
which colonies did as well last year as any I had, but
some never did amount to anything; until I gave them
another queen.

Feeling satisfied that my bees never had foul brood I
went to work putting them in the best condition to
winter, almost all of them being reduced to nuclei from
my attempts to cure them. When I had finished that
job I thought I would find the difference between the
disease that my bees had and genuine foul brood. I
have looked through my bound Bee Journals, Gleanings,
and other bee-papers ; I have read Dzierzon's experiments

August 18, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

3G1

and also Mr. Cheshire's; I have read Jones, Muth,
and Kohnke, on the subject, and I have yet to see
a symptom laid down for the detection of the disease that
I have not witnessed among my bees. Hence the origin
of my theory ; and though if proven it will show our
best authorities to have made a mistake, it will also
show that the mistake in each case is pardonable though
a very serious one. — G. H. Hoyle (Amer. Bee Journal.)

' CAUGHT IN THE ACT.'

[1189.] Putting aside, for a minute or two, the tone
and temper of ' C. N. A./ I will answer the questions he
asks me, and also put in quite plain shape a small piece
of what was intended to be information to people
interested in bees and their wonderful habits and in-
stincts. 1. ' How was I able to contemplate the sym-
metry of the cells of a well-filled and sealed super ? ' I
answer, Through the glass. 2. ' How in such well-filled
and sealed super there could be a bee in one of the cells
helping himself to honey?' I answer, The bee was
there, and, as I said, impaired the symmetry, &c, and
so attracted my attention. But, perhaps, the relation of
the stoiw as plainly as I can put it will be best.

The super in question is a square box, wooden on
three sides and on top, a glass plate forming the fourth
side. Against this glass, when the super is full, six
pieces of comb are fixed, leaving open to inspection a
considerable number of cells, the glass itself forming one
side of each cell. Being about to deprive the stock of
this super, I noticed on looking in a bee alive in one of
the cells that on the previous evening had been sealed
up full. I called my gardener's attention to it, and on
looking more closely we observed that the cell was then
just finished sealing up, three or four bees round it at
work. Later in the day I showed the bee dead, sealed
up, to my wife, children, and several friends who
happened to be at tennis. (I called the bee himself,
perhaps leading ' C. N. A.' to conclude that I meant a
drone. It was a bee himself, herself, or itself — not much
matter.) For three or four days that bee remained in
the cell, plain, against the glass. Then, as I said, the
cell was opened, the dead bee removed, honey put in,
and the cell resealed. I said that ' lime-honey ' was put
in, simply because our lime-trees were then in full bloom,
and the bees in full work.

There, sir, is a plain statement of facts. I can pro-
duce twenty witnesses to the various facts that I relate.
I can show the super and point out the cell, even sup-
posing that my own evidence be put aside as unworthy
of belief, and only worthy of other adjectives suggested
as applicable to me besides ' lazy and yawning ' by the
kindly and courteous ' C. 1ST. A.' Surely that gentleman
■ — unless he be one of those who will believe nothing but
what he himself knows — must see that my story may
have a little interest for some perhaps not so learned as
he may be, and that his appeal to you, sir, to protect
the public from such ' effusions ' ma}' not be quite
reasonable. I am not aware that my tale was told in a
manner to be offensive to any one ; it certainly was not
intended to be. Let any lady or gentleman read the
article from Fairlawn, and decide whether or not such a
tone as pervades it is calculated to promote friendly
intercourse and exchange of ideas between people who
have a common object — truth,— bo it about bees or those
who labour with them. — Lazy Yawning Dkone.

[At our correspondent's suggestion, we have communi-
cated his name and address to 'C. N. A,' so that the
latter gentleman, if so disposed, may have the opportu-
nity of verifying the above statement. — Ed.]

FIXING COMB FOUNDATION IN SKEPS FOR
CONDEMNED BEES.

[1190.] I quite agree with your remarks upon putting
driven bees into empty skeps. Having tried two lots

last August (6th and 9th), fed regularly, they did live,
but both were very weak. In May you advised me to
unite, but as they were thirty yards apart I let them
alone; they have now filled their hives with comb and
have a little honey. I trust they will gather enough
stores from the heather to carry them through winter.

I succeeded in fastening with wire four half sheets
comb-foundation in a straw hive and put two stocks con-
demned bees (weighing together five lbs.) on them about
nine days ago ; they very soon worked them out. I
never heard of this being tried before, so I thought I
might do some good by giving your readers a hint, for
many like myself cannot afford the time to work and
study the bar-frame system to any great extent. I
shall (D.V.) take some eight or ten stocks next week
agaiu and intend giving them the same fair play. I
will describe the way I fasten comb-foundation if desired.
I have taken forty sections and thirty lbs. run honey
from one box and about fifty sections and five lbs. run
honey from the other box ; 1 have only two boxes. I
owe my success principally to reading the British Bee
Journal, which I have received weekly] since April. I
enclose two samples of heather and ask your opinion on
the same, and also on another shrub which my bees are
very fond of visiting. — Cymko Bach.

[No. 1 is the common ling (Calluna vulgaris); No. 2,
the cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix); No. 3, Snow-
berry (Si/mphorocarpus racemosus), all noted for their
honey-yielding qualities. If convenient, we shall be
pleased to receive an account of your method of wiring
foundation in skeps. — Ed.]

ONE-POUND BOTTLES.

[1191.] — Your correspondent Mr. E. B. Downes, who
writes in the Bee Journal of August 4 (1175), is quite
right with regard to 1 lb. bottles in many cases not
holding 1 lb. I have some bottles from a firm who
advertises in your columns, and to my extreme annoyance
and aggravation they will only hold 14 ozs., and that in
many hardly comfortably. They are decagon-shaped,
aud advertised in the very Journal Mr. Downes' letter
appears in, and I consider this note of warning should be
allowed to appear in the Journal.

I consider it a very reprehensible practice to make a
bottle and call it a 1 lb. bottle when it really holds less.
Of course I can only sell them for 14 ozs., but consider
the trouble in doing so, the exact price has to be calcu-
lated, viz., {i or § of the price of 1 lb., and on any
increase or reduction there's another arithmetical calcu-
lation; but the worst of the matter is that customers are
dissatisfied.— S. J. B.

[Manufacturers of bottles, as a rule, do not understand
the nature of honey, and nearly always make the bottles
either under or over weight unless they are instructed in
the matter. — Ed.]

LIGURIAN BEES.
[1192.] I this day (10th August) divided a stock of
bees in order to get some queen-cells made. Is it too
late ? Is there any chance of the queen being fertilised ?
I have raised seven young queens successfully from
this stock this year, which are now all laying, and the
earliest batch of three are now at the head of colonies
on seven and eight frames full of bee3 and sealed brood,
and I gave them each an additional frame of foundation
to-day. The second batch of three are on five frames,
each with a good lot of bees and brood, and I gave two a
frame of foundation. The other did not want it, as one
frame was only just worked out, and have only a little
sealed honey at the top at one side. All those were
from the one stock. I dare not give a single frame of
brood to any of them, but I took a frame of brood and
eggs from the parent hive to requeen another hive, and
when I divided it to-day it had eleven frames full of

3G2

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 18, 1887.

tees and brood. The queen was hatched in '65 from an
imported Ligurian. She is fertilised by a black drone,
and I raised five stocks from her last year, which are by
far the best I have this year. The worst is better than
the best of six blacks. None of them ever got any feeding.
I did not look at them till the beginning of April, and
they were all full of bees and brood, and enough stores.
The parent stock wintered on fifteen frames, and they
all had the floor-board down half an inch in front, and
no doors all the winter. I have raised eleven stocks
and requeened another from this queen in two years. —

[The fertilisation of the queen will depend on the
presence of drones in your apiary or neighbourhood. In
some parts they are still to be seen. — Ed.]

RAISING QUEENS.

[1193.] I should be glad if you would publish the
following in your next issue if possible. In your issue of
July 14th, page 207, 'Amateur Expert' gives instructions
for raising young queens to replace old worn-out ones ;
and strange to say, — it seemed almost as though I had
been communicating with him on the subject, — as at the
time I received the Journal containing his instructions
I was considering which would be the best way to obtain
three young queens, as I was of opinion that my
present queens were not so prolific as they might be. I
read the instructions very carefully and determined to at
once adopt his plan. I went straight to my apiary and
selected my best queen, and placed her, under Simmins's
direct introduction, in a hive that had an old queen —
which I destroyed — and she was at once accepted. I
then followed the advice given, with this exception,
that instead of placing the hives apart from the rest I
placed them between my other stocks ; they were, there-
fore, only two feet apart, as I was pushed for room : the
results further on will show that amateurs with small
gardens need not despair.

On looking into the hive, which I had deprived of its
queen, I found that I had twenty-two royal cells formed,
distributed on four frames, and thirteen of them had
occupants ; so I decided to raise four queens, and divided
the frames accordingly, adding one or two frames of
hatching brood from other hives ; I then covered up the
hives and left them. But now comes a blow to my adven-
ture. In your issue of July 21st, is a letter from ' W. B.
Webster,' where, according to his account, I had done
wrong ; however, it was too late to alter, and I must
rest and wait for the result. I may here add that I
took good care to well supply the nuclei with plenty
of young bees, for I brushed them off the combs in front
of the hives, and so I am in hopes that with such care
and the hot weather we bad that my queens will le
strong, healthy, and vigorous.

The following is the result of my nuclei : — A queen
hatched in each ; saw two leave their respective hives
and returned fertilised, but I did not see the others ;
however, thev are all laving, the last commenced August
11th.

I have taken away my other two queens now and
introduced my now queens, and with the fourth I have
made a new stock. All the queens have been introduced
on Simmins's system, and the bees have been completely
mixed up, and they have all made a jubilee meeting of
it. — E. Wood, 49 Temperley Road, Balham, S, W.

SLINGING SECTIONS.
[1194.] I offer the following plan for your accept-
ance, in the hope it may be of use to your readers.
Having several partly filled sections to extract from, I
have found the arrangement I am going to describe
answer well. I put tho section into a tin box half an

inch each way larger than the section. The lid fits on
one end. I then sling the box in a piece of strong cord
and whirl the box round my head, having left twenty
inches or so of string to hold it \>y. Turn the string to
the other side and whirl it again.

When both sides have been thus emptied, turn out the
section and the honey, leave the section to drain on a
dish, and proceed with the next. The tin box I use was
one that contained, I think, mustard. It was too long,
but right in section, so 1 cut off the extra length. — B.,
Bideford, August Vith.

GLAMORGANSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

[1195.] In your report of the above show I see that
dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to the award for
extracted honey. I cannot claim to be a judge in honey,
but I should certainly have thought that the presence of
two or more lands of honey in an exhibit would be
sufficient, in a close competition, to disqualify it for first
place.

I have, however, another complaint to make — namely,
in regard to the driving in the bee tent. The lecturer
first brought in a skep which it was discovered had one
or more comb3 broken. He did not care for tackling
this, so it was returned to its stand and another brought
in. A few preliminaries, and the skep was upturned,
revealing the presence of a very few bees. Driving
commenced, and continued for about ten minutes, with
the result that not half-a-dozen bees had gone up. The
lecturer gave up the job, explaining his non-success by
the fact of there being so few bees. Not to disappoint
the onlookers, he again brought in the skep with broken
comb. He turned this up, and managed to get about
half the bees to crawl up in a very leisurely fashion.
The broken comb, the expert now explained, obstructed
the upward passage of the bees, so he turned the skep
half way round in order to give the bees free egress.
Alas ! the bees would not budge. The audience — not a
large one at any time — had dwindled to less than a
score, and I, after witnessing the expert's exploits for
about thirty-five minutes, left before seeing that stock of
bees driven. I am curious to know whether the feat
was accomplished in the end. I imagine that those
who witnessed the operations in the tent were not very
favourably impressed by this exhibition of one of the
incidents of modern bee-keeping.

It is as well, perhaps, that I (though only a novice)
should endeavour to show the lecturer (though an ex-
pert) wherein he erred. The weak lot he should not
have attempted to drive, for if he had succeeded it
would have made but a poor show. Nor should he have
placed the inverted skep in a cheese-box, the edge of
which came within four inches of the edge of the skep.
Nor, again, should his tipping have been so spasmodic.
In future let him have his hive so placed that the front
may be struck anywhere from top to bottom, and let
him strike regularly and without intermission (save
when giving a necessary puff of smoke) until all the
bees are driven out.— Welsh Novice.

GLAMORGANSHIRE SHOW.
[1196.] I think it is a pity that your correspondent, in
his report of the Glamorganshire Agricultural Society's
meeting at Aberdare, had not sent you a correct state-
ment of facts. The honey with which I won the first
prize was, as he states, of two different kinds, in colour
and flavour, but there was no single bottle different from
either of the two samples ; each of the six bottles was
filled at the same time, respectively from the same
extracting, the same straining, and the same jar, so there
could not possibly be any difference. I expect your
correspondent has either seen or heard of a bottle which
I had filled with the two kinds of honey for the pur-

August 18, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

363

pose of ascertaining their respective specific gravity, and
which I brought with others on the afternoon of the
second day of the show and sold, but which formed no
part of my exhibit.

A little discussion took place at the time as to
whether an exhibit should be uniform, from which I
entirely dissented, and promised to endeavour to raise
the question in your Journal, and shall be glad if readers
will state their views. I intentionally exhibited two
distinct samples. I could have shown twelve or more
pounds of either, but it did seem to me better to show
two good samples than one, for it is in nearly all cases as
easy to stage twelve pounds of any particular kind of
honey as one, and therefore one pound 'would answer the
purpose as well as twelve. If quantity is to be the gauge,
then the British Bee-keepers' Association are going away
from their true function, and encouraging the larger bee-
keeper as against the smaller.

1 read that the prize to be given for the best twelve
pounds of honey is to be taken literally, not for the
twelve most expensive bottles, or the prettiest coloured
honey, but for the best honey in density, flavour, and
colour ; of course, giving due regard to the staging ; but
if an exhibit is to be judged from a purely artistic point
of view alone, the sooner we leave the judging in the
hands of the Society of Artists the better. My idea is
that a proper specimen of what one can produce would
be samples of different kinds — twelve if you like —
ranging over the whole season, commencing with the
fruit and ending with limes and blackberries.

Mention is made of one of the samples in my exhibit
being slightly granulated, which is true, and as far as my
experience goes, I should sa}- that any properly-ripened
honey will granulate this season in a very short time.
This particular sample had only been in the bottles about
a week, was quite clear when put in, and had only been
taken from the combs a short time before. I certainly
think it would be wrong to pass by an exhibit because it
was granulating.

As this is the first time I have exhibited honey, I am
ignorant of the points to be made, and from what I read
in the Journal no rules have yet been laid down for
judging ; but it does appear to me that this is a point
that can be settled, whether an exhibit should be uuiform
or not. — W. II. Jenkins, Exchange Buildings, Swansea.

QUERIES ;— PARALLEL v. RIGHT-ANGLED
FRAMES, OR THE 'HOT v. COLD'
SYSTEMS.

[1197.] "Will any of my fellow bee-keepers kindly
give me their experience as to the most judicious place-
ment of combs in hives ? Which plan is the more con-
ducive to the health and prosperity of a colon}', placing
the frames parallel with or at right angles to the entrance f
I have raised the question because I was struck a short
time since when reading in the British Bee Journal
(Vol. for 1886) an article by a contributor on foul brood
that he had some hives with frames parallel and others
with frames at right angles to the entrance. In the
former he was troubled with foul brood, while in the
latter he was exempt from it. Should this have
been more than a simple coincidence, the freedom
from disease in the latter case must, I judge, be attri-
butable to the more perfect ventilation. I think, if my
memory serves me, it was also stated in the same article
that bees, following their own instincts, almost invariably
build their combs at right angles with the entrance,
ninety per cent of them at least, yet most manufacturers
of hives place them parallel with the entrance. This
subject appears to me to be one of some importance in
this day of wide-spread foul brood. — E. Musgbove,
Sidcup, Kent.

[We are fully iu accord with your views on this

subject, viz., that the plan of placing frames parallel to
the entrance of the hive impedes ventilation and cleanli-
ness, and encourages the propagation of foul brood.
Long ago we discarded the system from our apiary. It
is always with regret that we seo prizes awarded to
hives built on this plan. In a natural state nine colonies
out of ten will build at right angles to the entrance side.
See answer to ' Ligusticus,' Vol. XIV., p. 416 of B.B.J.
—Ed.]

THE BEES.

When breaks at morn the beaming light
From out the dark and clouded skies,

The wakeful bee doth wing her flight,
And to the purple heather flies.

There in the rich and nectared heath
She finds the sweetest honey store ;

Though oft her burden sinking b'neath,
She ever comes to gather more.

The humming of her drowsy song

The while she darts from flower to flower,

Floats in the air the bright day long,
Till even's calm and silent hour.

And if we might attend her home,
And trace her steps as she alights,

Might peer into the hidden comb,

Surprised we should behold the sights.

Upon the many waxen walls

A multitude of toiling bees,
All crowded in their narrow halls,

Yet moving to and fro with ease.

Here making comb of purest white,
There cleaning cells now old and dark,

Bee workers working day and night
Within their busy, teeming ark.

Whilst others bring the harvest sweet
From distant moors, and leas, and fells,

Or pollen, stored above their feet,
To feed their offspring in the cells ;

Distinguished by his larger form
We quickly mark the lazy drone,

Of all the thousands in a swarm
An idle bee he is alone.

These brown capped cells, with ease we sp}r,
Contain the grub, or sealed brood,

Those mealy-looking ones close by
Are filled with pollen or bee food.

If eyes are sharp there may be seen,
Most likely where the brood is near,

Her majesty, the mother queen,
Surrounded by her subjects dear.

Unlike the workers, short in wing,

In body long, in colour light,
Dissimilar in head, and sting ;

This is the queen who meets our sight.

Moral.

Ye little insects of the hive,

In love, and industry, and art,
Ye show in life how we should strive

Most manfully to act our part.

Oswin B. Hemy.

Sn order to make a pound of honey, the bee has to collect
the sugar that is lodged infinitesimally in two and a half
millions of flowers — a fitting image of the infinite number
of individual acts and efforts of the will in the way of good-
ness by which the sweet graces of the Christian character are
finally acquired and matured.

364

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 18, 1887.

(Brtjim frcrnt % Jxtas.

Limerick, August Hth. — I drove some bees last week.
Some of the skeps weighed 66 lbs. ; out of ten the average
was 48 lbs. On the whole it has been a good year for bees in
these parts, though we have now no blossoms ; everything is
burned, still honey is coming in, and driven bees are work-
ing out combs. — Alba.

Broadstairs, Kent, August 15th. — The season is over now,
or nearly so, though the drones are still tolerated — a fort-
night later than last year. Swarms have been plentiful
in the neighbourhood. I have succeeded in preventing
rny hives swarming, or, to be more accurate, have not
caught them in the act. The chief honey flow came on
with a rush, and lasted from 1st to 20th June. At one
time late fruit bloom, sycamore, and white clover, were on
together, and the bees would not look at a good patch of
Limnanthes provided for their express benefit. Then came
a period of comparative rest, until about 21st July, and
even now a little honey is still coming in. Garden flowers
seem to be of little practical value for honey, but are very
useful as a sort of ' honey barometer. ' If the bee-keeper
notieeth the bees turning up their noses at a nice clump
of borage he rejoiceth, and ordereth his honey bottles ; but
when he findeth many bees and few blossoms in his garden,
then countermandeth he the honey bottles and procureth
a store of sugar. I find Simmins's plan of placing starters
in front of combination hives a very good one for prevent-
ing swarming, but the bees seem to prefer building them
out to working in the sections if honey is scarce. — T. W.
Oetzjiann.

Chilton, near Thane, Oxon, August loth. — The honey
harvest of 1887 is over. It began late, with a bad spring
for bees, and finished about the loth of July here. The
order of the day now is rob, rob from morning till night,
there being a great many more bees in the parish than my own.
The season has not been up to the average ; the limes which
abound here being quite a failure, some of them not open-
ing at all. Swarms very few. My returns being — from
twelve hives, six frames, six skeps, — three swarms, 350 lbs.
of honey, all sorts included. One word as to wasps. I do
not agree with one of your correspondents who say they
are harmless insects. We are regularly infested with
them here, nests in some places within a yard or two of
each other ; no sort of fruit can rest for them, and if you
open a door or window the room is full directly. They
carry off the dead bees from under my hives wholesale to
their nests, besides robbing the hives and killing the live
ones. — H. W. Peiikins.

Appleby, near Doncaster. — A correspondent writing from
Malvern Links wants to know how Lincolnshire bee-keepers
manage to take honey by cwts., as he puts it, asking for
information as to number of hives, &c. Like him, I have
six hives of the common black bees and three years' ex-
perience. This year's result is over six cwts. of honey,
including about 300 sections, the rest extracted ; a record
which might have been nearly, if not quite, doubled had it
been worth while to do so, which, with honey at its present
price, it was not. The way it is done is very simple, it is
merely by the use of Cowan's hives and following the very
clear instructions as to their working given in Mr. Cowan's
Bee-keepers' Guide. I started with those abominations
called Combination hives, but a few weeks' experience and
the perusal of the above-named work speedily convinced
me of the bad start that had been made, and I began
again, discarding the old hives and substituting Cowan's
as fast as I could make them. If your correspondent will
go and do likewise no doubt the same success will attend
his efforts. Black bees, too, seem to the writer good
enough ; he knows nothing about foreign bees, having had
no experience of them, and for the matter of that only
three years of any kind, but looking at the state of his
hives during the past season he has come to the con-
clusion that if any bees are more prolific than the black
they must be very prolific indeed, and would want hives six
feet high. — H. Dujiahesq (Colonel).

Hill Cottage, Sidmoulh, August 6th. — There are more
wasps' nests in this neighbourhood this season than I ever
saw at any lime. I have destroyed a great many and shall
destroy more. — W. F. H. Majenme.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

H. C. — Weight in proportion to Comb Surface. — See 'Useful
Hints,' p. 354.

A. Oxley. — Microscope. — There are many excellent works
on the use of the microscope. We can especially recom-
mend Practical Microscopy, by G. E. Davies (7s. &d.) ;
and Preparation and Mounting of Microscopic Objects,
2s. &d., by Thomas Davies. Both of these works are pub-
lished by W. H. Allen, Waterloo Place.

B. Auld. — Unsealed Sections. — Ton cannot keep unsealed
sections until next year. During the present hot summer
there is no fear of the honey fermenting after extraction.
Allow it to stand in an open vessel for a few days, in a
warm room, and skim a small quantity from the surface,
when the remainder may be put into glass or other jars
and sealed down.

A. P. J. — 1. Honey. — The sample of honey is of superior
flavour. Speaking generally, we think such honey ought
to realise Is. retail and 8<i. wholesale; but it altogether
depends on the market it is taken to. 2. Black Honey. —
The prevalence of honeydew from aphides is the cause of
the dark colour of the honey. Keep Italians, or other
Eastern races ; amongst many hundreds of sections
worked by these bees, we have not an ounce of dark
honey.

J. W. P.— 1. Rate of Flight of Bees.— There is a difficulty
in calculating the rapidity of the flight of bees. Their
presumed directness of flight, as indicated by the term
' bee-line,' is to be accepted with some modification ; and
refers more especially to the line adopted by them when
returning from the fields laden with honey and pollen, as
it saves both time and labour. But their mode of flight
is ' to skim along in extended sweeps, alternately curving
to the right and left.' An instance is given by a traveller
of a humble bee accompanying a railway carriage pro-
ceeding at the rate of twenty miles an hour, though
the wind was contrary, not merely with the same
rapidity, but even greater, as it not unfrequently flew
to and fro about the carriage, or described zig-zag
lines in its flight. The aerial motions of a hive-bee are
more leisurely ; and they may be estimated to be at the
rate of seventeen miles an hour. 2. Distance of Flight. —
The general extent of the excursions of bees for forage is
a mile. Huber says half a league, which, as a German
league is our miles, would be two miles ; but this is not
borne out by his own practical observations. In B.B. J.,
vol. xiv., p. 120, there is an authentic instance given of
Italian bees being found on the heather 2J miles from
their hives, and at 983 feet higher elevation ; and we
have even read of them being seen twice that distance.

T. Nixon. — Dry Sugar — 1. Dry sugar left in the hiva^uring
winter is not beneficial for the bees. All feeding for the
winter should be completed by the end of September.
Towards spring dry feeding may be resorted to in prefer-
ence to syrup. The sample of sugar is very good, and
would be found useful for the purpose of dry sugar feeding
at the proper time. 2. Quecnless Colony. — Most likely, as
there is almost sure to be a colony having drones some-
where near. 3. Pitched Paper for Quilts. — No ; use
American cloth, having as little smell as possible. The
smell oi pitch is obnoxious to bees. 4. It is not used for
the purpose. You can buy the paper already prepared at
a nominal price. It is kept in stock by all good paper-
hangers ; they use it as a first coating for damp walls.
5. Sugar Bags. — These answer the purpose very well.
We should place eight or ten thicknesses.

E. Siiotter. — 1. Bees. — The bees forwarded are hybrids
with very slight indications of foreign admixture. The
so-called black bees have acquired their special black shiny
appearance through having lost their pubescence either

August 18, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

365

from old age or disease; but they are not a different
variety from the others. 2. Black bees. — ' The handful of
black bees, headed by a good queen,' have very probably
contracted the disease called Bacillus depilis, or Gaytoni,
and are gradually dwindling. 3. A Pound of Bees. — If
your pound of bees consist of driven bees, we are afraid
that you will not be able to rear them into a stock ; but
if the bees are of a cast of that weight with care they
w-ill pass through the winter, and in the spring may
be raised into a useful stock.

J. J. H. — Foul Brood. — Presuming that you gave your bees
the Cheshire Cure you would have great difficulty in
getting them to take it at this season of the year if there
is any amount of honey in the hive. Another disadvan-
tage is that some of the honey is capped over and would
be used in feeding the larva? nest spring. In this honey
the germs of the disease lay dormant ; therefore if you
cured them now upon this honey being used you would
have the disease again nest year. Phenol will without
cure ' foul brood ' if the queen is not affected. By taking
them to the moors in their present condition you would
be committing a great injustice to your fellow bee-keepers
whose bees are there ; in fact, it is in a great measure
owing to this description of carelessness— we might use a
stronger espression — that the disease is spread abroad.
Your best plan is to place the bees of both colonies in a
well-ventilated bos for twenty-four hours, then into a
clean hive upon foundation, feeding them as fast as
possible on syrup and the Cheshire Cure ; it is rather late
in the season for tills : the combs of the affected hives
to be melted down and the honey either boiled or
destroyed, preferably the latter. If you use your hives
again, and there is no reason why you should not,
thoroughly saturate them inside and out with carbolic
acid solution. This should be made by mixing together
equal quantities of Calvert's No. 5 and glycerine, three
ounces of each ; then pour two quarts of boiling water
upon it, stirring well. Do not let this solution get upon
your hands, or it will cauterise them. Espose the hives
to the air until the smell has passed off. Burn the old
frames and quilts, as these can be easily replaced

P. Jewell. — Observatory Hives. — Unless the hives were
seen by us it would be impossible to give an opinion.
So much depends upon the ' get-up ' of the hive ; the con-
dition and building of the combs, also the quantity and
quality of the bees. No doubt the judges gave their
awards in proper order to the hives whose relative quali-
ties— taking the above as their standard — ranked foremost.

G. Hudson. — 1. Bees near House. — It is not likely that the
position prevented their working. 2. Moving half a mile.
— Wait until November and then you may move the bees
without loss. 3. Earthen Pans for Honey. — Honey will
keep better in an earthen pan than in any other vessel ;
paper will do to tie down with.

Young Beginner. — 1. Extracting. — After extracting from
four out of ten frames place two of the emptied combs in
the middle of the others and feed gently until the end of
this month, then rapidly for a fortnight, or until sufficient
stores are sealed. 2. Bobbers. — Having contracted the
entrance the bees will be able to repel attacks, and the
dead bees which you see are the strangers who are trying
to rob.

Alba.— 1. Honey and Pollen. — If you pass honey and pollen
through a patent honey squeezer, the former will be
tainted by the latter. 2. Obstinate Honey. — Cut the
comb into cubes and place in a conical bag before the
fire, and the honey will exude.

Beceived from Mr. H. W. Perkins, Chilton, near Thame,
Oxon, a bottle of extracted honey. "We beg to thank him
for trouble taken in forwarding it. The honey was of an
excellent quality, and of good consistency and flavour.

Bee Swarming Extraordinary. — A swarm of bees took
possession of the shop of Messrs. Thos. Fraser & Son, High
Street, Dunbar, on Tuesday morniDg, July 10, and by
their presence caused not a little inconvenience to the
inmates, as well as temporary stoppage to trade. Two
skeps were soon filled and taken out, still the shop swarmed
with bees for the remainder of the day.

Show j^nnouncements.

Giving Name and Address of Secretary, Date and Place of
Show, Date of Closing Entries. Terms : Three Insertions
and under, Two Shillings and Sixpence ; additional inser-
tions, Sixpence each. No charge made to Associations whose
Shows are announced in our general Advertising Columns.

August 24. — Lancaster Agricultural Show. W. Liddell,
Hon. Secretary, Dale Street, Lancaster.

August 26. — Craven Agricultural Society's Show at
Skipton. Secretary, Bichard Wilson, Skipton. a 2889

August 31-Sept. 3. — Boyal Manchester and Liverpool
Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,
Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Siiimins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin
Pearson, V. Stockton Heath, Warrington.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 18, 1887.

Special prepaid jgLdvertisements.

(-*H

Situations, Publications, Bee Plants, &c. — Twenty words
and tinder, One Shilling ; for every additional Three words,
One Penny.

Exchange Column. — Sales of Honey and Second-hand
Goods. — Intended to aid Bee-keepers in the disposal of Bee-
produce and Appliances for which they have no further use.
Terms : Tivelve words and under, Fourpence ; for every ad-
ditional Three words, One Penny extra.

No reduction made for continuous insertion.

1. QIMMINS' ORIGINAL NON-SWARMING SYSTEM
JO includes also other subjects of the first importance,
reduced to Is. Id., post free.

2. QIMMINS' METHODS OF DIRECT QUEEN IN-
O TRODUCTION, 6W. Of the Author, Rottingdean,
Brighton ; Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent Street, and 127
High Holborn; and J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

B~E¥-KElKPING71>laiii and Practical : How to
Make it Pay. By A. Rusbridge, Is. 6d., post free,
Is. 8d. Address J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts, a 1253

THE MANAGEMENT OF STRAW SKEPS. De-
signed to teach the Cottager how to obtain the best
results at the least possible cost. By attention to its teach-
ings, Cottagers will be enabled to make their Bees a more
profitable source of income than hitherto. Price One Penny.
Six copies and upwards, post free. J.Huckle, KingsLangley.

WANTED. — Copies of British Bee Journal for January
7th, 1886, and Nov. 1873. Full price given. Apply
J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

ONEY (1887) PURCHASED or Taken in Exchange.
SECTIONS, ±\ x 4J x 2, of good flavour, pale colour,
well filled and capped. No other accepted.

EXTRACTED, of best quality and appearance only.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,
E.C.

HONEY.— lib. Sections, 8s. 6d. per doz. Run, 8s. per
doz. bottles ; Screw-caps, 8s. 6d. per doz. Address
C. N. White, Somersham, Hunts.

COMB HONEY, 4J Sections for Sale. Address J. C.
Lambert, Sunk Island, Hull. a 70

TO SECRETARIES or ASSOCIATIONS.— C. N. White,
Somersham, Hunts, 1st Class Expert, and Expert to
Cambs. and Isle of Ely Association, will be glad of engage-
ments from Aug. 5 to Sept. 16. For Lecturing or Expert
Tours. Expenses only required.

WANTED, Condemned Bees in exchange for Appliances
or for Cash. Address Abbott Brothers, Southall,
London, and Dublin.

CONDEMNED BEES, Is. 3d. per lb. Guaranteed free
from Foul Brood. Address H. Dobbie, Thickthorn,
Norwich.

IEAVING THE COUNTY.— Few Cowan Hives, new ;
_J ditto in the flat, very cheap. Cowan's Bee Trap,
free, 2s. 8d. Woiblet Spur, Is. Gd. Extractor, 22s. 6rf.
List sent. Two Hundredweight Sugar for Feeding Bees,
pure Cane, 20s. per cwt., lis. 56 lbs. Address Hon. Sec,
NorthantsB. K. Association, St. James', Northampton, a 83

EE TENT for Hire. Apply Hon. Sec, Northants
Bee-keepers' Association, St. James', Northampton.
a 84

WANTED. —Bees. Three lots. Vigorous Queens.
Weight 5 lbs. each. Address B., Ivedon Cottage,
Springfield Road, Kingston-on-Thames. a 86

DRIVEN BEES, Is. per lb. Packing extra. A~disT
trict where Foul Brood is unknown. Address E.
Garner, Broom, near Biggleswade, Beds. a 87

STOCKS OF BEES.— Have to Sell for an old Cottage^
now too feeble to manage Apiary, 12 large, well-made
Straw Hives, full of Honey and Bees, 12s. M. each, or £7
the lot. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth Rectory,
St. Ives, Hunts,

B

ADVERTISER will give Is. per lb. for Driven Bees,
safely packed. Address Douglas Cooper, Nor-
manton, Derby.

TAKE NOTICE.— A rotten bad Stock of Bees in Bar-
frame Hive (Abbotts') to be sold Cheap. Price £1 5s.,
or as much more as the Purchaser likes to fork out. Ad-
dress W. Ruhl, Swanmore, Bishops Waltham. A 89

EXTRACTOR WANTED.— Exchange ninety-eight 3d.
numbers Journal of Horticulture from Aug. 1884 to
1886, December or offers in Bee Furniture. Addres
W. Hunkin, Poole, Dorset.

FOR SALE.— British Bee Journal, half-bound. What
offers ? Extractor or Bee Furniture. Address
W. Hunkin, Poole, Dorset. a 90

FOR SALE.— Six Strong Heavy Stocks of Bees 12s,
each. Cash offers invited for Honey in 1 lb. sections.
Address Maltson, Covenham.near Louth, Lincolnshire. A 91

FOR SALE.— Three Good Stocks of Bees in Skeps.
Price 11. per stock. Address X., Offenham, Eve-

sham.

a 92

MAGIC LANTERN SLIDES for Sale on Natural
History of Bees. 34 Slides 3J x 3J, 20s. Address
J. H. Atkins, Naturalist, Dunmanway, Cork. a 93

WANTED Prime Quality I lb. Sections Honey. Address
stating price to White, c/o W. T. Joyce, Farn-
borough, Hants. a 94

"AX EXTRACTOR (Blow's) for Sale, as Good as
New. Cost 15s. Will take 7s. 6d. Address
A. Wood, Esq., Bellwood, Ripon. a 93

T3AYNOR EXTRACTORS.— A few last year's make of
JLA' machines at 21s. to clear out. Greatly improved
for present season. See British Bee Journal for July 28.
Address W. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester.

THREE RAYNOR REVERSIBLE 30s. EXTRACTORS
for Sale, Meadows' make, price 25s. each, or 24s. each
if the lot are taken.

Abbott Brothers, Southall, Loudon, and Dublin.

I&l

DEDUCED IP NICIES.
No. 1. No. 4. No. 5.

1-lb., 12/- gross. 1-lb., 22/- gros?. 1-lb., 22/- gross.

2-lb., 20/- gross. 2-lb., 32/- gross.

In one gross cases, free on rail. Cases free.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Free, a 2848

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

GUIDK-BOOK PAMPHZ.BTS.-K-o. XX.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,

AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

J. HUCKLE, KIHGS Ij .A. 3ST G- 1, IE "ST.

British

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stiunqeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 270. Vol. XV.]

AUGUST 25, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

^tutorial, Sottas, #r,

MARKETING HONEY.

That is the very thing we want to know about !
It has been said we are a nation of shopkeepers;
that is daily getting less true of us, as we are fast
becoming, if we have not already attained to the
position, — a nation of costermongers. The question
now is, not what a certain thing cost to produce,
but what will it fetch. Honey is no exception to
this rule. The trouble of 'raising' it, with many,
is a small thing compared with the trouble of dis-
posing of it after it is raised. You can rush off
to the Honey Company of course, as many did in
the fall of '85, to the benefit of its shareholders
and the injury of your pockets, but if you want
a good price you must take a little trouble, and,
what is by no means a small factor in the business,
use your wits.

This is a day of 'putting on the market.' Look
at your match-boxes, go and buy a farthing's worth
of pins ; turn where you will, from artists' colours
to Nubian blacking, or from Yorkshire relish to
Pears' soap, the package looks as if it cost the
largest half of the money. The British Honey
Company was not slow to take the hint, and Mr.
Woodley soon followed suit, so that if we want
show-cases for section honey, we have them already
provided to our hands ; and what I want to press
upon you is, if you wish to get a good price for
your honey, you must resort to some such device
to secure it.

Your first aim must be to make a name by always
putting up your goods in the same style, which
will in time become a kind of trade-mark. If it
is extracted honey, always use the same shape and
size of bottle, even to the style of your screw cover,
and the colour of the string you use to tie down
your parchment if you use the ' tie-down ' bottles.
The same rule applies to the sections, you must
use the same kind of fancy boxes, or, if you prefer
to ' dress ' your sections yourself, as I told you last
year I do mine (see page 407 of last Vol.), you
must always keep to the same style, and perhaps
it may be beneficial to use only one colour paper.
For labels you cannot be too neat. Have your own

distinctive mark by all means, but do not attempt
to copy the Canadian lobster tin labels.

There is another matter which is of far more
importance, it is cleanliness. Let everything go
out of your hands as if fingers had never touched
it ; let the wood of your sections be as white and
spotless as when they left the planing machine ;
clean off every speck of propolis ; and last, and most
important of all, so fix your foundation, be it whole
sheets or only guides, so that when it is cut out of
the section and laid on a dish preparatory to going
on the table, there is not a long, dirty patch of
something indescribable to mar the appearance of
the luscious slab of honey, and bring discredit to
your fair fame. These remarks may seem frivolous,
but allow me to assure you they are no mean items
on the narrow and thorny road to success.

If there are any local gentry in your neighbour-
hood, try to induce them to buy. If they only take
a small sample, do not be discouraged ; if it is
what it should be, they will come again. As to
price, do not open your mouth too extra wide ; if
you do, Nemesis will be on your track, and that
market will be spoilt for you for ever. Now go to
a respectable grocer, or chemist, or Italian ware-
houseman ; do not ask him to buy, but ask him to
sell for you. Offer him twenty per cent discount on
what he disposes of, you to keep up his stock to a
certain amount as he disposes of it, and he to pay
you for what he has sold on the first of every month.
Give him to understand he need not sell the show-
cases, but keep the sections in them as a pro-
tection, and if any of his customers prefer to take
cases, they will be the price of the cases extra. If
he is a tradesman with whom you can profitably
deal, and you can take his groceries instead of
money, all well and good ; but that is a matter for
your personal consideration. After a season of this
arrangement, you will most likely find he will pre-
fer to buy of you, and run his own risks, and get
what discount he chooses to fix, but your great
point is to get him to start. The more respectable
his customers, and the more prominent his business
position, the greater your chance of success, and
the larger the discount probably he will require.

This is no new fancy eliminated from ' A E.'s '
cranky brain, but has been successfully worked for
the past three years under the eyes of — Amateur
Expert.

368

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[August 25, 1887,

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY.
The summary of meteorological observations at. Hod-
sock Priory, Worksop, Notts, lias been sent to us by
Mr. Joseph Mallenger. During July the mean tempera-
ture was 63'8°. Maximum on the 3rd, 85'° ; minimum
on the 6th, 37'7°. Maximum in the sun on the loth,
1392; minimum on grass on the 18th, 31*5°, Mean
temperature of air at 'J a.m. 66-7°. Mean temperature
of the soil 1 foot deep, 63-5". Total duration of sunshine
in month, 228 hours, or 44 per cent of possible duration ;
no sunless day. Total rainfall, 1'46 inch. Rain fell on
ten days. Average velocity of wind, 8'3 miles per hour.
Velocity exceeded 400 miles on one day, and fell short
of 100 miles on five days. Approximate averages for
July — Mean temperature, 61'2° ; rainfall, 2-30 inches.
Sunshine (ten years) 163 hours. A very bright, warm,
and rather dry month. The mean temperature is higher
than any previous year since 1876. Sunshine more than
any of the previous six years. Rainfall small, but not
exceptionally so ; coming, however, after a very dry June,
the deficiency was more uoiiceable. During the past six
months only 0 inches of rain have fallen, as compared
with an average for the period of II3 inches. — Journal of
Horticulture.

ASSOCIATIONS.

ABERDARE FLOWER SHOW.

The show of houey which was held in connexion with
the above show on August 18 was a distinct improve-
ment on last year both in quantity and quality. Nearly
half a ton was staged, and with few exceptions was put
up in a much more attractive form than it was last year.
The section honey shown by Mr. Guy, of Cardiff, was a
capital exhibit, the sections being well filled and even in
appearance.

In the class for the largest collection of extracted
honey the prizes were taken by some very good honey,
mostly white clover, but it would be advisable if the
committee could see their way to defining the class more
strictly, as the judges had to decide between the merits
of two exhibits, one containing 300 bottles of dark-
coloured honey, which had already begun to granulate,
and a much smaller exhibit of some sixty bottles of first-
class white clover honey. The rules defined ' largest and
best,' but the judges were unanimous in awarding the
prize to the best rather than to the largest.

In the class for twelve 1-lb. sections there was no diffi-
culty in awaiding the prize to Mrs. Price, as her sections
were very much superior to any of the other ten exhibits.
In the class for twelve 1-lb. bottles Mrs. Price was again
successful. The second prize was awarded to Mr. T. W.
Rake, but it was pointed out to the judges after the
prizes were awarded that there was some dust in the
honey, due probably to the bottles not having been
properly cleaned ; but the honey was so superior in
flavour to all the others except the one which was highly
commended, that even if the judjes had perceived the
defect it was so slight that its position in the prize list
would not have been altered.

During the afternoon manipulations took place in the
bee-tent, and the modern system of bee-keeping was
explained to large and attentive audiences.

Two candidates were examined for third-class expert's
certificates, and W. W. Williams, 14 High Street, New-
port, passed a highly- satisfactory examination, his
driving and manipulation being extremely good. The
other candidate passed in driving, but failed to find the
queen until some time had elapsed.

It would be an advantage if the rules for examinations
were not quite so strict, as this candidate was as well
qualified to act as expert as many whom I have passed.
There always must be a certain amount of luck in
examinations. One candidate may find the queen on the
first comb he picks up, while another may have to look

through nearly all the combs until she is found. As
the examinations are held all through the country,
and the Education sub-Oommitcee have not them under
their immediate control, rules, no doubt, must be made ;
but it would be an advantage in those cases where the
examiner was satisfied with the knowledge of the candi-
date, even if he had not passed according to the regula-
tions, to refer the matter for the decision of the
Educational sub-Committee.

The following is the prize-list : — Class I. For the
largest and best collection of super honey: 1, W.
Gay, Cardiff ; 2, James Lewis, J. P. II. Ditto, ex-
tracted, in 1-lb. or 2-lb. bottles: 1, G. H. Rake,
Yscnborwen; 2, E. Richards, Talyillyn. III. Twelve
1-lb. sections : 1, Mrs. Price, St. David's Vicarage,
Brecon ; 2, Miss Price, Brecon. IV. Twelve 1-lb.
bottles extracted : 1, Mrs. Price ; 2, G. H. Rake ; H.C.,
Miss Price. V. Best samples of beeswax, not less than
2 lbs.: 1, Mrs. Price; 2, Miss Price. VI. Best kept
hive of bees withiu a radius of three miles : 1, James
Lewis, J. P. ; 2, D. P. Davis, Commercial Street, Aber-
dare. The judges were Mr. Thomas, Yscnborwen, and —
Geo. Walkeb, Wimbledon,

WELLINGTON (SOMERSET) COTTAGE
GARDEN SOCIETY.
The above Society held its annual meeting at the
Town-hall, Wellington, Somerset, on Friday, August 6th.
The hall was tastefully adorned with flags, and the
arrangement of the cottagers' exhibits was very credit-
able and effective. Besides the flowers and vegetables
there was an exhibition of honey. Though not very
large, we were pleased to see it as indicating the interest
taken by the cottagers in that part of the country in this
industry ; and though small, there being but six exhibits,
we have hopes that it may be increased on some future
occasion. Most of the exhibitors had made use of large
bell-glasses for having their surplus stored in, but happily
this is a plan now becoming obsolete in this country,
thanks to the efforts of the British Bee-keepers' Associa-
tion and its many branches scattered throughout the
shires. Combs worked in bell-glasses have to be cut in
pieces before they can be used, whereas the same weight
of honey stored in a crate of sections is available for use
at any moment without damage or mess, as could be seen
by the specimens on the table. There were some fine
diagrams and a set of beautiful Italian plates exhibited,
illustrating the anatomy and physiology of the honey
bee ; also several small glass cases containing specimens
of various kinds of comb, queen-cells, &c, the society
being indebted to Mr. C. Tite, Shates House, for this
part of the honey exhibition. But it was evident that
the local bee-keepers have 3'et much to learn, and that
there is a fine field open in the neighbourhood for a new
branch of the Somerset County Bee-keepers' Association,
when the honorary Secretary (Rev. C. G. Anderson, of
Otterhampton, Bridgwater) can spare time to set it
afloat. Two excellent bar-frame hives were sent to the
show by Mr. Edward Pyne, hive-maker, Yeovil. They
were admirably made, well finished, and contained the
latest improvements. Moreover, one of them was offered
at a price that will meet the requirements of intelligent
ottagers, for whom bee-keeping in the rural districts
offers a source of much pleasure and profit.

SOMERSET COUNTY BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIA-
TION AT TAUNTON FLOWER SHOW.

The twentieth annual show of the Taunton Deane
Horticultural and Floicultural Society was held on
Thursday, the 11th inst., in Vivary Park, Taunton, and
notwithstanding the dryness of the season the exhibits
in all departments were of extraordinary excellence.
The interest manifested in the exhibition by the inhabi-

August 25, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

)C,0

touts of the town and couuty showed no falling; off, and
throughout the day the Park was visited by several
thousand people.

The exhibition of hives, honey, &c, was a great
advance on previous years, both in the number and the
quality of exhibits. The principal exhibitors of apicul-
tural appliances were Messrs. Abbott Bros., of Southall,
who sent a collection containing- almost every article
that bee-keepers can require, or fancy they require.
Messrs. Abbott's articles were good in quality, reasonable
in price, and admirably arranged. Next to them came
Mr. E. J. Butt, of Barnstaple, with a smaller but useful
collection, which took second prize. Mr. C. Lewis, of
Taunton, sent a number of cheap plain hives, but not for
competition. Mr. Edwin Pyne, hive-maker, of Yeovil,
also sent two excellent hives, one for well-to-do amateurs
and the other for cottagers. The show of hone}' was
also large and good. The chief exhibitor was the Rev.
II. F. S. Gurney, of Stoke St. Gregory, one of the
principal bee-masters in Somerset ; but the most attrac-
tive exhibit was that sent by Mr. William Peirce, of
North Petherton, a charming collection of comb and run
honey, admirably put up. The increased number of
exhibitors in this department must bo most cheering to
the Bev. C. G. Anderson, the honorary secretary of the
Somerset Bee-keepers' Association, who has laboured
most assiduously for years past to popularise bee-keeping
in the county, and to Mr. W. B. Maynard, the zealous
secretary of the local branch of the Association. A very
interesting and attractive feature of the bee show was
the observatory hives. Messrs. Abbott Brothers took
the lead here again with a splendid and novel hive, con-
taining- six frames stocked with the beautiful Italian
bees. The Rev. C. G. Anderson was second with a well-
constructed observatory of the ordinary type, but con-
taining many improvements and several most interesting-
features. Altogether the bee and honey department was
most attractive, and the large tent devoted to it was
crowded with spectators. The manipulations were held
in a separate tent and were conducted by Mr. John
Ayres, of Southall. the Rev. C. G. Anderson giving the
descriptive lectures and answering numerous questions.

The following is the prize list : —

Hoxey, &c. — Best collection of honey-comb and run,
from one apiary — 1, W. Peirce, Bridgwater ; 2, Kev. H. P.
S. Gurney, Stoke St. Gregory; 3, Miss E. J. Elliott,
Taunton. For the best exhibit of sectional super honey,
each section not to exceed three lbs. in weight, the total
weight of each entry not to be less than twelve lbs. — 1, Bev.
H. P. S. Gurney; 2, Miss Elliott; 3, Henry Perry, Williton.
For the best glass super of honey — 1, W. Hawkes, New-
berry ; 2, W. W. Jones, Williton. For the best straw
super of honey— 1, J. Taylor; 2, E. Cattle. For the best
exhibition of run or extracted honey in glasses, each glass
not to exceed three lbs. in weight — 1, William Peirce ;
2, J. E. Heydon. Best observatory hive with a complete
stock of live bees, all combs to be visible on both sides —

1. Abbott Brothers; 2, Bev. C. G. Anderson.

Offered by the Soiieeset Bee-keepees' Association. —
Best and most complete collection of hives and bee-keepers'
appliances — 1, Abbott Brothers ; 2, E. J. Butt, Barnstaple.
Best stock of bees in straw skep for manipulating combs not
to be less than two years old — 1, H. Biddies, Staplegrove ;

2, P. Jewell, Bridgwater.

MAER (STAFFORDSHIRE) FETE AND HONEY
SHOW.

This, the first show at Maer, proved to be a decided
success, both in the number and quality of the exhibits,
especially in Classes II. and IV., which were very good
throughout, and this success ought to be an incentive to
future efforts in the same direction.

The work of judging was entrusted to the Rev. G. R.
Bailey, of Madeley, Staffordshire, a gentleman who
takes a livelv interest in matters of this kind. Mr.

.1. R. Critchlow, Hon. Sec, being an exhibitor; Mr-.
Billon, a member of the fete committee, was appointed
steward to accompany the judge in making his awards
and attaching prize cards. Mr. Bailey, finding it a
difficult task to finally decide some of the aw.irds, as
some of the exhibits were so near in quality, called in
the assistance of Mr. Rollins, expert to the S. B. K. A.,
and their awards gave general satisfaction. Mr.
Critchlow's exhibit included sectioin displaying the
letters <S. V. R, 7,'* he also stage 1 ' J. R.'C. Pure
Honey,' but not for competition. The Steward and
Hon. Sec. of the show are to be complimented upon
the admirable manner in which the arrangements were
carried out. The S. B. K. A.'s bee-tent, in which Mr.
Rollins, the expert, manipulated bees, was a centre of
attraction during the afternoon and evening.

The following are the list of awards : —

Class I. — For the best twelve l-lb.orsix2-lb. sections:
1, J. R. Critchlow, Maer Farm; 2, H. Wood, Lichfield;
3, S. B. Fox, Maer. V. H. C, Mrs. Vawdrey, Maer
Vicarage.

Class II. — For the best exhibition of 12 lbs. of run or
extracted honey in glass jars : 1, E. Clowes, Black-
brook; 2, G. Arkinstail, Whitmore; 3, E. S. Hinchliffe,
Mucklestone. V. H. C., T. Bailey, Whitmore ; and
Jos. Thompstone, Shortwood ; and the judge commended
the whole class, which consisted of fifteen exhibits.

Class III. — For the best exhibition of not less than
2 lbs., nor more than S lbs. of pure beeswax : 1, J. R.
Critchlow; 2, Edward Clowes, Milton; 3, T„ Bailey,
Whitmore.

Class IV. — For the best exhibition of honey in any
form not to exceed f cwt. in weight : 1, and silver medal
of S. B. K. A., E. Clowes, Blackbrook; 2, and bronze
medal, S. B. Fox, Maer ; 3, J. R. Critchlow. V. H. C,
IT. Wood, Lichfield, and G. Arkinstail, Whitmore.

CarrespoixijeiTcc.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by Uis correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and glue their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
he drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating^ to H13 literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of tlie "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.* All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huchxe, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

LINCOLNSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

[1108.1 In reply to report of the above in Journal of
28th July, page 322, I am exceedingly sorry that the
Association is in such a ruined state, as it has in the past
bsen productive of much good. For some years the mem-
bers in this district, which at one time numbered about
seventy, have been falling off, for the simple reason
they wanted to know what they were contributing to.

I am not aware of any report since 1880, and at the
present I only know of two members left. I enclose the
rules, scarcely any of which have been carried out for
years, and at the present time I only know of one officer
left (the Honorary Secretary). There are some bee-
keepers in this district with a good knowledge of their
work, who are doing their best in the advancement of
apiculture and who are read}' at any time to assist in the
formation of a new Association upon sound principles.
I shall be glad to know the feeling of the other districts
upon the subject. I may say we have a gentleman of
alHuenee and ability in this district, who, I think, might
be prevailed upon to act as Secretary in the formation of

* Or V. E. 87.

370

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 25, 1887.

a new Association with the assistance of the B.B.K.A.
— North Lincolnshire.

[We think it would be a great misfortune if so good
an Association as the Lincolnshire were suffered to lapse.
According- to the rules sent us, there has been no Asso-
ciation for several years. We should think there would
be no difficulty in re-constructing the Association. Write
to the Secretary of the B. B. K. A., who, we feel assured,
would be pleased to assist in so useful a work. — Ed.]

' THE HOXEY OEOP AND PRICES.'

[1199.] This is the heading of a few lines in The
American Bee Journal of August the 10th, which I
think may with advantage be copied into the B. B. J.,
that your readers may see that we may reasonably hope
to get a fair price for the very small ' honey crop* ' har-
vested in the United Kingdom, as the market is not
likely to be glutted with new honey from the United
States or from Canada, where the crop is also very short.

' We have several times cautioned those having any
honey to sell to hold back for the advance in prices,
which must surely come very soon. In reference to this
matter, Mr. S. F. Newman, of Norwalk, 0., writes as
follows:— "The honey crop in this section is almost an
entire failure. Probably about one-tenth of a crop has
been gathered. There is no question as to the advance
in price. It certainly will reach 20 cents within sixty
days." What little hope there was for a fall crop is
daily dwindling. The extremely hot and dry weather
has 'burnt up' almost everything, and all crops are
suffering, and prices of every crop are advancing. Do
not sell any honey until the" end of September, "is the
best advice that can be given. Really, this year's crop
of honey is but little, if any, more than will be required
for winter s1 ores for the bees, if used for that purpose.
Prices should be doubled at least within two months.'

In the same number of the A.B.J, there are reports
from different States, as follows :—

' No Surplus Honey.— E. Liston, Virgil City, Mo., on
July 20, 1887, says : " In this part of the country the sur-
plus honey crop for 1887 is a ruinous quantity! Unless
it is extremely favourable for fall production, it will be
as nearly a failure as we have had for eighteen years." '

Half a Crop prom Basswood.— Edmund R. Buller
Campbellsport, Ont., on July 26, 1887, says : " Bees have'
done very poorly here this season. Clover and basswood
have not produced more than half a crop, owing to dry
hot weather. Basswood trees were loaded with bloom'
yet many of them were scarcely touched by the bees!
There will be very little fall honey if we do not n-et
more rain soon." '

' No Honey, &c— V. W. Keeney, Shirland, Ills., on
August 1, 1887, says : " I have not taken one pound of
honey from forty colonies, and had only one swarm. 1
have been waiting for some time to see the ' big ' reports
come in, but everybody seems to be quiet this season.
There is no honey in this part of Illinois, and a food
prospect to feed the bees and all other slock soon."'

As there does not seem to be any fear of foreign com-
petition, those who have honey to dispose of should hold
for fair prices, and not rush the honey into the market
all at once to their own disadvantage.— John M
Hooker.

LEE'S SECTIONS.

[1200.] I beg to send you herewith one of Lee's
Patent Sections, that you may see the perfect way in
which it is filled without pop-holes. I obtained a'few
of these sections through the kindness of a friend, and
they were put on the hive quite the tail-end of the
white clover harvest, and before the major part of the
heather came into bloom.

The one sent is a fair sample. The ready way the

sections were put together, and full sheets of foundation
fixed, was quite a treat, after the old way of fixing with
melted wax. I am sure one trial will be sufficient to
satisfy any practical bee-keeper of their superiority over
all others, if they can be obtained at a reasonable cost.
Had I used these sections exclusively, the superior ap-
pearance and uniformity of the comb and rapidity with
which it was built out would have very considerably
increased my receipts. — Wm. Soar, The Apiary, Chob-
ham, near Woldny, Surrey.

[The sample received fully bears out the above state-
ment. It is perfectly even, and pop-holes are absent.
The honey was most delicious. We had on Saturday
last the pleasure of meeting Mr. Lee at the Exhibition
of the Middlesex B.K.A. at Southgate. He had with
him some beautiful specimens of one and two-pound
sections, worked out in his new sections ; they were
from the apiary of the Rev. G. Raynor, of Maldon,
Essex. These were simply perfect in colour and even-
ness, and with no pop-holes. Mr. Lee speaks very hope-
fully of his ability to produce his sections at a cost which
will enable him to compete with those imported from
America. — Ed.]

EFFECTS OF A STING.

[1201.] A few days ago my wife was stung on her
head by a bee, and in a very few minutes she felt a fear-
ful irritation like nettle-rash from head to foot, and then
commenced to swell, especially about the neck and face,
and then followed faiut and sickness, which continued
for some hours. Will you kindly tell me what is the
best treatment in such cases ? I may say she is fond of
a few stings, but has never had such serious effects
before. — W. Elfred.

[A case like the above is, happily, not very common
among bee-keepers. It is known in medical language as
Urticaria, or nettle-rash, and often follows from eating
shell-fish, cucumbers, mushrooms, &c. The recipe of a
lotion which may be used with advantage if the nettle-
rash appear will be found in vol. xiii. p. 235. The other
portion of your letter will be forwarded to the Secretary
of the British Honey Company .—Ed.]

BIRDS, REPTILES, AND BEES.
[1202.] It has been for some time rather a vexed
question as to whether the graceful-flighted swallow is
an enemy to our busy little labourers, the bees. Having
now a good opportunity of noticing the behaviour of
various birds in their attentions, or not, to bees, I have
come to the conclusion that swallows cannot be placed
in the category as apicides — excuse the coining' of this
word. My apiary is situated in a meadow adjoining the
garden, and separated by a quickset hedge ; it is railed
off from this meadow by a wire fence, the top wire of
which is barbed in order to prevent the curiosity of the
cows leading them to a too close acquaintance with the
hives. Upon these wires sometimes as many as four or
five fly-catchers (Muscicapa yrisola) sit waiting for their
prey. I shall procure some of them, and examine their
crops. The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) sits on
the posts, and, I am strongly of opinion, impales my bees
on the barbs of the wires, as in two instances I have
found the abdomens of workers so situated. But it is
more particularly to the swallow tribe that I have given
my attention. I had failed to notice any act on their
part that would lead me to suppose any damage might
be done by them to the bees, and now, so far from sup-
posing such to be the case, I find that the bees them-
selves are obnoxious to the swallows. Being a dull,
cloudy morning, I stood watching- a party of swallows,
both chimney swallows (Ilirundhics rusticce) and house
martins (Jlirundines urbicce), hawking around over my
hives. The morning was favourable for observation on
account of the absence of any glare of light, so that their

August 25, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

371

motions could be followed with ease as they swooped
over head or anon glided along close to the ground over
the meadow. Not a single bee did they catch ; numbers
were flying around; but guess my surprise when I saw
the bees 'go for' the swallows. Their attacks were skil-
fully avoided ;"sometimes two bees would follow a single
swallow round and round, but seemingly unable to over-
take it in its swift aerial flight. The swallows evidently
disliked the bees' attentions, as they frequently avoided
them by doubling away from the point of attack. This
continued for some ten minutes, until at last the swallows
took their departure, evidently dissatisfied with their re-
ception. I noticed the same thing occur with a starling
(Stumus vulgaris), two bees chasing it as it flew across
the apiary ; they may have thought it was a swallow,
but the starling never deviated from its course, evidently
taking Utile notice of its irritable pursuers. Although
there are numerous tits (Parus major, P. crerideus,
P. caudatus, and occasionally P. ater), I have not seen
one attempt the life of a bee ; but no doubt, when other
food gets short, they will commence their depreciations;
any caught actually at this work will have short shrift
given them. Toads are exceptional]}- numerous, but
although rnaivy of my alighting-boards touch the ground,
I have not yet seen any at their, I know, favourite oc-
cupation— Ucking up the bees. These batrachians are
of great use in a garden, watching under a broad leaf or
stone for any unwary insect that may happen to pass by ;
and so until I see special ones watching mj- bee-hives I
let them rest in peace. One fat gentleman has become
quite tame, and will scarcely move without being poked
along, his favourite spot being under the door-step of
my office. Sometimes he will venture to invade its pre-
cincts, but although there may be several bees crawling
near he has not in my presence tasted one. — W. B,
Websteb, Binfield, Perls.

FOUL BROOD— DEAD BROOD.

[1203.] Again and again this subject crops up, and
one hears of whole districts plagued with the dreaded
malady. Dreaded, I say, because it is now and ever will
be a dark cloud hanging over our industry, when we
consider what a number of bee-keepers there are who
cannot, or do not care to take the trouble to put a stop
to it.

Was not Mr. Cheshire's remedy to drive the scourge
from all apiaries ? and did we not hail his discoveries with
rejoicing ? Yet why is it so few have been able to cure
by the phenol treatment, and others report that it is of
no use ? The present state of things shows that either
the treatment is not carried out as Mr. Cheshire has
advised, or else that he himself overlooked some factor
which gave him an advantage ; while his followers have
been unable to grasp the entire subject in consequence
of this one point not being brought before their notice.
The fact is, my esteemed friend does appear to have
overlooked a matter of the greatest importance which
gave him a decided advantage over those who attempt
to follow him.

It will be remembered that Mr. Cheshire had a very
badly diseased hive provided for experiment, and it is
in just such a state that many allow their hives to get
before they become aware of the trouble. But note this :
there were very few bees and no queen. And what did
Mr. Cheshire do ? He gave them a young healthy queen
and two frames of clean brood. Why, reader, here was
health to start with, and then by feeding constantly with
medicated syrup, the operator would have it all his own
way,

The healthy bees would have little trouble in re-
moving the disinfected foul brood, as I am aware from
the fact that under certain conditions the original in-
habitants will clear out the filth without it being dis-
infected. During my own experience some ten or twelve

years since, I found that a populous colony would throw
out every vestige of diseased brood if the queen were
removed. I have also fouud since, where any bees hap-
pened to be bought having the disease, that by removing
the queen and inserting a cell from clean stock, on the
point of hatching, every particle of the putrid matter
has been removed by the time the young queen was
ready to breed ; the disease again appearing, but with less
virulence, until medicine was given.

It will be readily seen, therefore, that where a bad
case will not give way all the time the original queen
is allowed to continue, a change to a young and vigorous
mother will impart energy and determination to the
workers, and then Cheshire's remedy will never fail.

Where the bees are so reduced as to be unfit for brood-
rearing, of course they are not worth the addition of a
new queen and more bees or brood, but should be im-
mediate!}' smothered, and the combs burned or reduced
to wax. On the other hand, it will probably be found
that when a stock is not very badly infected, the feeding
of phenolated syrup, or its injection into the cells when
the bees will not take it, will be found effectual without
removing the queen. Another point which appears to
have escaped notice is that all sealed honey must be
uncapped and likewise disinfected, or the disease is likely
to reappear from time to time. Where there is much
sealed honey, uncap a portion only at a time, and if
possible do not contaminate the extractor.

What is done should be done thoroughly, and ex-
periments left to be carried out by those who can
afford the time, and have nothing to fear from risk of
infection.

Mr. Ward of Highgate, when visiting my apiary,
stated that he failed to cure with phenol until the
original queens were removed from his infected hives,
and others from clean stock inserted. Notwithstanding,
therefore, that Mr. Cheshire considered it a great dis-
advantage to have received his diseased hive without
a queen, it was the one thing that ensured success, in
that he gave a healthy queen as well as clean brood.

It would appear, therefore, that when a queen is badly
diseased, the phenol treatment does not renovate her im-
paired constitution. The workers probably are cured by
taking the medicated food : but just here is the point :
Does the queen, or does she not, receive the phenol in
the food prepared for her by the workers ? Perhaps
Mr. Cheshire will pursue his investigations farther, and
benefit us all by giving some definite information upon
this point.

That phenol is a cure for foul brood is certain, that
it gives health to the workers appears equally true, and
that in future it will prove effectual in every case, I feel
convinced, if the queen is superseded when the disease
does not at first give way.

Dead Bhood.
That foul brood is often confused with simple
dead brood I am well aware. The latter I have ob-
served occasionally, and have never allowed it in any
way to interfere with necessary manipulations, such as
uniting, queen-raising, &c, as I have no fear of com-
municating disease. At present I am unaware of any
cause for this, unless it be weakness of the queen, as by
inserting a fresh one, all is cleared out, while no more is
found, and no medicine is necessary.

HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE TWO.

In some respects the two are similar, much of the
larvaa turning rotten, and of a dark colour, while the
bees seem unable to remove such as is in that state
until the weak queen is taken away. Nevertheless,
some of the matter being placed under the microscope,
Mr. Cheshire was unable to find the slightest trace of
disease.

But that every bee-keeper may decide for himself with-
out the aid of a' microscope which is the genuine foul

H72

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[August 25, 1B87.

brood and which not, I will show how I have always
been able to detect the difference. With simple dead
brood, while some may appear like the foul disease,
much of the older brood dries up to a white cinder, in
many cases retaining its original form, which I have
never found to occur when genuine foul brood is present.
Chilled brood can be distinguished from the more
serious malady in like manner. — S. Simmins.

THOUGHTS ON PASSING TOPICS.

[ 1 204.] Wasjjs. — You said you would like to hear from
different parts as to the scarcity, or otherwise, of wasps.
I write to tell you that my prophecy, published in the
Journal, has been fully verified here, for they have
appeared in thousands. My honey-shed swarms with
them, although bees do not seem able to force an entry.
I have just heard that a person who gets his livelihood
by catching eels in the river has taken no less than 150
wasps' nests within the last few days. In dry weather
when worms are scarce he uses the larva? of the wasps
to bait his wicker baskets. So much for the scarcity of
queen- wasps in the spring.

Extracting from Brood Combs. — I expected this
barbarous method had been given up long ago, but I
see it still advocated in the Journal. Your readers
should bear in mind that the ' liquid ' extracted from
brood combs is not honey — it is a mixture of honey and
water, and perhaps a little pollen, and is just the sort of
substance to ferment and waste good honey; besides
when it is remembered where the water is procured — i.e.,
from old manure-heaps, stagnant ponds, b}r the sides of
sewers, &c. — it is not pleasant to think of adding such a
mixture to good ripe sealed honey. Again, the practice
is always fraught with danger to the brood if to nothing
else, and those who have not plenty of honey without
extracting from brood combs should give up keeping
bees or adopt a better system of management.

Inverting Supers, Sfc. — Where are the advocates of
inverting supers ? Come, ' Amateur Expert,' please let
us have your experiences. If the system has not
answered in such a grand season as this it most assuredly
never will answer. Where, too, are the supporters of
the Heddon hive ? Are they, too, going to keep silent
after such a splendid summer in which to make trial ? —
F, Boyes, Beverley, 10/A August,

BACILLUS MINOR.

[1205.] I am somewhat in a difficulty, and should
much like the aid of your experience in a case of
diseased brood. I had a nearly pure Ligurian swarm
from a neighbour on 27th June. It was hived as usual
in a bar-frame hive, and on 16th July I determined to
raise a couple of young queens from the brood by ex-
change of frames. I did not notice anything wrong-
then, but might easily have passed it, as I suspected
nothing. On about 30th July when dividing the
artificial swarm most of the brood had hatched, and I
noticed a good many cells, say five per cent, had greyish
grubs, dead and about a quarter the normal size. I am
not sure whether the cells had been capped or not, but
fancy they had. There was no bad smell, and the bees
seemed in no hurry to clear them out. The two young-
queens hatched out, and were flying on 5th August.
On the 0th August I took away the frames coming
originally from the swarm. The dead grubs were not
all gone. They had turned black and had no bad smell.

Now, it is about these two young queens (on six and
three frames respectively) that I want j-our advice. 1
examined the old swarm on 1st August, and finding the
brood similarly diseased I cut out a piece and sent it on
to Mr. Cheshire, but have heard nothing 3'et. On the
8th I availed myself of chance assistance and destroyed
the old swarm and brood, brimstoned it, and buried it, in

fact. It seemed a pity. What would you have done ?
The thing that decided me was Mr. ' Useful Hints' say-
ing there was no cure for Bacillus minor, which it seemed
to resemble.

Thus I have destroyed all trace of the swarm except
the two young queens and the few Ligurians that hatched
out of the two brood frames.

Now, the question is whether, supposing the first
brood from the 3'oung queens is healthy, would it be
liable at a later date to become diseased ? Apologising
for troubling you at this length. — BrtniSTOXER, Broad-
stairs, \5th August.

[We certainly think the dead larvae had not been
' sealed over,' since the death of these at two or three
dajrs old is oue particular symptom of the disease, but
there is a total absence of putrid pupa? under pierced
caps, as in Bacillus major alvei. We advise you to
notice carefully whether the larva? from the two young
queens show any sign of the disease before deciding
upon a future course. We certainly have been un-
successful in applying remedies, except in one instance,
where we have effected a cure by feeding upon pheno-
lised syrup, spraying the brood-combs with the same,
and in a day or two afterwards blowing the dust of
finely pulverised coffee over them. This colony,
although much reduced in numbers, continued to produce
healthy brood afterwards, and there has been no recur-
rence of the disease.

As a precautionary measure insert a lump of camphor
in each hive to prevent the spreading of the disease, if
it should appear, by robbing. Bobbers will not enter a
hive where a strong scent of camphor pervades the
interior, and the German? assert that the spores of
Bacillus cannot exist in a camphorated atmosphere. We
hope Mr. Cheshire will soon be able to report on the
disease. — Ed.]

HONEY BY HUNDREDWEIGHTS IN
LINCOLNSHIRE.
[120(1.] Your correspondent, ' A Member of the Wor-
cestershire Bee-keepers' Association,' in last week's
' Echoes,' asks a very reasonable question of us here,
and I echo him, but first, b}' my hearty congratulations
on his success this 3'ear of having obtained from his six
stocks one and a half hundredweight of honey, pre-
suming he has left them ample store (say another
hundredweight) for the coming winter. Very good,
Worcestershire, and, may I say, keep to your old
English bees. I wish I could give a more complete
answer from Lincolnshire to ' W.'s' question, but I may
state it is no uncommon occurrence with us to have a
surplus of half a hundredweight per stock, and this
where ten to twenty stocks are kept, well managed.
Here I would repeat the oft-repeated advice in the
Journal, that to get good results stocJcs must be large at
the time of honey gathering. I have before me as I
write this a statement that Mr. Gillfin, of Grantham,
has just taken one hundredweight of honey from a single
stock, and has left them sufficient store for winter. I
think his apiary consists of two stocks. I myself ex-
tracted, early in July, one and a half hundredweight
from four stocks, and hope in a few days to take another
half hundredweight, and still leave ample store. Mr.
Blankey, of Denton, wrote me, July 0th, that he had
taken from his best stock 100 lbs., and hoped to get
50 lbs. more by end of month. His other five stocks
were doing nearly as well. At our Spalding Show,
Mr. Hufton and Mr. Pocldington, of Cowbit, jointly
staged about eight hundredweight ; their apiary consists
(speaking from memory) of twenty-six stocks. Mr.
Truss, of Bainton Heath, staged over five hundred-
weight ; his apiary, in June, numbered twenty stocks,
seven of which were very indifferent. Mr. Thorpe, of
Swineshead, staged a little under five hundredweight,
I don't know the extent of his apiary this year, but it's

August 25, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

37 3

very Large, I believe. I would remark that, in the case
of the last four named gentlemen, these weights by no
means represent the full, and may be taken as only
showing the weight of honey taken from a portion of
their stocks for our Show. I hope to be able at the
close of the honey harvest to obtain more information
from others of our large apiarians as to their average
yield (Mrs. Brown, of Whaplode, to wit, with her thirty
stocks), when I will communicate further. Lincolnshire
is, doubtless, a favoured county for producing honey, and
that of a very superior quality ; hence we have so large
a number of bee-keepers, with such extensive apiaries,
and yet increasing, and I hope will continue, — R. R.
Gopfbey, August 13th.

A WORD FOR WASPS.

[1207.] I am sorry to see the constant reference to
wasp-destroying in the Bee Journal. If wasps interfered
with bees, there might be some excuse, but as they do
not, but are rather an advantage than otherwise, I do
see on what grounds the 'humane' bee-keeper can
defend wasp-killing. Wasps prey chiefly on insects,
many of which are harmful to bees. I have seen wasps,
for instance, carrying off the larvce of moths from the
neighbourhood of hives. I have never seen or heard of
wasps doing an^v damage whatever to hives. People
hate wasps because, if one comes near them, they are
frightened, and spit or strike, and very properly get
stung. After this they go howling to the Bee Journal,
and accuse an insect, which is at least as valuable as
bees are, of all manner of crimes. Of course, if a skep-
owner chooses to leave a hive full of honey, but empty
of bees, out till September or October, there may be
robbing, but who ever heard of wasps destroying a
strong lot in fifteen minutes, as is quite possible with
robber bees ?

I should like to ask ' Perseverando ' if he can manage
without a veil ? I have not found stings about the
eye cease to swell, and the consequent annoyance is
great. Bees will often fly at your face when you do
not get a sting in the hand. — W. M.

BEST TIME FOR MANIPULATIONS.

[1208.] In 3rour article last week on 'Vicious Bees,'
you say, ' Have we not recommended in the columns of
this Journal ad nauseam to manipulate during the honey
season only, on fine days, and between the hours of ten
and three ? ' It is true that this advice has frequently
been given, and it may be that when hives are kept in
shade these hours are the best, though I must say that in
hot weather I should not have thought they would be,
and hot weather is common during the honey season.
But probably many bee-keepers like myself have no shad}'
situation suitable for their hives, and do not care to go to
the trouble and expense of putting an awning over them.
Now, my experience is that it is far better to manipulate
hives in the evening than with the blaze of a June or
July sun upon them. I should be very glad if other bee-
beepers would kindly state if their experience coincides
with mine. — Henby Chenevix, Blaekroel;, Dublin,
August '2:2nd.

GLAMORGANSHIRE AGRICULT URAL
SHOW.

[1209.] Your correspondent in the reports of the
above show regrets that the judging did not give general
satisfaction, which, I think, is too much to expect, as it
is impossible for every exhibitor to take the first prize ;
and we still have people who, no matter what quality
honey they happen to possess, think that because it is
theirs it must be the best honey in the show.

My reasons for awarding the prize as I did, were that

the Uoo samples (six bottles of each) were equal in
colour and far superior in flavour to the second prize
honey.

Your correspondent named a committee to ' discuss
this matter and establish a judging standard.' I had
the privilege of meeting one of those gentlemen named
at a recent show, where Mr. E. J. Gibbins' honey was
staged for exhibition and passed unnoticed by the judge,
and in conversation about the report in the Journal I
said, 'There is the honey on the stage now ; ' his reply
was, ' If there were five prizes for extracted honey here
to-day that sample would not have taken even the fifth.'
After that I leave your readers to judge me right or
wrong.

There is another matter I wish to refer to with your
permission. ' Welsh Novice' was kind enough to send,
in the shape of ' another complaint,' a graphic descrip-
tion of misdoings in the bee-tent, taking care to colour
it to suit himself. The skep with broken combs had
been repeatedly driven ; it was a two-day show, and the
time referred to was the afternoon of the second day,
the skep was rotten, and the combs completely broke
away from it, the other skep, which was a good one and
contained a fair quantity of bees when brought to the
show and had been successfully driven on the previous
day, was queenless. I found the dead queen and a num-
ber of dead bees in front of the hive in the morning.
There had been a number of bees from the neighbour-
hood the previous evening robbing the skeps, and caused
much fighting till the occupants of the skep had
dwindled down to about one-third. As soon as I saw
the state of the skep in the morning I concluded it
would be next to useless to attempt driving it. Most of
this had been explained to ' Welsh Novice,' but it did
not suit his purpose to state the facts. I could not get
other bees to chive, so had to do the best I could under
the circumstances. I feel very much obliged to ' Welsh
Novice' for his kind • endeavour to show the lecturer
wherein he erred,' but it does seem to me a roundabout
way of showing it ; if he had been more anxious to do
me good than harm he had ample opportunity in the
show grounds. — W, Gay, 4 Flora Street, Cathays,
Cardiff.

[We are obliged to our correspondent for the previous
statement, and sympathise with him in his difficulty of
doing his duty under the circumstances mentioned. As
both parties have had an opportunity of giving their
version of the matter, we trust the controversy will now
cease. We have received several other letters on the
above subject. — Ed.]

MONKEYING WITH BEES— SWARMING.

[1210.] The ubiquitous Star reporter was strolling
along a country road last Wednesday. He sat down on
a mossy stone, first spreading his handkerchief carefully
over it, drank in the ethereal beauty of the scene, inhaled
the breeze laden with incense stolen 'from closing blossoms,
and listened to nature's harmonies rising all around. A
frog, with a grunt of disgust, plunged into the brook, and
the reporter smote himself. ' Hang the mosquitoes!' he
said, and, rising, had walked onward a few paces, when
he was startled by an uncouth figure sitting on the fence
of a farm-house," which was dimly visible through the
trees in the gathering dusk.

The figure was sitting with his elbows on his knees,
and its face in its hands, which were incased in large
fur gloves. Stocking legs covered the arm from wrist
to elbow, while a black veil hung over the dilapidated
hat, after the coy fashion of Castilian dames. As the
reporter drew near, it sat erect and shyly raised its veil.
Then, in a voice which extreme dejection seemed to have
robbed of surprise, and which seemed familiar somehow,
it said, ' Good evening, Mr. Blank.'

Looking closer the reporter recognised with astonish-

374

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[August 25, 1887.

merit the lineaments of one whoni in former days he had
known as a policeman in New York, — it was solely in the
way of business, that is, newspaper business, that the
reporter had made the acquaintance of the guardian of
the peace !

' Why, McFinney, how do you do ? What's the
matter ? Small-pox ? ' exclaimed the reporter, as he saw
the red swellings covering Mr. McFinney 's face, and the
hand that had been ungloved to clasp his own.

' Bees,' said McFinney, laconically.

' Ah ! So you are keeping bees ? Very intelligent,
interesting little creatures, I have beard.'

' Young man,' said the veiled ex-policeman, earnestly,
' iny advice to those about to monkey with bees is —
Don't. I've been at 'em for two days now, and I find 'em
something too intelligent ; they can find a hole in a veil
so quick it makes you dizzy. And interesting ! They're
like a detective story; when they hump up and get a
focus on you, you want to finish 'em.'

Mr. McFinney smiled feebly at his humorous conceit,
and, laying his hand on the reporter's arm, continued con-
fidentially : —

' You know all the books say bee-keeping is such
a nice, clean, pleasant business. So my wife thought
she'd like to try it. She said she wanted some profit off
the farm, and bees wouldn't make any trouble, but would
just go to work and make honey and money for us, and
we wouldn't have to hoe 'em, nor milk 'em, nor weed 'em,
nor churn 'em, nor nothing, but just let them set in the
sun and work. One of the neighbours wanted to sell
some, and we bought a dozen swarms and set 'em over
there.' (Mr. McFinney indicated the place with his
thumb.) ' A little book came with 'em that told how to
work 'em.

'Well, yesterday my wife thought they'd been making
honey for home consumption long enough, and said I
must put in some honey-boxes. I went to my son
Melville— he was making a fish-pole — and told him to
put 'em in ; he said he was too busy to fool with bees, so
I had to do it. I am afraid of bees and snakes. The
book says " to proceed boldly." I proceeded boldly, and
took off a cover, but the bees came out, — and I went away.
The book said " if one were timid to wear veil and gloves,"
— so I put on this rig ; but it makes a man want to dodge
when lie sees a dozen just outside making for his eyes.
The book said " to blow a little smoke into the hive to
quiet the bees ;" but the very first time I tried that the

bees got as mad as the as mad,' concluded Mr.

McFinney, mildly.

' They went for me on all sides. Luckily, I remembered
that the book said, "If persistently assailed, retreat to
the shade ; " and I retreated to the shade. But I got
a few boxes in. By-and-by my wife came out, and said
the way to manage bees was not to be afraid of them.
Some bees came out and argued with her, and she went
back for a veil. We tried a few more, and slapped them
in boxes in a way that made the interesting and in-
telligent creatures swear like blue blazes, till pretty
soon a colony swarmed out, and my wife said, " I must
be getting back to my work." I thought I woidd, too,
for quite a few had taken up their quarters in my ear.
My wife bragged that she put the boxes in, any way.
This morning I went out and found the cover on corner-
wise, and the bees just red-hot and boiling over because
the boxes were in bottom side up, and one of the glasses
was stove in. I told my wife that taking care of bees
was nice girl's work, and we'd leave it to Jenny when
she got home from school.'

Mr. McFinney paused.

'Have they swarmed any yet?' the reporter asked,
sympathetically.

An ominous light gleamed in Mr. McFinney 's eye.
lie had evidently been touched in a tender point, but he
answered gently : — ' Yes, they swarmed to-day. Yes, I
think they swarmed this morning. I was hilling the

corn when my wife blew the horn for me, and I went
down to the house. It was about nine o'clock. My wife
said the bees were swarming, and she had a hive, and a
sheet, and a brush, and some sweetened water ready.
Way up in the tip-top of an apple-tree there were a lot
of bees making an awful circus about a big black bunch
that hung from a limb, and when I looked at it I saw it
was one crawling mass of bees." My wife said, " Go up
a ladder and knock them into a basket, and let it
down." So when they had all settled I climbed up the
ladder, but I thought it might soothe them to sprinkle
some of the sweetened water on them ; and when I came
down I found that the puppy had drank it and tipped
over the hive, and chewed up the sheet, and hid the
basket. Well, we got 'em all ready again, and then I went
up and sprinkled the bees, and came down and got the
basket and a long-handled egg-beater.'

' What ? ' said the reporter.

' It was a patent thing that we couldn't ever make
work, and Mrs. McFinney thought I could poke them
off the branch with it. I couldn't get near enough on
the ladder, so I climbed up in the tree and held the
basket under the swarm, and scraped them into the
basket. I don't believe the water had soothed them
much ; they hissed just like snakes when they fell into
the basket, and my wife made me nervous ; she kept
telling me I was smashing them against the limb. Then
I began to let the basket down, but it turned over in the
air, and they all came out and flew most every way, but
chiefly my way. They seemed to think it was all my
fault. One " gentle Italian worker " got under my veil
and shut up my eye.'

The reporter had noticed the peculiar expression
given to Mr. McFinney's face bjr the mishap.

' Pretty soon,' he went on, ' they all went back to the
same place; and just exactly the same thing happened
over again ; only this time the whole swarm went for
me, and I tumbled out of the tree. I hit the hive as I
came down, and hurt my shoulder some, and the
sweetened water got all over my hair. My wife said she
didn't see what was the idea in tipping the basket over
every time. They flew into another tree this time, and
we set up the hive, and I got up in the tree and sawed
off the limb. It was a big limb, up in the top again, and
my wife was to steady it with a pitchfork as it fell.
Well, she missed it, and the fork scraped off every
blamed bee. They doubled up and turned all colours,
they were so mad; but, finally, they flew off again, and
we were pretty tired and had our dinner.

' After dinner I went out again and found then on a
lot of little twigs. I picked them off and laid them in
front of the hive, and kind of brushed 'em along toward
it. After awdiile they all went in, and then after awhile
they all came out. They crawled all over the hive, and
Mr. Jordan, the man I bought them of, came up and
looked at 'em with me. He said he didn't see what they
were doing on the outside of the hive. They stayed
there so long I got kind of tired of seeing them crawl
over each other and make faces at me, and I said, " I
guess I'll brush 'em off into the sheet." Mr. Jordan put
on his hat and said, "I guess I won't stay, then." So I
brushed 'em into a sheet, and they all flew up and
lighted on a fence over our swamp. I jammed my hat
on. and I said to myself, " Thomas McFinney, don't let it
be said that you couldn't collar a swarm of bees;"
and Melville and me went down there. We spread the
sheet over the hummocks iu the bog and set the hive on
it. Melville had on his gum boots, so he waded in and
dummed 'em into the sheet. About a quart fell into
the water and drowned. They sissed when they touched
the water, as though they were red-hot. But the rest
were so tired that pretty soon they crawled into the hive,
and we've put it in place. I hope they won't come out
again to-morrow,' said Mr. McFinney, not very hopefully.
' I told my wife that it needs a younger man than me to

August 25, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

375

gallop and climb and swiui after her bees, and a more
active.' Mr. MeFinney felt of his shoulder tenderly,
and, taking off his hat and veil, passed his fingers
through his sticky hair. — New York Sun, July 27th.

(&t\m from % gite.

Auckland House, Brondesbury, N.W., August 22. — This
season in my district has been worse than last year. At
first it began well witli the hawthorns, etc., but the white
clover was a failure and the limes almost entirely so. I
have taken about half what I did last year and my neigh-
bours have taken nothing as yet. I have an equally bad
report from Mill Hill, Higbgate, and Harrow Weald. —
T. F. L.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded v:ill be attended to, and. those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

J. S. C. — We can recommend Bee-Pasturage, by Mr. Henry
Dobbie, Thicktborn, near Norwich, which deals with the
propagation and cultivation of honey and pollen pro-
ducing trees, shrubs, and plants.

B. E. C. — New Zealand Bee-keeping. — We are not aware that
any standard frame has yet been adopted in New Zealand.
TheBritish Standard and the Langstroth frames (17| x 9-^)
are those chiefly in use there. You will find that the
New Zealand bee-keepers are in no way behind those in
this country. The annual produce of the honey crop in
that colony is from 300 to 400 tons, fully half of which
is produced in Auckland Province. The success of api-
culture in New Zealand is in a great measure due to the
zeal and energy of Mr. J. C. Firth, of Manamata. He
has secured the services of Mr. Hopkins, the well-
known apiarist, and author of the well-compiled work
on apiculture hi New Zealand, and has established
several apiaries in his neighbourhood, fitted with all
the latest improvements for manufacturing bee-appli-
ances and purifying was. The hives in Manamata —
about 200 in number — average a product of 100 lbs. per
hive. The honey produced is of a very high quality.
Its price last season ruled rather low : the best comb
honey was &d. per pound in lib. sections ; extracted
honey, in bulk and tins, '2{,d. to 4M. ; strained honey,
2d. per pound (wholesale). 2. — Taking English Combs. —
We should recommend you to dispose of your combs be-
fore your departure, and not to encumber yourself with
them.

Mrs. Graham — Bees in Box-hive. — As you are desirous of
starting the bar-frame system it would be as well to
transfer the combs from the bos to frames. This is not
a difficult job. Having quieted the bees by smoking
them the bos can be broken open, the combs cut out and
tied in to the frames with tapes, the frames placed in the
hive and the bees brushed on to them. If not disposed
to treat them thus now they may be left until the spring,
when a swarm may be hived in a bar-frame hive and the
combs transferred afterwards.

F. G. — 1. Earwigs. — These do not eat honey or do any harm
in a hive, they simply go there for warmth and dryness.
2. Fermented Syrup. — This is very bad for bees. If
stored now and used for food in winter it would certainly
cause dysentery. Add a little solution of salicylic acid to
the syrup. 3. Boofs. — You should have pitched the out-
sides not the insides. If you now pitch the outsides no
harm will be done by the pitch inside.

Bee-keeper.— The sample of sugar forwarded will answer
your purpose for making syrup.

E. W. — ' Honey-Dew,' alias ' Aphidean Excreta.' — 1. The
American view is that as winter food it most certainly
produces dysentery. We should hesitate to winter bees

upon it. 2. We prefer granulated sugar syrup, sali-
cylised, for winter stores — supplied in early autumn,
of course — to this nauseous compound. 3. You may
safely feed bees upon it at spring. When bees are
breeding fast, and working actively in the fields, it loses
its deleterious effect.

^how j=£.nnouncements.

213. — Craven Agricultural Society's Show at

Secretary, Richard Wilson, Skipton. a 2889

August 31-Sept. 3. — Boyal Manchester and Liverpool

Agricultural Show at Manchester. W. Lees McClure,

Hon. Secretary, The Lathoms, Prescot, Lancashire.

August
Skipton.

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Bakek, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stokes, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Buktt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhait, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodlet, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Bakee, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

SmiiiNS, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn,

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothaed, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F. Stockton Heath, Warrington.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Aug. 25, 1 887.

Special prepaid jiJLdvertisements.

Situations, Publications, Bee Plants, die. — Twenty words
and under, One Shilling ; for every additional Three words,
One Penny.

Exchange Column. — Sales of Honey and Second-hand
Ooods. — Intended to aid Bee-keepers in the disposal of Bee-
produce and Appliances for which they have no further use.
Terms : Twelve words and under, Fotirpence ; for every ad-
ditional Three words, One Penny extra.

No reduction made for continuous insertion.

1.

s

IMMINS' ORIGINAL NON-SWARMING SYSTEM
includes also other subjects of the first importance,

reduced to Is. Id., post free.

2. CJIMMTNS' METHODS OF DIRECT QUEEN IN-
O TRODUCTION, Gld. Of the Author, Rottingdean,
Brighton: Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent Street, and 127
High Holborn; and J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

BEE-KEEPING, Plain and Practical : How to
Make it Pay. By A. Rusbrldge, Is. Gd., post free,
Is. 8d. Address J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts, a 1253

THE MANAGEMENT OF STRAW SKEPS. De-
signed to teach the Cottager how to obtain the best
results at the least possible cost. By attention to its teach-
ings, Cottagers will be enabled to make their Bees a more
profitable source of income than hitherto. Price One Penny.
Six copies and upwards, post free. J.Huckle, KingsLangley.

WANTED. — Copies of British Bee Journal for January
7th, 1886, and Nov. 1873. Full price given. Apply
J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

"ONEY (1887) PURCHASED or Taken in Exchange.
SECTIONS, 4^ x i-\ x 2, of good flavour, pale colour,
well rilled and capped. No other accepted.

EXTRACTED, of best quality and appearance only.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,
E.C.

/^OMB HONEY, 4:} Sections for Sale.
\J Lambert, Sunk Island, Hull.

Address J. C.
a 70

WANTED, Condemned Bees in exchange for Appliances
or for Cash. Address Abbott Brothers, Southall,
London, and Dublin.

CONDEMNED BEES, Is. 3d. per lb. Guaranteed free
from Foul Brood. Address H. Dobbie, Thickthorn,
Norwich.

LEAVING THE COUNTY.— Few Cowan Hives, new ;
ditto in the flat, very cheap. Cowan's Bee Trap,
free, 2s. Sd. Woiblet Spur, Is. Gd. Extractor, 22s. Gd.
List sent. Two Hundredweight Sugar for Feeding Bees,
pure Cane, 20s. per cwt., lis. 56 lbs. Address Hon. Sec,
Northants B. K. Association, St. James', Northampton, a 83

EE TENT for Hire. Apply Hon. Sec, Northants
Bee-keepers' Association, St. James', Northampton.

a 84

B

"T710R SALE.

JD offers ? Extractor

W.

THREE RAYNOR REVERSIBLE 30s. EXTRACTORS
for Sale, Meadows' make, price 25s. each, or 24s. each
if the lot are taken.

Abbott Brothers, Southall, London, and Dublin.

BEES. — Strong Six Framed Carniolan Stocks, 18s. Gd.
Queens guaranteed. Hives from 2s. Address Owner,
3 Waresly Villas, Cheltenham. A 97

OBSERVATORY HIVE, sto_cked~wTth Bees for Sale.
Also several Bar-frame Hives with Bees. Address
Davis, Crescent Road, Norbiton. A 98

WANTED TO BUY good run English Honey for Cash.
Sample, price, and quantity to W. Kemp it Son,
Horncastle. a 99

WHAT OFFERS ? 50 lbs. good Clover Honey. Id. in
bulk, Sd. in bottles. Address Miss Till, Gnosall
Vicarage, Stafford. a 100

STOCKS OF BEES. — Have to Sell for an old Cottager,
now too feeble to manage Apiary, 12 large, well-made
Straw Hives, full of Honey and Bees, 12s. (3d. each, or £7
the lot. Address >S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth Rectory,
St. Ives, Hunts.

EXTRACTOR WANTED.— Exchange ninety-eight 3d.
numbers Journal of Horticulture from Aug. 1884 to
1886, December or offers in Bee Furniture. Addres
W. Hunkin, Poole, Dorset.

British Bcc Journal, half-bound. What
or Bee Furniture. Address
Hunkin, Poole, Dorset. A 90

WAX EXTRACTOR (Blow's) for Sale, as Good as
New. Cost 15s. Will take 7s. Gd, Address
A.. Wood, Esq., Bellwood, Ripon. A 95

b

IOR SALE.— Ten Skeps full of Bees, Brood, and Honey.
Packed, 10s. Gd. each. Address A. Sharp, The Apiary,

Huntingdon.

FOR SALE.— British Bee Journal, Vols. 11, 12, 13, 14
complete, unbound ; Cheshire's ' Bees and Bee-
keeping,' 22 parts; Cassell's 'Popular Gardening,' in 24
parts; Cook's 'Bee-keepers' Guide,' new. All to be sold
at half cost price. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth
Rectory, St. Ives, Hunts.

CONDEMNED BEES, first week in September, Is. Gd.
per lb., packages free. F. Lyon, 94 Harleyford
Road, S.E.

UEENS, first week in September, Is. id. each, post
free. F. Lyon, 94 Harleyford Road, S.E.

GLASSES for SECTIONS, 44. x 44, 2s. id. per 100, pack-
age free. Free on rail, London. F. Lyon, 94 Har-
1 leyford Road, S.E.

FOR SALE.— Strong Stocks of Bees in Straw- Skeps,
price 10s. on the place ; also 5 Fantail Pigeons,
Is. Gd. each. Address Feedk. S. Fletcher, Ottershaw,
Cherisey, Surrey. b 2

ENGLISH, Italian, Carniolan, Cyprian Stocks and
Queens in Bar-frame Hives, for Sale. Apply Hill,
Scotlands, Cannock Road, near Wolverhampton. b 1

E

IGHT Strong STOCKS of ENGLISH BEES

in Cowan and Standard Hives. For further par-
ticulars address Rev. R. M. Benson, Mission House, Oxford.

A 2921

1ST! FLINT GLASS HONEY JARS,

EEDUCED HPIKICIES.,

No. 1.

No. 4.

No, 5.

IIP"

1-lb., 12/- gross. 1-lb., 22/- gross. 1-lb., 22/- gross.
2-lb., 20/- gross. 2-lb., 32/- gross.
In one gross cases, free on rail. Cases free.
Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Free, a 2848

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

Sept. 1, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

BREFFIT'S LIMITED,

THE AIRE & CALM GLASS BOTTLE CO.

83 Upper Thames Street,

Xa O IN" 3D O IBS'.
NET PBICES PER GROSS OE

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY JARS, If ill

Including CORK WADS for the SCREW CAPPED JARS.

PACKAGES FBEE AND DELIVERY FREE ON RAM, LONDON.

Round
Screw Capped.

1 lb. 20/.

2 lb. 26/-

Squaro
Screw Capped.

lib.

20/.

Barrel A SAMPLE CASE, containing one of each of the JARS sent, Globe-

Screw Capped. ° j „ „,„ lib. ... 10/6

fib. is/. Carriage Paid, upon receipt of Postal Order for 2/6.

Octagon
Screw Capped.

1 lb. 20/-

Upright
Screw Capped.

ilb. 18/-
1 lb. 20/-,

TIE-OVER JARS.

Mb. ... 7/6
lib. ... 10/6
21b. ... 18/6

Upright
Jelly Jar.

1 lb. 10/6

Plain Greek-
shape Jelly Jar.
lib. 10/6

Corks for above,
2/- per gross.

Greek
Jelly Jar.
1 lb. 10/6

Corks for above,
2/- per gross.

Bee

EES!

BeES! !

*

B

EES! ! !

Hudson's Extract of Soap

and Dry Soap

Dissolved in hot water is the very thing for cleaning Hives
and Frames.

Bee-Stings.

HUDSON'S EXTRACT OF SOAP and DRY SOAP,
made into a paste and immediately applied, have for years
been used in cases of Stings !

Sold everywhere. Packets, One Penny and upwards.

m0 ALL /^i ARDENERS.

rom A

all ki

1 Plan

Hudson's Soap.

For Cleansing Plants from Aphides and all Parasites ; to
prevent American Blight, all kinds of Scale, &c. ; and for
Washing all Hard-wooded Plants, always use

(181)

Self-acting Fountains & Aquariums.

Suitable for Greenhouses, the Dining-room, &c.
Send for Catalogue, Post free.
NEW PATENT HONEY SQUEEZERS.— Having made
Special Terms with Manufacturers, can sell this handy
utensil at 1/8, 1/9 Post free.

'LITTLE WONDER' EXTRACTORS at 7/6.
SPENCE, Manufacturer, &c, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

A 2827

W

AX EXTRACTOR, complete, 3s. Gel ; post-
age, i&d. Success guaranteed.
Address W. Eillick, Sandhurst, Berks. A 2CC0

COOPER'S DERBY EXCELSIOR

HONEY EXTRACTOR,

EXTRACTS Four Combs at once, with Moveable Strainer
to strain the Honey as it runs from the Combs.
Treacle Valve, Moveable Lids. This Extractor will also ex-
tract Sections. Price 32/6. To extract Two Combs at once,
price 27/6. See Figs. 6 and 7 in Catalogue, sent Free on
application. BAR-FRAMES, Standard size, Planed and
Saw-cut for Foundation. Price in the Flat, 1/- per doz. ;
10/6 per gross. If Nailed together, 1/6 per doz. ; 15/- per gross.
D. &. A. COOPER, SPA LANE, DBSBY.

PHIZES.

-t Q FIRSTS, 5 SECONDS, 4 CERTIFICATES,
lO and 1 HIGHLY COMMENDED, have been awarded
to A. T. HUTGHENGS during the month of July
for HIVES and APPLIANCES.

Send for Illustrated Catalogue, Post free to any address.

WEST KENT STEAM-POWER HIVE WORKS,
ST. MARY CRAY, KENT.

GUISE-BOOK PAMPHIETS.-Wo. 1.

DOUBLING AND STORIFYING

FOB

Extracted and Comb Honey, and the
Prevention of Swarming.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Threepence Halfpenny.

T. HI7CKI.E, ICI3STC3-S IAKG-TjET.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 1, 1887.

lETOTI C EI

On and after this date we will allow 10 per Cent Discount on all

BOTTLE ORDERS.

0

<o
• n

w „-

Eh o

s?

(S oT
15 "S

!j g

M o

H °

Si

03 -

Hi

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p a5"
w.s
9 a

Ph -

02 IB

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P0 -a
Wo

Ph

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» Abbott's Original

ABBOTT'S NEW CYLINDER EXTRACTOR.

^ ^

No, 45.

1 GROSS CKATES.

Same Shape to hold v;lb.

(So. 47), 10/- per Gro>s;

8/9 for 7 Gross.

On rail at Southall.

TIE-OVER BOTTLES.

No, 40,

METAL CAP JAR.

ABBOTT'S
EXHIBITION BOTTLE,

O
M

KM

No. 46.

Price 1/- per Gross,

less if 5 Gross are
taken.

ABBOTT'S OPAL POTS.

H

IB

t© 1

g s>

No. 4S.

a

o

0 s fS

3 U *<

£. tt-

1-1 ST w

tt - l-H

g. |^ hd

5f ' a

■3°S)

g. er- W

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it Ji

© ^ o

-^- o

SOS1

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*-?:

2 Si 3
< - ?♦-■

r«ff
b a &

S> i° P

m 1-3 g,
2 ? H

- p V
5 »g

CD P

I-" °* &

I*

Compare our Prices for Bottles after deducting 10 per Cent Discount. All Bottles hold
exactly 1 lb. All Metal Caps are made of Pure Metal. Cork Wads are included in above
Prices.

CONDEMNED BEES,

The Cheapest and Best Hive for Condemned Beea is

THE 'GAYTON' HIVE.

Price 8/6 Complete. Packed in Case, Gd. extra.
In the Flat, 7/- Packed in Case, 6d. extra.
Beautifully Planed and Finished, with New Porch and
Guaranteed to be the Cheapest Hive in

Entrance Sides
the world

COMB FOUNDATION.

Special Quality for CONDEMNED BEES, Medium Colour. Price
1/10 per lb. ; 1/8 for 5 lbs. Sample sent free on application.

BINGHAM HONEY KNIFE

VEGETABLE PARCHMENT, for covering Bottles

Price 2/- each. Postage, 3d.

1/6 per lb.

G-RIMSHA.'W'S AFIFUGE (Registered).
A Preventive against the Stings of Bees, Price 1/6 and 2/6 per bottle, post Free.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbangeways' Painting Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W,0.

[No. 271. Vol. XV.]

SEPTEMBER 1, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

JUBILEE DESIGNS.

In our number for July 7, we mentioned the specimen
of honey-comb forming the word 'Jubilee,' the work of
the bees of Mr. Alsford, of Blandford, which was so
perfect that it drew forth high commendation from all
who saw it at the time. This has been presented by Mr.
Alsford to Her Majesty the Queen at Osborne, through
the influence of the mayor (Mr. J. W. Luff), who
secured a personal interview for the owner with Sir
Henry Ponsonby. On Thursday last Mr. Alsford received
the following communication :—

' Osborne, August 23rd, 1887.

' Sir Henry Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen to
thank Mr. Alsford for the Jubilee Honeycomb which he
has presented to Her Majesty.'

LOKD SUDELEY'S PLANTATIONS.

It is my good fortune to be located for a while in a
village nestling at the foot of the Cotswolds, not far
from the famous Vale of Evesham. Some little distance
beyond a field of forty odd acres facing the house in
which I am staying trees rise in rich profusion; amid
these the spire of a church and a mansion of more than
ordinary size and beauty arrest the attention, while a
mile or two' farther the Cotswolds form a semicircle,
cutting us off apparently on one side from all communi-
cation with the outer world. The spire that forms so
striking an object in the landscape is the spire of Tod-
dington Church ; the mansion is the residence of Lord
Sudeley; the trees form a portion of his famous planta-
tions. Among these I was kindly permitted to wander a
few days since, nor did I omit to pay a visit to the
apiary of 200 hives under the charge of that genial and
canny Scot, Mr. John White.

I wish some of those who despair of the future of
agriculture in England would visit these plantations.
Here on heavy clay and poor soil, which some time since
could scarcely be let at 30s. per acre, may now be seen
fruit trees (especially plums and apples) intermingled
with currants (black and red), strawberries, gooseberries,
and raspberries. Such raspberry canes I never saw be-
fore, and I was glad to learn from the foreman [who
accompanied me that the crops, especialty raspberries,
had been splendid and that no difficulty had been expe-
rienced in selling the produce at remunerative prices.

The jam-factory in the centre of the plantations takes
a portion, but only a portion, and by no means the
whole, of the produce. Every year fresh plantations
are made, and more than 500 acres have now been taken
up. The rateable value of the land has of course been
raised, in some parts to 4^. per acre, and a very large
number of men and women are employed throughout the
year in cultivating the ground and in picking the fruit,
as well as in preparing and packing the jam. I could not
but regret that Lord Sudeley's useful example has not
been followed more elsewhere. Even at Evesham, the
centre of the plum and of the fruit district, no factory
has been started, though, of course, you are told there
has been ' a talk about it.' As a consequence, when
there is a glut of fruit, it becomes unsaleable and so is
wasted. Yet a factory does not require much capital or
skill, and one would have supposed that self-interest
would have induced the parties concerned to start some-
thing of the kind.

You, however, Mr. Editor, will remark that I have
forgotten John White, and have left him with the bees !
Well, after wandering amid a ' plot ' of 250 acres, I was
glad to greet the veteran and to find him at work among
his friends. He had heard of my intended visit, and had
specially reserved a swarm for me to hive ! A hunger
swarm had visited the apiary and, after various vagaries,
had settled on a hedge adjoining his hives. So, thanks
to the kindness of Mr. White, I had the pleasure of
hiving a swarm in Lord Sudeley's plantations. It was
pleasant news to learn that he, too, had had a very good
harvest, the best he had ever known. We discussed
different points. The carbolic sheet he has not tried ; I
have tried it personally for some months and have
scarcely used a smoker. But the smoker is not super-
seded. My household complain that some of the honey
from my hives is distinctly tainted with carbolic flavour.
I have, too, recently found in the examination of candi-
dates for the third-class certificates that some of them
fail to subdue their bees before driving, because they
have ceased to use the smoker. The hands of one can-
didate were recently pierced with stings in a manner
which I never saw equalled, partly because he had be-
come quite unaccustomed to the use of the smoker. Mr.
White uses one with a larger furnace than is commonly
employed. This smoker (as many are aware) does not
need the attention which the smaller size requires, and
will continue alight for a long time. He is not an advo-
cate for dry-sugar feeding. He prefers to make his
syrup as much like honey as he can. For my own part,
when I feed on syrup, I always put salicylic solution with
it, and was never troubled with foul brood to any extent.
For the last year I have tried the dry-sugar system,
and must admit that it saves a vast amount of trouble,
nor does it induce ' robbing ' as syrup sometimes does.
But the fact that it is possible to mix salicylic solution

378

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 1, 1887.

in the one hut scarcely in the other seems a point in
favour of syrup feeding. I am, too, inclined to think
that it stimulates breeding more than dry-sugar feeding.
Perhaps some of your correspondents will discuss this
and the other points I may raise. I was sorry, but not
surprised, to learn that Mr. White is troubled with foul
brood. It appears to give him considerable trouble, but
not much anxiety. I had suggested isolation or the
'stamping out' of disease by the destruction of the hives
affected with this pest, but he declines to destroy his
bees in this fashion. He has used phenol extensively,
and believes in it as a cure. Instead of a petty ' spray-
diffuser,' he prefers to use a small can with a narrow
spout, and to pour the phenoled syrup over around
the infected combs. He admits that the time consumed
in repeating this process from day to day until something
like a cure is effected is considerable ; but he thinks that
patience and perseverance have their reward in this as
in other things. He showed me a hive that had been ' a
bad case,' as he said, where this method had been tried.
The bees were very fairly numerous, and there were very
few infected cells ; the brood, however, was as scarce as
were the showers in the month of July. While looking
over the frames the queen appeared, and at his request I
caught her, as she was evidently unfit for future work,
being small in size and her wings imperfect. To bring
a fresh queen and to place her in a pipe-cover cage was
the work of a few minutes, for John White, like a wise
man, has all that he requires close at hand, and several
surplus queens were ready for use in the shed attached
to the apiary. While we were carefully examining this
hive, an unpleasant sensation behind led me to suppose
that some bee had found a weak point and had assailed
it ! Turning round I discovered that my enemy was — a
Scotch thistle ! John White could not forget his native
land, and so had allowed this invader to live and thrive
amid his hives. Yet the sunshine on' his face shows
that he is no ' exile from Erin,' no Highlander bewailing
his fate in sad solitude on the shore of some Western
lake, for is not his ' gude ' wife with him to assist him
in extracting the liquid sweets day after day from the
loaded combs of his two hundred hives P While we
were enjoying the joke of the Scotch thistle, he informed
me that some years since, when he met Mr. Cowan at
the Grantham Show, Mr. Cowan had invited him to
cross the border once more, and return with him to the
land of the heather. Happily, for the success of Lord
Sudeley's apiary, John White declined. He assured me
that the sections were going off as fast as he could wish,
and that but little of last year's harvest remained unsold.
The honey was obtained chiefly from the raspberries,
and the returns from these (as I was informed by my
guide through the plantations) had been very large.
Indeed, the pickers were still at work upon them the
day I was there (August 22nd). Thus the bees had
done good to the raspberries, and the raspberries by
their returns in honey and in fruit had done substantial
service, let us hope, to Lord Sudeley as well as to our
friend John White. — E. Bahthum, Berhhamsted, Herts.

AMONGST THE CO-OPERATORS.
On Tuesday the 23rd, I was amongst the co-operators.
Bee-keepers are enthusiasts, but in the matter of enthusiasm
the co-operators out-Herod Herod. But their enthusiasm
is intensely practical, they have not only organized stores
where their members can purchase the necessaries of life
at wholesale prices, but they also manufacture largely
on co-operative principles as well. The display of
wearing apparel, shoes, articles of common use in the
household, hardware, and coals, was very good indeed.
Added to this thero was a good show of flowers, fruit,
and vegetables in the Conservatory of the Royal
Horticultural Society ; and considering the number and
value of tho prizes, and that exhibitors must be members

of the Co-operative Society, there was a very creditable
display of honey .

What memories the great Conservatory called up !
Of honey shows unparalleled; of crushing, good-tempered
holiday throngs; of keen, but good-natured rivalry, and
of bronze medals !

' Still o'er these scenes my memory waits
And fondly broods with miser care.'
Outside in the gardens desolation reigned supreme ;
there was a band — the boys from the Duke of York's
School — the band kiosks are amongst the things of the
past, but the little fellows played splendidly, especially
considering there were few to listen and none to applaud.
The large masts from which the electric lamps flashed
so brilliantly last year stood like grim sentinels keeping
guard over a scene of spoliation and death, but ' their
lamps were gone out.'

The British Honey Compauy, and Messrs. Abbott and
Neighbour, each had a stall in a most out-of-the-way
place. The appliances as collections were sufficient for
a much larger exhibition, and were not so large as
frequently, to give novices the idea that bee-keeping
requires a lot of money to start. Mr. A. Neighbour
had a splendid observatory hiye of Italians on show,
they have been in Regent Street for the past two
months, but had honey unsealed that they had gathered
within the past few days. The wonder is where did
they get it from ? Thero was also another wonder, but
this time it was on Messrs. Abbott's stall ; it was their
' Gayton ' hive. AVell made, of good material, a hive
good enough for keeping bees in, if their owner happened
to have a sack full of money and was at a loss to know
what to invest it in. But I don't love broad-shouldered
frames.

The honey entered for competition was staged iu the
Conservatory, the appliances should have been there too,
as there was ample room and to spare. The lot that
won the first prize was ' raised ' by a good bee-keeper,
he is unknown to me, but workmanship is an unfailing-
test of ability. It was well put up, a different kind of
paper would have still improved the sections, and the
run honey had not been in the bottles sufficiently long-
to allow the air-bubbles to rise out of it. These remarks
are not intended as fault-finding, but as hints for who-
ever cares to profit by. The owner of the second prize
lot had bottled his earlier, and I judge only lost the first
on the score of bulk. Mr. Ebenezer McNally sent a nice
lot, his sections were very fair, packed in Woodley's
cases they looked neat, but were staged lying down ; a
position fatal to section honey. His heather honey in
bottles (Ah, the aroma of it !) was clouded with wax,
and for looks the ' get-up ' of his run honey was put out
of it by the prize-winners ! His ' Victoria Jubilee '
device in comb honey I was pleased to see, doubtless it
would have been better worked had the season been
different. There was another lot that took my attention,
it had the notoriety of being the dirtiest lot of sections I
ever saw. I cannot conceive who will buy them.

A few others as well as myself attended by invitation
hoping to teach the co-operators to profit by the co-
operation of Apis mellifica, but there was a big meeting
and a startling resolution to pass that is intended to
greatly affect the brotherhood of man, consequently all
the enthusiasts rushed off to that. We were left to gossip
together on bees and their owners, the band wasted its
sweetness on the desert air of the Royal Horticultural
Gardens, and I fear bee-keeping was not advanced much.
But I am told this is on!}' a beginning, it is intended
this show shall be annual. Their Secretary certainly
lacks neither courtesy, energy, nor enthusiasm. Co-
operators, above all people, should be bee-keepers on
principle, perhaps bee-keepers on the same score should
be co-operators. I am not one of the clan, but the
afternoon was spent amongst them with some pleasure
and profit by — Amateur Expebt,

September 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

879

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — Heat and drought still prevail in our
immediate neighbourhood, and the copious and refreshing
showers with which other districts have been favoured
have avoided ours. Still, the slight rains and heavy
dews prevailing of late have revived the herbage, which
is putting on a greener shade, and the second crops of
red clover are affording superior pasturage for our
Eastern races, which leave no petal unvisited in search
of the precious nectar, while the blacks amuse themselves
by ' flitting from flower to flower, and kissing all buds
that are pretty and sweet.'

But the income — alas ! like many other incomes — is
small indeed, and the exposure of refuse comb, intermixed
with pollen, and a flavour of honey, causes intense ex-
citement in the apiary and is quickly covered by raiding
and ravenous wasps, by which our hives are vigorously
attacked, so much so, indeed, that the hive-entrances
have all been reduced to a passage-way for one or two
bees only, and now dead wasps beneath the alighting-
boards are plentiful enough.

Preventing Robbing is of the utmost importance,
especially in the larger apiaries, since if once it becomes
established it is a matter of the greatest difficulty, if
not of impossibility, to check it. The eye of the bee-
master should ever be upon his apiary. Every colony —
its history, strength, queen, and all else relating to it —
should, without written memoranda, be at his fingers'
ends — figuratively, we mean, yet without figures, and
not literally, or he might become the victim of — well,
we will not say how many thousand stings.

A beemaster who loves his bees will never be long
absent from his apiary which will ever be his maxima
cura, and will demand his attention at all times. True,
there are many whose daily calling summons them away
from Arcadian delights ; but even so, the true bee-master
will devote a few minutes, morning and evening, to
visiting his hives, and by so doing will forestal many an
evil.

Roofs and Hiwes. — Let all roofs and outer cases of
hives be rendered water-proof before the autumnal
storms are on us. No better time than the present for
stopping chinks (of which plenty will be found after a
long dry season) and tarring exteriors.

Feeding also must be carried on vigorously where
required, and all feeders should be filled at night and
securely covered.

Space beneath Frames has occupied considerable
attention of late. It has always been held as a sound
axiom in apiculture that ' If a greater space than one-
fourth or three-eighths of an inch be allowed between
the sides or bottom-bars of frames and the walls or floor
of the hive that the bees will build comb in such space.'
In ' Useful Hints,' vol. xv., p. 808, B.B.J., we related
the results of several experiments made by ourselves in
this direction, e.g., ' Experimentally we have allowed to
several newly-hived swarms two inches beneath the
frames, and have not contracted the hives. As we ex-
pected, the bees have confined themselves to the frames,
building out the combs on full sheets of foundation, and
adding no brace combs below.' These were first swarms,
each containing about 4 lbs. of bees, and the hives twelve
Association standard frames, or equivalent thereto.
On p. 354, also, in reference to Lee's frames, we
stated our belief that all combs would have been at-
tached (built down) to the bottom-bar if one or two
inches had been allowed between frames and floor-board
— I. e., instead of the half-inch which we always give, in
preference to one-fourth or three-eighths of an inch,
allowing for sagging of the frames. In many cases
where three-eighths of an inch have been allowed we
have found the bottom bar touching the floor-board,
and firmly propolised thereto.

It has been objected that the ' Editorial note ' appended

to Mr. Robinson's letter on ' Vicious Bees ' (1187),
p. 359, sanctions a quarter- inch space, and that our
advice is contradictory. Now, the ' Editorial ' states
that it was a mistake to raise the hive half an inch for
ventilation (when a quarter of an inch would have been
sufficient), thus giving an inch space below the frames,
which in this particular case, of an over-crowded hive,
would be certain to induce comb-building below the
frames, the great error of crowding a large swarm into a
small hive having previously been committed. ' Cir-
cumstances alter cases,' as our old copyslip fifty years
ago taught us, and we certainly see nothing contradictory
here.

We should certainly hesitate to recommend hives to
be built with a space of two inches beneath the frames,
but we find by experience that when that, or even
greater space, is allowed, during the winter months, the
bottom ventilation is more perfect, and, consequently,
the interior of the hive is kept dry, healthy, and entirely
free from damp or mouldiness. And this plan can be
put to the test by simply inserting between hive and
floor-board an ' eke ' of the dimensions of the hive, and
from two to four inches in depth, when placing the bees
in winter quarters.

Times for Manipulation. — With regard to Mr.
Chenevix's letter (1208), p. 373. There are plenty of
days during the honey season, when bees are busily at
work, that are by no means too hot for manipulation,
and we have always found operations on such days far
more pleasant and easy of performance during hours of
flight than in the evening, with over-crowded hives,
while every bee is at home, and at times clusters lying
outside. In the former case, the bees at home are the
nurse-bees, young and harmless, and the ease and despatch
with which a hive can be thoroughly examined while
two-thirds of its population are absent, the queen inter-
viewed, queen-cells cut out or inserted, frames exchanged,
and almost every other operation performed, contrast
very favourably with the latter case, when bees of all
ages are at home, and ready to do battle on the slightest
provocation, even if no crushing of bees take place — and
consequent emission of sting-poison, so provocative of
anger to all races of bees — which few, even skilful mani-
pulators, can avoid under such circumstances. We con-
tinue, therefore, strongly to recommend to beginners
and the inexperienced manipulation during flight hours,
when honey is being stored ; but at other times, espe-
cially when there is danger of robbing, in the morning
or evening — provided alwaj's that manipulation is neces-
sary. The less of it the better, so long as colonies are
strong and healthy. See ' U. H.,' present vol., p. 308.

Parallel versus Right- Angled Frames. — On this
subject we will not enter upon the arguments for or
against since it has been thoroughly ventilated in past
volumes of the Journal. We are strong advocates of
perfect ventilation of hives, at all seasons of the year,
and our point is that this cannot well be attained on the
'parallel' or 'hot' system. Combination, and many
other hives, have parallel frames, and are better adapted
for back and side than for 'top storage,' and admit of
twofold expansion — towards front and back. All our
experience is in favour of ' top storage ' as being also in
accordance with the instinct of the bee, and we maintain
that the honey stored above the brood-nest is of better
quality, more free from intermixture with pollen, less
liable to the deposition of eggs and brood, and more
abundant in quantity, than when stored at the back
or on the sides. This plan of right-angled_ frames and
' top storage ' in modern parlance is designated the
' tiering-up system,' and is almost universally practised
by other nations ; and although we should be extremely-
sorry to ignore the views of some of our foremost
English apiarists, yet we cannot shut our eyes to the
fact that the ' parallel system ' and side storage are
utterly condemned by American apiarists, almost to a

380

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 1, 1887.

man, and the system finds little favour in Germany and
other parts of the European Continent. If parallel
frames and expansive hives have any advantage over the
other system, it is in this, that they are better adapted
to prevent natural swarming. And yet the advocates of
the latter tell us that by piling hive upon hive (i.e.,
doubling) and super upon super, we many prevent
swarming altogether. Here again there must ever be
varying opinions. ' Let each man be fully persuaded in
his own mind. Prove all things. Hold fast that which
is good,' — the Divine utterance, as applying to holy
things, may well apply here also.

Extracting. — "We have just received from Mr.
Meadows one of his latest improved ' Raynor Ex-
tractors,' which is doing its work admirably, throwing
out honey of so great a density that our old extractor
would not separate at all from the combs, and withal so
portable, light, and easily taken to pieces for cleaning, or
renewal of its parts, that nothing is left to be desired.
AVe do not remember honey of so great density at any
period of our experience. Except for colour, aroma, and
flavour, it resembles heather honey.

Sections should be removed without delay, where
neglected hitherto, and the honey extracted from those
unsealed. Some of our later sections, worked on Mr.
Simmins's plan, without separators and in his skeleton
folding frames, are beautifully even, and, save for loop-
holes at the corners, might almost compete with those
worked on Mr. Lee's plan. We consider that greater
advance in sections, and their crates and cases, has been
made of late than in any other apicultural articles ; and
he who would keep pace with the times, and present his
honejr in the best and most tempting manner to the eyes
of the purchaser, must by no means neglect these late
improvements, which, to be of real use, should be obtain-
able in any quantity without difficulty, and at very
moderate prices.

' Dead Brood.' — Sneaking of Mr. Simmins reminds
. us of his interesting letter (1203) on ' Foul Brood and
Dead Brood, published in our last issue. On one point
therein stated we must, however, join issue with him,
viz., his supposition that ' dead brood ' — which we are
inclined to place in the same category as Bacillus minor —
may arise from ' weakness of the queen.' This is contrary
to our experience. Weakness, whether from age or
otherwise, causes a paucity of eggs, and consequent
dwindling of the colony, but we have never found it
productive of diseased larva;, which we are inclined to
believe arises principally, if not entirely, from bacilli.
AVe are the more inclined to this opinion because in
several instances in which we have changed the queen
of an infected colony, superseding her by a young
and vigorous queen, the disease has been in no way
checked, but has continued its usual course. We hope,
however, soon to obtain more light on this important
subject, convinced, as we are, that almost all the diseases
to which bees are liable, are too often classed under the
one head of foul brood.

ASSOCIATIONS.

MIDDLESEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
N.E. Provincial Honey Show.

A most successful exhibition of honey and bee-keeping
appliances was held at Southgate on Saturday, the 20th
Aug., in the conservatory and grounds of P. P. Hasluck,
Esq., of the Wilderness. The amount of practical
support afforded to the scheme by Mr. Hasluck from the
moment of its first inception till the close of the show,
fully guaranteed the success of the venture.

The Middlesex B.K.A.,in their annual report for 1885,
deplored the absence of members in the N.E. corner of
the county. Now this district is gaining members at a
pace which bids fair to place it in a position to compare
favourably with the rest of the county. The unfortunate

crop of bricks and mortar is, however, fast circum-
scribing the available honey area.

The locale of the Southgate Show was charming in
the extreme ; indeed, the wonder is that such a thorough
country retreat is still to be found within such a short
distance of London. The schedule of prizes offered was
an excellent one for a first attempt, and the judges placed
the awards as follows : —

Class I. For twelve 2 -lb. sections of comb honey:
no exhibits. II. For twelve 1-lb. sections of comb honey :
1, Mr. Bolton, Southgate, 20s. ; 2, Mr. Willan, Tottenham,
10s. III. For 21 lbs. extracted honey in 1-lb. glass jars :
1. Mr. English, Tottenham, 20s. ; 2, Mr. W. M. Graham,
Edmonton, 10s. ; 3, Mr. Willan, certificate. IV. For
12 lbs. extracted honey in 1-lb. glass jars : 1, Mr. Bolton,
20s. ; 2, Mr. English,' 10s. ; 3, Mr. Hasluck, certificate.
V. Straw super : no exhibit. VI. Collection of hives and
bee -furniture most applicable to bee-keeping; no two
articles to be alike ; real utility to be taken into account in
deciding : 1 and 2 divided between Messrs. Abbott and Mr.
S. J. Baldwin, 15s. each. VII. Sample of foundation, viz.,
3 lbs. thick and 3 lbs. thin (section) to be made in the
presence of the judges. 1, Abbott Brothers, 20s. ; 2, Mr.
Baldwin, 10s. VIII. For 12 lbs. extracted honey in reputed
1-lb. glass jars (subject to the rules of the B.B.K. A., this
being the class competing for the county medals of the year) :

1, Mr. Fewtrell, Reading, Berks (ineligible for Medal) ;

2, Mr. Bolton, Southgate, Silver Medal; 3, Mr. Hasluck,
Southgate, Bronze Medal.

Special Prises for Southgate District only.
M.B.K.A. Members' Class.
Six 1-lb. sections: 1, Mr. Deakin, 15s.; 2, Mr. Bolton,
10s. Twelve 1-lb. sections : 1, Mr. Bolton, 15s. Six 1-lb.
glasses extracted honey: 1, Mr. R. Clement, cup: 2, Mr.
Bolton, 10s. ; 3, Mr. Hasluck, 5s. Glass super : the only
exhibit was a partly-finished one by Mr. Burrows. Largest
exhibits among Southgate members of both section and
extracted honey: 1, Mr. Bolton, 10s.

Open Class.

Six 1-lb. sections : Mr. Bolton. Six 1-lb. glasses ex-
tracted honey : 1, Mr. Bolton ; 2, Mrs. Davis.

The quality of the honey was fairly good, but the
colour, except in one or two instances, was very dark.
Making allowance for the very peculiar season through
which we have just passed, the Middlesex B.K.A. are to
be heartily congratulated on the vigorous determination
of this district to push the interests of the Association,
although year by year the chances of obtaining a good
surplus of honey must decrease as the builder advances.

The Judges, J. M. Hooker, Esq., and Mr. Expert-
in-chief Baldwin for honey, and J. M. Hooker, Esq.,
and G. Henderson, Esq., for Classes 6 and 7, gave
thorough satisfaction by their award. The bee-tent was
under the experienced ccgis of friend Baldwin, who not
only performed the time-honoured driving feat, but
transferred a stock from skep to frame-hive, and also
introduced an Italian queen to the stock in lieu of their
injured queen, much to the astonishment of some skeppists.

Five candidates attended for examination for third-
class certificates. Four failed ; the fifth was unable to
complete his manipulations during daylight, and will,
therefore, be taken again at an early date. Mr. Hasluck
not only invited free entry to his grounds, but also
kindly provided a band, which greatly enlivened the
proceedings. Several showers of rain fell during the
afternoon, preventing many from availing themselves of
his kindness.

Another show is proposed to be held at the same place
on Saturday, 25th July, 1888.

SHREWSBURY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Annual Meeting of the above Society was held in

the Quarry, Shrewsbury, on AVednesday and Thursday,

August l/th and 18th. In conjunction with the show

was held the annual honey fair; and exhibition of honey*

September 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

381

hives, and bee-furniture of the Shropshire Bee-keepers'
Association. The honey fair was not the least in the
numerous attractions of the fete. The exhibits were
botli numerous and delicious. About six; tons of honey
were brought into the exhibition, and one ton was sold
on the first day. The silver medal was won by Mr.
W. G. Preece, jun. (Shrewsbury), whose practical know-
ledge as an apiarist enables him to bring both bees and
honey to the highest perfection. Mr. Wood, of Somer-
field, Wellington, also occupied a prominent position
among the more successful exhibitors. In Class 6, Mr.
Bradley took the bronze medal with a very pleasing
novelty, the bees having made with honey the initials of
the exhibitor, the word ' Bee,' and the year ' 1887.' In
Class 7, Mr. Abbott's appliances attracted considerable
notice, and gained the first prize, his ' Gayton' hive also
gaining first prize for hives, being closely run by Mr.
W. G. Preece, Messrs. Neighbour winning third prize.
In the class for novel and useful implements, Mr.
Woodley (Beading) gained the first prize with an
ingeniously contrived section case, while Mr. Wilcox
(Shrewsbury) was second with an improved bee-skep.
In Class 10 the bees shown by Mr. Abbott were excep-
tionally fine. The whole of the exhibits in the cottagers'
classes were very good, and some difficulty was ex-
perienced in making the awards. The Bev. H. W.
Wilcox, of Cockshutt, and Captain Nicholas Bobinson,
of Frankton Grange, Shrewsbury, acted as judges, and
their decisions gave great satisfaction.

Honey. — For the best exhibit of comb honey in sections,
to exceed 29 lbs. : Mr. W. G. Preece, jun., Shrewsbury, 1 ;
Mr. John Bradley, Yockleton, 2. For the best 21-lb. section
of comb honey : Edwin W. Jones, St. Martin, Chirk, 1 ;
W. G. Preece, jun., 2. For the best exhibition of run
honey, to exceed 29 lbs. : Mr. E. Wood, Springhill, Well-
ington, 1 ; Mr. J. Palmer, Wrockwardine, 2. For the best
2i-lb. bottles of run honey : Mi-. E. Wood, 1 ; Mr. J. Palmer, 2.
For the best exhibition of honey in the comb, in any kind of
super : Mr. A. Beale, Rea Place, Meole Brace, 1. For any
novelty of honey of practical interest calculated to advance
bee-keeping : Mr. J. Bradley, 1.

Appliances, Hives, &c. — For the best hive suitable for
modern bee-keeping : Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall, 1 ;
Mr. W. G. Preece, 2 ; extra prize, Messrs. Neighbour &
Sons, 127 High Holborn, London. For the best hive, being
the bond-fide work of an amateur : Mr. W. G. Preece, jun., 1,
Mr. John Palmer, 2. For the best collection of apiarian
appliances : Messrs. Abbott Bros. 1 ; Mr. Whittingham,
Haughmond View, Shrewsbury, 2. For the best section-
rack : Messrs. Abbott Bros. For the best 1-lb. sample of super
foundation : Messrs. AbbottBros. Forthe best newand useful
invention calculated to advance bee-keeping: Mr. A. D.
Woodley, Reading, 1 ; b. c. Mr. John Wilcox, 27 Castle
Foregate, Shrewsbury.

Bees. — For the best exhibition of live, bees, of any pure
race, with queen, to be properly secured in an observatory
hive : Messrs. Abbott Bros., 1 ; Miss M. E. Eyton, Leaton,
Wrockwardine, 2.

Cottageks' Classes. — For the beBt exhibition of not less
than 12 lbs. of comb honey : Mrs. S. Withers, Marchamley ;
Mr. H. Tatton, Petton Lodge ; and Mr. John Walford,
Grinsbill ; equal. For the best exhibition of not less than
12 lbs. of run honey : Mr. H. Tatton, Petton Lodge, 1 ;
Mr. Mark Sutton, Harmer Hill, and Mr. John Walford,
Grimshill, 2. For the best exhibition of honey in any
form : Mr. Mark Sutton, 1 ; Mr. John Badger, Belle Vue,
2. For the best hive suitable for modern bee-keeping, the
work of a bond-tide cottager, not being a carpenter, joiner,
or wheelwright : Mr. J. Bradley, 1.

NOBTH-EAST OF IBELAND BEE-KEEPEBS'
ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL SHOW.

Judging by the dimensions, quality, and comprehen-
siveness of the exhibition which, under the auspices of
the above Association, was held on Friday, August 19,

in the Y.M.O.A. Hall, Wellington Place, Belfast, bee-
keeping in the North of Ireland is rapidly developing.
True, as compared with England and Scotland, we are
as yet only in the elements of the science of apiculture,
but with such able and energetic pioneers as the Bev.
II. W. Lett, Mr. Paul M'Henry, Mr. William fi. Orr,
and Mr. W. Lonsdale, to prepare the way, a few years
will see Ulster well onward in the march of progress in
this as in other respects. The show, which is the fourth
held by this Society, was by far the best ever held in
this country, and the attendance was good. The hall,
although on the small side, was admirably adapted for
the exhibition, and the exhibits were all very good. A
very fine photograph of an arch of bee-hives, erected by
Mr. W. B. Orr, Strabane, was much admired, and bore
testimony to this gentleman's enterprise and ingenuity ;
while the ' Crown design ' exhibited by him was uni-
versally admired, as were the designs ' Victoria ' and
' J ubilee ' of Messrs. M'Nally. There was every evidence
that humane bee-culture is going forward in the North
of Ireland, and hope the friendly visit of the Messrs.
M'Nally, Bobertson, Abbott, and others, will serve to
stimulate our local apiarians to renewed efforts, and
that we shall have some Irish exhibits well to the
front in the sister countries. The display of Mr.
Abbott, from Dublin, was very deservedly admired, as
was that of Messrs. A. Cross, Bryce, & Co., of Belfast.
All that could possibly be required was to be had at
these stands. There were 101 entries staged. The show
was a success. Mr. Thomas M'Henry 'a exhibit of 200
lbs. of 1-lb. sections was very good, and staged in very
fine condition. In the run honey there were all shades
of colour, and the quality of the class was pronounced
by the judges to be extra good, all the exhibits being of
fine quality.

Much of its success is undoubtedly due to the energy
and forethought of the hon. secretary and treasurer,
Messrs. Paul M'Henry and Samuel Cunningham. The
judges were as follows : — Bees, hives, and appliances :
Bev. H. W. Lett, M.A., Aghaderg Glebe ; Mr. W. Ditty,
Newtownards. Honey : Mr. A. Morris, Knockbreda
Park, Belfast ; Mr. A. B. Johnston, Brick Hall, Killy-
leagh.

The following is the prize list: — ■

Bees. — Class I. For the best observatory hive : 1, and
special presented by Messrs. A. Cross, Bryce, & Co., Belfast,
W. K. Orr ; 2, William Lonsdale.

Honey. — Class II. For the best super of comb honey
(not being sectional), the super to be of wood, straw, or of
wood in combination with glass or straw : 1, and special
prize'presented by Mr. W. Lonsdale, Lurgan, Bev. J. Hunt,
50 lbs. ; 2, W. Lonsdale ; 3, Isaiah J. M'Cabe, 20 lbs. Very
highly commended, Bev. J. Hunt, 20 lbs. — III. For the best
glass'super of honey : 1 (presented by Bev. James Hunt,
Parkgate), John Bainey, 30 lbs. ; 2, John Bainey, 18 lbs. ; 3,
Edward Smith.— IV. For the best twelve one-pound sections
of comb honey : 1 (presented by Messrs. MalcolmsonBrothers,
Belfast), W. and J. D. M'Nally; 2, Bev. H. W.Lett; 3, W.
and J. D. M'Nally.— V. For the best six 2-lb. sections of
comb honey : 1, Thomas Moore; 2, W. and J. D. M'Nally;
3, James Lewis. — VI. For the best twelve 1-lb. or six 2-lb.
glass jars of extracted or run honey : 1 (presented by Messrs.
Forster, Green, and Co., Limited, Belfast), George Turner ;
2, T. G. Barlow; 3, Alexander Turkington. Very highly
commended, Bev. J. Hunt, W. Edmund Best, W. and J. D.
M'Nally, and William Lonsdale.— VII. For the largest and
best exhibit of comb honey from one bee garden : 1 (pre-
sented by Messrs. E. and W. Pirn, High Street, Belfast),
Thomas M'Henry, sections 200 lbs. —VIII. For the best
ornamental design in comb honey: 1, W. B. Orr; 2, W.
and J. D. M'Nally.

Wax.— Class IX. For the largest and best exhibit of
bee3-wax, being produce of exhibitor's own bees : 1, William
Lonsdale ; 2, W. B. Orr ; 3, Bev. B. D. Knox.

Hives.— Class X. For the best frame-hive : 1, silver
medal (presented by W. M'CaUsland, Esq.), Abbott Brothers,
' Universal Doubling Hive ; ' 2, Abbott Brothers, ' Combina^

382

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 1, 1887.

tion Hive ; ' 3, William Lonsdale, ' Irish Jubilee Hive.'
Very highly commended, VvT. E. Orr, ' Irish Jubilee Hive. '
— XI. For the best and most complete bar-frame hive, and
price not to exceed 10s., unpainted : 1, William Lonsdale,
' Morgan's Cottage Hive ; ' 2, Abbott Brothers, ' Economic
Hive ; ' 3, Morgan and Son, ' Morgan's Cottage Hive.' —
XII. For the best and cheapest straw hive : 1, William
Lonsdale, straw hive, complete ; 2, Abbott Brothers, straw
hive complete. — XIII. For the best two crates of sections,
price not to exceed 3s. Cxi. : 1, Abbott Brothers, divisible
super; 2, William Lonsdale, 'Belfast Jubilee;' 3, Abbott
Brothers, Economic super. — XIV. For the best collection of
appliances : 1, Abbott Brothers, hive and super, feeder,
smoker, veil ; 2, Abbott Brothers, hive, veil, smoker, feeder.
Very highly commended, Alex. Cross, Bryce, and Co. No. 3
' Morgan ' bar-frame hive.

WINOHCOMBE AND SUDELEY FLOWER
SHOW.

The Winchcornbe and Sudeley Flower Show was held
on the 17th Aug. in the grounds adjoining Sudeley
Castle, and the gardens were kindly thrown open for
visitors by Mrs. Dent.

The honey class showed a great improvement both in
quantity and quality, and in the manner in which it was
put up. Judge for honey, Mr. C. Marshall, jun., Chelten-
ham. Awards: — Honey. — Six 1-lb. sections of honey — ■
1, Lord Sudeley ; 2, Mrs. Jaynes, Warmington Grange ;
3, D. Sheppard, Park Farm. Super of honey (non-sec-
tional)— 1, Lord Sudeley ; 2, C. Staite. Run or extracted
honey — 1, D. Sheppard; 2, W. Harris, Winchcornbe;
3, W. J. Smith, Beckford. Cottagers' Class. — Honey in
the comb — 2, John New, Gretton. Extracted honey —
1, John New.

ABERDARE SHOW.— A CORRECTION.

In Dr. Walker's report of the result of the examina-
tion for experts' certificates, held at the above show,
through a mistake the address was given as W. W.
Williams, 14 High Street, Newport ; it should have
been W.Williams, 14 High Street, Caerleon, Monmouth ,

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be talcen of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of goodfaith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of tlie "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W,C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langleyt Herts [see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

IN THE HUT.

' To-morrow to fresh woods and pastures new.'
[1211.] My heading this week is doubly misleading.
In the first place, the hut is now deserted and left to be
used at the sweet will of such earwigs as may find in
its old hay-stuffed seats a nice warm home during the
coming chilly autumn nights — left to the wood-lice,
spiders, centipedes, and damp ; for we have gone amongst
the heather, and when we return the early closing move-
ment will have come into operation amongst the huttites.
Our smoke-offerings and oblations will be paid at the
fireside — by the cosy ingle neuk — in preference to the
influenza-laden air of the fairy glen. In the second
place, we sought fresh fields of forage fully a fortnight
ago, and it is to-morrow we go to inspect tho workings
of our little black slaves in the dark recesses of their
honey mines. Solomon tells us not to boast of to-

morrow, for we know not what a day may bring forth ;
and one almost trembles at an absolute decision, with a
falling barometer and copious showers, which, however
welcome to us here, who for months have had our taps
cut off all day except between 9 and 11 a.m., do not
make the heart hound with glee at the thought of
wading knee-deep through wet ling. Besides, we each
take little huttites with us, worthy little scions, whom
we wish to be bee-masters in their day. Little pitchers
these, with wide ears ! Truly it is worth all the bother
and cost of the trip to see the young scamps romp about
in the sunlight, just 1000 feet above sea level — now
gorging on bilberries, then on hard-boiled eggs, quali-
fying all with copious draughts of new milk.

' Ah, happy years ! once more, who would not be a
hoy ! ' if only for our stomach's sake, as Paul said unto
Timothy. Fully fledged huttites, by the way, follow
Paul.

Such of our readers as haven't seen it, I commend to
the bee-keepers a Jubilee joke in the shape of the follow-
ing advertisement on the last leaf but one of JB.JJ.J.,
Aug. ISth. It is as follows : — ' Take notice. A rotten
bad stock of Bees in Bar-frame Hive, to be sold Cheap.
Price 11. 5s., or as much more as the purchaser likes to
fork out.'

There is some formic acid being slung about in place
of ink somewhere, I ween. I don't think it is the Ruhl,
but the exception, for Swanmore bee-keepers to sting
thus. It's one more than enough.

Let me introduce E. Garner to Douglas Cooper on the
same page. The one wants, and the other wants to sell,
driven bees at the same price per lb.

What fun if the swarm of bees in the Dunbar shop
turned out to be those particular bees of Mr. Clark's, —
The bees which nothing can quell,
Antenna-less bees, without smell
(Or scent organs rather) a cell
Of a queen-grub I'd heartily wel-
come at Horsforth.

' L. Y, D.' makes a chaste answer about being ' caught
in the act.' His remarks are far more easily under-
standed of the people after his explanation ; but what
must we say about the ' July 4th oration on p. 299 ?
Read it again, dear reader, and mark well, as a treat,
the following : — ' What is to be done ? Happy thought,
the hydropult ! ' Had ona huttite I know been there
the writer of the lines would have had the ccntents of
the squirt instead of the bees. We are reminded of the
pastor's sons who had to stay at homo to watch for
swarms. Did they not take a bucketful of water and a
garden syringe, some long pipes, and a jug of ale ?
And did not they use the syringe every time the bees
showed signs of swarming ? Again I quote, ' There is
still some water in the pond, though the pump in the yard
is dry.' Pity about the pump being dry, but what must
be done to him who suggests the alternative, the pond ?
' A sudden thought strikes me, let us swear an eternal
friendship.' The Rovers.

Let us all think of this when we find the contents of
our inkpots becoming acidulated.

Joke. — Formic acid cannot be truly classed amongst
the acids, for is it not an ant-acid (Formica, an ant) ?

I notice this month's VApiculteur gives honey as a
remedy for warts. The warts are to be touched with
honey two or three times a-day. X-Teactob.

A VISIT TO MR. F. REED'S APIARY,
PORTSLADE, BRIGHTON.
[1212.] To the north-west of Brighton lies the pic-
turesque village of Old Portslade, in one of the nooks on
the southern slope of the famed Southdown Hills. We
arrived at the station and took our way through the
quaint village street, and came to the noted bitter-ale

September 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

883

brewery of the Messrs. Dudney, and out into a deep
valley, beautifully wooded, and, passing through the
well-arranged grounds of a very luxuriant fruit and
vegetable garden, could not but. admire the quiet and
peaceful scene presented to our view, while the blue smoke
emerging from among the lofty trees recalled the lines —
' I kuew by the smoke that so gracefully curled

Above the broad elms that a cottage stood near,
And I said in my heart, " If there's peace in the world,

A heart that is humble might hope for it here." '

For, delightfully situated amid the gardens and orchards,
we came upon the residence of the proprietor, Mr. Wil-
liam Reed, and here met the genial owner of the apiary
we had come to inspect. In apparently delightful con-
fusion, ' far from the madding crowd,' were the various
colonies of busy workers forming the ' Stonereigh Apiary '
of Mr. Frank Reed, whom we found busily engaged
among the industrious denizens. Truly, this seemed a
bees' paradise. Sheltered completely from the north-
east blast, and protected from the south-west gales, we
could scarcely imagine a more suitable locality for an
apiary, while around were the open fields, within easy
distance the thyme-decked hills, with fruit-trees close at
hand, and the thought struck us as to how much the
splendid crops with which these were laden were owing
to the fertilising labours of the industrious workers of
the apiary. Donning our veils, we were soon deeply
occupied in investigating the various mysteries and ap-
pliances belonging to the science of modern bee-culture.
As the different processes of the art were brought under
our notice in the lucid and practical manner in which
they were, you would hardly wonder at our surprise,
especially when the ease and confidence with each was
carried on among the thousands of bees around us.
Whether familiarity in this science, like some others,
breeds contempt we know not, but each stage of mani-
pulation was carried on by Mr. Reed with the greatest
abandon. Here we saw the process of queen-raising,
there the building up of weak colonies into strong stocks,
there brood was inspected, frames of cells were offered
for our inspection, the egg of an hour's age, grubs of a
few days, the partially developed pupa, and the young
bee just perfectly emerged, and in a few hours to take
its place among its fellow-workers ; drones and queens
were brought under notice in due course, then the
wonderful manipulation of that important process,
queen-raising, was explained and illustrated. Queens
were taken from hives for direct insertion into others
for the introduction of new strains, others were enclosed
in those curious little cages for transmission by post,
drone-combs were transferred from one colony to another ;
the status of others was examined with reference to
capabilities for the winter period, and notes made as to
the requirements, to be attended to at an early oppor-
tunity. Now we were invited to see — what shall we call
them — slabs ? Yes, that is the most fitting name, slabs
of the brightest honey we ever saw. We could fancy
the shades of our Saxon forefathers stalking among the
luscious stores which furnished the materials of their
favourite beverage, for here seemed enough to supply
the wants of Valhalla. Honey of Hybla never possessed
richer flavour, more delicate aroma, or golden tint than
that submitted to us. We have sampled specimens from
all parts of the world, but Sussex can hold its own against
all comers for aroma, flavour, body, and hue. The tint
most prevalent we observed to be that of the finest
wheaten straw. Having given the greater portion of
our limited time to the various processes and appliances,
we looked round again at the various palaces of industry
and their occupants. Specimens of almost every kind
of hive were to be seen, and their special features were
pointed out ; after considering the whole under review,
we came to the conclusion that for all general pur-
poses nothing better coidd be wished for than Simmins'
Economic Hive. One, a special observatoiy hive by

Rusbridge, must not be passed by in silence, as by it
many of the mysterious habits of these wonderful
insects may be made more plain to the ordinary student
of the apiary. Sections, too, of a very manageable kind
constitute part of the economy of this system, when we
recall to mind the old cottage system of the straw hive,
and recollect that, at this time of year, what holocausts
of bees were offered in order to obtain the results of
their labour, we cannot but admire and rejoice that
among the many advances in scientific labour few have
made more and practical progress during Her Majesty's
fifty years' reign than that of the apiary. And now, as
to the varieties of bees forming the myriads flying
around us in every direction. We find this hive con-
tains a variety known as black ; keen, sharp, energetic
little fellows they are. Here we come upon Ligurians,
hard workers, with their bright bands. Now we arrive
at a colony of hybrids, black and Ligurian. These have
a more robust form, and from the weight of their stores —
we tested several — are evidently good workers; but what
have we here ? What beautiful, glossy, gentle creatures
these appear to be. Our obliging friend informs us these
are the noted Carniolan bees, and truly for beauty,
physique, and working capabilities, these must be con-
sidered the bees of the future. Our friend tells us they
are the best winterers, a most important point, early
swarmers ; one of the first swarms this present season in
this neighbourhood being from a Carniolan hive in May,
and as for their working capabilities they are facile
princeps. We had ocular demonstration of their energy
and perseverance ; even now they seemed as full of
vigour as in the height of summer, and were storing
pollen in vast quantities for spring use, while the honey
produced is of the highest class for grain, body, aroma,
and quantity. We could still write on, on this little-
known apiary, telling of the valuable work that is being
most assiduously carried on in the most unobtrusive
manner, and we feel convinced that more real progress
in the science of apiculture is being made here than in
many more pretentious establishments. We are sure
that should any of our readers feel disposed to pay a
visit to the Stonereigh Apiary, Portslade, they would
receive a most cordial welcome from our respected friend,
Mr. Frank Reed, and not regret the time spent in looking
into some of the mysteries of 'the little busy bee.' —
E. New, Southwich, August 18.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD COMBS (1204).

[1213.] I would like to say a few words on Mr. F. Boyes's
' thought ' on extracting honey from brood combs, which
he calls a barbarous method. Now I have had some
experience in extracting honey. I have extracted over
600 lbs. this year and have been awarded three first
prizes for it, and shall be glad to forward a sample of it
to any analyst for his opinion, for I feel certain it will
not be found ' liquid ' or containing any of the dirty
water that he speaks of, for I don't believe that bees are
such fools as to visit such places as 'manure-heaps,
stagnant ponds,' &c, if there is good water within three
miles of them ; and if they did visit such places and carry
such stuff into their hives and mix it with honey I
should be greatly afraid of some disease arising from its
use. And then I find it is necessary to use the extractor
freely ; when there is a honey glut to give space for the
queen to lay, or if not the stock will soon dwindle away.
There will be very little honey got in sections or other-
wise, and there will be a very poor stock for wintering
mostly old bees, and as to injuring the brood it never
does, no matter what stage it is in, if the extractor is a
good one and used with caution. I therefore cannot
think how Mr. Boyes can put such ' thoughts ' into the
Journal, unless it is to rim down pure extracted honey
and leave our market open for adulterated foreign honey
— G. T.

384

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September I, 1887.

REMOVING MIDDLE SECTIONS.

[1214.] Will you allow me space to put myself right
on the record ? Not that I want to pick any quarrel
with your correspondents, for I hold it as one of the
foolish things to allow feelings of jealousy because we
happen to he on opposite sides of ' the big pond,' and I
look with interest for the weekly visits of the B.B.J.,
glad to learn all I can therefrom. We be brethren.

On page 312, B.B.J., Mr. F. Boyes objects to my
removing the middle sections as soon as they are sealed.
I am not sure that Mr. Boyes' objections are valid, for,
although I do not practise it, I am told that one of our
most intelligent bee-keepers does practise it and with
good success, as a crop of over 30,000 lbs. in a single
season can testify. But Mr. Boyes merely quotes from
your interesting correspondent, 'Amateur Expert,' whom
I must hold responsible for getting things a little out of
plumb.

' A. E.' says, I use ' the Ileddon slat honey-board as a
queen-excluder.' I use it solely to prevent building of
brace combs between the sections and the top bar of the
brood frames. Without it my queens do not go into
sections, and if the}' did the slat noney-board would be
no hindrance, as the passage-ways through it are three-
eighths of an inch.

Then 'A. E.' proceeds to say, I take ' the middle sec-
tions away as soon as filled, putting the outside ones into
the centre of the crate to be finished.' My good friend,
' A. E.,' how could you have understood me as saying
anything of the kind ? Let me quote just what I did
saj' : — ' When a super is filled, or so nearly filled that
only the outer sections lack a little of being finished, it
is taken off and the unfinished sections of several such
supers are put into a super to be put back on a hive for
the bees to finish.' Don't you see that's almost the
opposite of what you say ? In strictness I should have
used the word 'finished' or ' sealed' instead of the word
'filled,' as the sections are all entirely filled with honey
when I take off the super, there being only a little
lacking in the sealing of the outside sections.

Of course all Yankees brag, so please allow me to
brag of my honey-crop this year. From 363 colonies,
spring count, I have taken about 300 lbs. of honey, or
about 13 oz. per colony. How much I must feed for
winter I don't yet know— Drouth. — C. C. Milled,
Marengo, M'Henry Co., 111., Aug. 11.

WASPS INJURIOUS TO BEES.

[1216.] I cannot agree with your correspondent (1207)
' W. M.' (query, ' Wasp-Master) when he asserts that
wasps do not interfere with bees. My experience (see
British Bee Journal for loth Jan., 1885) and that of
many bee-keeping friends is that wasps plunder every
hive into which they can force an entrance. An ac-
quaintance of mine in the next county more than once
lost every stock of bees in her garden through wasps.
They were legion about those hives, late and early, till
every drop of honey was gone, and every bee dead.
This happened some years ago, and those wasps or their
descendants have not changed, for since I began to write
this, a letter has come from that lady, in which she
laments regarding her bees, 'We are persecuted with
wasps,' which I quite understand.

If ' W. M.' has ' never seen or heard of wasps doing
any damage whatever to hives,' his experience and
reading must be extremely limited. I am no novice in
bee-keeping, unless nearly forty years is reckoned such,
and I am not afraid of wasps. I do not ' get frightened,
and spit and strike ' one when it comes near me, but I
keep them down all I can because of the harm I havo
witnessed them doing to bees. And, by the way, my
bees have been doing extremely well, though wasps are
scarce on my glebe ; and I have not this season bad a
single cell polluted with 'aphidal excrement,' -which

should have been the case if it is true that wasps
benefit bee-keepers by consuming 'green flies.' Bats are
excellent scavengers, they clear off all sorts of garbage,
but they do not benefit our stacks of grain, and we keep
them down. Cockroaches are also adepts in clearing up
waste and refuse about kitchens, but they can increase
inconveniently, and they do attack jam, bread, and other
eatables not intended for their delectation. According
to ' W. M.'s ' reasoning, no rat or cockroach should be
killed, they should be allowed to multiply, and do as
thev please, because their place in nature is to devour
offal. But no ' R. M.' (Rat-Master), or ' C. M.' (Cock-
roach-Master), will make a disciple of me, no more than
' W. M.' about his pets, the wasps.

I have just read in a Dublin newspaper of this week
of the. enormous number of 430 wasps' nests beng taken
and destroj-ed inside the last four week's within a short
distance of Longford. Now I should greatly like to
know if the ' wasp-keeper ' to whom 1 alluded in my
communication above referred to, is still alive and
pursuing his craze in that county, and it would also be
interesting to know on what terms the bees and wasps
stand in the same district ; whether there are many
bees, and whether there has been a good yield of honey
this year ?

The case adduced by ' AV. M.' of a skep-owner leaving
' a hive full of honey, hut empty of bees, out till
September or October,' is one that I can scarcely think
ever occurs in practical bee-keeping. Surely a hive full
of honey out of which the bees have been sulphured —
which is the only condition I can suppose — would be
stored indoors if unsold.

I may tell ' W. M.' that I . do not use a veil, and when
I am occasionally stung, and it happens very rarely, I do
not experience any swelling or other inconvenience, but
then I am told by my family that I am thoroughly
inoculated — sting-proof.

Having answered ' Wasp-Master,' I wish to ask him,
How long has he been observing the habits of bees and
wasps, and how many stocks of bees has he of his own ?
— H. W. Lett, M.A., Aghaderg Glebe, LoughbricMand,
Co. Down.

PARALLEL t>. RIGHT-ANGLED FRAMES.

[1216.] This is a question that I hope all bee-keepers
will give their experiences on. I have been at the trade
in earnest the last five years, but have not seen one sleep
with the combs at right angles to the entrance this
season, and I have seen over more than a hundred of
them. This locality has never had foul brood in it that
I know of, and the frames are mostly all parallel to the
entrance, and the floor-board is clear of the frames half
an inch, with a quarter of an inch bee space round the
ends, and we have the satisfaction that the snow does
not take the bees out to die in winter, as they do in the
right-angled frames. I think it would not be difficult
to find a better theory for foul brood than parallel
frames. The bee in her natural state does not pay
attention to angles of any sort. They build where most
convenient. Although I have not seen one skep with
the combs at right angles with the entrance this season,
I have seen them, and at other angles besides. — N. P.,
Lvchhill, August 22.

[On the position of the hives depends the range of
the combs. Our contention is, that if a hive is placed
perfectly horizontal, in almost every case a swarm of
average size will build its combs from back to front.
This we have proved in many hundreds of instances,
both in sleeps and box-hives. Bees, of course, cannot
build combs contrary to the force of gravitation. If a
skep or box-hive, having neither foundation nor frames,
be placed horizontally and then slightly raised, say, from
half inch to an inch at the back', the bees will always
build from hack to front, — Ed.]

September 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

385

RIGHT-ANGLED AND PARALLEL FRAMES.

[1217.1 I was pleased to see your correspondent's
('E. Musgrove') letter in your Journal of the 18th inst.,
as I have myself fancied that the parallel are not so
good as the right-angled frames, owing, I presumed, to
the Tentilation not being so perfect.

I am about to build a hive which, I trust, will obviate
this difficulty, viz., to give a space between the frames
and the floor-board of one inch at the back of hive,
descending to two inches in the front, thus giving a
sloping floor-board. By the extra space I hope to
secure efficient ventilation, thus assisting, I hope, in
keeping down foul-brood, aud by the sloping floor-board
to help the bees in removing refuse from their hives.

I believe it is generally acknowledged that the extra
space is beneficial for wintering, but that it is doubtful
whether comb will not be built in the extra space during
the summer ; yet even with the experience I have had I
find in summer that even with Lee's frames — with comb
foundation filled in to bottom bar of frames — the bees
actually remove about half an inch of the lower portion
of foundation, thus making a space exceeding one inch.
Why do they do this if they object, as stated by many
bee-keepers — to an extra space at the bottom of hive ?

I shall be glad to hear of the experiences of any of
your readers on the subject, as I am only a novice, this
being my second year at bee-keeping. I may mention
that, as I work on Siinmins' non-swarming system, and
have found it up to the present satisfactory, I do not
care to take to the frames at right-angles to the entrance.
— J, T. Pattisox, Chelmsford Road, Woodford,

BEST TIME FOR MANIPULATIONS.

[1218.] Regarding the above subject, according to
my experience, I consider that in the honey season when
the bees are working is the best time for examining a
hive, whether in the shade or not, especially a very
strong hive, as a considerable number of the bees are
away foraging, and a hive can be examined much quicker
and easier than in the morning or evening when they are
all at home. But now when the honey season is about
over it would be risky to open a hive during the middle
of the da}', as it would he sure to cause less or more
robbing ; therefore I find the evening the best time, as
the bees very soon get settled after the manipulation,
whereas if done in the morning it causes a commotion
about the hive during the day, and is likely to attract
robbers. — G. T.

BEST TIME FOR MANIPULATIONS.
[1219.] I have examined hives, comb after comb,
inserted frames of comb and foundation, cut out super-
fluous queen-cells, put on crates of sections — this past
season I had as many as five on one hive, and I alwa3Ts
place the first empty one next the frames— taken off
sections and crates at all hours of the day, and I de-
cidedly prefer to do so on fine days during the honey
season between the hours of ten and twelve o'clock, when
a large proportion of the bees are afield. And I may tell
Mr. Chenevix that my hives are not all shaded, only one
enjoying that advantage, and a very great advantage I
certainly found it during the summer of 1887. — H. W.
Lett, M. A., Aghaderg Glebe, Loughbrickland, Co. Down.

THANKS, AND A REQUEST.
[1220.] I beg to thank Colonel Dumaresq and Mr.
R. R. Godfrey for their kindness in answering my
inquiry. Also to say I think such explanations and
advice as they give are calculated to encourage all inex-
perienced bee-keepers ; and if Colonel Dumaresq will be
kind enough in your next to give us a little of his
experience .about foreign bees (as I own I know nothing

about them) and how to commence operations so as to
start with them, and if now is the time, or wait till spring
of next year, or any other advice he can give, it will
be esteemed a favour by — Member Worcestershire
B.K.A.

HONEY YIELD— LEE'S SECTIONS— BEES

IN THUNDERSTORM.
[1221.] It may interest some of your readers to
supplement my letter, No. 1136. The hive there men-
tioned has given me to the end of July 8-3 lbs. of
very fine sections — in fact, I have not had honey of
such good quality since the great comet j'ear. I
expect to take a few more sections on Monday, as I
have been away from home for a month, and left a few
half-finished sections in the hope that they might be
completed. Of course, the yield is nothing very mar-
vellous, though decidedly good for this very dry season,
with an entire absence of warm, damp, honey-producing
nights. Having only just restarted my apiary here on a
very small scale, I know too little of the neighbourhood
to gauge the amount of honej' to be obtained, but fancy
that very large returns may be expected. I have used
Lee's sections largely, and am entirely satisfied with them,
and shall probably use no others next year. Did any one
note how exceedingly vicious bees were on the day of
the thunderstorm, ten days ago ? It was an excellent
opportunity to test ' apif uge.' — A. G. Radcliffe, Font-
hill, East Orinstcad, Sussex, August 27tk.

TIME FOR MANIPULATING— INOCULA-
TION, &c.

[1222.] In answer to Mr. Chenevix in your number of
this date I must say that my experience is in harmony
with his and contrary to your own. Throughout the
hot weather 1113' bees attacked me invariably if meddled
with between ten aud five; after seven they could
usually be handled with impunity, but when very hot a
later hour had to be chosen.

The alleged ' inoculation ' of stings I believe to be a
delusion. Last year I took a stray stock of bees out of
my roof. I had first to put up a scaffold and to remove
the slates at about forty feet from the ground. When
the nest was opened my smoker suddenly gave out and
refused to work. My bee-veil I was obliged to lend to
a friend who volunteered to help me. The stock
was a strong one — I daresay there were 30,000 bees —
and I believe that every bee except the queen and two
others left its sting in my skin ; the two others stung
my friend. When the job was over I appeared as if I
had begun to turn into a hedgehog. During the present
summer I have been stung on an average about twice a-
day for three months ; yet I am not inoculated. I don't
find that the stings hurt less than formerly. I think
they hurt more.

I have no doubt that the inoculation theory has arisen
from the fact that the pain from bee-stings varies very
much wdth different stings. Nine stings out of every
ten hurt very little, but the tenth is a fine test for self-
control. If you can stand that without howling you are
a stoic. Now, when a man first begins to manipulate
bees his want of skill brings him a good many stings,
and among these are sure to be some of the severer kind,
and his natural funk leads him to exaggerate the severity
of the stings that he gets. As he becomes used to the
business he gets but few stings, and as nine out of ten
of these don't hurt much, he thinks he is getting inocu-
lated ; but only let him wait. The tenth sting is sure
to come, and then see what he says about inoculation !

As I am writing to you, let me mention other topics.
I cannot see the value of wired foundation. I have ex-
tracted this year a number of combs that were founda-
tion three weeks before, and have had no breakages and
no trouble of any kind.

S8G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 1, 1887.

I do not agree with Mr. Boyes's objections to extract-
ing from brood combs. If done -with ordinary care it
does no harm whatever to the brood, and the honey is
absolutely indistinguishable from that in other combs ; in
fact, as the outside combs are brood-combs one week and
hi mey-combs the next, it would be hard to make out a
difference between brood-comb honey and honey-comb
honey.

AY asps arc very numerous here and do not appear to
do any harm.

Bee-keepers should not be too ready to assume that a
stock is queenless. I examined this week a stock cover-
ing sixteen frames, in which there was not a particle of
brood in any stage, and there were numerous drones, all
other stocks having killed their drones a month ago. I
gave them a frame of eggs and a pint of syrup, and next
day no queen-cell was begun, and there were eggs on
two other frames.

To estimate the amount of honey that should be left
for wintering by the superficial area of sealed comb is
most misleading, since some sealed combs are two and
a quarter inches thick and some not more than three-
quarters of an inch. The former will weigh five pounds
and the latter less than one.

I have all my hives made the same pattern and same
size, thus every roof and stand fits every hive, and every
hive body will double any other. — C. A. M., August
■2-J(h.

[We advise inquirers and correspondents according to
our own experience, and not from theory. Opinions will
always differ, and if in the honey season any, contrary
to our advice, find that they can manipulate better in
the evening than during the hours of flight, by all means
let them do so ; or if they find unwired foundation
equally as good as wired, let them use it. But if any
are anxious to become sting-proof we certainly do not
advise them to persevere in the attempt to the extent of
receiving 30,000 stings in the course of one operation,
since we fear to many constitutions such a course might
prove fatal ! — Ed.]

NEPETA.—LIMNANTHES.— SUNFLOWERS.

[1223.] If your readers will turn to page 301, No. 1154,
they will there see that in consequence of many of
our bee-keeping friends failing to strike the cuttings of
Nepeta Mussini, I promised to strike a large quantity, and
when ready, to offer them to those who would like to
test the value of the same, and I beg to say that I have
now a goodly number ready of nicely rooted and strong
plants, and some with a little bloom upon them. But it
must not be understood that my position in life will
admit of me sending them on the same terms as I sent
out the cuttings, so, in justice to myself, I must put a price
upon them, and I have inserted an advertisement in this
issue. I have plenty of limnanthes seed, and shall be
pleased to send some to any who would like a little.
It is now quite time to sow the seed, and plant out
when ready. I sow the seed in rows two feet apart,
and thin out the plants to the same distance in the rows,
and they completely cover the ground, and do much
better than when I have left them closer together.

I am sorry to say that I cannot offer any more borage
seed at present, as the green linnets have laid upon
it so very closely, and taken nearly all the seed away
long before it has been ready to cut for seed. I
am glad to say that it does not appear to interfere with
the blooming of the plants. I have still largo masses of
bloom, both borage and Nepeta Mussini. The latter is
still, and lias been, one mass of bloom ever since the
middle of .Juno, and this will continuo until the frosts
come and put a great check upon it, but it does not kill
the plants, as they are perfectly hardy, and the older
they gel tlio stronger they grow each year.

J ust a word in reference to sunflowers. It may appear

strange to some for me to say that I never can find any
bees visiting them, although there are many of them
grown near, and the bees fly right over them to
get what I suppose they like better. This may be ac-
counted for by the difference in the soil in different
localities. — 0. II. W., Aylesford, Maidstone.

VENTILATION.

[1224.] It seems to me that bees cannot have too much
ventilation by the entrance at any season except when
robbing is going on. I have, therefore, cut away part
of the entrance slides, and nailed on perforated zinc.
Why should not all entrance-slides be thus made of
perforated zinc ? They are of no use except to prevent
robbing. Ten or twelve inches of entrance is surely best
when robbing is not going ^on. A simple plan (by
which a dozen may be made in a few minutes), is to
take two sides of an old section, plane the edges, to
make them the right depth, cut the piece of zinc, and
nail about an inch of it between the two pieces of wood
by a single French nail, which, of course, must be turned
down and hammered in at the back. No other nail is
required. — L. Williams, Wheatley, Oxon.

P.S. — There are many wasps in this neighbourhood.

DOES BEE-KEEPING PAY THE COTTAGER ?
[1225.] I found and hived a swarm of bees (vagrants)
the second week in June on six frames of worked-out
comb, and added four frames of comb as the bees
required them, and when the ten frames were well
covered I put on a crate of twentj'-one sections and left
them to do their work in peace, which they seemed to
do with great energy ; but judge of my surprise on
Saturday, when I thought of taking off sections partly
filled at the least, to find them empty, and only about
two inches across the top of each frame with sealed
honey, and the hive full of bees and nearly all the combs
with some brood in all stages in them. So much for the
vagrants.

I then hoped to find better results from the only hive
I saved through last winter out of eighteen stocks, the
result is the seven frames are well covered with bees
and a little honey at the top of each frame, and brood
in all stages in the frames, but a frame with six sections
fixed in it, placed behind excluder-zinc at the back of
the hive, was empty. This stock was fed in the spring
on sealed honey ; I did not expect much from this stock,
as it was a lot of last year's driven bees and the queen
was hatched in June, 1886. I may say four of the stocks
which died in the winter were in straw skeps, the rest
in bar-framo hives, and they did not die of starvation,
as frames in all the hives, except two, contained sealed
stores after they were dead ; also each of the skeps had
sealed stores after they were dead.

Nine queens that died were hatched in I860, four iu
1885, and four in 1884.

The eighteen stocks had about 2 cwt. of sugar given
them in thick syrup in the autumn, and no honey was
taken from any of them last ye»r.

I have plenty of clean and empty worked-out combs
and empty hives (my own make), but no honey, so I
think I may reasonably ask does bee-keeping pay —

A COTTAUEII ?

INDIAN BEES.
There arc four species of honey-producing bees in the
Wynaad. The largest {Apis, Sp. ?) builds, as a rule, on
the inaccessible ledges of precipices, preferring such as
overhang rivers ; also on tho largest trees in the forest,
preferring; those that are isolated, and have numerous
horizontal limbs. Such trees, as Bombax malabarica,
Mangifera indica, Ficus, &c, are usually preferred, and

September 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

387

the colonies return to them year after year without fail.
Such trees and precipices are known as ' Bun-ays,' and
used to be the property of Kurumber 'Hadis' (villa-
gers), each Hadi possessing a certain number of Burrays.
Such Burrays are now the property of Government, ex-
cept where they are situated in private lands. There
are two crops in the year, in May and November, and
the honej' and wax are gathered when the nights are
dark, i.e., just before ammavassi, or new moon. The
combs are usually built, when on the ledges of preci-
pices, facing the north-east, to avoid the blow of the
south-west monsoon. The comb is semi-globular near
its attachment to the rock, and 2J feet to its junction
with the lower half, in which are contained the larvse.
The pollen, which is the principal food of the latter, and
is generally known as bee-bread, is deposited in the cells
at the junction of the upper and lower portions. The
queen and drone-cells are generally to be found near the
edge of the comb. A fortnight after the larvse attain
their full development, and appear as imagos, the colony
splits into two — the parent and infant colonies separate,
and peek other trees and fresh pastures. The number of
colonies that seek a Burray in a season depend entirely
on the season and the amount of flowering trees in the
neighbourhood. The bees, when they desert the tree
and comb of the season, do not make their way to the
nearest Burray, but frequently travel for a week or ten
days to distances of over a hundred miles, even crossing
such mountain-chains as the Nilgiris in their migra-
tions.

The best honey-producing flower of Southern India is
the Strobilanthes, which not only forms the principal
undergrowth of the Sholas, both temperate and tropical,
but spread over the grassy slopes of the higher eleva-
tions.

There are an immense number of species in this genus,
and they almost all flower once in seven years, dying
down entirely, and afterwards a fresh growth springs
up from seed. Whenever any species of Strobilanthes
flowers, colonies of bees migrate from all parts of the
country to feast on the honey, and rear their young-
broods. At such times honey becomes plentiful and
cheap, and as the Strobilanthes honey is of the finest
quality and flavour, even rivalling that from the famous
Slount Hymettus, it is eagerly sought after by the
Todas of the Nilgiri hills, and in fact all the aboriginal
tribes. The year 1879 was such a season for honey that
it sold at the rate of 4 annas per imperial pint, whereas
its usual price is from 8 to 10 annas. This honey in the
cold climate of the Nilgiris crystallises in from a fort-
night to three weeks, when the flavour becomes richer
and finer. In the Wynaad, as soon as the moon has
waned sufficiently, great preparations are made to take
the honey. Bamboo and rattan ladders are constructed.
These are sometimes of astonishing length, and at night-
fall, after 9 p.m. (for the bees do not go to bed till then,
as you will find to your cost if you disturb them), the
Jain (honey) Kurumbers procesd to the Burray, and
having erected their ladders if they have to clirnb up-
wards, or suspended their cane ladders if downwards,
arm themselves with torches and knives, and sever the
combs from the rock or branch. The drowsy bees,
meanwhile roused by the glare of the torches, desert the
combs and buzz aimlessly about, alighting in thousands
on the rocks and branches about, and even on the per-
sons of those engaged in taking the combs, but never
attempt to sting, unless crushed or hurt. The combs
are then lowered down in baskets, the Kurumbers feast-
ing on the larvse, which taste something like cream,
whilst the fish which swarm in thousands when the
hives are built over a river have a glorious feed on the
grubs and bees that fall into the water and float help-
lessly down stream. The upper portion of the combs
containing the honey is detached and thrown into a
coarse canvas bag, which is squeezed with a tourniquet,

the honey flowing into a copper caldron, in which it is
afterwards boiled to prevent fermentation. The wax is
boiled separately in water and then strained; it is after-
wards melted and moulded into sheets, which, being
exposed to the sun to bleach, are remelted into blocks of
a hundredweight each. To attempt to interfere with
these bees during the day is madness, and many a sports-
man and traveller has barely escaped with his life after
doing so. Indeed it is no light punishment to be as-
saulted by the countless hosts of infuriated bees that
attack you on the slightest provocation ; and it is only
necessary to light a cheroot, and sometimes even merely
to go near them, to draw down their vengeance on your
head. Nothing can then be done but to hasten to the
nearest pool of water, and leave nothing visible but your
nose above it. I could give numerous instances of men,
cattle, horses, and even fowls and pigeons, being killed
by those bees ; but I have no space for such in this
letter. These bees, however, will not attempt to sting
you unless they have stores of honey and their young to
guard, for it must be remembered that the insect sacri-
fices its life when it stings you in the defence of its
hive and young ; the sting being so constructed that the
poison-bag is torn out of the body when the bee tries to
withdraw the sting from the skin in which it is firmly
fixed.

The next species of bee which I am now going to
describe is about half an inch in length, and of a dark-
brown colour, the abdomen ringed with pale yellow.
The thorax is generally infested with a minute para-
sitical insect. It forms its combs in the hollows of trees
and rocks, and sometimes in hollow caves of the termite
nests, which are so abundant in the Wynaad. Unlike
the first-mentioned species, its combs are of nearly the
same thickness throughout, i.e., nearly three-quarter of
an inch between each row.

The honey is superior to that manufactured by the
cliff-bee, and thicker, but is occasionally poisonous when
the honey is collected from such plants as the various
species of Lobelia. It is then acrid to the taste, and, if
swallowed, produces nausea and violent purging.

This bee I believe to be identical with European
species, and more like the Ligurian variety. In Coorg
it is domesticated, and the hives, made of the hollowed-
out trunks of trees, are placed near houses ; but the
Coorgs have no notion of collecting the surplus honey by
such contrivances as bell-glasses, &c, as they do in
apiaries at home.

On the Nilgiris I have tried numerous experiments,
and succeeded admirably. There is no reason why api-
culture should not be successfully carried on at Ootaca-
mund, and other highlands in Southern India. I found
that an ordinary beer-cask, placed in a warm and shel-
tered situation, made the best hive ; a small board nailed
on near the bung-hole serves for the bees to alight on
when leaving and entering their hives. When the
swarm has been thoroughly established, i.e., when two
or three other swarms have increased the strength of the
parent stock, bell-glasses can be placed on the top of the
cask over holes bored for the purpose, and removed from
time to time, as they are filled by the industrious little
workers below. When bees have ample space to work
in, queens are rarely or never bred ; it is only when the
accommodation proves insufficient in the hole in which a
wild swarm takes up its abode, that the young swarm
has to look out for a fresh home, accompanied, of course,
\>y its young queen. The Todas on the hills, when they
take a hive, invariably block up the hole with two or
three stones. This is done because these bees object to
too much light. Residents on the hills are frequently
annoyed by swarms settling in the tiled roofs of their
houses, and stinging children and servants. This could
easily be prevented by providing proper hives for them.
Half-a-dozen empty casks would be immediately ten-
anted, and the honey could be turned to account.

SS8

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 1, 1887.

In April and May, when the iron-wood (Mesua ferrea)
blossoms, this honey is abundant, and of the most de-
licious aroma and flavour. Bees are very peculiar in
their likes and dislikes, and, while they will allow one
person to plunder their hoards without hurt, will vio-
lently sting others. It is difficult 1o explain this pe-
culiar power which the bee-masters and bee-kings at
home exhibit, but one of their great secrets undoubtedly
is to treat the bees gently. — The Asian.

(Brlj0.es fnrm % Jibes.

Waterltouses, Co. Durham, August 23rd. — I never knew
wasps so numerous as they are this year ; we find them in
nests every few yards as we pass along the roads. Last
night, in returning from work at dusk I came upon three
men taking some nests in order to get the grub for cage
birds ; they did not find much grub, and one of them said
they had taken them too soon ; if they had been a week or
two later they would have been full of grub. — J. F.

JRingstead, Thrapston, Aug. 29. — The honey season in this
district is now over, and most of the surplus honey taken
up. It has been a very good one, and the honey is ex-
cellent in quality. I wintered thirteen colonies, and have
taken over 800 lbs. of honey, and am now leaving sixteen
for the coming winter amply provided for without feeding.
I work on the storifying system, and leave the two bottom
boxes for the bees to winter in. I generally find the bottom
one to contain nothing but empty combs at the end of the
season, and the one above to be pretty well filled with
honey ; and with honey at its present price I find it pays
me better to leave the two, instead of crowding the bees
into the bottom box and then have the trouble to feed them
up. My best colony was wintered so last year on eighteen
frames ; it has given me over 100 lbs. of honey this summer,
and I have left it again to winter on eighteen frames, the
top box filled with honey and the bottom one with empty
combs, — JonN Bull,

QUERY.
[122C] Can any reader of the B. B. J. kindly furnish me
with a recipe for making a good honey beverage ; quantity
required, say 1 doz. 1 J pint bottles? — J. J. Chinnick.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be 2)Urc?iased, or replies giving such
information, can only he inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-heepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in iho issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will 6e answered in this column.

James Houston. — Borgue Honey. — The high repute of
Borgue honey has reached us. The samples from
Borgue and the adjacent parish, Twynholm, Kirkcud-
brightshire, well sustain its high character : from its
flavour we should say that it had been gathered from
wild thyme, from its appearance from sea-lavender
(Statice limoniun); but we should require to know some
further particulars as to the time when it was gathered,
iSrc, before wo could speak with precision as to the
plant from which it was produced. We received
last year from a village on the coast of North Yorkshire
a sample of honey similar in appearance, though not
equal to the Borgue in flavour. It is desirable that some
botanist of either parish should look into his local flora,
where ho will find Borgue the habitat of the plant of
which our correspondent is in quest.

J. Fenwick. — Wasps. — We have in previous numbers given
information respecting the natural history of wasps.
These have much in common with hive bees. They
live in communities. Each community consists of queen,
workers, and drones. They do not swarm in the summer,
however (as your informant asserts), like hivo bees. All
the community — queen, with workers, drones, and brood
— die oil at the first attacks of winter, The only

survivors are the young queen-wasps, who, after lying
in a dormant state during the winter, are revivified by
the beams of the vernal sun, and then forthwith proceed
to carry forward the economy of wasp-life.

Lascelles Carr. — Novice's Metal Comers. — 1. These may
be procured from Messrs. Neighbour or most of the dealers
in bee appliances. For the reasons stated in Guide-Book,
pp. 33, 34, we adhere to them in practice. 2. Absence of
Distance Guides. — In our pamphlet on Doubling and
Storifying, recently published, speaking of the Opwan
Hive, we say, ' There is a very important feature in this
hive, and one to which we in a great measure attribute
our uniform success. It is that our frames have neither
distance-guides, pins, nor projecting shoulders, and that
we can bring them closer together or put them farther
apart as we wish without any difficulty.'

B, E. C. — New Zealand.— 1. Having so strong a preference
for Abbott's broad-shouldered frames, there can be no
objection to your taking with you a supply ; but we have
no doubt that you will find in the colony every appliance
that experience has found suitable to the climate. — 2.
Four years ago Mr. Firth started a bee journal called
The New Zealand and Australian Bee Journal; it was
edited by Mr. J. C. Hopkins. It did good service in its
time, and considerably promoted the cause of bee-keeping
in the colony ; but, as it never paid its way, it was dis-
continued at the end of the second year, and incorporated
with the New Zealand l<'armer, Bee and Poultry Farmer.
Since the 1st of July of the present year, the Bee Journal
has been resuscitated under the name of the Australasian
Bee Journal, which is devoted exclusively to the interests
of bee-keepers and bee-keeping throughout Australasia. It
is published monthly by Messrs, Hopkins, Hayr, & Co,
The subscription to the British Bee Journal, post free to
New Zealand, is 10s. lOtf., forwarded fortnightly.

II. W. Wise.— Italians or Hybrids ? — Of the six specimens
sent one is black, two have one, and the remaining three
have two yellow bands. If the offspring of the same
mother they are hybrids.

M. E. K. — Fermented Honey. — Do not feed your bees upon
it, or you will surely produce dysentery. Yes, a damp
store-room, where the honey is kept in closed wood case,
would be very likely to cause fermentation. Earthenware
or tin are the best receptacles for keeping honey in bulk.
Very much depends upon the honey being perfectly
ripened and sealed in the hives before extracting. Thin,
unsealed honey, invariably ferments. We advise you to
use it for culinary purposes.

J. C. Binder. — Temperature for Keeping Comb-honey. — By
experience we have found a temperature of from G5° to
80° Fahr. best for this purpose. Our sections are placed
on shelves, with small spaces between the sections, in
dark, well-ventilated closets, at a temperature varying
from 05° to 70° Fahr., and, care being taken to keep them
free from dust, we find them fresh and free from granu-
lation, as a rule, the following spring. But much de-
pends on the plants from which the honey is collected.
A temperature of 100° Fahr. is too high.

TirrEEAiiv Subscriber. — Preservation of Honey. — The keep-
ing properties of honey depend much upon tho bloom
from which it is gathered. Fruit, hawthorn, and white
clover honey keeps best, and is less liable to granulation
than that collected from most other bloom. Mustard,
turnip, and the brassica tribes produce honey which
quickly granulates. Sections should be well ripened and
well sealed on the hives, and after removal should bo
kept in a dark, dry, well-ventilated room at a tempera-
ture of G5° or 70° Fahr. See answer to ' J. C. Binder.'

E. S. A. Gough. — Lavender Water — Peppermint. — Lavender
water is not as satisfactory as peppermint for the purpose,
but there is little choice in the matter if the essence, and
not the oil, be used. Pour a little flavoured syrup between
the frames of both lots after having given them a good
smoking.

Gerald Tatiiam. — Moving* 'id Uniting. — The hives can be
moved any time during the cold season, choosing a day
when no bees are flying. If you really wish to unite — a
process which should give you a grand return of honey —
it would be best to wait till next March or beginning of
April. You should set your hives in pairs when you

September 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

389

move them so that when united there will be less dis-
turbance of locality.

W. T. Cadness. — The expert of the district has kindly
promised to call upon you and advise.

Exhibitor, Northampton. — Judging Honey. — You seem to
entirely ignore the fact that there are different degrees of
gravity, flavour, and translucenee in honey, and seem
only to look at the subject from an onlooker's point of
view, viz., appearance. This is quite a secondary con-
sideration ; if otherwise, heather honey — the most ex-
pensive description — would have to remain quite amongst
the lowest grades. Ask a North Countryman's opinion ;
he will tell you that light clover — ' flower honey,' he calls
it — is not worth a rap, and yet you would desire to see
this same honey placed iu a prominent position, simply
because it was lighter in colour. As a point in judging,
flavour is of the utmost importance as well as consistency.
Some light-coloured honey tastes as so much sugar syrup,
but, being light-coloured, you would give it a place among
the prizes ; we should pass it and give the prize to a good-
flavoured exhibit although dark.

Jubilee, 1887. — It always gives us pleasure to report the
Shows of Associations. We published the report of your
Show as it reached us.

W. J. — The raw sugar, of which we have received a sample,
will be found serviceable for dry-sugar feeding. Please
refer to former numbers for the proper time when dry-
sugar feeding should be beneficially resorted to.

J. H. L. — Driving Bees from Box Hives. — You may remove
the box, from which drive the bees ; return the bees to
the frame-hive, and after putting excluder over a hole in
the quilt, replace the box. The queen will thus be below,
and as the brood hatches out of the box the cells will be
filled with honey, if you have heather or other forage
near you. Of course, if you take the honey you will have
to feed them up, but this we would not reoommend as
you would lose the young brood, Breaking up the boxes
and transferring the tender combs would mean a messy
operation with honey and brood, and likely to start robbing.
We should think if the two casts have filled ten frames
they have not done badly. Try and prevent so much
swarming next season by giving room in advance of re-
quirements, and squeezing (not cutting out) queen-cells.

Your Coreespondent, — We prefer that you communicate
privately with the gentleman mentioned in your letter,

S. A, B, — The bees sent are English black bees,

Leicestershire Amateur, — Bemove the bees from the
heather when the pasturage is over,

W. C. N. — The parasite on the bees was the Braula cceca,
or the bee-louse. These are not desirable companions,
but they will die off as the season advances.

Co. Limerick. — 1. Pollen-clogged Combs. As you say the
honey has been removed from the combs you wish to
store away, it is evident only a probably small percentage
of the cells is clogged with pollen. Do not melt them
up, the bees will clean them out in spring. — 2. Bitter
Honey. Quite likely the bitter taste proceeds from pollen
becoming mixed with it in extracting. Honey being grape
sugar cannot be other than sweet per se.

G. G. — Utilising Heather Honey. — By cutting the. combs to
pieces and squeezing them either by a fruit squeezer or
in a cloth, you of course destroy the value of the founda-
tion on which they have been built. The plan you
propose of cutting the honey in the cells off close to the
midrib, giving that to the bees to lick up, is the best.
You may then squeeze as much as you can out of the
cuttings, and by using a wax extractor the honey will run
first, and then the wax, and so you will recover both
with as little loss as possible. If you had not extracted
the clover honey when the heather came on, but put on
sections, you would have had these filled with the heather
instead of the frames in the stock hive,

H, W. P. — Moving a Hive a Short Distance. — Wait until
November or longer if the weather is fine and open.
You may move it with safety at one operation when the
weather is too cold for the bees to fly. Place a board
against the entrance to call the attention of the bees
when the first fine day occurs and cause them to mark
down the new spot.

Beceived from ' G. T.,' Co. Donegal, a sample bottle of
honey. We have a very high opinion of the qualities of
this honey. It was of good consistency and colour. It
possessed an agreeable flavour. There was a certain piquancy
of taste about it which added to its pleasantness. One
word of caution as to packing. Though packed in brown
corrugated paper, we noticed on delivery that there had
been considerable oozing iu transit, and on removing the
surroundings we found the bottle broken, and consequently
almost all the honey was lost.

Beceived, from Mr. W. Elfred, a bottle of honey from his
apiary in Warwickshire. The honey was clear in colour,
rich in quality, and of a good consistency. It ought to fetch
a good price in the market. We thank him for trouble
taken in forwarding it.

business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M-, Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros,, Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Munich, Germany

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Sihmins, S., Eottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B„ Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn .

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keefers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothabd, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abeott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Sept. 1, 1887.

S1

Special prepaid je£dvertisements.

l-«-t

Situations, Publications, Bee Plaiits, d-c. — Twenty words
am} under, One Shilling; for every additional Three words,
One Penny.

Exchange Column. — Sales of Honey and Second-hand
Ooods. — Intended to aid Bee-keepers in the disposal of Bee-
produce and Appliances for which they have no further use.
Terms: Twelve words and wider, Fourpence ; for every ad-
ditional Three words, One Penny extra.

No reduction made for continuous insertion.

1. QIMMINS' ORIGINAL NON-SWARMING SYSTEM
O includes also other subjects of the first importance,
reduced to Is. Id., post free.

1IMMTNS' METHODS OF DIRECT QUEEN IN-
TRODUCTION, Gid. Of the Author, Rottingdean,
Brighton; Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent Street, and 127
High Holborn; and J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

BEE-KEEPING, Plain and Practical : How to
Make it Pay. By A. Rusbridge, Is. Gd., post free,
Is. 8d. Address J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts, a 1253

rpHE MANAGEMENT OF STRAW SKEPS. De-
I signed to teach the Cottager how to obtain the best
results at the least possible cost. By attention to its teach-
ings, Cottagers will be enabled to make their Bees a more
profitable source of income than hitherto. Price One Penny.
Sixcopiesand upwards, post free. J.HucKLE.KingsLangley.

WANTED. — Copies of British Bee Journal for January
7th, 188G, and Nov. 1873. Full price given. Apply
J. Huckle, Kings Lancley, Herts.

HONEY (1887) PURCHASED or Taken in Exchange.
SECTIONS, 4} x 4} x 2, of good flavour, pale colour,
well filled and capped. No other accepted.

EXTRACTED, of best quality and appearance only.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,
E.C.

Address J. C.
a 70

COMB HONEY, 4J Sections for Sale.
Lambert, Sunk Island, Hull.

WANTED, Condemned Bees in exchange for Appliances
or for Cash. Address Abbott Brothers, Southall,
London, and Dublin.

CONDEMNED BEES, Is. 3d. per lb. Guaranteed free
from Foul Brood. Address H. Dobbie, Thickthorn,
Norwich.

STOCKS OF BEES. — Have to Sell for an old Cottager,
now too feeble to manage Apiary, 12 large, well-made
Straw Hives, full of Honey and Bees, 12s. Gd. each, or £7
the lot. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth Rectory,
St. Ives, Hunts.

THREE RAYNOR REVERSIBLE 30s. EXTRACTORS
for Sale, Meadows' make, price 25s. each, or 24s. each
if the lot are taken.

Abbott Brothers, Southall, London, and Dublin.

F

MOR SALE.— British Bee Journal, Vols. 11, 12, 13, 14,
J ' complete, unbound ; Cheshire's ' Bees and Bee-
keeping,' 22 parts ; Cassell's ' Popular Gardening,' in 24
parts; Cook's 'Bee-keepers' Guide,' new. All to be sold
at half cost price. Address S. S. Goldsmith, Boxworth
Rectory, St. Ives, Hunts.

CONDEMNED BEES, first week in September, Is. Gd.
per lb., package free. F. Lyon, 94 Harloyford
Road, S.E.

UEENS, first week in September, Is. id. each, post
free. F. Lyon, 94 Harloyford Road, S.E.

Q

Gi LASSES for SECTIONS, 44 x 4}, 2s. 4r(. per 100, pack-
\ ago free Free on rail, London. F, Lyon, 94 Har-
loyford Road, S.E.

FOR SALE.— Strong Stocks of Bees in Straw Sleeps,
price 10s. on the place ; also 5 Fantail Pigeons,
Is. Gd. each. Address Fredk. S. Fletcher, Ottershaw,
Chertsey, Surrey. b 2

ENGLISH, Italian, Carniolan, Cyprian Stocks and
Queens in Bar-frame Hives, for Sale. Apply Hill,
Scotlands, Cannock Road, near Wolverhampton. b 1

FOR SALE.— Barrel Extractor, will take four Standard
size Frames. Apply to T. B. Latchmore, Brand
Street, Hitchin, Herts. b 3

/"ANTED, Extracted Honey of good quality. Apply,
Box 20, Post-office, Alfreton, Derbyshire. b 5

w

FEW COWAN HIVES, new; ditto in the flat, about
half price. Two cwt. Pure Cane Sugar for Feeding
Bees, 20s. Address Hon. Secretary, Northants B. K. A.,
St. James', Northampton. b 7

FOR SALE, or Exchange for Honey of good quality,
' The Official Description and Illustrated Catalogue
of the Great Exhibition of 1851,' in 4 vols., handsomely
bound in cloth, gilt edges. Apply J. Huckle, Kings
Langley, Herts.

BEES.— Four strong Stocks, Standard Frame Hives, for
Sale. Plenty of Stores. Address J. Price, 4 Lech-
mere Villas, Willesden Green, N.W. b 8

NOW

NEPETA MUSSINI PLANTS, well rooted and
strong, showing bloom ; perfectly hardy, Is. per doz.
3d. extra postage, packed in box in damp moss and sont
to any address. Address C. H. W., Aylesford, Maidstone,
Kent.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.

Price 6s. Gd. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents: Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS
149 Regent Street, W.

EIGHT Strong STOCKS of ENGLISH BEES
in Cowan and Standard Hives. For further par-
ticulars address Rev. R. M. Benson, Mission House, Oxford.

a 2921

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY JARS.

EEDUCED PEICES.
No. 1. No.-4. No. 5.

1-lb., 12/- gross. Mb., 22/- gross. 1-lb., 22/- gross.

2-lb., 20/- gross. 2-lb., 32/- gross.

In one gross cases, free on rail. Cases free.

Goods Best Quality. Catalogue Free, a 2848

FREDK. PEARSON, Stockton Heath, Warrington.

J

^m

%—

British

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkanoeways' Painting Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 272. Vol. XV.]

SEPTEMBER 8, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

fflbxtaxml, Joints, fa.

FOUL BROOD.

In our correspondence columns we publish two
letters of considerable interest on this vexata qucestio.
Mr. Ward's experiment, through a course of years,
would seem to prove that the disease depends en-
tirely upon the queen, and is in accordance with
Mr. Simmius' views.

On the other hand, the 'Man of Kent,' in agree-
ment with the compiler of ' Useful Hints,' when
experimenting on diseased stocks, finds that healthy
queens introduced to such stocks soon become
diseased themselves. It is the old, old story,
Quot homines tot sententke. Whether our views on
any particular subject are formed from practical
experiments, or whether the latter are undertaken
in order to prove the former correct, quite un-
consciously to ourselves, no doubt, there is a decided
bias one way or the other. ' Man of Kent' has
solved the problem to his own satisfaction, almost
with an a fortiori, to the effect that there is no
truth in the 'germ theory.' Now what is the
germ theory of disease 1 If asked briefly to define
it, we should say that it is ' the theory which
supposes the cause of epidemic and contagious
maladies to be due to the agency of specific small
germs, different germs giving rise to different
diseases.'

We certainly hesitate to pronounce the lifelong-
researches of such men as Professors Cohn, Kock,
Pasteur, Tyndall, and many others, as utterly
worthless, and the theory deduced therefrom as un-
worthy of credit. Assuredly the microscope is a
great power amongst us in this nineteenth century;
and when we consider that the blood of patients
suffering from scarlet fever and containing bacteria
being injected into the veins of rabbits, a feverish
disease, which proves fatal, is immediately set up,
we more than hesitate to proclaim our disbelief in
the germ theory. This is one only of numerous
instances, still more convincing, which might be
adduced in proof of this germ theory. The experi-
ments of Drs. Ferrier and Sanderson show that
bacteria do not nominally exist in the fluids and
tissues of the body, but that their presence in the
animal fluids may be traced to external surface

contamination. How can it well be doubted, then,
that if a healthy queen be introduced into a dis-
eased hive, she must, almost of necessity, contract
the disease arising from bacilli ? Dr. Beale tells us
that extreme dryness will not destroy bacteria, and
that they will withstand a temperature far below
freezing-point, and, indeed, that they are not de-
stroyed by a degree of heat which is fatal to every
other living organism. Professor Tyndall has shown
that, in one experiment, heating for a quarter of an
hour at 230° Fahr. was insufficient to destroy them,
while in another five minutes exposure of an atmo-
sphere containing them to the incandescence of the
voltaic current failed to kill them.

Now of bacteria the bacillus is the most tenacious
of life. If, therefore, as microscopists seem to agree,
bacillus is the cause of foul brood, we can no longer
wonder at the difficulty of eradicating it. And
since the germs, or spores, exist in the densely-packed
pollen, in the cells, in the exuviae, in wax, in pro-
polis, and in what not, how shall a diseased hive
be disinfected 1 Dzierzon recommends two years'
exposure to the atmosphere !

Now, so far as our knowledge at present extends,
i.e., according to our present light, stamping out
by reducing to ashes every contaminated hive,
comb, or other article, and destruction of the
diseased bees, would seem to be the only safe
plan of dealing with this dire pest, which is already
decimating our apiaries, aud bids fair, if strenuous
means are not adopted, to stamp out English api-
culture itself at no very distant date. Has Mr.
Cheshire no word of comfort for us 1 Why is he
silent so long ] In our opinion the fell disease will
never be conquered by change of queens, phenol,
salicylic acid, nor by any other known remedy.
Our advice would therefore be ' Stamp it out, as
the Rinderpest of apiculture.'*

We recommend the perusal of an article on this
subject entitled 'The Creatures we Breathe,' by
Dr. Percy Frankland, published in the August
number of the Nineteenth Century.

* Should, however, our advice as above given be not
carried out to the letter, and the hive be spared from the
general destruction, let it be disinfected with a solution of
carbolic acid, mixed in the proportion of three ounces of
acid (Calvert's No. 5) to a quart of water. First mix the
acid with an equal quantity of glycerine, and add the water
hot, continually stirring same.

892

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 8, 1887.

FOREIGN GLEANINGS.

British inventions seem to be well appreciated on
the Continent, according to the Revue Internationale,
which notices in its May number Neighbour's new
section case, of which it gives an ample description
accompanied by an illustration. Webster's fuuii-
gator is also both praised and described in a leading
article entitled ' Chit-chat.'

The Editor also does us the honour of quoting
our recent utterances respecting Grirnshaw's Apifuge,
and appends the result of his own experiments with
it. He says: — ' A certain number of testimonials
have already appeared confirming the good opinion
formed of it, and our own trials of it on our most
vicious colonies permit us to add ours to theirs ; it
is wonderful (merveilleu.c).''

In the July number, M. Bertrand, the editor,
devotes a special article to ' L'Apifuge Grimshaw,'
which we have pleasure in translating : —

' We have continued our experiments with this new
agent, and are more and more astounded with its efficacy.
Having received a visit from several pupils who were
desirous of seeing how we proceed in taking honey, we,
in the first place, attacked a stock of Cyprians which
had entirely filled three storeys. Putting on one side a
little pardonable amour propre in one's profession, the
hive was well chosen for such a demonstration, for this
race is not always easy to handle ; we were, however,
soon compelled to discontinue, although protected by a
veil and armed with a smoker (which, by the way, we
only used after having vainly tried to operate without
smoke, as is recommended with Cyprians). The bees
were not slow in stinging us atrociously on the hands
and . . . elsewhere ; we were absolutely covered by bees,
which introduced themselves at every possible point in
our clothing. As they began to get very excited, at-
tacking the assistants and even persons a considerable
distance away in the garden, we closed the hive in order
to resume the demonstration on other colonies less evilly
disposed. The next morning we determined to be quits
with our Cyprians by other means, and had recourse to
Apifuge, with which we perfumed our hands and veil.
Not the least excitement was produced, and we were able
to take away 160 lbs. of surplus honey which the hive
contained, without interrupting their working and with-
out experiencing a single sting. One poor bee, squeezed
against a frame, stung a finger, but we felt no pain from
it. Apifuge is thus, in addition, an excellent remedy for
stings, as we have since then been able to test and verify
by renewing our experiments with this object in view ; a
drop of the liquid applied to the part which has been
stung immediately soothes the pain. Several people have
complained in the British Bee Journal of having had
marks on their hands after having used' apifuge; we
have observed nothing of the kind, although we, with
several colleagues, have submitted to numerous experi-
ments. The only fault we have to find with Mr.
Grimshaw'8 magnificent discovery is that the liquid is
too dear, and from all we hear there is little hope that
the price can be much reduced, the substances which
enter into its composition being so costly. Here is what
one bee-keeper says : — " I have tried Grimshaw's apifuge
with the best success. I made two transfers from old
hives into bar-frames without receiving a single sting ; it
is really marvellous, as you say, and I recommend all
bee-keepers to use it without the least fear. To me, who
am a novice, it is very encouraging, for I make my
debut, as an old soldier, who does not fear the enemy
because he has never been wounded. — J. Obiols Amiqo,
Barcthna, July I'Mlt, 1887." '

In L'Apiculteur (editor, M. Hamet) Apifuge is con-
sidered of such importance that copious translations

from our columns are given for the guidance and
instruction of French bee-keepers.

In ' Gleanings ' Mr. A. I. Root speaks in some-
what qualified terms respecting Apifuge. After
trying in vain to get stung by manipulating a
hive of Cyprians, he came to the conclusion that
had the bees been inclined to sting they would
have done so — ' apifuge or no apifuge.' The fact,
however, remains the same, that he experimented
on a vicious colony without being stung.

We notice also a contribution to the columus of
the Revue Internationale from our valued corre-
spondent Mr. W. B. Webster, besides another from
M. Woiblet, recommending honey-water as a cure
for warts. Altogether, it is pleasing to find bee-
keeping assume such a good - humoured inter-
national aspect in which British discoveries play
so important a part, and receive such courteous
consideration.

With regard to Mr. Grimshaw's Apifuge, which
has been so highly spoken of by advanced foreign
bee-keepers, we own that it has caused us much
surprise, — we may say disappointment, — that this
agent does not appear to have received any recog-
nition of its virtues at the hands of the judges of
the shows held during the past season. We know
not whether this is to be accounted for by the
manner in which it has been staged, or whether
there has been a difficulty arising from the inability
of the judges in testing its efficacy. There can be
no doubt that the arrival by Mr. Grimshaw of the
value of Apifuge must have involved much thought
and been the result of many experiments. And we
feel sure that it would have been encouraging to
him to have had his endeavours to assist bee-
keepers in some degree acknowledged. During
the past season the opportunities of ascertaining
its capabilities have been very numerous, and a
host of bee-keepers, both at home and abroad, are
ready to testify to the comfort and confidence they
have derived from its use in the manipulation of
their bees, and to the alleviation of the stings they
may have received. We are loth to believe that
this is a case where the prophet is without honour
in his own country ; for we are well aware that the
number of those who have benefited from the dis-
covery of Mr. Grimshaw is very large, and would
be pleased to express their gratitude to him for the
same ; and we are sure that if bees had voices they
too would join in the loud acclamation.

MANIPULATING.

The present is the worst of all seasons of the year for
manipulating. To the inexperienced and timid bee-
keeper manipulation is never attended with unalloyed
pleasure ; certainly there is always a very large amount
of pleasure to be found in examining a colony of bees,
in turning the comb up so that the light illuminates the
cells to their very bottoms, and reveals the tiny eggs so
securely cemented in their places, or to watch the grubs
from their first stages of life on to the time when they
become ferocious-looking, burly fellows, almost too big
for their habitation ; or if we turn from them to the
adult bees, and notice the effect the smoke and the
sudden letting in of light has had upon them, how
interesting to watch them standing with hoads and
thorax thrust into tho cells lapping up the food that

September 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

393

tliey may be prepared for an emergency in case their
home is about to be broken up. Here we see several
rushing about to find a cell containing unsealed stores
■which have not already been taken possession of, while
every now and again we behold one which has been
fortunate enough to get fully gorged, readily giving up
of her abundance to a less fortunate neighbour who has
none, and in the midst of all this commotion we spot
her majesty careering along with undignified haste and
gait, scarcely knowing what to do under the bewildering
circumstances with which she is surrounded.

At other times, especially on balmy, bright days in
early summer, examination does not produce such a
panic. A few will be gorging at the open cells, cer-
tainly, but the greater number will be quietly moving
about, touching their neighbours with their antennae to
assure themselves that all is well. Here and there a
bee will raise its wings with a sharp, peculiar ' whirl,'
as if intending to take wing, but, suddenly altering its
mind, will, perhaps, career around on its legs and remain
with wings unfolded and unhooked looking somewhat
ruffled and untidy, while her majesty may be seen going
about her duties in the ordinary way, examining each
cell, and depositing the tiny egg in each that she finds
prepared to receive it.

To those of the fraternity who are lovers of nature —
and which of us is not P — such sights are pleasant, and
are apt to make one linger even longer than is sometimes
well for the bees themselves. But our meditations are
often liable to be somewhat distracted by the fear of
being at any moment called upon to endure pain. A
recent correspondent in the Journal seems to entertain
the idea that some of the old veterans are inoculated so
as to be exempt from pain. I have yet to find the bee-
keeper who has attained to that happy state. A sting
causes me as intense pain as ever it did, but the pain is
of much shorter duration, and, not being attended with
swelling, as in our earl}' bee-keeping days, one is saved
the pain and soreness consequent on the inflammation
and swelling ; but as to pain, my potentiality of pain is
great, — greater when I become conscious that my pen has
inflicted pain on a brother bee-keeper than it is when a
vicious bee has stung me so as to draw blood, and far
more enduring.

If all the bees would keep to their combs and not take
to their wings it would be a great comfort to those of us
who are timid. Or even if those on the wing would
alight on something else and not the operator it would
be a great boon. The inquisitive way they have of
buzzing around one is a trying ordeal to one's nerves,
but the instant they alight on one's bare flesh the anti-
cipation of what will probably follow is too much for
timid human nature. The skin is drawn up, the muscles
are contracted ; the bee feels the ground thus agitated
under its feet, and whereas probably it would have con-
tented itself with a ' nip ' with its mandibles, it now
inflicts its sting, raises a cry by vibrating its wings while
in the act, a strong odour of formic acid, a commotion
amongst the bees, a dozen or more to the rescue, and a
bad time to follow for the poor unfortunate operator.
The greatest factor in successful manipulation is a cool
head and steady nerves. The next is ' bee-quieters.'
You first must be quiet, and then quiet the bees. I never
used the carbolic cloth ; I confess it freely without an
apology. We have very recently heard what Dr. Bar-
trum has to say about it. I have heard a score good
bee-men confess the same thing. My chief reason for
not using it is example. I am ' godfather ' to several
bee-keepers who, I am certain, would taint their honey
with carbolic if they used it, and use it they would if I
only set them the example. My next is my reputation ;
it would not answer my purpose to sell one section with
a suspicion of a taint of carbolic about it. The carbolic
fumigator is all right under ordinary circumstances, but
' breathing ' it on them fails to subdue them after ex-

tracting time, when robbers are more numerous than
honest bees, wasps are on the alert, and many of the
bees themselves are getting old, gouty, and cross. ' Api-
fuge ' is a very useful article ; the bees are sensitive to
the taste and smell of it; but the last three or four
weeks it has failed to intimidate them. It is still useful,
as it helps to increase the confidence of many, and to
touch a newly-stung spot with it helps to allay the pain
and dispel the strong scent of formic acid.

There is nothing to beat smoke. I keep my smoker
clean, see that the hole in the nozzle is large, and use
brown paper for fuel. I use a coarse, rough kind, well
dry, the fumes of which will make you cough if you
happen to inhale them, and make the bees stop to clean
their compound eyes and antenna? when a cloud of it has
been puffed at them. I have long ceased to puff into
the entrance, except in very special cases, but simply
keep them down from the top until they are fully gorged.
Give them time, and enough of it. The chief difficulty
recently has been to get them gorged, mainly because
there is little or no unsealed honey in the hives at which
the bees can get to sip. Many of my combs, except a
few cells at the bottom edge, are one slab of sealed
stores ; on such the bees refuse to cluster, preferring the
walls and floor-board of the hives ; other combs from
which I have extracted are cleaned up and put tidy, and
all the stores packed away and sealed over. The im-
possibility of getting bees to gorge with combs in such a,
state must be apparent to the merest tiro. Under ordi-
nary circumstances manipulation would be at an end
until early in October, when they would be packed and
put into winter quarters, but during the past three
weeks I have been introducing several queens, and con-
sequently the old ones had to be caught and removed,
and the young ones had to be examined to see that they
were secure and laying. Of course, daytime and good
light were necessary for all this. Robbers and wasps
were a great nuisance ; the guards were too strong for
either to force an entrance in front, but while I have
had one frame in my hands I have seen as many as three
or four wasps enter the hive. But the point of most
interest to you will be how to successfully gorge the
bees. Here' is my plan. Get some thin syrup, make it
slightly warm, put it into a clean oil-feeder used for
oiling machinery. If you upset the feeder it will not
spill. If you have not one (they cost only one shilling),
borrow the wife's teapot. Don't ask for it, but take it,
and ask permission when you bring it back ; it sometimes
saves trouble and disappointment. Now lift the quilt
just a little so as to expose not more than two bars, give
a puff of smoke, and gently pour a little of the syrup
along the edge of one of the combs, replace the quilt,
and turn up the other side of it, and treat that side of
the hive as you did the first. Use the syrup sparingly,
as if you use too much it will run out at the entrance,
and robbing will ensue at a pace to alarm you. While
the bees are lapping up the syrup you have poured into
the hive, give them a slight puff of smoke occasionally
to keep them on the gorge, and to prevent them from
storing it in the cells. Give them a little time, so that
all may get their fill, and then proceed to uncover as
usual, keeping the quilt over as much of the hiye as you
can, so as to keep out as many robbers as possible ; and
if you are not able to manipulate with greater comfort,
it will be a matter of surprise to -Amateur Expert.

STATISTICS WANTED.
Mr. J. Bertram, author of the The Harvest of the Sea,
is desirous, for literary purposes, to have information as
to the honey-harvest of the past season. Will the
secretaries of County Bee-keepers' Associations, and
others, render him what assistance may be in their
power by forwarding to us statistics of the honey-yield
in their respective counties?

394

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 8, 1887.

ASSOCIATIONS.

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

The annual exhibition of bees, hives, and honey, in
connexion with the Royal Manchester, Liverpool, and
North Lancashire Society, was held at Manchester on
August 31st and three following days.

The weather was anything but what could have been
desired for the occasion. From the first day of the
show to the last there were heavy storms of wind and
rain, and the manipulations with the bees had to bo
abandoned entirely on Friday, the continuous wind and
rain rendering it quite impossible. The soil, being of
clay, was worked up into a state of mud similar to that
which most bee-keepers will recollect at Kilburn in
1879. Notwithstanding the weather, the tents contain-
ing the exhibits of hives and honey received a greater
patronage than any other part of the show, although
the visitors had to go through the sticky mud halfway
up their boots ; such was the interest taken in modern
bee-keeping by the people of Lancashire and Cheshire.
The honey exhibited was, taken as a whole, the best we
have seen at any exhibition this year. It was bright
and uniform in colour, of good consistency, and fully
keeps up the credit of Lancashire and Cheshire obtained
in the Counties' Competition held at the Colonial Exhibi-
tion last year, as one of the best honey-producing dis-
tricts of England.

In the class ' for the best exhibition of honey from
one apiary, in quantity not less than one hundredweight,'
the second prize was given to Mr. W. Broughton Carr
for an exhibit of 370 pounds of honey, placed on the
same trophy as was used by the Lancashire and Cheshire
Association at South Kensington. The honey was equal,
if not superior, to that then staged. It now consisted of
265 one-pound glass bottles, 12 two-pound ditto, and 162
half-pound ditto. There were also 45 one-pound sec-
tions, which were not unpacked until after the judging.
The lirst prize was awarded to Mr. Wood, of Lichfield,
for 113 pound bottles, 55 half-pound ditto, 45 pound sec-
tions, and 6 two-pound sections, weighing 197 pounds alto-
gether. We did not taste this honey, but in appearance
it was cloudy and darker than that to which the second
prize was awarded; and it is difficult to understand how
the judges arrived at their decision, when, in addition to
the weight, the appearance of that awarded second place
was so superior. Considerable surprise, and we fear
some dissatisfaction, was expressed at the award in this
class. We have been told that the judges considered
that there ought to have been some sections staged, and
it was a pity, as Mr. W. Broughton Carr had forty-five
pound sections there. This was not done, although the
class simply says, ' For the best exhibition of honey! not
honey in the comb.

In the class ' For the best comb honejr,' the sections of
Mr. Wood, to which the first prize was awarded, were
very guod indeed, and well deserved their position.

For the best extracted honey there were twenty-one
entries, all good in appearance and of good consistence,
principally clover honey, with the exception of that of
Mr. Woodley, which was awarded first prize, and that
of Mr. J. M. Hooker, awarded fourth, both of which,
we understand, were sainfoin honey, having quite a
distinct flavour to clover.

There was no competition in the best and largest
collection of hives. Messrs. Abbott had a large quantity
of goods and were awarded a prize, which their large
exhibit deserved.

In the class for the best and most complete hives we
caw several old friends, but there was nothing new.
There was nothing special in class for observatory hives.

In tin! class for new inventions Mr. James Leo
exhibited his patent dovetailed system of hive, frame,
and section construction. Ho also had two pairs of

section crates containing his sections, one of which was
invertible, being held together in a most secure, perfect
manner, and not left to the uncertain support of a screw,
as is the case of most crates of this kind. The other
consists of hanging frames which will hold three 4^ x 4j
sections or two sections 4rx6i, or these frames can be
filled with full sheets of foundation when working for
extracted honey. This exhibit attracted more attention
than anything in the show, the crates of sections all
being claimed as soon as staged, and disappointment was
expressed by many that they could not purchase them.
The silver medal of the Lancashire and Cheshire Associa-
tion was awarded to Mr. James Lee.
The following is a list of the awards : —
For the best and largest and most complete collection of
hives and appliances : 1, Abbott Brothers, Southall. For
the best and most complete frame-hive for general use in
an apiary: 1, Abbott Brothers; 2, W. P. Meadows, Syston,
Leicester. For the best and most complete storifying frame-
hive : 1, Abbott Brothers ; 2, A. F. Hutchings, St. Mary
Cray, Kent. For the best observatory hive, to be exhibited
stocked with bees (English or foreign) and their queen, all
combs to be visible on both sides : 1, E. G. Parker, Bloom-
field Lane, Altrincham ; 2, John Nicholson, Vicarage Lane,
Bowdon. For the best exhibition of honey from one apiary,
in quantity not less than 1 cwt. : 1, H. Wood, Paradise,
Lichfield ; 2, W. Broughton Carr, Higher Bebington ; 3,
W. E. Little, Eastgate Bow, Chester; H.C., William
Wright, Partington, Cheshire. For the best comb honey in
sections (from 12 to 20 lbs. in weight) : 1, H. Wood ; 2,
William Woodley, World's End, Newbury, Berks ; 3, H. T.
Gibbs, Bebington, Cheshire. For the best extracted honey
in glass jars (from 12 to 20 lbs. in weight) : 1, William
Woodley ; 2, F. W. Durnsford, Frodsbam, Cheshire ; 3,
Robert Dean, Mollington Hall, Chester; 4, John M.
Hooker, 76 Tyrwhitt Boad, St. John's, London, S.E. ;
5, W. E. Little ; 6, H. T. Gibbs. Novelties and useful
inventions connected with bee-appliances : Silver medal,
James Lee, 43 Glycena Boad, Lavender Hill, London, S.W.

The exhibition was under the able and energetic
management of Win, Lees McClure, Esq., the Hon. Sec,
assisted by our old friend and experienced bee-keeper,
Win. Broughton Carr, who presided in the bee-tent,
lecturing from time to time and manipulating in a quiet
and finished style, to the wonder and amazement of
many.

The Judges were Dr. Walker, Mr. W. Carr, of
Newton Heath, and Mr. Fred. Carr.

STAFFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIA-
TION.

SHUGBOBOUGH.

The Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Associations offered
their silver and bronze medals for competition in con-
nexion with special prizes for honey given by the Trent
Valley Horticultural Society at the Annual Show of
that Society, held at Shugborough on Monday, August
1st (Bank Holiday). The bee-tent of the Staffordshire
B. K. A. was in attendance, where the modern system of
driving and managing bees was illustrated at intervals
during the dav by Mr. A. W. Rollins, of Stourbridge,
the Association's expert. The awards in the honey class
were as follows : — Twenty-four sections of honey-comb :

1 and silver medal, Mr. II. Wood, Paradise, Lichfield;

2 and bronze medal, Mr. E. Clowes, Milton, Stoko-on-
Trent.

STONE.
Tho Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Associations offered
their silver and bronze medals for competition in con-
nexion with special prizes given by (he Stone Horti-
cultural Society at the Annual Show of that Society,
held at Darlast on Park, Stone, on Thursday, August 11th.
Tho Rev. O. R. Bailey, of Madeley, Newcastle, officiated
as judge, and tho awards were as follows: — Twenty-four
sections of honoy-comb: 1 and silver medal, II. Wood,

September 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

395

Paradise, Lichfield ; 2 and bronze medal, J. B. Critch-
low, Maer, Newcastle. Stock bees exhibited in a straw
skep: 1, J. R. Critchlow, Maer, Newcastle; 2, E.Clowes,
Blackbrook, Newcastle. After the show had been thrown
open to the public, the committee and judges adjourned
to a separate tent, where luncheon was provided, and
the Rev. G. R. Bailey being called upon to respond on
behalf of the Staffordshire bee-keepers, he observed that
the season opened well for bee-keepers, but unfortunately
the long drought had marred the exhibition. Neverthe-
less, there had been some excellent honey shown, and he
had experienced much difficulty in deciding between the
produce of the first and second prize-takers and the
'highly commended.' The gentleman who had gained
the first prize that day won the third prize at the Royal
show a few weeks ago.

WILTS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Wilts County Show was held on the lawn at
Crane Lodge, Salisbury-; in connexion with a bazaar in
aid of the Diocesan ' Church House,' on August 16 and
17. Showers and a heavy thunderstorm prevented much
work being done in the bee-tent, and the attendance was
very small.

The funds of the Association being very low there was
little to tempt manufacturers in the way of prizes, but
there' was a good display of remarkably fine honey
staged on the stand which gained fifth prize last year at
South Kensington. The silver medal of the Bee-keepers'
Association (it will be seen by the prize list) fell this
year to a cottager, and the judge had a difficult task in
assigning the awards, the quality of the honey being so
uniformly good, though the finish of the sections in many
cases was below the mark.

The following is the prize list : —

Class I. For best bar-frame hive, complete, price not to
exceed 1/. Is. : A. D. Woodley, Beading, first-class certifi-
cate.— II. Best bar-frame hive, complete, price 15s. : A. D.
Woodley, first-class certificate. — III. Best collection of bee
furniture : Bev. W. E. Burkitt, first-class certificate. — IV.
For new and useful inventions or articles made from honey :
1, W. Killick, Sandhurst, for wax extractor ; 2, A. D. Wood-
ley, for tin section boxes ; 3, W. B. Webster, Binfield, for
carbolic fumigator. (N.B. — In Classes I., IT., Ill, IV.,
only certificates of merit were offered.) — Honey (open to
members of W.B.K. A. only): V. For best 12 lbs. in sec-
tions and 12 lbs. extracted honey : 1, J. Giles, Cowesfield
(a cottager), silver medal of B.B.E.A. ; 2, E. C. Snelgrove,
Sutton Parva, certificate of W.B. E. A. ; Bev. W. E. Burkitt,
highly commended. — VI. For best twelve lib. sections : 1,
Bev. W. E. Burkitt, bronze medal, B. B. E. A. ; 2, E. C. Snel-
grove, first-class certificate of W. B. E. A. ; 3, W. E. Brown,
Stratford-sub-Castle, second-class certificate of W. B.E.A.
—VII. Best 12 lbs. extracted honey, 1, Bev. W. E. Burkitt,
certificate of B.B.E.A. ; 2, E. C. Snelgrove, first-class cer-
tificate of W.B.E. A. ; highly commended, Mr. A. Godding,
Brimslade, second class certificate of W.B.K. A. — VIII.
Best non-sectional super: 1, Mr. W. Hawkes, Newbury;
2 and 3, not awarded. — IX. Best beeswax, not less than
5 lbs. : 1, Mr. A. Godding ; 2, E. C. Snelgrove ; 3, Thomas
Giles. — (Open to cottagers only) : X. For best made straw
skeps, 1, H. Huish, Watney, Devizes (price Is. 9rf.) ; 2 and
3, not awarded. Honey. — XI. Best 12 lbs. in sections : 1,
G. Newport, Oxenwood, a bar-frame hive stocked with bees,
given by Bev. H. Trotter ; 2, Thomas Giles, certificate of
W.B.K.A. ; 3, G. Newman, certificate of W.B.K.A.—
XH. For the best non-sectional super of honey not less
than 10 lbs. gross : No entry .—XIII. Best 12 lbs. extracted
honey : 1, G. Newport, Killick's wax extractor ; 2, Thomas
Giles, certificate of W.B.K.A. ; 3, G. Newman, certificate
of W.B.E. A. — XIV. Best beeswax, not less than 5 lbs. :
N.B. — Merged in Class FX., there not being enough entries
in either alone. — XV. Best old stock of bees in skep : 1, G.
Newman, a bar-frame hive worth 10s. ; 2, Thomas Giles, 5s.

Rev. Dr. Bartrurn was appointed judge by the
B. B, K. A, He reported that he had never seen better

cottagers' exhibits in the honey classes ; adding, they
would have done credit to any bee-master.

On August 10 the bee-tent, in charge of the Rev.W.E.
Burkitt, formed a new feature at a Cottage-garden Show
held at Purton, near Swindon. Here the weather was
perfect and the attendance very satisfactory, and several
new members will be secured. — W. E. Buekitt, Hon. Sec.

FORFAR BEE-KEEPERS' SOCIETY.
Annual Exhibition.

The seventh annual exhibition of the Forfar Bee-
keepers' Society took place in the Town Hall on Satur-
day, August 17th, and was by far the most successful,
from every point of view, ever held by the Society, a
new feature being a competition in industrial work open
to Burgh School children.

The hall was visited \>y large numbers during the
afternoon, and in the evening it was crowded. The
exhibition was worthy of all the patronage bestowed
upon it, and the Society are to be congratulated on its
success. For the first time at the Society's show there
was a good display of heather honey, both run and in
comb. The sections were extremely good, fine in colour
and well forward as to finish, and the early season alone
has enabled the Society to have this class of honey at
their show. The specimens of wax were all of very fine
quality and colour. There were two nests of humble
bees and two observatory hives to add to the attractions,
and much curiosity was manifested by many of the
visitors in endeavouring to single out the queen-bee in
the observatories from amongst her numerous subjects.
The following is the prize list : —

Bees, Honey, &c. — Display of honey, the produce of one
apiary, weight not under 40 lbs. : — 1, A. Patullo ; 2, W.
Neave; 3, D. W. Soutar and J. Saddler, equal. Best set of
sections, heather, under 16 lbs. (sections not over 2 lbs.
each :— 1, D. W. Soutar; 2, W. Black; 3, A. Patullo. Best
eight 2-lb. sections :— 1, D. W. Soutar ; 2, A. Patullo ; 3, W.
Black. Best ten lj-lb. sections : — 1, D. W. Soutar ; 2, A.
Patullo; 3, D. Pearson. Best' twelve 1-lb. sections,
clover:— 1, A. Patullo; 2, Dr. Kydd; 3, A. L. Fenton.
Best single super, in wood or glass, or both : — 1, A. Patullo;

2, A. Stewart; 3, Dr. Kydd. Best straw super, clover : — 1,
Jas. Whitton ; 2, W. Neave ; 3, A. Bennie, sen. Best
straw super, heather: — 1, A. Patullo. Best 6 lbs. run-
honey in show glass, clover: — 1, J. Saddler; 2, A. Stewart;

3, K. Skeene ; 4, D. Pearson. Best 6 lbs. run-honey in
show glass, heather :— 1, A. Patullo ; 2, W. Neave ; 3, D. W.
Soutar. Best 6 lbs. run-honey in show glass : — 1, A
Sturrock ; 2, T. Michie ; 3, W. Black. Best display of run-
honey in 1-lb., and, or, 2-lb. jars, weight not under 10 lbs.
nor over 15 lbs. ; — 1, A. L. Fenton; 2, A. Bennie, jun. ; 3,
A. Stewart. Best 2 lbs. wax :— 1, A. Patullo ; 2, A. L.
Fenton ; 3, J. Saddler. Best observatory hive : — 1, J.
Saddler ; 2, D. W. Soutar. Bar-fi-ame hive :— 1, D. S.
Cuthbert ; 2, J. Herald, jun. Humble bees : — 1, J. Dor-
ward; 2, J. Herald.

Much praise is due to the Secretary, Mr. James
Saddler, High Street, Forfar, for his management of
the show, and for his energy in the conduct of the
affairs of the Society.

FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION
AT AMBLESIDE.

The honey show in connexion with the Hawkshead
and district Bee-keepers' Association was held in the
ante-rooms of the Pavilion on Wednesday, and much
interest was manifested in the product of the busy bees
by the numerous visitors who paid a visit thereto. The
entries this year were a more numerous and better classi
The number of entries in the schedule were fifty-one,
against about forty last year, though all the entries were

39G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 8, 1887.

not forthcoming. Mr. Jas. Wrigley, junior, of ILlbeck,
was the judsre. The awards were as follows: —

Honey. — A : Super of honey, the super to be of wood,
glass, straw, or wood in combination with glass or straw —
1, I. Postlethwaite, 15s. ; 2, J. Robinson, 12s. 6rf. ; 3, W.
Carter, 7s. 6d. B : Bar or bar-framed super, to contain not
less than five combs — 1, W. D. Heelis, 15s. ; 2, Jas. Postle-
thwaite, 12s. 6d. ; 3, J. Bogerson, 7s. Gd. ; highly com-
mended, B. Townson. C : Twelve 1 lb. sections — 1, J. N.
Fell, 15s. ; 2, T. Bell, 10s. ; 3, Mrs. T. Walker (Cunsey), 5s.
D : Three 1 lb. sections— 1, J. N. Fell, 10s. ; 2, Miss Fell, 5s. ;
3, J. N. Fell, 2s. 64. ; highly commended, Alt. Horrax and
Jas. Postlethwaite. E : Sis 1J lb. sections — 1, Jas. Postle-
thwaite, 15s. ; 2, Isaac Postlethwaite, 10s. F : Straw-hive
of honey, not being a super — 2, John Burrow, 5s.

CRAVEN AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Bee-keeping in the Craven district of the West Riding
of Yorkshire has made rapid strides during the present
year, and the increased interest in the subject was
further extended by an exhibition of honey, bees, and
appliances, which took place at the Craven Agricultural
Society's show, held at Shipton on Friday last, August
26th. Early in the present year it was felt desirable by
several local bee-keepers that a local branch of the York-
shire County Bee-keepers' Association should be formed
in the district. Mr. James Dodgson, who was a member
of the Association, took the matter in hand, and induced
the County Association to countenance a branch for
Craven, as the district was too remote to be worked from
headquarters. He then called a meeting, which was held
at Shipton in March, and it was unanimously decided to
form such an Association for the Craven district. The
Rev. A. P. Howes, of The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, was
appointed President, and Mr. James Dodgson Honorary
Secretary. Since then, under the able management of
Mr. Dodgson, the branch has made rapid strides, and
has done much good work, the number of members now
exceeding twenty.

It was by reason of the representations of the branch
that the Craven Agricultural Society were induced to
offer prizes for honey and bee appliances this year, and
being an entirely new thing in the district, the exhibi-
tion attracted more than usual attention from the public.
Prizes were offered for run or extracted honey, for honey-
comb, and for the best collection of bee appliances, and
the competition in each of the three classes was much
more keen than was anticipated. The judges were the
Rev. A. P. Howes, The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, and the
Rev. J. Kemble, The Vicarage, Coniston Cold.

There were fifteen entries in the three classes, including
a very well-arranged collection of hives and appliances
shown by Mr. W. Dixon, of Leeds. Mr. Dixon de-
servedly took fir3t prize in this class, and also in the
class for extracted honey. He also took first in the class
for sections, although our correspondent thought that
those shown by Mr. John Grundage, of Cononly, were
better filled.

The exhibits were very tastefully arranged on the
field, and were visited by crowds of people throughout
the day. The success of the venture must have been
very gratifying to Mr. Dodgson and the others who had
laboured so assiduously.

A variety of manipulations, such as bee-driving, &c,
took place in a tent during the show, Mr. T. II. Varley,
of Addingham, undertaking the driving, &c, and Mr.

Doilg hi I uthers ga\ e explanatory lectures al

intervals.

Altogether the exhibition was a great success, and
will doubtless lead to a considerable extension next year.
The following was the prize list : —

Beat comb honey in sections — 1, W. Dixon, Leeds;
2, T. II. Varley, Addingham. Best twelvo glass jars of
extracted honoy — 1, W. Dixon, Leeds; 2, S. Metcalfo,
Curleton. Best collection of hives and appliances —
1, W. Dixon, Leeds; 2, A. 0. Jemeison, York.

CoiTcspcwotnxe.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith, illustrations should
to drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports 0/
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Uoofcs for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business comm.u?ueations relating to Advertisements,
ttc, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, filings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, xohen speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

RE FOUL BROOD.

[1227.] I am very glad to find that Mr. S. Simmins has
acted on my advice (given twelve months ago), and after
practical experience he is able to confirm my statement,
viz., that in order to render the ' Cheshire ' cure certain in
its effects it is necessary to remove the diseased queen
and substitute a healthy one. This, he now states, will
' never fail' to effect a cure, and will prove effectual in
' every case.'1 Such confirmation coming from one so well
qualified to give it is highly gratifying to me, and I
sincerely hope it will not be passed over by those who
are afflicted with the foul-brood disease.

The advice, which I have given on several occasions in
the Journal, is founded on a long and painful experience,
dating as far back as 1S69, and is the result of number-
less experimental efforts. 1 laboured from 1869 to 187G
to overcome the disease, which was imported into my
apiary by a stock of Ligurians supplied to me by the late
Mr. Woodbury, of Exeter, but at the end of that time it
overcame me, for I had to destroy the remnants of
thirty-two stocks, which had been from time to time re-
cruited with healthy swarms from six different counties.
I tried every system advocated at that time, but never
once succeeded in destroying it, and at, last I destroyed
every particle of bee-furniture, combs, and bees, and
gave up bee-keeping for two years.

I started again in 1878 with two healthy stocks, from
which in 1835 I possessed twenty-two, when the disease
again made its appearance, and when discovered it had
already attacked five hives. Well, at this time, and as a
result of my own observations, I had an idea that the
whole difficulty rested with the queen — although the
advice given in the Journal was on no account to remove
the queen, but stimulate her to renewed exertions by
feeding — so I began operations by removing four of the
queens from the affected hives and substituting healthy
ones ; at the same time I placed a bottle of medicated
syrup (of the Cheshire quality) on every hive in the
apiary. I also sprayed the combs in all the five diseased
stocks from time to time, and the four with healthy
queens soon recovered and became free from any trace of
the disease, but the fifth grew worse under the same
treatment ; so to prove my theory I removed this queem
also, and placed her in a strong, healthy stock, which
speedily became a mass of corruption, while that from
which she had been taken yielded to the ' cure.' I again
repeated this operation with a like result. At last I
destroyed her too, and speedily all my stockj became
healthy and strong under the Cheshire treatment. I
noticed that from the time I began feeding with pheno-
lated syrup the disease never spread beyond the five
stocks originally attacked, although the whole twenty-
two are confined to a space of forty feet square. But I
went beyond this, for 1 placed some medicated syrup in
a number of combs takon out of the diseased hives, and
allowed the whole apiary to help themselves freely, to
the extent of GO lbs. weight of sugar syrup, and I havo
not been able to discover a single trace of the diseaso
since.

I also placod ten badly diseased combs in an empty

September 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

397

Live after spraying them with phenol syrup, and placed
a natural swarm in this hive, fed it liberally with the
same syrup, to the extent of 25 lbs., and they are now
perfectly healthy, thus proving- to my own satisfaction
that the only reliable plan of curing the disease was a
timely removal of the queen and the substitution of a
healthy queen, which, as Mr. Simmins points out, is
really the exact process described by Mr. Cheshire in the
account which that gentleman gave of his discovery to
the British Bee-keepers' Association, in 1884.

It is true he also described how after inoculating
several healthy stocks and adding to others diseased
combs of a disgusting nature, and after the disease had
got ahead, he quickly destroyed it and made the stocks
perfectly sound again ; but in none of these cases is it
shown that the queen was diseased — and herein lies the
pith of the subject.

In August, 1834, Mr. Cheshire wrote : —

' Bacillus alvei is now understood and its method of
treatment made so easy that he who suffers from it badly
will in the near future rather deserve censure than pity.

' Some, sad over losses and rampant disease, with Job's
comforters calling to them to burn their hives and burn
their combs, and kill their queens, and start anew, will, I
trust, soon be thankful and cheerful in learning that my
method will save everything with the sole exception arising
from the infection of the queen. In any case in which this
may be suspected, and the queen replaced by a second, the
removed one would be a treasure to me for dissection
purposes.'

So that Mr. C. never expected that phenol would cure
the disease if the queen was in fault.

And again he wrote, November loth, 18S4, when two
failures of his cure were reported : —

' With regard to Mr. Johnston, I can only say that he
may, or may not, have acted as I describe, for I am totally
ignorant of what Mr. Blow provides and what advice he
gives ; but " Questioner " may have a diseased queen.'

And although Mr. Hart (page i>79 of the Journal)'
under date November 1st, 1884, gave an account of three
perfect cures simply by removing the queen and sub-
stituting a healthy one, Mr. Cheshire never seems to
have realised the importance and necessity for this, and
Dever seems to have made it a sine qua non of his cure —
although he seems to have known it — and consequently,
here we are, after four years with a perfect remedy in
our hands, still struggling with the disease, while it is
ever destroying and spreading from one part of the
country to another, simply and solely because we will not
use the remedy properly. Why, there has never been a
case reported of failure with the Cheshire cure after
removing the queen and substituting a healthy one !
And yet bee-keepers are still asking in utter despair,
What shall we do to be free from disease ?

We cannot tell (when a stock is diseased) at what
stage the queen is attacked, or indeed whether she is
attacked at all ; a stock may be for a considerable time
diseased, and yet the queen may be free, in which case
the phenol will surely cure it, and this will account for
some cures being reported by the phenolated syrup alone ;
but by far the greater number of reported cases are
failures, hence we are driven to the conclusion that there
are two distinct conditions of a diseasad stock — first,
that in which the disease has attacked the brood alone,
and probably some of the bees too ; and second, that in
which the bacilli have entered into the organs of the
queen. Therefore it is obvious that the first step to a
certain and sure cure is to remove the queen and imme-
diately spray the combs, so that in introducing the
healthy successor there shall be no risk of her contamina-
tion— because the vapour of phenol alone will destroy
the disease, and every bee in the hive is dosed by lick-
ing the syrup from the combs, so that (in the words of
Mr. Simmins) here is health and life to start with. Of
course it is a mistake to suppose that the disease yields

to the treatment as quickly as would appear from these
notes ; and a little patience is necessaiw to go over the
combs carefully at intervals of about two weeks, spray-
ing wherever a few cells appear to be tainted. But if
this is done, the disease can with ease and certainty be
effectually stamped out.

I believe that when the queen is attacked no amount
of phenol will cure her without killing her. I have
repeatedly shaken all the bees from a diseased stock into
an empty box and kept them without food for forty-
eight hours and longer, then shaken them out again into
another new and empty box and fed liberally with
phenol, and also with salicylic syrup, and the first batch
of brood from the pure white comb has always been
badly diseased, and after repeating this operation with
the same bees the result has been the same ; and other
bee-keepers have done likewise. I am aware that many
cases have been reported where the disease has been
destroyed, or died out, under the Cheshire treatment
without destroying or removing the queen ; but apart
from the chance of the queen being healthy, in none of
these has it been proved that the old queen survived ;
and as the phenol will undoubtedly destroy the disease
in the brood (for many healthy young bees are hatched
from a diseased queen while under treatment) it is
probable that a 3'Oimg queen has replaced the old one in
some of those cases. I know that this is raising a most
difficult problem, but I suspect it will ultimately be
found that the grafting of the drone on the queen has
something to do with the case, and like friend Simmins
I also anxiously await more light from our esteemed
friend Cheshire. — Thos. F. Wabd, Church House,
Highgate, Middlesex, August 27th.

P. S. — Next spring I intend to try queen-rearing from
a diseased mother. I think it will throw light on the
subject.

[Mr. Ward is very desirous that we should give
insertion to his formula. We have much pleasure
in acceding to his request, and we would bespeak the
best attention of bee-keepers thereto. We print in full
Mr. Cheshire's directions for using his solution. — JbiD.]

Cube fob Foul Bhood.
Destroy the queen, and substitute a healthy one, then
use the Cheshire remedy : —

' Completely empty the bottle of remedy into. a measured
pint of water. Stir or shake until all oily deposit has dis-
appeared, using nothing that is not perfectly clean. Einse
the bottle and keep it as a measure. Empty the fluid made
into another battle of sufficient size, carefully cork it, and
label it " Foul-brood Solution."

' Beduce your infected stock to the number of frames it
can use, putting those removed on the other side of the
dummy, and feed the bees daily with a syrup prepared in
the usual way with about 3 lbs. of sugar to a quart of water,
and medicated thus : — After the syrup is cooled, to each pint
of it, as required, add one small bottlef ul (the measure) of
foul-brood solution, and shake up. Give this syrup by
pouring it into the empty cells of the brood-nest, and en-
courage breeding as much as possible by warm covering
and attention. By no means remove the queen from the
stock, except upon the ground that she is herself badly
infected, when she should, if possible, be immediately re-
placed by a healthy mother.

' In early spring and late autumn, when little or no honey
is coming in, this amount of foul-brood solution will be
sufficient for a pint and a half of syrup, and bees may take
this from the food bottle in the ordinary way ; but if they
refuse to do so, it must be poured into their combs. In
wintering up, give medicated cake, made in the ordinary
manner ; but into every 3 lbs. of which has been carefully
stirred during its thickening whilst cooling, one measure
(the small bottleful) of " Foul-brood Solution."

' The combs remaining at the back of the dummy during
treatment of a severe case will probably smell badly ; if so,
spray them with water to each J pint of which one small
bottle of foul-brood solution has been added ; but on no

308

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 8, 1887.

account spray the combs the bees are using ; add these
combs to the stock one by one as the bees increase in
numbers, and while they are being added, continue the
treatment. Take as far as practicable honey from the bees,
and this honey thinned and medicated maybe used instead
of syrup. It may hasten the cure to uncap the bad cells,
but it is not necessary. The worst cases, if there be only
bees sufficient to raise brood, will soon yield to this
treatment. — F. E. Cheshike.'

FOUL BROOD AGAIN.

[1228.] Friend ' Ward ' wants to know how I have
fared this year with the dire pest. I am happy to say
that I have not got so much of it as I had last year at
this time, but still too much. I cannot agree to the
advice he has given to ' West Kent' as a means of curing
foul brood, because I have tried it and found it useless;
as soon as you put another queen into the hive it will
soon be as bad as ever, even supposing you do use a tonic
in your food and give them plenty of disinfectant out-
side. My advice to him would he to get another hive,
put half sheets of comb-foundation in the bars, remove
the old hive, and place this one at the same spot. Then
examine the old hive and find the bar containing the
queen, shake the bees down in front of the new hive and
let them run in (having previously put a hoard sloping
up to the entrance), when you have safely seen the
queen go in, serve the other bars the same, and then if
honey is not coming in freely feed them slowly with
syrup containing salicylic acid. I have not tried phenol
since last year, hut I believe in salicylic as a preven-
tative, but not as a cure unless you destroy your combs.
I don't believe in the germ theory and that the queen
la}'S diseased eggs, and I will tell you the reason why
presently.

Now for my experience of foul brood this year. I ex-
amined the whole of my hives on the 10th of March and
found they did not want feeding, and no appearance of
foul brood visible then. Did not open the hives again
until the 12th of April. I then commenced to feed a
few of my hives — what I shall call No. 1 being one of
them. This hive had about -5 lbs. of medicated syrup
during the month of April. On the 8th of May the bees
in this hive began to throw out dead drone grubs ; and as
I had given them another bottle of food on the 6th I was
lather puzzled to know the cause of it, as this was one
of my best hives last year and I knew it to contain a
young queen. I opened the hive on the 9th, and judge
of iny surprise to find foul brood was the cause. Having
a clean hive by me I decided to turn the bees into it, and
destroy the old combs and disinfect the hive for future
use. This was done on the 12th, and I have not seen
any foul brood in that hive yet, and I have examined it
very carefully several times since, especially on the 17th
of this present month, August. It had about 5 lbs.
more syrup after the change. I then put a crate of
twenty-one sections upon it on the 16th of June, but
they did but very little to them. I have taken about
10 lbs. of honey from the body of the hive and shall
give it a few lbs. of syrup in exchange — medicated, of
course. Having a queenless hivo I thought I would try
and see how much of the brood these foul-broody bars
would hatch out, and I don't believe that five per cent
hatched out, so you may guess that it was rather bad —
where is the germ theory in this case ?

Now for No. 2. This hive had about 6 lbs. of medi-
cated syrup between the 2nd of May and the 6th of
.lime, but it had then got foul brood so bad that I then
served it the same as No. 1, and I have not seen any
foul brood in the present hive, and 1 have given it a
good over-hauling, the same as No. 1 — in this case I at
once destroyed the remaining brood by fumigating it
with brimstone.

Now for No. 0. This hive I found queenless on the

25th of July, 1886. I gave it a frame of brood taken
from No. 2, from which they raised a queen and she was
laying freely in September, as I was feeding it to induce
her to lay, and it went into winter quarters well pro-
vided with young bees and a good stock of medicated
syrup sealed up.

I did not begin to feed this hive until the 2nd of May,
as it had got plenty of sealed food. As it was not in-
creasing in bees so fast as I wished, I put a feeder upon
it, and it had about 8 lbs. of syrup during the month of
May and a crate of sections on the 10th of June. As
they did not go to work in the sections and got weaker
in bees, and knowing that the frame of brood from which
this queen was raised was taken out of No. 2 hive, I sus-
pected foul brood was the cause, which turned out to be
true. On the 16th of July I served this hive the same as
the other two, putting the bees into a makeshift hive
upon half-sheets of foundation. On the 4th of August
I transferred them into a regular hive, and the brood then
was as clean as ever I wish to see any, and they had had
nothing only what they had collected outside the hive.
I have since been feeding them upon medicated syrup.
I gave it a thorough examination on the 17th of August
and still no signs of foul brood, but the young bees are
getting quite strong.

Now for the only hive that I know to contain foul
brood. This hive was made up of condemned bees on
the 13th of September, 1886, and put on combs that had
been taken out of foul-broody hives, and, as I thought,
had been thoroughly disinfected, both by fumigation by
brimstone and being washed over with carbolic acid. I
thought it looked a pity to destroy them as they were
sheets of foundation barely worked out, they were fed
on syrup containing salicylic acid. And as it contained a
young queen it gained upon some of the other hives at a
rapid rate, and had a crate of sections put upon it on the
16th of June and started working in them at once, and
then decreased in bees as rapidly as they had got strong
just previously. That the bees were not affected with
foul brood when put into the hive, I feel certain, as they
came from a district where it is not known. The only
way that I can account for their getting the disease, is
from the pollen stowed in the combs, as there was but
very little honey in them, any one that has had foul
brood must have noticed the large amount of pollen
stored in them. And it is my firm belief that it is
almost impossible to disinfect it. And I have made up
my mind to destroy all combs that have the slightest
suspicion of being affected. This hive will be served the
same as the others have been at the first opportunity. I
am still of the same opinion as I was last year, that
straw hives do not have foul brood the same as bar-
frames do. I could mention several instances that have
come to my knowledge this season of their missing it,
and bar-frame hives being eaten up by the pest not a
hundred yards apart. I do not write this because I am
a skeppist, as I have not got a single lot of bees in a sleep.
I believe foul brood will knock the bee fever out of any
one but a downright enthusiast.

I think Mr. Simmins has given a very good explana-
tion of the reason of Mr. Cheshire being able to cure his
hive of all dire pest, although I cannot agree with him
as regards the queens. Another thing, he says, Be careful
not to contaminate the extractor, and so say I, as I some-
times think that that was the means of my getting the
disease, the extractor having been used in an infected
district.

And now, Mr. Editor, a few words and I have donu
for this time. Have any of your readers evor tried
camphor ns a cure for foul brood or as a preventa-
tive of robbing, as it is so often recommended in the
Journal, because 1 think if ever any one gave camphor
a fair trial I did last year ; and didn't my bees rob,
— I rathor fancy they did, and I let several lots die
out with plenty of camphor in the hive. I should like

September 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

39

for John Hounson, when he sees this article, to give
his present experience of camphor as a cure of foul
brood, as he once wrote saying that he had cured a hive
with it. — Man op Kent, August 30.

BACILLUS MINOR.

[1229.] Whilst tendering rny thanks for your advice
on this subject in the Journal of 25th ult. I am sorry
to say both the young queens raised from the affected
swarm are now similarly diseased. The brood in each
case showing the ominous dead grubs, of which I am
certain many have been capped over and been since un-
sealed by the bees, as they exist in all stages. Some,
apparently fifteen or sixteen days old, are partly un-
capped, though not discoloured. Others again, more
developed than at eight days old, appearing', as Mr.
Simmins says, ' like a white cinder,' and at the bottom
of the cell as though a bee had packed it down like
pollen.

If this disease and the dead brood of which Mr.
Simmins writes are the same, it clearly is not very con-
tagious, or his apiary would have been decimated long
ago.

In my case all traces of infected comb and brood were
removed before the young queens began to lay, thus
seeming to class the disease as congenital. This brings
up the question as to whether disinfection of hives and
frames is necessary. How should it be done if neither
phenol nor salicylic acid are able to cure the disease ?
I am in doubt how to treat the two affected lots —
whether to brimstone them like the original swarm, or
unite and give a healthy queen. Driven bees are so
cheap now that it seems a pity to risk anything. The
smallest editorial advice will be thankfully received by
— B.

[The result is what we feared. If the case were our
own we should cremate both colonies and all belonging
to them — hives, quilts, &c. At this late season cure is
very doubtful. If you wish to experiment we should say
add a strong lot of driven bees to each colony and feed
copiously on phenolised syrup. One of our own diseased
colonies is now rapidly improving under the Cheshire
treatment. — Ed.]

'BIRDS, REPTILES, AND BEES.'
[1230.] With respect to Mr. Webster's remarks on
' Birds, Reptiles, and Bees ' (1202), p. 370, 1 can fully
corroborate his opinion that swallows and martins are
not destructive to bees. My apiary is situated near the
house, and the buildings adjoining afford splendid oppor-
tunity for chimney swallows and house martins to build
their nests, especially the latter. Before I commenced
bee-keeping, a few years ago, the martins seemed to take
a particular fancy to the whole building, and nests in-
creased year by year, nntil they were almost looked upon
as a nuisance, and many muddy tenements were ruth-
lessly destroyed, yet not without a touch of inward
sorrow. My colonies of course increased in due time,
and doubts and fears filled my mind as to the possible
destruction of some hundreds, I might have imagined
thousands, of my little winged pets. The bees, however,
soon proved themselves masters of the situation, and
instead of being chased and devoured by the feathered
tribe the tables were turned. The martins were attacked,
and followed by sometimes five or six bees at a time
until lost to view. I was unable to prove that the bees
overtook and stung the martins, but the latter, finding
their quarters not quite so peaceful and comfortable as
they anticipated, quietly but gradually deserted the
place. It is now a rare thing to find a martin building
its nest, unless in some remote part of the building
entirely away from the hives. As a matter of fact, no
nest has been completed this year or last. Starlings
have, however, for the first time bred this year, but on

the opposite side of the building to that occupied by the
bees, and neither appeared to have interfered with the
other. About three years since, in the month of October
I believe, my wife and self watched two tits fly from
the trees to a convenient parch just in front of the hives,
then suddenly swoop down on the ground, and in an
instant pick up a dead bee, and as quickly fly away about
fifteen yards to devour the parts most palatable. This
was repeated several times, and indeed they were quite
welcome to carcases, but iu no instance were live bees
enticed from their hives and caught.

Now, a word for the toads. These have oftentimes
been captured for the purpose of ridding the garden of
insects, and snug little retreats placed for them to hide
in, and I have actually put them in 'front of the hives
and watched for any depredations, but failed. Perhaps
they were not hungry, or shy. Others may record quite
different experiences, but on reading the Journal I could
not help being struck with the similarity of Mr.
Webster's observations and my own. — A. G. F., Denham,
Bucks .

REPLY TO DR. C. C. MILLER. [1214.]
[1231.] I am extremely sorry to have placed anything
on record about the Doctor's practice that is not correct.
As to the ' honey-board and queen-excluder,' from what
our Canadian friends had shown us la3t year, and from
what I have read about them in Transatlantic bee
journals, associated with the worthy names of Heddon,
Dr. Tinker, and G. M. Doolittle, I was under the impres-
sion the Heddon honey-board was always fitted with strips
of excluder-zinc in the f" spaces, and so mentioned Dr.
Miller as using it amongst others, knowing it would be of
interest to British bee-keepers to know who uses a queen-
excluder and who does not. Dr. Miller will readily see,
I am sure, how easily I slipped into that error. But this
usage in America is amongst the minute points, of
which there are many, that we hope to be able to in-
quire about when the chief comes home.

As to removing middle sections, I ' own up ' and beg
pardon. I have nothing to say except that I am a big
dunce. The fact was, it was done late, after a hot, tiring
day. I was anxious to get it off by that post to be in
time for that number of the British Bee Journal, and
had to abbreviate it twice to compress it into a space
sufficiently small for me to hope our sub-chief would be
able to find room for it. I wish my confreres would have
read it in e.vtenso. But all this is a lame excuse for
slovenliness.

It may interest the Doctor to know the practice of re-
moving sections I attributed to him is what 1 follow
myself. With regard to the incident, I am like the
fellow who, when told his wife had recently died, said
he ' was glad and sorry both.' I am sorry, as I have
already said, but I will rejoice if the Doctor, having once
broken the ice, may be induced to do so often, for the
sake of good fellowship. He would have thought ' we
be brethren ' had he seen the thousands of the ' Stars
and Stripes' that floated all over our dear old land
during the Jubilee side by side with our own dear old
flag

' That has braved for a thousand years
The battle and the breeze.'

Dr. Mller's last word is pathetic—' Drouth '—he has
my sincerest sympathy. I hope next season he will have
a rattling good crop, get a good price for it, be able to
enjoy a good long holiday with the money, and come and
pay British bee-keepers a visit. How does this suggestion
suit you, Doctor ? — Amateur Expert.

INOCULATION, ETC.
[1232.] ' C. A. M.,' in his letter, No, 1222, says that
the alleged inoculation is a delusion, basing his con-

400

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 8, 1887.

elusion, apparently, on the very untenable ground that
he has been stung on the average twice a-day during the
last three months. For the information of ' C. A. M.'
allow me to tell him that I have, during the last eight
years, had a larger average number of stings than he
mentions, but it is only in the last two years that I have
been completely inoculated, and all I now feel when
stung is a similar sensation to that of a needle just
pricking the skin. ' C. A. M.' cannot surely be in earnest
about the 30,000 stings, for it seems to me no ordinary
person could escape serious consequences from receivin"
that number at one time. Your correspondent also says
that he does not see the use of wired foundation ; but
having used, experimentally, one hundred frames' this
summer, and found them of very great advantage, I
shall in future always use it.

In regard to the best time for manipulation, it is
undoubtedly preferable to do so during the honey season
■while the old bees are away, as it can usually'be done
then without the aid of a veil ; but at this season of the
year it is almost imperative to do it either in the morn-
ing or evening, or robbing is sure to be the result. I
have tried the use of Webster's fumigator this season,
and can speak very favourably of it, but as the autumn
advances I find nothing to equal the spray diffuser. —
J. T. Harvetson, Finehley, September 3rd.

HONEY BY THE HUNDREDWEIGHT. (1206.)
[1233.] R. R. Godfrey's Lincolnshire must be a
wonderful county for honey. I have kept bees for over
twenty years, but have never realised more than half a
hundredweight from one hive, w-hile a dozen others did
little or nothing. I have laid out over 50/. in my apiary
for about eighty stocks. Last year I wintered thirty-two.
One died, leaving brood sealed and about 15 lbs. of
honey; three others lost their queens, all being young
queens ; three others I had to destroy, having what is
described in the B. B. J. as Bacillus minor. This left
me with only twenty-five stocks. I have made up the
original number by swarms, and taken about one hundred
and fifty 1-lb. sections and extracted about one hundred
lbs. beside, which if I sell at present prices of 6d. for
sections and Bd. per lb. extracted, will just bring me
about 51. 17s. Then I must pay carriage and risk all
damage. I have devoted one half of my time to my
bees, and had to purchase sections, frames, foundations,
&C, which involved an outlay of about U. I have then
left about 1/. 17.?. for my time, &c.

Now the question is '"Does bee-farming pay P' From
my experience I think it does not. If we may judge
from the last twelve months' decline in the price of
honey, it will be much lower in another year. ' AVhy
does it not pay, and why are prices so low ? ' Doubtless
one reason is because we have what I call a ' honey ring,'
or the middle man of capital, who, like the corn-factor,
stands between the producer and consumer, taking the
lion's share of the profits without much labour. This
may be clearly seen by reference to the British Honey
Company's Report (annual) which appeared in this
Journal a few weeks since, where they netted a profit
of over 40 per cent. Then add to that the working
expenses of the company, such as rent, gas, stationery,
clerk's salary, &c, it would probably make another
20 or 30 per cent on the outlay, which might to a large
extent go into the pockets of bee-keepers, if Bee-keepers'
Associations were efficiently organised for the benefit of
its members. We have our county B. K. A. and our
parent British B. K. A., but I ask (at the present time)
what practical benefit are any of them to bee-keepers
'enerally, whether members or non-members. I have
een a member for years, but I receive no benefit in any
way. We have splendid machinery if it was properly
worked. All our county associations are affiliated with
the parent society ; how easy would it be, therefore, for

£

the parent society to engage a good business man for two
or three months at this season of the year, at salary and
commission, to work London and some of our 'large
towns, taking orders from grocers and others who come
directly into contact with the consumer, thus cutting off
the middle man— the great evil, or curse, of the English
producer. Members of all Associations would be glad
to pay double their subscriptions if they could only be
thus benefited. Orders could be sent direct to county
secretaries nearest to where the orders are obtained, or
to the parent society, whose secretary, for a certain con-
sideration, would send on the orders to their members,
who, in order to avail themselves of such benefits, should
in good time send in to their secretary the amount of
honey they have for disposal, then such member could
send off his honey direct to the house as required, thus
bringing the consumer and producer into more immediate
contact Of course there are minor details to be worked
out, which can be very easily done when confronted by
such practical benefit. I hope some others will be in-
terested in this scheme, and will endeavour to move the
' powers that be ' in this or a similar direction.— Sher-
borne, Dorset.

BUMPING A SUCCESS.

[1234.] Could you spare me space in your valuable
Journal to relate my first experience in bumping ? A
friend of mine at Sunbury invited me to drive his bees,
and as I was told that he usually smothered them I
accepted the invitation readily. He had thirteen stocks,
six of which were this year's swarms. I arrived at
Sunbury about 2.30 p.m. and found all the skeps on a
single stand about four inches apart, and wasps flying in
and out without much opposition. The wind being
rather high I found a quiet, sheltered corner, made a
table of a couple of old wheelbarrows and laid all my
appliances near at hand. I set to work by smoking a
three-year-old stock and carrying it to my impromptu
table, and as I was desirous of reserving the queen I cam-
meuced by driving — an operation that took me about
twenty-five minutes. I next carried the bees to their
original stand, and for practice bumped the skep with
the combs. Each comb broke off beautifully, close up to
the crown, and brushing off the remaining stragglers I
carried the honey into the house. The next stock I did
not drive at all, but bumped it at once after removing
the pieces of wood that were fixed across the combs.
Again I had the pleasure of seeing every comb break off
closo to the crown. This hive only took me ten minutes.

After this I bumped three more ; one an old stock and
two this year's swarms. Each one took on the average
about twenty minutes, I had most trouble with the
swarms, the combs being so tender, and even breaking
while I brushed the bees off ; but hardly any were
smothered by the running honey, as all the combs when
bumped broke off likewise close to the crown.

When the bees had all clustered (a performance which
I greatly helped by sprinkling the floor- boards with some
weak carbolic acid solution) I united two lots by throw-
ing them both into one skep and from thence into my
boxes (14 x 9 x 8i inches insido measurement), which I
had prepared and brought with me ; then tied them
down with canvas and carried them safely home.

I should like to mention that the only instructions
which I followed were those given in an excellent
article in the Journal of August 18, and I would recom-
mend them to any bee-keeper about to try bumping,
feeling sure that if he would follow the instructions
as closely as I did he would derive the samo satisfaction
and be as thankful as — Dulwicii Novice.

BUMPING A FAILURE.
[1235.] I cannot make 'bumping' answer. Last
year I gave it a trial on a rather warm evening; after
turning a skep up and carrying it a little way from the

September 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

401

stand I gave it a couple of bumps, which completely-
broke the combs away from the skep. Then commenced
my troubles. The combs were heavy with honey and
so soft that they would hardly bear lifting, to say nothing
about being covered with bees.

One piece after another was taken out, and the bees
swept into an empty skep, but most of them returned
and settled in the bumped one, making as pretty a mess
of bees and honey in tlie crown of the skep as any one
could wish to see. The result of the whole performance
was that I had wasted more time in clearing the bees
out of the skep than would have sufficed for drumming
two, got plenty of stings by crushing the bees in handling
the combs, and thoroughly roused the occupants of ten
other skeps, besides losing half the bees. I drummed the
remaining five hives.

This season I tried it again, and with almost worse
results; the queen and a lot of bees were bumped
(crushed) to death. Will some one who is successful
with bumping kindly say how the combs and bees are
to be handled without the prospect of being stung and
losing part of the bees ? We were drumming during the
thunderstorm mentioned in 1221, we found the bees just
about mad, — and so did the pony. — Canteebueian.

[Please refer to previous communication, and read over
again our articles on ' Condemned Bees ' in Nos. for
August 4 and 11. — Ed.]

WASPS.

[1236.] Very few queen-wasps visible in the spring,
but great numbers of wasps on the wing now. I catch
quantities in wide -mouthed bottles (Eno's fruit -salt
bottles) suspended at the back of my hives, and one-
third filled with a thin mixture of treacle and water —
bees never go near it, it is too coarse food for them, I
suppose. — Beeswing.

WASPS AGAIN.
[1237.] 'W. M.,' 1207, page 373, says, among other
strange things, that ' wasps are as valuable as bees.'
Perhaps he keeps an ' apiary ' of wasps. May I ask him
to kindly favour the readers of your valuable Journal
with a balance-sheet of his net profits arising from them
and also from his bees, i. e., the same number of each,
' hives and nests ? ' I find wasps very troublesome in my
apiary — never found them so numerous in my bee-house.
At this moment he may see about a quart of those (to
me) good-for-nothing pests lying in a heap, which I have
killed in one week. ' W. M.' says they do not hurt bees.
Then my experience is a great mistake, for I have seen
wasps get on one corner of the alighting-board and watch
for an opportunity, then pounce upon a bee. A tuzzle
ensues, both falling on the ground ; in an instant the
wasp is up again in the same place, and repeats the same
thing, but the bee never rose again. This went on for
a considerable time, when I had to leave them for a
week. I narrowed the entrance as much as possible,
which was all I could do ; but when I returned there
was not a bee left, and the honey nearly all gone, the
wasps being in possession of what was a moderately
strong colony and stores to have kept them through the
winter. ' W. M.' : Did the wasps destroy the colony —
or what ?— M. A. S.

HONEY DEW AND FOREIGN BEES.
[1238.] I have seen the statement once or twice in the
B. B. J., that foreign races of bees do not gather honey-
dew, and shall be glad to know if other bee-keepers have
found this to be true ; for I purchased a stock of pure
Ligurians three years ago, and they brought in a great
quantity of honey-dew ; now my bees are all hybrids,
and they all bring in honey-dew. I should be very
grateful if any one will tell me how to avoid the
nuisance. — Beeswing,

FASTENING FOUNDATION IN SKEPS.
[1239.] It is rather difficult for me to explain the way
I fasten ' foundation ' in skeps. I will do my best to
make it as plain and simple a? possible. Take a skep
(flat top) on the knee and draw chalk lines 1J inches
apart, either parallel or at right angles to the entrance
(a to b), just to show the way the combs are to run ;
cross each line at right angles (at c) in three or more

places, each + shows where the wires are to come
through. Then take some fine brass wire, cut to the
proper length, and with a strong darning-needle, or
bradawl, put the two ends through the skep, both ends
coming through in or about the + . When all the wires
are in, put the first three right and the foundation
between them ; take a small button, or bit of wood, with
two holes in it, put the two ends of the wire through
the button-holes, press the button to touch the comb,
and at the same time draw the wire straight and twist.
Do not cut the ends off, I shall make use of them yet.
With each wire do the same. To secure the combs at
the bottom, put three sticks through the hive walls
(from D to e) across the bottom of the combs; take the
wire ends not cut off and twist them around these sticks.
I think that a few half-sheets are preferable to whole
ones as a trial.

My only objection to this plan is annoyance in taking
the honey, but I trust that some oo§ will improve on
this. — Cymeo Bach.

WORK FOR, THE BRITISH B. K. A.

[1240.] There is not the demand for honey that there
ought to be, and I think the Association much to blame
for not by any means in its power trying to foster a
taste for honey among the purchasing public. There are
thousands, aye, millions, who have not yet tasted honey
— who know it only by name, and but want their atten-
tion called to it.

The B. K. A. would do well to copy the tactics of the
Vegetarian Society, which does not leave a stone un-
turned to further its objects. Letters to daily news-
papers from members who are well up, setting forth the
virtues and different uses honey may be put to, getting
the right side of editors to admit a short article — this
gave the jam trade a great spurt a few years since — are
within the scope of the B. K. A. — Lancashire.

NOT FINDING THE QUEEN.
[1241.] I notice in your report of Aberdare Show
mentior is made of one of the candidates failing in
finding the queen for some time, but that he was as well

402

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 8, 1887.

qualified to act as expert as many whom the examiner
had passed. It seems to me that a candidate not being
fortunate in finding the queen quickly does not pass his
examination to satisfaction. Now, Sir, I cannot help
thinking this a rather hard case. I will explain why I
think so by giving my own experience.

On one occasion I commenced to examine one of my
hives, which contained nine frames. I took one, two
frames, and hung them on a stand I use for the purpose,
and then took out the hives one by one, examining each
as I took them out, and put them into the hive separate
from the others, so that the queen could not get on to
the one I was putting in ; but I failed to find her until I
came to the frame on the stand which I had taken second
from the hive, and there I found her in looking the
second time over them. On other occasions I have found
the queen, sometimes on the second, third, or fourth
frames.

On one occasion this summer I did not find her until
I took out the eighth frame, and when I did find her
she was nearly at the bottom, between one of the side
bars and the end of comb. Therefore I think if a can-
didate does all his other work to the satisfaction of the
examiner, and can pick out the queen when he does find
her, he ought to pass.— J. F., Durham.

EFFECTS OF STINGS.

[1242.] Not long after we commenced bee-keeping my
wife got a sting on the head, which produced the same
effects as that mentioned by W. Elfred, on p. 370 ( 1201).
I was operating once on a hive with bare hands, and
some bees were creeping over them. I thought I would
drive them off with a puff of smoke, but as soon as I
gave one puff one of them stung me on the back of the
wrist, striking a vein ; the pain was severe, and in
twenty-four hours my arm to my shoulder was as thick
as my leg. My hand was three times as thick as the
natural size, and I could just move my finger-ends.

I was doing some work inside my bee-house once this
summer when a bee stung me under the right ear on the
jugular vein. It caused very severe pain and a sensation
in ray head, throat, and chest, as though I had got a very
severe cold — a difficulty in breathing, so much so that I
had to walk the floor for breath. The nettle-rash also
came out all over my body; these, accompanied by high
fevered sensation, continued for two or three hours, and
then followed swelling in my throat, inside and out.-ide,
down to my chest, which continued to increase for over
twenty-four hours. It is generally four or five days
before swelling settles down, the fevered feeling only
passing away in proportion with the swelling.

Two or three weeks ago my eldest daughter, a girl of
fifteen, was stung on the back of the neck with a wasp,
and in the evening with a bee on a vein in her throat. I
pulled the beesting out as soon as I could. She com-
plained of suffering severe pain ; but, strange to say, the
effects of both stings passed away in a short time, with-
out swelling the least, what can be the reason of the
different effect on different persons ? She appears to be
bee-proof, to begin with, but 1 do not think I will ever
become so. — J. F., Durham.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD COMBS. (1213.)
[1243.] Your correspondent ' G. T.' states ' he does
not believe that bees are such fools as to visit such
places as manure-heaps, stagnant ponds, &c, if there is
good water within three miles of them.' All I can say
is whether he believes it or not it is an undoubted fact,
and he must uso his eyesight more. ' There are none so
blind as those who won't see.' Well, if he has ex-
tracted 000 pounds of honey this yoar, he does not say it
is from brood-combs. I could extract that quantity
from my hives to-morrow if I cared to do so, but then
I should have to give them syrup. But that is not tho

point. I say when combs contain unsealed brood, it is
surrounded with a thin, watery liquid which is not pure
honey. He then goes on to say, 'I find it necessary to
use the extractor freely when there is a honey glut to
give space for the queen to lay, or if not the stock will
soon dwindle away. There will be very little honey got
in sections or otherwise, and there will be a very poor
stock for wintering, mostly old bees.' Surely he has
been reading this in regard to skeps ; it has no application
to modern bar-frame expansible hives, in fact it is pure
nonsense. Whoever heard before that it was necessary
to extract the honey from the combs to make the bees
fill the sections ? And lastly, his insinuation that I
wrote ' to run down pure extracted honey, and leave our
market open for adulterated foreign honey,' I treat with
the contempt which it deserves. — F, Boyes, Beverley,
Sept. 5th.

JUDGING HONEY.

[1244.] I would not trouble you on this subject,
especially after your note at the foot of letter 1200, but
for a recent decision in the same place, but by different
judges. I take a deep interest in the Glamorganshire
B.K.A., and would remind those members who feel
aggrieved that as yet the Society is in its infancy, and
requires careful nursing and attention, and such letters
as have appeared in the Bee Journal tend really to
injure its prosperity and influence ; and my plea for
referring to the subject is that the Committee of the
B.B. K.A. will see the urgent necessity of providing
some rules and regulations for the guidance of judges.

In the Journal, August 25th, page 308, you give
a report of the Aberdare Flower Show. The report
states that for ' The largest and best exhibit of extracted
honey in bottles,' — please note that it is largest and best,
and not best and largest, — the first prize was awarded
to sixty bottles of clover honey ; the second — the report
omits this, to forty or fifty bottles — passing over an
exhibit of three hundred ! and why ? Because the
honey was of a dark colour (gathered from the raspberry
cane, Dr. Walker thought) and because granulation had
set in. Now, sir, I would ask, is it to go forth that
clover honey is five times of more value than that of the
raspberry cane ? Ought granulated honey to be passed
over at shows ? Ought colour — or is colour to be pre-
ferred to flavour ? Or supposing both are equal in
flavour, would colour score five points to one in such an
exhibition? If such judges as Dr. Walker and another
give such decisions, one cannot wonder that a third-class
expert will fail to give satisfaction. Let us hope that
before another season definite rules will be given by the
B.B. K.A. to experts, and to — One who Wishes to
Leaen.

Wasps.— Very plentiful in the north. The easiest way
to destroy them is to roll a piece of rag together about the
size of one's finger, saturate it with turpentine, place the
rag in the hole leading to the nest, and cover it with soil to
keep the air out. This should be done about six o'clock at
night. Nothing further is required, but if the nest is dug
out next day every wasp will be found dead. They can be
destroyed in this way in all plaoes where the air oan be
excluded. — G. Garner (J. of II.).

€t\iat8 front % ||te.

lliflimnnd, Surrey, September 2nd. — Honey harvest all
over in this district. Have not done quite so well this year
as last, but must not grumble. One new beginner in
Kingston has had about :i0 lbs. for his first crop. Have
had the pleasure of helping to start two friends in bee-
keeping last week. Have introduced two young queens
successfully by tho direct method, and have made one
strong nucleus lot headed by young queen. Bees are going
into winter quarters well stored with provisions. Looking
at it all around wc are going ahead, — II, Cr.mvley.

September 8, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

403

Ron-ley Avenue, Stafford.— I have five bar-frame hives, of
which at the beginning of the season four were fairly
strong and one weak; from the four strong ones I have
obtained about 340 lbs., an average of 85 lbs. a-hive, and
from the fifth about 10 lbs., a total of 350 lbs. from five
hives, an average of 70 lbs. a-hive.— H. J. Bostock (Graphic).
The Mall House, Lismore, August 27. — The honey season
is over here, and as far as I am concerned has been a very
prosperous one. I began badly : during a long absence
from home in cold spring weather several stocks died out
from queenlessless, so I began with ten bar-frame hives and
four skeps. One bar-frame hive more lost its queen and
gave me only half-a-dozen sections, and one skep that I
inverted and supered with sections only gave me a dozen
perfeot ones. My other hives did fight well, however, and
I got 442 perfect sections and 431 lbs. of run honey. The
inverted skeps, worked with queen-excluder and supered
with bars, were really a first-rate investment. I inverted
them early in June. Let no one try to do so without pass-
ing sticks through the combs from side to side a few days
before. I quite agree with Mr. Chenevix about working at
an apiary in the evening. All my work, with two excep-
tions, has been done after six o'clock this season. The
exceptions are hiving swarms and removing sections. I
have found great comfort as to the latter by taking the
racks of sections off the hives (with a little smoke) at about
nine or ten o'clock in the morning. I carry the rack to an
empty hive in the shade, remove the cover, and substitute
a carbolic-sprayed cloth. About two or three o'clock in the
afternoon, or later if convenient, I remove and store the
sections, now free of bees, who have made their way out of
the door of the hive and flown home. The ventilators of
the hive being stopped with paper the door is the only light
space, and for it the bees make to find their exit. Many
friends have adopted this plan and speak very well of it.
Timid or inexperienced persons find section-taking a for-
midable business and quite dread the process. My bees,
though some little distance from the moors, brought in the
fine weather such a lot of heather honey that I have scarcely
any autumn feeding to do. — F. W. C.

Cahir, Tipperary. — Seeing many people are giving the
results of their bee-keeping experiences, a few words from
a beginner may not be out of place. I started bee-keeping
by getting a swarm end of July 1885, when every one said
it was useless to commence. I put them in a bar-frame
hive, and fed them well all the autumn and spring. Last
year I had two swarms from the stock, and took also over
30 lbs. of honey, besides taking some from the swarms.
This year I took from the first swarm I had last year
63 lbs. in supers on June 24th, and 40 lbs. August 3rd, and
I also took a frame of 5 lbs. a few days ago, 108 in all,
besides leaving them about 40 lbs. for winter use. The other
swarm produced 42 lbs. on June 22nd, and 30 lbs. August
1st, and from the old parent stock I took 65 lbs. I con-
sider this very successful for a beginner to get 245 lbs.
from three stocks. We had a particularly good honey crop
here in June, but end of season very poor. I expect each
hive has from 40 to 50 lbs. of honey on the frames still. —
S. E. M. C.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUTRERS-

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or con-espon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

Beeswing. — Carbolised Sheet. — The recipe given by the
Bev. G. Baynor for quieting bees in preference to smoke
is — ' 1J oz. Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid,

1J oz. glycerine.

1 quart of warm water.
The acid and glyeerine to be well mixed before adding
the water, and the bottle to be well shaken before using.'
A piece of calico, or preferably ' cheese-cloth,' sufficiently
large to cover the top of the hive should be steeped in
this solution, wrung out dry, and spread over the hive on
the removal of the quilt, when every bee will quickly dis-
appear below, and manipulation may be slowly and
quietly performed without annoyance from the bees. The

same plan is effectual in driving the bees out of section
cases. From unsealed sections bees often refuse to
budge, but a little blowing through the strainer will
always dislodge them. All our sections are thus re-
moved, and we have never experienced the slightest scent
or flavour of the carbolic acid attaching to the comb or
honey. This unpleasant result occurs only to bunglers,
who either use too strong a solution or do not wring out
the carbolised sheet sufficiently dry, and so besprinkle
the comb honey with the solution, and charge the evil
result of their own stupidity on those who recommend
the process. The strength of the solution quickly passes
away, as the acid evaporates when exposed to the air.
The bottle, therefore, should be kept tightly corked, or
the effect on the bees will be nil.

0. B. — Treaole is not good wintering food for bees.

G. J. D. Barnes. — Moving Hives. — You may move the
hives with safety when the weather is too cold for the
bees to fly. When the first fine day arrives, place a
bough or board against the entrance, so that the bees
may note their new location.

E. A. S. — 1. Uniting. — On a fine day take out the combs that
have fallen into the hives, shake or brush off the bees before
the entrance of the hive with which you propose to unite it,
piece and straighten the combs, and tie them with tapes
into the frames, the bees will soon fasten them properly.
2. Driving. — Bees may in fine weather be driven from
skeps and united with the small colonies in bar-frame
hives. 3. Little Wonder Extractor. — In a small apiary the
Little Wonder Extractor will be found of great service.

Beginner. — Bead carefully Modem Bee-keeping and Cowan's
Guide-book. Prepare your hives during winter, and
commence operations earnestly in spring. Purchase
swarms in May. 2. Simmins' Union Hive. — An account
of this hive will be found in No. 244, p. 85. 3. It will
save you much trouble if by the end of this month you
provide sufficient stores to last your bees till next spring.
You might then use, if necessary, Mr. Siimnins' dry sugar
feeders.

J. S. L. — Foul Brood. — The comb is badly infected with
Bac. Alvei. If the bees are strong enough to work out
foundation, could they not be built up like condemned
bees ? It is too late for any one with little experience of
the matter to begin treatment. The suggestion that dirty
water causes foul brood I do not think tenable, but it has
not been proved to be incorrect. We do not as yet know
of any natural habitat for this particular bacillus but the
body of the bee. — F. C.

L. S. J. — Foul Brood. — The comb sent is affected with foul
brood. You may supersede the queen and feed with phenol-
ated syrup. When spring arrives continue such feeding
without intermission until the brood appear quite healthy.
In the case of any one having only a siugle colony we
should advise the destruction of sain 2 and a fresh com-
mencement. After destroying bees, combs, quilts, and
frames, disinfect the hive with a solution of carbolic acid
mixed in the proportion of three ounces of acid (Calvert's,
No. 5) to a quart of water. First mix the acid with an
equal quantity of glycerine and add the water hot, con-
tinually stirring same.

C. A. J. — Please refer to replies to 'J. S. L.' and 'L. S. J.'
and our editorial.

F. W. C— Mr. Lee's address is 43 Glycena Boad, S.W.

F. J. — Observatory hives and Judging. — We consider that
no judge should adjudicate at a show in which he is a
competitive exhibitor ; if such is allowed there will sure
to be unpleasantnesses arise. As we before stated, our
opinion cannot be definitely given upon the merits of an
exhibit that we have never seen, but from your description
we should have given the preference to No. 3. Certainly
not to No. 1, as, according to your description, they were
in an abnormal condition having two queens. Even if
bees have only recently been removed from a bar-frame
to an observatory hive it would not debar the exhibitor
from taking a prize ; in fact, many are so exhibited.

Beeeived from J. J. W. Currie, Dalbeattie, a piece of
honey-comb. The honey was of a high quality, and of
excellent colour and consistency. We should be pleased
to know how it had been produced.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Sept. 8, 1887.

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Bakes, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchtngs, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. .Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simiiins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stokes, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 HighH olborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

GREEN'S IMPERIAL'

BAR-FRAME BEE BIVE

COMBINED OBSERVATORY and ORDINARY.

MODEL EXHIBITED AT LATE CONVERSAZIONE.

.Special prepaid jgLdvertisements.

Application for Patent haying been accepted, on re-
ceipt of a stamp a full descriptive and illustrated Circular
will be sent. priccs from iqS- t0 35s-

W.J. GREEN, Bee Hive Works, Sudbury, Suffolk.

a 29 50

Situations, Publications, Bee Plants, die.— Twenty words
and under, One Shilling ; for every additional Three words.
One Penny.

SIM]
in

F

includes also other subjects of the first importance,
reduced to Is. Id., post free.

2. QIMMINS' METHODS OF DD3ECT QUEEN IN-
O TBODUCTION, G^d. Of the Author, Bottingdean,
Brighton ; Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent Street, and 127
High Holborn ; and J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

BEE-KEEPING, Plain and Practical : How to
Make it Pay. By A. Busbridge, Is. 6&, post free,
Is. 8d. Address J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts, a 1253

THE MANAGEMENT OF STEAW SKEPS. De-
signed to teach the Cottager how to obtain the best
results at the least possible cost. By attention to its teach-
ings, Cottagers will be enabled to make their Bees a more
profitable source of income than hitherto. Price One Penny.
Six copies aDd upwards, post free. J. Huckle, KingsLangley .

WANTED. — Copies of British Bee Journal for January
7th, 1886, and Nov. 1873. Full price given. Apply
J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts.

ONEY (1887) PURCHASED or Taken in Exchange.
SECTIONS, 4J x 4Jx2, of good flavour, pale colour,
well filled and capped. No other accepted.

EXTBACTED, of best quality and appearance only.
The British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, London,
E.C.

CONDEMNED BEES, Is. 3d. per lb. Guaranteed freo
from Foul Brood. Address H. Dobbie, Thickthorn,
Norwich.

FOB SALE. — Barrel Extractor, will take four Standard
size Frames, price 10s. Apply to T. B. Latchmore,
Brand Street, Hitchin, Herts. B 3

EW COWAN HIVES, new ; ditto in the flat, about
half price. Two cwt. Pure Cane Sugar for Feeding
Bees, 20s. Address Hon. Secretary, Northants B. K. A.,
St. James', Northampton. B 7

FOB SALE, or Exchange for Honey of good quality,
' The Official Description and Illustrated Catalogue
of the Great Exhibition of 1851,' in 4 vols., handsomely
bound in cloth, gilt edges. Apply J. Huckle, Kings
Langley, Herts.

THE entire Apiary and Appliances of the late A. Fysh,
Tydd St. Mary, Wisbech, for Sale. Apply to Mrs.
Fysh, or to J. H. Howard, Holme, Peterborough. This is
a sound investment for an immediate purchaser.

COWAN HIVE, Stocked and Headed with 1887 Queen,
the property of a Gentleman with limited room.
Price 20s. Apply to J. H. Howard, Holme, Peterborough.

TO BE SOLD immediately, 15 strong Stoeks of Bees in
Bar-framed Hives, with surplus Honey. Extra Hives
for storifying, Section Crates, Extractor, and other Ap-
pliances. Apply for further particulars, Bev. A. P. Jollye,
Knoddishall, Saxmundham, Suffolk. b 9

FIBST PBIZE 1 lb. Sections (glazed), 10s. per dozen.
Free on Bail — below.

EIGHT DOZEN, 4J x 4J x 2 Sections, unglazed, Cs. C<(.
per dozen. Free on Kail — below.

rpWO BELL GLASSES of Finest Honey, 13 J and 13} lbs.
JL nett, 12s. each. Glass and packing free. Address
Woodley, Worlds End, Newbury. B 10

ONDEMNED BEES, Is. per lb.; box, Is. 3d. Queens,

Is. each. Address James Stephenson, Eeck Isle,

Pickering, Yorks. b 11

CONDEMNED BEES in Lots, as driven, with Queens,
Is. Gd. per lb. Also three good Stocks in rough Bar-
fjame Hives, for Sale cheap. Address Holder, Wimborne,
Dorset. u 12

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Sthanoeways' Pointing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circua, W,C.

[No. 273. Vol. XV.]

SEPTEMBER 15, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(fbrtorial, Unties, $t.

THE CLOSE OF THE SEASON.

For many weeks — -we may say even from the
middle of July — the honey season of this the year of
Jubilee has closed, with the exception of those dis-
tricts which rejoice in the vicinity of heaths. The
honey harvest this year came prematurely and un-
expectedly to a close. In common with gardeners
and all others who depend on the productions of
the soil, bee-keepers have had many difficulties to
contend with during the past season. A lingering-
winter, and a long cold spring, and a summer which
will be memorable for its absence of rain, have
proved adverse to the production of plants on which
the bees depend for their store and sustenance ; yet
notwithstanding these drawbacks we are in a position
to say that the honey yield of the year has proved
a fair average one. We cannot assert that the
season has been good throughout the kingdom, yet
the production of honey in some parts has been
very great. In many counties of England and
Wales the honey yield has been large and full of
encouragement ; at the Shrewsbury Show about
six tons of honey were staged. In Scotland, more
especially in Northern Dumfriesshire, the honey har-
vest of the year is said to have ' risen to a position
of real importance among the agricultural events
of the season.' In Ireland, too, the reports of the
harvest and the quality of the honey are most en-
couraging. The earnestness with which the shows
have been conducted declares that the bee-keepers
in Ireland have thrown off their former lethargy,
and in their new-found self-reliance and fresh
energy have determined to avail themselves of the
great honey resources of their country, and to walk
abreast of their brethren in England and Scotland.
There is a future before Irish bee-keepers, and we
hope to see their exhibits in the open classes in
Great Britain in the coming year.

Many old bee-keepers in some districts assert
that the present season has been the most fruitful
in their experience, and the month of June the
finest thirty days of honey-gathering they have ever
known. At the same time we have had from sundry
places low and doleful accounts of the honey yield,
more especially from Middlesex and Kent. But
taking the country as a whole, the retrospect

of the season is encouraging and should lead suc-
cessful bee-keepers to look joyfully forward, while
those who have not been specially favoured need
not be discouraged, but see Hope yet beckoning
them onward with the prospect of a brighter future.
The season for the bee and honey exhibitions
has, also, well-nigh run its course. From week
to week we have announced a list of shows ; these
have now come and gone ; honorary secretaries have
performed their arduous task, and we hope that
the results have been satisfactory. The enthu-
siasm evoked by these shows in previous years
has been well sustained in this. We are not
able perhaps to point to exhibitions having been
honoured by the presence of royalty, as we were
last year at the Norwich and the Hampshire, nor
have we any show to compare in grandeur or in
magnitude with the great metropolitan exhibition
at South Kensington ; but we consider that good,
honest, and hearty work has been achieved without
' the pomp and circumstance ' of brilliant patronage.
We have this year fought in the shade, but
success has followed our efforts ; the march of
bee-keeping, both in Great Britain and in Ire-
land, has been onward. The good seed has been
sown broadcast in many a town and many a
hamlet, and the result, if we faint not, will be seen
in after days. By these shows, by the display of
the necessary appliances, and by the results of
work in solid sections and translucent bottles
of honey, the significance and intent of them have
been well kept in view, viz., the promotion of bee-
keeping; the obtaining a market for honey when
produced ; the making known the virtues of honey
as food and medicine ; the creation of a new in-
dustry whereby the labourer and the artisan may
be benefited; and the setting before the cottager a
more interesting and fascinating pursuit, which will
rouse his intellect, elevate his mind, and introduce
a refining motive to his existence superior to the
low and often-debasing temptations by which he
is surrounded, and impart a freshness and energy
into his dullened life. Exhibitions are essentially
didactic. Who can tell the extent of the benefit
which may be conferred on the advocate of the
skep as he listens to the lecturer showing by voice
and hand a more excellent way of keeping bees ; and,
while listening, he resolves to abjure his old system,
and be more on a level with those bee-keepers of
whose success he had heard and whose results he had

406

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 15, 1887.

seen 1 Before this he was in darkness, lie had
perhaps never seen a queen, — scarcely believed that
such a thing was in existence. ' But with his eyes
he sees her, — he is convinced of his mistake in
adhering to his antiquated methods ; a new reve-
lation dawns before him, and he departs from the
exhibition with new hopes and fresh resolves.

But exhibitions prove of service not alone to the
cottager, but also to the farmer. The union of
apiculture with the old and well-established pur-
suits of Agriculture and Horticulture has been well
exemplified in those exhibitions which have been
held during the past season. By far the larger
number of bee-keepers' shows have been held in
connexion with the County Agricultural Associa-
tions, and the bee-keeping department on these occa-
sions has not been the least attractive part of those
shows. Bee-farms have been established in various
parts of the country ; farmers are recognising in
bee-keeping a valuable auxiliary. It is pleasing
to find that the majority of the Agricultural
Societies are taking the recognised County Bee-
keepers' Associations under their wings, and it
must be gratifying to witness the warm interest
that is taken in the bee department by the
farmers, their wives and daughters, and the public
generally. Many intelligent farmers have added
bee-keeping to the other occupations of the farm ;
and when we remember that the annual amount
paid to the foreigner for honey and wax is not
less than 133,425^., we may well think seriously
whether in these depressed and depressing times
it is not possible to produce them at home rather
than to allow the flowers ' to waste their sweetness
in the desert air.' The fruit-grower and the seed-
grower and the farmer will find their crops im-
proved and increased to a very much greater extent
by their keeping bees.

SUNFLOWERS, BEES, AND OTHER INSECTS.

These showy, sesthetic, and truly handsome flowers
are recommended to be grown by bee-keepers as late
pollen-producers, though we question very much, if
grown for this alone, whether the game would he worth
the candle. But if poultry he kept, we would distinctly
urge you to have a patch somewhere in the garden
where they will hide or beautify an old wall or fence.
The flowers may be used in house decorations if the bee-
keeper can find in his heart to be so extravagant ; the
pollen will materially assist in rearing brood, strong and
prepared for a successful wintering ; then, when autumn
concludes, there is a magnificent harvest of seed for the
poultry, which is well appreciated by them, and gives a
good return to their owner as fattening food.

The sunflower is not, as is generally supposed, a single
flower, hut is a conglomeration of hundreds of small
ones crowded together into a head, the outer ones (those
hearing the golden yellow blades) being barren, and
named ' florets of the ray,' their ration d'etre being to
attract insects to the flower for cross-fortilisation pur-
poses. The more numerous inconspicuous flowers are
grouped together in a central mass, and are called
' florets of the disc ; ' in short, tlio disc is the dark
centre and the ray the petals of the flower, Taking

the ray as being simply a colour bait for insects, we will
next consider the true perfect flowers — the disc florets —
those flowers which have within them perfect organs of
reproduction. The table, or placenta, on which these
are fixed continuing to grow, forces the outer florets
further apart by pressure from the centre, where they
are so densely packed together, immature, and unex-
panded, that insects can find no passage-way amongst
the flowTer-tubes, as they can amongst the older ones,
now bearing at the base of each a seed, protected by a
hard extine skin, proof against the attacks of earwigs
and others. When we observe the beautiful symmetry
of the convoluted lines in which the florets are arranged,
amongst which are roaming earwigs, we at once see the
utility of their bodies being so supple, bent as they are
the shape of the letter S. Here in these thickets,
hitherto almost impervious to their attacks, they move
about with ease and hide from their enemies. The out-
side florets, maturing first, leave a protecting stockade or
fence, consisting of the anthers which are pushed up
and out of the florets by a long stalk or filament, the
cases of pollen open and shed their contents, so that
thrips or other small insects which are roaming about
may carry it on their bodies from one sunflower to
another. Passing in imagination through this stockade
of filaments as a predatory insect might, let us see what
steps the flower takes to preserve the unexpanded, juicy,
tender florets within from its attack. Scattered about
on the surface (a corrugated tableland) we notice minute
drops of what appear like nectar, and wonder how it is
none of the numerous insect visitors seem to care for it,
and leave it intact. If we taste it or rub it between
finger and thumb, we shall find it to be a beautiful
aromatic, resinous compound, very fluid and sticky — the
very worst thing for any insect except as a sort of
propolis, the very best protective for the plant — water
and weatherproof, and so disgustingly bitter that our
insects do well to leave it alone. Honey is contained in
the flower-tubes, but these are so deep that they are
only accessible to insects having unusually long tongues,
or which are able to creep bodily down. Thus does
Nature's chemistry provide the sunflower, amongst her
myriad others, with substances both attractive and
repellent, for friend or foe, according to its own or their
requirements; these diverse compounds, so totally at
variance, being found close to each other on the flower,
and evidently secreted out of the same sap by a similar
type of cells.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — The rains have descended at last, and
the meadows have again put on their verdure, but few
are the flowers, and, with the exception of that ' rare
old plant, the ivy green,' there is no pasturage for our
bees at this late period.

Wasps. — Nights have been frosty, and days too cold
for bees to fly, but wasps can bear a much lower tem-
perature than bees, and have paid constant visits to
hives whose guards have retired within to avoid the
chilling cold. To strong colonies these marauders do
little harm, but many a weak one has perished under
their persistent attacks.

Robbing, and Carbolic Solution. — In dull, cold
weather, at this time of year, when bees are flying
little, a cloth steeped in carbolic solution, wrung out
dry, and laid upon the alighting-board, will check the
attacks of robbers and wasps. Renewed every morning
it is as good a preventive as we have tried. In bright
weather, when bees fly freely, and have a decided
penchant for robbing, the cloth should be sprinkled, or
sprayed, several timos daily with fresh solution. If
these precautions are carefully carried out there is no
colony in existence that can rob or destroy another,
however weak it may be. One caution we would add,
viz., never to use the ordinary trade carbolic acid,

September 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

407

usually retailed by the chemists, but ask for ' Calvert's
No. 5,' and use it for all purposes connected with bees
and hives, except for mixing with food. The unpurified,
crude article might, likely enough, contaminate sections
if used carelessly in their removal, but of this we have
no experience since we always use ' Calvert's ' purified.
By means of it we have removed thousands of sections
during the last two or three years, and have never
heard a single complaint of any contamination being
conveyed thereby. But of sections being flavoured with
smoke, and spoiled by the filthy fluid dropping from the
smoker, we have often heard complaints, and have
suffered ourselves. Our sections, too, — without any
' self-praise,' which we are aware ' is no recommenda-
tion,'— are pretty well known to all the best judges in
this county. Again we repeat that under our 'Heading'
nothing is recommended to others that we have not
ourselves proved, and let any one who doubts refrain
from making use of our 'Hints.'

Manipulations should be performed as sparingly as
possible. The less bees are disturbed after the middle
of September the better. Manipulate in the evening
only. Do it quickly and quietly by using the carbolised
strainer, which by one motion may be drawn over the
frames as the quilt is drawn off. Turn back the strainer
sufficiently to take out the first frame or division board,
and thus proceed until the operation is completed.

Drone Comb has been built in several of our hives
on worker foundation ; notably, one hive has about half
its cells drone, and this was one of our best swarms
which has given us over 90 lbs. of comb-honey. In
several cases where we did not fill the centre frames
with foundation, leaving about a quarter of the space to
be filled up by the bees according to their instinct,
drone-comb has been built without an exception. We
are not quite sure that it is wise to endeavour to deprive
the bees of that which nature so strongly demands, and
it would, perhaps, be wise to allow a small portion of
drone-comb in every hive. In hives most productive of
comb-honey, whether in sections or otherwise, we have
always noticed abundant drones.

Queen Introduction should he finished as soon as
possible. We have introduced successfully on Mr.
Simmins's plan, but in one instance had an encasement
and were obliged to cage the rescued queen. At this
season, when there is no income, and when robbing is
rife, we prefer the cage for a certainty. During a
copious honey-flow introduction is easier and more
certain. The cage we prefer is the enlarged and improved
'pipe-cover,' manufactured for us in Germany, and a
specimen of which we shall be happy to present to any
friend wishing to try it. Since using this cage we have
no experience of the loss of a queen.

Winter Preparation must now be thought of.
The colonies undisturbed after the middle of this month
always winter best. Floor-boards should be cleanly
scraped, winter quilts placed over frames, and, as soon as
the danger of robbing is over, entrances should be opened
to summer width, say 6in. x fin. — just sufficiently deep
to exclude a mouse.

Before giving the winter quilts the tops of the frames
should be scraped clean from propolis. Here, again, the
carbolised sheet will drive the smoker out of the field.
With the small .spatula as a scraper and the sheet one
person alone can finish off a hive as quickly as two with
the smoker, since two hands are required for using the
scraper to advantage, and a continuous stream of smoke
to keep the bees in check. No weak colonies should be
kept ; although by careful attention such often pass
through the winter successfully they rarely pay for the
extra trouble given. Such colonies, however, with a
young queen at their head, may be built up by the
addition of condemned bees and early copious feeding
into strong stocks. When it is desired to put this into
practice there must be no delay.

Feeding should now be completed as speedily as
possible. From ten to twelve pounds of granulated
white cane sugar to five pints of water, boiled gently for
two or three minutes, will form a good syrup for autumn
feeding which will not granulate. For quick feeding,
Mr. Neighbour advertises a very useful feeder, which
holds twenty pounds of syrup, and is called the ' Canadian
feeder.' The principle of this feeder is decidedly good,
and, its material being wood only, there can be no in-
jurious action upon the food, as in many metal feeders.

Clearing-up. — All articles for summer use should at
once be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and stored for use
another season, such as spare hives, section-cases, ex-
tractors, and all things appertaining thereto. Discarded
combs should be melted, and the apiary and honey-
rooms made neat and tidy for the winter. Let all
operations be pushed forward and nothing left until next
month which can be done now.

ASSOCIATIONS.

STAFFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

This Association held its Annual Exhibition at Burs-
lem on September 7th and 8th, with that of the
Staffordshire Agricultural Society. The site selected
for the joint exhibitions was conveniently near the
railway station and the town on the road from Burslem
to Smallthorne.

Burslem is situated in the very midst of the Potteries
and the large iron-works of Staffordshire, and is essen-
tially a part of the Black Country. We were, therefore,
naturally surprised to see such an exhibition of honey
as was displayed, but were reminded that the rich valley
of the Trent (as fine a tract of land as any in the midland
counties) was in close proximity, and that it was sur-
rounded by an excellent agricultural district containing
rich pasturage, from which the clover honey was
obtained.

As is usually the case at all agricultural shows, the
bee-tent and exhibition of hives, bees, and honey, at-
tracted a very large proportion of the visitors. AH of
these appeared to he much interested, and expressed
themselves surprised at the progress modern bee-keeping
had made during the last few years, and the different
appearance of the honey, now clear and bright, and free
from the dull and cloudy look it was wont to have in
old times. The bees were then smothered, and the whole
tainted with sulphur, the honey -combs, bee -bread,
larvse, and young bees, were all smashed up together and
put into a cloth before the fire to strain, and the thick
stuff, the result of all this, was called and accepted as
pure honey.

We were sorry to learn that the Staffordshire Agri-
cultural Society does not give nearly so much assistance
to the County Bee-keepers' Association as is generally
the case with most of the leading agricultural societies
of England where the shows are held in conjunction.
They simply give the privilege of holding the show
within the enclosed ground, and print the list of entries,
&c, in the catalogue. The Bee-keepers' Association
provides and pays for the tents in which to place the
exhibits, and finds the whole of the prizes. The Agri-
cultural Society do not even give an entry-pass to each
exhibitor. This is most illiberal and unusual, and surely
would be altered in future if properly represented to
them. The Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Association is one
of the largest of the affiliated County Associations,
numbering, according to the report for 1886,484 members.
The Association has been thoroughly well organized.
The county is divided into some eighteen or nineteen
districts, and a considerable amount of energy is shown
throughout. Staffordshire is to be congratulated on the
position taken, and the useful work that is being done by

408

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 15, 1887.

this Association. We have seen the honey exhibited at
several of the leading shows this year, and liad considered
that the quality of the honey shown both by the Lan-
cashire and Cheshire bee-keepers at Manchester was the
best, but now that we have been to Burslera we have
altered our opinion, and have no hesitation in saying
that both for quantity and quality Staffordshire stands
second to none.

In Class 3, for twelve best 1-lb. sections, there were
nine entries, a very fair class for the year. Mr. H.
"Wood, of Lichfield, was awarded first for the same
sections that ho took first in the open class at Man-
chester. In Class 4, for the best 12 lbs. of extracted
honey, there were twenty-four entries. This was with-
out exception the most even class of the kind in appear-
ance that we have seen. There was not a single entry
that was not good, and the task of selecting the three
best must have been a difficult and unenviable one. We
understand, however, that the exhibitors were satisfied
with the awards which were made, after the time and
pains taken to arrive at a decision. The majority of the
honey was gathered principally, if not entirely, from
clover. Class 8 for bees-wax there were 13 entries, most
of them very good. The first went to Mr. J. Handley,
a fine sample evidently from virgin comb. In awarding
second place we understand that two adjoining entries
were judged as one, being nearly similar in colour, and
the number of one exhibit being covered by a piece of
wax, this being found out some time after, equal second
prizes were awarded to both, but this did not seem to
satisfy the irate exhibitor. The most attractive exhibits
were those shown in Class 9, for the best exhibition of
honey in any form. Mr. H. Wood was again to the
fore, exhibiting the same trophy for which ho took first
at Manchester, but somewhat differently filled, containing
174 lbs. of extracted honey and 73 lbs. of comb honey, at
the base was a Jubilee device in comb honey, consisting
of a crown, with the letters ' V.R.' one on either side,
with 1837 and 1887 underneath : this was in addition to
the weight given.

The trophy exhibited by Mr. J. R. Critchlow obtained
second place, it was surmounted with a royal device, and
contained 150 lbs. of extracted and 108 lbs. of comb honey,
it was a very good second. Mr. Elihu Clowes took third
with a trophy containing 134 lbs. of extracted and 01 lbs.
of comb honey. All the seven exhibits in this class were
good. The comb honey of Edward Richards, a cottager,
consisting of two large bell-glasses and 2 lb. sections,
together about 50 lbs. was as good comb-honey as we
have seen this year, and 15 lbs. of extracted. In quality
the whole was superior to anything in its class, but the
much larger quantities of the other exhibitors (who were
farmers), left no question as to where the prizes must go.
Much credit, however, is due to Edward Richards for
his skill and management in producing such excellent
comb-hone}'. Class 10 was for the best exhibition of
honey in any form made by bees belonging to an artisan
or agricultural labourer in the county of Stafford, offered
by A. II. Heath, Esq., Madeley Manor, the hon. sec. of
the Association. There were nine entries : first was
awarded to D. Mitchell, of Ilanley, for a handsome
trophj' of comb and extracted honey; the second was
awarded to S. B. Fox, Maer, Newcastle, for 57 lbs. of comb
and 58 lbs. of extracted honey; the third to William
Greon, Oreat Bangley, Tamworth. Edward Richards
exhibited soino nicely filled 2-lb. sections in this class ;
and had bo not divided his honey by entering in Class 9
as well as in Class 10, lie would have stood a good chance
of a prize in this class.

In Class 1, Messrs. Abbott Bros, with a largo collection
of appliances took first, and Mr. A. W. Rollins took
second with a very creditable collection, though not so
large as that awarded first prize. We think that an im-
provement might be made in this class and a larger com-
petition insured if tho items to be exhibited were specified

in the same way as was done by the B. B. K. A. in the
schedule prepared for Bury St. Edmunds ; the cost to the
exhibitors would be less, and the benefit to the public
would be greater, as those things only that were necessary
would be then exhibited, and the judges would have only
to take quality and not quantity into their consideration.

The following is the list of awards : —

Class 1. — For the best and most complete collection of
hives and bee furniture most applicable to modern bee-
keeping. (Open to all England ) Offered by the Stafford-
shire Bee-keepers' Association. First prize, 21. ; second,
11. ; third, 10s. 1, Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall, London ;
2, Mr. A. W. Rollins, 65 Hagley Street, Stourbridge.

Clas3 2. — For the best and most complete bar-framed
hive without supers, price to be taken into consideration.
(Open to all England.) Offered by the Staffordshire Bee-
keepers' Association. First prize, 15s. ; second, 7s. Gd. ;
third, 2s. Gd 1, 3, and highly commended, Messrs. Abbott
Bros., Southall, London ; 2, Mr. Thomas B. Blow, Welwyn,
Herts.

Class 3. — For the best exhibition of twelve lib. sections
of comb honey, in crate. Offered by the Staffordshire Bee-
keepers' Association. First prize, 10s. and silver medal of
the Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Association ; second, 7s. Gd.
and bronze medal of ditto ; third, 5s. 1, Mr. Henry Wood,
Paradise, Lichfield; 2, Mr. John R. Critchlow, Maer Farm,
Newcastle ; 3, Mr. S. B. Fox, Maer, Newcastle.

Class 4. — For the best exhibition of 12 lbs. of run or ex-
tracted honey, in glass jars. Offered by the Staffordshire
Bee-keepers' Association. First prize, 10s. and silver medal
of Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Association ; second, 7s. Gd.
and bronze medal of ditto; third, 5s.; fourth, 2s. Gd.

1, Mr. James S. Lawton, Swan Terrace, Woore, Newcastle ;

2, Mr. John Handley, Fazeley, Tamworth ; 3, Mr. S. B.
Fox, Maer, Newcastle ; 4, Mr. Elihu Clowes, Black Brook,
Newcastle. Highly commended, Mr. Thomas Bailey,
Baldwins Gate, Whitmore, Newcastle ; Mr. Fred Jolly,
Milton, Stoke-on-Trent; and Mr. Edward Richards,
Wrottesley Lodge, Wrottesley, Wolverhampton.

Class 5. — For the best stock of bees exhibited in a straw
skep. Offered by the Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Associ-
ation. First prize, 1/. ; second, 10s. ; third, 5s. 1, Mr.
Elihu Clowes, Black Brook, Newcastle ; 2, Mr. John R.
Critchlow, Maer Farm, Newcastle ; 3, Mr. Henry Wood,
Paradise, Lichfield ; highly commended, Mr. James S.
Lawton, Swan Terrace, Woore, Newcastle.

Class fi. — For the best specimen of bees of any race, ex-
hibited with their queen in an observatory hive. (Open to
all England.) Offered by the Staffordshire Bee-keepers'
Association. First prize, 15s. ; second, 7s. Gd. 1, Messrs.
Abbott Bros., Southall, London; 2, Mr. Geo. Farrington,
Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent.

Class 7. — For the cheapest, neatest, and best super for
harvesting honey in the comb, in a saleable form. (Open
to all England.) Offered by the Staffordshire Bee-keepers'
Association. First prize, 7s. 6 i. ; second, 2s. Gd. 1, Mr.
Charles Redshaw, South Wigton, Leicester ; 2, and highly
commended, Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall, London;
highly commended, Mr. A. W. Rollins, 65 Hagley Street,
Stourbridge ; and Mr. T. B. Blow, Welwyn, Herts.

Class 8. — For the best exhibition of not less than 2 lb.
nor more than 5 lb. of pure bees' wax. Offered by the Staf-
fordshire Bee-keepers' Association. First prize, 5s. ; second,
2s. Gd. 1, Mr. John Handley, Fazeley, Tamworth ; 2 equal,
Mr. Thomas Bond, Hilderstone, Stone, and Mr. E. Clowes,
Hole House Farm, Milton, Stoke-on-Trent ; highly com-
mended, Mr. S. B. Fox, Maer, Newcastle, and Mr. Elihu
Clowes, Black Brook, Newcastle.

Class 9. — For the best exhibition of honey, in any form.
Offered by the Staffordshire Bee-keepers' Association. First
prize, 10s. ; second, 5s. ; third, 2s. 6di 1, Mr. Henry Wood,
Paradise, Lichfield ; 2, Mr. J. R. Critchlow, Maer Farm,
Newcastle ; 3, Mr. Elihu Clowes, Black Brook, Newcastle ;
highly commended, Mr. T. F. Hulme, Trentham, and Mr.
E. Clowes, Hole House Farm, Milton, Stoke-on-Trent.

Class 10. — For the best exhibition of honey, in any form,
made by bees belonging to an artizan or agricultural
labourer in the county of Stafford. Offered by Mr. A. H.
Heath, Madeley Manor. First prize, 1/. ; second, 10s. ;
third, 2s. Gd. 1, D. Mitchell, 34 Boundary Street, Hauleyj

September 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

409

2, S. B. Fox, Maer, Newcastle ; 3, William Green, Drayton
Bassett, Great Bangley, Tamworth.

Mr. Jas. Lee exhibited, not for competition, a section
crate complete, showing- his patent dovetailed system of
construction, also one in the flat which could be put to-
gether without nails — these were, we understand, pur-
chased by the hon. sec. and the assistant hon. sec.

We are informed four candidates were examined for
third-class certificates as experts and two of these, Mr.
John Beach, Burntwood, Lichfield, and Mr. Frederick
Wilshaw, Cheddleton, have passed. The other two we
are told failed, the weather being- most unfavourable
to the manipulation of bees, but another time under
more favourable circumstances no doubt they will both
pass, being- old bee-keepers having considerable expe-
rience in the handling- of bees.

Mr. John M. Hooker was the judge and examiner of
experts. The superintendence of the Bee Department
devolved upon the Rev. G. R. Bailey, the assistant hon.
secretary. The show was a great success ; the bee-tent,
as usual, being a great attraction ; and under the able
guidance of A. H. Heath, E.=q., the hon. sec, (son-in-law
of the late Rev. H. R. Peel), the Staffordshire Bee-keepers'
Association will continue to increase the numbers of its
members and its usefulness in the county.

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT BEE-KEEPERS'

ASSOCIATION.

Highcliff Show, September 8, 1887.

The last show of the year held by this Association came
off at Highcliff last Thursday and was as usual attended
with considerable success. As many of our readers will
remember, Highcliff is the southern seat of Louisa,
Marchioness of Waterford, who has done so much for
the Hants B. K. A., and it is situated on the sea-coast
near Christchurch, overlooking ' the Needles ' and the
Isle of Wight. Indeed, apart from the interest attaching
to a Honey Show, the view from the grounds where the
show is held is amply sufficient to repay anyone travelling
in that direction ; and as the weather was all that could
be desired for the occasion everyone was in the best
possible humour for assisting in lending interest to the
occasion. If we are to gauge the work done by the
Hants B. K. A by this show alone there is ample
testimony that it has not lived in vain. When the first
Highcliff Show was held some five years ago, if we
except the specimen exhibits of Mr. Bellairs (which were
then described by an incredulous bee-keeper of the old
stamp as artificial bogus honey), there was nothing to
be seen but a few dishes of comb honey cut from skeps
and some bottles of an opaque substance which passed
for honey at that time, but now-a-days would run the
risk of being classed as ' unfit for human consumption.'
But year by year intelligent men of the new type have
been taking up the matter, so that to-day, or rather last
Thursday, the cottagers mustered in strong force and
united in producing an exhibition which would do credit
to the cause anywhere in the country. In consequence
of what we will hope is only a passing attack of the
prevailing epidemic amongst Bee-keepers' Associations,
the symptoms of which are shortness of cash and general
anaemia, the prize schedule was considerably curtailed
from that issued last year, nevertheless the entries
numbered close upon fifty.

There were five classes, amongst which prizes were
offered for the best wasp's ne.-t, which drew forth nine
entries and proved one of the most interesting features of
the show. In this class the first prize fell to Mr. J.
Hiscock, who exhibited the most perfect nest we have
ever seen, and worthy of any museum. It measured
about fifteen inches in diameter, was enclosed in a glass-
box ' hive ' into which it had been transferred about two
months previously, and consequently was in full working

order and fully equipped with live wasps. The second
prize was carried off by Or. Manning, son of the gardener
at Highcliff, for a fine nest under a large bell-glass, and
the third prize by a promising young bee-keeper, Harry
Stephens, who, we understand, braved many stings in
order to obtain an uninjured specimen.

Mr. J. Edgell was awarded a special prize in this class
for exhibiting a nest peopled apparently b}r nothing but
queen-wasps, of which there were scores. There was,
unfortunately, no ' authority ' present who could posi-
tively affirm that they were queen-wa?ps pure and simple,
many people believing that it was a real hornets' nest ;
but this latter theory was somewhat upset by the fact
that the nest had been dug out of an old bank by the
exhibitor without any protection to arms or face ! We
think the Bee Journal would largely increase its useful-
ness if it devoted articles now and then to the life-history
of wasps, ants, wax-moths, earwigs, and other insects
affecting bee-keepers, quoting the best authorities, for
there is a vast amount of ignorance on the subject, and
it is very desirable matters should be cleared up. The
writer of this article, an old and practised bee-keeper,
has never seen so many wasps about his home as this
year has produced, yet his honey-crop is amongst the
best, and the wasps do not molest the hives. He has
even encouraged two nests close to the hives ! But this
en passant.

For the bronze medal, &c. (Class 1) the first prize was
awarded Mr. Allen Broom for some extremely fine and
well -flavoured sections; second prize to Mr. "Arthur
Stephens, and third prize to Mr. J. Hiscock. In Class 2,
for the best 12 lbs. of super honey in sections not exceeding
1 lb. each, the first prize fell to Mr. Ambrose Pearce, of
Christchurch, second to Allen Broom, third to Arthur
Stephens, and fourth to Harry Stephens. In Class 3,
for the best 12 lbs. of extracted honey, first prize given
by the hon. sec. of the county, there was a very keen
competition, the number of entries amounting to sixteen.
There were many shades of colour, some remarkable
bottles of a light amber colour calling forth much interest.
These proved to be pure holly honey, gathered in the
New Forest when there was no other bloom for miles, of
a very distinct smell and piquant taste. There is no doubt
as a fashionable colour they took precedence, but when
compared for flavour with the notorious Christchurch
darker honey they had to take a lower seat. Ultimately,
the first prize was allotted to Mr. Arthur Stephens of New-
town, second to Harry Stephens of the same village, and
third to Mrs. Burgess of Hinton, whilst Messrs. Pearce
and Smooker had an h.c. attached to their exhibits. In
the Bees-wax Class, P. C. William Burgess was again
to the fore, and it woidd puzzle any bee-keeper in all
England to beat him, Arthur Stephens came second, and
Mrs. Burgess third.

The distribution of prizes by Lady Waterford in the
Great Hall of Highcliff followed, after a lecture by
Mr. Bellairs, her ladyship remarking how much pleasure
it gave her to see the Show growing in importance from
year to year, whilst expressing a hope that the high
standard of excellence now attained might be maintained
by succeeding good seasons.

WROCKWARDINE BEE CLUB.
The annual show of the above club took place in the
Boys' schoolroom at Wrockwardine. The number and
quality of the exhibits reflected great credit upon the
skill and energy of the members of this young and
flourishing association, which has recently succeeded in
passing five of its members through the third-class
examination for experts certificates under the B.B.K.A.
Competition was especially keen in the cottagers' classes.
The exhibit of the club appliances was a centre of at-
traction to the visitors, as also were the exhibits of live
bees in observatory hives. Mr, W. G. Preece, jun., of

410

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 15, 1887.

Shrewsbury, well known as a successful exhibitor, acted
ns judge. Too much praise cannot be given to the hon.
sec, Miss M. E. Eyton of Leaton, for her efforts on
behalf of the club, and no doubt the present exhibition
must hare been to her a great source of pleasure.

Appended is the prize list : —

Open to Club Members Best 12 1-lb. sections — Mr. John

Palmer (Wrockwardine) 1. Best 12 1-lb. bottles — Mr. Fryer
(Overley), 1 ; Mr. John Palmer, 2 ; Mr. H. Brooks (Leaton),
h. c. Best and most complete hive for general use — Mr.
John Palmer, 1. Open to Cottage Members only. — Best 6 1-lb.
sections — Mr. James Shuker (Allscott), 1 ; Mr. E. Grainger
(Allscott), 2 ; Mr. John Shuker (Allscott), 3. Best 6 1-lb.
bottles — Mr. James Shuker, 1 ; Mr. John Shuker and Mr.
E. Grainger equal, 2 ; Mr. T. C. Clarke (Overley) and Mr.
H. Brookes (Leaton), equal, 3 ; Mr. H. Shuker, h. c. Best
exhibit of honey, not less than 24 lbs., half run, half comb
—Mr. John Shuker, 1. Open to all Comers.— Best 12 1-lb.
sections— Mr. John Palmer, 1. Best 12 1-lb. bottles — Mr.
John Palmer, 1 ; Mr. John Shuker, 2.

HEREFORD HONEY FAIR.

On "Wednesday, September 8th, the Herefordshire Bee-
keepers' Association held their fourth annual fair in the
county town. A large space was appropriated in the
Market house, the counters forming an oblong enclosure.
About thirty-five cwt. of honey was staged by some
thirty bee-keepers. The average price for extracted
honey was about lOd. per pound in bottles — comb honey
same price. There were several inquiries for run honey
in bulk that could not be attended to, owing to the fact
of nearly the whole of the honey being in 1-lb. bottles.
A number of people visited the fair, but most of them
' came out for to see' not to buy, the consequence being
half the amount of honey remaining unsold. The
arrangements were in the hands of the hon. secretary,
Mr. Watkins, and were everything that could be desired.
The Association also offered prizes and medals for
exhibits of honey. The judges were the Rev. F. S.
Stooke -Vaughan, Wallington Heath ; Rev. James
Oakeley, Hereford ; and Dr. T. A. Chapman, Burghill.
The following is the result of their awards : —

Class 1. — For the best exhibit of honey, not exceeding
200 lbs. — 1, bronze medal of the B. B. K. A., and (given by
the President, Mr. James Eankin, M.P.) 1?., H. Bridge-
water, Linton ; 2, 15s., Eev. G. Herbert, Llangarren ;
3, 10s., Thomas Charles, Caerswall, Much Marcle. Eight
entries. Class 2. — For the best twelve 1-lb. jars of clear
extracted honey — 1, certificate, and (given by the President)
15s., Eev. J. F. Marillier, Much Dewchurch ; 2, 10s., Alfred
Watkins, Hereford ; 3, 5s., W. Smith, Thingehill. Twenty-
four entries. Class 3. — For the best twelve 1-lb. jars of
extracted honey, candied or partially candied — 1, certificate
and 10s., Eev. G. Herbert, Llangarren; 2, 7s. Gd., Mrs.
Chelwick, Clun; 3, 5s., W. Smith, Thingehill. Fifteen
entries. Class 4. — For the best twelve ' 1 lb.' (two inches
wide), or sixteen ' 1 lb.' (less than two inches wide), or six
' 2 lb.' sections of comb honey — 1, silver medal of the
B.B.K. A., and (given by the President) 15s., F.Lewis,
Pembridge ; 2, 10s., Mr. Meadham, Huntington ; 3, 5s., T.
Pritchard, Clun. Seventeen entries. Class 5. — For the
best single super of honey, not being a sectional super— 1,
certificate and 10s., W. Tompkins, Burghill ; 2, 5s., J. Vale,
Burghill ; commended, Miss Parry, Marden. Six entries.
Class 6. — For the best exhibit of honey in any shape shown
by a bona fide cottager, a member of the H. B.K. A. — 1,
certificate, and (given by the President) IBs., W. Tomkins,
Burghill ; 2 (given by Mrs. Glynn), 10s., F. Lewis, Pem-
bridge ; 3, 5s., W. Smith, Thingehill. Four entries.

WATERFORD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

A Beo and Honey Show Was held on the Cth of July
in connexion with tho Waterford Horticultural Society's
Show, in the Rink, Waterford.

Tho Irish Association Beo Tent was lent for the

occasion, and lectures and manipulations given by Messrs.
Francis Jones and W. E. K. Duffin.

Messrs. R. White and Co., of Limerick, exhibited a
fine Cowan storifying hive, and a number of appliauces,
and Mr. Snow an excellent amateur's hive. An exhibit
by Mr. W. E. K. Duffin consisted of different extracted
honeys of several years, and comb and extracted honey
made up in several modes for sale or exhibit, also sweet-
meats, cakes, &c, made with honey. Mr. TV. Andrews
exhibited ' Arnold's Soap ' for cleaning propolis from the
hands. The honey exhibits were not numerous, but in
comb honey they were of unusual excellence.

For the best twenty-one 1-lb. sections: — 1, Francis Jones;
2, MissCurrey; 3, Miss Bolton; highly commended, Francis
Jones. For the best twelve 1-lb. bottles of extracted honey : —
1, Miss Currey ; 2, F. G. Barlow ; 3, J. Barr. Cottagers'
Classes. — For the best super, not sections : — No first prize
awarded; 2, P. Shelly. For the best twelve 1-lb. sections : —
1, P. Shelly; no second prize awarded.

EXAMINATION.

An examination for third-class experts was held at
Leaton, Wrockwardine, near Wellington, Salop, in the
apiary of Miss M. E. Eyton, on August 29th and 30th.
Six candidates presented themselves, of whom five were
successful. The manipulation was exceptionally good,
all the candidates showing great neatness in handling
the frames and catching the queen, due to the fact that
they had been carefully ' coached ' for the examination
by Miss Eyton. The following are the names and ad-
dresses of the successful candidates : — Miss M. E. Eyton,
Leaton, Wrockwardine, near Wellington, Salop ; Henry
Brooks, Wellington, Salop; John Palmer, Wellington,
Salop ; Thomas Shuker, Admaston, Wellington ; James
Shuker, Allscott, Wellington. — Geo. Walker, Jun.,
Wimbledon.

STATISTICS.
TV. Lees M'Clure, Esq., Hon. Sec. of the Lancashire
and Cheshire B.K.A., writes : — ' Our Association is not
yet sufficiently spread throughout the two counties to
give reliable information about the honey yield. Our
experts are now on their tours, and, when completed, I
will gladly give you the best information that lies in my
power, but it will take soma years to get reliable and
complete statistics.'

TWO ENGLISH QUEENS.

THE LESS TO THE GREATER.

My velvet robe of state is brown and yellow,

My throne an apple bough, yon peopled hive,
My subject world — great Queen, and sweet yoke-fellow,

To hum thy praise our nation is alive,
With busy murmurs in the sunlight mellow,

Mid heather blooms, whence we our wealth derive.
That queens love honey is a saying olden,

Then come and feast upon our perfumed store ;
Bring thou thy robe of state and sceptre golden,

Thy royal sister queen will kneel before
Thy mightier sway, and will her liefs embolden

A nation's welcome at thy feet to pour.
They for thine enemies shall guard their stings,
But fan thee gently with their myriad wings.

Sissells.

Honey-Lemonade. — Make it in the usual way, using
honey instead of sugar ; nothing can bo used as a summer
beverage that is more grateful and refreshing. Try it.
Many thousands of pounds of honey may bo used in this
way, and all tho users bo benefited.

Cinnamon Oil. — I bavo tried evorything for beo-stings,
and I have found that pure cinnamon oil is tho best thing
I have over tried. Two drops of cinnamon oil will keep it
from swelling.— D. E. Baekeb {A. IS. J.).

September 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

411

(fcrespnfaenie.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions ex-pressed
6y his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the " British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strang evaays and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.' All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c., must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of August, 1887, amounted to 2601Z.
[From a return furnished by the Principal of the Sta-
tistical Department of Her Majesty's Customs to E. II.
Bellairs, Wingfield House, near Christchurch.]

DEAD BROOD.

[1215.] In ' Useful Hints ' of the 1st inst. exception is
taken by the worthy writer to a portion of the letter
which appeared in the previous week's issue from the
pen of Mr. S. Simmins, in which Mr. S. is made to say
that dead brood is a sign of ' weakness in the queen,' but
Mr. 'U. H.' affirms that it owes its origin to bacilli. If it
is the latter, unless curative measures are taken, the
stock, in all reasonable calculations, would still be
affected. But I take it that in Mr. S.'s case it is not so.
I have on several occasions, notably in four instances
this season, had the same experience as Mr. S., which I
think will bear out his ideas as being the most feasible.
I will take the case of a single stock having an imported
queen. This queen had been confined longer than usual
in her travelling box (fifteen days), and was introduced
last autumn. Noticing this last spring that things did
not seem to be in the most flourishing condition, I made
an examination and found dozens of larvae dead in their
cells. This continued for some weeks until the warm
weather set in; it then suddenly disappeared. I
accounted for this by the fact that the queen had re-
covered from her indisposition on the advent of such
weather as she had been accustomed to in sunny Italy.
In two other instances the same results were experienced,
but the queens in these cases had not been confined for
so long a period (according to my knowledge). The
number of eggs laid were about on a par with other im-
ported queens, but I had to add brood in order to keep
the hives crowded, or should have thought that it might
have been chilled, although too patchy. In the third
instance it occurred in a lot of driven bees. In this case
they were over a week in confinement last season, and
were also very close pushed for stores during the winter.
Why should not queens lay eggs, some of which have
less vitality than others ? Birds frequently do so. In
mammals, after the dam has been subjected to any
extraordinary privation, some of the young brought
forth will have little or no vitality, and yet others of the
same birth are well and strong. With the above facts
before me I think there is little doubt that all dead
brood — excepting chilled — do not contain bacilli. Let
us hope they don't.

Bees and Manure-heaps. — If Mr. Boyes will provide
his bees with plenty of salt and water very few of them
will visit manure-heaps. I trust that his opponent
G. T. ' will soon give up the practice of extracting from
brood-combs, or rather from combs containing brood, not
on account of the quality of the honey, but for the wel-
fare of the brood.

Wasps. — I wish ' W. M.' would come and collect all

the wasps around my location. He is welcome to them
even if they are such ' useful critters.'

Honey Dew. — ' Beeswing ' will find that foreign races
of bees will collect the excreta of aphides as readily as
the down-trodden blacks. Scarcely any has been
collected in this district during the last season, although
we were ten weeks without rain, and very little dew. —
W. B. Webster, Binfield, Berks.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD-COMBS.

[1246.] With one or two exceptions, I have made an
absolute rule for myself not (outside my late official duties)
to write to the Bee Journal on any subject, and certainly
not on controversial points, feeling that my limited bee
experience does not yet justify my protruding my views on
the English bee world ; but I have been drawn from my
rule by a late letter of Mr. F. Boyes, on the subject of
extracting from brood -comb, which has hurt my
feelings, I must own, very much. To start with, quite
irrespective of this special subject, Mr. Boyes has a
peculiar way of his own of stating his views which
always grates harshly on my ear. When a man makes
a new, or even disputes an old, important statement on
any science, it is usual to do so with some degree of
diffidence. Quite unintentionally, I hope, Mr. Boyes
writes as if no one else could be right except himself, and
that once he has stated what he believes to be fact, that
fact (?) must be law from henceforth. I honestly hope
I have misconstrued him, and hope to get a good basting
from him next week. I will own for his benefit, in
writing his reply, that a letter of his, early this year or
late last year, — I forget the exact date, — has prejudiced
me slightly against his writings. I am open to correction.

To return to my special point, when I read the letter
in question (1204), I made up my mind to wait and see
whether some one better able than myself would take
him in hand in the next issue, September 1st. On reading
' G. T.' on the vexed point (121.3) I thought I would
try also.

To start, therefore, I would ask for details of Mr.
Boyes' chemical analysis of the honey from which he
makes his statement, as I presume he has some grounds
for it. If, as I suspect, he has not tested honey from
brood (or other) combs for impurities such as would be
found if there were traces of the nitrites which would
be found in manure-water, I would be really grateful to
him if he would, even at this late date, take a brood-
comb containing honey, extract, and either experiment on
it himself or get a friend to do so. To test analytically
for nitrites, which are always present in all sewage water
or water which contains urea (CON2 H4) is a very
elaborate process, and requires chemical skill. However,
since urea is found to take up elements of water and
form ammonium carbonate, this by oxidation is con-
verted into nitrous acids. To test for the presence of
nitrous acid is a very simple process, and may be done
by any one as follows : Add to the honey to be tested a
little potassium iodide, acidify with a few drops of acetic
acid, and add a little starch. Shut this mixture up in a
dark cupboard, and let it stand for fifteen minutes. If
nitrous acids are present the liquid will turn blue.

I do, and always have, extracted from brood-combs, and
believe it to be distinctly beneficial if done carefully.
My honey (mea sententia) is second to none in purity,
colour, and flavour ; and though I rarely taste it myself,
it is eaten regularly by a judge who would soon detect
any vile stuff tasting of urea and manure-water. I am
away from the use of a chemical laboratory at present,
but at some future time I will try and go deeper into the
subject which affects the interests of bee-keepers more
than appears at first sight.

Next, set the chemistry of the question aside, and
allow for an instant that bees while collecting honey also
collect and store water in their brood-combs. What

41:

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 15, 18S7.

are we faced with at once ? Evidently, I think, that we
may never extract from a comb which has ever con-
tained brood. Because even if there is no brood at
present in the comb, and all liquid has been evaporated
or extracted and cleaned out by the bees, traces of solid
nitrites cannot fail to remain, which would probably be
taken into solution or suspension again when placed in
contact with a liquid. Even if that is too broad a state-
ment, it would, by Mr. Boyes' argument, be dangerous
to extract from a comb containing honey, but from
which all the season's brood has hatched out ; and of
these combs I always have a large number, in upper
especially, and also lower storeys. I admit that bees do
visit queer places, manure-heaps, pig-styes, &c, but I have
always thought that they were only attracted there by
their powerful sense of smell, and that unless absolutely
reduced to water starvation, left all foul places as empty
as they came. I have no definite proof on either side.

I have said my say, and now withdraw for wiser pens
than mine to do fierce battle in the interests of pure
English, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh honey. The only
reason that I lenow of for not extracting from brood-
combs is the possible injury done thereby to the eggs
and brood. I have watched very carefully and am
decidedly of the opinion that with care no injury is done
to the brood, and, except an odd one, eggs stay in their
places. The argument that I would not like to have
been put in a machine and whirled round when an infant
is manifestly a joke, and does not compare with present
circumstances. This was gravely suggested in my pre-
sence lately, and was considered as final by the meeting.
— Walter J. Stanford, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD-COMBS (1243).

[1247.] I may tell Mr. Boyes that it was from the
brood-combs I extracted my honey, although ho should
have understood so from my letter ; and I may also tell
him for his edification that I finished extracting on the
3rd ult., and could now extract nearly 600 lbs. more, but
it would not be as good honey as the first, and intend to
let the bees winter on it. In his letter (1204) he says
the ' liquid ' extracted from brood-combs is not honey, no
word of unsealed brood, or larva, as I should name it,
containing the liquid, but the whole of the brood-combs,
as I understood it, and so it reads — and as to the ex-
tractor taking it from the larvre it is doubtful if used
with caution.

He quite misunderstands my meaning about using the
extractor freely. Whoever heard or read of using the
extractor on skeps ? I never did (it would have been well
for the skepists if it could have been done this year,
especially with swarms, as will be seen next spring).
What I meant to convey was that the bees, as the cells
become vacant, fill them with honey, leaving no room
for the queen to lay, as she should do at least 1000 eggs
a-day during the busy season to keep up the strength of
the hive. The consequence is there are not sufficient
young bees to take the place of those that die from
different causes, which are considerable, and the hive is
therefore getting weaker instead of stronger. By using
the extractor the queen can lay up to her standard, as
my hives prove, which are overflowing with bees, and
shall winter on the eight frames, Langstroth size. I
never said it was necessary to extract from the combs to
make the bees fill the sections, and I consider it all
nonsense on his part to have understood me writing such
a thing. — O. T., September 10th.

TIME FOK MANIPULATION.— INOCULATION.—

THIRTY THOUSAND STINGS.

[1248.] If you will kindly allow me space, I should

like to ►ay a word in answer to 'C. A. M.' (1222). I

think it makes hut little difference at what time of the

day a hive is manipulated during warm weather if it is
done with care and without any quick motion of the
hands. I believe they notice that more in the bright
sunlight than in the evening, as in the sun the shadows
from our hands pass in varied motions on and off the top
of the hive ; this my experience teaches me they dislike.
I think if ' C. A. M.,' another season, does as I have dona,
shade the hive during manipulation by simply fixing a
small sheet on two long stakes in front of the hive in
such a position as to stop the sun's rays from the hive,
he would save himself from so many of those much-
dreaded tenth stings, and thus save himself a deal of
howling.

Now with regard to the alleged inoculation theory, our
friend thinks it all a delusion. I find that a bee's sting
affects one person differently to what it does others, and
different stings will vary in severity and effect on one
person. A great deal depends upon the part we are
stung ; if on a vein, or a part where our skin is thin, the
effect would be more ; also, our health at the time rules
it considerably. I find with myself that the stings affect
me less as the season advances. With some it may be
different ; but still I should be slow to say that others'
experience, though differing from my own, is all a delu-
sion .

No doubt '0. A.M.' speaks from experience. He says,
' his natural funk leads him to exaggerate the severity of
the stings that he gets.' It must be the case with him-
self and his tenth-sting theory, and when he was taking
the bees from the roof, when he says he received about
thirty thousand stings, perhaps about thirty were exag-
geratively multiplied into that number ; for if he actually
received anything like that num ber — and, according to his
tenth-sting theory, I should not have cared to have been
near the locality at the time — the howling must have been
awful.

With regard to calculating the winter stores by the
superficial area of sealed stores, it is my plan, though it
may be most misleading. But I should be sorry to see
some of my combs two and a quarter inches thick and
others only three-quarters. I think I should set to work
with my knife in the early season, and teach my friends
to keep their combs more regular. — A. G. Andrews,
Rose Cottage, Ilaughley, Suffolk,

PARALLEL V. RIGHT-ANGLED FRAMES.

[1249.] The above subject being now under discussion,
perhaps you will allow me to say a word. I have kept
bees on both systems (cold and warm so called) for some
few years, and have now about equal numbers of each.
For the summer I do not think it makes the least differ-
ence what system is practised as regards the production
of honey. My best hive (which gave me over 100 lbs.
of honey) was on the warm system, and my next best
was on the cold. But for winter I prefer the cold,
though I know that will be contrary to a good many
bee-keepers' advice. Last winter I lost the first two
seams of bees in three of my hives on the warm system.
They were starved to death though they had plenty of
honey at the back of the hive, but the cold being so long
without a warm spell between they could not get at it.
I put them in winter quarters on ten frames, but as the
weather got colder the bees got closer together, so that
they only covered seven frames in the depth of winter.
In the early spring I found the three last frames full of
sealed honey, and the two first frames full of dead bees
without a bit of honey in. Now, the bees on the cold
system came through the winter in prime condition.
They, like the bees on the warm system, wintered in the
front part of the hive, but instead of occupying six or
soven frames they occupied the front part of all the
frames, so that they had access to all their stores without
leaving the frames they were on. I do not think it
necessary to cut passage-ways in the combs when you

September 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

413

Lave the frames at right angles. I have never found
it so.

As regards foul brood, I cannot say anything on that ;
I have never seen it. — John Bull, Ririgstead,

P. S. — All new hives I get will be on the cold system.

STARTING A BEE-FAEM.
[1250.] With your permission, I shall be very pleased
if some of our veteran and much-esteemed bee-masters
will Idndly reply to the following — perhaps unusual-
questions, viz. : —

1. What would be a fair number of strong stocks with
which to start a bee-farm as a means of earning a living
— i. e. by which an income of 30s. to 40s. per week could
be secured — assuming the average price of honey sold to
be Gd. per lb. ?

2. What outlay would be required ?

3. What breed of bees, all things considered ?

4. When is the best time to commence ?

Those who will take the trouble to answer the above
will kindly accept the most sincere thanks of — A Welsh
Bee-keeper, September 8th.

[Will some of our bee-masters kindly reply to above ?
—Ed.]

A NOVICE DBIVING BEES BY
CANDLE-LIGHT.

{Extracts from a letter to a friend.)

[1251.] My hive is now completed and inhabited,
newly painted green, and looks quite creditable for an
amateur. The hive i have made out of old timber that
I had, 14g x 15i inches inside, like the one on p. 95, in
the sixpenny book (Baldwin's Dublin hive), with a move-
able floor. I am really pleased with it. I wrote to
Abbott's for No. 1 foundation for eight frames, and put
it in. I replied to an advertisement in the Bee Journal
and received at 10.45 last night, from Biggleswade,
Bedfordshire, 5 lbs. of bees, and, I suppose, queen or
queens amongst them, at Is. per lb., and packing Gd.,
viz., 5s. 6d. — I shall also have to pay carriage, about Is.

We had gone to bed, having given them up for the
night, but when I had got nicely to sleep there was a
rap-rap at the shop-door, it wakened me, and I went to
look out at the window ; and I saw a gentleman standing
with a box. I said, ' The bees were come ! ' and pulled on
my trousers and received them from the station-master ; he
said I was to open it and let them have their liberty in
the cellar : this, of course, by way of a joke. I was ex-
cited. A constant hum roared in the box, which denoted
abundance of life. It was very dark and had been
raining very heavily, and eleven o'clock at night, what
■was I to do ? They had travelled all day, and were en-
closed in a wood box about 15 by 12 by 8 in. deep, i in.
stuff, with a 2 by I in. hole in one side covered with
perforated zinc, to prevent the bees' exit. Now I had to
decide what to do. I thought it best, as they had been
confined so long, to release them. So I got corduroy,
syrup, &c.,all ready,and went into the garden with Frank,
taking matches and candle. There was a strong wind, and
we had no lantern, and the candle was blown out scores
of times and as often relit. I determined first to try and
drive the bees from the box into the hive, and nailed
three pieces of wood together, forming a sort of tunnel
between the box and hive to drive the bees through, so
that they could not escape. I scarcely durst pull the
zinc away from the hole of the box : I had the idea just
at the moment they would rush out, because there was so
much commotion inside. The sides of the box were
covered with sprigbit holes. I set the corduroy on fire
and blew the smoke into the box as well as I could, and
drummed the box, both myself and Frank, for three-
quarters of an hour ; but all to no purpose, — not a bee
went into the hive. I thought 'This will never do, I must

try another plan.' All at once it came to my mind —
' Spoonful them.' I thought I would open the box-lid just
a bit — all was quiet. I opened a little further — still all was
quiet. Fiuilly, I lifted the lid altogether ; there the
bees were, clustered on the under side two or three inches
thick — all was quiet. I lifted it gently on to the hive,
having first extracted two frames from the eight, and
thus leaving a gap. Frank gave me the spoon, and I
pushed them all off as well as I could in the dark and
intermittent candle-light. I then took the box and did
the same with it — waited a few minutes, put back the
two frame3 after the}' had spi'ead a bit in the hive. I
then began to collect the stragglers as well as circum-
stances would permit. All at once Frank says, ' There's
one creeping up my leg! ' ' Oh, never mind it, if it does
not sting.' ' It has got higher up now ! ' ' Well, never
mind it.' ' It's got on my back, now it's stinging me ; '
and there was a yelp, I can tell you. ' Go into the
house.' He told his mother there were half-a-dozen on
his back, his mother could only find one, but there was a
red point where the sting had entered. I had the veil on
and a pair of kid gloves, and did not receive a single
sting.

This morning I was up early to see how they were
getting on. I found a very few bees about that had been
killed in the dark, and a few clusters about the size of an
egg here and there dripping with wet — -it rained terribly
fast after we left them at night — I got them on the spoon
and placed them on the quilt near the syrup bottle to re-
vive ; and at noon I found they had all disappeared
except about half-a-dozen dead ones. At noon the
syrup had all gone out of the bottle ; about three-
quarters of a pound. Some I had given them the pre-
vious night had run off the floor-board on to the ground,
and about 100 or 200 bees were busy sipping it. They
seemed to be quite settled, and all getting on right.

I send you herewith a sample bee. Is it not a strange
experience for a start ? — fancy the rapping at dead of
night three-quarters of an hour frjm 12 to 12.45 ! I have
not seen the queen, I suppose she will be there. Will
she be fecundated already ? — J. F.

HIVE-MAKING.

[1252.] I have read with very great interest the differ-
ent articles on the making of hives, manipulating them,
introducing queens, and the various systems of managing
bee-hives generally.

After a careful study of these matters I cannot help
coming to the conclusion that the majority, and more
especially the labouring class, cannot avail themselves
of one-half of the requisites of bee-culture as laid down.

One writer recently stated, and very correctly, that a
labourer had not the time at his disposal ; neither has he,
sir, the tools and money to carry out all that is recom-
mended : and except some cheaper, easier, and more
simple method can be introduced, bee-culture amongst
cottagers must go on very much in the old style. Some
three years ago I bought Modern Bee-keeping, in which
(page 21) very useful and simple instructions are given
in making hives. This led me to make my own hives,
and any one can do the same with very few tools and
little expense. Many cottagers are very fair carpenters,
as I have every reason to know from experience, and
they, as a rule, possess the tools — a saw, hammer,
gimlet, plane, and screw-driver. Now for my hive.

I get from the grocers a corn-beef box— one that holds
six tins, 14 lbs. each. The box (this is obtained for 3d.
or 4d.) measures 14| x 14 x 14 inside. I cut down front
and back level with inside, just to hold standard frame,
and being fourteen inches deep it admits of frame and
sections on top. I lay a piece of zinc over both ends
where the frames rest, and let it wrap over slightly in
the hive. This box takes eight standard frames (broad-
shoulder), but I am obliged to saw just a bit off each end

414

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 15, 1887.

of frame ; metal ends would answer well here, I think.
To finish the hire, I use the hest parts of the top and
bottom of the hox for a hinged flap, which, let down,
affords a small table when manipulating; raised and
fastened, it secures the sections and holds the frames
firmly. The nails I take out of the top and bottom of
box I use to make sides a little more secure. I putty,
and paint two coats. During the winter I cover with
unbleached calico, and over it a pillow fiUed with very
small bits of paper, a covering both warm, dry, and clean,
and further within the reach of all. The little ones, as
in my case, can, and delight in tearing up bits of paper
for ' pillows.' Of course, I make an outer covering ; and
here again I am indebted to your small work (page 26).
Here is a hive, sir, for less than one shilling, that any
labourer can moke. I know that objections will be made
against its size, &c. ; but I have used and worked it for
the last three years. — E. T.

WASPS.
[1-53.] In these days we ought to be surprised at
nothing, but your correspondent ' W. M.' must have
surprised most bee-keepers, both amateur and profes-
sional, by his defence of wasps. I am only an amateur
of a few years' experience, but so far as I know there is
not a greater pest to the apiary than ' W. M.V favourites.
True, these insects are veiw beautiful, and from ' W. M.'s '
point of view very interesting. "What can more interest
a lover of bees than to see these beautiful, harmless in-
sects glide gracefully along the alighting-board, till, reach-
ing the entrance, they get repulsed once, twice, or even
the third or fourth time, and then, with perseverance
worthy of a professional burglar, at last find the door-
way UDguarded, and proceed to plunder right and left —
bees, brood, hone}', they don't care what — and, after
disabling a few bees, who have eventually to be carried
out corpses, fight their way out, only to repeat the pro-
cess, 1 am afraid to say how many times a-day. As to
their destroying aphides, they may do so, but, like the
sparrows and tits, they have got so demoralised that
green fly and red spider have it their own way while
the fruit and the poor bees have to suffer. These harm-
less insects, too, have another good point : they are early
risers (they get up about two hours sooner than bees
and retire an hour or two later), and, unless it is a very
strong stock, they make sad havoc while the bees are
more or less dormant. I killed (I hope for ' W. M.'s '
forgiveness) three hundred and twenty of these beautiful
and harmless insects as they were leaviny one hive.
True, they may have been in search of the larvas of moths,
but evidently tbey didn't know one from the other, as
several met their death with bee larvre in their jaws.
If the Yankee advertisement which appeared some time
since offering a reward for making outdoor life agreeable
to mosquitoes were slightly altered, I believe most bee-
keepers would gladly subscribe to reward him who
would make outside ' an apiary ' life agreeable to those
harmless insects versus daylight robbers — wasps. — C.
Honey.

WASPS— VEILS-STINGS.
[1254.] Your correspondent ' W.M.' (No. 120?) asks
' on what grounds the humane bee-keeper can defend
wasp-killing,' as he has never seen or heard of wasps
' doing any damage whatever to hives.' I should like to
express my belief in his assertion, but at the same time
state my opinion from observations that wasps, though
doing no injury to hives, yet do a great amount of harm
to the contents thereof, namely, to the bees, honey, and
comb, which, according to my ideas, is a matter of far
greater moment. This year especially I have noticed
wasps fighting with and killing bees on the flight-boards
of my hives, possibly made more desperate by the lack
of ripe fallen fruit in my garden; and on examining the

other day a cottager's skep, which two months since had
been occupied hy a moderately strong stock of bees, and
finding no bees, no honey, broken combs, and a small
colony of wasps, I do not wonder at the humane bee-
keeper defending and adopting wasp-killing, although
they may be in other respects, as ' W. M.' says, as valu-
able as bees. I don't mean of course to assert positively
that the entire destruction of the above stock and
spoliation of its stores were attributable to wasps, but
the hive having occupied a nice sheltered spot, and, as I
have said, been fairly tenanted, and as numerous wasps
had latterly been seen busily engaged thereabout, I
cannot help sharing in the owner's belief that ' most of
the mischief was owing to them wasps.'

With regard to ' W. M.'s' inquiry if I can manage
without a veil, I reply that though daily manipulating
veilless I never so attempt any of the major operations,
and so far have not once been stung on the eye. I have
however, been stung several times on various parts of
my bodjr, but not felt any inconvenience therefrom.
That some stings hurt more than others I know, but, in
forming my opinion as to inoculation or otherwise, do
not look to the actual pain suffered at the time of in-
fliction, but to the after results. And when I find that
though when stung a blister may rise, giving pain, yet
in a few moments it disappears without the application
of any so-called remedy, and all pain ceases, I cannot
but believe in inoculation, and deem myself inoculated
notwithstanding.

'1222V humorous experiences 'up a scaffold.' By
the way, if not giving him too much trouble, I
should like to ask what ultimately became of the
queen, the sole survivor of the ' strong stock,' for it
is evident from his letter that she alone survived the
horrors of that dreadful day. Let me refer to his letter
for particulars : ' The stock was a strong one (I daresay
there were 30,000 bees), and I believe that every bee
except the queen and two others left its sting in my
skin ; the two others stung my friend.' On reading
these words I could not help thinking (without casting
any reflection on '1222V pluck) that long before his
skin had received the 29,997 stings he probably had
acted as ' W. M. ' says wasp-haters do act, and had re-
ceived the punishment the same writer declares such
conduct deserves. And then the question arose in my
mind, could it be possible that having innocently, and
possibly blindly, carried home the queen in solitary
grandeur (her two companions having paid the penalty
for interfering with his friend's ' skin ') and placed her
in a hive discovered, on losing his ' hedgehog-like '
appearance, that she and her followers were not, attri-
buted his loss to the wasps ? I make no assertion, but
simply state the question as it arose in my mind. — ■

PEnSEVERANDO.

DEAD WASPS.
[1255.] Since reading your article on wasps, in B. B.
J., I have given time and attention to them and find
that single-handed the bees have no chance. This week
I discovered between two hives I have on one stand a
small mound of dead wasps, numbering near two hundred.
Now, the bees must have carried them there, but could
it be from one or both hives. Perhaps somo bee-keeper
will enlighten me. — Member Worcestershire B. K. A.

BEES INVADING SHOP.

[1256.] Your lively correspondent ' X-tractor' is wrong.
The bees which invaded the Dunbar shop were, I believe,
the property of an old gentleman who lives just across
the street. Curiously enough, that was the third time a
swarm from t he samo owner had tried to make a homo
in that shop. Could it be the same queen who has
yearly coveted this place P Queen records not being
kept by this bee-keeper, I have been unable to find out.

September 15, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

415

What does ' X-tractor ' mean by the — poetry, shall I call
it ? Does he want a queen ? Sorry that I have too few
for myself. — G. D. Clark, Kirklandhill, Dunbar, Sep-
tember ith.

BUMPING.

[1257.1 On the subject of ' bumping- ' I should like to
say that I found it quite a success. I bumped seven lots
this year in the time I took to drive three last year,
taking less than ten minutes per hive, as against five and
twenty last year. There were several hives with combs
very soft and heavy with honey, but I think that with
care, and a little working backwards and forwards of
course, these can be fished out with less mess than i3
made by cutting out the combs after driving, which is a
very nasty business. Besides, there is the delightful
'tit -bit,' the crash! How pleasant to dash the hive of
bees on the ground and hear the buzz of alarm and con-
sternation that follows. I may say that I also followed
the explicit instructions given in the B. B. J. for
August 11 (not 18), for which I was very greatful as
they came just in time, and I had never before heard of
bumping, which, I think, ought to supersede 'driving' al-
together.— A Learner.

BUMPING A FAILURE.

.. [1258.] If folk only take half your advice instead of
the whole they must not wonder at failure. Bumping' a
hive containing tender new comb and on a hot evening is,
to say the least, a great risk, which I woidd not rim,
With old combs I can generally get through six stocks in
an ho hi-. For removing heavy combs I use a thin piece
of board, with a handle screwed on (across the grain) on
which to lift out the combs, and one for the middle and the
other for outside combs would be better. I think it
would be better still if made of tin with a stiff wire
round the edge and to form the handle. — W. E.
Burkitt, Wilts Bee-keepers' Association, Buttermere
Rectory, Hungerford.

FASTENING COMBS IN SKEPS.
[1259.] I do this by cutting ordinary top bars with
saw cuts to the required length, put in the foundation,
and fasten in the bars with a few wire nails, and tie
them with wire through the top of the hive at proper
distances. — W. E. Bubkitt.

JUDGING HONEY.— A JUDGE APPRECIATED.

[1 260.] By your kind permission I should like to say
a few words on the judging which took place at the
North Staffordshire County Show, held at Burslem on
the 7th and 8th inst.

Being one of the exhibitors, it was my privilege to
be present, and thinking it not rude on my part to
notice the whole proceedings and gain what information
I could from the remarks of the judge on the various
exhibits, and as I stood by I remarked to a friend
what a tedious and unpleasant position it was to be
placed in ; but I must say he exercised the greatest
patience and care in making the awards. I have
not sent this because I was one of the fortunate in
gaining the first prize and the silver medal, but
as I think Mr. Hooker deserves great praise for the
judicious manner in which he performed his duty,
and I return him my sincere thanks for the same. —
James S. Lauton, Swan Terrace, Woore, Neiocastle,
Staff.

HONEY BY THE HUNDREDWEIGHT.

[1261.] I hope no one will be discouraged by reading
the letter signed ' Sherborne, Dorset.' In the first place,
be tells us he has realised 56 lbs. from one hive ; then

whose fault was it the others were such a failure P I
am afraid he has not followed our friend Cowan upon
general management in The Bee-keepers' Guide page
125, &c. Some of our friends fail in having more stocks
than they can attend to. I find twelve to fifteen stocks
to take up all my spare time, and I have found by
following the Cowan essay and ' Useful Hints ' in our
valuable Journal the best results. This year my bees
have done well (not better than last year). I have taken
from one stock of twelve frames over 130 lbs., chiefly
1-lb. sections ; another 100 lbs., chiefly 2-lb. ; another
over 100 lbs., one swarm over 50 lbs., No. 2 swarm over
40 lbs., chiefly 1-lb. sections ; altogether the bees have
paid for the labour bestowed. I don't know what stock
pays so well with such an outlay of capital. Now re-
specting the price of honey last year, I commenced the
season with extracted (which I pass through a flannel
bag) at Is. 1-lb. jars, sections 15<7. a pound, 3 lbs. 2s. Gd.,
sold about three dozen sections at the finish of the
season at 10s. a dozen ; and if, as ' Sherborne ' says, it
would be easy to find a good business man to find a
market for honey, my advice is, use all your influence in
trying to keep on the work of the Association to which
you belong to pay for such a man. Our Association un-
fortunately has gone to the bad, and I should only be
too glad to assist in the formation of another, as
' North Lincoln ' says, upon sound principles. I have
been waiting and hoping to see a reply to ' North
Lincoln's' from some of our more experienced bee-
keepers in Lincoln, Boston, Grantham, Louth, Spaiding,
&c, as we all know the great benefit an association is to
the labouring classes when properly worked. — N. E.
Lincolnshire.

ARNOLD'S SOAP.
[1262.] Every bee-keeper has experienced the diffi-
culty of getting his hands clean from propolis after
working with his bees. I have tried everything with
indifferent success, until I was presented with a bottle of
'Arnold's Soap' to try its cleansing powers; I tried it
on propolised hands, and, like other illustrious personages,
' since using it I have used no other.' The propolis dis-
appears almost instantaneously, and saves much time
and ill-temper, and leaves the hands really clean and
unstained. — D. E. L.

CARBOLIC ACID— APIFUGE.

[1263.] Referring to ' Amateur Expert's ' letter in
last Journal (page 393), I don't think he need be a bit
afraid of carbolic tainting his sections if used carefully,
which of course he would do. I have been using it for
the past season or two, and find it far before smoke or
apifuge. If I want to take off a crate of sections I damp
a cloth with the carbolic solution and throw it over the
crate for a few minutes, when nearly all the bees go
down. By merely doing this it cannot touch the honey,
and how could it taint it ? Some party (' A Lanarkshire
Bee-keeper,') advised putting carbolic papers down
between the sections, but I think that a dangerous plan
and likely to taint the honey.

I have given the apifuge a fair trial ; there is no
doubt there is some virtue in it, but it won't prevent
bees stinging if inclined. If it was cheaper, and that we
could use more of it, it might ; but while so expensive as
it is at present we cannot do that unless we have plenty
of money to pay for it. To be really useful it should be
about Is. Gd. a pint instead of Is. 6d, for a tablespoonful
as it is. — A Cottager.

ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERS' HONEY.
[1264.] With reference to the suggestion made this
week by ' Sherborne,' Dorset, that Associations should assist
their members in the sale of their honey, 1 may mention

41G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 15, 1887.

that this is done 03' the Irish Bee-keepers' Association.
Wo have estahlished a depot in Duhlin where, by the
agency of a good business firm, the honey of our mem-
bers is sold to ' grocers and others who come directly
into contact with the consumer.' A commission of five
per cent paid to the business firm aud charged to mem-
bers is the only share of the profits taken in this case by
the ' middle men.' So far we have sold during the
present year nearly 2000 sections, besides some extracted
honey in bottles. As regards prices, there was a short
period — about a fortnight — when the market was
flooded with sections, and we could not obtain more
than the price complained of by ' Sherborne,' viz., 6d. ;
but now, and during the first half of the year, the price
lias been substantially higher than this. With refer-
ence to extracted honey, we have not had any of it sent
unbottled. Probably we could not obtain more for it in
that form than ' Sherborne ' does. But in bottles, after
deducting lid. for bottle, &c, the prices obtained leave
considerably more than od. a pound for the honey. —
Henry Chenevix, Son. Sec. I.B.K.A., Blackrock,
Dublin.

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
[1265.] Tn your report of the above, in your issue of
the British Bee Journal for September 8th, I noticed
there is an inaccuracy as to the quantity of honey said
to be staged by me in the class for the best exhibit
from one apiary in quantity not less than one hundred-
weight, as in addition to the quantity named in your
report I also staged in this exhibit a 'device in honey-
comb,' representing a V. R. with a crown in the centre,
and the figures 1837-1887 underneath. This device
alone gained a bronze medal as second prize at the
recent Caledonian Society's show held at Perth, such
prize being awarded in a competition of eight exhibits
in the same class. Regarding the question as to whether
extracted honey only, or a collection of both comb and
extracted, was intended by the schedule of prizes to be
shown in this class, and your emphasis on the word
'Sonet/,' printed in italics in your report, 1 would point
out that before making my entries for the show, I wrote
the hon. sec, Wm. Lees McClure, Esq., for infor-
mation as to what should be shown in this class, and he
replied, ' Both comb and extracted ; honey in any form.'
This, I think, should confirm the decisions of the judges.
—II. Wood,

(fBrjmes from % gibes.

'Honey Colt,' Weston, Leamington, September V2th, 1887.
— During the month just passed I have been very busy of an
evening driving bees, and making them up into stocks, by
giving them combs ready built and feeding them up ; some
that I took a month ago have been breeding well, and are in
first-rate order. After getting the bees home of an evening
if 1 have any brood, which I get sometimes, I tie it in
frames and place in the centre of temporary hives which
hold about seven or eight frames, though usually I only
place about two combs on each side of the one with brood, I
then place them on a board on the ground and raise the
front of hive up about \\ incheB, also putting another board
up to the other, and get the hive with bees and give it a good
smack on each side with both hands and the bees fall out
on the board and soon run in. If there are not bees enough
to make a good stock I pitch another lot on to them, so that
in running in they always unite peaceably; then, first thing
in the morning, I place them in their proper place and feed
at once, so that there is no fear of their turning out as
poverty swarms. I should like to give my opinion against
bumping, except in regard to casts that have not more than
half filled their hives with combs. I know that people
would not want me to take their bees if I mossed up the
bees with honey, &c. as some do, whereas peoplo send and
ask me to drive their bees, because they have had it dono

satisfactorily year after year, the young queens from casts
and old stocks that have swarmed I look after, so as far as
possible to only save the young queens. The bees now
keep at home to protect themselves against robbers, either
bees or wasps, while of the latter they lay on the ground in
front of the entrances showing that the bees are masters of
the situation. I cannot understand the wasps killing whole
stocks, except they are queenless or the entrances much too
large. While stocks are ill proper order I never fear dam-
age from the wasps ; fortunately I got most of my sections
taken off aud extracting done before they became so
numerous.

Ilmcorth, Keigldey. — Our report is as follows :— Started
year under gloomy prospects, very cold and wet, until end
of May. Vegetation was kept back, so that when June and
better weather came all was out at once, viz., bilberries,
sycamore, hawthorn, and fruit trees — bloom in abundance.
Bees then did well ; but owing to oold May, hives were not
ready for it. By end of June all was over in this section.
Fields were cut and bee pasturage reduoed. Inorease plen-
tiful—never did better better in the time ; but, owing to hot,
dry weather, instead of bees forging ahead, they gradually
consumed stores, and when taken to the moors in August,
about the 7th, there was not a pound to spare (none had
been taken). For throe weeks after bloom was out nothing
was done off it, on account of dryness and frosty nights.
Bain came ; we had then Jive days in which the bees worked
marvellously; every space was filled up in next to no time,
and our hearts rejoiced, — when suddenly the weather broke,
and it has been rain ever since. Now all is over except the
rain, which continues to descend. All we have to depend
on here is the ling bloom ; if that fails, we fail likewise.
Straw skeps are chiefly used. Myself and one friend have
bar-frames — I thirteen, he twenty. He has been a bee-
keeper these last forty years, and his report is, ' If all was
reokoned up, I am 1007. debtor to cash just now,' This is
a poor distiict for bee-keeping, and my friend's private
opinion of it is as follows ; ' Noo wun reete i' ther heads
wod keep bees i' this cuntry.' Wasps are becoming a
nuisance, they are so plentiful ; no fear of their dying out
just yet. They are also plentiful, even to a scourge, in two
places more I can mention. Cannot give weight of honey
yet, but consider average about 20 lbs. a hive surplus. — G.
Bobinson.

Kirklandhill, Dunbar, September ith. — This year has not
been such a good one with me, owing to the drought com-
pletely spoiling the pastures about here. I commenced the
year with three Stewarton and five frame hives. From
them I got 210 lbs. of comb-honey and three swarms ; also
a lot of comb unfinished. The sections used were one and
a half inch, and have not been by any means a success.
Though no separators were used the combs were capped
straight enough, but there were as many, if not more, pop-
holes in narrow sections as in wide. Wasps are very plenti-
ful, and doing immense damage to bees, fruit, &c. There
seem to be two kinds of wasps ; one is smaller than the
common, and very dark yellow on the first two rings. Can
anyone tell me if they have been noticed before ? I forgot
to say that my bees have not been to the heather this year.
— G. D. Clark.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or whore appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is menut for the general good oj
bcc-kccjicrs, and not for aducrlisemeuts. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always bo replied to in the issuo
immediately following tho receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will bo attended to, and those only of personal
interest will bo answered in this column.

Agnes Thomson. — Transferrinr) . — We advise you to keep
your bees as they are until next season, and then to
take a swarm and place it in the frame-hive. It is too
late to transfer now, except by an experienced apiarist.
You do not state tho size of the octagonal hiye. If it
weighs about 25 lbs. gross you may remove tho upper box
of honey for your own use.

G. T. — Casting out Yotinff Bees. — This not infrequently
happens from nuclei. In some cases it is caused by
tho very young bees being ' crowded out' by their rather

September 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

417

older brethren in the middle of the day, when such fly
and cannot return. We have also seen the old bees turn
them out, but not in very large quantities; in such eases
we have always supposed, that through some physio-
logical failing or weakness of the mother, these are the
weaklings of the hive.

T. H,, Pinxton. — Your post-card suggests a number of
topics for us to write upon ; we shall be happy to gratify
your wishes to the extent of our limits in subsequent
numbers.
Fearful,' — Foul Brood. — The piece of comb forwarded is so
small that a positive opinion can hardly be given, although
we are very strongly of opinion that it has come from a
stook so affected,

Aps. — Condemned Bees. — When driving two skeps, with the
object of uniting the colonies there is no necessity to scent
them. One can be driven, and the hive containing them
placed over the second stock, and these bees driven in
with the others, they will unite peaceably. Either of the
queens can be caught as the bees ascend, or they can be
allowed to settle their own differences. We are strongly
averse to putting condemned bees upon foundation only,
as the labour of drawing it out exhausts the bees so that
by spring very few will be fit for work. If given frames
of comb they will make good colonies for next season.
They should be driven and put in the hive at once, feeding
them continuously and as fast as possible.

Subscriber. — See reply to 'Aps.'

T. T. M.— Syrup for winter food made from crystallised
pearl sugar would be preferable to that made from
sample forwarded.

G.H. — 1. Salicylic Acid Solution. — Salicylic acid loz.; soda
borax 1 oz. ; water 4 pints. Salicylic acid will prove a
preservative of syrup. 2. Autumn Food. — White lump
sugar, 10 lbs. ; water, 5 pints ; vinegar, 1 oz. ; salicylic
solution (as above), 1 oz. ; salt, -} oz. 3. Carbolic Sheet
Becipe. — 1J oz. Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid ; 1J oz. of
glycerine ; 1 quart of warm water. The acid and
glycerine to be well mixed before adding the water, and
the bottle to be well shaken before using. The piece of
calico should be steeped in the solution, wruug dry, and
spread over the hive on the removal of the quilt.

G. Robinson. — Our reports bear testimony to the large
honey yield in some parts of the north of England. If
bee-keepers who have been so fortunate as to have had a
large harvest of honey would postpone selling it for some
months, the price realised would be much higher than it
is at present.

Beeswing. — Lee's Sections. — Mr. Lee is at present engaged
in a series of experiments as to the best method of using
his sections. It will therefore be desirable to postpone
the reply to your questions for a few weeks, when we will
take an opportunity of recurring to them, and giving the
information in a more complete form than it is possible
to do at present.

Inquirer. — -Position of Hives. — The position of hives very
much depends on the surroundings. A sonth or south-
easterly aspect is desirable ; but the presence of hills,
valleys, plantations, trees, hedges, walls, &c, would re-
quire the bee-keeper to modify it accordingly. There
need be no hard-and-fast rule adhered to in this matter.

H. Lander. — Winter Passages. — These are very important,
and should not be omitted, as without some such means
of bees passing from comb to comb there is much danger
of colonies perishing. The simplest and the most rapid
method is to raise the comb, and resting it between two
others, to make the required passage with the cutter or a
pen-knife, and permit the exsected portion to drop be-
tween the combs on to the floor-board ; the bees will clear
it up without attracting the attention of outer bees. The
method suggested by you for dispensing with winter-
passages is similar to the contrivance known to bee-
keepers as ' Hill's device.' This consists of a number of
curved strips of wood nailed to a crosspiece. When laid
on to the tops of the frames it keeps the quilt up so as to
allow the bees passage beneath it. It has the advantage
of not disfiguring the combs, as winter passages are said
by some to do ; the latter are considered to be the more

[ efficient.

Received from Mr. W. J. Green, Sudbury, Suffolk, cir-
cular with description of his ' Improved Imperial Bar-frame
Hive,' a model of which was shown at the last quarterly
conversazione of the B.B.K.A.

Received from Mr. J. M. Hooker a sample box of honey-
drops, manufactured from his own honey. Exhibited at
the Manchester Show, Stand 492, Section 2. The drops have
a distinct flavour of honey, and are worthy of appreciation.

NOTICE !
Secretaries of County Associations are requested to
note that the next Quarterly Meeting of County Repre-
sentatives will take place on October 19th. Notices of
Motions for this Meeting should reach the Secretary of
the B. B. K. A. by Wednesday next, the 21st inst.

business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.
Edet & Son, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.
Meadhaii, M., Huntington, Hereford.
Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.
Neiqhbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.
Webster, W. B., Wokingham.
Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.
Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.
HONEY MERCHANTS.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.
British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Laibaeh, Camiola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, P., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keefers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey <& Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Sept. 15, 1887.

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D

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TRONG Six-framed CARNIOLAN STOCKS, Queens

guaranteed this year's ; pure, fertile. Address

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lowing Agents : —

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ANDREU, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca,

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskhani, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Wolwyn, Herts.

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DURRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford.

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Lodbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON. A. B., Brickhall, Ballywoolen, Killy-
loagh, Co. Down.

McNALLY, R., Glenlucc, N.B.

MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Hereford.

NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and
127 High Holborn, London.

OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Sussex.

REDSHAW, O.i Canal St., South Wigston, Leicester.

RICE, J. J., Wensum Street, Norwich.

RUDKIN, F., Belton, Uppingham.

SMITH & SON, 186 Strand, London; and at all Rail-
way Bookstalls.

WITHLNSHAW, A., Newcastle, Staffordshire.

WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

WREN, L., 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

Communications to the Editor to oe addressed ' Stranqeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 274. Vol. XV.]

SEPTEMBER 22, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(tectorial, Sotias, &.

HONEY-DEW.

Dr. Dzierzon, in his apioultural instructions to
bee-keepers for the present month (September),
says, ' In heath districts the bees may in favour-
able weather still have some pasture till towards
the middle of September, otherwise they can only
gather honey where honey-dew has formed, which
this month is not rare on pines. But this gener-
ally brings the stocks more loss than profit ; and
the honey that is carried in itself is of bad quality,
and is often the cause of dysentery when a long
and dreary winter ensues.' — Rational Bee-keeping,
p. 302. It may not, therefore, be inopportune at
the present time if we endeavour to discuss the
history, nature, and character of honey-dew, this
being a question of the deepest importance to bee-
keepers, as the presence of this so-called ' honey-
dew ' too often spoils the legitimate honey which
has been gathered, frequently blights the prospect
of their harvest, and disturbs their tempers.

To us moderns honey-dew is generally interpreted
as ' a sweet saccharine substance found on the leaves
of trees and other shrubs in small drops like dew.
Two substances have been called by this name —
one secreted from the plants, and the other de-
posited by a small insect called the aphis, or
vine-fretter.' But to the ancients the substance to
which they gave the name of ' honey-dew ' had a
very different and a much more highly exalted
meaning. Honey-dew is an old-world term ; it is
a combination of two words indicative of sweetness
and freshness. It was conjectured to be the purest
nectar, which was distilled from the air in some
miraculous manner. A spirit of poetry is called
forth by the lofty virtues attributed to it. It sends'
us back to the time when the world was young — to
the golden age — to the times of the Naiads and the
Dryads, the Fauns and the Satyrs, when

' Jove once more, as erst the Poets told,
Drips down each verd'rous robe a shower of gold,' —

when the hardy oaks, as Virgil has it, 'perspired
the dewy honey ' (et quercus sudabunt roscida mella),
or, as Ovid sings, ' The yellow honey dropt from
the green oak ' (Flavaque de viridi stillabant iliee
nulla.) The poets at all times speak in rapturous

terms of the excellency of honey-dew, they sing of
the aerii mellis ccelestia dona (' the heavenly gifts
of ethereal honey ') ; and the matter-of-fact philo-
sopher Pliny appears to be in great doubt as to his
designation of honey-dew, ' whether it is the per-
spiration of heaven, a certain saliva of the stars, or
the moisture of the air purging itself.' — Nat. Hist.
1. xi. c. 12.

Passing, by a leap, from the poetic and classic
period, and following the history of honey-dew to
after-times, we find the idea of the ancients that
honey-dew is a deposition from the surrounding
atmosphere continued to rule in the minds of
bee-keepers for many centuries. We cannot, in
our survey, find it in our hearts to pass by ' the
father of English apiarians ' (Dr. Butler), and we
therefore consult him to ascertain the interpreta-
tion of honey-dew in his day and generation. We
find in his Feminine Monarchie an estimation of it
quite as enthusiastic as that of the poets sixteen
hundred years before his time. He says : — ■

' It is purest nectar coming from above, which Almighty-
God doth miraculously distil out of the air. If conjec-
ture might be admitted, I would judge it to be the very
quintessence of all the sweetness of the earth drawn up
as other dews in vapour into the lowest region of the
air by the exceeding and continued heat of the sun, and
then concrete and condensated by the nightly cold into
this most sweet and sovereign nectar, which thence doth
descend unto the earth in a dew, or small drizzling rain.
. . The hotter and dryer the summer is the greater and
more frequent are the honey-dews ; cold and wet weather
is unkind for them ; much rain at any time, as coming
from a higher region, washeth away that which is
already elevated, and in the end it dissolveth them quite.
. . They may happen at any time of the day, but for
the most part in the morning, before it be light.'

One of the acutest observers of nature, Gilbert
White of Selborne, writing about 180 years later,
makes no advance in the elucidation of the nature
of honey-dew. Writing on June 4, 1783, he says,
' Vast honey-dews this week. The reason of them
seems to be that in hot days the effluvia of flowers
are drawn up by a brisk evaporation, and then in
the night fall down with the dews, with which they
are entangled.' We are the more surprised at this
theory of honey-dew, as he complains in another
portion of his work that the honey-dews were so
frequent as to deface and destroy the beauties of
his garden. His honeysuckles, which were one
week the sweetest and the loveliest objects that the

420

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 22, 1887.

eye could behold, became the next the most loath-
some, being enveloped in a viscous substance and
' loaded with black aphides or smother-flies.'

Dr. Evans, the poet, and author of the Bees, as
we would naturally suppose, clings to the poetic
aspect of honey-dew ; but, unfortunately for his
ideas, his lot was cast in an inquiring age, the world
had grown older, and the eyes of science had peered i
into the arcana of Nature and exhibited facts in all
their prosaic truthfulness. After saying that honey-
dew should be compared to the temporary and
wholesome sweats excited by severe exercise or
excessive heat, he, with a mental wrench, with
which we feel inclined to sympathise, says : —

' In a much greater number of instances the honej'-dew
appears to arise from a distinct cause — the attack of the
aphides, or vine-fretters, which, instead of jaws like the
locust, are provided with a hollow pointed proboscis,
folded under the breast when the animal is not feeding.
With this instrument they puncture the now turgid ves-
sels of the leaf, leaf -stalk, or bark ; greedily suck their
contents, and expel them nearly unchanged, so that, how-
ever fabulous it may appear, they may literally be said
to void a liquid sugar. The superior size of the Aphis
salicis enables us to perceive, on looking stedfastly at a
group of these insects feeding on the hark of the willow,
some of whom elevate their bodies, and emit a transpa-
rent substance in the form of a small shower. They may
also be seen distinctly, with a strong magnifier, on the
leaves of the hazel, lime, &c, but invariably on their in-
ferior surface, piercing the vessels, and expelling the
honey-dew from their hinder parts with considerable
force; and which might be received on paper or any
other intermediate substance, the leaves below being in
that case unstained. . . . Future inquiries must decide
this question.'

Inquirers were close at hand. Mr. Curtis, in the
sixth volume of the Transactions of the Linnean
Society, informs us that the honey-dew is an excre-
mentitious matter voided by the aphis, or vine-
fretter, an insect which he regards as the cause of
what are called ' blights.' He states that he never
in a single instance observed honey-dew without its
being accompanied with aphides.

Dr. Kirby, in his Introduction to Entomology, dis-
courages the theory of honey-dew being a morbid
exudation of the saccharine juices of plants.

'It may be,' he says, 'possible, but I may observe that
in the course of more than thirty years, which I have
attended to this subject, I have never met with any
honey-dew which did not seem to be clearly referable to
aphides as its origin ; though, from the circumstance of
their having been all swept away by the attacks of their
natural enemies and other causes, while their saccharine
excretion remains on the leaves for weeks on a dry time,
and after having been moistened by a slight dew may
have every appearance of being a recent morbid exuda-
tion, and may, even after very copious dews, fall on the
ground.'

Most persons nowadays are ready to adopt the
conclusion of Dr. Kirby. It is very rare that
plants secrete any amount of saccharine liquid ;
but it is generally conceded that honey-dow is a
deposit from aphides, and therefore we are prepared
to agree with Dr. Dzierzon when he says that
' honey-dew ' is an unsuitable name, and that it
should bo called ' aphis-honey.'

We proposo to return to this subject in a sub-
sequent number, (,

In Jfteinoiiam.

Mb. Duncan Stewaet.

It gives us much pain to find it incumbent upon us to
chronicle the decease of one of the most active members
of the British Bee-keepers' Association and of the British
Honey Company, — Mr. Duncan Stewart, which sad
event occurred on the 12th September, at Harthill Hall,
Bakewell, Derbyshire, whither he had gone to spend his
holidays. Mr. Stewart was in his sixty-third year.

Mr. Stewart was for many years a Taxing Master of
the High Court of Justice in Bankruptcy, and Receiver
in Insolvency cases.

Mr. Stewart became a member of the B.B.K.A. in
the year 1875 ; and on the late Rev. H. R. Peel taking
office as Hon. Secretary, in the year 1878, he was
elected as a member of the newly-formed Committee.
In the year 1879 the Committee was reduced to nine
members, and the system of election by voting papers
as now followed came into force. Mr. Stewart was a
candidate on this occasion, but failed to obtain a seat
either in this or the following year. He was elected
again on the Committee in 1881 by a substantial number
of votes, and continued to hold his seat until the close
of last year, when he retired from the Committee owing
to an increased pressure of work in his profession. On
the occasion of his retirement he looked forward to
taking an active part in the Association's work at some
future time.

Until the end of 1883 Mr. Stewart resided at Knock-
holt in Kent, whither he removed to Harcourt Terrace,
Kensington. He has been one of the most hard-working
members of the Committee. Residing in London, he
always expressed himself as being bound to take a large
share of the ' burden and heat of the day ' by serving on
sub-committees. He was extremely liberal towards all
objects promoted by the Association, and never failed
to add his name to its various subscription lists. His
legal knowdedge was of considerable benefit to the Asso-
ciation ; and it, and bee-keepers generally, have lost one
of their best friends.

Mr. Stewart took a warm interest in the great national
Apiarian Exhibition in 1886 which was held in South
Kensington in connexion with the Indian and Colonial
Exhibition, and devoted much time to the preliminary
inquiries and the subsequent arrangements. His heart
was in this matter, and in a great measure bee-keepers
are indebted to him for having worked out the details
of an enterprise which proved so creditable to the
British bee-keeping industry. At the Conference of
bee-keepers that was held on August 4th an interesting
paper by him was read on ' The Honey Market.'

On the occasion of the exhibition of Canadian honey
he took much interest in the welcome that was accorded
to the Canadian delegates.

At the formation of the British Honey Company he
very heartily co-operated with the late Rev. II. R. Peel
and others in their endeavours to place prominently
before the British public the virtues of British honey.
For some time past he has acted as Chairman of that
Company, and to the last he has laboured assiduously
to promote its interests.

I ho loss of so active, liberal, and intelligent a member
of our community is, indeed, greatly to be lamented; and
wo trust that his bright example may incite many to
follow in his footsteps.

September 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

421

ASSOCIATIONS.

HEREFORD HONEY FAIR.

Repoet by the Judges op the Heeefoed Honey

Faie, Septembee 7th, 1887.

The quality of the houey in all the exhibits was
almost all that could be desired with very few excep-
tions, contrasting in a marked manner with the honey
of the two previous seasons, when, and especially in
1885, very little honey was not more or less dark from
honey-dew. The dark samples this year were of a rich
and not a smoky tint, and almost certainly owed their
colour to the class of flowers from which they were
gathered.

In Class I. there were six competitions — a seventh
entry, which seemed equal or superior to any of the
others, was withdrawn from the notice of the judges,
being disqualified by having- the name of the exhibitor
on each item. The first prize went to an exhibit which
consisted entirely of 1-lb. parcels ; the honey appeared
to be of excellent quality, was very neatly put up, and
there were six varieties of parcels. The second prize
went to an exhibit which was not quite so neatly pre-
sented, and was seen, perhaps, to disadvantage, being
rather crowded : it contained six varieties of parcels, in-
cluding a fine series of 2-lb. sections. The third prize
was taken by an exhibit very neatly placed on the stand
and the parcels neatly got up ; there were only two
forms of parcels, and some of the extracted honey was
rather dark. The other exhibits were not without
merits.

In Class II., for extracted honey (clear), were twenty-
four entries, and almost all were of superior quality. The
exhibit taking the first prize was of extreme brilliancy
and clearness, being distinctly before any of the others
in this respect ; it was also rich in colour, of good, thick
consistence, and excellent flavour. The judges found
less than the usual difficulty in placing this first. The
second was only behind the first in clearness, and was of
a much lighter tint — a high-class clover honey. The
third was more like the first in general character, and
was selected from two others with difficulty. The
bronze medal of the B.B. K.A. was accorded to this
class as being altogether very excellent. The first prize
taken in Class I., to wlnm it ought to have gone,
being disqualified to receive it. [The first prize honey
in this class was extracted from standard frames in top
storey and strained through flannel ; the second prize lot
extracted from shallow frames in top storey and not
strained ; several lots passed over were extracted from
sections. A. W.]

In Class III. were fifteen entries (extracted honey
partially or wholly candied). Much difficulty was felt in
weighing the comparative merit of samples carefully
candied, and others only slightly so. The first prize went
to a partially-candied sample. The second to a very
white and completely candied sample ; and the third to
a partially candied honey. The judges were, if anywhere,
not so confident as to their judgment being sound in this
class as in the others.

In Class IV. were seventeen exhibits, the majority of
very excellent quality. The first prize went to twelve
1-lb. sections, of great transparency, well finished, and
sufficiently thickly capped to have a nice white appear-
ance without being propolised or otherwise injured in
appearance by being left too long on the hive — the prize-
taker is a cottager. The second went to six very perfect
2-lb. sections, in which the only defect was a faint smear
or two of propolis. The third was accorded to an ex-
cellent sample of 1-lb. sections.

In Class V. were six entries. One was a very hand-
some piece of comb, but was really a frame out of a
frame-hive, and not strictly a super. Another was a
bell-glass well filled with excellent comb-honey. There

were also two boxes and one miniature skep, these were
all well filled and with excellent comb ; each, however,
had some discoloured comb in the centre, either from the
bees travelling over it, or, possibly, from its having at one
time contained a little brood. These seemed the most
satisfactory supers, and as their merits were otherwise
very even, the first and second prize went to the two
heaviest.

In Class VI., for cottagers, were four entries, though
one was a very nominal one, the other three were ex-
cellent. The first prize was taken by one that exceeded
the second as the second did the third, in extent, in
variety of parcels, and, to some extent, in neatness of
packing and display; in each the honey seemed of
excellent quality, as in the other classes.

The judges acted as bee-keepers of experience, and not
as chemical experts. The time allowed for the work in
hand showed that no more than this was expected ; but
nothing came to their notice to suggest that any more
critical examination than they accorded it was required
by any sample of honey exhibited.

SCOTCH EXHIBIT OF HONEY.

A fine exhibit of honey was staged on Wednesday,
7th September, in St. Andrew's Hall, Glasgow, in
connexion with the Glasgow and West of Scotland
Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, the exhibitors
being Messrs. William and John D. McNally of Glenluce
and Springburn, whose names are well known in the bee-
keeping world of the present day. These gentlemen
exhibited a stand containing seven cwt. of honey taken
from the bees in various forms. The sections looked just
perfect, were well filled and of good colour, and were
certainly shown to best advantage in Woodley's new
section cases. In the centre of the stand were the words
built in honeycomb by the bees ' God Save our Queen,'
which was greatly admired by the public, and many
were the conjectures as to how it was done. At either
end of the stand were two observatory hives shown in
full working order, stocked with various races of bees.
We would compliment the Messrs. McNally on their
method of placing their honey before the public, and are
pleased to hear that they find ready purchasers for it at
a remunerative price.

Honey-dew. — A writer in a Suffolk newspaper says that
»ome singular results of the hot weather through which
we have passed were to be seen even on the dust-laden hedge-
rows iu the shape of suspended drops of transparent honey-
dew. The leaves of the lime and other trees are sticky
and glossy with the abundance of the same product. It
is a grand time for the bees and ants, and other honey-
loving insects by day, and for the moths by night. To an
entomologist a lime-tree is naturally ' sugared' for him.
He has only to wait with his lantern (or use that of the
moon), and his captures may be made by scores. It is
years since such a manufacture of natural honey was made ;
perhaps not since the long hot summer of 1868. The
appearance of this product always goes with hot summer
weather.

A Hobse Attacked by Wasps. — On the evening of
the 14th inst., Dr. Proudfoot, Kirkcaldy, had been
visiting a patient in the neighbourhood of Dnnnikier,
and, along with his coachman, was driving home, when
the horse, travelling in the middle of the road, trod on a
wasps' nest, and was immediately attacked by the
insects. Becoming greatly irritated, the animal kicked
furiously, and both the doctor and his coachman were
thrown from the carriage, the former being severely cut
about the head and face. The vehicle was broken to
pieces.

A Geizzly Beae and the Bees : Scene in a
Califoenian Apiaey. — The Hutchinson brothers have
a large apiary up at Victor Tejunga, says the Los
Angeles (Calif.) E.vpi-ess. It is an isolated place, far

422

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 22, 1887.

from real estate booms and the haunts of men. But
it is a good place for bees, and there, as a rule, they
toil unmolested except by their owners, the Hutchin-
son boys. The country is romantic. The quiet life
of the "little rural retreat was turned into the greatest
excitement last Thursday night. While the Hutchin-
sons were asleep, and dreaming of the great sums
of money they would make this season, a stranger
entered the camp, fie was not slow in making his
presence felt and heard. The sleepers were suddenly
awakened by sounds that suggested a small cyclone
raging among the bees. One of the men got up,
looked out of the window, and what was his conster-
nation and terror to see the faint outlines of a huge,
brown-coloured monster upsetting the bee-hives, and
working destruction with property that required the toil
and economy of a number of years to accumulate.
The surprised spectator hastened to his brother's bed-
side, and told what was going on in the apiary. The
two rushed out, one taking his rifle. The bear was
evidently hungry, for he made savage lunges at the
boxes filled with delicious honey. He would take a few
mouthfuls out of one frame, and then go for another.
The Hutchinson boys concluded that if they did not
act on the instant the bear would soon leave them
without an occupation. The gun was levelled and dis-
charged. The ball found its way through the thick hide
of bruin back of the left shoulder. It was evidently
almost a 'centre shot,' for the animal fell. But lie
remained on the gi'ound but a second. He arose, en-
raged with pain, and made frantic plunges at the nearest
hives. Meanwhile the men advanced a little. The bear
caught sight of them and made a rush at them. When
within twenty feet of where they stood, his progress
was arrested by another leaden messenger. It struck a
vital part, and once more the huge bear fell. This time
be did not get up. A third hall was put into his side,
which caused bis death. Upon examination it was
found to be a grizzly cub about two thirds grown.
Next day he was dressed and weighed. The scales
tipped at 700 lbs. This is the second or third bear ever
killed or seen in that section.

Cnrasponttttta.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real uames and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cfo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to .Advertisements,
Ac, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Berts {see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

FOUL BROOD AND PROFITABLE BEE-
KEEPING.

[1206.1 I have read with great interest all that has
been said in your Journal upon the subject of foul brood,
and your leading article in a previous number induces
me to give my experience of this fearful scourge to bee-
keepers, and tell how, two and a half years ago, I exter-
minated it in this neighbourhood by doing just what
you now advise.

In the early days of March, 1885, I found that one of
my seven bar-frame hives was suffering from what I
believed to be foul brood, and on a piece of the infected
comb being submitted to Mr. Oheshiro for examination
he confirmed my fears. I at once got half-a-dozen bottles
of phenol from Messrs. Neighbour & Son, prepared spe-
cially for the Cheshire cure, and after having taken away

as far as possible all the bees' stores of honey, commenced
to feed my seven stocks with syrup prepared exactly ac-
cording to Mr. Cheshire's printed instructions. The bees
would not take the phenolated syrup from a feeder, so I
had to pour it into empty combs and place them at the
back of the hive; and so I persevered for nine weeks,
day after day physicking my seven hives ; but. I was dis-
appointed to find that not only did I not cure the hive
first infected, but the disease spread to the six others —
no doubt by my carrying the germs upon my hands in
manipulation.

The phenol at once checked the disease, and the hives
became very strong, but a few infected cells constantly
appeared in every brood-comb, and when honey began to
come in they got worse and worse. I then decided to
destroy the bees, frames, quilts, &c, and disinfect the
hives, feeders, and smoker. In order to thoroughly ac-
complish the latter, I had a tin box made large enough
to contain a complete hive, and filled it with a strong
solution of carbolic acid and water, and then soaked
each hive in this solution for two hours. After this the
feeders, smoker, &c, were treated in the same way, and
then the tin box was filled with clean water, a fire
lighted under it, and each of the hives immersed and
boiled for ten minutes.

The next thing was to prevent the new swarms, which
I intended getting, being infected by other bees in the
neighbourhood, which I knew were diseased. Although
a busy man with little time to spare, I decided to take a
couple of dajTs' holiday, aud visit all the bee-keepers in
the neighbourhood, and see what could be done to stamp
out the enemy. During those two days I believe I
examined every hive for miles around, and at three
places found foul brood ; and, after explaining the
disease and its effect to the owners, induced them to
let me destroy the infected stocks and burn the hives,
two of which were straw sleeps. Since then I have not
been able to find a case of foul brood in our neighbour-
hood except a doubtful one, and the old woman who
owned this skep allowed it to be at once destroyed.

I believe such action as I took to be the only way to
stamp out foul brood. My experience and that of others
is that phenol checks the disease but does not cure it,
and that healthy stocks soon become infected if there is
any communication in any way between them and an
infected stock. I should have mentioned that I put the
stock first infected into a clean hive before giving it
phenolated syrup, and shortly afterwards I did the same
for the other six. I used a great many bottles of phenol
— the exact number I do not recollect, but I think about
a dozen and a half — so in every way I gave the cure a
fair chance.

I notice also, in your issue of September 8th, a com-
plaint from ' Sherborne, Dorset,' of the unprofitableness of
bee-keeping. I don't wonder at his complaint, if he
seriously thinks that the results he has mentioned are
anything like as good as those obtained by moderately
successful bee-keepers. I do not know of a district out-
side large towns where intelligent bee-keeping upon
modern principles could yield such a poor harvest. We
depend here upon white clover and other wild flowers,
having no heather, and I can with confidence count upon
1 00 lbs. of run-honey per hive, after leaving enough for
winter stores. Last year I averaged 127 lbs. per hive,
and I have not used any sugar for spring or autumn
feeding for three years, except for stocks made up of
driven bees. Of course I prevent swarming, and take
care to have young queens at the head of each colony,
and I give each hive from thirty-eight to forty frames of
standard size.

To be really successful with beos, as with all other
pursuits, one must devote time, thought, and study — an
hour before breakfast every fine morning during May,
Juno, and July, with your busy little labourers will be
conducive to your health, and if you aro moderately

September 22, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

423

skilled do all that is necessary or at all desirable for a
dozen stocks ; and if yon don't get 9 cwt. of honey there
will be something wrong in your management. If you
have leisure during the day so much the better, but
many, like myself, are engaged in business almost all and
every day. — J. H. Rogers, Olyncoed, Llanelli/.

FOUL BROOD.

[1267.] In my last communication on the above sub-
ject I promised to give the results of the treatment of a
stock with phenol belonging to a friend. I am sorry to
have to report that it was a failure, although I cannot my-
self consider it absolutely so, as, in consequence of the very
cold and wet weather we had just at that time, it was
impossible to open the hive regularly, as, the bees re-
fusing to take it freely from the feeder, it was essential
to do. It will, perhaps, be remembered that in my last
letter I expressed the opinion that it was to the use of
phenol in the spray-diffuser to which I owed freedom
from disease in my apiary; but unfortunately for me,
shortly after writing that letter, I had to alter that
opinion, for on June 3rd I found the disease in two
stocks, and immediately commenced to treat with
phenol. Both hives rapidly improved, and one of them
gave me a crate of sections, and is now one of my best
colonies. The other hive, which was rather a weaker
one, while they were being treated made several attempts
at queen-raising, but the cells were cut down as soon as
discovered, for being only a small colony I did not want
them to swarm ; but such wa3 evidently not their in-
tention, for having left one queen-cell to see what they
would do, the young queen was hatched and the old one
destroyed, although, on turning to my register, I find
she was only hatched on July 12th, 1885, and was to all
appearances quite healthy. I should say that the young
queen was not hatched until all signs of the disease had
disappeared, so that I could not suspect the old one of
being diseased. The stock being the only small one I
had was used for exhibition purposes at our local flower
show, at which I had the valuable assistance of ' Ama-
teur Expert,' who could answer for the entire absence of
any signs of disease.

I now come to what is to me a peculiar case, for
examining on May 23th a stock which had been trans-
ferred, I found what appeared to be chilled brood, but,
being undecided which it was, I cut out a small piece of
comb and forwarded it to Mr. Cheshire, but unfor-
tunately I got no report from him. I waited just over
a week before I reopened the hive, and when I did so
there was no mistaking what was the matter with them,
for several of the frames were one mass of putrid matter
which could be smelt some distance off, and the bees
seemed to have lost all life and energy. The stock was
a good strong one, but having the other two colonies on
hand I hesitated whether to destroy or try to cure them,
but decided to do the latter ; so I put on a slow feeder,
and fed for three weeks with phenolated syrup, keeping
during that time the entrance and ground in front of
the hive frequently sprayed with carbolic acid, after
which the feeder was removed, and the hive left un-
touched until August 20th, when it was again opened,
and after a careful examination only two cells contain-
ing any signs of disease could be found, whilst in the
frames in which breeding was going on the brood was
without exception quite healthy, and to the best of my
belief with the same queen as before.

The result of my observations certainly does not to me
point in the same direction as Mr. Ward's, given in a
recent issue, although there must be a certain amount of
suspicion attaching to the second case mentioned. Mr.
Ward seems to overlook the fact that Mr. Cheshire dis-
tinctly says the queen must be removed if there is
reasonable ground for believing her to be infected and a
healthy one substituted ere a cure can be effected. I

quite agree with Mr. Ward as to the difficulty we have
to say whether a queen is diseased or not, and it would
no doubt be to our advantage in the majority of cases to
at once give a young healthy queen, that is, if we do not,
Mr. Editor, carry out your good advice and immediately
stamp out the disease by destroying the stock as soon as
it appears. I am happy to be able to report that at
present I do not know of a case of the disease in this
neighbourhood ; but should it break out again in the
spring, in spite of all precautions, I shall make short
work of it, for unless one has plenty of time to spare I
do not consider the risk and the labour involved worth
the object aimed at. — J. T. Harveyson, Finchhy,
September loth.

NOT FINDING QUEEN.
[1268.] Mr. Edditar, I beant much of a skolard, but
I do read your Journal every week as I do keep bees,
and I do get a good bit of honey, and I had 3
cwt. this year, all from bar-frame hives, but
I do agree with your letter (1241) in this week's Journal
about finding the queen. I do now a mans who do keep
a lot of bees, an do drive bees in autumn for hisself, an
do rear his own queens, an do mind bees for other
peoples, an he do try for sertificate for expert, but
because he could not find the queen in time he could not
get sertificate. The mans who zamined him did ask him
not one question about bees, but told him he must come
again because he cudn't find queen. Why didn't the
zaminer ask him what he Imew about bee-keeping an
then he could see what he knew ? Is finding the queen
everything in bee-keeping ? If so, let our zaminers for
third-class expert, as soon as the queen is found, give the
candidate a sertificate as expert whether he knows any-
thing about bee-keeping or not. — Tam Shon Catti.

NOT FINDING THE 'QUEEN.
[1269.] I was very pleased to see an article in the
B. B. J. of the 8th inst. on the above subject. I have
always been greatly surprised that the B. B. K. Associa-
tion shoidd make the finding of the queen a test to the
examination of an expert, whereas the examiners must
know that it is generally a matter of chance. At the
Royal Agricultural Show at York I noticed that Mr.
S. Baldwin, expert-in-chief, failed to find the queen until
he had driven all the bees out of the hive ; he afterwards
discovered her among the driven bees. I then asked
him if he considered the finding of the queen a fair test
at the examination for an expert's certificate. I forget
what his answer was, but I believe he turned it off, as
the question was not one of practical utility. Why not
allow the examiner, who must be a practical man, to
base his decision on the way the candidate performs the
operation ? Under the present system it is possible for
any muff to find the queen immediately, while the
expert-in-chief might fail. — Icardus, Kirk Merrington.

BUMPING,

-HONEY BY THE HUNDRED-
WEIGHT.

[1270.] Last year I reported my single attempt at
bumping a failure. Subsequently discovering the cause
I promised myself another trial during this season.
About a fortnight ago I went to secure a couple of lots
of condemned bees, and proceeded to drive the first in
the ordinary way. It was a late swarm and had not
half filled the skep with comb. The result was that
instead of leaving the skep the bees merely ascended just
above the partially built out combs, and then promenaded
very decorously round and round the skep. Not without
a little trepidation I resolved on bumping. Complete
success! Owner of skep immensely pleased. Myself
ditto. I have since bumped thirteen other lots, and

424

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 22, 1887.

with such satisfaction as to determine to confine myself
to this method in future.

One very great advantage that I find iu bumping is
that I _ can do without my smoker. That provoking
article is now for sale. Except for driving purposes, I
had ceased to use it in my manipulations. Its place in
my apiary is taken by the carbolised cloth. This is how
I use the latter in bumping : I stand behind the skep
and lay the cloth in folds on the floor-board across the
entrance. I now take hold of the uppermost edge of the
cloth and bring it half way around the edge of the skep.
Still keeping hold of it I turn up the skep, and thus get
the cloth to fall over it. I then blow through the cloth
and allow it to remain on two or three minutes, after
which _ the bees are pretty sure to be in manageable
condition. Of course the cloth comes into contact? with
the combs, consequently I take special care to wring the
cloth dry. I bump before removing the cloth.

I confess that there is a drawback in this method to
those who, like myself, intend, at some date in the distant
future, to venture on an examination for third-class
expert. Owing to want of practice, I fear that in that
eminently satisfactory test of expertness, bee-driving, I
shall be found ' not in it.'

I wish, sir, that, for the well-being of the unsuccessful
ones, you would suppress all reports which record a
yield of 100 pounds and upwards per hive. The amount
of evil they do is incalculable. The effect of them on
those who are only able to secure twenty, thirty, or
forty pounds per hive, is not at all inspiriting. The
100-pounders are not, I suppose, one per cent of the
subscribers to the British Bee Journal, and yet these one
per cent are allowed, through the columns of the Journal,
to stir up any amount of bad blood in the breasts of the
ninety-nine per cent. Every Thursday these reports
niake about 10,000 otherwise well-disposed persons
jealous, morose, savage, and highly dangerous— dangerous
to themselves and to the country. Could you not act
on my suggestion ?

My three best hives have yielded me about forty pounds
per hive— all they contained. I console myself by believ-
ing that the return would have been greater had I been
able to pay more attention to them and had Glamorgan-
shire been favoured with a little rain during the summer. I
hope to goodness that I shall not see a hundredweight re-
port from Glamorganshire this season. — Welsh Novice.

[Please refer to advice given by J. H. Rogers on a
preceding page, and it may be that at a future time you
may arrive at the coveted weight. — Ed.]

A FAMOUS IRISH BEE-KEEPER.

[1271.] Perhaps one of the most advanced Irish bee-
keepers we have [is our friend Mr. William Ditty, of
Newtownards.

Visiting the North-east of Ireland's annual show of
bees,_&c, held on 19th August, in the Y.M.C.A. Hall,
Wellington Street, Belfast, I made the acquaintance
of Mr. Ditty, who was acting in the capacity of a
judge ; and having a day or two to spend in Ireland, I
resolved to visit Mr. Ditty's apiary, along with another
noted Scotch bee -keeper, Mr. William McNally, of
Glenluce, Scotland, who was exhibiting some goods at
the Belfast Show. Leaving by rail I reached Newtown-
ards on the 20th, a beautiful day with bright sunshine
overhead. Making some inquiries, I learned from a friend
that Mr. Ditty was head-cashier in Lord Londonderry's
Estate Office, where I found him. After a friendly
greeting, he asked leave off for a time, and we proceeded
to his house and apiary a mile from the town, and gleaned
in a brief way his success in bee-keeping. Mr. Bitty is
a young man, about twenty-jeven years of age, and
resides with his grandfather, his parents both dying left
him an orphan at a very early age. He entered the
office of Lord Londonderry as boy clerk, and after eleven

years' faithful service now holds his present high position.
He is a most enthusiastic bee-keeper, and has between
twenty and thirty stock hives, and a dozen or so of
nucleus hives. His bees are mostly of foreign strain,
and his bobby is working for extracted honey. The
apiary is neat and well arranged, and the hives, which
are of the frame type, are all his own manufacture, and I
may add reflect great credit on Mr. Ditty. The locality
abounds with sufficient natural (lowers for the bees, and
yields large quantities of honey, Mr. Ditty's hives this
season giving him an average from sixty to eighty pounds
per hive. He is not a timid bee-keeper, and manages his
bees entirely without smoke. After a rather quick run
over the apiary we retired to the workshop where all the
appliances, &c, are to be seen in great variety. After
partaking of a substantial dinnor we made for the station
aud received a sample of honey-wine made by Mr. Ditty in
1885, which was really excellent. Altogether my first visit
amongst the Irish bee-keepers will not soon be forgotten.
I wish him continued success, and hope to have the
privilege of visiting his apiary again, meantime— Arj
Revoir.

NORTH-EAST OF IRELAND BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

[1272.] Being an exhibitor at the above show this
season I must urge my protest against a practice that
should not occur in any well-managed association. The
grievance I refer to is this : all the exhibitors' names are
known to the judges while they are awarding the prizes,
and this should not be the case. On the prize list and
schedule every competitor's name is printed with the
number of his exhibit, &c, which is supplied to the
judges and the public previous to judging, price 2d. per
copy. This arrangement is very good were they withheld
from both judges and the public until the prizes were
awarded. I hope the hon. secretary will see to putting
this matter right by another year. — John D. McNally.

REMOVING MIDDLE SECTIONS.— (1214.)

[1273.] I should be sorry to think that Dr. C. C.
Miller believes the bump of combativeness to be so
largely developed in the JournaVs correspondents that it
was necessary to commence his letter by stating that he
did not want to pick a quarrel with any of them, — no, not
a bit of it. I am sure he did not think that, and I am
equally sure he will believe me when I state that I have
no feelings of jealousy whatever in bee matters, being
at all times anxious and willing to impart any of my ex-
periences to any one and every one who cares to know
them.

When I stated in the Journal that I did not think our
American cousins could give us much start in bee-culture
I in no way wished to infer that there was anything but
friendly rivalry between us, but merely to point out that,
judging from the extracts given by ' Amateur Expert,'
the systems adopted in America were, in my opinion, no
advance upon those practised in this country and
from time to time put forth in the Journal ; and I still
think so.

In bee-culture, as in most other pursuits, thore must
ever be differences of opinion as to the best road to
success by reason of the very nature of the circum-
stances under which bees are kept and the ever-varying
conditions of soil, climate, and flora, immediately sur-
rounding the apiary. Dr. Miller knows as well as I do
that the fact he mentions of one bee-keeper taking
30,000 lbs. of honey in a season by adopting one method,
in no way proves that more aud in better condition
would not have been taken by some other method.

All I wished to say was that I considered the taking
away of the middle sections before the others were com-
pleted was not a step in advance, but the reverse. I
think I gave my reasons, viz , that it was a great waste

September 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

425

of time ; it broke up the cluster of bees when comb-
building ; the sections were not so fully completed and
sealed, and the sealings were thinner and the sections
more liable to ' weep,' and, altogether, it gave a great
deal of unnecessary labour, both to the operator and the
bees. 1 am now glad to see that Dr. Miller does not
follow the plan but adopts a more advanced system. I
read with great regret that Dr. M. had had such a
universally poor honey season, but hope there has been
yet time to make up a little. — F. Bo yes.

DARK HONEY.

[1274.] I have no reason to complain of the quantity
of honey my bees have gathered this year, but should
have been more pleased if it had not been so dark ; some
of it more like old-fashioned treacle, nearly black, such
as I knew in my school days ; the flavour is very good,
but the colour is not appreciated. Now, if it is possible
by any means to improve the colour I shall be very glad
to do so, and shall feel greatly obliged if you can tell me
the best way to go to work to accomplish it. It is the
general complaint in this neighbourhood ; mine, I think, is
not a singular case. I have a large super on each of my
hives weighing about twenty-four lbs. of good colour and
another on the top of that, same weight, and the honey
is dark indeed ; the top one was nearly filled when I put
the other on below it. The dark is so thick that I am
obliged to set the pan in hot water to strain it. By
advising how to remedy the same I shall feel greatly
obliged. — G. R., Diss.

[By boiling the glasses or jars containing the honey
in water, the colour will be slightly modified. — Ed.]

JUDGING.

[1275.] The complaints made from time to time in
the B.B.J, of mistakes, — unpardonable mistakes, in
judging honey, point to a real grievance demanding'
prompt removal. The other day a couple of gardeners
were instructed to ' look ' over the honey and award prizes
after they had finished the vegetables, &c. And they
actually had the assurance to do so. Now, without for one
moment insinuating that they were actuated by any other
motive than that of being obliging, yet I cannot but
think they, and others ' of such ilk,' might derive great
benefit from meditating on two old cautionary proverbs,
viz., ' Let no cobbler go beyond his last,' and ' Fools rush
in where angels fear to tread.' But, seriously, what would
they feel and say if two bee experts were appointed to
decide the merits of their choice productions ? The vials
of wrath poured out, and justly, too, upon the devoted
heads of the poor bee-masters would be worse than all
the formic acid of all the most vicious bees. In the
particular instance that prompted these remarks, the
judges were certainly befooled by the case, for they not
only did not taste the honey, they never even removed
the case ; and a splendidly-worked lot of sections in a
sober case had to submit to the indignity of being
ticketed ' second.' Let the County Bee-keepers' Associa-
tions look to this matter, and without being impertinent,
suggest faie conditions of competition, and offer to
supply properly qualified judges at a regular scale of
remuneration. — Faibplay.

A BARROWFUL OF SLABS OF HONEY.
[1276.1 I have been waiting for some time to see a
bit of advice in the Journal to the humble bee-keeper —
the poor labourer who cannot dip his hand into his
pocket and send off for expensive hives, apif uge, scrapers,
and the thousand and one articles which you are told, if
you buy them, make bee-keeping a success, but which in
reality make it an expensive hobby. I have, about two
months ago, with the aid of a friend, taken two lots of

bees with their honey. In one of them we took out a
barrowful of solid slabs of honeycomb, two feet deep, out
of an old flue in a peach wall. It was an eye-opener for
me, I assure you, — here was simplicity itself, and with
such results and such delicious honey. Acting on the
hint thus given me by Nature herself, I intend to build
a brick hive for a few pence to super at the side, and one
to super at the top. My supers are made — -for I have
used them this year — at a cost of sixpence. I take a
two-dozen canned fruit or salmon box, costing twopence
at the grocer's, put in two false ends, and the thing is
done ; cover the frames up with the usual packing, and
on the top a roofing slate; these I have used success-
fully as ekes and supers for flat-topped skeps. Going
back to our exploit with the stocks in the wall, our
weapons of warfare were a smoker charged with brown
paper, a pint of carbolic acid costing ninepence; of this
we used about a wine-glassful in half a gallon of water,
and a whitewash brush to sprinkle it on the wall. I
might add that the bees were successfully transferred,
together with the brood -combs, into hives, and are
doing well. — A Lancashire Bee-keepeb.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD-COMBS. (1204.)

[1277.] It is quite clear that some of your correspon-
dents have misunderstood my remarks on this subject.
I will, therefore, with your permission, Mr. Editor, en-
deavour to put nvyself right with them.

Now, when I wrote ' Extracting from Brood-Combs
I imagined — foolishly, no doubt — that ' brood-combs
would be understood to mean combs containing brood.
Such a thought never entered my mind as that it would
be taken to mean all combs which had at some time or
other been bred in. But so it has been, and I must here
disclaim any intention of implying that honey extracted
from such combs was not pure in the ordinary sense;
indeed, I thought it generally admitted that such combs
were tougher and better than new ones for extracting
purposes.

Reverting to the letter of ' G. T.' respecting the liquid
extracted from combs containing unsealed larvse, I can
only repeat that I have often found in close proximity
to unsealed brood a thin, watery liquid, which, on giving
a little shake of the comb to dislodge an odd bee or two,
has flown out like so much water. This I have looked
upon (probably erroneously) as a thin preparation of
honey and water placed there by the bees for feeding-
purposes. Whether I am right or wrong in this supposi-
tion, it is clear that if this preparation be extracted and
mixed with honey such a mixture cannot be pure honey,
and, as I stated at first, the watery element was likely to
ferment and spoil good ripe honey.

I had not the remotest idea that in mentioning the
source from whence the 'water' was drawn anyone
would suppose that I was trying to rim down extracted
honey. My object was solely to give a limit to the
inexperienced lest they should spoil the quality of their
hone)' by mixing with it a highly fermentable substance
and to discourage the too close extracting of honey from
hives, and especially from combs containing brood, be-
cause I had seen nothing but bad results attending such
practices. I have found that when hives were in a
prosperous condition with abundance of brood there was
always plenty of unsealed and unripe, or thin honey; and
if this be wanting much of the brood never reaches
maturity, but either dies or is destroyed, the juices ex-
tracted and the skins ejected or carried away by the
bees. It is probable that this unsealed, watery honey
is not only necessary food for the larva, but also helps
materially towards keeping up that moist atmosphere in
which the brood seems so much to prosper. I therefore
think that the too close extracting from brood-combs is
anything but judicious; if we extract too much honey
from a hive we must either give it back again or destroy

426

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 22, 1887.

its prosperity, but I do not for one moment wish to force
my opinion on others ; if they think otherwise, by all
means let them follow their own opinions. Kindly
remember that when I state brood-combs I do not mean
combs which have been bred in the year before and
placed in a doubling box on the top of the hive proper,
but combs in the brood-nest which are being used for
breeding purposes and if these get filled with honey so
that there is no room for the queen to lay, as ' G. T.'
argues, then I say there is mismanagement somewhere.
The instinct of the bees is to store honey above the brood-
nest, and so long as the sections or doubling combs are
properly attended to there is no fear of the queen being
crowded out below, especially if she be a vigorous one
laying 1000 eggs a-day.

And now, 'G. T.', I have done with this subject, but
one word ere we part. I never heard of any one ex-
tracting from skeps, what 1 said was that his remarks
about the queen being crowded out and having no cells
in which to lay her eggs applied only to skeps and not to
expansible bar-frame hives. — F. Bonss.

P.S. I do not consider that ' G. T.'s ' hives are by any
means strong ones if he can winter them on eight frames.

MEMS BY ' WOODLEIGH.'
[1278.] Carbolised Cloths. — The varied reports re-
specting carbolised cloths for work in the apiary are on
par with other mundane affairs, some succeed and some
fail. Having used the cloths all through the season
without a smatch of carbolic flavour, or even a taint
strong enough to be detected by the keenest olfactory
nerves, I may be pardoned for laying my modus operandi
before my brother apiarians. Mix in a basin a few
drops of acid in water, then well saturate your cloths (of,
say, calico, about the size of your quilts), then wring
them as dry as you can, so that you have no dropping ;
roll back your cover from section-crate, letting your car-
bolised cloth take its place, then gently raise same and
blow a little smoke in ; prise it with screwdriver or
strong k^ife to break the propolised joint, and then let
your other carbolised cloth cover your bottom crate or
the frames, as the case may be ; brush off the bees from
bottom of crate with a feather and proceed to remove
your sections, shaking the few remaining bees into an
empty skep, and throw same on the alighting-board. I
generally take the crate of sections to a quiet part of the
garden to remove them, so that I am not troubled with
other bees ; and if they get a scent after a few crates
have been taken off, I go to another corner, quite away,
and proceed as before. I find the carbolised cloths save
a great number of bees, as it is impossible to take off
and change position of crates without crushing some ;
but with the cloths they are simply driven down
out of the way, and it does not interfere with the
ordinary routine of their work; and I always like to
start on the job about nine o'clock in the morning, and
get done by two or three in the afternoon. And, again,
the cloths are capital things when extracting to prevent
robbing during the time you have your hives open.
Remove your quilts with a jerk, and spread your car-
bolised cloth in its place ; then blow some smoke in
under it, and the two agents will soon start the accus-
tomed hum, when the bees will begin to look after No. 1.
I find cotton rag or touchwood good fuel for smokers,
the only objection to the wood is that small coals will
sometimes get into the bellows and burn holes whero
they are not wanted.

Bumping. — I am sorry for the failure of our ' Canter-
bury ' friend with bumping. 1 think he bumped too hard,
and smashed the combs. I find in the new stocks the
combs break off at the hive better than in old stocks,
where witli every care they will sometimes break half to
three quarters of an inch from the hive ; and if the
operator is not quick at the job some of the bees get into

the running honey. If ' Canterburian ' smokes his hives
a few minutes before he begins, then turn them up on a
table or bucket, give some smart raps to break side
attachments of the combs, then bump in direction of
arrow in the illustration given in B.B.J, early last
month, he will find, if the combs are built straight
across, that they will all break off well ; then brush
your bees off with feather into an empty skep, putting
your combs into a vessel, with a cloth to cover over
to keep flying bees from the honey, then return your
hive to its original place, first shaking your driven bees
back into it, if no honey is left ; but if there is any
honey at crown of hive, shake your bees on the stool and
turn the hive over, and, if possible, leave them till night,
when you will find them clustered in the top of the skep
like a new swarm.

Position of Combs. — I have paid particular attention
to the position of combs built in skeps, and some I find
parallel, some with combs towards the entrance, and
some mixed, and others in a crescent or concave shape,
with ends of centre combs converging towards the
entrance, so that I do not find any particular style in
vogue with the industrious little architects, and nature
gives us no guide as to the proper position of our modern
frames. For convenience in manipulating the Combina-
tion hive is par excellence, and, as far as my experience
goes, my bees are as healthy in one as the other, and I
have a number of hives on both parallel and right-angled
principles, also a few with the old wood crown-boards, in
which bees winter as well as those in chaff-cushions, and
come out in spring in better condition ; but I must add,
they are well covered with chaff and wraps over the
crown-boards. — Woodleigh.

(&t\pt$ ixam % JjSitaa.

Aldridge, Walsall, Sept 10th. — The last season, although
almost deprived of its chief stay, the white clover, in con-
sequence of the drought, must be classed as good. Spring
was very backward, May being an especially trying month.
But, then, it is not always May, and June 4th initiated
such a spell of tropical weather as has not been experienced
here since 1868 ; not the proverbial English summer of
three fine days and a thunderstorm, but for fifty-four days
there was not rain enough to lay the dust. Hawthorn very
late, white clover very early, and beans, came in together,
and by July 20th honey-gathering had quite ceased with
me. Nevertheless, a highest yield of 56 lbs. for one stock
is for the black country very good. Showers have now re-
freshed the thirsty land, and stocks seem in a fair state for
winter. The season has been one of constant work and
anxiety ; now, however, we may rest and be thankful, —
espeeialiy the latter. — Edw. Jobekns.

Whitehaven, 12tli September. — I started last year (August
5th) with a second swarm. Did the usual autumn and
spring feeding. On June 22nd I got a strong swarm off ;
on June 27, July 5th, and 29th, took off twenty-one 1-lb.
boxes on each date. Took first prize for honey at a local
show. Sent both swarm and stock up to heather and have
taken twenty-one boxes off each, the swarm being now very
heavy. I have nine bars in each hive. What I want to
know is, Are nine too many for my bees to winter on ?
Never having seen the inside of a hive until I got my own
you will see that I am very much amateur. — J. A. Jackson.

[Confine, by means of division-boards, the number of
frames covered by the bees.]

Springholm, Dalbeattie, September 12. — I was agreeably
surprised to see in the Journal what a good opinion you had
of the piece of honey-comb I forwarded to you. You will
be pleased to hear that bee-keeping in its improved form is
getting to be very popular in the stewartry, many having
been induced to join the ranks through what they saw
and heard at the Horticultural Society's Show at Dumfries
last year and also at the local flower shows since then.
The honey harvest here has been (with me at least) a
partial failure owing to the dry season, which fairly
burned up the clover and other pasturage, although from

Sept. 22, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

Round

Screw Capped.

lib. 20/-

21b. 25/-

BREFPIT'S LIMITED,

THE AIRE & CALDER GLASS BOTTLE CO.

83 Upper Thames Street,

Square
Screw Capped.

I.ONBOST.

NET PRICES PER GROSS OP

WHITE FLINT GLASS HONEY JAES,

Including CORK WADS for the SCREW CAPPED JARS.

lib.

20/-

PACKAGES FREE AND DELIVERY FREE ON RAILS, LONDON.

Sciwcappea A SAMPIjB CASE, containing one of each of the JARS sent,
| lb. is/. Carriage Paid, upon receipt of Postal Order for 2/6.

10/0

§- m

Octagon
Screw Capped_

1 lb. 20/-

TJpright
Screw Capped.

Mb. 18/-
1 lb. 20/-.

TIE-OVER JARS.

lib. ... 7/6
lib. ... 10/6
21b. ... 18/6

BeES! BeES!! B

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Hudson's Extract of Soap

and Dry Soap

Dissolved in hot water is the very thing for cleaning Hives
and Frames,

Bee-Stings.

HUDSON'S EXTRACT OF SOAP and DRY SOAP,
made into a paste and immediately applied, have for years
been used in cases of Stings !

Sold everywhere. Packets, One Penny and upwards.

ARDENERS.

mo ALL /~1

ansing Plants from A
nerican Blight, all k
ill Hard-wooded Plan

Hudson's Soap.

For Cleansing Plants from Aphides and all Parasites; to
prevent American Blight, all kinds of Scale, <fec. ; and for
Washing all Hard-wooded Plants, always use

(181)

Self-acting Fountains & Aquariums.

Suitable for Greenhouses, the Dining-room, &c.
Send for Catalogue, Post free,
NEW PATENT HONEY SQUEEZERS.— Having made
Special Terms with Manufacturers, can sell this handy
utensil at 1/6, 1/9 Post free.

'LITTLE WONDER' EXTRACTORS at 7/6.
SPENCE, Manufacturer, &c, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

A 2827

Plain Greek-
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1 lb. 10/6

Corks for above,
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Greek

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lib. 10/6

Corks for above.

2/- per gross.

COOPER'S DERBY EXCELSIOR

HONEY EXTRACTOR.

EXTRACTS Four Combs at once, with Moveable Strainer
to strain the Honey as it runs from the Combs.
Treacle Valve, Moveable Lids. This Extractor will also ex
tract Sections. Price 32/6. To extract Two Combs at once,
price 27/6. See Figs. 6 and 7 in Catalogue, sent Free on
application. BAR-FRAMES, Standard size, Planed and
Saw-cut for Foundation. Price in the Flat, 1/- per doz. ;
10/6 per gross. If Nailed together, 1/6 per doz. ; 15/- per gross.
D. & A. COOPER, SPA LAVE, SERB'S-.

FEEDERS^

DRY SUGAR FEEDERS, 9d. and Is. each.
BOTTLE FEEDERS, Is. and Is. 6d. each.

Send for Illustrated Catalogue, Post free to any address.
A. I". SaiTTTCSIIBirCrS,

WEST KENT STEAM-POWER HIVE WORKS

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The best Journal of its kind, edited and published by the
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Sample copies sent on request.

Also, ' DER PRAKTISCHE IMKER.' Compendium of
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Pictures, and a frontispiece. Price 4 marks (4s.), stitched i
well bound, 5 marks.

C, A. Schwetbchkb & Son (M. Bbuhn), Brunswick,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 22, 1887.

ABBOTT BROTHERS, Southall, LONDON,

Merchants' Quay, Dublin. 2 Quai de la Megisserie, Paris.

| Abbott's Original

TIE-OVER BOTTLES
13

ABBOTT'S
EXHIBITION BOTTLE.

ABBOTT'S OPAL POTS.

METAL CAP JAR.

No. 45.

1 GROSS CRATES.

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No. 49.
VEGETABLE PARCHMENT, for covering Bottles 1/6 per lb.

NOTICE.— "We are now allowing 10 °/0 discount on all
BOTTLE ORDERS.

No. 46.

First Quality, 27/6
Second „ 24/-

Price 1/- per Gross,

loss if 5 Gross aro
taken.

& SAMPLES of all HONEY LABELS in Stock sent FREE on application. $.

CONDEMNED BEES,

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R, I M S H -A. ^W'S .A. FIFUGE ( Registered).
A Preventive against the Stings of Bees. Price 1/6 and 2/6 per bottle, post Free.

September 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

427

our local papers I see that they have been very successful
in the border counties of Scotland, one bee-keeper having
taken as much as 7 lbs. per day off one hive for I forget
how many days together. That, I think, was pretty fair,
and as the bee-keeper was ' a wearer of the cloth,' we can-
not suspect him of drawing the long bow. I have driven a
good few skeps for cottagers this year, and find that the
yield is about an average one, though in some cases the
bees seemed to be ' living from hand to mouth.' I may
mention that I started bee-keeping about three years ago
with a hive of driven bees, which I drove moself, never
having seen driving done before, and now my stock consists
often frame-hives and two skeps, besides a few hives of
driven ones of this year. I make all my own hives and
appliances except sections, and find that it pays to do so, as
the carriage would be no trifle in this part of the country.
The way I was first induced to start bee-keeping may
perhaps amuse you, and show how infectious the bee fever
is. A neighbour of mine who kept bees in skeps had seen
a frame-hive somewhere, and wished to have one, but did
not know how to get it, as we have no hive-dealers here ;
so having seen an article on hive-making in a magazine, I
offered to make him one, which I did satisfactorily I hope.
Having got his hive, he was not much better, as he knew
nothing about managing bees in it, so I got the most of
that work to do till he got used to it ; and from working
with the bees I of course caught the bee fever, and could
not rest till I had bees of my own, which have given me a
great deal of pleasure in managing them, a fair quantity of
honey, and last but net least a large amount of stings ; in
fact I have got so many stings from my own and other
people's bees that I am quite inoculated, although I see one
of your correspondents thinks that inoculation is a farce.
Such has not been the case with me at any rate, as when I
started bee-keeping first, if I got stung the effects lasted for
nearly a week, and now I can get ten or a dozen at once,
and in ten minutes I could not show you where I had been
stung. Looks [rather like being inoculated, doesn't it ? I
may mention that I have taken the Journal from the first,
ana attribute to it the success which I have had. Besides
the information which it contains, I like the amusing con-
tributions of some of your correspondents, and trust that
you and they may long be spared to furnish us with in-
formation and amusement combined. — John J. W. Curbie,

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can he purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space'
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-lieepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, qiwries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

E. G. — Dead Queen. — I received a dead queen reminding
me of one Clarence who was drowned in a butt of liquor
he much loved, for she was swimming in about J oz. of
honey, intended no doubt to prevent her fainting by the
way. The other morning a queen came with four work-
ers, and about 1 oz. of dry moist sugar, in a box 4 ins.
square and 3 ins. deep with thirty or forty bradawl holes
in the lid. The owner was no doubt a believer in dry sugar
feeding, but a bulkhead should have been inserted in the
box to keep the cargo from rolling over the passengers, as
excessive generosity had smothered them in sweetness.
Queens come with three or four attendants in a metal
vesta box more safely than in these huge packages. Air-
holes are not required, and the better the outsidepacking
the less likely is crushing. It is not pleasant to mess
delicate and valuable appliances with sticky fingers, and
how can they be kept clean unless bee-keepers send more
wisely 1 The queen first mentioned I dissected as well as
circumstances permitted and found several bacilli, but these,
though showing that she came from a contaminated stock
did not prove her diseased, as in the general clamminess
the bacilli may have been transferred from the outside of
the body. My address is Eosemont, Bromley, Kent,
and bee-keepers forgetting this are putting me to consider-
able expense for the redirection of my letters and packages.
In future all misdirected ones must be refused. — F. C.

J. D. M. — Will you please thoughtfully discuss some of the

subjects suggested by you ?
J. Brown. — The sprig of heather forwarded is the Calluna
vulgaris. It is the best of all British heaths for honey
secretion. It is a great favourite with all races of bees.
Inquirer. — Mead. — We reprint two recipes for mead as
requested. 1. From Mr. E. Thompson of Brigg : —
To every gallon of water put 4J lbs. of honey, to which
add 1 oz. of ginger, in pieces, and 1 oz. of hops, tied
in a bag, to about 5 or 6 gallons. Boil and skim it
an hour. Let it stand till cold, then put it into casks, with
a pint of brandy to every 6 gallons. N.B. — No yeast
must touch it. 2. Take a gallon of honey and 8 gallons
of water, and boil it well, till it comes to 6 gallons ; then
pour it into a large vessel of earthenware, let it stand till
it is almost cold, and then pour into it a little yeast to
work it. When it has worked a while, put it into a rum
cask, and stop it close. Let it stand two mouths, then
bottle it off, and put into every bottle two cloves and
a little lemon-peel. (This receipt is almost one hundred
years old.) There are many others to be found in previous
numbers of the Journal.

Thomas Cross. — Salicylic Acid. — The drug used in salicylic
acid is crystals, but they will not dissolve in water, there-
fore a solutive must be added. This is found in soda
borax. Mix equal parts of the acid and borax, then add the
water. Half an ounce each of salicylic acid and soda
borax to a quart of water ; half an ounce of this solution
to every five pounds of sugar used in making the syrup.

Midlander. — Driven Bees without Queen. — The queens
have got killed. It is of no use the bees raising queens,
as it is almost an impossibility of their being fertilised.
You must either unite them to another lot having a
queen or introduce one to them, first destroying the
queen-cells. If this is done more than eleven days after
the first cell was seen, you will have to remove the virgin
queen, as by that time one will have left the cell. Feed
until they have 30 lbs. of syrup stored.

Subscriber. — Uniting Condemned Bees to Bar-frame Hive. —
The manner in which you conducted this was correct,
presuming that you removed the bees from the bar-
frame hive, of which you say nothing. The bees ought
to have been removed from the bar-frame hive, then
mixed with the driven bees, and then run in at the
entrance of the hive, the combs of which ought to have
been replaced in the hive before doing so. We have
never had them fight after so doing. The next time you
had better scent both lots with syrup having a few drops
of essence of peppermint mixed with it.

E. Glasgow. — The comb sent was affected with foul brood.

E. Field. — Dead Brood. — So far as we can judge from the
specimens sent, there is no disease. The pupie have
failed to develope into perfect nymphs, probably from
being chilled when the change of weather occurred.
Continue to feed on syrup medicated with salicylic acid
or phenol according to recipes.

X. Y. Z. — Orange-coloured Sections. — From your descrip-
tion, we are inclined to think that the section-honey has
been collected from mustard or rape, but we never knew
these plants to cause a bitter taste in the honey. It is
possible that if the dandelion is plentiful in your neigh-
bourhood, the bitter flavour may come from it, but we
have no experience of such a result.

E. J. S. and Beeswino.— CarfroZic Solution. — We have not
found the solution, of the strength recommended, to blister
the hands, but we are rather thick-skinned — not to say
pachydermatous — and we can well understand that the
case delicate hands of a lady might suffer. But in such a
why not use a lemon-squeezer, or a press of some kind,
instead of the hands, for wringing the carbolise cloth ?

E. C. — We are averse to insert letters affecting the decisions
of judges at shows. Some exhibitors must necessarily be
disappointed. We should advise that the grounds of your
dissatisfaction with the verdict of the judge be laid before
the hon. secretary and the local committee, who would
take a greater interest in the matter than the general
body of bee-keepers.

*** We are obliged to postpone the replies to several queries
till next issue.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 22, 1887.

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 25Ga Hotwell Koad, Bristol.

Bakek, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Eent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt.'.Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H, Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 23 Cornhill, E.C

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

The New Patent Honey & Fruit Squeezer.

SPECIAL NOTICE I — In consequence of the increased
demand for this useful article, the Manufacturer has en-
larged his plant, and is now able to produce them at a
much lower cost. Price 2s. %d. each, post free 2s. 9d.

For particulars soo 'British Bee Journal,' page 382.
Agents for the United Kingdom,

TURNER & SON, BEE-HIVE MANUFACTURERS,
RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT, NOTTS. (154)

Nearly Ready.]

[Demy 8vo. toned paper.

A Modern Bee Farm,

And its Economic Management.

By S. SIMMINS.

Popular Edition, limp cloth cover, post free, 3s. 9<f.
Special Edition, stiff cover, 7s. 6<f., free.

The work is profusely illustrated, and embraces all
necessary instructions for the Practical Management of
the Apiary, both as a profession, and for recreation.

The Special Edition will include Photos of the Author's
Domestic Hive ; his Home Apiary, and another covered
Apiary, 75 ft. x 50 ft. ; also one of Queen, Workers, and
Drones on the Comb.

N. B — The whole of this uork consists of fresh matter; not
three pages being taken from 'Non-Swarming' Pamphlet.

S. SIMMINS, Rottingdean, Brighton.

GUIDE-BOOK PAMPHLETS. BTo. 1.

DOUBLING AND STORIFYING

FOR

Extracted and Comb Honey, and the
Prevention of Swarming.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.

Post Free, Threepence Halfpenny.

J". HTJCKLE, KIIN-Q-S XjJi. 3ST a-HDEY.
GUIDE-BOOK PAMFHLETS.-No. II.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXTRACTOR,
AND A BELLOWS SMOKER.

By T. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.
Post Free, Sixpence Halfpenny.

O". HITCKLE, KZI1TC3-3 X. .A. 3ST G- L E "ST .

NOTICE.
The British Bee Journal is published by Keht & Oo., 28 Paternoster
Row, and may be obtained of all local Booksellers, and of the fol-
lowing Agents :—

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDREU, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwcll Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DURRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON. A. B., Brickhall, Ballywoolen, Kllly-
leagh, Co. Down.

McNALLY, R., Glenluce, N.B.

MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Hereford.

NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and
127 High Holborn, London.

OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Sussex.

REDSHAW, C., Canal St., South Wigston, Leicester.-

RICE, J. J., Wensum Street, Norwich.

RUDKIN, F., Belton, Uppingham.

SMITH & SON, 180 Strand, London; and at all Rail-
way Bookstalls.

WITHLNSHAW, A., Newcastle, Staffordshire.

WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.
WREN, L., 139 High Streot, Lowoetoft.

J

^fc

jAA

British

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stranoeways' Printing, Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 275. Vol. XV.]

SEPTEMBER 2D, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

(Btntaxhl, Ifaiias, #r.

HONEY-DEW.

' Fresh from their Summer sleep, on airy wing,
Forced thro' each oozy pore the Sap-floods spring,
And, as gray dawn or evening tints the ray,
Twine pearls or liquid rubies round the spray.
Nor scorn ye now, fond elves, the foliage sear,
When the light Aphids, arm'd with puny spear,
Probe each emulgent vein till bright below,
Like falling stars, clear drops of nectar glow ;
And, roll'd along the glade in billowy streams,
To the rapt eye a sea of amber beams.'

Evans, Tlw Bees, III., 570—579.

In our last number we endeavoured to trace the
history of honey-dew from primitive times to the
present day ; and that which struck us most in our
review was the great difference in the appreciation
of honey-dew by the ancients and by the moderns.
By the former it was extolled in the loftiest terms,
as ' the heavenly gift of ethereal honey,' ' the saliva
of the stars,' 'the quintessence of all the sweetness
of the earth,' and ' the purest nectar coming from
above ; ' while by the moderns it is regarded as ' the
escrementitious product of aphides,' ' aphidean
excreta,' ' black aphid ian honey,' &c. No more
entire subversion of the meaning of a term can be
conceived. The supramundane superlatives have
resolved themselves into the lowest of positives.
But ' with regard to tastes there is no disputing.'

Honey-dew is not, however, always spoken of in
such disparaging terms, and it is doubtful whether
those that apply them have acquired sufficient ento-
mological acquaintance with the peculiar organisms
of aphides to justify them in their application; and
it is a question whether, when they have arrived at
that knowledge, they will not desire to modify the
opinion they now entertain of it.

While the great majority of those who have
studied the physiology of aphides accept the con-
clusions of Mr. Curtis and Dr. Kirby as to the pro-
duction of honey-dew as given in our last number,
yet many other observers maintain that it is of
vegetable origin. Dr. Hooker endorses Liebig's
opinion, that honey-dew must not be ascribed to
the agency of aphides. The Abbe Boussier do
Sauvage thinks that the secretion may have both a
vegetable and an insect origin. Mr. H. Doubleday
considers the dropsical appearance of currant-leaves
due to a disease which causes the transpiration of a

fluid from the pores. M. Boussingault denies that
the saccharine matter on lime-leaves is the produce of
aphides. His analysis of honey-dew is — Cane-sugar,
48'86; sucre interverti, 28-59 ; glucose, 22-55=>
100. But this analysis has not been accepted by
Dr. Gunning, of Amsterdam, who states that it
principally consisted of cane-sugar, and not of grape-
sugar or glucose. Mr. Buckton, than whom no one
has paid such attention to aphides, is very much of
opinion that the honey-dew found on leaves is of
aphis origin.*

Let us turn now to the opinions of bee-keepers
as to the taste of honey-dew.

Mr. W. Carr of Newton Heath, Manchester, says,
'The linden tree produces a great quantity of honey-
dew. This fluid is scarcely inferior to honey in
sweetness, but is of a dark colour.' Mr. Cowan, in
the discussion on Mr. Griffin's lecture on ' Honey
and Wax,' says that ' honey-dew is not altogether
valueless, and that from the pine has a peculiar
flavour, which is not at all disagreeable.' Lang-
stroth, as a representative of American bee-keepers,
says that honey-dew ' though seldom light-coloured,
is generally of a good quality.' A bottle of honey-
dew was forwarded to us about two years ago ; it was
characterised by the party sending it as ' abomin-
able stuff' — ' as black aphidian honey, almost the
colour of ink.' This we gave away, and the report
of the recipient was that it was very palatable, that
he had relished it very much, and was sorry when
it was exhausted.

Mr. Griffin, on the occasion of the above-men-
tioned lecture, had among the samples which he
had brought for the illustration of his lecture one
of honey-dew, which had been gathered by bees in
1884 at Hungerford from the aphides of the oak.
He states as his opinion :— ' Raised to a high
temperature, almost black, most disagreeable to
the palate, and of strong odour ; ' a second sample,
like to the preceding, but left to crystallise, 'had
become a mottled brown, much resembling marble.'
Mr. Griffin described honey-dew as ' a viscid trans-
parent substance as sweet as honey itself.'

Whatever difference of opinion there may be as
to the origin of honey-dew, there can be no dis-
putation as to the large quantity of it that is some-
times found ; and the evidence with regard to this
is very ample, and the circumstances under which

* Monograph of British Aphides.
vol. i. p. 43.

By G. B. Buckton,

430

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 20, 1887.

it is found, fully bear out the idea of Virgil as to
roscida me/la (dewy honey), and that of Dr. Butler
when describing it as 'descending unto the earth
as a dew, or small drizzling rain.'

Mr. Knight (writing towards the end of the last
century) once observed a shower of honey-dew
descending in innumerable small globules near one
of his oak-trees. He cut off one of the branches,
took it into his house, and, holding it in a stream
of light admitted through a small opening, dis-
tinctly saw the aphides ejecting the fluid from
their bodies with considerable force.

Mr. W. Carr thus states his experience : —

'On July 21st, 1876, I was in Leek churchyard,
around which, more than fifty years since, were planted
rows of linden trees, and underneath these trees the flag's
were wet over with honey-dew, and I observed a shower
of honey-dew descending- in innumerable small globules,
and extending beyond the trees, the leaves of which were
covered with aphides salicis. My clothes soon began to
be sticky with honey, so I called a friend that lives near,
and told him to put some buckets under the trees, as it
wa3 a land really flowing with honey. The happy
humming noise of the bees could be heard at a consider-
able distance from the trees, sometimes nearly equal in
loudness to the united hum of swarming.'

Mr. Garratt, Mr. Dobbie, and others (B. B. J.,
vol. 13, pp. 166, 256) bear similar testimony to the
large amount of honey-dew deposited by aphides.

What the locusts are in warm climates, aphides
are in cooler ones. It is said that locusts fly in
such numbers as to intercept the sunbeams, and
to darken whole countries as they pass from one
region to another, wasting large districts. The
same tendency to shift their quarters in count-
less numbers is to be noted in the aphides. Gilbert
"White, of Selborne, says : — ■

' About three o'clock in the afternoon of the 1st of
August, 1785, the people of the village of Selborne were
surprised by a shower of aphides or smother-flies, which
fell in those parts. Those that walked in the street at
that juncture found themselves covered with these
insects, which settled also upon the hedges and in the
gardens, blackening all the vegetables where they
alighted. These armies, he observes, were then, no
doubt, in a state of emigration, and shifting their
quarters, and might have come from the great hop
plantations of Kent or Sussex, the wind being all that
day in the east. They were observed at the same time
in great clouds about Farnham, and all along the vale
from Farnham to Alton.'

Dr. Kirby had a similar experience : —
'An emigration of these flies I once witnessed, to
my great annoyance, when travelling later in the year,
in the Isle of Ely. The air was so full of them, that
they were incessantly flying into my eyes, nostrils, &c,
and my clothes were covered by them. And in 1814, in
the autumn, the aphides were so abundant for a few
days in the vicinity of Ipswich, as to be noticed with
surprise by the most incurious observers ; as they were
September 26th and 27th, 1836, at Hull, where, as the
local newspapers stated, such swarms filled the air that
it was impossible to walk with comfort from their
entering the eyes and mouth at every step ; and on the
same days thoy were equally numerous at York and
Derby.'

There is ao much of interest in the life-history of
theso producers of honey-dew that we find we
must postpone our continuation of it to a subse-
quent number.

USEFUL HINTS.
Weather. — Autumn weather, on the whole, is prov-
ing favourable to the bees. Easterly winds and cold
nights prevent too much excitement and long fruitless
flights, but occasional hours of sunshine encourage
cleansing flights and a gradual preparation for the
winter's rest, which ought, in well-regulated apiaries, to
commence at once.

AVintering. — Strong colonies, with plenty of sealed
stores and winter coverings, ought to be disturbed no
more until March winds or April showers harbinger the
summer's flowers, and, let us hope, another bounteous
honey-flow. As regards winter quilts, our hives are
covered with enamel sheet, which is already propolised,
and will not again be disturbed. Over this is placed
several thicknesses of carpet, and upon all a flat straw
cover, with a couple of bricks to keep all tight. When
wasps have disappeared, plenty of bottom ventilation
will be given, and all colonies, having abundance of
sealed honey, are already in winter quarters, aud will, we
trust, soon be in a state of semi-hibernation.

Queen Introduction. — It has been impossible to
write instructions for the use of the improved pipe-cover
queen-cage to all who have applied for specimen cages.
A few hints, therefore, may prove acceptable. Our own
practice is to remove the queen which is to be superseded
about noon on a fine day, and on the same evening,
when the bees will have discovered their loss, to cage
the new queen in the brood-nest. The division-board
and an outside frame are removed first, in order to
obtain plenty of space for manipulation, and the frame
on which we intend to cage the queen, containing
hatching brood and sealed honey, is raised, and one end
again lowered into the hive until the end of its top-bar
rests upon the hive-side, and the opposite end of the
bottom-bar on the other side. This plan sets both hands
at liberty for action, and gives full command of the comb.
The alien queen, having previously been kept in solitary
confinement for half-an-hour under the cage placed on a
card in a warm room to avoid chilling, is now carried to
the raised comb, and the bees are removed by a dry
carbolised feather from the spot which the cage is to
occupy, between brood and sealed honey. The cage,
upon its card, is placed upon this spot, the card carefully
withdrawn, and the cage screwed down to the midrib of
the comb, allowing room enough for the queen to move
freely around. The frame is then lowered into its proper
position, the remaining frames closed up, one by one,
and the hive left in its normal state until the next,
evening — twenty-four hours — when it is again opened and
the comb on which the queen is caged is raised as before.
If the bees are thickly clustered upon the cage in shape of
a solid ball, evidently intent upon mischief, the hive is
closed and allowed to remain in statu quo for twenty-
four hours longer. But if, on the other hand, the bees
appear well disposed towards the imprisoned queen, offer-
ing her food through the bars of her cage, she may gently
be set free by turning the cage slightly aside, and allowing
her to walk out upon the comb. If she is allowed to pro-
ceed and food is offered, the hive may be quietly closed,
and on the following' morning an examination may be made
to see that all is right. If, however, on setting free, the
queen is seized by the wings or legs, and an angry knot
of bees begin to surround her, stopping her progress, she
must at once be rescued and caged for another twenty-
four hours. A carbolised feather, wiped clear of the solu-
tion, will drive away the evil-disposed bees, when the cage
can be slipped over the queen, and again pressed down to
the midrio. We always enclose within the cage two or
three cells of capped honey, so that tho queen can feed
herself, and tho bees are induced to feed her also, while
gathering up the honey from the bleeding comb. If
the above directions are carried out quietly, without
hurry or excitement, success will be all but certain. We
successfully release the queon after twelve hours' con-

September 29, 1887.]

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

431

finement. Before attempting the release it is best to
look over the brood-combs, and carefully to notice
■whether any queen-cells have been commenced. If so,
cut them out, and close the hive, without attempting to
set free the queen, or the probability is that she will be
encased and destroyed. It is best to get queens intro-
duced by the end of this month, but if the weather
continues fine introduction may be continued until the
middle or end of October.

Dead Brood. — In regard to Mr. Webster's apologia
for Mr. Simmins's theory of ' dead brood,' we should
only be too pleased to believe the theory correct,
but, unfortunately, our experience is dead against it.
AVe can hardly compare bees and poultry, since the
fecundation of the eggs and other conditions differ so
widely. With the exception of chilled brood we
have never met with dead brood in a fairly populous
colony, save from disease, but we admit that our experi-
ence has been principally with queens raised under the
natural swarming impulse. But whether dead brood
may be attributed to an imperfect or to a diseased queen
we hope shortly for a report which will set the question
at rest. That more than one kind of bacillus attacks
our bees is a question beyond dispute, and that the dead
brood in question will be found to be caused by bacillus
we have little doubt.

Transferring Stores and Winter Passages. —
Where winter preparations have not been completed it
will be advantageous to remove from strong colonies
combs containing much pollen. Such may be given to
condemned bees which have built their own combs, but
have had no opportunity of collecting pollen. Sealed
combs of honey also may be removed from the outside of
strong colonies having more than sufficient winter store
and given to weaker ones. Winter passages are a
decided advantage, enabling the bees in cold weather to
pass freely from comb to comb. Combs of sealed honey
stored in a dry warm closet will be found of great use as
food at spring.

South Aspect. — Whether the combs of the hive
range from back to front, or parallel with the entrance,
let the aspect of your hives be south. Then the cluster
of bees will be on the south side of their hive over the
entrance, and they will have far greater inducement to
take cleansing flights during sunny days in the winter
months than if the aspect had been in any other direc-
tion. For this reason we prefer the parallel combs to
be close up to the front or entrance side of the hive,
without any intervening space or porch as recommended
by some. Our plan has alwaj-s been to encourage flight
during winter in suitable weather as much as possible,
since nothing more conduces to healthy wintering than
occasional cleansing flights.

Fecundation in Confinement. — In the American
Bee Journal of the 7th inst, Mr. W. N. M'Laiu gives the
results of varied experiments in controlling the fecun-
dation of queens, both by natural and artificial methods,
carried on during the last two or three years. His most
important point is, that a portion only of the drones
produced in a hive have the power of procreation, and
that this power is conferred by the workers by means of
a particular kind of food, just as in the case of queens.
Also that fertile drones are found in greater abund-
ance in hives affected with the swarming fever than in
others, and he makes the remarkable statement that not
more than 5 or 10 per cent of the drones produced are
capable of procreation. We recommend the perusal of
Mr. M'Lain's important and interesting paper to those
of our readers who take an interest in the subject; since
our space will not admit of long extracts, suffice it to
say, that, by his most ingenious artificial method he
succeeded in fecundating queens which proved, upon
trial, as prolific as any queen he possessed. In ex-
perimenting by natural methods he made use of a house
10 feet by 16 feet, and 8 feet high, partly covered on

the sides with wire-cloth, a wire-covered sash in the
gable, and large screen wire-covered doors in each end.
In this house he placed his hives, and succeeded in pro-
curing the fecundation of three out of six queens. This
is undoubtedly a decided step in advance, and Mr.
M'Lain is sanguine of complete success. The subject
is one of the greatest importance, and almost the only
problem which remains unsolved in apiculture.

Foundation Fixer. — In American apicultural circles
also a new machine for fixing foundation is thus de-
scribed : — 'It is an automatic, self-lubricating machine for
fastening comb foundation into section boxes for surplus
honey, as used by bee-keepers. The task heretofore has
been a slow and tedious one, owing to the want of a
machine that would do the work expeditiously. This
machine will fully satisfy the want. It will do the
work of any ten machines ever invented in a given time.
Though simply constructed it is a marvel of ingenuity,
and all apiarists cannot fail to appreciate it upon ex-
amination. A patent will be obtained, and the manu-
facture of the machines will be commenced at once.'

We trust that Mr. Lee will lose no time in bringing out
his patent machine for producing sections in which full
sheets of foundation are fixed while putting the sections
together, and which process obviates the necessity for
the use of a foundatiou-fixer at all. The American
machine, we suppose, merely fixes a strip of foundation
on one side of the section, and can never successfully
compete with Lee's method.

TIN SECTION-CASES.
As will be seen from our advertising columns, Mr. A.
D. Woodley has disposed of his interest in the Tin Sec-
tion-cases, brought out by him this year, to the British
Bee-keepers' Stores, now removed to larger and more
convenient premises at 6 George Yard, Fenchurch
Street, E.C. These cases have taken several prizes during
the late season, and by their neatness and cleanness have
proved of great service to bee-keepers in the disposal of
their sections.

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Committee was held at 105 Jermyn
Street, on Wednesday, September 21st. Present: The
Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh (in the chair), Dr. Bartrum,
the Rev. F. S. Sclater, Capt. Bush, Capt. Campbell, H.
Jonas, J. M. Hooker, Dr. Walker, W. O'B. Glennie,
Treasurer, and the Secretary. The minutes of the last
meeting were read and confirmed. The Finance Com-
mittee presented their report, recommending the pay-
ment of certain bills, also a statement of assets and
liabilities of the Association. The Secretary reported
that he had made application for the outstanding sub-
scriptions, and that several had already been sent in.

It was unanimously resolved that the Chairman bs
requested to express their sorrow on account of the sad
loss the Association had sustained in the death of Mr.
Duncan Stewart, and to express the sympathy of the
members with Mrs. Stewart and other members of the
family in their heavy bereavement.

The Examinations Committee reported that the certi-
ficates gained by the third-class candidates during the
past season had been duly signed and would be for-
warded to the respective Secretaries of the County
Associations.

It was resolved that the second-class examinations
should take place on Saturday, November 12th.

The Secretary reported that he had received a letter
from Mr. S. Corneil, of Canada, together with a newly in-
vented machine for fixing foundation on sections. It was

432

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 29, 1887.

Berkshire . .
Derbyshire .

Essex

Gloucestershire .

Kent

resolved that Mr. Hooker be requested to give the ma-
chine a practical trial and report the result at the next
quarterly meeting, to take place on October 21st.

The following is the list of successful candidates at
the third-class examination held during the past season : —

M. Whittle, Wantage.

Thos. Austin,- Alvaston.

W. Coxon, Ambaston.

B. Skerman, Swanwick.

J. J. Shipman, Ashover.

B. Rawson, Selston.

J. G. Cheek, Braintree.

J. White, Toddington.

A. J. Brown, Bradley.

G. Newman, Gloucester.

R. Woodward, Charlton Kings.

W. Blake, Collingwood.

T. Badcock, Gravesend.

W. Drinkall, Lancaster.

W. Liddell,

A. H. Windsor, Netuerseale.

W. Williams, Caerleon.

T. Hedley, Hexham.
. J. Beech, Burntwood.

F. Wilshaw, Cheddleton.
, Miss M. E. Eyton, Leaton.
, H. Brooks, Wrockwardine.
„ . . . . J. Palmer, „

„ . . . . T. Shuker, Advaston.

„ . . . . J. Shuker, Allscott.

Any of the above, or candidates who have gained
third-class certificates in previous years, and being de-
sirous of competing for a second-class certificate at the
next examination, fixed to take place on Saturday, the
12th day of November next, should give immediate
notice to the Secretary of their County Association.

Lancashire . .

„
Leicestershire .
Monmouthshire .
Northumberland
Staffordshire

Shropshire . .

MIDDLESEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

A Quarterly Committee was held at 107 Jermyn
Street, W., on Wednesday, the 21st inst. Present—
Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh (in the chair), Major Fair, Dr.
Raynor, Messrs. Jonas, Hasluck, Graham, and English.
A cordial vote of thanks was given to Mr. Hasluck for
his courtesy in placing his grounds at the service of the
M. B. K. A. for their show on 20th August. Resolved
that the expert's tour in the N. E. Province be under-
taken by Mr. S. J. Baldwin. A statistical return was
considered and referred to a sub-committee to be printed
and circulated. The subject of winter lectures was
under consideration.

fcresponftma.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will bo taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to wvite on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cfo Messrs. Strang eways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

•»• In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, a3 well as the page on which it appears.

PARALLEL v. RIGHT-ANGLE FRAMES.
[1279.] Dogmatism is, I trust, no part of my nature,
but if there is one thing more than another that makes
me feel at all inclined to be dogmatic it is the question
of parallel o. right-angle frames. I must own that I
' go in ' for parallel frames ; not that it is for any idea

that I think the bees do better upon this principle or
that they do worse, but simply that the frames iu this
position are much easier to handle, the hive can be
manipulated with greater comfort. There is, as a rule,
greater space iu the hive which is useful for a variety of
purposes ; there is also economy of space : but that it
makes any difference in the honey yield I consider a
f allac}', or that the health of the bees suffers in consequence
is another fallacy. Often have I smiled at the expressed
ideas of some that the system known as the 'hot' is a
cause of ' foul brood.' Am I not dogmatic ? Well, let
us examine the above assertions in as dispassionate and
unbiassed a manner as possible. In the first place, Does
it make any difference in the honey yield? My best
hive this season was on the ' hot ' system, but one hive
stands for nothing. I find on tallying the whole of the
apiary that this question is ' six to one and half-a-dozen
the other ;' there is not the slightest difference, just as I
have found before. I daresay that I have as many skeps
pass through my hands as most bee-keepers, and for some
years have given this question a deal of observation, the
results of which are as follows. The positions of the
combs built are as often one way as the other, that is, if
the angle is accurately gauged; but on account of there
being a much larger number of angles within a circum-
ference and its centre than these two, I find that more
combs by far are built angleways than any other, also a
great number are built at several different angles in a
single hive.

Many, I know, will say that their experience is the
reverse, and as the thought just strikes me at this
moment I will run out to the apiary and look at six
skeps I have there. Unfortunately, for this question, I
have just now only that number in this apiary. ... I
have done so, and find eight different angles represented,
but the majority is in favour of the parallel or ' hot '
system. This is the result : No. 1 hive within one
degree of parallel. No. 2 at an angle of 45°. No. 3 at
an angle of 50°. No. 4 has three different angles. No. 5
exactly parallel. No. 6 within five degrees of right angle.
I must own that I did not expect to find such a result in
favour of the parallel system as the prior portion of my
letter shows. The next assertion I make is that the
frames are much easier to handle. I don't think that
any experienced bee-keeper will negative this. In
handling such frames your hands need not move over
the tops of the frames at all, the hive being manipulated
from the back — the correct position. In handling frames
on the 'cold' system you cannot lift any frames from
the back without passing your hand over the whole
extent of the uncovered portion of the hive ; this, as is
well known, is inadvisable, therefore the manipulator
to prevent it must stand at the side, if there is any
room between the hives. This is a consideration in
cramped positions. Such a position as I saw atLlanrwst,
where one of the most advanced of Welsh bee-keepers
(Mr. Berry) is obliged to keep his hives within three
inches of each other. A hive on the 'cold' system ha3
the space — if any — unoccupied by frames, divided into
two; there is, therefore, unless the hive is — shall I call
itP — abnormally large, much less room to place extracted
combs or sections to be cleared out behind the dummy-
board. With parallel frames this space is all in one
place at the back. I find it very convenient to keep any
little adjunct belonging to that particular hive, for
cloaring out combs without disturbing the interior, and
moving frames well away from those contiguous when
examining for anything. In using a hive on the ' cold '
system as a nucleus it will be found very awkward, as
the two or three frames used with the two division-
boards will not extend the whole longth of the entrance.
You, therefore, have a numbjr of the bees entering on
each unoccupied side of the division-board and getting
into the roof, t'rus losing themselves ; it also gives a
better opportunity to robbers — much feared iu nuclei —

September 29, 1887.]

THE BKITISH BEE JOUENAL.

433

as even with contracting entrances you cannot entirely
surmount this defect; but with a hive on the 'hot'
system there cannot he hut one entrance direct into the
hive, even if you have only one frame.

The chief advantage claimed for the ' cold ' system is
that better ventilation is afforded. This may he true
with those frames directly opposite the entrance, four in
number, but those on each side of these four are aa
badly off (?) as those on the ' hot ' system, but with
entrances extending the whole width of the hive this will
not apply. If there is so very much difference in the
amount of ventilation, which I question, so must there be
a greater variation of temperature within the hive, cold
nights will be more visibly felt, and warm days like-
wise. The latter is of little importance, as this the bees
can easily reduce. The question of ventilation is, I
think, very much of a myth, yet the results of these two
systems devolve entirely upon it. I have heard the
opinion given that according to the position of the
hives, whether the entrances be towards the north,
south-east, or west, so will the combs be built. I must
really negative this. Just examine a few and see
whether there is any knowledge of the cardinal points
expressed in the building of natural combs by the bees.

The opinion I have expressed can be summed up in a
very few words : that there is no perceptible difference
to the bees which system is adopted, but to the bee-
keeper the parallel is the most advantageous. These are
not the results of observations made upon one, two, or
three hives, but extended over a very wide area of
naturally and artificially built combs. — W. B. Webstee,
Binfield, Berks.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD COMBS (1246.)

[1230.] My thanks are due to your Irish corre-
spondent, 'Walter J. Stanford,' for his notice of my
remarks on this subject, and also for his candour in
confessing that his mind is prejudiced against me; this
admission on his part involves a principle which, if
universally carried out, could lead to nothing but the
worst results, and to me it seems somewhat extra-
ordinary that he should have put forth such a doctrine
in the Journal. His principle i3 this, that because a
correspondent has written a letter to the Journal, per-
haps a year ago, which contains something he disap-
proves of, so henceforth his mind is prejudiced against
that person, and ever afterwards his writings are to be
looked upon with disfavour. Surely this is, to say the
least, most unfair and irrational, and I do hope no other
readers are imbued with the same sentiment. ' W. J. S.'
states that ' Mr. Boyes writes as if no one else could be
right but himself, and that once he has stated what he
believes to be fact, that fact (?) must be law henceforth.'

I was not aware that I had ever been guilty of assum-
ing any such spirit of dogmatism, and if I have, it
certainly has not been intentional ; but to be candid, I
must admit that when I have stated what I have proved
to be a fact I have endeavoured to uphold my opinion.
This is one of the primary tenets of scientific men to
maintain what they believe to be fact until it is upset,
and if it really be a fact, that truth is law henceforth ;
and so long as I write to the Journal, I shall endeavour
to do so — it is open to ' W. J. S.' as well as to every one
else — to dispute me, and when they bring sound argument
to bear on the subject I do not complain ; but I do object
to have facts opposed by theory, or perhaps nonsense, or
worse, abuse. Now let me point out an example arising
out of this very subject under discussion.

I advance what my eyes have seen, viz., bees drinking
at manure-heaps, &c, and it is also a fact well known to
many bee-keepers — careful observers ; it is, therefore, an
incontrovertible fact, a truth. How is it confronted ? as
follows by ' W. J. S.': — 'I admit that bees visit queer
places, manure-heaps, pigstyes, &c, but I have always
thought that they were attracted there by their powerful

sense of smell, and that unless absolutely reduced to
water starvation, left all foul places as they came.' Here
then is simply a case of inaccurate observation ; but doe3
any one suppose that my fact is in any way altered by
such negative evidence as this ? no scientific man would
for one moment admit it. How then does my other
opponent, ' G. T.,' meet my fact ? He states: — 'I do
not believe that bees are such fools as to visit such places
as manure-heaps, &c, if there is good water within three
miles of them.' Can any one wonder when facts are met
in this way that people sometimes write rather strongly
on this point ?

' W. J. S.' asks me for my chemical analysis of the
honey from which I have made my statement. I have
none ; common-sense has been my guide in this as all
other bee matters, nor do I see the necessity for a
chemical analysis. I watch bees drinking at manure-
heaps, &c, and they fly direct to their hives, that is
sufficient for me. I can readily guess that if I analyse
the contents of that hive I shall find it there. I am,
however, very much obliged to ' W. J. S.' for his re-
marks regarding analysing honey, but I am sufficiently
acquainted with the subject for my purpose. But why
try to make a mountain out of a molehill, ' W. J. S.' ?
And do not, please, raise up any metaphorical monster
in my name. What evidence have you that ' after all
ammonial liquid has been extracted and cleaned out by
the bees, traces of solid nitrates cannot fail to remain,
and would be taken into solution on suspension again
when placed in contact with a liquid' — would it not
depend on the density of that liquid ? and would not the
quantity be so infinitesiraally small that the liquid would
be, for all practical purposes, unaltered ?

If you are going on a line of argument of this kind
I shall, in spite of your assertion that your honey is
second to none in purity, colour, and flavour, yes — I
shall not only deny that it is pure, but I shall deny
there is such a thing as pure honey. But all this is
beside the question, and is a bugbear of your own raising.
The point is whether it is beneficial or otherwise to
extract from brood-combs ? My contention is that if
there be feeding larvae in these combs there is usually
unsealed honey and food in close proximity to it, which
is not pure honey.

One word more and I have done. I regret exceed-
ingly that my letter on extracting from brood-comb
' has hurt his feelings very much.' I fear he is a little
too sensitive on the point, and this may have led him to
view the subject in such a terrible aspect. I hope this
letter will soothe his mind and help towards his speedy
recovery. I can assure him there is nothing to be
alarmed at. But what about my feelings ? what must
they be, when he calls upon English, Scotch, Irish,
and Welsh bee-keepers 'to do fierce battle' against me ?
Well, well, I hope I shall get over it; I think I shall.
I have too good an opinion of them to believe they will
hart me much, or that they will find me guilty of trying
to do bee-keeping an injury. — F. Boyes.

DRONE-COMB.

[1231.] As a constant reader of your Journal I have
had much pleasure and profit from your ' Useful Hints,'
though I have not always agreed with the author. But
who are always right ?

On p. 407, Mr. ' U. H.' put forth some meditations on
the above topic, and there, I think, he is certainly
wrong. He speaks of drone-comb as if this was built
by the bees with the intention to rear drones, but I
think that this is very seldom the case. Drone-comb is
generally built by the bees as store-comb, because it is
cheaper and easier to build than worker-comb. If you
give a swarm some frames with empty worker-comb, but
also some empty frames, or such with foundation only
half-way down, the bees will not build out the empty

434

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 29, 1887.

room with worker-comb, even if it is in the centre of
the hive, but with drone-comb. This is a common case,
and nothing to be wondered at, as Mr. ' U. H.' seems to
believe. The cause of the building of drone-comb is in
this case evident, viz., in the empty worker-comb given
to the family the queen has at first room enough for
depositing her worker eggs, so the bees fill out the
empty room in some of the frames with the intention
to use them for honey. Try to put a swarm in a hive
in which the frames have only narrow starters, and the
bees will build all worker-comb as long as the queen is
able to follow them with her egg-laying. But try then,
after, say, eight days, to put only a couple of frames
with empty worker-comb in the centre of the hive, and
then the bees instantly will begin to build drone-comb.
Is this because 'Nature now demands drones?' No,
most certainly not. It is only because the queen now
suddenly gets room enough for her worker eggs, and
then the bees will build for storing honey. So you see
it is always the bee-keeper's own fault if he gets drone-
comb when he wants worker-comb.

To get worker-comb built, it is only necessary either to
manage so that the queen constantly is in want of cells
for egg-laying, or to fill out all the empty frames to the
bottom bar with good foundation. Mr. 'U. H.' speaks
of drone-comb being built on worker foundation, but
then I am sure it has been bad foundation. Some years
ago I had often the same result, but now I have better
foundation with cells of the right size, and since I used
this foundation I have never seen drone-comb built on
worker foundation in my hives.

That a strong colony in the summer ought to have
some drones, there I agree with Mr. ' U. H.,' but for
this the bees always will find room enough without the
help of the bee-keeper.— Hans Eeslev, Kalundborg,
Denmark, Editor of the 'Danish Bee Journal.'

RE FOUL BROOD.
[1282.1 I think the result of Mr. J. T. Harveyson's
observations points to the fact that none of his queens
were diseased, and in this lies the difference between his
case and mine. I should be the last to advise the
destruction of a healthy queen knowingly. Will
Mr. H. kindly direct me to that observation of Mr.
Cheshire which I overlooked, viz., where he ' distinctly
says the queen must be removed if there is reasonable
ground for believing her to be infected, and a healthy
one substituted, ere a cure can be effected ? ' I was not
aware that Mr. Cheshire ever laid it down as a rule that
in bad cases it was better to remove the queen. What
1 want to encourage is the destruction of every queen on
suspicion, for Mr. Harveyson shows how easy it is to
cure the disease if the queen is not diseased, without
destroying the combs as recommended by the ' Man of
Kent ;' and although a good many healthy queens may
be destroyed by acting on my advice, still I compare the
disease to a house on fire, the sooner it is out the
better. Mr. Cheshire does not approve of feeding healthy
stocks with medicated syrup as a preventative ; but in
my case I am convinced it saved the apiary from attack,
and that is why I recommend it. I heartily congratu-
late Mr. II. on his success. — Thos. F. Ward, Itghgate,
Sej>tember 23rd.

FOUL BROOD AGAIN.
[1283,] Come, friend Ward, you have made a very
great mistake this time when you say that you are glad
to find that Mr. Simmins, having acted upon your advice,
given to him twelve months ago, can now from practical
experience confirm your statement as to the Cheshire
cure of foul brood being certain if the diseased queen is
removed and a healthy one substituted. I cannot find
one word in his communication in which he says he has
had any practical experience of foul brood during the

last twelve months. But we have it from ' W. Hollier '
(1170), page 334, that he has not had any experience of
it since he has been at Rottingdean, and it is five years
ago since Mr. Hollier made his first journey there, but
he tells him that he thinlcs the Cheshire cure will prove
effectual (if) you only requeen as well.

Now only fancy a breeder of queens for sale, like Mr.
Simmins, saying that he has been experimenting with
foul brood. I wonder who would buy queens from him ?
Not I, for one. Mr. Simmins is far too shrewd a man
for that, but he does say that he had experience of it
some ten or twelve years ago, and that he starved it
out, which I should imagine is a very similar process to
what I am recommending.

Again, Mr. F. Cheshire, in reply to inquirer, ' J. S. L.,'
page 403, recommends the turning out system if the
bees are strong enough to work out foundation.

Will Mr. Ward give us a little more information as re-
gards his treatment of his five infected stocks in 1885, the
date of his first finding out that he had got foul brood,
and the date of his putting the swarm upon the affected
combs, &c. ? If Mr. Ward has got his apiary clear of
foul brood, I certainly should not advise him to try
breeding from a diseased queen, if he can make sure of
getting one ; but how is he going to prove that he
has got a diseased queen unless he has her killed and
dissected ?

It does not appear to me to he a disease of the mature
bee, but only of the grubs, principally just before they
are sealed over in the cells. If the queen gets the
disease, how is it that it does not kill her ? I have
known hives dwindle down to a mere handful of bees,
and yet the queen appears to be as live!}' as ever, even
depositing two and three eggs in one cell, but there have
not been enough nurse-bees in the hive to attend to
them.

There is no mistake but what the fell disease is
travelling in the wake of the bar-frame hive at a rapid
rate. Since writing last I have been in conversation
with two bee-keepers, owning about forty hives between
them, and the one having the largest quantity wauts to
sell out through having got the disease, and yet this
man did well with his bees in the old straw skeps. —
Man of Kent, September 19.

CURING FOUL BROOD.
[1284.] In reply to 'Man of Kent' (1228) as to my
present experience of camphor as a cure for foul brood,
I have not tried it on but one stock this year, and that
at a friend's some distance from here. When, after
three weeks, I examined the same stock, there was no
difference. There was a lot of disease, but also some
healthy brood hatching out as before; so I thought of
trying phenol, but, for all that, it did not cure it, so I
concluded that the queen was diseased. But the stock
that I cured two years ago that ' Man of Kent ' speaks
of I have now. The same queen has been in up to a
week ago, when I replaced her with a young one. I
have taken from this hive this year nine bars full of
brood to double another, and 12 lbs. of honey, besides
having enough for the winter. As for ' Man of Kent '
not finding skeps with foul brood, I can assure him I
have found five this season — one at a farmhouse quite
half a mile from any bar-frame hives. This and two
others were so weak when I found them I was told to
do as I liked, so I made a fire and burned the lot — bees,
comb, hives, and all. I have cured one other bar-hive
with phenol this year ; two others, not my own, would
not yield to anything. Last year I cured two by fumi-
gation with salicylic acid — turning a small bull's-eye
lantern into a fumigator by fitting a chimneyto it,
turning into mouth of hive, feeding as directed in Mr.
Cowatvs Guide-book, and using sweet oil instead of spirit
for lamp.— John H.ovxtsoN,Leigh} Tunbridge, Sept. 19th.

September 29, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

435

A USEFUL ASSOCIATION.

[1285.] One frequently reads in your columns the
complaints of bee-keepers who cannot find profitable
markets for their honey. ' Sherborne, Dorset,' sees
little use in associations so long as nothing is done to
bring the members into direct communication with
retailers. So do I. I think this question of the sale of
honey is perhaps the most important one for considera-
tion just now, for, after all, bee-keeping, in the majority
of cases, ceases to be attractive when it ceases to be
profitable. What advantage can one derive from
abundance of sections, and abundance of stings also, if
he has to sell his honey at 5d. a-pound, except, perhaps,
the satisfaction of knowing that some one — the middle-
man most likely — secures a profit ?

I should like, with ' Sherborne,' to see the middleman
no more, and I am glad to let your English Associations
know that in Ireland our Association is of real use to its
members in this respect — the profitable sale of their
honey. I sent all my sections to the Association this
summer, and the secretary secured Wd. per pound for
me, when section honey was being retailed in Dublin at
Gd. Not only does the Association bring us into direct
communication with the retailer, but with the best
retailers, and all this for 5 per cent. Your English
Associations would do well to take a hint even from
Ireland, where, as you say, ' bee-keepers have thrown off
their former lethargy ! ' — J. Garven Digges, Lough
Rynn.

BUMPING.

[1286.] On the subject of bumping I must say I have
been still more successful this year. As regards stings
especially, from fourteen stocKS I have not received
more than twenty stings. One stock of hybrids gave
me more than all the rest put together. I use a Clark's
smoker charged with touchwood ; when filled I pour a
little neat carbolic acid on top before lighting ; the bees
seemed so much quieter. In three lots some of the
combs broke off about half an inch from the top, but I
had no trouble with them ; by the time I was ready to
transfer to my own skeps the little honey left was all
cleared up. One lot, a cast, hived late in July, about
three parts full of comb, two inches of honey at top ;
the rest was full of honey-dew, which when bumped
came out like water, causing a lump of bees, the size
of a quart measure, to be in the skep after the combs
were removed. I swept them into another skep, tying
them up till the next day to see if they would recover or
not. When I opened them the next evening they were
all right and lively enough. ' Canterburian ' must try
again. I had a similar casa two years ago in August,
when it was very hot weather, and a swarm of the
same year ; I gave a warning at the time. This year I
have bumped some in August, but it was cooler weather
at the time. — J. H. L. K.

STARTING A BEE-FARM.

[1287.] Replying to your request for information for a
correspondent starting a bee farm, I greatly doubt if,
with honey at Gd. per lb., ' and which will be probably
lower,' he would clear the amount per annum he states
with one farm, as fifty strong stocks are sufficient for an
ordinary district, and they would not, after deducting
expenses, clear more than ] 5s. each.

' A Welsh Bee-keeper ' should carefully consider before
adopting a hive pattern. If storifying, a short box ; if
longitudinal, a long one; and each has infinite sur-
roundings. Have Association frames; black bees at
first; buy them in skeps in the spring, and transfer
them, using frames filled with comb foundation and feed
liberally at first, or buy at a small cost of those clearing

out. I have adopted the long twenty-frame hive, and
advised Mr. Brown of Swinehead to do the same, as they,
for utility, convenience, and cost, compare favourably
with storifying hives. I am selling hives at 3s. each that
I recently bought of a noted apiarian, and they cost him
10s. each — ' Irish fourteen-framed ones ' — and he more
than once lost nearly half his bees.

In consequence of the difficulty of selling honey, Mr.
Brown has sold me his apiary and bee-gear. Fifty hives
(new) with bees and appliances would cost from 701. to
80/. I have no 'axe to grind' beyond getting rid of my
honey, and if ' Welsh Bee-keeper ' will send me a stamped
envelope I will give him more particulars. — Robert
Thorpe, Sioineshed, Lincolnshire.

STARTING A BEE-FARM.

[1288.] Press of work has prevented me from saying
a few words until now in reply to 'A Welsh Beekeeper'
(1250). The above heading recalled to my memory
some pleasant recollections which seven years ago
occupied my thoughts. On one occasion, when spending
an afternoon with the late Mr. Pettigrew, of straw-skep
fame, I put a question to him much the same as now
asked, viz. ' Do you think any one could make a living
off bee-keeping ? ' His reply to me was, he had no doubt
but a man could make a living off bee-keeping provided
he had a good district and every opportunity ; but, he
said, should two bad seasons follow in succession, he
would require ' a nest-egg to fall back upon.' To proceed,
then, to answer briefly ' A Welsh Bee-keeper,' let me take
the questions up seriatim.

1. Bee-farming as a means of earning a living can
only be done by a limited number. Any one aspiring to
this position ought to be favoured with the under-
mentioned conditions. He must be a practical bee-
keeper, live in a good district for honey, roll up his
sleeves, and able to do the heavy part of the work, and
find a good market for his produce. To earn a weekly
income of 30s. to 40s., I would say one would require to
have 100 hives and do all the work of managing, with
the assistance of a smart youth, except perhaps during
the swarming season, when an additional hand would be
useful. During the winter months the youth's services
can be done without.

The average price quoted for honey, Gd. per lb., would
not pay ; the lowest price I think any bee-keeper would
find remunerative is Gd. per lb. for extracted, and 9d.
per lb. for comb honey. Speaking from experience there
are several ways to the bee-keeper for improving his
income. I find this year that to produce the finest
heather honey, that I realised id. per lb. above the
current price of clover and flower honey. Creating a
good market for honey and keeping it up will help greatly
to improve the bee-keeper's income.

2. The outlay required to start a bee-farm, say, in
spring, on a scale as above mentioned, might be put at
180/. for a complete outfit. Here, again, the bee-keeper
could lessen this sum if able to do his own hive-making
and section-crates during the winter months.

3. The best breed of bees, all things considered, are
the blacks ; for honey-producing there is no other breed
can excel them.

4. The best time to commence is in the spring ; it may
cost a little more for stocks then, but the risk of winter
is over, and the possibility of a return of money is draw-
ing nearer.

If 'A Welsh Bee-keeper' resolves on starting a bee-
farm I would advise him to count the cost ; he should
be an adept in the art, and not attempt too much to
start with, beginning with a few hives would be the
better way if he has all to learn. For my own part I
have every confidence that a living can be made, when
in case of bad seasons ' a nest-egg is there to fall back
upon,'

436

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[September 29, 1887.

I have only expressed my opinions here as working
expressly for honey, keeping out of view the selling of
stocks and swarms, &c— "W illiam Mc Nally, Glenluce,
Sept. Uth.

BEE-KEEPING IN THE ISLE OF MAN.
[1289.] About the middle of August I crossed oyer
from Liverpool and set foot on the Isle of Man for the
first time. Having only a few days at my disposal, and
desiring to make the acquaintance" of some of the resi-
dent bee-keepers and see as much of the island as
possible, I took up my quarters at Douglas, as the most
convenient centre. The town was very full of visitors ;
it was therefore an unfavourable time of the year to call
upon those engaged in business. However, I visited
several bee-keepers on the outskirts of the town, and
found most of the bees in bar-frame hives ; they were
principally the native bee, some few had introduced the
Ligurian, the hybrids following as a natural consequence.
The drought had cut the season short ; the honey har-
vest, therefore, was scarcely equal to the average. The
honey was very good ; I only saw one sample on the
island approaching a dark colour.

Ramsey and the district around appear to he ad-
vancing rapidly in modern bee-keeping. I generally
find where there are one or two intelligent bee-keepers
who are ^willing to give advice and assist others, there
hee-keeping is sure to advance. Ramsey is thus favoured
in Mr. E. C. Kerr and Mr. Harry Corlett. Mr. Ken-
was from home taking his holidays, but I saw his
apiary. H ives and everything about the place conveyed
the idea that he was in touch with the times, and in
advance of many bee-keepers. Mr. H. Corlett is a good
practical apiarist, and willing to impart his knowledge
to others. Consequently Ramsey and district have made
considerable progress. I was informed that bar-frame
hives had increased upwards of fifty per cent in the
locality during the past twelve months. Mr. Corlett
being a builder, he manufactures hives. &c. I have not
seen better hives sent out by anyone than those of his
make that I came across in different apiaries. The
worst hives I saw on the island, to my surprise, were
from English makers. Mr. C. keeps about twenty stocks,
consisting of Ligurians, hybrids, and native bees. He
thinks the native bee will bear favourable comparison
with either Ligurian or hybrid. The honey I saw from
his apiary was good in colour, flavour, and substance.
His average this year was about 50 lbs. per hive, some
hives touching close upon 100 sections. Clover is the
principal source. In the country where cottagers have
several stocks I found they were trying one or two bar-
frame hives.

I consider the Isle of Man a good place for keeping
bees ; the climate is favourable and the pasturage good,
the bees winter well and come out strong in the spring
ready for the early honey, and foul brood is unknown
on the island.

Sections were generally of a good colour, the sealing
on some very thick, but I did not see half-a-dozen well
filled on the island; neither did I see a single shop
where honey was exhibited for sale in a tempting form.
The influx of visitors to Douglas is so great that I should
see no difficulty of retailing in Douglas all the honey
produced on the island if 1 had one small window in the
principal street.

A Uee-keepers' Association, with an expert to make
one or two visits during the year, would be a great boon
to the cottagers and small bee-keepers on the island. —
L. When, Loioestoft.

NORTH-EAST OF IRELAND BEE-KEEPERS'

ASSOCIATION.
[121)0.] With reference to 'Mr. John D. M'Nally's '
complaint (1272) about the judges at this show, I think

he is in error in supposing that they knew the respective
ownerships of the entries before and while they were
judging them ; and so far as our department is concerned
I know he is. I am sure Mr. M'Nally — whose acquaint-
ance I was much pleased to niako at the Belfast show-
is actuated by the best of motives, and writes in the
interest of all honest-minded bee-keepers, even though
his 'Protest' savours of dissatisfaction and hints at
unfairness.

Now, at the show in question, I, together with Mr.
Ditty, of Newtownards, acted as judge of hives and
appliances, and I saw no catalogue or any other list of
the exhibitors, and knew not who owned the articles we
were engaged on, except what I might guess at, till we
had completed our task. Mr. Ditty took the greatest
pains in co-operating with me, and though we did not
quite agree on every minute point, I can safely say I
have never had a more conscientious or painstaking
judge to work with.— H. W. Lett, M.A., Aghaderg
Glebe, Loughbrickland, Co. Down.

THE CO-OPERATIVE FLOWER AND HONEY
SHOW.

[1291.] In your issue of September 1st, page 378,
your correspondent, ' Amateur Expert,' has been visiting
the Co-operative Flower and Honey Show, held at South
Kensington on Tuesday, 23rd August. I must protest
against the criticism regarding the Scotch exhibit of honey ;
and being the exhibitor myself I wish to prove to the
readers of your valuable Journal, that ' A.E.'has no know-
ledge of what he writes about. In the first place, permit
me to say, the exhibitor of the nice lot of sections, designs,
and run honey, was John D. McNally, Manager of Cow-
lairs Co-operative Society, Glasgow, and not Ebenezer
McNally, as ' A. E.' reports.

Coming to the run honey, the exhibit was entirely
flower honey, and granulated, and did not contain an
ounce of heather, as he asserts.

My section honey, which has been awarded first
prize at Perth, Belfast, Rutherglen, &c, this season,
goes to prove that it is of the finest quality. This, I
trust, will show your readers that the Scotch honey,
though not awarded a prize, was a splendid sample.
And my heather honey was not clouded with wax
because I had none there ; all the same, I have heather
honey, which I can boast of, and if ' A. E.' will supply
me with his name and address, I will forward him a
sample for criticism, and at the same time will let you
have one also, Mr. Editor ; and I have no fear to await
the result of your criticism, which I shall be pleased to
see in the pages of the Bee Journal.

I have always admired ' Amateur Expert' as a writer,
and do still, but sometimes I think his 'hard knocks 'are
uncalled for, and should not he allowed to pass un-
challenged.—John D. McNally, Springburn, Glasgow,
September 14th.

[We visited the Co-operative Show held at South
Kensington, and can assure our correspondent that his
name was not attached to the exhibit, but that of
' Ebenezer McNally,' as ' A. E.' states. The mistake
does not lie with ' A. E.' — Ed.]

A PROPOSITION FOR HUMBLE BEES.
[1292.] Dear Mb. Editor,— I think the two main
things why we cannot keep workers and queens of humble-
bees through winter are, first, the cold, and, secondly,
a short supply of food. Now if, during the summer, wo
took a nest and transferred their brood and honey-combs
to small square frames (already made), tying them in
with string, we could feed up during the autumn ; and
then as winter came on caulk the entrance up (leaving
air-holes) and transfer the lot into an attic or some warm
place. I fancy by so doing the workers would not seem
so inclined to die as they do now.

September 29, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

437

I am going to try the experiment. I have saved all
the old combs of five or sis lots of bees, and have strung
them into small frames (sections with shoulders would do) .

I have been an observer of humble-bees for about three
years, and this is my great experiment, viz., to keep
workers ami queens alive until spring. Any assistance
or advice will be very welcome. — Dabcy: Gbimshaw-,
Horsforth, near Leeds,

<2fkjj0£8 from % Jites.

Leigh, Kent. — Wasps are numerous this year, very few
queens to be seen in the spring. On an estate here last
year, the workmen caught over three thousand in April and
May, very few nests in the summer, only three or four to
be found. This spring about ninety queens were caught,
now there are a number of nests being destroyed.

Grantham, September 20th. — Not having seen a report
from my immediate neighbourhood, I may say that we have
had a splendid honey harvest here ; from five stocks I
obtained about 476 lbs. of comb and extracted honey of ex-
cellent quality, and have increased two, making a total of
seven to winter ; other bee-keepers have done well also in
this district. My best stock (doubled according to Mr. Cowan's
instructions) gave 146 lbs. and left eight combs in brood-nest
untouched ! — N, P.

Springholm, Dalbeattie, September 24tft.— According to
promise I give you the result of taking my bees to the
heather. I took three stocks to the moors at the end of
July and left them till last week, and the amount of
heather honey which I took off the three was 12 lbs. The
only reason I can give for their doing so little is the bad
weather which we had here when the heather was in bloom.
At any rate, I am afraid I have got enough of migratory
bee-keeping, as I do not think I will venture to try it again.
—J. C.

[In the previous communication of ' J. C there is a mistake ;
for Horticultural Society read Highland Society.]

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

A. M. — Tainted Honey. — After removing the section-
cases by means of the carbolised sheet, the sections
should have been taken out separately, one by one, in
some shady corner of the garden ; and the few adhering
bees, brushed off with a feather, would have returned to
the hive. Using smoke after removing the sections was
the great mistake. The best plan will be to uncap the
soiled sections and pass them through the extractor. If
they were all sealed you will thus obtain good liquid honey
free from taint. Any unsealed ones may be given as food
to the bees.

A Beginner. — Unsealed Honey. — 1. Yes. If any combs
contain unsealed honey — unless they contain brood also
— pass them through the extractor. Unsealed honey
quickly becomes acid, and causes dysentery and destruction
to the bees during the winter and early spring months.
2. If sufficient section cases are given, by ' tiering up,' as
more room is required, a ten-frame hive is large enough
for a prolific queen, especially if the outside frames are
kept free from honey by extracting when required. Bot-
tom ventilation will usually prevent swarming. It is
well, however, to have hives large enough to take twelve
standard frames.

N. P., Grantham. — Broodless Colonies. — On the cessation of
the honey-flow, queens often cease to lay for a time. In
a strong, healthy colony, however, there ought to be brood
in various stages in September. Probably you overlooked
the queens. Examine again, very carefully, and if the
hives are really queenless introduce queens immediately.
It is not likely that colonies which cover nine standard
frames are queenless, but if they were so drones would be
found — and probably in abundance — in such colonies.
The bees, from some whim or other, may have changed
their queens.

Novitas.— 1. Queen producing Diminutive Bees. — From her
producing both drones and workers in worker-cells, and
the workers even being diminutive, it is clear that she is
not fit, and should be superseded, 2. United Bees

fighting. — You should have shaken all the bees off the
combs, mixed them with the driven bees, and allowed the
whole to re-enter the hive of combs. This is better than
trying to scent both lots. 3. Bees refusing to raise
Queen. — There is most likely a queen existing, although
you failed to find her. We have this year noticed drones
existing unusually late in hives undoubtedly possessing
queens.
Lady P. — Honey from unsealed Sections fermented. — If
there is merely a layer of thin and frothy liquid on the
top of the jars, and the remainder solid and good, by
carefully skimming off the thin part, the solid will be
good food either for human beings or bees. If the whole
mass is frothy, it must be melted down, brought to nearly
the boiling point and skimmed when it will be fit for
food, but will have lost much of its aroma. After boiling
it will keep for a long time,
J. W.— Honey candying qaickly. — The cause is the source
from which the bees have collected the honey. That
from rape, mustard, and plants of the same genus, candies
almost immediately after extraction. The honey which
you say does not candy is probably from clover. The
difference has nothing to do with the systems of bee-
keeping.
Aps. — Honey difficult to Extract. — Heather honey cannot be
extracted, and the supposed white clover is most likely
sufficiently mixed wtth heather to render its extraction
difficult. The best way to get the honey is, to shave off
the cells from each side of the comb, as near the midrib
as possible, give the combs for the bees to lick up, and
preserve to give in the spring to be rebuilt. The shavings
containing the honey may be squeezed first, and the wax
melted afterwards, when the remaining honey will
separate.
Fearful. — Foul Brood. — The comb sent is affected with the
disease now known by the name of bacillus minor. It is
a severe ease.

D. P. and Corwen. — Foul-broody.

T. Htjck. — Doubtful. We have known bees so peculiar
that it would be difficult to verify the fact that any
individual bee worked for three hours only. Whenever
we open a hive we generally find many ready to com-
mence work ; probably they are on the next ' shift,' that
is, to shift the intruder. Personally, we have seldom
three hours to spare to note the time bees work. The
ontis probandi rests with the writer of the paragraph.

E. E. Reed. — -The combs will, if well wrapped in paper to
exclude wax-moth, keep through the winter at a moder-
ate temperature, and will prove serviceable in spring.
Exposure in a warm room when about to be used would
be desirable.

p. J. — Wetted Sections. — This may possibly be a case where
the sections have been left on the hive too long, and the
dampness, if not sticky, be the condensed moisture of
the hive.

T. Welham. — Pine-wood. — The resinous odour of the pine-
wood attracted the bees, and they would use the little
resin they could obtain as propolis. Neither the smell
nor taste would mike them drunk. In fact they would
not taste it.

J. M., Glasgow. — The sugar would be more suitable for
making syrup than for dry sugar feeding. For the former
purpose we should call it ' third-rate.'

A Stranger. — There are no shows in London at present.
Your object would be attained by a visit to Messrs. Abbott
Bros.' establishment at Southall, Middlesex, which is not
far from your present residence.

J. H. S. — The parasite noticed by you is the Braula cteca.
It will most probably die off as the season advances.

J. M. B. — Queenlessness. — Very few drones are flying about
now. The late presence of drones indicates queenlessness.
It would be desirable to overhaul your hive, and ascertain
if the queen be present.

Bees and Essence of Lemon.— The Postmaster-
General in his last report states that a post-office in
Gloucestershire was in a state of siege for a fortnight by
bees attracted by a leakage from a tin of essence of
lemon,

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Sept. 29, 1887.

^usiiress directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Bkitish Bee-keepers' Stores, C George Yard, Fenehurch St.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhasi, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodlet, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenehurch St.

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. , Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenehurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 HighHolborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenehurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

The New Patent Honey & Fruit Squeezer.

SPECIAL NOTICE ! — In consequence of the increased
demand for this useful article, the Manufacturer has en-
larged his plant, and is now able to produce them at a
much lower cost. Price 2s. (id. each, post free 2s. cjd.

For particulars sco ' British Bee Journal,' page 382.

Agents for the United Kiwjdom,

TURNER & SON, BEE-HIVE MANUFACTURERS,
RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT, NOTTS. (154)

Nearly Ready.]

[Demy 8vo. toned paper.

A Modern Bee Farm,

And its Economic Management.

By S. SIMMINS.

Popular Edition, limp cloth cover, post free, 3s. 9d.
Special Edition, stiff cover, 7s. Qd., free.

The work is profusely illustrated, and embraces all
necessary instructions for the Practical Management of
the Apiary, both as a profession, and for recreation.

The Special Edition will include Photos of the Author's
Domestic Hive ; his Home Apiary, and another covered
Apiary, 75 ft. x 50 ft. ; also one of Queen, Workers, and
Drones on the Comb.

N. B. — The whole of this work consists of fresh matter; not
three pages being taken from 'Non-Swarming' PamphleiT

S. SIMMINS, Rottingdean, Brighton.

TRANSFERRING SEASON.

HIVE, with Nine Standard Frames and Crate
of 24 SECTIONS, 6s. 6d. SMOKER (Best), 3s. U.
1 lb. BROOD FOUNDATION, 2s. Free on Rail per lis. 6<f.

JOHN MOORE, Prospect Farm, WARWICK.

CATALOGUES FREE. (179)

CATALOGUE

Post Free. (100 Pictures.)

G. STOTHARD, British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

a 2777

NOTICE.
The -British Bee Journal . published by Kent & Co., 23 Paternoster
Row, aud may be obtained of all local Booksellers, and of the fol-
lowing: Agents : —

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDRETJ, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DTJRRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON, A. B., Brickha.ll, Ballywoolen, Killy-

leagh, Co. Down.
McNALLY, R., Glenluce, N.B.
MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Hereford.
NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and

127 High Holborn, London.
OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Sussex.
REDSHAW, C, Canal St., South Wigston, Leicester.
RICE, J. J., Weneum Street, Norwich.
RTJDKIN, F., Belton, Uppingham.
SMITH & SON, 186 Strand, London; and at all Rail

wuy Bookstalls.
WITHINSHAW, A., Newcastle, Staffordshire.
WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.
WREN, L., 139 High Street, t.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Sthangewats' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus

[No. 276. Vol. XV.]

OCTOBER 6, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

(Bbxtaxxxl, Sfaiitts, #r.

MR. COWAN'S VISIT TO AMERICA.
The reception that has been accorded to Mrs.
and Mr. Cowan during their visit to Canada and
the United States has been most cordial ; and bears
strong testimony to the good-will that subsists
between bee-keepers on both sides of the Atlantic.
In acknowledgment of kindnesses received, the
following has been forwarded by Mr. Cowan for
insertion in the Bee Journal : —

We think it only right, in justice to the kindness we
have received from our many Canadian and American
friends here, to send a few lines to the Bee Journal to
mention the warm, hearty welcome we have everywhere
received, having been guests in several families for
days.

We have, throughout our journey, been treated with
the greatest hospitality and consideration, and shall ever
remember with pleasure our coming over to this New
World — so wonderful in its growth and spirit of pro-
gress. We shall cany away with us pleasant recollec-
tions, many of which appear later on in thep ages of the
Journal. Suffice it now to say, we are anxious to state
this at once that our friends here may see how much we
have appreciated their kindness. We leave New York
in the Umbria, which is to sail on the 1st October.

HONEY-DEW: ITS PRODUCERS.

In our last issue we mentioned the large amount
of honey-dew which, especially in dry summers,
was to be found on, and falling from, the leaves of
certain trees,* and also the extraordinary migra-
tions of aphides, or plant-lice. We purpose now to
attempt a slight sketch of the physiology and life
of the producers of honey-dew ; and we feel assured
that it will be found one of the most wonderful
histories of the entomological world.

Those who have studied the history and eco-
nomy of the hive-bee will find those of the aphis
equally elaborate ; and as with bees the students
thereof are continually making new and unex-

* M. Boussingault states that in Switzerland the aphides
almost kill the trees ; and so exhaust them of sap that a
single sick tree may produce as much as three kilogrammes
(about 6J pounds) of sweet substance elaborated from the
juice. — Bockton, vol. iii. p. 3(3.

pected discoveries, so those who have endeavoured
to probe the arcana of the life of the aphides find
themselves ever coming in contact with new ques-
tions to engage their attention, — questions which
they have not been able satisfactorily to answer.
Among the most interesting phenomena connected
with the aphides may be mentioned — the injuries
they inflict upon plants and trees, their singular
migrations, their almost incredible numerical in-
crease, their processes of reproduction, the ene-
mies they have to contend against and their
defences against these enemies, and their relations
with ants, who so tenderly nurse and cherish
them.

The name 'Aphis'* was given to this class of
insects by Linnaeus ; and the minds of many natu-
ralists have been much exercised to account for his
selection of the word, and many ingenious sugges-
tions have been put forth for its determination.
Among these suggestions, the readiest seems to be
that the word is derived from the Greek a(ptvfj.i,
in its sense of emitto (' I emit ') ; having a reference
to the very peculiar office of the unique organs
known as 'nectaries' or 'cornicles,' from which is
ejected the substance to which we give the name
of honey-dew.

It is scarcely within the province of a periodical
devoted to a special purpose like the Bee Journal,
to enter into a recondite or scientific history of the
physiology of this insect, or to enumerate the
numerous varieties of it. Buckton, in his Mono-
graph, describes several hundred tribes ; and al-
most every tree — the rose, the apple, the lime, the
oak, the beech, the sycamore, <fec. — has its special
aphis ; and some trees have several varieties. The
aphides assume different colours according to the
plant upon which they feed. That on the rose is
green ; that on the bean is black ; and that on the
apple takes a kind of cottony appearance, called
' American blight.'

The bee-keeper, however, is specially interested
in the two organisms of the aphis concerned in the
production of honey-dew. These are the rostrum
or proboscis,! which pierces and sucks the juice,
and the two ducts on the posterior part of the
abdomen through which is ejaculated the substance.

* Class Insecta ; sub-class Haustellata ; order Hemi-
ptera; sub-order Homoptera.

+ By some called haustellum, from haurio, ' I drain ' or
' suck.'

440

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October G, 1887.

The proboscis is an elongation of the labium (or
lower lip), which is modified into a three-jointed
sheath, inside which are three sharp-pointed lancets,
which have a backward and a forward motion. This
suctorial organ is folded on the breast : by its
means the insect pierces the skin, and extracts the
juices of the leaves or the roots of plants which form
its nourishment. The length of tho proboscis varies
in different kinds, some being very short, and others
quite as long as the insect itself : it is also found
disproportionately long in the young of some of the
aphides. By means of this organ the juices are
drawn into the mouth by a kind of pumping
movement, similar to that noticed in the proboscis
of the bee.

The function of the nectaries or cornicles is to
give off, as the result of the suction of the pro-
boscis, the drops which gradually accumulate at
the ends of the tubes. Sometimes, as we have
mentioned, these drops fall on the grass saturating
with the treacle-like substance the ground, at other
times on the leaves, and so choking the stomata,
or leaf-pores, and thereby preventing the natural
respiration performed by these pores. The nectaries
vary much in form and size. In some they attain
half the size of the aphis ; in others they are very
small ; while in others they are altogether wanting.
There is considerable difference in opinion as to the
part these nectaries play in the economy of the
insect. The opinion that of late has prevailed is
that they have some connexion with the respira-
tory organs. C. Morren considers them to be
nothing more than prolonged stomata, i.e. the aper-
tures leading to the tracheal or respiratory system ;
and he states ' that a considerable lacing of tracheae
may be seen to start from the points at which the
oornicles enter the integument.' Also, he asserts,
' that the air replaces the liquid which is ejaculated
from these tubes, and that the bubbles so often to
be seen within their cavities are evidences of the
regurgitation of air.' Morren points out at the
bases of the cornicles a gland to which he ascribes
the secretion of the usually sweet liquid known as
honey-dew, and which he regards as the first
nourishing fluid provided for the young aphis. The
same naturalist also puts forth the singular idea that
there is some similarity between the Aphides and
Mammifers, as he maintains that he has frequently
seen the young suck the secretion from the tips of
the cornicles of the mother.

By the proboscis of the aphis the soft under skin
of the leaf is pierced, and the juice pumped out
and eventually ejected by the cornicles. The
leaves are ever forming starch, which is converted
into sugar. It is quite possible that the juice in
its passage through the body of the aphis may
undergo some change, even as we know that the
nectar drawn by the bee from flowers into the
honey-sacs is in some degree changed in its qualitios.
It is doubtful to what extent the juice sucked up
by the aphis passes through the alimentary system.
This still requires elucidation.

Accompanying this we have givon an illustration
of an aphis, fifty times magnified, — tho Aphis
vusiatrix or A. dianthi, C, Morren noticod the first

advent of this insect into Belgium, and he states that
the countless swarms that spread over that country
in September and October, in 183-4, came over the

sea from England. He says that the clouds of
aphides obscured the light of day, and covered the
pavements of the streets. To this insect was at one
time ascribed the potato disease, but further research
has proved that this was not the case, but that it
was caused by a small insect which fed upon the
roots.

If we look at the under-leaf of (say) a rose where
the aphides love to congregate, we shall find it in-
fested with these insects. The majority of them
will be found wingless, but some few are winged,
and it is somewhat of a mystery how these latter
come there. Aphides are produced from eggs, or are
born alive, under certain conditions. The aphides
in spring are the product from the eggs of the pre-
ceding autumn. They pass through some changes,
and they moult four times. The first brood are
wingless, and are all females, and being wingless
are imperfect females. The second generation is
a counterpart of the first, and so on during the
summer, to the tenth (or as some naturalists say,
the eleventh) generation, without the intervention
of a male. The last generation, however, consists
of perfect insects — males and females — all winged.
These latter are fecundated, and this renewed con-
dition of life suffices for the next ten (or eleven)
generations. The females now lay their eggs in
autumn, and this closes the year's stoiy.

Not being subject to the usual law of meta-
morphosis, aphides increase in an astonishing
manner. Reaumur calculates that each aphis pro-
duces ninety young ones. She lives to see five
generations ; and if we multiply ninety by ninety
four times over we shall find that it amounts to
5,904,000,000 ; and if the increase were allowed tc
go on unchecked for a single season it would be
found that one aphis would produce a quintilliou
of aphides. One mathematician has made a cal-
culation that if the generations were continued
300 days, the progeny would fill the universe,
land and sea, so that there would not be room for
any creatures but themselves. Professor Huxley
makes a singular calculation. Assuming an aphis
to weigh -j-^iju grain, and a stout man 285 lbs.,
the tenth brood of one aphis would be equal in
matter to more than 500,000,000 of such men, i. e.
to more than the whole population of China.

Let us be thankful that there is a law of com-
pensation which stops in and keeps these pests
under subjection.

In our next we may consider the enemies of the
aphides,

October G, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

441

CANADA.

Tobonto Indtjstiual Exhibition.

The Toronto Industrial Exhibition is the leading
annual exhibition in Canada. The Association recognise
the importance of apiculture, and have for the last seven
years given a very large sum of money in prizes, besides
medals and diplomas. A large space is also granted for
exhibition purposes, and Toronto has from year to year
the largest display of honey and bee-keepers' supplies on
the American Continent. There were about 40,000 lbs.
of honey in the building at the commencement of the
show, divided amongst a number of exhibitors, amongst
which were : —

Extracted. Comb.

D. A. Jones, Beeton 10,000 lbs.

Ira Orois, Whitby 3400 2800 lbs.

Martin Emigh, Holbrook .... 1600

G. Deadman, Brussels 1500

G. B. Hodgins, Hornings Mills 800 600

Jacob Alpaugh, St. Thomas .. 1500 2000

R. H. Smith, Bracebridge .... 300 100

A. G. Willows, Carlingford . . 2150

Wm. Goodger, Woodstock .. 700 700

R. F. Holternian, Brantford.. 1000 1400

E. Thompson, Burgessville .. 300 500
Jno. Davidson, Uxbridge .... 200 2000
H. J. Howie, Eden 400 400

The honey was put up in a neat and attractive manner,
and a large quantity was sold during the show. The
principal exhibitors of appliances were D. A. Jones & Co.
and Messrs. Goold & Co.

During the exhibition a special meeting of the Ontario
Bee-keepers' Association was held in the exhibition
grounds, at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 16. Owing
to the illness of the president of the association Mr.
J. B. Hall of Woodstock occupied the chair. The
occasion of the special meeting was the presence amongst
them of Mr. Thos. Wm. Cowan of England and Mr. Ivar
Young of Christiania, Norway. The meeting was a
ver}' large one, and many prominent bee-keepers from
distant parts of Canada were present, thus showing the
desire all felt to meet with these prominent bee-keepers
from foreign lands. Owing to the fact that our Canadian
bee-keepers had last year visited England, and there par-
took of the hospitality of British bee-keepers, and made
the acquaintance of Mr. Cowan, the feeling of kindly
interest towards Mr. Cowan was if possible greater than
that towards Mr. Young. Before the formal opening of
the meetingmany examined, under Mr. Cowan'smicroscope,
mountings of the different parts of the bee ; these were ex-
amined by all with the greatest interest, and were very
instructive. The meeting was called to order by the Vice-
president. A communication was then received from Pre-
sident Pettit explaining that illness prevented his presence.
Vice-president Hall then mentioned the reason of this
meeting, and called upon Mr. McKnight to read an
address to Mr. Cowan on behalf of the Ontario bee-
keepers, which was as follows : —

' To Thomas William Cowan, Esq. :

'Deab Sir.,— On behalf of the bee-keepers of Ontario we
bid you and Mrs. Cowan welcome to Canada. As chairman
of the British Bee-keepers' Association, we recognise in you
the representative of a body of philanthropic gentlemen who
devote much of their time to the promotion of apieultural
knowledge among the artisan and labouring classes of your
own country.

' We are not ignorant of the good work you have. accom-
plished. We know you have been instrumental in inducing
thousands of your countrymen to embark in the fascinating
work of bee-keeping, and thus spend their leisure hours in
healthful, profitable employment. The fact that the
Association of which you are the chairman (with its affiliated
branches) numbers some ten thousand members attests the
success of your labours, We sincerely hope that you and

your associates may be long spared to prosecute the good
work so well organized and so skilfully conducted.

'As proprietor and editor-in-chief of the British Bee
Journal you are better known to the apieultural world than
most of your countrymen. Your published works on
scientific and practical bee-keeping have won for you a
name and a fame far beyond your own sea-girt home. We
rejoice in the opportunity this visit affords us of making
a closer and more personal acquaintance with you.

'We indulge the hope that your present visit to the
United States and Canada, and your personal intercourse
with the leading bee-keepers of both countries will increase
your zeal in the good work of teaching men the means and
methods whereby the earth may be made to yield its in-
crease of delicious and healthful nectar, which abounds in
the flora in the fields and in the forests of most countries.
The extent to which the honey industry may be developed
is as yet but little understood, and he who labours to make
it better known is certainly doing as much for mankind as
he who makes two blades of grass grow where but one
flourished before.

' We are especially pleased that you so timed your visit to
Toronto as to be able to witness the display of Canada's in-
dustrial products now on exhibition here. A careful exam-
ination of these will help you to form a just estimate of
what the people of this young country have accomplished
within the present generation, and give you an idea of the
resources of the Dominion. It will serve to prove to you
that Canadians are not drones in this hive of British
colonists, and mayhap inspire you with the common faith
of our countrymen that

' " If our past has records few
In battle song or story,
Our future rises fair to view,
Gleaming with morning's youthful dew
And bright with coming glory."

' Accept this trifle as a slight, but tangible expression of
respect and esteem for you, as a man and a brother bee-
keeper, we wish you and Mrs. Cowan a pleasant time while
you remain on this side of the Atlantic and a safe return to
your home and family beyond the seas.

B. McKnight, Chairman Eeception Committee,
W. Couse, Secretary.
Toronto, Sept. 15, 1S87.'

A gold-headed walking-stick was also presented to Mr.
Cowan bearing this inscription : — ' To Thos. Wm. Cowan,
Esq., Chairman B.B.K. A. Presented by the Bee-keepers
of Ontario in commemoration of his visit to Canada, 1887.'

Mr. Young was then presented, in a humorous but
fitting manner, with a meerschaum pipe and case.

Mr. Cowan expressed his thanks to the bee-keepers of
Ontario for the address and walking-stick, and for the
very kindly and warm manner in which he and Mrs.
Cowan had been received by all everywhere on this con-
tinent. He then gave at some length the working of the
British Bee-keepers' Association. They aimed at getting
many to enter into bee-keeping and to keep a few colonies.
The method of advertising honey by circulars creating
a market was entered into. The examining of experts
and their duties were described, their shows and a number
of ideas were given to Canadians, which might be made
useful in the advancement of bee-keeping in Canada.

Mr. Young then rose to acknowledge the reception
he had met with. Although an entire stranger to all
personally, and until lately known to few even by re-
putation, such a presentation had been been entirely un-
expected. He trusted that ideas might be exchanged
between Norway and America to the advantage to all.
He had found his visit profitable.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Syllabus of Subjects of Examination for the Second-
class Examinations to take place on Saturday, Nov. 12 :

1. Natural history of the honey-bee, including class,
order, family, genus, species, varieties, &o,

2, Anatomy and physiology of honey-bee, including

442

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October C, 1887.

transformations, eggs, larva?, pupa, imago stage, Sc,
queens, drones, neuters, &c.

3. Products of bees, their origin and functions.

4. Swarming — its causes, objects, method, and varieties,
-with explanation of operations and uses, prevention, &c.

5. The apiary — its care and management, inclusive of
various styles of hives, houses, varieties of bees most
desirable ; economy, purchasing, &c. ; transferring,
feeding, and feeders; queen-rearing, nuclei, increasing
colonies, dividing, doubling, queen introduction, various
cages for and methods of, &c.

C. Extractors — varieties, uses, methods, and opera-
tions, &c.

7. Handling bees or manipulating — full description of
various methods ; varieties of smokers, &c.

8. Comb-foundation — varieties of and manner of fixing
in brood-frames and supers or sections of all kinds;
machines for making, &c.

9. Honey-plants and trees, or bee flora — most valuable
kinds, and seasons of blooming.

10. Wintering bees, various systems, both at home
and abroad, with their advantages or disadvantages.

11. Difficulties of bee-keeping — robbing, diseases,
remedies, enemies, &c.

12. Calendar of operations for each month of the year,
with any short terse axiom 3rou would lay down for
general success.

The books recommended are : — 1. Modem Bee-keeping.
2. The British Bee-keeper's Guide-book (Is. Gd.). 3.
Cook's Manual of the Apiary, 4. Hoofs A B C of
Bee-culture.

Every information respecting the examination may he
obtained upon application to the Secretary of the British
Bee-keepers' Association, J. Huckle, Kings Langley,
Herts. Intending competitors must give one month's
notice at least to the Secretary of their County
Association.

DERBYSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual exhibition of bees, honey, and appliances,
under the management of the Derbyshire Bee-keepers'
Association, was held on September 14 and 15, and lully
proved the great progress which bee-culture has made
in recent years, but particularly during the last twelve
months. There were twelve entries for bees, sixty-eight
for honey, twenty-one for wax, and twenty-four hives,
supers, collections, and extractors, besides which there
were fourteen entries for bee-manipulation, and five for
expert examinations, malting the total number of entries
144, which was about fifty per cent more than usual.
The honey staged was large in quantity, and much of it
was of great excellence as regards quality. Mr. Wood,
Paradise, of Lichfield, again produced a fine trophy,
while the specimens of honey sent by Mr. Glover, of
Rodsley, near Ashbourn, Rev. N. Gresley, of Netherseal,
near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and Mr. A. Simpson, of Mans-
field Woodhouse, were of the finest flavour and quality.
The hives and appliances were a very interesting feature.
In this department Mr. Handby and Messrs. Cooper again
entered the lists for excellence, and the judges had some
difficulty in deciding upon the merits of their exhibits.
The arrangements reflect great credit on the secretary,
Mr. W. T. Atkins, of Derby, who seems to have devoted
his whole energies to promoting the success of the Asso-
ciation. The judges were Mr. T. Blow, Welwyn, Herts,
and Mr. E. C. Walton, Muskham, Newark.

Bees. — For the best stock of bees of any race in observa-
tory hives : 1, Mr. W. Handby, Hasland ; 2, Mr. T. W.
Jones, Etwall ; 3, Mr. T. M. Bryan, and Mr. J. Dickenson,
Clay Cross. For the best exhibit of sections, not less than
12 lbs. : 1, Mr. A. Simpson, Mansfield Woodhouse ; 2, H.
Wood, Lichfield ; 3, H. Glover, Bodsley ; 4, W. Handby.
The best exhibit of honey: 1, H. Wood; 2, Mrs. Foster,
Brailsford ; 3, T. Austin, Alvaston ; 4, Bev. N. Gresley,

Netherseal Bectory ; h. c. E. Toom, Etwall. The best run
honey, not less than 12 lbs. : 1, H. Glover; 2, A. Simpson ;
3, H. Wood ; 4, Mr. I. Stone, Cubley Can-; 5, J. Pearson,
Lea, Cromford.

Bees- wax. — Not less than 1 lb. : 1, Mrs. Foster ; 2, J. J.
Shipman, Ashover.

Cottagers' Classes. — For the best run honey, 6 lbs. at
least : 1, E. Bridges, Harstoft ; 2, E. Toon, Etwall ; 3, Mrs.

C. Hunnybun, Stanton Lees ; 4, H. Bramley, Old Tupton ;
5, J. Stevens, Breadsall. For best exhibit of comb honey
not less than 6 lbs. : 1, J. Bowland, Holbrook ; 2. Mrs.
Foster ; 3, B. Bailey, Derby ; 4, T. Wilson, Ashover. For
best bees-wax, not less than half-pound : 1, Mrs. Foster ;
2, E. Bridges ; h. c. G. Waterfield, Shottle. For the best
frame-hive, not to exceed 15s. : 1, W. Handby; 2, B.
Skirmer, Swan wick. For best frame-hive, not to exceed
10s. 6d. : 1, W. Handby ; 2, B. Skirmer. For the best hive
made by a cottager, the work of an amateur, price not to
exceed 5s. : 1, G. W. Foster. For the best super : 1, Messrs.

D. and A. Cooper, Derby. For the best collection of hives
and bee-furniture: 1, W. Handby; 2, Messrs. D. and A.
Cooper. For the best honey extractor. Equal firsts, prizes
divided, W. Handby, and Messrs. D. and A. Cooper.

Bee Driving Competition. — 1, Mr. G. Waterfield, of
Shottle, Belper ; 2, Mr. T. Austin, Alvaston ; 3, Mr. Joseph
Bowland, Holbrook; 4, Mr. D. Cooper, Derby.

Five entries were made for the examination for third-class
expert certificates, Mr. T. B. Blow, Welwyn, Herts, being
the examiner.

All passed in a very creditable and satisfactory manner.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
X'C, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c{o Messrs. Strangeways and Sjii-s Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, IV. C All business communications relating to .Advertisements,
&c, must bo addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Jungs Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

STARTING A BEE-FARM.
[1203.] Seeing that neither yourself nor any other of
our able bee-masters and bee-farmers,* have troubled to
answer your correspondent, ' A Welsh Bee-keeper's "
question (p. 413, September loth), I will assume the
task ; for I do think it would be a most lamentable,
and damning, coincidence, after so much has been
preached by our leaders on this great question of bee-
keeping and bee-farming, that any one seeking advice
should be given the opportunity of remarking he had
been sent empty away. In advancing my views, I need
scarcely hint to a ' VV. B. K.' the importance of his
weighing well my statements. I assure him my best
thoughts have been given to this question, and I trust he
may find them helpful in arriving at what he desires.
Assuming ' W. B. K.' has a good knowledge of bee-
keeping and the practical working of an apiary, is not
lacking in confidence and steadiness in manipulations,
is prepared for some heavy work, and blessed with
a stout heart to meet troubles and disappointments
(for such do come at times), has good prospects of a
ready market for honey, then I do not hesitate to say
he may embark in his proposed engagement advan-
tageously. ' W. B. K.' makes no remark upon his
locality and his surroundings, I will therefore conclude
he has fully satisfied himself as to its suitableness for the
establishment of a large apiary, and would hesitate before

* Our correspondent must have overlooked the valuable
communications ou this subject from Mr. Thorpe and Mr.
W. McNally in previous number. — Ed.

October 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

448

proceeding- with even a thought of starting a bee-farm
unless favoured with ample common for forage for his
bees. And I would here venture to suggest to ' W. B. K.'
that he build up his apiary by degrees, starting with
forty stocks the first season, increasing them as oppor-
tunity offers for favourable purchase until 140 stocks are
placed. He would thus gather much valuable knowledge
at the early stage of his business, which should better
enable him to work successfully a more extensive apiary.
The very many and varied little matters that con-
stantly crop up force upon the bee-keeper the fact
that close observation is of the greatest importance. It
not unfrequently happens that what would be done in a
particular case one time circumstances may make it un-
desirable to work in the same way another.

In passing, I may just refer to hives. And here we have
a very knotty question ; of course every maker thinks he
sells the best hives, and many, very many indeed, are
the varied principles of their workings, each and all are
so admirably constructed that no bees can fail to prosper
in them and secure a bounteous yield of honey, if onl}'
given a trial ! A good, well-made bar-frame hive, simple
in its construction, and adapted for the storifying system,
purchased from a reliable maker, is the hive I have taken
as my guide. I disapprove of home-made hives as a rule ;
I have rarely seen any such which please me, aud I make
bold to assert that any one commencing a large apiary
will find it the wisest aud best policy to purchase sub-
stantial, well-made, accurately-fitted, new hives. I must
not be understood to ignore straw-hives ; if such are used,
let them be of a large size with a flat top and capable of
supering, for they would be found very useful and not
without profit.

Coming now to bees. Here, again, we have much
diversity of opinion, and from experienced men too. For
myself I lean to our old blacks, and for a cross, Ligurian
and black ; I have found both do well, and less trouble in
manipulating than some of the other breeds ; if con-
venient it might be of some advantage to place, at a
distance of (say) two miles from any other bees five
stocks of pure Ligurians.

Respecting the price of honey, as I have so often ex-
pressed my views as to a paying average price to the bee-
keeper, I will only repeat that if 9d. per lb., or more,
for good honey cannot be obtained, I would not advise
any one to go into bee-keeping as a business alone. By
the way, I observe that a strong tendency at the present
time, and especially after this grand harvest, is to run
down price ; and it is not to be wondered at that the timid
give way to the benefit of the trader. I have noticed at
our fairs and shows persons standing side by side with
honey exhibits of equally good quality; one will sell
fifty or more 1-lb. jars at lOd. and Is. each, whilst the
other would only sell a dozen or two at 8d. or iW. each :
here, then, steps in the tact and judgment of the vendor.

To commence bee-keeping to the extent under con-
sideration, and, indeed, with any one starting, the best
time is the spring, and with swarms of 5 or 6 lbs. weight
if possible. Stocks that have wintered well, having
plenty of bees, and are healthy, may often be met with
reasonable by looking rouud amongst skeppists. The
plant, hives, and all requisites, should be prepared during
the early months of the year, to be in readiness. Better
purchases can be made when trade is quiet than when all
is bustle and driving, as will be the case later on in the
season.

Having made the foregoing somewhat lengthy remarks
(though unasked for), I consider it well to make them as
showing in a measure the lines upon which I have
worked, to assist me in arriving at such conclusions as
would warrant me making a statement upon so im-
portant a question that should not be deceptive or
misleading.

The following will, I hope, show what may fairly be
looked for from a bee-farm consisting of 140 stocks, uuder

competent management, with a capital of 3001., allowing
that the average price of honey be 9d. per lb. : —
Outlay Proposed.

Store and honey-house ...

Plant and tools ... ...

120 bar-frame hives complete, and stands,

at 14s. each ...

20 large straw hives complete, at 6s. each
140 swarms, 5 lbs. each 700 lbs. at 2s. 6<t

per lb. ... ...

5 Ligurian queens, 8s. each

5 cwt. comb foundation, 9 J. per cwt. ...
2 st. super „ 35s. per st. ...
2 gross extra frames, 15s. per gross

1000 one pound sections

30 extra crates for sections, Is. 6d. each
20 honey cans, 2s. each

1 honey extractor

2 honey drainers, 7s. Get. each ...

1 wax extractor

10 travelling crates (sections) 2s. Qd. each
10 ,, ,, (jars) 2s. each

6 makeshift hives, 3s. 6d. each ...

12 common straw hives, Is. 3d. each ...

2 comb-boxes and two syrup tins
Feeders, and sundry small requisites

Winter and other quilting3

Chemicals ... ...

Incidental expenses in setting up apiary...

£

10

3

84
6

87
2

45
3
1
1
2
2
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
6
4
1
5

s. d.

0 0

10 0

0 0

0 0

10 0

0 0
0 0

10 0

10 0

1 0
5 0
0 0

15 0

15 0

15 0

5 0

0 0

1 0
15 0
15 0
10 0

4 0

0 0

0 0

Cash balance

273
26

1 0

19 0

Probable Income.

£300
£

0 0

s. d.

Honey from 140 stocks, averaging 30 lbs

each, 4200 lbs. at 9d. per lb. ...157 10 0

24 swarms 5 lbs. each, 120 lbs. at 2s. 6d.

perlb 15 0 0

70 lbs. of wax, at Is. Gd. per lb 5 5 0

177 15 0

Less, —

Interest on capital, 300J. at
5 per cent

Approximate amount of work-
ing expenses

Assistant labour

Loss on stocks, &a. ...

£15 0 0

10 0 0

6 0 0

12 0 0

--11. it. GODFBEY.

43 0 0
£134 15 0

MEMS BY ' WOODLEIGH.'

[1294.] Work for B.B.K.A.— No doubt our friends
would be very grateful, after having taught them a trade
■ — how to produce honey. We also still progress in philan-
thropy, and sell their produce for them at good prices —
simply discover a market for them at a good price, and
introduce the retailer to them for Is., 2s. Qd., or 5s. per
annum, as the case may be. Allow me to inform our
friend that the members of the committee of the British
B.K.A. are far worthier of having a monument erected
in their memory than many I have seen have had the
honour bestowed on them in my peregrinations in various
parts of the kingdom. Take, for instance, the journeys
per rail ; the valued hours spent in working out the aims ;
the time spent in reading up and applying the knowledge
gained, proving this and rejecting that as unnecessary ;
busy brains evolving new ideas and putting the same
into practice, and pouring out acquired knowledge free
as water in the early volumes of our Journal — and
for what ? Simply love of humanity, in the hope of
bettering the condition of the poor cottager. Then
' Sherborne' follows suit, and thinks County Associations
should exist for the sale of honey. I think — in fact, I

444

THE BRITISH BEE JOUENAL.

[October 6, 1887.

know — his county sec. (most likely hon. sec.) will do
all in his power to place him in communication with
purchasers, but retailers are not in the habit of writing
ton. sees, for honey: there may be exceptions, but it is
not the rule. Then, another point (and, my friend, it
is a grand point), how you put up your honey for sale.
Some sections I have seen have looked as though they
had been turned out of a cobbler's shop, covered with
scraps of wax, rather than out of the laboratory of
nature — clean, I'.ibleuiished. And again, of bottles con-
taining nature's choicest elixir, I have seen them — even
in competition (at least, staged as such) for prizes ! —
with the scum and particles of wax still floating, and
forming a veritable crust over the honey. I pity the
poor hon. sec. who has to push such produce as that.
Still, I admit there is room for advance, and I trust that
our British Ilouey Company will launch out in a new
direction, emulate old-established commercial houses and
undertakings, and place samples in the hands of old com-
mercial travellers for sale on commission. Here is a
system of intercourse, with ramifications extending to
almost every village and hamlet in the kingdom. Then,
again, a very considerable item of expense in the mode
of putting up sections by the Honey Company is the use
of cardboard boxes. 1 am positive that sections can be
glazed both sides with strips of gummed or glued paper
at sixpence per dozen on a large scale, which would be a
saving of a penny on each section, thereby enabling the
Company to give the producer one shilling per dozen
more for his sections instead of putting it in the hands
of German box-makers. Another item, and a larger one
than putting up sections, is the expense and nuisance of
the bottling of honey. Now I do hope the Honey Com-
pany will sell bottles at a cheap rate in the original
packages only, and I believe that a good screw-cap
bottle could be sold at about 16*. or 10s. Qd. per gross.
Then if bee-keepers did not want so mwy as a gross,
they could club together — co-operate — and send ; and a
good tie-over bottle at 10s. Gd. per gross. Here would
be another penny added to the price of honey, instead of
going into the dealer's pocket. Another point is that the
bottles should be the correct size to hold one pound of
huney. Some I have seen this season and tested hold
only fourteen ounces, others nineteen ounces ; in one
case the public are cheated, in the other dissatislied if
the bottles are not filled, and to fill same and sell as a
pound means giving away a large percentage of your
honey (to a grateful public ?)

On reference to B. B. J. I find it was Mr. Musgrave
(1197) who reintroduced the question relative to the
correct position of frames. In answer to same on its
Gearing on the foul-brood question, I cannot see how the
position of frames in a bee-hive can influence the propa-
gation or retardation of foul brood in my own apiaries.
I have hives on both principles, though all new hives
during past five years have been made on the so-called
warm or parallel system, and I find my bees as healthy
and as vigorous as those in the hives with frame-ends
toward entrance. Is it not written in the chronicles of
apiculture that foul brood often makes its appearance in
an apiary shortly after the introduction of foreign races
of bees into said apiary or district ? Very probably you
may get the infection from some enthusiastic bee-keeper
who goes in for all and sundry in the bee world, not
omitting the latest discovered strain of Apis mellijica in
some out-of-the-way nook on the sunny slopes of the
Alps, proving that the germs must be brought into the
hive and not created by any particular kind of hive or
position of frame. No doubt at some future time when
apiculture comes to be recognised as one of the sources
of the wealth of the country, we shall get restrictions
as to the indiscriminate importations of foreign bees
irrespective of their freedom from disease or not, as at
present practised,

Then another prolific eouvco of propagation of foul

brood is by the visits of careless experts, who after they
have visited an apiary in which they have found the
pest still continue their visits without properly disin-
fecting their appliances and themselves. As regards
proper disinfecting I do not profess to be able to give
instructions ; if empty hives require two years' exposure
to kill the germs maybe the woollen garments of the
expert would require more ; but I do think an expert
should discontinue his visits to other apiaries after he has
examined and manipulated the hives in any apiary
having foul brood. The mistaken kindness of associations
in lending appliances, such as extractors travelling from
apiary to apiary, possibly carrying the germs of bacillus
in them and spreading it far and wide, is another cause;
but mapping the counties out into districts, I am happy
to say, has curtailed the danger from travelling appliances.
Still, there is another and a greater chance of contagion,
that is, by purchase of stocks, swarms, or driven bees
from infected districts. The only remedy I can see for
this danger would be the issue of a map by the B. B. J.
indicating by red colouring the infected districts, leaving
the other parts white with simply the names of the
counties and a few of the most important towns marked.

Those harmless, inoffensive creatures yclept wasps, of
which ' W. M.' speaks in such high terms of praise in a
previous number, must be of very different habits to
wasps in my own neighbourhood, or ' W. M.' (glad his
initials were not two ' VV's ') must have championed their
cause without any investigation or observation of their
propensities or habits of thieving, as to their not clearing
out hives in twenty minutes, — perhaps not, but I know
from experience they can carry off a pretty good quantity
of some things in a short time. I remember some years
since — I think in '03 or '64 — the wasps carried off during
a Sunday over thirty pounds of sugar left in a grocer's
sugar-mill. ' W. M.' may think, perhaps, the bees had a
share of the plunder, but when the store-room window
was closed on the Monday, the besiegers were wasps only,
proving who the thieves were, so that they were not fly-
catching or going in quest of larva? on that particular
day ; and to think of ' W. M.' asserting that wasps are
as valuable as bees, why, Dees have done more in the
economy of nature for the benefit of mankind than any
other insect in existence.

As many of our bee-keeping fraternity may not be
able to get the soap mentioned a short time, I may mention
that methylated spirit procurable at any chemist or oil-
shop is an effectual solvent for propolis and other stains
on the hands, applied with a bit of rag or sponge.

The writer of 1242 must have a novel style of arithmetic
if he can manage to crowd into ' less than one shilling '
the following articles enumerated in his letter, viz.,
corned beef box 4d., strips of zinc say Id., eight frames
presumably Abbott's, at '2id., Is. 8^., putty and paint at
least 4d., (paintseller to lend a brush '?) H yards of un-
bleached calico say 4Arf. : he says, of course, ' there is an
outer covering,' costing, no doubt, another Is. with paint
and putty, our friend should have said a few shillings,
' not less than one shilling.'

Was it a printer's error that the initials to a recent
letter was 'C. A. M.', surely it should have been
' C. R. A. M.' re the 80,000 stings, or must we excuse him
and think well after the first thirty stings his mind was
confused, or that the mistake may have occurred through
blindness from the swelling, and he could not see or
remember how many cyphers lie added after the figure 3.
Is the colony of stingless bees still in existenco ? —

WOODLEIGH.

BEES AND MANURE-HEAPS.

[1295.] Bees, we know, are possessed with a very
acute sense of smell, and as ' W. J. S.' presumes, this
exquisite sense attracts them to the vicinity of manure-
heaps, "Why such should be the attraction, I am sure I

October 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL

445

do not know. I feel confident that if my olfactory nerves
vrere much more sensitive than they are, it would cause
me to give such places a ' wider berth.' Bees do visit
these places, but in very small numbers. The question is,
why do they visit them ? Mr. Boyes says, ' to drink of
the liquid found there,' and further states that ' my eyes
have seen bees drinking at manure-heaps,' &c. It is also
a fact well known by many bee-keepers — careful
observers: it is therefore an incontrovertible fact, a
truth. The italics are mine.

Now, Mr. B., don't think that I am going' to
absolutely negative your assertion, but simply to ask you
to notice a little more carefully, and then I think you
will agree with what I am going to write. We must
jam just a little chemistry into this controversy, but I
will put it into as simple a language as I possibly can.
The bee on alighting proceeds to the edge of the liquid
j ust where it meets the straw or other vegetable substance,
or more correctly speaking, on the line of efflorescence ;
and it is upon this line, the point where evaporation
takes place, that the bee's attentions are specially directed.
We snail there find that just at this point hippuric acid
is formed; that is, an acid contained in the urine of
horses or beasts, as its name denotes. The starch con-
tained in the vegetable substances with which it comes
in contact, is acted upon by the acid, and thus forms—
what ? — glucose — sugar. After this a reaction takes
place into which we need not inquire.

Now all this sounds very strange, but, nevertheless,
it is true as far as the chemistry of decomposing animai
excreta is at the present understood ; but this is in a very
unsatisfactory condition, and very little is known \>j
chemists about the subject, so that everything above
may not be the correct theory although it looks very
much like it. Well, now don't turn up your nose at
honey, because there is just nothing in all this : the
amount obtained is so infinitesimal that it would have
no effect upon the bulk in the hive, even if this sub-
stance were taken without any preparation and placed in
the cells; but such is not the case, as after being
swallowed by the bee it goes through another trans-
formation, and no doubt comes forth as very good honey.
We manure our gardens and enjoy the proceeds, and yet
these cabbages, potatoes, &c, have all partially been
formed from what has been put in the ground, but by
certain chemical changes the same has been rendered fit
for human consumption. So it is with the bees and
what they collect. We do not eat the manure-heaps
when we eat the honey, but only what through chemical
reaction has been rendered fit for our use. In the case
of honey this reaction takes place in the air — in our sight.
In the case of vegetables it takes place in the ground —
out of our sight, the true cause of any seeming disgust.

Now with regard to larval food (not honey alone but
a mixture), being stored in the cells before being fed to
the bees ; this is without doubt an error. Unripe honey
will be found stored there, but not prepared larval food ;
this is a material partially digested by the nurse-bee and
fed direct to the larvae. Kindly refer to B. B. J., page
185, April 28, 1887. I have never found prepared larval
food stored in the combs contiguous to the larval cells ;
it has always been unripe honey, the same as stored in
any other part of the hive in unsealed cells. The only
prepared food found is that minute drop with which
the egg is surrounded just before and after it hatches. — ■
W. B. Webstee, Binjield, Berks.

FOUL BROOD.

[1296.] Having noticed the correspondence for some
time past re foul brood, I should like to give my first
experience of it.

About April this year I discovered that five of my
stocks were infected, although when they were packed
for the winter there was no sign of it. I immediately
placed a small piece of camphor under the frames in

each hive, two of them I treated according to Mr.
Cheshire's directions, i.e. reduced to number of frames
bees could cover and extracted all honey that was
possible, and poured phenolated syrup into combs every
evening, feeding also with phenolated syrup. I also
forwarded a piece of comb with brood to Mr. Cheshire,
who wrote me that it was undoubtedly foul brood. I
carried out this treatment for about four or five weeks,
when, becoming rather disheartened at no improvement
taking place, I drove them from the hive into two
swarm-boxes, destroyed all the combs and frames and
fed with phenolated syrup for five days and then hived
them both in one hive on frames with starters of founda-
tion only, but unfortunately they had the misfortune to
lose both queens, as I did not take the trouble to remove
one of them ; but one of my other stocks having a sealed
queen-cell I cut it out and inserted in the stock, which
was duly hatched and fertilised and is going on all right
with no sign whatever of any disease ; and I may add
that all trace of the disease has entirely disappeared out
of the other three hives, although nothing was done with
the exception of the camphor being placed under the
frames, and they now appear to be my strongest stocks.
Since I have become acquainted with the disease, instead
of using the smoker I have substituted a spray-diff user
with Calvert's carbolic acid No. 5 diluted— F. Hughes,
Long Lane, Finchley.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD COMBS.

[1297.] It seems a pity that there should be any
squabbling on this subject. Apparently the original
writer referred to extracting from combs in which there
is unsealed brood, a practice which for various reasons
seems to be undesirable. That bees do go to unsavoury
places there can be no doubt. I have often seen them in
a pig-stye, and have also seen them in a railway station
urinal. Probably, as one of your correspondents suggests,
they may be in search of salt which might be supplied to
them in a cleaner form.

With regard to drone-comb, that bees will have it I
have found on more than one occasion. Once, when 1
had without thought given full sheets of worker foun-
dation, the bees worked it all out but half of the out-
side of one of the outer sheets, this they made quite
smooth, and started a drone-comb from the top at an
angle. Another time, uuder the same circumstances,
they made a piece of drone-comb on the dummy at the
back. I took this off, cut away a corner of the last comb
and inserted the drone-comb, they joined it in neatly,
and then were quite satisfied. — J. W. N.

A NOVICE'S EXPERIENCE IN BEE-KEEPING.

[1298.] My experience only dates back to last year.
My hives stand within 200 yards of the shafts of one of
the largest collieries in the county of Durham, and I was
told it was folly to dream of keeping bees in so smoky
a district. Last year, 18S6, I had one stock which I
purchased about three miles away from here (there are
no hives nearer to mine than about one and a half miles) ;
it was weak in numbers and yielded that year about 28
lbs. honey in sections and a frame about 5 lbs. In
August 1886, I bought a hybrid stock on six frames,
they came by rail, and I won't forget the transferring of
the" frames from that box into the hive 1 had for them.
They are perfect demons those hybrids. At the
commencement of this season I worked both lots up by
giving sheets of foundation till No. 1 had nine frames (all
it would hold) and No. 2, ten frames. On June 15th I
bought a swarm and put it into a hive of my own make.
I gaDve it six full sheets and two strips of foundation,
afterwards adding two frames of full sheets, in all ten
frames : this is No. 3 hive. Results— from No. 1 I have
taken ninety-six good I lb. sections and a frame of 5 lbs,,

44G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 6, 1887.

from No. 2, 52 lbs. in sections. I have not moved any of
their ten frames, nor shall do so till later. They are all
solid so far as I can see : these are the demons. They
made the best sections — just solid slabs. From the swarm
No. 3 I have obtained thirty-one splendid sections and
two frames, each over 5 lbs. weight, and they are left
with eight frames nearly all solid. In fact, I was thinking
of taking two frames from them in the front, so as to
leave them on six.

On July 1st No. 2 hive swarmed, they had on a crate
three parts full. I raised it, put an empty one beneath,
and put them back in the evening ; I did not want to
increase the stocks of this race. I took my first sections
off on July 7th from No. 1 hive.

On September 10th I drove ten skeps for a gentleman
I had made some frame-hives for, one of these was still
empty. I fixed six frames with some of the comb out of
skeps and put the bees out of four skeps into the frame-
hive; the other six skeps of bees I brought away in two
skeps and put them into two frame-hives, each on two
frames of comb, and four sheets foundation feeding with
syrup regularly since. I drove the ten skeps in two and a
half hours, and had them to carry forty yards without
floor-boards, these being fixtures. I never saw a bee
attempt to sting. The gentleman and his family had not
seen any driving before, always used the sulphur pit, and
they were delighted. They have given up the skep.
This, Sir, is my record up to the present, and I have to
thank your Journal and the useful work Modem Bee-
keeping for the little I have learnt.

I have tried various new articles, such as apifuge and
carbolic acid, but have not had experience enough to
give an opinion. — T. T. M.

HONEY BY THE POUND.

[1299.] Having given a report of the heavy yields of
honey obtained by the more advanced bee-keepers in
some of the districts of Lincolnshire, which yields were
secured under what may be considered at the present day
ordinary management, I now enclose you a report of the
light yields of honey, obtained under what I will style
extraordinary management by inconvincibles. I beg,
Mr. Editor, you will not suppress this report, even at a
risk of its doing incalculable evil by your publishing it ;
but if you should consider its publication might be the
means of driving ten thousand otherwise well-disposed
persons into such a state as to render them eligible only
for Hanwell .... Ah ! ah ! sup — no, don't suppress it,
please, let it go,not to Hanwell (might tell the door-keeper
at that establishment to be prepared for a rush), but to
press, away from page 424 for the present.

I report the following as the results of the honey
harvest by some of our genuine old skeppists. During the
early part of last month I visited in villages eleven bee-
keepers, whose total stocks together numbered seventy-
eight, all in straw skeps of the small dome-top make,
except three or four which were large and fiat-topped.
The bees consisted of old stocks, swarms, and casts. Out
of the number I drove thirty-six stocks, which yielded a
total, as near as I am able to state, of 390 lbs., an average
of a little under eleven lbs. per stock. The heaviest of
the lot gave seventeen lbs. of honey, the lightest gave
65 lbs. only. The whole of the hives had more or less of
brood in them ; the combs built cross-way of entrance,
or verging that way in nearly every hive.

Returning again to page 424, 1 would ask Mr. 'W. N.'
how this report suits. He has the opportunity of reading
a heavy-weight report and a light-weight report, himself
having furnished a mid-weight one. ' W. N.' speaks of
suppressing reports of the good takes of honey. Allow
me to ask him to glance through a report from 'A
Lancashire Bee-keeper' (page 425), 'A Barrow-load of
Solid Slabs of Honey-comb.' Here's an eye-opener for
him. Only follow nature's simplicity itself: a few old

bricks, and here's a hive for ' nawt,' and honey by the
barrow-load. Would 'W. N.' desire that such an
interesting report as this should be suppressed P-— R, K.
Godfuey, Grantham,

HONEY BY THE HUNDREDWEIGHT.

[1300.] I find by the last issue of the British Bee
Journal that I am not the only one who does not get
the coveted boon, as per ' Welch Novice ' (1270), but
friend J. H. Rogers (1266) lets out the grand secret.
He says that he ' can with confidence count upon 100
pounds per hive.' But how does he do it ? Hear what
he says : ' Of course I prevent swarming, and take care
to have young queens ' (the italics are mine) ' at the
head of each colony, and I give each hive thirty-eight to
forty frames of standard size.' Here he has four ordinary
colonies rolled into one enormous hive, at least 4 ft. 6 in.
long, unless he works on the tiering system, and then he
produces 100 pounds of run honey ; and, I say, a very
small yield after all, only amounting to 25 pounds per
ordinary hive when divided into four. He says he does
not feed except for stocks made up of driven bees. Now
I would like to ask my friend Mr. Rogers two or three
questions. Suppose he gets a new stock of bees from
driven bees, or from a new swarm or swarms, how many
swarms or lots of driven bees would he put into this
monster hive in order to well cover forty frames?
Would he be certain there would not be more than one
queen preserved among such a vast quantity of bees ?
Queens are supposed to fight a duel when the}' meet in
one hive, but I think in this case their chance of meeting
in such a hive is very small. But suppose Mr. R. starts
with only one swarm, with one young queen, would she
be likely to fill such a hive with bees, and produce 100
pounds of honey the first season ? I say no, she would
not ; but by putting three or four swarms together, he
might. Then, I maintain, it is not the work of one
swarm or hive, but the united work of three or four
hives or swarms. Another question. Does Mr. R.
winter his bees on forty frames, or even twenty ? If so,
how many frames will they cover by the middle of
April ? Will they cover six frames P Hence, if there
is only one queen, the (to me) impossibility of one queen
filling with bees such a hive in time for the honey-flow.
I may not be in the happy possession of the necessary
moderate skill or intelligence for the successful manage-
ment of bees, therefore I would be most thankful if Mr.
Rogers would kindly answer my questions, and oblige an
unsuccessful brother bee-keeper.

From my experience I believe there is often more
than one queen in one hive at the same time during the
honey-flow. This season I hived a new swarm early in
June ; the next day another swarm went into the same
hive ; in the evening I put another hive on the top of
it, which was immediately taken possession of ; they
went to work with a will, and in about seven or eight
days they nearly filled the both hives, — being Taylor's
observatory, — when they swarmed again (which swarm I
lost). I let them remain until they had again well filled the
hives with bees ; I, about a month since, divided them,
putting the one with the most bees on a new stand and
quite another aspect. I expected, of course, to see a
great commotion in a short time with one of the lots,
but, to my surprise, they took it very quietly, and so
have remained, only some of the old bees went back to
the old stand.

A friend of mine wintered two stocks in one hive
with two entrances. In the spring he stopped up one
entrance and removed the division-board, leaving them
to run together without smoke or in any way disturbing
them. They blended together without any fighting
whatever, and jointly soon filled the hive with bees,
giving a good harvest of honey, but still less than 100
pounds. The hive with one queen could not have filled
it in the time, I, therefore, am of opinion that where

October 6, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

447

we see those large yields of honey from apparently one
hive, it is the result of three, four, or perhaps more,
swarms united together, hence the production of not one
hive but many, properly speaking.

I attribute the smallness of my honey harvest to the
long drought. The white clover with us, as well as
many other sources of honey, were completely burnt up
before one half became properly developed.

I have been anxiously waiting to see if some one had
any plan to propose for the better sale of honey without
the middle man, but as yet no one has ventured to pro-
pose a plan except our Irish friend, which is a good one.
I think the B.B.K.A. should move in this matter. —
Sherbobne, Dorset.

HIVE-MAKING.

[1301.] Seeing a letter in last week's British Bee
Journal, re above, I though I would give the particulars
of my own experiments to those of your readers whose
pockets — like my own — are somewhat shallow and light.

1 bought a currant-box from the grocer's, which was

2 ft. 6 in. long, 11 in. deep, and 13 in. wide (inch wood),
at a cost of 3d, Finding the width inconvenient, I
bought another box for '2d., called, I believe, a pine-
apple box, anyhow, branded on one side were the words,
' Pine-apple, preserved in syrup.' This was 18 in. long,
11 in. deep, and 14 in. wide (inch wood). I also bought
an egg-box — these can be had for Gd. — and thought
myself well stocked with material, at any rate for
making a Jirst-class hive. I now took the currant and
pine-apple boxes, knocked out the ends of both, carefully
taking out all nails, and nailed the sides of the pine-
apple one to the sides of the currant one. This gave me
a box 2 ft. 6 in. by 18 in. I then took one 9-in. board
off egg-box, which gave me the two inner walls, nailed
them 14^ in. apart in the above-named box, which
finished body of hive. Now for the floor-board and roof.
I found on examining the wood I had left there was
plenty to make a moveable floor-board, porch, and a
span-roof deep enough to hold a doubling box or two
crates of sections. To cover the roof well for winter I
painted one coat, then tacked on cheap calico, over which
1 put two or three good coats of paint. This has made
it quite proof against wind and tide. Thus I have a
good hive, holding twenty-two frames, a doubling box,
or four crates of twenty-one 1-lb. sections (two inches
deep and two in length), for the sum of about Is. Gd.

I began bee-keeping September 21st, 1886, with one
hive ; 1 have now rive, three made up of driven bees this
year, one an artificial swarm from first hive, so that I
begin to feel myself a real live bee-keeper. — Charles
Howes, Ayleston Park, Leicester.

SUPERS LEFT ON BAR-FRAMES.

[1302.] When reading your ' Useful Hints,' that no
super should be left upon the bar -frames during the
winter I have often wished that the writer had said why
it ought not to be done. Suppose a crate of unfinished
sections remained upon the frames, what injury to the
bees would possibly occur ? Warmth must certainly be
one result.

Are not the following ' hints ' conflicting ? viz., ' the
second crops of red clover are affording superior pastur-
age for our Eastern races, which leave no petal unvisited
in search of the precious nectar,' and ' sections should be
removed without delay, and the honey extracted from
those unsealed.' If bees were gathering ' the precious
nectar' on the 1st inst., why should not they be permitted
to deposit the article in the cells prepared for that
purpose ?

My simplicity, it is probable, will create a smile — you
won't ridicule me I know — please remember I am only
— An Aged Amateur.

P. S. I have great pleasure in being able to add that I

saved a colony from a violent death a few evenings ago.
Wholesale apiarian murder has been perpetrated in my
neighbourhood within the past few weeks, eleven stocks
in one place, nine in another, and many, many other
groups have gone down the sulphur pit. A friend gave
me permission to drive one lot on condition that he wit-
nessed the operation. I succeeded in driving out a
quantity weighing in the aggregate more than two pounds,
which I had the additional pleasure of seeing enter the
' Ark (hive) of safety ' on the following morning there to
feast on the sweet contents of a bar-frame that I had
taken out of an adjacent hive.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspond
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

E. Williams. — Bees lying out. — It is unusual for bees to
cluster outside the hive so late in the season as the end
of September. Warm weather, small hives, and large
colonies, may be the cause. Some bees, especially the
black race, will lie out in large clusters on the alighting-
boards to defend themselves when attacked by wasps or
raiding bees.

J. S. Webb. — Drones, Queens, &c. — 1. It is the general
opinion that drones produced by an Italian queen
impurely fecundated, are pure Italians. 2. It is thought
best to rear queens from a mother in her second year
because she is then in her prime, and surrounded by a
larger colony than in her first year ; both points being of
great importance in producing a strong, healthy progeny.

A Beginner. — Foul Brood. — The comb sent is affected with
' foul brood.' It is not a bad case, but bad enough to
advise the destruction of the stock, if, as you say, there
are no other cases in the neighbourhood. Pill the empty
combs referred to with a weak solution of carbolic acid,
and then allow it to drain out completely, putting them
away m a warm place for future use. The comb3 can be
filled by plunging them in the solution, frames and all.

Eichakd Williams. — Diseased Brood. — We are very much
of opinion that you have the disease known by the name
of Bacillus minor ; but before giving a definite answer we
should prefer to see the comb, or a portion of it, un-
touched. If you have any more hives, examine them
and report their condition. Do this before you touch the
stock supposed to be diseased.

G. H. Bichaedson. — 1. Bees Utilising Wax. — It is well known
that bees will utilise wax, even after it has been rendered
into blocks. The very fact of their drawing out founda-
tion into combs is an argument in support of this. We
have been frequently annoyed when drying sheets of
foundation, after passing through the wet rollers of the
machine, at their visits, when they would gnaw the edges
and fly off with the spoil. It is a most unusual thing
for them to fill up the under part of the feeder. This, no
doubt, arose from the circumstance that there was con-
siderable— too much — room between the top bars of the
frames and the bottom of the feeder. Thanks for photo-
graph. 2. Bees with White Backs. — The white pollen on
the backs of the bees is from the giant balsams, which
are now in full bloom. When collecting this they will
get as dusty as millers ; the pollen on their backs they are
unable to remove effectually, and so fly forth with it on.

Errata.— P. 423, in letter ' Not finding the Queen,' line 7, for York
read Norwich.

P. 432, Third-class Certificates— for B. Skerman read B. Skirmer.

The Co-operative Flower and Honey Show. — Mr. W.
Broomhall, secretary to the above show, writes as follows ;
— ' Mr. John D. Mc Nally has requested me to put the
matter of the ownership of the Scotch exhibit of honey at
this show right. The entry was made in his name, but
how the error in the name upon the card arose I cannot
explain. '

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Oct. G, 188?.

^Business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baxek, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hhtchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark,

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Britibh Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton; F. , Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stokes, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Peabbok, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

The New Patent Honey & Fruit Squeezer.

SPECIAL NOTICE ! — In consequence of the increased
demand for this useful article, the Manufacturer has en-
larged his plant, and is now able to produce them at a
much lower cost. Price 2s. 6d. each, post free 2s. 9d.

For particulars see ' British Bee Journal,' page 382.

Aijcnia for tlie United Kingdom,

TURNER & SON, BEE-HIVE MANUFACTURERS,
RADCLIFFE-ON-TRENT, NOTTS. (154)

[Demy Svo. toned paper.

Nearly Beady.]

A Modern Bee Farm

And its Economic Management.

By S. SIMMINS.

Popular Edition, limp cloth cover, post free, 3s. 9i7.
Special Edition, stiff cover, 7s. Grf., free.

9

The work is profusely illustrated, and embraces all
necessary instructions for the Practical Management of
the Apiary, both as a profession, and for recreation.

The Special Edition will include Photos of the Author's
Domestic Hive ; his Home Apiary, and another covered
Apiary, 75 ft. x 50 ft. ; also one of Queen, Workers, and
Drones on the Comb.

N. B. — The whole of this work consists of fresh matter ; not
three pages being taken from '. Non-Swarming ' Pamphlet.

S. SIMMINS, Rottingdean, Brighton.

Imported Carniolans s

The Gentlest Bees known.

QUEENS sent by return, Carriage Paid and Safe Ar-
rival guaranteed, at 6/- each for Finest Selected ;
5/- for Choice Prolific. All bred this Season.

FRANK BENTON, Laibach, Carniola, AUSTRIA.

CATALOG"

(5 % Discount, October 1 to Marcli 1. Retail Orders.)

Post Free. (100 Pictures.)

G. STOTHARD, British Hive Factory, Welwyn, Herts.

3ST OTI C 33.

The British Bee Journal is published by Kent A; Co., 23 Paternoster
Row, and may be obtained of aU local Booksellei-b, and of the fol-
lowing Agents : —

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDRETJ, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kont.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DURRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford.

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON, A. B., Brickhall, Ballywoolcn, Killy-
leagh, Co. Down.

McNALLY, R., Glenluce, N.B.

MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Horoford.

NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and
127 High Holborn, London.

OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Sussex.

REDSHAW, Cm Canal St., South Wlgaton, Leicester.

RICE, J. J., Wensum Street, Norwich.

RUDKIN, F., Bolton, Uppingham.

SMITH & SON, 186 Strand, London; and at all Rail-
way Bookstalls.

WITHINSHAW, A., Newcastle, Staffordshire.

WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Koau, Heading.

WREN, L., 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangkways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 277. Vol. XV.]

OCTOBER 13, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfoitortal, fjotias, fit*

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The usual October Meetings will take place at
105 Jermyn Street on Wednesday evening next,
October 19th.

The Meeting of County Representatives will take
place at 4.30. Secretaries of County Associations
are requested to advise their representatives of this
meeting.

The Quarterly Conversazione will commence at
six o'clock. Members wishing to introduce sub-
jects for discussion, or to submit new inventions
and improvements relating to bee - culture, are
requested to communicate with the Secretary
without delay. This meeting will no doubt prove
an interesting one, as Mr. Cowan who has just
returned from visiting tho United States, and
having inspected some of the largest apiaries in
the world, hopes to be present.

HONEY-DEW: ITS PRODUCERS.

In our last issue we noticed the enormous fecundity
of the aphides. Bee-keepers, not desiring that the
genuine produce of their bees should be contaminated
by honey-dew, have especial cause for rejoicing that
there are many insects whose life-mission appears to
be the reduction and destruction of aphides. Stormy
weather and heavy showers sweep them away like-
wise by myriads.

The foremost of these insect enemies is the lady-bird,
or lady-cow (Coccinella septempunctata). As the locust-
eating thrush is always to be found accompanying the
locust so does this insect seem ever to be in pursuit of
the aphides. The food of the lady-bird appears to be
almost exclusively the bodies of these insects. In the
Journal of Horticulture of September 22, 1887, a corre-
spondent dating from Whitcroft, Pershore, writes : —
' On Saturday last about half-past three in the afternoon
we had a great swarm of lady-birds, thousands upon
thousands ; we could distinctly hear the noise of their
flight. Is it usual for them to move in such large
numbers? Have they been teen elsewhere?' There
can be no doubt that these visitants were in quest of
the aphides which commit such devastation in the hop-
gardens.

Mr. Buckton, in bis Monograph of Aphides, says of

lady-birds: — 'The marvellous voracity of lady-birds is
shown equally in their larval and their winged condition.
The former stage may be commonly seen throughout
early summer as slaty-grey or brown six-footed creatures,
covered with tufted tubercles, and pi'ovided with man-
dibles efficient both for holding and sucking out the juices
of their victims. In some years the imagos are wonderfully
numerous, and when they take wing, form vast swarms,
which travel great distances. By their sudden appear-
ance in a district they often raise popular astonishment.
In the year 1869 such a cloud passed over a large part of
Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, alighting on the footways of
Maidstone, Guildford, and Midhurst, and making it diffi-
cult to avoid crushing hundreds under foot. In the
autumn the perfect insect often enters houses for hyber-
nation, and clusters of many hundreds may be seen in
crannies and under the ceilings, and in the angles of the
walls of houses within the hop districts. These clusters
sometimes are so large that a half-pint measure would
not contain them. Although the coccinella is not
restricted to the hop aphis for its food, it frequently
follows its migrations, and travels on the same winds. It
is also a valuable visitor to the apple orchard, and destroys
thousands of Aphis mali and Aphis pruni. Whilst feeding
the aphis is seized by the lady-bird near the back, and
the liquid contents are quickly sucked out of the abdomen,
about one minute being required for this process. The
aphis is held and manipulated by the jaws and- palpi of
the coccinella, and the devouring operation proceeds,
amidst the struggles of the victims, from the tail to the
thorax, which parts, together with the head and legs,
are finally rejected.'

The special aphis which falls thus a victim of the
lady-bird is the Phnrodon humuli, and the ravages com-
mitted by these insects on hops are very great. It is stated
that in the year 1802 the excise duty paid on hops of the
previous year fell from 100,000/. to 14,000/., and this
falling off was ascribed entirely to the ravages of this
insect. In 1833 it is stated that the duty paid for hops
when ' the fly' was absent amounted to half-a-million.

It is very fortunate that in most countries the children
take lady-birds under their protection. In France they
are considered sacred to the Virgin, and are called
Vaches a Dieu, Betes de la Vierge, &c, and in this
country the frequent mention of lady-birds in our
juvenile ballads insures them kind treatment from
young people. The hop-growers are fully sensible of the
value of the services of these insects, as they hire boys
to prevent the birds from destroying them.

Besides the Coccinella, there are other aphidivorous
insects which subsist on aphides. There is a beauti-
ful genus of winged flies (Hemerobius), their wings
resembling the finest lace, the larva? of which are such
voracious devourers of the aphides that Reaumur has
named them ' the lions of the aphides.' When among
the aphides they are like wolves in a sheep-fold, and the
ravages they make among them are very great. It takes

450

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 13, 1887.

I

them only half-a-minute to suck the largest aphis, and there
is one species which clothe themselves with the spoils of
their helpless victims. Many species of the Syrphidce are
also very destructive to the aphides. Their grubs are
armed with a singular mandible, furnished with a kind
of trident with three points, and with these they transfix
their prey. Dr. Kirby says : — ' They may often be seen
laid at their ease under a leaf or upon a twig, environed
by suoh hosts of aphides that they can devour hundreds
without changing their station ; and their silly, helpless
prey, who are provided with no means of defence, so far
from thinking of escaping, frequently walk over the
backs of their enemy, and put themselves in his way.
When disposed to feed, he fixes himself by his tail, and,
being blind, gropes about on every side, as the Cyclops
did for Ulysses and his companions, till he touches one,
which he immediately transfixes with his trident,
elevates into the air, that he may not be disturbed by
its struggles, and soon devours. The havoc which these
grubs make amongst the aphides is astonishing. It was
only last week that I observed the top of every young
shoot of the currant-trees in my garden curled up by
myriads of these insects. On examining them this day,
not an individual remained, but beneath each leaf are
three or four full-fed larvre of aphidivorous flies, sur-
rounded with heaps of the skins of the slain, the trophies
of their successful warfare ; and the young shoots,
whose progress has been entirely checked by the absorp-
tion of sap, are again expanding vigorously.'

There is also a small ichneumon-fly (Ophion luteum),
which alights on the body of the aphis, and deposits an
egg in it ; the wounded victim then separates from its
companions and dries up, having the larva within it.

It only now remains for us to describe the singular re-
lationship of aphides and ants. In all accounts of honey-
dew it is agreed that bees and ants are very fond of it.
The loves of the ants and aphides have long been cele-
brated. Wherever the latter are found there will the
former be seen very busy ; the object of their presence is
to suck the saccharine juice which exudes from the
nectaries. When the ants are at hand, they watch the
moment when the aphides eject the fluid and at once
suck it down. It is also said that the ants have the
power of making the aphides yield the nectar at
pleasure, or we might say ' milking them.' Linnaeus
says, ' The ant ascends the tree that it may milk its cows,
the aphides, not kill them.' When they do so, they use
their antenna} for fingers ; with these they pat the
abdomen of the aphis on each side alternately and
rapidly, and after the drop has been obtained they pass
on to another aphis. P. Huber. who studied the habits
of ants for many years, has told us some almost in-
credible stoiies of the treatment of aphides by ants.
He says that a certain kind of ants regard the aphides
as their special property, and are ready to fight for their
possession, and that the Aphides radieiim — which derive
their sustenance from the roots of plants and grass — are
kept in large numbers in the nest of the yellow ant
(Formica jiava), so that there may be always at hand a
plentiful supply of food, these aphides and their eggs
sharing the solicitude of the ants equally with their
own eggs and young.

Strange as these statements are, such are the wonderful
instincts of ants that it does not behove us to regard
them as incredible, seeing they are given as the result
of patient research by scientific investigators. Mr.
Buckton, in commenting on the above phenomena, says: —
' It will be unwise to put limits to the peculiar phases of
insect economy. Extraordinary ingenuity and unex-
pected habits are continually pressing on the observation
of the entomologist. Perhaps the only safe conclusion
arrived at with reference to aphis and formica [ant] is,
that the latter is a considerable sugar consurner, and that
like man it also is a fosterer of pets and favourites.'

Reverting to honey-dew, wc find that many curative

virtues are ascribed to it. In some parts of Italy the
villagers collect it from the elm-tree, and it is used for
dressing wounds under the name of Olia di S. Giovanni
(the oil of St. John). The knowledge of the healing-
qualities of honey-dew is not confined to Italy. Bonnet
says that both physicians and ants rush to aphides for
their secretion — ' of which medicine use is made.' Mr.
(Jooke, in the Entomological Magazine, says that ' the
liquid found in the pseudo-galls of the elm is, under the
name of " Eau d'orme," collected in Prance, and is sup-
posed to be a cure for sore eyes. After the galls are dried,
a balsamic residuum is found within them, which, under
the name of " Baume d'orneau," has some reputation for
diseases of the chest.'*

It would be very desirable if the intelligent analyst of
the British Bee-keepers' Association (Mr. Otto Hehner)
wTould undertake an analysis of honey-dew. We should
thus be able to judge whether its component parts are as
bad as represented by some bee-keepers. The analysis
that we have given from M. Boussingault has been ques-
tioned by another eminent chemist, and therefore cannot
be pronounced to be satisfactory.

Our observations on honey-dew and its producers
have extended considerably beyond our intention when
we selected the subject for comment ; but our apology is
that one part has so insensibly led to another that we
have found ourselves compelled to treat it more fully
than we had originally intended.

CANADA.

We are enabled, by the aid of the Canadian Bee
Journal, to give a fuller report of the remarks of Mr.
Cowan on the occasion of the presentation of the address
and walking-stick by the Ontario bee-keepers at the
Toronto Exhibition, than that of last week.

In replying to the address Mr. Cowan stated that when
he received the invitation to visit Toronto, he had no idea
of being made the recipient of any souvenir at the hands of
the bee-keepers ; he had found much pleasure in the visit,
both to himself and Mrs. Cowan, and the present moment
found him unable to express his feelings. He felt that
British bee-keepers would accept the souvenir and address
as a mark of esteem to themselves. Until now he had
had no idea of the extent of Canada's resources; in 1803
Canada had sent a fair exhibition to England, but that
of last year had been a great improvement. He was
very much struck with the products he had here seen
on exhibit, particularly was he pleased with that of the
Great North-west. In the honey department he found
a magnificent display of honey; the exhibits were made
by but few exhibitors but on a large scale.

Speaking of the British Bee-keepers' Association, he ex-
plained that it was a philanthropic society whose desire was
to get as many cottagers and others in moderate circum-
stances into the business as possible — they wanted every-
body to keep bees — the societj' was formed as a means
of bettering the condition of the working classes. The
Association distributed thousands of circulars explaining
the uses of honey as food. The Canadian commissioners
did a great deal last year in popularising honey among
the masses. The Canadian system of selling ' honey on a
stick ' did not commend itself to him. England would
not copy them in that respect. The B. B. K. A. endeavoured
to get as much wealth and as many great people in their
ranks as possible. The President of the Association was
the Baroness Burdett Coutts, a lady far famed for her
philanthropy and liberality. The Vice-Presidents were
members of the Royal Family and the principal nobility
in the land. The head centre of the Society was in
London, and the counties were generally taken as dis-

* Buckton, vol. i. p. 4-4.

October 13, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

451

tricts. The Lord-Lieutenants of the counties were
generally chosen as presidents of the county associations.
Each of the branch societies was represented in the
London Association by two delegates, and there were at
present forty-two branches. The head association meets
the delegates once every quarter, when all the business
relating to the county branches was considered. The
counties were again divided into sub-districts, and over
these were appointed local advisers. All the shows are
held under the auspices and rules of the head association.
When branch associations are to be organized, lecturers
are sent out to explain the advantages of bee-keeping,
and circulars are distributed explaining ' how bee-keeping-
may be commenced' and the cost. After the local
association is formed and they comply with the con-
ditions, showing that their new organization is in good
standing, the central board receives the application, and
if everything is satisfactory the new society is taken in
and ' affiliated.' Experts are appointed by the central
board, after examination, in three classes — a third-class
expert is usually a good practical bee-keeper; a second
class must be further advanced, while the examination
of a first-class expert was very severe, and required a
thoroughly practical and theoretical as well as scientific
knowledge of the business. The duties of the experts are
to visit each fall and spring all the bee-keepers who
desire their services in the district for which they are
appointed — this is all done free of charge. The time
allotted to each bee-keeper is three-quarters of an hour ;
if more time is requested by the owner of the bees, a
small extra fee is charged.

Before closing, he said that he desired to say that the
Ontario Commissioners did their work wonderfully well
at the Colonial Exhibition. Britons had tried to do
their duty, but failed, because they could not entice them
to leave their work. The delegates said their object was
to sell honey, and sell it they did. He (Mr. Cowan)
would return to England with very pleasant recollections
of his visit. He had one weakness, and that was to
possess, a walking-stick from any countries he was
visiting, and he had just been suggesting to Mrs. Cowan
that he should have to get one before returning. There
was nothing he would have preforred more, and the stick
would always remind him of the happy time they had
spent in Canada, and it would be handed down to future
generations as an article of much interest.

Amidst much applause, Mr. Cowan sat down, and was
followed by Mr. Young, who begged to be excused from
more than expressing his heartfelt thanks to the associa-
tion for his kindly reception. He assured those present,
that should any of them ever visit Norway, he and his
brother bee-keepers would be only too glad to show
them hospitality. He would never forget his visit to
Canada, and he would carry home many pleasing re-
collections of his trip.

Mr. Allen Pringle was then called on by the chairman
and he expressed his pleasure at being present. He was
just recovering from the most severe illness of his life,
and he had strained a point to be present. He had been
grievously disappointed that he had been unable to
receive Mr. Cowan after extending the invitation and
having him (Mr. C.) go so much out of his way to accept
it. He felt that there was room for much improvement
in their own association. It was a good thing to encourage
everybody to keep bees, though there were those who
were inclined to keep the art within the select few. As
to then- stage of advancement as bee-keepers, he felt that
Canada was equal to Britain, in fact, she was, in his
opinion, equal to any country in the world. After some
further remarks by Mr. Pringle, he was followed by the
liev. W. F. Clarke, who said : ' It affords me great
pleasure to join with my fellow bee-keepers of the Pro-
vince of Ontario, in welcoming our visitors from the
mother-land, and from remoter Norway. I am especially
glad to have the opportunity of uniting in expressions of

esteem and gratitude with which we all regard our
friend — for such he has truly proved himself — Mr. T. W.
Cowan. We have learnt from our commissioners to the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition, with what unwearied
kindness he laboured to promote their personal comfort
and the success of their mission to England, and we all
say from our very heart, " Thanks, a thousand thanks."
I would have liked the inscription on the cane to have
recorded our gratitude, but though the engraver has done
wonders with the space at his disposal, it was not possible
to include all of which we wish our little present to re-
mind him. Let me emphasize our thanks as the very
first thing he is to remember when he picks up or looks
at his " walking-stick," which we all hope he may live
to carry for many, many, happy, useful years. Mr.
Cowan's address is fruitful of points on which I should
like to touch, did time permit. I think we may take a
leaf or two out of English apiculture to advantage. The
plan of sending round experts to give private instruction
and public lectures on practical bee-keeping, is one that
we shall be wise to copy. Our English brethren, we have
heard, do not encourage making a specialty of bee-keep-
ing. They believe in spreading it all over the country,
and interesting the masses and the millions in keeping
bees. So do I. During all the years that I have been
at work in the promotion of this pursuit both by tongue
and pen, I have sought to popularise it, and especially to
induce farmers to go into it on a limited scale, in con-
nexion with other branches of husbandry. Bee-keeping
is a branch of agriculture, and bees belong properly to
the live-stock of the farm. I believe too that the logic
of events will bring round this state of things. Our
specialists have suffered much during the two bad
seasons just passed, and must surely begin to see that
it is not wise to put all their eggs into one basket.
Moreover, in large apiaries, it is terrible when foul brood
breaks out, and it is far less likely to spread when bees
are kept in small apiaries widely scattered. This kind
of bee-keeping also renders it far less easy to over-stock
a bee-range. Our American brethren, some of them at
least, are inclined to invoke the protection of law on be-
half of specialists, but it does seem a rather hard thing to
forbid people from going into this fascinating pursuit
in a small way because a monopolist has acquired ex-
clusive territorial rights. I cannot think this style of
bee-keeping likely to be that of the future, but rather
that the English method in this particular will become
increasingly equivalent. With best respects and kindest
wishes on behalf of our visitors I beg to conclude these
few imperfect remarks.'

Some remarks were then made by Messrs. Jones,
Corneil, McKnight, Clendenning and Emigh, all ex-
pressive of their pleasure at meeting Messrs. Cowan and
Young.

Mr. Cowan also spoke, at length, respecting the extent
of the bee-pasturage, compared it with that of the old
country, and recommended a more extended develop-
ment of the home market.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — Again we are favoured with fine, mild
weather, and bees are flying freely, and carrying home
loads of pollen. Several of our colonies are breeding
more extensively than we like at this late period ; and
numerous drones are on the wing, notably Italians and
Cyprians, so that with brilliant sunshine, as we write,
several late-hatched queens will have an opportunity of
mating.

Late Fecundation. — If suitable autumnal weather —
a fine, bright October could be depended upon, we see no
reason why fecundation should not be as successful now
as earlier in the season. Indeed, we have on several
occasions had queens fertilised in October which proved
to be of more than average fertility. Three years ago

452

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 13, 1887.

we procured the pure fertilisation of an Italian queen on
November 6th. This queen we still possess, and she
has proved herself a prolific mother. This we consider
an exceptional case, as also is that of a Cyprian queen
which mated on the thirty-first day of her age, and
proved a good mother. One great advantage of late
fecundation is that a queen may he mated with a drone
of any selected race with much greater certainty than at
an earlier period of the year, when ordinary drones are
most abundant.

Winter Preparations should be completed as soon
as possible. On this subject we may refer our readers to
former ' Hints,' but we wish to reiterate the advice to
keep none but strong colonies for wintering, unless it be
a few well-stored nuclei for supplying queens, which are
often required at spring. Contraction of hives and
union of weak colonies may still be effected during fine
weather. We do not, as a rule, recommend the winter-
ing of colonies which cover less than eight standard
frames. Upon these frames the bees should be crowded,
by means of division-boards, and well covered by warm
quilts, chaff-cushions, or section-cases filled with chaff,
or cork-dust. As before stated, we cover with enamel
sheets, warm quilts, and straw covers capping the whole.
Under this treatment some fifty colonies passed through
the last winter, severe as it was, in perfect health, and
without a single loss, but with entrances at summer
width.

Syrup-feeding should have been completed ere this ;
but where it has been neglected, it may still be carried
on during fine weather. In a cottagers' manual, lately
issued, we find in the monthly calendar of operations,
under the heading ' September] ' Rest and be thankful.'
For that important month no other advice is offered.
But going on to October, we are advised to ' commence
feeding early in the month,' and under November ' to
finish feeding early in the month.' These directions are
contrary to our preconceived ideas in modern times, and
we fear that the cottager who complies with them, in
case of a cold October, will find his weak colonies,
which required food in the autumn, requiring none at
spring.

Clearing Up and Stowing Away.— During the
present month the only work requiring attention should
be a thorough cleaning, drying (where necessary), and
storing of all apiarian appliances. Extractors, especially,
should be thoroughly washed, cleaned, and dried, before
being put aside for the winter. The same rule applies
to all utensils used for honey or wax. The apiary should
be rendered neat and tidy ; and a little sawdust, or sand,
scattered around the hives will tend to preserve bee-life.
Combs of sealed honey, which have been removed from
colonies having more than sufficient, must be wrapped
in paper and stored in dry and warm rooms or closets
to be ready for spring use, in preference to feeding with
syrup.

Uniting. — Unions of weak colonies, weather per-
mitting, may still be made, if neglected hitherto, and
queens may still be introduced. But to all we say, Get
these operations performed as soon as possible, and do
not attempt them at all in unsuitable weather. Better
it is to forego them than to ruin colonies by manipula-
tion in cold, wet, and stormy weather.

Roofs. — Especially be careful to ascertain that all
hive-roofs are water-proof, and all stands sound and
firm.

Observatory Hives. — Let frames and bees be trans-
ferred at once from observatory to well-made wooden
hives, and securely packed, as advised above, for winter.
It is almost certain death to colonies to attempt to carry
them through the winter in glass hives.

Entrances. — As soon as robbing and wasps have
disappeared open the entrances of the hives. These
should not be less than six inches in width and Jin.
in depth. Healthy ventilation and dry hives will thus

be secured; and, having attended to all these suggestions,
then, we say, ' JRest and be thankful.'

Our Censors and Mentors. — Although, in the
space allowed to us, we are unable to enter into con-
troversy or to assign a reason for every scrap of advice
given, nevertheless we are always willing to explain any
apparent discrepancy, or any view to which exception
may be taken when advanced in our department. On
the other hand, we will not hold ourselves liable to
answer trivial exceptions, put forth for the sake of
leading up to controversy, or from other motives which
we have no desire now to investigate. If our experience
in apiculture, together with the daily practical work in
a large apiary, conducted on modern principles, is in-
sufficient to qualifj^ us for giving advice ; or if we have
failed to display sufficient j'ovf — to use a very expressive
term — in our contributions to the Journal, we are more
than willing to lay down our pen and to make room for
others to take our place, of whom, we are perfectly well
aware, there are sufficiently well-qualified candidates.
But, after digression, to the point.

Hans Erslev and Drone Comb. — First, as regards
the building of drone-comb. We were pleased to see
the Danish editor's, Hans Erslev's, remarks on this
subject. Our short statement was not intended to
advance any theory on the building of drone-comb,
and we made no wonderment of the case related, as
Hans Erslev seems to suppose. For nearly half a
century we have been fully aware of the propensity of the
bees to build drone-comb for the storage of honey. This,
however, is almost always placed outside the brood-nest,
and usually as remote as possible from it. In the old-
fashioned supers, drone-comb was the rule and not the
exception, and during the present season many of our
sections, supplied with full sheets of the finest thin
worker foundation, were filled with drone-comb built
thereon, and stored with the finest quality of honey.
But the peculiarity of the case we related was this:
that the lower halves of all the combs consisted of drone-
comb, built upon the most perfect worker foundation of
which we have any experience, which we have used
extensively for several years, which hitherto has been
built into perfectly beautiful worker-comb, and of which
one dealer alone relates that he sold in one year in this
country about 50,000 lbs. weight; and he is not the
maker, neither has he more interest in the sale of this
foundation than of any other. So much for the quality
of the foundation of which Hans Erslev says, ' I am
sure it was bad foundation.' That the drone-comb in
the central frames in the case related was not built for
storage was proved by its being filled with drone brood.
The queen (a favourite) is in her prime, the drones have
all been destroyed, and the hive has a large population
of Italian workers. It is no difficult matter for the bees
to cut away the slightly raised wall-bases of worker-
cells on the flat-bottomed foundation, leaving the flat
septum intact, and to build thereon drone-cells. In a
cottager's skep a few weeks ago we met with a case
precisely similar, except that no foundation was given.
Here, too, the lower halves of the comb3 consisted
entirely of drone-comb, and the upper halves were well
stored with honey.

An Aged Amateur regrets that in the ' Useful
Hints' of September 1st we admit ' that no super should
be left upon the bar-frames during winter,' and also
regrets that we did not say ' why it ought not to be done.'
In the first place, 'Aged Amateur' should quote us
correctly. The whole advice on this subject consists of
a few words, viz., ' sections should be removed without
delay where neglected hitherto, and the honey extracted
from those unsealed.' The word ' winter ' is not
mentioned. However, our advice certainly is that no
sections should be allowed to remain on the hives during
winter, and for a good reason. If they contain unsealed
honey it will quickly ferment, become acidulated, and

October 13, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

458

cause dysentery. If the honey is sealed it will granulate
and become very like lumps of ice. And lastly, but by
no means the least evil, the section-case will cause dissi-
pation of the heat ascending- from the bees below, and
condensation will take place and cause the moisture to
descend upon the combs and bees, rendering the whole
damp, mouldy, and thoroughly unhealthy, and during
long and severe frost the inner sides of the case will be
covered with sheets of ice. Therefore we say, ' -Remove
your section-cases, and contract your hives for the winter,
allowing as many combs only as the bees can fairly cover,
and place over the frames woollen quilts, chaff-trays,' &c.
Again, we never use the word ' bar-frame ' or ' bar-
frame hive.' Frame and frame-hive we think amply
sufficient to describe what is meant. A frame is a frame
without the prefix bar, the meaning of which we should
be sorry to be asked to define. Bat 'Aged Anateur'
charges us, moreover, with making conflicting state-
ments— which, we suppose, means contradictory—
because we advised the removal of sections, without
delay, on September 1 ; while at the same time we
asserted that our Eastern races were collecting honey
from red clover, and wittily (witlessly?) remarks,
' If the bees were gathering the precious nectar on
the 1st September, why should not they be permitted
to deposit it in the cells prepared for that purpose ? '
Could anyone really be so simple-minded as to suppose
that we recommend the removal of sections while they
were rapidly being filled ? Like ' An Aged Amateur,'
we are on the ' down-hill of life,' but not yet, we trust,
in our dotage. So we allowed our sections to remain,
and subsequently removed manj' of them beautifully
filled with luscious nectar collected from our red clover
fields by oar Eastern races. But since, perhaps, not one
British bee-keeper in a thousand keeps the Eastern races
(and in our experience black bees do not gather nectar
from red clover), and since, owing to the long-continued
drought in most districts, there was no red clover to be
rifled of its nectar — ours being an exceptionally strong
loamy soil which retains its moisture longer than most
soils, our second crops of red clover were productive of
nectar — and since, also, the honey-flow in most districts
had ceased long before the first September, and we write
- for the masses, the beginners, and the ignorant, therefore
we advised the removal of sections on September 1,
Our contemporary, The Bee-keepers' Record, in its
current number of October 1, p. 200, remarks: 'We
hear, more often than many suppose, of surplus honey
being " still on the hives " so late as October. Why it
should be so, in the face of our constantly-repeated
advice to the contrary, we do not know, except it be
that some of our readers are too busily occupied in other
ways to pay any attention to their bees at this season.
This, it need hardly be said, is not sensible bee-keeping,
and is sure to end in failure.' So that, although we
have not practised what we preached to others, yet, in
giving the advice, we have sinned in good company.
We write thus simply to give a reason for the advice
offered to those who need it, and not from any expecta-
tion or desire of influencing skilled apiarists like the
' Aged Amateur,' who will no doubt continue to keep his
supers on the ' bar-frames ' through the winter months.

A Mouse in a Bee-Hive. — While packing hives up for
the winter at Shipley Glen, Saltaire, I came across the
skeleton of a mouse in a straw hive. The creature had
managed to creep in, but it had no sooner entered than
Mousy was stung to death, and the bees, unable to carry off
the carcass, carefully removed and conveyed outside the
hair, the skin, and flesh, leaving the skeleton neatly picked.
The parts of the mouse they could not reach were neatly
sealed with wax from the air, and there was not the least
particle of smell in the remains of the little quadruped.
— Wm. Dixon, Belmont House, Beckett Street, Leeds,
October Mh.

€axxzs$avfozrtat

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&c, must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.Q.* All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* hi order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
?i umber of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

OUR HONEF IMPORTS.

The total value of honey imported into the United
Kingdom during the month of September 1887 amounted
to 20921. (From a return furnished by the Statistical
Department H. M. Customs to E. H. Bellairs, Wingfield
House, Christchurch.)

HONEY YIELD— YOUNG QUEENS— HIVES.

[1303.] I notice in your issue of October 6th that
' Sherborne' (1300) asks me a few questions, and I will
briefly answer them. In saying that I took care to have
' young queens at the head of each colony ' I did not
mean that I had more than one queen in a hive, and
regret that I misled ' Sherborne.' He says that as I
prevent swarming and give thirty-eight or forty frames
to each hive I have ' four ordinary colonies rolled into
one enormous hive.' Of course if he expects to quad-
ruple the number of his colonies every season, and only
allows a colony ten frames, he must not expect much
surplus honey.

In reply to 'Sherborne's' question as to how many
stocks of driven bees or swarms I put into one hive,
it entirely depends upon the number of bees in each
stock or swarm. In one case this autumn I put the
driven bees from four small skeps into one ten-frame
hive, and a few days later I drove those from a very
large skep and obtained enough bees from it to cover
ten frames, and did not, therefore, unite any others to
them.

It would be only waste of winter stores to put into
one hive sufficient bees to cover forty frames as mentioned
by ' Sherborne.'

In reference to what he says about queens, I always
inquire from the owner the age of the queens, and when
driving destroy the old ones, allowing the young ones
to fight for the throne. 'Sherborne' need not have any
fear that more than one queen will be left alive when
stocks or swarms are united. He asks whether if I start
with a swarm the queen would be likely to fill with bees
a hive of forty frames the first season. I certainly think
not, but have never tried ; and he must bear in mind
that it is one thing for bees to fill a hive of forty frames
and another for them to require that number to entirely
prevent swarming and get the largest possible honey
yield.

' Sherborne 'also asks upon how many frames I winter
my bees ? As a rule ten, never less, and rarely more
than twelve. He also asks whether a stock which only
covers six frames by the middle of April, would require
forty frames at the time of the honey flow ? I should
say they would not ; but with such backward stocks one
cannot expect good results. Twelve frames at least
ought to be thickly covered with bees by the end of
April and twenty by the end of May.

The hives I employ are of two kinds — long ones with
twenty frames, upon which I place a doubling box long
enough to hold twenty more ; and short hives with
twelve frames, and two doubling boxes containing

454

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 13, 1887.

fourteen frames each. AVhen I put on doubling boxes
I always put empty combs or foundations in the lower
section of the hive, so that the bees pass them when
going in and out. It is by adopting this principle, and
very carefully shading the hives and giving a great deal
of ventilation that I have for the last four years entirely
prevented swarming. To allow the sun to strike upon
a hive in the summer is most injurious in many ways.
I have not for several years worked sections, as I have
not the necessary time, but have given my attention to
perfecting the most simple and practical plan for those
who are from home during the day to obtain the best
possible results in run honey. As to selling honey I
cannot say anything, as I give mine away, or let it be
sold at bazaars for charities, and my only object in keep-
ing half-a-dozen hives is the pleasure I derive from
studying the habits of insects, especially bees, and my
desire to induce the working classes and farmers to make
some use of the hundreds of tons of honey that are
yearly wasted for want of bees to collect it. I have had
to do with bees for about thirty years, and have, I think,
read every book upon apiculture printed in the English
language, and the more I study the question the more I
feel that we do not get anything like the best results
obtainable from our bees. I do not at all despair of ulti-
mately getting 200 lbs. of run honey per stock taking the
average of seasons, though we have no heather to give
us a second crop of honey-yielding flowers, but we must
be as careful to breed our queens from the best parents
as florists or farmers are to raise their plants or cattle
from the best obtainable strain. Until one has studied
this point one can have no idea of the enormous difference
in the quantity of surplus honey obtained from a stock,
the bees of which are the children of a really first-rate
young queen and one in which the queen is only of
average quality. — J. H. Rogers, Glyneoed, Llanelly.

RE FOUL BROOD AGAIN.
[1304.] I suppose I must reply to the ' Man of
Kent,' as he may consider me discourteous. He says
I have made a very great mistake in supposing Mr.
Simmins condescended to act on my advice, because he
cannot find one word in his communication in which he
says he has had any practical experience of foul brood
during the last twelve months, and indeed it is proved
on the evidence of Mr. Hollier that he has not experi-
enced it during the last five years. When, then, did
Mr. Simmins use the Cheshire remedy ? It was given
to the world three years ago. He must have paid me
even a greater compliment, and accepted my ipse dixit
without any other proof than is contained in Mr.
Cheshire's original observations, and written an article
giving emphatic approval and confirmation of my advice
without any trial whatever; and this, from such a
' shrewd man,' is beyond all expectation. But why
should the ' Man of Kent ' refuse to buy queens of any
breeder of queens who had been known to have foul
brood ? Does he not in the same letter tell us that it is
not a disease of the matured bee, but only of the grubs ?
And ' if the queen gets the disease, how is it that it
does not kill her?' I should have thought he would
have been anxious to prove the consistency of his argu-
ments, and rushed off to Rottingdean and said, ' I under-
stand, Mr. Simmins, you have experienced foul brood;
I want some of your queens to show how lightly I value
the popular error. Please ensure them coming from
badly diseased stocks, for I wish to prove it is only a
disease of the grubs after all.' This would have been
noble conduct on his part, it would also have proved how
to tell a diseased queen, and have given Mr. Simmins the
opportunity of expressing his regret at being unable to
comply with his request, and advising him to send off
to ' friend Ward ' for the needful queens, who doubtless
had them, although he said ho had stamped out the

disease. But like the hoy who wrote up ' No Popery !
he runs away from Mr. Simmins on the bare suspicion
of foul brood, because he sells queens, and yet he does
not believe the disease affects queens at all. It is useless
to argue with a man who disbelieves everything except
that the disease is caused through the use of bar-frame
hives, and that it can be cured by simply taking away
the combs.

I do not submit a proposition for argument, but I
state a fact, and opinions are worthless in presence of
fact. What I say now ought to have been said by
Mr. Cheshire three years ago, just as it is said by Mr.
Simmins. I go further, and say that with our present
knowledge of the disease, so long as only one diseased
queen exists in an apiary, or in a locality, the disease
cannot be kept down. I do not say an attack of
the disease cannot be cured without removing the queen,
or by other means than the Cheshire remedy, but I do
say when all other means have failed this will succeed.
I believe it is the missing link in the chain of evidence
against the fearful criminal, and it will take the ' Man
of Kent ' (or any other man) all his time to upset it.

Here are full directions for curing a diseased stock
which has defied all other means, viz., a stock with a
diseased queen : —

1st. Take out all the combs and wash the hive
with medicated syrup of the Cheshire standard, taking
care to wet every part of the inside ; then return the
combs, limiting them to the number which the bees will
cover. 2nd. Next day spray the combs well with the
syrup, shaking the bees off each comb for this purpose.
A good drenching is desirable. Do not spare the un-
sealed brood, but do the work thoroughly, keeping the
syrup off the bees. Return the combs as they are thus
treated, and cover up, not too close. 3rd. Next day
remove the queen (and send her to Mr. Cheshire), intro-
ducing a healthy one the same evening, and next morning
put on the bottle of syrup, feeding briskly at first.
After five or six days examine the combs closely, and
where the grubs have a slightly yellow and sickly
appearance, force them out with a syringe charged with
the syrup. A good one for this purpose is made of an
indiarubber ball and about two inches of a tobacco-pipe
for a nozzle. Place the end of the pipe to the cell and
squeeze vigorously. This should be repeated at intervals
of a few days until the cure is completed.

I also recommend placing a bottle of syrup on every
healthy hive in the apiary during the above operations
as a preventative of infection. Of course it is understood
that all syrup used is of the Cheshire standard.

According to my own knowledge and experience this
will ' never fail,' and I regret to say my experience of
foul brood has been very long and extensive. — Thos. F.
Ward, Church House, Highgate, 3rd October.

P.S. — I should not think of attempting the cure of
any diseased stock between September and March.

FOUL BROOD, &c.
[1305.] I am only a new subscriber to your Journa I,
but I have learnt a lot by reading it in a little time,
especially about foul brood ; I never heard of it before
taking )'our Journal. I was rather surprised when I
read the last paragraph in the 'Man of Kent's ' letter
last week, — that the fell disease is travelling in the
wake of the bar-frame hive, and it set me thinking if I
was doing a wise trick in casting away my sleeps and
taking to the bar-frames. I should like him to explain
the why and the wherefore. Does he think it is because
there is too much draught in the bar-frame ? because, if
so, nothing would be more easy than to make a bar-
frame as free from draught as a straw sleep. He cannot,
think they are too close, as no frame-hive could be closer
than an old sleep with the lop bunged up and the side
propolised fast to the floor-board. Como, friend, 'Man

October 13, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

455

of Kent,' to use your own words, I think you are on the
wrong track this time ; we shall have to look somewhere
else for the cause of foul brood. My grandfather kept
bees in wood hives, ' not bar-frames,' and he died witli-
out ever dreaming of foul brood. I should think the
disease has been imported into this country, not in bar-
frame hives, but in or on queens and their attendants.

It would be a good thing if ' Man of Kent' would try
and get the man with the diseased stocks to destroy
them, and not help to spread the disease by perhaps
selling them to a new beginner, and very likely they may
go into a district at present clear of disease ; it would
not be a very nice thing to do. I have heard it said
that a Yorkshireman would sell his stepmother if he
could make sixpence out of her, but I never heard of
one who had foul brood and tried to sell it to some one
else.

I should like to ask your numerous readers if they
have ever known of a wasp's nest being attacked with
foul brood. I took one this year that certainly con-
tained rotten brood. I wanted the larvte for my birds,
so I put on my veil and dug it out. The wasps seemed
to be very listless, and there was scarce a grub in the
nest that was not rotten, and the smell was fearful, so I
put the whole lot back and filled up the hole with
soil. Could bacillus minor be the cause of this ? —

YoBKSHIREHAN.

TAKING AWAY DISEASED QUEEN.— FOUL
BROOD.

[1306.] In reply to Mr. Ward's query as to where
he can find the statement of Mr. Cheshire's, to the effect
that a queen must be removed if infected with Bacillus
alvei ere a cure can be effected, I would refer him to
Bees and Bee-keeping , volume 2, page 567, line 11, which
reads, ' Where the queen is diseased probably no treat-
ment will be efficacious until she has been replaced. —
J. T. Habvdyson, Finchley, October 5.

THE SECRETION OF NECTAR.

[1307.] The secretion of nectar by flowers is a subject
of considerable importance and interest to bee-keepers,
and also to botanists ; but whilst the former concentrates
his interest on its production from a financial point, the
latter restricts his interest on scientific grounds. The
chemist also has something to say with respect to its
composition, hs tells us that it is starch converted into a
variety of sugar, flavoured with the aroma peculiar to
the species of flower from which it is gathered.

This conversion of starch into sugar or nectar cannot
be manufactured artificially by the chemist, as he is
unable to impart the all-important quality aroma. This
alone can be accomplished by Nature in her own grand
laboratory. The domain of Botany has charge of the
organs that produce this sugary liquid ; therefore, if we
appeal to any student in this department of science he
will gladly show us the secreting glands, which are
situated at the base of the petals or on the disk of
flowers ; he will further tell us, if we are so inquisitive,
that Nature's object in placing them so low down at the
further part of the flower is to compel her winged agents
of cross-fertilisation to more effectually perform their
important mission.

If the nectar-secreting glands were placed on the out-
side of flowers instead of the inside, cross-fertilisation,
which is so important, in fact necessary, would be re-
duced to a minimum. The varied methods — how Nature
employs her insect agents, how special flowers can only
be fertilised by special insects, how the different parts of
a flower occupy different positions, according to maturity
or age of any individual flowers — is a vast and extensive
field of inquiry.

While our bees are thus gathering us the sweets of the

earth, they are, with the same effort, unknown to them,
— and, indeed, unknown to thousands of ourselves — ac-
complishing another work, the importance of which we
could more fully appreciate if one could possess St.
Patrick's magic-wand, and banish the little innocents
from the land.

The bee-keeper, however, is most concerned about the
production of nectar, rather than the benefits his bees do
to the fruit and seed grower and to Nature. It is essen-
tially an £ s. d. question, or, at least, a good surplus per
hive with him ; he knows the exact time, within a few
days, when the queen of all honey- secreting flowers
(white clover) commences to bloom and to elaborate
material for his supers, and he has all in readiness for
the few weeks' 'honey-flow,' viz., colonies of gigantic
strength, and supers waiting to be filled. Still, it some-
times happens that even hives at this boiling point fail
to obtain more than they are able to live upon from day
to day. Many bee-keepers, too, are at a loss to know the
reason why certain high-class bee flowers fail to secrete
honey with them. Climate, soil, altitude, individually or
combined, are the great factors in determining the secre-
tion of honey without the requisite degree of moisture,
and the chemical food required by any particular plant,
—the sun might give us his warmth and light for ever
without producing the all-important nectar. I may
venturo to assert that one day's rain in early June of the
present year would have increased the general honey-
yield in England at least fifty per cent. We had most
brilliant sunshine and warm, balmy nights, but no rain,
consequently honey- yielding plants were prematurely
ripened, and, in maiy instances, the flowers were scorched
before they had time to open their buds.

In a subsequent paper I hope to give the merits of a
few plants that have been under my observation, with a
view of testing their honey values. — Hy. Dobbie, Thick-
thorn, Norwich, Oct. 7.

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS PER HIVE.
[1308.] May I venture to give my small experience
in support of Mr. Rogers' 100-lb. theory ? In 1880 I
bought a swarm, sometime about middle of June,
and put them into a hive containing fourteen frames.
When full I put on two section-boxes ; the result was
I took about sixty lbs. of honey during the season. This
year the same hive, with the aid of a doubling-box same
size as the body of the hive and without section-boxes,
has produced certainly not less than 100 lbs., and I do
not think I should be wrong to say 112 lbs. It is now
the best hive in my apiary (numbering six), having
abundance of bees and stores left for wintering. I can
say positively that there is only one queen, as there has
never been a queen-cell made in the hive. I have also a
driven lot put into hive September 1886 which has produced
sixty lbs. this season. I am only a bee-keeper of two
years' standing, so do not consider myself an authority,
but should be inclined to say that seventy-five per cent
of the hives made are too small, — R. Sutton, Buddington,
Nottingham, October 7.

HONEY BY THE HUNDREDWEIGHT (1300).

[1309. J Your correspondent ' Sherborne, Dorset,' is
evidently not yet quite ready to believe if it is possible
to get the above weight of honey from an ordinary stock
of bees in an ordinary hive. With your permission I
will give my results this season. I should perhaps say,
first, this is only my third year as a bee-keeper, therefore
I am yet but a novice. I commenced the season with
seven stooks in fairly good condition and from which I
have had three swarms. As I live nearly a mile from
my apiary I tried to prevent swarming as much as
possible, and therefore worked on the tiering principle.
Most of my hives hold twelve standard frames in the

456

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 13, 1887.

body. These I never disturb during a honey flow, and
above I worked two and in some cases three crates of
sections. On the 13th August I had taken 523 lbs. of
extracted and comb honey from my seven stocks, and
I then took them to the moors, and since they came
back have taken over 100 lbs. more from them, leaving
each hive not less than thirty lbs. to winter on. Al-
though this is not. an average of one cwt. per hive,
it will, I think, be conceded a fair average, especially
when the distance 1 am away from the bees is taken into
account. I have not the slightest doubt that a com-
petent bee-keeper residing in this locality could in an
ordinary season count upon and get 100 lbs. per hive
with as much confidence as ' J. H. Rogers.' I may add
that from my best hive (Ligurians) I have taken 118 lbs.
-C. A.

AN IRISH WASP-TRAP.
[1310.] Take an ordinary box with lid (which screw
down), cut a piece (say, eight inches long by three
inches wide) out of the front side, cover this opening
with wire gauze or glass (wire gauze is best, as it allows
smell to attract wasps) ; now make a hole in one end,
three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and insert a tube,
made either of wire gauze or perforated zinc, about six
inches long. The hole should be about six inches from
underside of lid, so as to allow the tube to incline
upwards, drive a nail under upper end of tube to prevent

*s

IIIMIIMIMMIMIMM3«a ••

MIIJIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIII
MUCH lit II 111

1 »••• t

Front side of box showing posi- End of bos showing tube inside
tion of window, covered with resting on nail,

■wire gauze on inside.

it falling down. This trap has been most successful with
me when bottles were not noticed. Insert any extracted
comb or pieces of comb inside box as a bait. Strange to
say, I have not had one single bee enter, although my
trap stands in front of hives, and is at time of writing
stocked with at least a 7-lb. swarm (?) of wasps, which
I would gladly exchange with our friend who is fond of
them for some of his bees, to replace two hives of mine
killed out by the 'yellow demons.' The same box, if
made large enough, will answer well for clearing supers
by pushing tube outside. ' Waspie ' can surely get all he
wants with a few of these, for which no patent right is
asked. — Co. Wexfohd.

CURE OF FOUL BROOD.
[1311.] I can most fully sympathise with bee-keepers
who are troubled with foul brood, and should rejoice to
hear that it was completely eradicated in every apiary
in the country. Some years ago I was troubled with it
in my apiary, and only succeeded in curing it by
destroying all my hives, section-cases, &c, and isolating
the bees. Last year it appeared again, and I determined
to try another plan, and I am happy to say that I think
it has been completely successful. The disease appeared
in two hives in June, the very height of the honey
season, when section-cases were on, and the bees seemed
full of activity. Most vexing ! What was to be done?
First of all, I placed a lump of camphor in each hive,
both infected and non-infected. This I have renewed
ever since, and imagin» that it has prevented the spread

of the disease, for it has not spread beyond those two
hives. Then I tried fumigation with thyme, but it
appeared to have no effect whatever. I then tried
fumigation with salicylic acid, fumigating the hives
thoroughly about every third evening. This seemed to
check the disease, and to cure it so far as the slightly
affected and open cells were concerned, but to leave un-
touched the very bad and closed ones. I then removed
some of the worst frames — they were very bad — and
opening all the suspicious cells of the other frames,
poured into them and around them a liberal supply
of syrup medicated with Cheshire's cure. I did this
a second time after about a week's interval, con-
tinuing also the fumigation with salicylic acid, and
soon had the satisfaction of seeing that all trace of the
disease had completely disappeared. Early this spring
I changed the hives, using the previously infected ones
after simply painting them twice with salicylic acid, but
boiling the section crates, &c. used on those hives with
strong carbolic acid. No sign of the disease has
appeared all this year, although it has existed all the
time in the immediate neighbourhood, and on a recent
examination of every frame in my hives I could not see
the slightest trace of it. I may mention that I de-
throned one of the queens, but left the other, and the
result was that the colony presided over by the new
queen was so feeble in the spring that I was obliged to
unite it to another, but the one with the old queen was
so strong that it gave me one of the largest swarms that
I have seen. I should be glad to hear whether any
other bee-keepers have tried the same plan — viz.,
Cheshire's cure, salicylic acid, fumigation, and camphor
combined, and whether it has been equally successful
with them. The disease is so vexing, disappointing, and
disastrous, that any remedy seems worth a thorough trial.

Heddon's hive has not succeeded well with me so far.
I could not induce the bees to go up through the zinc
excluder when I separated the brood-nest, except to
hatch out the brood in the upper half. Perhaps in a
better season they might have been more obliging, but
as the drought came on they got into a bad humour.

Grimshaw's Apifuge I have found most useful. It has
enabled me to discard gloves, and to handle the bees
much more comfortably. — Sussex Rector,.

THE PLATELAYER'S REPORT.

[1312.] Just a line to tell of my success this season.
In spring I commenced with fourteen stocks. Made an
artificial swarm of the whole of the flying bees of one
stock, and placed brood-combs in an upper storey on top
of another strong colony. At one time this lot was
made up of four storeys altogether — forty-two frames ;
but, unfortunately, the queen wonld persist in laying eggs
in the four centre combs throughout the whole pile, by
that means causing a vast amount of labour in securing
the harvest.

Now for results. My best hive was the Stewarton,
from which I secured 60 lbs. ; my worst, thirty-six 1-lb.
sections, — altogether from the thirteen colonies 580 lbs.,
viz., 250 sections, 270 extracted, and the 60 lbs. from
the Stewarton before mentioned. My increase in stocks
is one natural swarm, which was returned to the old
hive after having removed all the brood-combs save
two. The removed combs, nine in number, were split
up into three nuclei ; the queens hatched, and became
fertilised in due course, and are now amongst the best
stocks I have. It has been my good fortune to escape
foul brood so far. Until this autumn I had never seen
it, now it is within a half-dozen miles of me, introduced
into the neighbourhood by the beautiful Italians (not
frame-hives, perhaps 'Man of Kent' will please note).
I could give another instance of the dire disease being
given — I was going to say, perhaps sold would be better
—with a straw skep of the interesting foreigners.

October 13, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

457

Viewing the above facts, I do not feel disposed to
change my stock, like a recent correspondent. After
handling a great many stocks of bees, I do not think the
English bee is easily beaten. I know many advanced
bee-keepers advocate Eastern races, but much is in
management. To cite a case in point : An enthusiastic
bee-keeper, perhaps the owner of twenty stocks, is fired
with the ambition to outdo his bee-keeping neighbours.
He sends off for a queen of one of the fancy races. In
due course she arrives, and is introduced to the best
stock which he possesses. Every attention must be
paid to this particular hive, and often the remaining
nineteen are wholly or partially neglected. At the end
of the season the happy owner is loud in praise of the
new variety ; and no wonder, seeing one guinea was
paid for the queen, and gold must be looked after.
Season No. 2 comes round, the thing is old now, and if
you ask then how about your fancy races, where are
your Syrians, Cyprians, Camiolans, &c? echo answers,
Where are they ? At least, when I have asked such a
question that has been the experience of — Platelayer,
Ruckinge, Ashford, Kent, September 30th.

SEAM OF BEES.

[1313.] There is an expression used in last week's
B. B. J. by ' John Bull (1249) which sounds very
unfamiliar in connexion with bees. He sii3's, ' I lost
two seams of bees.' Is it already a technically common
word, or is it an adaptation of ■ John Bull's ' own ? I
should never have guessed its meaning had I not by
chance seen the Italian word so closely resembling it
when abroad this summer. It was in a high Swiss
valley, whither an Italian bee-keeper had sent up his
pile of box-hives for the in-gathering of the honey-harvest.
On every one of these boxes was'the word seme, followed
by a number, or date, or state and age of queen. This
Italian word means a seed, race, or progeny, and would
surely answer to our word stock. This, therefore, is
only a case of resemblance of words and not of deriva-
tion, 1 know, because seam meaning weight or measure,
according to Webster, has its Italian parallel in salma or
soma, and all are derived from the Greek aay/xa.

It may interest many of your readers to hear that this
new art of bee-keeping is being steadily fostered and
developed by Italians just over the borders of Switzer-
land, and genuine honey can be confidently expected to
oust the glucose mixture in a few years. — F. H., Kent.

[The meaning of the word ' seam ' as used by ' John
Bull ' is the cluster between two frames

used by
.—Ed.]

Keswick, Cumberland, Oct. 8. — After our long and beau-
tiful summer we are having a splendid autumn, up till this
morning when all the mountains were covered with snow
almost to the bottom ; I do not remember such a heavy fall
so early before. Up to the middle of the past week bees
have been doing a little, almost daily gathering some
pollen and working on borage, of which I have still a splendid
crop in full bloom. Bees in this neighbourhood have done
exceedingly well the past season by those that have adopted
the bar-frame system, but with the old system many of
them have only had a very moderate time of it. Through
their bees being so late in swarming they did not get their
hives furnished with combs before they were prevented from
doing further work through the drought ; but with those
that are working their bees on the modern principle, where
they were properly managed in the early part of the season,
they were ready to do business at the first opportunity ; that
was when fruit and other trees came into bloom. Betwixt
them and clover no time was lost. On the eve of our great
Jubilee Day I took for the first time over twenty pounds
of section honey ; this is very early for this district. After
that I took more or less almost daily till the drought put a

stop to further labour. All then came to a standstill for at
least three weeks. In some hives breeding was almost stopped
owing to the food supply being closed. Heather came
into bloom before July was out ; I was then able to reap a
second harvest of over one hundred pounds, besides a number
of unfinished sections. The weather broke long before the
heather was exhausted. I might have done much better
if I had taken my bees to the heather. As it is they have
to make a flight of close on two miles. These long flights
I find are very injurious to the bees, as they diminish in
numbers daily, so much so, at the close of the season there
are far too few to go into winter quarters. — B. Philipson.

Stocket, Aberdeen, Oct. 7. — The season has been, although
short, very good. The flow commenced in the early part of
June and ended on 2nd July. My highest record is 74 lbs.
extracted, and next 68 lbs. principally sections. My average
is 45 lbs. per stock. Honey has been very cheap this year.
For extracted I have got 6d. and Id. per lb. , and for sections
Id. and 8d. Extracted honey demands the readier sale, and
with so little difference in price is more profitable than
sections. The honey is not of such good quality as last
year, as the flow began earlier, so that the clover was mixed
with sycamore and fruit blossom. — A. Cadenhead.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon'
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, aeries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

S. White Granulated Honey. — The reason of your honey

becoming candied was extracting it before it was ripe.
It is always best to extract none but sealed combs, unless
it is ripened artificially, and even then the honey loses its
aroma and fine flavour. A low temperature will cause
any honey to congeal, and there is positively no difference
in the tendency to granulation between skep honey and
that in frame-hives, whether it be taken by murderous
brimstone or by the extractor, so we hope you will not
return to the murder system.

H. G. Stukges — Foreign Bees. — Scattered throughout the
pages of past volumes of the B. B. J. will be found the
fullest information respecting the foreign races of bees
which have been introduced into this country, but there
is no work or pamphlet which treats entirely on this
subject. Mr. Blow's pamphlet, entitled Among the Queen
Raisers, may give you some information. The races
most cultivated here are Italians, Cyprians, Syrians, and
Carniolans ; but the opinions as to their merits differ
widely, even amongst the most practical and skilled
apiarists. The palm, however, is generally awarded to
the Italians for ' all-round ' qualities. The Cyprians are
very prolific and excellent workers, and the Carniolans
have come very much into favour of late.

G. G. — Heating Honey. — Submitting honey to a tem-
perature of 150° or 200° Fahr. will generally prevent
subsequent granulation, but it destroys the rich natural
flavour and aroma of the honey. When honey has
granulated in the comb the application of heat is the
only way to liquefy it. We do not think there would be
a large sale in this country for Professor Cook's heating
apparatus.

H. B. — Ventilation.— During the two previous winters the
use of enamelled cloth over the frames has been well
tested, and in the spring when the hives so treated were
examined the bees were found perfectly healthy, and the
hives free from damp or mould. Upward ventilation,
though advised by many apiarists, appears to be in
opposition to the instinct of the bee, seeing the use of
propolis prevents it. In using the enamelled cloth, the
summer entrances are left open the full width.

S. J. Stevens. — Foul Brood. — This disease is caused by a
bacillus, to which has been given the name of Bacillus
alvei. It is not only a disease of the brood, but of the
mature bees, and sometimes of the queen. When the
cells are examined they will be found indented and
pierced, and containing a putrid, sticky, coffee-coloured
substance, which sends forth a most disagreeable smell,

458

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 13, 1887.

■which may be perceived at some distance from the hive.
The disease is most infectious, and it is the worst the bee-
keeper has to contend against. It requires all the bee-
keeper's attention to eradicate it and prevent its future
appearance. Many bee-keepers stamp it out by the
destruction of hives, frames, bees, &c, infected. For the
various proposed modes of curing foul brood, refer to
Cowan's Guide Book, pp. 138, 139. We insert a wood-
engraving, which may assist you in recognising it :

ififii

MM

H. C. — The comb is decidedly affected with foul brood —
bacillus alvei. If the queens are from the diseased stock I
should be greatly obliged by them, but they would be of
service in any case. — F. C.

W. M. — The queen, much dried and somewhat crushed, is
not in favourable condition for determining the points
asked, but clearly she is young, and apparently a
' black.'— F. C.

A. J. B. — Bacillus alvci of the usual type. — F. C,

J, Davies, Pwllheli. — Feeding, — Put thick thatch on the
roof, see that it is fastened securely. Try the syrup as
suggested, but put small sticks on the muslin as an
additional safeguard. It would be advisable to give them
a cake of candy in any convenient vessel. For the other
thirteen try syrup as long as the weather remains open.
Pack them close and warm. The less cold they have to
combat against, the less food they require. Put one or
two cakes of candy under the quilt ; it was recently de-
scribed in this Journal. If they are short of stores, re-
plenish candy at the earliest period the weather will
allow of. Give flour-candy in the spring to encourage
early breeding.

Excelsior. — If we inserted your letter in the Journal we
should have preferred seeing your signature attached to
it, and not a now. dc plume. We consider the old
Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Association to be defunct, and
we should rejoice with you to see a flourishing Associa-
tion in a county where ' honey can be stored by the cwt.'
As to the matter of personal pecuniary responsibility this
should be settled by those locally interested in it.

Ignoramus. — Feeding. — See reply to J, Davies.

Subscriber. — The piece of comb forwarded Is badly affected
with foul brood. Eefer to the communications of ' T. F.
Ward ' and ' Sussex Hector ' in this issue.

A Constant Beader. — There ought to be from twenty
to twenty - five pounds of food to last the bees Until
the return of Spring. — The feeding should be discon-
tinued as early as possible. — The arrangement suggested
for the position of frames during winter can be adopted.

pESusineas ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 250a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Bajcek, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, G George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Bubtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester,

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. E., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Kegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G„ Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Kegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn,

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin,

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St,

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

NOTICE.
The British Bee Journal is published by Kent & Co., 23 Paternoster
Row, and may be obtained of all local Booksellers, and of tie fol-
lowing Agents : —

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDREU, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Herts. '

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DURRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford.

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON, A. B., Brlckhall, Ballywoolen, Killy.
leagh.Co. Down.

McNALLY, R., Glenluco, N.B.

MEADHAM. M., Huntington, Hereford.

NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and
127 High Holborn, London.

OVERTON, C. Ty Crawley. Sussex.

REDSHAW, C, Canal St., South Wigston. Leicester.

RICE, J. Jm Wensum Street, Norwich.

RDDKLN, F., Belton, Uppingham.

SMITH & SON, 186 Strand, London; and at all Rail-
way Bookstalls.

WITHLNSHAW, A.. Newcastle, Staffordshire.

WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading,

WREN, L., 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkangeways' Pkintino Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 278. Vol. XV.]

OCTOBER 20, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

€tntaxmlf ^atuzs, $t.

THE FLAVOURS OP HONEY.

We are frequently asked to say what plant honey
has been gathered from which bears some peculiar
pronounced flavour, sometimes agreeable, sometimes
the reverse ; at times so intensely sweet as almost
to be objectionable, or so bitter as to be compared
to marmalade made from Seville oranges.

Sometimes this is no light task when we remem-
ber how easily in chemistry, by almost infinitesimal
additions, the taste, smell, and other distinguishing-
characteristics of various substances, may be totally
altered. Simple degrees of intensity even will do
this. Nearly every disagreeable odour if sufficiently
attenuated or diluted is thus rendered agreeable,
or at least its objectionableness is removed ; and,
per contra, if we concentrate or condense almost
any delightful odour we have, it is at once robbed
of its charm and produces in all probability only a
feeling of disgust. Poisons diluted become our
most valuable medicines, and our concentrated
plant essences become most virulent deadly poisons.

These arguments apply equally to odour and
flavour, taste and smell. We know some of the
most bewitching perfumes to us are an abomina-
tion to some other animals, and that they are
attracted by the (to them) delicious exhalations
from what is (to us) only abominable carrion.

We cannot, somehow, divest our minds of the
fact that taste and odour are as one, for it is rare
indeed to find them part company. In nine cases
out of ten, what a substance tastes of it smells of,
and vice versd. Besides, the organs of taste and
smell if not precisely (as we believe them) one and
the same, are so similar and sympathetic that if
one be disordered the other is also : in cases of
catarrh the taste and smell sense is inactive and do
not return until the trouble shows signs of passing
away.

The dictum that we possess the five senses dis-
tinct as such, must now be taken cum, grano.

The chemistry that is worked out in the dark
little laboratory of the bee is even now nearly a
hidden science in spite of the rapid strides made in
recent years by our analysts in deciding what are
the various changes undergone by its saccharine
contents from the time it is gathered as nectar
from the flower, to its crystallisation beneath the

capping of the ripened store. Cane sugar converted
into grape sugar ; nectar into glucose ; dextrose
v. levulose ; these do not touch in any way the
most important point of all, that quality which
gives to houey its characteristic charm and enables
us to distinguish the honey-jar from the treacle-
pot, which makes our honey a wholesome, tooth-
some delicacy of direct service as a medicine as
well as a food (not unlike tomatoes amongst escu-
lents) ; in effect, the only quality which gives it
the stamp as ' food for the gods.' Honey ceases to
be such when its flavour is gone. Take oxygen
from the atmosphere, and, to our mind, you symbo-
lise the gap made in honey by robbing it of flavour.
Nectar is scented by the chemistry of the plant-
cell, and this distinctive aroma is preserved by the
chemistry of the bee in the honey-cell. We thus
obtain large quantities of honey having an unmis-
takable sign of its origin in its flavour, its taste
and smell; but only is this the case where flowers
bloom in such preponderating profusion of one
single species, as are instanced by the clover of
June and July, or the heather of August and
September.

In the earlier and later seasons there is a
gathering from ' all the flowers,' and then our
honey has simply that peculiar ' twang ' (on the
palate, we erroneously say) which brands it as
honey and not syrup.

If we, with our coarse methods, could but have
twenty or thirty thousand messengers, each one
bringing in the usual bee-load (one-third of a drop),
each load being gathered, as bees do gather, from
one kind of flower only, for ripening, keeping, and
other chemical reasons — other insects, which do not
lay by stores for winter, are not so particular —
and, it may be, perhaps from a dozen different
kinds of flowers by the bees of the same stock, we
should get the common and usual flavour of
honey, i.e. the mixed perfumes of flora.

If chemistry did not appear to us ignorant
mortals as a fickle, inconstant science, full of
surprises where constancy and regularity are ex-
pected, the perfumer could provide us with the
' triple extrait ' of honey quite easily were that ' a
consummation devoutly to be wished,' though those
who used such scent would perhaps have more
attention paid them than agreeable, by our bees,
especially when in country residence.

Now, let one class of flower in bloom even

460

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 20, 1887.

sljghtly predominate in the neighbourhood of an
ap iary, and the basis flavour is at once so altered
that the honey acquires a taste in which even the
predominating component cannot bo recognised by
our comparatively coarse faculties, and it is only as
this particular component becomes proportionately
excessive that the flavour and source of the honey
can be recognised.

If half-filled sections of clover honey be filled up
at the heather, we obtain a honey quite distinct
and superior to that of either of the components.
When cells filled with clover, and others with haw-
thorn, are extracted (for we believe there is yet
a distinction kept, i.e., it is not stored pro-
miscuously), the mixture gives us quite a new
sensation. And so it is through all the many
changes and combinations which may be rung on
our flower-bells ad infinitum, quite new and mar-
vellous taste-puzzles are elaborated. Let any
strong permeating perfume be introduced, such as
peppermint or thyme, and even the all-discrimin-
atjug bee would be puzzled to tell the origin of the
honey, let alone the palate of the honey-editor. Let
us remember, first, that the smell of a flower is the
taste of the nectar and of the honey in nearly
every case, and that there is as stringent and
aocurate a law in the effects produced by mixing
these as in the mixing of oxygen and carbon into a
poisonous gas, oxygen and hydrogen into wator, or
oxygen and nitrogen into air. Harmonious com-
binations are mado by the musician according to
well-known laws ; they are made by the artist by
similar rules, and the perfumer still, according to
the same theory, blends primary bases into
secondary and tertiary compounds, which are
totally distinct from their separate component
parts, these being unrecognisable. So with our
honey and bees. It may be that as we now have
bee-gardens kept distinct for the raising of separate
varieties of bees, we may in time, by judicious
selection and cross-breeding, arrive at a bee of all-
round excellence, an early-and-late working race,
a good breeder and winterer, having little disposi-
tion to sting. We may have fields planted with
bee-flowers, coming successively into bloom (with
the accuracy of the floral clock which enabled
our botanical forefathers to tell the hour of the
day), from which we may obtain honey of dis-
tinctive prononce flavour, and blend these at our
pleasure.

A VISIT ON BEE BUSINESS IN MID WALES.
An invitation from the leading bee-keepers in the
districts of Caersws, Glanyrajon, Glanclywedog, Llanid-
loes, and Tref Eglwys, in Montgomeryshire, gave me
an opportunity to see for myself how bees and bee-
men pursued their business iu Wales. I left Holme
Apiary on Monday, August 22nd, en route for Llanidloes,
vid Rugby, Lichfield, and Shrewsbury. From the latter
placo our speed of travel slackened. Slowly as we
travelled, even so the shadow of night was falling ; and
it was but the outline of hill-tops, gleams of lamplight
from elevated houses, with now and then the bark of
the shepherd dog, which told us we were in the midst
of Welsh homes, hills, and sconery. Our changing placo
for Llanidloes was Moat Lano End Junction ; but my
Welsh companions, when queried as to changing place,

conveyed the intelligence to me, — 'You change at Mortal
End, sir ! ' 'I judge we do 1 ' was my remark ; ' but to
near the " mortal end" so well and strong, amid such
company, and the prospect of continuing one's journey
with bees to boot, is what I had never hoped for,' This
caused some merriment, and made a north-country
fellow-passenger feel he knew me a bit ; and didn't we
begin bees in earnest ? When Moat Lane was reached,
then in all probability the Mortal End _ of our bee-
chat ended, as he changed for one direction and I for
another.

At Llanidloes I was soon under the hospitable shelter
of friend Roberts's roof-tree, and after a frugal meal I
took me to rest. 'Up with the lark in the morning,'
and I had a chance from my elevated bedroom to look
out into the street below and from thence to the hill-
sides ; but here I felt my vision sadly imprisoned, inso-
much that I sat me down and wrote to the ' best queen'
in Holme of my safe arrival, and said that I felt in a
great big hole, with but a few houses and people to
keep me company. Breakfasting, I was serenaded, first
with vocal, and then with instrumental music by wander-
ing minstrels. The vocal from two male persons, whose
voices, like their stature, were of great capacity, and from
the hollow soimds there appeared but little inside either.
My heart was good to give the men a meal, if only to
get a little better music ; but the time had arrived for
my departure, by pony trap, to Tref Eglwys. The road
thither took us over a hill-top ere we gained much
distance on our journey. When on the summit it struck
me, 'Aren't these Welsh bees mountaineers indeed?'
and when I saw their products on the show tables of
Caersws and Llanidloes, and again in the apiary of Mr.
Nicholas Bennett, of Glanyrafon (here handling the
natives), I was convinced that for vigour and fit and
finish of work, the black bee of Wales can hold, its
own against all comers. As, too, the bees in this apiary
have a history of two centuries, as also have others I
know of, how much does it speak for crossing and inter-
changing blood by art in bees when natural laws have
handed down in these districts Dame Nature's faultless
work ?

But here I must stay, or I shall find myself on the
hill-top of controversy, and forget Llanidloes hills. Here
the pines gave a fragrance to the morning air, and the
remembrance of the puny hills of Huntingdonshire pro-
voked a strange contrast with the vision before me.

Arriving at Tref Eglwys, our friend Mr. T. Bonner
Chambers was out to meet and give a hearty welcome.
Having refreshed the inner man we drove to see bee
friends at Caersws, and give a look at the apiaries of
Messrs. Francis and Evans. Here, in both, the sad
mistake of bar-frames crossing hive entrances was ap-
parent.

Caersws (once the site of castles) lies in as fine and
fertile a valley as ever Welsh hills could surround. Here
the bee can roam and find a meal, and man can roam
also until he wants one. Does he choose he can fill his
mind with knowledge, inspecting earthworks and trench-
excavations, wrought by Roman warriors, now in the
sleep of death, maybe beneath one's very feet. Night
found us back to Tref Eglwys, and early next morning
we were on our way to Llanidloes show. Here our bee
tent (an ordinary one) was pitched for the company, and
the bee-man and his charge had but the canopy of
heaven for a covering, his inside audience seeing how
things were going on through the partly-netted outside
walls of the tent. I say inside audience, for no sooner
had bee-driving commenced than many boys were
crowding around, evidently feeling that the nearer the
beeman the more secure they would be. Didn't I feel
grateful that in the shape of large, heavy boots I was
bearing more leather than necessary without that of the
boys; still these boys gave strong hope of many a Welsh
beo-inastor, and best proof of the genuineness of our pro-

October 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

4G1

ceedings, for the suspicious look which many an elder
betrayed as to ' doctoring ' and 'mystic' salve was dis-
pelled when the bees on wing paid each and all outside
a friendly visit. It was amusing to see the lads look at
me ere they ventured to give the bee his ' removal order '
from the tip of their ear, nose, or chin, evidently feeling
that the finger of removal was more in danger than the
part the bee was parading. Gradually the timidity of
men folk, — aye, and of women too, was broken, and the
hot tent soon emptying, friends Humphreys and Jones
were manipulating and your humble servant talking
bees (not spelling bees this time) to a host of persons
in the very same tent where Noah caught the bee he
introduced to his specimen house of all creation.

The honey exhibited, as before noted, was of a very
high class, the sections of Mr. T. B. Chambers especially
so. The run honeys were extremely good, and deserving
of particular notice were those of Miss Amy Koberts
and of Messrs. Humphreys and Jones. This latter reminds
me of the good old Welsh name and its many bearers,
and how from using it I felt I was about to be lawlessly
mobbed ! Wanting help with a hive I sang out to the
last-named gentleman, 'Mr. Jones, please give me a lift!'
A stirring of the air caused me to look up from my
stooping posture, and, behold ! some fourteen or fifteen
able-bodied men were confronting me. ' Sure, men, and
what is it troubles you ? ' I greeted them ; when my
apprehensions were relieved by one Mr. Jones Evans
saying : 'All right, Mr. Howard, you have all the Joneses
of these hill-sides to pick from ! ' There being little to
choose, I took the first Jones to hand, and, fulfilling my
request, returned to the fold, and I heartily thanked
them all for their prompt attention. The day passed
off in goodwill and general happiness, the competing
choirs and all were tuneful, save, perhaps, a slide
trombone in the brass band. This operator evidently
must have plugged his ears for the occasion, or his head
would have felt as mine did, about to receive the last
screw-up from the Raitt honey-press. Still do not let
me convey the idea that the Welsh are unmusical ; far
from it. Here, without accompaniment, I heard mixed
choirs, and choirs of men voices only, give forth earth's
sweetest melodies. At early morn, and nightfall too, it
was charming to hear from sons of toil, plaintive as
well as joyous, concerted strains, given forth from many
a vale.

The Llanidloes show over, our return to Tref Eglwys
was uneventful, save from the fact, as Pat would say,
' Down these hills it is impossible to ride in an empty
cart.' From this you may gather that in Wales,
what with the up-and-down hill, a five-mile drive
means a combination of walk and ride. Around
Llanidloes, indeed (the highest town in Wales), the
former is far preferable. Thursday was spent in visiting
many apiaries, all of which were capable of improve-
ment. Still, I prophesy that when the Jones family
get well and truly practised in modern apiculture, even
our Cheshire veterans may haul down their flag at
Colonial and national competitions.

On Friday I. attended Caersws show, where every-
thing in horticulture from a tiny cork-bound carrot to
the choicest orchid; in ' Canine culture,' from a ten-ounce
pet to one of Hcwt.; in apiculture, from the queen-
bee's egg to the grandest sectional honey, and many a
promising beeman was to be seen.

As the brass band here was more attuned, so were
my bee thoughts, and as a consequence I felt more
satisfied with the lecture which I gave. My remarks
were well kept in mind by my audience ; I was freely
questioned, and I think a lasting impression and good
results inevitable. Friends Humphreys and Jones here
found me out, and as we took up the skep hives sent
for manipulation, some of the contents came out sharp
end first apparently, and as friend Jones removed one
morsel, which was doing the ' Channel Tunnel' down

his shirt-collar, he remarked, ' They have picked them
for us to-day, Mr. Howard.' However, the carbolic
spray and a feed of syrup soon brought peace to the
troubled world, causing one who had not seen the
quieting process to ask in what manner bees were
trained to this performance. The place of the Observa-
tory hive at this show was the scene near which many
a quaint idea of bees was to be heard. For example,
said one man, ' Now here be the ones (workers) which
blows thems' eggs. This one (the drone) blows his
eggs, but the one which blows the queen's eggs my old
woman or I has ne'er seen yet.' Again, quietly, and the
two alone, one lady remarks to the other, ' Lizzy, if
here aint bees spinning honey ! ' The exhibits were here
much a repetition of those at Llanidloes, but, as usual,
dissatisfaction was given in the judging to one or more
who were the unhappy possessors of beautifully clarified
and coloured honey, but which could not score one point
for consistency. Much credit is due to Messrs. Francis
and Jones, of Caersws, for giving their time and services
in making the honey and bee departments a grand
success.

Tref Eglwys being my centre, we (Mr. and Mrs.
Chambers and I) homeward turned, and on Saturday
morning we made our way to the apiary of Mr. Nicholas
Bennett, J.P., at Glanyrafon. Here the bees have a
history which many a house would be proud of. These
bees have conserved all their good old ways — aye, and
their bad ones too — but (which is rapidly going on) the
introduction of them to bar-framed castles may give
them more respect for the feelings of others. Heather
honey was being freely gathered by these bees, each hill
abounding far and near with this valuable late secreting
bee-pasture.

At Glanyrafon the day was well and profitably
spent, and was crowned with the hospitality ever and
anon shown me by all. I am shy at telling the small
hours at which we took our departure from our noble
host, but suffice it to say we were not prevented at-
tending Church services morning and evening. One
service was in my mother tongue ; the other in that of
Brother Jones. The latter to me was none too edifying,
but set me wondering how the parson kept his teeth
when uttering such language.

Monday morning brought with it a letter from my
' best queen ' calling me homeward, and I had to dis-
regard much persuasion and entreaty to stay yet
longer. I shall, however, bear in mind for many a day
to come a visit on bee business in Mid Wales. — John
Howard, Holme, near Peterborough.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
Standard Hive.

At the meeting of the Committee on the 4th inst.
it was resolved that the standard hive of the Irish
Bee-keepers' Association should follow the description
given below. It was also resolved that any Dublin hive-
maker constructing hives on this pattern, and under-
taking to do so under the official supervision of members
of the Committee, be entitled to style himself Hive-
maker to the Irish Bee-keepers' Association. The limi-
tation to Dublin is necessary in order to make the
supervision above-mentioned practicable.

Description of the Standard Hive. — (A large portion
of this description had previously been approved and
appeared in the B.B.J, for July 14.) The length of
top-bar to be 16 in. out to out, width g in., thickness
f in., sides jx j in., outside measurement of frame
8J x 14 in. The top-bar of the frame to be what is
known as open-ended, with screw-distance keeper 1 in.
in length, and T5jj- in. across the eye, outside measure-
ments, the eye screws to be inserted immediately over
side-bars. The runners to be of hard wood, not exceeding
i\ in, bearing. The hive to be 22 in, long, 14-i in

462

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 20, 1887.

wide, and 9g in. deep from top of frame to floor-board
inside. Walls, if single, to be of f in. wood, with a
strip of wood at the top to cover the ends of the frames,
and 10& in. deep. If double, these details may be varied
where necessary. The floor to be of 1-in. timber, planed

€axxz8$mxbmttt

End Section.

on both sides, nailed to rabbet in the sides, and, if joined,
to be tongued and grooved. The roof to be sufficiently
deep to admit of a second tier of frames being placed
over the brood-frames. The hive to be sent out with
one layer of canvas, two layers of jute carpeting, and
two layers of flannel, or their equivalent, and to be
supplied with one close-fitting division-board. The door
to be 9 in. wide, and fitted with effective entrance slides.

Side Elevation. Scale, 1 inch to the foot.

Peculiarly-Shaped Cells. — We bave now before us
about one dozen different specimens of comb that have
been cut out. These vary in size from four inches square
to half the size of an ordinary comb. In these pieces there
are a large number of cells of almost every imaginable
shape, some oblong, a few hexagonal, and some V-shaped;
some have three sides, the ordinary hexagonal shape, the
other three made with two forming a V running off to a
sharp point ; some are formed somewhat like a V. then
others are as perfectly square as the bees could make them,
and not a few are triangular ; some are five-sided, some
are nearly round, some heart-shaped, in fact we could
hardly think of a shape that might not be found in some of
the pieces. The square cells are in perfect rows two inches
in width, and six or more in length, nearly all perfectly
square. Most of these different cells had brood in them,
and we have not been able to detect any difference between
he bees hatched in these peculiar-shaped cells and those
hutched in the ordinary ones. — Canadian Ben Journal.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must 6e addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Sfrangeieays and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.' All business communications relating to .Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, iaugs Laugtey, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD STOCK ?

[1314.] One and all are interested in this question,
and many will be glad to know what a really genuine
colony should be, as well as how to obtain such.
Considering that you keep bees solely for the pro-
duction of honey, it is understood that you desire only
strong stocks, and also must be aware that to make
bees pay, your stocks must all be in good condition.
In a general way this is obtained, (1), by keeping only
young queens ; (2), by uniting in the autumn ; (3), by
supplying any deficiency of stores soon after surplus
receptacles are removed ; (4), warm covering above the
frames at all times ; and lastly, thorough ventilation in>
winter without draught through the brood-nest. Here
we have the whole question in a nutshell, but a few
remarks upon each subject may be found interesting.

Young Queens. — Many object to the trouble of
changing queens, and consider it unnecessary ; but their
reasoning is influenced by the thought of that little
trouble, for, as a matter of fact, stocks can only be kept
in generally good condition year after year by the help
of young queens. A queen is the life and soul of the
hive, and those colonies only do well that are in possession
of a queen all the time, but that stock does best which
has a young one, as the bees partake of her own energy
and do better in consequence. Mr. Cowan and others
have long shown the necessity of deposing queens that
have worked two seasons, but I prefer to keep them
only one year. The best results will always be found
with queens raised at the end of July, superseding them
in August of the following year. Such queens carry
their colonies through winter and build up in spring-
in a manner that is perfectly astonishing, "ioung
queens do not breed after September unless the manner
of feeding is at fault.

Uniting in Autumn. — This is far better than waiting till
spring, as little good can then be done with weak colonies
still further reduced by the cold of winter. A good
queen at the head of a strong colony in autumn will
give a stock the following spring worth half-a-dozen
weaker lots. Instead of being reduced in number the
opening of the new season will find her colony even
stronger than before winter ; whereas, instead of the
apiarist uniting by twos in autumn, if left till spring,
some of the weaker lots will have died out, while a
larger number will have to be united. It need hardly
be stated that young queens should be reserved in
preference to those older, and in any case of uniting
fighting seldom occurs if the condemned queens are
removed the day before the union takes place. In any
case all but the one queen should be first removed.

Deficiency of Stores. — When supers are removed very
often the bees have little left below. They have plenty
of brood, and this is the time to give what more food
will be wanted, so that enough more young bees will be
produced to compensate for the consequent exhaustion.
Do not by any means wait till the bees, finding them-
selves running short of food, cease breeding, or the wear
and tear caused by late storing will be very detrimental.

October 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

463

Warm Covering. — It is most important that the
frames be carefully covered with warm material at all
times, or the development of the brood-nest will be
seriously retarded, and the first batches of brood gener-
ally produced from the turn of days, so necessary to
give the colony a good start, will be found wanting.

Ventilation in Winter. — This matter is of the first
importance, though too frequently omitted. Thorough
ventilation can be provided in several ways, but what-
ever plan may be followed it is imperative that there
be plenty of room below the frames, as I have pointed
out upon former occasions. For my own part I prefer
a deep comb, or, with the standard frame, an empty
chamber under the stock hive. A space of § in. between
the floor-board and bottom rail of the frames is little
enough, but a circular hole of 2-in. diameter provided in
the centre of the floor-board will be found very beneficial.
Failing this, an extra shallow rim can be placed under
the hive, or strips of wood may be placed under the
frame ends, giving a clear space below that all refuse,
dead bees, &c, may fall away from the combs, giving a
free passage for bees and fresh air. Where porous
covering is preferred above the frames, giving a gradual
change of air, the entrance may be small, but with non-
porous clothing the flight-hole must be at least sis
inches wide for very strong colonies, otherwise the
excess of moisture cannot be disposed of. Where the
form of the hive permits, I have found no better way
for giving a thorough change of ah- than the following :
Place all the combs (with bees) at the end furthest from
the entrance, with or without a dummy on that side
next the vacant space ; but if the dummy is used, it must
not be tight-fitting, and should hang just as an ordinary
frame. Cover the frames with warm material, porous
or otherwise, and let there be a clear, open space from
the entrance to the roof. Here we have a thorough
change of air in front of, but not through, the brood-
nest, and not a particle of mildew is ever found upon
the combs.

A colony to be really profitable should cover not
less than ten frames in August, having had a succession
of young bees throughout the season, and, if required,
its full compliment of food given before breeding de-
clines, with a young|queen from good stock supplied early
in the above month. To be on the safe side, the novice
cannot do better than put all his colonies in this con-
dition during August, uniting where necessai'y to gain
the required strength. Do not say that you cannot
afford to thus reduce your stock ; you certainly cannot
afford to do otherwise. — Sam, Simmins.

RE FOUL BBOOD.
[1315.] I am much obliged to Mr. Harveyson for
pointing out the passage in Mr. Cheshire's new book, but
as I have not yet seen that book it could hardly be said
I had overlooked the fact, and as the whole subject has
special reference to what Mr. Cheshire advised three
years ago I do not exactly see the force of the remark ;
still it is gratifying to know Mr. Cheshire at last advises
a timely removal of the queen whenever there is reason-
able ground for believing her to be infected, which I
consider is always the case, and as this was the only
cloudy part of his advice in August, 1884, since which
time the disease has spread in every direction. I hope
the future will not find us looking for more ' reasonable
ground ' than the very fact of the disease being present
supplies, but at once and immediately requeening as a
first step to effecting a speedy and certain cure. —
Thomas F. Wabd, Church House, Highgate, October 15.

EXTRACTING FROM BROOD-COMBS.
[1316.] The position taken up by Mr. Boyes, that it
is not advisable to extract from combs containing brood,

is a perfectly tenable one. He says hy doing so we get
what we certainly do not want — our honey contaminated
with a thin watery substance which flies out readier than
honey, this stuff being brood-food. Yet, in my opinion,
he is entirely wrong in giving manure-heaps, stagnant
ponds, the sides of sewers, &c, as the sources whence
bees obtain this substance. Let us compose and console
ourselves with the knowledge that if our bees gathered
by the pouch-full such chemicals as are there found,
they would, in all probability, die ere they reached home,
let alone stored it. To ascertain that they cannot bear
it in bulk, let any one wet a part of the hand with it
and then approach the hand to a hive-door, and if he
wants a few cheap stings he will not be sent empty
away.

Mr. W. B. Webster is ' warm ' (as we used to say at
guessing games) when he suggests the bees' presence at
manure-heaps is accounted for by them requiring hippuric
acid for use in honey conversion, this acid being there in
plenty. This is very near, if not a portion of, the true
solution of the question. If the bee fed on starch
granules, it might go in for storing crystals of hippuric
acid, somewhat after the dry-sugar feeding principle.
Uric acid might be a better term, seeing that uric is
found in animal, and hippuric in human liquid excreta ;
thus, so to speak, reversing their ordinary positions. If
these acids be revolting to contemplate, I may say they
can both be artificially made by the chemist. Hippuric
will be secreted by all animals which have benzoic acid
given them — benzoic, the ancient product of the fragrant
aromatic gum-benzoic ; benzoic, from which is prepared
the delightful essence of bitter almonds, so much used
for flavouring. There should be nothing repulsive or
objectionable in contemplating these two acids, nor even
the manure-heap or sewer-drain itself, so long as such a
view remains imaginative, especially when I remind you
that our fathers had to trust to the excrements of the
camel for the ammonia they required in medicine, — the
almost indispensable ammonia, — and that the sources
whence musk and civet are obtained are still more
objectionable. Again, when the liquid portion of manure
is left to itself a certain bacterium {Micrococcus urea,
Pasteur) sets up ammoniacal fermentation, this resulting
in urea changing its form into carbonate of ammonia,
one of the most valuable of medicines. Let us then,
figuratively, approach the manure -heap without any
feeling of disgust, and recognise in it a storehouse of
essential elements required for plant-life, and readily
transposed by them into food for man. It is rich in pure
chemicals, which are only offensive when in an aggregate
or conglomerate form, such as nitrates, phosphates, sul-
phates, and alkalies. We no more expect bees to carry
quantities of liquid manure into their hives (and they do
not), than we expect the 'maters' of the mammalia to
fill their stomachs with salt, chemicals, or medicine,
storing the same, and feeding their young upon it.

When we reflect that the honey-bee does not waste
the contents of superfluous eggs laid by the mother-bee,
and also stores aphidian honey — ourselves also eating
with relish those omnivorous cannibals, the duck and
pig, refraining at the same timefrom examining minutely
the ripe cheese, pate de foie gras, caviare, venison, or
game — we ought not to be prudish if our bees visit their
chemists' shops, and occasionally the stagnant pool. Let
us think a little about the origin of the innocent egg and
harmless milk (which is a most ready vehicle for zymotic
germs), and our honey is purity itself by comparison.
Examine the action of Torula cerevisice (yeast), in the
preparation of the staff of life, and we recoil ; dig up
celery, or onions, gather mushrooms at dusk, and the
phosphorescent manure sends apparently living, gleaming
threads in all directions, these do not increase our
appetite for the food. Why the very vegetables abso-
lutely taste of some manures, and these have to be
avoided by the gardener. Examine your lettuce and

461

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 20, 1887.

watercress under the band magnifier, and you will 'pass,'
—as Mark Twain did.

Now animals (bees as well as men) require a series of
salts aud chemicals, to be used in assimilating nutritious
substances, amongst which may be named salts of potash,
soda, lime, magnesia, iron, manganese, gum, pectin,
sugar, substances analogous to fibrin, albumen, and
gelatine ; phosphoric, acetic, sulphuric, hydrochloric, and
fluoric acids, and others. Honey itself* contains,
besides sugar, gum, wax, mucilage, extractive matters,
acids, and peculiar flavours. Mr. Cheshire tells us: —
' Honey under natural conditions in the hive always con-
tains nitrogenous matter in small amount, or is associated
with it ; but when honey is replaced by sugar, pure and
simple, the absolute absence of albuminoids affects the
bee prejudicially ; ' he truly adds that the arrangement
of nature is the right one. Trouessart also says : — ' In
animals, gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal digestion,
together with other changes connected with nutrition
and assimilation, which take place in the blood and in
all the organs, may be considered as true fermentations.'
Pasteur follows this up by laying down the law that
' three things are necessary for the development of the
ferment — nitrogen in a soluble condition, phosphoric
acid, and a hydrocarbon capable of fermentation (such as
grape sugar),' Otto Hehner, the analyst of our Asso-
ciation, informs us that the bee requires water, nitro-
genous matters, mineral substances, and carbonaceous
materials, for the sustenance and growth of its body.
How then are we to expect it to keep itself healthy and
thriving, — how, indeed, is it to live at all, if we wish to
prohibit it (supposing we could) from taking up such
chemical substances as are necessary to it, guided as it is
by a never-failing hand into unerring accuracy ? Such
infinitesimal quantities taken from nature's laboratory,
depend upon it, are practically purs and totally in-
appreciable to us.

We presume that by the aid of an alkaline salivary
secretion the bee converts nectar into honey ; can we
then deny its access to alkalies ? How, again, is it to
elaborate the brood-food and the so-called royal jelly, if
we refuse it the necessary sulphates, phosphates, and
nitrates ? True, pollen-grains contain these, but evidently
not in sufficient quantity, or the bee would not have
recourse to what have been considered objectionable
sources ; pollen-grains, so necessary to the bee for brood-
food, also contain starch granules, and these cannot be
changed without the aid of powerful chemistry in the
economy of the bee. If we watch bees drinking on the
moors, we notice them give distinct preference to water
trickling from decaying sphagnum and mosses. We
fnow know why. In short, we may take any article of
ood (and its producer), examine it under the microscope,
or touch it with the chemist's wand, and we shall find
our honey and our bees have a decided advantage, so far
as purity and cleanliness are concerned. For my part, I
think we have no business to adulterate our honey when
extracting, by using combs containing worms and mag-
gots (for these are but plain English names for brood)
floating in or saturated with a maternal secretion or pre-
paration only intended for its food when in a larval con-
dition. I am of opinion we should decidedly avoid
broody combs, if not for our own then for the sake of
the brood itself ; and I hope I have shown that we can
safely trust the worker to gather, convert, ripen, and
seal for us only such honey as is well fitted for food,
chemically puro, scrupulously clean, and faultless to a
degree. — It, A. H. G., Ilorsfurth, n. Leech,

to cover ten frames. I feel sure he would confer a boon
on many bee-keepers besides myself if he will tell us how
he manages to keep up the population to that extent. I
have had fifteen years' experience, but can never get
mine to cover more than seven or eight combs at the
end of September, however strong they may have been
during the summer. I once heard Mr. Baldwin say that
he never met with a stock that he could not crowd on to
six or seven frames in the autumn. There has been a
good deal of talk lately about the position of frames,
whether those at right angles or those same way as
entrance are best. So far as honev-producing goes I
find no difference, but for wintering 1 much prefer those
same way as entrance. Last winter I lost only one
stock out of an apiary of ninety, and they were all on
the Combination system — Abbott's wide shoulders ; there
are no better frames produced. I have driven upwards
of fifty skeps this autumn, and not one contained over '2\
pounds of bees, more under two pounds than over. My
experience is that a stock which covers well six frames
by the middle of April is a pretty good one.

I can safely say that this district is free from foul brood,
— James Gilbebt, Stamford,

NOltTH-EAST OF IRELAND BEE-KEEPERS'

ASSOCIATION.
Annual Show.
[1318.] Referring to Mr. J. D. McNally's letter in
your issue of 22nd September, protesting against so-
called irregularities at our late show, with your kind per-
mission I will put the matter as it occurred. The
judges were supplied with books containing only numbers
and which can be produced and were duly signed and
returned to me. The hon. treasurer, Mr. S. Cunningham,
had charge of the catalogues, and did not get them from
printer until a short time before opening of the exhibi-
tion. He informs me they were not on sale until after
judging was completed. There were two catalogues
(proof copies) for use of Mr. Cunningham and myself in
staging, and we no doubt acted indiscreetly in allowing
Mr, McNally's brother the use of one of them for a few
minutes to check over his entries. Beyond this I am
not aware of any irregularity. I think" Mr. McNally's
grievance is, like a good many of the ' Irish ' ones now
aired before the public, mostly imaginary. I do not
think any of the gentlemen who acted as judges would
have used a named catalogue, even had it been at their
disposal. The office-bearers of the Association have
only their spare time to devote to the furtherance of its
objects and cannot be expected to have it as ' well
managed ' as if they were in the bee business. I regret
very much that any exhibitor should feel he had suffered
injustice, and trust the explanation will be satisfactory.
Apologising for trespassing on your valuable space, —
Paul M'Henby, Hon. Secretary, Belfast, October 15,

WINTER STOCKS.
| L317.] In this week's Journal J. II, Rogors (1303)
says ho nevor winters stocks that havo not sufficient bees

* Smith.

I only to-day saw Mr, J. D. McNally's letter in your
paper of the 22nd September, and hope you will kindly
insert this reply. He must be mistaken as to the
names of exhibitors being in the hands of the judges
when forming their decision, I made all the arrange-
ments about the catalogues and had them sent to me
direct from the printers, and the parcol was unopened
till the awards were made. Only two proofs had been
previously struck off, whioh Mr.McIIenry (hon, secretary)
and I necessarily had for the guidance of ourselves and
assistants in arranging the exhibits in the hall ; and one
of them was lent to Mr. McNally for arranging his own
exhibits, but the judges could not have seen or have
had any access to these. They had merely books with-
out any names till after their duties were performed and
their decisions made. — Samuel Cunningham, Gkncairn,
Belfast, October 14,

October 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

465

MANIPULATING TENT AT THE MANCHESTER
SHOW.

[1319.] At this show, instead of the manipulating;
tent being erected separately in the ground, netting- was
stretched in ahalf-moonshape in the centre of the shedding
appropriated to honey and bee appliances, and the canvas
roof thrown back that the bees might get a clear flight
from the manipulator, the hives to be manipulated upon
being kept outside the boarding, in which a small door
was placed to enable the manipulator to take the hives
in and out as required. At the time of the Manchester
show the weather was very stormy, and when pot
actually raining, all agreed it would have been im-
possible with the high wind to manipulate bees success-
fully in the ordinary manipulating tent, whereas under
the shedding the audience were well protected, and the

manipulator could do his work with comparative comfort.
Ten hives of bees were on the ground during the time of
the show (four days), and still no bees were seen on the
honey displayed for competition or sale. The carriage
of the manipulating tent in large counties is a serious
item, and the manipulations being in a separate tent
many visitoi'3 to a show miss the time the manipula-
tions are going on. The question is, can a way be
devised so that manipulations could be managed in
the tent or shedding used at ordinary shows, a
piece of netting being hung round the manipulator to
prevent any chance-accident from bees stinging the
visitors ? I take it in all cases it would be necessary to
have an opening in the roof above the manipulator.

It is hoped the ground-plan here given will make
the method adopted sufficiently plain to the reader. —
Wu. Lbes McOlure, Prescot.

BOARDING.

BOARDING.

TABLE 2 1

B A A /

table: 3

Ui

V4jABLEg>^-

5!

CO

r-

1

TABLE

7

■ — —

TABLE 6

-I

TABLE 5

r^ 9"

-=>N

OPEN
ENTRANCE.

OPEN
ENTRANCE.

OPEN
ENTRANCE.

A. — Manipulating space enclosed with netting.

B.— A door was on the boarding at this joint, and the Boes for manipulating were kept outside the show grounds and brought

in at this door.
Table 1 and 2. — Bee appliances.

„ 3.— Observatory hives with bee tunnels through the boarding,

fJ 4.— Secretary.

„ 5. — Honey in comb and bottle,

„ 6, — Collections of honey.

„ 7.— Sale counter for honey.

„ 8. — Manipulating table.

WHERE DO BEES GET WATER?

[1320.1 With respect to the sources from which bees
obtain the necessary moisture, some of the numerous
friends who have kept up a long correspondence on the
subject in the B. B. Journal may not have had an oppor-
tunity of observing that Nature has provided a supply
for them in the most convenient situation that is possible,
which is the drops of water invariably hanging below
the foam of the frog-hopper, and it is also used by the
solitary mason-wasp for mixing up the mortar that it re-
quires for building its nest or nests, and moths also avail
themselves of the same source of supply, and most pro-
bably butterflies and other insects ; and as this is obtain-
able through a considerable part of the summer, upon
almost every yard of the ground, over what to them
would be otherwise waterless districts, and is the most
abundant in the hottest weather, it can only be regarded
as one of the many forcible illustrations of the perfect
economy of nature. — S. C. K.

BEE-KEEPING IN IRELAND.

[1321.] A Correspondent from Leitrim writes as
follows: — 'A word about this part of the country might
interest you. It is certainly a splendid place for bee-
keeping, abounding with floral beauties on which the
bees delight. They are all this week working as in mid-
summer on the ivy. We have to the south of us two or
three hundred acres of heather; to the north-east and west
of us, thousands of acres of pasture land abounding with
clover (chiefly white), intermixed with numerous honey-
producing trees and shrubs, such as the wild raspberry,
the bramble, laurel, and giant rose, with plenty of lime
and sycamore, hazel and willow within easy reach, and
standing in the midst of a garden of fruit trees, leaving
out the garden and trees. The whole country for miles and
miles is. beautifully wooded, But, alas ! there is not

hardly a bee to store the honey. I can easily count the
bee-keepers within five miles on either side of me on my
one hand. Four years ago there were only two. The
people in those parts seem innocent of any means of
industry, their only hobby is the agitator, the potatoes,
and the rent. You can form your own opinion.

' Our best hive this season gave us 160 1-lb. sections
4Jx4j x If, four bee-ways worked without dividers.

' Our worst, 40, superseded its queen in April or early
in May (black bees). I consider 160 lbs. without reckon-
ing what they may have in the hive, which I feel sure
will amount to 30 or 40 lbs. at least, is very good for
blacks or any other bee.

' In justice to your Journal I mnst say that I could not
get anything like that but for the knowledge I derived
from its pages for the two years.'

COTTAGERS' APIARY COMPETITION.

[1322.] To those readers of the British Bee Journal
who are interested in the working of county bee-keeping-
associations the following narrative will be of interest.
The Association for the county of Kent is fortunate in
having for its Local Honorary Secretary, at Hawkhurst,
Miss F. Herschel, who, since her acceptance of the
appointment, has never ceased to labour indefatigably to
bring her district into a high state of efficiency. In this
work she has had the encouragement and assistance of
her brother, Sir William Herschel, Bart., and it should
also be stated, that of Capt. H. S. Swiney, her prede-
cessor in office. Early in the present year the idea was
formed of instituting a Cottagers' Apiary Competition,
and this being submitted to the Executive of the Asso-
ciation, by whom it was approved, plans were formed for
carrying it into practice. At the outset it was felt that
the rules which should govern the competition should be
as few and simple as possible, and that the order of merit

4G6

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 20, 1887.

should be decided chiefly upon the general management
and condition of the apiary and surroundings, regard
being, of course, had to the amount of produce and
number of hives kept. The object in view was to create
a greater interest on the part of cottagers in the pursuit
of bee-keeping, and to induce the class to utilise for their
immediate advantage the benefits which the Association
endeavours to place within their reach. To ordinary
observation there is nothing to suggest that Hawkhurst
possesses any special features favourable to bee-keeping,
therefore, the results attained by the competitors attest
to the fact of the great superiority of the modern system
over that which is fast being superseded, and to the en-
lightened interest of those who engaged in the com-
petition.

The competition was arranged to commence in the
month of June and terminate on the 31st of August, but
owing to the inability of the three gentlemen appointed
to judge to meet before, it was protracted until the 8th
of September. The task of judging was undertaken by
Mr. A. J. Pratt of Tenterden, Mr. E. G. Tye of Cran-
brook, and Mr. J. Garratt, the hon. secretary of the
Kent B. K. A. The work of inspection and judging was
performed under most favourable conditions of weather,
the day being so fine and warm that no risk in closely
and thoroughly examining each hive was involved.

The two first-named judges were on entirely new
ground, and therefore were altogether unacquainted with
the capabilities of the competing parties, and it was
with no little surprise and pleasure that they found
themselves in most instances face to face with the most
complete proofs of the ability of farm-labourers, and
other cottagers, to grasp the principles which by many
have been thought to be far above their comprehension.
By the thoughtful kindness of Miss F. Herschel, the
judges were rapidly driven from apiary to apiary, and
accomplished to their own satisfaction the task assigned
to them.

The first prize (given by Sir W. Herschel) was awarded
to Mr. James Hicks, agricultural labourer ; second prize
(given by the Kent B. K. A.) to Frederick Reed, of
similar occupation ; and the third prize (given by Capt.
Swiney) to John Collins, of no occupation, but who,
owinc to an affliction to his legs, had to perform all the
work of manipulating and hive-making seated in a
wheel-chair.

From the appended tabulated statement the individual
results may be easily seen and compared. That they
reflect very great credit upon each and all concerned
cannot be gainsaid, and it is hoped that so useful and
successful an experiment may in the future be productive
of many more like competitions in the same and other
counties. — J. G.

HAWKHURST COTTAGERS' APIARY COMPETITION, 1887.

Names of
Competitors.

Geo. Chapman
(Agricul. Lab.)

JaP. Hicks

(Agricul. Lab.)
Wm. Blake ...

(Coachman)

Wm. Campany

(Dairyman)
Frcdk. Reed ...

(Agricnl. Lob.)
Jesse Marchant

(Agricul. Lab.)
John Collins ...

(No occupation

crippled)
H. Lambert ...

(Gardener, &c.)

No. of
Stocks,
Spring
count.

2 bar-f.
2 skeps

3 bar-f.
1 skep
1 bar-f.

1 bar-f.
4 bar-f.

1 bar-f.

2 bar-f.

I l.i ii

Produce of
Honey
during
Season.

36 11b. Sees.
231bs.Extd.

99 11b. Sees,
62 Kxtrctd.
211 lb. Sees.
25Albs. Ext,

45 lib. Sees.
301bs.Extd.
75 lib. Sees,
83Ubs. Ext.
2311b. Sees.
7 lbs. Extd.
3211b. Sees.
76ilbs. Ext,

take of
Honey

pel-
Stock.

14$ lbs.

40.1 lbs.
49J lbs.

75 lbs.
391 lbs.
30 lbs.
36 lbs.

Other
Pro-
duce.

one
swarm

one
swarm

one
swurm

No. of Stocks,
Sept. 8th.

3 bar-f. 3 skeps
Increase made

by condemned
bees

4 bar-f. 1 skep

2 bar-frame
Increase made

by condemned

bees

2 bar-frame
4 bar-f ramo

1 bar-framo

2 bar-f. 1 skep

Owing to virulout Foul Ilrood did not continue com-
petition

MEMS. BY WOODLEIGH.

[1323.] Propagating Foul Brood. — In addition to the
various ways in which the pest may be propagated {vide
former ' Mems.'), I would point out to bee-keepers another
probable source of infection rendered possible by the
new labour-saving solar and steaming wax-extractors.
Now if combs from hives reeking with foul brood are put
into these extractors and the wax extracted from same,
we know that the temperature at which wax melts would
not be high enough to destroy the germs of bacilli, and
consequently the foundation made from infected wax
must carry the germs with it wherever it goes.

' Man of Kent ' (1283) asserts that foul brood is fol-
lowing the wake of bar-frame hives with rapid strides.
I do not doubt his assertion ; but why is it thus ?
Simply because of the many opportunities for its pro-
pagation and introduction into bar-frame hives in com-
parison with the straw skep. The skep is simply a bee-
nest left unmolested till the sulphur-pit puts an end to
the majority of the colonies at ' taking time,' and the
few instances in which foul brood has appeared in skep
apiaries may always be traced to the introduction of
modern hives into the district.

Yet one more possible means of infection, though I
recount it with some trepidation, and that is by the cir-
culation of the B. B. J. If it is handled by a bee-keeper
who has been manipulating foul-broody stocks of bees,
may he not unwittingly transmit the germs to the next
on the list, who, on receiving the Journal, find9 he has
neglected doing something in the apiary, lays down the
paper, and sets about the ' doing,' and possibly the in-
fection is transmitted to another apiary ?

Extracting from Brood Combs. — I am glad Mr. Boyes
has answered' W.J. S.' I should have endorsed Mr. B.'s
views when his letter first appeared, but considered Mr. B.
quite capable of taking his own part. I may add that
any practical bee-keeper who works or cares for the well-
being of his bees would never under ordinary circum-
stances extract from combs containing brood in all
stages. I have this season, in a few instances, extracted
from combs containing a small patch of capped brood,
and, to prevent injury to the brood, laid a piece of flannel
over the brood to prevent the capping being crushed by
the wire of extracting-cage while revolving in the ex-
tractor, but that was from brood-comb clogged with
honey to give breeding space. Bee-keepers who extract
from combs containing eggs, larvae, &c, must, as Mr.
Boyes says, extract the prepared food, the thin, watery
honey, also the eggs and larvae.

Bees and Manure Heaps or Drains. — I beg to endorse
what Mr. Boyes says as to bees drinking from the oozing
slush that exudes from manure-heaps ; and although one
correspondent says bees are not such fools as to visit such
places if they have water within three miles, I can
assure him that bees do visit such places with an abun-
dant supply of both good water and also a supply of
diluted sodium.

Starting a Bee-farm. — The two replies to ' A. W. B.'
in last week's Journal are both from practical men, and
now this week's from Mr. Godfrey, giving an estimate of
the probable cost of the enterprise, has covered all the
ground, so that I have burnt a rather long letter in reply,
and will only say a few words on the subject. I myself
a few years ago had an idea of starting a bee-farm as a
means of livelihood, but on giving the matter mature
consideration, and looking at the large number of hive-
makers who were then (and are still) sending out great
numbers of hives in all directions, not to mention the
number of home-made ones, I reasoned that the thing
must of necessity be soon overdone, and prices go down
for the produce of the bee-keeper ; and present prices are
proving my surmises right, and in 1887 I am glad I did
not embark in the farm of 1882. My experience has
taught me that bee-keeping in England would not pay
to take up with it alone ; but if ' A. W. B,' has any trade

October 20, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

467

or calling, be may work a fair-sized apiary as an auxi-
liary, and derive a profit from it. I have no doubt that
in the near future we may have to accept a lower price
for honey than at present. The American and Canadian
crops of honey this season are both very short, but
another season it is probable they may have a good
crop, and then the competition would be keen, as the
freight per steam ship is a nominal sum when compared
to what our English railways charge us for carriage of
honey, and the public have little, if airy, more predilec-
tion for English honey than they have for bread made
of English corn in preference to foreign.

ON BROOD-COVERS.

By Pastor Schonfeld of Tentschel.

In No. 3 of the Nordlingcr Bienenzeitung for 1884,
Dr. von Elanta communicated the results of a micro-
scopic and chemical examination to which brood-covers
of bees had been subjected by him. The microscopic
examination which Professor Schroter of Zurich made of
the brood-covers submitted to him, showed that they
consist of a ' granular substance, cemented together by
wax and mixed with whole and crushed grains of pollen
of different plants.' The chemical examination of the
brood-covers by Dr. von Planta showed that 100 parts
by weight of air-dried brood-covers contain —

57-60 per cent of wax,

40'27 „ „ matter (pollen and pollen-
husks) insoluble in boiling ether,
2T2 „ „ water.

From this Dr. von Planta thought himself justified in
expressing the conjecture that the bees mix with the
wax they use to close the brood-cells both whole pollen-
grains and pollen-husks ejected by workers, in order to
make the covers more porous and better fitted to receive
the necessary supply of air.

The editor of the Nqrdlinger Bienenzeitung , as well
as the majority of bee-keepers, rejoiced at this discovery,
which they looked upon as a welcome addition to our
knowledge of bees. Dr. Dzlerzon, however, soon raised
objections. He did not, it is true, bring forward any
scientific counter-proof, and did not even submit the
brood-covers to examination, nor did he state positively
how the matter really stands. Neither are the con-
jectures which he starts such as to stand the test. For
when he states — Nbrdlinger Bienenzeitung, 1885, page
26 — that the larva may, perhaps, impregnate the cover
with its saliva or some exudation and add to it by
pressing against it some remains of the food, supplied,
perhaps, in excess, we at once feel the weakness of the
attempt to get rid of the difficulty. Besides, this
supposition is in contradiction to every microscopic
examination made, as the pollen and the pollen-husks are
found in horizontal and perpendicular sections of the
covers, firmly embedded in the mass, as well as on the
surface of the covers, where the larvas cannot possibly
get at them ; and when Dr. Dzierzon lately called von
Planta's discovery a mistake because, as he alleges, bees
cannot eject pollen, he is equally mistaken in this
supposition.

At the same time, the doubts of Dzierzon, who is so
great an authority, will have unsettled again the
opinions of many bee-keepers as to the nature of brood-
covers. I have, therefore, with the consent of Dr. von
Planta, subjected the question in dispute to a further
examination, which has given some startling and novel
results.

It should, in the first place, be stated that brood-
covers, such as Professor Schroter and Dr. von Planta
had an opportunity of examining, are doubtless in such
a condition as has been described. But neither of these
gentlemen being practical bee-keepers, they were obliged
to operate upon the material placed before them by Mr.

Kramer, a schoolmaster of Fluntern, which consisted
exclusively of coffee-coloured brood-covers. They were
thus unable to test the matter thoroughly, and this has
led them to draw conclusions which are incorrect.

In dark-coloured wax-combs of all shades not only the
brood-covers but also the honey cell covers, the edges of
the cells, the cell walls, and cell foundations, are all more
or less mixed with pollen and the husks of pollen.
Every wax comb which has been used only once for
breeding, and every small piece of new comb which has
been constructed partly of old material, shows, in ad-
dition to whole pollen-grains, numerous fragments and
cells of pollen. From a wax-comb made by the bees in
June, 1886, the lower part of which I shortened about
10 cm. last autumn, I took a small piece about the
middle of May this year, after the bees had completely
renewed the portion of the comb cut away. Three days
later, when the bees had repaired the damage, I cut the
same part away once more, and afterwards a third time.
All the three small pieces of wax removed contained
pollen and fragments of pollen, the piece built by the
bees first having the largest number, and that made last
containing the smallest quantity. The number of pollen-
grains and pollen-husks mixed with the wax is always
in proportion to the colour, i.e. the age of the combs.
The older the comb the less the weight of the wax it
contains, and the greater the quantity of pollen and
pollen-husks found in it, so that wax-combs of an almost
black appearance contaiu much less than 50 per cent
of real wax (coffee - coloured comb, 57'60 per cent),
a fact which every practical bee-keeper will have rea-
lised in melting down old comb.

Nay, more than this, not even wax newly made and
worked up into cells or cell-covers is absolutely pure.
It is true it does not contaiu any husks and fragments
of pollen, but often a surprisingly large, number of whole
pollen-grains. In order to procure absolutely pure wax
I put a swarm which issued on 3rd June into a new
hive without any guide-combs, but almost every small
piece of wax the size of a poppy grain which I cut off
the end of the newty-made comb contained whole pollen-
grains. A few only of the slides I prepared showed
wax in an entirely pure state, I then caught a few
comb-maxiug bees, and with a needle drew forth the
small wax-scales from between the rings of their ab-
domen. On examining these I found that out of fifteen
scales four only were entirely pure wax, the remainder
containing from four and five to thirty whole pollen-
grains. (To be coninued.)

ffityats ixmn % pta.

Scotten Street, Wye, Kent, Oct. 17. — Seeing no report
from my neighbourhood, I am glad to say I have had a
splendid season this year for honey, which has been the best
year I have had. I have three bar-frame hives, and from
one hive I have taken forty 1-lb. sections, and one sectional
super weighing twenty lbs., and about thirty lbs. of ex-
tracted, and from the other two I have taken nearly the
same, which I think you will consider very good for a
young beginner. I may say that I have worked my hives
upon your storifying system, which I have found a success.
I enclose you a sample of my extracted honey, and shall be
glad to see your report upon it in the Bee Journal. — H.
Head.

[We are very pleased to receive such an cheering report
from your district. The accompanying sample of honey is
of excellent quality, and of clear colour. It would com-
mand a good price in the market. — Ed.]

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington. — Have packed all stocks
up nicely for winter, with the exception of two lots of driven
bees that I only took about a week ago, but to which I gave
combs ready built ; I have shut them up pretty close and
fed them with a bottle of warm syrup every night, and
which they carry down and store below. We have had

4G8

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 20, 1887.

some very severe frosts the last few nights, but the sun is
quite hot to-day (noon), and the bees are taking advantage
of it, to have a good fly, in fact it seems just like summer,
there are so many out and about. As I have run rather
short of hives, I have been putting driven bees in half-inch
and three-quarter hives ; having packed the tops well and
put roofs on, I expect I shall get them through all right,
also I set them in pairs, so that in the spring I can take
one of the queens away and join the one to the other, and
thus make good strong stocks. — John Walton.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or_ where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. Tlie space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

T. S. — Bees Dying. — The only cause we can assign for
the great mortality in your colony, judging from your
description, is an attack of Bacillus Gaytoni. Taking
advantage of the first fine, warm day, transfer combs and
bees to a clean, dry hive, and feed with phenolated syrup
according to Mr. Cheshire's recipe. Cover up warmly,
and give plenty of air by enlarging the entrance of the
hive. Since the bees are reduced so much in number,
unless you can unite them to another colony, changing
the queen, it is doubtful whether they will survive the
winter.

E. W — Foul Brood. — The comb sent is not affected with
the virulent form of ' foul brood,' Bacillus alvei, but by
another type, called Bacillus minor. Feed up, in the
spring, with phenolated syrup.

T. D. S. — 1. Canadian Bee-Feeder.— Theve Is no occasion to
remove the Canadian bee-feeder when refilling, AH that
is needful is to bring can or other vessel with syl'Up, and
pour in at the receptacle specially reserved for the pur-
pose. The lid has to be pushed aside so as to get at the
opening referred to. 2. The amount of syrup given will
be ample.

T. JeNkinson. — The contents of your letter merit, and will

receive, our best consideration.
Sherborne, Dorset. — Your letter is based upon a fallacy.

The shareholders in the British Honey Company have

never received any dividend.

Subscriber.— Re Foul Brood.— T. F. Ward write3 in
reference to a question of ' Subscriber ' respecting P.S. to
Mr. Ward's last letter :— ' In reply I should say all depends
upon the strength of the affected stock, whether to destroy it
or not ; if a weak one I should say yes, but if a good strong
stock, say, eight or ten frames covered, then it might be
worth while risking a healthy queen, but the process is a
wet one, and he cannot at this season continue the neces-
sary examinations, nor could the bees seal over the medi-
cated syrup. If it is a strong stock with plenty of food,
and a healthy queen can be obtained early next year, say
March, the combs might be sprayed now, the queen re-
moved, and let it pass the winter without a queen (as many
others do); but circumstances alone must be the guide
now, as it is not possible to follow the rule, and if there
are other hives situated near there would always be the
danger of infection through robbing. Unless I knew the
whole circumstances I could not say yes or no.'

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros,, Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Ari'i.KToN, H. M., 2fifiA Ilotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 0 George Yurd, Fenchurch St.

Bonn, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edet& Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchinos, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neiohbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neiohbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B. , Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, P., Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neiohbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Road, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holbom.

COMB FOUNDATION.
Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.
Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.
Edey & Sons, St. Neots.
Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.
Neiohbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. <S 127 High Holborn.
Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.
Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

NOTICE.
The Brilieh Bee Journal is published by Kent & Oo., 28 Paternoster
Row, and may be obtained of all local Booksellers, and o£ the fol-
lowing Agonts i —

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDREU, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Hertu.

BROWN, O.'i Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DURRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford.

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON, A. B., Brickhall, Ballywoolen, KiUy-

leagh, Co. Down.
MoNALLY, R., Glenluoe, N.B.
MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Hereford.
NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and

127 High Holborn, London.
OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Sussex.
REDSHAW, C, Canal St., South Wigston, Leicester.
RICE, J. J., Wonsum Street, Norwich.
RUDKIN, F., Bolton, Uppingham.
SMITH & SON, 186 Strand, London; and at all Rail-i

way Bookstalls.
WITHINSHAW, A., Nowcastlo, Staffordshire.
WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading,
WREN, L., 139 High Street, Lowostoft,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 279. Vol. XV.]

OCTOBER 27, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Bhxioxml, ]$atuz$t &t.

NEW INVENTIONS.

One of the most interesting features of the Quarterly
Conversazione is the exhibition of new things in the
way of bee-appliances, &c, which are explained to the
visitors present, and a free discussion as to their value
takes place. At this meeting Mr. Godman of St.
Albans exhibited an improved machine for making
brood-comb foundation with a natural base. In most of
the machines there is frequently a difficulty in getting
the front edge of the sheet of foundation to leave the
indentations in the rollers, and recourse has to be had
to a quill to get the wax out of the same before you
can get sufficient through the machine that you can
take hold of. In Mr. Godman's machine the rollers
are kept sufficiently open to allow the front edge
of the wax-sheet to be passed through until you can
take a firm hold of it, when, by the pressure of a lever
the rollers are brought into close gear, and the founda-
tion is wound through in a satisfactory manner. This
machine (an illustration of which will be found in our
advertising columns) is strong and well made, and is an
improvement on any we have seen.

Mr. Godman also exhibited some frames with metal
ends, which are made in pairs, so that the frames can
be either H inches from centre to centre, or by turning
the alternate frames end for end they will be 1| inches
from centre to centre at the option of the manipulator,
so that whichever width it is desired to have the combs
apart the exact distance is correctly kept. These ends
obtained a medal at Newcastle, and are as useful as any
in the market.

Mr. Lee exhibited some samples of his patent sections,
most beautifully made by a model of a machine it is
intended to use for making. The ingenious and perfect
way in which the dovetailed grooves were cut was
shown by the great exactness of the work done in the
specimens exhibited. In some of the parts so beautifully
had the grooves been made that the piece cut to form
the groove actually remained in its position as if it had
not been operated on, but with the point of a knife being
pressed on it, the strip came out whole, to the surprise
of those who saw it. We understood Mr. Lee to say
that sections of this kind will be ready for the trade and
customers by the end of January. Mr. Lee has made
some sections of a size that can be used in the old crates,

some of which he exhibited in a crate. He had also
examples of section cases, each frame holding three 1-lb.
sections. Seven of these frames complete the tier, and
are securely held in position by a simple and novel
method, so that, if desired, they can readily be inverted.
Mr. Lee exhibited another crate containing seven hanging
frames, each holding two 2-lb. sections. Some fine
samples of comb-honey in the new sections were
exhibited, having been filled in the apiary of the Rev.
Geo. Kaynor, and some from the apiary of Mr. F.
Palmer, Sunninghill, Berks, in the section cases and
frames noticed above. The sections were well filled
to the edges, and were free from popholes, the wood of
the section being clean and free from propolis. Great
interest appeared to be taken in Mr. Lee's exhibits,
which were carefully examined and freely criticised, and
many very favourable opinions were expressed by those
present, many of whom were old and experienced bee-
keepers. The crates, cases, frames, and sections, are all
put together without glue or nails, and we hope shortly
to give in the B.B.J, a more detailed description of these
useful inventions.

A machine for fixing foundation in sections was ex-
hibited, the invention of Mr. Aplaugh of Canada, made
by Mr. Corneil and bis son, and kindly sent by that
gentleman as a present to the B.B.K.A. Mr. Cowan,
who had seen a similar machine worked by the inventor,
explained it, and fixed several pieces of foundation in a
very satisfactory way. It is somewhat difficult to de-
scribe the machine so as to make it intelligible without a
drawing. It consists of a frame about fifteen inches
square at the base and about twelve inches high ; about
half way up there is a stage, on which the pieces of
sections are placed; in front of this is a metal plate,
about four inches square, slightly bent towards the piece
of section to be operated on, which it rests nearly in the
centre. The stage has a back to it so arranged that half
of the piece of the section can pass under, the back
forming a support for the newly fixed foundation as it
passes along from the metal. Opposite to the metal
there is an arrangement for pushing up a sliding back in
line with the fixed back, this being the same width as
the metal. Underneath a paraffin lamp is placed for
the purpose of heating the metal plate, so that the edge
of the foundation is melted when placed upon it. With
the assistance of a thin piece of wood the foundation is
then quickly slid from the heated plate on to the top
piece of section, and is kept upright by the sliding back ;
this is now slipped back, and the next piece of section
pushed into position ; and in so doing the one just
operated on is passed along the stage, and by the time it
gets to the end the foundation is firmly fixed, the wax
edge having had time to cool. This machine is suited
for fixing foundation in four-piece sections only, which
have to be put together after the foundation is fixed.

The meeting passed a vote of thanks to Mr. Corneil
for his kindness in sending the machine, which was
exceedingly well made, and quite a novelty.

470

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 27, 1887.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Meeting of the Committee, held at 105 Jermyn Street
on Wednesday, October 19th ; present, T. W. Cowan (in
the chair), Hon. and Rev. I-I. Bligh, Rev. Dr. Bartrum,
Rev. F. T. Scott, the Rev. G. Raynor, the Rev. F. S.
Sclater, Captain Campbell, J. M. Hooker, H. Jonas, and
the Secretary. Letters were read from the Rev. F. G.
Jenyns, Captain Bush, and the Treasurer, regretting
their inability to be present.

Communications were considered : (1), From the
Derby Association, in reference to the award of the
Association's Silver Medal to an exhibitor residing
outside the boundary, as defined by the Derby Associa-
tion. The Secretary was instructed to inform the
Secretary of the Derby Association that the Committee
were unable to award the medal under the circum-
stances. It was further resolved that the question of
boundaries should be considered with the County
Representatives.

(2), From Mr. J. P. Sambels, suggesting that the
Association should forward a complete set of the
Association's publications to the Ontario Bee-keepers'
Association. Resolved that the Secretary do forward
the publications as suggested, and to express the best
thanks of the Committee to Mr. Sambels for his
suggestion.

The prize-schedule for the Royal Agricultural Show
to be held at Nottingham in July next, as prepared by
the Exhibition Committee, was considered and approved.

Quarterly Meeting op County Reprsentatives.

Present : Rev. E. K. Clay (Bucks), W. Lees McClure
(Lancashire and Cheshire), Rev. W. E. Burkitt (Wilts),
Messrs. Graham and Rayner (Middlesex), F. H. Meggy
(Essex), W. B. Webster (Berks). Mr. McClure sug'-
gested that, inasmuch as several of the representatives
travelled long distances to attend the meetings, some
further facilities should be given for the representatives
themselves to hold a meeting prior to their meeting with
the B.B.K. A. Committee, in order that any subject to
be considered might be discussed and presented to the
Committee in proper form. The suggestion met with
the unanimous approval of those representatives present;
and the Secretary was requested to communicate with
the County Secretaries and make arrangements for such
meeting to be held on the date of the next Quarterly
Conference in accordance with the suggestion of Mr.
McClure.

The question of the disposal of honey and the advis-
ability of the B.B.K. A. taking steps to get the current
prices of honey stated in the columns of the Bee Journal
was discussed at considerable length. Mr. Meggy, the
Rev. E. K. Clay, and others, took part in the discussion,
and strongly urged the Committee to use their influence
with the several dealers to give quotations regularly.

Mr. McClure reported that honey was now staged
continuously for sale in the Liverpool Market.

The question of awarding the medals of the B.B.K. A.
at County Shows was discussed. The Committee were
recommended to take into consideration the advisability
of confining the competition for these medals to members
of the County Association residing within the county.

Quarterly Conversazione.

The last Quarterly Conversazione of the present year
was held at the offices of the Royal Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals on Wednesday, the 19th
inst., when among the crowded audience present were
the following ladies and gentlemen : — Mr. Cowan, Mr.
Hooker, Captain Jonas, the Hon. and Rev. Henry and
Mrs. Bligh, Miss Gayton, the Rev. Mr. Scott, the Rev. G.
Raynor, Captain Campbell, Mr. Meggy, Mr. Henderson,
Mr. Webster, Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Sambels,
the Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Mr. Lyon, Mr. Garratt, the Rev.

Mr. Clay, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Neighbour, Mr. Maclure,
Mr. Crawley, Mr. Fatt, &c.

Mr. Cowan presided, and in opening the proceedings
said that no special subject would be brought forward
for discussion, but that there were several appliances and
inventions for exhibition and examination.

The Rev. Mr. Scott suggested that, as the Chairman
had very recently paid a visit to North America, where
he had seen many of the Canadian gentlemen who were
in London last year, and had also inspected some of the
largest apiaries in the world, it would be extremely in-
teresting to the bee-keepers present if he would kindly
describe the wonders he had seen, and also what kind of
a reception he had met with from their brethren on the
other side of the Atlantic.

The Chairman : — When I came here to-day I was not
prepared to make any lengthened statement respecting
my journeys in North America, but as it seems to be the
general wish that I should say something on this matter,
I shall be very pleased to give you an outline of what
I have been doing over there. It is just three months
ago since we (my wife and I) started for New York.
After a fair passage we landed in that city, where the
thermometer registered 99°, which seemed a very high
temperature on coming off the ocean. We could not
therefore stay in New York, but journeyed north up
the Hudson River to Albany. From there the first es-
tablishment we visited was that of Messrs. Aspinwall
and Treadwell. These gentlemen are in business together
as hive-manufacturers, queen -breeders, and dealers in
bees. Their trade is not on a very large scale, but they
do a fair amount of business. We stayed a few days
witli Mr. Aspinwall, who is proprietor of the Bee-
keeper's Magazine, whom I found a most intelligent
gentleman, fond of scientific pursuits. I found their
appliances are very much the same as ours; and I may
here take the opportunity of saying that throughout my
wanderings in the States and Canada I noticed that most
of the contrivances in use were similar to those adopted
by us in England. I have been enabled to carry away a
few new ideas: but I feel justified in remarking that we
are quite equal to our transatlantic friends as regards
hive -making and all the appliances necessary in bee-
keeping. That which struck me most to the disadvan-
tage of England, was our deficiency in pasturage. You
would be perfectly astonished to see the thousands and
thousands of acres of waste land across the water filled
with an abundance of honey-yielding plants, immense
quantities of honey being lost owing to the want of bees
to collect it. After spending a few days with Mr.
Aspinwall, he took me to see Messrs. Knickerbocker and
Lock, the queen-raisers in New York State. Mr. Lock
is the former editor of the American Apiculturist. These
gentlemen raise queens in a way very similar to the Alley
system, that is, by inserting strips of cells, and de-
stroying every other egg. They rear the queens in the
same way, but destroy two eggs for one left, and keep
them in very much the same waj' as he does. From
there I went to see the largest bee-keeper in the world,
Captain Hetherington, who has ^700 hives. He has
twenty apiaries, situated at distances of two or three
miles apart, in a radius of twelve miles, so that the
greatest distance he has to go from home is twelvo miles.
He and his brother manage the whole of these apiaries,
having several men under them ; they keep horses and
carts, and are hard at woi'k all day long and continue
till evening. Business is commenced at 5 o'clock in the
morning. I was there during the hours of business and
saw all the working. The men go round from hive to
hive and take off crate after crate ; perhaps a hive has
three storeys of sections, which are promptly examined,
and removed if necessary, and in this way 100 or 150
racks of sections are taken off and carried away. The
sections are not removed singly, as we remove them.
Captain Hetherington produces the largest quantity of

October 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

471

honey in the States. He does not puff himself, and
he never -writes to any of the papers ; in fact, one
seldom sees his name appearing anywhere in connexion
with honey-raising. He is one of the most advanced
hee-keepers, and the largest producer of honey with the
least fuss I have ever seen. He has been at this
work for thirty years, always keeping a little ahead
of the generality of hee-keepers. He is a good
business man, and knows how to gratify the popular
taste, having no difiiculty in selling his honey. He uses
sections the same as we do, and also separators. He says
it would not answer his purpose to do without separators,
as he requires every section to fit into a crate, because
there is no time for delicate manipulations, he and his
staff working at high pressure from early morning till
late at night. Captain Hetherington drove us over to
see Mr. Ellwood, who is also an advanced bee-keeper,
owning 400 hives, and who goes in principally for 2-lb.
sections. We also made the acquaintance of Mr. Van
Deusen, who makes the beautiful flat-bottomed founda-
tion so well known in this country. From Captain Hether-
ington's we went to Boston, and other places. As I before
explained, we were obliged to direct our steps north-
ward owing to the high temperature. We therefore
went to Quebec, Montreal, and other places, regretting
that Mr. Pringle was too ill to see us when we stopped
at Napanee. At Owen Sound we spent an agreeable
time with Mr. McKnight. He has 200 hives of bees,
and uses sections without separators. I saw a number
of his sections ; they looked very nice, but some not
quite so even as those that were produced with separa-
tors. I found, generally, in Canada that it was the
practice to dispense with separators, while in the States
they were almost invariably used. The Canadians claim
to produce more honey without separators. After spend-
ing some time with Mr. McKnight, 1 went with him to
visit Mr. Jones, and saw his works. He is the largest
manufacturer uf appliances in Canada, and has a 90 horse-
power engine working the machinery for the construction
of these articles. I was much interested by what I saw
there. The business is conducted on a large scale. Hives
are made in pieces, and stored away by the hundreds,
and are supplied to purchasers by the dozen, the score,
or the gross. Cases are made up of ten hives together.
In Canada bee-keepers work on a large scale, there being
very few in a small way of business. They go in for it
as a commercial undertaking; and, of course, taking into
account the pasturage and the immense extent of their
country, they can do so better than we can. While at
Mr. Jones's Mr. Corneil came and invited us, and we
spent a very pleasant evening together. The journey
from London to Liverpool is only a question of a few
hours, but travelling in America from one city to
another generally occupies a great many hours. The
country is not so populated as ours, and I found it
necessary sometimes to make an excursion of 500 or
600 miles from one bee-farm to another. On one occa-
sion I went nearly 1000 miles to see the establishment of
one honey-producer and foundation-maker, and that was
of Messrs. t)adants', of which I shall say more hereafter.
After inspecting Mr. Jones's manufactory, his 400 hives,
and his queen-raising arrangements, we went to Lake
Superior, and from there through Michigan State to
Lancing, where I stayed with Professor Cook. He does
not keep bees on a large scale ; he is more of a scientific
bee-keeper, and tries experiments with different hives,
the results of each of which are kept separate. His ob-
ject is to teach entomology and bee-keeping to the agri-
cultural students, so as to enable them to commence that
pursuit on leaving the college. There are about 300
students at this Agricultural College, many of whom
are interested in bees. On one afternoon Professor Cook
asked me to take his class of about forty students, and
I am glad to tell you that by means of my microscope
I was enabled to show them some things they had not

seen before. They were generally, well-educated and
intelligent men, who, after leaving the college, go out as
farmers. The time spent at the College was most agree-
able, the Professor being a charming and sterling man.
While there I found my way to Mr. Heddon's. He
seemed to me a very intelligent gentleman, very quick
to seize an idea and appreciate the experience of
others. He showed me his apiaries, although he was
unfortunately suffering from bee disease, which affects
him in a very peculiar way, namely, by producing
catarrh, so that he cannot open a hive himself without
being attacked by this complaint. However, as I was
there, he showed me how the hives were manipulated,
the consequence being that he suffered considerably all
the evening. He showed me the handling of the shallow
hives, and how easy it was to find the queen. I ascer-
tained that he brought his bees through the winter very
unsuccessfully, and had lost as many as from forty to
fifty per cent in wintering. We discussed the merits of
the Heddon and Stewarton hives, and in the course of
conversation he stated that last year was a very poor
honey season, which bore out the complaint of the
Canadians who were over here in 1886. I cannot re-
member what he said was the average produce, but it
was not more than 20 lbs. a hive at any rate. I found in
his district the honey season had been very bad, whilst
in some parts of New York State the reverse was the
fact, 60 to 80 lbs. per hive being an average yield
expected; but there were other districts in which not
more than 10 to 15 lbs. were obtained. One gentle-
man (the President of the Michigan Association)
jokingly said that no one would believe I had been
to the States if I returned to England without boast-
ing about something, and he further said if I came
to him I could boast I had seen the apiary where nearly
1 lb. of honey per hive had been obtained this year.
From Mr. Heddon's I went to Chicago, and met an old
friend, Mr. Newman, who showed me over his place,
which is in the city. Unfortunately, I did not let him
know when I was coming, and, consequently, he was
unable to get any bee-keepers to meet me, but he was
most hospitable, taking me for a five hours' drive through
the city, and showing me all the lions of the place.
From there I went to see Mr. Dadant. He is a French-
man, who settled in America some years ago, and with
his son carries on the business of bee-keeping. They
also make a large quantity of comb foundation. Last
year they turned out 70,000 lbs. of foundation, but this
year not more than 50,000 lbs., as the season had been
such a bad one. It is the best natural-based foundation
I have seen in America. They melt about 3000 lbs. of
wax at a time, and in this way are able to get the
colour uniform. The foundation most in demand in
America is the natural base foundation made on the
Van der Voort machine. They also produce a large
quantity of extracted honey, and a little comb honey.
They work the extracted honey just as we do, by storify-
ing or putting one hive on another. Their hive is a
little larger than the Langstroth hive, with supers about
six inches deep. These frames are used for extracting.
They have 400 hives now. This year has been a very
bad "year, they having obtained only 9000 lbs. of honey.
I think the bad season is demonstrated by the fact that
their issue of foundation this year has been 20,000 lbs.
less than last year's. From the Dadants' I went back
to Chicago, and spent a little more time at Lancing.
From there we travelled on to Toledo to see Dr. Mason.
He was out, but he visited me in the evening, and we
had a chat about bees and other matters. I found him
a very nice, agreeable gentleman, quite well up in bee
matters. Mr. Cutting, Secretary of the Michigan
Association, who is a very smart and energetic worker
in our cause, accompanied him, and I regretted time did
not permit me to stay longer to visit them. From Toledo
we passed on to Medina, where we saw Mr. Root and

472

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 27, 1887.

his son, Ernest. Mr. Root is the editor of Okanings,
and he and his son made our stay there most pleasant.
They are hoth very intelligent and anxious to pick up
information. We spent a very agreeable time at
Medina. Mr. Root is a very different kind of man
to what 1 had pictured him. He is short, thin, and
seems quite worn out with work. He has worked
extremely hard, and has succeeded better than any
one else on that side of the ocean in popularising bee-
keeping and creating a demand for appliances. He employs
150 hands making nothing but hives and appliances.
Everything is turned out on a large scale. He has
machinery for doing almost everything, and it was quite
a treat going over his large factory and his yard. I met
one or two Englishmen employed there, who seemed
well satisfied with their lot. I found men hard at
work when I visited the manufactory, one making
the metal corners for the frames was stamping them
out by a very ingenious machine for the purpose. At
Mr. Root's, as I had my microscope with me, I was
enabled to clear up some points respecting foul brood.
He knew all about foul brood practically, but had not
been able to make any close investigation of it micro-
scopically. I must tell you that wherever I went I
found the microscopes in U3e inferior to that I had
with me. Even Professor Cook had not seen the germs
themselves, although he had a mounted slide containing
specimens. When I showed him the bacillus under my
microscope with a one-twelfth Powell's oil immersion,
he was much interested. There was no instrument in
the College with such magnifying power. Mr. Root
told me he had never before seen foul brood in its
different stages. The disease over there is exactly
similar to what we have here. From Mr. Root's we
went to several other places, Niagara among the number,
and afterwards met by invitation the Canadian bee-
keepers at a large meeting and exhibition of hives
and honey in Toronto. The exact quantity of honey
exhibited I cannot remember, but the figures were given
in the British Bee Journal. The exhibits' of two hive-
manufacturers, the D. A. Jones Company and Messrs.
Gould, occupied a great deal of space, but the honey
was rather crowded, like the Canadian exhibit here,
which militated against the attractiveness of the show.
The clover and lime honeys were excellent. As regards
the lime honey I think it is superior to ours, the Cana-
dian climate being better suited for its production, but
clover honey is as good here as over there. They had
an extraordinary, but, to my mind, somewhat objection-
able, way of selling honey at the show. A section was
cut into four pieces, and each piece offered for sale
separately, five cents being charged for a quarter. You
would see people distributed all over the show biting at
these pieces of comb, and eating it as they walked along.
By this method a large quantity of honey was got rid
of, but it was not pleasant to see the people pushing
about in a crowd and messing each other with the sticky
substance. I expressed my opinion at the time to some
of the bee-keepers, but they assured me it would be im-
possible to sell the honey at that exhibition on any other
plan ; and as the all-important object at these shows is
to sell the honey, I suppose the custom is likely to con-
tinue. At this meeting I had the opportunity of seeing
a large number of the Canadian bee-keepers. They came
from districts far and wide. Mr. Young, editor of the
Norwegian Bee Journal, was there at the time, and we
were both very hospitably entertained by our Canadian
friends. We also met Mr. Holtermann, our Canadian
correspondent, Messrs. Pringle, Emigh, Alpaugh, Hall,
Rev. W. Clarke, Mr. McPherson, Mr. McKnight, Mr.
Corneil, and others. I was honoured by the presentation
from the bee-keepers of Ontario of an address, and also
a walking-stick with a gold top, which lies here for your
inspection on the table. The address has appeared in
the columns of the Journal, where the walking-stick

cannot be inserted. I am glad to say that everywhere
we went in Canada and the States we met with "a most
hospitable reception. We became on good terms at
once, our co-workers over the water doing their best to
make our time agreeable ; they showed us everything, and
our difficulty was to find sufficient time to see all there
was to be seen. We might have stayed several days
longer at each place, and been made most comfortable
and welcome, but it was not practicable under the
circumstances. At the Toronto meeting of course I was
asked to say something about the B.B.K.A., and I made
a special point of describing briefly the working and organ-
ization of the Association. They were very much in-
terested to hear the record of our work and system as
they have nothing of the kind over there. Their Associ-
ations are merely Associations of bee-keepers in certain
districts, who meet for the purpose of talking over
matters connected with their work. After the pleasant
time spent at the Toronto exhibition, we went to see
Mr. Hall of Woodstock, Vice-President of the Ontario
Association, one of the largest Canadian honey pro-
ducers. He has 400 hives, and has produced as much
as 200 lbs. per hive. Of course he is not able to do
that regularly, 80 to 100 lbs. being a good average.
He makes bee-keeping his sole business, and depends on
it entirely for a living, as many others do in America :
Captain Hetherington is one, for instance; he was a
Captain in the army during the rebellion. He started bee-
keeping, and being fond of it, made so great a success
that he has managed to live sufficiently well and bring
up a family on the proceeds of the business. Mr.
Heddon has made bee-keeping his only means of sub-
sistence, besides lately the editing of a "local paper. He
had very little money at starting. Mr. Hall was obliged
to give up the business he was in owing to bad health,
and took to bee-keeping as a livelihood. He is bringing up
his family upon it. As a business, speaking generally, it
answers very well in America. At Mr. Hall's I picked
up a great many ideas, but I cannot describe everything
on the spur of the moment, having seen so many different
things : I shall, however, be able to enter more into detail
in the Bee Journal. From Mr. Hall's I went with him to
Mr. Pettitt, President of the Ontario Bee-keepers' Asso-
ciation. As he was not able to be present at the Toronto
meeting, I thought it was only right I should go and see
him, and I stayed with him from Saturday to Monday, and
spent a very pleasant time there. His hives are very similar
to ours, and he has adopted a frame almost the size of our
standard, which he finds answers quite as well as the deep
frame he had been using. He works with sections of one
and three-eighths width without separators. From there
Mr. Pettitt accompanied me to see two or three other
bee-keepers who lived between his place and St. Thomas.
One of these, Mr. Alpaugh, a young man, I found to be
an advanced bee-keeper, of great intelligence. He is
the inventor of the machine for fixing foundation in
sections, which I will showyou atwork here to-night, and
which has been sent by Mr. Corneil. You will see it
is an ingenious contrivance, but, unfortunately, I cannot
show you the working of it as well as he did himself.
From Mr. Pettitt's we went through New York State to
Washington, and from there to Philadelphia. In
Carpenter's Hall at the latter city, we met with a
hearty reception. This Hall is of great historical
interest, for it was there that Washington sat, and the
first Congress met, and the Declaration of Independence
was signed. At Philadelphia, we made the acquaint-
ance of several scientific bee-keepers. I believe there
are more scientific bee-keepers in Pennsylvania than in
any other part of the States. Dr. Townsend is President of
the Association. Mrs. Thomas, who goes in actively for
bee-keeping there, asked if we had any lady bee-keepers
in England. On my replying ' yes,' she said we ought
to make more of that fact in the Bee Journal, because
such notices would stimulate other ladies to undertake

October 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

473

the same pursuit. Although it might do in America,
bee-keeping on a large scale was not suitable for
ladies in England (laughter). This may appear strange,
hut there is, undoubtedly, a difference between the mode
of life led by ladies in America and in this country.
American ladies are used to hard work. In every house-
hold every lady does her share of work as much as the
man does, and performs her part of the household duties.
There is a great difficulty in getting servants there, and
she has to do cooking, sweep the rooms, or dust the fur-
niture. Gentlemen also assist in the household duties,
sometimes cleaning the boots. You will, therefore, see
that what American ladies might do ours could not. I
must not forget to acknowledge our indebtedness to
Dr. Townsend, Mrs. Thomas, and Mr. Arthur Todd,
for their kindness. The latter gentleman took us about
and showed us everything of interest in Philadelphia.
It was there I met our friend, Mr. Hooker's son, who
also kindly showed us about. From there we travelled
back to New York, and across the ocean home. I am
afraid in the foregoing remarks I have only given you a
slight idea of what we saw and did and the districts
we have travelled over, but the pages of the Bee Jour-
nal shall give you fuller particulars from time to time.
Wherever I took my microscope it was a source of great
interest and delight, and the preparations were atten-
tively examined. I have already told you how hospit-
ably we were received everywhere in the States and
Canada. All bee-keepers seemed pleased to meet me,
not only as a brother bee-keeper, but as the representa-
tive of the bee-keepers of this country. I assured them
that the compliments paid to me would be appre-
ciated by the members of our Associations here, and I
can now only repeat my expression of thanks for all the
kindnesses I received on the other side of the Atlantic.
Our trip was a very enjoyable one, although travelling is
not so easy there as here, and one becomes wearied by
the long distances. Of course, my wife could not bear
the fatigue of accompanying me everywhere. Accom-
modation is not so good there as here ; sometimes, in
out-of-the-way places, we have had to sleep on the
floor, owing to unwelcome bed - fellows. In con-
clusion, let me say I shall be happy to give you any
further information in my power, if you will ask me
questions on any specific points.' (Loud and protracted
cheering.)*

In reply to questions by Mr. Meggy, the Rev. Mr.
Clay, Mr. Garratt, and Mr Lyon, the Chairman said
that Captain Hetherington's bees were Italians, or
crosses between them and black bees. Large honey-
producers like the Captain raised their own queens, and
did not deal with queen-raisera, because where an exten-
sive business was done queens were wanted by the dozen.
It was found by experience that Italian bees or a cross
between them and black bees were best suited to the
American climate, at any rate in that district. Carniolan
bees were being introduced in some places, but not
largely. It was the practice always to select queens
from the best stocks. All the sales at the show
were retail. A large quantity of honey was sold by
producers to the stores in the neighbourhood. The
only place where he had examined foul brood was at
Mr. Hoot's.

Mr. Lyon asked what was the average price per lb. of
honey paid to producers, because he thought, considering
the market price of Canadian honey in this country, a
bee-keeper over there who only had 400 hives could not
make a very good living.

The Chairman replied that the usual price was from

* The above outline of Mr. Cowan's travels through the
States and Canada, and his narrative of visits paid to bee-
keepers, were delivered without the aid of notes, and with
little previous preparation, which must be his apology for
any possible omissions or misstatements.

fourpence to eightpence per lb. Mr. Hall had a very
bad season last year, but as a rule he made a good living
by bee-keeping.

In reply to the Rev. Mr. Raynor, the Chairman said
that Captain Hetherington always introduced his queens
by means of a cage very similar to the pipe-cover cage.
The Captain said it would not pay him to practise direct
introduction. He must make sure of introducing every
queen successfully. He had tried the direct method, but
had lost so many queens thereby that he could not afford
to waste any more time by experiments. The question
was governed entirely \>y cents and dollars, and every
day was of consequence. One gentleman he (the Chair-
man) met who frequently tried direct introduction,
and by taking the precaution to smoke the bees and the
queen and thus give them all the same scent, had been
successful.

In answer to Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Garratt the
Chairman said that Captain Hetherington used a different
smoker to those employed here. A fire was lit in the
American smoker, which sent out an immense quantity
of smoke. He (the Chairman) had been present during
the manipulation by Captain Hetherington. That
gentleman would not allow any of his friends to be
present on such occasions unless veiled. A tremendous
puff of smoke was blown into the sections, which caused
the bees to rush down and crate after crate was removed
in that way — a work occupying only a few moments.
Very few bees were killed or taken away, perhaps not
more than two or three. The wood used in the smoker
was maple cut out into pieces about four inches long and
half an inch square. Some people, like Mr. Heddon, used
moistened plane-shavings mixed with dry shavings,
which combination smouldered very much and gave off
a considerable amount of smoke and steam. In every
apiary there was always a smoker ready at hand. He
(the speaker) took the opportunity of testing Mr.
Grimshaw's apifuge at Messrs. Knickerbocker & Lock's.
Mr. Lock put some on his face and hands when examin-
ing a hive of savage Cyprians. One bee flew direct at
his face, but did not sting, at which Mr. Lock was
agreeably surprised. He (the Chairman) left some of the
apifuge with several persons.

In reply to Mr. Sambels, the Chairman said that sec-
tions in America were propolised late in the season just
as much as here, but early in the season the honey flow
there was very rapid, and they were consequently not
propolised so much. Captain Hetherington considered
seventy pounds per colony a very fair yield. With
regard to carrying bees away on the sections he had
omitted to say that every establishment had its honey
house, and the windows in these were so arranged that
bees taken in could get out again. In America, however,
they were not so particular about destroying a few bees as
we were, so long as time was saved. They do not trouble
to remove the sections as carefully as we do, and with them
it is of no consequence to crush a few bees. Wintering in
Canada is much easier than in the States, owing to the
dryness and equable temperature. The climate of the
former is colder, but less changeable than that of the
States. Captain Hetherington's greatest difficulty was
in wintering. He moved all his hives into cellars, hut
his losses during the spring had been great. He had lost
as many as ninety per cent some years and could not
ascertain the cause. He had a house built partly above
and partly below ground, which was ventilated by a pipe
running a long distance under ground, the air inside the
building being warmed to the temperature of the earth.
That gentleman's apiaries were in New York State and
occupied a very cold region ; in fact, they existed in a snow
belt which extended for about fifty miles north and south.
The district seemed always to be visited with a larger
quantity of snow than was experienced either north or
south of it for many thousands of miles. Melons would
not thrive in that belt, though they came to perfection

474

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 27, 188?.

both north and south of it. In Iowa and Illinois bees
can be wintered out-of-doors.

The Rev. Mr. Raynor said he thought the meeting
was deeply indebted to Mr. Cowan for the very lucid
and interesting description of apiculture as carried on
across the Atlantic with which he had favoured them
that evening, and he (Mr. Raynor) wished to express
on behalf of his brethren their heartfelt thanks to the
Chairman. He was glad to know that, with the excep-
tion of pasturage, bee-keepers here were in every way
equal to their co-workers in America.

The Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh seconded the motion,
which, upon the suggestion of Mr. Garratt, was formu-
lated thus : —

' That this meeting expresses its best thanks to Mr.
Cowan for his kind and lucid description of American
Apiculture in the United States and Canada, and also
desires to record its sense of the kindness and hospitality
shown to him as the representative of British Bee-
keepers by American and Canadian bee-keepers.'

Mr. Grimshaw, in supporting the resolution, said he
was very glad to know that the bacillus of foul brood
seen by the Chairman was exactly like that which
English bee-keepers were accustomed to. It was a
comfort to think that instead of having a dozen different
varieties to fight there was, probably, only one kind.

Mr. Sambels also supported the resolution, saying he
was glad that Mr. Cowan had convinced the Americans
that English bee-keepers were not a few decades behind
them. He thought after the Chairman's visit they
would, perhaps, adopt some such system and organiza-
tion as prevailed in this country.

The resolution having been carried, amid applause,
the Chairman expressed his thanks to the members for
their kindness. He said his visit to the great western
Continent was quite a labour of love, and that he and
Mrs. Cowan had benefited greatly by the tour, notwith-
standing that the railway journeys were often very
fatiguing. When at Toronto he was asked to give an
opinion respecting Canadian honey, and efforts were
made to induce him to commit himself on that subject,
and in that connexion he was very much pressed by
the persistence of interviewers. He could only confess
that their clover and lime honeys were very similar to
those in England. With regard to thistle honey he was
rather sceptical last year, and had said he could not
understand any country producing sufficient thistles to
give a crop of honey ; but his opinion on that point had
been rudely shaken when he saw hundreds of acres of
thistles. Although an Act existed against the cultiva-
tion of thistles it was not put in force. He thought his
visit and the reception accorded him would have the
effect of cementing the bonds of friendship between bee-
keepers in all three countries. He had found that some
little prejudice was felt in the States against English bee-
keepers, who it was thought had treated the American
honey dealers somewhat badly. However, a little ex-
planation soon removed the grievance and secured
the Americans' approval of the steps taken by the
Association. He was quite sure their friends over the
water would be gratified by the resolution just passed.
(Cheers.)

After a short conversation between Mr. Garratt and
the Chairman respecting Canadian thistles, Mr. Sambels
proposed that a copy of the resolution should be sent to
the American Bee Journal, the Canadian Bee Journal,
and Uleaninys, which proposition was seconded and
supported by two gentlemen among the audience, and
carried unanimously.

Mr. Lyon asked whether the Chairman had any
practical experience of the working of the Jones-Heddon
hive in America.

The Chairman said that hive was not in very general

use over there, and Mr. Heddon himself was not using
it very largely.

Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Sambels referred to the
peculiar and various effects caused by the smell of honey
on some persons. In answer to the latter gentleman
and Mr. Lyon, the Chairman said he saw no skeps in
America, bee-keepers there being too advanced for any
such imperfect appliances.

Mr. Alpaugh's method of fixing foundation by means
of slit sections was then exhibited for inspection.

Mr. Garratt feared that the foundation as fixed might
buckle, but the contrivance was commented on in
favourable terms.

Mr. Godman's machine for embossing foundations
was also exhibited.

Mr. Baldwin said that, although the Canadians had
such vast tracts of pasturage, they did not seem to have
profited much by Nature's gifts, many bee-keepers in
England having produced far larger yields of honey — the
Chairman himself, for instance.

The Chairman said the most he had produced from
one hive was 230 lbs., but then he was a bee-keeper on
a small scale compared to the Americans. Besides, they
could not afford to devote the time and care to bee-
management as was done in England.

Mr. Baldwin thought there was nothing to fear from
American competition.

Mr. Sambels said Miss Gayton was a very successful
lady bee-keeper in his county, and had produced from
one hive during the past season a far larger quantity of
honey than any of the American yields to which the
Chairman had referred.

After a few remarks from the Rev. Mr. Raynor, the
Chairman said it was not fair to select the produce of
one single hive as an example of the amount of honey
raised here or there ; an average must always be struck.
Mr. Hall, of Woodstock, has obtained 400 lbs. from
a single hive, and Mr. L. C. Root as many as from 400
to 500 lbs. He (Mr. Cowan) could not say that his
average was 230 or 200 lbs. A certain number of
years must be considered when computing an average.
Captain Hetherington did not complain of from 60
lbs. to 80 lbs. average. He (the speaker) had suggested
that it would be better to reduce the number of hives,
and make sure of paying more attention to the manage-
ment, by which means he thought an equal, if not better,
yield would be obtained.

After a few words from Messrs. Sambels, Baldwin,
Hooker, and Neighbour, Mr. Lee's system of dovetailing
sections was shown and explained; and a bar-frame be-
longing to Mr. E. J. Jones, the speciality of which was
that, instead of the side and bottom bars being of one
piece, they were halved. In order to insert the foundation
sheet, the metal ends were to be removed, and the frames
would open like a book. (Further reference to articles
exhibited will be found in p. 469.)

During the remainder of the evening, the Chairman
evoked much interest by exhibiting under the microscope
various portions of the, bee's structure, including the
tongue, the semicircular comb used for cleaning the
antennas, a longitudinal section of the eye, the worker's
claw and sting. He also showed some peculiarly shaped
cells, which had been cut out of frames by himself in
America.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — The autumn weather we are now ex-
periencing is, to our taste, simply perfection — warm,
bright, bracing, dry — the day temperature much in
excess of the night. Yesterday and to-day (Friday and
Saturday) have been days of brilliant sunshine, without
a cloud to dim their brightness, while that invigorating
atmosphere, which a fine dry English autumn alone
affords, prevails from day to day ) while the thermo-

October 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

475

meter is down to freezing point at night, the mid-day
temperature in our bee-houses is 84° Fahr. — weather in
-which almost any operation may be performed in the
apiary.

Bees Breeding. — Several of our colonies are breeding
far more extensively than we approve, and pollen, in
pellets, as large as those seen in April and May, are
rapidly conveyed to the hives during working hours.
This occurs chiefly in colonies whose aged queens have
been lately superseded by imported Italians — a result
we have often before noticed. If the coming winter
prove mild and open this late breeding may be an advan-
tage, but, after eight or ten weeks of hard frost, we dread
to forecast the condition of such colonies. Driblets of
food during a late tine autumn will often cause breeding,
but we are wintering entirely on natural stores, not an
ounce of syrup having been supplied to our bees since
the spring months.

Cares and Introduction. — In response to our offer
to present queen-cages to our friends and readers, we
have received numerous applications, with which it has
afforded us much pleasure to comply. Will those who
have received them — many of whom have desired to send
value in stamps — please to accept them, their cost being
a mere trifle ? In future Messrs. Neighbour will keep a
supply of these cages on hand. From the correspondence
ensuing from our offer, we are sorry to hear of the loss
of so many queens in attempts to introduce direct. Even
where queens survive they are often injured by long en-
casement ; hence our advice to the inexperienced is to
avail themselves of the security offered by the cage,
during the honeyless season of the year at least. With
the cage we have been busily engaged in introducing
queens during the last month, aud have met with no loss,
often leaving the queen caged in the brood-nest for three
or four days from want of time to set her free, and al-
ways finding her vigorous, healthy, and improved in
appearance and condition. We have also found it a
good and safe method of keeping a supernumerary queen
to cage her on the confines of the brood-nest of a strong
colony still possessing its own queen at large. Such
queens, after a week's imprisonment, have been found
well nurtured, strong, and healthy. It is a curious fact
that bees will feed an alien queen when protected by the
cage, which, without that protection, they would in-
stantaneously destroy. Queen introduction at so late a
period is exceptional, but the fine, brilliant weather we
are now enjoying is also exceptional.

Skeps versus Foul Brood. — Were it not for the fear
of that terrible pest, foul brood, we should rest perfectly
contented with the condition and prospects of our apiary,
but, with the scourge all around, a dreadful nightmare op-
presses us and compels the use of precautionary measures.
To the expressed view that colonies in skeps are less
liable to foul brood than those in frame-hives, or that the
disease was not in existence before the introduction of
the latter, we must demur. It is more than probable
that the dire disease existed in ancient times. Virgil
speaks of Aristseus having lost his bees by disease —
' amissis ap>ibus morbo,' and again, ' Si vero, tristi langue-
bunt corpora morbo,' (If, moreover, their bodies shall
languish with a sad disease), &c. Varro, Pliny, and in-
deed all ancient writers on bees, treat of their diseases,
our own Dryden having amplified the latter's statement,
thus : —
' And crowds of dead that never must return

To their loved hives, in decent pomp are borne ;

Their friends attend the hearse, the next relations mourn.'

Our ancient English authors treat largely, too, on the
diseases of bees, and we should hesitate to affirm that
foul brood has not existed in this country as long as the
bees have existed. The old straw skep, without roof or
cover, saturated with moisture and rotten to its core, is
a meet receptacle of the spores of bacillus, and there is

scarcely the shadow of a doubt that the disease has
existed here from time immemorial. And the same may
be said of many other diseases, which appear now aud
again under novel and scientific names. So far, indeed,
from the fell disease following in the wake of the frame-
hive, we are more inclined to think that it has followed
in the wake of the old straw skep and of the modern
expert. Absit omen!

Sale of Honey. — It is a very common complaint of
County Associations that there is no market for their
honey. We fear there is much truth in the allegation.
But taking into consideration the great depression pre-
vailing in every branch of industry, how can we expeC,
ours to be the one exception ? Again, are the County
Associations doing all that lies in their power to remedy
the eril ? In the sale of honey very much depends upon
the style in which it is ' put upon the market ' — the ' get
up,' as it is called. Our best dealers will purchase none
but first-class honey, especially in sections ; and how few
of these do we see even at our shows ! Very few indeed
are well and evenly filled, and fewer still are worked in
clean new section-boxes of snowy whiteness. More often
do we find them in dingy, soiled material, propolised
within and without, and the propolis left adhering.
Surely there is much improvement needed in these
points. Teach producers, first of all, what is meant by
a really good section, and, next, teach them how to pro-
duce it and present it in proper form for the market.
The same may be said of extracted honey also. Then,
again, it is a great mistake to force the entire honey yield
of the year upon the market at once. What should we
think of the farmers if, even in these terrible times of
depression, they forced the entire corn -crop of this
country upon the market within three months of its
ingathering ? Should we not expect prices to come
down ? Granulation, to a great extent, may be pre-
vented if proper means be used, just as the farmer by
care and foresight can keep his corn in dry and saleable
condition as long as he pleases, ready for the market
whenever a favourable opportunity inay offer. Try as
we may, we shall never teach people to consume the
entire honey crop of the year in three months, and to
abstain for the remaining nine months.

Preventing Robbing. — A. friend informs us that he
has used carbolic powder most successfully as a preven-
tive of robbing. It is the ordinary disinfecting powder,
sold in Is. tins, with perforated lids, of which a small
quantity is sprinkled on the robbers when attacking.
The would-be thieves, disgusted with the scent, return to
their hive only to be shunned or expelled by their sisters.
Generally speaking, bees which have been in contact
with carbolic acid, i.e., upon which has been sprinkled a
little of the solution or powder, immediately desert their
home aud kindred, and are seen no more, perishing as
outcasts shunned by all. If a little of the powder falls
upon the guards, no great loss is sustained, as others will
quickly supply their place, and the speedy check to
raiding is of greater importance than the lives of a few
bees.

With a press of most interesting matter for the pages of
the present issue of the Journal our readers will kindty
excuse the curtailment of our ' Hints.' For w~ork to be
performed, but which has not been performed, we beg to
refer them to ' Hints ' in our late issues.

ITALY.

In reviewing the result of the season which has just
closed, the Apicoltore of Milan, whilst exhorting its
readers to look forward to better things in future, points
out that, generally speaking, all the hopes which had
been placed upon an abundance of honey from the
heather have been disappointed. It would appear, adds
our Italian contemporary, that this honey-producer has
this year followed the example of the acacia-tree, which

476

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 27, 1887.

has been very prolific as regards blossom, but very sterile
as regards honey. The editor concludes, however, by
assuring his readers that the above circumstances will
not be allowed to interfere with his hopefulness,
particularly as this scarcity of honey has not been
limited to Italy alone, but has been, on the contrary,
very general both in Europe and in America as well,
and he ventures, therefore, to express his conviction that
his hopes in the future will bo participated by all bee-
keepers throughout the land.

€nxxz&$Qribmz.

■♦■

IN THE HUT.
' Weaving spiders, come not here ;
Hence, ye long-legged spinners, hence ! '
[1324.] At last we have got our bees from the moors,
but our best-laid schemes have gone agley, for we had
fixed on to-day for depriving them of surplus stores,
and here we are, kicking our heels during an incessant
steeping of rain, with nothing to do but smoke and talk
bee-talk. Patience, Huttites ! wait ; and in good time
' The musical hounds of the fairy king
That hunt for the golden dew,

shall sally forth again. Wait till a fairer day, for it is
not yet the time

' When chilling frost and nipping wind

O'er earth exultant reign,
And close within the hive confined
The Brown Bee shall remain.'

Fine days and frosty nights. The glass now drops to
freezing nearly nightly, and we shall only have occa-
sional days this month when we can open our hives.
We have bean driven to this delay (Oct. 15) in wintering
preparations in consequence of the peculiar season on the
Yorkshire moors, inasmuch as the weather broke just
as the heather bloomed in full ; the bees had only one
week's fun, the rest of the time being what we call
' snatch days;' indeed the weather was so tickle that three
weeks ago had they begun running downstairs with the
contents of sections. We therefore left them later on
the moors, in hopes of a change, this coming only in
time to enable them to fill up and seal frames, but
leaving sections unsealed. Such sections will be carefully
wrapped up and put away so that we may in June get
the perfection of honey — heather and hawthorn mixed ;
we cannot extract it to get a nice article.
Your leaders lately remind us that

' " Aphidean honey " is not strained ;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the leaves beneath.' (Ugh!)

I suppose everybody takes care to put a pencil — or
some other — mark on the top of each section, either at
the time of putting on or taking off section crates.
When this is neglected, and they get sent away by rail,
wrong way up, tne jar (not the honey-jar) of the jour-
ney causes leakage because of the downward pitch of
the cells, or, when stored away, they bleed.

Speaking of mice in bee-hives (vide Mr. Dixon in
recent issue) one huttite, last winter, found a dead
mouse (inside a hive) which had eaten its way through
combs, and in tightening up the frames it had evidently
got nipped and jammed to death between two bottom
bars. Our bees left this mouse severely alone; but then,
we have such strange bees ! The little beggars won't do
any wonders for us.

What, Mr. Useful Hints, surely you do not mean to
punish the many for the criticisms of the few ! Perish
the thought that anything at present is likely to jeopar-
dise the regular appearance of those kernels of practice
judiciously flavoured with germs of theory — Useful
Hints. ' No Jottings ' this week neither.

There is one thing, however, which causes us to re-

joice at the close of the season, and that is, the tempo-
rary stoppage of reports from county meetings. 1
suppose it is only a case of ' suspended animation ! ' They
will come round again. I have often wished, when
reading the full lists of prizes at various shows, that an
inspiration might come over the secretary whilst writing
out his report, to ' tell us a bee-tale.'

Somebody has parodied the lines quoted by Mr.
New (p. 063) : —

I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled

Above the broad brim, that a bee-man stood near,

And I said, in my heart, ' If there's peace in the world,
A bee, that is Humble, might hope for it here.'

By the time these lines are in print, we shall have had
' Welcome the coming ' over, at the Conversazione, in
hailing the return of our chief 'frae for'n pairts.' I may
be branded as a greedy one, but I anticipate something
' riclit guid ' in your columns as a result of our Editor's
trip.

By the way, if some courteous correspondent will con-
tribute to your columns a list of the bee-keepers in the
McNally family — Christian names, and relationships — it
would be of considerable value as a reference ; there is
such a lot of ' Please, sir, it wasn't me ; it was the other
boy,' that we ought to know whether the other is which
or not. — X-Thactor.

AMONGST THE RED INDIANS.
[1325.] Very recently I paid a visit to ' Buffalo Bill.'
It was not my first visit by any means ; I was familiar
with his show and the ' war-whoop ' of his horde. I had
gone carefully over the place, watched the process of
' extracting ' John Bull at the switchback railway and
tobogganing slide, stood and gazed on ' Liberty ' and
tried to imagine myself entering New i'ork Harbour, and
admired the ice palace. I had given more than a passing
look at the ' arts, manufactories, and resources of the
greatest and best honey-producers in the world.' I had
looked amongst the canned fruits, essences, meats and
lobsters ; sweet and delicious (?) drinks there were with-
out number, but I could find no honey. Whether the
American bee-keepers lack pluck, or have given up all
hopes of redeeming their character on the London market,
I know not ; but I must confess I was greatly surprised
to find them not represented, and I had turned home with
the probability of not paying the show another visit ; but
on this particular day having to go to town I thought I
would give it one more look. In town I met the terse
and logical inventor of ' Apifuge,' and a hint or two was
sufficient to induce him to mount a 'bus with me for the
' Wild West.' Arriving we turned into the Indian
Encampment, but stillness reigned throughout the camp.
The ' Hon.' we did not wish to interview ; ' Buck Taylor '
was ' bossing ' up and down showing off his flowing hair
to the crowds of English girls that were about. Cow-
boys there were in abundance, but our thoughts were not
centred on them. The Yankee ladies of the show were
— we judge from appearances only — all ' at home,' but
even ' little Sure-shot ' herself had no charms for us ; we
wanted the real dusky article, male or female, we cared
little which, but ' red-skins' we were in search of; and,
for the time being at least, we were blind to all the
charms of the 'whites.' We 'took stock' of the sable
gentleman that roasts the 'pop-corn' and watched the
humorous look in the corner of his eye at the end of
each oft-repeated husky yell of ' S-o-u-u-c-h-! It is
honoy-coated ! ' and the bland look of disappointment
when he discovered it failed to mako even a muscle of
our faces relax. By this time the corn commenced to
burst ami ' pop,' and elicited from our ' darky brother '
the cry 'Look! Wonderful!' but failing even then to get
a response from us he turned his back on us with disdain.
Now the ' X-tractor ' was brought into play in the shape
of a loud whisper to myself, ' Honey-coated 1 pshaw 1

October 27, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

477

glucose ? ' This had the desired effect. ' The " pop-
corn," ladies and gentlemen, is sweetened with granu-
lated sugar and the best American strained honey, you
cannot do better than try it; only threepence a ball the
corn and twopence a bar the candy and no glucose !'

At this moment I espied a figure mocassin-shod and enve-
loped in a striped blanket, holding a tete-a-tete in dumb
show with a flash young English lady in charge of a cigar-
stall. Here was our chance. So we proceeded to first get
the lady to forward our project. ' Did she like honey ? '
' Not much.' ' Wonder if the Indian did ; ' but lie mean-
while had enveloped himself still closer if possible in the
folds of his blanket, so that we could only get a glimpse
of his eyes and a small patch of his forehead by peeping
in a way amounting to rudeness. A motion from the
lady caused him to look at what we wished to show him.
My companion and I both placed a piece into our mouths,
the lady takes a taste to encourage him, and as a reward
for our audacity our dusky friend allows us to put a nice
piece of section honey into his mouth from the blade
of a bone knife, and we watch the result with some
amount of alarm. ' Would he tomahawk and scalp us ?
Should we be the cause of a sensation in the evening
papers? Would the coroner have to summon twelve
" good men and true " to give a true verdict about us ? '
But nothing happened. The ' brave ' stood erect, rolled
the blanket around him so that we could not even see his
eyes, swallowed the ' mel ' and slowly relaxed his blanket
again. At this juncture two more passed to the rear of
us. These we also waylaid. ' Chippa-wah ' No. 1 stood
and looked ; ' Chippa-wah ' No. 2 gave a look, a most
decisive grunt of disgust, and passed on. My versatile
friend proceeded to treat ' Chippa-wah ' No. 1 to a liberal
helping ; he took it into his mouth with a broad grin,
wrapped himself up and proceeded to assimilate it. If
ever I felt sorrow over feeding any one with sweets I
did that poor Indian. Some of us old stagers know the
effect of a good lump of strongly flavoured comb honey
on our bronchia] tubes. But how about a throat that is
not hardened to the acids contained in honey ? But the
demeanour of the savage gave us no indication of what
was passing through his mind, nor the amount of pain
he was enduring. He simply stood erect and immovable,
bat he refused the offer of a second helping with a most
decided grunt. But the first ' brave ' who all this time
stood looking on did take a second taste, and I judge by
his demeanour rather liked it.

We next passed on to the encampment again. The
first we sighted v*as a ' squaw ; ' she looked at our sec-
tion and passed on ' dumb saucy.' The next was the
tallest, finest ' brave ' it was our fortune to come across,
but our invitation made in ' dumb show ' only drew from
him a grunt more decided and scornful than we had yet
got from any of the others. By this time a small crowd
of sight-seers had gathered around us, which was above
all things not likely to forward our project. At the
door of one of the tents sat an Indian girl about five
years firing off a toy pistol some one had given her. The
cool way in which the small child placed on the per-
cussion caps and listened to each consecutive report
without a wink of amusement or animation lighting up
her eye was a study. We tried to attract her to us, but
never a move did she make. At last a jolly young
fisherman up on an excursion drew from her a small cry
of pleasure by offering her a penny. She dropped her
pistol and ran to him with outstretched hand to take it,
but the penalty was to be a ' kiss.' The child stood as
erect and immovable as a statue while the smart young
' salt ' imprinted a kiss on her cheek that was audible for
some yards. The moment the ' chick ' was released she
ran into the tent and as quickly reappeared — minus the
penny — to meet the sight of a biscuit being offered her
by a lady. This was also taken into the tent, and no
other offer being presented she sat down again intent on
exhausting her box of percussion caps, As no one would

yield to our charming we at length gave it up — cigarettes,
money, biscuits, gew-gaws, 'bacca, anything but 'Mel,'
which seemed to be unknown to and unappreciated by
them, or probably is held in disrepute by them as being
gathered by the white man's 'stinging-fly, the Ahmo, the
bee, the honey-maker,' which always ' swarmed before
him ' in his appropriation of their once happy hunting
grounds. I confess I turned from these fine fellows with
a sigh, not because I had failed to induce them to par-
take of my 'sweets' so much as when I remembered in
the words of Hiawatha : —

1 The westward marches
Of the unknown, crowded nations.
All the land was full of people,
Kestless, struggling, toiling, striving,
Speaking many tongues, yet feeling
But one heart-beat in their bosoms.
In the woodlands rang their axes,
Smoked their towns in all the valleys,
Over all the lakes and rivers
Rushed their great canoes of thunder.

Then a darker, drearier vision
Passed before me, vague and cloud-like ;
I beheld our nations scattered,
All forgetful of my counsels,
Weakened, warring with each other ;
Saw the remnants of our people
Sweeping westward, wild and woeful,
Like the cloud-raok of a tempest,
Like the withered leaves of autumn ! '

Amateub Expert.

BEES AND MANURE-HEAPS.

[1326.] I am very pleased that our old friend, Mr.
Grimshaw, has fallen somewhat into the views that I
expressed in my letter published in the Bee Journal of
the 6th inst. (1295); although he only gives me credit of
being ' warm,' meaning — as expressed in the game of hide-
and-seek — that I am only near the mark, but have not hit
right upon the correct theory, and so venturing to suggest
that he has ' hit the nail right upon the head.' Well, per-
haps he has wrested the honours ( ?) from my hand. I
am sure that I am perfectly willing to give in to his
superior knowledge of chemistry, knowing that I am but
a ' poor fist ' at the best. Of course, we are not all born
scientists in any one particular branch, it would be
against all advancement in this world of multifold ideas
and knowledge. I made the assertion (vide 1295), that
hippuricacid HC9 H3 N03 is found in the urine of horses
and cattle. Yet Mr. Gr. asserts that hippuric i3 the acid
contained in the human excreta and uric in cattle, thus
misplacing both their positions and terms. I don't say
for a moment that he is wrong ; but still, I remember
that when a little boy I was always taught that hippo-
potamus, a river-horse ; hippodrome, a circus for eques-
trian exercises ; hippophagy, eating horse-flesh ; hippo-
pathology, veterinary science ; hippolith, a stone found
in the stomach of a horse ; hippocampus, a fish with a
head like a horse, &c, were, in the first syllable, derived
from the Greek word hippos, signifying a horse ; perhaps
my tutors were wrong and ought not to have led me to
suppose that hippuric had anything to do with horses,
but yet I can hardly conceive that a very formidable work
on chemistry now laying before me should be wrong as
well ; and yet, even this informs me that hippuric acid
is found in the urine of horses in quantity, but in larger
quantities in that of the cows, and uric acid H„ C, H,
N4 03 in that of humans, but in each of these a faint
trace can be found of both, that is to say, in humans a
faint trace of hippuric, and vice versa. But still I will
give in to Mr. G. Oh, by-the-by! I find that an
ordinary dictionary (Nuttall's) contains the following,
' Hippuric, obtained from the urine of horses.' But still
I'll give in.

Now I'm going to ask for information from Mr, G.

478

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[October 27, 1887.

I always endeavour to obtain this from some one who, I
think, ought to be capable of assisting me, and so in thus
soliciting I expect to be fully posted up upon the follow-
ing subject, thus adding one more item to my chemical
knowledge, which, as I before owned, had been sorely
neglected by my mentors. In Mr. G.'s letter (1316), he
tells us that ' hippuric will be secreted by all animals
which have benzoic acid given them.' My question is :
Upon what food can an animal be fed in order that
benzoic acid m»j' be taken into its system with same, in
quantities sufficient to form hippuric acid, which is found
in every manure-heap frequented by a few bees ? I own
that I am in a complete fog, — I don't know. The adage
says, ' Where ignorance is bliss,' &c, but I really want to
be wise. But stay ! perhaps they feed horses, &c. in York-
shire upon gum-benjamin, a resin flowing from the
Stt/ra.v benzoin, a tree of Sumatra.

Following up the letter, I find an astonishing mis-
statement has been made in confounding nitro-benzol
CB H5 (NO.,) or artificial essence of almonds with the
benzoin products. Artificial essence of almonds is pro-
duced by the action of strong nitric acid on benzol, a
liquid obtained from coal-tar, and by no means to be
confounded with benzoin. Nitro-benzol cannot even be
used a,3 a flavouring ingredient on account of its rank-
ness. It is sometimes used for scenting cheap hair-oil
and soaps.

After this latter, I think I may be more than ' warm '
on the subject of the cause of the visits of bees to manure-
heaps, and also may be correct in my assertion as to the
relative positions the two controversial acids ought to be
placed in. — W. B. Webster.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

E. T. — 1. The insects you forwarded are of the order Diptera
— flies not bees. They, however, bear a great resemblance
to bees. Then specific name is Eristalis fossarum. They
live on the vilest garbage, and are often called ' stink
flies.' 2. The sample of sugar sent is not the most
suitable for dry-sugar feeding ; Porto Eico is the best.
This, however, should not be given till next spring.

William Johnston. — It is not desirable to disturb your
bees so late in the season. Wait till next spring, and
when the hive has swarmed, twenty-one days after drive
and transfer to bar-frame hive.

W. K. — Breeding Space. — It is generally allowed by those
who have experience of the various races of bees that
Cyprian, Carniolan, and Italian queens are more prolific
than black queens, and consequently require more breed-
ing space, especially if natural swarms are not desired. It
is not uncommon for the queens of the three former
races to keep twelve standard frames well filled with
brood, while, in our experience, eight or ten suffice for
black queens.

J. White. — 1. Ripened Honey. — Frames of sealed honey
are ripe when removed from the hive, and may be kept
free from granulation if stored in a dry, warm room or
closet (see answer to ' Aps'). 2. Age of Qucenx. — It is gene-
rally recommended that a queen should not be kept after
her third year, many say after her second, and a few
would supplant her after her first. We have found
queens most prolific in their second year. Many, again,
do not supersede queens at all, but allow the bees to
decide the matter for themselves. When driving a
swarm, the queen may be changed by driving the swarm
into a skep, removing its queen, and shaking out the
bees ; the new queen being placed amongst them while
running in.

Aps. — Unsealed Sections.— As a rule it is the safest and
best plan to extract the unsealed honey from unfinished
sections when the honey harvest is over, as this thin
unripened honey soon becomes acid, and is not suitable
food either for men or bees. We have not much experi-
ence of heather honey, but believe that if the unfinished
sections were placed, say, for twenty-four hours in a
temperature of 90' Fahr,, tho honey might bo extracted;
»vhen the sections, miuua the greater portion of the

honey, bemg placed over a strong colony for a few hours
on a fine day would be cleaned by the bees, and might
then be stored for use next season. On the other hand,
if kept as they are in a dry and warm room, it is likely
that the honey might not granulate, and could be used,
as you propose, at spring. But granulated honey is
generally cleared out of the combs at spring by strong
colonies, and, to say the least, is of no advantage to the
bees. In the brood-chambers honey may be considered
ripe when the cells are all sealed, and may then be
extracted. Until such is the case, we never extract, believ-
ing that honey artificially ripened is of inferior quality.
H. S. — 1. Moving Bees. — Move them to the position required
in one move, after they have been confined to their hive
for a few weeks by winter weather. 2. Position of Quilt
when Supering — The quilt is to be removed entirely.
3. Storifying.—Remo\e top hive when full and extract,
then replace under the then top hive, and when this is
full work it in the same manner. 4. Section Racks. — These
are much better made with sides : in fact, they are the
only ones that can be tiered up.
Beeswing. — We do not recommend that the queens should
be superseded at the end of the first year ; our experience
has been that queens have been most prolific during their
second year.
W. J. — Tw'ieiibells. — We have had, we confess, no slight
difficulty in ascertaining the meaning of your local word,
' Twichbells ; ' we have at last satisfied ourselves that
your word is equivalent to our ' earwigs.' Now as earwigs
are gifted with wings, we do not think your contrivance
will keep them out of your hives. They are not very
agreeable neighbours to bees, but they do them little
damage. They resort to hives for warmth. Earwigs are
of some service in the gardens, as they destroy multitudes
of smaller insects, as thrips, aphides, &o.
Inquired. — Crown-boards are now obsolete. The ex-
perience of bee-keepers for many years has proved some
kind of quilts to be the best form of crown-cover for bar-
frame hives. It is not necessary that the quilts should
be of any special form or construction, matting, hair-
cloth, flannel, carpet, &q., each has had its advocates ;
but it should be of some material through which the
vapours of the hive can ascend and disperse. Besides
the porosity of quilts, they are more easily removed, and
therefore manipulation is facilitated. Bees would work
up to the crown-boards, and the wrenching of these from
the frames, and the consequent irritation of the bees,
were something terrific. Bees can be more easily fed
through quilts. Enamel cloth has of late found
acceptance with many bee-keepers, the hive entrances
being kept the same width in winter as in summer.
Llancaiach. — 1. Presence of Drones. — Thepresence of drones
at this time of the year would incline us to think that
your hive is queenless. But before you take any pro-
ceedings, it would be desirable to assure yourself, by
ocular observation, of her absence or presence. As the
stock appears to be strong, we should recommend that no
action be taken till the spring. 2. Doubling. — Excluder-
zinc is not used in doubling, as it has been found to
interfere with the work of the bees. In storifying the
ordinary entrances would be much too small for these
hives, they are therefore raised one inch in front by small
wooden wedges* thus allowing the bees to go in and out
on three sides of the hive, and this is not found too much
in the height of the season.

*,* Tlie extent of our report of the Quarterly Conversazione
has obliged us to postpone several communicatinus to our next

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bhos., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Applkton, H. M., 250a Hotwell Eoad, Bristol.

Baked, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Bnmau Bee-keepeus' Stoiieb, 0 Georgo Yard, Fenchurch Sti

Bubtt, E. J., Stroud Kof>d, Gloucester

BiTISH

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 280. Vol. XV.]

NOVEMBER 3, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

BEE-KEEPING AS A LIVELIHOOD.

A query from a correspondent has brought forth
a few answers in respect to bee-keeping as a means
of gaming a livelihood. We should have thought
that a much larger correspondence upon the subject
would have emanated from other bee-keepers who,
although perhaps not entirely depending upon bee-
keeping for a sole support, are adding very con-
siderably to their incomes by so doing ; if so, it
would be of much interest that they should give
their opinions and experiences, and also the amount
of honey and wax yielded from a given number of
hives and their increase extending over a period of
several seasons. Such a statement would be of
little use unless it was compiled from the results of
at least thirty stocks, as a correct computation
cannot be made from apiaries of a few hives ; these
obtaining a much larger share of attention than
could possibly be given by any bee-keeper having a
much larger number under his control.

It is not our purpose to advocate anyone pursuing
this industry alone, 'without fully weighing its
advantages and disadvantages over other means of
gaining what we all so earnestly desire — a com-
petence. In reviewing the four letters that have
appeared we Dote in two instances nothing has
been alluded to with regard to the flora of the
district where the would-be apiarian should estab-
lish his colonies. This without doubt is one of the
most important points to be considered ; a difference
of quite fifty per cent in the honey production in
many instances with other districts will be found.
We feel quite sure that this computation is within
the mark. An instance in point occurs to us at
the present moment where quite a novice this
season obtained 400 lbs. from four colonies, these
being the whole extent of his apiary. This yield
no doubt was in the greatest measure owing to the
unexceptional honey-yielding flora of his neighbour-
hood, which we have an intimate knowledge of, and
not to any extraordinary expertness of the bee-keeper.
Such a position as this would materially affect the
honey yield and consequent fortune of the speculator.

Our American contemporary Gleanings, of the
issue of October 1st, publishes a letter from the
pen of Dr. C. C. Miller, a gentleman who now
entirely depends upon honey production for a

maintenance, in which the question is asked :
' Should bee-keeping be made an exclusive business,
or should it be pursued in conjunction with some
other business 1 ' The following very wise observa-
tion is afterwards made by the writer : ' This
question can be best answered after considering
some of the pursuits that may be combined with
bee-keeping.' This is very true. In how few
pursuits could bee-keeping be combined? We
venture to assert with a very small number. It
could not be done to any very great extent with
the farmers, as just at the busy time of haymaking
the bees require the greatest attention. With the
small fruit-grower it is the same ; in fact, the aspect
here -would be much worse. Quoting the words of
Dr. Miller : ' So far as my experience goes, the
small fruit business requires the closest attention at
the very time the bees demand it. As soon as
spring has fairly opened there is work to be done
at the bees, and so there is at strawberries, rasp-
berries, <fec. As the season advances the bees
become more imperative in their demands, and so
do the berries. In the height of the picking season
when the eyes of the fruit-raiser must be every-
where to see that pickers are making good work, to
settle disputes, to make sure that berries are
promptly sent to their proper destination, and not
allowed to lie over and spoil — at this time when
the fruit-raiser, unless possessed of a very cool
head, is about half crazy — the bees are alone
enough to make him go distracted, when a dozen
swarms may come out at once. In a word, the
busy time of each comes at the same time, and
what is wanted is something to occupy the leisure
time of the bee-keeper.'*

We do not mean to assert that a farmer or fruit-
grower could not manage, say, forty hives during
the busy season ; but our ideas of an apiary which
shall yield a sufficiency to pay any one for their
trouble and employment of capital and labour
would be not less than 200 hives, and as many
more as the district would support.

There are in Great Britain many men who are
partially dependent upon their bees. We could
name several who, in conjunction with other busi-
nesses, make bee-keeping a considerable source of
income, or, as our contemporary puts it, have
another business to assist bee-keeping.

* Dr. Miller's letter will be found in extenso on p. 485, — Ed.

480

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 3, 1887.

The production of honey, wax, and bees alone, is
our basis for these arguments, excluding queen-
raising as being a separate branch of the apicultural
industry.

The next point that occurs to us is that of com-
petence on the part of the apiarist. Not only must
he be expert in the management of bees, but as a
salesman business tact must be combined. A man
may produce corn, and all he has to do is to take
his samples to the nearest market-hall, when at
the price fixed in this market he will have customers
come to bim ; but wTith the honey-raiser this is
different, he will have to make a market for his
honey, and in this will depend a great measure the
success of the enterprise. As Mr. Godfrey remarks
in his exhaustive letter : ' Two persons standing
side by side with honey exhibits of equal quality ;
one will sell fifty or more 1-lb. jars at lOd. and Is.
each, whilst the other would only sell a dozen or
two at &d. or 9d. each.' This is perfectly true, our
experience entirely coinciding with his.

It would be giving but sorry advice to advocate
a man who is capable of managing four or five
colonies to invest in a hundred, as although a good
bee-keeper with a few, he would most likely lose
his head when surrounded with so many. Even in
the practical working of an apiary, upon which so
much depends, it is a very different matter to have
this management subdivided to so great an extent
than with perhaps a single row of stocks. We
would much rather advise a gradual increase in the
number of stocks kept, until the advent of twenty
or thirty more into the apiary would make little or
no difference to the brain-work of the honey-pro-
ducer.

During this period of gradual increase a know-
ledge of the style of appliances and manner of
working them in the most economical manner will
be gained ; the knowledge of such in these islands
is very deficient — no doubt in this particular a
' set-off ' against a further fall in the price of honey
may be fairly assumed. The price expected for the
honey must be less than that quoted by Mr. Godfrey.
No one at the present time would pay 9d. per lb.
for extracted honey in bulk ; a computation of &d.
would be much nearer the mark, with 8d. for 1 lb.
sections. An average yield of 30 lbs. per colony
from 150 colonies would not be sufficient to
support a family ; therefore an increase of stocks
must be made and a consequent increase of capital.
There are many points where considerable re-
trenchments may be made, such as depending
entirely upon one's own exertions, with an occa-
sional help from the bee-keeper's family, which
in America, where bee-keeping pays, is always
obtained, the wife working as industriously in the
business as the apiarist himself, winter employment
in making hives, &c, for tho coming season,
peddling a considerable part of the productions in
the winter months, when a better price can always
be obtained than just after the honey season. This
latter proceeding we know is considered in England
by many as a little mfra dig., savouring too much
of the costermonger style of business ; yet we
cannot see anything in it that would stamp any

man otherwise than of being a very commendable
character. A ' nest-egg ' in the event of a very
bad season, without doubt, is of very considerable
importance, and should not be overlooked ; here
the gradual working into the honey-producing
business will be of some advantage, as until a
certain point is reached the bee-keeper has ' kept
touch ' with some other business which may tide
him over his difficulties. There no doubt ought to
be a deal of consideration given to this chance of a
bad season, although with the great advancement
that has been made of late years in apiculture the
likelihood of a total failure of the honey-gathering
has been reduced to a minimum. Our last season,
if it had occurred ten years ago, would have been put
down as a total failure. In our own district no
rain fell for ten weeks, there was not a scrap of
aftermath clover, yet we averaged forty pounds per
colony in those hives which were run for honey.

There is one favourable circumstance that should
not be overlooked, that is, the advantage that the
British bee-keeper will have over his colonial and
foreign rivals in the production of comb honey. It
is almost an impossibility to send, with safety, •as
ordinary goods, cases of sections, on account of their
fragile character. The greatest care may be taken
by the packers, huge labels describing the contents
may be pasted upon the cases, but still the fact
remains that it is very unwise to send such long
journeys, where several transhipments are bound to
take place. Our colonial friends are well aware of
this circumstance, consequently they will be very
chary of sending any over, the effect being that the
price of this commodity will always prove remunera-
tive to the bee-keeper, although there is a very
evident tendency towards a preference for extracted
honey over comb by the public.

BEOOD-CELL COVERS.

By Pastob Schonfkld op Tentschel.

(Continued from page 467.)

How is this impurity in wax, which, nobody will
doubt, leaves the body of the bee in a perfectly pure
state, to be accounted for ? What is the origin of whole
pollen-grains in newly-made wax, and of pollen-husks
and fragments of pollen, in combs which have been used
once for breeding? This question is easily answered,
without our being obliged to have recourse to any
artificial theory. It is, indeed, very natural, and we can
easily understand that of the large quantity of pollen
which bees carry into their hive, numerous pollen-grains
are scattered about while the bees rid themselves of the
pollen, or while it is pressed into the cells, while cleaning
their heads, with which the pollen has been pressed into
the cells, or while taking pollen from the cells for con-
sumption, these pollen-grains becoming attached to the
wax, which is kept in a soft state owing to the high
temperature inside the hive, but are afterwards used up
with the wax when whole cells or cell-edges are gnawed
away by the bees, in order to construct cell-cappings or
make use of the wax for repairs. Consequently, the
greater the ago of the combs, the greater also will be the
quantity of pollen accumulated upon and in them. But
by the pollen-grains which attach themselves to the
surface of the bodies of the bees, and thus find their way
into the hive, the combs become contaminated still more
than by the pollen carried home by bees in small pellets

November 3, 1887.]

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

481

We frequently see bees returning home quite covered
with pollen. Most pollen-grains carry on their surface
stings or organs of attachment. As soon as such a
grain comes in contact with wax, it at once becomes
fixed. How little bees are able to free combs from
pollen, or even from grains on the surface, is seen in each
freshly-polished cell, prepared anew to receive brood,
every small particle of wax being full of pollen. The
fact that not even the small wax-plates from between
the rings of their abdomen are free from them clearly
shows how largely the body of bees itself is covered
with pollen. The presence of husks and fragments of
pollen-grains is also easily explained ; they are, as a
product of preliminary digestion, the excreta or faeces of
the larva?, which are deposited at the bottom of the cell.
The larva until it becomes metamorphosed, of course,
ejects no excrementitious matter, not, as people suppose,
from the absence of an orifice, but because its stomach is
closed by the pouch-shaped structure of its interior
membrane. But as soon as the larva passes into a
metamorphic state the stomach remains no longer closed,
and the larva then ejects the contents of its alimentary
canal together with the interior membrane of the
stomach. At the bottom of every cell from which a
young bee has issued, this excretion, consisting mostly
of fragments of pollen, is found in such quantity that we
need not be surprised that the combs in the process of
being cleansed by the worker-bees are so badly contami-
nated with pollen-husks.

Dr. Dzierzon, therefore, is decidedly wrong in throwing
doubt on the results of the investigations of Dr. Von
Planta, but he is right in assuming that all cell-cappings
are made of similar material, like the entire comb which
carries the cells. What Dr. Von Planta observed and
based his report upon is perfectly correct, but his con-
clusions are erroneous, as the cappings of brood-cells and
honey-cells are always constructed of the same material,
i.e., from wax of the same quality as the comb which
contains the cells. Not even in weight or thickness do
cell-cappings differ so much as Dr. Dzierzon seems to
think, as

10 brood-cell cappings weigh 9-50 milligrams, and
10 honey-cell „ „ 9'75 „

The weight of a brood-cell capping being therefore 0'950
milligram, and of a honey-cell capping, 0'975 milligram.
— Translated from Gravenhorst 's ' Deutelie Ittustrierte
Bwnenzeitung,' August, 1887.

FEANCE.

In connexion with the Insect Exhibition which has
lately taken place in Paris, the Apiculteur promises to
give at an early date a full report for the benefit of its
readers. In the meantime, however, our contemporary
expresses its regret that the bee-keepers' section was not
so largely represented as it should have been, coming, as
it did, at the close of a good season.

According to the above-mentioned authority, it would
appear that the bee-keeping section consisted of eighty-
five exhibits only, contributed by some sixty odd ex-
hibitors, although our contemporary admits that some of
the so-called lots almost constituted a small exhibition of
their own. Still, at the outset a larger number of
contributors was anticipated. The best represented
' Departements ' were the ' Yonne ' and the ' Cote-d'Or.'
The prizes given away were fifty in number, a summary
of which will be given in an early number.

Notts Bee-keepebs' Association. — The committee
are working on steadily to promote the interests of bee-
keepers in the county. The bee-tent has been sent and
prizes given at three shows, viz. Betford, Sutton-in-
Ashfield, and Famsfield. Bee - publications are cir-
culated monthly to all the members, and the district
secretaries have been busy giving advice and assistance

to them. Messrs. Morris & Place, auctioneers, Bridle-
smith Gate, Nottingham, having kindly offered the use
of their auction mart to the committee it is intended to
hold a honey fair there on Friday and Saturday, December
16 and 17. At this fair the silver and bronze medals
and certificate of the British Bee-keepers' Association
(with which the N. B. A. is affiliated) will be offered for
competition. Full particulars will be advertised in due
course. One of the aim3 of the Association is to intro-
duce the best form of hive to bee-keepers, and to attain
this hives are drawn for at the annual meeting. For the
drawing next January several manufacturers and others
have promised hives and appliances. Some districts of
the county are without secretaries, and the committee
are anxious to get ladies or gentlemen to take the posts
before the end of the year, so that their names may be
printed in the annual report. Lectures will be given on
bee-keeping throughout the county during the winter
whenever desired, application be made to the hon. secre-
tary, Mr. F. H. E. Fisher, Farnsfield, Southwell.

How Beeswax is Made by the Bees. — It is no
mere extraneous substance which needs only to be col-
lected for use; it is a bit of individual organic home
manufacture. If you examine the under surface of a
cell-building worker you will find beneath the abdomen
four pairs of white plates projecting from as many pockets
in the incasing rings of this part of the body. These are
the wax-plates made from the life-blood of the worker.
Examine now with a lens one of the hinder legs. You
will find that the stoutest joints are very square-shouldered
at the hinge, and that the hinge is well over to one side,
so that the shoulders form a pair of jaws, which open
when the limb is bent and close when it is straightened.
The upper jaw has a row of spines which bite on a plate
on the lower jaw. With this apparatus, piercing it with
these spines, the worker withdraws a wax-plate from its
pocket, transfers it to the front legs, and thence to the
mouth, where it is laboriously masticated with a salivary
secretion. Unless it undergoes this process it lacks the
ductility requisite for cell-making. — Murray's Magazine.

Uses op Honey in India. — Honey of fair quality is
obtainable in most parts of India. Though not possessed
of any marked medicinal proportions, it is always ad-
visable to keep some in store, as it forms an agreeable
sweetening ingredient for mixtures, is a good article in
which to administer powders for children, and is one of
the best substances in making pills, &c. Should it be
dirty and impure, it should be 'clarified ' by melting in
a water bath, and straining through cloth. — A mixture
of honey and distilled vinegar, or lime-juice, in equal
parts, melted together by gentle heat, is an excellent ad-
junct to cough mixtures, and in the coughs of childhood.
Diluted with an equal quantity of water, and with or
without a few drops of paregoric, it forms a pleasant and
useful mixture which children will readily take when they
will not swallow other more nauseous medicines. — An
excellent stimulant application termed Ceromel, for in-
dolent and other ulcerations, is formed by melting]together,
with the aid of gentle heat, 1 ounce of yellow wax, and
4 ounces of clarified honey and straining. It is admir-
ably adapted for use in hot climates, where animal fats,
the basis of so many ointments, soon become rancid and
unfit for medicinal use.

Buthekglen Hobticultubal and Apiabian So-
ciety.— This Society has recently presented Mr. Ebenezer
McNally with a handsome marble timepiece and marble
ornaments as a recognition of his valuable services during
the past three years. Mr. McNally has taken a prominent
part in introducing bee-culture into this locality, and the
results have been of the most satisfactory nature. The
' hobby ' is now getting very popular, and it is evident, in
years to come, the name 'McNally' will be long remem-
bered in connexion with this local industry. This is
certainly encouragement to others who may be labouring
in the same direction,

482

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 3, 1887.

€amtyovfomtt.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be draicn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business coimnuntcations relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huokle, Kings Langley, flerts (see
2nd page 0/ -4duertisements).

*,* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
7iumber of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

GRANULATED HONEY.
[1327.] The time, I think, has arrived when some-
thing should be said in favour of granulated honey. By
this I mean extracted or run honey not comb honey.
There appears to be a widespread opinion that a jar of
honey in its granulated state is not pure, that it is mixed
with flour or some such ingredient, or that it is old honey.
Most of us bee-keepers know that this season especially,
being free from rain, and consequently a dry atmosphere,
honey when extracted quickly set into a solid block
in a few days. This was the case in my own apiary,
whether the honey was taken from fruit or heather
blossom ; it set in less than eight days, and from the
clover in less than fourteen days. Before proceeding
further allow me, Mr. Editor, to draw your attention to
the reply you favoured your correspondent 'S. White,'
B. B. Journal of October 13th ult. page 457. You state
there, ' The reason of your honey becoming candied was
extracting it before it was ripe.' I thought at the time
it was an error of the printer, and have been looking
for you to contradict it ever since. This remark placed
beside your specimen honey label, which you recommend
in your Guide - Booh, page 82, somehow don't agree.
I am of opinion that every jar of honey put into
the market should bear a label of this kind, which
I greatly admire. Kindly allow me then to venture
giving my opinion that honey must be ripe and extracted
from sealed combs or it will not granulate. In frequent-
ing the most of our leading honey shows the thought has
often occurred to me, viz., how does it come that judges,
when giving an award in a class for extracted honey,
and there happens to be a sample of granulated honey
competing with a sample of liquid honey, that almost
invariably the latter takes the first place ? The first time
I saw the tables turned in this respect was at the Cale-
donian Society's Show at Edinburgh, in 1884, when
Messrs. Raitt and Neighbour were the judges; and in
the class for twelve jars extracted honey, the second and
third prizes were awarded to the granulated samples,
against perhaps fifteen in the liquid state. When I have
been asked to judge at any of our honey shows, I have
always placed granulated honey on equal footing with
the liquid, for the simple reason that it is as difficult to
produce a perfect sample of the one as the other. Sup-
pose then briefly that we have two samples of honey,
the one liquid, the other granulated (I don't like the
word candied) to pass judgment on, and we take the
six points usually taken by our competent judges to
guide us in deciding, viz., flavour, colour, condition,
uniformity, aroma, and get-up or form shown, for to
guide us, I fail to see where the granulated sample should
lose one point, except perhaps in colour ; and I doubt
very much if it should lose there, while as to condition or
consistency it should more than hold its own against the
liquid sample, because it ought to be already tested. I
have more than once secured a first-prize jar of liquid
honey, and kept it beside me to see in what form it
would granulate. I have seen it after it had become set
to be large-grained, a sure sign of inferior quality, and

several times it remained liquid. I maintain then that
we bee-keepers should do all in our power to uphold the
granulated against the liquid honey when all other
points are equal.

Honey in its granulated state will keep for a long
period of time, it is the best to send by rail or otherwise,
and, so far as I have proved, is the most marketable. It
is also an easier matter to transmute granulated honey
into its liquid form than vice versa. One firm which has
bought nearly 1000 jars extracted honey from me this
year writes that they want it all granulated, as in the
liquid form it is of no use to them. — William McNally,
Glenluce, /Scotland.

[The circumstances of S. White's honey were peculiar.
Without our correspondent seeing his queries it would
be impossible to form a correct judgment of the reply.
The specimen honey-label refers to the purity of honey
as regards its freedom from adulteration with glucose,
and not to its consistency {vide context), and of this
purity granulation is a proof. As a rule well-ripened
honey will granulate as quickly as unripe, or, in many
cases, more quickly ; but granulation depends more
upon the pasturage from which the honey is derived
than upon its consistency. For instance, in our own
apiary a few weeks ago, unsealed honey of the
least possible density, when extracted from unfinished
sections, granulated sooner than the most dense we
ever saw, which had been extracted from well-ripened
sealed comb. It is a difficult matter to compare and
judge granulated honey — when shown in the same class
— -with liquid. We very much prefer the granulated,
but there ought to be classes for both. — Ed.]

THE HONEY FLOW.— OVERSTOCKING.

[1328.] Many inquire how they are to know when
honey is coming in. Examination of the hive will of
course show every vacant cell being more or less
occupied with the thin, newly-gathered nectar. The
bees, too, come in with distended bodies, falling heavily
upon the flight-board. Sometimes the aroma of the
incoming stores is distinctly noticeable, more particu-
larly at evening, when many bees are ventilating at the
entrance, and a perfect roar is heard throughout the
apiary. Apart from this, the advanced apiarist has
an instinctive feeling that honey is, or is not, being
gathered. The state of the atmosphere and his
knowledge of surrounding crops tell him at once what
to expect.

The temperature may range anywhere from 70° to
90° in the shade, but if it continue too hot and dry for
more than ten or fourteen days, the amount of honey
brought in will decrease daily, unless there happens to
be a succession of heavy ground crops coming along,
when, the earth being shaded, moisture is still retained.
A shower once in a while is beneficial, but frequent
rainfalls destroy all chance of a good honey-flow, as
such induce also a low temperature. Even with fair
weather it sometimes happens that the temperature rules
too low for the secretion of nectar ; but usually, if none
is stored during a fine season, it implies either that the
district is poor in honey plants or there are too many
colonies in one place. It is sometimes stated that honey
is secreted on a larger scale by plants during thundery
weather, but I have found it come in just as freely
during steady fair weather, when there was no sign of
thunder for weeks together ; and the latter condition is
certainly to be preferred to the other, as the atmosphere
is often cold and unsettled after thunder.

The question of overstocking is one that has received
considerable attention, though nothing satisfactory has
been arrived at in regard to this matter. It may safely
be said, however, that in any fairly good district one
hundred colonies will each put out as much surplus
as one only. But with a large number there are

November 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

483

greater risks, and the whole cannot receive the same
attention individually that would be given to a few. It
will generally be found that it is not. the district that is
at fault, but rather that our stocks are not always ready
when the first or only glut of the season occurs. Honey
is seldom secreted so abundantly as when everything is
bursting into new life, but it so happens at that early
date it is often difficult to get the bees strong enough to
do more than provide for the expanding brood-nest.
When bees can be so wintered that they will come out
stronger in spring than when they settled down for
winter, we shall hear little more about overstocking.
That this desideratum will shortly be an accomplished
fact I am fully persuaded, and hope on a future occasion
to give evidence to that effect. — Samuel Simmins.

' IN THE HUT.'

[1329.] In reading over the article of last week, the
27th ult., with above heading in B.B.J. I see 'X-Tractor'
is very anxious to have a list of the bee-keepers in the
McNally family. I have no objection in the least to
furnish him with a list of them with their ' Christian
names and relationships' provided he will kindly say
what he wants a list of the names for. 'X-Tractor'
should bear in mind that when he wants a favour of
this kind through the columns of your paper it is as little
as he can do to affix his signature to the request. It
looks very singular when any one is asking a favour if he
is afraid to disclose his name. This shooting ' from-
behind-the-hedge style of business ' ought to be'avoided
by every one pretending to write to any public paper.
By way of consoling ' X-Tractor ' a little, if he will
extract all the articles that have been contributed to
your paper from time to time by the McNally family he
will see that each one has got his Christian name and
surname — but not relationship — affixed thereto. If
' X-Tractor ' would take my advice, and like the bee
hibernate in his hut during the winter months, and not,
dog-like, keep snarling from the manger against persons
better informed and more practically conversant with a
subject in writing of which they are not afraid to append
their names. Perhaps with reviving spring he may be able
also 'to tell a bee-tale,' which with his undoubted (?)
ability and smatterings of Shakspearian lore will be a
treat to your readers. By the way, for the guidance of
' X-Tractor,' I may say the McNally family are a
dangerous lot to tackle; their name is Legion, and they
are all bee-keepers. — William McNally, Glenluce,
Scotland.

[We have received a letter much to the same effect as
above from Mr. J. D. McNally. — Ed.]

NORTH-EAST OF IRELAND BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

[1330.] I have just read Messrs. McHenry and Cun-
ningham s letters in your issue of 20th October, anent
my letter which appeared in issue of 22nd September.
I am sorry, in one respect, and glad in another, for
bringing this Association into such prominence in the
pages of the B. B. J. for irregularities. When I wrote
the letter, which Mr. McHenry characterises as
' imaginary,' it was not with any selfish motive on
my part ; but for the common good of all concerned,
and, if possible, to assist in putting matters right for
another year.

Mr. McHenry must have a poor memory, or perhaps
it is ' imaginary,' when he says, Mr. McNally's brother
had the use of a ' proof schedule bearing the numbers,
names, and character, of entries from each exhibitor, to
check over his entries.' Allow me here to state, there
was only the one McNally present, and that person the
writer, who had entire charge, with the assistance of the

Rev. J . B. Robertson, of placing the exhibits of W. and
J. D. McNally; and, further, Mr. Wm. McNally did
not arrive in Belfast until the judging was over. I
think Mr. McHenry will admit this statement is not
' imaginary,' but correct. Coming now to the main
point at issue, on the show day, when I called to arrange
my exhibit, I asked Mr. McHenry for a schedule, and I
could not be supplied with any other but the one I have
referred to ; and I must demur to the statement that in
receiving said schedule I was privileged in any way,
because other exhibitors had the use of this schedule as
well as myself, there being nothing else to give them. I
do not for a moment insinuate that I received any in-
justice from the hands of Messrs. McHenry and Cunning-
ham more than any other competitor ; and it would be
wrong on my part to wilfully bring any discredit on the
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of this highly-respected
Association, for their kindness and hospitality to all ex-
hibitors, and especially to those who happened not to
belong to the ' Green Isle,' was everything that could be
desired or looked for. At the same time, those gentle-
men will admit the fact that great dissatisfaction existed
at the result of awards in the ' honey classes,' and
particularly so in the ' run-honey.' And it was then
some competitors pointed out to me that the printed
names on the schedules had something to do with the
awards not giving satisfaction ; but I am perfectly
satisfied now, after reading Mr. McHenry 's letter, that
the judges were not biassed in giving their decision, and
I am not to be considered writing simply for writing
sake, nor smarting under the sting of defeat. The
printed 'rule' that all honey 'was to be shown as
taken from the bees' was ignored by many in the 1-lb.
section classes, and I pointed this out to the Hon.
Secretary before the judges came to make the awards ;
but despite the fact of doing so the second prize went to
a lot staged in a glass section-case, which certainly gave it
an advantage over the other competitors, who acted
according to the rule, and, in my opinion, should have
been disqualified.

I trust this will settle the discussion, and that I shall
have the honour of meeting and receiving a cordial shake
of friends McHenry 's and Cunningham s hands at their
next annual show. — John D. McNally, Springburn,
Glasgow, October 24th.

FOUL BROOD.

[1331.] The discussion on foul brood in the pages of
the B. B. J., still goes on, but instead of improving the
tendency is, to make confusion worse confounded. It
may be a bold assertion, but it is nevertheless true, that
the ' Man of Kent ' is the only one that has written any-
thing sensible on the subject, although ignorant parties
have attempted to sneer at his remarks.

Mr. Weird has stuck to no particular line of action,
giving phenol, salicylic acid, changing queens and comb
all at one time, so that it was difficult to know what was
the cause of cure or failure ; and I am afraid by his
recipe he wants to lead bee-keepers into a trap, that I,
and possibly he, has been led into.

It is now generally admitted that the Cheshire cure is
too strong to give even in small doses, and yet he advises
the spraying of all the combs with it at one time. Now
what would be the result if the poor bees are forced to
occupy these combs? The half of them would be killed
and the brood likewise literally roasted, it would be a
job to get rid of the dead ones as he advises ; and would
the combs be cured ? No, nor never will be ! And it
is in them that the disease is, and not in the bees and
queen, as they try to make believe. Bees as they become
affected with the disease leave the hive, and the queen
would do the same.

But in all my experience I have never seen a queen
affected, and I have had them bred and been three years

484

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 3, 1887.

in rotten hives, and yet when changed into clean hives,
either hy swarming or shaking out and starving a day or
two, they were all right. I have at present ten queens
that were bred into foul hives, and I know of many more,
and there is not a foul cell in them at the present day.

If bee-keepers wish to get rid of this foul disease, they
must resort to the old plan of swarming, and starving ;
and phenol, if used in small quantities, will be found of
great assistance, as it will check the disease and keep it
from spreading in the combs, where it undoubtedly is,
and the sooner bee-keepers take that view of it the better
will it be for bee-keeping. — Jas. Saddler, Hon. Sec.
Forfar Bee-Iteejiers' Society.

UNITING AND FIGHTING.

[1332.] Though amateurs cannot instruct, they can
communicate information which, in an indirect manner,
may be of small, if not of large, benefit to their superiors,
and a consideration of this truism induces me to seek
admission into the pages of the Bee Journal once more,
with a further relation of my experiences in apiarian
labours.

Since my successful operations as recorded in a
recent issue of the Journal, I obtained permission to
drive a colony of skep-dwellers, receiving the creatures
as remuneration for my labour. As the modus operandi
had been neither seen nor heard of, I became an object
of special interest for a time. So successful was my
work that only three bees were left in the hive. I was
most courteously thanked, and asked to perform on
another hive: and the third evening following I again
had the gratification of performing the life-preserving
process, with the like good result. As I had not another
empty hive, the interval between the two operations
was so short, and I had repeatedly read accounts of
your correspondents having united two and more stocks,
I dropped the second lot into the hive which contained
those I brought home three evenings previously, first
putting in another bar-frame of honey, and taking out
four frames, thus leaving an unoccupied one in the
middle of the hive, and between two colonies. Before
going to bed I heard what I supposed to be the war-
cry, and surely enough the fratricidal war had raged all
night ; they had fought like niggers, and at dawn of the
morn, lo ! the floor was strewn with the dead, while a
heap of corpses had been deposited on the ground in
front of the alighting-board.

What is the lesson I am to learn from this untoward
incident ? Am I to believe that the bees belonging to
this part of the country are less disposed to become
Socialists than are those that inhabit the more northern
part, or was the non-success a result from any blunder
on my part ? Teach me, Mr. Editor, pray. You have
as a pupil — An Aged Amateur.

[We have frequently advised that each lot of bees should
be deprived of their hives, combs, and brood, and when
thus separated thrown together and thoroughly mixed, then
run into the hive, — no fighting will take place. If it is
required to unite a driven lot to a stock, the above can be
done ; or both lots scented, and the driven ones run into
the hive containing the stock. Your first lot of bees
after three days were equivalent to — a stock. — Be]

A CHEAP HIVE.
[1333.] In 1293 your correspondent says he dis-
approves of home-made hives in general. So do I. But
I will give him an idea of mine, and see what he thinks
of it. Being nothing but an ordinary gardener, I am
not an expert in making hives or in explaining them.
My hives are all made of 1-in. wood, bought new for
the purpose, not currant or pine-apple boxes. The boxes
are all made one size, so as any storey fits the floor-
board ; and by having extra roofs and floor-boards, thoy

can be all turned into stock - hives. They are not
standard size, but 15 in. long by 14 in. wide, 10^ in.
deep, all inside measurement; board 1 in. thick 9§ in.
deep inside— this for frames to rest on, making them 1 ft,
in width and 9A in. deep; and roof or quilt over frames
to_ come level of the outer boards. I put strips 4 in.
wide and * in. thick on the bottom of each box, whioh
covers the joints or clips the floor-board. I can make
one, two, or three of these storeys. There is a span roof
to fit, the ends hanging over the entrance and behind,
throwing the wet off on both sides.

My frames are 11 in. by 9 in. deep, top bar 12* in.,
giving i in. all round, which I like, as the bees fill them
quite full all round and they extract better. So you see
each box holds ten frames. I generally use two storeys
in summer, one in winter. My floor-boards are fitted on
legs, the entrance made in the board, and alighting-
board attached. The material for one of these double-
storeyed hives costs about 4s., including paint and nails,
and when properly put together will last a man's life-
time if kept painted. I put the second storey on two of
these hives the last week in June, and in sixteen days I
took 55 lbs. of honey from the top storey alone ; one
black bees, the other Ligurian. It takes 24 ft. of board,
2 lbs. of paint, 1 lb. of nails (3 in.), for a double-storeyed
hive. I never plane anything except frames, as the
rough wood holds more paint without blistering. I
hope ' Woodleigh ' will not despise my hives, but suggest
some beneficial alteration, I think there are many that
would use bar-frame hives if they had a little instruction
in making that cannot afford to buy them, and would
get more interested in the busy bee.— 0. Wm, Clifton,
Ashbourne.

BEES INJURING ROSES.— BEES BUILDING
DRONE-COMB.

[1334.] The very kindly reception given me by
' Amateur Expert ' and ' Sir. Boyes ' makes me feel at
liberty to come again. The matter of bees injuring roses
has been slightly discussed in the B.B.J. I have some
eighty varieties of roses whioh I enjoy much, but this
fall the bees have spoilt my pleasure by pulling over the
petals, so that scarcely a bud can be found of any value,
unless covered with mosquito-netting. The very dry
season, I think, together with scarcity of stores in the
hive has made them unusually bad.

Mr. Hans Ersler (1281) thinks bees will build drone-
comb on worker foundation only when the foundation is
bad. While it may be true that he has had such
experience, it is equally true that I have had drone-comb
built on the very best foundation, made by C. Dadant
& Son, than whom I doubt if there are any better
manufacturers, and the cells were also of the right size,
five to the inch. As to whether bees build drone-comb
with honey-storing or drone-rearing in view I am not
prepared to say. I have seen it stated that if bees are
fed bountifully in the fall, and obliged to build comb in
which to store it, they will invariably build, at that
season of the year, worker-couib. If this be true (and
the experiment could be easily tried) it is, so far, proof
that bees build worker-comb as store-combs. For some
years my hives have contained little drone-comb, and
what little there is is not used as store-comb until late in
the season, but kept for brood only, and if a hole in a
comb is built full by the bees, it is almost invariably filled
with drone-comb, which I have never seen used as store-
comb until after it has been used for brood. This gives
some ground, at least, for the belief that when bees are
well supplied with worker-comb, any additional drone-
comb built by them is built with drone-rearing in view.

Another item just now occurs to me. My sections are
usually filled with worker foundation. If at any time a
starter fills only a part of a section, the bees, I think,
always fill the vacancy with drone-comb, but the queen
not having ready access to lay in this drone-comb, I am

November 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

485

apt to find it empty, although well built out, while the
worker part is promptly filled with honey. This looks
as if the bees were building and holding this drone-comb
for the use of the queen rather than as store comb. — ■
C. C. Millee, Marengo, MoHenry Co., III.

LADY-BIRDS.

[1335.] Some time ago I sent you an extract from
the game-book of a sportsman in Switzerland. I now
give you the following, anent lady-birds, from the
same: — 'On the 29th of December, 18-?0, after ascend-
ing a mountain 5000 feet in pursuit of the chamois, I
discovered a large block of crystal in a bed of granite.
On dislodging it, there were concealed behind it upwards
of two hundred of the small insects commonly called
lady-birds — by sportsmen, lady-cow. I carried some
home with me ; the heat of my pocket revived them.
How did this feeble insect attain so great an elevation,
and how did it penetrate the rock ? And why, for its
retreat, did it not rather choose the comparatively mild
temperature of the valley ? At Glis, Switzerland.' —
J. Lawson Sisson.

MY YEAR'S WORK.
[1336.J Some of your readers will remember that some
time ago I promised to tell them how I got on with
regard to produce of honey. It may be that some will
be somewhat surprised not to see larger returns, but it
will not be the case with those who are acquainted with
the district for producing honey. As there is but very
little white clover round about here, and it is a very rare
thing to see any seeds grown, I mean such as turnips,
cabbage, parsnips, radishes, &c, such as may be found in
many other districts, so the bees have to depend very
largely upon what is provided for them; and I find
nothing so well suited for this purpose, as I have said
before, as borage and Nepeta mussini, as both these
plants continued to give abundance of bloom up to the
12th ult., when Mr. Sharp Frost came and sent all the
borage to its mother earth. But the Nepeta mussini still
continues to bloom, and the bees visit it whenever the
weather permits them to fly. I am sure, Mr. Editor,
yourself and many others will be pleased to hear that I
have sent large numbers of the latter very favourite
bee-plant to many parts of England, Scotland, and
Ireland. But I must ask our friends not to send for
any more plants at present, as I have but very few left,
and they are rather weak, and which I should not like to
send out at this late period of the year ; but if all is well
I will in the spring of next year strike other large
quantities, and when ready communicate the same to
our bee-keeping friends through the columns of the
B. B. J. Now for the produce of honey, &c, for the
present year. I started in the spring with seven stocks.
I think it best to call them by numbers, giving each
number and its produce separately : —

T3

r3

o a!
. >

OS

o o g

o -*>

S5sg
O

sis

to

a

u

eg

e

m

o

oIIk.1

o

to £

1

83 lbs.

18 lbs.

6

1

8

101 lbs.

2

50 „

39 „

8

1

9

89 „

3

46 „

51 „

8

1

11

97 „

4

38 „

45 „

6

1

10

83 „

5

18 ,,

48 „

7

1

8

66 „

6

17 „

36 „

4

1

8

53 „

7

29 „

48 „

8

1

9

77 „

281 lbs.

285 lbs.

47

7

63

566 lbs.

No. 1 Swarm is wintered on 7 frames ; 2 on 6 ; 3 on 6 ;
4 on 7 ; 5 on 8 ; 6 on 8 ; 7 on 8.

Now I must confess that the above figures give me

great satisfaction, considering the district being, what I
may say, not a good one for producing honey ; and if
those of our friends who are similarly situated, and have
the land to spare, and time to cultivate some borage and
Nepeta mussini, they would greatly improve their
prospects, and the quality of their honey would, I am
sure, give them great satisfaction. I am sorry to say
that one of my applicants for Nepeta mussini plants letter
got mislaid, and only came to light last week, so he was
a long time before he received the plants ; but I am glad
to say that I have received acknowledgment from him
for _ the receipt of the plants ; should there be any
similar case, I shall be very much obliged if the parties
will communicate with me, and they shall have my best
attention.

Now, Mr. Editor, will you kindly answer one question,
I am sorry to trouble you, but as one of our bee-keeping
friends appears to be somewhat in a fog, your answer
to my question might clear him of the mist. He tells me
in his letter that he understood me to say, through the
columns of the B. B. Journal, that I would send out one
dozen of Nepeta mussini plants to any address free. I
most respectfully ask you, sir, did you at any time under-
stand me to say so? A reply at the bottom of this
letter in B. B. Journal will much oblige.— C. H. W.,
Aylesford, Maidstone.

[Your first communication regarding Nepeta mussini
appeared in our number for May 26, in which you say
that you would be pleased to send a few cuttings of the
plants provided a stamped and directed envelope were
forwarded. In number for September 1 you inserted an
advertisement, which informed the public that you were
prepared to send out well-rooted and strong plants at Is.
per dozen, postage extra. — Ed.]

BEE-KEEPING WITH OTHER PURSUITS.

[1337.] Should bee-keeping be made an exclusive
business, or should it be pursued in conjunction with
some other business ? This question can be best
answered after considering some of the pursuits that
may be combined with bee-keeping. I am competent to
speak of only a few; and if it seems really desirable
that there shall be a combination perhaps others may be
called out. Perhaps I may arouse Mr. G. M. Doolittle
by saying that I think he has made one of the worst
combinations possible in combining bee-keeping with
small-fruit raising. I think there is a somewhat general
impression that bee-keeping and raising small fruits go
nicely together. There is this much to say in favour of
it — that the man with the right taste for bee-keeping is
apt to have the right taste for a fruit-raiser; and if
successful at either he would be successful at the other
if he should turn his attention to it.

But a business to be combined with bee-keeping should
be one that would require the attention of the bee-keeper
mainly at a time when his bees require no care. So far
as my experience goes, the small-fruit business requires
the closest attention at the very time the bees demand it.
As soon as spring has fairly opened there is work to be
done at the bees, and so there is at strawberries, rasp-
berries, &c. As the season advances the bees become
more imperative in their demands and so do the berries.
In the height of the picking season, when the eyes of the
fruit-raiser must be everywhere to see that pickers are
making good work, to settle disputes, to make sure that
berries are promptly sent to their proper destination, and
not allowed to lie over and spoil — at this time, when the
fruit-raiser, unless possessed of a very cool head, is about
half crazy, the bees alone are enough to make him go dis-
tracted when a dozen swarms may come out at a time.
In a word, the busy time for each comes at the same
time ; and what is wanted is something to occupy the
leisure time of the bee-keeper.

Teaching school, I think, comes nearer to it, for the

486

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 3, 1887.

busy time with bees comes in the summer vacation, and
one with sufficient strength and the right taste might
take care of quite a number of colonies without interfer-
ing with school duties. I think, however, he would in
time decide as I did to give up one or the other.

Of course, there may be many special departments in
which different individuals may have developed special
taste and ability, where a somewhat successful combina-
tion might be made. For instance, the teacher of the
old-fashioned singing-school (now unfortunately out of
vogue) could take care of bees without interfering with
his ' schools,' held only on the long evenings.

But what we are after is something that may be done
by almost any one with the requisite qualifications to be
a good bee-keeper. I think I have heard poultry-keeping
spoken of in connexion with bee-keeping. That, again,
comes too much like berry-raising. When work begins
to press with the bees old Biddy will be wanting to sit,
and perhaps two or three hens will be sitting on one
nest persistently changing from where you want them,
till you feel like shutting your teeth together hard and
saying, ' What does make you act so when I haven't
time to fuss with you ? I should just like to wring your
necks for you.' Yet after all this is said there remains
the fact that, in at least two instances, periodicals have
been published having for their specialities bee-keeping
and poultry-raising. Why this, unless the two pursuits
were supposed to have some special adaptation to each
other ?

To tell the truth, if a young man to-day were to write
me, 'I have at least ordinary ability as a bee-keeper, and
have decided that I must have some other pursuit to connect
with bee-keeping, what shall it be ? ' with my present
knowledge I should reply ' Keep poultry.' But I would
not have any hens sitting in swarming time, nor, indeed,
with flocks of little chicks wandering about trying to
lose themselves in the wet grass. I have studied some
little about it and taken some observations, and I think
the whole business of poultry-raising might be done
almost entirely when bees require little attention.

Mind you, I do not say it is best to combine at all, but
if combining is done the merits of poultry-keeping
deserve consideration. — 0. C. Miller, Marengo, Ills.
{American Gleanings.')

HONEY AS MEDICINE.
[1338.] The Herald of Health is high medical sanction,
In answer to a question, ' Is honey wholesome ? ' it says
'Yes; used in moderation it is.' It then adds : ' A German
teacher has lately written a work on the subject of honey
and its healing properties.' While he may over-estimate
its value, what he says is interesting. We quote : * A
strong influence for publishing this book was the fact
that I, a sufferer from hemorrhages, already given up to
despair, and at the verge of the grave, was saved by the
wonderful curative powers of honey ; and now, thank
God, I am freed, not only from weakness of my lungs,
but rejoice in the possession of perfect health. "At my
first attack, upwards of thirty years ago, powders and
tea were ordered for me, which benefited me but little.
I then placed but little confidence in honey which I had
used occasionally, but in small quantities. Judging from
my present knowledge, I believe that the honey was the
only remedy that was doing me any good, and it is this
that I have to thank for the gradual but sure restoration
of my health.

_ 'As my disease increased I began to use cod-liver
oil, which weakened and injured my stomach so that I
could hardly digest any more, and my condition became
worse and worse. Again I returned to honey, when my
Bufferings gradually began to decrease and disappear.
Besides the use of honey I took pains to preserve my
breast and lungs from injury, which in my trying situa-
tion as public teacher was almost impossible. My dis-

ease being caused by my constant teaching during so
many years, I gave up my profession, and honey was my
only medicine, whereby I, by the simplest, safest, quickest,
and pleasantest manner (for I was fond of honey) re-
lieved the disease in my throat ; and out of thankfulness
I now write this book for the use and benefit of many,
especially for the use of those suffering from diseases of
the throat and lungs.'

This German teacher is none other than Kail Gatter,
from whom we quote still farther on the same subject.
He says : ' In medicine, and especially in the healing of
wounds, was honey, already in early times, used as a uni-
versal remedy, it yet constitutes the principal ingredient
of many medical preparations, is used, with the best
results, in many internal and external diseases, serves
as a means for taking powders, for the preparation of
salves, and the sweetening of medicine.

'Honey modifies, promotes festering, causes gentle
purging, divides and dissolves, warms, nourishes, stops
pains, strengthens the tone of the stomach, carries away
all superfluous moisture, and animates and strengthens
the breast, nerves, and lungs. Honey is therefore to be
used when suffering with a cough, hoarseness, stoppage
of the lungs, shortness of breath, and especially, with the
best results, in all affections of the chest.

' Many persons, afflicted with various species of con-
sumption, thank the use of good honey, either for the
entire restoration to health, or for the mitigation of their
often painful condition of mind and body.

' Honey is also an excellent remedy for the occasional
inactivity of the abdominal organs, and a means of
strengthening weak nerves. For severe coughing, barley
water mixed with honey and the juice of honey drank
warm, is a pleasant relief. It appeases and mitigates
fevers, and owing to its taste and its soothing qualities,
it is used as a gargle.

' Honey can also be used with advantage in asthma,
in constipation, in sore throat ; promotes perspiration,
lessens phlegm, and is very healing to the chest sore
from coughing.

' With old persons, the use of honey is very useful,
since it produces warmth and a certain activity of the
skin. For persons leading a sedentary life, and suffering
from costiveness, and especially from piles, pure un-
adulterated honey, either mixed in their drink, used
alone, or on bread, is the best and healthiest means of
relief.

'Honey has also great value as a medicine for children,
and is readily partaken of by them as a choice, dainty
dish. It is especially useful to children afflicted with
scrofula or rickets. In difficult teething rub the gums
with a mixture of honey and emulsion of quinces. For
the removing of worms honey has often been beneficially
used, and it is often used in diseases of the mouth and
throat. Honey mixed with flour, and spread on linen or
leather, is a simple remedy for bringing to head or
maturity, boils, &c. Also, honey mixed with flour or
fried onions, serves an excellent purpose as a covering
for any hard swelling, or callosity, or abscess, and
often for ulcers it is mixed with turpentine, tar, and
tincture of myrrh. A plaster made of unslaeked lime
and honey has sometimes relieved the most obstinate
sciatica. If good honey is applied to inflamed wounds
or boils, it lessens the drawing, quiets the pain, and
produces a good festering or suppuration, undoubtedly
for all wounds.' — T. B. {Farmer and Dairyman.)

TOM-TITS, WASPS, &c,
[1339.] Tom-tits. — Will some bee-keeper inform me of
some method of destroying these bee-pests? I find them
very destructive just now. I have been shooting them
for the last month, but find they still come more
numerous than ever, which reminds me of an old adage,
' that to kill one, half-a-dozen come to the funeral.' They

November 3, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

48?

require some one to be always about -with a gun, which
(at the present price of honey) does not pay ; and then
no one is scarcely safe unless he has a license to carry a
gun. I have heard sundry rumours afloat, coming from
a farmer the other side of the hedge, wondering if
I have a license to carry a gun. I do not know whether
I am exempt or not on the same ground as farmers.
Would some one kindly inform me ? I do not use it for any
other purpose, or go off the premises of the apiary. Some
farmers are dreadfully nasty and jealous of their privilege.

Wasps are all gone to their winter quarters, and it is
to be devoutly hoped that they will never see daylight
again, except it is for the especial benefit of our waspy
friend's oivn luaspy apiary, where I hope he will keep
them within his own limits under his immediate control ;
he is quite welcome to a monopoly, and enjoy all the
benefit he can make of his wasp apiary. I am sure that I
do not covet, or desire any of those pets of his.

(1303.) I am personally greatly obliged to Mr. Rogers
for answering so many of my questions, but he has failed
to show how he manages to till a hive of forty frames
with bees and honey by the ' hundredweight.' Mr. K.
winters his bees on ' ten frames,' this is one quarter of the
original summer hive; this, I presume, would be done at
the latest by the middle or end of September. This
I can quite understand, but my query is, How many
frames will they cover now, say the 1st of November,
and then on to the end of February, will they cover five
frames ? As our Yankee friends say, I guess they will
not, although they may have one of the best queens that
ever lived. I fail to see, therefore, how this hive is to
be filled with bees by this one queen, by the (say) middle
of June, to be ready for the honey flow. This fine
sunny weather the bees are out in abundance, and I find
they decrease in numbers very fast, and will continue to
decrease through the winter, on all such fine days of sun-
shine, especially if there is snow on the ground.

There is but very little if any breeding from now until
March, and during the whole of that time the bees are
diminishing, and, therefore, I am of opinion, from twenty
or more years of experience, there is not one hive out of
twenty that would cover twelve frames with bees by the
end of April, if they did by the end of May. Hence, the
difficulty — nay, the impossibility of covering forty frames
by the end of June, without the addition of swarms, the
produce of other queens : I therefore say the 100 lbs. is
not the produce of one queen or hive, but many.

It is not a cause for fear with the weather there is
more than one queen alive in a hive or not, but think as
the success of the colony is dependent on the life of one
bee, it would be much better if there were half-a-
dozen, so as to quickly fill a forty or fifty-frame hive to
produce all the more readily the 100 or 200 lbs. of honey,
as some so sanguinely speak of. There may not be more
than one queen left alive in an ordinary hive, or when
they go into winter quarters ; but who has ever proved
that in a hive of forty or more frames, there are not
two or more queens at the same time P It may be a
new idea, but I cannot on any other hypothesis ac-
count for such rapid increas* of bees, so as to cover a
forty-frame hive by the end of June. Take, for instance,
an ordinary hive or skep, get two swarms from it, and
then unite them in one hive, and they would not cover
twenty frames. I therefore ask those who have had
such (to me) extraordinary yields of honey, to honestly
state all the facts, i. e., to confess the addition of swarms,
or deny what I presume to be the facts. The two cases
I mentioned in my last prove to me that there is at
times more than one queen in a large hive, at the same
time each having her own colony and dominions. — ■
Shbbborne, Dorset.

BEES AND MANURE-HEAPS (1326).
[1340.] Your interesting and always agreeable corre-
spondent, Mr. Webster, places me under the necessity of

inflicting upon your readers what, I fear, may be a
dreary letter in defence of the position I took up, and
which he attacks. I will endeavour to be as little
prosy and as clear as I can. Far from wresting the
honours from his hand, there seemed to me no honour in
entering into the discussion, but only a probability of
putting my unworthy head into a hornets' nest, so to
speak, and the consequent labour of defending it. Such
labour, I may say, however, becomes a pleasure when
criticised by the gentleman in question.

Mr. W. says (p. 445) our bees resort to manure-heaps
for the purpose of obtaining hippuric acid, i.e., an acid
contained in the urine of horses or beasts. I reply
(p. 463) that ' uric acid might be a better term, seeing
that uric is found in animal, and hippuric in human
liquid excreta, thus, so to speak, reversing their ordinary
positions.'

The question before us was that of bees visiting all
sorts of objectionable places, not stable or farm-yard
heaps alone ; ' Gentlemen ' on railway platforms being
named amongst the rest by one correspondent. I there-
fore suggested uric acid as being a better term than
hippuric, a more comprehensive one, there being so
many derivatives of uric (heaps of them — oxaluric,
cyanuric, and what not), hippuric being one of them.
Who is then to say that they collect that solely, or even
thatP I will give a few extracts in support of my
statements : —

' Hippuric acid has been discovered in human urine by
Liebig.' (Gregory's Org. Chem., p. 135.)

'Some hippuric acid is found in human urine under
ordinary circumstances.' (Remsen's Org. Chem., p. 291.)

' Hippuric acid is a normal constituent of human urine.'
(Attfleld's Pharm. Chem., p. 299.)

'Hippuric acid is contained in cow's urine 1 in 100.'
(Bloxam's Chemistry, p. 621, 2.)

' Uric acid is contained in human urine 1 in 1000.'
(Bloxam's Chemistry, p. 621, 2.)

' Uric acid occurs in human urine and in the urine of
carnivorous animals.' (Remsen, p. 205.)

So much for the mixed origin of both.

I am next asked, ' Upon what food can an animal be
fed in order that benzoic acid may be taken into its
system in quantities sufficient to form hippuric acid,
which is found in every manure -heap frequented by
bees P' Then comes the joke, ' Perhaps they feed horses
in Yorkshire upon gum benjamin.'

This is where Mr. W. goes astray. I said, ' Hippuric
will be secreted by all animals which have benzoic given
them.'

In reply I will quote again :— ' Dr. Alexander Ure first
pointed out that benzoic acid changed uric into hip-
puric' (Squire's Comp. to Brit. Pharm., p. 7.) ' The
supposed conversion of benzoic into hippuric acid has
been unequivocally established.' (Wm. Keller in Annalen
der Chemie und Pharmacie.) ' Where horses have been
worked hard their urine contains benzoic instead of
hippuric acid.' (Naquet's Princip. of Chem., p. 576.)
' Benzoic is now made from urine of herbivora.' (Ibid.
576.) ' Only fresh urine yields hippuric acid, for after
putrefaction only benzoic acid can be obtained from it.
Conversely, if benzoic acid be administered to an animal
it makes its appearance as hippuric acid in the urine.
It is remarkable that this acid can only be obtained
when the animals are kept at rest, for if actively exercised
the above treatment educes benzoic in place of hippuric
acid.' (Bloxarn, p. 622.) ' Hippuric acid is found in the
urine of patients whose medicine contained benzoic acid.'
(Attfield s Pharm. Chem., p. 299.) ' If benzoic acid be
taken with the food it appears as hippuric in^ the urine.'
(Remsen's Org. Chem., p. 291.)

The third paragraph of Mr. Webster's letter charges
me with making ' an astonishing misstatement in con-
founding nitro-benzol, or artificial essence of almonds,
with the benzoin products. Artificial essence of almonds

488

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 3, 188?.

is produced by the action of strong nitric acid on benzol,
a liquid obtained from coal-tar, and by no means to be
confounded with benzoin. Nitro-benzol cannot be even
used as a flavouring ingredient, on account of its rank-
ness. It is sometimes used for scenting cheap hair-oil
and soaps.' The confusion is on the part of my critic,
not in my statement. In the first place, I cannot find
his mtro-benzol at all. There is m'dro-BENZENE, having
the same formula as he gives, prepared exactly as he
says, but resulting in the ' essence of mirbane.' ' Its
odour is like that of bitter almonds, and it is hence used
in many cases instead of the latter.' (Remsen, Org.
Chem., p. 259.)

In mentioning essential oil of bitter almonds, ' so
much used for flavouring,' I alluded to its synonym —
benzoic aldehyde. This may be made (Remsen, p. 282) by
four different benzoic processes. ' Benzoin heated to red-
ness returns to the state of benzoic aldehyde.' (Naquet,
Princip. of Chem., p. 669.) 'Hydride of benzoyl, or
essential oil of bitter almonds.' (Attfield, p. 273.)
' Benzoyl is the radicle of benzoic acid, or oil of bitter
almonds.' (Gregory, p. 128.) We have then the urine of
herbivora containing uric acid, and hippuric -when stall-
fed, this latter being excreted as benzoic acid when hard
worked. We have also benzoic converted by the chemist
into its aldehyde, a delicious flavouring, non-poisonous
to boot, in opposition to the extracted oil. Mr. Webster
will now see" how correct I was in my original statement.

One word on the open question. Mr. W. pins his
faith to hippuric acid alone, the gathering of which is the
sole object of the bees' visits to manure-heaps. On the
contrary, I make such a resort a laboratory of nature
and a chemical storehouse to which they seek access
according to their need for infinitesimal and chemically
pure quantities of a host of substances— as I said, nitrates,
phosphates, sulphates, alkalies, nitrogenous substances,
and mineral matters.

We speak proudly of the chemistry of the bee as one
of nature's many marvels, and its mysterious conversion
of materials in the darkness of its cell ; surely, then, we
must allow it to be the correct judge of what it requires,
and mentally permit it access to its chemicals, without
experiencing either loathing and disgust.

The objections to extracting from broody combs lie
not in visits to manure-heaps and other places, but to
extracting brood-pap instead of honey. — R. A. H.
Geimshaw, Horiforth.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

T. Richardson. — Candy. — Into a tin saucepan put about
three-quarters of a pint of water, let this boil, and
gradually stir in 6 lbs. of white lump sugar. Keep it
boiling, and stir to prevent burning. To test when it is
done, dip your finger into cold water, then into the
boiling sugar, and back again into the water ; if properly
done it will be crisp and brittle : or drop a little on a
plate, and if sets tolerably hard in cooling, it is done
enough. If very sticky and soft, it must be boiled a
little longer. When hard, take off the fire, and stir it
till it begins to set ; place paper into saucers, and pour
the candy out into them. In half-an-hour it will be
hard and ready for use. Great caution is requisite to
prevent it from being burnt, as burnt sugar is injurious
when it is fed in cold weather.

C. H.— Pea-flour candy would be found serviceable, but
great caution should be exercised in not unduly stimu-
lating the bees at this season. Proceed as above (see
T. Richardson), and as soon as it is taken off the fire
Btir in 1 lb. of pea-flour, and when setting pour into
saucers.

F. Jcbb. — Draining.— We do not advise you to pierce the
combs with a knitting-needle. Uncap the cells with a
sharp knife, and in a warm room near the lire, lay the
comb across an earthenware pan, and when the greater
part of the honey has drained from both sides of the
comb give the frame back for the bees to clean. After-
wards, wrap the frame and comb in paper and store it in

a dry place. All this should have been done sooner, hut
it may still succeed in fine weather.

W. J. — Wide Sections. — It is very doubtful whether bees
would fill 8x6x3 inch sections ' solid,' as you term it.
Probably they would build double combs, crosswise, or
join section to section, foundation notwithstanding. In
our opinion, there is no better width for section-boxes
than 2 inch. If you decide to experiment in this direc-
tion we shall be glad to hear the result.

P. — The honey is of a fine flavour, and seems to us to taste
of wild flowers, such as thyme, and probably the sweet
chestnuts mentioned have also something to do with its
strength of flavour.

H. Witt. — The sample forwarded is an excellent honey.
Though possessing a very strong flavour of English
heather honey, it cannot be pronounced to be pure
heather, as it has a perceptible admixture of honey from
other plants. It would command a good price in the
market.

C. H. — As desired, your query has been forwarded to Mr.
Cheshire.

W. T. Cadness If you consider that there is any probabil-
ity of your bees requiring more food, candy cake, made as
above, can be given above the cluster. There is no occasion
to disturb the bees by the removal of the dummy frame.

H. Lambert. — Place a cake of candy, made after the
above receipt, over the cluster. It may be that you made
some mistake in the manufacture of the syrup.

ITaiJaywyoc. — The viscidity of your honey is caused by an
admixture of heather honey, or it has been gathered from
plants whose honey candies very quickly. As you are
unable to extrude it by means of the extractor, your
best way would be to shave off the cells from each side
of the comb as near the mid-rib as possible, give the
combs to the bees to clean out, and preserve for re-
building in the spring. The shavings containing the
honey may be squeezed first, and the wax melted after-
wards, when the remaining honey will separate. Also
see reply to F. Jubb.

Amateur. — Making Hives. — Keplying to your questions
would involve much labour, and occasion considerable
loss of time, to any correspondent who might feel in-
clined to accede to your request. It would be much
more to the purpose if you were to purchase, and to
study, Cowan's Guide-book, where all the information you
are in quest of can be obtained in an accessible form in
the chapter entitled ' Hives,' page 22.

^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fencllurch Si.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

HuTcniNos, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neiohdodr & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D'.j 20 Donnington Road, Beading.

Wren & Son, 130 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17KingWilliamSt., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St, & 127 High Holborn,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Sikanoeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 281. Vol. XV.]

[NOVEMBER 10, 1887.

[Published "Weekly.]

editorial, Ifaitas, #r.

ANNOUNCEMENT.
We purpose in our next and in successive
numbers to give in a narrative form the expe-
riences of a lady bee-keeper. These experiences
are from the pen of Mrs. Reginald Bray, the
author of Family Feats, Ten of Them, We Four,
and several other works which have been favour-
ably received by the public. Beginners in bee-
keeping, especially ladies, will find this narrative
both interesting and instructive, and it will ' en-
courage those who as yet have met with little
success to continue with a good heart, feeling
sure that success will await them in the end.'

APIARY COMPETITION.

In the number of the Journal for Oct. 20 we pub-
lished the narrative of a Cottager's Apiary Com-
petition which has been recently brought to a suc-
cessful close at Hawkhurst in Kent. We consider so
excellent a method of stirring up a friendly rivalry
is calculated to do more for the cause of improved
bee-lceeping amongst the class concerned than any-
thing hitherto attempted ; and therefore we would
do all in our power to advocate its adoption into
the programme of all County Associations.

The arrangements as set forth appear to be few
and simple, and applicable to any well-organized
branch of a county Association. Its novelty and,
at the same time, its practical utility, as a means
of stimulating the desire for a better acquaintance
with the numerous details of bee-keeping, irresist-
ibly attract the attention of the rural cottager in
whose interest the experiment has just now been
made. The idea of the competition is probably
taken from the now long-established practice of
numerous horticultural societies throughout the
country in awarding prizes to the cottagers who
exhibit the greatest skill in the management of
their home gardens. These latter have borne such
excellent fruit in the shape of moral and pecuniary
benefits that they bring into immediate view the
possibility of awakening up to new life many of the
Associations which now betray a tendency towards
decline. The practical suggestions that occur to
us in contemplating its extension are that the
County Associations generally should institute the

competitions in one or more districts of their
respective counties, each year, In which moderate
prizes should be offered, and this by means of a
fund pi-ovided in the locality ; and in cases where
two or more localities are carrying out competitions
a prize should be offered by the County Association
itself for the benefit of the district branch which
attains the highest degree of success. This might,
again, be supplemented by a prize, or prizes, to be
given by the British Bee-keepers' Association to the
County Association which should prove itself the
best entitled to receive it.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather and Season. — Gales and heavy rainfall
have ushered in the gloomy month of November.^ The
gales, in places reaching almost to the force of hurricanes,
have tried, no doubt, the stands and roofs of hives, and
where precautions were not taken many a good colony
has suffered or been destroyed. Now, at all events, we
may consider the summer ended, and the year will be
classed amongst the best, in an apicultural point of view,
in this uncertain climate. We have known better honey
seasons, as regards duration and quantity, but not more
than one in ten ; and with reference to quality, we never
knew it better. Our bees are going into winter quarters
well provisioned with natural stores and strong in
population, affording a bright prospect for another
season, since, with modern appliances and the aid of
science, we may consider the wintering problem solved,
and those who lose their bees have only themselves to
blame.

Foul Bkood. — Some one, perhaps, will exclaim,
' How about foul brood P ' Ah, there's the rub ! Never-
theless, nil desperandum must always be our motto ; and
even here we must not despair, although experience
teaches in this, as in all other matters, that prevention is
better than cure ; and for ourselves we must confess that
we place more confidence in prophylactic than in curative
measures. In ' stamping out ' and the liberal use of pre-
ventive measures is our chief hope. County Associa-
tions, by means of their experts, may perform a great
and good work by advocating and teaching methods of
prevention, and we strongly recommend the subject to
the consideration of county representatives at their
quarterly meetings.

Eemoving Hives to various positions in the same
apiary may now be practised wtth success, as well as to
greater distances. It is best done in cool, dull weather,
and in the evening, — quietly and with as little shaking
as possible. In removing short distances, care must be
taken to disguise the old position, and a board placed in
front of the hive after removal, will cause the beet tr.
mark the new locality on their first flights.

490

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 10, 1887.

Aspect. — "We prefer a south aspect to all others for
the winter months. The hives should stand clear of
trees and the dripping of eaves, but should be well
sheltered from N.W. to S.E. by walls, hedges, or ever-
green bushes of laurel, Portugal laurels, or other hardy-
evergreen shrubs. Such a position is conducive to
cleansing flights from lying open to every ray of sun-
shine, enticing forth to sanitary flight and fsecal dis-
charge. Attention to these small matters will amply
repay the labour bestowed by the improved appearance
of the apiary and the vigorous health of the bees.

Enemies op the Bees, during their winter's rest,
must be guarded against. Keep mice from entering the
hives, by nailing perforated zinc across the entrances,
leaving a small opening only for the passage of the bees.
This plan causes no impediment to ventilation. Beware
of the titmouse (Parus major), for on fine days, when
bees are in flight, he will make many a hearty meal in
the apiary, being unable to obtain insect food from other
sources. If disinclined to kill, scare him from the
precincts of the apiary by an occasional firing of blank
cartridge. He is a timid bird, and is well aware of the
danger of the gun.

"Winter Passages. — Mr. Langstroth writes: — 'I
strongly advise every one to make winter passages for
their bees. As the frames touch neither the top, bottom,
nor sides of the hives, the bees have such extraordinary
facilities for intercommunication that they cannot be de-
pended upon to leave any holes in their combs.' He
advises :— < Late in the fall, cut with a penknife a hole,
an inch in diameter, in the centre of each comb, about
one-third from the top; but if these holes are made
before the bees feel the need of them, they will frequently
close them.' In many hives, passages will be found
through the combs, chiefly, but not always, at the upper
corners. Where such do not exist, it is always our
practice to follow Mr. Langstroth's advice. Failing
these passage-ways, we have repeatedly known colonies
to perish while in possession of abundance of sealed
honey outside the brood-nest, which they were unable
to reach in a cold season by passing round the side or
bottom bars of the frames.

SfacingFrames.— It is too late now to open hives
and cause disturbance by cutting combs, but, by taking
advantage of a fine mild day, the distance between
combs may be increased without injury to the bees; and
this will form a substitute for ' winter passages by
enabling them to cluster in thicker seams between the
combs, and thus to keep up a higher degree of tempera-
ture, and to forage, as it were, in the ' home circle.' The
quilts having been removed and replaced by a carbolised
cloth wrung out dry, and the division-board, or an out-
side frame, being removed, strips of wood, of the length
and thickness of the top bars of the frames, and a quarter
inch wide, may be pushed in between the top bars, thus
rendering the spaces, from centre to centre of the bars,
If inch instead of the usual H inch. Our hives which
were treated in_ this way wintered exceptionally well
last season. It is very much against our principles to
disturb hives so late in the season, but where due pre-
parations have been neglected at the proper season, our
readers must judge for themselves as to the desirability
of performing the operation described. Certainly it
should be done only in the finest weather, and no smoke
must be used, or the disturbance caused will raise the
temperature of the hive to such a degree — causing the
bees to gorge themselves— that condensation of moisture,
and consequent internal dampness, are sure to follow,
causing dysentery, and leaving the last state of the colony
worse than the first.

Cand*.— Syrup-feeding is no longer admissible. The
insertion of a frame of sealed honey at the side of the
brood-nest, or candy laid on the top of the frames beneath
the quilt of those colonies which are short of stores, is
the only substitute for earlier feeding that can be admitted.

Skep Coverings. — The common, well-known earthen-
ware pan, generallyused for milk, forms an excellent cover
for skeps. Padding of hay, or other soft material, laid on
the crown of the skep, will cause additional warmth and
make the pan sit well. It is also of advantage to en-
circle a skep with well-twisted hay-bands. Generally
speaking, in good sound skeps, when protected and kept
dry, bees almost invariably winter well, and are amongst
the first to show signs of activity at spring. The great
mistake made by cottagers of the old school is that they
cling to the old-fashioned small dome-shaped skep, in
preference to the more modern flat-topped roomy one,
upon which sectional, or any other kind of super can be
used.

Age of Combs. — It is a question often asked — ■' How
long is it advisable to retain combs ? ' We may fairly
suppose that three batches of brood are hatched from the
same cells — taking the brood-nest only — in every season.
In five years, therefore, we shall have fifteen layers of
exuviae in these cells, provided they are not removed by
the bees, which experience seems to prove they are not.
The brood-cells, consequently, are much reduced in size,
at this age, and the bees reared will be small in size.
We have used the same combs for fifteen years, without
a break, when the brood-cells became so diminutive that
the bees hatched therefrom were a pigmy race, and the
combs were black as Erebus, and pollen-clogged. This
was before the days of foundation. With our present
advantages we do not think it profitable to use combs
longer than four or five years. When we consider the
rapidity with which a natural swarm will convert foun-
dation into beautifully straight and even combs, and the
vigorous breeding and work performed by such colonies,
when compared with those allowed to remain upon old
combs ; also the quality of the honey stored, and of the
bees produced, there can scarcely be room for doubt as
to the disadvantage of retaining combs too long.

Dr. Butler, in his Feminine Monarchie (1609), tells us of
a colony having occupied the same spot for 110 years.
Their domicile was under the leads over the study of
Ludovicus Vives, in Corpus Christi College, Oxford; and
it is a curious fact that this college is called by its
founder, in the statutes, ' The College of Bees.' Erasmus
writes to its first president addressing him under the title
of ' Johanni Clymundo Collegii Apum Prcesidi.' Vives
took up his residence as Professor of Rhetoric in 1520,
when he was welcomed by the swarm of bees, which
continued in possession until 1630, when the leads being
decayed were removed, and we are told that an almost
incredible mass of honey was found beneath them. Vives
was called in the University the ' Mellifluous Doctor,' a
proof, if one were needed, of the eloquence assigned in
ancient times to those to whom the bees paid particular
attention, and to whom they became attached. Dr.
Butler concludes his account thus : — ' How sweetly did
all things then concord ; when in this neat museum,
newly consecrated to the Muses, the Muses' sweetest
favourite was thus honoured by the Muses' birds I '
' Apes cum causa Musarum dicuntur volucres.' — "Varro.

The cells on these ancient combs must have been cut
away down to the septum and renewed many a time
during so lengthened a period, and the colony must have
been augmented or replaced, by many an additional
swarm.

THE STRUCTURE OP FLOWERS WITH REFER-
ENCE TO INSECT AID IN THEIR FERTILIS-
ATION.

In the year 1793 Christian Conrad Sprengel published
his interesting treatise on the structure of flowers with
special reference to insect aid in their fertilisation. This
book was almost wholly neglected for more than half a
century. Nevertheless, it contains, with some fanciful
ideas, the germs of the doctrine now generally held>

November 10, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

491

together with many excellent illustrations of it. That
eminent naturalist, the late Charles Darwin, puhlished in
1862 his admirable treatise on the fertilisation of orchids
by the aid of insects. Since that time a copious special
literature has appeared on the subject. We may mention
the names of Herman, Miiller, Delpino, Hugo von Mohl,
and Hildebrand, amongst Continental writers; Charles
Darwin and Sir John Lubbock amongst our own country-
men ; and Dr. Asa Gray and Dr. Goodale amongst our
brethren across the Atlantic.

Linnaeus and his immediate successors taught that the
adjustments in hermaphrodite flowers were such on the
whole as to secure the application of the pollen of its
stamens to the stigma of its pistil or pistils. ' The
present view,' to quote the words of Dr. Asa Gray, ' is
that this is doubtless strictly secured in certain flowers
of a moderate number of species, but never in all the
flowers of any such species ; that in ordinary flowers
where it may commonly take place it is not universal ;
that in the larger number of species there is something or
other in the floral structure which impedes or prevents
it.' It will be gathered from this definition that some
flowers are adapted for close fertilisation, some for cross-
fertilisation, some for either. Before proceeding further
let me state for the information of those who have not
given much attention to the construction of flowers that
they consist of two kinds of organs, viz., what have been
apparently called protecting organs or floral envelopes,
which when of two sets are named calyx and corolla, and
the essential reproductive organs which co-operate in the
production of seed— the stamens and pistils.

' A complete flower,' to quote from Sir John Lubbock,
' consists of (1) an outer envelope of calyx, sometimes
tubular, sometimes consisting of separate leaves called
sepals ; (2) an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally
more or less coloured, and which like the calyx is some-
times tubular, sometimes composed of separate leaves
called petals ; (3) of one or more stamens, consisting of
a stalk or filament, and a head or anther in which the
pollen is produced ; and (4) a pistil or an ovary, which is
situated in the centre of the flower, and contains one or
more seeds or ovules. The pistil consists of a stalk or
style and a stigma, to which the pollen must find its way
in order to fertilise the flower, and which in many
familiar instances forms a small head at the top of the
style. In some cases the style is absent, and the stigma
is consequently sessile.' For our present purpose the
stamen may be regarded as the fertilising organ, and the
pistil as the seed-bearing organ. In an ordinary flower
the pistil is surrounded by a row of stamens, and at first
sight it would appear that a more simple arrangement
for the reproduction of the plant could not well be con-
trived. The pollen would seem to be arranged to fall
upon and dust the stigma of the pistil and effect what is
known as close fertilisation. This does happen with
some flowers, chiefly with the inconspicuous ones. It is in
the largest number of flowers with a gay corolla, or
which emit a sweet scent and possess honey-glands, cross-
fertilisation is the rule and close fertilisation the
exception.

There are various contrivances in these flowers which
effectually prevent self-fertilisation. In many species
the stamens and pistils are situated in different flowers.
Such species are named diclinous ; when the stamens
and pistils are situated in different flowers on the same
plant the species is called monoecious ; when on different
plants dioecious. Delpino has classified flowers into
Anemophilous (literally wind-lovers) and Entomophilous
(insect-lovers), denoting wind-fertilised and insect-fer-
tilised. It is not my purpose in this paper to treat of the
former, but will observe that wind-fertilised flowers are
mostly neutral or dull in colour, destitute of odour and
honeyless. Pines, firs, and other Conifem are examples
of anemophilous plants. Dr. Asa Gray observes that
' Insect fertilisable or entomophilous flowers are cor-

related with showy coloration (including white, which
is most showy at dusk), odour or secretion of nectar,
often by all three modes of attraction to insects com-
bined. Some insects, moreover, visit flowers for their
pollen, a highly nutritious article, and ordinarily pro-
duced in such abundance that much may be spared. The
showiness of the corolla or other floral envelopes is an
attractive adaptation to fertilisation, enabling blossoms
to be discerned at a distance; nor do we know that
fragrance or other scent, or that nectar, subserves any
other uses to the flower than that of alluring insects.'

' Adaptations in the pollen of such blossoms for trans-
portation by insects are various. Commonly the grains
are slightly moist or glutinous, or roughish,' or studded
with projection, or strung with threads (as in Qikothera),
so as not to be readily dispersed in the air, but to have
some slight coherence as well as capability of adhering
to the head, limbs, or bodies of insects, especially to their
rough surfaces; and in two families (Orehidace<e and
Asclepiadacece) the pollen is combined in masses and
with special adaptations for being transported en masse.
With this the stigma is usually correlated by roughness,
moisture, or glutinosity.' Sprengel was the first to dis-
cover that in many species where the stamens and pistils
are situated in the same flower they do not mature at the
same time ; consequently the pollen cannot fertilise the
stigma. Sometimes, as in the Arum, the pistil matures
before the authers. Such plants are called proterogynous
(or protogynous). In others the anthers mature before
the pistil. These plants are named proterandrous (or
protandrous). The familiar Arum maculatum — the
common arum, or lords and ladies, — of our woods and
hedges, is a good example of a proterogynous plant. The
well-known green leaf encloses a central pillar which
supports a number of stigmas near the base and of
anthers somewhat higher. Nothing would seem easier
at first sight than that the pollen of the anthers should
fall on and fertilise the pistils below them. But this
does not take place. The stigmas mature before the
anthers, and by the time the pollen has fallen have
become incapable of fertilisation. It is consequently
impossible for the plant to fertilise itself. Owing to the
construction of the spatbe the pollen cannot be carried
away by the wind. What happens is as follows : The
pollen when shed drops to the bottom of the tube, where
it remains secure from disturbance by wind. Small
insects attracted by the showy central spadix, or the
prospect of honey or shelter, enter the tube while the
stigmas are mature. Above the anthers and growing
from the central pillar is a fringe of hairs pointing down-
wards. This contrivance allows small insects to enter,
but effectually prevents their exit until the stigmas have
matured. After awhile the stigmas have ripened and
each secretes a drop of honey, thereby rewarding the
insects for their imprisonment. Then the anthers ripen
and shed their pollen, which falls upon and dusts the
insects. Shortly after the hairs referred to shrivel up
and the insects are set free. They carry the pollen with
them, and on their visit to another plant can hardly fail
to deposit some of it on the stigmas. In this manner
cross-fertilisation is secured. I have often noticed a
large number of small insects, especially flies, safely im-
prisoned in the arum before the hairs have shrivelled up.

Proterandrous plants, or those in which the anthers
mature before the stigmas, are much more numerous.
As examples amongst the wild flowers which are to be
found in this locality,* I must mention wild thyme
{Thymus serpyttum), rose bay, willow herb, Epilobium
angustifolium, Blue Meadow Crane's Bill (Geranium
pratense), Mountain Crane's Bill (G. pyrenaicum), with
many of the TJmbellifer<e and most of the Composite.
Sir John Lubbock states that most of the British wild
flowers which contain both stamens and pistils are more

* Bath.

492

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 10, 1887.

or less proteraudrous. These are almost dependent upon
the visits of insects for fertilisation. Amongst foreign
plants now common in conservatories Clerodendron
Thompsonii, a verbenaceous African climber, is a good
example of a proterandrous plant. Its crimson corolla
and bright white calyx in combination are very con-
spicuous and serve to attract insects. The long filiform
filaments and style, upwardly enrolled in the bud,
straighten aud project when the corolla opens, the
stamens remain straight, but the style proceeds to curve
downward and backward; the anthers discharge the
pollen ; the stigmas are immature and closed ; and
anthers effete, and the filaments recurved and rolled
up spirally, while the style takes the place of
the filaments, and the two stigmas now separated and
receptive are in the very position occupied by the
anthers the previous day. The entrance by which the
proboscis of a butterfly may reach the nectar at the
bottom is at the upper side of the orifice. It is impossible
for the flower to self -fertilise. A good sized insect flying
from flower to flower and plant to plant must carry
pollen from one to the stigma of the other.

I cannot help calling attention to the mode in which
cross-fertilisation is secured in the Blue Meadow Crane's
Bill (Geranium pratense), for several reasons. This
beautiful Crane's Bill, with its lovely blue corolla and
elegant leaves, must be well known to all who stroll in
the meadows adjoining the Avon or by the brooks in the
neighbourhood of this fair city. It is especially interest-
ing as the flower which first led Sprengel to his researches.
'In the year 1787,' writes Sir John Lubbock, 'he
(Sprengel) observed that in the corolla of this species
there are a number of delicate hairs, and convinced, as
he says, " that the wise Author of Nature would not
have created a single hair in vain," he endeavoured to
ascertain the use of these hairs and satisfied himself that
they served to protect the honey from rain.' Another
point of interest in this flower is the spontaneous move-
ment of the stamens and pistils. Kolreuter seems to
have been the first to observe this motion in another
dichogamous plant, liuta graveolens. He supposed that
the object was to bring the stamen in contact with the
pistil and so ensure close fertilisation. Nature, as
Sprengel pointed out, had a very different purpose to
fulfil. It was to bring the stamen and pistil successively
in contact with the same part of the insect's body, and
so insure cross-fertilisation. When the flower first
opens the stamens lie on the petals at right angles with
the upright pistils. As they come to maturity they
raise themselves parallel and close to the pistil, which is,
however, not }ret capable of fertilisation. After they
have shed their pollen they return to their original posi-
tion and the stigmas unfurl themselves. As the stigmas
do not become mature until all the stamens have shed
their pollen, G. pratense is wholly dependent upon insect
aid for fertilisation. The spontaneous movement thus
ensures cross-fertilisation, and indicates another of
Nature's plans for bringing about the end desired by
making certain insects the carriers of the pollen. —
W. G. Wheatchoft (The Journal of Microscojjy).

(To be continued).

Jfnrcip.

FRANCE.

We stated in our last issue that we would give
the names of those who had received awards at the
recent 1'aris Exhibition. The following is a list as given
by our contemporary tho Apiculteur ; —

Abeille oFhonneur: M. TAbbo Boyer for his exhibits
and the formation of a bee association ; M. Asset and M.
Saint-Pee'.

The Gold Medal of the Ministry of Agriculture ; M. Gois-

Flatte, of Egriselle-le-Bocage, for his exhibits and his
apiary.

First-class Medal (large size) of the Society : M.
Bertrand, of Buffon ; M. 1'AbW Delepine, of Boussy-
Saint-Antoine; M. Kirsch, of Baigneux-les-Juifs ; M.
Meyran, of Mesterrieux; M. Moglia, of l'Ecaille; M.
Parpaite, of Carignan ; M. Rover, of Pargues ; M. Vaast,
of Arras; aud M. Vivien Joly, of Meziere-la-Grande
Paroisse.

First-class Medal (small size) : M. Kaimbault, of Sens,
for his straw hives; and M. Warquin, of Bellevue.

Rappel de Medaille (first class) : M. Bourgeois, of
Lons-le-Saunier ; and M. Robert-Denis, of Vendhuille
(Aisne), the latter for his artificial foundation.

Medaille de Termed de la Socicte (large size) : M.
Robert, of Casseau.

Medaille de Vermeil (small size): M. Jacquelin, of
Chaville, for his exhibits, and his disinterested assistance
at the bee-lectures and lessons given at Luxemburg.

Medaille de Vermeil de la Societe de FAube ; M. Joly,
of Tremblay-le-Viscomte-Eure-et-Loir, for his uncapping
knife.

Silver Medal of the Ministry of Agriculture: M.
Gremy, of Housaj'e.

Silver Medal given by the Aube Bee Association : M.
Braille, of Saint-Pol.

French Agriculturists' Society Silver Medal: M.
Sevalle, of Paris, particularly for his wax-melting pot.

Large Second-class Medal : M. Arpin, of Bourg-Saint-
Maurice-Savoy ; M. Boulanse, of Jouy-en-Josas; M.
Couturier, of Juvisy ; M. Droux-Albain, of Chapois ;
Mr. Feminias, of Mahon, Spain, for his run honey and
mode of packing it ; M. Holder, of Steimbourg ; and M.
Sartori, of Milan, Italy, for his chromos.

Second-class Medal (small model): M. Bonhomme, of
Authe; M. Meuvret Ilaquin, of Torigny-sur-Oreuse;
and M. Petit, of Ecos.

Bronze Medal (large size) has been granted to the
Central Office for the Colonies for exhibits of colonial
honey and wax ; also to M. Rousseaux, of Aydes, and
the Rev. David, of Villabon, Cher.

The following awards were given to merchants, manu-
facturers, &c, viz. l —

Diploma of Merit: Madame Vve. Brunet, of Paris,
and M. Petit, also of Paris. The former mostly for her
honey pistils.

Rappel of Diploma of Merit : M. Wavelet, of Arras,
Pas-de-Calais, for his Arras hearts and other items of
confectionery.

First-class Medal: M. Beal-Canonne, of Cambray,
Nord, for his hydromels ; and M. Coenon, of Paris, for his
glass pots.

Second-class Medal (large size): M. Deroy, M. Gariel,
M. Lagache, M. Miguel, and M. Moriceau, all of Paris.

Second-class Medal (small size) : Messieurs Poiret f reres,
of Paris, for their canvas pressing honey and running
honey; and Mr. Raguin, of Sens, Yonne, for his honey
barrels.

Bronze Medal (large size): M. Jay, of Paris, and
Messrs. A. Menetrel & Cie., of Lille-Maiziere ; the former
for his perforated zinc.

Besides the above there were also sundry prizes for
other objects, not strictly connected with the Exhibition
itself or its exhibits.

AUSTRALIA.
Black Honey.

Black honey is one of the latest therapeutical novelties.
It is an Australian product, the bee by which it is made
having been found far in the interior of the central
wilderness of that continent, feeding on tho flowers of
the eucalyptus-tree. The insoct, which is said to bo new
to science, and has been given the name of Apis nigra
mellijica, is very small and black. All attempts to
domesticate it in Tasmania have failed, but it is said

November 10, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

493

that some success has been achieved in Algeria, in the
neighbourhood of plantations of eucalyptus. The so-
called honey is at ordinary temperature a somewhat
transparent, syrupy, thick, homogeneous, dark orange-
coloured liquid, with a peculiar odour similar to that of
eucalyptus ; it is very soluble in water, milk, and wines,
much less in alcohol. Its fermentation is exceedingly
difficult, on account of the large quantity of levulose
which it contains. Its specific gravity is P44, and it
rotates the polarised ray 22°. A thousand parts of it
contain Gll'G parts of sugar, mostly levulose, 1*8 parts of
ash, 215-6 parts of water, and 171 parts of various
substances, comprising eucalyptol, eucalyptene, terpene,
cymol, and odorous and resinous matters. When black
honey is given freely to dogs, dissolved in warm milk,
it produces a great reduction in the number of cardiac
pulsations. Thus, in a feverish dog the pulse fell from
125 to 70 a-minute ; this fall was accompanied by a
lowering of the temperature 1° C. Tho effect lasted
twenty-four hours, with a slight tendency to sleep, but
with no symptoms of toxic depression. A tablespoonful
given to a man, dissolved in a little warm water or milk,
produced after some minutes a slight agreeable sensation
of warmth throughout the body. In half an hour
elimination^ the active principles through the pulmonic
mucous membrane commenced. The voice became
clearer and sharper, and the breath perfumed. The
urine acquired an odour resembling that of the Cassia
fariiesianum, an Algerian plant, from which is prepared
the perfume known as ' new-mown hay.' Dr. Oaraman
believes that this honey will be a valuable remedy in the
treatment of bronchial catarrhs, and that it acts as
a sedative to the heart like digitalis. He thinks, also,
that it will be of practical value as a febrifuge, and a
bactericide, e.g., in phthisis, in typhoid fever, in leucor-
rhoea, gonorrhoea, and diseases of the kidneys, bladder,
and urethra, as it acts more energetically than sandal oil.
If it be produced in the enormous quantities described, it
ought eventually to find its way into general commerce,
and be obtainable at a reasonable price. — Therapeutic
Gazette, June 15, 1887.

ASSOCIATIONS.

KENT BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Council of this Association, which meets in the
ordinary course four times a-year, held its October
meeting on the 27th ult., at the ' Saracen's Head ' hotel,
Ashford. The Honorary Secretary presented a report
of the chief events of the season, embracing therein the
expert's spring tour, the annual show, the cottagers'
apiary competition at Ilawkhurst, the bee-tent engage-
ments which had been fulfilled, and a statement of affairs
generally. The Honorary Treasurer made a statement
of the condition of the finances which justified the hope
that the accounts at the end of the year would be in a
satisfactory state.

From the Secretary's report we extract the following : —
' The Annual Show was held at Ashford on the 27th
July, in conjunction with the Cottage Gardeners' Society's
Exhibition. The number of entries was hardly up to the
average of previous years, but the increase in the cottagers'
exhibits and their largely increased bulk, spoke plainly to
the attainment in a large degree of the fundamental object
of the Association's existence. Miss Seely, of Wood-
church, and Mr. R. Filmer, of Ruckinge, competed for
the silver and bronze medals offered by the British Bee-
keepers' Association, and it is gratifying to know that
the lady obtained the first honours. It may be men-
tioned that Miss Seely has been practising bee-keeping
for several seasons, and although working single-handed,
has not hesitated to purchase hives and appliances of the
best description, in the expectation that she would reap
the return of a considerable addition to her means,
mainly provided by the use of her needle. Besides the

prize above mentioned she also secured a first, second,
and third in other classes. The prize list contained also
the names of the following cottagers :— F. H. Cudd, six
1st and one 3rd prizes ; R. Filmer, four 2nd prizes ; E.
Posse, one 3rd prize; G. Bishop, equal 1st prize; T. M.
Spaulding, one 2nd prize. In the class for hives and
appliances Mr. A. F. Hutchings, of St. Mary Cray, ex-
hibited a large and practical collection. To further
illustrate the advance of cottagers in scientific bee-keep-
ing the fact should be noted that the lectures and mani-
pulations of bees were given by Mr. Filmer, more widely
known as the 'Platelayer,' who two years ago gained a
third-class certificate for his proficiency in the art. The
judging was performed by the Rev. Mr. Oddie and
Captain Bush, members of the Committee of the British
Bee-keepers' Association, who also acted as examiners
of the candidates (Mr. T. Badcock and Mr. W. Blake)
for third-class certificates, whom they duly passed. To
those gentlemen the Association is greatly indebted not
only for the time and trouble freely given, but also for
the great pains and discrimination exercised in all the
duties undertaken by them.'

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The committee met on the 4th inst. Present: Mr.
Sproule, in the chair ; Dr. O'Farrell, Mr. Gillies, and the
Hon. Secretary. Mr. Campbell, on the part of Messrs.
Edmondson Brothers, and Mr. J. A. Abbott, on the part
of Messrs. Abbott Brothers, attended to arrange for the
manufacture of the standard hive. The form in which
the committee 'snext report should be issued was taken
into consideration.

Lecture on Bee-keeping. — On Monday, the 31st
ult., an exceedingly interesting lecture on the ' Wonders
of Bee-life ' was given in Ulleskelf School for the county
parish of Kirkby Wharfe, by Mr. R. A. H. Grimshaw, of
Horsforth, near Leeds, one of the secretaries of the
Yorkshire Bee-keepers' Association. The room was well
filled, and it is to be hoped that the lecture, which was
replete with practical hints as to the modern methods
of bee-keeping, will leave its mark. A hearty vote of
thanks was accorded to the lecturer.

How to Introduce Queens. — Near the close of the
day, when there is no danger of robbers, subdue the
colony with smoke, find the old queen and remove her.
Have a large platform or blanket in front of the hive.
Remove every comb with the bees adhering. As the
last frame is taken out, shake the bees from it on the
platform near the entrance, and replace the frame. Now
take the second frame and shake the bees from it some
distance from the entrance on the previously prepared plat-
form ; when the bees are all off, put the comb in its place in
the. hive, and treat the third and fourth frames in the same
way, shaking the bees about three feet from the entrance.
This shaking from the combs completely subdues and
mixes up the bees, and causes them to exhale the peculiar
scent that bees do when shaken from a limb in swarming-
time in front of a hive. When all the frames have been
shaken and replaced in the hive, drop the new queen at
least two feet from the entrance, and she will at once
move on with the marching legions toward the entrance,
and in thus mingling with the mass she at once becomes
impregnated with the peculiar odour of the colony, and
becomes one of them; and by her queenly sound and
motions among the bees, she is at once recognised as the
mother-bee, and enters the hive joyously with the rest,
and at once proceeds to her work of egg-laying. A few
whiffs of smoke among the moving mass will cause a
more hasty entrance, and also add its scent to that of the
bees. By doing this late in the afternoon or evening,
everything is quiet and in working order in the morning,
and there will be no trouble from other bees. I have
introduced quite a number of queens in this way without
a single failure.— H. H. Flick (Bee-keeper's Magazine).

494

THE BRITISH BEE JOUKNAL.

[November 10, 188?.

€axxttyavfoma.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com'
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
or publication, but as a guarantee ofgoodfaith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
Jtc, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements!
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langlcy, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when spcahing of
any letter or query preuiously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as well as the page on which, it appears.

BEE-KEEPING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

[1341.] I promised, before leaving England, to forward
an account of bee-keeping in Australia, so I will attempt
to fulfil my promise.

I arrived at the Semaphore, half an hour's railway
journey from Adelaide, on the morning of the 25th of
August, 1887, and soon after arriving in Adelaide was
fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of Mr. P.
A. Joyner, Hon. Sec. of the South Australian B.K.A.,
whose name I happened to see while walking along
King William Street, the principal road through this
pretty town. From him I learned that his Association
had been in existence for three years, and he presented
me with a copy of the third annual report, which
showed that foul-brood was very prevalent in the neigh-
bourhood of Adelaide.

The following table shows the results of some of
the members' operations during the year ending 30th
June, 1887:—

bo •
m .E O

i a 3

J2 o

1 Honey taken.

Name.

.&■§!

Ex-
tracted.

Comb.

Disease (if any).

1

3
6
4
5
3
3
5
2

3
14
1
S
4
4
1

10
22
32
11
13

5

2
12

5
11
15

1
14
12
12

3

lbs,
240

33130
Nil.

1395

300

10

Nil.
300
80
512
250

Nil.
890
784
350

Nil.

lbs.

130

210

1320

590

200

25

Nil.

Nil.

85

107

170

Nil.

40

700

25

267

None.

H. H. Dollman...
ThoB. Gordon ...

None.
None.
Foul brood.

Frank Hill

J. Miller

Foul brood.

Foul brood. Cured.

B. Poulton

J. H. Walters ...
W. B. Randell ...
Sam. Randell ...
C. W. Scriren ...

Foul brood. Cured.
Foul brood.
Foul brood. Cured.
None.

By the Secretary I was introduced to Mr. A. E.
Bonney, and from these two gentlemen I obtained what
information I could during the twenty-four hours' stay
I had in Adelaide.

I went, under Mr. Joyner's escort, to view the honey-
stand and bee-hive stall in the Adelaide Jubilee Ex-
hibition, where there was a pretty exhibition of comb-
honey and extracted in screw-capped bottles, which
would compare favourably with that exhibited at the
Colonial Exhibition in quality ; the honey was enclosed
in a glass case about 6 feet square.

I slept in Adelaide, and the next morning I visited
Mr. Bonney's apiary, which consisted of twelve strong
hives and half a dozen nuclei. It was the commence-
ment of the season, and he was beginning queen-rearing,
which he conducted on Alley's system. He told me he
experienced much difficulty in obtaining purely mated
queens, because, on account of the mildness of the
winters, the black drones were flying as soon as those
from selected hives which had been stimulated. His
plan was to convey his nuclei and hive containing
eelected drones to the hills, somo three miles from the

town, where he generally succeeded in obtaining the
desired cross, though he found a fortnight was some-
times necessary before all the queens were mated, which
he attributed to the fact that they have a greater
preference for drones of a different variety.

All his hives contained Langstroth frames, which is
the standard adopted by the Association; the only
covering to the frames was a piece of calico, the hives
were single-walled and had passed through the winter
in this condition, out in the open. Scarcely a week had
passed during the last winter that the bees were unable
to take a flight. But a great drawback to keeping bees
in the Colonies is their tendency to robbing ; after a few
weeks' good honey-gathering the glut, perhaps, suddenly
stops, and the bees commence pilfering. In consequence
of the mild winters, not warm enough to afford susten-
ance, the bees often, if a weak stock is unprotected,
attack it, and if disease is present, of course a greater
destruction is the result.

Mr. Bonney and Mr. Joyner both informed me they
had implicitly followed out Cheshire's remedy for foul-
brood, but had not found it successful. The plan they
employ is to deprive the bees of their combs, put them
on sheets of foundation in a clean hive, and feed with
medicated syrup or diluted hone)' prepared as follows :—
16 grains salicylic acid, 16 grains borax, and 1 ounce
water to 1 quart syrup. This they have found re-
peatedly to answer well. The honey extracted from
the old combs they use in this mauner, after boiling it
for twenty minutes.

Most, of the bees around Adelaide are crossbreds
between English and Italians, though Mr. Bonne)' has
some Cyprians which he imported from Mr. Benton.
He opened a strong hive of Cyprians to show me, and
they were most gentle. He uses no smoke with them,
from experience ; and lie informed me he always found
them good-tempered when pure. He, however, spoke
disparagingly of them as honey-gatherers ; he described
them as great queen-raisers, but found thorn swarm but
little. The cross between Cyprians and Italians he
found were perfect fiends though very good honey-
gatherers.

The South Australians look forward with hope to
obtaining pure Italian queens from Kangaroo Island.
There is already an apiary started there by a Mr. John
Midland, whose address is Fairfield Farm, Cape Cassim,
Kangaroo Island, and another by a person unknown to
me. I was sorry I had not time to visit either of these
farms, but hope to hear further of them, when I will
send you an account.

The greater part of the honey raised in South
Australia comes from the apiary of Messrs. Coleman
and May, of Mount Barker, who own 250 hives or
upwards ; they have not published their returns, but
the hon. secretary informed me their take for the
previous year was said to be about forty tons, which
would be an average of about 358 lbs. per hive, which is
about the average stated in the account of their apiary
given in the British Bee Journal of 15th September,
1885. This is an exceedingly good average, one not
equalled by any other apiary out here ; and though I do
not wish to be considered incredulous I may remark that
the Colonials resemble the Americans in more ways than
one.

In Adelaide itself there are only 30,000 inhabitants ;
the neighbourhood is a good honey-producing country,
and the market is consequently overstocked.

The principal yield is from the gum trees— blue and
white especially,— a tree called the pepper tree, the
wattle, fruit trees, and wild flowers. 1 tasted some
wattle honey, and it is very similar to that produced
from the clover. The different gum honeys vary in
flavour, but much resemble that gathered from the
limes.

Although several weelu pass by in the summer with-

November 10, 1887.]

TflE BRITISH BEE JOtfEtf At"

495

out rain, the drought does not affect the eucalyptus
trees, which blossom for a considerable period. In
the report of the South Australian B. K. A. above
referred to the following is contained: — 'Dr. Poulton
also enclosed an extract from the British Medical Journal
referring to the probability of eucalyptus honey becoming
of eminent service in the treatment of many diseases,
notably in cases of laryngeal, bronchial, pulmonary,
cardial, and scrofulous affections ; in typhoid and marsh
fevers ; in whooping-cough or infectious neurosis of the
expiratory nerves; in influenza, in renal and vaginal
affections, and affections of the bladder. Given on
bread or in milk eucalyptus honey may be substituted
with advantage for cod-liver oil as an alimentary
substance.'

There is just one other point I should like to remark
upon. Mr. Bonney informed me that his consignments
of queens sent in Benton's travelling-crates have not
turned out well ; he finds the old-fashioned box with
small frames is the better.

My next letter will be on bee-keeping in New South
Wales. — W. G. Campbell.

[It may be remembered that about four months ago
we notified the departure of Mr. Campbell from England :
a short time previous to which Mr. Campbell had ob-
tained a first-class certificate for proficiency in bee-
keeping. We desire to thank him for the above com-
munication, and trust it may be the precursor of many
more from his pen. We also desire to assure him of
our best wishes for his future welfare in the new home
of his adoption. — Ed.]

IN THE HUT.
' A hit, a very palpable hit.'
[1342.] In my recent peregrinations in and about our
hut, I happened to tread on a thistle, when oot frae the
heather McNallys spring at me ' in two places,' as the
auctioneer says, and I am now requested to say for what
purpose I asked for a list of the Christian names, or
more particularly, the relationships, one to another, of
the McNally family. Mr. William McNally seems to
have taken me au sirieux, but I have no intention of
imitating him in vindictive and vituperative writing;
his reply reads more like an extract from United Ireland
than fair criticism. My reason was given, and if Mr.
W. McNally will look at my request again he will find
I did not ask him for the desired information, but some
courteous correspondent to supply it as a useful piece of
reference. Oughtn't we to have some consideration for
those who follow after, and provide them with necessary
information, or whatever will they be able to make of
the genealogies of the next generation of this family?
The request was playfully made, but being made into an
angry subject, I must contend now it was a reasonable
one, and some one should supply the particulars wanted.
It now becomes a painful necessity, for you see, your
correspondent says, ' Their name is legion and they are all
bee-keepers.' He says, ' They are a dangerous lot to
tackle.' If they all write like him, ' dangerous ' is not
the word I should select, but from what I see in the
Journal from others of the family he is not a fair type,
else why could he not see a joke ? Has the proverbial
' surgical operation ' to be performed in his case ?
' If satire be my weapon, yet I'm too discreet
To run a-muck, and tilt at all I meet ; '

hence, I did not address myself to him personally. I
was not going to pop my head out of the window and
have all the slates tumbling about my ears.

I am requested ' to extract all the articles that have
been contributed to the B. B. J. from time to time by
the McNally family.' Heaven forbid I Why it was
that very labour which caused me to close a close
perusal of your columns in weariness and despair, crying
out for the particulars in question. It was in this wise.

A correspondent wrote a short time ago, saying, ' Search

for and read, the letters of Mr. McNally in the B. B. J.

and let me know who is " Coffin Dick." ' I found the

names in inextricable confusion. Now, by the irony of

fate, we find the same

' Euin upon ruin, rout on rout,
Confusion worse confounded,'

upon the very page (483) on which appears Mr. W.

McNally's letter, i.e. confusion at the N. of Ireland

show — ■

' Between one Dromio and another :
'Twixt John McNally and bis brother.'

See also pp. 381, 421, 461, 431.

Was there not also confusion about the names and
exhibits at the Co-operative Exhibition (see ' A. E.' on
p. 378) ? They were confounded by — X-Tractob.

TO THE CLAN OF McNALLY, JOINTLY AND
SEVERALLY.

[1343.] I wish to express my regret that you have not
seen your way to comply with ' X-Tractor's ' request. I
can only guess at his object in making it, but after the
communications we have had recently in which your
family has been interested I think it is not only desir-
able that we should have it, but that each of you should
have a distinguishing mark as well.

If ' John ' sends honey to a show ' Ebenezer ' gets the
credit for it, and even the secretary cannot explain why ;
and if ' John ' goes to stage the exhibits at another show
the secretary says ' William ' did it, so how are we to
know the one from the other should we ever have the
pleasure of getting their presence at a conversazione ?
Then again, they seem to do a family turn all round
annually at puffing each other and at lodging a protest
against the judges' awards ; and what would be the fate
of the bee-keepers of Rutherglen should they lose the
services of the family is a calamity to be contemplated
with alarm.

Now, Mr. Wm. McNally, the ' X ' made a courteous
request, when you reply to it kindly tell me which of
you is ' Coffin Dick ? ' I woidd not ask if you were only
two in family, but being so many of you I fear lest I
should blame the wrong. I will not put my name to
this, but give you further cause for exerting your powers
of discrimination as to who is — Amateur Expert.

NORTH-EAST OP IRELAND BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.

[1344.] With reference to the Show of the North-
East of Ireland Bee-keepers' Association about which
Mr. John D. M'Nally is so greatly concerned, and whose
officials he has attacked all round, you will please allow
me to point out that he misleads your readers when he
writes on p. 483 : — 'The printed "rule" that all honey
" was to be shown as taken from the bees " was ignored
by many in the 1-lb. section classes.'

Mr. John D. M'Nally means that no sections should
have been allowed to compete unless they were lying
loose on the counter, for at the close of his last letter he
points to a certain lot which like some others was con-
tained in a plain protective or exhibition case, and from
which they were easily removable by simply lifting the
glass, which I saw many visitors doing.

Now when Mr. John D. M'Nally undertook to put
matters right he should have given our printed rule
correctly. It reads : — ' In Classes 4 and 5, sections must
be exhibited as they are taken out of the hive, without
being ornamented, &c, with paper or any other material,'
which does not touch on exhibition cases at all, but
forbids the decorations that were often used to conceal
rows of empty or unsealed cells in sections, and to meet
which it was drawn up, And instead of there being

496

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL,

[November 10, 1887.

'iinany,' there was only one competitor whose sections
were ' ornamented, &c, with paper,' and who told me
when I was speaking to him about his mistake that it
was his first appearance as an exhibitor of honey, and
that he would take care not to offend again.

Xow as to glass or glazed section cases, we have found
them absolutely indispensable in places where bees were
flying- in the neighbourhood. And at one large honey
show, held this year in Ulster, at which I was present,
no sections were admitted unless protected by sufficiently
glazed cases. I may add that the rule was necessitated
by the havoc and unpleasantness effected by bees and
wasps in former years, and 1 have read of the same being
enforced at several English shows. But perhaps our
Scotch censor's experience has not embraced such a
contingency.

I should not have written this letter were I not desirous
to see in future years both Englishmen and Scotchmen at
our shows, which Mr. John 1). M'Nally's letters might
prevent by making it appear that we acted unjustly and
partially in our interpretation of our own rules.

I wonder when Mr. John D. M'Nally is such a stickler
for rules that he did not act on Rule 18 of our show, and
lodge his objections to the awards of the judges in writing
with the Secretary before two o'clock on day of show,
when he and all others would have obtained a hearing.

Certainly the office of judge at a honey show is not a
sweet one, unless he should be a fool and give a first prize
to every competitor, and when any one accepts the post
he knows what he may expect. But an honorary secre-
tary and treasurer should he exempted from such a covert
attack as that conveyed in this sentence from Mr. John
D. M'Nally's letter at p. 483 : — ' I do not for a moment
insinuate that I received any injustice from the hands of
Messrs. McHenry and Cunningham more than any other
exhibitor.'— H. W. Lett, M.A.

A QUERY FOR THE 'CHEMISTS' (OR
ALCHYMISTS ?)

[1345.] The 'Fumigator' and the 'Fugio' are having
a battle which smells highly of the doctor's shop.

I have a fact I want to put before our two courteous
debaters ' learned in chemistry.' About four years since
I saw a sample of honey that, so far as looks and con-
sistency were concerned, was everything that may be
desired. It was gathered by bees placed within 300 yards
of a beautiful river ; the owner was above suspicion as
far as management and cleanliness were concerned ; he had
observed his bees visiting the outflow from the stables :
but when he extracted his honey he was scarce prepared
for the revelation that awaited him. It stank so un-
mistakably of urine that my stomach even now revolts
at the bare remembrance of it, and the flavour I will say
nothing about. This will rather shock some of our
readers I can quite understand, but truth must always
have first place.

Now friend ' X-Tractor,' whose identity is so obscure
as to surpass the 'cuteness of a Scotchman— a clan of
Scots in fact — even though you have given your address
in full on previous occasions, how about the mysterious
conversion of materials in the darkness of the bee's cell
in this case? And may I be pardoned if I experience
both 'loathing' and' disgust' when I see them having
' free access to chemicals?'— Amateur Expebt.

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS PER HIVE.

[1340.] Your correspondent ' Sherborne, Dorset,'
seems to doubt the possibility of producing 100 lbs.
from a single hive, and goes on to ask those (of whom I
am one) who have written saying they have done so
either to confess to having added swarms to their stocks

or to admit the presence of two or more queens at one
time. I can most positively deny the former assertion,
and can only say that if the bees have managed to raise
queens by the half-dozen, as ' Sherborne ' would try to
make out, they have also managed to eradicate all traces
of queen-cells in a most remarkable manner.

' Sherborne ' seems from his own showing to be an
old bee-keeper. Perhaps he can tell us to a nicety how
many frames one queen can possibly fill with bees ready
for the honey-season, and the limit of amount of honey
he says one queen can, through her workers, produce.
He says, Who has proved that there are not more than
one or two queens in a large hive at one time ? We
might ask him, Who has proved the existence of more
than one queen? I wonder if 'Sherborne' remembers
the fact that hives are frequently ready for swarming
early in May, and if we take into consideration the
number of bees we prevent (by giving an unlimited
amount of room) from leaving the hive, whether it is
not fair to assume that breeding be quite as rapid for
the next month as for the one previous. Thus we should
have at any rate bees sufficient for two hives in one
early in June, and we are told that one large stock can
gather more honey than two small ones, and in the
ordinary course of things these two stocks which
' Sherborne ' would have made would have wanted at
least 100 super boxes during the season. I cannot see
that it is too much (assuming that the stock at swarming
time covers ten frames, and still covers them early in
June, when the swarm would cover the same, making
twenty frames) to add another twenty for super room,
which would have been wanted if confined to ten
frames in each case. ' Sherborne ' will no doubt tell
me there is no allowance made for breeding of young
queens. My answer will he I have quite under-stated
number of frames a stock and swarm would cover in
May. Might I recommend ' Sherborne ' to get a hive
made which cannot possibly be too small ; and I, though
an amateur would venture to say that an old bee-
keeper may 'live and learn.' — R. Sutton, Ruddington,
November 4th.

UNCAPPED NYMPHS— OBSERVATIONS.

[1347.] When examining the brood-combs, the ob-
servant bee-keeper will notice, scattered over their surface,
in a comparatively compact mass of capped brood, cells
partly filled with honey, others filled with honey but
open, and some containing honey and sealed, while
others will contain pollen in greater or less quantities.
At the same time the bee-keeper will observe empty
cells, cells containing eggs, larva) in their various stages
of development, capped brood, and ' bare-headed ' nymphs,
scattered here and there in combs that contain, other-
wise, an unbroken mass of pollen and sealed honey.

Upon scrutinisin<r the combs alluded to above, it will
be noticed that the orifices of the cells containing the
bare-headed nymphs are slightly contracted, and pro-
trude beyond their surroundings, evincing the appear-
ance of having been left by the nurse-bees for a future
finishing touch. The pupa) appear to be cocoonless.

When a cause for the ' bare-headed ' phenomena is
sought, the conditions and immediate surroundings in
which they exist seem to call for some attention.
Reasoning from effect to cause, several items present
themselves for the exercise of thought as indices by
which the investigator may be led to the true sourco of
the lusus naturec, for such it appears to he.

In many of the uncapped cells alluded to, the larvas
die before reaching the pupa stage, and are removed by
the bees, while others reach the imago stage before
vitality becomes extinct, and are removed by the bees
also. In some of the cells the remains of the larva) and
pupa) will be found in all grades of decomposition,
having the appearance and emitting the odour of foul

November 10, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

497

brood. When my attention was first drawn to the
phenomena of 'bare-headed brood,' I attributed the
cause to a defective development — stunted growth —
the result of inefficient nursing, inadequate nourishment,
lack of warmth, &c, behind which the constitutional
stamina of the progenitors were entitled to a due share
of consideration. One item in support of a defective
development, so far as I have been able to ascertain,
appears to exist in the fact before noted, that the bare-
headed nymphs are eocoonless. If such is a fact it
presents a very sound basis for the conclusion that a
lack of vitality in the larvas prevents them from per-
forming a radical task — that of supplying the swaddling-
bands required by nature during the transformation
period.

I can recall but a few instances when I have seen
many unsealed pupre in colonies having vigorous queens,
when the strength of the colony was properly divided
between the duties of the brood-chamber and the supers.
During the past season I hived about one-half of a
medium-sized swarm on eight all- worker combs, a year
old, from which the honey was extracted last fall. At
the time for the brood to be capped, I found the four
central combs a complete mass, one-half of which, at a
fair estimate, was ' bare-headed.' My first thought, on
observing the condition of the colony, was, that the
old honey adhering to the combs after extracting, had
generated foul-brood ; but as 1 could discern no visible
evidence of the disease (other than enough to nurse
conjecture), I was satisfied with the theory that the
numerical strength of the colony was not adequate to
the prolificness of the queen. On examining the colony
afterwards, I found but few ' bare-headed ' nymphs, and
at the present time it is among my best.

Although some of the correspondents of the American
Bee Journal are inclined to infer that a cause for the
' bare-headed ' phenomena may be attributed to the
presence of incipient foul brood, a close observation of
its various conditions has not, as yet, convinced me that
it is invariably a vade mecum of the foul brood disease,
although it may, in some instances, be a premonition
that the germs of that malady are lurking in the organ-
ism of the occupants of the hives or their surroundings.
From a short and decisive experience with foul brood
five years ago, I am led to think that the disease, in its
round of development, occupies a position in the list of
maladies accompanying bee-life of a decidedly specific
character, but it may not limit its ravages to any one
species of insects.

Next to the diagnosis of the 'bare-headed' (!) phe-
nomena, comes the influence of their presence in the
combs on the profit-and-loss aspect of the question. If
bare-headed nymphs develop vigorous workers, they are
harmless ; but if a majority of them die before maturing,
and the minority survive only to make puny labourers,
their presence in the hive must surely result in loss to
the apiarist.

Next in order is the question of prevention or cure.
As I am too much of a novice to attempt to dictate a
method of correction, I will suggest a prevention only,
viz., Keep all colonies vigorous! — J. F. Latham,
(American See Journal.}

MR. ROGERS IN REQUEST.

[1348.] Will Mr. Rogers kindly give a young hand a
few hints, when making a swarm by division how to
know the right time to part the hives ; also how to make
the Cheshire syrup ; also best way to unite weak swarms ;
also how to introduce a new queen ; also how to get a
cross breed between Italians and blacks ; also size of
nucleus box ; also how to get or make the flour candy ;
also how long the queens can remain together on the
nucleus box ? — A New Hand.

(Bfym front % ||ta.

Treliarris, Glamorganihire. — I have taken sixty-three
sections and 7 lbs. run-honey from the hive this year. I
was, until this autumu (when I started a friend in this
line), the only person about here with bar-frame hives, and
as I have had to learn everything by experience and from
the Cottager's Handbook, until this summer, when I com-
menced taking in the B.B.J., I think I have done very
well. I have now four hives, three of them new, and have
taken 110 lbs. of honey, which I sold at 9<i. per lb. run-
honey, and Is. per section. — Llaxcaiach.

Carlisle, October 22nd. — I meddle as little as possible with
my hives. In the spring all the hives are washed out with
carbolic soap and water, and food in the shape of dry sugar
is given if necessary ; later on syrup, or aphis honey, if I
have any, this is extracted and boiled when wanted with
the addition of a little water to thin it, and salicylic acid
solution added. Beginning the spring of this year with
nine hives and two skeps, I have had 900 lbs. of honey
and four swarms, about 30 lbs. of the honey was
aphidean. I had also 2 lbs. of beeswax, after melting
down the section-comb in which the aphidean honey had
been. — Beeswing.

Chester-le-Street, October 28th. — I take my bees to the
moors every August, and in reference to the question that
is asked, Can moor honey be extracted ? I may say I have
several times tried and always failed when it has not been
a mixture of home and moor honey. I find pure moor
honey in sections or supers cannot be extracted by heat.
The season at Muggleswick moor this year was unfortunate,
the heather was excellent, indeed ; you could feel a sweet
smell when walking over it, but the bees had only five
good working days when it was at its best, and then a very
heavy thunder shower came down and it never fairly
recovered after ; nevertheless, those that extracted the
honey from the sections before they went did very well,
a common practice with us. Although I have twenty
miles to go with mine I consider I am well paid with
what I have got, for my hives are all full below, but the most
of the sections are only half full. — TV. J.

Revlin House, Donegal, November ith. — Now that I have
everything squared up for the season of 1887 — such ag
bees put up for winter, crates and sections cleaned and
stored up for another season, accumulation of comb melted
into wax, and a great many other things that are necessary
to be done in preparation for another year — a few words
in your valuable Journal, I hope, will not be found amiss.
I have put up thirty-one hives, four of which are con-
demned bees, and two united nuclei, and am happy to say
in good condition, strong, and plenty of honey. The take
of honey for the season from twenty-five hives will average
about 45 lbs. from each. I had fifteen hives up at the
heather, with sections ready drawn out, and hives very
strong, but I did not get more than forty finished sections
from all, for just as the heather was in full bloom it came
on wet, and continued so at intervals for a fortnight,
till the blossom was all bleached. The only advantage is,
getting some honey stored in the frames, as the honey-
flow is principally over in the lowlands when the heather i3
in bloom, but it hardly pays for the trouble. I have driven
a good many condemned bees this season, and generally put
the bees of about rive skeps into one frame-hive. I mix
them together in a box, and then empty them down in
front of hive, and let them run in, and there is no fighting ;
but if they are united to another stock without shaking the
bees off the frames in front of the hive and mixing them
with the others, no matter how both lots are scented, there
will be fighting, and a good many killed. I found very few
bees in some skeps, especially top swarms, although full of
honey, some weighing 50 lbs., which I should think was
owing to the rapid honey-flow, and cells filled with honey
as they were made, leaving no room for queens to lay.
My apiary is about one hundred yards from the sea, which
seems to be an advantage to the bees, as no doubt they
are fond of salt water. — George Tukmeb.

498

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 10, 1887.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon*
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, qiteries cannot always be replied to in tho issua
immediately following the receipt oj their communication.

.411 queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
nterest will be answered in this column.

CHILLED AND DISEASED BROOD.

Query. — Can the putrefaction of sealed larvae re-
sulting; from a chill be distinguished, without the aid
of a microscope, from the putrefaction resulting- from
Bacillus alvei? If so, how ? — C. H.

Reply. — Chilled brood, when examined micro-
scopically, is perfectly unlike diseased brood, the juices
and tissues of the former resembling those of healthy
larvae, except that they are changing or breaking down
under the action of multitudinous putrefactive germs.
Healthy larvae are loaded with fat, but with the
beginning of an attack by Bacillus alvei emaciation com-
mences, and all fat disappears by about the time of
death ; and somewhat later cell structure is scarcely
traceable, little remaining but chitinous integuments,
such as limiting membranes, tracheae, and external skin,
between which lies a dirty brownish fluid of bad but
characteristic odour, and crowded with countless spores.
The distinction between the effect of fatal chill and death
by disease, as presented to the unaided eye by a single
larva, is too slight and uncertain to determine the case
with any confidence, although the appearance and smell
of the comb, as a whole, would usually be a fair
guide to an experienced observer. The single larva in
decaying after death by chilling loses no fat, as this
part of the body is least attacked by putrefaction, but
most frequently changes to a greyish or blackish colour,
whilst the body becomes extremely soft, a greyish fluid
escaping when the skin ruptures. In diseased con-
ditions, a buff tone, growing darker and darker until it
assumes the colour of coffee, is general, and always
follows an attack of Bacillus alvei. There are, however,
diseased conditions in which browning is not a charac-
teristic.— F. Cheshire.

STANDARD FRAMES VERSUS DEEP FRAMES.

Query. — I think of starting on the deep-frame system
in the spring. My bees are all on standard frames now.
Could any one advise me the best way to start ? I find
in a back number one of Mr. Simmins's stocks produced
198 well-finished sections, sixty others partly filled, and
the stock combs at end of season one solid block of honey.
Would this be with the standard frame or the 14 x 14
frame ? — Bert.

Reply. — With 14 in. x 14in. frames I have, as yet,
been unable to defeat the record of about 250 lbs.
mentioned by your correspondent; the same being
secured with the Standard frame two years since by Mr.
Luck of Felton, Northumberland, who sent me the
queen.

I have put up driven bees in autumn on Standard
frames of empty combs ; closed up with chaff-packed
dummies; a medium entrance, and warm porous covering
on top, with no direct through ventilation. They were
fed carefully and had young queens. Others were made
up on large frames (14 in. x 14 in.) of comb, same
strength, and same food, but the combs were placed to
one end of hives where the wall was only half an inch
thick ; at the opposite side nothing protected the comb,
where was a large unoccupied space, with three 2-inch
holes in the side wall, and one in the centre of the
floor. Communication was quite open to the roof where
was ten times the space generally allowed for venti-

lating ; the frames were covered with porous material,
and yet with all this extra ventilation and no dummies,
these stocks came out five to one better than those pre-
pared as usual on Standard frames.

As the above statement shows, the deep frame is
decidedly superior for wintering, and should ' Bert' wish
to adopt the larger frame, he cannot do better than
transfer in April — two standard combs on end — in one
large frame ; working a few by the side of his standard
frames for a year or two, when he will be able to tell
which suits his management or locality. As the deep
frame takes exactly two of the standard, there is no
waste, even if he wishes to return to the standard ; one
and the same hive also answering for either frame. —
S. Simmins.

Cumbrian. — Bees Dead and Dying. — You should have
crowded the bees on to not more than eight frames, in-
stead of eleven ; possibly through so much space being
left some robbing has been going on with the usual
fighting. We have had wasps visiting our apiary as
lately as Saturday, the 5th inst. Did you ascertain the
presence of the queen on your last examination ? If you
get the opportunity, reduce brood-nest to six frames,
cover warmly after having removed any dead bees that
may be on the floor-board. Once a-week pass a pieoe of
bent wire through the entrance and remove any dead bees
that may have accumulated. Make an inspeotion early
in January, if a mild day occur, and feed if necessary,
asking any further query you may find desirable then.
Your last suggestion would make matters worse.

W. Bobinson. — Death's Head Moth. — The moth forwarded
is the Death's Head Moth (Aclierontia atropos). It is
very frequently found in potato fields, feeding on the leaves
of that plant. For some reason that has not yet re-
ceived a satisfactory explanation, it is allowed by the bees
to enter their hives and plunder them of their honey ; and
though apparently it is quite defenceless, its ravages
are permitted with impunity. 2. If there is aught of
novelty in your management of skeps, the knowledge of
which will be useful to bee-keepers, we shall be pleased,
when convenient, to receive the communication from
you.

A. E. A. Edwards. — Pollen and Honey.— There need be no
apprehension of foul brood from the appearance of the
piece of comb forwarded. It has the cells partially filled
with pollen, with some amount of honey superposed
thereon.

^Business directory.

!♦ I

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bbos., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Bdrtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 20 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merohants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St,

British Honey Co. , Limited, 17 King William St. .Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

NEiaHBouii & Sons, 149 Begent St, & 127 High Holborn,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stbanoeways' Psintinq Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 282. Vol. XV.]

NOVEMBER 17, 1887

[Published Weekly.]

PARSONS AND BEES.

For many years the two have been inseparably
connected in our mind ; indeed, ever since we made
the juvenile error of confounding Bishop Heber
with our great Huber. The power of association is
so strong in the human mind that when the
imagination, even erroneously, connects or as-
sociates two pictures, words, or acts, years may
pass away meanwhile, yet let one of these be
brought into the vision of our memory and the
accompanying spectre appears also.

We read MM. Erckmann-Chatrain's tales of the
Vosges mountains and their inhabitants, Alsatian
pictures of pastoral life, tales of the charcoal-
burners in the Black Forest, Pastor Dzierzon's
discoveries, or Pere Langstroth's classic on bees.
We transfer the mental panorama into Poland or
Sweden, Denmark or Norway, Switzerland or
Austria ; and, wherever we find our bees kept and
tended, there we find the inevitable pastor accom-
panying them — ' in my mind's eye, Horatio.' We
see the mirage of boyhood's days: — a blind Swiss
Bishop Huber or Heber, a stout Johnsonian parson,
sitting in his bee garden, his head uplifted, and his
sightless eyes 'all dark, irrecoverably dark,' as he
listens to his bees passing to and fro ; he tries to
comprehend what they are saying to each other ;
what they say to him he knows.

Many of our bee-books are written by our par-
sons ; and, perhaps, we are not wrong in saying
that almost half the current bee - literature is
penned by them. We are quite convinced that we
owe the advances made in bee-keeping, from the
hollow log, the hive of staves, the earthen tube,
and the straw skep, to the scientific appliances of
our own time, more to our clergymen (or, as we
prefer to call them, the parsons) than to the rest
uf the fraternity combined.

In most rural districts, where the art has
lingered and ' dragged its slow length along '
(a truly living death) by reason of the crass
ignorance of the bee-keeper and the pigheadedness
of bee-keeping traditions, such as gave rise to the
' ken-mair-aboot-bees-than-onybody ' phrase, it is
the parson, whose higher cultivation and perceptive
faculties placing him an, courant with what is
passing in the outer world of apiculture,- — it is he

who takes the first plunge in modern bee-keeping
and who bears the brunt in the battle of new
fangled versus antiquated notions. It is the parson
who persuades Farmer Hobbs (1) not to smother
his bees ; (2), to super skeps ; (3), to drive ; and,
finally, to use frame-hives, artificially swarm, and
the rest of it. The prime mover in elevating the
moral tone of his people by lectures on bees and
bee-keeping, and other subjects, the promoter and
indefatigable Hon. Sec. of the County B. K. A. is
none but he. If we look over the list of members
of our national Association, we find over fifty of
them clergymen ; and at our Conversaziones we are
favoured by a very fair proportion indeed of the
clerical element.

Bee-keeping, as it is taught to-day, is thus
greatly indebted to them individually and as a
body, for the higher tone imported into it by the
intelligence they bring to bear upon the science.
There is aje ne sais quoi of deep, plain, practical,
truthful examination and trial, 'ringing out the old,
ringing in the new,' fads, about their connexion with
scientific bee-keeping, that cannot fail to be dis-
tinctly elevating to all who thus come into contact
with them. This elevation of tone or sentiment is
contagious, and we find almost all our bee-literature
pervaded by it. There is a gentlemanly and cour-
teous treatment of opponents in theory, and of
those who differ in practice amougst bee-keepers,
which is conspicuous by its absence in the corre-
spondence columns of many other journals of science.
Under the beneficent influence of the parsons
amongst us, we feel that, in no small degree, are
we under obligations to them ; our very language
in argument, as well as in written controversy, is
modified when we i-emember of whom and with
whom we are disputing. Perhaps, the influences of
the clerical element upon the rest of the bee-
keepers with whom they came into contact may be
best illustrated by comparing it to that of the
presence of ladies at assemblies, or to the refining,
elevating effect produced by sisters amongst
brothers. Vigorous and courageous as we know
our brothers are, both in viva voce discussions and
with the pen, we shall in no way disparage such
estimable qualities, yet, it may be, that a judicious
restraint is often put upon tongue and pen when
tempted to write or say something peculiarly smart
and cutting, by the feeling that we should be
attacking, and perhaps wounding, one who, by the

500

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 17, 1887.

virtue of his Christian office, is precluded from
putting down aught in malice and replying with
an exhibition of similar spiteful or poisonous darts.
We know how the narnby-pambyism and conceited
affectation of girls are rubbed off by daily mixing
with the brethren of the family, and, though we
have said so much in praise of our parsons, we can-
not help thinking that, were it not for their
repeated contact with their brethren, bee-keeping
■would degenerate into the simple pastoral pursuit
it once was, instead of becoming, as it rapidly is
doing by the mutual efforts of both, a flourishing
industry.

So, under the benign tempering beams of the
clergy of all denominations may bee-keeping con-
tinue to make rapid progress in the future, as it
has done in the past years of the Queen's reign.

ATION.

[Continued from page 492.)

THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS WITH REFER-
ENCE TO INSECT AID IN THEIR FERTILIS-

I -will now direct attention to another very successful
arrangement for promoting cross-fertilisation through
the agency of insects. Probably many have noticed the
primroses {Primula vulgaris) present different appearances
with regard to the stamens and pistils. In some the
pistil is found at the top of the tube and the stamens
half way down ; in others the stamens are at the top
of the tube and the pistil half way down. Corresponding
differences may be seen in the cowslip (P. veris), poly-
anthus, and auricula. This difference in the form of
the flowers has long been known by the homely names of
' thrum-eyed and pin-eyed.' Plants which present these
differences of form are known as heteromorphous ; those
which have two forms of flower, like the primrose, as
dimorphous ; and those which have three forms, as in
Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife), as trimorphous.
Sprengel, as Darwin mentions, had noticed this difference
in form in Hottonia before 1703. ' Sprengel,' writes
Darwin, ' with his usual sagacity adds that he does not
believe the existence of the two forms to be accidental,
though we cannot explain their purpose.' Trimorphism
was noticed by Vaucher in 1841 and by Wirtgen in 1848.
It was left to our great naturalist, Charles Darwin, to
interpret in the journal of the Linnsean Society, 1862,
this curious phenomenon.

Referring to dimorphism in the case of the primrose,
Sir John Lubbock observes, ' An insect thrusting its
proboscis down a primrose of the long-styled form would
dust its proboscis at a part which, when it visited a
short-styled flower, would come just opposite the head of
the pistil and could not fail to deposit some of the pollen
on the stigma. Conversely, an insect visiting a short-
styled plant would dust its proboscis at a part further
from the top, which when the insect consequently visited
a long-styled flower would again just come opposite the
head of the pistil. Hence we see that by this beautiful
arrangement insects must carry the pollen of the long-
styled form to the short-styled, and vice versa.' Mr.
Darwin has shown that much more seed is set, if pollen
from the one form be placed on the pistil of the other,
than if the flower be fertilised by pollen of the same
form, even taken from a different plant.

This eminent naturalist, in his interesting work on the
forms of flowers, after giving a minute and graphic
description of trimorphism in the case of Lythrum
salicaria (Purple Loosestrife), observes, ' In a state of
nature the flowers are incessantly visited for their nectar
by hivo or other bees, various Diptera and Lepidoptera.
The nectar is secreted all round the base of the ovarium,

but a passage is formed along the upper and inner side of
the flower by the lateral deflection of the basal portion
of the filaments ; so that insects invariably alight on the
projecting stamens and pistils, and insert the proboscis
along the upper and inner margin of the corolla. We
can now see why the ends of the stamens with their
anthers and the end of the pistil with the stigma are a
little upturned, so that they may be brushed by the
lower hairy surfaces of the insects' bodies. The shortest
stamens, which lie enclosed within the calyx of the long
and mid-styled forms, can be touched only by the pro-
boscis and narrow chin of a bee ; hence they have their
ends more upturned and they are graduated in length, so
as to fall into a narrow file, sure to be raked by the
thin, intruding proboscis. The anthers of the longer
stamens stand laterally further apart, and are more
nearly on the same level, for they have to brush against
the whole length of the insect's body.

' I have found no exception to the rule that when
the stamens and pistil are bent they bend on that
side of the flower which secretes nectar. . . . When
nectar is secreted on all sides they bend to that side
where the structure of the flower allows the easiest
access to it, as in Lythrum. ... In each of the three
forms two sets of stamens correspond in length with the
pistil in the other two forms. When bees suck the
flowers the anthers of the longest stamens bearing the
green pollen are rubbed against the abdomen and inner
sides of the hind legs, as is likewise the stigma of the
long-styled form. The anthers of the mid-length
stamens and the stigma of the mid-styled form are
rubbed against the under side of the thorax and between
the front pair of legs. And, lastly, the anthers of the
shortest stamens and the stigma of the short-styled form
are rubbed against the proboscis and chin, for the bees in
sucking the flowers insert only the front part of their
heads into the flower. On catching bees I observed
much green pollen on the inner side of the hind legs and
on the abdomen, and much yellow pollen on the under
side of the thorax. There was also pollen on the chin,
and, it may be presumed, on the proboscis, but this was
difficult to observe. I had, however, independent proof
that pollen is carried on the proboscis, for a small branch
of a protected short-styled plant (which produced spon-
taneously only two capsules) was accidentally left during
several days pressing against the net, and bees were seen
inserting their proboscides through the meshes, and in
consequence numerous capsules were formed on this one
small branch. ... It must not, however, be supposed
that the bees do not get more or less dusted all over with
the several kinds of pollen, for this could be seen to occur
with the green pollen from the longest stamens. . . .
Hence insects, and chiefly bees, act both as general
carriers of pollen, and as special carriers of the right
sort.'

A long series of experiments proved that both kinds of
pollen are nearly or quite impotent upon the stigma of
the same flower, and that no ovary is fully fertilisable in
any other manner than by stamens of the corresponding
length. Nesma verticillata, a common lythraceous plant
of the Atlantic United States, is, according to Dr. Asa
Gray, similarly trimorphous. Several South African and
American species of Oxalis are trimorphous, and have
been investigated by Darwin and Hildebrand with the
same result as in Lythrum salicaria. Referring to
trimorphism, Mr. Darwin observes in one of his valuable
works as follows: — 'Fritz Midler has seen in Brazil a
large field many acres in extent covered with the red
blossoms of one form (of an Oxalis) alone, and these did
not produce a single seed. His own land is covered
with the short-styled form of another species, and this is
equally sterile, but. when the three forms were planted near
together in his garden they seeded freely.' ' All known
flowers,' writes Dr. AsaGray, 'exhibiting; reciprocal dimor-
phism or trimorphism are entomophilous ' (insect fertilis-

November 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

501

able). No such wind-fertilisable species is known. Few of
them are irregular, and none very irregular ; they do not
occur, for instance, in Leguminosce, Labiatce, Scro-
phulariacce, Ore/iidaceee, &c. Nature is not prodigal, and
does not endow with needless adaptations flowers which
are otherwise provided for. — W. G. Wheatcroft (The
Journal of Microscopy).

(To be continued.)

Skkcfttr ($.ttcr]j.

»

[1.] — Haveyou used slotted dividers between the sections,
mid what is your experience ivith them ?

I have extensively used slotted dividers with four tee-
way sections this last season, and find that in conjunction
with such sections there is a trifling advantage gained in
the nicer manner in which the side cells of the comb are
filled ; but I consider the amount of this advantage is
not sufficient to warrant advisiug any bee-keeper going
to the expense of supplanting their present plant of
dividers. The}1" — slotted ones — are also very likely to get
damaged in the hands of any one the least careless,
bending, and, with brittle metal or wood, breaking just
where the slot almost meets the hollow cut out at top of
divider. When propolised, they require great care in
removing. — W. B. Webster.

I have had this year, in constant use, over 1000 slotted
dividers between sections, and found them simply per-
fection. The sections were all open on four sides of
different width, 1J and 2 inches wide. The bees seemed
to build out their comb up to and over the wood of sec-
tion edge, and also filled more quickly than with the plain
divider. I think, before judging finally, I should prefer
to give them another season's trial. Care must be taken
in using them, as they are very apt to cut the hands
when cleaning to put away at end of season. — Wm.
McNally.

I prefer slotted dividers between the sections that have
to be glazed, better than wood : but a space should be
left at the bottom and the top for the bees to easily get
to the sections, the same as in the wood dividers. —
William Carr.

Do not use separators. — Samuel Simmins.

Yes, very extensively; and found that the sections
were more evenly and rapidly filled than w*ith any other
dividers. — G. J. Btjller.

Yes. If there is a space left between the sections so
that the bees going through the slot in the dividers can
pass along and cluster round all the sections in the case,
as they can do in that illustrated on page 128 of this
year's Bee Journal ; or when Lee's patent sections are used,
which provide passage-ways, then there is a great advan-
tage in using slotted dividers. If the ordinary section-
case is used, or the one illustrated on page 59 of the
present Journal, with slotted dividers, then the bees
going through the dividers, being stopped by the edges of
the sections touching each other, leave more pop-holes in
the sections for the purpose of clustering and passing
than they would where solid dividers are used. — John M.
Hooker.

Using slotted zinc-dividers last season, I obtained the
centre sections with neither better fit nor finish than when
using the old pattern wood divider, with the sections
closely encased in crate ; but the fact of centre sections
always turning out the best, pointed that not in centre of
crate were extra passages necessary, but that passage
around outside sections would be beneficial, producing
more even work throughout the whole crate, and the re-
sult in trial was as anticipated. This outside passage
only is not so practicable with any section as the lf-inch
for bee-way, worked without dividers ; and trials as to
the better methods have convinced me that bee passages,

other than around outside sections in crates of three
sections wide, to be bad economy in the service of bee
life for sectional honey production. — J, II. Howard.
I have used the slotted dividers with bees, and other
sections, having passage-ways on all sides, and have found
them answer perfectly, the sections produced being evenly
worked and free from loop-holes at the corners. This,
however, was during a copious honey-flow, when only
perfect sections, as a rule, can be obtained. It is most
important that the bees should have, at all times, the
free communication between the sections, which slotted
dividers afford. — George Kaynor.

MY BEES.

By Mrs. Beginald Bray,

Author of ' Family Feats,' ' Ten of Them,' ' We Four,' ka.

'No mirth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member ;
No warmth, no shine, no butterflies, no Bees,
November.'

Chapter I. — A Dream Fulfilled.

_' Have you any fancy for keeping bees ?' said a kind
neighbour to me one day as we were walking round the
garden one summer day in June.

' Any fancy ? ' Why my whole heart leapt within me.
' Bees ! ' why it had been the desire of my fife from the
time I had been a little child, when I used to pore over
an old book in my father's library called My Bee Booh,
probably quite antiquated and old-fashioned in its ideas,
but to me a very fairy-land of delight.

' Because," continued my neighbour, little dreaming of
the ecstasy of delight which I was concealing under a
calm exterior, ' I have a number of hives at my place in
the country and am thinking of sending for some, so if
you like I shall be delighted to give you some.'

I could scarcely gasp my thanks. Was the sky ever
so blue before? Was the sun ever so bright? Was
my life-long dream now going to be realised ? I had
occasionally had faint dreams of hives in sunny corners
and the hum of bees among the flowers ; but I knew not
how to start them or where to procure a swarm. Indeed,
I knew very little more than what I had gathered in the
days of my childhood. Sometimes, indeed, I had re-
marked to my gardener that it was a pity we could not
keep bees, and he being a kindred spirit fully agreed;
but our garden, a lovely old-fashioned one, was in the
suburbs of London. I did not know of a hive in
existence in the neighbourhood, and so I had to give up
the wish, which until this moment never seemed feasible.

' The only difficulty,' continued Mr. Graham, ' is that
I am not fond of bees myself, and have a wholesome
horror of being stung. My wife has a fancy to keep
them, but I do not know whether it is possible to move
them at this time of the year, nor how it is to be done.'

' I will ask Watson,' I replied ; ' for he used to keep
bees in the country, and understands something about
them.' He was summoned to the conclave, and said that
it would be possible if they were tied up in sheets at
night, but it would be impossible to move them by rail.

' Very well,' said Mr. Graham ; ' it is only about twelve
miles ; I will send one of my carts, and they shall be
driven down all the way.'

Matters were soon arranged. Watson and Mr. Graham's
man were to go down by rail, and as soon as the bees had
all come in from their day's work and had retired for the
night they were to be tied up in sheets and transported
to their new homes. The hives, of which I was to have
three, were all old-fashioned straw skeps. No one had
taken any interest in them for years.

The bees had come and gone at their own sweet will ;
queens had lived and reigned and died ; swarms had gone
forth to new colonies ; honey had been stored and eaten
by themselves alone ; and now they were to be rudely

10-2

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 17, 188?.

disturbed from their elysian fields and brought to the
suburbs of London amid the bustle and the din of man.
Poor bees !

The day came at last which I had been awaiting with
an impatience scarcely concealed.

Had we known more, I should have been very anxious,
but it is a fact that sometimes 'ignorance is bliss,' and
that ' fools rush in where angels fear to tread.' Happily
we had not then studied the subject, and little we knew
of the danger and difficulty of moving hives in the
middle of summer, heavy with honey-laden comb, and
weighing possibly as much as forty pounds. I have
wondered since that they all came safely to hand, espe-
cially when I read how necessary it is to push wooden
skewers into the sides of the hives so as to support the
combs, and how this ought to be done two or three days
before moving, as the bees would then make them fast,
and they would not give way. Also that the hives
should be turned upside down, which would cause less
strain upon the comb, for if in the move the combs
broke and fell, then woe betide your bees ! All this and
much more we knew nothing about, and our great
success was mainly due to the fact that the hives were
so very old that the comb was probably extremely
strong and tough, and therefore stood the journey, which
was made with due care at a foot's-pace.

Never shall I forget the moment when I stood in
front of my three hives on their new stand in the
sunniest corner of the garden facing the south. I gazed
at them with a feeling of respect, for I knew not then
that bees could be handled with impunity. The bees
flew in and out with joyful sound, caring nothing about
me (the most loyal subject of the queen-bee that surely
ever existed). One garden was as good to them as
another as long as flowers and nectar existed. The
distance being great, there was no risk in having changed
their place of abode, for beginners must remember that
bees must not be moved any short distance in the
summer, or they will invariably return to their old
homes, and, finding their hives gone, will fall down and
die.

The bees looked most flourishing, the multitudes
which hurried in and out showed that they must be
very strong, and I was immediately possessed with the
idea that they would be sure to swarm soon. I had
heard of swarms coming out and being lost before you
had time to take them. What a terrible idea ! there was
not an hour to be lost, they might swarm at any moment,
and I had not a spare hive. I must drive instantly up
to London and place myself in readiness for mv swarms.
The question now was, 'Where should I go?' I had
never heard of the British Bee Journal, that most ab-
sorbing of all papers that has ever been brought out. I
knew not even where I could purchase a hive. I
looked in the Field, but of course that week no one had
advertised a hive. Some one suggested Messrs. Neigh-
bour. The very thing. I knew them by name ; who
does not ? and, ordering the carriage, I drove hastily to
Regent Street.

Next to the pleasure of the bees, I think it is to see on
each side of you the various hives and appliances for bee-
keeping. A new world seemed opened to me as I saw the
different hives, — skeps with glass windows, bar-frames,
which were to me as yet a mystery, and very incompre-
hensible they looked with their sections and supers.
Indeed, I thought that it would be impossible for me
ever to understand the working of them, little knowing
how extremely simple it is when you have once been
properly shown.

Accordingly I modestly contented myself witli a
straw skep of excellent make, and one with little
windows at the side, so that I could look in and see
the bees at work.

With my bive in the carriage my heart felt lighter,
though sundry misgivings would come over me that

the bees might possibly have swarmed in my absence.
It seemed as if they would be certain to have taken
advantage of my ' being out.' Happily no such mis-
fortune had occurred, aud the bees were flying in and
out with as peaceable a mind as when I had left
them.

One extra treat I had provided myself with, and
that was the British Bee-keepers' Guide-book, by Thomas
(Jowan, and Modern Bee-keeping, published by the
British Bee-keepers' Association. With what feelings
of delight I sat down to peruse these treasures I need
not here describe.

In case, however, any of my readers have not had a
like treat I will give a short description of the queen and
her subjects.

First of all, we will commence with her majesty, or,
as she is sometimes called, the ' mother bee,' because she
alone, with some rare exceptions, lays all the eggs from
which the bees are produced. It will scarcely be believed
that during the spring and early summer she will lay
two or three thousand eggs a-day.

It is very easy to recognise the queen, as she has a long
thin body, and shorter wings than either the drone or
worker-bee. Each egg is deposited in one of the cells,
and in three days it hatches into a small white grub,
which is carefully fed upon a mixture of honey, pollen,
and water.

The grubs are fully grown iu about five or six days,
and are then sealed over in their cells by the worker
bees. The grub spins itself a cocoon in which it remains
for three days, when it becomes a nymph. At the end
of seven more days, or twenty-one days from the laying
of the egg, it emerges a perfect bee. The queens and
the drones pass through similar changes, but the queen
takes only fifteen days to develope, whilst the drone takes
twenty-five.

The workers are a much smaller bee than the queen.
They build the comb, gather the honey, and feed the
grub', and so busy are their little lives in the summer
that they only live about six weeks, so it is very neces-
sary that the stock of bees should be constantly re-
plenished by the queen.

The drones are the males, and are produced at the
beginning of the swarming season. They have no stings,
and are turned out by the workers in the autumn when
they are no longer required. The presence of drones in
a hive is usually a sign that swarming is likely to take
place.

A queen may live four or five years, but it is best to
replace her when she is about two years old. The
workers have it in their power to raise a queen whenever
they consider it desirable, and they can even turn the
grub into a queen so long as it is not more than three
days old. This appears to be done by simply enlarging
the cell and giving food in greater abundance. A queen-
cell can easily be known as it projects and hangs down
like a small acorn.

The more I read the more interested I became. The
possible failures never entered into my head. My bees
were sure to do well. They would yield me an immense
quantity of honey. I should supply the whole house-
hold, and sell the remainder to my friends. Honey was
Is. 6d. a pound in those happy days; and I began to
calculate how soon I should be able to pay off all
expenses of extra hives that I should require, and begin
to make my fortune.

I may as well remark here that my household is
extremely fond of honey, and up to this date they have
recklessly consumed every pound of honey that I have
had.

My schoolboys suggested that it would be very nico
to have some to take to Harrow, but I nipped this idea
relentlessly in the bud, and murmured something about
tho difficulty of packing it.

November 1?, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

503

I rejoiced greatly in thinking that I should no longer
be dependent upon exterior sources for my honey, from
which I had suffered greatly. One year a friend in
Scotland gave me a delightful account of the beautiful
heather honey, which, in out-of-the-way places, could be
purchased for 3d. a pound if you took the whole hive.
I promised to share a hive with her, and in consequence
did not lay in my usual large stock of honey in the
autumn.

Well ! my friend came south, and I waited long and
anxiously for my honey. It never came, and at last I
wrote and inquired after it. It was somewhat vexatious
to hear that her family had found the honey so good that
they had kept it all for themselves.

The following year I determined to do better. A
sister was going to the Highlands, and I felt that upon
her I could depend. She did not fail me : but, alas ! the
hive was sent by sea packed with a large quantity of
Scotch oatmeal, and somehow — it was never discovered
exactly how — the honey and the oatmeal got mixed and
arrived an indescribable mash.

The next year I determined to have nothing to do
with any more Scotch honey, so I bought a great quan-
tity from the poor people in the country, and was quite
satisfied though it was not Scotch honey. Unfortu-
nately another sister went to Scotland on her wedding
tour, and so temptation fell in my way once more.

Knowing my weakness for Scotland and everything
Scotch, and especially heather honey, she wrote to say
that the most heautif id honey was to be bought from the
people there, and that the landlady of the hotel where
she was could get me an)r quantity.

Now I own that there was a certain interest connected
with that same hotel at Rowadonan, on the shores of
Loch Lomond. I had been there on my own wedding
tour. The landlady was a personal friend of mine, as
she had been housekeeper to some old friends, and, above
all, Scotch honey — everything Scotch — always seems to
me so infinitely superior to anything else.

I could not resist, and gave a somewhat large order ;
and, determined that nothing should go wrong, arranged
to have it sent direct to me, thinking that the low price
of the honey would make up for the carriage.

By-the-bye, I did not ask the price of the honey,
taking for granted it would be about 3d. a-pound. I
was somewhat startled by the amount I had to pay for
carriage, hut the honey was first-rate, and the household
showed its appreciation of it by eating it up twice as
fast as usual. It gave me quite a pleasure to see how
that honey was appreciated.

Then the bill came in.

I opened it ; I looked at it, and I sadly shut it up
again.

The worthy landlady had lived in England. She
knew English prices. She would not like to charge a
newly-married couple anything but the top prices.

The honey was two shillings a-pound !

That was the last Scotch honey I ever bought.
(To be continued.)

Mr. W. Couse, Secretary and Treasurer of the Ontario
B.K. A., desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt
of two books forwarded by 'Amateur Expert' as an
addition to their library, viz., from Dr. Bartrun a copy
of his pamphlet The Steicarton Hive, and Thorley's
Female Monarchy, presented by Mr. John Walton.

The Use op the Posterior Legs of the Worker
Bee. — They aid in walking ; they sustain an enormous
weight when bees cluster ; they gather, transfer, and
carry the nitrogenous food (the pollen) and the propolis ;
they grasp and carry forward the delicate wax scales,
and aid to clean off the pollen as the bee frees its legs of
this substance when the latter is pushed off into the cells
of the comb. — Professor Cook.

Corresponaeitce.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by Jtis correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
■Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
Jtc, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Lamjlcy, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously -inserted, will oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as welt as the page on which it appears.

OUR HONEY IMPORTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of October, 1887, amounted to 668/.
[From a return furnished by the Statistical Depart-
ment] H. M. Customs to E. H. Bellairs, Wingtbld,
Chris tchurch.]

COMPLIMENTS TO EDITOR.

[1349.] I am pleased to hear of your safe return from
Canada and America in such good health, and that you
have so much enjoyed your journeyings. The marvel to
me is how you have done so much, for you tell us of

visiting Mr. , and after him Mr. hundreds

of miles distant, and other bee-keepers more distant
still ; looked over their workshop-;, their apiaries, their
indoors ; and ah this to he stored up for our benefit, and
so much information about bees and bee-keeping as carried
on in those States by the leading men.

I have been greatly interested in reading your first
dole of your tour and shall look for a further. You can
tell us much on plants and flowers, and I hops to hear
you enlarge upon the subject of bee-forage in the States
you have visited. Such could not fail to interest, and so
possibly draw out from the rich store-box of others here
a little which might help to till a vacuum in that of the
less favoured; besides, to say the least, it would be a
sweet subject, sweeter than one we have been treated to of
late in the Journal. Oh ! by the bye, did you go bee-hnnting
whilst out in the wilds — I mean real bee-hunting, out in
the woods hunting for wild bees ? If so, please tell us all
about the sport, and if you found the bees in any way dif-
ferent to yours at Horsham. Now I have my pen in hand
I may just remark I note your editorial, ' Bee-keeping as
a livelihood,' in your issue of Nov. 3, and with you 1 wish
bee-keepers of practical experience would, for our guid-
ance and benefit, give us their frank opinions upon the
subject, especially as to the business being a remunerative
one at the quotation you give for good English honey ;
if they would so, I venture to predict the result of such
opinions would not be your figure.

Would that I could convert you to my views as to a
paying price to the producer for good English honey, but
please, don't continue to educate the public to look for a
downward price. I question if that course is one calculated
to increase the consumption. We don't eat two loaves
of bread instead of one because the price is low. No,
rather educate the public to the use of honey, and they
will be content enough to pay a fair price for it. Pray
don't think me a grumbler and a fault-finder, but I am
really tempted to wish I had had the manipulation of the
type for one portion of your editorial, or rather had been
at the elbow of him who had, I would just have honied
him up to my figure (9rf.), and your sour (5d. ivould mo3t
certainly have appeared tail down. — R. R. Godfrey,
November 7.

WINTER PASSAGES, &c,
[1350.] In last week's 'Useful Hints' (p. 490) Mr.
Langstroth's advice is quoted of cutting holes one inch

504

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 17, 1887.

in diameter for -winter passages; such holes, if left
intact, -would, in the writer's opinion, be unsightly and
wasteful. Our practice is to cut holes about half an inch
in diameter ; and this may easily be done with a piece of
brass tube, the end slightly notched, so as to cut cleanly
when a screwing motion is imparted.

"Whilst on this subject, it would be interesting to know
why Eastern races, particularly Syrians and Palestines,
insist on pushing up the quilt and building columns and
irregular-shaped pieces of wax between it and the top of
the frames, about an inch high ; it is not usually from
want of room, although strong colonies do it most to
perfection. Another (old) method of spacing frames, and
at the same time diminish the circulation of cold air, is by
pushing Jx| fillet of deal between the side bars of frames.

Allow me, in conclusion, to congratulate the Editor on
his announcement that the pages of the Journal are to
be enlivened by the experiences in bee-keeping of so
popular an author as Mrs. Keginald Bray. — John Edey,
St. Neots.

SUNFLOWERS, POKER LILIES, FUCHSIAS,
AND BEES.

[1351.] As notes on bees and flowers are interesting
to all bee-keepers as well as naturalists, I offer a few
that I have set down during the autumn that has just
passed. What I record may be known to some of your
readers, hut I have not been able to find the facts in any
book on bees that I have consulted.

1. Sunflowers, — My observation of these extended to
about one hundred plants in my own garden. These
were all in fine bloom for nearly two months, and while
they were frequented by humble bees in crowds, it was very
rarely that I saw a honey bee on one of the flower-heads.
I am aware that this plant is put in the lists of bee-flowers,
and extolled by some for the aid it affords the bees by
yielding pollen late in the year. Now I have been
watching the sunflower for several years in order to
settle this point, and I have come to the conclusion that
it is a ' delusion ' for either honey or pollen, just as much
as its fabulous habit of turning its face to the sun is a
groundless poetical legend.

2. Red-hot Poker Lily. — Never before have I seen so
many and such fine spikes of the bright flowers of the
Tritoma uvaria — red-hot poker lily — as were in my
flower garden this season. The long dry summer seems
to have agreed with them, for some plants produced as
many as thirty-three huge 'pokers,' and they came in
succession from the end of August to the close of October,
and all that time, early and late, my bees were at them
for both honey and pollen. This lily secretes large
quantities of nectar, which my bees did not allow to go
to waste. In former years 1 noticed that this plant was
a great favourite with wasps; however, as 1 wage a
ceaseless war against the ' yellow boys ' they do not get
leave to carry all before them on my glebe, and conse-
quently few were observed this year on my Tritomas.

3. Fuchsia gracilis. — There is a hedge fifty yards
long composed altogether of this common fuchsia in my
garden, which bloomed profusely all September and
October. It was a splendid sight with the Tritomas and
Sunflowers in the foreground; and which, like the 'red-
hot pokers,' was haunted every fine day from morning to
sunset by hundreds of my bees. I had often heard it
said that honey bees would not touch a fuchsia, and I
once was present at a discussion over a collection of bee-
flowers in a honey and bee exhibition as to the fuchsia
being admissible in such. But now I am convinced that
this graceful and beautiful plant is one of the best
autumn flowers that can be cultivated for bees. There
is no plant more easily and successfully grown than this
Fuchsia gracilis — more so than F. glooosa, while it is
fully equal to the latter in being an ornament to the
garden. — II. W. Lett, M.A., Ayhaderg Glebe, Lowjh-
brickland, Co. Doivn.

I-lOW TO DO IT.

[1052.] So, 'Mr. Sherborne,' )Tou do not believe that
one queen is able to produce bees to cover forty frames
and yield 100 pounds of honey in a season ! Well, there
are many like you ; and I know to try to convince a bee-
keeper (as you say you are of twenty years' standing) by
force of argument is hopeless. I think the better way
will be to tell you how to do it, so as you may see it
with your own eyes.

1. Wintering. — You say they will not cover five
frames by November 1st. I could show you them
crowded on the 8th and 9th inst. and nearly J inches
between frames. They have not got bees added, and
one of them yielded 150 pounds of honey the past season,
but it is not always the hive that is strongest in
November that is strongest in June. But that is not
telling you how to do it. First leave in more frames
than they can cover and have them stored with as much
food as will serve them till June. Bees that have well-
stored combs always rest best and conserve their strength.
Have these frames set f inches apart and place a small
piece of tablet on top of them to form a roadway from
frame to frame. In case of severe weather cover with a
leather-cloth quilt ; place a sack or tuck over it, and a
good chaff-cushion over all, and take out the doors and
do not touch them again until the first week of April at
the earliest. But during the winter months you had
better see that you have a hive suitable ; mine are made
of four boards one inch thick, nailed together, 14j x 1G x 9
inside measure, and hold eleven frames. I got these
from the saw-mill cut to size at '2d. each; four of these
make a hive ; they have no plinths and set on top of
floor-board. Floor-board is kept up f to form a door-
way, and this shuts up the door of next storey when it is
put on bar-wood, which I get at Qd. per 100 feet, and
that makes bars for three storeys.

2. Spring. — First good day in April examine all hives
and cut open some honey down the side of centre frames,
and set the frames up -| inch between and cover all up
closely again. I am presuming that you have seen brood
or eggs, and if so the less they are handled in April the
better. The first week of May, this is an important time,
as the work of the season commences with this month (I
am writing from a district where the clover comes into
bloom about the third week of June), this is the time to
know if hives will be ready for the clover, as they may
be said to have passed the lowest point and will rapidly
increase. The test is, that they have four frames full of
brood and egg3 at this time; if they are young combs
and not pollen-clogged they will contain about 20,000
young, which will all be hatched in three weeks ; but to
assist them to cover more brood we at this time shift all
frames up to j inch apart, cutting down any irregulari-
ties of the comb. To admit of this, hives will now need
weekly attention, cutting open honey, feeding where
stores are running short (I do this by pouring syrup into
the combs from a vessel with a small spout, giving a
good feed at a time), and adding frames as bees can
cover until we have twelve and sometimes thirteen f rames
into a eleven-frame hive, which will be crowded with
bees and brood by the time clover comes into bloom. If
' Sherborne ' will try the foregoing plan he will be
astonished at what bees can do. Of course if he uses
metal ends he will have to thi'ow them away.

3. Summer. — Place a sheet of perforated zinc on top
of the iiamesjlat and put on another storey with eleven
frames with comb or foundation. Still keep on chaff-
cushion, and when bees have fairly commenced to work
in second storey wedge up both hives at least | inch all
round. When the top storey is commenced to seal, raise it
up and put another in between ; and when it has began
to seal put another in beneath it ; and if the season is at
all good you will see bees from one queen cover forty-
five frames. — Jas. Saddler, Forfar.

November 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

505

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS PER HIVE.

[1353.] In reply to 1346 of last issue it may interest
' R. Sutton ' to know that some time ago I had a stock of
cross breed (Ligurian queen crossed with black drone)
bees. There were twenty combs of Standard size,
fourteen of which were filled with brood at one time,
and I never saw two queens at one time in this stock.
I thought it rather remarkable, and I mentioned the fact
to Mr. 0. N. Abbott, who paid me a visit, and that
gentleman informed me that he once had himself a queen
which covered sixteen frames of Standard size at the
same time. I cannot say how many Standard frames the
brood contained in fourteen combs would cover when
hatched, but suppose there would be sufficient bees in
such a hive to cover forty frames in warm weather. —
Thomas F. Ward, Highgate, November 11.

WHAT BEES CAN DO.

[1354.] I take this opportunity of thanking you for
your great kindness in giving us so much useful and
practical information. I am sure all bee-masters feel
greatly obliged by your very interesting description of
your visit to Canada and the States. Our cousins seem
to do things on a very large scale in bee-keeping, but I
was greatly surprised at the amount of honey per hive,
for, setting aside a few cases where a large crop was
obtained, I think we on this side of the Atlantic should
take courage in the fact that we are not to be crushed
by a greater weight than we can produce ourselves. I
quite anticipate many veterans in the craft will tell us
of far greater things as regards production of honey.
But what we want, Mr. Editor, to make the outlook
brighter is, I think, better facilities for disposing of the
production of the apiary. .

I should be glad if we had more in the Journal from
the pen of our fathers — those who were at the christen-
ing, and have watched over, tended, and cared for the
bee-keeping interest, until it has grown up to this big
youth who is able to stand his ground and show as good
a front as his big brothers over the water.

I should here like to give a few facts in connexion
with my own experience, if not thought to partake too
much of the American, Mr. Editor. I hope they ma}r
tend to convince some who are, like Thomas of old, very
hard to believe. I must say 1 am greatly astonished to
find that any one that had had twenty years' experience
with bees could write such perfect nonsense about a
number of queens in the same hive at the same time.
Let him listen to the following and be not unbelieving.
I have taken for the last seven years an average per
hive of 112 lbs. of honey, one seventh of this was comb-
honey, for the entire apiary (which is considered a large
one).

My hives have in summer not only forty frames, but
forty-two, Woodbury size. These are filled with bees,
and produce the above result, without the assistance of
any other hive or queen, all by the middle of July,
which closes my honey season, after which time the
bees make up their stores (for I never use any
syrup), and I stimulate with combs of sealed food
taken from the hives when reducing the hives to
eight combs for winter; this I do in September. I
find it no gain to have a large number of bees in the
fall, for I do just as well with six combs as with eight
or more. The point is a good young queen. I requeen
my apiary every two years, that is, half this, the other
half next.

I can open his eyes a little wider by just giving him
the result of two hives this year, without any assistance
from any other hive. The first hive was on forty-two
frames, Woodbury size, and had a last year's queen. It
gave me 217 lbs. of extracted honey and four full combs
•when reduced for winter. (I believe this hive had a bushel

of bees in it at one time.) The other hive was worked for
comb-honey solely on Simmins' principle. It was on
sixteen frames, which I reduced to twelve, then put on
the sections. This hive gave me 194 lbs. finished fit for
market, and gave me three bars weighing 15 lbs. when
I reduced them for winter. I would say here this hive
never gave any sign of swarming. It was well shaded
by a large tree, and I gave it plenty of room with
crates.

I should like to give my experience with mixing
bees. First, if the bees are standing near each other,
push a piece of camphor in each night-hole over night ;
next evening uncover the hives, lift the combs with bees
from one hive and place them in the one you wish to
retain, taking away all spare combs, cover up, the thing
is done and not a bee lost. If you are afraid of bees
you can use a little smoke, but this I seldom do in my
apiar}'.

To move and mix bees, put a piece of camphor in
each flight-hole over night, next afternoon shake all the
bees from the combs into their respective hives, corer up
for a few minutes, set one of the hives where you wish
it to stand ; now put into it all the combs containing
brood, and as many more as you wish, shake the bees
from the other hive on to a board or cloth in froDt of
the selected hive ; there will not be a bee lost by fighting
or by going back to the old stands any more than if they
had been moved when swarmed.

This plan is very much better than drenching the bees
with scented syrup, to be half lost when cold follows ;
and then it saves the shifting the hives a few feet every
day, and may be practised any time when bees can fly. —
An Old Bee-masteb.

'IN THE HUT.'— 'X-TRACTOR' AND 'AMATEUR
EXPERT.'

[1355.] Kindly allow me a little space in reply to
your correspondents in the B.B.J, of the 10th inst.,
page 405, who write under the above noms-de-plume.
Though the controversy does not tend to edification,
nevertheless, I will not lay myself open to the charge
of discourtesy by not replying even to ' X-Tractor.'
Anonymous correspondents ought to be the. last to
request family histories and relationships from those who
always append their names to contributions. If I do
write decent English unadorned bv Shakspeariau scraps,
my style, I hope, savoureth not that of United Ireland.
The B. B. J. is not a humorous paper, and does not go
in f or jokes, as ' X-Tractor ' would seem to think, although
his most serious communications would raise a smile on
the face of an Egyptian mummy who made bee-culture
his hobby four thousand years ago. As to the genealogies
of the McNally family ' are they not written in the book
of Jesher?' a valuable chronicle of reference, now sup-
posed to be lost. ' X-Tractor' desired information from
some courteous correspondent, ignoring my qualifications
in that way, also forgetting his own deficiencies in the
same respect.

Par exemph, I beg to refer your readers to page 483
of the B.B.J., misquoted by ' X-Tractor,' to which the
signature is not Mr. W. McNally as he says, but that
of another person. This misquotation is of a piece with
his habitual inaccuracy, intentional or otherwise. When
he attempts writing again let him bear in mind that I
have never written anything in these columns, or in any
other journal, against the N. of Ireland Show,

Mr. 'Amateur Expert,' a word in your ear. You are
very kind and chivalrous coming to the rescue of your
brother in distress, ' X-Tractor.' Your aid, though perhaps
much needed, has been of little avail. ' The clan of
McNally, jointly and severally,' are individually respon-
sible each for his own acts and sayings, and not in a
corporate capacity. You need not grudge us our hard-

50G

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 17, 1887.

earned annual honours, since you have a weekly puffing
all to yourself, from your confrere ' X-Tractor, to be
returned in kind.

Without trespassing further on your space, just a
word of nd vice: when next you and ' X-Tractor' visit
the Wild West to revel in the congenial society of the
Red Indians, be sure to provide yourselves with an
ample supply of Apifuge and Fumigators ; perhaps you
will meet some 'cute Scotchman who might invest.
But, 'A. E.,' I have hitherto admired your contributions
not a little, though you have, unfortunately, lowered
yourself in my estimation by your recent communication,
which was altogether uncalled for. — William McNally,
Glenluce, Scotland.

[We agree with our correspondent that ' this contro-
versy does not tend to edification,' and therefore we
consider it desirable it should now be closed. — Ed.]

A DESIDERATUM.

[ 1 3S6.] I think it would be a great accommodation and
advantage to many bee-keepers who occasionally run up
to town if there were a sort of museum or show-room in
London, where they could see all sorts of appliances and
inventions new and old bv many makers, especially if the
person in charge was qualified to explain and give infor-
mation and perhaps take orders. 1 see many advertise-
ments and hear of many things which if I had an oppor-
tunity of seeing I should probably procure.

If properly managed I think it would pay well, and I
am sure it would be much to the advantage of makers
and inventors of really good things. Again there is a
certain amount of (instructive) bee-literature. I for one
would willingly pay liberally to see some of these books,
though I do not care to buy many of them. If the
B.B.K.A. could see their way to establish something of
this sort I think they would find it a considerable element
of attraction and stability. Possibly, Mr. Editor, you
may think the hint worth supporting. — Knownothing.

[A library of books appertaining to bees and bee-
keeping has been established by the B.B.K.A., from
which members of the Association have the privilege of
borrowing, on application to the Librarian. — Ed.]

PREVENTING ROBBING.
[1357.1 In a late issue of 'Useful Hints' carbolic
powder is mentioned as a preventive of robbing. A
much simpler plan is one recommended by the same
writer some time ago, and which I have always found
successful, viz., placing a square sheet of glass in front
of the entrance, resting on the alighting-board. I have
used it many times, and it has always stopped robbing at
once. — L. B. Biekett, Westbourne, Evesioort.li.

BEES AND MANURE-HEAPS.

' And them a' doctor's saws and whittles
Of a' dimensions, shapes, and metals,
A' kinds o' boxes, mugs, and bottles,

He's sure to hae :
Their Latin names as fast he rattles
As A. B. C.

' Calces o' fossils, earths, and trees ;
True salmarinum o' the seas ;
The farina of beans and peas ;

He has't in plenty ;
Aquafortis, what ye please

He can content ye.

' Foreby some new, uncommon weapons,
Urinus spiritus of capons ;
Or mite-horn shavings, tilings, scrapings,

Distill'd per S(j;
Salalkali o' midge-tail clippings

And mony inae.' — Buens.

[1358.] Oh, dear ! more groping among musty
chemical works is my lot. Well, I suppose it must
be done, that matters may be put in a more ship-

shape condition, and errors corrected between me and
thee. ' Naquet,' ' Attfield,' The Tear Book of Pharmacy,
all are here, and let me wade into their mysteries as friend
Grimshaw has led the way in his almost exhaustive compi-
lation of authorities.

Now, in the first place, it is of no consequence, for the
sake of argument, what acid the bees are in search of, be
it uric or hippuric, it matters not which. Mr. G. ap-
peared to have confounded them. His words (letter
1816, 20th Oct.) are ' Uric acid might be a better term,
seeing that uric is found in animal and hippuric in
human liquid excreta.' I think it no unfair deduction
that Mr. G. wrote this with the idea of correcting what
he thought was a mistake of mine in stating uric to be
the acid of human and hippuric of animal. Now he
says he merely suggested that uric was the acid the bees
were in search of ; I do not see the suggestion, I merely
see the statement that I have misplaced the acids, to
which I know he won't mind me replying — I haven't.
Mr. G. knows that it is passible to obtain from a sub-
stance, by chemical means, a body that substance in its
normal condition does not contain. Hippuric acid is
convertible into beuzoic acid ; in fact, it is the source of
much of the acid in the market. But again I would
remind Mr. G. of his own words. ' Hippuric acid will
be secreted by all animals that have benzoic acid given
them.' This naturally provoked the question, ' Upon
what food can an animal be fed in order that benzoic
acid may be taken into its system with same, in quan-
tities sufficient to form hippuric acid, which is found in
every manure-heap frequented by a few bees?' The
italics I now place that the question may be more fully
understood ; and my suggestion that in Yorkshire they
may be fed on gum-benjamin.

It now appears that ' where horses are worked hard,'
i.e., treated with a good allowance of stick, 'they secrete
benzoic instead of hippuric,' possibly since the feverish
state and raised temperature of the bladder in that case
might produce the oxidation,' the statement is a quo-
tation from Naquet, Principles of Chemistry, no other
statement by any of the big-wigs of chemistry bearing
upon the question has come my way; but all things
are possible to him that believeth, and henceforth
I will add a sufficient ash cudgel to my stock of
chemical re-agents. I plead guilty to the suggestion
that I imagined Mr. G. to have mistaken essence of mir-
bane, or, as it was called when it first appeared, artificial
essence of bitter almonds, by reason of its true name,
nitro-benzol, being in its last component benzol like unto
benzoin. By-the-b3', Mr. G. says he never heard of that
name, and calls it nitro-benzene ; let him turn to his
Attfield at page 404, he will find ' benzol, the liquor
obtained from coal-tar;' again, ' benzol by the action of
strong nitric acid yields nitro-benzol C6 H5 (NO. ..) a
liquid termed from its odour artificial essence of bitter
almonds, or essence of mlrbane. The odour of this
essence, however, is not exactly like bitter almonds, and
its composition very different.' Muspratt, page 285,
gives the various names for the body known as benzol,
viz., benzene, benzine, phene bicarbide of hydrogen.
Fownes, page 487, calls it nitro-benzol. Year-book of
Pharmacy, 1885, page 97, calls it benzol, but Mr. G. says
he never heard of it under that name. I was led into
this mistake, thinking that Mr. G. had confounded nitro-
benzol and the benzoin products, by the loose way in
which he used the term benzoic, vide his letter : — ■
'benzoic' (P) 'the ancient product of the fragrant aro-
matic gum-benzoin' (?), 'benzoic' (?) 'from which is
prepared the delightful essence of bitter almonds, so
much used for flavouring ' — in one line referring to
benzoic acid, in the next line benzoic hydride, or
aldehyde.

Benzoic acid IIC7 H5 0.J; can be obtained from many
diverse substances — gum-benjamin or hippuric acid in
urine of the herbivora ; it can be obtained from hydride

November 17, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

507

of benzoyl C7 H5 OH — that is, oil of bitter almonds, but
it is obviously impossible to obtain oil of bitter almonds
from benzoic acid, therefore Mr. G. should have used
more care in the construction of his sentence, for he
certainly implies that oil of bitter almonds or hydride of
benzoyl can be obtained from benzoic acid. In his reply
he says, ' we have also benzoic (sic) converted by the
chemist into its aldehyde.' What does he mean? This
is a repetition of the original confusion, and only tends to
make the confusion worse. In conclusion, we would
recommend Mr. G. to carefully weigh his words next
time he writes on chemistry, and then the fog that
appears to wrap his chemical communications will dis-
appear and our poor knowledge can discern his meaning,
if our brain fails to comprehend his reasoning.— W. fi,
Webstkb.

[We consider that the above subject has now been
sufficiently ventilated in our pages. — Ed.]

PRICE OF HONEY.

[1359.] Being a regular reader of the Journal, I have
been much interested, and sometimes amused, to read
some articles respecting the price of honey. I for one
am inclined to echo the sentiments of one correspondent,
when he says in effect that ' if 9d. per lb. cannot be
obtained it is no use as a matter of business.'

Personally I have experienced no difficulty in getting
Od. per lb. wholesale and Is. retail (customers finding their
own jars, $rc) i.e., for good extracted honey. I have sold
a fair quantity this year of other friends' as well as my
own, and in not a single instance have I received less than
9d. per lb. for it. I know this cannot be done without
some effort being made, but what business can be carried
on without effort ? There seems to be in some people a
kind of ' human drone,' who expect all their work to be
done by others, and then grumble because they cannot
get on. If ever we come across these, we say to their
faces, ' Serve you right, you should try.'

Now, I took up the suggestion given in the Journal a
few weeks since, and have sold the greater portion of
the honey I have had to neighbours and friends. The
time for convincing people that honey is a valuable
article to keep in the house is, to a large extent, over,
and I have only to ask many to take a few pounds before
getting a ready response. If every bee-keeper would
work in this way there would be less running to print
with the grumble about County Associations selling
their honey. There is a considerable difficulty, I admit,
with bee-keepers who live in ' out-of-the-way ' places ;
but as a rule they have some friend or friends in or near
large and populous neighbourhoods, who, for a trifle as
profit, would sell large quantities. I think on each
article sent out containing honey a label of attractive
appearance, with the name and address of produce neatly
printed with rubber stamp, should be seen.

Mr. 'Useful Hints' in a previous Journal has made a
very apt remark when he says ' that it is a great mistake
to force honey upon the market all in one three months
of the year.' I prefer to keep it, if possible, all the year-
round, so that I shall not have to disappoint any who
ask for it at any time. People, as a rule, will rather buy
from the producer than from the chemist, and the only
thing which needs to be done is to circulate the fact well
that you have pure honey for sale, and the difficulty of
selling it is trifling. — Chas. Howes, Aylestone Park,
Leicester.

HOW TO SECURE STRAIGHT COMBS.

[1360.] This is the basis of successful bee-culture, for
it is impossible to handle the bees unless the combs are
hanging perfectly straight in the frames, so as to be
easily taken out separately.

The plan formerly in use, and indicated by Langstroth,
was a bevel on the lower side of the top-bar. This
bevel, made in the shape of a V, was sometimes made
very small, and usually succeeded tolerably. Yet it
happened very often that the bees would join the comb
of one frame to that of another, and when they were
full of honey it was impossible to separate them without
cutting the comb and causing a great deal of honey to
runout, drowning bees and sometimes attracting robbers.
• The invention of comb foundation has finally and
for ever put an end to crooked combs wherever it is
used. Comb foundation forces them to build combs
which hang in the frames ' as straight as a board.' Indeed,
it has even one advantage over natural comb, it is more
regular. This was said very truly by one of our leading
bee-keepers at an Eastern convention.

There are, however, some attentions necessary in order
to have the full benefit of the comb foundation in
obtaining straight combs. For instance, the hives should
be perfectly level from side to side, so that the foundation
will not hang out of the frame, but will remain perpen-
dicular in it until the bees have it finished and well
fastened to the sides. It should also be well fastened to
the centre of the top-bar. This is done by pressing the
edge of it down on the under side of the bar with a
knife while the wax is warm enough to be quite pliable.

When foundation is given to a strong natural swarm, it
should be given sparingly, not more than two or three
inches deep in each frame, for if a full sheet be given,
the large numbers of the bees that will cluster on it will
cause it to sag. Full sheets can be given safely to
colonies which have been divided, or even to full colonies
in early spring before they have attained full strength.

But in order to secure straight combs it is not abso-
lutely necessary to give more than a small strip of
foundation on each frame running along the full length
of the frame. With such strips on each frame, and
hives set perpendicular from side to side, straight combs
will be secured every time. It is, however, advisable to
set the hive somewhat slanting forward. This will
cause the water from rain or moisture to run out of the
hive, and will not prevent the combs from keeping
perpendicular, since the slope will be in the length of
the frames, and not across them. — C. P. Dadant,
( Western Apiculturist.)

A FULL COLONY OF B'S.
B-think ere you stumble, for what may B-fall,
B truthful to self, and B faithful to all ;
B watchful, B ready, B open, B frank,
B manly to all men, whate'er B their rank.

B calm, B retiring, B ne'er led astray,

B grateful, B cautious of those who B-tray.

B careful, but yet B sure to B-stow ;

B temperate, B steadfast, to anger B slow.

B earnest, B truthful, B firm and B fair,
B meek, and of all mis-B-haviour B-ware.
B pleasant, B patient, B fervent to all,
B best if you can ; but B humble withal.

B just and B generous, B honest, B wise,
B mindful of time, and B certain it flies.
B hopeful, B cheerful, B happy, B kind,
B busy of body, B modest of mind.

B brave, and B-ware of the sins that B-set,

B sure that no sin shall another B-get.

B prudent, B liberal ; of order B fond,

Buy less than you need, B-fore buying B-yond.

B prompt and B dutiful, still B polite,

B reverent, B quiet, B sure and B right.

B thoughtful, B thankful, whate'er may B-tide ;

B trustful, B joyful, B cleanly B-side.

B tender, B loving, B good and B-nign,

B-loved shalt thou B, and all else B thine.

American Bee Journal.

508

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 17, 1887.

€t\w% fram % |jxtres.

Llangranog, Cardiganshire. — I only commenced bee-
keeping this year, and this is my result :— I bought a skep
of bees in April and transferred them into a bar-frame,
tiered them in June, and have taken 23 lbs. of honey; they
were a weak lot, but they have almost paid for themselves
already. This is a poor honey district, as we are near the
sea. All have skeps, not bar-frame hives, in this part, and
the ordinary average of honey which those who have killed
bees have had is under 20 lbs. per skep. Some have not
been able to take honey at all this year, and many swarms
were lost in the hot weather. — Cranogwen Bees.
_ Carno, Montgomeryshire. — I oommenced this year with
6ix bar-frame hives, made two artificial swarms in June,
sold one hive, and bought a hive of Carniolan bees, whioh
made my total number eight to commence the honey season.
From them I have had at least 210 lbs. of extracted honey
and thirty-six sections, also one swarm and 3 lbs. of wax.
The artificial swarms and the stocks from which they were
taken gave but little honey, but the Carniolans and two
other hives gave the most of the quantity. — M. E. Mabsh.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or corrcspon.
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only ie inserted as advertisements. The space
deuofced to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
nterest will be answered in this column.

M. E. Marsh. — Hive with Twenty Frames. — Under any cir-
cumstances, remove frames from upper box and place
quilt on bottom frames, putting a chaff - cushion over
that, taking care to press the cushion well down into the
corners. It would be preferable to reduce the frames in
the lower box to eight, or perhaps six, if the stock is weak,
should a favourable day occur. If you have any doubts
as to the bees having plenty of stores, place some candy on
the frames before covering up. Add half an ounce of pea-
flour for every pound of sugar after the candy is removed
from the fire, thus supplying nitrogenous or tissue-forming
matter, of which sugar alone is very deficient.

H. W. P. — 1. Extractor conveying Foul Brood. — Un-
doubtedly the indiscriminate use of an extractor in a
district where foul brood is prevalent must be very
dangerous unless extreme care is exercised in most
scrupulously scalding every portion of the extractor;
adding some of Calvert's carbolic aeid to the first hot
water used would be advisable. Use several rinsing
waters. 2. Old Honey for Spring Feeding.— The honey
might be used as you suggest, but syrup is more
economical, and is less likely to start robbing than
honey. Why not make mead with the old honey, or use
it in currant cakes instead of sugar?

Miss Cobhwell.— Natural Swarm placed on Stand of Parent
Stock : Parent Stock removed to a New Location. — This
plan is recommended on the grounds that the parent
stock thereby loses the greater part of its flying bees,
who, going to the old stand, join the swarm, while the
parent stock— now hatching out young queens — will not
be sufficiently populous to throw a cast, and will, there-
fore, only allow one queen to hatch. Caution. — The
parent stock should be fed gently for a week or ten
days to compensate for the loss of flying bees,— recom-
mended on p. 222 of B.B.J, for May 26th, 1887; by
Heddon on p. 21 of Success in Bee-culture; and other
authorities.

Bert.— 1. Two Hundred and Thirty Pounds from one Hive.
— This amount was produced in Mid Sussex in the year
1885. 2. The frame used was the Standard frame of the
B.B. K.A. 3. Both section and extracted, the latter in
the greater proportion.

East Limerick.— Honey — We are of opinion that the honey
partakes of the hawthorn, and that it is pure honey
uncontaminated with honey-dew. The bees working at
the same time on the laurels has rendered the honey

dark, but it is excellent in flavour ; and if appearance
were not so much a matter of consideration, it would
would rank as first-class, but there is no doubt that its
colour depreciates its market value.

H. Schwartz.— -1. Bees short of Food at the beginning of the
Year. — An unusual number of dead bees at the entrance
of a hive is not a sign of starvation only. Bees short of
food get too weak and sluggish to fly so frequently as
strong stocks. In our apiary (fourteen hives) we have
noticed that those stocks that have kept on breeding
latest are those who face the worst weather for a fly, and
that water seems their principal quest, which they of
course required for the grubs. Many never return, and
this is one of the disadvantages of late breeding. Should
any of our stocks not take full advantage of a fine day in
January for a flight we should expect their store of food
was failing if no disease was affecting them, but an
examination can be so easily and speedily made.
2. Queenless Stock placed on empty Combs building
Queen-cells. — We have an abnormal queen-cell sealed,
close on two inches in length, which, with several
ordinary besides rudimentary ones, was built by a queen-
less, eggless, and grubless stock last spring. There is a
tradition that bees will purloin eggs from another stock
when in this forlorn condition. It seems to be a sine qua
non with bees to build a queen-cell as soon as they miss
their queen. In your case they might probably be some
considerable time longer before they found out they had
nothing from which they could raise a queen. Then
comes the plague of the fertile worker. 3. Flat-bottomed
Foundation for Supers — why made so ? — Flat-bottomed
rolls can be made cheaper than natural-based. Should
bees neglect to draw out the base it leaves the septum
thinner than would be the case with natural- based.
4. Can a Swarm be safely left till evening if shaded ? — ■
No, you might not lose it, but it would be very risky.
Swarms should always be hived at once. The swarm
may be sometimes induced to remain clustered for a
short time longer by gently spraying it with water from
a syringe. The longer the bees are left the more likely
are they to be led off as a vagrant swarm by their scouts.

Sherborne, Dorset. — We are of opinion that our corres-
pondent will find his questions answered in the letters
' How to do it,' ' What bees can do,' and ' One hundred
pounds per hive,' in our present issue.

J. W. — Queen-rearing. — This subject has received during
the past season a considerable amount of attention. If
our correspondent will refer to pp. 41, 210, 281, 301,313,
315, he will find the information he is in quest of.

^Business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Koad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepees' Stoees, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Koad, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadham, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Regent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodlev, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Reading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St,

British Honey. Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand,

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbocb & Sons, 149 Regent St, & 127 High Holborn,

H

the:

V

EE»Ipl

Communications to the Editor to be addressed < Stbanqeways: Pkintinq Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 283. Vol. XV.]

NOVEMBER 24, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

€bxtoxmi, S alias, $t.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

In conformity with the rules as amended at the
last Annual General Meeting, every candidate for
the Committee must be nominated by two members
of the Association ; the nomination paper must
also bear the signature of the nominee giving his
consent to be so nominated.

Forms for nominating members will be ready in
a few days. The last day for receiving nominations
will be Saturday, December 31st. The retiring-
members of the Committee are Mr. T. W. Cowan,
Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, Rev. Dr. Baftfum, Captain
Bush, Captain Campbell, W. H. Dunman, J. M.
Hooker, H. Jonas, Rev. F. G. Jenyns, Rev. Geo.
Oddie, Rev. G. Raynor, Rev. P. S. Sclater, Rev.
F. T. Scott, Rev. J. L. Seager, and Dr. Walker.

'KEEP YOUR COLONIES STRONG.'
It has been our duty frequently to remind our
readers of the absolute necessity of systematically
carrying out this motto, if success is to be attained
in the production of surplus honey. Applicable as
this motto undoubtedly is to bee-keeping, it is
equally so to our Associations, which occupy the
same relation to the bee-keeper that the stock does
to the bee. Union is strength, and in localities
where energetic and advanced bee-keepers combine
to form a District Association it is surprising to
see the immense amount of good that can be done
in the course of a season or two, by showing their
less advanced neighbours the latest methods and
most successful systems of acquiring a good surplus,
even to the extent of ' honey by the hundred-
weight.' The common stand-point of our Associa-
tions is so entirely philanthropic that any improved
system should, if the objects of the B. B. K.A. are
to be attained, become common property. We are
aware of the natural tendencies of Englishmen to
acquire 'vested interests,' but the very raison d'etre
of our Society is combination for the improvement
of bee-keeping. This being the case, it behoves us
to consider what means may be adopted to increase
the influence and usefulness of Associations. In doing
so we propose to go beyond the County, and deal
more especially with the District organizations.

We fear that in many cases the ' District' has been
chiefly the medium for conveying the members'
annual subscription to the County Secretary, and,
perhaps, assisting to promote a local show of honey,
ifec. Now, good as shows have been, and always will
be, as a means of arousing a healthy interest in
bee-keeping, it is clear that the efforts of our
' Districts' must not be allowed to end there, or
little permanent good will accrue ; certainly not
sufficient to 'keep the colonies strong.' 'Packing
for winter' should be attended to by lectures, which
in the majority of cases should be thoroughly plain
and practical ; by friendly meetings at the homes
of different bee-keepers in succession, which may
either partake of the informal character of a con-
versazione, or the more formal Mutual Improve-
ment Society, where scientific subjects could be
discussed, and elucidated by the aid of a micro-
scope. This care would enable the colony to come
out strong in the spring, when, by judicious
' feeding' in the way of itineraries by the more
expert, much good could be done by hints and
assistance.

We consider it incumbent on us at this point
to call especial attention to the practice of many
members who kindly give assistance to their
neighbours without securing them as members.
In cases where such non - members persistently
decline to join the Association, it is a question
to what extent further assistance should be ren-
dered. The fees are so low as to be well within
the reach of all, and seeing that so much has
already been done by combination it behoves every
member to do bis best to secure fresh members,
and so enable his Association to attain that success
which their philanthropic aims clearly entitle them
to hope for. We would here mention a plan,
adopted by the Middlesex B. K. A., of asking every
member to give the County Secretary a list of any
bee-keepers in his neighbourhood who have not yet
become . members. This should result in a con-
siderable increase during the coming season.

The idea has been recently mooted that Countyr
Secretaries should undertake the sale of the surplus
honey produced in their county, which the members
themselves may experience a difficulty in selling.
This is an untenable proposition for many reasons.
In the first place, it would entail freightage from
the producer to the Secretary, which in the majority
of cases would more than demolish any extra profit

510

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 24, 1887.

which this over-honeyed official could possibly secure.
One fact must be patent to all, that if producers
cannot dispose of their honey locally at a fair
price, they can never expect to get any one to act
as County Secretary in an honorary position who
will be prepared to spend a considerable portion
of his time in soliciting orders, packing honey in
fulfilment of same, keeping rather bulky accounts,
and remitting proceeds to the various bee-keepers.
Our County Secretaries are worthy of all praise for
their unwearying exertions on behalf of bee-keeping,
but to ask them to first teach, us how to produce
honey, and then .to sell it for us afterwards — all
gratis — shows a want of self-reliance that no bee-
keeper should ever exhibit.

Doubtless cases may occur where the District
Secretary would be able to considerably assist the
members in his district if he were duly apprised of
unsold honey and bees, and also of honey and
bees wanted. Frequently a successful bee-keeper
develops a local connexion, enabling him to dispose
of his surplus at a fair price, when, suddenly, he
finds he has not half his usual quantity to sell.
Two alternatives are before him, either to dis-
appoint his customers, or buy. This is the op-
portunity when much time might be saved if he
could obtain information from his District Secretary,
enabling him to go direct to those who had honey
in excess of their requirements, but did not care
to look about for customers. Great mutual ad-
vantage would be attained by such an arrangement.
The same plan as regards swarms and bee appliances
would bo equally useful.

In conclusion, we would recommend every mem-
ber, while relying as far as possible on his own
efforts, to be ever willing to listen to the ex-
perience of others, and at the same time quite
ready to assist his neighbours ; then, and then
only, shall we be able to ' keep our colonies
strong,'

USEFUL HINTS.

"Weather. — Severe frosts, with snowstorms, are
visiting' us betimes ; hence, according to the old saying
— ' When ice before Christmas bears a goose, it never
hears a duck afterwards ' — we ought to expect a mild
winter. Severe or mild we care not, if only we may
escape such a fog as we experienced in the great City on
"Wednesday last. Unable to discover our whereabouts
even in the now well-known and notorious Trafalgar
Square, we were obliged to ask a guardian of the peace,
' Where are we ? ' Truly, it was with no small degree
of pleasure that we said adieu to our friends the
Kapnodytes, and once again breathed the pure and
invigorating country air.

Shading Entrances is necessary when snow lies on
the ground in bright sunny weather. For this purpose
a stout board should be placed in front of the entrance
to prevent the bees from being enticed forth to perish
in the snow. Hives should be kept clear of snow, lest
by alternate thawing and freezing cold and dampness
injure the bees. Let entrances also he kept open and
free from snow, dead bees, and refuse, by the use occa-
sionally of a bent wire. These small precautions conduce
in no small degree to the health of our colonies.

Requisites for "Wintering may be summed up
under four heads: — (1.) A sufficiently large population
to cover about eight standard frames at a temperature

of 00° Fahr. To produce this, breeding should not be
continued later than the end of September, and may he
stimulated up to that time by feeding. (2.) The space
occupied by the bees must not be greater than required,
whether they cover eight or ten frames, and these frames
should be enclosed between stout, close-fitting division-
boards; a space of If inches from centre to centre of the
frames, with winter passages in every comb, is desirable.
(3.) Sufficient covering winter quilts. Whether enamel
cloth or pervious woollen material be placed next the
frames, it must be covered by three or four layers of soft
carpet, capped either by chaff-tray or straw-cover.
Abundance of bottom ventilation should he provided,
especially if the frames are ranged on the ' warm system ; '
and an entrance, extending across the entire front of the
hive, and covered with perforated zinc-slides — allowing
a small passage-way for the bees — will not he too large ;
also a space of from two to four inches beneath the
frames is decidedly advantageous by keeping the hive
dry and the bees healthy and vigorous. (4.) A sufficient
quantity of well-ripened sealed food, preferably honey
gathered in the early part of the season. But those
apiarists who have extracted up to the brood-nest, and
fed their bees on syrup made of granulated cane sugar
according to the prescribed receipt, have no cause for
anxiety if a sufficient quantity of well-sealed food has
been provided, although we decidedly prefer natural
stores. From 20 to 25 lbs. is enough to carry a strong
colony through the winter.

It is best that the sealed food should he spread over
the whole of the frames, except, perhaps, that the two
outside ones may be solid slabs of honey. If winter-
passages have not been provided through the combs,
strips of wood a half-inch thick and one inch wide may
be laid across the tops of the frames, about two inches
apart, to allow of the bees passing from frame to frame ;
but care must be taken to make the outside square com-
plete by similar strips, to prevent the escape of heat and
bees, and to cause the quilts to lie flat on the whole. As
regards late breeding being necessary to provide bees for
spring work, we have repeatedly proved that August
and September-hatched bees are available for work up to
the following April and May. It is only during severe
summer labours that any industrious proUyees wear
themselves out in the short period of six weeks. It is
not meant that these winter preparations should be made
now. All should have been completed by the end of
October, at latest, and now that winter has made its
appearance in earnest, even if no preparations at all have
been made, it is best to leave the bees entirely alone, in
the state in which nature only has taught them to make
provision for the winter's rest. In cases of starvation,
of course, candy must be pushed under the quilts, as
advised in our last.

Our Transatlantic Brethren. — In some rather
caustic remarks in the ' Am.' Bee Journal, by Dr. Mason,
on the subject of our late Canadian visitors pushing their
sale of ' Linden honey ' in the English market, at the ex-
pense of the States' so-called ' Basswood honey,' we
notice the following characteristic remarks amongst other
choice specimens, such as ' Wily Canadians/ ' Modest
Englishmen,' &c. : — ' Is it not about time some one just
slightly pricked some of the egotistical and bombastic
bubbles that have been sent up by some of our cousins
across the border, and other relatives on the other side of
the pond.' In a note appended to Dr. Mason's letter, the
editor of the A.B.J, quotes from the Lord Chief Justice
of Manitoha, who is an ardent lover of bees, to the fol-
lowing effect : — 'I think the white-clover and basswood
honey is the best. There is in all the accounts published
a good deal of bray, for which due allowance must be
made. I find that bee-keepers over-estimate. The
occupation is of an exciting character which ma}' ac-
count for it.' Do these allegations apply to English as
well as to American bee-keepers ? The Lord Chief

November 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

511

Justice — who, we are told, is ' one of Canada's best and
brightest sans ' — goes on to remark on the average pro-
duction of honey in Canada, which he estimates at 7o lbs.
of extracted per colony, and says that — ■' 40 lbs. per
colony of comb-honey is a fair average.' What would
his lordship sa}' to the statements contained in the letter
(1354) entitled, ' What Bees cau do,' of our correspondent
' An Old Bee-master ? ' With the splendid bee-flora —
as regards both quantity and quality — -described by Mr.
Cowan as existing in Canada and the States, are we
'modest Englishmen' to conclude that our average ex-
ceeds theirs?

While on the subject of choice diction and epithets, as
applied to opponents, a few ' Hints ' may prove ' useful '
to all of us. In newspaper correspondence the golden
rule of doing to others as we would they should do unto
us, is almost entirely ignored, except in the higher-class
publications. Amongst these we are all anxious that
' our Journal ' should maintain its position. A debater,
whether in print or viva voce, should be master of him-
self, even when assailed by insulting attacks, always
patient, self-controlled, vigilant, ready, courageous, and
fearless, and his temper should be faultless. A man who
can justly lay claim to these qualities need fear no opponent.
Always kind and courteous he will return good for
evil. Alas, how few of us can reach so high a standard !
Truth, and not victory over an antagonist, should ever
be our one great object ; and, when convinced that we
are wrong, let us have sufficient courage to acknowledge
our error. But, as we descend from our preaching stool,
we can fancy that we hear some one exclaim, 'Physician,
heal thyself,' and our reply is, ' Act up to our preaching
and not to our practice — take the will for the deed, for
humanum est errare.' Then again, as regards the con-
duct of a ' Journal,' especially our own, we hold that a
' Bee Journal' should not devote too much space to
technicalities, — should be eminently practical — should
contain simple illustrations of the appliances of our art,
adapted to the edification of the learned and the
ignorant — should abound in useful hints for the million,
and its pages should be interspersed with short scientific
articles for the more learned and educated of its readers.
Interesting and useful queries, with their answers by
practical and experienced apiarists, should be another
and most useful feature of ' our Journal,' while to more
simple queries the answers alone should be given. Re-
condite discussions on scientific subjects, with em-
bittered correspondence on matters of little or no
importance, should be altogether eschewed. And now
our parable has been taken up and ended, and it will
be a long time before we again trouble our readers with
our views on these or kindred subjects. Far be from us
the intention of casting reflections on the conduct of
'our Journal' by its esteemed Editor, sub-editor, or
more prominent contributors ; our only object being to
point the direction in which lies, as it appears to us, the
most useful course for advancing amongst all classes
the great industry of apiculture which we all have at
heart.

Since we are sending out to that Greater Britain, upon
which the sun is said never to set, our trained and
certificated experts, and since our antipodean colonies
are running a very close race with the mother country
in apiculture and its literature, surely we ought to set
them an example of what a ' Bee Journal ' ought to be.

Planting for Shelter should now be carried on in
open weather. The Portugal laurels, laurustinus, common
laurel, and other evergreen shrubs, form an excellent
shelter for hives when planted on the north, north-east,
and north-west sides of an apiary, and are easily kept
within bounds by the use of the shears, forming also a
receptacle for natural swarms, and supplying forage for
the bees. For the latter purpose, the deciduous small
trees mezereon and ribes are excellent. Bulbs of snow-
drops and crocuses should be planted without delay. We

have a long row of the Echinops sp/uerocephalus (Globe
thistle) raised from seed, promising abundance of bloom
for another season. During last summer Echinops ritro
was a great favourite with our bees.

Frames with Divided Top-Bars are said to be weaker
than others, but are they really so with the addition of a
couple of French nails, or small screws, through the bars
after wired foundation has been inserted ? We think
not. At least, after some experience we have not found
tliem so. Indeed, with the same substance as undivided
bars, and with Carr's ends, we have found them equally
strong.

Foundation, Hives, Frames, and Sections, will
soon be in request ; it therefore behoves supply-dealers
to complete their arrangements for supplying these,
whether new or old inventions, in quantity. English-
made wired foundation is, we consider, a great desidera-
tum ; and although we are not given to prophesying, we
cannot but hazard an opinion that the first English
firm which produces in quantity first-class wired founda-
tion will have gone far towards making its fortune.

And now we conclude with an easy problem for the
solution of our junior readers, albeit we have known
individual cases of elders of our fraternity unable to
solve it. Will our editor permit practical solutions to
appear in the Journal? If he consents, we shall have
pleasure in offering a modern frame-hive as a prize for
the best solution in verse. Here it is : — ' If six tomtits
kill six bees in six minutes, how many tomtits will kill
one hundred bees in fifty minutes ? '

[We shall be pleased if young bee-keepers would take
advantage of the above kind offer, and so exercise their
minds in this which is called the dull season of the year.
In a subsequent, note, the compiler of 'Useful Hints'
states that the candidates should not be above sixteen
years of age. — Ed.]

Jklcttetr (Bixerg.

[2.] — Which is the best, cheapest, and quickest way of
getting a quantity of combs built out for use in extracting?
Should starters be given, or full sheets of foundation?

This very much depends upon the time that the honey-
flow or flows take place in any particular district. Where
there are two separate harvests, the intermediate space
between these seasons is a very good time to get these
combs built ; but where there is only one flow and the
combs are desired to be used in the current season, during
May is the most suitable time. This should be done in
the following manner : — When the colony has been
brought by stimulation to the strength of covering eleven
frames, either one or two frames of foundation should be
placed in the brood-nest, and a diaphragm of excluder-
zinc slipped in between the two outermost ones — if there
is any brood in them — and the other frames, gently
feeding at the same time. When the last two frames
are free from brood they can be removed. I find it a
disadvantage to impose too much comb-building upon a
colony when a good honey yield is desired, so have rarely
taken more than three combs from one colony during the
season with the exception where I have run a colony ex-
pressly for comb-building. I have then run this colony
in the same manner as above advised, only keeping on
with it right through the season with shallow frames. I
have them built standard size and then cut this out and.
fit into shallow frames. Whole sheets of foundation
should be used wired into the frame — the combs are a
deal tougher. — W. B. Webster.

The best and cheapest way of getting a quantity of
spare combs ready for extracting. In autumn select a

512

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 24, 1887.

few hives for building out spare combs, place on each a
rapid autumn feeder, give frames with full sheets of
foundation, allow the bees to fix the foundation in frames
all round before feeding too rapid. When well attached
feed copiously with syrup. As the syrup-fed frames get
filled and sealed, these may be exchanged with frames of
honey from other hives. While in turn the honey can be
extracted from the frames and returned to the bees to
clean, after which they can be laid by for next season.
In laying the frames by I have rafters fitted in my
honey - house overhead and spaced so as the frames
will hang in position — they are always in view, and
ready when wanted. — Wsi. McNally, GUnlv.ce,
Scotland.

The best, cheapest, and quickest way of getting a quan-
tity of combs built for use in extracting, is to give a
strong stock of bees frames filled with full-sheets of
foundation, and then feed the bees with sugar syrup for
them to secrete the wax required. By this means a very
great number of combs can be made in a very short time.
— William Carr, Newton Heath Apiary.

For this purpose use full sheets of foundation — one or
two at a time in the centre of brood-nest while building
up in spring ; uncap the stores of outer combs, place
them behind division-boards, and remove as emptied to
be reserved for extracting. Where fewer combs are re-
quired, or the apiarist wishes to renew a portion of his
surplus combs yearly, a cheaper plan is that of using
starters only, no more than a quarter-inch in depth.
Feed carefully in either case. Several other methods re-
quire more space than can be given to describe them
here. — Samuel Simmins.

Full sheets of foundation placed in very strong stocks
just before swarming. — G. J. Buller.

By lifting a frame of worker brood from the centre of
a strong colony, replacing such with a frame you started
only. Place your frame of brood in the centre of a
storified body over the colony, adding on either side of
brood a frame started with full-sheet foundation ; these
in place, the hive is made up, each frame carding less
depth of foundation to the outer ones, the latter to have
starters about two inches deep or quarter the depth of a
sheet. Colonies so treated we have found to give as
good a result in extracted honey as those where entirely
worked-out combs were given. — J. H. Howard, Holme,
Peterborough.

Probably, by procuring as early in the month of
August as possible, condemned bees from cottagers,
uniting three or four colonies and placing them upon
full sheets of wired foundation, copiously feeding on
granulated sugar-syrup, and removing and storing the
combs, as finished, and fitting up the gaps with fresh
sheets of foundation. — George Raynor.

Full sheets of foundation with wired frames or use the
sheets of wired foundation, thus having a good foothold
to frame, the combs will stand the centrifugal action of
extractor better than combs built naturally or without
wire. — W. Woodley.

Bee-Farming. — The man who enters a large bee-
farm for a term in the hope of gaining an insight into
the practical management of the same must not think all
the necessary information is to be picked up simply by
looking around and paying occasional visits to the
apiary. On the contrary, he must make up his mind to
go there to work just as any other apprentice or assistant.
The daily routine must be gone through in every par-
ticular, and though some manipulations may be repeated
constantly, it will be only by such close study and appli-
cation that lie will make himself master of the entire
practical management. — S. Simmins: A Modern Bee-
Farm, p. 187.

MY BEES.

By Mrs. Reginald Bray,

Author of ' Family Feats,' ' Ten of Them,' ' Wa Four,' &e.

(Continued from page 503.)
Chapter II. — Driving and Transferring.

A few days after I had received my hives, and
whilst I was still waiting anxiously for my swarms,
which never came (probably because they had already
swarmed earlier in the season), my friend, Mrs. Graham,
sent to me to say that they were expecting Mr. Joy to
come and transfer their bees from the straw skeps into
a bar-frame hive.

I hastened to her garden in great excitement, wonder-
ing how it was possible to move all the bees from one
hive to another, and longing to be initiated into the
mysteries of bee-driving.

When I arrived I found Mr. Joy with a veil over his
head, but his hands bare and his shirt-sleeves rolled up
prepared for action. He was going to unite the bses
from two skeps into one bar-frame. The season having
advanced, it was expedient to make the hive as strong as
possible.

The first thing he did was to take a smoker, with soma
brown paper alight in it, and puff some smoke into the
entrance of the hive. This was not so much for the
purpose of stupefying as for frightening them. Directly
bees are frightened they run and bury their heads in the
cells and gorge themselves with honey. After this (like
some of the higher creation after dinner) they are in a
good temper, and you can do almost anything with
them.

It may be as well to remark here that it is necessary
to be very careful in handling bees not to jar the frames
they are on or shake them. Any sudden movement
frightens them, but by gently raising the frames you may
look at the bees without any fear, and even brush them
back into the hive with a soft brush or wing without any
risk of being stung.

Should you have the misfortune to be stung, do not
roughly seize the sting and pull it out by the little bag
attached to it, as this is the poison-bag, and you will only
squeeze more poison into the wound. Push the stiog out
with your nail or the back part of a knife and put a drop
of ammonia in the wound.

Whilst Mr. Joy was making his preparations I ex-
amined the hive with great interest.

Jt consisted of a large wooden box with an alighting
board and entrance for the bees. This entrance had two
little sliding doors which you could contract as much as
you like, for at certain times of the year, in spring and
autumn, it is necessary to close them very nearly to pre-
vent the hive from being robbed by strange'' bees.

The hive was filled inside with frames of wood, the
correct standard size, which I have since learned should
be ' 14 inches by 8i inches, outside measurement, the top
bar being § ths of an inch thick, the side bars -£ of an
inch, and the bottom bar £th of an inch thick, the form
being rectangular.'

The top bar of the frames rested on the top edge of
the box, and a space of 1A inch intervened between each
frame, a metal end being fixed to each in order to keep
them at the proper distance. If frames are placed too
far apart the bees will build combs down between them,
as I once found to my cost.

All the preparations at last made, the exciting moment
arrived when Mr. Joy took up the straw hive, and,
turning it upside down, stood it in a pail which had baen
placed ready to receive it. Then rapidly taking an
empty straw sleep he placed it oxactly over the bottom
of the hive, and commenced rapping the sides of the hive
hard enough to frighten the bees and make them run,
but not hard enough to break the combs.

After a very short time the bees began to run up, and

November 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

513

he then tilted the hive back so that we were able to
watch the bees running in a continuous stream from the
full hive to the empty one. He told us that the queen
had probably gone up, and then the bees follow very
quickly. In driving bees if you watch carefully you
may catch sight of her running up in great alarm. In-
deed, it is always necessary to make sure that you have
her safe, as sometimes she gets lost or left among the
combs. Once in driving bees we could find her nowhere,
when, on turning the hive round, she was discovered the
other side, having crept through a small hole. If she
had not been found our stock of bees would probably
have been lost.

However, in Mr. Joy's skilful hands no misfortunes
occurred, and in a short time not a bee was left in the
old hive, but were all collected in the skep, which was a
perfect sight, as it appeared to be half full of bees. This
skep full of bees he stood on a stand until wanted, the
bees all hanging clustered in the upper part. He now
proceeded to take the old hive to pieces, and for the
benefit of beginners I will give one piece of advice.
When you come to this part of the business take the hive
and comb away to some shed or outhouse, a greenhouse
is a very good place. Anywhere, in fact, away from the
hives you are driving, as the bees become so irritated
with the unusual excitement that is going on. It is all
very well for experts to do everything in the same place,
but it is far better for amateurs to be on the safe side and
to proceed with their work where they can feel in
safety.

The next thing to be done was to cut the combs out of
the hive and transfer them into the frames, and above all
to restore to them all their brood-comb. This was a
a most interesting sight. He pointed out to us the
brood-comb, which can easily be distinguished from the
other comb, as, instead of being flat, the caps over the
cells are rounded, thick, and of a darkish colour. In some
of the cells you can see the eggs like a little white speck
at the bottom. In other cells the white grubs in various
stages curled up, and occasionally you may be fortunate
to see the young bees pierce the cell and emerge a perfect
bee, though very weak and pale-looking. These delicate
young bees do not leave the hive for some days, as they
would be too weak to gather either honey or pollen ; but
a working bee's life is never idle, and the moment it is
hatched it becomes nurse to the young grubs, which it
tenderly feeds, until it has become strong enough to take
its share in the work outside the hive.

We were also shown the drone-comb, which is very
much lai-ger than the worker-comb, four of these cells
measuring one inch. Both worker and drone-comb are
used for storing honey when not otherwise needed. The
cappings of the honey-cells consist of pure wax, but those
of the brood-comb are porous, and are made of a mixture
of pollen and wax.

I have sometimes heard it remarked that the pollen
which we see the bees carrying into the hives on their
legs is what the wax is made of, but this is quite a mis-
take. This pollen, which is the fertilising dust of the
flowers, is rolled by the bees into tiny balls and carried
into the hives on their hind legs. This pollen is made
into what is commonly called ' bee-bread,' and is used for
the food of the young grubs and some of it mixed with
the wax for the capping of brood-cells. That which is
not used is stored away in cells and often capped over
with wax.

Wax is the honey extracted from the flowers and
which undergoes some change in the body of the bees.
So much honey is required for the formation of the wax
that it is found, that it takes twenty pounds of honey to
form one pound of wax. Since I have known this fact
it is really an agony to see my beautiful honey-comb
devoured at table. I try not to show it, but it is hard
not to remind yourself as you watch it disappearing that
' the weight of comb in a hive is about two pounds.'

Therefore if each pound of comb is worth twenty pounds
of honey, and each pound of honey is worth one shilling,
what a loss is going on ! and how if that delicate comb
were only restored, to the hive to be refilled what a
saving it would be ! And you begin to bless the
inventor cf extractors, of which more anon.

It is now time that I should return to our comb,
which is ab nit to be fastened into the frames. For this
purpose two narrow pieces of tape are taken just long-
enough to tie round the width of the frames. The
brood comb is taken first, as it is important to get this
into the new hive as soon as possible, for if it gets
chilled the brood will die; for this reason bee-driving
should always be d' ne on a warm day. The piece
of comb is laid in the middle of the frame and cut
with a knife as nearly to fit it as possible. If it is not
large enough auother piece can be cut and pressed in.
The two ends of each piece of tape are brought round and
tied together and the frame placed in the hive. As soon
as you have got a few frames ready it is as well to put
the bees into the hive, as they will cluster at once on the
combs and keep the brood warm.

There are two ways of putting the bees into the hive ;
one is by shaking the bees in at the top. This must be
done with a quick jerk, when they will all fall with a
great thud into the hive, which should then be rapidly
covered with the quilt. The other way is to lay a board
about two feet square on a level with the floor-board.
Over this la}' a sheet and shake out the bees on to it,
when they will proceed to run up into the hive. A little
smoke may be judiciously used to guide them into the
way they should go. I think this plan answers admir-
ably on a warm sunny day, but I have seen it fail when
the weather has been unfavourable and the bees have
refused to run. When all the best of the comb had
been transferred the same process was gone through
with the second hive ; but before uniting the second set
of bees with the first lot they were each sprayed with
some peppermint water.

Strange to say, bees seem only to recognise one
another by the scent, and though they will savagely
attack strangers yet if you give them all the same scent
they are as amicable as possible, and never discover that
they are of a different family. In uniting two hives in
the manner I have described you may if you like remove
one of the queens, but if you are a beginner and feel a
little nervous at hunting for the queen it does not matter
in the least, as the two queens will settle the matter for
themselves by fighting it out, and, as is usual, the
weaker one will be destroyed. It may here be remarked
that queens hardly ever use their stings, they crush each
other to death. It has been only known in very rare
instances to sting any person. Only one case have I
heard of, and that was of a man who was holding her
majesty between his lips, and I suppose she resented the
indignity and took her revenge.

When the bees of the two hives had been united they
were carefully covered over, first with a quilt of ticking-
cut the exact size, and then with two or three layers of
bits of old carpet. It must be remembered that it is of
the greatest importance to keep the hives very warm.
In the centre of the quilts a small hole was cut for the
purpose of feeding. It is not necessary to cut the piece
right out, but make a snip on three sides so that you can
turn the piece back when you require it.

It is as well to feed driven bees at first, unless there
is a good supply of honey in the comb you have put
back, otherwise, as a rule, it is only necessary to feed in
the autumn and spring. If bees are fed up well with
syrup up to the end of October, they will have filled
their combs with honey sufficient to last them till the
spring. It must be remembered that if you take the
honey in supers at the end of the summer you must
supply the bees with food to replace that of which you
have robbed them.

514

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 24, 1887.

In the spring- the chief object of feeding- is to induce
the queen to begin breeding, so as to insure early swarms
and a strong stock of bees. Of course it must depend a
good deal on the season and the strength of your hives,
but, as a rule, you may begin feeding in February. I
have tried several kinds of feeders, and have at last
come to the conclusion that, as usual, the simplest is the
best.

The float feeders I do not recommend, the wooden
float so easily gets warped, and then sticks so that it
does not go down as the syrup is taken, and the bees
cannot get their food. Neither do I like bottles turned
upside down with muslin tied over ; I have often found
that the syrup drips much too fast into the hive. I
daresay the fault may be mine, as I often see it recom-
mended, but I only profess to be writing a book with
my own experiences, and our misfortunes are often a
useful lesson to our friends. I shall, therefore, describe
what I have found by far the best and cheapest way
of feeding.

First of all, get a piece of perforated zinc about three
inches square, and having turned back the bits of quilt
cut and given a puff of smoke into the hole to prevent
the bees popping out, place the zinc just over the hole.
Then get a one-pound bottle for holding honey with a
screw cap. This will not cost you fourpence, and less
if you get them by the dozen. In the lid make about
a dozen small holes ; then till the bottle quite full of
syrup, put the cap on, and turn the bottle upside down
over the perforated zinc. Being- almost air-tight the
syrup does not drip, but is taken by the bees through
the holes. The piece of zinc prevents the bees coming
out when you remove the bottle for refilling. In this
way there is neither trouble, nor risk of being stung by
the bees.

There are many other modes of feeding', one lady I know
feeds with moist sugar, but, as a rule, the syrup is the best.

I have given, at the end of the chapter, the best receipts
taken from Cowan's book.

Spring and Summer Food for Bees. — White lump
sugar, 10 lbs. ; water, 7 pints ; vinegar, 1 oz. ; salt, 1 oz.
Boil for a few minutes.

Autumn Food. — White lump sugar, 10 lbs. ; water,
5 pints ; vinegar, 1 oz. ; salt, ^ oz.

(To be continued.)

ASSOCIATIONS.

BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Meeting of the Committee held at 105 Jermyn Street,
on Wednesday, November 16th. Present, the Hon. and
Rev. II. Blyth (in the chair), Dr. Bartrum, the Rev.
George Raynor, Rev. F. G. Jenyns, H. Jones, Captain
Campbell, J. M. Hooker, and the Secretary.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and con-
firmed.

Correspondence was read from the National Co-opera-
tive Society in reference to prizes to bo offered for
competition in honey at the National Co-operative
Flower Show to be held at the Crystal Palace in
August next. Resolved, That the Association do offer a
silver and bronze medal in connexion with this exhibi-
tion.

In accordance with the suggestion made at the last
meeting of the county representatives, it was resolved,
That the rule relating- to the competition for the Associa-
tion's medals at county shows be amended, and that in
future they shall be open to members of the County
Association residing- within such districts as shall be
acknowledged to belong to tho County Association.

It was resolved, That the annual general meeting be
held either on Wednesday, February 8th, or Wednesday,
February ^2nd, as most suitable to" the President of the
Association.

MIDDLESEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The usual Monthly Committee Meeting was held at
105 Jermyn Street, on the 16th inst. Present — Hon.
and Rev. H. Bligh in the chair, Messrs. Gunn, Graham,
and English. The Secretary reported that up to date
receipts, although not so large as anticipated, were in
excess of expenditure. The experts' reports were
received and considered. About 165 members owning
776 hives were visited during the recent autumn tour.
The statistical returns so far as returned were referred
to Mr. Graham for tabulation. A hope was expressed
that those members who had as yet failed to forward
their returns to the Secretary would do so with the least
possible delay.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for tho opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

PRICE OF HONEY.

[1061.] From time to time this question crops up, and
receives more or less attention from the minority. Few
men have done more in developing a local market, and thus
showing what can be done, than your esteemed corre-
spondent Mr. R. R. Godfrey ; but that gentleman has yet
to see that honey can be produced, and that profitably, at
a lower figure than he himself quotes as the limit for pro-
fitable production. I presume he places 9d. per lb. as
the average, but while I am willing to admit that the
recent price at which comb-honey has been sold is cer-
tainly lower than it should be, I am convinced that ex-
tracted honey can be produced profitably at Jess than
Gd. per lb.

Bee-keepers are, in a large measure, themselves to
blame for being in such a hurry to dispose of their comb-
honey as soon as it is off the hive. Possibly, it may be
that few are prepared with a suitable room for storing it
until prices advance ; but, be that as it may, as soon as
one begins to offer comb-honey he finds the market full,
and it is long ere dealers can be persuaded that the
article is really becoming scarce.

During the past season prices have ruled at about
7s. Qd. per dozen 4} x 4{- sections, or Qd, per lb. Placing
extracted at Qd. we get the average of 7id. per lb. — and
I fear it will not be in our time that prices will again
rise higher than those figures.

If, therefore, wo accept Mr. Godfrey's proposition, all
had better fall out of the business at once ; and indeed
such would already be the case, were his statements
founded upon fact. On the other hand, we shall pro-
bably accept things as we find them, regulated by ' supply
and demand,' which, after all, speak the truth, look at
the matter how we may. If the state of the market —
which has tended only in one direction for several years
past — places our product at a comparatively low figure,
there will be found those prepared to supply and live at
that rate. Greater economy, improved methods of
management, planting by the acre for the double pur-
pose of honey and hay, the larger number of stocks
owned by one apiarist — will all prove important factors
in producing the honey-crops of the future.

I have myself, in the past, given my voice against the
falling price of comb-honey, but individual effort is

November 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

515

powerless in the face of supply and demand. I suppose
we shall be equally powerless to persuade bee-keepers to
go in more largely for extracted honey, and thus help to
place comb at a higher figure. It is extracted honey
that will be used among the masses by the tens of tons,
if only placed before them at a low figure as it can be,
and will be done, at a profit. During the past ten years
comb-honey has come down something like Id. per lb.,
extracted only '2d. ; thus showing at once which has re-
ceived the larger share of attention, and as a consequence
has gone down rapidly in price, until our quotations now
stand lower than those of America ; a fact which may
well receive careful attention. I do not remember the
time when I was not satisfied with 8d. per lb. in bulk for
extracted, and at this day consider myself well repaid
at 6d.

The Honey Company has been blamed in several
quarters for having induced present low figures. Of
course, they have in a large measure been the cause ; but
the course which they have pursued is perfectly justi-
fiable, and of advantage to the entire community.
Surely those who bitterly condemn the Company are
exceedingly narrow - minded in their methods of
reasoning ; or, do they reason at all ? Can there
possibly exist the mind that fails to grasp the fact
that the ten tons sold to-day at 7d. or Sd. per lb. where
one cwt. was sold a few years since at one-half more,
shows a state of things vastly in favour of the producer
as well as the consumer, in that the whole business is
rendered more reliable, as it can be carried out upon a
larger scale ; and the time has now come when this
important branch of agriculture is recognised in all
quarters as one of the great industries of the country.
— S. Simmins.

WINTERING BEES IN CELLARS.

[1E62.] As the wintering of bees in cellars had been
spoken very highly of by writers in the B. B. J. and suc-
cessfully adopted in America I decided upon trying the
plan myself, but so far my success has been very doubt-
ful, and I now have to appeal for advice upon this
subject through the pages of the B. B. J.

A fortnight ago I removed nine skeps and three stocks
on bar-frames to an attic, which I made perfectly dark
by boarding the windows up. The first week I scarcely
lost a bee, but the second week the bees on the bar-frames
came out by hundreds and perished on the floor of the
attic. To try an experiment I removed one of the three
stocks into another attic, placed the same level with the
window, which I opened wide, and that part of the
window I could not open I boarded up, so that the bees
should not worry themselves against the glass. As soon
as this stock was placed in the light the bees rushed out
by hundreds through the open window, discharging very
large quantities of excrementitious matter, and after a
very short flight settled on and about the window and
died, not a single bee returning to the hive. The bodies
of the bees that left the hives were very much swollen
and distended, and after settling appeared too weak to
rise again. After awhile, and when I thought every bee
had left the hive, I went and examined the combs,
when to my astonishment I found four combs crowded
with bees, and to all appearance as healthy as possible ;
the hive and combs were as clean as in the middle of
summer. During my examination I may state not a bee
left the hive, although I examined every comb thoroughly.
I next removed the other two bar-frame hives into the
light of day. Not more than a dozen bees from each
hive went away, but they, like the others, perished almost
directly. I may state the sun was shining brightly the
whole of the time and through the window on to the
hives. The three hives were fed with syrup and com-
pleted after they had been removed into the attic.

Now for the skeps, which are still in the darkened

attic. I have not lost a bee from any of them so far,
neither have they shown that restlessness which those
in the bar-frames exhibited. Each skep has its own
natural stores, as I never take honey from skeps unless
absolutely necessary. Mr. Cowan does not treat very
exhaustively upon this subject in his Guide-book, and I
want you, Sir. Editor, to give me a little advice of what
you would do with the nine skeps. I don't want to lose
my bees, as it would be a dead los3 of about 10/. to me
next spring. Therefore, will you or some practical
gentleman tell me whether it is advisable to let the
skeps remain, or to at once remove them back on to their
stands in the garden ? The great loss of bees that
perished in the snow last winter was the main cause of
me trying this new-fangled notion.

Before concluding this long letter I would give a
warning to the hon. secretary of my County Association.
He had promised me a visit, and I had looked anxiously
forward to that visit. He came (you will perceive he was
a man of his word), 6.35 p.m. was the exact time. He
departed 6.55 p.m. ; he left me to catch his train.
Revenge is sweet, Mr. Editor, and the next time that
hon. secretary comes to see me and has another train to
catch, he'll catch it not. I shall consider myself entitled
to a few extra hours of his time, just to make up for
lost ground. — Nil Despkbanduji, November 15.

[The climate of Canada and of the Northern State3
of the Union, where the thermometer ranges for many
weeks below zero, differs so widely from our own that
the sj'stems of wintering bees in both climates cannot
well be compared. There the bees are wintered in
' cellars' which are, partly at least, below the surface of
the ground, and the temperature of which ranges from
45° to 55° Eahr. The temperature of an English attic
during the winter is far more variable, and the degree of
moisture also differs much. A bright sun raised the tem-
perature of your attic, aroused the bees to flight, and
chilled by a cold wind they perished. Others gorged
with syrup, owing to high temperature, seeking an exit
in order to relieve themselves of fasces, and unable to
find their hives again, perished on the floor. Those in
skeps having sealed and well-ripened stores and being
domiciled in well-propolised skeps were less affected by
the surrounding atmosphere and had less temptation to
devour food and salty forth. Were the case our own we
shoidd on the evening of a cold day remove the frame-
hives and the skeps very carefully without shaking to
their original stands in the garden, since experience
teaches that in the British climate bees winter better in
the open air on summer stands than they do in cellars or
darkened rooms. After removal leave the hives entirely
alone until the end of February, and in bright weather
when snow lies on the ground shade the entrances to
prevent the bees issuing forth. — Ed.]

THE SEASON IN CANADA.— MR. COWAN'S
VISIT.— MR. GRIMSHAW'S APIFUGE.

[1.363.] The season of 1837 has come and gone, and
has been rather an eventful one to bee-keepers as well
as to the agriculturalist. The spring months were the
finest and most promising we have ever had. Up till
the beginning of June the prospects of an abundant yield
in grain, roots, and honey, were most cheering, but a
protracted drought set in and continued up till Sep-
tember, thus making us realise the force of Solomon's
saying that ' Hope deferred niaketh the heart sick.'
The only province of this great Dominion that rejoices
in the ' tree of life,' which is the outcome of ' desires '
realised, is Manitoba, whose grain-crop is phenomenally
large. The crops of the eastern provinces were literally
parched up. Grain of all kinds shrunk to half their
normal weight, while the root-crops fell short in nearly

516

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 24, 1887.

like proportions. Nor were bee-men more fortunate
than their agricultural neighbours. Flowers ceased to
yield nectar early in July, and what promised to be
one of the best hone}' seasons for many years past
resulted in not more than half a crop, with generally a
short supply for winter sustenance. Lut most evils
bring something compensating in their train, and to bee-
keepers this dark cloud soon "presented a ' silver lining '
in the form of a brisk demand and stiff prices for the
stock tliey held, which in part have compensated them
for the short crop. I venture to say you will hear or
see little of Canadian honey in the English market this
year, for our home supply is less than enough to meet
our ever-increasing home consumption. The Canadian
market is already bare, and many orders have to be
declined because they cannot be filled. A like condition
of things exists in the United States.

A notable incident in the history of bee-keeping in
Canada this year was the presence of the two distin-
guished visitors who called upon us, note-book in hand.
During Mr. Cowan's presence here the warning in one
of Burns's pieces came fresh to my mind : —

' If there's a hole in a' your coats be sure he'll tent it,
A chiel's amang us tacking notes, and faith he'll prent it.'

The rough and ready way we have of d.nng thing-3
here did not, I fear, impress Mr. Cowan favourably.
Whatever he may think of our people and their ways of
doing things, of one fact I am sure he is satisfied, and
that is, that we have a great country and a bright future.
In bee-keeping circles doubtless he saw much to con-
demn, but some things are conspicuous by their absence
here that are common in England, notably straw skeps
and long-legged hives. I hope for the good will we bear
him he will not be over-severe upon us, for we are a
sensitive people and pugnacious when attacked. That
we enjoyed Mr. Cowan's visit goes without saying, for
Mr. Cowan is a gentleman whose company is always
enjoyable. Nor did Mrs. Cowan make a less favourable
impression. The readiness with which she adapted
herself to our strange ways manifests her good sense. I
verily believe both Mr. and Mrs. Cowan would make
first-rate Canadians when once fairly initiated. I had
the honour of a nice visit from them, and I hope it will
not be the last.

I see Mr. Grimshaw is defending his Apifuge against
all assailants. I have a bottle of it here, but have not
yet tested it, and cannot speak personally of its good or
bad effects, but I had an opportunity of seeing it tested
for another purpose than that of keeping bees at bay.
The swamps of Canada and the United States teem with
mosquitoes in the spring and early summer. When Mr.
Cowan visited Mr. Jones at Beeton, I accompanied him.
While there we made an excursion into a neighbouring
swamp in search of bee plants. Mosquitoes are especially
fond of 'green' blood (we call everybody green who
has lately arrived from the old country). The vicious
insects ' went for ' Mr. Cowan, and Mi-. Cowan '■ went
for' the bottle of Apif uge he had in his pocket. Ap-
plying some of the contents to the wound from
which the ' perky ' critter had withdrawn its long pro-
boscis, the usual swelling did not result, whilst another
wound to which he did not apply the fluid very soon
developed the ordinary symptoms of local poisoning. If
Apifuge proves an effective remedy for mosquito bites,
there is an unlimited field of usefulness for it on this
continent, for mosquitos are a terrible pest to all who
have to spend their time in the woods. Surveying
parties, hunting and fishing parties, &c, often smear
themselves with grease, paraffin, and other supposed
protections, against their attacks. If Apifuge be a cure
it will find a ready sale. Mr. Grimshaw may put this
in his scrap-book", and three witnesses will testify to its
correctness when called upon.— R. McKniuet, Owen
Sound, Ontario,

TWO SEASONABLE HINTS BY MR. G. M.

DOOLITTLE.
[1364.] From Gleanings, October loth, I cull two
capital hints, which, although too late to be put in
practice now, yet, if recorded, may get fixed on our
minds ready for use next year. The first is an easv
way of getting fresh brood into our apiaries. I am sure
we are remiss in this respect. We should be gainers if
we exchanged swarms or queens with our friends who
live a few miles from us; our bees would he more
vigorous and our honey yield woidd be larger.

Mr. Doolittle, who has made for himself a reputation
as a, queen-raiser, says, this year he has sent several
virgin queens to selected apiaries at a distance to get
them fertilised by drones in no way connected by affinity
with his own strain at home. We know how much the
worker progeny takes after the drone, consequently the
advautage of getting fresh blood through the drone will
at once commend itself to the merest tyro, aud needs no
commendation from me.

The next hint is about introducing queens late in the
fall. Have you ever tried it with imported queens
because the price was low, aud called yourself hard
names for parting with your money ? This is the way
Mr. Doolittle says he ' succeeds every time.' When a
queen arrived, if the weather was unsuitable for opening
a hive, he placed the travelling cage containing the queen
on top of the queenless colony, under the quilt, to keep
her warm until the weather became suitable for manipu-
lation. Of course any other suitable place will do
as well. Before proceeding to introduce her he prepares
a cage of wire cloth by taking a piece of the latter
article, about two-thirds the size of the frame, and
cutting out a square inch at each corner. Now unravel
or drawout the wires from each of the four sides for
§ of an inch ; you thus have a row of pointed wires |- of
an inch in length all round your piece of wire cloth.
The four sides of the wire cloth are now bent down at
right angles an inch deep ; you thus have a box an inch
deep without a bottom. Take a comb from the hive,
clear it of bees. If the stock you wish to introduce the
queen to has a queen, you must now find and remove
her of course. Having done so, place your new queen
on to the comb, and allow her to sip at some unsealed
honey while you place this large wire cage you have
prepared over her (Mr. Doolittle clips her wings first),
press the points of the wire into the comb J of an inch,
and your cage with the queen underneath it projects
§ of an inch, thus giving the queen ample opportunity of
keeping out of the reach of any of the bees who may bo
likely to treat her rudely until she has acquired the
' taste' of the colony. Mr. Doolittle advises she should
be left from four days to a week before being liberated,
remarking her time is not so valuable late in the fall as
in the height of the breeding season.

I like the plan, and, if necessary, should take Mr.
Doolittle's closing advice, which I make my closing
advice also — ' Try it ! ' — Amateur Expert.

THE NEW SECTIONS.

[1365.] Now that the Jubilee honey season is a thing
of the past, and the prudent bee-keeper is beginning to
turn his attention to the next campaign, it seems famine
that many of us would like to hear something about the
working of the new sections. For instance, have the
four-way sections been better finished than those of same
dimensions having only two ways ? And how do those
worked without separators compare in weight, finish,
and readiness of sale with sections worked with separa-
tors. My own experience is taken from a limited area,
as I have only about a dozen hives.

I have used the old-fashioned section 4]- x 4'f X 2
with two bee-ways only, and also a new pattern

November 24, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

517

4J x 4J x If, the latter being worked without separa-
tors. Both kinds gave capital comb-honey, the thinner
sections being equal or superior to the old ones in ap-
pcaranco and in weight, many being over a pound. But
the difference is found when one comes to pack for
market, indeed to handle at all ; one little rub in lifting
out of the case, one careless touch whilst lying exposed
for admiration, and the pile for home consumption receives
a new addition.

Separators for me next time, certainly. But I should
like to know what the experience of others has been with
regard to four-ways versus two-ways, for doubtless the
latter form lias superior safety in handling upon its side,
even though both have been worked with separators.
Is there really any practical advantage in the plan of
allowing the bees access from one row to another? I
am inclined to doubt it, though I should mention that
my section -cases are suspended bee-space above the
frames so that this arrangement itself gives the bees
some choice of movement. Would those who have tried
Mr. Lee's sections give us the benefit of their experience ?
I fancy I recollect Mr. ' U. H.' writing of them in high
terms some time ago. — A. Peter, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

BEE DISEASE.

[1366.] In Mr. Cowan's very interesting account of
his visit to America, reported in the Journal of Oct. 27,
speaking of Mr. Heddon, he says: — 'He was, unfor-
tunately, suffering from bee disease, which affects him
in a very peculiar way, viz., by producing catarrh, so
that he cannot open a hive himself without being attacked
by this complaint.'

Now I have never heard of the 'bee disease' before,
but on reading this it struck me very forcibly that I am
suffering from it, and I should be glad if Mr. Cowan, or
some other scientific bee-keeper who understands the
subject, would give us further information about it.

I have been a bee-keeper for sixteen or seventeen
years, and for the last three or four years I have suffered
severely from what appears to be a violent cold in the
head. Unlike an ordinary cold, it comes on suddenly
without any warning, causes frequent sneezing, with
continual running at the eyes and nose ; sometimes it
lasts only a few hours, sometimes a day or two, and
during its continuance I feel more or less feverish, and
very good-for-nothing. We have often noticed that I
am almost invariably attacked on a Saturday night, and
could not account for it ; but though I am amongst bees
more or less almost every day during the season, Satur-
day is a sort of field-day on which I am usually amongst
my own bees.

I consulted my doctor, and he said it was not a cold at
all in the ordinary sense of the word, but was analogous
to hay fever, but evidently arose from some other cause
as I suffer from it throughout the year. And this makes
me doubtful whether it is produced by the bees, as it
certainly does not always come on after manipulating a
hive, whilst it comes on sometimes when I am away
from home and have had nothing to do with bees. My
doctor questioned me as to there being anything likely to
cause irritation, such as the use of disinfecting powder,
&c, in my dog-kennels; but it never occurred to either of
us that it could have anything to do with the bees. I
shall be glad to be satisfied on the subject one way or
other, and possibly others besides myself may be in-
terested in hearing more of the 'bee disease.' — A
Bee-keepee.

[Mr. Heddon says that about ten years ago he began to
notice an itching sensation in the ears. This would
appear only occasionally at first, but it , gradually
extended to the mouth, and near the root of the tongue.
Later the sensation was very severe in the roof of the
mouth, just round and in front of the palate. The
eyelids also swelled after first itching and burning. It

was about three years after the first appearance of the
irritating symptoms that he in any way connected them
with bee-poison. He found that to open a hive and
breathe the odour of the bees brought on the irritation
at once. He, however, persevered in working among the
bees, until the irritation and tingling sensation crept
down the bronchial tubes all round about the lungs,
until one night, after a day's work among the bees, he
woke up with asthma. To make sure that bee-poison
was the cause of these symptoms, he made several tests.
He kept away from his bees for a fortnight, and got rid
of all the symptoms except an occasional tingling in the
ears. No sooner was he amongst his bees again than the
former symptoms reappeared in a more aggravated form.
Finding that on every occasion when he went near his
bees he was similarly affected, he made up his mind to
have hired assistance in his apiary, and since he has done
so he has been free from the disease. But if at any
time he comes in contact with the poison, the symptoms
at once reappear. He says, on one occasion when he
was quite well, not having been near the bees for some
weeks, a bee flew past his face, and within a few inches
of it, discharging poison as she passed. Half an hour
afterwards he was seized with one of the most severe
paroxysms he has experienced. For more than eight
hours he could not speak aloud. All, however, passed
off, and by keeping away from the poison he keeps
perfectly well. When we hew and saw how Mr.
Heddon suffered, we felt flattered that he should have
personally conducted us over his apiaries, and deeply
regretted that our presence and his courtesy should have
been the cause of his suffering so much during the rest
of the evening. We have heard of similar cases of poison-
ing, but, fortunately, they are very rare, and the remedy
is obvious. — Ed.]

HALF A DAY WITH MR. HEDDON.

A TALK ABOUT HEDDON THUMBSCKEWS, FEAMES,
AND TIN BESTS.

[1067.] Being in Chicago recently on the cheap ten-
days' excursion, I took the opportunity of running out to
Dowagiac for a brief visit. I found Mr. Heddon all
tired out with his labours as a leading official of the
county fair, which embraces two other counties besides
Cass, and is rather a ' big thing ' in that part of M ichigan.
However, I accomplished my main object, which was to
get some difficulties removed that had cropped up in the
practical working of the new hive. They were briefly
these : 1. Failure of the thumbscrews, which, in my ex-
perience, are apt to shrink and swell, if screwed tight, in
a dry hot time ; they swell when moist, cool weather
comes, and have to be started with a wrench. In some
cases the thread gives way. 2. The tightening up of
both frames and sections, so that everything becomes
practically immovable — 'fixed fast as fate.' 3. The
bending of the tin rests, as the result of which frames
are thrown out of the level.

Mr. Heddon proved to me that none of these diffi-
culties exist in his apiary, and I am inclined to think
that with me they are partly climatic, partly the result
of the screws and frames being made to fit too tightly in
the first place ; and partly for want of more skill and
attention on my part. The climate of Guelph is subject
to very great and sudden changes, and watch must be
kept of these. It is not much trouble to go through an
apiary and either tighten or slacken the thumbscrews, as
may be needed. Mr. Heddon's frames and thumbscrews
fit very loosely. A.s long as there is not a bee-space left
anywhere there is no need of the frames being at all
tight. As for the thumbscrews they are so loose that
they wobble. Yet their holding power is so great that
a case, dependent only on their grip, remained without
the least of flinching when Mr. Heddon and I stood on a
board resting simply on the eight frames. The tin strips

518

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[November 24, 1887.

are made of heavy tin, and this, I think, is necessaiy in
order that they maj' keep their places perfectly.

The one fault with the new lleddon hive — if fault it
be — is that it requires the greatest accuracy in mechanical
construction and very careful handling. A botch car-
penter cannot make the hive, and a botch bee-keeper
cannot manipulate it successfully. I am not sure that
this is a fault. It is not desirable that bee-keeping
should tolerate slovenly and careless ways. Both as a
science and an art we should go in for its being carried
on with intelligence and skill. The best results are to be
had by the dexterous use of the best appliances. A
partial hone}' crop can be got by slip-shod bee-keepers
who are content to go by the rule of thumb, but it is to
be hoped that this class will always be in the minority,
and will become ' small by degrees and beautifully less.'

I am well pleased with my trial of the new hive for
two seasons, notwithstanding the difficulties I have
mentioned. I do not care to invert the brood-nest more
than once, and that only when the comb is not built
evenly and fully at the bottom of the frame. Apart from
that I see no use in inverting. The interchangeable
feature of the hive is a grand one and wonderfully
simplifies manipulation. For making artificial swarms
it is unrivalled. It is especially adapted for producing
comb honey, the only kind I raise. I used the extractor
one season and abandoned it, I think for the term of my
natural life. I am old fogyish enough to wish it had
never been invented. Adulteration, over-production, low
prices, and evils resulting from interference with the in-
ternal economy of the hive, have grown out of its use.
Kaising only comb honey, and wishing to handle my
bees as little as possible, the new Heddon hive suits me
better than any other that I have tried, and I am simply
anxious to give it the most skilful management of which
its peculiar construction and functions admit.

Mr. Heddon's explanations convinced me that before
putting bees into the new hive it is necessary to see that
the frames and thumbscrews are in good and free work-
ing order. Anyone who proposes to adopt this hive to
any extent should have a bit for making the thread
holes for the thumbscrews, and personally attend to their
proper adjustment. This done, if the screws have been,
as they should be, boiled in tallow, they ought to work
all right, no matter what the weather may be. A large
number of bee-keepers, I was informed, have invested in
the hive and only two or three have found any difficulty
in the practical working of it. As yet, it has been but a
comparatively short time before the public.

I was at first surprised at not finding more of the new
hives in use in Mr. Heddon's apiary. There are only
about fifty of them all told. But when I learned what
an immense lot of old, bright, valuable frames of comb
Mr. H. had on hand, I could readily understand that its
substitution for the former hive, a most excellent one of
its kind, must be a work of time. — W. F. Clark, Guelph
(Canadian Bee Journal.)

La Ciiie des Abeilles et son Utilisation. Par J.
Dennler, traduction francais par J. B. Leriche of La
Motte-en-Santerre (Homme). This is a translation into
French of Mr. Dennler 's pamphlet on Das Biencnwache
und seine Vemeertwny, which we reviewed on page 111
of the Bee Journal for this year. This pamphlet will be
useful to French bee-keepers, but we regret that Mr.
Dennler, who i3 a perfect master of the French language
did not translate it himself, and thus avoid some of the
errors and omissions which naturally occur when the
translator has not a perfect knowledge of the language
he is translating from. The work has certainly lost by
the translation, as the history conmcted with the subject
has disappeared, and thus one of the most interesting
portions of the original is gone. A translation of the
original has appeared in the columns of the Journal so
that our readers can of themselves form an opinion of
the usefulness of the pamphlet.

We have received from M. Luigi Sartori of Milan two
sheets of diagrams which he has had prepared for illus-
trating the natural history of bees and bee-keeping, and
which are entitled Apiculture. Plate 1 contains the
scientific part, and on this we find no less than seventy-
three carefully executed illustrations connected with the
natural history of the bee. The illustrations are nicely
lithographed in the natural colours of the objects repre-
sented. Amongst the best is fig. 22, a longitudinal sec-
tion of the queen-bee. There are also good sections of
the worker bee at figs. 38 and 39. Plate 2 represents
the practical part, and illustrates hives and appliances
in general use. There are 60 illustrations which are also
described. Each plate is accompanied by a description
of the figures, and we are glad to find that the descrip-
tions are correctly made in the various languages, — a very
rare occurrence. The plates are on stout paper, and
measure 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches each. They
will be very useful for lectures as they can be had with
the descriptions printed in Italian, French, German, or
English.

(&z\jtm from % Jjto.

East Limerick, November 9th. — Tbe last was a very good
season in this district, the best for the last four years. I
averaged 75 lbs. each from nine hives (including 101 sections
and 16 lbs. extracted honey from one hive), and leaving
twelve stocks for winter each provided with 20 to 25 lbs. of
store — no sugar used. The average would have been much
larger but for two swarms escaping. — East Limerick.

NOTICES TO 'CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of Manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be ivisertcd as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the gc?leral good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in adeance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

Major-Geneiul G. — Fumiyation required. — The eggs are
not those of the wax-moth, but we would recommend that
you fumigate all your spare combs with rather stroug
sulphur fumes. If the combs are badly infested it might
be well worth your while to melt down your combs.
Particular care should be exercised in thoroughly
cleansing out your hives in the coming spring.

G. King, Jun. — Ivy Honey. — The two pieces of comb con-
tain ivy honey. This honey has a cheese-like appearance.
It solidifies very quickly after it is stored. Ivy is the last
good supply of food the bees have before going into winter
quarters ; it follows the heather-honey. The peculiar pro-
perty of these two honeys is that they toughen almost as
soon as stored ; and it shows the perfect fitness of things,
for a late large supply of almost any other kind would
require evaporating, and there would be danger of its
causing dysentery in the hive. Ivy honey does not pos-
sess any attractive taste, but it has been found suitable
for winter and spring feeding.

J. Wilton. — The loss of time entailed on a stock after
swarming, while waiting for their new queen to lay, may
vary from eight days at the least, to perhaps twenty da} s.
The old queen with the swarm lays as soon as cells are
ready, which is sometimes the case in twenty-four hours.

Correction. — Page 503, liuo 8 from top, for Apifuge and Furni-
gators read Apifuge and Slotted Dividers.

Received from Mr. A. I. Eoot, Medina, Ohio, his ' Illus-
traleJ Catalogue and Piice-List.'

COWANS GUIDE BOOK.

ANEW EDITION of this Work will shortly
be published. Intending Advertisers must forward
Copies of their Advertisements durinp the present week.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stranqewats' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 284. Vol. XV.]

DECEMBER 1, 188;

[Published Weekly.]

(Stoitmhl, Jotias, #r.

'FEED YOUR STOCKS.'

Every successful bee-keeper knows, that if at any
time a stock is allowed to be short of food material
damage arises, and that such damage increases in
geometrical ratio the longer the scarcity prevails.
Further ; feeding must be done at the right time to
attain the best results, and nothing short of the best
results should ever satisfy any bee-keeper. We
have reason to believe that a large number who
really consider themselves advanced bee-keepers
are often behindhand in those various attentions to
their bees which are so essential to success, and
that this negligence arises, in many cases, through
the owner not making such full use of the bee-
literature of the period as he might reasonably be
expected to do.

We are at all times anxious to afford any, and
every, assistance to bee-keepers who may require
it, and our columns are always open for any ques-
tion to be put and discussed. In fact, the free dis-
cussion of moot points has helped on bee-keeping,
perhaps, more than anything else. Many questions
that are sent to us tend to show that the sender
has either neglected to study the published ex-
perience of others, or, having scanned it, has not
thought out the hints and information stored there-
in sufficiently well to obtain the full benefit of
the advice given. Some of our readers may say,
' If bee-keeping entail such an amount of study,
then I shall give it up.' Not so ; it is not bee-
keeping, but successful bee-keeping that requires
our very best energies to be unsparingly applied to
it. The bee-keeper who is contented to have a
hive or two in his garden merely because they look
appropriate to the surroundings, and not because
he feels any real interest in them, or wishes to be-
stow any particular care upon them, must be like-
wise contented with probably no surplus honey, or,
at the most, but a very small quantity. As an
illustration of this let-alone policy, we may mention
that we once visited a lady who had a hive of bees
which she requested us to examine ; for, as she
pathetically put it, ' I cannot think what is wrong
with them, they have been in the garden for four
years, and I have had no honey.' We opened the
hive, removed about 15 lbs. of honey, and offered

suggestions as to future management. The poor
bees had been totally neglected the whole of the
time, as the hive had never been opened since its
arrival ; their owner had never read anything as to
their management. To those who can afford but
little time for reading, the Journal may be useful
as giving hints in season, but we would earnestly
recommend the studied perusal of every work on
bees that our reader can either buy or obtain the
loan of. May we suggest that those who are the
fortunate possessors of such books will kindly let
their neighbours have them to read, and so obtain
mutual advantage by educating and enabling them
to take an intelligent part in any discussion that
may arise, besides training them to become critical
observers, from whom hints may hereafter be
gleaned 1

Reading is, and ever will be, the best food, but
practical lectures should by no means be over-
looked. We would, however, point out that for a
technical subject like bee-keeping it is important
to make methodical notes of what we read, if the
full benefit of such reading is to be enjoyed. Let
the notes be classified as well as indexed, and it
would then become a very simple matter to turn
up all accumulated information on any given
subject by consulting that portion of the book
devoted to it. In cases where the source of infor-
mation is a book, or periodical, belonging to the
compiler, it would be sufficient to note somewhat
in this manner —

Fertile Workers. Heddon. Success in Bee-culture. Page 33.

Cook Manual ,, 84,1.9.

While in the case of hints noted from borrowed
books, or gleaned from personal correspondence, a
short, clear extract should be made, quoting the
source whence derived. Such note-books would
imperceptibly grow into most useful mines of infor-
mation, not only for ' the chiel amang us takin'
notes,' but for his friends. Foolscap size would
obviate them becoming bulky so soon, and would
therefore enable them to be the more easily circu-
lated for mutual information, with permission to
copy, or-, being produced at our ideal friendly con-
versazione, would form a most interesting basis for
comment and comparison. Different systems could
then be brought side by side, and results noted
which, by comparison with other note-books, would
go far to show which particular system, or arrange-

520

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 1, 1887.

inent, suited any particular district best. As bee-
keepers, we know full well that it is by hearty co-
operation alone that our bees are enabled to carry
out their manifold duties. Let us, therefore, adopt
similar tactics ; by so doing many mishaps will be
avoided, and in case disease attack our bees we
shall, in virtue of our increased knowledge, be able
to detect it in such an early stage as to reduce the
risk to a minimum ; or, in the event of an accident,
be fitted to deal promptly with it, without waiting
for the arrival of a more experienced friend, or the
next issue of the Journal to help us out of our
dilemma.

THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS WITH REFER-
ENCE TO INSECT AID IN THEIR FERTILIS-
ATION.

{Continued from page 501.)

The last but not the least remarkable example of the
adaptation of flowers to the visits of insects for the pur-
pose of fertilisation to which I will allude is that of the
Orchidaceous family of plants. The flower of the orchis
is very abnormal. Its genera vary amazingly in the
structure of the anther, the column, the lip, and indeed
of all parts, hut in the consolidation of the style and
stamen they are all agreed. ' The flowers,' to quote the
words of an eminent modern botanist, Otto W. Thome,
' are rarely solitary, usually in spikes, racemes, or panicles,
and the superior perianth consists of two whorls, each of
three leaves. Of these the inner whorl is always irregular
and often has a spurred lip or lahellum, the remaining
five leaves of the perianth forming together the galea or
helmet. The stamens are united with the style into a
fleshly column or gynosteiniiun, upon which the anthers
are so placed as to stand above the stigma, which is hut
little developed and consists usually of a large viscid
surface. Of the six stamens which are probably
originally present only one, less often two, attain perfect
development. When only one is thus developed it is
always opposite the labelhun, but when two, then one is
on each side of the gynostemium. Only a few orchids
have the pollen-grains perfectly distinct; usually they
are united together in fours, and these again into granular
masses, or the grains are combined by a viscid fluid into
a club-shaped mass or pollinium within each anther lobe.
The two pollinia terminate at their lower end in a pedicel
consisting of the dried-up viscid substance, connected
together by a viscid gland or rostellum, as in the bee
orchis, or distinct as in Orchis rnorio!

If we dissect a flower of the early purple orchis we
shall find that the stigma is bilobed and consists of two
almost confluent stigmas. It lies under the pouch-
formed rostellum. The anther consists of two rather
widely separated cells, which are longitudinally open in
front; each cell includes a pollen mass or pollinium.
The pollinium consists of a number of wedge-shaped
packets of pollen grains united together by exceedingly
elastic thin threads. Below the pollen mass is the elastic
caudicle. The end of the caudicle is firmly attached to
a viscid button-shaped disc. Each pollinium has its
separate disc, which has a ball of viscid matter at its
under side. The rostellum lies immediately below, and
the balls of viscid matter lie concealed within it. Let
me now try to explain how this mechanism acts. Suppose
an insect, say a bee in search of honey, to alight on the
lahellum, which forms a good landing stage, and to push
its head into the chamber, at the back of which lies the
stigma, in order to reach with its proboscis the end of
tin- nectary, or wdiat does quite as well to show the
action, push a sharply pointed lead pencil into the
nectary. Owing to the projection of the pouch-formed
yottellum it is almost impossible to push an object into

the gangway of the nectar)- without touching the
rostellum. When this is effected one or both of the
viscid balls will almost invariably touch the intruding
body. These balls are so viscid that they stick firmly to
whatever they touch, and the viscid matter sets hard and
dry like cement within a minute or so. As the anther
cells are now open in front when the insect withdraws its
head, or when the pencil is withdrawn, one or both
pollinia will be withdrawn firmly attached to the object,
sticking up like horns. The firmness of the cement is
necessary, for if the pollinia were to fall sideways or
backwards the}' would never fertilise the flower. Now-
let us suppose the insect to fly to another flower, or
insert the pencil with the pollinium attached into
another nectary. If this be done at once it is evident
that the pollinium will bo pushed iuto or against its old
place, the anther cell. How then can the flower be
fertilised P This is effected by a very beautiful con-
trivance. Within a minute the pollinia, by the contrac-
tion of the minute disc to which they are attached, move
downwards to an angle of about forty-five degrees from
the first upright position. When the insect sucks the
next flower the pollen masses come in direct contact with
the stigmatic surface. The stigma is so very viscid that
it is certain to pull off some of these pollen packets and
rupture the threads. The whole polhmum is scarcely
ever retained by the stigma, so that one pollinium serves
to fertilise several flowers. So economical is Nature in
her workings that even a few pollen masses are not un-
worthy of her sedulous care.

Of all the pollen-carriers, and consequently flower-
fertilisers, bees are the most assiduous. Attracted by
the gay colours of the corolla, sweet scent, or the prospect
of honey, they visit most flowers that are incapable of
self-fertilisation. That bees can distinguish between one
colour and another, and that they exhibit a preference
for certain colours, has been clearly proved by Sir John
Lubbock and others. The bodies of some bees and the
legs of others are so admirably adapted for the collection
and carriage of pollen that it is almost impossible for
them to visit any flower in pursuit of honey without
bearing aiviy a large quantity of pollen grains. The
body of the humble bee (Bombus terrestris) is the best
adapted for pollen carrying. Lepidoptera stand next in
order of importance to bees as pollen-carriers. Their
long proboscides enable them to drain nectaries wdiich
less favoured insects cannot reach. The despised wasp
is not without its use as a fertilising agent ; for, accord-
ing to Mr. Darwin, ' if wasps were to become extinct in
any district so would Epipactis latifolia'

Honey, I need scarcely say, is the principal object of
attraction to bees, butterflies, moths, and many other
insects which assist in the work of fertilisation. It is
secreted by specialised organs known as nectar glands.
' In the flower,' according to Dr. Goodale, an eminent
American botanist", ' these glands consist usually of
specialised parenchyma, not unlike the secreting surface
of the stigma.' ' Nectar glands,' continues the author,
' may occur in any part of the flower, upon its bracts or
upon some part of the flower-stalk near it. From the
nectar glands of proper floral organs the secretion of
nectar is generally copious, and is prone to collect in
minute cavities such as shallow pits, or in conspicuous
special receptacles, the so-called nectaries. The period
of most copious secretion of nectar usually coincides
with the maturity of the anthers or of the stigma.'
Here we perceive another of Nature's beautiful con-
trivances for carrying out her purposes. Just at the
time when the pollen is ready to do its work of fertilisa-
tion, or the stigma to receive it, a copious supply of
honey both attracts and rewards the insect pollen-carriers.
The odours of flowers must be classed amongst the
most potent attractions of insects. White flowers are
more generally fragrant than those of any other colour.
As examples of the accuracy of this proposition I would

December 1, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

521

refer to those delicatety-scented flowers the lily of the
valley, the jasmine, and the butterfly orchis. I cannot
do better than quote the words of Mr, Darwin in explana-
tion of this : — ' The fact of a large proportion of white
flowers smelling sweetly may depend in part on those
which are fertilised by moths requiring the double aid of
conspicuousness in the dark and of odour. So great is
the economy of Nature that most flowers which are fer-
tilised by crepuscular or nocturnal insects emit their
odour chiefly or exclusively in the evening.'

I have ventured to call attention to a comparatively
large number of important facts, and for the purpose of
giving my authorities have quoted largely. If these
quotations have the effect, as I trust they maj', of
directing attention to and inducing a perusal of the
works referred to, this paper will not have been written
in vain. It will naturally be asked, Why has Nature
planned all these contrivances to bring about cross-fer-
tilisation ? Mr. Darwin has clearly proved that plants
which are the product of cross-fertilisation are both
stronger in constitution and more prolific in seed-bearing
than those resulting from close-fertilisation. Another
and more important result may have been designed,
namely, the origin of new varieties and new species. If
we consider how much the skilled nursery-man has
effected, within living memory, in the direction of pro-
ducing new varieties in such well-known plants as roses,
strawberries, pelargoniums, primulas, and a host of other
flowering and fruit-bearing plants, we may readily
understand how pollen-carrying insects may in the
countless ages that have passed have been instrumental
in effecting changes of a similar character in plant
development. That pollen-bearing insects such as bees
and moths have been largely engaged in helping to
clothe this earth of ours with some of its most beautiful
forms cannot, I think, in the present state of knowledge
be doubted. Devout minds, like that of Christian
Conrad Sprengel, will perceive the wisdom and goodness
of the great Creator, operating by means of natural
agencies, in producing beautiful forms of plant life to
delight the senses and supph' the wants of His creature
man. Even the atheist, on thoughtful consideration,
must admit that the vegetable world, and especially the
. flower-bearing portion of it, affords ample evidence of
design. — W. G. Wheatceoft (The Journal of Micro-
scopy). ^^

MY BEES.

By. Mas. .Reginald Bbay,

Author of ' Family Feats,' ' Ten of Them,' ' We Four,' &c.
(Continued from page 511.)
Chapter III. — Uniting.

The next morning I hastened out to my bees, and
stood gazing at my three straw skeps in a very dissatisfied
mood.

I felt that when there were such hives as bar-frames
no real lover of bees would endure such old-fashioned
things as straw skeps.

' It seems easy enough ; does it not, Watson ? ' I said,
as the latter drew near.

' What ? bee-driving ? Yes, ma'am. I should like to
see all these old hives got rid of.'

'I wish I had not bought that new straw skep,' I said
somewhat mournfully, for I had given a guinea for it ;
and as I wanted to make my bees pay, I felt it would be
very extravagant to begin my bee-keeping in this some-
what reckless manner. Happy thought, ' Of course they
will change it.'

I rushed for Neighbour's catalogue, and was soon en-
grossed in making up my mind which one I would have.
I finally decided on one to hold ten bar-frames, price
II. 12s. Gd. I did wish hives were not quite so expensive,

but all one had to do to reassure oneself was to say, ' At
least, I ought to get fifty pounds of honey,' and then work
out a rule-of-three sum, fifty pounds at Is. 6d. equal
3/. 1 5s. Why I shall pay it off in no time ; of course there
are cheaper hives, but the best are generally cheapest in
the end.

1 decided that Watson should go up to London with
the straw skep, and change it for the new bar-frame,
which was to be sent down. I felt it a trial that he
could not bring it back with him, but as it would be
decidedly cumbersome, and entail having a cab to the
station, I controlled my impatience and managed to
wait until it arrived the next day. How beautiful it
looked. I brought it into the drawing-room and played
with it as if it were a new toy. I pictured the frames
filled with honey, and thick with clustering bees. I lost
myself in a happy dream of delight, and was of no
particular use or pleasure to my family for the rest of the
evening.

The morning broke with a sunny, cloudless sky. It
was impossible to have chosen a better day. Breakfast
was a meal scarcely to be thought of, the household
affairs were left to take care of themselves. Orders were
given that if even the Queen arrived, I was not to be in-
terrupted; and, armed with smoker, scissors, and tape,
Watson and I were soon ready for our work.

One little boy of four years old, whom I may here say
promises to be the only worthy son of his mother, en-
treated to watch. I was somewhat doubtful, for I did
not wish him to ruu the chance of being stung.

' I don't care,' he replied; 'I don't care ; no— not if I am
stung on the nose.'

I could not resist this, and accordingly stationed him
behind a low yew hedge on a bank where I thought he
would be quite safe. Others of the family came to look
on at a respectful distance, lessons went to the wall for
some time, and the servants were invited to ' come and
see,' but they seemed to have too great a respect for bees
to care to avail themselves very much of the privilege.

Watson and I- had put veils over our heads, and I had
carefully tied my sleeves at the wrist, but we were
determined to do our work without gloves. I am afraid
we were a little over-confident, we had an idea that our
own bees would not sting us. It is impossible to lavish a
wealth of affection upon any object and not expect an
adequate return. The table with the frames and tapes
for the combs was placed about three yards in front of
the hives, and I had a chair there so that I might sit
down comfortably and tie them in.

We gave the bees a puff or two of smoke. Very little,
because as I said, we had great confidence in those bees,
and I must say the first hive fully responded to our
trust.

The anxious moment came when Watson turned the
hive upside down. I longed to do it, but it was so heavy
that I knew I could not lift it. He placed it upside
down in the pail, I hastily put an empty skep on the
top, and the driving began. Watson did most of the
rapping, for I can assure you it is pretty hard work on a
hot summer day ; but every now and then I took my
turn at that delicious ' thump, thump,' all round on the
lower part of the hive. Every now and then we peeped
in, and saw the bees running up as merrily as possible.
At last, we had evidently got them all in the skep, and
then standing them down as we had seen Mr. Joy do,
we commenced cutting up the old hive and transferring
the comb into the frames.

Oh, why had no kind friend warned us (as, my bee
friends, I am warning you) to do all this part in some
shed at a distance, for though the bees we had driven
were behaving angelically, we were irritating the other
bees which were yet for to come past endurance !
Of course we should have given them some good puffs
of smoke, so that the}' might have been employing them-
selves with their honey, but— we did not.

522

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 1, 188?.

Our comb -was soon all tied in, the frames put in the
hires, and then came the moment to shake the bees in.
' I must do that part,' I cried, and with great pride
lifted the skep. A sharp shake, a few puffs of smoke,
and the bees had run down among the combs as success-
fully as under Mr. Joy's experienced hands.

We felt very proud of ourselves as we covered the
hive up with a quilt, and turned our thoughts to the
second hive, which we were going to unite with the
first. Above all, we had not received a single sting.

Watson, as he had done before, lifted up the second
hive, and put it in the pail, and I placed the skep over.
At. this moment I felt a sharp prick upon my foot. Not
being so hardened to stings as I am now, I retired for
a minute into the greenhouse to extract it.

' These bees seem very nasty,' said Watson, as I re-
turned. ' They have stung me once or twice.'

Then all at once, I cannot tell you why or wherefore,
but those bees arose, and in a moment were upon us.
The air was filled with infuriated — shall I say demons ?
it is the only suitable word. There was nothing for it but
an ignomiuious flight, and we simply turned and tied.

I shouted to the children to rush to the house, for I
dared not go near them. Watson and I rushed frantically
between the thick rows of peas, as we knew that bees
are not fond of anything bushy. He fled into the apple-
house, where they left him in the dark, but they waited
outside the door for him till he came out. I ran to the
house. I felt two or three bees inside my veil, which is
a most unpleasant sensation. I had not been nearly
careful enough in tucking it in at the beginning. I tore
it off hat and all, and was really greatly relieved when
I got indoors to find I had only had six stings.

After a while, when I had recovered from the shock,
I went to see after Watson. Alas! he had fared very
badly; far worse than I had. lie had not tied his
sleeves at the wrist, and the bees had got up them and
stung him fearfully. He got tired of counting the
stings, but there must certainly have been over a
hundred.

However, like an Englishman who never acknow-
ledges himself beaten, he was quite ready to return to
the fray ; and I do think we deserve some credit, for we
went back and we finished those bees, and united them
safely with the others. I will say we gave them a
thorough good smoking, and we carefully tucked in our
veils, and put on thick gloves.

I was none the worse for my few stings, but Watson
was quite ill for a day or two, which I think is not to
be wondered at. The only wonder is that he was not
much worse.

I must not forget to mention that one bee singled out
my small boy, and actually stung him on the nose. His
face swelled until it was a sight to behold ; his eyes
vanished almost entirely, and looked like slits. This
was slightly mortifying to me, as my mother, who
had not seen the children for some time, was coming
that day. Of course I wanted the family to look their
best, and it was hard to have one of them bearing a
strong resemblance to a fat little porker.

As for the boy himself, he stoutly maintained that he
did not care a pin ; and so far from being frightened, he
still remains the one of the family who takes a keen
interest in bees.

Now I hope that what I have said will not discourage
young bee-keepers. There is not the slightest reason
why they should be served as we were. I have driven
bees fince, and assisted on many occasions without having
even be in stung. The reason I have given the history
of our misfortunes is that I think there is much to be
learned from the failures of others, and I shall be very
glad to feel that the perusal of them may impress upon
beginners the great care which is required.

Our bees went on most prosperously, though our
pleasure in *hem was a little damped for the time. It

was too late to "put on supers that year, but I looked
anxiously forward to the next summer and a plentiful
harvest.

The chief trial I had was in leaving my bees. Every
August we left the suburbs and went into the country
for three months. I cannot describe how hard it was to
bid farewell to my bees and leave them, knowing that
when I returned in November the bees would be all
shut up in their winter quarters, and I should see them
no more till the spring.

(To be continued.)

Sclcttctr djucrir.

[3.] — Is that known as ' Good' candy suitable for winter
feeding, or for spring feeding ? and how is it made and in
what wag is it given to tlic bees ?

' Good ' caudy is excellent food for the bses during
winter or early spring, but it is much too expensive for
general use if made properly. Where a colony has no
honey or syrup whatever, it is far superior to dry sugar
or candy, as these alone cannot possibly support a colony
through the spring without the addition of a solutive,
which cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities by con-
densation. AVhere a colony is simply short, of stores, I
should not use 'Good' candy. The candy is made by
mixing icing sugar — this sugar is far the best, but expen-
sive— with liquid honey until it is stiff enough to be
moulded into any form. It is best given on top of cluster,
first laying a piece of thin wood — such as dividers are
made of, having several holes cut in it of a size to allow
a bee to pass through — on the top of the frames, and
then placing a cake of the candy, not more than half-inch
thick, on top, eoverin;r a sheet of paper or enamel quilt
over all and the quilts on that. If it, is a very dry
season and the bees hive no honey, water must be given
in the hive. — W. B. Webster.

I have never used ' Good ' candy. To appearance, it is
much the same as a well-made sample of candy cake. It
is highly spoken of in America as a winter bee-food, or
for sending bees and queen by rail or otherwise. It is
made by mixing liquid honey and the finest icing sugar
in proportions so as to form a stiff dough, then placed
over the frames the same way as c:indy is used in this
country. I should say it would be more expensive than
candy-cake, and would serve the purpose no better than
the latter. — William McNally, Glenluce, Scotland.

As I so very strongly condemn winter feeding of bees
in any form, e'xcept sealed food in the comb^, so I never
use any candy for winter feeding. If bees have been so
shamefully neglected as to require winter feeding, I
believe candy as made from Mr. Cowan's receipt will keep
some of them alive. — William Carr, Kewton-Heatli
Apiary.

'Good' candy will do,but is expensive for spring feeding.
Any other article but sealed stores can be called a sub-
stitute only for winter use, and a poor substitute at the
best. To make the above candy, add only sufficient
liquid honey to finely powdered loaf-sugar to make the
whole into a stiff paste, thoroughly incorporated. Let.
the mixture be too dry rather than too soft, and apply
the same above the frames immediately over the cluster.
— Samuel Simmins.

The candy known as ' Good ' candy is more suitable for
spring food, and is made of honey and sugar. But for
winter food I like a soft candy made of all sugar, and as
this soft candy wants very careful making it should only
be undertaken by those who have_a knowledge of sugar-
boiling. — G. J. Buli.er.

For winter food I should prefer candy to ' Good' food,
but fur spring fuud I should prefer the latter to any

December 1, 1887.]

THE BEITISfl BEE JOUBJSTAL.

523

other. In making, it is move safe if the honey he liquid ;
when so worked up there is least fear of the food be-
coming too soft from atmospheric action, as when granu-
lated honey is used. Your honey being in any suitable
vessel, add thereto, finely powdered, best lump sugar,
well mixing the two until sufficient sugar is added, so
that you may handle the food without scarcely soiling
the fingers — remembering it is better to mix a little too
stiff than too soft. The food may be given in a dummy
or frame-feeder. — J. II. Howard, Holme, Peterborough.

I find Mr. Cowan's recipe for candy very good, viz.,
f pint of water, let it boil, then stir in G lbs. of lump
sugar ; spread a piece of paper in large saucer and pour
your candy into it. There is certainly the trouble of
making the candy, but I feel sure that any bee-keeper
who has tried the candy versus Porto Uieo dry-sugar
feeding will adopt the candy. — \Y. Woodley.

'Good's Candy' — so named from the inventor — is
more suitable for spring than for winter food — being
more liable to deliquesce than ordinary candy, when laid
upon the frames. It is made by mixing very finely
powdered sugar with liquid honey, to the consistency of
stiff paste or dough. It is generally laid upon the frames
beneath the quilts, but a better plan is to place it near
the brood-nest in a hollo .v dummy-frame similar to the
dry-sugar feeder, with a sufficient number of openings to
allow the bees to obtain free access to the candy. —
George Eayxor.

in advertising anything as ' Patent' until the patent has
been completed and sealed. In the case of a provisional
acceptance, all that may be said is, ' Patent applied for.'
— John M. Hooker.

foiTesuuiitrntcc.

The Editor docs not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
bu his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should,
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Reotew,
&c, must be addressed only to ' Tlie Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts {see
2nd page of Advertisements).

*m* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, icill oblige by mentioning tiie
number of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

PATENTS RELATING TO APICULTURE. (580.)

[1368.] In September of last year I supplied you
with a list of the patents relating to apiculture applied
for during the years 1884, 18S5, and 1.S8G, which you
inserted on page 433 of the Bee Journal. I then
promised that I would from time to time supply you
with further information on the subject of these and
future applications for patents.

In fulfilment of that promise I now send yon for pub-
lication a complete list, showing- those patents which
have since been completed and 'sealed,' those 'abandoned,'
and those since applied for. This list has been abstracted
from the official books at the Patent Office.

It will be seen that only eight of the patents have been
completed and sealed, out of the nineteen for which
patents were applied during the above three years, and
thirteen abandoned.

The desire to protect inventions from being adopted
and copied by others appears to be on the increase.
The number of applications for patents during the
present year is seventeen as against nineteen for the three
previous years. None of these have been completed and
sealed.

The time for lodging complete specifications has in
several of these cases expired, but until the official list
is published at the end of the year there is no ready
means of knowing which of these are completed and
which abandoned.

It may be well to point out that no person is justified

Hate of Provisional

Complota

No.

Applica-
tion.

Vcuopt. for
1) M ntlis.

Accept-
ance.

Pilteiu
Seidell.

1SS1.

75 13 Hole — Bos-hive

May 10

Miy 30

Abandoned

y/91 Clark— Bee-hives

July 5

July 22

Mar. 2'J,'85

May

23

'85

1385.

403 Mason & BueliaTi—

Jan. 12

Abandoned

9473 Aboott— Hue-hives

Aug. ' 8

Sept. 11

Abandoned

97931jyon — Metal en Is

Aug. 11

Sept. 25

Dec.

1,

85

12654 Hopkins— Feeding

bottles . .

Oct. 22

Dec. 1

Sept. 11/83

Nov.

19,

'33

15241 Rudge— l-teversioie

[18313

framesof-bes hives

Dec. 11

Feb. 0,

Abandoned

7371 Wray — 3epiratiiu

honey from th j

comb

July 1

Oct. 13

Abandoned

8333 Lyle & Eicrick —

H jn :y substitute

Jul-/ 23

IS

Am;. It

33.

Juu3 1/83

Aug.

6,

'83

4115 Stone & Perry —

Hone/ sections ..

Mir. 27

M17 7

Abandoned

5033 Allen-Sections for

supers of bee-

hive?

April 10

April 23

Abandoned

0821 IludjjJ— Ventdat-

iug uee-uives

Miy 21

June 22

Abandoned

6331 Rdlius-Bee-h Ves

May 21

July 2, '86

Sept.
June

7

U230 Uisou— ,. ,,

June 23

July 27

April 6/87

10,

'87

8813 Meadows— Honsj

July G

Ang. 27

June 23,'87

Sept

2

'87

0230 Welch — Section-

ease for use in

bee-keeping for

producing ccniu-

July 16

A'.g. 10

Abandoned

10311 Hooker — Uncap-

ping the cills of

hone/ - co ub on

one or both sides

Aug. 12

Sept. 10

July 20/87

Sept

27

'37

11433 Shorten — Appara-

tus for feeding

bees

Sept. 9

Oct. 15

Abandoned

12207 Custled & Wh.ta -

Bar-frames u ied

in bee-hives, ad-

justing same

Sept. 25

Oct. 27

Abandoned

1837.
229 S. Simmins-TJiiiim
bee- hive for se-
curing comb -
frames Jan. 7

1801 J.A. AbDott— Bee-

feeder Feb. 4 Feb. 23

1802 S. W. Abbott —

H o l'di n u c o m b-
foundation in
be.^-bives Feb. 4 Mar. 2

2il4 James Lee — Bee-
hives and boxes,
hanging aad in.
vertible frames,
sections, modes of
fixing comb-foun-
dation in frames
and sections, and
removing sections
containing honey-
comb.. Feb. 18 July 2

2832 Abbott — Frames,
boxes, or cases
used in bes-liives Feb. 23 M:ir, 16

3014 Grose — Reversing
bar - frames for
bee-hives. Feb. 26

4S02 Elliott — End for
regulating dis-
tances and revers-
ing bee - hive
frames Mar. 31 May 11

6193 Dixon-Spring bar-
frame lifter April 23

8259 Abbott —Wiring
comb-frames used
in bee-hives June S July 2

8531 Jenkins- Bee-hives

and fittings June 15 Aug. 17

8776 Green— Bar-frame

aad bee-hive June IS Aug. 24

9667 Dixon - Automatic
apparatus for ex-
tracting honey ... July 9
12300 Gilbert-Hive!.. .. Sept. 17

521

THE BRlTisH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 1, 1887.

Dnte nl Provisional Coiupleto p.,(nnt

Applica- Accept, for Accept- ''"™[

Bon. 9 Months. auce. sealed.

12824 Blow— Containing
and exhibiting
sections of comb-
honey

15636 Blow — Fixing

comb - foundation
in bee section -
boxes used for ob.
taining honey ... Not. 15

15637 T. B. Blow— Fixing

comb - foundation
in bar -frames in

bee-hives... Nov. 15

1615: Silbree — Feeding

bees, &c Nov. 2-1

1887 fcoii<iiii'fd).

Sept. 22 Oct. 19

WINTER-PASSAGES, &c.

[1000.] As a few remarks have been made in your
valuable Journal on the above subject, I would like to
give my plan, which I have found very successful, both
in wintering and in working. I use a crown-board, and
in making the hive I leave about three-sixteenths of an
iuch space over top of frames ; and as bees invariably
cluster at the top of frames, they can move with ease to
any place they like, in fact I have noticed that the top
bar of frames are covered with bees. I give them no
extra covering except the watertight roof : I consider it
a much better plan than disfiguring the combs by making
holes.

My crates are made with slats of wood at bottom, the
breadth of sections used except bee-space, and glass on
two sides so that the sections are kept clean from comb
or propolis ; they are slid on the hive without killing a
single bee, and if too much space is not given there will
be very little comb built between crate and frames. —
George Turner, Nov. 21.

HOW TO DO IT.

[1370.] Appears from Mr. Saddler's letter to be so
very plain and easy that every bee-keeper ought, if next
season is anything like favourable, to be able to say that
he has done it. I have done it for several seasons with
some stocks, but my average has not reached the 100
pounds yet. During the past season I have taken from
twenty-seven stocks just over a ton of honey, average
eighty-three pounds per hive. I use same size top-bar
as does Mr. Saddler. He says, Throw metal ends away,
and he ought to have added — ' and broad-shoulders too,'
for it is impossible to have either on bars to manipulate
them as be describes. Our respected Editor, Mr. Raitt,
and a host of others, in fact, most of the large honey-pro-
ducers of the country, use the loi- inch top bar. Is it
not time, therefore, that the B. B. K. A. altered the rule,
so that the standard top-bar shall be at least loi inches
long?

It seems a strange contradiction for nearly all the
large producers to use this bar and to write in this
Journal in favour of it, and then for a beginner to be
advised by this same Journal to use the 17-inch top-bar
simply because that is the ' standard size.' — Robin
Hood.

THE NEW SECTIONS.
L371-] Your correspondent, Mr. A. Fryer, page 516,
asks the question, ' Have the four-way sections been
better finished than the two-way ones this year'''
Briefly let me give my opinion. The greater part of
the sections I have used this year were those having
four bee-ways, and so far am highly pleased with them.
The bees work them out and fill them quicker than the
two-way ones ; but wherein they excel most is the way
they are built up to and on the section edge, thus giving
a greater appearance of comb surface. Bee-keepers

should see that the sections have passage-ways at least
three-sixteenths wide, viz., a two-inch wide section
should be one five-eighths at narrow part. The less the
sections touch each other at corners the better; one
quarter of an inch is sufficient. Having an ordinary
well-made crate with sides full depth, four bee-way
sections, and slotted zinc separators, I think we have
the most perfect super procurable. Spealdng of separators,
I would never think of dispensing with these, whether
the sections were one and a half or two inches wide. I
tried three crates of the narrow size this summer without
separators, and am glad I did not experiment further hi
that direction. The narrow sections with separators
were better filled over than the wide ones. — William
McNally, Glenluce, Scotland.

SEPARATORS.— THE NEW SECTIONS.

[1372.] Mr. A. Fryer's letter (1365) raises a practical
point of considerable importance to comb honey-pro-
ducers.

All the sections I had in use last season were the
ordinary one-piece two bee-ways, with the exception of
forty-eight of Lee's new pattern having four bee-ways, and
so arranged to give through slotted dividers a vertical bee-
way between the sections from end to end.

It is generally understood that to secure perfectly built
sections a rapid honey flow is a sine qua non. My apiary
is situated in the midst of a district consisting of a sandy
soil, which, combined with the drought, caused the honey
flow to be extremely slow and very limited in quantity.
Without exception the one-piece sections of comb honey
had an unusual number of pop-holes, in many extending
the whole length of the bottom. My experience of
working the thinner sections without separators coincides
with Mr. Fryer's, as they are all bulged more or less so
as to necessitate in packing for market the same relative
positions they bore to each other in being filled. This
disadvantage is quite sufficient to condemn the system
advocated by some of discarding the use of separators. I
also say separators for me with any size section.

In giving these thinner sections a trial thequestion arose,
Will the bees fill a crate containing twenty-eight of the
thin sections as quickly as a crate of twenty-one 1-lb. ; and
if so, after debiting the extra cost of foundation, number
of sections, and separators, required with the thin sections,
will it pay from the £ s. d. point of view ? My experience
gives a decided negative.

I now come to Lee's sections, and the difference in the
perfect way these were filled out even to the very corners
in comparison to the others, taken with the undoubted
fact of their being more rapidly filled, was to me re-
markable. On a close examination to my mind the reason
was apparent. Through the vertical passages between
the ends of sections, extending through the slotted di-
viders, a continuous cluster of bees was seen from end to
end, very evidently secreting the wax for comb-building.
These vertical passages, combined with the slotted
dividers, the four bee-ways, and the facility with which
full sheets of foundation can be securely and rapidly fixed,
taken together, convince me of their superiority, and I
shall not in future use any others.

With an apiary varying from GO to 100 stocks, situated
on the bordors of an immense area of heather, the
strength (which the folding one-piece sections lack) of
Lee's sections to bear the strain of extracting is another
point of considerable advantage.

Relative to sections without separators, it may be
worth repeating that in the large Canadian Exhibit at the
Colonial I took special notice that out of many thousand
sections worked without separators not one in ten could bo
found but what 1 he face of the comb would touch a piano
surface and always be liable to get bruised. — W. Soar,
The Apiary, Valley End, Chobham, Surrey.

December 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOtfRifAL.

525

AFRICAN BEES.

[137.').] The bees which are natives of Africa are but
little known to most of the readers of the B. B. J. ; they
may have heard of them being carried in boats on the
Nile, and there the information ceases. Nor are they
described or ever mentioned in any of our ' bee-books,'
in fact, little attention has ever been paid to them, if
indeed any of our bee-men have the knowledge. Now,
having in the course of my reading met with some
incidental descriptions of these African bees and their
manners and customs, I have copied out the most inter-
esting from two volumes that may possibly not have
fallen in the way of all of the readers of the B. B. X, and
give them below. Both are from trustworthy authori-
ties— one being the Life of Bis/top James Ilannington,
who was murdered in East Equatorial Africa in 1886;
and the other, the Heart of Africa, by Dr. C4eorg
Schweinfurth, the German imperial naturalist. From
the extracts I append, it will be seen that the African
bee resembles the Syrian in her appearance and ferocious
temper. The quotations give graphic pictures of the
enormous colonies that would seem to characterise the
race, for 1 have never heard of any other honey-bees
dwelling together in such prodigious numbers.

Br. Sehweinfurth's experience was gained on the Nile
about eleven hundred miles south from Alexandria, just
outside the boundary of Egypt proper. It is evident
that the Doctor's translator is not acquainted with the
natural history of bees, or he would have avoided some
curious renderings. He writes, vol. i., p. 70 : —

' A place was soon reached where the stream takes a re"
markable bend, and proceeds for eight miles in a north-
easterly direction. This place has the singular name of
Dyoorah-el-Esh, or the sack of corn. Now, as the north-
east wind, of course, was adverse to any north-east progress,
it was necessary that the boat should be towed by the crew.
As the rope was being drawn along through the grass on the
banks, it happened that it disturbed a swarm of bees. In a
moment, like a great cloud, they burst upon the men who
were dragging ; every one of them threw himself headlong
into the water, and hurried to regain the boat. The swarm
followed at their heels, and in a few seconds tilled every
nook and cranny of the deck. What a scene of confusion
ensued may readily be imagined.

' Without any foreboding of ill, I was arranging my
plants in my cabin when I heard all around me a scamper-
ing, which I took at first to be merely the frolics of my
people, as that was the order of the day. I called out to
inquire the meaning of the noise, but only got excited
gestures and reproachful looks in answer. The cry of
"Bees! bees ! " soon broke upon my ear, and I proceeded
to light a pipe. My attempt was entirely in vain, in an in-
stant bees in thousands are about me, and I am mercilessly
stung all over my face and hands. To no purpose do I try
to protect my face with a handkerchief, and the more
violently I fling my hands about so much the more violent
becomes the impetuosity of the irritated insects. The
maddening pain is now in my cheek, now in my eye, now
in my hair. The dogs from under my bed burst out
frantically, overturning everything in their way. Losing
well-nigh all control over myself, I fling myself in despair
into the river; I dive down, but all in vain, for the stings
rain down still upon my head. Not heeding the warnings
of my people, I creep through the reedy grass to the swampy
bank. The grass lacerates my hands, and I try to gain the
mainland, hoping to rind shelter in the woods. All at once
four powerful arms seize me and drag me back with such
force that I think I must be choked in the mud. I am
compelled to go back on board, and flight is not to be
thought of.

' In the cooling moisture I had so far recovered my self-
possession that it occurred to me to drag a sheet from my
chest, and thus, at last, I found some protection ; but I had
first gradually to crush the bees which I had enclosed with
me within this covering. Meantime, by great self-denial
and courage on the part of my excellent people, my large
dog was brought on board to me, and covered with cloths ;
the other, an animal from Khartoom, was unfortunately

lost. Cowering down convulsively, I lingered thus three
full hours, whilst the buzzing continued uninterruptedly,
and solitary stings penetrated periodically through the
linen. Every one by degrees became equally passive as
myself ; at length a perfect silence reigned on board, the
bees subsided into quietness. Meanwhile, some courageous
men had crept stealthily to the bank, and had succeeded in
setting tire to the reeds. The smoke rose to their assistance,
and thus they contrived to scare away the bees from the
boat, and setting it artoat they drove it to the other bank.
Had the thought of the fire occurred at first our misfortune
woidd have assumed a much milder character, but in the
suddenness of the attack every one lost all presence of
mind.

' Free from further apprehension we could now examine
our injuries. With the help of a looking-glass and a pair
of pincers I extracted all the stings from my face and hands,
and inconvenience in these places soon passed away. But
it was impossible to discover the stings in my hair ; many
of them had been broken off short in the midst of the fray,
and remaining behind produced little ulcers, which for two
days were acutely painful. Poor " Arslan " was terribly
punished, especially about the head, but the stings had
clung harmlessly in the long hair on his back. I was
really sorry for the loss of my nice little dog, which was
never recovered, and in all likelihood had been stung to
death. These murderous bees belong to the striped variety
of our own honey-bee.

' A mishap like ours has been seldom experienced in the
waters of the White Nile. Consul Petherick, as his servant
informed me, had once to undergo a similar misfortune.
Our own grievance was not confined to ourselves : every
boat of the sixteen which that day were sailing in our track
was pestered by the same infliction. No imagination can
adequately depict the confusion which must have spread in
boats where were crowded together from sixty to eighty
men. I felt ready in the evening for an encounter with
half a score of buffaloes or a brace of lions rather than have
anything more to do with bees, and this was a sentiment in
which all the ship's company heartily concurred. I took
my quinine and awoke refreshed and cheerful, but several
of the ill-used members of our party were suffering from
violent fever. My own freedom from fever might perchance
in a measure be attributed to my involuntary vapour bath.
I had been sitting muffled up for some hours in my wet
clothes through the heat of the day, and no vapour-bath
more effectual could be contrived. Among the crews of the
boats which followed us there were two deaths, which
ensued as the result of the injuries which had been sus-
tained.'

Bishop Ilanniugton's adventure occurred 700 miles
farther south, between Zanzibar and Lake Nyanza, and
not far from the latter. His biographer says : —

' On Tuesday, September 8th, 1885, the long caravan was
again in motion. The greatest care had now to be taken
to guard against an attack from the rear. The path skirted
the forest for a long distance, and every bush concealed a
lurking foe. Mr. Thomson's caravan was here set upon
and very roughly treated, while some of his cattle were
killed. Mr. Jones writes : " As we were descending a steep
track a rush was made upon the sick who were being
carried in the rear by a host of Wa-Kikuyu. The men in
charge of the sick fled, but they, strange to say, revived and
flew for their lives, escaping with a few blows from clubs.
When we heard the alarm the Bishop and some of our men
ran back to the scene of action, and a volley put the enemy
to flight. At the end of the plain there is a fine tree,
towards which all our men at once made to rest beneath
its shadow. They had scarcely sat down when they were
attacked furiously by an enemy worse than the Wa-Kikuyu.
A vast swarm of bees came down from the tree and settled
upon the caravan in thousands. The men ran for their
lives, many of them dropping their loads. The bees
covered the ground for some 200 yards in every direction
from the tree. The Bishop bid the men who had dropped
their loads return and fetch them, but though they tried
they found it simply impossible to do so. Many of them
actually cried like children, and called upon their mothers ;
every one was stung more or less. The Bishop made the
attempt to reach the deserted loads himself, but was driven

52(5

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 1, 1887.

back. He then draped himself in his mosquito-curtains
and tried again, but before he got the loads he was stung
most pitifully. My own eyes were so closed by the swelling
from stings that I was almost totally blind for two days." '

H. TV. Lett, M.A.

PARALLEL VERSUS RIGHT- ANGLED

FRAMES.

[13~4.] This, at present, is one of those vexed,
questions we can all agree to differ upon, a; it is almost
entirely a matter of personal preference. We cau, how-
ever, differ to agree that there is one p'au of the two
(having- a balance of evidence in favour of it) which
should be adopted or adhered to, and the other dis-
carded.

In the first place, the support given to the right-
angled theory is almost overwhelming by its influence.
Mr. Cowan heads the list b}r arranging on this principle
perhaps the most complete bee-hive extant — the Cowan
— and, in his indispensable pamphlet on wintering bees,
supports his preference by insisting on provision being
made for sufficient and proper ventilation, without cold
draughts, as a necessary condition for successful winter-
ing. Next follows Mr. Cheshire, who arranged his hive
on the same plan, but I perceive by the illustrations in
his new work that he has change tout cela, and adopted
the parallel system. Then comes Langstroth, and lastly
our own ' Useful Hints,' who, on p. 379 B. B.J., follows
under the standard of thorough ventilation by the right-
angled method.

Although the subject has been well discussed in past
numbers, current inquirers will not be at the trouble
of wading through ancient history ; and even if they
did, they would be scarcely able to come to a definite
decision amongst such a mass of conflicting evidence
from highly respectable authority on both sides. They
would have to think it out for themselves even then.
At any rate such was the case with myself, the result
being that I decided to convert my hives from the mixed
styles of arranging frames to broad shoulders placed
parallel. This was done twelve months ago with the
best results in wintering. I have not the presumption
to place my opinion against those of the giants in bee-
keeping above named, but as the question was one upon
which the doctors disagreed, I, a poor patient, went to
Nature for her simples, and, finding them beneficial,
adopted them in the meantime. I now give my ideas in
favour of the parallel plan, seeing that it is truth alone
we seek — the right successful way.

For some years I paid much attention to plants from
various latitudes and altitudes, and I always found (as
we can find in all cultivation under artificial conditions)
that the more I imitated nature in the surrounding con-
ditions of the plant, the greater was the success ; and,
conversely, the more nature was interfered with, the
more numerous were the failures. I take it as a law
in both animal and vegetable physiology, we may keep
Alpine plants in gardens, exotics in greenhouses, and
bees in hives, but the closer we copy the fundamental
conditions of their habitat the better they thrive.

Question is, How do bees build when left to them-
selves ? They will build so as to hide the queen, keep
the direct rays of light from striking the bruod-combs,
and conserve as much heat and freedom from draught
as possible ; they will also commence building as far
away from the entrance as possible with these objects.
These are theoretically their proceedings in a hollow
tree or a cleft amongst rocks. Their conduct, practically,
can well be ascertained in the case of swarms in steps,
about which, by the way, there is some difference of
opinion. The most recent evidence is given by N. 1'.
Lochill (p. 364), who says he has seen over a hundred

skeps this season and not one had the combs rectangular.
Mr. Webster (p. 432) went into his apiary and found a
strong lot of evidence in favour of the parallel plan. In
this month's Record Mr. R. R. Godfrey (no mean
authority) states that only three out of seventy-eight
skeps he has examined this season had their combs
built straight to the entrance.

Next question is, Do bees require a thorough ventila-
tion, or is the bad air to escape by the doorway ? Let
us bore a hole anywhere in the hive and ask them ; they
answer by filling it up. This is simplicity itself, and
one can successfully imitate them in their objections to
crevices and openings by wintering down with American
cloth quilts, shiny side down. We tuck our quilts in,
use chaff-covers, dead-air spaces, and what not, to keep
bees warm and dry in winter; why should we then
permit unwarmed air (which must enter) to circulate
through the very heart of the clusters, and when
February and March cjine, through the very heart of
the brood-nest also, and this when the temperature
should be 20° to 30° higher inside than out. Thus do
these disc-like currents reduce the temperature at the
risk of chilling brood and killing bees. We are directed
to examine in early spring as to condition of stores, and
turn up the edges of quilts on right-angled frames,
therefore, in a few seconds, the whole brood-nest is
bathed in a current, of external temperature. With
parallel framss no such thing happens, for the current
passes along the edges of the combs. Again, when
snow lies on the ground and is struck by the rays of
a winter's sun, the sloping alighting-board allows dazzling
rays to be reflected up amongst every seam of bees,
especially as entrances are to be left open full width.
With weak stocks one is compelled either to use a
dummy-board on each side of the right-angled frames,
or cram them to one side, when bees can and do get
by their thousands (on returning from cleansing flight)
along the entrance into the space behind the dummy,
to be starved to death. Another objection I have to
right-angled frames is, that it is difficult to manipulate
at the side of hives, especially if these be arranged on
long stands, besides disturbing and attracting the notice
of all leaving or returning bees when in full work by
operating at the side, whereas by the parallel method
we can quietly roll back the quilt, and insert or remove
frames at pleasure, without the necessity of using smoke
or any other frames than those exposed ; we can even
work slowly up to the last few frames with very little
excitement, the quilt over the front frames remaining
tight and propolised down. Another advantage of
paralleled versus right-angled frames is that we can
have a super or two of sections on a hive, and if there
be a likelihood of swarming give timely relief by adding
a sheet or two of foundation at the back ; these may
be renewed at pleasure or used for extracting. By this
means we accommodate the daily increasing population
without disturbing either brood-nest or sections. Further,
it is generally understood that bees will store surplus in
the furthest obtainable space away from the entrance,
so that filled parallel combs may be found in the rear,
instead of half-filled right-angled combs. I alsD find my
last sheet of brood facing doorwards with the opposite
side of the comb well stored with honey, which may be
extracted without injuring brood or contaminating honey.
When working on the right-angled system I found
brood and honey stored in anything but an orderly
fashion.

The question of encouraging the spread of foul brood
by practising the parallel plan is a very broad one and
separate from the present. I know there is much to be
said on the other side, but I will conclude with the
quotation given by ' Useful Hints': — 'Let each man bi>
fully persuaded in his own mind. Prove all thiugs.
Hold fast that which is good.'— R. A. II. Giumsuaw,
Horsforth, near Leeds.

December 1, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

527

BEE-KEEPING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

[1375.] Your correspondent Mr. Campbell in his
letter (1341, page 494) casts some considerable doubt
on the accuracy of the reported yield of Messrs.
Coleman & May's apiary at Mount Barker. I find on
page 439 of the Canadian Bee Journal for 1S85 a long
account of this same apiary, cut from the Adelaide
Observer, -which states that twenty-seven hives produced
six tons of honey in 1884 ; the best hive giving 41-1 lbs.
of extracted honey, with an average of 11 3 lbs. a day
for four days in the height of the season, and for some
time maintained a record of 60 lbs. a week. Another
collected 112 lbs. in three weeks. By natural swarming
the twenty-seven hives increased to 109 between 1st
October and .'ilst January. The above gives an average
of about 498 lbs. per hive spring count. Evidently the
Colonials do resemble the Americans in having a good
honey country. I certainly see no reason to think they
are trying to ' chaff ' the Britisher. — W. M. Graham,
Edmonton.

[The above figures will also be found in the Journal,
Vol, XIII., p. 302.— Ed.]

BEE DISEASE.
[1376.] A bee-keeper's letter (1366) in last week's
Journal reminds me of the singular effects of a sting
that I received last summer. It was just beneath the
eyebrow, where it joins the nose, and the pain was
very acute, as in the case of other stings about the eyes.
As the first pain subsided I was seized with a violent,
paroxysm of sneezing — sneezing about a dozen times
right off. I then tried to go on with the manipulation
upon which I had been engaged, but I had to give it up,
as I kept on sneezing so constantly. I covered up the
bees as well as I could (between the sneezes) and retired
to the solitude of my dressing-room with all the
symptoms of a violent cold in the head, and my face
swelling freety. Alkaline drinks, inhaling ammonia,
and other remedial measures, had no apparent effect ; I
could only sit in my chair, and sneeze and blow ray nose
alternately. Not only that, but I gasped for breath.
The inside of the throat seemed to swell up, and the
blood also rushed into my head. The cold in the head
lasted over the next day, and then subsided. — T. F. L.

taken by Mr. Penley, jun. After supper, Mr. Slade, Hon.
Sec. to the Association, gave a very able address on
'How to Increase the Usefulness of a Local Society.'
This year three members have gone in for honours,
obtaining two first prizes and three second prizes, and one
third-class certificate. — A. J. Bnowx, Local Secretary,
Bradley, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

DISTRICT WORK IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

[1377.] I think it will soon be four years ago that
the Gloucestershire B.K.A. sent Mr. C. Browne to lecture
here ; that lecture did a vast amount of good, in show-
ing what can be done with bees under the improved
method of bee-keeping. After the lecture a local
Society was started, the numbers increasing every year,
till now we have twenty-nine members. I hope it
will not be out of place to add, that until this year
the parent Societ}- took no notice whatever of us ex-
cept receiving our subscriptions. I am pleased to state
that this year we have been more leniently dealt with,
in that the parent Society have placed at our service an
extractor (Meadows' guinea patent), which, by the way,
does its work exceedingly well. We also get two Bee
Journals for distribution, which are much appreciated.

Now, a few words on our doings. We have meetings
every fortnight during the summer ; these meetings are
held at one or other of the members' apiaries, when there
is generally some practical work to be done. In the
winter we have monthly meetings, when papers are read
and discussions follow on the different subjects. We
also during the winter get our orders together, and
co-operate in sending them to the best and cheapest
manufacturer ; in doing this, we obtain our goods much
cheaper than by sending orders individually.

On September 27th we held our second annual supper,
which was served up in oue of the case-making rooms of
Messrs. Penley & Son, pyrotechnists. The chair was

Der praktischk Iiceer. luehrbuoh de.r rationellen
BienenzucM auf beweglichen und unbeiveglichen Waben,
von ('. J. H. Gravenhorst . Vierte, vermehrte and ver-
besserte Aujlage, mit III. Abbildungen in Hohschnitt
und einem Titelbilde. (Braunschweig, 1887: C. A.
Schwetscke und Sohn.) This, the fourth edition of the
Practical Bee-keeping, has been entirely revised and re-
written by our old friend Mr. C. J. II. Gravenhorst.
The author is the editor of theDeutsch Illustriertes Bienen-
zeitung, one of the leading German bee papers, and being
a practical bee-keeper he knows what he is writing
about. In these days when every one who begins bee-
keeping thinks he ought to write a book, bee literature
such as it is, is plentiful enough, and the difficulty, for
those who are not experienced, is to discern the evil
from the good. Here is a work proceeding from a
writer who is thoroughly acquainted with the subject,
and who has consciously neglected no part of the litera-
ture connected with it. It can safely be placed in the
hands of every one, for although Mr. Gravenhorst uses
the ' Bogenstulper,' a hive in the use of which he has
become an adept, he is impartial, and his views are broad
enough to cause him to describe the practical working of
other hives and systems. As a specimen of fairness
where we might expect, bias, we may point out that
besides the ' Bogenstulper ' no less than fourteen other
hives have been described and many illustrated, such, for
instance, as the Langstroth, Heddon, and others. Bee-
keeping has made great strides during the last few years, so
that what was recommended in lSS-'i has had to give way
to more modern ideas. The author seems equally well
versed in our English, as well as American methods,
which he clearly describes, without bias or prejudice, so
that the work will be found useful to every bee-keeper.
He describes the Luneberg straw hive used by the Heath
bee-keepers, and gradually works up to the moveable
comb hive, showing the gieat advantage of this over the
old system, and demonstrates that, notwithstanding their
great skill, the hands of the Heath bee-keepers are tied
by their adhering so tenaciously to their old straw hives,
and that the time must come when only moveable hives
will be used. The number of pages has increased from
252 in the third edition to 280 in this, and the engravings
from 52 to 111. Although, as the title implies, the book
is a practical one, the author recognises the fact that
the bee-keeper can only arrive at the best results
when his practice is based upon a knowledge of the
natural history of the bee. Bearing this in mind he
treats of the theory in simple language and just suf-
ficiently to assist the bee-keeper without wearying him,
as so many books do. What we know of the author and
his writings is sufficient guarantee that the information he
gives can be relied upon. We are glad to see that he de-
scribes and illustrates, on page 115, the stomach mouth of
the honey bee and that he agrees with Schonfeldt as to its
uses and functions. On page 118 a correct illustration
is given of a comb. In this there are cells of almost
every shape, and they correspond to many of those we
have cut from combs in England, on the Continent of
Europe, and even during our rambles in North America
this year, some of which we were able to show at our
last Conversazione. Not the least interesting feature of
the work is the introduction of the portraits of some of
the great bee-keepers. Amongst these are Bzierzon,
Kanitz, Weygandt, Butleroff, Berlepsch, Sehunfeldt,
Langstroth, and others. In the sixth chapter, amongst
other things, the various diseases of bees are described.

528

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 1, 1887.

Hilbert's remedies for foul brood, as well as the carbolic*
acid treatment described in the former edition, as prac-
tised in Germany, are also given. The work is well
printed, and the engravings are equal to the justly cele-
brated ones of the IHustriertei Bieneneeitunff, and show
extreme care in their production. "We congratulate the
author on having the assistance of so excellent an artist.
We think it highly flattering, and a sufficient recom-
mendation of the work, that it has reached its fourth
edition in a country where more books and bee-papers
on bees are published annually than in any other country
in the world. Our German reading friends will find in
Der prahtisehe Imker a work which will well repay
their study, being that of a man who stands in the
highest rank as a bee-keeper in Germany, and which has
now become a standard of reference on all matters con-
nected with bee-keeping. We hope the present edition
may meet with the same favourable reception as that
accorded to the former ones, and that it will tend to
promote the more advanced methods of bee-keeping.

CEYLON FOLK LORE.
The Honey-drop Eiot.

' How great events from little causes spring.'
A Mussulman went to a shop

To buy a pot of honey ;
This Mussulman he spilt a drop

"When counting out the money.
I'pon this drop did light a fly,

And as she sucked the nectar,
A lizard that watched hard by

Came out and straight attacked her.
The shopman's cat was prowling round,

And quick the lizard sighting,
She sprang upon it with one bound,

Through lungs and liver biting.
The Mussulman's lean, hungry dog

Beside the door was lying ;
But up he sprang, and all agog

(The wretched cat espying),
He seized her with his great long teeth,

And heedless of her squealing,
He shook her till she ceased to breath?,

And was devoid of feeling.
The shopman to the rescue flew,

And taking up a cleaver,
He chopped the poor clog clean in two,

And forced him thus to leave her.
The Mussulman his ' tulwar' drew —

Than he no man was bolder —
He cut the shopman's head right through,

And clove him to the shoulder.
A little girl was passing by,

Who saw the horrid murder;
She ran, and as she ran did cry

Till all the city heard her.
Thev rushed from east, they rushed from west,

With spears, or swords, or daggers;
Each arms himself as he can best,

And down the street he swaggers.
The Magistrate doth hither ride,

With ' posse romitiitus,'
And in the ranks on either side

He finds a vast ' hiatus.'
A hundred here, a hundred there,

Upon the ground are lying,
And mothers weep and tear their hair,

And frantic wives are crying.
And all because a Mussulman

Once bought a pot of honey,
And spilt a little from his can
When counting out the money.

K. T. Andkews.
All the Year Round, September; 188".

<&t\m from % Jibes,

Honey Cott, Weston, Leamington, November 28th. — During
the month now drawing to a close we have had some rough,
stormy weather, which has given me a severe cold, and
confined me to the house, so that I have had to content
myself with looking at the hives from the window. There
have been some sharp frosts for several days, but this last
week it has changed again, and bees are to-day, and have
been for three or four days, very much on the wing, thus
giving them a chance to better stand a long spell of stormy
or frosty weather, which in all probability will soon be here.
Naughty tomtits here again. — John Walton.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

A. Dee. — Entrances. — You should have your entrances open
to 6 in. as soon as there is no longer any danger of
robbers. Give up the zig-zag slides, as they are the cause
of your losses. We have since 1881 always placed our
frames If in. from centre to centre for the winter, and
we believe that our uniform success in wintering is
due in a great measure to this. There is nothing better
than chaff for placing between hives and outer casing.
When our bottomless box is placed on the top of the
frames, chaff is poured into it, and is allowed to run
over and fill the space. No patting is required.

A Disheartened One. — Hires broken into. — In the evening
push some crushed camphor through the entrance of
each hive. The next evening carefully cany each hive
into a warm and well-lighted room. Avoid any shaking.
Let them stand half an hour to quieten, shading the
entrances. Open up No. 1, shift the combs about 4 in.
apart. Use no smoke if you can help it. Ascertain the
queen is there, using a feather dipped in a very weak
solution of Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid. Repeat this
process with No. 2, hut remove the queen ; then place
the frames having bees on into No. 1 alternately with its
own, making room for those which will now be removed
from No. 3 in the same manner after its queen has been
removed. Let the light well in between the frames
before introducing the strange ones. Replace on stand ;
put a board before the entrance for the bees to mark
when next they fly.

Expectancy. — Honey. — We consider the sample of honey
to be pure and of good quality, and it is our opinion that
it has been gathered from clover and wild flowers.

Replies to ' Useful Hints' ' Tomtits Problem have been
received from Eric Lewis ; Samuel Peter Kirkby ; Darcy
Grimshaw ; T. A. Mackereth, jun. ; G. W. Well's. These
have been forwarded to the compiler of the ' Hints ' for
him to deal with.

Received from Messrs. Abbott Brothers several samples
of honey jars. These are well designed, ornamental, and
attractive to the eye. They will be found very serviceable
for table honey.

COWAN'S GUIDE BOOK,

ANEW EDITION of this Work will shortly
be published. Intending Advertisers must forward
Copies of their Advertisements during the present week.

pBJusiness directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, G George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Road, Gloucester.

Edey it Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J, H., Holme, Peterborough.

=^cs

the:

V

BflfflSH

_^^^^^=

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Sthangeways' Pbintiho Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 285. Vol. XV.]

DECEMBER 8, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(&tiitaxml, Ifatias, #r.

ANOTHER HONEY COMPANY.

Most of the readers of the Bee Journal are
familiar with the work that has been achieved by
Mr. Simmius, by his hand and by his pen, for the
advancement of apiculture generalty, but chiefly in
his apiaries in Sussex. He has had the foresight
to perceive the growing capabilities of the bee-
keeping industry, and he has had the energy to
assist in its development, and so to make it sub-
servient as a means of livelihood. It has given us
much pleasure to note the gradual extension of his
business from his small apiary at Crawley to what are
called the Great Sussex Apiaries ; and now it would
appear that the time has arrived when it is con-
sidered advisable that there should be a further de-
velopment, and that it should enter upon a newphase.

We see, from our advertising columns, that the
Great Sussex Apiaries, the sphere of Mr. Simmins'
labours, will soon be converted into a Limited
Liability Company, for the purpose more especially
of extending the honey industry. The other rami-
fications of the business conducted by Mr. Simmins,
namely, the trade in queens and the Factory at
Brighton, will also be taken over by the Company.
We gather that these will continue to be con-
ducted under the supervision of Mr. Simmins ; and
we cannot entertain a doubt but that, if the same
energy and business tact that have up to the
present time been noticeable in the conduct of Mr.
Simmins be continued when employed in a larger
and wider sphere, the operations of the Company
must be attended with a great measure of success.

The present appears to be a favourable oppor-
tunity for the extension of the honey industry.
The value of pure honey, both as food and medicine,
is now more generally recognised. Pure British
honey has proved itself equal in quality to that of
any other country on the face of the earth. The
amount of honey imported into this country, when
taken in connexion with that exported to other
countries, is not (as we hope to demonstrate in an
early issue) so large or formidable that it may not
be easily overtaken by bee-keepers in this country
when larger tracts of land are devoted to the pro-
duction of honey-producing plants, and when, at
the same time, those engaged in the work make a

fuller use of all the experience that has been gained
and take advantage of the better appliances that
have been manufactured of late years.

We deeply regret the continued depression of the
agricultural industry. It is distressing in the extreme
to see extensive farms lying waste without occupants.
But the farmers' extremity may be the bee-keepers'
opportunity. These unoccupied farms in many
cases may be had at very low rentals, and it is a
question which exercises many minds, to what
extent these1 lands' may prove available for the ex-
tension of the production of honey. We are of
opinion that at the present time 'Companies, with
capital and with experienced persons at the helm,
have before them an opportunity for progress in
apiculture which should not be permitted to
pass by.

We tender to Mr. Simmins and his fellow- workers
our best wishes for the success of their new
undertaking.

'BLEEDING' SECTIONS.
' Bleeding ' sections are the bee-keepers' bane in winter.
In summer his troubles are more numerous ; they follow
one another in more rapid succession : he is busy in
head, heart, and limb. Always on the alert, with his
faculties more or less at a tension, his cares are varied —
'bee' cares I mean, of course — so that one more or less
makes comparatively little difference. First, there is
the weather ; next, there is the honey flow ; then comes
a real, solid grievance in the shape of a swarm led off
by his best queen, and just as they have nicely taken to
the sections ! Perhaps, to further aggravate the case,
the whole lot has absconded, whither it is impossible to
follow. Then the dealer has neglected to send off by
first train the new hive you wired for yesterday, and a
further supply of sections and foundation with it. Some
of your stocks want another tier of sections on or they
will make up their minds to swarm, and the season will
be gone, and with it your only prospects of profit.
Bother that dealer ! I shall have to give my orders else-
where next year. But who is that that has stopped
at the garden-gate ? It is the railway delivery van.
Good ! But as usual the hive is smashed, and the dealer
is out of thin foundation ; will forward it to-morrow !
Was there ever anything so tiresome ! And so you
fume and frown, and get hot, and want a febrifuge, and
the dog has to get out of the path pretty sharp, and
then you are called to tea, and go with bad grace and

530

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 8, 1887.

worse appetite, because you are anxious to get back to
the ' blessed bees.' Bother making toast ! I cannot stay
for that. Give me some bread and butter ; I want to
go ! And the patient wife looks up to see what is the
matter.

But it is winter and the days of fogs and damp. The
joys of harvest and the pleasures born of counting up a
goodly array of well-filled sections have nearly obliterated
the remembrance of the small troubles incidental to the
honey-glut, and the ti'oubles and anxieties of 'spring
dwindling' were yet unborn; when, lo! on examining
my sections that 1 had held over for a better price, I find
they are all spoilt by ' bleeding.' ' Why is it, and what
can I do with them ? ' This is the wail of woe that
comes to me from amongst a shoal of smaller troubles and
difficulties. What help or consolation can I render ?
Sections will sometimes ' bleed ' when filled with thin,
watery honey ; privet, for example, but it is highly
improbable that any such has been gathered this dry
season, when honey is unusually dense and ripe. Then,
again, the thinner the sealing the greater the liability to
' bleed ' at all times. Happily the craze for very thinly
sealed comb-honey has subsided considerably during the
past five years. Sections should never be removed until
fully sealed ; but I presume most of my readers are aware
that if allowed to remain on too long the bees not only
darken the surfaces of the comb by the heat from the
hive and their traffic over it, but that they thicken the
cappings of the cells also, by adding a second coating to
give additional strength to the sealing, and very fre-
quently by drawing long streaks of propolis across the
surface of the sections as well. Consequently, for
appearance, sections require to be taken as soon as
practical, but for utility they require to be left on the
hives as long as you possibly dare without endangering
the pearly whiteness of the sealing.

The most fruitful source of ' bleeding ' is damp — cold,
damp air. We may learn a lesson from the bees. They
make their larder on the top and outsides of the cluster,
consequently in the coldest and dampest parts of the
hive ; to prevent ' bleeding ' they strengthen and thicken
the sealing of their stores in autumn. We, anxious to
secure our share of their labours, take the sections as
soon as practicable ; consequently they are liable to damage
by damp, as we discover to our grief. The remedy is to
keep them dry, not necessarily warm, but dry; and
exclude the air and the rapid changes cf temperature
in this climate from them as much as possible. My
method of storing mine may assist some of you. My
house_ is small, and the store-room accommodation in it
is limited ; consequently when I removed into it, I pro-
cured some boxes from the grocer's, each will hold about
130 sections. I cover the bottom of each box annuaily
with a clean sheet of paper. On this I lay strips of
wood, £in. x£in. On these a layer of sections, having
cleaned them all free from propolis ; on the layer of
sections another sheet of paper, a set of strips and
another layer of sections, and so on to a third layer, and
a sheet of paper to finish, and a close-fitting lid with
plinths all round, each box holds three layers, and are
fairly secure from noxious taints and flavours. But
perhaps you will be inclined to think the last remark
unnecessary. Very well, stand a section by the side
of some rancid butter or game that is getting 'high,'
or any food with a strong flavour — cheese for example
— and note the results. As a further precaution, I stack
my boxes m a dry place ; the only available one is in a
recess beside the fireplace in a bedroom. The room
seldom or never has a fire in it, but the room under-
neath has one every day during winter, so that I am
secure from damp.

Who of us has not noticed the shop -windows in
towns 'steamy' with condensed vapour in winter?
We must remember the glass is ir this state because
it does not absorb moisture ; all the other articles in the

window, even the woodwork, if unpainted, is absorbing
moisture, and thus have a drier surface, while the glass
is in a state of saturation. Few things absorb more
readily than honey. Having absorbed to its utmost
capacity, and, as 1 have explained, the sealing being
thin, it gives way under the strain put upon it, com-
mences to ' bleed,' and for sale purposes is spoilt as comb
honey. Sections so exposed should always be hermeti-
cally sealed, to merely enclose them in cardboard boxes
is not sufficient. Woodley's cases are far preferable, or
each should be glazed and enclosed in stout ' glazed '
paper, as I have described in previous Journals. If so
protected they keep well for an ordinary period, suffi-
cient to dispose of them ; and persons with slow sale
should be careful not to expose too many at one time,
but keep their reserve stored in boxes. Some of our
brethren with brains fertile in inventive genius have
been giving their thoughts in the direction of cases for
hermetically sealing sections, with results which we
shall see presently. So far as to prevention. Now as
to cure. Alas ! I know no remedy ; to advise you to
' brush them over with a coat of melted wax ' would be
to tempt you to a trial of your patience that I should
not care to be responsible for the results. Were I the
unhappy possessor of a quantity that were so spoilt in
appearance as to be unsaleable for sections, I should try
uncapping and extracting, and save the combs in the
sections to be refilled next season. If that is not prac-
ticable, I would melt them down at a very low tempera-
ture, allow the wax to cool, and skim it off the top and
sell as extracted. Our Canadian friends had to treat
many so last year at the Colonial.

As to cure, I fear the case is hopeless ; because if I
hew how properly to seal sections that have badly
' bled,' so that the sealing could not be detected by the
uninitiated from ' bees' work,' I would cross the Pond at
once, start a honey - factory without the aid of bees,
win friend Root's 1000 dollars, and cease to be —
Amateur Expert.

USEFUL HINTS.

Weather. — Occasional showers, a good deal of fog,
frosty nights, and sunless days, are about what English-
men expect to find in the weather reports for the month
of November — the wretched, miserable month, the month
of suicides, of depression mental and physical — is once
more inscribed on the ' hoary register of Time.' Launched
well into December, with Christmas and New Year's
Day close upon us — the cheery times of ' cards,' of good
wishes for a happy future for our friends — let us rejoice
in the hope, which ever springs eternal in the breast of
man, that better times are in store for all, yea, even for
the sorely depressed and suffering agricultural com-
munity, in the midst of which our pursuit as bee-keepers
has chiefly cast our lot. Even honest Hodge, witli his
half-dozen hives, cow, couple of pigs, few head of fowls,
and two acres of land in prospect, and in which we hope
soon to see him in possession, may cheerfully look to the
future. Would that he could ' read, mark, learn and
inwardly digest' a most excellent article on this and
kindred subjects in the November number of the National
Review, entitled ' The Decay of British Agriculture,' by
W. J. Harris, — an article which we strongly recommend
to the careful study and deep thought of all our readers.

Winter Flights of our bees on bright days
should be encouraged by every means in our power, as
nothing conduces more to the health of colonies than a
good cleansing flight. And what are these means ?
Removal of hive-covers to allow the sun's rays to fall
directly upon the quilts during hours of sunshine; sub-
stitution of dry and warm quilts for damp cold ones ; a
southern aspect for the hives ; and, lastly, pace our old
friend Mr. Grimshaw (vide his letter 1374), hive frames
ranged on the right-angled cold system, admitting ' the

December 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

531

direct rays of light' — and sunshine — 'to strike the brood
combs,' and by increased temperature to entice the bees
forth. We deprecate very warm interiors with very
cold exteriors, which must create evils patent to all. In
regard to currents of air chilling brood and bees the
latter will provide against this by arranging the cluster
according to circumstances. This by the way, as we
have no intention of rearguing the vexata qucestio of
parallel v. right-angled frames. In addition to the
authorities quoted by our friend we should be greatly
edified by the views on this subject of such veterans in
the science as Messrs. Neighbour, Carr, W. B. Carr,
Hooker, Scott, ffciitt, and others who have a life-long
experience, if only they would give it in the columns of
our Journal for the benefit of all. On our side we claim
all the foremost of our transatlantic brethren — all the
most prominent of our European fraternity — and, above
all, we claim the results of our system in the hands of
such men as ' our ' Mr. Cowan, Mr. W. B. Carr, and
American apiarists, in the enormous yields of honey
after safe wintering produced thereby. As regards the
skep argument, we attach to it but little weight, but our
own experience is, that as a rule the combs are built
from back to front whenever the skep-base is placed per-
fectly horizontal by spirit-level ; and afterwards, if the
back is raised one inch, the combs are ahoays so built, cceteris
paribus, for bees as well as other creatures whilst dwellers
on this sublunary sphere must build as gravitation compels.
Now the skep in these enlightened days is par excellence
the hive of the cottager — the uneducated — and how
many of those skeps upon which Mr. Godfrey and others
report were horizontally placed when the swarms were
installed in them ? Certainly we should imagine not
one in a hundred ! If one side of a hive is slightly
raised, however slightly, gravitation compels the bees to
build their combs cross-wise. Hence we cannot assign
much importance to the skep argument. But we have
digressed too far, and we trust that some of those able
friends to whom we have already referred will give us
the benefit of their experience on this important subject.
Queens by Post. — The ' dull season ' of the year
offers a favourable opportunity of discussing subjects,
for which, although of interest and importance, no time
can be spared in the ' lively season.' One of these, we
think, is the transmission of queens by post. Mr.
Simmins, in his new book entitled A Modern Bee-Farm
— which is just out of the publisher's hands and which
appears a thoroughly practical and most useful addition
to our bee lore — has a few remarks on this subject. On
page 144, under the heading of ' Packing Queens,' he
says : ' Queens may now be sent by post just as safely
as an ordinary letter, and Benton's cage has rendered the
S3'stem absolutely perfect, though as yet through some
short-sightedness or prejudice on the part of the postal
authorities many foreign queens have been returned to
the senders. Mr. Benton then overcame that difficulty
by registering the packages, but now again some one at
the General Post Office, more officious than wise, has
seen fit to send back registered packages forwarded to
myself. They now, therefore, are sent over by parcel
post, but by what process of reasoning they are allowed
to pass in that manner and not by letter post it is difficnlt
to understand.' Now amongst the ' forbidden articles '
for transmission by parcel post are ' live animals,' under
which head bees are undoubtedly included, and we our-
selves have met with refusal when endeavouring to pass
them. This regulation applies to the ' Inland Parcel
Post,' but we have no doubt that it is applicable also, in
even a stronger sense, to the ' Foreign and Colonial
Parcel Post.' If, therefore, post-office officials act up to
their rules, queen-bees and their necessary attendants are
altogether excluded from transmission. There are so
many bee-keepers who would benefit by the removal of
this restriction that we think the committee of our
Association should make a strenuous effort to get it can-

celled. We find from a paragraph in the American Bee
Journal (vol. xxiii., p. 403), that ' At the National Bee-
keepers' Convention, held at Chicago in October 1879,
Professor Cook was appointed to wait on the Postmaster-
General and endeavour to get the ruling reversed which
had excluded queen-bees from the mails. He went to
Washington and having obtained the aid of the Hon.
Edwin Willits, M.C., in presenting the matter to the
Post Office Department, the bees were ordered to be
admitted to the mails with " double-wire screens," &c.
For the past six years, therefore, the United States
mails have been freely used for the transmission of
" queen-bees and their necessary attendants." This
privilege has been alike valuable to the breeders and
purchasers of "queen -bees for the improvement of
stock." ' In Canada also the same permission is granted.
In a communication to the postal authorities of the
United States Mr. Cuthbertson, of the Toronto Post
Office, writes : ' I have to inform you that this Depart-
ment does not object to the bringing of queen-bees into
Canada by mail, provided they are put up in such a way
as to guard against their causing any inconvenience or
damage in the handling of the mail.' So important an
industry is apiculture now in the United Kingdom that
the queen traffic if stimulated by permission to pass
through the letter post would soon assume much larger
proportions than it at present enjoys and producers and
purchasers would be greatly benefited thereby. If our
influence were used with the postal authorities and the
Postmaster-General were induced to receive an influential
deputation on the subject, we can hardly suppose that a
denial would be given, unless, indeed, our rulers are con-
tented that the stigma should remain of Great Britain
and Ireland remaining so far behind her colonies and
other progressive nations. Now that we are patronised
by royalty surely this is not asking a boon which cannot
be granted ! Let us then put our shoulders to the
wheel and endeavour to obtain the removal of the
reproach from the bee-keeping fraternity of these realms.

Work in Apiary for this month, and indeed for all
the winter months, amongst the bees should be nil.
Perfect rest, absolute abstention from interference, even
so much as a jar or a shake, should be our rule. If
necessary to change damp quilts or to place candy upon
the frames it must be done absolutely, as far as prac-
ticable, without disturbance. Every jar or shake, even
a rough or careless removal of the hive-roof or cover,
raises the temperature of the hive by irritating and
arousing the half-sleeping bees and causing them to foul
their hives, while at the same time the internal moisture
caused by such disturbance condenses and renders the
whole interior of the hive damp and unhealthy. There-
fore we say ' Leave the bees severely alone.' The only
interference admissible is clearing the entrances of dead
bees, debris and snow, and carefully and gently brushing
off snow from the hives and their surroundings. But
every active apiarist will find plenty of other work ready
to his hand in preparing for the next campaign — work
which has often been specified before and which we
need not recapitulate — and, shall we add, in sharing and
enjoying his Christmas rest (when it comes) together
with his bees.

Solutions op Tomtits' Problem. — While thanking
our Editor for his courtesy in admitting our junior
readers to compete for prizes by solving our problem we
must ask permission to trespass a little further on his
space in order to give a list of competitors who were
successful with their poetical solutions. The prizes — for
we now propose to give three — have been adjudicated as
follows : —

Eric Lewis, ) Equal first prize of a

S. P. Kirkby, Beeston, Notts, ( frame-hive each.

Darcy Grimshaw, Horsforth, Leeds (third in merit), a
modern feeder.
Although Mr. Lewis is beyond the age specified we have

532

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 8, 1887.

great pleasure in offering him a hive, if he will do us the
honour to accept it for his most excellent solution. Will
he ohlige us hy forwarding his address ? We shall also
he glad to learn what 'feeder' Mr. Darcy Grimshaw
prefers. Correct answers have also heen received from
Ellen Cobb, A. Harington, Frank Olyott, G. W. Wells.
The prize poems are as follows : —

A practical answer our Editor seeks

To a problem on tomtits and bees in last week's: —

The idea of ' a modern frame-hive ' makes me keen

To write for the prize — though no longer sixteen ;

And if only I offer the proper solution,

Perhaps you may judge this a fair contribution.

Now if six little rascally tomtits assail

Six poor little bees on the head and the tail,

And peck them so fiercely — and that on the sly —

That, with none of their mates to defend them close by,

They are all little corpses in six minutes short,

Being swallowed, no doubt, to wind up the sport ;

Then five score of avengers arrive on the scene

To punish all foes of their hive and their queen,

How many tomtits would be needed to slay

In but fifty minutes this later array ?

In the first case 'tis plain that in twice minutes three

Each tomtit has tackled his own little bee,

And therefore if two could set upon one

In half the time only the work would be done,

And so, do you see, a little proportion

Brings out the result — if stated with caution :

For six bees in six minutes together conspire,

After fighting their best, in one breath to expire ;

So one hundred in fifty is double the pace

Of the foul execution — needing, I guess,

Just double the tits: so — in logic to delve —

' Ceteris paribus ' there will be twelve.

But before I conclude, I am not unaware,

That a pitfall may lurk 'neath the surface so fair :

For supposing that while all the others look on

One bee and one tomtit do battle alone,

And the tit by the dexterous use of his beak

In one minute lays low his antagonist weak,

And each couple in turn to th' arena descends

Till the sixth bee lies dead when the sixth minute ends ;

Then, I reckon, one hundred in minutes the same
Will take one hundred tomtits to finish the game ;
Again, if we double the pace as before
'Twill need of the tomtits just ten times a score ; — ■
(But methinks that the bees would scarcely endure
To wait each for his turn in a tragedy sure.)

If my figures are wrong and my logic is vain,
Will ' Useful Hints ' kindly reply in like strain,
And clear up all doubts for bee-keepers perplexed
By a Latin verse answer — he can ! — in your next ?

Ebic Lewis.

As you have offered boys a hive,
To get it, sir, I think I'll strive,
And father's promised, if I win it,
To put for me a swarm within it.

Six tomtits, then, sir, if you please,
Will in six minutes kill six bees ;
It follows, then, clear as the sun,
That in one minute they kill one.

In fifty minutes thus they will

Just manage fifty bees to kill ;

And in this time, if I've not blundered,

Twelve tomtits, sir, would kill one hundred.

And now I've done my very best,
In faith I'll leave to you the rest.
My age is twelve, and, if I've won it,
Here's my address to put upon it.
Bahuei, P. Kirkby, Imperial Park, Bceston, Notts.

The little bees, within their hive,

All winter snug they lie,
Till Tom Tit comes, and with a tap,

He makes the bees reply.

And one by one snaps he them up,

And, though he takes but few,
He makes a hearty meal of them

(Your answer is not ' two ').

I thought it was, but oh, dear me !

How deep I've had to delve
Into my old arithmetic,

And find the answer's ' twelve.'

Darcy Grimshaw (age 14).

MY BEES.

By Mrs. Reginald Bray,

Author oE ' Family Feats,' ' Ton of Them,' ' We Four,' &o.

(Continued from page 522.)

Chapter IV. — Supers and Supering. — Swarming.

Well, the winter came and passed away, and spring
had come once more. We had fed up well in the
autumn, and now commenced spring-feeding with great
diligence. We were amply rewarded by seeing the bees
hurrying into the hives laden with pollen, a certain sign
that young brood had begun.

I could no longer resist putting on my supers. It was
very foolish I know, for it was early in March, and you
do no good hy putting them on too early ; you only make
the hive cold and give the bees more space than they
require.

But a few hot days had made the bees hang out in
great numbers, and I was immediately seized with my
old panic that they would swarm early. I did not wish
for this, and still being slightly nervous at handling bees,
I did not feel equal to looking for and cutting out the
new queen-cells, if there should be any. So Watson and
I got out our super-box, and feeling sure that there was
no time to be lost, we put in a small piece of foundation-
wax into each section to start them, and with great
pride put the case on the hive. On the straw skep, of
which we had one remaining, we placed a large glass
super, and I watched anxiously day by day to see the
bees come up. Of course, the bees did not go up for
some weeks, and as the weather turned very cold at
Easter, we should have done far better to continue
feeding, and to have kept the bees warmly covered up.

Happily, however, summer came at last with a burst.
The bees crowded up into the sections, and were a daily,
I may say hourly, source of joy and delight to me. The
work began merrily, and the combs seemed to grow
before my eyes.

When, oh, horror ! what were the bees about ? I
expected to see each of my 2-lb. sections filled with
those fascinating little combs so beautifully fitted into
their little boxes. My bees were running two lengths of
comb at right angles to the sections, right through the
whole length.

I looked, I shuddered, and I turned away once more
rebuked for my folly. It was all my own fault, and it
proved a case of ' more haste, less speed.' In the hurry
of the evening when we had put the foundation into the
sections, we had actually put the pieces across the
section, instead of into the slits prepared for them; there-
fore, instead of traiuing the bee into the way he should
go, we had actually started him on the wrong track.

It was hard, but there was nothing to be done now,
and we had to watch the bees continue building their
long slips of combs the whole length of each row of
sections. Still, honey the wrong way was better than no
honey at all, and being of a sanguine temperament I
soon persuaded myself that I rather liked it. It was

December 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

533

such a strange, original way of building the comb. After
all, those little super boxes were very common. And all
the time the bees grew stronger and stronger. They
hung out in clusters outside the hive, and the number of
drones convinced me there would soon be a swarm.

I watched eagerly, for I had read in the Bee Journal
that to leave the hives even for a short time might be to
lose a swarm, for the weather was so hot that the bees
were simply boiled out of the hives. However, watch
as closely as I might, I could not be always there ; and
it is my belief that those bees did swarm, and that they
went away and I never saw or heard anything of them.
Watson always maintains that they did not, but they
suddenly grew much quieter; and the presence of a
young queen leads me to believe that I was right, for it
is always the old queen who goes forth with the swarm,
she having, I suppose, more experience. The young
queen remains in the parent hive.

By the end of July our sections were as full as they
could be, and I wrote and asked Messrs. Neighbour to
send a man down to take the super-box off for me, for
the combs being made all the wrong way, I really did
not know which way to set to work. Also, the box was
so tightly fixed on to the hive by the propolis of the bees
that I did not know how to take it off. None of the bee-
books that I had gave any information as to this, and it
was too large to slip a knife under.

This difficulty the man got over very cleverly. He took
a thick piece of string, and drew it slowly right under the
super-box, cutting through the propolis so that it could
be lifted off quite easily.

He smoked all the bees out of the super, making
them run down into the body of the hive. The moment
the box was lifted off, the hive was covered with the
quilt and shut up, the unfortunate bees being left very
angry and disappointed at being robbed of their honey.

The box of honey he carried into a shed at a distance,
or we should have been beset by bees from all the hives,
for they soon find out honey if it is anywhere within
their reach. It was a difficult matter to take the combs
out of the sections without breaking it, and most
mortified I felt as I looked on, hearing him remark
occasionally, ' What a pity such beautiful honey should
be spoilt ! '

However, it was all done at last, and when I saw
nearly forty pounds of honey in large dishes, I cared) no
longer whether it had been made upside down or the
wrong way. I had honey, — real, beautiful honey of my
own, and with great pride 1 set 3/. against my expenses
of bee-keeping, for it is only fair to charge the house for
it at the best price. I sometimes wished the household
did not appreciate my honey quite so much ; it would
pay far better if they did not. For myself, I care
very little about eating it ; and as I said before, it
is very hard to see the beautiful white comb eaten, and
to hear the scrunch of the spoon as it cuts into it.

The bees in my straw skep never did much work in
the glass super which we had put on, and as the autumn
advanced they took what little honey they had put there
down into the body of the hive. We wondered why
they did not do so well, and eventually drove them and
put them into a small bar-frame hive of Messrs. Neigh-
bour. We then found out the reason — the wax-moth
had got into the hive. This is a troublesome little moth
much to be dreaded in a weak stock, as it lays its eggs
in cracks inside the hive, and sometimes on combs which
are not covered by bees. When the caterpillar hatches
out it eats its way through the wax, pollen, and brood,
spinning a silky film as it goes, and spreading destruc-
tion. If stocks are strong you need have no fear, as the
bees can guard against them. It will be found a very
good plan to keep pieces of camphor in the hives, as they
would be a great preventative both to the moth and foul
brood, of which I shall have more to say later on. The
bees have no dislike whatever to the camphor, and you

may push lumps of it between the bars without their
being affected by it in the smallest degree.

A cousin of mine, finding one of her hives in a very
weak state, suspected the presence -of wax-moth, so, as
the hive was a straw skep, she determined to drive the
bees and burn the old hive, in order to get rid of it. She
asked me to help her; and as this was the first time
I had attempted driving since our scare, I determined to
take all possible precautions. She, also, having been
severely stung that summer, and her bees being of a very
unamiable disposition, was equally careful.

We tucked our veils in with the greatest care, we put
on two pairs of gloves each ; and though we saw no bees
coming out of the entrance, we gave them a thorough
good dose of smoke. Having left them for some moments
to regale themselves on honey, we turned the hive upside
down. It was somewhat absurd, though very annoying,
to find nothing in the hive but a few dead bees !

This same cousin had another hive, which she asked
me to attend to and feed in the autumn during her
absence from home. It was not a very strong stock, and
the place was perfectly infested with wasps. I am sure
they ate the honey as fast as the bees took it in ; indeed,
I used to feel quite nervous at going near the hive because
of the wasps.

_ One day when I went down I found the hive in a most
disturbed state. The frames were all tumbled about and
in the greatest disorder. I thought it looked very much
as if ' Humpty-Dumpty had had a great fall.' I went to
inquire of the servant left in charge : ' Did she know if
anything had happened to the hive p ' She thought for
a moment, and then said, ' Well, she believed the boy had
said something about the pony having got into the
garden and knocked the hive over, but he had picked it
up again all right.' ' Had he, indeed ? ' I only hoped
that the boy and the pony had got thoroughly well stung.
As this was not the only occasion when the pony got
into the garden, that hive of bees did not prosper, and
they all died off in the winter.

A sister of mine was much more fortunate. It ie
astonishing the luck that some people have. The
following letter, which I had from her, gives a most
interesting account of the way in which she was, if I
may say so, compelled to start bee-keeping. She had no
particular wish to do so, because bee-stings took such an
effect upon her that it was scarcely safe for her to keep
them : —

' Deab E. — You will be surprised to hear that I am
now in the possession of a magnificent hive of bees which
have not cost me a penny.

' As you know, I had no intention of keeping them, but
yesterday morning a small swarm got under the tiles of
the verandah. Duncan [her Scotch butler] and I went
up on the roof to endeavour to entice them out. Fortu-
nately I had a hive by me. We spread a sheet on the
roof, and placed the hive in readiness, when a cloud ap-
peared in the sky, and a huge swarm of bees, the largest I
ever saw in my life, swirled round, frightening us horribly,
and, attracted by the white sheet, dashed into the hive.
The strange part was that the other swarm joined them,
and I have got a hive as full of bees as you could wish.

' There is very little doubt where the swarms have
come from. Mr. E.'s house is infested with bees. It
is an old-fashioned farm-house, and the whole roof is
full of them. There is no possible way of getting them
out, and sometimes they cause great annoyance. Last
summer his mother-in-law was staying with him, and
greatly she enjoyed the beautiful scenery and summer
weather.

' " If there is one thing I like," she said, " it is to be
able to sleep with one's window wide open, and hear the
sound of the birds."

' Yes, that is very delightful ! but early next morning
she was awoke by another sound — a loud and alarming
buzzing in the room. She opened her eyes, and oh

531

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 8, 1887.

horror, the room was full of bees ! They had swarmed
through the open window right into her room. To
spring from her bed and rush out of the room was the
work of a moment; and she took very good care never
to sleep with her window open in that house again.'

I should much like to know whether any of my readers
have ever known of such a remarkable instance of two
swarms going into the same hive. Possibly the first
swarm may have gone off without a queen, as this is
sometimes the case. Swarming is, I think, one of the
most interesting features of keeping bees.

When the hive has become overcrowded, the bees
make preparations for swarming by commencing queen-
cells. Sometimes they will start as many as seven or
eight. They will have already produced a great number
of drones, and when you see many of the latter about you
may be quite certain that swarming is not far off.

A good deal depends upon the weather. Sometimes,
just as bees are on the point of swarming, the weather
becomes cold or wet, in which case the bees will destroy
the queen-cells, and often delay the swarming for some
weeks. When the swarming fever is on, the bees rush
in and out of the hive in an excited state. The whole
air seems full of bees. Sometimes they will rise up and
go straight away, and you may lose your swarm ; but
usually they will settle on some bush or tree near. The
old queen always goes out with the swarm, and she
leaves before one of the new queens has emerged. If
the bees are not inclined to cluster, it is a very good
thing to squirt water over them with a garden syringe so
as to resemble rain.

A bee-keeper should always have hives ready to receive
he swarms, but do not sprinkle the hive with sugar, beer,
or treacle, as is sometimes recommended ; it is a great
mistake. When bees swarm the}r are usually extremely
good-tempered, as they have filled themselves with honey
before leaving the hive.

If the bees have swarmed on the branch of a tree, lay
a cloth or sheet underneath it, hold a straw skep under-
neath bottom upwards, and give a sharp shake to the
branch. The bees, who are all clinging to each other,
will fall in a mass into the skep. The queen ia usually
in the centre, but you should always get as many bees as
possible, so as to be sure you have her.

After you have hived them, you should stand your
skep on the cloth with the edge slightly raised, and the
rest of the bees will soon find their way in if the queen
is there. If she is not, the whole swarm will soon return
to the parent hive.

If you desire to put the bees into a bar-frame hive, you
can either shake them in at the top, having first removed
two or three of the centre frames which you replace
afterwards, or you may lay a board as level as possible
from the ground on to the alighting-board (if the hive is
a high one on legs), place the other end of the board on
a box, flowerpots, or something. Lay a sheet over the
board, covering, the edge of the board where it rests on
the alighting-board. Shake the bees on to the sheet and
they will soon run into the hive. If you happen to have
any frames of comb, or, better still, brood-comb which
you can put into the hive, so much the better, as the
bees will cluster on it at once, and attend to the young
brood. If you have no comb you will aid the bees very
much by filling the frames with foundation comb, which
is made from the pure bees-wax, and can be purchased
at any dealer in hives. It also acts as a guide to the
bees, and the combs are better built than if the bees
are left to go their own way.

The parent hive is now left queenless with thousands
of young bees taking care of the brood, for all the old
bees have left the hive. It is an interesting fact that a
young bee when it first emerges is so young and tender
that it is not trusted to leave the hive, but it remains a«
nurse to cherish and feed the young grubs for some dayt
until it is strong enough to fly.

The old queen, as I have stated, has gone off with the
swarm, leaving the queen-cells sealed over. After some
days, sometimes as many as eight, one of these queen-cells
hatches out. Then a very curious thing takes place, the
queen rushes upon the other cells and proceeds to tear
them to pieces and destroy the other queens. The
worker-bees assist her in this murderous wish, unless they
are still very much crowded and have determined to send
off a second swarm, or, as it is usually called, ' a cast.'
In this case they protect the cells and will not allow the
queen to destroy them. In her endeavour to do this she
sometimes utters a shrill piping sound. Failing in this
she evidently becomes too indignant to remain in the hive.
She will not brook 'a rival near her throne,' and she
rushes off with as many bees as will follow her.

Thete casts are not worth much, as they consist of
few bees, the best plan is to take away the queen and
return them to the hive. They can easily be prevented by
cutting out all the queen-cells but one, after the swarm
has left the hive.

kkrtzb (fJitcriL

[4.] — What is the smallest amount of stores that it is
safe to winter bees upon in a frame-hioe, and what is the
best way to feed in waiter bees that are short of food ?

A stock of bees cannot possibly live ' through ' the
winter, reckoning such winter to extend until the middle
of March, having less than 20 lbs. of stores at the end of
September, and pay the bee-keeper the next season. It
would be quite possible for them to live on 13 lbs., but
they would be of little use the following season. The
regularity of the temperature in winter makes a vast
difference as to the amount eaten. If we could obtain a
regular temperature of from 40° to 45° Fahr. not more
than 3 lbs. of stores would be consumed from November
to February, but if the temperature is constantly vary-
ing 10 to 12 lbs. would be eaten in the same time, there-
fore it is not safe to trust them with less than 20 lbs.
Either candy or Porto Rico sugar on top of the frames.
In placing Porto Rico sugar on frames, holes must be
made through the sheet of paper on which it lays and
an enamel quilt used next over the sugar. — W. B.
Werster.

The smallest amount of stores I ever wintered a stock
upon was 10 lbs. It is not safe to winter on less than
20 lbs. of honey. The best way to feed in winter bees
short of food is by candy cake placed on top of frames,
made from recipe given in Cowan's Guide Book, care
being taken not to make it too hard. In the case of
large apiaries, there should always be a lot of spare combs
of honey on hand to give to any stock that is likely to
run short of food. — William McNally, Olenluce,
Scotland.

From the accurate weighing of a large number of
stocks, for a long series of years, I find the average con-
sumption of food per stock from September 00th to
April 30th is nine-tenths of an ounce per day, or about
12 lbs. But some weak stocks caused me nearly half as
much again to keep up the necessary beat of the hive, so
I always make my stocks up to contain about 1G lbs. of
food at the end of September. If the bees have been so
disgracefully neglected as to require feeding in winter,
the best way is to give them cakes of candy placed on the
top of the bars. — William Carr, Newton Heath
Apiary.

From 12 to 15 lbs. of sealed stores, in a box, placed
over feed-hole ; or, if you have any sections, they may be
placed over feed-hole in same manner. — Gr. J. Buller.

(1.) It is not advisable to winter an average colony
upon less than 20 lbs. nett weight. (2.) By preference,
combs of sealed stores laid close on frames — if none on
hand then good candy. — Samuel Simmins.

December 8, 188?.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

535

From the 1st of October to end of January a colony kept
quiet needs about 8 lbs. of food. From that time, until
the early honey-flow, week by week, the consumption of
stores increases, and the more young and vigorous your
queen the greater a colony's need. Hence no good colony
should be put up for winter, feeling a certainty for its
future, with less than 30 lbs., or stores at command.
Such a colony will go far ahead of one which is wintered
upon a bare sufficiency, and that has to be upset ever and
anon in giving further supplies during the early spring.
We now have driven bees upon frame-feeders (if suc-
cessful, to be illustrated and described later on) without
any other stores than candy and one frame of empty
comb in the centre ; but as this is experiment up to date,
we advise candy, in shallow 1-lb. boxes, to be laid over
hole in calico-sheet on top of frames, in number two,
four, or six, as required. These covered very snugly
above. — J. H. Howard, Model Apiary, Holme,
Peterborough.

Twenty lbs. of honeyfor anaverage colony is the smallest
quantity of stores it is safe to depend on to carry them
through to end of February or March, then if short I would
give candy containing a small proportion of pea-flour.
If bees run short of food during the winter I should give
candy over cluster of bees. — W. Woodlby.

(1.) For a colony covering well eight standard frames
20 lbs. of sealed stores will suffice for four months' con-
sumption— say from October to February. (2.) Place
outside the brood-nest, close beside the cluster of bees, a
comb of sealed honey ; or lay upon the frames, around
the cluster and under the quilts, candy, Good's candy, or
barley sugar. — George Raynor.

In an ordinary winter, 20 lbs. of good sealed honey,
with winter passage through each comb. Feed with best
sugar candy under the quilt. This can be obtained at
3|rf. per lb. if 28 lbs. are bought at a time. — John M.
Hooker.

ASSOCIATIONS.

ESSEX BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The autumn county show held annually by this
Association in the Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, in con-
nexion with the Chrysanthemum Show of the Chelms-
ford Horticultural Society, brought together the largest
number of exhibits yet staged in the county. There
were in all twenty-three exhibitors, from various parts
of the county, and fifty-eight entries staged, the honey
shown weighing about four hundredweight. The quality
on the whole may be pronounced as veiy good, suffi-
ciently so, at any rate, to justify the Rev. G. Raynor, of
Hazeleigh, Essex, who kindly acted as judge with his
usual ability, in awarding the silver medal and certificate
of the B.B.K.A. The former went to Mr. J. Debnam,
expert of the Association, for the best lot of comb honey
shown, and the latter to J. Runcieman, Widford, a
cottager (who took the silver medal last year), for the
best twelve jars of run honey in the show. The Asso-
ciation's bronze medal was awarded to Mr. Debnam for
run honey at the summer show, held June 7, 8, in
connexion with the Essex Agricultural Society's Exhibi-
tion. The heartburning occasioned in many counties by
the expert sweeping off all the prizes, or being excluded
from showing — either course equally unjust — has been
entirely averted in Essex by having separate classes for
dealers in honey and amateurs, no one who purchases
honey for resale being allowed to compete in the latter.
The result is a keen competition among members. At
this show seven amateurs entered twelve 1-lb. sections
and eleven twelve 1-lb. jars. Another advantage of this
arrangement is that when cottagers become skilled
bee-keepers, as some few do, the higher prizes offered in
the amateurs' classes induce them to enter in these,

rather than among the cottagers, thus leaving the
average cottager a better chance in the cottagers' classes.

The class open to all members for the best single
section is made a speciality in Essex, and that not at the
county shows only. It was started last year with the
object of encouraging the production of perfect sections,
even among the smallest bee-keepers, and now a certi-
ficate and 2s. 6d. are offered to the promoters of any local
horticultural or village show who will enter the prize on
their schedule. There were thirteen entries in this
class, and the winning section went near to taking the
silver medal. Big supers, though they ought not to be
encouraged, as unsaleable, will always, we suppose, take
take prizes if well filled, as was that shown by Mr.
Debnam, which contained about 20 lbs. of honey. A
smaller one of Mr. French's, which took second prize, was
as pretty a bit of work as one could wish to see in a
bell glass. Seven showed beeswax, two more who had
entered carrying off their exhibits when they saw what
was staged against them. If many acted on this
principle it would soon lead to exhibitors who bring
their own things being allowed no further than the door.

The class for hive made by a cottager brought a bar-
frame of excellent build and design, good enough for
anybody's use ; better, in fact, than the dealers can
afford to sell. The maker is a retired coachman, who
turned his hand to this sort of work for the first time
last autumn, and has kept his eyes open ever since.
In this class it is a good plan to invite suggestions from
the judge, and write them on the hives. It interests
the public, and is a material help to an exhibitor desirous
of improving.

The following is the prize list : —

Dealers. — Class 1, twelve 1-lb. sections : 1 and B.B.K.A.
silver medal, W. Debnam, Chelmsford ; 2, Ed. Durrant,
Chelmsford. Class 2, twelve 1-lb. jars : 1, W. Debnam ;
2, W. J. Braddy, Kelvedon.

Amateurs. — Class 3, twelve 1-lb. sections: 1, P. Hills,
Great Baddow ; 2, Miss Chalk, Springfield Lyons ; 3, Mrs.
Cobb, Great Waltham; h.c, J. Buncieman, Widford ; C. N.
Brooks, Mistley. Class 4, twelve 1-lb. jars : 1 and B.B.K.A.
certificate, J. Buncieman ; 2, W. Dance, Gosfield ; 3, P.
Hills ; c, P. French, Boreham; Mrs. Cobb ; B. B. Boyds,
Kelvedon Hatch.

Open to all Members. — Class 5, single section : 1 and
E.B.K.A. certificate: P. Hills ; equal 2, J. Winter, Kelvedon
Hatch, J. Buncieman; h.c, W. Debnam, S. J. Braddy.
Class 6, super : 1, W. Debnam ; 2, P. French ; 3, Mrs. Cobb.
Class 7, Beeswax: 1, D. Dudley, Great Totham ; 2, W.
Debnam; 3, Mrs. Thomas Jackson, Tillingham.

Cottagers, Open. — Class 8, single section : 1 and
E.B.K.A. certificate, J. Winter ; h.c, A. Mayell, Bradwell.
Class 9, twelve 1-lb. sections : 1, J. Jillings, Broomfield ; 2,
J. Winter. Class 10, twelve 1-lb. jars: 1, J. Winter; 2,
A. Mayell. Class 11, super : 1, J. Newnan, Little Baddow;
2, A. Mayell. Class 12, amateur-made hive : 1, W. Barl-
tropp, Woodharn Mortimer.

HORSFORTH DISTRICT B.K.A.
The members of the above Association met together
on the 26th ult. at the residence of the lion, sec, N. F.
Burniston, Esq., Throstle Neat, Horsforth. After an
excellent dinner, the balance-sheet was read by the
treasurer, and the usual business was proceeded with.
The same officers were re-elected, new members were
enrolled, and the Association looks forward hopefully to
a period of great mutual usefulness in the coming year.
A vote of thanks to Mrs. Burniston for her very prac-
tical assistance was proposed by Mr. R. A. H. Grim-
shaw, after which the meeting literally ' Closed in
harmony.'

THE LINCOLNSHIRE HONEY FAIR.
This fair was held at Grantham on Saturday, December
Grd, being opened by the Mayor (Mr. Alderman Bell).

536

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 8, 1887.

Compared with last year the total amount of honey was
not so large, but the quality was excellent. At the
same time a greater number of smaller producers were
represented, instead of, as hitherto, the bulk of the
honey being brought by one or two persons. Prices
ruled as follows : — Honey, Sd. to Wd. per lb. ; and wax,
of which there was a short supply, 1*. 8d. to 2s. per lb.
The majority of the honey exhibited was the produce of
clover and beans, but a choice lot from the Duke of
Rutland's seat at Belvoir was evidently the product of
a variety of flowers. There was a demand for extracted
honey, section or comb honey being in little request.

CntTespontreiTce.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible fov the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
ie drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, .Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
£c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Sfra7igeuiays avid Sons, Tower Streett Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications retati?ig to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

%• In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, vrill oblige by mentioning the
number of the letter, as welt as the page on which it appears.

MEMS. BY 'WOODLEIGH.'

[1378.] I was pleased to see Mr. Simmins' letter
(1361) in a recent issue, re the 'price of honey,' and trust
other large producers will be induced to give us their
ideas on the rapid decline — or, ought I to say, the
' down-grade ' — tendency of the market-price of comb-
honey. No doubt, as Mr. S. avers, the production has
exceeded the demand in many parts of the country,
and consequently the price has ruled low, and I opine
the average price for the year will be between Mr.
Godfrey's 9d. and Mr. Simmins' 7%d.

Mr. S, pertinently observes that one cause of the low
price can be traced to the usual custom of bee-keepers
disposing of all their stock as soon as the honey season is
over, and consequently the market is glutted, prices go
down with a rush, and it is a long time before there is a
turn in the price or dealers are disposed to give more
money than for previous parcels.

Others cast the blame on the Honey Company, but I
do not consider it fair to do so. If the H. 0. gives 6s.
or Os. Qd. per dozen for sections, they take all risk of
those sections becoming crystallised, and consequently
unsaleable, fit only for mead or ' mella ; ' also the expense
of glazing or putting in cardboard boxes, or the new
fancy tin-cases, thus enhancing the price of the 6a. Qd.
sections to 8s., and with a small commission and the
subsequent carriage to the retailer the sections cannot
cost him less than 9s. per dozen. Now if those bee-
keepers who grumble about the price given by the Honey
Company, or other large dealers who supply the retailers,
will set about finding a market for their honey, put it up
in a saleable form, and it is of good colour and flavour,
I have no doubt he, or they, will obtain the coveted
price of U«. per dozen wholesale, and, of course, lis. or
12s. a dozen retail, for their .sections.

I should be pleused to see quotations given, say once
a-month, in B. B. J. as to the market price of both comb
and extracted honey, it would be very useful to bee-
keepers having a stock on hand, and it would come in very
opportunely with Mr. Bellairs' extract from Board of
Trade Returns of Foreign Honey he so kindly procures
and inserts periodically.

No doubt with the prevalent low prices of comb or
section - honey that extracted pays the producer best,
and probably many bee-keepers will go in for extracted
honey in succeeding seasons. There are some rather

heavy items of expense connected with the production of
comb-honey in comparison with extracted ; take, for in-
stance, the following for, say, 1000 sections: — first, cost
home will be 23s., and if full sheets of foundation are
used for the sections of eight sheets to the pound you
will want 10J lbs. at, say, 2s. 9d. per lb., costing, with
carriage home, at least 30s. Here we have an expense of
53s. on every thousand sections that are produced. But
the producer of extracted honey is spared that expense,
as his combs serve over and over again, and the cappings
he takes off nearly pay the expense of the time while
extracting ; and when we consider that the produce of
extracted honey must be greater than comb by at least
one third, we see that 1000 lbs. of extracted at tid.
per lb. is 251,, and with the one-third added 33/. 5s. ;
while the 1000 lbs. of comb in 1000 sections at 7^d. (a
fair price unglazed) would amount to 311. os., deduct the
above items of expense for sections and foundation, viz.,
21. 13s., and we have only 28/. 12s., or a balance in
favour of the extracted of 4/. 13s. on every 1000 lbs. pro-
duced in an apiary. Then another great consideration in
favour of extracted is that it is proof against the ' jars '
of the railway porter while in transit.

In conclusion, may I ask a question ? — ' Do bees that
are fed with phenolated syrup know strange bees from
other hives that are being fed with the same kind of
food ? ' as I have never had occasion to use phenol in food
— in fact, not at all, except in a crude state, as I have
stated before, for taking off sections. I have not been
able to verify above querj-. — Woodleigh.

[Considerable attention has been given to the subject
of quotations of honey and wax. It formed a topic for
discussion at the last quarterly meeting of county repre-
sentatives. The difficulties arise through the many
grades of honey which are produced from the flora of
this country. A general quotation would in many in-
stances be misleading. Has any bee-keeper the necessary
experience to reply to our correspondent's last query P
—Ed.]

DISHONOURABLE EXPERTS AND OTHER
OFFICIALS.

[1370.] Although agreeing in the main with your
remarks respecting experts and local secretaries as to the
disposal of honey for others, I yet feel veiy strongly
that when these officials and certified experts undertake
the sale for or buy honey from us, we ought to consider
them as ' honourable men,' and that there is no risk of
being treated as though some of the ' Long Firm' had
us in their clutches, i hope it will be considered a duty
by the parent or any local Association to dismiss at once
and cancel the certificates of those who are proved
wanting in integrity.

As an illustration I may state that one of these gentle-
men called on me some three months ago, received pay-
ment of me for some of his 'goods,' looked at some
surplus sections, and agreed to take about 50 lbs. at Id.
per lb., and send a cheque in payment. These were
packed in a great hurry for his convenience and taken
away. The packing-cases were returned, but no cheque,
and in reply to three applications no answer whatever
or notice of any kind has been returned.

Another time I was informed that prices were from
5d. to Od. according to quality, and on sending over 50 lbs.
was told that 4d. per lb. only could be given for the
perfect sections, and, as was said, some fourteen or
fifteen were smashed, only about Is. or Is. 6d. could be
given for them, so I had to accept about 14s. for the
lot.

Yet another leading 'expert' will never be engaged
by a Committee here on account of alleged ' hocussing '
by him. I can add to this list from unimpeachable
testimony.

These cases should warn the unwary, and I hope the

December 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

537

parent Society will soon cleanse the Augean stable, o1'
we shall begin to look upon our organizations as existing
only for practice in manipulation for the purpose of
extracting our honey indeed, and leaving our purses as
empty as the honeyless cells. — A Shobn Lamb.

A TRIP TO THE HEATHER WITH THE BEES.

[1880.] ' Are you going to take your bees to the moors
next week ? Have you got any one to go with you ? ' are
the questions asked by several of my acquaintances when
the first of August comes round ; but I have to reply
I am going to take two friends that arranged to go with
me months ago, and three on the bee-waggon are as
many as can be conveniently seated. Every night for a
week I have been busy fitting the hives up for the
journey. Straw hives are secured on to the bottom
boards by strong wire, and three screws are put through
the cane hoop at the bottom and screwed into the wood.
The crates for the frame-hives have all been examined,
several sections are well advanced with comb since the
honey harvest here last month, and a few are full: these
I take out and put empty ones iu their place. The hives
are all screwed on to the bottom boards, each hive is
numbered, and particulars of each entered into a book.

The day of removal arrives, and the weather as pro-
pitious as ever. Nothing to do to-day but see that one of
the colliery horses is secured and kept in the stable with
plenty to eat. Seven p.m. and we commence to close the
bees in with wire gauze, and take off ventilating covers,
and commence loading the bee-waggon, — a waggon made
for the purpose with two decks. Frame-hives are put below
and straw hives above, all other requisite appliances put
into the box, which is also the seat of the waggon. Then
after partaking of a good supper we get our horse yoked
and start our journey twenty miles west. The night is
very misty.

After getting a short distance out of the village Ave
find a friend waiting for us with his hive at a lane end.
We soon secure the hive into the waggon, and, knowing
his ardent desire to go with us, I plan a seat for him ; and
then we get under way again. We soon come to a heavy
bank, and we all get off. The horse rushes up, for he has
no patience. We have several times to dismount, for it is
a climb upward for twelve miles. Nothing eventful
happens during the darkness. We occasionally meet com-
panies of miners going to work, and in passing through
colliery E — S — my friends are surprised to see in so many
of the miners' cottages the people are all astir, and it is
now one o'clock in the morning ; but. such is the miner's
calling : he is wanted at all times of the night. At two
o'clock it is very dark and the mist is very dense. The
road being black I have to hold the lantern as far down
as I can, and can just discern the roadside, and the road
here is very uneven. We all sit close together with all
our wraps on wishing for daybreak.

On arrival at H — H — there are signs of daybreak,
and we put the lantern out, and by the time we arrive at
B — we can hail with joy ' the smiling morn.' We have
now reached the highest point of our journey, 868 feet
above the sea level. The place we come from is ten
miles inland, and only 108 feet above the sea level. Our
progress has been slow — it is now 3.30 a.m. — but it has
been all up-hill. We are now nearing the Derwent
Valley. We pass down a steep hill shaded by trees, and
then we strike the valley. The magnificent view that
presents itself on this beautiful morning can never be
eradicated from my memory. When we got a little
further on, clear of the embankment on the right, I was
transfixed for awhile in mute amazement. While I
beheld the sublime scenery of that deep, wide valley, to
the southward the mist had lifted and had the appear-
ance of a long white cloud as white as snow ; west and
north-west was one vast, glorious panorama beyond my
pen to describe.

We now come to the brow of B — H— , a hill nearly
a mile long ; we adjust the shoe on to one of the hind-
wheels and walk down. A short distance in front is a
flat cart making slow progress, for the men cannot ' break '
the wheels ; we overtake them and find they are bee-men
from U — F — . There are nearly twenty hives on the
cart, small in size, not more than twelve inches diameter
and nine inches high inside. This size of hive has been
used in their neighbourhood for generations ; they looked
in the cart really splendid. These men make their own
skeps of rye-straw, and every lap of cane seemed to be
at a measured distance. Arriving at the bottom of the
valley, we halt close to the bridge crossing the river. In
the first place we put the poke of corn to the horse's
head, for there are still six miles to go, and some hard
hills to climb. We all now seem ready for some
refreshment, and as each of us opens our bundles we find
there is no lack of choice. We have not halted long
until other two waggons of bees draw up, and then
begins a general inspection.

The scenery from the bridge and the music of the
waters make my friends loth to obey the order to
move on ; but the horse has finished feeding and we are
behind time, so there is no alternative but to move on.
Before leaving, a note is put under a hotel door, informing
them that we shall need a good dinner on returning. It
is now a continual climb for three miles, but the scenery
is charming. On our right the hills are clad to their
crest with stately fir-trees, and in the open spaces we see
the rabbits very numerous, taking their morning gam-
bols. We soon come to a forest, where we descend
a deep ravine, which almost shuts out the light of day.
We find it easier getting down than getting out, for the
hill is very steep. We allow our horse time to recover
from the effects of the hill, and then we soon arrive at
a farmhouse and a church which has two-thirds of its
wall covered with ivy, and there is not another house to
be seen neither right or left; but we find on inquiry that
there is a scattered village over the brow of the hill on
the right. Another half-hour brings us to the summit
of our climb, and we have the river in view again, with
the blue hills of heather right before us.

The view before us now is quite a change, more of a
wild character, and although not so sublime, yet it gives
to us a feeling of freedom ; and, together with the light
refreshing breeze from the hills, we are in the best
of spirits. Another three-quarters of an hour bring us
to our destination, a farmhouse by the roadside. We
enter a grass field, and drive across to where we have
our stands. We first take our horse out and stable him,
and then all hands are busy unloading and adjusting the
hives on the stands as fast as we can. The sun is
making us feel warm, and the bees are telling us it
is high time they had their liberty. In half-an-hour we
have them ready for removing the gauzes. I put on the
bee-dress, and my friends step back a few paces ; but
they are not very cross when they are let out, except
one that is not on a wire-bottom board. This one I let
out last, and as soon as the gauze is off they come out
like a shot from a gun, and make all fly. A dog
standing watching us is sent howling up the field, and
some sheep over the wall are also stung.

The bees are soon out in a cluster, and all is quiet.
We are now glad to get to the farmhouse and find the
good lady has our breakfast waiting for us, consisting of
tea, bread, boiled eggs, and a large jug of milk. After
breakfast I take the opportunity of having a short nap,
but my friends are determined not to waste time with
sleep. The sky is clear, and the sun is shining in his
strength. The sportsmen are also cracking away at the
grouse, for it is the 12th of August.

After my nap is over I get up to finish what we left
undone in our haste to the hives, and I see my friends
returning. They quite astonish me when they tell me
the distance they have been. We soon have all put;

538

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[Decembsr 8, 1887.

right with the hives, and then make down to the burn,
and the day being so warm we strip and enjoy a re-
freshing bathe. We stroll back again, and have a look
at the stands of bees that are planted at various dis-
tances along the wall in line with ours, and also up the
south side of the field. The most of them are straw
hives and a few wood boxes.

I am sure, Mr. Editor, the sight would interest you.
On one of the stands the skeps are fixed on wood boxes
four or five inches deep, and the entrance changed to
the bottom of the box. They nearly all have a large
sod on the top as a protection from the rain, which
does not look at all respectable. There are well-nigh a
hundred in this field. Some of the owners have gone in
for cheapness with a vengeance; the bottom boards
especially are very unsound. These cheap Jacks got a
caution a few years ago. One of them in loading his
cart to take his bees home broke one of the bottom
boards, and the bees got out, stung the horse, and sent
him galloping away up the bank; and on nearing a house
with the door open it made a sharp turn to get in, and
upset the cart, and all the hives went rolling down the
hill. It finished all the hives, and many of the natives
got a taste of honey.

After decorating our waggon with blooming heather
we start for home. Arriving at the hotel at the bridge
we leave our horse to the ostler ; all our belongings are
put into the box and locked in out of sight. We find
the landlady has got the note ordering the dinner, which
is nearly ready. There is just time for a walk around
the garden, and then we sit down to a substantial dinner,
which does us all a deal of good. After dinner I am
inclined to rest at ease, but my friends want to see S—
Spa Pleasure Grounds, and, being in no hurry to get
home, we set off. A short walk brings us to the
Grounds; a flat opening at the bottom of the valley,
surrounded with trees in all directions. We stroll about
through the wood, and along by the river side, until we
are satisfied. After merely feeling the taste of the
spa water— for we don't think we are in need of such
medicine— we return and commence our journey home,
feeling rather disappointed in having to leave this
pleasant valley.

On reaching L— we fall in with some friends who
have been on the same errand as ourselves. They are
going to make a halt and feed their horse, and, for the
sake of their company, and to hear how their bees have
done at home, we halt as well, and rest for three-quarters
of an hour, and then move on homewards. The scenery
for the rest of our journey does not interest us much.
There are so many collieries and coke-ovens that we see
every day, but on arriving at K— we resolve to rest
again and have some tea. We have felt the day to be
such a happy release from the monotony of business
life that we are in no hurry to bo home. However, this
has to be our last stop, and then we jog on home again.
On nearing home I am startled by a movement behind
me, and, turning round, am just in time to steady one
of my friends from falling off the waggon. He has
despised the demands of sleep, but now he is compelled
to put himself into a secure position, and give way to
sleep for ten minutes. We arrive at home at seven
p.m. A friend is on the look-out for us, and takes
charge of the conveyance. I leave all to him, and make
no delay in getting off to bed, and have eleven hours of
unconsciousness. — W. J.

THE NEW SECTIONS.
[1380.] In answer to Mr. Fryer (1365) as a bee-
keeper of seventeen years my experience of working
sections without separators has taught me to avoid their
omission, as in every case they have been omitted more
or less bulged combs have been the result. I consider the
small additional cost of separators well repaid with

either H-mch or 2-inch sections. My experience is
limited to two crates of Lee's new sections, consisting
of 2-inch and li-inch ; these have four bee-ways"
Although the season's honey-flow was very slow, these
sections were filled more perfectly than any I remember
having since sections came into the market. The
U-inch were the most beautiful I have ever seen, filled
out perfectly level, without a single indentation. I
much question, however, whether the latter will pay
so well as the 2-inch when filled, as I do not think
their market value will compensate for the additional
outlay.— Frank Palmer, Sunniny Hill, Berks.

SELECTED QUERY, No 2.

[1381.] The replies to this query if nothing else is
amusing reading. Did it occur to anv of the eight
gentlemen who replied to this query that 'for all practical
purposes a sheet of foundation is superior to a comb ?
Well, it is a fact. With one exception, and that is, for
driven bees, and then stored combs are best.

This spare comb business I regard as the curse of the
bar-frame system, as it is one of the surest ways of
spreading foul brood. There is nothing like foundation
and the wax-kettle for keeping an apiary in health and
vigour.

Those who recommend starters should study the
subject properly before they turn teachers. This wireing
business I regard as one of the modern humbugs and
one of the aids to adulteration, as with good foundation
it is not needed and is waste.— James Saddler, So East
High Street, Forfar.

FOUL BROOD ONCE AGAIN.

[1382.] I suppose Mr. Ward has given me up as in-
curable, as he says it is useless to argue with a man who
disbelieves everything, except that the disease is caused
by the use of the bar-frame hive, and that it can be
cured by simply taking away the combs.

To a certain extent, I say it is caused by the use of
the bar-frame hive, for before you embark iuto the use
of the bar-frame hive you have either seen some one
manipulate one, or 3-011 have had a copy of some modern
bee book lent you, or perhaps the Bee Journal; and you
soon find out that there are some wonderful foreign bees,
and if you are an enthusiast, you must try one, like your
humble servant. I will leave you to read what the
' Platelayer ' says in a previous number as to what
follows. But if you are living in a district in which
foul brood is not known, and, like the ' Platelayer,' you
stick to your black bees, then the bar-frame hive will
never give you foul brood. There is not the least doubt
in my mind, but that these pretty foreigners or their
belongings brought the dire pest iuto this neighbour-
hood.

I am very sorry that I cannot enlighten the ' York-
shireman ' as to the why and wherefore of straw skeps
missing the disease and frame-hives having it, but it is a
fact here. I drove some bees out of straw skeps for a
cottager, living a short distance from me, last August.
One of the hives was so old and rotten, and the combs
were so black when I came to turn it up that I made
sure of finding the disease there ; but when I came to
pull the combs asunder I found there was no trace of
disease.

I, like the ' Rector of Ore,' have been the means of
several old bee-keepers adopting the frame-hive, and dis-
carding the straw skep, with the result that they have
had but very little honey, but plenty of foul brood, which
is very annoying, particularly when their neighbour, who
sticks to his straw skeps, gets his swarms and casts, and
an occasional cap, from some stocks, and then to finish
up, puts them over the brimstone tub. (I don't admire
the last proceeding.) It makes an old cottager think

December 8, 1887.]

THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL.

539

there is something wrong with the new-fangled system.
In reply to ' Yorkshire uian ' about selling bees having
foul brood, I said to the bee-keeper in question, ' You will
never attempt to sell your bees, knowing that you hare
got foul brood ;' but he says, ' If they don't ask me I shall
not tell them,' so that I would advise everyone buying
bees to ask the question, Have you got foul brood ?

I am like Mr. Ward, I say facts are stronger than
opinions, and when he quotes me correctly and sticks to
facts, I will attempt to answer him farther.

' Useful Hints ' thinks the fell disease is more likely to
travel in the wake of the modern expert and the straw skep
than the bar-frame hive. I think in justice to our county
expert I ought to sajr that he is no way responsible for
it in this neighbourhood, as I don't think he has examined
a single hive within two miles of me.

I was very much pleased to see the ' Platelayer's '
letter, as I was afraid the fell disease had reached him
from his silence, and having heard that it was getting
very close to him. As the old saying is, prevention is
better than cure, I would advise the ' Platelayer ' to
speculate in a bottle of Calvert's No. 5 carbolic acid, and
use it amongst his hives, if he has not already done so.

A most interesting- letter to me is that of Mr. W. G.
Campbell (1341) from South Australia, from which it
appears that they have got foul brood very bad out there,
and that the Hon. Sec. S. A. B. K. A., Mr. Joyner, and a
Mr. Bonny, have not succeeded with the Cheshire cure
any better than I did ; but when adopting the very same
plan, that I have been doing, they have succeeded in
driving the pest out: 1 live in hopes of doing the same
thing.

It must be a wonderful honey country out there, from
their return of a member starting the season with three
hives, and at the end of the season having twenty-two
hives, and taking 3510 pounds of honey. I endorse our
editor's remarks hoping he will send us some more
reports of what they are doing out there at the anti-
podes.— Man op Kent.

' HOW TO DO IT ' AND [ THE PRICE OF
HONEY.'

[1383.] I have been very unwell, or I would have
written before to express my thanks to Mr. Saddler
(1352, page 504) for his very lucid and instructive com-
munication ; it scatters a great deal of the fog which had
hitherto surrounded this subject. The great object of
my life has been to live and learn, for which 1 again
tender to Mr. Saddler my best and warmest thanks, and
only wish that the long distance could be overcome, so
as. to procure a private tete-a-tete.

' The Price of Honey ' (1359). Mr. C. Howes appears
to come down sharp on poor unfortunate bee-keepers
like myself, who cannot readily get a market for their
honey. I have no doubt that Mr. Howe3 has a great
deal of pluck and business go in him, therefore can feel
no sympathy for those with less tact and business
capacity, regarding such to be ' human drones.' Well,
Mr. Editor, I think there are a great many species of
drones, beside those we find in a bee-hive, whose value at
present, I believe, is not fully known. There are
different kinds of ' drones ' to be found in the human
hive, beside those who live on the industry of others ; I
mean a kind of mole drone, who move only in their
immediate surroundings, believing the whole world to
possess their own happy privileges and surroundings.

' i" guess and calculate,' Mr. Editor, there are more
stocking machines in Leicester and neighbourhood than
bee-keepers, and consequently a greater number of
mouths to eat honey, having a much more thickly-
populated county than Dorset. Take, for instance, my
own district, within a radius of, say, only four miles, I
can count about forty bee-keepers, who keep from ten to
thirty hives each, more or less, and not what is worthy

the name of a town within twenty or thirty miles,
Salisbury being about the nearest and largest ; but in
the neighbourhood of Salisbury at the present time there
is any amount of honey to be bought for 4rf. — such as it
is. But to return to my own district, What is the
result of so many keeping bees, mostly on the old
system ? Why, just this, some of them read the B.J.,
and at the close of the honey-harvest, see the advertise-
ments for honey at 6d. or 6|rf. per lb. ; they at once have
recourse to the ' sulphur pit,' unless some one more
humane comes to the rescue, when you mayhaveany
amount of bees for the taking away. The honey is at
once hawked about from door to door by the cottagers'
wives at 6d. per lb., every village, or what some may
call town, is besieged with honey-sellers at Gd., or some
more lucky ones may get 6%d. Now then, Mr. Howes, I
would like to know "how you would succeed in cramming
honey down people's throats at Is. per lb., or getting a
wholesale depot at 9d. per lb. You might as well
undertake a journey to the moon, I think ; while we poor
unfortunates are daubed drones and grumblers because
we ask the co-operation of our County Associations, and
' it serves us right if we have no buyers in our district.'
Well, well, and what next must we read ?

Just one word more, Mr. Editor. I see in the last
issue, which I call the leading article, page 509, on
' Keeping our Colonies Strong,' which I always read
with interest, believing it to be from your valuable pen,
where in the third paragraph you touch on the same
question of the sale of honey by County Associations
or Secretaries, evidently the outcome of (what Mr.
Holmes calls) my 'grumbling;' the light in which
you put it, the thing, as you say, would be very
untenable; but that is not what I proposed, to send
honey to County Secretaries would be simply madness.
What I suggested was just this: Members of County
Associations should communicate their wants to their
Secretary, who would be supplied with the names of
County 'Secretaries by a properly-arranged system of
co-operation ; should be in communication with _ the
wholesale and retail market in their several districts ;
could easily get a supply sent direct to the consumer or
retailer from some of the members who have put them-
selves forward, and, doubtless, would be only too glad to
allow a good commission on such sales. So effected in
this way, there would be no double freight to pay or
risk to run by the County Secretary. This would not
prevent Mr. Holmes, or any one else, from paddling his
own canoe if he prefer, but it would be a great boon
to those living in districts like mine. Of course, there
are other details to be worked out, but I submit they
are not of a very gigantic or difficult character.—
Sherborne, Dorset, November 28th.

EJECTION OF CHYLE FROM THE CHYLE
STOMACH OF THE BEE.

By Pastor. Schopeld op Tentschel, neab
Wahlstadt.

The opponents of my theory, which assumes the food
for nourishing the brood to be prepared in the chyle
stomach of the bee, and ejected from it into the cell,
support their view, according to which chyle is a product
of the salivary glands of the bee, by the mere assertion
that the contents of the chyle stomach cannot be ejected
externally. The part of the neck of the organ called by
me the mouth of the stomach, projecting into the chyle
stomach, is taken by them to be a valve, which, as it
consists of only two very delicate membranes, the intima
and the cellular layer, they think would close, or rather
turn over, immediately on the contents of the stomach
being pressed forward, thus making ejection quite im-
possible. This opinion, however, is based on a complete
misconception of the structure of this organ.

I have fully described its real importance in the

540

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 8, 1887.

Xbrdlingen Bieneiaeitung , and have shown that there
cannot be any question here of a valve arrangement.

For our present purpose I have only to explain that
the peculiar prolongation of the neck of the mouth of
stomach with the chyle stomach presents no hindrance
to the ejection of the chyle.

As shown in sketch 1, which represents a longitudinal

g

Fig. l.
n. Feelers at the tip of the lips,

b. Intermediate tissue,

c. Longitudinal muscles.

d. Annular muscles.

e. Safety muscles.

/, Innermost membrane (Intima),

g. Layer of cells.

a. Annular musole in the honey-stomaoh,
Wl-ri. Neck of the mouth of the stomaoh.
1H8. Alimentary tube through the mouth of the stomach and neck.
y-x. Prolongation of the neok.

section through the middle of the honey stomach a, the
mouth of the stomach, and its neck c, and the chyle
stomach b, the real neck of the stomach mouth (m-n),
which unites the honey stomach and the chyle stomach,
consists of three membranous layers, being the intima,
or innermost membrane, the cell layer, and the mem-
brane of the annular muscle. The latter membrane
disappears where the neck enters the chyle stomach at
n, and then the prolongation inside the chyle stomach
consists only of the intima and the cell layer. But these
two membranes form a turning-in or duplicator. The
intima having become separated from the cellular layer
inside the honey stomach at i, it passes as through a round
aperture of the chyle stomach into the latter for a
distance of one millimetre ; then again it takes an
upward direction, and enters the intima of the chyle
stomach, while the cellular layer follows, but before the
turning point upward of the intima is reached, it retreats
and passes into the cellular layer of the chyle stomach.
By this simple but wonderful formation of a duplicator,
the honey utomach has become moveable, which is of great
importance to the bee, for when the honey stomach
during the act of ejecting honey is contracted by its
muscles and pulled forward, the contraction uf course
always commencing from behind, the prolongation turns
over. But this lengthens the neck, which now no longer
rims any risk of tearing, however delicate the membrane
of which it is composed. The mouth of the stomach is
now likewise enabled to rise, and so is the lower part
of the honey stomach when the bee wants to obtain a
supply of pollen from its honey stomach. But in
oj-der that; the turning outwards may not be carried

further than necessary, the mouth of the stomach is
united to the chyle stomach by a number of muscular
bands, which I have called safety muscles in the sketch
(e). They are not generally in a contracted state, but
more in the shape of a semicircle ; when, however,
the turning outwards takes place they contract, and
thus prevent an excessive extension. The presence of
the safety muscles proves that the duplicator exists for
the purpose of being turned outwards when necessary.

From this it is evident that because a turning
outwards must take place during the act of ejecting
honey, owing to the forward movement of the honey
stomach, which necessarily follows, there is a possibility
of such tilting to happen when ejection from the chyle
stomach takes place, that therefore the prolongation
forms no hindrance to the act of ejection.

The mechanism of the ejection of the chyle is not
more complicated than that of the ejection of honey.
If the bee, in order to eject chyle, contracts the
walls of the chyle stomach so that the contents of the
stomach are lengthened out in front by pressure, and if,
while this is taking place, the bee also contracts its
hone}' stomach for a short moment afterwards, whereby
the latter, as we have seen, is forced forward, then the
intima or innermost membrane, which from i to the
tip of the lips is firmly united to the mouth of the
stomach, cannot help following the forward movement.
It rises, therefore, from i to 2, and when arrived at r,
the cell layer rises simultaneously, rolling up from r
towards i, i.e. the whole prolongation is tilted outwards.

Representing the duplicator by single lines as in Fig. 2,

Fig. 2.
where a shows the honey stomach, b the chyle stomach,
c the neck, and u the end of the duplicator, it will at
once be understood that the duplicator must be tilted
outwards when the honey stomach, with the walls
of which the mouth of the stomach is firmly grown
together, moves forward in consequence of the con-
traction of the muscle. But if the tilting takes place
but a fraction of a millimetre, the chyle, in moving
forward, following the pressure of the muscles, must
necessarily also enter the tilted prolongation, and pass
through the mouth of the stomach into the honey
stomach, by the renewed contraction of which it is
then ejected into the cell.

But the principal thing is this : the bee itself shows
us that it is able to eject the contents of its chyle
stomach. It is an old and well-known saying that
worker-brood and drone-brood are supplied at first ex-
clusively with completely digested chyle, which can at

December 8, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

541

once pass into the blood ; and that finally honey and
pollen are administered shortly before the cell is sealed.
The pollen is even visible to the naked eye through the
skin of mature larvae, and as the larvte cannot live upon
pollen alone, it was simply taken for granted they re-
ceive honey in addition. But as a sudden unprepared-for
change in the food from pure chyle to honey and pollen,
which the larvae would have to digest, would have appeared
too striking, Von Berlepsch was one of the first to assume
(see The Bee and its Culture, 1869, § 50) that a gradual
change takes place from tie one kind of food to the
other. He was mistaken, however, in supposing that
the larvae received as intermediate food partly chyle from
the chyle stomach and partly undigested pollen from the
honey stomach. Exact and careful microscopic examina-
tion of the food in the cells rather goes to prove that as
long as the larva in its curved state at the bottom of
cell does not quite fill up the cell — which is not the
case till the fourth day — it only receives pure chyle, but
as soon as the larva completely fills up the base of its
cell, commencing from the evening of the fourth day,
the larva, which now requires a large quantity of food,
receives only chyme from the chyme stomach of the
bee, instead of being supplied with chyle. This chyme
is not yet completely digested, consequently it still con-
tains the husks of the pollen-grains. At first there are
exceptionally few husks (cuticula) in the food, but
their number increases from hour to hour, until finally
before the cell is sealed the larva is literally stuffed with
chyme full of the husks of pollen-grains. As the latter,
from the fourth day, can with certainty be made out in
the food which still remains deposited in the cell, this is
a sure proof that the pollen has been ejected from their
chyle stomach by the workers attending to the feeding
of the brood, because it is impossible for any digestion of
pollen grains ever to take place in the honey stomach of
the bee. I took the precaution to examine the con-
tents of the honey stomach of more than 100 bees, and
always found entire pollen grains only, but never any
cuticula. Only very young bees which only quite
recently left the cell are found to have pollen husks
in their honey stomach, because they were fed with
chyme by the old workers. — Deutsche illustrierte
Bienenzeitung,

SWITZERLAND.

The half annual general meeting of the members of the
Society Romande d' Apiculture was held lately at Neu-
chatel. When nine o'clock a.m. arrived, the time
appointed for the opening of the meeting, the members
were so much interested in the examination of the bee
show which was being held at the time in the same
building, that it was not without difficulty that they
could be drawn into the meeting-room. At first it was
proposed that it should be held in the Salle du Tribunal,
but it was afterwards decided in favour of one of the
rooms of the new Academy building. It is understood
that the bee section of the exhibition was a great suc-
cess, and a number of visitors expressed their surprise at
what they saw in it.

At the opening of the proceedings the Board of
Management was represented by three of its members,
but M. de Ribeaucourt arriving a short time afterwards
made four. M. Bonjour was voted to the chair, who
mentioned with regret the unavoidable absence of M.
Fusay, the President, and M. Bertrand. The minutes
of the previous meeting held in the spring were read
and adopted without discussion.

M. Woiblet explained the position of the accounts up
to the 31st of August. His statement showed that the
receipts had been 2296 francs 50 cents, and the expen-
diture 1382 francs 85 cents ; balance on hand, 913
francs 65 cents. It was stated that the Society con-
sisted of 311 members, The retiring members of the

Board were Messrs. de Dardel, Fusay, and de Ribeau-
court, but were re-elected by acclamation.

M. Vielle, who had been specially charged to report
to the meeting his opinion on the exhibition, expressed
his regret at being unable to do so fully, as it had not
been possible for him to follow regularly the jury, but,
generally speaking it was agreed that it excelled all
former ones, and was even an improvement upon that
held at Zurich in 1883. The foreign bees were all pure ;
they constituted a good collection, and prizes had been
awarded to all of them. The show of hives and stocks
took the form of a small village, and represented the
systems most used in the country, such as Burki-Jeker,
Dadant, and Layens. Their good quality and construc-
tion were much admired. Very few straw skeps on the
fixed system were to be seen, but these few were good
specimens of workmanship. The show of honey was
both large and interesting; it was a great attraction
inside the Hall. There was also a good display of comb-
foundation and wax in cakes. Several makers exhibited
a number of new and modified bee implements, and the
number of extractors on view was twenty-seven, besides
those exhibited by the Society itself.

M. P. von Siebenthal having stated that at Bex
there was an opinion among the bee-keepers that the
Layens frames should be made two inches shorter, M.
Borel-Petitpierre gave it as his opinion that Carniolan
bees are an exception, and can be worked with hives of
an exceptionally large size.

M. de Ribeaucourt stated that he had kept Carniolans
for the last eight years. His experience was that they
had somewhat altered their ways in the course of years ;
they were now less inclined to swarm, and were very
profitable. Truly, in the course of time they became
crossed. They were rather late in developing their
increasing propensities, but this, for bee-keepers in
mountainous districts, was an advantage.

M. Langel remarked, however, that he had some
stocks of crossed Carniolans. His were passionately
fond of swarming, and became strong too soon in the
spring It appeared to him, therefore, that his study of
the Carniolan bees could be carried a little further.

M. J. Bonjour had every reason to be satisfied with
his Carniolan bees. His experience was that they
became strong early, and as a cross they were all that
could be desired.

After a few remarks made by M. Nouguier upon the
same subject, M. Langel would like to know if there
were no means of establishing a honey market in order
to assist exhibitors to dispose of their honey ? A day for
such a market might be fixed, as is done at Schaffhouse
with advantage.

M. Lienhard seconded.

M. de Ribeaucourt replied to the effect that the
question of a honey market had been mooted a year
ago. The establishing of such a market would entirely
agree with the objects of the Society, which were in-
tended to promote the production and sale of bee products.
He was in favour of an annual sale.

M. Vielle stated that almost all the exhibitors had
put a selling price on their exhibits ; in fact, he knew
some of them who were anxious to sell.

The conversation became very general upon this
subject, and in the end it was decided that an advertise-
ment should be issued, informing the public that a
honey fair would be held in the pavilion on the following-
Wednesday.

Before closing, M. Arehinard suggested that this
question of a honey market should be further considered
and reported upon at the meeting to be held next spring.
M. Archinard's suggestion was adopted.

This done, M. Marc Boand read a paper upon propolis
and the various ways in which it can be used.

Mr. Boand concluded by suggesting that a tasteful
certificate, suitable for framing, should be issued to all

54;

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 8, 1887.

the members of the Society, as is done by the Horti-
cultural Society, his opinion being that such a certificate
might act as an inducement to join the Society. — Revue
Internationale d'Ajneulture.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS &~1NQUIRERS-

Letters or queries ashing for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or u-here appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only he inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt oj their communication.

.All queries /ormarded uull be attended to, and those only of personal
interest will be answered in this column.

TV. H. A. — 1. Temperature for Store-room for Honey. — Sixty
to seventy degrees. 2. Honey left in Outhouse. — Will be
granulated.

J. Kennedy, Coleraine. — Weeping Sections. — Is the damp-
ness complained of only condensed moisture ? If it is
sticky probably the sections were removed from the hive
before the bees had fully thickened the cappings. See
reply to ' W. H. A.' Could you not manage to extract
them without removing the comb from the boxes ?
Partly extract one side, then reverse and do about half
that side again, reverse and finish. You would find
built-out sections valuable for the first honey-flow. If
granulated, you have no choice except to break them up.
Let them be in a warm room for a few days before
attempting to extract. It is advisable to keep section-
cases that may be on the hives rather late in the season
carefully and rather warmly covered up, in order to
encourage the bees to thicken the cappings sufficiently.
Befer to ' Bleeding Sections,' p. 529.

J. P. 0. — 1. Bee Farm. — You will find in Mr. Simmins's
new book, A Modem Bee Farm, some practical advice
and some matter-of-fact figures as to the cost and conduct
of a bee-farm. 2. Bullfinches. — If disinclined to shoot
them, use a decoy cage.

H. P. 0. — Honey. — The honey is, no doubt, pure, but has
a peculiar flavour, as if the source from which it had been
partially gathered had imparted a slightly rank odour ;
and, like some of the Jamaica honey, the grain is rough.

Ernest. — Sections still on. — It is very undesirable that bees
should in any way be disturbed at this season of the year.
If the supers are well and warmly wrapped up and kept
dry it would be prudent to leave them where they are till
a more convenient season.

J. H. — Gravenhorst's Der Pralctische linker has not been
translated into the English language.

J. H. — Honey Dew. — This may be distinguished from honey
by colour, taste, and smell. The colour, more especially
of that gathered from the sycamore and oak, is of a sooty
blackness ; the taste is sickly and is perceptibly different
from that of honey ; the odour is unpleasant.

COWAN'S GUIDE BOOK.

ANEW EDITION of this Work will shortly
be published. Intending Advertisers must forward
Copies of their Advertisements during the present week.

business directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edet & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hutchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhasi, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Kegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King WilliamSt., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 119 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F., Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Sihmins, S., Bottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepeks' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B„ Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Begent St. & 127 High Holborn,

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Blow, T. B. , Welwyn, Herts.

Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

NOTICE.

The British Bee Journal is published by Kent & Co., 23 Paternoster
Row, and may be obtained of all looal Booksellers, and of the fol-
lowing Agents : —

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDREU, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DDRRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford.

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY, W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarriugton, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON, A. B., Brickhall, Ballywoolen, Killy-

leagh, Co. Down.
McNALLY, R., Glenluce, N.B.
MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Hereford.
NEIGHBOUR & SON, 149 Regent Street, and

127 High Holborn, London.
OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Susses.
REDSHAW, C, Canal St., South Wigston, Leicester.
RICE, J. J., Wensum Street, Norwich.
RTJDKIN, P., Belton, Uppingham.
SMITH & SON, 186 Strand, London; and at all Rail-

way Bookstalls.
WITHLNSHAW, A., Newcastle, Staffordshire.
WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Heading.
WREN, L., 139 High Street, Lowestoft,

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Stkangeways' Printing Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 280. Vol. XV.]

DECEMBER 15. 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

(Sfoxtaxml, ^atxas, #r.

HONEY IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

It is with no slight feeling of satisfaction that
we have written the above words, — 'and exports.'
They indicate that patience has met with its
reward, and that a triumph has been achieved.
There is a little history connected with this which
should be narrated here.

In former times ' Honey ' had its place in the
annual returns of the imports and exports of the
United Kingdom, but in the year 1871 it was struck
out by the powers that be ' as being insignificant
and of no interest to the community.' Since that
time the honey industry has vastly increased,
chiefly through the institution of the British Bee-
keepers' Association and its affiliated societies and
the dissemination of bee-literature ; and a very
natural desire arose that honey should be restored
to its former place in the annual published returns.
In February 1885 we suggested that a representa-
tion should be made by the Committee of the
B. B.K.A. to the Board of Trade of the great
interest now taken by the bee-keepers throughout
the kingdom in having reliable information re-
specting the imports and exports of honey. This
suggestion was adopted, and in due time we were
informed, through a communication from Mr. S.
Seldon, of the Statistical Office, H. M. Customs, to
E. H. Bellairs, Esq., dated 6th January, 1886, that
' on a representation of the Board of Customs to the
Lords of the Treasury, the suggestion contained in
your letter, dated February 16th, that honey should
become a recognised article in the lists of imports,
has been approved by their Lordships, and that
from the 1st hist, the particulars of honey will be
duly registered in the books of this office.'

Since the beginning of 1883, through the kind-
ness of Mr. Bellairs, bee-keepers have been put in
possession of the value of honey imported into the
United Kingdom month by month. But this
information was incomplete and insufficient, and to
some degree fallacious. We desired to know the
quantity of honey represented by the annual value,
the price it fetched in respective countries, the
countries from which the honey was exported, the
amount re-exported to foreign parts and that re-
tained for home consumption ; and without these

data we were without a full knowledge of the
facts.

The Annual Statement of the Trade of the United
Kingdom with Foreign Countries and British Posses-
sions for the year 1886 has just been published,
and from it we are able to extract the information
of which we have been so long in search.

The amount of honey, its value, and the countries
from which it has been imported into Great Britain,
are as follow : —

Cwts. £

From France 004 2,470

„ Portugal 560 735

„ United States of America 4,560 5,830

„ Spanish West India Islands 5,272 4,618

„ Chile 7,352 7,505

„ Other Foreign Countries 604 1,160

Total from Foreign Countries 10,441 22,327

From Australasia 332 578

„ British North America 426 618

„ British West India Islands 1,354 2,087

Total from British Possessions 2,112 3,283

Total 21,553 25,610

From the above we gather that 2,413,936 pounds
of honey have been brought into this country, the
mean value whereof is a slight fraction less than
3d. per pound. French honey obtains the highest
price, being close on o^d. per pound, while that
from the Spanish West India Islands is the lowest,
being rather less than 2d. per pound. The largest
quantity comes from Chile. AVe have heard little
of Chilian bees, or of the management of bees in
that country. The southern and central portions
of Chile, especially the broad valley of Aconcagua,
are, we are aware, very fertile ; and we presume
that the honey is largely produced in those
parts. The northern portion of Chile is for hundreds
of miles a sterile waste, where vegetation is un-
known and where rain is not seen once in a decade ;
yet in 1883 Chile exported 1,310,256 kilogrammes
of honey ; in 1884, 1,864,761 ; in 1885, 1,055,177 ;
the kilogramme being rather more than two pounds.
Now, while we are familiar with Californian, West
Indian, French, and other honeys, we do not re-
member having ever seen Chilian honey exposed for
sale ; and we have often been exercised in our minds
as to the ultimate disposal of the amount exported,

544

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 15, 1887.

We think that the statement of the exports of honey
may possibly shed some light upon this. John
Raskin says that 'there are two sides to all things,
and God means us to look on both.' We may
apply this remark to foreign honey. We have
hitherto been cognisant only of the value of honey
imported ; we now have before us both sides, the
obverse and the reverse.

The amount of honey exported from Great
Britain to other couutries, with its value, is as
follows : —

Cwts. £

To Germany 8,526 7,536

„ Holland 6,821 5,766

„ Other Foreign Countries 4,181 3,870

Total to Foreign Countries 19,528 17,172

To British Possessions 270 396

Total 19,798 17,568

Deducting the exports from the imports, the re-
sult is that only 1755 cwts., or 196,560 lbs., were
retained for home consumption in the year 1886 ; and
to that extent the bee-keepers of this country are
not equal to supply the home demand. In previous
years in making our comments on the ' Honey Im-
ports,' though we guarded ourselves by the reser-
vation, ' Provided no honey was re-exported,' we
calculated that the amount of foreign honey im-
ported to supply our wants amounted to a very con-
siderable amount beyond the reality; and we feel
assured that all bee-keepers, now that the true
facts are apparent, will feel a sense of relief, and
a weight of many thousands of hundredweights
will be removed from their breasts. The rationale
of the matter appears to be — Great Britain is
a great carrying nation ; the honey is shipped from
many foreign ports, and London and Liverpool are
the convenient entrepots from which it is tran-
shipped to foreign countries. In this way it is
possible that the whole of the imported Chilian
honey may be taken en bloc to other ports.

There is naught in the previous statement that
should cause bee-keepers to relax their efforts or to
rest upon their oars. It is clear that we are not
equal, or rather that we have failed, to supply the
home demand. This can, and ought to be accom-
plished. And besides that, it behoves us so to
popularise the use of honey that it should not be,
as it has too long been, an article of luxury for the
higher and the middle classes, but should be looked
upon as a necessity for the poorest of our people.

MY BEES

By Mrs. Beginald Bhay.

(Cunt timed from page 531.)

Chapter V. — Condemned Bees.

August— cruel August came round all too soon for me

and my bees. How I longed as I looked at the hives to

be able to take them all with me. I was going to take

eighteen canary birds, a bullfinch, two ponies, and eight

children ; but still a large portion of my heart was left

behind. True, we were going to one of the loveliest parts of

Surrey, about sis miles from Guildford, where the wild
heather and great woods of Scotch firs almost made one
believe that it was in Scotland; but as I have heard prettily
expressed by the poet, ' Home is where t\xy affections
rest,' and the Bee Journal had brought out a most aggra-
vating little poem, which would run in my head, ' Hum,
sweet hum ! there's no sound on earth like hum, sweet
hum.' Well, why should I not have ' Hum, sweet hum,'
at Shere as well as near London? Besides, there I should
have a chance of heather honey, and delude nryself as
much as I would, I never could allow that the flavour of
my honey was equal to that of the Scotch.

The worst was that I had already spent a good deal of
money upon my bees, what with new hives and skilled
labour from Messrs. Neighbour, and one thing and another ;
I had to undergo a good deal of chaff and sarcastic
queries as to ' when my bees were going to pay ? '

I always, with great presence of mind, immediately
alluded delicately to that ' forty pounds ' which they
were devouring so ruthlessly. This always checked
unseemly remarks, but I own I did not like to talk of
buying a new stock and hive in the country. It was
too late in the year for a swarm, and to buy an
entirely new hive with strong stock would be a very
expensive affair.

Suddenly a brilliant idea shot through my mind — ' Con-
demned bees.' I was in the very land for them. The
cottagers all round kept bees on the old-fashioned
principle, and destroyed all their best stocks every
autumn for the sake of the honey. Now, perhaps, some
of my readers may not know what ' condemned bees '
are, so, for their sakes, I will give a description, for
there is no cheaper way of starting bee-keeping, if you
do not mind the trouble, besides the great satisfaction
of having saved the lives of a reigning monarch and all
her subjects.

Condemned bees are the bees which are going to he
destroyed when the honey is taken. A hole is made in
the ground in which sulphur is put and set alight. The
hive is stood over it, and in a short time all those happy,
merry little lives have succumbed, and the hive is a mass
of dead and suffocated bees. 1 never saw the sight, and
I would not do so for anything that could be offered.
When one values the life of every bee one has, when one
laments being stung because it costs a bee's life, why the
idea of killing bees seems nothing else but wholesale
murder. Oh, when will cottagers learn the folly and the
madness of destroying their bees ?

Happily, in many parts of England straw skeps have
quite gone out, but in our part of the world they are
still extensively used ; and it is quite extraordinary how
difficult it is to make them see the wisdom from even a
business point of view alone of saving their bees. They
will, I suppose, never be convinced until they find that
their honey no longer meets with a sale. When one
compares the beautiful virgin honey in the section boxes
with t he]nasty mess they bring one, full of bee-bread, dead
grubs, and old black combs, one feels inclined to have
nothing to do with it. The worst is that I feel compelled
to buy a good deal of it every autumn. The cottagers
have been accustomed to come round for years and years,
one has not the heart to refuse to buy, so I always do
so, and not only that, but they always ask the best price
of good super honey. I do not like to be mean, so I
always pay it.

This may not be business, but I am afraid I am not
very business-like. Tbu only thing I take care to do is,
only to buy from my old-established customers, and as
these die out I shall certainly refuse to buy any honey
except that which is worked on modern principles.

Now to return to my condemned bees. I had often
read that the cottagers are thankful to let you drive the
bees which they are going to destroy. You give them
one shilling for the bees, and they have the advantage of
having their honey all free from the crowds of bees

December 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

545

which they have suffocated. However, it is not so easy
as you may think to get them to see their advantages.
As you know there is an immense deal of superstition
about bees. Many of them considered it ' unlucky,' and
would prefer to kill their bees as their ancestors had done
before them.

It was some time before I could hear of any that I
could have ; and it was now nearly the end of August.
My hive, one of Messrs. Neighbour's fifteen-shilling ones
with straw sides, was all ready, and I began to feel
anxious. I kept reading in the Bee Journal that you
ought to have two strong stocks and unite them together.
That if you had only one they would probably all die off
in the spring from the extra work they would be obliged
to do in the autumn.

This was obvious, for just as the unfortunate bees have
filled and sealed over their hone}' for the winter you turn
them all out, put them in a new hive, and expect them
to do the greater part of their summer work over again.
A worker-bee's life is a hard one, so hard that
during the working season a bee only lives about six
weeks. If it were not for the extraordinary fertility af
the queen the bees would soon dwindle away ; but as
she lays betweenjtwo and three thousand eggs a-dajr, the
supply is constantly kept up.

Therefore, with driven bees in the autumn, it is
necessary to supply them with as much syrup as they
can possibly take, as they can fill their cells with this far
more rapidly than gathering the honey from flowers, and
at far less fatigue. Besides in the autumn there is very
little honey to be gathered as most of the honey-producing
flowers are over.

Feeding also stimulates the queen to go on laying, and
the greater number of 3'oung bees you can obtain the
more chance for your success with your bees next spring.
One evening the keeper asked to speak to me, and told
me that he had a hive which he was ' just going to take,'
and if I liked I was welcome to the bees. That night I
could scarcely sleep for thinking of it.

There were many difficulties before me, for the keeper's
cottage was at the top of a high hill on the Downs, and
it would be quite impossible to carry the bees from there,
so I thought the best plan would be to drive round and
up by the road taking my new bar-frame with me. I did
not know then that it is best to drive bees in the evening.
They go more quietly into their new hive, and also you
get all the bees, as in the middle of the day there are so
many out at work. But this is not a rule by any means,
you may drive at any time of the day you like. I only
mention it, so that, if equally convenient, j'ou can drive
your bees late, you will also find them much quieter. Of
course I do not mean in the dark, snly just when the day
is beginning to close in and few bees out at work.

No ! if you want to be stung try doing anything with
your bees at night.

My eldest daughter, who in those days showed a
greater turn for bees than she has developed since, went
with me. The hive was placed in the cart. The smoker,
brown paper, and matches (pray do not forget them, as
it is so easy to do), veils, gloves, tapes for trying the
brood comb in, and scissors, were all put in a basket, and
we set off.

The keeper's cottage was situated in a lovely spot on
the top of the Downs with a view stretching far away to
Leith Hill, Ewhurst, Charterhouse, Hind Head, and
Black Downs ; but we had no eyes or thoughts for any-
thing but bees.

The keeper and his family came out with great
interest to watch the proceedings, as they had not the
slightest idea of what we were going to do.

I gave N. charge of the smoker, and with great diffi-
culty, for the hive was a heavy one, succeeded in turning
it upside down in a pail. The skep was put on, and the
driving began. The bees did not run very quickly, it
was a dull, showery day, and the driving took a long

time, over half-an-hour. N. helped me a good deal, but
I know I was pretty well tired by the time I had got
all the bees into the skep.

I arranged with the keeper to take the brood-comb
and some of the honey so as to start the bees, and trans-
ferred it, as has been previously described, and tied it
into the frames with tapes. Then I took the skep to
shake them in. As I had done on other occasions I gave
asharp shake and the bees fell with a thump into the
hive.

When, oh, horror ! they all came up again. Up, up,
they rose in myriads, the air was peopled with bees, one
looked up and it had the effect of a brown snowstorm.
I could have burst into tears ! Happily I had stood an
empty skep on their old stand to collect any wanderers,
and "thither they hurried back as fast as possible.
They were perfectly good-tempered, or else too utterly
frightened to think of us, for I only got one sting the
whole time.

Said N., ' Let us look into the hive and see if the queen
is there.'

I felt no hope, but sadly turned back the quilt and
looked in. Oh, joy ! yes, there was her majesty on the
brood comb with about fifty bees.

' Hope springs eternal in the human heart,' and I sat
down to wait whilst my bees collected themselves in
clusters on the skep in the old place. I had to drive
them in with smoke ; but at last they were all collected
once more. Then I again cautiously approached the
hive, shook them in and covered them up instantly, and
with a long-drawn breath felt that they were safe at last.
The entrance I had already closed, as we had to take the
hive away, so I felt that now I had really got them
quite successfully. The hive we carefully tied up with
cords, for fear the lid should slip ; and with what joyful
hearts I can hardly describe we drove down the hill.

It was long past lunch-time, but I could not rest
until the hive was placed on the stand prepared for it at
the bottom on a little copse facing the south and com-
pletely sheltered from the north and east. I did not
open the entrance thinking I had better leave them to
quiet down for one hour or two before I set them free.

Later in the afternoon I went down and opened the
entrance. The bees came out as quietly and happily as
possible. It was almost impossible to believe that they
had gone through all the commotion of the morning.
Here they were working as busily as if they had never
been disturbed in their lives.

I do not think any bees ever gave me quite the delight
of those, — I had actually saved their fives. As each one
hummed happily by, I said, 'But for me you would now
be dead.' They did not evince any particular sign of
gratitude, but in this life one ceases to look for much
except when it is a sense of favours to come.

1 fed those bees continually. I never saw bees take
down so much, a pint was gone in no time. It was such
a continual trouble going down rather a steep hill to
fill the bottle that I set myself to work to make a feeder
which would hold a quart at a time. I thought if it were
home-made it would cost me nothing, and I was deter-
mined not to spend another unnecessary penny. Accord-
ingly I got a biscuit-tin, and with a chisel and mallet I
cut the top of the lid out, leaving about half-an-inch all
round.

Happily some one broke a window just at this time, and
out of the broken pieces I got the glazier to cut me a piece
of glass which I put into the lid myself with putty. So
far my feeder had cost nothing except a penny for putty,
and I began to feel rather triumphant. Then came a
little difficulty, I wanted a hole cut in the bottom of the
box, and a little funnel soldered in through which the
bees were to come up, and another at the side through
which I could pour the syrup. For this I was obliged
to go to the blacksmith. Then I wanted a small board
with a number of holes in it which was to fit the tin

546

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 15, 1887.

exactly, with a hole in the middle through which the
funnel would pass ; the syrup would he poured through
the funnel at the side, the hoard would float upon it,
and the hees would take the syrup through the holes. I
cannot say that I had shown any great inventive genius
in this, as there are many kinds of float-feeders. The
only difference was that mine was home-made out of a
biscuit-tin. The little wooden float I had to get from a
carpenter ; and I believe when complete it cost me rather
more than if I had bought a new one ; but. there would
not have been the same satisfaction about it.

It did not answer very well, for the tin bent so easily,
and then the float did not rise and fall on the syrup as
was intended ; but as I looked at it several times a-day
I kept it in order. I would not recommend any one
to try and make one like it.

One thing I have never confessed to any one before,
but in a book of this sort no disaster must be left
out. "When I had finished feeding in the autumn and
took my feeder off, I found such a number of drowned
bees at the bottom under the float, thatN. and I opened,
emptied them sadly awaj7, and kept the matter to our-
selves, for I had boasted a good deal of that same feeder.

One thing 1 have forgotten to say, do not be deluded
by being told that at the end of three or four days the
bees will have mended up the combs tied into the frames,
so that you may cut the tapes and draw them out.

Knowing that bees have a great dislike to the tapes, I
went at the end of a week to take them away. I had
given more than the time specified, so I thought I should
be quite safe. I opened the hive, turned back the quilt,
and cutting the tapes carefulty drew them out. To my
great dismay down fell the comb, as the bees had not
made it nearly fast.

I did not much like the idea of putting my hand right
into the middle of the hive to fish it up again. But
there was nothing else to he done, and I had to get it up
as best I might, tie it once more into the frame and put
it hack. After that I left the bees to gnaw the tapes and
get them out by themselves.

If they did not choose to get their work done in proper
time they could scarcely expect me to help them. The
only thing I did was when I saw them struggling with
a long piece of mangled tape at the entrance, was to
catch it with a bit of stick and pull it out for them. In
this way the tapes were all got out. It was rather a
slovenly way I acknowledge, but wait till you have put
your hand into a bee-hive and then you will not blame me.

When it was the end of Octoher, and the time had
nearly come for leaving Shere, even the thoughts of
returning to my other hives could scarcely reconcile me
to leave these special bees who seemed to belong to me
more than any others.

I had fed them with syrup until every comb was full
of honey, but still haunted by the idea that one set of
condemned bees would not be able to take, care of them-
selves and would die off in the spring, I determined to
make every possible arrangement, for their comfort.

That week I read a letter from a correspondent in the
See Journal describing how he had fed his bees entirely
on moist sugar, and how splendidly they had done. lie
described how he had filled the space on each side of the
hives between the dummy boards and the sides with
moist sugar, and how this had saved all the trouble of
syrup feeding and the stock so fed had done as well as
any of the others.

[ sent to London to Messrs. Neighbour for the best
West India sugar, as this has a great deal of moisture,
and is recommended as the best to use.

N. and I crammed it into the hive by handfuls. We
pressed and we squeezed it in until we had got twelve
pounds stowed safely away as a winter resort for the
bees.

Then we covered them up for the last time that year
and left them, enveloped ii; a most pipturesque straw

hackle which one of the Shere men had made for me in
the most artistic manner. We left them feeling that
whatever happened at least they would not starve.

The next time I saw those bees was on Christmas-day.
It happened to be a lovely, sunny day, and the bees,
tempted by the warmth and sunshine, came out to greet
me in the most considerate way, thus adding not a little
to the happiness of the season.

Before I go further I must advise my readers never to
be tempted as I was to fill their hives with sugar. The
following spring, as I was not at Shere at the right time
for inspecting my hives, I asked the afore-mentioned
cousin to get an expert who lived near to overhaul my
bees, and see whether they bad finished all their honey
and sugar and required feeding.

Oh, the state of that hive when he opened it ! It was
simply a sticky and unpleasant mess. The moisture con-
densed in the hive had partly melted the sugar, and the
state of it was past describing. The bees themselves
were in the most flourishing condition, and had not eaten
half their supply of hone}7.

The whole hive had to be cleaned out. He got an
empty bar-frame and moved all the frames in, then be
thoroughly cleaned it out, and replaced the frames. I
have never tried feeding my bees with moist sugar again.

{To be continued.)

Jfnmp.

NORWAY.

Bee-keeping in Norway.

We had a very pleasant and instructive conversation
with Mr. Young, and, of course, made all possible
inquiries about the state of bee-keeping in Norway.

Bees can be kept very well as far north as Drontheim,
In Norway, as here in Canada, there is no method by
which the number of colonies can be ascertained, but the
number of colonies kept are estimated at about 40,000;
of these about 2000 are kept in the moveable-framo hive,
the balance in straw skeps.

The Government of Norway realise the importance of
apiculture as an industry, and have sent Mr. Young, at
their expense, to Canada and the United States, to pro-
mote the interests of bee-keepers.

Wintering is done very successfully in some of the
old straw-sleep hives. Many think the bees in the
moveable-frame hive do not winter as well, but such is
not the case ; on the contrary, the honey taken by means
of the moveable-frame hive is mostly extracted. On
account of so few frame-hives, and but little comb-
foundation being used, the average yield per colony for
the country is not great, but he thinks if properly
conducted it would be 70 pounds to 100 pounds per
colony.

The chief sources of honey are clover, basswood, and
heather. The clover is mostly alsike: there is but little
white.

The Norwegian Bee-keepers' Association has some
loOO members, has been in existence three years, the
Bee Journal two and a half years. Every member gets
this Journal free, and the Journal is the property of the
Association, and under their control; and one having
goods to advertise can do so in tile advertising columns.
Fifty cents entitle a bee-keeper to membership and the
paper, which is monthly. Any one not in the country
pays $1 : this extra charge beiug made to cover the
extra postage.

Mr. Young also very kindly presented us with a copy
of his book on bee-keeping. He may justly be called 'the
father of advanced bee-keeping in Norway.' — Canadian
llonei/ PfQdttfer,

December 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

547

FRANCE.

French Bee-keepebs and Protection.

At the Congress of bee-keepers held at the Orangeries
des Tuileries of Paris on the ll.'ird of September last, the
following resolutions were proposed : —

First. — In view of the fact that bee-keeping is being
affected by the cheapness of sugar and the competition
of foreign agricultural products sold at low prices, the
Congress calls upon the Government to put an import
duty of ten francs per 100 kilos upon foreign honey and
wax imported into France.

The Congress further records that railway carriage
should also be reduced in proportion to the reduction
which has taken place of late, and which, compared
with the prices ruling twenty years ago, maybe com-
puted at twenty per cent.

Second. — Considering how seriously ceresine (ozokerite)
is competing and ruining the price of beeswax, and
particularly in view of the fact that this ceresine is
often mixed with genuine beeswax, and palmed off to
the public as such, the Congress is of opinion that a
heavy import duty of, say, 100 francs per 100 kilos
should be imposed against this foreign mineral, to the
end the interests of apiculture may be protected as they
deserve to be.

Third. — Whereas the municipal regulations issued by
certain mayors regarding the distance at which apiaries
should be kept from public thoroughfares are often
dictated by mere personal enmity, the Congress is of
opinion that the General Council should be consulted
before the new rural code is drawn up.

The Congress is, however, of opinion that all such
regulations are an obstruction against the progress of
apiculture, and would prefer, therefore, that the principle
of liberty secured by the Bill of 28th September, l8i*l,
and provided that ' the keeping of bees as well as that of
domestic animals should not be placed under any restric-
tions ' should remain unaltered.

Fourth. — That whereas tuition is the best means by
which rational principles can be rendered popular, the
Congress puts on record the hope that a bee station or
school be established on one of the State properties out-
side Paris, viz., at Meudon or at St. Cloud.

The Congress would further suggest that the bee-
section of agricultural shows got up by the Government
be judged by a competent jury composed of bee-keepers.

It also suggests that when agricultural shows are held
in districts where bee-keeping might be carried on with
advantage, a bee-section should be added thereto.

The above resolutions are to be forwarded to the
French Ministry for Agriculture.

ASSOCIATIONS.

IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Committee met on the 6th inst. Present: Rev.
P. Kavanagh (in the chair), Dr. Knight, Mr. Read, Mr.
Milner, and the Hon. Secretary. Sample hives made by
Messrs. Abbott and Edmondson, after the Association's
pattern, were inspected carefully and approved, subject
to slight alterations being made in them.

LEICESTERSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS'
ASSOCIATION.
The Committee met on Saturday, December 10th, to
receive the Report and Balance-sheet. On the Report
touching on the weak financial condition of the Associa-
tion, each member of the Committee present ' came
down with some chink,' and expressed a hope that
others would follow the example, and that Messrs.
Bickley's and De-la-Bere's offers would not fall to the
ground, Tlae former, as previously mentioned in this

Journal, offers to pay \l. to relieve the debt if nine
others will do the same ; the latter offers to double his
subscription if fifteen others will do the same. — E. B.

Jlcbteto.

A Modern Bee Farm and its Economic Manage-
ment. By S. Simmins, published by T. Pettitt & Co.,
London. — This is a useful book for those intending to
cultivate bees, more particularly for such as intend to
make it a business, as the author gives instructions
deduced from his own experience of over twenty years,
and says, ' The reader will, therefore, have the benefit
of a lengthened and varied experience, and by following
one recognised system, there will be little possibility of
one being confused by the usual multiplicity of ideas
upon any one subject.' Mr. Simmins has endeavoured
to place the management of bees before those who wish
to become bee-keepers in as clear a manner as possible,
and with few exceptions describes only such hives and
appliances as he makes and uses. With regard to the
value of honey as an inducement to make bee-keeping a
business, the author says, ' While an increased production
has lowered the value, there is at the same time a larger
and increasing demand for the bee-keeper's commodity;
and as he now has the benefit of improved appliances
there is no difficulty in competing with present rates.'
In fact, it appears likely that very soon it will not pay
foreign countries to send their honey here, as continued
improvements are reducing the cost of production at
home.

After honey was superseded by sugar, bee-keeping
seems to have fallen into the background, but light
began to dawn, and it was some thirty years since that,
by using hives wherein all the combs could be removed
separately at will, a great stimulus was given to both
practical and scientific bee-keeping, consequently the
ranks began to swell, as it became known that much
larger harvests could be secured than by the old fixed-
comb methods, and in every way the bees could be brought
more under control.

But more light was yet needed, and Bee Journals were
established, but it was not until the year 1873 that this
country could boast of one, and that was founded by Mr.
C. N. Abbott, of Southall, who ably conducted it for about
ten years, when it passed into the hands of the Rev. H.
R. Peel.

Soon after this paper was established we find Mr.
Abbott inaugurating the British Bee-keepers' Association,
his object being the diffusion of the knowledge of bee-
keeping, especially among the poorer classes, as a means
of bettering their condition.

The work consists of 195 pages, aud is divided into
twenty-five chapters. In Chapter V. the author gives
his experience with different sorts of bees, much of which
agrees with ours, but when he says that ' There is no
doubt that the leather-coloured Ligurians, mentioned by
the Americans as being superior to any, are nothing
more nor less than hybrids,' we must most emphatically
disagree with him. We have never considered the
colour of bees in breeding, and have always insisted that
other points were of greater importance. Our best
Italians have been dark, or what might be called
' leather-coloured,' but they were none the less pure for
all that.

We have had the opportunity of studying the bees
in their native country, and have repeatedly stated that
we have seen dark bees in Italy in parts where not a
single bee of the black race exists. The Italian bee-
keepers themselves do not put any value on the colouring.
Colour has always been considered a point of beauty in
other countries ; and as there has been a demand for
such, the Italian breeders have endeavoured to meet it,
but not -without very much injuring the race. We

548

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 15, 1887.

know for a fact that many breeders breed solely for
colour in order to supply the English and American
trade: this is 'why such an immense number of imported
queens are worthless. "We obtained our strain of
energetic workers, without any admixture of common
blood, but then only by getting direct from Italy such
queens as we desired regardless of colour. We therefore
believe that there maybe 'leather-coloured' Ligurians,
and that they need not necessarily be hybrids. Although
usually Italians have three bands, — and this is a good sign
of their purity, — yet we have seen the pure races producing
bees with one, two, and three bands, and that in
Northern Italy where a black bee does not exist. We
are pleased to find the author in agreement with us on
so many points which we have repeatedly insisted upon,
with regard to the queen never being too prolific,
having only young queens in the apiary, requeening
every year, and on breeding to improve the strain. In
Chapter X. ' the Economic' hive and other appliances
used and made by the author are described and illus-
trated.

There are also interesting chapters on How to stock a
frame-hive, Wintering, the Production of Honej', &c,
then there are also the Simmins' non-swarming system,
and his method of queen-introduction, as well as a
chapter on the production of wax. His own apiaries
are described and illustrated on page 148, and much
useful information may be picked up by those going in
for bee-keeping on a large scale. The estimates given
of probable expenditure and income are useful and in-
teresting ; and we commend them to the consideration
of our readers as coming from a practical bee-keeper ;
but they should be received cum grano sate, more
especially as Mr. Simmins himself says, ' I do not by
any means wish or intend that the estimated returns are
to be taken as implying certainty.' We would suggest
that in making the estimate the bee-keeper should put
down interest on capital employed, and make a deduction
for annual depreciation of plant, &c. Besides a certain
allowance must be made for appliances becoming obsolete.
This is a heavy item, and at Captain Hetherington's we
saw an enormous building, formerly a chapel, completely
filled with such disused things.

We have in mind several good bee-keepers who have
failed when working on a large scale; and where one
would have the energy and perseverance of Mr. Simmins,
who has succeeded and made it pay, there are a great
many who would find it a serious loss, — at any rate in our
climate.

The author recommends planting for bees, and con-
siders twenty-five acres a suitable space to provide
pasturage for 100 colonies. We have practised planting
for bees, and have no doubt it has increased our harvests
considerably : and those who are already farmers and
cannot easily get out of their farms would do well to
try planting in moderation ; but in these times of agri-
cultural depression, when, as is well known, that except
in a few favoured localities farming does not pay, we
should hesitate to recommend any one to burden nimself
with land for such a purpose.

We have for many years had a farm on our hands,
and although highly cultivated we have no hesitation in
saying it has been carried on at a great loss to ourselves.
Where any one had to make a living such a loss would
be a serious drawback, and would considerably reduce
the profits derived from bees. Very much rather would
■we recommend the bee-keeper to induce his neighbours
tn plant crops that would provide the pasturage, even if
he had to supply the seed for nothing. His advice to
intending appliance-makers is good, and we commend it
to their serious consideration, as it is impossible for
beginners without machinery or capital to compete with
long-established firms.

In the practical part the book contains many hints,
and it is also suitably illustrated. In addition the

neatly-bound copy contains a photograph of the author
and his family, one of a frame with queen and workers,
and two of his home and covered apiaries. Being
written by a practical man, bee-keepers will find in it
much that is useful.

€axx£tyavfotntt.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
implications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
dissociations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&G., must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cfo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huokle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

*#* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of
any letter or query previously inserted, mill oblige by mentioning the
nuniber of the letter, as well as the page on which it appears.

OUR HONEY IMPOSTS.

The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom
during the month of November, 1887, amounted to 1067/.
[From a return furnished by the Statistical Department
of Her Majesty's Customs, to E. H. Bellairs, Wingfield,
Christchurch.j

' A. E.' WANTS A DIPLOMA.

' Seeking the bubble reputation even at the cannon's mouth.'
[1384.] I want a diploma, and with it the right to write
two or more Koman capital letters after my name. It must
be something novel and puzzling, B.A., M.A., LL.D.,
D.D., or even Ph.D., are all too commonplace to satisfy
my ambition. In my youthful folly I used to scorn such
things, but as one grows grey (or bald) the memories of
the follies of youth are not always pleasant companions.
I have gone in for scientific (?) lecturing, and the un-
pleasant discovery has been forced upon me that, though
I may possess the ripe and mellow wisdom of a sage and
' hold not the parchment,' I am as a sounding brass or a
tinkling cymbal; but with the parchment, though I may
be a numskull no man dare question my ability or
qualifications. Would the tale of how I made this dis-
covery amuse you ? Draw up your chairs while the
wind roars outside and I will tell you. In a quiet old
town named Dulborough, so near to S. Kensington
that at night you can see the glare of London lights, and
almost hear the roar of its traffic, I have a friend. He
is large-limbed, large-hearted, and large-brained. He is
a schoolmaster; until recently he worked under 'manage-
ment,' which simply meant the Rector, for, as usual,
none of the other managers ever cared a brass farthing
about how the school went on. So my friend, as many
others of like courage have done before him, simply
rebelled and tendered his resignation. Thinking there
was an opening he started a middle-class school, and
met with success far beyond his hopes or expectations.
He is a bee-keeper, and being burly as well, that is a
sufficient guarantee that he is a jovial fellow. The
worst thing about him is his name. His surname,
which is neither pleasant nor poetical, like the rest of us
he could avoid ; but how he must bless his father and his
god-parents when he has to write his Christian (?) names
thus : — Jacob Banoni Zachariah Bangs ! Wonder if bis
old man believed in the British nation being the lost
ten tribes ? Now my friend not only taught small boys
by day, but he also filled a much-felt want by opening a
series of evening classes under the Science and Art
Department, South Kensington.

Dulborough being an agricultural centre he chose
Agriculture as one of his subjects, Animal Physiology
being another. Although this ancient town boasts of a

December 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

549

mayor and corporation and a history far beyond J ulius
Csesar, yet I venture to say that a sleepier place is not
to be found in the kingdom. My friend not being a
' native ' thought he would help to enliven it a little
during the long- winter evenings, so he organized ' open
nights ' in connexion with his classes. On one occasion
he got the music class to sing some carols, on another he
got a local physician and a Cambridge B.A. to bring his
skeleton and lecture in connexion with the class on
Animal Physiology ; and finding these ' open nights '
were appreciated, he asked me to give him a turn on
Bees in relation to Agriculture. I agreed and went. I
alighted at the station — one of three I remember and
' All change here.' There were seven flys and cabs to
take us into the town (which Kelly's Directory credits
with 7000 inhabitants), and about three times that
number of urchins to carry our parcels. In the town
itself the stillness was painful, and my footfall on the
pavement awakened echoes that made me feel the whole
troop of urchins I saw at the station were in pursuit.
But presently my eye caught something that attracted
my attention, it was a handbill announcing myself to
lecture on ' Bees in connexion with Agriculture,' at
7 p.m., and also that A. P. E. Slaughter, Esq.,
M.R.C.V.S., would ' dissect an eye, in connexion with
Animal Physiology,' at 8 p.m. that evening. I found
the school, my friend, and his class. I set up my
Cheshire diagrams and the few things I had brought,
including a few flowers, and waited for the clock to
point to the hour ; and while doing so my friend, with
very great regard for my feelings, went on to explain,
that however able I may be to deal with the subject, the
Science and Art Department would not recognise that
hour as a lesson unless he took some part, as I was not a
'certified' teacher. Would I mind him taking the first
five minutes, and I following on as his assistant ? Of
course I did not mind, so he went on to speak of the
relative value of certain cereals as food, and introduced
myself as about to speak of the value of ' Bees as
fertilisers.' My friend was a model chairman, no
flattery, no taffy, so, having a fair start, I was soon in
full swing, and was alarmed to find it only wanted five
minutes to eight, and I only just ' warm ' to my subject.
I apologised, got a few minutes grace, andwent on, till,
at ten minutes past eight, I resumed my seat.

When I commenced I began to wonder what had
become of my coadjutor with the five Eomau capitals
duly ' certified,' but at a few minutes to the hour I was
no longer left in doubt, a head was thrust in at the
door, and speedily withdrawn ; this was repeated at
intervals of a few minutes, until as I sat down in walked
a swell as stiff as buckram, carrying a dish covered with
a napkin. He sported an ' Imperial,' with the ends well
waxed, a masher collar, rings, jewellery profuse, and, in
fact, had all the airs of a ' big pot ! ' I removed my
gear speedily, and withdrew into an obscure corner to
ruminate, until all being to his satisfaction he com-
menced by turning to a large diagram on animal phy-
siology, and attempted to explain the various parts of
the eye. But I soon found he had made an error, and
so did he, as he referred to a long sheet of notes which
he had prepared. Correcting himself he essayed to pro-
ceed by commencing afresh at the beginning ; arriving
at the old spot he repeated his former mistake, and went
back with flushed face to commence again. This time he
did not get so far as on the two previous ' tries ' before
he said something outrageous, and was gently put right
by my friend. This instead of helping him only
increased his confusion ; until laying down a small cane
that he had been using as a pointer, he looked across to
a lady sitting there and said : ' I told you so. I have
not felt well all day, and several professional engage-
ments during the past fortnight have prevented my
reading up the subject. I cannot possibly go on ; I will
come next week.' (Alas that the wife of a man's

bosom should be the unwilling spectator of her lord's
discomfiture !) At this a young male studeat who had
been taking copious notes after me, and helping a young
lady student to copy off some of them during the
interval, gave a loud ' guffaw,' which upset the poor
fellow entirely. But my friend was equal to the occa-
sion. He took the diagram, and talked on in his own
lucid style, and at the proper moment the 'duly certified '
M.R.C.V.S. took up his lance and dissected the eye.
How his hand trembled ! All ended well at last, as the
tales do.

My friend 'J. B. Z. Bangs ' wrote me early in June :
' All his students had passed, some with honours. Two
in the Agriculture class were disqualified from taking
Queen's prizes, because they had not sat a previous year
in the elementary class.' ' Poor return this,' remarked
he, ' for doing two years' work in one year ! '

I left that meeting with such an impression of the
value of a ' diploma ' as I never dreamt of before. Will
the B.B.K.A. get chartered as a ' learned ' society with
the power to grant them ? I have found the letters ; see
how grand they look. — Amateub Expert, A.TJ.G-.

Query.— What do those three letters stand for ?

PRICE OF HONEY.

[1385.] I notice that ' Woodleigh' [1378] appears to
consider I have said the supply of comb-honey has
exceeded the demand. Nothing could be more contrary
to my own experience, and if he will again refer to my
article [1361] he will find no such statement.

What he will find is I have there endeavoured to
show that a false impression is always produced early
in the season ; and a superficial observer is led to
believe there is an over-production, when in reality the
entire produce of the country is thrown upon the
market to be disposed of in three months, leaving the
remainder of the year honey-less.

I have yet to see the supply in excess of the demand,
neither do I expect such to be case for many years to
come. Long before Christmas dealers find the supply
slackens, and the price of comb-honey rises considerably,
while in many cases it is retailed at something like the
old figures. It is just because this article is so abundant
at one time, and then so scarce at another period of the
same year, that we find such fluctuations in its marketable
value.

It would be found were three times the weight of
comb-honey placed upon the market between this and
next June that has already been produced this year, the
whole would be disposed of at higher rates than have
ruled during the earlier part of the past season, provided
it could be distributed evenly throughout the other eight
or nine months. As it is the supply drops off, and the
article is lost sight of, until once again it is suddenly
brought before the public in large quantities; but by
the time it is getting to be appreciated the season's
produce is exhausted. All the time this 'gap' is to be
found year after year, it is self-evident that the supply
is far short of the demand — a demand which is ready to
grow with a constant and increasing supply.

Generally speaking, prices of comb have come down
considerably, partly because of the 'rush' at the com-
mencement of each season, but principally for the reason
that the old rates were quite prohibitory, and such as
could not be adopted by any company or individual
dealer who had the slightest knowledge of the laws that
govern ' supply and demand.' And though the demand
is yet in advance of the irregular supply, that _ is no
reason why high prices will ever rule again ; but it does
show that "there is no need to sacrifice good comb-honey
at the price of extracted, as many have done as soon as
their crop is off the hive. — S. Simmins.

550

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 15, 1887.

RIGHT-ANGLED VERSUS PARALLEL
FRAMES.

[1:386.] 'Prove all things, hold fast that which is
good.' Had Mr. R. A. H. Grimshaw done this I am
' fully persuaded' that he would have written different
from what he has done. His admission that he has
adopted the broad-sboulder frame proves that he is
behind the times. No bee-keeper who wishes to take
the most out of his bees could tolerate a hive with a
frame at a fixed distance. When I commenced to make
frame-hives, Abbott was praising- up the broad shoulder,
and I adopted it, but after using it for about two months
I took a chisel and punched them all off; and would
advise Mr. Grimshaw to do the same, unless he is one
of those that have more love for drones than honey.

He says ' he went to Nature for her samples.' The
rose, the pansy, or the chrysanthemum of the present
day — the product of Nature — has not science turned the

mens of these flowers into petals ? It is the same
with a frame-hive. Nature has nothing to do with it,
man has brought his superior knowledge to bear on
the question, and he sees that by setting the frames a
certain way at a certain distance apart he can make
his bees do better than they would do if left to them-
selves.

Again, the question of draught. Before there can
be a draught there must be two openings, and it
applies as equally to parallel as right-angled frames.
The difficulty in manipulating right-angled frames exists
only in Mr. Grimshaw s imagination ; it is practice that
makes the difference.

I deny that giving sheets of foundation at the back
is an advantage, as it can be done equally as well at the
side of a right-angled hive as at the back of a parallel
one.

The modern cure for swarming is room above and air
below.

Bees do not store their surplus at the furthest
obtainable space awa}r from the entrance, but above
and around the brood-nest. In hundreds of cases I
have seen honey sealed down to the very door in right-
angled hives, and more of it than ever we could see in a
parallel one. — J as. Saddlee, Forfar.

FOUL BROOD.
[1387.] Having read a good deal on the above subject,
and seeing there are a great many who have not much
faith in the Cheshire cure, I think it nothing but fairness
to give an account of how I cured a very badly diseased
stock which had dwindled down to such an extent that
they did not cover two standard size frames. The
disease appeared in a straw skep belonging to a labourer
close by, and having heard they were doomed to the
sulphur-pit, I asked if he would permit me to drive them,
which he did, when I found that they were as above
described. To be certain that such was the case, I sent
a piece of the comb with brood to Mr. Cheshire, who was
good enough to inform me that it was a very bad case, and
advised me to consult your valuable Journal as to the
best means of cure ; which I did, with the result that I
got a bottle of phenol as prescribed by Mr. Cheshire,
and, after putting them in a new bar-frame hive, with
three frames having full sheets of foundation, I fed them
with syrup mixed with phenol as per instructions, which
the bees took eagerly, and which induced the queen to
recommenco laying (being then the second week in
September) ; so, after making them up to five frames,
I parked ii]) for winter, but not before seeing that brood
win bring hatched out. Well, letting well alone until
early spring, when, on a warm day, I examined them to
see how they had fared, during what we all know to
be a very severe winter, and to my delight I found three
put of the five frames wjth, brood in all stages, and

plenty of food. Later on I put more frames and stimu-
lated with a little warm syrup (with no phenol or
chemicals whatever mixed with it), which encouraged
breeding so fast that I found by the end of May they
were preparing for swarming, which I prevented by the
usual way, viz., cutting out queen-cells and giving plenty
of room. I took 22 lbs. of sectional honey from them,
leaving ten frames of food for their own consumption,
which about a fortnight since I reduced to seven, and
thoroughly examined them, and I found no foul brood
or any disease whatsoever, and this stock is quite as
strong as any I have. I merely write this letter to give
heart to' those who may have the ill-luck of having
this, I may say the worst of all diseases, amongst their
busy pets. It is such a simple remedy that any inex-
perienced person could use it; and I may say that I have
not had much experience myself, having only com-
menced bee-keeping in June, 1885, so it clearly shows
that all praise is due to the Cheshire cure for curing
this stock so badly diseased. — E. H. Pike, Arthur
Cottage, Park Street, Slough, December 6th.

DRONE-COMB.

[1388.] If it is not too late I want to suggest a point
that you might mention in connexion with the little dis-
cussion in British Bee Journal concerning the design of
bees in building drone or worker-comb. It is this : In
the early part of the season when bees build comb with-
out foundation a fair proportion is sure to be drone,
especially if the queen's supersedure is near at hand when
drones may be needed, whereas in the fall if a colony is
fed and obliged to build combs in which to store the
food, the combs, on the testimony of a number who have
tried the experiment, will all be worker, no drones being
desired. Does not this point pretty strongly to the con-
clusion that drone-comb is built because the bees desire
drone-brood ? — Extract from a letter received from Dr.
C. C. Miller, Marengo, November 25,

ECONOMICAL CUSHION AND FEEDER.

[1389.] This cushion and feeder has many advantages
over anything of the kind that I have yet heard of.
No quilts are required, there is no trouble in removing
in spring to put the feeding-stage on, as it is always
there ready at hand. This has ever been a trouble,
having to provide so many quilts for winter use ; and
again in spring they are sometimes troublesome when
putting the feeding-stages on, as one hole is here and
the other there. If a cushion had only the advantage of
dispensing with these nuisances they would be worth
the extra trouble in making them ; they are quickly
put on and much pleasanter to work with, besides their
value as a winter covering. These are simple matters
worth thinking about in favour of the cushion. Any
ordinary cushion will answer the above purpose, but the
cushion I am writing about has several other and very
important advantages. It is so arranged that all kinds
of feeding can be made use of at any time when on the
hive, and one can be done equally as well as another.
To do this various feeders, or means of feeding, have to
be made use of, but in the economical cushion feeder all
is combined in one. Dry sugar, candy, or liquid, can be
used with very little alteration in the feeder, and in
supplying the bees with liquid food it can be given either
fast or slow in the centre of the cushion. It is so con-
trived that those various means of feeding can be made
use of, and close to the ordinary feeding-stage there is
another smaller one to supply the bees with water,
sweetened, in early spring, wiien it is too cold for the
bees to leave their hives and seek it elsewhere. This
water-stage is a hollow tube, 1£ in. inside, with a
piepe of perforated nine at the Ijottom of it far the jn,»

December 15, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

551

verted bottle to stand on. Besides the above properties
that this cushion and feeder contains, there is yet another
of very great importance. We are told to cut holes
through the combs to give the bees passage-way from
one comb to another. This may be very good advice,
but I, like many more, do not like the idea of damaging
the combs. For this purpose some 'will recommend
passages over the tops of the frames. If this will answer
the purpose, there will be no need to damage the combs.
"Where this cushion is used, there is a passage-way pro-
vided along the centre of the under side of the cushion
over the tops of the frames, 2i in. broad by g in., which
gives the bees passage-way to any part of the hive, aud
to their food and water. What I have stated is merely
to show the various purposes that are here combined in
one simple arrangement, and the value of it as a good
winter covering. I think there is nothing that will
answer so well when packed with chaff. I have said
nothing how this cushion is made, but should any one
wish to know more about it, and how it is made, I
should be glad to explain this in a future number of the
B. B. J, — R. Philipson, Keswick, Cumberland.

FOUNDATION versus WORKED COMBS. (1381.)
[1390.] Mr. Saddler's strictures on the replies to
Selected Query No. 2 are nothing if not satirical. These
may safely be left for the parties interested to answer.
Two points, however, are worth notice. 'For all
practical purposes a sheet of foundation is superior to a
comb ' is Mr. Saddler's opinion. To refute this is easy.
Given a stock in April in need of extension of brood-
nest, it is incredible that a sheet of foundation can be so
soon filled with eggs and brood, aud with no more wear
and tear of bee-life than a clean worker -comb; the
facility of giving sealed or partially uncapped stores
should also be taken into consideration. Later in the
year, when the honey-flow is expected, the advantages of
combs may not be so great, but are still considerably over
plain foundation. Has Mr. Saddler ever tried doubling
or tiering hives filled with clean comb for the production
of extracted honey ? If not, let him do so next season,
and I venture to predict the result. It is important
that the combs given for the latter purpose be clean.
No old stores should be allowed ; these given when
honey is to be gathered frequently cause the stock to
'loaf 'and do little when others fill freely; those with
deep cells, i.e., farther from centre to centre, are most
most valuable, as they save handling.

To store combs, when preparing for winter, those that
can be spared which contain much food are valuable for
stimulation and building up colonies in spring, and
should be put away securely in comb-boxes, or other
receptacles mice-proof. Combs containing little had
better be uncapped and given to the bees to clear, not
too late in season, and may then be closely packed in
hives that will tier ; if the latter are dressed with
carbolic acid and water it will tend to keep them in good
condition.

Mr. Saddler, in his last paragraph, writes strongly,
somewhat ignoring the hints lately given in the Bee
Journal on courtesy in refuting what we consider errors
in others ; in turn I will ask if he has ' studied this
wiring business,' to what extent, and with what result,
more particular!}' in regard to the clause at the end of
his article, p. 538 ? If he will do this, I will endeavour
to show later on how there need be no danger appre-
hended from spare combs spreading foul brood, nor
' waste ' in wiring frames of foundation. — John Edey,
St. Neots.

QUERY.

[1391.] I should like to have the opinion of some of
our leading bee-keepers on the following questions :—
1. What number of frames are generally thought

sufficient to prevent swarming, as I find that a double
hive with twenty frames is not sufficient to keep them
at home ? This number of frames and a crate of 2-lb.
sections did not give them sufficient room. I am now
making a third tier to some of my hives. 2. What
number of bees are there generally supposed to be in a
three-storey^hive, with thirty frames and well crowded
with bees. 3. Would it not be better to make frames
1-in. broad, or a little over, for filling with drone-
foundation to be filled with drone-couib for extracting
purposes ? As with the ordinary frame, when filled with
drone-comb, it projects so far on each side of the frame ;
it is more liable to be damaged when in the extractor.
A broader frame would protect it. Is there any objec-
tion to these broad frames ? — R. P., Keswick.

BEES IN THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.

The bee abounds, and eight distinct species are recog-
nised: The tiosimi, yana, mosa mosa, mestiso quilaya,
cani, quella, and alpamisqui. These Indian names are
significant of the characteristics of these industrious and
useful insects. The people of the country revel in the
rich supplies they afford of a delicious and invigorating
food. I ate of several of these varieties of honey, and
preferred above all others that of the toisimi bee, known
as the cardon honey ; for it is only found in the trunk
of that cactus. Expressed from the comb, it becomes
after a few months perfectly white and granulated ; and
when eaten with bread or parched corn is considered
delicious and sustaining. The Santiaganians prefer the
cardon, but they also highly prize the lechiguaha, the
product of a bee which makes its hive in trees, and feeds
upon the first spring flowers; for the flavour of the
honey depends upon the food of the insect. The comb
looks as if formed of the finest tissue paper, and has no
admixture of wax. Myriads of bees exist in the Chaco,
bordering the Salado ; and large parties, provided with
sacks and a provision of parched corn, cross over in the
month of December to collect the produce of the wild
hives. They take very good care, however, not to
venture beyond the woods and plain immediately adja-
cent to the river; for with the Indians also honey is a
staple article of food, and they prefer above all other
varieties one that is found in that region — the eyrobaiia,
which is the deposit of a bee that feeds upon the fragrant
ybirapaye. Forlorn, emaciated invalids join these parties,
and, after an absence of a few weeks, return fat, well,
and so changed that it is like the working of a miracle.
This is ascribed to the properties of the wild honey,
which, with parched corn, is for the time the only food
of those engaged in these expeditions. A considerable
quantity of wax is still sold to the village merchants,
and finds its way to the neighbouring provinces ; but the
trade in this article must have diminished, for, according
to Azara, ten thousand pounds were collected annually
in Santiago before the Revolution. The process of pre-
paring it for sale is simple enough. The comb is boiled
in water, which is frequently stirred, and as the wax
rises to the surface, a bunch of twigs is immersed, to
which it adheres; it is then bleached by a daily exposure
to the action of the sun for some weeks. — T. Page,
U.S.N., Voyage in the ' Waterwitch!

Tomtits. — At the Astwood Bank Mutual Improvement
Society's meeting last week, J. Hiam gave his annual
chat on Natural History. Last year it was on Modern
Bee-keeping. This year he took the subject of English
birds found in the locality, and amongst curiosities for
illustrations was a tomtit roosting in an old boot which
has been used every winter for the last seven years.
Query: — If tomtits kill bees, what is the best way to
deal with them ? Is Paries major the tomtit always
referred to ? At Redditch it is known as the ' Tom
Collier.'

552

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 15, 188?.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspon-
dents, or ichere appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
devoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondent's
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt or their communication.

All queries forwarded will be attended to, and those only of personal
interest wilt be ansieered in this column.

F.I Pearson. — Sour or rancid honey is dangerous honey for
bees, and, being foreign, is probably adulterated. We
should reserve it until spring, and, after boiling and
.skimming, try the effect upon a single colony, when the
bees are working vigorously, before venturing to use it in
quantity as bee-food. We cannot suggest any other use
for it.

Sweet-Tooth. — Top]/ or Barley-Sugar. — Refuse honey is
not suitable for making toffy or barley-sugar ; these
should be made from the best honey and refined sugar,
the proportion of honey to the sugar being very small.
Great care is to be taken with the manipulation, or the
flavour of the honey will be altogether lost. If too much
honey is used the candy will become sticky, and the
result unsatisfactory.

W. G. Preece, jun. — Sartori's Diagrams. — The diagrams
are published by L. Sartori, No. 6, Via Confalonieri,
Milan, Italy. We do not know the price, but we pre-
sented a set to the British Bee-keepers' Association, which,
when mounted, will be available for use.

An Inquires. — Zig-zag Entrances. — Experience has shown
that they do not allow of sufficient ventilation, and
become choked with dead bees, and we have found that
more bees are lost with their use than in those hives
without them. Our advice is to open the entrances to
six inches and either use plain slides or triangular
blocks.

F. Jellico. — Propolis. — For removing propolis from glass,
alcohol or benzine maybe used. Boot advises that glass,
etc., can be cleaned most expeditiously by boiling it in a
kettle of water with wood ashes.

B. B. Godfrey. — Thanks for the Grantham paper, but the
report of the Grantham Honey Fair was inserted in
previous week's issue.

G. Murrall. — Hawthorn. — The hawthorn, or may, is much
frequented by bees both for honey and pollen. A buff-
coloured pollen is obtained from it.

Macgerton. — Lee's Frames and Sections. — The principal
improvement in these frames consists of a continuous
dovetailed groove, and does away with nailing. In these
the foundation is fixed at the time of putting the frame
together. The top-rail of the frame is in two parts,
with the dovetailed grooves on the under-side, which
receive the ends of the bars tongued to fit these grooves.
The lower ends of the bars have similar grooves and
receive the bottom rail, which is also in two parts. For
putting the frames together, a frame-block is required.
The sections are on the same principle ; full sheets of
thin foundation are used, and arc secured by pressing the
half-rails together.

loWAFS GUIDE BOOKf

ANEW EDITION of this Work will shortly
be published. Intending Advertisers must forward
Copies of their Advertisements during the present week.

'^Business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 250a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 0 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Burtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Hdtchings, A. F., St. Mary Cray, Kent.

Meadhaji, M., Huntington, Hereford.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

Webster, W. B., Wokingham.

Woodley, A. D., 26 Donnington Boad, Beading.

Wren & Son, 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

HONEY MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B. , Muskham, Newark,

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St

British Honey Co., Limited, 17 King William St., Strand.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

FOREIGN BEES AND QUEENS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Benton, F. , Laibach, Carniola, Austria.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H., Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Simmins, S., Rottingdean, near Brighton.

METAL ENDS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Lyon, F., 94 Harleyford Boad, London, S.E.

Meadows, W. P., Syston, Leicester.

Neighbour & Sons,'149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

COMB FOUNDATION.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Baldwin, S. J. , Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Edey & Sons, St. Neots.

Howard, J. H. , Holme, Peterborough.

Neighbour & Sons, 149 Eegent St. & 127 High Holborn.

Stothard, G., Welwyn, Herts.

HONEY GLASS MERCHANTS.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Blow, T. B. , Welwyn, Herts.

Pearson, F., Stockton Heath, Warrington.

HOTICE.

The British Bee Journal is published by Kent k Co., 23 Paternoster
Row, and may be obtained of all local Booksellers, and of the fol-
lowing Agents : —

ABBOTT, BROS., Southall, London, and Dublin.

ANDREU, F. C, Port Mahon, Minorca.

APPLETON, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

BAKER, W. B., Muskhara, Newark.

BALDWIN, S. J., Stanley Road, Bromley, Kent.

BLOW, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

BROWN, C, Bewdley, Worcestershire.

DURRANT & Co., Booksellers, High St., Chelmsford.

EDEY & SONS, St. Neots, Hunts.

EDMONDSON BROS., Dame Street, Dublin.

HANDBY. W., Hasland, Chesterfield.

HOLLANDS, W., Waddon Road, Croydon.

HOLE, J. R. W., Tarrington, Ledbury, Herefordshire.

JOHNSTON, A. B., Briethall, Ballywoolen, Killy-
leagh, Co. Down.

McNALLY, R., Glcnluce, N.B.

MEADHAM, M., Huntington, Hereford.

NEIGHBOUR & SON, 119 Regent Street, and
127 High Holborn, London.

OVERTON, C. T., Crawley, Sussex.

REDSHAW, C, Canal St., South WigBton, Leicester.

RICE, J. J., Wensurn Street, Norwich.

RUDKIN, F., Bolton, Uppingham.

SMITH & SON, 180 Strand, London; and at all Rail-
way Bookstalls.

WITHINSHAW, A., Newcastle, Staffordshire.

WOODLEY, A. D., 26 Donnington Road, Reading.

WREN, L., 139 High Street, Lowestoft.

BWTiSH

TH£

%=

_^A^^^

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Peintinq Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Ciroua, W.C.

[No. 287. Vol. XV.]

DECEMBER 22, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

CHKISTMAS GREETING.

The Editor joins with the compiler of ' Useful
Hints ' in a Christmas greeting to all subscribers
and friends, and trusts that the festive season may
prove a happy one to all of them.

OUR WAX IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.
In our last issue we presented our readers with
the statistics of the imports and exports of honey,
as given in the Annual Statement of the trade of
the United Kingdom for the year 1886. We now
proceed to extract from the same publication the
amount and value of wax for the same year. The
following tabular account specifies the countries
from which wax is imported and the amount and
value of the same : —

cwts. £

From Germany 5,937 14,527

„ France 919 4,831

„ Portugal 1,270 6,872

„ Italy 404 2,324

„ Morocco 2,163 10,699

„ Japan 3,576 10,299

„ United States of America 6,074 27,107

„ Chile 505 3,543

„ Brazil 2,375 6,616

„ Other Foreign Countries 987 4,186

Total from Foreign Countries 24,210 90,734

From West African Settlements 568 3,423

British Possessionsin South Africa 912 4,750

Mauritius 1,836 8,663

British East Indies 945 5,719

Australasia 678 3,851

British West India Islands 1,160 7,106

Other British Possessions 517 2,131

Total from British Possessions 6,616 35,643

Total 30,826 126,377

There is considerable difficulty in affirming the
quality of wax brought to this country. It requires
great experience in detecting adulterated waxes ;
even among analysts there are fine gradations and
nice distinctions between absolutely pure and
commercially pure wax. Then there are many
kinds of wax, vegetable, mineral, and insect, but

we may generally deduce the quality of the wax
from the value given. The mean of the value
imported is 4?. 2s. per cwt. The wax from Chile
fetches the highest price, 11. per cwt., while that
from Germany is only about 21. 8s.

The following amounts are re-exported : —

cwts. £

To Russia 2,224 8,665

„ Germany 2,577 8,337

„ Holland 994 4,964

„ France 1,840 7,950

„ Other Foreign Countries 2,845 9,283

Total to Foreign Countries 10,480 89,199

To British Possessions 238 532

Total 10,718 39,731

This will leave for home consumption 20,108
cwts.; value 86,646/.

The total quantities of wax, with their value for
the years 1884, 1885, and 1886, are, —

1884. 1885. 1886.

10,378 cwts. 10,328 cwts. 10,718 cwts.
36,467/. 36,706/. 39,731/.

The amount re-exported for the same years, and
the value thereof, are, —

1884. 1885. 1886.

28,258 cwts. 38,295 cwts. 30,826 cwts.

105,813/. 149,253/. 126,377/.

There appears from the above to be a wide field
for the production of wax. This article enters into
the manufacture of numerous articles ; at the
Zurich exhibition there were shown twenty-two
different articles in which wax was a constituent.
There would therefore appear to be abundance of
scope for energetic and enterprising private bee-
keepers and Honey Companies to endeavour to
overtake the importations of wax into this country.

FIXING FOUNDATION IN LEE'S FRAMES.
It is well known that foundation for brood
frames, if used in full sheets, should be wired,
otherwise it is liable to buckle. This we have long
found to be the case, but it was not of very great
importance until we, some years ago, introduced
the plan of placing the frames l| inches from
centre to centre to prevent the production of drone
brood. The combs would become wavy, so that
in some places the cells were a little more and. in

554

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 22, 1887.

others a little less than the right depth. To
avoid this imevenness wired foundation was used
with success. There are many bee-keepers, how-
ever, who do not use wired foundation, and for
these Mr. W. B. Can- has devised a simple method
of fixing foundation in Lee's frames so that they
may obtain perfectly level combs. The suggestion
communicated to us by Mr. Carr consists of a slight
horizontal centre bar across the frame. This, like
the top and bottom bars of Lee's frames, is in two
halves, and slides in a continuous dovetail groove
like the others. The top, middle, and bottom bars
are all made to grip the foundation, so that it is
rigid instead of hanging loose as usually used.
Mr. Carr has found by experience, when using a
shallow frame of Lee's pattern, no appreciable harm
came from allowing the bottom bar to grip the
foundation. With the standard frame, a specimen
of which Mr. Carr was good enough to send us, the
depth of each division of foundation is only about
3i inches, so that he does not fear any bulging.
He does not anticipate any difficulty with the
centre bar passing through where brood is thickest,
because he has found that shallow frames in the
upper of the two body boxes generally have the
foundation of a row of cells along each face of
bottom bar.

The specimen sent has the comb completely
built out to the very bottom as well as the sides.
With the centre bar slighter and projecting only
■\ inch from midrib, Mr. Carr feels certain the bees
will embed the bar in the comb, so that there
would be no interruption of cells so far as the
surface went. The queen would pass the bar, and
there would be only a row of broodless cells along
the face of the bar. This way of fixing foundation
would secure, — 1, perfect immunity from break-
down when using full sheets for swarms ; 2, combs
as true as if built between dividers ; 3, economy
by using thinner foundation (say eight or nine
sheets to the pound instead of six) ; 4, combs which
will not break in extracting; 5, hives may safely
be sent by rail fitted with full sheets of foundation ;
6, those favouring winter passages may make pop-
holes in foundation where they please.

We are pleased with the suggestion, and have
no doubt but that Mr. Lee will have no difficulty
in making frames with centre bars for trial. If
successful, and we do not see why it should not be
so, it would be a much more expeditious way of
fixing foundation than wiring.

USEFUL HINTS.
A Christmas greeting to all our friends and
readers. May the festive season prove to them the
happiest on record — a season of family union, recording,
indeed, the flight of time and the changes to which life
here must ever be subject, but not on that account less
happy, if only we have a good and sure hope (if the
great hereafter, when ' Time shall be no more.' At
present the 'seasonable weather' of which we hear SO
much, when long hard frost and snow prevail, is con-
spicuous by its absence; but, seeing that old 'Father
Christmas' often dons his hoary locks and icy beard,
together with his brilliant crown-wreath of holly-
berries, a few days before his actual advent, we elders

may yet have, to our sorrow, a taste of his quality, and
youth may rejoice in skimming over the frozen lakes
and rolling in the fleecy snow-bank. On Christmas-day,
a few years ago, we noticed a wasp enter one of our
hives, and bees were flying freely, even carrying home
occasional loads of pollen.

Weather. — Frequent storms of rain have prevailed
of late, a low temperature, and nightly frosts. In our
neighbourhood, the rainfall for November was 3'52 in.,
against 2'25 in. for the corresponding month of last
year ; the total rainfall, thus far, for the present year
being 17'21 in., which is very far short of our annual
average. During the last fortnight no opportunity of
flight for our bees has occurred, and quiet and rest
beneath warm quilts prevail, but soon, we trust, Sol's
rays may exert their influence, and, the shortest day
being already past, we shall soon be looking forward to
spring flights.

Keeping Comb-honey. — Those who have kept care-
fully a few of their best sections, free from granulation
or ' bleeding,' will be able to find a good market for
such in Loudon and our larger towns at the joyful
Christmastide. What more beautiful or more suggestive
of summer days than bright, transparent sections,
artistically adorned with the crimson-berried holly, on
the Christmas breakfast-table ? We thank Mr. Simmins
for his excellent letter (1385) on the price of honey
being dependent, in a great measure, on the ability to
keep it in a saleable condition, and so to place it upon
the market when demand calls, instead of forcing a sale
immediately on removal from the hives. These are
views we have repeatedly expressed, both in 'Hints'
and elsewhere, and we see no reason for qualifying them
at present. With the exception of a few sections pre-
sented to friends, and those consumed in our own house-
hold, we have still on hand the whole of our last
summer's sections, to which we have just given a careful
inspection, without finding a single one granulated or
' bleeding,' and this has been accomplished by keeping
them dark in a dry, warm atmosphere, and free from
dust.

White Candy is made by boiling gently 10 lbs. of
granulated cane sugar in three pints of water for about
ten minutes, well stirring meanwhile. The pan is then
placed in snow or iced water, and the thickened syrup
stirred until it becomes a consolidated white mass, when
it is rolled and patted into cakes. Given to bees
above the frames, it is more easily consumed than
ordinary candy, since it contains more water, but not
enough to cause deliquescence.

Sholtz Candy, or Good's ? — In The Hive and
Honey Bee Mr. Langstroth gives the following recipe of
the Kev. M. Sholtz, of Silesia (Europe), who recom-
mends the candy so prepared as a substitute for sugar-
candy in feeding bees: — 'Take one pint of honey and
4 lbs. of very finely powdered lump-sugar ; heat the
honey, without adding water, and mix it with the sugar,
working them together to a stiff, duughy mass. When
thus thoroughly incorporated, cut it into slices or form
it into cakes or lumps, and wrap them in a piece of
coarse linen and place them in the frames. Thin slices
enclosed in linen may be pushed down between the
combs. The plasticity of this mass enables the apiarist
to apply the food in any manner he may desire.' Surely
this is none other than the well-known ' Good's Candy.'

Either of the above candies may be laid over the
cluster or packed in wired frames and placed beside it.

HivE-nmi.DiN'i; in this country, as a science, has
certainly arrived al a pitch of excellence never reached
before, thanks to the B. B. K. A. for all its fostering care.
Cheap hives (many, alas! too cheap) are now con-
sidered a sine <ju<i non ; but we more than doubt
whether a low-priced hive is really the cheapest in the
end. We should lilce to see all hives double-walled, with
spaces filled with a good non-conduct ivo material in this

December 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

555

uncertain, changeable climate of ours. There is a very
mistaken idea abroad that the spaces between the walls,
when rilled with air alone, form sufficient protection for
the bees, and such spaces have been erroneously termed
' dead-air spaces,' the word ' dead ' implying — if it has
any meaning at all — that the air in these spaces has no
communication with the external atmosphere, and is as
good a non-conductor of heat as cork-dust, sawdust, or
chaff. This we consider a great mistake. Even if these
hollow walls were perfectly air-tight or hermetically
sealed, owing to the great mobility of the confined air
the heat would be carried quickly from one side of the
cavities to the other, and so become dissipated. But in
our experience the spaces never are air-tight, and there-
fore these so-called double-walled hives are in reality
little, if ai)}r, better than those with good and substantial
single walls. But when the spaces are filled with a
light, porous material such as cork-dust, which is an
excellent non-conductor, we obtain a hive which main-
tains a more equable temperature, both in summer and
winter, than any other of which we have experience.
"VVe have had in use in our own apiary for some ten
years hives of this description, and in them the bees
always do well ; indeed, we do not remember losing a
single colony in any of these hives. The cork-dust,
being well packed, prevents the circulation of air in the
spaces, and affords perfect immunity from external
changes of temperature.

Introducing Queens is an old and well-worn
subject, but we cannot refrain from quoting a remark by
the editor of the American Apiculturist, Mr. Alley, who
for some thirty years has bred and introduced more
queens, probably, than any man living. In an editorial
note in the issue for this month he remarks : ' Bees that
have been queenless a long time do not care for a queen,
and will not readily accept one.' This dictum tallies so
exactly with our own experience and with the well-
known fact that young bees receive a queen more
willingly than old ones, that a reference, we think, may
well be made to it, without any desire to resuscitate the
embittered controversy which raged in our columns on
this subject some time ago.

Keep Geese, Keep Bees. — A curious fact is related
in the Moray Express to the effect that ' a Morayshire
farmer went to Forres and sold a goose for 7s. Gd. He
then and there bought two calves for 6s., returning home
with Is. Qd. in favour of the goose.' Hence, the remedy
for agricultural depression is said to lie ' evidently in
breeding geese!' To this Dr. Wingate Saul replies:
' At a weekly stock sale in Lancaster a good healthy calf
was recently sold for the tenth part of the value of the
goose — viz., 9d. ; and why ? Because such is the
present deplorable condition of agriculture, at least as
far as stock-raising goes, that if you let a farm rent-free,
and supplied the occupier with calves at nine farthings
a-piece, he could not rear them without losing money.'
Alas ! poor farmers, between calves and geese, to what
straits are ye come ? We bee-keepers do not confess to
being either ' Essex calves ' or ' geese,' and we un-
hesitatingly invite you to migrate into Essex, and to
take up some of the uncultivated farms, rent-free, and
there to set up your hives. Read Mr. Simmins' Modern
Bee Farm where you will find it stated that ' the bee-
keeper who is also a farmer has every advantage, and
can make profits both ways.' Mr. Simmins well advises
ambitious, unfledged hive-makers to pause before in-
vesting largely in advertising their wares, or otherwise
their efforts may ' end in smoke.' This advice reminds
us of an aged Australian friend — a cleric, but a ' Johnian
punster ' — who, when asked by some colonists whether
he thought tobacco cultivation in that fine climate would
prove remunerative, gave a doubtful answer, but added
that ' of one thing he felt quite certain, viz., that,
whether successful or not, it would assuredly " end in
smoke." ' But we do think that bee-farms established

on our uncultivated lands, and conducted on enlightened
modern principles, would offer more prospects of a
dividend than either calves or geese ; therefore, we say
to farmers, as the good old bishop said to his povertj'-
stricken clergy, ' Keep bees ! keep bees ! ' We have
heard the objection raised to Mr. Gladstone's advice to
distressed farmers 'to grow strawberries,' that if all
farmers were to follow it, the country — and, indeed, the
world — would soon be ' ovei'-strawberried.' And objec-
tions will no doubt be made, that if all farmers take to
producing honey the world will soon be over-honeyed.
But that time has not come yet, and when it does the
great millennium of peace and plenty will have arrived
also, and, in a world so full of sweetness, that glorious
prophecy will have been fulfilled, that ' the wolf shall
dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid ; and the calf and the young lion and the
fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.'
Then, indeed, we shall no longer learn war, ' neither
shall nation lift up the sword against nation, but they
shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears
into priming-hooks.'

Our Problem and its Solutions. — Judging from
the several solutions received, our problem appears to
to have puzzled ' seniors ' almost more than ' juniors.'
To the names of those given in our last, as sending
correct answers, we have to add — R. Ballantine, T.
Rawson, and A. Wilson, all of whom were too late for
competition. We give the solution of the former, as
well worth}' of a place in our columns : —

If six tomtits six minutes take

To tear six bees asunder,
Each bird must then six minutes work

To gain his share of plunder ;
Then why should not twelve fierce tomtits

One hundred bees devour
In fifty minutes all complete ?

Thus, ten would take an hour.

R. Ballantine, age fourteen.

We also take the liberty of publishing one of the
' rejected addresses,' that of a senior, marked, ' Not for
competition :' —

My wife and I, with our four little T's,
In minutes six kill half-a-dozen bees ;
One bee apiece per minute is the pace
At which we thin the honey-making race ;
We two alone then, schoolmasters say,
In fifty minutes should a hundred slay.

Senior.

Unfortunately, 'one bee apiece per minute' is not the
pace. Does not our correspondent see that if it were the
six tits would kill thirty-six bees in six minutes ? The
' rule of common sense ' would teach us that, by the
terms of the question, six tits kill one bee per minute.
But it is required that two bees be killed per minute (the
given rate being one hundred bees in fifty minutes).
Therefore, the pace being doubled, the number of tits
must also be doubled, and, —

'By very simple logic, and not far to delve,
We quickly discover the correct number Twelve.'

Altogether we have received twenty answers to our
question, of which ten are right and ten wrong. The
greater part of our junior competitors have given neat
solutions by the rules of compound proportion, stating
the ' antecedents ' and ' consequents ' in proper order, and
bringing out the answer correctly. We thank all for
their efforts, and trusting that the unsuccessful will keep
up their courage, and ' Try, try again ' on the next
occasion, when, doubtless, their perseverance will be
rewarded.

We have given orders for the respective prizes to be
forwarded to their destination as early as possible.

55b'

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 22, 1887.

MY BEES

Bv Mbs. Reginald Bray,

Author o£ ' Family Feats,' ' Ten of Them," 'We Four,' &c.

(Continued from page 546.)

Chapter VI. — Foul Brood.

When I returned to Heathbourne, my hives were all
shut up up for the winter. It was an inexpressible com-
fort to feel that Watson would have looked after their
welfare as carefully as I had done. My great anxiety
over my Shere hive always was that there was no one
who took a special interest and delight in it.

When March came round I was very careful not to
put my supers on too soon. The spring as it always has
been ever since I began to keep bees, was very late. Not
imtil the end of May did I put them on, and the bees did
not show the slightest signs of going up into them.

In the middle of June we had some bitterly cold
weather. We were quite thankful indoors to sit over
fires, and the bees did little or no work outside. I read
that bee-keepers were removing their supers, and had
commenced feeding again.

I wished to do so, but I had not recovered my nerve
entirely, and I had been stung several times in putting it
on. One little girl had also been severely stung. Think-
ing that it would be quite safe to look over the wall
where the bees were she mounted her stilts which made
her over eight foot high, and gracefully leaning on the
top of the wall she watched my operations.

Alas ! the bees flew straight up, and she had to beat an
ignominious retreat, stilts and all, having been stung six
times. However, she has plenty of pluck, and in regard
for my anxious feelings she assured me that she did not
mind. I hope she spoke the truth.

I did not feel as happy about my bees as usual, on the
hive which had supers, and which I shall call number 1,
the bees, as I said, would not go up in them. In number
2 the bees did not seem at all strong, indeed they behaved
in a very strange manner. They dawdled listlessly in
and out of the entrance, stopped to gossip with each
other as though they had no particular object or aim in
life.

I was very unhappy, my merry, buzzing bees, these
wretched, dejected-looking creatures. My heart misgave
me that the queen was dead ! I opened the hive and
examined it. No trace, alas ! of a queen, only a queen-cell
in process of making, but not yet sealed over, so it would
be some time before her majesty would come, and in the
meantime my bees were dwindling away. I wrung my
hands in despair, sat for a short time in silent agony,
then rushed to my writing-table and wrote a telegram
to Messrs. Neighbour for a new queen.

The next day she arrived, ignominiously for her
majesty, in the pockets of one of their men who was
going to introduce her for me to her new subjects. This
la not such a very easy matter. Though the bees are
utterly lost without a queen, they are by no means ready
to welcome a new one. .

If a strange queen were to be suddenly introduced into
u queenless hive, the bees would at once attack and
destroy her. The easiest way is to put the queen in a
small wired cage which is made for the purpose. This
is fixed into the combs, and the bees thus get accustomed
to her and feed her through the wires, after which she
may be released. This the expert proceeded to do.

Having put the queen into the cage with a card placed
beneath it he selected the centre comb with brood, and
placing the cage on it pressed it down, and then
closed up the hive. He told us that in about twenty-
four hours we might remove the cage, and watch and
ee if the bees received the queen kindly; if they should
uttack her and seize her by tho legs or wings I must cage
her again and release her the next day. He cut out the

queen-cell which they had commenced, as if the bees
have no chance of raising another, they are more likely
to take to the new queen.

Oh dear ! how I hoped that the bees would receive the
queen well when I released her ! I attended carefully to
my instructions, and said ' Yes, yes ! ' as if it were the
simplest thing in the world to me to catch the queen and
recage her. Inwardly I intended to leave her some
hours longer than he said to make sure that she would
be welcomed before I let her go. I have heard since
that the longer the bees have been without a queen the
longer it is necessary to keep the queen caged.

The next day all my plans were changed. That
afternoon a swarm of bees was seen flying through the
air at their own sweet will ; nobody knew whence they
came or whom they belonged to. Now, whether it were
that same swarm or not I cannot say, but Watson was
out that afternoon and he found a man in great distress
with a swarm of bees in his garden. He did not dare to
touch them and he did not know how to get rid of them .
As a last resource he offered them to Watson for five
shillings. This was a chance, indeed, for my weak hive;
a whole swarm and queen to add to it, instead of my
poor solitary caged queen. Watson hurried home and
told me. I closed at once with the bargain, and he went
off with a straw skep to hive them. We did not unite
them to our stock that night, as I should like to have
done, because of the imprisoned queen. I wrote by post
to ask Messrs. Neighbour to take back the queen, and
explained the circumstances. This they did very civilly,
and the following evening the queen was taken out and
the swarm put into the hive.

After this I hoped that all would go on well, and for
a time things looked better and the bees worked well.
Hive No. '2 was fairly flourishing, though no chance of
any super honey. In No. 1 the bees still obstinately
refused to go up into the supers, and, what was worse,
they seemed dwindling. Sometimes I thought I per-
ceived a peculiar odour when I was close to the hives.
I asked N. anxiously, but she said that she noticed
nothing. Watson also did not think there was any, so I
earnestly trusted that my nose deceived me, though
horrid thoughts would come into my mind of that
gruesome enemy to bees ' foul brood.' The worst was
that all my neighbours' bees had died off and they had
not a single bee remaining. The hives were empty,
desolate places.

Surely such a terrible misfortune as ' foul brood ' was
not going to overtake me ! I continually read about it
in the Bee Journal. Some correspondents wrote such
ghastly accounts : how it was utterly incurable, that
there was nothing to be done but to destroy your bees,
hives, and all, and to commence bee-keeping afresh. I
would not believe in the possibility of such evil. I did
not know of any in the neighbourhood. The season had
been so late ; the weather had been so cold. It was no
wonder that the bees were not very flourishing. Why
should I have such conceit as to think that my nose
was any better than that of other people ?

It was now nearly the end of July, and I had given
up hopes of any honey this season. It was rather hard,
but I consoled myself by thinking that I could not
expect to have forty pounds of honey off one hive every
summer, and I had little doubt that the immense quanti-
ties of honey which I read of being taken off hives in a
good season were very much exaggerated. Anyhow,
this summer was pronounced by the Bee Journal to be
one of the worst that had been known for forty years.
One morning Watson told me that he had heard of a lot
of bees that were to be had very cheap at an estate that
was going to be sold in the neighbourhood. I could not
resist the chance of a bargain, and sent him over to
examine the hives. He came back and reported that
they looked very strong indeed. The hives felt very
heavy ; there seemed to be lots of bees, and on some of

toecember 22, 1887.]

I'HE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

557

them there were supers with honey. They consisted of
four straw skeps, two old-fashioned bar-frames, and one
very remarkable one that had something the appearance
of a Chinese Pagoda. That the hives were old-fashioned
I did not mind, because if I liked we could unite them
with my bees, who were getting ' small by degrees and
beautifully less.' I went in to ask Mrs. Graham whether
she would not like to join in this chance of getting bees
at a bargain, and she agreed to take three straw hives.

After some days of anxious waiting and a little bar-
gaining had been gone through all was settled. The
money, which averaged about 10s. a hive, was paid.
The hives were mine and there was nothing now to be
done but to fetch them. The evenings were now so
long that it was of very little use thinking of moving
them till about nine o'clock, as the bees would not have
all gone home.

The place was about two miles or so off, and about
8.30 Watson started off with the coachman to drive the
cart and the boy Tom to help to tie up and move the
hives. He also took some pieces of stuff to stop up the
entrances so as to prevent the bees coming out. I
knew he could not be back before ten o'clock, as it would
take a long time to tie up all the hives. Accordingly I
waited fairly patiently until that hour, then I went out
and walked anxiousfy up and down the lane.

I waited and waited, but it was nearly half past ten
before he arrived, and I had begun to feel anxious lest
any misfortune had occurred, when I heard the joyful
sound of the footsteps of the horse in the silence of the
summer night. Presently the cart loomed in the distance,
the hives in their white sheets looking like so many
ghosts. ' Oh, you have got them,' I exclaimed eagerly
as he drew up at the stable entrance.

' Yes, ma'am, but a rare job we had. There was
actually a man coming to take off the supers. We
were only just in time. He arrived a few minutes after
we did, and I just told him the hives were ours and he
had nothing to do with them.'

' What a shame ! ' I exclaimed, thinking of the risk we
had run of losing what would probably be the only honey
I should have this season.

' Well,' said Watson, ' it seems the owner has never
cared about the bees, and this man has been in the habit
of taking it every summer. He was civil enough when
I explained how it was, but the worst is that he had
been in the morning and loosened all the supers, so we
had a great piece of work to tie them fast, and I am
afraid as it is a good many bees have got out in the
sheets. The bar-frames are all right, as the supers are
under the covers, but it is the straw skeps that I am
afraid of, as they have only a box of sections over the
hole at the top. I drew near to the cart, and I heard a
sound of the most infuriated buzzing that ever met my
ears. The bees had indeed got out of the hole at the
top, and the sheets round were simply bulged out with
bees who had crowded out, and could not find their way
back into the hive. I cautiously placed my hand on the
sheet but as hastily withdrew it, for the buzzing, wriggling
mass had a most uncomfortable feel, besides which there
was a good chance of a sting through the sheet.'

' Well, it is quite plain that we cannot take the sheets
off these to-night,' I said. ' We must leave them as
they are imtil the morning, and perhaps the bees will
find their way back into the hive when they are left quiet.'

So we rnerely placed the hives on their stands for the
night. Three of the straw skeps were put in Mrs.
Graham's bee-house, and the rest in our kitchen garden
by the side of the others. We undid the sheets of all
that we could, but left the entrances closed up till the
morning.

My thoughts were full of bees that night. When-
ever I closed my eyes I seemed to see myriads of bees,
whilst the buzzing still sounded in my ears.

The mornings were very, very light now, and at about

5. SO I crept out of bed, put on a few clothes, and my
dressing-gown, and covering all deficiencies with a
fur cloak and a hat, cautiously unfastened the drawing-
room window, which opened on the lawn, and hurried
off to my hives.

There is no such beauty as the beauty of an early
morning ; the heavy dew still upon the grass, and the
shimmer of the sun upon the dew-drops.

When I turned the corner by the wall there was
Watson equally anxious as myself. He could not rest,
and was even there before me. He had taken the
stoppings out of the hives from which the sheets had
been taken, and the bees were working busily and quietly
as though they had never been disturbed.

Then we turned to those other awful hives in Mrs.
Graham's bee-house. There they stood, a ghastly row,
enveloped in their white drapery, still bulging out with
bees, which seemed more furious than ever. Of course
they had not been able to get back into the hive as I
had hoped, for the entrance had been stopped up before
the sheets were tied on.

We stood and gazed in silent dismay. I simply dared
not undo those sheets. Neither Wratson nor I are very
deficient in courage, but it required the courage of a
volunteer of the 'Forlorn Hope ' to unf asten and turn
back the sheets of those three hives, and let loose a
multitude of angry demons upon us. It would really be
at the risk of our lives. Besides, then we should have
to take the stopping out of the entrances before the
bees could get back into the hives.

I should like to know what some of the experts would
have done when face to face with such an emergency.
For my part I would as soon face a mad bull. At least
there would be only one enemy to cope with, and here
we had hundreds and thousands, for the hives were very
strong.

Necessity is a mother of invention. I looked at those
sheets, they were only twill calico, my very commonest.
Something must be sacrificed, so I gave a little gasp, and
said, ' I shall cut a hole in the sheets for the bees to
come out.'

Watson agreed that it was the only thing to be done,
so I returned to the house to complete my toilette, and
to don veil and gloves, for I had no intention of being
stung if I could help it.

Whilst I was gone Watson prepared the smoker, and
being anxious to quiet them as much as possible, we put
a little of the tobacco-paper which is used for fumi-
gating greenhouses in the smoker. Then I took the
scissors, and with as much care as I could take to avoid
snipping bees in half, I cut two slips at right angles to
each other in the sheet just opposite the entrance.

The bees then began to hurry out, but our work was
not yet done, for we had to work about with a bit of
stick to pull out the bits of stuff with which the entrances
were stopped up. This was no easy matter, for it had
to be done by feeling.

Then, when we had cleared the entrances, we had to
arrange little slips of wood as bridges from the hole in
the sheets to the entrances of the hives, otherwise the
bees would not have been able to find their way back.
It was done at last, and actually without a sting. Our
plan was quite successful, and it was an immense relief
to see the bees hurrying out of the sheets and then
quietly returning to enter the hives in the proper
manner.

It was now breakfast time, and I was obliged to tear
myself away, feeling I had done a very hard morning's
work.

It took a long time for the bees to liberate themselves,
but at last the bees of two hives were all released. We
were able to unite and turn back the sheets, though we
did not remove them for a day, as we did not want to
have to lift up the hives.

The third hive was not in a satisfactory *tnte, the bees

558

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 22, 1887.

did not seem able to get back into the hive, and they
new about in an aimless and unhappy manner. At last
I could bear it no longer, so I cautiously unfastened the
sheet, and gently laid it down. Alas ! the bees were
quiet enough now. I ventured to take up the hive and
look in at the bottom. Oh, sad and piteous sight ! the
combs had all fallen down in the move, and there
was a mass of dead and crushed bees that would have
made a heart of stone ache !

We sadly took away that hive, picked out the few
survivors, and united them with one of the other hives.

It was a crushing lesson to us never again to under-
take a move without carefully attending to tho rules for
moving laid down in Mr. Cowan's book.

After a few days had gone by I began to think whether
it would not be as well to ask Messrs. Neighbour to send
down an expert to overhaul my hives, and if he thought
well to unite some of them with my two original hives,
which daily grew weaker and weaker. Accordingly I
arranged with them that Mr. Marshall, of whose manipu-
lation I cannot speak too highly, was to come down and
examine my hives.

I hastily sent a telegram to a bee friend living in
London to come down and witness the operations.
This friend had kept bees for some time very success-
fully on a balcony in Kensington. They were a great
interest and amusement, though occasional!}' they gave
her an alarm lest they should swarm into any of her
neighbours' houses, and more than once she had to send
hastily to Messrs. Neighbour to come and prevent such
a dire catastrophe.

She arrived soon after lunch, bringing a butterfly-net
to act as a veil. It was not a very suitable article, and
I had to tie it round to prevent the bees crawling up
underneath. We waited for some little time, and then we
saw Mr. Marshall coming across the lawn.

I led the way somewhat triumphantly to the corner
where the six hives stood, — an imposing sight. My two
I knew were weak, but the new ones were undoubtedly
as strong as strong could be.

We turned the corner, and Mr. MarshaD gave a curious
glance at those hives which, as I have before said, were
of a somewhat remarkable make, especially the Chinese
pagoda.

Something in that look made my heart stand still,
and an ominous foreboding crept over me. I do not
know whether the sun went in, and the sky became
overclouded, but I almost think it did.

'I know those hives,' was his somewhat laconic
remark.

' Really ! ' I said, in a cheerful tone, though feeling
inwardly that something dreadful was coming.

' Why, I went down to look at them to see if they
would suit us, but we would not have had them at a gift.'

Yes, there was no doubt the whole brightness of the
day was gone !

' What — what?' I managed to gasp, feeling like the
lady of the nursery rhyme, ' Speak, speak, or my heart
will break.'

' Foul brood ! ' said he.

Then there was a dead silence. For a moment I
could not speak, but determined that no one should
guess my feelings, led him as cheerfully as I could to
my hives No. 1 and No. 2. I almost hoped now that
the enemy was there also, because it would be almost
too dreadful to think that I should have introduced that
dire disease into a healthy stock.

He took off the lids one by one, he looked in, he took
a sniff at each, whilst ' I stood silent, dumb, with anguish
like the wretchedest of (wo)men.' Then he replaced
them, and the answer I anticipated camo, ' Keeking with
foul brood.'

' I suppose I had better destroy tho whole lot,' said I,
every dismal story rushing through my brain. ' There
is no cure : is there ? '

' No cure ! ' exclaimed Mr. Marshall. ' Destroy all
these hives ! Not a bit of it ; we'll have them all cured
by next spring.'

If ever I blessed any oue in the course of my life, I
blessed Mr. Marshall for those words. My spirits, which
had gone below zero, rushed up with a bound, and I was
able to stand and endure it whilst he gave us a lecture
upon ' foul brood,' and showed me how I ought to have
known it.

Very useful and very instructive that lecture was,
but it would have been a thousand times more interesting
if my own beloved bees had not formed the subject
for it.

Foul brood is a disease which affects the brood. It is
caused by a bacillus. You can easily tell it, for the caps
of the sealed brood are indented, and tiny holes seen in
them. If you open the cells, you find the young brood
dead, and in a sticky, discoloured mass, truly a sickening
sight, whilst the odour which I had perceived is very un-
pleasant. Of course the brood all dying off, the bees in
the hive dwindle away, and the mature bees are them-
selves infected by it. It is terribly infectious, and as an
infected hive becomes very weak it is often robbed by
stranger bees, who may thus carry the disease into the
whole neighbourhood.

All honour be due to Mr. Cheshire, who has invented
a cure.

But for the present I am not going to give the account
of that, as I only used it later, and I will at present
continue the history of my experiences exactly as they
occurred.

' Lumps of camphor,' continued Mr. Marshall, ' will
effect a cure. It disinfects the hive, prevents the foul
brood spreading, the putrid grubs gradually dry up, and
then the bees can clean out the cells.'

My two hives were decidedly weak, but the others
were so very strong that their chance of recovery was
great. We hastily sent to the chemist for some lump
camphor, and he placed good-sized bits of it between all
the combs, and told us that when this had dissolved, as
camphor will do exposed to the air, to put in some more,
and to keep on doing this till the hives were shut up for
the winter.

My two hives required feeding at once, but the new
hives were all so rilled with honey that theydid not
require any feeding at all, nor did the two which were
in Mrs. Graham's bee-house, which were also infected in
the same way, but which fortunately were extremely
strong stocks.

He then took off the honey in the supers. This also
was rather a disappointment, as in several of the supers
there was only a little work done, and altogether I only
got about 10 lbs.

I did not care much about doing that little sum :
31. 10s. for eight hives of diseased bees, and 10 lbs. of
honey. Bee-keepers, pity me !

[To be continued.)

Jfnrctp.

FRANCE.

The general Congress will be held at the Palais de
l'lndustiie of Paris, between the 23rd January and the
8th of February next.

The programme relating to the honey and wax sec-
tions is very similar to the one issued last year. Honey
will be divided into four groups, as follows: — Honey in
the comb, run honey from tho heather districts, run
honey from artificial prairies, and run honey from moun-
tainous districts.

No provision has boon made for honey from the plains
of Brittany.

December 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

359

Exhibitors will be expected to declare the number of
their hives and the amount of their harvest.

No lots under 4 kilos weight will be entitled to
compete.

In the honey group, one gold, four silver, and six
bronze medals will be placed at the disposal of the
Jury.

Wax will be divided into two sections, viz., one for
lots not under 4 kilos and not exceeding 25 kilos, and
the other for larger quantities ; but no exhibitor will be
allowed to compete in both sections. The Jury will
make their awards on the 26th January, and those
allotted to the wax sections will probably consist of one
gold, two silver, and five bronze medals. The whole of
these prizes will only be awarded in the event of the
Jury considering that they are justified by the merit of
the exhibits.

Application for admission must be made before the
1st of January next. Printed forms may be had from
the Ministry of Agriculture.

Notice is also given that bee-keepers intending to con-
tribute to the great Exhibition of 1889, must send in
their application before February next.

The Apiculteur of Paris has now completed its thirty-
first year of existence.

CANADA.

The report of the quarterly meeting of the British
Bee-keepers' Association, October 19th, at which Mr.
Cowan gave a description of his trip amongst bee-
keepers of America, is no doubt read with interest by
all, by those even in America, for few of us have made,
even in our own country, so extensive a tour, and one
which would be so entertaining, and even instructive.
We all have a desire, however, to visit other bee-
keepers, and spend a few pleasant hours, or even days, in
conversing with them upon the points which we know
they have made a special study of ; next to having been
there ourselves is to hear from those who have been.

There are few, if any, Canadian bee-keepers who' have
visited the apiary of Captain Hetherington ; and how
well such a visit would repay an apiarist who depends
upon the production of honey for a living.

I see the question of yield in an apiary was brought
up. We do not think that England or Britain can
take the palm from Canada or America, especially the
northern part of America, upon that score. This year,
bad as the season has been, I secured 2701bs. of ex-
tracted honey from one colony, with sufficient honey to
winter on, and no increase. Another year I secured
an average of 2251bs., increase from three colonies to
teD. Last year a young man who purchased a colony
from me took 2301bs. of honey, and increased to
three, with enough to winter on. I hear a lady at St.
Mary's, in an apiary of over fifty colonies, secured an
average yield of 2251bs.

Volume i. page 6, American Apiculturist, L. C.
Root writes : In 1870 he took 361 lbs. from a single
colony ; since that he has taken 484 lbs. from one stock.
In 1S81 he took from an apiary of forty colonies 9727
lbs., a little over 243 lbs. to the hive on an average. I
have heard of yields from a single colony as high as 900
lbs., but the reports came from sources less satisfactory
to myself, and then we place less value upon the yield
from a single colony ; with us it is an established saying,
— one, too, which appears to be borne out in practical
experience, that one or a few colonies will give more
honey per colony than a larger apiary.

Canada is the land of my adoption. This and justice
will not permit me to pass unchallenged the expression
or thought that we do not take — equal to England —
advantage of ' Nature's gifts.' I am pleased Mr. Cowan
did not see any skeps in America. We have the box
hives, which are about the same as your straw skeps.
In Ontario they are becoming rare ; in the province of
Quebec, I regret to say, they are rather plentiful,

decidedly in the majority ; but it would scarcely be just
to say we had not reached that stage of advancement to
know of the superiority of the moveable frame-hive. I
think Mr. Baldwin is correct in the statement that
England has nothing to fear from American com-
petition.

The question is before us in America, ' Can the
specialist product' the cheapest honey, or one who com-
bines bee-keeping with other pursuits ? ' I am satisfied
that bee-keeping can be combined with many pursuits to
advantage. This can he done in such a way that the
wages for a year's work, which the specialist has to add
to his cost of honey, does not require to be added by
those bee-keepers, and if either has to go to the wall
the specialist in America will have to do so. They
cannot afford to undersell you after freight and other
expenses are taken into consideration ; nor do Canadians
consider it policy to attempt to undersell British honey.
We rather take this view of it. The proper introduction
of our honey will increase the demand for honey, and
then let the difference in the honey of each country,
push in selling, diversity of tastes, and any other differ-
ences, give each their market. — R. F. Holtermann,
Brantford, Ont.

icbretos.

Illustriertes Lehrbuch der Biemenzucht, by
J. G. Bessler. Published by W. Kohlhainmer, Stuttgard.
This is au instructive book for beginners, and is not
intended to come in competition with more expensive,
advanced, or complete works on the subject of bees and
bee-keeping. The author has gleaned the best of both
theory and practice, and to avoid verbosity has illustrated
it with 137 engravings. He commences by giving a
brief history of bee-keeping from the earliest times, and
introduces some very amusing pictures showing how bees
were in those days kept in the trunks of trees, and the
manner of taking the honey. The armour the ancients
wore to protect themselves against the stings of bees
contrasts strangely with the simple veil of to-day. Just
sufficient of the natural history of the bee is touched
upon to give an idea of its structure without wearying
the bee-keeper with the science. Bee-life within the
hive is next entered into, and in chapter 6 the enemies
of bees are illustrated and described. The description
and treatment of disease are not omitted, and in the
practical part, to which the largest portion of the
volume is devoted, numerous hives and appliances used
both in Germany and in other countries are described
and figured. One of the most interesting chapters is
that devoted to bee-flora, and the author has adopted
the system advocated and carried out by M. Kramer of
Zurich in giving the values to the different flowers as
honey, pollen, and propolis producers. The list contains
278 different varieties, many of which do not and would
not find places in our lists. We are pleased to find that
many of the plants yield as well with us as they do in
Germany, and some have no values placed against them,
as the author does not consider them of sufficient im-
portance as bee flowers. There are others from which
the bees only get honey after piercing the corollas, such
as, for instance, Lonicera caprifolium, but here we find
the author gives this plant a much higher honey value
than we do. The table also gives the times of flowering
of these plants. This volume is written in simple
language, and will be found useful, more especially, as
the author says in the preface, that it is published at a
low price to bring it within the reach of all. M. Bessler
is already known as the author of Geschichte der Bienen-
zucht, which we reviewed on page 180 of the British Bee
Journal for 1886.

We have also received from M. Bessler a photograph,
16 in. by 12 in., lontaining the portraits of nearly 250

:,G0

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 22, 188?.

of the leading tee-keepers. These are all medallion
portraits neatly arranged within an oval frame, tastefully
and artistically decorated at the corners. Among the
portraits we easily recognise, notwithstanding their small
size, the likenesses of many of those who have done so
much for the science of bee-keeping, and who have been
the means of raising it to its present position as an
industry.

Tlie Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested to write on one side oj
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, out as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
I-c, must be addressed only to 'The Editor of the "British Bee
Journal," cjo Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C.' All business communications relating to Advertisements,
Ac., must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, Kings Langley, Herts (see
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

COAIB IN SECTIONS : WHOLE SHEETS OF
FOUNDATION AND STARTERS.

[1392.] All advanced bee-keepers are fully cognisant of
the utility of having a good supply of sections, rilled or
partially filled with comb, ready for the coming season.
These sections are, as a rule, the residue of the previous
year's harvest. When the racks are removed from off
the hives, preparatory to putting the bees into winter
quarters, quite a number of the sections will be found to
be partially filled, mostly, though not always, with honey
of poor quality. This is extracted, the sections returned
to the hives for the bees to clear out. They are then
carefully packed away, and brought out again when the
time has arrived for the racks to be placed upon the
hives. The plan of ' tiering up,' which is quite a modern
■ — even in the bee world where everything is modem —
system of obtaining honey, gives a much larger number
of these unfinished sections than the plan before adopted
of using but one rack, removing the full sections and
replacing with empties ; hence at the commencement of
the following season, when the first rack is placed on the
hive, the bee-keeper will most likely fill this with these
partially filled sections, with the result of having a very
irregular lot for his first crop instead of being the best.
The plan of putting some partially built combs in the
first rack placed on a hive at the commencement of the
harvest is greatly to he commended, its advantages being
very evident, but only inasmuch as it acts as an induce-
ment for the bees to ' go up ' in the supers — nothing
more. This inducement can be easily proved by filling
some sections with comb and others with foundation,
und giving them to the bees ; those filled with comb will
be rapidly occupied, while for some time little attention
is paid to the foundation. We find that when the bees
once take possession of the racks they will never leave
them again during the honey flow, providing no swarming
takes place or disease thins their numbers. If the racks
are occupied, honey only, as a rule, will be stored in
them, as a consequence more room is given the queen
for her to fill with eggs. This gives a great impetus to
tin; colony, und, unless more space is given, swarming
will take place. This large increase is just what is
wanted. The hive is enlarged by giving an empty rack
of sections, swarming is retarded, and wo then obtain
a greater amount of honey in the supers. It is my pur-
pose to call particular attention not to supering and
its various methods, but more particularly to the fact
of sections being badly finished where partially filled
cues from the previous year are used, and the moans by
which this can be avoided. This only applies to those
sections which have beon about three-quarters to wholly

filled with comb, not to those which have the founda-
tion (starter) just started, as little or no difference will
be perceived in the finish of these. We shall find that
the side cells of the offending sections are scarcely
touched, which gives the finished section quite a convex
surface. There is little doubt but that this arises from
ripe honey being taken from the combs below, and
stored direct into the sections. Being ripe this is sealed
over as soon as the cell is full, the bees not elongating
the same as they do in newly built combs, and a little
later on in the season when unripe honey is being stored.
In these cases the comb-builders keep adding to the
depth of the cells instead of sealing them over, the honey
not then being in a fit condition. If we can once start
them on to honey-comb building they will continue to
add to the depth of cells until the opposing comb or
separator prevents any further addition. They are
then — the honejr being ripe — sealed over. Where a
comb is provided with cells much below the usual depth
of honey-comb, and there being no opposing comb or
separator, the bees will at once add to it ; and as they
have once commenced in earnest so will they continue.
All things being in a normal condition, therefore our
plan is evident. All sections which are full of irregu-
larly (convex) formed combs should be reduced until
the cells are less than half an inch in depth, by simply
shaving them with a sharp, warm knife. If this is done
the bees will finish them off equally as well as with
foundation. It is a deal the best plan to place but two
or three of such sections in a rack, the rest to be made
up of those having only foundation.

The superior finish of sections where whole sheets of
foundation are used is very marked. Especially is this
so where the foundation fits the section exactly except
at bottom, the bottom being fitted with an upright
very narrow strip (J in.) almost meeting the larger upper
piece, a plan first introduced by Mr. Corneil, of Canada,
but in this case — in fact, as in all — the hive must be
perfectly level, so that the upper portion of foundation
hangs perfectly true to the lower.

I have experienced during the past season a great
difficult}' in securing whole sheets of foundation perfectly
true in the section, there being more or less ' buckling '
just where the sheets touch the sides, which to obtain
finely finished sections must not occur. I have over-
come this failing by using a machine which by the almost
momentary pressure of a lever affixes the foundation
with molten wax firmly and truly in position, a descrip-
tion of which I will give in a future letter. By fixing
the foundation with molten wax quite a quantity of it is
saved in comparison to other methods, such as ' mashing '
about a quarter of an inch of the edge into the wood,
or fixing it in a slit of the top bar.

Many prefer starters only in the sections; I do when
I have to eat them myself, in fact, when running a few
hives just for home consumption, I recommend as little
foundation to be used in the supers as possible ; just a
start that the combs may not get into a muddle. With
the machine before alluded to this start can be placed in
the section without the use of any foundation whatever.
What is nicer than eating a section where the necessity
of disengaging a sticky lump of wax is avoided J1 and this
most assuredly will be the case in most instances where
whole sheets are used, no matter what make or thick-
ness of the foundation. The plan of using white bees-(?)
wax, so much in vogue now, does not alter this condition
of things, as natural coloured iees-wax is made as thin,
and even thinner, although, on account of its colour, it
does not appear to be so.

There is no doubt that the public taste (optical) for a
finely finished section will gain the ascendancy, and
whole sheets of foundal ion will have to be used where a
market is to be made, but this will not prevent the
home! consumer from indulging in an article that can be
eaten without the above disadvantage, — W.B.AVedsteh,

December 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

56

IN THE HUT.

' At every trifle, scorn to take offence ;
That shows great pride and little sense :
Good nature and good sense will always join ;
To err is human, to forgive Divine !'

[1393.] The prime minister recently put the cloture on

the McN s, ' Amateur Expert,' and ' X-Tractor.' High

time too (perhaps a shade tardy), but I should have first
liked the opportunity — I now take it — of expressing my
regret, now the affair is over, if anything has been said
in the ' hut ' which has caused pain or anger to anyone ;
acerbity and ill - natured rancour is no part of the
huttites' creed. Good temper and mutual edification ai'e
our cardinal principles. I may say, however, that for
the future such criticisms as ' the hut ' comes in for, and
is allowed to appear in these columns, will pass unheeded
and unanswered : so any one can have a shot at it and
its inmates who likes. If no reply be returned, perhaps
they may rest assured it is not for want of ammunition.

We should like you to give us your idea on the stridu-
lation theory of Cheshire. He dispenses entirely with
the trachea and spiracles as accounting for the piping of
queens. If he be right, the croaking of drones will be
accounted for by the same means. I have not a queen
accessible at the moment. The quotation is : — ' No other
part of the body, so far as I have been able to discover,
suggests, by its conformation, that it could be employed
in stridulating, save the joint of the collar (the junction
of the pro and mesathorax), and here eight or nine
delicate line indentations occur ; and possibly the tremor
of the abdomen may be accompanied by a rasping of
these loosely- articulated parts, so as to increase the
sound.' — (p. 158.) Still, it seems there are parts we
have missed ; at least, I have with my paltry quarter-
inch, and if too minute for that stridulant tones would
not be very loud, I think. I will have a search on a
dried queen, I cannot form an opinion in ' the hut,' yet
methinks we should hear her majesty's tones oftener than
on the eve of casts iss uing, and also that the chitine of
the rings on the reflying princess's thorax would be
scarcely hard and rasp enough to be audible.

Some of us who are beginning to fail in our natural
masticatory machinery well know the peculiar twinge
given to the nerves at the basis of our teeth by the in-
tense sweetness and coldness of certain kinds of honey.
If a recent statement be true, a minute quantity of
formic acid ejected into the honey would accentuate the
pain. I do not, however, for one, believe in the idea
' that the bee pierces the cell cap and saws into it with its
sting, and, inserting the latter, injects a small supply of
poison into the honey.' I think the acid would prevent
granulation, for is it not in order to convert our cane-
sugar, in syrup-making, into grape-sugar that we put
vinegar — acetic acid — in, and also produce grape-sugar
by boiling any starchy and saccharine substance with
almost any other dilute acid ?

What a nuisance is the midrib of sections, where full
sheets are given ! But still greater is this the case when
one has a store of new frames filled with immaculately
pure combs of heather honey. We will scrape this off
the midrib, which, by the way, is found of nearly the
same thickness as when it was inserted into the frame ;
the foundations of the worker-cells are still raised and
distinct. These shall be returned to the hives in spring.
The heather-honey shall be slightly warmed and stained,
or used for making mead; and wherever possible dark
brood-comb cut out, so that new comb may be built in its
place — new either for stores or brood — brood of a fine
and large development by reason of the large cells. This
provision of annually new cells for brood-raising we con-
sider a sine qua non.

With regard to the tightening and loosening of the
wooden screws of section-cases, hive-doors, and wherever
wood comes in friction with wood, do not forget the ex-
cellency of black-lead a3 a lubricant.

In fixing foundation in frames, why may we not string
silk threads from one side bar to the other, so that when
it is drawn out and fixed to the sides the foundation or
comb cannot, if it break, fall across ? Where the string
crosses cells, as they are drawn out, the bees will gnaw it
away, leaving it attached and embedded in the wax at
the edges. — -X-Tractor.

[Careful microscopic scrutiny has enabled Landois to
determine that certain ants do possess a true organ of
sound, in the form of a triangular field on the upper
surface of the fourth abdominal ring. This is ribbed,
and when rubbed is capable of emitting a stridulating
sound. Westwood {Modern Classification of Insects,
vol. ii.) thinks this sound is produced by the action of the
large collar against the front of the mesathorax. Which-
ever it may be with respect to ants, it has nothing to do
with bees. Landois has shown that the piping of
queens is produced by the spiracles and trachea, the tone
being due to the large size of the spiracles. If Landois'
experiments be repeated, and two queens placed in
separate cages close to each other the piping sound will
be produced. The contraction and expansion of the
abdomen is for the purpose of forcing the air through
the spiracles. If the spiracles are stopped with wax the
piping will cease. This disposes of the stridulating
theory. Die Ton- und Stimmapparate der Insect en, by
Dr. H. Landois, will give you all the reliable information
respecting sound produced by insects. Although with
you we do not believe that the bee pierces the cell-cap
for the purpose of injecting formic acid, as it has a simpler
method of doing, w-e do not think there is any doubt
about a small quantity of formic acid being in the honey ;
and if you will refer to the British Bee Journal for 1883,
p. 267, you will see there that we stated that Dr. Planta
had found formic acid, and that this he considered
served as a preservative of the honey and prevented its
fermentation. Dr. Miillenhoff's experiments also cor-
roborated this. By using the thinnest flat -bottom
foundation, we have found no nuisance in the midrib of
sections worked with full sheets. — Ed.]

AGRICULTURE AND APICULTURE.

[1394.] In these days of agricultural depression it is
well to notice the rapid strides being made by one of its
branches — that of bee-keeping. Indeed, it appears quite
probable that so far from the farming industry embracing
the other in its downfall, the present distress can be
made yet another stepping-stone to add still greater
prosperity to the profession of bee-culture ; and the
latter may even in a measure help to restore somewhat
of the old position held by the lower agricultural classes.

A few years since people were ever ready to rent or
purchase small farms at exorbitant prices, but to-day
thing's are so radically changed that many farms want a
tenant, while some are even let at a merely nominal
rent just to keep the ground in order and clear the taxes,
&c. There are, of course, some who still make farming-
pay by improved methods and implements in connexion
with large holdings, but the small farmers cannot hold
out under old rents.

Without here going into the deeper causes we can see
that the reaction has been severe and unparalleled, and
now its benefit to bee-keepers comes in many of the
landlords' restrictions as to working the land have to dis-
appear, and the man who wants a moderate-sized hold-
ing for the main purpose of growing bee-forage can have
land almost on his own conditions, and in many places at
a price quite within the mark for farming to that end.

Working' in this way the combined farming may be
made to yield a double profit, if the work is only carried
out in a systematic manner. Corn-growing must, of
course, be the most insignificant object, even if it is
followed at all, though of course there must be a change

562

THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 22, 1887.

in the crops every two or three years, if only for the
sake of mending and cleaning the land.

Dairy farming is not yet played out, and would work
well with bee-farming operations ; but then of course the
dairy must be under the skilled management of a good
man and wife. Then I am aware that poultry on a
small scale pays well with a good run, and this "depart-
ment could be under the management of the wife and
family, with the master's eye to regulate matters. With
the young chickens located near a few acres of borage
they will thrive amazingly and require little other food.

I have not much faith in growing fruit, except on a
large scale as a speciality, though I have always had the
impression that pear-trees would pay well, requiring
little or no attention during the busy time. Many kinds
can hang almost into winter and will keep long after
other fruit is gone, and, what is of the most importance,
a good price can be secured for genuine fruit. Of course
one would grow a few of the earlier kinds, but these will
seldom keep for any time, while some that ripen on the
trees soon go ' sleepy.' Though some apples will keep
till better prices can be secured, these, as well as nearly
all smaller fruit, seem so plentiful as to be hardly worth
the trouble of taking to market.

Tomatoes are still profitable, and with these and
other fruits that can be giown out of season under glass
the master may find profitable occupation while the bees
are idle ; but he must first make himself acquainted with
the simple rules of culture, or he is liable to lose very
much more than he will gain from any supplementary
occupation he may undertake. And, moreover, if the
bees are to be the primary object the master must give
them his personal and undivided attention throughout the
season. Every other interest engaged in should be such
that can be managed at this time by some other suitable
person. — S. Simmins.

PRICE OF HONEY.

[1395.] Mr. Simmins (1385) says bis experience is
contrary to his admissions in his previous letter (1361),
where he says the price of comb-honey has been lower
than it should be ; then farther on he says bee-keepers
are to blame for placing their whole crop on the market
at oDe time. Here he admits the market is glutted and
the supply exceeds the demand, with the inevitable and
invariable result of low prices, and if dealers once grasp
the impression (it may be a false one) it takes a long
time to disabuse their minds, in fact, the season for
comb-honey will be practically gone past ere it can be
done. Do 1 hear a chorus of retorts, The season for comb-
honey is never past, but only requires judicious handling
to eke it out from year to year i

Now if comb-honey was a commodity that would
keep an unlimited time, no doubt the season could and
would be extended somewhat, but bee-keepers on a large
scale and retailers of honey will bear me out when I
assert that a large percentage of sections deteriorate in
appearance, and consequently in value, by age. The
Secretary and working staff of the British Honey Com-
pany know this by practical experience, and no doubt
could throw much light on this subject, as they are
dealing with honey of all sorts and conditions the year
through, and keeping a constant supply in the retailers'
hands all the year round ; and as they receive honey
from all parts of the country and from every kind of
plant that blooms, they could for the benefit of bee-
keepers give the ordinary percentage of granulated
sections, also of weeping sections, also the demand there
is for section or comb-honey during the months of, say,
January, February, March, and April.

Now, as regards extracted honey, the case may be
different as to the demand, and it may probably be
neady during a greater part of the year, and con-
sequently not subject to any great fluctuations, for the
bimple reason that it is an article that will keep an in-

definite time without deteriorating in quality or appear-
ance. AVe know that there is a larger part of the crop
put on the market at close of honey harvest in con-
sequence of many bee-keepers wishing to realise to meet
the many demands sure to crop up at beginning of
winter, but as to the rise in price of sections held over
Christmas I am sorry to say I have not been able to
make any more per gross than for those sold earlier, and in
some instances have had to take less in previous years,
say, in February and March ; perhaps it may be that
I do not possess that commercial acumen required to
extract higher prices from dealers. I, in my countryfied
simplicity, have believed them when they have told me
the season for comb-honey has past and there is very
little demand for it at this time of the year.

' Do not hold comb-honey into the new year' is my
advice to those whom it may concern. Depend on it
that strawberries and cream at Christmas would not be
devoured with the gusto of midsummer; the reason is
obvious why Mr. Simmins should think and contend
that there would be a popular demand for sections of
honey the year through ; and if we can devise any plan
to keep comb-honey in its pristine purity and beauty
free from leakage and consequent messiness we should
be able to induce a larger constituency of retailers to
embark in the trade, and thus bring it to the notice of
the millions iu the large towns and centres of popu-
lation, thus increasing the demand for a larger quantity ;
but I doubt if we shall by any device extend the honey
season far into the winter months. — Woodleigh.

PARALLEL v. RIGHT-ANGLED FRAME.

[1396.] There is a rude, dictatorial tone about Mr.
Saddler's communication which makes replying to him
an exceedingly distasteful task. I do earnestly com-
mend him to a perusal of the recent remarks by ' Useful
Hints,' and your editorial on ' Parsons and Bees ; '
nevertheless he must be answered, there are many
unpleasant yet necessary tasks in the world.

He says my admission that I have adopted broad-
shoulder frames proves that I am behind the times. I
answer this remark by stating that I had tried other
plans, including metal ends, and discarded them in favour
of the one adopted. This was a distinct decision come
to by all my neighbours and myself, after frequent trial
and approbation. Besides (to use a Hibernicism), if
I am behind the times I am in the company of mul-
titudes of advanced bee-keepers ; some four thousand,
I believe there are, of these misguided framists in the
British Isles. Call us broad-shouldered, strong-framed,
and, if you like, slightly waxy bee-keepers. ' Abbott,'
vide Mr. Saddler's letter (after this, let us for ever for-
ward forbear using titles of courtesy towards each
other), 'Abbott' has more of his frames in use than
probably any other frame-maker in the world, cer-
tainly several times the quantity of any single maker
in the United Kingdom. I have made the inquiry,
and am informed that four men are engaged winter
and summer at the machines making nothing
else. This is being behind the times, forsooth!
Fancy any bee-keeper adopting any particular style
of frame, using it for only two months, then
discarding it, and laying down the law after the
manner of one Dogberry of yore ! Fancy, too, punchini/
shoulders off with a chisel I As an inventive genius,
and an alleged advanced bee-keeper (or hive-maker, I
don't know which), why could he not, instead of doing
so much punching, ' tax his learned faculties,' and cut
out a notch from the back of the shoulder, which
would have enabled him to distance his frames as he
pleased ?

As to the question of draught, if my remarks be
referred to it will be found that the two openings
required would be found in the hive door and the

December 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

563

turned-up edge of the quilt during the early spring
manipulations. Further on in your correspondent's
remarks I am told, with an effrontery which I take to
be characteristic, that ' the difficulty in manipulating
right-angled frames exists only in my imagination, that
it is practice that makes the difference.' Why cannot
people who pose as quidnuncs at least read the articles
they criticise ? In my remarks I made special allusion
to hives, several of which are placed on long stands — a
common practice in exposed, windy districts — the diffi-
culty of manipulating these being evident on the face
of it,

Mr. Saddler misquotes me thus : — ' He (myself) says
he went to Nature for her samples.' I did not ; I said
' simples.' He (Mr. S.) continues, ' The rose, the pansy
(sic), or the chrysanthemum of the present day — the
product of Nature — has not science turned the stamens
of these flowers into petals ? Nature has nothing to do
with it.' (This is really reductio ad absurdum.) No,
Sir, Science has not done this; get a specimen of
Nymphfea alba, and then dogmatize. Let growers of
orchids say whether they would not give the ears off
their heads, so to speak, for an hour or two's chat with
the collector of these exotics in the tropics and their
varied homes, so as to get at the surrounding natural
conditions of their habitat. Mr. S. alludes, I presume,
to the double rose and the double chrysanthemum, which
' sport ' with doubling tendency, this tendency being
what is called ' fixed ' by the gardener. Shakespeare
tplls us : —

' This is an Art which doth mend Nature ;
Change it rather, but the Art itself is Nature.'

I suppose the ' divine Williams ' wiD now be taken to
task, after the recent Baconian method ! — ft. A. H. Griji-
shaw, Horsforth, near Leeds.

BEES IN NATAL: THEIR COMPANIONS AND
PARASITES.

[1397.] I am posting to you to-day some specimens
of an insect which is common in hives here, and of
which I cannot ascertain the name, or whether it i3
hurtful to the bees. These insects are certainly more
numerous in weak stocks than strong ones ; bees seem
to pay no attention to them, whether running on combs or
frame, or holding on to a hind leg by their disproportion-
ately long nippers. If bees are thrown from a frame on
to the ground in any quantity, one or two of these insects
will be seen hurrying to catch hold of the bees' hind-legs
to be lifted into the hive again. They also are to be seen
on swarms when knit on bushes, &c. So far as I can
observe they do not penetrate deeply into the hive
usually, but prefer being at the top, especially hiding
under cover of the frames, between the cover and the
frames the cocoon is most frequently to be found. The
cocoon is white, circular, and a little more than one
eighth of an inch across, nearly flat at the top, and
when the insect within is nearly perfect it can be dimly
seen through the covering.

Another insect I have seen on bees here is apparently
a kind of tick, but I have no glass strong enough to let
me see them well. They are grey in colour, about the
size of a small pin's head, roundish, and look well filled
out. They soon dry up when removed from the bees.

Lately in a friend's hive I saw the largest 'death's
head ' moth I ever saw ; it was a little way down the
third frame from the end, and was entirely covered with
bees, except just its head and shoulders and top of the
back between the insertion of the wings. Both bee3 and
moth were quite quiet. This upsets what I have always
believed before, that bees avoid these moths in terror.
When I stuck a penknife into the moth's back to remove
it the loudness of its shrieks (I notice other moths shriek
here) quite astonished me, but the bees took very little

notice, and apparently only got off its wings because
they felt it was being moved off the comb.

Bees are said not to like bad smells, but I saw a huge
swarm of bees which had taken possession of an un-
savoury rabbit-hutch, much to the distress of the children
who owned the rabbit. They were afraid to remove
him for a long time, and watched him through the bars.
From the time the bees began to enter till they were
perfectly quiet and knitted into a mass the rabbit lay as
still as if dead, with his ears tight to his back.

I send two or three of these insects which have been
in spirits of wine, and two or three which have been in
cotton-wool since I took them. I hope they will arrive
safely.

If I can I will put in a specimen or two of our bees,
though I believe you have seen them. They are not so
pretty as Ligurians though much like them. Amongst
them are a few smaller bees, and without the band.
These are much blacker than the ordinary ones. I do
not see why this difference exists, but it is noticed by
several bee-keepers. —J. R. Wabd, St. Mary's Parsonage,
Richmond, Natal, Nov. 15, 1387.

[The insects sent are Chelifers* (claw-bearers). Chelifers
constitute a group of animalsalhed to the Spiders and Mites.
From their resemblance to scorpions without tails they are
called Pseudo-scorpions, or False Scorpions. Their palpi
are elongated and armed with pincers. The species live
under the loose bark of trees, in chinks of old furniture,
&c. They are also to be found under the elytra of
beetles, but their object in occupying this position is
unknown. There is, however, little known respecting
them, and any observations regarding their habits would
be most useful. Kirby makes mention of the peculiar
mode of progression of the book-crab ( Chelifer cancroides).
All must admire the peculiar instinct in the insects
making the special use of their pincers, and thus getting
into the hives. It appears to us that they enter hives
for much the same purpose as earwigs in this country,
which are not desirable companions to bees, but which do
little harm — especially to strong stocks. 2. From the
description we should say that the parasite on the bees
is the Braula cceca, or some species of mite. 3. The
Death's Head moth (Acherontia atropos) Is remarkable
also in this country for the shrieking or squeaking sound
which it emits. This sound, together with its dark
colour and its skull-like mark on its thorax, has led to its
being regarded with superstitious dislike. How the
noise it emits is produced is not satisfactorily known,
for the authorities differ very widely as to its cause.
Schroeter says that it utters the cry when it rubs its
tongue against its head ; Rosel, that it is produced by the
friction of the thorax and abdomen ; while Reaumur
believes that the cry comes from the mouth, or rather
from the tongue, and that it is produced by the
friction of the palpi against that organ. Huber denies
this ; as also does Passerini, who says that the sound is
due to the alternative inspiration and expiration of air
from the central canal of the proboscis into a peculiar
cavity of the head destined for giving it the required
resonance. But a number of French savans who in-
stituted a series of experiments to ascertain the actual
cause of the noise, came to the conclusion that it was not
attributable to any of those above given, but that it
remains to be discovered.t

We shall be pleased by your forwarding further com-
munications,— Ed.]

BEES IN MINORCA.
[1398.] Having been brought up the best part of my
life in the United States, I was greatly interested on
reading the account in the British Bee Journal of the
progress of modern bee-culture in that land of ' magni-
ficent distances.' And as this progress has mainly taken

XjjX/), a claw, and <pipui, i bear.

t Kirby.

5C4

THE BKITISH BEE JOUKNAL.

[December 22, 1887.

place during rny absence, I would thank you very much
to answer a few questions, such, for instance, as the
respective size and depth of American and Canadian
hives and frames.

I take it for granted that you prefer the British
standard, as your own Cowan hive is adjusted to it ; this
is the kind I have introduced with good results in
Minorca. But some people object to the standard frame
as not being deep enough and large enough, preferring
the Langstroth or Dadant ; and what has almost made
me waver is the penchant of your friend, M. Bertrand,
in his Revue Internationale, for the latter, and against
smaller hives and combs. It is a mystery to me how
Germany, the land where, I believe, a larger portion of
bee-publications is published than in any other country,
and where the subject is most scientifically treated,
should insist in preferring its Normalmaas and Bnrki-
Jehers, when the above Revue insists that its favourite
Dadants produce double the quantity of honey. Could
you give us any light on the subject ?

The past summer was exceedingly hot and dry, and we
were months without any rain. Consequently our honey-
crop was shorter than we could have wished. Still, we
managed to get some 800 lbs. out of sixteen hives,
besides half-a-dozen good swarms. But the bee-moth
troubled us to an unusual extent, many moths being
double the size of other years, and of a light lead colour.
The larvas were also disgustingly large, and of a similar
colour.

Besides our home-apiary, increased to some thirty
hives, we have just been starting another in the interior,
of about fifty more, which we intend to increase to a
hundred the coming spring. This we accomplished by
transferring some ninety old-fashioned cylinder hives
into forty-five bar-frames. The honey in that district is
very fine. This fall the weather has likewise been
unfavourable, but our November is often warm enough
for transferring, and the fields are always carpeted with
flowers that yield much pollen, but little honey. (By
the way, what shall I do with combs half full of
pollen ?)

I must except our rosemary, Clematis cirrhosa, and a
kind of heather (Erica), which yield honey in consider-
able quantities. A fortnight ago my bees were booming
on Cirrhosa as in our April honey flow. In the interior
they have acre upon acre of heather, which some years
yields a second honey-flow so abundant that occasionally
hives will throw off a swarm as in spring. This plant
blooms till after Christmas, but heather honey is not
liked here. The hives, however, keep very strong, and
seldom need feeding. A friend of mine, for whom we
set up a bar-frame hive in that locality, told me they
were capping two racks of twenty-one sections in mid-
November, the second storey beneath being a solid mass
of honey. But the weather is now stormy and un-
favourable for such operations. As to rosemary, it is an
evergreen that flowers nearly every month of the year
and its honey is very fine.

By the way, a certain Mr. Furness declares, in
Gleanings for April, that the great majority of
American apiarists 'are abandoning the large brood-
chambers of ten and twenty years ago and using eight,
and even less, L. (Langstroth) frames for both comb
and extracted honey.' ' I,' says he, ' left over fifty
colonies on five L. frames the entire season, from April
to October last year, and never had better or larger
swarms, or got better results than I did from these con-
tracted hives.' Does he contract with excluder zinc ?
The Editor, Mr. Root, does not seem to disapprove of
this ; and even Dr. Miller, the able apiculturist, adds, ' I
also had most of my colonies on no more than five L.
frames from April to October, but for all that I want a
hive capable of holding ten frames some parts of the
year,' which would seem to indicate that Mr. Furness
does not. You, Mr. Editor, who have so recently

returned from the States might probably explain to us
the modus operandi of the five-frame system of contrac-
tion. I see that Mr. Simmins in his new book, -4
Modern Bee-Farm, also favours contraction during the
honey-flow.

A few days ago we reoeived a Carniolan queen from
the latter gentleman, but imagine our surprise at finding
both queen and bees as like ours as two peas ! We have,
however, introduced her majesty to a pretty strong
colony and await results.

I had been much puzzled by your former statement in
the B. B. J., that in England Clematis vitalba did not
furnish pollen to bees. At last a friend, who is also a
botanist, has cast some light on the subject. It appears
that what in our vernacular is wrongly called Vitalba
here is another species, and the true name is Clematis
cirrhosa, our bees gathering both honey and pollen
from it. — F. C. Andeext, Port Mahon, Minorca, Dec. 1.

[We have become so used to working the British
standard that we would not be able to get such good
results with any other size. The standard size was
adopted, after very careful consideration, as the best, for
both extracted and comb honey, although at that time
comb honey was most considered. Its advantage is that
it is just large enough when working for comb honey,
and small enough for storifying, without the necessity of
using supers of a different size to the body-box when
working for extracted honey. The large hives, such as
the Dadant and Layens, are both excellent, but more
suited for extracted than comb honey. By using two or
more of our sized hives you can expand to any extent.
The standard frame has an advantage in being neither
too deep nor too shallow for general use, as the results
obtained have shown. Putting a second box on the top
when the stock-box is crowded and honey is coming in
is not too much, but could not be conveniently done
with a much larger frame. We do not know why the
Germans retain small frames and hives, and we think M,
Bertrand quite right in his criticisms, as there is no doubt
but that, all things being equal, a larger hive, suoh as
ours, or those used in Switzerland, will give double the
quantity of honey. The Langstroth is but very little
larger than our Standard, and this hive is in more
general use in America than any other. The object
of contraction is, when working for comb honey in
sections, to force the bees up into the supers. Supposing
a ten-frame hive is just full of bees when the honey-How
commences, it is evident that if a crate of sections were
put on the top it would be no inducement to the bees to
work in it until they found they were too crowded
below. Thus much time would be wasted, and several
days' honey-flow lost. By removing two of the frames
(or more) and contracting the space to eight frames by
means of division-boards, the bees are at once so crowded
that they have no alternative but to go above or out at
the entrance, and honey being plentiful the3r are
generally contented to work in the supers. You will see
in the Guide-Booh that we endeavour to get our stocks
strong and full of bees, so that they can take advantage
of the honey-flow, and by giving space in advance of
their requirements, we do not require to contract our
hives, our frame not necessitating this ; but we can do so
if we like. You can keep your combs half full of pollen
until the spring, but they should be subjected to the
fumes of burning brimstone to destroy the wax-
moth or larva. They will probably be useful in the
spring, but, if you should not require them then, you
can shake out the dried pollen, if it has contracted suffi-
ciently, or you can cut down the cells to the nvHiiV
You seem to have funny names for flowers in your [,... i
of the world. Rosemary with us would mean some-
thing quite different to Clematis cirrhosa. This has
several English names, viz., Evergreen clomatis, Spanish
travellers'-joy, and Spanish wild cucumber. It does not
in any way resemble Clematis vitalba, which is the com-

December 22, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

565

ruon travellers'-joy found with us. We are glad you
have been able to clear up the mystery respecting the
pollen, — Ep.]

BEE-KEEPING IN THE CRIMEA.

(Extract of a Letter from A. de Zoubareff, Moscow,
December lOtli.)

[1399.] I have also been travelling with my wife this
autumn, and have spent the largest part of the time in
Sebastopol. The climate of this city is superb. Its
destruction, caused by the war, has contributed much
towards its embellishment, so that if you have not seen
it within the last five years, you would be astonished at
the marvellous progress that has been made in buildings,
pavements, and plantations, although these last are some-
what hindered in their growth by the southern sun. As
regards apiculture in the Crimea, it amounts to next
to nothing. The honey has a bad flavour, which I am
inclined to attribute to the tobacco plantations. Some
years ago I got some honey from the Valley of Roses
(Kasanlik, Bulgaria), thinking to find the aroma of these
flowers in the honey. Unfortunately the taste was very
disagreeable, slightly bitter, resembling tobacco. Has
any one ever observed the influence of tobacco on the
quality of the honey ?

Our peasants are beginning to take to bee-keeping, and
I am doing my best to prevent the introduction of hives
on wrong principles. Have you ever heard of an apiary
being attacked and almost entirely destroyed by large
numbers of dragon-flies ? an event which actually occured
this summer in Siberia. The baffled bee-keeper made
use of his gun, and was successful in driving away the
villanous creatures.

STANDARD TOP BAR.

[1400.] In your issue of 1st December I notice your
correspondent ' Robin Hood,' in his letter (1370) page
524, thinks that it is time the B.B.K. A. altered the rule
relating to the size of standard frame top bar. I think
that if they have a rule to that effect it should certainty
be rescinded, and let bee-keepers use what size top bar
they like best, though for my part I prefer a 17 in. bar,
and it is certainly the best size for a beginner ; but is
not the frame of a Cowan hive and of Simmins' Economic
hive acknowledged by the B.B.K.A. to be standard size,
and they have both a 15i in. top bar ?

I do not think that the size of top bar has anything to
do with success or failure, although I cannot say the
the same for metal ends and broad shoulders ; but they
have their advantages, also disadvantages, the latter
predominating.

In a former issue the question was asked : Have four-
way sections been better finished than two-way sections ?
My experience is that they have. They have been filled
more quickly, have fewer popholes, and are built up to the
edge of section, as Mr. W. McNally has already informed
you, but I have used no separators. Many sections
weighed 20 ozs., and very few under 16 ozs. They
were projecting too much to be glazed or to pack safely.
I should advise slotted separators "to be used.

I should like to see the experience of those bee-keepers
who have tried the shallow invertible hives during the
past season, as it had many champions during the last
winter months, but perhaps they have had a check to their
enthusiasm, also what results have been obtained with
Mr. Simmins' Union Hive with large frames.

Bee-keepers have several times been invited to form
district societies, making their own rules, &c. Now in
many districts where such a society might flourish there
is, perhaps, not a single bee-keeper who has had any
experience in working a society, and has no idea of the
rules that should be drawn up, not having seen any
belonging to bee associations ; so after having read the
invitation think no more about it, not that they are not
interested in the movement, but they know not how to

go about the work of carrying on such a society. Now,
if some experienced bee-keeper would write an article in
your valuable Journal on How to work a District Associa-
tion, it would instruct many who are at present ignorant
in such work, and would be the means of creating a
number of small societies, which would strengthen our
Counties and B, B. K. A.'s considerably.— J. Woodhbad.

TWENTY YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF THE
MOOR SEASONS.

[1401.] My last paper, ' A Trip to the Heather with
the Bees,' I wrote with the sole object of interesting the
readers of the Bee Journal. What I stated was strictly
true ; in fact, the words used failed to fully express the
pleasure I have often found in these journeys. My
object now in the present communication is to give an
experience that will in a measure help your readers to
decide as to the worth of the moor season.

My first season, 1867, was a remarkable one. It was
the best I have had. We had had a very wet summer
that year. It commenced to rain in July and rained
almost incessantly up to the beginning' of September.
August was very wet. The bees did not get a start
until September, and in that month we had a fortnight
of very fine weather with heavy dews at night. It was
most extraordinary what the bees accomplished that
season ; I well remember it. The friend I went with
had a large stock of hives (all straw hives ; we knew
nothing about frame-hives at our place then). He put
on his best hives two supers, one 12 in. dia. x 4i high,
and on the top of this a super that would hold fully a
stone of honey. Everything put on to the hive was full,
except a third swarm that was a mere handful of bees
when hived. On this he put a large super, more for the
sake of having it at the moors to change any of the others
with. Well, in the centre of this the bees put a comb
the f uU size of the super, two inches thick and nearly all
sealed. In one of my supers the bees had run the honey
into a solid mass; there were only tunnels running
through it here and there.

The next year, 1868, was the hot, dry summer. The
take this year was rather above the average. 1869 was
another hot, dry summer, but not near so dry as the
previous year. The heather came into bloom earlier this
year than ever it was known by the oldest inhabitants
on Muggeswick Moor. It was a better season than the
previous year, but the most of the bee-men were too late
in getting their bees landed at the moor. One party I
know who got warning about the forward state of the
heather took his bees to the moor in July, and he had a
large take of honey. I well remember this season. It
was the 5th or 6th of August when I got mine_ landed,
and I had them let out by six o'clock that morning, and
after I got my breakfast, between seven and eight o'clock,
I went to see them, and I was astonished at the sight I
saw. Every bee I could see was working with a
vengeance, none dulling about, but going in and out
without halting a moment, and they had only been let
out about an hour and a half. Some that read this will
be slow to believe it, but it is quite true. I would not
believe it myself if I had not seen it. The heather was
at its best, and you could feel a sweet smell when you
were standing near it. I am not quite certain whether
it was the following year or 1871, but it was either one
or the other that the season was remarkable. We had a
cold and late spring — a long continuance of east winds
— and the summer was cold and wet. The heather was
late this season, but when the bees were there it came a
fortnight very fine, and at the right time, calm weather
with heavy dews at nights; indeed, I well remember
this was the only period of fine weather we got that
year, but notwithstanding the bees got very little,
simply because there was nothing, or at least very little,
in the plant. Now I have had several years like this,

506

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 22, 1887.

but not so remarkable as this one ; and the main object
I have in writing is for the readers of the Bee Journal
to understand that fine weather in August is not the
only thing that is required to make a good moor season.
If we have a wet spring and not so much of these cold
east winds, and a hot summer, the heather will have
plenty in it, and if fine in August a splendid season, but
even if it is showery weather when the heather is in
bloom the bees are not so much stopped in their work as
you would naturally suppose, for I have been at the
moor on a day when I have seen several showers, and
the bees just nocked home when the shower was coming,
and as soon as ever it ceased raining they were out again
as if every hive was swarming. You see the trip the
bees have to make to the stuff is so short; and more than
that, heather is a very hardy plant; it will stand cold
and wet better than any other honey-producing plant to
my knowledge : but supposing there has been a week of
fine weather when the heather is at its best and there
comes down a very heavy thunder-shower, the season
will be done. When the like of this happens I always
go for my bees the next day, for no matter how fine the
weather may come after the hives never get an ounce
heavier, but soon get lighter.

I might here say in reference to those that have
suffered by the honey-stealers, that it is nearly always
those that let their hives stay after the season is done
that get their hives and supers stolen. I have only
suffered once : it was in 1885 when I got my best hive
stolen and two supers of honey. In 1874 I would have
been robbed, but as soon as the thieves had started their
operations there were some geese the farmer had in an
outhouse commenced to make a great noise through
being disturbed that the farm people were roused and
the thieves had to decamp.

In my time there has only been one real famine at the
moors; it was in 1870. It had been a wet summer, and
it rained incessantly all the time they were at the moors,
more than two-thirds of the hives died; all along the
rows of hives they were lying on the grass like chaff.
This famine made great havoc of the bees in our neigh-
bourhood, and several I know gave up the business.

I would like to impress upon those that may intend
trying the moor season the importance of providing
sufficient ventilation. I know some will be ready to say,
Remove the quilt of the section crate, and they will travel
all right ; but no, this I have learnt to my sorrow, will
only doon a cool night. On a close, warm night more
than this is needed, and in my hives I have at the back a
hole eight inches long and f "inch in height opposite the
entrance for gauze with a wood cover to fit in when the
hives are set up.

In conclusion, I would advise all those hat intend
taking bees to the moors to make sure and get a quiet
horse. The experience I had one dark night will show
the importance of this. After getting a short distance from
home I stopped just after crossing a bridge and left the
horse to go and speak to a fritnd who was driving
behind. My horse without a moment's warning bolted
over the embankment on the left ; fortunately the cart
did not upset, and I ran and got the horse turned to the
road, and he ju.st could manage to struggle up the em-
bankment on to the road again, but in doing so the
hamestich broke; fortunately it broke at a joint that
made it easy to tie with a piece of rope. After this he
wheeled about at some dressed stones by the roadside.
After this again he took fright at the noise of a steam-
engine and ran away, but was pulled up before damage
was done, and when we got to the moor we missed the
right track and ran right into a bog, and the horse sunk
right up to his hoofs, but being a powerful horse he went
right through the bog and up a steep hill and we got
landed in safety. After this I would never take my
bees to a place that in order to get to it we had to cross
the moor. I would warn your readers that it is a very

dangerous thing when any of the moor has to be crossed.
I have known several accidents happen from this cause.
The friend that went with me in 1867 had a very bad
accident from this. In walking over the moor you may
think some tracks smooth enough to cross with a cart,
but when you come to try it you find it to be a
dangerous business. — W. J.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS-

Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufacturers or correspond
dents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such
information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space
denoted to letters, queries, and replies, is meant for the general good of
bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our Correspondents
to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for ns to go to press in aduanoo
of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue
immediately following the receipt of their communication.

W. G. Preece, Jon. — Sartori's Diagrams. — The price of the
Italian diagrams mentioned as having been prepared by
L. Sartori is five francs post free.

Bev. F. W. Podsey. — Cowan Hive. — 1. These can be used
for transportation to the heather by having the racks
Fig. 7, in Guide Booh, placed on the top at the ends of
the frames, and also by putting one at the bottom to
steady them. Or fix the frames by putting in sticks as
directed on pages 106 and 107. Were we sending our
hives to the heather we should only send the body boxes
with temporary floor-board screwed on, and leave the
outer cases at home. — 2. You will see that we reduce the
length of our top-bar as we generally use metal corners
as shown on page 33, which is a full-sized sketch. If
you wish to retain the 17-inch bar you would have to
add a rabbeted strip on the outside, cutting down the
hive side to suit it. We thank you for your compli-
mentary remarks.

Mohnino Star.— 1. ' The Woodbury Hive' is 14$ inches
square and 9 inches deep, taking ten frames. The frame
is 13 inches by 7J inches, with a §-inch projection (lug)
at each end, for resting on the rabbets. These are
iiuside dimensions, both as regards hive and frames. —

2. Carbolic Acid Solution for liemoving Sections. — -To a
quart of warm water add 1J ounce each of Calvert's
No. 5 carbolic acid, and of glycerine. Shake well before
using. In this solution steep a piece of common strainer,
or flannel, wring it dry, and spread it over the section
case, when the bees will at once retreat if the sections
are sealed. When sections are unfinished the bees will
sometimes remain for a time to gorge themselves on the
unsealed honey, but, as a rule, they are easily dislodged
by the dreaded scent of the carbolic acid.

W. T. Cadness. — 1. Middlesex B.K.A. — By an oversight
the expert missed you in making his autumn tour. The
Secretary of the M.B.K.A. for your locality is W. M.
Graham, Latymer Lodge, Church Street, Lower Edmon-
ton. Subscriptions for 1888 are due before January 31st
next. No record of honey produced in Middlesex has yet
been published, but the Annual Beport of the M.B.K.A.
for 1887, about to be issued, will contain some information
on this point. 2. Trap for the Escape of Bees. — We
have not seen an illustration of the trap referred to.

3. Fumigating Combs. — Ordinary stick brimstone, placed
in an old tin with a live coal, and the box containing
the combs set over it, is the mode of fumigating combs.
A piece the size of a walnut would do a large box full.

4. The library is not open for reference ; only members of
B. B.K.A. can borrow books, which they may have at
home.

business ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bros., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Boad, Bristol.

Baker, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

British Bee-keepers' Stores, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Bdrtt, E. J., Stroud Boad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

Dec. 29, 1887.] ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

Simmins' New Book.

' Hazeleigh Bectory, Bee. 3, 1887.

' The paper, letterpress and plates, are most excellent. . . .
The treatise appears eminently a practical one, and such as
can be " understanded by the people," which is more than
can be said of many modern books on our pet subject. I
trust you may have a large sale for it, which I do not doubt,

as Mr. told me he had numerous applications for your

book. '(Bev.) GEOBGE BAYNOB.'

One gentleman writes : ' I lent your book to a friend ; he
read it twice over. He requested to have a prolongation of
the loan of it to read it a third time.'

' Laibach, Carniola, Austria, Bee. 2, 1887.

' The new book came this morning. It is now midnight,
and I have spent the whole day with it. You have indeed
done well what few accomplish at all — made a book which
is full of iuterest to every enthusiastic bee-master ; yet for
the beginner a simple, pointed guide to success. . . . Since
Langstroth's book nothing, except Cheshire's magnificent
work, compares in interest or value to this. It has given
me already more in value than the price of the work.

'FEANK BENTON.'

One who has kept bees for a number of years says :
' I have just finished reading your book [Modem Bee Farm)
for the third time, and beg to thank you for the great treat
it has been. As I happen to have thousands of acres of
heather within easy distance, I am specially pleased with
the chapters treating on working for heather honey.'

Limp Cloth Edition, 3s. dd.', post free.

Special Edition, handsomely bound in Cloth, gilt ; in-
cluding four interesting Photos, 7s. Od., post free, of the
Author, S. SIMMINS, Bottingdean, Brighton. (186)

Publications of the British Bee-keepers' Association.

»EE HOUSES AND HIVES. By Bev. George Eaynoe.
Second Edition (enlarged), Price 6d.

THE CHEMISTBY OF THE HIVE. By Mr. Otto
Hehner, P.I.O., F.C.S. Price 3d.

J. HUCKLE, KINGS LANGLEY.

The oldest Weekly Bee Paper in the World.

THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL

Established in 1861.
Price 6s. &d. per annum, post free.

T. G. Newman, 925 West Madison Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

London Agents : Messrs. GEO. NEIGHBOUE & SONS,

149 Eegent Street, W.

EXCELSIOR BEE FEEDER.

MANUFACTURED BY THE

Co-Operative Tin Plate Workers' Association, LmtcL,

25 MA5SHOUSE LAME, BIKMIKTGH A.W£.

THE EXCELSIOE can be used for Dry Sugar, Syrup,
Candy, &e. The Bee-keeper can see at a glance his
Bees feeding, and which Frame they come from.

A real pleasure, and saving of Bee-life. Clean and
warm, with cork floor.

Send Postal Order, 2/6, and receive one per return of Post.
Liberal Terms to the Trade, per dozen.
Special ,, ,, ,, per gross.

ESTIMATES FURNISHED FOR EVERY KIND OF

BEE APPLIANCE. A 3118

DO NOT LET YOUR BEES STARVE !
Use specially prepared Soft CANDY CAKE, in 1 lb.
Boxes, ready for use. Thomas B. Blow, Welwyn, Herts.

EE PASTURAGE (The only Work solely de-
voted to this important subject) gives complete In-
structions of Where, When, and How, to Grow the best
Honey-producing Plants. Invaluable to progressive Bee-
keepers. Vide Press Notices. Post free, Is. Address H.
Doebie, Hethersett, Norwich.

TF YOU WANT AN Y REALLY GOOD HER-
J_ BACEOUS, BEE, or AQUATIC PLANTS, send for
List of what every lover of Flowers should grow. Address
H. Doebie, Hethersett, Norwich.

PURE IRISH HONEY, delicate Heather fla-
vour, 8s. Gd. per dozen bottles, or 9s. Gd. carriage
paid. Sample free, 2d. Also in bulk, Wholesale, The
British Bee-keepers' Stohes, 6 George Yard, Fenchurch
Street, E.C. (185)

EEUBY IKT A FEW DAYS.

VOL. XV. op

Jljhe ^British ©ee Journal,

ZFOIR 1887.
edited ey

THOS. W. COWAN, F.G.S., F.R.M.S.,

Containing nearly 600 pages, with numerous Illustrations,
and Complete Index.

Bound in Cloth, price 10s. Cloth Cases for Binding, Is.
each ; post free, Is. 3d.

KENT & CO., 23 PATEBNOSTEE EOW, LONDON ;
J. HUCKLE, KINGS LANGLEY, HEBTS

ARTHUR (SODMAN,

Sff. IT»™

S, ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND.

I Manufacturer of Machinery

FOR THE USE OP

BEE-HIVE & APPLIANCE MAKERS.

J} ' The Model Apiary, Holme, Peterborough.

03 ' Dear Sir,— The accuracy, fit, and finish of the Founda-
g, tion Mills, Saw Spindles, and Cutters you sent me, give
iSfciiS every satisfaction to myself and Customers.'

■ ^_ ' Yours faithfully, John H. Howard.

J£ ' To Mr. A. Goodman.'

COMB FOUNDATION MILL.

Send for Price list and Samples free.

ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Dec. 29, 1887

ABBOTT BROTHERS, Southall, LONDON.

IEISH BEANCH :

CHIEF CONTINENTAL DEPOT :

9 Merchants' Quay, Dublin. | 2 Quai de la Megisserie, Paris.

BEE-HIYE AND APPLIANCE MANUFACTURERS,

MAKERS AND VENDORS OF EVERYTHING CONNECTED IN ANY

WAY WITH THE HONEY BEE.

^^ ABBOTTS' NEW FANCY HONEY JARS.

Packed in Five Gross Crates, 30/- Gross.

Single Gross, 32/6.

Dozen, 3/-

SAMPLES OF EACH SENT, POST FREE, 1/-

BLUE ok AMBER.

BLUE oe AMBER.

WE beg to submit a few of the advantages claimed for our New Observatory Hive, THE ' SPECIAL. '
It is inexpensive, and is made of clean, well-seasoned wood, and first quality 21-oz. glass.
There are no extras to the Hive proper, the Glass Dummy, the Nine Patent Frames, and the Handles
or moving the Frames, are all included in the price quoted.

Although Combs are all visible on both sides, the natural Brood Nest is preserved, which enables the
bees to do quite as well in these hives (when covered) as in the ordinary wooden ones.

Price,
Complete,

15/-

Packed in strong

Wooden Case
{which is return-
able) 2s. extra.

The entrance is cut in floorboard, so that by merely placing a piece of wood or glass across it a
tunnel is formed. The front top frame can be easily removed, and a super put over the nine frames.

The bees can be fed from back of hive without disturbing the hive or frames in any way, the top
frame behind the dummy is hinged (as shown) and works independently. The hive is made so simply
that it can be put together or taken to pieces in three minutes, and when in pieces will fold into one-
fourth its bulk. It takes the ordinary Standard Frames.

ABBOTT BROS, are the true and first Inventors of this Hive, and they trust their efforts to
supply a public want havo not been in vain.

If fitted with \ inch British Plate Glass, £1 0 0 | If made of Oak, Walnut, or Mahogany, £15 0

And if French Polished and Stopped, £1 10 0

0^T.^X.0C3-XT:E3:S» &z 5 XXTOE'OX&JME.A.TCCO WT 3E"X&XSX5.

Communications to the Editor to be addressed ' Strangeways' Printing! Office, Tower Street, Cambridge Circus, W.C.

[No. 288. Vol. XV.]

DECEMBER 29, 1887.

[Published Weekly.]

€tntaxhlt Joixas, #r.

NOTICE.

A large number of subscriptions expire with the
present issue. This fact is indicated in the usual
way by the Journal being enclosed in a coloured
wrapper. A form for the renewal of the sub-
scription will be found enclosed in the Journal
itself. We trust our subscribers will favour its
with their orders previous to the date of the next
issue.

END OF VOLUME THE FIFTEENTH.

With this number we are brought to the close
of another volume — the fifteenth of our series.
The temporary stoppage at this station in the
history of our Journal furnishes us with a favour-
able opportunity, — an opportunity of which we
gladly avail ourselves, — of thanking, in all sincerity,
the numerous friends who have rendered us assist-
ance during the past year ; and it also enables us
to acknowledge the many testimonials we are con-
stantly receiving of the appreciation of our labours,
and of the approval of the mode of conduct of the
Journal.

Our volume this year has extended to 580 pages,
and the copious index testifies to the variety and
extent of the subjects which have passed under our
notice. Apiculture is developing itself in every
direction ; and in none is this development more
visible than in the amount of literature that is
devoted to its elucidation. In this country two
periodicals are altogether given up to its treatment,
and several others, of a cognate character, touch
upon it incidentally. In Germany, and on the
Continent generally, and in America, the number of
apicultural periodicals is very great. Besides these,
books, — scientific, physiological, and practical, —
are continually issuing from the press. The Voice
from all these, to compilers of books and conductors
of publications, is that of encouragement to advance
in the further evolution of the subject they have
undertaken ; and we trust, with the continued
assistance of those who have favoured us in the past,
to obey that Voice, and ever to be in the vanguard
of all that will lead to the greater development and
the more enlarged knowledge of the economy and
management of the Honey Bee.

During the past year there have been no shows
similar to that held in South Kensington in the
year 1886 — though we fain would have wished that
the Jubilee year had not passed by without its
having been signalised by such an exhibition — yet
the year has been one of steady and continued
progress, and shows much promise for the future.
The present year cannot be pronounced to have
been marked by any remarkable degree of pros-
perity, yet we have had no reason as bee-keepers
to complain, but, on the other hand, much cause to
rejoice and to be thankful with the amount of suc-
cess which has been vouchsafed to us.

Again thanking our friends for their kindness in
the past, and hoping that there will be a con-
tinuance of their favours for the future, we trust
that the Coming Year may be one of prosperity and
happiness to all bee-keepers.

FACTS.
This Jubilee year will soon come to a close, and
1887 will have been inscribed on the pages of
History as a season memorable for loyal rejoicings
and for the accomplishment and inauguration of
various praiseworthy and noble undertakings. Bee-
keeping has made wonderful strides in our Queen's
reign, but such development we do not intend to
trace on this occasion, but rather to dwell on
facts springing from the result of such advance-
ment. The nineteenth century, undoubtedly the
age of invention and the age of steam and
electricity, may be looked upon as a wonderful
period of the world's history. Men's minds have
been fruitful in developing vast and wonderful
undertakings, largely to the benefit of their fellow-
creatures, but often, unhappily, in a contrary
direction. Bees have had their share of both sides
of the picture. We are all aware how great have
been the improvements in our system of apiculture.
Bee - keeping has not only become a fashionable
pursuit, but now ranks as one of Great Britain's
rising industries. Honey was once a luxury, but
now forms one of our staple foods ; where one
pound was used years since the consumption may
now be reckoned by the hundredweight. The
person who speaks of the present low price of honey
overlooks the fact, that whereas he was able to
obtain Is. 6d. and 2s. per lb. for the product of his
apiary ten years since, now with modern improve-

5G8

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 29, 1887.

merits the quantity of honey from his apiary has
largely increased, the quality likewise improved,
and the facilities for selling it greater, so that, in
spite of the apparently low price, the careful bee-
keeper, on balancing his accounts, finds that his
profits have more than doubled themselves, and
this with less labour and outlay than before.
We have noticed the ever - increasing produc-
tion of honey all over the world, but this is
not the danger the apiculturist has to contend
with. America and Canada may collect their tons
of pure nectar, and yet there is room for more.
By an increased sale of honey our British pro-
ductions will come to the front ; once let a man
taste prime honey, and he will never go back to
inferior. The danger we have to contend with is
the unprincipled scientist, the man who uses his
knowledge of bees for unlawful purposes ; and
further, the man who advances his nefarious scheme
without the aid of bees at all. The history of
the first of these individuals we have recently
learnt from a clergyman who had been travelling
in the Far West, and visited many of the adulter-
ating bee- farms. This apparent bee-keeper settles
down to carry out his practices in a quiet place
with a favourable climate; he has a large number of
hives, but the pasturage of the district is quite
immaterial to him, as his bees have to obtain their
stores from large feeders placed all over the apiary.
Containing what] Our informant was unable to
find out, as although everything in the establish-
ment was shown to him without reserve, yet he
was not permitted to taste the contents of the vats
or feeders from whence the bees were obtaining
their supplies. The latter of these scientific bee-
keepers is best described in the following quotation
from a magazine of this mouth : — ' Artificial honey
now made in New York is so much like the
genuine article that only experts can detect the
difference. It is in racks, the same as the natural
product, and now and then the wings and legs of a
few dead bees are to be seen to further the decep-
tion. It can be sold at a profit of 5d. per pound.'

We know too well the practice of mixing glucose
with honey, and the methods of detecting it, and
how a London firm has been manufacturing another
substance, palming it off as honey. But we feel
confident that the bee fraternity, located in what-
ever part of the world, will, as the Cornish motto
has it, ' One and all ' endeavour to stop such
practices, prejudicial not only to the bee industry,
but injurious to the health of the community at
large.

WINTER PACKING.
The simplest way to pack tees snug' and warm
for winter is to fill up the space between the dummy
and the hive-side with loose cork-dust, chaff, or saw-
dust, and cover the tops of the frames with several
thicknesses of carpet. This simple method lias the prime
recommendation of answering the purpose of keeping the
bees warm, as well as being so simple that no one can ex-
cuse themselves from so packing their bees on the score
of trouble or expense. But I found, although this plan
answered well, it had its drawbacks. My dummies do
not fit down on the bottom board by a bee-space, this not
only saves bee-life, but improves the circulation of the

hive ; but in early spring it used to find my bees a job
at which they used to work with energy, it was carrying
out the winter packing. This led me to adopt the
' mattrass ' shown at Fig. 1 instead of loose packing ;

Fig. 1.

there are also other advantages which quite recompense
me for the extra first cost and trouble entailed in their
adoption.

After extracting is done, at the close of the honey
season, I put the last of my frames back outside the
dummies in the stock hive to get them well cleaned. As
fast as they are cleaned I remove them, and if there are
only a few bees clustering outside the dummies after all
the frames are removed, I begin to wish to see that
empty space filled with packing. We often get very
cold nights, even early in October, before one has quite
got all in ' ship-shape' for winter packing, so four years
ago I abandoned the loose cork-dust for the ' mattresses '
I now use.

They are made of ' tick,' the material used by up-
holsterers for the cases of feather beds. They require to
be cut pretty accurate so as to fit snug all round, and
care is required to make the corners square. Mine are
two inches thick when stuffed. I use cork-dust for
packing, and stitch them down upholsterer fashion with
twine, using small ' tufts ' of tick to prevent the twine
from pulling through. I cannot tell you the exact cost
of mine, but I know it was a trifling sum, the main item
was the ticking. I got a sack full of cork-dust from the
greengrocer's wife for a ' section.' If you want to in-
gratiate yourself into the good graces of the ladies, there
is one of two ways that I never knew to fail ; one is to
take notice of the children, the other is ' mel.' As to
making the mattresses, that found me amusement of an
evening or two as a relaxation from harder toil, or
' slinging ink.' You will remember the fate of ' Miles
Standish,' because he did not follow Cajsar's advice al-
though he knew it well. So I cut out one mattrass
myself, drew out the sewing-machine and rattled away,
this only drew forth the mild request that I would not
break it, ' I was not treading a turning-lathe, remember ; '
but, however, although it is a good thing to show you
can help yourself ; that first attempt was not a complete
success, the corners were provokingly round and I wanted
them bold, but I had learnt a wrinkle that I remedied
in my next; the first was slightly too short also, I
allowed too much for ' bulging ' when filled, and was dis-
appointed to find it did not ' bulge ' but very little.

My piece cut a dozen, and I contrived so that I had
scarce a scrap of waste. I could see there was an un-
usual large pile of needlework ready to be machined, so
I got a school girl to make them for me, giving her her
choice of 'pence' or 'honey.' The 'mel' won again;
she was so enraptured with the idea that she got two of
her mates to help, and the dozen were done in one evening.
A slit about two inches long was left to fill them at, the
filling 1 did myself, having shot the cork-dust into an
oval foot-pan for the purpose. The tying down requires
a little care, but with ordinary care and a little common
sense you may so tie them, that, with the exception of
the indentations made by the twine, they will be so level
and the edges so square that they will stand against the
dummy, if the ends touch the hive-sides, just as tight as
they should do, in a Combination hive for example, even

December 29, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

569

if the dummy is several inches distant from the hive
wall.

If your hives are packed with loose packing- — and fie
upon you if they are not packed at all — you all know
how awkward it is to examine the frames in early spring,
so here is a nice little job for you by the fireside this
winter during the long evenings, so that in spring they
will be ready for use ; you can then empty out the loose
packing and put the mattrasses in their place. I can
answer that once having used them you will never resort
to loose packing again ; and when you remove a mattrass
from a dummy, if you feel how warm it is, I am sure you
will hesitate ever to remove them and disturb the bees
in early spring unnecessarily.

For the top I use one cotton quilt and two carpet
ditto; the cotton quilts are renewed each year,
they get so coated with propolis. When I have new
quilts I lay them on a board, place an empty food-bottle
exactly on the centre of the quilt, and run the point of
my penknife nearly around the bottle ; this leaves a
small piece to act as a hinge. The carpet quilts are all
bound with braid, and last me some years, but they are
all cut as described for the food-bottle, and by this
method all the holes come ' plumb ' one over the other
in all my quilts. I have the character of ' making
mattresses for my bees to lie on, and sheets and blankets
to keep them warm, and that is why the}7 bring me in
so much profit.' In spring, if I wish to gently stimulate,
I remove the two carpet quilts, lay the flap of the calico
quilt back under the first carpet quilt, the flap of the
first carpet quilt is laid back in its turn under the top
one, and the feeder stage is placed on the flap of the top
quilt, and so all is kept in position. Bulgy ! No, it is
not, if you lay them down neatly and turn your quilts
around so that no two flaps come one under the other.
This brings me to my ' trays.' In October, 1882, when
the B. JS. J. was in the hands of the veteran C. N. A., he
told us to make trays by nailing four pieces of bwood
together for an outside frame,
and by fixing four more pieces in
the middle of this frame in this
fashion (Fig. 2). You thus have a
centre hole in which you may place
your feeding-stage. I thought 1
knew better, so I made them with-
out the feeder hole. This I have
remedied ; they are now made
like Fig. ". The wood with
which the trays are made should not exceed three inches
in depth, as too great a depth of packing is liable to

Kg. i

Fig. 3.

get mouldy. The trays described by Mr. Abbott were
only covered with canvas at the bottoms, but mine are
covered both top and bottom ; this prevents the chaff
with which they are filled from getting spilt. The
bottom canvas should be fixed somewhat loose and
'baggy,' and the tray should not be filled very tight.
The chaff I use is wheaten chaff from the winnowing
machine (not chopped straw), and the centre hole is
filled with odd pieces of flannel in winter, when the
feeder is not in use.

AH my hives are so packed this year, and I have a few
mattresses to spare in case I am compelled to remove any

of the frames in early spring, which I scarce think will
be necessary as they have all this season's queens_ and
plenty of stores. I flatter myself that my winter
packing will last me for years, and give me little further
trouble ; moreover, that it is easy of removal in spring,
will not make a litter in the bee-garden as a lot of loose
packing does, and can be kept on, if early summer should
prove cold as the past did, right up to the time of
supering or storifying. — Amateur Expert.

MY BEES

By Mrs. Reginald Bray,

Author of ' Family Feats,' ' Ten of Them,' ' We Four,' &c.

(Concluded from page 558. )

Chapter VII. — Experts.

It was almost a relief to leave my hives that August,
and I looked forward to my clean, healthy Shere hive
with unmixed feelings of delight. I pictured the supers
filled with honey ; the box held eighteen pounds, so that
if I got that full it would make up to me a little. I
wrote to my cousin to ask her to open the hive and tell
me if the super boxes were full. I felt as if I wanted
some comfort.

Before I left Shere I had put the box all ready,
placed a piece of foundation the right way in the sections,
and had asked a neighbour to put the box on the right
time.

My cousin wrote back to say that no super box was
on. I could hardly believe the words, for though it was
a bad season, I knew that Shere abounded in clover-
fields, and my sister kept writing to me of the pounds
and pounds of honey which she kept taking off her
hives.

I think there must have been a fate against me that
year, but until I got there and rushed to look for myself
I could hardly believe that the supers were not on. I
turned back the quilt and examined the hive. Oh dear,
it was hard ! The bees were as thick and as crowded
as they could be, in splendid condition, actually wanting
room. They had forced their way between the dummy
board and the outside of the hive, and had built combs
down between it and filled up all the space. I was
obliged to remove all this, push the dummy board close
up to the outside, and give them a new frame. I had
rather a piece of work over it, for I had no one to help
me ; and it is a very great assistance both to nerve and
body to have a companion who can do the smoking
whilst you are at work. Then it was not an easy place
to work in. The boughs of the tree above kept catching
in my veil. I had no stand to rest the frames on, and
I was obliged to take out one whilst I was clearing out
the superfluous comb.

I leant the frame covered with bees up against the
hive. In an evil moment it fell down and I had to
pick it up again. This made the bees very cross, and
the crosser they got the more nervous and hurried I
became.

They stung me several times, but at last I got them
all in order, and went away thankfully. One arm and
hand were almost useless for two or three days, but to no
one would I acknowledge that bee-stings were anything
but a slight temporary inconvenience. Before I came
away I put on the box of sections. I knew it could not
really be of much good, but the weather was so lovely
that I thought I might, perhaps, get so much as one
little box filled, or they might at least fill some with
comb, which w-ould come in useful for the next season.
It is hardly necessary to say that they did not do any
work at all.

Autumn came all too fast, the super box had to be
taken off, and the bees fed up before the winter. It
unfortunately proved a very long, severe winter, and
being away I could make no examination of those bees

570

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 29, 1887.

until after Easter, when it was well on in April. I
then got Mr. Osborne of Albury to examine them, and
take them completely in charge". He said they were in
splendid condition, but having just finished all their
supply of honey it was now necessary to feed them up
well. They had a nice supply of young brood, but the
weather was very cold and scarcely any honey flowers
out yet. If the bees did not have sufficient food they
would draw their brood. In other words, pull them out
of the cells and throw them out of the hive.

I returned to Heathbonrne in better spirits, hoping to
find that the foul brood was cured. I had only lost the
bees of one hive, and that was quite late in the spring,
and evidently from want of food. I had looked at it
one day very early in the spring and found every drop
of honey gone. Too impatient even to wait whilst the
syrup was being made, I hastily fetched one of those
precious combs of honey which Mr. Marshall had taken
off the hives in August and put it into the hive. I
suppose it is not the most economical way of feeding
bees, but I dared not waste a moment. We fed up well,
but a return of frost and snow in February was too much
for a weak stock, and they died off, However, when I
heard of bee-keepers losing stock after stock of their
bees that winter — one in particular having lost seventeen
hives— I think I was very fortunate ; and it showed the
good effect of Mr. Marshall's camphor, for if the disease
had not been completely checked in the summer, I am
sure we should have lost all our hives.

About this time I had the good fortune to hear of
some clever experts in the neighbourhood. How it was
that I had never before discovered ' Messrs. Bennett &
Wood, Temperley Eoad, Balham,' I cannot imagine. It
was the thing I had longed for ever since I had first started
bees. Often and often had I said, ' Oh, if there was only
some one near whom I could consult ! ' Of course I could
have Mr. Marshall when I liked, but as he had to come
from a distance I had to pay accordingly, and I looked
upon him as a luxury to be only had on rare occasions.

_ Mr. Wood was a most enthusiastic bee-keeper, and in
him I found a kindred spirit. He undertook the charge
of Mrs. Graham's hives, which were getting rather weak
for want of feeding. However, under his skilful manage-
ment they soon began to improve.

In May he and Mr. Bennett drove the bees from the
two straw skeps, and placed each stock in Mrs. Graham's
bar-frames. A little later he added about five thousand
bees to strengthen one hive which was weak. A curious
incident happened in bringing these bees, and it only
shows what creatures of resource bees are, and the rapid
way in which they set to work.

Mr. Wood found it necessary to go to Kent to buy
those bees, for had he brought them from anywhere
near they would have returned to the hive from whence
they had been taken.

The bees were brought up in a box on a frame of
brood-comb. Of course they had no queen, as they were
going to be united to a stock which was already provided
with one.

They were necessarily in this box all night, and the
next morning when Mr. Wood took them out to put
in the hive, he found they had actually commenced
starting eight queen-cells.

I now got Mr. Wood to drive my bees, as I was
anxious to get rid of the old hives, and also I thought
it would be as well to unite two stocks in each of my
bar-frames.

The hive in which the bees had died had been all
purified and repainted, and into this we put the bees of
two of the hives, into the other the bees of the Chinese
Pagoda and an old hive, whilst Watson got one of Mr.
Bennett's bar-frame hives and his bees wore put into it.
In this way we got rid of all our old infected hives,
which were immediately condemned to be burnt. The
combs were well started witli brood, but .alas! there

was the fatal fold brood still to be seen. Nothing like
so bad as it had been in the autumn, which showed how
effective Mr. Marshall's camphor had been. Indeed, I
think it must have stopped it for the time, but, doubtless,
the germs remained, so that when the breeding season
came round it began to break forth again.

Mr. Wood was most encouraging. He had often coped
with this grim enemy and destroyed it, and he gave us
every hope that in a few weeks it "would be entirely got
rid of.

He had. found Mr. Cheshire's cure an absolute success.
Feed an infected colony with syrup in which phenol, as
used by Mr. Cheshire, has been mixed. The following
is the receipt : —

Solution No. 8 1 ounce.

Sugar syrup ] pint.

Made in the usual way.

The bees must be well fed with this. The worst is
that the bees are not at all partial to it. They will
take it down on cold days and nights, when they can-
not get much honey, but otherwise they prefer their
food without any medicine. The only thing to be done
then is to pour the syrup over the combs. The bees will
clear it all up, and in this way they are compelled to take
the cure.

Under this treatment there is no doubt that my bees
improved, rapidly increasing in great numbers, and I
had. to cut out many queen-cells to prevent swarming,
whilst the foul brood rapidly diminished. I cannot
pronounce it entirely cured until next summer comes ; if
I then find any traces of it I shall try giving each hive
a new queen, as recommended in the British Bee Journal.
In the meantime, besides putting lumps of camphor as
before, I have tied a bottle of carbolic acid into each
hive, with a piece of wool put in for a stopper.

My Shere bees were working well under Mr. Osborne's
care, though such was their desire to swarm that over
thirty queen-cells were cut out by him in the course of
the year.

From this hive I received some beautiful honey, several
of the sections being sealed over and ready to take by the
Jubilee. I need hardly say that this was the only thing
necessary to make my summer a real Jubilee.

And now the summer, alas ! has ended, and the bees
are all safely shut up for the winter, and should I find
my bees in a satisfactory condition next year I shall ask
the Editor to allow me to say a few words later. I
am tempted to give a description of a beautiful
Observatory hive purchased from Messrs. Neighbour'
but I am informed that my space is limited. I can
only say that it has been of untold delight to me. It is
one of those in which the bees are as safely housed as
in the ordinary bar-frame hives, but with this advantage,
that you can raise any frame into a glass case above the
hive and watch all the movements of the bees in perfect
safety. I have the hive in the house, and a passage is
made through the window for the exit of the bees.

In a little book written by my sister, Lady Clay,
called Failures and Fortunes in Farming,'1' she mentions
once being tempted to exclaim, with Mallock, ' Is life
worth living ? '

To that I reply, ' Yes,' if you keep bees, and above
all have an Observatory hive and take in the British
Bee Journal.

[The compiler of the above says, ' Whatever merit these
chapters may possess I owe entirely to Mr. Cowan's book,
British Bee-keepers' Guide Booh', published by Messrs.
Houlston & Sous, and to Modem Bee-keepinq, published
by Messrs. Longman & Co. I do not profess to give the
whole of the practical management of bees. Those who
require to go thoroughly into the subject I must refer to
those two books and to the British Bee Journal.]

J To bo had from Lady Clay, Barrows Lou. Shoro, Guildford,
price In.

December 29, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

571

€axxts^a\xoma.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed
by his correspondents. No attention will be taken of anonymous com-
munications, and correspondents are requested" to write on one side of
the paper only, and give their real names and addresses, not necessarily
for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should
be drawn on separate pieces of paper.

Communications relating to the literary department, reports of
Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review,
&o.t must be addressed only to *The Editor of the "British. Bee
Journal," c/o Messrs. Strangeways and Sons, Tower Street, Cambridge
Circus, W.C All business communications relating to Advertisements,
&c, must be addressed to Mr. J. Huckle, .Kings Langley, Herts (sea
2nd page of Advertisements).

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

SCRIPTURE TEXTS WHEREIN THE WORD
HONEY OR HONEY-COMB IS MENTIONED.

[1402.] Should it be within the line of admissible
matter for insertion in the Journal kindly find a corner
for the enclosed. It may possibly interest some of your
readers to see a record of the numerous passages that
appear in Holy Writ where the word ' honey ' or ' honey-
comb ' is mentioned. It might also lead them to a search
to supplement those I give, or, failing that, might notice
the passages given, when they could but find a great
deal for thought, if only the references made to honey.
The light in which it is placed before us is evidence of its
value in ancient times. I have not found a price quoted
for honey in my readings, but that merchants traded in
honey at fairs and markets is told us in Ezekiel, chap, xxvii.
Perhaps some of your correspondents can enlighten us as
to the earliest money value quotations for honey : it
would be very interesting.

Here I would mention I have a pleasurable recollec-
tion of a visit to a village school, and offering three
prizes, first, second, and third, to the boy or girl who
should give me the largest number of texts from Scrip-
ture in which the word 'honey' or 'honey-comb' is found,
each text to be written out in full, the schoolmaster very
kindly undertaking to be the examiner. (The work
was, of course, done out of school hours.) There were
twelve children who entered the field of search (ten
girls and two boys) ; the highest number, 51, was given
by a boy, three girls came close after him with 45, 45,
46, four with from 30 to 89, four with from 20 to 25.
The work of two of the girls, aged ten, was of great
merit. I have thought since how many of these children
might probably as they grew up become bee-keepers,
having had their thoughts thus directed in their child-
hood. They were very enthusiastic at the time.

Gen. : xliii. 11.

Exod: iii. 8, ill. 17, xiii. 5, xvi. 31, xxxiii. 3.

Lev.: ii. 11, xx. 24.

Numb. : xiii. 27, xiv. 8, xvi. 13, xvi. 14.

Deut. : vi. 3, viii. 8, xi. 9, xx. 9, xxvi. 15, xxvii. 3,

xxxi. 20, xxsii. 13.
Josh : v. 6.
Judg. : xiv. 8, xiv. 9, xiv. 18.

1 Sam. : xiv. 25, xiv. 26, xiv. 27, xiv. 29, xiv. 43.

2 Sam. : xviii. 29.

1 Kings : xiv. 3.

2 Kings : xviii. 32.
Job: xx. 17.

Ps. : xix. 10, lxxxi. 16 cxix. 103.

Prov. : v. 3, xvi. 24, xxiv. 13, xxv. 16, xxv. 27.

Sol. : iv. 11, v. 1.

Isa. : vii. 15, vii. 22.

Jer. : xi. 5, xxxii. 22, xli. 8.

Ezek. : iii. 3, xvi, 13, xvi. 19, xx. 6, xx. 15, xxvii. 17.

Matt. : iii. 4.

Mark : i. 6.

Luke : xxiv. 42.

Rev. : x. 9, x. 10.

The above gives a total of fifty-nine texts. Will some of

3'our readers supply any additional ones ? I remember

Mr. Carr on one occasion, when giving an address,

quoting a number, but I forget his figures just now. —
R. R. Godfkey.

WORKING FOR HONEY.
[Extract of a letter to Mr. J. Walton, Weston, Leamington.)

[1403.] I will now give you my method of working for
honey, both comb and extracted. I will first point out the
disadvantages of the old system of working, i.e., supering
old stocks for section honey — 1st, the liability to swarm
just as they have got to work nicely in supers, leaving
a lot of half-filled sections ; 2nd, the great amount of
brood to take care of and feed, which at the time of our
honey season is generally short and sharp ; it keeps too
many bees at home on household work. Every bee-
keeper knows (or should know) that when honey is
coming in plentifully a swarm will do wonders in a
short time. The reason is this, ' it's all hands to the
pump.' No babies to feed, or next to none. Therefore
all the bees can go foraging and collecting honey to bring-
home. All the bees in the swarm are capable of honey-
gathering, or what are termed field-bees ; and the sharper
the honey is gathered, the better and quicker the
sections are filled and finished. Also, it is a well-known
fact that when a swarm has got the ' go ' in them, the more
honey the more wax they make, which is the proper
condition we want for sections. Now, my object is to
point out how to make the bees do the most in the
shortest time, or, in plain words, get all that is to be got
(as the Quaker says, ' Get it honestly if you can, my boy,
but get it'). I should give the preference to 6-in. frames,
ten frames in a hive, two stock boxes to make brood
nest]; but it can be worked with the Standard or any
other sized frame, or skeps in conjunction with frame-
hives.

Well, I shall suppose that the hives are all 6-in.
frames, and the hives and section-case are all one
pattern ; also, that I had a piece of laud suitable for
arranging the apiary. I should place all the hives in
clumps of threes.

I have only given a small number of hives to show how
to arrange them ; there should be trees for protection — ■
it might be fruit trees, or only shrubs, according to taste.
I think they are necessary as shelter and land-marks for
bees. We will suppose the bees have plenty of food,
either natural or good syrup, to carry them on to the
middle of April, which they ought to have (I don't
believe in early stimulative feeding). Some time in
March, when weather is suitable, run them over, and
see how they stand as regards food, queens, brood, &c.
Make food, that is, give food to those requiring it, in the
shape of a fidl comb of honey from some other hive, or
a comb filled with syrup, and placed as close to the
brood-nest as possible, but don't break the cluster more
than you can help. But if the stocks have been well
looked after in the autumn they will not want any
feeding until April. Join any colony that is queenless
to the next, then about the first week in April, if the
weather is fine, start feeding out of doors (if you are
far enough away from other people's bees), it is the best
feed, by a long way, for stimulating and keeping your
bees at home, and for keeping them from robbing; in
fact, it keeps them out of mischief. Place a pan (a
large milk-pan is best), get a lot of old ginger-beer corks
to make a float, fill almost full with warm water, then
sprinkle a few pounds of sugar into the water, over
corks, making only sweetened water, keep the feeder
going until they get enough to do without it ; that you
will soon see, for they won't scarcely look at it if there
is honey on the ' go.' About the first week in May,
or before, if the weather has been good, overhaul them
again, and if the top brood box has got a lot of stores,
just reverse them ; place top at bottom and bottom at

572

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 29, 1887.

top. That will make room for the queen, for the bees
will soon shift the stores, and the shifting- starts to rapid
breeding. Well, we will presume that all the stocks
are pretty near swarming point. When the honey
begins to come Jin, go through the lot and see which
are the forwardest lots. I will deal with three hives,
ti, b, c. That will show you how the whole apiary is to
be worked. Well, see which of the three hives is
strongest. If they have not started queen-cells, select
the combs of hatching-brood and place them, ten in
number, in one box. Brush all bees from the other
combs on to the other combs first mentioned. This is
to crowd them and make them get to swarming- as
quick as possible (the other combs of brood can be
placed on one of the other stocks for them to look after).
As soon as they have swarmed, hive them on their old
stand on full sheets of foundation, if you have not got
some good clean combs to spare ; if so, use them. We
want all the wax-building- done in supers. Well, if
placed on old combs, I should super at once ; they will
start straight away if honey is coming in fast, and
neither of the other two hives have swarmed. Well,
about ten o'clock a.m., when they are well in the field
at work gathering honey (a, b, c,) take a and e clean
away to a new station, the farthest point from where
they have been standing. All the field-bees coming
home will go to their old station, and finding only one
hive in the place of three they will all go into that.
The swarm will welcome the strangers if filled with
honey (and it should only he done when honey is
coming in), then pile on section-cases as fast as you can.
There will be at least twelve to fifteen lbs. of bees in
the one lot, swarming impulse is satisfied, and they go
to work with a will ; it is a treat to see them at it.
Keep them on one set of combs, that will send all the
bees into the supers. This method is simply to wear
out all the old bees in honey-gathering and wax-
building. Keep putting on cases as fast a9 the bees fill
them. When you have six cases of sections filled then
you can start taking the bottom lots ; keep working
from the bottom, they fill and seal better than raising
the supers. Always take off whole cases at the time.
By using carbolic cloth (or house flannel is best) you
can drive them out of sections as fast as you like ; I
like three pieces of flannel, and with a little smoke you
can make sharp work of it.

I will now explain what to do with the brood and
bees the swarm b came from. That being the best lot
and earliest, that is what you want for queen-raising.
By having a few hives made with three entrances, or
better still, a floor-board with three entrances cut into
it, you can divide the brood and bees, giving queen-cells
to each nucleus lot. One hive, by using two light
division-boards, makes three small lots to raise three
young queens in. I should raise enough young queens
so as to give each stock one, after the honey season is
over, for they are the foundation of successful bee-
keeping.

Now, we will treat the other two lots, which have had
all the field, or flying bees, taken away, as before ex-
plained. They are to be placed in a new station. In a
few days there will have been enough young bees
hatched out to make them up to honey-gathering
strength. Now place sets of empty combs on top of the
two sets of brood combs, using excluding honey boards
(in both comb and extracted), place brood combs 1 5-16
from centre in centre, and the sets of empty combs -2 in.
from centre to centre; the former keeps the brood

cliinnbers for broni] and the li -y chamber* for honey.

Thick combs are best to shave off for extracting. You
will no doubt see by my method that I practise
swarming without increase (unless increaso is desired),
then buildup from nucleus lots by giving empty combs
or foundation, but I am supposing I have stock enough,
and don't want to increase. By placing ono nucleus

against every clump of three hives they can be easily
joined when the honey season is over, so as to get the
young queens on good lay through August and
September, which mean strong hives for winter and
success in bee-keeping.

P.S.— I should clip all queens after they have been
fertilised to prevent swarms from straying away. You
might try what course you like and they will swarm, if
you super with sections and the queens are over a year
old. I have only to refer you to the Stewarton method
of joining swarms to prove to you what can be done by
joining swarms together, only with my plan you only
want one out of every three to swarm and the job is done.
Of course, if two or more hives swarmed at the same
time from the same clump, you have only to join
swarms, giving tho old queens to a and e, which you
intend to run for extracting. — W alter Marshall..

'A. E.' WANTS A DIPLOMA.

[1404.] When I read letter 1384 on p. 548, 1 confess
to having experienced such a touch of sadness as seldom
overtakes me. No wonder 'A. E.' finds the wool
getting thin on the top of his head, where the wool
ought to be. Although my wool is still thick (and for
the matter of that, I am much afraid my head is also,
for I, too, like ' A. E.,' despised ' handles ') I find my
name would look much better with more or less of the
alphabet as a conclusion to the whole matter. That is,
of course, for gulling the public.

Now, it so happens, Mr. Editor, that I have taken my
first-class certificate, and it has become a matter of
surprise to me that 'A. E.' has never had one conferred
on him honoris causa. This might be a step towards
restoring the prestige of our disconsolate friend. Can
we not get the prefix 'Royal' to our B. B.K.A. ? Then,
of course we should at once all become Fellows, and if an
announcement that a lecture would be delivered by
Antonio Demosthenes Blank, Esq., F.R.B. B.K.A., did
not draw the public nothing would.

By the bye, why, oh, why, does ' A. E.' never ' jot '
now? He used to do it well and often. Is it the want
of these same letters he longs for P Let him remember
that in our B. B. J. he is among friends who admire him
for his worth, and not for any title, and that we like him
to sling inky even if we do occasionally get a splash.
— F.C.E.B. B.K.A.

FOUNDATION ». WORKED COMBS.

[1405.] Yes, Mr. John Edey, it is my opinion that
for all practical purposes a sheet of foundation is
superior to a comb, and it is not so easy to refute as may
at first sight appear to you. And it seems to me
incredible that a stock could be found in April in need
of extension of brood-nests, as here, at least, our stocks
do not reach the lowest point till the first week of May.
And we consider them good if they can Jill four frames
of brood at that time, and before they can fill the seven
or eight they have or should have been wintered on, it is
at least the last week of May; and it is not advisable to
extend tho brood-nest until these are packed with brood,
and bees lying behind the dummies. Now, Mr. Edey,
when you have got a hive in this position, I will tell
you how to use a sheet of foundation to make it superior
to any comb. Place it in the centre, and the two
combs next it close up to it for forty-eight hours ; at the
end of that time open out to a quarter of an inch, and
you will find an egg in almost every cell. Giving sealed
or partially uncapped stores is no facility with me, as I
pour the syrup into the tops of combs, and save the bees
the trouble.

Mr. Edey asks if ever I have tried tiering hives filled
with clean comb. I ask, in reply, if he thought I was

December 29, 1887.]

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

578

■writing; from theory, and would refer him to J. H.
Howard's reply to query No. 2, and would add that
common sense would say that he would do "better with
full sheets all over. Again, he says, ' It is important
that the combs be clean; ' and as those who reply to
query No. 2 advise the combs to be wrought in the
brood-nest I would ask how they are to be got clean and
free from pollen ?

Mr. Edey, in his last paragraph, accuses me of writing
strongly and somewhat uncourteously, but I am afraid
business interest has somewhat sharpened his suscepti-
bility. He asks if 1 have ' studied this wiring business.'
I reply that I have to the extent of buyiug some wire
and never using it, nor never shall while I can get
foundation that does not need it, and can extract from
it without breaking a single comb; and when a man
spends his money for what is no advantage to him my
term for it is waste. Bat as many will continue to use
not only clean but old pollen-clogged combs, I believe it
would be a blessing to them if Mr. Edey could show how
there need be no danger from them spreading foul brood.
— James Saddler, Forfar.

PRICE OF HONEY.

[1406.] I should not trespass on your space again
with this subject but for the fact that ' Sherborne ' has
asked me two or three questions in his letter of the 8th
inst. He asks what I would do if placed in circumstances
similar to himself. If he will take the trouble to read
carefully the recent Journals in which articles have
appeared from the pens of ' Useful Hints,' Mr. R. R.
Godfrey, and others, I think he will find a way out of
the difficulty he mentions. In one place Mr. Godfrey
says he has seen honey vendors standing side by side in
the markets, and ' those who sold the most were those
who charged the most,' simply because of the difference
in the ' get-up ' of their ' sales.' Mr. ' Useful Hints,' and
also Mr. Simmins, say, ' It is a great mistake to rush
honey on the market all at once.' Mr. Simmins further
says, ' Our supply is not equal to our demand.'

Now, what are we to infer from these various ' hints ? '
Only that the price I quoted may be obtained if things
are managed in the right way. I suppose every county
has its quantity of cottagers who have honey for sale at
low prices ; but surely ' Sherborne ' will not place honey
from the sulphur-pit alongside pure honey from the
extractor ! With what little experience I have of bee-
keeping— and that is very limited — I have learnt that
prices are on the down-grade. But why should it be
so ? When the comparison between honey and butter,
both as to quality and expense, is properly considered,
my opinion is that it is not so much that honey should
' go down ' as that the education of the parents of families
should ' go up.'

Let the B. B. K. A. publish in leaflet form articles on
'Honey, and its qualities, dietary and medicinally.'
Then have these scattered freely by bee-keepers all over
the country, and I think we should have less complaining
about the difficulty of selling.

While on this subject kindly allow me to say that it
appears to me a strange anomaly that many of our great
masters are trying to increase bee-keepers in this country,
and yet advocating the ' down-grade ' in the price of
honey. They may be able to profitably produce it at a
low price, owing to long and varied experience, and
knowing so wellhowtoobtain the best possible results from
each hive ; but how about us who have not this experience ?
Are we to lose every year by it, simply because the
larger producers can afford to sell against us ? If bee-
keeping is to spread as it ought then we must hold out
all the inducement possible to our neighbours, and all
charge a reasonable price for the produce. Besides, is it
not possible, and also probable, that if prices go down
then adulteration by too much feeding follows as a
result? — Chaeles Howes.

mxm aub |k}jlks.

1. Robbers, how knoiun. — -Where bees are of the same
race, how is it known when robbing is going on ? If
Ligurians are seen entering a black hive, or vice versa,
it is plain they are entering other people's premises. But
among, e.g. Ligurians, entering a Ligurian hive, how can
we know that some of them belong to another hive of
Ligurians ? — \_A . When the robbers are of the same race
as the colony attacked, the fact that robbing is being
carried on may be easily ascertained by the commotion
at the entrance, where a series of single combats will be
in progress. The attacking bees may be known by their
actions —a suspicious, wary hovering in front of the hive,
and a sudden dash at the entrance when a chance is given.
Where the plundered hive is queenless, generally no
resistance is offered, and often the queenless bees will
join the plunderers in carrying off their own sweets, and,
deserting their hive, will unite with the robbers.]

2. Renewal of Robbi?ig in Spring. — If a particular
hive has been persistently robbed in the autumn, the
robbing only ceasing on all the bees retiring to their winter
quarters, is it certain, or likely, that some months after,
when they all come again in spring, the robbing bees will
have forgotten the assailed hive and leave it in peace ?
Or would it be wise during the winter to change its
place, so as to ' throw them off the scent ? ' And if this
latter precaution were taken, the hive moved, say a perch
or two, can we rely on these bees themselves, those moved
having so far forgotten as not to be puzzled and lost by
the change of place ? This last query, indeed, is much
more general, and one I have often wished to put ; be-
cause, from various other causes, one often finds it
expedient to change the place of a hive when it can-
not well be done gradually — two feet at a time — in the
orthodox way. Can it safely be done at a jump during
the winter rest ? — [A. It is not likely that bees which
have attacked one particular hive in the autumn will
renew the attack in spring. At this season you may
safely remove the hive to the distance of a perch or two,
if carefully done during cold weather, when the bees are
not flying.]

8. Combs. — Is there any rule among experts as to the
number of years combs may be used before they become
too contracted for breeding, or otherwise unfit ? Would
four years be too much? — \_A. We have used combs in
the same hive for fifteen years, and bees have prospered
upon them. The old useless pollen and cocoons were
removed, as occasion required, broken cells were repaired,
or rebuilt, and all other necessary operations were per-
formed. This took place in a ' Grecian hive,' and was
tried for the sake of experiment, a prolific queen being
always kept at the head of the colony. As a general
rule, however, it is better to remove combs five or six
years old, especially when veiy dark, heavy, and clogged
with pollen, and to supply their places with foundation.]

4. Two years ago I laid in a very large stock of found-
ation, both ordinary and ' super ; ' which is not nearly all
used up yet. Can it still be made available by dipping
in hot water ? And if so, could you give any directions
in detail ; that is, as to the heat of the water or the
length of time to leave the combs in it ? — \_A. Before in-
serting the foundation in the frames apply heat to the
whole sheets — about 90° Fahr. — by placing it near a fire,
on the plate-rack over a kitchen-range is a suitable
place, for a short time, until it becomes sufficiently
pliable to manipulate. Then cut into proper sizes for
frames or sections, and insert them in the frames, in
a warm room. This operation may be performed now,
or at anj' time before the frames, &c, are required for
use. Before placing frames of foundation, so filled, in
the hives, or putting swarms upon them, plunge them
into hot water, of no higher temperature than 100° Fahr.,
for a few seconds, and when sufficiently limp, they are fit

574

THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL.

[December 29, 1887.

for immediate use, and will be drawn out as quickly and
as perfectly, by the bees, as new foundation.]

5. Drone Comb and Drone Foundation. — Mr. Cowan
in speaking of rearing selected drones (p. 89) says,
'Introduce drone, comb into the centre of the brood
nest.' But is drone-comb manufactured, except thin, for
supers? I have never met with it, nor seen it adver-
tised.— [A. No, drone comb is not manufactured, but we
believe drone foundation is. You confuse the terms,
'comb' and 'foundation.' Mr. Cowan's advice is to
insert drone comb not foundation. Of the former he
supposes all bee-keepers to have a stock in hand, kept
over from previous years.].

6. Artificial Swarming. — Under ' Artificial Swarming '
Mr. Cowan mentions a method recommended as very
simple and easy ; but which seems to be open to a fatal
objection in practice. It is in making three colonies out
of two. The brood without bees of nive A is put in a
hive where B stood, while B itself is moved farther on.
Thus, the old bees of B, returning to their original place,
are supposed to nurse the brood of A and raise a queen.
Now while the bees of B are gathering back from fields
&c, to their old locality, many hours must elapse before
they are collected in any numbers; and meantime the
brood is left untended. "Would it not most likely be
chilled and perish ? — [A. "We certainly see no ' fatal ob-
jection in practice ' to Mr. Cowan's directions for making
three colonies from two, given under the heading
' Artificial Swarming.' He gives very particular direc-
tions that this method is only to be practised on a ' fine day
when most of the bees are flying ' and when colonies are
ready for swarming, which suppose warm, and at times
sultry weather. At such times there is no fear of
chilling brood; indeed the excitement of the returning
bees, on finding their queen gone and their combs changed,
will raise the hive to a higher temperature than the
brood experienced before being transferred ; and in two
or three hours the bees will settle down quietly, and
form queen-cells, unless a fertilised queen be caged on a
brood comb, which is by far the better plan and in that
case she will probably be well received after twelve hours
confinement. "We have pursued this plan in hundreds of
instances and never knew it fail when properly carried
out with strong colonies.^

7. Be/easing Queen at Sunset. — In a number of the
B. B. J., and in many other places, I have seen it re-
commended as one of the essential points in safe in-
troducing, to release the queen very late, just when it is
getting too dark to work with the bees. Now in the
case of the pipe-cover cage, does not this do away with
the very advantage supposed to be gained ? For we are
told often that the great point in this form is that you
can see how the queen is received ; and if the bees attempt
to ball her she can be rescued and caged for another daj\
Do the advocates of the very late releasing contem-
plate leaving her to take her chance ? — \_A. There can be
no possible reason why a queen should not be released
from a pipe-cover, or any other cage, late in the evening.
Since no one can manipulate bees in the dark, there must
be time for performing the operation by daylight. Five
minutes, at most, are required. The essential points are
to notice the animus of the bees towards the queen, both
before and after releasing her. If they are encasing —
vulgarly called balling — the cage, showing every dis-
position to use their stings, and uttering a shrill, hissing
sound, while clinging so closely to the cage that it is
almost impossible to dislodge them, then we say, don't
release her, either at night or morning, but closo the hive
and leave il fur another twelve hours. If, on the other
hand, the bees appear kindly disposed towards the queen,
feeding her through the wires of the cage, and carrying
on the work of the hive with that pleasing, well-known,
contented hum ; then, whether it bo night or morning,
release the queen, carefully noticing how the bees receive
her, II' she is allowed to perambulate the comb, ac-

cepting food when offered, and all goes on quietly and
harmoniously, close the hive gently and carefully, and
the introduction is safely accomplished. Forty-eight
hours afterwards you may verify the insertion by ' inter-
viewing' the queen, if there are no robber-bees about,
but do not keep the hive open long, and be careful to
close it quietly, after a careful, gentle manipulation.
For our own part we introduce at all hours during
daylight — and sometimes by lamplight — and we do not
lose three queens out of a hundred. Indeed there is no
reason why a single queen should ever be lost when
using the pipe-cover cage. The great mistake made by
beginners is that they release the queen before the bees
have accepted her, when, on closing the hive, she is en-
cased by the enraged and excited bees, and, in nine cases
out of ten, is crushed to death, or maimed for life, in
their cruel (?) or loving (?) embrace.]

8. Queen-cage. — A very distinguished foreign expert
who, happening to be writing, recommended strongly this
very late releasing, also described to me an improved
pipe cover-cage, to be made with wire gauze. Not
having much leisure for this kind of work 1 should like
to have it carried out by ' skilled labour.' Could you tell
me the address of any one who -makes such cages, to
whom I could apply ? as the dealers I presume only sell
them ? — [A. The wire gauze cage has no advantage over
the finely-wrought cage of thin wire. Indeed the latter
has an advantage from the freer communication afforded
between the bees and the queen, both for feeding and
fraternising (sororising?)]

Ants and Bees in Jamaica. — The biting ants, which
march in compact column a few inches wide and many
yards long, do not do much injury, unless you de-
liberately stand in the middle of them and wait for
them to crawl up. They marched through the house
one night, and turned me out, of bed at midnight. I
was bitten, perhaps, in a dozen places, but the bites were
very trifling. The bees are more troublesome. The
natives hollow out logs for them, or utilise the empty
packing-cases left by passing caravans, which they
place in the upper branches of the taller trees. These
you see perched up in the trees all about, each with its
swarm of bees. When the honey season comes, the
boxes are lowered at night into a fire of dry grass, the
bees destroyed, and the honey taken. Occasionally the
bees seem to get very angry, and buzz furiously around
their houses, descending on any bird, animal, or man
that happens to pass beneath at the time. Baxter keeps
a swarm in the loft here. Once when they were angry
they came down and killed a tame eagle which he kept ;
another time they killed a small monkey which I had
bought as entomological attendant for my dogs. Bats
are a nuisance ; they swarm everywhere. They and
the white ants between them give a housekeeper an
anxious time of it. One day I went up to the store-room
to get. a pot of honey. Two rats had eaten through the
cover, and then gone in after the honey. They had got
so sticky that they could not jump out, and there they
had apparently remained for some days. I should think
they must have been very thirsty. — The Church Mis-
sionary Gleaner.

. ^©usiness ^Directory.

HIVES AND OTHER APPLIANCES.

Abbott Bkos., Southall, and Merchants' Quay, Dublin.

Appleton, H. M., 256a Hotwell Road, Bristol.

Bakeh, W. B., Muskham, Newark.

Baldwin, S. J., Bromley, Kent.

Blow, T. B., Welwyn, Herts.

Bkitish Bjbb-kebebes' Stob.es, G George Yard, Fenchurch St.

Buktt, E. J., Stroud Eoad, Gloucester.

Edey & Son, St. Neots.

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