LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE Source THE British Bee Journal, AND BEE-KEEPERS' ADVISER. EDITED BY TLIOS. WM. COWAN F.G.S., F.L.S., F.R.M.S., &c, and W. BROUGHTON CARR. VOLUME XXXIII January-December, 1905. PUBLISHED BY SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT, & Co., Limited, 23, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. LIBRARY UNiVERSirTcF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST, MASS. T LONDON : PRINTED BY LOVE AND MALCOMSON, LIMITED, 4 AND 5, DE\N STREET, HIGH HOLBORN, W.C. INDEX. Editorial Notices: — American Enterprise in the Interest of Apiculture, 241 Anonymous Contributors, 171 Bee-keeping Statistics Re- port of the D.T.I, for Ireland, 1904, 81 Bee-keeping as an Occupa- tion, 451, 471 " Bee Pest" Bill, The, 141 Bee Season and Coming Shows, The, 271 British B.K.A. Conference of Bee-keepers, 411, 421 ; Conference of County Representatives, 401 ; Ex- aminations for Second- class Certificates, 431 ; Monthly Meeting of Council, 461 ; Conver- sazione, 121, 131, 142, 151 Changes in the Government, 121 Cheap Scotch (?) Honey, 81 " Claustral " Ventilated Hive and Detention Sys- tem, The, 71, 121, 131, 301 Closing Show Season, 331 Cumberland B.K.A. : That Vote of Censure, 171 Dairy Show, The, 414 Dr. Dzierzon's Birthday, 41 '' Finest Scotch Honey " — Tons on Offer in London, 51,61 Foul Brood Legislation, 11, 221; Decision of the Board of Agriculture, 281 Important Notice — Re- moval of B.B.J, and Record Offices, 231 Irish Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, 11,21,31. 42 Judgiag Honey, Standard Samples Wanted, 4sl Mr. Cowan's Tour in America, 141 , 191 Milan International Ex- hibition, 501 Perthshire B.K A., Annual Meeting, 441 Profitable Bee - keeping Without Cost, 321 Queen Rearing in America, 92 Return of Mr. and Mrs. Cowan, 471 Reviews, 61, 101, 128, 137, 171, 302, 407 Royal Show at Park Royal, 151, 181, 191 St. Louis Exhibition, 11 Testing Purity of Bees-wax, 91 Volume Thirty-three, 1 Weather, The, 211 Notes by the Way. By W. Woodley, Beedon, New- bury :— Apis Mellifica, 231 Bacillus Alvei, 93 Bees and Hazel Catkins, 74 ; Making Steady Progress, 211 Creosote, Use of, 293 Buying Swarms, 501 Feeding Bees, 134 Honey Jars, 403; Season, Closing of, 292 Introducing Queens, 134 ftff) Insect Pests in Sections, 481 Metal End Required, A Medium, 272 Planning for the Coming Season, 14 Price of Honey, 354 Queen Wasps, 192 Railway Companies and Claims for Damage, 134, 481, 501 Requeening, 272 ; for Winter, 354 Scotch (?) Honey, 74 Size of Sections. 35, 441 Spreading Brood, 192 Square v. Tall Sections, 462 Swallows and Bees, 403 Swarming Time, 252 Swarms, 174-; Buying Swarms, 501 '• Swarthmore" System, The, 154 Watering Troughs, 74 Wax-moth, 312 Work for New Year, 14 , February, 52 March, 93, 113 Among the Bees: ByD.M. M., Banff :— Advance Apiculture, 126 Alternations, 362 Andrense, 183 Are Prices Falling ? 102 " As Others See Us," 103 Autumn, Outside Observa- tions in, 415 Banning Black Bees, 23 Bee Clubs. 4 ; Calendar, An Old-time, 491; Hives, A Novelty In, 201 ; Paraly- sis, 263; Proof Thread, 52; Statistics, 63; The Best. 303, 323 Carbolic Cloths, 284 Celluloid for Bee-keepers' Use, 62 Clearing Supers, 393 Claustral Chamber, 491 Cooler Crates, 2S3 Dealing with Vicious Bees, 511 Driven Bees, 284 Drones, 82 Entrances, Hive, 201, 202 Fertile Workers, 4 Feeding Bees in Skeps, 491 " Finest Scotch Honey {?)" : A Protest, 62 Foul Brood Leaflet, 182 ; Legislation, 222 Foul Broody Stocks, Deal- ing with, 342 Frame Clamps, 62 ; Spaces, 4 Frames and Hive Body, 202 Frames, Fixing Foundation in, 303 Getting Bees into Supers,262 Government Blessing .Apl- cu'ture, 472 Grading Honey, 4 Heather Harvest, The, 392 Honey, 43; Brick, 363; and Prices, 392 Honey Imports, 126 Introducing Queens, 3, 44, 126, 182, 303 Irish Statistics, 12G Isolated Diseased Cells, 4 Judging Heather Honey, 472 Location, 472 Looking Back: or a Hun- dred Years Ago. 145 Lower Chamber, The 202 Mating Queens, 393 "Missing Link" to Success, The, 222 Mysteriously Disappeared, 392 Not Proven, 362 011a Podrida, 44 Paper Hives, 263 Pollen Feeding, 62 Queens Ceasing Laying, 431 Robbing, 372 Rosemary, 44 Scouting. 43 Scent in Bees, 491 Season, The Honey, 362 Season, The Passing, 283 t Section, Which is the Best V 302 Separators, 183 Shade Boards, 4 Side Entrances, 202 Some Bad Bee Seasons, 103 Spring: How are Stores? 125 Standard Frame, 472 ; Stan- dard Section, 472; Whit- tling Down the, 164 Strong Colonies, 263 Square Cerls, 62 Swarm, A 20 lb., 363 Swarming, How to Check, 241 Tanging Bees, 451 "The Baby Soul of Sing- ing," 183 Two Honey Recipes, 1S3 Uniting, 471 Volume Thirty-two, 126 Well-ripened Honey, 491 Working for Comb and Ex- tracted, 362 Extracts and Comments, from American and Colonial Bee Papers, by D. M. M., Banff : 255, 295, 385, 424, 46 J, 504 Abeilles, Tresor des Montagnes, 61 Africa (South), A Note from, 503; Oranges, Carrots^ and Bees, 503 An Apicultural Alphabet, 509 Analysis of Honey, 116 Antipodes, At the, 380 Ants into Woods, Introducing Colonies of, 9 ; In Hives 257 Apiaries, Locating Large. 459 Apiary, A Government, 424; Hybridising, An, 96, 107 ; Visit to a Dutch, 376 ; Wanted a National Experimental, 184 Apis Dorsata, 341 Appeal by Mr. T. J. Weston, 16 "A Re-start with Bees," 406, 502 Are Prices Falling V 102 Artificial Swarms, Making, 507 Associations (County), A Sug- gestion for, 39 Autumn, Are Queens Mated in ? 369 ; Outside Observation in, 415 Bee and Honey Shows : —Berks B K.A. at Reading, 372 : Bishops Stortford B.K. A., 342 : Biamhall, 361 ; Cambs and Isle of Ely B.K.A., 382; Cheshire Agricultmal Society at Chester, 361 ; Confectioners' and Allied Trades at Agri- cultural Hall. 351; County of Anglesey B.K.A., 383 : Dairy Farmers-' Exhibition at Atn-i- cultural Hall, 402, 414 : Derby- shire B.K.A. at Derby, 353 ; Devon B.K.A. at Plymouth, 461; Essex Agricultural Society at Southend, 251 : Glamorgan B.K.A. at Cardiff, 301: Grocers' and Kindred Trailes at Agricultural Hall, 371 : Hants B K. A. (Swanmore Branch), 311 ; Henbury Dis- trict B.K.A. , 352; Hereford Honey Fair, 361 ; Kent Honey Show at Wye, 39 1 : Lancashire B.KA. at Ciiorley, 341; Lan- cashire Agricultural Society at Lancaster, 372 : Leicester- shire B.K.A., 331 : Linc<. B.K.A. at Grantham, 282; North Norfolk B.K.A. at Melton Constable, 321; North - ants B.K.A. at Kingsthorpe, 291 ; Notes B.K A., at South- well, 292 ; Royal Agricultural Society at Park Roy*l, 151, 261 ; Royal Lanes. Agricul- tural Society at Liverpool. 311 : South of Scotland B.K. A. at Dumfries, 391 : Shropshire B.K.A. at New- port, 301 ; Staffs. B.K.A. at Shrewsbury, 341; at Wal- sall, 3U : Surrey B.K.A. at Crystal Palace, 381 ; Wor- cestershire B.K.A., 3S2; Yet- minster B.K.A., 332 Baby Nuclei, 61, 99 ; Queen- mating in, 175 Ballot of Bee-keepers, 15 Bee and Honey Shows, Exhibits at, 45a Bee - Appliances, Borrowing, 294 ; Guaranteeing, 438 Bee-Books, English and Ameri- can, 255 Bee Calendar, An Old, 491 Bee Candy, Making, 508 Making Soft, 363, 457, 461 503 ; on the Snow Bench, 394 Bee Club, A Village, 4, 374 Bee Culture, and the Press, 305 Bee District, An Ideal, 489 : Walthamstow as a, 509 Bee Driving Experiences, 20, 417 Bee Enemies, 75, 335, 369 ; in South Africa, 405 Bee Experiences, Some, 396 Bee Farm, Starting a, 267 Bee Fjod, Foreign Honey as, 27 ; Sugar for, 327, 338 ; Honey as, 91), 100 Bee Forage, 297, 317, 379 ; Buck- wheat as, 46 ; Gorse as, 489 : Spraying, 178, 196 ; Planting for, 489 ; White Sage as, 315 Bee for this Country, the best, 344, 498 Bee Hive, A Novel, 234, 361; an Improved, 492 Bee House, An Old-Time, 254 or Workshop, 244 Bee, In Praise of the, 378 ; In- surance, 332, 345 , Bee-Keeper, Notes by a "Home- less," 512 Bee-Keepers' Associations :— British, 1, 31, 71, 91, HH, 111, 121, 131, 142, 151, 161, 201, 251, 291, 381j40l, 411, 421, 431, 461 511 ; Cambs. and Isle of Ely, 80, 152 ; Cheshire, 143 Cumberland, 133, 141; Derby- shire, 51 : Devon, 41 ; Essex and Suffolk, 144 ; Glamorgan, 153 3 '1; Hunts,39: Lancashire, 12) ; Leicestershire, 133 : Lin- colnshire, 112, 134; Nortli Norfolk, 113 ; Northumber- land and Durham, 162; North West Durham, 82 ; Notts, 81 : Oxfordshire, 161 ; Perthshire 441 ; Shropshire, 173; Suney, 191 ; Warwickshire, lb2 ; Worcestershire, 41 IV INDEX TO VOLUME XXXIII. Fee-keepers and Voting Papers, 17 ; A Bequest for the Views of 6, ; Association for South Africa, 385 ; Olluloid for, 62, 74, 87, 96, 107, 114 ; Comparing Notes with, 458 ; Experience, A Lady, 243 ; Queries. A Lad", 369 ; Troubles, A, 25 Bee-keeping, Adaptability for, 4°8 ; Advising Beginners in, *9 ; as an occupation, 68, 286, 324, 343. 368, 451. 471, 487, 497 ; for Clergymen, 169; In Canada, 449 ; in California, 178; in India, 19 ; in Ireland, 81 ; in Jamaica, 30 ; in New Zealand. 232, 429, 434; in Schools, Teaching, 298: in Suburbs of London, 429 ; Moot Points in 385 ; Profits of, 474 ; Sisters, Our, 295 ; Starting, 198, 389, 409 Bee Lore. Ancient, 67 Bee Note from Argyllshire, A,, 436 ; from Austria, 87 ; f om Gloucestershire, 8 Bee Notes, A Beginners, 65, 334 ; from Cumberland, 136, 223 ; from Derbyshire, 114, 273 ; from Essex, 364 ; from ' Mid - Lothian, 426 ; from Northumberland, 94 ; from Ross-shire, 104. 265 ; from the Midlands, 335 ; from the North, 154 ; from Yorkshire, 86 ; Sundry, 106 Bee Pacifiers, 266 Bee Paralysis, 263 Bee Parasites, 369 Bee-proof Thread, 62 Bee Race, Foul Brood and the, 203 Bee Season in Herts, The, 393 ; in Notts, The, 398 : in Oxon, The, 405, 504 ; Notes on my First. 326 ; Some bad, 103 Beea and their Enemies, 514 Bees: Stings, Effects of, 327; The Best, 323, 344 ; A Good Start with, 358, 396 ; and Chemicals, 233 ; »nd Church Bells, 107 ; and Dry Weather in Yorks, 304 : and Foul Brood, 212 ; and Hazel Catkins, 29, 50, 56, 6 i, 74, 76, 87 ; and Lime Trees, 432 ; and Non-Technical Pa- pers, 436 ; and Philosophy. 196, 204, 211; Compulsory Re- moval of, 238 ; as Honey Car- riers, 345 ; at the Heather, 86, 365 Bees Building Comb in Candy Box, 149 ; Building Combs Across Frames, 9; Building Square Cells, 56 ; Building- up Stock- from Driven, 316; Buying, 498 ; Buying Driven, 242 Bees Carrying down Contents of Sections, 347 ; Caucasian, 468 ; Cast out of Hives, Im- mature, 187, 274, 275; Con- trolling, 479 ; Dealing with Vicious, 359 Bees Deserting Hive, 110; Through Waxmoth, 378; in Spring, 176 Rees Deserting Queens, 257 Bees Destroying Queen Cells, 346 Bees, Driven, 284 Bees, Dying, 158, 399 Bees, Enemies of, 60, 75, 138, 335, 374, 405, 437, 448,514 Bees, Experiences with, 313, ► 476 Bees Failing to Seai Brood- Cells, 358 ; Failing to Transfer Themselves, 369 Bees Fighting among Them- selves. 328 ; fighting i i Di-ctnibT, 616 Bets for Transit by Kail, Pack ing, 39 Bees, from Supers, Clearing, 347 Bees Found Dead in February, 70; in March, 109, 120; in Comb, 187 Bees Found in Garden Ground, 327 Bees, Garden Flowers for, 36 Be-s, Handling, 498 Bees, Artificial Pollen for, 45 Bees in a Lard Pail, Feeding, 388 Bees in Cold Situations, 206 214 Bees in Greenhouse, Keepin?, 399 Bees in House Roof, 315, 408 Bees in Lancashire, 234 ; in Northants, 335 ; in Notts, 356 ; in Yorkshire, 324, 344 Bees in Roof -turret, Keeping, 48 Bees in Skeps, Ff eding, 428 Bees in South Africa, 384, 503 Bees in Suburban Gardens, 119, 448 Bees in "Wells" Hives, 49, 188 Bees in Winter, Confining, 417 ; Moving, 39 Bees, Italian, 446 Bees Killing Queen, 258 Bees, Longevity of, 206, 214 Bees, Making Syrup for, 10, 99] Bees, Moving, 10, 39, 40 Bees near London, Keeping, 258 Bees not Entering Supers, 316 ; Not Working Well, 297 Bees, Odds and Ends About, 224, 244, 273 Bees, Proper Times to Handle, 227 Bees, Refusing to Enter Sec- tions, 285, 304, 326 ; Refusing to Unite, 368, 397, 426 Bees Removing Egg-s from Queen Cells, 243 Be^s Re-queening Themselves, 257 Bees, Reviving Moribund, 425 Bees, Robbing, 387 Bee^, Scent in, 491 Bees, Selling, 187 Bees, Seventy-ons Years Among the, 483 Bees Short of Stores, 49 Bees Swarming after Dividing for Increase, 258; Smarming when Examining Hive, 247 Bee-, The Music of tne, 59 Bees Vicious, 440 ; Dealing with. 511 ; Water for, 66 Bees, Wintering Badly, 138 Beeswax, Testing Purity of 94 Beginner's Difficulties, A, 89, 139, 263; Help ng, 367, 377; Queries, 120, 158, 259, 263 ; Report, 43 "Black Brood," Curing, 469 Bottom starters, 386 Brace Combs in Sections, 276 Brick Honey, 363 British Bee Goods in South Africa, 232 Brood Combs, Care of , 96, 107, 108, 127 146 ; Renewing, 276 Brood in Hives, Effects of Cold Nights on, 197 Brood in Sections. 286 Brood-nest, Working Surplus Chambers Beyond, 218 Br od, Spreading, 192 Buying and Selling Honey, 504 Buying Laud Through Societies, 49, 60 ; Swarms, 477, 436, 503 ; and Selling Honey, 504 Canada, Bee-keeping in, 449 Candy Cakes, Renewing, 450 Candy Making, 58, 129, 464, 474, 489, 503, 508,516 Carbolic Cloths, 248, 266, 284 Case, a Hard — Loss of Bees, 206 Celluloid for Bee-keepers' Use, 62, 74, 87, 96, 104, 107, 114 ; Inflammability of, 94 Central Africa, An Experience in, 474 Chapman Honey Plant. 47, 1C9 Chickens Hatched by Bees, 440 Christmas Greetings, 507 Cleaning Hives : Limiting Swarming, 79 " Claustral," Ventilated Hive and Detention System, 71, 83, 224,265, 491, 509; Improving the Detention Chamber, 224 Cleaning Old Frames, 99 Cleaning Supers, 314 Colonies, Increasing Our, while Controlling Swarming, 264, 273 Comb-building in Spring, 89 Comb Foundation, Dispensing with, 387 Combs, Beginners and Cross- Build, 338 ; Broodless in October, 398 ; Care of Brood, 96, 107, 146 ; Cross-build, 237, 305, 3*7; Mouldy, 103 ;Pollen- clogged, 138,158, 224, 449 ;How to Clean Them, 147 Contributors, Anonymous. 171 Cornish Bee - keeper, Notes from A., 484 "Cowan" Extractor, The, 487 Crates, Cooler, 2«3 Cumberland, Bee Notes from, 136,' 149, 2 :3 Dead Bees Cast Out. 50, 207 Dealing with Foul Brood, 387 ; Suspected Stocks, 427 Dead Queen Cast Out, 19, 50 Derbyshire, Notes from, 365 Detention Chamber, An Impro- vised, 127; The "Claustral" Improved, 22 i Disease, Checking, 388 Dividing for Increase, 257 Drinking Troughs, 106 Driven Bees, Buying, 242 ; Feed- ing up, 409 Drone-Breeders, Deposing, 424 Drone-Breeding Queens, 129, 140, 187 Drone Comb, Preventing, 269 Drones, 82, 146 ; Cast Out in May, 227 Duels between Queen-Bees, 379, 394 Duplicate, Showing, 345 ; Eggs in Comb, 179, 217 Early Swarms and Capacity of Skeps, 314 Earwigs Emptying Supers, 367, 375, 385 Echoes from the Hives,48, 59, 69, 78, H9, 15', 159, 169, 189, 193, 203, 219, 227, 239, 248, 259, 266, 278, 287, 318 368, 38a, 400, 418, 439 "Ekes" below Frames, Using, 439' Elementary Queries, 317, 338 Entrances, Size of, 509 Enemies op Bees : — Bats, 60, 75 ; Braula Cceca, 138 ; Earwigs, 367. 375, 385 ; Hedgehogs, 75 ; House Mar- tins, 316, 365, 374, 385 ; in South Africa, 335, 365 ; Swal- lows and Sparrows, 384, 397, 403, 427, 434, 448 ; Tits, 75 ; Toads, 75. Eucalyptus O 1, 253 Exhibits Damaged in Transit, z74 Experience, A January, 28, 37 Experiences, Helpful — Getting Sections Finished Off, 67 ; Some Suggestive, 24 Expert Opinion, 386 Experts and Foul Brood, 63, 76, 444 Explanation. An, 136 Extractor, The Cowan, 487 Extracting Wax from Old Combs, 479 Extractor for General Use of Associations, 328 Feeding Bees, 120, 134, 158, 388, 428, 491 Feeders, Home-made, 140; Sim- ple Nucleus, 246 Feeding, Good Results from Late, 478 Fermenting Honey as Bee Food, 79 Fertile Workers, 4 Fire at Mr. E. H. Taylor's Hive Works, Welwyn, 179, 189 Flashlight for Scaring Birds, 437 Flowers for B-es. 36, r6 Formalin and Foul Brood, 484, 497 Foul Brood and the Bee Race, 177, 183, 203, 204, 212, 223 : A. Last Line on, 234 ; and Dis- infection, 500 ; Bees Immune from, 213 Foul Brood Bill, The, 6, 14, 15, 36, 141, 148 Foul Brood, Clearing out, 48 ; Controversy, The, 16 ; Curing, 25, 211 ; Dealing with, 98, 104, 218, 247, 296, 317. 387 ; Ei adica- tion of, 184; Kill to Cure, 255 ; Leaflet, 48, 182 Foul Brood Legislation : Letters on the Subject from C. B. Bartlett, Witney, 36 ; County Councillor, Dumfries, 16; H. Edwards, Sunningdale, 16 ; Fairplay, Westminster, 17 ; W. H. Harris, Hayes End, 15, 94 ; R. F. Holterman, Canada, 44; E.P. Hinde, Liverpool,136 ; J. B. Lamb, St. Albans, 15 ; C. J. Mapey, Cambridge, 14 ; D. M. Macdonald, Banff, 222 ; Wm. Munro, Chepstow, 17 ; J. N. Langwathby, 149 ; P. H. Push, Mold, 7 ; W. Pat- chett, Cabourne, Lines, 16 ; E. Piddock, Alsager, 17 ; Lance- lot Quayle, Isle of Man, 47 ; Allan Sharp, Brampton, 7 ; Osborn Smith, Westminster, 15 ; J. W. Swabey, Brace- bridge, 8; H. J. O. Walker, Budleigh, Salterton, 6 ; T. I. Weston, WinchSeld, 6, 148 ; Bee-Pest, 94 Foul Brood— Why has it not extinguished Bees? 177, 183, 204, 223 ; Nomenclature, 103; Queries, 247 ; Questions, Notes on, 103 ; Unfounded Alarm as to, 246 Foul >Broody Stocks, Dealing with, 342 Foundation, 98; in Frames, Fixing, 285, 303, 304, 403 ; Old and New, 255 ; Waxing, 273 Four Swarms Uniting, 333 Frames after Extracting, Clean- ing up, 437 ; Cleaning, 158 ; etc., Some Notes on, 27; Spacing with W.B.C. Ends, 508; Wide Top-Bars to, 87; Wiring, 385 Fruit Trees, Suspected Disease in, 90 German Apiarists and Sugar Tax, 60 " Glassing" Tall Sections, 447 G loucestershire, Notes from, 56 Good Advice, Discarding, 364 Grading Honey, 4 Granulation of Honey, 198, 339 INDEX TO VOLUME XXXII. Heather Failures, 359 Heather Honey. 8: and its Blends, 482, 502: Best Loca- tion for, 70 ; Extracting, 379 ; Judging, 482. Heather near Salisbury, 326 Heather Prospects, 335, 365 Heather, Sending Bees to the, 86, 365, 439 Herefordshire, The Season in, 3S3 High Rates and Owner's Risks, 513 Hints. Some Useful, 3, 182 Hive Blown Over in Storm, 90 ; My Glass-sided, 53 ; Observa- tory, 128, 254, 367 ; Roofs, 224, 494 ; Stands, Tripod, 252. Hives, by Rail, Sending, 377; Disinfecting, 129 ; Distance Between, 207 ; for given Space, Number of. 218 : Leaky, 488 ; Locating, 9, 3S9 ; Paper 263 ; Removing Useless Combs from, 186 ; Re-queening, 438 ; Hiving Bees on Oil Combs, 207 Home-made Feeders, 140 Honey, A Japanese Jar of, 59 ; Air Bubbles in. 348 ; Analysis of, 116 ; and Increase, 424 ; and Infection, 253 ; Aroma and Consistency of, 207 ; as Bee Candy, Using as Bee- food, 39 ; Biscuits, 424 ; British v. Foreign, 436 ; Combine, A, 255 ; Cure, A, 336 ; Dark-coloured, 307 ; Karly, 253 ; from Diseased Stocks as Bee Food. 187 ; from Non-Swarm i ng Hives, Remov- ing, 346 ; from the Giant Thistle, 349 ; How to Find a Market for, 406 Honey, Heather, Blends of, 516 Honey, Indian, 217 ; Italian, 409 ; in Tins by Rail, Sending, 459 ; Jars, 413 ; Jars, Buying Glass, 416 ; Jars, Cheap, 364 ; Jars, Cracked, 28, 385 ; Mar- ket, The, 285, 294, 303 ; Mis- naming, 96 ; New Zealand, 425 ; Not Granulating, 478 ; Perils, Imported, 27 ; Price of, 127, 147, 167, 325, 351, 356, 392, 416, 467, 468 ; Recipes, Two,183 ; Ripe Extracted, 336 ; ' Season, The passing, 283 ; Shows, Exhibiting at, 366 ; Some Facts About, SO ; Store, A Living, 70 ; Sale o , 406, 416, 427, 436, 467, 504 ; The Need for Ripening, 306 ; Tins, 219 ; Flowers— Growing for Educa- tional Purposes, 66 ; Id. per Pouud, *56 Honey Imports, 29, 61, 101, 151, 181, 231, 28S, 321, 362, 403, 451, 491 Honey Samples for New Zealand. 503 Honey, Samples of Unmixed, 514 House Martins and Bees, 316, 365, 385 How to Increase our Stocks while Controlling Swarming, 202 Hybrid Bees, Diverse Markings of, 408 Incident, Swarming, 243 Infection, Dangers of, 120 Insect in Comb-cappings, Un- known, 337 Insect Nomenclature, 40, 360 Insect Pests in Sections, 473, 493 Insurance for Beekeepers, 129, 335 Irish Stat sties, 12 Italian Bees, 446 ; Honey, 409 ; Queens in Black Colony, 325 Japanese Jar of Honey, 59 Judges and Heather Honey, 426 Judging Heather Honey, 482 ; Sections, 508 Lancashire, Bees in. 231 Land Buying, Help in, 96 Large Frames and Tall Sec- tions, 28 Leading the Way. 355 Leaky Roofs, 233, 273 ; Hives, 488 Leg.slation, For and Against, 47 Lincolnshire, A Bad Season in, 367 Locating Hives which have Swarmed, 356 Location for Hives, 9, 389 Looking Back : or A Hundred YeaiS Ago, 145 Making Roofs Watertight, 479 Making Queens, 345, 393 Market for Honey, How to Find a, 406 Market, The Honey, 285, 294, 303 Moving Bees, 10, 39, 40 ; Short Distances, 127, 169 ; Driven Swarm, 123 Mr. Cowan in America, 193 Nature Study, 273 Newman, Accident to the Rev. H., 457 Newmarket, Notes from, 127, 156, 204 New Year, Work for, 14 New Zealand, Beekeeping in, 232; Queen Bumble Bees Wanted for Export to, 466; Honey Samples for, 503 No;i-swarming Hives, 40 Notes and Comments, Passing, 326 Notes and Experiences of 1904, 26, 38 Notes by a "Homeless" Bee- Keeper, 512 Non-swarming System, Rymer's, 216 Notes for Bee-keepers, 252 Novelties for 19j5 : Lees' " Monks' Acre " Uncapping Tray and Extractor, 288 ; Taylor's Pipe-smoker for Bees, 293 Nuclei, Forming, 229 Nucleus Feeder, 246 Nucleus Hives, Small Frames for, 397 Obituary : Mr. Chas. T. Abbott, 392, 414 : Mr. S. J. Baldwin, 19, 34 ; The Hon. & Rev. Henry Bligh, 91, 105; Mr. John H. Howard, 5 ; Mr. W. H. Idieus, les Observatory-Hive Incident, An 254 Observatory H ves to Show, Sending, 128 Observatory Hive, A Unique, 367 : Stocking an, 26 Operating Room for Queen- rearing, 157 Opposition to Legislation, 6, 17 Owners' Risk Rates, 29, 98, 11U, 496, 501 Parthenogenesis, The Law of, 169 Philosophy and Bees, 190, 2J4, 211 Planning for the Coming Season, 14 Poisons, Sale of, 94 Pollen, Artificial, 45 ; Feeding, 62 ; Mites, 108 Prices of Honey, 127, 147, 167, 325, 354, 356, 392, 416, 467, 468 Profitable Bee-keeping without Cost, 321 Profits of Bee-keeping, 474 Protecting Hives from Strong Winds, 186 ; Store-Combs from Moths, 327 Queen Bee : The Metamor- phoses, 296 ; Daubed with Paint, 456 ; for South Africa, 159 Queen Cells and Queen Rear- ing, 473 ; in Sections, 306 ; Removing, 307 Queen : Cast Out, 139, 178, 275 ; Ceasing to Lay, 437 ; De- posing, 33S ; Fertilisation of, 198 ; Flights in Spring, 186 ; Humble Bees, — . 493 ; Killed and Cast Out, 275, 277, 294 ; Killed in September, 378 ; Killed when Supering, 197 ; Lost after Examining Hive, 268 ; Lost in Spring, 156, 228 Queen-mating : An Uncommon Incident. 254 ; and Foui Brood, 398; in Autumn, 369 ; in "Btby Nuclei," 174, 345; in September, 358 ; Mishaps in, 357 Queen - rearing, 193, 248 ; in America, 92 ; in England, 128; The "Swarthmore" Method, 135 Queen Taking Flight from Comb, 418 Queen Vagaries, 449 Queen Wasps, 192 Queeolessiiess, Suspected, 359, 418, 460 ; in May, 197 Queens : About, 336 ; Age of Imported, — , 188 ; and In- crease, Raising, — , 377, 404, 452 ; Ceasing Laying, — , 431, 437, 443 ; Clipping, 248 ; Du- plicating Eggs in Cells, 179, 217 ; Finding,', 336, 373 ; Intro- ducing, 3, 44, 126, 134, 297, 303, 182 ; Loss of, 156, 167, 228, 268; " Piping," 367, 376; Price of, 224 ; Raised from Eggs of Fertile Workers, 207 ; Should we Supersede our ? 293 ; Unmated, 378 Queries, Beginners' and Ele- mentary, s9, 237, 389, 398, 419, 428, 438, 490 Racks for Sections and Shallow Frames, 466 Railway Companies and Claims for Damage, 134 Railway Rates and Owners' Risk, 29, 9$, 116, 496, 501, 511 Rainfall, February, 109 ; March, 138; April, 178; May, 226; June, 266; July. 315 ; Aujust, 356 ; September, 3*9 ; October, 450 ; November, 49C Recipe for Candy, Brother Columbus, 464 ; for Honey, 183 Removing Bees from Houses, 447 ; from Roof, 393 ; from 'Irees, 388 Report, Beginners', 444 Re-start with Bees, 26, 406, 502 Re queening, 272 Re-quiening Stocks, 129, 178, 227 Reviews, 61, 101, 137, 171, 302, 407 Reviews of Foreign Journals, by "Nemo," 56, 87, 117, 162, 181, 221 Rheumatism, Bee-stings for, 106 Robber Bees Cast Out, 227 Robbing, 372; How I Stopoed It, 333 ; Preventing, 316 ; Sus- pected, 79, 348 Roofs, Leaky, 233, 246, 273; Making Watertight, 479 Ross-shire, Bee Notes from, 27, 265, 443 Rosemary, 44 "Rymer" Honey - bound and Queen - Excluder, The, 459 ; Non-Swarming System, 216 Salisbury as a Heather District, 317 Scotch (?) Honey, 74, 75 Scotland, A May Swarm in, 194 Scouting, 43 Season in Kent, The, 333 ; in Oxon, 504 ; in Surrey, 325 Section Nuclei, 473 Sections, Dealing with Un- finished, 67, 316 Sections, Judging Heather, 508 ; Size of, 446, 473 ; Tall v. Square, 332, 442, 456, 462, 513 ; Those Tall, 463 Selling Honey, 448, 454, 501 Separators, 183 Shallow Frames after Extract- ing, Returning, 328 ; Using Excluders Below, 306 ; Wide Ends for. 187 " Shook Swarmins," 295 Sibbald Method, The, 256 Smoker Fuel, 385 Smoke v. Carbolised Cloth for Removing Sections, 2)8 South Africa, British Bee-Goods in, 232, 354 ; Bees in, 384, 503 ; Observatory Hives for Ex- hibiting in, 287 South Wales, Notes from. 166 Sparrows and Bees, 247, 273, 274 Spiders inside Hives, 100 Spray DifFuser, a Perfect, 194 Spraying Bee-Forage, 178, 196 ; Charlock, 224 Spring, Adding Frames of Foundation in 169 ; Bees Deserting Hives in, 176 ; Breeding, A Novices' Queries on, 5S ; Building Up Weak Stocks in, 58 ; Examination, The, 193 ; Flowering Bulbs in, 37 ; How are Stores? Iz5 ; Queen Flights in, 186; Re- queening Weak Stocks in, 138 Standard Frame, Measurement of, 49 Starting Bee-keeping, 193, 389, 406, 409, 502 Stimulating in Spring ; Re- moving Surplus Stores, 149 St. Louis Exhibition, 11 Stocking Observatory Hive, 26 Stocks, "Dealing with Suspected, 407, 427 ; Found Queenless After Swarming, 348 ; From Driven Bees, Building up, ; 349 ; How to Increase while Controlling Swarming, 214, 238 ; Increasing, 98 ; In Spring, Building up, 499 ; Re- queening, 208, 409 ; Suspec- ted, Strong, 275 Store Combs and Moths, 378 Stores, Ample, 424 Stray Swarm, 100 years ago, 460 Sugar for Bee Food 129 Super - clearers, Faulty 315 ; Using, 317 Supering .the " W.B.C." Hive, 187 VI INDEX TO VOLUME XXXIII. Supers, Cleaving, 285, 305, 303 ; Giving Sugar Syrup for, 308 ; Completing, 308 Suspected Foreign Honey, 80 Swallows and Bees, 384, 307, 403, 427, 434, 448 Swarm, A Peregrinating, 264 ; A September, 405 ; An Early, 184, 194, 258; An Enormous Runaway, 253; Building Combs in Tree, 277 ; Cap> tring a Stray, 304 ; Destroyed in Transit. 207; Mis-hiving My First, 236; Prevention. 20, 86, 188, 274, 406, 432 ; Recover- ing a Truant, 227, 243, 301 Swarm-CatcherS, 266, 864 Swarm, Vagrant, Entering De- serted Hive 228 Swarming, 26, 53 ; Artificial, 2S4, 355 ; Controlling, 457 : Dividing Stocks after, 287; Dividing Stocks lo Prevent, 238 ; Erratic, 244 ; Excessive, 277, 286 ; Experience, A, 294 ; How to Check, 241, 406, 432 ; Incident, A, 226,232,243 ; Late, 399; More, Bees doing well, 200: Persistent, 307; Time, 252 ; Troubles, 227, 243, 207 Swarms, fBuying, 403, 503 ; Doing well, Early, 20S; Forced, S3 ; for Transit, Preparing, 238 ; from Large Hives, 276 ; Heavy, 363, 385 ; Making Artificial, 106, 19S, 216, 607 ; not Filling Sections, 275 ; Novel Plan of Returning, 298; Ownership of Absconding, 236 ; Returning, 246, 307 ; Uniting, Troubles Through, 88. / ■ Swarms to Settle, Causing, 514 " Swarthmore " Methods, 84, 135, 154, 103. Syrup Food for Bees, 10, 09. Tall Sections, Disadvantages of, 431 Tall versus Square Sections, 433 Tanging liees. 451, 474 Teacher Bee-keepers, 425 Theory, the Odour, 421 " Thomas' Swarm-Catcher, the 206. Tilia Petiolaris, 432. "Tinkering," the Folly of, 336. Transferring Bees :— A Beginner's Queries on, 139 ; A Mistake in, 477 ; from Old Hives, 256 ; from Skeps to Frame Hives, 158, 160, 197. 217, 267, 276, 328, 338 ; to New Hives, 159, 196, 207, 21S, 22S, 246, 2S7, 306, 418 ; Combs and Bees to Standard Frames, 88, 317, 500 ; Dangers of, 110 ; from Hive with Fixed Floor, 30 ; Stocks from Boxes to Frame Hives, 79 ; Swarms to Frame- Hive, 327. Transit, Loss of Weight in, 477, 486. Uniting Bees, 375 : in Autumn, 370. 10S, 400 Uniting Four Swarms, 333 Uniting and Transferring Bees from Skeps, 338 Utilising Queenless Bees by Uniting, 27S Vagaries, Queen, 440 Vagrants, Claiming the, ?53 Veteran of the Old School, A, 483 Virgin Queen, Experience with, 344 Volume Thirty-two, 126 Wallflowers and White Rock (Arabis Alpina), 37 Warning to Bee-keepers, 226 Warning to Bee-keepers, Word of, 232 Wasp Stings, 364 Wasps, Queen, 102 Watering Troughs, 74, 80 Wax from Old Combs, Extract- ing, 420 Wax Moth, 108, 312; Getting Rid of, 406; In Hives, Deal- ing with, 419 Wax Rendering, 383, 397 "W. B. C." Hive, Making the, 208 ; Transferring to, 228" Weaklings. Strengthening, 255 " Wells" Hive, Uniting Bees in, 227 ; Working with 58 White Clover, Dearth of, 335 Wid2 Combs for Shallow Frames, 335 Wild Bees, Our, 333 Wingless Queen jn Hive, 337 Winter, Bees dying in, 158 : Do Drones live over, 168 : Un- capped Stores for, 458 : Keep- ing Queeos in, 430 : Losses, 18, 20."> : Loss of Queen in, 10 ; Loss of Stocks in, 69 : Moving Bees in, 426: Moving (lives Ihdoors for, 398: Protecting Skeps in, 98: Re-queening for, 354 : Stores, Candy for, 379, 409, 438 Wintering Bees, 166 : Driven Bees, 187 : Experiments in, 386 : Queens in Boxes , 177 Wood Ants, 18, 47 Wood-wool, 474 Word from one of the " Hun- dred," A, 7 Year, the Closing. 511 Yellow .Queens from a Colony of Blacks, 316 Yorks, Bees, and Dry Weather in, 301 ILLUSTRATIONS. " Homes of the Honey Bee " :— Apiary of Mr. S. J. Baldwin, Bromley, Kent, 35 „ Mr. G. C. Burgess, Hockerill, Bishop's Storlford, Herts, 495 ,, Mr. H. M. Cooper, Thorley, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, 175 ,, Mr. C. W. Dyer, Compton Crossing, Compton, Berk- shire, 5U5 „ Mr. C. B. Elmhiist, Knares- borough, Yorks, 395 ,, Mr. William Ferine, Fincraigs, Gauldry, Dundee, 486 ,, Mr. S. Harborne, Chyvarton, st. Bui van, Cornwall, 475 Mr. Thos. Hood, Pickering, Yorks, 205 ,, Mr. JI.T. Icingbell. Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somer- set, 245 Mr. Arthur JudicL, Chilwell, Nottingham, 05 ,, Mr. A. Knewstubb, Long Marton, Cumberland, 216 Apiary of Mr. Giles Latchford, Hurds- rield, Macclesfield, Cheshire, 455 Mr. J. H. Oldfteld, Throap- ham, Rotherham, Yorks, 235 „ Mr. J. E. Phillips, Askham Richard, near \ ork, 55 ,, Mr. Herbert Pate.v, Chilling- ham, Kingsbricige, Devon, 195 „ Mr. Alexander Reid, Balloah, Urray, Ross-shire, 225 „ Mr. T.Reynolds, Newton Regis, Tamworth, Warwickshire, 465 „ Mr. H. Bhys, Redbrcok, Mon- mouthshiie, 185 ,, Mr. David Scott, Kincardine- on-Forbh, Fifoshire, 445 ,, St. Monica's Priory, Spettis- bnry, Blandford, Dorset, 85 ,, Mr. a" C. Tew, Maid on, Essex, 116 ,, Mr. Walter Turner, Laveiihani, Suffolk; 105 ., Mr. .Ino. Waller, llolboacli, Lincolnshire, 155 Apiary of Mr. R. Watson, Hermitage Lodtre, Hitchin, Herts, 435 A Bee-man of the Old School. 483 A Unique Christmas Cake, 507 " Ah Old-time Bee-House," 254 Baldwin, The late Mr. S. J., 34 Bligh. the late Hon. and Rev., J05 Canadian Exhibit at St. Louis, 2 Claustral Ventilated Hive and Detention System, The— Fig. 1. " Claustral " Hive with Venti- lating Chimneys, 72 ,, 2, Closed Detention Chamber, 72 ., 3. Ventilating Chimneys, 73 ,, 4. Two-piece Ventilating Door, Elevation and Section, 73 Colorado Exhibit at St. Louis, 7 ' 'Cowan " Winter Ventilator, 121 Foundation in Saw-cut of Frames, 404 Howard, The late John H., 5 Japanese Honey at Louis. 59 Map of Pinkney's Green District, 322 '• Monk's Acre " Uncapping Tray and Ex- tractor, 288 Rack for Store Combs, 97 Taylor's Pipe-Smoker, 289 The British Bee Journal. No. 1176. Vol. XXXIir. N.S. 784.] JANUARY 5, 1905. [Published Weekly" VOLUME THIRTY-THREE. We briefly preface our new volume by expressing the hope that length of years will not diminish the confidence of our readers in our good intentions with re- gard to the mission entrusted to us. Our aim has been to maintain the high posi- tion in the bee-world earned by our prede- cessors in the editorial chair ; and if we have succeeded in this, as well as readers have maintained the circulation of the paper, we are very grateful and well con- tent with the. result. For the numerous expressions of good- will received during the past few days we return our hearty thanks and cordially reciprocate the same. The Editors. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION DATE OF MEETING. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday, January 18, not January 12, as printed in last week's issue. The following is the full text of report of the St. Louis Exhibition by Mr. Walter F. Reid mentioned on page 511 of last week's B.B.J. : — The Council, British Bee-keepers1 Association. Dear Sirs, — As requested, I attended the St. Louis Convention, held from Sep- tember 27 to 30, at St. Louis, Missouri. This meeting was practically the annual meeting of the National Bee-keepers' Association of the United States, and there were few delegates from abroad. The pro- ceedings will be reported in the usual manner, and there was little of general interest to British bee-keepers. In the Exhibition, however, there were many exhibits of bee products, some of them of considerable importance. Several foreign countries were represented, and some of the American Stales had special honey exhibits. Fratice had a very small exhibit, con- sisting of a few jars of excellent Narbonne honey and a defective " Gariel " hive. Madagascar exhibited four cakes of bees- wax of pronounced odour, three of which were of good colour. Reunion showed three bottles of honey of fairly good colour, but indifferent flavour. Germany did not exhibit any bee pro- ducts ; but Professor R. Klebs, of Konigs- berg, showed a unique collection of insects in amber, some of which were mounted in a resinous mixture of the same coefficient of refraction as the amber, so that the specimens could be easily studied. Among the sixty-eight exhibits were several apidse. One was a new species of bombus, while another represented a hitherto undescribed apis much resembling our honey-bee, but slightly larger. Although the pollen bas- kets appeared to be fully developed yet the compound eyes met on the top of the head as in the drones of the present day, leaving a small triangular space on the forehead in which three single eyes were placed. The upper part of the thorax had a thorny appearance, and seemed de- void of hair. The collection included eight vespidse, which in their general structure reminded one of South American forms. Bulgaria showed three samples of candied honey of fairly good quality, and three cakes of wax. Argentina had three exhibits of honey, one of which, apparently from alfalfa, was of good quality. One cake of wax was also exhibited. Nicaragua exhibited a cake of nearly black wild beeswax, and also some in- teresting specimens of vegetable wax, ob- tained from the berries of a shrub with leaves resembling those of the myrtle. Mexico had a good exhibit of wax from several provinces. Some large cakes of bleached wax from Jalapa were of excel- lent quality, and there were good samples from Matamoras and Vera Cruz. Some of the native beeswax was of very dark colour, resembling cakes of chocolate. Cuba exhibited a few samples of indif- ferent honey, packed in wine and cham- pagne bottles ! Only one from Guanta- namo would be considered of average quality in this country. Philippines. — The United States had a large collection of Philippine products, including about twenty-five specimens of wild beeswax of various degrees of purity, 2 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 5, 1905. and a number of hand-made wax candles as used in the churches. The wax was said to be derived from two kinds of bees, one a large variety, probably Apis dorsata, and the other a small bee of about the size of a house-fly, and striped black and yellow, more resembling a wasp than a bee. The cells of the small combs were about § in. in diameter, and the native name of the bee was putyucan. hibitors had contributed towards this col- lective exhibit, which weighed about one ton, and of which I enclose a photograph. Among the States of the Union Colorado had a very fine exhibit of honey, chiefly collected by Senator G. W. Swink, who owns a number of apiaries. As will be seen from the accompanying photograph, the quantity of honey shown is consider- able, being about two tons of sections and CANADIAN EXHIBIT AT ST. LOUIS. Japan's exhibit of honey was remark- able for careful and ta,steful packing. Some jars — or, rather, stoppered bottles — from the Suwa apiary, Osaka, were specially neat. The hive bee is said to have been introduced about 100 years ago* from Spain ; but wild bees existed pre- viously in the Japanese forests. Canada had a splendid trophy of honey, both run and in comb. About fiftj 3x- one ton of extracted honey. The whole of it was of good quality, and there was also some excellent beeswax. Utah showed a collective exhibit of about 5,000 lb. of excellent alfalfa and white clover honey. As shown in the photo- graph, the honey was packed in large glass jars 4 ft. high and 9 in. in diameter, with glass lids. California would have made a better Jan. 5, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. show had her exhibits not been split up into counties. San Diego County showed some good white sage honey, and Los Angeles some extra large sections of good quality. More than one hundred sections from Fresno contained good honey, but were badly finished, judging by our stan- dard, and the same may be said of a number of sections from Sacramento. Perhaps the best exhibit of run honey was from Los Angeles county. It was packed in clamped jars, the price being Is. Ogd. per jar. Nebraska. — The custodian of this exhibit Mr. W. James is himself a bee-keeper, and gave some interesting information upon " the bee-keeping industry in this State. The chief sources of honey are alfalfa, white clover, and heartsease (poly- gonum). The latter is not of first-rate quality, and is most used for confec- tionery. Langstroth eight-frame hives are chiefly used, and the yield of honey aver- ages about 45 lb. per hive. A large num- ber of samples of honey were shown, which had been collected and arranged by Mr. Stilson. Arkansas wa9 only represented by one jar containing comb and honey mixed, the flavour of which was good. There seems to be an opinion that the flavour of honey is improved by an admixture of comb. Missouri had a large trophy of .honey, badly staged, the sections being shown in their packing-cases. Some honey was exhibited in stoppered bottles, and was very deficient in flavour of any kind. Kansas showed a few samples of alfalfa run honey of average quality. Mississippi had both honey and wax ex- hibits. Some of the honey was from the metilotus, and of excellent quality. The mrlilotus was said to have been introduced before the alfalfa, which latter is now supplanting it. Six samples of wax ap- peared to be of good quality ; but it is difficult to judge wax when the tempera- ture is above 90 deg. Fahr. Iowa staged about half a ton of section- honey of average quality, but no extracted honey. About 1 cwt. of good wax was also shown. Louisiana had a smll exhibit of ^-lb. jars of honey marked " Golden Bod," "Morning Glory," and "Willow," of which the last had the finest flavour. Orenon was reoresenterl bv a small quan- tity of inferior honey. It is said that the honey gathered near the coast was inferior in quality to that obtained further in- land. Idaho had a small exhibit of sections arranged in fancy design. JVew Mexico showed about 100 sections and 50 lb. of extracted honey, chiefly alfalfa. The bulk of this honey was pro- duced at a height of 3,600 ft. above sea- level. A jar of about 2 lb. sells for Is. Ogd., and the business appears to be remunerative. The chief apiarist owns about 1,000 hives. When he arrived at the place where his bees are now located his whole belongings consisted of two wagon- loads of hives and a tent, and he is now a prosperous colonist. There were very few bee-appliances ex- hibited at St. Louis. The A. I. Roofc Co. had an exhibit of well-made goods familiar to bee-keepers, but which con- tained nothing new except a novelty in form of a smoker without a nozzle. There were three hives of bees in the horticultural .building, . of which two were of the Italian variety. It was remarkable that while the humming-birds drove away both butterflies and native bees from the beds of flowers in the exhibition grounrts, they took no notice of the hive-bees. "Up to the middle of October the bees were still bringing in honey from numerous wild flowers, especially " Golden Rod " and " Aster," a small Michaelmas daisy. — Yours truly, Walter F. Reid. (For Illustration of Colorado Exhibit see pige 7.) The Editors do not hold thimselvts responsible for the lyjpinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents an requested to write on one tide of the paper only and give their real names «nd addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. Communications relating to the literary department, reports of Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review, ic, must be addressed only to " Thk Editors of the ' British Bee Journal/ 10, Buckingham- street, Strand, London, W.C." All business communi- cation* relating to advertisements, ice, must be addressed to " THK Makaokr, ' British Bee Journal ' Office, 10, Buckingham-street, Strand, London, W.C." AMONG THE BEES. SOME USEFUL HINTS. [5740.] Introducing. Queens. — If it is desired to re-queen, say, a driven lot of bees, or an artificial swarm which has to be dispatched to a distance, here is a plan guaranteed to pro- cure the safe acceptance of such a stranger queen. Consign the bees to a swarm-box, giving ample ventilation either by wire cloth or strainer cloth. Leave bees in an outhouse over-night, broodless, combless and queenless, and in the morn- ing, or, indeed, at any time of the day after a lapse of eight hours, simply throw the queen down among the bees, and they will accept her without any questions asked. The same plan may of course, be adopted for home manipulations, and for many novices at times it may be the best THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 5, 1905. plan to follow when introducing a valuable queen. Grading Honey. — I think that honey should be graded into three classes only. All the first-class should be placed to one side, and should include only perfect sec- tions— by that I do not at all mean that they have not a single fault, or that all of them are fit for the show-bench. Such per- fection is rarely found in this sublunary sphere in any person or thing. All, how- ever, should be 16 full ounces, truly built, and with cells completely sealed. Second- class should approach as near as possible to the pound, have very few popholes, and be well sealed. Th© third-class should consist of all of light weight, defectively built, with many unsealed corner cells. All these should be used at home, or given away to friends. Their inclusion in a sal© deteriorates the lot. The least filled of these might be profitably extracted, and the comb kept for bait sections the follow- ing year. Frame Spaces. — A " symposium " on frame-spacers might prove instructive. It would reveal the fact that the famous " W.B.C. " metal ends have ousted almost all others. Their cost is in their favour as compared with cast metal ; they are thoroughly efficient, and look as well, at least, as anything on the market. They are easily adjusted, suit so well for narrow spacing where practised, and give such per- fect accuracy that I would have no other. The dread of some that they act as a chiller is a mere chimera. I have not seen nail-spaced frames for a long time, so I conclude they are discarded. Very few indeed dispense with spacers entirely. Many who tried rued their temerity and have reverted to metal ends. Wood, when used, is liable to get detached, and may lead to a catastrophe. Of broad shoulders, all I have to say is, I started with them, but very soon cleared them out. Shade Boards. — These should be adjuncts of all hives in winter. Bees in late winter and early spring, when attracted by chance bright gleams of sunshine, are often tempted out at unseasonable times. When snow is on the ground the bright glare draws them out, and then too many of them find an untimely snowy grave. With a considerable depth on the ground drifted in about the hives the best plan is to keep it heaped up in front of the entrance, and so make the bees voluntary prisoners. The cluster is thus kept intact, and the bees are made to believe that their own fireside is the cosiest place in the whole world. They should, however, never be compulsorily confined. Even with snow on the ground, they will at times manifest an ungovernable desire to have a flight, and when in spite of careful precautions, they insist on this, it may be best to let them have their own way, as the less of two evils. Neither in this nor any other case should force be applied to bees as a re- medy. Fertile Workers. — Two cures, for these nuisances may be given. First, carry the hive bodily to a distant part of the garden. Shake the bees on to a sheet or old news- paper and let them return home, which, if the operation is performed in the middle of a very fine day, they very quickly do. The fertile worker or workers, unable to find their way, are got rid of. Second, on seeing two or three eggs in one cell, where it is known no aged queen exists, examine and certify that there is no proper mother. Then simply part centre combs, leaving a fairly wide space, and gently place a frame, with brood in all stages, on which there is a laying queen. You may have every confidence this mother bee will be accepted as the true queen, and all usurpers either expelled or otherwise de- posed. Isolated Diseased Cells. — Do not tinker with these when you are convinced they exist in the hive but cut them out and let the bees rebuild the space. If a few have to be cleared out, cut a similar-shaped piece from any comb lying about, and place it in the vacant space, when the bees will soon fix it up securely. In cutting out these and pieces of drone comb or any de- fectively built, I use a circular tin lid, if possible sawing it through, then cut the other piece of comb to same size in the same way, and press it carefully in the vacant space. The bees will do1 the rest, and finish off the job so perfectly that you will generally fail to see where they have jointed it on. Even in the incipient stage I would have these small pieces of comb eliminated and burned. As suspects even. they are better out of them than inside the hive. Bee Clubs. — Do not think that perfection in bee-keeping comes by instinct ; on the contrary, to 'become successful requires careful study. Village bee clubs should be formed wherever possible, and the mem- bers could each purchase a good bee book, the contents of which, by interchanging, could become the common property of every member. All the best bee news- papers could also be shared in the same way and thus each could become familiar with all the latest and best known about apiculture here and in America. The members of the. club could meet frequently and discuss informally all new points as they crop up. While thus mutually assist- ing each other in many ways, they would soon acquire all that need be known about the most successful management of bees. I know of no body of men more willing to impart to novices whatever information they may possess than bee-keepers. — D. M. M., Banff. (Correspondence continued on page 6.) Jan. 5, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. DEATH OF MR. JOHN H. HOWARD. It is with the sinoerest sorrow that we announce the passing away from our midst of one of the most genial and popular men ever connected with the bee industry in the death of John H. Howard, which took place suddenly from heart failure on Tuesday, December 27, at his residence, Holme, Peterborough. Though keeping fairly well, and attend- ing to business as usual, it has been known among his family for some time past that our friend suffered from a weak heart, and ness methods were so straightforward, prompt, and thoroughly honourable as to command respect and approval from all who dealt with him. Not only so, but his nearest friends among bee-men were among those who knew his worth and loved him best, and, as we learn, the whole village where for many years he lived and laboured for the general good will feel his loss deeply. The funeral took place on Saturday last in Holme Churchyard in the presence of an assemblage of mourners so large as to ovei'- crowd the church, of which the deceased hail for many years been rector's warden. THE LATE JOHN H. HOWARD. no doubt it was from this cause that he had been more seldom seen at shows and meet- ings of bee-keepers than formerly. But to ordinary folks he seemed in good health ; indeed, only on the day prior to the fatal attack he visited his brother at Hunting- don in his usual health and spirits, return- ing home by the last train none the worse for his outing. Next morning, however, be- fore rising, he complained of feeling un- well, and before his wife could summon assistance he had breathed his last. Probably no man in the appliance trade was favourably known to so wide a circle of bee-keepers as John Howard. His busi- Many well-known public bodies were represented at the funeral, and numerous beautiful floral wreaths were sent from the members of his family, relations, and loving friends, among the latter being Lady Louisa Wells ; John H. Fielden, Esq., Holme Wood ; the Hunts Bee- keepers' Association, Council of the British Bee-keepers' Association, Editors British Bee Journal and B.K. Becord, the tenants and employees of the Holme Wood estate, and numerous others. The greatest sympathy of the whole neighbourhood was manifested for Mrs. Howard and family. THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 5, 1905. CORRESPONDENCE. (Continued from page A.) THE PROPOSED FOUL BROOD ACT. [5741.] Though not empowered to write in the name of the framers of the original Bee Pest Bill of 1896, or of the Committee who have recently revised it for present use, I think I may say that both bodies have recognised the imperative necessity of its being drawn up in as non-conten- tious a form as possible. This being so, it is quite natural that such provisions as are suggested in the inquiry of " A County Councillor" (5727, B.B.J., Decem- ber 22) should not form part of it. Let us first consider his suggestion No. 2. It is but a small interference with the liberty of a subject that the hives standing in a bee-keeper's garden ov apiary should be opened and inspected by an authorised, if haply an uninvited, ex- pert. To remove part of the roof of a man's dwelling-house or stables in pur- suit of a swarm, pick holes in his walls or in the trunk of his favourite lawn tree is a very different proceeding — one which he could hardly be expected to contem- plate with equanimity, especially when, not being himself a bee-keeper, he has no sympathy with the excuse for intrusion. Moreover, one of the consequences of the proceeding might well be a considerable bill for damages. Better surely to look on so thorny a matter as outside the scope of present legislation. I would place these cases in the hands of a tactful ex- pert, who, calling in his official capacity, should explain why action was desirable, and I have little doubt that his gratuitous services would in many cases be welcomed, or at all events accepted with civility. I cannot conceive that power would be granted to county councils to take action against the desire of the owner. Payment out of public funds for damages caused in the removal of errant swarms might pos- sibly be authorised, but the season seems to me hardly opportune for thus in- creasing the burden we propose to lay upon ourselves as ratepayers, the more so that the danger of infection from undis- turbed wilding colonies, though danger undoubtedly does exist, is not very for- midable. It is not hard, I think, to show that the other provision sugested by "A County Councillor " is unnecessary and unprac- ticable. No bee-keeper, whether dealer or not, would knowingly import diseased queen bees or stocks, nor is it likely that a foreign dealer would imperil his trade connections by knowingly sending them. As a matter of fact the import trade is almost entirely confined to queens; and a young queen with a handful of atten- dants, the latter generally sacrificed at the time of introduction, is not a great source of danger. Let us grant, however, that prohibition is desirable, in spite of the many difficulties, postal and otherwise, that must be encountered in enforcing it. We are still only at the beginning of our trouble. Let us be logical. If foreign bees are to be excluded as undesirable aliens, is it reasonable that their chief product, honey, an admitted conveyer of the germs of disease, should be allowed to pervade the land? I trow not. Then, as all countries where bees are kept are more or less afflicted with foul brood, what is to become of our poor grocers and chemists when they may only purchase English honey at fair prices? Truly a calamity not to be endured. And (dear me !) what a shameful interference with the food of the people ! And (dear me ! dear me ! !) what an unfortunate clause to tack on to a Bill that so many of us hope to see creep quietly through the High Courts of Parliament ! No Bill can be depended upon to make us absolutely free from bee-pest. But half a loaf is better than no bread, and in this case the loaf will be a fairly round one and good value for the money. It is difficult to prove the financial fact, but with the compensation reduced by half. to 5s., I much doubt if the expenses of administration could reach £150 in most counties, and if they did it would not be a very formidable addition to the rates, a small fraction, I take it, of a penny. And " A County Councillor " should re- member that the outlay will not, it can- not in the nature of things, remain, as he seems to imagine, at "£150 a year." If the Act proves to be of any practical value — and why doubt it? — the sum should steadily fall until it has reached the small amount required to keep in check the re- siduum of disease which the present gene- ration of bee-keepers may always have to encounter. — H. J. O. Walker, Lt.-Col., Leeford Budleigh Salterton, December 27, 1904. OPPOSING LEGISLATION. A BEQUEST FOR THE VIEWS OE BEE-KEEPEBS. [5742.] The advertisement over Mr. Woodley's name in your issue of Decem- ber 29 is a very significant comment on my letter the week before ; but his one- sided action must be met.- As you, Sirs, are aware, I have, from the very first meeting of the Committee appointed to deal with the subject, strongly urged the necessity of obtaining the support of the great body of bee-keepers in order to. in- fluence the decision of the County Coun- cils in favour of the Bill. I by no means wish to overlook the opponents to the mea- sure. What we urgently need now to Jan. 5, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. know is — Who is for and who is against the legislation now proposed? The Bill has been now for some time in the hands of all your readers. Those who have not vet made up their minds can be disre- garded, for the subject has been debated ad nauseum. I now ask you to publish in your advertisement columns the en- closed notice. [See page v. — Eds.] I am willing to undertake the trouble of tabulating the answers for the benefit of the Committee, and when Mr. Woodley has furnished you with his names or the number of them, I will also publish the re- sult I get. Only let it be fully under- form Mr. Weston that he is labouring under a great delusion when he assumes that the big bee-keepers who are opposed to legislation consist of only " Mr. Wood- ley and another." I have before me the names of a dozen bee-keepers whom I have met during the last few months, all of whom are dead against legislative inter- ference, and who own between them 1,500 to 2,000 stocks. This, I think, will show that Mr. Woodley' s position is by no means a solitary one. Indeed, I have a very strong belief that if a vote could be taken it would be found that those who are against legisla- tion have a very much larger interest at COLORADO EXHIBIT AT ST. LOUIS. stood I want both sides to express their decision. A bee-keeper who at this crisis will not make rip his mind and spend a half- penny in sending us his vote is unworthy of the name. — Thos. I. Weston, Vice- Chairman B.B.K.A., Hook, Winchfield, January 2. FOUL BROOD LEGISLATION. [5743.] Will you kindly allow me to say that I am in full symapthy with Mr. Wood- ley in the position he has taken up with regard to the above and that every ob- jection lie has raised thereto has my most hearty support. I should also like to in- I stake than those that are in favour of it. There are many weighty reasons why " big bee-keepers " are opposed to the Bill now under consideration, which I will not trouble to enumerate now, but I will do so later on if necessary. — Allen Sharp, The Apiary, Brampton, Huntingdon, Decem- ber 27. A WORD FROM ONE OF TnE " HUNDRED." [5744.] I read Mr. Woodley's article on page 492 with great interest, and feel that if the proposed Act is to be of real service, not only will expert inspectors be required, but inspectors of " expert inspectors " also, KtE BRITISH: BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 5, 1905. whose duty will be to follow the first-named about to see that they disinfect their hands and destroy carbolic cloths after having examined a diseased apiary or stock. Of course the experienced bee-keeper will see that this is done ; but what of the ordinary bee-keeper who never thinks or knows of the importance of this? Mr. Weston, in the B.B.J., dated De- cember 22, writes asking for the names of one hundred bee-keepers of twenty-five stocks and over, who are opposed to the Act. I am one of these, and own fifty stocks. My experience of foul brood is as fol- lows :• — I was a bee-keeper for some years previous to 1898, and never had a case of foul brood. During the spring of that year my apiary was first visited by an ex- pert, who passed my twenty-five stocks as all healthy. The spring following foul brood made its appearance in several stocks, and when the expert called these stocks were treated on the starvation prin- ciple, and all the other stocks examined and declared healthy ; but the spring fol- lowing (1900) the greater part of my apiary of some thirty stocks was found to be more or less affected with foul brood. Well, with the help of a friend (not an expert) I took off my coat and tackled the job ; and this is the strange part of the matter. The experts have called to see my apiary each year since that date, but have not been allowed to handle anything be- longing to the bees. All frames have been lifted by myself for their inspection, but as regards them my motto has been " Hands off," and I have not had a single case of foul brood in my apiary since my experi- ence of 1900. No doubt the supporters of this Bill will say that this is merely a coincidence ; but is it not a fact that experts wander from diseased stocks to sound, healthy colonies, and from diseased apiaries to others where there are only healthy hives without any washing of hands or changing of carbolic cloths upon which the match that has been used to probe the diseased cell has been wiped ? Need I say more ? — P. H. Pugh, Grosvenor Street, Mold, De- cember 27. [5745.] Judging by his recent " Notes by the Way," Mr. Wood ley appears to have made up his mind that there is no room for improvement in the present state of things with regard to foul brood ; yet he fails entirely to suggest an alternative to the proposed Bill. I do think that in order to obtain a measure which will be of the greatest good to the greatest number — and I hold that the present Bill will be — we should have opposition, not of the cantankerous variety, but of the kind that has a practical alternative to offer. One may, of course, take exception to some detail or even regret that its scope is not sufficiently wide, but to condemn the Bill because of this is purely absurd. There is no getting away from the fact that the majority of bee-keepers are in favour of a measure to prevent foul brood- — that is judging from bee-keepers in our county of Lines., and the articles in the B.B.J. — where we, happily, get the views of very few who write from Mr. Woodley's stand- point. For myself, I fail to see that any good can come by placing all that is good in the proposed Bill out of sight, and put- ting what is supposed to be bad under the magnifier. — T. W. Swabf.y, Bracebridge Heath, Lines, January 2. HEATHER HONEY. [5746.] Seeing that heather honey is always in demand and commands a good price, it is important that the best ways and means of securing it should be under- stood. We read a great deal about send- ing hives to the moors, but I have not seen any reference made regarding the best sort of moors to send them to. I should therefore like to have the opinion on this point of those who have tried different situations as to what would constitute an ideal situation and surroundings for hives at the heather? I had a talk recently with an old bee- keeper who had experience with bees at Grantown. He maintained that bees work better and longer in the season at those high altitudes than on the lower levels. As I mean to send some of my hives to the heather next season, and seeing that I have all sorts of hills, moors, and valleys in the vicinity to choose from, any infor- mation on the subject will be much appre- ciated. I send name for reference and sign — A. R., Ross-shire, January 2. A BEE NOTE FROM GLOUCESTER- SHIRE. [5747.] I am sending you just a line to let you know how my bees got on this year in this part of our county, as I do not see many notes on the bees from hereabouts. I think we have had a very good time, as things go. My average has been 60 lb. of surplus honey per hive, and I never take any part of the in-gathering from body-boxes. I sold out all my sec- tions months ago, and have about half a dozen pounds of extracted honey for sale at the time of writing, but that will go soon. I also must tell you that I was not troubled with the honey-dew ; but, strange to say, a friend whose bees are located about two miles from mine had seventy sections quite spoiled with it. I am not sending this expecting you will print it, Jan. 5, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. for, you see, I am no scholar. I send name, etc., and sign — B., Stroud, December 28. [Very pleased to hear from you when- ever you have something of interest to tell, as in the above. Do not trouble about scholarship, we will fix that up all right. —Eds.] WEATHER REPORT. Wkstbourne, Sussex, December, 1904. Minimum on grass, 21° on 9th. Frosty nights, 7. Mean maximum, 46 e. Mean minimum, 36-2. Mean temperature, 41-4. Above average, 3 '5. Maximum barometer, 30 63 on 19th. Minimum barometer, 28-95 on 12th. Rainfall, 3'43 in. Heaviest fall, "60 on 6th. Rain fell on 20 days. Above average, '64 in. Sunshine, 56'04 hours. Brightest days, 19 th and 2Jst, 6 hours. Sunless days, 13. Below average, 3 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 55° on 6th and 16th. Minimum tempera- ture, 25° on 9th. L. B. BlRKBTT. WEATHER REPORT for the year 1904. Westbourne, Sussex. Rainfall, 3041 in. Heaviest fall, '89 on May 20. Rain fell on 186 days (average 173). Above average, 1'22 in. Sunshine, 1,802 hours. Brightest day, June 30, 15'1 hours. Sunless days, 69 (average 63). Below average, 43 Maximum tempera- ture, 81° on Aug. 3. Minimum tempera ture, 23° on Janu- ary 1. Minimum on grass, 16° on November 23. Frosty nights, 59 (average 76). Mean temperature, 49 6°. Above average, 1'7°. Maximum barometer, 30-77" on January 22. Minimum barometer 28'83° on February 9. L. B. BlRKETT. Durness awl Iritis. [3638.] Bees Building Combs Across Frames. — A friend of mine is in difficulties with one of her hives. The bees, instead of building their combs within the frames in the usual way, have built them right across the top-bars, and not very regular either, making it impossible to move a single frame. She got no surplus-honey from this hive last year. I should be obliged if you would tell me what I can do to help in this case — I mean, how should I proceed to transfer the combs to frames, and at what time should it be done 1 — I send name, etc. , and sign — Novica, St. Albans, Decem- ber 29. Reply. — The task you propose to under- take is a stiff job, and unless you have had some experience in such work we do not advise you to tackle it without expert help. Not only so, but we will require particulars of the hive to be operated on, as from the rough sketch sent we take it to be of the " combination " type. If our surmise is correct, it will have a fixed floor, and as the cross-built combs would need to be lifted out en bloc, or the hive be turned upside down in order to get the combs out before cutting them away one by one, some idea may be formed of the task involved. As regards the most suit- able time for operating, it must be on a warm day in spring when the bees are flying freely. We need say no more till you write again, as requested. [3639.] Location for Hives. — I shifted my bees (three hives) last back-end nearer to my house, so that I might see them when swarming and so give me a greater interest in the hobby of bee-keeping. Un- fortunately the new position is not so favourable as before, for the hives now get less of the sun's rays to fall upon them, and, in consequence, the bees do not get out at all for a cleansing flight. I think it will be about next month's end before the sun will attain an altitude re- quisite to afford the desired warmth. The hives contain plenty of stores to last the bees till the end of February, and all are headed by young queens. Will you kindly say if their position will be at all against them doing well in the coming season, or would you advise me to get them shifted to a more sunny aspect? — H. Jackson, Co. Durham, January 2. Reply. — The slight disadvantage you have named regarding the sun's rays not falling on hives till end of next month will do little or no harm, so we advise leaving the hives as now. [3640] Introducing Colonies of Ants into Woods. — Will you kindly ask, in next issue of the B.B.J. , if some reader can kindly tell me how to introduce those large ants — "wood-ants," I believe they are called — into a wood ? I mean that kind whose nest consists of a large heap (if short pieces of stick. There are plenty within a short distance of me, but none in my woods. Do the fertile females live alone through the winter like wasps, and then ea differ in the con- clusions arrived at by the writer of the above extract, who is an extensive bee- keeper of over thirty years' experience. His words generally deserve to be care- fully weighed, but here, when put to the test, they, in my opinion, are found want- ing. After a by no> means limited experi- ence of over twenty years, I utterly deny that his first indictment — bad temper — has any foundation in fact. I have met in with Carniolans, that much-vaunted pacific bee, with as vicious a temper as ever I experienced in any of the black race ; Italians can at times exhibit as much spleen as the native, albeit they are as a rule peaceful and gentle ; while hy- brids are, in the proportion of 90 per cent., far crosser than the maligned blacks. On the second count — not sufficient! \j prolific — I dissent, but mildly. I grant at once they are not so prolific in the height of the season as the best specimens of Italians. But give me my choice of, say, fifty queens of either race, unselected, and I have no hesitation in saying that I would vote for the natives. Though many yel- low queens sent out by our dealers do really magnificent work, the percentage of such is small. We hear of the few record makers and record breakers, but the failures sink into oblivion. In regard to count number three — that they do not store so late in the season as Italians — I enter a caveat. My experi- ence diametrically differs from that of the writer, and his and my findings are wide as the poles asunder. Curiously, I get something like confirmatory evidence in 24 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 19, 1905. favour of my view from his own words, because on another page he writes : " Strange to say, natives do best early in the season." In my view, this true state- ment is prima facie evidence that they v ould do well late in the season, and I know this is the fact, as. here at least, they remain tenaciously in the supers after the foreigners forsake them for the warmer precincts of the brood body. The natives take readier to supers, remain longer aloft, build comb later in the season, and work in sections with a comparatively smaller force of bees to- draw upon. But the fourth indictment appears to me inexplicable. Read it again and again ! It deserves to be ingrained on your mental retina. Remember the words are written by an extensive bee-keeper of over thirty years' experience, who has a profound knowledge of bees, and whose substantive statements I generally hold in the highest respect. The Styx lies between us here, and a region divides us wide as that which separates the Arctic and Antarctic. Of all the cases1 of foul brood I have ever encountered, nine out of ten, I think, were directly traceable to the foreign element, and I almost subscribe to the sentiment expressed by a prominent contributor to our pages some years ago when he wrote' : " Since we began importing we have had foul brood ; before we began importing we had it not." To the statement that natives are " helpless " in the face of this dire disease I absolutely demur. It gener- ally, on the contrary, takes from two to four times as long to kill out a black lot as it does an Italian colony. The latter, frequently in a single season, assumes it in the form of a " galloping consumption." If it catches the infection one season in a mild form, the very prohficness of the queen proves its undoing, because each contaminated occupied cell becomes a centre of contagion, disseminating the spores over the surrounding area, until no single egg laid by the queen results in a metamorphosis evolving a bee fit to take on its shoulders the active duties Of a healthy existence. That the native bees " will not work with their owner " is a proposition which has not been proved. I know they will. Treated on the -starvation plan, they reciprocate any after kindness on their owner's part, and rise to. the occasion by building comb at a rapid rate, if the popu- lation is fairly numerous, even late in the season, whereas Italians, at that date are utterly helpless, and seem to lose all heart and energy. When fed with medicated syrup, I never heard of blacks not work- ing as well as the other race. Present in a mild form, they, if populous, keep the disease at bav as well as anv other class of bees.— D. M. M., Banff. MY NEW START WITH BEES. SOME SUGGESTIVE EXPERIENCES. [5763'.] On again taking up the B.B.J. I was pleased to see that steps are still being taken to secure legislation with re- gard to foul brood. At the beginning of 1903 I sold off my bees and appliances and returned to town life. At the end of the year my health completely broke down and so I returned here'. With outdoor life I was soon as well as ever, and as " bee fever " has never left me, my first desire was to establish another apiary. During last summer I built hives, and in the autumn " went for " driven bees. Here's my experience (I am afraid it is not exceptional): — I commenced inquir- ing for bees early in the year. At one place I was told that all their bees had died out, but if I wanted bees, the best way was to do as they were doing ; put some empty butts (local name for skeps) in my garden and swarms would soon come. On stating that such a proceeding was tan- tamount to robbing one's neighbours, I was told that I should not get on in the world if I was as particular as that. Looking at one of these decoy skeps, I found it full of dirty, mouldy, old combs, and what I should say were unmistakable signs of having had foul brood. I did not and do not feel any the happier to know that my bees will have the chance of visiting that skep. At another place, applied to in the autumn, I was told I could have the bees. They would be glad to have some honey. Nothing had been done to the bees since the husband died two years ago. They liked honey, but the bees did not like them. " None of they dari go anist them." There were five skeps. ' Of these I found two with nothing but dirty, mouldy, old combs, and evident signs of the bees having perished with foul brood. The third had a few bees in it, but when I turned it up, my nose (not a very sensitive one) told me what was the matter. I advised a bonfire being made of the whole lot. I may state that neither of these bee-keepers had ever heard of foul brood. I knew foul brood existed in this neigh- bourhood, but as I had taken, literally, the advice of the "Guide Book" and B.B.J., and always treated my bees as if they had the disease, I managed to keep it away. Prevention is always, to me, better than cure. Previous to finding bees kept in this state, I had not thought of joining any association. I rather like to " paddle my own canoe." I have always kept my bees with profit, as well as pleasure, and I do not know that I want the expert's visit (shall not be at all offended if he never comes), but I find others do, so I have Jan. 19, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 25 joined the Cornwall B.K.A., and shall make it my business to try to induce others to do the same. This, leads me to the discussion now go- ing on in your pages about the proposed Foul Brood Bill, and on that point I con- sider that legislation will orotect my bees from careless and ignorant bee-keepers, and for that reason I hold up both hands for the Bill. I see that "dear old bogey," liberty of the subject, is to be trotted out again. Liberty of the subject ! ! ! Licence should be inserted instead of liberty. Anyway, my bees, home, and all my belongings will always be open to authorised inspection. It woiild be welcomed. If I am wrong, in- spection will put me right and so protect others ; if others are wrong, it will put them right and so protect me. Good luck to the Foul Brood Bill, and a happy and prosperous year to each and all of its promoters. It occurs to me that this will be of no interest, so put it in the w.p.b. It is written and I am going to inflict it on you in spite of dear " Lordswood's " advice to " spare the editors." — S. Harbokne, Treen, Cornwall, January 11. A BEE-KEEPER'S TROUBLES. CURING FOUL BROOD. [5764.] I have been waiting for a chance to write to< B.B.J. , thinking you would like to know how I got on with my trouble connected with the thirty stocks of diseased bees I bought, as stated on page 144 of B.B.J, last year. The advice you so readily gave me at the time I appreciated very much. I should have written sooner, but my time is1 very fully occupied, and my unfortunate bee speculation turning out as it did made me a lot of extra work. In giving you results of work done by the expert (Mr. W. Loveday), I may say we started, in good bee weather, on my own five stocks, leaving the thirty diseased hives till the last. As it turned out, nothing was gained by this, as they were all more or less diseased. Of the thirty lots I bought, only two proved to be healthy ; the o1 her twenty-eight lots were badly diseased. Mr. Loveday's first idea was to make a bonfire of the whole lot ! But in view of the great number of bees to be destroyed, he eventually decided to try to save them on the starvation plan. So we set to work at once getting the bees off the combs, but it was quite a big job to go through so many, I assure you. We stuck to it, however, and then set to work, selected the best of the hives for disinfec- tion, leaving the others to be burnt. A painter's blow-lamp was obtained, and the insides of hives thoroughly well scorched with it. We next gave the hives a good washing and scrubbing, out and in, with hot water and soda, then left them to' dry ready for use. We then tackled the new frames, fitting them with full sheets of foundation, ready to receive the bees. This being done, and the bees joined up in suitably strong lots, they were put on combs and fed with medicated syrup, pre- pared according to recipe in " Guide Book." This completed the work under- taken by Mr. Loveday, assisted by myself. My first task of any importance after being left to my own resources, was to find out if the hives were provided with laying queens. I was not long in ascer- taining that the two stocks made up from my own five lots of bees were queenless. On my telling this bit of bad luck to a bee-keeping friend, he offered me a queen from his apiary. I thanked him, and asked him the price. He replied : " You have lost enough already," and hoped I would accept the queen as a present. This I did, and was also very grateful to him for other valuable help freely rendered me in a time of great need. I now turn to the bright side of my case. When Mr. Loveday first came to my place I had thirty-five lots of bees ; when his work was completed he left me with eleven lots. Two of these proved queenless, and after uniting and giving them the queen mentioned above, I had ten lots to start the year with. From these I had five swarms, two of which I returned, and three were set up as new colonies, making my number thirteen in all at the end of last season. From these I have also taken 3701b. of surplus honey. I need hardly say that this little " take " is very satis- factory to me, after what the bees have been through. I may also say that up to the time my last examination of the hives was made I could not see any trace what- ever of disease, and trust that when spring comes round I shall still find them healthy, although I am somewhat doubt- ful on the point, for last October, in weather when bees should in the ordinary course have been quiet, I had occasion to pass by my hives, and I found the bees very busy, and I wondered what was the matter. I watched, and found them going straight for the hives of a neighbour. I was at a loss what to do, for the neighbour referied to is the reverse of neighbourly, if you can understand what that means. I therefore tried to locate the robbers among my own bees, and soon discovered that three lots were engaged in the busi- ness. These hives I marked, and they will have special attention in the early spring. I only hope the hives being robbed were not diseased. Mr. Loveday will re- member that when he was here I went to see this neighbour with a view to seeing her bees, but she refused to' allow either 26 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 19, 1905. myself or Mr. Loveday to examine them at all, stating that they were all right, and she was not going to have her bees upset by any one. When I mention that the hives stand on the very ground from which I got the thirty diseased lots that caused: me so much trouble and expense, it seems cruel that one should be treated in this way. I think, if Mr. Woodley and others, who are using their influence against foul brood legislation, were to have similar trouble to mine, they would be the first to welcome legislation. — A. Waller, Great Chishall,, January 12. NOTES AND EXPERIENCES OF 1904. BY A BEE-KEEPING SCHOOLMASTER. [5765.] Swarming. — Having felt for some years past that bee-keeping loses much of its charm unless the bees are allowed to swarm occasionally, I decided early last year to allow seven of my colonies to swarm, and to hive the swarms on the old stands. Consequently the seven were not supered, as the others were, when ready. The result was, on entering the apiary on Saturday, June 18, I found a large swarm clustered round a fencing post. There was no outward evidence of the. hive it came from, so I at once got the swarm into a hiving skep, and set it down a few yards away, hiding the skep completely from view. Returning to the clustering place, I covered the few remaining bees with flour, in order to locate their late home, but this plan failing, I had to ex- amine, and, after finding the right one, I placed the swarm on its stand, leaving the old stock by the side. Seven days later the parent stock was removed to a new stand some distance away, and no cast issued. On June 23 the next swarm — which also issued unseen — was found clustering on the branch of a thorn. Determining to do better this time when hiving the swarm, I placed a handful of the bees into a basin, with a tablespoonful of flour, and covered them with perforated zinc. I then carried the swarm still further away, concealing it out of sight. This done, I released the prisoners — floured like proverbial " mil- lers." This time I went straight to the hidden skep, and in less than a minute the floured bees began to reach the same spot in numbers! Not to be> beaten, I again removed the skep further away, with the same result. I then carried it over fifty yards in another direction, placing it by the side of a running stream, near a miniature cascade, thinking that the noise of the water might assist me. I was not disappointed, for though the buzz of the scouts was heard over my head, they failed to hear the answering notes, so in about fifteen minutes I proceeded to the apiary, and I found the flight-board of one hive covered with fanning " millers," and easily showing the swarmed hive. I had nine swarms altogether. The swarms that came off unseen were all treated similarly to the last one named above, and the same noisy spot by the running stream did the "locating," every time with success, and the old hives being removed as before, no casts issued. All the swarms were hived on six frames of drawn-out comb, with four frames of wired foundation. Sivarm Prevention.— With seven other colonies I tried to prevent swarming, by allowing the first super of shallow-frames for brood-rearing, in addition to body-box, and giving each super ten shallow-frames of drawn-out worker comb. This suc- ceeded in raising immense populations and preventing swarming, but was a total failure as regards the gathering of surplus on the following points : — (1) The large amount of brood raised kept far 'too many bees at home, and all the honey gathered was used up in feeding the brood. (2) The queens ceased laying early, being ex- hausted by their maternal efforts earlier on. (3) My seventy clean extracting combs being completely ruined by the number of pollen-clogged cells, were regretfully consigned to the melting-pot ! Stocking Observatory Hive. — Having one stock with an aged queen, whose progeny I wished to perpetuate, I selected it to stock a Lee's three-frame observatory hive, thinking to allow the remainder to raise a queen for themselves. A fine day in.. June was selected, and half a dozen bud-' ding experts (aged from ten to fourteen years) assisted in the operation. In ex- amining the combs, the queen was soon spotted by a precocious yOungster. Having chosen three suitable frames, and placed them with the adhering bees and queen in the observatory hive, a num- ber of young bees were added to make up for probable loss caused by the old bees returning to their old home. The obser- vatory hive was then placed in its old position in the school window. We had only just completed our job when it com- menced to rain, and for nine succeeding days the bees were unable to take wing, owing to the bad weather. This, along with the overcrowded state of the hive, brought on dysentery, and the observatory hive became an illustrated object-lesson, teaching the direful results of this dis- ease, that will long be remembered by those who saw it. The first fine day found us again busy in returning the suffering occupants to their old home in the apiary, where they united peacefully with their old comrades. Surplus.- — The remainder of my socks were worked for extracted honey, each Jan. 19, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 27 hive having excluder zinc on top of the ten-frame brood-nest. The supers were filled with eight of Lee's wide shallow- frames, full of clean drawn-out drone comb, and they gathered on an average about 50 lb. each. The two hives mani- pulated in stocking the observatory hive, gathered no surplus, but had their ten combs, at the end of the season, filled almost to the veiy bottom with honey. (Conclusion in our next.) IMPORTED HONEY PERILS. [5766.] Referring to "County Council- lor's Views. " (5753) and my previous com- munication, I have no desire to make much ;>f the perils of imported honey. Bees, however, do not always wait until sweets are offered to them, and the distri- bution over the country of the annual £25,000 worth of honey can hardly fail to offer them opportunities, not to mention that such honey may sometimes be fed to them by benevolent and ill-instructed bee- keepers. Putting the danger of communicating disease by this means and by the introduc- tion through responsible dealers of young foreign queens as being of about the same importance, I should deem it a decided mistake to load the Bee-pest Bill with pro- hibitory provisions for either of them ; the more so that an embargo on foreign queens, or their quarantine if admitted, would be outside the working powers of the authorities at present designated, the County Councils. — ■ H. J. O. Walker (Lieut. -Colonel), Lee Ford, Budleigh Sal- terton, Devon. FOREIGN HONEY AS BEE FOOD. [5767.] I think your correspondent, " County Councillor," conveys a wrong idea when he says, on page 16, " honev is not used for bees." I have, mvself, known foreign honey to be used for the purpose of feeding bees, because it was thought to be cheap, and the natural and proper food for them. Apart from the fact that dis- ease germs may be imported and intro- duced to stocks by this method of feeding, foreign honey often contains glucose, and may have a very deleterious effect upon the health of the bees if given as food. I say this because, in the manufacture of glucose, sulphuric acid is used, and it is often found in analysing glucose that sul- phates are present, which are injurious to bee life. It is to be regretted that a few of the bee-keepers who object to> foul brood legis- lation, should try to impress upon the readers of B.B.J, that experts as a body are a most careless lot of individuals ;n the manipulation of hives. Because an isolated case of carelessness has been dis- covered at some time, it does not neoes- sarily follow that all visiting experts be- long to the same school. Those with whom I have come in contact have always been most strenuous in their efforts to pre- vent the infection of healthy stocks by pro- perly disinfecting and sterilising what has touched a hive or its contents when dis- ease was present. Only those who have explored the coun- try and seen foul brood rife in the in- cipient and advanced stages in so many districts, and its detrimental effect uoon bees and bee-keepers through improper treatment, know how much could be done by the compulsory destruction of disease in its virulent form. Very often the an- tipathy to experts examining stocks is due. to the fact that they will discover some- thing in the management of the apiary that has caused the apiarist to be so cryptic and to dread exposure. Wishing all bee- keepers a very successful year. — A. W. Salmon, Cashfield House, Sewardstone, Chingford. THE SEASON IN ROSS-SHIRE. SOME NOTES ON " FRAMES," ETC. [5768.] While 1904 has proved a disap- pointing season to many, we Northern bee-men have nothing to complain of. The honey-crop and the price obtained for it are alike excellent. Such a satisfactory combination is rather unusual ; the ex- planation, a very simple one, is to be found in the surjirising extent to which apiaries have shrunk as a result of the bad seasons. For instance, a bee-keeper down at Cononbridge, who formerly worked close on forty stocks, had them reduced this season to four. The four yielded an aver- age of 90 sections, one hive giving 120 completed sections. With good sections selling at 10s. per dozen, such yields give a satisfactory answer to the query — Do bees pay? Bee-men having the fortune, or misfor- tune, to be situated on heathland may envy, but cannot share in the joy of those located in purely white-clover districts. August was a most unfavourable month, what with rain, frost, and an almost con- tinual low temperature, a trio that quickly knocked on the head any expectations that as a honey season 1904 would equal or surpass the record year, 1899. This failure of the heather crop seems to have become chronic ; year after year, with depressing monotony, September finds the moor-man with light supers and a heavy heart. Even the outer brood- frames, blocked with the precious nectar, at which we used to grumble, are now a thing of the past, which means feeding, 28 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 19, 1905. more especially where clover-honey was all put into the supers. Large Frames and Tall Sections.— -The larger frame and tall sections, as subjects for exciting debate, have of late been lost sight of in the discussion centering around the proposed Foul Brood Bill. Although at present, like the bees, hibernating, it is to be hoped that the old friends named above and their respective champions may yet contribute some stirring pages to the B.B.J. During the past season I noticed some bee-keepers writing our Editors to the effect that, in their experience, large-frame colonies filled their brood-frames with honey, but refused to put any in the supers, the natural inference being that, from the bee-keeper's point of view, large brood-frames were best left severely alone. In my opinion requeening is about the best remedy for brood-nest storage. A prolific oueen will take care of the largest brood-frame going ; consequently the honey must go into the supers. Per- sonally my experience of large frames is limited to a single colony, which last season did better than those I have on standard frames. An unpleasant feature of last spring was the rapidity with which seemingly strong stocks dwindled away to mere shadows of their former selves. The large-frame colony was no exception. Closed down on twelve frames, April showed bees on six only, and when on the closing days of May, the bees barely covered four frames, the outlook as regards surplus-honey was, to put it mildly, somewhat indefinite. Yet, such was the prolificness of the queen that June was a month of rapid progress, and by July 1 ten frames were filled with brood — filled from side to side, and right up to top-bar. On the following day a shallow- frame super was given with partly worked combs, mementoes of 1903. Little was done, however, as the stock was not yet strong enough to occupy surplus room. About ten days later a second super was placed under the first. Then, all at once, the hive overflowed with bees, and more room had to be given, so that by the end f;f the month four shallow-frame supers and a rack of sections wei"e full of bees, and the brood-chamber still overflowing. The honey was all left on the hive until August 12, and then removed intact. Being busy throughout the day, I had to tackle the job after 10 p.m., and it was about the warmest time I remember having. The enraged bees were every- where— on the ground, in the air, running over the supers, and — well, perhaps a few of them missed the consolation of having revenge on the nocturnal despoiler. How- ever, next day, the pleasure of removing 130 lb. of honey dispelled the painful memories of the previous night. An ex- amination at this time showed brood on every one of the ten frames. One super with built-out combs was left on the hive and removed early in Septem- ber-— no difficult task, for so bad was the weather that this powerful stock gathered less than 15 lb. of heather honey. Con- sidering that it was backward at the start, and had to build all its store combs, the large frame colony has done fairly well ; but what I want to point out is the fact that the queen was cramped below, for I found brood in three of the four shallow- frame supers. Query : If ten " Quinby " frames are not enough for a good queen, how could the same number of standards be expected to afford sufficient scope for her laying powers?— J. M. Ellis, Ussie Valley, N.B., January 16. A JANUARY EXPERIENCE. [5769.] Eleven days ago, i.e., on the evening of January 5, a skep of bees which I had bought from an old bee-keeper reached me in rather bad condition, for to my surprise honey was running from the sacking which kept the bees in. Next morn- ing I unpacked my purchase, and found the combs all broken down and smashed. A great many of the bees were drowned in the running honey, while the rest had crawled to top of the skep and clustered there. After removing combs and dead bees, I put the skep on a stand and got ready a box of shallow-frames with built- out combs, on to which I transferred the bees, and fed them with honey from the smashed combs. They took this down so readily that several of the frames of comb are sealed over, and the bees are now going on first rate, and seem as if they would winter all right. I should like to know if any B.B.J, reader had a similar experience in the month of January? I send name for reference, and sign — W. D. T. R. , Kingswinford, January 16. CRACKED HONEY JARS. [5770.] I notice in issue of January 5 (3641, p. 10) an inquiry as to glass jars cracking after honey has granulated. I think there may be another possible ex- planation than improper handling of jars, as the following may show : — About four years awo I was asked if I could say why a vessel containing honey had cracked ? In this case it was a new, glazed, earthern- ware " cream pipkin," containing forty or more pounds of honey, and nearly the whole of one side could be lifted away, leaving the honey (granulated) exposed. In 1902, I filled a twenty-eight-pound tin with liquid honey, the tin being perfectly sound at the time, but the joint was sim- Jan. 19, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 29 ply soldered. The honey had granulated, and wishing " to jar it off " later in the year, I picked up the tin, intending to immerse it in a boiler in order to reliquefy the honey, but I noticed that the joint was broken and separated about three- eighths of an inch. There was also a per- ceptible bulge in the tin. Again, last summer, while " touring " in Essex, I was shown a number of jars of granulated honey, the greater part of them cracked or broken. In none of these cases had the vessels been handled after the liquid honey had been put in them. The explanation seems to be that in granulating the honey expands and thus craeksi or breaks the vessel containing it. — J. Herrod, Trent- side Apiary, Sutton-on-Trent, January 14. OWNERS' RISK RATES. [5771.] I enclose a letter sent to Messrs. Gayton and Hare, solicitors, Much Had- ham, from the Great Eastern Railway, in reference to a claim I asked them to make on my behalf, for sections damaged in transit. The publication of the letter might be of interest to your readers, some of whom might be able to say how far the company's solicitors are right. — H. New- man, The Parsonage, Brent Pelham, Huntingford, Herts, January 6. [Copy.] Great Eastei*n Railway Solicitors' Office, Liverpool Street Station, London, E.C., December 21, 1904. Re Newman. Dear Sirs, — Your letter of the 19th inst., addressed to Mr. Drury, has been handed to me. I would point out that the owners' risk note in the company's possession protects them against all claims unless such damage was caused by wilful misconduct on the part of the company's servants. I have looked into the facts of the case, and can see no liability attaching to the company, and therefore am unable to en- tertain you client's claim. — Yours truly, for E. Moore, (Signed) R. M. Nettleship. Messrs. Gayton and Hare, Much Hadham, Herts. BEES AND HAZEL CATKINS. [5772.] Your correspondent, "J. R., St. Albans," promised some time aeo to help me in coming to a right conclusion with regard to bees gathering pollen from the catkins of the hazel, if I would raise the question in February, 1905. I, therefore, now repeat what I said last year, i.e., that bees do not gather pollen from the above- named source, nor visit the hazel catkin at all. On page 125 of last year's B.B.J. , " J. R." says he saw a clump of nut-boughs covered by bees, and "A Lover of Bees," on page 155, says he " has seen thousands of bees working on the catkins in some seasons." I, myself, assert that your cor- respondents are mistaken and hope to prove this. Also, "J. R.," on page 183, quotes Mr. Cheshire's well-known work on bees as confirming his own view, but if Mr. Ches- hire says that bees collect pollen from the hazel, he, too, made a big mistake, and it now remains for his friends to prove they do, by personal observation — aided, if pos- sible, by photos — but not otherwise. — J as. Skinner, Bristol, January 12. *** We are sorry to find that notwith- standing the notification on page 11 last week, regarding a pressing need for closing _ the discussion on foul brood legislation, ' letters bearing on the subject seem to come in more numerously than ever. It is not going beyond the mark to say we have enough MSS. on hand to fill about twenty columns of the B.B.J., and as a great portion is from readers who have already expressed their views very fully, it should surely be clear that mere reiteration of arguments already used can serve no use- ful purpose, on one side or the other. Besides, the next meeting of the Committee appointed to deal with the matter will be held before these lines are in print, and it is. to be hoped that some notification will be made in view of what has already been said for and against in our columns, along with some probable expiession of opinion by those who have availed them- selves of the voting papers mentioned in our pages. — [Eds.] HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of December, 1904, was £1,422.— From a re- turn furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. HONEY IMPORTS, January February March . val >> April May June >> July August September . October • >> • >> November December . >> Total value 1904. £ ... 161 ... 2,352 ... 3,113 ... 3,575 ... 5,039 ... 3,937 ... 4,652 ... 2,250 ... 1,462 506 658 ... 1,422 £29,127 '30 TtIE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 19, 1905. fwritutil %t$m. [3647.] Transferrinej from Hive with Fixed Flour.- Many thanks for reply to my query (3638, page; 9). The hive is, as you suggest, a " combination," and has a fixed floor. I can, therefore, well under- stand that it would be a difficult task to transfer combs from this hive to another ; but it struck me that jserhaps the best way would be to drive the bees, into a new hive and treat as a swarm. But I hardly know how to proceed, as. it seems much more difficult to get the bees from a hive like this than from an ordinary straw skep. Perhaps you will be good enough to tell me if what I suggest is the best way of transferring them, and what month would be the best. I sign, as before' — Novica, St. Albans, January 13. Reply.- — We remember undertaking a similar task for a friend several years ago ■ — in our busy bee-days — and shall not for- get it, from the fact of having to operate at a time when most of the cross-built combs were occupied with brood in all stages. However, the job was got through with little damage, but it is not too much to' say that a less experienced man would have had a poor chance of making it a success. The cross-built combs were, in our case, fortunately almost entirely free from brace- combs projecting beyond the frames to the hive sides ; this helped us considerably, as the few attachments could be severed from above. This, done, the space above top- bars of hive (a legless one) was packed with spare quilts till level with the sides of hive, and the latter was then gently turned over on to a table'. The hive was then carefully lifted off, leaving the frames and combs standing en masse bottom up- wards. We then began at one end, and by dint of carving and slicing, the combs were cut away and cleared of bees (the latter being run into an empty skep) one by one and carried into a warm room so as to avoid chilling the brood. Then, with the help of tapes, laths, and corks, the combs were tied into frames asi each one of the latter was parted from the bulk. Meantime, my friend was cleaning and preparing the hive, which was set on its old stand ; and when four frames were tilled with comb they were hung in the hive and the bees thrown out in front and al- lowed to run in. This they readily did, and clustered on the brood nicely while the re- mainder of combs were being dealtwith. We need hardly say that great care was taken not to bruise the cappings of sealed brood in handling the combs, and it was neces- sary for rapid working to have a helper to keep the bees well subdued by judicious smoking. If you can adapt the above de- tails to your own case, and are aided by some one used to bee-work, all may go on well, but you must judge for yourself as to this. [3648.] Bee-keeping in Jamaica. — In a Government pamphlet on the Wist Indies, it states that there is an opening for bee- farming, and that one with practically no previous knowledge of bees could start one hundred hives, with a little assistance from a bee-man on the spot. I wrote lately to one of the Government agricultural instructors there asking many questions, and am now awaiting his reply. As a tropical climate is not much to my liking, I addressed myself to Mr. Tick- ner Edwardes, and he very kindly has given me useful information regarding bee-farming in this country. He was un- able to say anything about the West Indies, but mentioned that you might be able to give some information. One hundred hives seems a large order to start with, in my estimation, but no doubt whoever wrote the article knows the conditions obtaining in the West Indies. I, therefore, ask : — 1. If in your opinion he goes beyond possibilities, and could an absolute novice amongst bees start, say, fifty hives out there after having a few months' experience in this coun- try ? If you can give me some information on the subject I shall feel much obliged. 2. Could you also mention any bee-farm of up-to-date methods where they would take on a learner as a boarder ? I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — Inquirer, Edinburgh, January 10. Reply. — 1. It is difficult to say what is jjossible after a few months' experience of practical work on a large apiary under a capable teacher ; but our advice is to get the experience first and then consult with your teacher, who should be better able to judge of your qualifications than any outsider like ourselves. On the other hand, we should — to use a homely adage — ■ " go slow " with regard to investing capital in a West Indian bee-farm without making full inquiry as to a profitable mar- ket being available for the output of the farm at a paying price. It should also be borne in mind that it would not do, in our opinion, to have to engage a " bee- expert " at once to do all the work. The bee-farmer himself would need to labour hard and put up, maybe, with the heln of an able-bodied native — at a small wage — who did not fear the bees or their stings. 2. The most suitable and best-equipped bee-farm we know of for training students in bee-keeping is that of Messrs. Herrod and Stewart, Old Bedford Road, Luton, Beds, *#* Some replies to Queries, &c, are un- avoidably held over till next week. Jan. 26, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 31 OJifitorial Itotim, &t BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, January 18, at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., Mr. T. I. Weston occupying the chair. There were also pre- sent Dr. Elliott, Messrs. D. W. Bishop- Ackerman, T. Bevan, W. Broughton Carr, J. B. Lamb, W. F. Reid, F. W. L. Sladen, E. Walker, F. B. White, W. Woodley, and the secretary. Letters apologising for inability to attend were read from Mr. T. W. Cowan, Miss Gayton, Mr. W. H. Harris, and Mr. E. D. Till. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Two new members were elected, viz., Miss H. M. James, Piddington Grange, Northampton, and Mr. F. J. Osborne Smith, 65, Frithville Gardens, W. The report of the Finance Committee presented by Mr. Weston gave particulars of receipts and expenditure to date, and was duly approved. Cheques asked for by the Committee were passed. It was resolved that for the purpose of honey exhibits at the R.A.S.E. Show, to be held at Park Royal in June next, the counties be formed into two groups only, viz., North and South, the dividing line to reach from the mouth of the River Severn to the Wash. Additional open classes for shallow-frames of comb honey, and for six jars of heather honey, have been added, and the secretary was in- structed to submit the proposals for ac- ceptance by the Council of the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England. The full report of examiners of candi- dates for second-class expert certificates was received, and as a result the Council decided to issue diplomas in favour of the following twelve candidates, viz., Mesdames Pittis, M. R. Hammond, D. Sillar, and T. Waterhouse ; Messrs, G. W. Avery, A. Cameron, J. D. Hay, J. Gray, Thos. John- son, J. Price, L. E. Snelgrove, and J. N. Tinsley. The remaining twenty-one candi- dates unfortunately fail to satisfy the re- quirements. A further meeting of the Bee-pest Legis- lation Committee was. afterwards held, when detailed reports of the replies for and against the proposals were received and dealt with. A number of letters were also read, and the secretary instructed in regard to replies, etc. As several asso- ciations are about to hold meetings of members, when the Bill and its provisions are to be discussed, it was thought advis- able to urge upon societies from whom re- plies have not yet been received to report upon the wishes of their members prior to] the meeting of the Committee to be held on February 15, as in the absence of fuller returns it is impossible to make progress with the measure. IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. "Audi alteram partem." (Continued from page 23.) Let us now examine the relations of the I.B.K.A. and the Department respecting foul brood legislation. We have already alluded to the first con- ference held between the committee, I.B.K.A., and the representatives of the D. A.T.I, on April 13, 1901, when the Assis- tant Secretary of the Department said he " considered the chance of legislative help in the matter decidedly remote." Since that time the I.B.K.A., by deputations to and through its official . organ, has been per- sistently hammering away at the Depart- ment, as our quotations will show, but this is mild compared with the dressing down it gets from the editor of the I.B.J, on the foul brood question. In August, 1903, we find in an editorial the following : — " The Foul Brood scandal continues" ; " So far the Department of Agriculture have shown no sign of being awake to their responsibilities. The ' consideration ' of Mr. Plunkett and his officials having con- tinued for more than two years without leading to anything, they ought to honestly confess their incompetence, and give place to men with a little initiative, and who understand something about bee keeping." The editor, no doubt, thinks that the I.B.K.A. are the people, and that wisdom will perish with them, for in an- other place he says : — " Ireland has long been the dumping-ground for Depart- mental ineptitude, but we doubt that, even in Ireland, a more pitiable exhibi- tion of combined incapacity and indiffer- ence has ever been witnessed. " If com- ments like this are made in the official organ of an Association constantly asking for help and recognition, can we wonder that the Department turns a deaf ear to their representations, when (notwith- standing all that it is doing for the in- dustry) it. is subjected to such persistent abuse? We should, indeed, be surprised if it did otherwise. Here is another quo- tation : — " While the Department sit musing before their dusty pigeon-holes, crammed with ' files ' re foul brood, the pest is getting in its pernicious, work, and on both sides the life blood of the industry is being drained." By "both sides," no doubt the editor is. alluding to this coun- try. He then goes on to tell Irish bee- keepers that as they had failed to impress the Department with their grievances, they must make their voices heard in Par- liament, and in order to do this he ad- vises " Every man, woman, and child in 32 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 26, 1905. the thirty-two counties, who has a stock of bees," to write to their representative in Parliament and call attention to the scurrilous article from which we are auot- ing. He goes on to say: — "Should no- thing useful be done in the meantime, we must start, next session, such a Parlia- mentary campaign as may infuse a little activity into the Department of Agricul- ture and Technical Instruction for Ire- land." There is a great deal more, in the same strain, but although the .threatened Par- liamentary campaign has been started, and another session gone by, no progress is reported, notwithstanding numerous questions put in the House of Commons by Nationalist M.P.s, all with no effect. The Committee of the I.B.K.A., at their meeting on November 3 last, took into consideration the address of the Chairman of the B.B.K.A. at the conference of bee- keepers held on October 6 last, and there- upon appointed a " deputation to wait upon the Department of Agriculture to inquire whether there was any authority for Mr. Cowan's statement," which was that "he was informed that the Irish Board of Agriculture would not support foul brood legisiation for Ireland," and " that there was no necessity for change in Ire- land at present." But they — we presume intentionally — omit to give the reason why there was no need for change at pre- sent, because, when referring to the Irish Board of Agriculture, Mr. Cowan's words ■were, " They appointed their own instruc- tors and had their own scheme, which was working satisfactorily, consequently there was no necessity for change in Ireland at present." The widespread publicity given in our journals to Mr. Cowan's remarks evidently caused a flutter among the Com- mittee, for after making an incorrect quo- tation by suppressing the most important part of what he said, it was " arranged that this attack upon the I.B.K.A. be dealt with in the organ of the Association -j-the Irish Bee Journal." This "attack" was duly dealt with in the December num- ber by the editor, the Rev. J. G. Digges, by an editorial counter attack on the B.B.K.A. and its chairman, in which it was asserted that the legislation com- mittee " have sent out a new Bill for approval by the County Associations, and from the scope of this Bill Ireland is excluded." This statement we have already shown to be entirely wrong, and we therefore find it hard to believe that the editor would have made it unless he was supplied with erroneous information. "We are informed that the deputation liail an interview with Professor Camp- bell, Dr. Traill stating the case for the I.B.K.A. The result was that "Professor Campbell assured the deputation that the Department are fully alive to the needs of the case, and would welcome legislation bringing foul brood within the provisions of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, the working of which would not be a drain upon the Department's grant for educational and allied purposes." Here, then, we have the crux of the whole affair, and not only do we find Mr. Cowan's statements of what he was given to understand justified, but it also makes clear the attitude of the Department in not seeking to obtain legislation, in view of the cost likely to be incurred. Further light is also thrown on "the Department's position from the questions asked in Par- liament. First, we gather that the Irish Department was in communication with the Board of Agriculture in England ; then in the beginning of last year, after the former vigorous Parliamentary cam- paign, Mr. Boland was again induced to ask some questions in the House of Com- mons. Here is an important one : " I beg to ask the Attorney-General for Ireland whether any steps will be taken in the present session to frame a legislative measure with a view to stamping out the disease of foul brood in Ireland ? " The Attorney-General replied : " A scheme has been issued by the Department of Agricul- ture enabling local authorities to arrange for the treatment of bees infected with this disease. The scheme also provides for their destruction, with the consent of the owner, and for the payment of com- pensation to the latter. The question as to' the necessity of legislative action can best be decided when the scheme has been in operation for a sufficient time." Mr. Boland also asked the Attorney-General for Ireland " whether he was aware that the instructions issued by the Department of Agriculture with respect to bee-keeping do not deal with the compulsory destruc- tion of stocks infected with the disease of foul brood ; and if so, whether the Depart- ment would favourably consider further representations with regard to stamping out this disease ? " Mr. Wyndham, the Chief Secretary — who replied — said " there was no power for compulsory destruction in the scheme. The county instructors appointed under the scheme had not so far experienced any difficulty in inducing owners to consent to the destruction of infected stocks when advised that such a course was necessary. The Department would give careful consideration to any further representations that might be made to it in regard to the disease in question." We have also on record the letter of the secretary of the Cumberland B.K.A. to the B.B.K.A. of January 9, 1904, con- taining a quotation from the letter written by Sir Horace Plunkett's private secre- tary, and a reminder of the " financial assistance that Ireland has already ob» Jan. 26, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 33 tained for her bee-keepers," concluding with : " On the whole, the Department, for many reasons, consider it desirable to allow sufficient time to elapse to enable a judgment to be formed as to how far the action at present being taken, by some local authorities, is likely to succeed in the reduction of foul brood, before further legislative powers are sought." If more was needed in the same direc- tion, we ,might refer to what the Chief Secretary for Ireland stated in the Times of September 27 last with regard to the funds at the disposal of the Government. " (2) The last equivalent grant to Ireland, called the ' Irish Development Grant,' is hypothecated up to the hilt for (a) losses incidental to the flotation below par of stock for land purchase ; (b) education ; (c) reproductive expenditure. (3) Future savings on Irish administration are hypo- thecated up to £250,000 a year." He then goes on to say : " It follows that any body, of whatever complexion, created now to deal with Irish finance would either fall into contempt for lack of funds, or else endure only as a lever for extorting expenditure incompatible with the high standard of existing taxation and the com- paratively low standard of public credit." We now see that the position >;f the Irish Department of Agriculture has been consistent throughout. They have gone as far as funds permitted in fostering bee- keeping, and are not prepared to incur heavy expenditure for legislation which would throw the burden upon the tax- payer. The probable weight of this bur- den would not, perhaps, have been realised by bee-keepers, had not the official organ of the I.B.K.A. scoffed at the offer of £150 a year by the Department for pioneer work, and wished to know how far that " would go in the extermination of foul brood in a badly infected county, to say nothing of the rest of Ireland." There are thirty-two counties in Ireland, and we leave our readers to calculate the sum that would be t required from the public funds. The Department has, in its desire to assist the industry, recently issued a leaflet on foul brood, which it is hoped will do some good. It has not only taken up the work of the I.B.K.A., but with its better command of funds has extended it ; consequently there is no longer any reason for the continued existence of the I.B.K.A. so far as instruction in bee-keep- ing is concerned. There remains nothing but shows to provide for, and local B.K. associations can, by applying their mem- bers' subscriptions judiciously, attend to these more advantageously than any other body. Irish bee-keepers have also two monthly bee papers, for besides the Irish Bee Journal there is the Bee-keeper, edited by Mr. Gillies, lecturer and examiner for the D.A.T.I. But, in continuing our historical review of the Irish Bee-keepers' Association, what can be said of the crowning act of child- ishness on the part of the Committee, as reported in the I. B.J. ? It appears that on December 1 last a committee meeting was held — no mention being made of who was present or who was in the chair — and we find that on the motion of Mr. Butler, seconded by Mr. Read, it was resolved to substitute the " Irish Bee Guide " for the " British Bee-keepers' Guide Book " and " The Honey Bee " in the list of books recommended to candidates for the Asso- ciation's expert certificates. This means that the I.B.K.A. cannot stand fair criticism, and peevishly retaliates by sup- planting Mr. Cowan's works ! (Cor. eluded next week.) <&arm#tm&mtt. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed b?/ correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publicition, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *«.* In order to facilitate reference, 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 NOTES BY THE WAY. [5773.] With the temperature below zero we .must still " talk " bees and bee-keep- ing, but our conversation now refersi to the coming season. I would commend the subject of waste to all readers as one for consideration in matters apicultural, for if we mean to succeed we must prevent waste in every form. First, then, there is often a waste of wax — yet when we buy our foundation at 2s. to 3s. per lb., we are reminded very forcibly of the value of wax. Therefore, I say, keep an eye on every scrap of broken comb, old brood- combs, etc., and render them into wax, either in the melting pot or by the use of the " solar " wax extractor. It will pay you to do so ; besides, one of the roads to success is to study carefulness. A waste of cash is often deplored by the novice after the money has been spent on useless goods. He reads of some patent article, a hive, maybe, that is to revolu- tionise bee-keeping and increase the honey harvest a hundredfold. At other times it is. a new strain of bees, whose beauty and working qualities are declared by the ven- dor to be the finest in creation. Viewing all these things, I say to the beginner in (Continued on page 35.) 34 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 26, 1905. DEATH OF MR. S. J. BALDWIN. Following the brief notice, on page 19 of our issue for January 12, notifying the death of Mr. S. J. Baldwin, we have now received further particulars, which will no doubt be read with sympathetic interest by many. It was known to Mr. Baldwin's family and his more intimate friends that he never quite recovered from the shock re- was the first bee expert and lecturer engaged by the British Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation to give demonstrations in the bee- tent with live bees at shows and else- where. His services in this connection ex- tending over a number of years — indeed, long after he became a manufacturer of bee appliances — and these who have seen him in the bee-tent will remember his many gifts as a fluent and interesting lec- turer, one whose audiences never wearied THE LATE MR. S. J. BALDWIN. ceived some years ago while attending a show in the country. A sudden terrific thunderstorm broke over the place, and Mr. Baldwin, who had taken momentary refuge under a tree, was struck down by lightning. He soon recovered, however, and was able to attend to business as usual, though the effects never entirely left him. After establishing himself at Bromley, Kent, his business grew and prospered, and — as will be seen in the illustration — he established a good-sized apiary, where hives of all types could be seen at work, and where the business will still continue to be carried oh in his name as usual. The late Mr. Baldwin occupied a pro- minent position in the bee-world for be- tween twenty-five and thirty years, and of his cheery and ready-witted addresses on the hive-bee and its work. The business at Bromley was not con- fined to the home trade, for he sent bees and bee goods to all parts of the world, including America, Australia, Canada, the West Indies, and New Zealand. To the last-named place we remember him send- ing also a large consignment of humble bees in 1884 for the purpose of fertilising the seed of red clover in that country. Though advancing years had begun to tell on him, he was able to attend to busi- ness up to the last, the only rest he took being a two or three months' holiday at intervals of a few years, which he always spent with his sister, Mrs. Campbell, who with her husband emigrated to the U.S.A. some years ago, and the latter has now Jan. 26, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 35 established a very large photographic busi- ness at New Jersey. He always returned home reinvigorated by his American trip, the last outing being notified in our pages a few months ago. The latest communication received at Bromley from Mrs. Campbell mentioned his having paid a visit to Philadelphia, and the weather turning cold very suddenly, he caught a chill, which caused him to return to New Jersey at once, where he was con- died in 1889. He never had any family, but of late years Mr. Edwin R. Seadon (who is seen in the apiary along with Mr. Baldwin), son of Mrs. Seadon, has been intended to carry on the business for his mother, and was very carefully trained with that object by Mr. Baldwin himself. Indeed, Mr. Seadon for some years has, we learn, done all the expert work con- nected with the apiary, and is fully ac- quainted with all the necessary details of MR. S. J. BALDWIN S APIARY, BROMLEY, KENT. fined to his room for some days. The last letter he ever wrote was penned from this room on Boxing Day, and in it he men- tions " having to keep his room through a bad cold, but hoped to be well enough to start for home on January 7, for which date his passage had been already booked." He died on December 30, and was in- terred at Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.A. It will, we think, surprise many besides ourselves to find that our late friend would have completed his seventy-third year on March 20 next had he lived. The portrait on page 34 is from the latest photograph of him, taken in America at Mr. Camp- bell's studio. Mr. Baldwin has willed the business to Mrs. Elizabeth Seadon, who was his de- voted housekeeper during the whole time he was a widower, Mrs. Baldwin having the business in all its branches, so that it will continue, as heretofore, at the old place under the old name. (" Notes by the Way " continued from page 33.) bee-keeping — tx> whom cash is a considera- tion— " go slowly " ; your chance of suc- cess with new-fangled things, animate or inanimate, is very remote. Old hands at bee-keeping go plodding on, year after year, and are successful with the tried articles which have been tested by experience. Size of Sections. — This question has been fully discussed in the B.B.J, time after time ; some readers have no doubt given the " tall section " a trial, but the great majority still continue to use the 43-in. by 4g-in. section, for reasons which need 36 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 26, 1905. not again be restated in these pages. The very meagre display of the new size sec- tions on the show-bench last year conclu- sively points in the direction I have indi- cated ; therefore, I say, if every one had adopted the new idea in sections, money would have been wasted with no advantage to any one, for one pound of comb-honey in taller sections would not fetch a bit better market price than the old style square sections, and would have involved the industry in a big expense with no re- turn for the outlay. At the meeting of the B.B.K.A. Council last week, a very pertinent matter was brought to the notice of the Council in a letter from probably the largest bee-farmer in the Kingdom, in reference to cost of carriage for honey per good.s. train. We bee-keepers are compelled by the railway companies to pay the highest " scale of rates " and yet take all risks of loss if our goods are damaged in transit. The matter was fully discussed by the Council, and if something can be done by the parent As- sociation to induce the railway companies to place the charges for honey in the list of goods which are carried at " owner's risk rate," a great benefit will accrue to all bee-keepers who have invested in the pursuit as a means, more or less, of se- curing a livelihood. The charge for small parcels of honey at half-rate meets _ the wants of those who only keep a few hives, but where large packages of honey are despatched the charges are excessive, con- sidering the producer has to take all risk of damage to his goods. I hope this matter will receive full attention, and that sug- gestions as to the best means of rectifying the railway charges will be made in your columns, as being welcome to all con- cerned. I 'have received inquiries as to where the "No. 9 Triangle" brand honey jars, can be obtained, and in reply need only re- mind readers that these jars have been advertised in your pages by two or more prominent dealers, and I have no doubt others stock these jars and will supply them if asked ; therefore it is the bee- keeper's own fault if he continues to use a 17 to 18 oz. jar when one of proper size, equal in every respect as regards quality of glass, fitting of caps, etc., can now be obtained by any one who takes the trouble to ask for it. If there is a jar of proper size on the market, and a general demand for such, it will soon be stocked by all up-to-date dealers, seeing that no one wants to sell his honey at a needless loss in overweight. "As the day lengthens the cold strengthens," says the old adage, and just now we are frost-bound. Our apiaries, are quiet, and we have no fear as to the inmates of such hives as have a suffi- ciency of stores within reach as required ; the only colonies that give any casus© for anxious thought, in my own apiaries, are a few four and five-frame nuclei, which I intended to have put into hives in pairs, but was unable to do so when weather was suitable in the autumn. (See advt. page v. for replies on foul brood legislation.)— W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. A WORD ON THE FOUL BROOD BILL. FROM A BEEMAN OWNING 500 STOCKS. [5774.] I do not wish to unnecessarily add anything to the lengthy discussion on the proposed Foul Brood Bill, but it may possibly be of some interest to you and readers generally to have my opinion, because I am a life-long beeman who makes a business of bee-farming, and have at the present time fully 500 stocks of bees at work. Let me say briefly, then, that 1 am totally opposed to the Bill in its pre- sent form. Moreover, I have only come across one man in our district or county who approves of the Bill, and even he would on no account permit an " expert " to enter his apiary if he could help it. — C. B. Bartlett, Bee Farmer, Witney, Oxon, January 19. [We make no apology for inserting the above, notwithstanding the recent inti- mation given that the Foul Brood Bill dis- cussion should close. We had no idea that any reader of the B.B.J, owned so many as 500 colonies of bees ; indeed, we did not think there was a man in this country who possessed one-half that number. Not only so, but we are given to understand that he makes bee-keeping his sole business and source of livelihood. It is therefore safe to say that Mr. Bartlett is by far the most extensive bee-keeper in the United King- dom, and his views will be taken for what they are worth.— Eds.] GARDEN FLOWERS FOR BEES. [5775.] In the pages of our bee journals the question is frequently asked, " What flowers shall I plant in my garden for the bees.?" and as our Editors' replies must of necessity be brief, may I be allowed to send a more extended reply as follows? — Every practical bee-keeper knows that from all the flowers, grown in his own garden for a whole year the bees may pos- sibly be able to. gather perhaps less than a single pound of honey. But, I ask, must we stop planting flowers because the produce from them is so small in quan- tity? I think all true bee-lovers will say " No ! " We love to see our bees busily working among the flowers planted with our own hands in our own gardens. We take delight in tending these same flowers for their own sake, and it adds still fur- ther to our pleasure to see our bees visit- ing them with such evident delight, with- Jan. 26, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 37 out casting a thought on the weight of honey they yield. Spring- flowering Bulbs. — To begin with, then, our earliest flowers must embrace as many crocuses and snowdrops as pos- sible. I have myself planted over 10s. worth of bulbs for flowering in February, and, being all together in one patch, they only take up a small piece of ground. Some people plant crocus among the grass on borders, " dibbling" the bulbs in, and they bloom very nice so planted. You may have a line of the large yellow crocus, then one of purpurea grandifiora (giant purple), then a line of whites, alternated with other varieties. Or the bulbs may be planted in clumps on the grass, mixing the colours. There is, I think, no prettier effect than this when the crocuses appear in the spring. We may also dot the snow- drops in tiny groups ; they look very pretty so planted, the little white clusters peeping above the snow in January and February have a very pleasing effect. Once planted, the crocus and snowdrop require no weeding or other attention, and will spring up year by year with increas- ing beauty and at no further cost. This is the consolation one has on leaving the seedsman's shojo with a lighter pocket after buying our first stock of bulbs. We can also divide as they multiply, and in this way increase our stock. Wallflowers and White Book (Arabis alpina). ■ — When the crocus and snow- drop have gone, the blooms of wallflower and white rock make their appearance, and regarding these some people are apt to look a bit down, as it were, on the wall- flower as a garden blossom ; but there are few things more welcome in spring than the rustic beauty and sweet perfume of the wallflower. It will grow almost any- where, and bees will be seen humming merrily among the blossoms pollen -gather- ing. Working-men bee-keepers who lay out a shilling on a packet of good seed may, by allowing a few plants to go' to seed and sowing a small bed, supply their neighbours with any number of young plants when thinning thorn out before the final planting for blooming in the open garden. Here in the North, April and May are the months when the wallflower blooms best. The white rock is also a very favourite flower with bees. It is a hardy perennial, av 1 blossoms in early spring. For rock ries, raised stony banks, or any little ; levated spots, it can- not be surpassed. A few roots planted at the right time will soon spread till the whole rockery is covered, and hundreds of bees will be seen thronging to it for pollen and honey all day long. One day an old woman came to me in some agitation and asked me to go and look at her bed of white rock : as the bees were making such a noise she thought there must be a swarm. There were, of course, only a few hundred bees humming merrily aloud as they gathered their precious loads. When the wallflower and white rock blossoms are over, there is a little break or interlude tefore such summer garden flowers as mignonette, cornflower, borage, " Chap- man's honey plant," etc., appear, but once the fruit orchards show bloom, and later on when white clover and field-forage appear, these constitute the main honey crop, and bees cannot spend much time among garden flowers so long as these im- portant sources of supply last. Then fol- lows the heather for those within reach of that useful source of supply. They also work very well on borage, mignonette, and Canterbury bells. The Chapman honey plant is a noble flower, standing high above many other flowers and plants in our garden. It yields pollen and nectar in abundance, and bee keepers cannot do bef. ter than plant some in a corner of their gardens. About the latest flower in the year visited by bees is the ivy, and this yields honey fairly wTell in some seasons. — H. Berkley Score, F.R.G.S., Lathom, Ormskirk, Lanes., January 12. A JANUARY EXPERIENCE. [5776.] Like your correspondent " W. D. T. R." (page 28), I too have had a "January experience." The weather on January 19 opened cold and raw, but qu'~kly moderated, the afternoon being mila with bright sunshine. I seized the opportunity of examining eight of my ten hives for the first time since closing down for winter. I also opened up my two nucleus hives. The result of my overhaul was as follows: — Two hives found to have leaky roofs ; two others I contracted by removing two frames from each ; in one I shifted the position of candy ; others left alone, as needing nothing. Of the two nuclei, one was dead, probably through undetected robbing and chill, I am therefore sending a bit of comb with three cells, on which I should be glad if you would give me your opinion in B.B.J. I also wish you would tell me the best kind of glass for an amateur to get for examining such cells as the centre one, which I have opened, and there seems to be something at the base that looks sus- picious.— J. M. Best, Trewoon Apiary, St. Austell, January 21. [There is nothing left in the cells to show any trace of disease, the contents having completely dried up and disap- peared. Nothing short of a high-class microscope will help in detecting foul brood (bacillus alvci) with absolute cer- tainty.— Eds.] 38 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 26, 1905. NOTES AND EXPERIENCES OF 1904. BY A VILLAGE SCHOOLMASTER. (Continued from page 27.) [5777.] Observations. — After cleaning, disinfecting, and allowing some weeks to air our observatory hive after the late mishap, a stock, in which a worn-out queen was about to be superseded, was selected to furnish the three combs re- quired, and on the very day — August 2 — that the first young queen emerged from its cell, three frames without ripe queen- cells and the old queen were transferred to the observatory hive. One of the ripe queen-cells, of which there were several in the hive, being cut out and pinned on to one of the combs in the observatory hive for observation purposes. On August 11, two days later, a friend and I examined the frames in the old stock, and whilst he was looking at the young queen on a comb he held in his hand she took flight, and after slowly circling round the hive, went in again through the ordinary entrance. Later on she was successfully mated, and filled several combs with eggs. The queen-cell pinned into the observa- tory hive, being neglected by the bees, failed to hatch out, but, strange to say, although the old queen continued to lay eggs, the bees, either in order to carry out the mandate to re-queen, or instinctively knowing that the parent queen must be deposed, commenced to build three new queen-cells on the bottom edge of the upper comb, and on August 12 the three cells were advancing rapidly. By August 19 they were completely sealed over. The old queen continued her maternal duties, her stately progress taking her at times right over the three queen-cells, which latter apparently gave her no concern. On August 25 one of the outside queen- cells appeared to .have a small opening near the cap, but the hole was again closed a few hours later. Next day at 3 p.m. a young queen hatched out in the presence of several young and interested watchers. Before the new arrival had been on the combs an hour, it appeared as if the order for destruction had gone forth, and several relays of executioners began tearing open the sides of the two remain- ing queen-cells. Then began an exciting time ; while some were energetically trying to enlarge the openings made, other bees vigorously tugged away at the legs or wings of the imprisoned inmates, but for some time their efforts were fruitless, the holes not yet being large enough for the bodies to pass through ; besides, the legs were drawn in again if the efforts were in any way relaxed. No attempt was made to sting the young queens, and I believe they simply died from exhaustion in re- sisting the efforts to drag them out. Next morning the cells had been cleaned out, and in a few days very little was left of them. The young queen wandered aim- lessly over the combs for several days, without being noticed either by the bees or the old queen, though she was seen to walk over the back of her parent. Later on, however, her movements over the combs became more rapid, and brought her near the old queen ; she invariably turned and hurried away. This continued for about ten days, during which time the young queen was never once seen to leave the hive, and a strict watch was. kept on fine days when the bees were working. On September 6 it was noticed that the young queen was being harassed by the old bees, and this caused her to become restless and excited in her movements. The climax was reached next day, when it became evi- dent that, owing to the young queen still remaining unfertilised, the bees had de- termined to get rid of her. Anyway, a number of bees were seen to be slowly, yet relentlessly, encompassing the young queen, and thus prevent her moving in any direction. This continued for about three hours, when she escaped their clutches for a time. The next day she also remained free, but on the morning of Sep- tember 9 we saw a clear case of " balling" the bees gradually forming themselves into a solid close, compact ball, in the centre of which the young queen was seen, firmly wedged against the glass. The parent queen took no particular interest in the dire proceedings, but continued her stately march over the combs, occasionally insert- ing her abdomen into an empty cell to deposit an egg therein. The ball of bees maintained its position for three days, from Friday till the Monday following, when the ball of bees began to relax, and on Tuesday morning, September 13, the mutilated body of the young queen had fallen to the bottom of the hive, together with half a dozen bees whose lives had been lost in the massacre. I placed my ear against the glass, right over the ball of bees, at the commencement, and the sound was most weird and relentlessly cruel ; I could compare it to nothing but the sound of a pack of hounds when tear- ing to pieces the dismembered body of a fox when thrown into their midst by the huntsman. It will be observed that the time from the birth to the death of the young queen was eighteen days. These " notes " would have been made more interesting had the " snap-shots " I took with my camera at vital points in the observation been successful, such as (1) the hatching of the young queen with the old queen a few inches away on the same comb ; (2) the old and young queen side by side on a comb ; (3) the massacre of the two imborn princesses ; (4) the " balling " of the young queen with the old queen close by. Owing, however, to the Jan. 26, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 39 position of the old hive, and other reasons, I- am sorry to say the negatives proved a failure. — H. Samways, Maesybont, Llan- debie, January 17. HONEY AS FOOD. A SUGGESTION FOR COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS. [5778.] May I suggest that our County Associations keep this view of its use be- fore the public in the newspapers? And Gould some one be induced to write articles for it in the monthly magazines? If this were done next summer in time for the fresh honey to be coming in, I expect it would make the demand for honey as food greater, and possibly raise the price with people who do not mind what they pay for luxuries. Another matter bearing on " evolution " if the subject is. not closed. How have Worker bees finally evolved or developed their soi many good qualities, seeing they never breed? If heredity were the sole factor in accounting for everything, in bee- life we should surely have had the sole peculiarities of the drone and the queen by this time, these being the only ones to transmit the generations.— J. P., Corn- wall. HUNTS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. • The annual meeting of the Hunts Bee- keepers' Association was held at the Mon- tagu Institute, Huntingdon, on Saturday, January 7. Sir A. W. Marshall presided. Mr. S. Watts (secretary) read the annual report, in which he first alluded to the loss the Association had sustained by the death of Mr. J. H. Howard, of Holme, one of their most prominent members, and among the first rank of apiarists. The Committee had already expressed their sympathy and regret to the widow and family. Apart from this, the year had been a successful one. The donations and Subscriptions showed an increase, and more money had been paid in prizes than in any previous year. The financial aspect was also satisfactory, there being a balance in hand of £2 Is. lid. The interest in bee-keeping had increased, and the nobility and gentry of the county could be relied upon to continue their support. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts totalled £16 12s. 9d., and that after de^- ducting expenses, they had a balance in hand of £2 Is. lid. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted in Lord Sandwich being re-elected president, and Sir A. W. Marshall chairman of commit- tee, while the committee and district sec- retaries were also re-elected. The election of secretary and treasurer was adjourned. A discussion took place on the question of foul brood, and Mr. C. N. White pro- posed, and Mr. S. Watts seconded, that the Association express itself in favour of legislation relating to foul brood. Mr. Allen Sharp, however, moved an amend- ment that the Association do not approve of such legislation, and Mr. Howland seconding, this was carried. A vote of thanks to Sir A. W. Marshall for presiding concluded the meeting. — (Communicated. ) (ftttrieg and |fogto, [3649.] Moving Bees in Winter. — Would it be safe to move a stock of my bees now, in January, a distance say about 700 yards? They are now in the midst of rubbish heaps made from the slate quar- ries here. If I could move them this short distance I think they could work with more advantage. These heaps, or hills, are much exposed, and there is generally a strong wind blowing, making it hard to reach the fields. — W. Hayne, Delabole, Cornwall, January 16. Reply. — There would be little or no risk in. moving the hives under the circum- stances and conditions. If, therefore, you choose a time when the bees have not flown for five or six weeks, they might then be moved at once. [3650.] Packing Bees for Transit by Bail. —My bees (six stocks) are now located at Coventry, and I am about to remove them a distance of about fifty miles. Five of the stocks are in "W.B.C." hives* — made from illustrations given in B.B.J, a few years ago — and one in a skep. 1. Will you please to advise as to the best way of fixing the bees and preparing the hives ready for the journey by rail? 2. Can you tell me whether there is good bee- forage about Bishop Cleeve, within two miles of the Cotswold Hills?— A. M. E., Bishop Cleeve, January 16. Reply. — 1. Full and complete directions for packing stocks of bees, both in frame- hives and skeps, for travelling long dis- tances by rail, are given in the " Gruide Book," and it will pay you to invest tne small cost of a copy if not already possess- ing one. Such brief directions as can be given in our query column are scarcely sufficient to ensure perfect safety. 2. We are not acquainted with the district named, and so will be glad if some reader better informed will kindly supply the informa- tion our correspondent asks for. [3651.] Using Honey as Bee Candy. — I have a quantity of inferior honey that I wish to make into soft candy. Would you kindly tell me how to use it up in this way?— R T. Ford, Leek. Reply. — Allow the honey to become granulated almost solid, then add to it 40 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Jan. 26, 1905. sufficient castor sugar (pure cane) to knead it into a very stiff paste. It will then be fit for use. [3652.] Insect Nomenclature. — Numbers of insects like the enclosed fly about in our warm sitting-room in the late autumn. 1. Can you please tell me what it is? In flying it sounds like a drone bee. My bees are in "W.B.C." hives, packed for the winter with cork dust round and above, with the hive resting on an "eke." 2. At what date must I remove the latter and set the hive on floor-board? — Mel Rose, Yarmouth (I. of W.), January 17. Reply. — 1. Insect sent is commonly known as the drone-fly (eristalis). It is frequently taken for a drone, bee when; seen, but anyone observing its movements can detect the difference, the eristalis fre- quently alighting on flowers or anything near at hand, which the drone bee never does, [3653.] Moving Bees Fifty Yards.— I have six hives of bees, which at present stand too near the road. I want to put them at the farther end of my garden, about fifty yards away, and so I ask : If the bees are kept indoors by frost for ten days or a fortnight, would it be all right to move them that distance? Your ad- vice in next Bee Journal will greatly oblige. — G., Hants. P.S. — Name, etc., sent for reference. Reply. — The time you name for confine- ment indoors is too short for safety, and it will be needful to take some other pre- cautions to cause bees to note the new location. Place a bit of loose grass in entrance of each hive, not so close as to prevent egress, but to cause the bees to force themselves through to get out. A small branch of a tree laid on flight-board in addition to above will cause the bees to notice the change in location. [3654.] Non-Swarming Hives. — I am a beginner in bee-keeping, and am very much troubled by the swarming capacity of my colonies, each of which usually sends out twoi swarms annually, so that my honey harvest is as a rule poor indeed — ■ sometimes nil. I notice in dealers' cata- logues hives advertised with a " swarm- preventing chamber" placed underneath the brood chamber, and containing shal- low-frames, and therefore ask : 1. What is the real advantage of this appliance? My book (Webster's) does not describe it. 2. Is the appliance in question made portable for use with hives taking standard frames, so that it would fit my present hives by removing the present floor-board and plac- ing the chamber underneath the brood- chamber? 3. Is it necessary to place a board on top of those shallow-frames in swarming time — for it seems to me, from the illustrations, that the work of the bees would be hindered in their movement across the top bars and spaces? I have tried to prevent swarming by limiting the colonies in the spring to six frames; at other times I gave them the full ten, with- out success. The destroying of the swarm queen and putting the bees back is beyond the capacity of a novice in the art, natur- ally.—P. Ashmizil, The Vicarage, Ulrome, Hull, January 20. Reply. — 1. Without knowing what par- ticular "swarm-preventing chamber" is meant — for there are several on the mar- ket— we cannot very well define its advan- tages or otherwise. If you will forward the catalogue or give name of firm, we may be able to help you. 2. One dealer we know of has devised an arrangement that can be adapted to hives of a certain type with little trouble, and no extra ex*- pense beyond cost of the additional device.. 3. No ; not at all necessary. Nor is there any necessity for destroying what you term, the " swarm queen " when returning swarms, unless it is desirable to requeen the parent stock. We fear the book named above is not so comprehensive as might be," otherwise nut much trouble would be ex- perienced in overcoming the difficulties, you name in above queries. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. *** Erratum. — In Mr. W. F. Reid's report on the St. Louis Exhibition (page X,. B.B. J., January 5) the words " thorny appearance " which appes.r in middle of second column should read homy appearance. Geo. Griffen (Clay Cross). — Lantern. Slides on Bees,; — If you are a member of a cqunty B.K.A., the slides of the. B.B.K.A. can be had on hire for a small sum on application. If a non-member, the charge as doubled. L. M. S. (West Clare, Suffolk).— Moving Bees. — Please refer to replies on the sub- ject in our query column in this issue. " War Nap " (Hockley Heath, Birming- ham).— Parasites of the Honey Bee. — : We are much .oliged for extract from. American Naturalist, which is very in- teresting, but it wouid serve no good purpose to publish views on the question of foul brood written thirty-seven years ago. So much progress in scientific re-> search has been made in recent years,, that the subject is now viewed from an entirely different standpoint from that: of 1868. Tasmania (Devon). — Bee-keeping in Tasii mania. — We will forward — for perusal — our file copy of an Australian bee jour- nal if you desire it, and this would afford a good idea of the condition and prospects of the industry in that part of the world. Feb. 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 41 DR. DZIERZON'S BIRTHDAY. On January 16 this venerable bee-keeper entered upon his ninty-fifth year, having been born in 1811. He has been a bee- keeper for seventy years, and has a world- wide reputation for his work in advancing apiculture. The principal scientific dis- covery of his was parthenogenesis — that is, reproduction without fecundation. This was known to exist in other insects in the first half of the eighteenth century, but it was in 1835 that Dr. Dzierzon commenced to think about it, and in 1842 to 1844 he made known his ideas in the Frauendorfer Blatter. In 1845 he published his dis- covery in the Bienenzeitung, and this drew the attention of scientists to the subject. " The Dzierzon theory," as this was called, was subjected to a most searching investi- gation by Siebold, Leuckart, and others, and, although still denied by some, is generally accepted as true. The AUgcmeine Zeitung fur Bienenzucht prints some pretty verses dedicated to this veteran, and also gives, extracts from papers eulogising him at the time of his bee-keeping jubilee twenty years ago, and mentions the honours conferred upon him. We are also sorry to hear that Dr. Dzierzon is at pre- sent unwell, and he has our best wishes for his recovery. DEVON BEE-KEEPERS' ASS< >CIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The seventh annual general meeting was held at Exeter on the 20th ult., the chair being taken by Col. Walker, in the unavoidable absence of the president, Sir Thomas Dyke Aclancl. Bart. Amongst those present were: — Mrs. Holland, Miss Besley, Miss Susan Hole, Miss Pittis, Messrs. Blackmore, Burgess, Catford, Furse, Gos.s, Parrish, Shoemack, F. P. Smith, Spencer, Squire, R. White, and E. E. Scholefield (hon. secretary). The report showed a membership of 361, as against 333 in 1904, and the accounts a small credit balance. The expert visitation last spring covered about half the county, tho number of apiaries visited being 929, about the same as in 1903, while the number of hives was 3,766 against 3,448. Tho percentage of foul brood was higher for the half visited than for the whole county as ascertained in the years 1902-3, bein/ 17^ against 16^. An autumn visitation of the two* worst districts, only the diseased apiaries being visited, disclosed a disheartening state of affairs, considering that in the spring each owner had received personal notice of the existence of disease and full directions as to how to deal with it. Result: — In one of the two districts, out of nineteen apiaries only five had been treated ; in the other, out of twenty-six only eight. Two only of the owners of diseased apiaries were members of the association. Where the advice given had been followed the re- sults were satisfactory. A list of experts showed that since 1898 twenty-three had passed the initial ex- amination, out of whom six had succeeded in obtaining second-class certificates. When moving the adoption of the report and accounts, the chairman remarked that the prosperity and usefulness of the as- sociation rested mainly upon its relations with the County Council. The renewal of the annual grant had not yet been autho- rised but he believed that for the present all would be well. As regards the future, much depended on whether the proposed Bee-pest Bill became law. The County Council being convinced of the ab- solute necessity for legislation had peti- tioned in favour of it. If, owing to differ- ences of opinion or a general apathy amongst bee-keepers, the Bill should fall through, and the County Council decide that they were not justified in continuing to spend public money for purely educa tional purposes, he should find it impos- sible to blame them. The president, vice-presidents, and coun- cil were re-elected ; various local matt ts discussed ; and the meeting came to an end with the usunl voles of thanks. — (Coi.nvu- nicated.) WORCESTERSHIRE P . K. A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above asso- ciation was held on Saturday, January 28, at Worcester. The annual report stated that 771 apiaries, hives, and skeps were examined in the spring, and 926 in the autumn, of which 12.9 of those examined in the spring were infected with foul brood, and 9.5 of those examined in the autumn. Generally, foul brood was less than in 1903. The committee welcomed the action of the County Council in supporting the Board of Agriculture in their promotion of legislation for the stamping out of foul brood. On the proposition of Dr. Walpole Simmons, a resolution was passed in favour of the proposed legislation. The Earl of Coventry was re-elected president, Mr. Moreton was appointed treasurer, and Mr. Phillips secretary. — (Communicated.) 42 THE BRITISH BITE JOURNAL. [Feb. 2, 1905. IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. "Magna est Veritas, et prevalebit." {Concluded from page 33.) We have shown that the chairman's reference to the I.B.K.A. as a dwindling one, and that it also has little influence in the present effort for legislation, was fully justified. It sounds grandiloquent for the editor to quote the remarks of the hon. secretary in the Irish Times, to the effect that "the I.B.K.A. was never so powerful as since it has had its orga-n influencing thousands." The ease with which they talk of " influencing thou- sands" must be amusing to those who know the circulation of the journal in question. The editor, however, gives him- self away in boasting that he is able to give four more pages than any other penny bee paper. Those who know anything about publishing will quite understand that, where there is a limit to advertise- ments, it must be a very small circulation indeed which enables one to do this with- out considerable loss, for were the issue twenty times, as great, the loss would cer- tainly not be small. The only other point needing mention is the editor's criticism of the chairman's/ observation that " it could hardly be said that the Irish Board of Agriculture was in great favour at present, etc." The words quoted were not only innocent enough in themselves, but compare very favourably with the scurrilous language used by the editor of the I.B.J. , who seems to claim a monopoly of criticising this Department. The following extracts from the daily papers will dispose even of this matter, and show the correctness of Mr. Cowan's statements. This is what we find in the Daily Express anent the alleged utility of the Department of Agriculture, of which Mr. Wyndham is President : " Thoughtful observers are becoming more and more convinced that the Department has failed to justify its existence. The Chief Secretary's principal plea for its support is that last year it had been in- strumental in giving 719 lectures, at which there was an average attendance of ninety. But what was the cost of these 719 lec- tures, and their utility? The answer is that they cost the ratepayers and taxpayers of this country some £18,000! Ninety copies of the Farmer's Gazette, or any other agricultural paper, distributed in each district instead would have given many times the amount of information, in a way much more likely to be assimilated, and would have cost £270." The writer Mich u'ocs (in to describe his 'experience of the Department's "Poultry" lectures: "Four lectures were advertised to be de- 1'-" 1 in the local National School-house. Half-a-dozen or so of grown-up people turned up at the first one, and at the sub- sequent ones, when it was discovered that the lecturer had nothing' practical to tell which every woman and child did not already know, the meeting resolved itself into a variety entertainment for songs and story-telling ! For this we pay £100 a year, and travelling expenses another £100." Here is another extract from a cutting sent to lis from Ireland within the last week : " Sir Horace Plunkett's ' Agricul- tural Department ' does not seem to be appreciated by those whom it was intended to help and improve. A lecture was re- cently announced to be delivered in a National School in County Armagh, under the auspices of the Department, the sub- ject being the rearing, feeding, and gene- ral treatment of poultry. The lecture, however, had to be abandoned owing to the organised opposition of a large num- ber of persons who came armed with horns, drums, and other instruments of discord. The objectors give as the reason for their protest that, while these lecturers are practically useless, they are causing an increase in the already large taxation of the country. This seems reasonable, and these people seem to know. Legal pro- ceedings are to be instituted against the ringleaders." These extracts, we think, show that at any rate with some people the D.A.T.I. is not in "great favour at present." We have now given our readers a brief history of the I.B.K.A. for the last four years, and have shown the causes leading to its influence being on the wane, as well as the attitude of the Department towards the agitation for legislation. It will there- fore cause no surprise when we and those who think with us decline to be dragged into an entangling alliance with the I.B.K.A., which we believe would do our cause more harm than good. They will also readily understand that, notwith- standing the " exclusion " bogey raised by Mr. G. M. Saunders, and his equivocating circulars, we have no hesitation in again repeating that there never has been any desire to exclude Irish bee-keepers from the advantages of legislation, and all con- trary assertions are based upon false hypo- theses. That any interference in Irish affairs on our part would only amount to meddlesomeness is certain, for as we have shown, Ireland is quite independent of us, and has a Department of its own, which can do for Irish bee-keepers all that our Board of Agriculture can do for us. Not only so, but although Ireland, as we have shown, has not been excluded from the Bill approved by the legislation com- mittee, it is not at all probable that the measure would be promoted in Parliament without our Board of Agriculture first Feb. 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 43 submitting it to the Irish Department and ascertaining their wishes as to being in- cluded. If they did not desire such legis- lation the Bill would, as a matter of course, have to be amended in the usual way, by a special exclusion clause. We have the interest of Irish bee-keepers at heart quite as much as anybody, but we do not think the bullying attitude of the official organ towards the Department is conducive to tbe best interests of bee- keepers in the Sister Isle, and we regret to find gentlemen of integrity on the com- mittee so influenced as to countenance such tactics. Not content with heaping opprobrium on the Department in their own organ, they must needs introduce the subject at the convention of American bee-keepers at St. Louis, for we find Dr. O J. S. Digges (brother of the editor of the I.B.J.) at- tending this convention, ostensibly as the representative of the I.B.K.A., but ap- parently to advertise the projects in which his brother is financially interested. In a somewhat frivolous address he thus alluded to the foul brood question : " Through this affliction the bee-keepers in Ireland have suffered severely, and are now obliged to introduce a Bill in Par- liament for the purpose of doing what it is the duty of the Irish Department of Agriculture to do, viz., to combat the dis- ease which, through the apathy of the Department, has been allowed to spread through every county in Ireland." Fur- ther on he added : " The Department has steadily discouraged the I.B.K.A. in its work, but the Association will persevere in the hope that, with a change of Govern- ment, the industry may receive more' recog- nition from the powers that will then be." Common patriotism might surely have intervened and prevented such utterances in a foreign country. Compare these and other flippant remarks, fully reported in I.B.J, for November, with the erudite and really instructive report of Mr. Walter P. Reid (page 1 of B.B.J, for January 5), the representative of the B.B.K.A. at the same convention ; a report that must have cost the writer hours of patient labour and study, and some idea may be formed of the relative value of the two Associa- tions. In conclusion, we would say that the B.B.K.A. has always endeavoured to teach bee-keepers to be independent and to rely as far as possible upon their own efforts, and not depend entirely upon Government help as the I.B.K.A. has done. We have, therefore, never had anything like so much help from our Board of Agriculture as the Irish have received from their Depart- ment. On the other hand, the B.B.K.A. has made persistent and costly efforts to obtain the help of the Board of Agricul- ture in promoting the good of the bee-in- dustry in every way consistent with the desires of the majority of bee-keepers. But in these efforts there has been no scurrilous language in the B.B.J, when advocating the claims of bee-keepers, such as is used in the I.B.J., and consequently the B.B.K.A. is in close touch and on the most friendly terms with the Board of Agriculture, and we hope will remain so, notwithstanding the tactics of those who are trying to cause dissension by persis- tent misrepresentation of facts. <&omtymkut The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *** 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. AMONG THE BEES. [5779.] Scouting. — I am not an entire disbeliever in the theory that bees send out a certain number to exploit their sur- roundings before swarming, but I feel morally certain that it is rarely done, and that where resorted to only a very few bees act as scouts. The almost universal rule is that the swarm issues in gay abandon, fully cognisant of the fact that there are hundreds, or even thousands, of alighting places in close proximity, each one of them well suited for a temporary camping ground. By inherited instinct, acquired by centuries of domestication, bees place confidence in man's readiness to provide 'a new domicile when they lick. Scouting on a large scale, unless on very rare occasions, if it ever was a confirmed practice, has been well-nigh eliminated by man's guiding care. Honey. — Solomon says : " My son, eat thou honey, because it is good, and the honey-comb which is sweet to the taste." Mahomet is even more emphatic : " Honey is that sweet and wholesome substance which sustains and strengthens the body, which cures all maladies, a thousand times preferable to poisons administered by the doctor." An eminent physician says several cough cures and salves are based on honey ingredients, and it is an excellent gargle. It is an excellent demul- cent which tends to soothe taken inwardly, an emollient which, when applied to any irritating surface, promotes its healing, a valuable nutriment which supplies a peculiar form of sugar in a condition 44 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 2, 1905. ready for immediate digestion. Children especially delight in this natural sweet, and it supplies a felt want during the period of growth. But for all, it is a delicious and appetising dainty. Olla Podrida. — A census of British bee- keepers would show something like 99 per cent, using dividers in their section racks, and even the hundredth man believes in their use. On the question of the best material we might not have the same unanimity. Some stick to wooden separa- tors and others believe in tin solely. I have both, and see no special drawback to their indiscriminate use. Some wooden ones, however, are so thin as to be short lived, whilst others are so thick as to crowd out a row of sections in a very accu- rately cut rack. Long or " combination " hives are dying out, and a very much smaller percentage of bee-keepers now work them than did about twenty years ago. With some good points in their favour, they are not so manageable, nor are they so convenient or successful in supering as the other style of hives. That mcllifera argument is a poor one, and will not hold water. There is a sweet- ness and euphony about our term metti- fica which will perpetuate its use to the end of time, so I vote for its con- tinuance. I am in love with the new " bady nuclei " of the " Swarthmore " sys- tem, and I should like to learn the results of its use in this country. Some kind Samaritan might take a hint ! I had supposed that foolish canard about sell- ing artificial comb honey was dead as a door-nail, but it seems to have been re- cently " resurrected " in America. Bee-keep- ers, when examining hives in autumn, often rashly conclude that there is no queen because there is no brood. On ex- amination even she is not seen. This arises from the fact that the mother bee is much smaller since she ceased to lay, and may readily be mistaken at a cursory glance for a worker bee. Loolittle testi- fies that large hives are not swarm pre- venters ; that, indeed, he had as many swarms from very large ones as from his normal ones. The only difference was that the swarms came off a week or ten days later. He has even a suspicion that bees are more inveterate swarmers in the large hives. He has also found bees con- tent to go on consigning honev in' every vacant cell in the brood body of deep frames, thus blocking the way for the queen's labours, instead of consigning it to the sections above. In both instances ray experience coincides with his, My bees at no time of the year show any cross- ness but just about when the heather sea- son begins to wane, and then at times I confess to feeling a slight tremor when I have to pass along the line of hives un- protected. Curiously, any necessary manipulation dissipates the feeling. Bosemary. — The Garden says this plant comes far better from a seed than a cut- ting. If a seed can be coaxed to root in a crevice of an old sunny wall it flourishes best, as it likes the lime of old mortar and is far more aromatic in such scant harbourage. Sometimes it can be seen covering the gable end of a cottage to the very eaves, for with a little care and train- ing it will reach a height of 15 ft. " And then how the bees revel in the grey- blue flowers on a bright morning in early spring. For that reason alone bee- keepers do well to grow plenty of it for the excellent flavour which it will give to their honey." I fancy there may be some- thing in the system of propagation and growth here advised, for most of the speci-" mens seen are small and stunted com- pared to the above stately plant. Introducing Queens. — Here is another useful "kink." Somebody about a year ago wrote me that he always introduced his queens in the following novel way. He placed the new one in a cage on an outside comb so arranged that she could not be molested, leaving the old queen still at the head of the stock. Then in three days' time he deposed the old queen and liberated the new one at one opening of the hive. The newcomer, having ac- quired the scent of the colony, was at once accepted without any demur from the bees. A trial last summer proves that it can be done. It has several features to recom- ment it, among them being that there is no interregnum, no cessation of egg-lay- ing, and it has been proved that the new queen has actually been accepted before the old one is deposed. — D. M. M., Banff. FOUL BROOD LEGISLATION. MR. B. E. HOLTERMANN's VIEWS. [5780.] Time and again it has been im- pressed upon me to contribute a few lines on the question of foul brood legislation to the British Bee Journal, and I feel that when so important a subject is being discussed in your columns it may be use- ful to have the experience of those to whom the subject is practically familiar, and I feel it is hardly right to remain silent. I say this because the discussion on your side of the water must of neces- sity be largely theoretical. There is no wish on my part to do more than suggest that the discussion should be free from personalities, because we should give full credit to opponents who are honestly advo- cating from their own standpoint what they believe to be best for the industry, and are, perhaps, more fair and sincere in their arguments than those who sup* Feb. 2, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 45 port us for personal friendship, or those who, through lack of courage or for per- sonal regard, remain silent when they ought to speak out. My name has been mentioned in the Bbitish Bee Journal in this discussion, and, I think unintentionally, in a way scarcely justified. We have in the province of Ontario had our foul brood difficulties, and are having our battles over them. Nor have our diffi- culties by any means been solved, and our battles are not yet over. Thus far I have had the worst of it, and yet behind those who are opposing present methods there are some who need not fear, or feel that their work has been in vain. In any case, they would sooner be defeated in the cause they advocate than triumph in the other. In giving my views, I shall avoid reference to undesirable things by advising a course which I think it well to guard against. We do not object to legislation, as far as I know, there is not one who would do without it. There is a marked improve- ment in regard to checking foul brood since we have had a provincial inspector. The Foul Brood Act we have is better than the work done under it ; by that I mean, the Act has not been lived up to. As a past president of the Association, I hold myself responsible for my share of this condition of things. The Act calls for disinfection of the inspector's person, in addition to the washing of hands, and in my estimation this is not practical. But we have the smoker carried from apiary to apiary, and the point of a knife used to examine cells, and the former never disinfected, the latter carefully disinfected by wiping it on the ground, or perhaps the trouser-leg. Then the inspector tells us that hives need not be disinfected at all ; also that store-combs which contain no honey and have not been used for brood-rearing need no disinfecting,, even if they have been on foul-broody hives. The shaking method of dealing with foul broody colonies practised by Mr. McEvoy is not altogether satisfactory or safe. It is simply giving one shake, putting the bees on empty frames or very small starters, and compelling them to build comb with the honey they have taken from the foul- broody hive. Then, in two days or so, another shake, lest some of the foul- broody honey has been stored. This plan no doubt reduces the risk very greatly, but may not the bees carry off diseased honey sac and again store it ? We have as an association no record of where the inspect tor goes, or when a cure is effected and when not. Surely this should not be? Also, when there is a recurrence of dis- ease we are not informed of it, and it may be attributed to carelessness on the part of the owner, or to reinfection through robbing. But it is known that it may just as likely be the result of failure to recog- nise other sources of infection — through the queen, bees, or failure to have hives or combs disinfected. Professor Harrison, of the Ontario Agri- cultural College, Guelph, Ontario, has done some excellent bacteriological work in connection with foul brood. But Mr. McEvoy — who is the inspector of apiaries — and Professor Harrison are at variance about these possible sources of infection.. Unfortunately, so far the majority of bee- keepers have sided with Mr. McEvoy, and the Government stands in the unique posi- tion of issuing one bulletin which states that the store-combs and hives before men- tioned are safe to use without disinfection, while another bulletin says they are not. The Association and the Government have also been guilty of the unfair practice of publishing the inspector's report and sup- pressing criticism thereon. A certain number1 are fighting for local inspectors rather than one for a whole province. Where good men can be got as local inspectors there is less expense, and as we know well the best season for deal- ing with the disease is very limited, we also know that one man can only be in one place at a time; therefore, unless we recognise more sources of infection, and unless we change our ways, we shall cer- tainly not make much progress. One cause of inactivity in the matter is fear of the inspector. The latter goes about the country at Government's expense, and can make and unmake reputations in a short time. This has been frankly stated to me by men who said I was right, but were afraid of the injury which might be done them. My contention, therefore, is that by having local inspectors the power of all is usefully curtailed. If there is a com- mittee appointed to guide and direct the inspector, they should be strong and firm yet kind, and in the Act and the regu- lations let nothing appear which cannot be carried out, and then abide by them. With the exception of what is stated in Professor Harrison's work, we in this country know nothing about feeding bees on medicated syrup to keep in check or cure foul brood. — R. F. Holtermanx, Brant- ford, Ontario, Canada, January. ARTIFICIAL POLLEN. HOW TO SUPPLY IT TO BEES. [5781.] As the days lengthen and the sun gently woos the early spring flowers into bloom, the little dwellers in the long- silent apiary will again shake off the sloth of winter and venture forth in search of pollen from the early aconite and crocus. Even now the eggs from which will come 46 THE BRITISH — » BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 2, 1905. the first of this summer's thousands of honey gatherers may have been deposited in the centre of the cluster by the anxious mother bee. The sight of renewed activity among his bees naturally turns the thoughts of the bee-man to the coming season, and to the work necessary to make it a success. Pollen his bees must have if large numbers of young bees are to be reared in time to take advantage of an early honey flow. Until natural pollen becomes plentiful in the fields, some sub- stitute is a necessity. Here is my method of supplying it in the shape of pea or rye flour. Prepare a long box, say 18 in. wide and not less than 18 in. deep, so that bees may be well out of cold winds when working in it. Have it put on legs, to keep it well up off the damp ground, and it must be made to fasten down to pre- vent being blown over. Into this fit another shallow box or tray (the bottom of a strong cardboard box with an inch or two of the sides and ends left on will answer), which can be easily lifted out. and put back again as required. Fill the box half full with shavings, and be sure they are sweet and clean. The fine narrow shav- ings often used for packing are best, the idea being to get something that will stand up firm and allow a free passage for bees to work through and among. Over the box a sloping watertight roof should be fixed. This ought to be hinged, so that in showery weather it can be opened wide enough to admit the bees, but still be a protection to them and the contents of the box from sudden showers of rain. At night and on very stormy days this will be closed down, but it is advis- able to have a small aperture always open in the daytime, for when bees once know there is food within • reach they will ven- ture out whenever the sun shines, and if compelled to fly about seeking access to hidden stores, they are liable to drop, and become chilled. Place the box so that the sun will shine into it when, you open up the top, and let it be in a sheltered spot near the hives, but not right among them. If possible, have it placed where the line of flight from the* hives to it will be along- side a sheltering fence' or wall. Should the bees have to cross a wind-swept open space to get to it, many would be blown to the ground and die. Keep your flour in a dredger or tin box with perforated lid, and after fixing up the lid or roof of the feeding box, dust the flour all over the shavings. If, although bees are flying fncly, they do not visit the feeding box, place a piece of comb with a little honey in it somewhere mar. Soon this will be covered with bees, when it should be gently lifted with the adhering bees and placed in the box with the flour. After numbers of them have loaded up and gone home, shake the remaining bees off among the flour-laden shavings, and take away the comb. Having found out the flour, they will work on it with an energy quite surprising to any one who has not tried it. This will continue right on till natural pollen appears in the fields, when no more will be taken. The movements of the busy throng among the shavings will gradually work the flour down in the bot- tom of the box, where, if not removed, it will get damp, and unsuitable for the bees to collect. Each evening after all have gone home, lift out the shavings and the shallow bottom and clean it out. Then next morning lift and fix up the lid and dust in a fresh supply. If a large number of bees are visiting the flour, it is better to dust the shavings at intervals during the day, because if a quantity of flour col- lects in heaps, and bees tumble into it, they are chilled by the cold flour, and being unable to fly until they get it brushed off, they may crawl from the shel- ter of the box on to the ground and perish. See that the bees have access to a supply of pure water. — G. W. Avery, Cocker- mouth. BUCKWHEAT FOR BEE-FORAGE. [5782.] I am thinking of planting a patch of buckwheat with the idea that it may afford a little pasturage for my bees, and also provide corn for my poultry. I should be glad, therefore, if you could give me some information respecting the culture of same, when seed should be sown, depth of soil preferable, and where seed might be obtained. I send name, and sign — Con- stant Reader, Camborne, Cornwall. [We forwarded above to our friend, Mr. Richard Brown, Somersham, who we knew regularly grows a quantity of buckwheat, and he has kindly sent the following in- formation regarding it. — Eds.] Buckwheat (or brank, as it is called in this locality) is extensively grown in our district as a sort of catch-crop where barley or roots have failed, or where old pastures have been ploughed up, and there has not been time to get another crop that would pay as well. It is not affected by " wire- worm," and is a splendid preparation for wheat, as the leaves of the plant drop off when the buckwheat is ripening, and thus form a manure for the ensuing crop. The culture of buckwheat is very simple. A fairly good tilth is required, and sow not later than second week in May in drills two inches deep, about a foot apart. Hoe and keep clean until the plant begins to show the flower. It attains a height of about two feet, and is in bloom — from first to last— about one month. Bees are very fond of it, but they do not visit the bloom Feb. 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BKE JOURNAL. 47 after mid-day. The honey from it is very dark and pungent; but I know a great many people who prefer it to white clover •honey. Buckwheat is an excellent food for poul- try in winter, but should be mixed with other cereals. The best way to give to poultry is in the sheaf, and let them do their own " thrashing." I also find pigs are fond of it when a sheaf or two are thrown into the sty, as it has a soothing effect, and the pigs rest better afterwards. It has the same effect on bees, and when they are working on the buckwheat in the morning you can do all your manipulating with ease ; but do not attempt to disturb the bees in the evening when they have got over their little frolic among the buckwheat earlier in the day. If you make any at- tempt at handling the frames at that time, well, look out for squalls ! In conclusion, I may say buckwheat is a most valuable crop for bee-keepers to grow, and if there should be any difficulty in ob- taining seed, my next-door neighbour, who is a corn merchant, can supjaly any quan- tity from one bushel to 100 quarters, as he has stands at Mark Lane and all the local markets. Any further information you may require I shall be most happy to give. — Richard Brown, Flora Apiary, Somersham, Hunts. CHAPMAN HONEY PLANT. [5783.] Will you kindly allow me to thank the numerous applicants who have written in response to my offer of plants on page 507 of B.J. for December 22? I hope I have sent to all, if not plants, seeds. I would now say that, if by chance I have missed forwarding same to any that sent stamps, if a postcard were now sent I will put the matter right. I might also say to those who got seed, if they have the use of a hand light or frame, or a greenhouse, and sow at once, then plant out in spring as soon as large enough, many plants will bloom same year if treated as a perennial. I might say that I had ap- plications and sent plants or seed almost to all parts of England, Ireland, and Scot- land. It has been a great pleasure to me. to try and help my brother bee- keepers in this way. My fifty-six hives had a grand cleansing flight on January 7. It was like a sum- mer day here. — G. F. Mower, St. Cross, Winchester. FOR AND AGAINST LEGISLATION. [5784.] I am glad you have allowed Mr- Bart left's letter (5774, page 36) re foul brood to appear in your columns, parti- cularly so because his. attitude to the Bee- pest Bill corresponds with my own. I am sorry you did not insert my letter of 11th, because it might thus have been seen that the most extensive bee-keeper in Great Britain, as well as the bee-keeper who holds the record for honey takes (not only as regards individual yields, but for average yield of whole apiary), are both strenuously opposed to the Bill in its pre- sent form. — Lancelot Quayle, Glenmay, Isle of Man, January 26. [Your letter of the 11th was only one of a great number not published for the reasons stated, and we trust that all who have written will see the necessity for closing the correspondence, which was only tending to confuse the issue by its acrimony and reiteration. We trust that all will, however, take the simple means of express- ing their views by writing to one or both of the gentlemen who have taken the trouble to collect votes for or against the Bill. — Eds.] KENT BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. PROPOSED RE-CONSTRUCTION. [5785.] I am pleased to tell you that Mr. Arthur Schofield, of Keston, whose gener- ous offer appeared the other week in the B.B.J. , has fallen in with our suggestion, and is eager to begin work without delay. We purpose getting as many old members as can attend at a meeting at Dr. Gid- dings' residence, Hillside, Beckenham, on Saturday, February 4, at 6 p.m., for the purpose of reconstituting the K.B.K.A., electing a provisional coun- cil, and appointing Mr. Schofield to the honorary secretaryship. I trust we shall be able to' secure a good attendance. I have seen our late hon. secretary, Mr. Brice, who will render Mr. Schofield all the assistance in his power. Of course, it will be no light task, but difficulties dis- appear in proportion to the resolution with which they are faced, and I have great hopes that Mr. Schofield's enthu- siasm will enable him to enlist the majority of Kent bee-keepers in support of his effort.— E. D. Till, The Priory, Eyns- ford, Kent, January 30. , WOOD ANTS. [5786.1 A gentleman, residing in Pen- arth, Glamorganshire, who has made a study of these interesting insects, kindly sends me the following particulars, which will no doubt be useful to " East Kent " (3640, page 9): — "Your correspondent should have very little difficulty in intro- ducing the wood ant into the woods near him, providing the conditions in them are suitable. Much depends upon soil, aSpeqt, and food conditions, and as he says there are plenty of the required ants within short distances of him, it seems likely that the conditions in his particular wood are not altogether favourable, otherwise the 48 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 2, 1905. ants would most probably have established themselves before this. "He should bodily remove, say. half a dozen nests in separate sacks and put each down with as much of its surrounding soil as can be conveniently transferred in widely separated, but so far as he can judge suitable, parts of the wood. This done, the ants should establish themselves without any further attention ; but if they all migrate, it would be fairly certain that the site is not suited to them. New colo- nies will be more likely to settle in a fresh locality than old ones, for it is sur- prising how far ants explore the district around their nests. I have myself traced them to distances of fifty yards, and have read of cases where foragers have travelled distances up to half a mile, and safely returned ; but there is not much trust- worthy information on this point, and un- happily I have never had sufficient leisure to thoroughly investigate it for myself. 'East Kent' asks two questions, and the answer to both is in the affirmative. New nests are most probably formed by fer- tilised females dropping to the ground in August and September after the nuptial flight and establishing themselves in suit- able localities, where they are probably found by a few stray workers from a neigh- bouring nest and adopted by these workers. There are also instances of migration of a whole colony, females, males, and workers, to a new locality. Workers are not neuters in the case of ants ; it seems thoroughly well established that male eggs can be produced by worker ants, and I have myself kept workers in glass covered nests and found them able to produce males. That the wood ant's nest can be transferred bodily to a new locality was shown very clearly by a friend of mine, who, in liis attempt to establish an observation nest, was unfortunate enough to allow them to escape, and discovered them afterwards thoroughly established in his -wood-house, and had considerable trouble in exterminating them." I trust the above information will be useful to "East Kent" and other B.B.J. readers. — H. Samways, Maesybont, Llan- dubie, Carmarthenshire, January 17. LEAFLET ON FOUL BROOD. [5787.] Referring to your very interest- ing articles on the I.B.K.A., and to the leaflet on foul brood which you mention on page 33 in current week's issue, it may be information to some of your readers to know that this very instructive leaflet can be obtained gratuitously upon application to " The Secretary, Board of AgriouHuro and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, Lon* don, S. W. " The envelope need not be stamped. — G. S. Faitnch, Ilford, January 28. A BEGINNER'S REPORT. [5788.] I have been taking the Bee Journal and Becord ever since I com- menced bee-keeping, and have been much interested in contents of both, besides re ceiving a great deal- of pleasure therefrom. Some of these days I will be sending up an account of my little experiences, which might be interesting to beginners. Although only a beginner myself, I have had a bit of the ups-and-downs of bee-keeping ; but am pleased to say that the cash side of my book shows a nice balance to the credit side, but I will give you a fuller account of my doings a little later. — L. B., Workington, January 28. CLEARING OUT FOUL BROOD. [5789.] On page 512 of B.B.J, for Decem- ber 29 last Mr. Woodley states that seve- ral years ago there was foul brood within three miles of his apiary, and that by following advice he then gave to the skeppist bee-keepers whose hives were affected it has been cleared out. If his advice was not total destruction of the stocks, it would be interesting to know what course was advised. By informing us Mr. Woodley would certainly confer a favour on bee-keepers. — J. W. L. (&i\xm fttom ik Mm. St. Austell, Cornwall, January 27.- — On January 25 and 26 I saw pollen being car- ried into two different hives. Is not this unusually early? Good or bad? It seems strange, while bees are pollen carrying here, to read of Mr. Woodley's apiary being ice-bound.— John M. Best. dftocrms and Unites. [3655.] Keeping Bees in Hoof Turret. — I will be much obliged if you will help me me in the following:- — This house has several circular turrets on roof (as sketch, Fig. 1), which at present are not used for any special purjjose. They each have a window 26 in. from the floor, and are entered from the inside of the house by a trap-door, which is just below this window, and the flooi'-space is circular of 4gft. diameter. In view of these particulars I ask : 1. Would it bo practical to keep a bee-hive here ? The hive would have to stand against the wall op- posite to window (to allow of the trap-door Feb. 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 49 opening). The chief difficulty seems to be to provide a covered passage-way from the entrance of the hive to an aperture cut in the window-frame. The hive could, of course, be put on a stand to make it the same height as the window, so that the pas- sage-way could be horizontal, if this would be an advantage. I have several hives out- side ; but this might be convenient for such plans as mentioned in the " Guide Book," page 114, as a lamp or stove could easily be kept in the turret to increase the tem- perature. 2. What should the temperature be for rapid feeding on this plan ? The ordinary outside lifts and roof would be unnecessary, as the turret is quite water- tight ; but I suppose it would be well to wrap the body-box and supers (when there were any) well up in quilts, etc. How wide should the covered way be, and what would it be best to make it of — wood, covered with glass, or three sides perforated zinc, with a wooden floor? The inside of the roof of turret ends in a cone, same as outside. Any help will be appreciated. I send name, etc., and sign — Grip, Aberdeen- shire, January 27. Reply. — 1. Quite practical, but the ad- vantage sought to be gained in carrying out the plan of rapid feeding mentioned in " Guide Book " would be more than counter-balanced by the disadvantages of bees labouring under many difficulties in their high-roof domicile. We should not recommend your adopting the turrets for the jrarpose ; the warmth and rapid feeding in autumn would tempt the bees out, and scores would no doubt be lost in the vain endeavour to reach the hive entrance in high winds. 2. The temperature should be kept at about 65 deg. Fahr. The passage-way to hive need not be more than 4 in. wide, and glass would be the best material for top. [3656.] Buying Land through Societies.— Can you tell me if there is a society through which a person can acquire two or three acres of freehold land, and paying for it by instalments? If so, I will be obliged if you will give me the address of the society through the Bee Journal. — J. E. S., Streatham, S.W. Reply. — We do not of our own know- ledge know of such a society ; but it is pretty certain that a fair percentage of the purchase money would have to be paid in cash, and remainder advanced at in- terest, the society holding a mortgage on the property as security. Perhaps some reader can enlighten "J. E. S." on the subject? If so, will be glad to publish the information in our pages. [3657.] Bees m "Wells" Hives. — As you have so kindly replied to my queries on former occasions in your valuable paper, I am again taking the liberty of asking your advice about two stocks of bees that I have in a " Wells " hive. Of course, they are separated, each having its own entrance. At the end of the season they both had abundance of sealed stores, and I filled the two-inch space all round with fine dried grass to keep them warm during the winter. Of late I have been observing that the bees in this hive come out much more — even on days when there is no sun- shine and the atmosphere not at all genial — than from the hives on either side of them ; and considerable numbers of bees have alighted on the ground and perished. Is it probable that they are too warm, or what may be the reason of their being so much more lively than any of the others ? I have not examined the combs of late, but expect that they still contain plenty of supplies. I would highly esteem any advice or guidance that you could give me in next issue of B.B.J. I send name and sign — Novice, Bridge of Allan, N.B., January 30. Reply.- — It is, of course, possible that the two lots of bees, if clustered together with only the perforated divider between, may form a stronger and warmer lot of bees than single stocks in ordinary hives, especially when packed all round as stated, and the bees may, in consequence of the extra warmth, fly abroad when the other hives are quiet. But we should take the first chance of a warm day to examine the combs, and see how the bees look on them This inspection would do more to explain matters than our views from a dis- tance. [3658.] Measurement of Standard Frame. ■ — I find that in describing measure of standard frame the "Guide Book," on page 37, line 5, reads thus: — "Top bar, 17 in long, § in. thick ; bottom bar, g in. thick ; side bars, 5 in. thick ; the width of all being J in." Now, instead of being § in., I make it exactly 1 in., thus : — Top bar, § in. ; bottom bar, g in. ; two side bars at 5 in. =5 in. ; total, 1 in. Will you kindly explain ? I send name and sign — Inquirer, Tatsfield, Surrey, Janu- ary 26. Reply. — The measurements given on page 37 of " Guide Book " are perfectly accurate ; each of the four pieces of wood of which the standard frame consists being g in. wide. We cannot understand your adding the widths of all four pieces to- gether and saying the width should be 1 in. [3659.] Bees Short of Stores. — I have only two hives, and fed the bees last Sep- tember with about twenty odd pounds of syrup. Fearing they were short of food, I took a peep at them last week. No. 1 had 60 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 2, 1905. scarcely any stores left. No. 2 had one and a half frames sealed food. I gave both two pounds of candy. There only seemed about two and a half frames of bees in each crowded together. They have each ten frames in hives, and therefore ask : 1. Is it possible to winter No. 1 safely? Hives, double sides, single back and front. The alighting-boards seem to have spots of brownish substance on, which the bees ex- crete when flitting about. They have been kept in by cold for some time. 2. Kindly tell me in your journal to what variety of bees the enclosed belong. They are marked Nos. 1 and 2. Those marked 1 seem to be rather vicious when disturbed. I send name, etc., and sign — Querist, Bramhall, Cheshire, January 23. Reply. — 1. The first-named will need a constant supply of soft candy to ensure them against starvation. You might give them in addition a pint of warm syrup about once a fortnight as a further safe- guard against famine. 2. The bees of No. 1 have a slight trace of Carniolan blood ; No. 2 are the ordinary brown variety. [3660.] Dead Bees Cast Out in December. — As' a regular B.B.J, reader, I beg to ask advice : — I have one stock of bees in frame-hive, and on January 25, the day being bright and sunny, I noticed some bees on the wing, flying freely. On the following day, to my dismay, when passing the hive, I found about 200 bees dead on the ground in front of the hive. I am sending some for your inspection, and will be glad to know (1) the cause of death. 2. Do you think they are old, worn-out bees, or are they young ones ? From the same hive I took last year in shallow-frames 25 lb. honey, and afterwards, in the autumn, gave the bees syrup, made as directed in "Guide Book." I have also at the pre- sent time 4 lb. of candy under the quilts, over feed-hole. 3. Kindly tell me what kind of bees these are, whether ordinary natives or not ? I send name and sign — Novice, Potton, January 27. Reply. — 1 and 2. The dead bees are no doubt old and worn-out ones, and need not cause alarm even if so many as 200 are cast out, as the queen, if young and prolific, will soon work up the colony to full strength when breeding time is more advanced. 3. Bees sent are the ordinary brown variety common in this country. You should examine the combs on a fine day to ascertain how the stores are hold- ing out. If there is a sufficiency of sealed food in the hive, it is worse than useless to give candy at this season. *** Some Queries and Rcplies% &c, are un- avoidably held over till next week. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. *** A correspondent, dating from South Kensington, London, writes : — " I am thinking of starting an apiary near Headcorn, nine miles -south of Maid- stone, and should be much obliged if you or any of your readers could tell me whether or not the district is a good one for bee-keeping ; also, whether foul brood is prevalent there? N. W. (Hampstead). — Insurance for Bee- keepers.— The insurance scheme of the B.B.K.A. is hardly intended to cover such risks as causing a nuisance to neighbours, these being dealt with by action in the County Court. The charge under above-named scheme is Id. per hive, with minimum charge of 6d. An extra charge of 6d. is also made to non- members of B.K. Associations, so that a single hive would entail a cost of Is. per annum. G. T. W. (Wimbledon, S.W.).— Arranging an Apiary. — A. space nine yards by six is much smaller than we should like to locate so many as twenty-five stocks of bees in frame-hives upon. We mean, of course, in view of there probably being near neighbours close at hand at Wim- bledon. The idea of arranging seven- teen of the hives in one semi-circular line and four on each side a yard apart, and all facing outwards, is a good one for yourself, as it leaves a free space in centre ; but it would be worse for the neighbours across whose gardens the line of flight would be. You have an experi- enced professional bee-man at Wimble- don, and we recommend your getting him to view the proposed plan, and give advice thereon. Lover of Bees (Mid Yorkshire). — Bees and Hazel Catkins. — There is surely no need for starting a discussion which sug- gests unfriendly contention at the very outset on so simple a matter as that in dispute. It seems to us that the offer to pay any reasonable price for a snap- shot of bees at work on hazel catkins by Mr. Jas. Skinner, of Bristol, need not take the shape of " fighting out the whole matter in the pages of the B.B.J.," and offering a prize " to be called the catkin prize," to be provided by the loser in the battle. We have had contention enough and to spare recently in our pages, so we hope our friends, " A Lover of Bees," " R. R.," "St. Albans," and Mr. Skinner, will investigate the matter in dispute for themselves this spring, and we will be very pleased to publish results ; but we must decline the office of arbitrator between the contending parties as proposed. Feb. 9, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 51 (ftdiiorrai $tiim, kt TONS OF FINEST SCOTCH HONEY ( ?) ON OFFER AT FOURPENOE PER POUND. A correspondent writing from Kent, under date February 5, says : — "Will you kindly give me your opinion on the en- closed sample of honey which I have re- ceived from the firm whose letter I have also enclosed. They state it is guaran- teed to be the product of Scotland, which I rather doubt," etc., etc. After some further deprecatory remarks anent the sample, our correspondent adds : " Do you know anything of the firm ? An answer in B.B.J, will much oblige." Our reply is, we have no knowledge whatever of the firm save wbat we gather from particulars at head of the type- written communication forwarded. The substance of this letter appears below, omitting, for obvious reasons, names and address ; and we gather therefrom that it is a limited company with offices in a well-known business street in the City, the names of two managing directors being printed in the usual way. Nor have we the slightest reason for doubting the respectability and standing; of all concernel. On the other hand, we are simply amazed to see it stated that tons of the " finest Scotch honey " is on offer by a London firm, " packed in barrels at 4d. per pound, free on rails in London." Occupying the position we do as the official organ of the British Bee-keepers' Association and its affiliated county asso- ciations, being also the only paper in the kingdom devoted to the British bee- industry and its interests, we wonder what our readers will think on reading the above, in view of the fact that our pages have been recording a fairly good honey- season last year in Scotland, but that honey has been selling well at very good prices, ranging between 8d. to Is. 3d. per pound. It will most probably be asked : Whence comes the ingathering that allows of such a drop as the price quoted im- plies ? We shall await news from Scotch readers that will let some light in on the subject, and do not doubt it will be forth- coming in a very short time. The letter reads as follows : — " Limited, "... Street, London, E.C., " January 31, 1905. ". . . . Esq. " Dear Sir, — We have to offer just now a few tons of finest honey guaranteed to be the product of Scotland. We can do this packed in barrels at 4d. per pound net, free on rails' London, fourteen days' terms. " Should this interest you, we hope to have your earliest reply. Yours truly, " We add a line giving, as requested, our opinion on the quality of sample sent. It is not, to our mind, so inferior in quality as our correspondent puts it, but so far as it being guaranteed to be genuine Scotch honey, we think the sample is, to say the least, incorrectly described — whether in ignorance or not we cannot of course say. DERBYSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-fourth annual general meet- ing of the above association was held at the Town Hall, Derby, on January 28. The chair was taken by J. L. P. Barber, Esq., and Mr. R. Giles occupied the vice chair, the members present including Messrs.. Stone, Bakewell, Bennett, Pallett, Hen- son, Abel, Martin, Ashworth, Sowter Hill, Richards, Pearman, Rowland, Swain, Durose, Brayshaw, Bollington, Garton, Smith, and R. H. Coltman, hon. secretary. The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Coltman, the secretary, then pre- sented the annual report and statement of accounts, which showed an increase of cash in hand from £9 6s. 4d. to £20 15s. 8d. Owing to the unfavourable season, the entries for the annual show were twenty- five per cent, less than in 1903. Subscrip- tions showed a slight advance, as did in- surance fees and sale of county labels. The experts reported having visited 124 members and 57 non-members in the Northern division, and examined 600 frame- hives and 64 skeps, finding 12 apiaries, affected with foul brood, the diseased stocks numbering 20. In the Southern division 239 visits were made, 181 of these being to members ; 759 frame-hives and 83 skeps were examined. In the spring four apiaries had foul brood, the number of diseased stocks being 11 ; in the autumn, however, 31 stocks were found affected. The present membership is 295 against 313 in 1903 ; there had been 31 new mem- bers enrolled and 49 removals from ' ist- 52 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 9, 1905. The report and statement of accounts were adopted. Votes of thanks were passed to the County Council and the Derbyshire Agricultural Society for their grants to the association. The officers of the association were then elected, his Grace the Duke of Devon- shire being re-elected president. Messrs. Abel, Martin, and G. Richards were elected on the. committee, vice Messrs. Burgin, Poland, and Burdett. The Hon. F. Strutt, J. P., was re-elected hon. treasurer, as were also the hon. auditors and the hon. secretary. The local secretaries were re-elected with the alteration of Derby, Mr. J. Pearman, vice H. Hill. Messrs. T. W. Jones and R. H. Coltman were appointed representa- tives at meetings of the B.B.K.A. The question of foul brood was then brought forward by the hon. secretary reading a letter on the subject from the secretary, B.B.K.A., and the hon. secre- tary was asked to write to Mr. Young, say- ing that the association were in favour of legislation., but the question of supporting any particular (proposed) Bill was not gone into owing to time being too short for proper discussion. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair- man. — R. H. Coltman, hon. secretary, Burton-on- Trent. Otamspotttot. T}ie Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a gnara?itee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *,* In order to facilitate reference, Correwpo-rulentn, ivhen speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on wliich it appears NOTES BY THE WAY. [5790.] The month of February has opened with a few mild sunny days during which our bees have been able to take free flights, arrange their food supply, and in many cases no doubt breeding has started too. 1 judge this to be so by the number of bees at the watering- troughs, which have been covered with bees, and I have had to give a fresh supply of water each day, the bees con- tinuing to carry it off till nearly 5 p.m. — unusually laic at this time of the year. We all owe thanks to Mr. R, F. Holter- inanu for his Idler on page 44 last week. We objectors to foul-brood legislation on this side would rather bear the ills we have than fly to others we know not of. In reply to request of your correspondent "J. W. L." (5789, page 48), who asks how I helped my skeppist neighbours, I have on more than one occasion given the same advice to readers of the B.B.J., how to clear out foul brood in skep apiaries — i.e., use new skeps for your swarms every year and thoroughly scrub your stools or stands with " Condy's Fluid." Then burn the old skeps after " taking-up " time ; never put them outside to be cleaned up by the bees. This done regularly, and in a year or two the pest will be cleared out ; unless re- introduced by robbing-out stray swarms. I have recommended B.K. Associations to give the new skeps to cottagers. They can be procured at 10s. to 12s. per dozen, and the jDoor cottager would gladly accept the practical help and advice of his better- informed neighbour. We must not forget that the wider the honey-bee is scattered, the greater the chance of a better crop of fruit of various kinds and also of farm seeds. We are apt to forget the very great and important part our little labourers take in the economy of Nature. Some may remember the yard square of white clover blossoms left to seed, one open to bees, the other under gauze. One yard produces two thousand odd fully deve loped seeds, the other a few abortive sterile seeds only. The same with apples. Every blossom requires five distinct fer- tilisations to produce a perfectly formed apple. Those ajDples which are out of shape, if cut transversely across, will con- tain perhaps three plump pips and two thin undeveloped pips. This shows that only three fertilisations took place in- stead of five, probably owing to climatic influence, or there may have been honey in only three of the five nectaries. The same applies to bush fruit also, because if bees, through distance and cold weather, are unable to visit the gooseberry blos- som, there will be no fruit. Artificial pollen receptacles will soon be required if the weather remains open as now. I noticed to-day bees visiting the white arabis, a few flowers having burst into bloom. I always use straw skeps for the purpose of pollen-feeding. A handful of the fine shavings used for packing is a good material from which the bees can collect the flour. I use half pea and half wheaten flour sprinkled on the shavings with a dredger. Another method is to fill some clean tough old combs with the flour, and hang them in an emnty hive : the bees in quest of pol- len will soon find out the supply, which should always be placed in a warm shel- tered position, so that the bees may enjoy the energising heat of (lie sun. During the winter months mice will often make themselves very comfortable Feb. 9, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 53 quarters among the wraps and covering on the top of straw skerts ; therefore when bees are flying freely, it is advisable to remove the covers and see if such is the case. Sometimes the mice will even make their nests inside the hive if there is room for them to pass in and out easily ; and when their nests are outside they will go inside the hive for honey and damage the combs by nibbling holes in them. We have not heard anything so far yet about the wide top-bar to frames men- tioned last year. Will those bee-keepers who have given them a fair trial kindly give their experience so far as to good or bad points 1 I had no opportunity of trying them myself last season, as I sold every swarm that came off. I only tried three or four wide frames with a cast, but these small lots late in the season rarely do such good comb building as a good-sized early swarm. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. MY GLASS-SIDED HIVE. [5791. ] Two or three years ago, when first smitten with the " bee fever," I made an observatory hive, of a kind — viz., one with three sides of glass — for my own in- struction and amusement. It was not a very finished performance as a piece of joinery, but it answered my purpose. The hive was made to hold .eleven standard frames in body-box, with room for two racks of sections on top for surplus honey storing. In the spring I united two weak stocks — one of which had just turned out a dead queen — and commenced feeding. This united colony did very well, for, they gave me two swarms ami about twenty pounds of surplus honey, which is reckoned very good for a Lancashire district, where most of the fields around are entirely void of bee-forage. The following are a few of my observations gathered from countless visits paid at all hours of the day to my observatory hive. Light. — Bees are very sensitive to light, and when busy at work do not seem to like it. They get excited, rushing hither and thither, and often resent any attempt to examine the hive's interior. Whenever I opened the back door they became almost mad. and unless I desisted in my attempts to examine combs I got more stings for my pains than was pleasant. Heat. — As the summer advanced the heat in the hive became very great, the glass feeling almost hot to the touch. When winter came on, the interior must have been quite cold, so far as could be gathered from the touch of the glass. Of course, there was always some warmth just round the cluster. I could see no bees then, as the cluster would be quite away from the glass in the middle of the hive, under the warm coverings of chaff-pillows. I ought to mention that there were outer doors to the hive, so that the glass win- dows were not exposed to the cold outside. Swarming. — It is rather amusing at times to read in bee journals about swarm- ing and its attendant evils ; some write and talk as if swarming was the greatest trouble connected with bee-craft that a bee-man has to contend with. As well say it is the greatest evil in the world for married people to have children. It seems to me that if a man kept an observatory hive he wouldn't wonder why bees swarm, on seeing, as I did, bees tightly packed in every inch of space and hundreds hatching daily, with eleven combs full of brood and eggs, and two supers on top equally crowded with bees ; he would know that bees must swarm from sheer want of room. The Queen. — Only once during the whole season did I see the queen, and that was in the autumn, after two swarms had issued and all surplus honey was removed. I saw the mother-bee taking a walk quite alone on the outside comb next the glass. No surrounding attendants were offering her food — as some text-books picture her — nor was she egg-laying. About a fortnight after this the queen was turned out dead, so I joined the bees to another lot in an ordinary frame-hive. Thus ended my first year's experience in "observing." I have still the observatory hive in my garden, but another lot of bees live there now, and I find if you wish to make your nt'i^hbours take an interest in bees and bee- keeping, buy or make an observatory hive, and invite them to come and see the bees at worky You will be surprised what pleasure and astonishment appear in their faces as they see the bees coming and going, running hither and thither among the combs like the busy little labourers they are. — H. Berkley Score, F.R.G.S., etc., Lancashire. FORCED SWARMS. [5792.] On page 469 of the British Bee Journal of November 24 is an extract from the Journal of the Depart- ment of Agriculture of Western Australia on what is said to be a " Canadian method of swarming." I have carefully read this article and must sav that I consider it anything but a satisfactory or economi- cal way of obtaining increase or of pre- venting natural swarming. Moreover, I feel sure that many experienced bee- keepers will agree with me that it is a most wasteful way of attempting to obtain the desired end. A strong colony that is preparing for swarming is to have the frames taken out, one at a time, from the brood-chamber, and shaken " almost free of bees," and then be placed in a new 54 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 9, 1905. hive ; the combs as taken out are to be replaced with frames having starters of foundation. The hive containing the swarm is to remain in its original position. The new hive containing the brood is then to be placed behind it. Now it appears to me that in all probability the few' old bees left with the brood will on their first flight not return to the new hive at all, but to that they are accustomed to ; and as some days must elapse before the hatching young bees are able to perform the duties of nurses, feed the larvre in the queen cells, and that in the combs, or in sufficient numbers to keep up the tempera- ture of the hive, necessary to hatch the brood out ; in the meantime the larvae would be chilled or starved. It is a well- established fact, I believe, that a large proportion of the young brood invariably perishes when removed as above outlined. The plan of artificial swarming I have adopted this year with success is far better than any of those I have previously tried. It is that recommended by Mr. E. L. Pratt in his small pamphlet called "In- crease," a copy of which he tells me he has sent to you, Messrs. Editors. A new hive, containing five frames of worker comb pushed up to one side with a divi- sion board, is fastened with two nails, and a half-inch space left at bottom. The top must have a sheet of enamel cloth tacked with four nails over the frames. The cover on the space not filled with combs is turned back, to give room for shaking the bees into the open space. The bottom must be fastened to the hive and the en- trance covered with a piece of wire cloth. These combs should have a little honey in them but no brood. ' The strong colony from which the bees are taken is to remain in its old position. The bees from four or five frames of brood are shaken one at a time into the new hive, where they will run under the division board and up on to the combs. The cover is then turned back and made secure. Care must be taken not to shake the queen from the old hive, and queen cells must be cut out. All the brood combs are returned to the old hive, where all the brood will surely develop, and in two or three hours the bees will be work- ing as if nothing had happened. The hive with queenless bees should be put in a cool dark place and remain there until the evening. A laying queen may then be safely run in under a corner of the quilt, and all made secure. In order that the bees shall not return to the old hive they should if possible be taken at least a mile away before the entrance is opened, and left there for two or three days, when they may be brought back without fear of losing any of the bees. Should it not be practicable to remove the hive to a dis- tance, the swarm may be kept in a cool dark place for two or three days before setting them out, but the former place is better. If there are no spare combs at hand, four frames of well-wired founda- tion and one comb of honey may be sub- stituted. If they are unable to gather honey the swarm must be fed. If in- crease of colonies is desired this may be repeated in a fortnight without materially affecting a strong colony. The above is a brief description of Mr. Pratt's method, but his pamphlet goes very fully into the minutest detail, so that any novice could successfully adopt, his plan. — John M. Hookek, Philadel- phia, U.S.A. (Correspondence continued on page 56.) HOMES OP THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OP OUR READERS. Mr. Phillips, seen in his apiary on opposite page, needs no introduction from us, the following notes written, at our request requiring no addition unless it be to wish that the cheery little chajJ, with a stocked skep for a garden seat, may be- come as good a bee-man as his father pro- mised to be. He says : — " I send you a few notes of my, as yet, brief career as a bee-keeper. In the spring 1903, I knew as much about bees as they knew about me. I only knew they could sting, and soon got' unmistakable proof of this. Some people told me they never could make bees pay, while others said they did if properly managed. However, I was at length persuaded to try mv hand with them, and I have never repented, for they have been profitable beyond all ex- pectations. I started with one stock, and it did well, for I made over £2 for honey taken from them. I soon got the pro- verbial ' bee fever,' and, as usual, was not satisfied till I had increased my stocks. About the middle of last season I sent for a new hive, bought a swarm from a neigh- bour, and managed to get about 10 lbs. of surplus-honey from it. Then in the autumn I bought four sleeps of bees, with their contained honey, etc. ; two were that season's swarms, the other two being old stocks. These latter I drove, and joined the bees altogether-, and put into a semi- observatory hive, which I had made just before, so that I could study the bees' ways, etc., without disturbing them. " I felt a bit nervous when operating on che first lot as I had never seen bees driven before, but I followed the directions in ' Cowan's Guide Book,' and got through the job all right. That made up three stocks in all, which got safely through the winter of 1903. Feb. 9, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 55 " In the spring of last year I bought two more stocks in frame-hives from a man giving up bee-keeping, the two hivesi and. bees only costing me 18s., and they both did remarkably well, as you will admit when I say that from on© I secured 95 lbs. and a second prize, and from the other about 80 lbs. of honey and two first prizes for sections. So these hives, have paid me back six times over or more. That brought my number of stocks up to five to start the season of 1904 with. I sent you an account of this, season's takings, so I need not repeat it. " I had a rather funny experience of swarming last summer, which may be of out (it was one of Taylor's non-swarming hives, with a drawer below the brood nest) — but I do not use the drawer, in fact, I was advised to discard the under-part ar- rangement as it used to crush so many bees in pulling the drawer in and out, no matter how careful you were. Well, this gave the bees room, they hung to the bottom of combs just like a swarm on a branch. I then opened hive and cut out all queen-cells (ten in number), and put two new frames of foundation in, and gave another rack of sections (they already had two racks on then nearly full) ; I then used the smoker pretty freely and drove the bees up among the combs. A friend called (an Jilt J. E PHILLIPS' APIARY, ASKHAM RICHARD, NEAR YORK. some interest . :— One day I went to see if there were any signs of swarming, as the day was exceedingly hot; but I found the bees in all hives busy at work, and not a sign of swarming. I was just coming away, when all at once I heard a tremendous buzzing, and looking round, I saw the bees rushing out of one hive in thousands ! Not wanting this stock to swarm, I picked up a small pan of water that was handy, and threw it (the water) into mouth of hive. Well, that dousing seemed to stop the out- rush, so I got more water and swished it up among bees circulating in the air above. I kept doing this till most of them re- turned to the hive ; I then took the drawer experienced bee-man) just as I had finished, and he told me ' they would be out again soon'; but I am pleased to say his pro- phecy did not come true, they never gave any more signs of swarming after that. " None of my bees have swarmed yet ; I do my utmost to stop them, as I can get as many swarms as I want from other sources. Next season, all being well, I shall try my hand at queen-rearing, so as to requeen my stocks as required. I have seven stocks to start with next spring, that is if they get through the present winter safely, and I think they will, for I believe in keeping my bees warm and dry, and see- ing they have plenty of stores. Two or 56 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 9, 1905. three shillings spent in extra precautions is a £i saved later on. In fact, I have always found it so in cases where live stock is concerned. Three of the hives I made myself, and all are precisely the1 same size, so that all parts are interchangeable. I believe in having everything of the best, well made, easy to handle, and clean." CO RBESPONDENCE. (Continued from pige 54.) NOTES FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE. BEES BUILDING SQUARE CELLS. [5793.] Whilst melting up the accumula- tion of odd combs and scraps of wax re- cently, I happened to find a piece with square cells* instead of six-sided ones. This had been built by a very late swarm of black bees hived in a cheese-box, and which had been fed with sugar to promote comb building. During August, the beat and insufficient ventilation caused some comb to fall, and amongst it was this piece. Whether there is any more in the hive, I do not know. Owing to its having been rather crushed in the wax extractor, whilst waiting to be melted down, only about a quarter of an inch of the walls on each side remain. The piece has never had brood in it, so the exact angles and shape of cells can be most clearly discerned. There are two rows of square cells, then two of regularly-shaped five-sided cells, and then three more rows 'of square cells. On the other side of the comb, forming the base of the first two rows of square cells., are regularly-shaped five and ordinary six- sided cells, and forming ~he base of. the two rows of five-sided cells are other five - sided cells, but on the other side of the three rows of square cells are other square cells. Parts tf the bases of the square cells on the i no side form the base of the square cells on the other, and meet ex- actly in the centre ; thus, when the comb is held up to the light four miniature squares are seen to form the base of one cell. The tour, five, and six-sided cells are clearly defined, and the square cells are considerably nearer a perfect square than those illustrated on p. 185 of " The Honey Bee," which are more in the form of a rhomb. I cannot see that there was any obstruc- tion or peculiarity of shape in the hive or other combs to give a reason for this shape of cell and the piece of comb is even. When the bees are driven from this box I shall examine all the combs carefully, and if I find any further peculiarity I will not fail to let you know. Is this the result of degeneracy, or are these bees "speculative builders" ? Per- haps "P. M. M." can say. Should you wjf h to see the piece of comb, I shall be pleased to forward it for your inspection. A great many locally have been interested in this. — J. H., Stone- house, Glos., January 31. BEES AND HAZEL CATKINS. [5794.] Referring to Mr. J. Skinner's letter on the above (5772, page 29), I would say with regard to bees and hazel catkins, it often happens that frosts blacken them just as they are in flower. But granted a few fine days without night frosts, bees certainly do collect pollen from them. They also collect it from the humble chickweed and ground- sel. I also note that on the question of cleaning wet combs after extracting, some bee-keepers think it the right thing to ex- pose the frames of comb where bees can freely get at them. This, in my experi- ence, almost* certainly induces robbing ; if not amongst your own colonies, it will in- duce your bees to' rob your neighbours, or vice versa. It is far the best to replace the box of wet combs on the same hive it was taken from, and turn up a small corner of the quilt, placing the super over so that the bees cannot get into the open part of the hive. The super should of course have a quilt on top and be placed on hive after bees have done flying for the clay. That is my experience. But a neighbour who exposes his gives me a rather anxious time. — Practical Experi- ence, North Bucks. REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS. By " Nemo." Sugar in the Apiary. — We find in the li'luinisclie Buncnzcitung a report of a paper read by B. Hiindgen at the meeting of the Rhine Bee-keepers' Society on the value of sugar in the apiary. The wx*iter says that sugar should only be used as food for bees when brood-rearing has ended, and should be substituted by honey as soon as brood-rearing commences. He says that as sugar is not completely con- verted into grape sugar, and that a con- siderable proportion of it remains as cane sugar, which the bees are not able to convert, it is injurious to the larvae, and can only partially replace honey. He also denounces the method of feed- ing bees on sugar-synqo to produce honey. He says that this can only be looked upon as a fraud, because, as he points out, the bees can only convert a portion of the cane sugar of syrup into the grape sugar Feb. 9, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 57 of honey, whereas in the nectar from flowers practically the whole of the cane sugar is converted into grape sugar and fruit sugar. Sugar honey in no way re- sembles real honey, which also has the distinguishing aroma of the flowers from which it is gathered, due to the ethereal oils they contain. It is this complete change of the nectar that makes it so wholesome, as it requires no digestion. Bees are not able to completely convert the cane sugar syrup, hence it is more indigestible, and is no substitute for honey. He called upon the Society to denounce the practice as adulteration. We are glad to find that at last bee- keepers in Germany are beginning to find out the injury that has been done to bee- keeping by using sugar in this way, and we hope that they will also soon discard the use of so-called "fruit sugar," which is nothing but " glucose under another name. Water for Wax-melting. — The question is asked in the Schweitzerische Bienen- zeitung what sort of water should be used for melting wax. The reply given is that in argillaceous and sandy soils, spring or well water should never be used. This water frequently contains ferruginous matters, which discolour the wax. Only with rain water is it possible to obtain a pure product of a good yellow colour. Bee-keeping in Palestine. — An interesting account of bee-keeping in Palestine ap- pears in the Bulletin tie la Societe a" Apicul- ture de la Somme. The writer says that up to 1875 bees were in a wild state in that country, as swarms settled in cavities of rocks and hollow trees. The natives used to look for them and destroy them for the honey, which has always been a staple article of food among the Arabs. A few of the more intelligent had hives in the form of cylinders made of clay and cut straw, and the bees in these were de- stroyed to obtain the honey. Things changed in 1875, when a European family [the Baldenspergers, from Alsace. — Eds. B.B.J.] commenced bee-keeping in mov- able-comb hives. Many of the natives have adopted this system, but have not yet ob- tained as good results as the Europeans, either in quantity or quality. Nectar is abundant in Palestine. The first harvest, which is the most im- portant one, is in April, at the time of the flowering of the orange trees ; the second is in May, from mountain flowers and lavender and rosemary ; and the third in June, from thyme. A good hive will give 90 lb. to 100 lb. of honey. The honey produced by the Arabs is consumed in the country, but the 50,000 lb. of honey produced by the Europeans are exported to Europe, principally to Ger- many, where thyme honey is especially ap- preciated. Wax is not exported, but is used in Jerusalem for making candles, but there is not nearly enough for this pur- pose. The Europeans also do a consider- able business in selling queens, as there seems to be a large demand for them from all countries of the world. Pollination of Flowers. — In the Bulletin de la Societe d'Histoire Naturelle des Ardennes we find an article on the pollina- tion of flowers by insects, by M. Benoit. After explaining the structure of the blos- soms and their special arrangements for fertilisation, as well as the difference be- tween anemophilous (wind-fertilised) and entomophilous (insect-fertilised), he points out that usually in the case of the latter the stamens ripen before the pistils. Where the inflorescence is grouped as in racemes, the lowest flowers are the first to fade, and their stamens ripen before the pistil is fully developed. But the stigma matures at the same time as the stamens of the less advanced flowers higher up the stem. When bees visit such racemes they work from the bottom upwards. This is why a bee covered with pollen from another plant fertilises in touching them the stigmas of the lower flowers, after which it collects the pollen in visiting the upper flowers, and carries it to other plants. There ai'e, however, species where the stigma ripens first, and figwort (Scrophu- laria nodosa) is an example. This is the explanation for this exception : " S. nodosa is one of the rare plants only visited by wasps ; its nectar is not relished by bees. Wasps, when they visit the flowers of a plant, contrary to the habit of bees, com- mence at the top and work downwards. It is, therefore, an advantage for flowers visited by wasps to have their upper stig- mas ripe before the stamens." WEATHER REPORT. Westbourne, Sussex, January, 1905. Rainfall, 1'26 in. Minimum on grass Heaviest fall, '86 on 20° on 27th. 16th. Frosty nights, 18. Rain fell on 15 days. Mean maximum, Below average, 1 '22 in. 439. Sunshine, 87 '9 hours. Mean minimum, Brightest day 18ih, 31-3. 6*5 hours. Mean temperature, Sunless days, 9. 37 6. Above average, 21*7 Above average, 0'6. hours. Maximum barometer, Maximum tempera- 30 95 on 29th. ture, 54° on 5th Minimum barometer, and 7th. 29'23 on 17th. Minimum tempera- ture, 21° on 27th. L. B. BlIUCHTT. 58 THB BRITISH BEB JOURNAL. [Feb. 9, 1905. §nxm mi IMpltfs* [3661. [ Building up Weak Stocks in Spring. — To-day (February 3) being fine, I took the opportunity of examining my two- hives. As you predicted, the driven lot jf bees in skep (obtained late last autumn), succumbed the other week, about two days before the frost broke up. Hard luck ! Would that I had followed your advice and united them with the others. But as I wish to do the best I can with the re- mainder, I will carry out whatever you suggest. No. 1 hive contains, a very strong stock on nine frames with plenty of stores (three combs of honey yet untouched). This colony increased numerically very much last summer. No swarm has issued, and 1 had an idea that they requeened them- selves last autumn, but have no other guide than seeing a queen on the alighting - board go in and come out again. The combs, in three central frames, are inter- locked, and it is difficult to examine. No. 2 hive contains a lot of driven bees ob- tained last autumn. They occupied four or five frames, more or less, but are now crowded on two. I have given candy on top of frames to assist them, and also to- day gave them pint of warm syrup-food (as you suggested to' a correspondent last week). They did not take to it so readily as I expected. Can I assist No1. 2 by means of bees or brood from No. 1, so as to put them in good working order for the sum- mer ? (I mean by putting a frame of bees from the strong hive into the weak one in the course of a few weeks.) I should have liked to utilise the " built out " comb in the skep, if possible. If I work shallow- frames for extracting in No. 1, will it pre- vent them from swarming ? In which case the skep would be useful. I send name, and sign — Apis, Birmingham, February 5. Reply. — The safest course will be to rely on the strong stock for surplus-honey this year. To do as proposed, viz., rob the strong stock to bolster up the weak one, may spoil your harvest from both lots. Remember the axiom, " a strong stock beats three weak ones." If, however, it is shown that the weakness of No. 2 is not the result of a worn-out queen, or of dis- ease, you might give a frame of capped brood to help on the weak lot in spring, when bees are wanted to cover brood in course of hatching. Do not. however, on any account sensibly weaken the strong lot when the honey-gathering time is on. [3662.] Candy Making. — Having from time to time got most useful information from your paper, may I ask your opinion on the enclosed sample of bee-candy? I have previously bought what candy I needed, but to my mind the hobby loses half its. charm if the bee-keeper cannot do everything for himself in matters whereon he gets directions in his bee-books. You would therefore oblige me very much by giving your opinion. I shall have more confidence in giving same to the bees after hearing from you. I enclose card and sign — Yorkist, Heworth, York, Februaiy 1. Reply. — Sample sent is by no means bad ; but you do not say what recipe has been followed. Its fault is being insuffi- ciently boiled, which causes the watery taste and rough grain. Well-made candy should be quite smooth and buttery in grain, like the fondant sugars used in chocolate creams, though rather, more solid than the latter. We are sending you a small bit of candy cut from a sample sent by a well-known bee-keeper recently, to show how well-made candy will keep. The sample being two years old, you will be able to form your own opinion on it after examining. r3663.] Working with "Wells" Hives.— I should be glad if you will kindly favour me with a reply to the following inquiry in your valuable paper, the B.B.J. Would you advise letting one strong stock of bees occupy both compartments, i.e., the whole double brood-chamber of a " Wells " hive (twenty frames) ? At present only one compartment of the hive is in use, the other half being filled up with warm quilt- ing. I send name and sign — Wells, Hert- fordshire, February 2. Reply. — Unless a second lot of bees with queen was hived in the second compart- ment, we should leave the latter unoccu- pied, as it now is. The whole principle of the " Wells " hive is to have two queens at work — each one using one compartment as a ten-frame brood chamber — and allow- ing the progeny of both queens to work in a super to. which both lots of bees have access. If the whole twenty frames are used as a brood chamber, the probability is that a good portion will be used for honey storing. [3664.] A Novice's Queries on Signs of Spring Breeding. — Will you please give me a brief reply to the following questions in B.B.J. ? — 1. Do bees show any outward signs, at this time of the year, by which it is possible to tell if their queen is all right ' 2. Do you advise the use of artificial pollen in early spring, if so, when should I start giving it to them ? 3. Is pollen-gathering a sign that the queen is laying ; if this is so, is it not rather early for breeding to have started the first week in February ? 4. From what source could the bees be getting pollen now ? 5. Is there any dan- ger of robbing at this time of the year ? Feb. 9, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 59 Thanking you for past advice, I send name, etc., and sign — A Novice, Glos. Reply. — 1. To the practised eye it is easy to judge if a stock is not queenless. The novice must judge by activity of bees and by their carrying in pollen in early spring. 2. Yes, if there is no natural pollen near, but not otherwise. If needed at all start at once. 3. YeS; if carried in freely. 4. Willows, gorse, crocus, and most early flowering plants. 5. Early spring is almost as dangerous as autumn for " robbing," and it should be carefully guarded against. <&ihm fttom the pMs. Newmarket, February 6. — Yesterday morning being fine, with bright sunshine, albeit the westerly wind had a keen edge — the bees availed themselves of the op- portunity to take a grand cleansing flight, and for the first time this year made a systematic raid upon the watering-places, which indicates that breeding is under full way, and that the bee-season of 1905 has begun. And here let me advise novices to gently test the weight of their hives, and as soon as weather permits, take a quiet peep at the cupboard of those found suspiciously light. They will be sur- prised at the extent to which the stores of many packed down for winter fairly well provided for have diminished, and unless such stocks are promptly supplied with well-made soft candy a still more unpleasant surprise will be in store for them when April arrives.: — C. H. Bocock. A JAPANESE JAR OF HONEY. Among other interesting things brought to the notice of Mr. W. F. Reid by various exhibitors — when that gentleman was col- lecting material for the report published recently in our columns — was a glass jar of honey on the Japanese exhibit, which, we were struck with, as showing the remarkable aptitude of the Jap in " catching on," so to speak, to what is best in whatever he undertakes. The illustra- tion seen is from a photo takm of the jar of honey mentioned above, and it is certainly one of the daintiest things in this line we have ever seen. The stopper is of thick glass, and is covered with semi-trans- parent waxed paper tied above and below the neck of jar as seen ; the string being hidden by a pale-green ribbon of figured silk tied in bow in front. Bee-keeper s, who market honey, would do well to emu- late the style as far as possible, for there was no sign of leakage, and the jar with its neat label in front is as tasteful for a shop window as can be. iLmf*.X.-=S-9*-. m tz vs #► ' ' -■".'.•• '' JAPANESE HOXEY AT ST. LOUIS. THE MUSIC OF THE BEES. At last we have turned the dark corner of the year, the " shortest day," and sun- rise and sunset will be a minute or two earlier and later. It will be scarcely per- ceptible. For several days, perhaps, we may fail to apj:>reciate the lengthening day. And not until early March we may hear that inspiring murmur. To me it is even morel cheerful than the songs of birds. But skies are threatening, trees are naked, and brown leaves are skipping and rolling along the woodland drives, as if conscious of their mission to nourish and sustain the new growth — their work is not yet done, for they contain, in their withered age, the essence of plant food, gathered and subli- mated from earth and sky. But if one wishes, a month or two hence, to anticipate the spring, see the opening flowers, breathe fragrant airs, and listen to the soothing murmurs of countless bees, one has only to enter an orchard house. O ! that music of the bees ! in the heather and the gorse of the breezy common, among the golden rain of the hazel catkins, and in the primroses beneath. Then under the blossoming a^ple-trees of garden and or- 60 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 9, 1905. chard, while the rosy petals are falling like showers of pearls. By the wayside, when the whole air is full of the scent of blossoming beans and clover, or in the season of the greendrake at the open case- ment of an old inn I know of, when the lindens that border the little God's acre are huge green hives of busy bees. Aye, aye ! " says that dyspeptical pessimist, " but the winter is yet to come." " Well," I answer, " it has come, and half of it has gone ■ — ■ gloomy, fog-laden November and dark December, and now comes the length- ening day." — Luke Collis, in The Echo. PRESS CUTTING. GERMAN APIARISTS GET SUGAR TREE OF TAX. After repeated petitions, German apiar- ists have at length persuaded the Minister of Finance to remove the tax on sugar, used for feeding their bees. This privilege is granted on condition that the sugar be denatured with 20 per cent, of wheat bran and employed under supervision of the Excise authorities. It remains to be seen what effect this lightening of taxation will have on Germany's honey exports. As far as Great Britain is concerned, they have hitherto not been voluminous ; of late years 1899 holds the record with 21,500 kilos., valued at £1,600. In 1901, the shipments dropped to 3,200 kilos., to rise again in the following year to 9,300 kilos. The new German tariff maintains the duty at the old rate, namely £1 0s. 4d.— The Practical Confectioner. BEES AND BATS. " A friend of mine sent me word that one bright sunny morning he was standing by his beehives doing a little gardening, when he became conscious of something that kept flying backwards and forwards over his head. He looked up, and then saw a small bat hawking about in the air. At first he took no particular notice of it, thinking that it was merely catching flies, and it is by no means an unusual thing to see the little Pipistrelle, one of the commonest and also ine smallest of our British bats, flying about in broad day- light, apparently enjoying most thoroughly the warmth of the sun. But, at last, he thought he would see what the little animal really was after, and then he discovered' that it was his bees, ine bat caught as many as it could enjoy comfortably, ap- peared to swallow them whole with the ex- ception of the wings, which it nipped off close to the body, and then disappeared, evidently seeking its usual gloomy retreat, till either it had slept off the effects cf its heavy meal, or until, the shades of night again enticed it forth together with its own and other species. If any of my cor- respondents have ever noticed such a thing before, or if they have seen other kinds of birds besides those that I have mentioned attack their bees, I shall be much obliged if they will kindly let me know." Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. *** Buying Land through Societies. — Re- ferring to query 3656 (page 49), and our request for information from readers, Mr. F. O. Hills kindly writes as follows : — "If 'J. E. S., Streatham,' would aoply to ' Homesteads, Limited,' 27, Essex Street, Strand, W.C., I think he would find what he wants ; but I have no per sonal knowledge of the company named." J. N. W. (Erdington). — Joining County Associations. — The Warwickshire B.K.A. has for its Hon. Sec. Mr. J. Noble Bower, Knowle, who will give you par- ticulars regarding membership if written to. The syllabus for expert's certifi- cate examinations can be had <'nly from the Secretary B.B.K.A., Mr. "Edwin H. Young, 12, Hanover Square, London. Chas. H. Bocock (Newmarket). — Bee Candy). — Your sample is an. excellent candy, one of the best we ever tasted. To be in such soft condition as when re- ceived, after being made two years, is remarkable, we think. Mel Ros^(Yarmouth). — Removing " Ekes" from below Frames in Winter.— The time for this is when hives have their floorboards cleaned in spring prepara- tory to the season's work. W. F. (Havant). — Chapman Honey Plant. — We have sent some seed, and you will find directions for sowing, in B.B.J, -of December 1 last, page 480, which may be had from this office. Honey Samples. C. H. S. (Birmingham). — This is a good sample of tthe heather-honey of which large quantities are gathered i»n some parts of Germany. There are numbers of peasant bee-men who make a living from the produce of their bees gathered from the large tracts of heath-growing laud. None, of this honey is used for the table, being considered too strong in flavour for that purpose, but it is in great demand for making honey-cakes and gingerbread . by confectioners in Germany. Enquirer (Notts).— Your sample is, in our opinion, a South American honey. It may be genuine honey, but decidedly not English to our mind. The flavour re^- minds. us of Chilian. honey as imported. Feb. 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 61 (MicrrraL Ifaitccs, &c. "FINEST SCOTCH HONEY." TONS ON OFFER IN LONDON. We are not surprised that the few ob- servations we made in our last issue regarding the offer of a few tons of finest Scotch honey, by a London firm, in bar- rels at 4d. per lb., has brought forth a characteristic reply from a prominent Scotch bee-man, who is one of the largest honey producers in that part of the king- dom. Mr. Wm. McNally — whose letter appears below — is above all things prac- tical, a fact well known to readers of our journals for over twenty years past. His moderately-worded letter is, therefore, all the more welcome because of its coming to the point at once so* far as regards locating the county in Scotland where the honey has been gathered. His question is, more- over, so simple and easy to answer that the firm concerned will, no doubt, be able to settle the point at once, and by so doing may — all other things being as stated in the letter quoted — secure a cus- tomer for a ton of honey at the price stated. Mr. McNally's letter reads as follows : — " Sirs, — We Scotch bee-keepers have been treated to a surprise in last issue of B.B.J., page 51, by the announce- ment that Scotch honey is at present offered in London by the ton at 4d. per lb. Without more definite informa- tion, I think there must be some serious error in the statement, but I shall be pleased to hear from the firm in question, if they are prepared to supply me with one ton of ' finest Scotch honey ' at 4d. per lb., stating at same time the county in which it was gathered, and enclosing a sample, with any other particulars. — lam, yours truly, William McNally, Glenluce, Wigtownshire, February 10." Since the receipt of the above, we find our esteemed Scotch correspondent, " D. M. M. ," makes a forcible reference to the above in his article on next page, and we shall take care that full particulars are brought to the notice of the firm whose letter, on page 51, has caused the com- motion, and we shall hope to have a reply which will satisfactorily explain matters so far as the source where the honey on sale •has been gathered. HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of January, 1905, was £674. — From a return furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. REVIEWS. Baby Nuclei, by " Swarthmore," published by E. L. Pratt, Swarthmore, Pa. ; crown 8vo, price 2s. — This is a neat pamphlet of thirty-two pages, describing what is known as the " Swarthmore " method of queen- rearing in nucleus-hives. For these instead of employing ordinary hives he uses small boxes taking from one to three small section-box combs with a mere handful of bees for the sole purpose of mating queens. The method has been described and illustrated in our pages, but this pamphlet contains addi- tional information and more illustrations, which help one> to understand its working. Special interest is attached to this pam- phlet, as in addition there are fourteen half-tone plates from photographs by our old friend, Mr. J. M. Hooker, so- long con- nected with the B.B.K.A. , and who' is now residing in Philadelphia, but who takes as much interest as ever in bee-keeping in this country by frequently contributing to our pages. It was he, also, who made us first acquainted with the " Swarthmore " method of queen-rearing. Bee-Mves and Bee-keepers' Appliances; edited by Paul N. Hasluck, published by Cassell and Co., Limited, London ; foolscap 8vo, price Is. — This little work of 160 pages is one of a series of handbooks edited by the editor of Work. It contains in a form for convenient use a comprehensive digest of the descriptions of hives and appliances that have appeared in the columns of the weekly journal called Work. There are four chapters dealing with hives, of which full descriptions are given, and the dimen- sions are set forth on the illustrations, and details figured. There are also chapters on observatory hives, smokers, extractors, and miscellaneous appliances, with full directions how to make them. To the amateur who> is fond of making his own hives and appliances this book will be of use, as it contains 155 illustrations, and most of them have the various dimensions marked upon them. Abeilles, Tresor des Montagues, by the Abbe Gouttefangeas, The Hermitage, Noire- table, Loire ; price 30 centimes (3d.) of the author. — This is an interesting pamphlet of forty-seven pages, divided into fourteen chapters, and is written principally for those inhabiting mountainous countries, where bees have to endure greater cold than in the plains. In it he explains why straw sleeps yield such poor returns, and advocates the use of movable-comb hives, which are described and their manipula- tion explained. The practical work in the apiary during the whole year is given, and we are pleased to see so much information in so concise a form. 62 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 16, 1905. (&om%pnkut The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will b* taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *** In. order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will obHge by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on which it appears AMONG THE BEES. " FINEST SCOTCH HONEY ",(?): A PROTEST. [5795.] I beg to protest in the most emphatic manner against the statement, or even assumption, that genuine Scotch honey (thanks for your interrogation mark, Messrs. Editors) can be bought wholesale, much less retailed, at 4d. per lb., as stated on page 51 last week. I could use very strong words on the subject, but they rarely do much good, so I will merely give my own experience to show that even clover honey sold at three and a half times that price. I disposed of all my clover honey at lOd. per lb. at an early date, sending consignments of over 100 lb. to Glasgow and even to Manchester. The latter was retailed at Is. 2d., and the finish and quality secured a second order in amount about double the first, which, unfortu- nately, I was unable to fulfil, although I made inquiries from Scotch bee-keepers all round, as everybody had sold out at a good price. Some of those I appealed to named a smaller figure than 8d. for comb- honey, and most sold at lOd. I need not mention heather honey, as it went off at Is. to Is. 6d., and tons could have been, disposed of at the lower figure. Now, if my honey can be sold (I take it as a typical case) at Is. 2d. in the centre of England, does it stand to reason that " finest genuine Scotch honey " can be sold at a price which enables it to be offered wholesale at 4d. per lb. ? There is " something rotten in the state of Denmark " if this is so. I said I would refrain from strong words, but this I must say, that I have not heard of any Scotch bee-keeper selling, even whole- sale, at less than 6d. , and I will be very much surprised if I do hear. I hope he will let me know his name and address ! Let us have figures on the subject from John O 'Groats to Maidenkirk, as a pro- test against the slur being cast on Scotch honey. Readers should inundate the B.B.J, office with their prices. Celluloid for Bee-Keepers[ Use. — About half-a-dozen years ago this material was introduced to the notice of bee-keepers by Mr. Walter F. Reid, and its praises were then sung somewhat enthusiastically by many, but I am not aware if it has estab- lished itself on a large scale in the hive interior. My attention was lately called to it by a visit I paid to an apiary where it is freely used, as quilts, dummies, queen- excluders, and for section-racks as windows. Indeed, it was very much in evidence about the hives and appliances. By its use I was enabled to have a peep at the denizens of about twenty hives, even on Christmas Day, without in any way disturbing the bees. Every hive had a winter-passage across frames covered with this substance, and bees could be seen wonderfully active for the season when any jar drew their attention to the fact that they were being spied on by strangers. I rather liked the idea all over. Being a non-conductor of heat its use for such a purpose must be better than glass. It does not snap as the latter does, nor does it condense moisture in the hive interior. I am inclined to sub- stitute it in all my section-racks and crate- ends for glass. Honey seen through it looks very well, and bees working on sur- plus receptacles will appear to advantage. Perhaps some of those who use it exten- sively might give us their experience. Frame Clamps. — The same bee-keeper has a clamp for his frames with which he fixes in the foundation rapidly and effec- tively. Being made on a gauge they bring just sufficient pressure on the frame-top to keep all taut until the bees build out their combs and get rid of any chance of a breakdown, when they can easily be slipped off and kept for future use. The idea is a good one, I think. It is cheap, easily applied, and seems effective. Bee-proof Thread. — Has this material — also first brought to notice by Mr. Reid — proved a reliable substitute for wire in " wiring " frames when full sheets of foun- dation are used ? I remember some years ago it was. highly recommended as thoroughly efficient, our editors, amongst others, bestowing on it their approval. Again, a report on its success or non-suc- cess would be welcome. Square Cells. — Every bee-keeper handling -much comb will have noticed many irregu- lar cells in the frames of most hives, but I have never seen any quite square, or even quite approaching that figure. Generally, I think, the great majority of these anomalies may be traced to faults in the foundation and not to the bees. Might I suggest that to the breakdown, mentioned by "J. H.," page 56, may be probably attributed these particular cells? I have noted a crack in brittle foundation at times results in transition cells, and a change from worker to drone comb. I'nlh n Feeding. — As feeding will soon engross the attention of bee-keepers, I would call special notice to the excellent contribution of Mr. Avery on this sub- Feb. 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 63 ject, page 45. I have marked it for future reference, and will apply it an early date. I find that when bees get a fine day on the crocus blooms, if some of the artificial pollen is placed in the cups, they get familiarised with its use and more readily resort to the old skep redolent of honey, or the box with the piece of comb inserted as a bait. Young bee-keepers should care- fully study the admirably-ingenious man- ner in which bees load up their pollen baskets from this artificial source. The action of the cunning little artificers is most interesting. A feeder is also on the market allowing of a supply of pollen when spring stimulating, being given inside the hive, a separate chamber being run off for its storage. Bee Statistics. — That these are not always thoroughly reliable, the following showeth : — In a late issue of Gleanings, " Stenog," in one of his "Pickings," gave what pro- fessed to be a reliable table recording the number of hives in the different European countries. Amongst them, Russia was returned as possessing 110,000. A few numbers later, appeared something like a positive statement that they number 5,000,000 — or nearly fifty times the other estimate. Surely someone has blundered ! The discrepancy is too great, although one means Russia, and the other Greater Russia.— D. M. M., Banff. EXPERTS AND FOUL BROOD [5796.] Perhaps the most frequent ob- jection which lias been raised to proposed legislation against foul brood is the alleged danger of the dissemination of the disease by those who, in the event of such a Bill becoming law, would be entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out its provisions. When one considers the extremely con- tagious nature of foul brood, caused as it is" by a spore-bearing bacillus which is extremely resistant to the action of heat and antiseptics, it will readily be under- stood that the disease may occasionally be conveyed from one apiary to another by even the most careful of experts, just as any other infectious disease may, in spite of precautions, be carried from one house to another ; but I hesitate to believe that this often hajapens, and I do not consider it a powerful argument against the em- ployment of experts. There is another way in which the ex- pert may be the unwilling carrier of dis- ease. It is at least probable that foul brood is sometimes present in a hive which is apparently perfectly healthy — that is to say, the disease is not act ire. The conditions at the time prevailing in the hive may not be favourable to the rapid development of the bacilli, owing. peihajjs, to the stock being too strong or the bees too vigorous and healthy ; or, again, possibly to the presence of naphtha- line or other antiseptic in the hive. Con- sequently the germs will be in the quiescent or resting state, i.e., there will be no bacilli present, but only spores, which, as we know, are far more danger- ous to handle than the bacilli, owing to their great resisting power. The expert, then, manipulating a stock in this condition, is facing an enemy which he cannot see, and incurs all the risks consequent on such an action. This only emphasises the need for con- stant care on the part of the expert, who should handle all stocks as if they were diseased, and who should be assiduous in attention to details of cleanliness. And here let me remark in passing that the in- discriminate use of naphthaline may pos- sibly not be the unmixed blessing we have hitherto considered it. Such an agent cer- tainly does not kill spores, and probably only retards or temporarily prevents the development of bacilli, allowing the dis- ease to again advance when the supply is exhausted. More important still is the surmise (for it is only surmise, though argued from knowledge of what does some- times happen with other bacteria) that the disease may be masked by the use of naph- thaline, and hence a false sense of security felt, much as a householder whose drains are offensive fancies he is doing away with the evil when he pours a pint of dilute carbolic or shakes a little carbolic powder down the drain, there to mingle with a few million gallons of sewage. He thinks that because he cannot smell it the nuisance does not exist, and so we are apt to think that because we cannot see disease it is not there, when perhaps careful bacterio- logical methods might reveal it in its most resistant form. So far I have tried to show that the ex- pert may sometimes be a medium for the transmission of foul brood, quite apart from anv negligence on his part ; but there remains yet another and more potent factor to be dealt with— the " dirty " expert. In my own experience I have usually found experts to be conscientious in the discharge of their duties, and careful and cleanly in their methods ; but without doubt there are to be found others to whom the adjective "careless" would more properly apply. Such men are undoubt- edly a distinct source of danger to the bee keeping community, as ineir very office admits them to so many apiaries and favours the rapid spread of foul brood. Such men should be weeded from the ranks of experts. The existence, then, of certain dangers being admitted, as they will be, I think, 64 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 16, 1905. even by experts themselves, shall we not better direct our energy to devising means calculated to minimise them as far as pos- sible, rather than employ our time in dis- paraging or condemning in a wholesale fashion the work of experts ? It is with this object that I venture to throw out one or two suggestions, hoping to invite further suggestions and criticism. The B.B.K.A. issues its various certi- ficates to those candidates only who, at the time of examination, are found to be pro- ficient and up to the standard required. Obviously the Association — not keeping in touch with its experts subsequent to ex- amination— cannot ensure their being always thoroughly up to date ; neither can it guarantee that any individual expert will in practice carry out the theoretical knowledge lie is known to possess. But there are certain regulations, which, if adopted by the parent Association, might go far towards eradicating incompetent or careless experts, and I venture to suggest the following regulations as tending in that direction : — 1. A complete register of experts to be kept by the Secretary of B.B.K.A. The register should state: — (a) Name and address. (6) Certificate held — 1st, 2nd, or 3rd — with date. (c) Appointment then held (if any). (d) Previous appointments held (for the information of county secretaries, etc.). (e) Record of any complaints, etc., and whether sustained or not. 2. The register to be revised once a year, and a copy sent to all secretaries of County Associations and County Councils employ- ing experts. 3. All appointments to be notified by secretaries and by experts themselves fox- approval by Council of B.B.K.A. This clause is intended to keep the register up to date, and also to safeguard secretaries and others against the employ- ment of experts who may for some reason or other have been suspended or removed from the register. 4. Any expert to be liable to suspension or to have his name erased from the regis- ter for misconduct, inefficiency, or gross carelessness. Every certificate issued to be endorsed to that effect. The Council of B.B.K.A. already have the power to forfeit certifi- cates, but the case would often be met by a caution, followed on a second offence by temporary suspension, and subse- quently by removal from the register. Moreover, it is not an easy matter to for- feit a certificate ; T presume it cannot be taken away by force, consequently the regulation is inoperative, and there is nothing to prevent an expert whose certi- ficate has been nominally confiscated by the action of the B.B.K.A. Council from using that same certificate to obtain fresh employment. If, then, all County secretaries and others requiring experts will engage only those whose names appear on the register, as is. the custom in most professions, the hands of the B.B.K.A. will be consider- ably strengthened, and " undesirable " ex- perts will be gradually deleted. If, as some appear to think, there are a considerable number of experts who are careless and slovenly -in their duties, surely it becomes the duty of those who come in contact with them to report them to headquarters, so that the Council of B.B.K.A. may exercise their powers in the interest of bee-keepers generally. 5. Every expert, on receiving his certifi- cate, to receive also definite instructions and suggestions as to the methods of per- forming his duties approved by the B.B.K.A. These instructions should deal specific- ally with the subject of personal disinfec- tion, and generally with the many ways in which an expert may make himself use- ful to his clients and advance the cause of bee-keeping. 6. Every expert should be required to register within a certain time of receiving his certificate. A small fee might be charged on regis- tration, to cover postage of fresh regula- tions and suggestions from time to time. Every expert should also be required to notify change of address. The question of the personal cleanliness of the expert is one about which much has been written in the past ; it is, however, a subject of such interest and importance that I shall be pardoned for reopening it to express views, some of which, founded mainly on a fair acquaintance with bac- teriology and the action of disinfectants, I do not remember to have seen expressed in your pages. It is advisable, I think, always to wash the hands before as well as after examin- ing the stocks in an apiary. The reasons for washing beforehand are twofold: — 1st. To remove any germs which may have been accidentally deposited on the clothing and thence transferred to the hands. 2nd. As a measure calculated to inspire confidence in the owner of the apiary as to the careful methods employed by the expert. It must be remembered that the owner did not see the expert wash on concluding his previous visit, but if he wash before commencing work, the owner has the evi- dence of his own eyesight, and knows that the expert is taking reasonable precau- tions. Feb. 16, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 65 At the present time there is, it seems, seme lack of confidence in experts in cer- tain quarters, and it lies chiefly with the experts themselves to show that this is unwarranted. The hands should, of course, always be washed immediately after examining a diseased stock, even though the stock to be next examined should be known to be affected, and for this reason :■ — Tt is well known that the virulence of different races of the same bacillus varies enormously. As in one epidemic of scar- let fever or small-pox most of the cases are severe, whilst in another epidemic the cases are chiefly mild, so with foul brood we sometimes see one apiary affected with a mild form of the disease, which appar- ently has little tendency to become severe, whilst another apiary may show the dis- ease in its most malignant form. This condition of mildness may be alto- gether apart from any consideration of preventive or curative treatment or of the natural immunity enjoyed by strong stocks of healthy, vigorous bees, but is undoubt- edly often dependent on one or all of these conditions as well. It will be seen, then, that it is quite possible for a malignant form of foul brood to be engrafted on a mild case owing to carelessness or want of forethought in this matter ; therefore, I repeat, always dis- infect the hands after handling a diseased stock or infected appliances. As to the method of disinfection of hands, it is hardly practicable to go in for the same elaborate technique as is pur- sued by a surgeon for sterilising the hands before operating, nor is this necessary. Foul brood germs are all we are anxious to be free from, therefore what matter if we dry our hands on an unsterilised towel, though the latter may teem with other bacilli ?— T. S. Elliot. [We are compelled to hold over the conclusion of Dr. Elliot's valuable paper till next iceek. — Eds.] BEE NOTES BY A BEGINNER, [5797.] I began to think of keeping bees early in 1902, so first of all invested in the "Book of Bee-keeping," by Webster. I read this through several times, and found many difficult points becoming clearer as I re-read the work. A neighbour who pos- sessed a skep promised me a swarm, so I hastened to follow the advice of " having the hive waiting for the bees, not the bees for the hive," and, in view of the future, purchased a " W. B. C'hive, veil, smoker, feeder, and other accessories. Having painted the hive well, and carefully set it out level, I waited patiently for the bees, but in vain, as they never swarmed. The time was not wasted, however, as I read all I could and made myself thoroughly conversant with the construction and working of my hive. I visited the " Royal Show " at Carlisle, and spent a lot of time among the bee-keeping exhibits, learning much that has been useful to me since. In the spring of 1903 I bought two stocks of native bees in boxes — not on frames. One of these stocks I placed above the frames of the " W. B. C." hive, and the other I allowed to stand as it was. All was going on nicely, and the bees had just commenced to draw out the foundation in the frame-hive, when, one hot July day, I carelessly left the roof off the hive, and the sun's heat melted all the comb-attachments. This caused such a wholesale destruction of bees as I do not wish to see again. I set to work, cut out the brood-combs and tied them into the frames ; not an easy task for a beginner, but I managed it. This was such a set- back that I got no surplus from that stock, though they gathered sufficient for their own needs, and for those of another lot which J. drove and united to them in September. The stock in the other box swarmed three times. Twice we hived the swarm, but both times the bees returned to the parent hive in the evening. The third time they clustered at the end of a branch of a tree more than 20 ft. from the ground. After trying in vain for two hours to get near the swarm we left off to have dinner, and on returning to our task found the bees had gone back to their old hive. A bee-keeping friend helped me later on to transfer them into a " Wells " hive which I had had given me, and they swarmed no more ; but my troubles with them were not over by any means. Several times in August I examined the frames, and, finding no brood, concluded they were queenless. So I sent for a queen, but the " dealer " to whom I wrote neither sent a queen nor returned my money. Judge of my surprise, when, after a fort- night's absence from home, I looked in again and found a nice patch of brood ! This stock yielded no surplus, but they gathered sufficient stores for wintering on. In January, 1904, I began to take in the B.B.J., and soon afterwards bought Mr. Cowan's "Guide Book " and " Honey Bee," which have been exceedingly useful to me. Last season I was not altogether free from misfortune, losing a fine swarm from the "W. B. C." hive early in June. I took the stock out of the "Wells" hive, as it needed some repairs, and put them into a single hive. This stock did not swarm, although I saw several queen-cells capped over. I can remember how pleased I was when I first saw a queen bee, having quite despaired of ever being able to find her among the hosts of workers. The calm way in which one is directed "to find the 66 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 16, 1905. queen and remove her " has caused me no little amusement, after having hunted all through the hive and never caught a glimpse of her. I had a visit from our Association expert in July, and from him gathered much valuable information. I told him I was thinking of changing my strain of bees, as they were very vicious ; but after he had looked in the hives he advised me to put up with a little bad temper, as they were doing very nicely. Although 1904 was reckoned a bad year, I took over 90 lb. of comb-honey from my two stocks, which quite satisfied me, as I expected none from the " W. B. C" hive after losing the swarm. My home is in a valley near the " fells," and there are acres of heather within half a mile, but last year the honey from this source was a negligible quantity, owing to the cold, dark weather of August and early Septem- ber. I disposed of forty-eight sections wholesale at lOd. each, but most of the others were unsaleable owing to the ad- mixture of honey-dew. Last September I drove three skeps and put them together in one side of the " Wells " hive, with my No. 2 stock in the other, as I was told they might winter better in the double hive. I now wish to put them into two hives of " W. B. C. " pattern, and shall thank you to let me know when will be the best time to trans- fer, and also if I should place one hive on each side of the " Wells," put the bees in, and then take the " Wells " hive away. I am looking forward to the coming honey season, which I hope will be a good one. There is no foul brood just here, but I have heard of it at places about five miles away, and trust it will come no nearer. -^T. W. P. [The two stocks may be put in separate hives any time during March or April. If the bees of both compartments of the " Wells " hive are clustered together on both sides of the perforated divider, it will be advan- tageous to leave them as they are till the weather becomes settled and warm, as they will now be mutually helpful in promoting breeding by clustering together for warmth. — Eds.] BEES AND HAZEL CATKINS. [5798.] Referring to Mr. Skinner's letter re "Bees and Hazel Catkins" (5772, page 29), let him come to the " Home of the In- valid"— viz., Sidmouth — and I will show him, while the present delightful weather lasts, thousands of bees just revelling in " hazel catkin " blooms daily. Apart from < .-. < n seeing the bees at work, could any one who studies the subject think for al moment 1hat the bees would be foolish enough to leave these catkins, with their wealth of pollen, to perish without a visit? It may be, perhaps, that Mr. Skinner is in a neigh- bourhood where the bees have some better source of supply than the hazel catkins, and, of course, in that case, they would choose the better part. — F. J. G., Sidmouth, February 13. WATER FOR BEES. [5799.] Being a constant reader of the B.B.J., I see many things worth knowing, and I was wondering the other day, while watching my bees taking their supply of water, whether it would be of any interest to your readers to know the way I supply them with water. Seeing that they require such a large quantity at this seaison, it must be to the advantage of bee-keepers to see that the bees can get a full supply without losing their Lives, so I resolved to try a new plan this spring, and I find it answers very well indeed. My plan is to place about half an inch thick of cork dust on the top of the water. This makes a perfectly safe drinking place for the bees to stand on. I poured some boiling water over' the cork dust, thinking it might re- move all impurities that might be injurious to the bees ; but if there is no use in doing this, I will be glad to know. I have tried tea-leaves in shallow dishes with broken crocks in them, but a good-sized bath or pail, holding several gallons of water, used as above is far better. I must also thank you for your past favours, especially for sending seeds of Chapman's honey plant, which I am now about to plant in my little greenhouse. I hope this will be a better honey season than last, especially round this district, as I got no surplus at all in 1904, while I got ninety 1-lb. sections from one hive the previous year. — G. D., Chelmsford, Feb- ruary 15. HONEY-YIELDING FLOWERS. GROWING FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. [5800.] I must thank you for seeds of "Chapman's honey plant." It has oc- curred to me that a collection of the best honey plants might be grown for educa- tional purposes, especially at schools where apiculture forms a part of the curri- culum. During the coming summer I am anxious to try the experiment of growing such a collection, and I should be deeply grateful if you would kindly suggest a list of plants we might try. I send name, etc., and sign — Nectar, Dunmuw, Essex. I'.S. — 1 trust the Editors will be able to pay us a visit during the summer and see the results of our experiment. [We have forwarded a very full list of Feb. 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 67 honey-yielding flowers compiled by our Senior Editor some years ago for Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Reading, from which a selection might be made of the best, ac- cording to honey and pollen values respec- tively, as given. If an opportunity offers in the summer, we shall be very pleased to see the result of your experiment. — Eds.] HELPFUL EXPERIENCES. GETTING SECTIONS FINISHED OFF. [5801.] I had a useful bit of experience that may help others : — I wanted some sec- tions from one hive " which seemed the best and clearest," but they were only three parts filled, and very few of the sections were capped over. I wanted them for the show, which was in three days' time, and, as bad luck would have it, the weather turned dull and cold, and the bees would not fly. I was in a fix how to get these sections finished off in time for the show day, and this is what I did :■ — There were two> racks of sections on ; the top lot, which were rather dark, I took off, and bruised the capping of the six outside sections in the other super by drawing the flat blade of a knife over the combs, pressing on fairly hard, which broke the walls of cells, and started the honey to run gently. Next day I had a look at them. What was my surprise to find it was answering the pur- pose. The bees had shifted all honey from damaged combs, and, as luck would have it, they had not carried much down below, but had nearly filled the other sec- tions, and several of them were capped over. The damaged ones they had mended up, ready for use again, but these I took out and replaced with some others, which I served the same. Next day I took super off, and found I had eleven splendidly- filled sections (I took one from another lot to make up the dozen), which, to my surprise, took two first prizes at show. I netted both firsts for sections, and second for extracted honey. Not so bad out of three entries, was it ? I am also fond of experimenting. I would spend £1 to get a, shilling if I could gain the rest in knowledge. I ex- amined hive next day and found brood- nest full of brood and sealed stores, so that accounts for the bees not storing much below, for no doubt some of the honey ran down into the brood chamber. Do you think the following will be of any use to brother bee-keepers ? — It is the way I make my quilts for covering. I send you one for inspection ; it will explain it- self better than I can on paper. There are, as you see, four or five thicknesses of felt stitched together ; the under ticking is tacked on separate, so that it can be changed when covered with propolis. The extra size of felt on top can go between brood-box sides and lift or roof, as tho case may be, or else fit extra tight to sides on the inside. The lid of feed-hole can be pressed in tight (and being stitched on cannot get lost or mislaid), then it does to cover supers. In fact, I find it answers all purposes, with very little trouble. I have only one quilt to handle instead of three or four. I have made similar quilts for all my hives ; they are very little trouble to make, and any odd bits of car- pet or felt will do ; if one piece is carpet, it gives it a firmness which all felt would not. You have not to disturb the bees if you want to put a feeder on. The other thing enclosed is a winter passage way ; it fits under the quilt, and you would hardly tell it was there. Any one can make them. All that is required is four narrow strips of wood and two bits of tin (cut from a mustard tin). It this is put right under feed-hole in quilt, feeders will stand quite firm. The other tiling is a divider I put together. It answered fairly well, but as I did not try it under very good conditions, I cannot say if it will be a success or not. I shall give it a fair trial next season, and let you know the results. If any one else likes to try it, so much the better. The idea is to give the bees plenty of room and passage ways among the sections. I send stamps and should like you to send me the things back, any time at you leisiu*e. — J. E. P., Askham Richard. [ The felt quilt is well adapted for the purpose, and for a careful, painstaking bee- keeper will be very useful. We fear that most readers will practise more rough-and- ready methods than yourself ; but, all the same, tidiness is a great point in a good bee-man, and it is evidently one of your strong points. The divider will, we fear, be less satisfactory in working, though in- geniously contrived. The bee-space will be unreliable by reason of the thin zinc buck- ling and spoiling the bee-space in this way. A further trial will, we think, bring out its faults. The winter-passage is good. — Eds.] ANCIENT BEE LORE. [5802.] In glancing through an old book, published, I think, some time during the 18th century and entitled " Saxon Leech- doms, " I came aci*oss two charms, "For Catching a Swarm of Bees " ami " Againsl Loss of Bees," which have come down from our Saxon ancestors. They may, possibly, already be familiar to you, but in case this is not so, I fchoughl they might interest you. ami possibly some of your readers (if you care to publish them), so am sending you a copy of them. 68 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 16, 1905. — E. K. H. February 10. Brondesbury Park, N.W., Copied from: — " Leechdoms, Wort- cunning and Starcraft of Early England, being a Collection of Documents for the mo&t part never before printed, illustrating the History of Science in this Country be- fore the Norman Conquest." "Charm for Catching a Sivarm of Bees. " Take some earth, throw it with thy right hand under thy right foot, and say : ' I take under foot, I am trying what earth avails for everything in the world, and against spite and against malice and against the wicked tongue of man and against displeasure.' " Throw over them some gravel when they swarm, and say : ' Sit ye, my ladies, sink, Sink ye to earth down ; Never be so wild As to the wood to fly. Be ye as mindful of my good, as every man is of meat and estate.' ' "Against Loss of Bees. "... A plant of madder on thy hive, then no man will be able to steal them, the while the plant is on the hive." BEE-KEEPING AS A BUSINESS. There are probably some readers of the Review who are keeping bees in a small way only ; and there may be some of these who are thinking of going into the busi- ness extensively ; and some of these may be asking themselves : " How shall I learn the business?" If there are any such, I know of no better advice than that given years ago by Mr. James Heddon in his book, "Success in Bee Culture." On this subject he says: — " When one has decided to adopt bee- keeping as a business, the question may then well be asked, 'How shall I com- mence?' I will give you my opinions re- garding* the subject — opinions based on experience. " In these remarks I shall suppose that the sole purpose of adopting our pursuit is that of making money at a reasonably agreeable calling. For all other classes I have nothing to say. But now let me consider the best way to get properly started in fch.3 business. With this, like all other pursuits, the very first acquisi- tion needed i.s a knowledge of its laws and principles. With this knowledge you will know how to choose a good field. You will know enough to choose one that is un- occupied, and that you can likely hold sole possession of. Besides these basic principles, you will have an understanding of the detail manipulation of the apiary. Now, in my judgment, the best way to get possession of this knowledge, which is absolutely necessary to success, is to do just as you would if you were going to practise law, ship-building, rearing silk- worms or speckled trout, viz., engage your- self with some experienced and successful business man of the same calling, and with him and his fixtures study the business both in theory and practice. You will get your theory from the best literature upon the subject, and social converse with your employer. This will increase your talent. You will get your practical know- ledge, made up of thousands of methods, styles, and movements, by working at the business and among its fixtures. That knowledge will increase your tact. Now, the reason why I suggested the successful man only is because this tact is usually found in company with success — in fact, it is a parent of success, and is to a cer- tain degree catching, and the ways and means adopted by the man of tact are authors of success. " During this apprenticeship you must mingle your thought with you labour in a proper degree, for in the business you are as much a student as an apprentice. After you have spent one or two seasons (according to your aptitude) in this way, you are competent to start in the busi- ness, with a capital which will support you and yours, and command your best mental and physical efforts, for most of the year. If you have not the capital, you are fitted to command wages in advance of the common labourer, and if acquaintance has inspired your employer with full faith in your integrity, you can likely get all the capital you need, to accompany your strength and skill. Many offer bees for sale, but I want to tell you that if I could get competent, honest men to work for me, at wages hinted at above, or work an apiary on shares, I could make more by not selling a bee, but placing my surplus stocks in another unoccupied field, with this employee to handle them. " I give it as my solemn conviction that no man should ever attempt this business that has failed in all others in which he has been engaged. The bees do not ' work for nothing and board themselves ' ; that 'small children' and 'invalids' are not eminently adapted to honey production. Experience has taught me that if there is any business in this world that demands industry, skill, and tact to ensure success, it is this of ours. By attending conven- tions, visiting bee-keepers, and entertain- ing many who visit me, 1 have learned that successful apiarists, as a class, are more than ordinarily wide awake and intelli- gent. Feb. 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 69 " The beginner almost invariably wants to know how many pounds of surplus honey he may expect from a hive in good season. Why does he not ask how many pounds in a bad one? Really, why does he not say how much is honey worth on the markets of the world ? Is it likely to hold up to that figure? How much do you think it costs to produce honey per ton? Do you know of any good, unoccu- pied fields? About how many pounds of surplus do you think such a field would yield annually on an average? What would be the best number of colonies to keep to secure it? And a whole lot of such questions as these. " Now, honour bright, would not these questions be more likely to be correctly an- swered by some experienced producer than any one else ? If I should hear a young man asking questions like these, I would feel sure that he had served at least a year with some experienced apiarist, and not in vain either. " I believe that no business is less adapted to becoming a side-issue or ad- junct to some other than this of ours. On the other hand, I think it will become a specialty with the successful ones, and these men will be men of energy, intelli- gence, and tact. " The days of dabbling along with two or four colonies, picking up bee-wisdom, throwing away one and making another style of hive each year, are nearly over. " Seventeen years ago I began bee-keep- ing in this way. The production of honey has increased many-fold since that time, and the profits of the same have greatly decreased. Had they been no greater then than now, I think my attempts at apicul- ture would have proven a failure. I am positive that had I then apprenticed my- self to some such successful apiarist as Adam Grimm, who, it is said, cleared $10,000 in one year from his large apiaries, I would, ere this, have no further need for bees, nor their product." — Bee-keepers' Review (American). dtdurts turn ik lines. Whitfield, Axminster, Devon, February 13. — To-day the sun has. been shining brightly and bees were working merrily, 60 I took a peep inside four of my hives and was delighted with their condition. Three of them had started breeding nicely, and all looked full of promise. I am look- ing forward for a good year after noting the way in which they have been working. Wishing every bee-keeper a good year. — G. R. T. Hildenborough, Kent, February 13. — On examining the combs of four hives, for a friend, in. this village on February 4, I was pleased to find the bees all strong and doing well, three of the stocks having brood in all stages on two frames each, while the fourth and strongest hive had brood on both sides of four frames. This, I think, looks well for the coming season of 1905.— W. W. <$«*r«s and Hqrltts. [3665.] Advising Beginners in Bee-keep- ing.— Will you kindly tell me what I ought to do with my wooden hives ? I have had bees in them for three seasons. Should they be cleaned out; and if so, will you tell me when and how to do it? Is it advisable to use old sections which have had the honey cut out a previous season, and do you recommend using arti- ficial comb? Apologising for troubling you. — K. C, Dover, February 8. Reply. — Hives stocked with bees re- quire to be cleaned up and all debris cleared away from floorboards every spring, or before the busy season begins. As above queries clearly indicate you have had no experience in bee management, and read nothing on the subject, we strongly recommend the purchase of a " Guide Book," without which little pro- gress can be made or success hoped for. It is quite impossible for us to teach be- ginners in the limited space of our query and reply columns. [3666.] Loss of Stocks in Winter. — I ex- tracted the enclosed sample of honey from combs of one of two hives, the bees of which died this winter, leaving me with only two of the four stocks packed last autumn. I thought that both of the hives in question had an unhealthy smell at close of the honey harvest, particularly the one from which sample of honey was taken. And the bees of latter appear to have died in hundreds, lying head fore- most in the cells. There was over ten pounds of sealed food in the combs, but no brood, and the bees had hardly touched the syrup offered them in feeder, which, I am afraid, was too thin. The hive in ques- tion also contained a great many drones, which I cannot account for. I also found the queen dead in the middle of a cluster of dead bees. 1. Can you tell me the cause of death ? 2. I should also be much obliged if you will say in B.B.J, whether the honey as sample sent is of any use for feeding purposes in the early spring. I would also like to know (3) if the best way to make good my loss would be to buy new stocks, or allow my remaining two 70 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 16, 1905. hives to swarm. I prevented swarming last year by putting supers on early.. From four hives I got 160 lb. — not bad for this part of the country, I believe. All my hives are home-made, and one has a lead roof, so that it seems to get dangerously damp inside, so much so that I. have to change the top quilts pretty often. 4. Do you advise stripping the roofs? Thanking you for the valuable advice received from the columns of your excellent journal, I send name and sign — Bienen-Vateu, Roundhay, Leeds, February 9. Reply. — 1. The symptoms point directly to starvation, but details given make it more than probable that the hive was queen- less last autumn. 2. Sample sent is almost wholly honey-dew, and is only fit for bee- food. 3. If honey season is good this year you will wish to have stocks rather than swarms, and vice-versa. It is a matter of choice. 4. Cut vent-holes at each end. [3667.] Best Locations for Heather Honey. — Seeing that no one has taken any notice of my remarks and request under " Heather Honey " (No. 5746, page 8), I will feel obliged if you will give me your opinion on this — what I consider an important matter — viz., the best part of moors to send bees to.^A. R., Ross-shire, February 14. Refly. — The best moors to send bees to for honey gathering are those of the Scotch Highlands where the true ling (Galluna vulgaris) grows by the acre. It has been maintained, by those who are best informed on the subject, that the choicest heather honey is gathered in the higher altitudes, the flavour being considered by many to be superior to that gathered on the Lowland moors of Scotland and North of England. [3668.] Bees Found Dead in February. — On looking at my bees I find one stock dead. They were well wrapped up, pro- perly protected from cold and wet, and there was plenty of sealed honey in the last three frames, to which the bees had access. I may say there was no food on five front frames, which hang parallel to hive entrance. I found the doorway to hive quite stopped up by dead bees. I en- close piece of comb for inspection. Please reply as to its condition next week if pos- sible.— G. H, Hinckley, February 8. Reply. — Comb sent shows no sign of disease, the cells being entirely devoid of either brood or food. Where dead bees are found by the dozen in cells, head fore- most as in sample, it is a sure sign of death from hunger, and as the sealed stores in the hive were in the roar frames the bees have died through inability to reach the food. The objection to frames hanging parallel to entrance entertained by most experienced bee-keepers is fully borne out by the mishap to your stock. PRESS CUTTING. A LIVING HONEY-STORE. The honey-bearing ant of Southern Mexico and Colorado works at night, storing the honey in curious fashion. After a foraging expedition on the plants of the Schrub oak, the worker ant, on its return, forces the honey by muscular contraction from its mouth into the crop and abdomen of the "honey-bearer." This crop is walled by ten muscular plates, and is capable of great expansion. When filled the abdo- men becomes extraordinarily distended, the " bearer " resembling a sac of amber- coloured honey, with the head and thorax like small appendages On one side. The " bearers " being rendered almost helpless by this change of condition, are carefully attended by the other ants, and kept in suitable compartments; where, cling- ing to the roof, they hang down like amber globes. The ants, as they need food, apply their mouths to those of the "honey- bearers," when a slight contraction of the muscles forces out minute drops which are licked off and consumed. These ants are used by the natives of Mexico as dessert to their feasts, the honey being extracted by pressure between the teeth. -^—Pearson's Weekly. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirer?. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, "or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We with 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 aluays be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the rtceipt of their communications. T. N. L. (Trelewis, Glam.).— Mead Mak- ing.— Your sample is a nice palatable mead for table use and, if, as. we ex- pect, it improves with age, it, will be very good indeed, such as most con- sumers would appreciate. M. S. (St. Ives, Hunts.).— Foul Brood Legislation. — Discussion on this subject being now by general consent closed for the present, it could serve no good pur- pose to publish suggested improvements on the Draft Bill now before county associations. New ideas will only add to the unfortunate " diversity " of opinion which you justly deplore. Therefore, the best — indeed, the only — course now is to get the opinion of county B.K. associations on the Bill approved by the committee duly ap- pointed to deal with it. *** Some Queries and R'plies, &c.t are un- avoidably held over till next week. Feb. 23, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 71 (Mitoral, $fatim, &t BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the Council was held at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on Wed- nesday, February 15, Mr. T. I. Weston occupying the chair. There were also pre- sent the Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh, Messrs. D. W. Bishop-Ackerman, R. Brown, W. Broughton Carr, E. D. Till, F. B. White, W. Woodley, and the Secre- tary. Letters apologising for enforced ab- sence were received from Miss Gay ton, Mr. T. W. Cowan, and Mr. W. H. Harris. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Edgar Ernest Brown, Somersham, Hunts, was duly elected to membership. The report of the Finance Committee was presented by Mr. Weston, together with a List of cheques required by the Committee, and was formally approved. Applications for grants of medals and certificates were received from the Confec- tioners' Society, and the Royal Lanes Agri- cultural Society, and agreed to. It was resolved to hold the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 16, to be followed as usual by a " Conversazione of Members." A meeting of the Bee-pest Legislative Committee was afterwards held, when fur- ther replies from County Associations and County Councils were received. It was de- cided to address communications to County Councils in districts where no Associations exist (in affiliation with the B.B.K.A.), and to make a further attempt to get replies from other centres in the hope that the Committee may be able more nearly to ascertain the extent of support accorded in favour of the proposals. THE CLAUSTRAL VENTILATED HIVE AND DETENTION SYSTEM. It is quite time that the readers of this journal should be made aware of an addi- tion to our hives devised, by a French bee- keeper, Monsieur l'Abbe Gouttefangeas, who has recently described his system in a book of 272 pages, entitled " Ruche Claustrante et Methods CJaustraJe," J.-M. et J.-B. Gouttefangeas, published by Charles Amat, 11, Hue Cassette, Paris VI., 1905 ; price 3.50 francs. From this interesting work, which has already attracted much attention, the illustrations that accompany the present article are taken. By means of a thoroughly darkened and peculiarly ventilated ante-chamber, the inventor enables us at any moment to con- fine a colony to its hive without causing excitement amongst the inmates, who can be detained there under healthy condi- tions for a considerable period. The ad- vantages of this power are many, and they will be considered later on. Not the least is that of being able to keep at home the eager workers who, yielding in early spring to the temptation of a bright and steely sky, sally forth never to return. Numbed by the cold wind, some perish far from the hive ; others, missing the alighting board, fall to the ground. What bee-keeper has not grieved for these vic- tims, many of them young and active and laden with pollen ! M. Gouttefangeas, who resides in a mountainous district, at- tributes much of the dwindling that occurs in hive population both in spring and autumn to this mortality. To confine bees in an ordinary hive with- out detriment is an impossibility. With closed doors they soon suffer from want of air and the heat caused by excitement, and are ""-stifled. If perforated metal be substituted, they crowd towards the light and choke the entrance, which in any case must soon be encumbered by debris and the dead bodies resulting from natural casualties. The inventor of the " Claus- tral " hive meets the difficulty as follows : His ante-chamber, placed in front of the entrance, runs the whole width of the hive, and may be detachable, provided that it be so arranged as to fit close on to the hive walls, or, what is perhaps better, may be part of the hive, as in Fig. 1. The ordinary porch forms the roof ; two sides are added, or may be supplied by prolong- ing the outer walls of the hive ; and the front is closed by the alighting board, which, working on a long hinge specially devised for keeping out the light, can be raised and pushed back till it fits into recesses cut in the sides and roof, and thus completes the darkness of the enclo- sure, and seen in Fig. 2, where a detachable detention-chamber is shown, closed as just described, the under side of the alighting board being furnished with battens to pre- vent warping. The dimensions of the detention-chamber used by M. Gouttefan- geas are:— Width, that of his hive, 17| in. ; mean height, 10| in. ; depth, 2|in. ; capacity about 7 quarts; but he particularly states that although he has given his system some three years' trial, with gratifying results, he prefers not to lay down definite rules for its application, which can be varied to suit any kind of hive. So far, then, we have the means of pro- ducing an artificial night. The bees are not confined xoithin their hive; they can patrol in front of the entrance in their usual fashion. There has been no cause for excitement, and at their will a fair proportion of the inmates can camp out- 72 THE BRITISH- BEE JOURNAB. [Feb. 23, 1905. side. Nothing is now needed but good ventilation to' keep the colony cool and comfortable*,- and in this provision lies the chief merit of M.. Gouttefangeas' inven- tion, for the detention system is in itself no great novelty, having been advocated for some time past in Germany and else- where. The desired -result is achieved by using about 4 in. When thus in place the lower- most of the rows of holes pierced in each chimney should be just above the floor of the chamber, and close to the entrance' of the hive. In the experience of the inventor, two such chimneys suffice to keep the hive pure and fresh. Longer chimneys would pro- duce a stronger draught, and may be used Fig. 1. — "Claustral" Hive (Dadant-Blatt) with Two Ventilating Chimneys. perforated metal chimneys and aerating channels of various kinds, but all so con- structed as to be practically impervious to light. Two of the former are shown as in use in Figs. 1 and 2, and one separately in Fig. 3. About 1 in. in diameter, and 2 ft. to 2g; ft. long, they are pierced in six or seven circumferential rows of from eight to ten bee-excluding holes each, with an interval of about nine-tenths of an inch between each row. Two chim- neys, provided with movable hoods to keep out the snow, are used for each chamber, their position being about 4 in. from the nearest side of the chamber, and two- fifths of an inch from the hive proper. They the front wall of arc inserted from above through corresponding holes in the roof and floor, and are fixed by some simple means, so that each end projects if not objected to as unsightly. For addi- tional ventilation, aerated tubes and con- duits may be employed, and arranged in any position in the sides, floor, or roof of the detention-chamber, or, as M. Goutte- fangeas proposes, in any convenient place within the hive itself, or in the lifts or supers. Their exact shape is immaterial, but their universal principle may be gathered from the metal aerating door shown in Fig. 4. Most of the conduits are in one piece ; the door is made in two, and the tube, of one half projects so as to fit into the tube of the other and ensure exclusion of light. The tubes are square in section and open at each end, so that a current of air is always passing the perforations in that side of the tube nearest the hive cnl ranee. The upper part of the doors Closed Detent ion-Cliambei Feb. 23, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 73 runs in a groove arranged in the hive wall. JSuch doors may be used for tem- porary purposes, or for longer if combined with interior aerating conduits, but they do not take the place of a detention-cham- Fig. 3.— Ventilating Chimneys. ber. Conduits for use within the hive are detachable for cleansing, and can be closed by metal slides. English bee-keepers will be disposed to view perforated ventilators with disfavour on the score of propolisation, and there is no denying that in the hive proper they emitted by the tube, or the absence of odour, is a good test of the conditions within, while a further diagnosis is avail- able from the concentrated sound con- veyed to the listener on tapping the sides of the hive. It might be supposed that a confinement prolonged well into spring would be pre- judicial to early breeding and the general advancement of the colony, but if we are to credit our author — and his book, be- sides being very agreeably written, con- veys an impression of thorough sincerity — the contrary is the case. Colonies so protected come out unusually strong, due care being given to keeping up a constant supply of syrup or sweetened water by means of the bottle-feeder. Previous quilts are recommended to assist in gentle aeration, while, as regards temperature, the antechamber seems to have a moderat- ing effect. Although by the provision of Nature bees when in a state of quiescence are able during long periods to dispense with evacuation, it is well to allow them an occasional cleansing flight on favour- able occasions, when the corpses that, owing to the usual casualties, will have accumulated in the antechamber can be conveniently removed. The less the ex- citement the less the consumption of stores and the necessity for flying. Let us now consider the detention-cham- ber apart from its special service as a pre- ventive of spring and autumn dwindling, and rather as a structural feature of the hive, an entrance hall generally standing open. In all cases where the temporary confinement of a colony is required so as to accustom the bees to a new situation the addition must be valuable. Such are : 1. To shift the position of a hive at any time and for any distance. 2. To cause bees to remain in newly es- Fig. 4.— Two-piece Ventilating Door, one half heiog inverted. Elevation and Section. will sooner or later be propolised, though the event may be delayed by smearing them with carbolised vaseline, or possibly there may be some better remedy. In the detention-chamber, outside the hive pro- per, propolisation need not be feared, and it may be said at once that M. Goutte- fangeas has kept his hives closed right through the winter, and, the bees having been allowed an occasional cleansing flight, up to the main honey flow without detri- ment, and with no more ventilation than that afforded by the chamber itself. During such confinement the odour tablished nuclei or in new habitations in natural or artificial swarming. 3. To stop robbing by confinement of either the robbers or the robbed, and this either at home or in a new position. 4. To confine certain colonies during manipulation, or when outside feeding is contemplated. 5. To enable a colony in case of bee-pest to be isolated • and dealt with indepen- dently and effectually as regards feeding. Comment would be superfluous. Claus- tral hives and detention-chambers adapted to all kinds of hives are manufactured 74 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 53, 1905. under the French patent, and supplied by M. Gilbert Gouttefangeas-Charlat, of La Verniere, pres Noiretable, Loire, France. I am glad to learn that Mr. Cowan is obtaining specimens and hopes to exhibit them at the B.B.K.A. annual general meeting in March next, when the merits of the invention and its adaptability to English hives can be freely discussed. M. l'Abbe Gouttefangeasl writing from l'Her- mitage de Noiretable, informs me that he is prepared to dispose of the patent rights for Great Britain and Ireland. — H. J. O. Walker, Lt.-Col., Leeford, Budleigh-Sal- terton, February 13. [By the courtesy of the inventor we have been allowed to reproduce the accompany- ing illustrations from his book. These are copyright, and must not be reproduced. We have also in preparation a series of illustrated articles describing the system more fully.— Ebs. B.B.J.] <&mmpnkMt The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. NOTES BY THE WAY. [5803.] The fortnight of mild weather has invigorated our bees with new life, while the sunshine has opened the crocus-blooms a month earlier than usual ; the increasing numbers of bees at the watering-places also show that breeding has commenced in many colonies. In our own apiaries artificial pollen (pea flour and wheaten flour mixed) has been sprinkled on a few wood-shavings in an old skep and placed in a sheltered, sunny spot. A hasty glance at a few hives in my out-apiary showed some good-sized patches of brood, and an extra wrap was carefully tucked over the others already on for adding to the warmth. It is a good plan at this season to pack down closely sheets of newspaper over the quilts for keeping bees warm at this season, cover- ing the frame-tops carefully before replac- ing the loose wraps or chaff-cushions to pre- vent any loss of heat from the brood-nest ; also close the entrance of hive to 1£ in. for the next month. Bees and Hazel Catkins. — After careful watching, I have never observed bees work- ing on these catkins in this part, and have thought it strange on seeing the large amount of pollen going to waste when the March winds have shaken the plentiful pollen-grains into the vertical flowers of the hazel. Nature, however, has thus provided the method of pollination without the aid of the insect in the production of nuts. It cannot be safely said that bees never visit or collect hazel-pollen ; but after many years' watching I have failed to find a single bee working on the catkins. Scotch (?) Honey.— Thanks, " D. M. M.," for your protest on page 62. I trust the source of this parcel of honey may be traced, so that bee-keepers and honey- consumers may be informed as to the dis- trict in which it was gathered, as requested by Mr. W. McNally on page 61. The price it is offered at, in my opinion, noints to over-sea production, where rent, rate, and tax collectors bother not, and honey- flows last for the best part of the year. Watering Troughs. — The watering method described by " G. D. " on page 66 answers very well. I have had two milk-pans with shredded corks floating as a platform for the bees. I have already started one of them this year ; but I must say that my bees unmistakably prefer the tea-leaves to the corks. I would suggest to " Nectar " (5800, page 66) that he not only plants his own parterre with bee-flowers, but also gives freely of the surplus plants to his neighbours ; but it is from the broad acres we get our real honey-flow, while the greatest help we get as bee-keepers is from the early spring-blooming flowers that are helpful in supplying pollen and some nectar before we get the field-forage from which the main crop comes. — W. Woodley, Bee- don, Newbury. CELLULOID FOR BEE-KEEPERS' USE. [5804.] The interesting letter of your correspondent "D. M. M." in B.B.J, of February 16 reminds me that about ten years have now elapsed since I first used celluloid quilts, and my experience may be of interest to bee-keepers generally. In my first communication on the subject, in 1899, I mentioned the thickness of the celluloid I was then using ; but since then I have found that, under certain condi- tions, sheets of that thickness are apt to buckle, and for general use it is perhaps preferable to use a thinner material. The sheets I now use are about as thick as two pages of this journal, and so pliable that no difficulty can arise from buckling. Even with the thicker sheets, a strip of wood about one-eighth of an inch thick laid upon the edges ensures good contact with the frames. It is a very great advantage to be able to examine bees at any time of year and ascertain whether stores are deficient. Even in a sharp frost the outer coverings may be removed and the bees inspected without disturbing them. I am glad to find that celluloid has found so many uses in connection with bee-keeping. For queen-cages, especially, it is well Feb. 23, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 75 adapted, and I have already referred else- where to its use for queen excluders. With regard to the bee-proof thread, I have still some in use in my apiary, and am well satisfied with it ; but I believe that some that was placed on the market was not satisfactory, and, as there is no advantage in point of price over iron wire and the fixing is more difficult, I fear its use will not become general. Aluminium wire has advantages over tinned iron wire, which soon rusts, and not only discolours the combs, but also the wax made from them. The additional price is not a seri- ous matter in a small apiary, and alu- minium gets cheaper from year to year. While writing, may I be allowed to say that my supply of the seed of the Chap- man honey plant is now exhausted ; but in the autumn I hope to renew it, and shall be pleased to send some to any bee-keeper who encloses a stamped envelope with his request. Perhaps those who have tried it as a vegetable will send. you their experi- ences.— Walter F. Reid, Fieldside, Addle- stone, February 20. ENEMIES OF BEES. [5805.] Bats.— In the B.B.J, of Feb- ruary 9, page 60, a paragraph appears under the heading "Bees and Bats." On this question may I say : As it was getting dark one evening in the summer of 1903 I was standing by a hive that I had manipu- lated earlier in the evening, when I was attracted by a fluttering sound like that made by a small bird round myself and the hive. . There was still a large cluster of bees outside the hive, and on watching care- fully I distinctly saw a bat of medium size rush at the clustered bees, and I have no doubt pick one off, and after taking a short flight return and, as the doctor says, re- peat the dose." This continued until, being quite satisfied as to what was going on, I knocked the bat down with my hand, though it quickly recovered and got away. But I believe the lesson taught it wisdom, for I did not again see the bat at the hives. Hedgehogs. — Last summer I met with an enemy of bees here that, as such, was new to me — a pair of hedgehogs and their pig- gies giving both myself and the bees a lot of trouble by climbing up to the hive- entrances after dark. This necessitated my visiting the apiary at hours of the night when "pig-sticking could be done.". One night at 11.30 I found father hedgehog having his supper at the entrance to one of the hives, not sitting on the ground, but up on the flight-board, right on the table. He made a rush for cover, but was over- taken. Toads. — These are among the greatest enemies of bees here, and once they acquire the habit of eating bees it is impossible to cure them of it. The toad, too, is most troublesome at supper-time. They can only be got rid of by taking them a mile away from the apiary ; if carried only a few hun- dreds of yards they are back again on the following day. Tits. — By far the greatest enemy of bees is, according to my experience, the small blue-tit. All the winter long does he tap at the hive-entrances and disturb and con- sume1 the bees. The larger tit is trouble- some, but only in a lesser degree. Next to the tit in mischief-working I find is the large spider, nearly black in colour, and the size of a pennypiece. This bee-enemy is most often found under hives where there is not much daylight, and the cause of their plump and sleek appearance is usually shown by a heap of the dismembered bees caught and carried from the front of the hive, mostly at night. Hundreds of bees may sometimes be found by the remains to have been killed by a single pair of these large spiders. They ap- pear to eat only the juicy parts of the bee, leaving all the rest of the tody untouched. The common house-sparrow is trouble- some in some years, not every season alike, and usually causes most annoyance in sum- mer, when the bees are least able to de- fend themselves. I once found a sparrow dead in front of one of my hives with bee- stings in it. . Then we have the mouse, both the field and the common mouse being partial to honey, and to the warmth that may be found on the top of a stock of bees to which access is possible in winter. I have found a mouse stung to death, too. I have also known rats eat away the sides of straw hives to get at the honey. I am not forget- ting that perennial cause of worry to bee- keepers— the wasp. Several pairs of the red-backed shrike have nested in this neighbourhood every year, but though classed with enemies of bees, I have not been troubled with them. I found some: fine fat lizards under two hives that were standing directly on the ground last autumn. Some fifteen years ago, when I was living in the southern part of this county, I got rather a fright one day on lifting off the cover of a skep, a large specimen of the common English snake lying coiled round on the hive, and his wrigglesomeness bolted into the bank near by before I could put down the cover. — Wm. Loveday, Hatfield Heath, Harlow. SCOTCH HONEY (?). [5806.] I was surprised indeed on read- ing page 51 of B.B.J, to see that Scotch honey was being offered at 4d. per lb., and can only say, if such is really the case, I may consider myself very fortunate. My eight hives produced 601 1-lb. sections, 531 of which were sold and realised 76 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 23, 1905. £20 18s. 9d., which runs to very nearly 9^d. per section .; and the cheapest I have heard of in this, district, was a small lot of sixty sections sold at 7d. each. The cheapest extracted honey I have heard of was cleared at 6d. per lb. Califomian honey is being retailed here meantime in glass jars at 8d. per 1-lb. jar. You already have report from our friend " D. M. M.," who is located in upper Banffshire, and my dis- trict (Grange) is situated in lower Banff- shire, and may, therefore, be pretty cer- tain that the honey offered by this London firm at 4d. per lb. was not gathered in this county. — W. Mom, February 17. BEES AND HAZEL CATKINS. [5807.] I should like to correct a mistake I made in my letter last year (5446, page 78). I said : " The catkins of the hazel were ripe when the leaf began to grow," which I find is altogether wrong. The cat- kins in the orchard where I keep my bees are already ripe now and nearly over, only a few of them remaining with any pollen. I am enclosing a bunch of catkins, and you will see that the anther cells have all burst, and the pollen scattered and gone. I dare say in Yorkshire they will be a week or two later than here. Referring to the letter signed " Practical Experience " (5794, page 56), I have never in my life seen a catkin turn black from frost before the pollen has been scattered, but after- wards the colour does become dark, even without frost. During the latter part of October, 1904, I began to watch carefully the catkins and nut blossoms, and I have observed them closely every month since. One isolated nut tree I selected, and have carefully picked off every catkin I could find growing on it, so that if fertilisation has not already taken place, it never will. I shall wait until the nuts grow, and then see whether they have kernels or not.- — J. Skinner, Bristol, February 13. [Referring to our correspondent's request that we should inform" J. R , St. Albans," and " A Lover of Bees " of his wish to cor- respond with them privately on the subject of " Bees and Hazel Catkins," and publish results of their respective conclusions, it will be better for Mr. Skinner to write to both gentlemen himself, and we will forward letters so sent to the respective parties, but can take no personal share in the discus- sion.— Eds.] EXPERTS AND FOUL BROOD. (Concluded from piqe, 65.) [5808.] Too much reliance should not be placed on the action of disinfectants. I know of no disinfectant which is capable of destroying the spores of foul brod in the fcwb or three minutes usually occupied in washing : the hands, even if used in much stronger solution than would be pleasant or even possible without damaging the skin considerably. One is too apt' to rely on carbolic acid or perchloride of mer- cury and to neglect the far more im- portant item of thorough scrubbing. In a word, the process should be - mechanical rather than chemical and bactericidal. The bacilli and spores should be removed from the hands by the nail brush rather than killed by the disinfectant employed. Far be it from me to depreciate the value of disinfectants ; as adjuncts to the mechanical process they are excellent ; they will kill, or at any rate inhibit, the growth of the bacilli, but will have little- or no effect on the spores. Without the washing and scrubbing disinfectants are far less powerful, as they are unable to penetrate dirt, etc., quickly enough to be effective. Hot water is preferable where it can be obtained, and the soap .used is immaterial, though I prefer soft soap myself. I have but little faith in carbolic soap or other soaps impregnated with small quantities of antiseptics. Before washing, propolis should be re- moved with methylated spirit. The next question for consideration is the choice of a disinfectant. The chief essentials are: — 1. Effectiveness. 2. Cheapness. 3. Convenience, i.e., portability and ready solubility. 4. Comparative non-toxicity, i.e., it must not be too poisonous. .. The antiseptics in most common use are (1) carbolic acid and (2) perchloride of mercury. The relative value of these I will briefly discuss, together with a third, viz., " lysol," which I should like to bring more prominently before the notice of bee- keepers. Carbolic Acid. — To be effective in the time at our disposal it should be used in 5 per cent, solution (1 in 20). About a quart of the solution would be required each time the hands are washed, and this would need four tablespoonfuls of the acid, costing, roughly, about, twer-thirds of a penny if the commercial acid be used, and probably more if Calvert's be used. The raw acid is a far stronger agent than the purified, but is not so pleasant to work with. The price varies, but would, I think, be procurable at about 4s. the gallon. The chief disadvantages of car- bolic acid are found under the heading of lysol and beta-lysol. Carbolic acid may also be obtained in tabloid form, but the price is prohibitive for general use. Perchloride of Mercury. — This is a very powerful antiseptic, which is most con- veniently carried in tabloid form, -the best Feb. 23, 1905.] THE BRITISH BE^. JOURNAL. 77 size being that which, when added to one quart of water, makes a solution of 1: in 1,000. The cost would be about ^d. each (wholesale). There, are, I think, several objections to the use of perchloride of mercury : — 1. All soap should be removed from the hands before immersing them in the solu- tion, otherwise a portion at least of the antiseptic will be neutralised. This really necessitates the use of three receptacles, one for washing, another for rinsing the soap off, and a. third for. the perchloride solution. This in itself is a serious ob- jection,!' 2. The solution precipitates albumen, thus limiting its power of penetration. A coating of albuminate of mercury is formed, more particularly on the outside of spores, and this protects them from the action of the antiseptic. This property is to some extent prevented by the addition of an acid, e.g., hydrochloric acid, to the solution. 3. The solution is very poisonous, and the tabloids are apt to be mistaken by children for sweets. I have known one or two such cases. 4. When much used the hands become very rough and unpleasantly dry. 5. The tabloids readily absorb moisture if the bottle is often opened, and they will then become soft and run together in a mass. Lysol. — This is a brown oily liquid with a phenolic odour, belonging to the coal tar series. It owes its bactericidal activity to the fact that it contains 50 per cent, of free cresols dissolved in neutral potassium soaps. It is misciblein water in any pro- portion, and forms a solution which is soapy to the touch. This soapiness is an advantage, as you are more or less inde- pendent of soap, although I prefer to use a little extra. A tablespoonful added to one quart of water makes a solution of rather more than 1 per cent. This is considerably more powerful than a 3 per cent. . solution of carbolic acid, and costs when litre (If pints) bottles are used about ^d., and rather less when bought by the gallon. It is put up in various ■ sized bottles and in 1 gallon drums, ' and each bottle is pro- vided with a measure. One litre contains 71 tablespoonfuls and costs 3s., whilst 1 gallon contains 320 tablespoonfuls and costs 13s. Recently a new preparation, bcta-h/snJ, possessing the same properties as lysol, and costing only half as much, has been introduced into veterinary practice. I have not yet had an opportunity of testing it, but it appears to me to be almost iden- tical with lysol, and would, no doubt, be suitable for bee-work.' Two- gallons of beta-lysol, costing 13s., should be suffi- cient for the spring and autumn work of an expert with a visiting list of perhaps 250 ! members. The chief advantages of lysol and beta- lysol j over the other * antiseptics named are : — 1. More effective than carbolic in solu- tions of equal strength. 2. Less poisonous — only one-eighth as poisonous as carbolic acid, far less so than perchloride of mercury. 3. More readily soluble than carbolic. 4. Contain soap. 5. Do not coagulate albumen, but have, on the contrary, a solvent action and greater power of penetration than per- chloride;. 6. Can be used in more dilute solution than carbolic, therefore less need be car- ried—an important advantage for the tra- velling expert. 7. Do not injuriously affect the skin, but rather tend to soften it. 8. Cheaper. . . For the disinfection of infected hives, etc., after a thorough scrubbing with soft soap and water containing 5 per cent. sol. lysoL (two tablespoonfuls to the pint), I would recommend that all joints and cre- vices of the inside of hive be painted with pure lysol and the hive afterwards exposed to the air for some hours. Having disposed of the question of anti- septics, there remain a few minor but not unimportant details to be considered. The idea of wearing apron and sleevelets to protect the clothing from foul brood germs is, though sound in principle, im- practicable for the travelling expert. Every examination of a suspicious stock would necessitate a- change of these articles; consequently, owing to the difficulty of sterilisation, so many would have to be carried that the expert would be greatly hampered on tour. If possible, the sleeves should be rolled up after removing the coat, and great care should be taken to prevent combs, etc., touching the clothing. How often is a foul- broody hand thrust into coat or trouser pocket in search of knife or matches ! Such thoughtlessness may lead to seri- ous mischief, as it is next to impossible to effectually disinfect articles of clothing ex- cept by steam under pressure. I shall not discuss here the -relative merits of smoker and carbolic cloth as agents for subjecting boesi but shall merely touch on their suitability for use by the travelling expert, bearing in mind his almost constant contact with foul brood. To the expert on tour, who is frequently cycling or walking, a smoker must -be rather a clumsy appliance to carry ; it is, moreover, bound to become infected with foul brood germs at times, unless the 78 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Feb. 23, 1905. greatest care be taken, and it will then be a most difficult thing to disinfect. I think, then, that the carbolic cloth is preferable — not that its use will be likely to have a beneficial effect on the disease ; on the contrary, it becomes, if improperly used, a more dangerous weapon than the smoker, as it comes in closer contact with combs and bees, but simply because it possesses the great advantage that it can at once be burnt after use on an infected stock. It is better, in my opinion, to always destroy an infected cloth, and not even keep it for use on other diseased stocks, for reasons which I have given earlier on, though this method will entail a slight additional cost. The other alternative is to carry neither smoker nor cloth, but to rely on finding one or other in the apiary visited. This is hardly advisable. Where a smoker is used, it is better, if possible, to let a second person attend to the smoker and nothing else ; the ex- pert need not then handle it at all, and it will thus escape all risk of infection. The expert should have with him the following articles : ■ — 1. Small tin of soft soap. 2. Nail brush. 3. Small bottle (about 2 oz.) of methy- lated spirit. 4. 6 or 8 oz. bottle of beta-lysol (bottle marked in tablespoonfuls). 5. Small bottle of carbolic for carbolis- ing cloths. 6. Supply of cloths. If preferred, these may be already carbolised. Not too many should be carried, as the material can always be obtained without much trouble. Summary of procedure. 1. Remove coat and roll up sleeves to elbow before commencing manipulations. 2. Wash hands and forearms before commencing and after finishing manipula- tions, and after examining an infected stock. 3. Remove propolis, before washing, with methylated spirit. 4. Use soft soap and water (hot if pos- sible) with 1 per cent, beta-lysol, and scrub for two minutes with nail brush, paying particular attention to the nails, which should be kept short. 5. Always examine strong stocks first ; such are less likely to be affected with foul brood. Reserve diseased colonies till last (if known). 6. Avoid unnecessary manipulation of diseased stocks. k 7. Use carbolised cloth, burning same if used for infected stock. 8. Never put hands in pockets whilst manipulating. Do not let combs, etc., touch the clothing, and avoid dropping bits of foul-broody comb about the apiary, as in cutting out queen cells or brace combs, etc. All these precautions, are, I think, prac- ticable, and can be carried out without un- necessary trouble. It may seem to many that I am at- tempting to hamper experts with a num- ber of details, but I am convinced that it is only by careful attention to details that success can be looked for in this, as in all other branches of bee-work, and indeed it is more important in this than in other branches, as one little slip in technique is liable to nullify all one's efforts. Outbreaks of foul brood occurring within a few weeks of an expert's visit are only too liable to be attributed to that visit, even as a mother lays to the charge of vaccination any illness (be it measles, whooping cough, or a broken leg) , occur- ring in her child within about two years of that operation. Hence it behoves ex- perts not only to adopt such precautions for limiting the spread of foul brood as they are able to devise, but also to let the bee- keepers they visit see that they are taking those precautions. I am afraid I shall be looked on as an alarmist pointing out possible methods of spreading foul brood, but probably the methods mentioned are .only responsible for a small proportion of cases, and in any case it is better to bear these things in mind, as we can then be on our guard against them. , We cannot hope to utterly exterminate foul brood for a great many years, if ever ; but by care and diligence . we may limit somewhat its ravages and keep it suffi- ciently in check to prevent it being the menace to bee-keepers it has hitherto been and appears to be now in some counties. The presence of a few diseased cells in a hive does not militate against the harvest- ing of a good crop of honey, but is a potential source of evil which should not be overlooked, and which justifies the taking of such measures as will ensure the destruction of the bacilli before the spor- ing stage is reached. — T. S. Elliot. Achats fnom the Htm Lorton, Cocker mouth f Cumberland, Feb- ruary 14. — St. Valentine's Day, and the bees here seem to have made a good start for the season of 1905. Although very little sunshine, it was a mild day for February, bees flying strong and carrying home a quantity of pollen. No pollen was carried into the hives here last year before March. My stocks are all in excellent con- dition, and seem to have wintered well so far. They are Italians and hybrids, and each stock is headed by a queen reared and Feb. 23, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 79 fertilised last August. Breeding is in full swing, and some have young bees hatching out.— G. W. A. tym'm and |U|lif8. [3669.] Cleaning Hives: Limiting Swarm- ing.— 1. Is it necessary to clean each hive the bees are in now when spring comes, or is it only needed in the case of an empty hive which has been put away ? 2. Will you advise me as to the best course to pur- sue this spring with regard to swarms? I have eight hives now, and do not want more than twelve. I suppose the only course will be to return the surplus swarm minus its queen. I could cut out all queen-cells, I suppose, and stop a swarm coming off ? — M., Hexham, February 2. Reply. — 1. All good bee-keepers go through their stocks every spring in order to put them in thorough working trim for the current season. But even the careless should clean away all debris from floor- boards and propolis from top-bars after winter is over. 2. If only a moderate in- crease is desired, it should not be difficult to limit the swarms to four from eight hives without any returning of swarms as proposed. Give timely rcom in advance of requirements in order to stop swarming, and should two of your eight colonies swarm in spite of precautions taken, make four new stocks to complete the desired dozen of first and second swarms from two hives should such come off. [3670.] Transferring Stocks from Boxes to Frame-hives.- — Seeing the kind advice given to inquirers like myself in your valuable paper, I will be glad of a reply to the fol- lowing questions through its columns : — Last spring I received a ten-frame hive of bees, about the management of which I knew absolutely nothing. In the following June a swarm came off, which I secured and placed in a box. Later on a cast issued, which I returned to the parent hive, but the bees swarmed again in a few days, when I also put them in a box. None of these boxes hold the standard frame, and so I now wish to transfer both stocks from these boxes to properly-made hives taking the standard frame. I wanted to do the transferring this spring, and therein my difficulty arises. I therefore ask : 1. If I put them in on full sheets of founda- tion, will they draw it but? As I shall be sending them to . the . heather, about thirty miles away, I do not wish " sugar- built " combs. 2. The parent hive and the cast are weak, so would it be better if I joined them and gave the queen from the cast to the swarm, as its queen is three years of age ? For the future management of my bees I am sending for Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book," for which I enclose P.O. for 2s. 9d. I send name, and sign — " Duffer," Lanarkshire, February 13. Reply. — 1. Your best course will be to let the bees transfer themselves from the boxes to frame-hives ; and as you will now have the "Guide Book," reference to page 140 will show how the " transferring " can be done. We do not quite know what is meant by " sugar-built " combs." 2. When you describe the parent hive and the " cast " — or second swarm — as weak, we infer that the first swarm is strong, and, this being so, it will not be wise to destroy the queen of last-named stock and replace her with, possibly, a less prolific queen. It so often happens that colonies of bees re-queen themselves by deposing the mother-bee and raising a young queen un- known to their owner, that it is not safe for a novice to conclude that the queens are worn out, when they may be quite young. With this in view, therefore, we should not advise uniting as proposed. [3671.] Suspected Bobbing by Bees. — I should be greatly obliged if you can answer me in this week's B.B.J, the following question : I have four stocks of bees in my garden, and they all have plenty of stores, and while they seem fairly strong in bees, the bees in No. 3 hive continually go in and out of No. 1, and both lots seem on very friendly terms. Do you think they are " robbing " ? Or what do you think is the cause? My brother, who lives near, has eleven hives, and three of his stocks are doing the same thing, with plenty of stores. He has dusted some flour on the bees a9 they come out of one hive, and has watched them entering two different hives, yet there seems to be no fighting ! We can find nothing in the " Guide Book " that has any reference to similar action by bees, and we have never known anything like it before. An old saying of my parents was that " bees never rob one another at home ; they always go away for their ' robbing.' " — Ed. Light, Bournemouth, February 20. Reply. — The probability is that one of the free-visiting stocks is queenless, and the stores of the latter are being carried off by the fraternising bees of the other stocks. If our surmise is correct we should expect to see the queenless bees sooner or later deserting their hive and joining forces with the supposed "rob- bers." But you may arrive at a different conclusion by examining the hives, which we should certainly do if they were ours. [3672.] Fermenting Honey as Bee-food. — i Having a large quantity of honey that has fermented, I would iike to know : 1. Whether after boiling a minute or two I could safely feed the'bees with it ; if not, what use I could put it to ? 2. Also, why 80 THE- BRITISH BBE" JOURNAL. [Feb. 23, 1905. does honey ferment that has been stored in a temperate atmosphere? With many thanks in anticipation of reply, I send name, etc., and sign — Apis Mellifica, Leighton Buzzard, February 15. Reply. — 1. No harm will follow its use as stated if the honey is " thinned down "with, hot water to the consistency of good syrup, and then boiled for a minute or so. 2. Honey does, not ferment if properly .ripe when stored and kept in a suitable place — i.e., one that is cool and dry. CAMBS: AND ISLE OF ELY B.K.A. - A general meeting (called by special, re-, quest) Was held on Saturday, February 4 (Mr. C. J. Mapey presiding), to consider what action the Association should take in connection with the proposed Foul Brood Bill. After a lengthy discussion, in which- the Chairman, Messrs. F. R. Ford, R. Brown, C. Bocock, J. Short, J. Casbolt, and others took part, it was pro- posed and seconded " That the Cambs. and Isle of Ely Bee-keepers' Association is op- posed to the Foul Brood Bill." To this resolution the following amendment was proposed and seconded: "That, while not agreeing with the Bill as drafted, the Association .considers that some sort of legislation's very necessary." On being put to the meeting the amendment secured only three '"votes against . twelve for the . original motion, .which latter was there- fore carried. The discussion showed that the chief objection to the Bill as drafted was that the' proposed Act would destroy all personal liberty in the owner's management of his apiary, and place same entirely in the hands of Gov- ernment officials. A number of letters were read from members unable to be pre- sent giving their views for and against the Bill.— G. E. Rogers, Hon. Sec. PRESS CUTTING. SOME FACTS ABOUT HONEY. Honey is the only sweet that may be eaten in any quantities and for a long time without interfering with the action of any of the vital organs. Its food value is twice that of pork, pound for pound, and it has been noticed that persistent honey eaters are not nearly so liable to diseases of the resjiiratory organs as those who do not use it at all. It is calculated that the entire honey px'oduct of sixty bees during their' entire working life will not amount to raore than one pound of honey, an amount that a man with a good appetite would eat in a day without thinking much about it.— Liverpool Post and Mercury. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. *** "Baby Nuclei," by " Swarthmore." — W. Talbot-Bretherton, Rev. J. R. Ward, F. V. Hadlow, and others. — We had no intention, of stockings the above-named book reviewed on page 61 ; but, as many applications have been made for it, and it is troublesome to p roc tire it direct, we have decided to get a small supply from the author at once, • and expect to have them in about a fortnight. ' St. Helper (Jersey). — A Learner's Queries. — 1. How Foundation should Hang in Frames.^ — Dealers who know their business cut the sheets properly with regard to cell-walls. .The fault, therefore, is the dealer's ' 2. Sheets of foundation, when " buckled " or twisted, may be straightened by warming at the fire or in warm water, and then laying on a flat board to cool.' 3. Returning Swarms. — If returned to parent hive within twenty-four hours no fighting will follow ; but in cases of not knowing which hive the. swarm is from, the risk of fight- ing is> great, even -if dusted with flour when joined up. , 4, If granules of candy are cast out of hiYes;.!>i± simply shows badly-made candy. 5. Cutting Winter- passages in Combs. -—-Holes' about the size of, a shilling will do. . Sticks across frames are simple,, and better than such " cleats " as you suggest. 6. There is no " sure preventive." .against stings. W. Lloyd (Lancaster).— Go-operators and Bee Shows. —It is to be-f eared that ap- peals such as. your own- last year would only have similarly disappointing results, seeing that co-operative societies have no funds at. disposal, for .prizes at honey - shows. The same may be said of your . well-meant efforts to enlist help from the Educational Committees of County Coun- cils, whose funds are only available for technical education in one form or , another. It is within our knowledge that the Lancashire CO have already made grants in aid of technical instruction in bee-keeping j but they could not possibly devote the public funds to prize-giving at shows. J. H. Chawner (Leicester). — Sugar for Bee-food. — If the firm is "reliable," as stated, you should accept their guarantee with regard to its being cane sugar. We could not guarantee sample with cer- tainty without analysis, and this is of course out of the question. But, apart from its being either cane or beet, it is a moist, unrefined sugar, and as such is un- suitable for bee-food. *#* Some Queries and Btplies, Sc, are un- avoidably held over till next week. March 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 81 dMftrrial pottos, &t CHEAP SCOTCH (?) HONEY. We have received several letters from readers on the subject of low-priced honey mentioned in our pages as offered for sale as "Finest Scotch," in our issue of Feb- ruary 16. But no useful purpose would be served by publishing the views of, no doubt, well-meaning bee-keepers who feel justly aggrieved at seeing statements in print which are flatly contradicted by their own practical experience of the past honey-season in Scotland. Our reasons for non-publication of strongly-worded opinions are, first, they go beyond what can be safely said without being libellous ; and, second, our good friends do not realise the difficulty in ar- riving at a safe conclusion with regard to the country in which honey is gathered They should bear in mind that whether, say, white clover is grown in Scotland or in China, the honey will be the same to any ordinary person who examines or tests it. The only possible chance of locating the difference between the two would be a microscopical examination of the pollen grains, always found in honey, by a skilled botanist, to see if these came from a species of plant that grows in China, and not in Scotland (or vice versa). But who would go to this trouble? Nor would the chemist help us much, for analysis only proves the constituents of honey, and throws no light on where it is gathered. In fact, the matter in dispute can only be settled practically in one way, i.e., by the sellers giving the name and address of one or more of the bee-keepers in whose apiary the honey was gathered. This is a simple way of arriving at a decision as to the accuracy or otherwise of the descrip- tion given in the B.B.J, of February 16. Until that has been done the matter may well be allowed to drop. BEE-KEEPING STATISTICS. REPORT OF THE D.T.I. FOR IRELAND, 1903. From the annual report of the Depart- ment of Technical Instruction and Agri- culture for Ireland, recently issued, we publish below the section headed " Bee- keeping." The statistics given are very interesting, and it is a pity we cannot have similar returns furnished for this country as in Ireland, where the neces- sary details are collected from bee-keepers by the constabulary. — [Eds.] BEE-KEEPING. The inquiries made in the preceding seventeen years relative to the extent to which bee-keeping is followed in Ireland, and the degree of success attained in this special branch of rural economy, were repeated this year with reference to the season of 1903, and the results will be set forth in Table VII. In 1890, at the re- quest of the Irish Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, the form previously used for collect- ing information on the subject was varied in some respects, and additional details were obtained. According to the returns received, the quantity of honey produced in 1903 was 20.4 per cent, below the average quantity for the preceding ten years. It was also 31.4 per cent, below the average quantity for the year 1902, the returns for which showed a decrease of 27 per cent., as compared with the quantity in 1901. The quantity of honey produced, according to the returns, was 359,624 lb. ; of this 96,602 lb. were pro- duced in the province of Leinster, 118,199 lb. in Munster, 95,696 lb. in Ulster, and 50,127 lb. in Connaught. Of the 359,624 lb., 252,955 lb. were produced "in hives having movable combs" and 106,699 lb. " in other hives." It was stated that 139,199 lb. was " run honey," and 220,425 lb. "section honey." The number of stocks brought through the winter of 1903-1904 amounted to 26,474, of which 15,041 were in hives having movable combs and 11,433 in other hives. According to the returns collected there were 3,850 lb. of wax manufactured in 1903, of which 2,688 lb. were from hives having movable combs and 1,162 lb. from other hives. The returns received in 1903 gave the quantity of honey produced in 1902 as 524,166 lb. ; the number of stocks brought through the winter of 1902-1903 as 32,770, and the quantity of wax manufactured in 1902 as 5,890 lb. The quantity of honey produced in 1903 was less than that for any of the years following 1896 ; it is 31.4 per cent, less than the quantity returned for 1902, and shows a decrease of 20.4 per cent, as compared with the average for the ten years 1893-1902. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above association was held in the People's Hall, Heathcote Street, on February 18. Mr. W. S. Ellis presided, and there was a large attendance of members. In the annual report it was stated that the County Council had renewed their grant of £40 for technical instruction in bee-keeping and demonstration lectures had been given at the following centres : Newark, Ruddington, Welbeck, East Bridgford, Kingston, Sutton Bonington, and Moorgreen. During the year 188 apiaries had been visited by the experts. These apiaries consisted of 694 stocks of 82 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 2, 1905. bees, 561 of which were examined. Only 34 of these were found to be diseased. Two candidates offered themselves for examination for expert certificates during the year, viz., Mr. J. Gray for second class and Mr. W. H. Stoppard for third class, and both gained their certificates. Viscount St. Vincent was thanked for his past services, and unanimously re- elected ; as was also Mr. P. Scattergood, auditor, and Mr. Geo. Hayes, secretary. Mr. Pugh and the secretary were ap- pointed to represent the association at the meetings of the B.B.K.A. The following were elected to form the committee : ■ — Messrs, T. N. Harrison, S. W. Marriott, G. E. Skelhorn, W. H. Windle, A. G. Pugh, G. E. Puttergill, T. Randall, G. Smithurst, J. C. Wadsworth, F. G. Vessey, and H. W. Dickman. On terminating the more formal busi- ness of the meeting the members and their friends partook of tea, after which a musical programme contributed to the evening's enjoyment. There was also an exhibition of bee-appliances, with prize competitions for extracted honey, the exhibits being afterwards presented to the Children's Hospital. The proceedings were varied by a discussion on the Bee- Pest Bill, and concluded with the annual prize- drawing and presentation of prizes. — Geo. Hayes, Secretary, Beeston. NORTH-WEST DURHAM B.K.A. The annual meeting took place on February 18 in the Co-operative Build- ings, Consett, under the presidency of Mr. A. Armstrong. There was a good attendance of members. The report stated that at the last annual meeting it was decided to be- come affiliated with the Northumberland and Durham Bee-keepers' Association, and they were now entitled to participate in the insurance scheme of the B.B.K.A. The annual excursion was to Mr. Thomas Rochester's apiary at Benfieldside. The society had two classes at the North- umberland and Durham Association Honey Show at Newcastle, and also two classes at the Chrysanthemum Show at Leadgate, and gave prizes for two other classes. Through the instrumentality of the County Council, the association had the services of Mr. J. Waddell, who was glad to report that he found foul brood on the decrease in many hives belonging to members. The financial statement showed a balance of £5 lis. in hand. The undermentioned officers were elected : President, Mr. S. K. Annandale ; vice- president, Mr. J. N. Kidd ; honorary treasurer, Mr. Charles Thompson ; secre- tary, Mr. E. J. Walton ; committee, Messrs. A. Smith, A. Armstrong, W. Eggleston, J. Rochester, N. Garbutt, W. Davison, and J. Cuthbertson. The secretary (Mr. Walton) read a paper on "Work in Exhibition Sections." — (Com- municated. ) The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publicition, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *** In order to facilitate rejerence, 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. AMONG THE BEES. DRONES. [5809.] Drones have ever been a bit of a mystery, and their existence in such num- bers has puzzled many wise heads in all times. In a community where all the teeming thousands are distinguished above all other insects for their industry, why should a class of idlers exist, gorging them- selves on the choicest sweets, and spending their time in luxury ? Why, when all others are producers, should so many be simply consumers ? Why, when they have once been called into existence, should the workers so ruthlessly evict them ? How is it that the greater bee is subject to the smaller? And if males, why should they be under subjection to females, thus re- versing *an almost universal rule of Nature ? Were they simply nurses? Or was heat production their one duty ? Did they chemically deal with the honey and manu- facture it? Were they really males? If so, did they visit the cells containing eggs and coat them with their spermy juice? How were they themselves generated ? Had they their origin in animable matter brought home from the flowers ? Were they bred from drones only, or were they a product of the worker ? Were they simply bees who had lost their stings ? Were they " Captains " acting under the orders of the Master Bee? How, if they were really males, could they be subject to the females? If -males, how had workers stings, and not they, as Nature never gives females to defend themselves and destroy the nobler males ? Again, supposing them to be the only males, why were they pro- duced in such prodigal numbers? Why should 500, or even 1,000, exist in a hive when perhaps one might be sufficient? Were they a kind of eunuchs acting as servants or nurses, or simply a redundancy of Nature? Did not even swarming in some mysterious way depend upon these inexplicable fel- March 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 83 lows, and was it a rule, " No drones, no swarms " ? Why should they appear only after the main hatching of bees had taken place ? Why should a queenless stock re- tain them, and why should a hive retain- ing them generally die out ? Did they do work of any kind ? Why had they no pol- len baskets, no true tongue, and no sting ? Were they really of any use to this model governed community ? Was it wise to aid the bees in ridding their hives of these in- explicables ? These and many more questions, all per- tinent to the point at issue, were asked over and over again until about a century ago, and np true solution of the mystery was ever given. Ancient and semi-modern authors strangely deluded the world with " whimsies," beginning with the " silver- tongued " Virgil, who asserted that they bring the seed of their young from the flowers ; and ending with the learned Dr. Huish, who believed that every egg was visited and dealt with by the drones. Be- tween these two writers we find almost every species of view prevailing ; but all through there went on the controversy : Whether the drones were males or females ! Strange to say, some of our earliest Eng- lish writers came as near to an approach to the truth as any who wrote for the next two hundred years. Butler's work, for in- stance, was entirely founded on a Feminine Monarchy, and he speaks of " Drones, by whose masculine virtue they strangely connect and breed for the pre- servation of their sweet kind. There is a necessary use for him, and he cannot be spared, as without him the bee cannot exist, so when there is no use for the drone then there will be no room for him, as the wise little workers love his room better than his company." Warder, about 150 years after, declares that " Nature hath de- signed him, not for work, but for pro- creation," yet he proceeds to assert that " his great life-work is sitting upon and hatching the eggs, and keeping brood warm after it is hatched." We find this opinion crop up eternally. They are said to sit on the cells " as a hen doth sit on her eggs-" in order to hatch them. Then, at mid-day, they get leave to recreate themselves abroad, their heat being no more required as nurses ! Rusden, about the same time, goes back to the old theory that bees are bred from " animable matter" brought in by the bees when on their foraging flights, into which the king doth cast his sperm. In general, most writers agree in one particular : That the mystery of the drone is " unaccountable and unintelli- gible." The first writer who gives the true solution is Thomas Moufet, an English physician, who wrote about 1634 a work in Latin, " Theatrum Insec- torum," wherein he propounded the theory that bees breed by copulation, and that the male and female meet in some retired place. Most subsequent writers, however, for about 200 years after, agree with De Mountfort that this is simply a " bold con- jecture," while some of them pour on it " the lash of their ridicule " ; and it was only about a century ago that the re- searches of Huber and other succeeding in- vestigators convinced even the most scepti- cal that the one and only reason for the drones' existence was to fertilise the queen, and, that single duty performed, the far- seeing little workers at once expelled them as encumbrances. Their number, too, is easily explained by the fact that the queen has to go abroad on her marital flight, and that only after a prolonged journey in the air does the strongest and fittest of her suitors overtake her : Nature thus secures by an almost invariable law that survival of the fittest to perpetuate the race. To few has it been given to actually witness the meeting ; but most of us who have been much among the bees have, time and again, seen the young queen return from her nuptial trip bearing the unmistakable evi- dence that it has taken place during the few minutes she has been absent. Further confirmation has been obtained in less than a week by the presence of newly-laid eggs in worker-cells. On at least two distinct occasions I have had what I may con- sider ocular demonstration that, as a con- sequence of the act, the selected drone has offered up his existence on the altar of duty.— D. M. M., Banff. THE "CLAUSTRAL" DETENTION SYSTEM. [5810.] In bee-keeping, as in other matters, it would seem to be equally true that there is " no new thing under the sun." The " Claustral " method described in the Bee Journal, February 23, I find is prac- tically identical in principle to a plan I have made use of, except that in my case it is carried out without any structural altera- tions to the hive, and may be adopted by any one (without infringing any patent rights) who uses hives in which the frames hang parallel to the hive-front, and which are capable of holding thirteen or more standard frames. The plan is as follows : — Push the frames back 3 in. or 4 in. from the front of the hive, and hang in front of the frames a dummy board which reaches to about g in. from the floor, thus giving room for the bees to pass beneath. Cover the top of the space between this dummy and the hive-front with a piece of fine per- forated zinc. This space constitutes the "detention chamber." Remove the door- slides and replace them by a strip of similar perforated zinc. To completely 84 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 2, 1905. darken the chamber I place in front of the entrance (which in my hives extends the full width of the hive), and about f in. away from it, a long strip of wood about lg in. high, which has been blackened on the side facing the entrance. This effectually screens the entrance from light, provided the porch roof is fairly deep, and not too high up. The exact position of this screen must be determined by the depth and position of the porch roof. It may be secured in its place by twisting a piece of wire round a nail driven into the ends, and another pro- jecting from the edge of the alighting-board. To prevent light entering by the ven- tilators or bee-escapes in the roof, I make, a tube of brown paper 3 in. or 4 in. long, and a trifle larger in diameter than the hole in the roof. The tube is blackened inside, and fixed with a couple of tacks inside the roof over the hole. — G. S. Newth, London, S.W., February 27. THE " SWARTHMORE " SYSTEM. [5811.] Referring to the remarks, of " D. M. M. Banff," in your issue of Feb- ruary 2 (page 44) with regard to the " Swarthmore " system, I have myself thought it strange that some good Samari- tan has not found time to give his experi- ence for the benefit of those who wanted some information respecting the right or wrong way of carrying out the details of " Swarthmore's " plan. I find it always very much easier to get wrong than right in all new undertakings, especially those connected with bee-keeping, and this leads one to think that if things do not work all right, many bee-keepers give up in disgust without asking themselves the question, " Can it be my fault ? " For my own part, I am very much in love with the " Baby nuclei. " Last winter — 1904 — I made all the apparatus required, including " cell-com- pressor," confining-box (ventilated) to hold four standard frames, queen-cell nur- sery frames, fourteen transferring-screens for mating-boxes, etc. I also made the same number of outside mating- boxes. Previous to this I bought for a guide and pattern one trans- ferring-screen, twelve compressed queen- cells in cups, and one outside mating-box. The only difference I made was giving more protection against heat and cold to the mating-boxes, mine being double-walled, and packed with cork-dust. I do not be- stow very much care in making these boxes, the material used being simply ^-in. grocer's used boxes. I had an impression when making these, they might not answer, but if they did I could easily make them with more care and use better wood. The small frames I made from A-in. wood \ in. wide, so that three just filled a shallow- frame. I gave these to a strong stock to work out and fill with honey and pollen. I found the work of grafting queen-cells a v£ry delicate job, requiring great care and good eyesight. I am sorry to say mine is somewhat defective. But I met with suc- cess, although the season was, very uncer- tain and variable as regards the honey- income, a good inflow being essential to success. My first lot of mating-boxes were put out about twenty yards away from the hive from which the bees were taken. I found next morning the bees had left the boxes and gone back, I expect, to the old stock. I thus lost my first batch of queens through exposure to cold. On next attempt I waited for queens hatching, and then filled mating- boxes for them as required. When the bees had entered the boxes I dropped the queens in amongst the bees through hole in top of frames, and then took them about one mile away from my apiary. The result was every queen was fertilised, and they are all now doing duty with established stocks. There is one matter, however, I am not quite certain about in connection with the bees in the large ventilated box holding four frames. The question is : Should these be empty frames, or should they contain honey, along with the usual frame of com- jDi'essed cefl-cups ? I have this winter tried wintering queens on the small frames mentioned above, with about half a pint of bees to each queen. I had a look at them about the first week in this montn to see how these small lots were progressing, and found the queens alive, and egg-laying to all appearance, but thought it best not to lift the combs out. I might mention these small lots have been exposed to all weathers in open ground. I have this winter made a queen-nursery on a much larger scale, so that I can have a good supply of queens in early spring to replace worn-out ones. I find after getting my bees from the moors late in September it was nearly impossible to re-queen stock (Continued on page 86.) HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OP OUR READERS. A peculiar interest attaches to< monastic apiaries, for in such bees have not only found a home for many centuries in the past, but have filled a useful part in labouring to provide honey for the com- munity, and the wax indispensable for the requirements of the Church. Regard- ing that at St. Monica's Prioiy, we have been favoured with the following " notes " : — " Some six or seven years ago, wishing to take up a hobby at once pleasant and profitable, another clerical student and the present writer bought a frame-hive from a neighbour, and set up as bee- keepers. The stock sent off a swarm and March 2, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 85 a cast, and we were soon the proud pos- sessors of three hives ; but the original colony did not survive the winter, a fact partly due, no doubt, to its weakening, and partly to the destructive activity of a mischievous mouse. " The following autumn saw us in pos- session of six colonies, built up by swarms from our own, stray swarms that we had been fortunate enough to catch in our garden, and one or two purchases. But we had gained something by experience now, and, moreover, were perfecting our- selves in theory by a diligent study of Mr. Cowan's admirable ' Guide Book.' We invested in thirty shillings' worth of deal, now aimed rather at checking swarming and increasing the honey output. Hence we have added only one or two each year, and now, after occasional failures, uniting of stocks, etc., we possess eleven colonies, and are not anxious for more. " On the whole, without any sensational ' takes ' or record harvests, we have been uniformly successful. Happily, we have never been visited by foul brood. Our bees are fortunately situated, facing east, and sheltered by a shrubbery behind from the noonday sun, in a large garden by the river Stour, and close at hand are abundant meadows of white clover, and some fine lime trees. On the white clover APIARY OF ST. MONICA'S PRIORY, SPETTISBURY, BLANDFORD, DORSET. and although our knowledge of carpentry was as unprofessional as that of bee-keep- ing, we managed to turn out therewith six very fair hives of the ' Cowan ' pattern, following very closely the directions given in the 'Guide Book.' All the hives in the accompanying illustration are home- made. As these are catalogued at from a guinea to thirty shillings each, it will be seen that a bee-keeper may effect con- siderable saving if he has anything of a knack for carpentry. We also used to make our frames in those days, but we have since learnt that it is more satis- factory and even more economical to buy these ready-made, at least in the flat. " Having raised our stock to six hives, we and the lime we depend for our harvest. The greater part of the honey is very clear, of lemon colour, and excellent flavour. " As regards monetary returns, we have little difficulty in disposing of three or four hundred pounds in the course of the year to friends and neighbours, at an average price of lOd. per section or 1 lb. jar. We have an assured sale for as much wax as we can produce at Is. 6d. per lb. Our original idea was to embark on an agreeable hobby tha"t would pay for itself and leave a margin. After supplying the " firm " liberally with all necessaiy and convenient machinery, the margin has proved considerably wider than antici- 86 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 2, 1905. pated, and it might very easily, with the expenditure of a little more time and energy, be further enlarged. " It seems a great pity that so many cot- tagers, to whom such a profit would prove so welcome an addition to scanty incomes, have not sufficient initiative or ' go ' to take up bee-keeping thoroughly and to carry it out on modern scientific lines. " For — and this is the one item of advice I have to offer from my little experience — it is useless to try to keep bees in a slip- shod fashion ; whereas they more than amply repay that attention to details which is necessary, in fact, for success in any undertaking. Let a man of average intelligence carefully follow the instruc- tions given in any reliable bee book (per- sonally, I swear by Mr. Cowan's), and the profit and pleasure he will derive from his apiary are assured. " This is, I think, not the first time that readers of the B.B.J, have been shown a ' monastic ' Home of the Honey Bee, for ours certainly is not the only one that exists in England to-day ; and in the past, when beeswax was in such requisition for Church purposes, the bee community was an important item of almost every con- ventual establishment. Many, also, was the ' moral ' which the monkish writers of old drew from their observation of the busy bee. " ("■The Swarthmorc Strs'^w." con'.iuu.d from page 84 ) on account of time and the " warm " recep- tion, one gets from the bees at this time. They accept queens better in the spring, and it is then much easier to find queens amongst the reduced clusters. I. am inclined in future to wdrk on this system, for you very rarely get favourable results with aged queens. Hoping to see a few remarks from other bee-keepers interested in the " Swarthmore " system, more especially from our friend, "D. M. M., Banff."— J. H. Horx. SWARM-PREVENTION. [5812.] It has been very mild and sunny here for the last few days, and bees have been very busy in the aconites. There is nothing I like to see better than the bees crowding in with their fiFst loads of yellow pollen for the year. I find several of my queens have started laying, so that our busy bee-time will soon commence. I want to prevent swarming this spring-time, but am afraid it is impossible. Some say that if plenty of supers are put on the hives, the bees will fill them with honey, and not swarm, but I cannot agree with those who make these assertions. It may help to lessen swarming, but it does not prevent it, at least in my own apiary, for when there is a good honey-flow, and the weather is hot, the bees will swarm. I went in for increase of stocks last year, so I let my hives swarm. I had a new " W.B.C. " hive that I wanted to stock with my first swarm, but at the latter end of May I had two swarms come off together, and united of themselves, so I put the whole of them in the " W.B.C. " hive. Then about the middle of June I put on a box of shallow-frames, and also a rack of sections, thinking I should get some honey, but a few weeks later, on a very warm day, the bees swarmed. I looked'in the; supers, but found nothing done in them beyond a little built- out foundation. I might add that the bees had their entrance open full width, so it was not through lack of ventilation that they swarmed. In August I examined the body-box of hive and found it full of beauti- ful honey, with very few bees and no queen, so I drove the bees from three skeps and united with the few bees that were left in the hive, and a fortnight later I was de,- lighted to see a beautiful patch of brood. I think that as it is natural for the bees to swarm when the weather is warm, and plenty of honey about, it seems useless to try to prevent it. — W. A., Rippingham. BEE NOTES FROM YORKSHIRE. TAKING BEES TO HEATHER, [5813.] I bought a lot of driven bees in September for 3s. 6d., hived them on four sheets of brood foundation and three frames of built-out combs, well filled with heather honey, then packed them down for winter in October, giving them about 2 lb. of candy. I had a look at them in January, and found stores nearly all gone. I started feeding them on honey the first week in February, and had another look at them on the 18th, and they appeared in fine condi- tion, so I am hoping to build them up into a first-class colony by the time clover is ready for gathering from. I am trying this as an experiment just to see what can be done with driven bees and the exercise of a little care. I would also like to say a few words about prejoaring bees for travelling, as I have made a little contrivance to help in safe packing for transit that I am thinking of registering. It consists of a pair of doors which can be made to fit any hive in half an hour, and by their means the entrance reduced to a single bee-space, while allow- ing a width of 8 in. by 1 in. for admission of air. My bees have had this all through the past winter, and the plan has worked well, because there is no fear of "robbing." I always winter my bees in Sheffield, and take them in April to a place sixteen miles away, where they remain till August, when I cart them six miles farther to the moors, so as to be close on the heather. When moving March 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 87 the hives I only have to close the doors, put in two screws, and they are ready for moving in one minute. I have never lost a bee yet with my new mode of packing. I now wish every bee-keeper a prosperous season in 1905.— W. S., Sheffield. BEES AND HAZEL CATKINS. A BEE-NOTE FROM AUSTRIA. [5814.] Seeing frequent notes in our be- loved B.B.J, on the question, "Do Bee- Work on Hazel Catkins ? " (or, as they call them out here, Haselnusskatzchen !), may I give you the views of a far-off but constant reader ? Being in the Plavia Apiary to-day, where there are forty-five hives of very busy bees, it would have done you good to see how they worked from bottom to top of those catkins, collecting dark-coloured pollen. These catkins are about 1^ in. long, and every year the bees start work on them most energetically. In a few days from date of writing the almond trees will begin to flower, and then our real season of work begins. The past winter has been very cold for this part of the world. I have lost one stock through starvation, much to my re- gret ; indeed, I cannot avoid a feeling of remorse after allowing even one stock to die for want of food. But a journey thirteen kilometres (eight and a half miles) on one's " bike," with the thermometer 4 deg. " Reaumur " below freezing-point, is not a very pleasant one ; but I under- took it tQ see if the bees were still alive. I am hoping to give you, Messrs. Editors, a call in July next, as I shall be coming home to see you all in that month. — H. H. R. (" A Faithful Bee-man "), Plavia, Istria, Austria. [We shall be very pleased to see you on arrival in England. ■ — Eds.] CELLULOID FOR BEE-KEEPERS. [5815.] With reference to the above allow me to point out that although cellu- loid quilts have all the advantages claimed for them in Mr. Reid's letter, which ap- peared in your last issue (page 74), they are very dangerous to both the bees and the bee-keeper. Celluloid is most in- flammable, and when ignited it is almost impossible to extinguish it, from which it follows that the bee-keeper, unless utterly reckless, must discard either his smoker or his celluloid quilts, and I do not think there is much doubt as to which appliance the average bee-keeper will attach most value. Any one interested can test the matter for himself at the cost of a few pence by purchasing a lady's celluloid comb or pin at a hairdresser's to experi- ment on. I send name for reference and sign — A Bee-keeper, Thomhill, N.B., February 24. WIDE TOP-BARS TO FRAMES. [5816.] On page 53 of B.B.J, for February 9 Mr. W. Woodley asks for the views of bee-keepers who have had some ex- perience with regard to a wider top-bar to frames than that of the B.B.K.A. standard. I have for the last two years used a top- bar 1^ in. wide, as now supplied by most leading dealers, and can recommend it to all. I use no queen-excluders between body-box and' surplus-chambers, and have had no brace-combs ; in fact, the top-bars are as clean now as when first put in the hives. I am, also working a frame 16 in. by 10 in. , with top-bars § in. square, with very good results. — W. W., Burbage, Wilts, Feb- ruary 23. REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS. By "Nemo." Foul Brood v. Bee Pest. — Respecting the nomenclature of this disease, the editor of the American Bee Journal says: — "In the British Bee Journal W. H. Harris urges that the name ' bee-pest ' should be given to the disease now called 'foul brood.' W. Woodley wants 'bee-brood pest.' That might do better in England than here. If foul brood were the only disease to which bees are subject, or even the most severe disease, it might do to give it one of the names mentioned, just as the loose term ' the plague ' is sometimes used to designate some disease parti- cularly destructive to the human family. But in the course of time England is likely to follow the fashion started in this country, where among bees there are other diseases that might be called pests, at least one of them being rated as more destructive than foul brood. " Mr. Harris thinks ' foul brood ' mis- leading, because mature bees are liable to. be affected by the Bacillus alvei as well as the brood. Yet the disease of the brood is the prominent thing. Moreover, a name once established has a claim to continuance just because of its established usage. If a more appropriate name can be given — well ; but it will hardly be 'bee-pest' or 'foul-brood pest.'" Two Queens in a Hive. — In Praktischer Wegwciser J. Strieker describes a case of two queens being in one hive to- gether. For the purpose of introducing fresh blood into his apiary he im- ported two Italian queens, as he usually did every year. He decided on the two stocks to which he wished to introduce these queens, and removed the old ones. One of the colonies displayed no uneasi- ness and remained perfectly quiet. When ready to liberate the queen, this state of things being unusual, M. Strieker made another search, and then he found another 88 TUB BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 2, 1905. queen busily egg-laying. Had the Italian queen been liberated she would have prob- ably been killed, and he therefore recom- mends, when such conditions are noticed to make another search, as it is not un- usual to find two laying queens in one hive occasionally. Nervous System in Insects. — In the Journal of the Boyal Microscopical Society we find an analysis of the work of V. Bauer in the Zooligisches Jahr- buch.' He finds that the central nervous system is not completed at hatching. A post-embryonic development takes place which is continuous in the forms without metamorphosis, original in the Metabola. For the new formation of ganglia, special centres, consisting of neuroblasts, are pre- sent. Ganglionic cells arise by two divi- sions. The first division of the neuroblast leads to the formation of two different part-products, of which the one becomes a ganglion mother-cell, whilst the other, retaining the neuroblast character, repeats the division. The ganglion mother-cells, by simple division, give rise to ganglion cells. Ganglion cells, as well as connec- tive tissue and tracheae of a provisional character, degenerate partly with and partly without the aid of phagocytes. Bees as Healers.— According to M. de Lukomski in the Bulletin de la Societe oV Api- culture de Tunisie, bees have other uses than making honey and wax and fertilising flowers, namely, that of curing fevers. Their poison has antipyretic properties even more powerful than quinine. A few stings (he says) are sufficient to cure inter- mittent fevers, even the most severe, more certainly and rapidly than sulphate of quinine, the usually accepted specific. All hymenoptera — bees, humble bees, wasps, and hornets — have this property. The remedy is not expensive, and only requires courage to inflict the first sting, and then, if necessary, to repeat it until a cure is effected. This remedy, however, will not do for persons of nervous temperaments, for in their case stinging may result fatally. Parthenogenesis and Dr. Planta. — Herr Kramer, the President of the Swiss Bee- keepers' Association, refers to> Dr. Planta in connection with parthenogenesis in the Schweitzerische Bienenzeitung. He adversely criticises Gerstung's new theory thai the over-feeding of the queen with drone food causes her to lay eggs that produce drones. Dr. Planta's investigations are incorrectly explained, and an attempt is made to de- tract from their merit. Herr Kramer said he has had ample and frequent evidence of the great care Dr. Planta took in all his researches, which could always be depended upon for accuracy. Herr Schachinger de- scribed Gerstung's new brood-food-stream as simply an imagination. [3673.] Troubles Through Swarms Uniting. — During last summer one of my frame- hives (I have three) swarmed. Twelve days after, on returning from work I found a small swarm on a bush in the garden. I suppose it came from the same hive, as a young queen was found dead on the flight- board of parent stock, and next morning there were three more dead queens on the board. When the stock swarmed I had not cut out any queen-cells, being a bit nervous of handling to any extent. A skep which stood alongside the swarmed hive was very crowded with bees up in the super it had on top, and a few days after, this stock ap- peared to swarm, at the same time a skep in my neighbour's garden sent out a swarm. My wife said she could not tell one lot from the other in the air, as the bees of both skeps got mixed ; however, they eventually settled as one cluster. That evening when I got home the bees of my skep were very excited, running in and out and up the front of the hive, and this con- tinued for a day or two. They had also left the super. In September I drove the bees from skep as directed in " Guide Book " without seeing the queen. I also noticed that the brood in it was drone in worker-cells, the same as now. I united them the following day to the small swarm mentioned from frame-hive, brushing the bees of both lots on to the flight-board, and dusting them with flour as they ran in. I caught one queen and kept her a few days, when she died ; the other I did not see at all. I therefore ask : 1. Is it possible that I took away the only queen ? I could not find her yesterday. 2. Is the brood in comb enclosed the progeny of a fertile worker or of a drone-breeder ? After the driving and uniting, coupled with yesterday's experi- ence, I do not think I shall be nervous again. Thanking you for reply through your columns, I generally find what I want without asking in your replies. I send name, etc., and sign — C. A., Enfield, Feb- ruary 27. Reply. — 1. It seems certain that there was no queen left in hive after joining up the two lots. 2. The drone-brood in worker- cells is no doubt that of an unmated queen raised after uniting. [3674. ] Transferring Combs and Bees to Standard Frames. — Last spring I bought a stock of bees in a frame-hive, but now find that the frames are not of standard size, being only 12 in. long and 6 in. deep. I have made some "W.B.C. " hives accord- ing to directions in the " Practical Note- book," and wish to transfer the bees and combs from the old hive to a new one. I therefore ask : 1. Shall I have to cut the March 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 89 combs out and tie them in standard frames ? 2. If so, when would be the best time to do it? I may say the bees have plenty of sealed stores, and some of the frames have brood dn them. Any information you can give will oblige. I send name, and sign — Novice, Bath. Reply. — 1. Yes ; and not only so, but each comb will need a thin lath under the lower edge to support its weight. More- over, it will not be safe to rely on the or- dinary stay-tape for tying in the combs, as the bees may readily start nibbling the tape through, and thus cause a break-down if combs are at all heavy. The task of trans- ferring combs of that size to standard frames is rather beyond the powers of a " Novice," and we advise not cutting the combs out of the frames at all. A far safer and better plan would be to set the present hive with bees and combs on top of your new hive after fitting the frames of latter with full sheets of foundation, and let the bees transfer themselves below when the queen needs room for egg-laying. 2. The best time for bees transferring themselves is about mid-April. [3675.] A Beginner's Difficulties. — Will you kindly advise me as below? — Without having any knowledge of bees I made a frame-hive last spring and got a swarm from a friend. The bees appear strong at present, but on examining the hive to- day for the first time since it was packed down for winter, I find that the roof at edges is touching the packing, owing to my not having made the roof deep enough. Consequently, the quilts are quite wet, as is also the roof inside. This state of things must be owing to condensed water as the roof is quite weather-proof. There are holes at each end of roof for ventila- tion, but these do not appear to be of any use, except in the centre, where there is more space. I therefore ask : — 1. Would it be advisable to move the combs and bees to a new hive at once, or wait till the end of next month ? The water does not appear to have reached the bees, as there are three quilts on, but the bottom one appears a little damp. 2. I find occasionally one or two bees apparently dead on flight-board, but on taking them to a warm room they recover. Are these bees cast out as dead, or do you think they left the hive for a flight, and, being be- numbed with the cold, were unable to get back into the hive on their return ? 3. When is the best time to get combs drawn out from foundation, as I want to work on the storifying principle, and have only two frames of comb that I removed in the autumn. Could I begin at once feeding the bees for this purpose, or would it be best to let them have the foundation in all ten frames at once, when I put the doubling box on? Should I put two frames from brood-chamber in doubling-box when it is first put on to entice the bees up into it ? Thanking you in anticipation, and also for the Chapman honey plant seeds so kindly sent, I send name and address as required, and sign— A Novice, Southampton, February 21. Reply. — 1. The simplest way of over- coming the trouble will be to make a " riser " (or lift) six or seven inches high to slip on between the present roof and hive body. This will not only keep coverings dry in winter, but lifts are necessary for raising the roof when surplus-chambers are put on. Some care- ful bee-keepers transfer bees and combs to clean hives in spring, but it is not absolutely necessary ; in fact, no one thinks of keeping a double set of hives ; they only start with one clean hive and then wash out the first one transferred from, and use it for the second lot, and so on. 2. Bees so found are only chilled if they revive with warmth. 3. The besjt time to get combs built out from founda- tion is during a temporary stoppage in the honey-flow, as stated on page 113 of "Guide Book." You will require to read the instructions on " doubling and storifying" very carefully, and carry them out with no deviation, if you are to make a success of the plan. Giving ten frames of foundation in an empty " doubling box " is not advised at all. [3676.] Suspected Foreign Honey. — I should feel obliged if you would say whether, in your opinion, enclosed sample of honey is English. I have received 1 cwt. of it, and my opinion of same is it is at least 50 per cent, foreign of low quality. An early reply per B.B.J, will oblige. — Bees, Belfast. P.S. — Name sent for reference. Reply. — We do not trace any sign of foreign honey in sample. It is not a well- ripened honey, but is not at all bad in flavour, which is distinctly traceable to hawthorn, as is the aroma also. [3677.] A Novice's Queries: Faulty Honey, Water-troughs, and Comb-building in Spring. — I shall be obliged if you will kindly answer me the following questions in the B.B.J. : — I becran bee-keeping last year with one stock, and the only honey I got from it was of a dark, muddy colour. 1. Do you think this fault would be ac- counted for by there being a great many poppies grown in this neighbourhood ? If not, can you explain the cause? 2. A few yards distant from the hive there is a ditch, the water of which is not very clean. Would this do the bees any harm ? 3. Will bees build-out foundation when there is no honey- flow on — i.e., in spring or autumn? It is my intention to get a few more stocks 90 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 2, 1905. this year, as I now begin to understand them better, and find your Bee Journal (which I take weekly) and " Guide Book " most interesting and helpful. Thanking you in anticipation, I send name, etc.; and sign myself — Novice, Harrogate, Feb- bruary 20. Reply. — 1. It is known that poppies yield honey of disagreeable flavour and aroma ; . but we feel pretty sure the fault in yours will be caused by the great pre- valence of honey-dew in most districts last year. 2. We do not think your bees will suffer from the proximity to a ditch, but it will.be well to supply them with clean water at drinking-troughs near by. 3. In spring they will, if fed liberally, but not always in autumn. You will find informa- tion on feeding for this purpose in the " Guide Book " (page 113). [3678.] Hive Blown Over in Storm. — I enclose a sample of dead bees, and will be glad if you can tell me if they have died of foul brood. The hive blew over in a snowstorm and the bees got wet. I put on fresh quilts and fixed them up all right, but there are thousands of the bees dead. I leave for France on Thursday, and should esteem it a favour if you could " wire " me as regards disease. — M. P., Hexham, February 22. Reply. — As "wired," there is no help, as to diagnosing disease in examining a parcel of drowned bees, and the piece of comb sent contains only pollen. Your trouble will be to get the stock strong in time for the honey-flow after losing thousands of bees by the unfortunate accident. Keep the colony as warm as possible, and by stimulating with warm food during the early springtime, the queen, if young and prolific, may rapidly build up the stock to profitable strength. [3679.] Suspected Disease in Fruit Trees. ■ — I am sending a few twigs of black currant trees from my garden for inspec- tion. I am given to understand that the round hard lumps where the buds are is a result of some kind of disease. Quite a number of my trees are affected in this way, and so I ask if you can tell me what the disease is, and if it will injuriously affect the other trees through the agency of the bees... I would also like to know if it has any ill effect iipon the bees them- selves or the honey. I shall be obliged for any information you can give me. I send name for reference. — J. H. M., Chipping Norton, February 21. Reply. — We see nothing in what you term "round hard lumps" to indicate disease. The "lumps" are simply plump blossom buds, each of which contains the embryo bunch of fruit bloom. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advanee of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. D. G. Taylor, T. Ormesher, W. G. Archer, J. B. Spencer, G. T. Warran, W. Talbot-Bretherton, S. H. Tollington, and Others. — " Baby Nuclei. ' ' — We think the book will cost 2s. 6d. , including postage, but will notify price when sending your respective copies on. J. B. C. (Loughborough). — " Work for the Week." — We are obliged for your sugges- tions, but there is a wide difference be- tween a gardening paper and one devoted to bee-keeping. In the latter pursuit each week's work cannot be arranged be- forehand, and, besides, we are con- tinually repeating the truism that the art of bee-keeping cannot be acquired from what is contained in our weekly issue. In other words, those who wish to be suc- cessful with bees must, perforce, provide themselves with a reliable " Guide Book " in which nearly every important phase of the work is fully described and generally illustrated. Not only so, but the weekly repetition of instructions which nine out I of every ten readers know by heart would become a nuisance to all but beginners. In our monthly, the B.K. Record, about a couple of columns is devoted to " Work for the Month," and in this such direc- tions as you mention are fully given. W. Stacey (Sheffield). — Yorkshire Honey Jars. — The jars you name are, we think, not stocked by many dealers in bee-appli- ances for reasons known to the latter, no doubt, if not to ourselves. The best plan, therefore, of bringing your favourite jars before B.B.J, readers would be to induce the makers to make known their merits in our advertisement pages. It would be obviously unfair for us to give a " free ad." to any firm that does not think it worth while to advertise their goods in our pages. H. S. S. (Yorkshire). — Honey-dew _ as Bee-food. — The sample is very poor stuff indeed, even for honey-dew. It may do as bee-food in spring, but, not- withstanding its being thin, it is be- ginning to granulate, and would need warming in order to melt the granules before giving it to the bees as food. A. H. G. (Cheshire). — Cheap Honey. — We think no good would follow the publica- tion of your letter, and it might lead to trouble, unless the statement could be verified beforehand. March 9, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 91 BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting and conver- sazione of the British Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation, which will be held on Thursday next (March 16), in the board-room of the R.S.P.C.A., 105, Jermyn Street, pro- mises to be of unusual interest, and we are not sorry to find that, apart from the vexed questions which have caused so great a stir amongst bee-keepers of late, there will be time for the interchange of views on bee-matters of general interest which can be discussed without acrimony or undue warmth on any side. But, seeing that a good attendance of county representatives is both hoped for and expected, no one will grudge the time occupied in arriving at a definite conclu- sion, if such be possible, with regard to the amount of bona-fide or practical help that will be available in support of the effort to obtain legislation for dealing with bee-pest or foul brood. We emphasise this point at the pre- sent stage of the B.B.K.A. Council's work in that direction, because the annual general meeting presents the only oppor- tunity for taking a purview of the policy of the retiring Council, and expressing approval, or otherwise, of what has been done to benefit bee-keeping by the ruling body of the parent association during the past twelve months. The retiring Council have done their best in endeavouring to promote the gene- ral good of the bee-industry and of those in this country who are engaged in the pursuit, and if those who' are younger — while able and willing to labour un- selfishly in the same spirit — can be found to take a share in this work, there should be no objection on the part of those now directing the association's affairs to see the work taken up by younger, and per- haps abler, members. The county asso- ciations have of late evinced a laudable desire to take a more active share in directing the policy of the central asso- ciation, and it is to be hoped that they will, by sending their representatives to attend the annual meeting, give practical evidence of this desire. In conclusion, we may add a line to say that the new " Claustral " Ventilating Hive, described and illustrated in our issue of February 23, will be on view at the conversazione which follows the meet- ing at six p.m. 2>eatb of tbe Tbon, ano 1Rev\ Ibenrp BliQh. We deeply regret to announce the death of the above-named gentleman on Saturday evening last, the 4th inst., at his residence in the Close, Winchester. Mr. Bligh will long be remembered as one of the truest and best friends of the British Bee- keepers' Association ever since its institu- tion over thirty years ago, and the in- dustry had no more steadfast supporter. The sad news only reached us as we were preparing for press, but we hope to give some particulars in our next issue. Mean- time, the regretful sympathy of all our readers along with ourselves will be ex- tended to Mrs. Bligh and family. TESTING PURITY OF BEES-WAX. We have been asked to give a simple and ready method of testing the purity of bees-wax without the expense of a pro- fessional analysis. The following method of testing will be within the capacity of any person of ordinary intelligence. — [Eds.] To test the purity of bees-wax : — A small piece of wax placed in the mouth and chewed should not adhere to the teeth, or become pasty, but gradually disin- tegrate into small fragments, and be de- void of any special savour. This test is not sufficient if the quantity of the adul- terant is small, in which case the specific weight should be ascertained. Prepare in a tumbler a mixture of alcohol and water of sufficient density to allow a flat piece of wax of known purity to float on the surface, so that the unoer sur- face of the wax is level with the liquid. A small sample of suspected wax is then melted to get rid of all traces of air, and then placed in the liquid. If it sinks or projects above the surface it is certainly adulterated. Sometimes adulterants heavier and lighter than pure wax are used, so that when mixed in proper proportions the density of pure wax is obtained. In such a case the following additional tests should be made : — Put a piece of the suspected wax, the size of a small nut, into a test tube, half fill with spirits of turpentine, and carefully warm over the flame of a spirit lamp. If the solution is cloudy, or a deposit is thrown down, the solution is not complete and the wax is adulterated, for spirits of turpentine completely dissolves pure bees- wax. After this test, a piece of the same wax is placed in a test tube half filled with alcohol and brought to the boiling point. 92 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 9, 1905. Allow it to cool for half an hour and then filter. To the filtered liquid add an equal quantity of water and put in a piece of red litmus test paper that has previously been turned blue by dipping in liquid am- monia and dried between blotting paper. Stir well, and if at the end of a quarter of an hour the liquid remains clear or only slightly opalescent, or if the test paoer has not assumed its original red tint, the wax is pure. If the contrary is the case, the wax is undoubtedly adulterated. If the wax resists these tests success- fully in the order given above, its purity may be assumed with almost certainty. QUEEN - REARING IN AMERICA. By " Swarthmore. " Special to British Bee Journal. In his remarks before the Pennsylvania State Bee-keepers' Association, at its an- nual meeting held in Harrisburg, Pa., U.S.A., December 6 to 7, E. L. Pratt, of Swarthmore, said : — "I have been asked to prepare a paper on some queen-rearing subject for this Convention, and I think I cannot do better than to give a brief explanation and de- monstration of the queen-rearing appli- ances we use in Swarthmore with so much success and satisfaction. " When I first entered the queen-rearing field the laborious methods employed quite discouraged me. To continue in the busi- ness I must needs hire help or devise means to reduce labour. The latter I set out to do, and the things here before you are the results of my efforts." Both the old and the more recent queen- rearing methods were briefly reviewed, and the necessity for a separable and easily removable queen-cell was clearly shown. To avoid the delicate surgical operations, we were compelled to perform by old methods (previous to the emerging of the young queen) ; a wooden cup is now used. The top application of the " Swarth- more " pressed queen-cups was explained, and the many labour-saving points of a flange-cup were set forth by demonstra- tion. The process of waxing the cups, pressing; the cells, and grafting them without royal jelly was cone through, and numerous questions from the floor were answered, Tin' use of the " Swarthmore " open-top holding-frames, and the manner of apply- ing cell-bars, incubating and confining cages to them through slits in the sheets from the tops of the hives without dis- turbance to the bees, was also demon- strated, and the simplicity and labour- saving points of each carefully set out. The speaker then branched into the wholesale possibilities of the "Swarth- more " plan, showing how large numbers of queen-cells may be secured and cared for. A number of small cups, set side by side in a little frame, so as to resemble a comb in which the breeding-queen will deposit eggs to save the long process of grafting by hand, attracted considerable attention, and brought forth much comment and many questions. It was shown how these little cups, each containing an egg, could be drawn from the frame, slipped into holding-shells, and given to the bees for queen-rearing, and how other cups could be replaced in the frame for future use in cell-getting. Previous to' his explanation of the miniature mating-boxes, the speaker quoted from his book, "Baby Nuclei," the following words of introduction: — " It was in 1881 that I first began to ex- periment with section box nuclei for mating queens. Some three or four years later the plan I had been commercially success ful with was published in the journals of that day and in pamphlet form under the title of 'Pratt's New System of Nuclei Management.' Never to this day have I to any extent used more than a mere hand- ful of bees in a little box for the sole purpose of mating my queens. My little baby mating-boxes have been condemned by nearly all the professionals, including Mr. Alley, in whose yard I had the pleasure of studying with profit for some three or four seasons. In the face of all this opposition I have clung to my little mating-boxes and have improved them from year to year until we now have what is called the 'Ideal.' Time and time again have I called attention to the woeful waste of bees, labour, and material by the older mating methods, but I could get no' hearing until a recent year. It so happened that I succeeded in mating a large number of queens from my little boxes fitted into frames and hung upon stakes, also attached in different ways to the sides of hives. My description of these experiments was admitted in part to ' Gleanings in Bee Culture,' which re- newed interest in small mating nuclei, and the quesion now seems to command wide interest because of the wondrous saving in expense over any other method of queen- mating." In opening the queen-mating question, the speaker said that twenty-five bees will mate a queen ; fifty will do it better, but more than a small teacupful is a. positive disadvantage. The design of the " Swarth- more " mating nucleus boxes was shown, and the manner of hanging them to little T-stands driven into the ground, together with the manner employed to supply them with small (ombs and storino; them with honey, also how bees are obtained and March 9, 1905] THE BRITISH REE JOURNAL. 93 supplied in small lots to each little mating-box. While on the question of queen intro- duction, Mr. Pratt said : " it was Mr. Doolittle who showed us how to success- fully introduce virgin queens to confined and broodless bees ; Mr. Alley it was who taught us the use of the tobacco-pipe for the same purpose, and it is hard for me to decide which is the greater gift. Both are golden." " The folly of brushing the bees from small mating-boxes directly they have mated a single queen is apparent," said the speaker, " when the same bees can be made to mate queen after queen either by pre-introduction or by giving ripe cells." When the simple manner of giving cells to baby nuclei was demonstrated ap- plause followed. After going through the different means employed in quickly feeding the babies with a bulb and tube, or by means of little bottles, Mr. Pratt showed the Convention how substantial bee-hives are made by him from paper at a cost of only a few cents per hive and a little labour, at the close of which a standing vote of thanks was given to " Swarthmore " for the interesting paper they had heard. The Editors do not "hold themselves responsible for ih« opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. Communications relating to the literary department, reports of Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review, dec, must be addressed only to "The Editors of the ' British Bee Journal,' 10, Buckingham- street, Strand, Londor>, W.C." All business communi- cations relating to advertisements, &c. , must be addressed to "The Manager, 'British Bee Journal:' Office, 10, Buckingham-street, Strand, London, W.C:" *** 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. NOTES BY THE WAY. T5817.] Thanks are due to Dr. Elliot from all bee-keepers for the valuable article on "Experts and Foul Brood." I hope all experts will read carefully the hints given and digest them thoroughly. If only a part of the complaints made are true, there is no doubt that some of our present ex- perts are either careless or incompetent when dealing with so insidious a foe as Bacillus alvri. To make our pages bright with interest- ing "notes," should be the endeavour of all our readers. Each of us, in the apiary, has his own methods of working, but if all had a chance to visit the "bee-gardens" of our bee-keeping friends and see how tilings were done, depend on it we should learn much. Indeed, I know of nothing that conveys more of mutual advantage than comparing the various methods on which bees are managed and work got through ; and I feel sure that not only would our editors be glad to receive such notes, but the regular interchange of views will, if started, prove one of the most interesting items in our Journal, if the thousands who have received help and hints will as freely give for the benefit of others. We shall shortly begin to- get ready our racks of sections for use, and those who have combed-sections on hand should ex- amine and see if they are free from wax- moth ; if any combs contain honey not re- moved by the bees after extracting, they should be placed over a strong colony for clearing out, and these combed-sections may be intermixed with new ones when fitting up sections for use. Now that we can have the finest super foundation in sheets, so thin that a. pound fills 100 sec- tions, it is good policy to use full sheets, and I fully believe that the balance will be on the right side. If any of our readers doubts this assertion, let him divide his apiary fairly in two parts, and for one half use "starters," and the other half full sheets, and mark the result at the end of the sea- son so far as regards, economy in working. Also if you can spare the cash have three racks of sections for each hive, but do not try to manage with less than two racks for each strong stock, with a few over for an emergency when honey is coming in fast. In the latter case place the third rack under the second, when the " super- clearer " is put under the first one, when the latter is ready to take off : then these full ones can be refitted to give room to other hives as required. This " note " refers only to apiaries of, say, 8, 10, or 12 stocks. The larger bee-keepers are ouite able to carry out their own plans and are provided with an outfit suitable to their requirements. The sections used as "baits" should be placed judiciously in the rack, and if there are any combs with drone-cells, do not put them in the centre row but on the outsides, unless excluder is used, or you will tempt the queen uj> into your super. Another point I would commend to all purchasing frames for use, is to insist on having them with top-bars. 1^ in. wide. These frames will give so much satisfac- tion in the future that the extra cost will not count, as no excluder zinc will be needed when working for sections, and they will prevent brace-combs, and almost stop trouble from propolising. Thus, if you wish to- spread the brood-nest or inter- change frames the combs will be built as 94 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 9, 1905. flat as a board, i.e., when full sheets of foundation are used with a good strong swarm. — W. Woodlet, Beedon, Newbury. FOUL BROOD v. BEE-PEST. [5818. [ Will you allow me to make two or three brief remarks on the strictures connected with my name in the American Bee Journal, as1 quoted on page 87 of last week's B.B.J. ? First, both the words " foul " and " brood ' ' are certainly sometimes inappro- priate, and, therefore, inadequate to con- note the disease to which, in combination, they have been applied. Secondly, in England we have no disease in our apiaries comparable, in virulence and contagious- ness, to that due to Bacillus alvei, and, therefore, deserving par excellence the name of bee-pest. Thirdly, it does appear to me that the establishment of a mislead- ing and inadequate term is no reason against changing it for a much better one, ■especially when there is. more than a pro- bability that official and Parliamentary approval will be tacitly given to) the more appropriate name, which, in fact, has been, concurrently with the old one, already adopted by our Board of Agriculture. I should like to inform your correspon- dent (No. 3679, page 90), that the round, hard buds on his black currant bushes are due to the "black currant mite" (Phytoptus ribis). If he will write to the Board "of Agriculture and Fisheries for their Leaflet No. 1, he will get (free of charge and of postage) full information on the subject. I have been obliged to de- stroy all my black currant bushes owing to the ravages of the mites. — ■ W. H. Harris, Hayes End, Middlesex, March 6. [Our friend Mr. Harris might have taken a different view had he seen the twigs sent. — Eds.] "SALE OF POISONS." [5819.] As the makers and dealers in bee-keeping appliances are now having their catalogues printed, I wish to sound a note of warning as to the sale of " poisons " by unqualified persons, as many appliance makers, in their lists, offer for sale carbolic acid, either pure, or mixed with some other liquids. As carbolic acid is in the second part of the Poisons Schedule, it cannot be sold in Great Britain except by persons qualified as chemists or medical practitioners. Of course, pro- prietary articles containing scheduled poisons are subject to the same restric- tions as the poisons themselves. The fol- lowing is a copy of the order : — By an order of the Privy Council, dated July 26, 1900, liquid preparations of carbolic acid and its homologues containing more than three per cent, of those substances (except any preparation used in agriculture or horticulture, and contained in a closed vessel labelled with the words " poisonous," the name and address of the seller, and a notice of its agricultural or horticultural use) was added to Schedule A, Part II. This may save the appliance dealers and makers some trouble. I shall be pleased to answer any ques- tions on the above/. — Hy. W. Clarkson, London, S.W., March 2. INFLAMMABILITY OF CELLULOID. [5820.] Although it is a well-known fact that celluloid is highly inflammable, and when brought into contact with or even in too close proximity to fire, it flares up readily, I am assured that, used in the hive interior with even ordinary care, it adds no new terror to bee-keeping. Tests have been very carefully made, and sheets sub jected to all likely accidents from contact with smoker sparks and no' ill effects fol- lowed. Personally, I am of opinion that only gross carelessness in handling a smoker could bring about such a contin- gency as that contemplated by the writer of 5815.— D. M. M., Banff. BEE NOTES FROM NORTHUMBER- LAND. [5821.] As a bee-keeper located at Corn- diill-on-Tweed, close to the Cheviot Hills, I send a few notes referring to the past season of 1904 in our district. It was for me, on the whole, a little better than the previous year, but my take of flower- honey was very poor indeed. The bees got almost nothing from the clover ; it was, as the saying goes, " plenty of runches, but very little in it." The heather then came on, and as it promised well I packed up my bees and started for the moors, where the heather was in splendid bloom, and the bees had about nine days of sunshine ; but bad weather then came, and altogether spoilt the heather, so no more honey- gathering was done. My total " take " from eleven hives was 180 lb. in sections. The prices I got for these were Is. 9d., Is. 6d., and Is. 3d. per 1-lb. sections, according to grade. I may be allowed to say in conclusion that I have sent my vote in to Mr. W. Woodley against the proposed Foul Brood Bill, which I object to. and would certainly not allow any one to have a right to examine my apiary if I could help it. Wishing all our bee-brethren more sunshine and a larger honey yield in 1905, I send name, etc., and sign — A Son of the Soil. (Correspondence continued on page 96.) March 9, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 95 HOMES OF THE HONEY-BEE. THE APIARIES OF OUR. READERS. We are glad to have Mr. Judd's testi- mony, showing the value of our village schoolmasters, in helping beginners in bee- keeping. There is no doubt in our own mind with regard to this, in view of what has appeared in our pages. Our friend's bee-notes read as follows : — "In the year 1897 a friend of mine brought his bees to my father's, orchard, and for a time I was simply a spectator. Ultimately I began to help him in his manipulations, and gradually became bolder, and more in- different to a few stings. In the year 1900 my friend presented me with a swarm, and having bought a hive I made my start as a bee-keeper. In the autumn of the same tered all my colonies, and though 1903 was a wretched year I harvested 150 lb. honey, which compared most favourably with other bee-keepers in this district. " During the winter of 1903-4 I lost one- stock, but had a very good swarm on May 25, 1904, which again brought my number up to six. The season 1904 was very promising here as elsewhere at the start, honey being abundant while the fruit-blossom lasted. At this period, owing to the plentiful income, all my stocks got into prime condition, and we began to anti- cipate a grand harvest, but the subsequent drought, followed by honey-dew everywhere in our county, dispelled all thoughts of this, however, and I only harvested 70 lb. honey of inferior quality. MR. ARTHUR JDDDS APIARY, CHILWELL, NOTTINGHAM. year I purchased a ' Wells ' hive, and with the help of a few driven lots of bees had three stocks for wintering, two of which came safely through. In the summer of 1901 I bought another hive, in which was placed a swarm of my own, seen in the photo, and increased my stocks by three purchased swarms, making a total of six stocks, as seen in photo, the now un- occupied ' Wells ' hive coming in very use- ful to hold my smoker, veil, etc. That year I obtained only about 40 lb. of surplus honey. All six stocks wintered safely, and spring, 1902, found me in fair order for a good season. During that year I turned my attention to building up my stocks, and in spite of drawbacks managed to secure 80 lb. of surplus. I again successfully win- " Reverting to photo, the figure on my left is our village schoolmaster, who is an en- thusiastic bee-keeper. He very kindly gave a look round my apiary each day in the swarming season, which was very helpful to me, as I am away in Nottingham all day. " The ' Wells ' hive I have kept un- occupied since the fii*st year I had it, as I fottnd it unmanageable. " Though my experience has carried me through some depressing seasons, and, in consequence, I have not had that success with bees which has been the good fortune of some B.B.J, readers, I have found bee- keeping an interesting, instructive, and profitable 'hobby,' and with more favour- able climatic conditions I hope to do better than hitherto. I have read the 'Guide 96 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 9, 1905. Book ' and the B.K. Becord, and I am greatly indebted to Mr. Peter Scattergood, of Stapleford, for advice always given freely. I also have to acknowledge expert help and advice from Mr. Puttergill, of Beeston." CORRESPONDENCE. (Continued from page 94.) CELLULOID FOR BEE-KEEPERS' USE. [5822.] It may be in the recollection of some older readers that when first Mr. Reid brought to notice the use of celluloid for quilts, excluders, etc., in the B.B.J. some years ago, I myself wrote you to same effect as your Thornhill correspon- dent, on page 87 last week. In reoly to my note — which was only a word of warn- ing with regard to care in the use of smoker — Mr. Reid was rather severe on me, but I now again wish simply to warn bee-keepers, and urge carefulness in doing anything which involves the use of fire, if there is celluloid near at hand, as I have actually known a blaze to* result from disregard of this caution. I say this in view of the fact that I (along with other appliance-dealers) still stock celluloi i, as I did then. — Geo. Rose, Great Charlotte Street, Liverpool. MISNAMING HONEY. [5823.] In view of the question of cheap honey being offered for sale as '" finest Scotch," I feel it my duty to let the readers of the B.B.J, know what has pome under my notice in connection with selling honey under a false name. Let me say what I know to be the truth. I know a gentleman who buys foreign honey in barrels, melts it down, strains it, and after jarring it off in liquid form disposes of same by advertis- ing it as " new light run honey." Now, if this is not deceiving the public I should like to know what is, and sincerely wish that this sort of thing could be stopped ; or if not, I think the public should be warned against buying honey unless it is guaran- teed to be as described. I send name, and sign — F. K. S., Essex. HYBRIDISING AN APIARY FOR SECURING BEST RESULTS. [5824.] As I am thinking of introducing pure-bred Ligurian and Carniolan queens into my apiary of Blacks and BJack- Ligurian hybrids, I should be much obliged if either you or your readers could favour me with their experience of the fol- lowing crosses : 1. Ligurian drone with Carniolan queen. 2. Carniolan drone with Ligurian queen. 3. Black drone with Carniolan queen. 4. Carniolan drone with Black queen. The points in which I am interested are prolincness, industry, and temper. I send name, etc., for refer- ence.—L. A. V., Rye, February 27. P^e will be glad if readers who have had experience on the above lines will send on a few particulars for publication in our pages. — Eds;] HELP IN LAND BUYING. [5825.] Referring to your reply to query No. 3656 (page 49), and the request for information on land purchase, I beg to say that having known the " National Freehold Land and Building Society" for thirty-nine years, and compared it with other building societies, I think "J. E. S. " would there find the help he wishes for ; and if an arrangement is come to, he may rely upon having neither fines nor fees charged, and no more than 5 per cent, for the loan. I send name, etc., and sign — C. B. S., Essex, February 25. ON THE CARE OF BROOD-COMBS. [5826.] Having had several requests from beginners to contribute something to1 the pages of our Journal, I have thought that it might be helpful to some of them if I offered a 'few hints gleaned from my own practice and the writings of more capable bee-men on the care of combs. I consider this to be quite one of the most important duties, not only of the winter months, bui. of the whole bee calendar, and one which is, at times, only too sadly neglected, by even the more experienced bee-owner. Take care of the combs, and the colonies will almost take care of themselves. The .time so spent will be repaid to you in hard cash value, for the combs are worth the care, and if the one who should do so will not look after them, another will, and that other is usually some variety of ento- mological scavenger, who* will put them to his own mis-use. Spare combs, in good condition, are un- doubtedly the greatest help either to in- crease the number of colonies, or to make up for winter losses, and they are worth every moment of the time expended upon them. How to Store. — The receptacles which I like the most, perhaps because I can most easily obtain them, are the usual 1-cwt. cane-sugar boxes, which cut down to a convenient size. This is accomplished by first removing the two top side boards, one of which is later cut into two lengths and replaced, thus lowering the depth. The ends., which now project, are then sawn down to the future height of side, about nine inches., as this leaves room for napthaline, etc., in the bottom of the box, and the remove! end cleat is renailed to t\, March 9, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 97 the outside, thus forming a cleat for lift- ing purposes. The half sides are then nailed on; and the top edge planed down to an approximate level. The width of these boxes inside is usually fifteen inches, and where long top bars, are used an out- side cleat may be nailed along the aide of the box. These boxes are lined with stiff brown paper tacked neatly and closely to the sides, and a cover of similar material is folded and tied with string below the cleat. Such boxes hold about a score of combs and may be piled up in small space, and are much more satisfactory than all sorts and sizes of makeshift hives. They are practically moth-proof, and access is easily obtained, whilst the contents may be clearly designated up on the card tacked to the outside. It is said that, some Con- tinental bee-keepers store their empty combs in sand, filling the cells full of the material, and covering the combs. If the pest were severe enough to warrant the trouble, this plan would seem to offer pro- tection to combs which were actually free from eggs and larvae. For ease and convenience of handling spare combs during the season, I have not seen any more convenient arrangement than the cupboard rack illustrated be- low : — Rack for Store-Combs. Wlicn to Store. — Unquestionably, no comb should ever be allowed to lie about, but should immediately be transferred to its place. Left about, it is not only a temptation to the wax moth and the prowl- ing bee, but runs the risk of damage by more clumsy enemies. Wherefore, put away the spare combs at once, clear up as you go along, and see them safely into the box or rack. Do not, however, place un- examined combs, with possible grubs lurk- ing along the top bars, amongst combs which you are fairly sure are free from the pest. Examine so far as you can, and quarantine them if possible. Sorting. — But the season in full swing does not perhaps allow of so much atten- tion to these important items of bee-furni- ture as they deserve, and there is some- times an accumulation which should be sorted over and cared for without delay. Where there are not many combs, the neces- sity for sorting may not be so clear, but it exists nevertheless. It is so much more handy to be able to lay one's hand at the urgent moment upon the right article, the particular comb, that it is surprising that those of us who realise the necessity are not more precise in this respect. Even where combs are few, there are probably several varieties. Where the beginner is really interested in his bees, he usually plans some increase of stock, and this im- plies frames fitted up with foundation. Then there are the already completed but empty combs, and the combs containing sealed stores. Where combs have accu- mulated, there are, possibly, partly-built combs from starters only, which should not be mixed with the other classes. And, lastly, there are the old and faulty combs which require to be doctored, repaired, cr discarded altogether ; separately treated, in fact. Here are some five varieties which I may perhaps be allowed to deal with in turn. The Perfect Combs. — And how few of the ordinary combs could be classed as per- fect. Would that we might have a special exhibition of these at the shows, for the better education of the multitude. The per- fect combs, I say, should be dealt with first, and my own treatment consists in thor- oughly washing them by means of a hydra - pult or garden syringe, using Condy's fluid or Izal in the washing. I have a simple holder upon which the comb is supported inside the barrel of the extractor from which the gearing has been removed. A large, home-made strainer is hung below the honey-gate to catch the dead bees, bits of wax, or lumps of pollen which would Otherwise clog the syringe, and the fluid is allowed to run into a bucket for use until too dirty, when a fresh supply is substituted. For a first or simple washing of healthy combs, I have arranged a short length of hose pipe with a suitable rose, which is a great saving of labour, the wash- ing of a large number of combs being quickly accomplished. Hei*e, be it noted, I would rather wash out a comb con- taining a small quantity of unripe store than allow such to remain and ferment. All combs after washing are to be thoroughly and quickly dried in a warm place, and then stored as described. 98 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 9, 1905. The Partly-built Combs are to have the drone parts cut away, the pieces of wax being immediately transferred to the bin box or other receptacle. The Scaled Combs, the stores in which are to a large extent, their protection, are to be carefully graded as to quantity and quality of contents, as these may be the first required for spring use. Treat them as carefully and in the same way as you would treat sealed sections. Foundation ought not, in my opinion, to be put into frames until nearly the time for its use. It is better kept in a wooden paper-lined box of the right size, and stored in a hot place, such as the cupboard which contains the hot-water cylinder to' be found in most houses nowadays. Frames completely fitted up take much more snace, and are, therefore, not so easily stored in such a place, but they may be nailed up and wired ready for the last operation, the fitting of the foundation when necessary. They may then be hung up out of the way, and there is no risk of perished' or brittle sheets, though most of the old hands know how much improved foundation becomes, and how nearly a poor sheet may be re- stored to its. original freshness, by warming it thoroughly just before inserting it in the hive. — L. S. Crawshaw, Ilkley. (Continued next wulc.) OWNERS' RISK RATES. [5827.] Referring to Mr. Newman's letter (5771, page 29) in B.B.J, of January 19, re claim preferred against the Great Eastern Railway Company for sections broken in transit, may I say that being a railway- rates' clerk by occupation, I was very in- terested in the reply received by Mr. New- man's solicitors from the railway com- pany's solicitors. It is just the reply I should expect them to give to his applica- tion for compensation, and is an every- day occurrence. I think it would be very remarkable if any one did obtain payment of a claim when an owner's risk note has been signed. They (the company) are legally justified in their attitude, but it certainly comes very hard on the bee- keeper who has lost his sections. In the general railway classification of goods, honey in the comb is classified as follows: — "Honey in the comb, in sec- tions, in cases, at, owner's risk only, class 4 (rate) " ; and the same are only accepted for conveyance by passenger train when an owner's risk note has been signed. The signing of this note protects the railway company from all responsibility for damage or loss, except when same is caused by- wilful misconduct or negligence on the part of the company's servants, which it is next to impossible to prove. As many bee-keepers have to send comb- honey, etc., by train in order to dispose of their produce, the question of responsi bility on the part of the railway company is a very serious one. Sections are so very fragile that I do not think they will ever be carried at company's, risk, seeing that to do so would soon cause them to be in- undated with claims. It therefore rests with the sender to see that his honey is packed as securely as possible in order to lessen the risk of their being smashed. One has only to see the way in which boxes and other things are banged about by porters on the line, to cause no wonder that goods get smashed occasionally. If packages of sections were handled more carefully while in the possession of the railway company it would help to greatly benefit the bee-industry in this country, but the present system must tend in an opposite direction. Of course, any one who understands the magnitude of a rail- way will see things in a more favourable light than the general public, but there is. room for great improvement in the hand •' ling of goods. While hoping that any future sections which Mr. Newman may send by rail will escape damage, I do not think that he will ever obtain compensation for such if a signed " owner's risk " note is in the possession of the railway company, even if he took it to Court. I send name and sign — Lilac, near Derby, March 3. DEALING WITH FOUL BROOD. [5828.] Will Dr. Elliot (who writes on page 77) be good enough to say if the same solution of Beta Lysol can be used when examining a diseased hive, be used for a second examination and treatment of a diseased stock ; or must a fresh sup- ply of solution be used for every washing? 3. I would also like to ask : — Can Dr. Elliot explain why some stocks during, and after, a good honey-flow seem to overcome the disease known as foul brood? — J. N., Langwathby, March 5. INCREASING STOCKS. PROTECTING SKEPS IN WINTER. [5829.] Last year I went in for increase of stocks, as I had a lot of empty frame- hives by me, and in doing this adopted a very simple and cheap method. I got several large and early swarms from some straw skeps. In the previous autumn I examined my skeps to make sure that they all had plenty of stores to last the bees well through the winter. Then I bought several large cheese-boxes, and cut holes in lower edges for the entrances, and put the skeps in them with a sack or two to fill up the spaces round the sides, etc. March 9, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 99 Then with the cheese-box lid and an earthenware pan over all to keep out the wet, thus each skep is made complete. If plenty of honey is given to the bees in the autumn, they will want no spring feed- ing. I did not touch mine until after swarming time, and I had some very large and early swarms. The less they are interfered with the better. The cheese- boxes are not only warm and dry, but they prevent the blue-tits from pecking the entrances of the straw skeps to pieces, and they look passable. — W. Allen, Rut- land, March. WEATHER REPORT. Westbourne, Sussex, February, 1905. Rainfall, "76 in. Heaviest fall, '35 on 26th. Rain fell on 16 days. Below average, 1*26 in. Sunshine, 83*9 hours. Brightest day 21st, 8 "3 hours. Sunless days, 7. Below average, 6'1 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 53° on 14th. Minimum tempera- ture, 29° on 26 th. gras' Minimum on 21° on 20th. Frosty nights, 7. Mean maximum, 446. Mean minimum, 36 4. Mean 405. Above average, 2'8. Maximum barometer, 30 67 on 15th. Minimum barometer, 29-25 on 27th. L. B. Birkktt. temperature, (Sftames and Implies. [3680.] Baby Nuclei, by " Swarthmore. — Seeing the advertisement in B.B.J., some three weeks back, of a pamphlet, price 2s. , on the " Swarthmore " system of raising queens, I sent to the address given, viz., " E. L. Pratt, Swarthmore, Pa." — but have had no reply yet. Seeing, therefore, a notification in your issue of this week (page 90) that the pamphlet will be 2s. 6d. , 'or thereabouts, I am wondering if I have sent sufficient money to cover postage, thus causing delay. I have failed to find Swarthmore, Pa., in either the "A.B.C." or " Postal Guide," so will you please say if it is in Scotland or America? I send name for reference. — E. H. P., Kent, March 3. Reply. — We print above query in full mainly because others may possibly fall into the same error as yourself from haste in reading, or want of thought. In reply, then, let us say first, the book in question has not been advertised in our pages or anywhere else in this country to our know- ledge. It was sent to us by the author (who is his own publisher) for review, and dealt with — from this standpoint — on page 61 of our issue for February 16. We there gave name and address of author as it appears on cover of the book, viz. , E. L. Pratt, Swarthmore, Pa. (i.e., Pennsylvania). We regret not having added U.S.A. after Pa., which is always shortened thus oy Americans. But it was, to say the least, unwise to send a postal order in payment, and probably a Id. stamp on the letter, because Mr. Pratt would not only have 3d. surcharge to pay for insufficient postage, but the postal enclosed would be trouble- some to cash. As stated last week (on page 90) the book will probably cost 2s. 6d. post free, and we expect a supply in course of the next few days. [3681.] Cleaning Old Frames. — What is the best way of cleaning old frames ? The amount of trouble I have experienced in getting two dozen " scrupulously clean " leads me to think I would rather buy new ones. After being taken to pieces and thoroughly boiled, the wax does not leave the wood, or cools on it again before the bar can be manipulated — as for chinks, they seem hopeless. I should like to be able to put in my hives new wax and clean frames every second year, if that is what you recommend — but this must be a heavy tax on the industry in the form of labour or outlay, unless there is some easier way of cleaning them. I send name and sign — Old Frames. Reply. — If used only in healthy hives thei'e is no need to do more than scrape away the propolis and wax attachments after cutting out the old combs. It is not worth while taking them to pieces or boil- ing. On the other hand, frames — whether new or old — removed from hives in which there has been disease should be burnt. [3682.] Syrup-Food for Spring Use. — As a new beginner, and reader of the B.B.J. every week, may I ask, through the B.B.J. , if my bees should be fed at the end of the month with syrup made according to recipe No. 5, page 167 of "Guide Book"? Or, give food according to instructions laid down on page 109 of " Guide Book," under the heading of " Feeders and Feeding," as there is a difference of two pints of water between the two ? I enclose name and sign —J. E. E., Nantwich, March 4. Reply. — Recipe No. 5 is the one for use in syrup-making for spring and summer use. No. 6 recipe is, as will be seen on page 167, for autumn food, to be consumed during winter ; hence its being made with less water than the former. [3683.] Thick Honey as Bee- food, — Adding Frames in Spring,^-! have some honey left 100 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 9, 1905. from last year which is now quite thick ; and so I ask : 1. Can I render it clear by heating, and give it to the bees as it is, or should a little water be added to it? I am sure the bees must be getting short of food. Could I give the honey to them at once ? 2. Each year I put in two frames with brood-foundation ; ought these to be put in the middle of the brood-nest or at each end ? — I send name, etc. , and sign — Bee-woman, Cambridge, March 7. Reply. — 1. If as, we suppose, the honey is granulated, it will need to immerse the vessel containing it in warm water till reliquefied, and must be thinned-down to the consistency of ordinary syrup-food. It may then be given at once if bees are really short of stores. 2. Insert the new frame of foundation in centre of brood-nest as soon as four or five frames are well covered with bees. [3684.] Spiders inside Hives. — Having been rather anxious about the welfare of one of my hives, I took the opportunity to-day of a slight improvement in the temperature to make an examination of it. I discovered under one of the frames a large spider, and all the lower part of the adjoining frames was festooned with webs, in which were suspended the carcases of 30 to 40 bees. Also in one of the cells of the outside frame I found a cocoon containing a young spider. I should be glad if you would tell me whether this is an ordinary occurrence, as I never re- member to have seen a mention of spiders inside hives. I suppose it is probable that its presence would not have been tolerated by a stronger colony. 2. I also noticed that several isolated cells in the honey store contained a thick dark liquid, while the rest of the honey was ouite clear and thin in consistency. Can you account for this? Thanking you in anticipation for your replies to' my queries, I send name and sign — E. K. EL, Brondesbury Park, March 7. Reply.— If there is vacant space in a hive and the stock is weak, spiders may use the vacuum for spreading their webs ; but it is a very uncommon occurrence, because bee-keepers usually take care there are no such spaces in their hives. 2. We rather think the '^thick, dark liquid " is pollen that has been covered with a layer of honey to keep it from hardening. [3685.] Spoilt Honey as Bee-food. — When melting some honey which had be- come partly granulated last October, I placed about 5 cwt. of honey in an earthen- ware pan, and the pan in a boiler. The pan was unset a little, and some water got into the honey, with the result that the honey was spoilt. I enclose a sample of it, and shall be glad if you will say whether it is suitable for feeding bees in the spring?— E. E. T, Cowbridge, March 7. Reply. — The thin syrupy liquid as sample is very unsuitable as bee-food in its present condition. It should be strained through muslin and have as much cane- sugar added (by stirring in while hot) as will make it of the consistencyof good thick bee-syrup. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers- Letters or queries asking /or addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim- mediately following the receipt of their communications. F. E. R. (Walthamstow).— Moving Bees in Frame-Hives. — If the distance from their present stand is not over (or under) one mile the bee® should be moved as early as possible, not only because they will do better when taken further out into the country, but there will be no risk of them returning to their old stand if moved now. P. Martorell (Heatherleigh). — Instruc- tion in Apiculture. — There is no fixed rule with regard to charge for instruction in bee-keeping, though competent teachers take pupils at a moderate charge. If willing to work in a large apiary on the terms you suggest it might be well to advertise your offer in our pages. B. Co. (Birmingham). — Bee-Forage. — The spring heather sent is the true Una (Calluna vulgaris), and unless the place it grows in be unsuitable it should yield heather honey of good quality and 'n abundance in some seasons. We should need a bloom of the "yellow flower" mentioned, as many flowers of colour are good forage for bees. J. N. (Langwathby). — Diagnosing Disease. — We cannot express an opinion with regard to foul brood unless a suitable sample of comb is sent. Novice (Kent). — Bee Nomenclature. — The dead bee sent is not a queen. It is a worker that has suffered from abdominal distension which accounts for the in- creased length. A Beginner (Olney, Bucks). — Continental Double Hives. — 1. There are no hives made in this country with movable divi- sions used for the purpose of uniting two stocks at will. 2. We see no advan- tage in the system of twin hives beyond being able to allow the progeny of two queens to work in a common super, as in the " Wells System. , *y* Some Queries and Replies, &c, are un- avoidably held over till next week. March 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 101 auditorial Itotm. &t BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING AND CONVERSAZIONE. As stated last week, the annual general meeting and conversazione of the B.B.K.A. will be held on Thursday, March 16 (to- night) in the Board Room of the R.S.P.C.A. , 105, Jermyn Street, near Piccadilly Circus. The general meeting opens at 4 p.m., and concludes at 5.30, when light refreshments will be served. The ConversaiBione which follows will open about 6 o'clock, and Mr. T. W. Cowan has promised to explain (with the help of models) the main features of the " Clau- stral Hive and Detention System," and open a discussion thereon. Other subjects suggested for discussion are the " Swart h- more Methods of Queen-Rearing," and "Railway Rates for Bee-Produce." All members and friends interested in bee-culture are cordially invited to be present at 5.30, and it is hoped there will be a sjood attendance. REVIEWS. Der Bau des Bienenhauses, by Th. Weippl. Published by W. Frick, Graben 27, Vienna I. Price kr 2.40.— This book of eighty large octavo pages treats of the construction of bee-houses. It is profusely illustrated with seventy engravings, in addition to the frontispiece, showing Dr. Dzierzon in his apiary. Full details are given for con- structing and putting together the dif- ferent parts, so that any one following the instructions will find no difficulty in making a bee-house. Almost every de- scription of house is shown and described, from the open shed to the portable house, and wagon for migratory bee-keeping. Chapter 10 is devoted to describing a house with a verandah which can be closed so as to form a dark chamber for prevent- ing bees flying out in winter and during inclement weather in spring. In principle it is like the Claustral hive, described on pase 71 of B.J. , on a large scale. L'Abeille Domestique, by Lucien Iches. Published by Gamier Freres, 6, Rue des Saints-Peres, Paris. Price 3 francs. — The author is the Secretary of the Societe Cen- trale d' Apiculture, and he* writes in a pleasant, clear, and concise style, making the book agreeable reading. One gets so tired of the multitude of books on bees and bee-keeping got up by servile imitators, who unscrupulously plagiarise from one book and another, and fill the pages with well-known illusti'ations, frequently taken from dealers' catalogues, and without giving the sources of their information, which they pass off as their own, that it is a relief to come across such a book as the one before us, where the author honestly gives the sources of his informa- tion. There are, with the copious index, 351 small octavo pages, and the book is divided into four parts : 1. " The Apiary," in which the various hives and races of bees are discussed, the author mentioning the best localities and the reasons for his preference of certain races. 2. " The Anatomy and Physiology of the Bee." 3 "■ The Management of the Apiary." 4. " Bee Products." All the branches of bee- keeping are ably treated, and sixty-nine pages are devoted to the products of the hive and how to utilise them, a branch of the subject not sufficiently studied in this country. There is an appendix, in which the author gives a summary of the state of bee-keeping in different countries of the world, which will be read with pleasure by those interested in the subject. There are upwards of 130 original illustrations, beautifully drawn by M. A. L. Clement. Authors and discoverers are honestly men- tioned, and credit is sriven to whom credit is due. We have much pleasure, in recom- mending this book to our readers who know the French language. Die Biene und die Bienenzucht im Alter- tumr, by R. Billiard. Translated by Rektor Breiden. Published by Th. God- den, Millingen, Germany. Price one mark. — This is a translation from the French L'AbeiUc et VApicultv/re dans V Antiguite. This book contains in its 108 pages a very- interesting compilation of the theoretical knowledge of bees possessed by our prede- cessors, more especially by the Romans and Greeks, and in the Middle Ages. It also explains the early methods of bee- keeping, and the value of honey and wax in those days. Adulteration was even known then, and the penalty for this was the chopping off of a hand. What a good thing that the good old times are no longer with us, otherwise there would be many going about with only one hand. The book is exceedingly interesting, and we can recommend it for perusal. Praktisclicr Geschafts und Notizhuclt fur Biemnzuchter, by Th. Godden, Millingen. — This is a small octavo note-book of twenty-four pages, ruled for notes suited to German bee-keeping, simi- lar to Mr. Cowan's " British Bee-keeper's Practical Note-book" upon the plan of which it appears to be compiled. HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of February, 1905, was £429. — From a return furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. 102 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 16, 1905. <&Mm#tmkMt The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will b* taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarUyfor publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. W« do not undertake to return rejected communications. *»* In order to facilitate rejerence, 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 AMONG THE BEES. ARE PRICES FALLING ? [5830.] "Maxwell" (1750) writes: "Keep twenty hives, and on a moderate computa- tion you have a profit of £16 from the honey, £1 10s. from the wax, and £2 10s. from sale of swarms, so that the profit will be £1 per stock." The prices are here about 6d. for honey, Is. 6d. for wax, and 10s. for swarms. In his calculations and estimates, he tells us he chooses to be moderate so that his readers " may be agreeably disappointed." " Bonnar " (1795) makes a higher estimate, valuing average profits at 30s. per hive. As show- ing on what they based their calculations, we get a further side-light on the value of honey and wax. In 1792, it is recorded " when hives are heavy and good in general, honey will sell for less than 6d. per lb., and the wax for less than Is. per lb. ; but when they are light and bad, honey will sell for more than Is. per lb., and wax for 2s." It seems to me that the " good old prices ' ' then were rrmch like our present current ones. Going back nearly a century, we find it written : — " Sixty pounds of honey at 6d. would make a profit of 30s. from a colony." But it is really worth more because of the goodness and superior excellence of the honey from colonies, the far greater part thereof being " pure virgin honey and per- fectly neat and fine. " Dr. Warder himself made a profit of £50 a year from his bees, his hives being of the Gedde type, but smaller, 14in. by lOin. — not so> far removed in dimensions from our hives of the present date. I calculate that he sold his honey considerably under Is. per lb. Hark- ing back still further, we find that in 1655, the price of good honey was from Is. to Is. 4d. It is clear from many authors that the ancients made a constant revenue from their bees without killing them at any time. Vano alleges that in his time many produced a very fair yearly revenue, making it well worth their while to prose- cute the industry, and he gives favourable statistics to encourage people to keep bees — yet his honey prices are not high. He further quotes figures to show that a Roman Consul, in Spain, made as much as 10,000 sesterces from his bees, honey and wax. Even with these small figures, all ancients agree that bee-keeping pays.. Merve "gained large profit and delightful observation" from his bees, honey, and wax. Even with these stalls, and usually but half that number, but valued his honey and wax at 20 nobles. His prices could not have been very high. Hyll says " a great profit can be made of bees carefully and wisely guided " — wise words these last four are, whether they are Hyll's or George Painter's. Lawson esti- mates " forty stocks well ordered will make more profit than forty acres of ground," and that " twenty stoekes or stooles will keep your orchard." So much for honey. In regard to the price of bees, both swarms and hives, the same writer tells us " a Maye's swarme is worth a mare's foale." Warder, on the other hand, gives us a very low estimate of the value of bees in Ms time. " Bees may be bought for 2s. 6d., others 5s., but hereabout 10s." On the other hand he makes a sanguine estimate of their increase — 10 becomes 25 the first year, 60 the second, and 150 the third — but cautiously adds, parenthetically, " barring casualties, and if they prove good years." In three years from 10 hives you have' 160, more cr less, as the»goodness of the weather allows. " Set all down as equal to 5s., and you have £40." Huish, a century ago, says stocks can be got from a guinea to 10s., or even less; ; swarms from 15s. down to 5s. ; and honey varies in price: very much from Is. 6d. to half that sum. Again and again, from Butler's time onward, we get the price of honey quoted as from 6d. up to Is. Stocks at from 15s. to 20s., and swarms at 5s. up to 15s. I, therefore, come to the conclusion that for about 400 years the price of honey and bees, good years and bad years together, has been very much the same as it is now, as recorded in the advertisement pages of the Journal. I started my investigation under the im- pression that I would find prices ruling high, and gradually sinking down to the lowest point of depression ; but I take com- fort from the thought that one hundred years ago, and even two hundred years ago, honey was selling in good yeara at 6d. per lb., and in bad years at Is. Some, "by reason of its goodness," went at a higher figure, just as at the present day we can Fell our heather honey at Is. 3d. and Is. 6d. I had a feeling, handed down tra- ditionally I presume, that swarms could not of old be purchased at a smaller figure than a "golden guinea," but I have above given ample proof, and could supply far more additional testimony, to show that they could be got, as now, for half that March 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 103 figure. Wax has always sold for about Is. 6d. per lb. Some Bad Bee Seasons. — It would be an interesting study, if on© had the time and opportunity, to determine if these come in cycles. Fragmentary as the few statistics I am able to produce are, they serve to show us at least that, say, for the past twenty years, we have had no undue pro- portion of these. Butler records that 1611 and 1621 were bad years. From Purchas we glean that 1648 and 1651 were not favourable to honey gathering, and that they were inimical to bee life. In the first year " the perpetual rains washed away all the substance^ in the flowers, so that not only swarms but old stools perished." He himself lost about half a hundred. In the latter year, " of twenty swarms he ob- tained before mid-May, only one solitary one survived till next year." All others had died. As pointing out the cause of loss, we are informed " the most temperate weather occasions ai greater decay of bees. Gloomy, cold, and close weather shuts them up and saves stores." In 1759, after the winter, there were great losses., but Mills attributes this not to the bad winter, but to the bad summer which preceded iti. 1782-3, and again 1788, must have been bad. In one case, in the latter year, we find fifteen out of sixteen dying out. I merely pick these out of a goodly number taken almost, at random. About a century ago they seem to have had a run of unpropitious bee seasons. Here are a succession of them : — 1806, 1810, 1815, 1820, 1824, 1828, 1829, 1833, and 1837. I could multiply examples, but bald figures make dry reading. Some of the reasons, however, given for the failures may be in- teresting : — " Spring came so slowly up our way. " " The continuous rains washed out the nectar. " " The summer was so dry that vegetation was for most burnt up and failed to secrete. " " One year the winter was so moist and mild, it wore out bee life " ; another the " late gathering led to great devastation from dysentery-." Superabundance of moisture did the mis- chief one year ; drought proved as destruc- tive another. "As Others Sec Us." — "England (includ- ing Scotland and Ireland, of course) has a large number of apiaries, has. several bee- keepers' journals, and various bee-keepers' associations. In fact, she stands among the Great Powers of Europe in regard to> bee-keeping processes." Thanks, Mr. Root. I reciprocate — America is the greatest bee-keeping country in the world, and amongst her apiaries she has a race of giants. I note, at least, a baker's dozen who will average 75,000 lb. of honey, all totting up from 60,000 to 112,000 lb. of surplus. Some have 800 colonies in one location ; several bee-keepers are possessed of 1,000 to 3,000 colonies, and about 300 at least make a sole business of bee-keep- ing. Here is a sample deserving of emula- tion : — One New Yorker, 500 spring count, increased to 725, reared 600 queens, and produced 70,700 lb. surplus. Mr. Alex- ander, I doff my cap to you. How does it work out? 70,000 sixpences equal 35,000 shillings, equal £1,750. Would that my name were Alexander, and that I lived at Delanson, New York!— D. M. M., Banff. NOTES ON FOUL-BROOD QUESTIONS. [5831.] In reply to your correspondent " j. N." (5823, page 9b), I may say there is no« objection to using the same solution of Beta-Lysol for a second or subsequent washing — provided that it remains reason- ably clean — as it will still retain its bac- tericidal properties. I am afraid I can- not satisfactorily explain " J. N.'s" second query. I can only offer one or two lame suggestions as to why certain stocks are cured, or apparently cured, by a good honey- flow. \The truth may be very far distant from any of these suggestions : — Firstly, then, the long spell of fine weather, which accompanies a good honey-flow, may have an invigorating effect on the bees, and in- directly on the brood, inducing in the latter greater powers of resistance to the bacilli of "foul brood." Secondly, again, freshly-gathered honey may possess anti- septic properties (possibly due to volatile aromatic substances) which we at present know not, and which disappear on evapora- tion. Thirdly, it is just possible that during a honey-flow the poison-glands take en increased activity, resulting in a large accumulation of formic acid in the honey sac. With a still further stretch of the imagination we may picture some of the nurse bees assuming the duties of physicians and injecting with their stings sufficient of their natural antiseptic-formic- acid into affected cells to kill or inhibit the growth of bacilli or spores. Lastly, the destructive action of sunlight on mi- crobic life may also be a factor. But my imagination is running amok. Foul Brood Nomenclature. — I cannot see that any material advantage is likely to accrue from the substitution of " bee-pest " for "foul brood." The latter term has been in use for many years and is univer- sal in English-speaking countries. Neither term has the merit of being scientific, but " foul brood " conveys more to the mind than does "bee-pest," which, at the best, is a loose term. After all, the sti-ikm- characteiistic of the disease is the foulness of the brood, and this is appropriately suggested by the name "foul brood." It is true that the name does not describe all the varying phases of the disease, but the suggested substitute 104 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 16, 1905. does not even go so far, and merely indi- cates a disease which is a pest, or the pest. I consider one term equally correct with the other, for whilst the disease is not always characterised by foulness, and ihe brood is not always affected, neither is the disease always " pestilential in its viru- lence" (to quote Mr. Harris), though it will probably become so in course of time just as the brood will undoubtedly become affected and will probably become "foul." — T. S. Elliot. BEE-NOTES FROM ROSS-SHIRE. [5832.] In last week's issue of the B.B.J. Mr. Woodley makes an appeal to readers for " notes." In response I now send a few which I hope may be of interest to readers of our journal. " Celluloid." — The use of this substance in hives has recently been brought into pro- minence by " D. M. M., Banff," when on February 16 he referred to the extensive use of it in my apiary. Since then " A Bee-keeper, Thornhill, N.B.," on page 87, condemns it on account of its inflam- mability, while admitting that it has all the advantages claimed for it in Mr. Reid's letter (page 74). I can add my testimony to what " D. M. M. " states on this subject on page 94, where I consider he effectually and neatly disposes of the " inflammability " objection. For myself, I cannot under- stand why any one should inject fire amongst bees for the purpose of subduing them when smoke answers that purpose. It seems to me to be a murderous proceeding. A contribution from Mr. Geo. Rose, Liver- pool (page 96) is on the same lines as the one from "A Bee-keeper, Thornhill, N.B.," except the closing sentence, which appeared to me as being a very nicely put and timely advertisement, but which would have looked better on another page of the Journal. Mr. Rose did not supply the names and addresses of the other appliance- dealers who stock celluloid, so I hope the gentleman referred to will have noticed the omission. Personally, I should like to »et the address of a manufacturer of cellu- loid. The different uses to which I put this material are as follows: — A light frame covered on the inside with it makes an ex- cellent dummy. It is easily tacked on ; the bees do not blur it as they do the glass, and they seem to like it better. In the same way I use it on my section-crates with the same satisfactory results, and the honey looks very well through it. I have not had so much experience of it as a quilt, but so far I am thoroughly satisfied with it. It is certainly a great convenience, and a pleas- ure to be able to see at a glance the state of a hive or a crate of sections without having to tear up a glued-down quilt before you can do so, to say nothing of the disturbance to the bees, and the extra work it causes them repairing the damage. But what has given me the greatest satis- faction is its use as a covering for a winter passage a description of which I will give in some future notes, as I have already, I am afraid, occupied too much of your space. — Alex. Reid, Ross-shire, March 13. DEALING WITH FOUL BROOD. BEES CUBING THEMSELVES. [5833.] With reference to the question put to Dr. Elliot by "J. N." (5828, page 98) why some infected stocks of bees seem to overcome foul brood during a good honey-flow, I will, with the Editors' permission, give my per- sonal experiences on this question. I re- member that Mr. John Berry, of Llanrwst, also referred to cases of appar- ent cure of foul brood during last season in the B.B.J, of November 3 (page 434), the bees having apparently cured themselves, helped only by a season that was good for honey, and therefore good for bees. In the year 1901 1 found one stock of bees in each of two different apiaries that in the autumn had apparently rid itself of foul brood since my previous examination in the spring. I made special notes of these two stocks, but one of them I had no chance to see as time went on. The other stock I was able to keep under observation, and, as it continued quite healthy during the following year, I accepted this as proof of self-cure, by the aid of a good honey-flow. However, early in the second season follow- ing the first appearance of the disease in this stock — or. to be precise, twenty-one months after the apparent cure — the disease showed itself again ; and it is im- portant to note that the only two combs in which diseased larvae were found were two of the three original combs that were in the hive two years before, the other combs being faulty, having been replaced by new combs. The three combs originally men- tioned I had marked, and it was fortunate that I examined the stock at this time, as otherwise all the brood-combs would have been infected, and my observations ren- dered useless. The moral here is, that though the bees may appear to have cured themselves, we may make assurance doubly sure by remov- ing and destroying all the combs, as it is possible for a single spore of foul brood to lie buried in a comb for years, and then come in contact with a suitable medium in which to develop, and thus be the means of infecting the apiary when least sus- pected.— Wm. Loveday, Hatfield Heath, Harlow. (Correspondence continued on page 106.) March 16, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 105 Obituary. THE HON. AND REV. H. BLIGH. Last week we received the sad news of the death of the above-named gentleman just as we were going to press, and we, therefore, now give our readers a biographi- cal sketch with portrait of one who has been more or less connected with the British Bee-keepers' Association from its founda- tion. The Hon. and Rev. H. Bligh, born in London on June 10, 1834, was the son ->f Edward, fifth Earl of Darnley, who die! farm sold for more than double the original price. While occupied in farming, the cricket reputation of the family for some generations back was sustained by Mr. Bligh, who was a good wicket-keeper and steady bat. In 1858, Mr. Bligh married Emma, daughter of Colonel Armytage, and his health having improved in consequence of his leading a country life, he gave up farming, in 1861, with a view to devoting himself to the ministry of the Church. For this purpose he went to Salisbury Theological College, and took Holy Orders in 1863. After holding a curacy for three years, in 1866 he was appointed by Dr. THE LATE HON. AND REV. H. BLIGH. from the effects of an accident, cutting his toe with an axe while helping to fell a tree a few months after the birth of Mr. Bligh. He was brought up at Cobham Hall, in Kent, and went to school at Hampton, Worthing, and Rugby, matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, but was compelled to leave before his University course Was completed owing to ill-health. Mr. Bligh V; fondness for a country life and rural pur- suits induced him to take to farming, and with this object he purchased a farm in Rotherfield, Sussex, and for five years .was occupied in agricultural pursuits. In his hands farming turned out a considerable success, and in consequence of the drainage and other improvements introduced, the Wilberforce, at that time Bishop of Oxford, to the living of Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, and who' further promoted him to the offices of Diocesan Inspector of Schools and Rural Dean It was while at Nettlebed that Mr. Bligh first became a bee-keeper in 1870, and com- menced by following the instructions of the late Mr. Pagden, but soon became a firm disciple of Mr. Abbott, and in 1874 at- tended the first original small gathering of seven bee-keepers from which the British Bee-keepers' Association dates its exist- ence. In this year he was appointed by the Bishop of Oxford to the important living; of Abingdon, with a population of 7,000. 106 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 16, 1905. Mr. Bligh took an active interest in bee- keeping, and served on the Committee of the B.B.K.A. until 1878, when his health again broke down, and he spent three years abroad for the benefit of his and Mrs. Bligh's health. He was a frequent con- tributor to- the columns of the B.B. J., and in 1876 he showed a beautiful collection of honey in supers, sections, and extracted. The greater part of the exhibit was in glass sections, with grooved wooden corners, the invention of Mr. Abbott. There was no class open for these, but the merit of the exhibit was recognised by the Committee afterwards awarding Mr. Bligh a silver medal for it. In 1879 Mr. Bligh so far regained his health that, in company with two friends and one guide only, he accomplished the ascent of Mont Blanc. From 1881 to 1893 he was Vicar of Hamp- ton Hill, and in 1881 he lost his wife. He was also re-elected on the Council of the B.B.K.A.. of which he has been a member ever since, and for three years occupied the position of Vice-Chairman. In 1883 he married Annie, the daughter of the late Colonel G. Butler. Mrs. Bligh was an enthusiast in bee-keeping, and fre- quently accompanied her husband to the quarterly meetings. Mr. Bligh was the originator of the Economic Apiaries' Com- petition, known as the Bligh Competi- tion." The object of these competitions was to show what could be done with our modern hives and improved methods. They were started in 1882, and continued for two seasons, Mr. Bligh contributing liberally towards the prizes. In the first competi- tion there were seventeen candidates, of whom only seven competed to the end, and the special Committee reported that this competition was most beneficial to' the cause of the Association by demonstrating that, with a fair knowledge of the art, bee- keeping was a most profitable pursuit. Mr. Bligh 'a idea that the hive of each candi- date should be placed in the garden of some cottager was a good one, for it showed the cottager what could be done by proper management, and taught him a lesson in bee-keeping he would mot easily forget. At the second competition tbei Association awarded £21 in prizes, and it was carried out under the supervision of Mr. Bligh, who took a great deal of trouble, and de- voted much time to it. This was also suc- cessful, for nine out of the thirty- three competitors who entered held on to' the finish, and six secured the prizes. All re- corded a large harvest, a valuable stock in hand, and a very handsome profit on the balance sheet. Each started with one swarm, and at the end of the second season one of the winners secured 140 lb. of honey and an increase of from one swarm to five well-established and well-provisioned stocks, and another 186 lb. of honey, and a very strong stock left for next season. It is a pity that owing to the difficulty in managing these competitions the Council were obliged to give them up. On the Council Mr. Bligh has been a most regular attendant, and was for some years a mem- ber of the Examining Board. Mr. Bligh was Hon. Secretary of the Middlesex B.K.A. until he removed from Hampton Hill in 1893 to Fareham, where he was Vicar of Holy Trinity until, owing to' ill-health, be retired in 1902. He was at. one time a most regular attendant at the Council meetings, and took a keen in- terest in the business of the B. B.K.A. He attended the last meeting of the Council on February 15, and little did his col- leagues think that this would be the last time they would see him amongst them. Personally, we feel keenly the loss of a sincere friend, having been for upwards of thirty years so closely connected with Mr. Bligh, and we have, with him, watched, and rejoiced at, the progress of the in- dustry from insignificance to its present important position. We feel sure that all bee-keepers will unite with us in sympathy for Mrs. Bligh and family in the loss which they have sustained. CORRESPONDENCE. (Continued from page 104.) SUNDRY BEE-NOTES. [5834.] 1. Bce-Stings for Rheumatism. — Some time ago' I gave my opinion on the bee-sting cure in B.B.J. , and shortly after- wards I had a press-cutting sent me which reads thus : — " Don Furioso is righteously indignant. ' Can you give me the name and address of the man,' he asks, 'who first invented the bee-sting cure for rheu- matism ? I want to make his acquaint- ance very badly, as soon as I am in a posi- tion to move with any tiling like comfort. In a weak and desperate moment I tried the cure the other day. The process was quite simple. I wandered into a neigh- bour's garden and removed a sack from an ancient hive. The bees did the rest. At the moment of writing I can just see through one eye, the other is still closed for re- pairs, and I understand my face still pre- serves the shapeliness of a turnip, while only by diligent exploration can I find my mouth. My rheumatism is worse thr.n ever, and I have only one ambition in life — to find the man who invented this recipe for rheumatism.' The undertaker will do the rest." Drinking Troughs. — These are easily made by filling a jam-bottle with water ; then cover with a piece of cloth or flannel March 16, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 107 cut rather larger than mouth of jar ; set a plate on the top and invert the whole. The cloth will allow just enough water to escape as the bees, require. If it does not run fast enough, pass a shaving under one side; if it runs too quick, sprinkle a few tea-leaves around it. Should the bees, not take to the trough at first, slightly sweeten the water. I have never found this to cause robbing in the spring. " Slow " or " rapid " feeders may also be made in this way, if used at the back of a dummy board. 2. Bees and ChurcJi Bells.— A friend of mine has his hives near a church-bell tower, and when the bells are runt* the bees rush out and become very irascible. They fly from the hives, in their anger, and many perish if it is cold, not being able to get back to their hive. What about the banging of pots and pans to bring swarms down after this? — H. P., New Brompton, Kent, March 10. [Further " notes " dealt with on page 110.— Eds.] CELLULOID FOR BEE-KEEPERS. [5835.] Referring to above, may I be allowed to say there is a company called The Fireproof Celluloid Syndicate, in West- minster, S.W., who make fireproof cellu- loid ? I know nothing of the company myself, but was told of it by a friend. I send name and sign — East Kent, March 11. HYBRIDISING AN APIARY. [5836.] Referring to the letter of " L. A. V. " (5824, page 96) and the request for the experience of bee-keepers on the question of hybridising an apiary, may I be allowed to give my experience on the four crosses mentioned by your correspondent as follows ? — 1. " Carniolan queen with Ligurian drone." If both queen and drone are pure bred this cross produces by far the prettiest and most energetic worker bees of which I have had any experience. I also never saw any bees defend their hive- entrance so well, for I doubt if any robber- bee or wasp ever left their hive alive if they got inside. The stock from which the queen referred to above was raised was im- ported in 1887, by Mr. T. B. Blow, of Welwyn, and I never saw finer Carniolan bees. 2. " Ligurian queen with Carniolan drone." This cross are very pretty bees and worked about the same as any ordinary hybrids. 3. " Carniolan queen with Black drone." I had queens raised from the first- named stock (No. 1) mated with English drones, and the resultant bees were splen- did honey gatherers ; not only so, but their comb-honey was exceedingly well capped and finished, so good that prizes were won with sections from this strain at Edin- burgh, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Birken- head. 4. " Black queen with Carniolan drone." These hybrids were about the same as No. 3 for working qualities, while the bees were lighter in colour. I was very fond of this cross. — W. W. Prtok, Breach - wood Green, Welwyn, Herts. ON THE CARE OF BROOD-COMBS. (Continued from page 98.) [5837.] Faulty and Drone Combs. — There ought not to be many combs containing drone cells. This is usually considerel a sign of bad management, and so it is. Drone comb, however, may be produced by lack of room, and this is the worst case, as it means, the cutting clown and spoliation of good worker comb, so. that the safety valve of some space, or the corner of drone comb, is not without its value, in addition to its acting as an indicator of the condition or intention of the stock possessing it. Where combs are built from starters only, it is unavoidable that at times the bees should get ahead and build some drone comb, except when they are subject to the closest attention and a thoroughly good system of comb-building. But should such combs exist, their number should certainly be reduced to not more than one per hive, and with this object they should be sorted carefully, the best alone saved entire, or such as contain worker comb principally, with either or both bottom corners only filled with the larger cells. To digress, I would say that I mark such permanent combs either by fantailing the end of the top-bar, or by a small metal clip, so that the comb may be recognised at once upon opening the hive. The rest of the faulty combs should again be sorted. Those that are black with use, the oldest, thick with cocoons, should be cut out and thrown into rain- water prior to. rendering. Lest it be thought through this advice that I am one of the advocates of the constant or easy destruction of combs, may I here enter my emphatic protest against the wicked waste of many good combs by those bee-keepers who attach undue importance to such teach- ing ? Quite recently I have seen it advised that all combs be renewed annually. Where a comb is diseased, or foul, or aged beyond question, it may be false economy to retain it, but I have occasionally found a novice willing to destroy a comb because of colour only, whilst where a comb is clean, and healthy, and straight, its only fault (sic) being that it is strengthened and toughened by the silken bonds of several seasons, it is worse than wasteful to destroy it, whatever the foundation makers may say upon the subject. 108 THE BRITISH BEE JOtJENAL. [March 16, 1905. ifeut to return. The newer combs, and all such as are worth saving and lend them- selves to the treatment, should be repaired by one of several methods. Dr. C. C. Miller cuts out the bad place, drone patch, queen cell, or what not, and fills the gap with foundation. On one side of the comb the hole is made about g in. larger, thus forming a rabbet upon which the piece of foundation, carefully cut to size, is made to rest, and to which it may be; waxed with a little ingenuity and the use of the teaspoon, which has perhaps already been squeezed at the nose into the semblance of a spout. Crooked or Otherwise Faulty Combs must be treated as the knowledge or ingenuity of the owner suggests. They are almost out- side the present scope, and he alone can decide whether they are worth his time and trouble! ; but I have seen fairly good combs hastily constructed from the better parts of the brood comb of several driven skeps, and a strong lot of united bees wintered well upon them, which would not other- wise have been saved, it being very late in the season. It is. very often possible to make an almost perfect comb by crowding into the damaged place a piece of comb the exact size of the hole. Such a plug may be cut from one of the discarded combs. One good method of doing this is to use a round tin to punch out both the bad place and the repair plug. I prefer, however, usually to- cut out a piece with one or more sides of hexagonal angle, the knife following a row of cells. This gives perhaps the least waste, and is a simple method of arriving at the re- quired size, whilst the adjacent cells will be found to' be, for short, distances at least, fairly well aligned. Corner pieces fitted in this way make: a good comb better by the sound attachment to the bottom-bar. When repairing wired combs, the wire should always first be discovered and cut with scissors at the line of repair. Wax Moth. — The ravages of the larvse of this pest are too well known to need description, but the remedy is not always so apparent. First catch your larva, then kill him. The larger and more perfect end of the tunnel is of course his location, and if a match-head be inserted slightly to the rear of this, he will be driven forward, and may be crushed or extracted. The silken tube may be hooked out cell by cell with a tiny tool of the crochet-hook type, and I have found that the syringing will sometimes effectively remove the traces, or at least wash the tube into a tiny fibre, which one would think might be pulled out by some more than usually energetic bee, to whom indeed the whole of the work might be left. I prefer, for several reasons, to do the work more thoroughly. There is a series of holes through the side-walls, and I do not think that the bees are easily able to repair such holes, as their jaws are unable to work both sides of the wall as when building. I therefore cut right down to the base at once with a slightly hooked tool, and pull out the whole of the tube, leaving a narrow channel amongst the cell walls, which is, I think, not only more easily repaired, but of use to me in periodic examination of the comb, telling that the marauder has been definitely re- moved, so that I waste no time upon a cold trail. It is the quickest and, I be- lieve, the most satisfactory method, though the comb does suffer in appearance. Great care should of course be taken not to damage the midrib of the comb, and such combs should be given as soon as possible to small stocks which are crowded for room, as these will at once repair the damages with the least risk of permanent pop-holes. Thorough fumigation with sulphur will kill the larvae, but probably not the eggs, as the moth has reappeared in some combs which were so treated, though it is just possible that access was again obtained to them. This would seem to show that the process should be carried out twice to com- plete the work. Pollen Mites. — If upon examination the combs are found to be covered with a brown powder which appears to be pouring from certain cells, the beginner need not be alarmed into the belief that he is at last face to face with the much-dreaded disease. The phenomenon is caused by a mite, probably the cheese-mite, one of the many varied forms of Acarina, which is feasting upon the wads of pollen. A good rap or two will shake the combs fairlv free from both feast and feaster, whilst a syringing will complete the work and leave a clean comb. The mite is, by the way, a radical cure for pollen-clog, and does not apparently do any other harm. I would rather have mites than mould. Mouldy Combs. — If, as sometimes hap- pens^— never, of course, to you, dear care- ful reader — a stock dies out in winter, the combs rapidly become mouldy, and the ' sooner this is discovered the better. A thorough syringing will remove much of the apparent growth of the plant and the bulk of the dead bees, dislodging them even from their cell-tombs. If a comb is old and tough, it is the more likely to be mouldv. but it is better able to stand the usage than a new and brittle comb, and it may be found advantageous to syringe with a weak solution of carbolic acid, after which the combs should be thoroughly dried as before. The solution should not be strong enough to burn the fingers. General Treatment. — The combs should be looked upon as the most valuable ac- March 16, 1905,] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 109 cessories of the bee-keeper, should receive the most and best attention at all times, and be always properly stored in moth- tight receptacles in a warm place, the only objection to the temperature of which is that the growth of the wax-moth is en- couraged, and the true remedy for that evil is thorough and regular examination, in addition to the use of the usual pre- ventives, of which by far the best is naph- thaline. Keating' s powder spread in the bottom of the boxes which are not insect- proof will keep away such undesirable visitors as cockroaches, and it is possible that one of the numerous sanitary powders might serve a useful purpose in this direc- tion. It must not be forgotten, however, that these are hardly likely to be relished by the bees, and that the combs themselves should not be sprinkled. In closing this long and possibly, like the tunnelled path of " Galleria, Grub, and Co.," somewhat rambling dissertation, may I press upon the attention of any be- ginner who reads this, that his combs should be looked over at once, when it is possible that he may be astonished at the " headway " made by the common enemy of both the comb and its keeper ; whilst to those beginners who are willing to learn by the experience of others rather than by their own loss, I would repeat the words of my text, " Take care of your combs." — - L. S. Ckawshaw, Ilkley, Yorks. FEBRUARY RAINFALL. Brilley, Herefordshire. Height of gauge above sea, 590 ft. Rainfall, 1-28. Greatest fall in 24 hours, -30 on the 27th. Rain fell en 14 days. W, Head. ^«rtcs and |UjiKm. [3686.] Growing the "Chapman" Honey- plant. — I am a regular subscriber to the B.B.J. , and am most interested in anything and everything connected with bees, and trust you will help me with your advice. Mr. Reid kindly sent me some " Chapman " honey-plant seed, which I sowed in fair soil, open gar- den, October 4, 1904. It has never come up. Then Mr. Loveday kindly sent me some, and I sowed two boxes, and put them into a forcing-frame, January 14, 1905. These have never come up, so I sowed two more boxes and a seed-pan on February 24, 1905, and put boxes into hot-bed, and these are not show- ing either, although all the rest of my seeds planted the same day are up and thriving. Could you tell me what to do ? I planted a lot of sweet peas on October 4 (same day), and close by honeyplant, and have splendid rows showing now, so I cannot account for it. Each time I sowed the " Chapman " seed I put a different amount of soil on the top — from I5 in. to 5 in. — to see if that would make any difference. — I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — Potsy, Wey- mouth, March 10. [We forwarded the above to Mr. W. Loveday, who kindly sends the following reply. — Eds.] In reply to the letter of your lady correspondent who signs "Potsy," I may say that if the seeds sown in October were heavily covered with soil they would rot, while a lighter covering would preserve many of the seeds till spring. Had the seeds germinated at so late a date the severe weather of November would have killed the seedling plants. Some seedlings grown from seeds sown here in October are just now appearing above the surface of the ground. The " Chapman " honey-plant is perfectly hardy, and to coddle it in a hot- bed and a forcing-pit would be to kill it by kindness. — W. L. [3687.] Bees Found Bead in March. — On opjnmg one of my hives last week I found the whole colony of bees dead, and am sending a piece of comb from same for in- spection. I should very much like to be enlightened on a few points : 1. Whether the comb is diseased and unfit to use again, as I have five combs having the same ap- pearance as sample. There was no honey in the cells ; but I had been continually feeding the bees. 2. The last lot of candy I made was from " Barbadoes pure cane sugar " (so I was told by my grocer), a sample of which is enclosed, and I have very carefully followed the directions given in "The Irish Bee Guide" ; but the bees hardly seemed to take to the candy so made, nor do the stocks. I am now feed- ing with it, so I am in a maze as to the cause of the death of the colony mentioned, and whether I am using the correct sugar. I also send a sample of refined white cry- stal sugar I thought of using, and should like your opinion as to which is the best for candy-making. Thanking you in anticipation, I send name, etc., for refer- ence, and sign— A. W. F. , Netley, March 8. Reply.— 1. There is no sign of disease in comb sent ; it has evidently been only bred in once, and as cells are perfectly dry, with no trace of food, it denotes death from starvation. 2. The sample received is no doubt " pure cane," as stated by your grocer ; but being raw, unrefined " Barba- does," it is utterly unfit for use in making candy for hee-food, and we are not surprised 110 TUB BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 16, 1905. at its being refused by the bees. Your second sample is quite suitable for candy- making if pure cane sugar. [3688.] Dangers of Transferring. — 1. Will you kindly report on the sample of comb herewith ? It was new last year, and is taken from a hive of twelve frames set under a straw skep of a previous year's swarm inadvertently put into an old — and, I expect, disease-infected — skep obtained from a neighbour. The six outside frames were quite free from suspicious appear- ances. I have now placed four of these outside empty combs in the centre of the hive for the queen to begin laying in, push- ing these " bad " frames to the outside after cutting out all their centres, leaving the old honey in them for their present food supply. 2. I was surprised to see so much newly-gathered honey of this year — some of the cells were nearly half-full. I noticed honey in another hive more than a fortnight ago. Is it not unusual for bees to gather honey so early? Surely there can be no need for artificial feeding. — J. P., Cornwall, March 7. Reply. — 1. We regret to say comb is affected with foul brood. Your case clearly proves the danger of using skeps without knowing they are free from infection. The stock being now diseased, it must be treated as such by removing all combs seen to be diseased, and constantly watching the hatching-brood, while taking all known precautions by use of disinfectants and medicated food. 2. There is nothing un- usual in seeing freshly-gathered honey in hives during March. [3689.] Bees Deserting Hive. — I enclose a piece of comb, and wish to know if there is any trace of foul brood in it. The bees deserted the hive from which comb was taken in November, 1904, and I think the colony was being robbed at the time, and probably the bees went off and joined the robbers. The owner of the hive asked my advice, but I was not quite sure on the point, though some of the indications are suspicious. I think myself there is only a slight trace of disease, if any. I have been a subscriber to your journal for the past three or four years through our local book- stall.— R. H. H., Newbliss, Ireland, March 2. Reply. — There are unmistakable signs of foul brood in comb, such as would make it plainly apparent to anyone accustomed to diagnose the disease. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. *** We are much obliged to several corre- spondents who have written in corrobo- ration of what was said by Mr. W. H. Harris, on page 94, regarding the " black currant mite " (Phytoptus ribis). Several bunches of twigs have since been for- warded, with the swollen buds devel- oped much more than those we saw, and knowing more about bees than we do about currant buds, we were pos- sibly deceived. We hope, therefore, that all who are troubled with the "pest will write for " Leaflet No. 1," which will be sent free of charge and post free on application to the Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, Whitehall-place, London, S.W. Appli- cants can have several copies of leaflet if required. H. P. (New Brompton). — Sundry Bee-Notes. — 1. If ants enter hives in considerable numbers it is generally understood that the bees' food is carried off by them. We never heard it suggested that they were in search of eggs of the wax-moth. 2. We cannot think that washing with carbolic soap, and allowing the soan to dry on the skin, will prevent the " bites " of mosquitoes and " harvest bugs " in all persons, even if effective with your- self, as stated. It may, however, be tried as a preventive. 3. The art of " mounting objects for the microscope " was fully described in our pages several years ago, and oocupied several issues of the B.B.J. The process is, however, beyond the powers of anyone not skilled in the use of a microscope. 4. Write Mr. Wells on the matter you refer to. Honey Samples. A. T. K. (Birmingham). — The section of coinb-honey reached us smashed to a pulp, and the liquid-honey emptied into cardboard box in which it was packed. We need hardly say the " contents " were not pleasant, when everything — ■ including letter — had to be washed before handling editorially. The honey is quite unfit for table use, being largely mixed with honey-dew ; it can, however, be utilised as food for the bees in spring or summer. Bee (Co. Down). — We cannot under- stand any one possessing the smallest knowledge of honey disparaging your sample. The quality is very good in- deed in all respects. G. H. (Basingstoke). — If you will kindly tell us where your samples were got from, we will be very pleased to give our opinion on its quality, but no one can tell whether it is " English or Scotch." *#* Some Queries and Replies, &c.t are un- avoidably held over till next week. March 23, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Ill (ftiitorai $fati«a, ft& BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of members was held on Thursday, March 16, at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., Mr. T. W. Cowan occupying the chair. Among those pre- sent were Miss Gayton, Miss La Mothe, Mrs. E. E. Ford, General Sir Stanley Edwardes, Colonel Walker, Messrs. T. Bevan, W. Broughton Carr, Geo. Dow, W. Vivian Hatch, Jas. Howland, H. Jonas, W. P. Meadows, J. C. Mason, A. G. Pugh, W. F. Reid, A. Schofield, A. Sharp, F. W. L. Sladen, W. Sole, E. Walker, J. Willard, T. I. Weston, F. B. White, W. Woodley, and the Secretary. Apologies for enforced absence were received from Rev. W. E. Burkitt, Messrs. W. H. Harris, E. D. Till, D. W. Bishop-Ackerman, J. Brown, R. Godson, and J. P. Phillips. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet issued for the year ±904, pointed out that the financial position of the Society remained about the same as twelve months ago. The report showed the useful work that had been accomplished in various parts of the king- dom by the holding of examinations of students of apiculture. As usual, the sup- port of exhibitions was one of the chief items of expenditure. It would be noted that several alterations had been made in the arrangement for the coming Royal Show, which it was hoped would be appre- ciated. At the request of the delegates attending the Conference in October, the Committee then appointed had formulated a Bill for the better prevention of bee- pest, or foul brood, which had been cir- culated in the counties with the object of ascertaining the measure of support that would be given to the proposals contained m the Bill. At the present time replies had been received showing sixteen County Affiliated Associations approving of legis- lation, five were opposed to the Bill, and eight were yet undecided. The number of private bee-keepers who had written in favour of the measure were in excess of those opposed to legislation, although the latter were owners of a larger average num- ber of stocks, as they were also of a much larger total number. Four County Councils only had as yet petitioned in favour of the Bill. The Committee were, therefore, await- ing further information, and would continue the work of endeavouring to' ascertain more definitely the amount of support that would be forthcoming. Mr. Cowan then referred with some feel- ing to the losses the Association had sus- tained by the death during the year of three prominent supporters — viz., Mr. S. J. Baldwin, of Bromley, the first expert of the Society ; Mr. J. H. Howard, of Holme, the well-known and highly esteemed bee- appliance manufacturer ; and quite re- cently by the passing away of the Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh, one of the founders of the B.B.K.A. , and its first chairman in the year 1874. He was quite sure those pre- sent would join him in deeply deploring these losses, and would condole with the surviving friends and relatives. Mr. W. F. Reid seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried unani- mously. On the motion of Mr. A. Sharp, seconded by Mr. J. Howland, a vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring Council and officers. Mr. Bevan moved, and Mr. Meadows seconded, a motion : " That the thanks of the Society be accorded to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the gratuitous use of the Board-room for Committee and other meet- ings." This resolution was carried unani- mously. A letter from the President — the Baroness Burdett-Coutts — was handed to the Chairman and read to the meeting ; as follows : — 1, Stratton Street, W., March 16, 1905. Dear Mr. Cowan, — I had hoped to at- tend the Bee Association at their annual meeting to-day. The morning, was fine, but it is now overcast, and seems likely to remain so, I am, therefore, afraid to venture out. I do not quite give up the hope of attending, but, if I do come, it must be towards the end of meeting. Should I not be able to attonl, please accept my regrets, and express the same to the whole of the members. When disengaged and in London, I shall hope you will call upon me, and we can then discuss matters more fully. I now bid you farewell with the same feeling of in- terest as in past years with your proceed- ings and prosperity. — Believe me, yours sincerely, (Signed) Burdett-Cotttts. Colonel Walker moved the re-election of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts as President for 1905, and the re-election of the Vice- Presidents, hon. members, and correspond- ing members, treasurer, auditor, and analyst, in accordance with the rules. This was seconded by Mr. T. I. Weston, and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. F. B. White, seconded by Mr. W. Woodley, the following were elected as members of the Council for the year — viz., Mr. T. W. Cowan, Mr. D. W. Bishop-Ackerman, Mr. R. T. Andrews, Mr. T. Bevan, Mr. W. Brough- ton Carr, General Sir Stanley Edwardes, 112 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 23, 1905. Dr. T. S. Elliot, Major Fair, Miss M. L. Gayton, Mr. W. H. Harris, Mr. H. Jonas, Mr. G. H. Morrell, M.P., Mr. W. F. Reid, Mr. A? G. Pugh, Mr. J. B. Lamb, Mr. P. Scattergood, Mr. W. J. Sheppard, Mr. E. D. Till, Lieut-Colonel Walker, Mr. E. Walker, and Mr. T. I. Weston. Mr. Woodley then stated that he de- sired to move a resolution on the question of bee-pest legislation, and the efforts being made to secure the passing of a Bill. There was some discussion as to whether this was allowable, the Chairman eventually ruling that inasmuch as the Legislative Committee was a distinct body appointed by represen- tatives of County Associations, it was not competent for the meeting to move any re- solution affecting their work, seeing that the Committee had not yet presented their Teport to those by whom they were elected. At the same time, it was within the right of members of the Association in general meeting to give special instructions to their Council upon this or other matters. Mr. Woodley then proposed his resolu- tion— viz. : " That the Council be thanked for the efforts they have made to intro- duce legislation for the diminution of foul brood ; but that, in view of the hopeless disagreement among bee-keepers as to the possibility of legislation on the subject, the Council be requested to cease from further attempts to obtain such legislation." The resolution was seconded by Mr. A. Sharp. Colonel Walker thought the Committee should be allowed to continue its work, and endeavour to arrive at some definite conclusion with regard to the feeling in the country on the subject. Mr. Reid and Mr. F. B. White spoke in favour of Mr. Woodley's motion, and con- tended that the Bill as at present drafted would be productive of harm rather than good. Mr. Meadows, Mr. W. Broughton Carr, and General Edwardes strongly advocated waiting until such time as the Committee had arrived at definite conclusions, and were in a position to formulate their re- port upon the subject for which they were instituted. Mr. Crawshaw thought notice of such a motion as Mr. Woodley's should have been given beforehand and printed on the notice - paper. He was in favour of the Committee continuing its work as already suggested. General Edwardes then moved as an amendment : " That the Council be thanked for the efforts they have made to introduce legislation for the diminution of foul brood." Mr. Carr seconded the amend- ment, which was carried by nineteen votes for, and six against. The meeting then terminated. when Mr. T. W. Cowan was unanimously elected Chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr. T. I. Weston, Vice-Chairman. It was resolved to> hold an examination for first-class expert certificates in London in the first week in May. Nominations of gentlemen to officiate as judges at the coming " Royal " Show were made, and it was also decided to offer medals and certificates for competition at the Grocers' Exhibition as last year. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday, April 19. The company reassembled for the usual conversazione at six o'clock, after par- taking of the light refreshments provided, and Mr. T. W. Cowan unanimously voted to the chair. The subsequent proceed- ings will be reported in our next issue. A meeting of the new Council was held Immediately following the general meeting, LINCOLNSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annuel meeting of the Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Association was held at Grimsby on Saturday, March 18. In the unavoidable absence of the President, Lord Heneage, the chair was taken by the Mayor of Grimsby, Councillor J. Hewson. There was a large attendance of members. The annual report, presented by Mr. R. Godson, hon. secretary, stated that the membership had again increased, there being now 640 members. The receipts, members' subscriptions, etc., including a balance of £19 19s. 3d. from the previous year, amounted to £206 9s. Id., and the total expenditure to £195 2s. 2d., leaving a balance of £11 6s. lid. Grants amount- ing to £8 9s. had been made to fifteen local shows. The main work of the Association — viz., the expert tours in spring and autumn— had been carried out by mem- bers of the Association. The Committee re- gretted to have to again call attention to the increase of bee-pest, or foul brood, many districts being affected, especially in the south-east and north-west of the county. The Committee felt certain that until there is legislation for the better pre- vention of this bee-pest it cannot be either checked orexterminted. Mr. F. W. Gelder, of Sturton-by-Stow, and Mr. H. Linley, of Market Rasen, had secured third-class ex- pert certificates. The Lindsey County Council had again voted £15 for lectures, and these had been given. A district had been formed at Grantham, and new ex- tractors had been sent to Grimsby, Stick- ney, and Grantham. The Mayor formally moved the adoption of the report. Councillor Riggall, Grimsby, seconded, saying that the ever-increasing membership showed that the Association had been worked in the interests of the members. March 23, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 113 The officials and members of the Com- mittee were unanimously re-elected, and heartily thanked for their services. The hon. secretary responded. It was unanimously resolved to admit as members bona-fide labourers owning not more than two hives of bees at the reduced subscription of Is. per annum. His Worship the Mayor presented prizes won during the year. The silver medal for the best trophy at the Lincoln- shire Agricultural Show : Mr. W. Patchett, Cabourn. Bronze medal : Mr. W. Hat- liffe, Thoresway. Silver medal for extracted honey : Mr. T. S. Holdsworth, Kirton Lindsey. Silver medal for sections : Mr. A. W. Weatherhogg, Willoughton. Mr. F. J. Cribb, Retford, spoke at some length on the bee-pest visitation. The Committee of the Association had, he said, prevailed upon the Lindsey and the Kest- even County Councils to pass resolutions in support of the Foul Brood Bill to be in- troduced into Parliament, and he hoped that the Holland County Council would do the same. It was not the members so much as the non-members who were respon- sible for this pest. The latter refused to let anyone see their bees or to sell them so that they could be destroyed. What was wanted was the power to inspect these bee-hives, and, working in a way similar to the Swine Fever regulations, they would be soon able to exterminate the pest. After discussion a resolution was unani- mously passed supporting: the Bill. Then followed a drawing for bee-appli- ances, a lantern-lecture on bee-keeping by Mr. F. J. Cribb, and a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. NORTH NORFOLK B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Norfolk Bee-keepers' Association was held at Holt on Friday, March 10. The following officers were elected : — President, Lady Hastings ; Vice-Presidents, Lord Justice Cozens-Hardy, Sir W. B. Gurdon, M.P., and Mr. F. T. S. Rippingall ; Treasurer, Rev. C. O. Knowles ; Secretary. Mr. C. J. Cooke ; Committee, the Revs. E. Russell and T. E. Platten, and Messrs. W. Tow- ler, H. Bond, H. Woolsey, E. Mann, C. Clarke, J. C. Platten, and A. Web- ster. The experts (Messrs. C. J. Cooke and J. C. Platten) were re-elected. The annual report stated : — " The eleventh year of our Association is now completed, and, on the whole, especially financially, it was the most successful we have experi- enced. The summer of 1904 will be long remembered for the extremely warm weather experienced, which made outdoor life and occupations very enjoyable. To this may be largely attributed our increase in membership, the addition of twenty- three to our ranks being the highest on re- cord. After all, one of our highest aims is to encourage the cultivation of elevating hobbies, and such summers as that of 1904 are the most calculated to achieve this object. Of course, in considering any scheme of popularising bee-culture it is well to remember that our County Council does not mete out much generosity to us. Yet it is to be feared that, with the in- creased demands upon its resources, the Education Sub-Committee of the CO is scarcely likely to add anything to the small annual grant which we have hitherto en- joyed. Therefore, we must continue to rely upon the efforts of our own members in extending the usefulness of our Associa- tion."— (Communicated,^ (Bmrapotulau*. The Editors do not hold th«msal«M responsible for tTn opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communieation*, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not nee«s> sarxly for publication, but a* a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. Communications relating to the literary department, reports of Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review, <£c, must be addressed only to "The Editors of the ' British Bee Journal,' 10, Buckingham- street, Strand, London, W.C." All business communi- cations relating to advertisements. &c. , must be addressed to " The Manager, ' British Bee journal ' Ofp.ce, 10, Buckingham-street, Strand, London, W.V." *»* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number ofjhe letter aa well as the page on which it appears. NOTES BY THE WAY. [5838.] The month of March — up till Friday, 17th— sustained its reputation for storms and blustering winds ; then came a most pleasant change for the better, and now (20th) spring-time has been ushered in with glorious sunshine. The bees have, in consequence, been on the wing in thousands visiting every floweret in bloom. The crocus, white arabis, and early blossom of the wall-flowers and car- nations were one merry hum, as were also the skeps which contained a supply of artificial pollen. Watering troughs, too, were alive with bees — showing the work of the season is in full swing. This also raises another important question, viz., What of the food in the brood-nests? Is there still an ample supply? If not, feed at once with syrup of good consistency in- side the hives ; or, if your apiary stands alone, as mine does, thin syrup may be given in the open, putting the food in shallow vessels, such as platters or tins, in 114 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 23, 1905. which straws cut into lengths are placed to prevent drowning. A little naphthol beta may be added to the syrup. This will help to keep the bees healthy, and, with sunny weather, will make them vigorous. If new comb Si are wished for or required for the growth of the brood-nest always, give full sheets to old stocks, otherwise too much drone-comb will be built. Our American cousins are adopting a novel mode of putting up granulated honey in paper cartons for the grocery stores, similar in style to our packages of butter. The large blocks of honey when turned out of the square tin is cut up with wire into blocks, ready for wrapping, similar to our provision merchants' ibutter and cheese cutters. The squares are then wrapped in two papers, and the very ornamental outer-case makes a very pleasing and pre- sentable package. This will tend to bring honey in the old-fashioneil crystalised form again before a large section of the American public, and T see no reason why we in this country should not adopt a similar style of package, and thus educate the public in the use of larger quantities of such a wholesome food as honey. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. CELLULOID FOR BEE-KEEPERS. [5839.] I notice in B.B.J. , some of your correspondents condemn the use of " cellu- loid " about the hives on account of its inflammability. That it is inflammable I quite agree, having put it to the test ; but in the hands of a careful bee-keeper there can be little or no> objection to its use.. I have had it on my hives as quilts or cover- ings to frames for three or four years, and like it verv much, while the ordinary care that should be used for manipulating is all that is required when using celluloid. For myself, I always find a few gentle puffs sufficient to subdue the bees. With a clean smoker and proper fuel there is not much danger in blowing fire into the hive, ^f carefully used. I contend the bee-keeper should be as gentle in handling his bees as the wife is in handling her best china. I have to-day (Saturday) made a slight exam, of all my hives and find them well supplied with food and carrving in pollen freely.— Wm, Briggs, March 18. [5840.] Referring to the letter of Mr. Alex. Reid (Boss-shire), of course what he says on pace 104 is quite right, but a note of warning as to use of celluloid is not offered to the careful man, it is the sinner only who needs repentance. We appliance dealers know only too many vigorous, care- less bee-keepers who occasionally get smokers red hot, and bring them in to us with the solder all run together and im- possible to get nozzle off to recharge. Geo. Rose, Liverpool, March 20. BEE-NOTES FROM DERBYSHIRE. [5841.] The weather having been fine and warm in this part of the country during, the last few days, my bees have been very busy working on the crocuses, etc., and bringing in large quantites of pollen, which indicates that breeding is going on. On Saturday last I took the opportunity cf examining my four hives to ascertain the state of food supply, and was very pleased to find they were well provided for, all of them having several frames of sealed food left. The strongest stock was one formed by uniting two lots of "driven" bees at the end of August, and hived on eight drawn-out combs. This lot were bringing in pollen very freely. I think a pood method of clearing out sections and combs in which the honey has granulated is to have the back dummy made with a bee- space at bottom, and if, after bruising the cappings, the sections or combs are placed behind, the bees will soon clear same out ready for use again, and at the same time provide themselves with food. I take a great interest in my bees, and never tire of watching them at work, bring- ing in pollen, etc. I think if a few flowers are grown specially for them, the pleasure is still greater. Amateur gardening and bee-keeping seem to go very well together. However much we may admire our little workers, we cannot help but adore their Creator who has. endowed them with such instinct and talent. In conclusion, let me say I greatly enjoy reading the B.B.J, and always look forward to- its ajjpearance. — W. Hensox, March 20. (Correspondence continued on page 116.) HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS. Mr. Tew, a portion of whose apiary is seen on opposite page, sends us the fol- lowing notes of his bee-experiences to go along with the interesting photo in print. He says : — " I have been a lover of bees all my life, and my one aim with regard to them is to become a bee-master in its best sense. On staiting a little apiary of my own, I was very soon smitten with the bee-fever, for my first two stocks in frame-hive® did so well the first year, that after paying all expenses I was able to buy a wringing machine for my wife from the profits. The next season I started with six stocks, and my best ' take ' of surplus from one hive was 97 1-lb. sections and March 23, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Hi 17 lb. of extracted honey. The quality, also, was so good that I decided to try my luck on the show-bench at our local honey exhibition, and so entered in three classes. You may judge how sur- prised I was on getting two first prizes and one second with my three entries. As my apiary is only a small one, I do not have big harvests ; the most honey I have taken in one season is something over 3 cwt., all ready to give advice and lend a helping hand when needed. Last season I saved four stocks in skeps from the sul- phur-pit, and got the bees for driving them. " I now have twelve stocks in all ; six of them are in my garden at the top of our High Street, the other six are as you see them in photo with myself and my six- year-old son in the act of subduing bees. MR. A. C. TEWS APIARY, MALDON, ESSEX. of which I had sold out by the following spring at a good price. I am very par- ticular in putting my honey up for mar- keting, always taking care to have the sec- tions and jars perfectly clean, and have ex- tended my sales so far that small lots have gone to Canada, Germany, and Scotland. I also supply everything for use in the apiary, and this gets me in touch with a lot of bee-keepers, to whom I am always He is also a bee-man in his own right as the owner of two stocks, and is very kind to his bees. If he finds one on the ground that has been blown down by the wind, he lets it crawl on Ms hand, where it re- mains till the warmth enables it to dy away home. After being stung a lot of times he is not a bit afraid of the bees ; in fact, he is nearly always with me when I am manipulating. 116 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 23, 1905. " The small hive on the left of photo is stocked with bees that were doomed to the sulphur-pit, but I wasi just in time to save them by giving the owner some honey for the stock. After keeping the skep for a little while, I drove the' bees and put them in an observatory hive, which was exhibited on my stand at our autumn show, and they were very attractive and much ad- mired. I have gained all my knowledge of bee-keeping by studying the ' Guide Book ' and your journals, helped, of course, also, with the practical experi- ence which is needed by all bee-keepers. " In conclusion, I offer a word of advice to young beginners, and it is- this : — Do not expect the bees to do anything satisfactory for you unless you do something for the bees, and if you take proper care of them they will repay you for the trouble and give pleasure also." CORRESPONDENCE. {Continued from page 114.) ANALYSIS OF HONEY. [5842.] I thought your readers might be interested in the enclosed report of the analysis of our " St. George's " honey and its comparison with a Bedfordshire sample of sainfoin honey. I may say our bees were out flying well from June to Septem- ber. They were only fed once during the first week they were out. They filled and capped five 1 lb. sections, and partially filled another two in the first three weeks of July. They had previously stored a considerable amount of honey in the frames. I have a photograph of the sections. If you would care to have it I will send it on. K. M. Hall, Curator. Stepney Borough Museum. Report of the Analysis of the Honey made by the Council's Bees in St. George's Recreation Ground, Cable Street, E., together with a Sample from Bedford- shire for Comparison. February 9. — I have recently been able to complete the analysis of the samples of honey you were kind enough to send me. The composition was as follows: — St. George's. Beds. Per cent. Per cent. Water 19.1 ... 20.4 Mineral matter 0.2 ... 0.03 Glucose 66.6 ... 71.83 Sucrose (cane sugar) 3.8 ... traces. The dextrin which constitutes chiefly the remainder was not estimated. This is very interesting from the fact that all the literature on the subject to which I have referred states that bees have the power of inverting cane sugar into' glucose, and the honey from bees fed on cane sugar rarely contains more than a trace of that substance. As the " St. George's " honey contains as much as 3.8 per cent, of cane sugar, it appears probable that the bees fed largely or entirely on that. The most striking difference between the samples of clarified honey was that whereas the Bedfordshire sample set solid in a few days, the " St. George's " sample took four or five weeks, and is even now in a semi-liquid condition. A few pollen grains were detected under the microscope, showing that some, at least, of the' honey had been gathered from natural sources. I shall hope to be favoured again next winter if these bee-feeding experiments are continued. — Yours faithfully, Albert E. Parkes, F.I.C. , Deputy Public Analyst. Metropolitan Borough of Stepney. [We have always contended that when bees were fed with sugar syrup there was not a complete inversion of the cane sugar as there is when they collect nectar, and we are pleased to have this corroboration of our views. This will also be found in Mr. Cowan's paper on " The Chemistry of Honey " read at American Convention in the year 1900, which will be found in B.B.J, of December 13 and 20, vol. 28. On page 496 of that volume Mr Cowan says : — " When bees have been fed with cane-sugar syrup, only part of this is transformed into dextrose and livulose, so that it is easy to detect the presence of cane-sugar in the way I have pointed out before, when this method of fraud has been adopted." We have repeaiedly and persistently opposed the fraudulent practice of feeding bees on syrup for the pur- pose of producing so-called "honey." The above St. George's sample we should put down as adulterated honey. We do not mean that it has been inten- tionally sophisticated ; but the bees have received more syrup than they could con- sume, and it has consequently been stored in the combs and mixed with the honey. — Eds. B.B.J.] OWNER'S RISK RATES. [5843.] Referring to the letter of " Lilac ' ' (5827, page 98) in B.B.J, of March 9, T. also, am a railway man of eighteen years' standing, and have known many claims to be paid on goods' damaged when sent at the owner's risk rate, and an owner's risk note is held. May I, therefore, be allowed to point out that where the claimant can show wilful neglect, or rough, careless handling on the part of the company's officials, the " owner's risk " conditions are March 23, 1905,] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 117 absolutely useless? I once sent three shallow-frames of comb-honey to the -Crystal Palace Show at owner's risk, but my exhibit, never reached the show-bench owing to its damaged condition. I claimed 30s. for damage, and the company actually paid me 21s., so my friend " Lilac " is wide of the mark when he says it would be re- markable if anyone did obtain payment of a claim when an owner's risk note has been signed. I may also say that if you are fortunate enough to live at a place where there are two or more railway companies, and you sign forty owner's risk notes, and through the non-payment of a claim, divert your traffic to another company, your claim will be paid, and the owner's risk note repudiated altogether. Take a rich firm, for instance, rather than lose their business, a railway company will pay any- thing, but in the case of a poor man, wnn only has a consignment occasionally, he may have a very serious breakage, but the railway company will decline all liability in his case. The whole question wants serious thought, and I hope our Council will see their way to get the rate for honey question put on a proper footing. I send name for reference, and sign — White Clover, Norwich, March 14. REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS By "Nemo." Bee-pest and Eucalyptus. — M. Louis Chevalier gives the results of seven years' experience of bee-pest in the Bulletin de la Sncicte Bomande d' Apiculture. He says oil of eucalyptus requires great care in using as a disinfectant in a hive, owing to its powerful expansion. In fact, with a high temperature, a strong colony, and the entrance too small, a few extra drops will in less than ten minutes kill thousands of bees. Many will rush out of the hive, fall to the ground and die, becoming as black as coal. To avoid the danger alluded to he has a sheet of iron, 16 by 14 inches, which he covers with four or five grammes of essence of eucalyptus ; on this he places a similar- sized sheet of metal with one-twelfth (1-12) of an inch perforations over a surface of about ten inches square. The two together are slid into the hive under the frames and withdrawn and smeared over with the eucalyptus twice a week during the time of brood rearing. In this way he was master of the disease. Another method was to place a piece of sacking on the frames and invert the metal plates, and in this way the fumes of eucalyptus were drawn through the hive during ventilation. This is not so effective a plan, but is much more simple, as the bees were not constantly disturbed. The smearing of the plate had to be done more frequently, as a portion of the eucalyptus evanorated into the roof, and was wasted. In this way he cured all his hives, but had constantly to wage war against infection by robbing which is so difficult to control. He says that when once bee-pest has con- taminated an apiary, it is like gout, an evil that one must get accustomed to live with. One must not be astonished after wintering perfectly healthy colonies, to find the re- appearance of foul-brood in the spring. This is due to spores that have escaped sterilisation, which develop as soon as they get into favourable surroundings. It is under these conditions that eucalyptus is most useful. M. Chevalier also states that when in manipulating he finds his bees aggressive, he puts a little eucalyptus on his hands and thus avoids being stung. Black Bees. — M. A. Wathelet, speaking of small black shiny bees in a hive, says in Le Bucher Belcje that they are frequently found towards the end of summer, and are workers worn out by hard work, and soon disappear from a hive. In all colonies, moreover, there are imperfect individuals ; sometimes they are dwarf workers, and sometimes miserable creatures with only stumps of wings, etc. He further recom- mends that one should keep to the native black race of the country ; although foreign bees have some good qualities, they also have bad points. By selection and judicious crossing the good qualities of the common race can be increased, and it is for tnis purpose that bees from the south have been introduced. Second Swarms. — In the Schweitzer ische Bienenzeitung M. Goldi relates a curious incident which occurred in his apiary with a cast which had settled quietly on the branch of a tree, when after a very short time the bees commenced to get excited and disappeared high up into the air. Half an hour later they came down, and the cast again settled in exactly the same place and was successfully hived. M. Goldi attributes this escapade to the queen, who took advantage of being out of the hive for her marriage flight. A similar instance is mentioned in the same journal where the bee-keeper had hived his cast and taken it to the cellar to allow the bees to settle down comfortably and to rid itself of superfluous queens. An hour later the bees were very uneasy and showed signs of being queenless. The cast was taken back to the garden, when all the bees rushed out and flew backwards and for- wards and finally settled in an empty skep that had been used in the morning. They now remained quiet, showing that they had a queen. It is probable that the young queen had left the hive for her marriage flight when the bee-keeper took the cast 118 THE BRITISH BEE JOtfRtfAL. [March 23, 1905. into the cellar, and not finding heir hive, settled with the few bees that accompanied her in the skep, which somewhat resembled her own hive. Excise Inquiry respecting the Manufacture of Mead. — We read in L'Abeille de VAisne that the Minister of Finance of France has ordered an inquiry to be made by the ex- cise officers respecting what use is made of honey and wax. Here are the questions asked : 1. "What is done in the Department of Aisne with the residues and water used for washing out honey and wax, and also of honey of inferior quality not examined in the ordinary manner ? 2. In the event of their being used for making hydromel (mead), is this drink used in its natural state or distilled ? 3. What process is employed for making hydromel ? 4. What is the alcoholic strength of hydromel ? 5. What average quantity is made yearly ? 6. Is it all consumed in the country or exported ? 7. What is the wholesale price of hydro- mel and of the substances used in ts manu- facture ? 8. Does hydromel constitute a table drink, replacing wine, cider, or beer ? Or, is it only a fancy drink and inci- dentally used 1 The editor, M. Noblecourt, replies that in the Department of Aisne all bee-keepers make a small quantity of hydromel and use the water in which the wax cappings are washed for this purpose, as well as in- ferior quality of honey. It is not made on a large scale, as the materials are too costly, and what is made is used at home, verv little is sold, and it can only be looked upon as a fancy article occasionally used. It is impossible to make brandy with honey, as it would be too costly. It requires 2 to 3 kilos (4£ to 6£ lb.) to obtain one litre (If pints) of alcohol. Bees Refusing Comb Foundation. — A curious instance of bees refusing comb foundation is mentioned in U Apiculteur. M. Gallet, amongst other interesting articles^ showed a frame that he had fitted with a sheet of foundation, one half of which was made with vegetable wax and the other half with mineral wax. The bees built on the vegetable wax and stopped their work on the other. This lesson will not be lost on adulterators, but the collapse of combs will be the more certain, as their weight and the softness of the wax will militate against them. Development of Bees' Eggs. — We find in the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society a summary of the researches which were given in Zeitschrift fur Wissen- schaftlicher Zoologie, by Otto Dickel, who has studied the formation of the blasto- derm, the origin of the yolk-cells, the his- tory of the yolk-cells with especial refer- ence to the blastopon re the formation of the endoderm and mesoderm. No distinction can be drawn between yolk-cells and the endoderm established by invagination. Both are derived from the same material. , The endoderm of insects may be formed by yolk-cells or by invaginated material, or by both. The distribution of yolk-cells and invaginated material may be such that in the earlier stages the yolk-cells form the endoderm of the median region, and the invaginated material forms the polar regions. Between endoderm and mesoderm there are the closest relations, for both arise in intimate interdependence. Tartaric Acid in the Hive. — Herr Reiden- bach, the editor of Pfdlzer Bienenzucht, has been carrying on experiments with the ob- ject of determining the acids that are found in a hive. He has discovered that brood- combs, always contain an acid which new combs do not. He found this by pouring water into the cells, which very soon showed an acid reaction. If blue litmus tincture be poured into old combs it turns red in twenty-four hours. This acid was subsequently found to be tartaric acid. Hitherto it was thought that only formic acid was found in connection with bees. As new combs contained no acid, it was sur- mised that it was derived either from the brood-food or the cast-off larval skins. The former was ascertained to be the case, as on analysis it was found that brood-f» od contained as much as 3.9 per cent, of 1 taric acid, but no formic acid. The acio is produced by the salivary glands, and by means of these gets into brood-food. Wasps and Foul Brood. — Some bee- keepers have thought that wasps were sub- ject to foul brood, and have argued that there was little hope of getting rid of the pest so long as wasps' nests were allowed to harbour it. M. Lichtenthaler relates, in the Rheinische Bienenzeitung, that during the past year he received two wasps' nests which really appeared to have the disease. There was the characteristic odour, rotten brood, and all the other signs of foul brood. He sent these two nests to the Biological Institute at Berlin, where the foul-brood question had been thoroughly studied. After careful examination it is stated that there was no foul brood in the two wasps' nests ; the microscopical examination and the cultures did not show the presence of the disease germs, either in the bacillu? or spore condition. This will dispose of the idea that wasps can infect hives or that they are subject to the disease. Bees Staying Out All Night. — It is stated in Die Biene und ihre Zucht that it fre- quently happens that in their eagerness to gather, bees are overtaken by night, or are March 23, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 119 surprised by an unexpected downpour of rain. In such a case they take shelter under a leaf and pass the night half-chilled. Sometimes several gather together and form a small cluster, mutually warming themselves. As soon as the sun rises, they gradually recover by the warmth of the rays, and return to the hive. It is not difficult to verify this fact, as one has only to close the entrance to the hive when work for the day has ended, and on visit- ing the hive early the next morning, one would be astonished to see the number of bees returning to their hive after having spent the night out-of-doors. (fetes fttam tfo pirn "Romford, Essex, March 13. — In bright sunshine, with a warm southerly breeze, and shade temperature of 57, the bees have to-day, for the first time since February 17, been out in large numbers for a cleansing flight. Bees seemed busy carrying in water, but very little pollen seems available yet. All my stocks seem to have wintered well, and have ample stores for another month's supply. To the timid — or at least to those who object to being stung — (and I plead guilty on both counts!) I offer, gratis, a sugges- tion in the way of gloves. I find my plan works well in practice, and entails very 1; .tie loss of confidence. I use an old ,ir of ordinary lined calf winter gloves, a-id from the thumbs and forefingers I cut away as much as leaves the latter free to the first joint. This gives all the necessary freedom in manipulating, and is altogether a comfortable arrangement. The idea may not be original — I shan't patent it !— R. J. T. (fwiws m& Holies. [3690.] Keeping Bees in Suburban Gar- dens.— Will you kindly advise me as to the following? — I have a small back garden, about 70 ft. long by 18 ft. wide, with two large pear trees and sundry bush-fruit growing therein. Of late years, however, we do not get such good crops of fruit as before, so I thought that keeping a colony of bees might help matters considerably. I therefore ask : 1. Could they be kept in such a small place with advantage ? 2. As it would be essential that no swarming should take place, what apparatus would you suggest to ensure this ? The surround- ing gardens also contain fruit trees, besides which I am only a few minutes' walk from Tooting Common, and there are also two railway banks near on which bees might get some food. I may add a line to say I have no experience whatever of either bees or appliances. I send name, etc., and sign — Inquirer, Balham. London, S.W. Reply. — Unless there are no bee-keepers at all in your neighbourhood we do not think any appreciable advantage to your fruit-crops would be gained by establish- ing a hive in your garden, seeing that the bees would be more likely to help in fer- tilising the fruit on surrounding trees than on those quite close to their hive. 2. We also regret our inability to suggest an un- failing appliance for preventing swarming, or even likely to be of much assistance in achieving that end in the hands of one who has had no experience with bees or appli- ances. On the other hand, it may be said that many keep a hive of bees in a subur- ban garden, and derive much pleasure from it by making careful use of the knowledge to be got from a good book on bees. Your best course, therefore, would be to read up the subject, and then judge of the possi- bility or otherwise of making a start with bees. [3691.] Moving Bees. — Would you be good enough to give me advice upon the following? — 1. I have at present three stocks of bees, and it is necessary to re- move same before May 1 to another new stand about 100 yards away. What should I do to save the loss of bees which are so valuable at this time of the year? I read in the Journal not loni" ago that " filling the mouth of hives with moss and allowing the bees to eat their way through would cause them to take fresh bearings of their locality." Would this answer, or is there some other way? 2. I had a valuable "Italian hybrid" stock, which when packed for the winter covered eight frames. To-day I have examined it, and find neither brood nor queen, and the bees cover only four frames. I suppose the mere fact of there not being brood in the hive means that there is no queen. What do you sug- gest for me to do in this matter? I send name and sign — G. M. N., Ryton-on-Tyne, March 20. Reply. — 1. " Filling mouth of hive with moss " is too vague a term for general use. A little loose1 grass, or moss, that bees could remove or gnaw away to obtain egress in a day or so would no doubt answer, but you might easily fix either grass or moss so that the bees would take serious harm before they could release themselves. If you can take the hives into a cool place indoors and keep them quite in the dark while allowing for ven- tilation for a couple of days, then put them on the new stands at nisrht and give them some little obstacle to climb over 120 THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 23, 1905, — say, a bit of wood placed close to the exit — the bees will notice the chancre and not go back to old stands at all ; but move them at once before weather gets warmer. 2. If queen has gone you can only utilise the bees bv uniting them to another colony in the usual way. [3692. ] A Beginner's Queries. — I have four hives, but have not examined them since I shut them up for the winter, and so I ask : — 1. When ought I to look at the hives, and commence spring feeding? I fed them in the autumn, carrying out all the instructions given in Mr. Cowan's "Guide Book," which is of the greatest help to me. 2. The entrances are now about four inches open. Is this right? I am a beginner, only having had my bees since last May ; but with two hives only then I got 117 lrlb. sections of beautiful honey last year, and in September bought two lots of driven bees, and I have now four hives of bees, but have not examined the hives so far this year. I noticed yester- day several dead bees on the ground in front of each hive, and on fine days I have seen lots of them flying out and in, but could see no pollen on the bees when re- turning to hive. I am so keenly interested about bees that I trust you will forgive my troubling you. — A. K. S. Reply. — 1. You should examine their condition at once to make sure there is food in store, but, if r»roperly fed up as directed in " Guide Book," there should be no need for anxiety on this score. 2. If no signs of robbing are seen, the entrances may re- main from two to four inches wide unless very cold winds prevail, when one inch will suffice. [3693.] Bees Found Dead in March. — Yesterday being fine I inspected mv stocks and was sorry to find one of them defunct. The hive contained a fair quantity of bees and had plenty of Stores. A number of the combs had a good supply of cells simi- lar to those sent under separate cover, and I shall be glad to hear what you have to say on the matter. Is it disease of any kind? — Harry Street, Dunfermline, March 14. Reply. — There is no sign of brood at all in comb, the cells of which contain nothing more than mouldy pollen, and where not mouldy the latter has. been covered with a thin layer of honey, the latter being con- sumed by the bees when alive. As there was not a particle of food in the rather heavy piece of comb sent, the bees may have died of starvation on heavy combs with nothing in them but pollen. [3694.] Dangers of Infection. — Will you kindly tell me if there is danger of bees in- fecting each other by mingling at the com- mon drinking fountain, or artificial pollen supply? I treated two of my stocks last autumn for foul brood, and in case there should be another outbreak, or the cure in- complete, I do not want to risk my healthy hives. — M., Hailsham, March 14. Reply. — There is no need to add to the many alarms in the direction named, for the risk is no greater than bees mixing on flower-blooms in gathering nectar than in drinking at the same water-trough. [3695.] Feeding Bees in March. — As a subscriber to the B.B.J, may I ask for a little advice re my bees? I looked in at them yesterday for the first time since Christmas and find there is a little brood on the two middle frames, and the hives are half full of bees. Would you now give them thin syrup, or flour candy, as I find the bees will not use the pea flour ? I put some in a shallow tin, as recommended in " Guide Book," but as soon as they get a particle on them they rub it off, leaving it on alighting board. I am pleased to say I have never known of foul brood in this district. — H. Luke, York, March 20. Reply. — You make no mention of the stores now in the hive, and, if the supply is short, syrup food must be given as far more suitable than candy under present conditions. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. *** Correction. — Dr. Elliot writes as fol- lows : — " Dear Sirs, — In my reply to 'J. N.' the words 'honey sac' (5831, page 103. line 27) should read ' poison sac' With apologies for my stupid blunder. — Yours faithfully, T. S. Elliot." G. W. M, (Kenedal).— Moist Unrefined Sugar for Bee-food — Your sample is, in our opinion, pure cane sugar, but not suit- able for bee-food because of its contain- ing too large a proportion of the treacle in all unrefined sugars. If there is any tendency to dysentery, good thick syrup made from refined crystal sugar is needed as helping to check it, while syrup made from raw sugar will tend probably to add to the trouble. Student. — About Swarms. — We cannot give " the earliest and latest date on which a swarm has been known to issue in the County of Kent." It ranges, we suppose, from April 1 (All Fools' Day) for " earliest" to September for " latest." Suspected Combs. Flos (Glenlivet). — Comb is affected with foul brood. We should on no account use the honey as bee-food, but it will be quite suitable for household use. Will reply more fully next week. *** Some Queries and Eeplies, &c.t are un- avoidably held over till next week. March 30, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 121 (Mitoml ffltixm. kt CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT. Several changes have recently taken place in the Government. Those more par- ticularly of interest to bee-keepers are the following : — The Right Hon. Walter Hume Long, M.P., President of the Local Govern- ment Board, and formerly President of the Board of Agriculture from 1895 to 1900, to be Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in succession to the Right Hon. George Wyndham, M.P., who has resigned ; and the Hon. Ailwyn Edward Fellowes, M.P., to be President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, in succession to the Earl of Onslow, now Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords. The President has appointed as his private secretary Mr. T. L. C. Floud. wdio has had in charge the British Bee- Keepers' Association Bee-Pest Bill, and all particulars supplied by the committee, so that there will be no interruption in the progress of the work of obtaining and laying before the Board of Agriculture the evidence required either for or against legislation. BRITISH BEE KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION (Continued from page 112.) CONTERSAZIONE. The members re-assembled at 6 o'clock, when Mr. T, W. Cowan presided. The room was filled, among those present, being Miss Gayton, Miss La Mothe, Mrs. E. E. Ford, General Sir Stanley Edwardes, Colonel Walker, Messrs. T. Bevan, W. Broughton Carr, Geo. Dow, W. Vivian Hatch, Jas. Howland, H. Jonas, W. P. Meadows, J. C. Mason, A. G. Pugh, W. F. Reid, A. Schofield, A. Sharp, F. W. L. Sladen, W. Sole, E. Walker, J. Willard, T. I. Weston, F. B. White, W. Woodley, Richd. Brown, F. H. Bevan, L. Belsham, L. S. Crawshaw, Fred. H. White, and E. H. Young. The Chairman, in opening the proceed- ings, said that many of those present had seen the interesting article in the B.B.J. by Colonel Walker describing the " Claus- tral " ventilated hive devised by the Abbe Gouttefangeas, and had read and under- stood the object thereof. He had sent for the important parts of the hive, which they saw before them, so as to make the explanation of the idea more clear. One of the problems that bee-keepers had been trying to solve was how to keep their bees strong and at the same time prevent them from dwindling in the springy. Strong colonies were necessary to gather nectar at the proper season, that was. when nectar was found at its best in the flowers. For the last 25 to 30 years bee-keepers had been trying to ensure that during the win- ter their bees might be kept as quiet as possible, and have sufficient ventilation, so that they should consume as few stores as possible. The smaller the amount con- sumed the less necessary was it for them to have cleansing flights. It was well known that a cold winter prevented the bees coming out of their hives, the result being that they generally did well the following summer in the shape of larger and stronger colonies. Mild winters, on the other hand, caused larger consump- tion of stores and more frequent flights of the bees, large numbers being lost from becoming chilled, and consequently the colonies became weak, just when they should be getting strong. At one time a great deal was said about spring dwindling, which was attributed to the older bees dying off rapidly, and efforts were made by stimulative feeding in the autumn to raise as many young bees as possible to live through the winter and commence the work in spring. Still, this did not entirely remove spring dwindling, and for the last twenty-five years many methods have been tried in order to save the mortality of bees as much as possible. It was thought that if bees could be shut up in the dark and prevented from flying much would be gained ; therefore darkness with ventila- tion was aimed at in the various plans brought forward. As far back as nearly thirty years ago he (the Chairman) had tried experiments with this object in view. At that time he had some hives over his stables, two to each window. In winter these hives were placed close together, the number of frames reduced, and placed to- wards the side touching adjoining hive, and closed in with division boards, having a passage below. The entrance was by a long tunnel at the extreme end, so that much light was excluded, although it was impossible to make it quite dark. In 1879 he read a paper on " Winter- ing Bees," in which he explained a ventilating frame he had used with good results. This he now showed them (see illustration) ; it consisted of an "Cowan" Winter Ventilator. ordinary frame containing a tin box, 4 in. by 3 in., with a tube at the bottom, which passes out at the entrance of the hive, and a tube at the top, branching off to the front and back inside the hive. 122 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 30, 1905. This frame was placed in the centre of the hive, which was contracted in such a way that the bees were forced to cluster round the tin box. Thus the heat of the cluster warms the box, which at once causes the fresh air from outside of hive to enter at the lower end of the tube, and in its passage through the box the temperature is raised, and it flows out of the top tubes, and is diffused through the hive. The warm air thus entering at the top of the hive drives down the cold air and all the noxious gases. A small tube at the side of the box, having a funnel reaching to within an inch of the floor-board, and having an outlet outside the hive at the top, alsc assists in getting rid of the gases without creating a draught. In this way the hive was constantly supplied with pure air at an even temperature. Colonies treated in this manner turned out remarkably well, and were strong, but this frame was given up for simpler means. Then other methods of ventilation were practised ; for instance, we had close- fitting crown boards with perforated zinc slides, perforated zinc ventilators on sides of hives, and Mr. Abbott introduced slatted crown board in five pieces. Then we had quilts, chaff cushions, and chaff boxes, always with the view of giving ventilation without draughts. In Germany many experiments had been tried, the conclu- sion from all these being that it was ab- solutely necessary to keep bees in perfect darkness, but supply ventilation. To shut up bees in ordinary hives was to run the risk of suffocating them, and the diffi- culty was to give proper ventilation with- out admitting light. In 1890 Jeker de- scribed the method then practised in the tall German hives. The frames are paral- lel to front entrance, and are placed be- hind a division board so that between this and the front of the hive a chamber is formed. The division board is close-fitting, and has a small opening in one of the lower corners to allow bees to pass out. The en- trance is closed so as to leave a small opening at the opposite end to that in the division board. Light is prevented from entering by turning up the alight- ing-board, which is hinged, against the front of the hive. Although the chamber is darkened in this way, and it is a pro- tection when snow is on the ground, the egress of the bees is not completely pre- vented, as they can get out at the sides of alighting-board, which at the hinged part is a couple of inches from the en- trance. About ten years ago M. Preuss, of Potsdain, introduced a system of clo- suring bees, by means of a large vestibule, 6 in. to 8 in. deep, fitted to the front of his hives, and provided with perforated zinc front for ventilation. With this the bees were detained in the vestibule, but the mortality among them was very great, because on mild days they would seek the light and make every endeavour to get through the zinc, and in this way worried themselves to death. Preuss thought it was only the old bees that died off in the natural way, but the Abbe Gouttefangeas' experiments have shown where complete darkness is secured this mortality does not take place. As this plan did not keep the bees in perfect darkness, the Abbe Eck made an improvement. He provides a porch with a hinged alighting-board which turns up and completely closes this porch. The lower part to which the alighting-board is hinged has three rows of perforations, which allow air to come up through them. About an inch above is the entrance to the hive, with another alighting-board extending to the front the depth of the porch. To this is fixed a piece of wire gauze forming a square en- closure in front of the hive over which excluder-zinc is placed. To the roof of the porch is fitted a long chimney, so that when the porch is closed the board fits against the wire gauze frame and pre- vents bees getting out beyond it, and at the same time secures ventilation by means of the chimney and holes at the bottom, while the gauze frame admits of free circulation of air. The apparatus, which he called " Consignateur," was cumbrous, complicated, and too expensive for general use, and the tall chimney did not add to the ornament of the hive. Schaefer, who used Preuss's vestibule, covered it with a dark cloth to produce darkness, and also placed a wooden shutter with only the lower part fitted with per- forated .zinc, but this did not sufficiently darken the place. Buckholz had a porch which could also be closed, and was venti- lated by means of tubes entering one en each side under porch roof, bending at a right angle, and following the sides to the alighting-board, where another bend took place, and in this way the air wi'H brought to the entrance of the hive. Every one knows that the longer and straigh«er the chimney the greater the draught. Therefore it is not surprising that these short tubes with many bends did not piove satisfactory. We then have the Vjimot plan, introduced by M. Chardin. The Abbe VoirnoL devised three hives having frames 13 in. by 13 in. , so as to satisfy the wishes of all bee-keepers. The cubic hive had ten of these frames ; the semi double fifteen frames, and the double twenty frames. It was the semi-double that was used for detention purposes. The brood-chamber containing the ten frames was separated from the honey-chamber, containing the five frames which were re- moved, by a perforated division-board, and the entrance turned round so that the March 30, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 123 bees had to pass through an ante-chamber before getting to their combs. The space above was closed by perforated zinc, and the front ventilating tube in roof was stopped up to obstruct the light. A piece of zinc with 3-16 in. holes was placed at entrance, and light was further excluded by raising the hinged alighting-board. This plan is in principle almost identical with that described by Jeker and recently mentioned in the B.B.J, by Mr. G. S. Newth (page 83). Kanitz had a wire-gauze frame which was applied to his hive for the same purpose, and Sylviac attached a board to his porch, which reached within | in. of the roof, and in this way admitted ventilation. There was also a small pas- sage cut at the bottom of this board to allow of one bee passing at a time. There were several other devices that could be mentioned, but he would only allude to that of Weippl, who had adapted the de- tention plan to a bee-house. He had sliding doors which, when closed, produced complete darkness, and in this way all the bees m the house could be kept quiet and ventilated. All these inventors aimed at producing darkness and giving sufficient ventilation. If bees could be kept in the dark, they would be quiet as they are at night ; but with an ordinary entrance it would be dangerous to close, it for fear of suffocating the bees. When the Abbe C4outtefangeas began to think about confining bees to their hives, he found that the peasants in the mountains regularly closed their hives for the winter months. They placed four or five pieces of hemp straw, four inches long, on the alighting board, and allowed the ends to enter at the entrance of the straw skeps, the aperture being covered up with cow manure. These hemp stems were one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, so that very little air could pass through, although it was suf- ficient to allow of the bees being shut up for five months during winter. M. Gouttefangeas tried the same plan with frame hives, but these being so very much larger, the ventilation was not found suf- ficient and bees became suffocated. He continued his experiments with the idea of providing bees with the same accommo- dation as all other animals, namely, a house with a door that can be closed to protect them, and a chimney that would act as a ventilator. The different parts he (the chairman) placed before them would assist them to understand the prin- ciple upon which the invention was based. It would be seen that the chief part was a porch, similar to those we use, except that the alighting board is hinged so as to turn up and completely close the porch and thus make it quite dark. There was some diffi- culty in making a continuous alighting board with a hinge that would exclude the light, but it could be seen that the diffi- culty was got over by using a joint such as is fitted to the flap of a card-table. This porch, when closed, forms the detention chamber, and is large enough to contain about seven quarts. The porch can be made either part of the hive, or can be attached to it, and he (the chairman) did not see any difficulty in applying it to our hives. Darkness being obtained, the next point was to obtain ventilation without ad- mitting light. He tried a number of ex- periments, as he wanted something that could be applied to any hive and be suf- ficiently cheap to be within the reach of all. Canals in various positions were tried, and he ultimately decided on tubes. It is well known that the larger and straighter the chimney the greater and better the draught, and he found that it required two tubes of 50 centimetres to give the same draught as one of 90 centimetres, but as such a long chimney would be unsightly, he decided on having the two tubes. These pass through the porch roof and alighting board, and project about four inches at each end. The tubes are pierced with holes, as will be seen, just above alighting board. (Reference to illustrations on pages 72 and 73 B.B.J, will assist in under- standing the description. — Eds. B.B.J.) These tubes he found effectually kept out the light, and the inventor points out that if one looks up a very tall chimney shaft in the daytime stars, are visible, showing that light is obstructed from passing down the chimney. With an apparatus of this sort, which the Abbe Gouttefangeas has had at work for three years, he has been able to confine his bees for five months, allowing them cleansing flights only once a month. He found that at a temperature of 57 deg. to 59 dee;. Fahrenheit the bees, when shut up, remained quiet on their combs. At 59 deg. to 60 deg. a few would come out into the porch and look about, while at 62 deg. to 64 deg. large numbers would come out. In the spring ib was quite a common occurrence for a few days of fine weather to succeed cold days. As soon as there was bright sunshine, the bees would cOme out and inspect the vicinity of the hive, while some more venturesome than others would move their wings and fly off. That enticed others, but these flights were fatal, as many of the bees became chilled and never returned to> the hive, and just when the colonies should be gaining strength they would be dwindling, it was at such times that a porch of this sort was most useful, for it tended to keep the bees quiet, while breeding was not interrupted, for th*' inventor has found that it had a moderating effect upon the internal tem- perature, of course within certain limits. 124 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 30, 1905. It is not likely that we could confine the bees for five months, as Abbe Goutte- fangeas had done at an elevation of over 3,500 feet, where the cold would be more regular than we get it in our winters ; but there were long spells where it would be an advantage for us to have the means of shutting up our bees. The inventor re- commends that during winter and spring the hive should be closed at night and always when the temperature is below 46 deg. When the weather is calm at 50 deg. , or even 48 deg. , the porch can be opened. If the clay was windy and weather stormy or unsettled, wait until the tem- perature rises to 53 deg. or 57 deg. If the weather is doubtful keep closed, as the flow of nectar at such times is small and does not compensate for the loss of bees. He found when the sun shines at a tem- perature of 57 deg., the ante-chamber would contain many bees, and he recom- mends that bees be allowed a cleansing flight on bright, warm days every three or four weeks in winter ; but even this time could be prolonged if necessary. When the temperature was down to 48 deg., it was perfectly safe to leave the door open, because bees did not leave their hives at such times. The great advantage of the system was that the bees could be confined or let out in accordance with the wish of the bee-keeper. Now, in the spring bees require a great deal of water for rearing their brood. This they only collect as they want it, and if they are kept closed in this wajr, it was absolutely necessary to provide them with water, and that was one of the things the Germans were very pro- nounced about. Our object in giving bees diluted syrup in spring was to provide them with more water, but this was not sufficient. Preuss found that bees thus confined would consume a litre (one and threequarters of a pint) of water every two clavs. That was a large quantity, and it was no doubt the principal motive of the bees' flight in the spring ; it was in that effort to get water that so many perished. If water was not provided it would make them very unsettled and determined, if possible, to get out. Sweetened water could be given from an ordinary feeder. and if the bees had to feed on syrup, this could be diluted in such a way as to pro- vide the necessary water. The Abbe found that breeding was not interrupted by closuring the bees, and they remained per- fectly quiet. Bee-keepers would admit that if the bees could be kept perfectly quiet, so that the consumption of their stores was lessened, and the usually larce spring mortality prevented, apicul- ture would have made a great step in ad- vance. The bees would be preserved and enabled to take full advantage of the honey harvest at the right time. The Abbe had stated that his harvest had in- creased very much ; in some instances it had doubled, and in one case trebled. Besides the chimneys there were other means of ventilation, and he (the chair- man) now showed various forms of canals that could be used either on the flocr board or sides of the hive. These, as would he seen, are covered with perforated zinc and have slides over them so that light is ex- cluded. For a hive with an ordinary en trance he used a two-piece ventilating door. The tubes in these were square and open at each end, as the Abbe found square tubes obstructed light better than round ones. The tubes nearest the entrance were perforated, so that when they were closed a current of air joassed out at the ends. For nuclei there was a single slide, and it would be admitted that it was a great advantage to be able to keep bees in these confined without any danger of their being robbed or wanting ventilation. There were many ways in which the inven- tion could be applied besides those men- tioned. Now as to how the invention can be ap plied. One of the advantages claimed for the system was that in the winter an idea of the condition of the population can be arrived at without opening the hive. The chimneys are provided with hoods, which not only assist to obstruct the light but prevent snow from entering the tube. If the hood be turned clown, and the nose ap- plied at the top of the tube, the smell would indicate whether brood was being reared and in a healthy state, and a tap on the side of the hive would discover whether the bees were in good condition or not. In that way the hive could be satisfactorily diagnosed. Hives could be moved with ease short distances, for they would be closed, and the bees kept in confinement for a short time, or as long as the bee- keeper likes, as it is well known that bees kept closed in this way soon forget their old locality. Then in making swarms it is not necessary to take them to a dis- tance, and when the number of bees intro- duced into a hive is sufficient it can be closed, and there is no clanger of the bees going back to their old stand if the hive remains closed for a day, or even two days. Colonies are also easily equalised by placing them near each other, and when sufficient bees have left one hive, closing it and compelling the bees to enter the other one. This in its turn can be closed for a certain time to allow the bees to for- get their locality. It is evident that this plan can be applied in many ways and per- mits us to dispense with many manipula- tions. It is practically adapted for stop- ping and preventing robbing. Nuclei have already been alluded to, and he need not mention the advantage of being able to March 30, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 125 confine bees during queen- rearing, and in an ordinary hive all know how difficult it is to prevent robbing, and how when it is once commenced it is still more difficult to stop it. With the Claustral hive no- thing is more easy ; the robbers can be caught in the act, imprisoned, and the de- moralisation of the apiary prevented. One has merely to close the hive that has been attacked, and, after a few minutes, open it, when all the robbers, believing night to have come, rush off home to their own hive, where they can be shut up. Or, if it is difficult to find out which is the robbing colony, close all the doors, and after a few minutes, open one and watch the bees, and if they are the robbers, they will make a turn in the air and fly towards their own hive. This can be opened, and when thev are all in, the bees imprisoned and all the others released. Then, again, how easy it is to confine colonies during manipulation, or when feeding is neces- sary, or when extracting and returning combs for cleansing ! In case of bee-pest a colony could be treated to medicated food and isolated, making it possible to deal with it without danger to any of the other colonies in the apiary ; and, indeed, anything can almost be done without de- ranging the others by simply shutting tip the hive. He (the chairman) had given a brief description of the Claustral hive, and would like the plan thoroughly tried in this country. He would be glad of dis- cussion on the subject, and would be pre- pared to answer any questions that might- arise, as would also, he was sure, Colonel Walker, who could do so much better than he, and whom he would now ask to ex- press his views. (Report continued in our next.) LANCASHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above Associa- tion was held in the Scientific Society's Hall, Preston, on February 25. Mr. W. A. Cook presided, and the members present included Messrs. Geo. Roberts, F. H. Tay- lor, Dr. B. Jones, Geo. Rose, J. F. William- son, P. Shackleton, W. Lloyd, W. Lowe, H. Fenny, E. Gardner, A. M. Fielding, R. Rymer, J. Jones, Ed. Foster, J. H. Walms- ley, H. Dandy, G. Dawson, Richard Tyrer, J. H. Johnston, and others. The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman then made some remarks on the report — as issued by the secretary — which showed an increase of membership, there beins; now 386 names on the books, as against 358 in 1903. Sixty-four new mem- bers had been enrolled, and there were thirty-six removals from list. The expert reported having visited 353 members and twenty-seven non-members. He had examined 1,170 frame and fifty skeps. Eighteen apiaries were found to be affected with foul brood, the diseased stocks numbering thirty-four. The trea- surer made some remarks, explaining that the additional expense incurred for expert work last year accounted for the reduction in the balance. The report and statement of accounts were adopted. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Committee and officers of the Associa- tion. The Right Hon. Lord Balcarres was re- elected President, and Messrs. Geo. Rose, G. Roberts, Cook, Fielding, Walmsley, Lloyd, Rymer, Score, Fenny, Tyrer, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Anderton were elected the Committee; Mr. J. F. Williamson secre- tary, Mr. F. H. Taylor treasurer, and Mr. A. Wood, A.C.A., auditor, were re-elected ; and Messrs. J. F. Williamson, J. Gray, and Dr. B. Jones were appointed lec- turers for the year. The question of foul brood legislation was then brought before the meeting, and after discussion it was decided that the meeting approve of the Association sup- porting the same. In the evening there was a well-attended social gathering, at which Mr. J. F. Wil- liamson s»ve a lecture on " Bees and Bee- keeping," illustrated by lantern-slides. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and lecturer. — J. F. Williamson, Secretary, Byron Street, Fleetwood. (Reports of Annual Meetings of the Leicester- shire B.K.A. and of the Cumberland B.K.A. are in type, and will appear in our next issue ) The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed 01/ correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communiea£io?is, and corre- spondents ore requested to write on one side of the paper only and giue their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. AMONG THE BEES. SPRING ! [5844.] How are Stores? — In earlier dis- tricts this question will already be settled, and even in later ones most of us have taken at least a momentary peep under the quilts, and decided that they are not yet quite exhausted ; all were found alive and all had ample stores. Here let me sound a warniner note. This is the period, active breeding having set in, when stores disappear at an accelerated pace. For the 126 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 30, 1905. months to come, one pound is likely to be consumed for every ounce required during each of the past six months. So, 'ware the cupboard, and replenish if necessary. Spring has come and every thing is waking from its winter sleep. " In the spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin's breast." Birds talk love, insects rouse from their lethargy, and bees, hum. Flowers are showing in bloom in increasing number and variety as the more genial air encourages them to spring from the late cold ground. Already pollen is plen- tiful, even in late districts, and honey is to be obtained at least in minims and per- haps drachms. All this leads to activity and progress within the hive. The spring examination should now take place. Every hive should be ex- amined on the first available genial day of April. Clean floor-boards, withdraw all old or ill-built oombs, test all hives as. to* health, examine all as to queens, make sure stores are ample. If stimulating is to be done, start six weeks in advance of the expected honey-flow, so that the stock may build up in time. Unite where the numbers are too few to pull up if left alone, and in the case of all queenless stocks. Renew coverings, if damp or mouldy. Add to them rather than lessen their numbers. Then disturb colonies as little as possible for some time. A good knowledge of their strength and progress may be gleaned by outside observation at different hours of the day. As a rule, every one showing active pollen-carrying in the early forenoon on a good day may be relied on. Introducing Queens. — In continuation of several methods for carrying out this rather delicate operation successfully, I give the following : — Seize the queen gently by the wings from behind and give her a dip in a cup of clean water, keep- ing her under for the space of about ten seconds. Then introduce her among the strange bees, and they will accept her without any question. Try it! Honey Imports. — I latelv called atten- tion to this subject to prove that, from actual facts and figures, the foreigner shows no> signs of crushing, out home pro- ducers, but, on the contrary, is consign- ing honey in decreasing quantity. The £29,000 worth imported for the past twelve months is under the average for more than twenty years, and amongst the smallest totals on record. The exceedingly in- teresting statistics supplied by Mr. Weston on page 395, as to the source of foreign supply and its value, should receive careful study from bee-keepers. I need hardly add that the thanks of our fraternity are due to the compiler for favouring us with their production. One point he brings out deserves special notice. Of the total re- corded only one half, £15,166, is really foreign, the other half, £15,183, comes from our own colonies. Irish Statistics. — While on the question of figures, I may note one or two points in regard to apiculture in the sister island. The total honey harvested was only one- half that produced in 1901—359,624 lb. (718,218 lb.). Beeswax fell from about 6,000 lb. to a cake weighing only 3,850 lb. Hives at one time numbered 39,000 ; the last return sets them down as only 26,500. Frame-hives are increasing. " other " hives show a heavy drop, pointing I suppose, the fact that the old straw skep is dying out. Only fourteen hives are credited to every 10,000 acres. I once more sigh for the time when we can have statistics showing the advance of apicul- ture on this side of the Channel compiled by the Board of Agriculture. Advance Apiculture. — That reminds me that our friend " Uncle Sam " has stolen a march on us in this respect. He lias actually recognised bee-keeping as a na- tional industry, and deems it one deserving of encouragement and State aid. The Government has given it a distinct recog- nition by an appropriation of £1,000 per annum. They have established an experi- mental apiary, instituted a Bureau of Api- culture, appointed an Apicultural Investi- gator, two special Agents in Apiculture, and an Apicuitural Clerk ; all four of whom will devote their entire time exclusivelv to investigations and experimental work. The industry should advance in the States with leaps and bounds. Has anything like a concerted combined effort ever been made in this country to urge on our Board of Agriculture that it should take the in- dustry under its protecting care? Why should not we have a D.A.T.I. fostering bee-keeping ? Vol. Thirty-two. — The receipt of bound volume for the year 1904, the other day, enabled me to make comparisons with former issues., and I have come to the con- clusion that these are in every respect favourable to the latest production. The book forms a fund of information and in- fraction of the highest value to all who are intending to make a start in apicul- ture. I would consider the cash invested as well spent if I were giving a present to any bee-keeper entering on his novitiate, as for any such its perusal would be invaluable. One wonders how so much fresh and interesting matter can be pro- duced year after year on so circumscribed a subject as apiculture. " The Homes of the Honey-Bee " are as pleasing as ever, and add an interest to the volume which I, for one, would very much regret if it lacked. The idea of issuing them was one of the happiest hits our Editors ever made. All are interesting, but, for diverse reasons, March 30, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 127 I take a special interest in those on pages 35, 295, and 455. Errata.— In last contribution, for Vano read Varro; for Merve read Mewc; and for these stocks read thirty. CAKE OF BROOD-COMBS. [5845.] I have read with much interest Mr. Crawshaw's letter (No. 5826, page 96) on the care of brood-combs, but I should be very much obliged if Mr. Crawshaw would kindly give me a little further in- formation oil the subject. First, what kind of nozzle is required to the garden syringe to make it suitable for washing the combs ? Would not the ordinary one allow too much water to pass at a time and so knock the combs to pieces ? On the other hand, surely the spray would not have sufficient force to clean the combs 1 Also, what quantity of Condy's Fluid or Izal would be used ? And would this treatment be advisable for combs in shallow frames that have been put away during the win- ter, for those are the only ones I have except the brood-combs in the hives ? I would also be glad of a word of advice on washing the hives after their spring-clean- ing with some disinfectant, and, if so, what, and in what proportion ? I have no spare hives into which to |3ut the bees while their' s dry. — F. T. Lane, Cornwall. MOVING BEES SHORT DISTANCES. AN IMPROVISED DETENTION-CHAMBER. [5846.] I bought an old frame-hive with bees from a friend ten days ago, and they were only 150 yards from my place. My trouble was how to keep them in their new place when I got them home, so I tried the " detention system," and fixed them up in the dark for just a week on their old stand, then moved them in the evening, putting peasticks, etc., in front of the hive to make them mark the place. I am pleased to say it answered well, and I do not think a |single bee went back. I put a skep and •board on their old stand and watched for some time, but never saw a single bee re- turn. I was rather fixed how to arrange a method to give them air and keep them in the dark, but I solved it when I picked up a square cigar-box with a division in it. I enclose you a rough drawing, trusting you can follow it. I could send you the original if you would care to see it, as the drawing seems such a bungle. — G. W. M., Kendal. [Your sketch is hardly clear enough for reproducing, but it shows how a little in- genuity, in adopting the principle of the " Claustral " hive may be made to serve one of the many purposes to which it may be applied. — Eds.] NOTES FROM NEWMARKET. [5847.] " Gloomy winter 's now awa'," and the roll-call of the apiary may be taken. I have to report a loss of 1 per cent. : cause — queenlessness ; otherwise stocks are in good heart, and a week's ideal weather has caused a rapid extension of the brood- nests. On Friday, 24th, one continuous stream of " dusty millers " was entering each hive, bearing huge pellets of pollen gathered from the box, which is this year yielding it in unusually large quantities. It is often easy to prophesy negatively early in the year as to the season's ultimate results, but very difficult to do so posi- tively. In March of last year, for ex- ample, it needed no extraordinary amount of acumen to discern that the season must of necessity be an indifferent one ; but i t would be rash yet to declare that this will be good — the possibilities of disaster be- tween now and June are so plentiful. But the auspices are very favourable. The "layers" are just now a sturdy, vigorous plant with the well-developed root-growth so essential to a free secretion of nectar during the period of bloom ; and although the flower is of no account so far as yield- ing surplus, it is invaluable as a stimu- lant to brood-rearing, and it now shows a profusion of blossom-buds ready to burst into flower. Providing always that no set-backs are experienced — which is, perhaps, "pro- viding" a great deal — I predict swarms in this district early in May, and a generous honey-flow in June and July. — Chas. H. Bocock, Aside- Apiaries, March 25. PRICE OF HONEY. [5848.] I have occasionally noticed ad- vertised in B.B.J, some wonderfully cheap "extracted," etc., purporting to be the product of the bee ; but for being down- right "uncanny," I do think the "finest Scotch" at 4d. a pound "takes the cake." I write as a bee-keeper owning a fairly large apiary, who sold several cwts. of honey last year, none of it at less than 6d. per pound wholesale, and quite a good portion at from 8d. to lOd. retail. I have now sold out my harvest for 1904, and am busily engaged in preparing several pounds' worth of appliances in hope of a good honey-crop this year ; but if I thought that I should not be able to realise 6d. per pound wholesale for that crop — which, alas ! may never materialise, owing to our fickle climate — I would either at once sell my apiary at any sacrifice or make a bon- fire of the lot, for I should certainly never have the " assurance " to presume that I could afford to tickle the palate of the mighty John Bull with any stuff worth callin- " British "honey at less per pound than 6d. With regard to the honest 128 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 30, 1905. " middleman," they, as a class, seem to act as though they had a sort of divine right to grow rich any way and anyhow at the expense of the industrious (and too often struggling) producer, and an easily " gulled," because often uninformed, con- sumer. I send name and sign — Cambs. Bee-keeper, March 22. REVIEW. Queen-Bearing in England, by F. W. L. Sladen, F.E.S., published by Houlston and Sons, London, and B.B.J. Office, 10, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., price Is. Id. post free. We have in this book of fifty-six pages the result of Mr. Sladen's practical experi- ence in rearing queens in this country. Articles on the subject appeared an the B.B.J, about a year ago, but the author has found it necessary to add so much im- portant new matter that the book before us may be said to have been entirely re- written. In the eight chapters the book contains we have all the best methods described in "a clear and succinct manner, so that any one following the instructions care- fully cannot fail to succeed in rearing a few or many queens, as he may wish. He first describes queen-rearing in Nature ; then gives details of the most up-to-date methods of queen-rearing by means of specially prepared cups, clearly explaining how and when larvae should be transferred to these cups, and how they should be treated afterwards so as to secure the best results. Considerable space is devoted to forming nuclei and their management ; the B.B.K.A. standard frame being recom- mended in preference to the small frames used in some parts of America, as more suitable for our climate. There is also a chapter on rearing drones for ferti- lising the queens, as it is well known that the drone influences the queen and worker progeny, so that it is important that queens of the best strain should be selected for drone-rearing, and that the drones also should be reared under the most favour- able conditions. The races of bees are described always with the view to obtaining the best strains, and advice is given respecting breeding for improvement. The book is very well got up, and illus- trated with twenty-five figures. It also contains a beautiful frontispiece, printed in colours, of a golden Italian queen and worker ; also a large folding half-tone plate of a batch of queen-cells built from arti- ficial cups. The author has also added his notes on " A Scent-producing Organ," " The Honey Bees of India," and " Enemies of the Honey Bee in South Africa." We recommend the book to those who wish to make themselves acquainted with the methods of queen-rearing in this country, and feel sure all will be interested and pleased with the amount of informa- tion contained between the covers. (ftomea and Holies. [3696.] Moving Driven Swarm One Mile. — I am buying a skep of bees, which latter are now located about a mile from here, and wish to know : 1. When I drive a swarm from them, and place the bees in a frame-hive, must I put the new hive on the stand now occupied by the skep, or will the bees stay with the queen, as in the case of natural swarming, if I bring the stock here ? I fear they will return at so short a distance. 2. If the " Swarthmore " pamphlets are in your hands now I shall be glad to send remittance for price and postage if you will say how much. — I send name, etc., and sign — B., Lines. Reply. — 1. The driven swarm will re- main with the queen on the old stand if they are left there ; but why not set up the frame-hive on the stand it is intended to occupy in your garden ? If that was done the swarm might be driven and hived at home, while the parent skep could be left on its old stand for ten days, and then be brought to your own place. This would be the best plan, and no bees would be lost. 2. "Baby Nuclei," by " Swarthmore." will best sent for 2s. Id., post free ; but the first supply is sold out, and it will be some days before a second lot comes to hand. [3697.] Sending Observatory Hives to Shows. — By kindly answering the following queries in B.B.J, you will much oblige an old subscriber. 1. What is the customary method of conveying three-frame observa- tory hives to show, the bees, too, of course 1 2. In stocking such a hive, are any bees used other than those adhering to the three combs put in ? 3. Is it safe in the case of two stocks standing side by side to remove one and throw its flying bees into the one left — I mean safe as regards the strengthened stock ? I send name for reference. — Old Subscriber, Leicester, March 22. Reply. — 1. If the observatory hive can be carried by hand to the show, it is best to fit it up at home ; otherwise the combs and bees should be taken in a travelling box and the observatory hive fitted up on the show-ground, preferably on the evening before the show opens, in order that the bees may settle down in the hive and be made secure ready for the show-bench. If they cannot be attended to overnight, the frames should be transferred to the obser- March 30, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 129 vatory hive early on the morning of the show, so that the flyinq bees should have time to ^ather into the hive before visitors begin to arrive. 2. If sufficient bees are not on the frames to cover the brood in combs, some should be added before the travelling box is closed for the journey. 3. No ; it would be risky to do this, as pos- sibly it might cause fighting between the two lots of bees. [3698.1 Drone-breeding Queen in Hive. — When looking round my hives on Thursday morning, the 16th inst., I noticed what I took to be drone-brood thrown from one. At mid-day I made an examination, when iny suspicions proved correct, as the piece of comb enclosed will show. I shook off all bees and removed the frame of comb till I could decide on my future course. I may say the queen was there, looking all right. Next evening I removed all brood from cells and destroyed them, and even- tually decided to unite the bees with an- other colony. I cannot account for this queen being a drone-breeder as the colony did well last year, and has come through the winter satisfactorily. Not having had any experience of foul brood, I thought I would be on the safe side (hence the piece of comb enclosed) before uniting. If I have not destroyed the means of telling by removing the brood, I hope you will " wire " me if you detect any disease. If there is no foul brood you need not "wire," and I shall conclude I may unite them with safety, and I will look in next week's Journal for any remarks you deem neces- sary and are pleased to make under initials — Z. A. D. , Clanfield, March 20. Reply. — There is no disease in comb, and as queen is evidently drone-breeder, she should be destroyed and bees utilised by joining to another stock as proposed. [3699.] Disinfecting Hires. — In January I scrubbed out a hive with diluted carbolic acid, and rinsed it well afterwards with hot water ; gave it a coat of paint and placed it out in the open so that it might dry and lose the smell of acid, etc. On opening and examining same, however, a few days ago I found that it smelt quite strongly of the carbolic. I intend trans- ferring a skep of bees to it next month, and so ask : — Will the bees take to it all right ? If not, kindly advise me what to do. I send name and sign — Anxious One. Wokingham, March 20 Reply. — If the wood is so saturated with carbolic as to retain its strong odour after two months, we should give it a coat of paint inside, and leave it in the open air for a week to allow the smell of paint to disappear. [3700.1 Bee-recipes — Candy Making. — Being; a new hand at bee-keeping, may I ask for replies to the following questions ? — 1. I made some naphthol beta solution last autumn, according to instructions in "Guide Book." Since then it has turned the colour of whisky. Being so, is it fit for use this year? 2. I also made some candv which, at first, could be scraped soft easilv with finger, but after being on the hive for some time I find it is much harder than at first. Do you think there is any fault in making, as it must now be very difficult for bees to consume it? — G. T. Boggis, Bungay, Suffolk, March 23. Reply.— 1. If properly made— and kept corked— the solution will keep good for years, 2. The test of well-made candy is its remaining soft for a considerable time. If properly boiled — and stirred while cool • ing off — the candy retains its soft, buttery consistency quite long enough for all bee- purposes. If overboiled, it becomes hard as stone in a few weeks and is then entirely useless as bee-food. [3701.] Insurance for Bee-keepers — Re~ quccninq Stocks. — 1. I shall be glad to learn if I may yet send amount to cover insurance on my apiary.ur) to August next. I have just discovered that by some means the matter was overlooked last year. I should, of course, remit the amount in full, together with any reasonable fine which might be imposed for the omission to send at the proper date. 2. I have two hives queenless. Is it too early now to attempt to re-queen. I send name and sign — Moorbrook, Sheffield, March 22. Reply. — 1. If you are a member of a county B.K.A., the hon. secretary will afford the information asked for. Non- members should write to the secretary of the B.B.K.A., Mr. E. H. Young, 12, Han- over Square, London. 2. Stocks now queen- less may be re-queened whenever queens can be had : but if the two colonies in ques- tion have been long queenless, and bees are now reduced considerablv in numbers, it may be advantageous to unite them under one queen when latter is available. [3702.] Sugar for Bee Food. —As a sub- scriber to the B.B.J, for some eighteen months may I venture to ask for a little information. I have fed up my bees for two winter seasons on pure cane sugar granulated, the price of which has gone up considerably, as you know, so I asked a fi-iend to get me a sample of cane sugar (which I herewith enclose) suitable for bee- feeding, and he tells me it is pure cane sugar. I therefore ask: — Is this a suit- able sugar for them for spring stimulation ? A reply in vour next will much oblige. — G. W.'M., Kendal. Reply. — The sample is doubtless pure cane, but being a moist, unrefined sugar it is unsuitable for bee-food when stimu- lating. Raw sugar is too laxative in its effects when made into syrup and might 130 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 30, 1905. cause dysentery if bees are weakly. We should use yellow Demerara crystals, which are partly refined and cost very little more than the raw sugar. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim- mediately following the receipt of their communications. Bees (Tyrie). — Bees Found Dead in March. — From details given we should say the bees have died of starvation through being unable to reach the stores during the cold weather of some weeks ago. We regret to say the comb sent shows also that the bees were suffering from foul brood. In view, therefore, of this, the bee-less hive should be taken indoors at once and dealt with by burning combs, etc. If left outside and bes can get at the food your other stocks will probably start "robbing," and suffer accordingly. G. W. (Wealdstone). — Bee-forage. — We are obliged to you for drawing our attention to what is obviously a printer's error in our reply to " B. Co., Birmingham" (page 100), seeing that none of the heaths included in bee-forage ever bloom in spring. The words " spring heather " should be sprig of heather, and were so written ; but printers are not bee-men. J. B. (Hale).— Bees Found Dead in March. — The comb sent contains only food (honey or syrup) and pollen, the latter being wet on its surface as if having been coverel with a thin layer of food through the past winter. If the five frames of honey still in the hive was at one end of the hive, and the dead bees were found at the other end, it would point to death from starvation through the bees being unable to reach the food during very cold weather, it being common to find bees dead from want with plenty of food a few frames distant. Inspection of combs is the only way to clear up this point ; we cannot judge from a distance. C. A. (Enfield). — Peculiar Appearance of Dead Drone. — The male organs are some- times extruded — as in the insect sent — through excitement ; but a somewhat similar appearance is seen after copula- tion has taken place. Novice (Dccside). — Bottle-feeders. — We cannot say what the demand would be for such a feeder as is proposed ; but our views against incurring cost of patenting small bee-appliances are well known ; and thoroughly efficient feeders, slow and rapid, are now so plentiful that it must be something exceptionally good to stand any chance of a large enough de- mand to warrant expense in protecting. We advise a thorough trial of your idea and comparison with the feeders now in use before going further than this at present. Bee - keeper (Cockermouth). — Candy- making. — Sample sent has been a little over-boiled, and, in consequence, is too hard for bee- food. Only for this fault it would be a nice candy. E. H. P. (Kent). — Italian Bees and Pollen- gathering. — We have never noticed any difference between the working of natives and Italian bees when pollen-gathering. The latter work on the willow-palm equally well with blacks. There may have been some other source of supply at the time to cause the difference noted, because Italians do work on some flowers that natives seem to pass by. (Miss) M. S. (Darlington).— Dead Bees Cast Out. — Neither dead bees nor con- tents of comb sent show any signs of disease ; but the " speckings " seen on alighting-board and front of the parti- cular hive in question — and on none of the other hives — indicate that bees are suffering slightly from dysentery, as you suppose. It can only be a mild attack, or the comb sent would also have been " specked," which is not the case. A little warm, thick syrup will probably set the bees right, seeing that warm weather now prevails. E. H. (Haslemere). — Joining B.K. Asso- ciation.— Your best course will be to join the Surrey B.K. A., when the hon. secre- tary would no doubt put you in the way of securing help in packing the hive for removal, and put you in the way of start- ing bee-keeping with a chance of suc- cess. The hon. secretary is Mr. F. B. White, Marden House, Redhill. G. S. (Wimbledon). — Bee-keeping as a Business. — If you could call at the B.B.J, office any day after Wednesday we would give a word of advice on pro- posals made, but we have no time for private correspondence. G. S. (Sevenoaks). — Wax-moth in Hives. — The larva sent is that of the true wax- moth, Galleria cereana. A. M. (Milnthorpe). — Fermented Honey for Use as Bee-food. — We are unable to say why honey put up in 2-lb. jars should ferment, while that in 1-lb. jars remained all right if conditions were exactly the same in both cases. *** Some Queries and Eiplies, & \, are un- avoidably held over till next week. April 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 131 BKITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION CONVERSAZIONE. {Continued from parje 125.) Colonel Walker hoped that most of the audience had read what he had had the pleasure of writing on this subject in a re- cent issue of the B..J. He did not then praise the invention, but simply put it be- fore the readers, feeling sure it would speak for itself. With regard to dwindling, the author spoke also of autumn dwindling, by which he meant that bees tempted to fly out in the autumn as well as in the spring became lost or destroyed. This, of course, was unfortunate, because when the queen should be encouraged to breed she could not do so for want of population, so that M. Gouttefangeas' invention was a double advantage in that it mitigated the dwind- ling evil in autumn as well as in spring. The inventor was anxious to make his idea known, and had asked him (the speaker) to put it before the B.B.K.A. There might be some objections to it, but one must re- member that the invention was young yet, and might be elaborated, or simplified, and made perhaps more adaptable to all needs. The abbe was convinced that the bee-keeper should have power to shut up his bees. If there was any difficulty about ventilation the chimneys could be made larger or smaller, with more holes, or conduits could be used, without interfering in any way with the principle of the contrivance. The inventor himself did not use chimneys so long as those shown now ; his projected only four inches above and below. The conduits could be put in any position on the floor- board, sides, or back of the hive. They were open at each end, so that a current of air was always circulating past the perforations in that side of the tube nearest to the hive entrance. M. Gouttefangeas recommended that one should be put at the back of the hive. The danger of propolisation had been mentioned, but bees would not go out- side their hives to propolise ; therefore, the porch was free from such risk. There had to be a little nicety in the manufacture with regard to keeping the detention chamber perfectly dark, but although most im- portant this was easily managed. The bees must be persuaded that it was night, and of no advantage for them to go out. The peculiarity of the invention was that the bees were not shut up within their hives proper. They had naturally the habit of going to the mouth of the entrance, an inch or two in front, and there perambulating up and down at night-time ; and by this invention an artificial night was produced under natural conditions. In the ordinary way, bees shut up in a hive always became excited, but here they were deceived, and led to believe that there was an eclipse or continuous night, and having stores within they remained in a healthy state, without any disturbance. Besides the advantage, as regarded spring and autumn dwindling, the bee-keeper had the still greater advantage of thorough command over his bees, the power to shut them up at any moment, and exclude them from whex*e he did not want them. Then, manipulations could take place at any time of year, and bees were easily made to remain in newly-established nuclei, positions could be changed at any time by simply shutting up the hive for three or four days, which could be done without detriment ; and the dis- semination of foul brood could be pre- vented by a similar process. The inventor had not alluded to this disease, because where he lived it was unknown ; but it was obvious that by shutting the hive the bees could not choose their own food, and must accept what was given to them or starve. He believed that the more bee-keepers studied and thought about the Claustral hive the more they would be pleased with it. , The Chairman said there had been a diffi- culty about propolisation when they had the crown "boards with perforated zinc slides. In autumn the slides were obliged to be moved frequently and boiled to get rid of the propolis. During the winter the bees did not propolise, but in the autumn they were sure to do so. He did not know whether vaseline would get over the trouble, but it might be done by getting two or three spare pieces of perforated zinc and substituting one. for the other during the time propolisation takes place. With re- gard to keeping the bees perfectly dark, he could not see the slightest difficulty in applying the invention to modern hives in this country. Some one suggested that the light could not be kept out with these tubes. The rays of light passed straight through, and were diffused by the time they reached the holes ; besides, the hoods helped to ob- struct the rays of light. The abbe also speaks after three years' experience, and we have no reason to doubt his veracity. In answer to Mr. Weston, he further stated that M. Gouttefangeas was in communica- tion with an English manufacturer with the object of putting the invention on the mar- ket. Mr. E. H. Taylor stated that he had been in communication with M. Gouttefangeas, from whom he had acquired the patent rights for making these inventions. He hoped within the next fortnight to get the whole business in working order. General Sir Stanley Edwardes said in re- ference to propolisation that if a space be left by drilling or otherwise, which was just too small for a bee to get through, she 132 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 6, 1905. would not propolise it, and that was especi- ally the case during winter time. He had found that by having a bridge inside the hive, between the division board and front of hive, with two little pieces of wood at each end, the ends of the wood projecting to an extent which was smaller than a bee could pass through, chinks were left inside the hive to allow of ventilation. He had bored holes in the division board, and thus obtained a ventilating chamber, which kept the bees very quiet indeed. Mr. Crawshaw said that bees would often fill the holes of the excluder zinc, but the tendency was very much reduced to put propolis outside the hive. It was possible that the reason the bees did not fill up the smaller hole was that it was big enough for them to insert the head, though not the thorax. Mr. Beid held the view that a bee would not propolise any hole that would admit of more than its head. It was very difficult to criticise the apparatus in ques- tion without having tried it. It was rather complicated. He was not quite sure, al- though it might be a heresy, that bees liked ventilation at all, or indeed were any the better for it. It was certain that they did their best to stop any ventilation they could. He could understand this, for he had been sitting in a draught himself that evening, and felt the same sort of instinct' that a bee probably did against such ven- tilation. He did not believe bees struggled so much towards the light as towards the air. He had observed his bees for the last nine or ten years during the winter, and if this was done quietly they did not go to the entrance. He thought it was open to doubt whether bees, worked entirely by rays of light ; his idea was that they possessed some sort of vision unknown to man. Bees would go in, out of the sunshine ; at any rate, he was quite sure that if they wanted to get out they would struggle round the little orifices whether they saw the light or not. However the invention was an" in- genious one. and would afford the bees some little amusement, as there were plenty of places for them to propolise. He did not like the idea of a movable alighting-board, and ha would warn any beginner not to start the apparatus, or he might possibly find that he lost more bees by it than through the dwindling which it was .in- tended to remedy. Colonel Walker said, in reference to the remark about bees clustering on the per- forations in the chimneys, theauthor stated that bees did not show any disposition to cluster round them, provided the deten- tion-chamber was of a reasonable size, and the chimneys were not close up to the wall on each side. Mr. Crawshaw had been asked in the room that evening how the invention could be fitted to a hive with an existing porch. He suggested it should not be adopted until tried by experienced bee-keepers and found to be advantageous in this country. Mr. Reid's remarks that bees come under the influence of some rays which are out- side man's senses were of great interest. Those " rays," if they existed, would un- doubtedly pass through any such apparatus as that exhibited. Mr. Weston, having read M. Goutte fangeas' book, thought the invention facili- tated manipulation. In this country it was not necessary to keep the bees in the hive so much as it would be at the high altitude where the inventor lived. English winters were not so severe ; but in spring-time, with the wind at 42 deg. blowing a gale, and sunshine at intervals, it was a dis- tinct advantage to be able to shut up the hive ; and the contrivance, if it could be adapted to ordinary hives, would, he thought, prove a great help to bee-keepers. The Chairman said the method in ques- tion had been tried for three years with success, so that the inventor had had some experience. With regard to Mr. Reid's re- marks., it was a fact that bees did not at- tempt to come out at night, but made use of daylight for that purpose ; therefore, the inference that .it was the light, that at- tracted them out of the hive was perfectly legitimate. If it were only the air they wanted, then they would be induced to come out at night, which every one knew they did not do. He thought the plan of M. Gouttefangeas ought to be fairly tried. In the hands of a novice it would prob- ably do more harm than good ; but ex- perienced bee-keepers should try it and guide the novices, and teach them how to use it. There were a good number of bee- keepers who could assist in that way, having the time and opportunity at their disposal. He (the Chairman) had been watching for years past all improvements made or suggested in the direction indi- cated by the apparatus before them, and he had seen none so feasible or simple as the present one. All the others had separate parts, which took to pieces, and had to be put away at certain times. M. Gouttefangeas' contrivance could be fixed to the hive and retained there all the year round. The tubes could be taken away if it was thought they impeded the progress of the bees ; otherwise there was no addi- tion to or interference with the hive. He hoped Mr. Taylor would be able to make the best of the invention for all ordinary purposes, so that it might be given a fail- trial. Mr. Belsham, while not attempting to criticise the invention, spoke in favour of the principle of it. In reply to Mr. Bevan, who asked whether in the case of those who had April 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 133 porches already it would be necessary to cut them away, the Chairman said that in many cases the porches could be adapted by simply removing the alighting-board and making a movable alighting-board ; but that was a matter for the ingenuity of the manufacturers, and was purely a detail. ( Mr Sladen's paper on the " Swarthmore '' Method of Queen- Hearing followed, and will appear next week.) LEICESTERSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING}. The twenty-third annual meeting of the above Association was held at the Oriental Cafe, Leicester, on March 4, when there was a large attendance. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. A. P. Wakerley, J.P., Mr. H. M. Riley was voted to the chair, and among those present were : — Messrs. -W. P. Meadows, H. Dil- worth, J. E. Roper, W. Falkner, J. G. Payne, A. H. Peach, S. G. Godkin, W. Wesley, G. Levers, J. Fewkes, E. J. Un- derwood, W. Barrow, A. Brown, G. Mun- day, J. Thompson, G. Franklin (Warwick- shire), A. Meadows, J. W. Dunn, J. Water- field (hon. secretary), and others. The annual report stated that the mem- bership had increased, thirty-six new mem- bers having been enrolled, and the total now stands at 246. The annual exhibition of honey, etc., was held in connection with the Abbey Park Flower Show on August 2 and 3. Their thanks were due to the Parks Committee for their continuous support and excellent accommodation. The report and balance-sheet, which showed a sum of £5 5s. on hand, were adopted. In proposing the re-election of the Duke of Rutland as President of the Association, the Chairman observed that his Grace was not merely a figure-head, but took a keen interest in the Association. When ap- proached during the past year he very readily signed a petition in favour of the Foul Brood Bill, which they hoped soon to see presented to Parliament. The motion was carried unanimously. The Vice-presidents were re-elected. The following were appointed on the Committee: — Messrs. S. Clark, T. H. Geary, H. Willey, J. Fewkes, J. G. Cotton, J. W. Smith, E. A. Jesson, G. Palmer, J. E. Roper, W. Ridley, G. Levers, S. G. Godkin, and W. K. Bedingfield. Mr. H. M. Riley was re-elected hon. treasurer, Mr. E. J. Underwood hon. auditor, and Mr. John Waterfield hon. secretary. Messrs. Meadows and Waterfield were re- elected representatives at the meetings of the B. B.K.A. in London. The prizes werr distributed, and the an- nual prize drawing resulted as follows: — First prize, frame-hive, Mr. C. de Traf- ford ; second, honey ripener, Mr. Chand- ler ; third, honey labels, Mr. J. Haywood. The honey competition resulted as under: — Granulated honey: 1, A. Smith; 2, N. P. Laird; 3, J. Waterfield. Liquid honey : 1, A. Ward ; 2, J. Waterfield ; 3, H. Dilworth. It was decided to distribute the honey between the old people of the Union and the orphans in the Tosco Road Orphan Asylum. During the evening an excellent musical entertainment was provided, and the pro ceedings closed with an interesting lecture illustrated by limelight views entitled " Work in the Apiary : including the Treat ment of Foul Brood," by Mr. G. Franklin, first-class expert. — (Communicated . ) CUMBERLAND B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The meetings were held at Brampton, Penrith, Whitehaven, and Keswick, on March 2, 7, 9, and 15 respectively. The Chairmen were Rev. Canon Rawnsley, Messrs. R. Heywood Thompson (High Sheriff), Hugh Jackson, C.C., and John Vicars (in the absence through illness of Mr. James Thomson) respectively. The accounts showed an expenditure of £202 16s. 5d., and receipts, with County Council grants amounting to £100, fall short of the expenditure by £17 15s. lid. The 1904 report showed a membership of 542 (v., 371 in 1903), also non-members visited 134, leaving 676 bee-keepers visited with technical instruction. Stocks mani- pulated, 2,115 (v., 1,562 in 1903); 12 per cent, found diseased (v., 19.75 per cent, in 1903). Thirty-four local hon. secretaries appointed. Messrs. G. W. Avery, Douglas Bouch, and J. G. Nicholson took their third-class certificates ; Mr. G. W. Avery also his second-class. Two lectures and thirty-four bee tent demonstrations were given. Progress of the Bee-pest Bill was read out, showing that five County Coun- cils had petitioned the Board of Agricul- ture, also three County Councils, whose sub-committees have considered the Bill, they are prepared to recommend their Councils to take action when the Bill is in- troduced into Parliament, and a County Council sub-committee which has resolved to request the Council to support the Bill. The hon. secretaries had been informed that thirteen County Councils in Ireland had petitioned the Irish Department of Agriculture. The following resolution was passed un- animously at all four meetings :- — " This meeting is of the opinion that Mr. Saunders has the full support of the Cum- berland B.K.A., and passes a vote of strong disapproval on the British B.K.A. for their regrettable attempts to put ob- stacles in the way of his earnest en- 134 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 6, 1905. deavours to get a ' Bee-pest Bill ' passed as a Government measure." — George M. Saunders, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Cumberland Bee-keepers' Association, March 25. [We print the above verbatim as written by Mr. G. M. Saunders and forwarded by him for insertion in the B.B. Journal. Having comjDlied with his request, we are constrained to take the unusual course of reminding Mr. Saunders that if favoured with reports of future meetings of the Cumberland B.K.A., they must convey something more definite with re- gard to the attendance at the meetings dealt with. This is done by others who send re- ports, and we can make no exceptions. The point is of especial importance when a resolution like the above is proposed, which is not only contrary to known facts, but gratuitously offensive in its terms. The " annual meetings " in question may, for all we know, have been attended by less than half a dozen persons, including the chairman and hon. secretary, and the "resolution" is undoubtedly that of Mr. Saunders himself. It therefore becomes important to know what the " passed unanimously " is worth. Nor should it be forgotten that the B.B.K.A. now have no connection with Mr. Saunders, or with any action he may choose to take with regard to foul brood legislation. — Eds.] LINCOLNSHIRE B.K.A. Supplementary to our notice of the annual meeting of the above Association last week, we are informed that the fol- lowing resolution was proposed by Mr. H. J. Banks, seconded by Mr. R. C. Chapman, and carried unanimously : — " That this meeting fully approves of the action taken by their committee with re- gard to the Foul Brood Bill, and urges them to support any steps that can be taken to further the measure, which is urgently required." The Hon. Secretary was instructed to forward the same to the British B.K.A. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the ©pinions expressed bi/ correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for pvblicition, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. NOTES BY THE WAY. [5849.] The month of April came in with quite summer-like weather, and our bees were busy improving the shining hours. I took the chance to examine a few hives and found stores less plentiful than one could wish, especially in view of dearer sugar. Railway Companies and Claims for Damage. — Our friend " White Clover " (5843, page 116) appraised the value of his three frames of comb at the good old price of 2s. per lb. These high values in claims have, I believe, done more than anything else to make the railway com- panies refuse to take honey in transit ex- cept at "owner's risk." During some twenty-five years, after thousands of con- signments despatched per G.W. Railway, I have made three claims only, and in these I claimed no more than the market value at the time, and I will give the G.W.R. credit for prompt settlement at full amount claimed. As regards rates, my complaint is to have to pay full rate on what is, I believe, the highest scale, •and vet be compelled to take " owner's risk." I am quite willing to take risk at last-named rate ; indeed, I rarely send any but small parcels per passenger train ; all over a dozen pounds goes by goods train, except show-lots, and these have perforce to go by passenger train to be in time for the show-bench. Introducing Queens. — I have many times introduced queens — both virgin and mated — by using flour as a pacifier. When re- moving a queen from nucleus for a cus- tomer I introduce another at once, sprink- ling the bees with a little flour, and also the queen, then dropping her in among the bees, or letting her run in between the frames, and in nearly every case they have been accepted. This is a great saving of time to the bee-keeper. Feeding Bees. — At this season syrup- food only should be used in feeding ex- cept for out-apiaries difficult to reach, when good large cakes of soft candy (2 lb. to 3 lb. each) may be given with advan- tage in districts where the bees are un- able to gather honey outside for present needs. But beyond this, bee-keepers must judge for themselves regarding the need of feeding after seeing the condition of the stores in the hives. On the other hand, if stores are short, do not run any risks, but feed at once, to prevent a check in extending the brood-nest. The honey-flow will be with us, in most parts, by first week in June, and to secure a goodly share we must have populous colonies for the ingathering and also for natural increase by swarming. There are those who con- sider that artificial swarms, or " shook swarms," as they are termed in America, are equal to natural swarms. Personally, I beg to differ on that point. Give me the natural swarm which issues when ready to establish themselves voluntarily April 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 135 in a new home. The " artificial " article lacks the vim, of the natural swarm, which latter make the profitable colonies for starting bee-keeping witb, while they are far more safe than established stocks for setting up an apiary with ; and, given a good season, will often outstrip stocks a year or two old. With regard to weak stocks in the apiary, they should be united by joining two together, and by this means get full, strong colonies by the first week in June. Then give them plenty of super room, and more surplus will be secured from one such colony than from three or four weaker ones. The giving super room in advance of the actual requirements of the colony will also retard swarming, and we know that unswafmed stocks are the chief sources of our honey-crop. I would also advise bee-keepers who produce both comb and extracted honey to work only the strongest colonies for comb-honey, and those not so strong for extracted honey, leaving them to fill shallow-frames of ready-built-out comb, but whenever pos- sible have every colony strong. — W. Wood- ley, Beedon, Newbury. Q^EEN-REARING. THE " SWARTHMOKE " METHOD. [5850.] Judged by the lack of com- ment on Mr. Hooker's interesting arti- cles, the " Swarthmore " method would seem to have fallen, somewhat flat on our conservative British bee-men. Following on the editorial notice of Mr. Pratt's book, there has, however, been an awaken- ing of public interest in the subject, and quite a lot of people are in a hurry to read, mark, inwardly digest, and doubt- less rush into the wholesale economic production of queens a la " Swarthmore." How easy, at swarming-time, to save all queen-cells. How simple to make up sub- stantial nuclei for the royal embryo with a combed section and a spoonful of bees. And, finally, how profitable to dump these queens on the market at prices low enough to gratify the keenest searcher after cheapness. Should the outcome be to place it in the power of amateur queen-rearers to flood the land with the products of their skill, we should be justified in regard- ing the new method as an " alien " of the most undesirable class. Economy is all very well, but when secured at the expense of efficiency there can be no gain, but serious loss in the end. From the egg stage until the larvse is sealed over, and again, from the moment of hatching until fit to take the mating flight, are critical periods in the evolution of a prolific queen. On the care, the fostering warmth, such as is en- sured by a strung, healthy colony, de- pends the career of the future monarch. The attention given at this time makes all the difference between the ordinary rank and file and those wonderful pro- lific queens that we hear about, but do not possess quite so often as we should like. Now, what help does the Swarthmore method give us towards the attainment of our ideal ? After doing most commend • ably up to a certain point, Mr. Pratt, so to speak, goes altogether " off the rails. " The queens, as hatched, must needs be shut up in cages with candy as their sole nourishment. Sugar candy indeed! As well expect infants brought up on tea and red herrings to be other than specimens of physical deterioration as that queens caged and sugar fed during an important stage of their growth should be equal to those reared in accordance with Nature's laws. Open up a hive containing an unmated queen. You do not find the royal inmate snoozing in a corner. No other occupant is so lively as the royal lady, enjoying herself before settling down to life's sober duties, while all around, fresh from the fields, there is the best of food, honey and pollen, each available, and each indis- pensable in building up the constitution that will later perform such wonders in egg production. What, then, are we to think of the misdirected ingenuity that would deprive the insect of its simple natural food, would shut up that youth- ful vigour, that exuberant vitality, within the narrow limits of a cage? Eight here, some one will say " Hold on ! Mr. Pratt had a card up his sleeve to checkmate just such fault-finders as you." What about the alternative method of inserting a ripe cell or newly-hatched virgin in the mating-box? Won't that suit you ? " Well, no, it won't." Suppose you have made a first-class job up to this point Does it not seem rather risky to hand over the hitherto carefully tended queen to the tender mercy of a hungry section-box nucleus? Bear in mind our queen is still im- mature, still susceptible to chill, and when we think on the vagaries of our climate there can be no comparison between baby- nuclei and a well-made, substantial nucleus. By the way, the nucleus of the average bee-keeper cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be termed substantial. The usual procedure is to remove two or three frames with hatching brood from a strong stock. These frames, with adhering bees, are placed in a nucleus hive, and a more or less ripe queen-cell pinned on. Of course, all the adult bees desert at once, and, should a cold "snap" come on before the hatching bees get 136 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 6, 1905. numerous enough to maintain the tem- perature, the young queen is pretty sure to be chilled. I suppose this epistle of mine is open to the charge of being an indictment of exist- ing and proposed methods, without offering anything to take their place. This is true. I have no cut-and-dried scheme to offer, and in the meantime merely make the following suggestions in the hope that some day they may bear fruit : For the production of high-class queens there is nothing to beat the confined nucleus method. With ripe cells on hatnd, a populous slock can be divided into five, or six portions, and the hive en- trances being packed for some days the bees are forcibly detained, and the hatch- ing queens get the benefit of a high tem- perature and careful attention. Of course, this scheme is both "wasteful" and "extravagant," but then the queens are bound to be good, and that is the main thing. Well, now, suppose that instead of breaking up this strong stock into nuclei we allow it, as an unbroken whole, to give its undivided attention to the queens, right along from the egg stage until ready to meet the drone. Then the mating-box can be used without misgiving, and I believe that a compact section-box nucleus would be infinitely preferable to a badly made up one on standard frames. To accomplish all this, to bring along a number of virgin queens in the one hive, each free to move about but de- tained from giving battle to each other, to keep a laying queen constantly in the hive to maintain the population and yet prevent swarming, all this may seem difficult, if not impossible. Time will tell. Finally, I do not wish to be under- stood as condemning the " Swarthmore " system. If not fault free, neither is our present method of handling queens in nuclei, and although each is severally far removed from perfection, it may be that a compromise between the two will yet give best results and — queens. — J. M. E., Ussie Valley, Cononbridge, April 3. BEE NOTES FROM CUMBERLAND. [5851.] Since my last notes in Febru- ary, we have had rather a long spell of stormy and cold weather, which, to the satisfaction of us northern bee-men, came to ;ln (Mid on the 18th. The week just ended lias bee a grand one for the bees, and ivniarabh tine for March. On Wed- nesday (22nd), the temperature in the shade was 62 degrees, a point not reached here, in the last two seasons, until May. Stocks are very strong, and working well on the crocus, dandelion, and willow ; they are also taking a quantity of pea-flour. Large numbers continually crowd round drinking fountains, and bees fanning at the entrances indicates rapid progress is being made. Since reading in the Journal the letters on " Bees and Hazel Catkins " I have kept a close watch on the hazel around my apiary, and although bees swarmed in artificial pollen boxes, not one, that I could see, settled on the catkins. Can it be that they only gather pollen from the hazel when no other kind is available ] As an indication of the wide-spread in- terest taken in bee-keeping in this county, I may mention that on visiting, by chance, a lovely cottage right in the heart of the mountains, miles from any other bee- keeper, I discovered in the garden four bee-hives. But alas ! on examination at the request of the owner, the bees were found defunct. Foul brood, of which their master had never even heard, had brought to an end the existence of a race of bees which had dwelt there for more than half a century. — J. W. A., Lorton, Cockermouth, March 25. BEE TEST LEGISLATION. [5852. j In looking over the report of an expert's recent county tour, I ob- serve that out of 433 apiaries comprising 1,489 stocks, no less than 77 apiaries are given as having between them 119 stocks affected with bee-pest. Where disease exists, it is generally found to extend through the greater part of the apiary, so that the total number of diseased stocks suggests an average of not more than about two stocks of bees in each of the 77 in- fected apiaries. In any case, these figures are, I think, sufficient to show that it is in the very small apiaries of inexpert bee- owners that bee-pest is, for the most part, to Joe found, and it is to deal with such cases as these that legislative powers are urgently required. The large bee-keeper, however, inquires why, without any prospect of benefit to himself, he should be placed under a continuous liability of compulsory inspec- tion and disturbance, because of the small apiaries to which I have just referred. Though the risk of disturbance may be more imaginary than real, still, I think the objection should be met, and consider- ing that it is entirely against the interests of any large bee-keeper to tolerate the presence of bee-pest in his apiary, the question suggests itself, whether the in- spection of large apiaries is necessary, and if it is necessary, whether it should not be made subject to special conditions. As an illustration, I venture to suggest April 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 137 that any bee-keeper whose apiary com- prises not less than, say, fifty stocks should, upon production of reasonable evi- dence of the generally healthy condition of his apiary, be able to obtain annually a certificate of exemption from liability to inspection. Some such form of exemption should, I think, remove the only reasonable objec- tion I have yet noted against the general .scheme of the B.B.K.A. proposed legis- lation, and, considering the benefits al- ready conferred upon the people and amongst animals by preventive legislation in regard to diseases, it seems to me to be too late in the day to argue that similar benefits are not possible as regards bees. — E. Percy Hinde, Liverpool, March 30. AN EXPLANATION. [5853.] It will be fresh in the minds of the readers of your valuable paper that last year I advertised that I was giving up the bee-appliance business. Such was my intention at the time. Business demanded my going to Manchester, and I erroneously supposed that I could not carry on the two businesses together (building and bee- appliances). But a year's experience here has dis- abused my mind on the subject, and I find that the two will work most harmoniously together. If you, Messrs. Editors, will kindly per- mit this explanation to appear I should esteem it a great favour, as it will remove from the minds of your readers any mis- conception that may have arisen through my various advertisements. — W. Shep- herd, Manchester (late of Oxton, Yorks), March 27. REVIEWS. Harmsworth Encyclopcedia. — Part I. Pp. 160. Published by the Amalgamated Press, Limited, and Thomas Nelson and Sons, London. Price 7d. It is not everyone who can afford to get an Encyclopaedia Britannica, but here we have an entirely new encyclopaedia at a reason- able price, bringing it within the reach of all. In view of the number of pagesi in each part, it is a marvel of cheapness, for it is well put up ; the printing is good, and the numerous illustrations remarkably clear. It is to be completed in eight volumes, and is issued in fortnightly parts at 7d. each ; one halfpenny a day, the cost of a daily paper ; the total cost will not exceed 24s., and for this there will be no less than 6,400 pages and 50,000 entries. The publishers claim that it differs from all other encyclopaedias, and while classical and antiquarian subjects are not neglected, a great feature is that it keeps in view sub- jects of peculiar everyday interest, such as modern industries, biographies of living persons, recent developments of science, and the progress of modern invention. The articles are unsigned, and i he encyclopaedia rests upon its own merits, which, from the part before us, are very considerable. There is an abundance of illustrations, and the maps are of an attractive and useful char- acter. For instance, there arei several maps of Africa, one, by different colours, showing the vegetation of the country; another, by various shadings, the different races ; also another, the colonisability, mean temperatures, and rainfall. In all, there are nine such maps and two of them are coloured. The project is an excellent one, and if the work continues as good to the end as it is in the first two parts, it will be a valuable addition to any one's library, as it is a book that every one needs. Le Li vie de VApiculteur Belge^ By Desire Halleux. New edition, large 8vo. Pub- lished by the author, Spa, Belgium. Price 2 f. 50 c (2s.) Here we have a manual by a well-known Belgian bee-keeper, who is the President of the Bee-keepers' Federation of Coudroy and Heshaye, as well as the director of the Ecole Mayenne-, at Spa. The volume con- tains 383 pages and is profusely illustrated with 138 figures. It treats of the natural history of the honey-bee, and as the author is a practical bee-keeper, practical work in the apiary is thoroughly gone into and explained. When we mention that the book is nine by six inches, it will be seen that it is a marvel of cheapness, and for two shillings is the cheapest bee-book that we know about. We, therefore, recom- mend it to those knowing the French lan- guage. Rainfall, 5*15 in. Heaviest fall, 78 on 10th. Rain fell on 21 days. Above average, 3' 13 in. Sunshine, 156'7 hours. Brightest day 22nd, 10-8 hours. Sunless days, 3. Above average, 1 2'3 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 59° on 21st. Minimum tempera- ture, 26° on 1st. WEATHER REPORT. S^L^C Wkstbourne, Sussex, March, 1905. Minimum on grass on 23° on 1st. Frosty nights, 4. Mean maximum, 50-8. Mean 38-1. Mean 444. Above average, 3 1. Maximum barometer, 30-32 on 4th. Minimum barometer, 28-93 on 15th. L. B. Bl BRETT. minimum, temperature, 138 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 6, 1905. MARCH RAINFALL. Brilley, Herefordshire. Height above sea, 590 ft. Rainfall, 4.24. Greatest fall in twenty-four hours, . on the 10th. Rain fell on twenty-two days. ^xm'm imd §*jjltt8. [3703.1 Bees Wintering Badly. — The Braula Caeca.— -I ' should be much obliged for a little advice regarding one of my hives. I only started bee-keeping last season and am therefore ignorant of many things concerning it. The hive in ques- • tion sent out two strong swarms last June, which left the colony in a weak state. I took no honey away, but gave the bees during September four pints of syrup and packed all down for winter early in Octo ber. On examining the hive a few days ago, I found all the eight frames of comb mouldy and mildewed in patches, and so I ask : — 1. What do you advise me to do? There are only enough bees to cover two frames, and many of the uncapped cells contain a thick dark-brown substance. 2. What is this, and how do you account for it? 3. On the backs of most of the bees there is a tiny insect of a reddish colour. Never having read or heard anything about these insects, I would like to know what they are. I send name, etc., and sign — J. E. B., Purley, Surrey, March 21. Reply. — 1. You should first ascertain if there is a queen in the hive, because, if queen less, the bees are hardly worth saving as a separate colony, and should therefore be united to another stock. 2. The " dark- brown substance," so named, is doubtless pollen that has had a thin covering of honey or syrup, the latter being consumed as food by the bees during the winter. 3. The insect mentioned is a parasite known as the "Braula cceca," or blind louse. It is fully described and illustrated on page 160 of the " CL ide Book," which work you should certainly possess in order to under- stand bees properly :'.i.l make a success of bee-keeping. [3704. J lie-queening Weak Stocks in Spring. — I am always much interested in the " Query and Reply " column of our valuable journal, and generally find that some other bee-keeper has already asked just what I want to know. In making my spring examination last Wednesday, I found breeding well advanced in most of the hives, but some others were less satis- factory. All, however, had plenty of food, but two colonies on stands some distance apart proved queenless. I have one young queen now laying nicely in a nucleus hive, and this lot I intend joining to the stronger of the queenless ones. The nu- cleus is now being gradually brought closer to the latter stock, and I intend uniting them as per instructions in " Guide Book," and so I ask: — 1. Had I better cage the queen for twenty-four hours to ensure her safety? The other stock is weaker, and stands between two strong colonies with 1904 queens. In the " Guide Book " (page 134) reference is made to " improving the race by introducing new blood " (Italian). The same race of bees has been in my apiary for many years, as I find the Black bee suitable for our locality, a good honey-gatherer, and fairly well tempered. 2. Would you advise me to take advantage of this opportunity and introduce an Italian queen to this colony? I am one of those who has taken your ad- vice (often given) to "make haste slowly," and "let well alone." Some standard frames of comb which I used in doubling last season were heavily laden with nollen when I stored them for the winter, and I find that by now the pollen has got hard and dry. Would these combs be any good for future use if I removed the pollen by destroying the walls of the cells, but leaving the midrib undamaged ? Apolo- gising for trespassing so much on your space and patience I enclose card and sim* myself ■ — A Flintshire Readek, March 25. Reply. — 1. Yes, it is better and safer to cage the queen as proposed. 2. We should certainly not advise you to incur the cost of an expensive Italian queen for - joining to a " weak lot " of bees. We should prefer re-queening the stock with a virgin queen, costing, say, 2s. 6d., and let her build the colony up in time for winter- ing. You could hardly expect surplus from such a stock this year. [3705.] Pollen-dogged Combs. — I have been a reader of the B.B.J, about eighteen months, and have also Cowan's "Guide Book," but cannot find what I want to know in either. On examining mv hives on Thursday last, I noticed in the combs a lot of pollen collected last autumn. I therefore ask: — 1. Is this, utilised by bees in breeding at the present time ? Some of the frames appeared to be full of it, and as bees are now carrying in fresh pollen freely, and the centre combs are nearly full of sealed brood, while there is also plenty of food in the hive, I therefore ask : — 2. Is it right to let all this super- fluous old pollen remain, or how can I clear it out to allow of the combs being again used for brood ? I also notice on outside combs about an inch square of cells con- April 6, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 139 taining what looks like dry pollen-dust and some small insect working on it. 3. Is this inj urious to bees, or is it connected with foul brood ? An answer to the above in your B.B.J, will oblige. — Novice, Char- field, Glos., March 25. Reply. — 1 and 2. It is plainly evident that the combs referred to are pollen- clogged, and, consequently, useless for breeding in, or, indeed, for any purpose. Plans have been devised for removing the pollen from the clogged cells, but we have found them so troublesome as to make us prefer burning the combs and having new ones built from full sheets of foundation. Anyway, the combs so filled are worse than useless, 3. The insects seen are " pollen mites. " They are very similar to the well- known cheese mite, and if the combs com- plained of could all be infested with the mites they would reduce the pollen to a dust-like consistency, and it might then be shaken from the cells. But burning is the simplest method of getting rid of the nuisance. [3706.] Queen Cast Out Dead in March. — Enclosed is what I think is a queen bee. It was cast out of one of my hives this after- noon. I have looked into the hive and find brood in ah stages, both capped and other- wise. Can you explain the matter, or say what is the cause of death ? I may say there has been " robbing " going on for the past few days. Is there any means of stop- ping this trouble? I send name, etc., and sign — Htjdd, March 22. Reply. — The dead queen sent bears un- mistakable signs of having been " balled " and killed before being cast out of hive. You had better search well and find if there is still a queen in the hive, and if found — or if eggs are seen — all will be right, and you may conclude that the dead queen is from some other stock, and has been " balled " on entering the hive in question. On the other hand, if neither queen nor eggs are found, the dead queen will no doubt have been " balled " by her own bees, consequent on the excitement caused by the robbing. The latter is the most prob- able cause of the mischief. [3707.] A Beginner's Queries on Trans- ferring, etc. — I only began bee-keeping last June, but, thanks to your Joubnal and the " Guide Book," I have leamt a lot, yet still desire to know more. I bought a hive from Lee and Son, and left it to a bee-keeper to supply the bees. They were rather a weak lot, as I afterwards found out ; still, by following directions in "Guide Book," I have them now on seven frames with brood on four of them, and they now seem to be doing well. A week ago I bought a stock of bees, or a skep of bees inside a frame-hive, the skep being on the floorboard. I have not examined them, but they seem a strong lot, and judging by the quantity of pollen they cany in, I should think ther© is plenty of brood being reared. I wish very much to get. the bees on to frames, as I have a hive all cleaned and ready standing the side of the skep, so I ask : — 1. I)o I lift the skep from its present floorboard and place it on the top- bars of the frame-hive, with a piece of drugget over the frames with a hole cut the size of skep? Also' — 2. Do I put an ex- cluder over frames when the queen starts to lay in the combs below? 3. Is the present the best time to operate if weather is warm ? I also bought a frame-hive with bees supposed to be on five frames, I ex- amined them to-day, but found bees only on. the two frames under candy. The five frames all have drawn-out combs, but empty, and not a sign of brood in them. Not being experienced, I could not find the queen. I therefore ask: — 4. Would it be possible for there to be a queen in the hive and no brood at this time of vear f 5. If the stock is queenless, could I bv getting a fertile queen and feeding on syrup make this into a strong stock by the time of honey-flow ? I send name for reference. — H. F. G., Herts, March 24. Reply. — 1 and 2. You cannot improve on the very explicit and full directions given on page 141 of "Guide Book." 3. The best time is when the skep is seen to be pretty full of bees, in addition to weather being favourable. 4. It is quite natural to find no brood in March if there are bees on only two of the combs. 5. If the stock has been queenless for some con- siderable time — as is very orobable — the bees will, no doubt, be old, worn-out, and almost worthless. A young and prolific queen would, therefore, get no chance of building up the stock quickly for want of nurse-bees and lack of waraith in the hive. In other words, a queenless lot of bees covering only two frames at end of March is practically worthless. We should try to secure a nucleus colony — headed by a young, vigorous queen — and add them to the queenless lot. [3708.] A Beginner's Difficulties. — Having only lately started bee-keeping, I find my- self checked at the beginning by the fact that the hive I bought a month ago proves to be almost tenantless. There are per- haps a couple of hundred bees in it, and only empty comb filled here and there with mildew. Some hundred or so of dead bees were found outside the hive a fortnight ago. I cannot tell for myself if it is simply starvation or whether foul brood is present, there being no brood at all so far as I can make out, and only one or two eggs — no queen. 1. I should therefore be glad of your opinion what to HO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 6, 1905. do for the best? 2. As I am anxious to join the Bee-keepers' Association I should be glad if you can furnish me with the address of the Secretary of the Surrey B.K.A. — "A Surrey Bee-keeper." Reply.— We regret your bad luck, which is very discouraging for a beginner. There is, however, no hope of your doing any good with the stock now so hopelessly weak in bees and probably queenless. 2. The Hon. Secretary of the Surrey B.K.A. is Mr. F. B. White, Marden House, Red- hill, and that gentleman will no doubt put you in the right way for beginning with a new stock if you become a member. [3709.] Drone - Breeding Queens. — March 25 being a nice bright day, I took the opportunity of examining. my stocks, and found nice batches of sealed brood in every hive but two, and it is with regard to those that I am writing to you. One of these, I found, contained drones, some being on the wing. I also saw only drone-brood. I therefore con- clude that the queen is a drone-breeder. But the strange part of the case is the fact that this stock was a "cast" that came off last year from a very strong hive, and I know the queen was fertilised and all right last season, the stock being particu- larly strong in normal worker-brood, and in view of this expected great things this year from it, and now the queen has be- come a drone-breeder. I therefore ask : 1. Can you offer any explanation of what is to me a mystery. The other hive mentioned I first looked at in February, and found that food was getting short, so gave a cake of candy, but when examined again on March 26, the bees were found to be dead, apparently through starvation, as most of them lay head foremost in the cells, and those that were lying about all had their tongues out. The stock never had done well, and I intended superseding the queen this year, but after looking thoroughly for her among the dead bees, she was nowhere to be found. They also had about two pounds of sealed honey on four frames, and some freshly gathered honey and pollen. 2. Can you explain why they should die, apparently of starvation, when they had sealed stores, and a cake of candy untouched ? The candy was the same as that given to every other stock, and found all right. — G. T. W. , Wimble- don, March 28. Reply. — 1. The natural inference is that the young fertile queen of last year has met with a fatal mishap, or got outside the hive and been lost in the autumn, and thai the bees have raised a successor when there would be no drones about for mating with her. 2. The symptoms described clearly point to death from want of food. It is quite common for weak stocks of bees to perish in very cold weather, with food almost within reach. [3710.] Home-made Feeders. — 1. In " Modern Bee-keeping " — under heading " Feeders " — a syrup-tin with a few holes bored in sunk lid is recommended for rapid feeding. Would it do equally well for spring or stimulative feeding, if there were only two or three small holes? 2. Is there any reason why holes should not be in bottom instead of in lid, as syrup could then be given without removing feeder from hive, which would save time and trouble? 3. Would the tin be likely to have any bad effect on medicated syrup ? I send name, and sign — Suffolk, Nayland, March 18. Reply. — 1. A syrup tin with a few holes in sunk lid does not, to our mind, consti- tute an efficient rapid feeder. It will do, however, for stimulating in spring. 2. The holes must be in sunk lid, as recom- mended, to form a bee-space on under side of feeder. 3. Feeders made with a loose top are faulty in action, because of syrup escaping through pressure of air above. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for its to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the is sue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. F. M. (Devon). — Carniolan Queens. — We cannot say if the queen-rearing busi- ness of the late M. Ambrosic, Moistrana, Austria, is still carried on. You had better write to the old address for in- formation, as it is very unlikely so old and large a business would not be kept going. D. Janson (Hants). — Joining B.K. Asso- ciation.— The hon. sec. of the Hants and Isle of Wight B.K.A. is Mr. F. H. Bellairs, Bransgore, Christchurch. J. T. (Somerset). — Price of Heather Honey. — The price mentioned by "D. M. M., Banff," in his article, on page 102 of B.B.J, for March 16, was for heather honey gathered in the Scot- tish Highlands, and this usually brings a high price. We cannot inform you where similar prices could be obtained for heather honey gathered in Somerset- shire. Suspected Combs. " Rutland " (Wing). — Foul brood is de- veloping in several cells of comb sent. *#* Some Queries and Replies, extractor's, no super or bi'ood foundation, no adequate means of deprivation, little facility for sub- duing bees, and none of the thousand-and- one comforts and luxuries we have now in all branches of the pursuit. What vast strides we have since made in our know- ledge of the bee, viewed anatomically, and yet we are ever learning! Warder said about 200 years ago that after four apprenticeships to this delightful trade, there were some things relating to> these industrious little people which he could not thoroughly account for. That was written about 1705. Huish, in 1805, says, writing of wonderful discoveries made during the century which elapsed : — "Not- withstanding the richness of their har- vest (speaking of ancient writers), there yet remains much to glean. Since their time, science has been gradually un- locking her stores, and the mists of pre- judice have been dispersed by the pene- trating rays of philosophy. Yet the treasures of Nature are inexhaustible, and there is certainly no department in her vast domain, in which curiosity and amuse- ment are more intimately blended than in the study of the bee." These words might as truly be written in 1905 after the lapse of another century. — D. M. M. , Banff. CARE OF BROOD COMBS. [5855. "J In reply to the query of your correspondent, F. T. Lane (5845, p. 127), 1 would say that the nozzle of my syringe is the regular rose supplied by the makers. It contains about 50 holes of No 60 twist drill gauge, and is, I think, about right. It would not do to be finer, as the least particle would clog, nor much coarser, for the same number of holes, as the pressure or speed of the fluid, is a factor in the washing. With this flow, each comb re- ceives six fills of the syringe, three to each face, one-third of each face' being swept twice by each discharge, the syringe travelling horizontally. This ensures a thorough application, and no cell is missed, while incidentally the frame, which should previously have been scraped, and the refuse burnt, has its surface thoroughly wetted. The "holder" upon which the frames are slung thoroughly supports the comb from behind, so that there is no danger of the pressure breaking away ' the comb, if reasonably flat and well attached. Very new combs are, of course, treated ten- derly, but they will stand a good deal of washing, though they require it the least, and there should, therefore, be no neces- sity for damage. Old and tough combs may be handled in this fashion with im- punity. If Mr. Lane can try the business for himself, he will soon find his way about, but if my description is not suffi- ciently clear, I will send a sketch of the general arrangement of holder, etc. Referring to shallow-combs. If there is any necessity for washing these, the syringe treatment should be quite effec- tive, but I would not use a strong solu- tion of any disinfectant for extracting- combs, pure and simple. The treatment is essentially for brood-combs, and advan- tage is taken of every opportunity to re- move empty combs for treatment. There are usually some of these in spring, and during periods of dearth. The date of dis- infection is noted upon the top-bar. This reference may be kept clean by a small zinc clip which advertises itself, or by the metal spacer. The Izal solution, which I use for syringing brood-combs, is in the propor- tion of one tablespoonful of Izal to half a gallon of water. This solution (No. 1.) is all right for hive washing, but I prefer, as being more economical and, perhaps, more thorough, to use a stronger solu- tion (No. 2) in the proportion of three tablespoonfuls to the pint of water. The reason for this is that the hives are first given a thorough scrubbing with soft soap and water, and when soused clean and roughly dried, the solution is applied with a sponge. This method ensures the solution reaching the corners thoroughly, and the strength of the solution is some- what diluted by the already wet hive. The No. 2 solution is used by me for ex- perimental treatment of foul brood cells, the proportion, being one-tenth, is easily arrived at by the use of a ten-ounce medi- cine bottle. This is, in fact, the tool I use for the purpose of application. The cork of the bottle is cut with two opposite grooves, one the exit for the fluid, the other an air-hole. Through the cork, from groove to groove, is forced a two- inch french wire nail, which acts as the weapon to pierce the oell-capping, etc., and as the guide for the fluid from the bottle to the cell. No. 1 solution would most likely suit the circumstances of your correspondent, but there is, I think, some latitude in this matter, and if the hives April 13, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. U7 must be re-used while wet, the solution should certainly not be stronger than the No. 1 given above, but I would not sub- ject small stocks to this treatment till the colony covers four or five frames, and the shade temp, is not below 60 deg. There ought to be at least, one spare hive in stock, but, if not, very little ingenuity is required to adapt a box with a hinged lid, to take standard frames. The inside dimensions need not be anything like standard, it being simply necessary that the frames should hang in it on strips, as in the hive, secure from cold and robbers. Little Bobby Bee must have at least a place of safety in bed, while his trousers are on the line ! Of course, there must be the usual entrance to the box, which might be regularly useful to contain the small tools or spare combs. — L. S. Crawshaw, Ilkley-in-Wharfedale, PRICE OF HONEY. " ANYWAY, ANYHOW. " [5856.] Surely your correspondent "Cambs Bee-keeper" (5848, p. 127) is unjustified in stating that middlemen " become rich anyway, anyhow, by divine right." Middlemen do not coerce struggling producers to sell, nor cus- tomers to buy inferior goods at exorbitant prices, as he suggests. As a class they are honourable business men, not philanthropists, and desire some remuneration for their labours, and in re- turn for the risks they must needs take in disposing of goods. The labourer is worthy of his hire, and I consider any fair-minded, two-eyed individual will agree that even a middleman is right in de- siring to obtain best value for cash and best market for his goods. " Cambs Bee- keener " says the middleman becomes rich at the expense of the producer by " divine right." He may as well say, by sound judgment and by making best use of the abilities that God has given him, the middleman amasses heaps of wealth so great that even our friend " Cambs Bee- keeper " is envious. The middleman is a blessing to the pro- ducer and consumer in that he studies the market, and places goods on the market when desired, not as the producer does who desires to sell as soon as honey is taken off his hives. I have not met the middleman enriched by selling pro- duce from bees, nor in any other busi- ness, who became rich " anyway, any- how." Because, if a middleman is not honourable, who will sell or buy from him ? " Cambs Bee-keeper " surely has only one eye, which looks only in his sordid mind, and cannot gee that' all honourable men live by fair dealing in all walks of life, and if some appear to amass wealth, let us not grudge them success, which is generally well and fairly earned, but not by dishonourable " anyway, any- how," dodges. I send name, etc., and sign — A Middleman, Beds, POLLEN-CLOGGED COMBS. HOW TO CLEAN THEM. [5857.] I enclose directions for cleaning po llen-c lowered combs: Articles neces- sary : 1. Suitable board. 2. Syringe with spray nozzle. 3. Water. Take a board, 10 in. or 11 in. broad, and at least 2 ft. long, or sufficient to stretch across any washtub. Nail along the lower front of this a ledge 2 in. broad, I5 in. thick, or thereabouts. This board may be placed across a fixed washtub, or on an easel, an outside win- dow sill, or the top of a pail set close to a wall, always having the bottom, AB, about 4 in. from the perpendicular, so as to give a slight backward slope to the direc- tion, AC. Make a few nicks at the back of the ledge before nailing it on. Now place the comb to be cleaned on this ledge, with the frame inverted, the metal ends resting on the ledge. The cells will now be slightly sloping downwards. Fill the vessel below the frame with cold water, or very slightly tepid. Now take the syringe (any size will do, but a large one is prefer- able), and pour a steady stream or jet into the cells, at the same time moving the syringe across the comb from side to side. This causes the water to strike down the sides of the cells and drives out the pollen quicker. When the cells seem filled with water, lift the frame in both hands, and turn the opposite side to you, top-bar down, raise it and then give a slight down- ward and outward jerk, and a sudden stop. Put on the board again, and syringe each side alternately. The pollen soon loosens, and may be seen coming out in strains and pellets at every application of the syringe. Usually a few odd cells are more difficult to start, but all cells may be cleaned on one comb, and sometimes two in half an hour. Old combs stand any pressure, but virgin comb must always be cleaned with cold water, and gentle pressure of the syringe ; add a teaspoonful of phenyle to the water, give a few good jerks at the finish, or give a few turns in the extractor. Combs readily dry in a warm place, or in a draught of dry air. The above is the plan I devised and used for some time, and it has answered the purpose fairly well. I will send a further contribution for your next issue, giving an impi-oved method which is both easy ami clean. — D. A. V., Dunaskin, N.B. 148 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 13, 1905. THE FOUL BROOD BILL. RESULTS OF VOTING. [5858.1 Now that the annual meeting is over, at which the results of the voting papers returned to me and Mr. Woodley were stated, I think it will be of great interest to all who have taken part in the controversy if you can find space in your columns to print the enclosed tabu- Will you kindly allow me to thank all who have helped in gathering these figures ; also those who wrote detailing their experiences with foul brood, which led them to vote either for or against our proposals, but whom I had not time to answer, as the correspondence became too heavy? I also wish to thank Mr. Wood- ley for his kindness in placing at my dis- posal the information he has gathered For the Bili 1 Against the Bill. Voters. Stocks. | Stocks not Stated Voters. Stocks. Stocks not Stated. Cornwall .. 5 41 1 2 — 2 Devon .. .. 48 303 1 4 110 — Somerset .. 8 84 — 1 20 — Dorset .. 3 14 — 1 — 1 Wiltshire .. 16 256 — 12 547 — Berks .. 11 138 — 18 755 . 8 Hampshire .. 13 95 — 17 361 2 Isle of Wight ... ... 4 34 — — — — Surrey . 25 221 — 12 110 1 Sussex ... ... 9 120 — 7 203 — Kent ... 23 202 — 7 106 — Buckinghamshire 4 22 — 9 194 2 Oxfordshire ... 2 53 — 27 853 6 Hertfordshire ... .".'. 6 92 — 3 195 1 Middlesex .. 7 86 — 2 4 1 Essex ... 19 278 1 9 153 2 Suffolk 1 25 — — — — Norfolk ... 3 47 — 3 52 1 Cambridgeshire . . 4 150 — 14 652 — Huntingdon ... 1 2 — 17 925 2 Bedfordshire ... ... 4 73 — 9 216 — Northamptonshire ... 1 8 — 10 178 2 Leicestershire ... ... 5 51 — 8 83 1 Gloucester ... 13 166 1 10 200 — Worcester ... 12 146 — 6 69 2 Warwick 5 56 — 6 63 2 Hereford 1 7 — — — — Shropshire 4 34 — — — — Cheshire 19 165 — 9 101 1 Staffordshire ... 10 99 — 7 77 — Derbyshire 11 81 — — — — Nottingham ... 4 40 — 7 53 1 Rutland — — — 1 20 ■ — Lincoln 21 201 — 4 78 — • Northumberland 2 24 — 7 270 2 Durham "* 7 37 — — — — Yorkshire 18 163 — 16 217 5 Cumberland ... 5 29 — 5 19 — Westmoreland 2 23 — 1 30 • — Lancashire "". 29 376 — 13 120 1 Isle of Man ... '" — — — 3 49 — Wales... 10 112 — 8 201 — Scotland ;'.; 21 165 — 3 54 — Ireland ... 5 421 158 4 1 14 — 4,477 299 7,352 46 lated statement of our joint results. The counties are arranged according to the grouping adopted in the Royal Show schedule of last year. As you will see, the majority of votes are for the Bill, but the weight of the voting is against it from many sources supporting his views. I have already done this privately, but having in mind letters which have ap- peared in your columns on the subject, I am glad of the opportunity to do so pub- licly.— Thos. I. Weston, Hook, Winch- field. April 13, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 149 BEE-PEST LEGISLATION. [5859.] Referring to the letter on "Bee- pest Legislation" last week (5852, page 136), I have been long troubled on the point of giving support to or against foul- brood legislation. Some weeks ago it was said in B.B.J, by someone that all per- sons having any opinion worth recording would by now have given their vote either for or against legislation. I, for one, have not — and no doubt there are many others — for the following reason: — It is well known that in the majority of cases foul brood flourishes most in the small apiaries ; hundreds of owners of which have perhaps never heard of the B.B.K.A., B.B.J. , or the Bee Journal, nor foul brood. These are the persons to whom legislation would be a boon, but to the owner of a large number of stocks, the advent of an in- spector, with legislation to back him up, commanding an inspection at some incon- venient time would be indeed serious, while the small bee-man need think only of getting help in keeping diseased bees away from his district, and would thus favour the scheme which would help him. That such a Bill is needed I quite agree ; but it is the small owners who will benefit, and I think for this reason there should be, if possible, some loophole for the intelli- gent, up-to-date bee-keeper, who looks to his bees for help. My scheme — one already advocated in your pages — is to give ex- emption to all persons holding experts' certificates, and on the production of rea- sonable evidence of healthy apiary. Some may say, " you would put too much power into their hands." Yet it is the expert you must trust if the Bill comes into force, and it stands to reason that the person who has become a certificated ex- pert must possess some aptitude, and may be quite as capable as the inspector ap- pointed by the Act, as both must needs have passed the same test. If some such clause could be inserted it would be for the advancement of bee- keeping.— J. N. , Langwathby. BEE-NOTES FROM CUMBERLAND. [5860.] It might be of interest to South- country readers to know that the hazel catkins are just in bloom here now ; as it is more than a month since I first saw them mentioned in the South. On the ni°dit of April 6 we had a heavy fall of snow, from four inches to six inches deep, which still lies white on the Pennines and Cumbrian groun. There has also fol- lowed some nights of severe frost ; on those of the 7th, 8th, and 9th, from 15 deg. to 17 deg. of frost being registered in the Eden valley. How is this for brood-spread- ing and stimulating ? Many gardens have had the gooseberry bloom frozen black, and it is doubtful whether some of the early plum blossom, which is just break- ing, and not also have suffered. — I send name, and sign — "Bfe-Kat." tyntfm m& Julias. [3711.] Stimulating in Spring — Bemoving Surplus Stores. — I have just transferred my bees into clean hives, and in doing this found they have plenty of stores left over from the winter. I also noticed that every stock had several patches of brood in the combs, but they seemed to have too much sealed stores on hand. I therefore ask : — 1. Would it not be better to take some of this away and give them frames of drawn- out combs, which I have on hand, so that the queen may have plenty of breeding space? If so, please give me an idea how much sealed stores I should leave them. 2. As I have no ventilators in floor-board and must raise the hive in order to give air ventilation in warm weather, would a quarter-inch raiser be enough to put under hive and cover? I am now stimulating the bees each evening to two holes. A reply in next B.B.J, will oblige.— F. J., Mountmellick, Queen's Co., April 7. Reply. — 1. We do not advise removal of frames containing sealed stores so early in season as this. It will be far better to stop feeding at once and stimulate breed- ing by bruising the cappings of sealed stores in centre combs*. This will not only save trouble, but serve the double purnose of stimulating and providing the queen with empty ceils for egg-laying just where wanted. It will be time enough for insert- ing frames of empty comb when weather is sufficiently warm to spread the brood-nest without risk of chilling brood. 2. When weather is very hot and hive overcrowded with bees, raise the outer-case an inch or so by a bit of wood laid across each corner of floor-board ; then wedge up the hive a quarter of an inch from floor-board, so that bees can pass out on all sides. [3712.] Bees Building Comb in Candy-bex. — On opening one of my hives last week to remove empty candy-box, I found the vacuum filled with comb (which I believe is drone-comb) and unsealed brood in nearly every cell. I removed the box and con- tents. Having read in B.B.J, of a good queen becoming a drone-breeder, I am wondering whether mine is such, as it seems too early in the season for her to lay drone eggs. I bought her with a swarm last May from a well-known dealer, so I cannot think she can be too old. I had intended working this hive during the 150 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 13, 1905. coming season for sections only, as the bees (hybrids) are excellent comb-builders and without using a queen-excluder. I am now afraid the queen having once as- cended above brood-nest and deposited eggs, she will continue to do so. and spoil my sections. I should be greatly obliged if you would advise me in B.B.J. I send name and sign — Second Season, Elles- mere, April 3. Reply. — If the comb built in candy-box contains drone-cells it does not follow that the queen is a drone-breeder because of drone-brood being seen in the cells. Nor do we think you need have any more fear of sections, being spoilt by brood than be- fore. $thm fluam \fa Him Brook Hall, Londonderry, April 2. — Out of my eleven stocks, ten have come safely through the winter, and are now busily engaged in gathering pollen. We have no willows, so dearly beloved by English bee- keepers, here ; and have to depend on buttercups, gorse, and wood anemones for pollen. "With reference to the discussion about celluloid for hives, could not all danger of fire be removed by using the car- bolic "flag" to subdue bees instead of a " smoker " ? We Irish bee-keepers always use this flag in preference to a smoker. — G. F. Gilliland. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers- Perplexed (Herts). — Disinfecting Combs. — 1. Combs of last year need no disinfect- ing if from healthy stocks. 2. The bees certainly have not " eaten the wax " along with the honey in combs referred to, and must, therefore, have carried it out of the hive, if, as you say, it has all gone but the midrib. A " B.B.J. " Reader (Congleton). — Drone- brood in Worker Cells. — If no queen could be found, it seems clear that there is a fertile worker in the hive. Should the bees raise a queen from " brood and eggs given from the other hive," as stated, she may have a fair chance of being mated under the circumstances named. Albanian (St. Albans). — Dampness at Hive-entrances-- — 1. The dampness seen at hive-doorways at this season usually indicates a prospering colony, and is merely the condensation of moisture from a warm brood-nest. 2. The cocoon sent is that of the wax-moth. A New Reader (Anglesey). — Bees Found Dead in March. — 1. It is not uncommon to find bees dead in early spring with plenty of stores in the hive. The frames of food may be too far away from the cluster for the bees to reach it in very cold weather, and they perish in conse- quence. 2. We cannot judge of the " sort of dust " with which you say the bees are covered unless a sample is sent. 3. The combs of food may be given to other stocks so long as there are no signs of disease in, hive they come from. G. W. M. (Alton, Hants).— Bees Found Dead in March. — The comb sent clearly points to death from starvation within the last few weeks. This is shown by the young bees in sealed cells ready for hatching out. We see no signs of disease in sample sent, so the food may be given to other stocks. Suspected Combs. A. W. (Cravan). — Sample of nearly new comb sent contains a fine, healthy patch of sealed brood, which has been chilled to death through cold. A Kent Bee-keeper (Sittingbourne). — Sample sent shows that foul brood is de- veloping ; not rapidly, but clearly proving that the disease is present in the incipient stage. You did quite right in removing the comb in question, and if the stock is strong in bees the trouble may be got over by careful watching, and cutting out any further cells bearing the same signs. You will soon see now if the disease is making headway, and shape your action accordingly. William (Burwash). — Combs are badly built and old, but there is no disease about them. HA. Shore (Somerset).- — All signs of brood have entirely dried up and disappeared. We cannot, therefore, say whether the brood they once contained was " chilled " only or diseased ; but the indications distinctly point to foul brood. Honey Sample. Blender (Wolverhampton). — Sample is only fair in quality ; but whether " gathered in Essex," as stated, no one can tell but the producer. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve words and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three words or under, One Penny, o RDERS RECEIVED for MAY SWARMS, also for HONEY.— The Presbytery, Marnlmll, Dorset. G 67 QUEEN REARING.— Nucleus Hives, three-frame standard size, well made, Is. 3d. each ; 6s. ha f doz.— GEARY, Barwell, Hinckley. SELL or EXCHANGE second-hand HIVES and Taylor's Geared Extractor.— HERROD, Apiary, Luton. BEeVItRiUIT, and POULTRY FARM. Five acres freehold, as going concern ; stocks (30), appli- ances, fowls, dwelling, large greenhouse, sheds. — Apply HOBBS, Four Marks2 Alre6ford, Hants. G 77 rpHREE EARLY SWARMS, from healthy hives. A Order now ; 12s. 6d. each, package free.— CHAD- WICK, Expert, 52, Old Park Lane, High Park, South- port. G 77 April 20, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 151 (Bisiami $totm &t. THE "EOYAL" SHOW IN JUNE. PRIZE .LIST FOB, HIVES, HONEY, ETC. We invite attention to the announce- ment regarding the above on page iii. of this issue, and to the fact that the show is to be held a week later than usual, while the date for closing entries is ex- tended for about a fortnight — i.e., to May 15, or at extra fees till May 29. This extension of time will, we trust, enable bee-keepers to make an entry with more chance of their intended exhibits being actually staged, and, in some degree at least, lessen the just complaint against the too early date on which the premier show of the year has been held for several years past. Without having — as yet — had official notification of the fact, we may also assume that the usual concession of re- turn of entry fees will be granted to ex- hibitors in case of adverse weather pre- venting the completion of their exhibits in time for opening day. So that, given an ordinarily favourable honey-season, along with the fact that honey of any year is eligible for all classes, we hope to see a greatly increased display on the show-bench this year. Intending exhibitors should also note the change in the " grouping of counties," as differing considerably from the arrange- ment of last year in this respect. HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of March, 1905, was £4,124.— From a return furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION CONVERSAZIONE. (Continued from page 143 ) Mr. Crawshaw said that most of his work had been upon the Doolittle method, but that the Pratt cell, as produced by the Grace machine, had an advantage over the new cell, shown by Mr. Sladen, in the excess of wax provided for the build- ing of the cell, which was, therefore, likely to be larger and stronger. His experience was that cells well begun were the best completed. He did not think that the Claustral attachment would be of any use for the formation of nuclei, by confine- ment, as suggested, because one essential factor in this method was the realisation by the bees of' their confinement, to ensure their marking their new location, whilst the promoters of the Claustral appeared to claim that with this device the bees were unconscious of detention. He sug- gested that Mr. Sladen had taken " Swarth- more ' ' too seriously, in the matter of the " ten bees," and, speaking from memory, believed that Mr. Pratt stated " that 50 bees would mate a queen, that 100 bees would do it better, but that more than a teacupful was a disadvantage." He would ask Mr. Sladen whether he had actually had any cells completed with the smaller waxed wood cell shown, and, apro- pos of the reduced labour claimed for the Doolittle manipulations, he asked when in Mr. Sladen's practice the woven wire dummy was usually removed. He after- wards showed the two-piece cell which he had designed, by means of which eggs could be seLectedi for queen-rearing if desired. Mr. Sladen exhibited a Pratt's cage for queen-rearing, also the two kinds of wooden cell-cups mentioned, and, in reply to Mr. Crawshaw, said he generally con- fined the bees about 11 a.m., gave the larvte in their oell-cups about 4 p.m., and liberated the bees at about 8 o'clock next morning. He had sometimes accomplished the whole process in one day, confining the bees at 8 a.m., giving the larvae at 12.30, and Letting the bees out at 6 p.m. ; but he preferred the longer neriod, as by it the larvae were supplied with more jelly, and the eel 1 si bette"r started. In reply to Mr. Crawshaw's query as to whether he (the speaker) had misread Pratt's statement about the fertilisation of a queen with only ten workers, Mr. Sladen said that he had simnlv quoted Pratt's words. Pratt added: — "How to properly harness the small lot is the point." Answering Mr. Crawshaw's question as to whether he had used the particular form of wooden cell- cup that he (Mr. Crawshaw) preferred, Mr. Sladen stated that he had not done so yet, but Phillips had found by experiment that wooden cups coated on the inside with bees- wax were accepted as well by the bees as the ordinary all-wax cups, and he (Mr. Sladen) had not the least doubt that they would be accepted as well by the confined bees. In this respect there was practically no difference between this cup and Pratt's regular cup. He thought he would orefer this cup, partly because, the inside diameter before filling with wax being less, the outside diameter could be made less, and partly because he thought the method of waxing the cup easier and more satis- factory The outside diameter of Pratt's cup at present' was three-quarters of an inch, that of the narrow cup half an inch. No doubt a wooden cup containing a com- pressed wax cup could be made narrower than three-quarters of an inch, but not, he 152 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 20, 1905. thought, quite so narrow as a cup that was simply coated with wax. The difference between the different kinds of cups was small, and it was largely a matter of taste. Mr. Reid suggested that Pratt's cage and cup should be made of celluloid, so that one could see the cells being built. Such material was much lighter, and not so clumsy. It was also a bad conductor of heat, and further, the bees did not object to it. Bees did not like zinc. In answer to Colonel Walker, he (Mr. Reid) stated that he had used nothing else but celluloid for excluders. They continued sound and could be depended on. Mr. Crawshaw said that it would not be easy to trace the action of cell-building through celluloid. He then made an ob- servation referring to the advantage of large cups for queen-cells, to which Mr. Sladen replied that the inside diameter of both kinds of cups after waxing should be ex- actly the same. He (Mr. Crawshaw) after- wards referred to the likelihood of pro- ducing larger and stronger cells by having a rim of wax projecting around the inside edge of the wooden cup. Mr. Sladen mentioned a method of Phillips's in which he fixed a delicate cup obtained by Doolittle's dipping process inside the wooden cup, so that the mouth of the wax cup projected a good deal be- yond the mouth of the outer wooden cup. As regarded the method of fixing the cups in the hive, he did that on the under-edge of a board shaped like a division board, but which only extended two-thirds from the top. The board was more convenient than a frame. He fixed the cups to the board by pressing them against nail points which projected a quarter of an inch from the edge of the board. He believed that the idea of nail points originated with Phillips, who had them projecting from the base of the cups. He (Mr. Sladen) found it easier to have them in the board. Mr. Crawshaw suggested that by narrow- ing the base of the cups they could be made to fit into holes bored in the edge of the board. He exhibited some wooden cups coated with wax, with narrow bases. The Chairman thanked Mr. Sladen for the interesting paper he had read, and also Mr. Crawshaw and others who had contributed to the discussion. He quite agreed with Mr. Reid that the bees would accept any material coated with wax, as had been proved in various experiments with foundation with sheets of foreign sub- stances embedded in it. Mr. R. Brown exhibited a bunch of blooms of the common osier, which was abundant in the fen district. It would easily grow in any kind of soil, and he recom- mended its plantation by bee-keepers. Pre- vious to his journey up to town that day, he noticed his bees working on it in large numbers. A rather remarkable thing was that there was very little foul brood in the Fens, where it grew in every hedge- row, and when we remember that salicylic acid is obtained from the willow, it is possible that this may prove to be a sort of preventive against the disease. He had seen it in bloom on February 13 or 14, and it was very useful as well as pretty. The specimen blooms were handed round and created a good deal of interest. The Chairman stated that he was likely in a short time to see one of the oldest friends of the association, namely, Mr. J. M. Hooker, who was, indeed, one of the founders of the B.B.K.A. On May 16, 1874, the initial meeting of the association was held, when Mr. Bligh (whom they had recently lost) presided, and was supported by Mr. Hooker (the only survivor), Mr. F. R. Cheshire, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. C. N. Abbott. He (the Chairman) hoped to visit Mr. Hooker in Philadelphia this summer. Upon the suggestion of Mr. Carr, Mr. Reid moved that Mr. Cowan be asked to convey a kind message of greeting and good wishes from that meeting to Mr. Hooker, who had done so much for bee-keeping in the past. He (Mr. Reid) also proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman. He was sorry to hear that they would miss him again from their gatherings, but he hoped it would be for only a short time. Colonel Walker seconded the motion, which was carried amid cheers. The Chairman replied that he was very much obliged by the reception accorded to the vote. It was always a pleasure for him to attend this meeting, especially as members were ever ready to forgive any shortcomings. Although he was going a long journey, and would travel many thou- sands of miles, he hoped to come back very soon, the proof of which was that, he had taken a " return ticket," available for one year. (Loud cheers. ) The proceedings then closed. GAMES AND ISLE OF ELY B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above associa- tion was held at the C.E.Y.M.S. Rooms, Cambridge, on Saturday afternoon, April 1. Among those who attended were' Mr. C. J. Mapey (chairman), Dr. Sidney Wood, Mrs. Clark, Messrs. R. Brown, F. R. Ford, G. Dunn-Gardner, A. Matthew, G. Hills, W. Moore, J. Short, Billing, Seamark, A. S. Shrubbs, Bocock, Jackson, Peacock, Frohock, Franklin, T. Barnes, Jones, Cas- bolt, Rowell, Barber, Bailey, S. Catling, G. E. Rogers (lion, secretary), and others ; the total attendance exceeding forty. The executive committee, in their report, April 20, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 153 stated that the hon. secretary during a series of visits to bee-keepers in the county of Cambridge had discovered foul brood in twenty-five apiaries. Several ex- hibits of honey had been made at shows, at one of which the quantity of honey dis- playedinthe association's exhibit amounted to nearly two tons. During the year the insurance scheme was taken advantage of by fifteen members, who insured 523 hives. The report was adopted with an addi- tion in which the hearty thanks of mem- bers were given to the hon. secretary for the untiring, energetic, and kindly way in which he had performed his duties. The balance sheet, which was adopted, showed that there was a deficit of £1 3s. Id., the receipts having amounted to £37 12s. 2d., and the expenditure to £38 15s. 3d. As the liabilities at the end of 1903 amounted to £2 12s. lid., the de- ficit of £1 3s. Id. this year shows, there- fore, an improvement in the association's finances. The following are the officers for the year : — President, Mr. Alex. Peckover ; chairman, Mr. C. J. Mapey ; hon. treasurer, Mr. L. Tebbutt ; auditors, Messrs. A. S. Shrubbs and J. Short ; hon. secre- tary, Mr. G. Rogers ; executive committee, Dr. S. Wood, Messrs. R. Brown, F. R. Ford, W. Moore, J. Short, Billing, and Frohock. Messrs. Allen Sharp, Brampton, and G. Hills, Comberton, were appointed experts to visit and give advice to members. The meeting then proceeded to consider the question of foul -brood legislation, and eventually Mr. C. H. Bocock moved the following resolution: — "That this associa- tion notices with regret that although the returns made to the British Bee-keepers' Association show that those who object to the Foul Brood Bill own a larger number of stocks than the supporters of that mea- sure, and, consequently, have larger in- terests at stake, the association still per- sists in its endeavours to pass the measure into law." The resolution was seconded, but after some discussion it was withdrawn. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. — G. E. Rogers, Hon. Secretary. GLAMORGAN B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the above association was held on Saturday, April 15, at the Assembly Rooms, Town Hall, Car- diff. There was a very large and repre- sentative attendance. The Mayor of Car- diff (Alderman R. Hughes, J.P.) being de- tained at an important committee meeting, Major-General Lee, R.E., J.P., kindly took the chair at five o'clock. The secretary read the minutes of the last annual meeting, and they were passed and signed. Colonel Oakclen-Fisher, J.P. and Alder- man T. J. Hughes wrote regretting their inability to be present. The chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. More than fifty new members were enrolled during the year. The Glamorgan County Council in- creased their grant to £75, and the Bath and West A.S. made the association a grant of £10 towards defraying the ex- penses of Mr. W. Herrod, who daily gave lectures in his bee-tent at the Swansea Show. The total revenue for the year amounted to £150 6s. Id., and the. balance, in hand is £36 10s. Two qualified experts toured the county during the spring and summer. Happily foul brood is being reduced ; bee-men are being put on the look-out for its first ap- peax-ance, and advised to adopt immediate and vigorous measures. Lord Windsor remains president. The treasurer elected is Mr. Watkin Lewis, J.P. ; auditor, Mr. J. Jenkins, A.C.A. ; representatives at meetings of B.B.K.A., Messrs, R. T. Duncan and Watkin Lewis. The hon. secretary wished very sincerely to be relieved of his work, but in response to the unanimous wish of the meeting, agreed again to continue in office. The executive committee, with four additions, were elected. Votes of thanks to the County Council, and the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society were unani- mously adopted. The Mayor of Cardiff afterwards enter- tained the members and their friends to light refreshments. In the evening a lan- tern lecture on " The Pleasures and Profits of Bee-keeping " was given by Mr. W. G. Preece. — Wm. Richards, Hon. Secretary, Cardiff, April 17. tttttrnptikntt. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. NOTES BY THE WAY. [5861.] The weather continues very un- settled ; wet and dull, with only a few hours' sunshine. These periods are used by our bees, as they only know how, for work ; but short intervals are not sufficient for the daily needs of a rapidly-growing family in a progressive, flourishing condi- tion. They must, therefore, have either 154 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 20, 1905. stores of food in reserve within the hive, or extraneous help from the feeder must be given continuously until we get settled weather, and honey is obtainable outside. Remember we, in the Southern Counties, are within two months of the beginning of our honey harvest, and our best en- deavours should be given in assisting the bees to proceed vigorously with the pro- duction of brood, in order that we may have hives overflowing with bees in the pink of condition for garnering the earliest general honey-flow. In fruit-growing dis- tricts the bees will, of course, be able to gather sufficient honey, if the weather is propitious. I do not remember having seen a finer display of fruit bloom, than we now have everywhere around us this sea- son. I trust it will prove a good -year for the farmers' crops, for then we bee- keepers will benefit by their good fortune and be happy men. Do not neglect to order your required bee-goods in good time. This will ensure having things when required ; besides, bee- goods of all kinds are not perishable, but will keep till wanted. I would advise those who have not yet overhauled their hives to do so without delay, or they may find some stocks practically at a standstill for want of food. Remember that the little incoming food is barely enough to keep the colony alive. The " Swarthmore " System. ■ — This system of queen-rearing may be suc- cessful at " Swarthmore," under the practical hand of Mr. Pratt, and where more settled weather conditions prevail than we get in England. Ame- ricans say that the weather in England consists of "samples" only, and we as Britishers know that this saying comes very near the truth; and this fact shows, I think, the unsuitability of the system to this country. Besides, under the pre- sent system of small apiaries, it would appear there is only a limited demand for queens. I have it on the authority of one of our most practical queen-rearers that in more than one season a considerable number of queens reared for sale liave had to be destroyed because there was no de- mand for them. So that, in my opinion, these " Swarthmore " queens, which one would expect to he reared very easily, would also be sold at a low price, and, unless we get an even summer tempera- ture from start to finish of the rearing time, we must expect to have inferior queens. All my queens are bred under the swarming impulse, and hatched in three-frame nuclei and in six-frame hives, with thin dummy between the two nucleus colonies. Personally, I would far rather re-queen my stocks for winter with queens from driven luls of bees, if I knew they came from healthy colonies, than I would with queens bred in this country on the " Swarthmore " system. In saying this I in no wise condemn the system when worked under suitable climatic conditions. I thank Mr. Weston for kindly tabu- lating the replies for and against foul- brood legislation. I have recently re- ceived several more names " against," so that our number of owners approaches the number Mr. Weston received "for," and if hives had voices the " ayes " would have a thumping majority. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. BEE-NOTES FROM THE NORTH. [5862.] I saw young Golden Italians fly- ing from my hives on February 25 ; the queen was only introduced in October last. I may say the Italian bees of this stock scarcely left their hive at all during March ; in fact, it was only on the last "day of the month I saw them out again ; nor did I see one Italian bringing in pollen, as the black bees of tlie same hive were doing freely. When would these bees have hatched out to be flying so early in the year ? I notice my Carniolans have a habit of alighting all over the front of the hive and basking in the sun, in a way I see no' others do. They seem to enjoy sporting in front of the hive, and many of them are evidently young bees, so there must have been early breeding in this hive. March has been a bad month with me, so far as bees getting to work outside ; only on one or two days have they been busy on willow-catkins and crocuses. Stocks located on lower ground than mine may possibly have done better. I notice that although there is an abund- ance of fig-wort in my grounds the "honey • wasp" is never seen on it in this locality ; though I see this variety of wasp in the garden frequently as well as other varieties of the larger wasp family. Speaking of wasps, I often wonder so little is said as to their comb-building. One variety construct their combs with decayed wood ; wliile another uses the fibre of sound wood. Yet, with these brittle, and, one would think, unworkable, materials, they form beautifully perfect combs. This seems to me more wonderful than the honey-comb of our hive-bees which is made of plastic wax. In one of last year's British Bee Jour- nals I asked if any bee-keepers had noticed the habit that bees have on first coming into the light at the entrance of their hives of passing their two- forelegs over their antennae, that is, if they are intend- ing to take flight. Can any reason be given for this habit, to which, as far as I (Continued onpale, or exchange bees or clothing. — OOLLINGE, Leyland, near Preston. 5_82_ 5 STOCKS BEES, Standard Frames, all good order, each with two body boxes, lifts for crates of sections above, one empty hive, sundry appliances, about one gross Taylor's 14 ox. screw cap jars, 14s. gross, on rail. Offers for stocks. Must sell, owing to removal. — For more particulars apply WEBSTER, Plevna, Gourock, N.B. g 86_ 3 STOCKS BEES, very strong, in good Frame Hives, " W.B.C." pattern, £1 each. Two Strong Stocks, in " W.B.C." body boxes, 16s. each. Warranted healthy.— THOS. SHIPLEY, Folkington, Polegate, Sussex. G 86 ORDERS FOR EARLY SWARMS. Guaranteed from healthy stocks. First Swarms, 12s. 6d. ; seconds, 8s. 6d.— G. WAFFORN, Upper Hollanden Farm, Hildenborongh, near Tonbridge. Kent. H (JNEY FOR SALE, good colour, 7d. lb.— ASHTON, Leigh Manse, Weatbury, Wilts. G 85 April 27, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 161 (gjttoriBl, fflfltm foe. BRITISH BEE-KEEFERS'ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the Council was held at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on Wednesday, April 19, Mr. T. I. Weston occupying the chair. There were also present Dr. Elliot, Messrs. W. Broughton Carr, W. F. Reid, W. Sole, E. Walker, and the secretary. Letters explaining in- ability to attend were read from Miss Gay- ton, Messrs. R. T. Andrews, T. Bevan, R. Brown, W. H. Harris, R. Godson, J. B. Lamb, and A. G. Pugh. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ( Two new members were elected — viz., Mrs. Maudie Cooke, Long Copse, Ewhurst, Surrey, and the Hon. Frances Wolseley, Farmhouse, Glynde, Sussex. The Finance Committee's report, pre- sented by the chairman, gave details of re- ceipts and expenditure to date, and, toge- ther with a list of payments recommended by the committee, was duly approved. Arrangements were made for the first- class examination to be held in London on Wednesday, May 17, and tor an ex- amination for third-class expert certifi- cates in Cumberland, June 1 to 3. The schedule of prizes o ha offered ;ii the Dairy Show was revised for approval by the B.D.F.A., and nominations made of judges to officiate at the Dairy Show, Grocers' and Confectioners' Exhibitions. Other business on the agenda iv-ul to be adjourned till the next meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, May 17. OXFORDSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above Asso- ciation was held at the residence of Mr. H. M. Turner (hon. secretary and trea- surer), on Saturday, April 8. The Presi- dent (Earl of Effingham) occupied the chair, and among those present were Mr. G. Herbert Morrell, M.P., the Rev. R. Hutchinson, Mr. D. J. Hemming, Mr. A. Humphris, Mr. Aldridge, Mr. J. J. Sal- mon, Mr. H. M. Turner, and others. The Hon. Sec. submitted his report and balance-sheet for the year, from the former of which it appeared that during the year the experts of the Association, Messrs. A. Humphris, E. Hancox, and G. Jordan, had examined 1,154 frame-hives and 397 straw skeps, and in most cases stocks were found to be in a satisfactory condition. Regard- ing foul brood, however, it exists in about a dozen districts of the county, which is a strong argument in favour of the passing of the Bee Pest Bill. Lectures had been given at twelve different centres, seven being in connection with various village hor- ticultural associations, whilst the others were given in schoolrooms or at apiaries in the village. Members' sub- scriptions, of which some are still due, amounted to £21 8s. 6d., as against £22 15s. 6d., whilst payment to experts amounted to £40, as against £35 lis. in 1903. According to the balance-sheet, the year began with a balance in hand of £7 12s. 6d. Their receipts amounted to £53 2s., and payments £53 18s., so that up to the time there was a balance due to the bank of 16s. However, they had a quarter's grant (£7 10s.) due from the County Council, so that the balance in hand would be about £6 14s. Mr. G. H. Morrell, M.P., moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and in doing so he had a few words to say about the work which had been going on in their Association, and more especially in that of the Council of the B. B.K.A., of which latter body he was a member. First, with reference to the Bee Pest Bill, speaking as a member of the Council of the British Bee-keepers' Association, he might say they had been considering the matter for some time, but they had been obliged for the present to withhold action on the ground that there was more opposi- tion than one would have thought. Their own Association most certainlv desired to see legislation on the matter, and a large number of other associations and commit- tees were of the same opinion. Numerous meetings of the committee specially ap- pointed to consider the matter were held, and a Bill was drafted and widely circu- lated. Then they had to ascertain to what extent those proposals would be supported by the county associations. He had him- self brought the Bill twice before the County Councils Association, and they asked him to refer it back to the B. B.K.A. in order to obtain their views upon it as a united body. Eventually he had to put before the County Councils Association this statement : " That though the Council of the B.B.K.A. had not yet obtained full returns, and although the Bill was looked upon with considerable favour in some dis- tricts, the opposition in other quarters is much more formidable than has hitherto been anticipated." They would thus see why he did not feel it to be his duty, with- out more specific instructions from their Association, to press it upon the County Council. After some further remarks from Mr. Morrell, the motion was seconded, and the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. Salmon, in proposing the re-election of Lord Effingham, of Tusmore, Bicester, as their President, said they were much in- debted to his lordship for his services 162 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 27, 1905, during the past year, and, as their in- dustry to a great extent concerned cot- tagers and persons of a humble walk in life, he could assure his lordship that these persons appreciated the time given to the work by some of the gentlemen in the county. This was unanimously carried. The Earl of Effingham briefly expressed his thanks, and said he would be pleased to accept office again. The vice-presidents were re-elected. Mr. H. M. Turner was re-elected hon. secretary and treasurer nem. con. The auditors, Messrs. W. Beeson and J. J. Salmon, were re-elected, as were also the following committee : Messrs. E. God- dard, G. Jordan, A. Humphris, J. J. Sal- mon, D. J. Hemming, R. Allen, and E. Hancox. After some further business arrange- ments were completed, the meeting con- cluded with votes of thanks to Lord Effing- ham for presiding, and to Mr. G. H. Mor- rell, M.P. WARWICKSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above asso- ciation was held at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham. Mr. F. E. Muntz presided, and among those present were Major Deykin, Messrs. A. H. Foster (chairman of committee), J. Burbidge, J. L. Hawkes, T. L. Griffiths, J. R. Young, Geo. Frank- lin (expert), E. Franklin and others. The annual report showed that the membership was greater than in any previous year. The accounts showed a deficit on the year's working of £25, which was attributed to the expenses connected with the show at Leamington in August. The expert had visited 403 apiaries in the spring, and found bees on the whole in capital condi- tion. Of 1,969 stocks owned by members 58 were affected with " foul brood " in 36 different apiaries. During the autumn tour foul brood was found in nine apiaries, chiefly slight cases. This was largely due to prompt destruction of infected stocks. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said the association, after an existence of twenty-five years, was now one of the largest associations in England, having a membership of 450. The im- portation of foreign honey was decreasing, and therefore it might be assumed that there was a greater production of honey by British bees. Mr. T. L. Griffiths seconded the motion, which was carried. The president (Lord Leigh), vice-presi- dents, the hon. treasurer (Mr. A. H. Foster), the hon. auditor (Mr. J. L. Hawkes), the chairman of committee (Mr. A. H. Foster), and the hon. secretary (Mr. J. N Bower), were re-elected, and thanked for their past services. Mr. George Franklin then delivered a lecture on "Work in the Apiary." — J. N. Bowxer, Hon. Secretary. NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM B.K.A. The eleventh annual meeting of the Northumberland and Durham Bee-keepers' Association was held in the Y.M.C.A., Blackett Street, Newcastle, on Saturday, March 25. Mr. R. Huggup occupied the chair. Among those present were Messrs. J. N. Kidd, C. Thompson, W. Davidson, W. Armstrong, J. B. Peacock, T. Russell, T. Gardener, W. Clark, G. Kirkup, J. Smith, L. Richardson, T. Lee, H. Harmer, Jas. Wacldell (secretary), and others. The secretary, in his annual report, stated that last year had been a poor one, honey having been scarce. It had ■ sold well, clover honey fetching Is. and heather up to 2s. per lb. The expert's tour in Durham county, lasted over eight weeks, in which he visited over 300 apiaries. Foul brood, was, unfortunately, still prevalent. — The balance-sheet showed a slight deficit owing to the poor year. — The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Earl Grey, the late President, having gone to Canada, it was decided to invite Lord Armstrong to fill the office. The vice-presidents and committee were re- appointed, as were also Mi*. James Wad- dell, secretary ; and Mr. J. Walton, assis- tant secretary ; and Mr. J. W. Wakin- shaw, treasurer. A proposal to make a small addition to the annual subscription of members, and to affiliate with the B. B.K.A., was carried unanimously. Instructive excursions for members in July next were also arranged as follows : — (1) To Mr. W. Clark's apiary, Gateshead ; (2) special excursion and big apicultural field day for bee-keepers and friends to Mr. J. N. Kidd's apiary, on July 8. A special committee, consisting of Messrs. J. N. Kidd, T. Gardener, W. Clark, W. Armstrong, J. Smith, and H. Harmer, was armointed to arrange details of excursions and also for honey show in October, with Mr. J. P. Walton as acting secretary for same. An address on " Section Honey for Show" was read by Mr. J. E. Walton, and an interesting discussion followed.- — Jas. Waddell, Sec, Alwinton. REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS. By" Nemo." Confinement in Winter Quarters. — Chas. Mitchell, from Ontario, Canada, writing in the American Bee Journal, says his eighty-five colonies of bees were in winter quarters 155 days, or five months and five April 27, 1905 ] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 163 days, without a single flight, during the win- ter of 1903-4, and all but one colony came through safely. He never loses any sleep over the bees wintered out-of-doors, and seldom has any loss, while many neigh- bours have lost 75 per cent., and some all their bees. After long experience he has decided that if bees are properly put away for winter they can just curl up and wait till spring comes. Some of his colonies were hard to waken in the spring. Federation of Bee-keepers. — "We read in IS Apicoltore that on October 30 last a meeting of Italian bee-keepers was held at Ancona, at which it was decided to form a company to be called " Federazione Apistica Italiana," under the presidency of Professor Bernardo Vincenti, for the sale of apiarian produce, and to make the excellent Italian honey better known in the European markets. The competition in the country is so great that the prices realised are unremunerative, and it is thought that by bee-keepers uniting better prices can be realised. The liability is not limited, and it was decided to commence business when five hundred shares had been taken, which it is stated had not yet been done. Signor A. Capponi also asks that the import duty on honey should be raised from ten lire (eight shillings) to thirty lire (twenty-four shillings) the quin- tal (110| lb. Ay.). Flies in Bee-hires. — F. Thener relates in the Bienen Voter that he examined a hive of a friend whose bees had died out in the spring, and in which the dead brood was brown and foul. In addition to the dead bees he found a great many small flies which he was not able to secure. How- ever, as there were plenty of chrysalids of two distinct forms, he had no difficulty in rearing a number of these flies. They turned out to be Blepharoptera serrata and Phora pulicaria. The first is usually found in hives whose bees have died out, where they breed in the decaying brood, and which serves as food for the young larvae. This fly does not affect live bee-brood, and is harmless. The second, however, is re- lated to Phora incrassata, which is known as an enemy of bees, and on whose appear- ance the brood becomes brown and foul, because the larva of this fly eats into the bee-larva and kills it. Herr Thener thinks probably Phora pulicaria may act in the same way, and this might account for cases of dead and rotten brood, which cannot be put down to foul brood. Artificial Honey. — We find the following in the Berliner Bozcker- und Konditor- zeitung: — "A new invention has recently been brought out. Formerly one purchased honey either pure or more or less adul- terated, for which eighty pfennigs to 1.20 marks a pound was paid. Since the invention of Dr. Oetker one finds in com- merce a product in the form of a powder, which is sold under the name of ' fructin.' The contents of one packet (which is sold at forty-five pfennigs a pound) is treated with 150 grammes of water, and this yields from 600 to 650 grammes of table honey of finest quality. A pound of this artificial honey, therefore, costs thirty-seven pfen- nigs." It is stated that the flavour of this fructin honey is very fine, and it is often pre- ferred to highly-flavoured natural honey. It is also said to crystallise or set hard like real honey, which is brought forward as a proof of its similarity to genuine honey. We doubt very much if this artificial pro- duct has the same properties or value as pure honey, and should not be surprised to hear that it had some connection with our enemy, glucose. Bees Transporting Eggs. — We find an in- teresting observation in the Badische Biene by M. Gerathwohl respecting bees trans- porting eggs from one cell to another. He says that during one of his lectures a caged queen had been introduced into a queen- less hive. The proprietor forgot to release her and left home, leaving the poor queen in the cage for three weeks. On his return home great was his surprise to find the queen quite well, and walking about quietly in her cage. But what surprised him most was that in a diameter of six inches round the cage the cells were found occupied by eggs in their normal positions, some up- right, others inclined, and others already hatched and developing into workers. The bees had, therefore, carried the eggs from the cage to the nearest cells. Bees in China. — In a book recently published called " A Yankee on the Yangtze, " the author, W. E. Geil, writing from Tchae Shin, says: — Continuing the journey, we passed several houses where bee-hives were hung outside. The hives consist of wooden boxes or baskets daubed with mud. New Year's mottoes were on them, wishing great prosperity to the King of the Bees. The honey of Northern Yunnan has the reputation of being the best in all China." The book' is extremely interesting, and is quite worth reading. Braula Caca, or Bee Louse. — Otto.Hoch- heim states in Die Deutsche Bienenzucht that he iises naphthaline to get rid of these parasites. He powders the naphthaline and spreads it on a piece of cardboard, which he places on the floor-board in the hive in the evening. The next morning he generally finds all the parasites fallen on the cardboard. He does not leave the naphthaline in the hive longer than one night, so that he has never found brood injured. Repairing Old Combs. — The editor of Biene und Hire Zucht, Herr Roth, says that bees take reluctantly to old combs that have had the cells removed and in which 164 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 27, 1905, only the foundation remains. He tried the experiment by cutting off the cells; to their bases and found that when the bees were forced to take to these foundations, the combs they built upon them were very irregular, because the old combs have frequently small holes in them, and, even if the bees close these holes, the cells cannot be made uniform. In removing the cell walls, the mid-rib is also damaged, and this also causes irregular cells. The bees will only work on such foundations during an abundant flow of nectar, and will not touch it at other times. In every way, therefore, it is more advantageous for the bee-keeper to melt these old combs and use manufac- tured wax foundation. Erratum. — In " Reviews," on page 118 of our issue for March 23 (fourth line from top of second column), the word " blasto- pore " was by a printer's error, made to read " blastopon re." — [Eds.] CUmttyanhML The Editors do not hold themselves responsible, for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken, of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are, requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not. neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of pucd faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertuke to return rejected communicutions. AMONG THE BEES. WHITTLING DOWN THE STANDARD FRAME. [5866.] Nowadays, when the cry of many good bee-keepers is that our stan- dard frame is too small, and that we might (some say would) secure larger quan- tities of surplus honey with a deeper frame, it becomes us to take care that we do not allow the present one to be gradually whittled down. This process of nibbling it has been going on for years without much notice being taken of the changes produced, and no protest being entered against such an unwarrantable action on the part of manufacturers. With many, the side-bars, originally ^in. thick, have been " strengthened," I suppose, until they they are now found g in., § in., g ™-> | in., and even % in. in thickness. This action has lessened the size of comb, and thereby reduced the cell-area, which, of course, results in less space for storing honey and brood-rearing. Then the bottom-bar of standard dimen- sions should be 3 ill. in thickness and | in. in breadth. This has now been altered till we have bottom-bars at least | in. thick, and ^ in. in breadth. I do not know if the narrowing may be justified, but the addition of the extra thickness has compelled the manufacturers to shorten the side bars by the same amount, and this again has cut off cell-space along the bot- tom of the comb, so that we have less room for honey and brood. If there is a strengthening of the frame, it is at a sacrifice of comb area ; rigidity of the fabric has been secured by a lessening of its efficiency. Of late, an agitation arose to alter the top-bar. A few wished to change it in both breadth and thickness. Many would have no objection to its being widened, if it could be shown by convincing argument that the game was worth the candle, but the sporadic spurt given the discussion by one or two did not carry full conviction, and failed to obtain such a general con- sensus of bee-keepers in its favour as would carry the proposed change to full fruition. Something like a miniature revolution was proposed in regard to the thickness of the fabric. Originally § in. thick, it was proposed by some to increase it to ^ in. or fin., and some even would go the length of having it | in. in thick- ness. This could only be- done in one of two ways. First, by making a top-bar of the altered thickness, which would neces sitate a change in the construction of all hives and make the frames now in general use a danger and a nuisance when used alongside the new, because all supers would fail to be efficient with the mixed frames ; secondly, the bar could be partly thickened. But it will at once be seen that this innovation would still further reduce the comb area by deducting one or more rows of cells from the top of the comb in the frame. The question arises, would it fully secure the r'igidity and strengthening of the whole fabric, which its advocates maintain ? The strength of a bar or chain is the ' strength of its weakest part or link. The part of the frame on which super area weight mainly rests is that very part which it was pro- posed to leave as it is at present. There- fore, I fail to perceive what great benefit would be derived from the desired change. Some would further plead for an in crease in the space at ends of frames. At present 5 in. is looked on as sufficient for all ordinary manipulation. But some would like it increased to fin., with the idea that they secure more freedom in lifting and replacing frames. All the benefit I can see likely to arise is that wc would have more roughness and careless- ness in handling frames, and a consequent loss of bee-life — not a desirable desider- atum. In seeking for change, here is another whittling down of comb-area, for with most, in preserving uniformity, the additional -# in. space at each side would be obtained by pushing in the side-barg (Continued on ]}yUe 166) April 27, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 165 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS. Mr. Turner sends the following helpful " notes " of his bee-experiences, which need no addition from us : — " I commenced bee-keeping on the modern system in the spring of 1897, having before this kept only a few stocks in straw skeps. I knew nothing whatever at the time about the management of frame-hives, and having no friend to help me, my first year was naturally a failure. In the following year, however, I began taking the British Bee Journal and bought a copy of the ' Guide Book ' and to these I owe any success I have since met of each day, so a great part of the bee- work is done by my goodwife, who is a real bee-man's helpmate. Indeed, I may say that without her help bees would be very little use to me. At the start, having determined that I would do my best to make a success of bee-keeping, I took advantage of the chance offered by the Essex B.K. Association of allowing Suffolk bee-keepers the privilege of membership and joined at once, and at an examination of can- didates held in 1903, I was successful in gaining my third-class certificate. I have also since then done a bit in the way of exhibiting, and last season won in prizes twelve firsts, two seconds, and one third. One second prize was won at the ' Royal ' MR WALTER TURNERS APIARY, L VVENHAM, SUFFOLK. with. My start on modern lines was with two frame-hives, and since then I have each year aolded two or three new ones till my apiary now numbers twenty-six colonies. " In February, 1900, I married and be- came tenant of a cottage with a garden and a small field attached, the latter being sheltered on the north side by a thick wood, as seen in the photo. The hives seen in the foreground are in the garden and are worked for sections only, while those in the distance, arranged in a line under the shelter of the wood, are kept .exclusively for extracted honey and raising young queens. " My occupation as horseman on a farm takes me from home during the best part Show, the others were mostly secured in our own county of Suffolk. I also got a v.h.c. in open class for single 1-lb. jars at Cambridge last year. During the busy time when swarms are coming off, I am frequently at work at 3 a.m. getting things in order and returning swarms. This is especially the case on Monday mornings, as I never care to do on Sunday what can be put off till next day, so the Sunday swarms are left in the hiving skeps till next morning. My present experience is that hives worked for sections will per- sist in swarming, but I am hoping that with patience and perseverance the diffi- culty may be lessened, if not overcome. Another bee-experience has proved to my satisfaction that 'early to bed and early 166 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 27, 1905. to rise makes a man healthy,' but as to ' wealthy arid wise ' I must leave that out for the present ; nevertheless, we are con- tented, for the profits from our bees bring us several little pleasures and comforts which we could not have without them. " The figures seen in the photo are those of myself, along with my father and son. For my father, I may say he has hived many a swarm into the good old skep dur- ing the last forty years, but now admits freely that the frame-hive is the best. He is not at all nervous when lending a hand with a heavy super or helping in the usual bee-work. " This past bee-season of 1904 was a re- cord one with me ; two or three of my hives yielding over 100 lbs. of surplus, but the others lowered the total by swarming. In closing these ' notes ' I would like to im- press upon all young beginners to ' make haste slowly ' in bee-keeping. Study your ' Guide Book' in winter, and in your work do not depart from its teaching by trying ' improvements ' (?) of your own. Our cousins over the water may write nice things about ' spreading brood ' in spring, but remember their climate is not exactly like ours, and if you try their plan, as I did myself, you will be very likely to regret it. I conclude by wishing all brother bee- keepers may have a record harvest in 1905. (" Among the Bees " continued from page 164.) that distance further than they are at present. Some Other Frames. — Close - ended frames, or those with the ends partly closed, never seem to have caught on in this country, but in America a large pro portion of those used are " Quinby " close- ended, or " Hoffman " partly closed. Many others are spaced by nails or staples, although the majority, perhaps, use unspaced frames. In this country we have got ahead of all these contrivances of thirty years ago, and on the question of spacing are greatly in advance of these old-world devices. The most popular frame on the other side is, jDerhaps, the Hoffman, but the war of words now going on in regard to it shows it has its demerits as well as its merits. Some of the most forward bee-keepers condemn them as faulty, and one leading expert and large apiarist states that, out of 20,000 frames manipulated on his tour, not ten per cent, were found in a proper condition for easy handling. On the contrary, another large bee-keeper, with about 4,000 hives, has discarded all others, while a Cuban bee- farmer with well on to 100,000 frames in use, says he would have no other. Per- haps location may have something to do with it. Where propolis is abundant, it makes them semi-fixtures. This was the chief fault found with them in this coun- try, and the demand became so small that dealers ceased to stock them. Some, at least, found them dead lumber on their hands. The Weather. — Of this interesting sub- ject, during the first three weeks of April, I have nothing good to say. After getting a foretaste of spring during the latter part of March, we have had no bee-weather since the advent of April. I do not think that for these twenty one days bees have had one single flight, not to speak of pol- len-gathering or honey-storing. The brood- nests, I fear, are contracting rather than extending, and a change of weather is urgently required if we are to secure strong colonies in time for white clover. — D. M. M., Banff. NOTES FROM SOUTH WALES. WINTERING BEES WITH BOOM OVERHEAD. [5867.] I send a few notes regarding the bee-season of last year, and the pros- pects for 1905 in my apiary, which latter is located in the Vale of Towey, South Wales. The early spring and summer of last year were cold and wet with us, and it was not till July that the bees had any chance to gather from white clover, which is the main source of honey here, but mine averaged from fifty to sixty pounds of good honey per hive. We have had no honey-dew here for six or seven years pastj Prices were very low, a good deal being disposed of at less than six- pence per pound, in bulk, for honey of fair quality. My own was sold in 1-lb. tie-over jars at 10d., and for screw-cap jars a shilling each. We had a quiet year with swarming on the whole. This year bees have been busy pollen-carrying on every fine day since the first week in February, and the black thorn began to bloom early in April. The small blue tit is a great enemy of our bee here, picking them off at the hive entrance when the ground is covered with snow. The house sparrow also does the same with early drones, catching them when on the wing about the hive entrance, and carrying them away to feed their young. Wintering Bees. — The best and safest method by far of wintering with me is to leave a crate of shallow-frames on top-bars of the brood-chamber ; if two or three of the frames have sealed honey in them, all the better. I leave only a queen-excluder between body-box and shallow-frames, then cover the top with plenty of warm cover- ings. Last week I went through the whole of my hives, and those that were packed as above described were in excellent condi- April 27, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 167 tion, and more forward than those packed well but without the shallow-frame box overhead. Wintering Driven Bees. — On September 20 of last year I put two driven lots of bees in an empty straw skep. They were fed every day for three weeks with warm syrup, and by that time the bees had filled the skep with comb to within three inches of the floorboard ; I then stopped the feed- ing. In February last I put on a good cake of soft candy above the feed-hole cut .in top of skep. They were left thus till the 6th of this month, when I found the cake had gone, and bees had built three combs in the space where candy had been, and every cell was full of what I thought was thin sugar-syrup. The bees, however, were in extra good condition, and will probably swarm early in May. The other day I was examining a skep for a friend, and on reversing the hive, to our surprise we found a well-made mouse-nest built right up in the centre of combs, but no bees. Best wishes and thanks to our Editors for their keen work, and hoping we shall have a good season for the bees this year. — D. Davies, Abergwili, Car-marthenshire, April 10. P. S. — I am thinking of trying one of the new swarm-catchers devised by Mr. Thomas, of Llandilo. Will you please give your opinion of it? I understand you have one for examination. [We are glad to hear of your proposal to try the swarm-catcher referred to, having seen it and formed a good opinion of its merits. But it is always best to wait a practical trial of swarm-catchers, as being the real test without which no one can be sure how it willwork out. — Eds.] LOSS OF QUEENS. [5868.] When experts differ, who shall then decide? This question was suggested to me on reading Mr. Bocock's "Notes" (5863, page 156). I have had an almost identical experience to the one he men- tions. One of my stocks showed " all well" in March, and a subsequent ex- amination about the same time as Mr. Bocock's revealed neither queen, eggs, nor brood. As it was a prosperous colony and the queen a young one (1904), I was rather puzzled in view, of a statement in your pages that. " after mating, a queen never leaves the hive except when accompanying a first swarm." Now, however, Mr. Bocock has advanced another theory together with a suggested explanation. I would venture to assert that this theory will be new to a good many, and therefore does not the old saying that "bees do nothing invariably " bring us back to my opening question ? May we have a little more light on this subject from some of our friends ? I enclose name for reference and sign — Wilts, April 23. CUMBERLAND B.K.A. THAT VOTE OF CENSURE ! [5869.] The enclosed Press cutting report- ing one of the annual meetings of above association at Keswick, shows that your shrewd guess on page 134 of B.B.J, of the 6th inst. was very near the mark, for at this, the principal meeting, there were present six members, the hon. secretary, and . his assistant. This skeleton of an association numbering 540 members gravely proceeded to pass a vote of censure on the Bee Journal. Now " this sorry piece of business" is being palmed off as the work of the Cumberland Bee-keepers' Association. Readers can draw their own conclusions. Verb. sap. ! I send name, etc. , for reference, and sign — " A Scot. " [We are obliged for Press cutting sent, apart from your just criticism thereof, because it displays an unaccountable want of accurate information on the part of the Rev. chairman who put the vote of cen- sure to the. meeting, and a curious lack of candour in Mr. Saunders, who allowed the resolution to be put in the form given. Our report of the four annual meetings of the Cumberland B.K.A., which ap- peared on page 133 of. B.B.J, for April 6 (written by Mr. Saunders himself) states that the resolution passed at all four meetings was a vote of " strong disap- proval on the British Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation." But the vote put at the meeting to which our correspondent refers was "against the Editors of the British Bee Journal," the B. B.K.A. never being once mentioned in the long report given. It thus becomes plain that the chief speaker at the meeting was entirely uninformed with regard to the facts of the case he was dealing with, and, in consequence, was led to unnecessary confusion on the subject, seeing that the "Editors of the British Bee Journal" have no more to do (as edi- tors) with the ])roposed foul-brood legis- lation than the Rev. chairman himself. — Eds.] PRICE OF HONEY. [5870.] Your correspondent, "A Middle- man, Beds," (5856, page 147), miscon- strues what I said in my letter appearing in B.B.J, of March 30. My words were: " With regard to the honest middleman, they as a class seem to act as though they had a sort of Divine right to get rich anyway, anyhow," etc., etc. I would now 168 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 27, 1905. add a line to say that, before altering my views, I should like a few questions an- swered : — Firstly, in what corner of Bonnie Scotland does the busy bee gather finest Scotch honey, which is packed in barrels and offered for sale in tons " at 4d. per pound " by a London firm? (Vide B.B.J., February 9, p. 51.) Secondly, I ask, has our Scotch friend Mr. McNally got an answer to his request for the name of the county where the " finest Scotch honey " was gathered, and obtained his " ton of honey " from the firm in question, accord- ing to his wishes as given in B.B.J. , Feb- ruary 16 (page 61)? If so, it might be well to have the information given in print? Otherwise, I shall continue to think that some honest " Middleman " knows more about this particular brand of " finest Scotch " honey than any bee- keeper does, be he Scotch or English. The "one eye" and •" sordid mind" attri- buted to me certainly so far fail to see where the fair dealing comes in — i.e., in this case. — I sign as before — Cambs. Bee- keeper, April 17. AN APPRECIATION. DO DRONES LIVE OVER WINTER? Brantford, Ont., April 5, 1905. Dear Mr. Cowan,— The second edition of your work on "The Honey Bee" has reached me. It is excellent, and should, I think, be in the hands of every practical bee-keeper. I know of no work in this direction which contains as much informa- tion for the price. I am anxious to get some literature which bears upon the pol- lination of blossoms and the methods of designs in nature to secure cross-fertili- sation— if illustrated, so much the better. Of course I know something about this, but would like a thorough work or works on the subject. I can read German, and, with some difficulty, can manage French. If you would kindly order such to be sent to me, up to the value of, say, five dollars, if they are good, or less if it will cover, I will send the money upon receipt of account. The cheaper editions of such literature will answer my purpose. Some time ago an article appeared in the Irish Bee Journal in which the writer stated that a drone could not live through the winter, as he had no honey-sac. I said at the time this was not correct, as drones had been wintered by me many times. This spring, after placing our 349 colonies of bees on their summer-stands after a confinement extending from November 18, 1904, to April 2, 1905, I pointed out flying drones to Mr. Morley Pettit, Belmont, On- tario, and my son — a number of them, in fact. I also find that where the bees are taken to fall-pasture — such as buckwheat, golden rod, or aster — the honey-flow last- ing into the first days of September, there are drones in the hive all winter, and no sign of a queenless condition. In fact, with a honey-flow continuing so late, bees quite often do not kill off their drones until the following spring. Bees have wintered well in this portion of Ontario, and — unlike last year — the clover is looking very well. The first pollen (from soft maple) was gathered by our bees on March 31, just one month earlier than last year. If the above would be of in- terest to readers of the B.B.J, you might put it in. — Yours very truly, R. F. Holtermann, Brantford, Ontario, April 5. [As the above reached the office after our senior editor had sailed for the U.S.A., we have availed ourselves of Mr. Holter- mann's invitation to publish his letter in first issue, in order that Mr. Cowan may see it when this number of B.B.J, reaches him after landing in America, and reply direct to his correspondent, thus saving time.— W. B. O] ©bituarp, MR. W. II. IDIENS. I much regret having to announce the death of Mr. W. H. Idiens, of Wolver- hampton, a very worthy member of our craft, who was not only a life-long lover of his pet hobby, the bees, himself, but comes of a family who have been bee- keepers for generations past. He was a firm supporter of the British Bee Journal, and he has more than once shown me with pride volume I. of our Journal, in which his interest was main- tained to the end. Mr. Idiens, though a comparatively young man, had been en- feebled for about two years owing to severe attacks of gout, and his business as a de- corator had in consequence been earned on mainly by his two sons. Early one day in March last our friend tottered into the garden to feed his bees, when he was seen to stumble and fall. He was taken into the house, but never spoke again, and died next dav in the presence of his loving, devoted wife. It was my privilege to have been a close friend of Mr. Idiens ; indeed, he and myself were for many years as brothers. We laid him to rest in Tettenhall churchyard, Wolverhampton, amid the sorrowing regrets of those that were dear to him. The bee-keeping com- munity can ill spare such good friends of the craft as our late friend. Through him many made a start with bees, and from him received willing instructions and advice — myself among the number. — T. J. Horsley, Merridale, Douglas, I.O.M. April 27, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 169 (Mraess jftam \U pm Alderley Edge, Cheshire, April 24.— CoH, chilly winds prevail mornings and even- ings. Stocks generally good, some having six combs with brood on both sides. In many instances food very scarce, although damson, plum, and pear blossom is plenti- ful. I have already had to pour warm syrup into combs of colonies on Thursday last, to save them from starvation. — Jas. Waddell, Expert (on tour in Cheshire). ^ntrm and Jj^Ues. [3719.] Bee-keeping for Clergymen. — I have just come into this neighbourhood, where there is plenty of heather, and should like to start bee-keeping. I. have been reading your " British Bee-keeper's Guide Book," and it is evident to me that I ought to take some practical lessons, and, if possible, obtain some skilled help and advice at first. May I ask how I can best obtain this ? I am curate of the parish, and therefore could hardly spare time for anything like a course of lessons in apiculture. Nor could I afford any considerable outlay, as I am a married man with a family, and am dependent on my stipend of £150 a year. My intention is to be able to instruct and supervise the older members of my family, who would be able to give the time that I could not spare. Is there any one near here to whom I could apply? Your reply will oblige — A Country Curate, April 9. Reply. — There is no need for taking lessons in apiculture in order to become a successful bee-keeper. The great majority of those who make bee-keeping pay have had no teacher beyond a good book on the subject, which you already possess. We could name someone in your own county to whom a visit would no doubt be helpful and instructive, but for the rest we advise beginning in a small way, and after even a single season's trial you might be able to form some opinion on the adaptability of yourself or members of your household with regard to bee-keep- ing as a source of increase to income. A short time might convince you one way or other so far, as regards taking up bee- craft. But' we may say there are clergy- men among our most successful bee- keepers. [3720.] The Laic of Parthenogenesis. — On page 145 of " The Honey Bee " we read as follows : — "If a black queen mate with an Italian drone, the females, both workers and queens, will be crossed, while the drones will be pure blacks. It is, there- fore, evident that the drone has no father and proceeds only from the mother." Has he a " grandfather " ? In other words, does the theory of parthenogenesis transmit the influence of grandsire down to " grand- son " through the medium of the mother ? This question arose out of a discussion on queen-breeding, and it was decided to sub- mit it to our Senior Editor for reply. — J. Gray, Expert on Tour in Lanes. Reply.- — As intimated on page 141 of our issue of the 13th inst., Mr. Cowan has left this country for a tour in the U.S.A. and Canada. It will, therefore, be some time before his opinion can be had on the question put. There cannot, however, be much vagueness in Mr. Cowan's work on "The Honey Bee," seeing that the views of every authority which are worth having are fully given in the chapter on parthenogenesis. There- fore, what cannot be gathered on the subject after reading pages 143 to 152 is hardly worth knowing. [3721.] Adding Frames of Foundation in Spring. — Will you kindly answer the following? 1. I have two " W.B.C." hives ; one now has six and the other seven frames of bees. When, and in what position in the hive, am I to insert frames of founda- tion in order to fill the hives up to the usual amount of ten frames? 2. Should the bees be fed when new frames are put in ; if so, kindly say how much and how often? — Subscriber, Dorset. Reply. — 1. If there are four seams of bees covering that number of combs on both sides, a frame of foundation may now be inserted in centre of the bee- cluster ; then, if weather keeps warm, a second frame may be given (next to the first one) about a week later, and so on till the hive is fully occupied. 2. If there is not plenty of food in store the bees must be fed with, say, a pint of syrup per week till honey comes in from the outside. [3722.] Moving Bees Short Distances. •-• Will you please inform me concerning the removal of two stocks of bees, whether it would be advisable to move them a distance of three-quarters of a mile from where they are now ? The reason for com- pulsory removal is that the hives have been standing for some time in a garden attached to an empty house, and the house is taken again along with the garden. I have two other stocks in the village three- quarters of a mile distant, and would like to move them to my own place, if it is not too late in the season. Awaiting your kind reply. — W. H. B., Kettering, April 24. Refly. — It certainly is rather late for removal, as bees have been busy on the wing for some time now. However, there 170 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 27, 1905. will be little or no risk if all four stocks are moved together on to the stands at your own place, and a small branch of a tree is ' laid on each alighting-board close to entrance so that the bees will have to make their way through the twigs in taking their first flight from the hives. This will cause them to notice the change, and take note of the altered surroundings. The twigs may be removed after bees have flown for a few days. ■Itouis to feme. A nominal charge of is 6d. is made fr notices in this column, which covert cost oj insertion from order till date o) show. Cash should accompany orden for insertion. June 27 to 30, at Park Royal, London — Roval Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the ' management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanover-square, W. En- tries close May 15, or at extra fees up to May 29- August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool — Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. ;iii.i alio of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. .Sections, Extracted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery. Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Bee-Oulture, etc. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, uiiller-arcade, Preston. Notices to Correspondents & inquirers. H, K. "(Wilts).— Mutilated Drone®.— The curious appearance regarding which you inquire is simply a portion of the generative organs of the dead bee sent. G. M. D. (North Devon). — Diagrams of the B.B.K.A.— We regret to say the " key " which goes along with the dia- grams published by the B.B.K.A. is not obtainable by itself. In fact, there are very few copies of the full set of dia- grams to be had. T. E. P. (Folkestone). —Doubling and Storifying. — If weather is settled and warm — with honey coming in well — and both colonies to be dealt with are strong in bees, operations in your part of the south may begin about the second week in May. The main risk to guard against is to avoid giving frames of brood to any but a very strong colony, because a sudden return of cold weather might cause the death of much young brood in the upper combs, through lack of bees to cover and keep it warm. (',. T. W. (Wimbledon).— Mounting Objects for the Microscope. — A series of papers from the pen of our Senior Editor ap- peared in the B.B.J, some years ago, wherein the subject was very fully gone into. We might supply some of these back numbers if thought desirable, but it could not. be dealt with briefly by way of reply in this column. F. J. (Mountmellick). — Uncapping Combs for Stimulating. — Sealed combs of food may have the cappings bruised — or slightly broken — with little or no dis- turbance to bees, by simply raising the quilt a little and passing a stiff knife over the surface of cappings to slightly expose the food. The bees will do the rest. No lifting of frames is needed. J. C. (Bedford).— Mouldy Combs.— 1. If combs are old and very mouldy, we should melt them down for wax, if worth the trouble ; otherwise burn them. The ,bees will be more profitably em- ployed in building out foundation into new combs than by cleaning out old mouldy ones. 2. The hon. sec. is Mr. C. N. White, St. Neots, Hunts. Honey Sample. Wm. Jones (North Wales). — Honey for Feeding Bees. — It is impossible for us to name the source of honey from, an apiary in the West Indies. The sample .sent is like some we have seen from Chili, the quality being coarse and rank com- pared with good British honey. It would do all right for making soft candy if mixed into a stiff paste by adding castor sugar. Suspected Combs. "Doubtful" (Derbyshire). — The samples (three) confirm our opinion as expressed last year. There are no visible signs of disease in brood occupying the sealed cells of comb sent ; the larvje have nearly all reached the chrysalis state, and would no doubt have hatched out in due course if kept warm. Most of the combs are apparently old, and the queen is prob- ably old too ; we would, therefore, take steps to renew both queen and combs ^f bees are to be utilised. W. T. (Herts). — There' is no disease in comb sent. A. W. S. (Suffolk).— There is foul brood of old standing in a few cells of comb, but the disease appears to be not of a virulent form, judging by sample. If, however, the bees are " not strong," as stated, we should not waste time in attempting to cure ; better destroy them, along with the old combs. *** Some Queries and B' plies, &r.t are un- avoidably held over till next week. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve words and under, Sixpence ; for every additional rhree words or under. One Penny. MOORE'S Red Clover Strain of ITALIAN BEES. I have a few strong sticks to offer in " X.L. All " Hives, at 30s. each. Also an empty Ford Wells Hive and' Wells Hive, 15s. and' 10s. 6d. each. Splendid condition. No disease.— GEARY, Ba rwell, Hinckley. O Tilers wanted for natural swarms. May, 12s. 6d. ; June, 10s. 6d. Guaranteed- healthy.— W. JAOKSON, The Wrythe, Carehalton, Surrey. G 95 May 4, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 171 (MttormL $totfcos, &r, CUMBERLAND B.K.A. " THAT VOTE OF CENSURE ! " Mr. Geo. M. Saunders writes with re- ference to the letter on page 167 last week, headed as above, and as hon. secretary of the Association in question, asks us to "correct the general false impression" given in the editorial footnote which fol- lows the communication signed " A Scot." We are, in addition, charged with " allowing ourselves to be led astray by an ^anonymous writer," etc., etc. Mr. Saunders also asks us to print a good deal besides the words quoted above ; but the only points that needs dealing with is the accuracy or other- wise of our quotation from the Press cut- ting sent us. With regard to this, it seems incredible that a reporter who was present at the meeting in question should depart from invariable custom by altering the actual wording of a resolution sub- mitted to those present. Surely a resolu- tion must be reported verbatim et literatim, otherwise it cannot be valid, hence our wonder at Mr. Saunders's failure to correct the proposer of the motion before it was put to "the meeting. This was appar- ently not done ; but we are also told in another part of the letter before us. that the reporter has now "explained his mis- take by pointing out that considering Mr. Cowan's name appeared as Editor of the B.B.J, on its cover, and that he was also Chairman of the B.B.K.A., the distinction you make that the B.B.K.A. and B.B.J. were not, to all intents and purposes, one and the same, was too fine for the general public to understand." If Mr. Saunders wishes us to accept this " explanation " as that of the reporter in question, we think any unprejudiced man will agree with us in being very short- sighted indeed. We question if the re- porter of the local paper had ever heard either of the B.B.K.A and its Chairman or of the B.B.J, and its Editors, and we can, therefore, only suppose that when fully informed on the matter the only explanation possible was the somewhat im- pertinent one given as his by Mr. Saunders. Anyway, we have devoted more space of late to the affairs of the four meetings of the Cumberland B.K.A. than their importance merited, and the correspondence relative thereto must now be taken as closed. * Beyond the fact that no communication appears in our journal without name and address being supplied, we may say the anonymous writer mentioned is well known to us, and probably to Mr. Saunders himself. -[Eds.] ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTORS. A question put in our " Queries and Replies " columns this week demands somewhat more prominence than it re- ceives on page 178, because of certain changes being necessitated — as time passes — in the rules for regulating the publication of this journal. We allude to the omission of names and addresses at foot of communications for- warded for publication, and the substitu- tion of initials, only where a nom de plume is not used. This course has been forced upon us for several reasons, one being the thoughtlessness of inconsiderate persons in writing direct to contributors with re- quests for all sorts of information, in- volving much trouble and worry in cer- tain instances, which has been very justly complained of by some of the gentlemen written to. In other cases advantage has been taken by unscrupulous individuals of the publication of names, etc., for send- ing undesirable literature to the addresses given. With the view of stopoing this sort of thing we have — not without regret — ceased to print full names, giving initials only, and so much of address as will in a measure locate the communication. In all cases, however, name and address are required as a guarantee of good faith, and where it is desired to communicate with writers, we either obtain permission be- forehand to furnish same, or if sealed en- velope is sent to this office they will be for- warded. REVIEWS. Die Faulbrut der Bienen, by Theodor Weippl, published by Wilhelm Frick, Vienna. Balder ioloaische Forschungen titer die Faulbrut, by Dr. R. Burin, published by the Swiss Bee-keepers' Association in Scliweitzerische Bienenzeitun g. In the former pamphlet of twenty- four pages, Weippl gives a brief survey of the history of foul brood, or bee-pest, and states that since 1893, when bee-keepers commenced to adopt remedies for contend- ing with the disease, it has diminished, and in many cases disappeared, in many of the districts, he had visited. In 1892 and 1893, however, the disease was very pre- valent, and he attributed it to the fact that these were very bad honey years, which affect bees, just as with humans plague or cholera follows periods of famine, scarcity, or wars. He attributes most of the disease to the ignorance of the bee- keeper, and says it is not really as dan- gerous as it appears, if the bee-keeper tho- roughly understands it, and takes proper 172 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 4, 1905. precautions when handling bees and adopts suitable remedies. The author also thinks Bee-keepers' Associations should arrange for courses of lectures on foul brood, Like those organised by the Aus- trian Bee-keepers' Association, at which fifty-seven persons attended, showing that there was a necessity for such instruction. With such instruction, he says, the diminishing disease will soon disappear from the country. He then describes foul brood, and states that there are two forms of it, the mild and the virulent. A num- ber of examples of each are mentioned. The virulent form is produced by the Bacillus alvei, and is the same as that known in this country. The various signs of the disease are mentioned, and a very minute description follows, so that it is easy to recognise it. He then gives a de- scription of " mild foul brood, in which larvae and pupse are attacked and die just as in ordinary foul brood, but have not the well-known characteristics of this disease. It frequently follows the virulent form, and is probably a milder form. In order to find out if there was any bacterio- logical difference in these two forms of the disease, he submitted affected combs to Dr. Cohn, the well-known Pro- fessor of Bacteriology at the Univer- sity of Vienna, who, after careful examina- tion, has found that the bacillus in the mild form of the disease, after several cul- tures, differed from Bacillus alvei, and that the two had nothing in common. Besides, in the mild form Dr. Cohn found many different bacilli which always accompany putrefying substances, and it is certain that these are not contagious, and are not the cause of foul brood, but are the result of dead brood, in which they find suitable nourishment. The author's recommenda- tions are to keep colonies healthy, and only to feed with honey, as he does not consider sugar-syrup a proper substitute. He fur- ther recommends destruction of badly-in- fested combs and disinfection by means of the usual remedies, such as corrosive sub- limate, formaline, and phenyle. Dr. Burri's is quite a different work, and it is the result of scientific research, as he is Professor of Bacteriology at the Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich. After men- tioning the widespread prevalence of foul brood, which was known even in the earliest times, he gives a history of modern re- search respecting this disease. It was in 1874 that two Breslau botanists, Dr. Cohn and Dr. Eidam, first discovered, after micro- scopical examination of diseased larvae, that these contained a great many spores of bacteria, among which they also found fod- sliaped bacteria, then only known as be- longing to the vegetable kingdom. It was only in 1880 that Dr. Koch's researches in- troduced methods by which bacteria could with certainty be recognised and their re- lation to disease ascertained. In 1885, taking advantage of these methods, Messrs. Cheshire and Cheyne pursued the re- search, and carefully studied the microbe, to' which they gave the name of Bacillus alvei, by which name the specific bacillus of foul brood is now generally known. Fifteen years later (1890) Professor Harri- son confirmed the conclusions arrived at by Cheshire and Cheyne, and as his researches were made in the Bacteriological Institute of the University of Berne, it showed that the bacillus of foul brood was the same in Switzerland as it was in England. In 1902 Dr. Lambotte, of Liege, thought he could prove that what was supposed to be Bacillus alvei was really a very common microbe, widely distributed, and known as Bacillus mesentericus vulgatus. Professor Harrison traversed Dr. Lambotte's statements, and showed that it was impossible for the two mici'obes to be the same, and it was for the purpose of throwing light upon this question that Dr. Burri undertook the work. For this purpose he was supplied with a number of frames of comb contain- ing the disease, and procured from different localities, by the President of the Swiss Bee-keepers1 Association. Dr. Burri, in his researches, laid stress on three points : 1. Microscopical examination ; 2. Culture of the bacillus ; and 3. Comparison with what is stated in manuals on bee-keep- ing. The direct microscopic examination of the material enabled him to study the progress of the disease, and to differen- tiate between the rod and spore condition, as well as to note any strangei forms which have no connection with the disease. Thus he found in the earliest stages when the larva had not yet changed, mobile rods, and not any spores. For the next stage, when the larva had become brown and completely rotten, and could draw out in an elastic thread, there were a larger number of spores ; and in the last stage, when the brown matter had dried up and adhered as a scale to the lower side of cell, it was impossible to form any idea of the im- mense number of spores ; millions were found in one cell, but not a single rod- shaped bacillus. In such combs the cha- racteristic odour of foul brood was absent. The cultures of this bacillus gave negative results, as they remained either sterile or gave poor colonies, or such as were adventi- tious. He occasionally found B. mesen- tericus, but only in isolated cases, and does not agree with Dr. Lambotte as to this microbe being the cause of foul brood. He concludes that in this case he has met with a new organism, difficult of cultivation, dif- fering from B. alvei and B. mesenlericus. Another series of combs gave quite dif- ferent results, and in the same cells he found both the rod-shaped bacilli and May 4, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 173 spores, which were larger than those pre- viously mentioned. Moreover, the rotten mass had the characteristic odour of foul brood. Cultures were easily made, and from these Dr. Burri was able to determine the microbe to "be Bacillus ahci, and iden- tical with that described by Cheshire and Cheyne. Dr. Burri therefore comes to the conclusion that there must be two forms of foul brood, one having no odour and the other having a very strong odour. The first he thinks is the one described by Dr. Lambotte, and erroneously called B. mesen- tericus, the other described by the English scientists. The two exist in Switzerland in different localities. Dr. Burri made another observation in connection with the combs which he received, and this was that, accompanying foul brood, he generally found sour brood. Microscopic examina- tion of this showed a number of motionless and sporeless bacteria. In sour brood the larva does not change into a corrupt mass as in foul brood, but becomes soft and covered by the skin which is sufficiently tenacious to allow it to be withdrawn from the cell. He has never found a comb con- taining sour brood only but this was always associated with foul brood, and therefore he thinks there may probably bo some relationship be- tween the two. Dr. Burri concludes that there are two species of bac- teria that can produce foul brood — Bacillus alrci, described by Cheshire and Cheyne, and a species hitherto unknown and very- difficult to cultivate. Before accepting these results as final, many more examina- tions should be made, although it in a measure corroborates what is said by Weippl, and the contention of those in Germany who had stated that there were two kinds of foul brood — namely, the mild and the virulent forms of the disease. SHROPSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Shropshire Bee-keepers' Association was held at the Mayor's Court, Shrewsbury, on Saturday, April 16. Mr. Roff King (Chairman of Committee) presided, and among those pre- sent were Miss A. Downward, Miss M. E Eyton (Hon Treasurer), Messrs. A. Beale, R. Holland, J. Hammond, W. H. Brown, J. Griffiths, P. Jones, J. Carver, J. Clay, P. Scott, J. Hartshorn, S. Cartwright (Hon. Secretary), etc. In presenting their report for 1904, the Committee congratulated the members on their financial position. It had generally been their unpleasant duty to record a balance due to the Treasurer, but this year, thanks to the liberality of the Horticultural Society, there was a small balance in hand. That, however, although satisfactory as regarded the show, could not be said to be equally so to. the Bee- keepers' Association, as all their funds were absorbed in the one undertaking, leaving no fund to support the main object for which they existed — " humanity to the bees." It would, therefore, be necessary for the Association to consider the advisa- bility of asking the Horticultural Society to undertake to conduct the honey-show held annually for many years past in connection with the great Horti cultural Fete in " The Quarry," Shrewsbury, offering, of course, to give any assistance that might be re- quired. The annual show of 1904 was very successful, considering the unfavourable season. The entries were as follows: — Open classes, 92 ; members, 32 ; artisan members, 20 ; cottagers, 39 ; total, 183. The balance-sheet showed receipts amount- ing to £48 13s. 8d., and a small balance in the hands of the Treasurer. The report and statement of accounts were approved, and the following resolution was unanimously passed : — " That the Horticultural Society be approached with a view to their taking over the show another year entirely." A resolution was also passed giving the Chair- man full powers of the Associa- tion when using his influence at any suitable time to approach the Horti- cultural Society with reference to the amalgamation. Mr. Roff King was re- elected Chairman of Committee, and thanked for his past services. Miss Eyton and Mr. Cartwright were re-elected Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary respectively. Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland was re-elected President, and the Committee were also re-elected. A vote of thanks to the Horticultural Society for their in- creased donation was also passed. — {Com- municated.) The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the Opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on. one &>de of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtspondents, when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on which it appears NOTES BY THE WAY. [5871.] Mad-day has arrived in a hurri- cane, reminding one more of the advent of March than the merrie month of flowers and sunshine. Ami what weather we had in April ! Dull and sunless, with leaden skies, cold north-easterly winds — in fact, 174 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 4, 1905. scarcely a good bee-day during the whole month. I do not remember anything like it since 1888. It is to be hoped that May will be an improvement, so that we may report progress in every department of the apiaiy before its close. Bee goods should be ordered at once, if not already done. A constant supply of water should be provided for the bees near their hives. Feeding should also be at- tended to where required. Strong stocks with only a short supply of food in store will not make satisfactory progress unless their present needs are supplied. But with timely help, along with suitable bee- weather, they will make rapid headway at this period of the year. Therefore, any stock known to be short should have a bottle of syrup given twice a week until honey can be had outside. Those of our friends who have not hitherto kept a hive-record of some kind I would advise to make a start now. A piece of card in each hive, giving the age of queen, date of examination, and cleaning of hive, then as time goes on the date of supering, and removals of the surplus honey. These short notes are useful for reference at the end of the season when balancing up ac- counts for the year. I have used cards for many years. I tried a book one year, but gave it up within a week. One can- not carry a book about the apiary very well if the weather is showery or the wind blows rough ; but the piece of stiff card can be handled and entries made, and again dropped on the top of brood-nest even if it is raining. Anyone can arrange and use their own ideas as regards abbre- viations to suit their individual fancy. Swarms. — In early, sheltered districts we shall hear of swarms having issued towards the end of the month, and these must be provided for as they come off. If sold, and to be sent on: a journey by rail, 1 advise that every swarm, on reaching its destination, should be fed at once. If sent in boxes with perforated zinc ventilation, invert a bottle of syrup over the zinc ; and if sent in box covered with canvas or strainer-cloth, the syrup can be spread or sprinkled on the cloth a little at a time. The thousands of tongues will soon clear it up, and this will not only give life and vigour to the bees, but will also put them in the best of humour for transfer to the hive, which latter should be made ready for them before arrival. I always use starters in the brood-combs ; but if you wish to establish good stocks for future profit, give full sheets of foundation wired into the frames. "Wiring " certainly pre- vents sagging or stretching in the founda- tion. With regard to the number of frames for swarms to be hived on, give according to the strength of the swarm — say, from six or seven, up to the full num- ber. Ten frames are considered a good working size. But if surplus honey is wanted from a swarm this> season, do not give more than nine frames, under any circumstances. Also give a bottle of syrup for four or five nights to help the bees in establishing themselves, and facilitate rapid comb-building. These matters attended to, and with good bee- weather, the new stock will be ready for a super in about eight days. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. QUEEN-MATING IN "BABY NUCLEI." [5872.1 I have just received the B.B.J. of April 6, and notice the article of "J. M. E." (5850, page 135). I am glad to learn that interest in the " Swarth- more " mating nuclei is awakening in Eng- land. These baby nuclei have just passed through a torrent of criticism here in Ame- rica, and I am pleased to learn that the plan is likely to have a fair trial in the Old Country. To compare the editorial columns of some of the American be?-journals of two or three years ago. with those of to-day one- is amazed at the change of sentiment in favour of the " Swarthmcr: " methods. For instance, an influential journal in its articles of two years ago lost no oppor- tunity to condemn " Swarthmore " and his methods, but in a recent issue I am pleased to read the following editorial commendation : — "This little book of Mr. Pratt's is worthy of careful reading, not only on the 2^art of the queen-breeder, but of the producer of honey as well. And that re- minds me that bee-keepers who produce honey only, tell me at conventions that they cannot afford to rear queens. In this I think they are mistaken. By the new plan one needs to break up only one or two colonies at most, and rear all the queens he can possibly use for the homes and out-yards in a comparatively short time, and at a very small expense. I verily believe that the day for the use of two-frame nuclei standard Langstroth size for mating queens, has gone by. It is waste of money and time to use six times more comb surface covered with bees than is absolutely needed for doing the work." The fact of the matter is, bee-keepers are now giving the plan a fair trial, and the change of heart is due to the success they are achieving in the practical use of baby nuclei. British bee-keepers, I am quite sure, will not condemn without trial ; there really is no fear of such a frightful outcome as "J. M. E." depicts if the {Continued on page 170.) May i, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtTBttAL. 175 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OTJB, READERS. We are sorry not to have included in the quaintly picturesque cottage and bee-gar- den seen below the figure of its owner, Mr. Cooper. His absence, however, is ex- plained in tbe interesting "notes" sent, which read as follows: — " In response to your request for a few notes of my bee-experiences, I may say, Fortune favoured me in infancy by dump- ine me into a bee-keeping family. Some of my earliest recollections are naturally entwined around the old-fashioned straw skep and its busy inhabitants. Among the first things I have in mind, was an awful possession of two frame-hives, along with a few skeps which belonged to my father. Then it was that my difficulties began. I knew nothing whatever of bee-management and had never even seen the inside 'of a frame-hive. However, my first ' operation' was to put on a rack of sections, and in removing the quilt for this purpose I found that the latter was securely fastened down to the top bars, consequently, I did my best to replace it the same way. Do not smile please, when I confess that I stuck the quilt down by melting some bees-wax and running it round the edges while hot ! Then about a month later came the great day of all ; the sections were filled MR. H. M. COOPER'S APIARY, THORLEY, YARMOUTH. ISLE OF WIGHT. dread of the bees' 'pointed tails,' and an intense fondness for their honey. I also remember feeling much pity for the poor little labourers whose fate it was to be put to a cruel death after having worked so hard all the summer. That feeling, however, soon gave place to joy, when, as the youngest of the family, I was supplied with a hunch of bread and a spoon, together with a piece of the deli- cious honey-comb cut from the skep, mak- ing up a veritable feast for myself as the youngest of the family. But, although brought up in such an in- fected atmosphere, I never really caught the bee-fever till the summer-time of five years ago, when I suddenly came into with honey in comb and must be taken off. So, after fixing myself up with veil, thick gloves and spats, I approached the hive in fear and trembling just after sun- set, and after about ten minutes' puffing of smoke in at the entrance, the result may be better imagined than described. I need only say that after about an hour's exciting work by candle-light, and sundry ' accidents ' to myself and to the bees in the way of 'give ami take,' I had by me eighteen sections — mostly broken — and hundreds of dead bees. But better days were in store, for soon afterwards a friend gave me a copy of the ' Guide Book,' and by following its directions, I was soon put on the right track. About the same time 176 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 4, 1905. I commenced taking the 'B.B.J.,' and afterwards the Bee-Keepers' Record, which I find very helpful. 1 make all my own hives and all parts of same are inter- changeable ; my apiary has increased till till it now contains twenty-four stocks all in fi-ame-hives. My average yield of honey per year for the last four years has been rather over 60 lbs. per hive, the best re- turn from a single stock was in 1903, when one hive produced 155 lbs. of surplus. Altogether in the four past years I have taken about 24 cwt. of honey, mostly in 1 lb. sections, and have found a ready sale for these at 9d. and lOd. wholesale. Much to my regret, I have lately had an outbreak of foul brood in several hives, and acting under the advice of our county expert, I am trying to combat this enemy of all bee-keepers, but so far, have not met with complete success, .though I am hoping for the best. "Being a firm believer in copious autumn feeding I let the bees alone as much as possible in the spring, and as yet have never lost a colony through bad wintering, while my stocks are always very strong and 'fit' in May. There is not much to be told about the photo itself, more than just to mention that the apiary is very prettily and favourably situated on a slope facing south, and well sheltered from the north and east. The skeps shown in the foreground are now transferred into frame- hives. The reason that your humble servant has not spoilt the picture with his appearance therein is that he was, per- force, occupied in manipulating the camera from an exalted position, on the top of a water-butt." {"Queen-Mating in ' Baby Nvclei,'" continued from page 174.) directions in the book, "Baby Nuclei," by Swarthmore,, and " Cell Getting," his late work, are carefully and intelligently followed. As to the efficiency of queens reared by this plan, it might be well to state that the finest bees in America, those which have taken first prizes at international shows, and many that are now rolling in big crops of honey ; those which are prov- ing hardy and causing comment from all beedom because of their extreme pro- lificness, are in the main reared artifi- cially in cages and mated in baby nuclei. In closing his well-written criticism "J. M. E." recommends adhering only to strong nuclei. To all who prefer this I would suggest a reading of the little book " Increase " by " Swarthmore," in which are outlined methods of practice which will fully meet the requirements of all who are not yet quite ready to accept the text of " Baby Nuclei." It is not " Swarthmore's " desire, I am quite sure, to force his methods upon hee!-. keepers anywhere ; nor does he consider them perfect by any means (I happen to know that he is still experimenting) ; he simply presents his plans to bee-keepers for trial, and, if found desirable, for their adoption. There is a progressive spirit in all countries and in all people which cannot be held down : it is to this class " Swarthmore " appeals. — John M. Hooker, Philadelphia, April 17. BEES DESERTING HIVES IN SPRING. [5873.] I have been much interested in Mr. Bocock's remarks on page 156 with regard to queenlessness, as I have had an unfortunate experience myself. Last autumn I had a splendid lot of bees, and kept them safely through the winter, in anticipation of good results the coming summer. On a particularly warm day, some four or five weeks back, the bees were all flying in the air just as if they had been swarming. I did not take much notice of them until four days later, when I pro- ceeded to make a spring examination, and was greatly astonished to find "only a mere handful of bees inside, and these after- wards left. I had noticed bees flying to and from the adjoining hive in an uncertain manner, going first to one hive and then to another, which makes me think they must have joined on to the stock they had been frater- nising with. There was plenty of honey in the combs of the now empty hive, so that it was not from scarcity of food. I am only a novice, but my theory is this : That, finding themselves queenless, as in Mr. Bocock's case (because 1 found no brood or eggs), thev deserted their home and found quarters elsewhere. Whether in the next hive or not is uncertain, I sup- pose. Perhaps you can enlighten me. Later. — Since writing you yesterday re loss of queens, I have made a hurried ex- amination of my other hive in order to make sure that all is right therein. Owing, however, to present adverse conditions of weather, it is almost impossible to make a proper examination, and the result is not quite so satisfactory as I should have liked. The bees seem to have dwindled, and the combs of three centre frames are so interlocked that it was very difficult to see if there was brood in them, while it was not possible to ascertain if there was a queen in the hive. The cells that I could see seemed quite empty. Three combs at the back are full of sealed honey, but had no bees on them. I have, May 4, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 177 therefore, uncapped some of it. In the event of my adding another frame to com- plete the whole ten, would it be better to place with a frame of comb already 'worked out or a sheet of foundation! What bees there are seem to be fairly busy, and some are carrying in pollen ; but is this necessarily a sign of the queen being safe and laying ? They are taking about a pint of syrttp per week. Having lost one stock, I am naturally anxious for the welfare of the other. I wanted to see all the frames teeming with bees. If you can suggest anything I shall be greatly obliged. — Apis, Birmingham. [It is by no means uncommon for the bees of strong, healthy colonies — after having lost their queens in early spring — to join on to other stocks. It would thus appear that when unable to re-queen them- selves the bees offer little or no resistance to robbers, but allow their stores to be carried off, and eventually join forces with the marauders. We are disposed to think that this will be the explanation in your case. — Eds.] WINTERING QUEENS IN BOXES. HALF A PINT OF BEES TO EACH BOX. [5874.] For years past our northern queen-breeders have been hunting for a plan to winter extra queens in an economi- cal way in order that they might enter the market and compete with the fouthern breeders in the early-queen trade. It is in spring that the demand for queens is heavy, and owing to the northerners' in- ability to furnish queens before the month of June, prices naturally range high, and many a queenless colony has suffered be- cause of the inadequate supply of queens in early spring. 'f the honey producer could winter a number of extra queens to supply winter losses at just the right time, many a good colony might be saved which would mean at the close of the season so much more honey for market. I have successfully wintered queens in " Swarthmore " mating-boxes with less than a pint of bees to each queen, and have I believe solved the problem of early queen traffic for the northern breeder. It is surprising how well these little clusters of bees withstand the cold of our severe northern latitude — the rate of death seems much less in proportion to the full strong colony — but being in com- pact cluster directly on full combs of select honey, I suppose, they have every chance. Where the full colony may be- come separated these little clusters are closely confined in a given space. I have not found it necessary to even winter them in a cellar. I, of course, pro- vide shelter from wind and storm, either by placing the boxes inside a Standard hive body with a tight roof (four to a hive) and a flight-hole on each side, or inside a shed or small house with flight- holes cut through the boarding. In making up these wintering-boxes, I take two or three cupfuls of young bees as explained in my book "Baby Nuclei," just before winter actually arrives, and give each box two fat combs of good honey — do this on a warm day to give the bees a chance to settle as they like upon the combs. Do not disturb them again until spring, when they should be examined and supplied with more honey if needed, by changing the comb containing the least brood, for one of honey. To prevent any possibility of the queens wandering away from the cluster, place a piece of queen-excluding metal over the flight-hole on the inside. A three-quarter inch flight-hole is none too large for win- tering queens in Swarthmore mating boxes. — " Swarthmore " (E. L. Pratt), Swarth- more, Pa., U.S.A., March 15. FOUL BROOD. WHY HAS IT NOT EXTINGUISHED THE BEE RACE? [5875.] Some considerable time since I raised the question in your pages as to what explanation could be given of the fact that although it is known that foul brood is an old disease, the race of bees has been enabled to resist its ravages. None of your correspondents attempted to discuss this most interesting problem. I therefore again call attention to it with the view of eliciting the opinion of those able to give an opinion. Having been very busy removing myself and my apiary from Truro to Redruth, I have had little time for writing any bee-notes lately. — W. J. Farmer, Redruth. WEATHER REPORT. Westbourne, Sussex, April, 1905. Minimum on grass, 23° on 7th. Frosty nights, 4. Rainfall, P83 in. Heaviest fall, "39 on 10th. Rain fell on 19 days. Above average, • 1 4 in. Sunshine, 100 hours. Brightest day, 15 th, 12-20 hours. Sunless days, 4. Below average, 90*2 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 59° on 13th. Minimum tempera- ture, 307 on 7»h. Mean maximum, 516. Mean minimum, 40-1. Mean temperature, 45-8. Below average, '4. Maximum barometer, 30 30 on 1 st. Minimum barometer, 2932 on 11th. L. B. Birkhtt. 178 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 4, 1905. APRIL RAINFALL. Brilley, Herefordshire. Height above sea, 590 ft. Rainfall, 2.79. Greatest fall in 24 hours, .52, on 30th. Rain fell on 23 days. W. Head. en to residents in Wales, and to counties . if Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six lib. jars extracted honey, and for six lib. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. A. W. (Crouch End). — Foul Brood Samples by Post. — We cannot comply with re- quest for sample of comb affected with foul brood by post. On the other hand, you can see a sample at this office, if we are notified beforehand of your call, because all " specimens " are burnt out of sight without delay after inspec- tion. H. D. (Tarleton, Preston). — Reporting Lectures. — We regret to say our limited space makes it impossible to publish re- ports of lectures given by experts on bees and bee-keeping, except in very rare instances where something special is brought forward. A. L. S. (Birmingham). — American Bee- goods, — The A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio ; G. B. Lewis and Co., Watertown, Wis. ; and the W. T. Falconer Manu- facturing Co., Jamestown, N.Y., are among the leading manufacturers of bee- goods in America. A. R. K.- (Mincing Lane, E.C.).— Adul- teration, Reliquefying, Packing, etc., of Honey. — There is no special book on the above, to our knowledge ; but all the subjects mentioned have been dealt with in our pages from time to time. It would, however, be no light task to search our indexes for years past in order to find them. Perhaps some readers (with leisure) might help in this. Pollen (Willesden, N.W.). — Old Pollen in Combs. — The hard pellets sent are — as you suppose — old pollen which the bees have, with an infinite amount of labour, pulled out of th<_! cells and cast out. It will help the "strong stock" from which you hope to get a good harvest if you will remove any combs with cells mainly filled with such useless matter, and give a frame of foundation instead in centre of brood-nest. F. O. F. (Birmingham). — Tested Queens. — A tested queen is one which is known to have been mated safely, and whose progeny has been examined after hatch- ing out in order to judge of its purity or otherwise. Suspected Combs. West Kent (Tunbridge Wells). — Comb sent shows no trace whatever in the cells; it is, therefore, impossible for us to tell if there was foul brood in the hive before bees deserted it. Balsam (Heathfield, Sussex). — There are slight signs of foul brood in one or two' cells ; but as the combs are nearly full of hard old pollen, they are useless. We should, therefore, burn them and re- fit the hive with foundation — after clean- ing it well — before using again. Honey Sample. C. C. (Cheltenham). — Honey is from mixed sources (including " honey dew "). It is also rank and coarse in flavour, the latter reminding us of that from_ tri- folium or crimson clover. It is of' poor- quality. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve words and under, Sixpence ; jor every additional, Three words or under, One Penny, WANTED, for scientific purposes, DEAD QUEEN BEES and WORKER HORNETS. Will brother beeKeepere kindly obligp'?— HKRROD, Apiary, Luton. [\7|r ANTED, about 3 cwt. BEST CLOVER or SAIN ITT, FOIN (English) HONEY.— riease send sample and price to V. W. L. SLADEN, Ripple Court Apiary, Dover. I^OR SALE, "THREE good Colonies BEES, S7andar;t- Frame Hives. Also Spare Hive, Extractor, Feeders, all appliances, two books; £3 10s. Buyer pay carriage.— Quarry Eank, Malton, Yorks. 'h 16" QUEENS ! QUEENS ! ! " QUEENS ! ! ! Doplittle'a Strain, like " Charley's Aunt," still running strong. Virgins, Is. 6d., from end. May. Fertiles, 5s., earky June. Safe delivery guaranteed. Book now and pay later. >end penny stamp for Taylor's, pamphlet and price list,— DAVID TAYLOR, Ilmin'ster. H_15 STRONG SWARMS, 10s. each. Boxes free. Safe delivery.— H. BRQUGHTON, Barrow, Hull. H 14_ FOR SALE_, THREE Strong, Healthy STOCKS of BEES, two on frames, in makeshift hives, one in sleep, 30s. the lot.— ALFRED GREEN, Tangley, Andover. h 13 AY SWARMS, 12s. 6d. June, 10s. 6d., in make- shift hives, on wired weed foundation, 18s Healthy and, vigorous ; 50 stocks kept. Inspection invited on Saturdays. Deposit.— r. HANSEN, Gar- dener and Bee Expert, 3, Gladstone Cottage, Norwood Green, Soutliall. h 12 WANTED, TWO STOCKS of ITALIANS or HYBRID BEES, on Standard Frames, in exchange for a Memo. Frena Hand Camera and Magnifiers ; as new. — GEORGE PACKER, Aldergrove House, Forth, near Rout yjiridd. h 11 1 £ STOCKS BEES, in " W.B.O/' and Single-walled ±0 Hives. Strong and healthy.- ROBERT GRAY, Brombpropool, Cheshire. h 10 OR SALE, Strong STOCKS of BEES, on eight, frames. 1904 Queens. Guaranteed healthy. Free on rail ; £1 each.— JOS. ROWLAND, The Cliff, Hol- brooke, Derby. h 9 STOCKS BEES, on eight Standard Combs, 1904 Queen, guaranteed healthy, 20s. each. Travelling hox returnable.— J. J. HARDING!, Trimdon, Trimdon Grange, Durham. h 8 1710R SALE, owing to removal, BEES ; six frames, 15s. 6il. ; eight frames, £1 ; ten frames, £1 5s. Guaranteed healthy. Racked and put on rail free. Black Minorca Eggs for sitting, 2s. 6d. do//en. White Orpington Eggs, 3s. 6d. dozen. Unfertilee replaced.— EDEN, Ohadlington, Oxon. h 7 May 11, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. lSl (ftdttorial, gjtofajtt, &t THE " ROYAL " SHOW NEXT MONTH. DATE FOR CLOSING ENTEIES. The date for closing entries at ordinary fees (Monday next, the 15th inst. ) being now near at hand, we venture to again remind readers of the conditions mentioned in our issue of a fortnight ago. Under the condi fcions then named we thought that a goodly number of bee-keepers might be induced to appear as exhibitors at Park Royal, and, as bees are in many parts of the country doing very well indeed, there is plenty of time in the six weeks or more before us for strong colonies to store honey enough — and to spare — for the show bench. The weather is, at present, most favourable for bees, and we hope that all whose stocks are in good condition for early work will send at once for an entry form, bearing in mind the fact that should there be a change for the worse in the weather — such as will prevent the completion of intended exhibits — the usual return of entry fees will be again made. Nor must if be forgotten that entries, at extra fees, may be made up to May 29. The outlook at present is very good, and if bee-keepers will make up their minds quickly to try and appear as exhibitors the show may be equally good. HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of April, 1905, was £3,815. — From a return furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS. By " Nemo:' Foul Brood Plague. — We find in Glean- ings C. E. Woodward writing from Cuba that he has had much experience with the disease in the tropics. Although he has never found out that the introduction of new queens effects a cure, it is a fact that the yellow beauties, or, as some call them, five-banders, are verv much more subject to all diseases than are the blacks or three-banded Italians. Three years ago, when his home apiary of 400 colonies was attacked, in every case it was sure to be one of his very yellow stocks. There is a cause for this, as all who have had experi- ence with this yellow strain of bees know very well that their propensity is to rob ; hence the rapid increase of the disease. Although he likes those yellow beauties, he has had to dispose of them for this fault. Ha also mentions an instance of a priest who had kept bees long before the war, and who sent to a queen-breeder in the United States and bought some Italians, and after a while they all got sick and died. He is sure foul brood killed the bees, as the natives at that time did not understand the treatment of the disease. Food Definitions and Standards. — r Mr. G. W. York tells us in the American Bee, Journal 'that a circular has recently been sent out by the Bureau of Chemistry of the United States Department of Agriculture containing schedules prepared by the Com- mittee on Food Standards, Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. They re- ferred to "sugars and related substances," and honey was included, the following definitions and standard beinc suggested : 1. Honey is the nectar of flowers and saccharine exudation of plants gathered and stored in the comb by bees. 2. Comb-honey is honey still in the comb. 3. Extracted honey is honey which has been separated from the comb. Standard linnet/ is honey which is laevcr- rotatory to polarised light, contains not more than twenty-five (25) per cent, of water, not more than fifteen ene-hundredths (0.15) per cent, of ash, nor more than eight (8) per cent, of sucrose. Moving Bees Short Distances. — Mr. C. F. Bender describes in Gleanings how he has moved five whole apiaries for him- self and friends during the last seven years, the distance in each case being less than a mile. He thinks March is the best time to move hives, but if it has to be done in warm weather, the hive en- trances should be left open while on the road, and if this is not too rough it is perfectly safe. Not more than one dozen colonies should be taken at one time, and a man with a lighted smoker should walk alongside and watch them, while another does the driving of the waggon. If the temperature is below 40 deg., it would be safe to shut the bees in. Nothing should be left on the old spot, as some of the bees are sure to come and look round, but if they have marked the new home properly they are sure to return. If they have to be moved in warm weather, it should be done very late in the afternoon, so that they will not have a chance t<> fly until next morning. Put them on the new stands and leave them alone until some of them begin to fly, then go round and give every one a good smoking, so that they will know there is something doing. Then set up a board in front of each entrance so that a bee cannot easily get out without bumping her head. He thinks this is the most important part of the whole work, but it is such a small thing that it is often neglected. It causes them to notice that there has been a change, and to mark the spot before leav- 182 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 11, 1905. ing it. Many will visit the old spot, and if they find a hive there, will remain and forget the new place ; but if there is nothing, they will return to the new locality. Bees in Madagascar. — In addition to the Madagascar honey-bee (Apis unicolor), M. Boutillot describes in L'Apiculteur, a sort of honey-fly, which is found in the province of Tulear, which the natives call " Sihy." The insect is almost an exact reproduction of a common fly, but one quarter the size. The head, body, and form of abdomen, thorax and wings, are all exactly similar to, and the same colour as, those of a fly. It has no sting, but the proboscis is similar to that of the common fly. The Sihvs choose for their dwellings dried branches that have fallen from trees, and more es- pecially branches detached from the trunks of a cactus (ppuntia), called by the natives " lvungo. " The honey has a great draw- back, when it is brought by the natives, in that it is very dirty and contains pieces of bark as well as dead flies. The flavour, however, is fine, with a delicate aroma re- sembling that of tamarinds, and the amount of saccharine matter appears to be greater than in ordinary honey. Drones from Virgin Queens. — We read in Schweizerisclie Biencnzeitung that in order to ascertain if drones proceeding from eggs laid by a virgin queen are of the same value as those of a fecundated one, Dr. Brii- nich, on February 14 last, removed a queen from a colony that had already got some fine combs of brood. On the 27th, a young queen emerged from a cell, which was shown by larvaj of queens being cast out of the hive. Perforated zinc was placed at the entrance to prevent the queen from leaving the hive. Four frames con- taining drone-comb were suspended in .he centre of brood-nest, but, notwithstanding copious feeding daily, egg-laying did not commence until April 20 ; and during these five weeks the virgin queen made desperate efforts to get out. On May 15, Dr. Brii- nich made three nuclei furnished with this drone-brood, and gave them workers which were obliged to pass through queen- excluder zinc to prevent other drones from entering ; in addition he introduced a queen-cell raised for this purpose. On May 17 the young queens were hatched, and already there were a number of young drones walking about on the combs. The nuclei were then removed to a remote valley in which no bees at all were kept. The new location chosen was such a dis- tance away from any other hives that it was i mpossible for the young queens to meet any but the drones from their own nuclei. One queen was lost, and the nucleus perished. The two other queens became fecundated and laid eggs, which produced workers in abundance. These queens were introduced into strong colonies and turned out to be as good as any. This experiment is satisfactory as showing that drones from virgin queens are as good as any others for the purpose they are intended- — and as also proving the " Dickel theory" untenable. (Sflraspjuittttt. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. Communications relating to the literary department, reports of Associations, Shows, Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review, dec, must be addressed only to'*THB Editors of the ' British Bee Journal,' 10, Buckingham- street, Strand, London, Mr.C." All business communi- cations relating to advertisements, dec, must be addressed to " The Manager, ' British Bee Journal ' Office, 10, Buckingham-ttreet, Strand, London, W.U." *** 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. AMONG THE BEES. SOME USEFUL HINTS. [5876.] Introducing Queens. — In spring and early summer, when uniting weak lings, precautions are scarcely necessary. Endeavour to get the bees of both lots on three frames. Kill one queen, preserving the best. In the evening of a fairly cold, or, rather cool, day, open both the hives, then gently and promptly lift the three frames as one, and deposit them in the other hive without jarring. The whole undertaking is almost momentary and the bees are scarcely aware of any disturbance. Next morning they are discovered working as one family, the queen heading the combined lot as if she were the mother of the whole united com- munity. It is important to know this, as it saves a good deal of fussing when uniting these small lots of bees. Foul Brood Leaflet. — I think it should be as widely known as possible- that an excel- lent little leaflet of four pages is issued free by the Board of Agriculture. It con- tains a precise and concise description of the appearance of a comb affected, a very good illustration from a photograph of such a comb, the symptoms of the disease, the sources of infection, and the prevention and remedies for curing the disease. The last two paragraphs are worthy of special study. Copies of the leaflet may be obtained five of charge and post free on application to the " Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London, May 11, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 183 S.W." Letters of application so addressed need not be stamped. All bee-keepers should obtain a copy, or, if needed for dis- tribution, a dozen copies will be sent. Separators. — A large producer of honey- in sections informs me that, as a result of his tests with fences, uprights, wire- work, " Sheppard '' dividers, queen-ex- cluders, riddle-holed tin, common tin separators plain, and the latter with three- bee-ways, cut out almost right across, he sees no advantage in finish or amount of work in the more elaboi'ate ones. He has determined to revert entirely to the plain tin divider with two-bee-way sections. I had an idea some years ago that the more chances of communication we gave the bees the better and more perfect work they would do, but from what I have seen and heard I have now doubts. Strong colonies will fill the one as quickly as the other, and turn out as fine sections. "The Baby Soul of Singing." — I think the description is very apt. The scene is one of the fairest demesnes in all Scotland. The spectator and singer is a " belted earl," an octogenarian, poet, and one of our most learned wi'iters on arboriculture. The scene is an avenue of glorious old linden trees, all a hum with multitudes of bees, wild and tame, on a bright and sunny summer day in late July when millions of tiny buds and blossoms were willingly offering up their tribute of sweet nectarious juice to the innumerable tongues so eager to sip it up and consign it to their cells. Their eager quest is accompanied by this melodious hum, this rapturous melody. So our singer breaks forth : — The bees about the linden tree, Where blithely summer blooms were springing, Would hum a he^rtsome melody, The simple baby soul of singing. Andrence. — This wild bee burrows holes in the ground in which to make its home. Ten to one if you look along your garden walks, about this season of the year, you will find a number of miniature hills raised here and there with a hole close by from which the debris has been excavated. In a few hours, if you carefully watch the pro- cess going on, you will see the bee throw out sand or earth many times the weight of its own body. The hole about admits a lead pencil, and, by using a little pres- sure, it may go down about half its length. Carefully remove the earth at the sides, and you will find the bee and its nest. The Andrense look very much like our hive-bee in general appearance, but are rather smaller. They are very active, and ply their task with great industry, returning from their flights with their hind legs and sometimes their whole bodies covered with pollen collected from the flowers. Its joys and sorrows seem to be self-centred, for it leads a life of solitary isolation. It is not like the hive-bee, a creature of the crowd, and, until its young are produced, no mate nor comrades share its labours or its home. It seems, however, to live like the hive bee on honey and pollen, but having no true carbiculse its loads of the latter are carried home on the feathery hairs found all over its body. The young seem to be self-suf- ficient from the moment they issue from the egg, requiring no nursing. From the first, they manage to subsist on the honey and pollen-paste in which the egg is deposited by the parent bee, in the rudimentary, rough, thimbleshaped cell in which it has been cradled. Two Honey Bccipes. — (a) " A Cough Cure : 4 oz. of honey, 2 oz. of glycerine, 1 oz. of vinegar, 1 oz. of brown sugar, the juice of two lemons. A dessertspoonful occasion- ally. " This cough mixture is said to have been used by the late Sir J. Paget, surgeon to Her late Majesty, (b) "For Chapped Hands : Honey and glycerine in equal quantities. After washing the hands, and while still wet, to be rubbed in and then dried off on the towel." The correspondent who kindly sends me the foregoing, for- warded a plant of rosemary from a cutting obtained in the Garden of Gerthsemane, " as a small return for the pleasure I have in reading your articles in the Journal." The thank-offering is very highly appre- ciated, and will be preserved as a much- valued souvenir. — D. M. M., Banff. FOUL BROOD. WHY HAS IT NOT EXTINGUISHED BEES? [5877.] This question, asked by Mr. Farmer (5875, p. 177), escaped my notice when raised by him in a previous letter. My opinion is that the bee-race has not been extinguished because the disease has either spread from one apiary to another until it reached a district some miles wide where there were no bees, either in hives or living wild in trees or buildings, and no other means of aiding the spread of dis- ease, such as the sale and purchase of infected bees or appliances. Thus the work of devastation has been stayed in that direction. Or, what is equally likely, in its spread from apiary to apiary among those owned by bee-keepers who were un- able to recognise foul brood, and so took no measures to avoid its spreading, until the disease has come upon an intelligent bee-keeper, who knowing what an evil it is, had dealt with the disease in Iris district in a wa}- that stojaped its progress in that direction. And, in my opinion, there is something more than theory in this, for it is what I have myself seen happen in more than . one locality. In two districts I have been watching the spread of this scourge for ten and six years respectively, and noting the ability or otherwise of the 184 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 11, 1905. bee-keepers most directly concerned to effectively deal with the disease, either with or without assistance. Unfortunately the majority of those who keep bees are not sufficiently concerned about the wel- fare of their bees to cause them to deal with the disease, when detected, in the thorough manner by which only success is assured in ridding us of our greatest enemy. — Wm. Loveday, Hatfield Heath, Harlow. AN EARLY SWARM. [5878.] I thought it might be of interest to B.B.J, readers to know that a strong swarm left a neighbour's hive to-day (May 7) at two o'clock. The hive from whence the swarm issued had been fed with syrup all through the winter. This is a fairly early swarm, is it not? — J. E. B., Purley, Surrey. [The first we have had notice .of. — Eds.] THE ERADICATION OF FOUL BROOD. AVANTED, A NATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL APIARY. [5879.] A famous American experimenter in the plant world, whose name I cannot at the moment recall, has succeeded almost magically in breeding varieties of fruit and flowers to fulfil almost any desired -result. He has bred a spineless cactus, a seedless apple, and even an entirely new plant has been produced. These results have been attained by continual special selection and judicious crossing. There appears to be no limit to the possibilities of Nature in this direction. The same principle of variation prevails in the animal world, and Nature generously responds to the labours of the intelligent, painstaking, investigating: ex- perimenter. Now, cannot we make a special effort to use this mysterious natural power in producing a superior race of bees ? Private breeders claim to have already effected an improvement, but practically the results are not very marked. They who are obliged to keep an apiary for com- mercial purposes, while they may accom- plish a great deal, cannot devote that time and money to the thorough experiments necessary. The most urgent need is for a race of bees i-apable of resisting foul brood. I think, we need not consider this impos- sibly of realisation. In affected apiaries, it is found that some colonies entirely escape infection, and even in the same hive one cell may be rotten with disease and tlic next healthy and clean. Now, this all points to the fact that there is such a thing as natural immunity, and wo find this is t tin' of all plants and animals ; some cannot be given a disease, Amongst human beings some are found naturally immune from small-pox, or, at any rate, so long as they observe the rules of health, wlule others are less immune. I have not the least doubt that we could breed a race of men immune from consumption if it were pos- sible to control marriages and to apply the principles observed in the breeding of animals. This, however, is never likely to be attempted. No- thing appears to be impossible in this direction in the way of directing the powers of Nature into any desired channel. Our twentieth century, with all its progress, is merely in the stage of childhood as com- pared with the knowledge and power that mankind will possess in, say, the fortieth century, if there be no interruption to the law of progress which has prevailed since the foundations of the world were first laid. Wireless telegraphy, and similar marvels, are, I believe, as nothing to those yet to be revealed. The powers of Nature are mysterious, and past understanding ; no one ever can explain them. We know that there is. a powerful infinite force at work, present with us, and responding to our efforts, and our bees are part of it ; and that which produced all things is cap- able of perfecting all things, if its laws are ascertained and obeyed. Now, can we not avail ourselves of this mighty influence to produce a healthy race of bees? A great deal of effort is being spent on the Foul Brood Bill, but until we thoroughly under- stand the root causes of foul bi'ood, such legislation will not be quite effective. We know that the disease represents a germ thriving in a bee-hive, but why does the germ thrive? What enables the vitality of the germ to overcome the vitality of the bee ? It seems to me to be a strife between two vitalities in which the strongest wins. These important questions can only be settled by strictly scientific experiments. The ordinary man is not capable of study- ing germs ; it requires a special training. The investigator requires to be both a germ expert and a bee expert, and to have ample funds at his disposal. Now, I think, that we should endeavour to prevail upon our Government to set up one or two experi- mental apiaries, the primary object being to produce a race of bees immune from foul brood. Continual selection should be made from those stocks found best able to re- sist disease and these should be bred from. If the foul-brood germ be really inde- structible, it follows that no amount of disinfecting will keep the disease down, and that foul-brood legislation will only be partially useful. We must have a radical remedy ; why not an immune race of bees? An apiary for experimental purposes might be composed of forty stocks, selected from different apiaries and different races, and all should, if possible, be obtained from (Continued on page 186.) May 11, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 185 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OP OUR READERS. Our friend, Mr. Rhys, seen in his apiary on this page, is evidently no stickler for uniformity either in hive shapes or regularity in arrangement ; he has, how- ever, had the good fortune to make a suc- cess of bee-keeping, as the following notes show : — "I send a few 'notes' of my bee expe- riences, with photo of a portion of my wooded bee-garden, though I fear they will not possess much interest for your readers. First let me say I knew next to nothing about bees until the year 1886, when a homeless swarm came to me for shelter. A neighbour, supposed to understand bees, claimed the swarm as hers, and she carried them, off, too, box and all ! " Sorry enough at my loss and without being able to help it, I bought a stock of bees and made a start. Just then I dis- covered your valuable Journal, which I have taken in regularly ever since. I also got the handbook for cottagers, 'Modern Bee- keeping,' and, having read it, I next be- gan driving condemned bees. Success fol- lowed, profits increased, and in 1894 I had a ton of honey to sell, and made a gain of £50 from twenty-two hives. Then, the question arose in my mind, if twenty-two hives, earn £50, how manv are required to earn £150 ? The answer was, I thought, sim- ply '' get more hives, and bees.' ■ Alas ! how rudely were my visions shattered. A gen- MR. H. RHYSS APIARY, REDKROOK, MONMOUTHSHIRE. lent me a cheese-box carefully covered in side with a sticky mixture of barm, treacle, etc., to put the bees in. This box was placed close to the swarm, but they heeded it not, preferring to cluster in the open all night. Next morning a boy came along (who had seen bees handled) and he bravely ladled them into the box with his hands. Some of the bees remained there securely stuck fast to the side of box, but the ma- jority buzzed about and my willing helper got badly stung. When next I saw the poor lad's face, his mother had painted it blue, and he was unrecognisable. It was a lively time on the whole, but in three days the bees were somehow got into an- other box and remained there quietly enough. Then a farmer's wife came and tleman presented me with a few old hives, and in them, I believe, came foul brood, which caused a terrible havoc among my bees, and paralysed my flourishing little industry. I now sweep it out annually, burning whole lots of bees and hives, but it usually turns up again in the spring. How one wishes for an effective Bill for dealing with foul brood, and how difficult to understand the position of those who oppose legislation. To the west, and for ten miles south of me, many hives are rotten with disease ; and yet, for six miles into Herefordshire on the north, what hives I have seen are quite healthy. " I ride long distances for driven bees, bringing home as many as ten lots at a time on a simple carrier fixed to my ' bike. ' 186 THE -BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 11, 1905. I get the road nearly all to myself on these expeditions, and I enjoy them immensely. These driven bees, as a rule, do very well. " I make all my own hives, which, as seen, are of many shapes, some being double stocks, like those of Mr. Wells. Perforated dummies are not wanted here in the double hives. I only see that both lots are strong, choose a fine day for supering, with honey coming in well ; remove quilts, give a little smoke, and place on queen-excluder ; then on the latter put a super of about twenty standard frames. This done, re-arrange all coverings, and use a lift to raise roof, and all is finished in about five minutes. I followed this plan with perfect success for some time before hearing of the ' Wells ' system, and not a bee lost through fight- ing. I once got 300 lbs. of surplus from a double stock made from a bacon-box, but I shall make no more double hives. Last (year was the most disappointing season I ever had. Bees being strong and healthy, twenty-five to thirty cwt. of surplus honey was looked for, but my harvest was only three cwt. "At present I have forty-five stocks, all vigorous, strong, and well prepared for a good time. I have taken bee-keeping as a subject in school, following the former scheme issued by the Board of Education ; the lessons and bee-manipulations always seeming to interest the boys. A carpenter's bench was put up at the school, and the boys began hive-taaking, but the fear of stings prevented them making a start as bee-keepers on their own account. " I conclude by wishing you and all bee- keepers a prosperous season in 1905. " ("The Eradication of Foul Brood,'' continued from page 184.) apiaries or districts where foul brood is un- known. Amongst these should be placed an infected stock, and it should be care- fully noted which of the other stocks escaped infection, and these should be re- moved elsewhere and bred from. It would take many years to work out the desired result, but I am sure it could be attained. It needs money and time. — W. J. F., Bed- ruth, May 6. [We insert the above mainly with the ob- ject of showing how the lofty ideals of some, tin doubt well-meaning, bee-keepers may lead them into flights far beyond the possi- bility of realisation. What chance, we ask, is there of seeing "a. national experimental apiary" established in this country for the purpose advocated by our correspondent? Those of us who have laboured hard in the effort to obtain Government help for the bee-industry, in ctlier directions during the past few years, know too well that we must make a great deal of headway beyond where we now stand before experimental apiaries maintained by the public funds will come within, the range of practical politics. Bearing all this in mind, it may be safely said that the only useful work in the line suggested by our correspondent must be undertaken by queen-breeders who take up the question as a business one, and to these we wish every success in breeding bees so vigorous and hardy as to be able, in a great measure, to resist the germs of Bacillus alvei. — Eds.] QUEEN FLIGHTS IN SPRING. [5880.] Referring to the letter of " Wilts " in B. B. Journal of April 27 (5868, page 167), may I be allowed to say the theory of queens leaving the hive for an airing-flight in spring is not by any means new? My experience is that I lose some queens every spring in the same way. This will be seen by referring back to my letters in B. B. J. of November 28, 1901 (page 473) and in B. B. J. of April 24, 1902 (page 163). ■ — Jno. Berry, Llanrwst, N. Wales, May 6. dftoerks aiui Holies. [3727.] Protecting Hives from Strong Winds. — My hive-stands are fairly well pro- tected from our strong winds, except on the east, which the hives face. I should like to plant a low hedge in the front of the hives for additional protection^ to grow, say, three feet high. I therefore ask : — How far from the front of the hives must such a fence be, so as not to impede the outward and homeward flight of the bees 1 — Mel Rosjb, Isle of Wight. Reply. — With a fence only three feet high, about five or six feet would be quite sufficient to allow free flight for the bees. [3728.] Bemoving Useless Combs from Hires. — I enclose herewith sample of comb taken from a hive yesterday, one which I recently purchased, unfortunately, with- out first examining it inside. I should be very much obliged if you will tell me what it is, and how to deal with it. I do not see anything in the " Guide Book " that describes it. There are several combs in the hive similarl/y affected, but not so bad as this one. I send name, etc., and sign — First Season, Suffolk, April 27. Reply. — Comb sent is very old, and — apart from being filled with hard, mouldy pollen — badly needs renewing ; such combs are worse than useless in a hive. If the hive is now strong in bees, you might begin renewing combs at once by removing one of the worst (a broodless one, of course) May 11, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 187 and inserting a frame of comb-foundation in centre of brood-nest. Then repeat the operation a week or ten days later, and so on till all bad combs are replaced by good ones. [3729.] Drone - breeding Queen being Superseded. — Having noticed for some time drones flying from one of my hives, and suspecting the queen might be a drone-breeder, I examined the colony to- day, and found no worker brood in combs. The centre frames contained small patches of drone-brood and the enclosed queen- cell. I shall take it as a great favour if you will kindly inform me in your interest- ing publication, of which I am a constant reader, whether the cell contains a drone or a queen. Thanking you in anticipa- tion— J. G. S., Lanarkshire. Reply. — The sealed cell sent contains a queen in the nymph state, and, from de- tails given, the natural conclusion is that the queen is worn out and a drone-breeder. The bees had evidently taken steps to supersede the old queen by raising a suc- cessor. [3730.] Honey from Diseased Stocks as Bee Food. — I have some honey extracted from brood combs of a stock affected with foul brood. Will you please inform me in B.B.J, if this can be used for bee- food, and if so, how must I prepare it? I would not think of using it if it is not safe to do so. — Doubtful, Derbyshire. Reply. — On no account must honey from a diseased stock be used as food for bees ; but it is quite wholesome for household purposes. [3731.] Immature Bees Cast Out of Hives. ■ — Would you kindly help me by giving your advice and opinion of the enclosed ? On several occasions this spring I have found on floorboard of one of my hives (a skep) small white grubs, similar to what I send you, but they have generally been per- fectly white and healthy-looking. This morning, however, I found this more de- veloped young bee with a dark appearance about it, and I fear it may possibly be foul brood. Am I right in this? I bought the skep in question last year, and it is now very strong in bees, which have been carry- ing in enormous quantities of pollen, and I am, therefore, looking; forward to a good natural swarm from them. I have five other frame-hives ("W.B.C") working, I send name, etc., for reference, and will be glad of your opinion and advice. — Dorset. Reply. - — The dead larva cast out had reached the chrysalid stage, and was no doubt cast out by the bees after being chilled. There is no cause for alarm in what you have s^en, and the stock in skep is evidently doing well. [3732.] Supering the " W.B.C" Hive. — Having procured a new "W.B.C." hive, which I hope to use this season, I notice that when the box of shallow-frames is placed over the standard frames in body- box, the bees would be able to come through into the soace surrounded by the outer coverings. Is this light? 2. I see in the "Practical Note-book," page 61, in an article by Mr. Peebles, " narrow flaps " for covering these openings are spoken of. My hive has no narrow flaps. Ought I to cover these exposed ends, or may I leave them as they are? — Yarmouth. Reply. — 1. If the hive referred to is pro- perly made, no bees can pass into the space mentioned, seeing that the shallow-frame box sits close on to sides of body-box and across the metal ends of frames in the latter, so that no bees can escape, and no such trouble arises as you fear. 2. The " narrow flaps " mentioned by Mr. Peebles are used for the special purpose mentioned, and are only required in his form of the "W.B.C." hive. [3733.] Selling Bees. — Three weeks ago we sold a small stock of bees. They were taken away by the purchaser to his home in Burnley, from whom (in about six days) we got a letter saying that all the bees with the exception of about one hundred were dead, and no quee*n could be found. If you can aid us in determining the responsibility, you will greatly oblige. The purchaser wishes to ask the follow- ing question : On purchasing a hive of bees, on arrival we find no sealed brood. Enclosed is a piece of comb which was covered by the bees. Please say if there are evidences of a queen having been here during three weeks previous to the pre- sent date. Please reply in the Bee Journal. — J. S. Reply. — We can only say that comb sent seems quite healthy, and there is no sign of brood in cells. It is impossible to judge how long it is since the comb con- tained brood. [3734.] Wide-ends for Shallow-frames. — I intend using shallow-frames this season when supering, and should be glad to have your opinion on using the " extra wide " metal ends for same. Should I be able to obtain more honey from eight " wide " frames than ten frames using the ordinary ends ? Thanking you for past advice, I send name and sign — Queen Bee, Harborne, May 5. Reply. — Shallow-frames spaced with wide ends certainly tend to appreciably increase the weight of honey in a box. [3735.] Dead Bees Found in Combs. — Herewith please find a piece of comb (with dead bees in cells) cut from a frame-hive, the bees of which died out during the past 188 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 11, 1905. winter. I suppose it to be a case of dead brood, and not foul brood, but am isolat- ing the hives (two) until I am assured as to its being foul brood or not. A heavy proportion of stocks have died out here since last autumn, many with an abund- ance of stores. Having showed no signs of disease, I am at a loss to explain to neighbours the cause of death. Can it be that the queens had no breeding-room in the autumn, and that this reduced the stocks beluw breeding strength this spring ? Thanking you for giving me most useful information on previous occasions, I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — Pedagogue, Lincoln. Reply. — The dead bees in comb sent were saturated with wet, as if they had been drowned, and, being dead for some time past, the decaying remains of dead bees were full of the maggots .usually found in decaying animal matter, which was promptly burnt without examination. [3736.] Dealing with Bees in u Wells " Hires. — I have to thank you again for past kindnesses in replying to my inquiries. I am much interested in many of the in- quiries and replies contained in your jour- nal from week to week, and will esteem very highly your reply — in first paper, if possible — to the following : I have two stocks in a " "Vvells " hive, and would like to get honey from them instead of hives ami swarms this season. How often would I require to examine them and re- move queen-cells? This is my first trial of the system, and would like to do it as thoroughly as possible, so as to be suc- cessful if I can. — Novice, Bridge of Allan, May 8. Reply. — Stocks in " Wells " hives are dealt with in same manner as those in single hives, except that the frames should lie examined as seldom as possible because of the risk in getting the bees of both compartments before the time for supering arrives. [3737.] Aye of Imported Queens.— I am anxious to requeen two stocks with Italian and Carniolan queens, but as I am a novice ami have never before bought queens, I shall be obliged if you will advise me on the following points : 1. Are queens imported at this time of year usually hist year's queens, or, if they are usually q leens which have just been reared, an' they fertile, or have they still to be mated ? 2. Can a queen be kept by herself for a week or so after arrival? If so, how should she be treated ? I ask, be- cause I do not feel sure of finding the present queens the first time I look for them. 3. Jf 1 fail to find the old queens, would it do to start new hives for the new queens by putting them where the old hives now stand, trust- ing to the flying bees going into the new hives and staying there with the new queens ? I could, of course, at this time of year, give the new queens some frames of comb containing both brood and honey I trust I am not asking questions which are dealt with in the " Guide Book " ; 1 do not think I am. I have read the direc tions for introducing new queens, but they begin with the assumption that the old queens have been, or can at once be, re> moved. A line of reply will oblige. — T. E., Tarbut, N.B. Reply. — 1. Imported queens should be those reared either in the year of sending out or in the previous year, as stated by sellers, but they must be fertilised before despatching. 2. Yes, if care be taken and the breeder is informed of the fact of delay before introducing queen to her new home so that he may arrange accordingly. 3. Do not try that plan ; it will fail. [3738.] Preventing Swarming and Drone- rearing. — I have two stocks of bees in frame-hives*, and do not want them to swarm this season if I can help it. Last June I did as described in " Guide Book " (page 20), and no swarm issued ; but I see on page 170 that if drones are not required the frames have only to be placed 1^ in. from centre to centre, in order to stop drone-rearing. That seems to be such a simple method that I ask, if I do so, is there any risk about it ? Should any- thing hap23en to the queen, I suppose having no drones would place the bees in a worse condition than having only to rear a new queen ? Perhaps it is not worth the risk? If you will kindly advise me, I shall be much obliged. Your " Guide Book " is such a great help to me, that I am glad to say my bees seem in a very flourishing condition so far, num- bers of young bees are bringing in quanti- ties of pollen. I took advantage of the fine weather on March 16 and 23 to give the bees clean hives. I have a plan of my own for giving them candy. I put it while wai*m into, glass finger-bowls, then cut a hole in the coverings and turn the bowl upside down. I can thus see how the bees are taking the candy without disturbing them. January 16 last was the most awful day I ever remember. The wind cut like a knife, with sleet and snow. On going out to see my bees next morning, I was terrified to find that the roofs were partly off (in spite of cord over them with a brick attached), the pillows inside were covered with snow and ice ! I quite ex- pected to find my bees all dead, but on looking in they appeared quite comfort- able and happy, and have been doing well ever since. My queens are young, and I hope everything will go on right. I am May 11, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 189 afraid of taking swarms single-handed. — E. M., St. Asaph, N. Wales. Reply. — 1. The directions on page 170 of " Guide Book " only apply to the time when bees are building new combs in May from starters or full sheets of foundation. You cannot apply the principle to hives with combs already built. (Jktors jfaom the Him Stockport, Cheshire, April 29. — Weather considerably milder but showery, and swal- lows have just arrived. Stocks generally are fairly well forward ; but, unfortunately, I find that last week's severe weather has caused clusters to contract, resulting in chilled brood. The humble-bees were noticed working on blossom. Although 9 degrees of fi'ost was registered on Satur- day, the 22nd ult. , at Holmes Chapel, yet blossom apparently has not suffered greatly. — Jas. Waddell. THE FIRE AT MR. E. H. TAYLOR'S WORKS. Mr. Taylor asks us to convey his sincere thanks to the many bee-keepers and others with him in the heavy business trials which have recently fallen to his lot. He also wishes us to say that he is now again at full work, carrying on business in tem- porary premises close at hand, pending the erection of new workshops, etc. Writing on May 4, he says : — " I turned out the first hive (a ' W.B.C) yesterday, just seven days after the fire ! " We have no doubt Mr. Taylor's customers will also show their sympathy by bearing in mind that there will be no delay in the despatch of goods now ordered. 3n Shows to §amt A nominal charge of ts 6d. is made for notices i* this column, which rovers cott of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany order* for intertion. June 14 and 15, at Southend-on-Sea — Annua] Show of th? Essex Agricultural Society. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the Essex and Suffolk Beekeepers' Association. Classes open to the United Kingdom. Schedules from Mr. . G. R. Alder, Riwreth, Essex. Entries close May 31- June 27 to 30, at Park Koyal, London — Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanoyer-square, W. En- tries close May 15, or at extra fees up to May 29 July 13 and 14. at Grantham— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K. A. Fourteen classes. Liheral money prizes and silver medals. Schedules from R. Godson, Hon, Sec. Lines. B.K. A., Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries close June 13- July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Nnrthants B.K. A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single lib. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool.— Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. Sections, Extracted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery, Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Bee-Oulture, etc. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller-arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3. August 16. at Bishop Stortford — Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K. A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for hone}', including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entry to members. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. .sec, Brent Pelham, Bunting- ford, Herts. August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset — Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K. A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three lib. jars extracted honey and three lib. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis trict Horticultural Society— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six lib. jars extracted honey, and for six lib. sections ; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot alwaysbe replied to in the issueim- mediately following the receipt of their communications. F. W. H. (Devon). — Varieties of Heather. — Both sprigs of heather sent belong to the bell-heather class, one being the Erica cinerea, or bell heather, and the other is E. vulgaris. The first named is fairly good for bees, but does not nearly equal the Calluna vulgaris, or common heather, which is best of all for yield- ing good honey. v A. W. B. (Brain tree). — Drone-breeding Queens. — "The elongated cells," you mention contain drone-brood in worker- cells. There is no disease in comb, and the " very weak " condition in which the stock is stated to be will account for the 190 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 11, 1905. brood being chilled, through, lack of bees to keep it at the needful temperature for hatching out. E. S. (Overton, Ellesmere).— Young Bees Cast Out. — The dead bees sent are im- mature drones, not queens as suspected. It need not cause alarm to see such cast out occasionally at this season from strong stocks, as yours are stated to be. W. F. (Windsor). — Wax-moth in Hives. — The bee seen busy carrying a maggot out of hive and dropping it on the ground was doing useful work, the mag- got being a full-grown larvae of the wax- moth, Galhria cereana. W. H. H. (Methwold).— The Unique Ex- tractor.— We do not know the present address of maker of the above-named extractor, but have no doubt that it will be advertised in our pages, as usual every year when season for its use comes round. F. B. C. (Mitcham, Surrey). — Dark Honey Again Feared. — There is no reason to suppose that we shall have another sea- son of honey dew ; indeed, the outlook shows no sign of such. Cotswold (Cirencester). — Insect Nomen- clature.— Insect sent is a queen wasp. Heilent Cheil (Aberfeldy). — Building-up Stocks. — There is ample time between now and August to build up any stock — with an ordinarily good queen at its head — to full strength for your harvest. Should the bees be now short of stores, it will be necessary to feed at once- in your northern district. Thanks for Press cutting sent. W. D. H. (Chesterfield). — Transferring Bees from Skeps to Frame-hives. — Your best plan will be to let the bees transfer themselves to frame-hive according to> the full directions given on page 140 of "Guide Book." The proper season for operating is now with us, so there need now be no delay as the skep is strong in bees. G. R. A. (Rawreth).— Membership of B. K. Association.- — A person who, for trade purposes, represents himself as a mem- ber of a county association of which he is not, and never has been, a member, is trading under false pretences, and, in consequence, is amenable to the law which protects people against such prac- tices. F. E. R. (Walthamstow).— Moving Bees.— Bees may be moved with safety a dis- tance of thirty miles at any season of the year if properly prepared for the journey. Your original query was so worded that we dealt with it as a case of possible loss of bees owing to their returning to the old stand, which they will do if the distance is within one mile. Suspected Combs. F. L. (And over). — Dead brood in combs is chilled only, not foul. The young fully- matured bees, however, were alive, and several had already hatched out when comb reached us. P. (Warminster).— Comb is affected with foul brood. J. C. B. (Harrow-on-Hill). — Comb contains nothing worse than mouldy pollen. Jumbo (Knutsford). — No disease in comb. Cells are mainly filled with old mildewed pollen with minute numberless live in- sects known as pollen-mites. J. L. (Banbury). — Comb sent shows a bad case of foul brood. Bonus (Newark). — Comb sent is so badly diseased that we should destroy the whole contents of hive, bees and all, unless the latter are strong in numbers, which is more than doubtful. Nemo (Staffs). — Comb sent contains nothing but honey (or syrup) and pol- len ; no sign of brood at all. Honey Sample. Grip (Ellon, N.B.).— Sample of granu- lated honey is very good indeed. It is from white clover, and colour is quite as usual. The grain is, however, coarse and hard, a fault that could have been got over by an occasional stirring in bulk while liquid. *#* Some Queries and Replies, &c, are un- avoidably held over till next week. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve worde and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three words or under. One Penny. ORDERS TAKEN NOW for SWARMS, 12s. 6d., 13s. 6d. Three-Frame Stocks, with Fertile 1904 Queen, 12b. 6d — W. WOODg,^ormaady, Guildford. GOOD HOME OFFERED for useful Pony, temporary or permanent; very light work. References given.— "A.," "B. B. J." Office. QUEEN REARING.- Compressed cells, in Swarth- more wooden shells, Is. 3d. per dozen. Grace Cell Compressor, 5s. 6d. ; with rapid filler, Is. 6d. extra. Miniature Nuclei Boxes, to hold five frames, 6 x 5£j best for English climate, Is. 3d. each. Strong, and well painted.— GEARY, Barwell, Hinckley. QUEEN BEES of 1904. Can spare a couple, «of first- rate quality, at 4s. each.— CHARLES LODGE, High Easter, Chelmsford. h 27 BSERVATORY HIVE, 13s. Barstow Stone Filter, 13s. Or Exchange.— TATE, Throstle Nest, Hore- forth. H 26 PRIME NATURAL SWARMS, soon ready, from first class Bar Frame Colonies. Sent in Abbott's Swarm Boxes. Price 12s. 6d. and 15s. each. — PERCY WILKINS, Bee Farms, Wantage. E.25_ SWARMS.— Natural, healthy May and June, 8s., 10s., 12s., according to weight and season. Free on rail. Box returnable. Deposit. — PRESBYTERY APIARY, Marnhull, Dorset. H 24 STRONG, Healthy, Natural SWARMS, 12s. 6d. Safe arrival guaranteed. — CADMAN, Codsa.ll Wood, Wolverhampton. H 23 May 18, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 191 (Mitorial, $fotiaa, $x THE SHOW AT PARK ROYAL. EXTENSION OF TIME FOB CLOSING ENTRIES. We are very pleased at being enabled to state that the date for closing entries at the "Royal" Show in June next has been extended to May 29, at ordinary fees. This concession has been made with the view of enabling bee-keepers to take advantage of the improved weather condi- tions now prevailing, and give them an opportunity of coming forward and — shall we say? — winning prizes. For some days prior to the original date fixed (May 15) adverse weather has no doubt had the effect of checking entries very much, but with warmth and sunshine, such as is now causing honey to come in well, and with bees swarming — as reported in this issue — and a couple of weeks in hand, we trust that readers will show a little enter- prise, and send to Mr. Young for a sche- dule. Full particulars will be found in advertisement on opposite page, and it- should be remembered that the chances for amateurs owning a few hives to win on the show-bench are far greater at this time than at any other period of the year. MR. COWAN'S TOUR IN AMERICA. Referring to our Senior Editor's tour in America, we were very pleased to see in the May issue of Gleanings, just to hand, the following appreciatory notice from its editor, Mr. E. R. Root, of a call made by Mr. and Mrs. Cowan on their way to California : — DISTINGUISHED VISITORS AT MEDINA. " We have just had the pleasure of a visit, although a short one, from Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Wm. Cowan, of the British Bee Journal. They were on their way to their residence in California, from which they have been absent for some time. " Mr. Cowan needs almost no introduction to the readers of Gleanings. He is the in- ventor of the Cowan honey-extractor, and various other devices. Besides being the Editor of the British Bee Journal, and Chairman of the British Bee-keepers' Association, he is the author of the 'British Bee-keepers' Guide,' of which 50,000 copies have been printed in English alone. Not only this, it has been published in eight different languages. Notwithstand- ing our ABC book has had a larger aggregate sale in English, yet Mr. Cowan's ' Guide ' has the honour of being the only bee-book that is almost world-wide in its influence. " Mr. Cowan is also the author of a beau- tiful scientific work on "The Honey Bee.' This has gone through two editions, and, besides, is also printed in two or three dif- ferent languages. Mr. Cowan is, without doubt, not only the most widely-known bee- keeper, but the best-posted man on both scientific and practical apiculture in the world. Knowing this, American bee- keepers will always be glad to do him honour." — Gleanings (American). SURREY BEE KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the above association was held in the County Hall, Kingston, on Saturday, April 29. Mi\ William Welch, C.A., presided, and amongst others present were Messi's. A. Seth-Smith, chairman of the Executive Council, Walter F. Reid, A. H. Miller, G. M. Walker, J.P., C. T. Overton, A. Webster, T. Earl, J. Hunt, A. Watkin, A. E. C. Mumford, F. Ilatt, T. H. E. Watts-Silvester, J. Kaehler, Albert Green- slade, F. H. White, E. A. Stopford, J. R. Aubrey, W. Sole, and F. B. White, hon. secretary and treasurer. The Chairman, before commencing the business of the day, referred to the loss they had sustained in the death of Mr. E. J. Halsey, late Chairman of the County Council, and said Mr. Halsey had always taken a keen interest in technical educa- tion and in the bee and honey industry. He moved that a message of condolence be sent to Mrs. Halsey and the family. Mr. Seth-Smith seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously. The annual report stated that during the year 130 new members were enrolled, and, in spite of withdrawals, the total membership was now 643. In regard to technical instruction in bee-keep- ing, the executive reported the expendi- ture of the Surrey County Council grant of £150 in carrying out a course of lectures and demonstrations, and in providing ex- perts to visit and advise bee-keepers, etc., and were pleased to state that the grant was to be renewed for the present year. The following account of the work of the ex- perts was given : — Bee-keepers visited, 564 ; frame-hives examined, 2,708 ; skeps examined, 354 ; total stocks examined, 3,062. The balance-sheet showed a reserve fund of £93 0s. Id., while the balance standing to the good in the general fund was £15 14s. 9d. The Chairman spoke of the satisfactory nature of the report and balance-sheet, and moved their adoption. The motion was seconded and carried nem. con. Mr. Seth-Smith moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Surrey Education Committee for their grant of £150, and spoke of the enormous benefits which the grant be- stowed on the bee-keepers of Surrey. The 192 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 18, 1905. motion was carried, and Mr. G. M. Walker, a member of the Surrey Education Com- mittee, said they were trying to keep the education rate from going up any higher, but he was sure they would not do it at the expense of that grant of £150. The resolution was seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Walker, as a member of the Surrey Education Committee, thanked the mem- bers for the vote of thanks, and said he was sure, although the education rate in Surrey was mounting up, there would be no attempt to veto the grant of £150 to that association, because they felt it was money well spent. Votes of thanks were also passed to the retiring executive council ; and Mi". W. E. Reid, in acknowledging the vote, said the greater oart of the work was borne by their able secretary, and he thought no one could do the work better. Mr. Seth-Smith proposed a vote of thanks to the hon. secretary, and paid a high tribute to that gentleman's ability. The resolution having been unanimously adopted, Mr. White, in reply, said he had been connected with the association from its foundation, and had always taken the deepest interest in its welfare and success. He felt pleased to know they were at the top of the tree at the present time. The executive council were then .elected as follows. : ■ — Messrs. Archibald Seth- Smith, F. J. Bernau, W. A. Dawson, F. S. Fletcher, G. C. Halahan, John Kaehler, Joseph King, J. W. Lewis, A. H. Miller, W. F. Reid, W. Sole, E. A. Stopford, E. Walker, A. Watkin, T. H. E. Watts-Sil- vester, and F. B. White. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. (Hom^onimit The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate, pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *«.* 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 NOTES BY THE WAY. [5881.] We have had a spell of fine weather after May-day had passed, but the festive day in our village came in a perfect roarer. The Beedon children's garland was blown to pieces as they perambulated the village when "going a-Maying." Later on at became calm and bright, and since then the bees have fairly revelled in the sunshine and flowers. It has been a very great help in building up stocks, though the adverse weather in April left a, big leeway to make up ; because, be the weather ever so fine, it takes the same period to produce bees. I have heard of two swarms from stocks located in a valley near here — happily, bee-men who follow the advice of their fore- fathers : Always locate your hives in the shelter of a valley so that the bees may reach home easily when laden with honey and pollen. We on the higher ground have to wait patiently for swarms till towards the end of the month. The prospects for the season are far more promising than when I wrote last, the sunshine having made a great improvement in the grass crops. Vetches also are growing well, and the more forward fields will shortly provide good bee-forage, as will also the dandelion and trefoil — just showing a few blossoms. Sycamore and horse-chestnuts, too, are bursting into bloom, with many other flowers in the woods and waysides. Queen Wasps. — These seem to be plenti- ful this spring. One evening last week I killed thirteen in my home-apiary. They secure a lodging in roofs of the hives, and are easily killed in the gloaming. Turn up the hive-cover gently, and, when seen, crush them with a piece of wood. I have probably killed over fifty this season already. Spreadina Brood. — In doing this, careful note must be taken of the weather, condi- tion of bees, present size of brood-nest, and the capacity of hives. If stocks are grow- ing, and expanding their brood-nest rapidly and well, leave well alone. But where stocks, are not progressing so favourably, a little attention will often help them on. A frame of hatching brood may be given from an extra strong stock (where swarms are not wanted), replacing the removed frame with a full sheet of foundation (wired). This frame of brood should be placed right in Centre of stock requiring same ; and do not keep the hives open longer than absolutely necessary. Prepare racks of sections and boxes of shallow-comb for putting on hives as soon as the honey-flow starts ; always use ex- cluder zinc between brood-combs and shallow-combs, and if you have fully drawn- out sections in any quantity (especially if there are drone-cells in the section- combs), use an excluder, or they will prob- ably be spoilt with brood. Get hives ready for swarms, using full sheets of foundation, preferably " wired " ; but do not omit to embed the wire, not leaving it simply stretched across the frames, expecting the bees to do the rest. The aim of wiring is to prevent the " sag- May 18, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 193 ging,"1 so often found when done by a novice. If you have any needy stocks, see that they do not run short of foud just now. Strong stocks will store honey when weaker ones can hardly get a bare living ; there- fore, help the weaker stocks, the others can often take care of themselves. Swarms received from a long distance should be fed at once on arrival ; and those who wish to start well in bee-keeping should begin with new hives and prime swarms, with queens of the previous year, hived on full sheets of foundation. By so doing you will be on the royal road to success- —that is, if you give intelligent attention to your bees, and follow the instructions in the " Guide Book." — W. Woopley, Beedon, Newbury. MR. COWAN IN AMERICA. [5882.] After reading in the B.B.J. of April 13 of Mr. Cowan's* proposed trip to America, and that he would, on his way back, call at Philadelphia and pay xne a visit, it may be you can imagine how surprised and pleased I was to get a letter on the 22nd announcing his arrival at Boston the day before, and that he was coming on to Philadelphia two days later and hoped to see me on the following day. I made an early call at his hotel and was very glad to see him looking so well, and both Mrs. Cowan and himself so little changed since I saw them last some years ago. I was sorry to learn of their having had a rough passage across the Atlantic, but they seemed little the worse for it. It appeared that Mr. Cowan found he could arrange his tour better by taking Philadelphia first, then going on to Cleve- land, and breaking his journey of over 3,000 miles to the Pacific coast by stop- ping at Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. He then had only 125 miles further south to travel in order to reach "Pinehurst," his residence at Pacific Grove, California. We had a long and pleasant talk of old times and about old friends, regarding whom I had many inquiries to make. Mr. Cowan also conveyed to me the very kind message of greeting and good wishes from the annual meeting of the B.B.K. A. in March last, which I fully appreciate and thank .the members most heartily for. In the afternoon we went to the Penn- sylvania University and I introduced Mr. Cowan to Dr. E. P. Phillips, who is much interested in the anatomy of the bee, several of his articles having appeared in Gleanings. Unfortunately the Doctor was not in his laboratory when we made our call, and on going to his rooms, we found him kept indoors suffering from an eruption caused by his coming in contact with what is known as "poison ivy" when out botanising. He expressed his regret at being unable, in consequence, to show us his drawings and the work he was engaged upon. Dr. Phillips was, however, very much pleased with Mr. Cowan's splendid coloured drawings of the anatomy of the bee, which the latter had brought with him from England. Next day we journeyed out to Swarthmore and saw Mr. Pratt and his apiary. The weather having been very cold for some time, he had not com- menced queen-rearing, but he opened one of his hives — without any use of smoke — and after examining four frames covered with bees, Mr. Pratt found one of the beautiful golden queens from which he breeds quietly moving among the oees, none of which Were the least excited and made no attempt to fly. Mr. Pratt fully explained to Mr. Cowan his appliances and system of queen-rearing. We also saw some fine golden-coloured drones, and inspected the arrangement made for trap- ping the undesirable ones, without in the least interfering with the working of the bees, as is the case when the " xVlley " trap is used. Mr. Pratt, too, was much interested in Mr. Cowan's beautiful draw- ings of the bee. — John M. Hooker, Phila- .delphia, May 1. QUEEN REARING. [5883. ] " Swarthmore " Methods.^- Refer- ring to the article (Mr. J. M. Hooker's) in B.B.J, of May 4 (5872, page 174), I should also be pleased to know that our British bee-keepers are turning their attention to the " Swarthmore " methods. Personally, I confess to being surprised at the lack of interest shown. Should a discussion get up on the Foul Brood Bill, on the buying in of prize ex- hibits, the consequences are appalling. Lengthy epistles fill the B.B.J, to the ex- clusion of everything else, and misguided individuals belabour each other in print until, in the interest of suffering humanity, our Editors are compelled to call " Halt! " Yet, when an important method that may revolutionise the queen-rearing business is placed before us, how do we receive it ? With " torrents of criticism " ? Not a bit of it. Merely with chilly, insular indif- ference. In the face of such a reception, Mr. Hooker is to be congratulated on his persistency in keeping the subject well to the front in these pages, and it is to be hoped that the " Swarthmore" methods and section-nuclei will ge-t a thorough trial throughout our country this season. The Spring Examination, In many cases this has still to be seen to. December to March, inclusive, wex^e fairly mild, open months. The real winter, wdiich came with, 194 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 18, 1905. and monopolised, the month of April, put a stop to premature overhauling and feed- ing of stocks. Those bee-keepers who neglected their bees in autumn, and have been giving candy and syrup since February, have had a bad time, what with " dear sugar " and unfavourable weather. My own stocks have still plenty of stores, and are very forward for the time of year. This is particularly noticeable where win- tered in double-storied hives. The large frame colony is in excellent condition, covering ten " Quinby " frames and the stored shallow-frame super on top, also full of bees, which means that the stock covers considerably more than the equivalent of twenty standard frames. The amount of pollen carried in on favourable days is quite astonishing, and augurs well for a good yield of honey. The queen is taking care of this large brood-nest for the third season, and shows no sign of abating vigour, which I consider to be owing partly to inherent vitality, and also to the fact that she was reared in an extra powerful colony. All my other stocks are headed by last year's queens, but only one of them ap- proaches the strength of the large-frame colony. The one I refer to was wintered on eighteen standard frames of sealed stores. What the lower body-box is like I do not know as yet, but the upper storey is full, the raising of the quilt showing bees at all four corners. No feeding or manipulating has been done as yet, but the great heat beneath the quilts, and the activity displayed in pollen- gathering, are sufficient proof that all is well. Considering that our honey-flow is still six weeks distant, it becomes quite a pretty problem how to handle such stocks that they may not swarm prematurely and unexpectedly, and so dash our hopes to the ground.— J. M. E., Ussie Valley, May 12. A PERFECT SPRAY DIFFUSER. [5884.] A spray diffuser is essential to the up-to-date bee-keeper, whether for disinfecting or uniting purposes, but the great difficulty is to get a good one. All those which depend on Jiidia-rubber balls and connections, are of short life, and have to be con- tinually replaced. I have just been fortu- nate in finding a spray-diffuser which is simply perfection. It consists of a out- class container for the fluid, surmounted by a non-rustable metal top, of which a small force pump forms a part. It cannot very well get out of order, and throws a fine continuous spray to a good distance. rhere are no rubber parts, except the washer of the piston, and the washers used to exclude the air where the cap is screwed on to the bottle. It is a pleasure to use it. I got mine for 4s. 6d. from a hair-dresser ; the proper price is 6s. 6d. , but he had it in stock for a long time and sold it at a re- duction. It is certainly worth ten of the rubber-ball type, and being all in one piece is convenient to use. The season, so far, has been very bad for bees ; very cold and wet even here in Cornwall. W. J. Farmer, Redruth, May 4. ANOTHER EARLY SWARM. [5885.] Mrs. Wright would like to in- form the Editors of the B.B.J, that she had a swarm of bees from one of her hives at noon on May 6, and being so much farther north than Surrey, she would like to record it, as being; one day earlier than " an early swarm " mentioned on page 184 of B.B.J, for this week. — Flints, May 13, A MAY SWARM IN SCOTLAND. [5886.] I thought it might be of interest to readers of the B.B.J, to know that a strong swarm left one of my hives yester- day (May 13). Is this not very early for a swarm in Scotland? — J. M'l)., Dollar, N.B., May 14. [We very seldom hear of so early a swarm as the above so far north. — Eds.] (Correspondence continued on page 196.) HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS. The information, furnished in response to our request, is interesting and instruc- tive. Mr. Patey is evidently a bee-man of the right kind, and his notes need no addition from us :■ — " The photo sent shows a part of my apiary which is located in an orchard and contains at present fifty-eight colonies of bees, all in frame-hives. The building at the back is my house, and the open door and windows shown is the workshop, where I carry on the business of a boot maker. The main coach road, between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge runs along the front of house, but the bees have never been a cause of complaint, either from passers-by or neighbours. " I started bee-keeping seventeen years ago, and at that time knew nothing what- ever about their management. I had seen a neighbour cruelly, as I thought, consign a skepful of bees to the sulphur-pit as a reward for their industry. Having heard that the little labourers could be deprived of surplus honej/ without such cruelty, I determined to experiment. Purchasing a stock in a straw skep, I was eager to obtain some practical knowledge of the better way and was fortunate in hearing that there was an empty frame-hive for May 18, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 195 sale in the next village. This I purchased and got with it a dealer's catalogue in which I saw the ' Guide Book ' advertised, This I immediately procured, and read it through with interest several times over. " My bees swarmed in the following spring, and the swarm were duly hived in a skep, but this job was not quite so easily done as said in the book owing to my being very nervous at the time about getting stung. I had filled the frame-hive with full sheets of foundation, and in the evening, spreading a sheet on the ground, I placed the hive in position — duly propped up in front — and with much fear as to results, threw out the swarm on to the sheet with a jerk, and immediately scam- better job of it than with my first attempt. " My largest take of honey was in 1903, when I secured just one ton of surplus in about equal proportions of comb, and extracted from forty stocks. I have started several others in the craft, all of whom are now progressive bee-keepers, and own from six to twelve stocks, all of which are well managed and kept in good order. With regard to my own manage- ment, I have followed the advice regularly given in your pages and by leading con- tributors thereto ; I am also fortunate in never having had foul brood in or near my apiary. " Only myself is seen in photo, but my MR. HERBERT PATEY'S APIARY, CHILLINGTON, KINGSBRIDGE, DEVON. pered off to the workshop, from whence I saw the heap of bees quietly spread them- selves out, without taking wing, and begin to run steadily in the prepared hive like regiments of soldiers marching. I thus realised my foolishness in running away, for the bees did not seem to resent the rough treatment in the least. I got a rack of sections from this swarm that season. In the autumn I increased my stock by driving two lots of condemned bees — with- out having seen it done by any one before — and successfully feeding and building them up for winter. It speaks well for the instructions contained in ' Guide Book ' when I say that after having since driven a good many lots, I never made a good wife comes in for a considerable share of the bee-work, especially in preparing the sections for market. She can also shake a swarm and frequently heljDs me in many ways with the bees. " In concluding these rough notes, I see it is usual to add a few words referring to the personality of those whose bee- gardens are illustrated in our journal. In this line, therefore, I may say I hold the office of parish clerk, which office my grandfather and father held before me. I have also been a member of our Parish Council ever since its inception, and am Assessor and Collector of Income fax for the parish, so you will see I am a fairly busy man." 196 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 18, 1905. COBRESPONDENCE. (Continued from page 194 ) BEES AND PHILOSOPHY. [5887.] Mr. " W. J. F., Redruth," well deserves the gentle reproof added to his letter (5879, page 184) by the Editors last week. It seems to me that he spoils the pages of our Journal by expressing opi- nions onlv worthy of, and in fact suggested by, pagan philosophers of two thousand years ago. I think he might spare the infliction of such antiquated ideas on the simple and honest folk who form 'the greatest part of the B.B.J.'s readers. Be- fore he writes his next article, I would advise him to meditate a little on the words of Festus to St. Paul : " Much learning do Hi make theo mad" ; and then see whether his conscience allows him to add : " I speak words of truth and sober- ness." Happy are those who can have sections filled before tliQ time of the " Royal show." I have often heard of the honey coming from apole-blossoms being highly valued. But in this part of Devon we never have the chanee of getting sections filled or any extracted honey before the middle of July, although we have plenty of apple trees. Let us hope that the present year may prove an exception, as the outlook is so promising. I send name, and sign — Dom Maukus, Devon, May 15. SPRAYING BEErFORAGE. [5888.] In answer to your request for information on the above subject, in re- ply to query No. 3725 (page 178), char- lock, when in an advanced stage of growth (and in flower*), about 15 lb. of sulphate of copper, is added to 100 gallons of water, and generally 10 lb. of treacle is also mixed to give the dressing a sticky nature. Probably the bees go for the sweets, but I cannot say what effect sulphate of copper may have upon them ; although it is con- sidered by many people in the mining dis- trict of Cornwall that it is impossible to keep bees for any length of time owing to so much mineral being on the surface, which fouls the drinking water. This is especially the case with arsenic, which to my knowledge bees and wasps will take when in a pure state. This is quickly noticed by visiting the arsenic works of Cornwall. However, we may be en- iightened on my latter remarks by one of your contributors, who, I notice, is just moving his bees to Redruth, whe*'e copper phosphate is plentiful. — W. H. B., Corn- wall, May 9. (fhteries and Hfplks. [3739.] Making Artificial Swarms, ac- cording to "Guide Book." — I am much in- terested in the Bee Journal and monthly Record, both of which I take regularly, but being only a beginner, your advice with regard to the following will be very helpful. In Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book," chapter 15, dealing with artificial swarm- ing, we are told (on page 94) how to make three colonies from two ; but I am not quite clear with regard to the plan given, and therefore ask : 1. Is it a fact that when the swarm (artificial) is placed on the stand previously occupied by a strong stock, and this stock is removed to another position, bees belonging to the hive carried to a new stand will not return to the old position now held by the swarm ? The paragraph says : " Re- move another strong stock to a new stand." How far does this mean? It is only convenient for me to move my hives within a space of, say, twenty yards, and an expert tells me the bees would return to the old position. Should the move be made to a much greater distance, or how can it be done? 2. Do bees always take fresh bearings when in a new position ? Thanking you for anticipated reply. — G. H., Bedford. Reply. — If our correspondent will again read the directions given on page 94, and carry them out carefully, no such difficulty as he supposes will arise. As a matter of fact, it is the bees of " the strong stock removed to a new stand " that constitute the artificial swarm by returning to their old location. The new hive placed on the stand from which the strong stock was removed, contains only five frames of brood and several frames fitted with comb-foundation, but no bees at all. Therefore, until furnished with bees from the removed hive it cannot be occupied by an •'artificial swarm." [3740.] Transferring Bees. — I have two stocks of bees, one of which is a skep. I am transferring the bees of latter into a frame-hive by placing the skep over the top of frames. The bees in skep are a strong lot with a young queen ; the frame- hive lot is rather weak, and has a four-year- old queen. I should be very glad if you will tell me through your next issue of the B.B.J. : 1. How to make two strong stocks of them ? 2. How to re-queen the weaker lot, and the best time for so doing? I might say the skep was placed over the frame-hive on April 21 last. I send name, etc., for reference, and sign— H. G. R., Beccles, Suffolk. Reply. — The particulars furnished above May 18, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 197 leave us in the dark as to the present con- nection between the two stocks of bees. We must, therefore, ask for some further light before replying to your query. 1. Are the two stocks still working independent of each other, and through separate entrances ? We ask this because the two lots are dealt with as if this was the case. Yet we are told that the skep was placed above the top- bars of frame-hive so long ago as April 21. On the other hand, if it is desired that the bees in skep should transfer themselves to the frame-hive, as stated, there will only be one stock (not two) to deal with. Please clear this up, and we will then reply to query. [3741.] Queen Killed when Supcring. ■ — I should be glad if you can tell me some- thing about enclosed dead queen. Is she young or old, pure or hybrid, and if the latter how crossed ? I am anxious to know this as I found her to> be a most prolific and good-tempered queen. I was unfortu- nate enough to accidentally crush her between the end of frame and body- box — which latter was packed full of brood on ten frames — while scraping the top-bars previous to putting on a rack of sections. This is my first bit of bad luck for the season, all my hives — nine in number — having come through the winter all right. — F. J. G., Sidmouth, May 12. Reply. — The dead queen sent is ap- parently an adult — not very young, and certainly not old. There is no trace of foreign blood at all, just the ordinary common brown bee of this country, such as are not seldom found to possess all the qualities named without being a bit showy either in appearance or size. It is a great pity to have her killed while doing so well. [3742.] Dealing with Qucenless Stocks in May. — On looking through my hives again to-day, I was sorry to find one stock queenless. They are a splendid lot of bees with plenty of honey in store, so it would be a pity to lose them. I therefore ask : 1. Would you advise me to take a frame from another stock — in which is a queen-cell, and young queen will soon be ready to hatch out — and give it to the queenless lot ? 2. If the above • proposal is carried out would it be likely to stop the bees of the hive from which the young queen is removed from swarming? An answer giving your opinion of the above will much oblige.— W. E. O, Portmore, Weymouth, May 11. Reply. — 1. The mention of bees in hive now queenless being " a splendid lot " conveys the impression that the colony referred to has not been long queenless; and this view is strengthened when you allude to " looking through the hive again to-day," thus implying that it was all right not long ago. If this be so, there should be some visible signs of the bees having attempted to raise a successor to replace the lost parent-queen ; but no mention is made of any such signs. However, if we are right in our conclusions on the point, by all means remove the frame with queen- cell as proposed, and the bees should allow the young queen to hatch out all right. 2. Swarming in the second stock will not be stopped or delayed so long as there are other perfect queen- cells in the hive besides the one taken away. [3743.] Effects of Cold Nights on Brood in Hives. — Will you kindly let me know through the B.B.J, if the enclosed comb is affected with foul brood ? We have had some very cold nights here of late, and I am therefore hoping it is chilled brood only. The stock I took the comb from is veiy strong in bees, and most of the eleven frames of comb are covered with eggs and brood. Your kind reply will be esteemed by an old subscriber. — W. E. S., Worcester, May 13. Reply. — There is no doubt that the brood in comb, which had readied the nymph state before death, had died from cold or " chill," but in some of the younger larvse we*find slight signs of foul brood in the incipient stage. We advise keeping a care- ful watch on the way sealed brood hatches out, or fails to do so. The bees are stated to be very strong, and field-forage is now available ; the stock may, therefore, get over the trouble without the need for taking drastic measm-es. [3744.] Transferring from Skep to Frame- hive. — Will you be so good as to give me your valuable advice on the following matter? — I have been transferring bees from skep into a frame-hive in the manner described in the "Guide Book." The queen having gone down, I have now put on an excluder and replaced the skep. While doing so I noticed a considerable amount of drone-brood in the latter. Now, with the excluder on, the drones are imprisoned in the skep, and it seems to me that there they must remain so until either they die (and even then their bodies are still there), or I remove the skep entirely, which I hope to do about the end of June. I therefore ask : 1. Will it do any harm to leave them until that date? It seems to be rather roucrh on the poor drones to shut them up. 2. Is it usual to find more drones in a skep than in a frame-hive? Thanking you for an answer, I enclose name, etc., and sign — Larbee, Sidcup, Kent. Reply. — 1. If the bees have completely transferred their brood-nest below2 and queen has plenty of room for egg-laying in the combs of frame-hive, we should remove 198 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 18, 1905. the excluder without delay. There is only a very remote chance of the queen passing into the skep now that honey is beginning to come in ; and the bees will get on better if drones are liberated. 2. Yes ; because the advanced bee-keeper takes measures to limit the number of drones to a small num- ber, while the skeppist leaves it to the bees themselves. [3745.] Fertilisation of Queen Bees in Con- finement.— Will you kindly tell me whether there is any recognised method of fertilis- ing queens by selected drones, or can you refer me to any book which deals with the subject specially? I have read what is written on the subject of " Fertilisation in Confinement," by Cheshire, Quinby, Lang- stroth, and Root, and I conclude that the whole subject of select fertilisation is still in the experimental stage. But I am led to ask the question, because of the frequent references I find in chapters on Parthono- genesis in the standard bee-books to cross fertilisation between a queen of one race and a drone of another ; and I would very much like to know whether there is any practical way of determining this cross fertilisation otherwise than by its here- ditary effects. — E. G., Maidenhead, May 13. Reply. — Notwithstanding all that has been written and said with regard to the fer- tilisation of queen bees, in confinement, we fear the question is no nearer to practical solution than it was ten or fifteen years ago. The subject is of much interest to bee-keepers, no doubt, and it has been taken up by able men in America, since the authorities you name were in evidence. But the experimental stage has still to be passed, and, personally, we have very little hope of any really useful method being devised for securing the object in view. [3746.] Starting Bee-keeping. — I want to take up bee-keeping as a hobby, and thought perhaps you would know of some bee-keeper in this neighbourhood of whom I could beg a little advice and instruction. At present I know nothing whatever of the art, and possess nothing connected with the craft. I must get a hive and bees, but should be much obliged if you would ad- vise me how best to start. I have Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book " and the current number of the B.B.J., but no more. — J. R. W., Ripley, Surrey, May 10. Reply. — We think your best course will be to become a member of the Surrey Bee-keepers' Association, the hon. secre- tary of which would put you in the way of making a start on proper lines. He would also give you help by sending an expert to advise you if necessary. Address: "Mr. F. B. White, Hon. Sec. Surrey B.K.A., Marden House, Redhill." [3747.] Making Artificial Swarms.-^ Would you kindly answer following : We have four strong stocks of bees, from which we wish to make artificial swarms next week, weather permitting. Could we take queens away from swarms at time of swarming, and give ripe queen-cells at the same time, as to stock hives ? We bought these stocks last year in skeps, and con- sequently do not know age of queens. We have a nucleus-hive, rearing queens, the frames of which were taken from a stock having last year's queen. We follow "Guide Book" in all particulars, but cannot find any answer to above. We send name, etc., for reference. — Geo. A. and J. W. D., Leices- ter, May 6. Reply. — It is not stated which of the three methods of making artificial swarms given in " Guide Book " you propose to follow ; and we, therefore, cannot give precise directions. We may, however, say that ripe queen-cells should only be given to bees that have been deprived of their queens and left to raise another from brood in their hive. In this case also the cells should not be given till the second day after the operations, or the bees may tear the cell down and destroy its inmate. [3748.] Granulation of Honey. — I have noticed in the market a thick, white honey, which seems to be in a half-crystallised condition and is not so sweet as the ordi- nary liquid honey in the combs;. Having just started bee-keeping I am anxious to know by what process the above results may be obtained. Hasi the honey to be kept a year, exposed or sealed up ? as, without chemical process, this seems the only possible way. I should be much obliged if you or some of your readers, could help me obtain the desired results. —J. F. J. W. , Edgbaston, May 13. Reply. — We should like to see a sample of the honey referred to before giving an opinion with regard to its " half-crystal- lised condition." It is not easy to judge honey from description given by a beginner in bee-keeping, but will be very pleased to say what our view is if sample is sent. Altrincham, Cheshire, May 8. — The sycamore trees are now bursting into bloom, and bees will soon have a continu- ous forage-ground. Nine frames brood (fourteen sides) was the good total of two splendid stocks examined in Stockport and Northenden district last week. Colonies headed by young queens are, as a rule, rather backward in condition. Splendid May 18, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 199 weather prevails, and the mornings are made merry with the songs of our feathered friends, amongst which are the somewhat long-delayed notes of the cuckoo.. — J as. Waddell, Expert (on tour). >hoxtiB to §mt A nominal charge of Ss. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which coven cost of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany order* for insertion. June 8 to 12, at Bournemouth, Hants- Show of Honey, Hives, etc., in connection, with Royal Counties Agricultural Society's Show. For schedules apply E. H. Bellairs, Christchuroh, Hants. Entries close June 3- June 14 and 15, at Southend-on-Sea — Annual Show of the Essex Agricultural Society. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the Essex and Suffolk Beekeepers' Association. Classes open to the United Kingdom-. Schedules from Mr. G. R. Alder, Rawreth, Essex. Entries close May 31. June 27 to 30, at Park Koyal, London- Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanover-square, W. En- tries close May 29, at ordinary fees July 13 and 14, at Grantham.— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K.A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Schedules from R. Godson, Hon, Sec. Lines. 'B.K. A., Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries close June 13- July 19, at "Wallop, Hants —Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 12 July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single lib. jar honey. {Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool-— Ann»al Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with Bilver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. Sections, Extracted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery, Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Be«-Oulture, etc. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller-arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3. August 16, at Bishop Stortf ord — Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- • bers," with free entry to members. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Bunting- ford, Herts. August 16, at Wye-— Kent Honey Show Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, 1-lb. jar light extracted honey, lib. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstration^ and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11- August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society. — Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. Letters or queries asking Jor addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issueim- mediately following the receipt of their communications. H. J. P. (Pontypridd). — Queens Not Lay- ing in Spring. — Experts' Certificates. — 1. It is impossible for us to tell why the queen has not begun to lay without having some particulars to guide us in forming an opinion. You had better inquire of the gentleman from whom the queen was purchased, and who is now sending a second queen to replace the non-laying one. 2. A considerable amount of practical knowledge regarding bees and bee-keeping is indispensable before an expert's certificate of the B.B.K.A. can be gained. Write to the sec. (Mr. E. H. Young, 12, Hanover Square, London) for particulars and names of books to be studied when pre- paring for the examination. J. M. B. (Cornwall). — Damaged Combs in Hive. — Judging by photo the damage appears to have been done by mice. Yet we do not usually susjject these little animals of eating bees ! Anyway, it seems clear that a good number of bees had died in the cells (head-fore- most), as they do when foodless, and the bee-enemy, whatever that may be, has made several meals off the remains. H. J. C. (Shalfont). — Homes of the Honey- bee.— The Rev. R. M. Lamb's apiary was illustrated in B.B.J, of July 28 last year. His address is Burton Pidsea Rectory, near Hull, Yorks. W. L. (Coventry). — Joining B.K. Asso- ciations.— 1. The Hon. Sec. of the War- wickshire B.K.A. is Mr. J. Noble Bower, Knowle. 2. We advise you not to paint the inside <>f extractor: 3. Bee sent was smashed out of recognition in post through unsafe packing. Cakbon (Co. Durham)— Bee Nomenclature. — The wild bee sent is a male of Osmia rufa. There are several species of Osmia native to England ; 0. rufa is the most abundant and most widely distributed of them. It generally nests in holes in the ground ; other species nest in holes in wooden posts, and 0. auruhnta, a very 200 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 18, 1905. beautiful species, common in some chalky districts in the southern and eastern counties, nests in empty snail shells. The bees of this genus collect pollen on a brush on the under surface of the abdomen and not on the hind legs as most other wild bees do. — [F.W. L. S.] Novice (Bridge of Allan). — Cutting Out Queen-cells to Prevent Swarming. — This operation cannot be regulated to a given day, but must be undertaken whenever the bees threaten to swarm. In other words, sometimes the bees will give up the idea of swarming after queen-cells have once been removed, and at other times they will swarm in spite of repeated cutting-out of cells. R. N. C. (Boston).— Honey Vinegar.— The Rev G. W. Bancks's pamphlet on the above can be had from this office, post free, for 2^d. in stamps. F. R. S. (Bungay). — Pollen-mites in Combs. — The minute white insects are pollen-mites. They breed in combs con- taining pollen, and gradually turn it into dust as stated. If you can clear the combs from the pollen debris and mites they may be used again in the hive. Suspected Combs. C. F. M.-M. (Alford, Lines,).— Comb sent is clean and quite free from disease, the cells containing nothing worse than hard, mouldy pollen ; but, being almost wholly drone-comb, it is useless in the hive, and all such should be melted down for wax. H. G. R. (Suffolk).— Your sample must have miscarried in post, as it cannot be traced. It is also impossible for us to undertake to send post replies to queries. Willow (Ayrshire). — There is no foul brood in either sample of comb sent ; both contain chilled brood only. A. W. (Sutton Coldfield).— 1. Comb shows a bad case of foul brood. 2. It is auite possible that the hive from which comb has been cut may have been free from disease at end of last August; but the worst cells are certainly not brood from eggs laid this year. D. L. J. (Suffolk).— Foul brood is just be- ginning to show itself in comb sent. This is less regrettable than it might have been, as the stock is evidently headed by a drone-breeding queen. J. R. (Erith, Kent).— Comb is very badly affected with foul brood, and you have done quite right in " burning the lot ! " J. T. (Hatfield Peverel). — There are dis- tinct signs of foul brood in comb, but it does not appear to be a bad case ; indeed, most of the brood in sealed cells would have hatched out if left in the hive. The comb, however, is faulty, old, and mis-shapen, with too many cross- built drone-cells in it. No such combs should be tolerated in a frame-hive and ought to be replaced by straight ones, built out from full sheets of foundation. Persevering (Bristol)". — 1. Comb shows slight signs of foul brood. 2. The dis- tinctive difference between foul brood and " chilled " brood is that the larva in latter, after death, becomes grey and then black in colour without losing its crescent shape, while the larva which dies from foul brood changes from pearly-white to a light buff colour, later on turning to brown ; not only so, but the larva becomes extended and flabby-looking in the cell when it dies. There are also other indications as seen in the illustration on page 146 of "Guide Book," which work should be studied by all who desire an insight into the bee-pest known as Bacillus alvei, or foul brood. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve words and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three words or under, One Penny, NATURAL SWARMS soon ready, only four or five can, be spared, 10®. 6d. to 12s. 6d., according to season and weight. Free on rail. Deposit with order. — MALE,, Brooklands, Oottenham, Camhs. h 51 FOR SALE, cog-geared Uodman'e 24s. HONEY EX- TRACTOR, with handles and honey tap ; good condition. Price 15s. — H. SAMWAYS, Maesvbont, Llandebie, R.S.O. H 50 1 STOCK OF BEES, very strong, eight frames, per fectly healthy, 17s. 6d— HAYES, Durham County Asylum, Wiriterton, near Ferryhill. H 52 WANJED, FOUR strong MAY SWARMS. — W. WALKER, Plas Llyssyn, Carno, Montgomery- shire. H 49 5 STRONG STOCKS of BEES, on eight Standard frames, eadli comb worked from full streets Weed foundation, 1904 Queens, guaranteed healthy, 20s. each. — J. J. HARDING, Trimdon, Trimdon Grange, Durham. H 48 IX GRAND STOCKS, in Skeps, in sound condition, 15s.— BRADSHAW, Allerston, Pickering. H. 47 s G OOD Second-hand Standard HIVES, 6s. 6d.„ car- riage paid.— REV. JARVIS, Coleford, Glos. h 46 4J1IN. x 4iin. GLASS, 2s. per gross. Opiate 4 mahogany Magazine Hand Camera, com- plete, 10s. 6d. ; or exchange Italians.— HANNAM,, 70, Highgate Road, Birmingham. H 45 T710R SALE, FIVE WOODEN HIVES, fitted with lb. J; sections'; good condition; £2 2s., or 10s. each. — Apply BURROWS, Elm House, North Town, Maiden- head. H 44 EXCHANGE, FLUTE, ebony case, silver mounts (cost £2), for strong stock of Italians or Hybrid Bees. Sell 30s. — ALBERT GITTINGS, 2, Saunders Road. Plumstead. H 43 NEW, cane-bound, straw SKEPS, 14i x 9 14s. per dozen. Best made Skeps in England.— PEVERKUX. Shillington., Hiiohin. H 42 FOR SALE, 30 STOCKS of Carniolan Black Hybrids. Orders accepted' as received. Eight Frames of Bees, brood, fertile 1904 Queen, and food. All combs- worked from full wired sheets foundation in patent fitting frames. Guaranteed healthy. Travelling case to be returned. Free on rail, 18s. each. Ten Frames, Hive, and two Orates, complete, 30s.— SHAW, Sedge- field, Co. Durham. H 41 May 25, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 201 BEITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATTON The monthly meeting of the Council was held at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on Wed- nesday, 17th inst., Mr. T. I. Weston occupying the chair. There were also present Miss Gayton, Dr. Elliot, Messrs. W. B. Carr, A. G. Pugh, W. F. Reid, W. Sole, E. Walker, W. Woodley, and the secretary. Letters expressing regret at in- ability to attend were received from Col. Walker, Messrs. L. Belsham, T. Bevan, W. H. Harris, J. B. Lamb, and F. W. L. Sladen. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following were duly elected tu mem- bership, viz. :— Mr. Harold Bevan, The Boltons, Sidcup ; Mr. James Howland, Brampton, Huntingdonshire ; Mr. F. W. Hunt, Lanercombe Villa, Tipton St. Johns, Devon ; Mr. H. J. Offer, 32, Orchard Road, Kingston-on-Thames ; Huntingdonshire B.K. Association, hon. secretary, Mr. S. Watts, Prospect House, Godmanchester, Hunts. Messrs. W. Broughton Carr and T. I. Weston were appointed to act as examiners of candidates for Third-class Expert Certifi- cates at Park Royal on June 28 and 29 next. In consequence of the cold weather experi- enced during April and early in the present month, it was decided to extend the date for receiving entries at ordinary fees for the Royal Show till Monday, the 29th inst. Three candidates for first-class diplomas attended and delivered before the Council impromptu lectures on the subject set for the purpose. A meeting of the Bee-pest Legislation Committee was subsequently held, when the secretary presented a statement of re- plies for and against the proposed Bill. As there are still several associations from whose officials no decision has yet been notified, it was decided that a further letter be sent asking for information prior to the next meeting, when the Committee propose to summarise the evidence ob- tained, for presentation to the Board of Agriculture. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday, June 21. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good jaith. Illustrations should be drawn ,on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. AMONG THE BEES. A NOVELTY IN BEE-HIVES. [5889.] Nearly three years ago I drew attention, 4775, to a new patent hive about to be launched on the market by Mr. A. Reid, a prominent Ross-shire bee- keeper, but the inventor was then content to take out his patent and await results. He has since fully tested its capabilities, and now, confident of its good points, in- tends to give it to the public. Some of its salient features may be described now, but more will be heard of it soon, as it will be advertised in the Journal, and no doubt described and illustrated among the "Novelties for 1905." Main Entrance. — This is unique of its kind and differs, I think, from anything hitherto in use in hive-construction. It is really a greatly enlarged porch or funnel-shaped chamber leading to a point about the centre of the hive, so that the bees really enter from below, and just at the back of their brood-chamber. An easily adjustable shutter allows the full force of bees to be thrown into the back or front divisions of the twenty frames the hive is capable of accommodating on the ground floor, from front to rear ; and the inventor claims that he has here a power at his command to check or eliminate the swarming instinct, as bees are at his pleasure almost forced to store or breed just where he desires they should. Some further advantages claimed for this novel style of entrances is that they are a great saving of bee-life in windy weather, as bees on slowing down on the homeward journey, are at once in a haven of rest. They invariably alight well forward, and so never get chilled by falling on the cold ground. In winter-time the entrances are not exposed to the glare of the sun when snow is on the ground, so that shade- boards are dispensed with, and yet the lives of many bees are saved. Front Entrances. — These can be used, if desired, as means of egress, but their chief advantage is as a means of checking swarming. Drones are a fertile source for generating the impulse. By these exits, while bees pass out and in freely through the excluder-zinc, drones are compelled to seek a passage out through a cone which hinders their return to the hive. They are thus trapped and at the mercy of the bee-keeper. By this front 202 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 25, 1905. entrance, too, ventilation can be given winter or summer, and the amount is at the will of their owner, while, by a simple contrivance, bees can clear the floor-board of all debris in winter and spring. But the chief benefit derived from these en- trances is the controlling of swarming. They are really queen-traps, and hinder her majesty's exit with a swarm. Or better still, they can be made swarm- catchers, because by an ingenious arrange- ment or modification of plans hitherto only partially successful, Mr. Reid main- tains that he can get the queen and swarm to hive themselves in a receptacle placed above the brood-frames. Of course all these extra appliances are easily detach- able, but the idea is to leave them on permanently, as they are rather an offset to the hive. Side Entrances. — A third set of en- trances are provided at the sides. These are to be used when forming nuclei, when the queen with a limited number of frames is shifted back, before the heather harvest, for the bees to raise a young queen, or when the hive is used for four stocks, as it can be when required. These side-entrances are then generally the only means of exit and entrance, although, if desired, bees can be provided with egress by the main entrance. Managed thus, the whole set of twenty frames, or double that number for a powerful double lot, can be supered in common, and managed with a perforated dummy between on the " Wells " plan. In the height of the season, when swarming is over, bees may be allowed the free use of all three entrances. Frames and Hive Body. — There is no body-box. Frames are close-ended and the first tier rests on the floor-board, other chambers again resting on these ; and all in brood-body and surplus-cham- bers are the same pattern and inter- changeable. While ten may form an ample brood-body in early spring, at least twenty are used later. They are, however, only 6^ in. in depth, but it must be understood the depth of brood-body is double this size. In working for extracted honey frames similar in every respect are used ; but when comb-honey is desired a section-frame with three divisions is pro- vided. The Lower Chamber. — The peculiar con- struction of the main entrance compels a large space being below the floorboard, and this has been utilised as a store cup- board, affording ample room for storing reserve racks of sections or supering frames until they are required above ^mod-body, and they have the merit of being always at hand when needed. But fcfye chief advantage of this space is the facility it gives for clearing bees from all surplus-chambers during the honey har- vest. By a simple arrangement bees are allowed to join the home-coming foragers as they make their way from the fields, so that supers are cleared in the shortest of time without any bee-escapes. Several other features of the hive will be noted later.— D. M. M., Banff. " HOW TO INCREASE OUR STOCKS WHILE CONTROLLING SWAItMING. " [5890.] Under this heading is a very in- teresting article in Gleanings of April 15, 1905, by Mr. E. W. Alexander, of Delauson, N.Y., IJ.S.A. Mr. Alexander is one of the largest and most successful honey-pro- ducers in the United States. For over forty years, he says, he has read every- thing connected with bee-keeping. One year he lost 500 colonies that had gathered honeydew. Another year, " black brood " destroyed over 1,000 colonies for him ; and at another time his home and nearly all his bees were destroyed by fire, and he had only a small insurance. Not discouraged by all this, he has, by perseverance, made a grand success, of the business. The lo- cality in which he lives is an exceptionally good one for bee-keeping (not to be sur- passed by any in the United States), where clover, basswood, and buckwheat thrive and give an almost continuous honey- supply. The following is an extract from his article : — "After studying this subject for many years, and trying everything I could think of to prevent the loss of brood in making our increase, and, at the same time, avoid the' loss of time in fussing with nu- clei, and at all times keeping every colony in good condition, to take advantage of any unexpected harvest that might come, I hit on what I consider the most practical way of making increase of anything I have ever tried or heard of. It is this : Go to the colony you wish to divide ; lift it from its stand, and mit in its place a hive containing frames of comb or full sheets of foundation. Now remove the centre comb of this hive and put in its place a frame of brood from the hive you wish to divide ; and be sure you find the queen and put her on this frame of brood in the new hive. Now put a queen-excluder honey-board on top of this new hive that contains the queen and frame of! brood with the empty combs ; then set the old queen - less colony on top of excluder ; put the frame of foundation in the place of that taken from old colony, and close ur> the hives except the entrance. Now leave them ten or eleven days, during which time the queen will get a fine lot of brood started in the lower hive, and every egg and particle of larva that was in the old hive May 25, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 203 on top will be capped over and saved. Then separate them, putting the old hive on a new stand. It will then be full of mostly young bees and capped brood, and in about twenty-four hours they will accept a ripe cell, a virgin queen, or laying queen, as they will realise they are hopelessly queen- less. I would advise you to give them a laying queen, as' I never like to keep my full colonies a day longer without a oueen than I can help. In this way, you have two strong colonies from one, and you have not lost a particle of brood or checked the laying of your queen ; and with me it al- most wholly prevents swarming. This is the way we have made our increase for several years, and we like it much better than anything else we have ever tried. In so doing you keep all your colonies strong during the whole summer, and it is the strong colonies that count in giving us our surplus. " In making your increase in the above way, your new swarm on the old stand is in fine condition to receive a crate of sec- tions, as it has a large working force) backed up by having its hive nearly full of brood and but little honey, as the bees have been in the habit of storing their honey in the old hive that wasi on top, so they will soon go to work in the sections and have no notion of swarming. " From an extensive experience along this line, I find I can get nearly twice the amount of surplus by dividing as above- stated over what I was able to acquire either by letting them go undivided or dividing in a way that caused the loss of a greater part of the brood. This losing of brood we must guard against at all times, if we expect to secure a fine surplus. It costs both time and honey to produce it, and it is the principal factor in obtaining those strong colonies that give us ions of honey. Far too many bee-keepers think that the value of their apiary consists, in the number of the colonies they keep. This is so only to a certain extent ; for if you had 1,000 colonies and they were all weak in bees so they would give you no surplus, they would not be worth as much as one good strong colony, that would give you two or three hundred pounds of honey." Many hives and appliances have been in- troduced to prevent the loss of swarms, but, so far as I know, none have been entirely satisfactory. This plan of Mr. Alexander's is very simple. No outlay is required for additional appliances, and, I feel sure, will in most cases do away with the swarming . impulse ; at the same time, we can double the number of our colonies and increase your harvest of honey. Of course, this should not be attempted until the old colony is strong in bees and there is a fair amount of brood in the combs. Many of your readers may not have the opportunity of seeing Gleanings, and it is that such may have the means of trying tliis system that I have made a condensed extract of the essential portions, so as to enable those who have the desire to put it in practice. — John M. Hooker, Phila- delphia, May 10. FOUL BROOD AND THE BEE-RACE. [5891.] The question raised by Mr. W-. J. Farmer (5675, page 177), ""Why has not Foul Brood extinguished the Bee- race?" is very pertinent, and, personally, I should like to see this thoroughly dis- cussed in the pages of the B.B.J. , be- cause I think that in attempting to an- swer it we shall probably upset some of the theories on foul brood. In the article No. 5879, page 184, "W. J. F." says: — "Our twentieth cen- tury, with all its progress, is merely in the stage of childhood," etc. I venture to say that we are not yet past the stage of the protoplasm as regards our material progress with the Bacillus alvei, and that the age we live in is artificial as regards almost everything. We speak of the McEvoy plan of curing foul brood — by starvation ; the Leaflet No. 32 plan of cure ( ?) — by destruction ; the disinfectant cures, but where is there a plan as effi- cacious as the taking up of stocks yearly by the sulphur pit as practised by our grandparents (which I do not advocate)? Nowhere ! For we have simply split or divided ourselves into spores in our pro- gress from the bacillus. My opinion is that the modern system of bee-keeping, as generally practised, with its old combs, queens, quilts, and the expert visits, is the means of propagating and spreading disease, far more than the ancient straw skep svstem of swarms, new queens, and occasionallv new hives or skeps. This ancient system may be the reason why the bee-race has not been extin- guished. Nor do I think that foul brood is on the decrease, or will decrease, until the law interferes, or an unheard-of sys- tem arrives which will arrest the progress of this scourge. If either of these are not within measurable distance, the time will surely arrive when bees in England will be kept with great difficulty, for now already whole villages, one after another, are stricken with the disease. That time is hastened by the increase of population, the sale of diseased bees and appliances, experts' visits, and bad honey-seasons. It will be admitted that the number of bee-keepers show a large increase yearly, and that there are very few villages in England that cannot boast of a bee-hive. In the struggle for existence the fittest will survive — viz., foul brood, since it is 204 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 25, 1905. almost indestructible and increases at a prodigious rate. On the other hand, the natural life of the bee is compassed within the space of six weeks, and this ensures its self-destruction in that time. If Mr. Loveday admits the above, his argument in effect is that the bee-race is doomed ! — T. W. Swabey, Lincoln, May 15. BEES AND PHILOSOPHY. [5892.] I must ask to be allowed to pro- test against the unwarranted remarks of your correspondent " Dom Maurus " (5887, page 196), who apparently holds the belief that Ms own views are absolutely correct, and that the B.B.J, is spoiled by anything inserted to the contrary. For my part, I seek the absolute truth, whether in bee-knowledge or otherwise, and I read with the most careful and tolerant attitude even those articles in which I am strongly opposed. I am glad that the B.B.J, admits even the ideas of " Dom Maurus," for a journal of the kind would not be well conducted if it only ad- mitted sectional views. In these days of general freedom, " Dom Maurus" — who would like all views sup- pressed but his own — must be often sadly ti-oubled to find himself contradicted, and if he wishes to escape from the ideas that vex him he must confine his reading to the dictionary and even there he will find " contradiction." I have written articles for the general Press, and I edit a small paper myself, but have never in my life resented hostile criticism — I welcome it ; but I do most strongly object to the idea that either my views or those of other people, good or bad, should be suppressed. If any cause fears criticism it is a plain confession of error on its part, for the truth fears no foe whatever. The man who does not study in as many directions as he is able will not have cor- rect views, and it is unwise for any man to pin his faith to any one teacher. Science demands facts, not beliefs. Science means exact knowledge, nothing more nor less. I plead for an experimental apiary in order that we may obtain that exact knowledge. I see nothing foolish in that, nor can I see that it is impossible to get such an apiary, though it may be difficult, and I see no- thing impossible in the way of breeding a foul -proof race of bees. The word impossible is not used by those who know how many " impossible " things have already been accomplished. I am not objecting to the editorial remark that the Government is difficult to move. I know that the statement is correct, but we need not abandon hope. I think foul-brood legislation is prema- ture until after more exhaustive research has been made, and I positively cannot see that foul brood will be wiped out while bees remain liable to it, and the germ re- mains indestructible. We must either find means to destroy the germ, or else of making bees immune. I am not ashamed of my views, and in proof thereof, beg to' sign my full name and address for publication. — W. J. Farmer, 17, South Trefusis Road, Redruth. [We have not deleted many lines from either of the two preceding letters, though they both clearly travel somewhat wide of our mission as a journal devoted exclu- sively to the subject of bee-keeping. But, having gone so far, we must ask our corre- spondents to bear in mind the fact that discussion on theological questions is a subject we cannot devote space to. We therefore hope all our good friends will remember this when favouring us with their contributions. Our paper should know no "ism"" but bee journalism, nor any politics but bee politics, and even within these narrow limits we unfor- tunately get enough and to spare of acrimonious contention,' very trying at times, as our readers well know. — Eds.] NOTES FROM NEWMARKET. Why has foul brood not extinguished BEES? [5893.] Mr. Farmer asks this question on p. 177, and on p. 183 Mr. Loveday essays an answer thereto. But, in my opinion, his shaft goes very wide of the mark. Long, long before "Sad Arislseus from fair Tempe fled, His bees by famine and diseases dead," foul brood must have been a scourge to the Pelasgian bee-keeper, and were there any substratum of fact in Mr. Loveday' s theory, the bee-race must have become extinct long before man became aware of the bac- terial origin of diseases and the methods of combating them. The race has survived, not by the agency of human over-lordship, nor by the isolation of intervening Saharas, but simply by the operation of the law of Nature known as the " survival of the fittest." The fight between Bacillus alvei and the bee is a fight between two vital organisms, the survival of the one in- volving the extinction of the other — and here, as everywhere, it is the stronger that prevails. Hence it is that we must look to the maintenance and increase of the vigour of the race by means of judicious and scientific breeding, and, at the same time, cultivating; those disease-resisting qualities innate in the bee as in every other living creature ; this is one of our greatest safeguards against foul brood. — Charles H. Bocock, Ashley Apiaries, May 20. (Correspondence continued on page 206.) May 25, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 205 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OTTE READERS. Since the following notes were written descriptive of our friend Mr. Hood's out- apiary at Pickering, he sends a line to say- he has disposed of the apiary shown, and made arrangements for removal of his resi- dence to Whitby, Yorks, where he will be in a better position for the bee and honey- trade on a larger scale than before. All this only tends to show that he has not yet reached the end of his success as a bee-man, and we wish good luck may attend his enterprise. He says : " In sending a few notes as requested, I cannot begin as many do by telling how their first start in bee-keeping was made, popular with many bee-keepers about here. I myself, however, use the standard frame only, and as I send so many colonies all over the country, I still keep a few straw skeps for producing swarms. We took all condemned bees in those days by fumi- gating with fungus or puff-ball. Onoe I began working the frame-hive I began to take the B.B.J. , and from it soon learned the ' better way,' for I started bee-driving in saving condemned lots, then began queen-raising and all the rest of it. It soon became known that I would remove bees from condemned skeps with no bother to the owner or flavour of sulphur to> the honey. But the great difficulty for the skejjpist bee-keepers here was that the honey could not be sold. This difficulty was soon ME. THOS. HOOD'S OUT-APIARY, PICKERING, YORKSHIRE. for I am unable to remember my earliest experience. I believe, however, that the first investment my parents made on coming, to Pickering, newly married, in 1844, was in the purchase of some hives of bees. I need hardly say that they were straw ones. All my experiences, therefore, up to 1884 were with skep hives. When a Mr. Wheater took up his residence in our town, and brought with him several wooden hives stocked with bees, he and I soon became great friends ; and, in return for the willing help I gave him with the bees and hive-making, he taught me all about the working and value of the frame-hive. Those hives held frames 14 in. by 7 in., with a 15 in. top-bar. They still remain removed by the influence of the B.B.J. , and now a greater one has arisen in its place, viz., where to find enough heather honey to fill orders. This one still re- mains, but, from a business point of view, you will admit it is pleasanter to bear than the former one. " The hives shown in photo are located in my out-apiary. They stand in an orchard close to an old brickyard, with several acres of willow-catkins in close proximity. They are taken down in March and left until the heather is getting well in bloom. It is a splendid place for clover honey. That gathered in the town is always mixed, but of good quality, when clear of honey-dew. I work on the non-swarming system at 206 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 25, 1905. home, as I find stocks so managed do best on the moors. I have only had two swarms from the home apiary since I commenced with frame-hives, and those were from hives which had been blown over, and had, in consequence, to be well nursed and kept short of room. " The only time I have had foul brood among my stock was in one headed by an imported foreign queen. It has certainly appeared several times in bought stocks, but once sure of the case I always stamp it out by burying everything as it stands. This, and always taking every hive with combs over two years old, and making my number up thirty spring count (with bought stock and driven bees), I believe to be the reason that I have never had any trouble with it. Whenever I come across it when working for other bee-keepers, if I cannot get permission to destroy the lot, I buy the stock and destroy it myself. I find it very easy to detect the disease in all stages from long experience." CORRESPONDENCE. {Continued from page 204.) A HARD CASE. LOSS OF BEES THROUGH OBSTINATE NEIGH- BOUR. [5894.] I have just heard from one of our members that he has lost twenty-three stocks of bees out of a total of twenty-eight from foul brood contracted from a few neglected hives located near his apiary. He has offered to help the owner in stamp- ing out the disease, without fee or reward, in every way possible, but all to no pur- pose ; -the owner will neither accept help nor do anything himself. I should, there- fore, like to know whether, under such cir- cumstances, our member could sue such a so-called " bee-keeper " for wilful damage to our friend's property. I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — County Sec- retary, May 18. [Notwithstanding the obvious wrong- doing that such a case brings to light, we fear there would be legal difficulties m bringing it home to the offending neigh- bour. We have among our readers many legal gentlemen who are ardent bee-keepers, and perhaps some one of these will kindly offer a word of advice with regard to taking I lie case before a county court judge. If so, we will be extremely obliged. — Eds.] MORE SWARMING. BEES DOING WELL. [5895.] Several people about here have had swarms during this last week; but it has been very cloudy, with N.E. winds since Friday. I have now some bees work- ing nicely in shallow-frames. I looked in ono of my liives the other day and found, a splendidly-shaped queen, but its wings were badly torn, so tnat if I let the stock swarm, 1 suppose the queen would fall to the ground wnen leaving with the swarm, and oecome lost, which would be a great pity. She is such a prolific queen,, so 1 snail do all I can to prevent the stock from swarming. I often think that queens are frequently lost in early spring when leaving their hives by falling to the ground through having torn or imperfect wings. 1 shall be very pleased if you will tell me what variety the enclosed bees belong to.— W. A., Oundle, May 22. [Bees sent are the common brown kind slightly crossed with Carniolan blood. — Eds.] LONGEVITT OF BEES. [5896.] On September 5 last year, I intro- duced a fertilised Italian queen to a stock of English bees. On looking through the hive yesterday (May 19), I still find about twenty-five to thirty black bees left alive ; nearly nine months after. Surely this is an extraordinary length of time for autumn- bred bees to live, and I should like to' hear other bee-friends' experiences on this in- teresting subject. — A. H. W., Four Oaks, May 20. (fueras and gj^ylies. [3749.] Bees in Cold Situations. — Can you help this inquiry in your paper ? I have a good knowledge of bees, but cannot make them a success here. There is an excellent garden, and they are in the most sheltered position, and yet always come out weak in spring, though sent into winter quarters snugly packed, and with plenty of food and numbers. We are 600 feet up, and the winter is cold, particularly the March winds. My bees dwindle sadly, and have to be united, and some quite succumb. Is it too cold to expect the best results here ? Then I put candy over feed-hole, but do not feed with syrup until April because of opening the liives and doing more harm than good. If they have plenty of food I leave the syrup-feeding until reasonably warm. Can you suggest any remedy ? 1 have had no disease, keep queens young, and leave them stronger in autumn. — Forester, May 10. Reply. — We cannot think that situation alone is the cause of your non-success. Bees are known to do well in the far Highlands of Scotland, and in exposed positions else- where. We fear that bee-forage is not plentiful in your locality, and it is of no May 25, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 207 use to expect any appreciable harvest from your own garden, however large and good. If we were given some idea of what plants grow in the district it might help us in ad- vising you, but without this we cannot render help. [3750.] Aroma and Consistency of Early Honey.— I should be very grateful if you will answer me the following: — -I have three hives of bees, which may be classed as strong, medium, and weak. I examined them on May 7, and found they had a very unpleasant smell. I cannot find any traces at all of foul brood ; but on shaking one of the combs containing honey, but no brood in cells, the contents fell out like water. It seemed rather too thin for honey. Can you tell me what the cause of this is, and how to remedy it? — J. Such, Kent, May 9. Reply. — There need be no alarm felt either at the peculiar smell or the watery condition of the honey. Some of the earlier bee-forage gives out a very peculiar smell at hive entrances, notably that from black- currant blossom. It is also well known that some honies are very thin when just gathered, and will fall from the cells if xrames are held with flat surface down- ward. [3751.] Queens liaised from Eggs of Fer- tile Worker. — Will you kindly let me know in B.B.J, whether a queen raised from the egg of a fertile worker could, if fertilised, produce worker eggs ? I am asking this question because early last year I noticed that one of my stocks was not breeding. On examining it again a week later, I no- ticed a few eggs scattered about the centre frame, and, as I was unable to find any queen in the hive, these eggs must, of course, have been laid by a worker. I at once sent for a queen, which arrived safely and was introduced the same evening ; but the next morning I was surprised to find that the bees had thrown her out. Not only so, but on examining the stock I found that they had built queen-cells over the few eggs in the comb (five or six) ; in due course a queen emerged, and after about eight days started laying, but only in drone- cells. As the stock was rapidly dwindling I destroyed it; but what I would like to know is, if there had been any drones about would this queen have produced worker- eggs if fertilised? — F. R, Guernsey, May 16. Reply. — Without being able to account for the appearance of a queen under the circumstances stated, you may take it from us that a queen-bee cannot be raised from an egg laid by a fertile worker. [3752.] Distance between Hives. — Head Bees Cast Out.— Kindly reply in the B.B.J, to the following : — 1. I have seven hives, four of the "W. B. C." pat- tern, and three Neighbour's " Sandring- ham." The hives are all in a. straight line and the space between each is 33 in. Is this too little? I have had great diffi- culty in getting as much space between the hives as this, but a friend tells me they are too close to work properly. The fronts of all hives are painted a distinct colour — red, blue, brown, sparrow-egg, terra-cotta, white, slate. 2. I cannot account for the large quantities of dead bees on the ground just outside No. 2 hive. This is the second time within three weeks that I have found numbers of dead bees as above. When I examined the hive a week ago, and put a super on, it seemed a very full colony, and none of the other stocks have lost anything like such a quantity of bees, although a good many were outside No. 3 hive. — Ada K. S., Weymouth, May 15. P.S. — I enclose subscription to your most excellent journal for another year. Reply.- — 1. It is better to have at least two yards between each hive, if at all convenient, because of risk to queens in mistaking their hive on returning from the marital trip. The precautions taken in colouring the hive fronts will, however, reduce the risk to a minimum. 2. The dead bees cast out will be a result of their being cut off from the cluster during winter, and consequent starvation through inability to reach the food. There need be no great alarm felt, as the colony is now strong, and will soon recoup the loss of bees. [3753.] Transferring Bees. — Will you kindly answer following in B.B.J. ? On April 12 I placed a skep of bees over frame-hive as directed in " Guide Book " (page 140), and on removing the skep a few days ago to see if the bees had started drawing out foundation in lower hive, and was much surprised to find they had not touched it. The skep was crowded with bees, and combs full of brood. Will they transfer themselves all right, or would it be better to drive them ? How long should I leave skep before re- moving it? I send name, etc., and sign — Anxious One, Wokingham, May 15. Reply. — Beyond asking if you have taken steps to make the lower hive as warm as possible, by covering well with cosy wrappings, we cannot say why the bees have not taken possession of_ lower hive. However, they will do so all in good time, and we advise leaving them in preference to driving. We suppose there is no excluder between the two hives? [3754.] Hiving Bees on Old Combs. — I am sending a pieve of comb, and ask if you will examine same, and say if it is infected with foul brood. I may say the sample 208 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 25, 1905. was cut from a hive the bees of which died out, leaving a lot of sealed stores behind them. The bees which have now died were a swarm of last year, liived on combs left behind by a stock that died out in the same way. My friend used to keep twenty to thirty colonies of bees, but he now has only one left. A reply in B.B.J, will oblige - — a Regular Reader, Boston, Lines., May 15. Reply. — The oell-cappings of old comb bear all the appearance of having come from a stock badly affected with foul brood ; but there is not the smallest trace of any diseased larvse left in the cells. The fact of your friend losing so many stocks is easily accounted for if his plan has been to hive swarms on combs containing stores left behind by bees that have died out as stated. Surely he will have now learned that it is fatal carelessness to act as stated, and take ordinary care in future. It is in the highest degree regrettable to read -.:f such cases as the above. [3755.] Making the "W.B.C." Hive.— I am a beginner in bee-keeping, and a joiner by trade, and want to be able to make the " W.B.C." hive, and this I can do if I have the inside measurements of brood chamber, from front to back and side to side. Also, how much less do you make the standard frames than the brood chambers ? I have bought the " Practical Note-book " lately, but it' trives no particulars with regard to size of the standard frame, nor does it say how much less they are made than the brood-chamber, or how far the standard frames are kept apart. A reply in B.B.J. will oblige.— A. W. G., Plumstead, May 17. Reply. — The " Practical Note-book " is not in any way intended as a guide to bee- keeping, hence the omission of reference therein to size of the " Standard " frame. We may, therefore, say at once, that the frame in question is 14 in. by 8g in. out- side measure. On the other hand, the inside measurements of brood-chamber (or body-box), which you cannot find in " Note- book," is plainly given therein twice over, first on page 57 and again on page 60. Bearing these measurements in mind, :t will be found that there is a qUarter-inch space between side-bars of frame and sides of body-box, and half-inch between bottom- bar and floorboard of hive. All these par- ticulars and a great deal more information, which all beekeepers need in order to be successful, will be found in the "Guide Book," without which — or some other good work on the subject — no beginner can hope to succeed. [3756.] Early Swarms Doing Well. — I had a swarm at 10.30 on the 17th, and got them safely hived. Next morning I ex- amined them and found five frames were thickly covered with bees, no space what- ever being left. There was also a number on one side of another frame. I should like to know : 1. Whether I ought to confine these bees to the five frames, or leave the six as they are. Also you might say whether this is a fair or average swarm. I only started bee-keeping last season, and have derived much benefit from the B.B.J. 2. Is there a branch in Kent of the Bee- keepers' Association? — H. B. , Plumstead, May 18. Reply. — 1. It is a full-sized swarm for so late a season as the present one ; and, assuming that the frames given are fitted with full sheets of foundation, we should leave the bees all six frames they now occupy for a week, then add a seventh frame before giving them a surplus-chamber. 2. The Kent Bee-keepers' Association is about to be reorganised and started again shortly, when the address of hon. secretary will be published. 1 3757. ] lic-quceniiiii Stocks. — I should be obliged for your opinion on the following points : — A friend of mine started last year with a swarm purchased from me, and we have been sharing what little knowledge I possess. On inspecting my friend's hive to-day, I find the stock to be queenless, whereas a month ago she was laying vigor- ously. I have a small stock which I could well spare, and so I ask : — 1. Would it oe advisable to unite the two lots, or, prefer- ably, to take a. comb of brood and queen- cell and place in my friend's hive ? I may say the two lots are about half a mile dis- tant one from the other. 2. I should like to join the county bee-keepers' associa- tion. Should I be eligible for Surrey? 1 ask this because, though resident in Middle- sex, only the River Thames separates the two counties here. To whom should I apply ? In your issue of the 18th I see mention of early swarms., but none of sec- tions being removed. I took off my first finished section this season on the 18th inst. Thanking you in anticipation of a reply through B.B.J. , I send name, etc., and sign — A New Reader, Kingston-on Thames, May 21. Reply. — 1. If you have a frame of brood available with ripe queen-cell thereon, we should prefer adopting that plan rather than uniting under the circumstances. 2. You could join the Surrey B.K.A., which re- cently held its annual meeting at Kingston- on-Thames. Apply to Mr. F. B. White, hon. secretary, Marden House, Redhill. <&thm fpm the glints. Helsby, Cheshire, May 17. — Glorious weather now prevails, and the merry hum of the bees is heard all day in the vicinity May 25, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 209 of apple and sycamore trees. Stocks have expanded rapidly lately, and many queens are now occupying nine frames, and in several hives I have noticed queen-cells in which eggs have been deposited. Pollen in large quantities is much less noticeable than last year. Supers are now being given in this district to provide storage-room for colonies having go-ahead queens. Honey now being stored is dark and thin, and should be extracted just before the clover yield. The hawthorn is now burst- ing into bloom everywhere, and I earnestly advise bee-keepers generally to tr*' and get honey from this source, and, if pure, they wiil be delighted with it. — Jas. Waddell, Expert (on tour in Cheshire). Tring, May 23. — Cold north and north east winds, bright sunshine in middle of day, but very cold and frosty nierhts. Hives examined to-day and found to be packed with brood in all stages. Bees working well on chestnut, apple blossom, and dandelions. Every prospect for good honey season around this part ; drones fly- ing freely, and one brother bee-keeper re- ports he has already had three swarms from stocks in straw skeps. — F. J. T. Broomfield, Chelmsford, May 22. — I had a nice swarm from one of my hives on Friday, the 19th, and after being hived all right the bees are doing well. — C. C. ftotos to §0u\(. A nominal charge of ts. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which covert cost of insertion from order till date oj show. Cash should accompany ordert for iniertion. June 8 to 12, at Bournemouth, Hants- Show of Honey, Hivee, etc., in connection with Royal Counties Agricultural Society's Show. For schedules apply E. H. Bellairs, Christchurch, Hants. Entries close June 3- June 14 and 15, at Southend-on-Sea — Annual Show of the Essex Agricultural Society. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the Essex and Suffolk Beekeepers' Association. Classes open to the United Kingdom. Schedules from Mr. G. R. Alder, Rawreth, Essex. Entries close May 31- June 27 to 30, at Park Boyal London — Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanover-square, W. En- tries close May 29. at ordinary fees- July 13 and 14, at Grantham.— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Linos. B.K.A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Schedules from R. Godson, Hon, Sec. Linos. B.K. A., Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries close June 13- July 19, at Wallop, Hants —Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 12- July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northante B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single lib. jar honev. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 108., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. July 26 and 27, at Cardiff— Glamorgan Bee- keepens/ Association's Show, in connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen classes (live open). Prizes for Honey, £1, 10s., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec., Uabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 21- August 2, at Henbury, near Bristol- Annual Show of Honey and Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon. Sec., J. Atlcin Waller, Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close July 26- August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool — Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. Sections, Extraoted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery, Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Bee-Oulture, etc. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller-arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3- August 16, at Bishop Stortford— Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 60 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entry to members. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Bunting- ford, Herts. August 16, at Wye-— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, 1-lb. jar light extracted honey, 1-lb. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Olasses for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ash ford, Kent. Entries close August 11. August 16, at Fleetwood— Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six lib. Sections. Six 1-lh. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cook, Hun. See., Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6 August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec., Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 30, at Chester-— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9. at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two olasses for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six lib. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honev and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to. district. Two bo cottage** in district. C.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Win. Page, Lower Peover Knutsford. Entries close August 23 210 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 25, 1905. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We ■ivish 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 m the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. V More Early Swarms'.— We thank several correspondents, for notifying early swarms in the south, and one— the latesit— is from "A Twenty Years' Reader of B.B.J. ," who sends word of a swarm at Gatehouse, Kirkcudbrightshire, N.B. on May 17. Novice (Middlesex). — Pinner as a Bee District. — 1. We are not sufficiently ac- quainted with your neighbourhood to say how bees would get on there, so far as regards yielding surplus. Perhaps some reader who knows, the place will kindly help you by sending a line of reply. 2. The hon. secretary of the Middlesex B.K.A. is Major Fair, Anlaby Road, Teddington. D. C. (Hertford).— Bee Nomenclature.— Bees, sent are Ligurian hybrids. W. L. (Coventry).— 1. Bees sent are the ordinary brown variety of this country. 2. The immature larva cast out is no indication of disease in hive it came from, which latter must be very strong indeed to cover fifteen frames at present time. J. F. J. W. (Edgbaston).— Honey sent ;s probably imported from Jamaica, the semi-granulated condition of sample being characteristic of the honey im- ported from that place in barrels to this country. Suspected Combs. W. T. (Suffolk).— Foul brood is rapidlv developing in comb, but it seems quite a recent outbreak. H. C. (Woking). — Sample of comb is badly diseased, and, as stock is also queenless, you should promptly burn the lot! A. L. S. (Birmingham).— Comb is all right and perfectly healthy. It contains only pollen and food. J. B. C. (Cornwall).— Foul brood is devel- oping rapidly in combs. T. S. (Carlisle). — Comb sent is perfectly healthy ; contains only honey and pollen. P. (Warminster). — 1. Comb is affected with foul brood. 2. If bees are worth saving, you might unite them to the weak lot after starving for the time named. Wo should not use the queen of diseased lot on any account. 3. Dip- ping hives in boiling water would not have the smallest effect on the spores of foul brood. G. E. F. (Colchester). — Comb shows foul brood in the incipient stage ; evidently a recent outbreak. G. G. (Stapleton, Bristol). — Comb sent is badK affected with foul brood of old standing. You should see at once to state of the strong stock standing close to the one that has died out. *#* Some Queries and Eeplies, &c.} are un- avoidably held over till next week. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve icordt and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three words or under, One Penny, WANTED, strong SWARMS, in exchange for good English' lever, or sell 25s. ; silver lever (by Booth, Sheffield)), sell 26s. ; or " gold filled " hunter, sell 22s. 6d.— H. GORDON GOW, Chipping Norton. H 78 FOR SALE, TWO strong STOCKS BEES, on ten Frames, Standard Hives, with super fitted, 30s. each.— REV. JARVIS, Coleford, Glos. H_ 77_ EXCELLENT 1904 QUEENS, by return of post, 5s.— THE APIARY, 8, Grange Street, St. Albans. h 76 HEALTHY SWARMS, 10s. 6d. The best selection of 40 stocks, collected three years ago. Inspection of my 50 stocks invited on Saturdays. Deposit. Cor- respond also in French, German, and Danish. — P. HANSEN, Gardener and Bee Expert, 3, Gladstone Cot- tages, Norwood Green, Southall, Middlesex. h 75 OQLB. HONEY TINS. A few dozen, at 9s. per dozen, £0 in crates. All new.— W. SHEPHERD, 34, Hugh Oldham Drive, Manchester. H 74 DOUBLE-WALLED HIVE, 7s. 6d. " W.B.C." Racks (without sections), 2s. each.— ILLINGWORTH, Acton. H 73 OQTH YEAR. Reliable Young Queens, 5s., post free, jiJU in introducing cage.— ALSFORD, Expert, Hay- don, Sherborne. FOR SALE, strong STOCKS of BEES, crowded on eight Standard Frames, 1904 Queens. Guaranteed healthy. Free on rail; £1 each.— JOS. ROWLAND, The Cliff, Holbrooke, Derby. H 60 EXCHANGE English Game Cock for two second-hand Standard Hives.— PEUDEN, Filgrave, Newport I'agnell, Bucks. H 72 SWARMS (Natural), 2s. 6d. lb. Boxes returnable.— F. W. PALMER, Tamar Apiary, St. Budeaux, Devonport. H_7J-__ TT7ANTED, JUNE SWARMS. State lowest price.— iWi J. FORSTER, Glen Hotel, Colby, Isle of Man. H 70 FOR SALE, . owing to business pressure, SEVEN STOCKS of BEES, on Standard Frames ; good hives, section racks, shallow frame supeirs, feeders, extractor, etc. ; equal to new. Purchaser to remove. — PUTTOCK, 135, Shooter's Hill Road, Blackheath, S.E. H 69 STRONG, Healthy Natural SWARMS, 12s. 6d. Skeps free. Guaranteed safe arrival.— OADMAN, Codsall Wood. ■ H 68 SWARMS FOR SALE, 2s. per lb. Free on rail. Boxes returnable. — H. GOODSELL, Biddenden, Cran- brook. H 67 PRIME NATURAL SWARMS soon ready All from first-class Bar Frame colonies. Sent in Abbott's Swarm Boxes. Price 12s. 6d. and 15s. esu?h.— PERCY WILKINS, Bi-e Farm, Wantage. H 66 LITTLE WONDER ,r HONEY EXTRACTOR. New. Exchange for Swarm.— 21, Woodfield Orescent, Ealing. H 65 June 1, 1905.] THE BRITTSH BEE JOURNAL. 211 , &c THE WEATHER. The tremendous downpour of rain on Tuesday, May 30, should prove a veritable godsend to farmers located within the area over which it extended, and in almost equal degree to bee-keeper:. It was truly a " laving of the thirsty land," and would do an immense amount of good to vegetation of all kinds. The downfall was quite torrential in our part of London while the thunderstorm lasted ; indeed, for a time the B.B.J, office seemed in great danger of being flooded out. But the brightening up of trees and flowers, and the coolness of the air after the oppressive heat of the last few days, were delightful, and betoken busy times for bee-keepers. If the bees, can be induced to work in surplus-chambers instead of preparing to swarm, all will be well, and we shall expect to hear of full supers, which means good fortune to the early shows, now close at hand. (Homspontlcitrp. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good laith. Illuitrution.it should be. drawn on. separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *„* In order to facilitate rejirence, Correspondent*, when speaking of any letUr or query pi; vi uslg inserted, Will obige by mentioning the number of ine letter as well as the page on which it appears NOTES BY THE WAY. [5897.] The drought still continues; a whole month has passed and we, in this neighbourhood, have not had enough rain to lay the dust, not only so, but during most of the time we have had harsh winds from N. and N.E. , so that we are very much in need of a change. Vegetation is not making that luxurious growth we expect, and generally get during the month of May, the grass everywhere is short and stunted, so that the farmers' prospects of a hay crop are growing less, as the weeks pass by, and a light hay crop naturally betokens a short honey crop. The bees have, however, made steady pro- gress in keeping pace with the season, those few stocks which swarmed three to four weeks ago have in no single instance that I can hear of sent off a cast. In my own apiaries we have had only two May swarms, although my stocks have received the best treatment at my disposal to keep them growing. I have many Strong colonies which, no doubt, will give a good account of the season, provided the opportunity occurs. There are a few fields of sainfoin near by which promise to be our sheet-anchor this season, but the hop or trefoil is stunted in growth, and the flowers are small. I saw a few white clover blossoms for the first time to-day (29th) quite ten days earlier than usual. The annais of leafy June will — if a bountiful rain comes — soon rouse a psean of praise among us bee-keepers, and supers should now be got on all hives from which swarms are not wanted. Care should also be taken to see that the bees have room given just in advance of their l'equirements. Keep an eye on the bee- forage of your district, and note how the crops are coming on ; then arrange your work accordingly. A few miles even makes a great difference in the forage, so that good advice for one village would not be useful in the next. Always keep a "constant supply of water near the bees ; if I did not do this my bees would have to go half a mile to a farm-pond for water. It will thus be seen the thousands of miles I save my bees in having a watering place near the hives. They use up six or seven gallons daily (with evaporation) at my home apiary alone. At my out-apiary there is, fortu- nately, a large pond within a stone's throw of the hives, so water-troughs are not needed. To those who are contemplating a start in bee-keeping I again say — Begin with a natural swarm ; do not risk the purchase of established stocks unless you can thoroughly overhaul and examine them to see that they are healthy. With a new swarm and a new hive a prospective bee- keeper starts well with every chance of success ; and the large number of swarms advertised in our Journal gives ample choice for selection from a wide range of country and district. In buying swarms by weight, the neighbour who comes for his swarm gets full weight, as there is no time passed on long railway journeys, but the purchaser at a distance can nut him- self on equal terms to the neighbour if he will, by giving the swarm a bottle of good syrup on arrival, at a cost of about two- pence, as after a good feed the bees will be ready for the hive and its replenishing, even if 300 miles away. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. BEES AND PHILOSOPHY. THE CURE OF FOUL BROOD. [5898.] Just one final word to put myself right with you and your readers. First let me thank our Editor for inserting my reply to " Dom Maurus." He erred in inferring that my philosophy was material- istic ; it is the very opposite, but in a paper 212 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1905. like the Bee Journal, read perhaps by Christians, Jews, Turks, infidels, pagans, Buddhists, etc., I carefully refrained from teaching any special sectarian ideas. If " Dom Maurus " will read my remarks carefully he will see that I do no more than enunciate general principles, and that I simply express the truth, the un- deniable truth, that there is an incom- prehensible force at work in the world. I have said not a word against any man's special beliefs as regards the nature and attributes of that force. There I leave this question : it is too high for any human brain to understand. The Cure of Foul Brood. — As regards the cure for foul brood I have no faith in any cure short of entire destruction of the spores by baking or boiling. So far as I know my bees are free of foul brood, and I get a good harvest of honey every year. My plan of securing this has already been given in the Bee Journal ; but some of your contributors severely censured me for advocating the annual renewal of brood- combs as being a wasteful procedure. Here is my plan again. At the end of this season I purpose removing every single brood-comb and to put the bees for three or four days in a temporary wopden hive till they have consumed all the honey in their sacs, feeding them on syrup medi- cated with Izal at the same time. In the meantime their old hives and quilts are baked or boiled, and after three or four days each lot is placed on sheets of founda- tion and fed up. This, of course, is not my own plan ; I did not discover it, but I have adopted it with some modifications. I do this even if I believe the bees to be healthy, and it pays me. Old combs, even those a year or two old, are full of dirt, as proved when we extract the wax, apart altogether from the pollen and cell linings. I keep young queens, and have bought many from your advertisers. I feed the bees in spring, and when strong enough give them a shallow-body above to breed in. By July I have immense stocks, which pay well for all the care given, and return a profit in the worst years. If every hive in the kingdom were treated thus simultaneously at the end of the season, foul brood would be wiped out, and the procedure would not be needed for another three years. I would not object greatly to making this compulsory, but I do object to having Government inspectors disturbing my hives during the breeding season. The proper time is at the end of the season, and in the manner stated. As regards store- combs, it is safest to destroy these too, win io foul brood lias existed, but the main thing is to have the brood-chambers right, as during the time the surplus-chambers are on, the bees that are bred are not required for the honey harvest, which is the main thing after all ; and if they do get affected they can be again treated at the end of the season. A thorough syringing with water is a good thing to get spores out of store-combs or anything else except a fibrous material, but too much reliance should not be placed on it alone. My own opinion is that Izal is the most easy disinfectant to use, where it is judged expedient to apply such. It mixes readily with water, whereas carbolic acid does not. It may be sprayed into empty combs and. if it does no good it will do no harm in the proper proportions. Any unnatural constituent in the air of a hive cannot be good for the bees, even if it does keep down foul brood to some extent. If I err in any of my ideas I will be honestly grateful to the friend who makes it plain that I am in error. The usual foul-brood preventives may be of some use ; I do not know, but they cer- tainly do not cure or eradicate the disease. I have more faith in the common bee, the blacker the better, as a resister of foul brood than I have in the Italian. This, too, is not knowledge with me, but only a belief founded on the experience of others. I wish we could get exhaustive experiments either way. I thank your correspondents who have helped to keep up the interest in my ideas re the real cause of foul brood. This question is the most important that we can discuss, and I have more faith in the special selection of bees for their foul- proof qualities than I have in any other system of eradication. But this can only be worked out in an isolated apiary, and by experimenters who are really scientific in their methods. It would never do for a commercial breeder -of bees to keep foul- broody ones for experimental purposes, and such would be necessary in one apiary at least. Those finally selected as good disease resisters might be kept apart by themselves. Meanwhile, let everyone maintain an open mind on these questions. In a future contribution I hope to give fuller details showing how the annual or biennial entire cleansing of the apiary may be very expeditiously and easily done, and all germs destroyed. — W. J. Fakmer, Redruth^ May 27. [We make no comment on above this week, but will probably refer to the sub- ject in next issue. — Eds.] BEES AND FOUL BROOD. [5899. | My previous letter on this sub- ject (5877, page 183) was founded upon my own observation, and referred not only to what may, but to what I have seen, happen. Mr. Bocock, in his letter (5893, page 204 last June 1, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 213 week), goes wide of practical politics adapted to present-time requirements by one hundred years. Apparently it gives pleasure to some oi your correspondents to shut their eyes to the fact that many bee-keepers are in immediate need of assistance in order to fight foul brood, and allow of their being able to keep bees at all, while they themselves, living in the bliss of hearsay knowledge only of foul brood and the serious consequences of a bad out- break, formulate theories which it is more than doubtful will have taken practical shape for a hundred years to come,. If an attempt is made to discuss this subject with these bee-keepers, they almost in- variably say, " my interests in the pur- suit are large. I have so many hives of bees," but the crux of the question is, "Have you had foul brood in your apiary?" Those who have not had practical experi- ence in dealing with this disease in their own hives have a very limited knowledge of it, and the havoc it will work. Of foul brood there are certainly two distinct types — one dry, the other with a great deal of moisture. Bees affected by the former may take two seasons to dwindle and die out, having got weak in numbers ; but in this district we have the most virulent type of the disease, strong stocks in many cases being simply a mass of rotten brood, " foul " in the fullest sense of the term in a few days after be- coming infected. Of my own experiences of the disease, I may say that we had none of it in this neighbourhood until a man removing from Wiltshire knowingly brought a diseased stock of bees with him to the main portion of our parish, one and a half miles from my apiary. This bee- keeper borrowed and lent appliances among bee-keepers in the village, and I am sorry to say that all last year I did not see a single healthy colony of bees in the village— Hatfield Broad Oak. The bee-keeper referred to gave one of his dis used hives to a skeppist, now eighty years of age, who had kept bees all his life, and the consequence was that the old man lost his bees. I was able to fight the disease with some success while it was not established nearer to my apiary, but it has spread from one apiary to another, and after curing the bees of one man for him, and then buying him out, he taking no interest in the bees, the nearest bee- keeper to me, only a few hundred yards away, got the disease in her hives. With this last all attempts to reason with her have been met by the reply, " I refuse to believe that bees are affected by any disease of this nature, and whether my bees live or die they will stand there, and no one will touch them." I have devoted twenty years to working up a good strain of bees, for which I had a demand that far exceeded the supply, but foul brood has robbed me, not only of the profits of bee-keeping, but of the pleasure that 1 have all my life had in it too. Am I and others to go on suffering to this extent through the carelessness of some, and opposition, founded upon theory, by others ? The liberty of the subject is a cry often raised, but it is a false cry. We depend too much upon each other to allow it to be otherwise. — Wm. Loved ay, Hat- field Heath, Harlow. BEES IMMUNE FROM FOUL BROOD. [5900.] I note with satisfaction that Mr. Farmer has raised the important question of rearing a race of bees capable of resisting foul brood, and I think he ought to be supported in this laudable endeavour ; although there is unfortu- nately very little hope of such a scheme being realised as would have a general influence over the whole country. Queen- rearers may do wonders in this direction, yet there are many bee-keepers on a small scale in every district to whom the thought of buying such queens would never occur. It has been said (and it is probably true) that foul brood has been propagated by the introduction of foreign queens. But I think there is a much greater danger to the industry in the selling and buying of driven bees. For in a diseased stock many individual bees may be quite healthy, and therefore the queen has a good chance of being of this number, whilst a few diseased bees among many healthy ones would be enough to intro- duce the foe. As an illustration of this I may say that many years ago I was asked to drive some skeps. In one of them I found the queen with only about a hundred bees ! I need not say that the brood in combs was entirely rotten. I took the queen, introduced her to one of my stocks (a thing which I would not do now) and watched carefully the result. The follow- ing year I showed the hive to our county expert, who declared it perfectly healthy, and ever since that time bees in this stock have continued so. I am, therefore, of opinion that the danger is far greater in the driven bees than in the alien queen itself, and so long as driven bees are to be had all over the whole country, there is little hope of mastering the disease. Some bee-keepers object to the use of. honey in making artificial food as being dangerous, whilst others pretend that there is no necessity for destroying diseased combs. I think here would be the place to apply the proverb, In medio stat virtus. I strongly believe that honey which has been boiled up to 260 or 280 degrees Fahrenheit (as in the making of candy) cannot be a 214 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1905. vehicle for the propagation of foul brood. But .. I can hardly agree with those who hold that combs containing spores of foul brood and stores could be disinfected so as not to be dangerous to the bees. I am hoping much from the " Claustral hive," recently described in your pages. With it there seems to be no difficulty in stopping robbing when one has careless neighbours, and in obliging the bees to feed only on the medicated food you give them. May I be allowed to say to the numerous bee-keepers who have written me asking for my candy recipe and others, to have patience till I get a little time ? I hope to be able to publish them in the B.B.J, at the end of the honey season. — Be. Colomban, Buckfast, Devon, May 27. HOW TO INCREASE STOCKS WHILE CONTROLLING SWARMING. [5901.] On May 9 I swarmed a stock by the method referred to by Mr. John M. Hooker in your last issue. On the 18th I removed the old stock to a new stand, and, unfortunately, not having either a queen or a queen cell in any of my stocks, I had to give it a frame of brood. On May 26 there were five capped queen cells on the combs, and bees were flying very strong. The swarm on the old stand had, on May 19, eggs, larvae, and a few capped cells, showing that the queen had soon got to work laying, and on the 26th inst. I had to remove two frames of honey and pollen, replacing with frames of drawn-out comb, to give the queen more space ; at the same time I put on a rack of sections. To my inexperienced mind this method of swarming seems very simple, and I shall consider it successful if it prevents casts, and the necessity of staying at home waiting for swarms to come off. If this experiment succeeds I shall hope next year to start rearing drones in April, and having early nuclei, so that the parent stock may build up quickly. I take this opportunity of thanking your correspondent I). V., who wi*ote in B.B.J. of April 20 (5865, page 158), for his method of cleaning "pollen-clogged combs." We have here great quantities of early blooming willows, and pollen comes in in superabundance. — J. W. L. , Keswick, May 29. P.S.— On page 358 of Gtianings for April 1 there is described "The Sibbald Method of Swarming." If it be tine to- morrow I mean to try it. I think it would interest your readers. If you know of any- body who h;is tried it I should esteem it a favour if you would L,'ive me his address, that we could compare notes. [We cannot name any one who has tried the plan, but this may meet the eye of some one who can say something about it. If so, we will be glad to hear. — Eds.] LONGEVITY OF BEES. [5902.] Young bees flying for the first time, and playing about before the hives, easily become mixed by the wind, and are readily accepted by the bees of hives other than their own. I have found that this frequently happens even where hives are ten or more yards apart, and have now a case where there are young Italian bees on the combs of a pure black English stock standing twenty yards away from the nearest Italians. The above is, I think, the most likely explanation of the case mentioned by " A. H. W. " in this week's Journal (page 206). Your correspondent does not say what the twenty or thirty bees look like, though this should have been a very important point to consider before credit- ing them with a life of nine months. A bee nine months old would be very ancient- looking, very shiny, and all tattered and torn.— A. W., Sutton Coldfield, May 26. BEES IN COLD SITUATIONS. [5903.] Referring to the letter of "Forester" in last week's B.B.J, (page 206), I may say my hives are in a small paddock close to the town of Brecon, and situated over 600 feet above sea-level. At first I lost my stocks in much the same way as " Forester," but last season I very carefully studied the "Guide Book," and left about 30 lbs. of sealed stores in the hives for winter, having started rapid feeding with some drawn-out foundation in frames. In October I examined the hive, uncapped some of the comb, and packed up for the winter with, first, American cloth, three or four felt quilts and a piece of^carpet, ramming felt and a bag of cork sawdust between division board at. end. In January, choosing a fine day, the hives were opened, empty combs re- moved to the back, and the back ones, which were full, partly uncapped and moved more to the centre, a couple of cakes of candy were given on top, a proper shaped hole being cut in the cloth so that it all laid flat on the frames. I fold the felting so that it all lies flat round the candy, then cover the whole lot with felt and carpet. Early in April I opened the hive again ; the empty sections where the candy was were filled with sealed honey-comb, and work was commencing in earnest. I re- moved these, uncapped some comb, and fed the bees gently, adding a frame or two (Continued on pige 216.) June 1, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 215 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS. In response to our request, Mr. Knew- stubb, who is seen in his bee-garden illus- trated below, sends the following notes of his bee-experiences. He says: — " I cannot claim to be the pioneer of our household in the art of bee-keeping ; the palm in this particular case must be given to my elder -Brother, to whose perse- verance and interest in the craft the apiary shown in the accompanying photo is a standing testimony. Although for some nine years now he has been out of touch with the bees, I am still able to draw upon his experience in time of need. "As will be guessed, the hives (number- in the background, are all home-made, and the hives will, I think, compare favourably with those from well-known manufacturers costing well on for £1 each ami over. No bees are kept in the house, which is used solely for manipula- ting and storage purposes. The hives are worked mainly for extracted honey ; we find that the best results are obtained in this way, taking into account the minimised risk of conveyance, and the comparative ease with which honey in bulk can be pi-oduced and dealt with. " The figures seen in the centre are my two sisters, the one to the left being my chief helper in the work ; the other one is away from home most of the year and MR. A. KNEWSTUBBS APIARY, LOXG MARTON, CUMBERLAND. ing about twenty-five) are all on the movable frame system, but an examina- tion of our storage-room would reveal the old, old story of evolution from the straw- skep to the modern frame-hive, and I can just recall the time when the original straw-skep was re-instated in its old place to adorn the garden — at least, that was the purpose my father declare! it was brought out for, but he doesn't say so now. " Although always taking good care to keep at arm's length myself, I remember very well the tortures that my brother had to endure in the form of stings until a better knowledge of bee management and the introduction of the frame hive brought about an improved state of things. " The hives, along with the bee-house consequently cannot take part in the many duties that can always be found for femi- nine hands in the apiary. " For myself it cannot be said that I took to bee-keeping simply for love of the cause. I'm afraid it was more for the sake of the ' grist ' that the produce of the bees' labour would bring to the mill than for any interest I had in them as a hobby. Nevertheless, I find a good deal of pleasure in working amongst the little labourers, even though much of it has to be done after working hours ; while with regard to the £ s. d. I have never yet found the balance on the wrong side, and sometimes they have left a substantial sum to the good. " As regards the past season of 1904, howeVer, I am sorry to say it was a some- 216 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1905. what unfortunate one for us. Not only has the quantity of honey been limited, but the quality has fallen far short of that gathered during 1903. However, as the old adage has it, ' Hope springs eternal in the human breast,' and we are hoping for better things in 1905." (" Bees in Cold Sitva'ions," continued from page 214.) every week, till by the end of April I had from eight to ten frames covered with bees. In May I put on a rack of sections (21), and to-day (May 29) seeing that nearly all the sections are filled and sealed over, I have dropped in another big frame, and put on another rack of sections under the one filled. My other hives are nearly all in a more or less forward condition, and I attribute this entirely to opening in mul-winter and moving the empty combs to the back on taking them out, as previous to doing this I found my stocks dwindled and starved, with plenty of food so near and yet so far. I do not know whether it is a record to .secure a rack of sections before the end of May, but here no one has yet put on supers. — W. B., Brecon, S. Wales. RYMER'S NON-SWARMING SYSTEM. [5904.] The thanks of bee-men in heather districts are due to Mr. Hooker for his article in last week's issue (5890, page 202). The drawback to Mr. Rymer's system of working with me has been the superseding of queens by the bees, owing to the queens not taking to the extra set of combs, but here I see the benefit to be derived from Mr. Hooker's article. Put your queen and frame on which you find her along with eight frames fitted with foundation or drawn-out combs on the stand occupied by the stock, lay your queen excluder on, and put the nine frames of the original ten-frame stock on the top of all, and then you know which part of the hive the queen is in, and as the brood hatches out of the top lot the bees will store them with any honey that is coming in, and no doubt sections placed on top of them. But what about the drones in the top lot ? How would it do to cover the .seven middle frames with your queen excluder", and k.o leave room at either end for drones to pass down and out of the hive? Would the queen find her way into the top through these two open- ings ? Again, many would object to cut the excluders to allow this, but if it did not matter about the drones being confined I think the arrangement as staled above would go a long way towards accomplish- ing the end of preventing swarming. If the system worked out all right, then in reducing your hive back to nine frames for the heather all you have to do is. to lift off the set of frames above the excluder, take your excluder off and put two racks of sections filled with comb or foundation on, a super cleaner on the top of these, and the nine frames on the top of all to be removed and extracted in twenty-four hours, and there is your hive full of bees ready for the heather, without the trouble of making sure which set of frames the queen happens to be on. Here is the matter in a certainty, and I think I shall try it with one stock headed by a queen hatched last July. But would it not be a mistake to confine the drones in the top storey, above the zinc? Perhaps our friends the Editors would give us their opinion on the above plan. — Heather Bee, Northumberland, May 27. [We strongly object to confining drones. —Eds.] items and jlejjlits, [3758.] Making Artificial Swarms. — I shall be greatly obliged if, through the medium of the B.B.J., you will instruct me on the following points: — On page 21 of the " Bee-keeper's Guide Book " it is stated : " In due time the re- maining queen in the cell will take her place as queen of that hive and swarming be over for the year. " On 12th inst. I removed a strong stock from its stand to a fresh location, placing on the old stand an empty hive. I took from the strong hive four frames, of brood in all stages, including unsealed brood and two frames of combs with sealed honey in them. I put the four bars of brood in the centre of the new hive with a bar of honey on each side of them and two frames of comb-foundation on the side of the frames of honey-comb. There were many bees flying, but they soon settled down. On 22nd or 23rd I pro- pose to examine the four frames of brood, and if there are more queen-cells than one, to remove the surplus ones and to give the hive two more frames of brood from the parent stock in exchange for two of the frames of foundation which I expect to find drawn out. Supposing all to go on well and the young queen to be hatched out and duly fertilised, if I continue to supply this hive with frames of brood from other hives till it is as full of bees as I can stuff it, will there be any danger of the young queen heading a swarm this season and so upsetting al 1 my trouble ? If so, would it be well to double the hive by putting a second body-box under the old one to receive the additional frames of brood and placing racks of sections, on top of the original brood-nests ? I have kept June 1, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 217 bees for many years, but have always been disappointed of my harvest from losing my swarms.— C. F. M. M., Alford, Lines., May 20. Reply. — We do not think there will be any danger in the direction you fear. All will probably go on well. [3759.] Transferring from Skeps to Frame- hives. — As you have given me valuable in- formation before, may I again trespass on your space? About a month or more ago I placed a step of bees on the top-bars of a frame-hive, the latter being filled with comb-foundation as recommended. To- wards the end of April I looked to see if the combs in lower hive had been drawn out, and found to my disgust that the foundation had not been touched, as far as I could see. Then on the 17th inst. , chancing it without any examination, I put the queen-excluding zinc between the hive and skep, where I intend letting it stop for twelve days to allow the brood in skep to hatch out. After this I am in a fix. Supposing the queen still remained in the skep, I ask : — 1. Could I put a super- clearer between and so leave her alone in skep ? Also, 2. Supposing she has gone down to lower hive, could I do this to clear bees from skep, or would it be ad- visable to drive the bees out,? If so, how should I go about it? 3. I have also another lot of bees in a rather awkward box, which overlaps the body-box of an ordinary frame hive, which I have not as yet tried to trans- fer. Will you tell me the best way to transfer them to a frame-hive, so as to bring in an early supply of surplus honey ? —A. W. F. , Netley, May 20. Reply. — 1. We cannot quite understand your "disgust" because the bees in skep had not begun to build out the combs in lower hive in the time specified. As we work out your dates it would appear that the skep had only been for about ten days or so, and the very cold weather during the time would fully explain the bees' re- fusal to leave the warm skep for the cold, empty frame-hive below. It was also in- judicious on your part to " chance it " by putting a queen-excluder between skep and frame-hive on the 17th ult. To do so can only tend to still further delay the bees from transferring themselves below. We advise removal of excluder without delay. Nor is it safe to use a super-clearer in re- moving bees from skep unless time be allowed for all brood to hatch out. This would occupy twenty-one days, or twenty- four days if drones are hatching. 2. There is no better way of transferring than the one under question, if it is carried out care- fully and intelligently. [3760.] Indian Honey. — I am sending you to-day a box containing some honey gathered by bees which I took out to India about three and a half years ago. I would be much obliged if you would give me in an early issue of the B.B.J, your opinion of the same, as to flavour, colour, consistency, etc. . I may mention that the honey was gathered in the months of January and February. — G. de Heiuez Smith (Major, Central India Horse), Dulwich, May 25. Reply. — The flavour of sample is by no means bad, and we could readily under- stand some persons who do not care for the ordinary sweetness of most honeys, preferring yours". It is full of character, though we cannot define its source, though it reminds us of Australian honey with a slight admixture of the eucalyptus flavour. Its semi-liquid condition makes it very suitable for table use. The colour is what would be called medium, according to the glasses used for grading colour. [3761.] Bobber Bees Cast Out. — Having noticed in your interesting Journal the valuable information you give concerning bees belonging to subscribers, I should be glad if you will tell me what you think has caused the death of bees I am send- ing herewith. They are some of a stock I drove from a skep rather late last season, and wintered them in a frame-hive, and having fed them well, they now appear to be beautifully strong. I have examined the frames, and they have a fine lot of brood in all stages, and not a sign of disease, and plenty of stores, but they are bringing out bees either quite dead or others partly so, with which they seem to fight on the alighting board until they aiv quite helpless. I should think they have already brought out quite a pint, and the same thing is going on each day, It dis- tresses one to see the loss of bee-life, and trust you will be able to heljJ me to prevent it. I haVe ten other stocks which seem to be doing very well, and some are already working well in the su]3ers. The bees I am sending are as I picked them up in a lump at the front of the hive, think- ing possibly there may be different kinds of bees amongst them which might suggest they are some from my other hives which have gone there and have got killed. At present I feel my inexperience respecting " bee life " very much, but hope some day to become an expert. — A. E. A., Ash- ford, Kent, May 25. Reply. — The dead bees sent bear all the appearances of having been killed while attempting to rob the hive they were cast out of. The robbers probably all come from one hive. [3762.] Queans Duplicating Eggs in Cells. — I have been surprised to find several eggs deposited in single cells in the combs of two of my hives, although there is ample space for single laying, some combs 218 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1905. having no eggs at all. This occurs in one hive to a less degree than the other, though both are weak colonies. Can you assign a cause for this ? — Sussex Downs, May 26. Reply. — The duplication of eggs in single cells arises from causes sometimes diametrically opposite. For instance, when queens are losing their fertility they will, duplicate eggs and place them irregularly here and there as if all method in ovipositing was discarded. On the other hand, if a very prolific queen heads a weak stock with too few bees to cover her eggs, she will duplicate eggs from sheer inability to control ovipositing, and will sometimes drop scores of eggs on the hive-floor from this cause. In your case it would appear that the trouble is caused through the paucity of bees, and their being unable to cover the eggs if dispersed over a larger surface of comb than bees can cover. [3763.] Number of Hives for Given Space. — I have an apiary 31 ft. in length and 15 ft. in breadth, bounded on the north side by a high hedge, on the other three sides by hurdles 3^ ft. in height. What is the largest number of hives I can place in it without ci*owding and to give plenty of room for manipulation. — B. T., Bristol, May 25. Reply. — The space mentioned should ac- commodate a dozen hives if so arranged that the entrances or line of flight could be directed outwardly so that the working- space would be in centre. Frame-hives are generally spaced 6 ft. apart ,if room allows, but less space will answer by ])lacing the hives as suggested above. [3764.] Working Surplus Chambers Be- yond Brood-nest. — I have several frame- hives made to take fifteen frames, but with only ten now in use. The bees are now at work in eight shallow-frame surplus cham- bers over jbrood-nest. I intend filling up the vacant space in body-box by laying a board across, and then drawing back shal- low-frames to be finished off instead of tiering. Do you think this will answer as well?— A. W. B., Downton, May 29. Reply. — Your plan will not be so suc- cessful in getting well-finished combs as if you tier up over the ten frames now in body-box. And we should adopt the latter plan in preference, because surplus cham- bers extended outside or beyond the warmth of brood-nest below are less rapidly filled because of being colder. [3765.] Dealing with Foul Brood.— I am sending to-day under separate cover a piece of comb for examination, and enclose stamped envelope for a line of reply if I am to destroy stock. You kindly gave me advice two years ago as to foul brood in my first stock. Last autumn I again made a thoi-ough overhaul, and found two hives badly and two slightly affected. I dealt with them by getting bees off combs and keeping them without food, and then join- ing the badly affected ones and taking out all affected combs from others, burning the lot and building up afresh, after spraying everything left in hives. Up to now I have found all the stocks seemingly strong and healthy but this one. It had a di-one- breeding queen, which I have removed, and is not strong in bees ; but all the other combs seem healthy, and if there is no foul brood in sample I might save the bees. Thanking you in anticipation — W. B., Whitby, May 29. Reply. — As notified by post, there is foul brood in comb, and We are glad the stock will now be destroyed as advised. It is far better to do away with the only " plague spot " left in your apiary, and the bees were not worth saving. [3766.] Transferring Bees. — Referring to my query on page 196 of B.B.J, for May 18, I am sorry to give so much trouble and hope the following will make the case quite clear. On April 20 last I purchased two stocks of bees, one of which was in a skep, and the other in a frame-hive. Next day (April 21) I placed the skep over a new empty frame-hive to allow the bees to transfer themselves to the hive, below, and the skep still remains there ; this lot is very strong. The other stock is in old frame-hive, and is rather weak, with an old queen (four years). The two stocks are thus quite separate. I should be very grateful if you would kindly tell me how to make them both strong stocks, and how to re-queen the stock which now has the old queen, and when to do so? I may say the two stocks have been continually fed ever since I purchased them. Since placing the skep over the new fi'ame-hive (which latter I filled with comb foundation) 1 have not looked to see if the bees have taken up possession of the brood-chamber below. I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — H. G. R., Beccles, Suffolk. Reply. — There should be no trouble with the very strong lot which will prob- ably have taken full possession of the lower hive as a brood-chamber. You had better remove skep and examine the combs below to make sure that all is as it should be there, and if there is plenty of sealed brood we should put a box of shallow frames on top, then replace the skep over all, and cover all down warmly. A week or so later you might examine the skep to see if brood has all hatched out, and if this is so remove skep entirely, and let bees store surplus in shallow-frames only for extracting. With regard to the weak lot June 1, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 219 with old queen, you cannot hope to build it up into a strong stock, unless the tailing queen is replaced by a young prolific one. [3767.] Honey-tins. — I saw some nice honey-tins a short time ago holding exactly 14 lb. of honey when filled up to the "rim," about 2 in. from the top. The lids were not lever-up ones, but fitted over, like sweet-tins. These tins were very nicely made, and said to be " air-tight," and the price, by the dozen, less than 3d. each. Can any one tell me who makes these tins ? — Worker-bee, Cambs, May 27. Reply. — We confess ourselves unable to reply to above query. Can any reader help our correspondent ? <&t\\m fuom ihe Dim Seswall, Cheshire, May 27. — Swarms have been numerous in this county, and bee-keeping in Wilmslow, Caldy, and Higher Bebington, where our worthy editor once resided in days gone by ; good swarms were hived on May 17, which is fairly early for a season like this. Supers are filling favourably, and comb building is going on beautifully. Vegetation has been somewhat checked by the long-con- tinued dry weather, but some slight showers of rain have fallen lately, and bees are revelling in the increased supply of nectar. — Jas. Waddell, Expert (on tour). |3fc JUtouts to €ontf. A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices in . this cilwmn, which rovers cokt of insertion from order till dite of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. June 8 to 12, at Bournemouth, Hants- Show of Honey, Hives, etc., in connection with Royal Counties Agricultural Society's Show. For schedules apply E. H. Bellairs, Christehurch, Hants. Entries close June 3- June 14 and 15, at Southend-on-Sea — Annual Show of the Essex Agricultural Society. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the Essex and Suffolk Beekeepers' Association. Classes open to the United Kingdom. Schedules from Mr. G. R. Alder, Rawreth, Essex. Entries closed- June 27 to 30, at Park Royal. London— Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Schedules from Edwin H. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanover-square, W. En- tries closed- July 13 and 14, at Grantham— Show of Honev, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K. A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Schedules from R Godson, Hon. Sec. Lines. B.K. A., Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries close June 13- July 19, at Wallop, Hants —Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open ClaeeeB for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Orange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 12 July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants B.K. A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Entries close July 15. July 26 and 27, at Cardiff.— Glamorgan Bee- keepers' Association's Show, in connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen classes (five open). Prizps for Honey, £1, 10s., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec, Clabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 21- August 2, at Henbury. near Bristol — Annual Show of Honey and Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon. Sec, J. Atkin Waller. Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trvm, Bristol. Entries close July 26 August 3, 4. 5, and 7, at Liverpool — AnD«al Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. Sections, Extracted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery, Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Bee-Oulture, etc. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller-arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3- August 16. at Bishop Stortford — Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K. A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entry to members. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Bunting- ford, Herts. August 16, at Wye— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single 1-lb. section, lib. jar light extracted honey, lib. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions Schedules (enclose stamp) from ,T. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11 August 16, at Fleetwood -Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six lib. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and, Six lib. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cock, Hon. Sec, Roseall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6- August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the YetminBter and District B.K. A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from O. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 23 an-1 24, at Shrewsbury.— Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K. A. in connection with the H >rtlcultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Ei^ht open clashes for honey. Classes with free entry for single 1-11). jar and sinsrle 1-lh. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon t-'e-retan , Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11. August 30. at Chester-— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefoidshire, or Cheshire, for six lib. jars extracted honey, and for six lib. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford— Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers!* Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three ta district. Two to cottagers in district. 220 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1905. O.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Peover Knutsford. Entries close August 23. Notices to Correspondents A Inquirers. *** Hiving Bees on Old Combs. — Referring to query 3754 last week, we have received the following communication : — " Sirs,- — In reply to your correspondent ' Re- gular Reader,' whose query (3754) ap- pears on page 207 last week, if he will communicate with me I shall be pleased to enrol him as a member of the Lines. Bee-keepers' Association, and give him the assistance of our expert. I had no idea that any one located so close to my- self kept such a number of hives in this district. — R. N. Chapman, Hon. Local Secretary L.B.K.A., Boston, Lines., May 29." Ignorant (Kingsbury, Staffs). — Insurance for Bee-keepers. — If you are a member of the Staffs B.K.A., applications for forms of policy should be made to. the Secre- tary. Non-members can insure by ap- plying to Mr. E. H. Young, Sec. B.B.K.A , 12, Hanover Square, London. J. E. L. (Dirleton, N.B.).— Flies About Hives. — We never heard of the "blue- bottle " fly becoming a serious nuisance about hive entrances ; but if troubled in that way we should try sweetened beer, or some similar liquid, in narrow-necked bottles laid near the entrances. These traps are very useful in catching wasps, and should answer equally well with flies. "Sufferer" (Bristol. — Remedies for Bee- stings.— Beyond the simple remedies you have tried without effect we might advise a trial of "Grimshaw's Apifuge," a well-known remedy which may be had from any dealer in bee appliances. D. G. T. (Ilminster).— The dead queen 'sent was undoubtedly fertilised, the spermatheca containing numerous sper- matozoa. Beginner (Plumstead). — Dead Queens Cast Out. — Both queens are quite young, and have probably never taken wing. It is quite the usual thing to see several young queens cast out of hives that have swarmed twice. "Flos" (Glenlivet). — We regret delay, but the mem. to which we referred in former issue got mislaid. We may now say, 1. The honey would have to be boiled for about one and a half hours before it could be safely used as bee food. 2. Unless the bees are a strong lot, and bred this year — which is not very likely in your case we advise your running no risks to other stocks by attempting to build up the bees as a swarm. Suspected Combs. Harry Johnson (Margate). — Comb shows a pronounced case of foul brood. The stock had better be destroyed and so avoid risk to other hives. D. M. (Campbeltown).— The bit of old, black comb sent bears every appearance of having come from a hive badly affected with foul brood, but there is not the slightest trace of brood left in the cells, all being dried up and gone — probably years ago. Inquirer (Hants). — There is no disease in comb, the cells containing nothing more than hard old pollen. B. C. O. (Birmingham). — Comb shows foul brood of old standing. You therefore did wisely in taking drastic measures. It will be quite sufficient to deal with the outer-case and roof of hive in the way proposed to make them fit for use again. C. H. G. (Norfolk). — We find no disease in comb, but queen was evidently a worth- less drone-breeder, and you oTd well in destroying the stock, seeing it was weak in bees. All such comb as sample sent should be destroyed as unfit for use. W. Derham. — Brood in comb seems chilled only, but sample was spoilt for diagnosing through comb being all crushed out of shape and cappings damaged. T. E. P. (Pewsey). — No disease in comb sent. M. E. — Both samples are badly affected with foul brood. No. 2 is the worse. J. C. (Burnt Fen, Soham). — The stock fiom which comb was taken is badly diseased, and we advise its destruction without delay in view of your other hives near by. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve words and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three words or under, One Penny, LAST YEAR QUEENS by return post, 4s. 6J. ; 1905 fertile Queens, 6s.— THE APIARY, 8, Grange Street, Saint Albans. H 98 C1TRONG NATURAL SWARMS.— 1904 Queen, 12s. 6d., IO 13o. 6d. Second ditto, 19C5 Queens, Ss. 6d. Three Frame Stocks, 1905 Queen, feitile, 12s. 6d. Guaranteed healthy. — W. WOODS, Normandy, Guildford. BEE GLOVES (with gauntlets), new material, safe and sure, 2s. fid.-, post free. " W.B.C." metal ends, 2s. 10d., post free. — GKEENHILL, Graham Road, Wimbledon. OQTH YEAR.— Imported Italian Queens, 7s. Home- ^jO raised Carmolan, 6s. British,, 5s. Stocks, Nuclei and Swarm® as heretofore. — E. WOODHAM, Clavering, Newport, Essex. H 96 i"u5lt SALE, THREE Strong STOCKS of BEES, in excellent condition ; section hives. What offers tor the lot? — DODD, care of Joy Bros., Wrotham, Kent. H 97 SECTIONS OF HONEY FOR SALE, 6s. 6d. per IO dozen, on rail.— OUCKSEY, Burnt Fen, Soham. B_Q5 SHALLOW FRAME COMBS, drawn out. Ten crates of these for sale Perfectly healthy and clean. What offer* for whole or 'part?— KADEN, Yardley, Worcestershire. H 94 June 8, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 221 (fitfttorral, $vtittt, &t. FOUL BROOD LEGISLATION. The letter of Mr. W. J. Farmer, on page 211 last week, dealing with the question of foul brood legislation, etc., has been fol- lowed by several others on the same sub- ject, including more than one from Mr. Farmer himself. Our correspondents seem to overlook the fact that the continued reiteration of the same arguments and useless* acrimonious discussions had be- come wearisome to the bulk of our readers, and that we have more than onoe made a request that it should stop. We are, there- fore, compelled to withhold from publica- tion the recent letters received. Nor can there be any reasonable complaint on this score, seeing that the question of foul brood legislation was placed entirely in the hands of a committee, appointed by the representatives of county B.K. asso- ciations assembled at a meeting convened for the special purpose of dealing with the matter, and at which meeting it was de- cided that legislation was desirable. There was also a reasonable prospect of the Bill being introduced as a Government measure, provided that the County Councils would petition for such a Bill, and under take to carry out its provisions if passed. These all-important points are what the committee of the B.B.K.A. are endeavour- ing to arrive at, and until the county asso- ciatifons have furnished the information required, no further action can be taken. A.s will be seen in report of the meeting of the Bee-pest Legislation Committee, held on May 17 (reported on page 201), a further communication was sent to all county asso- ciations who had not yet notified the par- ticulars required to do so without further delay. The evidence thus obtained will then, be summarised for presentation to the Board of Agriculture, and the result will be made known in the usual way when the proper time comes. REVIEWS OF FOREIGN JOURNALS. By "Nemo." Austrian Bee-keepers. — The annual re- port of the Central Austrian Bee-keepers' Association is published in Bienen-Vater. From this we gather that the association has 34 honorary members, three cor- responding members, 707 ordinary mem- bers, 7,186 members of affiliated societies, of which there are eleven, and one indepen- dent society of 666 members, making 8,596 receiving the Bienen-Vater. For the print- ing of the paper the State allows a subsidy of 7,110 kr. (about £300). The society is also allowed about half that amount for lecturing. From 9,000 to 12,000 copies of the paper are published every month. The membership subscription is 3 kr. (2s. 6<1 ), entitling members to the paper gratis, schoolmasters 2 kr. (Is. 8d.), and members of affiliated societies 1.60 kr. (Is. 4d.). Tomtits and Swallows. — M. Laglaine takes the part of tomtits and swallows in La Bevue Bclectique. He says it is a general mistake to suppose that tomtits come to the hive entrance to catch live bees. They only pick up larvae and dead bees. Moreover, M. Laglaine turns tomtits to some account, for he gives them drone comb containing brood, which they very soon clean out. To assure him- self that swallows do not eat bees, M. Laglaine spread a cloth under a nest. It generally happens in the scramble among the young ones for the food tendered them by the mothers that at least a third drops to the ground. Among all the insects that fell a few drones were found, but never a worker bee. Daily Consumption of Food by Bees. — M. Sylviac has been carrying out a series of experiments to ascertain the daily con- sumption of food by each bee, and in an interesting article in L' Union Apicoh gives the results of his researches. Of course, he. points out that the amount varies under different conditions from .003 to .12, and sometimes as much as .24 grammes, but the average most fre- quently observed was .03 grammes. Ihis last figure shows the daily consumption when a bee is in the hive doing nothing, and the temperature from 68 deg. to 86 deg. Fahr. If the temperature is much below 68 deg. the consumption is double, and may be more. With regard to drones, when active and on the wing the daily consumption per drone is .016 grammes, but when at rest in the hive it is half of this. He adds that a drone does not consume even this quantity of honey, as he does not eat it, and is not even able to uncap a cell. He lives on very diluted and thin honey, and this fact must reduce the prejudice against him. M. Sylviac was able to prove this by collecting drones by means of a drone trap, and when he had got two litres (about three pints) and weighed them, he placed some of them under a bell-glass placed over recently- sealed honey-comb, three honey cells being open. The temperature of the apartment went down to 59 deg. Fahr., and the drones became chilled, and a third of them died of cold in the twenty-four hours. Half the remainder recovered when placed in the sunshine on the second day, but did not eat anything. This abstinence from food continued the following days until the last one died on the fourth day. The honey was not touched. It has been noticed that when drones take honey from the hive it is always from the cells where 222 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 8, 1905. the thin honey recently collected is found. The author says he has seen the workers give them this, and by the movement of the antennse one would suppose that they were enjoying it. Queen Not Laying Drone Eggs. — It is unusual to find a queen that will only lay eggs from which workers proceed, but we find in the American Bee-keeper that Mr. A. C. Miller describes the proceedings of such a one in his own apiary. He had a strong colony that filled three shallow chambers and two supers, which he ex- pected to swarm. There were no outward signs of swarming, and within everything seemed well. There was not a queen cell or a cup to be seen. Each of the three brood chambers was packed with worker brood, and not a drone-cell occupied. The queen had evidently avoided all drone comb, even when she had laid in worker-cells round it. The drone-cells were all clean and ready for use, showing that the workers desired drones to be reared. Mr. Miller thinks this an interesting case, be- cause the queen was in her fourth year, and has once been out with a swarm. Three weeks later the colony swarmed, and a careful inspection of the bees as they were entering the hive showed that there were three drones only, and it is possible these might have joined the swarm when the bees were on the wing. In the colony there was not a drone-cell containing brood in any stage. Bees and Rheumatism. — It is stated in the Bheinische Bienen-zeitung that those suffer- ing from rheumatism have no difficulty in getting a formic acid cure, as the bees are quite ready, if provoked, to make the neces- sary injections, but in winter this remedy is not available. Internal treatment must then be resorted to, and for this purpose nothing is better than honey diluted with water, to which is added lemon juice. This form Si a hygienic beverage that purifies the blood. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken, of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. \* 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. AMONG THE BEES. THE " MISSING LINK " TO SUCCESS. [5905. J Foul Brood Legislation. — The movement is not dead, but sleepeth, to waken up, I trust, at the auspicious mo- ment in strength sufficient to carry it into full fruition. While it would be folly to seek to force the pace, it should be remem- bered that the present Parliamentary Session (and Parliament) is fast running to its close, and that an already overburdened Legislature is not likely to enter on fur- ther contentious business submitted to it at the eleventh hour. I would, therefore, urge on all concerned — What thou doest, do quickly, and before a date when any- thing done will be so much labour lost. Granting that there is some opposition to a measure to suppress this vile scourge of bee-keeping, it would be pusillanimous in those in charge to fold their hands and adopt a do-nothing policy, simply because all bee-keepers, do not see eye to> eye. No- thing good, or worth getting, is obtained without an .effort. I am glad, therefore, to observe that the Committee of B.B.K.A. is still pressing on towards the desired goal. I have already expressed my astonish- ment at the attitude of the objectors. The Bill, as drafted, may not be perfection. If they believe it needs amendment, by all means let them strive to the utmost to right what is wrong. But to take up a wholly antagonistic attitude is an iniqui- tous proceeding. Reviewing all that has been written, I coolly and deliberately as- sert that I have not come across one good or valid reason submitted by its opponents for the uncompromising stand they have taken in seeking to block the efforts i,o secure this Bill. On the other hand, its supporters have time and again produced numerous arguments, cogent and con- vincing to an impartial mind, in its favour. I have been taunted with the fact that I am an outsider, and a non- interested party, as the Bill does not apply to Scotland. Why, in my eyes, that is the one blot on the page ! Granted I am an outsider ; such frequently see most of the gama, and are usually best able to take an unbiassed view of the strife, as they can see both sides of the shield. Those best capable of judging assure me that in other countries: where an Act has been secured, if it has not obtained an elysium where P.B. is unknown, it has at least kept the scourge in check and curbed its ravages. If it has done incal- culable good in the United States (as it certainly has), why should it not Drove a boon and a blessing in the United King- dom ? if this query can be answered, it has never yet been attempted. Indeed, most of its enemies, if they have tried to give a reason, submit only the proverbial woman's, " I think it so because I think it so." Look at the letter of " County Secretary " (5894, page 206), which is one out of thou- sands. It is typical of much that works June 8, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 223 ruin to the industry, yet some of the chief opponents of the projected measure are adopting almost if not "quite the same standpoint. In effect they say, " The law allows me now to do as I like with my own. I will have no man armed with powers to intrude into my demesne, even although what I hide there may work devastation over the whole countryside. Perish the good of my fellow - men, if it depends on any intrusion into what has hitherto been solely mine." Ah, the pity of it ! The query, " Why has not Foul Brood Extinguished Bees? " is an interesting one well deserving of discussion. The " sur- vival of the fittest " argument, is built on a solid basis of truth, and it is a fact that some members of humanity are partly, or even wholly,; immune from certain dis- eases ; or, at least, they pass through life missing the psychological moment when contagion might work its will on them. So I conclude it is at times with bees. But man's guiding hand comes in frequently to their aid, and, under his benign direc- tion, the ravage is stayed. His acts in se- curing this are generally drastic enough, as he often kills to cure. Here are two telling evidences of his beneficence in saving the race from extinction. A dozen years ago, a bee-keeper having doubts of some of his stocks, cut out a sample of comb, forward- ing it to the B.B.J, office. Promptly came the reply, "A case of F.B.," and, succintly pat, the advice given was, " Do not tinker with it ; go to the root of the matter if you wish to effect a cure." That bee- keeper acted on those wise words so dras tically that he soon had as fine and healthy a lot of bees as any one could desire ready for next season's honey-crop, which happily was a bountiful and paying one, The cost was heavy, but by that one season's success he was amply repaid. Last year quite a recent recruit to the ranks got the dis- ease badly, and stock after stock ran down so rapidly that he, too, took extreme measures. This year he has all his hives in first-class order. Every comb is new, every hive sweet and clean, and brood as sound and healthy as any apiarist could desire. Now, I conclude from this evi- dence of practical experience that bees survive because enthusiasts sink money in. the pursuit, and are not afraid to go to the root of the matter when disease assails them. And yet, and yet, cui bono? If that rot ting lot of old ruskies, up or down the valley, contains germs of disease of suf- ficient virulence to taint a whole neigh bourhood, what avails it? Here is where legislation would prove a boon. This is what any county inspector, with a head on his shoulders, would set himself to accom- plish. Leaving the well-managed apiaries — the ninety-and-nine, I take it — he would make a cleansing raid on these hot-beds of disease, and effectually place them be- yond the point of doing harm for ever. Any man who deliberately asserts this is not a consummation devoutly to be desired must have a very cross-bench mind indeed. — D. M. M., Banff. [It must not be supposed that by insert- ing the above article we are preparing to re-open the discussion on foul-brood legis- lation. The fact is, our esteemed corre- spondent, " D. M. M. ," has hitherto — as he says. — occupied the position of an out sider (an interested one no doubt) who has held aloof from the discussion. We have, however, no doubt that readers, along with ourselves, will be glad to have the views of one whose contributions to our pages are always both useful and interesting. — Eds.] BEE NOTES FROM CUMBERLAND. [5906. ] As there seems to be considerable .interest on the part of B.B.J, readers with regard to foul brood and treatment of combs to save them, I think it would be a good thing if some bee-keepers who have tried various experiments with success would give us the method followed, such as using combs taken from stocks slightly affected with disease, extracting honey, and syringing pollen, etc., from such combs; using disinfectants in the water, or by sjn'aying after combs are dry with soluble phenyle or some such remedy ; and whether, with clean hives and good queens, the disease has or has not reappeared ? Has any one known an affected hive of bees to become and remain healthy solely by having naphthaline continually in the hive? My opinion is that naphthaline will not cure, but it may, and no doubt does, act as a preventive. I would also say if by the use of such disinfectants grubs dying from disease are removed by bees, the spores formed inside the dried-up skin would be removed also ; and as spores hatching from" bacilli, which succumb to such disinfectants by continued use, one might expect a healthy stock in time, though, in my opinion, such is not the case. In conclusion, I may say I have never seen such a state of pollen-clogged combs since I commenced bee-keeping ten or eleven years ago, almost all of my thirty hives being the same. I send name, etc. , and sign — Bee-way, Langwathby, Cumber- land. [Without going far afield for replies to most of our correspondent's questions, which we trust will come from readers as desired, we may reply to that regarding " naphthaline " by asking : Who has ever said that this substance will cure foul 224 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 8, 1905. brood? It is sent out from this office labelled " For use in bee-hives as a disin- fectant or preventive against foul brood." Surely no mistake can arise here ? Again, it is distinctly stated in the " Guide Book " that " although certain disinfectants, such as carbolic acid, phenyle, Izal, etc., while not actually killing the bacilli, arrest their increase or growth." — Eds.] THE " CLAUSTBAL " HIVE. IMPROVING THE DETENTION-CHAMBER. [5907. J Will you give me your opinion in the B.B.J, of the enclosed rough sketch of a suggested improvement in the " detention- chamber " ? I have experimented with smoke, and find that in the straight flue the draught goes more or less direct through without ventilating the chamber as it ought to do. My improvement consists of a stoppage as at A in sketch, the holes for ventilation being bored above and be- low. Thus the air is compelled to enter the chamber by one set of holes and leave by the upper set, and light is excluded at the same time. The chimney I have made is 1 in. in dia- meter and 2 ft. 6 in. long, the stoppage being 1 ft. from the bottom of the chimney, thus the 1 ft. 6 in. above is sufficient to create the draught. My original plan was to cut the tubing into two parts, but by keeping it in one length, and using the stop, the chimney is stronger. I presume the improvement is sufficient to allow of my protecting it, and making it for sale ? I hope to exhibit a hive with this improvement at the Southend Show on the 14th and 15th inst. I keep thirty stocks of bees, and make my own hives and wood- work, and am an amateur. I now have twenty-five stocks working in sections. Hoping for your replv in next issue — W. E. E. C, Ipswich, June 5. [The value, or otherwise, of proposed improvements, such as are suggested in sketch sent, can only be gauged after prac- tical trial, but our impression is that to insert a block in the ventilating: tubes as shown would impede the thorough draught required in the detention-chamber. We, therefore, suggest your giving the " im- provement ' ' a full trial in use before doing anything further just now. It must also be borne in mind that the " Claustral " hive is patented. — Eds.] ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES. [5908.] Trice of Queens.— To me there docs not seem to be any valid reason for the high prices charged for fertile queens, for the following reasons: — 1. A small stock is employed to finish queen-cells in a separate chamber that stock suffers no loss. 2. Suppose that another stock is doubled — ten frames of brood above and ten below, including queen — in ten days nine or ten nuclei may be formed without any loss of brood or stoppage of the queen lay- ing. 3. In the course of the season at least a score of young queens may be fertilised from these nuclei, and the total cost is no more than that of a good swarm, and yet £5 would not purchase the same number of queens. A recent writer said that queen- breeders often sacrificed large numbers of queens at the end of the season, as they could not get them sold. But were a reason- able price charged for them (say, 2s. 6d. each), a very good profit would be made by any expert queen-raiser. If he had no honey, he would at least have £2 to £2 10s. for queens, and that from a portion of a single stock. Hive-roofs. — There is often an outcry over " leaking roofs." The great fault lies, I think, in too little slope. A span-roof, with angles of 45 cleg., sends off both rain and snow. The flat roofs of 15 deg. slope have a notorious habit of warping with the sun, and the next shower pets driven in by the wind. Most of my purchased hives and a few home-made ones to same pattern possess this fault. Pollen-clogged Combs. — Weak hives store a superabundance of pollen in spring. To remedy this, remove the pollen-store comb, which will always be found next the brood- nest. The clogging of so many combs arises from the queen spreading the nest into the pollen-store, and the bees then storing in the next adjacent one. To prevent this, contrive to keep the pollen-store comb always outside the brood-nest. This may done by giving a sheet of foundation or an empty comb in the centre of the brood-nest. If this is not convenient shake off the bees from the pollen-comb and syringe it out, directing the syringe against the pollen only, and then return to the hive. — D. V., Dunaskin, June 4. SPRAYING CHARLOCK. [5909.] A correspondent wrote in B.B.J. of May 4 (page 178), asking whether any harm would be done to bees by farmers spraying charlock. As. no one has, so far, answered the query, I may set his mind at rest by saying that spraying for char- lock was done months ago, when the corn was from two to four inches high and the charlock had only put forth its first two rough leaves. — C. H. H., Addlestone, May 31. (Correspondence continued on page 226.) June 8, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. m HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OTTR. READERS. The following " notes," written at our re- quest, will be read in connection witli the article by "D. M. M. ," in our issue of May 25, headed "A Novelty in Bee-hives,'' which gives a fully-detailed description of the hive seen below. Mr. Eeid says : — " My bee-keeping experiences commenced about forty years ago, and have been of a very varied chai*acter. In those days there was need for changes. They say ' neces- sity is the mother of invention,' and in my case it proved to be so, for I have been dabbling more or less at it ever since. "In accompanying photo readers of the B.B.J, will see at any rate some tiling out of the usual order in your 'Homes' pic- ate beautiful yellow bees, the produce of queens I got last season from Mr. Taylor, Ilminster. The other three hives are alike, and illustrate the ' Novelty in Bee-hives ' referred to in B.B.J, of Mav 25 by your contributor, ' D. M. M., Banff.' This is my ideal house for bees. The boy standing in the background is my son, with whose help I was able to turn round the second hive seen, in order to show the interior and back arrangements. The unopened part at rear is the door of the combined super-clearer and cupboard. The back- door of the hive preper is in two parts, the top half only being removed for ordi- nary manipulating. The openings made at the sides when the roof is raised are closed in with canvas, as seen. By this MR. ALEXANDER REID'S APIARY, BALLOAN, URRAY, ROSS-SHIRE. tures. Over the hedge, in a beautifully- sheltered situation, stand the bulk of my hives. There can be seen the ' Darwinian theoiy ' demonstrated in bee-hives — the different stages of evolution leading up to my present ideal. As I farm over 200 acres of arable land in a good district, there is plenty of clover about, and I liave also two out-apiaries where both clover and heather honey are got. In writing these ' notes,' I shall only describe what is seen in the photo, as being probably of more interest than an account of my bee-keeping experiences. " The third hive from the right is an orna- mental one, made nearly thirty years ago. It contains three colonies, two of which arrangement the bee-man is practically in a tent, sheltered from the elements, hidden from the bees, and can manipulate with safety and comfort. " The height of the hive — while providing a large alighting surface for the bees, and sufficient space for the cupboard — enables the bee-keeper to operate without bending, thereby removing the temptation to use language other than flowery when the pain- ful process takes place of straightening one's back after bending over ordinary hives. " The front view shows the position of drone and queen traps and swarm-catchers. When the time arrives to use this arrange- ment, the outside block — which lies on the 226 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 8, 1905. top of the ventilator — is removed, thus allowing the light to enter ; seeing that the main entrance at top of the alighting-board has a bend in it which darkens that part, the drones and queens are naturally at- tracted to the light, and are led under the cone which conducts them into the trap. The size of the hive, being both long and broad, entirely prevents it from being blown over, gives ample room for expan- sion as the season advances, and also offers special facilities for always having young queens at the head of the colonies at tho end of the season. " I may say bee-keeping has been with me a life-long hobby ; the most pleasant part of the farm to me being the bee-depart- ment, and the hives I derive the most pleasure from are those shown in the photo. I conclude my ' notes ' by wishing all readers of the B.B.J, a prosperous season. '" COB RESPONDENCE (Continued from page 224 ) A SWARMING INCIDENT. [5910.] In July, 1904, a second swarm came off one of my frame-hives and clus- tered on two branches of the hedge. Think- ing there were two queens, I hived each cluster separately in a skep. But in the morning one of the skeps was found empty, from which I judged there was only one queen and the queenless lot had gone back to the parent stock. As was* to be ex- pected it was a very weak swarm, but it has survived the winter in the skep. The beesi, however, are now very few in number, so on Saturday (May 27) I examined the hive to see if I could find any brood. There was scarcely any to be seen, but I saw about two dozen sealed drone-cells. I have been feeding the bees with syrup, but they only take down a cupful in two or three days, though, if the syrup was warm, they took it down quicker ; otherwise they seemed not to notice it. They have alsoi been very troubled with robbers of late, so I narrowed the entrance just suf- ficient to let one bee pass at a time. Some pollen was being taken in. This after- noon (May 29) I was sent for as a swarm was said to have come off my hive. I saw at once what had happened — the bees had left the skep, and I found on looking in about a dozen left. I could not say whether the queen had gone or not, though I over- look I lie bees which were very scattered. Sometimes on<> here and there rested on the ground and then rose again. This weiil on for a quarter of an hour — the bees getting further from home, about 200 yards. Seeing they were never clustering, I lifted a " divot" (?), placed it on a post, and in a short time the bees clustered. I ueiil. home for the straw-hive (from which they came) and left it placed on the rvost. About an. hour afterwards I came back and brought hive and bees home. I should like you to tell me if it is common for bees to behave as they did, and what was the probable reason for their going away. — 1). R. MacK, Banffshire. WARNING TO BEE-KEEPERS. [5911.] I had the enclosed Press cutting from the Walthamstow Guardian given to me yesterday, and as it is, I think, somewhat unique in its way, you might perhaps find room for it in the B.B.J. One sees and hears so much of the other thing that a paragraph like this is quite refreshing, though there would, I fear, not be a great chance of any other bee-keepers noticing the floured bees entering their hives. I am sorry to say that F.B. is increasing in this county (Essex), more hives and more apiaries, being found affected than last year. — J. Herrod, Expert (on tour for Essex and Suffolk B.K.A.), Chingford, June 3. To the Editor, Walthamstow, Leyton, and Chingford Guardian. Sir, — As there are some apiarians in the town, may I, through your kindness, state that last Sunday one of my stocks was robbed out by others, and I have since found it was suffering from "foul brood."' Bee-keepers will know what this means. I took the precaution to flour the robbers so that if any brother of the craft should have noticed any of his bees returning to the hive dusted as I have described, he will be glad to have this notice, and will no doubt take the necessary precautions to remedy any mischief resulting. Thanking you in anticipation. Skep. WEATHER REPORT. Wkstbourne. Sussex. May, 1905. Minimum on grass, 28° on 11th. Frosty nights, 1. Mean maximum, 62. Mean 42-7. Mean 523. Above average, 1*1. Maximum barometer, 30 42 on 9th. Minimum barometer, 29-37 on 2nd. L. B. BlRJCBTT. Rainfall, '46 in. Heaviest fall, '19 on 1st. Rain fell on 5 days. Below average, l'3(j in. Sunshine, 30 » 7 hours. Brightest day, 28th, 14"8 hours. Sunless days, 1. Above average, 72*9 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 74-5° on 29th M inimum tempera- ture, 31° on 24th. minimum, temperature, MAY RAINFALL. Brilley, Herefordshire. Total rainfall, .48in. Greatest fall in 24 hours, .18 on 2nd. Rain fell on five days. W. Head. June 8, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtJBNAL. 227 <&t1xm fpm tk |§m Bossett, Wrexliam, June 3. — Saved ! at least for the time being. Rain fell copi- ously in Cheshire during the last week, clearing the atmosphere, and washing away the traces of honey-dew, which was begin- ing to show on various trees. Odd heads of white-clover bloom, are now seen in various partis I have visited, and with strong stocks on hand we may reasonably expect a good yield of honey. — Jas. Wad- dell, Expert (on tour). Higher Bebington, Cheshire, June 5, ■ — I took a peep on Saturday, June 3, at the supers on two of my hives, and was agree- ably surprised to find several of the centre combs with large patches of sealed honey in them, the rest of the combs being nearly full, but not sealed. The hives were supered with built-out shallow-combs on May 20 — just three weeks ago. Is not this very early for our district of Wirral ? Several of my other hives have drawn out a rack of shal- low-frames in less than a week. Hoping for a record yield this season. — E. D. K. [Our own apiary was located within a quarter of a mile from where your hives now stand for over twenty years, and dur- ing the whole of that time we do not re- member ever having supers completed so early as the first week in June. In fact, we considered it good form to have the bees in full possession of surplus-chambers and starting work by June 10. It thus becomes plain that the present honey-season is ex- ceptionally early for your part of Cheshire. — W. B. C] urm m& §UjjlmL [3768.] A Lady Bee-keeper' 's Swarming Troubles.- — A swarm issued from one of my hives on May 26, and was safely put in a new hive on nine frames of foundation, and one frame removed from the parent hive containing capped honey and drone-brood, and got badly stung in taking it out. Four days later (May 30) I looked through the new hive and found all the nine frames of comb well drawn out, and containing a good deal of honey, as well as pollen. I could not see the queen owing to the bees being so thick on combs, but I suppose she is all right, as bees were so busy pollen- carrying. It seems a waste to have so much honey in brood-chambers, so I ask : — 1. Should I put on a rack of sections, or would it be better to give a box of shallow- frames for surplus storing ? I think the swarm must be a very good one to do so much work in four days, and if the bees would work in sections, I would prefer to get a few from them, rather than combs for extracting. The bees are still working in: sections on the parent hive, and if it swarms again, I will return the bees. My other hive is very crowded with bees, though it has three racks of sections, on, and being filled. 2. Do you advise me to remove the sections, and see if there arc any queen-cells in brood-nest, and destroy them if found ? I do not want the work in sections stopped if I can help it. My hives are in a small orchard beyond the kitchen garden, and seem to do well. I send name and sign — E. M. M., St. Asaph, N. Wales. Reply. — 1. If sections are wanted, a rack of same should be given at once. 2. No ; the parent hive had better be allowed to swarm again, as it most likely will nine or ten days after the first swarm issued. Keep the bees in hiving skep till next morning, then return' them to the parent hive as early as possible. (It should be done before 6 a.m.) The bees will then settle down and not swarm again. [5769.] Dro nes Dead — Drones Cast Out in May — Be-queening Stocks. — 1. For the last week or ten days I have found several drones cast out dead and half-dead in front of my hives. I have not noticed thisi before so early in the year, though I have taken interest in bees for several years. What may this occurrence be attributed to? 2. Ten days ago I noticed that one of my stocks was perceptibly dwindling. On ex- amining I found no brood or eggs in combs. As an experiment I removed to the hive in question two frames from another stock, one with queen-cell on comb, but I did not notice whether there were any drone-oells. I now find that the workers are carrying pollen in freely. Is it likely that the queen will be fertilised should there happen to be no drones in that par- ticular hive? 3. In her marital flight — if such is possible in her case — will the drones from other hives accompany her? Kindly reply to the above in B.B.J. — T. H. II., Ogwen Valley, June 3. Reply.- — 1. The adverse weather of a week or more during the month of May will account for drones being cast out. 2. If a queen has hatched out from cell given, there is no reason why she should not be fertilised. You should know that queens usually mate with drones from other hives than their own. 3. This query is answered above. [3770. ] Froper Times to Handle Bees. — I began bee-keeping last year again, having done something at it years ago in British Central Africa, with the kind assistance of the late Mr. Raitt, of Blairgowrie. My bees have done well over the winter, and are now very busy. I have been working 228 TSE BRITISH BEE JOtfitttfAt,. [June 8, 1005. away a good deal with my single hive, for I am trying to rear queens in one part of the hive, as recommended by Mr. Sladen in his " Queen-rearing. " I have only had a few stings, though I generally worked with- out veil or smoke or gloves. Could you tell us all or most of the times and circum- stances that make bees easy to handle, and likewise give us a list of those that tend to make them cross and aggressive ? It would guide some of us, and help us to go about less "swollen up."- — J. W. Moir, Edin- burgh, June 2. Reply. — The main things that tend to make " handling bees " simple and easy in- clude : 1. Gentleness and quietness in all you do. 2. The judicious use of a little smoke (not tobacco smoke) before lifting out frames, etc. Some bee-keepers use a carbolised cloth in lieu of a bee-smoker, but the great majority use the smoker. Among the large bee-keepers of America and other places the latter is invariably used by every one. 3. Not to attempt manipulation on days when bees are not working. It is also advisable to always have a veil on the hat when working, not lowered to cover the face, but ready if needed. It gives con- fidence. On the other hand, the things to avoid are roughness and haste in mani- pulating, and anything in the shape of "banging about." Also never to attempt removing honey on days (which sometimes occur) when bees are irascible and inclined to sting. When this is seen, defer opera- tions till another day, when all may go on quietly and easily. Do not attempt to beat the bees down and master them on adverse days, or you may be mastered yourself, and will not forget it for some time. [3771.] Vagrant Swarm Entering De- serted Hive. — Will you kindly inform me if the enclosed queen-bee has been hurt ? Also if the samples of comb sent are affected with foul brood ? The samples were taken from a hive that was strong in bees the first week in May. I transferred them into a clean hive, putting the latter on the old stand. A few days later I saw dead bees lying outside, also some few bees crawling about on the ground. Since then the stock has gradually dwindled, and at last died out, leaving the queen alone in the hive. On Friday, the 1st inst., she walked out and fell to the ground. Several of the frames have sealed brood in them similar to that sent, with very few unsealed grubs. Is not this an extraordinary occurrence? To put the finish on the case, I may also say that the hive was taken possession of at mid-day on Saturday, the 2nd, by a vagrant swarm. I send name, etc., and sign — B. B., Worcestershire. Reply. — Dead queen sent has not been injured, but has simply died from cold and hunger. The bulk of dead brood in comb is chilled, but a few cells show slight but unmistakable signs of foul brood. There must have been some want of due care in transferring the combs to new hive if the brood in combs get chilled in the operation. Nor can we account for a strong stock dwindling away to nothing three weeks later. It seems probable that some of the bees have left and joined on to some other stock. With regard to the vagrant swarm now in possession of the deserted hive, we should certainly get the bees off the pre- sent combs and put them on new frames fitted with full sheets of foundation. They can do no good on combs containing dead brood affected with disease. If this course is followed the bees should be kept indoors in a skep while the hive is being well scrubbed out with hot water in which a good handful of common washing soda is dissolved. [3772.] Transferring to "W.B.C." Hive. — On March 22 last I purchased a skep of bees and placed them in a "W.B.C." hive on the top of ten frames filled with full sheets of foundation. This was done in accordance with the instruc- tions of a brother bee-keeper. On examin- ing the bees on Tuesday, May 23, I found all the combs in lower hive worked out, and a very small quantity of honey and pollen in them. There was, however, no brood or eggs, which, of course, showed that the queen had not yet gone down. The stock is a very strong one, and seems to be doing well. I should like to ask if, when the queen has gone down, and the skep is clear of brood, it. will be right to remove skep and put on either a rack of sections or shallow frames, or would it be better to allow them to store in skep ? I send name and sign — " A. B. Ginner.," Tring, May 26. Reply. — It is fairly safe to assume that the warm weather during the last week will have caused the queen to take posses sion of frames of lower hive for breeding purposes before this is in print. It would, of course, not do to remove the skep till all brood has hatched out, but if weather continues favourable we should give a box of shallow frames with full sheets . of foundation in a few da>3, and place the skep on top, where it might remain till the brood has hatched. [3773.] Queen Lost in Spring. — I have sent you by same parcel a small piece of comb taken from a -hive which some bee- keepers here tell me is affected with foul brood. I also send a few of what I think are drones, but my friends say they are " mongrels." I will be pleased to have your opinion through the B.B.J, regard- ing both comb and drones. I searched for June 8, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 229 and saw the queen some time ago, and I thought it was a beautiful one of full size. I also showed it to a bee-keeper, who de- cleared it to be as fine a queen as he had ever seen. For more than a week past I have looked over the combs in vain, never having seen the queen again, and the bees are dwindling away. There has been no worker-brood in the hive for a long time, but there are a great many of what I call drones in the hive. Please advise me what I should do with the hive, whether to de- stroy it or not. A friend wishes to give me a frame of brood from his. hive, and he says the bees will rear another queen. I have only newly started bee-keeping, and in consequence have no experience myself. Thanking you in anticipation, I send name and sign — Amateur, Lanark, June 1. Reply. — There is no disease in comb, but only drone-brood and drone-bees hatch- ing out. It is clear the queen met with some mishap when the hive was examined some time ago, as so fine a queen could hardly have been a worn-out drone-breeder. As there are so few worker-bees now in the hive, it is hardly worth re-queening. [3774.] Forming Nuclei — A Lady Begin- ner's Experience. — I should be very wlad if you would tell me if the enclosed comb contains foul brood. I noticed it*to-day for the first time in a nucleus hive, and am anxious to know so that I may do everything to prevent the disease from, spreading. I have not seen anything like it in any of my other hives. On May 10 a swarm left one of my hives, and a week later I formed three nuclei from the old stock. The queens in the other two nucleus hives are now laying. I bought the hives from a person at Hinckley, who advertised them in the B.B.J. I did not think the hives were second-hand, but as they looked shabby I fumigated them thoroughly with sulphur. I only started bee-keeping last year, and have been very careful to keep my hives very clean and to use naphthol beta when feeding the bees. I have also kept naphthaline in all my hives. If the brood is diseased, would it be safe to introduce the queen to> a stock that wants re-queen- ing?—E. N. B., St. Minver, N. Cornwall, May 31. Reply. — You need have no fear so far as regards disease in the nucleus referred to. The brood in comb is " chilled " only, and will probably be the result of a cold night with not bees enough in the small colony t >ver all the brood. We consider you have done very well indeed to have queens in all three nuclei laying after such a cold time as was experienced during the greater part of May ; and, now that the weather is so favourable, all will no doubt go on well. \mm to §amt A nominal charge of '2s. Gd. is made for notices in this column, ichich covers cost of insertion from order tilt date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. June 8 to 12, at Bournemouth, Hants- Show of Honey, Hives, etc., in connection, with Royal Counties Agricultural Society's Show. Entries closed. June 14 and 15, at Southend-on-Sea-— Annual Show of the Essex Agricultural Society. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the Essex and Suffolk Beekeepers' Association. Entries closed- June 27 to 30, at Park Boyal. London- Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Entries closed- July 13 and 14, at Grantham.— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K. A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Schedules from R. Godson, Hon, Sec. Lines. B.K. A., Tothill, Alford, Lines. Entries close June 13- July 19, at "Wallop, Hants— Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 12. July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants B.K.A in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single lib. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. July 26 and 27, at Cardiff.— Glamorgan Bee- keepers' Association's Show, in connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen classes (five open). Prizes for Hone3', £1, 10s., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec, Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 21- August 2, at Henbury, near Bristol- Annual Show of Honey and Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon. Sec, J. Atkin Waller, Pen Park, We6tbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close July 26. August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool — Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. Sections, Extracted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery, Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Bee-Oulture, etc Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller-arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3. August 16, at Bishop Stortford— Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A. , in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entry to members. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Bunting- ford, Herts. August 16, at "Wye-— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single 1-lb. section, 1-lb. jar light extracted honey, lib. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20e., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations1 and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11- 230 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 8, 1905. August 16, at Fleetwood— Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six lib. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Oock, Hon. Sec., Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6- August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec., Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16. August 23 and 24, at Shrewsbury.— Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Eight open classes for honey. Classes with free entry for single 1-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. (Jartwright, Hon. Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11. August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, ' and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford— Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to. district. Two to cottagers in district. C.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Peover Knutsford. Entries close August 23. September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace — Surrev B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honev, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from, F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Bedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. Mr. G. E. Rogers writes as follows : — " Re- ferring to query No. 3767, if 'Worker- Bee ' applies to the hon. secretary, Cambs and Isle of Ely B.K.A., Beeholm, Newnham Croft, Cambridge, he will pro- bably obtain the information required." F. J. H. (Cranleigh). — Book on Bees. — We are obliged for your suggestion, but fear it would hardly be possible to com- pile an interesting volume from back numbers of the B.B.J. R. W. O. (Bromsgrove). — Queen Cast Out of Hive. — The dead queen sent is quite young, and has apparently been roughly mauled before being cast out of hive. The occurrence points to the probability that tho hive will not swarm again this year. Suspected Combs. G. A. (Derby). — There are slight signs of disease in comb sent, but apart from that the stock must have been headed by a drone-breeding queen for some time past, as there is nothing but drone-brood in worker-cells. Regarding the " frame with eggs" given a month ago, the bees have evidently made an effort to re-queen, but the larva in unsealed queen-cell sent must have been dead for several weeks past. We need hardly say the stock in question is now worthless. J. S. R. (Rugby). — Though cells of sample comb are mainly filled with pollen, there are slight signs of disease, and combs are very old and black ; we should burn them along with the few bee® left. J. E. S. (Glamorgan). — All four samples of comb are affected with foul brood ; Nos. 1 and 3 especially so. In 2 and 4 the disease is of more recent date, but is de- veloping fast. If you have many healthy stocks on hand, we should make short work of the four hives in question for the sake of the others. J. McK. (Banffshire). — In No. 1 sample the cells are partly filled with mildewed pol- len, but nothing worse. No. 2, marked "Heather," shows a bad case of foul brood of old standing. Cloisters (Abergavenny).- — There is foul brood in comb sent, and as the stock is weak we should not try to save the bees. Far better to destroy the lot. A. W. B. (Braintree). — Your sample is not suitable for diagnosing. To judge pro- perly we need a sample of larvae, sealed or unsealed, in some stage of decay. The three sealed cells in comb had no trace of brood left in them. The unsealed cells contain only mildewed pollen. M. M. R. (Coventry).— All traces of brood dried up and gone long ago in sample, but the appearance of sealed cells, etc., shows unmistakably that there had been foul brood in hive. New Reader (Northumberland). — The eleven samples of comb are all old and black, with no trace of brood in any but No. 5 and No. 10. The latter have a sus- picious-looking cell or two in them ; but, on the whole, we should not use any of the combs from which samples were taken. They are not fit for use with new swarms. Better to melt them down and have new, sweet combs built. W. P. (Cardiff). — Although comb is newly built, and contains lots of brood in nor- mal condition, there are several cells badly affected with foul brood. J. C. (Astley). — Comb sent is full of dead bees and chilled brood. Such combs should be burnt, as being of no use even for wax. J. H. (near Preston). — Both samples of comb sent are badly affected with foul brood. June 15, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 231 (MtarmL SBefUes, fa> IMPORTANT NOTICE. REMOVAL OF " B.B.J." AXT) " RECORD " OFFICES. Owing to a change of landlord, and the new freeholder requiring possession of the whole building No. 10, Buckingham Street, Strand, our enforced removal fol- lows as a natural consequence. We have, however, been fortunate in securing com- modious offices near at hand, right in the centre of the publishing trade, No. 8, Hen- rietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C. The new premises are only a few hundred yards away from our present offices, and about three minutes' walk eastward from Charing Cross Station. Friends wishing to make a call will therefore have no diffi- culty in locating the new address, where all communications must be addressed after the 21st inst. HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of May, 1905, was £6,595.— From a return furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on. one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces »f paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. %* In order to facilitate reference, Correspondents, when speaking of any letter or query previ )usly inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on which it appears. NOTES BY THE WAY. [5912.] The bee-season still delayeth its coming. More than a third of June has passed and not a good bee-day in the whole twelve. The fields are covered with blos- som, but the weather is so unpr-opitious that the poor bees cannot leave their hives for the ingathering. We had only two hours' sunshine here from Sunday till Sunday, rain falling on most days, and when not raining a leaden sky overhead with cold NE. winds prevailing. It makes oiK' long for a rift in the clouds and a fortnight of settled weather so that our bees, with hives full to overflowing of en- forced idleness, could out forth their strength and garner some of the season's honey and also send forth some big swarms to gladden the heart of the bee-keeper. The inherent continuity of the Apis mel- lifica as a race, has never, in my opinion, received such a series of varied shocks as it has during the past thirty years. The whole trend of modem bee-keeping is the dissemination of contagion of the bee- keeper's worst enemy. The advertising pages of our B.B.J, have, during that time, teemed with offers of bees for sale ; some healthy, some more or less diseased, with the inevitable consequence that disease has been spread far and wide and into dis- tricts in which it was unknown before. Then the English race of bees was not either dear or handsome, or handsome enough for some faddists (men with more cash than judgment), who intro- duced the foi-eign races, and what- ever the present condition of these bees may be as regards disease, those im- ported twenty years ago undoubtedly came diseased ;. apiary after apiary to which they were introduced became diseased shortly afterwards. Then the bee-driver came on the scene, hoping, no doubt, to add to his income by driving his own or his neighbours' bees and selling them, with the consequence of indiscriminate driving of bees, both healthy and diseased. These, too, are offered for sale in the season, and are used to establish stocks, or strengthen weak colonies. In the olden time, the brimstone match would have made short work of the lot ; the wax would have found its way into commercial uses ; but modern bee-keeping requires foundation, and for many years the bee-keeper's wax has been converted into comb-foundation for his use over again. The question arises, Have these parcels of wax been cleansed from foul-brood germs? For myself, I doubt it. I do not contend that, with our pre- sent knowledge of foundation-making, it may not be so cleansed and rendered free from contagion, but less than a decade ago no foundationrmaker, to my know- ledge, asserted that he attempted to steri- lise the wax sent to him. Therefore, in how many apiaries, foul brood was intro- duced in this way, we know not. My own belief in the future of bee-keeping is that it will become a specialised pursuit, and that, in the hands of men who will give their attention to honey-production, the busy bee is not likely to become extinct from foul brood. The hard case mentoned by " County Secretary" (on page 206). appears to me on a par, so far as the law of compensation is concerned, with that of the solicitor I read of in the paper at the time, who a few years ago, sued a farmer for allowing thistles to go to seed in his field, and the seed to be carried by the wind into the solicitor's garden. The case was decided in favour of fcl^fi plaintiff, and £5 awarded as compensation. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. 232 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 15, 1905. A SWARMING INCIDENT. A WORD OF WARNING. [5913.] Referring to the letter of "D. R. MacK." ^(5910, p. 226), it may be said that once in a while these hunger or starvation swarms quite unexpectedly "come off," as in my own case. Sitting in my garden last Sunday (June 4), during a spell of hot sunshine, all at once the familiar sound caught my oar, and, looking round, there, sure enough, from my weakest stock the bees were tumbling out pell-mell in real orthodox fashion. I knew alas ! it was a sham swarm, for there was not more than a quart jugful of bees in the stock alto- gether. However, in a few minutes the bees were all out, and soon began to cluster in a neighbour's garden, but, queerly enough, settled on the leg of a hive, from whence a carbolic cloth quickly shifted them ; the queen, taking wing once more, alighted on the roof of another hive, and the flying bees began to settle beside her. My attention was drawn to it, when I soon had her ladyship captured and back j n her hive, which was, with the exception of a score or so of very young bees, en- tirely deserted. The renegades, however, soon returned to their home, and in fifteen or twenty minutes all had gone back. By this time I had placed a bottle of syrup on the feed-hole ; this, of course, was the perfect cure, and it is certain that want of food is the usual cause of these hunger swarms. I notice to-day (June 8) that my best stocks have thrown out most of their drones — even the drone-brood. This tells its own tale, and proves that feeding must be resorted to at once. And I would, therefore, warn all bee-keepers in this district to make quite sure that every stock has plenty of food. Bees will be quite unable, so* long as these keen, cold winds are with us, to replenish their stores, and, except in the very strongest stocks, supers should be removed and the fee ding-bottle put on at once. I offer this as a "word to the wise." — J. W., Bram- hall, Cheshire, June 8. BEE-KEEPING IN NEW ZEALAND. [5914.] It is now many years since we have seen a copy of the B.B.J. , and shall be glad if you will send it to us for a .year ruder separate cover we send you our catalogue for season just closed. As you will see we have been importing most of our sundries from America, but would ]ike to get some from England if possible. I suppose the " Weed " process foundation is made in England, and would like to know who are the leading export firms? We do a large cardboard-box business as well as dealing in bee-hives and appliances. We may refer exporters to Messrs. A. J. Brown Brough, 29, Warwick Lane, London, J. liennard, Rue Belliard, Brussels, and James Spicer and Sons, Upper Thames Street, London. Bee-keeping is making rapid strides in New Zealand, and at an exhibition to be held in Christchurch next year we intend to have a large exhibit of bee goods. We understand you publish, illustrated, the British Bee-keepers' Association Diagrams, relating to bees and bee-culture, and shall be glad of full particulars regarding these. If we should sell, say, twenty to fifty copies of your paper per week, what price would you supply at, and what would we sell at? — Alliance Box Company, Castle Street, Dunedin, N.Z. [B.B.J, will be forwarded by post from this issue to end of May, 1906, as desired. We have no doubt that some of our leading appliance-makers will be very pleased to send you their terms of doing business for export. We may also say that British " Weed " foundation is now made by a London firm, as will be seen in our advertisement pages. The diagrams published by the B.B.K.A. are now out of print. The B.B.J, will be supplied at usual wholesale rate of 25 per cent, dis- count off published price, postage on twenty copies, in bulk, will be 4d., so you could arrange your own rate to sub- scribers in New Zealand. If preferred, we could post single copies direct to sub- scribers in New Zealand for 2s. 2d. per year beyond the prices quoted above if subscription is paid in advance, thus saving double postage. — Eds.] BRITISH BEE-GOODS IN S. AFRICA. [5915.] I enclose a copy of a letter which I have written to the Natal Agricultural Journal, and, in connection therewith, I would say if the manufacturers of bee- appliances in England wish to prevent the Americans from obtaining a monopoly of that business, in Natal, they should at once take steps to prove to the inhabitants the advantages of the British Bee-keepers' Association's "standard frame-hives" for use, and made in England. The Agricultural Journal and the Times of Natal, both published in Pietermaritz- burg, should prove useful media for cor- respondence on this subject.— Hugh M. Meyler, Utrecht, Natal, S. Africa, May 12. To the Editor of The Natal Agricultural Journal. Sir, — I notice that a well-known Natal firm, who have recently been advertising bee-appliances, are stocking the American makes. If the bee-keepers of the Colony June 15, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 233 ever hope to co-operate, as has been done in the different countries of Europe, they must decide once and for all whether they will adopt the English or the American hives and frames as their standard. The whole basis on which scientific bee- culture stands is the fact that all interior parts of hives must be interchangeable, and there can be no combination amongst " bee- masters " unless this uniformity exists throughout their various apiaries. The chief difference between the two systems is the variation in the size of the frames in which the brood is hatched, and correspondence through your columns from those experienced in both methods in S. Africa would be most instructive. The formation in Natal of a body similar to the British Bee-keepers' Association would do much to encourage a most attrac- tive hobby, which has also been developed into a profitable industry in Europe and America. — Yours faithfully, (signed) Htt«h M. Meyler, Utrecht, May 12. BEES AND CHEMICALS. [5916.1 It is probable that the chemicals used in sjarayirig are not beneficial to bees. " W. H. B. " (5888) wishes for my experi- ence as a resident in a district where arsenic, etc., is produced. So far, I have not observed any ill results. My bees are increasing at a very rapid rate at pre- sent, but I do not think there is much arsenic now produced here. There is a works about a mile away, but I do not think my bees go in that direction. Older residents inform me that bees thrive here, though I myself do not consider it by any means an ideal district for them, being rather bare of trees. If, however, there be plenty of clover, that will not matter much, as the tive honey is chiefly valuable for breeding purposes early in the year. I find the bees are now bringing in some syca- more honey ; but as the trees are not very numerous, the quantity is not large. This honey is very palatable. I know of one district in Cornwall where, in my opinion, foul brood had more to do with wiping out bees than had the arsenic, which was blamed as the cause. Still, I should think that arsenic would be injurious if the bees took it extensively. We know that in small doses it has no immediate ill effects on mammalians, but whether it acts similarly on bees I do not know. One thing is certain, that if natural honey be plentiful bees will touch nothing else, not even the best-made syrup if exposed in the open garden. Possibly the chemicals used in spraying do not penetrate to the honey-chambers of the flowers, and, if so, the bees would take no harm. If only we had an experimental apiary all these in- teresting problems might be solved. A Safe Method of Usitn/ Eucalyptus Oil in Mires.- I have made an experiment in my own: apiary in order to find a safe way of using eucalyptus oil in a bee-hive. The same was strongly recommended as a foul- brood preventive in a paper in the Bulletin ile la Society Momande d' Apiculture, as reviewed in the B.B.J.- of March 23, 1905. The writer, M. Louis Chevalier, found that it required extreme care to ad- minister it, or it killed the bees instantly. This method was to saturate a metal plate with the oil, and over that to place another plate, perforated to allow the fumes to escape. These he slid under the frames, and the fumes going upwards pervaded the hive and absolutely prevented the spread of foul brood. It struck me that his method, as he himself states, was rather troublesome, and I experimented with a view to finding a more convenient plan. I obtained a piece of half-inch brass gas- pipe, four inches long ; this I perforated along one edge with thirteen very small holes. I then soldered a wire, one-sixteenth inch, to one e7id, as a handle. The in- terior of the tube I filled with cotton wool saturated thoroughly with the oil, and then corked up the ends. I then inserted it through the entrance right to the back of the hive, underneath the frames. The experiment was tried on my weakest stock, as I did not wish to risk a good one, and I found that the fumes had no ill effect on the bees, but that they stopped no the small holes. I then made four larger holes about one-tenth of an inch in diame- ter, and, putting these under the tube where the bees could not reach them, found they were not closed up. The tube may be ab- solutely filled with the oil, provided She cotton be inside to hold it. I believe a tube twelve inches long, with more holes, would be more effective and equally harm- less. Those afflicted with foul brood might carry out the experiment further than I have done. M. L. Chevalier states that he cured all his hives with eucalyptus oil. I thought, therefore, the matter well de- served attention. If this be an effective cure it should be widely known, and by the tub' method it is both easy and safe to administer, while the oil costs only 6d. per ounce. — W. J. Farmer, Redruth, LEAKY ROOFS. [5917.1 May I suggest to " D. V. " (5908. page 224) and others who may not know it, a light and inexpensive cure for leaky roofs? Procure some coarse calico, or. what is better still, a canvas that the drapers call "dandy," costing about 6d. 234 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 15, 1905. per yard, a penny worth of half -inch tacks, two pennyworth of boiled oil (in which a little gold size has been added) and some paint. Turn one edge of the canvas up half- an-inch and tack same neatly on to one edge of tbe roof ; tben give the roof a good coat of thick paint (any colour will do), pi-ess the canvas into the paint and stretch it over, tacking the edge in the same way as before ; then tack the ends, pulling the last edge as tight as possible. Now give the roof a good coat of the boiled oil, and, when dry, give at least two coats of good oil paint. This done, with an annual coat of paint, you have a roof, flat or slanting, that will keep out any wet. This is how the roofs of railway carriages are done. — F. J. H., Cranleigh, June 9. A NOVEL BEE-HIVE. [5918.] In the hall yard of the country seat of Sir Richard Musgrave, at Edenhall, Cumberland, stands a monster sandstone pump-trough, circular in shape, and dressed from one solid block. A brass plate on the front informs the stranger that the trough, weighing sixteen tons, was brought to its present position on rollers by the estate workmen's voluntary efforts, after the day's work was over, from a quarry two miles away. Round this trough, to catch the overflow, runs a channel with a grate in it. One dav recently, one of the foremen drew my attention to bees going down this grating and asked the reason. I said, probably for water. He said, " Come and see ; it is a swarm." I went, and, sure enough, nearly every bee that came, while I was there, went in laden with pollen. He told me that a swarm went down the grate a year or two ago. Surely, this is a strange bee-hive! I do not remember see- ing any similar thing mentioned in vour journals since I commenced reading them. We tried for nearly an hour to get the grate out, but it had not been touched since 1842, when the trough was fixed there ; and all our chiselling proved unavailing. The C.B.K.A. expert, G. N. Avery, last week removed from the roof of the church at Edenhall, a truant swarm, healthy, and with nice store-combs well filled. Bees have often been removed from this place, but another swarm soon finds its out. It may be useful to many to know how to sink the wire into frames of foundation without st irking the wax to the block. ] never had any difficulty in this until this season, ami it was probably owing to using the light weed brood, nine sheets to the pound. I had great difficulty in getting any sheets to lift without tearing the wire half out. I tried placing a sheet of the tissue paper between foundation and block, anil though the embedder was hot enough to melt the wax, the paper peeled off quite easily, and the wire remained fixed m centre of foundation. A saving of time and trouble equal to one-half. The copious showers we read of in the South and Midlands still give us the go- by, and we have had no rain now for weeks. The pastures are rapidly assuming a brown shade, which points to a want of water, likely to bring a serious loss to farmer and bee-keeper. The hawthorn is now in splendid bloom with us, but too dry for much nectar storing. I send name an 1 sign — Bee Way, Cumberland, June 10. A LAST LINE ON FOUL BROOD. [5919.] It would not be courteous on my part to seek to obtrude any further remarks on foul brood in view of the editorial de- sire to close the discussion. But, I think I will not be transgressing if I simply state that in view of Mr. Loveday's very hard case I will not oppose any legislation likely to be really effective in stamping out foul brood. I may also remark that if your readers would cultivate a judicial frame of mind they could discuss this or any other matter till Doomsday without falling out over it. For my part, I have not let per- sonal feelings enter into the case at all. I have stuck to the subject and have none but the best of feelings towards all who have taken part in the discussion. I like a good strong opjjonent ; then all the points on both sides are well bi'ought out and everyone is informed. — W. J. Farmer, Redruth, June 10. BEES IN LANCASHIRE. [5920.1 As a subscriber to your journal, I should like to call your attention to the following : — On Saturday, May 13, I ex- amined my hives, and found one of them particularly strong (drones had hatched out), and every one of them (ten standard frames) crowded with bees. I put on a super, containing ten drawn-out shallow- combs ; and on May 28, seeing drones out on the alighting-board, I removed the quilts, and found that every cell had been filled with honey of a clear, dark colour. Surely this is quick work for this time of the year ? The chief source from which the bees have obtained this honey is, I think, from some gorse about a quarter of a mile away, apple blossom, and latterly the syca- more trees, which have just begun to flower. I have mentioned this to several bee-keepers ,in the district, and they are all greatly surprised, the majority of them not having put on supers as yet, their stocks being rather weak. — I send name, etc., and sign — Anglo-Saxon, Bickerstaffe, near Ormskirk, Lanes. June 15, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOtttttfAL. 235 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OTJR READERS. So much is written about hobbies for Working men, that the following notes of our friend Mr. Oldfield should be taken to heart by those, who, like himself, seek for a pleasure giving homo-hobby that needs no great outlay in order to combine both profit and pleasure. He says: — " In complying with your request for a few ' notes ' of my bee-keeping experiences to go in B.B.J, along with photo of my little apiary, I fear there is not much that will interest your readers, unless it helps to show that bees, if managed with ordi- nary intelligence backed up with some this, I took the first chance of looking, at my bees, and it was fortunate I did so, for there was only a little cluster of bees and comb in one part of the skep ; the whole being so small that it would have gone into my hat. I started feeding without delay, giving the bees .25 lb. of sugar made into syrup. They made a good stock, wintered well, and yielded 43 lb. of honey the fol- lowing year. I sold it all at Is. per 1-lb. jar, and bought two more swarms in 1902, making a new start with frame-hives and modern methods. From the three hives I took 90 lb. of surplus-honey. I next bought an extractor and honey-ripener. My idea on taking to bees was to make a hobby of them, but it is easy to see they ran be made MR. J H. OLDFIELD S APIARY, THROAPHAM, ROTHERliAM, YORKS. little study of the subject, can be made both profitable while affording a deal of genuine pleasure to their owners. Let me then say I began mv bee-keeping with a second swarm or cast given me in July, 1900, at which time I knew nothing what- ever about bees or of their management. They were hived in a straw skep, and after setting the hive in my garden, I thought they would be all right if left alone and protected from wet weather, etc. Luckily, however, before I had the bees many weeks I chanced to see the 'advertisement of a well-known bee-appliance maker in a weekly paper I was reading and sent for his catalogue, in which there was some good ' advice to bee-keepers. ' On reading to pay well also and yield a good deal of pleasure into the bargain. I think every working man who lives in a suitable place should keep a few hives on modern lines. It is not difficult to make one's own hives. Those seen in photo were made by myself on winter nights from used boxes, and by being a bit careful in making, while using machine-made standard frames, they do as well as the most expensive. Mine are made on the 'W.B.C. ' plan with a little variation in the roofs, as seen. The ap- pliances one has to buy do not cost much, and, as in my case, the bees will pay for these. I woidc for extracted honey only, using shallow-frames as sui'plus-chambers. I regret not having more room in my gar- 23b' THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 15, 1905. den, as it prevents me from going in for a good-sized apiary, as I could sell a great deal more honey than I can now produce. " Iu conclusion, let me say, what little knowledge of the craft I have, has been got from the 'Guide Book,' along with your papers, the B.B.J, and Record, and I wish success to our papers, and a good season in 1905 to all bee-men.." (luetics m\& f^qjlies. [3775.] Ownership of Absconding Swarms. ■ — In order to make myself clear in asking your advice regarding the legal ownership of runaway swarms, I must ask you to suppose three places, which I will call A., B., and C. , and that the distance between A. and B. is 150 yards — as the crow flies — across intervening gardens ; while from A. to C. is about a quarter of a mile distance through the village near by. A. is our own place where I have kept bees for twenty years. B. is a garden occupied by a la- bourer, and C. is a garden where bees are also kept. After this preface I may say on Sunday morning about 10 a.m., I thought my bees would swarm that day. At 12.30 our under-gardener came to say there was a swarm clustered in garden B, just over the hedge from our property I had to go round by the village in order to get to the spot indicated and on arriving found a swarm on an annle tree. Tho labourer who occupies the garden gave me free permission to take the swarm. There was no one else about in the village, ex cept this labourer and another man, neither of them work for ourselves or for the owner of C. I took the swarm safely in a skep. and by 2 o'clock they were quite settled down, so I left them till 8 p.m., when they were carried to a stand in our garden (A.), where I have three hives. The bees of my hives had been hanging about all dav. but I could not say for certain whether they had swarmed. Next morning I had to leave home at 8.30. It was bright and sunny, and my own three hives as well as the swarm were all working well and quietly. In the course of the morning, the gardener from C. came to claim the swarm. He said he had watched their bees til] 12, and then left, but informed us that his mistress had heard the bees making a great noise as if swarming, shortly after her man had left. It was thus clear that no one in employ of those who claimed had followed the bees, or did anything to keep them in sight, until they were told that I had taken a swarm in the garden B. I therefore ask: — 1. Have they any legal right to claim the swarm ? From accounts I have received, there is a strong feeling that the swarm fame from C. , but I have always understood that no one can claim a swarm that settles in some one else's garden, unless the bees have been seen to leave the hive, and have never been lost sight of by the claimant or some one to re- present him. In this way I suppose the swarm really belongs to the labouring occu- pant of the garden B. , but he gave me leave to go into the garden to take it. What is your opinion on the point? Some years ago I lost a swarm, though my gardener saw the bees issue and followed them for 200 yards, when the runaways flew across the river to a garden a quarter of a mile away, so> he could not keep up with it. I asked for the swarm within three hours, but they would not give it up. Now comes my second question : — One of my other hives is weak in bees, but they were carrying in pollen on Saturday and Sunday. I hear that on Tuesday a swarm came from the garden C, and the bees of their own free will entered the above-mentioned weak hive, and have com- fortably settled therein. I suppose they cannot touch my hive or claim the bees? — R G. H., Darlington, May 31. Reply. — 1. According to " Blackstone," the bees under the circumstances named were the lawful property of the labourer, who gave you permission to carry them off as yours, so that your neighbour C. has no claim to the swarm. 2. This is an alto- gether different case, and had the swarm entered an empty hive, you would have had no claim to the bees. But seeing that the swarm joined of themselves to one of your own stocked hives, no one can have any right to disturb the latter against your will, even if the bees could be parted, which, of course, they cannot. It would thus be- come simply a question of equity rather than " law," and from this point some com- pensation might be given either in cash, or, say, a second swarm or cast from one of your own hives, to settle the matter peaceably. [3776.] Mis-hiving My First Swarm.— As a constant reader of B.B.J. , I shall be greatly obliged for your advice on the fol- lowing : — I commenced bee-keeping last year with one stock. During the winter I made a new hive, and had it all ready fitted with eight frames of foundation, watching for a swarm. The swarm came off to-day and settled on a close hedge near at hand in two clusters. I got one of the clusters into the hiving-skep without difficulty ; but the other lot was so far into the hedge that I had some difficulty in securing the bees, but did eventually, cand placed the skep on a board. In about an hour all the bees were in. I then carried the swarm to the new hive on a stand six feet away from the old one. I fixed a board covered with a sheet in front, just as in illustration seen June 15, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 287 on page 26 of " Guide Book." I then emptied out some of the bees, which started to run into hive, but the bulk clustered over the entrance, where the whole swarm remained for about an hour, when I found they were flying back to the old hive. In a short time I found all had returned ex- cept about 200 bees, which I suppose went in at the first. Can you tell me what I did wrong? T carried out the instructions in " Guide Book," except that I did not raise front of hive. The reason for this was that my floor-board was made like Fig. 11 (page 35 in " Guide Book "), and between brood- chamber and outer-ease I had fixed a strip of wood so that bees could not get between the two at entrance. This strip of wood is attached to floor-board to keep it in posi- tion, so that if I raised front of outer-case bees would have clustered up between the case and brood-chamber. Do you think the bees will soon swarm again ? If so, what would you advise me to do to prevent them returning to old hive? Could I leave off the outer case and use only the brood-cham- ber until the bees are all in? — J. J. T., Great Wakering, Essex, June 4. Reply. — It is a pity you did not fix up your hive for receiving the swarm as shown in the outline cut on page 23 of " Guide Book." The outer-case and hive-body is there seen wedged up in front lg in., so that the bees have a commodious entrance- way. The swarm seen on page 26 was thrown out with one jerk — not " a few at a time," as in your case — by the writer of these lines, and jn less than ten minutes the bees were all in the hive. It seems cer- tain either that the queen has met with some mishap, and was not thrown out in front of the hive at all, or else she was not secured in the skep when hiving the swarm. Your plan now will be to go to the parent hive after nightfall on the eighth day after swarming — viz., on the 11th inst. — and put your ear close against the hive. If " pip- ing " is heard, it is certain that the old queen is lost, and the bees will swarm again probably on the following; day. The bridge over entrance in your hive is a mistake if made a fixture as stated ; j^ou should make it loose. [5777.1 A Novice's Queries. — Please answer the following queries through rhe B.B.J. : — 1. "Super-clearer." This appli- ance is mentioned in "Guide Book," but I, as a novice, can hardly see the necessity for same. Will not the bees leave super when latter is removed from hive, and how does it prevent robbing ? 2. Can it be used on a hive with double walls on two sides only? Give necessary particulars for making. 3. What is a " honey-board " ? Does it take the ™lace of an excluder? Give particulars of construction, if not patented. 4. Are there any objections to using cork lino for quilts ? 5. Would cattle or fuwls do harm in an apiary? 6. Is there a bee-keepers' association in this county? If so, give name and address of secretary. 7. What are the objects of, and benefits to be derived from, such an asso- ciation? I send name, etc., and sign — Neophyte, Beds, June 5. Reply. — Your first batch of queries as a novice in bee-keeping is what may be called a rather " tall order," in the way of replies to same, and brevity may be ex- cused in view of space alone. First, then, you will do well — as a novice — to take for granted that the "Guide Book" contains the practical expei'ience of a bee-keeper not un- known in the bee-world, and there is no need to ask for the " why and wherefore " of the statements made therein. For the rest, we reply to questions as enumerated : 1. The super-clearer is one of the most use- ful appliances brought out for many years as an aid to clearing bees from suners, and effectually prevents robbing. 2. It fits any properly made hive. We cannot give particulars for making ; besides, an amateur would only spoil it if he tried to make one. 3. A honey-board provides a bee-space below surplus-chambers ; it is not patented. 4. No. but it is not a suit- able material. 5. Yes, cattle, if not poultry, must be kept out of apiaries. 6. The hon. secretary of the Beds B.K.A. is Mr. C. N. White, Union House, St. Neots. 7. The hon. secretary is the person to avrply to for particulars you need. [3778.] Transferring Bees with Cross-built Combs. — A friend of mine has four very strong stocks of bees, each covering ten to twelve standard frames ; but, unfortu- nately, the bees have built some of the combs across the frames. In fact, the frames are quite useless as they now are, and cannot be taken out without destroying a lot of young, brood, etc., and tearing the combs. Will you, therefore, please say: — 1. How the bees may be transferred into new hives fitted with full sheets of comb- foundation without destroying the brood in the old hives ? and 2. Would it be pos- sible to make more than four stock of them during the transferring? I send name and sign— Q. X., Suffolk, June 7. Reply. — 1. The task of cutting out and transferring cross-built combs and brood to a new hive is, in our opinion, beyond the powers of any but an experience! bee- keeper. Therefore, if body-boxes are loose, we should set them above the top-bars of new hives and allow the bees to transfer themselves to frames of foundation below. 2. This would still further increase the difficulties of a novice, and we should not advise you to attempt it. 238 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 15, 1905, [3779.] How to Increase Stocks.- — I should like to try Mr. Alexander's plan — de- scribed by Mr. Hooker on page 202 of B.B.J, for May 25— of how to in- crease stocks, but have already got supers on all my strong hives. I therefore ask : Do you consider that the plan would work successfully immediately after the honey-flow has finished ? — Salof-ia, Wel- lington, June 12. Reply. — The plan in question would be very liable to go wrong if deferred so late in the season as you propose. Queen rear- ing and successful mating in this country should be started in the summer time ; if left till autumn, when honey gathering is over, and weather uncertain, the chances of success would be so much reduced as to make it hardly worth trying. [3780.] Preparing Swarms for Transit. — Will you, or some brother bee-keeper, kindly tell me— giving the whole process. — how to get a swarm of bees into the travel- ling-box for despatch?— F. R. H., Salis- bury, June 9. Reply. — Assuming that you know how to make .a proper swarm-box for transit, by rail or otherwise, it only needs to hive the bees in it just as in an ordinary hiving-skep. Also to make sure the queen enters the box and that the swarm is not r.o large as to over-fill the box and perhaps cause suffocation, the points to aim at are : 1. Making the box so secure that bees cannot possibly get out. 2. To provide ventilation on the journey. For the rest, those who send many swarms away have each their own plans, and we will be glad if any one of them will help our corre- spondent as desired. [3781.] Compulsory Hemoval of Bees as a Nuisance. — My garden is some forty yards long and about fifty yards from the house, and at the top end of the garden I have several hives of bees. My neigh- bour has a garden running parallel with mine, the same length, my bees being at the extreme end from my neighbour's fence. A few days ago the aforesaid neighbour's children started throwing stones at my hives, and the next day he was himself stung by a bee while walking; in liis garden. He now threatens me with " law " unless I remove the hives, which he declares are a nuisance. I therefore ask : Can he compel me to get rid of my bees? A reply in B.B.J, will much oblige — J. B., Chasetow, June 7. Reply. — The point in question can only be decided by the County Court Judge who hears both sides of the case. But any bee-keeper of experience knows that hi es become irascible and inclined to be vicious if stones or clods are thrown at tin hive entrances. You would, there- fore, need to prove that this was done by the children as stated. If no previous trouble has been caused by your bees, the damage done hardly seems a sufficient cause for compelling removal of the hives, if it can be proved that your neighbour's children were the primary cause of the alleged nuisance. [3782.] Dividing Stocks to Prevent Su arming. — Many thanks for answer to my inquiry in to-day's B.B.J. (No. 3772), I rather expected reply in last week's, but a brother bee-keeper had asked exactly the same question as myself in last week's B.B.J. (3766, p. 218). I therefore acted ac- cording to the instructions you gave him, viz., placed a box of shallow-frames fitted with foundation, under the skep. This I did last Saturday. On examining again this morning (Thursday) I was greatly surprised to find skep, shallow-frames, and brood-chamber crammed full of bees, and the combs in shallow-frames all drawn out. The combs in brood-chamber con- tain brood in every frame. I am par- ticularly anxious that the bees shall not swarm, as they are located about half a mile from my home, and there are no bushes or trees near for them to cluster on. It seemed pretty evident that they would soon swarm if not prevented, so I acted as follows: — Having a Jiew hive ready, containing eight frames fitted with full sheets of foundation, I took two frames of brood and bees from parent hive (making sure that queen was not on either one), and placed them in the new hive, filling up the space in full stock with the frames of foundation. I next took the skep, and placed this over the frames .of new hive. The skep contained a fair amount of brood, and two queen-cells, both the latter being empty. Is it pos- sible for the' bees to rear a queen or must I buy one ? Please answer in next issue of B.B.J. I send name and sign — A. B. Ginxek, Tring, June 8. P.S. — I do not possess the "Guide Book," but have ordered one to-day. Reply. — If you made sure that there were eggs or very young larva? (not over three days old) in frames removed to the new hive, the bees will be almost certain to raise a queen therefrom. But we can- not pronounce definitely with regard to the future welfare of the new hive or of the parent colony, as you unfortunately oni it to say how the respective hives are now placed with regard to the original location on which the parent hive stood. As all the flying bees will return to the old spot, whichever hive stands thereon will be safe and strong in bees, but if the other is removed some four or five yards June 15, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 239 away, it will be in danger from losing all but the very young bees left in it at time of removal. On the other hand, if you thought of this and acted accordingly, all will probably go on well. As you now possess the " Guide Book," refer to chap- ter on artificial swarming, which will help you to understand this part of your pro- cedure. (Macs fpm the Hints. Orewton, Derby, June 9. — Stocks in this part of the country are fairly strong now, and, if plenty of rain comes down for a clay or two, bees will be busy working the clover, which looks well so far. The fields around here are very dry, the soil being of a light nature, and without some rain soon we shall most likely be landed in the same predicament as last year. My own bees have gathered very little surplus yet, owing; to the cold north-east winds stopping all foraging abroad. The unseasonable weather this spring has also caused swarms to be rather scarce. There has been a good show of hawthorn bloom, and bees made the best of it. Providing we get some rain, I think it will be a fairly good outlook for honey. — W. H. Thwstaston, Cheshire, June 11. — By the "Echo" from Higher Bebington in last week's B.B.J. , I see that you consider .t exceptionally early for supers to be near- ing completion in this part of the coun- try. I therefore thought it might interest you to hear that three of ray four stocks are at work in the supers. My strongest hive was given a rack of sections, and the beesi took to them on May 28. I examined them on June 8. T found several of the sections almost fully sealed, and a good quantity of honey in the others. I pave them a box of shallow-frames beneath sec- tions the next day. So far, the season round here is full of promise, which we must hope will be fulfilled in the near future.— C. S. Tarvin, Cheshire, June 12. — Whitsuntide holidays are now at hand, and the delight- ful sunshine will bring brightness and joy to thousands. Brother and sister bee- keepers will also have their share, and will probably take the opportunity of ex- amining their hives and find the gratify- ing result, of sealed or partly-sealed supers of honev. I am glad to report that on June 7 I took off a complete rack of sec- tions in a well-situated aniary in North Wales. — Tas. Waddell, Expert (on tour for O.B.K.A.). *$tt $fa\w to ^ame. A nominal charge of 2s. fid. is made for notices in this column, which rovers co>.t of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. June 27 to 30. at Park Royal. London. — Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Entries closed- July 13 and 14, at Grantham.— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K. A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Entries closed- July 19, at Wallop, Hants —Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 12- July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants B.K. A. in connection with the Horticultural Society'* Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from B. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. July 26 and 27. at Cardiff— Glamorgan Bee- keepers' Association's Show, in connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen classes (five open). Prizes for Honey, £1, 10s., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec, Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 21- August 2, at Henbury, near Bristol- Annual Show of Honey and Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon. Sec, J. Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close July 26- August 3, 4. 5, and 7, at Liverpool — Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Honey- Trophy. Sections, Extracted Honey, Beeswax, Honey- Confectionery, Bee Flowers, Instructive Exhibits in Ree-Oulture, etc. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller-arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3. August 16. at Bishop Stortford-— Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entries to members. Bee demonstra- tions in tent. Entries close August 9 Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pel- ham, Biintiiigford, Herts. August 16. at Wye— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, lib. jar light extracted honey, 1-lb. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11 August 16, at Fleetwood— Honev Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Societv. Open classes for Six 1-lb. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cock, Hon. Sec, Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6 August 23. at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K. A. in St Marv Head. Six open classes, including three lib. Jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. 240 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 15, 1905. Schedules (with entry form) from Q. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 23 and 24, at Shrewsbury.— Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Eight open classes for honey. Classes with free entry for sirgle 1-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon. Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11. August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefoidshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford— Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to district. Two to cottagers in district C.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Peover Knutsford. Entries close August 23- September 14, 15, and 16. at Crystal Palace— Surrev B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honev, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten 'open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers # J. T. (Staffs). — Examination for First-class Certificates of B.B.K.A.— 1. The first- class examination consists of three or four hours' paper work, and includes sketching, by candidates, diagrams illus- trating the anatomy of the bee. A thorough knowledge of scientific works is therefore necessary. It also includes a short impromptu lecture on a given subject, delivered before the examiners. 2. A list of books obtainable from this office appears in current issue of B.B.J. , also in advertisement pages of " Guide Book." 3. We supply a few back num- bers of B.B.J, and Record free for dis- tribution by lecturers on payment of postage. S. W. Walden (Surrey). — Bee-forage.- — Of the three sprigs of bloom sent, Nos. 1 and 3 are useful for bees, and No. 2 is not. No. 1 is the common trefoil ; it yields honey, and bees work on it very well in good weather. No. 3 is the broom, and bees gather pollen, and a little honey from it. No. 2 is allied to the common nettle and is useless to bees. J. B. (Stockport). — Bee-nomenclature. — The largest bee of those sent is a queen, and, from her appearance, unmated. The bees sent are of the ordinary brown variety. A. S. H. (Cirencester). — Foul-brood Pre- ventives.— Neither of the disinfectants you name is a cure for foul brood ; they only prevent the growth — or increase — - of the bacilli, but have no effect what- ever when the disease has reached the spore stage. A. H. Marett (Wilts). — Parasites on Humble Bee. — We are not conversant with the parasites found on the bumble bee, but those on specimen sent bear no resemblance to the Braula cozed or blind louse seen at times on the hive bee. Beginner (Beds). — Feared Loss of Queen. — The bee sent is. not a queen at all. It is a drone, and the peculiar appearance shows that it had shared in the process of mating. C. J. G .G. (Long Stratton). — The queen sent was all right, and not to blame for disease in the hive. It must have come from other sources. A New Beginner (Mexborq'). — Using Combs in which Bees Have Died. — If there are no dead bees in combs save those you were " able to pick out of the cells with a pin," as stated, we think you might safely use the combs again. It seems clear that the bees of both stocks in question have died from want of food. Suspected Combs. Apis (Enfield). — Comb sent is badly affected with foul brood, and, in view of your "strong, healthy stocks," close by, we advise total destruction of the diseased colony, with the contents of hive, and thorough disinfection of the latter before using again. Efps (Atherstone). — Foul brood is develop- ing in comb. Your best course, under the circumstances, will be to get bees off combs and deal with them as directed ifi " Guide Book " (page 152). The present is a favourable time for the plan there given. Donard (Co. Down). — The full standard frame of new comb sent — with sealed and unsealed larvse in all stages of develop- ment— shows a bad case of virulent foul brood, every dead larva in sealed cells being absolutely rotten with disease. We strongly advise you to examine the second suspected stock, and if found in similar condition to the one in question burn both lots to prevent risk to your other hives. We should think the two stocks must have been robbing a badly- diseased stock last autumn, to have brought, about the present condition of your affected colonies. DotTBTFiXL (Devon). — Your sample shows a bad case of foul brood, the disease being of old standing. C. T. J. (Pontypridd).— Your friend had better destroy the combs now in empty hive. The bees must have died out from disease, as shown in sample of comb sent. *V* Some Queries and Rfplies, &c.,y are un- avoidably held over till next week. June 22, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 241 ml, Sottas, &i. AMERICAN ENTERPRISE IN THE INTEREST OF APICULTURE. We have been favoured with a call and a pleasant interview with Mr. Frank Benton, Apicultnral Investigator, U.S. Department of Agriculture, who, in his official capacity, has undertaken a journey extending more than half round the world in search of foreign bees and honey-pro- ducing plants. It came as an agreeable change from our ordinary editorial work to s]3end a few hours with so fully-in- formed and widely-travelled a bee special- ist as our visitor. Few men have had such a long and varied practical experi- ence with foreign bees in their own habitats as Mr. Benton, who seems emi- nently fitted for the task entrusted to him. Fully impressed with the importance of his mission, he was frank and willing to a degree in conveying to us — and through us to our readers — what his journey really meant, and this will be realised when we say that, after a very few days' stay in England he goes through France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and to Turkey ; then leaves Con- stantinople for the Caucasus, thence across the Caspian Sea and by rail on to Bokhara, and, if possible, through Afghan- istan by caravan to Punjaub, in India, and finally from Calcutta to the Philippine Islands. The specific object of his errand is, among other things, to obtain a good supply of Caucasian queens of a particular strain, which has been tried in the ex- perimental apiary of the Government apiary at Washington by Mr. Benton him- self with gratifying results. He also hopes to be able to do something towards de- ciding the usefulness, or otherwise, of the giant bees of India, Apis dorsata, and other species of this genera, known as Megapis dorsata, M. zonqta, etc. With all this before him, we heartily wish for Mr. Benton's success, and if the desired object is secured, as we trust it will be, British bee-keepers will no doubt in some " degree at least benefit from his labours, because, should the particular strain of Caucasian bees mentioned main- tain the extremely docile and prolific character of those already tried at Wash- ington, we shall hope to see- them intro- duced into this country for the general good of the craft. In any case, we shall hope to hear from our good friend occa- sionally as time passes, and that he may return safely from his journey will be the wish of all readers along with ourselves. <&6xm$tm&tMt The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to ueedily settled in that I de- termined to re-unite them forthwith with the parent stock. On going to the latter, to make preparations, I was greatly sur- prised to find many hundreds of recent! y- killed bees lying within a few square yards on one side of the stand. I threw down the swarm in the orthodox manner in front of the hive, and there was an immediate in- rush. I watched for the queen and re- moved hei". The bees continued their i'e- entry without any appearance of agitation, and this morning the stock is in a normal condition, without any sign of further fighting, and working well. Why any battle should have taken place nuzzles me. The smallness of the swarm when settled may be accounted for bv the absence of the slain hosts. But how and why were these, killed? I can conceive of no reason for the inmates of the same hive indulging in mutual slaughter. Robbing at this time, of year — especially as, in this case, there is only one stock, and that a very strong one — is surely most unusual. Moreover, there was no sign of fighting about the en- trance to the hive, nor were any dead bees just below it. Can you account for the in- cident? Could a vagrant swarm have encountered the one as it issued from my friend's hive, and a battle then have ■en- sued ? In a long experience I have known nothing similar to the circumstances re lated. In illustration of the promising nature of the season, I may mention that on June 9 I took a crate of well-filled sections. On my five stocks the bees are now working in eighty-four sections and forty shallow - frames. The honey appears to. he good in colour. — W. H. Harris, Hayes End, Mid- dlesex, June 15. [Presupposing that the " very strong stock " really sent out a swarm on the 14th, we have never experienced, or even heard of, an incident like the above ; but we cannot think that the dead bees be- longed to the hive that swarmed, nor do we think it was a case of " robbing. " We rather incline to concur in your view that a vagrant swarm has been involved in the incident, in which case the slain bees would belong to the latter. — Eds.] RECOVERING A TRUANT SWARM. A LADY BEE-KEEPER'S EXPERIENCE. [5924.] You very kindly gave me some good advice in your valuable paper last week about one of my hives of bees, and I am writing to-day to tell you how suc- cessfully I recovered what, I suppose, was a " cast " from one of my stocks. I have felt afraid that on Sunday, the 4th, I lost a swarm ; so on the mornings of the 13th and 14th (nine and ten days after) I watched the stock in question, until at 4.30 on the 14th I could watch no longer, having visi- tors to entertain. Not long afterwards, a woman, who lives in a cottage about a mile off, came to say a swarm of my bees had come to her garden and had clustered on a currant bush. I told her I could not go then, but gave her a skep, as she thought a neighbour would hive them. On think- ing it over, however, I sent a message tell- ing them not to touch the bees, as they might get stung in trying to hive the swarm. The day was hot, and the up-hill mile walk not encom^aging, so I nartly decided to give them up. Still, all the evening I kept thinking of the swarm, and at last, when just getting dusk, I felt I must go, and off I started alone. I found the farmer and his wife in the garden, both anxious to help me take them. I found afterwards their anxiety was evidently fear that I should leave the swarm in their garden. So I got the bees in the skep and 244 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 22, 1905. carried them home between 10 and 11 o'clock, put the bees in the garden close to the hives, and at 3.30 this morning got up and successfully hived them. I did not, however, see the queen, but it was a very large lot, and I am so very glad I ventured to get them. I stayed till the last bee went in, which was 5.30 ; the morning a lovely, warm June one. I en- joyed it all very much, and felt so happy to get my bees back again. I hope they will settle down now. This is the second swarm I have taken auite by myself. The first one I put into a new hive. This last one I did as you advised me and returned it to the parent hive. — E. M. M., St. Asaph, June 15. ERRATIC SWARMING. [5925.] On June 14, at 9.30, I had a swarm of bees from a straw skep, which was hived in the usual way. At about three o'clock, however, the bees left the skep and clustered again. Having, at the first hiving, put them in a last year's skep, from which I drove the bees and took the honey, I thought perhaps they objected to it, although it had been well cleaned out and sprayed with salicylic acid solution ; this had a three-inch hole at top covered with perforated zinc. I, therefore, used a new skep when hiving them again, and the latter had also been sprayed with the solution. The new skep also had a three-inch hole in top covered with perforated zinc. But on the morning of the 16th inst. , the bees all came out again, flew round in the air for five or six minutes, and then returned to the parent skep. Being puzzled at all this, I thought perhaps the perforated zinc had something to do with it. so I took this off and made a circular plug of wood, which I fitted in the hole, thinking the bees could make a better start at comb-buildin^ on this than on the zinc ; but dining the afternoon of the same day, they swarmed out again and settled on the same spot as they did on deserting the skep the second time. The thought then occurred to me that the queen had possibly been lost, so I examined the now-empty skep. I found that the bees had built a piece of comb almost as large as one's hand at one side, which, on ex amining, was found to contain pollen and honey, and a few efirs. I was, therefore, under the impression that all was right. T then <:ot a new skep without any hole in lop, rehived the bees in it, and placed them on the stand. But it seemed to be all of no use, for on the afternoon of the 17th inst., they again left this skep, flew round as before for a few minutes, and re- turned to the parent hive again. After watching them for some time, I found they acted as described in Mr. Cowan's "Guide Book " (page 119). To-day (Monday, 19th), I find the bees are more quiet and are taking in pollen in small quantities. I am sending you the piece of comb, I took out of the second skep, containing the eggs. I should be much obliged if you would give me the reason for the bees act- ing in the manner they have done.; also whether the eggs in comb have been laid by a queen or worker-bee. If the latter, what is best to be clone under the circumstances ? My bees seem to be doing very well. I have six frame-hives, with two racks oi sections on each, the top ones of which are nearly all ready to take off. Thanking you in anticipation, I send name for refer- ence and sign — W. J. M. S. , Ashford, Kent, June 19. [1. It cannot be loss of queen that caused the swarm to refuse to remain in hiving- skep ; we therefore, conclude that the bees returned to parent hive on each occasion because of not being accompanied by the parent queen. This is proved by eggs being found in new comb built in the hiving-skep. 2. It is impossible to dif- ferentiate between eggs laid by a aueen and those of a fertile worker without tedious microscopical examination, which is needless in your case.- — Eds.] ODDS AND ENDS ABOUT BEES, ETC. [5926.] Half the pleasure in bee-keeping consists in the keeper making his own hives and many of the appliances necessary for modern bee-keeping. How proudly we inform our friends and visitors that such and such a hive is of our making — all out of our own head — and if anything may be inferred from our pose of admiration it is that " our " home-made hive takes the cake. I knew a good lady whose dressmaker could never satisfy her exacting taste ; but she herself eventually took to dressmaking in her spare hours, and every article now looks well ! Docs it not ? I do not mean to be sarcastic, or to disparage the making of hives in our spare hours. I should rather encourage it, but always, as is continually pointed out in the " Guide Book " and B.B.J. , to accurate measure within. I find some employ local joiners to make such, under the impression that they can be got cheaper. I have come across many externally well-made hives, but the inter- nal arrangements so badly made that the standard-bar frames touch the sides and bottoms of the body-boxes. Bee Souse or Workshop. — Nearly every town or village joiner has a store of old flooring, etc., which can be procured for a trifling sum, and by careful selections a very respectable bee house or workshop, 8 ft. by 6 ft. or so, can be made for less {Continued on page 246.) June 22, 1905.] ME BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 245 HOMES OF THE HONEY BEE. THE APIARIES OF OUR READERS. Mr. Icingbell, whose apiary is seen below, sends the following interesting notes at our request. He says :■ — ■ " My first recollection of bee-keeping was when, as a small boy, I used to be Tracked off early to bed at the annual ' taking-up time,' which was considered an important event in our household, and meant putting the poor bees down into the sulphur pit. " in the year 1892 it chanced that 1 saw in a local shop window a back number of the B.B.J., and bought it, never having heard that there was a bee-journal before. I read it all through more than once, and off by heart. Then a stock of bees was secured, my stepson and self carrying it nine miles slung on an ash-pole. "All went well and we got on nicely with our bee-keeping. I built all my own hives. They are of various sizes, mostly long ones on the combination plan, but they all take the standard frame and have zinc- covered roofs If I were starting anew, however, I would have all my hives on the ' W.B.C plan, and uniform in size through- out, so that all parts would be interchange- able. I also tried the double, or 'Wells,' hive, holding two stocks, after reading Mr. Wells's book. I find them do very well with me when worked with shallow-frames for extracting; but I have not tried them MR. H. T. ICINGBELL'S APIARY, CHEDDON FITZPAINE, TAUNTON, SOMERSET. found, to my surprise, that my good wife knew something about bees, as, when quite a girl, she used to hive swarms for her aged grandmother, and did it with bare arms and face uncovered. Finding bees a sub- ject of mutual interest, we talked about them till we got the bee-fever, I think. But my early recollections of them were not so pleasant as those of my better half, who declared they would never sting if treated properly. Moreover, she said, if her grandmother made them pay with skeps, we should do better with modern hives. So we decided to make a start in real earnest. I ordered the Bee Journal and your monthly Record, and also bought the ' Guide Book,' which latter I know almost with sections. With regard to honey and marketing it, I have most demand for ex- tracted, for which I charge 8d. per lb., and am always able to sell out one season's crop before another comes in. I do not believe in rushing my crop on the market at any pi'ice, but try to supply my customers' wants all the year round. " I have been an outdoor employe of a co-operative society for the past nine years, and my time is fully taken up with the work, so that I cannot do much for the craft, but am always glad to tell all I know to any one wishing to start bee-keeping who comes my way. " The bee-garden seen in photo is close to a main road, about two miles oast of 246 THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 22, 1905. Taunton, and many passers-by drop ill to have a chat about bees on summer even- ings, when the busy workers can be seen filling the supers, as I keep a sheet of glass on top-bars beneath the warm cover- ings, In this way one can drop seeds by the wayside that may spring up some day. To the beginner I would therefore sav : — ' Do not try to run before you can walk ; get well acquainted with Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book," and work according to its teachings without trying to " improve" on same. Also do not expect too much at the start, remember the proverb about " making haste slowly," and you will find bee-keeping pay well.' The bees have well repaid me for the trouble bestowed on them, and I shall be very sorry indeed if compelled to give them up. I used to keep as many as seventeen stocks, but the num- ber is now reduced to twelve, owing to the death in January last of my good wife at the early age of 42 years. She was not only a genuine lover of bees, but a real bee-man's helper, doing all the work of preparing the honey for marketing, etc. She used to enjoy very much reading the interesting articles of your former corre- spondent 'Lordswood,' and when things went a bit wrong with the bees, she would soon smooth over the trouble and set things Fight, so that you may know how she is missed in the apiary as in the home. The two figures seen in photo are my eldest girl, aged twelve, and mvself. She is very helpful to me in the bee-work, and the younger of my two children, aged eight, also helps all she can ; but our mainstay has gone, and I am afraid I shall have to give up the bees for lack of time to attend -ro- perly to them ; but I will not do this un- less compelled." («' Odds and Ends About Bees, cfcr.,'' continued from page 244.) than one pound. Such a house in the corner of the garden, with a joiner's bench in it 6 ft, to 8 ft, long, costing a few shillings (mine cost 5s.), serves as a den or retreat from the cares of the world and the dis- tractions of paternal duties. I am, of course, expecting under these prices that auspices' of the Soi.th of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including tin ee 1-lb jars, three sections, and class- for (■ingle 1-lb. jar and single section, with free entry. Gold medals and liberal prize money offered. Eight classes, for members only, including classes for six heather sections, six 1-lb. jars, and supers any weight. Schedules from Q. Aird, Secretary, Hardgate School- house, Dalbeattie, N.B. Entries close Septem- ber 2 September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace —Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1. Notices to Correspondent* lift two or three frames at a time into the new body-box, or is there a better plan ? I have looked through the "Guide Book," but cannot find anything to show me just how to proceed. Being a constant reader of the B.B.J. , I thought you would inform me. The bees are a strong stocky and have a full rack of sections nearly ready to come off, while there is not room under roof to raise the rack and put another below. 2. Would ill be best for me to remove the nearly full rack as it is, and substitute another, and then work them to the end of the season with a single rack? Or will it be best to transfer them now ? I send name and address for reference.— D. M. F., Stroud, Glos. Reply.— 1. If the frames are of stan- dard size (with 17 in. top-bar) there will be no difficulty in transferring the bees and combs into new hive as proposed. Re- garding method of removal, an old hand with bees would lift two or more frames at a time, but it is better for a beginner to remove them singly, at least to start June -29, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. m with. Bepin with the outside frame, and set them in the same order in the new hive as in the old one. If a fine day is chosen, and bees are kept quiet with a little smoke, all will go on well ; not only so, but you will then have no trouble in tier- ing up your two racks of sections. [3792.] .4 Beginner's Queries. — As I am intending to keep bees, I should esteem it a favour if you would kindly inform me as to the following points: — 1. I presume I cannot do better than use a "W.B.C." hive ? 2. Should I do better by starting with a swarm now, or wait until August and get some driven bees with which to build up my first siock? 3. Do you ad- vise leaving sufficient honey to keep the bees right through the autumn and winter, or do they do as well if only a little of the natural stores are left and the bees fed up on sugar-syrup ? 4. Would you also give the respective addresses of the War- wickshire and Worcestershire County B.K.A. secretaries? I send name, etc., and sign — L. T. B. M., King's Norton, June 16. Reply. — 1. The type of hive to use is a matter of preference, and you should get catalogues from one or two of our leading advertisers to select from. 2. Far better to start with a good top swarm as soon as one can be conveniently arranged for. This will afford a much better chance of success, than starting with driven bees. 3. We advise you not to remove any natural stores, from brood-nest, unless the brood- combs are overcharged with honey after removal of surplus, which is not at all likely. 4. Mr. J. Noble Bower, Knowle, is hon. secretary of the Warwick B.K.A. , and Mr. J. T. Phillips, Spetchley, hon. secretary of the Worcester B.K.A. [3793.] Di riding for Increase. — Bees Deserting Queens. — In refei-ence to the swarming plan of Mr. John M. Hooker (page 202 of B.B.J, for May 25), I should like to say, seeing that all brood on the first night of the operation is in the upper body-box, and queen is in the lower body- box with excluder between. I therefore ask: — 1. Is there no danger of queen being deserted, and so injured or killed by cold ? 2. I have a rack of sections on one, and a box of shallowzframes on an- other of my six hives almost i"eady for removal : do you not consider this rather good for London ? 3. Would you care for a nice photo of my tidy little apiary for your " Homes of the Honey-bee " ? 4. Although I mani]3ulate with naked hands and arms, and rarely get stung, I am always troubled with vicious bees round my face. Even when I merely stroll over to the farm and stand there, I always have one or two worry me with that vicious, hissing sound that it is no use to ignoi*e. Can you offer me any hint on this matter ? Name, etc. , sent for refer- ence.— W. J. S., Chiswick. Reply. — 1. The plan in question is that of Mr. E. W. Alexander, an American bee-keeper. It appeared in " Gleanings," as stated by our friend Mr. Hooker, and would no doubt be quite safe in the warmer climate of the U.S.A. On the other hand, we have always reminded our readers of the risk — in our erratic cli- mate.— of queens being deserted by the bees when cut off from brood-nest in an empty hive below by queen-excluder. This risk is, however, minimised by inserting a frame of brood, as stated in Mr. Alex- ander's plan in our issue of May 25. 2. Very good indeed in view of the season. 3. Send on photo by all means. 4. The trouble will be entirely overcome, when manipulating hives, by having a veil of Brussels net with an elastic band in top edge to slip over the hat and hang down below the face. This will not obscure the vision, and, if left loose at bottom, is neither hot nor stuffy to wear. Or, as an alternative, smoke a cigarette when work- ing among, or watching, bees. [3794.] Bidding Hives of Ants.— Can you oblige bv telling me the best way to get rid of ants that crawl up the legs of my hives and get into the surplus-cnamber;- ? My hives, are on grass, standing on bricks, and, though I have destroyed some of the ant-nests with boiling water, they still come after the syrup. Can I place any powder, say carbolic, round the legs on the bricks? Name, etc., enclosed for reference. — W. F. M., St. Leonard's on- Sea. Reply". — Messrs. J as. Lee and Son, whose address appears in our advertise- ment pages, have introduced an iron cup- stand for screwing into hive-legs which effectually removes the trouble you com- plain of, if the " cup " is supplied with a little paraffin oil occasionally. The cost of the appliance is small. [3795.] Bees Be-querning Themselves. — For some, weeks now I have noticed the bees in one of my hives not working as well as they should, and carrying in very little pollen. I, therefore, opened the hive yes- terday and found that the bees had made no attempt to go into the rack of sections, and also, found two or three of the frames quite clear of bees. Suspecting that they had lost their queen, I examined the frames carefully and found a considerable quantity of drone-brood ; also a few eggs and some worker-grubs and sealed brood. A few of the eggs appeared to be attached to the sides of cells and not to the bottom as usual. I also found an unsealed queen- 258 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 29, 1905, cell and a rather small queen (a young one, I conclude). The workers appeared to have carried honey into most of the cells of brood -nest, so I transferred an outside frame, which was quite empty, to the centre, to induce the queen to lay. 1. Can I do anything more? 2. What is the cause of so much drone brood ? 3. Should I trans- fer all the outer frames to the centre, as. they are mostly empty ? I have no ex- tractor or I would extract what honey they have carried in. I send name and sign — Novlce, Amlwch, N. Wales. Reply. — 1. No, only see that the eggs of young queen mentioned result in worker- brood. 2. Too much drone-comb. 3. See that frames contain little or no drone comb. [3796.] Early Issue of Swarm. — As a sub- scriber to the B.B.J. , I should be glad of reply to the following queries : — 1. A first swarm left one of my hives at 8 a.m. on June 22. The hive in question has two racks of sections on, the top one being nearly full but not quite sealed. I was looking for a swarm, but was it not unusual for the bees to leave the hive at such an early hour ? 2. Could you forward me a small piece of comb affected with foul brood ? I would defray expenses and destroy comb after inspection. I might add that my apiary of fifteen strong stocks is free from disease. Name, etc., sent for reference — C. P., Woodbridge, Suffolk, June 24. Reply. — 1. Eight a.m. is very early for a swarm to issue, but we have known many to come off at that time. 2. We cannot undertake to send samples of diseased comb, as desired. On the other hand, we are always pleased to show specimens of such combs as are sent here for diagnosing to any reader who may wish to see sue1), if notified beforehand, so that a sample may be available. [3797.] Keeping Bees near London. — Would you kindly say if you think I could keep bees with any chance of success at my home? I am only five miles from London, but ours is a quiet suburb, and there is not much traffic. My garden is 30 yards long by 10 wide, and I grow a fair supply of ordinary garden flowers, but I have no fruit trees. There are also good gardens in front and on both sides of my house. Of course, I am speaking of my back garden, which runs alongside those of my neighbours. Thanking you in ad- vance for a line of advice, I send name and sign — A. (}., Hornsey, N. Reply. — It all depends upon the bee- forage growing in a radius of a couple of miles from your garden. Not much reliance can be placed on ordinary garden flowers, as you may know when we say that of the sixteen or seventeen varieties in list .sent, only the sunflower and wall- flower are of any service to bees, and this for pollen only. We should advise a trial of a single stock for a season, when the bees will themselves soon show if there are any honey-yielding plants or trees grown within the radius we have named. [3798.] Bees Killing Queen after Bemoval from Combs. — I shall be glad if you can explain the cause of death of enclosed queen ? She was taken with the bees from a condemned (foul brood) hive on the night of the 15th inst. , and appeared all right when run into the swarm-box. It was a bad case, but the bees were fairly strong in number. They were put into a dark, cool cellar and remained there till 7 o'clock on the morning of the 18th. I could not get away from business the previous night. When the box was opened she lay dead with about a handful of workers on the canvas. You will note that the wings are entirely eaten away. Another lot treated at same time, and in same manner, had built comb in the box, and in it was about fifty eggs. I send name and sign — J. A. S., Stud ley, June 19. Reply. — The occurrence detailed abo\e is remarkable, and we never heard of a similar case. The dead queen must have been " balled " for many hours, and severely mauled while in that condition, for her wings have been entirely gnawed away. The second case you give particu- lars of just proves the truth of the saying, "Bees do nothing invariably." [3799.] Bees Swarming after Dividing for Increase. — Dead Queens Cast Out. — 1. A relative of mine has sent me particulars of a hive from which the accompanying bees were taken, and is anxious to know' whether they are young queejus ? 2. Why, after dividing up, the old hive should have swarmed ? A fortnight ago the county ex- pert visited the apiary and found this colony so strong, that he deemed it ad- visable to divide it ; filling up space of the frames removed with full ones of foun- dation, and it is believed that only one queen-cell was left, all others being, as supposed, destroyed at the time. On Thursday last, the 15th inst. . the bees in old hive swarmed in two clusters. Two queens were destroyed and the bees put back. On the 16th, the hive again swarmed, and then ten queens were taken out of swarm and destroyed. The bees now sent do not appear to me to be queens ; but I cannot account for the swarming so soon after division. A reply in next issue to — Cymric, Winchester, will oblige. Reply. — 1. The ten dead bees sent are all young queens. 2. The parent hive must have been left exceptionally strong, to raise queen's and swarm after dividing, as stated. June 29, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 259 On the other hand, you do not make it clear if the parent-queen was destroyed or not when the colony was divided, but the fact of aueen-cells being built implies that the parent-queen was left, in which case the swarming will be explained by the pro- lificness of the mother-bee. (Bitot* jfoam tht Him Great Watering, Essex, June 20. — I thank you for reply to query 3776. I listened for the " piping " noise on night of 11th inst. , but did not hear any unusual noise ; 12th was raining all day, so was not favour- able for swarming. Kept watching for swarm up till yesterday morning (19th), when, owing to the bees being idle for several days* for want of soace, I thought better to super, so I put on a rack of sec- tions at 10 a.m. ; and, at 11 a.m., had the pleasure of seeing a swarm rushing out of hive, and in a few minutes clustered on opposite side of hedge, about ten inches from ground. I carried round my hive and proceeded as explained in plan (a) in " Guide Book. " Had swarm safe in hive in about ten minutes, and the hive back in its proper stand by 12 noon. They are working nicely to-day. Thanking you for advice. — J. T. >ftira to §mt A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which covers cost of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. June 27 to 30, at Park Royal, London — Royal Agricultural Society's Show. Bee and Honey Section under the management of the B.B.K.A. In- creased prizes for B.K. Associations as arranged in divisions or groups of counties. Entries closed- July 13 and 14, at Grantham.— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K.A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Entries closed- July 19, at 'Wallop, Hants —Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 12- July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society'* Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from B. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. July 26 and 27. at Cardiff. — Glamorgan Bee- keepers' Association's Show, in connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen classes (five open). Prizes for Honey, £1, 10s., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec, Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 21- August 2, at Henbury. near Bristol- Annual Show of Honey and Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon, Sec, J. Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close July 26. August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool-— Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes' for Sections, Shallow Frame's, Extracted Honey, light and dark and granulated Beeswax, Instructive Exhibits in Bee Culture, etc, and special County Class for Trophy. Schedules from Edward Bohane, Secretary, Miller Arcade, Preston. Entries close July 3- August 10, at Madresfield. Malvern — Annual Show of the Worcestershire Beekeepers'' Asso- ciation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. A. R. More- ton, Hallow, Worcester; or Mr. G. Richings, 2, Shrub- bery Terrace, Worcester. August 16, at Bishop Stortford.— Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entries to members. Bee demonstra- tions in tent. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Herts. Entries close August 9- August 16, at "Wye— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, 1-lb. jar light extracted honey, 1-lb. jar dark ditto, with prizes' of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose, stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11- August 16, at Fleetwood-— Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six lib. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cock, Hon. Sec, Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6- August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 23. at Lancaster. — Show of Honey, etc, in connection with the Lancaster Agricultural Society's Annual Show. Open Clashes for Extracted and Comb Honey, also Beeswax and Produce. Four silver and bronze medals and other specials. Schedules from Thos. Armitetead and Son, Auctioneers, Lan- caster. Entries close August 14. August 23 and 24, at Shrewsbury.— Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "Tbe Quarry," Shrewsbury. Eight open classes for honey. Classes with free entry for single 1-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon. Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11. August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections ; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to. district. Two to cottagers in district. C.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Pcover Knutsford. Entries close August 23. 260 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 29, 1905. September 9, at Dumfries. — Thirteenth Annual Honey Show of South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, including three 1-lb. jars and three 1-lb. sections; class for single 1-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section ; also one bottle and one section, with free entry. Liberal money prizes in all classes. Also gold and silver medals und two silver cups, along with, valuable money prizes, Open to members only. Schedules from ,1. Johnstone. Secretary, Nelson Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries. Entries close September 2- September 14, at Castle Douglas— Dairy Show, under the auspices of the South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including three 1-lb jars, three sections, and class for single 1-lb. jar and' single section, with free entry. Gold medals and liberal prize money offered. Eight classes, for members only, including classes for six heather sections, six lib. jars, and supers any weight. Schedules from Q. Aird, Secretary, Hardgate School- house, Dalbeattie, N.B. Entries close Septem- ber 2- September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace- — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Bedhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date^ of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. B. (Lines). — Suspected Disease in. Queen- cells. — What you term " curious cells," hanging down like "queen-cells," are rightly named, and contain the remains of larvae which failed to pupate. This occasionally happens in the experiences of those who breed queens extensively, but we cannot account for the offensive odour of the dead larvae, as in your case. We think, however, that their death was caused by " chill " only. Readeu (Glam.). — Drone-cell Founda- tion for Brood-chamber. ■ — There must be a mistake somewhere, as no sensible dealer would send " 20 lb. of foundation," like sample, for use in brood-chambers. It is simple drone-cell foundation, such as is sometimes used in shallow-frames for extracting, but unfit for brood-combs — apart from size of cell— the wax used being too soft and sheets too thin for brood. We do not wonder at its sagging in spite of being " wired." Novice (Amlwch). — Faulty Queens. — 1. The dead queen looks like a drone-breeder and bears out your view of her worthless- ness. It was quite the best course to re-queen. 2. Drones are of full size and right in all respects. They are the ordi- nary brown or native variety. I ikix (Macclesfield). Insect Nomencla- ture. -We are so far unable to name the small fly sent, and mentioned as "infest- ing a tomato house in millions." Per- haps some gardening reader used to such houses and their pests may help us in naming the fly ? D. B. M. (Exeter). — Sting Remedies. — There are many remedies on the market, one of the best known being " Grim- shaw's Apifuge," sullied by most dealers (see advt. in B.B.J.). Do not be too nervous about handling your first bees, and use a veil and gloves for a week or two. Suspected Combs. Anxious I (Dorset). — There is decided foul brood in newly-built comb sent, the cells being completely occupied with brood or eggs. The queen is evidently very pro- lific, but, amid diseased combs; she can only do harm by egg-laying. We should get thei bees off present combs and into a clean hive, as directed in " Guide Book, " when there will be a reasonable chance of seeingr healthy brood in the hive. J. A. B. (Dundee). — Comb sent is. so old that every trace of brood has disappeared from sealed cells, but it is certain that the stock is diseased. C.'W. (Market Harboro').— We find no foul brood hi comb, but sample indicates that the stock has something wrong with queen, some cells containing, several dried-up eggs. Unless, matter improve when young queen is mated, we should destroy the stock and start anew with fresh bees of more vigorous and robust strain. W. Y. (Thirsk). — There is foul brood in comb ; not of very bad type, but quite, bad enough to cause much trouble and yield no profit. As your neighbour has no ex- perience in treating the disease, we ad- vise getting rid of bees and combs. Beeswax (Devon). — "F.B." is. developing in both samples. W. T. (York). — There is foul brood in comb sent. Without being a " bad case," the fact of stock being weak and most of the combs in similar condition to that sent, we advise total destruction to prevent risk to your strong, healthy stocks al- ready doing well in supers. Pedagogue (Lincoln). — We find slight signs of " F. B. " in comb. The drone- brood in worker-cells shows that either the queen is worthless, if there is one, or else a laying-worker is ovipositing. We should destroy the stock. SroRE (London, E.C.). — Comb sent is very old, and shows remains of foul brood rf old standing. It is also* infested with wax-moth. You can do nothing with regard to your bees that have visited the old skep beyond using the ordinary pre- ventives., and keeping a careful look-out for signs of disease, which may, however, never appear in your hives. *** Some Queries and Replies, &c, are un- avoidably held over till next week. July 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 261 dfcjfitorial, prim to. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. SHOW AT PARK ROYAL. The sixty-sixth annual exhibition of the R.A.S.E. opened at Park Royal. London, on Tuesday, June 27, in beautiful weather, the Prince of Wales attending on the opening day, while their Majesties the King and Queen were present on "Wednes- day. It would have been gratifying to record a change in the prospect of future success for the Society's permanent show- yard, but facts point seriously in the opposite direction, tending to show un- mistakably that Londoners do not care about agricultural shows, while those di- rectly connected with agriculture seem loth to journey up to the Metropolis. The total attendance of paying visitors was 23,913, as asrainst 52,930 last year, and 63,013 in 1903. The recent show has, however, lasted only four days as com- pared with five days in former years. The wet and chilly weather of the last two rlay.s no doubt also tended to keep Lon- doners away, but the result was very dis- appointing. The bee-department was again well placed, and made a very creditable display, the entries numbering 169. This year — in the honey-section — a change was made in the grouping of the counties, the whole country being divided into two groups, as against four in 1903 and 1904. The result showed a sufficiently marked disparity in the two displays to show that bee-keepers in the North and Midlands do not yet show much appreciation of the efforts of the "B.B.K.A. to remove the cause of complaint with regard to being unfairly treated in competing with the more-favoured counties of the South. In the latter group some excellent honey was staged, and the prize exhibits in the former were good. Though only three collections of appli- ances were staged, the extent and com- pleteness of each made up for the sparseness of entries. Besides, this year each col- lection included a suitable outfit for a beginner in bee-keeping. We were glad to see the name of Messrs. Abbott Bros., Southall. again as competitors on the show-bench. Messrs. Jas. Lee and Son secured first place with a well-selected dis- play of up-to-date and well-finished bee- goods, which included everything required in the apiary. Messrs. Abbott, who took second honours, also showed some capitally made hives and appliances, the timber used in manufacture being specially good, while the whole of the workmanship was more like cabinet-making than joinery. With- out in the smallest degree disparaging the display, it seemed a pity that Messrs. Abbott still use a half-inch top-bar for the standard frame in some hives, be- cause, however useful the thicker top-bar may be in stiffening the frame and pre- venting sagging, the half-inch bar is not interchangeable with the standard unless the projecting ends (or lugs) are reduced on the underside. The third prize went to Mr. W. P. Meadows for a large and attractive display, in which tin goods were perhaps a bit too prominent ; but as these are a specialty with this exhibitor, it fol- lows that they should be well in evidence. The single hive classes were not so well filled this year, but those shown were by the leading makers, and in consequence were good. Messrs. Lee and Son took first in Class 399, for complete frame-hive, with an exceedingly good " W. B. C." hive, price 24s., dovetailed throughout. Messrs. Abbott Bros, were again second with a very well-made hive, price 21s. It had no outer case, and the stand and floor- board were undetachable. The third prize went to Mr. Meadows for a hive of the non-swarming type, price 30s., with a rather elaborate arrangement for altering the position of floorboard so as to avoid crushing bees. In the hive for cottagers' use (Class 400) the competition was not very keen, but the hives staged well merited the awards. In Class 403 Messrs. Lee and Son showed a useful uncapping stand and drainer suit able for a large apiary, which deservedly took first prize, while certificates of merit were awarded to Mr. Thomas, for a swarm- catcher which has some new features that promise well for successfully accomplish- ing its object, and to Messrs. Abbott Bros., for a folding table for bee-keepers' use. The only other class needing comment was 419, in which Mr. F. W. L. Sladen staged an interesting and capital arrange- ment connected with his latest system of queen -rearing. It got a well-merited first, as did also Mr. Wood, for a large and well- got-up exhibit of honey confectionery. Messrs. W. Broughton Carr and Walter F. Reid judged the bee-appliances and miscellaneous classes ; those for honey and honey trophies being taken by Mr. A. G. Pugh, who was assisted by Dr. Elliot, in the unavoidable absence of Colonel H. J. O, Walker, Mr. T. I. Weston acting as steward of the department. The follow- ing were the awards : — Class 398. — Collection of Hives and Ap- pliances, Including Suitable Outfit, for Beginner in Bee-keeping. — 1st, James Lee and Son, 4, Martineau Road, Highbury, London, N. ; 2nd, Abbott Bros., Southall ; 3rd, W. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester. Class 399. — Complete Frame-hive for General Use. — 1st, James Lee and Son ; 2nd, Abbott Bros.'; 3rd, W. P. Meadows; 262 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 6, 1905. v.h.c, C. L. Greenhill, 80, Graham Road, Wimbledon. Class 400. — Inexpensive. Fraiae-hivc for Cottager's Use.— 1st, W. P. Meadows ; 2nd. James Lee and Son ; 3rd, Abbott Bros. ; h.c, C. L. Greenhill. Class 401. — Honey Extractor.— 1st and 2nd, W. P. Meadows ; 3rd, James Lee and Son. Class 402. — Observatory Hive with Bees and Queen. — 1st, James Lee and Son ; 2nd, Sir Humphrey F. de Trafford, Bart., Market Harborough. Class 403. — Any Appliance Connected with Bee-keeping. — 1st, James Lee and Son (uncapping tray and stand) ; 2nd, Wm. Thomas, Llandilo, Carnarvonshire (swarm-catcher) ; 3rd, Abbott Bros, (fold- ing table for bee-keeper's use). HONEY. Group 1. — Limited to Cheshire, Cumber- land, Derbyshire, Durham, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Monmouthshire, Northumberland, Notting- hamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Stafford- shire, Warwickshire, Westmorland, Wor- cestershire, Yorkshire, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, or Wales. Class 404.— Twelve 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, John Helm©, Norton Canon, Hereford ; 2nd, J. Pearman, Penny Long Lane, Derby ; 3rd, J. Boyes, Bridge Street, Car cliff. Class 405. — Twelve 1-lb. Jars of Extracted Light-Coloured Honey. — 1st, W. J. Cook, Binbrook, Market Rasen ; 2nd, J. Pear- man ; 3rd, J. Jones, Wegber Quarry, Carnforth ; r. , John Helme. Class 406.— Twelve 1-lb. Jars of Extracted Medium or Dark-Coloured Honey. ■ — 1st, Geo. M. Tune, Vroneysyllte, Llangollen ; 2nd, John Helme ; 3rd, J. Jones. Class 407.— Twelve 1-lb. Jars of Granu- lated Honey. — 1st, J. Pearman ; 2nd, J. Boyes; 3rd, John Helme ; r., A. S. Dell, Leigh, Lanes. Group2. — Limited to Bedfordshire, Berk- shire, Bucks., Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herts., Hunts., Isle of Wight, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northampton- shire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, and Wiltshire. Class 408.— Twelve 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, Richd. Brown, Somersham, Hunts. ; 2nd, Chas. Lodge, High Easter, Chelmsford ; 3rd, Wm. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury; v.h.c. and r., Alfred Barber, Comberton, Cambs, ; c, S. Wright, Bury St. Edmunds. Class 409. — Twelve 1-lb. Jars of Extracted Light-Coloured Honey. — 1st, C. Lodge; 2nd, J. Barnes, Burwell, Cambs. ; 3rd, Eric Bennett, Methwold, Norfolk ; v.h.c. and r., S. G. S. Leigh, Broughton. Hants. ; c, James Lee and Son. Class M0.— Twelve 1-lb. Jars of Extracted Medium or Dark-Coloured Honey.— 1st, G. W. Kirby, Knowle, Bristol ; 2nd, C. W. Dyer, Compton, Berks. ; 3rd, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salisbury; v.h.c. and r., F. J. Old, Piddington, Northants ; c, F. A. Kent, Dorchester. Class 411. — Twelve 1-lb. Jars of Granu- latied Honey.— 1st, Richd. Brown ; 2nd, James Lee and Son ; 3rd, F. W. Hunt, Tipton St. Johns, Devon ; c. , E. C. R. White. Class 412. — Three Shallow-frames, Comb Honey for Extracting. — 1st, E. C. R. White ; 2nd, R. Brown ; no 3rd awarded. Class 413. — Six 1-lb. Jars of Heather Honey. — 1st, F. F. Upton, Rugeley, Staffs. ; 2nd, Jno. Berry, Llanrwst, N. Wales; 3rd, Wm. Dixon, Beckett Street, Leeds. Class 414. — Honey Trophy (Attractive Display in any Form). — 1st, R. Brown ; 2nd, C. Lodge; 3rd, J. Pearman; c. , R. Brown. MISCELLANEOUS. Class 415. — Beeswax (Not less than 2 lb. ).— 1st, C. Lodge ; 2nd, Jno. Berry ; 3rd, E. C. R White. Class 416. — Beeswax (Not less than 3 lb., in Shape, Quality, and Package Suit- able for the Betail Trade). — 1st, Jno. Berry ; 2nd, E. C. R. White ; 3rd, J. Pear- man ; r., J. Boyes. Class 417. — Honey Vinegar C^-Gedlon). — 1st, G. W. Kirby; 2nd,' J. Gray, Long Eaton ; 3rd, C. Lodge. Class 418.— Mead (^-Gallon).— 1st, R. Brown ; , 2nd, T. H. Geary, Enderby, Leicester ; 3rd, J. Pearman. Class 419. — Exhibit of a Practical or Interesting Nature Connected with Bee Culture.— Equal 1st, F. W. L. Sladen, Ripple Court, Dover (appliances for queen- rearing) and Arthur Wood, Crouch End, London (honey, confectionery, and condi- ments). Class 420. — Exhibit of a Scientific Nature not Mentioned in Foregoing Classes. — No awards made. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good laith. Illustrations should be drawn on. separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *»* 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 ircll as the page on which it appears AMONG THE BEES. GETTING BEES INTO SUPERS. [5934.] This is the season when all bee- keepers anxiously desire that their bees should expend as much of their energies as possible in the upper chambers of the hive. July 6, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 263 The stronger colonies, when timei and " opportunities allow, generally follow out an almost natural instinct and readily be- gin to store all the superfluous inflow there. But many stocksi of the shyer or duller sort seem to want some coaxing when they sulk too persistently below. Here are five aids to securing this much-to-be-desired end when working for section-honey : — 1. Shake bees from a frame or two, and let them run into the section-rack late in the evening. Quickly replace that receptacle in position, when at least a number of the shaken bees will stay aloft and become familiar with the new quarters, offered them. The chances are that they will soon quietly begin building comb and storing honey. 2. Place a very small patch of brood temporarily in a corner of the super in such a way 'that it can be quietly withdrawn after a few days. Bees seldom neglect brood in a hive, and so, .if they are sufficiently strong to work in supers, they will attend it, and thus familiarise themselves with those new quarters. The habit once acquired, they persist in ascending and store there. 3. 'When making up supers place in each rack one or two partly-completed sections, held over from the previous season, in the centre. The smell of the " bait " honey is a great attraction, and bees mount up to inquire as to this likely source of income. These " bait " sections are a good means of encouraging bees to take to the supers as soon as there is an income. 4. Acting on the well-known fact that bees work far more readily with frames of combs than sections, it is a common practice with many to place on a box of shallow-frames early in the season as a super, and. when it is fairly taken to, to replace it during an inflow with a rack of sections. Bees make no demur, but £0 on quietly storing in the new super as if there had been no change. 5. Carrying out this principle, it has been attempted lately to attract them up, working with a combination of the two styles of supers. While the super is> mainly made up of sections, two combs of the same depth take the place of the out- side row. This not only draws up the bees, but enables more complete sections to be secured at the end of the season. Very frequently these outside rows are the weak ones in a rack, especially at the end of the season. Heather-men have an opportunity of testing this device this sea- son yet. In earlier districts it may be too late. I hope to revert to this point later, because I think there is in it a large amount of possibility, should proper supers be devised for thoroughly carrying it out to a successful issue. Taper Hires. — Quite recently T observed some German intimates that he makes his hives of paper. He soaks a lot of paper, works it together into a pulp, pours it into moulds, leaves it to dry, and the re- sult is " paper boards," which he fixes up into hives. If well painted they last a long time, he says. If so, this is a simple way for cottagers to provide themselves with cheap modern hives! But what I have to point- out is that the idea is not new. It is, indeed, a century old, at least. I can give chapter and verse for the asser- tion. " Mr. Drewitt, Paper Mills, Weir, can supply square pasteboard hives at sixpence each." The advertisement is one hundred years old, so no moderns need apply at above address. Bee Parah/sis. — This disease is seldom made "prominently manifest in this coun- try, but a case of it came under my notice last spring. The bees on coming out seemed to move tremulously, crawling along the fiightboard in a dazed ami crippled way as if uncertain where to go, and how to accomplish their journey. Feeble attempts were made to take wing, but these proving futile, they crept dazedly away, generally to die, for few of the worst cases returned to the hive, and the propor- tion lost was considerable, so that the population was rapidly decreasing. But with the advent of warm sunny weather, and nectar-bearing plants, the symptoms rapidly disappeared, and the colony be- came fairly strong for surplus-gathering. Strong Colonies. — Some may set down ihe following as simply theorising, others may accept it as matter of fact ; I give it as the fruits of deduction derived from experi- ence: — A colony of 20,000 bees is not a strong one, but it will gather in a given time 1 lb. of honey. One of 30,000 may be set down as only medium strong, but under similar circumstances it will gather 3 lb: of honey. A hive of 40,000 bees may be set down as strong, with perhaps a quali- fying adjective in front. It will in the same time gather 8 lb. of honey. A fourth colony, numbering 50.000, is really strong. It will collect 12 lb. in the time the others will bo in storing 1 lb., 3 lb., and 8 lb. The ratio of increase will diminish rapidly after this for every 10,000, and I question if one of 60,000 will not gather as much as one very much more numerous. The saving clause of crrtrris paribus, however, comes in all through, because the. gross population of the hive is only one factor in the estimate, and there are others. I am safe in saying that thousands alone will not roll in the honey, for it depends to a considerable extent on the proportion of young active foragers able to devote their full energy to honey-gathering from the fields. Say that it 'takes 5,000 bees to gather 1 lb. of nectar. Owing to the state of the brood-nest the larger colony may furnish, not only relatively but abso- lutely, the smaller number of bees intent 264 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 6, 1905. only on. honey-gathering. Therefore, it behoves all to have not only bees in the hive during a full flow, but to have them of an age when they can put their best foot foremost in actively carrying in nectar. — D. M. M., Banff. INCREASING OUR COLONIES WHILE CONTROLLING SWARMING. [5935.] Referring to the article by "Heather Bees" (5904, page 216), the plan he proposes will work very well and can be done at any time after the excluder has been on twenty-one days ; that being the time required for all eggs, and brood in the upper hive to hatch. With regard to drones, they need not be confined. If the brood-combs have been built from full sheets of foundation, there will not be a great many drones in the hive. These can be readily trapped in the following manner : — Bore an inch auger-hole about an inch above the excluder,, and place a drone-trap over the hole, on either end of the trap drive a nail, and into the hive drive small staples the proper distance apart on which to hang the trap. The division should be made and sections put on a few days, cer- tainly more than a week, before the colony is taken to the heather. A super-clearer can be used, as suggested, to get the bees out of the top hive ; but I prefer shaking the bees from the frames in front of en- trance to the hive and let them run in, as in hiving a swarm. If the season has been a favourable one, the combs in the top hive will contain a good deal of scaled honey which should be extracted, and the combs containing unsealed honey should be given to weak colonies to clean up. If managed in this way, and the heather is in bloom, and the weather fine, I have no doubt a strong colony that has not swarmed would fill two racks of sections at least. In consequence of being surrounded with houses, and my bees being in a small yard, there is no place for a swarm to settle ; they come out and are lost. This year I have adopted the following plan, not wish- ing to increase : — As soon as the bees begin to get crowded, I put the queen and frame of brood in a new hive, filling up with full sheets of foundation, the latter having a queen-excluder both under and over the hive, and the old hive above. A drone- trap is fixed as described, and, as will be seen in the photograph sent, the first super is put on in the usual way, and raised with the old hive. After giving sufficient time for the foundation to be drawn out (ten or twelve days), I remove the upioer excluder, as I find the eight-frame dovetail hive with Hoffman frames, 9g by 17f inches (the size generally used in America), is not nearly sufficient for a prolific queen, I will give particulars of dates and working of the hive used here, which has fully answered my expectations. A good queen keeps an eight-frame hive filled with brood during the time honey is being collected, and very little honey is stored in it, so that I winter with a shallow-frame super on top, and in this way no syrup-feeding is necessary either in autumn or spring. This hive was examined October 10, 1904, and was not interfered with until April 23, when I found brood in many frames in the super, and saw the queen up there. I cleaned the floorboard, and as there was plenty of honey did not examine again until May 12, when, having, found all as I could wish, I put an excluder between hive and super, taking care the queen was below in, the hive-body. The bees worked well and were strong, and, on May 28, I put an excluder on the floor-board , and on it a new hive with a frame of brood with the queen, filling up with frames of foundation. An excluder was put on the top of the new hive, and the old hive placed on it. The excluder that was be- tween it and the super was removed. On June 3 I raised the super and i>ut another under it with full sheets of foundation ; nearly all the brood in old super had hatched, and three-parts of the combs were filled with honey. On June 18 I took the old super off and found the frames filled and sealed to the bottom. The other super given on June 3 was filled with beautiful white combs and nearly filled with honey, some combs filled half-way down. I re- moved three frames of sealed brood to strengthen a queenless colony, substituting frames of foundation in their place. June 23. — The super jrut on the 3rd was sealed and ready to come off. If all is well, I will, at the end of season, report the amount of honey obtained. — John M. Hooker, Philadelphia, June 23. A PEREGRINATING SWARM. [5936.] We have just had an experience with a swarm which, I think, must be almost unique. A colony of Italians swarmed on the morning of June 25 (from a non-swarming hive) and settled in an apple tree a few yards off. The bees were hived in a skep and left to settle down, the queen being seen in the skep. In about two hours they decamped unseen ; but the loss was soon discovered, and during the afternoon they were located in the roof of a thatched cottage about a quarter of a mile away. It was impossible to °et at them, and they were therefore abandoned as lost. On the following day, however, the whole swarm was seen to leave the roof and settle in a garden near by. Before arrangements could be made for securing them they had again taken wing and com- July 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 265 pletely disappeared. Nothing further was heard of them until the 29th, when about 9 a.m. they were discovered quietly clus- tered in the exact spot the if had originally chosen, close to their hive*. It was at first- thought that a second swarm had issued, but an examination of the parent hive proved that this was not the case. In their four days of wandering they had evidently not been able to find congenial quarters. Name sent for reference. — Wilts, July 1. THE "CLAUSTRAL" DETENTION- CHAMBER. a beginner's experiments with it. [5937.] I only commenced bee-keeping last year, and my inexperience may have led me to consider my experiments of more interest than they really are, but I give them for what they are worth. I started the season with two stocks, which I increased to three by artificial swarming (as per instructions in " Guide Book"). The third hive then started queen- rearing: It consisted of five frames of brood, a frame of foundation, and old bees of stock No. 2 (not a strong stock). It was at this point I decided to experiment, and use hive No. 3 entirely for queen-rearing. Having two " Brice " nucleus hives, I fitted them with " Claustral " detention- chambers, and when the queen-cells in No. 3 were ripe I removed four frames with adhering bees, placing two frames and a queen-cell in each nucleus (referred to as Nos. 1 and 2), and then shut them up. I kept the detention-chambers shut until the queens hatched safely. The bees were none the worse for their confinement. All dead bees and rubbish had been turned out of the hive into the "chamber." I was unable to place the nuclei more than 12 ft. from parent hive, and I am doubtful if queens could have been safely reared without the " chamber " with such weak nuclei, for the weather was unusually cold and wet, and a loss from bees returning to parent hive would have been serious. In fact, I should not have attempted to rear more than two queens. The queens mated safely, as did also the queen by then hatched in No. 3, which also had two combs, but which was by far stronger in bees, owing to the numbers clustering on the division-boards, and many more being on the wing, when I re- moved the other frames. Four weeks after forming nuclei I re-queened stock No. 2 from nucleus No. 1. Forty-eight hours be- fore removing queen from nucleus No. 1, I closed detention-chamber. When removing queen I at the same time united the nucleus No. 1 with No. 3 hive. I did not move the nucleus gradually nearer No. 3, but trusted to the " detention " and a branch placed in front of entrance to No. 3 after uniting. I united in the evening. I left the nucleus hive in its old position, shutting the chamber so that no bees could enter. The next day many bees returned to their old quarters, ; but, finding no entrance, after a turn or two, went back to the hive with which they had been united. I watched the bees very carefully to make sure they returned to their new hive. I do not know how long a detention-chamber is considered necessary, but forty-eight hours would seem to do at a pinch. I think the detention-chambers saved me much in bees, time, and trouble, and certainly did not trouble the bees ; after each period of de- tention there were never more than four or five dead bees. I send name, etc., for re- ference, and sign — G. A., Ventnor, Isle of Wight, July 1. BEE NOTES FROM ROSS-SHIRE [5938.] The outlook here is very promis- ing. June was favourable, and clover yielding freely, so that stocks had to be supered early in the month. Our first swarm came off yesterday (June 30). The hive had on six racks of sections above eleven standard frames. In one rack the foundation had not been drawn out, but there was honey in each of the other five, three of them very heavy, and a number of sections ready for sealing. Of my other colonies, each with nine to twelve frame brood-nests, none have as yet more than two racks filled with comb and honey. In the above-mentioned hive the queen had the run of twenty-one standard frames up to the first week of June, and, as the hive was then getting crowded, and queen- cells under way, I removed all the brood- frames and started them anew on founda- tion. When I examined the new frames yesterday they were a sight worth seeing. With one exception the combs were solid slabs of brood, from side to side, and some up to top-bar. I again took away all their brood and put them back on starters, with supers replaced above. Should the queen fill this — the fourth brood-box — she will take rank with the one that heads the large frame stock. The good old queen, now in her third season, has beaten all the more thought-of last year's queens. The stock covers twelve Quinby, fourteen- standard and twenty-two shallow-frames, with lots of worker brood in the standard and shallow-frames above the brood-nest proper. Besides, I made an artificial swarm from the above, which is on twelve shallow- frames, with two racks full of comb and honey. The real honey-flow is still ahead, .so we look for second crops should the 266 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 6, 1905. weather not take to " weeping " during July and August. — J. M, E., Ussie Valley, July 1. • THE "THOMAS" SWARM-CATCHER. [5939.] Your good opinion of the above as expressed in a footnote to a correspon- dent of the B.B.J, a few weeks ago, has been verified by its satisfactory working in my apiary. I put a straw skep, in which the queen-cells were almost ready for cap- ping over, on the floor-board of the " catcher," in such a manner that the bees could not get out excepting through the proper entrance. Their work was in no way impeded by the " catcher," and on Thurs- day, June 22, at 11 a.m., the swarm issued in my presence, and, after circling round for a few minutes, returned to the " catcher," on which they clustered. In less than, thirty minutes the swarm was established in the three frames of founda- tion in the " catcher," and work was going on as usual. In the evening I put the swarm into a new hive, and placed it on the old stand. For a day or two before the swarm issued the " catcher " acted as an ideal drone-trap. — H. Samways (Second-class Expert). Maesybont, Llandebie, June 23. SWARM-CATCHERS. [5940.] You will remember I wrote you and sent a sample of a swarm-catcher last year. I have improved, it for this season, and have several on now. Yester- day being a very hot day, after two days' rain, I spent about an hour and a half in the middle of the day at the apiary, but no signs of swarming ; but on going over the hives last night I found a swarm in the catcher with two frames out of the three packed with bees, and the founda- tion of one of them drawn out in some parts ^ in. You can imagine my feel- ings when I found that the bees say that the catcher is a success. I intend leaving them just as they are in front of the hive for several days, to see whether the queen will start laying and brood be reared ; then take the frames and bees out, and put in franu'swith foundation for the catcher to have a try at the second swarm with a virgin queen. Wishing you and the B.B.J. success at new offices. — William Thomas, June 26. BEE-PACIFIERS. THE CARBOLISED CLOTH AT FAULT. [5941.] Carbolic acid does not mix pro- perly with water, and soon dries up on a cloth. Glycerine is better than water as a vehicle for diluting the acid for quieting bees ; it mixes with the acid and remains moist longer. Carbolic cloths require care- ful handling ; unless the fingers are moistened with oil,- the skin and flesh are eaten away where the acid touches. If any reader knows of a substance harmless to the skin that can be used as a bee-pacifier, I should be glad to learn of it. If it were not for the drawbacks named, the carbolic cloth would, I think, be far better than a smoker, being always, ready for use.— W. J. Farmer, Redruth. WEATHER REPORT. Wkstbourne, Sussex, June, 1905. Minimum on grass Rainfall, 3 "62 in. Heaviest fall, 1"75 on 5th. Rain fell on 16 days. Above average, 1 "53 in. Sunshine, 198 8 hours. Brightest day, 24th, 15'5 hours. Sunless days, 3. Below average, 32 "2 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 76° on 27th. Minimum tempera- ture, 46° on 7th. on 45° on 7th. Frosty nights, 0. Mean maximum, 65 3. Mean 51-8. Mean 58-5. Above average, 1'5. Maximum barometer, 30 36 on 23rd. Minimum barometer, 2966 on 31st. L. B. BlRKKTT. minimum, temperature, JUNE RAINFALL. Brilley, Herefordshire. Total fall, 3.03 in. Heaviest fall, .78 on 30th. Rain fell on 15 days. W. Head. Bomford, Essex, July 1. — The weather conditions here are most favourable, and in strong contrast to those of last year, when everything that grows was scorched up. The limes are just coming into full bloom, and white clover is flowering abun- dantly. Thanks to the copious warm rains lately, there is every prospect of a grand yield from the above sources, and bee-men here who have fairly strong stocks are con- fidently expecting, good " takes." Strong stocks are now doing well, and one master- hand in the town can already show a rack of sealed sections ! Swarming in Romford commenced on June 22, and there have been several since that date. The plan followed here with swarms is to remove four frames of brood, with queen-cells, from parent-hive to form a nucleus, re- placing these with full sheets of founda- July 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 267 tion. We then cut out remaining queeifc- cells, and return the swarm. Tim young queens in nuclei will be allocated where required later on. Hoping to be able to send a good report when surplus is re- moved.— R. J. T. Redruth, Cornwall, July 1. — I am glad to report that from June 22 to June 30 there has been a most excellent honey- flow here, and the prospects are very good, given a little warmer weather. The white clover has been out in perfection since June 22, and I never saw bees work harder than mine did on the 30th. Each of my stocks stored nearly a shallow- body full in the eight days mentioned, some of which were stormy. — W. J. Farmer. mxm M& §U$fe. [3800.] Swarm Destroyed in Transit. — I should be glad to have, if you will kindly give me, your opinion on the following, not having heard of a similar experience: — A good-sized swarm issues at noon in dull weather ; hived in skep at once after clus- tering. The swarm was then secured in skep with tent-cloth, and carried four miles on tricycle to my place, where I received them about 8.30 p.m. I immediately trans- ferred the swarm into a ventilated skep, and covered its mouth with coarse cloth, the bees being very irritable and angry. Left them till 6 p.m. next day in dry room, when on examining them, I notice a quan- tity of sweet liquid had drained from skep, and, on removing the cloth, I found the swarm a wet mass, and bees practically all dead ! Apparently the bees had vomited the honey they carried with them until the whole mass were suffocated and crushed with the weight of bees above. Can you say what has caused the trouble ? My own opinion is that the bees were practically suffocated in the unventilated skep. tied over with a piece of tent-cloth (practically air-tight), and so got over-heated, and although I removed them into another im- mediately I received them, yet the mis- chief was done. If this is so, ought I to pay for them ? I send name and sign ■ — ■ P. L. G., Birmingham, June 21. Reply. — But for your statement that " the bees were very irritable and angry " when received, we should at once have at- tributed their death to insufficient venti- lation before the swarm reached your hands ; it being a well-known fact that bees, if not properly ventilated, will regur- gitate the contents of their honey-sacs in the way stated. Our wonder, therefore, is, first at the bees being- alive and apparently active when received ; and second, that they should be asphyxiated after being transferred fco a ". well -ventilated skep." You do not say if the skep was turned bottom upwards during their over twenty hours' confinement (as it should have been), nor can we judge of the " coarse cloth " covering used. Was it cheese-cloth, or coarse canvas, or what ? These points should be made clear before blame can be safely apportioned. [3801.] Starting a Bee-farm. — 1. I should feel much indebted for advice in B.B.J, on the question of starting a bee-farm, and how much capital would be needed to begin in a small way, yet on a scale large enough for the bee-keeper (unmarried) to get his living by. 2. Is it advisable for a person entirely icrnorant of bees and their manage- ment to risk his capital in purchasing bees and hives? I have looked carefully through Neighbours " Apiarv " and Taylor's " Bee- keeper's, Manual," but cannot find a single allusion to those points on which a person thinking of starting bee-farming needs most of all to be enlightened. 3. T should also be obliged if you would tell me if I could spend my summer holidays on a bee- farm, with a view of learning; something about the business. 4. Finally I ask — Is it absolutely necessary to undergo a course of practical tuition before venturing a start on one's own account? And 5. Do you know of a bee-farmer with whom one could work for a time ? I send name for reference and sign — Gr. W. W., London, S.W., June 22. Reply. — 1. To start a bee-farm on a suf- ficiently large scale for earning a liveli- hood by would need not less than £150. 2. It would be absolute folly for a person — as described above — to risk his capital in the way proposed. There is no business we know of in which it needs to " 20 slow " more than bee-keeping. You must learn " how to keep bees " before depending on them to keep you — in other words, whether you have the natural apti- tude for the pursuit necessary before it can be made a success of. The books you name are twenty years behind the times, and you would need to be up-to-date in everything. 3. We might name a suitable place if you decide to carry out this intention. 4. Yes •* absolutely necessary. 5. You could probably ascer- tain this through our columns if the need arose. [3802.] Transferring Bees to Frami Hires. — May I ask for advice in the fol- lowing case? — Early in May last I procured an established stock in a skep, which I placed above top-bars of frame-hive in accordance with instructions given in "Guide Book." Eight of the frames were furnished with fully built-out comb, and in the two centre ones I put new founda- tion. On examining the hive on Saturday 263 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 6. 1905. last, I found the skep much heavier, but although the frame-hive was full of bees, no attempt had been made to draw out the foundation, nor had the queen gone down. Will you please say if it will be advisable to drive the queen into the new hive, and, if so, what is the best time of day to do this? I know really nothing about bees at present, but I intend to learn, and with this end in view have obtained the " Guide Book," and all essentials recommended therein. I am also taking both your papers regularly, the query portions of which I am carefully keeping under a classified in- dex, as, in a few years, these will form a most important work on "what to" and "what not to do" in bee-keeping. I en- close my card, and sign — A Wobkee, Moseley, Birmingham, June 26. Reply. — We should let the skep remain as at present, because it is certain that the bees will start work in lower hive — if the latter is full of bees as stated — now that honey is being gathered, and weather is fine. Your attempt, as a be- ginner, to drive the bees and get the queen below might easily end in disaster. [3803.] .4 Beginner's Troubles. — Queen Lost after Examining Hire. — In March last I examined my single hive and found the bees apparently all right with plenty of brood and bees. I looked through the hive again on April 15, but there was no brood in combs, and I could find no queen. I therefore wrote for one, and got it on April 27, when I introduced same as di- rected in " Guide Book." A week later I inspected the combs again, but could find no trace of queen or brood. I then arranged with one of your advertisers to let me have an Italian queen for 7s. 6d., which duly came to hand on May 8. Early next morn- ing I drove the bees into a box, and, after keeping them in the cellar for a couple of hours, I dropped the Italian queen in among the bees and left them for another two hours, after which time I placed the box containing queen and bees over frames, letting them all run down into ' the hive below. Eight days afterwards I looked again, and found eggs in brood-frames, so thinking they were all right, I did not trouble until June 4, when an examination showed only about a dozen capped cells of brood on each side of the two centre frames, and these were dotted here and there with drone-brood in worker-cells, I therefore informed the dealer from whom I got the queen, and he asked me to return her ; but after carefully examining the hive I can- not find her anywhere. I should, there- fore, be glad to hear what you think of it. I am also sending a bee along with the two drones, which the other bees were throwing out of the hive-entrance on Monday morn- ing as though it was not fully developed, although alive. The bees have repeatedly cast out white "rubs or half-matured larvse, and they are continually carrying in pollen. I need hardly say that I am only a be- ginner. I send name, etc., and sign — Staffokd, Walsall. Reply. — It seems clear that your troubles have all arisen from the first ex- amination of combs at beginning of March last. At that time the bees were no doubt doing well and thriving, but untimely or awkward manipulations of stocks by novices so frequently cause loss of queens, and consequent loss of a whole season, that we cannot too strongly deprecate such. An experienced bee-man never opens a hive unless there is a need for doing so, and beginners should, bearing this in mind, let well alone. We trust that our corre- spondent's unfortunate experience will not deter him from continuing his efforts on safer lines. A beginner should be con- tent with simple items of bee-management, involving less risk to the queen-bee, for on the well-doing of that single insect depends the welfare of the whole colony. To sum the matter up, it would appear that after loss of the parent-queen in March, and the subsequent failure to safely introduce an- other queen on April 27, there was a further failure in the attempt to wt an Italian queen permanently accepted by the bees. If this is so, their refusal to adopt the Italian mother may be in some degree accounted for by the unorthodox method followed in introducing her. Anywav, we cannot diagnose what followed from scanty details furnished only by supposing that there is now either a fertile worker or an unmated queen in the hive, seeing that drone-brood is being raised in worker-cells. The two normal drones, and the diminu- tive one — bred, no doubt, in a worker-cell —are of the common or native variety. [3804.] A Beginner'' s Qxieries. — I am a novice at bee-work, having started with one hive this spring. On Friday, June 23, hearing that a swarm of bees had passed a neighbour's house, I was in doubt whether they came from my one hive' (a very strong stock). I, therefore, examined my hive to-dav, and found a goodly number of bees in top super of shallow-frames, a fair num- ber in the under-super (sections), the brood-chamber also being well packed with bees. I did not stop to take out any of the brood-frames, as having removed the two supers on to stand, the air was getting a trifle " lively " with bees. I noticed, however, that the end frames of the ten in body of hive contained capped honey, and all frames seemed fairly full of brood and honev. judging from a look down. I there- fore ask : ■ — Should any of the frames be removed and replaced by foundation and the honey extracted ? I noticed that the July 6, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 269 bees had done very little in the sections, but the shallow-frames were in various stages, four of them being almost com- pletely filled and capped. Should these be removed and replaced by foundation, or had I better wait whilst the ten frames are completed? I presume, not knowing whether my bees swarmed or not last week, it would be inadvisable to create an arti- ficial swarm ? Thanking you in anticipa- tion of reply, I send name and sign — A. K., New Barnet. Reply. — There is no need to do any- thing under the circumstances, beyond taking care that the bees have storage room for honey-gathering. The season is now more than half over in the London district, and if the box of shallow-frames is filled and the rack of sections com- pleted, it will be about all they will do this year. If you do any artificial swarm- ing, it will put a complete stop to honey- gathering. Any operation of that sort had, therefore, better be deferred till the supers are removed. [3805.] Preventing Drone-comb. — 1. Will you please tell me if it is possible to pre- vent the bees building drone-comb when onlv " stai'ters " of foundation are "iven? I put two frames into each of three hives, with startei's of worker-foundation, and in each case the continuation of comb is being built of drone-cells. I have not put any " ends " on these frames in order to con- tract the space and get worker-comb, but this does not seem to avail. Can I do any- thing else ? 2. IVom one of my stocks, which has already swarmed twice and been put back, I have cut out over thirty queen- cells. Is not this an abnormal number? They have two supers, one above and one below, but will not touch either. They seem to prefer swarming. — Puzzled, Wilts, June 24. Reply. — 1. If frames are spaced lg in. from centre to centre, instead of the or- dinary distance, no drone-comb will be built. This narrower spacing can be secured by using the "W.B.C. ends," as shown in " Guide Book " (page 46). 2. Yes ; the usual number of queen-cells found, after the issue of natural swarms, is from four to nine. "ftw jShoros to tote. A nominal charge of 2s. Gd. is made for notices in this column, which covers cost of insertion from order till dale of show. Cash should accompany orders for inseition. July 13 and 14, at Grantham— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K.A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Entries closed- July 19> at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leices- tershire-— Show of Bees, Honey, and appliances, in connection with annual flower show. Three open classes, two local classes, and one for members of L. B.K.A. Bee demonstrations, lectures, etc. Schedules from J. H. Dunmcre, Secretary, Alandale, Ashby- de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Entries close July 17 July 20, at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants U.K. A. in connection with "the Horticultural Society'* Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7«. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hetford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. July 26 and 27, at Cardiff —Glamorgan Bee- keepers' Association's Show, in connection with the Carditf and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen classes (five open). Prizes for Honey, £1, 10s., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedules from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec., uabalfa, Carditf. Entries close July 21- July 27, at Cambridge. --Honey .show of the Cambs: and Isle oi Eley B.K.A., in conjunction with that of the Agricultural Society, held by permission in the grounds of G. E. Foster, Esq. Eleven classes, including one for trophy of honey (five prizes), and two open gift classes (with free entry) for sirigle lib. section and single lib. jar extracted honey. Schedules from G. E. Rogers, Hon. Sec, " Beeholm," Newnham, Cambs. Entries close July 22- August 2> at Wallop, Hants— Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 26- August 2, at Henbury, near Bristol — Annual Show of Honey ana Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection witn the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon. Sec, J. Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close July 26. August 3, at Kensington Meadows, Bath— Snow of Bees, Honey, Hives, and appliances in connection with the St. Saviour's Horticultural Society. Six open classes tor honey, etc. (including honey trupnvK seven local elasues. SchPdules from C. J." Culvert, Hon. Sec , 10, Eastbourne Saeet, Bath. _^j.ioo ciose July 2_4 August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool — Annual Show of the Ro\ai Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered lor honey along with Bilver and "bronze medals of the B. B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Sections, Shallow Frames, Extracted Honey, light and dark and granulated Beeswax, Instructive Exhibits in Bee Culture, etc., and Special ' County Class for Trophy. Entries finally close July lo. August 7, Bank Holiday, at Melton Constable Park— Annual Show of the North Nor- folk B.K.A. Open classes for Extracted and Comb Honey. Schedules from Hon. Sec, C. J. Cooke, Edge- field, Melton Constable. Entries close July 28 August 7 (Bank Holiday), at Cambridge- —Honey Show oi the Cambs. and Isle of Ely B.K.A. Nine classes, with good prizes, including one for " Display of Honey." Prizes 30s., 20s., 15s., 10s., and bs. Also open gift classes, with free entry, for single section and single 1-lb. jar extracted honey. Five prizes in each class. Schedules from G. E. Rogers, Hun. Sec, Beeholm," Newnham, Cambridge. Entries close August 1- August 7, Bank Holiday, at Lichfield — Honey Show in connection with that of Lichfield Floral and Horticultural Society. Two classes for members of Staff B.K.A. Six open classes for Honey, Tees, and \V:ix, and two open cottagers' classes. Ten guineas and six medals offered in prizes. Schedules from F. J. Hall, City Statkn, Lichfield. Entries close July 29 August 9, 10, and 11, at Hull— Show of Honev, Bees, Hives, and appliances in connection with "the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Nine classes, with liberal money prizes, for hives, bees, honey, and beeswax. Schedules from the Secretary, John 270 the British bee journal. [July 6, 1905. Maughan, Blake Street, York. Entries close July 1. or at late fee.s to July 8- August lO, at Madresfie.ld, Malvern — Annual Show of the Worcestershire Beekeepers' Asso- ciation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. A. B. More- ton, Hallow, Worcester; or Mr. G. Richings, 2, Shrub- bery Terrace, Worcester. August 16, at Bishop Stortford— Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entries to members. Bee demonstra- tions in tent. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Herts. Entries close August 9- August 16, at "Wye.— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, lib. jar light extracted honey, 1-lb. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11- August 16, at Fleetwood —Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six lib. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Dock, Hon. Sec, Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6- August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec., Bradford Abb ,'i, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 23, at Lancaster. — Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Lancaster Agricultural Society's Annual Show. Open Classes for Extracted and Comb Honey, also Beeswax and Produce. Four silver and bronze medals and other specials. Schedules from. Thos. Armitstead and Son, Auctioneers, Lan- caster. Entries close August 14- August 23 and 24, at bhrewsbury.+-Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Eight open classes for honey. Classes with free entry for siDgle 1-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon. Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11. August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefoidshire, or Cheshire, for six lib. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to district. Two to cottagers in district. C.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Pwover Knutsford. Entries close August 23. September 2 to 9, at the Agricultural Hall, London. Honey Show in connection, with the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Tradere Annual Exhibition and Market, (See large advertisement on page i ) Ooen to all British Bee-keepers Entry fee in each class one, shilling. Schedules from II. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition,. Offices, Palmerston Bouse, ni, i Br md Street, L Ion; E:C, September 9, at Dumfries- — Thirteenth Annual Honey show of Sooth of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, Including three l lb. jars and three 1 lb. sections; class [or single 1 lh. Jur and single 1 lb. section ; aJso one bottle end one section, with tree entry. Liberal money prizes in ill classes. Also gold and silver medals and two silver cups, along with valuable money prizes, Open to members only. Schedules from J. JohnBtone. Secretary, Nelson Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries. Entries close September 2- September 14, at Castle Douglas— Dairy Show, under the auspices' of the South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including three 1-lb jars, three sections, and class for single lib. jar and single section, with free entry. Gold medals and liberal prize money offered. Eight classes, for members only, including classes for six heather sections, six 1-lb. jars, and supers any weight Schedules from Q. Aird, Secretary, Hardgute School- house, Dalbeattie, N.B. Entries close Septem- ber 2- September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace.— Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- September 16 to 23, at the Agricultural Hall. London. — Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Marnet of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £60 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. . Open to all British Bee-keepers- Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. *** "Inspecting Foul Brood in Combs." — - Referring to the mention of this in query 3796 (page 258), Mr. W. H. Hal- stead, Dovercourt, Harwich, writes: — " If Mr. C. P. Woodbriclge will cycle to Dovercourt, he can be shown a specimen of foul brood in mild form, if he will intimate on p.c. when he might come." J. P. (Polperro). — The bee has nothing worse than pollen grains on its body. Nothing at all to cause fear about para- sites. W. J. (Glam.).— Faulty Foundation. — We cannot guarantee sample as being pure beeswax : it would need analysis to be safe one way or other. U. D. P. (Karno). — Buying Bees. — We are glad the matter has been amicably settled. T. S. (Carlisle). — Bee-Forage. — 1. The sprig of bloom sent is the Limnanthes JJow/lasi, a very excellent honey-plant. 2. If you can send botanical name of the other plant we will refer to it, but local names are misleading. Suspected Combs. Tivrog (N. Wales). — There is foul brood in a few cells of sample, which is quite new comb. Nothing in unsealed cells but healthy-looking larvae and pollen. Sheffield. — There is foul brood in a very few cells of comb sent, but bees were hatching out by the do/en during time comb was in transit. No doubt some hundreds of .young bees were sacrificed by your sending a standard-sized comb full of sealed brood. If other combs are no worse than sample, and stock is strong, we should defer treatment (ill the honey season begins to wane, Ihell examine, and see how far the mischief has «one. July 13, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 271 (Editorial, Uottea, &t THE BEE-SEASON & COMING SHOWS. The exceptionally fine weather now pre- vailing all over the Kingdom has gladdened the hearts of bee-keepers, and will, no doubt, have aroused a perfectly justifiable impression that one of the old-time honey- seasons is within measurable distance. So frequent, however, have been the dis- appointments— from one cause or another — that those of us who were practised hands in the craft thirty years ago began to ask ourselves if a really good honey sea- son of the old-fashioned sort was ever coming round again, or if such years as we have in mind had gone by for ever. In the same way some younger hands of to-day have openly expressed the belief that seasons of " honey glut," as they were called, were simply figments of imagina- tion existing in the brains of old bee-men, but having no reality in fact. Be this as it may, we go so far as to say there is every reason for believing that a very fine crop of honey will be secured this vear. In saying this, we do not forget how frequently the good harvests promised have, from various causes, failed to realise ; but we happened to journey over 200 miles from London northward on the 8th inst. , and never, in all our experience, have we seen better or more abundant bee-forage on both sides of the L. and N.W. railway track than was visible in each of the counties passed through on the journey down. White clover and alsike was in full bloom in the meadows (where uncut) and pasture lands alike, and with bright sun and a tempera- ture of over 70 deg. Fahr. , it is safe to say the bees were in full work on it. Then, after a brief thunderstorm, accompanied (in Cheshire) by a downpour of rain heavy enough to wash away any trace of honey- dew, if such existed — on the afternoon of the 9th — all was bright and warm again a couple of hours later. We write these lines in West Cheshire, within fifteen minutes' walk of the spot where, twenty-one years ago, our own bees were located, and in that year gathered the finest crop of clover-honey it was ever our good fortune to secure in any one sea- son. As we are now enjoying a short holiday in; this neighbourhood, we availed ourselves, of the opportunity for- going over the old gathering-ground where- on our bees laboured in the days referred to. There was little change in the sur- roundings, while the bee-forage was plenti- ful as of yore, so that ordinary good for- tune should give Cheshire bee-keepers, among others, a chance of harvesting some equally " good stuff " as the clover-honey which rather surprised our southern friends at the " Colinderies " in 1886. This by the way, but what we desire to invite the attention of readers to is the chance a really good season affords for those fortunate enough to have their bees in proper trim for taking full advantage of the weather we are now enjoying, and making an appearance on the show-bench. We are also glad to announce that ihe directors of some important shows have realised the improved conditions with re- gard to the honey-crop, and are, in conse- quence, offering special inducements !o would-be exhibitors. In this direction we have been requested to say that the date •: f closing entries for the show at Liverpool has been extended to July 18 without extra fees. The money prizes amount ft; £35, together with silver and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and of the Lanes. B.K. A.. There are seven open classes for honey, wax. and bee-appliances, also for instruc- tive exhibits connected with bee-culture and a county class for honey-trophy. Another interesting announcement we have to make is connected with the im- portant exhibitions and markets at the Agricultural Hall, London, in September next, of the " Confectioners and Allied Trades," and also of the "Grocers and Kindred Trades." It will be seen by refer- ring to advertisement on page iii. that the entry-fee in all classes has been reduced to one shilling. This concession, along with other advantages offered, should have the effect of encouraging exhibits from all classes of the bee-keeping community, bearing in mind the very liberal money prizes offered in competition for honey, beeswax, and bee-products (no hives or bee- appliances). These amount to £50 at each of the two shows, and include a class for honey-trophy, with prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1 at each show. The classes are open to all bee-keepers, and exhibits may remain at the Hall for staging at the second how if entered for both. Moreover, the prize- winners at the "Confectioners" are de- barred from taking a prize in the corre- sponding class at the "Grocers," so that: a second chance is offered of winning at the later show, and under more favourable conditions, seeing that winners of th' earlier one are excluded by the terms of the rule just mentioned. Full particulars will be found in schedules to be had on application from the Secretary, Mr. H. E. Rogers, Rainier - ston House, Old Broad Street, London,JE.C., and we hope all our leaders will do their best, by entering their honey for competi- tion, to encourage the management in their endeavour to bring honey and honey pro- ducts before the general public, and so extend the market for producers. 272 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 13, 1905. <&omtytm&tMt The Editors do wot iiold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper 07ily and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *** In order to facilitate reference, 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 appiars i NOTES BY THE WAY. [5942.] The " season " is fast passing away, as the limes are almost the only source in this district from which we get any surplus, except in cases of special forage, such as a chance crop of mustard, or a good after- math of white clover. During the past few vears our crop of white clover has diminished considerably, the farmers, grow- ing more of the red variety, also rye grass with some alsike clover in the mixture. Unfortunately, the latter does not grow up and bloom again, making the fields a bees' paradise in a few days, as did the white clover of the old style of farming. There is hope, however, for bee-keepers yet, as farmers will have perforce to return to. the old-style leys to secure the necessary amount of " nodules " to liberate the food for the growth of succeeding corn crops, Our friend Mr. Farmer speaks of tripod stands as being easy to " level*." I have a few skeps on three-legged stools, and on my sandy soil, even with pieces of slate or tile under the legs, I have had them topple over during or after a heavy storm. This has never happened with a four-legged stand or stool. A Medium Metal End lie qui red. — A look through the competing hives at the Royal Show confirmed me in the opinion I have held for some time, that a medium-sized metal end is a great desideratum. With shallow frames spaced with wide ends the bees of ion build brace combs, and with narrow ends our combs when finished are thin and narrow also ; hence we get more work in uncapping and extracting, and also less honey. T know there ape points in favour of wide ends, especially on the show-bench, as extra ounces -weigh with the judges in giving their decision. Again, eight combs are extracted more quickly than ten; but the beginner will find that the eight-frame box is not likely to give him good st raight .well-built combs, ami it is for the benefit of new bee-keepers that we want Mr. Meadows (he is the tinman) to make us a medium "W.B.C." tin-end for our extracting combs. Before leaving the subject, may I say a warning word on the exhibition of very thick heavy combs? The practice of sending these, T think, should be discouraged, for have we not in the past had many cases of broken-down combs to deal with at shows, and has it not been in nearly every instance due to over weight? A 31b. frame of comb will travel far more safely than one of 6 to 71b., and the quality of th.e honey is just as good in the 31b. comb as in one twice its weight, Bequeeniiu/. — The. period of requeening will soon be with us, and I advise the novice to try using tobacco smoke when introducing queens. I have done so now for some years, as previous " notes " testify, and I have had invariably good success when tobacco smoke is used. In proceed- ing, first get your smoker well alight, put in a pinch of tobacco, roll back the quilt, and give a few puffs of smoke. This will drive the bees below. Then allow your queen to run down between the combs, fol- lowed by a little more smoke, replace the quilt and finally give two or three puffs at the entrance. The tobacco smoke has a sedative action on the bees, and is not easily fanned out of the hive, thus saving an equal scent to bees and new queen. Of course, the old queen, and also every queenr cell, must have been previously removed from the hive, or the expense and trouble will be futile. A friend from Cheltenham "CO" asks for information as to those fourteen swarms mentioned in my "Notes," page 252, B.B.J. , June 29. He would like to know whether they " clustered " together, and how they were separated. Yes, three of them went together, as my man worked on the old style of leaving the first swarm where it settled and was hived. I myself, as soon as another swarm is on the wing, and appears drawing towards the same spot, remove the first to a cool, shady place in another part of the apiary. Then No. 2 generally settles on the branch of the tree from where No. 1 has been taken and is hived as quickly as possible. If obliged to use a ladder I shake the bees into a large skep, and hold it sideways, by this means getting a large part of the flying bees to settle in the hive before I bring them down. The swarm is placed on a square of strainer cloth ready to carry away to another spot if necessary. If two or more stocks swarm together and settle together, I shake part into one skep and part into another, and place them a yard or two apart. Some- times, one is fortunate enough to get a queen in each, but if in a short time one lot gets restless, I hunt out a queen from the other hive and "lace her with the rest- less bees (this is only the work of a few minutes), and then equalise the strength of the swarms by giving a handful or two to the weaker lot. There has not been a verv abundant honey-flow for the past fort- night, until July 6, when matters improved somewhat, — W. Woodi/ey, Beedon, New- bury. July 13, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 273 INCREASING OUR COLONIES WHILE CONTROLLING SWARMING. [5943.] Having tried the plan described on page 202 of B.J. for May 25, I am send- ing a few lines on the result. It answers well with myself. I tried four of my lot, with the result that I took from them four brood-boxes nearly full of honey, while the body-box in each was nearly full of. brood. In one ,top-box a queen hatched out, and I have kept her there with a few bees and thus started another colony. I have six " W.B.C." hives, made by an Exeter hrm, that helped me to success ; everything fits so well ; in fact, everything I had proved to be as good as. represented by them, which helps one in starting bee-keeping. I wish I had tried all my bees the same as the four mentioned ; I should now have had them all boiling over with bees. The thing helpful about the plan is its sim- plicity, and with such strong lots there would be no fear of chilling brood. I therefore consider the plan has proved a complete success. — G. Ttjrl, S.O., Devon, June 27. USEFUL ODDS & ENDS ABOUT BEES. [5944.] Jjcaky Roofs. — My method is very similar to the one men- tioned by "F. J. H." in B.B.J. of June 15, except that I soak the calico (brown, at 2gd. per yard) in boiled oil first; then allow" it to dry, and after- wards give a coat of paint. I never have a leaky roof, and know a bee-keeper who has practised this method for at least a dozen years with equally good results, Some readers might care to try this : — A pint and a half of linseed oil, one and a half ounces of candle grease, and two ounces of white lead, boiled together, and painted on brown calico while hot. After three or four days, when dry, give a coat of paint. This is a method used for water- proofing canvas canoes. Waxing Foundation. — For the cottager or bee-keeper with few hives,, it will be found eminently useful to fill a long, narrow bottle with pieces of beeswax. Place in a saucepan of cold water and heat until wax melts. Now take about six inches of glass tubing, and use as a dipper. By placing the forefinger tightly on the top of the tube, after it is dipped into the melted wax, it can be carried to the re- quired position, and run into the groove by taking oft' the finger. T have used a small screwdriver, notched with a triangu- lar file. Heated in a gas-flame, this makes an efficient appliance for embedding foundation. Sparrows and Bees. — As my apiary is surrounded by houses, I have evci'y oppor- tunity of watching the mischievous spar- row. As a result of careful observation, I find the sparrow will take the drones, but not workers. I watched a. pair last summer fetch dead drones and workers from the front of my hives. They also took maimed drones, but would not touch a maimed worker, although I purposely tried them. Neither have I seen them attempt to catch a bee on the wing. Nature, Study. — This subject is now adopted in many of our elementary schools, and to' facilitate study various " Readers " are being olaced on the market. Before me, as I write, is one published by Macmil- lan and Co., which contains four chapters devoted to " Bees and Bee-keeping." This is how the standard frame is described : — " It was a wooden frame, something like a slate frame, only it was. filled with wire- gauze instead of slate." Then again — " The bees build their cells on both sides of this wire-gauze. They make their combs |-inch thick with the wire-gauze partition, to form the base of the cells on either side " ; and again on page 169 — " A sheet of wax, the exact size of the ' frame, is stamped out by machinery into six-sided cells, and this is fixed to the wire partition with melted wax." Just think of the harm this is calculated to do, and then I think you will agree with me that it is a pity the proofs were not referred to some prac- tical man. I send name and sign — W. D., Bulwell, July 5. BEE-NOTES FROM DERBYSHIRE. [5945.] The bees in this district are now simply revelling in the excellent bee- weather. They have been doing very well for over a month past, and I never saw stocks build up better. Then a fortnight ago we got a good warm rain which freshened everything up beautifully. I know of two or three racks of shallow- frames being filled since then, so rapid was the inflow ; I never saw honey come in more plentifully. Many fields are simply covered with white clover, quite a fortnight earlier than usual; not only so, but grass- cutting for hay is a fortnight later ; there- fore, with good bee-weather through July, there is promise of a record honey-season here, and, so far as I can judge, the horiej is of fine quality. I have one swarm worked on Mr. Alex- ander's plan as given in B.B.J. , which has nearly filled a super. Another stock I allowed to swarm naturally in order to get queen-cells, but the swarm went back, having lost their queen, and the most puzzling thing about the affair is that I did not find a single queen-cell in the hive, sealed or unsealed. In addition to this misfortune, the queen had not laid for 'three days at least before this swarm came out, so I was a loser all round — my 27 1 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 13, 1905. best queen gone and no cell for a young one. This spring I went to put a friend's hive straight ; one he had bought just as it stood in the owner's, garden. The super had been left on all the winter, and one comb that had dropped out of its frame was laid across three or four of the super frames, under this comb the bees had lived all the winter, and when examined there was brood on three of the1 frames in super. The combs in the lower brood- chamber were all eaten away by mice. This was on April 6, and there would only be about a pint of bees in the hive at that time. Now it is supered, and the stock is one of the hottest-tempered lot of bees I ever saw. The old bee,-keeper who sold them said that the district was no good for bees, but my friend has a hive quite close to it that filled a suj^er in nine days last month, so I do not call it a bad country for bees at all. — Tom Slight, Tilsley, Chesterfield, July 5. EXHIBITS DAMAGED IN TRANSIT. [5946.] I received my exhibit of mead from " Park Royal," this morning, per passenger train. It consisted of three strong bottles, and two of them were smashed. The packing seemed all right, but the railway treatment must have been simply outrageous. The exhibit was awarded a prize, and taking a modest view, I assessed the amount for compensation at 10s. It is small wonder that exhibitors are shy. Anyway, I shall be after this, as it is positively disheartening to have vour exhibits treated in such a manner, and I do not expect I shall get any compensation. I enclose name and address, Messrs- Editors, while signing myself — Disgusted, Leicester, July 5. SPARROWS AND BEES. HOW BAD HABITS ABE ACQTUUEU. [5947. jiDuri ng the cold wet weather early in June a quantity of drone-brood was cast out of one of my hives. A pair of spar- rows, having partaken, got to like this, and stayed on, to discover Ilia! even inal lire live bees as food are possible, and easily obtainable. This pair of sparrows lived almost entirely in my apiary for three weeks, and when no brood or mature bees wcic to be found, they did not hesi- tate to darl for a flying bee, and carry off their prey to a cottage near by, where evidently they bad a nestful of young. The numbers of bees caught by' these birds musi be very large; But there is, as usual, a moral— viz., when any quan- tity of brood is thrown out of the hive, remove il immeiliately. < Mice, while I was among the hives, .lames the sparrow (cock -sparrows are called " Jims "_ locally), caught a bee, and was flying off with it when the insect stung him, making the bird scream with pain and spin on the ground like a top; but he soon recovered, and his equilibrium was 'not sufficiently affected to cure the bird of this bad habit, — W. Loveday, Hatfield Heath, Harlow. PREVENTION OF SWARMING. [5948.] Besides giving plenty of room inside, I think it is necessary to use hives with a loose outer case on the "W.B.C." plan. In single-walled hives the bees are simply roasted on a hot, sunny day. For general convenience and utility nothing can approach the loose outer-case type of hive. My working hives are all on this plan. I have a few nucleus hives on the other plan, for which purpose alone I consider single-walled hives are suitable. — W. J. Fabmeb, Redruth, July 8. (fueim and $qjlu». [3806.] Combs Destroyed and Immature Bees Cast Out from Hive. — Herewith I send a piece of comb containing larvse, which, together with young immature bees (sample enclosed), are being thrown out wholesale from one of my hives. There is quite a heap on the ground in front ; a lot of the young bees lying or crawling about, and just moving their legs. I shall be most grateful if you would advise me on the best course to take under the circum- stances, as I have never before had such an experience. The bees have gnawed away the cells of several of the combs down to thei mid-rib, as you will see by sample, and the whole surface of all the combs has the same peculiar appearance as sample. The stock in question, was formed on June' 22 from the parent-combs (four and five respectively) of two stocks which swarmed on that' day ; these combs being put in hive on a fresh stand, and the swarm hived in their old homes. Neither queen- cells nor eggs are to be seen in this hive, though there may, of course, be a virgin queen recently hatched. There is some food in hive, though very much less than I expected to find. Can it be due to short- age of stores ? — C. D. G. , Soham, Cambs. Reply. — We have not heard of a similar case to the above, though instances of bees fighting amon? themselves have been re- ported. An inspection of comb and bees shows that the two stocks from the nine combs contained hatching brood of two distinct kinds of bees, one being the com- mon brown kind, while the others, were July 13, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 275 fairly well marked Carniolans, and whether the combs or the young bees were offensive to the brown bees, or vice versa, we can only guess ; but the appearances point that way. As a possible remedy for the trouble it might be worth while to try spraying the bees with very thin syrup scented with a few drops of peppermint. [3807.] Swarms Not Filling Sections.-— I have just started bee-keeping, and got my first swarm at the beginning; of June. I put a super on about a fortnight ago, but though the bees are in the sections, they show no signs of drawing out comb, and I am afraid the swarm is too weak to :lo moiv than fill the frames in brood-chamber. I am very anxious to work it into a good stock for next year, so would you advise me to take off super, and try to increase brood by gradually adding the four extra frames in centre of body-box ? There are only six frames in hive now. Then about August should I begin feeding the bees till the frames are full for the winter? I should be very much obliged if you could let me have an answer in next week's B.B.J. I send name and sign — Ettphemia, Stourpnrt, July 7. Reply. — The sections had better be re- moved at once, and then give the other four frames, after fitting same with full sheets of foundation. If present weather continues, the bees should build-out combs and store sufficient food to winter on before the season closes. Failing this, they should be fed up in early autumn with the required amount of sugar-syrup. It is not uncommon for swarms to store no surplus honey the first year. [3808.] Strong Stocks Suspected. — I here- with enclose samples of comb from two of my hives. A bee-keeping friend told me they were bad with foul brood. I wish to know if it is of long standing, and which has been diseased longest, if at all, as I would like to trace the cause of it. I have more hives, but these two appear to be worst. Bees are very strong, especially No. 2, which is full of bees working in two rarks of sections. I had 801b. off No. 2 lasl year. What do you advise that I should do? I wish to save bees if possible. I have taken your paper for six years and have found it of great value. — J. W. C, Kincardineshire. Reply. — Beyond a slightly suspicious cell or two, we find no foul brood in comb of either sample, nor can we account for death of larva? therein without further knowledge of the stock than the few details given. Both No. 1 and No. 2 are very similarly affected, neither being worse than the other. [3809.] Queen Cast Out.— Will you kindly inform me if enclosed queen is a virgin or an old one ? I found it to-day on the floor- board surrounded by about twenty bees. This hive is. doing well with three racks of sections on ; top one now ready to come off. I have not opened hive except to put on racks since May 15. I am glad to say all my six hives are doing well, the other live each having two boxes of shallow-frames on and honey coming in fast. I have had no swarms yet this season. — Old Sarum, Salisbury. Reply. — Queen sent is a full-sized fertile adult. You had better liftl toff surplus chambers and see if queen-cells are on combs ; because, if so, all will go on well if resultant queen is safely mated, and there will be no interruption in honey- storing while a young queen is being reared. [3810.] Queen Killed, and Cast Out.—l. Can you tell me whether the enclosed queen is fertilised or not ? She was reared in a nucleus, but a queenless colony refused her. 2. Can you say from what source the bees have gathered the enclosed propolis? Name sent for reference. — Gilby, Kirkby Lonsdale. Reply. — 1. Dead queen sent bears every appearance of a virgin, but may possibly have been mated before being stung to death, as her appearance denotes. 2. Pollen similar to that sent is gathered from several kinds of flowers ; we cannot, therefore, name the source from whence sample came. [3811.] Ymini/ Bees and Pupae Cast Out. — I have been much perplexed lately to find a number of very young bees, pup;e, and larvse, cast out of one of my hives. Nearly all the bees were alive when cast out. Over a fortnight ago the hive was queenless, but had five or six frames with eggs, and young brood in all stages. The bees have reared seven or eight queens since, the first of which came out of its cell last Monday. I first noticed the young bees, etc., being carried out on that date, and it has been going on &vei since. The hive contains plenty of food, both sealed and unsealed, besides which, I have been feeding slowly during; the time the bees were rearing the queens ; but stopped when (he cells were sealed over. By same post I am sending some of the bees cast out during last night. All the ejected bees when found had their suckers fully out. I send name and ad- dress for reference, and sign — J. N. L., Ilkley, Yorks. Reply. — It is most difficult to account for young bees — mature and immature — being cast out as stated, without having full particulars of what has happened to the stock in question to explain matters. The bees (Carniolan hybrids apparently) have died, we should think, from want of food, but why this should happen is not 276 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 13, 1905. clear, unless the cessation of feeding men- tioned may account for the mischief. We can offer no other explanation. [3812.] Swarms from Large Hives.— I have only one hive, which I am working for extracted honey. The bees are very strong, and were on twenty frames of brood by the end of May ; besides having ten standard frames of comb in a second doubling-box, about three parts full. I therefore, on June 10, raised the latter, and put a third doubling-box under it, with ten frames fitted with full sheets of foundation and placed a rack of sections on top of all, making four tiers of stan- dard combs, ten in each tier, and one rack of sections. But, in spite of all this room, the bees swarmed on Jim..* 20, not having touched the second doubling-box given on June 10. The worst of the matter, however, was that the swarm flew ,off and was lost ! Three days later I heard " piping," so removed all honey in top box, and cut out all queen cells in two bottom chambers. I found it rather a tough job handling such an enormous stock, being only in my first year of bee- management. However, I got through it at last, and also formed a nucleus colony by taking three frames of brood, etc., from lower body-box, and substituting frames fitted with " starters " of foundation. But, notwithstanding this, the bees swarmed again next day, that being the fourth day after the first swarm came off. The bees, however, returned to the parent hive after being in the skep for about an hour. I would now ask, if you will say : 1. What did I do, or leave undone, to cause the swarming? I may say that the fr.-nt ol hive was raised to admit air as per "Guide Book." 2. Was it not unusually soon for a second swarm to issue on the fourth day after the top swarm came off? 3. Is it likely the bees will swarm again? I see they are working well now, and I have lifted hives off floor-board about an inch all round with a block at each corner to carry same. — I send name and sign — A Beginner, Southampton, Reply. — 1. It is hard to say — from a distance — what you have done, or left un- done, to cause the trouble. One thing, however, is certain, you have adopted plans that, for a first-year's bee-man, are rather startling in their unorthodoxy, and such as more practised hands would hardly dream of. But the queen-bee of your only colony must be a wonderfully prolific one, and it is a great pity you have lost her. 2. The giving of so many frames of comb would no doubt defer the issue of swarm for some days after the bees had formed queen-cells and made up their minds to emigrate to a new home, and this probably caused the delay of first issue for several days. 3. No ; sum- ming up your season's work, we fear it will not be so profitable as if ordinary methods had been adopted, and something less than forty standard frames and a rack of sections used on one stock. We shall be glad to hear the final result of your season's work later on. [3813.] Brace-Combs in Sections. — lle- newing Brood-Combs. — Will you kindly ad- vise me on the following points? — 1. Though I use four-bee-way sections, full sheets of foundation, and tin separators, I find my bees often extend combs and build on to separators. How can this be avoided ? 2. Combs in brood-chambers of some of my hives are old, and ought to be removed. If I put to one side of hive and use queen-excluding dummy till brood is hatched, queen will have no laying space. How is this difficulty to be overcome, and when is the change best effected ? Section-racks are at present on all hives. 3. When examining hive in spring I thought I detected foul brood in some. A few capped cells were concave, and a very few contained putrid matter. I was not positively certain, so put on racks of sections, which are now partially filled. If I find it to be a slight case of foul brood, how do you recommend me to proceed ? Is the starvation process cer- tain and possible in autumn, or has any other foul-brood cure proved successful on trial in slight cases ? An answer will oblige.— S. H. H, Ashford. Reply. — 1. If sections are carefully ar- ranged in racks, and latter are properly made, no brace-combs will be built. 2. It is best to remove faulty or old combs when broodless, and replace same with a full sheet of foundation, hung between two straight combs in centre of hive. 3. After the honey-flow is over, remove all combs in which there is foul brood before packing down for winter, if the disease is not found to be extending. The " cure " you name is not a" cure at all, only a preventive. [3814.] Transferring from Sleeps to Frame-hives in July. — I have two stocks of bees in straw skeps side by side, neither of them working in supers, and I should like to drive the bees of both skeps into one frame-hive, but would first ask : Do you consider this advisable, and, if so, would it be best to place an excluder-zinc on frames, and put the straw skeps one above the other over frames for brood to be all hatched out? A reply in the B.B.J, will much oblige., And also, can you give me name and address, of secretary of Northants B.K.A. ? I send name, etc., and sign — L. A., Peterborough, July 1. Reply. — It is now too late in the season to carry out the plan of allowing bees to July 13, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. ■277 transfer themselves from skeps to frame- hives, as directed on page 140 of " Guide Book." Your best course, therefore, will be to defer driving the bees till all brood in skeps has hatched out, then drive both lots and run them into the frame-hive. The latter will need to be fitted with full sheets of foundation, and the bees liberally and rapidly fed, so that combs may be built out and stores sealed over before packing down for winter. Mr. R. Hefford, Kingsthorpe, near Northampton, lis hon. sec. of the county B.K.A. [3815.] Queen Killed and Cast Out.— Enclosed herewith is a queen-bee which I found this afternoon lying on the alight- ing-board of one of my hives. There were several worker-bees around her, which drew my attention to that hive. Can you tell me the probable reason of her being thrown out ? Also is she a young or an old queen? She was not quite dead when picked up, so I kept her warm in a match-box, hoping she might revive. The hive had not been opened for some days, so she can hardly have received any injury through manipulating. I regret not having seen one of our Editors when up at the Royal Show last week, Mr. Broughton Carr being engaged each time that I was in the honey tent. — Mary Spexcer, St. Oswald's Apiary, Holywell, Hunts, June 30. Reply. — 1. The dead queen sent was of full length, and, but for her rather slender shape, she would have been a Jine queen. There were no signs of her having been "balled," nor is there any outward sign of injury. An examination of the frames might explain matters, but, as no details are given of the past history of the stock, it is impossible to judge the cause of death safely from a distance. We share your regret with regard to visit to the Royal Show. On the first day we were busy all day judging, and on our next visit on Thursday were engaged examining can- didates for the B. B.K.A. experts' certifi- cates. [3816.] Swarm Building Combs in Tree. — On returning home to-day I found a swarm clustered on a tree in my orchard which had been hanging there for two days. I do not know out of which hive they had issued, or whether it is a stray swarm, and so ask: — 1. Can I take it that the bees are not gorged with honey as when swarming ? They appear to have no intention of taking wing, but are working as if from a hive, and have doubtless built some combs on the tree. 2. The question therefore arises : Will not the bees, if hived and placed on a stand in my apiary, return to the tree, which is some distance from where my other hives stand ? I shall be glad if you will give me your opinion what is best to be done, or what will happen if I leave them alone. 'The bees, not being now gorged with honey, might be troublesome, and I should not like my gardener, who as- sists me in hiving swarms, to be badly stung. I send name and sign — S. E., Hawkhurst, Kent. Reply. — 1. Yes ; it is fairly certain that the bees have resolved on an open-air dwelling for the time at least, and will start breeding and honey-storing in the tree-combs, of which not a few instances are recorded. 2. It would not be a difficult task for any bee-expert to remove the combs and bees and transfer them to a frame-hive, as bees working in the open are not difficult to handle as a rule. Can- not some help of this kind be got if it is beyond your own powers ? If so, a lot of trouble might be saved. [3817. J Excessive Swar miny. — My bees have never swarmed so much as this year — most of them having done so three times. One hive, of ten frames, sent out a large swarm which filled a sken with comb in a week. The parent hive has swarmed three times since then, in spite of having nine shallow-frames, and two racks of sec- tions, and is now simply "boiling over" with bees, Also can you account for the large number of drones present in all my hives ? I never remember having seen so many. I send name and sign — Nastur- tium, Canterbury, July 7. Reply. — If the stock referred to did not have the three after-swarms returned, it- was a very unusual case of excessive swarm- ing to have so large a hive " now boiling over with bees " after sending out four swarms in all. The cause of your super- fluous drones is too much drone-comb in the hive. It should be nearly all cut- out. Regarding your other query, we know of the bees named, but that is all we can say concerning them. Bees, like human beings, are not immune from disease, and never will be ; anything said to the contrary, is, therefore, absolute nonsense. [3818.] Uniting Bees in " Wells" Hive- On a former occasion I consulted you re- garding the removal of queen-cells from two swarms in a " Wells " hive (see pages 188 and 200). I have carried out the system, I think, successfully thus far. You sue^ested that sometimes the bees seemed to give up the idea of queen-breeding. Not only so, but, in my case, one of the colonies seems to have given up the idea of even producing workers, so that when last ex- amined (about a week ago), there was prac- - tically no brood, and the whole ten frames were almost filled with honey. Both colonies have, section-racks on, but this 278 THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 13, 1905. particular colony has not done much in them ; the other has done better, although also well stocked with honey below. Now, what I would like your advice about is — Would it be expedient to remove the per- forated division-board, and as many of the frames of honey as thought advisable, and substitute a few full sheets of foundation, and unite both lots into one colony ? Would there be any danger of them swarming un- less one of the queens was removed ? I will consider it a great kindness if you will tell me in your next issue what is my best course, and will wait for your advice before taking any step. I send name for reference. — B. M. B., Bridge of Allan, July 7. Reply. — If you take the precaution to remove the worthless queen that has ceased breeding before uniting the bees of both compartments, it will no doubt be advan- tageous, to take the oroposed course. Nor need there be any fear of 'the bees swarm- ing if they have comb-building to do. [3819.] 'Utilising Queenkss Bees by Uniting. — I am in a difficulty concerning a stock of bees in a straw skep. They swarmed and lost queen ; the swarm then returned to the parent hive, only, of course, to swarm again. I therefore tried to pre- vent this by placing the skep on top of a frame-hive furnished wijth built combs, hoping that bee,s would descend into the frameddve below next day, which they did. I then removed the skep back to its old stand, and covered the frame-hive up warmly. Both hives worked well, until an examination revealed the true state of the case. I found the bees in skep had deserted the small rack of eight sections, which they had three-parts filled before they swarmed. On the other hand, the bees in frame-hive had gathered a fair amount of honey and stored same in frames, but I noticed they were restless and unsettled, and showed signs of queenless- ness. On a further inspection,' I found drone-brood in all combs, and queen-cells on one comb, and they have now no eggs in hive from which to raise and queen. Seeing, therefore, that one can only work for cither honey or for stocks, I ask which course is best for me to follow? Shall I put tin- skep on top of frame-hive and let l he bees transfer themselves, or give them a frame containing brood and place eggs from a neighbour's hive and let them raise a omen for themselves, and by this means still keep two stocks? In other words, shall T work for honey or stock? The case is rather a difficult one, and I trust you will excise me if I have not made my- self clear. But please try and gather what you ''a?i from my remarks and let me know what T had better do? I send name and sn'ii S. B., Manchester, July 6. BEr-LY. Try the latter course of the two plans proposed. If the bees fail in raising a queen, the skep may then be set above the frame-hive and the two lots united. dMws jfaom iht Him Hat field Heath, Harlow, July 10, 1905.— In this district the season has been a most indifferent one, from the honey-producer's point of view, while the large numbers of stocks of bees found dead in April from easily preventable causes was other than creditable in these progressive days. My own few stocks were early ready for any- thing that might turn up, and they all swarmed in May. I had young queens laying well at the end of the month, and shallow-frames ready for extracting in May. to'o ; but — it is the small words that have it in our language — during the week early in June, when the sainfoin was at its best, it not only rained the whole week, but was cold also. Then came the mower at the end of that chapter, for white clover is not now cultivated here. There are still possibilities, but the appearance of the aftei'maths does not allow one to rely much upon the second crops. Strong stocks well kept have only been able to store thirty-five pounds of surplus honey. The demand for honey is unusually great, and several bee-keepers are buying to fill orders. — Loveday. ftotus to #0me. A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which covers cost of insertion from order till date of shew.' Cash should accompany orders for insertion. July 13 and 14, at Grantham— Show of Honey, Hives,, and Bee Appliances in connection with the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. Bee Depart- ment under the management of the Lines. B.K.A. Fourteen classes. Liberal money prizes and silver medals. Entries closed- July 19, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Leices- tershire.— Show of Bees, Honey, and appliances, in connection with annual flower show. Three open classes, two local classes, and one for members of L. B.K.A. Bee demonstrations, lectures, etc. Schedules from J. H. Dunmcre, Secretary, Alandale, Ashby- de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Entries close July 17- July 20. at Kingsthorpe, Northants — Honey Show of the Northants B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Three open classes with special prizes, including one for single 1-lb. jar honey. (Entry free.) Prizes 20s., 10s., 7s. 6d., and 2s. 6d. Schedules from R. Hefford, Hon. Sec, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Entries close July 15. July 26 and, 27. at Cardiff— Glamorgan Bee- keepers' Association's Show, in connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society. Honey, Wax, Appliances. Fourteen, classes (five open). Prizes July 13, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 279 for Honey, £1, 10e., 5s., in open classes. Entry fee for one or more of the open classes, to non-members, 2s. 6d. Schedule® from Wm. Richards, Hon. Sec, Gabalfa, Cardiff. Entries close July 21- July 27, at Cambridge — Honey Show of the Canibs. and Isle of Eley B.K.A., in conjunction with that of the Agricultural Society, held by permission in the grounds of G. E. Foster, Esq. Eleven classes, including one for trophy of honey (five prizes), and two open gift classes (with free entry) for single 1-lb. section and single lib. jar extracted honey. Schedules from G. E. Rogers, Hon. Sec, " Beeholm," Newnham, Cambs. Entries close July 22- August 2, at Wallop, Hants— Honey Show in connection with the Wallop Horticultural Society. Open Classes for single lib. section and 1-lb. jar of extracted honey. Schedules from D. Burt, The Grange, Nether Wallop, Hants. Entries close July 26 August 2, at Henbury, near Bristol- Annual Show of Honey and Wax of the Henbury District Beekeepers' Association, in connection with the Horticultural Society's Exhibition. Several open classes with good prizes (two classes with free entry). Schedules from the Hon. Sec, J. Atkin Waller, Pen Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Entries close July 26- August 3, at Kensington Meadows. Bath —Show of Bees, Honey, Hives, and appliances in connection with the St. Saviour's Horticultural Society. Six open classes for honey, etc. (including honey trophy); seven local classes. Schedules from C. J. Oalvert,*"Hon. Sec, 10, Eastbourne Street, Bath. —.nones close July 24- August 3, 4, 5, and 7, at Liverpool — Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Liberal money-prizes are offered for honey along with silrer and bronze medals of the B.B.K.A. and also of the Society. Open classes for Sections, Shallow Frames, Extracted Honey, light and dark and granulated Beenwax, Instructive Exhibits in Bee Culture, etc., and Special County Class for Trophy. Entries finally close July 18. August 7, Bank Holiday, at Melton Constable Park- — Annual Show of the North Nor- folk B.K.A. Open classes for Extracted and Comb Honey. Schedules from Hon. Sec, C. J. Cooke, Edge- field, Melton Constable. Entries close July 28- August 7. Bank Holiday, at Cambridge — Honey Show of the Cambs. and Isle of Ely B.K.A. Nine classes, with good prizes, including one for " Display of Honey."_ Prizes 30s., 20s., 15s., 10s., and 58. Also open gift cla/ssee, with free entry, for single section and single 1-lb. jar extracted honey. Five prizes in each 'class. Schedules from G. E. Rogers, Hon. Sec, Beeholm," Newnham, Cambridge. Entries close August 1- August 7, Bank Holiday, at Lichfield ■— Honey Show in connection with that of Lichfield Floral and Horticultural Society. Two classes for members of Staff B.K.A. Six open classes for Honey, Pees, and Wax, and two open cottagers' classes. Ten guineas and six medals offered in prizes. Schedules from F. J. Hall, City Staticn, Lichfield. Entries close July 29 August 9, 10, and 11, at Hull— Show of Honey, Bees, Hives, and appliances in connection with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Nine classes, with liberal money prizes, for hives, bees, honey, and beeswax. August 10, at Madresfield, Malvern— Annual Show of the Worcestershire Beekeepers' Asso- ciation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. A. R. More- ton, Hallow, Worcester ; or Mr. G. Richings, 2, Shrub- bery Terrace, Worcester. August 16. at Bishop Stortford.— Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entries to members. Bee demonstra- tions in tent. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Herts. Entries close August 9 August 16, at Wye— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, 1-lb. jar light extracted honey, lib. jar dark ditto, with prizes' of 20s., 10s., and 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11- August 16, at Fleetwood— Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six lib. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cock, Hon. Sec, Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6. August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Tetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec, Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16- August 23, at Lancaster- — Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Lancaster Agricultural Society's Annual Show. Open Classes for Extracted and Comb Honey, t-lso Beeswax and Produce. Four silver and bronze medals and other specials. Schedules from Thos. Armitstead and Son, Auctioneers, Lan- caster. Entries close August 14- August 23 and 24, at Shrewsbury.— Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Eight open classes for honey. Classes with free entry for sicgle 1-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon. Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11.' AuR'USt 26, at Barnton — Honey Show, in con- nection with the Barnton Floral and Horticultural Society. Two classes open to the county and all mem- bers of the O.B.K.A. Six local classes. The Cheshire B.K.A. will present their silver medal to the winner of first prize in Open Class for twelve jars light honey. Schedules from Mr. S. Wade, Barnton, Northwieh. Entries close August 19- August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the C.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh's Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections ; prizes 10s., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to district. Two to cottagers in district. C.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Peover Knutsford. Entries close August 23- September 2 to 9. at the Agricultural Hall. London. — Honey Show in connection with the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual Exhibition and Market. Open to all British Beekeeners- Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Strict, London, E'.C. September 9, at Dumfries- — Thirteenth Annual Honey Show of South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, including three 1-lb. jars and three 1-lb. sections ; class for single lib. jar and 6ingle lib. section; also one bottle and one section, with free entry. Liberal money prizes in all classes. Also gold and 6ilver medals and two silver cups, along with valuable money prizes. Open to members only. Schedules from J. Johnstone. Secretary. Nelson Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries. Entries close September 2- September 14, at Castle Douglas— Dairy Show, under the auspices of the South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including 280 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 13, 1905. three 1-lb. jars, three sections, and class for single lib. jar and single section, with free entry. Gold medals and liberal prize money offered. Eight classes, for members only, including classes for six heather sections, six lib. jars, and supers any weight Schedules from Q. Aird, Secretary, Hardgate School- house, Dalbeattie, N.B. Entries close Septem- ber 2 September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace— Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Redbill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- September 16 to 23. at the Agricultural Hall, London- — Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Maruet of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prize® for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keeoers Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. New Reader (Twyford, Berks). — Your bee-keeping friend is entirely wrong in supposing that over-feeding in spring will cause foul brood. You may therefore safely dismiss all fears on the point you name. J. F. L. (Warrington). — Artificial Swarming. — With only one stock in frame-hive to deal with, you may — during the present warm weather — in- crease to two by removing one comb of brood, on which the queen, is found, "to a new hive, which latter must have its frames filled with comb-foundation ; put the brood-comb, with queen, in centre of new hive, lifting out one frame to make room for it. Then cover all down warmly, and place it on the old stand. Close up the frames of parent stock, and put the frame taken from new hive at the side. Move the old hive on a new stand some distance away. Keep it very warm, feed the bees (unless there is plenty of food in CQmbs), and reduce width of entrance to one inch. The bees will raise a new queen and all go on well after a week or two. Westmerian (Milnthorpe). — Preparing Extracted Honey for Show-bench. — See- that the honey is fully ripe when ex- tracted, and carefully strain it to re- move all particles of wax, ete. Keep in a warm place till day of show to prevent the " cloudiness" which precedes granu- lation, and see that little or no froth ap- pears on top of honey when jarred off. D. J. J. (Aberdare). — Swarms Issuing> Unseen. — It is nearly certain that the swarm had issued on the previous day and had been clustered unseen till noticed at 7 a.m. next day. T. S. (Carlisle).— Bee-forage. — We do not think bees get any appreciable quantity of honey from the flower of Senecio Jacoboea. T. K. (Car shalton).— Mutilated Drones.— The appearance of dead drone is that of having mated with a queen bee. A. A. (Great Totham). — Hives near Show- field. — We strongly advise removing the two stocks of bees from such close proximity to " reserved seats " for spec- tators witnessing the " sports " con- nected with a flower-show. It might cause unpleasantness, and worse, if the bees became vicious, as they might easily do during the commotion and bustle of such a scene. If hives are well ventilated and taken into a cool dark outhouse or cellar, the' bees will take no harm from one day's con- finement. Suspected Combs. K. (Somerset). — Comb is affected with foul brood. The measui'es you have taken are quite right. Danum (Doncaster). — Comb is affected with foul brood. For treatment deal with- it according to directions given , in the "Guide Book." A. E. H. (Chessetts Wood).— No disease in comb sent. H. M (Birmingham) — Comb smashed flat in post, as is always the case when sent protected by an envelope only. We find nothing about it worse than honey and pollen. W. B. v. H. (Ccnsett). — Both samples are affected with foul brood, the smaller piece being absolutely rotten with dis- ease. We advise total destruction of both stocks to avoid infection, with so many as thirty-eight healthy stocks in your aniary. Bee Garden (Cumnor). — The small piece of new comb shows slight signs of inci- pient foul brood in two cells only. All other cells contain larva in healthy, plump normal condition, not even dead from chill by the appearance of larvae. There may be worse signs in older combs, but sample looks as if it was a quite recent outbreak. Use the ordi- nary preventives if no worse signs are' found in other combs. F. A. A. (Yorks).- — Comb shows a very bad case of foul brood. "%* Some Queries and Replies, &c., are un- avoidably held, over till next week. July 20, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 281 (Kiitorial, $fota, $x FOUL BROOD LEGISLATION. Decision of the Board of Agriculture. The following official correspondence between the British Bee-keepers' Associa- tion and the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries will serve to fully inform our readers on the present situation with regard to foul-brood legislation. Nor will it cause surprise among levehheaded men to find that the prospect — both pre- sent and future — is not encouraging. But it is best to look facts in the face, and it seems clear that, until there is more una- nimity of opinion among bee-keepers them- selves on the vexed question at issue, it is useless to hope for legislation on the subject at present. The correspondence which appears be- low comes before the Council of the B.B.K.A. at their meeting on the 19th inst. (before these lines are in print), but, having been favoured with copies of the several communications, we are enabled without delay to put readers in a position to judge of the matter as it now stands. British Bee-keepers' Association, 12, Hanover Square, London, W., July 12th, 1905. To the President of the Board of Agricul- ture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, S.W. British Bee-keepers' Association and Fonl Brood Legislation. Sir, — Since the last interview our Chair- man, Mr. T. W. Cowan, had with you on . this subject, the Association has made con- tinuous effort to arrive at a knowledge of the amount of support their proposals had obtained, or would be likely to obtain, from the County Councils. To this end copies of the proposed Bill were sent to be Bee-keepers' Associations, with the request that after it had received the approval of their members, they would bring it befoie their respective County Councils, and obtain their decision as to supporting; such legislation. From the annexed schedule it will be sft'ii that of the twenty-nine Associations seventeen support the Bill, five are against it, and seven remain undecided, the mem- bers being divided in opinion. Of the County Councils, eight have de- cided for the Bill, and one (Surrey) against it. Of the remaining County Councils we have no information from the County Bee-keepers' Associations. Looking closely into the result, we find that those County Councils which have taken an active interest in promoting bee- keeping are desirous of obtaining legisla- tion, with the exception of Surrey. That county, having some years ago found the necessity of combating the disease, is satis- fied that the present methods are sufficient. An attempt to obtain the opinions of in- dividual bee-keepers has also been made by means of voting papers, issued in the columns of the Bee Journal and the Bee Record. As the result of this effort 421 bee-keepers, owning 4,477 stocks, voted in favour of the Bill ; and 299, owning 7,352 stocks, against it. Although but a small fraction of the readers of these journals took the trouble to record votes, the result shows that it is the small bee-keeper who asks for the Bill, and that owners of large apiaries are against it. Letters also show- that the larger the apiary owned the more strenuous is the opposition of the owner to the proposed form of legislation. Having placed the present position of this matter before you, the Association de- sire to ascertain if you consider the demand for legislation sufficiently strong for the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to sup- port the proposed measure. — We have the honour to be, your obedient servants, Thos. I. Weston, Vice-Chairman. Edwin H. Young, Secretary. British Bee-keepers' Association, And Legislation for the Better Prevention of Bee-pest. Schedule of Information Collected to July 12th, 1905. Berkshire B.K. Association: — The Bill as now framed will be inopera- tive and ineffective. Bristol B.K. Association: — In favour of the proposed measure. Buckinghamshire B.K. Association: — No decision notified. Cambridgeshire B.K. Association: — Resolution passed in opposition to the Bill. Cheshire B.K. Association: — In favour of the Bill. The County Council will petition for the Bill. Cornwall B.K. Association: — No decision notified. Cumberland B.K. Association: — In favour of the Draft Bill promoted by Mr. G. M. Saunders (Hon. Sec). Derbyshire B.K. Association: — In favour of legislation, but do not bind themselves to support either of the Bills promoted by the B.B.K. Association, or by Mr. Saunders, of the Cumberland B.K. Association. Devonshire B.K. Association : — In favour of the Bill. County Council have petitioned the Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries in favour of the measure, 282 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 20, 1905. Essex B.K. Association:—- La favour.. df the Bill. Committee of \ the County Council have recom- * mended the Council to support the measure. Glamorganshire B.K. Association: — In favour of the Bill. The County Council have as yet taken, no action. Hampshire B.K. Association ;: — In favour of legislation. Huntingdonshire B.K. Association:- — Majority against legislation. A few signatures in favour received. Lancashire B.K. Association : — In favour of legislation. Leicestershire B.K. Association. In favour of the Bill. Association approaching County Council on matter. Lincolnshire B.K. Association: — In favour of the Bill. County Council have petitioned the Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries. Middlesex B.K. Association : — Offers, contributions to the expenses fund, but have not ascertained the opinions of members of the Society. Norfolk B.K. Association: — In favour of the Bill. Northamptonshire B.K. Association:- — Hon. Secretary thinks the majority are opposed to the Bill. Northumberland and Durham B.K. Asso- ciation : — In favour of the Bill promoted by Mr. G. M. Saunders, which they have asked the County Council to support. Nottinghamshire B.K. Association : — Committee were in favour, but their decision was overruled in General Meeting. An appeal to the members by circular resulted thus: — Fifty- one members, owning 350 stocks, voted in favour ; and fifteen mem- bers, owning 88 stocks, against. Number of members, 172. Oxfordshire B.K. Association: — The matter has been before the County Council, but no decision yet arrived at. Shropshire B.K. Association: — Indifferent, and disinclined to render any aid. Staffordshire B.K. Association : — Approve the principle of the measure. Surrey B.K. Association: — Opposed to the measure. Warwickshire B.K. Association : — Tn favour of bhe Bill. Board of Agri- cull ure and Fisheries petitioned by 1 he County Council. Wiltshire B.K. Association : — In favour of the Bill. Worcestershire B.K. Association: — Tn favour of the Bill. Agricultural Sub - Committee recommend the County Council to support the measure. Yorkshire B.K. Association: — No decision notified. Note. — The evidence collected from in- dividual bee-keepers goes to show that the larger bee-keepers are opposed to legislative interference, and the smaller, and prob- ably less experienced, are in favour thus : — 421 bee-keepers, owning 4,477 stocks, voted for the Bill ; and 299 bee-keepers, owning 7,352 stocks, voted against it. Dated at 12 Hanover Square, London, W., July 12th, 1905. Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall Place, London, S.W., July 15th, 1905. A. 14204/1905. Sih, — I am directed by the Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries to advert to the letter from your Association, dated the 12th inst., and its enclosures, as to the proposed Bill for the better prevention of bee-pest, and to say that the Board do not think that any legislation on the subject could be un- dertaken with any great hope of success unless there was practical unanimity on the part of the leading bee-keeping societies and the Council of the British Bee-keepers' Association as to the necessity and advantages, of legislation, and as to the form which legislation should take. As your Association are aware, the difficulties attending the passage through Parliament of Bills such as that submitted are very considerable, whether promoted by the Government themselves or on the initiative of private Members ; and the Board think that for the present, and until public opinion amongst bee-keepers has more de- finitely matured, no steps in that direction could with advantage be taken.- — I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Wm. Somerville, Assistant Secretary. Edwin H. Young, Esq., Secretary, British Bee-keepers' Association, 12, Hanover Square, W. LINCOLNSHIRE B.K. A. ANNUAL SHOW AT GRANTHAM. The annual show of the Lincolnshire B.K. A. was held on the 13th and 14th insts. in connection with the Agricultural Society's Show at Grantham. The honey and hives made a good display, although the number of entries was rather less than in recent years. The awards, made by Mr. July 20, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 283 T. J. Weston and Mr. H. J. Banks, of Wragby, Lincoln, were as follows:- — ■ Trophy of Honey in any Form, Staged on 4 ft. Square.- — 1st (and Silver Medal), W. Hatliff, Grasby ; 2nd (and Bronze Medal), T. Sells, Uffington ; $rd, D Seamer, Grimsby. Twelve 1 lb. Sections (Open Class). — 1st, A. W. Weatherhogg, Willougbton ; 2nd, Miss A Morley, Wellingore ; 3rd, J. W. Seamer, Grimsby; 4th, W. Hatliff; r., D. Marshall, Cropwell Butler. Twelve 1 lb. Jqvs Extracted Honey (Open Class).— 1st, T. S. Holdsworth, Kirton-in- Lindsey ; 2nd, A. W. Weatherhogg ; 3rd, W. Patchett, Cabourne ; 4th, Miss A. Mor- ley ; r., W. Hatliff. Twelve 1 lb. Sections, Open to County of Lincoln, "Members of Lines B.K.A., and Lines Agricultural Society. — 1st, A. W. Weatherhogg ; 2nd, D. Seamer ; 3rd, W. Hatliff; 4th, T. Sells; i\, Miss A. Mor- ley. Twelve 1 lb. Jars Extracted Honey (Members as above). — 1st, G. Markham ; 2nd, T. S. Holdsworth ; 3rd, A. W. Weatherhogg; 4th, Miss A. Morley; r., W. Drewery, Utterby. Twelve 1 lb. Jars Extracted Honey (other than Light), Open to County of Lincoln, and Members as above.- — 1st, T. Sells ; 2nd, E. Cherrington, Crowland ; 3rd, J. House- ham, Huttoft; i\, F. W. Frusher, Crow- land. Twelve 1 lb. Jars Extracted Honey (Novices only), in the Count]/ of Lincoln, and Members as above. — 1st, W. Drewery ; 2nd, H. W. Kirkby, Saltersford ; 3rd, H. House- ham, South Reston ; v.h.c. and r., J. W. Seamer. Twelve 1 lb. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st, T. S. Holdsworth. (No other award made in this class ; a very poor one.) Bees-wax (not less than 3 lb.), Open to Count]/ of JAncoln, and Members as above. — ■ 1st, F. Harris, Sibsey ; 2nd, F. W. Frusher,: 3rd, T. S. Holdsworth; v.h.c. and r., Miss A. Morley; h.c, H. House- ham. Observatory Hive, Stoclced with Bees and Queen.— 1st, T. W. Swabey, Bracebridge Heath ; 2nd, D. Seamer ; 3rd, R. God- son, Tothill, Lines. Collection of Hives and Appliances. — 1st, W. P. Meadows, Syston. Complete Hive for General Use (price not to exceed 25s.). — 1st, W. P. Meadows ; 2nd, W. P. Meadows ; 3rd, W. R. Garner, Dyke, Bourne. Ctim/ihtt Hive for General T'se (price not tn exceed 12s. 6d.). — 1st. W. Garner; 2nd, W. P. Meadows ; 3rd, W. P. Meadows. Lectures and demonstrations in the Bee- tent of the Association were given on both days by Mr W. Herrod, and were well attended. (Communicated.) <&6xmpn&mt The Editors do wot hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good .faith. Jllust rations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. V* 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 lohich it appears AMONG THE BEES. THE PASSING HONEY SEASON. [5949.] All appearances and prognosti- cations point to a very successful season in the North. Forward colonies started breeding early, and seem to have carried it on in spite of an inclement April and a fairly bad start in May. After this, weather conditions became very favour- able, and brood nests rapidly 'extended. Colonies took early to supers, and have kept steadily aloft ever since. With weather suitable, and a wealth of white clover everywhere, bees have had every chance of showing what they can do — and the best colonies have done it. Unfortu- nately, however, many were slow in waking up, and these are still lagging behind. Possibly they may be ready for the best work by and by on the heather. My first order for honey was filled on the 15th — an earlier date than in any previous year, and I hope to forward another lot to the centre of England before July closes, counting twelve dozen sections for the two consignments. Everywhere I hear the very best ac- \ counts of what bees have done, and I ' could fill a page with the bare enumera- tion of specially interesting items. Take Mr. Ellis's contribution as an example (5938). I hope to hear something further from him in continuation of his experi- ences and results. I made his acquaint- ance, and that of his bees, last Christmas, and was favourably impressed by both. Swarming has been a source of annoyance with many, and decamping ones have been too common. I have not had a single swarm, and I pray now that I may not have any, as forage is so abundant that splendid work should be done in the supers for a month or six weeks yet. The heather is to bloom abnormally earlv this season. Bell heather has been yielding for more than a fortnight, and I have already seen some florets of the true Erica, which willbe in full bloom before the end of the month. Cooler Crates. — I wish to revert to this subject, about which a correspondent queried last year, and a concrete example, showing my mode of procedure, may be 284 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 20, 1905. best. My most forward colony this year had a rack of sections given it on June 23 (an early date up here). On the 29th a second was placed above, a third on July 4, a fourth on the 10th, and a fifth on the 13th. It will be readily seen that all of these were placed on the hives be- fore they were urgently required, and rather in anticipation of the wants of the bees. All were placed above the pre- vious racks, at first merely as coolers, but in every case in a day or two' sections were crammed with bees. On this being observed, they were placed below, while the nearly completed ones were raised to the top for sealing. This system works very well indeed, and while it has the merit of simplicity in handling, it causes less upset to the bees and less labour to their keeper. The liberal supply keeps the bees from feeling congested, and so helps to check all preparations for swarming. Driven Bees. — The danger of these bees carrying infection to their new home is, I think, infinitesimal. When we consider the expeditious manner in which experts now handle bees, and the very short time generally given the bees in skeps for gorging before the drumming begins ; the long time the bees are fasting before reach- ing their destination, often a matter of three or four clays ; the fact that they are placed in a clean hive, on sweet combs or even on sheets of foundation ; that their future stores and building materials are uncontaminated ; and that they can easily be fed on medicated food if thought ad- visable— then I think we must recognise that they are likely to be immune from any danger of infecting their new home. They certainly pass through a much more severe test and a more trying ordeal than bees shaken from their combs in the usual way and kept apart until they have con- sumed all tainted honey, before being con- signed to a new hive. My chief complaint against driven bees is that under modern methods they are boxed up with almost empty honey-sacs, forwarded lengthy journeys almost food- less from the very beginning and so re- duced in stamina that too many of them succumb before the opening of the new season. This is a very real evil, which is becoming more pronounced. And it does not end there, because this famine journey has a deleterious influence on the queen's laying powers, frequently reducing her vitality for (he remainder of her natural life. Caterers for this class of bees should give them a fair chance to fill their honey-sacs before driving, and if they are not despatched the same evening a limited sunnlv of feeding should be given be- fore forwarding. Some comb-building in the new home helps greatly in imparting energy to the colony in the shape of young bees. Carbolic Cloths. — I am a firm believer in the use of the smoker as the implement par excellence for controlling bees, and I had rather a prejudice against carbolic acid in any form. In the past, in my ex- perience, it proved either so weak as to fail as an intimidant, or so strong that it contaminated honey and honey-receptacles. This season, Mr. Gillies, of the " Irish Beekeeper," kindly sent me two specimen cloths prepared for him by a Dublin firm of wholesale chemists, which have given me full satisfaction for the past month. The tests were of all kinds, and in every case the results were wholly favourable. No evil effects such as those named in 5941, p. 266, were experienced, and the bees were effectively pacified and fully under control when the hive was not kept open for too lengthy a period. When work- ing away from home a carbolic cloth is very convenient, and even at home it can be carried in an air-tisdvt box in the vest pocket, so that it is readily available. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. [5950.] By making artificial swarms, ac- coiamg to most of the text-books, it has been found that a large quantity of the brood is chilled and lost ; and the great advantage of the plan as used by Mr. E. W. Alexander is that this is entirely avoided, and by introducing a fertile queen to the colony on the new stand, brood-rearing goes on in both, and we have two fine colonies to take advantage of any honey- flow there may be. " D. M. M., Banff," on page 241, points out that the great draw- back in the plan of division usually prac- tised is " that a great part of the brood will be almost inevitably lost by chill owing to the paucity of bees." To obviate this loss. " D. M. M. " suggests practically the same plan as that advocated by Mr. Alexander, which I mentioned in a former communication in the B.B.J., May 25. " D. M. M. " says the plan has been " largely practised in Scotland, but lately revived as if it were a> new invention." I mentioned the plan as used by one of the large and best honey- producers in the United States, keeping from 700 to 1,000 colonies of bees, who has, for a number of years, after trying many other methods, found this the best. In my opinion, the top body-box at the end of eleven days should be removed to some distance at once', and not placed alongside the original stand, as the field bees would nearly all be sure to return to the old stand and their queen. If any supers are on, they should be left with bees on the old stand. The removed hive, having nearly all young bees, would July 20, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 285 accept a fertile queen after being queen- less twenty-four hours without any risk, Should no fertile queen be at hand, it will be a good investment to purchase one from some reliable dealer, and the division should not be made until the queen is re- ceived. Egg-laying and brood-rearing would go on, and both colonies ought to give surplus. By supplying a queen-cell, or a virgin queen, considerable time would elapse, and the season's honey-flow in all probability be over. — John M. Hooker, Philadelphia, July 7th, 1905. CLEARING SUPERS. [5951.] Having given the method of clearing supers recommended by " D. M. M., Banff," in a recent number of B.B.J! a severe trial, I should like to thank him, as the plan does all that he claims for it. Without trying to belittle the Porter and other bee-escapes, I may say they have occasionally failed (with me) to do their work ; and it is not pleasant to go in the early morning, say, 5 a.m., and find super nearly full of bees, the escape being blocked by a dead bee or bit of wax. Lrakif Roofs. — Many materials have been advocated in back numbers of B.B.J, as coverings for hive-roofs, but I do not re- member having seen galvanised iron (not corrugated), recommended for this pur- pose. A sheet 6 ft. by 2 ft. can be bought for 3s,, medium thickness, and this is enough to cover three hives. It is easily put on, and, if bent over all round to form a drip, and only nailed on two sides, with roof made of well-seasoned yellow deal boards (Pinus sylvestris), there is enough difference in the contraction and expansion of the two materials in very hot weather to cause the metal to rise a quarter of an inch or so, forming an air- space, and assisting to prevent excessive swarming. A hive so covered will last a lifetime. — D. H, Deddington, Oxon. THE HONEY MARKET. [5952.] A timely word of advice re price of honey will be of service. Some inex- perienced bee-keepers, in their anxiety to effect sales, are apt to offer honey at prices which are so low as to do serious injury to other bee-keepers. I am myself very successful in securing good crops of honey, but I should consider that less than 6d. per lb. would not sufficiently remune- rate me for my outlav and trouble. Bearing in mind that a retail price of lOd. per lb. will amply repay the buyer in bulk, which price he more than com- mands in some cases, it is simply folly to supply him with honey at an unremunera- tive price to the producer. — Business, Cornwall. INSERTING FOUNDATION IN FRAMES [5953.] The common frame with a saw- cut through the centre is ordinarily rather difficult to fit with foundation, and various devices are resorted to in order to force the sides apart for its insertion. The best plan of all is to cut one of the sides at one end across the top-bar. 'This enables it to be easily separated to allow of insertion of foundation. Three small brads fasten up all securely and, treated thus, no better frame is required. These frames, being dovetailed, are easy to fix, and when the wax is boiled out in melting down old combs, the frames can be used again. I thank a correspondent who has sent me a nostcard to advise creosote for use on cloths in quieting bees. It is, however, I find, very expensive, costing 9d. to Is. per oz. locally. Can any reader suggest something cheaper? The honey this year is of excellent quality here, and it is a splendid season. — W. J. Farmer, Redruth, July 17, 1905. in the hope of making a start. F. Hoad (Sussex). — The. most suitable work on bees is the " Guide Book " issued from this office, price Is. 8d. post free. Honey Samples. H. 0. (Cardiff). —The four samples sent are beautiful specimens of white clover honey, flavour, colour, aroma, and con- sistency all being very good. E. M. M. (St, Asaph).— Honey Samples — 1. The honey sent had all run out of comb into package, making a disagree- able mess, and preventing us from judging its quality. It seemed good in colour, but thin, and mainly from white clover. 2. Both samples of comb- foundation are good, the pale yellow one being quite equal to the white sample. We should like to have name of firm from whom you are getting such inferior goods. M.D. B.K.A. (Honiton). — Sample is mainly from limes. The flavour is only fair, and consistency poor. It is not up to show standard. *** Some Queries and Replies, &c, are un- avoidably held over till next week. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve utorde and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three word* or under, One Penny. NEW HONEY, 58s. per cwt., packages free; 5s. refunded if packages returned ; 281b. tins, 15s. 6d. ; packages free ; Is. 6d. refunded if package* returned iri good condition. Sample 4d. — OWEN BROWNING, Ashley, Kingsoiuborhe, Hants. J 17 8EVKN STOCKS BEES, in - W.B7c7' Hives, FOB SALE, owing to removal; healthy; cheap. — Apply TOPI). Lvdewiy. Peviy.ee. j 1 A GOOD, Healthy 'Im-trumed s'lOpli, in " W.B.C. bod") bojtj fur one guinea — OHADWIOK, Expert, 52, Old. 1' irk Lane,, SoulVnprrt. i 95 EXCHANGE 78 14 ounce stjrew-cap jars, or Tavlor'a No. 4 Hive (painted 1905), for 12 good Section* in- 14llis. English CIuv.t Honey.- STANLEY WK1GHT, Ciompliiii Hiu'l, Maivlchfied. J 15' L1 N U bli iu7Tivd"WaTiflower8, Jh. 3d. per 100, O post free. They are invaluable to bee keepers for spring forage.— THOMPSON, Apiary House, Gowdall, !• naitii, Yorkshire. J 14 Aug. 3, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 301 (Editorial, $e&m, fa. THE " CLAUSTRAL " HIVE. The Abbe Gouttefangeas writes to say respecting the suggested improvement of our correspondent " W. E. E. C." — whose letter appears on page 224 in our issue of June 8 — that lie does not think it will succeed. In fact, M. Gouttefangeas con- siders that the only improvements possible are in the number, position, and size of the perforations, or it may be in the tubes themselves. GLAMORGAN B.K.A. ANNUAL SHOW AT CARDIFF. In connection with the Cardiff and County Horticultural Society,the G. B.K.A. held its chief show of 1905 at the charming Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on July 26 and 27 in perfect weather. The entries num- bered 143, establishing a record for the Association, and being very far ahead of any previous year, though in some cases articles were entered but not staged. The show-ground was thronged each day, and the result was the most satisfactory exhibition in the Association's history. Competition in the extracted honey class was especially kern owing to the excellent quality of honey staged. The Kev. W. Henry A. Walters and Mr. T. I. Weston officiated as ju Iges, and male the following awards : Twelve ]-//>. Sections.— ^lst (and Silver Medal), G. P. Workman. Llanishen ; 2nd, W. H. Williams, Llandow, Cowbridge ; 3rd, J. Boyes, Cardiff. Sir 1-th. Sections. — 1st, C. Hood, Clemen stone, Bridgend; 2nd, G. P. Workman; 3rd, G. H. Mitchell, Cardiff. Three Shallow Frames of Comb Honey. 1st, R. Morgan, Cowbridge ; 2nd, J. Boyes. One Shallow Frame of Comb Honey. — 1st. R. Morgan ; 2nd, J. Boyes. Twelve 1-lb. Jars(Light) Extracted Honey. —1st, W. T. Gunter, Cowbridge; 2nd, W. H. Williams; 3rd, .J. Bees, Lisvane ; 4th, C. Hood ; v.h.c, Messrs Morgan and Boyes. Six 1 -lb. Jars {Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st, W. T. Cunter ; 2nd, W. If. Williams ; 3rd, C. Hood ; v.h.c., .) . Rees and Messrs. Morgan and Boyes. Twelve 1-H>. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. —1st, G. P. Workman (Bronze Medal); 2nd, C. Dare, Llanharoii. Six 1-lbi Jars(Medium or Dark) Extracted Honey. — 1st, J. 0. Jones, Llanishen ; 2nd, G. P. Workman ; 3rd, W. H. Williams. Articles of Food Containing Honey. — 1st, G. H. Mitchell. (Other exhibits dis- qualified.) Ol'F.X CLASSES. Twelve l-lh. Sections.— 1st, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney; 2nd, W. H. Wil- liams ; 3rd, C. Hood. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st, the Rev. G. Leigh-Spencer, Clifford, Hereford ; 2nd, W. T. Gunter; 3rd, W. H. Williams; v.h.c, Messrs. Morgan and Boyes. Beeswax (not less than 1 lb.). — 1st, E. C. R. White ; 2nd, R. Morgan ; 3rd (extra), Messrs. Morgan and Boyes. Called ion of Appliances. — 1st, E. J. Burtt, Gloucester; 2nd, John Hibbert and Sons, Cardiff. Observatory Hive, with Queen and Bees. — 1st, Louis Snelgrove, Weston-super-Mare ; 2nd, T. W. Roberts, Penarth. The Rev. W. Henry A. Walters gave lectures and demonstrations each day, which were well attended. The children of elementary schools in the town were admitted on the second morning at a penny each, and any description of the scenes round the bee-tent would be very inadequate. About 7,000 gained admission. Mr. Walters tried to lecture before them on " Some Habits of the Busy Bee." — Wm. Richards, Hon Sec, Gabalfa, Cardiff, July 31. STAFFS B.K.A. S| low AT NEWPORT. In connection with the New poll (Salop) Agricultural Society's Exhibition, a honey- show was held by the Staffs B.K.A. on .1 nIv 27. Mr. John Kendrich Stone judged the exhibits, a task, which on account of the excellent honey staged, was a difficult one. Mr. Joseph Tinsley, Expert of the Staffs B.K.A., gave an interesting lecture in the bee-tent, and the questions put to the lecturer at the close of his address proved that it was appreciated. Six lib. Jars of Itv/n Honey. — 1st, H. Bowers Fieldhouse, Standon, Eccleshall ; 2nd, J. Carver, Victoria Avenue, Welling- ton; 3rd. J. Clay, Albeit Road, Welling ton ; i-.. Miss H. Worrall, Hopshort, Ches wardine. Market Drayton; h.c. J. Clou- ton, Wollerton, Market Drayton ; E.Whit >, l'eatswood Farm, Market Drayton; c.. W. Leedham, Peartree Lodge, Sheriffhales, Newport. Six 1-lb. Jars of Granulated //<>//< v- 's|- J. Clay; 2nd, J. Churton ; 3rd. G. Evans, Bromstead, New port: Six 1 ll>. Sections of ('until Honey. — 1st, J. Carver; 2nd, .1. Clay; 3rd. J. Evans, Bromstead. Newport; r., hives eight frames and seven frames of honey respectively, and being short of shallow-frames, I put four stan- dard-size ones on another hive, which I have since increased to nine, as they were making good progress, in addition to one crate of sections which they had partly filled. We have had very little rain in our village this year, although there has been more within three or four miles of us. The consequence is that although we have had a lot of bloom around us, it has rapidly died away, and the bees do not seem able to gather much honey. I estimate our rainfall for the last three months at about half an inch only. Kindly say through your paper if it would pay me to sow half an acre of white clover or " Bokhara " clover, or can you estimate the amount of honey bees would gather off half an acre of good land sown with clover close to' the hive? Of course I should cut the clover for hay when of no use for the bees, which would realise a little towards cost of seed and labour. — Novice, East Keswick, Leeds. [The dry weather experienced in a few counties; (Lincolnshire, among others) has had an adverse effect on the honey-crop this year, and fully accounts for your bees failing to store well in surplus-chambers. We do not think, however, it would give an adequate return to sow clover on half an acre of ground for the honey it would yield. Those are best off, by far, who hav<' white clover grown for them free of cost to the bee-keeper. — Eds.] INSERTING FOUNDATION TN FRAMES. [5963.] I noticed an arrangement for overeotning the difficulty of inserting foundation in saw-cut of frames was given on page 292 in your last week's issue Another very simple method by which it is possible to fit up several frames in a minute is as follows : — Drive a couple of two-inch oval nails about two inches apart in the middle of a three-quarter-inch narrow board, twenty inches in length, allowing the points of the nails to project five fi'-dilhs of an inch ; turn and hammer the heads of nails level with hoard on I (]<■ under side. Bore a few holes near the end of the board, so that when pressure against the two projecting nails forces the saw-cut well open, a nail dropped into one of the holes keeps the frame in position and the foundation is inserted without the slightest pressure. — E. R. N., Smarden. BEES REFUSING TO WORK IN SECTIONS. [5964.] In reply to "Anxious Bee-keeper" (page 285), I have had a similar experience, my bees, though a good stock, refusing to work in the sections. I got an experienced bee-keeper to see them. He showed me a queen-cell, and said the bees were about to swarm. I took off the section-rack, and watched them carefully for four davs ; but as it did not come off I rose early and 'put on a crate of shallow-frames, fitted with whole sheets of thin foundation. In a few hours the bees were hard at work in them, and have been since. I prefer sec- tions, but " half a loaf is better than none." — F. J. H., Cranleigh. CAPTURING A STRAY SWARM. [5965.] The enclosed Press-cuttings from our local paper deal with my capture of a stray swarm which settled in the garden of St. Luke's Vicarage, Hanley, and as I had only kept bees for nine days previous to the incident referred to, I would like to know if the method I adopted to hive them was a correct one. I may say that all I know about bees has been acquired from reading the " Guide Book," and my apiary consists of two stocks in frame-hives. Upon learning of the swarm I had no difficulty in obtaining permission to re- move them, and a few hours after found me facing the swarm — which had clustered about eight feet from the ground — armed with a box such as is used for conveying bees by train, half a dozen frames of comb, and a table-cloth. I nailed one edge of the latter along the wall, about a foot below the bees, and then elevated the box (after removing the lid) about three feet from the ground and a foot from the wall. To the under-side of the box I attached the cloth, thus forming a " shoot," and having mounted a step-ladder, I jerked the bees on to the top of the frame and also on the table-cloth, from whence they slipped down on to the box-entrance. For a few minutes the air was thick with flying bees, but within a quarter of an hour the bees were in the travelling-box. I poured a litle syrup on the frames be- fore hiving the swarm, which an expert afterwards declared to be a very large one. Having safely fastened up my "catch " Aug. 3, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 301 for transit, the rest was easy, as all I had to do was to transfer the combs and bees to ah empty hive which I had by me. — F. C, Endon, Staffs. [It is plain you did nothing very wrong, or the l'esult would have been less satis- factory, and, therefore, although the method followed might not be quite the " correct " one, it was very good indeed for a bee-keeper of nine days' experience. — Ens.] CLEARING SUPERS. [5966.] I notice in B.B.J, of July 20, on page 285, " D. H. " refers to a plan of clearing supers recommended by "D.M.M. , Banff." His plan was described in a past number of B.B.J. , and I should very- much like to try it. Will " D. H. " please say what number it appeared in, or, better still, give instructions as to how it is done, as I have searched over and over again my back numbers of Jourxal and failed to find it?— J. B., Colne. MODERN BEE-CULTURE AND THE POPULAR PRESS. [5967.] The enclosed extracts are taken from some copies of Mr. A. Pearson's Home Notes. They were written by a cottager who started bee-keeping this year, and made himself a hive about 12in. square. 1 was asked to go and see his bees, and when I saw his hive I asked where he got his directions for making it from ? I was sorry to have to tell him that his start was not a promising one, as he had only about 2 lb. of bees in the hive. The glowing promise of honey-returns from each hive and of simultaneous in- crease of stocks by multiplication by the third power, resulting in eighty-one stocks from a single hive in four years, will turn most people's heads from going to Klondike or poultry-farming to bee-keeping, and ac- counts for the oft-repeated question — Can I be assured of an income of £200 per an- num if I keep 200 hives ? I do not mind signing my name to this as I think strongly about such misleading of many who might have the makings of good bee-keepers but who might become discouraged through reading such stuff. — Herbert Newmax, Hon. Sec., Bishops Stortford B.K.A., July 24. The extracts referred to ai*e taken from Home .Notes of June 8, 15, and 22 respec- tively, and read as follows: — " It is a great mistake to have your hives too large. They should not exceed 12 in. square inside, although the usual size is about 14 in. by 142 in." " It is possible to obtain 300 lb. of honey from one hive during a good season, but taking an average of 80 lb. to 100 lb. you will realise a profit of about £5, besides getting a couple of new swarms which will foi-m the foundation for a large colony in the future, or these can be sold for perhaps a sovereign each at the beginning of the season." " The use of supers placed above the hive is not to be recommended if you wish to make a large profit on your honey. "- Home Notes, June 8, 1905. " With the modest addition of two swarms from each hive (and it is best not to weaken your stock by taking more), you can see how quickly your bee-farm will increase. At the end of your first season you will have three hives instead of one, but the next year those three will have multiplied to nine, increasing the third season to> twenty-seven, and amounting up to the enormous total of eighty-one in the fourth season. It is a snowball system which ensures a large profit ; by the sale of the new swarms alone you can make a good deal of money, and from the dozen to twenty hives retained for your own fai*m you will reap a huge harvest of honey." — Home Notes, June 15, 1905. " As a rule, the queen-bee lives two or three years, while her industrious subjects, the workers, seldom exceed the limit of one year's life." " From the end of the' clover season until the middle of August, I would recommend that the bees should be fed with diluted honey from time to time." — Home Notes, June 22, 1905. [We have often had occasion to deplore the fact that information on bee-keeping given in the " popular " Press is so often mere nonsense, and shows complete ignorance of the subject on the part of the writers. — Eos.] ufrifs and Replies. [3835.] Cross-huilt Combs and Transfer- ring Bees. — Will you kindly tell me in an early issue of B.B.J, what to do in the following case ? I have lately obtained a frame-hive, but to all appearances the frames have not been moved for years ; in fact, you cannot move a single frame, as all are fastened together with brace-combs as they are also to the sides of the brood- box. I want to move the bees into a new hive, which I have fitted with full sheets of wired foundation, and therefore ask : How shall I manage, and when is the pro- per time for the operation? I send name and sign — Novice, Highfield, Exeter. Reply. — The present time is, for several reasons, not at all suitable for transferring the bees in question. In the first place, the stock should now be strong and storing surplus honey fast, and to operate now would upset their work and cause loss of 306 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug, 3, 1905. the season's ingathering. Secondly, there will probably be a considerable amount of brood in the combs, and this brood should be left to hatch before cutting out the cross-built combs. If the above conditions are not present, there must be something wrong with the bees ; therefore, in order to tell you what is best we should have some particulars on the point, failing which, our advice would be to let the hive remain as it now is till next spring, and then allow the bees to transfer themselves to the new hive by setting the old one overhead as soon as the bees are numerous enough to need room. This will probably be at the end of April. [3836.] Transferring Bees to Neio Hives. — in May last I bought thirteen stocks of bees, in hives fitted with standard frames, which were in a very neglected state, the roofs being anything but water- proof, while some of the top-bars are almost rotten, the combs also being very old and most of them braced together. Twelve of the stocks were very strong in bees, so I put on supers, and they have all done fairly well. Four of them swarmed, and the others have each filled a box of shallow-frames and a rack of sec- tions. But I am anxious to give the bees clean hives and get them on straight combs. The remaining stock of the thir- teen being much weaker, I feared it was affected with foul brood, and in conse- quence destroyed all bees, etc., to prevent it spreading. I shall be obliged for any advice you could give me on the above, with regard to best time for transferring and way to "proceed. My apiary consists of twelve other stocks in frame-hives, and twenty in skeps, besides the dozen first mentioned. I have always found the British Bee Journal a great help to me, as is also the " Guide Book. " I send name and sign — A., Hants. Reply. — It would appear that, notwith- standing defects and drawbacks, the hives in question have done well and are pros- pering, consequently the question of trans- ferring is largely one of future comfort in handling. Our advice, therefore, is to transfer, say, one-half of the stocks, and winter the others in their present hives, to be dealt witli in spring as recommended in reply to "Novice" (No. 3835) in this column. The six stocks to be transferred this season might have all frames contain- ing brood that are movable lifted out and placed in the new hives, with new frames fitted with full sheets of foundation on each side of the old ones. By so doing no brood would be lost, and the bees would be saved some comb-building. For the rest, the bees would need to be shaken off the old combs and run into the new hives, care being taken that the queen is safely inside. No time should be lost in starting the work of transferring as soon as super* are removed. By proceeding as above, ad- vised, you will be able to compare results when the whole thirteen stocks are safely housed in new hives, when next year's honey season is in full swing. [3837.] The Need for " Ripening " Honey. ■ — 1. I have taken out a few shallow-frames and extracted the contents, will you kindly say whether this honey is now fit to keep, or is it necessary to get' a " ripener " for it all to be run through? 2. In B.B.J, of July 20 (page 285), your correspondent "Business, Cornwall," writes very sensibly as to honey market. Would he object to your giving me his name that I may appeal to him as to sale of honey ? Thanking you for past help, I sign— Countryman, Dorset, July 25. Reply. — 1. If the honey extracted is of good consistency there is need whatever for a " ripener." In fact, the appliance so named is only required when the honey is — from some cause — found to be unripe, i.e., thin and liable to ferment from lack of good consistency. Very few bee-keepers use a " ripener, " preferring to leave shal- low-combs on the hive till fully sealed over and ripe. 2. We will inform our cor- respondent " Business" of your wish and leave the matter you name in his handsi [3838.] Queen-cells in Sections. — On July 1 I requeened a stock of British bees with an Italian, and on the 5th this stock sent out a strong swarm. After hiving, the swarm, I removed a rack of sections from parent hive and placed same on swarm with queen-excluder between. On examining the sections on the 13th, I found the whole rack-super practically filled and sealed, and consequently removed same, replacing the full sections with empty ones fitted with sheets of foundation. On examining the sections after removing them from rack I discovered to my surprise one sec- tion with a few cells of sealed brood, and two others with a nueen-cell in each con- taining queens in the nymph state. I have now replaced these three sections, having destroyed one queen-cell. As I am anxious to requeen another stock with an Italian, I should like to know if I could by any means utilise the remaining queen- cell, or would it be better to allow queen to hatch in the section and then introduce her to the other stock by the usual method ? — R. G. A., Hampton Wick. Reply. — Under the circumstances we strongly advise purchase of a mated queen. The result is certain to be more satisfac- tory than trying to utilise a queen-cell raised under the conditions named. [3839.] Using Excluders Below Shallow- frames. — I began bee-keeping a year ago last April. This year I have four frame- Aug. 3, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 80? hives, one of which sent out a very large swarm on May 26. The other stock has not swarmed yet, so three weeks since I reduced the number of frames to eight, and put on a box. of shallow-frames, but the bees are not up yet. 1. Do you think it will swarm now? The other stock named, along with the swarm of May 26, also a swarm got from a friend, were all reduced to eight frames three weeks ago, and I gave to each a box of shallow- frames. None of the bees are working in the latter. I therefore ask : 2. Should I be safe in removing the queen-excluders from each stock? I am trying shallow- frames now, and think of putting on sec- tions for the heather. Kindly reply in this week's Journal, and oblige — B. R., . Sheffield. Reply. — 1. No, it is not at all likely to swarm. 2. We never use queen-excluder below shallow-frames, and should remove those you have on without delay. [3840.] Bet limine/ Swarms. — I had a very large first swarm from one of my hives on June 19. It was duly hived, and is now working well in sections. I removed all queen-cells except two at the time the swarm came off. One of the two cells left was sealed over, the other not, and on the evening of the eighth day after the first swarm issued I removed one of the queen-cells, as I did not wish for a second swarm ; but notwithstanding this, the bees swarmed again fourteen days after the first lot issued, and clustered upon two fruit bushes growing about four feet apart. I secured one cluster in the hiving skep, but the bees were very slow, and seemed un- willing to enter ; however, I eventually got them in, and then carried the board and skep close to the other cluster, and I shook the bees on to the ground, when they ran in quickly. I therefore ask : 1. Would there be a queen in each cluster, or only in the second lot, which entered the hiving skep so quickly? Also, 2, is it likely that the bees had formed other queen-cells after my removing all but two on June 19 ? An answer in B.B.J, will much oblige. I send name, etc., and sign — T. of Campsie, Scotland. Reply. — 1. The symptoms point to there being only one queen, and it in second cluster. 2. Not at all likely. [3841.] Dark-coloured Honey. — Last year the honey in my hives was very dark ; in fact, it was nearly black, so I had to leave it for the bees' own consumption. This year I have four stocks, and on looking through them last night there appeared to be about 40 lb. of honey in the shallow- frames. In three hives the honey is very clear, but in the fourth the contents of some of the cells is nearly black, while in others it is clear. This looks as if the bees are now gathering honey from some- thing which is spoiling the colour. The honey is not yet capped over,' and so I ask : 1. Do you think it advisable to ex- tract the honey now and then ripen it by means of a ripener, as, if it is left in the hive, it may be spoilt? Also, 2, can you tell me what is tlie cause of the honey being so dark ? I send name and sign — Conon, Keighley. Reply. — 1. We should not trouble to extract and " ripen " the honey if it is as dark in colour as stated. It will be more profitable to leave it with the bees for winter stores. 2. Without personal know- ledge of the bee-forage of your district we cannot say what causes the dark colour of honey gathered. Last year honey dew caused the mischief ; this, season it may be the source from which the nectar is gathered. [3842.] Persistent Swarming. — I enclose queen-bee taken from a hive built up from a driven lot of bees given me last year. 1. Will you please say if she is an old one, as the stock has swarmed twice this year/but the bees were put back again each time? When they swarmed the first time I found twenty-three queen-cells on the combs. 2. Is not that a great many ? I have cut out all queen-cells five times, but the bees, still keep on building more, so I have taken the queen away, and am going to let the bees raise another one. There are plenty of drones in the hive. 3. Am I doing right ? I only started last year, and I am following your "Guide Book." In spite of all this queen-cell building I have taken from the hive three racks of sections, some of which weigh 1^ lb., so I cannot find much fault with the stock. — ■ II send name, etc., for reference, and sign — William Btjbwash, Colchester. Reply. — 1. We rather think the dead queen is a young one, but the body was too dry for post-mortem exam. It is the ordinary brown, or native, bee. 2. Yes, twenty-three queen-cells is an unusually large number. [3843.] Removing Queen-cells. — Would you kindly answer the following questions in B.B.J. : — 1. I have three queen-cells close together, and side by side. Is it possible to cut each of these out without desti-oying either? 2. Which is the best way to send out virgin-queens, and would you put a few other bees, with her when sending away? 3. Would you name bees sent, mai'ked Nos. 1 and 2? Your answer to same will be esteemed. I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — Kap.no, Erdington. Reply. — 1. If the cells cannot be cleanly separated without injury the best plan would be to sacrifice the middle cell in order to save the other two. 2. Always 308 ME SlfclTlSli BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 3, 1905. enclose a few bees with queen when send- ing her away. You had better purchase a travelling cage from a reliable dealer to use as a pattern if you wish to make travelling-boxes for sending queens by post. 3. One of two bees sent is a hybrid Carniolan, the other a common brown native bee. The labels had fallen off in post, so cannot, number them. >hotos to §amt August 3, 4, 6, and 7, at Liverpool.— Annual Show of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. Entries closed. August 7, Bank Holiday, at Melton Constable Park. — Annual Show of the North Nor- folk B.K.A. Entries closed- August 7. Bank Holiday, at Cambridge. — Honey Show of the Gambs. and Me of Ely B.K.A. Entries closed August 7, Bank Holiday, at Lichfield — Huney Show in connection with that of Lichfield Floral and Horticultural Society. Entries closed- August 9, 10, and 11, at Hull— Show of Honey, Bees, Hives, and appliances in connection with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. August 10, at Madresfield, Malvern— Annual Show of the Worcestershire Beekeepers' Asso- ciation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. A. R. More- ton, Hallow, Worcester ; or Mr. G. Richings, 2, Shrub- bery Terrace, Worcester. August 16, at Bishop Stortford- — Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey. Including trophy 60 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entries to members. Bee demonstra- tions in tent. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec, Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Herts. Entries close August 9- August 16, at Wye.— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Glasses for single 1-lb. section, lib. Jar light extracted honey, 1-lb. jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20s., 10s., anc" 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hire. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11. August 16, at Fleetwood-— Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six 1-lb. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six lib. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cock, Hon. Sec, Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries close August 6. August 19, at Chorley.— Show of Honey, etc., of the Lanes. B.K.A. in connection with the Lan- cashire Agricultural Society. Open classes. Schedules from secretary, P. Hodgkinson, Town Hall Sale Rooms, Chorley, Lanes. Entries close August 14. August 19, at Borgue, Kirkcudbright, MT-B- — Annual Show of Flowers, Honey, etc. Open Classes for Honey. Apply to Mr. Munro, The Academy, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, N.B. Entries close August 16- August 19, at Burry Port —Honey Show in connection with the Burry Port Horticultural Society, South Wales. Six open classes, including one for single 1-lb. jar extracted honey, with free entry. First prize, 12s. 6d. ; second, 7s. 6d. ; third, 4e. ; fourth, 2is. Entries close August 9. August 23, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset — Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St Mary Head. Six open classes, including three lib. jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec., Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16. August 23, at Lancaster. — Show of Honey, etc., in connection with the Lancaster Agricultural Society's Annual Show. Open Glasses for Extracted and Comb Honey, <,lso Beeswax and Produce. Four silver and bronze medals and other specials. Schedules from Thos. Armitstead and Son, Auctioneers, Lan- caster. Entries close August 14. August 23 and 24, at Shrewsbury.— Annual Show of the Shropshire B.K.A. in connection with the Horticultural Society's Great Floral Fete in "The Quarry," Shrewsbury. Eight open classes for honey. Classes with free entry for single l-lb. jar and single 1-lb. section. Schedules from S. Cartwright, Hon. Secretary, Shawbury, Shrewsbury. Entries close August 11. August 26, at Barnton.— Honey Show, in con- nection with the Barnton Floral and Horticultural Society. Two classes open to the county and all mem- bers of the O.B.K.A, Six local classes. The Cheshire B.K.A. will present their silver medal to the winner of first prize in Open Class for twelve jars light honey. Schedules from Mr. S. Wade, Barnton, Northwich. Entries close August 19- August 29, at Cartmel, Lancashire- Honey Show, in connection with the Thirty-third Annual Show of the Cartmel Agricultural Society. Three Open Classes for Comb and Extracted Honey (prizes 15s., 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d.) and Beeswax (prizes 10s. and 5s.), along with silver and bronze medals of the Lancashire B.K.A. Schedules from W. Oragg, Secretarj', Cartmel, via Oarnforth. Entries close August 17- August 30, at Beading— Honey Show of the Berks B.K.A, at Forbury Gardens. Schedules on application to D. W. Bishop Ackerman, Hon. Sec, 161, King's Road, Readir-g. Entries close August 26. August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of the O.B.K.A. Open classes for Hives, Sections, Extracted, Wax, and Observatory Hives. Numerous classes for members. Schedules from T. A. Beckett, St. Werburgh'e Chambers, Chester. Entries close August 9, at double fees August 16 August 30 and 31, at Osmaston Park, Derby— Derbyshire B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances. Fifteen classes (four open). For entry forms apply R. Ooltman, 49, station Street, Burton-on-Trent. Entries close August 26. August 31, at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections ; prizes 10a., 5s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. One class open to Cheshire. Three to, district. Two to cottagers in district. O.B.K.A. medal offered. Schedules from Wm. Page, Lower Peover Knutsford. Entries close August 23. September 2, at Bramhall, in the grounds of Bramhall Hall.— Bramhall and Woodford 16th Annual Show. Three open classes for honey and wax ; four to district; C.B.K.A. medal offeied. Prizes 15s., 10s., 7s. 6d., 5s.. 3s., 2s. Schedules from John Sibson, Hon. Sec, Hawthorn Grove, Bramhall, Stockport. September 2 to 9, at the Agricultural Hall, London— Honey Show in connection with the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual Exhibition and Market. Open to all British Beekeepers. Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. September 9. at Dumfries- — Thirteenth Annual Honey Show of South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, including three lib. jars and three 1-lb. sections; class for single 1-lb. jar and single lib. section; also one bottle and one section, with free entry. Liberal money prizes in all classes. Also gold and silver medals and two silver cap*, along with valuable money prizes, Open to members only. Schedules from J. Johnstone. Secretary, Nelson Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries. Enti-ies close September 2 Aug. 3, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 309 September 13. 14, and 15. in Waverley Market, Edinburgh, along with Great Inter- national Flower Show. Four open classes for Sixes, Sections, and Bottles of Flower and Heather respec- tively, with prizes of 15s., 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d., for an entry fee of 2s. each class. Schedules now ready from W Weir, Secretary, Heriot, Midlothian. September 14, at Castle Douglas— Dairy Show, under the auspices' of the South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including three 1-lb jars, th^ee sections, and class for single 1-lb. jar and 6ingle section, with free entry. Gold medals and liberal prize money offered. Bight classes, for members only, including classes for six heather Bections, six 1-lb. jars, and supers any weight Schedules from Q. Aird, Secretary, Hardgate School- house, Dalbeattie, N.B. Entries close Septem- ber 2. September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace. — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- September 16 to 23. at the Agricultural Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and MarKet of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keeoers- Schedules from H. S. Rogers. Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. October 3 to 5, at the Agricultural Hall, IiOndon. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. (Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B. B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. C. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries close September 5 Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. J. H. H. (Trindon).— Risks in Taking Hives to the Moors. — 1. There is no doubt more or less risk in taking bees to the moors for the heather-season and allowing them to stand near other hives unless precautions are taken to prevent infection. With this end in view it is the custom of some bee-keepers — who club together and rent stands for their bees — to employ a caretaker, and use other means in order to avoid such dan- ger as you fear. If diseased stocks were sent last year to the locality chosen by yourself for the coming heather-season, the use of preventives would certainly lessen the risk, but not remove it en- tirely. 2. One box of naphthaline, used as directed, will suffice for the whole thirteen hives, and would last till winter. « Combe (Temple Combe).— Novices Ex- hibiting at Shows. — The very elementary questions asked make it almost certain that, without some little experience of " shows," you could not hope for success on the show-bench. For the rest we re- ply : 1. All sections must be " glazed " on both sides, which means putting them in glassed cases to be had from dealers. 2. Extracted honey must be carefully strained to remove all particles of wax, etc. 3. Granulated honey is usually that produced in previous years to that when shown. 4. Hints on packing honey appeared in a recent issue of the B.B.J. A. C. T. (Maldon). — Insect Nomenclature. — The insect " seen carrying a green leaf into a hole in a wall " was, no doubt, the Mer/achile, or leaf-cutter bee. It is in no way allied to the hive-bee ; but its method of cutting the leaf, generally from a rose-tree, in pieces of suitable size and shape for its purpose, is exceedingly curious and interesting. S. V. (Sutton Valence). — Hybrid Bees. — The Carniolan bee is notable for its gentle temper and quietness when handled. Hybrid bees, whether Ligurians or Car- niolans, are at times very vicious, but not always so. W. H. R. (Hellingly).— Bees Refusing Super Foundation. — It is not at all an unusual occurrence for bees to refuse to work on some makes of white — or bleached — foundation, such as sample sent. Heather (King's Heath). — Varieties of Heather and Bee-forage. — 1. Most heaths, including Erica cinerea and Cal- luna vulgaris bloom from first week in August to end of September. 2. The lime ceases blooming at latter end of July. 3. The sprig of heather sent is E. cinerea. It blooms earlier than the Calluna vulgaris. 4. Honey sample is from mixed sources, but chiefly from clover. Its chances on show-bench de- pend largely on the finish and general appearance of the sections. If these points are good the honey sent would not be an important drawback. 5. The " Bee-keepers' Note Book " (price Is. Id. from this office) contains information, with working plans, regarding a bee- house and how to build it. J. A. C. (Keighley). — There is only a slight trace of Ligurian blood in dead queen sent. Wilts (Marlborough).— Spacing Frames.— We cannot understand your bees build- ing drone-comb in frames spaced 1^ in. from centre to centre, seeing that drone- brood in frames so spaced will not allow a bee-space between the face of sealed cells. Doubtful (St. Heliers, Jersey). — A Be- ginner's Inquiries. — 1. A "ripe" queen- cell is known by the bees having removed some of the wax from the point, or " cap- ping," of the cell, as if to assist the young queen in cutting the cap from in- side of cell. 2. If frames are returned same day (after extracting) the super may remain without closing up the frames in the interim. 3. It is quite easy for a practised hand to tell from the outside if bees are gathering honey fast ; but it is next to impossible to put it in words, so we will not try. 4. During the 310 THE BRITIBH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 3, 1905. busy honey-gathering time supered hives are disturbed as seldom as possible un- less there are good reasons for so disturb- ing. This is the only rule we can lay down, as bees do nothing invariably, and cannot be managed by " rule-of- thumb." 5. A good bee-keeper can, by opening a hive, tell if it has sent out a swarm that day, but a beginner would perhaps find it difficult to do so, and must be content to wait till he learns by experience. It is impossible for us to write it all down, for reasons given above. (Rev.) J. M. C. (Hunts). — Sections Granu- lating.— There is no reliable method of preventing honey in sections from granu- lating during the winter. In some seasons it will suffice to keep them in a warm, dry cupboard, while other years the honey will — under the same condi- tions— become quite solid. We have heard of honey gathered in your county during the past six weeks already granu- lating fast. It will, therefore, be a wise precaution to use up section-honey be- fore the year closes. W. C. H. (Aberdeen). — Driving Bees from Swarmed Skep. — All the brood will have hatched out in latter twenty-one days after the issue of first or top swarm. Some bee-keepers, however, defer the driving until they can be sure that the young queen raised in parent skep has been safely mated and is laying. Honey Samples. L. B. W. (Staplehurst). — Sample is of beautifully clear golden colour, a shade too dark for the light honey class, but good in flavour. It is also rather too thin to win in a keen competition. Enquirer (Great Chesterford). — We can- not think that your sample would lose points because of its colour at the hands of a competent judge. We consider the colour very good indeed, as is also the flavour. It is lacking in consistency, but otherwise a good sample. J. H. O. (Throapham). — Sample is of good colour and flavour. If you can ripen it a little by letting it stand in warm water for a day or so it would stand well on the show-bench. Cymraes (Anglesey). — Your two samples are very good indeed in flavour and colour ; one is rather better in con- sistency than the other, but both are well fitted for the show-bench. G. E. F. (Stoke). — Regarding No. 1 sample, we cannot judge honey sent in a small phial of green c^lass. It may have been partly gathered from hawthorn, but the flavour is completely spoilt by bees visit- ing privet blossom. No. 2 is better in flavour, but only fair in quality. Liquid honey should never be sent in a tin box. It invariably escapes in post, and causes " messiness " everywhere. No sprig of heather was sent. G. T. W. (Pirbright).— Sample " A " is one of the thinnest honeys we ever saw. It runs like water. We think it is almost wholly from hawthorn, and flavour is fairly good, as is also the colour. If of good consistency it would not be at all a bad sample, but it resembles thin syrup in this respect. " B " is much the same, but less bright in colour. B. E. B. (Acton). — Sample No. 1 is chiefly from the limes, and fairly good in flavour and colour. No. 2 is not, as supposed, deteriorated by honey-dew. The rank flavour is, we think, acquired from the various yellow-flowering weeds that grow abundantly on uncultivated land. M. C. D. (Dunmow). — Sample is very good in flavour and colour. It is suitable for showing, and but for being rather thin would stand a good chance of winning. H. B. (Cronkbourne). — Sample sent is a splendid specimen of honey for show- bench, and oiight to be entered. Very good in all points. J. C. (Belfast). — Sample sent is good in colour and flavour, though slightly too thin for a first-class honey. If properly ripened this prejudicial quality will be removed, and we should think it would stand a good chance' of winning on any show-bench. It has been gathered from white clover. Honey Bee (Cannock). — No. 1 is a very good honey gathered from white clover quite suitable for exhibition purposes. No. 2 is not so good either in colour or flavour as No. 1, and it is also much too 'thin. It contains some white clover, but is mainly gathered from mixed sources. Suspected Combs. Albanian (St. Albans). — There are slight signs of incipient foul brood in comb, but the bulk of dead larvae seems to have perished from lack of bees to keep the brood warm. Amateur (Arran). — We cannot trace any disease in comb, but appearances point to the bees having suffered from want of food. J. W. G. (Kincardineshire). — Strong Stocks Suspected. — Comb sent is affected with foul brood ; but it appears as if the strong vitality of bees has enabled them to keep it under, and it should be a suit- able case for saving bees as directed in "Guide Book." C. P. (Woodbridge). — Slight traces of in- cipient foul brood in comb sent. T. J. R. (Gateshead) — We regret to say that piece of comb is affected with foul brood. *a* Some Queries and Replies, &c.} are un- avoidably held over till next week. Aug. 10, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 311 (Sartorial, Italics, &c ROYAL LANCASHIRE AGRICUL- TURAL SOCIETY. SHOW AT LIVERPOOL. The annual show of the above society was held at Wavertree, Liverpool, on August 3, 4, 5, and 7. The number of entries (total- ing 4,800) created a record in the history of the society, exceeding by over 700 those of any of its previous exhibitions. The bee-department — with which we are mainly concerned — looked exceedingly well, and was one of six sections of the show wherein the number of exhibits went be- yond those of any former year, the entries numbering 140. With regard to quality, we question if the County Palatine has ever before seen so fine a display of hhdi-class honey on the show-bench. A glance at the prize list will confirm this by the awards beyond the number of prizes offered. The six competing trophies — along with one staged by Mr. George Rose as " not for com- petition " — made a most attractive display, occupying the whole centre of the tent, the sides being filled with honey of high quality, both in comb and jars. So uni- formly good was the exhibits which re- ceived awards at the judges' hands that it must, in many cases, have occupied a con- siderable time in arriving at the respective degrees of merit. Unfortunately the first day of the show was spoilt by heavy rain, which fell for almost the whole time, and, of course, con- siderably lessened the number of visitors. The large attendance on the remaining three days did much, however, to remove the disappointment and no doubt the final result will enable those most concerned to include the show of 1905, as a whole, among the society's greatest successes. Messrs. Herrod, Luton, Beds, and Jas. Cragg, Great Eccleston, Garstang, fudged the honey exhibits, and made the following awards : — OPEN CLASSES. Twelve 1-lb Sections (15 entries),-— 1st (£2 and B.B.K.A. silver medal), A. W. Weatherhogg, Willoughton, Lines ; 2nd (£1), Wm. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury ; 3rd (10s.), Rev. R. M. Lamb, Burton Pid- sea Rectory, Hull ; v.h.c, J Pearman, Derby., Mrs. E. Sopp, Crowmai-sh, and J. Helme ; c, J. E. Williams, Moorhampton. Twelve 1-Jh. Jars ExtractedHoney (33 en- tries).—1st (£2), T. S. Holdsworth', Kirton Lindsey, Lines ; 2nd (£1), Joseph Taylor, Cronton, Prescot ; 3rd (10s.), Mrs. E. Sopp ; reserve No. , R. Morgan, Cow- bridge ; v.h.c, J. Boyes, Bridge Street, Cardiff, and A. W. Weatherhogg; h.c, W. J. Cooke, Binbrook, Market Rasen, Chas. H. Bocock, Ashley Apiary, and Wm. Woodley. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured Ex- tracted Honey. — 1st (£1), J. Helme; 2nd (15s.), Geo. M. Tune, Llangollen; 3rd (10s.), J. Jones, Wegber Quarry, Carnforth. Two Frames of Comb Money for Extract- ing.—1st (£1), E. C. R. White, Salisbury ; 2nd (10s.), Jas. Stirzaker, Poulton-le- Fylde; 3rd (5s.), F. E. Hinde, Ledsham, Cheshire ; reserve, J. Hale, Croston, Preston; v.h.c, E. L. Parkes, Hooton, Cheshire, H. Fenney, Lea Green, St. Helens, and F. Rowe, Rainhill. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st (£1), J. Pearman, Derby; 2nd (15s.), J. Boyes ; 3rd (10s.), J. Helme. Twelve 1-lb. Sections Heather Honey. — 1st (£1), J. Pearman ; 2nd (10s.), J. M.' Balm- bra, Alnwick; 3rd (5s.), Thos. Walker, Estwaite, Lanes. Best Wax, etc. — 1st (15s.), E. C. R. White ; 2nd (10s.), J. Pearman ; 3rd (5s.), C. Lodge, Chelmsford, Essex; v.h.c, R. Morgan, Cowbridge, J. Boyes, J. Berry, Llanwrst, and Mrs. F. Harris, Sibsey, Lines. The Most Interesting and Instructive, Ex- hibit connected with Bee-keeping not be in a of the nature of a Trade Exhibit,— lst(£l 10s.), Joseph Gray, Long Eaton. COUNTY CLASSES. Trophy of Honey (7 entries).— 1st (£2 10s. and Challenge Cup sdven by Mr. Geo. Rose), A. S. Dell, Leigh, Lanes ; 2nd (£1 10s.), J. Jones ; 3rd (£1), Cook and Alty. Tarleton, Preston; h.c, M. Lowe and H. Fenney, Rainhill. Twelve 1-lb. Sections (12 entries). — 1st (£1 10s.), J. Jones ; 2nd (£1). Thos. Walker ; 3rd (10s.). J. Stirzaker; v.h.c, Thos. Or- mt'sher, Ormskirk. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Exraeted Honey (26 en- tries).—2nd (£1), John Wilson, Rainhill ; 3rd (10s.), Jas. Hieham, Rainhill ; reserve, R. Rvmer, Hesketh Bank, Preston ; v.h.c, F. Sharpies, Rainhill. and W. H. Grace, Halewood : h.c, J. Ingham, Famworth, T. Oimiesher, and W. and G. Dawson, Ormskirk. Mr. Wm. Herrod, in addition to his duties as judi,re, lectured in the bee-tent on each day to lar^e and appreciative audiences. HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT B.K.A SWANMORE BRANCH. The annual show of this branch was held in Swanmore Park on August 1 in connec- tion with that of the Bishop's Waltham Horticultural Society. 1,179 lb. of honey was staged, being about double the quan- tity exhibited last year, and although the bad effects of honey-dew have been much felt in Hampshire this season, little I evidence of it appeared in the exhibits, the 312 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 10, 1905. quality of which was, on the whole, excel- lent. The entries for the County Com- petition deserve special metion ior all- round excellence. The Eev. W. E. Medlicott acted as judge, and made the following awards : — Twelve Sections. — 1st, W. G. Hedges ; 2nd, A. Boyds, jun. ; equal 3rd, Miss Martin and E. Ainsley. Six Sections. — 1st, W. G. Hedges ; 2nd, E. Ainsley ; 3rd, A. Boyds, jun. ; 4th, Miss Martin. Three Sections. — 1st, W. G. Hedges ; 2nd, E. Ainsley ; 3rd, Miss Martin ; 4th, E. Sandall. One Section. — 1st, E. Sandall ; 2nd, W. G. Hedges; 3rd, E. Ainsley. Honey Trophy. — 1st, W. G. Hedges ; 2nd, E. Ainsley ; 3rd, E. Hedges, Twelve Jars Extracted Honey.— 1st, W. G. Hedges ; 2nd, E. Ainsley ; 3rd, E. Hedges. Six Sections and Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, W. G. Hedges; 2nd, E. San- dall ; 3rd, E. Ainsley. Three Sections and Three 1-lb. Jars Ex- tracted Honey. — Equal 1st, W. G. Hedges and E. Sandall ; 3rd, Miss Martin ; 4th, E. Ainsley. One Section and 1-lb. Jar Extracted Honey. — 1st, W. G. Hedges ; 2nd, Miss Martin. Three Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st, W. Cooper ; 2nd, W. G. Hedges. Two Shallow-frames. — 1st, E. Sandall ; 2nd, W. G. Hedges ; 3rd, E. Hedges. MEMBERS ONLY. Twelve Sections and Twelve Jars Ex- tracted Honey. — 1st, W. G. Hedges; 2nd, E. Sandall ; 3rd, E. Ainsley. These prizes carry the Silver Medal, Bronze Medal, and Certificate respectively of the County As- sociation Special prizes for wasps' nests were also awarded to E. Hedges and W. G. Hedges. $ormpvtkMt The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good f.aith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *»* 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 NOTES BY THE WAY. [5968.] I am glad to see our friend "D. M. M." in his notes last week refers to " best section." Now, I have never taken to the no-beeway. I gave them a fair trial when first introduced, but could find no advantage in using them ; in fact, ~I con- sidered there was a disadvantage compared with the two-beeway, which is the style of section I use. We are also still old- fashioned enough to fix our foundation with the roller. The split top may, in some bee- keepers' hands, answer better when fixing the foundation in the sections, but the split is always an eyesore to me when they are filled. Of course, where bands are used for glazing the split is covered up, but where cases or narrow one-inch strips are pre- ferred it is ever in sight with its strip of wax showing. I1 tried a crate or two with " Shepherd " dividers, and although the bees could moye about among the sections quite well, I failed to discover any advan- tage over the slotted, or, for that matter, over the old-style dividers, which we used to cut out ourselves from a sheet of thin zinc twenty or more years ago. Wax-moth. — This pest is still with us, although one is always on the alert to de- stroy both moth and larva when seen, yet they manage to exist, and are ever ready to spy out a weak hive, in which they multiply at an alarming rate ; therefore, the bee- keeper should by timely supervision of any stocks not up to full strength find out if the wax-moth has gained an entrance, and, if so, deal with the evil promptly. The pre- sence of the enemy is easily seen by the signs of webbing connecting one comb to the next, and the larva can be found on pulling the combs apart. Stocks which have been allowed to swarm themselves into uselessness are often the prey of the wax- moth. The month of August is the best period to lay the foundation of a successful season the year following — first, by seeing that eveiy hive or colony is headed with a good young queen ; secondly, that the hive con- tains a sufficient supply of stores to carry the bees through the winter months ; thirdly, have the roofs painted to preserve the hives, and, what is of more importance, keep the colony strong during the autumn and winter. Where stores are not sufficient, a few pounds of syrup should be given to- wards the end of this month, as this will help in two ways — by increasing the stores and inducing breeding. This will ensure the colony going into winter quarters with a good proportion of young bees. The honey-crop already secured should be removed from the hives now ; all sections should be scraped free from every particle of propolis and brace-comb, and be graded to suit the market of the individual bee- keeper. I find that many have no con- venience to store honey for any consider- able time, and are, therefore, obliged to find an early market for their produce. Sec- Aug. 10, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 313 tions, when scraped, may be stored prefer- ably in a dry, warm cupboard, or in the racks in which they have been worked. Place a piece of paper at the bottom of the rack, and, after it is full, wedge up tightly with another piece of paper on the top of the sections. If racks are of the correct height at the sides, several of them can be stacked one on top of the other without in- jury to the honey, always being careful to keej3 the bottom one a good height off the floor to prevent damp reaching the honey. The period of shows is with us again. To those who aspire to appear as prize-winners I' would say : Extract and jar off your honey a few days before you send it to show. See that any scum which rises is skimmed off the top before packing, and simply place each jar in a corrugated-paper en- velope. Do not wrap in paper as well, as it adds to the work of those staging. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. EXPERIENCES WITH BEES. [5969.] Some time ago I promised to send you a few lines giving an account of a be- ginner's experience, and hope these notes will interest your readers. Late in July, 1903 I purchased a swarm, together with four empty hives, from a bee-keeper, and quite anticipated getting some honey ; but on making enquiry was told I was too late for that season, which naturally rather dis- appointed me. Not knowing what I should have to do to keep my bees alive through the winter, I asked a neighbouring bee- keeper for advice, which was not given very liberally ; in fact, he simply told me to feed them. Being desirous of obtaining information, I then tried several times to raise a conversation on the subject of bee- keeping ; but instead of getting encourage- ment I got the reverse, as I was told that bees did not pay, and I would be out of pocket if I kept them. However, I even- tually came across a good friend, who told me to get the B.B. J. I ordered it through my newsagent right away, and felt I had come across a gold mine in obtaining a paper solely devoted to bees. At first when I read the B.B. J., it all seemed very mysterious and almost like something foreign ; but I gradually grew accustomed to the terms used in bee-keeping and their meaning. In the Jottbnal I saw " Modern Bee-keeping " advertised, which I sent for and read through several times. Mean- while I was feeding my bees up for winter. Becoming more and more interested in these little insects and their ways, I next purchased Mr. Cowan's " Guide Book " and Root's "A. B.C. of Bee-culture," and studied both till I felt I had mastered them thoroughly. My next step was to join the Cumberland Bee-keepers' Association, which I did in 1904, and received a visit from the expert. I had up to this time a great dread of being stung, and used a wire and net veil to keep the bees off my face, two pairs of gloves, and a pair of old stocking-legs on my hands and arms. When spring arrived, I began to make use of the knowledge I had gained from reading during winter, and found I was quite able to manage my bees. I bought several nuclei and built them up, made artificial swarms, raised queens, and formed nuclei of my own. I was working for honey with my first stock, but found a slight trace of foul brood, so I followed the method advised in " Guide Book " _ of making an artificial swarm and destroying combs, and had a busy day boiling or burn- ing and disinfecting everything belonging to the hive. I felt amply rewarded for my exertions when the expert on examining my apiary this year (1905) pronounced them all perfectly healthy. I exhibited at our local flower-show and obtained second prize for my honey, and found such a ready sale for it that I was obliged to buy to supply my customers, as I had sold all my own. During the early spring and summer I helped to manipulate other bee-keepers' stocks for the sake of the experience, and gained such confidence and knowledge by doing this that I no longer wore anything to protect my hands and seldom used a veil. Feeling rather proud of my success I next entered for my expert's certificate, but was sorry I could not be examined, as the examiner had more students sitting than he could get through that day. As I arrived rather late I was consequently left out, which made me more determined than ever to obtain the certificate, although I had to wait till this year. I sold 400 lb. of honey last season, but expect to double it this year. Everything in " Canny old Cumber- land " has been ideal for the bee-man ; fine days and white clover have both been plentiful. When on the Fells the other day I found bell heather in bloom ; the true ling is just beginning to open, and with good weather and sunshine bee-keepers ought to reap a golden harvest from the moors. So much for the bees — I will say a few lines on the other side. I make a number of hives, appliances, etc., and have built up quite a nice business. I think you will agree, Messrs. Editors, that though this all looks encouraging for a beginner, you must bear in mind it has been the result of hard work from 5 a.m. till late at night, and no one can expect to do as I have done unless he is handy with joiner's tools, likes hard work, is a great lover of bees, as well as being a good sales- man and adaptable to circumstances. I am a draper by trade and commence work at 8.30 a.m., finish at 7.30 p.m., but I rrive 314 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 10, 1905. my bees all my half-holidays, and many a half-day's work is done before starting my ordinary business in the morning. In the height of the season I employ a good joiner to help me. I sell all my honey retail at Is. each section and jar, but make it a strict rule to sell nothing but the very best quality. I paper lace all my sections, then place them in a neat-printed cardboard box with a gold and white label of my own de- signing. Should I have any dark or " off- grade " honey I feed it back to the bees, or use it myself. My idea of bee-keeping is — and I advise all beginners to follow my ex- ample— give your bees a good, clean, com- fortable home, be liberal to them in giving time and food, keep them warm and snug, and they will repay both capital and in- terest. In placing honey before the public be scrupulously clean in handling it ; put it up in dainty packages and make it look as attractive as possible. In conclusion, I must say a word or two about price of honey. I consider that Is. for section or 1-lb. jar is a' reasonable price which will remunerate a bee-keeper for his work, for capital invested, risk of disease, uncertainty of weather, and a chance of losing a runaway swarm. Then let the extra honey harvest of a good year of plenty [help to balance a bad year of scarcity and loss by keeping up a universal retail price of Is. per lb. When selling honey in large quantities (one cwt. lot or more) there are other things to take into consideration. The retailer must have his profit, and quite right too ; but erood ripe honey of first-rate quality should always be worth 56s. to 60s. per cwt. in bulk. This leaves the retailer a fair margin of profit after paying for bottles, labels, carriage, and labour. I am pleased to see in the B.B.J, that I have passed my exam, which I sat for this year. — L. B., Workington, Cumberland. CLEARING SUPERS. [5970.] I have much pleasure in referring " J. B., Colne " (p. 305) to B.B.J, of Octo- ber 13, 1904 (p. 407) for D. M. M.'s article on the above, and as there may be other readers who would like fuller details of the method, may I add that one should first bore a hole about five-eighths of an inch any- where in the bridge-piece used over en- trance to the "Cowan" and " W. B. C." hives. It! can be filled up with a bit of pin- wood at any time after Ihe supers are taken away; or, if the tools are not at hand, a hole cut in one edge of bridge-piece with a small piece of slate or wood laid on top afterwards will do. Replace bridge-piece and outer case, prise up supers about an eighth of an inch, give one puff of smoke at each of the four sides, take quilts off supers, put on carbolic cloth (one that has been dressed a week previous) and remove surplus-chambers. Then put quilts over body-box, replace surplus- chambers over the quilts, take off car- bolic cloth, put on lift and roof (with me it does not seem necessary to darken it), and when the operator goes to the hives two or three hours afterwards he will not find more than half-a-dozen bees in the supers. No bees inside, or prowling robbers out- side, no stings, no disturbance, no grumb- ling, but all smiles from the particular party who assists in the extracting-room. Again, thanks to " D. M. M., Banff."— D. H., Deddington. EARLY SWARMS AND THE CAPACITY OF SKEPS. [5971.] Occasionally a bee-keeper tells me that he likes skeps better than frame- hives because they swarm sooner! Think- ing this matter over the other day, I measured the inside capacity of six ordi- nary cottagers' skeps, and they vai'ied from 650 to 968 cubic inches each, the average being about 795 cubic inches per skep. I then found that the capacity of five stan- dard frames is about 818 cubic inches, which it will be noticed is slightly more than the average skep. It seems to me therefore that a bee-keeper can have his frame-hives swarm as soon as his skeps if he will keep them contracted to five frames. I also notice that skeppists are quite con- tented if their stocks left for winter weigh gross between 20 and 30 lb. each, and yet they wonder why these skeps swarm in late June or July, instead of in May ! When we calculate that a skep with its live bees (some brood possibly, and beebread) may weigh anywhere up to 10 lb., it does not leave a large amount of stores even in a 30-lb. skep ; and if a cold, late spring should come, who can wonder that this skep swarms on, say, June 25 instead of about May 28 ? An old bee-keeper recently drew my attention to a last year's " cast," and pointed out with pride how well (?) it was doing. He said he believed it weighed about 15 lb. last autumn, and seemed to quite for- get the fact that had he then fed it up heavily, he would probably have had a swarm as well as a cast from it this season, instead of nothing at all. I am one of those who think that qui ens fly out for an airing in spring and frequently get lost or killed. I had five strong stocks with abundance of brood and eggs when I' examined them in March (without smoke), and a month later they had neither queen, brood, nor eggs ! I also think it a better plan to supersede old queens mvself than to take the risk of allowing the bees to re-queen themselves. — Amateur, Cheltenham. Aug. 10, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 315 WEATHER REPORT. Westbourne, Sussex, Rainfall, 35 in. Heaviest fall, 11 on 10th. Rain fell on 4 days. Below average, 216 in. Sunshine, 240 8 hours. Brightest day, 7th, 14'5 hours. Sunless days, 0. Above average, 4*8 hours. Maximum tempera- ture, 79° on 14th. Minimum tempera- ture, 46° on 20ih. July, 1905. Minimum on grass, 44° on 20th. Frosty nights, 0. Mean maximum, 72 7. Mean minimum, 58-. Mean temperature, 58-5. Above average, 4*8. Maximum barometer, 30 25 on 19th. Minimum barometer, 29-83 on 1st L. B. BlRKKTT. JULY RAINFALL. Brilley, Herefordshire. Total fall, 1.09 in. Heaviest fall in 24 hours, .50 in., on 1st. Rain fell on 9 days. W. Head. mm m& §U}}li&L [3844.] Bee-forage— The White Sage of California. — 1. I shall feel obliged if you can tell me the source of the enclosed sample of honey. A few days since I looked over a two-acre field of white clover and then wandered on to a fell where a quantity of wood-sage {Teucrium scoro- donia) grows. For one bee working in the clover there were ten in the sage. 2. Is this sage the same plant as the Califor- nian white sage (Ramona polystacphia) mentioned by Prof. Cook in "Gleanings," June 15 (page 647)? 3. Is wood-sage con- sidered to be a good plant for bee forage ? —J. W. L., Keswick, July 25. Reply. — 1. Sample sent is, we think, mainly from white clover ; the darker colour being derived from an admixture of honey from the wood-sage as stated. But the flavour of your sample is not appre- ciably deteriorated by the sage, though it alters the coloxir from pale yellow to deep golden. The prefei^ence of the bees for wood-sage blossom would probably be at- tributable to the weather at the time of your visit, because, given suitable weather, there are few places on which bees will work harder or more readily on. than a good stretch of white clover. 2. The white sage of California is quite different from the wood-sage of this country. It is so named from the nearly white colour of the leaves and stalks ; growing, as it does, from three to eight feet high on the sides of the vast canyons of that State. With scores of flowers on every stem, and . continuing in bloom for many months, it yields an abundance of excellent honey, and forms probably the finest gathering-ground for bees in the whole world. 3. The wood-sage is classed as yielding 50 per cent, of honey and 20 per cent, pollen. It is enumerated among the good bee-forage plants. [3845.] Bees in Roof of Old Cottage. — I have recently purchased this cottage, which is a very old one. It is partly covered with " weather-tiling," inside of which a colony of bees has been estab- lished for many years. No one seems to know how long they have been there, but it must be at least thirty or forty years, possibly much longer. We have not, so far, found the bees troublesome, but should be glad to get rid of them. Can you give me any advice on the subject ? I suppose the only method would be to smother the bees ; but would it then be necessary to remove the dead bees along with the honey ? That would be a serious matter, as it would entail removing the " weather-tiling " off a large part of the cottage, and as it is probably from 200 to 300 years old we should never be able to replace it in the same way. If the bees are smothered and not removed would the old honey become a nuisance? I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — ■ (Mrs.) J. E. K., Petworth. Reply. — If the bees can be smothered and their entrance-hole completely stopped up we do not think any trouble would re- sult from leaving bees, combs, and honey to remain where it is for all time. [3846.1 Faulty Super-clearers and Making Artificial Swarms. — I shall be glad if you will enlighten me on the following two points through the medium of your paper : 1. When using a super-clearer on my hives for some reason or other it does not work, and the bees instead of going down quietly to the brood-nest in the course of the night are shut in and become frantic in their efforts to escape. In this case, I ask: — What is the best to be done ? It has hap- pened to me twice, and I have simply had to lift off the super, Bet it down, and bolt, and on returning after a short time I felt very sorry the thing had not worked pro- perly. 2. When preventing swarming by taking one comb with queen and bees, then putting same in a body-box with empty combs and placing the bulk above with ex- cluder between, how do you deal with the drones which would be shut in above? — R, D. G., London, E.C. Reply. — 1. Your super-clearer is at fault. Is it a genuine " Porter " or a badly- made imitation ? 2. Your method of making an artificial swarm is wrong. No 316 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 10, 1905. excluder is used in the process as described in " Guide Book." [3847.1 Building Up Stocks from Driven BeeSr^-Will you kindly reply to following queries through your valuable paper? 1. About what date bees should be driven from skeps so as to build them up into stocks in frame-hives? 2. How many pounds' weight of bees is needed to stand the winter well and be strong in the fol- lowing spring? 3. How much feeding would be required, and how long to be con- tinued ? 4. Does the queen lay after the driving? — H. F., Chichester, July 25. Reply. — 1. The earlier the better, if choice of date rests with yourself ; if not, get them as soon after middle of August a,s you can. 2. Five pounds is a fairly safe lot with which to form a stock if headed by a good queen. 3. The bees should be fed rapidly until they have 20 to 25 lb. of sealed food in the combs for wintering on. The food should be given warm, after sundown, in a " rapid feeder " holding a couple of quarts of syrup. 4. It is very important to start the queen in th* work of brood-rearing as soon as possible after the bees are hived ; and, with this in view, queens hatched in the current vear should, if possible, head the newly-formed colony. Old queens at head of driven lots of bees are of very little value, and rarely form a good colony the following season. [3848.1 Dealing with Unfinished Sections. — I have two> racks of sections, both more than half full of sealed comb, but the front and back sections are untouched. Would it be advisable to take both off and replace into one rack the half-filled and empty sections, or leave them both on the hive ? The bees seem to have stood still for a fort- night.— A. B., Brecon. Reply. — By all means remove all com- pleted sections at once, and replace un- nished ones in one rack as proposed. You should also wrap up as warmly as possible, in order to keep bees from deserting the sections on cold nights. The difficulty m getting sections completed late in the sea- son is conserving the warmth of supers ; to do this extra coverings should be used. [3849.1 Preventing Bobbing. — I have lately fitted a " Claustral " chamber to one of my hives, thinking that — as well as for other purposes — it would be useful in a bad case of robbing, but as it would also exclude the rightful owners from entering, do you think that a " Porter " escape fitted on outside of door and painted over to give a foothold would be used by the bees as an entrance? — F. J. H., Cranleigh. Reply. — We do not advise trying a " Porter " escape for the purpose, but if your hive is fitted with " Claustral " deten- tion-chamber robbing could be "nipped in the bud " by closing the door of chamber. It would be better to keep any few bees — that might be away in the fields — outside till a chance moment allowed of their re- admission, than try so poor a substitute as the " Porter " escape. Prevention of robbing is one of the useful purposes for which the " Claustral " hive is adapted. [3850.1 Yellow Queen from a Colony of Blacks. — Will you kindly tell me whether the accompanying queen is old or young, and name the- variety of bee to which she belongs ? She came from a stock of black British bees that had not swarmed for two seasons, and on examining the hive I found a newly uncapped queen-cell and the ac- companying queen. I shall have re-queened the hive by to-morrow evening with a black queen. Does the light colour of the insect I am sending denote foreign blood ? So far as I know there are no foreign bees kept within a radius of two miles of my place— M. D. H., Windsor, July 28. Reply. — The dead queen sent is quite young, and apparently a virgin. We think, however, that there must be some error — '■ unintentional, no doubt— in the above statement, which conveys the impression that the queen in question " came from a stock of black British bees in which a newly-hatched queen-cell was found." We say this because it is incredible that a stock with a native black queen at its head could produce a well-marked yellow Italian queen from the egg of a black or native mother (over two years old), whose progeny has up to now shown no foreign blood, or of the mother-bee having been mated with a foreign drone. [3851-1 House Martins and Bees. — Will you or some of your ornithological friends kindly inform me whether house-martins prey upon bees ? There is a large colony of these birds close to my apiary, and I am very unwilling to disturb them unless under compulsion for the sake of my hives ; but yesterday I thought I saw a martin — probably a young one — capture a bee on the wing. I shall be very glad to be assured that my eyes were deceived. — W. H. Harris, Hayes End, near Uxbridge. Reply. — We have had no personal ex- perience of damage to bees by the house- martin. Perhaps some reader may be able to enlighten our correspondent on the point. [3852.1 Bees not Entering Supers. — I shall esteem it a favour if you would advise me on the following case : — I have four hives of bees, two of them May swarms. They have all been supered with shallow-frames for more than five weeks, and only one lot has gone up. I want to take my bees on to the moors for the heather in a day or two, and so I ask : 1. Would it be best to put them on a rack of sections each or leave the shallow-frames on? 2. Can you Aug. 10, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 317 say in B.B.J, why the bees have not gone into the supers, as each hive is crowded, and has eight frames half-full of brood. I send name, etc. , for reference, and sign — Journalist, Sheffield. Reply. — There is no need for giving sec- tions, as the shallow-frames will afford ample storage-room at the heather, even under the most favourable circumstances. The honey income must have failed for some reason in your district. [3853.] Dealing with Foul Brood — Salis- bury as a Heather District. — In the spring one of my stocks, was badly infested with foul brood, so about the end of May I got bees off combs, destroyed all frames, combs, etc., and thoroughly disinfected the hive. I kept the bees fasting for forty- eight hours, then returned them on full sheets of foundation and fed with medi- cated syrup for a fortnight. They are now going on splendidly, and I see no sign of foul brood on any of the eight frames. What I would ask is : 1. How long will it be before I can be sure of a cure being cer- tain? 2. Is Demerara sugar suitable for syrup and candy-making ? 3. Can you or any of your readers inform me of the nearest heather to Salisbury that it might be profitable to send hives to ? I enclose name, and thank you in anticipation of reply. — Ubique, Salisbury. Reply. — 1. The test of " cure being cer- tain " will be absence of any dead brood in cells at end of season. 2. No ; it is quite unsuitable for the purpose. Use only refined cane su^ar, either " loaf " or in crystals. 3. We will be glad if any reader possessing local knowledge will reply to this query. [3854.] Transferring Bees and Combs. — I have just bought a wooden box contain- ing a stock of bees, which I understand have not been disturbed for twelve months, and I am anxious to transfer them into a new hive. Would you please inform me : 1. If this is the right time of year to do this, and whether I should transfer some of the comb to the new hive ? 2. Is the operation of transferring the bees better done at night when they are all hived. Your reply will oblige. — F. W., Romford, Essex, July 31. Reply. — 1. If the combs in box are not old and black, or mis-shapen and crooked, they should be transferred early this month in order to get the stock settled in their new home, with a full supply of winter stores, before cold weather sets in. All comb containing brood must be trans- ferred to the new hive. 2. You cannot well operate at night ; but the work should be done after sundown, or when the bees have ceased flying for the day. We pre- sume you have had some little experience of transferring bees and combs, otherwise we cannot promise an unqualified success. [3855.] Using the Super -clearer. — Vfhen using the super-clearer with " Porter " bee- escape, is it correct to put quilts over the top of the sections to be emptied, or should the top be left open so that the bees may find their way out through the bee-hole under the eaves of the roof? — B. W. B., Alton, Hants. Reply. — The coverings of section-rack must be left on so that bees are compelled to pass down into hive-body. It will hinder instead of helping the bees to leave the sections, if they are allowed egress from above. [3856.] A Bundle of Elementary Queries. —I shall deem it a favour if the enclosed can be answered in the B.B.J. I am reluctant to trouble you to such an extent, but am encouraged by the thought that the answers might help some others of your many readers besides myself. 1. Why do bees reject dark pollen left on flight-board sometimes, when brought home by their own workers ? 2. How do you account for honey, when candied in win- ter, breaking jars at times? 3. Is it right when cutting queen-cells out to remove also most of the drone-cells seen? 4. Is it right to pick out drones when seen on combs and kill them ? 5. My colony No. 1 sent out a swarm, which went into hive No. 3 ; I added extra supers to latter, but two days later swarm came out of No. 3. Three weeks after I could not discover any brood or eggs or queen. Could you ex- plain this happening ? 6. Will you kindly name one or two of the best firms to buy queens? 7. Which kind of queen would you recommend, foreign or English, or a cross between the two ? I send name, etc. , and sign — Learner, Suffolk. Reply. — 1. If a bee drops a pollen- pellet by accident at hive entrance i_t never returns to pick it up, for the good reason that while able to roll up the pollen-dust and store it in the pockets provided on the bee's hind legs, it is unable to reload its tiny burden in one lump. 2. Only by the expansion and contraction of the glass at different temperatures. 3. Superfluous drone-brood is generally cut out when found. 4. We should not like so gruesome a job, though it may be " right." 5. Only by stating that by some accident the hive No. 3 must now be queenless. 6. Any of our leading advertisers will supply queens. We cannot recommend any one firm to the exclusion of others. 7. It is simply a mat- ter of personal preference. We like either natives or pure foreigners better than hybrids. [3857.] Bee-forage. — I enclose a sprig or two of a plant which I believe is called lucerne, and shall be clad if you would let me know through B.B.J, whether it is 318 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 10, 1905. good for bees. If so, please say whether you think they gather much honey from it. There is a field in full bloom near my apiary, and, as my bees have gathered some nice honey this season, perhaps they have got some from this source. It is cer- tainly of a similar class to the clovers, and is mowed down two or three times a year and given while green to sick horses, etc. The flowers do not often reach full bloom before they are mown down. We have had a good season here for honey, but the fields are now dried up, as we have had no rain for about a month, and there are only the limes and this flower now for bees to work on. I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — W. H., Derby. Reply. — The plant is Medicago Sativa, or lucerne, and is a valuable honey plant of the clover family. It flowers from May to June ; but, unfortunately, as in your case, it is seldom allowed to bloom by the farmers. (Brims ftom tfa Him Wandlake, Oxon, July 29. — The season in this part of the country has been very dis- appointing, though there was a wealth of flowers during June and the early part of July, for some reason the secretion of nectar was very small. Sections were filled slowly, and, in many cases, left unfinished, except during one week ini this; month, when the bees worked well. Owing to the cold in May, my stocks, were kept very much indoors, so that when the warm weather arrived they took the swarming fever badly, and nothing one could do seemed to stop them. Several of my first swarms came out when the weather was anything but favourable, and many stocks in the neighbourhood followed their example, and, as a result, the bees were very bad-tempered ; indeed, I never remember being stung so much in hiving swarms before. Although all swarms not required were returned and extra room given, they did very little work. One redeeming feature in this sum- mer's work is that the honey gathered is of good quality, and ouite free from honey- dew. Last year my hives averaged 55 lb. each ; this season I am afraid the average will not be half so much, but when I have finished taking off supers I will let you know. The season is practically over now ; white clover is dried up, as is also the second blossom of the sainfoin, and as there are no lime trees here of any conse- quence, the only remaining source is bramble blossom. The charlock, from which we often get nearly half our honey- crop yielded scarcely anything this year. I have never had foul brood amongst my bees, but there are two infected hives in the parish, which are in my charge, so I hope soon to eradicate it. — Third-class Expert. ffillffitOUJS to (fame, A nominal charge of SSs. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which covers cost of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. August 9, 10, and 11. at Hull— Show of Honey, Bees, Hives, and appliances in connection with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. August 10, at Madresfield. Malvern — Annual Show of the Worcestershire Beekeepers' Asso- ciation. Open class. Schedules from Mr. A. R. More- ton, Hallow, Worcester ; or Mr. G. Richings, 2, Shrub- bery Terrace, Worcester. August 16. at Bishop Stortford — Honey Show of the Bishop Stortford and District B.K.A., in connection with the Horticultural Society's Show. Six open classes for honey, Including trophy 50 to 100 lb. weight. Liberal prizes. Six classes for mem- bers, with free entries to members. Bee demonstra- tions in tent. Schedules from Rev. H. Newman, hon. sec.. Brent Pelham, Buntingford, Herts. Entries closed- August 16, at "Wye-— Kent Honey Show. Numerous classes for Honey and Bee products. Liberal cash prizes. Open Classes for single lib. section, 1-lb. jar light extracted honey, 1-lb. Jar dark ditto, with prizes of 20a., 10s., am? 5s. in each class. Open Classes for Honey Trophy and for Frame-Hive. Bee demonstrations and numerous other attractions. Schedules (enclose stamp) from J. Tippen, Secretary, Wye, Ashford, Kent. Entries close August 11- August 16, at Fleetwood- — Honey Show, in connection with Fleetwood Floral and Horticultural Society. Open classes for Six 1-lb. Sections. Six 1-lb. Jars Light Extracted Honey, and Six 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. Schedules from Edward Cock, Hon. Sec., Rossall Grange Farm, Fleetwood. Entries closed- August 19, at Chorley. — Show of Honey, etc., of the Lanes. B.K.A. in connection with the Lan- cashire Agricultural Society. Open classes. Schedules from secretary, P. Hodgkinson, Town Hall Sale Rooms, Chorley, Lanes. Entries close August 14- August 19. at Borgue, Kirkcudbright. N-B-— Annual Show of Flowers, Honey, etc. Open Classes for Honey. Apply to Mr. Munro, The Academy, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, N.B. Entries close August 16- August 19. at Burry Port —Honey Show in connection with the Burry Port Horticultural Society, South Wales. Six open classes, including one for single 1-lb. jar extracted honey, with free entry. First prize, 12s. 6d. ; second, 7s. 6d. ; third, 4s. ; fourth, 2s. Entries closed- August 23. at Bradford Abbas, Dorset- Annual Show of the Yetminster and District B.K.A. in St. Mary Head. Six open classes, including three 1-lb. Jars extracted honey and three 1-lb. sections. Schedules (with entry form) from G. Leeding, Hon. Sec., Bradford Abbas, Sherborne. Entries close August 16. August 23, at Lancaster. — Show of Honey, etc.. in connection with the Lancaster Agricultural Society's Annuai Show. Open Olasees for Extracted and Comb Honey, n bees for a livelihood. For the same reason it is not advisable for anyone to offer sug- gestions as to sale of honey and so help to cause the market to be flooded. Those who cannot find a market for themselves had better sell to a honey merchant at a low price, leather than to the retailers at a low figure. My motto is, "Live and let live.-' I regret that sortie bee-keepers have fo little scruple in underselling others. My former market has been lost through their action, as I have refused to follow their example. — Business, Cornwall. 326 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 17, 1905. BEES NOT FILLING SECTIONS. [5979.] It may interest your correspon- dent "Anxious," who writes in B.B.J, of July 20 (Query No. 3820), and other readers who have obtained no surplus- honey this year, if I say that I experienced the same difficulty in inducing bees to enter sections. A rack was placed on top of a fairly strong stock for four or five weeks without any result whatever. On July 8, however, I replaced the section-rack with a crate of shallow-frames fitted with new foundation, and the bees not only took to this immediately, but have very rapidly drawn out all the combs, and are going on as satisfactorily as I could wish in honey- storing. — Apis, Birmingham. HEATHER NEAR SALISBURY. [5980.] In reply to your correspondent " Ubique " (3853, page 317), asking for nearest heather to Salisbury, he would have to send his hives eight or ten miles from here into the New Forest in order to get to the heather. If " Ubique " would write or call on me I should be pleased to give him any information and help I am able, as I like to get in touch with all bee-keepers, especially in this dis- trict, and I particularly would like to know of any case of foul brood, so I may guard against it. I have never seen it yet. I send full name and address for use if needed. — J. B., Castle Road, Salisbury, August 10. [We will forward letter if addressed to this office. — Eds.] NOTES ON MY FIRST BEE-SEASON. [5981.] Can you tell me why my bee- keeping is not a success? I am quite a beginner, having purchased two stocks in " W. B. C. " hives from a neighbour in February last. I also bought Cowan's " Guide Book, and became a reader of B.B.J, and Record. Finding very little food in the hives, I gave each a cake of candy, and renewed same as required until April, after which I gave syrup-food. All seemed to go on well, and I gave each stock a clean hive during the fine weather in May. It has been a good season for bee- forage, there being plenty of blossom on fruit trees, hawthorn, and sycamore, to- gether with an abundance of white clover ; even at the present time the fields are spotted over with it. But in spite of all this promise of honey the hives have not swarmed, or attempted to do so. On June 3 I gave each colony a rack of shallow-frames fitted with full sheets of drone-base founda- tion, as sample, and up to now they have not begun to draw any of it out. One hive is very strong in bees, the brood-chamber being crowded with them, and a large number are walking listlessly about on the foundation in the shallow-frames. I noticed large patches of sealed brood on nine frames with honey along top edges and sides of same ; the tenth frame is filled with honey, about half of it sealed. In order to coax the bees up I tried cutting out a small patch of brood and pinning it in the super, in addition to contracting the brood-chamber to eight frames, as advised on page 57 of " Guide Book." I also brushed the bees off the two frames into the super at the same time, and cutting a standard frame of honey down to shallow-frame size, and placed some in the super, but still without suc- cess ; in fact, the bees appear to be carry- ing the honey down into the brood-chamber rather than adding to it. The other stock is, a poor one, after all the care and feed- ing. After giving above details of what has been done, I conclude by asking if you will kindly reply to the following questions : 1. Is it a case of hives needing to be re- queened ? 2. Is my failure due to not having some drawn-out combs on hand ready for use ? 3. Could I get some combs drawn out by any means this season for use next ? 4. What kind of bees are the enclosed ; I send one from each hive? 5. Is foundation all right ? 6. There is heather 2^ miles away ; is that beyond the reach of my bees? — I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — Novice, Bolton-le-Moors. [Your want of success is no doubt attri- butable to one of two things — i.e., the queen and bees at fault, or else the bee- forage of your district has failed to give the bees a chance to show what they could do. 1. It might be well to inquire how neighbouring bee-keepers have fared, be- cause the failure cannot in vour case be set down to either carelessness or mismanage- ment. 2. Drawn-out combs would no doubt have helped in rapid-storing if honey was to be had in the fields, but no more than this. 3. Only by purchase. 4. The two bees were smashed beyond recognition in post. 5. We cannot see anything wrong with foundation sent. 6. Very little, if any, advantage in honey-gathering will be got from heather so far as 2^ miles off. — Eds.] PASSING NOTES AND COMMENTS. [5982.] Referring to the articles by Mr. D. M. Macdonald on " American and Colonial Papers," I -im much interested in the paragraph on " Strengthening Weak- lings " (page 255 of B.B.J, for June 20), but I am impelled to ask : What about the separation? how is that managed? In the same issue of your paper there is a Aug. 17, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 327 query (3794, page 257) on " Ridding hives of Ants." I tie a little greasy cloth around each leg of the hive stand, and have no trouble with ants. Again, in B.B.J, of July 6 (page 266) there is a letter on " The Carbolised Cloth at Fault." I use "Little's Phenyle Dis- infectant ' (non-poisonous) on my hands and pacifying cloths, and ask for nothing better. —W. C. H., South Devon. ntfm m& §Upliea. [3858.] Moist Sugar for Bee- food,— Can you kindly help me with your advice? Having hived a dozen driven colonies last week, I wired to Hull for 1 cwt. " brown pure cane sugar " for syrup. I was too late in discovering that I had made a mistake, as you advise white, from which I have always made excellent syrup. I made one boil of this brown (soft cane-sugar), giving 7 pints of water to 10 lb. of sugar, and the syrup came out very thin and water}r. I then made another boil, allowing only 5 pints of water, and the result was much better. What would you advise ? I have to thank you for your excellent advice last spring re excessive swarming. I followed your directions, and one of my two hives never swarmed this season, with the result that I took off from it a crate of shallow-frames and four racks of sec- tions. This one, however, had a Taylor swarm-preventing chamber under it. Re- ply will oblige — P. A., Scarborough. Reply. — -Unrefined moist sugar — even if pure cane — is not suitable for syrup- making. Only the refined white crystals should be used ; in fact, many bee-keepers use loaf sugar only. In your case the syrup made as per second boiling will do no serious harm, as the bees will not feel any evil effects so long as- present weather lasts and bees can build comb from it. The trouble with unrefined sugar arises in winter, when, owing to its containing the molasses — found in all raw sugars — it is. apt to cause dysentery, owing to the bees being unable to fly abroad for cleansing flights in winter. [3859.] Protecting Store-combs from Moths and Other Queries. — 1. What is the best method for storing shallow-frame combs as to be free from moth getting in ? I have covered them over in the box and pasted, so as to close up every avenue, yet moth gets in. Would you leave the combs open, and in a loft of a stable during winter? 2. Would you stimulate by gentle feeding in autumn strong stocks even though they have plenty of food, so as to get young brood hatched out ? 3. What do you sug- gest to keep them from fixing down the shallow-frame box to top of hive? They fix the box, and, what is worse, some of he frames to lower frames. — Fokestek, Glos. Reply. — • 1. A full description of a method of protecting store-combs appeared in B.B.J., Vol. 28 (page 333), and will be found effective. It is too long for inser- tion here, but the number can be had for l^d. in stamps. 2. Many bee-keepers practice stimulating in autumn to rear young bees for next year's work. 3. Vase- line rubbed on lower edges of super-boxes will prevent propolisation. [3860. ] Bees Found in Garden Ground, — - In digging my garden I found a hive of bees in the ground, and, through watching them, I have become interested in bees. I have, in consequence, commenced to take in the B.B.J., and would esteem it a favour if you will say: — 1. Can I get the bees into a hive ? and 2. Please give me the name of a reliable guide-book to bee-keep- ing, such as the uninitiated could readily understand. Name enclosed for reference. — C, Birmingham. Reply. — 1. We fear you have made a mistake in supposing that the bees found in the ground are hive bees. Send on a specimen of the bees (in a jnll-box for security in post), and we will tell you if our idea is not right. 2. The " Guide Book " to be had from this office (see advt. in B.B.J.) will fill all your requirements. [3861.] Effects of Bee-stings. — After being stung by bees a great number of times, has the poison any injurious effect on the sys- tem beyond the pain and swelling at the time of being stung ? In other words, would the acid in the blood have any effect for any time afterwards, or cause illuess ? I enclose name, etc., and sign — Bee-stings, Herefordshire, August 1. Reply. — No injurious effect whatever will result after one becomes accustomed to stings for a year or less. On the con- trary, it is a fairly well-established fact that bee-stings are beneficial in cases of persons suffering from rheumatism. [3862.] Transferring Swarms to Frame- Hive. — I have just been away for three weeks' holiday ; during my absence my bees swarmed four times. My brother, who knows nothing about handling bees, very smartly captured each swarm in a separate basket and left them so till my return. On July 26, on my return, I found one basket full of comb and a strong swarm. I united this with another "basket load," and the old stock together by driving shaking all into a sheet, spraying with peppermint, removing two queens, and finally running into hive. I broke out combs from small swarm with brood, fixed them in a standard frame and put into hives ; set on excluder and put the 328 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 17, 1905. basket which had contained the strong swarm, now filled with comb and full of brood, on top of all, spraying everything with peppermint. The bees settled down all right, but two or three days ago I found a number of larvse and young dead bees, as per enclosed samples, cast out. Can you tell me the cause, and can I stop the deaths in any way? The hive seems well supplied with pollen and honey and the bees are working well. — Novice, Brondesbury, N.W., August 7. Reply. — The dead immature bees cast out are merely a few that have got chilled to death during the ope rations mentioned. No harm- will follow in consequence. [3863.] Returning Shallow-frames after Extracting. — Bees Fighting among Them- selves.— I extracted yesterday twelvei shal- low-frames full of honey from one hive, and then replaced the wet combs for the bees to clean out. I did this about 3 p.m., and an hour afterwards on going into the gar- den, I found the bees in a very excited state and fighting among themselves. Not being able to do anything to restore order, I left them till next morning, when, on looking into the shallow-frame box, I found it crowded with bees, but a lot of dead ones were lying at the bottom. Is this not an uncommon thing when replacing combs to be cleaned, or what did I do wrong ? Your reply in B.B..J. will be appreciated by — Novice, Maidstone, August 9. Reply. — "We rather think the trouble arose from your not deferring the time of returning wet-combs till after sundown, as has been frequently recommended in our pages. Failing to do this, has probably caused a few bees from other hives to start robbing, and finally some quarrelling among the bees belonging to the hive in question. [3864.] Transferring Bees from Sleeps. — I have three stocks of bees in flat-topned straw skeps with a hole in the crown. The supers were put on some weeks aco and are almost filled up with honey, and I am now anxious to put the bees in frame-hives. I should, therefore, feel obliged if you would kindly let me know through the B.B.J, how and when can this be done. — W. En- avakds, Bagillt, N. Wales. Reply. — After removing the supers, see that the skeps are well, provided with food at end of season, and winter the bees in their present hives. Next spring let the bees transfer themselves to frame-hives on the plan fully-described in " Guide Book " (page 140). [3865.] Extractors for General Use of Associations. — We bee-keepers in this vil- lage all used an association extractor that wag sen I to us from another village. The man who used it there did not know he had foul brood in his apiary ; but had it badly. We all have foul brood now, and ap- parently began to have this after using the extractor. We all destroyed several stocks in the spring, and think there will be others to destroy this autumn. I have two that were slightly affected in the spring ; if they have not recovered, bv use of the remedies, I applied, I shall destroy them. Also it looks as if three other stocks that ought to be strong are gradually weakening. Foul brood has been a serious loss to me this year — three stocks de- stroyed, two others known to be affected, and probably several others, will be found so soon, when I examine at end of season. I will, therefore, be glad if you will tell me how to effectually disinfect an extractor before and after use. The smell of phenyle lasts too long for this remedy to be suitable before using ; also it leaves a greasiness on tin which is a little difficult to remove. Reply will oblige. Name sent for refer- ence.— B. Reply. — It should be insisted on bv all county associations who lend extractors to their members, that the machine should be thoroughly washed out with hot water before returning it. Without this, precau- tion, the risk of spreading disease, will always remain. No disinfectant for use in cleaning extractors is so suitable a,s the " soluble phenyle " mentioned on page 168 of "Guide Book" (recipe No. 9), as it is practically odourless. %tt ffitottig to . 3, and, as uniting was the order of the day, the bees of this swarm made straight for the skep, of which they took possession along with the others, and remained until returned to No. 7 hive, to which I gave an extra super (the third). Is it not most unusual for four swarms to unite, and out of nine stocks of bees for six swarms to issue within forty-five minutes of each other ? As regards the season, I think it will prove to be the best here since 1902. While the clover has been in bloom we have had a fair amount of rain and plenty of dew at night. The bees, in consequence, made great progress the first fortnight of July, until then the sealing over of honey in the supers was very backward. 1 have made a start to-day in the re- moval of supers, and if I may send you word as to the result with a few other de- tails I shall be ver^ oleased to do so. As to the disposal of the four swarms, I wished to keep them together, to see how the work of such a large number of bees would compare with that of two united swarms hived about a month earlier, the produce of which has been three full supers. The four combined lots were hived on June 20 in a "W.B.C." hive having eight new frames and two containing brood. It also had four supers on the top, one of which contained ten shallow-frames with about 121b. of honey in when put on ; be neath were two racks of sections and .one box of eight new shallow-frames. On July 15 these four supers were finished, and there are now on the hive some uncompleted sections taken from other stocks. I think this colony has done very well since June 20. — E. R. N., Smarclen, Kent. A BEGINNER'S BEE-NOTES. [5988.] After reading the following parti- culars, will you kindly tell me if I have been working on right lines with my bees? Last autumn I bought two good and heavy skeps of bees (swarms). The man I bought them from promised to help me along in managing them, but he has since moved out of this district, so that I am left to my own resources. Anyhow, I went to work and made two frame-hives from the description given in a dealer's catalogue, and put eight frames of foundation in each hive, with excluder zinc on top. I then put the above-named skeps on top of zinc. This much of my operations I gathered from my friend the "catalogue." This was in April last, and when removing one skep off floor-board, which they had win- tered on, in one case, when lifting the skep, a piece of comb came away with it; and it was full of young bees in all stages. My idea in adopting this plan of transferring was to prevent swarming, and also to let the bees work down into brood-chamber. All seemed to go on well after this, till one day in Jxine, when I noticed honey running out at the hive-entrance. I there- fore determined to remove the sk^p and examine. I found that the combs in lower hive were nearly filled, but that the last two combs had broken out of frames and were lying partly on floor-board, with all honey gone, so I removed the frames, cut off the broken parts of combs, and returned them to the hive, with two more frames of foundation. I am now in a fix to know when and how I shall get the honey out of skeps ; so I ask : 1. If I put two more frames in the other hive, do you think the bees would fill them so late in the season? 2. I have lately noticed a lot of drones coming out of brood-chamber ; no doubt I let them out of skep when I shifted it. Will they do any harm ? I have a little adventure to tell you of which might interest readers. On Sunday, July 2, when taking a walk, I noticed a stray swarm clustered up in- a tall elm ; so, hunting up an old bucket, I climbed the tree, and succeeded in hiving the bees safely. This was the first swarm I ever saw, so you may imagine my feelings when up in that tree ! On getting my prize home it was quite dark, and here I made my first mistake. I started to drive the bees into a skep in the dark, and in consequence got badly stung, for they crawled all over my body. However, by the light of a lantern I managed the job. Next day I made another brood-chamber, put in six frames of foundation, and hived the bees from skep into it next day. I have since looked under quilt, and find the combs drawn out : but am wondering if I lost queen when hiving the bees in the dark. 3. How can I find out if queen is with swarm ? Also, do you think they will gather enough food to winter on before season ends? They cover five frames, and are working fairly well. We have a few lime trees in bloom round here, and there is still a little white clover in flower. Next winter I purpose making six more frame-hives. Being a cabinet-maker, this will not trouble me much ; but I want a good pattern to go by, so that I may be up- to-date. 4. Is the non-swarming pattern of hive with shallow-frame box under brood-chamber any good ? I am making an observatory-hive on the same lines as an Aug. 24, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 335 ordinary frame-hive. It will have double walls of glass all round, with baize shutters on outside, or,I should say, on inside wall. I want to see how bees work in an ordinary hive, and am making this so that I can ob- serve without disturbing them. Will the glass lining interfere with the wintering of the bees by moisture condensing on the glass? — Beginner, Wycombe, Bucks. [1. It is fairly certain that the bees will not build combs and fill them with honey in your district so late in the season as this. 2. No ; the drones will do no harm whatever. 3. You can only settle the question of queenlessness by examining the combs, and either finding the queen or •seeing eggs or brood in cells. If neither is seen, the stock must be queenless. 4. You had better defer a trial of non-swarming hives till another year's experience has shown a real need for such. Very few old hands bother about non-swarming methods, except special circumstances necessitate the adoption of such. — Eds.] BEE NOTES FROM THE MIDLANDS. [5989.] Dearth of White Chirr.— On page 272 of your issue for July 13, Mr. Wood ley remarks on the dearth of white clover in present years in contrast to those of a few years ago ; a dearth which apiarists rea- sonably regret. The hope in which Mr. Woodley indulges bids fair to be long de- ferred, and if we bee-keepers wish to be saved from the consequent heart-sickness, we must take other means to fulfil the hope. I am informed that there is no reason to suppose that farmers will return to the growing of white clover. In the first place, it is an expensive crop to grow, owing to the high price of seed, and the labour attendant on the ingathering, which usually comes at a very busy time of year — often during, or just before, the main harvest, when all hands are needed to clean roots and make up arrears which have collected during haytime. My informant (an agriculturist of some repute and an up-to-date man) also tells, me that there is much more white clover seed on the market now from foreign countries, which have a warmer climate than ours, and one more reliable. This, of course, beats down the price, and British farmers are thus un- able to make so high a price of their clover- crop for seed. The latter is also expen- sive to thresh and prepare for market, needing a great deal of individual atten- tion, which, in these days of rush and hurry it is impossible to give. The idea, however, has been suggested that bee- keepers' associations should offer a prize at local shows, or in connection with their respective agricultural societies for " Fields of White Clover." Prizes of £10 or £5 would perhaps tempt the smaller farmers, if it did not the larger ones, and it is pro- bable that if the matter be pushed we might get seed merchants to give at least part of the sum named. Wide Combs for Shallow-frames. — My experience with regard to the wide " W.B.C." ends is exactly the same as. Mr. Woodley's. To remedy the evil I have tried the two different widths placed alter- nately, one wide one narrow, and this has entirely prevented brace-comb. Insurance. — My neighbour had a valuable young plum tree of a special kind. On that tree my bees saw fit to swarm, completely breaking off half the tree. My neighbour threatened vengeance ! I wonder if I can claim compensation if he carried out his threat, as I am insured ? I send name and sign — Midlands, August 13. HEATHER PROSPECTS IN YORKS. [5990.] I visited the moors to-day (August 17) and found the bees working right merrily. When nearing the vicinity of the hives the smell of the honey was quite strong, and it was very gratifying on opening some of the hives to find several of the sections half-filled. The heather is coming nicely into bloom — probably one-half of it is in full bloom — but a nice rain is very much needed, otherwise I am afraid some of it will have to blush un seen. The prospects for a good season are better than for some years past, and those who have got so discouraged by the un- satisfactory results of recent years and have, in consequence, not taken their hives to the moors this time are likely to miss a chance they may afterwards regret. There are over a hundred colonies where my hives are located, but at Slapestones, above Osmotherley, the great stronghold in years past for this district, there were only fifty-four a week ago. Further south, in the direction of Kirby Knowle and Boltby, the heather is slightly more for- ward, but there is nothing to complain of as regards bloom anywhere on the Hamble- ton range, and, with any thin;?; like good weather during the next fortnight or three weeks, the harvest will be a good one. As I am finishing this report, seated amongst the heather, there are signs of the much- needed rain, and, if I am not mistaken, we shall have it before morning. — R. T. T. , Thirsk, August 17. BEES IN NORTHANTS. BEE ENEMIES. [5991.] The honey season in North Northants does not, in my case, turn out as was hoped. I find that the brood-cham- bers are exceptionally light. I do not know whether any of your 336 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 24, 1905. readers have noticed the destruction of bee-life caused by a small brown bird, with a light coloured breast, locally called a " woodlark " ? It hovers near the en- trance of the hive, until it gets a chance of snapping up a bee ; it then carries its unfortunate victim off to a tree near by, and eats it. I have seen one bird eat a dozen bees in as many minutes. These birds like drones best, but when all the drones are gone they take bees. — W. A., Barnwell, August 21. AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS. EXTRACTS AND COMMENTS. By J). M. Macdonald, Banff. Inversion. — A writer in the Bee-keeper records that having to visit an out-apiary, he found hives with queen-cells in all stages, and, to save a break up, he turned the hives rieht over. On his next visit he found all cells destroyed, but a new lot on the way. Once more he inverted the hives, replacing all supers. After a third trial, there were no more thoughts of swarming, and the hives went into winter quarters " loaded with bees and honey, and came out in the spring almost as strong." He contends that any kind of hive can be inverted. This is an old ac- quaintance tried and found wanting, but if it could be made to work it might be a great boon and a saving of labour at an out-apiary. The FoUy of " Tfvrikervrtiq" — My greatest mistakes with bees were the result of "tin- kering." " There is," says the same paper, " a vast amount of difference between prac- tice and men tinkering. It is all right and necessary for one to open the hives and work with the bees to gain a practical know- ledge of their instincts ; but, upon the other hand, one may be ever tinkering yet never learning the habits of bees. Avoid the folly of tinkering if you would suc- ceed." In other words, Ticver open a hive without some specific and definite object, and once opening it, attain that object before closing up again. A Honey-cure. — Mr. Louis Scheie, in Gleanings, recommends honey as a cure for sleeplessness.. " Many times when it was impossible for trie to "<, to sleep, 1 would yet, up after tossing about, for several hours and take a spoonful of honey, and the 'medicine' was effective. To persons troubled with sleeplessness, I would re- commend a light supper of bread, honey, and milk." .\huv,t Queens. 1. A young queen that has just commenced to lay stands a jour- ney much better and generally proves to be of more value as an egg-layer after the journey, while a tested queen. often turns out very poorly. The reason is a tested queen ought to be forwarded in a full colony or a nucleus at least. Young queens of this year's rearing, mailed as soon as they commence laying, turn out all right. 2. The plan of shaking bees into a venti- lated box, and leaving them until they begin to " beg " for a queen, then, giving them one in a cap from which they can liberate her by eating out the candy, is practically an infallible method, and may be tried with safety with a queen worth 100 dols. 3. I never attempt, to intro- duce a queen with her escort of bees. I open the cage before a window, let out the occupants, catch the queen, and put her into a wice-cloth cylindrical cage, and con- sing the -mailing cage to the flames. 4 queen alone does not communicate foul brood. 4. If I should find much difficulty in introducing queens to full colonies, I would start a two-frame nucleus from the colony, first introduce the queen there, and then unite the full colony. A weak nucleus of young bees will accept a queen, and a laying-queen surrounded by her own bees is almost certain to be accepted. — Culled from July lieview. Finding Queens.— Two writers in a late issue of American Bee Journal give direc- tions for finding queens in almost identical terms. There is nothing very new in either, but for beginners they may prove useful. I choose that of Miss Wilson as the most concise, and, as she sometimes spots up to 100 queens in a day, she should know of what she writes: — "First give your bees just as little smoke as possible to keep them quiet. In opening your hive do it as quietly as vou can, avoiding any sudden jar — anything that will alarm the bees and set them running. Remove the first frame and glance at each side of it for the queen. She is not likely to be on the first frame, although you will find her sometimes there. Set this frame down. Lift out the next frame and examine it, first looking over the further side, as the queen naturally inclines to get away from the light. Continue this with all the frames, moving them towards you as you return them. If you miss her the first, time, repeat the process. If you have been so unfortunate as to start the bhott$ to § 0mc, A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which covers cost of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. August 26. at Barnton. — Honey Show, in con- nection with the Barnton Floral and Horticultural Society. Two classes open to the county and all mem- bers of the O.B.K.A. Entries closed- August 29, at Cartmel. Lancashire- Honey Show, in connection with the Thirty-third Annual Show of the Cartmel Agricultural Society. Entries closed- August 30, at Reading. — Honey Show of the Berts B.K.A, at Forbury Gardens. Schedules on application to D. W. Bishop Ackerman, Hon. Sec., 161, King's Road, Reading. Entries close August 26. August 30, at Chester.— Annual Show of the Cheshire Agricultural Society. Honey Department under management of C.B.K.A. Entries closed- August 30 and 31, at Osmaston Park. Derby-— Derbyshire B.K.A Annual Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances. Fifteen classes (four open). For entry forms apply R. Ooltman, 49, Station Street, Burton-nn-Trent. Entries finally close August 26- August 31. at the Montgomery and Dis- trict Horticultural Society.— Two classes for honey open to residents in Wales, and to oountiea of Shropshire, Herefordshire, or Cheshire, for six 1-lb. Jars extracted honey, and for six 1-lb. sections ; prizes 10a., 6s., 2s. 6d. Entrance fee Is. Schedules of Mr. W. J. Jones, Secretary, Montgomery. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. Entries closed- September 2. at Bramhall, in the grounds of Bramhall Hall.— Bramhall and Woodford 16th Annual Show. Three open classes for honey and wax ; four to district; C.B.K.A. medal offeied. Prizes 15s., 10s., 7s. 6d., 5s., 3s., 2s. Schedules from John Sibson, Hon. Sec., Hawthorn Grove, Bramhall, Stockport. September 2 to 9'. at the Agricultural Hall, London— Honey Show in connection with the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual Exhibition and Market. Open to all British Beekeepers. Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices. Palmereton House, Old Broad Street, London, E.G. September 9. at Dumfries- — Thirteenth Annual Honey Show of South of Scotland Beekeepers Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, including three 1-lb. jars and three 1-lb. sections; class for single 1-lb. Jar and single 1-lb. section ; also one bottle end one section, with free entry. Liberal money prizes in all classes. Also gold and silver medals and two silver cups, along wit'n each class. Schedules from H. M. Turner, 4, Turl Street, Oxford. September 13. 14, and 15. in Waverley Market, Edinburgh, along with Great Inter- national Flower Show. Four open classes for Sixes, Sections, and Bottles of Flower and Heather respec- tively, with prizes of 15s., 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d., for an entry fee of 2s. each class. Schedules now ready from W Weir, Secretary, Heriot, Midlothian. September 14, at Castle Douglas— Dairy Show, under the auspices of the Soiith of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including three 1-lb jars, three sections, and class for 6ingle 1-lb. jar and single section, with free entry. Gold medals and liberal prize money offered. Eight classes, for members only, including classes for six heather sections, six 1-lb. jars, and supers any weight Schedules from Q. Aird, Secretary, Hardgate School- house, Dalbeattie, N.B. Entries close Septem- ber 2- September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace- — Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees. Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Increased prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretarv, Marden House, Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1. September 16 to 23. at the Agricultural Hall, London. — Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Marset of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3. £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keeuers- Schedules from H. S. Rogers. Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.O. September 27, at Altrincham.— Annual Show of the Altrincham Agricultural Society. Good Monev Prizes for Honev, along with Silver and Bronze Medals of the <~"heshire B7K.'A.r"?tnd others. Open Class for Frame-Hive (unpainted). Schedules from J. Herbert Hall. 2, Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close September 9- October 3 to 5, at the Agricultural Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. [Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B.B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. O. Young. Secretary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries close September 5- Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We w'sh our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. * We are asked to publish the following letter : — Referring to the request of "L. C. B., Teddington," with regard to visiting apiaries, in B.B.J, of August 10 (page 320), I may say that I have ten stocks of bees, and would give him 340 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 24, 1905. any further information he may require in conection with bee-keeping. I should be able to manipulate the bees at any time, and thus instruct him in managing them should he decide to make a start. — H. Spencer, Saddler, 6, Broad Street, Teddington. A Bee-keeper (Maybole) and D. Robinson. — Cleansing Beeswax. — 1. The several methods of rendering and cleansing wax are (1) the " Solar Extractor," (2) Pro- fessor Gerster's method, and (3) the simple plan of immersing a bag contain- ing the combs in boiling water. The first two plans are illustrated and fully described in the " Guide Book." 2. The main impurities to be got rid of are old pollen, and the cocoon (or skins) of larvfe left in brood-cells. A little nitric acid added to the water in which the combs are melted will cause the impurities to settle more readily. To produce the bright yellow colour, some use a little annato in the water wherein the wax is melted. Puzzled (Yorks). — Bees Refusing Founda- tion.— 1. There must be some fault in the foundation used, or bees would never build combs between the sheets and leave the foundation untouched. 2. It is quite usual for bees to lengthen out cells of comb next the top-bar, as these cells are seldom used for brood-rearing. 3. There is no disease in comb. 4. If the colony is growing weaker it is certain that the stock needs a new queen, and should have one at once. L. C. P. (Norwich). — Varieties of Heather. ■ — No. 1 is Erica cereana (or bell heather). No. 2, Call una vulgaris, (or common ling). The last-named is by far the best for honey. R. T. (Belfast).— Bee-flowers.— Plant re- ceived is Scabiosa succissa (Devil's Bit). It is not regarded as a bee-flower of any note or value. Mel Ros.e (Yarmouth). — Bee-forage Plants. — No. 1, Lotus comiculaiis (bird's- foot trefoil) yields a fair amount of honey and pollen. No. 2, Genista tinc- toiia (greenweed) is not included among bee-forage plants. W. E. C. (Bromley). — Sugar for Bee-food. — I. Pure cane sugar can always be had through B.B.J, office. 2. Refined white crystals is the right kind to use. 3. Any beginner can recognise pollen in cells if once it is pointed out to him by a bee- keeper. 4. It is quite common for bees to cover pollen in cells with a layer of honey, which latter preserves the pollen for use and keeps it soft. W. G. (Bristol).— Cam iol an Bees.— The most extensive apiary for breeding Car- niolan queens is that of M. Michael Ambrosic, Moistrana, Krain, Austria. Money Samples. T. W.' C. (Colchester).— Sample No. 2 is best for the show-bench. It is. of good flavour and colour. No. 1 is fairly good, but inferior to No. 2. Bee-keeper (Maybole, N.B.). — Both samples are very good honey indeed. Of the two we prefer that marked " A," but either is well suited for showing. Honey (Derby). — Sample " A " is good in colour and flavour, but too thin to stand any chanee in a good show. " B " is much better in quality, and quite fit for show- ing. R. L. (Somerset). — However lucky your honey may have been when shown in sec- tions, it is too thin to stand any chance in liquid form. H. M. (Dumfries). — Both samples are very- good indeed. We rather think your Scotch judges would prefer No. 1 on ac- count of its greater density ; but No. 2 is brighter, and free from the minute air-bubbles so plentiful in No. 1. Meirionwr (Dolgelly). — Your honey is good in flavour and colour. It is from mixed sources, which cause the deep golden colour of sample. W. J. C. (Newport, Mon.). — Sample is very good on all points. Suspected Combs. J. H. L. (Halifax). — There are signs of incipient foul brood in comb No. 1, but the bulk of dead brood has died from chill. The comb might be ten or fifteen years old, so black is it. No. 2 has no trace of brood in it at all, and only cells on one side, the reverse showing mid- rib only. This also is old and black. Ape (Essex). — There is foul brood in hive from which this was taken. If the colony is strong in bees the latter might be shaken off the combs and treated in the usual way recommended in the " Guide Book." You should never send a full standai'd-frame of comb for diagnosing ; a small piece is ample for our purpose. A. H. N. (Uppingham). — A bad case of foul brood. Apis (Ayrshire). — No disease in comb sent. We congratulate you on your good " honey-take " this year. " Over 1,000 lb. from twelve hives " should satisfy any bee-keeper. Cymro (Llangollein). — You have made a bad bargain in buying the beeless hive, seeing that the comb sent is badly affected with foul brood, so bad that all frames, combs, and quilts should be burnt. If the hive is worth disinfecting it should be done thoroughly before using again. *** Some Queries and lit plies, &e.,are un- avoidably held over till next week. Aug. 31, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 341 (fitfttorial, Utotictjs, &c SHROPSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL SHOW AT SHREWSBURY. The annual show of this Association took place on August 23 and 24, in the Quarry at Shrewsbury, in connection with the Horticultural Society's magnificent nieetinsr, which has become celebrated all over the kingdom. The Rev. T. J. Evans (Rock Ferry), Mr. R. Cock (Stafford), and Mr. J. Thomas (Hereford) officiated as judges, and they reported that the dis- play was one of the best they had ever saen. The total weight of honey staged was 2,337 lb. The gift classes for single 1-lb. jar and for 1-lb. sections secured 39 entries. The full list of awards made is as follows : — OPEN CLASSES. Twenty-four 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, James J. Clay, Wellington ; 2nd, S. Cartwright, Shawbury. Twelve 1-lb Sections. — 1st, James Clay ; 2nd, A. W. Weatherhogg, Willoughton ; 3rd, Miss Radcliffe. Barthomley, Crewe. Twelve 1-lb. Sections (other than 4i by 4^). — 1st, James Clay ; 2nd, A. Hamer, Llandilo. Twenty-four 1-lb. Jars ExtrHed Honey. — 1st, J. Boyes, Cardiff : 2nd, S. Cart- wright, Shawbury ; 3rd, T. S. Jones, Welshpool. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, R. Morgan, Cowbrid^e ; 2nd, J. Berry, Llanrwst; 3rd, W. F. Fake, Great Mas- singham. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured Honey. —1st, W. E. Hyde, Ledbury ; 2, J. Helm, Norton Canon, Hereford ; 3rd, James Clay. Single lib. Jar Extracted Honcij.-. — 1st, W. F. Fake 2nd, A. W. Weatherho^e ; 3rd, J. Leech, Harmer Hill. Single 1-lb. Section. — 1st, James Clay ; 2nd, P. Jones, Church Stretton ; 3rd, S. Cartwright. members' classes. Twenty-four 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, James Clay; 2nd,. P. Jones. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, James Clay ; 2nd, P. Jones. Twenty-four 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey.— 1st, S. Cartwritrht ; 2nd, James Clay ; 3rd, Mrs. W. Powell, Longley. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, E. Brookfield, Myddle ; 2nd, James Clay; 3rd, S. Cartwright. Twenty-four 1-lb. Jars Dark Extracted Honey. — 1st, P. Scott, Broseley ; 2nd, P. Jones. ARTISAN MEMBERS ONLY. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, L. Powell, Longley. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, J. Mills, Shavington ; 2nd, J. Churton, Wollerton. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, J. Mills ; 2nd, J. Churton. COTTAGER MEMBERS ONLY. Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Jasper Jones, Church Stretton ; 2nd, J. Bright, Car- dington ; 3rd, D. Croxton, Hope Bowdler. Single 1-lb. Section. — 1st, Jasper Jones ; 2nd, J. Bright; 3rd, D. Croxton. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, J. Stanton, Basford ; 2nd, J. Jones, Shrewsbury ; 3rd, G. Lloyd, Overley. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. ■ — 1st, R. Jones, Bomere Heath ; 2nd, J. Stan- ton ; 3rd, J. Jones. One 1-lb. Jar Honey. — 1st, J. Stanton: 2nd, T. Croxton ; 3rd, Mrs. Davies, Ness- cliffe. OPEN CLASSES. Honey Trophy. — 1st, W. H. Brown, Shrewsbury ; 2nd, A. Hamer ; 3rd, P. Scott ; 4th, J. Bradley, Yockleton, Complete Frame-hire. — 1st, W. P. Meadows, Syston, Leicester ; 2nd, Little and Cooper, Shrewsbury. Collection of Bee-appliances. — 1st, W. P. Meadows ; 2, Little and Cooper. Two 1-lb. Beeswax. — 1st, Miss H. Rat- cliffe ; 2nd, R. Morgan. 1-lb. Beeswax {Salop only). — 1st, T. Harts- horn, Broseley ; 2nd, Mrs. Powell. LANCASHIRE B.K.A. SHOW AT CHORLEY. Held on Saturday, the 19th inst, ;n connection with the show of the Agricul- tural Society. There was a very fine dis- play of honey, the competition being very keen and the winners running each other very closely. Mr. F. H. Taylor, County Bank, Chorley, judged the honey and made the following awards : — Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. ■ — ■ 1st, T. S. Holdsworth, Kirton Lindsey ; 2nd, R. Rymer, Hesketh Bank; 3rd, Chas. H. Booock, Newmarket; r. , James Higham, Rainhill ; v.h.c. , John Wilson, Rainhill ; h.c. , W. Lowe, Rainhill ; Cook and Altey, Tarleton ; and G. Dawson, Ormskirk ; c., H. Finney, St. Helens. Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, J. Jones, Weg- ber Quarry, Carnforth ; 2nd, T. Ormesher, Ormskirk ; 3rd, not awarded. SPECIAL PRIZES. Given by Mr. Frederick H. Taylor, Hon. Treas., Lanes B.K.A., for best exhibits from the county : — Silver Medal. — Robert Rymer. Bronze Medal.- — J. Jones. Owing to the heavy gales the bee-tent could not be erected, but a lecture, without demonstration, was given in the honey- tent by Dr. Jones, of Freckleton, First- class Expert B. B.K.A. — (Communicated.) 342 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 31, 1905. BISHOP'S STORTFORD B.K.A. ANNUAL SHOW. This show, held at Bishop's Stortford on August 16 in connection with Horti- cultural Society's Exhibition, was favoured with an exceptionally fine day. and there was a record attendance of 10,000 visitors. The honey department — arranged by the Bishop's Stortford Bee-keepers' Associa- tion— was the best ever shown, and there was a large increase of members' exhibits. The honey was judged by Mr. W. Debnam, of Chelmsford, whose awards were as follows : — OPEN CLASSES. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, W. Woodley, Newbury ; 2nd, W. J. Kitson, Stanstead ; 3rd, J. Short, Chesterton. Six. 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, W. Woodley ; 2nd, E. E. Brown, Somersham ; 3rd, W. J. Kitson. Six 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st, R. Brown, Somersham ; 2nd, J. Short ; 3rd, W. Woodley. Beeswax. — 1st, W. J. Kitson ; 2nd, R. Brown ; 3rd, Miss M. Wilson, Gt, Can- field. Honey Trophy. — 1st, J. W. Kitson. MEMBERS' CLASSES. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Miss Yates, Little Henham ; 2nd, D. Heath, Threm- hall Priory; 3rd, C. J. Dodd. Six 1-lb. Sections — 1st. Miss Yates ; 2nd, L. Debnam, Aldbury ; 3rd, C. J. Dodd. Three Shallow Frames of Comb Honey. — ■ 1st, D. Heath. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. ■ — 1st, D. Heath; 2nd, E. Barrett; 3rd, Miss Yates. Beeswax. — 1st, Miss Yates ; 2nd, G. C. Burgess ; 3rd, L. Debnam. Honey Trophy. — 1st, Miss Yates. During the afternoon lectures were given in the bee-tent to good audiences by Mr. W. Herrod. Expert of the B. B.K.A. and Lecturer to the Herts County Council. — (Rev.) Herbert J. Newman, Hon. Sec. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for vublication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate vieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *»* In order to facilitate reference, Corrtspondents, when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page, on which it appears AMONG THE BEES. DEALING WITH FOUL-BROODY STOCKS. [5992.] In a very bad easel have already advised total destruction as the best, cheapest, and most reliable means of get- ting rid of the disease, and, if it is dis^ covered in any stock or stocks lately introduced, this drastic method should be followed — irrespective of value of the colony — to preserve the whole apiary from contamination. If of no milder type, and the bees are numerous, the McEvoy plan can be fol- lowed with success. — that is, the British form of the device, which includes not only the giving of new combs to build, and a clean sterilised hive, but also the consump- tion) of all stores in the honey-sacs, and a period of starvation to ensure that all germs have been destroyed. In all these processes the brood is sacrificed, and many object to eo to this extreme at a period of the year when brood is abundant, es- pecially if the case is not a very pronounced one, and the honey-flow on. In such an event it may be well to adopt one or other of the following methods, whereby brood is preserved and the cure applied at the same time. All of these require a second hive, wherein to introduce the bees and queen, and secure new combs for the healthy colony. 1st. — Assuming that the bees are numer- ous, brood abundant, but the disease mani- festly present, place a new hive on the old stand in the morning of a fine day when forage is plentiful. Shift the old hive to a new .sttand some distance away, first catching and caging the queen, placing her on a clean frame in the new hive. By evening all the flying bees will have joined the queen on the old home-stand, and, find- ing an empty house, will at once proceed to furnish it. In twenty-four hours the queen may be liberated, and the workers will do their very best to fill every comb with honey and eggs. The old hive can be gradually brought alongside, shifting it only a few feet each day, so that the bees may mark their location. In about ten days or a fortnight shift it back to a distance, when all the flying bees will join their sisters, thusi considerably strengthening them. The gradual bringing it back into line can again be repeated, when it may be bodily carried away and all the bees allowed to join their fellows. Combs now quite empty of bees and brood, and with very little honey, can then be disposed of in such a way as to avoid further evil. 2nd. — The process is somewhat similar to the foregoing, but instead of shifting the hive to a distance, it is simply nlaced along- side, and turned at right angles to< the new one. From the old, or foul-broody, hive the bees are allowed to fly only through a "Porter" bee-escape, when on coming home from the fields they make for the old entrance, and, of course, enter the new clean hive. If a fresh comb containing brood and eggs from another hive is given Aug. 31, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 343 the bees will accept the new home without demur, but the queen can be caged on this new comb, thus making assurance doubly sure. Now, in a few days, other than adult bees fly from the old hive, so it can be placed close to the new one with entrances facing the same way. These later-hatched bees have no means of exit but by the bee- escape, and no means of entrance but into the new hive, which in about a month will secure all the bees of the diseased colony. No time is lost with this plan, there is no loss of brood, and no danger of carrying infection, while the house interior is all new built from nectar fresh from the fields, and, therefore, free from all germs of dis- ease. Perhaps, if there should be any doubt of the purity of the queen, it may be best to dispose of the old lady and give the bees a fresh young one. This always aids in working a cure by importing fresh energy. 3rd. — The newest device is mainly on the same lines as the Other two, but in one or two points it may be considered an improve- ment. The old hive is here placed above the old one, with a wooden tray between, which effectually divides the two hives, so that there is no bee-way from the one to the other. In front of this tray a hole is cut for an exit, and a channel or tube is placed against it, forcing the bees, as the only means of egress, to walk down its whole length and come out on the new flight-board through a hole in the passage opening inwards. This bee, on coming home from the fields with its load, walks in at the new entrance into the new hive, so becoming one more unit to swell the numbers of the new colony, which, in about five weeks, has absorbed all the increase in the upper hive without any trouble of watching or shifting hives on the part of tjie keeper until no brood and no> bees remain. In all of the three plans given, there should be no shaking of bees, no smoking, or gorging of bees with foul honey, and no direct communication between hive and hive. The last idea is to convey no germ of the disease to the new home. Bees leaving home to forage have their honey- sacs empty ; what they carry home con- tains no seeds of disease, therefore their renovated home is completely furnished with new works containing neither germs nor spores. Early this season I shifted two tainted hives for a friend, getting their united flying bees to amalgamate in a new hive. They made a nice strong lot, showing no signs of the disease in the new combs, and are likely to yield considerable surplus. After the second shift back, they were left quite clear of brood and bees, when the combs, quilts, and frames were burned.— D. M. M., Banff. BEE-KEEPING AS A BUSINESS. [5993.] Referring to the letter of "D. P. J., Cumberland," in B.B.J, of August 17 (5974, p. 324), may I join with " D. P. J." in saying that I, too, should be exceedingly interested in seeing some- thing from tne pens of your two corre- spondents mentioned in the first para- graph of that communication? I hesitate to ask for a personal letter from either of the gentlemen referred to, as if they start writing to all who would like to hear from them I fear they will soon be wearied. I have recently started to experiment in a small way with the object of discovering in the only satisfactory manner — by prac- tical experience — how bee-keeping, poul- try-keeping, and fruit-growing would work together. As I live only a few miles out of London, there is every probability of being able to sell retail the greater part of my produce, for a time at any rate. I should prefer to keep to the retail trade if possible, but if the business grows, as I am hoping it will, the question of de- livering my goods will be one that will have to receive consideration, seeing that for a few years I must continue to earn my living in my present position, devoting only my spare time to working up the business I have in view. I have yet to find out how many hives I can manage satisfactorily in the time at my disposal, but perhaps your correspondents could give some hint as to the number of colo- nies that could be managed by one man, with perhaps a little help, when giving his whole time to the work? I should also be glad to know their views as to the comparative advantages of selling retail and wholesale, in point of cash returns and time expended. One reason for my proposal to adopt the three-sided business mentioned is, that I think the three things would fit in well one with another ; and a second reason is that if I decide on developing a retail business it will be an advantage to have something or other to sell at all times of the year, so as to keep in constant touch with my customers. Should your correspondents feel inclined to let me know something of the results of their experience of the bee from a busi- ness point of view, either by private letter or through the B.B.J. , I should be very grateful. I may mention, in conclusion, that my experience is so far encouraging, that I am now making arrangements to start next year a small out-apiary at a village further in the county, m the neighbour- hood of some scores of acres of raspberries, etc. I take this opportunity of thanking 344 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 31, 1905. you for the help already experienced from reading your valuable journal. Name, etc., enclosed for refrence.— West Kent, August 21. EXPERIENCE WITH VIRGIN QUEENS. [5994.] Enclosed I send you a yellow queen. I got her from a well-knowni queen-breeder on August 8, and intro- duced her to a prepared stock the dav after she arrived. She was received all right, and an examination on Monday, the 14th inst. , showed her parading the combs in the way any orderly virgin queen would do. Less than a yard away, and facing in same direction, is a strong nucleus which contained a black virgin queen — a fine, big specimen — but on Wednesday, the 16th, on looking into this lot to see if there were signs of mating having been accomplished, I found the bees in a very excited state, and I could find no trace of the queen. The latter fact, however, did not surprise me, as the bees were so ex- cited, and being a very strong lot made finding a probable virgin queen none too easy. Anyway, I felt very certain the queen was gone, so closed up the hive and proceeded to examine the stock containing the yellow queen. The very first frame I lifted had such a fine big black queen. Placing this frame outside the division- board, I took out the next frame, and there, "balled" and dead, I found my yellow queen. Evidently, the black one, when out in the afternoon for mating purposes, had entered the wrong hive, killed the yellow queen, and took up her position at head of the colony. 1 nave never known this to happen before, and many say the appearance of the two hive-fronts is as different as night and day. I also had another experience as follows : — A virgin queen mated a day or two ago, seventeen days old — i.e., seventeen days from the date of her hatching out. She left the hive at 2.53 o'clock, and returned mated at 3.15. Was it likely she was on the wing all the twenty- two minutes? I have generally found ten minutes about the average duration of absence. Glorious weather now. I have two stocks at the heather. I sometimes ask myself when shall we get a perfect hive for taking to the moors? Name sent for reference — J. W., Bramhall, Cheshire. [The yellow queen sent bore none of the usual signs of "balling." It, therefore, seems as if the black one had been victor in a royal duel, the bees taking no part therein. 2. There are heather-going hives now on the market that, to our mind, leave little to be desired with regard to efficiency. — Eds.] BEES IN YORKSHIRE. [5995.] Just a line to let you know how we are getting on here with the bees. It has been a very good time so far. I took a nice lot of surplus honey from my hives during the middle of July. I have never before got any so early, my first " take " usually being removed on August Bank Holiday. I have also now got some hives at the heather, and as they are in good form, if the weather continues favourable, I shall have a record take this year. I seem to be doing better since I increased my number of stocks. You seem to be more sure of a substantial surplus. Wish- ing the Journal every success, I send name and sign — Electro, Sheffield. THE BEST BEE FOR THIS COUNTRY. [5996.] Our friend " D. M. M., Banff," in his article on page 323, has opened the question of the best bee for this country, and I may be allowed to add my quota to the discussion of the subject. To my mind the one vital point to remember in the use of Italian bees is the rapidity with which they become chilled, and the thou- sands that are lost in exposed situations — particularly in the north — at a most important time, viz., spring. Given a warm climate and a sheltered valley, with a big honey-flow, there is no doubt Italians will do well, but not otherwise. He also speaks of Ligurian bees having a strange habit of deposing their queens early in the season. The question arises — Doesi this fault lie altogether with the race of bees, or is it more or less attributable to our methods of queen-raising ? I think myself that the operations now carried out by queen-raisers may result in a partially- chilled larva, or pupa, which may lower the vitality of the resulting queens. I would also point out that no bees are- in- cluded in cell-nurseries to care for the virgins. I am aware that Mr. Cowan in the " Honey Bee " (page 141)— in alluding to virgin queens — says : " Before she files for impregnation, the bees do not even feed her, nor does she take any notice of the workers." This may be accepted as I rue in the general sense, I admit ; but, according to my experience, the workers do bestow a large amount of care on the virgin queen. To mention a case in point: — A queen hatched August 9. On August 11 I was watching this stock and saw ten workers feed the virgin queen. Again, on August 12 two workers fed her. I am caging workers with queen-cells, and have had a young queen hatched out, mailed, and introduced to a stock while a virgin without her being handled at all. In giving my experience as a travelling •expert, I am within bounds in saying that Aug. 31, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOTTRKAL. 345 one-half of oqr imported Italians are short- lived. This is a serious drawback against them. I may here mention another item of in- terest connected with queen-rearing. I have this season reared queens (by a new process) direct from the egg, i.e., the queen-cells in every case were built before the egg hatched, and they have produced strong, vigorous queens. These queens will be tried in various apiaries — their vigour and longevity being noted fur future reference. The proneness of the Italian bee to chill ha,s been lessened by crossing with the black, with the result of bringing on viciousness. I ask : — Why ? In my opinion too many of our apiarists do not understand the true parentage of the drone ; hence, a really good hybrid is not often produced. This should be : — Queen, English ; drone, Italian. But to produce a true hybrid requires breeding five genera- tions of bees. We also want a more scien- tific term to describe the first (male) parentage of the drone. I am strongly in favour of a hybrid that will produce not only hybrid queens and workers, but true hybrid drones, and long observation con- vinces me that a most desirable cross would be: — Queen, English; drone, Carniolan. Seeing that " D. M. M." is located so far north I should like to ask him what method he employs to secure late fertilisa- tion of queens? Here, in England, the "mating days" must be exceptionally good to secure a vigorous flight of drones and arouse virgin queens to activity. It would appear that American queen-raisers are more highly favoured than us by cli- matic conditions, and thus secure success- ful fertilisation far more readily than we can here. Travelling as I do from apiary to apiary and examining various races of bees, I find no difference between them in the power of resisting foul brood, though stocks in- clined to rob are most likely to carry home the disease. At some future date I trust. — with the Editors' permission — to return to the ques- tion of queen-raising, hybridising, and drone-parentage — J. Gray, Travelling Expert and C.C. Lecturer, Long Eaten, August 24. BEE INSURANCE. DATE FOR TAKING OUT POLICIES. [5997.] Now that we are invited (on page 332) to renew our insurance policies, will you allow me to raise the question of the suitability of the time, which I have long been waiting for some one else to do? In my judgment and experience the month of May is the proper and suitable time for a policy to be dated. Bee-keepers can then, and only then, determine where their stocks are likely to be located for the sea- son, through removal, or by being placed out upon, or near to, bee-forage, which can only be discovered in the spring. I in- sured seventy-seven hives last year, most of which went from home in the spring, and I have to pay for sixteen black chickens which my bees were supposed to have killed, and which were placed in a locality that I had not the slightest idea the pre- vious August would be available. — T. W. S., Haconby, Bourne, August 26. MATING QUEENS IN BABY NUCLEI. [5998.] I think it may interest you to hear that I have succeeded in mating several queens this season in " baby nuclei," a la Swarthmore. — F. W. M., Worthing, August 2 DUPLICATE SHOWING. A USEFUL RULE FOR SCHEDULES. [5999.] Some time ago a correspondence took place through your columns as to the above, and the unfairness that it could be responsible for in some cases, but, so far, I have not seen any announcement in the B.B.J, that a remedy has been suggested. I enclose a copy of the regulations of the Shropshire B.K.A., who have taken this matter up, and at their annual show held at Shrewsbury last week, and also last year — when the new rule was adopted — it has had a most beneficial effect, and will, no doubt, work to the advantage of the show, and also give satisfaction to the bulk of the exhibitors. The rule referred to is No. 8, one portion of which reads thus : — " and only one entry in each class may be made by two or more members of the same family, partners, or exhibitors working their apiaries jointly." I send name, etc., for reference, and sign — Wrekijc, Salop, August 27. BEES AS HONEY CARRIERS. [6000.] I send particulars of the follow- ing incident, thinking it may possess in- terest to some B.B.J, readers by showing how long it takes a bee to deposit its load in the hive : — A bee came into the house through a window about 100ft. from my hives, and having honey in the room, I gave some to the bee. After filling its honey-sac, it flew away to the hive, and in a short time returned for another load. This happened twice before the thought of taking any note of the time occupied occurred to me ; but I then timed the bee for eight journeys. The average time for each trip to the hive, discharging its cargo, and getting back was 8^ minutes. The 346 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 31, 1905. time occupied in " loading up ' ' with honey- in the room was slightly longer, being 8| minutes. The amount of honey carried off in the eight journeys was about one- quarter of a teaspoonful. — S. H. EL, West Derby, August 25. (ftoeras and Implies. [3874.] Bees Destroying Queen-cells. — One of my best hives, from which I have taken 60 lb. of extracted honey, has lately proved rather disappointing, and I shall be obliged if you can tell me in what way it has been mismanaged. The queen, a common brown one of last year, started laying earlier than those in my other hives ; a fact which I at- tribute to her having wintered with an extra large colony, her own progeny being united to another stock last autumn. In May I took from this hive about six frames of brood, when making an artificial swarm from it and another one. In spite of this, I thought it advisable early in June to give a second brood-chamber as the hive was so very full of bees. This was after a good deal of honey had been gathered in a shal- low-frame super, which the queen was also laying in. I put the second brood-chamber below the other, and this evidently delayed swarming, but the queen never used it for breeding, and though it was my most popu- lous colony, no swarm issued from it until July 7, nearly a month after my other hives had swarmed. This swarm (a small one) was duly hived and is now all right. By this time the hive had nearly filled one super and got well started with a second. The former I removed next day (July 8), and after shaking the bees off the frames I saw two sealed queen-cells on one of them. Then, after this things began to go wrong. I had read that queen-cells should not be shaken, but the mischief, if any, was done, and I decided to give the cells a chance of hatching, so cut them out and re- placed them in the hive between the frames in brood-chamber. Two days later, on ex- amining the latter, I found that the bees had torn open the sides of not only these two cells but four or five others. Although I feared that every young queen had been destroyed, it seemed so unlikely that queen- less bees would not preserve a single cell that I decided to wait and see what hap- pened before giving a fertile queen. How- ever, as no eggs had been laid up to July 25, I united the colony to a nucleus in which was a young prolific queen ; but she, I think, must have been "balled," or in some other way injured, as she has not since deposited any eggs. When uniting the above lots, I placed the nucleus above the other for a night, separating them with brown paper pierced with small holes for ventilation. I intended to leave "them for twenty-four hours, but on examining next morning I found some bees had somehow made their way up from below ; but as there was no sign of fighting, I concluded that the danger was passed and at once united by alternating the frames after dust- ing both lots with flour. Before putting the nucleus above the other brood-chamber I had removed the super from the latter, and fear that by doing so I left them short of stores, but on noticing this two days later I at once began to feed with syrup. Can you, from what I have said, tell me : — 1. If I did anything to cause the bees to destroy their queen-cells in the first in- stance ? 2. Supposing that the young queen was not " balled " on being introduced to the queenless stock, would the fact of their food supply being short for two days cause her to cease from laying? 3. As she has not laid for ten days, is there any possi- bility of her beginning to lay again? She is still in the hive, and as she began ex- ceedngly well in the nucleus hive, I am loath to destroy her if of any use. Apolo- gising for length of my queries, and thank- ing you for past advice. — E. L., Perthshire, August 3. Reply. — 1. The most natural inference we can draw from details given is that one queen would be allowed to hatch out, and that she has been lost on her mating-trip, thus rendering the stock queenless. Your frequent manipulations may have upset the bees, and disarranged their ordi- nary procedure, thus causing destruction of young queens that would otherwise have been allowed to hatch out. 2. As the sup- posed shortage of stores was so soon noticed and bees fed without delay, this alone would not have caused the queen of nucleus- hive to cease laying. 3. If feeding is con- tinued it is more than probable that breed- ing will recommence before the autumn closes. [3875.] Removing Honey from Non- swarming Hives. — Your advice on the fol- lowing would be greatly appreciated. I started bee-keeping last spring with one stock of bees and non-swarming hive de- picted in "Guide Book." I chose this hive on account of the non-swarming arrangement, but, as a beginner, I have found it rather complicated, particularly so when I went to remove the surplus honey from it yesterday. Indeed, it is here where I am in difficulties. ' It now contains two* racks of shallow-frames filled and ready for removal, but I had to use an improvised lever to lift the top- rack to put on a super-clearer. After doing this, I found the two supers were fastened together by braoe-combs, and, in separating them, most of the frames in the bottom Aug. 31, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 347 super were lifted out of position. I also fear the frames in the brood-chamber have been disturbed. The hive, I may say, has single side-walls, and the plinth is one inch deeper than the super, so you will readily see that with the frames in the bottom super lifted up one inch, any at- tempt to employ the " screwing motion " to sever brace-combs (as advised in the " Guide Book ") would result in the frames and combs being broken. I wish to avoid this in order to keep the combs for future use. 1. There seems no alternative but to remove the frames singly, and I ask : — If these were put into an empty hive (" W.B.C." pattern) over clearer would the bees leave them and return home ? If this course is not likely to1 be successful what do you advise ? 2. Is there any way of preventing brace-combs? I have seen it stated that a quarter-inch bee-way below frames instead of half-inch is a pre- ventive. This seems simple enough, if correct. What say you ? 3. I notice in last week's B.B.J, you tell a corre- spondent that Demerara sugar is not suit- able for making syrup, etc. I laid in a stock of this for wintering, and it was sold to me as pure cane sugar. There is some- thins: wrong here. — Neophyte, Beds. Reply. — 1. You might, fill the empty shallow-frame box of a " W.B.C." hive with the removed frames and set it over the non-swarmer, with a super-clearer be- tween, and let the bees pass down below. 2. Yes, the statement you mention as having seen is quite correct ; but a half- inch space between supers and brood- chambers will usually cause brace-combs. 3. The only thing wrong is your being supplied with moist, unrefined sugar, which — even if pure cane — is unsuitable for bee-food. Only " refined cane sugar " (in crystals or lump) should be used for this purpose. We cannot undertake post- replies to queries. [3876.] Clearing Bees from, Supers in Single-walled Hives. — I should be much obliged if you or any reader would kindly advise me how to clear supers of bees in single-walled hives. I note advice how to do it by means of the " Porter " bee escape clearer in double-walled hives, but I have been humbugged a great deal this season with one of these in using with my single-walled hives. There appears to be nothing wrong with the escape as far as I can see (that is, no blocking up of the spring), but, anyway, the bees do not clear out, and I have burnt the thing as useless. — Henry Rottswell, Dorset, August 16. Reply. — We have never known any special difference between single and double walled hives so far as regards the use of " super clearers." The actual " bee- escape " itself is only one part of the ap- pliance, and if the board — in which the " Porter " is fitted — be made of proper size, it should work the same on both types of hive. Had the " clearer " been sent for our inspection, along with dimen- sions of the hive above top-bars, we rather think there would have been no need for your burning it. [3877.] Bees Carrying Down Contents of Sections. — I should much like your advice on the following matter : — On July 25 I opened one of my hives, which was ex- pected to be full of honey, as it had not been disturbed since two racks of sections were put on early in June last. I found the lower rack with eighteen sections filled and sealed up with first-class honey. Be- fore removing the latter I got the assist- ance of one of my men who knows a little about bees, and we again opened the hive and took off the top rack, which had not been touched at all by the bees, and then removed the bottom rack of honey, and set the empty rack in its place next to tops of frames. The full one was then placed on top of that with a "super- clearer " between. This done, I found, to my annoyance, that I could not replace the " lift," owing to the " clearer " being a bit too large. I therefore only replaced the hive-roof, but forgot, in my hurry, to put the quilts, etc., on top of the section racks before I left it. Owing to a rush of work since then (having commenced harvest), I was unable to get a chance of taking the honey till July 31, when, on opening the hive, I found, to my great disappointment, that the bees had broken the cappings of every cell in the sections and completely emptied them of honey, not a drain left in any one section. I therefore ask : — 1. What ought I to have done in the first instance to prevent this? The hive is one of four stocks that I purchased in the early spring from a bee-keeping friend of mine. 2. Is it too late to drive bees out of a skep and hive up? If not too late, tell me what to do in that case. I enclose name- and sign myself — Disappointed, Essex. Reply. — 1. The proper course would have been to take away the unused sections and set the super-clearer direct on top- bars of brood -chamber, until such time as the bees had left the sections and gone below. As it was, we cannot quite make out how a super-clearer — too large to allow the " lift " to pass over it — could work pro- perly when set on top of a small rack hold- ing only eighteen sections. It seems to as as if there could be no passage-way between the two racks of sections, seeing that the strip of wood round the edge of clearer on the underside would lie beyond the section tops. Can you clear up this point? Are 348 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 31, 1905. you sure the bees did not get at the filled sections from the outside? 2. Your second query is rather too vague for us to frame a safe reply. If by "hive up" you mean build up into a stock in a frame-hive, the present time is the most suitable for operating. [3878.] Suspected Bobbing.— A few days ago I was asked to look at some bees, the owner of which thought they were being robbed. On my arrival I found no robbing going on, but there was about a quart of bees dead and dying on the ground. Some bees were crawling down the alighting- board, and falling over, crawled slowly about the ground, and then seemed quite helpless, and remained so until they died. Other bees (some still just alive, some dead) were being dragged out of the hive by the active bees and dropped over on the ground amongst the dead and dying ones. Inside, the hive is crowded with bees on eight frames, seven of which are almost filled with brood. On lifting the frames out, some bees fell from the combs to the ground in the same helpless condition as the first mentioned. The stock is an Italian one, headed by a young and prolific queen, imported direct from Italy in June last. The owner says that the bees have been in this condition for two or three weeks. 1. Is this a case of bee-paralysis, described in B.J. several times lately, or what is it? 2. I enclose a sample of the dead bees ; you will notice that some are quite differently marked from others, having a band of yellow, the rest of the abdomen being black, the others having several bands of yellow. Why is there all this difference? I have given the bees plenty of ventilation, and those bees which are able are hard at work on the heather. Name, etc., sent for refer- ence— Westbank, Hants, August 15. Reply.- — 1. Judging by the five worker bees sent, it is not a case of bee-paralysis at all. Three of the five bees are quite black and shiny, all pubescence — or hairi- ness— being gone from the abdomen, just as when robber bees have been roughly mauled by their victims. It is possible that the bees have been fighting among themselves, as they do on rare occasions. 2. The two dead bees in normal condition are what we should call leather-coloured Italians ; the rest are unrecognisable, for the reasons stated. [3879.] Stocks Found Queenless After Swarming. — I have a hive that swarmed on July 9, and a second swarm followed nine days later. I returned the latter on same evening. I did not look for the queen, but the bees ran in splendidly, and seemed to be doing well for a few days afterwards. I examined the hive on August 22, and, to my amazement, found the supers deserted. I then examined the brood-chamber and find there is no brood, and about one-half of the bees are drones. 1. Kindly say whether I should have de- stroyed the queen-cells — if any — when re- turning the second swarm? 2. Do you think the swarm came out again after being returned and flew off unseen ? 3. Being with- out brood six weeks after swarming do you think the hive is now queenless ? 4. Will last year's honey, which has fermented, do for feeding bees with now ? I will be much obliged if you will advise me on these points. I enclose my name and sign — Ardpoxadh, Argyllshire, August 23. Reply. — 1. Yes. 2. It is more than probable that this has happened. 3. It is certain that the hive is now queenless. 4. If thinned down with hot water and boiled for a few minutes, then skimming off the surface-froth, it may do for bee- food, but it will be more safe if used only for spring-feeding. [3880.] A ir Bubbles in Honey. — Would you kindly answer the following in next issue of B.B.J. ? In drawing off honey from the " ripener," that filling the last few jars shows always, in my case, a lot of minute air bubbles. By allowing the jars to remain without caps for a few days, some of these bubbles disappear, and the remainder are skimmed off. But there are a quantity which lodge under the neck of the jar and cannot be removed. Will it affect the honey in any way if the jar is screwed down with these remaining in? 2. I have removed all my supers, and some of these are only partially filled with honey — sealed and unsealed. Is it ad- visable to extract this honey in the ordi- nary way without risk of its fermenting, or would you advise the sections being kept and given to the bees in the spring when supering the hives again ? This is my best season with bees since I started in 1902 with seven stocks — rather too many, no doubt, for a beginner — but I have 15 hives now, and one has yielded over 1001b. of sur- plus honey this season, which is my " record take." I am having great trouble with robbing. One hive has been cleared right out, not a bee remaining. I am trying, by the aid of a carbolic cloth over the en- trance, to arrest the destruction of another colony. Your reply to the above queries will be greatly esteemed. — SiratouTii, Devon, August 26. Reply. — 1. The only ill-effect will be the objectionable frothy substance requir- ing removal before use. The remedy is to skim it off before screwing the caps on jars. 2. The risk of fermentation cannot be got rid of otherwise than by warming the honey till the superfluousi moisture evaporates. Fermented honey is suitable Aug. 31, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 349 for bees as food, and unsealed honey left in sections will granulate in winter. Tt should, therefore, be given to the bees now — if at all — and let them seal it over in the brood-chamber. [3881.] Honey from the Giant Thistle.— Kindly say in B.B.J, what you think of the enclosed honey sample. I have a large quantity of it, one hive alone yielding 117 lb., and an artificial swarm 50 lb. But I do not find the characteristic honey- flavour with it. I suppose it is principally collected from the limes. There is at present a crop of an acre of giant thistle (4 ft. high) close by, and bees are at work on it in thousands. Are they getting honey or pollen only? — W. J. S., Chiswick, August 23. Reply.- — Honey is very good in colour, but the distinctive flavour of lime honey is not perceptible in sample. This is no doubt owing to the proximity of giant thistle, which yields honey and pollen in about equal parts. [3882.] Building-up Stocks from Driven Bees. — I am anxious to enlarge my apiary, and have no drawn-out combs in hand. May I therefore ask : — 1. If I buy some driven bees, would they build-out combs from frames of foundation if fed well and kept very wai'm ? 2. I have a swarm which was hived on Julv 4, and though the bees have been fed ever since, they have not yet drawn-out the combs properly. They are on seven frames, and the combs are only built about two-thirds across the frames. Can you account for this? 3. T have also another swarm hived one> week earlier, and from this I have taken off forty-two 1-lb. sections, and hope to take twenty-one more. I might here say the two hives mentioned are located six miles apart ; but it seems strange that one should do so well and the other one do nothing. I examined the last-named one on August 19 and found brood in all stages on six combs out of seven. A reply in next *ssue will oblige, as I am anxious to purchase j;ome driven lots. Name sent for reference. — W. H. R., Sussex, August 24. Reply. — 1. If a strong lot (say, 3 or 4 lb.) of bees are got, they will be quite likely to build-up into a strong stock if well fed and cared for. 2. There must have been very little bee-forage about if the bees did so badly in comb-building although fed, but July swarms seldom do much the first year after hiving. 3. We can' only explain the difference by a com- parison of the two localities for bee-keep- ing. One must be very good, the other very poor. [3883.] Earwigs in Hires. — I am troubled with earwigs in my frame-hives. Can you tell me if they will do any harm, and why they take up their abode in the hives, and for what rea- son? Also, can you suggest a remedy, or how to destroy them, or else keep them out? Kindly reply in the B.B.J. , and oblige— W. S., Suffolk, August 21. - Reply. — Earwigs do no harm beyond creating more or less of the uncleanliness that comes of rearing a large family of little " wigs." They choose warm, shady places as their home, and beneath a hive- roof, or under the^ plinths, suits them very well. To get rid of them some bee-men brush them off into hot water when found in big families. To keep them out the iron " leg-cups " used for protection against ants answer very well. %M ^hotcs to iontt. A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices in this column, ivhicti covers coat of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. September 2 at Knutsford — Annual Show of the Mid-Cheshire Farmers' Association. Six classes for Honey and Wax. Entries closed- September 2, at Bramhall, in the grounds of Bramhall Hall.— Bramhall and Woodford 16th Annual Show. Three open classes for honey and wax ; four to district; C.B.K.A. medal offeied. Prizes 15s., 10s., 7s. 6d., 5s.. 3s., 2s. Schedules from John Sibson, Hon. Sec, Hawthorn Grove, Bramhall, Stockport. September 2 to 9, at the Agricultural Hall. London. —Honey Show in connection with the Confectioners', Bakers', and Allied Traders Annual Exhibition and Market. Open to all British. Beekeepers- Entry fee in each class one shilling. Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.C. September 9. at Dumfries. — Thirteenth Annual Honey Show of South of Scotland Beekeepers Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, including three lib. Jars and three 1-lb. sections; class for single lib. Jar and single lib. section; also one bottle snd one section, with free entry. Liberal money prizes in all classes. Also gold and silver medals and two silver caps, along with valuable money prizes, Open to member* only. Schedules from J. Johnstone. Secretary, Nelson Street, Maxwelltown, Dumfries. Entries close September 2. September 12, at Woodstock— Honey Show of the Oxfordshire B.K.A., in connection with the Woodstock Agricultural Show. Open Classes (with free entry) for single 1-lb. section and single 1-lb jar extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d. to each class. Schedules from H. M. Turner. 4, Turl Street, Oxford. September 13, 14, and 15, in Wayerley Market, Edinburgh, along with Great Inter- national Flower Show, Four open classes for Sixes, Sections, and Bottles of Flower and Heather respec- tively, with prizes of 15s., 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d., for an entry fee of 2s. each class. Schedules now ready from W Weir, Secretary, Heriot, Midlothian. September 14, at Castle Douglas- -Honey Show, under the auspices of the South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including three lib jars, three sections, and #eitas» for single 1-lb. jar and single section. Entries close September 2- 350 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 31, 1905. September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace- — Surrey B.K.A. An«n«l Exhibition of Bees, Honey, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-fire classes (ten open to all). Increased) prizes and medals. Schedules from F. B. White, Secretary, Marden House, Redhill, Surrey. Entries close September 1- September 16 to 23. at the Agricultural Sail, London. — Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keepers- Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.G. September 27, at Altrincbam.— Annual Show of the Altrincham Agricultural Society. Good Money Prizes fttf Honey, along with Silver and Bronze Medals of the Cheshire B.K.A., and others. Open Class for Frame-Hive (unpainted).' Schedules from J. Herbert Hall, 2, Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close September 9- October 3 to 5, at tbe Agricultural Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. [Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B.B.K.A. Schedules from Mr. Wm. O. Young, Secretary, 12, Hanover Square, London, W. Entries close September 5- Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. H. M. (Wallingford).— Queens for Breeding From. — It would no doubt be worth while to try one of the special queens named, even if vour " home-reared ones " are satisfactory. A change of blood is often advantageous. Glad to hear your honey- crop is so satisfactory this year. An Inquirer (Bridge of Allan). — We ad- vise you to boil the sugar for a few minutes in syrup-makin^. particularly for winter bee-food. Boiling may not be so important for spring feeding, but it is in autumn. L. A. S. (Bordesley, Birmingham). — Start- ing Bee-keeping in Towi.s. — 1. A twenty minutes' cycle ride from the vicarage 's rather far from any pasturage, though bees would reach it. 2. In May ; price about 12s. 6d. 3. The common brown will be best to start with. 4. Some reader near Birmingham might say if the district is good. 5. " Driven bees " are those taken from skeps in atitumn. J. Reeves (Coventry).— Swiss Bee-keeping. — 1. We have not seen the article you refer to, so cannot say anything about it. 2. We have had more than one article on " Honey as Food " in former issues, but they are now out of print. A. K. S. (Weymouth). — Sending Sections by Parcel Post. — 1. Your sample section reached us smashed in post, and honey running out. It is of no use to put " this side up " on parcels. The honey seems good in quality from what we could gather, and is from clover. Other queries will be replied to in full next week. Honey Samples. G. C. (Horsham). — No. 2 is best in flavour, though not equal in colour to No. 1. Neither sample, however, is of good quality for table use. Apis (Ayrshire). — Honey is very good on all points, and fit for any show-bench. E. C. (Cornwall). • — Sample very good in- deed, quite suitable for showing. It is from mixed sources, mainly clover. Anxious Bee-keeper (Portsmouth). — There is not much to choose between the two samples. Both are good, and for colour No. 2 is a shade darker than No. 1, probably from the hive being lo- cated in the centre of town. The latter is, however, rather better in flavour. W. C. (Grange-over-Sands). — Except for its lacking a little in density, your sample is very good indeed. F. Higgin (Neath). — A very excellent sample, good on all points. Suspected Comb. M. P. (Enfield). — No disease in comb. The few sealed cells contain only dried-up chilled bi"ood. *** Some Queries and Replies, &e.t are un- avoidably held over till next week. Special Prepaid Advertisements. Twelve morJe and under, Sixpence ; for every additional Three words or under, One Penny. DRIVEN BEES, with Queen, 5s., 6s. Stock Queens, __?&_6d.— WOODS, Normandy^Guildford. K_21 HEALTHY DRIVEN BEES supplied at once, with Fertile Queen, 3s. 6d. per lot.— SOLE, Expert, Potton, Sandy. K 22 -J r LOTS of Healthy Driven Bees. What offers?— XO J. THOMAS SOLE, 133, Sturton Street, Cam- bridge. k 23 RAPID FEEDERS, for Driven Bees, 3*. 6d., poet free. Honey Tins, for safe transit, simple and secure : 71b. tins, 5s. per dozen. Sample, 8d., post free. — OREENHILL, Graham Road, Wimbledon. THREE SHALLOW FRAME SHOW CASES (new); exchange for Driven Bees— RICHARDS, 27. Cam- bridge Street, Plymouth. K 20 HONEY. — Splendid Extracted, mainly from clover ; few cwta. Sample sent.— CLEAR, Sherpeth, near Bnyeton, Cambs. k 19 QTRONG^HEALTHY STOCKS, in well-made hives. O 25s. each.— S. COOK, Ford Apiary, Ashford, Middlesex. k 17 Sept. 7, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 351 (Mioral, $e6m, &c THE CONFECTIONERS AND ALLIED TRADES' EXHIBITION. HONEY SHOW AT THE AGRICULTTTKAL HALL. The thirteenth annual International Ex- hibition and Market of the Confectioners ainl Allied Trades commenced on Septem- ber 2 at the above hall, and remains open till the close of the present week. Owing to the increased demand for space this year, the honey competitions were perforce relegated to the North Gal- leiy Annexe, and thus had less prominence than in 1904. The chancre, however, gave those specially interested in the display of honey and bee products a better oppor- tunity for examining the exhibits than in crowded avenues below. We hoped to have seen a larger number of exhibits, in view of the trifling sum charged for each entry and the very liberal money-prizes offered for comjoeti- tion ; but bee-keepers are a bit curious in some respects, and certainly do not appear to show much appreciation of efforts — however praiseworthy — made in the endeavour to bring about a large and good display of bee-produce on the show- bench. In the Trophy class four money-prizes — amounting to the sum of £10 — were offered, and five trophies were staged ; and, seeing that each of the five exhibits received awards, the competition could not be called keen. The prizes, however, were well earned, and we con- gratulate the respective exhibitors on their enterprise. They came from Lon- don, Lancashire, Hunts, Oxon, and Notts, so that the five prizes went to five counties. The first and second were given to displays quite different in style Messrs. Lee and. Son's, which took first honours, being composed of excellent materials put up in saleable form. It was a practical bee-man's exhibit of bee-produce, with a miniature frame-hive in front to show that the honey was obtained by modern methods. Mr. Dell's second-prize trophy was a very attractive and handsome display for a tradesman's window, and in this way filled the conditions of schedule admir- ably, but some of the honey in jars was too elaborately got up for ordinary sale purposes. However, as there was no lack of the usual jars on lire stand, the slight fault mentioned was not an important one. All the other trophies were good, Mr. Brown's especially so. The other classes were well repi'esented, many very excellent samples being staged, both of comb and extracted honey. In the latter class the task of finding the best, with so little to choose between so many of them, was no light one. For medium- coloured honey also some very good sam- ples were shown, far better than usual, and the dark honey was very fair indeed. Beeswax, too, was well represented, some beautiful samples being staged. It might be well, however, for exhibitors in this class to note that for wax in cakes "suit able for the retail counter trade" quality of wax does not count, so long as it is of fair commercial quality. Mr. W. Broughton Carr, London, and Mr. T. I. Weston, Hook, Winchfkdd, offi ciated as judges, and made the following AWARDS. Display of Honey (comb and extracted) and Honey Products, shown in suitably attractive form for a tradesman's window (5 entries). 1st (£4 and B.B.K.A. Silver Medal), Jas. Lee and Son, 4, Martinea'u Road, London, N. ; 2nd (£3), A. S. Dell, Leigh, Lanes ; 3rd (£2), R. Brown, Somer- sham, Hunts; 4th (£1), T. Marshall, Sutton-on-Trent, and H. W. Seymour, Henley-on-Thames (equal). Twelve 1-Jb Sections (22 entries).— 1st (£1 10s. and Bronze Medal), A. Weather- hogg, Willoughton, Lines; 2nd (£1), J. Clay, Wellington, Salop; 3rd (10s.), W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury ; 4th (5s.), Jas. Lee and Son; 5th (2s. 6d.), E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salisbury; v.h.c, R. Brown ; h.c, W. Hedges, Bishops Waltham, Hants. Twelve l-]h. Heather Sections (3 entries). —2nd, T. Richards, Church Greasley, Bur- ton-on-Trent. (No 1st awarded.) Three Shallow Frames Comb Honci/ for Extracting (9 entries).— 1st (£1 5s.), E. C. R. White ; 2nd (£1), J. Boyes, Bridge Street, Cardiff; 3rd (15s.), Lee and Son; 4th (10s.), J. Adams, West Haddon; Rmi,- by ; v.h.c, R. Brown. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Tjii/lit-coloured Ex- tracted Homy (35 entries).— 1st (£1 15s. ami B.B.K.A. Certificate), J. Boyes; 2nd (£1 5s.), Lee and Son ; 3rd (15s.), C. Hood. Bridge End, Glam ; 4th (10s.), W. Fake, Great Massingham, King's Lynn ; 5th (5s.), W. Drewery/Utterbv, Louth; v.h.c, R. Morgan, Apiary, Cowbridge ; v.h.c, E. Sopp, Growmarsh, Wallingford ; v.h.c, J. Lilly, Patrick St. Kilkenny; h.c, A. Wea- therhogg; h.c, L. Quayle, Glenmay, Isle of Man. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured Ex- tracted Honey (27 entries).— 1st (£1 5s.), E. C. R. White; 2nd (£1), AY. Cowans, Rofhbury. Northumberland ; 3rd (15s.), Lee and Son- 4th (10s.). T. Marshall; c, A. Barber, Comberton, Cambs. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Dark-coloured Ex- tracted H7wj,ey (11 entries). — 1st (£1), E. C. R. White ; 2nd (15s.), W. Sproston, 352 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 7, 1905. Shugborough, Great Heywood, Staffs ; 3rd (10s.), Lee and Son; v.h.c., H. W. Sey- mour. Twelve 1-/6. Jars Heather Honey (5 en- tries. — 1st (£1), H. Berry, Llanrwst, N. Wales; 2nd (15s,), F. Upton, Rugeley, Staffs; 3rd (10s.), W. Sproston. Twelve l-1b. Jars Granulated Honey (6 entries). — 1st (£1 5s.), H. W. Seymour; 2nd (£1), Lee and Son ; 3rd (15s.), R. Brown ; 4th (10s.), J. Boyes. Beeswax in Cakes, Quality of Wax, Form of Cakes and Package, suitable for retail counter trade (10 entries). — 1st (£1), Lee and Son; 2nd (15s.), C. W. (Dyer, Compton Crossing. Newbury ; 3rd (10s.), E. C. R. White ; 4th (5s.), H. W. Seymour. Beeswax, judged for quality of. ivax only (11 entries).— 1st (£1), Mrs. .Harris, High Ferry, Sibsey, Lines; 2nd (15s.), H. W. Seymour; 3rd (10s.), J. Clay; 4th (5s.), E. C. R. White; v.h.c, W. Bowes, Elm- hurst, Darlington, and C. Dunn-Gardner, Fordham Abbey, Cambs. HENBURY DISTRICT B.K.A. ANNUAL SHOW. The seventh annual show of the above association was held on August 2 at Hen- bury, in connection with that of the Horti- cultural Society, and was favoured with good weather. This was the largest show of honey the B.K.A. has ever had, and the quality of the exhibits was above the aver- age. Over 600 1-lb. jars and sections were staged, the total entries numbering 125. Messrs. Brown and Jordan again officiated as judges, and made the following awards : — OPEN CLASSES. Trophy of Honey.- — 1st, Mrs. Waller, We s t bury- on- Try m. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Wm. Woodley, Newbury ; 2nd, James Coates, Bath ; 3rd, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney ; v.h.c, F. C. Pullin, Warminster; h.c, Messrs. E. L. and H. C. Jones, Andover. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, Wm. Woodley ; 2nd, J. Boyes, Cardiff ; 3rd, R. Morgan, Cowbridge ; v.h.c, H. Aleck Shore, Frome ; h.c, F. W. Hunt, Tipton St, John. Singh 1-lb. Section.— 1st, A. V. Trebble, South Molton ; 2nd, James Coates ; 3rd, F. C. Pullin; h.c, Miss M. P. Siihort, Bath; c, Charles Rike, Henbury. Single lib. Jar Extracted Honey. — 1st, Miss Edwards, Stamford; 2nd, ' F. C. Pullin ; 3rd; E. C. R White; v.h.c James Coates ; h.c, A. V. Trebble. lierswiu:— 1st, E. C. R. White ; 2nd, Mrs. Waller; 3rd, Arthur Baker, Hen- bury ; v.h.c, Herbert Jolly, Clifton. Queen Wasps. -- 1st, — Castell, Hen- bury; 2nd, T. Dinham, Henbury; 3rd, — Gay, Henbury. MEMBERS ONLY. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Herbert Jolly, Clifton ; 2nd, Arthur Baker, Henbury ; 3rd, E. Hutton, Henbury. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, T. George, Henbury ; 2nd, Mrs. Waller ; 3rd, E. Hutton ; h.c, S. Tryon, Henbury. 'Six 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, Mrs. Todd, West- bury-on -Trym ; 2nd, Charles Pike, Hen- bury ; 3rd, Herbert Jolly ; v.h.c, Mrs. Waller; h.c, Arthur Baker; c, E. Hutton, Henbury. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, T. George, Henbury ; 2nd, Arthur Baker ; 3rd, Mrs. Waller; h.c, Mrs. Todd; c, Herbert Jolly. Three Shallow- frames Comb Honey. — 1st, T. George ; 2nd, S. Tryon ; 3rd, Mrs. Hig- nell, Henbury ; c, Herbert Jolly. Three 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Charles Pike ; 2nd, T. George; 3rd, Mrs. Waller; h.c, Herbert Jolly ; c, Arthur Baker. Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, T. George ; 2nd, Arthur Baker ; 3rd, E. Hutton :■ h.c, Mrs, Todd ; c, Mrs. Waller. COTTAGERS ONLY. Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, T. George ; 2nd, Mrs. Stagg, Henbury. Three 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, T. George ; 2nd, Mrs. Stagg. NOVICES ONLY. Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, Miss Lavington, Stoke Bishop ; 2nd, S. Tryon ; 3rd, Miss Codrington, Westbury- on-Trym. Three 1-lb. Sections. — 1st. Miss Laving- ton ; 2nd, S. Tryon ; 3rd, Miss Codrington. SPECIAL PRIZES. Silver Medal. — T. George (35 points). Bronze Medal— Mrs. Waller (19 points). J. Atkin Waller, Hon. Sec. YETMINSTER DISTRICT B.K.A. ANNUAL SHOW. .The Yetminster District Bee-keepers' Association held their annual show in St. Mary Mead (by permission of the Rev. Gordon Wickham, hon. treasurer), at Bradford Abbas, on August 23. Tlie number of entries compared very favourably with previous years, and the show was an all-round excellent one, the honey, of which 600 lb. was exhibited, being of excellent quality ,_ good colour, and Well staged. Mr. Stacey (Merriott) and Mr. W. Boalch (Yeovil) judged the exhibits, and made the following awards : — MEMBERS' CLASSES. Standard Frame of Comb Honey. — 1st, T. Bishop, Bradford Abbas ; 2nd, G. Deed- ing, Bradford Abbas; 3rd, F. Trott. Shallmr-frame of Comb Honey. — 1st, W. Poiueroy, Bradford Abbas ; 2nd, G. Leeding ; 3rd, F. Trott. Six 1-lb. Sections.— 1st, F. Trott; 2nd, Miss Ffooks, Totnell ; 3rd, G. Leeding. Sept. 7, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 353 Bell Glass (over 10 lb.). — 1st, T. Bishop ; 2nd, G. Leeding ; 3rd, E. Higgins. Bell Glass (under 10 Z6.). — 1st, G. Leed- ing ; 2nd, T. Bishop ; 3rd, C. Smith, Wyke. Six 1-/6. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. — 1st, G. Leeding; 2nd, W. Pomeroy; 3i'd, T. Bishop. Six 1-/6. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st, Miss Ffooks ; 2nd, G. Leeding; 3rd, C. Smith ; 4th, F. Trott. Beeswax. — 1st, G. Leeding ; 2nd, C. Smith; 3rd, F. Trott. Honey Trophy.- — W. Pomeroy. Champion Collection of Honey and Wax. — 1st, G. Leeding ; 2nd, T. Bishop. OPEN CLASSES. Three 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, T. G. Sillier, Andover ; 2nd, W. F. Fake, Gt. Massingham. Three 1-lb. Sections.— -1st, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney ; 2nd, W. F. Fake. Three 2-/6. Sections (Tilley's Patent). — 1st, T. Bishop. Tilley's Patent Sections and Honeycomb Beceptacles. — 1st, T. Bishop. One 2-/6. Section (Tilley's Patent).— 1st, T. Bishop; 2nd, G. Leeding; 3rd, Rev. Gordon Wickham, Bradford Abbas. Collection of Bee Flowers. — 1st, Miss H. Leeding ; 2nd, Miss B. Bishop. — G. Leed- ing, Hon. Sec. DERBYSHIRE B.K.A. ANNUAL SHOW. The twenty-fourth annual show of the D.B.K.A. was held at Osmaston Park, Derby, on August 30 and 31. The weather was threatening on the first day, but the second was all that could be desired, and the attendance increased very much in consequence. It was much regretted that the section classes were so poorly patro- nised, there being but three entries in the members' class for twelve sections, four in the novices' class, and two in the open class for twelve sections, both of which were from members. Mr. W. Herrod lectured at intervals in the bee-tent on both days, securing crowded audiences on each occasion. He also officiated as judge of the bee and honey department, ami made the following awards : — members' classes. Observatory Hire (single frame) with Bees and Queen. — 1st (15s.), C. Spencer, Ash- leyhay ; 2nd (10s.), A. H. Dawson, Burt mi ; 3rd (5s.), J. Stone. Observatory Hire villi Bees and Queen. — 1st (15s.), J. Bakewell, Burton; 2nd (10s.), C. Spencer ; 3rd (5s.), J. Martin, Crewton. Trophy of Honey in, any Form. — 1st (challenge cup and 10s.), J. Pearman, Derby ; 2nd (7s. 6d. and silver medal D.B.K.A.), S. Durose; 3rd (7s. 6d. and bronze medal D.B.K.A.), C. Spencer. Twelve 1-/6. Sections. — 1st (10s. 6d. or silver medal D.B.K.A.), J. Pearman ; 2nd (7s. 6d.), J. Stone; 3rd (5s.), T. Richards. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st (10s. 6d. or silver medal D.B.K.A.), J. Stone, Cubley; 2nd (7s. 6d), J. Pear- man; 3rd (5s.), S. Durose; v.h.c, J. Amatt. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. — 1st (10s. 6d. or silver medal D.B.K.A.), S. Durose, Burton ; 2nd (7s. 6d.), G. Richards, Willington ; 3rd (5s.), A. H. Dawson ; v.h.c, G. Allen. Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st (7s. 6d.), T. Roberts, Cubley ; 2nd (5s.), F. Thompson, Burton. Six 1-/6. Jars Extracted Honey. ■ — 1st (7s. 6d.), W. H. Bird, Stapenhill ; 2nd (5s.), T. Roberts ; 3rd (2s. 6d.), C. H. Roe, Burton ; v.h.c, G. Smith. Beeswax. — 1st (7s. 6d), J. Pearman ; 2nd (5s.), J. Stone ; 3rd (2s. 6d.), W. H. Bird. Six 1-/6. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st (7s. 6d.), J. Pearman; 2nd (5s.), — Mon- crief, Allenton ; 3rd (2s. 6d»), S. Durose. Six lib. Jars Heather Honey (county only). — 1st (7s. 6d.), J. Pearman. (One entry only.) Or-EN CLASSES. Twelve 1-/6. Sections. — 1st (5s. and silver medal D.B.K.A. or 15s.), J. Stone; 2nd (10s,), T. Richards, Ch. Gresley. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st (5s. and silver medal D.B.K.A., or 15s.), T. S. Houldsworth, Kirton Lindsey ; 2nd (10s.), F. Powers, Andover; 3rd (5s.), Jno. Berry, Llanrwst ; 4th (2s. 6d.), T. G. Hillier, Tarant ; v.h.c. T. Duckmanton ; h.c. W. H. Bird; c, J. Pearman. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Homy. — . 1st (15s., or silver medal D.B.K.A. and 5s.), J. Pearman ; 2nd (10s.), W. H. Bird ; 3rd (5s.), T. S.Holdsworth; h.c, S. Durose. Collection of Appliances. — No entry. — R. H. Coltman, Hon. Sec. akmspiulfnrp. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken, of anonymous commxinlcations, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and (live their real names and addresses, wit neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces ef paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. NOTES BY THE WAY. [6001.] The summer is fast passing away and the ix'riod of work in the apiary should now be drawing to a close. Ke-queening, where necessary, ought to be completed in all early or flower-honey districts ; feeding- up, if required, should also be got through 354 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 7, 1905. by the first or second week in September. Syrup-food given rapidly now will be capped over and thus become equal to nectar gathered from the flowers for keep- ing the bees in good health during the winter months. It is also advantageous, if hive entrances are reduced to an inch in width. This prevents wasps from enter- ing unnoticed by the bees, and also helps the bees to protect their stores from robbers. Wax-moths are often a great pest to the bee keeper when they once get into a dis- trict. Every weak stock in which they secure a footing becomes a prey to these marauders, for the bees are powerless to dislodge them and the whole of the brood- nest in a short time becomes full of cocoons containing, the moth-larva^. When this condition is reached, the only cure is to burn the lot! A neighbour, located about five miles away from me, has had four stocks of bees completely spoiled by this pest, so that if not troubled with foul brood we have our losses from another pest, second only to foul brood among bees. For myself, t am ever on the alert for this enemy, and destroy every moth and cocoon I find all through the year, especially in the summer time. But notwithstanding my watchfulness, they are still about the apiary4 and ever ready to gain admission to a hive wherever possible. Trice, of Honey. — Now the question arises — What of the harvest of 1905? Are our honey-producers striving to procure a fair price for their produce ? I think not. From what I hear, many of them are just taking what the retailer thinks fit to offer. Anyway, those of us who name a price fairly remunerative to the craft are some- times told that our customers " have had honey offered below your quotations." No wonder our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic have ever blamed the small honey-producer, from the very cause I am now writing about — i.e., producing a few sections or jars of honey, and by taking a low price to clear. This means* ruin to the honey-trade for those who get their bread and cheese from bee-keeping. Not only is this true of our particular line of business, but in other things also ; the small producer, through want of business aptitude, often brings the price in his par- ticular line below the point of profitable production,. This course cannot be good for anyone or for anything. Be-queening for Winter.— If any stocks are found queenless on packing-up for winter, do not think that a fresh queen only is going to retrieve the colony, and build it up to sufficient strength to live Huong]) the winter. It will be practically throwing money away to invest it in a good queen, and will <^ive neither the purchaser nor the seller any satisfaction. On the other hand, a small colony or nucleus added to a queenless hive may put it in good trim to stand the winter, and prove a use- ful stock another year. — W. Woodley, Beedon, Newbury. BRITISH BEE-GOODS IN S. AFRICA. [6002.] Noticing in your valuable jour- nal of June 15 (No. 5915) a copy of a letter which has been written by Mr. Hugh M. Meyler, Utrecht, Natal, for insertion in the Natal Agricultural Journal on " British Bee-goods in S. Africa," I beg to enclose copy of a letter forwarded for in- sertion in that journal in answer to Mr. Meyler's letter, and have also sent a copy to Mr. Meyler, giving reasons for my pre- ference of the British " standard-frame " hive. I should esteem it a favour if you would publish the following correspondence in your journal. — Your obedient servant, Frederick Sworder, Johannesburg, S. Africa, July 12. To Hugh M. Meyler, Esq., Utrecht, Natal. Dear Sir, — In reply to your letter ap- pearing in the Natal Agricultural Journal, which was also published in the British Bee Journal of June 15 last, regarding the adoption of a "standard frame," etc., for Natal, I would like to point out that this subject opens an important question, more especially as bee-keeping on up-to- date principles in South Africa may as yet be said to be only in its infancy. Having had the opportunity, since the cessation of hostilities, of handling some hundreds of stocks of bees in both American (Hoff- mann) frame-hives and "British" stan- dard-frame hives, I have come to the con- clusion that I certainly prefer the "British." Appended are my reasons : — (1) As the American frame is 4 in. longer than the "British," and, in order to stand the extra weight of comb, honey, hatching, and adhering bees, it becomes necessary to make it of increased depth, this arrange- ment I consider detrimental to storing honey in the super. (2) In the "British " frame, even when fitted with "W.B.C." ends, there is a decidedly better grip for the thumb and finger at ends of the top- bar, as this length is | in., in comparison with the 2 in. in the American" frame. (3) There is a greater tendency for African bees to build brace or bridge combs on American frames in, comparison with the "British." (4) Although the system of fastening the comb foundation in either kind of frame is different, the time taken to fix it in the "British" is considerably quicker and equally effective. There is also less liability during this operation of Sept. 7, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 355 straining or " buckling " in the " British ■' frame. (5) Wiring has been found to be essential in this country, and, whichever style is adopted, it naturally takes more wire in American frames than "British." (6) Ants in this country are found to be troublesome. No provision is made to guard against this inconvenience with American hives, whereas legs to stand in tins of oil can be — and usually are — fitted to "British" hives. (7) In American frames — at points where the ends of each frame touch one another — it is possible for Dees to propolise 3 in. ; whereas in the " British " frame § in. on the " tin end " only is possible. (8) By sliding back every alternate "W.B.C." end on the "British" frame, the distance apart of each frame can be varied to suit circumstances, whereas in the American frame this cannot be accomplished. (9) American hive super- crates contain at least 24 1-lb. sections, and in some cases more ; this number in many districts is considered to be too large a space to give the bees at once, " British " section-racks only holding twenty-one sec- tions. (10) American hive super-crates rest flush on brood-chamber ; no provision is made for keeping out the rain, whereas for this purpose " British " hives are fitted with fillets. (11) When the section-rack or super in the " British " is placed in the lift, there is a | in. space all round in single-walled hives ; and in double-walled hives, besides the ^ in- space at ends, there is a 2 in. space at sides. Thus pi'o- vision is made for any warm materials re- quired in order to equalise the tempera- ture of the section-rack. No means are provided for inserting these warm mate- rials in the American hives. (12) In " British " hive-roof construction there is at least a space of 3£ in. between the top of section-rack and the highest inner part of ridge, whereas in American hives this space is considerably less. This re- duced area has proved to be an objection owing to the dav and night variations in temperature. — Yours faithfully, Frede- rick Sworder, Raine's Buildings, Govern- ment Square, Johannesburg. LEADING THE WAY. T6003.1 Mother England is being left behind by her Colonies. The New Zealand Department of Agriculture has appointed Mr. Isaac Hopkins, of Matamata, Auck- land, as Government Apiarist. This gentleman, a bee-keeper of old standing, formerly editor of the New Zealand and Australian Tier Journal, and author of an excellent book of instruction (of which th^ fourth edition appeared last year under the title of " The Australasian Bee Manual "), has been making tours amongst the bee- keepers of the colony. The department is issuing a bulletin to report progress, and a Foul Brood Act has already been drafted, and will be introduced during the present Parliamentary Session. Of this I hope shortly to be able to supply particulars. — H. J. (). Walker, Lieut. -Col., Leeford, Budleigh Salterton. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. [6004.] Referring to query No. 3846 in B.B.J, of August 10 (page 315), your reply to " R. D. G. " reads thus : — " Your method of making an artificial swarm is wrong. No excluder is used in the process, as de- scribed in ' Guide Book.' " May I point out that " R. I). G." is evidently following Mr. Alexander's plan, as reported by me (page 203 of the B.B.J, of May 25). which is now being generally used in the United States? This plan is followed by most bee-keepers in America having large apiaries, for the reason that it is little trouble, and whether you wish to increase by dividing after ten or eleven clays, or to build up a strong colony to obtain all the advantages of a short honey flow. In Gleanings of August 15, Mr. Beard en says: — "I have been reading Gleanings for a short time only, but I have not seen any thing therein that I think possesses as much value as the article on page 425, April 15, by Mr. E. W. Alexander.' Now, what I consider the best thing in these manipulations is the fact that no brood is lost just at the very critical time, i.e., befoiv the honey-flow commences ; and you will find that whenever all of the brood but one comb is placed above the excluding zinc, the queen seeing nothing but empty combs and bees in plenty to care for brood are at hand, that she will just get down to her work of multiplying, as far as her own home is concerned. Now, you can look at her combs on the fourth or fifth day after making a division of the brood-nest, or the excluding of the queen from her young bees in the larval form, and see how much more she has done at egg-laying than usual, and then you will believe also." The above is only one of several articles, approving of this system, that have ap- peared in the different bee-papers here. The question of your correspondent "R. 1). (!.," which refers to excluders, is "How do you deal with the drones?" If he will read my article in B.B.J, of July 6 (page 264), he will sed up warmly. I may state that I have taken 501b. of honey (chiefly clover) from this same hive during the present sea- son. I enclose two bits of heather, No. 1 was grown in Cumberland, No. 2 near my hive. Can you please inform me :■ — 1. Is No. 2 the right sort of heather for honey? 2. How is it T am getting no heather honey? A reply through the medium of your valuable paper will oblige. — Heathek, Olton, August 29. Reply. — Both sprigs of bloom are Calluna vulgaris (or common liner), which is the best for heather honey. The slight difference in growth will be due to the soils of Cumberland and "Warwickshire. 2. The weather cannot be favourable for gathering or the bees would, no doubt, put some honey in them. [3890]. Suspected Queenlessness. — Would you kindly say in B.B.J, if the following conditions are any cause for thinking my hives queenless : — I examined a stock yesterday, the queen of which is in her second year, and although there was plenty of food in the hive, and if it is strong in bees not a sign of brood or eggs could I see ; nor any drones. I took off two shallow- frame boxes of good honey from the hive in question on August 12, and when putt- ing the wet combs back to be cleaned up, the bees of another stock started iobbing; and there was some fighting, bin, I soon quelled it. I examined another stock (age of queen unknown) and here again I could not find any brood or eggs or drones. This stock also was fairly strong and had plenty of stores. Both colonies appear healthy, and the bees carry in pollen, etc. I thought of putting on a cake of candy and packing down for winter, or should I examine again to see if still brood less ? I should much like your opinion on the matter and advice regarding the best course to adopt.— W. Arnold, Hants, September 4. Reply. — It is by no means safe to assume that a stock is queenless because no brood is found in the combs at this season. You may, however, be able to arrive at a fair conclusion on the point by feeding gently and continuously for a week or ten days, with luke-warm syrup. If, at the end of that time, no brood or eggs are found, or the queen is not seen on the combs, you may conclude that it is a case of queenlessness. With regard to packing the hives down for winter, it is useless to do so unless a fertile queen is first introduced and accepted. [3891.] Dealing with Vicious Bees. — I have two hives located a few miles from here, close by some heather, but the bees of both stocks are extremely savage when being manipulated. On Saturday, Sep- tember 2, I went to see what orocress they were making in some sections that I- had placed on, but as soon as I removed the roof of hive No. 1, I got such a warm recep- tion as to leave no alternative but don- ning my gloves, which I use when dealing with this particular stock. They are Italian hybrids — grand workers, and store a great deal of honey in a season — and see-. ing that they have this one fault only it seems a great pitv to destroy the queen, and give another in her stead. I feared getting into trouble, as the hives are close to a much-frequented lane, and on seeing three people chased by the bees, I promptly closed them up without troxxbling to put quilts on properly, but am leaving it for the county expert who will visit them shortly. 1. Could I raise some queens from this mother that would be gentle? Should you advise a cross with a Camio Ian — Italian or English drone? If the latter, would the progeny be vicious ? The other stocks— which are the ordinary English bees — I examined next dav and they likewise were very much infuriated. Yet the stocks left at home I can handle without gloves. 2. Do you think that not being near a human habitation makes the bees not like any one to go near them? I do not like my bees to be a nuisance to any one, and as I thought of putting several stocks in the same place next season with the irlea of establishing a nice out-apiarv. I should have to reconsider the matter if it was likely that they might turn out like the two before mentioned. 3. Do you think it would be better to place the savage ones in a bee-house so that I could manipulate them inside, or have you any prejudice against bee-houses for use in this country ? 4. I find that stings cause me to swell a great deal, although this is my fourth sea- son. Does it take one very long to become sting proof ? This is my .only trouble with bees, but I hope to overcome it some day. — H. E. W. , Birmingham, September 4. Reply. — 1. If you could secure a cross between the bees referred to and a Car- niolan drone it would tend to modifv the viciousness of the progeny very much, as bees get their disposition from the drone and working qualities from the queen. 2. We do not think the trouble arises from the hives being located away from dwelling- houses, though it may be caused bv proximity to " a much-frequented lane," as staterl. especiallv if the passers-by start peiting the bees with earth or stones. This readily causes viciousness. 3. It might 360 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 7, 1905. tend to quietness if the vicious stocks were kept in a bee-house, which latter — if kept scrupulously clean — is very suitable for keeping a few stocks in under your circum- stances. 4. Some people take longer than others to become indifferent to stings ; there is no rule to go by. [3892.] Insect Nomenclature. — I shall be greatly obliged if you will tell me the name of the enclosed insect, which I caught on a window in my house. When alive it looked so much like a brightly- marked bee, or wasp, that I wonder whether it is an insect that preys on one or other of them, or whether its likeness to an insect with a sting is protective ? I am glad to say that, since feeding the bees as recommended by you in reply to my query on page 346, my Doolittle queen has begun to lay again, and has filled the best part of six frames with brood and eggs. Thanking you for your advice, which prevented me from destroying her. — E. L., Perthshire, August 31. Reply. — The insect sent, although very like a bee in appearance, belongs to the two-winged flies (Diptera), genus Eris- talis. Its similarity to the bee acts as a protection to it, this being one of the many examples of protective mimicry to be found amongst insects. It is quite harmless to bees. The larvte live in rotting matter, and may frequently be found in stagnant water. We are pleased to hear that the queen you wrote about is found to be all right again. 3n ffitoms to (famt A nominal charge of 2s. 6d. is made for notices in this column, which covers cost of insertion from order till date of show. Cash should accompany orders for insertion. September 9, at Dumfries. — Thirteenth Annual Honey Show of South of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes for Honey, including three lib. jars and three 1-lb. sect/ions; class for single 1-lb. Jar and single lib. section ; also one bottle andi one section. Entries closed. September 12, at Woodstock— Honey Show of the Oxfordshire B.E.A., in connection with the Woodstock Agricultural Show. Open Classes (with free entry) for single 1-lb. section and single 1-lb jar extracted honey. Prizes, 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d. 'n each class. Schedules from H. M. Turner, 4. Turl Street, Oxford. September 13, 14, and 15, in Waverley Market, Edinburgh., along with Great Inter- national Flower Show. Four open classes for Sixes, Sections, and Bottles of Flower and Heather respec- tively, with prizes of 15s., 10s., 5s., and 2s. 6d., for an entry fee of 2s. each class. Schedules now ready from W Weir, Secretary, Heriot, Midlothian. September 14, at Castle Douglas- — Honey Show, under the auspices of the Soi,th of Scotland Beekeepers' Association. Five Open Classes, including three 1-lb jars, three sections, and class for single lib. jar and single section. Entries closed. September 14. 15, and 16. at Crystal Palace— Surrey B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees, Hon»y, Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-flye classes (ten ..pen to all). Entries closed. September 16 to 23, at the Agricultural Hall, London— Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keepers- Schedules from H. S. Rogers, Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.O. September 27. at Altrincham.— Annual Show of the Altrincham Agricultural Society. Good Money Prizes f«»r Honey, along with Silver and Bronze Medals of the Cheshire B.K.A. , and others. Open Class for Frame-Hive (unpainted). Schedules from J. Herbert Hall, 2, Dunham Road, Altrincham. Entries close September 9. October 3 to 5, at the Agricultural Hall, London. — Snow of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. (Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B. B.K.A. Entries closed. Notices to Correspondents & Inqui'ers. *** A correspondent, who signs "A Lover of Nature," asks if anyone living in the district around Ropley, Hants, will kindly say in B.B.J, what are the pro- spects for bee-keeping and fruit-grow ing in that locality? *** Referring to the query on page 350, Mr. F. J. Freeman, 17, Highfield Road, Birmingham, writes: — "In answer to ' L. A. S., Bordesley, Birmingham,' in last week's B.B.J. , I should be pleased to show him my bees anc\ their work, and would also help him in any manner I could." Sussex Downs (Brighton). — The flowers sent are those of sainfoin, one of the very best plants for bee-forage. G. W. S. (Bristol).— Bee Parasites.— The insect you describe is no doubt the Braula ewea, as supposed. They are troublesome in hives at times, but do not flourish in this country, our winters being too cold for them. The descrip- tion in "Guide Book," which you have, gives all the information we can afford about getting rid of them. J. B. L. (St. Leonard's). — The book you name can often be had for two or three shillings on a second-hand bookstall. An Intending Bee-Keeper (Plymouth). — All the points you ask for information upon are fully described in the " Guide Book," which can be had from this office for Is. 8d. post free. Suspected Combs. G. M. P. (Haslewood). — No disease in comb, which contains a few cells of " chilled brood " only. (J. K. W. (Anglesey). — There is foul brood in comb sent. Honey Samples. J. E. R. (Abington, Biggar). — Both samples are very good indeed, and fit for showing anywhere. *** Some Queries and Btplics, &c.t are un- avoidably held over till next week. Sept. 14, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 361 (Mtoral, $fota, fa. CHESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SHOW AT CHESTER. The annual show of the above society- was held at Chester, on Wednesday, August 30, the honey department being under .the management of the Cheshire Bee-keepers' Association. The exhibition of honey was excellent, and, in most classes, the competition was very keen. The Rev. T. J. Evans and Mr. T. D. Schofield officiated as judges, and made the following awards : — OPEN CLASSES. Complete Frame Hive (5 entries). — 1st, Mrs. Wm. Oartwright, Moore, Warring- ton; 2nd, George Rose, Liverpool; r., George Rose. Twelve 1-lb. Sections (5 entries). — 1st, W. Ratcliffe, Barthomley ; 2nd, A. Hamer, Llandilo ; 3rd, J. Stone, Little Cubley, Sudbury. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (13 entries). — 1st and 2nd, J. Berry, Llanrwst ; 3rd, L. Quayle, Glenmay, Isle of -Man ; r., A. Hamer. Observatory Hive (3 entries).— 1, G. Rose, Liverpool ; 2nd, H. Potts, Preston Brook ; 3rd, E. L. Parkes, Hooton. Wax (6 entries). — 1st, W. Ratcliffe ; 2nd, J. Berry ; 3rd, G. Lambert, Comberbach ; r., E. C. R. White, Newton Toney. MEMBEES, DISTRICT, ETC. Six 1-lb. Sections (15 entries). — 1st, W. Ratcliffe; 2nd, E. Maxwell, Malpas ; 3rd, J. Astbury, Kelsall ; r., Rev. E. Charley, Rossett. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey (26 entries). — 1st, G. H. Garner, Altrin- cham ; 2nd, J. Griffith, Bunbury Heath ; 3rd, B. Thomas, Bellaport ; r., A. Thomas, Frodsham. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Medium) Extracted Honey (11 entries). — 1st, S. Gerrard, Hes- wall ; 2nd, H. V. Pennington, Heswall ; 3rd, Mrs. Taylor, Rossett. Two Shallow Frames of Comb Honey (11 entries). — 1st, J. Wynne, Rowton ; 2nd, H. B. Eaton, Sandbach ; 3rd, E. Maxwell ; r., S. Jennings, Over Tab ley. Beeswax (16 entries). — 1st, H. B. Eaton ; 2nd, H. Potts ; 3rd, E. Maxwell ; r., W. Ratcliffe. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (27 entries). — 1st, J. Astbury; 2nd, B. Thomas ; 3rd, G. Lambert ; r., H. Stubbs, Crewe. DISTRICT ONLY. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (23 entries). — 1st, J. Astbury ; 2nd, Mrs. Tay- lor ; 3rd, F. H. Turner, Mouldsworth ; r., S. Mayers, Christleton. The Rev. T. J. Evans gave a lecture in the bee-tent, and also conducted an ex- amination for third-class experts' certifi- cates.— E. Charley, Hon. Sec, C.B.K.A. HONEY SHOW AT BRAMHALL. The sixteenth annual show of the Brain- hall and Woodford Horticultural Society was held on September 2, in the charming Archery Grounds of Bramhall Hall (by kind permission of C. H. Nevill, Esq.). The entries this year create a record for this society the honey section espe- cially, the entries for which more than doubled those of any previous year, the result being a very fine display of honey and a keen competition. Mr. W. Brad- burn (expert), of Altrincham, officiated as judge, and made the following awards : OPEN CLASSES. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Wm. Rat- cliffe, Barthomley, Crewe ; 2nd, J. - Pear- man, Penny Long Lane, Derby ; 3rd, J. Stone, Little Cubley, Derby. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, J. Stone ; 2nd, J. Pearman ; 3rd, W. J. Sharratt, Bramhall, Cheshire. 1-lb. Beeswax.— 1st, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salisbury ; 2nd, J. Pear- man ; 3rd, Septimus Wright, Wilmslow. - LOCAL CLASSES. (Sficc 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, Septimus Wright ; 2nd, John Turner, Bramhall ; 3rd, James Winterbottom, Cheadle, Hulme. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, W. J. Sharratt; 2nd, R. P. and J. B. Kershaw, Bramhall ; 3rd, Septimus Wright. One Shallow-Frame of Comb Honey. — 1st, John Turner; 2nd, P. Bell, Daven- port. Beeswax. — 1st, Septimus Wright ; 2nd, W. J. Sharratt ; 3rd, J. Turner. Bronze Medal. — Septimus Wright. A well-attended and appreciative audi- ence listened to an interesting lecture — with illustrations in the bee-tent — de- livered by Mr. W. Johnson, second-class expert, of Dunham-Massey. — John Sibson, Hon. Sec. HEREFORD HONEY FAIR. The annual honey fair held under the auspices of the Herefordshire Beekeepers' Association, which has Sir James Rankin, M.P., as its president, took place in the Hereford Butter Market on September 6, this being the tventy-first annual show, and, thanks to Mr. Joseph Thomas, the acting hon. secretary, a very successful show has resulted. Indeed, there has not been such an exhibition for several years past, while the quality of the honey was excellent. 362 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 14, 1905. Mr. E. J. Burfct, Gloucester, was the judge, and made the following awards: — Honey Trophy. — 1st (silver medal), John Helme, Norton Canon ; 2nd, W. Tomkins, Burghill. Twelve 1-lb. Sections {open). — 1st (bronze medal), John Helme ; 2nd, J. Owens, Yazor ; 3rd, W. Tomkins. Six 1-lb. Sections. — 2nd, — Whitcombe, Putsom ; 1st and 3rd not awarded. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (open). — 1st (bronze medal), T. Meadham, Burghill ; 2nd, J. H. Wootton, Byford ; 3rd, J. E. Williams, Byford. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (novices). — 1st (bronze medal), S. Palmer, Pontilas ; 2nd, A. W. Burgoyne, Lyonshall ; 3rd, Miss Day, Wellington. — (Communicated.) HONEY IMPORTS. The value of honey imported into the United Kingdom during the month of August, 1905., was £2,037.— From a return furnished to the British Bee Journal by the Statistical Office, H.M. Customs. oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on wldch it appears AMONG THE BEES. THE HONEY SEASON. [6006.] Alternations. — It has. been a .strange honey season with uns and downs all through. At one time it promised a record one, at another it threatened a semi-failure. And, in- deed, in various parts of the country, it has been both. On light and sandy soils, where the drought proved most severe, it burned up the white clover — the main source of supply — to such an extent that there has been really no surplus, and, in some cases, bee-keepers will have io feed to ensure sufficient stores for winter- ing safety. Here, on our heavier and nioT-e retentive soils, clover stood out well until Iho closing days of July, and good returns were obtained, while the quality was of I 1h- very finest. With the advent nf August came a marked change, cold and clotrdy weather, east and north winds, and heavy rains, so that for over a fortnight bees weiv confined indoors when they were at their very strongest, resulting brood- nests becoming drained of stores and unsealed sections were drained down. Then came a few days of fine bright weather, with a grand wealth of heather bloom, raising the hopes of beemen to a high pitch in the expectation of a bountiful return from this their best-paying source. This splendid flow, most of which was consigned to brood-bodies, was, however, shortlived when the weather again turned wet and cold, with the result thaJt the supply of pure heather honey will be the smallest for many years. With bees cramming body-box and sections, nothing worth speaking of has been done since August 25. Body-boxes have, however, been amply replenished, for which mercy I, at least, am thankful, as it will sav« any feeding. My two best hives will yield 100 sections each, but few others will ex- ceed half that number. Prices are: — - Clover, lOd. ; blend (clover and heather), Is. ; heather, Is. 3d. The last in great de- mand at almost any price. Working for Comb and Extracted. - — In connection with my suggestion on page 263 (July 6) that the outside combs of supers might be frames, and thaft these would tempt up bees at an early date if full of clean comb, I have had several communications, one of which refers to the use of racks so constructed as to take both sections and shallow-frames, of .which there are several on the market. I note that in all my section-racks this year, the outside rows are incomplete ; in some cases, in fact, the foundation is not even drawn-out when the centre ones are sealed over. The heavy pressure under which I have been keeping bees working, by ex- cessive supering, may account for it, but I think the above might prove a remedy. If so, it would be one point in favour of the 4 by 5 section. Not Proven! — I am a believer in young queens and have consistently advocated their use. When, however, I read Mr. Alexander's contributions to "Gleanings" for July 1 (page 715), I at once entered a point of interrogation on the margin. Mr. J. M. Hooker has kindly — in our Journal of July 27 — supplied the gist of the article, so I need not recapitulate. I give Mr. A. the weak queens, the medium ones, and the unfertile lot, as proofs that old queens are not good, yet yielding even so much is a heavy strain on my credulity. But when he contends that the mere fact of queens bein^ only two and a half years old caused the loss of sixty-seven out of one hundred and three colonies, I enter a de- murrer. Such a statement rather over- reaches itself, causing the sceptic to scoff, and I, for one, am a doubter of the truth of his deduction. Let us say that, at hast, the case must be held as "not proven." Sept. 14, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 3G3 I am carrying on, at least, one-fourth of my queen fully that age. BricJ: Honey.— Some of our extracting friends might make experiments along this line, and test whether it is practicable to preserve honey in this country in (lie form of solid bricks. I see no reason why it should not be feasible with many, and they should be able to preserve it in this handy form at least during winter and spring, if not early summer. If the ex- periments prove successful it would be an excellent way of disposing of a large part of the surplus extracted honey. I see no reason to anticipate that there would be any danger of loss in either flavour or aroma under proper treatment. The scheme is, at least, well worth giving an experimental trial. A 20-lb. Swarm. — The gentleman who was blessed with this great congregation of bees last year, 1904, failed to respond to an invitation to report results at the end of the season. If this meets Ms eye he might still acquaint us with the results. I desire the information, not from any morbid desire to pry into his concerns, but only in the best interests of apicul- ture, and to help to prove or disprove a theory I hear about very large swarms not coming up to expectations in working out m the true ratio of weight. — D. M. M., Banff. FOR MAKING SOFT BEE-CANDY. [6007.] In making this candy, I use an ordinary enamelled saucepan, or preserving pan, and into this is put 15 lb. of cane- sugar (white ci\ystals) and three quarts of water (hot for preference). Place over a clear, strong fire and stir until the sugar is quite dissolved. "When it begins to boil draw I he pan aside for a moment, and while it continues to boil slowly remove the scum and other impurities from the surface of the sugar. This done, return tlie pan to the fire, and let it boil as fast as possible, without stirring, for about twenty minutes. Then, to ascertain if boiled enough, have a bowl of cold water ready at hand, and dip the forefinger of one hand first in the cold water, next in tin' boiling sugar, then again in cold water, and with the sugar adhering to the fore- finger try to make a soft ball from it, like a piece of mastic ready for use. These last operations should only occupy two or three seconds. The forefinger must be kept curved whilst dipping it into the boiling sugai-, and though a little skill and courage are required to do it for the first time, it is not difficult and does not burn the finger at all. A sugar-boiling ther- mometer would be a convenient substitute. If unable to make a ball in the way mentioned, the sugar must be boiled a little longer, otherwise the boiling is finished. Next pour in 5 lb. of honey ready at hand (about 5 oz. per lb. of sugar). The mixture must be then boiled again for one or two minutes, but great care must be taken not to hit it overflow, as honey is- apt to rise quickly like milk. I find that adding a small piece of butter of the size of a hazel-nut. often causes it to sett le down, but not always. After the second boiling remove the pan from the fire and medicate with naphthol beta (two tablespoonfuls of the " Guide Book " solution for 20 lb.), mixing it well in. In cooling the mixture pour it into a square tin, 21 by 15 inches. In one of this size, 20 lb. of candy will cool suf- ficiently in an hour, or in far less time if the vessel is placed in cold water. During the cooling process do not stir while hot. Note this well, for without this precaution the candy will be not smooth but rough in grain. When the sugar has so cooled down that the finger may be kept in it for half a minute without scalding, then begin to stir, and continue to do so until the candy becomes white and stiff. It is now finished, but in order to transfer it into suitable moulds it must be warmed again ; there- fore, the whole is put into another pan or vessel which fits on to a boiler containing hot water. In a short time the candy be- comes more or less liquid, like cream, and an occasional stir must be given to dissolve all lumps. When properly dissolved and brought to almost boiling point (say, 204 deg. Fahr.), pour it into the moulds iiv boxes and allow it to cool. Candy thus made, if stored in a dry, cool room, will keep soft for years. If the sugar has been accidentally overboiled (in which case it is brittle' and breaks when tested), add a little water and boil again to the proper point. As a preventive of overboiling, remove the pan from the fire while testing whether cooked enough. Also, to prevent mishap in another direction, the saucepan used for making the candy should not be more than half full. It must also be noted that the honey is to be boiled thoroughly, not merely mixed with the sugar. I have toiled not a little in the endeavour to make a bee-candy which, while con- taining as nearly as possible all the ad- vantages of the natural food, would have the advantage of beiner medicated without offering any inducement for the bees to start robbing, as so frequently happens when fed in autumn or early spring with honey or sugar-syrup. My own stocks have been fed entirely on this candy during the whole winter, and I have not lost a single colony during all the time I have been in charge of the Abbey Apiary here. It is also very good for feeding queens 364 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 14, 1905. and their attendant bees in mailing cages, as I have tested it scores of times for this purpose without a single complaint. Those who do not care to make the candy themselves may obtain it from Mr. Geo. Rose, Liverpool, under the name of "Devonshire Candy." — Bk. Columban, O.S.B., St, Mary's Abbey, Buckfast, S. Devon. SOME BEE-NOTES FROM ESSEX. [6008.] Cheap Honey Jars. — Without casting any reflection on the cheaper jars advertised, because who find that a cheap article answers their purpose, ^should have what suits them, it is certain that low prices must mean low quality. It makes one ask — Where are the honey- jars of high-quality glass that were easily obtainable twelve or fifteen years ago ? We paid a good price for these, but were satisfied, because quality is a leading fea- ture with any bee-keeper who would be successful. Previous to the time men- tioned above, honey was seen at the few shows where bee-produce was staged, in pots and bottles of all sorts, sizes, and con- ditions. I have myself seen run honey exhibited in gallipots, jam bottles of various sizes, and old bullseye and pickle- bottles ; making quite a regiment of odd pots and bottles, so that if any attempt at all was made at arranging the show- tables, it was only necessary to place the big pots at the back and the smallest in front. This was all that could be done. Then came a longing for better appear- ances, and we had metal-topped honey-jars of really good, white glass. I am aware that many of our best showmen of that time have now gone from among us, but they were Englishmen, in the bee-goods trade, and would not be so unpatriotic and lacking in public spirit as to take all the secrets of the bottle business from us. However, bee-keepers are now left to find at their own expense that cheapness does not usually go hand-in-hand with good quality. Wasp Stings. — I recently met a bee- keeper who had got badly stung by a wasp taken into the mouth by accident while drinking a glass of ginger-beer, while out cycling. Being stung at the base of his tongue the consequences might have been very serious. As it was, I am Itold, that the pain was very great for some time, and he was almost blinded. But, no doubt, the comparatively slight trouble was, more or less due to the fact that he, as a bee- keeper, gets a sting now and again. Swarm-catchers.- At the commencement of the swarming season this year, I fitted up several small boxes with one standard . frame of comb in each. These were hung in the hedge round the apiary, so that if the bees swarmed, they would be induced to cluster in them, but my swarms quite ignored" these "catchers." Discarding Good Advice. — I have this season met an unusually large number of middle-aged and even old persons who have recently commenced to keep bees. Most of them I found had quite ignored the oft-repeated advice, given in your pages, to "go slowly" at the start. This is sound advice, as some of those referred to will have found to their costt, I feel sure. Unless reliable help is obtainable, a beginner, be he sixteen or sixty, cannot well manage and keep up his interest in a great number of hives of bees that are, in his hands, an unmanageable quan- tity. It is mistakes of this sort that so often cause what is known as " upsets " in the apiary, and, in this connection, I may mention that a number of bee-keepers, I have met with lately, have asked if I could give an explanation of an "upset." Some, of which I get particulars, could not be explained or accounted for, but others wex*e clearly due to carelessness or over- sight on the part of the bee-keepers them selves. One had left pieces of comb containing- honey-comb exposed in close proximity to the hives. Another had put outside a lot of odds and ends of honey in bits of comb in the garden for the bees to clean up, the result being that the latter became excited and were made unmanage able, so much so, that the consequences might have been serious, as one person was badly stung. — W. Loveday, Hatfield Heath, Harlow. NOVEL BEE-HIVES. [6009.] I was much interested in " Bee- way's " letter (page 234, 5918) re bees in Edenhall yard, having lived there myself when a boy. It may interest some of your readers to learn of a still more novel hive — viz., a tombstone, which stands in Irongray Churchyard, near Dumfries, and in which the bees sometimes survive the winter, but not always. I have wondered often where they build their combs, as there could be no space, I thought, in an upright stone. A few days ago I got Mr. J. W. Dods, memorial sculptor, to examine it, and he says the bees occupy a space three feet long, eight or nine inches deep, and two or three inches wide. The monument is made up of two stones, which touch each other, I understand, until within eight or nine inches of the top, the stone being finished off with a triangular pediment on top, and it is where this pediment joins that the bees get access, probably owing to the sink- ing of the stones' foundation. A few yards from this novel bee-hive is Sept. 14, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 365 the burial-place of Jeanie Deans, the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's " Heart of Midlothian.'' The season here promises to be a good one, stocks being strong, and weather all that can be desired from a bee-keeper's point of view. In this spot we have had nice rains ; but this is not the case within a very short radius, where rain is badly- wanted. — Henry Marre, Newtonairds, Dumfries. HOUSE-MARTINS AND BEES. [6010.] As none of your readers seemed able to answer my question on the above point in B.B.J, of August 10 .'page 516), I wrote to the Director of die <->rni olio logic al Department of the South Kensington Museum, askins for information on the subject. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe replied that he could not definitely say whether swallows and martins preyed upon bees, but he would endeavour to obtain further facts. This morning I have received the enclosed courteous communications, which I think will prove interesting to bee- keepers. — W. H. Harris, Hayes End, Middlesex, September 4. Correspondence below : — Sparrow's Hanger, Alton, Hants, September 3, 1905. Dear Sir, — I sent your letter on to my friend Mr. Seth-Smith, the editor of the Apicultural Magazine. He has asked Mr. Thomasset, and I enclose vou his reply. — Very truly yours, R. Bowdler Sharpe. W. H. Harris, Esq. Hawkenbury, Staplehurst, Kent, August 27, 1905. Dear Sir, — Mr. D. Seth-Smith has for- warded me your letter concerning bees and swallows. I have kept bees for a good many years and have never seen swallows taking them. Formerly bee- keepers considered swallows and martins as enemies, but now it is almost univer- sal lv admitted that these birds leave bees severely alone. Lately a bee-keeper, whose name I regret I do not recollect, in- terested himself in this subject. During one summer he shot from time to time a number of swallows and martins in the vicinity of his apiary, but only in one case was one of the birds found to contain a single bee. — Yours faithfully, Bernard C. Thomasset. HEATHER PROSPECTS: NORTH-WEST DURHAM. [6011.] Bees were taken to the moors on July 29, a fortnight earlier than usual owing to the short duration of the clover- honey flow. A break in the weather took place after the hives had been on the moors a few days, and the bees that were crowded in three and four crates were re- duced to one and two crates by August 12, owing to the cold north and north-east winds which prevailed till then. After that date they had a week of ideal weather for comb-building and gathering, when it again became cold, and has con- tinued so for the last fortnight. The moors are now in full bloom, but the bees are unable to take advantage of it. What with the cold winds and wet weather, the prospects of a good heather harvest are certainly disappointing. — J. Walton, Hon. Sec. N.W.D.B.K.A., Blackhill, September 2. NOTES FROM DERBYSHIRE. BEES AT THE HEATHER. [6012.] I fear the bad weather will make a notable decrease in the weight of supers on hives at the heather this year. I went to see mine on Augusjt 22. A grand day it was, and the view was splendid. I never saw the hills look more beautiful, the purple bloom of heather being clearly visible on the Sheffield moors twenty miles away. As I mounted the Stone-edge Hill, the blue sky north of me was full of pro- mise of a good time for the bees, but rolling up from the south were visible darker clouds coming slowly but surely on, and in- dicating a change for the worse in the weather ; but at 4 p.m. I was among my eighteen hives, and wha|t a hum the bees made! — truly, "going for all they were worth." They had been doing grandly up to that time with every prospect of a good harvest, and had the fine weather con- tinued, as it was then, we should have had a bumper crop, but an hour later the threatening clouds were over us, and, as the sun disappeared behind them, one could feel that the warmth had gone, for the "hum" was stilled, and soon there was scarcely a bee to be seen. I went again on my "bike" on September 1, but it could be easily seen thalt nothing had been gathered in the meantime ; very few bees were on the wing, owing to the cold wind blowing, and all hives were quiet by 4 p.m. So with heather past its beat, and little or no sunshine, the weak lots will want feeding when back at home. My best hive has yielded about three dozen sections, the next best about 15 lb. in a super, while from four others I got about 10 lb., and very little in the brood-frames at present. The latter were weak lots when taken to the heather, as two of them had been queenless for three weeks before starting. The clover did not yield so well as it should have done with the quantity of bloom there was out. It seemed to stop short at the finish for want of a few showers to prolong the bloom. Owing to this, what looked like being a " record " 366 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 14, 1905. year for me will only show an average of about 30 lb. per hive. I had a bit of bee-work on hand a month back that is worth recording, I fancy. A bee-friend of mine had a stock of bees in a frame-hive given to him last spring that had not been opened for four years. Its owner did not know whether it had sections on or not. As the roof could not be lifted off, my friend kept it all the summer as it was, thinking that the bees would swarm ; but they did not, so we set about •the job of finding out what held the roof down. After carrying the hive into a shed, we prised off first the top, then the two sloping boards of roof, and found the whole roof-space packed with honey and comb and bees ! I felit a bit staggered at first to know how the lot was to be got out ; but after cutting and carving for aboutt two hours, we managed it by cutting down to top of frames first, expecting to find the section-rack on, but it had been removed, and the remover had never put a scrap of anything on top of frames, so the bees had worked in the roof for four years. All the brood was in the body-box, and seven out of nine frames were as well packed with brood as any beeman could wish to see. I could not say how much honey we got, but I reckoned there were three square feet of sealed honey in the comb we cut out. Among it was some of last year's dark stuff, along with some gathered, no doubt, the year before and candied as white as snow. All this makes me think we keep our bees too warm, as a rule, if they will winter so well under a roof made of half-inch boards ; not only so, but the bees could get out all round the edge of the roof, so there was plenty of ventilation. It was also about the flimsiest-made hive I ever saw. I was very pleased to see that the entry- foe is lowered down to one shilling at the two bis London shows of the Confectioners and Grocers respectively. I am going to make an entry myself, but it is uphill work showing when any one gets his ex- hibits smashed up, as I did at Shrews- bury. It cost me 9s. 6d., and such ex- periences knock all "showing" out of one, but I shall have another try, and if itliere is another failure, I shall feel in- clined to throw up. -Tom Sleight, Pils- ley, September 4. EXHIBITING AT HONEY SHOWS. [6013.] In your editorial report in B.B.J. (September 7, page 351), of the Confec- tioners' and Allied Trade*' Exhibition, I notice in the third par. you say, "We hoped to have seen a larger number of ex- hibits, in view of the trifling sum charged for each entry, and the very liberal money prizes offered for competition ; but bee- keepers are a bit curious in some respects, and certainly do not appear to show much appreciation of efforts, however praise- worthy, made in the endeavour to bring about a large and good display of bee- produce on the show-bench." As a bee-keeper of many years' standing and a constant reader of the B.B.J., I trust you will allow me to give my own experience of exhibiting honey this season. In looking down the list of " Bee-sliows to Come," I picked out a show at which I decided to enter honey for competition, and wrote for schedule, which duly arrived. The classes in which I chose to exhibit were free of any entry fee, but the exhibits were to become the property of the show society. So far, so good. I returned the entry form to the secretary, and, in due course, received the class-number labels for my jars, which were sent properly ad- dressed and securely packed, per passenger train and carriage paid. The show was held on August 16 last — which is now getting on for a month ago — but from that day till now, I have had no acknowledgment as to whether my honey ever arrived at its destination, whether it was ever staged, whether it gained any prize, nor yet have I seen any report of the show in the B.B.J. Now, Sir, if other bee-keepers are treated thus, after giving of their best rvroduce free, .is it any wonder that " bee-keepers are, a bit curious in some respects ami do not seem to appreciate," etc., etc. If this meets the eye of the secretary of the show to which I refer, he will know I am speaking truly, and I therefore do not wish to shield myself behind any nom-de- plume, but append my full name, etc., which is — Albert L. N. Long, Witney, Oxon, September 8. BEES REFUSING TO UNITE. [6014.] Whilst feeding some rabbits close to my bees about 6.45 p.m. on August 21 I found a cluster of bees in a dwarf pear tree. I subsequently found this was a driven lot which I had united to a weak stock with a drone-breeding queen. My experience is that once bees become queen- less or have a drone-breeding queen, it is useless to try to do anything with them They will not unite with others, nor will they raise a new queen if given a frame of brood from another hive, for, being all old bees, they seem to have more fight and strength than others. I had, of course, re- moved the queen (a drone-breeder) three or four hours before uniting. I enclose the drone-breeding queen referred to. Perhaps you will be able to pass an opinion. She is about two months old. — Frank Jarvis, Bucks. [The inference you draw from above Sept. 14, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 367 experience is a very reasonable one, and is probably about right, though we cannot confirm it from our own experience. — Eds.] HELPING BEGINNERS. [6015.] Having been an interested reader of the British Bee Journal for some time past, I am thinking of setting up three, or perhaps four, hives of bees ; but, residing rather close to town, I am doubtful whether it will be a success. Would you mind publishing this letter, asking some bee-keeper in this district whether he would give me an insight into the keeping, etc., of bees, by letting me see him handle his hives, and also tell me whether the situation is of any use for bee- keeping ? I attach name and address for reference, and sign — A. H. D., Birmng- ham, August 29. EARWIGS EMPTYING SUPERS. [6016.] Referring to query in B.B.J, of August 31 (No. 3883, page 349), in which the question is asked whether earwigs are injurious to bees, I can say from experience that although they may not be injurious to the bees, they are very destructive to the combs, and steal the honey wholesale if op- portunity favours them. On one occasion I placed a super-clearer under a rack of shallow-frames, all being full of honey and well capped over. Distance prevented me from removing the super for three or four days, and when the frames were un covered for removal I found that all the cells had been uncapped, and every drop of honey carried off ; while the combs and clearer-board were black with hundreds of earwigs, the board being also covered with coarse pieces of wax. It, was not a case of robbing, as there was not a bee to be seen in the super. — G. S. F., Ilford. [The above experience is new to us, and we shall be glad to hear if other bee- keepers who have had shallow-frames full of honey emptied by earwigs. — Eds.] A BAD SEASON IN LINCOLNSHIRE. CURIOUS VARIATION IX RESULTS. [6017.] It may interest some B.B.J. readers to hear how we have fared in this part of Lincolnshire. I have kept bees now for about nine years, but with me this has been by far the worst I have yet ex- perienced. This seems very strange in view of the fact that other bee-keepers in various parts of the country have done so well. It is also remarkable that in 1904, when so many complaints of failure were reported, I did wondei'fully well, getting nearly 400 lb. of surplus from seven hives. My surplus this year will only be about 70 lb. from eight hives yet they were all crowded with bees in the spring, and had an abundance of stores. Everything promised well at first, but. the honey-flow was extremely short, and since the end of June nothing could be got in the fields, so that bees have been living on what was previously gathered, and have now almost no stores at all. One strong colony from which I got 4 lb. of honey will require 20 lb. of sugar to keep it alive this winter, and with one exception all my stocks will require a lot of food. Last season I cleared £10 from the bees, compared with about as many shillings this time, yet the hives are all strong with bees, so that it must be the complete failure of the honey harvest in my locality. I trust we may do better another year. — F. B. L., Boston, Lines., September 9. A UNIQUE OBSERVATORY HIVE. [6018.] When at a village in the south- west of Cornwall, I was asked to look at a hive of bees. The cottager took me tn the house to see it. Like many of the houses in this part, it was built of clay, and at one side of the fireplace was a china cupboard with a glass front. A small hole appears to have been made by mice or rats to the outside, by which a swarm of bees had entered and taken possession of the lower shelf of cupboard, and are making very satisfactory progress, in full view, although, perhaps to their advantage, in the darkest corner of the room. I find the following a splendid recipe for destruction of wasos' nests and bees in trees, etc. : — Take a piece of cyanide of potassium, about the size of a marble, and place it at entrance of hole, on a sunny day, if possible. It will quickly disappear, and so will the wasps. A shillingswoith from a chemist is sufficient for a score of nests. — W. H. B., Cornwall, September 9. QUEENS "PIPING." [6019.] The day following the issue of a swarm from one of my hives, I examined the stock with the intention of cutting off all queen-cells but one. On opening the hive, I could distinctly hear the " piping " of a young queen, but could not then be- lieve one had yet hatched. However, on examining the third comb, I observed an empty queen-cell, and, at the same time, heard the piping referred to, which led me to 'the exact spot where the young queen was located. I did not replace comb in hive at once, but watched the pro- ceedings, and several times did that queen " pipe " while the frame was in my hands. No other queen-cell had hatched, and the vacated cell was the only one on the said comb. So far as I could see, the sound 368 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 14, 1905. was produced by vibrations of the queen's wings when stationary, and not in the endeavour to destroy her unhatched rivals, as there was neither a queen-cell nor an other virgin near her at the time. After this experience, I am led to believe that —in addition to " piping " when in combat with her rivals— the young queen produces this sound when the colony is about to send forth a cast, and the first-hatched young queen — being through some mysterious instinct aware of the fac't — exercises her wings to strengthen them for her early flight. I should like to know if some other reader has had a similar experience. — T. Altxn-Joxes, Rhosemor, Flintshire, September 6. BEE-KEEPING AS A BUSINESS. [6020.] I trust that this somewhat be- lated reply to the query 3821 (page 286) of your correspondent — who, under the nom de plume of "A "Would-be Bee-keeper," writes to the B.B.J, of July 20— may not, at this distant day, appear out of place. As a matter of fact, the article in question only came under my notice in Johannes- burg two days ago. I have never kept bees, and am, therefore, not qualified to write with authority upon the financial prospects of keeping a large apiary, nor is it my intention to do so. My sole ob- ject in writing is to urge upon your cor- respondent the importance of adhering to the life he has chosen, to follow the abori- ginal instincts of his nature, and the whis- pered calling of his soul, and so, as Keats sings : — •IDo the deed, Why my own soul has to itself decreed," What more beautiful life than that which your correspondent conjures up before our eyes — especially eyes grown weary with the sordidness, the hideousness, and the shame of a city such as this. To live in a garden with his brown and golden bees, caring for, and succouring them ; being cheered, and, so, cared for in return, by the flowers which surround him, and are his companions — great, monstrous hydrangeas, fox-gloves, purple lilies, lilies washed white with the milk of Juno, pansies, " Sweet Heart of the Trinity, " basil and purple lavender (said to dispel melancholy from the soul), flowers strangely mottled, and flowers subtle and sensitive which love onlv the sun, and others which reveal their splendours to the moon alone, the air ever heavy with the perfume of the honeysuckle and the rose — surely the soul itself must grow flower like amidst such surroundings. It is, I feel, in such a scene that this young man — whose " bent is literature, principally poetry " — pictures himself, singing with the world a new song, creating, for those who have eyes to see, Hie vision of beautiful, undreamed-of ithino-s. Oh! young man, you have, as you say, been born in an age when litera- ture has fallen into neglect, amongst a people " whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame." Never- theless, be of good cheer, follow where the soul calls, even if penury be your portion, it is a penury which bears no shame. Were not many of the Immortals members of the order of Noble Poverty? Was not the body of Johann Wolfgang Amadous Mozart carried, unfollowed, to the common bury- ing-ground of the poor? Did not one of the greatest geniuses of our own, or any time, die starving in a Paris garret ? Follow the dictates of your own soul, and, e'en though riches be denied you, though fame shine not upon you, your pathway shall be strewn with flowers. I must apologise for encroaching to so great an extent upon your space and for- bearance. I trust that your correspondent " A Would-be Bee-keeper " will not look upon these words of encouragement as an impertinence. " Stranger, if you passing meet me, and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me ? And why should I not speak to you ? " — Simple Life, Johannesburg, August 21. (Mflflj Jfoffm rite pties. Herts, September 10. — I have (taken one and a half cwt. of honey this season, like sample. I had two hives in the spring, and one having sent out a swarm, it was hived on nine frames, and fed for a few days. The bees did well, but I could not get them to work in sections, and, there- fore, tried them with a box of six shallow- frames of drawn-out comb on July 25, and they took to these and partly filled and sealed them. But swarms have not done very well here this year, several bee-keepers I know of having failed to get any surplus from them. I started bee-keeping about five years ago, and find much pleasure in working among the bees, while I manage to get a balance on the right side. I also have the bees to manage at the place where I am employed as gardener, and being away all day, I cannot manage a large apiary of my own, as I should like to. All my knowledge of bees has been gained from the "Guide Book" and your weekly and monthly journals, and I find the ques- tions asked by others very often answer for myself. — J. Geay. 14, 1905.J BEE JOURNAL. 369 [3893.] Are Queens Mated in Autumn ? — I should be glad of your advice in the fol- lowing case : — I purchased an " Extra Golden " virgin queen a fortnight ago, and introduced her safely. I have seen her fly- ing about on August 29, 30, and 31, and this makes me ask : 1. Do virgins leave the hive daily before they are mated ? Also 2. Do they come out at all after being fe~ tilised ? 3. Should be glad to know if there is still any chance for her being mated when there are only a few drones left in the colonies ? Tour reply will oblige. — Llanellyite, Carmarthen, September 5. Reply. — 1. Virgin queens usually mate in summer if weather be favourable — within a week after hatching out, some- times in four or five days. 2. They take dailv flights if weather suits until fertilised. 3. There is still a chance of mating so long as drones on the wing ; but it is far from certain that the queen in question will be fertilised in such weather as we are now having. [3894.] Bee Parasites. — 1. Can you tell me the particular reason why the black queen sent is unprolific, and give me an idea of her age ? 2. By examining you will see that there are no less than nine reddish- coloured parasites on her body ; would this hinder her fertility ? 3. Can you say how Ions: the tiny insects live, as the stock in question was put into a new hive last autumn, and nearly all my bees are now affected irt the same way, although I use carbolic solution when manipulating? — W. A. T. , Honiton, September 6. Reply. — 1. The queen (dead when re- ceived) has the appearance of being fairly old, and has no doubt been rendered less prolific than usual by continued worrying caused by the parasites, which are known as Braula ca?ca, or blind lice. 2. The Brcmla, fortunately, does not live long in this coun- try, our winters beinsr too cold for it. [3895.] A Lady Bce-lceeper's Queries. — Kindly answer the following in B.B..J. : — 1. What can I do with a lot of new sections that I have already filled with new comb foundation? Can I safely store them, as they are in a dry place, till wanted next season, or will the foundation spoil and get mouldy? 2. What is best to do with a large number of half-finished sections, as I fear my bees will not do any more work or finish them now, and I suppose, being under weight, I cannot sell sections like this? 3. Had I better buy an extractor? 4. Is it too late to advertise in B.B.J, that I have, nine dozen good sections of honey for sale? 5. Ought I to unite my weak stocks? as the bees swarmed no less than nine times, in spite of cutting out queen- cells and other precautions ; and although last year I began bee-keeping with only four hives, I now have eleven. I never saw the swarms issue, or could, of course, have returned them to the parent hive. I should be most grateful if you would give me your advice. — A. K. S., Weymouth. Reply. — 1. Wrap them up carefully in paper so as to keep out moths and dust, and store them in a dry warm place. 2. Put them through the extractor at once, and give the wet combs to the bees to clean up before storing awav. Do not give them to the bees till dusk, in order to avoid risk of starting robbing. 3. Yes ; no outfit is complete without one. 4. No ; good sec- tions are still in demand. 5. Yes ; weak stocks are not worth trying to winter singly. [3896.] Bees Failing to Transfer Them- selves.— Will you kindly advise me on the best mode of wintering my bees? I ob- tained an established stock in a skep in May last, and put same over a frame-hive containing fully drawn-out comb, in ac- cordance with instructions contained in " Guide Book. " I have examined the hive on several occasions since — the last time as recently as Saturday, August 26 — but although there were plenty of bees in lower hive, no attempt has been made to store honey, nor has the queen gone down. What had I better do ? Winter the bees in skep 1 If so. should skep remain over frames? Should bees be fed, and, if so, how? as, of course, feeding from above with skep is impossible, there being no feed-hole in top. — Worker Bee, Birmingham. Reply. — The failure of the bees to trans- fer their brood-nest below has, no doubt, been caused by either paucity of bees or the scantiness of the honey-crop in your district. Under the circumstances we advise wintering the bees in skep, as they are now established therein, and any stores they may have will probably be sealed over. If the queen is worth anything at all the brood-nest will be established in frame-hive early next year. \tt %\im% to September 14, 15, and 16, at Crystal Palace- — Surrey* B.K.A. Annual Exhibition of Bees. Honey. Wax, and Appliances, etc. Twenty-five classes (ten open to all). Entries closed. Serotember 16 to 23. at the Agricultural Hall. Tjondon- — Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Market of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £60 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keet>ers- Schedules from H. S. Rogers. Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.G. 370 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 14, 1905. September 27, at Altrincham.— Annual Show of the Altrincham Agricultural Society. Good Money Prizes for Honey, along with Silver and Bronze Medals of the Cheshire B.K.A., and others. Open Class for Frame-Hive (unpainted). Schedules from .T. Herbert Hall, 2, Dunham Boad, Altrincham. Entries closed- October 3 to 5, at the Agricultural Hall. London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. (Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B.B.K.A. Entries closed- November 15 to 18. at Plymouth. — Honey Show, ;n connection with Plymouth Exhibition (at- tendance 1904, 61.000) ; 15 Open Classes for Appliances, Honey, Wax, Confectionery, etc. Uold, silver, and bronze medals, handsome diplomas, money prizes, etc. Schedule* from A. D. Breeze, Chartered Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Plymouth. Entries close November 1- . Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. R. H. C. (Lancashire).— Buying Driven Bees. — Insuring Hives. — We cannot publish your letter in extenso, because in our opinion, neither of the com- plaints made therein are quite justified. With regard to the first, we invite your attention to the wording of advertise- ment in question, which you do not quote correctly. There is no mention whatever of bees being "put on rail same day as order received," nor is any sj>ecific weight of bees stated. In view of this it is hardly surprising that the seller should take the trouble to reply to your somewhat hasty threat of " ex- posing him. " On the question ef insuring bees, your complaint atrainst the secre- tary of your county association should be addressed to the chairman, not to us. But if you will take the trouble to acquaint yourself with the details of the insurance scheme and the method of working, you will find that no acknow- ledgment of each sixpence received from yourself and friend is required ; nor is a separate policy made out and supplied to each insurer, as the small amounts would be swallowed up in costs if dealt with singly. E. H. (Bedford). — Covers for Hive-roofs. — There is no particular objection to covering leaky roofs with felt, if the hard asphalt kind is used, and it may have a coat of whitewash in the hot summer-time. The soft, thick tarred felt that holds moisture after exposure is unsuitable for the purpose. But the most reliable covering is thin sheet-zinc. F. J. T. (Tringi). — Forming County Asso- ciations.— A few years ago Herts had one of the best county associations in England, and no doubt if the right sort of man could be secured for secretary, it might be the same now. Can you sug- gest a name? If so, we will see that vmr request is attended to. Ayrshire Beginner (Bankhead).— Storing Sections. — An airy, dry cupboard near a fireplace, where a temperature of be- tween 60 and 70 deg. Fahr. can be main- tained, is the best place for preserving honey-sections from granulating. In some years, however, granulation will take place in spite of every precaution. E. W. S. (Upton-on-Severn).- — Varieties of Heather. — The one you term " large bell " is the Erica cincrea, or bell- heather ; the " small bell " is Calluna vulgaris (common ling). The last- named is by far the best flower of the two for honey. ' Tomey " (Middlewich). — Non-swarming Hives. — Without knowing what hive you refer to as having " a drawer of shallow- frames in bottom," we cannot safely say how the " drawer " is intended to be used. The inference is, however, that your reference is to a non-swarm- ing hive, which is much less suitable for a beginner to start with than one of more simple construction. W. E. E. C. (Ipswich). — Iron Honey- valves. — We advise your having the honey-valve tinned before screwing it into the cask, as honey in direct touch with iron becomes discoloured. A. McA. (Glasgow). — Comb-foundation. — Of the five samples sent, we prefer No. 3 for supers and No. 5 for brood. No. 2 is rather thin for brood, and No. 4 for supers is the nearly white bleached wax which bees often refuse to work on for some reason. W. H. B. (Walthamstow).— Sugar for Bee- food. — 1. Raw Demerara sugar is quite unsuitable for bee-food, as is also any sugar made from beetroot. There is no difficulty in obtaining, pure cane- sugars (see advertisement of same in B.B.J.). Constant Reader (Kilmaurs, N.B.). — If you are proposing to build up a stock for wintering with driven bees, not less than 3 lb. of bees should be obtained. H. C. Smith (Cirencester).— Bee-forage. — Flowers sent are those of the Scabiosa succisa ("Devil's Bit"). It yields both honey and pollen. Honey Samples. H. F. (Chichester). — Your sample consists mainly of honey-dew, and as such is un- suitable for table use. J. G. (Herts). — Sample is free from clover, and quite good enough for the show- bench. Suspected Comb. Sussex Downe (Brighton).— Foul brood is rapidly developing in comb sent. *** Some Queries and Replies, &r.f are un- avoidably held over till next week. Sept. 21, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 371 (ftiiiorial, Ifotiaa, fct THE GROCERS AND KINDRED TRADES' EXHIBITION. HONEY SHOW AT THE AGRICULTURAL HALL. The thirteenth annual Exhibition and Market of the Grocery and Allied Trades, held at the Agricultural Hall, London, was opened on Sa'turday last, the 16th inst., and continues till the end of the present week. Favoured with fine weather, as it has been so far, we doubt if any of its predecessors has equalled this exhibition for extent or for all-round excellence, while the section in which bee-keepers will feel most interest greatly surpasses anything previously seen at the "Grocers'." The display of bee-produce is set up in the centre of the left-hand gallery when looking towards the clock in the great hall, where first are seen six handsome honey trophies, followed by a single line of staging, the length of which may be judged when we say that of extracted honey alone something like 1,800 jars were seen. The eleven classes into which the competition is divided are open to all British bee- keepers, and the amount offered in cash prizes for honey far exceeds that of any honey show in the kingdom, while the entry fees are merely nominal. In view of this, it was highly satisfactory to see so fine a display, and the whole admirably staged by Mr. Wm. Herrod, who will no doubt receive well-deserved credit for the way he got through a very onerous task. Amid so much that was worthy of notice, and the almost equal merits of the win- ning exhibits, we need not particularise, but it was regrettable to see several capital exhibits disqualified through carelessness on the part of exhibitors in not complying with rules. We hope to refer again to this ; meantime, it is satisfactory to see that good British honey is brought to the notice of many thousands of consumers every year by means of these important London shows. Mr. W. Broughton Carr, London, and Mr. Walter F. Reid, Addlestone, Surrey, officiated as judges, and made the fol- lowing AWARDS. Display of Honey (comb and extracted) and Honey Products, shown in suitably attractive form for a tradesman's window (6 entries).— 1st (£4 and B.B.K.A. Silver Medal), C. W. Dyer, Compton. Newbury ; 2nd (£3), J. Waddell, Alwinton, North- umberland ; 3rd (£2), J. Pearman, Penny Long Lane, Derby ; 4th (£1), E. Wise, Henley-on-Thames; c, H. Davidson, Bee- croft, Basingstoke. Twelve 1-lb. Sections (26 entries). — 1st (£1 10s. and Bronze Medal), C. W. Dyer ; 2nd (£1), J. Waddell; 3rd (10s.), F. W. Woodley, Compton, Newbury; 4th (5s.), G. Hunt, Newark; 5th (2s. 6d.), E. Wise; h.c, F. Hancox, Steeple Aston; h.c, J. Goldhawke, Reymerston, Norfolk; h.c, Mrs. Sopp, Crowmarsh, Wallingford, Berks; h.c, J. Boyes, Cardiff. Twelve 1-lb. Heather Sections (15 entries). —1st, J. M. Balmbra, Alnwick ; 2nd, J. Waddell ; 3rd, H. Waddington, Boro- bridge, Yorks ; 4th, Jones Bros., Andover ; v.h.c.; J. Pearman. Three Shallow Frames Comb Honey for Extracting (7 entries).— 1st (£1 5s.), F. R. Ford, Burwell, Cambs ; 2nd (£1), E. Wise ; 3rd (15s), G. T. Lynds, Longfield, Kent. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Light-coloured Ex- tracted Honey (64 entries).— 1st (£1 15s. and B.B.K.A. Certificate), J. Waddell; 2nd (£1 5s.), T. G. Hillier, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Andover ; 3rd (15s. ), A. Young, Chatham; 4th (10s.), R. Wiliams, Llan- gwyllog, Anglesey; 5th (5s.), S. Cart- wright, Shawbury, Shrewsbury; v.h.c, L. Quayle, Glenmay, Isle of Man ; C. Bocock, Newmarket; Miss Batten, Alton, Hants ; J. Kerr, Dumfries, N.B. ; and A. Fox, Bardsea, Ulverston ; h.c, W. Cook, Binbrook, Lines. ; and W. H. Wil- liams, Llandon, Glam. ; c, J. Cragg, Gar- stang, Lanes. ; Jones Bros. ; and R. Mor- gan, Cowbridge. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured Ex- tracted Honey (43 entries). — 1st (£1 5s.), A. Young ; 2nd (£1), G. Hills, Comberton, Cambs; 3rd (15s.), Miss Willan, Hanley Castle, Worcester; 4th (10s.), J. Herrod, Trentside Apiary, Sutton-on-Trent ; v.h.c, W. E. Hyde, Ledbury, Herefordshire ; h.c, G. T. Lynds; c, J. R. Freeman, Westerham, Kent. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Dark-coloured Ex- tracted Honey (13 entries). — 1st (£1), G. Hunt; 2nd (15s.), J. Jones, Wegber Quarry, Carnforth, Lanes ; 3rd (10s.), E. Wise; h.c, C. Jones, Knowle, Bristol; c, J. R. Fi'eeman. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Heather Honey (8 en- tries).—1st (£1), J. Waddell; 2nd (15s.), W. G. Walton, Windermere ; 3rd (10s.), G. T. Walden, Pirbright, Surrey; v.h.c, A. Brightwell, East Liss, Hants. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey (10 entries). — 1st (£1 5s.), J. Herrod; 2nd (£1), E. Wise; 3rd (15s.), J. Pearman; 4th (10s.), A. Young; v.h.c, F. Harper, Uttoxeter, Staffs. Beeswax in Cakes, Quality of Wax, Form of Cakes and Package, suitable for retail counter trade (13 entries). — 1st (£1), Mrs. Harris, High Ferry, Sibsey, Boston ; 2nd (15s.), G. Hunt; 3rd (10s.), J. Berry, Llanrwst, N. Wales; 4th (5s.), C. Dunn Gardner, Fordham Abbey, Soham, Cambs. Beeswax, judged for quality of wax only (17 entries).— 1st (£1), A. Young; 2nd 372 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 21, 1905. (15s.), F. W. Frusher, Crowland, Lines; 3rd (10s.), J. Pearman; 4th (5s.), B. T. Kingsley, Dorking, Surrey ; h. c. , E. Wise ; and H. B. Eaton, Sandbach, Cheshire ; c. , C. Dunn Gardner ; and Miss Ratcliffe, HONEY-SELLING CLASSES. Extracted Honey in Bulk — by Sample with price (3 entries). — Certificates of Merit awarded to G. Hills, and W. J. Farmer, Redruth, Cornwall. Extracted Honey in 1-/6. Jars — by Sample with price (4 entries).- — Certificates of Merit awarded to J. Platten, Melton Constable, Norfolk ; J. Pearson, Bedale, Yorks ; and A. Brightwell. Comb Honey in Sections — loith price per dozen. — -No certificate awarded. BERKS BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL SHOW. The annual honey show was held in the Torbury Gardens, Reading, on August 30, in connection with that of the Reading Horticultural Society (which society sub- scribed £5 towards the prize fund). A fine display of honey was staged under the direction of the hon. sec. The judges were Mr. W. J. Stoneham, Windsor, and Mf. H. Edwards, Sunningdale, whose awards were as follows : — Honey Trophy (Members only). — 1st, H. W. Seymour ; 2nd, A. Canning ; 3rd, C. W. Dyer. Twelve 1-lb. Sections (Open). — 1st, H. W. Seymour ; 2nd, W. Woodley ; 3rd, A. Canning. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (Open).— 1st, H. W. Seymour ; 2nd, C. H. Bocock ; 3rd, Miss Wood. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey (Members only). — 1st, H. W. Seymour ; 2nd, C. W. Dyer. Twelve 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, C. W. Dyer; 2nd, W. Levington ; 3rd, H. Witt. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, G. W. Davies; 2nd, W. Walker; 3rd, C. W. Dyer. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. — 1st, W. Spanswick ; 2nd, F. Hamblin ; 3rd, — Meadowcroft. Six 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, G. Crocker; 2nd, F. Chapman ; 3rd, E. Beck. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st, G. Crocker ; 2nd, T. Wise ; 3rd, F. Chap- man. Silver Medal for Highest Number of Points. — H. W. Seymour. — D. W. Bishop Ackerman, Hon Sec. Berks B.K.A. LANCASTER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. HONEY SHOW AT LANCASTER. In connection with the Lancaster Agri- cultural Society's forty-second annual show, held at Lancaster on August 23, the honey section, tried for the first time in 1904, more than justified its inauguration a year ago. Arranged, as it was, in a tent devoted to bees and bee-produce only, the display of honey was so large and of such excellent quality as to surprise all who saw it, and it is hoped that in future years the bee-department will be one of the strongest features of the show. Dr. Jones, Freckleton, judged the ex- hibits, and made the following awards: — OPEN CLASSES. Six 1-lb. Sections (12 entries). — 1st, A. W. Weatherhogg, Wiloughton, Lines. ; 2nd, D. W. Barnes, Coniston, Lanes. ; 3rd, Wm. Clark, Grange-over-Sands. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey (26 en- tries).—1st, F. Sharpies, Rainhill, Liver- pool ; 2nd and 3rd, J. Jones, Wegber Quarry, Carnforth. Six 1-lb. Jars Medium-coloured Extracted Honey (15 entries). — 1st, E. C. R. White, Newton Toney, Salisbury ; 2nd, Miss Car- radas Wray, Lancaster ; 3rd, F. Walker, Esthwaite, Hawkshead. Beeswax (16 entrj.es). — 1st, E. C. R. White ; 2nd, F. Harris, Sib&ey, Boston, Lines. LOCAL CLASSES^ Six 1-lb. Jars' Extracted Honey (21 en- tries). —1st, Wm. Clarke ; 2nd, Wm. Black, Ashton. Trophy of Honey and Bee-produce (3 en- tries).— 1st, Wm. Lloyd, Skerton, Lancas- ter ; 2nd, Jas. Gorst, Middleton Brow, Heysham. SPECIAL PRIZES. Silver Medal. — D. W. Barnes; Bronze Medal, Wm. Clarke. Dr. Jones gave an interesting lecture with bee demonstrations in the tent during the afternoon, which was well attended. — (Communicated. ) ®ormpn&ha. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily/or publication, but as a guarantee of good laith. Plustrations should be draion on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *** In order to facilitate reference, Corrtspondents, when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on which it appears AMONG THE BEES. ROBBING. [6021.] The accounts of wars and rumours of wars found in ancient bee-books would fill the heart and mind of any but a seasoned human with fear and dread. Several make Sept. 21, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 373 it appear, indeed, as if strife and conten- tion were the very breath of a bee's nostrils, and that mainly for warfare did bees har- bour up their strength and energy. Now, in a well-regulated apiary robbing is almost a lost art, and an unknown quan- tity. We have got to know bees and their ways so intimately that we have dealt a blow at the root cause of their depreda- tions. Cause leads to effect. Remove the cause and you fail to secure the effect. Feed bees at the right time, in the right way, and to the proper extent, and you eliminate the chief leading motive for those illegal predatory excursions which so upset the peace of the apiary and the peace of mind of the apiarian. But lest some forget, and bees needs must when want drives on to cateran raids, it is ad- visable to supply some cures, or, at least, checks or hindrances. If the intruders are not your own, but real invaders, ^ou can fold your hands and look on confident that a strong stock, well provisioned, will repel all attacks. But no true lover of the bee would stand silently by and see even strange bees slaughtered thus, as he would likely get out a watering-can, with a good rose, keeping it pretty actively en- gaged deluging the robbers until he took all the heart out of them. A garden syringe, with a full force of water carried - bv gravitation, would cost him less waste of energy. Some rags dipped in carbolic solution hung above and around the en- trance, with a spray-shower of the same solution all over flight-board, will generally make the robbers call a halt, while it will very slightly inconvenience the bees of the hives. If a strong hive is worrying a weak one, an interchange of hives will do good and stop the fray. If the hive is of the " combination " type, close up the front, push frames well back, contracting the brood-nest, and leave an ante-room in front open, but covered with wire-cloth to secure ventilation. Confined thus, the bees suffer no harm if not extra strong. The robbers after some hours will desist. All cracks in floor-board, openings of plinths, ventilating holes, should be made bee-proof. No syrup should be spilled when feeding, no pieces of honey-comb should be left lying about, all feeders should be carefully wrapped up, and, above all, stocks should be kept strong and well provisioned. A bad case may be cured as follows. Remove the hive attacked to some shed or outhouse, giving the bees ample ventilation. Allow the robbers free entrance into a new hive on the old stand, supplying them with very weak syrup. When they have had some of this, dilute it until it is little more than sweetened water. They soon give up in disgust, and, next day, the colony may be safelv re- stored to its old stand. Prevention, how- ever, is better than cure, so have all stocks strong in order that they may withstand invasion. Supply all with ample stores and they will have no desire to rob. The instinct, •once begot, is sometimes rather difficult to allay, as " stolen waters are sweet " — especially sweet stolen waters. The trouble is sometimes caused by un- timely manipulations, and then when much smoke is used, colonies are in the very worst form for withstanding any com- bined or persistent attack. Avoid the use of much smoke, do not leave tem-nting sweets about, do not have weak colonies, and do not manipulate unseasonably, be- cause prevention is better than cure. Here is the newest tin I have seen in the way of curing. It sounds as if there was something in it, so some of those afflicted with the robbing mania might give it a fair trial : — " As a means to prevent robbing use cheese cloth. It is very cheap and durable. Envelop the hive with it, and in ten or fifteen minutes open the cloth at the top to allow the robbers within to escape, and then close it again, repeating the operation about every ten minutes until all have escaped. The home bees are allowed to enter at sundown, though it is better to leave the cloth on for twenty-four hours, if robbing has been persistent. If, how- ever, the cloth was put on when robbing first .began it may be removed within an hour, as the' colony will then have recovered from their disorganisation." — D. M. M., Banff. FINDING QUEENS. [6022.] Hard as it may be to say any- thing fresh on so worn a subject, being able to. find the queen is of such supreme importance, that I am tempted to risk repetition, if only in the interests of the. new-comers who yearly join our ranki, and to whom the wisdom stored in past volumes of the B.B.J, is not easily acces- sible. I will confine myself, as far as possible, to points not usually enough con- sidered. First, an accurate mental idea of the queen's appearance in whatever position she may present herself to the eye as In- dispensable. This can best be acquired with the help of an observatory hive. Viewed from above, in three portions of her body she differs notably from a worker, and a glimpse of any one of these portions, the rest of the body being hidden, as it well may be by crowding bees, should suf- fice for recognition. These are : — The pointed abdomen projecting well clear of the wings ; the longer, stronger, and dif- ferently-shaped legs ; the hairless and shining dorsal thorax. Workers have this part covered with hair. In queens it ts always bare, and, consequently, dark and glossy. Though seldom noted, this pecu- 374 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 21, 1905. liarity is important, for it enables you to pick out the queen at once, even when the lower part of the body is buried in a cell in the act of laying, or otherwise hidden. On the lower side of the body, the brighter colour of the abdomen, and especially of the legs, as well as their shape, should suffice'. In driving a skep, be as gentle as pos- . sible. It is only as a preliminary and to induce the bees to fill themselves that in- timidation is necessary. A frightened queen tries to hide, and the bees often assist her. The plate, " Driving Bees," in the " Guide Book," shows at what angle to fix the skeps, and where to tap with the hands. The front hand drives the bees towards the point of ascent, the Other gently impels them upwards ; any other way is disadvantageous and confuses the bees. Regulate the upward flow, do not hurry the bees up, nor allow them to hang in one spot. As one sentinel cannot guard a wide entrance, so the eyei cannot properly watch a long line ; therefore, do not let the ladder get too broad. A clumsy big-eyed skewer makes a bad hinge ; a bradawl, which I lately saw used, is worse. In the event of your having to make a plunge for the queen, such impediments may cause a failure. Nothing is better than a sharp-pointed 2^in. brass-headed nail. Should the queen be observed on the combs passing upward, do not attemr>it to seize her from above, or she will be almost certain to escape and run down ao-ain. Let her pass up just high enough to allow of taking hold of her from behind. When dealing with a strong colony, if the queen has been missed and you cannot see her in the removed upper skep, shake out about half the bees on to the board, and the rest as soon after as you con- veniently can. If only a few are shaken out, some may take flight and the queen with them, especially if smoke be used to drive the bees in — which I do not recom- mend. According to Thomas Wildman, a mighty bee-master of the middle eighteenth cen- 'tury, and worthy of belief, when a skep is first inverted (as for driving, but I imagine without previous intimidation), the queen always runs up to see what is amiss. A quick eye and long practice enabled him to secure her on the spot. Feburier, author of a very able treatise, Paris, 1810, also believed that the queen runs to the supposed seat of danger. He used a hive which could at will be divided laterally into two portions. Before dividing for artificial swarms, he used ito tap on the side where he desired to retain the queen, so as to attract her there. I have myself occasionally seen the aueen come up to the top of an inverted skep and go quickly back again, and can believe that by quick- ness of hand and eye she might be secured, but only those well accustomed to handle queens should make the attempt. On searching through a frame-hive, when you lift out a frame for inspection, at once run your eye round the edges, and do the same on reversing it. Otherwise, while you are gazing at the middle part of the comb, the queen may beat you by popping through some gap or round the edge. If you fail the first time and decide to try back, remove altogether the first two or three frames after well examining them, so as to leave a. clear space on the sides of the hive and on the floorboard. In spring or autumn a box should be provided in which to place them. In the delicate operation of queen-catch- ing a veil is a decided encumbrance. By all means have one at hand, but even if worn at the outset, it should be thrown back or dispensed with as soon as the tem- per of the colony has been tested and found satisfactory. Lastly, and once more, be gentle. Never hurry ; it is better to lose a few minutes than to miss the queen. — H. J. O. Walker, Lieut-Col., Leeford, Budleigh-Salterton. BEES AND MARTINS. [6023.] I notice in the Bee Journal of September 14 (page 365) some correspon- dence regarding bees and swallows. I may say that I am a bee-keeper, and have had as many as thirty hives near the house, and although there has been a large colony of martins on the house, and a num- ber of swallows' nests in a shed near by, I have never noticed either birds molesting the bees in any way, although I have watched them carefully. I am quite sure that swallows and martins do not eat bees, but occasionally a young bird will snap up a bee, but seldom does it a second time. These birds are certainly not enemies of bee-keepers, and no one need fear having a colony near their hives. — Oliver G. Pike. P.S. — I am always interested in the Bee Journal, and look forward to it each week. I always recommend novices in bee-keeping to take it in, as they can learn so much from its pages. [We are glad to have the experience of so close and gifted an observer of bird life as the author of "In Bird-land." Nor are we less pleased to learn of his love of bees and bee-keeping.— Eds.] A VILLAGE BEE-CLUB. [6024.] A brief account of our "Hayes and HilLingdon Village Bee-club " may, I hope, serve the double purpose of interest- ing your readers, and of stimulating other Sept. 21, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 375 experienced bee-keepers to form similar small associations in their districts. The objects we set before us are the fol- lowing : — (a) To give information to the members about bees and bee-keeping ; (6) to afford mutual advice and help in aoicul- tural difficulties • (c) to purchase appli- ances at wholesale, or otherwise advan- tageous, prices ; (d) to circulate among .members copies of the B.B.J. ; (e) to assist one another in the disposal of bee-produce. Our meetings have been held bi-monthly, beginning October 25, 1904. At the first, after the inaugural proceedings, members rendered an account of their "takes" of honey during the preceding season. At the second, I gave a half-hour's lecture on bee-pest. At the third, arrangements were made for the purchase of such appliances as the members considered they would want during the coming season. A resolution was also passed for the affiliation of the club with the Middlesex B.K.A. At the April meeting subscriptions to the County Association were paid. Names were entered for the visits of the expert of that association, and members . stated definitely the kinds and amounts of appli- ances they required. At the June meet- ing, cases of bee-nest were reported. Ad- vice was given for the general aaid specific management of stocks, and the right and wrong ways of fixing " foundation " were practically shown. At our most recent meeting (August 22), accounts were pre- sented to the members of their indebted- ness to me for the apparatus they had had ■ — I having acted as depot-keeper for the club. A record was taken of the honey- harvest so far secured, and recommenda- tions were made about the removal and dis- posal of supers till next year. Advice was also given for the examination and manage- ment of stocks in view of the approaching autumn and winter. Of course, at each meeting, conversation took place on many points which occurred to members to bring forward. As our expenses are almost nil, we have no entrance-fee or annual subscription. Our membership numbers thirteen or four- teen, but we expect an increase as time goes on. Other benefits than those im- mediately connected with bee-keeping manifestly result from the good-fellowship induced. The direct and indirect advan- tages are, indeed, sufficient reasons for my strongly advocating the formation of many similar clubs. They should become feeders and auxiliaries of county associations, and must promote sound principles of bee- keeping in our urban and rural districts. — W. H. Harris, Hayes End, Middlesex, September 15. [It need hardly be said how completely we are in accord with our esteemed corre- spondent regarding the usefulness of vil- lage bee-clubs as auxiliaries of county B.K.A.s. Indeed, if an experienced bee- keeper — possessed of half the ability of Mr. Harris — can be found willing to take on the direction of affairs and give the re- quisite time to the work, the village club will be in the highest degree helpful. But, as in the case of our county associations and their secretaries, it again brings home the fact of how much of success or failure depends on getting the right man in the right place. On the other hand we are pleased to mention, as a coincidence, our having already in type, for publication in the next issue of our monthly Record, an interesting article suggested by a letter ■ — giving, on page 134 of September Record, an account of the Dunchurch Village Bee- club — in which the writer deals with the subject in a thoroughly practical manner from a business standpoint. The object aimed at is to assist cottagers and artisans in securing the advantages of co-operation and the benefits obtainable from bee-keep- ing when pursued intelligently on modern lines. — Eds.] UNITING BEES. EARWIGS EMPTYING SUPERS. [6025.] In contrast to article headed " Bees Refusing to Unite " (No. 6014, page 366), I may state that I was asked to drive a queenless lot of bees on Septem- ber 12 — a very cool day. This, lot had a stock on each side of it, and my custom in such cases is to block the entrances of all hives except that about to be driven, as a precaution against robbing and stinging. I drove the bees in order to see if there was a queen, but the moment I turned the skep over the bees began to take wing and flew to the side hives, and eventually as many bees were trying to unite to their neighbours as ran into the top skep. This has been my experience on several oc- casions. I have found it to be a good plan — when the queen has been taken from a driven lot, to place her in a perforated queen-cage on the floorboard of the hive that has been driven, for, if the driven lot has been queenless for any length of time, and there is a stock near by, a procession will most probably be formed from one to the other and the bees will unite of them • selves quite peacefully, usually to the dis- comfiture of the " driver. " I have also noted that when a stock, whose drone- breeding queen has been removed, is united to another stock, the drones are killed off the following day. This helps one to prove the existence of a queen for the combined lots. One of the best methods of starting queen-cells — according to my experience — is by means of a queenless lot ; that is, by inserting a frame of eggs into the centre of the colony. By uniting a queenless lot 376 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 21, 1905. to its neighbour we obtain our strongest stocks. Eeferring to the question, " Do ear- wigs empty honey from the comb?" I may state that it can be clearly demon- strated that they do, if, say, a pound sec- tion be placed at nia;ht where earwigs con- gregate. I have had many sections spoiled by earwigs, who first empty the uncapped cells and then uncap and empty the other cells. Of course, it will take a great num- ber of earwigs to empty a pound section, but given plenty of earwigs and plenty of time, I will venture to> state that honey can- not be kept within their reach. Nor will they then be satisfied, as they are almost as voracious as the wasp, the bodies of dead bees and other insects being consumed till there is only the outside skeleton left. Earwigs will help themselves to honey stored in the combs away from, the cluster of bees ; therefore, keep your stocks strong. But earwigs will shortly have their season of rest, a few frosty nights being sufficient to send them over to the majority. — T. W. Swabey, Braoebridge Heath, Lincoln. QUEENS "PIPING." [6026.] With reference to query re queens " piping," by T. Alun-Jones in last week's B.B.J. (6019, page 367), I may say that on May 26 last I took two frames of brood and bees, without queen, and put them into an observatory hive along with two frames fitted with comb founda- tion (I sent you photo of this hive some time ago). The bees hatched out a queen on June 8. Next day I heard "calling." I was from home on two following days, but returned on June 12, and at 9.40 a.m. on that day the hive was in the throes of swarming. The inside of hive was like a seething cauldron, and each individual bee seemed almost demented. After a large majority of bees had cleared out, I soon spotted the mother queen — she was rush- ing about the hive, and pausing continu- ally to "pipe." Observing closely, I came to the conclusion that the " piping " sound was caused by rapid but very restricted vibration of the wings. I examined the small swarm which came off, caught and removed queen, and allowed bees to re- turn to the observatory hive and join the second queen. This latter queen took a mating flight on June 15 at 3.20, was out of hive for over two minutes, but on her return did not appear to have been mated. The first eggs were laid on the 28th, and she had bred a lot of bees up to August 1, when I united them with a second swarm of June 17 to take to moors. On June 28 I put a frame of hatching brood (" Golden Prolifics ") into observa- tory hive, which contained black bees only. These " Golden Prolifics " were fly- ing freely the third day after. Is not this sooner than usual date as given in " Guide Book " ? The heather season here has been a comparative failure. First (or prime) swarms have done best. The brood-cham- bers required a good deal of filling up at the heather, as the flower honey-flow here ceased about the beginning of July owing to drought. The heather season has on the whole been cold and windy. — " Car- bon," Co. Durham, September 16. [It is for you to explain the extra- ordinary precocity of " Golden Prolifics," if they can be inserted in an observatory hive as " hatching brood," and " flying freely " less than three days afterwards. We rather think it will be found that some bees have been introduced along with the frame of brood, or else bees from the parent hive have found the observatory. It, therefore, need not shake your faith m the teaching of the " Guide Book," which is not in fault. — Eds.] VISIT TO A DUTCH APIARY. [6027.] I am driving in a carriage along a typical Dutch road, leaving behind Haar- lem, with its fine church and famous organ, and coming towards Santpoort, where is situated the apiary of one of the oldest bee-keepers in Holland, Mr. Kelting. The drive lasts, about half an hour, and I, along with a friend, find myself in one of the most prettily-arranged apiaries I have ever seen, consisting of various kinds of hives — some placed under cover, others standing in the open in two long rows, each hive a few feet from its neighbour — and all these in a garden the condition of which showed that its owner was a skilful gar- dener. I cannot speak Dutch, but the friend who accompanied me speaks both Dutch and English, and acts as inter- preter, telling me what he learns in answer to my questions or what information of in- terest is volunteered b^ Mr. Kelting. I learnt that Mr. Kelting had been a bee-keeper — and evidently an enthusiastic one — for forty years. Starting it at first only as a hobby, it has developed into a large and lucrative business in honey and bee-appliances. Mr. Kelting has nearly a hundred colonies of bees in hives of various kinds, including some curiously-shaped skeps and frame-hives, but, after a long and varied experience, he found that the British form of frame-hive was the best. I saw several kinds of frame-hive, but what interested me the most were some skeps fitted with movable frames fixed in by means of metal pins. They are on what is called the " Gravenhorst " principle, and might well be used in England bv those who do not care about going to the expense of a frame-hive. The bees of this apiary Sept. 21, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 377 are mostly of the same type as our native British bee, but I did see a few Italians. Mr. Kelting, like many other Continental bee-keepers, makes his own comb-founda- tion /with a j.uetsche hand-press ; the foundation thus produced being thick, the frames are only wired when, very large. The honey extractor, I think, was a Ger- man one. The honey, when extracted, was stored, not as in England in metal receptacles, but in large wooden butts. The average take of this apiary will make British bee-keepers envious. It is from 120 to 140 English pounds per hive, and as much as 200 English pounds have been taken from a single hive. The apiary is worked chiefly for extracted honey, which is retailed at 85 cents, or Is. 5d. per pound. Mr. Kelting informed me that they had no foul brood in his country. Rain beginning to come on, my visit had unfortunately to be cut short, but I left with the assurance that British bee- keepers are by no means behind those of the Continent, but, as in some other things, lead the way. — Herbert Newman, Hon. Sec, Bishop's Stbrtford B.K.A., Brent Pelham, Herts, September 13. [It may be well to say that Gravenhorst's hive, mentioned above, is known in Ger- many as the Bogenstiilper (Bogen, an arch). It is described and illustrated in the B.B.J, of September 12, 1889, but has never found favour in this country, though deservedly popular with the peasant bee- keepers of Germany, whose honey is almost wholly obtained from heather. — Eds.] SENDING HIVES BY RAIL. A RISKY JOURNEY FOR THE BEES. [6028.] On the morning of September 15, noticing an unusual amount of activity among my bees, and by some evidence :>f fighting going on at hive entrances, I knew there must be a reason for the upset plainly observable. I had heard overnight of there being a consignment of bees in wood hives standing in an open truck at our railway goods-station, about half a mile from where my bees are located, and had been there since the 12th inst. Moreover, several of the hives were upset and broken, and, as a natural consequence, the bees were considerably active. The railway people, not knowing what to do in the matter (as the consignment was refused by the consignee), kindly ( ?) moved the truck and contents to the end of a siding within fifty yards of my apiary, and here they re- mained in the full sunshine for two days. I at once made known to the officials the danger likely to arise from this action, as there was a public main road running be- tween them and my hives. They were re- moved— what was left of them — bees and hives being returned to the sender on Saturday, the 16th inst.. a distance of about seventy miles. In this way, the un- fortunate bees, in such of the hives as were not broken, had been confined from the 12th till the 18th, six days, which, I think, a very cruel way to treat the bees after their hard summer's work. Should the above particulars possess sufficient interest for inserting in B.B.J., it might be useful in drawing attention to the risks of sending hives by rail if not properly packed.— J. C, Somerset, Sep- tember 18. HELPING BEGINNERS. [6029.] If your correspondent, " A. H. D., Birmingham," who writes on page 367, will communicate with me and give, me the name of place where he intends locating the bees, I will give him every assistance as regards suitability of pasture, etc. As expert of the Staffs. B.K.A., I have visited many members in and around Bir- mingham, and know the district well.— Joseph Tinsley, Chebsey, Eccleshall, Staffs. RAISING QUEENS AND INCREASE. [6030.] I have been induced by a friend to give to readers of the B.B.J, the results of an experiment tried by myself as an easy way to rapid increase without having to inter- fere with ordinary stocks for the supply of nuclei. Early in the autumn of 1904 I had a couple of lots of driven bees given me for the driving, and, as no ordinary hive was available, put them into two nucleus boxes which each held six frames, measuring 6 in. by 5^ in. These little combs were quickly filled with good syrup, and on October 1, when the final examina- tion for the year was made, each had four of the combs well filled with sealed food, while the other two frames had patches of brood on each. Both came through the winter in first-class condition, and threw swarms during the last week in April of from 1 lb. to 2 lb. each. These swarms were each divided into three lots, and placed in miniature hives holding three of the tiny combs, 6 in. by 5£ in., such as I generally use for queen-rearing, and those without queens had ripe cells given them from the parent stocks. The result- ing queens were all mated and laying by May 14, and by the same date in June each little lot was so crowded that the combs were carefully transferred into stan- dard frames, which had the surrounding space fitted with good new brood founda- tion, and put into ordinary hives. Now, on September 16, they are going into winter quarters, each on six standard frames with a good store of honey and syrup. The two lots swarmed several times during the season, and those which 378 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 21, 1905. came off during May I treated as above, and all are doing well. The later swarms were given ordinary hives with three stan- dard frames, and are likewise in "fettle," good enough to stand the winter. I have now about twenty lots on five and six frames each as the result of the experi- ment, and am doing the same again. — Amateur, Bristol, September 16. STORE COMBS AND MOTHS. [6031.] I note an inquiry re above in B.B.J, of August 17 (3859 page 327). 1'erhaps 1 may be allowed to say that my own plan is to simply store my racks of empty combs one above another. In the bottom rack I place a large quantity of naphthaline (camphor would probably do as well), and sprinkle lumps here and there right through the pile. On the top rack an old newspaper is placed to keep in the fumes and keep out the dust. Last season, after adopting this plan, there was no trace of the moth in my store-combs. Prior to that I had many destroyed.— W. J. F., Redruth. IN PRAISE OF THE BEE. [6032.] The bee is the only living creature which does no harm to ani- mals or vegetables. It gets its food from flowers, but does them no harm, but much good ; but for the bee very many flowers would cease to exist, and by its industry, without harming any life, it stores far more honey than it needs for the winter, which honey is a sweet food for every living thing. There is no other crea- ture which absolutely does no harm, and yet does so much good in the world as that busy little labourer, the honey bee. I am completing my first year of bee- keeping, and am impelled to write as above out of gratitude to the wonderful and ser- viceable bee. — C. B. J., Loughborough. litems m& Dalies. [3897.] Queen Killed in September. — I am fairly young at the craft (though not quite a " beginner only," as the term is usually understood), but this season I have tried a " Wells " hive, stocking it first with a strong colony, which swarmed in July. The swarm I placed in second compartment of the " Wells, " and both stocks have evidently done well until recently, when I found the first stock deserting their half of the hive and crowding into the portion where I had placed the swarm. Finding to-day the bees had practically quite de- serted the first half, I decided to place the lot in a "W.B.C.," so as to winter them better. On completing my work, I found the enclosed queen on the ground, ap- parently just dying, and so I ask: — Is she the original queen, or the young one they have reared this season? Is it the one they have by all appearances deserted, or have I accidentally injured her while manipulating? If so, I shall, of course, have to introduce a new queen at once. It will be difficult to decide if thev are without a queen as the hive is so very much crowded with bees, 'and there is plenty of brood and eggs. I may say I am not by any means struck with the working of a " Wells " hive, and had decided to dis- card it and use only the " W.B.C." Thank- ing you in anticipation. — S. F., Bramhall, September 14. Reply. — The queen sent is an adult hybrid, and may be the original or a young one reared this year. The wings are torn and jagged as if she had been balled by her own bees during the transferring operations. We can see no trace of her being injured by yourself. In any case, you should introduce a good young queen at once to so strong a stock in order to start well next year. [3898.] Bees Deserting Hive Through Wax Moth. — A most surprising thing happened to one of my stocks at Morton-under- Hill. About 2.15 a swarm issued from one of my hives, and was duly hived in a box. I then proceeded to examine the stock from which the swarm came, and was astounded to find only about half a dozen bees in the hive. There was about 7 lb. of sealed stores in the combs, and brood here and there hatching out ; there were also about two hundred cells containing unde- veloped brood, but the combs were literally alive with larvae of the wax-moth. I have tried to get rid of them two or three times this year, but there must have been hundreds of eggs laid in the cells by the moths. So I united bees to another lot and burnt the comb, as I could not get at the grubs to kill them without pulling the comb all to pieces. Do you think that is the reason they deserted the hive? I may say there was a queen with them, for I saw her when I united them to the other lot. — M. U. H., Birmingham. Reply. — It is most likely that you are right in supposing that the bees left the hive owing to the moths getting the upper hand. You do not give date when the " swarm " issued ; but we judge that it was not a " swarm " in the proper sense t)f the term, but a case of bees deserting the hive for the reason given above. [3899.] Unmated Queens. — I shall feel obliged if you will kindly give your opinion of the queen sent herewith. She was raised in the natural course of swarm- ing early in July last, and when removing the super on August 26, which was over Sept. 21, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 379 excluder, I found a patch of brood on one comb in the super of an irregular kind, similar to that which would be raised from a fertile worker, eggs being laid in an erratic manner about the cells. There was a total absence of brood in the lower cham- ber, and a rather large quantity of drones, while the stock, which in July was fairly strong, had dwindled to a very small one, the queen having apparently laid no eggs. After removing the super I did a little slow-feeding, and a good number of the drones disappeared, but more irregular brood, similar to what was in the super, is being raised. Last night I united them with a driven stock of bees, including young queen, and this morning found some of the remaining drones thrown out. — W. M., Coalbrookdale, Salop. Reply. — The queen has all the appear- ance of a virgin, and it is about certain she is unmated. [3900.] Extracting Heather Honey. — My bees have been on the moors for the last six weeks, and one lot has a box of seven shallow-frames filled with unsealed honey. It has been in that state for a fortnight, and, as I shall have to fetch them all home in a few days, I should be pleased if you will tell me (1) the best method of getting the honey out of the combs without a '"honey press"? I have an extractor, but I suppose that will not do for the heather honey. (2) Also, will any unsealed honey be ready for putting into jars when ex- tracted ? How do you account for honey being in the shallow-frames so long with- out being sealed, A reply in B.B.J, will oblige — Novice, Yorks. Reply. — 1. The only methods of remov- ing heather honey from combs are, using a properly made honey press, and by slicing the combs up, and then putting them in a bag (made of cheese- cloth or strong coarse muslin), and using pressure from outside so as to force the honey through the bag. This is generally done by hanging the bag in front of a fire tying the combs in the form of a ball ; and as the bulk becomes smaller, moving the string lower down. 2. Unsealed honey is usually thin or unripe, and should be warmed up for some hours before jarring off, otherwise fermentation will probably follow before long. [3901.] Uniting Bees in Autumn. — Is it too late in the season to safely unite two stocks of bees? I have just discovered that one of my colonies is queenless and without any brood. Would it answer to unite these with the stock I had intended wintering on eight frames ? The bees in the queenless hive cover roughly six frames. — B. Terry, Billericay, Essex, September 16. Reply. — Autumn is the best season for uniting bees, and the queenless lot will no doubt assist the other colony in wintering well. [3902.] Bee Forage. — I am living on the borders of two large commons of several hundred acres each of heather, similar to sprig of bloom sent. There is likewise a good deal of the other flower enclosed. Can you say if that is any good, as I notice many bees upon it on fine days? — W. T., Bushey Heath. Reply. — The heath sent is the true ling (Calluna vulgaris), which — as is well known — is the best of all heathers for honey. The " other flower " is Scabiosa succisa (" Devil's Bit "), and yields fairly well of both honey and pollen. [3903.] Stores for Winter. — I enclose a grub taken from a worker bee while en- deavouring to carry it from its hive. The stock is a very strong one (ten frames in all), and at least two and a half frames are filled with honey, I have also noted that the bees have thrown out drones. 1. As I am not experienced enough to know what the grub is, will you please tell me? 2. As heather is very plentiful here, I suppose I should be safe to pack my hives for winter at the end of this month ? I have not yet seen any reply to my query regarding brace-combs in the B.B.J. , but I believe the Rymer board cures that. Your reply will oblige, — Mac, Stranraer, September 9. Reply.— 1. The "grub" cast out is thatof a worker bee in the chrysalid stage. 2. You should not pack down for winter without making sure — by examining the combs — that there is sufficient stores to last till March next. The heather in some places has not yielded well this year, so it can- not be relied upon without inspecting the combs. DUEL BETWEEN QUEEN-BEES. After the old queen-bee in May or later leaves the hive, taking with her the swarm or cast, the tragedy of the princesses, rivals for the throne of the golden combs, is enacted. The princess first hatched out and most capable of action will visit her sister prin- cesses and destroy them one by one in their cells. If two princesses hatch out at the same time and are about equal in strength and fitness to reign, there may be a long duel. In these days we are all to make humble obeisance before the great image of Natural Selection. Darwin was sure that the " hatred " which the worker bees show towards their brother drones at the autumn massacre and the hatred of princess bee towards princess bee have come through Natural Selection ; it is a 380 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 21, 1905. rule that selects for survival the strongest or fittest, and is ever destroying the weaker —a kind of " To him that hath shall be given, and from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." But is hatred, in the sense we employ it of human feeling, the right word? True, the shrill cry of the queens or princesses preparing for the contest has sounded to human ears one of menace and wrath — a war cry. But a friend whose bee-garden among Kent raspberry fields I want to be visiting at the height of the honey-flow gave me an account of a deeply interesting duel he arranged and witnessed between two rival queens, taken from the hive and shut up together in a box with a glass top. Does it ever happen that two queens or prin- cesses, finely matched, both sting one another and both die ? If so, there would be a danger of the whole hive or swarm dying out — for there might be no worker grubs in the cells of the right age to en- queen by diet of royal jelly. But my friend, a bee-master of long experience, be- lieves that the duel is never to the death of both. He curiously watched the contest between these two queens. It was long, and his impression was that they were try- ing to find out, by some means obscure to human understanding, which was the right one to give the fatal sting. The duel, in fact, consisted of one pro- tracted preliminary or trial stage, and then one swift and sure death-stroke. There ap- peared to him to be' nothing like a fierce onslaught by both sides ; rather a spirit of cautious investigation or inquiry. Suppose this is the spirit in which the queens en- gage ; what a perfection of science the bees have reached, and how inefficient, com- pared with it, much of the crude machinery of human intellect seems! — Geo. A. B. Dewar, in the Standard. >hoxtrs ia §omt September 16 to 23, at the Agricultural Hall. London. —Honey Show in connection with the Twelfth Annual Exhibition and Marttet of the Grocery and Kindred Trades. Nearly £50 in prizes for honey and beeswax, including four prizes of £4, £3, £2, and £1, in honey trophy class. Open to all British Bee-keepers- Schedules from fl. S. Rogers, Secre- tary, Exhibition Offices, Palmerston House, Old Broad Street, London, E.O. September 27, at Altrincham.— Annual Show of the Altrincham Agricultural Society. Good Money rrizes for Honey, along with Silver and Bronze- Medals of the Cheshire B.K.A., and others. Open Class for Frame-Hive (unpainted). Schedules from J Herbert Hall, 2, Dunham Road, Altrincham Entries closed October 3 to 6, at the Agricultural Hall, London.— Show of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. (Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B.B.K.A Entries closed- November 15 to 18, at Plymouth. — Honey Show, ;n connection with Plymouth Exhibition (at- tendance 1904, 61,000) ; 15 Open Classes for Appliances, Honey, Wax, Confectionery, etc. Gold, salver, and bronze medals, handsome diplomas, money prizes, etc. Schedule.? from A. D. Breeze, Chartered Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Plymouth. Entries close November 1. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be ^inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot always be replied to in the issue im- mediately following the receipt of their communications. *** Mr. E. Whitfield, Medstead, Alresford, Hants, writes as follows : — " In reply to " A Lover of Nature " in your issue of September 7 (page 360), I can say that Ropley, Hants, is not a good fruit dis- trict, and only a fair district for bee- forage. I am living within two miles of it. Should ' A Lover of Nature ' care for any particulars, I shall be glad to send them. I enclose you my address." J. E. P. (Swansea). — Sugar for Bee-food. — If your grocer can guarantee the sugar to be pure cane, it will do very well for making into syrup-food for bees. It is a refined sugar in the largest crystals we ever saw. M. L. R. (Ayrshire). — Italian Queen- Breeders. — Messrs. Malan Brothers, Luserna, San Giovanni, Italy, are as reliable as anyone we know among foreign queen-breeders, and may be safely trusted to supply what they undertake. Honey Sample. (Mrs.) M. W. (N. Wales).— Honey is from mixed sources, but the prevailing flavour is from bell-heather (Erica cinerea). Suspected Combs. R. S. W. (Kent).— 1. Comb is affected with F.B. of old standing. 2. Honey from infected hives is perfectly innocuous to human beings, and may be used as food without the slightest risk. Enquirer (Pontardulais). — A partial in- spection of comb sent shows no disease, but sample was unfit for examination, being covered with green mould, and must have been in box for some time before posting. B. C. O. (Birmingham). — Both samples are affected with foul brood. In No. 1 the disease seems to be a recent outbreak, and No. 2 is not of old standing, so they may be regarded as only of this season's duration. Sept. 28, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 381 (Mitorial, Ifrrtias, &t. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION The monthly meeting of the Council was held' at 105, Jermyn Street, S.W., on Wednesday, the 20th inst., Mr. T. I. "Weston occupying the chair. There were also present Messrs. T. Bevan, W. Broughton Cart, R. T. Andrews, F. J. Cnbb, J. B. Lamb, W. F. Reid, Ernest Walker, and the Secretary. Letters re- gretting inability to attend were received from Miss Gayton, Dr. Elliot, and Mr. R. Godson. The minutes of the pre- vious meeting were read and confirmed. The following new members . were elected — viz. : — Rev. F. E. S. Jacomb- Hood, Ashfield, Ross ; Mr. Robt. John- son, 109, Wellmeadow Road, Catford, Kent; Rev. T. Slevan, 27, Chestnut Avenue, Headingley, Leeds. The Finance Committee's report, giving particulars of receipts and expenditure to date, was pre- sented and formally approved. Reports upon examinations in Devon- shire, Essex, Kent, Lancashire, Middle- sex, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Wilt- shire were received. As a result it was decided to grant certificates to the fol- lowing candidates : — Misses Mabel All- day, Rose Barton, Gertrude Bath, Annie Dean, Eva French, Dorothy Greaves. Kate M. Hall, Georgina Hallows, Rae McGib- bon, Edith Rix, Louise Schlaepfer, Flo- rence Simms, Lily Sopper, and Eva Willoughby ; also to Messrs. Arthur D. Allen, J. R, Aubry, J. S. Bailey, Fredk. G. Brown, Henry Burden, G. Butler, Herbert Dandy, S. Darlington, Henry Falkner, G. S. Faunch, J. R. Freeman, John Freestone, G. F. Gibbons, Mark Greaves, Jas. Grimwood, Bertram Hut- chings, E. G. Ive, C. Jones Johnson, Percy Kemp, Edwd. Mann, J. B. Peart, Robt. Rymer, E. H. Stanbrook, E. W. Shakespeare, Reginald Tangye, A. C. Tew, F. B. Tonkin, L. A. Vidler, G. T. Walden, and Wm. Jas. Welch. Arrangements were made for an exa- mination at Luton, also for the Second Class Examination to be held on Novem- ber 17 and 18 next. It was decided to hold a conference of representatives of affiliated Associations followed by a con- versazione on Thursday, October 5, when the Committee on Foul-brood Legislation will present their report. Amongst other subjects to be discussed will be "Village Bee Clubs," "Unequal Sizes of Sections," and "The Standard Frame." Conference at 4 p.m. Conversazione at 5. The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday, October 18. SURREY BEE-KEEPERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SHOW AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. The tenth annual show of the above association was held in the Concert Room at the Crystal Palace on September 14, 15, and 16, and was a complete success :'n every way. The exhibition of honey, hives, and bee-products was admirably staged, and larger in extent than in any previous year, the entries numbering nearly 300, while for quality the exhibits were very good indeed. A most creditable feature of the display was, to our mind, the hearty response made by members of the Surrey B.K.A. — which now has ai membership of something like 620 — in supporting the show by appearing as", exhibitors on the show-bench. Of the twenty classes for honey and bee-products fifteen are confined to members only, and as the entries in these classes constitute, a large majority of the total number, this should serve as an incentive to other county associations to do likewise, for we may safely say that in no part of the kingdom is there a county B.K.A. that so loyally supports its indefatigable hon>sec. as does that under Mr. F. B. White's guidance. The result of it all is a fine show, worthy of the all-round efforts made to enstire success. The judges were Dr. Elliott (London) and Mr. F. Brett (Brighton), who made the following awards : — members' classes. Twelve 1-lb. Sections.— 1st (silver medal), F. BoAvers, Coulsdon ; 2nd (bronze medal), A. Greenslade, Sutton ; 3rd (certificate), E. Bontoft, Caterham Valley; v.h.c. , Miss A. M. Schloesser, Great Bookliam ; h.c, A. E. C. Mumford, Redhill. Six lib. Sections. — 1st (bronze medal), Stanley Nye, Sutton ; 2nd (certificate), Walden Bros., Pirbright ; 3rd, James Grimwood, Earlswood ; v.h.c, A. E. C. Mumford ; h.c, F. J. Weise, Anerley. Six 1-lb. Heather Sections. — 1st (bronze medal), W. A. Wood, Normandy ; 2nd, A. Serh-Smith, Cobham ; 3rd, W. P. Gornall, Mytchett; v.h.c, W. Sole, New Maiden. TKree Shallow-Frames of Comb Honey. — 1st (silver medal), A. Seth-Smith ; 2nd (bronze medal), James Grimwood ; 3rd (certificate), W. Ringer, Tatsfield ; v.h.c, G. H. Wynn, Haslemere. One Shallow-Frame of Comb Honey. — 1st (bronze medal), A. Seth-Smith ; 2nd (certificate), F. B. White, Redhill; 3rd, J. Kachler, Croydon; v.h.c, J. Grim- wood ; h.c, R. Luff, New Maiden. One Standard-Frame of Comb Honey. — 1st (bronze medal), G. H. Wynn; 2nd (certificate), W. Ringer ; 3rd, W. A. Wood. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. —1st (silver medal), T. H. E. Watts-Sil- vester, Surbiton ; 2nd (bronze medal), 382 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept 28, 1905. P. W. Worsfold, Shalford ; 3rd (certificate), H. Dann, Wallingtan; v.h.c, S. R. Whit- ley (Lirigfielcl) and Miss Schloesser ; h.c, E* T. Grove (Ewell) and A. Greenslade. Six 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey.- 1st, Miss Wickham- Jones, South Norwood ; 2nd, F. J. Bernau, Reigate ; 3rd, G. B. Bissett. Wallingtan; v.h.c, H. Dann, T. H. E. Watts-Silvester, J. Davis (Ox- shott), and P. W. Worsfold; h.c, E. T. Grove, J. Kachler, and C. Monk. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Heather Honey. —1st, C. B. Gabriel, Horsell ; 2nd, A. Seth-Smith; 3rd, G. H. Wynn ; v.h.c, F. Alpin, Haslemere ; h.c, W. A. Wools. Six 1-/6. Jars (Dark) Extracted Honey. — 1st (bi'onze medal), E. T. Grove ; 2nd (cer- tificate), G. B. Bissett ; 3rd, W. G. Fisher- Webb ; v.h.c, F. B. White and T. H. E. Watts-Silvester; h.c, W. W. Drewitt (Dorking), W. Ringer, A. Greenslade, and J. Davis. Six 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey.— 1st, M. J. Lamboll, Chiddingfold ; 2nd, P. W. Worsfold ; 3rd, A. Seth-Smith. Display of Honey and Bee Products. — 1st (silver medal), F. B. White ; 2nd (bronze medal), W. Ringer ; 3rd (certifi- cate), A. E. C. Mumford'.' Beeswax. — 1st" (certificate), F. J. Ber- nau ; 2nd, J. Davies ; 3rd, W. Ringer ; v.h.c. R. J. Browning, Albury ; h.c, E. Bontoft. Articles of Food Containing Honey. — 1st (certificate), A. E. C. Mumford ; 2nd, R. Luff ; 3rd, Miss W. Jones ; v.h.c, T. H. E. Watts-Silvester; h.c, J. Grimwood. NON-PREVIOUS WINNERS 0>iLY. Six 1-lb. Jars Extracted Honey. — 1st (certificate), Miss: Wickham-Jones ; 2nd, C. H. Rose, Wimbledon ; 3rd, R. Luff ; v.h.c, F. J. Bernau and C. B Gabriel; h.c, W. G. Fisher- Webb. OPEN CLASSES. Six 1-lb. Sections. —1st (silver medal), James Lee and Son, Andover ; 2nd, Miss E; Wiiks, South Milford, Yorks ; 3rd. H Willey, Gilmorton, Lutterworth ; v.h.c, H. E. Rampton (Alresford, Hants) and J. Garratt (Meopham, Kent); h.c, Mrs, M. Cokayne (Roehampton) and W. Ringer. Six 1-lb Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st (bronze medal), J. Berry, Llanrwst, N. Wales; 2ml, T. S. Holdsworth. Kirton Lindsay, Lines ; 3rd,C. Lodge, High Easter, Chelmsford; v.h.c, H. E. Rampton (Alresford, Hants), W. J. Cook (Market Rasen), C. H. Bocock (Newmarket), J. Lee and Son, and F. J. Hillier (Andover, Hants); he, J. W. Drake (Lutterworth, Leics), A. Ward (Market Harborough), W. Sole, and T. Phillips (Exeter). Three Sha.Vow-Framcs of Comb Honey. — 1st (bronze medal), E. C. R. White, Salis- bury ; 2nd, J. Lee and Son ; 3rd, T. H. E. Watts-Silvester. One Shallow-Erame of Comb Honey. — 1st (certificate), E. C. R. White ; 2nd, J. Lee and Son; 3rd, J. Kachler; v.h.c, J. Garratt; h.c, A Brightwell (Hants). Beeswax. — 1st, F. Harris, Sibserv, Bos- ton, Lines ; 2nd, E. C. R. White ; 3rd,. G. Butler, Crawley; v.h.c, T.. E. Harts- horne (Salop) and C. Lodge ; h.c, J. Garratt and G. Leeding (Sherborne, Dorset). Interesting or Instructive Exhibit Con- nected with Bee Culture. — 1st (certificate), F. B. White ; 2nd, E. H. Taylor, Welwyn, Herts; v.h.c, T. Evershed, Billingshurst ;. h.c, Miss J. Evershed, Billingshurst. Observatory Hive with Bees and Queen. — 1st, A. E. C. Mumford ; 2nd, J. Kachler ; 3rd, J. S. Greenhill, Wimbledon ; v.h.c.,. E. H. Taylor. Collection, of Hives and Appliances. — 1st (silver medal), C. T. Overton and Son, Crawley ; 2, Mrs. Seadon, Bromley ; 3rd, J. Lee and Son; ,v.h.c, E. H. Taylor; h.c, C. Greenhill. Complete Frame-Hive for General Use. — 1st (bronze medal), E. H. Taylor ; 2nd, C. Greenhill ; 3rd, C. T. Overton and Son ; v.h.c, E. A. C. Mumford. Outfit for a Beginner in Bee-keeping. — 1st (certificate), E. H. Taylor ; 2nd, Mrs. Seadon ; 3rd, C. T. Overton and Son ; v.h.c, C. Greenhill. CAMBS AND ISLE OF ELY B.K.A. HONEY SHOWS AT CAMBRIDGE. The above Association held a most suc- cessful honey show at Cambridge on Thursday, July 27, in conjunction with the annual show of the Cambs and Isle of Ely Agricultural Society. A large tent was utilised for the display of honey, the entries numbering 82, most of the exhibits being of a very high standard. Mr. R. Brown, Somersham, acted as judge, and his awards- were as follows : — Twelve 1-lb. Sections.- — 1st, G. Hills, Com- berton ; 2nd A. Barker, Comberton ; 3rd, C. H. Bocock, Newmarket; v.h.c, H. Sea- mark, Willmgham ; h.c, C. J. Massey, Cherryhinton. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. —1st, J. Barnes, Burwell ; 2nd, G. Hills ; 3rd, F. R. Ford, Burwell; v.h.c, A. Bar- ber; h.c, W. Canham, Soham. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Medium) Extracted Honey. — 1st, C. R. Piggott, Landbeach ;. 2nd, H. Frohock, Willingham ; 3rd, R. Woods, Elm. Two Shalloiv- frames Comb Honey. — 1st, C. Dunn-Gardner, Fordham Abbey ; 2nd,. A. Barker; 3rd, R. Wood; v.h.c, F. R. Ford ; h.c, J. Barnes. Honey Trophy.— 1st, G. Hills ; 2nd, C. J. Massey. The' second exhibition was held on. Sept. 28, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 383 August 7 in connection with the Mammoth Show, which was held this year on Mid- summer Common, Cambridge, and at- tracted an attendance of nearly 40,000 visitors. The bee and honey section com- pletely filled a tent nearly double the size of that used last year, and formed one of the most attractive features of the show. During the afternoon Mr. C. J. Mapey gave demonstrations in the bee-tent, assisted by Mr. R. Brown, who during the afternoon examined three candidates for third-class certificates The quality of the exhibits were exceedingly good, and the competition keen in consequence. The awards were as follows : — members' classes. Honey Trophy. — 1st, J. Barnes ; 2nd, C. J. Mapey ; 3rd. G. Hills. Twelvel-lb. Sections.— 1st, G. Hills ; 2nd, A. Barber ; 3rd, J. Short, Chesterton ; v.h.c, W. Wilson, Trumpington ; h.c, A. Purbank, Chesterton. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. —1st, J. Barnes ; 2nd, F. R. Ford ; 3rd. C. H. Bocock, Ashley; v.h.c, C. J. Mapey; h.c, W. R. Billing, Elsworth. Twelve 1-lb. Jars (Medium) Extracted Honey.— 1st, C. R. Piggott ; 2nd, G. Hills ; 3rd, R. Woods. Twelve 1-lb. Jars Granulated Honey. — 1st, H. T. Frohock : 2nd, R.Woods. Honey in Bell Glass.-^lst, C. J. Mapey ; 2nd, J. Barnes ; 3rd, J. E. Pilgrim, Cam- bridge. OPEN CLASSES. Single 1-lb. Section. — 1st, A. Barber ; 2nd, J. Barnes ; 3rd. H. W. Saunders, Shelford ; v.h.c, G. Hills; h.c, C. J. Mapey. Singh- 1-lb. Jar Extracted Honey. — 1st, F. R. Ford ; 2nd, W. Mace, Newmarket ; 3rd, J. Barnes; v.h.c, G. Hills; h.c, T. G. Hillier, Andover. COUNTY OF ANGLESEY B.K.A. The first annual honey show in connection with the above lately formed association was held in conjunction with the County Agricultural Society's Show at Llangefin on August 10, and was a decided success, the entries in some classes being very good, though the cottagers' classes did not fill well. Mr. Jno. Berry, of Llanwrst, was the judge, and spoke highly of the quality of the winning exhibits. His awards were as follows : — MEMBEBS' CLASSES. Three 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey. — 1st, Rev. Okyffiir Williams ; 2nd, Mrs. Hughes ; v.h.c," E. R. and M. J. Owen ; c, Mrs. A. G. Williams. Three 1-lb. Jars (Medium or Dark) Ex- tracted Honey.— 1st, O. Roberts ; 2nd, S. Williams ; v.h.c, Mrs. A. G. Williams. Three 1-lb. Sections. — 1st, W. Roberts ; 2nd, Mrs, Mathews. Beeswax. — 1st, E. R. and M. J. Owen ; 2nd, Mrs. A. G. Williams. COTTAGERS' AND LABOURERS' CLASSES. Three 1-lb. Jars (Light) Extracted Honey —1st, T. Pritchard ; 2nd, H. Jones. Special Prize given by a Member of the A.B.K.A. for the Best Trophy of Honey and Bee Products.— -1st, E. R. and M. J. Owen ; 2nd, S. Williams. Two demonstrations were given in the bee-tent during the day by Mr. Berry, and were much appreciated by large gatherings of interested spectators. — (Communicated.) (gmTOpmtet The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for th? opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice wil be taken of anonymous communications, and corre spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. Communications relating to the literary department, reports of Associations, thoics. Meetings, Echoes, Queries, Books for Review, dc, must be addressed only to " THE Editors of the 'British Bee Journal,' 8, Henrietta- street, Covent Garden, London, W.C." All business communications relating to advertisements, Ac, must be addressed to "The Manager, 'British Bee Journal^ Office, a, Henrietta stieet Covent Garden, London, W.C. V In order to facilitate rejerence, 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 SEASON IN HEREFORDSHIRE. [6033.] I am doubtful as to whether I ought to take up space in your valuable paper by any recital of my experiences this season, but as we have been told not to expect increase of stocks and surplus simultaneously, I venture to send you a few jottings. Let me thankfully acknow- ledge having had a good season in all re- spects. With seven hives in the spring, I have had four prime swarms and two casts, the latter being returned after re- moval of queen -cells. One of the swarms I gave away ; the others were hived on the old stands, and had the supers given to them which were on the parent stocks at the time of swarming. My total surplus is 676 lb. from supers only, or an average of 96£ lb. spring count, or 67^ lb. autumn count. TlmsT^have, at any rate, secured both surplus and increase. My first swarm came out, on June 15, from a hive (supered on May 18) that had drawn-out foundation in two supers, and stored a fan- amount of honey. These supers the swarm completed, and filled two additional ones, yielding altogether 121 lb., while the parent stock also yielded 21 lb. after the swarm left it, making 142 lb. from stock and swarm. The second, in like manner, yielded 80^ lb. from swarm, and 33J[ lb. 384 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 28, 1905. from parent stock — total 113| lb. The third swarm gathered 108^ lb. The parent stock in this case had no super given after- wards. They have, however, filled their brood-nest to repletion. The three hives from which no swarm issued have yielded 63^ lb., 67^ lb., and 112 lb. respectively. Thus, a comparison of the hives which swarmed with those which did not, is all in favour of the former, which yielded in the aggregate 364§ lb., while the latter yielded onty 243 lb., or about two-thirds. The parent hive of the swarm which I gave away yielded 685 lb. In this case the hive remained in its original position, and was not, in consequence, denuded of its flying bees. I have found it necessary in six cases to give from 16 to 20 lb. of syrup, very little honey having been stored in the brood- nest. May I give a word of warning here to " beginners " ? Make sure about the food in your hives. Take nothing for granted. Do not think that a stock must be well supplied in brood-nest because it is strong and has done well in supers. The latter fact ought to make you suspicious that all honey has been carried into supers, and that a liberal supply of food must be given if you are to avoid a catastrophe during the' winter. Moreover, do not delay your feeding until the weather is cold. It should al] be finished by the end of September at the latest, and earlier than that if possible. Nota bene! — W. H., Brilley, Herefordshire. SWALLOWS AND BEES. [6034.] In the B.B.J, of August 10 (page 316) Mr. W. H. Harris asks if any bee- keeper can inform him " if house-martins or swallows prey upon bees." Being busy at the time, and also with the object of giving the birds a chance to get away before I gave informa- tion against them, I have delayed this re- ply. I now write to say that my experience is that swallows do prey upon bees. For the last three seasons a pair of these birds have brought up two families of four birds each time, and fed them a great deal on drones. These birds build their nests in the " oven-house," set apart for the use of three cottages, of which I own one, the water-tap being in the same house, and people so often going in and out the birds become quite tame, so that when they perched on the clothes-line you could almost touch the birds without their taking flight. My wife, going for water one day, saw a drone on the floor among the refuse cast out from the birds' nest, which caused us to watch the swallows. As I stood in the yard I saw one of them give chase to and catch a drone-bee, which it carried up to the youngsters in a twinkling, and before that bird came out the other parent sat on the line with a drone in its mouth. I then took up a position where I could see my hives, and distinctly saw the birds swoop down to within a foot of the hive- entrance, catch a bee, and off again to the nest. The above occur- rences took place last year, and my neighbours both being bee-keepers, we decided to keep the swallows out of the house referred to this year ; but the door was not always kept shut, so the birds took up their old quarters again. I may say in conclusion that I had three queen- less stocks in the autumn of last year, which loss I put down to the account, of Mr. and Mrs. Swallow. One lot was " robbed - out," the other two I united and re- queened. I shall be having a photo taken of my apiary later on, if you should care to have one for " Homes of the Honey Bee." — Geo. M. Coles. [Shall be pleased to have a photo when ready. We may also mention that, the busy season being now over, the publica- tion of our bee-garden pictures will be re- sumed in next issue and continued weekly. — Eds.] [6035.] I remember some years ago, when my father had an apiary in Cornwall of forty or fifty stocks of bees, there were some swallows' nests in a large store close by, and we often noticed that the old birds caught a great number of drone-bees and carried them off to feed the young swallows. but they, being sometimes too large for the tiny birds' throats, the drones were dropped on the floor dead. — J. Short, Streatham. BEES IN SOUTH AFRICA. [6036.] The Dutch people of this Colony have a theory that bees strongly object to the smell of oranges and carrots — in fact, they tell me that it is favourite prank of schoolboys to drop some orange peel or carrot leaves at the mouth of a hive when one of their enemies, preferably their schoolmaster, is likely to come along that way. I have never heard of this before, and should be glad to know if it is a recognised •fact, as it is well to safeguard against these things. A carpenter also tells me that he was once erecting a verandah near a hive of bees, and they took no notice of him until he commenced painting it, when the whole stock made a rush at him and he was badly stung. It is possible that the warm climate of South Africa helps to cause these vicious bouts ; but I have found the bees of the country just as easy to manipulate as any in England.— Q. Y., Natal, South Africa, August 31. Sept. 28, 1905] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 385 MOOT POINTS IN BEE-KEEPING. [6037. J Hause^martms and Bees. — Anyone who can refer to file of old Bee Journals will find that about the year 1880 I sent an account of martins (? swallows) eating Dees. This is the only instance I ever noticed of their doing so, and then they were doing it strongly. Earwigs Emptying Supers. — Earwigs may he, and no doubt are, fond of honey ; but it is a tall order asking me to believe that, however numerous, they would empty a crate of full sections in three or four days. The most likely idea to me is that the sec- tions were emptied by robber-bees, and that the earwigs were only subsequent visitors. If the" latter could gain access to the sections no doubt the former could, and we, most of us, know that an hour or two is quite sufficient time for robbers to clear any super. Not a bee being in the super does not count for much, as not a b'ee would want to be there when the honey was gone. Heavy Swarms. — Our friend " D.MAI.'' asks for information as to results from large swarms. I never had a 20-poundex', but I once had one of 13 lb. (from one hive), and it certainly was not such a success as I hoped for. Others of less weight did as well and better. — Nondescript, Newcastle-on-Tyne. BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION FOR S. AFRICA. [6038.] A number of gentlemen here interested in bee-culture being desirous of forming a Bee-keepers' Association, we shall esteem it a favour if you can put us in the way of procuring a copy of the rules of any of your Associations in England. If you can furnish us with a copy the cost will be remitted by return mail. — Cairncross and Zillen, Church Street, Pretoria, S. Africa, September 1. [We have pleasure in forwarding by early mail copies of the rules of the British Bee-keepers' Association, and also of several of the largest county Associa- tions in this country. — Eds.] GLASS HONEY-JARS CRACKING. - [6039.1 Could any of your readers give me any information as to glass honey-jars being so liable to crack ? I managed to be supplied with a bad lot this year. Quite a number of them cracked round the bottom, mostly after washing, while standing on drying-rack ; some even did the same after being filled with honey, causing a lot of trouble and great mess. On examination several appeared to be badly moulded, being thin on one side, but others were all right in this respect. Nor was the water too hot or mode of washing to blame, as I washed several myself very carefully to test this. I may say that I paid 21s. for a gross, out of which over two dozen cracked in the manner de- scribed. My worst fear is that some may have gone while in my customers' hands, making them give up buying honey, as being "too messy. I should be glad if any reader who is connected with the glass trade could give me some advice, so that I may not be landed in the same predicament in future. — Glass, Cheshire, September 2. AMERICAN AND COLONIAL PAPERS. extracts and comments. By D. M. Macdonald, Banff. Wiring Frames. — At the Chicago Con- vention Mr. Dadant made the following important remarks regarding the wiring of frames: — "Many put their wires too low. The weight is at the top, the pull is on the top storey, and so the first wire should be put very close to the top, within an inch. When you come to the bottom of the frame, those who have handled foundation for years know that those cells are hardly ever stretched, and so there is no need of wiring below the middle of the frame. If you put one wire at the middle and the other two above, you will have better success than if you put the wires lower. It is best that wires should be taut, but in a great many cases it is not necessary if the" wiring is carefully done." The directions given at home to beginners is to pull until the wire will "twang.'' It is a mistake to pull too hard. I should like the lowest wire rather below the centre, as it secures that the sheet hangs truer, and prevents sagging or buckling in the iower fourth of the frame, for at times the sheet warps if drawn du<- irregul arly. Smoker Fu$\. — In cleaning a bee-smoker Gleanings directs : — " Pour in a little kero- sene aitd set fire to it, leaving the smoker open. The deposit can then be easily scraped off while hot and soft, or peeled off when cold." Mr. Root has lately been recommending greasy waste, oily rags, and the like for smoker fuel. Such stuff is easily obtained at any machine shop or engine rooms, or near railway stations ; or, as a substitute, pro- cure some old "gunny sacks" where grain is bought and phosphates sold. The re- ports all agree that the waste or rags do not creosote the smoker, that the smoke is clean and lasting, and very effective, and that it is readily ignited. The A.B.J, recommends sawdust: — "First 386 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 28. 1905 push in some shavings, then fill up with sawdust, packing firm, after bore a funnel- shaped hole in centre into which drop about a teaspoonful of kerosene. Place some green grass over the top to act as a spark arrester, and you can go ahead for three or four hours without replenishing." Bottom Starters.- — Dr. Miller is quite in love with bottom-starters in his sections. Let us see what he claims as benefits to be derived by their use, weighed against the obvious time and labour the operation of fixing them in entails : — " They look better with two lock corners down. The comb is built well to the bottom. Sealing up and down is more complete. They stand better t>p- up. and of course travel better. They build truer to the perpendicular, no swing- ing over to one side. They get r;d of bulging sections." Does not the use of full sheets secure all this without the labour of double fixing? Wax Rendering. — Mr. Root's " boys " made an extensive and exhaustive test of melting up combs by the bag and boiler plan, contrasted with the wax press. The results deserve being widely circulated : — " In some cases the amount of wax taken from the bag punched under water was only 33 per cent, of the whole amount obtainable, and other times 50 per cent. I am satisfied from the experiments, which were repeated again and again, that the old bag plan of melting beeswax used to waste somewhere about 50 per cent, of the amount of wax in the combs." When, as he obligingly informs us, an effi- cient press can be made out of any half- barrel, with a 4 by 4 oak studding for a lever, this system should supersede the old one. Another good plan for extracting wax under pressure from old combs is de- scribed and illustrated in A.B.J., though taken from L'Apicultcur. It consists of a receptacle of galvanised iron or tin, but in this body is fitted a screened hoop, the centre of which is perforated, and through which a shaft is placed, the latter at its lower part being supplied with a winged wheel similar to those on windmills. The upper end of the shaft carries a crank which is removable. "When heat is ap- plied the wax melts and seeks to rise, but at the same time the pellicles, cocoons, and cast skins of the brood-combs ascend also, and close the holes of the screen. Then comes the work of the winged wind by the use of the crank. At the time when the water begins to boil, we turn this crank every half- minufce., a1 the rate of 40 to 60 revolu- tions u minute. The fan-shaped wings stir the mass of cocoons, beat it, break it. In pieces, ami, thanks to the windmill shape of the wings, push to the bottom all the obstructing residue, thus permit- ting the lighter beeswax to come up through the screen and rise to the sur- face." At the Antipodes. — The Australian Bee- keeper (aged six years) and the Bee Bulletin (aged thirteen years) are mainly devoted to a lengthy account of the an- nual meeting and conference of the Vic- torian Apiarists' Association, but the agenda embraces few points of more than local interest. " Advance, Australia ! " seems to be their motto, and I cull the following to show that they have aspira- tions. Co-operation seems to be the panacea advocated for curing all ills : — " For the bee-keeping industry to be put on a sound and profitable basis the bee-keepers of the State should have cen- tral receiving stores in the cities and large towns for the purpose of receiving, grading, canning, and distributing honey, and also for the purpose of exploiting outside markets to clear the surplus. Then, instead of the tons of nectar in our forests going to waste, they would be occupied by prosperous bee-keepers, add- ing some thousands of pounds to the re- venue of the State." Wintering Experiments. — The Canadian Bee Journal also devotes almost half its space to a report of the meeting of the Ontario Bee-keepers' Association. The wintering problem claims the chief part of the discussion. The amount of food consumed during the winter months in- terests me most. It is for the cold climate of Canada wonderfully small. One group .averaged 53g lb. when winter packed, and in spring showed a decrease of I65 lb. ; a second set had only 13Jt lb. of stores consumed. These hives were wintered outside, but " insulated " during the period of extreme cold. In- side, cellar wintering, the consumption of stores was even less. The first group of six had lost only 9^ lb. on an average, the second group, with more ventilation, only 85 lb., while the third group, win- tered as they were in summer stands, had consumed 9i lb., and the fourth group, ventilated above, 8| lb. The average for the whole twenty-four hives shows the low average of loss per hive of only 9 lb. Hives fed with sugar-syrup, and again with honey, as another experiment, showed an average in favour of the group fed on honey of 1 lb. 13 oz. less stores consumed. Expert Opinion. — More honey from colony and one swarm, or from colony and no swarm ? This question is answered by twenty-nine experts, with some favour- ing one side and some the other. The preponderating opinion (twenty-one to Sept. 28, 1«J05.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 387 eight) is in favour of the combined lot hindered from swarming. Pretty unani- mously we here will agree with the ver- dict. Yet it depends on a number of things or conditions, as, for instance, the length of flow, when the swarm comes off, and how both are handled. Personally, I would vote for the colony without any swarming "every time," conditions and surroundings being such as they are with us. ntfm m& §Uj}l«s. [3904.] A Case of Bees Bobbing. — Will you kindly advise me on the following? — I was away from home on September 21, and am told that during the afternoon, which was- warm and sunny, my only hive was surrounded by bees, the alighting- board being covered and the air thick with them, those on the wing near the hive were flying with their heads towards the en- trance, which I have had reduced in width to about half an inch for the past few days, as wasps were becoming troublesome to the bees when the entrance was open six or eight inches. Inside the hive, the bees cover seven or eight frames, and I had commenced to give medicated syrup from a regulating feeder, as " directed in the "Guide Book." Not being present at the time. I am not at all sure if the flying bees were my own, although I presume they were, but, if not, I ask: — 1. Do you think it a case of robbing ? I ask this be- cause hundreds of dead bees were lying on the ground and on the alighting-board, which reaches down to within three inches of the ground. I have wrapped the frames up warmly, as we have hail some very cold nights lately, and my garden is high and exposed. 2. Have I kept the bees too warm, seeing that there is an American cloth and three felts on 1 Enclosed are a few of the dead bees for inspection. — W. H. X., Eastbourne. Reply. — 1. Judging by the appearance of dead bees sent, there has been some " robbing.'" which your bees were evidently able to resist effectually by having only a narrow entrance to defend. 2. There is no need for wrapping up frames warmly so early as this, though it will do no harm if liberal feeding is required, because warmth will help the bees in sealing over the food given. [3905.] Dea 1 ing with Fan! Brood. — I send you herewith a frame taken from one of my hives on Saturday last, asking your advice on the following matter : — In March last I bought a stock in straw skeo, anil, as far as I could see, they were in good health, and, being very strong, I decided to allow them to swarm, instead of placing "hem on a frame-hive to transfer them- selves. The swarm issued on May 10, and, after being hived, was fed for a time. I afterwards put on a rack of sections which the bees took to fairly well. However, a week or two back, I noticed fewer bees about, and as the sections were not being filled rapidly, I kept watch on them, and noticed that the bees seemed to lessen in numbers. I therefore removed the sec- tions, of which they had filled about a dozen, and on examining the frames I find two or three like this one I am sending you. If it is foul brood, I propose to put the bees in to a clean hive with foundation only and feed up, destroying the. old combs except the top part, which is sealed honey, and I thought the bees might perhaps clear out. Do you think that will be suf- ficient, and, if so, what had I better do with the original stock in straw skep. which I imagine is in a similar condition ? Some bees in both hives are still busy carrying in pollen. I kept bees and have been a subscriber to your Journal for. many years, but for the last four or five have not had any bees, so that I feel rather up- set on the matter, and any assistance will be appreciated. I will take any steps you may advise, but what is to be clone must be seen to at once as season is so late. — A Disappointed Bee-keeper, Essex. Reply. — The frame of comb sent is affected with foul brood of rather virulent type, and it would be waste of time to try and cure it, especially at this season. While sympathising with you on the unfortunate I I start. Ave feel that your best course will be to burn the lot — bees, combs, and frames. Then if hive is thoroughly dis- infected you could buy about 4 lb. of healthy driven bees with young prolific queen and start afresh. This will be far better than tinkering with the diseased bees, and more economical in the end. [3906.] Dispensing with Comb-founda- tion. — Since I have subscribed to the B.3.J. I have admired very much the replies to various queries put by your readers. There is a perfect ability in the answers given which certainly induces questions from those in difficulties with their bees. We have not in our French papers such a mine of information. Let me consequently beg you to answer the following in an early issue of the in- teresting British Bee Journal. I know very well that the matter I make men- tion of is not practised by advanced bee- keepers in England, but you should be perhaps, or one of your readers who would kindly oblige me, aware of the question. You know that, before the invention of a machine for making comb-foundation 388 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 28, 1905. in sheets, a triangular bar was- attached under the top bar for starting rightly the wax-constructions by bees. C. Dadant says in his work, "The Honey Bee," that this process was ordinarily successful. If we would use now, instead of this ad- ventitious triangular bar, a top-bar bevelled to a sharp edge underneath on its underside, without adding any kind of foundation or wax starters at all, do yoii think that it would be sufficient for guiding bees in building their combs straight in the frames, especially in the widest Langstroth or Dadant-Blatt frames? I should be glad to learn if some English bee-keper had made expe- riences i» this direction: Apologising for my poor English, and thanking you in anticipation, I am yours faithfully — A French Subscriber, Paris, September 18. Reply.— We have little or no doubt that if hives are set perfectly level, and the bevelled-off "sharp edges" of top- bars are dipped in molten wax, the bees will build straight combs within the rect- angle of frames so prepared. At the same time it is generally admitted that even a 1-in. strip of comb-foundation is advan- tageous to the bees in their first start with comb-building. [3907.] Removing Bees from Trees. — Please give me your opinion on the en- closed comb. I took it from a tree a week ago, and I learn that there had been bees in the tree for ten or twelve years past. We removed four pailfuls of comb altogether, none of it containing much honey. 1. Is there foul brood in the comb? I have run (or rather squeezed) the honey through a straining-cloth and it tastes as if fermenting ; it is also very thick. ' 2. Will it do for bee-food ? I started bee-keeping this year, and have been very successful. From two hives purchased in the snring I have taken seventy sections and have forty more ready for removal rilled with heather honey. I have done better than any of my bee-keeping friends in these parts, and am well satisfied with the year's work. — Bkktxxer, Liphook, Hants. Reply. — There is no disease in comb, the brood being chilled and dead from cold. The honey will do for bee-food, but if fermentation has set up it should be thinned down with hot water to the con- sistency of good sugar-syrup and put on the fire till it just begins to boil, when any sciim on the surface should be re- moved before the food is allowed to cool. The comb and dead brood as sent formed rather a nasty mess for editorial inspec- tion. T3908.] Checking an Outbreak of Disease. ■ — Will you kindly give me your opinion of the enclosed sample of brood-comb? I may say the hive from which it was taken has been very strong all summer, and I have taken about 120 lb. of honey from it, but about a month ago, when looking through the frames prior to packing for wintering, I noticed a patch or two similar to the enclosed. — W. W., Yorks. Reply. — There is incipient foul brood in several cells of comb sent, and it will be advisable to remove all combs so affected before packing the bees down for winter. In addition to this, preventives should be used, and all food given medicated. [3909.] Beginners and Cross-built Combs. — I am just starting bee-keeping, and have purchased a stock of bees in a frame-hive, but on examining them I was greatly dis- appointed to find that the two rear frames have had no foundation put in them when bees were hived. There are seven frames in the hive, and the bees have built combs across the three frames at back so that I cannot get the fifth frame out without lift- ing the sixth and seventh, as all three frames are joined together. Can you tell me how to get over the difficulty and get straight combs built in all seven frames? I have the " Guide Book " and was work- ing according to it. My own idea was to remove two or three frames and substitute a division-board so as to cluster the bees more closely together. The gentle- man I got them from says I had better let them alone, but I do not want to have the bees on frames that are not movable singly. Any information vou may give will oblige —J. S., Crook, R.S.O., Co." Durham. Reply. — It should not be difficult to in- sert a dummy-board — with bee-space below — in rear of the fourth frame. This done, the bees will soon leave the three rear frames and join those in front wher-e the queen is. The three cross-built frames can then be lifted out en bloc, and the combs cut away, to be afterwards tied into frames if straight and good, but, if crooked, melt them down for wax, and fit the three frames with full sheets of foundation before replacing them. [3910.] Feeding Bees in a Lard Pail. — I shall be glad if you will answer the follow- ing in the B.B.J. : — I have a swarm of this- year hived in a lard pail, and, on ex- amining them, find plenty of brood but no stores. The bees seem strong, but, not- withstanding this fact, wasps have been busy going in and out of the entrance almost as thick as the bees themselves of late. There seems to be no way of feed- ing them in a pail, and so I ask: — What would you advise me to do ? I do not want to lose the bees, but they have not got enough food to last half the winter. I send name and sign — Drone-Bee, Biddenden, Kent, September 20. Reply. — We should get some joiner Sept. 28, 1 905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 389 friend to bore a two-inch hole in bottom (now the top) of pail with an auger, or, failing that, Would cut a square hole with a pointed knife. Above this hole place a rapid feeder holding a quart or more of syrup-food, and refill as often as empty till the required quantity is taken down. Also reduce entrance to half an inch to help the bees in keeping tat wasps. If the latter again cause trouble and start robbing, only give food at night, removing feeder each morning. [3911.] Stat ting Bee-keeping — Locating Hires. — I am about to commence bee-keep- ing by purchasing two established stocks of bees in frame-hives, one holding ten and the other twelve frames. 1. Do you consider these hives unmanageable by a novice ? I am told they are. The hives would be exposed to north and cast winds, but sheltered by houses from north-east winds. 2. Would you recommend the planting of a hedge or shrubs to protect the hives, or covering them well during severe weather with some warm material ? 3. Could they be removed for the winter to a spot nearer house where they would be well protected and warm ? Probably a plentiful supply of food is the> best safeguard and a strong colony. 4. Will bees find their way back to old habitation if bought locally? — M. A. P., Sutton, Birmingham, Sep- tember 2. Reply". — 1. Yes, the hives named are as easily managed as any. 2. A hedge sheltering from east winds would be use- ful, but is not indispensable if hives are well covered on top and kept dry. 3. Hives should not be moved from their summer stands in winter. 4. Not if moved in winter after being confined to their hives for several weeks by cold. [3912.] A Beginner's Queries. — I only started bee-keeping this year, and should be obliged for reply to the following. At the end of July I extracted all honey from supers, and a few days later examined the brood chambers, when I found there was no honey at all in the combs. I gave the bees a cake of candy at once, and have since continued to give candy. The other day I started to give syrup-food rapidly for the winter, and there is at present from 15 lb. to 20 lb. of syrup in the brood- chamber. To-day I was told by a bee- keeping friend that I should have left three or four frames of sealed honey in the hive. What I wish to know is whether the bees will live through the winter on syrup alone, if I give them the requisite quantity (30 lb.) as per "Guide Book." — L'Abeille, Derby, September 11. Reply. — The bees will do as well on syrup-food as honey gathered from the fields if they have time to seal the food over before cold weather sets in. At the same time, we may say it is always best to leave what stores are found in brood- chambers for the bees' use, or, if found empty after removing surplus, to give a full supply in a rapid-feeder as soon as convenient in early autumn. dkta fjjam the Jiim Ilford, September 20.— My total yield this year from four stocks has been 150 lb— viz., 48, 45, 42, and 15 lb. re- spectively, of good-quality lime-honey. No swarms. Indeed, I have not had a single swarm during the six years I have kept bees, nor have I had any complaint from any neighbour of having been stung, although the hives are located in my back-garden in a very populous neighbourhood. I mention these facts for the encouragement of those who are, or_would be, suburban bee-keepers. — Geo. S. Fatjnch. New Bridge {Cornwall). — Bees have done fairly well around here this season. For- age very plentiful, but the weather has been simply awful, thick fogs hanging over the land all the season from the Bristol Channel. This is my first year at bee- keeping.— J. R. |3w JJhoujs to ®mt October 3 to 6, at the Agricultural Hall, London. — Show of Honey and Bee Produce in con- nection with the British Dairy Farmers' Association. [Numerous and liberal prizes for honey, etc., including the valuable Silver Challenge Cup of the B.B.K.A. Entries closed. October 19 and 20, at Kilmarnoek, NB. —Honey Show in connection with the annual exhibi- tion of the Ayrshire Agricultural Society. Schedules on application to John Howie, Secretary, 58, Allowaj Street, Ayr. Entries close October 6. November 5 to 18, at Plymouth- — Annual Show of the Devon BK.A., in conjunction with the Plymouth Exhibition]. Twelve classes, witJhi good prizes, for honey and bee appliances, including special'. prize of £1 Is., for two 1-lb. sections. Schedules fiom F. W. Palmer, Turner Cottage, St. Badeaux, Devonport. Entries close November 1 November 15 to 18, at Plymouth- — Honey Show, ;b connection with Plymouth Exhibition (at- tendance 1904, 61,000) ; 15 Open Classes for Appliances. Honey, Wax, Confectionery, etc. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, handsome diplomas, money prizes, etc. Schedule.* from A. D. Breeze, Chartered Secretary. Exhibition Offices, Plymouth. Entries close November *.. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. ■ W. Lille? (Dean). — Small Sample Honey- jars. — Any of the honey-jar manufac- turers who have advertised in our patjes during the present season supply jars holding from 2 oz. upwards at low pi-ices. J. B.(Cullompton). — Making Metheglin or 390 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 28, 1905. Mead. — The pamphlet, " Mead, and How to Make It," can be had for 2^d., post free, from this office. F. J. (Mountmellick). — Spacing Frames in Winter. — 1. The spacing of frames If in. apart in winter, as recommended in " Guide Book," is to allow of more bees clustering between the face of combs during cold weather, and thus increasing the warmth of the cluster during winter. 2. We do not know what is meant by "wood-wool packing," but any woollen material answers well as covering for frames in winter. Busy-Bee (Stafford). — Bee Forage. — Of the three sprigs of heather sent, Nos. 1 and 3 are the common ling (Erica calluna), No. 2 being JE. cinerea (bell-heather). Referring to honey samples, No. 1 is very good in colour, fair in flavour, but only poor in consistency ; No. 2 is good for table use ; and No. 3 would be suitable for medium class at local shows ; but none are up to high show- bench standard. W. Peingle (Blaydon-on-Tyne). — Candy Making. — Your sample can be used as bee food, but it is not sufficiently boiled, or smooth enough in grain for a good candy. We should not care to add a pound of flour to ten pounds of sugar for feeding so late in the season as this ; it is more suitable for early autumn or for spring feeding. F. L. (Cirencester). — Vicious Bees. ■ — Judging from appearance of queen sent, we should not pronounce her a pure Italian but a hybrid. For an adult queen over a year old she is also one of the slimmest we ever saw — in fact, her appearance is that of a virgin queen. In any case, the account you give of her vicious progeny and their poor working qualities shows it was best to depose her. J. P. (Caierham Valley).— N. Beta Solu- tion.— We do not advise purchasing N Beta from an ordinary chemist, as the strength of the chemical varies very much. That sent out from this office is selected as suitable for medi- cating bee-food according to Dr. Lortet's formula, and we cannot answer for the efficacy of any other. Driven Bees (Derby). — Bee-parasites on Driven Bees. — From our knowledge of the advertiser referred to we feel sure he will do what is right if written to, and if the bees sent were badly infested, as stated, he will meet you in the matter. We have had several communi- cations mentioning the fact of Braula cceca being plentiful in some southern counties this year, but we do not hear of the pest in northern districts. Tobacco smoke is the recognised remedy as de- scribed in the "Guide Book." D. M. P. (Greenock). — Sample sent is good Demerara, but, being moist sugar and unrefined, is unsuitable for bees. It is too relaxing as winter food because of the molasses it contains. Refined white crystals of cane sugar should be used. Honey Samples. H. H. (Isington, Alton). — The pronounced flavour of your sample is from heather, consequently the bees must have made the " two-mile trip" to obtain it. Rugby. — Sample is from mixed sources — mainly clover. It would do very well for local show if slightly warmed to remove the visible signs of incipient granulation. J. R. (Cornwall). — No. 1 is granulating, and thin in consistency. It is evidently not well ripened. No,. 2 is fair in flavour and colour, but too thin for showing. No. 3 (medium colour), and of fairly good flavour, would do for local show. It is a very sweet honey. W. R. (Sidmouth). — Of the two samples No. 1 is best, and, except for being a little thin in consistency, is a good honey. It is from mixed sources, the flavour is pleasant and is slightly tinged with that of hawthorn blossom. There may also be some bell-heather within reach of the bees. No. 2 is not so good ; it is also showing signs of granu- lation. Suspected Combs. L. W. (Staplehurst). — There is no trace of brood in cells, foul or otherwise ; nothing but a little pollen. J. B. (Winchester). — Comb sent contains nothing worse than pollen, but it was almost eaten away ' by the larvae of the true wax-moth. The comb must have been put up several days ago, as it was quite matted together by the tunnel-like webs of moth larvse. X. Y. Z. (Midlothian). — No disease in comb, but the queen is evidently a drone-breeder. S. D. (Staffs). — We can see no foul brood in comb, and the sealed brood seems to be hatching out all right. The fault is to see duplicate eggs in so many cells, also many twin-larvse, and in some cases three tiny larvee in one cell, all hatched. We cannot account for these abnormal conditions. X. Y. Z. (Marton, Blackpool).— Comb badly affected with disease of old stand- ing. F. R. (Heathfield, Sussex). — Comb sent is just in same condition as that mentioned above. The person whose views you got evidently knew very little about foul brood. *** Some Queries and Replies, n hives, having found that the bees will not tolerate queens that suffer from old age, as they are generally supposed to do, but MR. E. B. ELMHURST'S APIARY, KNARESBORO', YORKSHIRE. skep. My start, therefore, was a disas- trous one. But it seemed as if I was to be a bee-keeper, for another swarm came to me, and this I hived successfully in my frame-hive. The bees got on all right. I then made two new frame-hives and gradually worked my way up till in 1900 my apiary consisted of forty hives. I had bought seven frame-hives from our local clergyman, who was leaving the neighbour- hood, and this helped my increase ; but I have always had a liking for a few skeps, and in the autumn I usually buy up a lot of weak skeps — these being chiefly second swarms — if healthy, clean, and free from wax-moth, at from half-a-crown to four shillings each. I put them on a box-stand with a circular hole, that holds a crate if re-queen themselves far more often than we are aware of, especially in the honey- flow time, when the brood-chamber is let alone. I have often found on opening a hive to show an old queen that a grand young one has taken her place at the head of affairs. I have had shades for all of my hives. They look very nice with snow on, but room "iven with iudgment is the best preventive of swarming. " Although I live in a neighbourhood rotten with foul brood, I have kept clear of it by keeping up my spring and autumn cleaning, and regularly painting all hives, together with the use of naphthaline and using carbolic, besides medicating all food given. " I took my first prize in 1896, and since 396 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 5, 1905. then carried most of our local classes, but have only got a third in an open class. In 1899 I secured my third-class expert's, cer- tificate, and am honorary expert to several local associations." COR RESPON DENCE {Continued from page 394 ) THE BEE-SEASON IN NOTTS. [6044.] I have never been favoured with the big " takes " of honey which we hear of in the B.B.J. , but having this year secured my record harvest, I thought it might interest and encourage some at least of the many readers of your valuable weekly to have a few details of what has been done. I have been a " modern bee- keeper " ever since the year 1877, and the converts I have made to the " better way " are so numerous that I have lost count of them ; one is a first-class expert known to most bee-keepers in the British Isles. But about the bee-season. Let me say I have two colonies of bees in frame-hives, stand- ing in my sister's garden at Mildenhall, Suffolk, and these two have yielded a gross weight of 295 lb. of beautiful, light-coloured honey, including forty-two sections. 1 pay an annual visit to Mildenhall — which is my native place — and have a young friend there who was only a skeppist when I in- duced him to start on modern lines about, ten years ago. He still has. some skeps, but now owns eighteen or twenty stocks in frame-hives. I might say, in addition to being a fruit and seed growing district, the farmers, there grow an abundance of sainfoin. I cannot boast of any very large " takes " here in Newark — where I live — although I secured a first prize and silver pendant at our Notts B.K.A. Show this year. -My largest " take " in Notts is 85 lb. from one hive. Enclosed is a photo of myself and my Newark apiary, and I shall be pleased if you consider it worthy of a place in " Homes of the Honey-bee. " — Robekt Mttckexden, Newark, September 30. [Very pleased to get photo, and shall give it a place in our bee-garden pictures in due course. — Eds.] A RE-START WITH BEES. [6045.] Perhaps you may think it worth while to publish the following remarks in your " Correspondence " columns from an old-time bee-keeper who is now engaged in making a vr-start with a few hives under the. following circumstances: — I began bee-keeping here— within three miles of the Manchester Exchange — in 1884, and for somey<'ars enjoyed the friendship of the late Mr. Win. Carr, of Newton Heath. The conditions in those far-off days were a little more favourable to the hobby than they are now, but at no time can they be said to have been perfect. The city smoke and grime pursue us even here, and although we have some 400 acres of farm land on the south and a public park of 60 odd acres on the north, the progress of build- ings has rendered it less and less an ideal spot for an apiary. Then the putting up of a greenhouse, potting shed, boiler house, and frames restricted my available space (because I never dared entrench on the gar- den proper), and some six or eight years ago I had to abandon the pursuit of bee keeping altogether, leaving all my ap- pliances on hand. I have now, however, a small piece of ground in Denbighshire, where, within the last two months, I have established a couple of stocks of bees, and being a bit rusty in the details of management, I am contented with these two colonies, at pre- sent ; but, meantime, I am occupied in looking; up and transporting my dozen or so of hives, and bee-tackle, while my en- thusiasm for the craft, is as great as. ever after slumbering so long, and I am hoping to do well with them in a district that con- tains plenty of bee-forage and some heather. Can you ^ive me (or may I in- vite your correspondents- to give me) the address of any bee-man within easy hail of Colwyn Bay, so that we may compare notes? Also, can you refer me to the sec- retary of the Denbighshire B.K. Associa- tion? Name, etc., for reference.- — Cymett, Manchester, September 28. [With regard to the Denbighshire B.K. A. its hon. sec. is Mr. Wm. Richards, Gabalfa, Cardiff, who will, we are quite sure, supply any information in his power likely to help our correspondent in his ?-e-start with bees. If this meets, the eye of any reader residing near the place mentioned (Colwyn Bay), perhaps he will send address, etc., to this office for forwarding to " Cymru."- Eds.] , SOME BEE EXPERIENCES. [6046.] A stray swarm of bees came to my place on June 22. When examining the frames of this swarm on July 10 I found nearly a score of queen-cells just started. We had a severe thunderstorm on the pre- vious afternoon, dark clouds obscuring the sun, with heavy rain coming down and causing the bees to rush home in thousands, and as I could not find a queen, my im- pression is that the sudden storm was in some way responsible for the death of the latter. About ten days afterwards I found there was a fine lot of sealed brood in the hive, so decided to divide the frames, and trans- ferred one-half into each of the two com- partments of a " Wells " hive, with an out- side " entrance-divider " 7 in. wide and (he Oct. 5, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 397 height of hive. Both lots had about an equal number of queen-cells, and both seemed to do well ; but, after examining the frames again on August 25, I found one lot had a drone-breeding queen. Later on I put both close together with a perforated separator between, and about a fortnight ago removed the latter, thus uniting the bees. There was a consider- able number of drones among the last- named lot, with a few drone-cells sealed over, and although the bees are carrying in pollen to day (September 30). there are still some drones in the hive, I have no doubt that the storm of July 9 caused the death of very many thousands of bees. I know that mine stored very little surplus afterwards, though up to that time they seemed to be doing very well indeed. My method of extracting wax from, old pollen-combs is to get a tin of about 2^ in. deep, of such size as will easily fit into a cooking-range (square or oblong). I next get another tin to slip into this, say g in., but with a wire-strainer bottom. I pack this full of comb edgewise, but upside down, with about 1 in. depth of water in lower tin, to keep the combs from burn- ing. As the wax melts and runs down- wards, the cells will crumble away onei by one, and every particle of the wax drains through. I have tried all the methods of extracting wax, but the above succeeds best with me, even for rendering cappings. Qf course, a roasting-oven is preferable, as you can regulate the heat so as not to burn the honey draining from the cappings. — Frank Jaevis, Bucks, September 30. SWALLOWS AND BEES. [6047.] One summer evening a few years ago I was talking to a fellow bee-keeper in his garden after a wet day, when we noticed the bees flying out unusually strong (pro- bably after having been kept in by the rain). In a short time we had our atten- tion attracted to a loud twittering of swal- lows, and it seemed as if the birds gathered from all over the neighbourhood, darting backwards and forwards amongst the fly- ing bees. My friend asked what I thought they were doing, and very shortly, after careful watching, we concluded that they were catching the bees for supper. We shouted and threw stones, at them, but the game went on until, I supposed, they were satisfied for the night, I have also seen sparrows sit upon the house-top and fly up and catch bees as they were going over the house from the fields. From observation I have no doubt that swallows, sparrows, tits, and other birds do occasionally eat bees. The honey season in this Midland dis- trict has been very poor, although the little honey we have is of good quality. Many bee-keepers have secured scarcely any sur- plus, and my own average is only 25 lb. per hive with no swarms, but I have had to feed up for winter. Only verv few in this district have taken as. much. We had plenty of clover in the pastures for a month, and good weather, but the bees did not work ; it was probably too dry, as we had scarcely any rain during May, .June, and July. — Thomas Harper, Uttoxeter, Staffs. WAX RENDERING. [6048.] In Mr. Macdonald's account of a recent French invention for extracting wax from old combs (page 386, B.B.J:, Septem- ber 28), it should, I think, have been men- tioned that in place of the ordinary boiling water a saturated solution of common salt is used. In the increased temperature of 230 deg. Fahr. , thus obtainable, the wax becomes exceedingly fluid, while mechani- cal separation is rendered easier owing to the peculiar density of the solution. The salt has in itself a purifying effect. The machine is simple and is said to be thoroughly efficient. It can be obtained for 15 francs (about 12s.) from Monsirur Kiihn, La Chaille Saint Claude, Besancon, France. I am not aware whether the in- vention is as yet protected in this country. — H. J. O. Walker, Lieut. -Colonel, Lee- ford, Budleigh Salterton. BEES REFUSING TO UNITE. another bee-keeper's experience. [6049.] In your issue of the 14th inst. (6014, page 366), one of your correspondents states that it is useless to try to do any- thing with queenless stocks of bees or driven lots of bees with a drone-breeding queen at their head. May I be allowed to say that I have this month united driven bees to three queenless stocks, and also to one having a drone-breeder, in each case without the least fighting? I think there must be some mistake or some faull in the method of procedure followed by your correspondent, Mr. Frank Jarvis. or his experience would not have resulted in failures as stated. The queens of the united lots I have referred to are now breeding rapidly, considering the time >f the year. — John Gedye, Cornwall, Sep- tember 28. store more honey in supers when working for sections? It would appear to be so, as a bee-man not far from me has had an abundance of well- filled sections, and he always uses ex- cluders. 4. Would it be good policy to fit a frame or two up with sections, separate them from brood-nest by excluder, instead of filling up the whole body-box with brood-frames ? 5. Could I work such frames as I prooose above for surplus honey without depriving the bees of breeding space ? 6. How many frames are used for brood, and are these filled with honey when bees are hatched out ? 7. Is it possible to give bees too much smoke when manipulating? Hoping my many queries will not occupy tooi much space, I enclose name and sign — T. H., Northumberland. Reply. — Before briefly replying to the above numerous queries, we must explain that you cannot be taught the art of bee- keeping through this column. A guide- book is indispensable for all beginners, and without one, success is more than doubtful. For the rest we reply: — 1. Bees always carry the contents of supers down to brood-nest if left on till the honey- season has closed. 2. No, bees usually work in two or more racks if honey is coming in well. 3. Excluders below sec- tions are supposed by some bee-keepers to retard work rather than help it on, but they prevent sections being spoilt by brood. 4. Sections worked in frames in brood-nests have been well tried some years ago and proved unsatisfactory. 5. No. 6. Most hives are fitted with ten or eleven frames in brood-nests, and all surplus should be stored above these. 7. Yes, very possible, and it is very bad for the bees to give too* much smoke at any time. [3916.] Queens Mating and Foul Brood. — 1. May I ask if you think there is any danger of foul brood being communicated by young queens mating with drones coming from foul-broody hives? 2. Could you, or any B.B.J, reader, tell me where a good sugar-boiling thermometer could be got in England ? — Be. Colomban, Buck- fast, S. Devon. Reply. — 1. We do not think there is any need for alarm on the point mentioned above. 2. There should be no difficulty in purchasing a suitable article for the pur- pose mentioned in London. Write to Mr. Louis Casella, make of scientific instru merits, Holborn Bars, London, W.C. [3917.] Combs Broodless in October. — As a reader of the B.B.J, and Record for five years, your opinion on the following will greatly oblige : — When examining my bees Oct. 5, 1905. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 399 to-day I found one stock had no brood whatever in the combs, nor were there any eggs visible, and I could see nothing of the queen. I may also mention that the stock referred to has thrown off two swarms this summer and, therefore, the queen must be a young one. This makes me ask : —Is it usual for a young queen to cease laying early in autumn ? If so, would a little stimulative feeding cause her to begin lay- ing again before the cold weather sets in? The stock in question has plenty of stores in combs. I enclose name for reference and sign— Anxious, Derby, October 2. Reply. ■ — You should first make quite sure that the stock is not queenless by searching for the queen till she is found, if there is one in the hive. On the other hand if there is a mated queen in the hive it would be very unusual indeed for her not to have started laying before now. Our own impression is that the colony is queenless, and we should take steps to remedy this by purchasing a young fertile queen for it. [3918.] Bees Dying. — Some days ago I took the honey from my hive. I put the wet frames, with some small bits of honey left in them, in the tool-house. Next morning there were hundreds of bees In the place busy carrying off the honey, and the following morning they were still there, but very drowsy, as if hardly able to move. The hive they came from is only a few yards away. Up to the second morning after, the bees had not gone, so I took a feather and gathered them in a heap, and left them in a spot where the sun shone on them, and in a few hours half of the- bees had flown back to the hive, the other half are dead. Can you tell me the reason of their not returning to the hive? — J. W., Poulton-le-Fylde, Lanes, September 27. Reply. — The bees, no doubt, after filling their honey-sacs in clearing up the frames, had become so chilled and benumbed as rendered them incapable of flight. Those found dead would probably have been too far gone with the cold as to> render them beyond recovery. [3919.] Keeping Bees in Greenhouse. ■ — A friend has offered me either a Golden queen or a Carniolan, and I should like to take advantage of his offer. I have re- queened three strong colonies this month, and do not like to destroy one of the new queens as they are all laying well just now. I have also a swarm in a straw skep. Do you think I could drive them into a frame- hive and after removing the queen away from driven bees introduce the new one to them ? I know it is late to put bees into a new hive now, but I have a range of glass-houses (heated in cold weather), and I thought it might be possible to put the new hive in there and feed up rapidly. There would be plenty of room for the bees to take a flight (the houses are 100 ft. by 12 ft.), and they would not be exposed to the weather and so get killed. Do you think that plan would answer? I hope I have made my case clear to you, because having looked through the "Guide Book" and all B.B.J, s and Records, I cannot find what I wanted to know. I could get a few frames of bees and honey to start a new colony if you do not think it would answer to drive the skep, and consider it would answer to winter the new hive in the greenhouse. Your reply will much oblige — A. Sunley, Yorks. Reply. — It would answer to drive the bees from skep as proposed, and give the " Golden queen " to the driven bees if a few frames of comb are available on which to put the driven bees. But if you can get a few combs containing honey, and covered with bees, it will be still better, as en- abling you to make up a strong stock for winter headed by the Golden queen. [3920.] Late Swarming. — On Saturday, September 16, I united several of my stocks, but next morning on going down to where the hives stand, I found the whole of my bees very much excited and restless. The same afternoon, about 3 p.m., a neigh- bour called to tell me that my garden was full of bees. I went out to investi- gate, and right enough there was a swarm. After getting the bees into a skep, I ex- amined them in the evening to try and find the queen. I turned them out three times but failed to find her, and this difficulty makes me ask: — Would a swarm cluster without a queen, and what would be the cause of a swarm issuing so late in the season ? Also to make matters worse I could not return the bees to parent stock, as I did not know the hive they issued from. Would you recommend me to overhaul my hives to find the one from which the swarm issued, or should I unite to any of the stocks ? I will esteem it a great favour if you will answer in next issue of B.B.J. — S. H., Aberfeldy. Reply. — The cluster of bees found were, in our opinion, not a natural swarm at all, but bees that had lost their queen and be come demoralised during the turmoil caused by the "uniting" operations, as stated. We should unite the bees to any other of your colonies that may need strengthening in population. Do not over- haul your hives for the reasons we have mentioned above. SEPTEMBER RAINFALL. Total 1.65 in. Heaviest fall .48 on 8th. Rain fell on fourteen days. W. Head, Brilley, Herefordshire. 400 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 5, 1905. (fetes fpm tk ||tM». Privett, Alton, Hants, September 30. — The bees in this neighbourhood have not been so satisfactory as was expected in the early spring ; most of the honey gathered has been of excellent quality, but not by any means plentiful in quantity, while some is very poor stuff. There was the smallest display of honey I have seen at the cottagers' garden and flower shows this season for many years past. — F. G. Ayling. gu #hotra to ve a series of excellent views of this "Model Apiary." Would that onr Government would follow suit, and do anything for the benefit and spread of apiculture ! Ifniii'y Biscuits. — " The National Biscuit Co. has recently purchased on one consign- ment seventy cartloads of honey. All store cookies, jumbles, cakes, pastries, that keep Oct. 26, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 425 any length of time, must have some honey in them. Honey, the bakers say, keeps the cakes moist and nice, and they must have honey pure." Here must be an ex- tensive demand for honey, and possibly a large part of that imported finds its way to such centres, in this way not coming in keen competition with the best grade of home production. Teacher Bee-keepers. — A splendid photo- graph is given in Glcaniin/s, page 914, of a number of "schoolma'ms and school- masters " taking their first lesson in bee- keeping at Messrs. Root's yard. It speaks much for the gentleness of the bees that every one in the group held a comb, just taken out of the hives, one mass of bees. Further, it shows forcibly the sense of discipline these teachers have acquired, and which they hope to hand on to the rising generation, that they, who never handled bees, should have such excellent command over their nerves as to stand the trying ordeal, even though some got stings — and most of them were of- the gentler sex. I venture to assert that no other similar body of young men and young women in any other line of life would come out so triumphantly from such a test. Thanks Dr. Miller, for what you say of my young brethren in the group — but why leave out the gentler sex? I think they are so bonnie that they must all be of Scotch descent. What can I say more than that ? Peace in Beedom. — The Editor of the Review says : " Peace now reigns in the apicultural world. -There are no bicker- ings, no warring factions. Long may this condition last." I add to the last sentence a loud Amen ! An Old Correspondent. — I note from the Bee Bulletin that your erstwhile correspon- dent, Dr. Hamlyn-Harris, has been chosen honorary expert to the Queensland Bee- keepers' Association. He presided at a meeting called to discuss the subject of honey export, and told several home truths to the assembly, perhaps some of them rather unpalatable, about their methods and their honey. New Zealand Honey. — A trial shipment of 69 cwt. realised £69, and, after deduct- ino- all charges, the producer pocketed only 2d. per lb. It could have been sold in the colony "at 3^d. clear." This can- not give much encouragement to Austral- asian bee-keepers who are hungering and thirsting after a share of the home market. An Unsolvable Problem. — At the forth- coming Chicago Conference, according to the programme, Mr. E. D. Townsend is expected to answer this trying puzzle : "How many bees should a man keep?" I do not envy him the figuring which lies before him between this and December 6. <&OTtttyOVl&tVLtt The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the. paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good jaith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. *** In order to facilitate reference, Corresponderts, when speaking of any letter or query previously inserted, will oblige by mentioning the number of the letter as well as the page on which it appears REVIVING MORIBUND BEES. [6067.] Some time ago I was looking at a small stock of bees that had been starved. They stuck in the cells and on the combs, as starved bees do ; but, on breathing gently on them, there was a slight move- ment of the legs of two or three of the bees. On noticing this, I carried the hive into the house, and placed it by the fire for a little while, then, lifting out a comb at a time and warming it. Presently a few of the bees began to revive and crawl about, so I sprinkled some warm syrup over the comb and bees. Finallv I closed the hive entrance with perforated zinc, replaced the quilts, and next morning took the lot back to its old stand. Later on, when trans ferrino- the frames and bees into a clean hive. I saw the queen in the old hive, and, in lifting her out, she stuns me on the hand ; I lifted my hand to show some friends and the sting came away from her, so there was no mistaking the fact. Is not this a rather novel experience? On the morning of September 24, while walking down a lane here, I saw a queen and drone bumble bee in the act of copu- lation. The thorax of the queen was black, the segments of the abdomen being of red colour and the drone was small with vellow bands. They flew slowlv for a hundred yards or so, then dropped into a bramble-bush. The day on which this took place being very cold, I was much surprised, especially on noticing that hive bees were not flving at all at the time. I expect this is also a rather novel experi- ence' ? The season here has been a poor one for most bee-men. though one or two seem to have done fairlv well. In conclusion, may I ask you to kindly say whether the heaths, of which I enclose specimens ('marked B, C, and D), are useful for bees? Thanking you for past kindnesses. — Erxest Haut, Bisley, Surrey. [It is not at all uncommon to find that bees, apparently dead, may be revived bv warmth and warm food, bul we cannot call to mind ■> case of a queen bee using her sting without being pressed against the flesh of the person stung. Regarding (he three sprigs of blossom sent, B and D are 426 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 26, 1905. heaths, the first being the Erica cinerea (or bell heather), while D is. the Calluna vulgaris, or common "ling," the latter being the best for honey. The sprig marked C is not a heath, and is of little value for bees. — Eds.] JUDGES AND HEATHER HONEY. [6068.] I read with pleasure your report of the late Dairy Show, but the paragraph referring to the class for extracted heather honey is, to me, rather puzzling, though it meets with my idea of what genuine heather honey should be. The paragraph I refer to reads thus : — " There are a few samples from Erica cinerea — thin, dark-coloured, and liquid, as usual — but they, of course, stood no chance with honey that will not run from the jar when turned upside down." Now, without wishing to criticise the verdict of the judges, the exact opposite was the case at the late show of the Surrey B.K.A. at the Crystal Palace (where I was awarded the County Council medal for sec- tions of heather honey), as thisi dark- coloured liquid honey secured first and second prizes in the class for heather honey in jars, while my exhibit of the amber- coloured honey, which, when the jar :s turned upside down would not move, got no higher an award than "h.c." I may say the last-named honey, to which I refer, was entirely from the true " ling " (Calluna vulgaris). I am aware that some years back, when Mr. W. Broughton Carr officiated with other judges at the show of the Surrey B.K.A. , they awarded first prize' to this delicious jelly-like " ling honey " ; but it appears that different judges have different ideas of what really good heather honey is, or should be. — W. A. Woods, Normandy, Guildford. BEE NOTES FROM MIDLOTHIAN. BEES BEFUSING TO UNITE. [6069.] Like your correspondent, Mr. F Jarvis, who writes in B.B.J, of September 14 (page 366), I had the same thing happen with a driven lot of bees which I tried to unite to a queenless stock. On joining up the two lots, the driven bees were sent (sprawling out of the hive by the queenless bees, although I floured them well before uniting. Such an occurrence has never taken place in my apiary before. As regards swallows carrying off bees, my opinion is that all insectivorous birds will prey upon bees but the swallow tribe. Tits' and sparrows will seize and carry them off wholesale ; sparrows are very cute when so engaged — in fact, you can hardly detect them. In reply to " G. S. F." (6016, page 367), who mentions the empty- ing of supers by "earwigs," I have found that earwigs are very fond of honey, and have emptied some old brood-combs I had by me, with a good deal of honey in them. They were kept in an empty hive carefully closed against all robber bees. I see there is much difference of opinion with regard to fixing foundation. My own simple plan is to press the top edge of the sheet between my thumb and forefinger ; when thus flattened the foundation slips easily into the saw-cut, and is pushed so far through as to project slightly on the upper side of top-bar, then run a hot poker along the projecting edge, and the sheet of wax is made perfectly secure. The past honey harvest here has been very poor, especially the heather. Most of the queens ceased laying when* they were taken to the Pentland Hills (north side), and about mid-August the- bees had deserted supers, thus making some of, the less experienced bee-men conclude that their hives had swarmed at the heather. At present my bees are having pretty good flights, but the cold is coming rapidly, and everything should have been finished for this year in the shape of feeding, uniting, etc., if we are to get full advantage of a good season in 1906. — " Mac," Midlothian, October 23. MOVING BEES IN WINTER. [6070.] Will you aid me with your ad- vice in the following: — I have just had delivered here two stocks of bees bought from a man in Cheshire. I intend to take them to Colwyn Bay, and establish them there, but wish to know if it would not be better to winter them here and take them over ill the spring, rather than have the excitement of another removal during the present cold we'atheri? We have had bad frosts and cold winds for the last ten days. The owner says that one stock is well provisioned for winter ; but the other, he says, has nine of its ten combs filled about half way down, and he would have fed \t up now had it remained in his possession, but I think it is too late now to feed with syrup. Do yon agree? If so, I think I could leave the stock until later in the year and then give a candy cake. I should be grateful for your advice. — T. P., Sandi- way, Manchester, October 23. [The moving of hives, either now or later on, is simply a matter of convenience ; but if the stock supposed to need more food for safe wintering is to- be fed, we advise, deferring the removal till the bees have taken a 21b. cake of soft candy. On the other hand, we think that a stock of bees having " nine combs filled half way down " with food (presumably sealed over), should not be considered as short of stores for winter. The main point to bear Oct. 26, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 427 in mind is not to postpone removal in spring until brood is being reared, as this may suffer in consequence. Our own choice of time for removal would be about the middle of February, so that the bees would soon have a chance of flying abroad in their new quarters and catch the effect of the early pollen, which would stimulate breeding and prosperity. — Eds.] THE SALE OF HONEY. [6071.] Referring to the question of sell- ing honey, now rather prominent in the B.B. J., may I give my experience of prices ? I get orders for about 2,000 lb. of honey each season, and of this I produce about 1,000 lb., and have to buy the rest. I could considerably increase my sales, but it is hardly worth the trouble, if one has to pay 6d. per lb. for honey in bulk. It must be borne in mind, that after buying in bulk, I have to liquefy the honey, supply glass jars to run it into, and label the latter (there are always broken jars, which adds to the cost). Then comes providing pack- ing cases, and the very careful packing which honey needs, followed by an average cost of Id. per lb. for carriage to customers. My average price to customers is lOd. per 1-lb. jar delivered free. I have, in ad- dition, had one or two small bad debts. So, after taking all these tilings into ac- count, there is not much profit left. I consider 5d. per lb. in bulk is a fair price, seeing that cost of jar, package, and car- riage is 3d., so it only leaves 2d. per jar for all the labour I have mentioned. On the other hand, all the producer has to do for his 5d. is to extract and run the honey into a tin, and he gets his. cash with order. What I would like to suggest is for bee-keepers to combine and buy honey- jars in large quantities, thus considerably lessening the cost. When I ask a shilling per jar for my honey,- customers tell me they can get it at 8d. or 9d. a lb. any- where, and have no trouble of unpacking, etc., with the fear of a broken jar. — E. Wthitfield, Alresford, Hants, October 20. SWALLOWS AND BEES. [6072.] I was a bit surprised to read G. M. Coles's letter (6034, page 384), stat- ing that swallows are in the habit of feed- ing their young on drones. All I can say is, if the statement is true, Mr. Coles must have good eyes for him to see the bees in the bird's bills, because you can never see the food they carry to their young. The natural way in which a swallow catches insects in the air is to fly with its mouth open, and when a fly is once inside, it can- not escape because of the bird's mouth being lined with a sticky, adhesive sub- stance on which the flies are held exactly as on a "fly-paper." I shot several swallows one year, and the insides of their mouths were covered with small flies and other tiny insects. My own opinion is that neither swifts, swallows, house-martins, nor sand-martins ever touch bees ; if they did they would be more often seen flying around the apiary when they reach our shores in early spring:, or late in autumn when small flies and other little insects are rather scarce. — J. Skinistee, Easton, Bristol. " TANGING " BEES. [6073.] Perhaps the following extract from a letter written in Angola, Portu- guese West Africa, may interest some of your readers, as bearing on the subject of " tanging " bees. We are told that it is an old wives' fable to suppose that it has anything to do with making the bees settle, and is in reality the survival of an ancient custom to inform the neighbours that there is a swarm on the wing ; but this is what the natives of Central Africa are doing to this day : — " A number of swarms of bees are overhead to-day. Their hum can be heard a long distance. The natives have hives ready placed in the topmost branches of prominent trees, and try to attract the swarms to them by firing guns, beating drums, and yelling. Distant fusillades are echoing on all sides, and I have no doubt the swarms are responsible for them." I may add that wild bees are apparently common in the district, for the writer has at other times mentioned the merry little honey bird (" chirripe," as the natives call it) as being their constant companion. — J. B. H., Clifton-on-Teme, Worcester, October 23. (f items and §U|lt£8. [3938.] Dealing with Suspected Stocks. — Thank you very much for reply to my query (3921, page 407). I was greatly sur- prised to find that there was any doubt (and am pleased to understand there is) about the hive referred to being affected by foul brood. At the time of burning the comb, I thought that the bad-smelling syrupy substance was conclusive evidence of foul brood, and, therefore, did not think it necessary to mention other noticeable points — viz., that the cappings of some brood-cells were punctured and the comb had an untidy appearance, as if cappings had fallen into the cells and had not beex» cleared away. I also found a pupa on the flight-board on October 21. Owing to the weather being unsuitable for opening hives 428 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 26, 1905. I am unable to send you a piece of comb, and should be pleased if you could, from data now in your possession, say: — 1. Is any further protection from the weather advisable ? 2. Will it be right to leave No. 2 hive in its present position, which is in a hollow and close to a stream infested by water rats, or should it be moved near to No. 1 hive, which is the position I should like it to occupy next year? 3. Do rats ever try to enter hives? 4. I have, of course, read the chapter in the " Guide Book " on foul brood. Is it desirable for me to read any other book on that par- ticular subject?— W. E. B., Manchester, October 21. Reply. — }. The protection mentioned on page 407 will be ample. 2. We should move the hive to the desired position some time during the winter, after the bees have been kept in their hive for a few weeks by cold weather. 3. Never to our know- ledge. 4. The " Guide Book " contains all the° information needed for dealing with the disease. [3939.] A Beginner's Queries.— As a be- ginner, and a reader of your two papers, may I ask for a little information ? This is my first year at bee-keeping, and so forms my excuse for putting very elemen tary questions. I have only two hives, and all through the past summer my bees would not work through excluder zinc, and it took me till the jniddle of August to find it out. My first question is : — When working for extracted honey with shallow- frames, do you use excluder zinc below them ? 2. I have bought drone-base founda- tion for the shallow-frames, thinking there would be less comb-building by so doing, but if excluder zinc is not to be used shall I have to replace the foundation with that for worker-cell? 3. With- out excluder zinc shall I get brood in the shallow-frames, and, on that account, would the surplus chambers have to re- main on until late in the season in order to allow all brood to hatch out? 4. I have heard of a bee-keeper who looks through the brood-nests of his hives once a week in the season with the object of cutting out queen-cells to prevent swarming. Do you consider that the correct thing to do ? 5. Is borage a very good bee-plant, and worth sowing in a garden near to the hives ? Reply in the B.B.J, will oblige.— J. P., Bolton-le-Moors, Lanes, October 21. Reply. — 1. Yes, invariably, as nearly all bee-keepers do when working for ex- tracted honey. We can hear of some, who, after putting on excluders, if the bees of any hive appear reluctant to enter supers owing to the excluder, will remove the latter for a few hours, till the bees take possession, and then replace it : but, before doing this, the frames in brood-nest must be examined to make sure the queen is there. 2. Reply to No. 1 disposes of this query. 3. You will almost, certainly, and thus transform the surplus-box into a brood-chamber. 4. The bee-keeper who acts like your friend will considerably lessen his honey harvest by the weekly disturb- ance ; and, on that account, it is a plan no large honey-producer would be likely to follow. The less brood-chambers are disturbed during the honey-gathering sea- son the better. 5. Borage yields very well, though the honey from it is not of the highest class,. If you have room for a bed ten yards, or more, long by two wide, the bees will make it more than pav cost of seed and labour. Bees also work on it in showery weather as the flowers hang face down. [3940.] Feeding Bees in Sleeps. — I have been keeping bees and taking the B.B.J. for the last nine months, and should be obliged if you would help me in the fol- lowing circumstances : — I am on the point of buying six skeps of bees, supposed to contained sufficient food for the winter, but my intention is to fix on each skep a " rapid-feeder " box, and instead of giving syrup food, as the season is so late, to fill the feeders with pure Jamaica honey (granulated) bought in barrels, I there- fore ask : — 1. Do you recommend this plan ? 2. If you approve, should I medi- cate the food so given with naphthol beta, stirred into the honey after the latter has been liquefied by heating, but not brought to boiling point ? 3. Would the honey men- tioned be likely to cause foul brood in my hives, which are at present free from dis- ease ? 4. What should be a fair gross weight of a skep filled with bees and suf- ficient winter stores at this season ? I am joining the Devon Bee-keepers' Associa- tion in January. Thanking you in an- ticipation, I send name for reference, while signing — Francis, St. Marychurch, Devon, October 21. Reply. — 1. We should not advise riving liquid food at this late season, with severe night frosts prevailing. If the bees really require more stores, give good soft candy made from refined cane-sugar, either in crystals or loaf. 2. You can only with advantage add naphthol beta to syrup-food when made as directed in "Guide Book.': 3. If honey comes from diseased hives it will. infect all stocks that partake of it. 4. If the skep's weigh from 25 to 30 lb. gross, they may be regarded as safe from famine till March next. [3941.] Removing Bees from Hoof by a Be- ginner.— I only began bee-keeping this year, never having had anything to do with bees before, and my first job at the work was taking a stray swarm from the roof above the saddle-room at the place where I am Oct. 26, 1905.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 429 employed on August 9. The swarm in ques- tion had gone into the roof in May last. Having had no experience whatever of such a task as was before me, I hardly knew how to begin, but I got a frame-hive, also some comb-foundation, and somehow managed to get the bees from roof and into the hive. This done, I started to feed them with sugar-syrup, and in this way gave them about 18 lb. of sugar. Will it be enough stores to last the bees all winter? Could you give me a recipe for making bee- candy through the B.B.J. ? and oblige — A Beginner, Durham, October 9. Reply. — As the bees will no doubt have had to build out combs in the new hive, the quantity of sugar given will hardly suffice for winter stores. You should, therefore, give the stock a cake' of soft candy weigh- ing 3 lb. or 4 lb. In view of future work with bees you will do well to procure a copv of the " Guide Book," in which will be found full directions for making candy. You have done exceptionally well to manage so difficult a task as is mentioned above, unless help has been rendered by an experi- enced bee-man. [3942.] Bee-keeping in New Zealand. — T should be glad if you or any readers of B.B.J, could inform me regarding bee-cul- ture in New Zealand, whether there is any bee-keepers' association established in the colony, and, if so, the headquarters of such? I hope to sail for the above island on November 30, and should be pdad of any informal ion I can get. Thanking you m anticipation. — Geo. Arnold, Wolvertoa Road, W. Reply. ■ — There is no B.K.A. in New Zealand, nor do we think the craft has any organisation for assisting bee-keepers, judging from an article in the Australian Bee Bulletin, wherein we read of a con- signment of good honey shipped to London for sale, which only realised to the pro- ducer about 2d. per lb., after deducting ail charges. The same honey would, it is stated, have realised 3gd. per lb., if sold in the colony. [3943.] Bee-keeping in Suburbs of London. — I live in an ordinary terrace villa, having a fifty-feet garden, at East Finchley, which is in close proximity to Hampstead Heath, and would like to know — 1. Whether* I might hope to keep a hive or two of bees with success? Is the Heath and surround- ing country rich enough in bee-forage? 2. Would the hanging out of clothes on the domestic washing day interfere with the bees, and would the presence of a hive rriake it dangerous for my little girl to play in the garden? 3. If these difficulties are, not insuperable, will you favour me with your advice as to the kind of hive to get — I should want to avoid swarming as much as possible — and the best position for it in the garden (of which I enclose a sketch for your guidance), and also as to the breed of bees that would suit my purpose best? I have read the " Guide Book," and think of starting in February or March next with a stock. Any advice will be greatly appre- ciated by — G. E. H., East Finchley, October 23. Reply. — 1. East Finchley is fairly good as regards bee-forage for a suburban dis- trict, but bees cannot be expected to do more than keep themselves, and yield a very moderate amount of surplus honey. 2. The hanging out of clothes to dry will not interfere much with the bees, but we cannot say the same for the " domestic washing/' unless the clothes-lines hang out of the line of the bees' flight. The same may be said of danger to children if al- lowed to play near the hives, the chances are that the little ones will be forcibly reminded to. keep out of danger. 3. Judg- ing from the very neat sketch sent the posi- tion marked No. 2 seems most suitable if the hive is placed on the lawn, with en- trance facing the flower-border. It would need to be about 6 or 8 feet from the tall fence, and if the ground beyond the latter is open country the bees would be far less troublesome on that account. If the 4 ft. fence only divides your garden from that of a neighbour the bees should not be placed in position 1. Bishop's Waltham, October 23. — My takings this season have totalled 282 lb. from eight hives — all section honey. The individual yields vary between 21 lb. and 53 lb. The result is not up to the average for this district, and I put down the shortage to the dry weather experienced during a great portion of .the honey season. The early takings from the sainfoin were, as usual, excel- lent in quality, but honey dew was much in evidence during July, and spoilt more than the average number of sections. All my stocks are in a healthy condition, and I have heard of no case of foul brood in the district. — A. Royds, jun. November 5 to 18, at Plymouth- — Anmml Show ot the Devon B K.A., in. conjunction with the Plymouth Exhibition. Twelve classes, witih good prizes, for honey and bee appliances, including special prize of £1 la., for two lib. sections. Schedules fiom F. W. Palmer, Turner Oottage, St. Badeaux. Devonport. Entries close November 1 November 15 to 18, at Plymouth.- — Honey Show, in connection with Plymouth Exhibition (at- tendance 1904, 61,000) ; 15 Open Classes for Appliances. Honey, Wax, Confectionery, etc. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, handsome diplomas, money prizes, etc. Schedules from A. D. Breeze, Chartered Secretary, Exhibition Offices, Plymouth. Entries close November 1. 430 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Oct. 26, 1905. Notices to Correspondents & Inquirers. Letters or queries asking for addresses of manufac- turers or correspondents, or where appliances can be purchased, or replies giving such information, can only be inserted as advertisements. The space devoted to letters, queries, and replies is meant for the general good of bee-keepers, and not for advertisements. We wish our correspondents to bear in mind that, as it is necessary for us to go to press in advance of the date of issue, queries cannot, always be replied to in the issue im- medately following the receipt of their communications. Morxing Star (Wolverhampton). ■ — Old Bee-books. — We have the Rev. W. C. Cotton's work, " My Bee-book," pub- lished in 1842. It is interesting to students of bee-literature, but any work written over sixty years ago is, obviously, of no practical value to the bee-keeper of to-day who* works on modem methods only. Karno (Erdingtoni). — Keeping Foreign Queens over Winter. — It would be next to impossible to keep queens all through the winter in the small boxes used for sending them over to this country. The only plan of using a queen so sent wou'd be to introduce to a fairly strong nucleus, and use great care in keeping the latter as warm as possible. A. W. Foot (Hants). — Joining B.K. Asso ciations. — For particulars of member- ship of the B.B.K.A., write to Mr. Edwin H. Young, sec, 12, "Hanover Square, London. Bee-hive (Yorks.). — 1. Heather growing on hills admittedly yields better honey than that from lower ground, but there is no fixed height above sea-level to regulate quality by. 2. Many bee- keepers have poultry-runs near their hives, but it is not well to have the fowls running free among the hives. 3. Foundation is fixed to frames having no saw-cut in top-bars by running molten wax along the foundation. A. F. D. (Coventry). — Be-queening Stocks in October. — If you can purchase a fer- tile queen and have her sent in a box with two or three dozen bees to keep her warm, there is no reason why your " powerful colony " should remain queenless ; but more care will be neces- sary in introducing the stranger at this season. We should protect the queen by using the American cage shown on page 131 of the "Guide Book." " Ardruadh " (Argyllshire). — Sugar for . Candy-making. — 1. Sample is no doubt pure cane, but, being a moist sugar, is not suitable for making bee-candy. For this, either refined white crystals or else loaf sugar only should be used. 2. Sample of candy sent is far too hard, and not at all " buttery " or smooth in grain, as it should be. 3. The piece of comb forwarded is quite free from dis- ease, and, in fact, contains nothing but fresh -gathered pollen. W. P. (Blaydon-on-Tyne).- — Buying Driven Bees.- — There is no reason for suspecting foul brood in driven bees because of the peculiar smell you noticed, which " smell " may have arisen from the box the bees were sent in. We advise you to deal with the bees as being healthy. Novice (Badsey). — Over-dosing Bee-candy. — As you used 12 lb. of sugar instead of 10 lb. in making the candy, we do not think any harm to the bees will follow your adding the extra tablespoonful of N.B. solution, though it will destroy the efficacy of the remedy. J. D. (Wolverhampton). — Bee Nomencla- ture.— 1. The bees sent have a trace of foreign blood in them, as have nearly all the common or native bees in this coun- try. 2. You must not decide against the newly imported Carniolan queen till her progeny of next year show themselves on the wing next season. G. May (Surrey). — Bees Building Comb in Feeder-box. — 1. It is quite a common oc- currence for bees to build comb in feeder- boxes, particularly in early spring, when a box of candy is put over a strong stock. If you pass a fine wire between the feeder-box and the hole in quilt, the feeder may then be removed, comb and all, with very little' trouble. 2. The " abundance of drones " in the other stock mentioned points to queenlessness. W. B. Cunro (Notts). • — Chapman Honey Plant. — The seedlings raised in box out of doors from seed sown in August should have been planted out at end of September, but they will take no harm if left in box and slightly protected from keen frost. Honey Samples. W. E, W. (Sydenham).— 1. Sample of granulated honey sent is, in our opinion, not of this season's gathering. 2. The quality is good, and is, we think, almost entirely from white clover, but whether gathered in England or not is more than we can say. H. Woodward (Cambs.). — Your sample • exactly corresponds to the above. T. L. (Southport). — Sample is mainly from white clover, and would be a good table honey but it is beginning to granulate, and also shows signs of fermentation having started. When in good condi- tion it might have done for a local show, but is not up to show-bench standard in open competition. T. L. (Southport). — We fear your sample has been lost in post. One label has reached us marked " Found unattached in W.C. Dist. Office," but this is dated August 29 and the postmark is " Shen- stone," so it cannot be yours. *V* Some Queries and Replies, dbc.., are un- avoidably held over till next week. Nov. 2, 1905.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 431 (ftifitoral, $otie& &t BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS'ASSOCIATION EXAMINATIONS FOR SECOND-CLASS CERTIFICATES. We have been requested to notify candi- dates for the second-class certificate of the B.B.KA. regarding1 the exams., which will be held at various centres on November 17 and 18, that arrangements should be made without delay, for fixing places where the several examinations will take place. It will also be needful for the hon. sees, of county associations, whose members are coming forward to have properly qualified gentle- men appointed to act as superintendents, or supervisors, while the paper-work (of which the exam, wholly consists) is being got through. It is, of course, more convenient when several candidates can arrange to meet at a given centre, so that one superintendent will suffice for the whole. On the other hand, when there are only one or two can- didates for examination in one locality, it may take place at the residence of the superintendent, or wherever most con- venient. The Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. No notice will be taken of anonymous communications, and corre- spondents are requested to write on one side of the paper only and give their real names and addresses, not neces- sarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Illustrations should be drawn on separate pieces of paper. We do not undertake to return rejected communications. AMONG THE BEES. QUEENS CEASING LAYING. [6074.] Many bee-keepers on examining hives during September wonder that some of their queens have ceased ovipositing, and at times rashly come to the conclusion that some accident has befallen her majesty or that they have an unfertilised queen at the head of their stock. Perhaps as a result of a hunt they even fail to find her, and erroneously conclude that the hive is queenless. They have been looking over the frames for the large and stately lady, easily seen some weeks earlier, oblivious of the fact that she is not there, because, since the cessation of rapid egg-laying, she has not received a tithe of the stimulation she then obtained. Consequently, though the same queen is present, she is very con- siderably reduced in size and may therefore be easily missed in a cursory examination. This holds good all through winter, but on the approach of spring rapid breeding needs rapid feeding, so she again increases, in size and is more easily spotted. Once she begins laying, unless there is a cessa- tion of income, she keeps up a regular and uninterrupted course of ovipositing throughout the season, unless she is aged and failing, or has met with any injury. The rule, as I wish to emphasise, is that young queens lay right on, keeping up a regular line of succession, so that bees of all ages are found in the colony. Two ex- ceptions to this universal rule came under my notice this season, and both are so peculiar that I should like to bring them under the notice of bee-keepers, in order that we may learn if they are really excep- tional. A colony of hybrid Carniolans, as they were described in the advertising columns of the Jouknal, were obtained on ten frames early in June. On arrival the frames were transferred, showing! plenty of brood and bees. Very few were dead, although they took a considerable time en route. Being strong, they were soon supered in the ex- pectation that they would ascend, but they did not, and even seemed to dwindle a bit. On being called in, I made an exam- ination, when, on glancing over the frames, no eggs were seen and no unsealed larvae, every uncapped cell being nearly full of recently gathered honey. An accident to the queen when transferring was suspected, and the owner proposed to send off for one at once. In the cursory glance given to frames, however, I had observed one or two small patches in the centre, dry. Tliis gave me a hint, and I determined to exam- ine if there was a queen. Every frame was overhauled in a fruitless search for her, when, on replacing the last frame, a fine and shapely mother bee was discovered looking very well indeed. The hive was closed up without any more thought of supersedure, and sure enough she merited the trust imposed in her by immediately starting to lay, and keeping it up well all through the season. Now the question arises, why should a queen, doing good work in May and earlier, suddenly cease ovipositing for a period of over a fortnight at least, and then start arain as if nothing had happend in the meantime ? The short period of confinement during transit scarcely accounts for it, because, although it might perhaps lessen her egg-laying powers slightly, it should not cause a com- plete cessation for a lengthy period as te- fel in this case. The other example is that of a golden virgin, obtained from England in Julv, which mated all right after some little time and started laying. When I saw them, well on in August, they showed a large proportion of the crossed yellow bees and the frames contained a considerable quan- tity of sealed brood, many bees hatching out as we examined them, but no single 432 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Nov. 2, 1905. egg was discovered, even after a very patient second hunt, and scarcely any un- sealed larvse. No egg, indeed, had been laid in that hive for fully a week. Here was an enigma! Why did that active and prolific young mother suddenly stop lay- ing ? She looked so sound that sentence of death was not imposed, and her owner determined to give her a week's grace before acting summarily if necessity de- manded. Though not large she looked a nice, shapely queen, and to all appearance was correct in every way. Some time after he wrote me that she had again started active work and showed several frames of compact brood, thus saving her life. He then asked me the question if I had ever_ met a similar case, and hence this contribu- tion. Well, I have met somewhat analogous cases of queens during a dearth between the clover and the heather flow, or just after the cessation of the latter if weather sud- denly chilled severely, who very greatly contracted their eg^-laying, and then re- commenced as actively as ever when weather or other conditions became more propitious ; but I never met with any cases of a complete stoppage wholly similar to the two I have recorded above. Any question of injury to the queens, need not be taken into consideration, I think, so that the riddle becomes rather an interest- ing, if not inexplicable, one, even bearing in mind the often quoted fact that " bees do nothing invariably." Would I be safe in asserting that black queens would not act in this fickle and most mysterious manner ? It will be noted that of the two, one was a Carniolan hybrid, and the other an Italian hybrid. It might perhaps be set down to " Scotch prejudice " if I ascribed their peculiar conduct to this fact, so I forbear. — D. M. M.. Banff. PREVENTING SWARMING. [6075.] Replying to the request of your correspondent, " W. C. H, South Devon" (6058, page 406), may I say that in writing, as stated, for the encouragement of those who are, or would be, suburban bee-keer>ers, and knowing that stings and swarms are amongst the several obstacles to the increase of good bee-keepers, I merely mentioned the fact that I had not had a single swarm for the six years I had been keeping bees in a submhan garden. I do not take credit for good management, but rather attribute it to good fortune. I started with one swarm which, by division and sub-division, I increased to three, the fourth being a purchased lot. I always super early with shallow-frames; ray bees are in a shady place, and arc evidently not so intent upon swarming as some are. A friend, whose bees are in a similar position to my own, but exposed to the sun at all times, has suffered much from excessive swarming, although he supers as early as I do. Possibly now that my apiary contains as many hives as I can do with, my expe- rience may change, but I shall continue to super early. As I am writing, and if -