UMASS/AMHERST * 312066 0333 3277 8 n- fli W-' * A\ 4- 1 1> .. W |i ^ ^ ^ J ARY_ | U -S!TY OF ^ iETTS amherstTmass. THE mtitral, AND BEE-KEEPER'S ADVISER. CONDUCTED BY CHARLES NASH ABBOTT, SOUTHALL. VOLUME VIII. 1880—81. Abbott's Royal Standard Hive. First Prize, Royal Acrictltdral Society's Show at Kilecrn, 1879. PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL, SOUTHALL, NEAR LONDON; AND r.r KENT AND CO., 23 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. US.OS" • 13 7 7 + I N"T> Edk. 8f Abbott's smelter, 5 ; flat- bottorned foundation on wood, 31, 47, 64, 157; Observatory hive, 69 ; wide- shouldered frames, 99 ; Irish hive, 126, 127, 149 ; long-holed excluder zinc, 167 ; speciality feeder, 209 After-swarms or casts, 44 ; preventing, 243 Aged bees, then- antipathy to new queens, 6 Aged stock, 74 Aldridge, Rev. J. M., interest taken by him in apiculture in Ireland, 84, 103, 104 Alighting-boards, in winter, 102 Amateur lecturing, 147 American honey, 12 ; hives, 12, 13 ; cheese-boxes covers for skeps, 140 Ammonia, use of, in bee- stings, 42, 57 Ants in hives, 18 Apiarian library, 17, 67 ; notes for 1880, 172 Apiary, position of the, 42 ; a curious, 99 ; moving an, 141 ; managing an, 188, 207 Apiculture, progress of, in 1880, 125, 165, 172; pro- fessorship of, 66 April, 229 Arabis alpinus, 166, 167, 206, 209 Armagh B. K. A., 229, 235 Artificial heat applied to weak stocks, 38 Artificial pollen, 166 Artificial swarming, 6, 22 ; caution respecting, 7 Artificial swarms, making, 77 Associations, duty of, to provide the requisites for lectures, 126 ; advantages of, 177 Auckland, N. Z., bees in, 72 August, 61 Australia, bee-keeping in, 116 ; Ligurian bees in, 21 Autumn feeding, 85 Ayrshire, harvest in, 121 Bar-frame hives, advantages of, 39 Barley-sugar, 144, 182 ; re- cipe for, 186, 244 Bartrum, Bev. E., his paper on the Stewarton hive, 153 - 155 ; discussion on his paper, 169, 170 Bee, a contribution to the physiology of the, by Dr. Donhoff, 105, 172,' 194, 210, 215, 236 Bee and honey shows, 17, 31, 61, 80, 100. 215 Bee, mental life of the, 194 Bee, the, 196 Bee Associations, 30 Bee-culture, progress of, 198 Bee-destroyers,capturcof,198 Bee - farming, information wanted respecting, 37 Bee-flora, 18, 45 Bee-houses, 39, 56 Bee-keejn-rs' Almanac, 217 Bee-keepers' Associations, in- crease in number of, 165 Bee-keeper, the, 57 Bee-keeping, commercial, 13 ; lessons in, 30 ; profits of, 35, 141, 202 ; disappoint- ments in, 75 ; near two thousand years ago, 96 ; in 1832, 114; in England in 1880, 130-133; in 1654, 136 Bee-killing with a vengeance, 157 Bee-stings, cures for, 12, 13, 21, 42, 57, 73 Bee-story from San Fran- cisco, 98 Bee-tent, 10 ; engagements of, 17, 31, 61, 80, 100, 210, 215, 237 ; transmission of, 65 ; its lessons, 68 Bee-trees, 182 Bees, starting with, 2 ; are they a nuisance ? 17 ; dead, at entrances, 19 ; mortality of young, ib. ; freaks of, 21, 56; moving, 21, 62, 144, 183, 187 ; mortality of, in winter of 1879-80, 22; quieting, 26 ; great loss of, 34,41 ; not working, 37 ; in a mill, ib. ; and bee-sheds, 38 ; in a farm-house, 39 ; water for, 54, 72 ; age of, 57 ; markings of, 60 ; and the fly-catcher, 71 ; driven, utility of, 78; their relation to flowers, 85-88; and honey, early history of , 94 ; in a chimney, ib. ; packing for winter, 102 ; plenty of, a requirement for whiter, ib. ; crowding of, in win- ter, 103 ; prolific, 117 ; a dispute about, 123 ; and honey shows, 124 ; con- versations on, suggested, 126 ; in a dwelling-house, 139 ; busy or robbing? 162 ; breeds of, 183 ; re- moving and transferring, 184 ; moving, short dis- tances, 187 ; driving by lamplight, 199 Beeswings'' Advice to Bee- keepers, 99 Beginners in bee-keeping, encouragement to, 141 Belvoir Castle and spring flowers, 14 Benton, Mr., Cyprian queens raised by him in Cyprus, 25 ; on conveying Cyprian queens, 46 Berks and Bucks Association, 32, 235 ; their show at Windsor, 69 Berlepseh, Baron, von, 95, 96 Best hive, the, 177 Bcvan, Dr., his work on bees, 95 Blacks v. Ligurians, 139 Bonner, the apiarian, 95 Boston, Lincolnshire B. K. A. exhibition at, 109 Bottle, as an indicator of need, 41 Box-hives with frames to be recommended to the cot- tager, 2 Boyle, Hon. B., 218 Breeding and feeding in autumn, 123 ; late, 169 Briscoe, Mr., his experience with the Stewarton hive, 154 British Bee-farming, 181 British Bee Journal, 1, 53, 59 ; proposed alteration in sizeof,15,16,40; its teach- ings needed, 56 ; appre- ciated, 56, 242; end of Vol. VHI., 229 British Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, 10, 32, 52, 65-8, 85, 88, 108,134, 152,153,168, 190, 209, 211, 213, 234 British Dairy Farmers' As- sociation and bee-keeping, 106, 108,234; at the Agri- cultural Hall, Islington, 10, 133 Brood -nest, increasing the, 205 Brother Joseph, assistance rendered by, to the Irish deputation, 104, 106, 151 Brown, J., report from, 161 Brussels Exhibition, 157 Buckwheat, 121 Caledonian Apiarian Society, 88, 135, 177, 234 Candied honey, how to liquefy, 138 Cardboard, employment of, in hive-making, 224 Carlisle, Agricultural Show at, 32 Carniolan bees, 8 Carr, W. , his queen-cage, 6 ; accompanies the bee-tent in Ireland, 82 , Casts, 44 ; value of, 60 Cataract, cure of, by means of honey, 77, 99 Chaff cushions, 48, 103 Chaplin, C, takes charge of Ligurian queens for New Zealand, 128 Cheap hives, 35 Cheap bar-frame hives for cottagers' use, 211 Cheltenham, Association for, 242 Cheshire, F. B., his mode of making and fixing founda- tions, 4, 5 ; lectures by, on bee-keeping, 32, 85 ; on the shape of the cell-base, 50; his wire-rakes, 50, 64; diagrams of the bee, 52 ; on the relation of bees to flowers, 52, 65, 85, 88 ; appointed librarian to the B.B.K.A. 182 ; on the Stewarton hive, 155, 169 : his experiments in non- ductivity in hives, 232 ; on the temperature of bees in winter, 233 Cheshire entrances, 174, 244 Cheshire rakes, 50, 64 ; sub- stitutes for, 71 Clergy, influence of, 126 Clonmel, report from, 162 ; the Bee tent at, 82 Collin, Abbe, his oblong ex- cluder zinc, 167 Cologne, Congress of bee- masters of, 107, 108, 142, 156 ; show, award of gold medals at, 162 Comb-building impulse, 5 Comb-foundation, its value to bee-keepers, 12, 41, 49, 50, 63, 64 ; mode of fixing, 120, 230 ; made on wood, 130 Combination hive, 123, 163, 180 ; principle of, 144 ; storing honey in, 225, 226 Combs, how to melt old, 2 ; dark, 42 ; across the entrance, 74; old, 78; crooked, 226 ; mildewed, and pollen, 227 Coming bee, the, 32 Conversations on bees, sug- gested, 126 Cori, M., his efforts in pro- moting improvement in the breed of bees, 8 Cornwall, season in, 91 Corrections, 136 Cottager, intermediate hive for, 91; hive for, 244 County associations, 10, 32 ; conditions of affiliation with B.B.K.A., 14, 65; experts for, 140 County representatives, 134 County shows, 10 Cowan, T. W., on the pro- duction of American hives, 12 ; on commercial bee- keeping, 13 ; his rapid ex- tractor, 67, 68, 89 ; on the Stewarton hive, 167; on the temperature of hives in winter, 233 Covers for straw skeps, 140 Cream of tartar, its effect in making syrup, 144 Crocuses, 45, 166, 183, 206 Cumberland, bees in, 198 Cyprian bees, 10, 19, 32, 45, 63 ; shipment of, from Cy- prus, 25 ; appearance of, 20 Cyprian queen, enthroning her with old bees, 46 Cyprian queens, price of, at first importation, 25 Cyprus, its climate, 9 ; its honey-bees and hives, 9, 137 ; introduction of bees from, 165 Dalmatian bees, 8 Damp and dysentery, 186 Danish exhibition of hives and honey, 144 December, 146 IXDEX TO VOLUME VIII. in Dennler, M., on the assist- ance granted by the Go- vernment in Germany to apiculture, 33 Devon and Exeter Bee and Honey Show, 15, 111, 193 Diagrams published by the B.B.K.A., 32, 52, 88, 121, 126, 153, 16G Discussion, subjects for, in 1881, 166 Distance tacks, 232 District, overstocking with bees, 141 Division-boards, -19, 103, 205 Donhoff, Dr., contribution by, to the phvsiology of the bee, 145, 166, 172,173, 194, 215, 236 ; remarks on his views on the physiology of the bee, 196 Dorset, bee-keeping in, 119 ; well done ! 161 Dorsetshire, state of hives in, 57 Dorsetshire B.K.A., 13, 90, 135, 192 Driving, the art of, 11, 115 Drone-cells, 76 Drone -comb caused by an over - abundant supply of syrup, 5 Drones, early, 41 ; late, 164, 183 Dryness of hives, 102 Dry sugar for bee-food, 224 Dummy, 49 Dunham, W. H., jun., 119 Dunham foundation ma- chine, 67 Dusseldorf Exhibition, 156 Dysentery, 146.; carbonic acid the cause of, 202 Dzierzon, Dr. John, his im- provements in hives, 95 ; his discoveries of the doc- trine of parthenogenesis, ib. ; remark by, 166 Eggs, duplication of, 243 Egypt, hives of, 137 n. Egyptian bees, 9 Entrance-screen, 20 Entrances, closing, 184 Essex Agricultural Society, 53 ; County Association proposed, 32 ; formation of, 68 ; meeting of, 215 Evans, Dr., extract from, 95 Exchange column, 23 Excluder zinc, 49, 74, 183 Expert, cottager, in shallow water, 152 Experts for County Associa- tions, 140 Extracting, 77, 79 Extractor, its value in bee- keeping, 12 ; a new, 20 Fanning at entrance, 6 February, 185 Feeders, 208 Feeding bees with milk, 97 Feeding-bottle, inverting, 208 Feeding and breeding, 159 Fenwick, Ayrshire, sale of bees at, 34 Fertilisation of plants, S6, 87 ; of bees in confine- ment, 239 Fettercaim, bee:; at, 37 Flat - bottomed foundation, mode of fastening, 47 Floor-board, 48 Floral and bee gold, 17 Flowers, relation of bees to, 85-88 Fly-catcher and the bees, 71 Foreign honey, fraud in, 53 Forfarshire B. K. A., 236 Foundation, fixing, 4; 'fixers' for, 74 ; wooden, 121 Foul brood, 203, 238 ; cure of, 143 Frame-ends, 20 Frame-hive management, 48, 209 Frame-hives, cheap, 3, 11 ; American, ib. Frames, directions as to making, 3 ; their distances from each other, ib. ; in Mr. Nellis's hive, ib. ; pur- chasing, 3, 48 Frames across hives, 164 ; width of, 180 ; distances apart, ib. France, bee-keeping in, 58 Frederickstat water - boxes suitable for frame-hives, 14 Frey, Mr., of Nuremberg, on the cure of foul brood, 143 Frost, the, 185 Germany, promotion of api- culture by the Govern- ment of, 33 ; bee-journals in, 33, 34; regulations in, as to number of hives, 142 Giotto hive, 3, 122 ; prin- ciple of, 189 Gippland, bees in, 161 Gloves, and sting poison, 60 Gnats, plague of, in 1880, 26 Goethe, on the metamor- phoses of plants, 145 Gold from wax, 55 Gothenburg Bee-keeping As- sociation, 224 Gravenhorst, Herr, a gold medal awarded to him at the Cologne show, 162 Green and Sons, their feeder, 154 Guides, fixing, 4 Hale, Isaac, his hives, 122 Handbook for Cottagers, 32, 65, 70, 88, 135, 152, 168, 217 Hanwell, a candidate for, 118 Harvest, a good, 120 Heal, to be retained in win- ter, 102 Heather, 183; sending stocks to, 62 Heather-honey, 161 ; extract- ing, 118, 120, 139 Hertfordshire B.K. A., 62, 88, 172, 190, 192, 235 Herzegovina bees, 9 Hive aspect, a new idea, 51 Hive, a curious, in Ireland, 83; the best, 200; advance- ment, 217 Hive-making, 164 ; by cot- tagers. 35 Hive-manufacturers, a hint to, 174 Hive-stand, 49 Hives, selection of new, 2 ; bar-frame, preferable to skeps, ib. ; treatment of old, before using, (7).; with legs, hiving in, 6 ; paper felt, a protection for, 118 ; second-hand, 42; shading, 44 ; battle of the, 47 ; for convenience, 159, 180; ex- perience with, 160 ; spare, 167 ; materials for, 177 ; longitudinal, 178,202; and systems, 179 ; impervious coverings to, 187 ; open- ing, 203; and frames, width of, 203 ; paper for, 224; lion-condr.ctive pack- ing for, 232 ; temperature of, in winter, 231, 232 Hiving, 5 ; under difficulties, 59 Holy Land bees, 9, 10, 25, 32, 45, 63 Honey-bees, improvement of, 8,9 Honey-jars, 78, 231 Honey market, a, 140 ; ab- sence of, 37 Honey-recipes, 41 Honey harvest, 197 ; a good, ib. Honey-storing, 207 Honey, extracting, 44, 72 ; a remedial agent in the re- storation of sight, 77, 99 ; quantity of, employed in making wax, 97; candy- ing, 124, 141, 226 ; its use in arts, 140 ; price of, in Ireland, 173 ; gathering, 188 ; market for, 219 ; me- dicinal properties of, 242 ; surplus, 244 Horsham, lecture on bees at, 195 Hot- water tin, advantage of, in winter, 48, 49 House partition, hiving bees from, 124 Huber, 94, 95 Hungarian bees, 8 Hunter Dr., (1789), dis- coveries of, 94 Hunter, John, on the future of British bee-keeping, 10- 12 ; his death, 54 Hybrids, superiority of, 60, 198; irascibility of, 144 Hyrnettan honey, 116, 137 Hymettus, 137 Idea, a capital, 179 Indian Mutiny, incident in the, 34 Ingram, W. , his invitation to the members of B.B.K.A. to Belvoir Castle, 14 Ireland, the bee-tent in, 30, 63, 81, 103, 149; Messrs. Abbott and Carr appointed to represent the B.B.K.A. in, 32 ; bee-keeping in, 40, 55,59, 149, 162,177; bee- keeping in 1765 in, 200 ; honey-market in, 117. 159 ; standard frame for, 175,237 Irish Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, 162, 175, 176, 197, 219. 220, 229. 237, 238 Irish hive, 126, 127, 149, 175, 176, 182, 183, 198 Irving, Dr., his exertions in behalf of apiculture in New Zealand, 128 ; lectru'e on the extractor by, 129 Italian bees, 8 ; superiority of the, 173 Italian extractor, 199 Italian hive, 163 Italianizing, opportunity for, 78 Ivy honey, 237 Jackson, J. P., on village- clubs possessing extrac- tors, 13 ; presents to the B.B.K.A. a Cyprian queen, 52 ; books given by him to the Association library, 149 January, 165, 166 Jones, J. A., his shipment of Cyprian and Holy Land bees, 25 ; account by, of his adventures in securing colonies of Holy Land bees, 33; queen-cage, devised by him, 33, 46 ; his shipping crate, 33 ; his report to American journals of Ab- bott's wood foundations and Cheshire's wire-rakes, 63, 64 July, 43 June, 25 Kaolin, its use in Cyprus, 9 Kelso Show, corrections in account of. 140; show, 158 Kennaway, Mr., 193 Kirriemuir, bees in, 39 Kolowrat-Krakowski, Coimt, assistance rendered by, to M. Cori, in importing Cyprian stocks, 10 Keys, John, his Practical Bee-keeper, 74 Langstrotb, Dr., his im- proveinents in hives, 95 Larva1, transfer of, from one cell to another, 142 Leaflets for Cottagers, 120 Lectures on bees and bee- keeping, 15, 65, 99, 130, 195, 196, 236 Lecturers required, 125 Lecturing, aids to, 148 Legg, J. E., on salicylic acid, 16 Library of the B.B.K.A., 10, 149, 217 Ligurian bees, 8 ; in Aus- tralia, 36 ; an instance of their superiority to English bees, 95 Ligurian queens and aged bees, 29 ; then- colour, 60 Ligurianizing, and artificial swarming, 51 ; and foul brood, 181 Limnanthes Douglasii, 45, 121, 167 Lincolnshire B.K. A., 53, 85, 109 Little Wonder, 120 " Loaf-sugar, dry, for bees, 199 Lobster - boxes suitable for cheap bar-frame hives, 212 Local and champion prizes, 160 Long Sutton, bees at, 70 Lyon, F., on cheap bar-frame hives for cottagers' use, 211 ; discussion on his paper, 232 McPhedran, J. M. , his water- fountain, 82 Makeshif t hives, 3, 35 ; testi- monials in favour of, 4 ; improvement of, ib. ; in whiter, 23 Maraldi, 218 March, 205, 230 INDEX TO VOLUME VIII. Martin, W., his ability as an expert, 152 Maryborough, Bee-tent at, 83 May, 1, 26 Mead, recipes for, 137, 236 Melksham, show at, 91 Melting old combs, 2 Mimn, Major, his improve- ments in hires, 95 Nellis, Mr., his hive, 3 Neighbour, A., his cottager's hive, 13 ; his report of the Cologne Show, 142, 156 New facts ! 116 Newman, T. G., on wooden comb-foundation, 130 Newry, Bee-tent in, 101 Newspaper bee-keeping, 163 New South Wales, bee-keep- ing in, 201 New Zealand, bee-keeping in, 41, 127, 178, 194, 239; Ligu- rians in, 162, 239 Non-swarming hives, prize for, 42 Non-swarming, 77 Norfolk Bee Association, 179, 198 Northumberland, bees in, 198 November, 125 Nuclei, stocking, 44 Nursing weak hives, 38 Observatory hives, 218 ; clos- ing, 23 ; stocking, 227 October, 101 Offer made, 126 Old combs, 2 Palestine, hives of, 137 n. Paper felt, a protection for hives, 18 Paris Universal Exhibition. 1876, Report on useful and noxious insects, 136 Parsonstown, Bee-tent in, 103 Parthenogenesis, 95 Pea-flour, 166, 183, 206 Peel, Bev. H. R„ letter from, 53 ; lecture by, 130-133 Pettigrew, A., his champion- ship of straw skeps, 47 Phormium tenax, 194 Pine, qualities of, 244 Plants, worker-bee analogous to the flower of, 145 Pollen, 86 ; do bees eat? 20; two different kinds of, car- ried by a bee, 22 ; pre- serving, 123 ; artificial, 207 ; how do bees gather, 221, 239 Porches, 49 ; protective, 102 Tost-cards, 79 Practical demonstrations of bee-keeping, 11 Primrose, section of a, 222 Prize Fund, 10, 32, 52 Prizes, unpaid, 199 Procter, Rev. G-. A., of Tulla- melan, his apiary, 82, 106 Professional and non-profes- sional bee-keepers, 211, 226 Professorship of apiculture, 135, 165 Proline bees, 99 Propolising the quilt, 140 Protest, curious case of, 120 Queen, how treated at swarm- ing time, 5 ; of a swaini, exchanging, 60 ; and her followers, 77 ; return of a truant, 118 ; finding the. 144 ; removal of, dming the honey harvest, 208 Queens, uniting, 6, 18, 225 ; transferring from breeding stocks, 29 ; are simply mother-bees, 46 ; responsi- bility for, 57 ; death of, ib. ; dying, 72 ; plurality of, with casts, 79 ; purely mated, 97 ; young, desir- able for winter, 102 ; cleansing flight for, 144 ; clipping the wings of, 219 ; mixing up, 225 ; value of imported, f&. ; leaving hive in March, 242 ; removing, 243 Queen-cage, designed by J. A. Jones, 33, 46 Queen-cages, (i ; various kinds of, ib. ; improvement in, 7 Queen-cells, 76 ; in lieu of queens, 55 ; cutting out, 226: early, 242 Queen-excluding dividers, 49 Queen-introduction, 199 Queenlessness, 225 Queenless bees, 36 Queen-wasps, 231 Quieting bees, 26, 60 Quilt, the, 48, 124, 184, 231 ; a new, 51 ; and ventilation, 123 Quilts, rotten, 187 Railway charges, 59 Raynor, Rev. (jr., his queen- cage, 6 ; a lecture on bee- keeping by, 99 ; remarks on the Stewarton hive, 170 Renfrewshire Bee-keeper, his queen-cage, 6 ; his bottle and stage for giving water- to bees, 54 ; remarks by, on the Stewarton hive, 153, 154, 155, 170, 240 Responsibility for queens, 57 Robbing, 164 ; prevention of, 61, 174, 205 Roofs of hives, 49 Root, A. I., on the invention of Cheshire's wire -rakes, 64 ; on excluder zinc, 167 Rusbridge, A., on wooden foundation, 31 Rush covers, grocers', useful to make hives warm for winter, 140 Sack, English, 237 Salicylic acid, 16, 226 Saragossa wine, 237 Schiraeh, discoveries of, 94 Schlosser, A., his apiary, 156 Schmid, Mr., his apiary, 157 Science schools and bee- keeping, 135, 136 Scotland, harvest in, 140 Sealed stores, sufficiency of, requisite for winter, 102 Season, the, 93, 164 Second-hand hives, 23 Secretaries, hint to, 161 Section -frames, 20 Sectional supers, 7 Section dividers, proposed, 41 Sections, packing, 62 ; best positions for, 189 ; and en- trances, arrangement of, 203 Separators for sections, 18 September, 84 Sevenoaks, Kent, bees at, 117 Shilling Stewartons, 240 Shows, judging at, 223 Shropshire, harvest in, 99 Siebold, Professor, his views of parthenogenesis, 95 Simplicity hive, 11 Smelter, the, 5 Smoking apparatus, 42 Smyrna bees, 9 Somerton, show at, 92, 117 South Kensington, show at, 10, 52, 64, 65, 101 Spiraea ulmaria, a preventive of foul brood, 143 Spring d3'sentery, 36 Spring feeding, 183, 187 Spring treatment, 187, 206 SiJroule, R. , and Irish B.K.A., 151 Stealing or appropriating ideas, 223, 241 Stewarton slides, 144 Stewarton hive, 153-155, 169-172, 220, 240, 243 Stewarton hives, sectional supers in, 23 Stimulating bees, 207 Stimulative feeding, 85, 205 Skeps should be abandoned, 2 Sting, a, in the throat, 160 Stingless Bee Association of America, 168 Sting-poison an alkali ? 73 Stings of bees and wasps, 138 ; cure for, 12, 13, 21, 42, 57, 73 Stirling Apiarian Associa- tion, 114 Strasburg, congress of bee- masters at, 1875, 34 Straw skeps, covers for, 140 Stutterd, S., his translation of Dr. Donhoff s paper, 166 Suffolk B. K. A., 114 Sugar, feeding bees with dry, 93, 186, 243 ; the best, for syrup, 160 ; derivation of the organic powers of the bee from, 241 Sun and rain screen for hives, 232 ' Sun-flower, the big,' 206 Sunshine, its importance in winter, 103 Supering, best time for, 7 ; early, 41 ; its value ques- tioned, 139 Supers, sectional, 7; manage- ment of, 27-29 ; admis- sion to, 42 ; removal of, 43 ; attractions to, 178 Surrey B. K. A., 90, 113 Stocks, uniting, 102 Swarm, out of the water, 58 Swarming, 5 ; extraordinary, 72 ; prevention of, from supered hives, 207 Swarms, preferable to stocks, 2 ; feeding, 5 ; returning, 42, 79 ; unexpected, 45 ; the old monk's way to pre- vent, 219 ; time for making artificial, 226 Swiss milk boxes suitable as frame-hives, 14 Tasmania, bee-keeping in, 202 Tay hir's lien -keeper's Manual, 70 Thermometers, use of, in hives, 23 Tiverton, show at, 92 Transferring from straw skeps, 124, 224 ; caution respecting, 231, 238 Traynor, J., of Tiuahely, 106 Trigona, or stingless bees, 168 Tropics, bee-keeping in, 217 Ucraine bees, 8 Uniting bees, 227 ; queens, 6 Vale of York feeding-stage, 201 Ventilation of hives, 79, 115, 226, 227 ; upward, 103 Village bee clubs, 10, 15 Virgil on bee-keeping, 96 Visitors, showing bees to, 124 Vosges, bee-keeping in, 194 Wall-flowers, 45 Warwickshire B. K. A., 135, 234 Wasp, stung by a, 138 Wasp-stings, effects of, 117 Wasps, destruction of, 79 Water for bees, vase for giving, 67, 72 Wax, formation of, by bees, 5 ; honey consumed in making, 97 ; utilised by bees, 200 ; clarifying, 244 Wax-guides for frames, 20 Wax-moth, 123 Waygandt, Professor, on the transfer of larvse, 142 Weak stocks and Ligurian queens, 231 Weather, changes in, 7, 230 West Kent B. K.A., 113, 155 What to do, and when and how to do it, 26, 43, 61, 101, 185, 205, 230 Whealler, E., his departure for China, 243 White brood, 123 White-eyed drones, 71 Wide-ended frames, criticism on, 73, 92 Wildman, his bee - keeping and moveable combs, 96; notice of his death, 73 Windsor, show of bees, hives, and honey at, 52, 69 Winter breeding, 19 ; feed- ing, 21, 22 ; preparations for, 101, 120; require- ments for, 102 ; crowding, 123 ; covering up for, 140 Winter feeder, 238 Wintering, 219, 224, 238; various modes of, 219 ; in frame-hives, 239 Wire, searching hive with a, 147 Wired foundation, 8, 41, 55, 158; Given and Dunham's, 130 Wisbeaoh B.K.A., 69 Wolff, Dr. C, on the organs of fructification of plants, 145 Wood foundation, 71, 77, 94, 118, 178 Wood, W. D., his observa- tory hive, 89 Woodbury compound frame, 20 Worker cells, 76 Worker bee analogous to the flower of plants, 145 Worker-comb, the first re- quirement of a swarrn, 5 Zinc excluder, 49, 167 vxthh THE [No. 85. Vol. VIII.] MAY, 1880. [Published Monthly.] (^bttnrial, Joitas, $t. MAY. The unusually fine weather of the past two months leads us to hope the month of May will be indeed a merry one for advanced apiarians. It has seldom been our privilege to record so excellent a season as this hitherto of 1880, and we most heartily hope and trust that it is the happy harbinger of a splendid year. Gratitude has been cynically defined as a season of favours to come, but in common with all bee-culturists we have every reason to be deeply grateful for the delightful time that has been vouchsafed to us, for, whether in regard to the health and well-being of humans or bees, we say with thankfulness that it has been all that could be desired. There is an old saying that 'March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers,' and truly the prospect is a charming one. For bees, in the hands of those who have cared for them the past few weeks have been most precious, enabling them to recover strength after a protracted time of trial, and to renew their populations almost without let or hin- drance ; and now, writing from our own ex- perience, they are fit for anything, and a genial summer will show what bees in careful hands are capable of do'ng. With every known appliance at hand, or easily to be obtained, price being now, in its most favourable sense, 'no object,' the skilled apiarian will prove the inestimable advantage of the modern system of bee -management as compared with that of letting them alone. Accidents will happen in the best-regidated apiaries, and in most there will naturally be losses ; few indeed after such times as ruled of late will have come scatheless out of the ordeal through which they have passed, but while the advanced culturist can afford to smile over his two or three per cent losses, the ' let-alones ' are grieving over the total destruction of their bees, many having not a remnant left alive. The latter is a sorry picture, and not a source of pleasing contempla- tion to those who have railed at improved methods of bee-keeping, denounced modern appliances, and scouted the teaching that has been promidgated in this Journal. WHAT TO DO, AND WHEN AND HOW TO DO IT. Beginning. — That is exactly what we are doing, we are beginning a new volume of the Bee Journal, and we hope that every one who hears of it will begin bee-keeping under its guidance, andactup to the principles it expounds. There be many who have lost all their bees, which could not have happened except as a catastrophe had they followed its dictates. A few there are who having neglected the first duty of paying their subscription could not be expected to adhere very strictly to other impor- tant suggestions, and they have suffered pro- portionately ; and there are a vast number who with the Journal for their guide have avoided all the rocks and quicksands on which the hopes of others have been wrecked, and though often in troubled water have come safely out of it, and are eager for fresh enterprises. To the 'many' we would say, Take passage with us, our ship is well found, our lieutenants are all volun- teers who love the service and are most obliging to passengers, and the captain commanding, owner also, is ever on the alert, anxious for the safety of the craft and the well-being of all connected with it. To ' the few ' as would say 'it's never too late to mend,' and 'better late than never,' Sign fresh articles, clear off old reckonings, and begin anew ; and to the vast mi) iber, including all our able volunteers, we tender our best thanks for their substantial help 2 THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. in the past, and for the many evidences of confidence with 'which they have favoured us ; help and confidence we invite them to renew with a full assurance that no efforts shall be spared on our part to make the voyage through Volume Eight in the season 1880 an unexampled success. This lengthy ' order of the day ' has almost crippled our speaking-trumpet, but we hope it is not too long to be agreeable. Starting with Bees. — In beginning -we have always recommended that swarms should be obtained in preference to stocks, and that new hives shoidd be used in preference to old ones, so that perfect healthiness may be assured. Amateurs are often tempted to buy stocks in the expectation that in a few weeks they will get swarms from them ; but it frequently hap- pens that, through disease, bad weather, or want of sufficient knowledge of bee-management on the owner's part during the critical months preceding the swarming time, they (the stocks) dwindle instead of increase, and remain pro- fitless during the summer, causing disappoint- ment and disgust. Old Hives. — Many who will begin again this season through having lost their bees in the past, will be tempted to put their newly purchased swarms into their old hives of comb ; but now that comb-foundation can be so readily obtained, we strongly urge them to cut out the old combs and melt them up, and thus destroy the probability of their communicating disease, or propagating wax-moth, the germs of both of which they often contain. Old hives and frames should be thoroughly cleaned, all the propolis being scraped off, and they should be boiled, or scrubbed in boiling water, disinfected, re-washed, and dried, and their covers should be repainted. It would be well to take old hives to pieces if it be possible to do so, and cleanse all the parts separately, replannig the inside and painting the parts that join together so that all suspicion of disease or vermin may be removed. Those that are furnished with zinc runners should have the zinc removed, for that metal being very expansive, through heat, is liable to buckle and permit a deposit of propolis and dirt between it and the wood which it is not easy to remove without actual scraping. Melting Old Combs. — This is often a source of considerable trouble and vexation, but it is easy to perform. Make a bag of cheese-cloth and put all the combs into it, put in also suffi- cient weighty material to keep it under water when immersed. Take a garden sieve and lay it in the bottom of a copper or large iron boiler, set the bag of comb in it, weighty end down- ward, and fill up with water until the bag is covered. Boil up quickly, kneading the bag with a crutch-shaped stick or a hairless broom- head, to cause the separation of the comb-cells, and when done, let out the fire and leave the whole till cold. This work should bedone at night to prevent the bees being attracted by the odour of the boiling wax, &c. The sieve will prevent the bag from burning; the wax will float on the top of the water, and next morning may be removed in a cake to be afterwards reboiled, clarified, and cast into any shape required. Old combs are a fruitful source of mischief in an apiary, and should never be allowed to lie about : if not worth melting up, it is better to burn, or bury them. New Hives. — These can now be had at al- most any price, but it would be wise in all cases for beginners to adopt some form of the move- able comb hive. We have every respect for the skep, box, and tree trunk, as ancient institutions, and because from them we can learn the natural condition of a bee-nest, but for the purposes of bee-culture we strongly deprecate their use. It is sometimes argued that a cottager cannot understand the use of a frame-hive ; that a simple skep or a plain box is all that he re- quires, and that, when he has learned to prefer the supering to the sulphuring system of honey- getting, he can be gradually taught to use the more advanced hive. We, however, would most strongly advise that the skep shoidd be aban- doned, and that boxes only should be recom- mended and used, and that they (the latter) shoidd be furnished with frames, so that when the combs are built they may be moveable. This, of course, is a recommendation of the modern hive, and the fear that the cottager cannot understand its uses is, we venture to sug- gest, but a poor argument against our position. Whatever a cottager can do with a skep or simple box hive, he can do equally well with a frame hive. The frames being inside, out of his sight, need not disturb his mind in the slightest degree ; he may imagine, if he pleases, that they are not there, and that his bees are in a simple box, with large top hole for feeding and supering purposes, and he can proceed exactly as with a skep, but will have the ad- vantage over the latter of a smooth flat top on which he can place his supers, without the necessity for the cost and labour of providing and fixing an adapting-board. The frames will be no hindrance to him or to his bees, but, if properly made, and fitted with foundation, their use will be helpful to the latter, and by hastening the production of comb, procure for the cottager the earlier completion of his supers. An objection may be urged that the intro- duction of frames to the box will add to the expense of the hive, but that is valid only in degree, and does not affect the question of their extreme desirability; and bearing in mind that, though it is the chief obstacle in the way of May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. improvement, the use of frames in hives is essentially the key to improved bee-culture, and we take it to be the duty of those interested in promoting the art to spare no pains in advocating them, and overcoming difficulties in the way of their adoption. Cheap Frame-hives. — Nothing is more abso- lutely necessary to the promotion of bee-cidture as a popular pursuit than the production of cheap hives, yet there is no branch of the business which is more neglected Mr. Hunter made allusion to this subject in his reading at the Conversazione on the 14th ult., when ' teaching the cottager to make his own ' was a subject of considerable interest, in which several took part. It transpired that an amateur made his own hive for little more than the cost of the wood and the nails. He just cut out 'this' with a circular saw, and turned ' that ' in his lathe, and thus everything being accurate, he succeeded ad- mirably. But cottagers and amateurs in general have no such appliances ; a saw, a hammer, and a knife are about all the tools a cottager can command, and with these he ought to be able to make a hive as good as any domicile the bees usually select for themselves, and there- fore one that ought to be good enough as far as they are concerned. Mr. Hunter thinks that associations should stick more closely to the interests of the cottager class of bee-keepers, and gave some excellent suggestions on the for- mation of hives from the boxes in common use as packing-cases, and comparatively valueless for other purposes. There is, however, the dif- ficulty almost insuperable to ' knife carpenters ' of making the frames of accurate shape and dimensions, and many amateurs, with better appliances find here a stumbling-block, and practically find it cheaper and better to purchase the frames ready made, and avoid the disagree- ables arising from ill-made home-spun work. Making Frames. — Those who intend to utilise boxes of any pattern easily obtain- able to make into hives, will bear in mind that the relative dimensions of the frames to be put into them are very important. It ought to be thoroughly understood that their (the frames) internal dimensions are no 'v guide, as differences in the thickness of the material of which they are made will spoil the relation of frame to hive. The size of the box governs that of the frame measuring outside the latter, and the space between them should be as nearly a quarter of an inch as it can be made, that being sufficient for the passage of a bee. It may be well to state as a reason for this particular dimension, that any cranny, crack, slot, or crevice, into or through which a bee cannot easily pass will be almost surely stopped with propolis apparently to prevent the lodgment of vermin within them, while any larger space the bees will fill with comb as soon as their hive becomes crowded. The distance of frames from each other when in the hive is not the governing principle in their arrangement, nor is their individual width of very great importance ; but it is essential that they shall be not more than an inch and a half from centre to centre of each other, and not less than one and nine twentieths, the differ- ence, one tenth of an inch being within the margin of bee-deviation. Frames are usually made about an inch in width, the top bars near half an inch in thickness, the ends three eighths, and the bottoms a quarter, or less. In the March Journal allusion was made to the Amer- ican frames we had seen in the hives sent over by Mr. Nellis in which the frame-ends are somewhat similar in construction to those ex- hibited in a hive we showed at the Alexandra Palace in 1876, and we venture to illustrate the improvement we believe will make the same perfect. It will be obvious that frames with ends wider on both sides than the combs are, will not lie comfortably on the flat wire frame of an extractor, which is a serious drawback to their efficiency. Extractors can of course be provided to suit such frames, but they would probably not be equally suitable for all frames, and therefore we think it equally reasonable to make the frames so that they will sit conveniently in ordinary ex- tractors. Instead therefore of widening the frame-ends on each side we suggested that they be widened on one side only at each end as shown in wood-cut, so that the widened part can rest on the top edge of the extractor cage, and the comb lie flat upon the wire-work. Such frames would of themselves form a hive on the Italian (Giotto) principle, and would need only floor - board, back, front, and quilt to render it useful as a ' Make-shift hive.' Purchasing Frames. — Purchasers of frame, are naturally anxious to have them completes correct in shape, and with wax-guides affixed ; but in this state they require a box, into which they will fit, to preserve them from damage on the journey ; and we always advise that such box shall be ordered to be correctly made of the dimensions of a hive, so that in emergency a2 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. it can be used as a ' Makeshift,' instead of being useless and not worth returning. Such a box and frames can be had for four shillings and sixpence, and is easily convertible, by the addi- tion of floor-board and cover, to an excellent hive. As a nucleus and pattern for intending hive-makers it is invaluable. Frames can be bought in pieces, but in that condition the guides are liable to be broken. They, how- ever, pack in very small compass, and the cost of carriage is thereby reduced. Improving Makeshift Hives. — Makeshift hives are not generally very kindly mentioned by those whose interest is better served by selling more expensive wares. A letter from a reverend corresjwndent in Nottinghamshire, whose queries are published on page 23, gives such encourag- ing testimony in their favour, and we have so many other evidences to the same effect, that we shall continue to make, use, and vend them. Some persons object to their being unplaced, but such we would refer to a letter of an old and able bee-master (Mr. Geo. Fox of Kings- bridge, Devon), whose pen is at present far too silent for the interests of bee-culture. He says, on p. 136, Vol. II. B. B. J., and the letter is well worthy of re-perusal, ' I would here just state that the delightfully rough condition, externally and internally, frames and all, in which some boxes are sent out, instead of being carefully planed, is quite a treat to the bees.' Those, however, who wish to improve such hives by increasing the protective character of their walls, may easily do so without greatly in- creasing their cost, as may be gathered from the illustration. We have here depicted a the land, always supposing thickness of wall to be a desideratum. Fixing Guides and Foundation. — Having hives and frames, the mode of fixing the guides needs explanation, as it is to many a puzzling process. A simple guide of plain wax-sheet is very easily made and fixed, and requires very little preparation. Sup- jDOsing the frame to be of Woodbury size, the under surface of the top bar will be about 13 inches long between the frame-ends, and, say, 1 inch wide ; and the guide will be re- quired along its centre. Get a piece of wood about an inch wide, f inch thick, and 14 to 15 inches long ; cut a corner out of each end, and shave off the front bottom edge, as shown in the woodcut, leaving the front part of a length simple box, like an ordinary hive when the frames are removed, and supposing it to re- present a Woodbury hive in size. If four pieces of wood, each 8f inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick, be nailed to the corners as shown, four pieces of thin board can easily be nailed around the hive, making it double- walled, with air-spaces between, which latter can be closed with slats at top and bottom, or filled with shavings, sawdust, or chaff, as may be preferred. Such a hive will then be equal (for bee-comfort) to the highest-priced hive in to go into the frame and of a width to bring its face where the line of wax is to be. Lay it in cold water to soak while the wax is melting (a glue-pot is the best melting-pot), and then, with the frame in the left hand, its wet front face on the under surface of the frame-bar, where the wax-guide is to be formed. Apply the hot wax with a brush all along both the piece of wood and the frame-bar, giving one or more coats according to the thickness the guide is required to be. When it has ' set,' the piece of wood will come away and leave a clean guide of plain wax-sheet, which will ensure straight combs in the hive if the frames be properly arranged. The secret of success is having a wet piece of wood, a dry frame-bar, boiling wax, and a clean brush. This method is a modification of Mr. Cheshire's plan of making and fixing foundations by using plaster casts. For fixing conib-foundation in frames a wider May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. wooden arrangement is needed. We use a piece of board A with two strips EE nailed along the back of it projecting both ways. The frame is laid against the wood as shown in woodcut, the foundation I) laid in its place, and molten wax run along the junction of frame-bar and foundation. If the latter is more than an inch wide, wax is afterwards poured along its other side, and, provided the frame-bar be quite dry, and the wax quite hot, it will not be likely to give way or flake off. The best apparatus for applying the boiling wax in this case is Abbott's smelter — a spouted boiler on the glue-pot prin- ^ ^ ciple, in which the wax is kept at boiling heat until it is poured out at the fine spout. The inner vessel is for wax, the outer for water ; and the whole being of copper will last a life- time, if not allowed to burn itself out through getting dry. Swarming and Hiving. — The glorious weather of spring which has given surviving bees so good a start after the long bad winter, will insure early swarming; and probably ere this reaches our readers, the first natural swarm will have issued, and its advent have been duly chronicled; but there will be many to come in this merry month, and we hope they will be well cared for. When a natural swarm issues they will have with them in their stomachs (honey-sacs) sufficient honey to enable them to live for two or three days, and for the first day or two will require no feeding ; but after that time they should be fed on every day during which they have not been able to gather freely from natural sources. The first requirement of a swarm is worker-comb, in which the queen may deposit eggs to be developed into young worker bees ; and so long as the honey-supply is mode- rate they will build worker-comb only : but if large quantities of honey are at hand, or if syrup be supplied to them too abundantly they will build drone-comb to store it in, which they appear to do on the principle that it is easier and less wasteful to build large cells than small ones; but afterwards when those store cells arc used for breeding purposes, eveiy egg deposited in them will, if permitted to mature, become a drone bee. On the other hand, if through unkind weather the out-door supply of food is stopped and syrup is withheld, the building of comb will be discontinued, breeding will flag, and the prosperity of the swarm will be greatly hindered. Combs are formed by the bees out of wax which they make by digesting honey in their bodies ; and this, the first duty of -warms, they will continue to do until they have made as many combs as they can occupy, provided they can get the honey with which to form the wax: to make them. Swarms have what is called the ' comb -building impulse;' but a cessation of the honey supply destroys it, and when a swarm has once ceased to build, the bees will not recommence until a later supply necessitates room for storing it, and then they will build drone cells as before stated. Heavy, indiscriminate feeding of swarms is therefore not to be commended; it may make wealthy hives, but they will be achieved at the cost of a working popidation, and the production of a lazy one, and such a hive will never do well thereafter. When a first swarm issues from a hive, it whirls about in the air for a time and settles in a cluster, usually on a bush or tree, and awaits the coming of the queen. When she has joined it, which may be known by the bees having quietly collected, it is fit for hiving. If, however, from any cause the queen does not join the swarm, the bees separate apparently to search for her, and if they find her they join her ; but should they not succeed in discovering her, they will return to the hive, to swarm again on another occasion. When the bees do not find their queen, it is usually because through infirmity of wing she has fallen to the ground ; and a careful search will generally be rewarded by her discovery, usually with three or four bees attending her, a sorry picture of fallen greatness. If she be now put into an empty hive, and the latter be set in the place of the Ml one which may be put upon another stand, the bees will gradually join her, and all will be well. Shoidd the bees, however, find her while looking for her, and join her on the ground, the hive may be set over them, and they will go up and cluster in it. We will, however, suppose that the queen joined the swarm on the tree as first suggested, in which case hiving cannot be too quickly performed. Having their queen with them, if they be not soon hived, they will look out for a home for themselves, and scouts having been sent forth to find a suitable place, they will presently decamp and take possession of such as may be found. This is, however, not an invariable ride ; sometimes from not finding a home, or through a change of weather, the cluster, if not hived, will continue in the bush untd they have formed wax and commenced comb-building, in which case they will stay for days unless found and hived, or till they perish through ad- verse weather, and dwindle ere they have time to bring forth young bees to replenish their numbers. THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. Artificial swarming and hiving are fully described in leaflets sold at a halfpenny each, and the limit of space forbids repetition here.* Nevertheless, as some doubt exists as to the mode of hiving in hives with legs, we would say that having made all ' ready,' we turn back the quilt and remove two or three frames from the hive's side, then catching the swarm in a skep or pail, we carry it to the hive and pour in the bees. They immediately run under the covered frames and commence fanning at the entrance, while we gently return the frames, restore the quilt to its correct position, and cover up the hive to keep out the sun's rays. The fanning and buzzing at the entrance, or, as we are much more inclined to believe, the odour thereby driven forth from the swarm (of which we shall take an early opportunity to write more), will be sufficiently attractive to straggling bees to induce them to join the latter, and nothing more (as a ride) need be done unless the weather be hot and more ven- tilation be needed, which may be given by lowering the floor-board, or sliding it forward and leaving a space between it and the hive at the back. When swarms pitch at a distance from the hive intended to receive them, they can be caught in a skep or pail and left until evening, when the above operation can be per- formed with safety. Uniting Queens. — This is one of the ticklish operations upon the method of performing which there is great difference of opinion, and about which much that is nonsensical, the result of immature observation, has been written. Why bees will sometimes accept a queen and at others refuse her, or why they will persistently refuse one queen and presently accept another, almost without care on the part of the operator, the apparent conditions being the same, are puzzles we will not now enter upon ; our object being to show the amateur how to avoid the various causes of failures, or rather to afford him the means of overcoming them, so far as they are known and understood. Very large ex- perience has proved beyond a doubt that in hives in which there is hatching brood, and, conse- quently, young bees, queens may with safety be entrusted to their care in the honcyless cage, i.e. a cage unconnected with the cells in which honey is stored, whereas in hives that contain no brood, and the bees are presumably ' aged,' it is not safe to confine them without provision. In hives in which young bees abound, as indicated, a cage made of zinc, in the form of a tube, three or four inches long, j in. wide, and | in. thick(inside), with a plug in each end, * Leaflets are sixpence per dozen, post free, or assorted at a halfpenny each, and a halfpenny for postage at this oilice, Southall, London. is all that is necessaiy. The reigning sovereign having been removed, the new queen is put alone into the cage, which is fixed on a comb amongst the brood by thrusting ' a hairpin through the perforations in the cage. The hive is then closed, and after forty-eight hours the queen may be released. By having a hole made through the plug in the upper end of the cage, a wire may be pushed down to thrust out the plug from the lower end ; and by this arrangement the queen may be released at any moment without disturbance to the hive, on the prin- ' w ciple strongly advocated by ' A Ren- frewshire Bee-keeper,' Rev. George Raynor, and Mr. W. Carr. On another page will be found a method of substituting queens without a cage by John Enock, and we have every faith in his report ; but we find the chief difficult}' in this branch of bee- culture to arise from its often being necessary to re-queen queenless stocks, the bees of which are generally ' aged' before their con- dition is discovered. Under these conditions the bees seem to have lost all sense of moral rectitude, if we may judge by their actions, for they encase, maul, sting, starve, or dismember, as may happen, the mother-in-law sought to be imposed on them. Being aged, and out of their apprenticeship as nurses, bees seem to lose the instinct which prompts to increase their species : they are old and testy, and evidently do not want to be bothered with a new mamma, with babies to follow, so they ' set up their backs ' and oppose her introduction to the family. There have been thousands of failures in the attempts to introduce alien queens to aged bees, and it is often a comparatively use- less task, though accepted, for old bees do not care (or are not competent) to be nurses to their brood, and though they be ever so numerous, breeding will go on very slowly indeed, until young bees begin to come forth. This fact often procures an ill report for Ligurian queens (they are frequently introduced under these circumstances), and the great expectations with which they were united are disappointed, through the queens having been imposed on demoralised populations. In uniting queens the essential element, thoroughly recognised in the principle advo- cated by the clever bee-masters named, is quietness, i.e. non-disturbance of the hive and bees when the queen is to be united. Caging on a comb in a pipe-cover or thimble-cage creates disturbance as a matter of course, on seating the queen alone in a honeyless cage, and insures (amongst old bees) her starvation. If a few of her own bees be put in the cage with her they will yield up to her the last drop from May 1, 1880.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. their honey-sacs, and die within forty-eight hours, while she will be left alone to starve, or, if set at liberty, to be destroyed. Next to queenless old bees those that, having a queen, have been long broodless, are thfc most difficult with which to unite an alien queen, and may be dealt with as if queenless. Experience has shown, however, that not- withstanding the seeming antipathy of old bees to queens, if the latter are kept engaged, or within ' speaking distance ' of the former, for a few days, the latter will forget their antagonism, and union may be quietly effected. The oldf ashion of using the boxes in which queens are imported as cages is effectual with old bees, but there is a risk that the dysenteric odours therein conse- quent on the confinement of the bees during their journey may have an evil effect. The method consisted in replacing the wooden bottom of the box with one of perforated zinc, and placing it with its contents on the hive over the feed-hole. The odour from below would thus impregnate the bees and queen, and in due time, the zinc being withdrawn, the union would take place. It is always better, if possible, to avoid the chance of infection from d}rsenteric odours by presenting the queen and her attendants without their imported sur- roundings, in the actual bee-nest where she cannot suffer from cold, as otherwise might be the case, and in such a way that she shall be secure from liability to starvation. To do this we have simplified our queen-cage, and in lieu of the upper plate of perforated zinc or vul- canite have introduced a wire bar that acts as a gate across the opening at the top, and think it is as perfect as a cage can be for the purpose. It now contains all the best principles of all others. To introduce a queen to a queenless colony, the position of the bee-nest must be ascertained, and a ' feed-hole ' cut in the quilt above it. The cage is then thrust down be- tween the combs amongst the bees, and if there be time, ere the queen arrives it may be filled with crumbs of barley sugar, which the bees will consume. When emptied by them, the queen and a dozen or so of her bees shoidd be put into it, and the bar laid lengthways across the opening ; a bottle of scented syrup tied over with canvas should be kept over the cage during the incarceration, and after a few days by withdrawing the wire the union will be quietly effected. The bar is a continuation of the moveable wire running down the side of the cage, and is formed thus: — the point a locking into a hole in the top plate, securing the bees and a queen, yet permitting access to the feed-bottle. Two or three holes may be made in the top plate around the cage to permit the bees of the hive partaking of the syrup, an amusement for them that will cause the hive to acquire the odour of the syrup, i .^nd ensure cordial fraternization with the queen and bees introduced. This cage has been well tried, and can be used under all conditions of queen-introduction and barley- sugar stimulation. Change of Weather. — Although March and April have been so exceedingly fine, it should be remembered that there is usually a fortnight at the least of miserable bee-weather during May, and when not recognised and pro- vided against the bees suffer heavily. When breeding extensively, as they now are, a sudden return of cold weather and the consequent pre- vention of honey gathering stoj^s the deposition of eggs, and often causes the bees to consume or destroy the larvtc and white nymphs which they throw out of their hive. Feeding, and the partial closing of the hive entrances, will help to counteract the evil, and, therefore, careful attention should be given. With the prospect of a change in view, we ask all bee-keepers not to be hasty in making artificial swarms, or doing anything in which lowness of temperature is inimical to success. SUPERING. When shall we put on our supers ? is an inquiry commonly heard among bee-keepers ; and in reply we would say when the hive is full of comb-bees and brood, the weather fine, and the honey yield abundant. It is of little use to go by the dates named in bee-books ; the fthoes therein mentioned may be cold and miser- able, and putting on supers, which is literally enlarging the hive, may be an injury rather than a help since it will tend to cool the hive when heat should be economised. The style of super to use depends on the taste of the bee- keeper, but we strongly recommend sectional supers as being far preferable to those of glass, the latter being cold, inelastic, and when filled, unsaleable. For description of supers to use, advertisements, or the catalogues of any of the dealers, will supply the information, but we should use nought but sectionals. Supering may not actually prevent swarming, ft TIE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. but will tend to hinder it. IS <■ Ireful not to use sections that have been ston \i away where mice have access : the smell of^fep vermin is particularly offensive to bees, an* is often the reason of their avoiding them. There is no way of forcing bees to work in supers, but when they are in a condition to do so artificial heat applied to them will often tempt them to take possession. Bees that are preparing to swarm often use their supers, as people do their club-rooms, for lounging, and purposes of amusement, while waiting for expected events. Hence we are often told, ' My bees have taken possession of the supers, but do not work in them.' If the supers were not there the bees would be clustering outside the hive in warm weather, but during cold woidd crowd into the hive, and preserve the temperature necessary for the safety of the brood. WIRED FOUNDATION. We regret that we are unable to #fer a further supply of wired foundation. Tfeiii we had through Messrs. Tlrurber has been disposed of, and no further supply appears to be forth- coming. A letter received from Mr. Nellis on 18th of March apprised us that a second lot of goods was on the way, and naturally we #x- pected to get tidings of their arrival within a few days ; but Messrs. Thurber say they ha -e not yet received the bills of lading, so ve a*e unable to describe them. We have A^B i flat-bottomed for supers, and Raitt's Amc machine-made foundation for hives on ha id.— Ed. B. B. J. -'■ THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR HONEY BEES. By J. P. Jackson. One thought in particular occurred to thoughtful bee- keepers who, a few years since, reflected on the best means of elevating apiculture and making it worthy to march side by side with other branches of rural economy, namely, that sufficient attention had not been paid by apiarists to the improvement of the breed of their bees ; for while other kinds of stock had been wonderfully altered in chaiacter and improved by being crossed with fresh strains, few efforts had been made thus to improve our indigenous bees. Mr. Edouard Cori, of Brtix, in Bohemia, set himself, a score of years since, to this ta -'■ . and his efforts have led to discoveries, and have been crowned with a success, that I feel sure English bee-keepers- will be glad to have particulars of. The first point to be settled, before beginning such a task as this, is where the stock in quesl ii m i- found in the state of highest perfection. In the case of horseflesh this was found to be Arabia, of kind, Switzerland, and of sheep (merino), Spain. But whither shall we go for the choicest race of bees P To answer this question Mr. Cori began a series of importations ami exp( rimental breeding, and each effort he made brought him nearex to a decisive reply. lie began with a stock of Hungarian Bees from Neu- sohl, in the Lipta Alps, and found they have a thicker- set and rather longer body than our bee and are quite black, also their pubescence, or hairy covering, is longer and of a light colour. They are superior to our bees, in that the queens are more fertile and the workers hardier. A curious habit they have is, that should a visitor approach quite near to their hive, single bees slowly circle round his head, as the swallow-tail butterfly dees round a flower, and if he stays, and does not quietly move away, they dart at him with great fury and at- tempt to sting him in the face. In the meantime the bees on the alighting-board remain unmoved. The C'arniolan or Ucraine Bee then engaged Mr. Cori's attention. This variety of black bee is well known in Germany, and is celebrated for its great docility and gentleness, as even when excited it is less fierce than any other kind that is known. Its failing is that it is so fond of swarming that it is not able to lay by much honey, and thus, at the fall of the year, stocks of C'arniolan Bees often have not even sufficient stores to carry them through the winter. The Italian or Ligurian Bee was next experimented with, but from some, to me, inexplicable cause, it did not prove its elaim to the praises that are generally bestowed on it ; Mr. Cori considers that the Smyrna Bee, which will shortly be described, is greatly its superior. The Dalmatian Bee from Cattaro.— In 1864 Mr. Cori imported, via Trieste, a stock of this variety. These we may consider the purest black bees, for their bands have not the least trace of colour, but are covered with a light yellow pubescence. After a time this rubs off, and the body is then seen to be perfectly black. On the shores of the Gulf of Cattaro there is but little land capable of cnllivation, and the native bees are thus obliged to gather most of their honey from the sage and other flowers, which grow in the cracks and crevices of high cliffs and rocks. They therefore have to fly long distances, at a great elevation, and often in a high wind. Their thorax is from this cause developed to a marked degree, and if imported into this country they would be found to fly to a very long distance in search of food. Their abdomen being long and pointed they look like black wasps. There is this peculiaiity about them, that, when the day is over and honey-gathering suspended, they frisk upon the alighting-board like flie ■, hopping about and apparently teasing one another. They are of a good- tempered disposition, and though when you approach their hive they dash at your hands or face, they do not sting if you keep still, but they return to their hive again — very different to our native bees, who dart and sting in one and the same breath. Though as a rule perfectly gentle, they get most excited if they are disturbed by their hive being roughly opened, and plenty of smoke at repeated intervals is needed to enable them to be handled. The Dalmatian Bee is an industrious honey-gatherer, is extremely fertile, and must be considered a great im- provement on our English bee. After a time Mr. Cori was desirous of obtaining another stock of Dalmatian Bees, but unfortunately the Trieste friend who had obtained the former one for him had meantime died. Many were the letters he despatched to addresses given him by friends and ac- quaintances; but the answer he always received was that Dalmatian bee-keepers had a superstitious horror of selling their bees, and feared that their remaining stocks would die at the thought of their sisters having been betrayed for filthy lucre. At last a highly-placed personage of Ragusa promised to a asist . and said' that as in Dalm itia the bees of Turkish Herzegovina were considered superior to the native sort, he would send some of them. He thereupon applied to the Turkish Consul-General at Ragusa, who being, as Diplomatic Agent, above the Pacha of Serajevo, instructed the latter to obtain two stocks for him. In the Turkish provinces bordering on Dalmatia there exists the same horror about selling bees, but a Turkish Pacha takes May 1, 1880.] THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. 9 little heed of the superstitions of Slav rayahs. Two native hives, one in part of the trunk of a hollow ash, the other of a magnolia, and each carefully packed in a case, were laden on a mule, and after a journey of five days across the mountainous Dalmatian frontier they arrived at Ragusa, and were put on hoard the steamer for Trieste. Their destination in Bohemia was at last safely reached, and they were found to be filled from top to bottom with comb. Of stores there was plenty, not a cell was broken, and but few bees were dead. This was a result far more successful than had even been hoped for, and probably such a case would not occur again once in a hundred times. The Herzegovina Bee. The mountain range which separates Dalmatia from the Herzegovina is on an average from six to seven miles broad, with peaks 3000 to 7000 feet high. As there, at a height of from 400 to 500 feet, vegetable life ceases, and bare rocks alone are to be seen, an effectual barrier is placed between the Dalma- tian and the Herzegovina bee, and any cross of the breeds is impossible. The side of the range which slopes towards the Herzegovina is far more fertile than that towards Cattaro, and the climate being milder, the flora is more luxurious and diversified. In such a position a better bee has been developed, and in southern Dalmatia the Herzegovina Bee is greatly preferred. It has no equal among black bees, and is a far better honey -gatherer than they. It is very gentle and industrious, and the hardiest of all bees ; the queen also is most fertile. The Herzegovina Bee is as large as the Dalmatian ; its abdomen is not so slim, but it has the same well - developed thorax. It has not the intensely black colour of the Dalmatian, in fact if the first abdominal ring is carefully scanned a glimmer of colour may be perceived, but it is not suffi- ciently intense to be called yellow. The honey which was imported in the original hives was dark, and possessed a peculiar spirituous taste. If we imagine a line running from North Germany, through Bohemia, the Ucraine, the east coast of the Adriatic, Asia Minor, and Cyprus, and continued as far as Cairo in Egypt, we may consider the Herzegovina Bee as the transition race from the black to the yellow bee. The Asia Minor or Smyrna Bee. Three stocks of this strain reached Mr. Cori, two in hives that he sent out expressly, and one in a native hive of wickerwork be- daubed with camel-dung and strongly scented with musk. This is not a pure breed, as some bees were banded and some black , and though the variety was cultivated for several years, and every effort was made to obtain a constant breed, in the best stocks of banded bees there would always be now and again a recurrence of black specimens. The abdomen of the Smyrna Bee is thin and waspish, and the pubescence light-coloured ; ihe greater number have the two first bands of an orange - yellow tint. The drones are mostly black, but a few have the first bands dark red, and the re- mainder black, the bally being of a light yellow colour, extending to either side of the abdomen. They have also on each side two black spots similar to those we notice on wasps. The queens are slim and rather short, and have the first three bands of an orange hue and the remainder of the abdomen of a dark copper colour. The Smyrna Bee is extremely industrious and the queens are most fertile ; they are superior in these respects both to Dalmatians and Herzegovinians. Mr. Cori relates that in 1867, a very poor year for honey, one of his Smyrna stocks, a cast of the year before, increased to nine colonies, four of which gathered sufficient stores to carry them through the winter. This feat created quite a sensation among the bee-keepers of his native place. It is remarkable how hardy are these bees and how little affected by cold, for early and late, before and after other kinds, they may be seen busily at work, and they sally forth in search of forage on days when others remain at home. When the day's labour begins they do not start off one by one, but en masse, and the joyous rush with which they leave their hive is a sight not soon to be forgotten. They are of a peaceable disposition, and allow an observer to approach close to the hive, and even to stand in the line of flight ; but, like most bees of a high temperament, if once enraged they are very fierce, and smoke must be freely used when their hive is opened. It was while Mr. Cori was cultivating this variety that, he tells us, two curious occurrences took place. The first was that the bees of a queenless colony carried an egg he gave them to a sheet of drone-comb which they had built, and duly hatched it into a queen. In the other case, while a swarm was settling the virgin queen that led it off was fertilized, and he found her on his pocket-handkerchief which he had laid down on a garden seat close by. To sum up the description of this bee, Mr. Cori thinks that, although it is not a pure strain, it possesses some most valuable characteristics, and deserves to be better known. It is especially recommended for crossing with other varieties. Although the results hitherto attained were so grati- fying, Mr. Cori did not rest satisfied, and could not help thinking that, to the south of Smyrna, a still better race of bees must exist. The Egyptian Bee he now made the acquaintance of, and was surprised to find it far inferior to any of those he had been cultivating. It is very handsome, but, besides being a tropical bee and therefore unsuited to our climate, it is when imported and remains under cultivation much smaller than our native bees ; also when enraged it attacks all living beings within reach with uncontrollable fury. It was therefore clear, that in Egypt bees had deterio- rated, and that the perfect'on Mr. Cori looked for, must be sought between Smyrna and Egypt. But such an improved race of bees could not exist in Asia Minor, as there it would be exposed to contamination f om the neighbouring black and banded bees. The study of geo- graphical works and books of travel then led Mr. Cori to the surmise, that a perfectly pure race might in course of time have been developed upon an island of the Medi- terranean, if it possessed a favourable climate and flora, and were sufficiently distant from the mainland to pre- vent bees passing to and fro. His thoughts then flew to Cyprus, and its race of bees has realised all his hopes. This island, which is 149 square miles in extent, has been in a high state of cultivation from the earliest times. Its first inhabitants are said to have been Phoe- nicians, and about 1100 B.C. Greeks and Egyptians, and ultimately Romans, joined them. Cyprus was at that time looked upon as the seat of all grace and loveliness ; the glorious climate, the exuberant vegetation, and the abundance of natural produce of every description, weie the theme of constant praise. Even now this island, in spite of the neglect of the Turks, into whose pos- session it came in 1570, is celebrated for its rare fer- tility. Luxurious woods of cedars, cypresses, pines, chestnuts, ash and beech trees, cover the slopes of the mountains, and olive and mulberry trees clothe the hills. The cultivated fields bear a constant succession of honey-producing plants, and together the climate and the flora seem those most suited to the highest development of the bee. Cyprian honey had a high reputation long before the birth of Christ, and ancient writers declared it a most acceptable offering to the gods. The native hives consist of a cylinder of yellowish-red burnt clay, two feet long, nine inches in diameter, and three-quarters of an inch thick ; the ends are closed with a slab of kaolin or china-clay, being the entrance hole cut in one of them. Kaolin is very common in Cyprus, and is used for such purposes as building walls and making tiles. It is whitish, soft, and friable, and cuts like meerschaum. This hive is probably the first 10 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. kind used in warm climates, as the primitive material it is formed of suggests ; it was in use by the Greeks and Egyptians, and was not discarded when the island was captured by the Turks. Mr. Cori, in conjunction with Count Kolowrat-Kra- kowski, has imported a large number of Cyprian stocks, and the bees have been similar in every aspect, not one black bee having been foimd among them. This is a proof that the breed is perfectly pure and constant and need not surprise us when we call to mind that the island is about fifteen geographical miles distant from the mainland. The Cyprian Bee is, when imported, a trifle smaller than our bee, but it quickly increases in size, and is then the largest honey-bee known. It is of a waspish shape, and is covered with a light-yellow pubescence ; the bands are yellow, and the remainder of the abdomen is quite black. Mr. Cori cannot speak too highly of this race of bees, and considers it far above airy other he has met with. They have no equal among yellow-banded bees, and are as superior to them as the Herzegovina Bee is to other black bees. The queens are most fertile, and begin to lay earlier than those of any other race ; the workers are but little inclined to build drone -comb, and the queens dislike furnishing such cells at all plentifully with eggs. Drones, therefore, hatch out in Cyprian hives much later than is the ease with other breeds of bees, and only when the season is far advanced. It not seldom happens that a stock of bees allows a few drones to live peaceably with them the winter through. The workers are very industrious and good-tempered, though they show plenty of spirit when provoked. The Cyprian bee is especially suitable for crossing with other kinds, and the drone in particular is most valuable for this purpose. Altogether I think the discovery of the Cyprian bee is a most important one for the bee-keeping world, and that the thanks that have been piesented to Mr. Cori and to Count Kolowrat-Krakowski by the most notable German bee-keepers and Apiarian Societies, express but a small part of what is due to them, for the great expense and trouble they have incurred, for more than twenty years, in their endeavours to improve our race of bees. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION The Association's programme for the present year is now nearly complete. In addition to the Annual Show at South Kensington, which is fixed for July 27 and fol- lowing days, and extending over the Bank Holiday in August, and thereby giving the masses of the metropolis an opportunity of witnessing the wonders of bee-life, the Association will offer prizes for bees, hives, and honey at the Dairy Show, to be held in the Agricultural Hall, Islington, in October next. Schedules and entry-forms for both these Shows may now be had upon application to the Honorary Secretary. A good list of engagements has also been made for the attendance of the Bee-Tent at country Shows, including the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Carlisle. The Honorary Secretary will be glad to receive donations to the Prize Fund for the South Kensington and Dairy Shows ; and members of the Association and others who may be desirous of assisting the Association in its work, either by contri- buting to the Prize Fund or giving donations of books to the Preference Library now in course of formation, are requested to communicate with the Rev. H. R. Peel, Abbot's Hill, IlemHl Hempstead. The following dona- tions to the Prize Fund have already been promised :— Eev. G. Raynor £110 Rev. H. R. Peel 2 2 0 Hooker, J. Hunter, C. N. Abbott, J. P. Jackson, W. O'B. Glennie (Treasurer), and Rev. H. R. Peel (Hon. Sec). The following count}' representatives were also present : — Rev. F. G. Jenyns (Hertfordshire), Capt. Campbell and Mr. F. H. Lemare (Surrey), and Mr. Jesse Garrett (West Kent). The minutes of the former meeting were read and unanimously confirmed and signed, also the balance-sheet for the month ending March :31st, showing a balance in hand of 24/. 18s. bd. The Committee then proceeded to discuss various matters relating to County Associations. Suggested rules and regulations tending to promote the union existing between the County Associations and the central Society, were brought forward by the chairman ; and having been discussed at some length, it was re- solved, ' That the same should be printed and circulated to the several County Associations in affiliation with the Central Society for their approval, and suggestions invited for the improvement of such rules previous to the next quarterly meeting.' The subject of the formation of Village Bee Clubs, as tending to promote the more efficient working of County Associations, and the spreading of a knowledge of im- proved bee culture, was brought forward by Mr. F. H. Lemare ; and after some discussion it was resolved that the regulations relating to the village bee clubs in Surrey should be sent to all affiliated Associations. Mr. Jesse Garratt called the attention of the Committee to the desirability of the central Society drawing up schedules of prizes suitable for the adoption of small shows. It was the general opinion of the meeting that such schedules would greatly assist the Secretaries of County and other local Societies, and the Chairman very kindly promised to draw up suitable schedules, and to submit the same to a future meeting. The second Quarterly Meeting during the present year was held at 44G Strand, on Wednesday, April 14. Present: Mr. T. W. Cowan (in the chair), Mr, J. M. The Quarterly Conversazione of the British Bee-Keepers' Association was held at the Board Room of the National Chamber of Trade, 446 Strand, on Wednesday evening, April 14th. Dr. Lionel S. Beale, F.R.S., of Grosvenor Street, was voted to the chair, and there were also present the Rev. F. G. Jenvns, Captain Campbell, R.N., Messrs. W. O'B. Glennie, J. M. Hooker, J. Hunter, C. N. Abbott, F. H. Lemare, T. D. Hardy, T. W. Cowan, J. P. Jack- son, A. Neighbour, H. Jonas, C. Stevens, D. Clapham, and the Rev. H. R. Peel, Hon. Sec. Mr. J. Hunter, of 11 Argyle Road, Ealing, read the following paper on ' The Future of British Bee-keeping in a Commercial point of view, and how the Working Classes can be most successfully aided, and taught the Truths and Advantages of Modern Bee-culture :' — ' It is now six years since the British Bee-keepers' Association had its birth, and proclaimed its avowed objects for the " encouragement, improvement, and ad- vancement of bee-culture in the United Kingdom, par- ticularly as a means of bettering the condition of cot- tagers and the agricultural labouring classes, as well as advocacy of humanity to the industrious labourer — the Honey-bee." For the attainment of these desired ends I, in common with many gentlemen I see around me, have devoted much thought, money, and valuable time ; and my object in now inviting discussion is to briefly recapi- tulate what has been done, and to ventilate the question whether we have adopted the best means in our past power, and how we can improve in the future : for it is indisputable, however well a thing may be done, there is a possibility of doing better ; perfection, we may assume, is unattainable by erring man. When this Association commenced its task bee-keeping among the labouring and artisan classes was, we ma}' say, wholly confined to straw skeps and common box-hives, for the exceptions were so rare as to be practically inappreciable. Among educated bee-keepers also the straw skep was still in great force. Although the writings of the late Mr. Woodbury and May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 11 others had made known the advantages of frame-hives, their cost as a fancy article was too great, where motives of economy had to be considered, for their general adop- tion. Again, in a great many instances, although the best of hives might be in use, their owners, from want of ocular demonstration of the way of handling bees, seldom ventured to investigate the internal economy of the hive, and therefore, practically, the expensive frame-hive was no better than a common skep or box. I may be par- doned for citing my own case as an example of the diffi- culties of an enthusiastic bee-keeper, anxious to advance. . I commenced bee-keeping in 1861 with one stock in a skep and its swarm, which latter I put into a frame-hive costing me 26s. These soon increased by purchase to about forty, many of them in frame-hives made by my own hands. My text-book was the Journal of Horti- culture, to which Mr. Woodbury was then a constant contributor. By its lessons I soon became an adept in the art of driving, made many experiments, such as queen-raising, artificial swarms, &c, which very often were failures. From stings, although not daunted, I suffered fearfully, and at the end of six years a virulent attack of what I now know to be foul-brood left me bee- less and a legacy of infected hives, which troubled me many years after. During all these years I never met with any one to whom I could personally explain my troubles, and be sure of getting sound, practical, expe- rienced advice. I feel that a few hours spent in the company of one of the many practical bee-keepers I now have the honour of acquaintance with would have saved me years of trouble, much money, and more vexation. Hooks are valuable aids to all studies — we could not do without them ; but it has been no uncommon occurrence, after having shown and explained to a visitor all the working of my apiary, for my guest to exclaim, " You have taught me more in one hour than I could have learnt from books in a year." This little personal digression will, I believe, exemplify the greatest require- ment to advancement of apiarian knowledge, which I will call "practical demonstration;" and to fulfil this need a great step was taken at the first Crystal Palace Show, not only by the manipulations, but in the oppor- tunity given for lovers of the bee to meet together, gossip, handle, criticise, and examine all hives and ap- pliances, and demand and give explanations of the various exhibits. ' By " practical demonstration " I do not merely mean the manipulatory exhibition with live bees we have had at all our shows, but all other processes of management. AVith our driving we have descended to too much of the showman, only defensible on the same ground that the liquor and opium duties are — that it brings cash to the exchequer. More practical work was done at the first Show than of late years : the Extractor was in greater use ; the feeding-bottle explained, and to be seen at work ; fully-stocked hives were handled and shown, the examin- ation and view of which sent away the real bee-keeper full of ambition to go and do likewise. The driving at first was a great attraction, not only to the general public, but to the rustic bee-keeper of many years' stand- ing ; but the process, thanks to our exertions, has be- come well known, and our appreciative audience now, at our metropolitan Shows at least, is mainly confined to non-bee-keepers, who are surprised, and wonder at the " performing bees " and their showman. Practical de- monstration should include many more things than we have seen at our great Shows. There are difficulties, I know, but difficidties, grasped, disappear, not all at once, perhaps, but one at a time ; and so that we make pro- gress, never mind the speed. On the art of (hiving depends the saving or destruction of the bees in autumn. The lesson we have given herein has taken root, and in time will flourish vigorously. In a few years the cot- tager will have learnt that if he does not want his bees himself thev are a marketable commodity. Last autumn I saw several advertisements for driven bees, and I find their price is rising; and every bee-keeper who learns our lesson in driving returns home a wiser man and a more qualified teacher to his neighbour. ' One principal desideratum of the Annual Shows has been to demonstrate how a frame-hive within the means of the cottager can be made ; for in this mainly depends whether or not the frame-hive shall become as common as, or take the place of, the skep. It is not that a bee- keeper prefers the straw skep, but that it is cheaper. I venture to assume that, allowing a straw skep and its stand cost 2s., if the labourer was offered a frame-hive equally complete for Is., he would choose the latter, the cost being the thing principally standing in the way of its adoption ; and unless this can be at least equalised, or it can clearly be shown and brought home to the man's understanding that the profit is necessarily greater from the frame-hive, there is no chance for a general reform in that direction. The first of these contingencies, I fear, cannot be realised, but it remains to be seen how near we can attain to the desired end ; and probably it will be thought we have already discovered this by the results of the competitions at our Shows for " the best and cheapest frame-hive for cottagers' use," &c. But I much fear the object of many exhibitois has been not to sell the hives, but to win the prize ; and the desired hive is not within reach of the cottager, and I doubt, if ever made by paid labour, it can be bought cheap enough to supplant the skep. It may be useful to compare English hives with American as to their relative cost. I find that the prize hive at the South Kensington Show, 1879, cost 10s., no reduction being offered by the dozen or hundred, or in the flat not put together. In America many are sold in this latter state, as I believe they are in this country by some hive-makers. From catalogues now before me I see Mr. Boot, of Medina, Ohio, supplies his ten-frame Simplicity hive (frames 17f inches by 9§ inches) complete, with cover-bottom, frames, and mat, for 97| cents (3s. llirf.), 10 cents (5d.) being charged extra if painted. This hive has no facilities for supering, these being given generally by another hive, exactly similar, filled with sections, and used as an upper story, making the whole cost about double. The hive that most accords with our ideas of what is wanted here is that which Mr. Boot calls his Story-and-a-half hive. The lower portion is as above, and a shallow ridge-roof upper story, containing twenty-seven section-boxes in position for filling, this costs 4s. 7d., and is a much cheaper article than any produced here. When these goods are taken by the hundred in the flat a reduction of about twenty per cent is made. This difference in price is not the only consideration, the carriage of hives, made up with the necessary crate for protection, being an ap- preciable item in their cost- A glance at any American trade catalogue will, I think, satisfy most people that manufactured goods, with few exceptions, are more costly there than here, and I know not why hives should be one of these exceptions ; but I rather think it is the quantity manufactured that, in a great degree, rules the cost, if this is the case it may yet become worth while for some of our English hive-makers to vend their goods at a much lower, yet remunerative, price than at present ; and the Association would do good service if they can find it in their power to organize some means by which cottagers may get the shaped material at lowest prime cost, and access to a pattern hive by which to build their own. For what we may term the aristocracy of bee- keepers, I affirm the Association has done enough and to spare, and its money may be applied to better use than again offered as a premium for the designing of hives with all the intricate, complicated, and expensive ap- pliances that can never be of any use to the cottager we hope to benefit, but, on the contrary, alarms him as a possible cost should he adopt our notions. ' Straw skeps do not give the necessary facilities for a 3 12 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. raising honey-comb in a nice form, and it is only by the adoption of frame-hives that we can acquire the means. ' The future of British bee-keeping, in a commercial point of view, mainly depends on the ability of the bee- keeper here to compete with the American ; for there is no denying the fact that the market for first-class honey- comb at prices ruling of late years is lost, and at lower prices is now in the hands of others. Our consolation is that America has the dead-weight against her of freight and packing as a set-off against her longer summers ; and I believe it is not j'et too late for our countrymen to hold their own against all comers if they will accept the lesson offered, and learn to market their honey in the same attractive form that we see filling our grocers' shops. To teach how to do this must now be the aim of the British Bee-keepers' Association and the various county associations. At the Shows the cottager sees full sections which he must admire, and perhaps empty sections are also there, but nothing to tell him how they get filled — he cannot understand them. If I presented him with a hundred they would be useless, he would not at all comprehend how to use them. I believe my Manual of Bee-keeping is at present the only English book that treats of them, and probably he has never seen or heard of that ; therefore what is the use of telling him he must get up his honey in a style that is out of his power? The remedy for this is to make a prominent feature at the shows the exhibition of sectional supers in abundance, supers filled and supers empty, on the hives as well as off them ; let the learner handle the empty ones and see how they are placed for the bees to fill, let him, if possible, see the bees filling them, and I venture to assert that five minutes' sight of such in actual position partly filled, will more impress the lesson on a working man than talking to him or reading for a week. We, the members of the Association, are banded together for a good purpose, to teach and be taught ; while we do not fail to learn all we can, let our efforts be equally exerted to teach ; and I would suggest that every one who is able should keep a show-hive in as complete a state as possible, to which he should invite the attention of all neighbouring bee-keepers, more especially at any specially appropriate times, such as when bees are actively storing their honey. Also let every scientific bee-keeper have minor exhibitions of his own, inviting all comers to see, perhaps, his filling supers, perhaps artificial swarm- ing, at another time the autumnal deprivation of honey, driving, uniting, &c. A brief notice in a local paper will generally draw together an appreciative group of bee- keepers. Pupils will be made in more classes than one, who will all tend to spread the good work. ' The introduction of comb-formation will prove of im- mense value to bee-keeping, but we can hardly expect cottagers to adopt it at once ; the first outlay is a bar to this, although it may afterwards be recouped, but I venture to say an intelligent man who has adopted and succeeded with frame hives will soon see the advantages of foundation. The exhibition of comb-fo.uiidation, and a plain explanation of its use, cost, and value, should, I think, never be omitted from an exhibition. ' The extractor, like the foundation, is also, I think, an article for secondary adoption ; the man must have learned to manage his hive and handle his bees before he can use it, and when he can do this he probably will discover a want which the extractor will supply. When practicable, the instrument should be shown in action. ' The cottager seeing the beautifully filled supers dis- played so abundantly in the grocers' windows, can no longer wonder that he cannot sell his honey, and to im- press upon him that if he will only take the lesson to heart and place his honey in an equally tempting form before (lie public, and that it is in his power to do so, it also will soon find buyers, must be the work of the Association. Without he fully comprehends this, his bee-keeping will not pay, and the work of the Asso- ciation will be in vain. The profitable use of frame- hives entails more trouble on the owner than the old slovenly use of skeps, giving of course better returns, and I think it will be found that as improved methods of bee-keeping become general, the idle and inattentive bee-keepers will be weeded out, for, in competition with the superior produce we hope will be sent to market, their harvest will, from its inferiority, be unremunerative, and their bee-keeping abandoned. While we give the place of honour to full, clean honey-comb, we must not neglect or forget liquid honey — the common form in which bee- keepers obtain it. We will not dilate on the wasteful, uncleanly manner of depriving the bees of their stores, but pass to the. supposition that a cottager has obtained say fifty pounds of honey, stored doubtless in an odd lot of old pickle jars, bottles, jugs, or anything but such clean, ne.:t glasses as should tempt a buyer. No facili- ties are offered for the purchase of a pound or two by a passing stranger. No show is made of the article to sell. The owner probably inquires of his neighbour, the chemist or grocer, if he wants any honey, and if the reply is in the negative, it remains in the cupboard, and the cry goes forth that it is no use raising honey, for we cannot sell it. Again I recommend a lesson from the Yankee. See the pretty neat glass jars, full of the sweet liquid they send over here. Our grocers find a ready sale for them, not because the honey is better than ours, but because it looks better. " Fine English Honey " will hold its own, even against the famed honey of Hymettus, provided it appeals to the eye as well as the taste. ; and although glasses are, costly, the increased value of con- tents will return the outlay. A bee-keeper who habitu- ally obtains honey for sale, will in most cases readily find a home market : customers coming to him for honey that they know to be pure, clean, and wholesome. But when the home market is not to be had, the g ocers of country towns will be found buyers, if, as I said be- fore, the honey is placed before them in a tempting form. ' To return to the queries at the opening of my paper, — ■ Whether to teach improved methods of bee-culture the Association has adopted the best means in the past, and how to improve in the future. I say if it has not done the best it has done well, and for the future it may do better, keeping more to the front other details of man- agement than driving', and more especially bringing pro- minently to notice the manner in which the Americans so far excel us in marketing their honey, and aiding our countrymen to follow in their steps. At my suggestion prizes will be offered at our next Annual Show for the exhibition of hives with supers in being filled with the bees ; and I have in this paper stated other points which I believe the Association could profitably adopt. Those gentlemen on the Acting Committee bring forward any- thing that strikes them as likely to be beneficial, but I do not lose sight, of the fact that we have many talented members who are not so placed, and whose ideas are probably of greater value than ours, which have but to be brought before the Committee to ensure adoption. The ends of my paper will be answered if in the dis- cussion I invite, some such valuable suggestions are brought to light.' Mr. Cowan wished to make one or two remarks upon the piper. The American hives could be made cheaper than the English hives, because the wood in that country cost less than half what it did here. As to cottagers, the wrong mode had been adopted with the viewr of teaching them bee-keeping. A great many sensational writers had said there was an immense profit to be made out of bee-keeping. This, however, was the same as other businesses : it was necessary to spend a certain amount of capital before the profit could be obtained, and this the cottagers could not do. To give a cottager a bar- frame hive and tell him to stock it with bees was about the most harmful thing they could do ; and as to the May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 13 profits, they would find, by taking the bad years with the good and striking a balance, the profits of bee-keeping would come to about the same as in other things. Bee- keeping could not be made to pay unless it was properly carried out. Moreover, instead of telling bee-keepers to use bar-frame hives, they must begin with the A, B, C, and teach them the science of bee-culture. It was quite true that everyone could keep bees, but it was not true that everyone could be a bee-master. So the cottager who is willing to learn, and go in for the science of bee- keeping as well as the practical part of it, would be likely to succeed. As to commercial bee-keeping, that was a thing of the future. Here, in England, they were princi- pally amateur bee-keepers, there being, he thought, only one or two at present who go into it in a wholesale manner : they would have to pick up a great deal from the Americans if they were to go in for commercial bee- keeping. No doubt it would pay if sufficient time were ■devoted to it, but not only a small portion of one's leisure was given to the subject. The Rev. F. G. Jenyns said he lived among cottagers, and knew they were quite able and willing to learn. There was only one suggestion he should like to make, and that was with respect to the hives. It was a very difficult thing for a labouring man to obtain a good hive. It meant an investment of capital which he was either unwilling or unable to make, and, therefore, every en- couragement should be given to him to make his own hive. He had seen very good home-made hives, and at the country shows he should like to see prizes offered for hives made by bona fide labourers out of old boxes or anything of the kind they could get. Capt. Campbell, R.N., said the future of bee-keeping by cottagers was, in his opinion, a very important point. lie had been rather censured by his learned bee-keeping masters for recommending cottagers to commence with straw-skeps ; but the price of bar-frame hives was such that cottagers could not adopt them at present. He quite agreed that it would be desirable to induce the labouring classes to make their own hives. In his neighbourhood they had held a local inquiry on the subject, and one of the committee exhibited a hive that he had made him- self for 2s. Of course this gentleman had a circular saw and a lathe that cost 60/. At the same time the exhibition of the hive had been useful, and in this way he thought cottagers might be taught how to make their own hives. He still held that it was best for bee- lecturers to encourage the cottagers to begin with the skep. He would get plenty of stings and lots of trouble, and would then, con amore, go in for bar-frame hives. In Guildford they had a very industrious man who was presented with a frame-hive stocked with bees ; but the poor bees came to grief, and there was the empty hive, the man not knowing what to do with it. If this man had commenced with a straw-skep lie would probably have been better able to manage the bees in a frame-hive. He did not think the English had much to fear fiom the American competition, for he had purchased a 2 lb. sec- tional super, but nobody in his household would touch it. Mr. .1. P. Jackson thought that in future honey sent from America would be slung honey. With reference to slinging hone)7 for cottagers, the Surrey Association was about to establish bee-clubs, and when once this was adopted there would be no difficulty, each centre having a slinger, members coidd have honey slung for (hem, either at their own homes or at the depot, through the medium of the clubs. Mr. Peel was pleased to inform the meeting that a prize was to he offered for the best hive made by a bond fide cottager. But it was almost as difficult to define a bond fide cottager as a bond fide traveller. I le thought a cottager was a man whose income did not exceed 30a. a-week, and who did not live in a house rented at more than 10/. a-year. As to cottagers commencing with straw skeps, lie quite endorsed the opinion of Capt. Camp- bell, for it would not be wise to at once take cottagers to a point that had only been reached by themselves after great difficulty and perseverance. The hives of Mr. Neighbour which were exhibited at the last Kensington show, were, in his opinion, admirable for cottagers' use; and they only cost 5s. each. They were a round straw hive with a fiat top. having holes in it, into which bees could ascend and work in supers. There was also an admirable wooden cover to protect it from the weather, and anyone who started with such a hive would attain to great knowledge of the hive and the customs of the bees. And this was a most essential point for a bee-keeper to acquire. In Hertfordshire they had adopted the system of having depots in all the principal towns in the county, at all of which there either was or shortly will be one of these hives placed so that all the bee-keepers in the neighbourhood might see it, and if they chose so to do, recommend it for the cottagers' use. They had hives of all other descriptions so that people could pick and choose as they might please. An extractor was also placed at these depots, and bee-keepers could have the use of it for extracting their honey, either at their own homes or at the depots. This plan was commenced last year and found to work very well. He agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Hunter as to aiming at a higher educa- tion in regard to the exhibition of bees at shows ; and for this purpose Mr. Baldwin was constructing a travelling moveable frame-hive, which he could take about with him, remove the frames, and show an audience the prin- ciples of construction. In the proposed tour through Ireland next autumn, whoever went must take one of these travelling moveable frame-hives with him in order to show the Irish people exactly what may be done in bee-keeping. He was very much struck with Mr. Hunter's suggestion, relative to meeting together for the interchange of ideas; and when recently in War- wickshire he met a very intelligent bee-keeper who told him that he should be most delighted to confer with others on the subject of bee-keeping. When a bee-keeper found himself in alliance with all the best bee-keepers of the present day, and, through them, with the writings of all bee-keepers of former days, who had been the pioneers of bee-culture, he then began to feel that he was pursuing a noble task which would elevate him and bring out the better part of his nature. He hoped they would all profit by the paper of Mr. Hunter, and endeavour to do what they could to bring cottagers to adopt a better system of bee-keeping so that they could compete with their American neighbours, and reap the advantage which their being on the spot ought to secure for them. He allowed the fact of British honey being superior to that of the Americans, and expressed hoj,e that if this year the sun condescends to show himself on occasions, British honey would be found more commonly on break- fast-tables, and that the Americans would be forced to consume more of their own honey themselves. Mr. Stevens was of opinion that the English manu- facturers should endeavour to reduce the price of their hives, and he was glad to hear the suggestion with the view of encouraging cottagers to make their own hives. Mr. Glennie said one way to teach cottagers how to make cheap hives was to tell them where to get boxes of suitable dimensions, such as were used for packing American lobsters, which contained in themselves the material for bar-frame hives. The Kev. F. G. Jenyns said if carpenters were included in the definition of cottagers, ordinary labourers would be discouraged. Mr. C. N. Abbott: That would be hard on the carpenters. Mr. Peel said the competition would include straw hives. Mr. Hunter, in reply, said he did not disapprove of bee-keeping being commenced in straw skeps, but he wanted to teach those who had had these skeps in use 14 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. the advantages of tar-frame hives. As to slinging honey, it was important not to disturb the hive, but to take the slinger to the hive. Some of the American honey was bad, but he had a section that seemed remarkably good. He quite agreed with the idea of cottagers making- their own hives, and the best box for the purpose was the Frederiehshal water box, which consisted of substantial wood, and plenty of nails ; this could be purchased foi- ls, or Is. m. The Swiss-milk box' was very good, and these could be obtained at 2s. 9d. per dozen. Cordial votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Hunter for his excellent paper, and to Dr. Beale for presiding, and the proceedings terminated. Suggested Conditions op Affiliation fob County Associations desiring to Co-opeiiate with the British Bee-keepers' Association. To be Dis- cussed at the next Quarterly Meeting of County Representatives. County Associations desirous of co-operating with the Central Society, and of being affiliated to it, shall accept the principles enunciated by the Central Society ; shall undertake to send a yearly report and an audited balance sheet; shall pay an annual subscription of one guinea. Privileges of Affiliation. — Every affiliated association shall have power to send two representatives to attend each quarterly meeting of the Central Association, and to make, through them, any suggestions or recommenda- tions for the mutual advancement of the relations be- tween the Central and Affiliated Associations. Shall be entitled to receive a copy of all papers and memoranda published by the Society, except those for which a charge is made. One copy of all publications for which a charge is made shall be supplied to Affiliated Societies at the same price as charged to members of Central Society. May obtain from the Central Society any information regard- ing the laws, regulations, and other matters connected with the advancement of bee-culture. Shall have the free use of the Bee Tent at their annual shows, on con- dition that it is accompanied by the Society's authorised expert, who will superintend its erection and removal. (The expert's fee of 10s. Qd. a-day and his travelling ex- penses, as well as the travelling expenses of the Tent to and from the exhibition, to be paid by the Affiliated Association.) Shall be entitled to all the proceeds accruing from the use of the Tent at their show. Shall be entitled to receive a Silver Medal, a. Bronze Medal, and a Certificate of the Association, to be offered as prizes for honey, more especially for the production of honey in the comb.* The members of affiliated associa- tions" shall be allowed to avail themselves of the faculties provided by the Central Association for the sale of honey in the London markets. General advantages to be derived from Affiliation. — 1st. The interchange with other districts of experience and information, e.g. on the advancement of bee-culture, on the practical measures for improving the methods of bee-keeping amongst the cottagers on the means of disposing of honey, on the best method of organizing district societies, and on other kindred subjects. 2nd. The improvement of bee-culture by concerted action. Suggestions to Affiliated Associations. — 1 . It is suggested that affiliated associations should adopt the same desig- nation as tin- Central Society (with the exception of the substitution of a County name for 'British'), and add the words, ' In connexion with the British Bee-keepers' Association.' 2. That affiliated associations should issue their reports and balance-sheets yearly, made up to 31st December. 3. The reports should be issued by the * Secretaries of affiliated associations are requested to furnish the Hon. Sec. of the Central Association with the names of the winners of medals and certificates, with a view to their being included in the Annual Report. 1st February in each year. 4. That in order to secure uniformity, the size should be ordinary 8vo., and that the length of line be similar to the report of the Central Association. 5. The sequence of subjects in the report should be as follows: — 1. List of committee and officers; . 2. Report; 3. Financial Statement; 4. List of Sub- scribers, printed so as to be separable from the body of the Report. It is requested that, to facilitate separation, the list of subscribers should in all cases be made to be°-in on a fresh leaf : not on the same leaf as the balance-sheet or other matter. 6. It is also suggested that the balance- sheet (specimens of which and of a title-page can be had of the Hon. Sec. of Central Society) should contain a note stating the gross amount of liabilities (if any) at the time of balancing the accounts. 7. That a certain number (say twenty-five) of copies of these reports be sent to the Central Society to he bound up with its Annual Report ; a bound copy of such reports to be sent to each affili- ated association. It is hoped that affiliated associations may he able to carry out the suggestions with regard to annual reports, so that the report may be uniform in style. It is, of course, essential that the reports should be uniform in size, otherwise they cannot be bound together. BEL VOIR CASTLE AND SPRING FLOWERS. Several leading apiarians, accompanied by the Rev. Herbert R. Peel, of Abbot's Hill, Hemel Hempstead. Hon. Sec. of the British Bee-keepers' Association, paid a visit to Belvoir on Thursday, the 15th ult., for the pur- pose of surveying the rich display of spring flowers, with a view to recommending their more general culture as bee forage. Wm. Ingram, Esq., of the Belvoir Castle Gardens, who takes a deep interest in the work of the Association, and who has on various occasions f jrwarded collections of spring flowers to the meetings, besides reading a paper before the Association, very kindly invited the members to Belvoir on this occasion ; the Lincolnshire Association was represented by H. Yates, Esq., of Grantham, and G. F. Barrett, Esq., of Spalding. Mr. Ingram met the party at the Denton Gate entrance, and accompanied them to 'Belvoir Inn,' where luncheon had been provided. They were then conducted to the gardens to enjoy a sight of the numerous beds, clothed with a mantle of sweet flowers of endless variety, such as can be seen at few places in the perfection attained at Belvoir. It was pleasing to notice the visitors, pocket-book in hand, taking down the names of the plants as the latter were fully described by Mr. Ingram — strongly reminding one of the busy bees themselves, whose welfare they so closely watch, so eager were they to gather, if not the honey, a full knowledge of the flowers best suited for the production of that com- modity, at a time when the delicious nectar is scarce. It would be well if all bee-keepers, who have a piece of ground at disposal, would give more attention to the cultivation of spring flowers ; if this were done, not only in many instances would an untidy corner be made to look pleasing, but the result would also be most pro- fitable to the enterprising apiarian. The party, having spent some three enjoyable hours with the urbane gardener, expressed themselves amply repaid for the long distances some of them had travelled — from the Metro- polis, Kent, Surrey, Herts, &c. — and they returned home rich in the knowledge of spring flowers, and delighted beyond measure at the great courtesy and kindness, as well as with the valuable information, they had received from Mr. Ingram, to whom all thanks are due for his successful endeavours to make the visit both interesting and profitable. The presence of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, President of the Association, was anticipated, but her ladyship being on a vi.-it in the south was prevented, as also was the Bishop Suffragan of Nottingham (Dr. Trollope), President of the Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Association, whose May 1, 1880.] THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. 15 absence was explained by the following letter, addressed to Mr. R. E. Godfrey, the Hon. Sec, from Gainsborough : 'Dear Sir, — I am now on my visitation tour, which absorbs all my days for the present, hence I much regret that I cannot be with you and our bee friends at Belvoir on Thursday next, which I beg you will express to them. I am, yours, very faithfully, E. Nottingham.' DEVON AND EXETER BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the members of this Association was held at the Museum on Monday, April 12, the right worshipful the Mayor (W. H. Ellis, Esq.) presiding. There were also present, the Rev. J. G. Dangar, Mrs. Hartley, Miss Pocock, Admiral Norman, Messrs. Cowan, R. J. Gray (Hon. Treasurer), W. N. Griffin (Hon. Sec), W. H. Gamlen, J. Harding, S. B. Fox, and W. Church. The report of the Committee was read by the honorary secretary, and its adoption moved by the right wor- shipful the Mayor of Exeter, and seconded by Mr. Gamlen, was carried unanimously w-ith applause. Votes of thanks were accorded to the President, Chairman, and retiring officers, to the Devon and Exeter Albert Memorial Museum's Committee for the use of the committee and meeting rooms, and to the Committee of the British Bee-keepers' Association for their help. The right worshipful the Mayor was elected President, and the Committee — the Rev. J. G. Dangar, Rev. J. Dickenson, Rev. P. Williams, Rev. E. Gregory, Rev. E. Neame, and Mr. S. Bevan Fox, — were unanimously elected for the ensuing year, and Mr. W. N. Griffin was re-appointed hon. sec. Under the auspices of this Association lectures on the ' Wonders of the Bee-hive ' were also delivered by Mr. F. R. Cheshire, A.C.P., F.S.A., at Tiverton, on Wednesday, 14th April, the Rev. E. T. Gregory, Vicar of Halberton, in the chair. — At Plymouth, on Thursday, loth April, A. J. Kerswell, Esq., President of the Mechanics' Institute in the chair. — At Torquay, on Friday, 16th April, E. Vivian, Esq., in the chair. — At each of the above places the Hon. Sec. W. N. Griffin, Esq., previous to the lecture, addressed the various meetings, pointing out the objects of the Association, alluded to the work carried out during the last year, and hoped that not only apiarians but others would be in- duced to help forward the work by adding their names to the list of members. Syllabus of the Lecture. — The life history of the bee- grub — the wondrous changes of the bee pupae — the eye ; its achromatism — singular discoveries of Dr. Hicks— the use of simple and supplementary eyes — the tongue ; its adaptation to flowers — the wings; why four in number, instead of two — breathing apparatus — the modi- fications of the legs for pollen gathering — what is wax ? — queens : their productiveness ; how produced — marvel- lous transformations brought about by feeding — romance of bee-life — swarming — modern inventions and dis- coveries, &c. All who heard Mr. Cheshire were highly pleased. DORSETSHIRE ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Committee of the above was held at Dorchester, March 23rd, for the purpose of auditing the accounts, appointing the officers, and discussing the pro- gramme of the Association for the coming year. The accounts were audited and the report ordered to be printed. The Honourable G. D. W. Digby, Esq^, M.P., was elected President in the place of the'Rev. G. W. Skene, who has left the county. Mr. W. II. Dunman, jun., was elected joint hon. sec. with Mr. Norton, and Mr. Coombs and Mr. Dibben were elected members of the committee in the place of Mr. Sly and Mr. Newman, deceased. It was decided, if possible, to hold two Shows this year — one at Weymouth and one at Sherborne, in connexion with the Horticultural Shows at those places ; also to apply for the British Bee-keepers' Association Tent. Mr. Cheshire gave a lecture on bees the same evening at Allington Hall, Dorchester, which was very well attended, especially by the labouring classes. — W. H. Dunman, Jun., Son. Sec. VILLAGE BEE CLUBS. At the Conversazione on the 14th ult., F. H. Lemare, Esq., of Guildford, Hon. Sec. of the Surrey Bee-keepers' Association, read the following, which he proposes as an- explanatory circular for the use of those intending to form Village Clubs in that county, and which, subject to alte- ration in names, might be helpful to others: — ' In affiliation with the Surrey Bee-keepers' Associa- tion. Village Bee Clubs for Surrey. Object. — To in- duce cottage bee-keepers to increase their stocks of bees, to take more care of them, and to lead them to adopt improved methods in bee-culture. Suggested rules. — That all members of a club should be members of the " Surrey Bee-keepers' Association." A club should elect its own secretary, who should be the medium between it and the parent association. That the members of a club should hold monthly meetings to learn from each other all that may have happened to their stocks from time to time, so gaining information from one another. Greater knowledge may then be arrived at, inducing improve- ments in their different ways of management. The. parent association will willingly give any information and assistance on application to the secretary. The Association propose from time to time giving short lectures, or holding conversation meetings with members of the clubs; also offering bar -frame hives on easy terms of payment. Showing the advantages of these hives over the common straw, ami with them the honey- slinger. A weekly subscription to meet expenses is suggested, the amount and plan of payment to be left to the club. It might provide for the purchase of hives, or any other thing connected with bee management. A market for the sale of honey is being arranged; but if preferred, the secretary of the Association is willing to purchase all honey a cottager may have, provided he himself may sling it from a bar-frame only, within six miles of Guildford ; but he cannot take honey from straw hives, except it is in sectional supers. Any cot- tager, or other member of the Association, willing to commence a club, shall receive all the aid the secretary can render. — F. H. Lemahe, Hon. Sec. S. B. R. A., Guildford, 1st March, 1880.' SIZE OF JOURXAL. We have received the following letters in reply to our desire for an expression on the part of our subscribers as to the advisability of a change in the size of the Journal, and the following are a few of of the many with which we have been favoured : — ' I notice you ask for suggestions as to altering the form of the British Bee Journal. Really I do not think you want any alteration whatever. The size, shape, and style of printing are, in my opinion, all that can be desired for neatness and elegance, and being pi inted on toned paper gives it altogether a finished appearance. Being a printer myself, I have always admired the neat and clear manner in which the printing has been done. I think if you alter the shape it wiD he decidedly a step in the wrong direction, and I should be very sorry to find it changed in any way from what it has been. — Samuel Simmins, Crawley, April 15th.' ' I cannot agree with Mr. Carr to reduce the size of the 16 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. pages of the British Bee Journal, for the reason that I, and no doubt many others, have had the first six volumes bound up, and for the future to he" dwarf " would have an odd, if not mean, appearance, so much so that I should not be " oddity " enough to go to any further expense to have them bound. But I am only one individual; neverthe- less, I don't like things altered without very good and sufficient reasons. — S. F. Clutten, Pressing field, Norfolk , April IQth.' J J ' Find a Post-office Order for 6s. for next volume of Bee Journal (the last for me if you alter the size), and Is. for the cover for volume now ended. My advice is, that you should permanently give us four pages more and a few more woodcuts. I think then you will please every one of your subscribers. — Chas. H. Edwards, 29 Oakley Square, April 9th.' ' You request subscribers to give their opinion on the proposed alteration of size of the Journal. It seems to me a pity to make any change. It is very convenient as it is, and it spoils the uniformity of the set when you have the volumes bound from their commencement. — A Lady Subscriber, Stockton-on-Tees, April 6th.' ' I see you ask your subscribers' opinion on the size of the British Bee Journal. For my own part, I care little about the size, so long as it contains such valuable in- formation as preceding numbers have done, although if smaller and thicker it would be more in book form wien bound.— A. W. C, Micldleham , April 9th.' ' I stated in a former letter (I think it was of date 23rd Feb.) that my subscription would be renewed in due time ; but on receiving the British Bee Journal to- day I concluded to withdraw that statement. The size and form of the British Bee Journal are, in mv opinion, all that can be desired, and two volumes will make a nice and handy book, very cheap, because the matter is very good. Should you see fit to continue the size of the page and the form, I will renew for the volume ; if not, I will not require vol. 8. — John Hume, Cherrytrees, Dumfries, April 3rd.' 'I should be sorry to have the size of the Journal changed, even if I preferred the smaller size, which I do not. Let all be same-sized volumes from commence- ment.— C. E. F., Maidstone, April 8th.' ' Respecting proposed alteration of form of Journal, I think any change would be a mistake. In its present form it is readable and convenient, and for binding it is suitable for yearly volumes or several in one. If smaller, say like Macmillans Magazine or the Comhill, the double column would be too narrow, especially for small illus- trations; and if the whole width was used there would often be loss of space: while if the printed matter was in one column, with your numerous small paragraphs there would also be great loss of space. And while there are these and perhaps other objections, "I cannot see any ad- vantage to be gained by the change.— J. B., Falloirfield, Manchester.' In the face of these opinions, and without one other in favour of the proposed change, we feel encouraged to continue in the old course. — Ed. SALICYLIC ACID. {From the ' Journal of Horticulture.') Having determined to add salicylic acid in a diluted form to the syrup with which I am feeding my bees, I collected the various recipes and placed them in the hands of my friend and colleague, Mr. .1. E. Legg, who has charge of our chemical laboratory, requesting Trim to pre- pare the salicylic solution. Finding considerable dis- crepancies between the amounts of the acid recommended by its various friends he has been good enough to draw up a paper with details, and I venture to forward it to you for publication. — E. Bartrum, King Edward VI.'s School, Berkhampstead, Herts. The preparation recommended by Herr Hilbert, the German bee-keeper, is a 10 per cent solution of the acid in pure spirits. He tells us to add one drop of this solu- tion to a grain of water and use the mixture. A prepar- ation suggested as an improvement on this by Mr. Muth consists of a solution containing rather less than 2 per cent acid and 2 per cent borax in water. Both these solutions appear to be used merely for disinfectant pur- poses.— Cook's Manual, p. 261. Two formulae are given for the preparation of food in the Journal of Horticulture, October 2nd, 1879, and in the British Bee Journal, December 1st, 1879, p. 169, the recipe of Mr. Cowan is given. It is a solution in water containing If per cent acid, and lj per cent borax. One ounce of this is directed to be added to certain quan- tities of sugar, &c, and would form a mass containing ■00477 per cent acid. In the Journal of Horticulture (February 19, 1880, p. 1-50) Mr. J. M. Hooker recommends the use of a patent solution ' sold in pint bottles containing the equivalent to five ounces of acid,' that is, a solution of 25 per cent acid, lie directs one half-ounce of this to be used instead of one ounce of Mr. Cowan's solution, so that one would obtain a food mass containing '0477 per cent acid, or exactly ten times as much acid as Mr. Cowan recom- mends. In the same Journal, October 9th, 1879, Mr. F. Cheshire recommends a food mass containing nearly four times as much as that recommended by Mr. Cowan — i.e. 30 grains to a 14 lbs. mass of food instead of 8 grains. It is obvious, therefore, that apiarists are b)T no means agreed as to the exact pi'oportions of acid to be adminis- tered to bees in their food for the cure of foul brood, and inasmuch as their observations are based on different strengths of acid, their results do not admit of compari- son. If, however, some definite solution were adopted as a standard, and the amount of it varied in food, say 10 lbs. sugar, we should then soon arrive at an experimental and therefore sound knowledge of the proportions of acid best suited to the end in view, instead of, as at present, finding one author recommending ten times the amount suggested by another. I would venture to suggest as the standard solution a 5 per cent solution of acid in water containing also 5 per cent borax, prepared by dis- solving one ounce of borax and one ounce of acid in a pint of water. The addition of one ounce of this solution to a food mass containing 10 lbs. of sugar, would give a mass with 0'01 per cent of acid. — J. E. Legg, B.A. [' In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom,' but it is not always easy to pick it out. The recipe given by Mr. Cowan works well, and has the rare merit that it provides the unscientific with a mixture that can be used at once for disinfecting by painting or spray- ing, or may be bottled and kept to be added to the liquid, food to be given to the bees for medicinal purposes as occasion may require. Divested of all technicalities, simple as A B C, it directs that an ounce of salicylic acid and an ounce of borax shall be dissolved in two quarts of water ; it is then ' the Cowan salicylic solution,' thoroughly tested, and invaluable as a disinfec- tant for painting hives, frames, and floor-boards, and for spraying diseased combs. If it be necessary to give it to bees medicinally, an ounce of the solution should be stirred into each gallon of syrup and it will be ready for use, but as amateurs do not all make syrup by the gallon, we would observe that a teaspoonful of the solution mixed with a pint of syrup would make the same chemical strength. For the convenience of those who have diffi- culty in procuring the acid or borax, we offer to send an ounce packet containing equal parts of each to any' ad- dress, post free, for a shilling. Our acid is delivered to us in sealed boxes, labelled, Acid Salicylic, crystals chemi- May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 17 cally pure after Kolbe's Patent, manufactured by Dr. F. V. Heyden, Dresden, Patent No. 595, 1874. E. Schering Berlin," License of Patent ; and our borax is also guaranteed pure. We mix a pound of each, and when thoroughly incorporated send it to those who want it. Mr. Bartrum and Mr. Legg have rendered good service in bringing this matter so tersely before the bee-keeping world, and deserve a hearty vote of thanks, as does also Mr. Cowan for his simple recipe. — Ed. B.B.J.] Aug. Aug. Aug. THE FARMER'S SOLILOQUY. To Bee or not to Bee, — that is the question — Whether 'tis nobler in the main to suffer The Stings and (Hlarrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against overwhelming troubles, And by bee-keeping end them ? The bees to keep, Far more ; and by our bees assuage or end The heartache and the cumulative shocks That farming's heir to, — 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. The bees to keep, To keep, and wealth achieve — ay, there's the rub ! Shakespeabe, with variations. BEE TENT ENGAGEMENTS. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. June 30. — Farningham Rose Show. July 1. — Tiverton Horticultural Show. July 12-16.— Royal Agricultural Show at Carlisle. July 21. — Southborough Flower Show. July 27-August 2. — Kensington Show. Aug. 11, 12. — Surrey County Show. Aug. 18, 19. — Shropshire County Show. Aug. 24. — Long Buckhy Horticultural Show. Sept. 3. — Devon and Exeter County Show. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION. July 7. — Herts Agricultural Show at Hatfield. Aug. 5. — Frogmore Cottage Garden Show. Aug. 27. — Much Hadham Cottage Garden Show. Sept. 2. — Harpenden Horticultural Show. Sept. 8, 9. — Hertfordshire County Bee-keepers' Show. TOUR IN IRELAND. Aug. 10. — Royal Agricultural Show in Clonmel. Aug. — Maryborough County Agricultural Show. ( Date not fixed.) Sept. 3. — Newtownhards Flower Show. Near Belfast. Sept. — Royal Horticultural Show at Dublin. First week in September. BEE AND HONEY SHOWS FIXED FOR 1880. July 1. — Tiverton. Devon and Exeter. July 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and August 2.— South Ken- sington. British Bee-keepers'. July 27, 28, 29, and 30. — Caledonian Apiarian and Entomological Society's Show at Highland and Agricul- tural Society's Meeting, Kelso. Aug. 5. — West Kent. 11, 12. — Surrey County. 18, 19.— Shropshire County. 25. — East Scotland. Arbroath. Sept. 2. — Exeter. Devon and Exeter. Sept. 3. — Central Training College. Exeter. Sept. 8, 9.— Herts County, at St. Albans. Sept. 9. 10.— Herts County. Cflrresponuciue. %* These columns are open to Subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences, may be fully and faithfully recorded ; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of the relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, that the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therefore, nmst not be ex- pected to coincide with all the views expressed by the various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to tlxe Editor. APIARIAN LIBRARY. In last month's Journal I notice a slip of the pen or a misprint which, if not pointed out, may cause some misapprehension. In your reference on p. 239 to the Apiarian Library the British Bee-keepers' Association is forming, an appeal to the members for donations for books is mentioned. Any subscription that we may receive towards the Library Fund will be most welcome, but it is donations of books that we solicit. Any books or pamphlets, ancient or modern, in good or bad condition, will be most acceptable, and may be sent either to the Rev. H. R. Peel or to myself. Every accommodation has been afforded us by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ; and if our members will only take the matter up warmly, we shall soon be in possession of a library worthy of our Association and our cause. I trust each reader of the Journal will send us one book at least. All contributions will be duly acknowledged. — J. P. Jackson. Brigadier Hill, Enfield, April 20, 1880. FLORAL AND BEE GOLD. These are distinct from each other. The sample in which Mr. Hunter could find no trace of gold was precipitated gold, and should have been cupelled. Floral gold was never submitted by me to the assayers, and the flower from which I obtained it shall in due season be forwarded to you. I should indeed have beln the vainest of men had I asserted that bees' wax was rich in gold without submitting samples to three independent assayers. I have asked them by_ this post to repeat their assay. Meanwhile, I am showing a firm of refiners of pre- cious metals how to extract it from the wax, which last will be found after all to be only ' pitch.' — James Bruce, 8th April, 1880. [This came with a request that it might be forwarded to Mr. Hunter, who writes, ' Had gold been present in any form in the sample I had, it must have been revealed.' Mr. Biuce must send us full corroborative evidence of the alleged discovery if he wishes further notice of in it these columns. — Ed.] ARE BEES A NUISANCE? Referring to the paragraph in this month's B. B. J. it is a nuisance if life be made uncomfortable by the apprehension of danger, and I take it that the distance between the hives and the gentleman's garden in question renders it quite possible for the 18 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. bees belonging to them to sting him ; in which case it would not be necessary for him to prove that it was one of them that actually did so. As far as I know there are no precedents to go upon, but I am of opinion that the complainant has a prima facie ground of action. — R. W. Partridge, 10 Coningham Road, Uxbrklge Road, April 7, 1880. INTRODUCING QUEENS. From one cause or another I have lost four stocks since last September, but the eight I have left appear very healthy and in good condition, which, I am pleased to say, include the three stocks headed by the Ligurian queens I had from you in the autumn, and which are now rapidly increasing in population, the young bees being very finely marked. I mean the colouring is good, for I find that this often varies considerably in the progeny of different queens, although pure breed and imported. I have in- troduced alien queens to stocks in the autumn nearly every year since 1872 and never use cages. I will not say that I have been entirely without a failure, but I find that those who use cages are not uni- versally successful, and I do not think any failure I have had would have been avoided if a cage had been used. I rely on the assertion of Huber that the bees will accept a new sovereign if twenty or twenty-four hours are allowed to elapse after re- moving the old one before she is introduced. I therefore remove the old queen, and on the evening of the next day following her removal I place a bell- glass on the centre of the crown of the hive, having first driven the bees down with a little smoke, and having smeared the alien queen with a little honey or syrup, I place her under the glass, and the bees soon come up and receive her with a loud hum of joy ; in fact, they seem as if they would go mad. I then cover them up for the night, and remove the glass at a future time. As I do my Ligurianiziug in September, the rejection of the alien queen un- noticed by me could not fail to betray itself in the spring, as it would be too late in the season for the bees to raise another fertile quee^ I was much interested in Mr. Raynor's paper, published in the February number of the Journal, which, amongst other interesting matter, alludes to the subject of introducing alien queens, for I have often thought the operation is made more complex than it need be. — John Enock, Sibford, near Banbury. BEE-FLORA. I intend giving myself the pleasure of a visit to your establishment first opportunity, as I see it is free to subscribers to B. B. Journal, and will bring some seedlings of a curious plant, which blows early in February and continues in bloom until after crocuses have started. I have never been able to find out name of same, although I have asked several gar- deners. It is earlier and hardier than any of the other early flowers now grown for first crop of bee fodder ; and as I consider that natural pollen is inure inducive to bees than artificial (although your recommendations on this point are excellent), I think if more extensively grown it would prove a great help to early stimulative feeding. I have seen it come into bloom as the Clmstnias rose was fading. — Jas. Janes, Jun., Cowley's Road, Uxbridge. SEPARATORS FOR SECTIONS. In the matter of separators (page 236, vol. vii.) : Are they necessary? and if so, what is the objection to strips of thin glass 1 Surely it would come cheap enough, can be easily cleaned, and as long as un- broken could be used over and over again. I have a plan in use (which answers admirably, and as I have not seen it elsewhere, I suppose it is new, although it may not be so) for securing a set of sections perfectly and yet easily detachable in a mo- ment, viz. a piece of tin about 1-J- inches broad, and about \ inch longer than the number of sections to be fastened together, the extra length at either end is turned round a pair of round-end pliers, which then clips the sections. Two pieces of tin are re- quired for each set of sections. — W. Walker, Jun., North Devon. PAPER FELT. I am pleased to see in your Journal paper felt mentioned as a good protection for hives. I can confirm the remarks of Mr. Godfrey, for most of my hives were completely covered witli this in November, and during the severe frosts and snow-storms I am pleased to say my hives have escaped destruction, they are now in a very healthy state. The felt keeps them warm and dry. I think it is of great value to bee-keepers, and so cheap, too, costing only about 20s. per cwt. It can be taken off in the spring, and a fresh lot put on in the autumn, with a very small cost, when preparing the hives for the winter. — H. Warren, Woolmer Forest Apiary, Liphook, Hants. ANTS IN HIVES. It is generally understood that preventing is better than curing; to follow the above I have hit upon a plan to prevent the ants, earwigs, &c, from crawling into bee-hives, and I hope it will be bene- ficial to many bee-keepers, who like to try it. Take four stout nails, 2-| or 3 in. long, and put them into the legs of the stands endways, so that they project about li or 2 in. ; take four garden-pot saucers, fill them with water, and place the stand in them, and no vermin will be able to crawl up the legs into the hive, and the nails will keep the ends of the legs out of the water. — A. Neubert, Reigate. [The above will answer well as regards wingless ants ; but earwigs can Hy, and cannot be so easily kept from the hive. — Ed.] May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 19 WINTER BREEDING.— GREAT MORTALITY OF YOUNG BEES. As all ideas pertaining to bee -culture are of value, I venture to give you an item of last winter's experience. First I wintered my bees by casing the hives in outer boxes and the intervening space filled up with saw-dust, and about two inches over the top ; then a f\ shaped roof. Sawdust is an excellent non - conductor of heat, and useful to keep out the cold. As an illustration of what I wish to convey, I will confine my remarks to two stock-hives from out of others, all treated with saw- dust packing. No. 1. The best hive in my apiary was, in Oct. 1879, requeened with an Italian from Messrs. Abbott, and at the time little or no brood was in the hive ; plenty of pollen and sealed honey- comb (i.e., sugar syrup), all the honey having been extracted in September. The queen, a very fine one, must have at once commenced to deposit eggs, for in due time young Italians began to appear, and at such a rate did they hatch out that before Christmas the Ligurians were at the entrance six to one. At that time some correspondence was going on in the Journal about winter breeding and feeding with artificial pollen (pea-meal), various views being tendered. During the snow storms I was greatly surprised to see, in front of the hive, and for the space of two or three yards, several young Italian bees. This at first looked strange, as the accepted theory is that it is the young bees that survive the winter ; by-and-by they became so numerous that I began to be seriously alaimed for the healthiness and safety of my hive, and determined at all hazards to make an examination as soon as possible. The opportunity came ; and with a warm fit of sunshine, when all were out for a flight, I took off the covers, and out with the frames. Everything appeared all right, not a sign of foul brood or any fault whatever. There was plenty of stores and young brood in all stages of development inside of the hive. There was abundance of black bees, and plenty of young Italians. I closed up the hive, hoping for an im- provement, and awaited events. Another severe snow-storm came, and just as before the ground was strewed with yellow-jackets, not a dead black to be seen. The entrances of all the hives were shaded from the light. Another fit of sunshine and warmth and bees were out for a flight, and I took the opportunity to again examine this hive. Things were just as before, breeding going on vigo- rously. Knowing the combs which contained polleu by marking them in the autumn, I took them out as well as some sealed combs, and supplied empty combs ; breeding ceased immediately, and soon also the mortality. Seeing in the pages of the Journal some of the ideas of giving jjolleu, I just gave them a little. By the way, 1 may mention how I fed my bees up, and then you will under- stand how I give my pea-meal. My hives are your Standard, and on the top another empty hive ; a small hole through the quilt, not over an inch in diameter, serves for ventilation, and for the bees to come up. Inside of this empty hive is an ordinary dripping-pan, 9 in. by G. This holds the syrup with a few pieces of comb on top as floats. Bees come and take it down as fast as it is judicious to give it to them. Also the pea-meal is just put away in front of the tin pan ; at once they find the meal, and either avoid or take it as they wish. They took it with avidity, and breeding recom- menced, and a month after also the mortality. I only let them have three days at the meal, and then took it away. Stock No. 2. A fine stock in October. In fact those- two stocks were chosen as equals, and set apart to try the pure Ligurians and blacks together. Well, the blacks were nearly torpid all winter, and are now going to work in proper style : breeding freely, and altogether a strong stock. In contrast the Italian is very weak ; scarcely au Italian to be seen. No breeding going on, and I, a few days ago, contracted their hive to five frames, and the black stock is in twelve frames. Now the problem is, do young bees require a cleansing flight, and thus perish with cold, for you see on the flight-board the Italians were six to one, and all the old black bees remaining inside '? Or is sugar-syrup improper to raise brood upon 'I I incline to the former opinion, as the No. 2 stock was fed upon the same as No. 1, and it is in a first- class healthy condition. And as a further sujjport of this supposition, after the mortality ceased a little artificial pollen recommenced the evil. So that I have no doubt nature is the best adviser, and that a slack season is the best in winter for both man, and beast, and insect. Hoping for a successful year in bee-culture. — W. Crisp, Chester le Street, April 12, 1880. [The youth of the queen, the excitement of the journey, being joined to a stroDg stock after being used to a nu- cleus, and the feeding-, doubtless excited the breeding pro- pensity at an unseasonable date. Young bees are the nurse-bees, and the preparation of bee-pap in their stomachs rendered cleansing flight occasionally necessary, and to this much of the mischief is probably due. There must have been great moitality amongst the blacks in the hive in question at some time in the autumn, or where are they? Probably the young blacks died of exertion in providing for the early broods of Ligurians, as the latter did in nursing those which came after. — Ed.] DEAD BEES AT ENTRANCES. For some time, now and then, we have noticed dead bees, many times from six to eight, at tin- en- trances to our hives, both boxes and straw-skeps : and the circumstance has been to us so inexplicable that I venture to ask what you deem to be the cause of it. We have five hives, and have noticed dead bees at the entrance of them all. And, not- withstanding the loss that has occurred in this way, we are still able to notice indications of considerable strength in all the hives, which iuduce hopes that they may survive the winter. I must mention that we gave them last autumn about 100 lbs. of sugar made into syrup, so that their dying cannot presumably be attributed to want of food. I hope you will be able to shed some explanatory light upon the matter. — J. R., Wigton. [The appearance of a few dead bees on the alighting- board is not necessarily an unhealthy sign, as amongst many bees some must die naturally every day. If the 20 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. weather permitted, the surviving bees would carry them away and drop them at a distance, and probably their death would not be suspected. During- the period of activity, bees in prosperous colonies are hatched into life at an average rate of about two thousand per day for several weeks successively ; and many such hives, not- withstanding the immense number of births, do not swarm, but spend their strength in breeding, building- comb, and storing honey and pollen, yet at the end of the season the great increase will have spent itself, and the hive will go into winter quarters in about the usual condition. In the meantime there will have been, per- haps, a quarter of a million bees that, having played their part, will have died and left no sign. What a pile they would have made had they accumulated about the entrance, the heap would have been as large as from ten to fifteen average swarms : it does not seem possible, but it is a fact! — Ed.] WAX-GUIDES FOR FRAMES.— FRAME-ENDS. —ENTRANCE-SCREEN.— EXTRACTOR. Last summer, if you remember, I showed you my wax-guide for cottagers, made by dipping string into melted wax. I have now greatly improved on that. I take pieces of paper, about the texture of stout cream-laid note, cut them the required size, and dip them rather quickly, but evenly, in melted wax, holding them until set, and then laying them on a flat, smooth board ; I have then a first-class wax-guide which will not easily break : one or two dippings may be necessary, according to the heat of the wax. The cooler the wax the thicker coating you will get. My frame-ends I now make like the enclosed drawing. I find them easier to make, and the frames fit better in the slinger. I also enclose sketch of a con- trivance, which if placed in front of the hive en- trance in autumn and winter, has the advan- tage of lessening rob- bing, preventing draught, and sunlight during cold weather. The bees find no difficulty in entering, and a robber has to pass clown the corridor, in which he will probably encounter many bees who strongly object to his company. The dotted lines show hive-entrance. E is the entrance to the corri- dor, a is the alighting- board. It is made of three pieces of thin wood — 2, 1^ in. x 4in., and 1, li-in. square for one end. It may be fixed by two pins, or by putting a stone on the top. A good way to fasten foundation so as to pre- , vent its falling, is to cut the frame through at the top, and then made a groove at the top to run the wax along. The dotted line is the foundation. It rather weakens the middle of the frame, but the wax- sheet cannot drop. Thick packing-paper makes 7 \ r— 1 \ E / ~^~ good top layers of quilt. — H. Parson, The Firs, Guildford. [We are also favoured with a sketch of an Extractor, in which the combs are laid in a tin receiver, similar to that of our Little Wonder, and is made by gearing to revolve on a horizontal axis. This produces an irregular motion, and the pressure of the honey on the comb is uneven, so that it is not so commendable in principle as those in which the revolving shaft is perpendicular. — Ed.] DO BEES EAT POLLEN 1 I don't think they do ! Mine had none to eat during the winter, and such of them as are saved from foul brood are quite healthy. Neither will they eat artificial pollen given in the shape of flour in a sugar-cake. The}7 eat the sugar — part of it, but the flour is found on the floor-board. So, as a matter of course, I take it for granted they don't want it. I may also state that in two hives I had a hatch of brood in October (from sugar-built combs), without any pollen. At the present date, none of my hives are breeding yet, and I fear young bees will be scarce this spring. Hives will require good attention to keep them alive. — A. Cockburn, Cairnie. SECTION FRAMES. The wide frames I alluded to as Mr. Cheshire's are described in Journal of Horticulture for Feb. 5th. The wide frames sent out by you are very well made, also the sections, hence with a little trouble they fit well ; but after bees have built comb and propolised heavily, it becomes a very difficult matter to take the sections out again quickly with the new tender comb and bees on, to put as supers proper over brood nest. The advantage of the section-frame is to get comb built in sections at the side of the brood-nest, to be afterwards put above, and hence it is a great object to arrive at easy and speedy removal of sections. Mr. Cheshire, there- fore, proposes the wide frame (if so it may be called) to hinge at bottom corner, and without top bar; Separators are thus easily arranged, and sections easily removed, and the weight of the sections, (fee, keeps the frame in its place. I have sawn through the top bar of the wide frames supplied by you, and think this will to a certain extent obviate the objection and have no other bad effect. — F. W.S., Chesterfield. [The above arrangement is a modification of the Wood- bury compound frame, designed by the late Mr. Woodbury, to permit the super bars, as then used, to be utilised in the stork hive, and vice versd -when clean combs were built upon them. It was found, however, that the weight of the frame's contents caused the knuckles of the frame, a, to give, and they became practically useless. A similar May 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 21 result will occur -with the present arrangement, unless the knuckle or hanging piece be lengthened so as to project on to the sections, an improvement practically carried into effect by the method our correspondent has adopted. Our ' section frames,' as at first arranged, were composed of sections only, and required to be cut to form separate sections; but they have been 'improved' to utilise and hold together the slight Yankee productions until they have become a nuisance and have caused an immense waste of ingenuity. — Ed.] CURE FOR BEE AND WASP STINGS. In looking over some old Exchange and Harts last week I came across the following : — ' It cannot be too generally known that the juice of a bruised onion is a remedy for bee-stings I have never known to fail. I once knew a person stimg in the throat by swallowing a wasp in beer, and chewing and swallowing a piece of an onion removed the dangerous swelling and pain.' — H. F., Reading. LIGURIAN BEES IN AUSTRALIA. Will brother readers kindly inform me through your Journal, whether any one ever sent Ligurian bees to Australia 1 if so, to whom, or to what part 1 If not, would it be practicable to forward some by the Torres Straits mail boats, with any chance of success'! — L. E. R., Alderley Edge. [We do not know of Ligurian bees having been sent to Australia ; certainly we have not sent any, nor do we know what would be the probable cost of sending them. — Ed.] FREAKS QFBEES. Can any of your readers throw any light on the following curious circumstances that occurred recently in connexion with one of my stocks ? — About the first week in March I found the bees in a good and healthy stock, with some amount of sealed brood. Later on I wras quite satisfied that young bees were matured. About the 10th of April, upon examining the hive, I found the bees in an excited state, and the brood-cells torn open, with the 'nymphs' exposed. The circumstances being a puzzle to me, I felt that I could only wait and watch events. I therefore a few days later examined the hive, and found that breeding was entirely suspended, although I distinctly saw the queen, who was apparently in a healthy condition. On the 17th April the queen issued with about two-thirds of the number of bees. They were duly hived, but forsak- ing their new abode, chose an empty hive, and have since conducted themselves in an ordinary manner. It' is now six days since they swarmed (?) ; but there are no signs of breeding on their part, or on that of the stock-hive whence they issued. I have therefore de- prived another stock of one comb containing brood in different stages to-day, and given it to the latter in the hope that they may be able to raise a queen. I would state that they are thoroughly supplied with food, but until recently pollen has been very scarce. I would also say that there are no drones in the apiary. There has been great mortality among the cottagers' hives, and unless it were for the introduction of the improved system the precious little workers would have been nigh extinct. The plum blossom is now simply magnificent, and it is very sad to think such a splendid opportunity can be only partly used. — J. Gabhatt, Hockendon, St. Mary's Cray, April 23, 1880. (Btym front % Hibes. Nottingham, March 29, 1880.— 'March has up to this dav been a splendid month here. We have bright warm sunshine every day, though the nights are still chilly. March 4th was the first day our bees were noticed hearing pollen, and since then they have been at work every day. The purple crocus is now in full bloom in the fields, and the spring flowers and flowering shrubs in the garden afford plenty of pollen, and possibly some honey during the sunny mid-day hours. The season promises to be very favourable so far. — W. S,' Horsham Vicarage, April 3. — ' I put up seven boxes for wintering, fed well during autumn, found all of them strong in February, and last month they were unusually " busy." It is a treat to see them at work to-day. I still feed gently every other day. Nineteen out of twenty of our cottagers have lost all their bees. — J. W. H.' Battle, Sussex, April loth. — ' The bees about here seem in a very bad state, eight hives out of ten having died, ex- cept those belonging to a few persons who have taken the trouble to feed. Some do not intend keeping bees any longer if they lose what they have. I had nine in the autumn, one died during the early spring of queenless- ness. The remaining eight are strong and thriving, and work hard whenever they get the chance. — J. W. H.' Moving Bees. — ' T have lately removed from Cumber- land to Sussex, almost from the extreme north to the extreme south, and, of course, I could not leave my favourites, the bees, behind me. They bore the journey splendidly, and now are working in their new home as zealously as they did in their old. I fastened them in very securely, putting perforated zinc against the en- trances of the hives, a crown-board screwed down on the top, with a hole for ventilation covered with perforated zinc ; and the frames, at least all the centre ones, well secured, so as not to shift from their places. The railway guards took great interest in them, handling the hives gently, and putting them into parts of their vans where they were least likely to be disturbed. My bees, of course, gave me hardly any honey last year, but I sent them to the moors in the autumn, and there they gathered sufficient honey to last them well through the winter. They are now very strong, and they have conclusively proved the superioi ity of the new-fashioned method of management to the old, for my neighbours in the north, who adhered to the old method, lost all their bees during the past winter, whilst I lost none. — An Amateur, April \2th.' Baldorie. — ' Terribly cold weather. The first two weeks of March we had exceptionally fine weather : everything offered well in favour of bees and bee-keepers. The crocuses well blown, and pea-meal taken freely from them and the shaving-basket almost every day : but alas ! at a rare interval, for the scene has been entirely altered for the last three or four weeks, veny little sunshine with . • tv cold east wind, and I may say almost continuous rain. The gooseberries are in full blossom hereabout, but no chance for the bees to get at tliem as long as this weather continues. The first humble queen I saw this season was on the 8th March, but have seen very few since. The first and only queen-wasp was on the 1st April, and I took her prisoner. Breeding is going on fairish, but not with the same spirit as if the weather had been genial ; but I hope it will take a change for the better ere long. If we get another season like last, sugar is bound to rise tstill more in price. — D. Ramsay, Wth April.' Southwell, April 20. — 'I have wintered fourteen hives out of eighteen, having thus lost four, one of them being queeuless. I am the only one in the parish of Southwell that has any bees left : they have all paid the penalty of letting them alone. I have given in}' bees at least 22 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [May 1, 1880. 2 cwt. of sugar during last autumn and this spring; but I am well repaid for my trouble and expense. My bees have lived entirely on sugar syrup during the winter, as most of my hives were entirely honeyless ; so bad was last season, that had I not fed liberally I should not have had one stock left. I trust the coming season will cheer us all up.' — S. S. Warwick, April 21. — A Caution on Removing Bees Short Distances. — ' I was obliged to remove my bees at Lady day, and as the distance was not far, and un- fortunately for them the day following was about the brightest day we have had, causing a serious loss to some of them through their flying back, otherwise they win- tered tolerably well, and no loss of stocks.' — G. F. P. Frampton, Boston, Lincolnshire. — ' My fourteen stocks of bees appear strong and in a good and healthy condition, ready and willing to work at sunshine amongst my crocuses and white arabis, of which I have a good plot, eaeli £ which appears very acceptable to them. We have had a fairly good March for bees — dry up to last week. April comes in rainy, and prevents the bees foraging at present , but they are ready to migrate in search of food as soon as sunsliine may appear. In hopes of having- a better harvest of honey in future.' — Jas. Lighton. Shifnal. — ' Thanks for information derived from your Bee Journal. My three stocks of bees are all now breeding nicely, owing, without doubt to following the advice given by you, — in re feeding. The " grand- mother's" plan has not answered well in this neigh- bourhood during the last twelve months, as I have not any hesitation in saying that from eighty to ninety ] MMlS>a ABBOTT BROS, supply IM- PORTED QUEENS of Purest Strain, in May, at 10s. 6d. each. SWARMS of BEES, headed by im- ported Queens, 42s., free on Rail. Ditto, with English Queens, 21s. Small Swarms, with imported Queens, for Ligurianising, 25s. each. All Queens professedly Ligurian are guaranteed to have been imported. Address Fairlawn, Southall, Middlesex. §ritislj gee -ke^rs' j|ssoriat'um. EXPERTS WANTED to accompany the Bee Tent to Horticultural and other Shows, conduct Manipulations, and give short and practical Lectures on the best Methods of Bee Management, Terms : 10s. 6d. per day, and Third Class Railway fare. Allowance made for necessaiy expenses. GLASS HONEY JARS.— First Prize at South Kensington. 1 lb., 15s. per gross ; 2 lb., 18s. per gross, direct from the Works at Birmingham. Address Abbott Bros., Southall, Middlesex. VEGETABLE PARCHMENT for Covering Glasses and Jars of Honey, &c, 2s. per lb. Sample Sheet, id. Prices for larger quotations on application. Letters to Editor. American Implements for the Apiary. GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS have the pleasure to announce that they have received a large consignment of BEE FURNITURE from Messrs. T. G. Newman & Son, of Chicago, which is now on view. The Collection consists of the EXCELSIOR EX- TRACTORS, BINGHAM & HETHERINGTON'S UNCAP- PING KNIVES, Improved LANGSTROTH'S HIVES and SECTIONAL SUPERS, LEWIS' SECTIONS, all in one piece; BrNGHAM SMOKERS, WIRED WAX FOUNDA- TIONS, which are not liable to curl in Stock Hives ; THIN \\ \\ FOUNDATIONS for Supers. SWISS WAX EX- TRACTOR, and NOVICE'S QUEEN CAGES; also a renewed supply of ' Cook's Manual of the Apiary,' bound in cloth, price 5s.; 'Newman's Bee Culture,' Is. 6(2. ; and ■ 1 1 y as Food aial Medicine,' 2d. per'oopy. An inspection of the above Novelties is respectfully solicited. PRICE LISTS forwarded on application. Address GEO. NEIGHBOUR & SONS, 14!) Regent Street, and 127 Holborn, London. fo. 28 THE [No. 80. Vol. VIII.] JUNE, 1880. [Published Monthly.] CYPRIAN AND HOLY LAND BEES. At the last moment we are enabled to report the safe arrival in England of Mr. D. A. Jones with his first shipment of queens from Cyprus and the Holy Land. By a telegram on the 26th we were made aware of the fact, and on the 27th we had the pleasure of welcoming that most enthusiastic and enterprising apiarist at Fairlawn. He brought with him about 150 queens in his new cages ; and so well had he pro- vided and cared for them that every one of them is safe, and those that appeared to need a flight will have had it ere this reaches our readers. His letter, which appears on another page, gives a feeble idea of the troubles he has had, the convictions he has arrived at, and the pre- parations he has made for supplying Europe and America with the finest races of bees the world produces. He will leave England for Canada about the 4th of this month, but will leave with us a few of the bees of both breeds. Mr. Benton at Larnica is actively employed in raising Cyprian queens for shipment to us, en route to America; and having 'flown,' and re- packed them, we shall send them forward minus such as may from time to time be ordered for England and the European Continent. Mr. Jones has constituted us sole agents for the United Kingdom, and it will give us much pleasure to distribute his queens amongst our friends. The enormous expenditure which he has in- curred, to say nothing of the personal suffering he has borne, fully evidenced by his altered appearance since we last saw him, but from which, thanks to an ' iron ' constitution, he is rapidly recovering, will probably lender his enterprise profitless to him in a pecuniary sense for a long time to come, but to him will belong all the honour due to such unexampled skill and personal pluck. To such a man the idea of failure never once occurred ; he determined to do what many others have tried to do, and pronounced a comparatively hopeless task, and he has fulfilled his self-imposed mission to the very letter. British bee-keepers have now, therefore, an opportunity of acquiring the coveted Cyprians of undoubted purity ; and we shall have the honour of breeding from the first ' Holy Bees ' that have ever reached our shores. Mr. Benton, we are glad to say, is quite well and as happy and busy as a bee among newly-blown flowers, and we hope to hear of his continued success. "VVe make no apology for here stating that single queens of the present importation will be reserved by immediate application — Cyprians, 30s.; 'Holy' bees, 3/. 8s. In quantity here- after the prices may be had on application to our office. JUNE. Notwithstanding the prevalence of the east wind . during the past month, the bees have been gradually progressing ; and in sheltered situations have thrown off what may fairly be termed ' early swarms,' but in exposed places they are generally not better off than at the end of April. In the early spring-time the genial weather permitted the development of the art of stimulative feeding, and the bees, under careful treatment, were enabled to re- cover from the effects »f a protracted winter ; but the cold time which usually visits us about the middle of May came earlier ; and the bees in exposed situations received a serious check. The old foragers that had helped in the nur- sery during the earliest breeding, and had aided in maintaining the heat of the hive as the brood-nest became gradually enlarged, were naturally tempted forth to their pleasant labour by the brilliant sunlight, and in too many in- stances never returned. Thousands of the all- necessary producers of honey and heat were untimely cut off by the chilling wind ; and, as a consequence, the activity which had given such lively evidence of prosperity during April, gave place to listlessness ; and the appearance of 26 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. dead white grubs on the alighting-board showed but too plainly the effect of their loss upon the hive's economy. The loss of heat-producers when recurring cold rendered their presence more necessary than before, permitted the brood in the outer parts of the nest to become chilled and die ; and their bodies were cast forth at the earliest opportunity. And coupled with this, there was the usual effect produced by loss of income ; the hungry bees declined to continue the pioduction of labourers, for whom there was apparently no occupation, and, as a matter of fact, destroyed them in their cradles, and threw them out at their leisure. As a consequence of the check which bees have thus received, swarms which appeared im- minent at the end of April have been delayed ; and supers that were progressing favourably have been deserted, the bees having (as is their wont) carried all the unsealed honey in them into their combs in the hives. May has been remarkable for the almost total absence of rain. Except on the morning of the 11th, when a slight shower sprinkled the dust, there was not, in our locality, even sufficient to form a dew-drop. On the 20th there was an ominous threatening, but no rain ; and the atmosphere continued dry, though the wind had changed to the west, varying a little toward the north. Our neighbourhood, during the month, has been visited by a perfect plague of gnats, said to be foreigners, and certainly of a different race to the old-fashioned weather guides ; for their bite is poisonous, and far more irritating in our own experience than the sting of the bee. Bee-poison is evidently no antidote to that of the gnat of the present day, or being thor- oughly inocidated Avith it woidd give one im- munity from the effect of the gnatly probe, which we are painfully aware is not the case. Last year, about this time, we were deploring the dreadful downpour of rain that daily drenched the earth and drowned vegetation ; but this year we should esteem a heavy rain a blessing. What creaAres of circumstances we are ; always complaining, — ' always to be blest ; ' yet there is comfort in the thought that what- ever the circumstances may be they will surely suit somebody. WHAT TO DO, AND WHEN AND HOW TO DO IT. Quieting Bees. — The fenr of stings is one of the chief hindrances to bee-culture, yet under proper treatment, they are comparatively harm- less. The}7 never volunteer an attack, but are extremely sensitive and easily provoked, and when irritated are fierce in their defence of their hive and its belongings. Away from their hive they arc as harmless a.-- robins, and unless caught in the dress, entangled in the hair, or subjected to pressure accidental or otherwise, they are unwilling to use their dreaded weapons of defence. Near their homes they are more alive to interference, and unless civilised by the habitual presence of man, are sometimes truculent in the extreme, and ready to sting without apparent provocation. They vary greatly in character in this respect ; but all are subject to an ascertained principle, viz. that when gorged with sweets they are not easily offended, and will not show resentment. This fact is the level used in subduing them, and the method adopted to bring it about, is ' called 'quieting' them. It has been discovered that under the influence of great fear they will rush to their hon^y-cells and fill themselves therefrom, as if determined to. save all the treasure they can, ere quitting their apparently untenable home, and ' frightening them ' is therefore a sure means of ' quieting ' them, provided there be honey in the hive of which they can readily partake. There are two methods of alarming them which are always found effectual. One is the violent jarring of the hive and combs, and the other the intro- duction of smoke amongst them, if the former be relied on, the entrance of the hive should be closed for a moment ere the jarring is com- municated, or at the first tap the sentinels on guard at the entrance will rush out and give a hint ' where it hurts,' which will be likely to frighten the offender instead ; but if confined they will be subject to the impulse described, and will soon be indisposed to resent the inter- ference inflicted upon them. If smoke be introduced within the hive, the sentinels will be among the first to feel its effects, and terror overcoming their sense of duty they will rush to the cells, and having gorged to the full, will, with their comrades, be incapable of active defence, and, indeed, will scarcely attempt to take wing or move from their combs, and in this condition may be dealt with at will. In frightening them with smoke it is only neces- sary to force a little into their hive ; if much be given it may cause their partial suffocation, and render their honev them incapable of partaking of and in that condition, although quiet for a time, the effect of the'smoke (unless any be killed outright) will soon pass away, and they will attack the operator without mercy. Another cause of failure in ' quieting ' bees exhibits itself when a hive contains only a few open honey-cells. If there be 10,000 bees in a hive, and only 500 open cells, it would take twenty minutes for the bees to gorge, supposing they occupied only a minute each, for only one bee can feed from a half-empty cell; and as waiting so long would be tiresome to the operator, the honey supply should be sup- June 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 27 plemented by sprinkling the combs with syrup, so that all the bees may readily obtain a supply of sweets during their first spasm of fear. The amateur should therefore arm himself with a means of conveying smoke into the hive, and with a bottle of syrup of thin consistency that will not stick the bees together should they be accidentally wetted with it. Smokers of tobacco need only reverse their pipe and blow through the bowl, directing the jet of smoke into the hive-entrance. One blast only is needed, i.e. as much as can be discharged with one exhalation of the breath ; more may defeat its object, as previously explained, and if the hive be a skep it shoidd immediately be turned over, and the syrup should be sprinkled on the combs and bees. In turning over the hive, care should be taken that, the combs are not held sideways, or they might fall and break, but if kept perpendicular they can be inverted with impunity. The syrup-bottle should be fitted with a cork in which a notch has been cut after the manner of the vinegar-bottle at an ancient oyster-shop, that the syrup may be spurted in drops, instead of poured in streams,' upon the combs and bees, and it will be seen' that the bees will immediately begin to feast upon it. If the hive be a frame-hive, the crown-caver should be raised when the smoke has been injected, and the syrup spurted be- neath. All the bees will then get a supply, and the ' quieting ' will presently have been effected. The gorging will be hastened if the alarm be rendered constant by gently jarring the hive and combs after smoking them, but if the former be continued the bees will feel com- pelled to leave the hive, as they do when sub- jected to the process called ' driving.' Nervous bee-keepers should always protect themselves with a veil and gloves. Precaution is wisdom exemplified, prevention is better than cure, and bees are apt to teach the lesson in an abrupt and painful fashion. Non-smokers and anti-tobacconists may use any available means for effecting the purpose intended. A roll of smouldering cotton, rag, or corduroy, a piece of burning touch-wood (rotten wood from an old willow pollard is ex- cellent), or anything that will hold fire, and not blaze, held near the entrance, and blown into the hive, will answer the purpose, or smoking } machines may be purchased, as the catalogue of any hive-manufacturer will show. Management of Supers. — Supers are used as convenient receptacles in which the bees, having stored their surplus honey, it may be removed by the bee-keeper without undue inter- ference with the bee-nest and its occupants. It is well known that in a thriving hive the population usually gather during the season of flowers and blossoms considerably more honey than they need for their daily use, and the skill of man has long been exercised in endea- vouring to discover the best means by which the bees can be induced to store it in the purest state in virgin comb, so that it may be free from the suspicion of contamination by contact with brood, pollen, or old and dirty cells. A super, as its name implies, is used above the brood-nest, and that position for surplus-honey receptacles being necessitated by the shape of the old-fashioned skep with its central crown- hole, has generally been adopted, and is usually relied on by English bee-keepers as the best for the purpose. Our object here is not to prove that this assumption is incorrect, though we think it a debateable one, but rather to offer a few suggestions to aid the amateur in attaining the end in view, by showing the conditions under which the bees will be most likely to take pos- session of the supers, and fill them with the coveted nectar. A hive in spring, while breed- ing rapidly furnishes full employment for every living bee that it contains, some acting as (foragers during fair weather, others as nurses continually, and the whole as heat-producers at night, and when the weather will not permit them to go abroad in search of honey and pollen. During these early days of increase in numbers every precaution should be taken by the bee-keeper to economise the heat generated in the brood-nest, for with bees heat is life, and the adoption of any measures that may tend to lessen it will be injurious. At such a time giving super space above the brood-nest will allow the heat to escape from the latter and be dispersed above, so that, instead of the bees leaving it, and ascending to the supers, their presence with their brood will be ren- dered more than ever necessary, and thus many will be prevented from leaving the hive in search of provender. Too early supering will therefore be mischievous, as instead of offering facilities for profitable labour, it will often retard it by necessitating the presence of the bees at home. When, however, the number of bees has increased so that the army of foragers are able to bring home more honey than is re- quired for the daily wants of the brood, and they are storing the excess in the body of the hive, which may be easily ascertained in a moveable comb-hive by actual examination, super space THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. should at once be given. The bees, by storing their surplus in the cells newly vacated by the brood, would be curtailing the boundaries of the queen's dominion, and preventing the deposi- tion of eggs, a proceeding that would shortly reduce the population, for the great labour vof honey gathering wastes them very rapidly, and the supply of young bees being prevented the numbers would perceptibly decrease. In hives having only a central toj)-hole, the supers can- not well be put anywhere but above it ; but in frame-hives where their position can be deter- mined at will, we woidd advise that they be put towards the back, the entrance to them being towards the rear of the centre, or to the right and left rear of the brood-nest. It is an axiom in bee-culture that bees store their honey at the farthest point (or points) from the hive's entrance, evidently from instinctive secretiveness, as cautious men put their trea- sure where it appears least likely to be stolen, and it is therefore evident that the entrances to supers should be made with due regard thereto. Giving access to supers near the entrance of a hive, to facilitate the storing of honey, is often fatal to the intention : it seems ' convenient for the bees,' but they prefer hiding it away beyond the brood-nest. The entrances to supers being to the rear of the brood-nest pre- vents the rapid loss of heat from the latter, which has been hereinbefore deprecated, and provided they be well wrapped up the danger attending their early imposition will be consi- derably reduced. Supers placed over the brood- nest often offer a tempting field for queenly incursion, and unless prevented there is danger that brood may be raised in the new combs built in them — a misfortune that will spoil them for exhibition or sale. Interposing Abbotts' Excluder Zinc will bar the passage of the queen and drones, and she being kept out, there will be but slight probability of the cells being used for the storage of pollen, though this latter vexation may happen when access to the supers is given in front of the brood-nest. On skeps with central hole, a piece of the excluder zinc can be readily fixed with a few hair-pins, and will be easily removeable ; but on a frame-hive it is usually fitted to a light wooden frame of a 5 inch in thickness, the zinc being uppermost to permit the bees more ready access to the supers at all points. In the height of sximmer, when honey is being gathered freely, and excess of heat may be detrimental to the brood-nest, this arrangement I is not harmful, and except that it facilitates the entrance of pollen- gatherers to the supers cannot be complained of, but in doubtful weather we would prefer to cover the front part with the quilt, and to limit the entrance to the supers to the rear. When supers have been placed on a hive, they are subject to vicissitudes that may arise through swarming, loss of queens, or changes of weather. We bave many times repeated that supering will not prevent swarming, but may lessen its probability ; and it is no uncommon thing for bees to leave an almost completed super and swarm out. This often arises from overheating of the hive, consequent on an immense population, and because the bees will not permit ventilation through their honey store (the supers), apparently from the convic- tion that what will let out the heated air, will let in insect enemies. To lessen the chances of swarming from this cause ventilation must be given below, either by widening the entrance- way, or by raising the hive bodily from the floor-board. In hives with legs, the same result will be attained by lowering the floor-board ; but in neither case should this means of venti- lation be continued if cold or wet weather causes a cessation of the honey-yield, or with such extensive openings robbing might be invited, and once begim, would probably spread throughout the apiary with disastrous results. In treating of supers we are supposing that those only are used which are composed of sections such as are general in the honey-mar- ket, as illustrated; the old-fashioned bell-glasses ■BUf-SC" HiXj52J^!i ilfflP*^ ?l;.ii^ = — " WH jp7pl if I If1'! being expensive luxuries, difficult to get filled, and only fit to be looked at afterwards, they being unsaleable at show and market, and ' messy ' affairs for table use, whereas sectional supers can be readily taken a- part, and the sections packed separately for sale or exhibition, or brought out singly for use on the breakfast-table. When such supers are filling nicely, and a sudden change of weather cuts off the honey June 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 29 supply from "without, the bees will at once begin to carry down the unsealed honey for use within the hive, but they will not interfere with that which is sealed unless they have posi- tive need of it. Should the latter occur, it would be well to remove the supers, and feed the bees until a return of the honey-yield warrants the replacement of those uncom- pleted. In the meantime, every section that has been sealed out shoidd be removed, and packed away for sale or exhibition, and the incomplete formed into a set for future trial, though after a severe check such as has been herein anticipated, their filling out is proble- matical except where second and late harvests are the rule. Many bee-keepers, however, do not dream of putting on their supers until swarming has taken place, and with such the question is, How soon shall it be done? Replying, we would say that considering the bulk of the population will have departed to form the swarm, giving additional space immediately will scarcely seem wise, for there will be a vast quantity of eggs and brood requiring protection, and a cold change of weather may do much mischief ; nevertheless, there may be instances when the heat of the weather and the numbers left in the hive will warrant that proceeding. We, how- ever, would, as a ride, wait for a few days until the young bees, hatching at the rate of 2000 to 3000 per day, had recuperated the population, and then the supers may be put on with impunity. Taking the average of eggs laid by the queen prior to swarming to be 2000 per day, and that it takes three days for the eggs to become larvae, there will at the time of swarming be 6000 eggs in the cells, and as the larva; remain unsealed for about six days, there will be about 12,000 of them: and as it takes twenty-one days nearly for the perfect hatching of bees, there will be about twelve days' production of eggs in the more advanced, or sealed condition, and these may be estimated at 24,000, or a grand total of say 40,000 bees which, if all goes well, will hatch out of the cells within twenty-one days after the swarm has issued. Now, considering that immediately the queen has left the hive with the swarm, the production of eggs wdl cease, and that on every day two thousand of the sealed brood will be hatching out, while the same number of larva) will naturally have been sealed up, and will not need to be fed, it will be evident that the 18,000 eggs and larva) will have been changed into sealed brood within about nine days after the swarm has left, and there being then no brood (save that of drones) to attend to, the whole mass of bees will be at liberty to gather and store surplus honey, and if the weather and surroundings be favourable, the quantity they would gather before a young queen brought again upon them the stay-at- home duty of nurses would be simply enormous. A consideration of these points will suggest to the true bee-culturist the propriety of pre- venting the production of excessive quantities of brood during the height of the honey season, a subject we have touched upon in former volumes, and have had in view in the gradual changes we have been permitted to effect in the construction of hives. Looking also at the facilities that will be offered when comb- foundation, which the bees cannot tunnel through, shall have been perfected, as we have every confidence it soon will be, we see no difficulty in the way of confining the queen to a portion of a hive, and enforcing a rest from her labour that may be bene- ficial in promoting a later production of brood. On this, however, we must enlarge at another opportunity. Ligurian Queens and Aged Bees. — Upon discovering a stock to be queenless, the usual course with unthinking bee-keepers is to take advantage of the opportunity for introducing a Ligurian queen, but we have many times shown that the aged bees of queenless stocks have not the power (or the will) to perform the duties of nurses, and as a consequence brood is very slowly produced, if at all. Under these cir- cumstances the poor queen, from whom such great expectations were entertained, is unable to exhibit her powers of oviposition; and the s/ bee-keeper, under a feeling of disappointment, denoimces her as ' a fraud,' and the advantages claimed for Ligurians a delusion. If it is intended to ligurianise by the introduction of a queen, she shoidd be united to a thriving colony, and the queen of the latter transferred to the queenless colony. The Ligurian will then have full scope for the display of her powers, and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred will give satisfaction. Transferring Queens from Breeding Stocks. — It is often desirable to exchange lay- ing queens from one colony to another, a pro- ceeding that often causesloss and disappointment. When a queen charged with eggs is suddenly removed from a hive and placed in a cage, the sudden change stops her power of oviposition, and, as may be imagined by those who will take the trouble to 'think' on the subject, her sys- tem soon becomes disorganized, and she dies, through being surcharged with ova. If, how- ever, she be confined for a day in a small hive or box containing comb and bees (an ordinary travelling queen-box will do), she will quickly accommodate herself to the change, and may then be caged without any danger from the cause in question. 30 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. THE CYPRIANS AND 'HOLY' BEES. On the afternoon of the 28th ult., these bees were allowed their first flight in England, and, whatever doubt had existed as to their true nature, through our never having seen the pure natives, was at once dispelled. Though imported without a vestige of comb (except in six of the cages), the bees on being liberated were in a few minutes thick upon the flowers, the hairy immigrants from Jaffa and Beyrout being par- ticularly interesting from their quick darting movements. The extreme beauty of the Cyprians is undeniable, and they will doubtless prove a most valuable acquisition. — Ed. B. B. J. LESSONS IN BEE-KEEPING. Those of our readers who wish to see the pi-ogress of queen-raising from the egg to the perfect insect, will have the opportunity afforded them if they will visit our apiary on any or all the following days : — June 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, and 24. We propose to deprive a stock of its queen on the 8th, and after that queen-cells will be in course of formation and perfection to the 17th at earliest, and 24th at latest ; and we shall have great pleasure in explaining all the circumstances that attend their develop- ment, weather permitting, at half-past three o'clock on each day. We are eight minutes' walk from the Southall Station, on the Great Western Railway. The porters will point out the direction. Trains from Paddington, 2.35 —2.50 ; Saturday only, 2.30 ; Victoria, 1.48 ; Brentford, 2.45 p.m. This being a very busy season, we trust intending visitors will be punctual. BEE ASSOCIATIONS. England and Scotland are doing good service to the cause of apiculture in Great Britain, and doubtless Ireland will follow the lead when the Association's Tent has made the circuit pro- posed. There are still vast districts unrepre- sented by associations where bee-keeping is extensively carried on, and where with slight effort those great levers of reform could be called into existence. We are hoping that Wales will wake up to the necessity for an association. There are many excellent apiarians in the Principality, and at the same time much ignorance that re- quires enlightenment. There are many counties in England that ought to bestir themselves to keep pace with the times ; and notably, this may be said of Lancashire, the home of the skep under the care of Mr. Pettigrew, and of the humane moveable comb system as fostered by Mr. Carr, the clever all-round bee-master who has been told off with us for the expedi- tion into Ireland. We have reason to believe that the way has been made easy to the estab- lishment of a County Association for Lanca- shire, whose influence would be unbounded. With a noble Lord ready to accept the Presi- dency, and with a string of nobles and honour - ables as vice-presidents and patrons, that great county might become an immense power for good in the cause of cottage bee-culture. Are there no plucky volunteers in Lancashire who would give the time necessary for so good a purpose ? We say ' the time ' only, because we feel assured that money woidd not be wanting to keep up a well-organized movement for so excellent an object. Who will come to the front ? Our energetic Hon. Secretary, of Abbot's Hill, Heir;pl Hempstead, will, we are assured, give all possible help, and his vast experience will enable even a nervous beginner to take the reins with confidence, and go bowling along the beaten track, like a tram-car. England expects every county to do its duty, and every man should be jealous to see it done. THE BEE TENT IN IRELAND. We have received a Schedide of Prizes from the Hon. Secretary of the Newtownards Horti- cultural Society, Belfast, at whose show on the 2nd September next there will be an exhibition of bee-manipulation in the tent of the British Bee-keepers' Association. The Newtownards Association offer as prizes for the best stocks of bees (not being swarms of this year) in straw skeps, three new moveable-comb hives, a guinea, and a bee-dress. The bees of the winning hives are to be transferred with their combs into the new hives, and manipulation is to go on from one o'clock during the whole of the afternoon, weather permitting. There will also be three prizes for the best exhibitions of honey in supers, 1/., 15s., and 10s., open to all, and a special competition for the County Down, in which a Lanarkshire hive, 15s., a super (sec- tional), 2 lbs. of comb-foundation, and a bee- feeder, are promised as prizes. The Newtown- ards Society is a highly successful one, and for twenty-four years has neld its annual show, the exhibition of flowers being a speciality which attracts immense numbers of visitors. Its committee have gradually increased the prize list until it has now assumed a national charac- ter. Latterly dogs have been admitted, and last year horses and jumping have been added ; and this year bees will, we are glad to say, find a place, and if they do not prove a source of wonder and delight it shall be from no fault of ours. Mr. Carr, of Newton Heath, near Man- chester, and our humble self, have been ap- pointed to represent the British Bee-keepers' Association on the occasion; and, all being well, June 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 31 we shall not fail to show how bees may be dealt with, as if they did not sting. We trust some of the residents who have bees, with a reputation for fierceness, will bring them under our hand, that we may show that even the most truculent are subject to the influences which on another page of this Journal is called 'quieting' them. While on the subject, we feel the Newspaper Press authorities would be doing a service to the world if they would rejDublish the article mentioned. ABBOTT'S FLAT-BOTTOMED FOUNDA- TION ON WOOD. At last this long-talked-of material has been manufactured, and will presently be submitted to the fierce fire of experiment and criticism. We have sent specimens of it to sundry friends, and shall doubtless hear a variety of opinions on its merits. Our first experience with it surpassed our most sanguine expectations. We hived a swarrn in eight frames filled with it at noon, May 19, and next morn- ing at eight o'clock one comb was finished out, and others begun. Next day a second was completed, and others well forward ; but we found that out of a, b, c, d, e,f, g, and h, c and e were splendidly perfect, while d was cleared in a great measure of the wax, and the comb built in ridges, as it often is, on the glass sides of an observatory. Another swarm in a second hive built dead across, scraping the wax off the boards and using it as contrariiy as they could, putting a damper on our glee and a considering- cap on our caput. Why should the bees act so strangely ? To the human mind ' they do nothing invariably,' but though instinct dis- plays itself in a variety of features, it never errs ; and if some of the foundation was ac- cepted, why not all ? and the conclusion we arrived at we will make known after we have had a little more experience with it. In the meantime one gentleman has sent an opinion which he wishes to be recorded, as follows : — ' Allow me to congratulate yon on having brought to perfection your long-promised wooden founda- tion, as shown by the samples received yesterday. It will prove of immense advantage to advanced apiarians ; and though last in order, yet on the score of practical utility, it assuredly deserves the foremost place in that long list of your many in- ventions. A great future awaits it. It is another hill-top gained — a lofty stand-point, opening up a new region of pleasant scenes, fresh fields, and pastures new. — Alfred Rusbridge, Sidlesham, Chichester, May 22, 1880.' There are many others in a similar strain, which we have received. We have not had our machine a week (May 25), and it has opened a new field for thought and speculation ; and though we mention the facts herein, we ask the indulgence of our readers if we refrain from publishing our convictions for the present. Suffice it that the combs are now built straight and perfect, and are fidl of sealed honey, sealed brood, eggs, and larva?. BEE TENT ENGAGEMENTS. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. June 10, 11. — Essex Agricultural Show, Mistley Park, Manningtree. June 30. — Farningham Rose Show. July 1. — Tiverton Horticultural Show. July 6. — Ipswich Horticultural Show. July 12-16. — Royal Agricultural Show at Carlisle. July 14.— Bexley Heath. July 15. — AVoodbridge, Suffolk. Juh' 16. — Bucklesham Rectory, Ipswich. July 21. — Southhorough Flower Show. July 27-August 2. — Kensington Show. July 23. — Frant Flower Show. July 30. — Liphook Flower Show. Aug. 3. — West Wycombe. Aug. 5. — West Kent Show. Aug. 11, 12. — Surrey County Show. Aug. 18, 19. — Shropshire County Show. Aug. 24. — Long Buckby Horticultural Show. Aug. 27. — Sandy. Sept. 3. — Devon and Exeter County Show. Sept. 17. — Great Dunmow. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION. Julv 7. — Herts Agricultural Show at Hatfield. July 8. — Hertford Cottage Garden Show. July 15. — Hoddesdon Cottage Garden Show. Aug. 5. — Frogmore Cottage Garden Show. Aug. 20. — County Show of Flowers, Fruits, Vege- tables, Bees, Hives, &c, at St. Albans. Aug. 27. — Much Hadham Cottage Garden Show. Sept. 2. — Harpenden Horticultural Show. TOUR IN IRELAND. Aug. 10. — Roval Agricultural Show in Clonmel. Aug. 18. — Maryborough County Agricultural Show. Aug. 28. — Newry. Sept. 2. — Newtownards Flower Show. Near Belfast. Sept.— Royal Horticultural Show at Dublin. First week in September. BEE AND HONEY SHOWS FIXED FOR 1880. July 1. — Tiverton. Devon and Exeter. July 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and August 2.— South Ken- sington. British Bee-keepers'. July 27, 28, 29, and 30. — Caledonian Apiarian Society's Show at Highland and Agricultural Society's Meeting, Kelso. Aug. 5. — West Kent. Aug. 11, 12. — Surrey County. Aug. 18, 19.— Shropshire County. Aug. 20. — Herts County, at St. Albans. Aug. 25. — East Scotland. Arbroath. Aug. 26, 27, 28.— At Dundee. Sept. 2. — Exeter. Devon and Exeter. Sept. 2. — Newtownards Flower Show. Sept. 3. — Central Training College. Exeter. 32 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Committee meeting held at 105 Jerrnyn Street on Wednesday, May 12. Present: Mr. T. W. Cowan, in the chair ; Mr. J. P. Jackson ; Rev. G. Raynor ; Mr. J. Hunter; Mr. F. Cheshire; Mr. R. R. Godfrey ; Mr. J. M. Hooker ; Mr. W. O'B. Glennie, Treasurer ; and Rev. H. R. Peel, Hon. Secretary. The minutes of the last meeting having heen confirmed and signed, the Secretary read a letter received from Mr. Oarr, offering to accompany the Bee Tent throughout the tour in Ire- land. It was resolved unanimously that Mr. Oarr and Mr. C. N. Abhott should represent the Association in the Irish tour, to commence on August 10 at Clonmel; and that Mr. Cheshire and the Assistant Secretaries should attend the Royal Agricultural Show at Carlisle, commencing on Monday, July 12. Judges for the several Classes, and Lecturers for the Bee Tent, at the Associa- tion's Annual Show at South Kensington, commencing on July 27, were appointed, and the Secretary was re- quested to write to the several gentlemen selected, and to report their replies to the next meeting. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Hunter and Mr. Cheshire for their labours in writing the MS. of Hand- book for Cottagers. The diagrams about to be published by the Association were reported to be making satisfac- tory progress towards completion. The Balance-sheet for the month ending April 30 was read, showing a balance in hand of 25?. 7s. Donors to Prize Fund. £ s. d. Rev. G. Raynor 110 T. W. Cowan, Esq 110 R. R. Godfrey, Esq 110 H. G. Morris; Esq 1 1 0 F. R. Jackson, Esq 1 1 0 Rev. H. R. Peel 2 2 0 Rev. J. Lawson Sisson 0 10 0 Mrs.H. R. Peel 0 10 6 Edward Wilson, Esq 0 10 0 Mr. R. J. Tomlin 0 5 0 Mr. J. Walton 0 2 6 H. Bostock, Esq 2 2 0 R. Symington, Esq 2 2 0 F. C. C. Barnett, Esq 0 10 0 C. II. Hodgson, Esq 0 5 0 Capt. P. E. Martin 1 1 0 COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS. It is gratifying to announce that since the Central Society established its present mode of procedure of assisting in the establishment of County Associations much progress has been made in their formation. As- sociations for Warwickshire, Suffolk, and Berks and Bucks, have been recently formed, and have affiliated themselves with the Central Society. Eleven County Associations are now affiliated with the British Bee- keepers' Association, and are making good progress in their work. The Hertfordshire Association, one of the most recently established, now numbers 250 members, and upon reference to our advertising eolumns it will be observed that it holds its Annual Show in connexion with a County Flower and Fruit Show on a large scale at St. Albans on August 20 and 21st ; the date of this Show has been rearranged : it was originally fixed for September 8th and 0th, but as it was found practicable to hold a County Flower Show in connexion with it, it was requisite to change the date in order that the time fixed upon should be suitable for the holding of the Flower Show. The Executive of this Association have also in contemplation the publication of a small quarterly paper for the purpose of reporting information relating to the Association's work. PROPOSED ESSEX COUNTY ASSOCIATION. We are requested to announce that Mr. G. D. Claphani, of Great Dunmow, has most kindly con- sented to act as Hon. See., pro tern, of an Essex County Bee-keepers' Association. Essex bee-keepers wishing to join a County Association may forward their names to Mr. Clapham. It is proposed to hold a meeting, for the purpose of starting the Association, at the Show\of the Essex Agricultural Society at Mistley Park, Manningtree, on June 10th and 11th. BERKS AND BUCKS ASSOCIATION. The Annual General Meeting of the Association took place on Saturday evening, May 15th, and after the business Mr. Hunter gave a very interesting lecture on ' Bee-keeping ' at the Albert Institute, Windsor, P. Williams, Esq., Eton College, in the chair. He had a moveable frame hive to explain the modern sj'Stem of bee- keeping; and several sections of supers (American dove- tailed) also some diagrams. He very clearly explained their workings, and greatly encouraged many of those who had been so thoroughly disheartened by wet weather and loss of bees last season. Many questions were asked, and satisfactorily answered by Mr. Hunter. THE COMING BEE.— CYPRIANS AND HOLY LAND BEES. Dear Friend Abbott, — I would have written to you before I left here for Palestine and Syria, but I thought Mr. Benton had written you all about the island of Cyprus and Cyprian bees ; but I learn on my return that he did not, and I hope you will pardon the delay, as we have been very busy getting things in shape here. After visiting the principal bee-keepers of Europe, or rather some of them, as well as the various editors of Bee Jour- nals (and here permit me to say the visit to your place will ever form one of the happiest recollections of my life), I sailed down the Adriatic Sea, crossed the Medi- terranean, and landed at Alexandria. From there we went to Cyprus, and, after visiting almost every point where bees were kept, we succeeded in purchasing a large number of Cyprian bees. We located out apiary at Larnica and prepared hives for over two hundred colonies. Mr. Benton started transferring and bringing over the moun- tains about one hundred colonies on mules and camels' backs, a distance of from thirty to forty miles ; and the expense is very great transporting in that way, as there is only one waggon-road from Larnica to Nicosia, and only mide and camel paths where the bees were. So while Mr. Benton was collecting bees and getting things in form at the Larnica Apiary, I went across to the Holy Land, and made a flying visit through Palestine and Syria, and examined the bees in all parts of that country, my object being to ascertain if they had any valuable characteristics worthy of notice. I was happily surprised to discover a most valuable race of bees ; and I think I have struck the fountain-head of superiority. I was so wonderfully attracted by them that I ventured into some not very safe places to investigate and ascertain if there was any difference in the bees in the different parts of the country. I found them going double the distance, and in some instances more, for honey when necessary, than any of our Italians or blacks do in America. They also fly very much faster, and dart from one flower to another with such rapidity that I found great difficulty in catching them, which I only succeeded in doing after they were very heavily laden ; they seem to be able to carry immense loads, and fly wonderfully swift when so loaded. In numbers of in- stances, I found them at an incredible distance from their June 1, 1880.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. 33 hives. I secured a number for microscopic examination, as they have powers of locomotion not possessed by any races I have ever seen. That they are a pure race of bees which have existed there for thousands of years, and probably since the foundation of the world, I have no question. That they have valuable qualities not pos- sessed by any others I feel very sure. I may say I was so favourably impressed with them that I sent a cable message home to Canada from Jerusalem for a large sum of money to further enable me to import a large number of them, as well as the great Cyprian bee, which has proved its superiority over our blacks and Italians. I have secured a large number of colonies of the 'Holy' bees, as the natives call them. I got them from the follow- ing places, Mount Lebanon, Mount Hermon, Mount of Olives, the Valley of Sharon, Bethlehem, the Hills of Judea, Jerusalem, Jordan, Amnion, East of the Jordan near the Desert, Galilee, Damascus, and various other places in Syria. I sent them to the coast on camels, mules, "and donkeys, and the loss was very heavy in getting them to the coast; in some instances it took nine days to make1 the journey. When they arrived at the coast, and the expenses were counted, I was astonished to find some costing very many pounds. I had them trans- ferred to steamers and sent to Cyprus, where I have my great Cyprian Apiary, as the natives call it, for raising queens, and they will be transferred from their hives, of various sizes and shapes, to my moveable comb-hives, and prepared for their long journey to Canada. I think after my losses are taken out I will have left at least one hundred and fifty queens from Palestine, but as the combs are so badly broken in the hives I cannot tell until I get them all transferred and in shape. There are so many orders arriving here for queens that I have made, arrangements to increase my apiary to three hundred colonies if necessary, or more, to supply the demand for Cyprian queens. Some of the Italians are importing now to improve their stocks, and we expect large orders from Italy, and we already have orders from a large number of the best breeders in Europe, especially Germany and Austria. I will start from here with a large number of colonies for Canada about the 12th of May, stop in London to give them a purifying flight, then proceed to America, where I hope to arrive with all safety. I have devised a most extraordinary queen-cage, one which I believe willkeep bees ingoodconditionto transport almost any dis- tance. It is very cheaply made, and is so constructed that any amount of ventilation can be given. Food and water can be given at any time without opening the cage. All dead bees can be removed without disturbing the live ones, and they can be given a purifying flight by simply drawing a slide, and the condition of the bees and queen can be seen without disturbing them : in fact, it far surpasses any yet invented that I have ever heard of ; and as I do not patent it, it is public property, and therefore I hope all bee-keepers will avail themselves of its use. I have also devised a shipping crate that allows a free circulation of air to even- cage or nucleus, so no danger w-ill occur by close packing. Mr. Benton remains here, and raises and ships queens to all parts in Europe, and to me in America. After I leave here, in about a month, another shipment of two hundred will follow, and all orders sent to your office you can fill from the shipments to me in America. As you are giving them a purifying flight at your apiary, you can select all strong, healthy queens, and guarantee their safe arrival. In fact, if you wish we can send you a stock to keep on hand, so that you may supply all orders promptly. As the steamer with the mail is about leaving I must close ; but I look forward with pleasure to the time when I will have another opportunity of visiting you at Fairlawn. — D. A, Jones, Island of Cyprus, 27th April, 1880, LETTER FROM M. DENNLER Enzheim, 1st March, 1880. k My dear. Mb. Peel,- -I have read with great in- terest and pleasure your kind letter and report on the annual meeting of your honourable society ; I have read it with much more pleasure because it was the first let- ter in English that I have been able to read without a dictionary. I thank you for having written to me in English : my friend, Colonel Pearson, writes to me very often, — every eight or ten days, and always in English ; so that, with several newspapers in that language, and a special study which I am making of it, in a little time I hope, to completely understand English. But let us now come to the true end of the present letter. You wish to establish in England a professor's chair of apiculture, and you ask me what the German Govern- ment does to promote the knowledge of rational bee- culture. I can inform 3-011 exactly on that subject. From what I have read in the. report of the Rev. E. Bartrum's speech, the professor of English Apiculture would have to give himself up entirely to apiculture, and would re- ceive a fixed annual salary. He would have to teach in turn in the different establishments, agricultural or otherwise, in the normal schools, and hold public classes in different places. This is not the case in Germany. The different pro- vincial governments allot annually a certain sum, 200, oOO, 1000, or even 2000 marks for apiculture, and place that sum at the disposal of Apicultural Societies. It is for the latter to make the best use of it. The money is generally expended in the following manner : — The Society appoints one, two, or even three capable members, learned in the science of practical apiculture, and sends them to hold conferences in different localities, selected and announced in advance in the Bee Journals and in the newspapers. These travelling professors — if I may so call them — are almost always schoolmasters, and the time employed in performing the stated course is ruled by the summer or harvest holidays. The country of Baden reckons thus three apicultural professors who are by profession parish schoolmasters. They have a fixed salary for their course of lessons, which they give during their scholastic holidays. In Alsace our Society is divided into about thirty sections, of which the presi- dents hold one or two conferences annually in the respective countries. If the presidents wish it, one of the assistants comes to them at the lectures and at the prac- tical experiments. In the last case the conferences take place on Thursday or Sunday after the service in church. As far as I know a bee professor's chair does not exist, teaching exclusively this subject; I know that normal schools or establishments for teaching agriculture where apiculture is taught without being placed definitely on the programme of teaching. At Poppelsdorf, near Bonn, is the only academy of agriculture which has a special professor of apiculture — Dr. Pollman. Another use for the money allotted by the Govern- ment is in giving prizes at numerous bee shows, which take place during the summer and autumn, in distributing hives, models to the poor peasants and beginners, so that they make hives in the gardens of the parish school- masters, and to send one or two delegates to the most important exhibitions — be they in the country itself or abroad. The Minister of Agriculture chooses besides each year one or two members of each to be present in the Grand Reunion called Dutch and Austrian Bienenwurthe. The delegates have to furnish a detailed report of their remarks, which is printed in the Agricultural and bee- keeping papers of the country. There are to-day in Germany fifteen bee-keepers' journals, of which thirteen are monthly, and two fort- nightly. The most important of these is the Bee-keeping 34 $ Gazette, of Eichstadt, published by M. Schmid, edited by Dzierzon, Hilbert, and other great learned bee-keepers in Europe. This paper, started by Mr. Schmid, who still edits it, has existed for thirty-six years. It is the oldest Bee Journal in the whole world, and the Friend of the Bee in Saxony are published by private persons at their own risk and peril. All other German bee papers are published by the Societies of Apiculture, for which they serve as the organ of publication and instruction in apicultui e. I send you the papers published during the twentieth Congress of Bee-cultivators at Strasburg in 187o. You will find in them much information relating to the history of bee-culture in the provinces of Germany and Austria, which will interest you. I think I have said enough now in reference to a professorship of bee-keeping. I shall be very pleased if this information can be of any use to you, and it will always be a pleasure to me if in future I can furnish other information con- cerning the culture of our dear bees. Meanwhile I pray you, dear Mr. Peel, to believe me, always yours very truly, Dennler. P.S. — As vol* have asked me on two occasions the price of the Bienenzuchter, it is for members 2 marcs : for foreigners, 5 marc more for postage. THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. SALE OF BEES AT FENWICK, AYRSHIRE. Mr. Muir having announced a few weeks ago that he intended to sell off his apiary by auction, it was with delight many apiarians from all parts proceeded to attend the sale of one who is going to 'swarm' for hundreds of miles from his native tend. This gentleman will be greatly missed. At all the principal shows throughout Scotland, he was as regular as the ' mail,' and was always sure to be at his post when duty called him; and of him it has always been remarked by all who attend them 'that he was like the "Worker Bee," as he toiled from early morn till night' to make the exhibitions as interesting and successfid as possible. He was always noted for the patient way in which he per- formed the arduous duties which generally devolved on him of collecting the admission-money. He will also be greatly missed by his large circle of friends in and round all Ayrshire, as he was greatly respected by all who knew him for his kind, genial manners. The following was the order of sale and prices realised : No. Kind. Wnig-ht. Price. Buyer. 1 Straw Skep 22 lbs. 2 Stewarton Hive 25 ,, 3 „ 27 „ ■1 „ 28 „ 5 Straw Skep 24 „ 6 Stewarton Hive 30 ,, 7 „ 25 „ 8 „ 33 „ 9 Straw Skep 18 „ 10 „ 21 „ 11 „ 17 „ 12 „ 20 „ 13 „ 27 „ Price, s. d. 30 0 Angus Cameron. 31 0 Andrew Stitt. 31 0 Bobert J. Bennett. 30 0 Bobert Beid. 31 0 William Shields. 39 0 Bobert J. Bennett. 27 0 William Shields. 31 0 James Paton. 30 0 Angus Cameron. 26 0 John Alexander. 29 0 William Shields. 29 0 John Howard. 26 0 John Deans. A large quantity of miscellaneous bee furniture and gear was then disposed of. The Stewarton honey and body- boxes alone realised 31. 14b., and the other articles 21. 5s. 1 Id. Total Amount Bealised. Bees Bee furniture, &c. £19 10 0 5 19 11 £25 9 11 AN INCIDENT OF THE INDIAN MUTINY. On the way to Alum Bagh an incident of a singular, and, it might have proved, of a sei ious nature, befell our soldiers. In a tope (clump) of trees through which our force passed, Lieutenant Evans, of the 9th Lancers, perceived a nest of bees hanging from a branch. In thoughtless mischief he ran the point of his lance — with which weapon most of our 9th Lancer officers in those days provided themselves — into the brown-paper-looking bag. The infuriated miscreants rushed out of their dwellings in myriads, and attacked their aggressor and the whole of the advanced-guard with such resolution as to send them to the right-about, bolting as if a whole army of demons were pursuing them ; indeed, had such been the case, I believe they would have stood their ground unflinchingly. Col. Hope, seeing the flight of these brave soldiers, and not knowing- the cause of it, in hot haste formed up his men ready to resist an attack of cavalry, supposing the enemy were coming down in force upon them ; but when he saw the poor fellows with their faces and hands covered with the little black bees, which woidd not be shaken off, his amusement was unbounded. I am sorry to say, though, that for some days afterwards one poor artillery officer was in danger of his life from the effects of the stings. — From Gen. Sir Hope Grant's Incidents of the Sepoy War. GREAT LOSS OF BEES. (From the Western Gazette.) The time is fast approaching when bee-keepers will be ' all alive,' and, with your permission, I venture to lay before your readers a few particulars showing the great destruction of bees during the past season in this district. The returns from the undermentioned parishes, kindly supplied by trustworthy residents, are now in my pos- session, and may be inspected by anyone interested in the matter : No. of stocks at No. alive at Michaelmas, 1879. date of return. Somerton ... ... ... 64 ... ... 10 Charlton Adam 28 2 Street 46 2 Keinton ... ... ... 21 ... ... 1 Compton Dundon ... ... 43 ... ... 0 Kingweston ... ... 19 ... ... 9 Babcary ... ... ... 19 ... ... 3 Long Sutton 78 7 Pody more Milton ... ... 20 2 338 36 The returns also state the class of hive used in each case, but the hiformation so gained does not afford any means of judging as to which has been the most success- ful. They also show the great extent to which neglect of feeding has prevailed. Had this precaution been adopted, the losses recorded would hardly have numbered more than one-fourth of the actual number. Two of the stocks of bees operated upon by Mr. Abbott, at our flower-show, last year, purchased after the show by a novice, though weak, have, by means of liberal autumnal feeding, been preserved, and are now in a prosperous condition. The fortunate owners of strong stocks should look forward to a profitable season ; a large demand for early swarms may be expected, and, on the basis of figures quoted, each stock will have an average bee-pasturage of 640 acres. — Thomas C. Head, Somerton, May 4th, 1880. [Three hundred and two stocks dead out of three hundred and thirt3'-eight ! That's brave. Had a mur- rain carried off one-half the percentage of sheep or lambs, there would have been a terrible outcry, and probably a Government inquiry into the cause. In this case, however, the calamity is, of cjurse, attributed by the owners" to Bad Luck. — Ed.] June 1, 1880.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 35 (lurrcsponbcntc. *#* These columns are open to Subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences, may be fully and faithfully recorded; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of the relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, that the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therefore, must not be ex- pected to coincide with all the views expressed by the various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to the Editor. PROFITS OF BEE-KEEPING. On page 249 of the April Journal I asked Mr. F. Cheshire if he would explain how a cottager could make a profit of 31. per hive per year, he (Mr. Cheshire) having made a statement to that effect, as reported in a Hertfordshire newspaper. In reply to this Mr. Cheshire {tide Exeter Gazette, April 16) at a lecture delivered before the Devon and Exeter Bee-keepers' Association, is thus re- ported : ' He had said that a cottager might make 31. a-year by a hive, and that had been questioned by some one who did not give his name. He was not accustomed to make statements he could not substantiate, and he preferred not to deal with anonymous correspondents. But they knew what a wretched season the last had been, and he might mention that he had last year bought a hive for \l. Is., from which by proper treatment and feeding he had had 5/. worth of honey.' This is rather a startling statement, and although followed by urgent remarks on the value of judicious feeding generally, so large a honey result in the honeyless (1) year 1879 leaves me still — A Questioner. COTTAGERS' HIVE-MAKING. A great deal has been said and written about cottagers and others making their own hives, and buying boxes for Is. wherewith to make the same, irrespective of shakes and old nail holes, not to speak of wood of an improper thickness, and in nine cases out of ten quite unsuitable for such important work. But suppose the wood was all right, how often do we find them far from perfect 1 I have seen them well finished with their frames fitted into the hives just about as tight as a cabinet- maker would fit a drawer. Again, I have seen them with a space of half an inch at the ends, and the same at bottom. Sometimes they (the frames) would measure If inches from centre to centre. I once saw a ' home spun ' hive with frames 2 inches broad. I do not mean to put a ' damper ' on working men. I would rather encourage them to make their own hives; but not unless they can do it. To the handy cottager who can work both the square and rule I would say, Buy a sample hive — a complete one if he is able — if not, a cheap one properly made. If I mistake not, Abbott's cheap Standard costs 4s. 6d. What more is needed 1 This hive can be made quite as good as the most expensive, with a little work. I have seen hives not so good as the one I have mentioned cost 25s. Improperly made hives often do a great deal of mischief. I would therefore advise all who are about to start bee-keeping to have to do with those properly constructed. Another practice is quite common, viz. buying a sample hive, and giving the order for say a dozen more to one's own carpenter. The car- penter is, perhaps, quite ignorant of practical hive- making, and the result is a complete failure. The system is blamed, and everything else save the. right one. Is it not reasonable to suppose that the hive-maker will make the best job t Yes, and the cheapest in the long run : therefore I say, Buy from such, and avoid the mistakes so common in home- spun work. — A. Cockburn, Cairnie, N. B., May 13, 1880. [If amateur hive-makers and country carpenters would believe that the technical dimensions we give are correct they could doubtless make hives as well as they do who make the business a speciality. But they too often think it cannot make any difference whether the dis- tance round frame ends is j or 5 an inch, and ere now we have been tod of our folly in keeping frames and combs so close together in hives, ' when if more room were allowed there would be as many more bees able to work between them, and store honeyr,' &c. Of course these ideas could come from a tyro only, but such, unfortunately, are too often those who persist in ignor- ing the experience and instructions of older hands, and when they have reaped the penalty of their folly are the loudest in condemning the improved hives. As a matter of fact, an amateur who is handy with the saw, hammer, and square, may make hives more cheaply than he can buy them if his time is not of value ; but if he can earn from eightpence to tenpence per hour, it ought to pay him better to buy, unless the work he accounted relaxation or amusement. — Ed.] CHEAP HIVES. I can add my word to the goodness of your Make- shift Hives, as I have had bees in them the last two winters, with no further protection than a good roof over them, and the bees have been as warm and dry as possible. \Vhen I examined them this spring I only found a very few dead bees on the bottom, and only one comb, an outside one, slightly mouldy. In fact, it seems to me as if the simple Makeshift is quite as good as the more elaborate double -walled hives, and I have found the bees keep drier in it. I hope we are going to have some encouragement this year in the matter of weather, as we have not had much the last year or two. — S. Clabke, New Court, Ross. CHEAP HIVES. I see from the report of your meeting held April 1 4th that the conversation turned upon cheap hives. I have seventeen stocks of Ligurians all doing well. I have no difficulty in wintering. I have a wood bee-house made of f-inch boarding, waterproof. The hives stand on shelves, three tiers one above the other. The house is capable of holding fifty- three hives. My hives are made principally out of salmon-boxes, which only cost me a few pence each. Inside measure they are 12£ inches from front to back, and 19 inches the other way, by 9 inches deep. They contain about 2000 cubic inches, 36 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. some of them only 1600 cubic inches. They are plain boxes without frames, with two 2-inch holes in the top for feeding and supering. I have different kinds of supers — bell-glasses, plain boxes, and several crates of sections. I cannot fully judge yet how my mode of working will answer. I have no doubt but the bar-frame system, when it is rightly worked, is the most profitable. From various reasons I have decided not to adopt it, and have thought the mode I have adopted to be the next best way to work. Would you kindly give me your opinion about this, and also as to the size of boxes I have named 1 I intend increasing my stocks to fifty. I erected my own bee-house, and prepare my own hives and wood supers. Send'me any information you can to help me to successful working. — Thos. Whitehouse, near Brierly Hill. [The boxes will do admirably for the bees, hut frames would render them more convenient to you (not to the bees) if you at any time want to investigate their con- dition. The size most suitable is a matter in which experience of the district will be a better guide than would the individual opinion of any one at a distance, with no knowledge of the locality. Two thousand cubic inches is about the contents of our eight-framed Standard, and that is rather small for some places and seasons, and a little too large for others. In some years there is no difficulty in getting 60 to 80 lbs. of surplus honey from such boxes, while in others the bees may possibly barely maintain themselves. When you feel the neces- sity for frames, which may not be until a difficulty arises within the hive, we would advise that you adopt such as will prevent the escape of heat round the ends of the combs, as suggested in Journal for May last, p. 3. — Ed.] LIGURIAN BEES IN AUSTRALIA. I send you the following, which is a copy of what appeared in the Journal of H orticulture, June 27th, 1865. Perhaps it may be of interest to your corre- spondent, L. E, R., Alderle^&lge. — W. T. Joyce. ' ' The Liyurian Bee and the Vineyards. ' I have been asked to confute a very absurd paragraph under the above heading, which has been copied from a Melbourne paper into several of our English newspapers, and which declares thai, much damage has been done to the vineyards in Australia by the new bee. I need only state that no complaint of the kind appears ever to have been made in Italy, where this bee is indigenous, nor has it arisen in the Rhine provinces of Germany, into which the Ligurians have been extensively introduced, whilst nothing would in the slightest degree tend to give even a colour to the imputation has ever come under the observation of — A Jjevonshire Bee-keeper,' Farnborough, Hants. SPRING DYSENTERY.— QUEENLESS BEES. I think it would help me, and some others that I know of in this neighbourhood, if in the next number of the B. B. J. some light could be thrown on the cause of the dysentery which attacked almost all my stocks about a fortnight ago. I know of no cause for it myself— unless it has something to do with the sugar with which they have been fed. They have all safely got over it, nor did it appear to interfere with the bees working, although one had to watch very carefully to see that they got into their hives when they g^t home. I might have thought that the large quantities of pea-flour which my bees have taken may have had a bad effect, but I find the disease attacked other people's apiaries about the same time where little or no pea-meal had been taken. The complaint broke out simultaneously with the blooming of the dandelions. I suspected that flower at one time. I am happy to say that all my sixteen stocks have now safely weathered the winter and spring, and are in a fair way to do well — with the exception of one, which has lost its queen, and which I am puzzled to know what to do with, although it fairly maintains its own so far. I wonder if it would do to give it a piece of brood comb when the drones come out. — J. H. D., Hungerford, May 15. [From the fact that the dysentery was not confined to one apiary, the inference is that it sprang from a cause common to all, and not from any special mode of treat- ment. It is pleasant to find that the suspicion which seemed to attach to the pea-flour is thus dispelled, it (the meal) being an invaluable aid in early spring. Though the pea-flour was not given all round, it is probable that syrup may have been, and such syrup may have been made from an inferior sugar, supplied to a whole neigh- bourhood from one source. Except on some such hypo- thesis it is difficult to ascribe a reason for dysentery making its appearance, and, in some instances, making dreadful havoc in apiaries during such comparatively fine weather as we have been of late enjoying. The disease is unusual at times when bees can take wing, hut we have heard this season of an apiary of many stocks being com- pletely ruined by dysenteric disorder, the feeding having been as in former years, except that possibly the sugar obtained from beetroot may have been used instead of that from cane. These sugars are pronounced by authority to be chemically the same when properly refined, but short of that they may be very different in character. We shall esteem it a favour if any friend will help to solve the question asked above. If a brood comb were given to the queenless bees they would doubtless raise a queen, but it would be better and save time to give them a sealed queen-cell. If in straw skeps, from which it is often difficult to transfer brood or queen-cells without damaging the combs, it would be good to interchange hives with another stock, giving the queenless bees the hive of brood, and those having a queen the hive of broodless combs. The bees themselves should in the latter case be driven out of both hives before the interchange, and be allowed to run into the exchanged hives on their own respective stands. — Ed.] PROLIFIC BEES. I had a Ligurian queen of you two seasons ago. You may be interested to know that last year she led off a swarm (and four strong after-swarms fol- lowed from the same stock, which were joined two together, all of which are strong and healthy now ; but the after-swarms turn out hybrids). The swarms afterwards sent off a virgin swarm, a very fine one ; but they strayed a couple of miles, and I didn't discover them for a fortnight. This virgin swarm, as well as the one it left, have both win- tered capitally ; and to-day I have had the finest natural swarm from the virgin swarm that ever I remember to have seen. I needn't say that I value this queen very highly, and shall take great care of her and her progeny. She is the quickest and best breeder that I have ever had to do with. She is as June 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 37 pure as when I had her ; but all her grandchildren are only half-breds, which is not remarkable, seeing what a quantity of black drones there are within range. — Geo. F. Baerell, Spalding, May 6, 1880. [A queen of such extraordinary breeding power is the right sort to breed from ; aud every one of the queen- cells raised from her brood should be utilised in hgu- rianising the black stocks in the neighbourhood. Her drone progeny will doubtless have a considerable in- fluence in that direction, but the cross will be the wrong way round. The influence of Ligurian fathers is good in a degree, but that of Ligurian mothers, even though they may happen to mate with native drones, is far better, and more lasting. — Ed.] BEES IN A MILL. I tried to hive the bees out' of the mill to-day, and partly succeeded. I found out whereabouts they were by thrusting a gimlet in in several places, then cut out the boards ; but when out, the combs were a yard long from the joist where they were fastened, and the bees, well — I cannot describe the number, it was truly legion. I could not distin- guish the queen, it was impossible, so I cut out brood-combs as well and carefully as possible, and transferred them to the hives I intended, and then swept the bees in. Fungus processes were perfectly useless. I filled three hives. I would willingly have paid a guinea and expenses for some one to come and stake them for me, had I known what a splendid lot they were, but I have now done it as best I could. I shall plaster up the places where they go in be- tween the boards to prevent their return. — R. R., Maidenhead. BEES AT FETTERCAIRN, N.B.— NO HONEY MARKET. This district (with its large area of pasture-land and honey-producing plants, flanked by the Gram- pian Mountains, on whose rugged sides towards autumn may be seen thousands of acres of ' bloom- ing heather ') is certainly a splendid place for the pursuit of apiculture. Here is abundant material for work, but where are tBe workers ? They are, I am sorry to say, almost extinct. When visited by bad honey-gathering seasons (such as last) cottagers in this vicinity won't be persuaded to feed their bees, but foolishly permit them to starve, rather than incur any expense for food to tide them safely through the winter. Thus their valuable lives are sacrificed, and on the return of better times, tons of honej' (are ungathered and apparent!}' wasted. The principal reason for this procedure, on inquiry, I find to be, that it requires an outlay of money to purchase food for their bees, without the prospect of a cash return, because they cannot find a market for their honey. This is the great rock on which bee-keeping makes shipwreck in these parts, and until some means be devised whereby the cottagers can find a ready sale for the produce of their hives at fairly remunerative prices, bee-keeping will be altogether, as it is now almost, 'abandoned. — J. S., Fettercaim, May 22nd, 1880. [It is simply absurd for cottagers and others to ci y out, in excuse of their stupid neglect of their bees, that there is no honey market, when there is scarcely a grocer's window in the whole country that does not prove to the contrary. The fault is not in the honey, nor in the public, who fully appreciate and freely purchase a good article, hut in the bee-keepers themselves, who will not take the trouble to produce their hone}' in a saleable form. Instead of old gallipots and pickle-jars, that suggest the odour of pomatum and onions, if the com- plainers would pack their honey in suitable form as sug- gested by Mr. Hunter in bis paper on the subject (p. 12 of present volume), and send it to Mr. Baldwin, the agent of the British Bee-keepers' Association, who has arranged with honey-dealers for its sale (see p. 204, Vol. VII.), they would soon find an outlet for it. — Ed.] BEE-FARMING— INFORMATION WANTED. Can anyone inform me of a bee-farm in England on which is cultivated nothing but bees 1 If a man were to start as a bee-farmer, could he make a live- lihood by so doing ; and could he readily dispose of the honey if he farmed on a large scale1! What capital would be necessary in order to start a farm that would bring in an income of 100/. per year] I shall be very grateful for full particulars on the fore- going questions, as I have been thinking of starting a bee-farm, but am quite ignorant as to whether such an undertaking would pay. — J. A. R., Croydon. BEES NOT WORKING— WHY 1 I have a hive of bees that wintered all right. They commenced breeding early. The hive is a straw skep ; it was full of bees. There was plenty of young workers. The drones came out in full force on the 14th of April, on the 28th they began throwing out drones and drone-brood in all stages. They have stopped breeding and working, though we are having lovely weather. They have plenty of food. I have given them pea-meal. If you could tell me what is the matter and how to cure it, I should be very greatly obliged. My other stocks are all right. Could you recommend a cheap book of reference 1 I bought two, but they give the anatomy of the bees, but nothing of management. I am a working man, and cannot afford to spend too much, having a family of children. — James Hadfield, Wadsley Bridge, near Sheffield. [The casting forth of drones and drone-brood indicates that the hive received a severe check when presumably it was progressing gaily. Young bees were there to testify to the presence of a fertile queen at a slightly earlier period, so the drones cannot he supposed to be the offspring of a fertile worker. It is evident that the cold or short commons that caused the destruction of the drones and brood also led to the death of the queen, from which calamity they have not yet recovered. We would give them a sealed queen-cell as a test ; if it be not destroyed within, say twenty-four hours, you may feel assured of the presence of a queen, though it is possible she may prove unfertile, hut that cannot he governed, or even discovered until her brood is sealed. Should there be no queen present the queen in the cell will hatch out in due course, and all will probably come right. The drone-brood of an unfertile queen makes itself con- spicuous by the worker cells being elongated, as illus- trated in a late No. of the Journal. Messrs. Hunter and Cheshire are preparing a ' Handbook ' under the auspices of the British Bee-keepers' Association, but we cannot say when it will be ready. In the meantime we cannot suggest a better help than our ' Leaflets for the Million,' at a half-penny each, lrf. post free, 6d. per dozen post free, or 25s. per thousand. — Ed. ] 38 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. BEES AND BEE SHEDS. It is very lamentable to see the frightful moo- tality among bees that have been neglected. In my walks I come upon hives one after the other with the bees starved to death. A gentleman, who has spent I daresay 20/. on his bees, and who has them in a smart house, full of boxes, met me last week, and told me all his bees were dead. ' I have been losing,' he said, ' on the average two every year, till this year all have gone.' On visiting his apiary, it was not difficult to see the reason of this ; on opening the hive the stench was so great from foul brood that we both had to retreat. I have forwarded him the Journal on foul brood. These bee-houses seem to me to combine every disadvantage possible for bee comfort. I have two weak stocks, but they both have queens, and both are breeding, though they have no reserve of food. Would it be best to unite them1? I am loth to do so; or to take two combs from my strong stocks to strengthen them 1 — H. C. S. [As a rule, we dislike the principle of levelling down, or taking from strong stocks to give to weak ones, as it is often much more profiiable to unite the latter. The old adage is true of bees when perfect ' unity ' is accom- plished, for the 'strength,' or the power to labour and multiply, are increased more than three-fold by the union of two stocks. If the queens are of especial value, we often nurse weak stocks into strength in preference to risking the valued lives ; otherwise we would unite under one queen and dispose of the other. We quite agree on the value of Bee houses. — Ed.] NURSING WEAK HIVES. Perhaps the important work implied in the above heading may be a soiirce of annoyance to many bee-keepers. I purchased a stock of bees last April on the verge of starvation, hive, bees, and contents, barely 8 lbs. weight. I considered it profitless ; and but for having pity for bees would not have purchased it on any account. Well, to plan ! I got a tundish, and placed it over top of skep, and filled it with tea-leaves. I filled it up with syrup after nightfall. I listened atten- tively, when lo ! I heard the merry tune of the queen. I continued at this during the whole of April, all the time admiring the notes of her majesty. In a short time it turned out one of the most prolific hives. A friend told me he fed a swarm he got from a hedge with new milk and sugar ; and when May came he stopped feeding them with such, and one Sunday he went out, and as they were inactive he lifted up the hive, and found them spread upon the board quite lifeless. He brought them in, spread them before the fire, and dusted sugar amongst them. By the time he arrived from church the bees had resumed their wonted liveliness. He fed some time longer with cream and sugar, and they swarmed twice after- wards. Well, now I never gave a bee one morsel since last October (adhering strictly to Bee Journal and its teachings). I bought a couple of hundredweight of sugar of course. I was the laughing-stock of the dis- trict, with all the bottles of syrup about the house. I was daily receiving reports of hives being dead, and of course they said, ' Your bees must be dead too,' and to further joke me they asked me had I got the ' faren ' bees yet (meaning the Italians) 1 On March 8th my wife reported bees in splendid con- dition. They all flew about me, and I brought out ; a plate and covered it over with tea-leaves ; and I had a bottle of syrup left, and I poured it upon the plate, and placed it in one of the onion ridges, 'And the creatui-es,' says she, ' they flew around me like I chickens.' I put a lot of pea-flour in the crocuses, and '. one would think it was a swarm around me. I have them in good condition, although I never gave them | food since autumn ; but still I think it rather early for feeding yet. You'll awaken the ancients with your Bee Tent here in autumn, as I see a report, from Bee Journal in Wexford Independent. — J. Teay- nor, Tinahely. ARTIFICIAL HEAT, AS APPLIED TO WEAK STOCKS. The last summer and winter have indeed been teasers to all engaged in the pleasant and generally profitable occupation of bee-keeping. But for the lessons I have learned from the Bee Journal, I should have had to bewail the loss of my five stocks, instead of being able to say four of them are strong as needs be at this season, and the other alive and able to give a kick, if required ; though, through the severity of the season, and being weak in numbers, it has had a hard road to travel, and but for a little artificial heat, might have been eaten out of house and home by the stronger hives. This weak one is the product of the Carniolan queen, which I mistook for a Ligurian hybrid, and which was kindly pre- sented to me by Mr. Walton last summer. Knowing that by the many dead bees near the entrance to this hive that it had suffered much, I opened it with some anxiety to see if the queen had survived, and finding that she had, though with not more than a handful of workers, I commenced feeding with one of Mr. Hunt's ;;:ill feeders : but in this I made a mistake, and as to chronicle our mistakes is to teach others to avoid them, I give particulars. I ought to say that the hive had been well fed in the early autumn, and had plenty of sealed food. When I gave the food in quill feeder, the bees seemed to be much aroused ; but not being able, from the smallness of their number, to take it up well, some ran on the board and attracted robber bees, besides the evil of dampness generally. This last, however, I corrected by changing floor-board ; but the robbers still would come, though I narrowed entrance, and removed the feeding-quill, and the rightful owners becoming weaker, I tried another method. This was to heat some bricks in oven, and apply them over the hive. This succeded to admiration, for after a few days I saw the marauders enter with much more caution, and some of them were dragged out neck-and-heels, and others held in the deadly embrace of the Austrians, who, though said to be gentle, like the Ligurians, are evidently able to hold their own. When I see them begin to bring in pollen I shall give them stimulating food again, but in small quantities at first. June 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 39 My other stocks were very active in bringing in loads yesterday, and seem to be very vigorous. This may be partly due to the infusion of Ligurian blood, which I had from you a few years since, though from the bad seasons and want of experience I was only able to keep pure for one year ; and now all trace, except the vigour above referred to, and a rather lighter tinge in the colour of the bees, is lost. I shall, however, try again, I hope under more favourable conditions, and with improved surroundings, in a year or so hence. I was very much pleased with the account of bee-flora, con- tained in the Journal for October last, and subse- quent number. Can any of your readers inform me if Myrobella, or plum-cherry, which is so highly spoken of for fencing, would be of any value to bees t It is said that this flowers abundantly at the time the blackthorn does, and is a much more vigorous grower; and if so, would be at a time when help to bees, either in the shape of honey or pollen, would be most needed. I should also like to know what is the best way of propagating this hedge- plant, whether by seed or otherwise ; and if our Editor could supply plants or seed, if required. I have forwarded my subscription to the Midland Counties Bee-keepers' Association, and suggested that one means of improving the stamina of the bees themselves would be the judicious interchange of queens among the members ; or the same thing might be done with swarms where practicable, as I have heard that great mutual benefit would result from this practice, especially when the bee.-; are brought from a distance beyond the reach of flight. Trusting you and all of us may have a fine season to compensate for the last. — C. Shufflebotham, Coventry. ADVANTAGES OF A BAR-FRAME HIVE. Having taken up the vocation of an amateur bee- farmer and a subscriber to your valuable Journal, from which I have learnt somewhat, and seeing you are willing to help the uninformed, I wish to know the chief advantages of a bar-frame hive above others, and whether nailing bars on to the top inside a common hive is any advantage to the bees building their comb; and, further, if they were lined with the comb, laid on with a hot iron, would they build to it J Also, will not holes, made about three-eighths diameter, in the adapting board for the bees to get through to the super boxes (about half- a-dozen in a space about two inches square) do as well as the slits which are generally used. As I find I have much to learn I shall be thankful some- times to have your advice. — G. R., Walcot Green, Diss. [The advantages of the moveable comb hive over those in which the combs are fixed are manifold, and include facilities for ascertaining' the exact condition of a stock of bees at any moment, capturing a queen, proving queenlessness or otherwise, the prevention of over- swarming by the easy and certain removal of queen- cells, the excision or adjustment of drone comb, the cut- ting out or extraction of honey, the interchange of full and empty combs, the division of stocks, the removal of vermin, the detection of disease in its early stages, the enlargement or contraction of the brood nest, the ascer- tainment of a young queen's fertility, and a hundred and one other operations that are well-nigh impossible in a hive in which the combs cannot be invaded. Fixing bars to skeps with foundation attached would ensure the building of straight combs, and be helpful to a swarm, if placed an inch and a half (nearly) from centre to centre. Holes will do as well as slits for the bees ; but the slits are intended to prevent the passage of queens to supers, and the spoiling of the latter by the breeding that would take place in them. — Ed.] BEES IN A FARM-HOUSE. Some bees had established a colony at a farm- house (Church Hall, Paylisham), and the farm bailiff, considering them a nuisance, ordered the bricklayers to remove the plaster and lath, and after suffocating the bees, the mechanics took out with their trowels beautiful combs not less than 4 feet long and 1 foot wide. I am sorry I had not the chance of taking one of the combs and preserv- ing it intact under glass for exhibition, &c. — David King, Rochford. BEE-HOUSES. Some time ago you asked for information about bee-houses. As I have had one in use for nearly twenty years, I think I understand as much of their advantages and disadvantages as most. Mine has a pointed roof, which turns off wet well, and will hold seven to eight hives, and when managed simply on the depriving system, is all that can be desired to those who have limited space. But when bars have to be removed, or any thorough examina- tion entered into, it is very inconvenient, for though each hive has its own board, and the house opens fully at back, the hives have to be moved, which causes disturbance ; and the bees who take flight are apt to go into other hives, which leads to quarrels, so that I should say, for advanced bee-culture, bee- houses are worse than useless, though to remove bees to a shed during severe weather is no doubt wise.* — C. Shufflebotham. BEES IN KIRRIEMUIR. This is a splendid country for bees, and used to have a large bee population ; but now-a-days, I hear old people say, there is not one hive kept for ten that wont to be. One old farmer used, about fifty or sixty years hack, to pay his rent off his bees. The honey produced is col- lected almost entirely off white clover and ' the bonnie bloomin' heather.' The last year and a half has almost blotted out the genus Apis from the neighbourhood altogether. Even the very humble-bees are compara- tively scarce this spring. Small straw hives used to be the ride, but the owners of these, like Lord Ullin, are left lamenting 'their bees 're aw deed.' Most of the bees left alive are in bar-frame hives, and have been cared for under the new regime for some rears. There are upwards of twenty bar-frame stocks in the parish just now and five or six new school bee-masters. I think most stocks that have been attended to are prosperous. I know best about my own, and propose to tell a few of my own experiences. * Moving bees during severe weather to a dark shed is not a bad practice, but they should be returned when flight i9 again possible. — Ed. 40 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. In 1878 I began with four stocks. I bought one small swarm from Abbott Brothers that summer, and, though I have had ' ups,' I have also had ' downs ' since then ; so that this year I begin with only five serviceable stocks again. In 1878 1 sold upwards of 20/. worth of honey, but last year I only sold 10s. 6d. worth. I think that my expenses for hives, apparatus, bees, and sugar at this date somewhat over my drawings for honey ; but, viewing the returns as ' interest on capital,' I am exceedingly well satisfied. Laying all considerations about ' filthy lucre ' aside, I still mean to go on with my bee-keeping. Last season was very trying, as almost all my plans miscarried. I had some old queens, but I could not get young ones reared and mated to take their place ; so they had to reign all winter. These have mostly done well too, while two of last year's mating have done ill, one dying, and another (an imported Ligurian) abdicated, leaving two square inciies of brood and eggs to take her place. That circumstance somewhat provoked me. I found the queen cast out in a dying state one day, and but a small number of bees in the hive, while the hive next to it (a black one) was strong, and seemed to have been augmented by great numbers of Italians, no doubt from their yellow neighbour. Rats are said to leave a sinking ship : would this be the principle of their migra- tion, think you ? Since then a young Italian queen has been hatched from the brood left, but I suppose she will be too early to get a mate. I have bought seven yellow queens, costing me about 3/., and this is the last of them again, the whole seven dying without issue. Last September I bought a yellow queen. I caught the old black queen of a hive, and caged the new-comer in her place. In two days I went and released my prisoner. She took wing immediately, and flew off, and I saw her no more. On examining the hive, to see what could be the reason for her not going down into it, I was surprised to find a plump, healthy-looking black queen in it, besides the one I had removed before. I was not quite sure if she was fertilised, for I observed drones in good numbers ; and I am almost sure some drones were in the hive all winter. However she is breeding now, but about a third of her brood is drones in workers' cells, and that scattered promiscuously through the nest. No wonder her yellow majesty absconded in September. The best bee-plant I have is Arabis alpina. The bees work on it like they do on clover. The crocuses are neglected for it, and the meal-store which I have set up in an empty hive. I fill the hive with fine shavings (turnings I use), and raise the roof about 3 inches to allow the bees entrance below. I then sprinkle pea-flour on the top of the shavings, and the hive-roof keeps all dry. That is the most popular meal-store I ever saw. To teach the bees to take the flour I just dust a little of it on them at the hive-entrances for a few days, and they soon learn to go in search of it personally. — G. A. R., Lintrathen, Kirriemuir. BEE-KEEPING IN IRELAND. I am glad to see that the Bee Tent is going over to Ireland ; great good will result I am sure. My pleas- antest bee-keeping days were spent in Ireland, but I cannot subscribe to the puff by It. S., in Daily Express. Doubtless bee-keeping is in a very bad state in Ireland, but so it is in England. I would wager that if Ire- land were canvassed on the subject, it would be found that the peasantry make a better return from their bees than the same number of their English brethren do. I have travelled over the bulk of country lying between Belfast and County Waterfurd, and itjj'ould astonish an outsider to see the quantity of honey that is grown. Of course it is not obtained in glass supers or sections, but in the old style, not the least portion being taken with- out smothering the bees. I know one gentleman in the County Wickiow who keeps from thirty to forty stocks in bar-frames, and whose intelligent gardener has been the means of doing a deal of good both among the neigh- bouring and distant peasantry, not excepting many small farmers. But what is the fact ? How are the people to be taught improved bee-culture, unless by some neigh- bourly friend ? There is practically no bee literature ' for them. The Bee Sfmimal is comparatively unknown. I know I had difficulty in making out its whereabouts. I applied twice for its address to a London firm, and then did not receive it until I gave them a small order. The principal farming journal completely ignores bee- culture. The Practical Farmer (an excellent paper in some respects) gives a little help, but being from Ameri- can papers, is not exactly wnat is wanted. If you would only take some steps to make your Journal better known throughout not only Ireland, but England, I doubt not but that you would be pleasurably surprised at the influx of subscribers, while at the same time you would become a national benefactor. Another sugges- tion I would make, especially to Irish bee-keepers, that they should, by inducing clergymen to accept swarms of bees (a small matter ic an earnest lover of the science), and by a little personal attention, secure their proper manage- ment, and so enlist them in the promotion of the indus- try. Another plan would be for apiarians, who are members of Young Men's Christian Associations, to give an occasional lecture, illustrated with appliances of prac- tical use, and I would vouch that bee-culture would soon become understood, and consequently appreciated ; for in my opinion (which I trust you will pardon) the Irish peasant is a more intelligent being, more given to thinking, than his English brother. I am an Englishman myself, therefore I do not make this assertion from national pride, but truth compels me to do so. When I started bee-keeping (in Ireland) I expended during the first year over 20/., but during the second year I discovered the Bee Journal; all was ignorance to that time, and by its aid and advice, instead of being all expenditure, I was en- abled to turn bee-keeping to some account. I condemned all my previous purchases, and at the end of the third year, I was enabled to sweep off over 357. of expenses, besides carrying forward 4/. lis. 8d. cash, and 10/. 14s. Id. worth of useful apparatus ; from that time until the close of last year, I made bee-keeping a pecuniary success. Unfortunately at the present time I am bee-less, a state of matters brought about by change of residence, which compelled me very reluctantly to part with all my bees. In 1878 one of my stocks in a Woodbury hive returned me 6/. clear profit, but that was exceptional. I have only lost one hive by foul brood, not any otherwise. I have on every available opportunity shown my bees, and explained their management as well as I was able, to many people, often to the injury of my legitimate busi- ness. One word to brother bee-keepers. Advertise the British Bee Journal amongst friends and neighbours by every possible means. That is the lever that will help on bee-culture, for the people only want apprising of what national importance bee-keeping can become, to compel them to enter the field as honey producers, to help them to better their own condition, and keep the money in the country that is now paid abroad for very inferior honey and wax. — H. D. [Our correspondent sent with his communication the name of a new subscriber, and has thereby shown, in the most practical form, his enthusiastic appreciation of our efforts as journalists, and his desire to spread a knowledge of bee-keeping ; and if every one who has found help in our pages would do likewise, it would no longer be inferred that the B. B. J. is ' comparatively unknown.' Our Journal may be considered in the light of an educational work, helpful to those who desire to improve, but sneered at by the multitude who have per- fect faith in their own knowledge ; and before it will be appreciated generally as our enthusiast desires, the bee- keeping public have to learn the necessity for some such counsellor and guide. Advertising will not teach this, June 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 41 but example will, and after a few more bad summers and severe winters, in which the self-satisfied lose all their bees, while those who follow the teachings of the Journal are enabled to preserve theirs alive, the bee- keeping public will have learned how little they know, and how much they have to unlearn, and then perhaps a knowledge of the existence of the Bee Journal would be welcomed, and advertising would pay. In the ex- cellent American ' Gleanings on Bee-culture,' a writer on advertising says, ' There is no advertisement like a pleased customer,' and on such we rely for recommendation and help in our work. — Ed.] d£rjj0£S from % ^iucs. Honey Recipes. — I think it would add interest as well as be of value to your paper if you had a column set apart for recipes in medicine and cookery, where honey was an ingredient. Your readers being invited to send them in from whatever source foimd, whether written, printed, or either, care only being taken not to repeat the same twice. One of my family once made some very nice vinegar ; I do not know whether others have done the same, or what the cost would be compared with malt- vinegar if made in larger quantities for the wholesale trade.— W. H. T. Andover, May 19. — Early Drones. — ' You were quite right about the hive of bees I mentioned in my letter of March 11th (which was hatching out drones in the middle of February.) It had a drone-laying queen, but the workers were so strong that I could hardly think it at the time. The hive is still in existence, but is now on its last legs.' — Capt. 0. A. Early Supering. — ' On April 21st I put supers on two stocks, each of which when filled would contain about 40 lbs. ; the bees immediately took possession, and began comb-building. On May 13th and 14th I had two swarms from the same weighing 7§ and 0 lbs. each. The bees had built all the comb in one, and each super con- tained 14 lbs. of hone)', a few inches of it being sealed.' — George Allen. Hailsworth, April 26. — ' I have lost all my bees, some forty stocks and swarms, by foul brood. I kept them in improved Woodbury hives. I have broken up my hives and burnt most of them, and given up bee-keeping in despair.'— Geo. F. Tabram. Wired comb foundation, May 10. — 'The wired foun- dation curls up as much as the English, but the bees gnaw away the bottom where it is not straight, which I have not found them do to the other. I have one frame built out and fuller of brood than any other comb in the hive.'— G. C. E., Bart. Clifton Parsonage, Ashburne, April 27. — ' I went away in the middle of February to the south of France, leaving my Ligurian swarm of last year in very good order after a month's feeding. Some time after I was gone my gardener took it into his head to drench them with syrup. The consequence is that I find the bottom of the hive a mass of dead bees and sugar, the door clogged up, and all the bees dead ; stifled for want of air.' — G. A. F. New Zealand Bee-keeping. — 'A gentleman, Mr. Lee, explained to me about bee-keeping in New Zealand, as follows : — " You know (he says) there are good and bad seasons for bees as here. The year before I left I smothered three hives, and the least weighed 132 lbs., after deducting the weight of the packing-case, as that is the only hive used ; but I have experienced seasons in which the bees didn't nearly fill them. We smother in February and March, and leave a few stocks, same as our own country people do. The bees swarm and hang out in a bush same as here (Ireland). We consume all the honey in the household. No such thing occurs as two crops in one }'ear ; we oftentimes hardly have one good crop. Bees don't gather honey all the year round as some people would make you believe."' — J. Traynor, Tinahely. Hill Cottage, Falfield, Gloucestershire — Suggested Section Didders. — ' Would not the thin wood used for making match-boxes do well for dividers in sectional supers P It is very thin, and cut out by machinery at a great rate, so should be cheap. — H. Jenner-Fust, Jun.' Bivlchbychan, May 21st. — 'Owing to the cottagers about here keeping their bees in the old straw skep they have died by hundreds, and it was with great difficulty that I procured any. At present the weather is lovely, and we have had no rain for the past month. I hope by next summer to be able to report the formation of a Bee-keepers' Association, as the people are beginning to see the folly of their ways. — J. C. P. Vaughan Pryse.' Nottingham. — Drones were first seen on May 20th, so that no swarms have issued yet, although the weather during the present month has been all that could be wished. April, however, was a cold month, and the progress made was not so rapid as we had been led to hope from the state of our stocks in March. All at present, however, seems to presage a good season both for bees and honey. — W. S. (luetics anb JUplbs. Query No. "3(*. — Comb foundation. — Is it safe to fill all the bars of a hive for the reception of a swarm with American comb-foundation (wired), or would it be more secure, and prevent curling, to tie thread across them, as described in a former number of Bee Journal? — G. Allen, Orpington. Eeply to Query No. 336. — It is supposed to be quite safe to fill frames with the wired foundation. We intended to give it a good trial this year, but by inad- vertence every bit of it was sent out, and no more is at present forthcoming. Tying threads across can be no detriment to foundation or bees, and would be useful experimentally. — Ed. Query No. 337. — The bottle as an indicator of need.— Last October, when feeding my bees with syrup from one of your bottles with three holes in the cork, they ceased to take the syrup. I could not see that it was candied. I therefore concluded that they did not want it, and that the syrup did not flow without the suction from the bees, and I recognised this as a valuable guide as to their needs. Now I cannot reconcile this with the fact that the syrup runs through the holes when one inverts the bottle before it is placed on the perforated zinc stage : ought I to infer from this that the bees cannot get it, because it is either too thick or candied ? — K. C. J. Reply to Query No. 337.— If the bees are in actual need, and do not take the syrup, it must be inferred that they are unable to do so either through its having can- died, because they do not like it, or through their inability to reach it. If the bottle be quite full of syrup, there being no air within to become attenuated, it can be inverted and held level with the mouth downward with- out a drop of the contents running through the holes in the zinc or vulcanite with which it may happen to be covered, but if only partly rilled with syrup, the air within will become attenuated in a greater or less degree, and a few drops of syrup will escape. When put upon the zinc-stage, if it be level not a drop of the syrup can 42 THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [June 1, 1880. get out, and no air can get into the bottle unless a bee inserts its tongue, and sucks out some of the syrup, when by a natural law air will find its way in to supply the place of the syrup taken out. A feeding-bottle with uncandied syrup in it is but a poor guide to the need of bees, since, as a rule, they cannot withstand the tempta- tion to take it and store it under ordinary circumstances if they can get at it. When honey is abundant they will naturally give it the preference, and if several sources be open they will select the best. When syrup is candied, or very cold, they neglect it, though they may be in a state of starvation. — Ed. Query No. 338 — Returning Swarms. — Not wishing to add to the number of my hives, may I return a first swarm to the hive ? and must I take away the old queen before doing so, or let the two queens fight it out? It is so very difficult to find the queen in the swarm. I hope some of your contributors will give their experi- ences and difficulties with the zinc queen includer. — K. C. J. Reply to Query No. 338. — A normal first swarm may be returned to the hive without danger to the queen, because there will be no other queen within the hive. Such swarms issue seven or eight days before the young queens which are maturing, hatch into life. Though swarms be returned as suggested, it by no means follows that they will not issue again, since having deter- mined on swarming, and having raised queen-cells pre- paratory to doing so, the bees may insist on their maturing ; otherwise, the young queen will be allowed to destroy them. — Ed. Query No. 339. — Admission to Supers. —Can you or any of your subscribers tell me which, after experience, is found the best, the side slot or perforated zinc (round or oblong hole ) to place under supers ? I myself incline to quarter inch space above frame with side slot in adapt- ing-boards, with corresponding bottom to super, and wny should not the top bar of hives be made of such a width that the intervals between them should admit workers and not queen to supers ? — S. Nicholl. Reply to Query' No. 339. — We have many times shown that bees prefer to store their surplus honey at the farthest point from the entrance of the hive ; and in an article on supering in this Journal have again referred to it. It is quite useless for writers, however great their experience, to lay down any absolute rules for others' guidance, for since ' bees do nothing invariably,' the rules do not always apply, and are therefore often looked upon as whimsical. Some writers assert that honey is always stored in the coolest part of the hive, others will as strenuously assert that bees prefer to store it on the top, which is the hottest (next to the actual brood-nest) ; and thus opinions vary, and the public are left in a state of incertitude. Our dictum, however, helps to reconcile these opinions, and we have little doubt but that admission to supers at the back or beyond the brood-nest will be generally most acceptable to the bees ; and whether excluders be used or not, will offer the least inducement for the queen to enter them. Top bars of wood are liable to expansion, contraction, and warping, and cannot be relied on as ex- cluders in the ordinary sense. We hold that the quarter- inch space is unnecessary, and often hurtful as permitting the loss of heat. Others differ in opinion, but we cannot help that ; our argument is based on the bees' own works, and their protest against the conveniences which humans offer them, and they as persistently reject. — Ed.] Query No. 340. — Prize for Non-mcarming Hives. — Why do people go on talking and advertising non- swarming systems to the delusion of novices, when they know perfectly well that there is a prize offered which has never been taken for any such system ? Ammonia for stingt. — Mr. Jenner-Fust recommended some time the strongest ammonia for cure of bee-stings. I should like to caution those who have not used it, that if they apply it to eye, nose, or lips, they may find those members skinless. My bees have prospered. I have lost none owing to the winter. I took 14 lbs. of honey yesterday, May 21st, from one hive, and two frames from a second, and might have taken six times as much. — S. Nicholl. Reply to Query No. 340. — A great writer and philosopher has described our thirty millions of popu- lation as ' mostly fools ; ' and though we do not subscribe to this entirely, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that a very large number of the people are ever ready and willing to be gulled, and that there are 'hawks' and ' cormorants ' mostly on the look-out for them. Wre should be glad, however, if our correspondent will furnish us with the particulars of the challenge prize he mentions, and the conditions under which it is offered, as we are by no means certain that such a hive cannot be produced if it is not already in the market. The warning to those inclined to use ardent ammonia will doubtless have due weight. — Ed.] NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS. Bwlchbychan. — The bees being weak should be fed, and that robbing may not be provoked it would be better done at night, and so leave the bees free to work during the day. Newly purchased weak stocks are not, as a rule, very promising, but their being so helps to bear out our suggestion, oft repeated, that people are not fond of selling their best. It would have been better to have purchased new swarms. Being weak it would be better not to transfer them at present, but nurse them into strength by feeding, and transfer about twenty days after swarms have issued from them. An orchard screened on the north and west by spruce plantations should be an excellent position for an apiary, provided the country around is productive. Bark Combs. — The dark colour of combs is caused by the breeding which has taken place in the cells. Every young bee during its transformation spins a silky cocoon around itself, which, when matured, it leaves behind in the cell. These, though almost as 'thin as air,' accumulating in the cells, tinge, darken, and blacken them ; but it takes some years of succes- sive breeding to render the cells too small to be ser- viceable. One year's breeding will turn white comb to very dark brown. G. R., Diss. — Second-hand hives. — Our caution was in re- spect of purchased hives ; if one is certain that his own contain none of the germs of foul-brood or other deleterious growth, he can use them if he chooses to do so, but in all cases a thorough cleansing cannot be other than beneficial. To keep down drones and queens, the bars are inefficient ; and if they were widened to narrow the passage way between them, warping, &c. would render them ineffective. For information on the quilt, see Index. The Warder system of storifying by mounting full stocks on empty hives, and removing the tops when the har- vest has ceased, is out of date, as the honey taken, having been stored in brood-combs, is too often mixed with pollen and other impurities ; hence the reversal of the system now called supering. The feeding-stage need not be removed until you intend to put on supers ; the ' cushion ' laid on will keep the bees warm. The smoking apparatus should be charged lightly with dry material, cotton rags will do, a lighted fusee applied, and the bellows set to work. The neighbourhood of Biss is fortunate in having lost so few bees. THE n Umtptl, mm i i aSv *> ■ Woodbury width (16 inches), or Is. for Standard (18 inches . LIGURIANIZING AND ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. We have been favoured by a cutting from the Aberdeen Free Press of June 14th, and to those about to follow the advice therein given, we say, ' Don't ! ' ' Those who are new hands among bees, and wish an easy and profitable method of making an artificial swarm, should follow the plan I am now about to de- scribe : — Procure an Italian queen from some of the dealers in apiarian supplies. Take two bars of comb from a hive, shake off the bees, placing the combs in the centre of another bar-frame hive, prepared beforehand for the reception of the new swarm. Cage the Italian queen between these two combs to prevent the bees killing her. Remove any strong colony a few yards from its present stance, placing the new hive containing the caged queen in its place. The bees, returning from the fields, enter the hive, rushing hither and thither in wild despair for some miuutes, until they ultimately come to the conclusion that " what can't be cured must be, en- dured." They will soon be found depositing their loads near the caged queen, and returning again to work with renewed energies. The queen may be set at liberty in about twelve hours.' We cannot see a single reason why the Ligu- rian queen should be put in the position of danger, amongst the savage old bees forming the artificial swarm, seeing that their own queen could equally well be put with them, and good order preserved, while the golden beauty could as easily, and far more safely, be intro- 52 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [July 1, 1880. cluced to the young bees in the stock hive. Nor should we feel safe in releasing a valued queen under any conditions, after twelve hours' probation only amongst old bees, but should be more inclined to believe in ninety-six at the least. It is well known that occasionally alien queens are accepted almost without precaution, but in the majority of instances it is the re- verse ; and after our late experience in the in- troduction of the lady from the Holy Land (p. 46), we advise those who are introducing val- uable queens to be cautious. More than half the failures that occur in introducing queens arise from the presence of old bees, they hug the queens to death, but whether from love or hate we cannot say.— Ed. THE COMING SHOW AT WINDSOR. There will be eleven exhibitions of bees and their products, hives, bee-furniture, and manipulation during the present month, all of which have been heretofore notified in these pages, except that of the newly-formed Berks and Bucks Bee-keepers' Association, which will take place in the Home Park on the 1 3th inst. in connexion with the Prince Consort's Windsor Association. Numerous prizes are offered, open to all England, with others limited to local exhibitors, and His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught will distri- bute the awards at three o'clock in the afternoon. The Prince Consort's Association was initiated by ' Albert the Good ' ' for improving the condition of labourers and others,' and is under the special patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, who usually honours its exhibition with her august presence ; and it is hoped that similar favour will be extended to the exhibition of the Association of Bee-keepers that has been established for a similar purpose. Like their bees, who will cluster wherever their queen perchance may be, bee-keepers will swarm with their products to the Royal Borough on the 13th, and will be happy in the knowledge that their queen has given countenance to them even vicariously while the actual 'Presence ' would render them wild with delight. British bee-keepers are essentially loyal, and their Associations are happily kindred in purpose to that which the great Father of Kings deemed not unworthy his direct personal influence, and which now bears his honoured name. Bee-keepers are of all classes, and their Associations have but one object, viz. ' the encouragement, im- provement, and advancement of bee-culture in Great Britain, particularly as a means of bettering t/ie condition of cottagers and the labouring classes,' and they have reason to feel honoured by their connexion with the Prince Consort's Windsor Association. Members of such Associations may say with perfect good feeling, — ' I'" roni the loom, from the mine, from the forge, from the mart, From the cells of stern science, the halls of fair art, From the homes of calm learning we come ; Who grudges his brother a brotherly part In our work. Let him hence and he dumb.' BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Committee meeting held at 105 Jermyn Street on Wednesday, June 9th. Present, Mr. T. W. Cowan (in the chair), and Messrs. J. P. Jackson, J. M. Hooker, C. N. Abbott, J. Hunter, F. Cheshire, Kev. E. Bartrum, W. O'B. Glennie (Treasurer), and the Rev. H. R. Peel (lion. Sec.) The minutes of the previous Com- mittee Meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary reported that all the gentlemen selected to act as judges at the South Kensington Show had accepted office with the exception of Mr. Herbert Jenner-Fust. The Treasurer reported a balance in hand of 62^. 3s. 4d. The Rev. E. Bartrum moved, and the Honorary Secretary seconded, ' That Mr. Cheshire be requested to chww up an explanatory account of the diagrams, such account wdien printed not to exceed twenty-six pages of 300 words each.' Mr. J. P. Jackson having offered a Cyprian queen to the Association in lieu of the one placed in the care of Mr. Cheshire in October last, it was moved by the Secretary, and seconded by Mr. Hooker, ' That the best thanks of the Meeting he given to Mr. Jackson for his kind and valuable present.' The Committee then pro- ceeded to make the several arrangements for the Annual Show to be held on July 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, and August 2nd, the entries for which close on Saturday, July 17th, in accordance with the following notice, viz., ' The third quarterly meeting during the present year of Representatives of Count)' Associations to he held at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South Kensington on Tuesday, July 27th, the first day of the Show at four o'clock in the afternoon, special subject for consideration, ' Suggested rides and regulations for County Associations in affiliation with the Central Society.' A Conversazione will be held at the close of the Quarterly Meeting. Sub- ject for discussion, ' The relation of Bees to Flowering Plants,' to be introduced by Frank R. Cheshire, Esq., of Avenue House, Acton. The meetings will be held in the large Conservatory. A General Meeting of the Members of the Association will be held on Wednesday, July 28th, at six p.m., and the prizes gained by the successful exhibitors will be distributed at six p.m. on Thursday, July 29th. The Show will open on July 27th at twelve o'clock, and on each succeeding day at ten o'clock a.m. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Donors to Prizk Fund. £ s. d. Rev. G. Raynor 1 1 0 T. W. Cowan, Esq 1 1 0 R. R. Godfrey, Esq 1 1 0 H. G. Morris, Esq 1 1 0 F. R. Jackson, Esq 1 1 0 Rev. H. R. Peel 2 2 0 Rev. J. Lawson Sisson 0 10 0 Mrs.H. R. Peel 0 10 6 Edward Wilson, Esq 0 10 0 Mr. R. J. Tomlin 0 5 0 Mr. J. Walton 0 2 0 H. Bostock, Esq 2 2 0 R. Symington, Esq 2 2 0 F. C. C. Barnett, Esq 0 10 0 , C. H. Hodgson, Esq 0 5 0 Capt. P. E. Martin 1 1 0 S. Walker, Esq. (jun.) 0 16 0 T. F. Ward, Esq 0 10 6 W. E. Warren, Esq 0 10 6 Mr. W.Sells 0 5 0 Mr. Thos. Sells 0 2 6 July 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 53 LETTER FROM THE REV. H. R. PEEL. Dear Sir, — Will you allow me to remind the members of the British Bee-keepers' Association that they must bring their tickets of membership for 1880 with them, if they wish to obtain free admission into the gardens of the Royal Horticul- tural Society during our approaching show 1 Every member who has paid his subscription, due on May 1st, 1880, has received a ticket of membership with his receipt. Those who are in arrear with their subscriptions are, in accordance with Rule vi, not entitled to the privileges of the Association. — I remain, Sir, yours truly, Herbert R. Peel, Hon- orary Secretary. ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. We have much pleasure in extracting: from the Chelmsford Chronicle of Friday, June 11, the following account of the appearance of the Bee Tent at the Annual Meeting of the Essex Agricultural Society, held at Mistley Park, Essex, the seat of the Rev. C. F. Nor- man, and also of the inauguration, under most favourable circumstances, of the Essex Bee-keepers' Association : — ' A great novelty in our county exposition was the Bee Tent (kindly sent by the British Bee-keepers' Association) and the operations performed and explained by an expert who accompanied it. We cannot imagine anything better calculated to create an interest in bee-culture than displays of this nature. Looking to the system in vogue with our agricultural population — inherited from their forefathers, and so pertinaciously adhered to, of de- stroying their bees, to a great extent, annually, in order to obtain a small quantity of a filthy mixture of grubs, pollen, and honey — an exhibition of this kind, in which the modern and scientific appliances in use by the skilled disciples of apiculture of the greatest honey and wax-exporting nations of Europe and America, are presented to the wondering eyes of our rural population, cannot fail to exert a beneficial influence, and to be of the greatest service, in an economical point of view. When our tenant farmers, and their landlords, begin to realise the great importance of the honey-bee in the fertilisation of their crops, as well as in its honey-collecting propensities, they will awake to the fact that the half-million, or more, which we pay annually to other nations, may as well be retained in our own country. For reasons like these we give our hearty good wishes to those gentlemen who, at a considerable outlay of time and money, are en- gaged in forming an Essex Bee-keepers' Association, and of thus removing from Essex, at least, the stigma and re- proach of doing nothing to advance this long-neglected industry. Mr. J. S. Baldwin, an expert of the Asso- ciation, explained the improved method of bee-manage- ment. At four o'clock a meeting was held in the Tent for the purpose of forming an Essex Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation. Mr. G. 1). Chapman, Hon. Sec. pro ton., made a few remarks upon the importance of possessing such an association in the county, and the Rev. G. Raynor, Rector of Ilazeleigh, then pointed out the advantages to be derived from forming the Association. He said that similar societies existed in twelve English counties, and it was discreditable for Essex to be so much behind in this matter. These little things were not sufficiently studied in England as a ride, and it was necessary that attention should be called to them in this time of de- pression as being calculated to assi i agriculturists. An immense quantity of honey was annually produced in Germany and America, owing to the improved methods of bee-keeping adopted by them ; whereas in England farmers and labourers were allowed to go on keeping bees in the manner which their grandfathers and great-grandfathers kept them. It was hoped, by forming this Association, to bring under public notice in Essex any improvements or advances made in apiculture ; and the promi .ters also aimed at diffusing a knowdedge of the elementary prin- ciples of the art by sending a Bee Tent, similar to the one in which the meeting was being held, to horticultural and cottage-garden shows throughout the country, and by having the proper methods of bee-keeping explained. Baring the winter months it was proposed to give lectures, and to invite public discussions afterwards. The British Bee Journal would also be circulated among the members of the Association. It was hoped that ladies and gentlemen would become members, and Lord Rosslyn was to be asked to become President. A list of vice-presidents was to be proposed, and it was trusted that a flourishing Association would be formed at a meeting to be held subsequently. The minimum sub- scription would be 2s. 6d. per annum. Mr. Baldwin also spoke in favour of the formation of the Association, and a number of visitors afterwards gave in their names for membership. LINCOLNSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. We learn that the Lincolnshire Bee-keepers' Associa- tion has made arrangements to be represented at the Grantham Horticultural Society's Show, to be held on the 27th July; also at the Caythorpe Horticultural Society's Show to be held on the 29th July; and at other flower shows during August. The Association's great show is to be held at Boston on the 9th of Sep- tember. Boston is a town easy of access, and we hope the Association will be honoured with a large gathering. FOREIGN HONEY. FALSE PRETENCES. ARTFUL FRAUD. At the Omiskirk Police Court, May 28, a young woman, Leah Gabriel, was charged with selling foreign honey, falsely pretending that it was pure English. There were over fifty cases against her. She passed herself off as the daughter of Mr. Barnes, head gamekeeper to the Earl of Lathom, stating that he had thirty hives of bees, and that the honey was their first make, representing also that various neighbouring residents had directed her where to call, and thus she artfully got introductions to houses where otherwise she would have had no hearing. In some cases she said it had been ' ordered,' and obtained 2s. and 2s. (if pleurisy, culminating in congestion of the lungs, of less than a fortnight's duration, at his residence at Ealing, on Sunday, the 27th June. His deatb will be a very great loss to the cause of Bee-culture and Science in general. €axx£8$ovfomtt. *„* These columns are open to Subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences, may be fully and faithfully recorded; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of the relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, that the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therefore, must not be ex- pected to coincide with all the views expressed by the various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to the Editor. WATER FOR BEES. With the exception of a deep, moss-lined old spring-well in the garden, the bees of my apiary have no water near at hand. More than twenty years ago, noticing the number of bees which flitted over the old well and sipped its water, resting on the moss, I had freestone troughs specially cut, and set in the centre of each hive-grouped crescent. These were filled with moss, which was saturated with water to overflow- ing every morning. The plan wrought well, saving, during dry weather, the blackbirds and thrushes visited the water-troughs as well, and tossed about the moss in quest of the snails and worms, which the dampness naturally attracted. Reading, in Mr. Root's Gleanings in Bee-cull are, the interesting story he told of discovering the quantity of water his bees drank, and the provision he made to supply it, and thinking the wooden stage he recommended always liable to crack and rend in hot weather, I thought it could be improved upon ; so to utilise a pair of rather handsome vases, I had a circular marble slab cut, twelve and a half inches in diameter, to fit the vase-top. From the common centre eight shallow gutters, five inches long by half an inch wide, were hollowed, falling into a similar circular gutter all round, whose outer bead-edge was kept a shade lower than the plain central surface, so that the waste water would over- flow over the bead down the inclined chamfered outer rim, and not disturb the bees drinking on the plain dry surface between the grooves. For to supply the water, I had a barrel-shaped bottle blown holding eighteen gills, fully half an imperial gallon, bottomless, with spaces ground for the free emission of water to save tilting it on glass, as advised by Mr. Root. A knob on top to turn by, and a nicely engraved fern-pattern on the glass gives the whole a cool, refreshing appearance to the eye. As marble cutting is rather an expensive luxury, for the benefit of the fraternity I went to the ex- pense of having a mould made by a pottery firm, and after considerable care and trouble in the tiring to preserve their levelness, at last produced the idea in white, glazed, dry, hard porcelain or earthen- ware material, which could be marbled at a trifling extra cost if considered an improvement. The lower side, having a circular hollow, offers facility for receiving a wooden bung, which could be set in a four-inch glazed fire-clay-pipe pedestal, such as I introduced years ago as a suitable stand for bee- hives. They cost 9d. each, retail. Ornamental iron pillars, or any other form in keeping with the taste of the bee-keeper or surroundings of the apiary, July 1, 1880. ] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 55 would do equally well, only the watering-stage must be set dead level, otherwise water would escape from the bottle. When filled, it can be turned on a bit of thin wood, veneer, or glass, set on the stage, and material used to turn by, carefully drawn out. I have pleasure in sending our editor a photograph of the water- ing-stage, pedestal, and bit of lawn before my observatory stock here ; also a sample bottle and stage for his acceptance and opinion. — A Renfrew- shire Bee-Keeper. bottle, as set upon a BEE-FLOWERS. Among the various lists of bee-flowers appearing from time to time in apiarian literature, I do not re- member seeing mentioned a common, old-fashioned, herbaceous-bordered Geranium pratense — a very free bloomer, and constantly visited by the Italian, Car- niolan, and Black bee alike. When my first Italians were liberated, now many years since, they at once went to work on the Scarlet Monarch — a flower I had never seen a black bee alight upon ; and the orange banding of the new- comers looked beautiful on. scarlet back-ground as a foil. — A Renfrewshire Bee-Keeper. WIRED. FOUNDATION. I consider the wired foundation a mistake. I tried it in two hives against the English, into which I put swarrns. By the English, I mean the foun- dation you supplied me with last year. Some that I got before elsewhere was very inferior. Having been troubled with the wired foundation curling up, I stretched across the frame about two inches from the bottom two pieces of silvered wire such as is used for tying up bouquets. I treated both the foundations the same, that is, I filled the frames to within a jof an inch of the bottom, and securely held the foundation with the silvered wires, which I removed as soon as the bees began building out the cells. The wired foundation cm-led below my wire, the bees gnawed it away, leaving the wires projecting at an uncomfortable angle ; and then if I did not cut them away at once they proceeded to build the comb down straightwith the curled-up wires, and therefore of course spoiling many cells. The English in every case was worked out beautifully straight from top to bottom. The bees are longer in working out the American. I have not yet found that the larva; are killed by the wire, but I found in one hive a number of dwarf bees, some very small but equally as well marked as the other Ligurians. It is undoubtedly the case, as the Editor of the American Bee-keepers' Magazine at last admits, that the bees alter the shape of the flat bottom. Of course they cannot alter the shape of those cells through which the wire passes, and if the bees hatch out they must naturally be smaller. Either the queen shows a remarkable preference for laving her eggs in the combs made from the wired foundations, or the bees object to storing the honey in them, and so leave more room for the queen to lay her eggs. Whatever the reason, these combs are always filled with a great deal more brood than any others in the apiary. — G. C. E., June 22, 1880. [The foregoing was kindly forwarded to us in reply to a request for a report on the merits of the wired founda- tion. We mentioned the objections which Mr. Cheshire had urged against it in the Journal of Horticulture, and our anxiety for confirmation or otherwise of his statement that the wire killed the brood, and hence the necessity for tearing it (the wire) out, after the combs are built. Mr. Cheshire confessed to a limited experience with the foundation in question ; but our distinguished correspon- dent, while objecting to the wire because of its curling propensity, gives high praise to the foundation in regard to its use for breeding purposes, since the queens seem to prefer it to all other in which to lay their eggs. Although we are courteously permitted to publish the above, it was conditional that initials only should be given; but we venture to assert that the writer is strictly impartial, and his evidence indisputable. — Ed. B. B. 7i e.rtenso in our next issue. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The Annual General Meeting of the Association was held in the Conservatory, at 6 p.m., July 28th, 1880, the Baroness Burdett-Cout'ts presiding. Present, Hon. and Rev. C. W. A. Feilding (Hon. Sec. of Salop Beekeepers' Association), Charles E. Fletcher, W. W. Dunman (Hon. Sec. of Dorset Beekeepers' Association), A. Sanders, Mrs. 6(5 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. Fielder, F. H. Meggy, Rev. Thos. Sissons (Shooter's Hill), F. Lyon, C. J. Stevens, T. De L. Hardy, T. B. Blow, T. B. Latchniore, E. S. Whealler, "VV. A. Kirchner, Col. M. Lockwood, Captain Chas. D. Campbell, R.N., Fred. H. Lemare, Rev. J. Lawson Sisson, John Walton, Piers Edg- cumbe Martin, George Green, Richard Scott, John M. Hooker, J. Thomas Sells, William Groombridge, F. Cheshire, Samuel Thome, Alfred Neighbour, W. M. Kingsmill, Rev. Herbert R. Peel. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Presidents of the County Associations were elected Vice-Presidents of the Parent Association as follows : — 1. Bath and Bucks, H.R.H. Princess Christian. 2. Dorset, the Hon. Colonel Edward Digby, M.P. 3. Devon and Exeter, the Right' Worshipful the Mayor of Exeter. 4. Essex, the Earl of Rosslyn. 5, Hertfordshire, the Earl of Verulam. 6. Lincolnshire, the Bishop Suffragan of Nottingham. 7. Shropshire, Lord Berwick. 8. Suf- folk, Lord Rendlesham. 9. Surrey, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught. 10. West Kent, the Riirht Rev. the Archbishop of Canterbury. 11. Warwickshire, Lord Leigh. Deputation to Ireland. — The Hon. Soc. reported that although relations between landlord and tenant in Ireland were somewhat unsettled, he had not felt it wise to lean to the suggestion that the expedition to Ireland should be postponed, but the hand having been put to the plough he had determined not to look back. Messrs. Abbott and Carr would visit Clonmel, Maryborough, Newry, Newtownards; and were ready also to make further visits, according to arrangement at times not at present disposed of. Carlisle Show. — The Hon. Sec. made a statement re- specting Carlisle Show that much interest had been awakened and good done; and called upon Mr. Cheshire to give some account of the way in which the Bee Tent had been received. Mr. Cheshire stated that the interest at Carlisle had almost reached excitement, and that it had been necessary to remove the outside canvas in order to satisfy the crowds desiring to get some sight of the operation. Dairy Show. — The Hon. Sec. reported that all arrange- ments respecting the Dairy Show had been made, and that a good exhibition, associating again milk and honey, was expected. Life Memberships. — The Hon. Sec. raised the question as to whether Life Memberships should not be raised to 10/., since 51., as had been resolved at the last General Meeting, when funded, produced only 3s. 6d. or 4s. annually. The matter was discussed by General Sanders, Mr. Dunrnan, Mr. Lemare, and Mr. Lyon. The discussion was dropped, and deferred to next meeting. Lord Spencer's reply to the Secretary's communication respecting the appointment of a Professorship of Bee- culture. The Secretary explained that the General Election had, by changing Government, displaced Lord George Hamilton as President of the Committee of Council on Education, and that it was decided at last committee meet- ing that Lord Spencer should be communicated with before the estimates were presented on October 8th. Rev. E. Bartrum had prepared the following address: — ' There can be no question about the fact that in spite of the exertions of the British Bee-keepers' Association, bee-keeping in England is in a backward condition, and that as a people we are surpassed by the Germans, French, and the Americans, in the practice of this art. The most antiquated methods of bee-keeping are still popular among us, and consequently not a tithe of the quantity of honey that might be secured in our own country is obtained in England, and a large amount of honey is now imported from Germany, the United States, Canada, and elsewhere. To promote then a more general and more scientific knowledge of bee-keeping, and thereby to largely increase the supply of food raised in our own land, it is suggested that a Professor of Bee-keeping shall be appointed in connexion with the Education Department ; and the following resolution was passed unanimously at the General Meeting of the B. B. K. A. on the 18th of February last, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts being President : — ' " That in the opinion of this Association it is very desirable that a Professorship of Bee-culture should be established in connexion with the Science and Art Department at South Kensington." ' The duties of such a Professor would be very much as follows : — ' I. To visit the Training Colleges connected with the Education Department three times a-year at least, to deliver lectures at such colleges, and to assist in the management of the hives belonging to such colleges where the neighbourhood allowed any prospect of moderate success. His visits should embrace the colleges in England, Wales, perhaps also Ireland. In Scotland the art of bee-keeping is better known, and remarkable results are consequently obtained in very many in- stances. He would thus explain to the teachers who in course of time would be dispersed throughout the entire land the importance of the moveable comb hives, ex- tractors, comb-foundation, supers, sections, and other such matters, subjects about which the public, and espe- cially the lower orders, know absolutely nothing, but a knowledge of which is essential to that success which, with such knowledge, can undoubtedly be attained. ' n. To visit the universities, the various county schools, the agricultural and other colleges and schools, not neces- sarily connected with the government, the authorities of which might be willing to receive him and endeavour thereby to diffuse an intelligent knowledge of bee-keeping. ' III. To visit the various agricultural centres and other localities where his presence would in any way be wel- comed for the same purpose. ' IV. To deliver lectures at South Kensington at stated intervals on subjects connected with bee-keeping. ' V. To superintend at South Kensington any col- lections that might be established there, containing ex- amples of the best hives, the best extractors, and other articles required in scientific bee-keeping. ' Such a professor would act very much as a peripa- tetic lecturer, doing for bee-keeping what Mr. Buckmaster has done in promoting the knowledge of art among the artisan class in establishing schools of cookery, and latterly in promoting a scientific knowledge of agricul- ture. The advance that has been made in England in the knowledge of science and art during the last twenty years has been marvellous. Schools of cookery are also being established on all sides ; let a similar plan be adopted with regard to bee-keeping, and satisfactory results are certain to ensue. The cost of such a Pro- fessorship need not be large. The usual salaries of the professors at South Kensington are 200/. per annum, in addition to allowances ; and this sum, with an allowance for travelling expenses and special attendances, would secure a thoroughly competent and scientific teacher. The total cost ought not to exceed 400/. per annum. The German Government give grants in aid of scientific bee-keeping, and the English Government woidd do a great service to their countrymen by following their example.' The following reply from Lord Spencer was read : — ' July 26th. ' Sir, — I am desired by Lord Spencer to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and enclosures, and to inform you that his Lordship has read the Address with great interest and will give the subject his careful considera- tion.— I am, sir, yours most faithfully, John R. Dasent. ' H. R. Peel, Esq.' The Secretary added that a deputation, consisting of Rev. H. R. Peel, Mr. Cowan, and Rev! E. Bartrum, was August 1, 1880.] THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. 67 prepared to wait on Earl Spencer at any time that he might appoint, to give him further information. Library. — The Secretary made a statement respecting the library to the effect that the Royal Horticultural Society had not room, and Chiswick would he too far from the London centre. The Secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had kindly placed a part of the book-shelves at 105 Jermyn Street at their disposal. Mr. Lyon proposed and Mr. Stevens seconded the fol- lowing resolution : — ' That a fimd be raised to be called the Library Fund, and that subscriptions to the same be solicited ; and that this fund be placed at the disposal of the Acting Committee for the time being for the purchase of books relating to bee-culture and kindred sciences.' The Baroness offered 51. to be spent on books, and General Sanders gave 1/. for the same purpose. Rev. E. Bartrum offered to read at the next quarterly Conversazione a paper on the ' Stewarton Hive.' The Baroness proposed that H.R.H. Princess Christian be requested to give away the prizes at the Annual Show of 1881. On Thursday, the Show and the Bee Tent were visited by Lord Spencer, who appeared much interested in the articles exhibited, and in the operations of the Association. On the evening of the same day the prizes were distributed by Lady Aberdare in the large Con- servatory. The Show will be continued over the Bank Holiday, which will give an opportunity to the numerous visitors to the Royal Horticultural Gardens of having an insight into the mysteries of bee-culture. Judges' Report in Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and the Driving Competition. Class 1. — The entries in this class did not in many re- spects comply with the conditions of the competition. The hives exhibited were not well calculated to be opened to show the conditions of the combs, the brood, and other conditions above referred to; still the Judges, taking into consideration the great risk in the transport of full stocks of bees, felt themselves justified in awarding a first and second prize, and hope that in future years, if this prize be continued, that more competition will take place, and more regard be had to the conditions on which the prize is offered. Classes 2, 3, and 4. — In these classes, again, there can scarcely be said to have been any competition ; and the bees exhibited, with the exception of the Ligurians, may be treated as amongst the curiosities of the show, their practical utility, or, indeed, whether they can be utilised at all in England being yet unknown, and the Judges would suggest that in future years these classes, or at least Classes 3 and 4, might be amalgamated. Class 5 calls for no special remark. Classes 6, 7, and 8 do not show any material improve- ment on hives exhibited in former years, except that the hives to which first prizes are awarded in Classes 7 and 8 seem to have been the subject of careful consideration in the mind of the maker, and are especially to be noticed for the reasonableness of their price. Class 9 needs no comment. Class 10. — The exhibits in this class were all of the same character, and the Judges had merely to consider one exhibit against the other on the score of cost. Driving Competition. — The Judges in reporting on the driving competition consider it was done in general very successfully, the queen being captured by Mr. Walton in 3 minutes 5 seconds, and the bees being completely driven in 4 minutes 15 seconds ; and Mr. Filbee, to whom the second prize was awarded, being only 38 seconds more in capturing his queen than Mr. Walton. July With, 1880. J. G. Derborofoh. William Carr. Judges' Report in Classes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Considering the season, the display of honey was fairly creditable, especially comb honey. In the Cottagers' Class we are glad to see most of the comb honey in sections ; but we would suggest the pro- hibition of figured paper being attached to them. It would be advantageous if there were separate classes for lib. and 21b. sectional supers. We are of opinion that bell-glasses should not be encouraged, as, although they have a handsome appear- ance, they are most inconvenient in every way. In classes in which honey is exhibited from one apiary, it is suggested that the number of hives should be stated from which it has been collected, or that the amount to be exhibited should be clearly set forth. We think that the exhibitors should be made to declare the total nett weight of each exhibit. We are pleased to remark that there is no 'fanciful device' exhibited, as we fail to see how its encourage- ment can be of any service. We venture to think that it would be a great advan- tage to the public if the names of the prize-winners were written on the prize-card, and also a statement for what the prize was awarded. C. Feilding. James Noble Bower. N. Bostock. Wh. N. Griffin. Report of Judges In Classes 23 to 34 inclusive, but exclusive of Class 32. Foreign and Colonial. — Class 23. — No competi- tors. Class 24. — In this class there was only one entry to which the Judges awarded an equivalent of second prize. Class 25. — Two entries, one wholly of large sheets of very thin flat-bottomed foundation of very pale colour, the other wholly of flat-bottomed foundation, rather thicker and rather darker colour, and with wires in it to prevent sagging. A bronze medal was awarded to each. Comestibles. — Class 26. — There were four entries No. 160 received first, and No. 158 second prize. Miscellaneous. — Class 27. — There was only one com- petitor in this class. The collection of hives and appli- ances was a very numerous one, and included, besides those hives of general use in England, the Langstroth hive as sent out by Mr. A. T. Root, in the United States. Frames of this size have been so largely adopted on the other side of the Atlantic, as to afford, in great measure, the very great convenience of a general standard-sized frame ; a thing much to be desired in England, though probably a smaller frame would with us be more gene- rally acceptable. Among other novelties displayed, was the white glazed earthenware stage and vase, brought out by the ' Ren- frewshire Bee-keeper,' for giving bees either water or syrup in the open air, as advocated by Mr. A. T. Root, which supplies a perfectly cleanly material for the stage in place of the wooden one. The Dunham foundation machine and excellent comb foundation, uncapping knives, smokers, and very many other appliances, besides hives, bees, etc., etc., appear in this collection, to which the silver medal was awarded. Class 28. — There were six exhibits in this class. The Judges had no hesitation in awarding the first prize to No. 167. This extractor is the invention of Mr. Cowan, who last year showed one that reversed the two combs on reversing the handle that turns the revolving spindle, thus saving all trouble of lifting the combs out and re- inserting them for extracting from the other sides. The machine, No. 167, however, is a vast improvement upon the one exhibited last year. The effect of reversing the combs is the same, but the means by which it is done is 68 THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. greatly improved. There is enclosed in the metal hori- zontal box that lies at right angles to the revolving spindle, and on each end of which one of the comb-cages is carried, a metal rack having sufficient longitudinal play to permit of the two cogwheels, fixed one at each end, having one half revolution to and fro, the rack coming in contact with either end of the metal box so as to arrest the revolution of the two comb-cages (which are pivoted into the two cogwheels) exactly at the right place to bring the one surface of each comb-cage to a tangent with the circle of its larger revolution ; and at the same time, with reversal of the motive power to permit them to revolve freely on their central pivot one half revolution, and then to arrest them with their reverse surfaces in the aforesaid position. All the parts are easily get-at-able, and can all be taken to pieces and put together again in a few moments. The extremely ingenious mode of detaching the upper part of the re- volving spindle from the arm supporting the multiplying gear permits of the instant withdrawal of the whole apparatus from the can for purposes of cleaning, &c, which is an advance over all other machines hitherto brought out. It is much to be desired that the arrange- ments Mr. Cowan hoped to have made last year to enable the public to obtain his machine may be carried out in connexion with this much-improved model extractor. In the other exhibits of this class the only novelty, if indeed it can be so called, was the rubber friction rollers fixed to No. 164 (to which the second prize was awarded) in place of the ordinary multiplying gear. The action is noiseless, and No. 164 was excellent, ex- cept the wooden revolving-cage, which hardly comes up to the metal in point of cleanliness. The third prize was awarded to ' The Little Wonder,' which has been long enough before the public to prove its great utility and portability. Class 29. — There were eight exhibits, all good. No. 172 received first, No. 177 the second, No. 173 the third, and No. 177a the fourth prize. Class 30. — There were a number of entries in this class, and many displayed great ingenuity, and several of them great simplicity, in make and use, thus rendering them the more valuable. The silver medal was awarded to No. 199, wire ' rakes ' for fastening sheets of comb- foundation in frames in a very quick and ready manner, and at the same time preventing all possibility of sagging ; and further, of inducing the bees to fix it permanently themselves as quickly as possible to the top bar — a thing they are apt to leave undone for some time when melted wax has been used to fix it. These 'rakes' are very easily and inexpensively made, and will last a lifetime. Mr. Hooker's plan for inserting sheets of foundation into a saw cut made through the length of the top bar was ingenious and useful. No. 195, an ex- cellent and well-finished bottle and regulating feeding- stage, was commended, as was a swarm-box, No. 192. No. 197, a divisional feeder displayed great_ ingenuity, and is very well fitted for feeding inside the hive without interfering with the colony of bees ; but its cost must preclude it from use, except in those cases where an ama- teur considers expense of little importance. Class 81. — There was only one entry in this class, and a very excellent collection it was, and received the silver medal. Class 33. — There were two exhibits in this class ; in one case the Judges considered that the coverings and fastenings could not be supplied, and, as a matter of fact, are not supplied, at the prices quoted ; and in the other case, the price not being attached, the Judges withheld the prize. J. Law.son Sisson. Charles E. Fletcher. "William II. Dunman. Frederick H. Lemare. F. R. Jackson, per J. L. Sisson. Duncan Stewart. THE BEE TENT AND ITS LESSONS. I think that the enclosed letter from the Rev. Canon Kewley might, if published, prove interesting to such of your readers as are members of the Hei tf ordshire Bee- keepers' Association. It shows that the cottagers in this county, for whose benefit the Association was chiefly intended, are beginning to take advantage of the in- struction and assistance which are now within their reach. — Herbert R. Peel, Abbot's Hill, Hemel Hemp- stead, July 20, 1880. [copy.] The Rectory, Baldock, July 7th, 1880. Dear Mr. Peel, — You will remember coming over to Baldock with your expert Baldwin in the spring of 1879 to hold a meeting, and introduce the Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation here. That meeting stirred up many of us who in former years had taken an interest in the management of bees to new efforts, and also to keep ourselves informed of all the new and improved methods of bee-keeping. But it did more. It excited an interest in a few who had never before thought of the matter either in the way of amusement or profit. Among those was a young trades- man, who, having attended this meeting, reported to his father afterwards what had been said and shown there. The father is aged and very infirm, and much confined to his own house and little garden. Father and son deter- mined to become bee-keepers. Each procured a single stock, and borrowed from me one of the improved bee- hives as a pattern. This was in the beginning of the most discouraging year (1879) bee-keepers have ever known ; but they were not to be discouraged by one bad season. Their two stocks swarmed. They made hives themselves, fed their bees attentively, and about a month back I went down one evening to their house, and fouud in their small garden no less than thirteen stocks, all strong and prosperous, as far as I could examine them, and promising a large and profitable return for their care and labour within a short time. The point of this story is, first, what a source of interest and amusement has been so provided to the infirm man. The pride and pleasure with which he showed me first one hive of bees and then another, proved evidently that bee-keeping and bee-hive-making had given him a new interest in life, and, to a great degree, made him forget his infirmities. Secondly, here was a case in which, beyond the cost of his two stocks and the small expenditure in deal and nails, quite a little property had been accumulated; for it would certainly not be too much to value the thirteen stocks in their well-made bar-hives at 201., which, with care this winter, will surely produce them a very plea- sant addition to their income in the next and following years. I thought you would like to hear of this instance of success, as a proof of the usefulness of the Herts Bee- keepers' Association, and also that' you might make use of it in stirring up others to avail themselves of a means of great pleasure, and at any rate of some profit, which is almost within the reach of all. 1 find from a visit to a well-known bee-keeper in this neighbourhood that honey in sections is producing Is. 6d. a lb. At this rate, and with the abundant honey harvest of this season, bee- keepers should do well, and get back their heavy expenses of last year. — Believe me, very truly yours, J. Rigby Kewley. BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION FOR ESSEX. A Bee-keepers' Association for Essex has been formed, under the Presidency of the Earl of Rosslyn, the object being the encouragement of improved apiculture. Depots will be established in the principal towns of the county where cottagers will be able to purchase all the newest and most approved appliances at a very cheap rate ; and shows will be held and lectures delivered under the auspices of the Society at various places. The promoters August 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 69 of the Society point out that there has been a great in- crease in bee-keeping throughout the United Kingdom during the past seven years, and that where cwts. of honey were produced ten years ago, tons are now gath- ered in and sent to market. — The Times, July 21. BEES, HIVES, AND HONEY AT THE PRINCE CONSORT'S ASSOCIATION. Show at Windsor. — This event came off with great eclat on Tuesday, the 13th ult, and was patronised by a lengthened visit from their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, who have been guests of the Queen at the Royal Castle. Their Royal Highnesses were attended by the Hon. Rev. Gerald Wellesley (Dean of Windsor), Mr. Richardson-Gardner, M.P., Colonel the Hon. H. A. Liddell, Mr. J. Webb (Mayor of Windsor), the Rev. Canon Gee, the Rev. A. Robins, Mr. G. Cart- land, Mr. C. W. Seabrook, and other gentlemen, the band of the Grenadier Guards, under Mr. Dan Godfrey, play- ing the National Anthem. The company included the Rev. C. O. Goodford (Provost of Eton College), Mrs. Goodford, Mrs. Richardson-Gardner, and a large number of ladies, and most of the local clergy and gentry. The weather was not Queen's weather, and her Majesty did not appear, as would have been probable under sunnier circumstances, but the show, nevertheless, was a great success. The Windsor Gazette gives a full account of the show as a whole, and in regard to the department under notice says : — ' Two small tents were devoted to the novel and interesting exhibition promoted by the Berks and Bucks Bee-keepers' Association. In one was pre- sented all the newest apparatus for the successful culture of bees, while the insects in glass hives might be seen carrying on their most useful and energetic labours. Pots of extracted honey, which looked beautiful, pure, and clear, were to be bought, while all the various utensils necessary to a bee-fancier were displayed and explained. The other tent was possessed by two of the Association's agents, who, without a covering, in the midst of the bees, which were swarming about and crawling all over their faces, necks, &c, showed the methods of extracting honey, captured and exhibited the queen, removed the combs from the hives, explained the best means for the promotion of apiculture, and clearly negatived the old cone straw - plaited hive in favour of the Standard wooden hives, which appear most simple, far more economical, and very easy in manage- ment. Messrs. Abbott Bros, of Southall, Middlesex, and Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, of 127 High Holborn, Lon- don, were chief among the exhibitors of bee apparatus.' The first prize for Observatory Hives was awarded to Abbott Brothers of Southall, for a handsome hive of polished mahogany and plate glass, fitted with new combs built on wooden foundation by the descendants of one of the queens imported from Cyprus in May last, which, with her, were particularly admired for their extreme beauty. This hive is peculiar from the fact that, except at the entrance-hole, there is no possible place in it where a single bee can hide from view, though it contained six combs of Woodbury size. The first prize for Observatories in the local classes was taken by G. P. Cartland, Esq., with one of Abbott's hives of last year, of which the Judges at South Kensington gave so ex- cellent a report. All its walls and its top were of glass, in which bees are supposed not to prosper ; but in this hive, under the careful management of its owner, a swarm of this year had thriven amazingly, filling it from end to end, and rendering it so heavy and crowded that on arrival it was deemed advisable to remove a part of the contents to give room for observation in a more general seni;e. Their Royal Highnesses and party paid consider- able attention to this part of the show, and listened with evident interest to Mr. Cartland's explanation of his exhibit, and needed reminding of other engagements ere leaving it. Messrs. Neighbour and Sons exhibited an Observatory containing two frames of comb-foundation, to which some of the Cheshire 'rakes' or 'fixers' had been attached ; but so inexpertly had this been done that they were tumbling and ' sagging ' in very improper directions. It will be just to say that this was not from any fault in the ' fixers,' but through their having been misapplied. The foundation used was the thin American flat-bottomed with wires, which, when properly sus- pended, does not need other support. The honey classes were exceedingly well filled, the exhibits of Messrs. Harris, Carter, Filbee, and Warren, being especially attractive. The following are the awards in the various classes : — Open to Members of the Berks and Bucks Bee-keepers' Association. — Hives. — Class I. — For the best Observatory Hive.— First, 1/., G. P. Cartland, Windsor. Class II.— For the best moveable comb-hive, price not to exceed 10s.— First, 15s., G. Howard, Eton Wick. Honey. — Class III. — For the best display of comb- honey in sections.— First, silver medal, and 10s., Leonard Harris, Bradenham ; second, 7s. 6rf., Jonathan Filbee, Naphill; third, 5s., W. E. Warren, Isleworth. Class IV. — For the best exhibition of comb-honey in supers. — First, bronze medal and 10s., W. Carter, Maidenhead ; second, bs., Rev. S. R. Wilkinson, Great Marlow ; third, 2s. 6d., Jonathan Naphill. Class V.— For the largest and best exhibition of run or extracted honey. — First, certificate and 10s., W. Carter, Maidenhead. Open to all England. — Class VI. — For the best Obser- vatory Hive. — First, 12., Abbott Bros., Southall ; second, 10s., G. Neighbour, Regent Street, London ; third, W. Martin, Great Marlow. Class VII.— For the best move- able comb-hive for general use, price to be taken into consideration. — First \l., J. A. Abbott, Southall; second, 10s., G. Neighbour and Son. Commended, S. J. Bald- win, Upper Norwood. Class VIII. — For the best move- able comb-hive for cottagers' use, price not to exceed 10s. — First, 11., S. J. Baldwin ; second, Neighbour and Son. Class IX. — For the best and most complete collection of hives and bee-furniture. — First, 1/., Neighbour and Son. Class X. — For the best display of comb-honey in sections. —First, 10s., W. E. Warren, Isleworth. Class XL— For the best exhibition of comb-honey. — First, 10s., W. Carter, Maidenhead ; second, 5s., T. Knowles, Windsor. Class XII. — For the largest and best exhibition of run or extracted honey.— First, 7s. Qd., R. Scott, Blindley Heath Apiary, Godstone. Class XIH— Driving Com- petition.— First, 1/., Martin, 4} mins. ; second, 10s., T. B. Blow, A\ mins. ; equal thirds, J. Filbee, 6 mins., and J. A. Abbott, 5 mins. The Berks and Bucks Association may congratulate themselves on a perfect success which augurs well for the future. The arrangements were admirable, and re- flect great credit on the indefatigable local Hon. Sec, to whom we feel personally indebted for having so well borne out the opinion of the Judges on our Kensington exhibit of 1879 (p. 97, Vol. VII., B. B. J.) WISBECH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. An Exhibition of bees and bee-furniture will take place at the Working-men's Annual Show and Fete, on Monday, August 2nd, 1880, in the grounds of Harecroft House. Messrs J. G. Desborough, of Stamford, and R. R. Godfrey, of Grantham (hon. sec. of the Lincoln- shire Bee Association), members of the British Bee- keepers' Association will attend to lecture and manipulate the bees, driving them from one hive to the other, cap- turing the queen and exhibiting her. The most improved and modern appliances in apiarian science will be shown, and the exhibition is intended to be of a highly inter- esting and useful character. The bee operations will be conducted with perfect safety to the spectators. Prizes will be offered for the best filled super of any description ; 70 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. for the best piece of honey in the comb ; for the best glass or jar of run honey ; for the best specimen of bees'-wax ; and for the best collection of bee-furniture. Application for entries (free of charge) to be made to Mr. A. Bothamley, Market Place. BEES AT LONG SUTTON. I have been urged by Mr. Godfrey to write you an account of our doings here since the visit of the Bee-Tent in October last. At the visit of the Lincolnshire Association I pur- chased a stock of bees, which were transferred into a frame-hive in the tent. They were well fed in accord- ance with the instructions then given, and the stock wintered well. This spring they were again fed, and on the 10th of June threw off my first swarm. They were put into a hive containing ten of Abbott's Standard Frames, but were allowed access to only five of them. These, assisted by a little feeding at night and on wet days, they filled in ten days. I then put on a super, in which after a day or two they commenced working. My second swarm came off on the 20th of June, and were hived in like manner. This swarm was nearly as large as the first, and for ten days did well ; but on the 4th of July I had occasion to examine the hive, and having removed about 6 lbs. of honey, I failed to find the queen, and renewing my search I found neither queen nor brood, so I gave them a frame of brood from the first swarm, and on opening the hive on the 9th I found six queen-cells. This deprivation, and the wet weather we have experienced, have caused the bees to forsake the supers ; but as the limes are coming on I do not despair. On the 30th of June I deprived the original stock of 12 lbs. of extracted honey ; so that altogether, if I get nothing more from it, I cannot complain on the returns of my investments. My friend (Mr. C. Clarke), induced by what he saw at the show, also commenced bee-keeping in October by purchasing two skeps about a week after the show. On examination we found one a very fair stock, but the other very light — probably a late swarm. We decided that it would be too expensive to feed up, and joined it to the first. This wintered well, and gave the earliest swarm in this neighbourhood about the 20th of May, and about nine days after a second. These were hived in frame-hives ; and twenty-one days after the first swarm we drove the bees out of the skep, giving part of the bees to the second swarm, which was weak, placing the remainder in a frame-hive, giving them one frame of brood from the first swarm, as we were not sure of the queen being present (being only novices). They have raited a queen, and are doing well. The comb was very old, and was not transferred. In company with this gentleman I have personally visited nearly every bee-keeper within six miles (perhaps I ought rather to call them bee-stand proprietors). Many stands are empty ; still more have lost half, and some three out of five, feeding — that is real feeding — being almost unknown, the elder-scoop being the usual weapon of destruction. One woman informed us that she fed her bees well. On inquiry we found the follow- ing was her idea of good feeding : — Having made a round of dry toast, soak it well with ruin, and cover it with coarse sugar. What a delectable feast ! And now a word of warning to those gentlemen who accompany such exhibitions as were given here. The following will tell its own tale : — On the evening of the 11th we visited a man who had been supplied by the Association with two frame-hives in return for the use of his bees. We found several very good stocks in skeps full of honey, and bees hanging out idle. Under these we placed some cheese-boxes with a hole in the lids, as nadirs. On asking about the frame-hive, and seeing it empty, he told us that the bees there soon died, although they were fed. On lifting the top we found that, true enough, an attempt had been made to feed them by a bottle-feeder, but the contents of the bottle had crystallized so that the bees had starved, though within reach of apparent plenty. Asking how the food was prepared, he replied, 'As I was told — by boiling sugar and water.' Now I do hope that those gentlemen who so kindly visit our local shows, and give so generously their instruc- tions, will give no more such meagre instructions as to boil sugar and water; it will most surely crystallize either in the bottle or cell, and thus bring the improved system into undeserved disrepute. Would it not be better in all such cases to accompany the gift or sale of hive by one of the Editor's Leaflets on Feeding f By the visit of the Association here, and I must add by our personal visit to each bee-keeper, an interest has been aroused on the subject, and I feel sure that I shall be able to report improvement next year, and also an increased number of frame-hivists. — J. W. Measures, M.K.C.S.E., Long Sutton, July Uth, 1860. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION'S HANDBOOK FOR COTTAGERS. Ere this appears before pur readers, the British Bee-keepers' Association will have published its promised Handbook of Modern Bee-keeping for the use of the Cottagers. The work is the joint pro- duction of Mr. F. Cheshire and the late Mr. John Hunter, and having the approval of the committee as a body, its contents may be relied on as eminently practical and useful. It contains many excellent illustrations, and has the rare merit of explaining the uses of modern appliances without giving promin- ence to the wares of any special maker. Further particulars will be found in advertisement. Taylor's Bee-keepers' Manual (New Edition). — We have been favoured with a cutting from the Examiner of July 24, 1880, as follows : — ' The demand that has grown up for information on apiculture has induced Messrs. Groombridge to bring out a new and seventh edition of the Bee-keeper's Manual, wiitten by the late Mr. Henry Taylor, which has been produced under the care of Mr. Alfred Watts. That there is plenty of matter in the book we need not deny ; while at the same time we are bound to notice the pointed omission of all reference to the British Bee- keepers' Association, to the British Bee Journal, or to the labours of the Rev. Herbert Peel and of Mr. Abbott, who have done more than all the Englishmen named in the book put together to popularise scientific bee-farming in England. It is time Mr. Abbott brought out a really complete manual of apiculture compiled from his un- rivalled personal experience, and from the rich stores accumulated, if we may be allowed the expression, in the comb of the Bee Journal' We sincerely thank the Examiner for its very kindly mention of our efforts in conjunction with those of the B.B.K.A. and its able Hon. 'Sec, the Kev. H. R. Peel, in behalf of apiculture. We have not seen the new book alluded to, and cannot therefore offer an opinion on its merits ; but as Editor of a journal devoted to bee- culture, and in a sense the guardian of its interests, we think it should be known that up to 1879 Mr. Watts ' never handled a bee, nor kept a hive in his life.' We wore, in 1879, in correspondence with Mr. Watts re- specting the book in question, but withdrew from the negotiation on his malting us aware of the fact we have italicised ; and this may afford a partial clue to the ' pointed omission ' the Examiner has discovered, but why the B. B. K. A. is left out in the cold we cannot surmise. August 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 71 Cnrrtspoatrnuc. *„* These columns are open to Subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences, may be fully and faithfully recorded ; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of the relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, tliat the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therefore, must not be ex- pected to coincide with all the views expressed by the various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to the Editor. THE CHESHIRE RAKES. At the Tiverton Bee Show (Devon and Exeter Society) I noticed our ingenious friend, Mr. Ches- ■ hire's mode of securing foundation, and it im- mediately occurred to me that the wire ' rakes ' might be simplified and cheapened, thus : Strips of tinplate, tolerably stout in consistency, are to be cut in excess of the depth of the frame to allow of bending over the top and bottom bar. I then snip one side in four places (as per figure), and bend them down at right angles. The en- closed ' cut ' will better illustrate the mode. I then simply place the foundation sheet on the points and press down. By this plan about three dozen strips may be obtained for the price of one sheet of tin-plate, viz. 4d., a contrast to Id. per rack when made of wires with the wire pins soldered to them. Six ' snips ' are (perhaps) better than four, and five strips are enough to a frame. (Proved ! ) A splendid season ! Bee-keeping, as a science, will now undoubtedly' hold its own.' Sectional supers are the right thing, and the next best are the Scotch Octagons, as shown at the first Crystal Palace Exhibition, but no more monster hundred-pounders shall be worked in the apiary of yours — Geo. Fox, Fore Street Hill, Kingsbridge. [Our esteemed correspondent will, we are assured, permit us to say that a very similar idea to the foregoing was mentioned by Mr. Hoge, of 115 Cannon Street, when Mr. Cheshire exhibited his ' fixers ' to Mr. Jones, of Canada. The fact in no way detracts from the originality of Mr. Fox's suggestion, and is only men- tioned as an instance wherein two minds at first sight of an invention have entertained the same idea of improving it.-En.] WOOD FOUNDATION. When last at your place you kindly gave me a sheet of wooden foundation for experimental pur- poses. I think it only right to inform you that it has succeeded perfectly, and is now one mass of brood. In future I shall only use the wooden foundation, and I can see no reason why it should not winter as well as the ordinary frames. I trust the Cyprian cell idea will be carried out extensively. I shall certainly adopt it when opportunity offers. — Henry J. Wilcox, Frithsden, Berkhamstead. and a quantity of honey and pollen. The comb foundation has answered my highest expectation, and eight of the ten frames are already in use almost throughout. — C. W. Brooks, Manningtree, Essex, June 29th, 1880. WOOD FOUNDATION. I received the hive safely a week ago, and had it painted at once, stocked it with a large swarm on the 24th inst., and to-day (the 29th) on examina- tion found it already with a large number of eggs, WHITE-EYED DRONES. Last year I sent you some white-eyed drones, you were kind enough to give an opinion ; but as they have appeared again this year I venture to trouble you with a few specimens. I think I told you they seemed blind, now I have no hesitation in saying they are so, for they seldom, if ever, get directly to the hive entrance, and are to be found lying about the ground all over the garden. They fly against the hives, trees, and walls, or whatever comes in their way. If there needs more evidence of the blindness of these insects, I dare say I could get it from the person who owns the bees. This is the third season they have appeared. I trust I may make your acquaintance during the show next month ; and meanwhile, if you will favour me with a line, I shall be glad, for I am very much interested in the cause of white-eyed drones appearing in this hive year after year. — Hardriding, Northumberland. [The drones came safely, and are in a bottle with spirits ; and we shall be glad to send specimens to any one who will undertake to examine microscopically, and report upon them. — Ed.] BEES AND THE FLY-CATCHER. I think it was about two years ago I saw in your Journal a letter from a bee-keeper recommending the destruction of all fly-catchers and their nests. I must say I was a little bit dismayed, for, being a bee-keeper, and I might almost say a fly-catcher- keeper as well, I began to think, if your correspon- dent were correct, how bees and birds could get on together. How I loved to see my pets, who had made their nest in a pear-tree at one end of my lawn, flying in and out with that elegance so cha- racteristic of this beautiful bird, alighting now on one croquet hoop, then on another. Nor would they leave the lawn even while a game was going on ; they were always to be found either on the garden- roller handle, on the hoops or pegs, or in their nest. Now I ask you, Mr. Editor, would you have signed the death-warrant of these interesting little birds without making yourself fully convinced of their mischief? Well, / thought so, and I am so glad to think I put them to the test. I drove a stick into the ground about four yards from their nest, and only one yard from a very favourite perch of theirs, on the top of which I nailed a piece of wood, and placed upon it a large piece of comb filled with sugar-syrup. The bees, as you may imagine, frequented this spot in hundreds. I took up my station at the opposite end of the lawn and watched the result, opera-glass in hand, for fully an hour, without even seeing them even try to catch a bee. They took in that time hundreds of flies, bearing them, when they had partially filled their beaks, to 72 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. their brood in the nest, then about a fortnight old. I should like to know if this has been the experi- ence of other bee-keepers. That the locality in which they were situated might have been favour- able in providing a fly of which they were particularly fond, and that in the event of the fly not having been there they would have taken the bees, might perhaps be urged by some, though I am inclined very much to doubt the probability. The sting of a bee iu the craw of a bird would be anything but pleasant to the latter, even though swallowed many minutes after the death of the bee. In all these things we want men of greater observation, for why try to extirpate a lovely little bird like our common English fly-catcher, when it might be, and probably is, as harmless to our bees ' as the sigh of a butterfly in love 1 ' — A. E. Booker-Hill, Whissonsett, Norfolk. [The letter mentioned was from a bee-keeper, written and inserted in good faith, and without prejudice on our part. It isprohahle, as is now suggested, that at certain times there are insects abroad that are more attractive to the fly-catcher than are bees ; hut that does not prove them to be innocent of bee-icide at other seasons. The tom-tit is a terrible turk in the winter months, but is careful to avoid danger from the sting by picking it out with his beak and laying it on his perch for the time being ; but at other seasons he does not come near a hive. We are too fully impressed with the value of small birds to wish to see them destroyed, and would much prefer to see them guarded against than massacred, and thank our correspondent for giving us the opportunity of saying so. — Ed.1 QUEENS DYING. A queen received on 1st June died about a week after being united to a common swarm. There was a white hard substance found in the abdomen. I found the same last year in a young queen, which died after commencing to lay. Can any one give a reason for this 1 — D. S. Larbert. WATER FOR BEES. ' The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper's ' ' too beautiful ' an apparatus for the above purpose, must be meant for Windsor, Osborne, Blenheim, or such-like places, not for general use. I use a common flower-pot shallow, filled with well -washed tea-leaves; on these the bees alight with safety, and suck up the water in which they float. The shallows often re- quire refilling ; in doing so, pour the water gently down on the inside of the shallow that the tea- leaves may float, and the bees not be drowned, as they would be if the water wire poured upon them. — F. H. Lemare, Sydney Terrace, Guildford. WATER FOR BEES.— SWARMING FREAK. I find that sheets of your very yellow foundation laid flat on the garden walk — in the shade, and occasionally sprinkled with water — make a very attractive source of water supply for the bees. I put it out to bleach a little. I intend in spring to try whether shallow trays of this wax-foundation, made by just bending up the sides and pinching at the corners, will not be attractive with a little pea- flour for artificial pollen and others by the side with sprinkled water ; perhaps a very little moss on the former would be an improvement. A fine swarm yesterday was nicely hived and transferred to a box, where it remains. Another swarm, half-an-hour afterwards, went into the stock from which that swarm issued, and are quickly finishing sectional supers which otherwise would not have been resumed. Nothing remarkable, per- haps, but this has not occurred before in my experi- ence.— George Fox, July 8th, 1880. HONEY SLINGING. The honey harvest in this part is now at its height. Following the valuable directions given in the July Number of the Journal, I sling just when the comb is about to be sealed up. I have extracted a large amount from the frames. Your slinger works well. The people in these parts are astonished at it, and every evening— for I think nearly every day — I am surrounded by several willing helpers, who come to lend a hand, and see how the work is done. The hives which have not swarmed have done remarkably well ; but when they have swarmed I succeed in getting very little honey from them. — G. W., Coldham, July 5th, 1880. BEES IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. In reference to Mr. Chaplin's note in March number, as far as I can ascertain (and I have made many inquiries) Ligurians have not been introduced here at present. I have not yet come across any bee-keeper using frame-hives, but all of them keep (I cannot say work) plain boxes with flat or slightly sloping roofs. I have heard of two apiaries with modern hives, but they are about 200 miles away, quite out of my district. While writing you, a word of advice to Mr. C, and any others that think of ' swarming' over here may not be out of place ; and that is, ' Don't come unless you have a place already prepared for you, or have money sufficient to keep you without work for a few months ; or unless you are prepared to buy, or take up laud, and get it into cultivation ; as business here is very quiet indeed, and no sign of it improving at present. When it does there will be work, and good wages for all here ; but I am sadly afraid that next Christmas will not see business in full swing again. I personally know many that have been in the colony for periods varying from two to six months who have not even yet obtained permanent situations, and have only been able to do an odd day's work occasionally, and yet they are good, able, and willing men.' — James J. Potter, May 20th, 1880. SWARMING EXTRAORDINARY. A Lady Bee keeper thinks our readers may be in terested in what she hopes is an unusual occurrence among bees. She writes : — ' I had five stocks in April, one weak, four strong in bees, and drones out on the 22nd. Honey seemed plentiful, and although I put large glasses on each stock, of August 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 73 which they took possession, swarms came out about the middle of May. About 9.30 a.m. two stocks sent out large swarms, which united and clustered high up in an oak-tree, round the bare stem of a branch about as large round as a man's arm. Just as they appeared knitted enough to take, a third stock sent out a swarm, which joined them ; and this was repeated by a fourth swarm ! Thus each of my four first swarms had formed one immense mass, and the small stem became as large as that of an immense tree ! My man made a plat- form in the tree beneath them, of a door, &c. Of course I had no bos that could hold them; but at the second attempt, he filled my largest, and set it on the platform, with a second adjoining it, all covered with bees as well as the platform, which looked covered with a thick brown carpet. Suddenly they rushed out of the boxes, and away, my butler and another following. They ran for nearly a mile, the bees sometimes high in the air, sometimes a cloud round them ; at last they settled near the ground. Boxes were sent for, and I heard no more till dusk, when the men came back much stung, with my large box full of bees inside and out, and the wheel- barrow in which they had placed it, also covered vith them. I got them to carry the full box to a dark room, charging that all perforated zinc tops and bottoms of boxes should be uncovered. Those in the wheelbarrow I had swept off into another box, and set by the first. I resolved to write you for advice next morning, on plea of being one of the first subscribers to your invaluable paper, and 1 went to rest, rejoicing in my strong colony, but, alas ! when morning came, the bees in the large box were suffocated ! those swept from the open wheelbarrow, alone were left alive which, beingqueen- less, rushed back to the old stock ; and so I lost ray four first fine swarms. Three casts have issued since ; I have taken some eighty or ninety pounds of honey in supers from the old stocks, and have much more to take, but cannot quite get over the loss of four such swarms. I hope no other lover of bees has had so sad an experience.' — Henfield, Sussex. REMEDY FOR STINGS. I have lately had much need to make use of antidotes to bee-stings, and have found two very effectual — the leaves of the plant called Saponaria, (it seems, from ' Withering,' a variety of the S. offici- nalis). My plant has a double cream-coloured flower. It grows plentifully when once planted. In using, it merely requires to be moistened on the upper part and applied, and in a few minutes re- moves the pain of a bum or scald, or sting of a wasp or bee, and several other ailments. Another antidote, which I have not seen quoted in your Journal, is the simple remedy of applying honey, which I have also found very helpful. — G. R, Diss. THOMAS WILDMAN. The latest addition I have made to my stock of bee literature is a copy of the London Chronicle of December, 1781, containing the following notice of the death of this celebrated bee-master, which must be interesting to many others as well as myself. —J. G. Desborough, 12 St. Peter's Hill, Stamford. ' The London Chronicle, from Saturday, December 15, to Tuesday, December 18, 1781. Vol. L. No. 3908.— Lately died at the seat of Sir Martin Folkes, of Hilling- ton, in Norfolk, Bart., Mr. Thomas Wildman, celebrated for the method of managing bees.' [It woidd he interesting to many to learn more of the doings of Wildman at Norfolk ; can any of our readers furnish any information thereon ? — Ed.] STING POISON AN ALKALI? I have written to you before about bee-stings. Having a very thin skin, I suffer much, and after a few hours have great swelliug. I have tried every- thing in vain. Dr. Pine's, and all alkali dressings were of no avail. I was driving bees in Ireland, and my veil came off, and I had a swarm of bees on my head ; I swept them off as well as I could, and ran away, being stung in about thirty places. The people pulled out the stings, and I kept washing my head with vinegar. I had no swelling, and little or no irritation. I am perfectly satisfied the poison is an alkali, instead of an acid, as all the bee world have hitherto concluded. — T. B. Brown, Harleton, July 23rd. CRITICISM ON OUR WIDE-ENDED FRAMES. I have a bone to pick with you. — Some years ago the Woodbury Hives were all that was bad, be- cause the frames were propolised in the receptacles made for them. A few years later you introduce a frame with a projecting piece which virtually makes the propolisiug surface as large as in the Woodbury ; and now, as far as I understand, you go a step further, and prefer making the whole side of one frame to rest against the next frame ; the propolisiug surface therefore being the whole depth of the frames. I pity the poor novice who adopts the plan, and finds the whole of his moveable bar- frame hive one immoveable mass ; and who, after wrenching it apart, squeezes half the bees in at- tempting to put it together again, and is himself stung to death by the remainder. I should advise your calling it ' The patent suicidal slaughter- house and immoveable bar-frame hive, warranted to kill bees and owner.' — S. Nicholl, Coiobridge. [We are simply delighted with this straightforward criticism, because there is no possibility of misunder- standing it ; at the same time we demur to it as being based on incorrect premisses. When objecting to the notches and racks in the original Woodbury, p. 52, Vol. I., 1873, we wrote : — ' The notches in the rabbets and bottom rack we have always denounced as most objectionable features in the WToodbury arrangement, and cannot consider any hive perfect which contains them, or any modification of them. In addition to the danger of crushing bees when replacing the frames of comb after manipulation and examination, often causing the death of valuable queens, there is the still more awkward fact connected with them, that the frames cannot he moved in a lateral direction in the slightest degree until they have been prised out of the notches; 74 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. and in doing this it often happens that the bottom corners (of the frames) are forced against the inner front or back of the hive, to the great danger of the bees passing round them ; ' and there is not a word that we can discover that points to propolising as an objection in the sense our correspondent implies. Our indictment against the notches and racks was based on the fact stated above, viz., that when in them the frames could not be moved laterally without first raising them up, and possibly damaging the combs in them. Ivor did we wait ' for a few years ' before introducing wide-ended frames, for on p. 70 of the same Vol. (1873) we gave a sketch of them, and on p. 99 a more detailed engraving of them, with a description of the means by which the much- desired lateral movement could be obtained. Propolising is undoubtedly a very great nuisance ; but its presence in a hive is more often the consequence of bad workman- ship in the hive's construction, or carelessness in re- arranging its parts, than from any love of the bees for its use. Not a w-ord that our correspondent advances so trenchantly against our proposed frame-ends touching each other has less force in respect of the highly-valued sectional supers now in general use, both here and abroad ; yet no one, after years of experience, has aught to say in their dispraise, though many of them are so constructed that they touch all round. What a bug-bear propolisa- tion is ! We have italicised the last three words of the former sentence, because in them lies the charm that exorcises the ghastly spirit of propolis that would frighten the bee-world out of all idea of improvement. It is well understood that bees propolise all cracks and fissures in both hive and super ; and we have seen many samples of both, through which the wind could whistle as readily as through a wattled hurdle, and they have been plastered with propolis as such hurdles are with mud. But in respect to wide-ended frames as of sections proper, we have, iu our mind, those that closely ' touch all round,' leaving no crack or crevice for the bees to daub, as a protest against the manufacturer. The evils prognosticated are happily confined to the imagination of our correspondent. He has never tried the hive or frame to which he has alluded, if he had his opinion and judg- ment would be entitled to more earnest consideration. We have tried both, and our experience has led us to dare the chances of adverse criticism, though fully alive to its probability. We sincerely thank our correspondent for going so straight to the root of his objection to what in our mind will effect an immense improvement in hives in which the comfort of the bees is to be taken into account. It is not a new thought ; we gave it practical utterance at the Alexandra Palace Show in 1876 ; but it met with no response, and we have ever since been urging the necessity for a means of preventing the escape of heat from the brood-nest between the ends of the frames. The principle is closely allied to the ' Giotto,' commonly in use in Italy, and it has now the sanction of America, as is proved by the pattern hives sent here by Mr. Nellis of Carajoherie ; and we venture to assert that it will one day be generally adopted. — Ed.] AN AGED STOCK.— COMBS ACROSS THE EN- TRANCE.—EXCLUDER ZINC— FOUNDATION ' FIXERS.' We have had a pretty good season for bees in this quarter up to this time. The weather is rather un- settled now, however, so that storing is not going on so fast as it was a week or ten days ago. The white clover is just at its best, and the loss by every wet day is con- siderable. The electrical conditions of the weather, necessary to the secretion of nectar in the flowers, are, however, continuing, so that we have a prospect of getting a few supers filled this season. About a fortnight ago, by the kind invitation of the proprietor, I paid a visit to the ' Aged Stock,' so well described by 'N.' in No. 78, Vol. VII., page 1:28, of this Journal. This stock, notwithstanding its age, is in a most thriving condition. It has thrown two large swarms this year, and the population is still numerous. Assisted by my friend ' N. I cut out a lot of the old comb, and filled up the space with sections. Enclosed please find a specimen of, I have no doubt, the oldest of the comb, supposed to have been built about a quarter of a century ago. This stock is wholly in a natural state, just the same as we would find bees in a hole in the rocks, or in the decayed bole of an old tree. It is therefore interesting to find that apparently they have always been storing their surplus honey at the back, that is, at the point farthest from the entrance. Nearly all the comb at the back was honey-comb, while their brood-comb was at the front and sides, and right up to the roof, as you will observe from the piece enclosed, one end of which was attached to the roof. Then their entrance is a hole cut through the stone wall, just under the eaves of a two-storied house. There is no flight-board, nor no necessity for it, for the bees pop in and out at their hole much more naturally than they do in a hive with modern front fixtures. If one more heavily- laden, than the rest falls a foot short, it gets a hold of the rough wall, and climbs up to the entrance. I can testify to your excluder-zinc being the right thing to prevent a queen passing through into supers, or for confining a queen to any part of the hive one wishes, while it is no hindrance to the bees in whatever position in the hive it is put. In doubling stocks for extracting, a sheet of it placed between the upper and lower box keeps the queen confined to the lower box. In side or back storing it is invaluable to keep the sections clean and free of brood ; and as dividers for sections it is superior to either wood, glass, or tin, for the bees have free communication from one section to another in every part, and the necessary temperature passing freely through all the set enables the bees to cluster better and build comb faster than where they are cut off from each other by a thickness of tin, wood, or glass. As a means of preventing swarming it is of no use whatever. The bees build queen-cells, swarm out at their appointed time, leaving the poor queen in the hive vainly endeavouring to push herself through the excluder zinc. True the swarm returns again after a little time, just to again issue in an hour or two or next day if the weather is right. If left alone, this state of matters goes on for a week or ten days, till the young queens are hatched. If there is one of them puny enough to pass through the zinc, the swarm clusters, and does not return. During all this time the bees are doing nothing but swarming, and if matters are left thus they may go on swarming and returning through the best of the honey season, and a fine stock gives little surplus. My experience of it as a means of preventing swarming is, as I have described, so that it is not only useless, but if left in the hive to confine and prevent swarming it is positively injurious. It strikes me swarming cannot be absolutely prevented till the nature and instinct of the bee are changed. I am very much surprised at the difficulty you bee- keepers in the South have with comb-foundation. To us in this quarter, who regularly use it with the greatest success, and who never have a broken-down sheet or a bulged or sagged comb, it is a matter of wonder and amusement to read in your own and contemporary journals the schemes and devices proposed to prevent sagging and breaking down. Fine wire, silk linen and cotton threads, sheets of wood, small iron rakes, ladies' hair, appear to us to be all un- necessary, and only increase the cost without any corre- sponding advantage. I am glad the ladies' hair plan has been abandoned. Fancy the idea of a few bee-keepers going along the street, examining with the critical eye of August 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 75 a connoisseur the heads of the passing ladies, and specu- lating on whether the fair ringlets of this blonde, the dark tresses of that brunette, or the silvery locks of your stately matron, were longest and strongest for their pur- pose. Seeing that anything that is put in a sheet of foundation besides wax is to a certain extent an obstruc- tion to the bees, and also extra expense to the bee- keeper, do you not think that all these devices complicate matters? WohH it not be more advantageous to show bee- keepers the method of making the most of what is perfect as it is ? It is all very well for experimentalists (and I give them full credit for their good intentions), who have plenty of time on their hands to devise ingenious methods of doing things, but all those things that require time and patience are a nuisance to the ordinary bee- keeper. vSimply because the bulk of bee-keepers in this country have neither the time nor the means for such fussing. Raitt's foundation this year leaves nothing to be desired. If properly attached to the frames with melted wax from an Abbott's srnelter,no sheet ever breaks down, every cell is built out perfect, and every comb is as true as if cast in a mould. Now what more would one wish ? Only the combs built out and finished. It appears to me an enterprising bee-keeper might start a trade in finished combs. He might be able, if the frames and comb-foundation were sent him, to supply them at about 6d. a frame, which is about the cost of the Cheshire rakes, and no bother at all except putting them in the hive, and getting the bees in.— J. S., Arbroath, July 10th, 1880. [The piece of comb shows plainly that it has been bred in up to the roof, proving beyond a shadow of doubt that bees do not preferentially store their honey above their brood. In the description of the hive, p. 128, Vol. VII., the removal of the back revealed a surface of comb ' two feet square,' so that there was ample space for the bees to exhibit their propensities. — Ed.] BEE-KEEPING DISAPPOINTMENTS. Yes, Mr. Editor, it's a charming pursuit is bee-keeping, and a most money-making thing, too ; the honey that you get cost you just about its weight in silver ; and as for gold being got out of the wax, as one of your corre- spondents asserts, I should think that is not so improbable, considering the large amount that has gone into it. Now I'll tell you how I got on with bees. In 1877 a friend gave me a hive of Ligurians. They were in an old cheese- box, and he did not expect to see a swarm from them that year. But they did swarm, and I put it into a box-hive with frames, See., to the size and pattern he gave me ; but whether Woodbury, or what the name be, I know not. I sent both hives up to the heather in that year, but it broke down the combs in the frame-hive. And, as I thought, the other wanted feeding, I lifted up the edge of the cheese-box and put a bird fountain- feeder underneath. The consequence was there were soon as many wasps as bees in the box, and after a little it was all wasps and no bees, for they had just died out. So I put it away. Last year my one swarm gave me six new ones, seven in all : I had fed hard all the winter ; and they had plenty of food, which I suppose accounted for some 40 lbs. or so of white loaf-sugar. Last year the seventh hive came off on the 27th August. I got some fountain-feeders and a cask of two cwt. of sugar, and gave it them. This year I found two hives dead, but the last of all alive and well. I continued feeding, and found they had stores of honey left. One hive that died had none, but another that also died had plenty. I took a little honey last year, but it was not honey only, sugar and water quite devoid of flavour and taste, rubbish and slops. I found some big cells in one comb fully a quarter of an inch across, and with a greenish tinge on them. Thinking they might be moth-cells I cut them out, they looked like little volcanoes. What are they ? Yester- day I had another look at the strongest hive, and found a lot of queer cells like brownish thimbles stuck among the others : what are they ? for neither in Hunter nor Pettigrew do I see any mention of them. Are they drone-cells ? There were probably a dozen on one side of the comb, and half-a-dozen on the other, comical, rough-looking, something like velvet on the outside. One had a clear top like a bit of glass let into it. How am I to tell breeding-cells ? I find some closed with white wax, and some with yellow or brownish wax. Which is which? And what are pollen cells? Also I notice in all books that you are to be sure and catch the queen as the first point of doing anything in the swarming way ; but that's just nonsense. How are you to do it ? There is a game I used to know in my yonth called ' Catch the ten,' the ten being the winning card, and very difficult it was to catch. But that's simplicity itself to ' catching the queen.' I never even saw the queen but once, and that was in the August time when there were very few bees. I fancied I saw her once in another hive, but in a mo- ment she, if it was she, was lost. Catch her, indeed ! You must find her first, and that I have entirely failed to do. Then again, what is a queen-cell like ? No book gives it. Hunter gives a cut of some little circular cells, but there are plenty of them at the bottom of all the combs ; are those the queen-cells ? And what is the meaning of ' ripe ? ' What is it like when it is ' ripe ? ' No infor- mation. Also, when, at what time of year ought supers be put on ? and when, at what time of year, should the frames be taken way ? and if they are full of young bees, what is to be done with them ? For it is a pity to take a lot of frames away and find you have only got a lot of young bees instead of honey. Oh, yes ; it's a charming amusement, and so cheap. My house- keeper grumbled woefully when I used up all that sugar ; and no wonder. How much jam would it not have made, and ever so much better and nicer than the rubbish we are now eating ! And if I take a frame off and put it into one of those whirling things, won't the young bees fly out along with the honey and make the whole thing a mess of pollen, bees, and a little real honey to glue it together ? I have a carpenter here who makes my bee-boxes, and who has kept bees all his life ; but he says he has never seen a queen-cell. When I can find out which they are, how would it do to take a comb with some on, put it and another comb or two into a fresh box-hive, and set it on the old stand, and move the old hive awa}', so that the bees flying about, and those that might leave the old hive, would go to the new one, and so make a colony ? Plenty would come back to the old stand. But how to catch the queen ? That's the rub : first, however, to see her. Also, can you, or any of your correspondents, tell me any way of arranging the bottom glass of conservatories and hot-houses, so as to allow the bees to escape ? I find that they come in hundreds into my hot-houses, and perish against the glass at the angle that it makes with the wooden ledge it rests upon. Could the glass be contrived to lift up and let them out, for sometimes they are quite a nuisance, besides their being killed in hun- dreds ? — J. R Hair, Blair MU, Perthshire. [We are scarcely surprised at your ill success with bees, seeing that you confess to so very slight a know- ledge of their habits, and the means of their manage- ment. Instead of ' how you get on with bees,' your communication is more in the character of a report of how they got on with you, if you will pardon the obser- vation. The cheese-box swarmed, its swarm was put into a frame-hive, and both were sent to the moors. The tender combs of the latter broke down, as might reasonably have been expected, unless they were packed and carried with very great care. Nevertheless, in spite of the disaster they rallied and did well, giving you six swarms the next 76 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. year, i.e., 1879. The cheese-box hive probably failed in requeening itself after swarming, and being sent^ to the heather queenless, it, of course, came back weak in bees. Mistaking the cause of its lightness, you fed it by raising it and inserting a fountain-feeder under its rim — a very old method of inviting robbers of all kinds — so it was not surprising that they deserted the hive, leaving it to be overrun with wasps or other vermin. The seven hives (swarms and stocks) were, it seems, ' fed hard all the last winter,' another mistake that ought to have killed the whole of them. The last swarm, of August, 1879, had the best chance ; for being late it was neces- sarily fed at the right time, and thus stored its food in a ' natural ' way, when sealing it up was possible, and breeding could go on to a reasonable extent. The others, without any knowledge on your part, whether they were queenless or otherwise, were obliged to take food all the winter, when they could not seal it up ; and the proba- bility is that dysentery set in and caused them to perish. The"' big cells,"' a quarter of an inch in diameter, are drone-cells, built originally to receive honey, but after- wards, when bred in, producing only drones, as has so often been explained in the Bee Journal. Moths do not build cells : they lay eggs in the hive, and their larva? eat away the combs and tend to destroy them. The brownish thimble-shaped cells are either those of drones that have been bred in worker-cells, as shown in Bee Journal, Vol. VII., p. 245, April last; or if pendulous, which you do not state, they are queen-cells probably in a state of formation : the clear, glazed end of one of them must be accidental, perhaps, through a snail. Breeding and pollen-cells are determined by their con- tents, as those of both drone and worker are used_ for storing honey and pollen, and breeding bees. When unsealed, their contents (if any) may be seen, the honey glistening and clear, the pollen of various colours — orange-yellow, green, and brown. When sealed, the honey-cells (both drone and worker) are covered with M WORKER CELLS. DRONE CELLS. impermeable wax, usually white, but sometimes with a yellow cast ; they present a surface of flatfish corruga- tions. Sealed brood is dome-shaped ; the sealing being a mixture of wax, pollen, and fibre; it is usually of the same colour as the comb upon which it is laid, varying from pale buff to dark - brown. The surface of the sealed worker brood-cells presents the appearance of a lot of peas pressed together, while the drone-cells suggest a mass of miniature sugar-loaves standing closely side by side. A practised eye will detect a queen in a moment if she presents herself, and a patient hand will look over the combs separately until she be found. The queen is as easy to distinguish from the drones and workers, as a kidney-bean is from a lot of peas and horse-beans, or as a brazil nut from barcelonas and chestnuts ; but one must learn to know the difference. As regards supers and supering, the Journal for May shows reasons why no dates can be given for putting them on to hives. It is a question of expediency, and requires judgment ; and their filling is no more a matter of course than that the sun crossing the line (so called) will determine the future seasons. Taking away the frames that are filled with honey is quite proper, so long as there is sufficient honey, or its equivalent, left in the hive for the use of the bees ; but taking away combs of brood would be utter folly, or worse. Sugar and fruit are assuredly the chief constituents of real jam ; but a cook or housewife must understand the difference between fruit and caterpillars, and must not stew up the latter simply because they are to be found on the same trees with the fruit — that would be a ' charming amusement,' indeed ! You are quite correct in supposing that an ex- tractor will throw out the brood from a comb, if it be whirled rapidly enough ; but no sensible m an would wilfully do it when honey only is wanted. When the honey has been carefully extracted, it is an advantage to be able to unseal and throw out the immature drone-brood from a hive, and thus prevent the advent of unwelcome drones. The carpenter is not singular amongst bee-keepers of the old school. With many, the queen, or mother bee, is the ' king,' who has a cell of his own to live in, and from which to issue his royal commands, which are implicitly obeyed. With such the drones are workers that have lost their stings, and grown lazy and fat ; and it is not surprising that such bee-keepers are unable to recognise queen-cells, though they may have seen hundreds of them. We have no desire to get up a controversy on the relative merits of the authorities mentioned ; history will find them a place hereafter, we can only be responsible for what appears under our own hand in the Bee Journal; and in that the secrets of the hive will be found revealed in language easily understandable. A queen-cell is a cell built up (or down) around an egg that is intended to be a perfect female when fully developed into life. It is deemed ' ripe ' when it is almost ready to hatch ; whilst being built it very much resembles an acorn cup (a) with very thin edges slightly drawn together ; when complete it is somewhat like an acorn in its cup (b), and is then called a sealed queen-cell ; and when ripe it will be found that the end has been partly pared by the bees to facilitate the coming forth of the queen when she bites her way out. Having bitten her way through, the cell assumes the c appearance, though the flap sometimes closes, and leaves the cell ap- parently sound — a fact which leads the inexperienced discoverer thereof to believe that the bees had sealed up an empty cell, whereas it is but a ' mare's nest.' After the cell has been vacated the bees gnaw away the lower part of it, leaving it again of acorn-cup shape (d), but with thickened and widened edges, e shows a queen-cell newly torn open by a queen, / a queen-cell newly hatched without the flap. As regards the ap- pearance of a queen, there is scarcely a book published that does not show the difference between the queen, and the drones and the workers. We would, however, recom- mend those who cannot recognise the difference to get an observatory hive containing a queen whose thorax has August 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 77 been painted, so that no one could fail to discover her. The vendor of the hive and bees could touch her with a slight QUEEN. dab of white or red paint, and when seen she would almost invariably be found surrounded by a set of courtiers, as shown in the cut. After the eye had a little tuition with a queen illuminated as suggested, there would he little difficulty in detecting other royal dames, however clad or surrounded. The method sug- gested for making artificial swarms would, in a measure, succeed ; but would be very wasteful. Instead of taking a comb or two, with queen-cells on one of them, a comb with the queen herself should be taken, and put into the new hive on the old stand (as suggested), and all would be correct. To give bees egress from conservatories, cut away a quaiter inch space from the front edge of the ' plate ' on which the glass eaves rest. The aperture will be sufficient to allow bees to pass, but can be closed with a strip of wood or a short bit of cord, to keep out the cold air when ventilation is not needed. ' Prevention is better than cure,' and covering the ventilators with mosquito netting would save many hundreds of bees. If anything we have tried to elucidate has not been made, plain, we shall be glad if you will inquire further, or if vou are ever in our neighbourhood, and will favour us with a call, we will undertake to show you all we have tried to explain.— Ed.] Honey a Remedial Agent in the Restoration of Sight. — A correspondent in Church Bells (May 29) says : — 'I am desirous of your inserting a remedy, which has lately come to my personal knowledge, of a gradual restoration of sight to a person of about 55 years of age, whose eyes had been pronounced to have cataract by a clever medical practitioner, and that nothing could he done till sufficiently advanced to be operated on. The person heard, some time afterwards, that the simple pro- cess of anointing three times daily, with pure and fresh honey, first cleansing the lids of the eyes before applying it, would remove cataract. She tried the remedy success- fully, and though now obliged to wear magnifying-glasses for reading, can otherwise see comfortably.' (Skljoxs from % Hitrcs. Battle, June 29, 1880. — 'I have not heard how the bees are getting on around here. I know of one case in which the owner had one stock in the spring which swarmed twice, and the first swarm has swarmed three times. — J. W. Hallaway.' York Road, Tunbridge Wells, June 20, 1880.— ' Wherever I have been I have found that the mortality among bees, where not properly cared for, was frightful during last winter and spring. Some districts could not show a stock of bees alive, but it was cheering to see the prosperity of colonies under the care of intelligent bee- keepers, notably those of Mr. Griffin at Alphington, near Exeter, and of other gentlemen at Taunton and Bridg- water, in Somerset, and a friend in Monmouthshire had carried his safely through a most trying time. I see them well cared for down the South-Eastern line, some stocks at the Wadhurst railway station, in improved hives, looking in flourishing condition. For the first season for many years I am without bees of my own, but hope soon to fix on a good locality for their culture, and enjoy their constant companionship again. — P. H. Phillips.' Chieliester, Ju'y 6. — ' What enormous quantities of honey bees are getting ! This is the best season 1 ever knew. Two of my first swarms have already filled three, large supers last week. I emptied some supers — I forget the number — with a result of upwards of 200 lbs. Should the weather continue as now for another month, the honey results in this part of the kingdom will be enormous. — Alfred Rusbridge.' Rashwood, Droitwieh, July 1 , 1880.— 'The foundation came to hand all right, and is most of it made into comb. I think your flat-bottomed quite as good as the more finished article. I put the sheet sent into a hive about 10 a.m. that day, and on looking at 3 p.m. the next found it half made into comb, and very regular. The weather here has been ' bad, very bad,' the last few days, though some time ago we were in for a good thing, but begin to doubt it.— H. W.' Apiary, Sydney Road, Guildford, 13th July, 1880. — ' Swarms in abundance. I commenced the season with a stock of ten hives. I have now thirty-one swarms, casts, and maiden-swarms, and " still they come," — all strong swarms, of course at a great loss of honey, which the bees take instead of me. — P. H. Lemare.' Winsford, July, 14. — [After a removal].—' What a mighty change, from the beautiful bee-flora to a sul- phur-blighted land, not a vestige of the lovely flowers. And, O my poor bees ! seventeen hives scattered all over by my removal to such a changed place. Three bad seasons, yet fate still pursues with unrelenting fury ! When will the gods interpose ? My Ligurians are show- ing themselves in their golden armour, and are doing prodigious feats. Still I must sell to reduce, therefore kindly insert — oh wretched ! — I cannot help it —the en- closed advertisement in the subscribers' column. — Yours in grief, Parent Stock. Wood foundation. — ' I like the wooden foundation very much after a ten-days' trial. The season here is a very good one for honey-collecting. — Bossell Park, Buekfast- leigh, Devon, July 19.' Barraldine, July \9th. — 'Am pleased to be able to state that I have been successful in introducing a Ligurian queen put into the improved cage got from you. It was a grand sight to me the other day to notice the young worker-bees playing so lively. They are slender in form, and very distinct in colour.' — P. McPherson. The Lawn, St. Leonards, July 23. — Extracting. Non-Swarming. — '1 have succeeded in obtaining about 78 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [August 1, 1880. 300 lbs. of honey, and shall take, in all probability, about 200 lbs. more, but the season generally in this neighbour- hood has been disappointing. I attribute nay success to your extractor, which enabled me to take a lot of honey in the busy time, and to the fact that my bees did not swarm. Those stocks that swarmed have done little or nothing.' Westmoreland, July 24. — ' The mortality amongst bees was very great in Westmoreland this spring. Many who did not feed in autumn lost their entire stock. Swarming generally was very late, and we have a very poor prospect for honey this season. Humane and scientific bee-keeping is spreading very fast in our county since your visit to Carlisle in 1878. Open driving has come very much into use ; bar - frame hives also are much used now. For several years I have done a quantity of artificial swarming for my friends, many of whom now do it for their neigh- bours, so that the principle is spreading fast. Several are also well up in driving, transferring, and uniting.' — Thomas Harrison. Nottingham, July 24th, 1880. — ' Some of our friends in your July issue speak of taking big supers, filled with honey in a most tempting manner ; but I fear that our bee lines have not fallen in such pleasant places. We have plenty of bees, but the weight of honey sealed up to this date has been very small. June was a wet month, and July has been a very stormy one, every fine day being usually followed by three or four wet or indifferent ones, so that I am afraid we shall not have any brilliant results to show for our pains in 1880. My first swarm issued on May 27th, the last on July 13th. This was from a skep which I had doubled on Mr. Pagden's plan on July 1st ; but instead of building comb in the lower hive as I expected, they clustered in it for thirteen days and then swarmed suddenly. I gather from this, that nadirs ai'e not certain to prevent swarming any more than supers. On June 27th I transferred a stock to a bar-frame hive (this was twenty-four days after swarming), and the weight of honey taken from the transferred comb was 7 lbs. Killing drones commenced on July loth, and still continues. — W. S.' Horsham. — ' Mr. H. has never before had so pros- perous a time, though he has kept bees forty years. The hive which lost its queen (about which he wrote) was treated as directed — with a brood-frame from another hive ; and queen-cells were formed immediately, out of one of which her majesty walked one fine day, and he saw her, having first observed the largest queen-cell (closed the day before) was now open. This hive has progressed ever since, and has nearly filled a super. He has not altogether succeeded in preventing swarming. One box has swarmed and thrown out besides two casts, and also gave Olbs. of honey from it in a glass super. Two others have swarmed only, thus three out of seven. One that did not swarm has already furnished over 50 lbs. in Neighbour's sectional super, and will afford (probably) 50 lbs. more. A Woodbury size, ten frames.' Tale of York. — 'The weather here since July set in has been most unfavourable; for the last fortnight nothing but thunderstorms, and rain, and the bees have been prisoners at home. I have not a single super filled, or even promising to be so. One of my strongest hives is throwing out its drones, though it has not swarmed. I suppose this betokens shortness of supplies.' — J. H. Bodmin, Cornwall. — 'Everywhere in this neighbour- hood the bees seem in a most flourishing condition, and there seems every prospect of a very heavy yield of honey. Swarms are very plentiful. One swarm, a stranger, settled near ray hives, and three weeks afterwards gave me a very good swarm. All my bees are working well in supers. I find the comb foundation you sent me answer admirably. I find tying two or three stout threads across the foundation prevents it curling up.' — F. C. G. mxm Hub J^plixs. Query No. 842. — Good opportunity for Italianising (?) — Would you oblige by giving me an explanation of this phenomenon? The bees in some hives all died in the last sharp frost we had about the end of January, but the hives were left standing as they had brood in them, which hatched out in the spring ; but they do not seem to work as they should. Do you suppose as all the first lot died, they are minus a queen, or do you think they are all right ? The hives are common straw skeps. If they are minus a queen, would it not be a good opportunity for Italianising ? — J. T. Lewes, June 26, 1880. Reply to Query No. 342. — When the bees died it is quite certain that the brood died also ; there can be no doubt of that, and the bees in the hives must have come there since. They may be a swarm, or they may be robbers from another apiary. In the former case they have a queen, and in the latter they are only temporary visitors. It is further possible that they may be scouts from another hive looking out for a new home for a swarm ; if so, they will probably come in a few days. In neither case do we recommend the introduction of a Ligurian queen. Leaving old hives of comb on stands is a reprehensible practice. They are called decoy hives, because they decoy other swarms to them ; and leaving them for that purpose is not thought honest amongst bee-keepers. In your case it is evidently the result of carelessness, and the want of knowledge of the natural history of bees. The eggs of a bee will not hatch without heat, and the brood, when hatched, will die through lack of food and heat. In this case the chances are against there being any of either in the hives when the bees died, and this makes them more in the cha- racter of objectionable decoy hives as mentioned. — Ed. Query No. 343. — I have a queenless stock of bees, about 200 in number, and do not Know what to do with them. Do you think it would be practicable to introduce a Ligurian queen to them, and with advantage ? or would a common queen be better ? — J. B. J., Finsbury. Eeply to Query No. 343. — It is difficult to believe that so little is known of bee-culture as the foregoing implies. Of course we scouted the idea of requeening such a stock, except by uniting a swarm or cast to it. — Ed. Query No. 344. — I have several hives in which the combs are five years old and very dark-coloured. Is it advisable to change' them ? If so, what is the best method, — to cut them out and leave the bees to make fresh ones, or to fill them with flat foundation ? — J. H. Reply to Query No. 344. — The condition of the combs and bees will afford the best indication of the necessity for changing the former, should a change be needful. If the bees are brisk, of fair size, and plentiful, there can be little the matter. When a change is deter- mined on, we would cut out the objectionable combs and fill up the frames with comb foundation. — Ed. Q,uery No. 345. — Will you tell me if bees, when driven in the middle or end of September from a cot tager's skep hive, to save them from being smothered, into a bar-frame hive, can fill their hive with sufficient comb to protect them during the winter, and store syrup given to them ? — K. C. J. Kbply to Query No. 345. — If put into hives with frames filled with foundation that will not sag, they will build out their comb in a week, provided they have food. — Ed. Query No. 346. — Honey Jars. — Will you please write me, and let me know if you can do the 1-lb. glass honey jars cheaper than 15s. a gross, as they are advertised at that, and customers do not want to give more than Is. Sd. a dozen ? If you can allow me a profit I can do with some. — R. Harborough. August 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 79 Reply to Query No. 346. — As a matter of fact we make no profit on the honey jars, and therefore can allow none. After a very great trouble we found a man who works in his own factory, and having obtained his prices we went in for the prize offered by the British Bee-keepers' Association, and received it ; and that was practically a premium for discovering' a cheap market. All who want them can get them at the prices named, viz. 15s. and 18s. per gross, plus the charges for packing and the carriage from Birmingham, which is all we can offer. The establishment of depots, or agencies, is out of the question, except at an advance, and that the traders must arrange for themselves. We have had many appli- cations for our manufacturer's address, which we decline to give. He is a poor, hard-working man, who is grate- ful for the business bee-keeping has put in his way ; and while our arrangement exists, bee-keepers and those who preserve fruits may benefit by it without the assistance of a middleman if they please. — Ed. Query No. 347. — Ventilation. — Mr. Cowan advocates the covering of floor-boards during the winter months. Is this a safe plan to adopt in very severe frosty weather, and would it be advisable also in the summer, as I notice that a great deal of ' fanning ' goes on at the entrance day and night ? (2) — Supering. — Some three weeks since I placed a very large swarm into one of Abbott's Standard Hives, No. 1, supplied with comb-foundation to each of the ten frames. They were very soon settled in their new domi- cile, and began to work with a will amongst the field beans, of which there are many acres in blossom in the immediate locality. Under such favourable circumstances, should supers be supplied to them this year ; and when ? I have given them one bottle of syrup only. The last few days I have noticed several drones passing in and out of the hive. Did they come with the swarm ? — C. N. H. Reply to Query No. 347. — Ventilation. — When Mr. Cowan advocated the lowering of floor- and the raising of crown boards for winter ventilation, he kept his bees within doors, in lofts, &c, where they were not subject to severe storms of wind. We cannot say if he now advocates the plan ; but certainly we do not, particularly in ' severe frosty weather.' In summer, when there is much fanning, we recommend bottom ventilation, by en- larging the entrance, or lowering the floor-board along the front. Perhaps Mr. Cowan will oblige us all round by giving his later experience in his new locality., (2) Put on the supers by all means, as advised in the Journal for June, lately to hand. The drones may have come with the swarm, or have found their way into the hive since. Perhaps the hive contemplates throwing off a virgin swarm, in which case the drones would be wel- come, though strangers. — Ed. Query No. 348. — Extracting. — ( 1) I find your extractor most valuable, more especially for the stock hives, as the bees in old hives rarely go up into supers. When a hive is very full of bees I rind it generally impossible to find the queen without shaking the bees off, so as to put the comb in the extractor. I always put a large board in front of the entrance and shake the bees on to it. Is there much risk of losing the queen by so doing? (2) One of my stock-hives swarmed on the 0th June, and has not swarmed since. It was full of honey and bees, and I took out all the combs yesterday, and ex- tracted the honey. In so doing I did not see a trace of brood in any stages. Do you think the hive will be queenless ? It is crammed with bees, and after shaking theni on to a board they ran into the hive, and many set (stood on their heads) at the entrance. Is this latter per- formance a certain sign that they have a queen ? If so, why does she not breed? — J. W. II., Uipon, June 29. Reply to Q,uery No. 348. — There is not much im- mediate risk of losing the queen by the mode of operating suggested; but it is very likely to cause robbing, as when the bees are shaken on to the board some of the liquid honey will be shaken out ; and if the bees of other hives are not more agreeably engaged in fields of plenty they will be attracted there too. The bees of the hive operated on having been ' quieted,' will not be in good condition to repel robbers, and much evil might result. (2) Twenty-one days after first swarming is about the time when there is least likelihood of finding brood in the hive. The bees standing on their heads is not a sign of queenlessness or otherwise, but is more indicative of alarm on their part. The queen is probably not more than about ten to twelve days old ; she will, if present, begin to lay in a day or two. — Ed. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS. M. — Pluralitihof Queens with Carfs.— The experience re- lated was anticipated on p. 44 of our last issue. It is not uncommon for several queens to come off with a cast. J. Bruce. — If you will kindly favour us with your address we shall be glad to communicate with you. Inquirer. — 1. The mode of fixing guides was fully explained in May Journal. 2. We cannot tell the best week or month for taking the honey and uniting the bees to other stocks, but should do it at the end of the harvest. 3. There is no objection whatever to healthy old comb for wintering and breeding in. 4. Uniting was fully described in October Journal. It means rnariying the bees of different stocks without respect to the combs they are on. 5. Honey flies out of that side of the comb which is farthest from the centre of the machine ; the whirling tends to throw it from the centre as water is thrown from a ' trundled ' mop, or mud from the wheel of a carriage. Centrifugal force acting in an outward direction from the centre, it is impossible that the honey on the inner side of the comb can be extracted thereby. Wasps, Limerick. — Wasps do not attack bees. They will plunder from their stores if they can reach them, or they will bite off the abdomen of an injured bee and carry it away for home consumption, but they will not face or fight a healthy one. To keep them out of a hive, the population should be sufficiently strong to protect it; keep the entrance narrow, and fill up all openings about the edges, that the bees may have only the one opening to defend. It is, however, far better to get rid of the wasps ; find their nest and inject a gill of turpentine into it, closing the hole with a plaster of soft clay. If this be done at night, when all are at home, all will be killed, and may be dug out in half-an- hour. No fire is required. Post-cards. — The reply was sent per post-card, there being no stamp or envelope enclosed with the query. During the week ending the 17th July we replied per post to nearly two hundred queries on bee matters, for ninety-one of which we had to pay the postage. Our poor right hand often protests against the labour of writing so much ; although change of work is some- times considered as good as play, it is not particularly refreshing to have to put it so often into our own pocket. LickiDg penny stamps under such circum- stances is not conducive to health or good temper. Post-cards in these cases, if not thankfully received, ought at least to be considered of value. R. S., Bedford. — Swarms returning to their hives. — Your remarks on swarms issuing and returning apply generally this year, the queens which have survived the winter appearing to be unable to join them, as explained in previous Journals. Coupling this with the fact so commonly observed this year of queens being destroyed by encasement, an idea is suggested that they were victims to the stimulative efforts of the bees at a time when breeding could not go on through the absence of pollen. On no other ground can we account for the loss of and injury to queens that have been so prevalent during this season. ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Aug. 1, 1880. BEE AND HONEY SHOWS FIXED FOR 1680. Aug. S.- Aug. 10, Aug. 11 Aug. 11, Aug. 11, Aug. 18, Aug. 20, Aug. 25. Aug. 26, Sept. 4.- Sept. 9.- Sept. 13. West Kent. -Weston super Mare. — Melksham. — Dorsetshire County. 12. — Surrey County. 19.— Shropshire County. 21. — Herts County, at St. Albans. — East Scotland. Arbroath. 27, 28.— At Dundee. -Stirling. -Lincolnshire, at Boston. —Honey Fair, Grantham. BEE TENT ENGAGEMENTS. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Aug. 3. — West Wycombe. Aug. 5. — West Kent Show. Aug. 11. — Dorchester. Aug. 11. — Eastbourne. Aug. 11, 12. — Surrey County Show. Aug. 18, 19. — Shropshire County Show. Aug. 24. — Long Buckby Horticultural Show. Aug. 27.— Sandy. Sept. 3. — Devon and Exeter County Show. Sept. 7. — Suffolk County Show at Ipswich. Sept. 7, 8. — Warwick County Show. Sept. 17. — Great Dunmow. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION. Aug. 3. — Frogmore Cottage Garden Show. * Aug. 18. — Rickmansworth. Aug. 20, 21. — County Show of Flowers, Fruits, Vege- tables, Bees, Hives, &c, at St. Albans. Aug. 27. — Much Hadham Cottage Garden Show. Sept. 2. — Harpenden Horticultural Show. Sept. 9. — Bengeo Cottage Garden Show. TOUR IN IRELAND. Aug. 10. — Royal Agricultural Show in Clonmel. Aug. 18. — Maryborough County Agricultural Show. Aug. 28. — Newry. Sept. 2. — Newtownards Flower Show. Near Belfast. VEGETABLE PARCHMENT for Covering Glasses and Jars of Honey, Ac, 2s. per lb. Sample Sheet, id. Prices for larger quotations on application. Abbott Bkos. COMB FOUNDATION.— The best American, as per Abbott's Catalogue. RAITT'S FOUNDATION at his prices, from Abbott Bkos., Fairlawn, Southall, Mid- dlesex. FOR SALE.— Two Double-walled WOODBURY HIVES, with fixed legs. Complete, 10s. 6d. each. One Single-wall WOODBURY HIVE, with two Supers, 7s. 6rf. HONEY EXTRACTOR, 5s. 'BEE JOURNAL'— Vol. II., commencing at No. 17 ; Vol. HI., complete ; Vol. IV., com- plete ; 10s. 6rf. C. H. Goodman, Lesness Heath, Kent. REMOVAL.— A few BLACK 'STOCKS or SWARMS to SELL. Earliest in the neighbourhood. Station Master, C.L.C., Winsford. fo. 47 BY KIND PERMISSION. PHOTOGRAPHS of the late JOHN HUNTER, Esq. may be obtained of T. B. Blow, Welwyn, Herts. Prices — Cabinet, Is. liil. ; Carte-de-Visite, Is. MODERN BEE-KEEPING. A Handbook for Cottagers. Price Git. Published by the British Bee-Keepers' Association. SUBSCRIBERS' COLUMN. To meet the wants of Subscribers who require a cheap mode of advertising their wants, we have opened an Advertising Column, for non-trading Subscribers only, wherein they may make their wants or wishes known at the rate of One Penny for every six words, or part of six words, but no advertisement must contain more than thirty-six words. Stamps to accompany in all cases, and there can be no reduction for repetitions. FOR SALE. — Vol. HI. of British Bee Journal, complete. Unbound, 4s. LANGSTROTH on 'The Hive and Honey Bee.' 9s. Free. UINBY on ' The Mysteries of the Bee-hive.' 8s. &d. Free. Q FOR SALE. - Is. each. •Nos. 2, 3, 4, 8, and 10, of B. B. Journal, "T7~OL. H. B. B. Journal, with Index, minus the No. for V May, 5s. OL. H. B. B. Journal, minus May and Aug. Nos., 3s. "NDEX, Vol. I. Price 6d. Apply to Editor. fo. 100 s END Two Stamps for Abbott Bros'. Catalogue. Southall, Middlesex. DRY PUFF BALL, for fumigating Bees. Will render them perfectly harmless to the comfort of the most timid. Is. per packet. S. F. Clutten, Fressingfield, Harleston, Norfolk. fo. 32 WILL give 3s. 6 any admixture of the wax, whilst the brood', in the comb were perfectly preserved.' Leaving Clonmel, we returned to Waterford, whence we were enabled to take advantage of the ' passes,' so kindly furnished, over the railway to Maryborough, at which place we arrived on Monday, the 16th, and were most kindly received by Dr. Symes, the local Hon. Secretary of the Show, and by his help enabled to secure bees for manipulation from Mountmellick, a village near by. Our appear- ance at this place was welcomed by the bee-keeping gentry, who were glad of our services in rectifying their hives, and the ' charm ' which was supposed to influence the bees was the subject of much wonderment, though nothing was used but tobacco-smoke. The road from Maryborough to Mountmellick runs across a peat moor of many miles extent, covered in the main with beautiful blooming heather, which would have yielded tons of honey had there been bees to extract it ; but alas ! the bees were not there, and the honey wasted itself in a land where waste of any kind can be but ill afforded. On the evening before the Sbowwe heard of a stock of bees at a farm at Rosslean (]), about a mile from Maryborough, whose owner, Mr. Clarke, offered them for manipulation if we would put the bees into a new hive. They had been ten years in their then abode, and he had never had any profit from them, and thought the combs must be too old. We at once started (with Mr. Carr), and discovered one of the finest specimens of bee colonisation we had ever seen . It consisted of an old cheese-box set on a pig-tub top, and surmounted with three old skeps, which had stood so long and suffered so much from exposure that they were as rotten as tinder, and bad subsided, the upper into the lower, until all above the cheese-box was a heap of old comb and powdered thatch. There were holes all round it, one, where a rat had nestled, being as large as a saucer, and several others through which mice and snails had played hide-and-seek. The cheese-box had sunk in at the top, and the floor-board had rotted at all its joints, so that the bees could get in and out all round it, and all over it indeed, for it was thoroughly 'honey-combed.' The bees having had no disturbance for years were hot-headed home rulers, and resented our inquisition, but, after con- sultation, we determined to operate upon them forthwith, as they were totally unfit for removal to the show-ground, since it was almost impossible to confine them for transit. We therefore had an ' exhibition ' at short notice, and having explained to Mr. Clarke and his farm-men what would be done, set to work, and having smoked the bees in (for they were lying out all over the heap), and done our best to make theni gorge themselves, we chopped and prised the whJl of some of the latter in fertilising younger blooms, as I have already pointed out. We shall now consider a device of a totally different character. An examination of a bunch of primroses (30, 37) gathered promiscuously will show that the blooms are of two kinds. In one the anthers stand at the top of the corolla-tube, in the other the stigma occupies that position. If the flowers be torn open we shall, half way down the tube, find in the former the stigma, and in the latter the anthers. If bees seeking honey travel about amongst these two forms they will clearly get the root of the tongue coated with pollen from the first form, which they must transfer to the stigma of the second form ; whilst the anthers of the second form will apply their pollen to the centre of the tongue, the accurate position for transferring it to the stigma of the first. Not only here then does each bloom seek pollen from some others, but the arrangement of its parts is such as to suit it to fertilisation only by pollen produced by a bloom of the complementary form, i.e. by pollen produced not only upon another flower, but upon a dis- tinct plant. The pollens produced by the two kinds are far from identical, and each by experiment has been proved to have special suitability to the form of bloom for which it has evidently been intended. The wonders of these dimorphic flowers afe far exceeded by those where three forms exist, as for example, in the Lythrum Salicaria, around which Darwin's researches have gathered so much interest. The labiate flowers are amongst the most attractive to bees ; they commonly have strong perfumes, while their honey is pronounced in flavour ; but their curious forms and adaptations to crossing place them amongst the most interesting to bee-keepers, who are also students of nature. Let us examine one of these, selected on account of its structure. The Salvia officinalis (44, 45) has but two developed anthers ; the others are aborted. The filaments of these are very short, while the two cells of the anther, which are usually quite close to each other, are here widely separated by an unusual develop- ment of the ' Connective.' This ' connective ' may be said to be hinged to the extremity of the filament. When the bee enters, the lower anther-cells, which produce no pollen, but answer the purpose I am now explaining, are pushed forward by the advancing head and thorax, these two cells actually fitting over the front of the insect much as a horse's collar sets upon his chest. The connectives now turn upon their hinges, and throw the other anther-cells over upon the bee's back, and there fix patches of pollen. As the bee retires, the old position is taken, so that the trick may be repeated upon the next visitor. When the anthers wither, the flower by the growth of its style, brings the stigma into just the posi- tion into which the pollen-bearing anther-cells were brought by the action of the bee, which insect in due course, in its honey seeking, applies its back, bearing the pollen given to it by a bloom in its earlier condition, September 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 87 to this stigma, and so brings about in a most singular fashion the crossing required. The heaths, so important on account of the large quan- tities of honey they yield, give it all in order that they may obtain possible fertilisation. The anthers open by pores in their sides, but the pollen cannot escape since the anthers stand against each other, and so mutually close the apertures; but every anther is provided with a couple of processes like horns, which stand out in the body of the tiny wax-like bell. The bee's head is too large to enter, but its tongue is long enough to reach the honey; as it passes upwards to this, however, it strikes the horns and moves the anthers, and as a consequence the pollen falls, and is received upon the head of the bee, a position in which it must be applied to the stigma of the next heather-bloom visited, since the stigma occupies a central position at the entrance to the bloom. It would be unpardonable to omit altogether the won- derful Older, Compositte ; and I select the Cineraria (-'!8) as a plant commonly to be found in our homes, and which we may at any time study in a spare moment. These Composite blooms vary somewhat in their struc- ture, but a little patience will enable us to understand all when we have really conquered one. The explanation I am about to give of the Cineraria, for instance, would apply almost entirely to the daisy or sunflower, and with but slight alterations to the dandelions, thistles, mari- golds, chrysanthemums, &c. Each anthodium, popularly called a flower, really con- sists of a considerable number of blooms or florets gathered into a unit. If we examine one of these, as we tind it in the Cineraria, we shall discover that the central convex part is formed by the extremities of perhaps 1.50 florets closely packed together. These are in different stages of development, the youngest occupy- ing the centre of the anthodium. As we. proceed from the centre we come to florets just opening, and still fur- ther from the centre are others, more matured, having a stick-like arrangement growing out of, and rising above, their corollas. These are the anthers, which are joined to one^ another- .by their edges (synge- nesious). The pollen lias been shed, but since by their junction, the anthers form a closed tube none has yet escaped. In the ring of florets again beyond these we shall observe probably the next stage. Here the pollen is showing at the top. The style has grown up under the pollen, and having a brush on its extremity, has actually ^wept the pollen out from between the anthers. Insects now* carry it away, but fertilisation cannot yet be brought ''about in the floret yieldinfj.it. Passing again outwards, we find floi-ets with their-.pollen Ml gone, and their styles standing out above the corollas. The stigina now developes, and pollen can be. received, but this pollen must of course be provided from some younger floret, or even by some distinct anthodium.- -, , The external florets carry each a wide, long ray, which together make up the outside conspicuous, surf ace of the bloom, increasing its charm in tbei'eye of the florist, and making it more conspicuous so as to attract insect life. These outside florets produce no pollen, and so singularly have no brush on the end of the style ; ..and this is not all, for with that marvellous be.auty of economy we so often are able to trace in the Creator's works, pollen is .■ not found here, be?Mse here it would not be of value to the plant ; for, frtV what we have already seen, .this fertilising dust, if not passed frOjdBB; an'thodiuni" to another, must be used on ^lloretjBHher'from the centre than the one producing it, frorrf^vmcii it is clear that pollen on the outside row would be produced in vain. The orchids have always been objects of wonder, but never have they attracted more attention than at pre- sent, and the investigations made have revealed devices, as I have already hinted, which appear to the last degree romantic. The one example chosen of a British species (Orchis musculo) is more sober in its behaviour than some which could have been selected, but it will furnish a sort of type for many, and so has its advantages. The pollen is here gathered into two masses called pollinia.. When the flower is visited a fissure occurs in the covering of these pollinia, and stick}' bases which they possess are made bare. As the bee remains upon the lip of the bloom seeking honey, these sticky bases aie in contact with her head. The viscid matter quickly sets, and when the bee retires the pollinia are so firmly fixed that they are drawn out of their cases, and carried away like two erect horns. As she flies through the air with her whimsical decoration, an uneven contraction of the pedicel of each pollinium alters its position, so that in a few seconds they are found standing directly forward in front of the head, and ready to pass at once into the next bloom as the bee enters, and'so striking the stigmatic surfaces, and effecting cross fertilisation. In such a consideration of our subject as the present, the action of bees as fertilising fruit blooms, and so actually instrumentally producing fruit, ought not to be altogether omitted. If we examine a strawberry we find a vast number of (popularly) seeds, (really) achenia studding its external surface. Every one of these possessed a style and stigma, and has had pollen con- veyed to it by the action of insects, bees mainly. When the bee settles in seeking for honey it walks round the bloom, and so rubs off on to the stigmas the pollen brought from some other similar flower (for the stigmas are receptive before pollen is produced), but if any one stigma remains unfertilised, the fruit fails to develope at that part, and continues hard, shrunken and green when*1 the rest (the fertilised portion) is fully ripe. We must all again and again have seen illustrations of this; from which we. learn that every strawberry requires from one to two or three hundred distinct fertilisations for its production. The raspberry and blackberry are similarly dependent upon bees. Each little rounded mass of these fruits — called a drupel — has been independently fertilised. If we take a green raspberry, and look at it with a hand-magnifier, we shall find the withered style and stigma remaining in every case ; and indeed they are frequently traceable when the fruit is fully ripe. Some drupels, withered and greyish-g;reen in colour, may often, be seen in the dessert dish, iihd marking a point where the bee has failed in her work, and proving conclusively that without her, or some ojher insect, the blooms would have become hlind, and no fruit at all woidd have followed. The gooseberry wholly depends on insects. Its anthers. are ripe before its stigma, and fertilisation without insects is impossible. .The. apple and pear no less require insect visits, and each one demands, as its bloom has five distinct stigmas, five sepal-ate fertilisations. An apple often developes, though imperfectly, if four only are effected, but it generally drops before ripening. Such a fruit may be. usually known by a deformity, one part has failed to grow ; and if we cut it across with a knife one of the five divisions (dissepiments)- of the perfect core will be. found wanting. Some complain that bees eat fruit, a charge which need not he*e be rebutted ; but it is for us to proclaim that while tliey gather honey for "the benefit it may be "f their flutters', they confer a no less benefit on the fruit-growerAry jJ»OT^ him a crop in return. I fear to ytyearvTt'nt before sitting down beg a few moments to point out that the sense of smell possessed by the lire, of which we have constant evidence, and that, appreciation of colour which Sir John Lubbock has Moved, have been important elements in developing the beauties dl the floral world. Man has long, by hybri- dizing and selecting, been improving flowers; but where men have worked for seasons bees have worked for age? ; and, although unconsciously, still on the same lines. THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [September 1, 1880. Those flowers that have had more than usual sweetness of perfume or brightness of colour have been more surelv visited and fertilised; and since the characteristics of the parents would be repeated and occasionally intensi- fied in the progeny, every movement towards the beauti- ful has been by the bee perpetuated, while from the same cause the less desirable has had less chance of being preserved alive upon the earth. The Chairman, having adverted to the valuable educa- tional lessons derivable from the interesting lecture of Mr. Cheshire, proposed that a vote of thanks should be tendered to him, which was cordially agreed to by the meeting. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Committee meeting held at 105 Jermyn Street, on Wednesday, August 18th. Present, Mr. J.'M. Hooker in the chair ; Dr. Lionel S. Beale, Mr. F.Cheshire, and Rev. H. R. Peel, Hon. Sec. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The balance-sheet for the month ending July 30th was also read, showing a balance in hand of 56/. 7s. G±d., It was resolved that the pam- phlet entitled Modern Bee-Seeping should be sold at the price of 40s. per hundred copies if not less than 200 were ■were taken, and at 35s. per hundred if not less than 250 were taken, and that advertisements for the next issue should be solicited from florists, seedsmen, and others connected with horticulture. It was resolved that two pages of the advertisement sheet should be devoted to the list of publications, and prices of the various works pub- lished by the Association. It was also resolved that any non-members purchasing not less than 5 copies of the diagrams be allowed to have them at 5s. per set, the same price as charged to members. Letters were read from Mr. Duncombe and Colonel Donnelly of the Science and Art Department, and ordered to be placed on the minutes. HERTFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The third Annual Show of the Hertfordshire Bee- keepers' Association was held on Friday and Saturday, August 20th and 21st, at Gorhambiiry Lodge, St. Michael's, near St. Albans, by the kind* permission of the Earl of Verulam, President of the Association. In connexion with the Show was held the County Flower, Fruit, and Vegetable Show. The attendance of the band of Grenadier Guards under the direction of Mr. Dan Godfrey, the auspicious weather, and the quantity and quality of the exhibits, contributed to make the combined shows a grand success. The Hertfordshire Bee-keepers' Association have good reasons for congratulation in having so energetic and enthusiastic a Secretary as the Rev. Herbert R. Peel, seeing that, through the exertions put forth by that gentleman, the number of its members far exceeds that of any other County Association, and by the employment of travelling experts penetrating to the furthest limits of the county, the cottagers in all the various villages are reached and instructed in the art and mysteries of bee-keeping. The results of these efforts were visible in the large number of visitors, of all classes of society, on both days of the show, and in the intelligent interest taken in the proceedings. T. W. Cowan, Esq. of Hor- sham, and the Rev. J. L. Lisson, Edingthorpe Rectorv, North Walsham, Essex, were the judges of the county classes; and the Rev. Canon Kewl'ey, Baldock, and the Rev. .Mr. Wilcox, of the open classes. The honey exhibits were highly creditable. There « -as a beauty, a translucence, and a deliciousness in the run honey which indicated the pains which had been taken by the exhibitors; while the clearness, the evenness, the attractive appearance, and (he excellence of the honey in sections, bore evidence of the readiness of the exhibitors to profit from, and adopt, the teachings afforded by our Transatlantic brethren ; and we have reason to hope that, now the best method of marketing honey has been attained , an amount of honey will be produced by the bee-keeners of the United Kingdom from the vast tracts of country where at present its rich fragrance is lost in the desert air, which will enable us to dispense with honey imported from abroad, and develope in our midst a new industry and a fresh occupation beneficial alike to the cottager and to the farmer. It would be invidious, where there was so much of excellence, to specify any individual exhibits; but we cannot refrain from expressing our delight at witnessing those of Mr. S. Thorne, Mr. E. Bacon, Miss Gayton, Dr. Smith, Rev. H. R. Peel, Col. Smyth, and Mr. Gulston. Some splendid Stewarton supers were ex- hibited by Rev. J. Jenkyns and Rev. E. Bartrum. The specimens of bee-flora exhibited by Mr. Gibbs of St. Albans, were very creditable. The exhibits of bees-wax by Miss Gayton, Mr.Thorne, and Mr. Olapp, deserve commendation. The Hertfordshire Show treading so closely on the heels of the South Kensington, it could scarcely be ex- pected that any novelty would be shown in the provincial that was not to be seen in the metropolitan show. We are bound, however, to make an exception in favour of some specimens of comb-foundations exhibited by Abbott, Brothers, obtained from impressions of wax- foundation in plaster of Paris. They appeared as perfect as the best foundations furnished by Mr. Raitt ; and if capable of being made in larger sizes and of greater thick- ness than those exhibited, the invention will prove a formidable competitor to the American machine-made comb-foundations. The manipulations in the Bee Tent were a great source of interest to the visitors. These exhibitions of the mastery of the experts over the bees are of high educational value. It may be advancing a heterodox opinion, but it seemed to us a question whether the object of the exhibition would not have been better attained by the absence of prizes for those capturing the queen and transferring the contents of the skep to the bar-frame hive in the shortest period of time. The ' hot haste' and the excited hurry displayed by the competitors have an injurious effect on the minds of the spectators, who can scarcely avoid falling into the excitement of the moment, and witnessing a rapid race be- tween the competitors, instead of being the sober and calm recipients of a valuable lesson. The prize-takers in the contest were Mr. S. J. Baldwin and Mr. W. Martin, who captured the queen and transferred the comb in the skep to the bar-frame in ten and eleven minutes respectively, while one of the competitors, Mr. R. Baldwin, did not suc- ceed in capturing her majesty, and in searching for her and in transferring occupied thirty-two minutes ; yet the more composed and deliberate method adopted by him permitted the spectators to follow his actions more closely and to have the desired educational lesson more deeply impressed on their minds and memories. Mr. H. C. Finch, of Riekmansworth, and Mr. G. Henderson, of Ealing, were the judges of the manipulations. At five o'clock the prizes were given away by Lady Jane Webster. The Hertfordshire Association may feel assured that for the short time it has been in existence a good and a great work has been done in the county ; and we hope that the time is fast coming when, through its exertions and those of kindred institutions, the skep will ' hide its diminished head,' and when all antiquated practices of taking honey will lie abolished. CALEDONIAN APIARIAN ASSOCIATION. This Society held its Seventh Annual Show of honey, hives, and bees to the left of the entrance-gate, within the Highland and Agricultural Society's show-yard. The exhibits ill the show-tent this year, although not so numerous as on some previous years, show a marked improvement in the science of apiculture. The centre September 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 80 of interest to strangers was, as on other occasions, the observatory hives, where the Ligurians and the Blacks were seen working side by side. Among the observatory hives was one exhibited by Mr. D. Wood, of Benmore, Argyllshire, which proved an object of great interest to all who entered the tent. Indeed, so great at times was the eagerness evinced, that the people climbed on to the tables, and pressed around in such numbers as to endanger the safety of the hive. It is an attempt to solve the difficult problem of con- structing a hive suitable for winter or summer, indoors or out. We have had ample opportunity of seeing the hive at work under various conditions, and were more than pleased with its completeness and thorough adapt- ability for all purposes of bee-culture. When we first saw it Mr. Wood had but just introduced two bars from one of Neighbour's hives taking a few bees along with the queen, and had taken it away into a field some distance from his home to break the bees off their old flight, and the)' were then working admirably. We have quite recently seen it indoors, and found the bees not only healthy but prospering. The queen was still busy depositing young, and several of the combs contained a large quantity of sealed brood, whilst all the other frames were being rapidly filled with new comb and honey. The hive consists of seven bars having comb space lOj-in. by lOi-in. They are so constructed as to slide in so as to form a compact square hive when not needed for obser- vation. The foundation of the hive is formed by a single piece of board, through which seven holes are cut over a common entrance-chamber, and these afford direct entrance into each bar, thus doing away with all long tunnels and obstructions. Into the floor-board channels are cut to receive hollow slides, which are closed at the outer end. When the bars are drawn out these slides are drawn along with them, and are brought exactly over the entrance-chamber, thus preserving unin- terrupted communication ; before drawing out arrange- ments are made by the means of a simple slide, easily got at, to close off the entrance in the centre of bar, another entrance formed at the. end of bar by being drawn out, is brought over the opening, thus the bees' egress and ingress is never interfered with. Close to the two outside slides are two pillars supporting a strip of lp 0 Plies wood, through which seven holes are bored. These correspond to holes made in the ends of the bars, and by passing a piece of stout wire down through the strip, bars, and floor-board, the whole can be moved backward and forward at pleasure, somewhat after the style of Mr. Wilson's ingenious hive, but minus its tunnels. Another and most interesting feature in it is that every bar can be drawn out at pleasure, and be quite detached from the body or entrance-chamber (each bar closing its own entrance automatically), thus rendering it possible to make the xery closest inspection without a single bee escaping, or in any way irritating them ; indeed, so quietly and smoothly is the whole operation performed, that the queen very often continues depositing eggs when the bar she may happen to be on is taken quite away from the remainder of the hive. . In order to make it adapted for wintering each glass is made to slide out, so that when the bars are closed in the glasses can be drawn out, thus making it to closely resemble an ordin lry bar-frame hive, and putting the bees in the very best condition for wintering. The bars fit so closely, and the edges of grooves and glass are so thin, that they occupy very little over lj-in. to each bar. To render it still more comfortable a square cover is slipped over the whole, and it is then capable of with- standing all kinds of weather if it is thought desirable. As we stated at the outset, it is an attempt to make an all-the-year-roimd observatory ; and we think Mr. Wood lias fairly earned the position he claims, that of putting that difficulty one step nearer solution by his ingenious and well-considered hive. Two well-got-up Woodbury hives in glass cases were also much admired. Of greater interest to the bee- keeper, however, was the excellent assortment of hives and bee-gear exhibited, showing all the most recent improvements, several of which have not hitherto been before the public. Mr. R. Steele, Fowlis, Dundee, deservedly carried off most of the honours in this depart- ment. It is to the enterprise of this gentleman, along with Mr. Thomson, Blantyre ; Mr. Young, Perth, and others, that Scotland owes the rapid advancement in bee- culture that has been made of late years. Mr. Steele's collection of bee-furniture was quite a museum. It con- tained, amongst its thirty articles, a wax foundation machine, hives of all sorts and sizes, supers, honey ex- tractors, &c. One of the best articles in the tent was the extractor belonging to this collection, invented by Mr. Cowan. This is evidently the extractor of the future. The display of honey, especially the 2:i lb. super, made up of 1 lb. sections, was very creditable. The following is the prize list : — Clover oe Flower Honey.— For the best super, above 10 lbs. and under 20 : W. Sword, Falkirk. For the best sample of run or extracted honey, not less than 4 lbs., to be exhibited in glasses: 1, O Carnegie, Mary- hill, Montrose; 2,C. Carnegie; •"', J. Thomson, Dalbeattie. Highly commended, R. Steele, Fowlis. Special prize, offered bjr Mr. R. J. Bennett and Mr. Wm. Sword, for the best exhibition of pure honey in sectional supers, each section to be separable, and not more than '■*> lbs. each ; the total weight of each entry to be not less than 12 lbs. : R. Steele, Fowlis. Hives and Wax. — For the best hive for observation purposes, all combs to be visible on both sides, stocked with bees, and their queen: 1, J. Ellis, Bridge of Earn ; 2, 1). Wood, Benmore; ;), J. Welsh, Kinghorn. For the best and most perfect bar-frame hive, with super, or set of sectional supers, and cover complete for summer use: 1, R. Steele; 2, D. Wood. For the most perfect hive on the storifying principle, with the best arrange- ment for securing harvest or comb honey : R. Steele. For the best hive, complete with summer and winter arrangements : 1, R. Steele ; 2, D. Wood. For the best straw hive of any description : V. Novitzky, Pitlochry. For the two best samples of wax, in cakes of not less than 1 lb. each : 1, R. Steele ; 2, W. Laughland. For the best sample of wax guide-sheets, not less than six sheets: 1, R. Steele; 2, W. Raitt, Blairgowrie. For the best bar-frame hive, in the moveable comb prin- ciple : J. Ellis. Comestibles. — For the best liqueur or wine made from honey, with recipe attached (not less than two quarts) ; age of wine to be given : .1. Wilkie, Gourock. For the best cakes made with honey, with recipe attached, not less than 2 lbs. : 1, J. I). Hutchison, Glas- gow ; 2, J. Ellis, Bridge of Earn ; •'?, J. Scott, Falkirk. Miscellaneous. — For the best collection of hives, bee furniture, bee-gear, not to exceed 30 articles, and no two articles to be alike, or for the same purpose : R. ' Steele. For the best bee feeder : 1,1). Wood ; 2, J. Ellis ; •'!, R. Steele. For the cheapest, neatest, and best supers for producing honey-comb in a saleable form, and to be complete with glass: 1, R. Steele; 2, ditto. For the best wax extractor, cost to be taken into consideration : R. Steele. For the best honey extractor, cost to be taken into consideration : R. Steele. For the best and most interesting collection of natural objects, models, or dia- grams connected with apiculture, and illustrating the natural history and economy of the honey bee : No entries. A silver medal was awarded for water fountain, exhibited by Mr. Bennett, and invented by .1. M. McPhedran, Craigbet, Renfrewshire. On Wednesday a 'manipulation' tent was erected adjoining tin' exhibition, and here from time to time dining each day interesting manipulations with live bees were carried on, by which the uninitiated are acquainted 90 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [September 1, 1880. with the method of taking the honey without resorting to the destruction of bees. A gauze screen, through which the whole operations can be witnessed, protects the visitors from the attacks of the busy little creatures. The driving competition took place on Friday for the Highland and Agricultural Society's Silver Medal, and was gained by James Johnstone, Touch, via Stirling. He drove the bees and captured the queen all complete in less than 7 minutes. DORSETSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The Bee Show at the Alexandra Gardens. The Dorsetshire Bee-keepers' Association held their annual exhibition at the Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth, in connexion with the Weymouth Horticultural Society's Flower Show on August 1 1th, and a spacious tent was set apart for the numerous entries. There were about 40 prizes offered, ranging in value from 1/., to 2s. Gd., in ad- dition to silver and bronze medals given by the British Bee- keepers' Association. The competition wasexcellent, there being seventy-four entries, and the various exhibits were admirably arranged under the superintendence of the honorary secretary, Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun., of Troy- town, near Dorchester, to whose efforts the success of the show is mainly attributable. The principal competition in the open classes was for hives, and the leading exhibitors were Messrs. Abbott, of the School of Apiculture, South- all, and Messrs. Neighbour, of High Holborn and Regent Street, London, who sent specimens of some of their best work. Messrs. Abbott and Neighbour also sent large and varied collections of apicultural appliances — feeders, smokers, supers, queen excluders, section frames and crates, comb-foundation, queen-cages, bee-veils, English and American bee books, &c. Two local hive-makers entered for competition — namely, Mr. J. Cox, of Whitchurch, with a slight modification of the Cheshire frame-hive ; and Mr. R. Legg, of Buckhorn Weston, with straw skeps. Both hives were well made, but call for no special mention. The exhibition of honey in the comb was simply splendid; but the principal competition was really confined to three persons — namely, Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun., Troytown ; Mr. Antell and Mr. Stickland, Puddletown, who have carried all before them for three years past at Sherborne and Dorchester. They contributed a very large weight of honey of the choicest description, and all in a very marketable form, most of it being in sections weighing one, two, or three pounds each. The sections were well filled with beautiful straight comb, most of which was sealed from top to bottom and end to end, without a spot of pollen or brood. The weights taken from single stocks ranged from 89f lbs. to 08 lbs. while from a single apiary as much as .'!41bs. was sent. The competition was so close that the judges awarded ' equal ' prizes in more than one instance. There was plenty of run honey in glass jars, the colour and quality varying from the delicious nectar of the white clover to the darker and coarser kinds gathered from limes and heather. Both comb and run honey sold freely at Is. to Is. Gd. per lb. The leading exhibitors were all disciples of the bar-frame school. The principal ' skeppist ' who exhibited was Mr. M. II. Tilley, of Dorchester, who, like his neighbour, Mr. Vatcher, is a disciple of Mr. Pettigrew, and is still quite content with the results obtainable under the old system. He uses enormous straw skeps and very simple frame hives, ranged tier above tier in a large bee-house, and gets some splendid supers, his harvest this year being probably half-a-ton, while his Intal weights from single hives would not be far behind those of his mure advanced brethren. Unfortun- ately, very few cottagers exhibited, and the Association has yet much to do in the way of educating the labourer in the methods of modern bee-culture. The observatory hives sent by .Mr. Dunman and Captain Downes were sources of great delight to visitors. The judges in this department were :— Rev. L. Stanton, Combe Keynes Mr. C. Tite, Yeovil ; and Mr. W. R. Vatcher, Dorchester. Their awards were as follow : — Local Classes. — Best super of honey from one apiary — Fiist 1/., Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun., Troytown, Dor- chester ; second, 10s., Mr. J. Antell, Puddletown ; third, 5s., Mr. T. Stickland, Puddletown ; commended, Rev. T. A. Greaves, Weymouth. Best exhibition of super honey in the comb from one stock of bees — First, Mr. J. Antell, S>9 J lbs ; second, 10s., Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun. 86 lbs ; third os., Mr. T. Stickland, 69 lbs ; highly commended, Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun., 68 lbs. Best super of honey, not sectional — First, 10s., Mr. M. II. Tilley, Dorchester ; second, 5s., Mr. W. II. Dunman, jun. ; commended, Mr. J. Sherring, Puddletown. Best exhibition of comb honey in sections — First, 1/., equal first, Mr. T. Stickland and Mr. J . Antell ; second, 5s., Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun. Best eight sections of comb honey — First, 15s., equal first, Mr. T. Stickland and Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun. ; second, 10s., Mr. J. Ante'd. Best collection of comb honey — Silver medal of the British Bee-keepers' Association, Mr. W. II. Dunman, jun. ; bronze medal ditto, Mr. J. Antell ; certificate, Mr. T. Stickland. Best exhibition of run or extracted honey in glasses — First, 10s., Mr. T. Stickland ; second, -is., Mr. W. H. Dunman, jun.; third, 2s. Gd., Mr. J. Antell. Best sample of bees' wax — 5s., Mr. J. Sherring. Cottagers' Classes. — Best exhibition of comb honey ' in supers — First, 5s., Mr. J. Sherring ; second, 2s. 6c?., Mr. James Woodland, Troytown. Best super of honey — First, 7s. Gd, Mr. J. Sherring; second, 5s., Mr. James Woodland. During the afternoon Mr. C. Tite, of Yeovil, gave a series of short lectures to small groups of interested listeners who were anxious to know something about bees and their habits, as well as the advantages claimed for the modern mode of bee-keepiug. The extractor was a source of very great interest, and one of Abbott's ' Little Wonders' was kept at work during a considerable portion of the time the show was open, Mr. W. II. Dunman, the indefatigable secretary, using his muscles and his tongue verv freely in connexion therewith. Mr. M. II. Tilley and Mr. W. R. Vatcher, of Dor- chester, who are members of the committee of the Dorset Bee-keepers' Association, answered a host of questions and gave much interesting information respecting bees and their management, as also did Messrs. Antell and Stick- land, of Puddletown. SURREY BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. This association held its second county show on Wed- nesday and Thursday at Croydon, the disused Skating Rink forming a suitable place in which to hold the ex- hibition. The show comprised bees, honey, and apiarian appliances of all kinds. Messrs. Neighbour gained first prize for the best complete frame-hive, and also a prize for straw hives. Among the other exhibitors of all kinds of appliances, honey, bees, wax, &c, were Messrs. S. J. Baldwin, Norwood ; J. Wood, Croydon ; D. Smith, Croy- don ; Mrs. Wayling, Croydon; Mr. A.Stone, Croydon; Mrs. M. A. Harrison, Croydon ; Mr. W. Hollands, Croy- don ; Mr. R. McGregor, Aberdeen ; Mr. S. Sells, Stam- ford ; Mr. P. Skinner, Swanlev ; Mr. F. Mace, Sutton ; Mr. R. Scott, Godstone ; Mr. J. Fowler, Sutton ; Mr. M. Wood, Godstone ; Mr. W. Marriott, Woodside Green ; and Mr. Lemarc, Guildford. The most successful ex- hibitor was Mr. Hollands, while Mr. Scott, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Baldwin took several prizes. The driving competitions were subjects of much in- terest. The competitions took place in the gauzed tent of the Society, which enabled the timorous spectator !■> watch the contests without fear of being stung. In the Bee Tent, also, various manipulations were performed with live bees by Captain Campbell and other gentlemen. These manipulations were accompanied by popular lectures or explanations. The method of extracting the honey with- out destroying the comb was fully shown and explained, September 1, 1880.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 01 At eight o'clock on Thursday evening the prize distri- \ bution took place, the ceremony being performed by Bishop Tuffnell, vicar of Croydon, who was supported by Captain Campbell, and Messrs. Lemare and Whealler, all three of whom had been untiring in their exertions to make the show a success. The following is a list of prize-takers : — Bees. — For the best stock of bees in a frame-hive, with sectional supers in process of rilling: 1st, Mr. S. J. Bald- win, Norwood. For the best stock of bees in a bar-frame hive : 1st, J. Wood, Croydon; 2nd, D. Smith, Croydon ; 3rd, Mrs. Wayling, Croydon. For the best stock of bees in a straw hive : 2nd, A. Stone, Croydon ; ;ird, Mrs. M. A. Harrison, Ciwdon. Hives and Appliances. — For the best complete frame- hive. The hive to be exhibited in duplicate — firstly, for summer use, with facilities for harvesting honey ; secondly, with arrangements for wintering : 1st, G. Neighbour & Son, Kegent Street, London ; 2nd, W. Hollands, Croydon. For the best double-walled bar-frame hive for cottager's use, complete, with water-tight cover, sectional supers, quilt or blanket, feeding-stage, and bottle. To be painted. Price not to exceed 15s. : 1st, W. Hollands, Croydon ; 2nd, It. McGregor, Aberdeen. For the best and cheapest frame-hive for cottager's use, with summer and winter arrangements. Price not to exceed 10s. : 1st, R. McGregor, Aberdeen ; 2nd, W. Hollands, Croydon ; highly com- mended for simplicity, H. Parson, Guildford ; highly commended for cheapness, F. Lyon, Harlevford Road, S.E. Straw Hives. — For the best and cheapest straw hive, with flat top, adapted for sectional supering ; a hive that shall be intermediate between a bar-frame and common straw : 1st, T. Sells, Uffington, Stamford ; 2nd, G. Neighbour & Sons, Regent Street, London. Supers. — For the cheapest, neatest, and best supers for harvesting honey in the comb, in the most saleable form. Applicable to wooden or straw hives , 1st, W. Hollands, Croydon; 2nd, and highly commended, Abbott Bros., Southatl. Extractors or Slingers. — For the best honey-ex- tractor, calculated to meet the requirements of cottagers : S. J. Baldwin, Norwood. Honey. — For the best exhibition of honey in supers, or sections of supers, the total weight of each entry to be not less than lolbs. : 1st, P. Skinner, Swanley ; 2nd, F. Mace, Sutton, Surrey ; 3rd, R. Scott, Godstone; highly commended, M. Freeman, Slinfold. For the best exhibi- tion of honey in supers, caps, or sectional supers ; the total weight of each entry to be not less than 8 lbs. : 1st, J. Fowler, Sutton, Surrey; 2nd, M. Wood, Godstone; ;!rd, A. Stone, Croydon. For the best exhibition of comb- honey in sections, each section of not more than .'S lbs. in weignt ; the total weight of each entry to be not less than 10 lbs. : 1st, R. Scott, Godstone; 2nd, W. Hollands, Croydon ; 3rd, W. Marriott, Woodside Green. For the best exhibition of comb-honey in sections, each section of not more than 3 lbs. in weight ; the total weight of each entry to be not less than 5 lbs.; INI. Wood, Godstone. Run or Extracted. — For the best and largest exhi- bition of pure run or extracted honey in glasses (no> exceeding 2 lbs. each) : 1st, F. H. Lemare, Guildford ; 2nd, W. Hollands, Croydon; 3rd, R. Scott, Godstone. For the best exhibition of pure run or extracted honey : 1st, M. Wood, Godstone; 2nd, J. Fowler, Sutton, Surrey. Bees' Wax. — For the best exhibition of pure bees' wax : 1st, Mrs. Wayling, Croydon ; 2nd, A. Stone, Croydon. BEE AND HONEY SHOW AT MELKSHAM. By the kind permission of the Keevil District Horti- cultural Society, a few of the leading bee-keepers of the neighbourhood were enabled to hold their first meeting in connexion with a grand floral fete at Melksham on August 11th. The display consisted of bees in observa- tory hives, super and run hone}', wax, some of the most approved bar-frame hives, and a set of drawings illus- trating the anatomy of the honey-bee. Special prizes were also offered for wasps' nests. The exhibits were all admirably arranged in a special tent, one side of which was covered with a network screen (kindly lent by Mr. C. N. Abbott, Editor of the British Bee Journal), through which, during the afternoon, upwards of a thousand persons interested in apiculture watched the processes of artificial swarming, extracting, and trans- ferring. The managers had secured the services of Mr. W. Hunt, of South Warnborough, a member of the B. B. K. A., who, with the assistance of Messrs. Adams and Childe, successfully demonstrated how tractable bees may become under proper management, and that the horrid brimstone pit is not only unnecessary, but cruel and extravagant if honey is required. The arrangement of the Show reflected great credit upon Mr. Robert Man- field, who is a most enthusiastic bee-keeper, and untiring in his efforts for the advancement of apiculture. Mrs. Manfield and other friends had tastefully adorned the tent, and the general effect was exceedingly pleasing. The Show was a great success for a first attempt. There was a good supply of honey, some of the finest being exhibited by a cottager. The awards amounted to 81. Is., of which 71. went to cottagers. The amount taken at the entrance to the tent was 10/. 17s. 5%d. Generous friends gave more than enough to pay the prizes and all other expenses, and a balance of 131. will be handed to the Treasurer of the Cottage Hospital. This is not the first time Mr. Manfield has made bee-keeping help a good cause. Some of our readers will remember the account we gave three or four years ago of the manner in which he raised money for a church clock at Bere- Regis, Dorset, by the sale of his honey ; and others will recollect what splendid supers he has exhibited on various occasions at the Dorchester, Sherborne, and Weston-super-Mare Shows. We hear on good authority that bee-culture is making rapid progress in the district". Instead of burning their stocks, many cottagers now drive such bees as they still have left in skeps, and those they do not require for doubling, &c, they sell readily at Is. 6rf. to 2s. 3d. per lb. We append a copy of the balance-sheet made up after the Show referred to above, as the particulars may_ be useful to others who are thinking of getting up similar exhibitions : — By subscriptions, 19/. 15*. 5|d. ; admission fees, 10/. 17s. oid.; flowers sold in the tent, .'is. Id. ; total, 30/. 16*. ; to printing, 2/. 9s. ; advertisements, paper, and postage stamps, 18s.'; Messrs. Hunt and Davis for mani- pulating, 1/. 0s. 6rf.; Mr. Hunt's travelling expenses, &c, 1/. 6s.; bees for manipulations, 1/. 7s. 6d. ; hire of tent, 2/.; man, for helping, 2s. Of/.; carpenter's bill, lis. Gd. ; prizes, SI. Is.; total, 17/. 16s. The judges were: The Rev. P.W. G. Filleul, Trowbridge; and Mr. Hunt, Warnborough. The following is a list of their awards : — Observatory Hives, stocked with Italian bees. — 10s., Mr. A. Adams, Melksham. Observatory hives, English bees : 10s., Mr. Clarke, Neston. Cottagers. — Super honey, in comb: 15*., Mr. T. Owen, Corsham; 10s., Mr. Davis, Neston; 5s., Mr. Bushell. Glass super of honey: 10s., Mr. Pearce, Neston ; 5s., Mr. Clarke. Straw super : 10s., Mr. Bryant, Sectional supers: 10s., Mr. Clarke; 5s., Mr. Pearce. Run or extracted honey, in glasses : 5*., Mr. T. Owen; 2s. 67/., Mr. W. Guv', Melksham. Hive of honey: 5s., Mr. S. Rogers Cake of wax : equal second, Mr. 6. Bryant, Corshamside, and Mr. T. Owen. Gentlemen's Gaudenbrs. Super of honey: LOs., Mr. Clarke (gardener to Mr. G. P. Fuller); "«., Mr. E. Deverell (gardener to Mr. C.Webb, Trowbridge), and Mr. Button (gardener to Lord Methuen) ; 3s., Mr. Gray (gardener to Rev. E. L. Barnwell, Melksham). 92 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [September 1, 1880. Open to all. — Super of honey : 10s., Mrs. Moule, Melksham ; 6s., Mr. C. Webb, Trowbridge ; 3rd, Mr. S. Bailey ; 4th, Mr. Adams. Wasp's nest : 5s., Mr. J. Hammings, Sandridge, Mr. Cole, Melksham ; 2s. Gd., Mr. Crew, Corsham ; 3rd, Mr. C. Homes, Melksham. SHOW AT TIVERTON. The Devon and Exeter Bee-keepers' Association held a branch exhibition on the 1st July on the Cricket grounds, in connexion with the Flower Show of the Tiverton Horticultural Society. There was a fair amount of ex- hibits, which were arranged in one of the Flower tents. On this occasion the Tent of the British Bee-keepers' Association was used for the manipulations, and much in- terest was taken by the visitors in the proceedings. The honorary secretary, W. N. Griffin, Esq., was assisted in the manipulations by George Fox, Esq., of Kingsbridge, one of tne best known scientific and enthusiastic bee- keepers. The Judges were the Rev. W. J. R. Neame, and R. Veitch, Esq. Sombrton Show. — At the Flower Show held at Somerton, Somerset, on Friday, August 20th, there were a few very fair exhibits of comb and rim honey, sent by Mr. P. C. Head, Mr. Sherwood, and others, who are doing their best to improve the method of bee-keeping in the district. There were also prizes given for the destruction of wasps' nests, the awards being at the rate of 6c?. for each perfect nest sent in. There were 348 entered, one man named Ferguson sending 70, and thus gaining 1/. 15s. The uumber was very large, as wasps have been unusually plentiful at Somerton, as elsewhere, this season. The following were the prize-takers : — Supers of honey (hives given as prizes), 21s. P. C. Head; 7s. Gd. Win. Snowr. ARBROATH SHOW. The East of Scotland Bee-keepers' Society held their annual exhibition of bees, honey, wax, &c, in connexion with the Horticultural Society's Show in the Corn Ex- change, Arbroath, on Wednesday, 25th August. This exhibition shows decided progress in the get-up of honey-comb in a handy and saleable form. Although the white clover had partially failed this year owing to the heavy falls of rain in July, the show of honey from other sources, principally wild flowers, was good. The bulk consisted of small boxes or sections containing from 1 to 2 lbs. of honey nicely glassed to keep the honey- comb clean till wanted to cut out for the table — a vast improvement on the old wasteful skep system. The observatory hives, witli their stocks of Ligurian bees and queen, were a great attraction. A nest of wild bees in a neat rustic cottage hive, exhibited by Mr. J. Nicoll, fun., Cemetery Lodge, attracted crowds of spectators. The judges were Mr. Bisset, Banchory, and Mr. Rogerson, Blairgowrie. Prizes. — Best display of honey-comb, produce of one apiary, in sections not over 4 lbs., total weight to be not less than 40 lbs : 1, John Nicol, jun., Cemetery Lodge, 80 lbs. ; 2, John Stewart, Letham Mill, 48J lbs. Best sectional super under 20 lbs., sections not over 2 lbs. each : 1, John Nicoll, jun.; 2, John Stewart; 3, W. Raitt, Gowan Bank. Best single supers in wood or wood and glass : 1 , George Greig, Arbroath ; 2, R. Lowson, Arbroath ; 3, John Stewart. Best straw super under 12 lbs. : James Glen, Arbroath. Six lbs. run honey in show-glass: 1,G. Greig; 2, 1). Smart, Waulk- mills ; 3, James ( Urn. Best 2 lbs. wax : 1, John Nicoll, jun.; 2, Mrs. Stewart, Letham Mill. Six sheets ciimb foundation: 1, W. Raitt, Beecroft, Blairgowrie. Best observatory or linicomb hive, stocked with bees and their queen : I, John Stewart; 2, Ml'8. Stewart. Best sweetmeats made with honey, receipt attached, not less than 2 lbs., Mrs. Stewart, Letham Mill. CoTOspntrmtt. *,* These columns are open to Subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences, may be fully and faithfully recorded; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of the relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, that the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therefore, must not be ex- pected to coincide icith all the views expressed by tlie various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to tlie Editor. CRITICISM ON WIDE-ENDED FRAMES. I am glad you inserted my criticism on your proposed new frames, as I was afraid the Bee Journal was to become a close borough in which none but the member sitting in the Editorial chair was to be allowed to express an opinion. I do not know that it is worth while to say more on this subject, beyond that I stand to my criticism, that you having denounced the Woodbury for its liability to crush a valuable queen, and because of its large propolising surfaces, introduced frames in which both these evils are increased, and not diminished. You say, ' There is not a word that we can dis- cover that points to propolising as an objection in the sense our correspondent implies.' Is not having to prise the frames out of the notches such an ob- jection, especially as the additional objection was alleged, that in doing this the dividing pieces between the notches were often broken away ; a similar catastrophe to that which happens with your frames, when the projecting piece breaks off for the same reason % You say that I have not used the patent bee- crushing frames, which is true in the letter ; but I have a hive over which sectional supers are hung two deep in frames, touching one another ; and I know the utter impossibility of seeing what is going on in the way of crushing when restoring such frames to their places ; but this is not so objection- able as your proposal, because the queen being excluded there is no possibility of crushing her. But I can quote a higher authority than myself. Cook (p. 141, 3rd Edition), speaking of the Quinby and Russel hives, says, ' The objection I have found is danger of killing bees in rapid handling.' Yet these hives seem to me to point to the true principle for attaining your end if it is desirable and workable. A hive built up of sections touching at the sides, with a box put over the whole, making a double-walled hive with no vacant places between combs and side of hive. By removing the box- cover before manipulating the sections, every part of the whole would become visible, and bee-crushing reduced to a minimum. You asked in a former note for particulars as to prize for non-swarming system. You will find it in the same edition of Cook, p. 176, 'Mr. Quinby offered a large reward for a perfect non-swarming hive, and never had to make the payment.' I think the Association might well do the same, ami pro- bably witli as much safety.— Stephen NlOOLL. I We are quite willing to agree to disagree on the points mentioned, relying more on the practical working out of September 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 93 the question than on the evidence of authorities who work under an entirely different aspect. Time and experience will settle the question, and in the meantime we hope to try by every possible means to produce the best winter hive, for the necessity for such is at the bottom of the question. The section-frames alluded to are not in the same parallel with those which, having been proposed, called forth the criticism alluded to, the publication of which has at least satisfied our esteemed correspondent that our columns are ' open,' as we have all along professed them to be. Prevention of swarming and propolising will only be effected when the nature of the bee has been chanced ; in the meantime we can only do our best to render them as little inconvenient as is possible. — Ed.] INTERMEDIATE HIVE FOR COTTAGERS. There is a great desire in England to persuade the cottagers to adopt the frame principle in hives. But many are very timid or backward in doing so, and I think that a great deal lies in the difficulty of going over from the skep or dome hive to the hives of the day, viz., frame hives. As I have not seen or read of the plan I have tried and exhibited here to aid or help over the difficulty, I thought you would have no objec- tions to give a small space for the following. In any ordinary skep or dome hive of straw cut a circular hole two inches in diameter in the top. Then make a simple box, the two ends being deeper than the sides, and cut out to the rounding of the hive to support the box in its place on the hive. In the centre of the bottom cut a hole, in which insert a card- board tube and tack it fast in the bottom of the box, with so much projecting as will go through the top of the straw hive as shown. The box can be made so large as to take three to four frames 9 in. long by Sin. deep or other size to suit fancy. The frames rest on lists at each end of the box, and two lists or stops are nailed on the cover to keep it in its place. The hole in the hive is of use for inserting the feed-bottle in the spring and autumn if necessary, when the box or super is not in use. By having reserve frame, others can be put in the box, and the full ones taken out and the honey extracted as usual. The above plan is I think the simplest and easiest way for a cottager beginning to keep bees on the humane principle. — J. S. Wood, Nyborg, Denmark. SEASON IN CORNWALL. This has been a rare season for those who fed their stocks well last winter, but most did not do so, and have lost the greater part or all of them. Seven of mine survived cut of nine, and 1 have now twenty, three or foul" of (hern doubles. They have bred so freely as to be quite a trouble, no adequate time being available to attend to them. Honey has come mostly from clover with which the fields have been covered, and the country filled with the per- fume. So late as yesterday a small swarm emerged from a chimney, old quarters to which a previous swarm had gone this year. This late lot must actually be great-grandchildren of this year ! I in- tend uniting them to another swarm. I have had some beautiful comb in sectional supers — about 201bs. from one bar-frame hive and a little more to come. I am going to try ammonia on my poisoned gloves. The bees are now revelling in mignonette, and several seem to find sweets in thesedums. — C. R. S. St. Goran, Cornwall, August 17. THE PAST SEASON. Now the season with us is over, I am in a position to decide as to its character as far as I myself and my neighbours are concerned. I should say that it has not been a very good honey season. During the time when the fields were full of flowers, beans, and mustard, and turnips for seed, the weather was not genial, and during the past week, when the buckwheat has been in full flower the bees have been out very little on account of the N.E. wind and the dull sky. I have succeeded in taking a little over 4001bs. of honey, which is less than I anticipated. I have been able to sell it readily at from Is. to Is. Qd. per lb. The principal part of this yield has been from three hives, two of which never swarmed ; the third, an enormous double swarm. These three hives will have averaged lOOlbs. apiece. They are bar-frame hives, and I have slung them repeatedly. I leave them now for the winter with a very heavy stock of honey in them. My own experience leads to the conclusion, that if you wish to obtain a quantity of honey, keep your stocks strong and do not let them swarm. My neighbours who keep bees on the old principle intend this winter to make the bar-frame hive, and work with the slinger. I have gone round to several, and have driven the bees out of the skeps that were to be taken up and then slung the honey for them, proving two things, 1st, that the honey so obtained is more than by the old sys- tem of draining ; 2ndly, that it is all good, not mixed with brood or bee-bread. I have taken the brood and bees and added them to my stocks. — G. W. Wisbeach. FEEDING BEES WITH DRY SUGAR. Well, I have seen a little of it in my lifetime of seventy years. Mrs. Morgan, of Pontyrhydarw, sixty years ago, was reckoned an adept at bee managing. A swarm once settled on her back. She had the presence of mind to quietly undo her Welsh bed-gown (so called), let fall, very gently, both gown and bees ; then fetched a hive, and got the swarm safely housed in it. The floor-boards were then invariably stones. Mrs. M. used to feed them occasionally ; she placed a small handful of brown sugar, carefully dry, on the stone in front of each of her half-dozen hives, and the insects 94 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [September 1, 1880. came out and disposed of it. But I suppose a pound or two at furthest sufficed for the season. Mr. Jenkin Davies, of Craig-rhyd-y-maen, was an- other great apiarian in those days, and fed with dry sugar, adding a pinch of oatmeal. The killing of bees in October was a grand affair with these good people. Later, Mr. Jones of Cromtwrch fed with dry sugar, which used to cost him at the rate of threepence-halfpenny a pound ; the sum of per- haps one shilling and two-pence during a hard season, to feed ten or twelve hives. But now Mr. Jones feeds with syrup, and instead of three or four pounds during the season, his bees consumed so much every night, and he would laugh to scorn the idea of placing a pinch of dry sugar at each entrance. Pity he has not yet been persuaded to do away with the sulphur pit! — John Davies, Ystalyfera, Swansea, Aug. 21, 1880. WOODEN FOUNDATION UTILISED. I just drop you a line upon the subject of economy of hive interior. I am using half or split combs for front and back of hive, or moveable sides, and so using up two naked surfaces that have never been utilised before the introduction of your wooden foundation. If you think it worth mention in the Journal you are quite at liberty to do so. — W. G., The Croft, Nantwich, August 21. [Some hives were exhibited at the late Kensington Show bv Messrs. Abbott Brothers, the dummies of which were made of wood foundation, which the bees could work out on one side, forming a very warm wall of air-cells, and being similar to the above. — Ed. B. B.J.~] BEES IN A CHIMNEY. I was sent for on Friday, June 25th, to take a swarm which had settled in an unused chimney or flue (not sooty), about a foot down from the top. I scraped them into a skep, but could not find the queen. Still they seemed to settle in the hive, but towards the evening they all went down the flue again 15 feet, when I left them until the following- Wednesday, June 30th, when I found them busy, but could not then see to the bottom, I filled a small tin can with holes in the bottom, with pre- pared touch-wood, lighted it, and put the can on some wire and twine, and let it down the flue ; but it only excited them a little. On looking down after the smoke cleared away (the sun shining brightly), I could see five or six pieces of comb pro- jecting from the wall on one side. So refilling the can, and letting it down again under the combs, I sxtcceeded in raising the alarm, for out they came pell-mell, just as in a natural swarm, and were settling on a large tree. I was anxiously looking to see the queen come up, and wondering whether it was to be or not to be, as Shakespeare says, when she came marching up, and when about a foot from the top, I popped a small cage over her, and put her into the skep. But they did not seem to find her until I brushed a few into the skep with her. After a few minutes the joyful news was commu- nicated, and the bees came from the tree and all parts, and joined her majesty in the hive, when I brought them safely down. — A. Adams, Melksliam, Wilts. INTRODUCTION : OR EARLY HISTORY OF BEES AND HONEY. No. VII. {Continued from parte 207, vol. VII.) We now come to the physiological discoveries of Schirach, 1761 ; Hunter, 1789; Huber, 1796; and others — men who have wonderfully advanced the science of entomology by a series of experiments most ably conducted, by the most patient investiga- tion, and the most accurate and enlightened ob- servation, and placed it upon the solid foundation of rational induction. Several other writers also, both in systematic works and in periodical publications, have contri- buted to throw much light upon the economy and habits of the bee, amongst whom was John Keys, who published his first work, The Practical Bee- Master, in 1780. My father was a disciple of Keys, and adopted his humane system, and never killed his bees to take the honey. He was a very humane, good man, and almost the first thing he taught us was : — ' Take not that life, thou canst not give, For all things have an equal right to live.' I have now some bees in a wood hive that my father got made in 1806, on Key's system, and there have been bees in it from nearly that time to the present, yet it is as sound and good as the day it was made : this shows the great durability of wood over straw hives. The immortal Thomson thus describes the bar- barous practice of murdering the bees with sulphur to take the honey: ' Ah, see where robb'd, and murdered, in that pit, Lies the still heaving hive ! at evening snatch'd, Beneath the cloud of guilt concealing night, And fixed o'er sulphur ; while, not dreaming ill, The happy people in their waxen cells, Sat tending public cares, and planning schemes, Of temperance, for winter poor; rejoiced, To mark, full flowing round, their copious stores. Sudden the dark oppressive steam ascends; And, us'd to milder scents, the tender race, By thousands, tumble from their honey'd domes. Convuls'd, and agonizing in the dust, And was it then for this you roam'd the spring, Intent from flower to flower ? for this you tou'd Ceaseless the burning summer heats away ? For this in autumn search'd the blooming waste, Nor lost one sunny gleam ? for this sad fate ? O man ! tyrannic lord ! how long, how long, Shall prostrate Nature groan beneath your rage, Awaiting renovation P When obliged, Must you destroy ? Of their ambrosial food Can you not borrow ? and, in just return, Afford them shelter from the wintry winds ; Or, as the sharp year pinches, with their own Again regale then on some smiling day? See where the stony bottom of their town Looks desolate, and wild ; with here and there A helpless number, who the ruin's state Survive, lamenting, weak, cast out to death.' September 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 95 For Thomson's humane appeal lie has been thus apostrophised by Dr. Evans : — ' And thou, sweet Thomson, tremblingly alive To pity's call, has mourn'd the slaugliter'd hive, Cursing, with honest zeal, the coward hand Which hid in night's dark veil the murd'rous brand, In steam sulphureous wrapt the peaceful dome, And bore the yellow spoil triumphant home.' Keys was succeeded by a host of writers on bees, including Sydserff, 1792 ; Bonner, the clever Scotch apiarian, in 1 795 ; Huber, 179G, the king of bee- masters, who (although he was perfectly blind) made more true discoveries about bees than all the writers before him or since. Huber invented the first bar-frame hive, but his frames formed the ends and sides of the hive, and they opened with hinges the same as the leaves of a book. He was succeeded by Kirby, 1801; Buffon, 1812; Huish, 1815; and Dunbar in 1820. Dr. Edward Bevan published his first work on Bees in 1827. This was the most scientific and useful work on bees that had been published in England up to that date, nay, I may say up to the present time, it has not been surpassed by any English writer. He was succeeded by Thomas Nutt, who brought the collateral system so promi- nently forward in his work, ' Humanity to Honey Bees,' published in 1832; and he says, 'Is it not inhumanity to force bees to depwsit their treasures in a garret, two or three stories high, when a far more convenient store-room may be provided for them on the first floor V Now this sort of reasoning sounded veiy true and nice, but the bees' instinct taught them to reject his collateral boxes on the ground-floor, aud to deposit their honey in the highest and consequently the warmest part of the hive, as heat will ascend ; so Nutt's collateral sys- tem has long since gone out of use. Our late friend, Rev. William Charles Cotton, published his first work on bees in 1838 ; Short and Simple Letters to Cottagers, of which twenty-four thousand were distributed, and his enlarged work, My Bee Book, in 1 84-2 ; before he took the bees out to New Zealand, which so benefited the colony; as before the introduction of the honey-bee, they had yearly to import fresh white clover seed (Trifolium repens), but by the agency of the bees, they are now able to export it. We should have little seed or fruit if it was not for the agency of bees in carrying the pollen from the male to the female blossoms. On April 8th, 1870, I visited the residence at Highgate of our noble and good President of the British Bee-keepers' Association, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, whose name is almost a household word. When I went into the peach-house the gardener said to me, ' See ! what a quantity of peaches I have got set !' I looked round and said, ' You have indeed ; how do you account for it ]' ' Well !' he said, ' I have always kept bees to fructify my fruit bloom, but last autumn I bought a stock of Ligurian or Italian Alp bees, and they being hardier than the common English bees, they began working earlier, and got into the peach-house, just as the trees are coming into bloom, and the result is, I have nearly double the quantity of peaches set I ever had before.' So you see it is not only honey that we get from the bees, but nearly everything else that we grow. Mr. Cotton published and printed a work on bees, in New Zealand in 1848, A Manual for New Zealand Bee-keepers. The natives called the bees 'The White Man's Fly.' In 1872 Mr. Cotton published an amusing work entitled Buzz-a-Buzz ; or the Bees done freely into English, from the Germam of Wilhelm Busch. , Major W. A. Munn published his first work on bees in 184-1, and took out a patent for his bar- frame hive in Paris in 1843. Munn was the first to put a bar-frame inside a hive, but it was left to the Rev. L. L. Laugstroth in America, Rev. John Dzierzou and Baron von Berlepsch in Germany ; unknown to one another at the time, to simul- taneously invent the modern bar-frame hive in 1852 ; which quite revolutionised bee-keeping, and brought it to such great perfection, that it has now become of national importance in many countries. These hives have rendered bee-keeping a more scientific study, as with them we have the full control over the bees, and can investigate all their proceedings whenever we like. The Rev. John Dzierzon, the poor Carlsmark curate, published his first work on bees in 1846, and announced the discovery of the true doctrine of parthenogenesis in the honey-bee, or production by the queen without having any intercourse with the male or drone bee. This is so contrary to almost a universal law in the animal and vegetable king- dom, that he raised such a swarm of opponents, in nearly all the naturalists in Europe, who scouted the very idea of such a production, and raised such a host of objections against such a theory being true, that Dzierzon himself began to doubt the correctness of what he had seen with his own eyes. A number of them set to work to prove the fallacy of such a statement, but every experiment that was properly conducted only confirmed the correctness of Dzierzon's theory, and Professor Theodor Von Siebold (one of the most distinguished German naturalists and physiologists) fully confirmed this doctrine ; after a laborious dissecting and micro- scopical investigation, he discovered a set of voluntary muscles for imparting some of the male element which is stored up in the spermatheca, to every worker egg, during its passage through the common oviduct. He also discovered lively sper- matozoids in the semen of the drones, as well as in the contents of an impregnated spermatheca, and detected the same spermatozoids in worker eggs, whilst they were entirely wanting in these eggs that would produce drones. This long and acrimonious dispute was at last conclusively settled, and it has explained many of the mysteries of the hives in which the great king of bee-masters, the illustrious Huber, after discuss- ing the effects of retarded impregnation, exclaimed, ' It is an abyss wherein I am lost !' All other great bee-masters have been equally lost in this abyss, until Dzierzon discovered the doctrine of true parthenogenesis, and it is now a confirmed fact that the queen-bee has the power at will to lay drone or 96 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [September 1, 1880. unfnictified eggs, or fertilised worker eggs : and I have conclusively proved the correctness of these statements with my own experiments. All honour is due to Pastor Dzierzon for his laborious observations, for which and his numerous other discoveries the Emperor of Austria in 1873 decorated Dr. John Dzierzon with the Cross of the Knightly Order of Francis Joseph ; and may he long live to enjoy his advancement and honours. Dzierzon was succeeded by Miner, 1849 ; Rev. L. L. Langstroth and M. Quinby, who both wrote very excellent works on bees in 1853; and the Baron von Berlepsch, who published his first work on bees in 18G0, a second edition in 18G8, in the pro- duction of which he bestowed immense labour, and it is said he read seventeen thousand pages of the best bee-books in the world to make it the most perfect bee-book ever published. The Bee Journals in different countries have done a great work in advancing bee culture. I think I have now given you a short account of bee-keeping from the earliest date of which we have any records to the present time, the compiling of which has taken a very great amount of labour ; and in conclusion, can truly say the culture of bees is indeed an object highly deserving the attention of the agriculturist as well as of the natural philo- sopher. Their study is an endless source of pleasure, and the more you know about them, the more you will want to know. To go and sit down near your bee-hives, when your mind is troubled with the cares, crosses, and afflictions of this life, the bees' soothing, happy hum, contented busy life, constantly going in and out of the hive, impercep- tibly draws your attention from yourself and your great sorrow, for a time at least ; and many an hour have thus been passed in comparative happiness by the poor sufferer, that would otherwise have been spent in agony, in mourning over his affliction or bereavement. I speak from experience. — -William Carr, Nnvton Heath Apiary, near Manchester. (To be continued.) BEE-KEEPING NEAR TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO. A quarter of a century before the Christian era, the poet Virgil appears to have been studying api- culture on his father's farm near Mantua, in Cisal- pine Gaul. His hints on the habits and require- ments of this wonderful insect have not only a classic interest, but after the lapse of nearly nine- teen centuries may be read and followed with advantage by the bee-keeper of the present time: — ' First for thy bees a quiet station find, And lodge them under covert of the wind (For winds, when homeward they return, will drive The loaded carriers from their evning hive). But near a living stream, their mansion place Kdg'd round with moss, and tufts of matted grass, And plant (tin- wind's impetuous rage to stop) Wild olive-trees, or palms, before the busy shop. Then o'er the running stream or standing lake, A passage for thy weary people make. With osier-floats the standing water strow ; ( >f many stones make bridges, if it flow. That basking in the sun, thy bees may lie, And, resting then, their flaggy pinions dry, When, late returning home, the laden host By raging winds is wreck'd upon the coast. Wild-thyme and sav'ry set around their cell, Sweet to the taste and fragrant to the smell. Set rows of rosemary with flow'ring stem, And let the purple vi'lets drink the stream. Whether thou build the palace of thy bees With twisted osiers or with harks of trees, Make but a narrow mouth : for as the cold Congeals into a lump the liquid gold, So 'tis again dissolved by summer's heat ; And the sweet labours both extremes defeat. And, therefore, not in vain the industrious kind, With dauby wax and flowers the chinks have lined. And, with their stores of gather'd glue, contrive To stop the vents and crannies of their hive. Not birdlime, or Idsean pitch produce A more tenacious mass of clammy juice. But plaster thou the chinky hives with clay, And leafy branches o'er their lodgings lay ; Nor place them where too deep a water flows, Or where the yew, their poisonous neighbour grows.' L. E. R., Alderletj Edge. WTLDMAN'S BEE-KEEPING AND MOVEABLE COMBS. Having found in the library here a copy of Wildman's work on bees, dated 1778, I have thought it might be interesting to your readers to learn something of what he was acquainted with in the handling of bees, as I do not remember reading in your Journal any previous notice of his work. The one thing that strikes me as remarkable in his book is, that with all his well-known mastery over bees he seems to have been quite unacquainted with the reason why bees are quieted by smoke. He appears to have used it under the impression that it stupified them, as he never notices the effect which it produces in making them gorge themselves with their sweets. In his instructions about handling bees I do not find him advocating the use of smoke, except as a means of driving bees from one hive to another. He describes two sorts of hives, which he recommends. The first of which is a common round straw hive, with seven fixed bars half an inch apart, and with a cross- piece to run through the combs to keep them firm, which would effectually prevent their being removed. Over these bars was to be placed a piece of paper, which was to be covered with a compost of dung ; and the whole was to be roofed with straw. The second hive was a combination of two boxes, one placed above the other, with slides to separate them when wanted. These were furnished, also, with frames, which, however, are not described as moveable ; but the cover of the upper box was arranged of wood and glass, and was capable of removal. In one part of his book, in accordance, as he says, with an ' unwary ' promise, he reveals the secret by means of which he attached bees to different parts of his body. He states that long experience had taught him that as soon as he turned up a hive and had given some taps on the sides and bottom the queen immediately appeared, to know the cause of the alarm, but soon retired again among her people. Having nimbly seized her, he was by this means able to attract the bees to any place he pleased ; and, by sometimes tying a thread of silk round September 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. !)7 her body, he compelled her to remain wherever he chose to place her. The only other matter which I have remarked in his book worthy of note is a quotation from the travels of a Mr. Geo. Wheeler, who describes the method adopted by the natives on Mount Hymettus. He says : — ' The hives they keep their bees in are made of willows or osiers, fashioned like our common dust-baskets, wide at top and narrow at the bottom, and plastered with clay or loam within and without. They are set with the wide end upmost. The tops are covered with broad flat sticks, which are also plastered over with clay ; and, to secure them from the weather, they cover them with a tuft of straw, as we do. Along each of these sticks the bees fasten their combs, so that a comb may be taken out whole, without the least bruising, and with the greatest ease imaginable. To increase them in spring- time— that is, in March or April, until the beginning of May — they divide them ; first separating the sticks on which the combs and bees are fastened from one another with a knife : so taking out the first comb and bees toge- ther on each side, they put them into another basket, in the same order as they were taken out, until they have equally divided them. After this, when they are both again accommodated with sticks and plaster, they set the new basket in the place of the old one, and the old one in some new place,' &c. By this it would appear that the natives of Hymettus have long had a rude sort of moveable-frame system, with artificial swarming ; and it is rather astonishing that Wildman himself did not take example. — C. Feilding, Neiu Paddo.r, Lutterworth. PUBELY MATED QUEENS. Since the introduction of Italian bees much effort has been put forth in the endeavour to have the young Italian queens mated with pure Italian drones, resort being had to attempts at fertilisation in confinement, isolating the queen, rearing stocks on islands and other out-of-the-way places, and a common plan being to dis- pose of as many of the black queens and drones in the vicinity as possible. Much money and labour have been expended in these directions with not always satisfactory results ; and it is out of the reach of a large majority of bee-keepers to obtain purely mated queens in these ways ; hence they have to run their chances by raising as many pure drones as they can in their own yards. This will go a great way towards the desired object, but we can still add much more that is within the reach of all bee-keepers. But we will begin back at. the start and see how best to accomplish this. The time taken to raise a queen from the egjx to hatching is sixteen days, but they are many times raised from eggs already hatched as workers before the bees take them to raise queens of ; hence some queens are hatched in eleven or twelve days. These young queens usually do not make their fertilising flight under five days old, and we should have had plenty of drones flying from our best Italian stocks by the time these young queens are ready for their bridal trip. Drones and young queens usually fly from one to three o'clock in the afternoon. Now we want to get the start of these black and hybrid drones if we can, so about half-past ten or eleven o'clock in the forenoon we will go to our stocks containing young queens of the right age, and also to our pure Italian stocks, from whose drones we wish to breed, take off the caps of the hives, then the quilt or honey-board, and thoroughly sprinkle each stock with very thin warm honey, or a like mixture of sugar- syrup, and close the hives at once. In a very few minutes the air will be filled with bees, drones, and voung queens (if of the right age) rushing out of the hives like a pack of schoolboys at recess, and making about as much noise, too, the worker-bees to hunt around for that inflow of warm honey, thinking, perhaps, that the flowers have got tired waiting for the tardy bees, and are bringing it to the hives, roots, plants, honey and all ; the drones and young queens, hearing the noise, want to know what it is all about, and come out to have a ' finger in the pie ' too ; and as there are but few drones flying at this part of the day, your chances for purely- mated queens are tenfold greater, and, too, with drones raised from the most prolific queen, whose bees are the hardest workers. This plan followed up day after day till all the young queens are mated will well repay all extra trouble in bringing it about. — Wit. M. Kellogg (in Prairie Farmer). FEEDING WITH SWEETENED MILK. As in our cold districts the flowers do not appear in any quantity at least before the loth or :20th May, and as one generally reckons thirty-seven days before the bees commence collecting honey and pollen, feeding is not commenced till about the 1st of April. In stimulating breeding too soon terrible accidents are sometimes brought about by- the unexpected return of cold weather. If the brood is too numerous, and too widely spread re- latively to the number of bees, and if cold weather suddenly supervenes, the bees cluster, and the brood, being abandoned, dies, decomposes, and generates foul j brood. However, it is known that beyond what can be used for building combs or feeding the brood, our ' pet insects will not take food well. While the weather continues cold they will not willingly accept milk-food. To accustom them to taldng the food they should first be given liquid honey mixed with water, or a syrup of moist 1 sugar in proportion of four parts of water to seven of sugar. At the end of a few days we give them white | sugar dissolved in good milk fresh from the cow. At first we put 2j lbs. of sugar to If pints of mills ; the pro- portion of sugar should be diminished by one half when one is assured that the bees like that which has been given them. The sugar should be dissolved in boiling milk and given to the bees lukewarm, but its temperature must not be above twenty degrees. It may be given to them in a bottle covered with a sheet of metal and re- versed on the bars, or simply in an ordinary bottle re- versed on a metallic platform in such a manner that the liquid shall not escape faster than the bees can consume it. Theoretically speaking, milk such as one draws from the cow is preferable to whey which is deprived of its azotic elements, for the nourishment of milk owes its efficacy precisely to the azotic substances which it con- tains. Add no salicylic acid, as you are told by the German bee-keepers, for it immediately produces a curdling, and the solid part is then lost. The greatest possible quantity of this food may be given without danger. Yet as it turns sour after two days, it is better to give little at a time and renew it frequently. When the colony is strong and the queen fertile, the milk-syrup accelerates the construction of combs in a prodigious manner if the weather is mild. — A Fribourgh Bee-keeper, Bulletin a" Apiculture pvur la Suisse Iiomande. THE QUANTITY OF HONEY EMPLOYED IN MAKING WAX. By M. Arviset. From curiosity and for self-instruction, I made several experiments in the years 1866 and 1867, on the quantity of honey employed by the bees to obtain wax. These experiments have given variable results, according to the manner in which I operated, the time at which I gave the honey to the bees, and the degree of temperature. But I shall not enter into the details, they would be too long. To make these experiments I constructed a new hive, in order that it should nut have a vestige of wax or OS THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [September 1, 1880. propolis. This hive consisted of a square box, furnished with several ventilators, and two windows, one on each side, so that one might see what passed within the hive without disturbing the bees. By setting the hive in an obscure place, and presenting a light at one of these windows, the bees could Ire effectually seen at their work. The floor-board of the hive was grooved in the middle, and received a feeder which was flush with the surface. In the upper part of the hive was a perforated metal case which contained a thermometer, to show the degree of heat in the hive near the bees, or in the clusters which they formed. When all was prepared, as I have already said, I ascertained the weight of my empty hive, transferred to it a strong swarm of bees, and then reweighed the hive to find the weight of the bees. I took the precaution to transfer the bees on a wet day, in order that they should have no pollen in their baskets, and but little honey in their stomachs or wax in their wax-pockets. I then placed the hive on its stand, on which was the feeder, containing newly-taken liquid honey. I carried the hive to an obscure, healthy room. The bees showed great alacrity in getting possession of the honey in the feeder, and forming themselves into clusters for the purpose of converting the honey into wax. As a swarm which had been placed in an empty hive, the bees immediately commenced to build combs, as they soon had wax-scales in their pockets ready to be used. I left the bees shut up from four to six days, but never more than six. The bees suffered much from being submitted to this treatment, both from being deprived of pollen and water, and from the increased heat of the hive, which from their struggles to escape sometimes rose from twenty to thirty- six degrees. But towards night they became calm and constructed combs. At length when I considered that the honey had been converted into wax, I again transferred the bees to an empty hive, and weighed them to see if they were heavier than before their instalment. I detached the combs, which were partly filled with uncapped honey, and weighed them, and then gave it to the bees to suck out. After that I weighed the wax, and sub- tracted the weight from that of the partly-filled comb, and found by approximation the quantity of honey used in the formation of the wax which I had obtained. The average of my experiments has proved that 500 grammes of honey give 100 grammes of wax (one part of wax to five of honey). I think that when at liberty the bees could produce a much larger quantity : but it appears to me very difficult to verify precisely. I have made six experiments, and in all of them the bees have produced combs resembling those built by swarms during the first few days of their instalment, and from no other substance than honey ; and as the bees were entirely deprived of pollen this proved that that matter does not enter into the confection of wax, or at least that it is not indispensable for its production. This is a fact which every apiarist from the time of Huber can ascertain for himself. — L'Apiculteur. A BEE STORY FROM SAN FRANCISCO. I had an improved back-yard. I went through a seed store, and bought a sample of everything that would grow in this climate. The result was a perfect tangle of flowers and things, from an overgrown sunflower to a forget-me-not. Mrs. Bricktop is very proud of our garden, and while gushing over it the other morning a hnppy thought worked its way under her back hair. ' What a delightful thing it would be to have a hive of bees and raise our own honey, as well as everything else.' I have always thought that woman inspired ever since she convinced me that I couldn't do better than to marry her. This was an original, bold idea — a happy thought. I promised her a hive of bees, and went to business with a lighter heart and firmer belief in the genuineness of home comforts and amusements. I bought a hive of honey-bees, and brought it home with me that very night. It was one of those patent, lydrostatic, back- action hives, in which the bees have peculiar accom- modations and all the modern improvements. It was a nice little hive — none of your old-fashioned barn-size affairs. It even had windows in it, so that the bees could look out and see what was going on, and enjoy themselves. Both myself and Mrs. B. were delighted, and before dark I arranged a stand for the hive in the garden, and opened the bay windows so that the bees could take an early start, and get to business by sunrise the next morning. Mrs. B. called me 'honey' several times during the evening, and such sweet dreams as we had. \Ye intended to be up early next morning to see how our little birds took to our flowers, but a good half- hour before we probably should have done so we were awakened by the unearthly yells of a cat. Mrs. B. . leaped from her downy couch, exclaiming, ' What can be the matter with our yellow " Billy ? " ' The yells of anguish convinced us that something more than ordinary was the matter with him ; and so we hurried into our toilets. We rushed out into our back-yard, and, oh ! what a sight met our astonished gaze ! The sight con- sisted of a yellow cat that appeared to be doing its best to make a pin-wheel of itself. He was rolling over and over in the grass, bounding up and down, anon darting through the bushes and foliage, standing on its head and then trying to drive its tail into the ground, and all the while keeping up the most confounded yowling that was ever heard. ' The cat is mad ! ' said Mrs. B., affrighted. ' Why shouldn't he be P the bees are stinging him,' said I, comprehending the trouble. Mrs. B. flew to the rescue of her cat, and the cat flew at her. So did the bees. One of them drove his drill into her nose, another vaccinated her on the chin, while another began to lay out his work near her e}'e. Then she howled and began to act almost as bad as the cat. It was quite an animated scene. She cried, ' Murder ! ' and the neigh- bours looked out from their back windows and cried out for the police, and asked where the fire was. This being a trifle too much, I threw a towel over my head, and rushed to her rescue. In doing so, I ran over and knocked her down, trod upon the cat, and made matters no better. Mrs. B. is no child on a wrestle, and she soon had me under her, and was tenderly stamping down the garden-walk with my head, using my ears for handles. Then I yelled, and some of the bees came to her assistance, and stung me all over the face. In the meantime the neighbours were shouting, and getting awfully excited over the show ; while our servant, supposing us fighting, opened the basement door and admitted a policeman, who at once proceeded to go between man and wife. The bees hadn't got at Mrs. B.'s tongue yet, and she proceeded to show the policeman that I had abused her in the most shameful maimer, and that I had bought a hive of bees on purpose to torment her into the grave. I tried to explain, but just then a bee stung the officer on the nose, and he understood it all in less than a minute. He got mad, and actually lost his temper. He rubbed his nose, and did some official cursing. But as this didn't help matters at all, lie drew his club, and proceeded to demolish that patent bee-hive. The bees failed to recognise his badge of office, and just swarmed on him. They stung him wherever he had no clothing, and some places where he did have it. Then he howled, and commenced acting after the manner of the cat and its mistress. He rolled on the ground for a moment, and then got up and made for the street, shouting, 'Fire ! ' Then the bees turned to the people who had climbed upon the fence to see the fun. Then they had some fun. Windows went down, and September 1, 1880.] THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. 99 some of the neighbours acted as though they thought a twenty-inch shell was about to explode. By this time a fire-engine had arrived, and a line of hose was taken through the house into the back-yard. One of the hose- men asked where the fire was, but just then one of the bees bit him behind the ear, and he knew. They turned a stream upon that half-wrecked bee-hive, and began to ' play away ' with one hand, and fight bees with the other. But the water had the desired effect, and those bees were soon among the things that were. A terrible crowd had gathered in the meantime in front of the house, but a large portion of it followed the flying police- man, who was rubbing his affected parts, and making tracks for the station-house, and a surgeon. This little adventure somehow dampened our enthu- siasm regarding the felicity of making our own honey. During the next week we wore milk-and-water poultices pretty ardently, but not a word was said about honey ; and now Mrs. B. has gone to stay a week with her mother, leaving me and the convalescent tom-cat, and the tickled neighbours, to enjoy our own felicity. LECTURE AT CHELMSFORD. The lecture on bees recently given by the Rev. G. Raynor, rector of Hazeleigh,in connexion with the Essex and Chelmsford Museum, seems to have created con- siderable interest in the neighbourhood, as evinced by numerous letters since received by the lecturer contain- ing inquiries as to bees, hives, &c. Strange to relate, says the gentleman named, who has had as large an ex- perience in bee-keeping as almost anyone in the kingdom, despite the unfavourable weather, we have had several swarms of bees. A suggestion has been made to hold an exhibition of bee-drivmg in Chelmsford, in connexion either with a summer gathering of the friends of the Museum of the usual summer show of the Horticultural Society, such exhibitions being easily organized in any district on communication with the authorities of the British Beekeepers' Association, who under certain con- ditions lend a specially constructed Bee-Tent, and furnish an operator and lecturer. The Association in question, whose annual meeting was recently held at 446 Strand, deserves the hearty support of all interested in furthering the welfare of the working classes, and should not lack members from Essex at the moderate subscription of 5s. — Chelmsford Chronicle. Case of Gradual Cure of Cataracts in the Eyes. — Mrs. U ,of St. Marychurch, was told by a clever London oculist, about three years since, that she had cataracts in her eyes, and must wait until she became quite blind to be operated on. Last August she heard through a neighbour that her sight might be restored by anointing the eyelids three times dailv with pure and fresh honey, first washing the lids with warm water, to get rid of any dust collected. She immediately began regularly anointing her eyes, and still continues; at first she could not distinguish the features of anyone, though very near her, and can now see a hundred yards off, and reads with magnifying glasses. After each anointing, the eyes smart, and run with water. Much phlegm collects round the throat and ears. — Devoniensis (Church Bells). [The above is a reply to a correspondent in Church Bells, desiring further information as to the application of honey in the case of cataracts. See our last number. — Ed.] Abbott's Wide-shouldered Fbames. — On account of their inconvenience (distance) pins have been aban- doned by most bee-hivists, who have replaced them by metal ends or by shoulders or ears left at the end of the top bars. The improvement of ' Abbott ' is the most successful in this direction ; they got but slightly pro- polised, und surpass the racks which other inventors have adopted. — M. IIamet, L'Apiculteur, August 18. (BtyatB from % Uttrcs. Chichester. — 'Did you ever hear of a maiden swarm throwing a swarm the same year ? During the past win- ter I lost every bee I had, but not for want of feeding. This year I have started afresh with three fine swarms, and am in hopes of taking 180 lbs. of fine honey. ' — A Believer in the Bar-frame Hive. Dunfermline, Lassodie. — 'A Curious Apiary. — No. 4 pithead frame at Lassodie Collieries is made of cast-iron pipes, tied together by wooden blocks between the pipes with bolts. In casting these pipes a mistake was made in putting the holes opposite to where they should have been, so that new holes had to be bored, and the others were allowed to remain open. On 26th June a swarm of bees alighted on the pithead frame and crept into the open hole in the middle of the pipe nearest to the pulley on the east side, and there they remain. On July .6 another swarm alighted in the same way and went into the same hole, and the two swarms are now working together.' Neioton Kyme, nr. Tadcaster, Aug. 11. — ' I only wish I coidd give a favourable report of bees in this district, but I am afraid we are in a very little better position than we were this time last year as far as honey is con- cerned; but we have this advantage, that there are plenty of bees in the hives. I have returned swarms where I thought necessary, and in other cases put two and three swarms together, and to-day I lifted my first swarm and found it very light. In my four Stewartons I can see no honey through the glasses, and very little in a Woodbury which never swarmed, and was my strongest hive in the spring. It is a case of feeding again, or losing nearly all. We "have plenty of beans, white clover, and a magnificent avenue of limes ; and with these advantages I cannot get much honey, even in favourable years ; and I cannot make out how people get the fabulous amount of honey which I see stated is done in your Bee Journal, I have had from two to forty hives since 1846. If any of your correspondents could enlighten me I should be deeply grateful. — J. C Market Drayton, Shropshire, Aug. 4. — Honey Harvest, — ' Your favourable notice of July as a honey-gathering month unfortunately finds no echo here. With us it has been bad ; twenty-four da}Ts of rain, with 7.62 inches of rain, have spoilt our season ; no supers, but plenty of swarms. The queens having abundant cell-room took advantage of it. Consequently I have been persecuted by persistent swarming.' — A. C. Kendal. — Prolific Bees. — ' My bees have been remark- ably prolific this season. I cannot hear of any person in this district who has ever heard of a second virgin 1 swarm. My only stock-hive (a cast of last season) threw j off a swarm, May 20th, and a cast on June 5th. The swarm threw off a virgin swarm July 12th, and another July 21st, so that I have now five hives of bees which are all doing well. I feed all new stocks every night for at least two weeks, and find that it answers well, as they soon fill the hives with combs. In this district we have had a deal of wet and cold weather, and at present there is a poor prospect for honey.' — Robert Davis. Carlisle. — ' My bees have done splendidly. It is per- fectly astonishing how much I have taken from them by your invaluable extractor during the hot weather. It has been, Take all and come again as soon as possible. — J. L.' NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS. J. — Beeswing's Advice to Bee-keepers. — The only address that we can give for this little work i« H., No. 7 Eign Road, Hereford. Price Sid., post free. *»* The report of the West Kent Bee-keepers' Association Show nt St. Mary'* Cray in unavoidably postponed till next month. ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Sept. 1, 1880. 3EE AND HONEY SHOWS FIXED FOR 1880. Sept. 3. — Devon and Exeter Association at Exeter. Sept. 4. — Stirling Association at Stirling. Sept. 4. — Perthshire Apiarian Society at Perth. Sept. 9. — Lincolnshire Association at Boston. Sept. 13. — Honey Fair, Grantham. Sept. 21 to 25. — Suffolk Association at Ipswich. Oct. 26 to 29. — British Dairy Farmers Association, Agricultural Hall, London. SUBSCRIBERS' COLUMN. T710E SALE.— Vol. III. of British Bee Journal, complete. Jj Unbound, 4s. T ANGSTEOTH on 'The Hive and Honey Bee.' 9s. _Li Free. /^VTJINBY on ' The Mysteries of the Bee-hive.' 8s. Gd. Vc^J Free. BEE TENT ENGAGEMENTS. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Sept. 3. — Devon and Exeter County Show. Sept. 7. — Suffolk County Show at Ipswich. Sept. 7, 8. — Warwick County Show. Sept. 17. — Great Dunmow. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY ASSOCIATION. Sept. 2. — Harpenden Horticultural Show. Sept. 9. — Bengeo Cottage Garden Show. TOUR IN IRELAND. Ij1UKHAL,jb._Mos. 2, 3, 4, 8, and 10, of B. B. Journal, P Is. each. "VTOL. II. B. B. Journal, with Index, minus the No. for V May, 5s. "TTOL. II. B. B. Journal, minus May and Aug. Nos., 3s. TNDEX, Vol. I. Price Gd. Apply to Editor. fo. 100 ^END Two Stamps for Abbott Bros'. Catalogue. Southall, JO Middlesex. Sept. 2. — Newtownards Flower Show. Near Belfast. REMOVAL— A few BLACK STOCKS or SWARMS to SELL. Earliest in the neighbourhood. Station Master, C.L.C., Winsford. fo. 47 Bronze Medal awarded for Straw Skeps at the Great Crystal Palace SIww, 1875. Sixteenth Edition. Price One Shilling. SEVENTY POUNDS A-YEAR: HOW I MAKE IT BY MY BEES. By the late J. W. Paoden. Also, by the same Author, price Sixpence. Early Artificial Bee- Swarming. No watching required. Apply to Mrs. J. W. Pagden, The Chestnuts, Alfriston, Sussex, by whom the same manufacturers of ' Economical Bee Furniture ' are employed as formerly. fo. 23. BEST BAR-FRAME HIVES, 1 inch wood, 8s. each. BAR-FRAME HIVES, J inch wood, unplaned, os, each. Instructions for Management, illustrated, 3d. Orders for 32s. and upwards Carriage paid. HIVES sent on approval if requested. Post-office Orders payable at Horncastle. Address ISAAC HALE, Horncasti.e. fo. 3 WALTON'S IMPROVED COTTAGE HONEY EXTRACTOR, takes Frames of the largest size down to any smaller. Works easy, not liable to get out of order, price £1 15s. Address JOHN WALTON, Honey Cott, Weston, Leaminoton. fo. 12 THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. Is published monthly, at Chicago, 111. at 2 dollars a-year. Its contributors are the best, most experienced, and success- ful Apiarists in America and Europe. It is the oldest, largest, best, and most reliable Bee paper in the English language. Price, including Postage, 6s. Gd. All Orders must be accompanied by Cheque or P. O. Order, payable to T. G. Newman, 972 and 974 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois. MODERN BEE-KEEPING. A Handbook for Cottagers. Price 6d. Published by the British Bee-Keepers' Association, B. B. Journal Office. Post free, 7 stamps. DRY PUFF BALL, for fumigating Bees. Will render them perfectly harmless to the comfort of the most timid. Is. per packet. S. F. Clutten, Fressingfield, Harleston, Norfolk. fo. 32 FOR SALE. — 6 Drawers for Supers, for Woodbury Hive. 2 Crystal Palace Supers. 1 Abbott's Tin Feeding Regulator, complete. 4 Abbott's Feeding Bottles, small size. 9 Feeding Stages. 1 Edwards' do., tin. 2 Neigh- bour's do. 2 Swarm Boxes. 1 Straw Storifier, complete. 2 Pagden's Nadirs. 4 Pagden's Adapting Boards for Queen exclusion. 4 Nucleus Hives. 1 Carr's Hive, complete with Stand and Floor-board. 1 Carr-Stewarton, and Floor-board and Stand. 1 Carr-Stewarton Honey-box. 2 Ditto Supers. 1 Sherrington Super. To clear out, low prices will be taken. Letters to Editor. fo. 200 'J^HREE Neighbour's Mahogany-top Feeders, 3s. each. T 1 Neighbour's 35s. Improved Cottager's Hive, second- hand, with 3 bell-glasses, 10s. Gd. 1 Land Measuring Chain, 66 feet (invaluable for Cricketers), 3s. 6d!. 1 Hexagon Stock Box, 1 window, 2s. Gd. 2 Octagon Stock Boxes, 3 windows, each, 3s. Gd. Nucleus Hive 3 Woodbury Frames, each, 2s. Gd. Nucleus Hive 3 Standard size Frames, each, 3s. 6ace by the introduction of a divider, or better still, of two, one on each side of the brood-nest, the spaces outside being filled with packing of hay, chaff, or shavings, or the division boards may be warmly covered with woollen or other quilting. In the woodcut a a are dividers, which may take the form of chaff cushions as recommended in America ; c c are the enclosed frames, the interstices between and around which should be filled with bees ; and b b the empty space which may be filled up with hay or chaff. Should the hive entrance be at d, as in Abbott's Combination Hive, a small tunnel of perforated zinc should be fitted to lead through the space b to the bee-nest, unless it be preferred as an ante-room for the bees. American bee-keepers, whose winters are much more severe and protracted than ours, strenuously recommend that the bees should be crowded into as small a space as they can be made to occupy, that there may be no room for the circulation of air, except amongst themselves ; and Mr. D. A. Jones of Canada advised, while here, that the bees should even be forced to occupy the space round the frame-ends, which we have hitherto advised should be filled up with pieces of wood during winter, to prevent loss of heat. Crowded in this way, and gently fed, the bees will breed later, and with more safety from the effect of cold, than under any other conditions ; but we should prefer not to encourage breeding after October, or a cold snap may prevent the young and nurse-bees from taking a necessary cleans- ing flight, and evil may result. Breeding under natural conditions may not necessitate such flight in winter weather, but, when the result of stimulation, it appears to be essential. Hives being thus reduced in size, and the escape of heat around the nest prevented, it is evident chat no loss of that important element can take place except through the top or at the entrance ; and to prevent the former a warm quilt or porous cushion will be effectual, and in the latter case the entrance should be contracted to suit the hive's requirements. As a rule, half an inch of width and height will be ample, but less may prevent the passages of a live bee with a dead one, and may cause the blockade of the entrance, and the suffocation of the bees ■within. Upward Ventilation is highly essential in hives during winter that the moist vapours may escape, otherwise they may condense and freeze at the entrance, or on the inner parts of the hive ; or, when not freezing, cause dampness to the combs. The quilt or porous cushion must be arranged to permit this, but not to allow draught through the bee-nest, which is inimi- cal to the well-doing of the bees. The space be- tween the roof and quilt should permit of a free current of air, or the vapours may condense there and the quilt become wet. No hive-cover should be permitted to confine the crown of the hive hermetically, under any circumstances. Sunshine, for drying purposes, is important for the well-being of hives during winter, and they should, therefore, on no account, be set in permanent shade. Entrances should be shaded as before suggested, to prevent glaring light tempting the bees out when the weather is too cold for them, during snow or cutting winds. Shelter from the north and east winds is also desirable, particularly in early spring, when bees are tempted to go out in search of food ; and hives should be firmly seated, so as not to be blown over or capsized by the intrusion of cattle or marauders. THE BEE TENT IN IRELAND. In accordance with the arrangement made at Maryborough, alluded to on page 84, our Tent was duly pitched at Parsonstown, on the 25th ult., iu Moor Park, near Oxmantown Bridge, a short distance from the railway station, kindly lent by Colonel Hackett, who took a lively interest in the proceedings. Large posters had been freely distributed throughout the neighbourhood, an- nouncing the coming of the Tent, under the dis- tinguished patronage of the Earl of Rosse ; and every possible preparation had been made by the Rev. J. M. Aldridge, of Eyrecourt, Co. Galway — the indefatigable promoter of the exhibition — to ensure a large and successful gathering. The 'poster' announced the object of the visit as 'in- structive ' iu bee management by ' lectures aud practical operations;' invited bee-keepers to bring their hives, and have the honey removed for them- selves, and the bees disposed in a new hive for future profit; aud promising three demonstrations, at each of which they would be shown ' the best method of keeping bees, how to drive bees from hive to hive, how to take honey from straw hives without smothering the bees, how to cause swarm- ing artificially, how to transfer both combs and 104 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. bees, how to unite two or more hives of bees, and how to extract the honey without injuring the comb.' Thanks to the interest thus created, there was no lack of bees, hives, or apparatus ; and but that the proceedings were marred by a most inopportune downpour of rain, the exhibition would have been an unmitigated success. The manipulations had been advertised for 1.15, 2.45, and 5 p.m., but it was near 3 o'clock before it was possible to do any- thing comfortably, and the company expected at about that time appeared in diminished numbers ; nevertheless there was a fair muster, all things con- sidered, and a great deal of interest was excited. The Earl and Countess of Rosse and party honoured the exhibition by their presence, the ladies doing splendid service to the cause by their extremely pertinent questionings, thus eliciting the informa- tion in regard to bees that appeared to be most needed in Parsonstown district. In our report of the Clonmel show we accidentally omitted mention of the exceedingly good service rendered to 'the tent ' in Ireland by the assiduous exertions and painstaking forethought of Brother Joseph of the Abbey, Lough - rea, Co. Galway, who brought with him a uni- comb hive, with Ligurian queen, bees, and brood, which created great interest there, and which he kindly left in our charge for exhibition' at Mary- borough, where it also did good service ; and here again at Parsonstown, with its owner to the fore, it was found most useful and instructive. Brother Joseph brought with him a whole load of hives and appliances, and was indefatigable in his endeavours to persuade his countrymen into the better way of bee-keeping. He showed a set of combs, formed on foundation that he had used for several years on the doubling principle, for ex- tracting purposes, and they had done him good service, enabling him to take from 80 to 100 lbs. of honey per hive during even a short harvest, while in a good year the quantity would be doubled or trebled. To the Rev. J. M. Aldridge, of Eyrecourt, Co. Galway, is due the chief merit of the success that was achieved, for, by his example and personal pluck, he had stirred up the district and caused the display. He brought several hives and bees to the Tent, and showed great anxiety for the spread of the modern system of bee-keeping of which he had been pioneer. Many others most willingly contributed to the success of the day by the loan of bees and hives for driving, uniting, transferring, and depriving, all of which operations were fully carried out to the immense satisfaction of the visitors. Bees and hives were also brought for manipulation by R. J. Crossdaile, Esq., and R. Waller, Esq., to whom many thanks are due for their kind and careful help. We extract the following account of the Tent in Parsonstown from the King's County Chronicle: — ' Through tin1 exertions of the Rev. Mr. Aldridge, vicar of Eyrecourt, the ahove Tent, now on a torn- in lii-land, visited Parsonstown, on Wednesday, the 25th insi., anil Sew its Hag in a field kindly lent Cor the occa- sion by Col I ETackett, al Moor Park. In last week's Chronicle we drew attention to s ime interesting features in connexion with tin present tour ; and it maybe no harm to add that the gentlemen, Messrs. Abbott and Carr, in charge of the Tent, give the interesting exhibi- tions, not with a view to pecuniary profit, but to arouse a wider interest in the " little busy bee ; " and by simple, lucid demonstrations and explanations to induce many, hitherto practically ignorant, to study more closely the interesting science of bee-keeping. ' Messrs. Abbott and Carr gave three demonstrations on Wednesday last, and showed how simple it is to manipulate bees when we have got them under our com- mand. They also transferred both comb and bees from a straw skep into a bar-frame hive ; and explained the superiority of the bar-frame over that of the common skep. All those present appeared greatly interested, and many questions were asked and answered. One iady, more courageous than the rest — Miss Trench, of Caugour Park, — took a handful of bees from one of the manipu- lators, much to the amusement of the spectators. Among those present were the Earl and Countess of Rosse. ' We trust that this visit of the Bee-Tent to Parsons- town will create a greater interest in the science of bee- culture, and be the means of increasing the number of bee-keepers in the King's County.' The next day found us en route for Newry, where, in the Market-place, in connexion with the Agricultural Show, our Tent was set up. Our bees in the meantime were deposited in one of the count- ing-houses in the Square ; but the ' irrepressible urchin ' found an opportunity for cutting through the canvas cover of the skep, and setting them at liberty, catching a tartar on his cheek for his pains. Everything that could be done to help us was readily performed, but the all-necessary bees had not been secured, though Mr. Marshall, the enter- prising hon. sec. of the show had endeavoured to procure them. Good fortune, however, brought us into contact with a bee-keeper, who had been anxiously awaiting the coming of the Tent ; and in him (Mr. James Shaw, of Priory House, Newry) we found a friend in need and in deed, and one most anxious for the introduction of the moveable comb system into his apiary. He very kindly gave us the use of his bees, and obtained the loan of a stock from his brother, who lives near, and thereby re- moved an anxiety which might have seriously interfered with the programme. The incidents attending the show call for no special remark ; they were of the usual character, created, as hitherto, most intense excitement, and furnished a topic for general conversation. The interest in the Agricultural and Bee Shows was shared by a Dog Show, held on the same day, in another part of the town — an evident mistake, and one that neither committee can wish to see repeated. While at Newry we were most kindly entertained by Mr. Shaw, and had the pleasure of straightening his apiary, and that of his brother above mentioned. The hives, save such as were queenlcss, were full up with honej', and of great weight, for their size ; they contained barely a hand's breadth of brood, and the bees were perforce lying about outside and under the hives. In most instances pieces of comb had been built in the folds of the sacking or carpet covering ; but, as a rule, the bees were idle, not be- en use there was nothing to gather, but simply from having nowhere to store honey if they collected it; and from having prevented the production of young broods by choking the combs with what they had October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 105 already taken into the hives. We have many times warned our readers of the dangers likely to arise from insufficiency of storage room in hives during a honey glut ; but nowhere have we seen such con- vincing proof of the truth of the theory as in Ire- land, where, except in moveable-cornb apiaries under intelligent management, the bees had become com- pletely demoralised through super-abundance of income. The Tent at Newry was visited by Mr. C. C. Russell, the hon. sec. of the Newtownards coming Show, to which we were next proceeding ; and, hav- ing seen the nature of the business and its require- ments, he was enabled to prepare for the Tent's reception in that ancient town. The Newry Show was held on Saturday, the 28th August ; Sunday was a rest day, the afternoon of which was plea- santly spent under Mr. Shaw's hospitable roof, and Monday morning found us on the way to Newtown- ards, where our labours on behalf of Irish bee- culture were to close. Here we found abundant evidences of pre-arrangement. Prizes in money and hives had been offered for the best skeps of bees, the bees and combs to be transferred to the hives, which were of the Woodbury style, on legs ; but, having been made from description, instead of from a pattern, were not all that could be desired ; nevertheless, as bees had done exceedingly well in others of a similar make, they were held to be good enough for the occasion. Prizes had also been offered for the best exhibits of honey, that in sec- tional supers to have preference ; and sufficient was exhibited to satisfy the visitors of the immense superiority of the system under which it was produced. During Tuesday, which was a spare day, every- thing connected with the bee department of the show having been already arranged, we were the guests of Mr. Russell, in whose elegant home we received every possible kindness and attention ; and Mr. Russell, being an advanced and advancing bee- keeper, gladly availed himself of our proffered services in his apiary. A skep covered with a wooden case we were not permitted to see, as it was intended for exhibition, and we were to be the judges at the show ; but in other matters we were speedily 'high busy.' A Nutt's collateral hive re- ceived special attention. It stood in a house which, during the preceding winter, had been twice blown over, and had since done ' nothing,' though a few bees stowed in one of the side boxes had built a little comb. The general inference was that the queen had been killed by the rough treatment the hive had suffered, but investigation elicited the truth. The fall, or, to use a more correct ' Irish ' term, the ' stopping so quickly ' when blown over, had jarred the combs into a heap on one side of the hive, and they, notwithstanding the bad season (1879), being full of sealed honey, were a solid mass. The surviving bees built new comb in the vacant part of the hive, but, as at Newry, they had filled it so rapidly with honey that they had prevented breeding, except in a very trifling degree, so that they could not increase in numbers sufficiently to swarm or do other good service. They were, ' therefore, transferred forthwith to a frame hive, all the straight comb being tied into two frames, foundation being given in all the others ; and they were promised a lot of condemned bees after the show when their owner had more time to obtain them. A visit to the bees in the mountains, where they were revelling amongst the heather and white clover, revealed a condition of things not easy to understand here : hives (there were two) filled with honey but with scarcely any bees in them and very little brood — the same old story, 1 111 fares the " hive," to hast'ning ills a prey Where wealth accumulates and " bees" decay.' One of the hives had filled out four sections, which we removed, and others were in progress ; and we took one frame of new comb filled with honey, and extracted a few pounds, for exhibition from others, packed up our spoils and returned to Newtownards with the first fruits, most agreeable to our hostess, of the modern system of bee-culture in that district. The Bee Show was held in conjunction with the Newtownards Flower Show — an institution which has existed for a quarter of a century, and flourishes exceedingly. It was held, as of old, in the magni- ficent nursery grounds of Messrs. Dickson, and in addition to many items of farm produce, embraced dogs and horses, as well as bees, in its schedule as competitors for prizes. Our business, however, is with the bees, though we would fain pay a tribute of praise to the general excellence of the whole of the arrangements, and of sincere thanks for the careful attention we all received at the hands of the various committees. Having casually mentioned that at Long Sutton last year we paraded the show-ground with a swarm of bees on our hat, Mr. Russell hailed the idea as a splendid one to invoke the curiosity and interest of the visitors; and at the first chiving, of which his own bees were the subject, a repetition of the experiment was insisted on and duly per- formed, the queen being secured by a silken thread pinned to the hat, to the great astonishment of the on-lookers, and, as a result, a very large audience at the next (the second) exhibition of manipulation. The horse-jumping at four o'clock had, however, superior attractions for the many, and the third exhibition was but poorly attended as is usual under such circumstances ; nevertheless, the show was a complete success. The hives that were transferred, like others we have mentioned, were nearly filled with honey, brood and bees being particularly scarce, a fact likely to militate against their suc- cessful wintering without further attention by their owners, who, in taking the honey from other hives should add the bees and brood they would otherwise waste, to them. In the honey classes very high praise is due to the beautiful exhibits of Captain Perry, of Ballymena, whose sections in (Abbott's) section frames were greatly admired. Those ex- hibited by Mr. Russell were also excellent, and the honey in frames shown by Mr. Tureton, of Rostrcvor, was also good, but the combs were thin owing to there having been too many frames inserted in the super box. 106 THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. The following are the awards : — For best stock of bees in straw skep— 1, C. C. Russell; 2, Hugh Milliken, Ballyrogau ; 3, Alex. Snodden, New- towrurds. Honey competition (open) in supers — 1, Captain Perry, Ballyrnena; 2, C. C. Russell, New- townards; 3, Archibald Tureton, Rostrevor. Finest quality of honey, in comb or otherwise, taken from bees without killing' them (confined to competitors from County Down)— 1, Archibald Tureton, Rostrevor; 2, C. C. Russell, Newtownards; 3, John Miller, Comber. The North Down Herald makes the following remarks, which satisfactorily indicate the extent of the interest created : — ' The subject of apiculture is one which is rapidly corning to the front. With other valuable discoveries and improvements of the present age, we have brought under our notice a method of dealing with those inter- esting, useful, and industrious winged workers, whereby the cruel practice of taking away their lives, in order to obtain the results of their labours, is entirely obviated and also whereby the bees can be made a source of sub- stantial profit. ' The announcement that an exhibition of bees would be an item on the programme was hailed with general satisfaction, and the tent erected for the purpose was crowded during the day. As we gave a lengthened description of the tent and manner of manipulating the bees in our last issue, it is not necessary here to enter into fuller details. The inner compartment was occupied by Mr. Chas. NT. Abbott, of Southall, Middlesex, editor of the British Bee-keepers' Journal; Mr. Wm. Carr, of Manchester; and Mr. C. C. Russell, of Newtownards, the owner of the bees to be experimented with. The exhibition was certainly an astonishing one. With the utmost ease, after having introduced into the skep a small quantity of smoke, produced by burning a piece of brown paper, the bees were induced to leave it and take pos- session of an empty skep placed in a slanting position upon the edge of the old one, and open to the view of all. This part of the work was assigned to Mr. Abbott, who, divested of his coat, with shirt-sleeves rolled up, appeared thoroughly at home. It did seem as though he had cast some potent spell upon the bees. They clustered on his hat, perched upon his face and arms, and permitted him to lift them in handfuls as if they had been so many blackberries. Nor was Mr. Carr behind his associate. Parading slowly round the tent he explained, in an amusing and interesting manner, the structure and habits of the bee, its mode of treatment, &c; affording, as he did so, ocular demonstration that bees may be handled with perfect freedom. It is only when crushed, according to his theory, that bees will sting. He carried them in his hand, put some into his mouth, allowed them to settle upon his face and neck, and all the while rattled off his jokes and good-naturedl-y answered all the questions with which he was freely plied. All present seemed well pleased, but we doubt whether all could be induced to try the experiment. We heard one gentleman humorously remark that while the whole thing was exceedingly nice he would prefer to employ a person to do it for him, provided he could get him for a reasonable salary. Many of the visitors passed their hands under the inner tent and allowed the bees to be placed in them. 'We are certain we have not heard the last of api- culture in our neighbourhood, and we are indebted to our townsman, Mr. Russell, for the trouble he has taken to provide so rich a treat. We are glad to find that he was so very successful in the bee and honey department, carrying off first prize for bees, and two seconds for honey.' Friday morning found us on our way to Greenore, and Saturday morning dawned upon us at Holyhead, whence, after an eight hours' journey, per London and North Western Railway, we reached London about 1 p.m. As the outcome of representations to the British Beekeepers' Association on the excellent condition of their apiaries, and their efficient aid at Clonmel, Newry, and Parsonstown, they have awarded silver medals to the Rev. 6. A Procter, of Tullamelan, Co. Tipperary, and to Brother Joseph, of the Abbey, Loughrea, Co. -Gal way, which will be presented when duly engraved. No better or more flattering evidence of the interest created by the tour of the Tent could be furnished than is contained in the following report of the doings at the Wexford Agricultural Society's Show in September. Mr. Traynorhas been already mentioned as an active ' Cottager,' and has suc- ceeded, after the lesson at Maryborough, in carry- ing out a satisfactory programme. We quote from the Wexford Independent : — ' A Bee Tent at Wexford has been procured bjr the Wexford Agricultural Society under the management of Mr. Boland, Enniscoultry, who spared no pains to make the bee exhibition a success. Large quantities of honey were exhibited by the local folk. A strange feature in the Bee tent was that of several sections of honey, containing each Jibs., the bees build down to the very glass, several of them weighed exactly 21bs. with the turn of the beam slightly in favour of the bees. The driving method was fully exhibited whereby large quantities of pure honey can be obtained without destroying the bees with sulphur fumes. The new comb foundation and wax-guides so essential in straight comb building were fullyexplained and exhibited. The whole operations were performed with- out the aid of veil or gloves. A gauze netting protected the spectators. The tent was under the management of Mr. Traynor, Tinahely, a cottage correspondent of the British Bee Journal, published by Abbott Bros., South- all, London. Mr. Traynor took the opportunity of shoitiny results of what was done, as he believes there is very little use in telling the people what can be done. The bees in the bar-frame hives were lifted up from the frame and walked over the manipulator without in the least injuring him, the bees were brushed off the frames and pure honey extracted by one of Abbott's Little Wonders. As this was the first Irish bee tent ever in Ireland, a large share of interest was bestowed upon it. New methods of feeding from top of hives were fully explained. The bees were treated and lectured upon as if they had no stings at all. The tent left a very favourable impression of advanced bee-culture.' (To be resumed.) BRITISH DAIRY FARMERS' ASSOCIA- TION AND BEE-KEEPING. An Exhibition of bees, hives, honey, and wax (promoted by the British Bee-keepers' Associa- tion) will be held in connexion with the Annual Show of the British Dairy Farmers' Association, at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, on October the 26 Ih and following days. There are three classes for hives, six for honey, and one for wax ; most of the classes are well filled, and some very largely. The various exhibits will occupy a space of nearly 300 feet run, by 3 feet in depth ; and we have no doubt but that this exhibition will form a most attractive feature of the Show. October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 107 CONGRESS OF BEE-MASTERS AT COLOGNE. I have just returned from theCongress of Bee-masters of the German and Austrian empires held at Cologne, from the 7th to 10th of September ; and in case you should receive no better account than this from any of the English gentlemen there present, you may like to have the following brief description of it for your Journal The occasion was somewhat more than ordinarily interesting, for it was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Congress. As an evidence of the active interest taken by Government in the Congress and its work, the Burgomaster of Cologne acted as its President, and the Ministers of Public Instruction and of Agriculture and Commerce were both represented by high officials. I arrived at Cologne on Monday, 6th September, in com- pany with Mr. Dennler of Enzheim, who honoured us with a visit last year at London. The proceedings commenced on Monday evening by an unofficial meeting of those who had arrived from all Sarts of Germany and Austria to take part in the ongress. Among them were many who have a European reputation as bee-keepers, and I may specially notice the great Dzierzon, the Baroness Von Berlepsch, Herr Vogel (author), and the Pasteur Rabbow, of Hohendorf in Pomerania. Dzierzon, I may observe, is not a pasteur, as stated at page 'J6 of last month's Journal; he icas a Roman Catholic priest, but he has given up performing any ecclesiastical duty, and does not even wear the dress of a clergyman. The Exhibition opened on the morning of Tuesday the 7th, and resembled very much all exhibitions of the same description. If I may offer criticism on it, I should say that practical utility was not sufficiently kept in view by the greater number of the exhibitors, who rather sought to catch the eye by the attractive- ness of their articles. I may mention with satisfaction that two out of three of the exhibitions which gained silver medals (of whi-j.h only three were awarded) were made up largely of articles which had at least a portion of their origin in England, Mr. Neighbour having carried off one of them for an excellent collection of apicultural instruments and super honey, and Mr. Dennler having also a silver medal awarded to him for a dozen of Mr. Abbott's honey-boxes magnificently tilled, and an extractor, the idea (though not the mechanism) of which was borrowed from that of Mr. Cowan, which gained a prize at London last year. I shall refer to this extractor hereafter. For the rest, there were some well-stocked hives of Cyprians and Italians in the court- yard, with some well-made portable hives for transporting bees or queens from place to place. There were huge glass bells, nearly two feet high, well filled with comb, very pretty to look at, but not half so practic?lly useful as our honey boxes. This, indeed, the jury fully recognised in their awards to Messrs. Dennler and Neighbour. There were also some ingeniously arranged devices in comb exhibited by Pasteur Rabbow, the bees having been made to build into moulds or shapes, which were afterwards detached, leaving the shapes of comb, like shapes of blanc-mange, on a dish. There were also some capital masks, plenty of good comb-foundation, and a number of hives, the prices of which ranged fenerally from seven to fifteen shillings, a few fancy ives only being higher in price. The stock of honey and mead in jars and bottles was very large. All this was, however, nothing more than may be seen at any bee show. The important part of the proceedings were the reunions, where papers were read and speeches made. The first of these commenced at ten a.m. on Tuesday, and lasted till two o'clock. It was opened by the Burgomaster, who in a short speech addressed the meeting, expressing a hope that the fiftieth Congress might be an international one, as there were few countries which now did not take some interest in bee- keeping. Then, amidst the applause of the whole meeting, the delegate of the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce called up Herr Schmied of Eichsteid, who is the permanent \ ice-President of the Congress, and, after complimenting him, decorat-d him with the order of the Crown, sent expressly to him by the Emperor. The real business of the meeting then began, Dzier- zon, who was most warmly applauded, addressing the Congress at some length. Dr. Dzierzon dwelt on the yet undeveloped state of bee science, and the necessity of close and patient study and watching, as well as practical application, if we would arrive at results worthy of the end at which we strive. ' What we know as yet,' he exclaimed, ' are like a few shells picked up by a child on the sea-shore, which give but little idea of the wealth that the sea contains.' Herr Vogel, whose book on the bee was rewarded with the annual gold medal of the Congress, followed next, taking up the question of a uniform or standard size of frame for all Germany. This has been long discussed, and has resulted in a gradual diminution of the size of frame. The time was thought to have arrived for definite action, and the size of frame was, after long discussions in the Congress, finally fixed at 2.0j centimetres (or 9 inches) broad, with a depth of 36 centimetres (or 16 inches) for the body of the hive, divided into two frames, each of IS centimetres (nearly 7A inches) deep. This hive, however, admits of being built up to any height the amount of honey-gathering justifies. There are usually two rows of ten to twelve frames, or three rows of eight frames, one above the other, in each hive, making from twenty to twenty-four frames of the above size in each hive. . You are aware that in the German hives the frames ahvai/s stand acivss the door, not at right angles to it. In this principle they exactly resemble Mr. Abbott's Combination Hive. There was only one German hive in the exhibition which had its frames at right angles to the doorway. And here I may mention a Swedish hive which resembled very much one of Mr. Abbott's Combinations, and which was furnished with a division- board to enable the frames to be put back from the entrance in winter. There was a tunnel leading from the entrance to the division-board, giving ingress and egress to the bees, as well as for the ventilation of the hive; the space between the end of the hive and the division-board was then filled with chaff well rammed home. -This seemed to me a capital idea for keeping hives warm in winter. It is no doubt a great advantage in Germany that practically one size of frame is adopted by all bee- keepers in all parts of the country. 1 am myself strongly impressed with the practical utility of the German hives. I have this summer been working very much with some which are known as the Baden or Black Forest hives. They seem to me to present some very great advantages, both in regard to manipulation and supering. I am inclined to think that bees also whiter very well in them. First, as regards manipula- tion, the frames being drawn out by a pair of strong pincers from the rear of the hive, a small puff of smoke easily drives the bees downwards to the front, and in this way I really cannot remember ever having been once stung in opening a hive, which I have been doing lately every day; then the frames have only a small bearing at the ends, and are very easily detached from the propolis. Thirdly, the brood is invariably found in the front, and notably the lower front of the hive. In this way, for extracting, you may take out the eight upper and four lower frames from the rear, with the almost absolute certainty of finding no brood in them. The frames being of small size, are put at once into the extractor, the honey is taken out, and the frames are 108 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. replaced in the hive without any derangement of the brood or annoyance to the queen. Then for supering, the narrow hive seems to concentrate the heat and send j it into the supers, which the bees take to at once, while the broad shallow frames of the Woodbury would seem ! to fail in this particular. I can only say that two j Alsatian gentlemen to whom I gave a number of j Mr. Abbott's excellent sectional supers, have been showing me magnificently tilled honey-boxes all the summer from their Baden hives, while I never have been able to get a bee to go into mine except for promenade purposes. I am disposed to think, too, that bees winter better in a deep narrow hive. By leaving them a certain number only of frames filled to all their depth, the bees need never change from frame to frame, but always keep near their food ; and so it comes to pass that after considerable experience, I have come to be very fond of these small frame hives, which are so handy for storing and manipulation. The only modi- fication I shoidd tike to make in them would be the adoption of the quilt in winter. I would now add a few words on Mr. Dennler's extractor. It was exteriorly of the ordinary form, the motive power being placed below the body of the machine, and the centre pivot turning in a socket below all ; so that all the weight of the frames in the interior rested on the centre pivot, and all straining was avoided. The cages for containing the honeycombs for extraction are raised about G inches above the bottom of the receptacles, so as to allow of at least 25 lbs. of honey being extracted without drawing it off. The whole of the apparatus for turning is very solid and well made. The cages or receptacles for the combs are three in number, forming a triangle inside the receptacle ; and this, I think, is its onty fault, for with three frames there is no counter-balance on the pivot, and this must eventually cause an uneven and wobbling motion. It could be as easily made with two or four cages, and it would then be better; otherwise it admits of the frames being reversed like in Mr. Cowan's extractor, which is done by lifting each frame up about a quarter of an inch, turning it, and letting it drop into its place. This action is exceedingly simple, takes no appreciable time to put in motion, and is not exposed to any chance of derangement. As the machine exhibited has extracted nearly a ton of honey this year, its efficiency may be said to have been thoroughly tested and established. It was very greatly admired and praised by Dzierzon, and many other experienced bee-keepers. Among other subjects of interest from a practical point of view discussed by the Congress, was that of the use of perforated zinc as a queen-excluder. This was introduced by Ilerr Gtihler, who very clearly explained the great results which might be obtained by the use of it, in reference to the checking of swarming and the production of honey. Several bee-masters followed on this subject, saying that perforated zinc was changing the whole system of apiculture, and the principles on which it was conducted from a scientific point of view. It may be added that the sale of perforated zinc at the exhibition was very large, almost more than that of any article. The holes are the same depth as ours, but have a greater breadth, at least one and a half to one of ours. Professor Donhoff read a very interesting paper on the physiology of the bee, which was warmly applauded. Ilerr Frey of Murenberg did the same in reference to foul brood, which he treated ably. Ilerr Deichart, the President of the Society of Apiculture in Hesse, read a paper on ' Wintering Bees,' the chief practical hint I gained from which was, that it was well not to leave ci ilza honey in a hive for winter, as it crystallised very readily in the hives, and was not made easily available to the bees when in that condition. Ilerr Sclizen spoke on the introduction of Italian and other foreign queens. He appeared to think that the chief advantage gained was in the infusion of fresh blood into an apiary, and that this would be as readily effected by any other exchange of queens not necessarily of another race. The next Congress was then settled to take place at Erfurt in 1881 ; and either at Buda-Pesth or Frankfort- on-the-Maine in 1882. There was another point of interest brought out in the discussions. You are perhaps aware that in Hanover, where there is an immense trade in exported honey, the practice is to destroy one-third of the hives every year, and take all the contents. This practice is justified by the people on the ground that they have too many swarms, and that they woidd be overstocked with bees otherwise. In fact, they say that in a good year each hive will give three swarms and 100 lbs. of honey. Moreover, they say, by constant renewal of the combs, they avoid foul brood, and have a much longer and finer race of bees. Pasteur Rabbow violently attacked the whole system as being cruel, unnecessary, and not really economical. Herr Schzen, the Editor of the Hanover Bee Journal, replied to him : ' We are not cruel, but what are we to do with our bees ? We have 600,000 hives every year to dispose of, and if you will come in the autumn, we will only too gladly drive the bees, and sell them to you for a mark and a half (eighteen pence) each colony.' It is a question for our enterprising bee- merchants whether it might be profitable to purchase bees in autumn at this price, feed them through the winter, and sell them in spring. It may be observed that Pasteur Rabbow was right, and that by using frame hives and checking the laying of the queen by the use of perforated zinc dividers, the number of swarms might be diminished, and the income of honey increased in proportion. The hives used in Hanover are tall conical skeps, with the entrance near the summit. The show remained open and the meetings continued daily till Friday, when the prizes were given, the gold medal going with universal applause to Herr Fred. William Vogel, for his recent work on bee culture; Mr. Dennler and Mr. Neighbour, and one other, receiv- ing silver medals ; and many others diplomas of merit. So ended a very interesting visit, during which I visited also the Industrial Exhibition at Dusseldorf. Perhaps the most interesting part of the exhibition was the pleasure and honour of meeting renowned bee-keepers like Dzierzon and the Baroness Von Berlepsch. — G. J. Pearson, The Hokwald, near Ban; 13th Sept. 1880. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. Committee Meeting held at 105 Jermyn Street, St. James's, Wednesday, Sept. 15th. Present Mr. T. W. Cowan (in the chair), R. R. Godfrey, J. M. Hooker, F. Cheshire, Rev. E. Bartrum, and Rev. II. R. Peel, Hon. Sec. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the Secretary reported that he had received letters from Mr. Abbott, Mr. Steele, Messrs. Neighbour and Son, and Mr. S. J. Baldwin, stating they would be pleased to contribute specimens of their goods for the purpose of exhibition at the South Kensington and Bethnal Green Museums. Promises of additional contributions were also received from Mr. Hooker and Mr. Cheshire. It was resolved unanimously, ' That in accordance with the request, as stated in the letter received from the Science and Art Department on the 17th of August, the Hon. Sec. and Mr. Cheshire should have an interview witli Mr. Thompson, one of the Assistant Directors of the South Kensington Museuru, and make the necessary arrangements with him for the exhibition of two collections of specimens of the best hives and other apparatus used in bee-culture, as desired by the Science and Art Department.' It was also resolved, ' That the next quarterly meeting should be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27th, the second day of the Annual Show of the British Dairy Farmers' Asso- October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 109 ciation at the Agricultural Hall, Islington.' The Rev. E. Bartrum promised to read a paper on ' The Stewarton Hive,' and the Secretary was requested to make the usual necessary arrangements in connexion therewith. The schedule of prizes for the South Kensington Show, to be held next year, was discussed, and various amend- ments suggested. It was resolved, ' That the same should be brought forward for discussion at the next meeting.' The balance-sheet for the month ending August Slst was read, showing- a balance in hand of 21. 10s. -id. The Secretary reported that the low state of the finances was principally due to the fact that upwards of 267. was due from members whose sub- scriptions were in arrear, the same having been due on the 1st of May last. Resolved, ' That the Secretary do send a circular to all members in arrear, making appli- cation for their subscriptions.' LINCOLNSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION AT BOSTON. The fifth annual exhibition of this Association was held at Boston on Thursday the 9th of September, under the auspices of the Mayor. The weather was all that coidd be desired, and so conduced much to the success of the show, which was visited by the Mayor and Mayoress of Boston, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, Mrs. and the Misses Moore of Frampton Hall, B. G. Garfit, Esq., W. G. Pilcher, Esq., G. W. Thomas, Esq., many of the clergy and leading families of the town and neighbour- hood, and a large number of the public generally. The event was ushered in by a most interesting address by the Rev. Herbert R. Peel of Abbot's Hill, Heme! Hempstead, the subject being ' Bee-keeping in England in 1880,' delivered on the evening of the 8th at the Assembly Rooms, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee Association by the Mayor of Boston. Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, of Frampton Hall, in the unavoidable absence of the President, the Right Rev. the Bishop Suffragan of Nottingham, kindly pre- sided, and was supported by the Mayor of Boston (James Thorns, Esq.), the Rev. J. L. Sisson, of Edingthorpe Rectory, Norfolk, A. M. Adams. Esq., M.D. Boston, Mr. J. G. Desborough, Stamford; Mr. John Bolton, Grantham ; and the lion. Sec. of the Association, Mr. R. R. Godfrey. The audience was very large, amongst whom were the Mayoress and the Misses Thorns, Mr. J. Thorns, Jun., and Mrs. Thorns, Mr. and Mrs. Mawson, T. Slator, Esq., J.P., J. Kenington, Esq., J.P., Mr. C. Pocklington, Mr. C. Lucas, Mr. Perry, Mr. Morris, Mr. and the Misses Small, Mr. II. Yates, of Grantham, Mr. Sells, of Uffington, Mr. Bywater South, and many veteran bee- keepers from all quarters. The Chairman remarked he had been requested to preside that evening in the absence of the worthy Presi- dent of the Association, the Bishop Suffragan of Notting- ham. He regretted very much the absence of that gentleman, because he always introduced a large amount of geniality into any meeting at which he was present. It was not necessary for him to say many words in intro- ducing the lecturer to them, for they were all, as he was, very anxious to hear him, but there were one or two words he should like to say. He was sorry he did not know more about bees, but for some reason or other they always exhibited a great antipathy towards him. It might be his own fault, but they always stung him whenever they got the opportunity ; therefore he had not cultivated their acquaintance very largely. But although he had not had much practical experience amongst these insects, he had read a good deal about them. Bees were mentioned in the earliest of histories, and if the}' looked into the Book of Books they would find that bees were referred to at the commencement, and the greatest boon ever offered to the children of Israel was to be taken to a land ' flowing with milk and honey.' He need not tell them how many philosophers had written about bees, and referred, as an instance, to Virgil's poems. Many lessons could be learned from bees, as well as the wonders of a Divine providence. He had received letters from the Sub-Dean of Lincoln (Canon Clements), the Rev. W. V. Turner of Bardney, and T. C. Garfit, Esq., regretting that they could not be present. He had very great pleasure in calling upon Mr. Peel to address them. [The most interesting address of Mr. Peel is too valu- able to permit of curtailment, and space not permitting its publication this month, we have printed it in separate form for private distribution, but it will appear in e.rtenso in our next. — Ed. B. B. J.~\ The Exhibition. On Thursday, the fifth great annual exhibition of bees, honey, hives, and practical manipulations, was held in the ' Welcome,' Bargate, and the field adjoining, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Charles Smith, of Kirton. A large number of people visited the grounds, and the tents were well filled from the opening of the gates at noon, until seven o'clock in the evening. The exhibits were good and numerous, entries being made in every class with the exception of three. Sir. G. F. Barrell, of Spalding, obtained first prize in class 1, for his exhibit of Ligurian bees, shown in an observatory hive. In class 3 specimens of the Hungarian bee were shown by Messrs. Neighbour and Son, of London, and some fine specimens of the Cyprian bee were exhibited by Abbott Bros. In the honey department there was a good display of supers, not ably some beautifullv finished sections exhibited by the Rev. Herbert R. Peel, of Abbot's Hill, Mr. Tuck, of Upwell, and Miss Gayton, of Great Hadam ; also a splendid Stewarton super, exhibited by the Rev. E. Bartrum, of Berkhampstead, and some fairly finished glass supers exhibited by cottagers. The extracted and run- honey exhibits were large, and the quality fine. Mr. T. Sells, Uffington, Mr. Roberts, Belvoir, the Rev. W. A. Frith, Welby Grantham, Miss Gayton, Great Hadam, Mr. S. Lee, Coningsby, being well to the fore. Mr. T. Sells was successful in winning the Silver cup of the Association for the first time ; also in securing the Plate Prize pre- sented b}' Mr. Sells ; he had a close competition in Mr. Roberts, and it would not be a surprise to see at the next exhibition a change of places with these two for the cup. It is gratifying to know that cottagers living at Bardney and Southrey were successful competitors in this depart- ment. Such a result is mainly owing to the efforts of the Rev. W. V. Farmer, vicar of the parish, whose example in this work it woidd be well for others to follow. In the hive, &c. department was a large and varied collection of the latest improvements in hives. Supers and extractors with an endless display of bee-appliances, Messrs. Abbott Bros., Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, and Mr. Steele being large exhibitors. In the class for ex- tractors there was great competition, no less than nine machines entered; the first choice being Mr. Cowan's ' Automatic,' the second Mr. Abbott's ' Little Wonder,' the third Mr. Steel's, II.C, Mr. Holland, H.C., Mr. Wal- ton, all really good machines. Class for cottagers' hives was unusually full and well contested, cheaper and better rarely seen. The result was a ready sale and a clear out. A large collection of bee flora was on view in the tent, with very graphic and detailed particulars attached to each object. Much regret was felt by the Hon. Sec. and the members of the Committee that there were no bee-keepers in Boston that could compete for the Vicar's prize. The prize offered by the Mayor for any new invention was well contested for. On referring to the fist of awards it will be seen that several persons resident in the neighbourhood took prizes, and in addition to these competitors living at Homes stle and Grantham and Louth were not unsuccessful. 110 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. Mr. C. H. Clarke, of Long Sutton, exhibited a splendid comb in a glass-case, worked on Abbott's conib-foiuida- tion, the results of the Association's visit there last year. Mr. Clarke stated that he, in company with Mr. Measures, had driven the bees from no less than forty hives this year which otherwise would have been murdered by aid of the sulphur pit. At intervals during the day, manipulations with live bees took place in a tent especially erected for the pur- pose, and lent by the British Bee-keepers' Association ; also in the open ; and judging from the many visitors who swarmed close up to the manipulators, they had in a very short time learnt to know there was not so much to fear from bees as they had thought. The process of driving the bees was fully explained and illustrated by J. G. Desborough, Esq., of Stamford, Rev. J. Lawson Sisson, of Edingthorpe Rectory, North Walsham, Mr. Plowright, Mr. Yates, and Mr. Baldwin, the expert from the Association; and much surprise was manifested at the power the apiarian had over his bees. One of the hives driven was from a wicker coal-scuttle, with a piece of drugget stretched on the outside, belonging to G. F. Barrell, Esq., of Spalding, the history of which was a curious one. The queen was a pure Ligurian, and the hive swarmed and flew away. He advertised for its return, and found it had been taken bj' a labourer in a village two miles away, who had nothing ready to put it in, so he hived it in a wicker coal-scuttle, and put rhubarb leaves round it to keep out the weather. This was in 1879. Mr. Desborough managed to drive this hive, and transferred the combs to a bar-frame. The bees were numerous, and it was a capital stock. As is usual, the manipulation tents proved the most attractive, and great was the interest manifested ; visitors who witnessed the first drive might be seen as eager at the closing one. The fact that gentlemen such as the Rev. J. L. Sisson and Mr. Desborough can give such successful demonstrations as they did, and that Mr. Yates and Mr. Plowright can do the ' Wildrnan'feat, would go very far towards clearing the mist from the minds of the most sceptical about bees. Mr. C. N. Abbott (Editor), who was announced to be present to take part in the manipulation, was, we regret to learn, unhappily prevented. The following gentlemen officiated as judges : — Hives and bees : Rev. H. R. Peel, Rev. J. Lawson Sisson; J. G. Desborough, Esq. ; and Henry Yates, Esq. Honey : Rev. W. V. Turner; G.Brett, Esq.; I. Plowright, Esq.; J. Bolton, Esq. ; and G. F. Barrell, Esq. Much credit is due to the Hon. Sec, Mr. J. Best, Hon. Sec. for the Boston district, and the Con .mittee, for the arrangements made. The preparations for the exhibition were kindly undertaken by Mr. J. Best, under the superintendence of the Hon. Sec, Dr. Measures, Long Sutton, G. F. Barrell, Esq., Spalding, Mr. Bywater, Louth, and Mr. Sells, Uffington District Hon. Sec, also rendered great aid. The staging of exhibits was intrusted to Mr. J. Boulton, Mr. Yates, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Roberts, the Rev. W. V. Turner, Bardney, Mr. Brett, and Mr. Plowright; and it is through the" untir- ing efforts of this band of workers, that the Show was so great a success. Thanks are due to the Mayor of Boston for the very liberal assistance he has given to the Society, for the thoroughly kind manner he throughout received the committee, and the warm interest he took in the whole proceedings. The following are the awards : — Bees. — Class 1 — For the best specimen of Ligurian Bees, to bo exhibited with the queen in an observatory hive: 1st, G. F. Barrell, Spalding, 1/.; 2nd, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., London, 10s. ; 3rd, withheld. Class 2 — Fell' till' lir.-t -]i i ilnell (if Engli.-'h Hits, to lie exljiliili'd with the queen in m observatory hive; lst,T. Sells, Uffing- ton, Stamford, 10s. ; 2nd, Messrs Abbott, Bros., 7s. Qd. ; 3rd, R. R. Godfrey, Grantham, 5s. Class 8 — For the best specimen of any distinct variety of Honey Bees, other than Ligurians or the British Black Bees : 1st, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 11. ; 2nd, Messrs. Neighbour and Son, London, 10s. ; 3rd, withheld. Honey. — Class 4 — For the largest and best exhibition of Super Honey, the produce of one apiary : 1st, Rev. H. R. Peel, Hemel Hempstead, 1/. ; 2nd, Rev. E. Bartrum, Berkhampstead, 15s. ; 3rd and 1th, withheld. Class 5 — For the best Glass Super, over 20 lbs. nett weight : No entries. Class 6 — For the best Glass Super, under 201bs. nett weight : 1st, Thomas Sells, 10s. ; 2nd, Williarn Willey, Bardney, 7?. Qd. ; 3rd, Thomas SeDs, 5s. ; 4th, John Willey, Southrey, 2s. Qd. Class 7 — For the best Super of Honey (the super to be of wood, or wood in combination with glass or straw) : 1st, H. Tuck, Upwell, Wisbech, 10s. ; 2nd, John Jackson, Skirbeek, 7s. Qd. ; 3rd and 4th, withheld. Class 8 — For the best exhibition of Honey in Sections (each section not more than 3 lbs. in weight, the total weight of each entry to be not less than 20 lbs.) : 1st, H. Tuck, 10s. and silver medal ; 2nd, Rev. J. L. Sisson, Edingthorpe Rectory, North Walsham, 7s. Qd. and bronze medal ; 3rd, Miss Gayton, Hertfordshire, 5s. and certificate : the medals and certi- ficates presented by the B. B. K. A. Class 9 — For the best Straw Super, by a cottager : 1st, Mr. W. Martin, Hamp- stead, 7s. Qd. ; 2nd and 3rd, withheld Class 10 — For the best glass of Extracted or Run Honey, of not less than 5 lbs. nett weight (quality to be the chief point of excellence) : 1st, Thomas Sells, 10s. ; 2nd, Rev. W. A. Frith, Welby Rectory, Grantham, 7s. Qd.; 3rd, J. H. King, Wrangle, 5s.; 4th,* John Willey, 2s. Qd. Class 11— For the best and largest exhibition of Extracted or Run Honey, in glass or other jars: 1st, Thomas Sells, 11.; 2nd, Thomas Roberts, 15s. ; 3rd, Miss Gayton, 12s. 6d. ; 4th, Shadfoid Lee, Coningsby, 10s. ; 5th, Rev. W. A. Frith, 7s. Qd. ; Gth, Thomas Sells, 5s. Class 12— For the finest sample of pure Bees-wax, in cakes of not less than 2 lbs.: 1st, H. Tuck, 5s.; 2nd, Thomas Sells, 2s. Qd. Class 13 — For the best Liqueur, Wine, or Mead, made from honey, with the recipe attached : 1st, Thomas Sells, 10s.; 2nd, H. Tuck, 5s. Hives. — Class 14 — For the best Hive for observation purposes : 1st, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 11.; 2nd, withheld. Class 15 — For the best and most complete Hive, on the moveable comb principle, with arrangements for storing surplus honey: 1st, Messrs. Neighbour and Son, 11. ; 2nd, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 10s. ; 3rd, R. Steele, Fowli3- by-Dundee, 5s. Class 16 — For the best complete Hive, on the moveable comb principle, suitable for cottagers, price not to exceed 8s. : 1st, R. Steele, 15s. ; 2nd,F.Lemai-e, Guildford, Surrey, 10s. ; 3rd, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 7s. Qd. ; 4th, Mr. McGregor, Banchory, Aberdeen, 5s. ; 5th, Mr. J. H. King, H. C. Class 17 — For the best and cheapest Straw Skep of any description : 1st, Thomas Sells, 7s. Qd. ; 2nd, Messrs. Neighbour and Son, ■'is. ; 3rd, William Forman, Louth, 2s. Qd. Class 18 — For the best and cheapest Supers for general use in an apiary : 1st, Walter Holland, Croydon, 7s. Qd. ; 2nd, R. Steele, 5s. ; 3rd, S. J. Baldwin, Norwood, 2s. Qd. Class 19 — For the best Honey Extractor : 1st, T. W. Cowan, Compton Lea, Horsham, 11. ; 2nd, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 10s. ; 8rd, R. Steele, 5s. ; 4th, W. Holland, H. C. Class 20 — For the best and most complete Collection of Hives, Bee-furniture, and Apicul- turalists' Necessaries : 1st, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 1/. 10s. ; 2nd, R. R. Godfrey, 11. ; 3rd, withheld. Objects and Plants. — Class 21— For the best and most interesting Collection of Natural Objects, Models, or Diagrams, connected with apicidture : 1st, Messrs. Abbott, Bros., 1/.; 2nd, D. J. Godfrey, 15s.; 3rd, with- held. Class 22 — For the best and largest display of Honey-producing Plants, in a dried state or otherwise, such plants to have a card attached, stating time of (lowering, duration of bloom, and any other particulars calculated to be of interest to bee-keepers : 1st, Mr. Ingram, October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. Ill Belvoir, Book, Langstroth on Bees; 2nd, K. R. Godfrey, Grantham, current vol. of B. B. Journal. Special Prizes. — One guinea presented by the Vicar of Boston (the Rev. G. B. Blenkin, M.A.) for the best exhibit in Class 4, by residents of the parish : No entries. Piece of plate, value 1/. Is., presented by Mr. Sells, of Ufh'ngton, for the largest exhibition in all or any of the of the honey classes, of honey taken without destroying the bees, who shall be a member of the Association, resident in the county : Thomas Sells, jun. Abbott's Cottager's Standard Hive, presented by C. N. Abbott, Esq., Southall, London, for the best exhibit in Class 8, who shall be a member of the Association, resident in the county : No entries. Current Volume of B. B. Journal, presented by Mr. R. R. Godfrey, Grantham, for the best exhibits in classes 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, by a cottager, who shall be a member of the Association, resident in the county: Thomas Sells. Silver ( 'up of the Association, open to members only, resident in the county, for the best and largest exhibition, in all or any of the honey classes, of honey taken without destroying the bees, the cup to become the property of such member who shall win it three times : Thomas Sells. Special prizes presented by the Mayor of Boston (James Thorns, Esq.), for any new invention calculated in the opinion of the judges to advance the culture of bees: 1st, G. Bywater, Louth, 10s. ; 2nd and 3rd, Isaac Plowright, Grantham , 7s. and 4s. H. C. J. Plowright, Queen Cage, H. C; J. Plowright, Bar Frame with draught preventer. DEVON AND EXETER BEE AND HONEY SHOW. [ Cumin unicated. ] The seventh exhibition of the Devon and Exeter Bee- keepers' Association was held in the grounds of the Training College, Exeter, on the 3rd idt. Brilliant wea- ther did much to ensure a fashionable attendance, and the increasing interest connected with the subject of bees and their produce added not a little to the charm of the gathering. Devonians have long taken a leading part in matters apicultural, and the name of the late Mr. Thomas Woodbury, of Mount Radford, has linked Exeter most intimately with everything appertaining to advanced bee-culture. It was he who invented the bar- frame hive which still bears his name, and who, more- over, did much to popularise the Italian bee ; while he never wearied of impressing upon people in general the homely truth that the busy little honey-gatherer is, as Plutarch tells us, ' a magazine of virtues.' There are still in Devon many zealous disciples of this worthy bee-master, men like Mr. George Fox, of Kingsbridge, who can hold his own with the leading apiarists at inter- national gatherings. It is only natural, therefore, that the Devonshire Bee-keepers' Association should receive substantial support, and the best evidence that it does so is to be found in its list of officers for the present year, namely : — President, the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Exeter ( W. Horton Ellis, Esq.) Committee— Rev. J. G. Dangar, Rev. J. Dickenson, Mr. F. B. Fox, Rev. E. I. Gregory, Rev. J. R. Neame, and Rev. 1'. Williams. Hon. Treasurer, Mr. R. J. Gray. Hon. Secretary, Mr. W. N. Griffin, of Bock House, Alphington. The aim of the Association, as our readers are doubtless aware, is principally to encourage and advance bee-culture in the county of Devon ; and the show which took place on the 3rd ult. may be described as one of^a number of means put forth by the Committee in order to effect so desirable an object. The Devonshire Association was established in 1875 mainly through the exertions of Mr. W. N. Griffin, of Alphington, who, though young, is one of the most en- thusiastic and skilful apiarians in the West of England. This was the first occasion on which the committee had ventured to hold an independent exhibition, having on previous occasions been associated with the Devon and Exeter Horticultural, the Western Horticultural, and some similar societies. The result of the experi- ment showed that the Society has become quite strong enough to pursue a successful career on its own merits ; and Mr. Griffin, its secretary and founder, and the other members of the managing committee, are entitled to con- gratulate themselves upon what they have achieved. Competent judges declared that the Show, generally speaking, was one of the prettiest and most complete they had seen in this country, excepting those of the British Bee-keepers'. Association. Every department of bee-keeping was well illustrated, in some instances, it is true, on a small scale ; still, all that could be required by cottagers, or by amateurs with well-filled purses, was to be seen. The schedule of prizes for the meeting of the 3rd ult. contained 21 classes ; and the awards, which were still more numerous, included elegant claret jugs, given by the Mayor and the Sheriff. The competition was excellent in most of the classes, and afforded ample evidence that Devonshire bee-keepers are still assiduously applying themselves to their favourite pursuit. Honey is, of course, the bee-keeper's chief desideratum, and of this there was enough and +o spare. The prize ,for the best hprvest of comb honey from one stock of bees, as well as that for the best super of comb honey, were both taken by Mr. G. M. Walsh, whose exhibits gave evidence of an abundant harvest. The combs were as straight as a line, the wax almost as white as snow, the honey beautifully clear, and the cells perfectly sealed. The local prizes — the claret jugs before referred to — were both won by Mr. W. N. Griffin, the energetic honorary secretary. There was an extensive show of run honey in glasses, and a very fair display of bees' wax of prime quality. Cottagers did not come out in very large numbers, and it was apparent from their exliibits that there remain many points in which the)' may yet im- prove. The competition for the hive prizes lay between Mr. Griffin, Messrs. Abbott, of the School of Apiculture, Southall, and Messrs. Neighbour, of London. A varied assortment of the newest make was exhibited, the numerous mechanical improvements of which elicited the admiration of many competent judges. The palm for the most perfect bar-frame hive was awarded to Mr. W. N. Griffin for his 'Improved Griffin Hive' (manufactured for him by J. H. Cox, of Dawlish). It is ingeniously de\ ised and admirably made, combining with most of tlie improvements to be found in other makers' hives, several which are the result of Mr. Griffin's own experi- ence and inventive skill. He has introduced a very effective plan of contracting the brood nest, and making the hive dry and warm in -\\ inter ; and there are various appliances which give the bee-master great facilities for manipulating. Messrs. Abbott, with a hive which a few weeks ago took first prize at South Kensington, had now to be content with second honours: and the third place was awarded to Messrs. Neighbour and Sons for their Kilburn collateral frame hive. Straw hives have not yet, however, been entirely beaten from the field, and several good specimens of these picturesque structures were entered. As usual, the observatory hives were the centre of attraction ; and interested groups watched the movements of the busy inmate3 with much curiosity and delight, some, while looking on, perhaps recall:. ig Bowling's admirably descriptive lines: — Stores of rich fragrance ? Orchestras of song ! What marvellous seats of hidden alchemy ; How oft, when wandering far and erring long, Man might learn truth and virtue from the bee ! At one o'clock the Mayor, who was accompanied by a number of ladies and gentlemen, formally opened the show, remarking, in the course of a brief speech, that this was the first occasion on which the Association had held a3 112 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. an exhibition independently of any other Society. His Worship congratulated those present on the splendid weather with which they were favoured, and the ex- cellence of the exhibition before them. Having been Pre- sident for three years, he regretted to saj' that the last two years had been so bad that bee-keepers were much discouraged ; in fact, last year there was no honey at all. He had ventured to predict that, after such a bad season, they would again be favoured with a good one, and that prophecy had happily been fulfilled. His Worship ex- pressed a hope that they would be able to reap a good harvest in other directions also. He trusted the exhibi- tion now to be opened would prove so successful that it would induce a large number of people to join the Society, so that in course of time it would become a first-rate Society, doing good to all connected with it, if not rival- ling the great British Bee-keepers' Association, over which the Baroness Burdett-C'outts presided. His Worship concluded b}r returning, on behalf of the Association, thanks to Mr. Griffin, the Hon. Secretary, for the admir- able manner in which he had worked, and to the Rev. J. G. Dangar for his kindness in placing- the College grounds at their disposal. The exhibition was then declared for- mally opened. For observatory hives there were six entries, including hives from each of the three leading makers in England, viz., Messrs. Abbott Bros., of Fairlawn, Southall, Middle- sex ; Mr. S. Baldwin (British Bee-keepers' Association's expert), of Gipsy Cottage, Upper Norwood and the Alexandra Palace ; and Messrs. Neighbour and Sons, High Holborr, London. The conditions of exhibition required that the hives should be stocked with combs, bees, and their queen, in proper working order, the combs to be visible on both sides. The first prize was awarded to Messrs. Abbott, for a hive stocked with Cyprian bees, of which they are at present the only importers. Their hive is constructed on an entirely new design, being of oblong shape, and as deep from front to back as it is high — enabling the bees to he kept in their natural condition. It is really a bar- frame hive with glass top and sides, but fitted with a clever contrivance, by which anjr of the frames it may be desirable to examine can be brought to the front and turned round, so as to expose either side to view. This arrangement is so obviously superior to the old one, in which the bees are constantly exposed under a large surface of glass, and have to work in an unnatural and uncomfortable condition, that Messrs. Abbott have beaten all competitors wherever it has been shown hitherto. Mr. W. N. Griffin was the winner of the second prize, with a very complete and well-built hive, suitable for standing in a garden, the sides of which are protected when necessary by baize curtains and ^ enetian doors. The hive is well ventilated. Accompanying it is a case for packing the frames and bees in when it is desired to remove the hive a long distance. Messrs. Neighbour and Sons obtained the thiift prize with a hive (stocked with Hungarian bees) mounted on a pivot, so as to be easily turned about. Mr. S. Baldwin showed a six-framed hive of Ligurian bees. The other competitors were J. R. Mitchell, of St. Thomas, and Rev. W. W. Pennell, of Bridgwater. In another room, nearly adjoining, was exhibited a valuable loan collection. One of the most interesting items here was a set of three cases contributed by Mr. D'Urban, curator of the Albert Memorial Museum, and containing well-mounted specimens and drawings illustra- tive of the economy of the bee-hive, the enemies of the bee, and the artificial aids used in bee-culture. The specimens included bees of various kinds, queens, workers, and drones; comb in different. stages of formation, from the purest white to the worn and discoloured products of the now almost obsolete straw skeps ; cells of the three orders of bees, and comb containing honey. The drawings, by Miss E. G. Ormerod, were beautiful and life-like illustrations of such enemies of the ' busy bee ' as the titmouse, toad, spotted fly-catcher, death's-head moth, hornet, wasp, Sec. Less complete museums of the same kind were contributed by Mr. Griffin and Mr. C. Tite, of Yeovil ; and the secretary also lent a photo- graph of the leading bee-keepers of Europe and America, diagrams illustrating the anatomy of the bee, engravings illustrating bee-keeping in olden times, and a copy of Clerici's anatomical plates. Diagrams were lent by Messrs. Abbott Brothers, the Dorset Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, and the British Association. In the same room much attention was paid to one of Abbott's bar-framed hives, fitted with artificial comb foundations, which are found to save a great deal of time and trouble, inasmuch as the bees work all the quicker and better for the start given them. Specimens of the centrifugal honey ex- tractors, including one invented by Mi-. Griffin, were also exhibited here. Miss Symons, of Hatt, Cornwall, showed three cases of dried bee flowers. Amidst the attractions of the afternoon were the prac- tical manipulations by Mr. Baldwin, a London expert, who handled thousands of bees as though they were harmless flies, and such a thing as a sting did not exist. Without protecting himself in any way, he turned hives upside down, drove the inmates into empty tenements, cut out their combs, fixed them in the frames of their new domiciles ; and otherwise displayed a marvellous mastery over countless swarms of busy, but withal obedient, little bees. The spectators were also interested and instructed by short lectures, delivered by members of the Association, on the life and history of the wonder- ful little creatures before them. It should be stated that Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, & (Jo. lent a large number of fine and valuable plants for the decoration of the various show-rooms, and that the entire proceedings were en- livened by an excellent programme of music rendered by Signor P. Ulrico's Royal Italian Band. At six o'clock the prizes were distributed to the successful competitors by the Mayoress, according to the subjoined prize list, the adjudications having been made by the following gentlemen, who kindly consented to act as judges : — Honey and wax (Classes 1 to 9) — Rev. Dr. R. Dennett, Admiral It. Moorman, and Rev. P. Williams. Bees (Class 10) — Mr. S. Baldwin. Hives and other exhibits (Classes 11 to 21)— Rev. J. Bartlett, Bev. J. A. Kempe, and C. Tite, Esq. Prize List. Honey. — Class 1 — For the largest and best harvest of comb honey from one stock, obtained under any system, or combination of systems, the same to be declared on exhibition : 1st, G. M. Walsh, 11. ; 2nd, ditto, 15s. ; highly commended, W. Church. Class 2 — For the best super of comb honey (the super to be of wood, straw, glass, or any combination of the three materials) : 1st, G. M. Walsh, 11. ; 2nd, ditto, 15s. Class 3 — Mayor's Prize, to be competed for by members residing within ten miles of Exeter, for the best exhibition of comb honey in sections (the total weight of each entry not to be less than 15 lbs.) Prize, an elegant claret jug — W. N. Griffin ; highly commended, G. M. Walsh. Class 4 — Sheriff's Prize, an elegant claret jug, for the beat eight sections of comb honey (each sec- tion separable) — W. N. Griffin. Class 5 — For best exhi- bition of run or extracted honey (in glass jars, not to exceed 2 lbs. each) : 1st, G. M. Walsh, a 5s. book on bees ; 2nd, Rev. J. A. Kempe, 2s. 6d. ; 3rd, C. J. R. Mitchell ; highly commended, G. M. Walsh. Class 7 — Open only to bond fide cottagers, for the largest and best exhibition of comb honey, from one stock, without destroying the bees: 1st, W. Pickings, bar-frame hive (presented bv Mr. R. Steele, of Fowlis-by-Dundee) ; 2nd, T. Taylor, Carr Stewarton super (presented by Mr. W. N. Griffin). Class 8 — For the best super of comb honey : 1st, W. Pickings, a bar-frame hive (presented by Messrs. (i. Neighbour & Sons) ; highly commended, J. Boulter. Class i) — For the best six sections of virgin comb honey: October 1, 1880. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 113 1st, W. Pickings, a bound volume of the British Bee Journal (presented by C. N. Abbott, Esq.) Bees' Wax. — Class 6 — For the best sample of bees' wax, from exhibitor's own bees: 1st, G. M. Walsh, a pair of Lee's Crystal Palace supers. Bees. — Class 10 — A prize of a moveable comb hive, value 12s. Gd. was awarded to R. Richards for the strongest and best straw skep of bees, not being a swarm of the present year. Hives. — Class 11 — For the best observatory hive stocked with combs, bees, and their queen, in proper working order, all combs to be visible on both sides: 1st, Abbott Bros., 21. and first-class certificate ; 2nd, W. N. Griffin, It and second-class certificate; 3rd, Neigh- bour & Sons, 10s. and certificate. Class 12 — For the most perfect bar-frame hive, with covering and stand : 1st, W. N. Griffin, 11. 10s. and first-class certificate; 2nd, Abbott Bros., 1/. and second-class certificate; 3rd, Neighbour & Sons, 10s. and certificate. Class 13 — For the best and most complete wood or straw hive on the moveable-comb principle, suitable for cottagers : 1st, Abbott Bros., 10s. and certificate ; 2nd, Neighbour & Sons, 5s. and certificate. Class 14 — For the best straw hive for depriving purposes: 1st, Neighbour & Sons, 5s. and first-class certificate ; 2nd, J. Wilcox, 2s. Gd. and second-class certificate. Comb Foundation. — Class 15 — For the best sample of comb foundation (worker cells), made of fine bees' wax, not less than 5 lbs. in weight : 1st, Abbott Bros., 10s. ; 2nd, ditto, 5s. Honey Extractor. — Class 17 — For the best honey extractor : 1st, W. Hollands, 11. and first-class certificate; 2nd, Abbott Bros., 10s. and second-class certificate. Super. — Class 18 — For the cheapest and best super for general use in an apiary : 1st, Abbott Bros., 5s. and certificate. Bee Flora. — Class 19 — For the best and largest dis- play of British bee flora in a dried state or otherwise : 1st, Miss Symons, 5s. Miscellaneous. — Class 16 — For the best and largest collection of hives, bee furniture, and apiculturists' necessaries: 1st, Neighbour & Sons, 1/. 10s. and first- class certificate ; 2nd, Abbott Bros., 11. and second- class certificate ; 3rd, S. Baldwin, 10;.. and certificate. Class 20 — For any useful apparatus connected with bee management, calculated to be of real use in an apiary. The prize was awarded to Admiral R. Moorman. Class 21 — For the exhibition of hives and apiarian appliances at present used in other countries, as well as any utensils obsolete or curious, which are likely to prove attractive and interesting to bee-keepers. This was a loan exhibition. No awards. Extra Prizes. — The Silver Medal of the British Bee- Keepers' Association, to be awarded to the best exhibit in the show of supers or sections of supers of comb honey, produced in the most saleable form — W. N. Griffin. The certificate of the same Soeietv to the second best ex- hibit—W. N. Griffin. The Bronze Medal of the British Bee-keepers' Association to be awarded to the best ex- hibit of run honey produced in the most saleable form. — G. M. Walsh. After the distribution of prizes, the Rev. .1. G. Hangar proposed a vote of thinks to the Mayor and Mayoress for their kind patronage, which was seconded by the High Sheriff of Exeter. SURREY BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The above Association have held two local Exhibitions this month, whereat, for the first time, they erected their new Bee-Manipulating Tent — an admirable con- struction, capable of holding some sixty to seventy people ; well adapted for local shows and other gatherings where bee promoters encourage bee demonstrations for the benefit of the cottager. It has been constructed under the able supervision of Capt. Campbell, H.M.I.N., whose name is a sufficient guarantee in his locality of its being well done. The first of the above exhibitions was in connexion with a large Floral and Vegetable Show held in the grounds of the Sandhurst College Governor, on the 10th and 11th inst., being tolerably well attended. The second was in connexion with the Guildford Agricultural Association, in the grounds of H. Parson, Esq., at Guildford, on the 14th inst. The weather was totally opposed to the display made, determinate^ pro- hibiting bee manipulations by a continuous downpour of water — a mimic repetition of Kilburn, but without wind. Mr. J. A. Abbott, who was engaged professionally, was, however, not to be caught napping even by a thorough wet day, and managed to get a demonstration in the course of the afternoon of driving, slinging, &c, inter- spersed with practical information, which was much appreciated by the audience. There was a good exhibition of hives, bee-gear, and honey, the latter supplied by Capt. Campbell, H. Parson, Esq.* J. W. Pewtress, Esq.," and F. H. Lemare of Guild- ford ; also by Mr. Scott of Hiudley Heath, Godstone, Mr. Craig of Camberley, Mr. Hollands of Croydon, and Mr. Foot of Horsham ; the latter, as a Cottager, showed 4 lbs. of extracted honey. Owing to the incessant rain, the attendance was very meagre, almost confined to gentlemen whose business at the Cattle Show led them on to the ground. WEST KENT BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The second annual Exhibition of this Association was held in conjunction with a floral exhibition on August 5th, in the grounds of W. May, Esq., Northfield, St. Mary Cray, and resulted in an unqualified success, the fineness and warmth of the day contributing much to the enjoyment of all present. The committee, with a full appreciation of the neces- sity of properly supporting the dignity of a County Association (assumed since last year), determined to offer a liberal schedule of prizes, the British Bee-keepers' Association also contributing thereto with their silver and bronze medals and certificate of merit ; in conse- quence most of the prizes were closely competed for, and Messrs. F. Cheshire and .1. M. Hooker, who kindly offi- ciated as judges, had very considerable difficulty in determining the relative merits of the several exhibits, this occurring particularly in the classes 7 and 8, viz. ' for the best exhibition of honey in supers, or sections of supers,' &c. ; and ' for the best exhibition of extracted or rim honey.' The awards given as follows appeared to give entire satisfaction, viz. : — Bees. — Class 1. — For the best stock or specimen of Ligurian bees, to be exhibited with the queen in an observatory hive : 1, Mr. S.J. Baldwin ; 2, ditto. Class 2. — For the best stock or specimen of English bees, to be exhibited as above: 1, Mr. 11. Scott; 2, Mr. S. J. Baldwin. Bees' Wax. — Class 10. — For the finest sample of "pure bees' wax, not less than 3 lbs. in weight : 1, Mr. S. J. Baldwin; 2, Mr. J. Styles. Honey. — Class 3. — For the largest and best harvest of honey, in the comb, from one stock of bees, under any system or combinations of systems : Mr. P. Skinner. Class 4. — For the largest and best super of honey, the super to be of wood, straw, or of wood in combination with glass or straw : 1, Mr. O. Allen; 4, Mr. A. Walker. Class 5. — For the largest and best glass super : 1, Mr. R. Sc >tt ; 2, Mr. J. Soloman; •'!, Mr. P. Skinner. Class 6. — For the best glass super, under 5 lbs. nett weight : 1, Mr. R. Scott ; 2, Mr. W. Waterman. Class 7.— For the best exhibition of honey in supers or sections of supers, separable, in the most attractive form, and each not more than 3 lbs. in weight, the total weight of each 114 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. entry to be not less than 12 lbs. nett weight : 1, Mr. G. Allen ; 2, Mr. P. Skinner ; 3, Mr. R. Scott. Class 8 — For the best exhibition of extracted or run honey, in glass or other jars : 1 , Mr. R. Scott ; 2, Mr. P. Skinner ; 3, Mr. G. Allen. Class 9 (open class). — For the largest and best exhibition of super honey in comb, the property of one exhibitor, and gathered by his own bees: 1, Mr. J. Garratt. Class 11. — For the best specimen of run honey, in most marketable form, not exceeding 2 lbs. in weight, the selling price to be quoted : Equal 1 and 2, Mr. J. Garratt and Mr. S. J. Baldwin ; 3, Mr. R. Scott. Driving Competition. — Class 12. — For the com- petitor who shall in the neatest, quickest, and most complete manner, drive out the bees from a straw skep, and capture and exhibit the queen : 1, Mr. S. J. Baldwin. In consequence of the three other compe- titors not having discovered the respective queens within the prescribed time — 15 minutes— no other prizes were awarded. Class 13. — To the cottager who shall produce the best stock of bees in a straw skep, to be available for the manipulations: Mr. J. Tough. The general character of the Show marked a most satisfactory advance and improvement over that of last year, whilst some of the specimens would in all probability take higher rank in any exhibition. One pleasing result of the establishment of the Association was seen in the calmness and comparative indifference of visitors to the large number of bees that were flying about, and were attracted to the honey tent, evidencing the spread of knowledge of the habits and instincts of It may be remarked that the Bee Tent, which is usually so attractive a feature, did not draw the number of visitors as on some previous occasions ; but this may be partly accounted for by the fact that its mysteries had been penetrated at last year's exhibition, and it had recently performed under the auspices of the Association a tour of neighbouring Flower Shows, viz. Farningham, Chislehurst, and Bexley Heath. STIRLING APIARIAN ASSOCIATION. Communicated. The Annual Exhibition of bees, honey, hives, &c, took place on Saturday, 4th September, at the Corn Exchange, in conjunction with the Flower Show. The exhibition opened under most favourable weather, the day being- very warm, and proving most favourable, to both visitors and bees. The entries were very numerous, and far ex- ceeded former shows both as to quality and quantity. The great centre of interest was, as usual, the observa- tory hives exhibited by Messrs. Johnstone and Peacock. The former exhibited a six-bar Woodbury Hive. In it the frames were arranged in two perpendicular rows, showing artificial comb-foundation in the various stages of extension up to the complete cell. It was stocked with beautiful black bees ; and many of the visitors were delighted at seeing ' such a big swarm.' The latter ex- hibited a leaf hive, which was also much admired for its beauty and ingenuity. It was well stocked with fine Ligurian beef. The large number of visitors who attended paid particular attention to these two exhibits. Mr. Johnstone also exhibited one of the celebrated Lanarkshire bar-frame hives, which was also a source of attraction to many apiarians who had not yet introduced them into their apiaries. Several other articles were exhibited which were very interesting. The entries in the honey classes were numerous, and the exhibits of excellent quality; and it must have cost the Judges a great deal of trouble indeed in adjudicating their awards. The success witli which they accomplished their task drew forth the warmest approbation. The Judges were two of our old most prominent bee-keepers in Scotland, Messrs. William Thomson, Auchenraith, High Blantyre; and William Sword, Bonny View, Falkirk. The following are the awards in the various classes : — Class 1 — For the best display of honey-comb in supers, the property of the exhibitor, and all this season, 1st, 15s. ; 2nd, 7s. Gd. : 1st, James Johnstone, Touch, via Stirling ; 2nd, Andrew Law of Gargannock, via Stirling. Class 2 and 3 — For the best single super, or cap of comb-honey in straw, 10s. ; 7s. (id. : 1st, James John- stone ; 2nd, James Johnstone. Class 4— For the best single super in glass or wood, 10s. ; 7s. (id. : 1st, John Brisbane, Old Polmaise ; 2nd, James Johnstone. Class 5 — For the best single super in glass or wood, above 10 lbs. gross weight, 10s. ; 7s. 6d. : 1st, James Johnstone, 2nd, James Barclay, St. Ninians, and David Galashen, Stirling, equal. Class 6 — For the best sectional super, over 10 lbs., combs separable, ar.d not over 3 lbs. each nett, 10s. ; 7s. 6d. : 1st, Mr. Maine Doune ; 2nd, James Johnstone and Andrew Law, equal. Class 7 — For the best sample of run or extracted clover honey, to be exhibited in glasses, 7s. ; 5s. : no entries. Class 8 — For the best sample of heather honey, 7s. ; 5s. : 1st, James Johnstone ; 2nd, John Beaton, Touch, via Stirling. Class 9— For the best samples of wax, not less than 2 lbs., 5s. ; 2s. : 1st, Andrew Law ; 2nd, James Johnstone. Class 10 — For the best observatory or unicomb hive, stocked with bees and their queen, 20s. ; 10s. ; 1st, James John- stone ; 2nd, Thomas Peacock, Stirling. Class 11 — For the best bar-frame hive, complete, price not to exceed 20s., 10s. ; os. : 1st, James Johnstone. Class 12 — For the best cottager's bar-frame hive made in this district, 10s. ; 5s. : 1st, John Gowans, Stirling. The Committee may congratulate themselves on the success of their Annual Show ; but honour should be given to whom honour is due, and those most deserving it are Mr. Peacock, Stirling, and Mr. Johnstone, Touch. These two gentlemen did their utmost to make it successf id by bringing forward exhibits and by render- ing their services during the entire day. It is to be hoped that at the next show the Committee will make better arrangements for the removal of exhibits so that they may not be again destroyed. SUFFOLK BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The first show of this newly formed Association was held at the Fine Art Gallery, Ipswich, on Tuesday the 7th September. Though the Society has only been established a few months, it has already done a good work by illustrating at various centres of the county the best and the most humane, as well as the most profitable, means of treating bees. The exhibits at Ipswich were arranged on eight tables, and were divided into eleven classes. The exhibition was well attended. In the course of the afternoon Dr. Taylor delivered a most interesting lecture on ' Bees, their Influence upon Apiculture and Horticulture.' Bee-Keeping in 1832. — ' The Rev. Mr. Dunbar, by a series of experiments in Scotland, ascertained, that when a queen-bee is wanting for a hive, her majesty can be, and is, produced from the egg of a working-bee. In one experiment, having removed the queen, the bees set about constructing royal cells and placing common larvae in them. In seven days two queens were formed. One of these killed the other, and though, while in a virgin state, treated with no distinction whatever, she no sooner began to lay, than she became the object of constant solicitude and respect to crowds of her ad- miring subjects, who watched, fed, and waited upon her.' — Chambers' Edinburgh Journal, No. 35, p. 272, Sat., Sept. 22, 1832. October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 115 \* These columns are open to Subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences, may be fully and faithfully recorded; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of the relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, that the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therefore, must not be ex- pected to coincide with all the views expressed by the various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to the Editor. TRANSFERRING AND DRIVING. The following may interest some of your readers ; and I should like to have your comments upon it : — Last week I resolved to unite four straw hives, and transfer to one of your frame hives. It took me nearly three hours to get the bees out of the several hives. To my astonishment one hive had no less than fifty drones in it; and another one was raising a young queen — in fact the cap of her cell was partly eaten round, and she was ready to come out. I sprayed the whole of the bees with scented syrup ; but had to rescue three queens, as they were each incased. I put them under separate glasses, and then tumbled out the bees from the straw hive into which I had driven them, on to a cloth, and placed the bar-frame hive over them ; in two minutes every bee left the hive and clustered all round outside the body -box. I then took a queen and placed her inside upon one of the combs, first spraying her, and put a handful of bees in with her. In a second they had her* down on the cloth, and so she had to be rescued. She flew out of my hand, I got one of the other queens and did the same, but the same thing occurred, I tried the third queen, and so managed the bees as to get nearly half of them into the hive. In three minutes they had the queen rolled out at the entrance ; and, of course, she had to be rescued like the rest. Well, I scarcely knew what to do. I had tried all three queens and failed. I thought that when bees were gorged with honey they would accept any queen. [A great mistake. — Ed.] I then thought of the queen-cell ; so I cut it out of the comb and fixed it into the comb-foundation, and also put back the third queen, and then poured in some of the bees. In a moment they began to set up a hum, and away streamed the bees into the hive ; and soon all were housed. The next evening I opened the hive to see how things were going on. I found that the young queen had left her cell ; but also found, on another frame, a cluster of bees encasing a queen. By the time I rescued her she was dead. Whether it was the third queen or the young one, I can't say ; but, at all events, I did not see a second queen in the hive — and there the drones are still, flying in and out of the hive. True, some of them have been killed ; but nothing like all. I suppose I shall be able to tell, in a week's time, whether there is a queen in the hive, from the fact if there is a queen there will be brood ? If not ; what would you advise ? Certainly this seems a decided case in which bees refuse a queen. Do you think it is possible that it may be the bees who have had no queen all the summer, that have made such a determined set against the poor mother-bee? — The Vicarage, Eyrecourt. [If the bees had been sprinkled and married in the usual way, they would have settled their own affairs to their own satisfaction in a very short time; and the result woidd have been pretty much as it turned out, notwithstanding the great anxiety and labour bestowed. Had the queens been considered worth preserving, the proper course would have been to remove them before uniting the bees, and then to have caged one in the midst of the latter in the usual way. Had they been indiscriminately mixed up in the first instance, there would have been the usual slaughter of queens, but one would have been acknowledged ruler ; such at least is the rule, and except that the queenless lot might have preferred the occupant of their royal cell to a more matronly sovereign, it would probably have obtained in this instance. That the bees on being tumbled out of the skep preferred the outside of the hive to the inside, was incidental ; they had been sprayed and were gorged, and the bleeding combs within had no special attractions just then. There is every probability that the encasing bees were those that had been queenless as is suggested. If the newly-hatched queen be the survivor, it is not certain that even eggs will be laid within the period named, and brood will assuredly not be there. If the mature queen survive, she will doubtless begin to lay at once, under the stimulus of excitement, and in the pre- scribed week eggs and lame will be abundant. — Ed. | VENTILATION. On page 79, in reply to Query No. 347, I am asked to give my experience in my new locality with regard to lowering the floor-boards of hives during winter for ventilation. AYThen I adopted this plan my hives were (as you correctly state) kept in lofts over my stables, and although facing the south they were further protected from the prevailing south-westerly winds by lofty trees. The hives kept in the garden on the ground were also protected in the same way, and I therefore adopted the same plan for ventilating these, viz. lowering the floor-boards one-eighth of an inch all round, and raising the crown-boards one-eighth of an inch at the back. In the loft there was never any danger of any undue influx of cold air; and out-of-doors the outer coverings of the hives were sufficient pro= tection, and the bees, also, were never exposed to the direct influence of the wind and weather. In my present locality where I have not these natural advantages, and am situated on very high ground, directly exposed to the full force of the prevailing south-westerly winds, it is self-evident that a different system of ventilation would have to be adopted. Last winter I had four hives of bees in a bee-house, and two of them were raised off the floor-board one-eighth of an inch and the space all round the hives, about 8 inches deep, was filled up with oat-chaff. The opening for ven- tilation was, therefore, protected by means of the chaff, and also the outer case of the bee-house. The only ventilation I had on the top was one of my now disused 4-inch supers filled with chaff, and unbleached calico tacked on at top and bottom. You see this is a modification of the same plan to suit the altered circumstances ; and I am pleased to say that both these hives came out well in the spring. I should certainly never think of lowering lie THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. the floor-boards and exposing the bees to all the changes of weather of an English winter without some protection. Half the hives lost in this country die during the winter and spring, and want of ventilation is perhaps the chief cause of this great loss. I have tried a great many different ways of ventilating hives during winter, and I do not think it very much signifies how it is done, provided it is done without reducing the tempera- ture of the cluster suddenly, or causing a draught. In addition to this, as winter is approaching, let me urge upon bee-keepers in general to have their hives filled with large populations of young bees, by slow and continuous feeding now, and for a short time longer, say to the middle or end of October, according to the weather, and then crowd- ing the bees into as small a space as possible by means of division-boards. I attribute my success in wintering to having hives well ventilated without draughts, plenty of stores, plenty of young bees, and a very small space for them to keep warm ; and if others attended to these main points, and car- ried them out, we should not hear of so many losses every year. — Thos. Wm. Cowan, Comjrtons Lea, Horsham, Sept. 23, 1880. HYMETTAN HONEY. An old friend, Lieut. M , R.N., who is now my guest, informs me that when he was at Athens last summer with the British fleet, they endeavoured to obtain from the ship's agent a supply of the far- famed honey, from the mountain of Hymettus. The ingenuous Greek informed them that he ' unfor- tunately had none in stock just then, but he had ordered a fresh supply from England ! ' Whether after this naive confession — and remember the mountain itself is only about ten or twelve miles from Athens — it is worth while giving 5s. per lb. for Hymettan honey, when it cannot be procured on the spot, I must leave to the judgment of those who pay such sums. And what renders the story more piquant is the fact, that my friend and his brother officers were very anxious to obtain this far-famed honey, in order to send it home to England for the delectation of their sisters, sweethearts, wives, and friends ; and, doubtless, their wish would have been gratified had the supply from London arrived. The only Hymettan honey my friend ever saw or tasted in Greece was contained in tins labelled, in excellent English, 'Fine Hymettan Honey.' Possibly it is not the wild thyme, of which there remains but little on the mountain, but the iodine imparted during its journeys trans mare that gives the Hy- mettan honey its peculiar and delicate flavour. — H. J. W., Frithsden. NEW FACTS ! BEE POISON — BEE FOOD — BORAGE — RADIUS OP FLIGHT — BEE LIFE. I wish to let all our bee-friends know what I have found out — and now have proved again and again, — that the bee-sting is an alkali, and acid cures it at once. 1 have also been very closely finding out what food the bees most like : and am astonished to find they worked very little upon the lime-trees, though in splendid blossom. I have found nothing they are so fond of as borage ; and I have also found that stalks of borage cut up and mixed with chaff are eaten most greedily by all horses : so after the bees have done with it, and the seed is saved, there is most valuable food — far superior to comfrey — for the cattle. I have saved a great quantity of seed, which I highly recommend to all bee-farmers. I shall grow some acres next year, having near sixty hives — which is quite as much as any district can keep, for I am quite sure bees do not go so far as people state ; and if they do the loss in storms and fatigue is very great. They like feeding near home ; and I am equally certain bees live longer than people admit. — T. Beale Browne, Salperton Park, Cheltenham. [Please read notice at head of ' Correspondence.' — Ed.] BEE-KEEPING IN AUSTRALIA. Notwithstanding the advantages which the cli- mate of this sunny land offers to bee-keepers, there are but few who have emerged from the obscurity of the old box system ; and a person seeking to in- troduce the improvements which have of late years found favour in England, America, and the Con- tinent, has to seek his information from afar, and has to entrust the manufacture of his apparatus to workmen ignorant of the objects to which it is to be applied. The climate allows bees to gather honey and pollen all the year round ; in a more diminished quantity, it is true, in winter than in summer. My bees are to-day making a bed of mignonette alive with their hum, and we are now in the midst of our winter. Bees are kept by almost every farmer, as, under the prevalent system, they require neither attention nor expense, and any income derived from the sale of honey and wax is pure profit. On the other hand, if the bees — owing to damp, moths, or other cause — forsake their boxes no loss is entailed. You will, therefore, understand that any one seeking for a more intelli- gent order of bee-government stands alone in the field, and has much to contend against. Please state in coming current number of the British Bee Journal, (1.) Instructions for procuring Ligurian queens and bees in Sydney, say, from San Francisco. The voyage, per mail steamers, takes twenty-eight days. (2.) If the back numbers of the Bee Journal are in print % If notes, from time to time, as to the doings in bee-culture in these parts would be of interest to the Editor of the Bee Journal, I should be glad to supply them. The Editor must, however, bear in mind that in the branch of industry indicated, we are in a very primitive state. — S. MacDonnell, 312 George St., Sydney, Australia, Aug. 2, 1880. [Query No. 1 can be better replied to by American bee-keepers than by us; and having given the full address of our correspondent, we leave the matter in their hands, trusting that someone who deals in what is required will communicate with him. The back volumes of the Bee Journal can still be had, but Vols. I., II., and VI. are exceedingly scarce. We shall be glad at all times to report the" progress of Australian bee-keeping. —Ed.] October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 117 BEES AT SEVENOAKS, KENT. I am very pleased to say we have been taking some very fine supers off this season, under the instructions of the British Bee Journal. I toot a splendid one off on the 7th of July weighing 20 lbs., on the sectional principle ; and have taken one for a cottager that weighs 22 lbs., but that is in a glass super. I think, taking this season as a whole, it has been a very good one. I drove three straw skeps for a cottager the other day, very well indeed, and put them back again ; but he has just come and told me that two of the hives are empty. Can you give me your idea as to the cause of their leaving1? I must tell you there are three straw skeps just close to those that I took, and he has an idea that they are gone into them. He put the feeding-bottle on the same night, and they were all right two days after when I went to see about them. As I get the bees generally for taking, or make a charge for my labour, I should very much like to see some practical hand unite them success- fully, as I am not up to it yet. — G. Sands, Seven- oaks, Kent. P.S. — Is there any market for bees that are driven out, amongst your professional friends 1 — G.S. [There is little doubt but that the bees absconded from the empty hives in which they had been placed, and joined those that were so temptingly near them, Bring us over a few stocks of driven bees, and we will show you how to unite them, and will give you a shilling a pound for the bees into the bargain. — Ed.] A HONEY MARKET IN IRELAND. A firm in Capel Street, Dublin, require three tons of maiden honey (1880). Can any of your pro- ducers give a quotation 1 They are a respectable firm, but I am unable to touch it. — J. Traynor, Tinahely. [Three tons of honey at Is. per lb. would realise S36Z. sterling. A comfortable little sum, the possession of which, as a bonus, would make the heart of many an Irish farmer to rejoice. Nevertheless, there is scarcely a meadow-farm, or tract, of fifty acres, in the south, east, or north of Ireland, in which that amount might not have been realised, during our month's tour there, had there been bees to collect the wasting nectar, it was Honey, honey everywhere, And not a bee to sip. Ed.] PROLIFIC BEES. I notice that some remarks have been made from time to time in your valuable Journal on prolific hives ; perhaps the following may interest some of your readers, and encourage intending amateur bee-keepers about to commence this fascinating and profitable pursuit. Last February I sold to a friend of mine for 21. 2s. one of your Standard Hives, containing a young Ligurian queen which had mated with an English drone. I had taken great care in feeding all my bees during the previous unfavourable summer and autumn, and it well repaid me. The above-mentioned hive threw an unusually large swarm on the 20th of last May, a cast on the 30th May, and a colt on the 4th June (almost as large a swarm as the first one.) The swarm of 20th of May threw off a maiden swarm on the 26th of June, and a maiden cast on the 4th July ; so my friend had no less than five swarms from the original hive I sold him ; and in addition I should mention, the parent hive filled a super containing 20 lbs. of honey, and the swarm of 20th May also gave him some dozen pounds of super honey. All the hives are doing well, and he has had a return of something like three hundred per cent for his money. This is only one instance of what may be done if the good advice laid down by you on modern bee-keeping is only followed. — H. R. Vincent, Elmersend, Kent, Sept. 8. SOMERTON SHOW. As you were here at our last year's flower-show you may perhaps be interested in our doings this year. As usual, an assortment of hives and money were offered as prizes for supers of honey, but produced no competition. Three bee-keepers, however, sent small quantities of extracted and comb honey, all of which were quickly disposed of at Is. 3d. per lb. for the former. The morning of the show a country cottager brought in a super off one of Neighbour's No. 4 skep-hives, 8| lbs., which sold immediately at 15s. the lot, but to take this he had actually sacrificed the bees in the stock hive. I hear on all hands of this wanton destruction of bee-life just to obtain possession of a few pounds of a thick, sticky compound called honey, and sold at lOd. per lb. Can one understand such slaughter of the innocents, and by those who have seen and assisted at your displays 1 I know of one of your former helpers who declares and spreads the notion that you mix 'a something' with your touchwood for your smoker used in quieting. Wasp-nests at our show were a grand line. 34S of these pests of bee-keepers and gardeners were brought in, and brought to their captors the sum of 6d. each. — T. C. Head, Somerton, Somerset. [The former ' helper ' wdio spreads such false notions has evidently propensity for lying 'mixed' with his per- verse obstinacy and ignorance. Helper, indeed! — Ed.] WASP STINGS. The inclosed cuttings from a newspaper will, I hope, be of service if inserted in the B. B. J. Is the effect of a bee-sting known to be as rapid and virulent as that of the wasp ] In case a person were stung in the upper part of the larynx, or back of the mouth — as in the case of the poor man at Goldberg — could you suggest any probable means of relief, or by which air could be supplied 1 A surgeon would, perhaps, perform the operation called tracheotomy; but then a surgeon is not always on the spot. Is there any drug known which would reduce the swelling immediately, even at the risk of injuring the membrane temporarily 1 Perhaps some of your medical readers could give a hint or suggestion, as valuable lives might thus be saved. — J. Urell, Gt. Maplestead, Ualstead. 'Death from the Sting of a Wasp. — Amongst the smaller miseries of summer, even in our temper- 118 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. ate latitudes, are the formidable aspect and offensive demeanour of certain insects, provided by nature with threatening voices and venomous weapons, which put in an appearance as soon as the hot weather begins, chilling the boldest heart with panic, and carry- ing with them discomfiture to mankind whitherso- ever they fly. Not the least aggressive of these winged warriors is the wasp, whose poisonous sting inflicts in- juries that, under exceptional circumstances, have been known to prove fatal to human life. A distressing case of this kind occurred last week at Goldberg, upon the estate of a wealthy German landowner, one of whose farm-servants, whilst harvesting in the fields, sate down to eat his midday meal — consisting of bread, cheese, and milk — which had been sent out to him from his master's kitchen. With his first sup of milk, he took a wasp into his mouth ; and, although lie promptly spat it out, the angry creature found time to plant its sting in the back of his throat before he could get rid of it. The interior of the unfortunate man's larynx swelled so rapidly that, ten minutes later, he died of suffocation, after enduring terrible agonies in the vain endeavour to breathe and to force open the air-passages of his throat. A surgeon, who had been sent for without loss of time, arrived within a quarter of an hour from the time at which the sting had been inflicted, only to find a corpse surrounded by horror-stricken peasants. The deceased, an old soldier attached to the reserve of the King's Grenadier .Regiment, leaves a wife and family to lament his tragical and untimely end. He had braved with impunity the thousand perils of battle in two campaigns to perish miserably at last by the sting of a wasp.' — Daily Telegraph. ' Mrs. Prior, wife of a baker, at Coggleshall, Essex, while about her household duties a few days ago, was stung by a wasp in the neck, where she was already suffering from soreness. Distressing symptoms at once showed themselves, and death occurred in a few minutes from shock to the system. It is believed that Mrs. Prior was a sufferer from heart disease.' [Every one knows how sensitive the back of the throat is, for when even a crumb goes the ' wrong way ' the spasm caused is most painful; how much worse, then, must it be when stung, and instant inflammation ensues. We prefer not to advise in such cases, but if we saw any one suffering, we should try and keep open the passage to the lungs at all hazards. A tube of any kind put into the windpipe would prevent immediate death, and though the remedy would be a severe one, it would give a chance to the patient while a surgeon was being fetched. Bee- stings are often worse than those of wasps, as the poison- bag is usually left with the sting in the wound, and its muscular force continues to drive in the poison after the bee has gone. A few simple directions by competent authority what to do when dangerously stung woidd be a benefit to humanity. Who will kindly give them ? —Ed.] _J A TRUANT QUEEN'S RETURN. When I was living at Offley in Hertfordshire last summer, I lost a powerful Ligurian swarm, headed by a Ligurian queen of the previous summer. I heard some time after that the swarm had been seen to settle for some time in a lane nearly two miles from my house, and then again flew off towards a park about two and a half miles from my home. They, doubtless, had sent out pioneers, and fixed on some hollow tree as their future abode. I have now just received a letter from a young man who is living in the house which I formerly occupied, and who keeps bees himself. He tells me that some time ago, this summer, a splendid swarm of Lig- urian bees came and settled on a bush in the meadow adjoining my old garden, which he purchased from the man who discovered them. His letter says, ' It was the largest swarm I ever saw, I believe there was nearly half a bushel.' But the size of the swar-rn does not much interest me. There is no one nearer than three and a half miles who keeps Ligurian bees in the neighbourhood of Offley. Can that swarm have been led back to the old locality by the truant queen'? If so, what a wonderful instinct, akin to memory, that queen-bee must have possessed. 1 should be deeply interested if any readers of jour Journal can nan*ate similar instances. Of course, I cannot say that this was the old queen who knew her way home ; but circumstances point to that inference, although old queens seldom take such long flights. — P. H. Phillips, 13 Clifton Road, Winchester, August 28, 1880. A CANDIDATE FOR HANWELL. I have killed the Cyprian queen because, when I looked at my beautiful Italian queen, I could not think of changing the queens, the Cyprian being not so stout as a worker, as you will see in the box I sent you.— R. J. T., 259 Green Street. P. S. — We must all pay for learning. [Was there ever such an act of madness P After all the trouble, time, and expense of obtaining pure imported Cyprian queens, to deliberately kill one, because, after her long journey and confinement, she was not as large as a full-laying queen of a different race ! — Ed.] THE HARVEST— EXTRACTING HEATHER HONEY— WOOD FOUNDATION. I want, as usual, to pick your brains a little. I, like your correspondent 'J. C.,' of Newton Kyme, who will know my initials very well, found this last honey season, up to the end of July, almost as bad as last year. In the meantime you were giving us glowing accounts of your honey harvest, which I could hardly have credited if I had not been down to see you last month. I suppose it is simply a question of weather, and also that in the south your bees are ready to swarm a fortnight earlier than in Yorkshire. When I saw you in the very beginning of August, I told you I had to begin to feed. The bees were then pulling out the drone-grubs, and they had nothing in their hives for the winter. Since then, owing to the lovely weather, they have been enabled to get to the moors (a flight of two miles), and have laid in a tremendous stock. A friend of mine, who is four (!) miles from the moors, has had the same result. Now I am particularly writing to ask you about your wood-foundation. In a very few days after getting to the moors, my bees were hanging out in clusters, idle. I immediately set to work with the extractor, with the result that, owing to the thick- ness of the honey and its great weight, every comb I tried broke down in the process. I did not mind at all, as far as the combs were concerned, as I had a good stock of clean combs not in use. Do you think, if the wooden foundation had been used, that the thickest honey could have been slung? I have October 1, 1880.] THE BEITISH BEE JOUENAL. 119 my doubts about it, as this honey was so thick that it will not strain through ordinary muslin. Would . it not be possible to fix your wooden foundation by means of slips of tin and rivets 1 Having to pull all one's frames to pieces to fix the foundation, is a certain drawback to its use. — A. W. [Our experience with heather honey is, that it cannot be moved by any extractor after it has been stored for a short time. It sets in a few days, and we have little doubt but that even on wooden foundation it would carry the cells with it rather than leave them. Unless operated on when newly gathered, there is little hope, as we believe, of ' extracting ' it. Fixing the wooden foundation into frames ought to give no anxiety or trouble. It can be trimmed to fit, i.e., fill, the frames — it cannot well be broken — and may then be tied in with wire through its edges, or fastened as picture-backs are in picture-frames with brads or small staples. If the grain of the wood (foundation) is made to rim up and down in the frames, instead of from side to side, a saw-scarf right through the top and bottom rails of the frames will afford very simple yet efficient methods of fixing. The sides need not in such case be fastened. — Ed.] BEE-KEEPING IN DORSET. I was so pleased with wdiat I saw and heard at the Weymouth Show of the Dorset Bee-keepers' Association last month, that I have obtained from the three principal exhibitors a few particulars which will probably be in- teresting to many of your readers if you can find room to publish them. Mr. W. H. Dunnian, jun., of Troytown, near Dorchester, who is lion. sec. of the D. B. K. A., answers vay queries thus : — ' I began this season with fifteen stocks of bees, ten of them in framed hives and five in straw skeps. The bees took to supers about the last week in May, but a great number of stocks would insist on swarming. I put back several of thein four times, either taking away the queens or cutting out the queen-cells, but they would swarm ; and at last 1 lost one of the best of them by their flying away. Another, after it had swarmed four times, I put into a Cheshire hive, and it was so large that in ten days it filled every frame with comb. Into this hive I have successfully introduced an Italian queen. From the old stock, after they had swarmed, I took off the supers, and they had nearly 30 lbs. of honey in them, in 2-lb. sectioLS. Then I extracted the bars, and they have now sufficient for the winter. The fifteen stocks I began with have now increased to thirty, twenty-two of them in framed hives and eight in skeps ; and I have taken 348 lbs. of maiden honey in supers (sectional), and SB lbs. of ex- tracted honey. I won two prizes at South Kensington (the British Bee-keepers' Association Show), a third, value 12s. Gd., and a fifth, 5s. At the Dorset Bee-keepers' Association Show at Weymouth, I won the Silver Medal giveii by the British Association, and three first and four second prizes, value 41. Be. My honey was chiefly gathered from Dutch clover and heather. I have found no diffi- culty in disposing of it, and have even been obliged to buy run honey to supply customers and friends. The price has been from Is. to Is. 'id. Our Association opened a great market for honey by holding the show at Weyniouth this year, and I have found that 1 lb. and 2 lbs. sectional supers have a greater sale than the heavier ones ; and these I intend to use on a large scale next year.' Mr. J. Antell, of Puddletown, writes : — ' I began bee- keeping a few years ago, and wintered about a dozen stocks last year. They are all in hives of Cheshire t3'pe, with a few modifications of my own. We have had a splendid season, and I took as much as 89J lbs. of super honey from a single stock, thus beating Mr. Dun- man and Mr. Stickland at the Weymouth Show, their greatest weight being- 8G lbs. and 69 lbs. respectively. Comb honey sells readily in this district at about Is. Sd. per lb. and run honey at 20 per cent less. Our honey- flow usually begins the second week in June, when the thorn blossoms, and this is quickly followed by the wdiite clover. We have a few limes, and any quantity of heather about two miles off, on which the bees began to work the last week in July. Our season is pretty well over by the second week in August. The advantage of the Ligurian bees is manifest when the distant heather begins to bloom. Blood tells, as usual ; and they evidently take longer flights. I greatly prefer them from the Swiss side. They are moie robust, broader at the shoulder, and a larger and stronger bee altogether. I have had both ; but in dull weather the Italians fall about, as though the atmosphere was too thick. We have used them side by side, and have repeatedly marked the dif- ference. I think this is really worth notice.' Mr. T. Stickland, who also fives at Puddletown, gives the following information : — ' I have kept bees for some years : first in bell-shaped straw skeps, then I had some flat-topped ones which did very well ; but they are not to be compared with frame- hives, of which I have tried different kinds — some with long bars, some deep, some large, and some small. Finding the disadvantage of having different sizes, I have discarded all but those of Woodbury size, wdiich I believe to be the best, or as good as any. I kept out nine stocks last winter, which lived through very well ; but in the spring I lost two queens, which I think was my fault in not being caref id to save young ones ; so I raised some more as early as possible, and got the hives all right, and sold them, with three others, as I wanted to get rid of the hives, and had not much room for swarms. It was a good thing I did, as the bees woidd swarm this year. So I began this season with four hives, very strong, having plenty of bees and food. Having two new hives I wanted to use, I made two swarms about the middle of May, and gave each of them five combs from another hive, thinking I should have no more trouble with them swarming. The one I took the bars from built ten more combs from founda- tion when I supered it. It did not swarm, but I took sixty-nine pounds of honey in supers, and I think they have enough for the winter. One of the others did not swarm again, but I extracted twice. The other hive swarmed twice more, after beginning in supers, and both swarms swarmed. The other hive began in supers very early, but swarmed, and left them a very large stock, which tilled a hive and put about 30 lbs. in supers. So now I have ten hives strong enough to winter, and have taken 260 lbs. of honey — about half in supers, the rest ex- tracted. We make about one shilling per pound of our honey on an average. We are about two miles from the heath, of which I should think there are 1000 acres. It be- gins flowering about the middle of July, and lasts, perhaps, six weeks or two months. Our early gathering is from whitp-thorn and white clover. A cottager living near me had two good hives in the spring — one in a flat-top straw, the other in one of Abbott's Standard hives. They be- gan in supers, but left them and swarmed, and each of them swarmed three times in June. One of the first swarms finished a Lee's super that the old hive began, and the other finished some sections.' These are excellent reports from really practical mid progressive bee-keepers, and ought to encourage others. You will be glad to hear that bee-culture is making very rapii 1 strides in 1 )< irset. The County Association has nearly doubled its number of members, and the lion. sec. is flooded with letters asking fur information and requests for assistance, which he gives most readily, for he is an enthusiastic apiarian, who does not mind a ride of a dozen miles over the breezy downs to transfer a stock, and thus give a beginner a fair start. Good bee litera- 120 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. ture is in great demand, and I think the Hand-book for Cottagers, recently issued by the B. B. K. A., cannot fail tn produce splendid results. It is just what was wanted. By-the-by, why did you not announce the issue of more of your excellent Leaflets for Cottagers? I saw the num- bers from six onwards at Exeter, for the first time, and was delighted to obtain them. Every secretary should keep a good supply in stock. They will save him no end of trouble in replying to the host of questions asked by novices, for they are brief, clear, and keep close to the point on the essentials of success in modern bee-culture. Can you tell our Dorset friends of any volunteer lecturers for next winter ? Mr. Dumnan is anxious to arrange his plan of campaign, and could do with half-a-dozen good lecturers. Who will help him ? He is really working hard, and deserves assistance. — 0. T. [' Volunteers ! eyes front ! 'tention ! forward ! quick march ! '—Ed.] CURIOUS CASE OF PROTEST. A dispute has occurred about one of the supers which was exhibited at a Scotch show a short time since, and the award was protested against on the ground that the honey had not been gathered by the exhibitor's own bees, as per schedule requisi- tion. The matter stands thus : — A, a lady bee-keeper, has a bar-frame hive with two top swarms in it. B, a neighbouring bee- keeper, puts on a super for her, and then offers 35s. for the lot; but A wants 40s. B will not give this ; but says, when leaving, that if the bees fill the super he will give the 40s. Time presses. B comes back and examines the hive, and finds the bees busy in the super. A comes out and asks him if the hive is to be his or hers ? B answers that he will stand to his word, and gives her the 40s. Query. When was the bargain made, and was he right to compete with the super ? [The question by the lady, ' Is the hive to be yours or mine ? ' leaves very little doubt but that the bargain was not at that time complete; and if the super was then well under way, the protest is a valid one. Had the agree- ment been completed at the first meeting, the price, 35s. or 40s., to depend on a subsequent eventuality, B would be in the right ; for the bees would have been his from the moment of putting on the super. — Ed. B. B. /.] FIXING COMB-FOUNDATION, EXTRACTING HONEY, AND PREPARING HIVES FOR WINTER, ETC. The first time I tried to fix foundation I made a complete failure. Most of the sheets fell in a con- fused mass on the floorboard. One sheet stuck fast. I took it out and examined it. I found the wax employed in fixing it had a very firm grip of the foundation. How was that? It had just been put on at the proper temperature — pretty hot. Since then I -have not had a single sheet break down, neither have 1 had any difficulty in the way of sagging. The sheets I use for brood-frames are pretty thick ; but 1 also use very thin foundation, and I have no trouble with it either, one way or another. I have also extracted heather honey with Abbott's ' Little Wonder.' How often have we been told that the sliuger would not do it ! It's a fact it will ! Hives which swarmed early have done well. I had the management of a hive belonging to a gentleman in a district where top swarms usually weigh about 50 lbs. or 60 lbs. at the end of the season. Well, I took about 50 lbs. of fine super honey from her first swarm, and left plenty of stores for winter. If the hive had been beside me, I think I should have taken more. In preparing my hives for winter, I strengthen them by the addition of several brood-frames. By this means one is sure of having plenty of young bees. Frames with closed ends are, without the shadow of a doubt, superior to open ones. Now, I think it could be done — i.e. the frames made close- fitting — with very little difficulty. We want them open during summer, and the question is, How would you make them close-fitting during winter? Well, I would have the ends grooved with a half- inch plough ; then by slipjiing a piece of pine, the size of the groove, right down to the bottom, the ends are made close. Your own system of doing it is perhaps better. I intend to make a hive com- posed of 1 J-inch sections, and I will make it in such a way that the sections can be converted into an Observatory hive. — -A. Cockbubn, Honey Grove, C airnie-by-Keith, N. B. (JErljocs fnnn % Htbrs. Salisbury, Sept. 9th, 1880. — ' Bees have had an excellent season here, and the yield of honey is above the average. One of our Italian bar-frames has fourteen bars full of honey. We also had a fair swarm from the same hive, and took a super of beautiful honey from it some weeks go.— H. A. K.' Runcorn, Cheshire, Sept. \0th, 1880. — 'All my hives died last winter but one in a Neighbour's Hive. About the 10th of May I drummed it and inserted a Ligurian queen. From these I have now two black stocks, two Ligurians, and two hybrids (queens mated with black drones). I have also harvested 30 lbs. weight of beautiful honey. The honey was all taken from the black bees, as, wishing to increase the stock, I drummed the Ligurians at the end of June, and they afterwards sent off two casts, small, but, with feeding, I hope to make good stocks next year. All my stocks except one are in frame-hives now ; I think they have done very well. — Mat. Steele.' A Good Harvest. — ' Last winter I had four stocks. I have now seven, from which I have taken 340 lbs. of honey. — E. S., Hailsham, Sept. 17.' The Harvest. — ' The last queen you sent was a very fine one, and proved a first-rate one in all respects. I kept her three years, and reared all my young queens from her brood during that period. She disappeared some time between autumn and spring this year. It has been a very indifferent honey season in this locality. I have just been to examine some hives in a neighbouring garden, and find them almost in a state of starvation. A very large and strong Stewarton hive of my own gave me 50 lbs. of fine super honey, and is well stored for the winter, a second yielded 25 lbs., and a third not more than 8 or 9 lbs. The two last required feeding to prepare for the winter. These are the only hives which October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 121 were devoted to the storing of honey in my apiary. In the south, and also, I believe, in the north, the season has been much more favourable.' — J. E. Briscoe, Albrighton, Wolverhampton, l&th Sept. 18S0. Dumfries, Sept. 20. — ' The small swarm of Ligurians I had from you some time ago is doing nicely. I have two nice queens raised from eggs from it which have been cross-mated, and have now a lot of brood in their hives. Other two I caused to be reared later on have not been mated in consequence of scarcity of drones : so to save the bees I joined them to other stocks.' — J. S. Limerick, Sept. 2'.ird. — Queries. — ' 1. What is the pro- bable reason the supers were not built in ? 2. Will bees build in hives and supers that have been used already, or should there be new ones ? 3, Are the two hives waxed together to be separated now ? 4. How can robber-bees be driven away ? 5. Shall I unite the hives I spoke of ? and do I understand the correct way of doing it ? 0. What am I to do with the queens ? 7. What am I to do with the brood-comb in empty hive ? 8. Is the proportion, and quantity, and length of feeding I mentioned, all right? 0. What is the cause of the little heights (lumps) I saw on the floor-board ? 10. Ought straw hives be covered from r..in, or placed in a shed during winter ? A friend is making me a present of a wooden bar-frame, but I do not mean to use it till next year, till I see how I succeed this winter. I do not mean either to go to any expense unless next spring I find things doing well.' [The foregoing, with a preamble of six pages of experience, thoughts, and suggestions, come from a non-subscriber, who so far carried out the resolution to incur ' no expense,' that both stamp and envelope were omitted from the enclosure. To reply to this would entail the rewriting of nearly the whole of our series of leaflets, which we do not feel called upon to do when they can be had for sixpence per dozen. We must draw the line somewhere. — Ed.] Leatherhead, Sept. 24. — 'One of your cheap Crystal Palace hives gave out a swarm late in June. I placed an empty Woodbury on the stock afterwards, and they put about 40 lbs. into it, besides becoming very heavy below. Pleased mo very much. This was done without the advantage of the heather. — J. E. E,.' Comptxms Lea, Horsham, Sept. 24, 1880. — Foundation. — I have tried the five samples of foundation you sent me, and shall be pleaded to send you a report upon it when I have prepared my tees for winter, and am settled at home again. The season has been a most remarkable one. I do not recollect when they have worked so well or so continuously as they have done this summer. With the exception of about a fortnight to three weeks at the end of July and the beginning of August, honey has been collected without a break-up to the end of August. The extractor has been incessantly at work, and although with me profit is not a first consideration, I can un- hesitatingly say the bees have not only paid their way, but have made a handsome return. They cost nothing for sugar last spring, as I then extracted sufficient stores in the spring which I used diluted to stimulate the bees to early breeding, and by carrying out the system as I advocated some years ago, I had my bees strong enough for collecting, and by extracting continually, the)' have kept breeding all the summer. Buckwheat. — I must speak well of buckwheat. I sowed about an acre of it for trial, and the result was that the bees stored a large quantity of honey from it. They worked on it during the earlier part of the day in immense numbers. Lim- nanfhes Douylasii. — I saved a lot of seed of Limnanthes Douglasii, and if any bee-keeping friends wish to try it, and send me an addressed stamped envelope, I shall be pleased to send some. Now is the time to sow it, and it i comes in early in spring. Diagrams. — I see you refer in the Journal of Horticulture to the diagrams at the Show. I am not sure, but I believe I was the first who had Girdwoyn's diagrams and text in 1876 ; and in 1877 I lent them for exhibition and lectures. Mr. Tite had them at Yeovil, Mr. Hunter, and others. I also showed them (although not entered) at the Alexandra Palace, I forget the year. The other diagrams which I have shown at South Kensington I purchased of you at the Crystal Palace Show. Of course, this has nothing to do with your showing them, and as long as the schedule stands as it does, you are quite justified in doing so. — Thos. Wm. Cowan.' [The last part of the above has reference to the fol- lowing, which was sent to the Editor of the Journal of Horticulture : — 'DIAGRAMS OF BEES AT SOUTH KENSINGTON. 'Gentlemen, — In your impression of the 12th ult, p. 154, allusion is made to an award of a Bronze Medal to Abbott Brothers for exhibiting a set of diagrams, said to he " now perfectly well known, and in which Abbott Bros, deal, : and in the same paragraph the judges are certainly not complimented on their taste in making the award. In reference thereto, may I be allowed to state that the firm I i epresent do not deal in the said diagrams, that they never have had or seen other than the one set alluded to, and that they have never offered them for sale ? They were presented to me in 1877 by M. Eothschild, of Paris, and so far from their being " perfectly well known,'' I have never heard of or seen anything like them, save in the diagrams for which Mr. Cheshire was awarded a Silver Medal at South Ken- sington in 1879, and which have been since republished by the British Bee-keepers' Association. — C. X. Abbott, Fairlawn, Southall, Sept. 11, 1880.' Hereford. — 'Quite two -thirds of the hives in this district did not survive last winter, many persons losing all their bees. I saved all mine (11 stocks) by means of timely feeding. The honey season has been good; cot- tagers who are fortunate enough to possess bees have their hives crammed with honey. I secured a fair har- vest of extracted honey, pnd ill sections ; the sections sold like " hot cakes " at a local grocer's. I believe no one need have any difficulty in selling neat sections of honey, if it be shown in a local tradesman's window, with a neat printed card showing it to be native produce. Ivy will be in bloom in a few days, if the weather be as fine as it has been. I think the bees will gather con- siderably from this source, as I never saw such a fine bloom.— A. W: Ayrshire. — ' Some of our hives have risen immensely these last few weeks. I have taken a 53 lb. super off one, and it is over 100 lb. now. The " Renfrewshire Bee-keeper " has some over 200 lb. each, and " Thomson " has some nearly that weight, so that we should have plenty of heather honey in the market. Eighteen pence per pound is freely given for it ; so that bees should be profitable this season. Perth and Stirling Shows were both good. I was at both last Saturday. 1 see you have had plenty of work to do in Ireland.' — K. B. J. Whitchurch, Blandford. — ' The season has been here- abouts unusually good. One super of mine — 47 lbs. in weight — was filled in less than four weeks, and taken from a hive which had swarmed for the third time (this swarm hived for itself), and not returned to the old one, and to which was added a swarm which had lo.-t its queen It must, therefore, have been queenless for some time, which makes the result more curious.' * * Page 29 of Journal for June shows why queenless stocks in a good time gather large harvests, and suggests the removal or confinement of the queen during a good honey yield. — Ed. 122 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. (fumes anb JUpItcs. Query No. 349.— The Giotto Hive.— Will you kindly inform me in your next Bee Journal, who is the puhlisher and also the editor of the ' Giotto ' system of hive- making? You will also oblige by giving me your opinion of the same, whether it is suitable to winter bees in or not. Being pretty handy with joiner's tools, I thought the system would "be just the thing for me, as I could make the hives both easily and cheaply. As I know nothing of, or know anyone that has had any practical experience of, the above-mentioned hives, I shall esteem it a great favour if you will give me all the information you can respecting it, as I have a notion of adopting it. — John Dearden, Brindley, Nanticich, Cheshire, Sept. 11, 1880. Eeply to Query No. 349. —In 1876, a pamphlet en- titled ' The Italian System of Bee-keeping,' by Captain Arthur Danyell, was published at the Field office, Strand, in which the ' Giotto ' principle of hive-making is the special feature. It contained the substance of several interesting letters which were sent to The Field from Italy by Captain Danyell, then a resident there, and the simplicity of the mode of hive-construction he propounded attracted considerable attention, but the ' principle ' has never met with the consideration it deserves. The Giotto, as then described, was an almost exact imitation of the Huber-leaf hive, and like it was constructed of separate frames set side by side, as sections are now placed, to form sectional supers, the frames forming the hive walls as the sections now forrn the supers, and a board at each end made the hive complete. The arrangement gave considerable play for ingenuity, and by the introduction of new frames between the end boards, the hive could be indefinitely enlarged, or by a reversal of the process, contracted to suit the smallest swarm. The principle of construction will be understood by reference to the woodcuts, which show a Giotto parted near the centre. Each frame, as there represented, is made of inch-board, \\ inches wide, so that when together and the ends in place, they form a complete hive, but originally the bottoms of the frames were only small strips of wood, kept up from the bottom ends of the frame, leaving room beneath (the strips) for bees to pass, an arrangement that necessitated a separate base on which the frames could stand, the base contem- plated being the top of a wall or anything similar, but a plain boaul would answer equally well. The entrances, for there were a number of them, were cut out of the bottom corners of the frames as indicated at a, but it was equally easy to make one at either end as at b, and a feed-hole could be cut in the top of either frame, or half-way into any two of them. The Giotto Hive of Captain Danyell was exhibited in Class 4 at the Alexandra Palace Show of the British Bee-Keepers' Association 1876, 'For the best hive for use (in the collateral principle,' but no prize was awarded, the silver and bronze medals offered falling to Messrs. Hooker and Cowan, the hive of the latter being on the Giotto principle of construction. As may be inferred, the frame-bars of the Giotto being an inch in thickness, there is great liability to crushing the bees when the separated frames are being replaced with the bees upon them, and if they do not fit closely there is plenty of room for the free use of propolis ; but, as we have often shown, these objections can be naturally obviated by using seasoned material and good workmanship. The only maker of hives of the kind in question that we are acquainted with, is Mr. Isaac Hale, of Horncastle, who departed in a great measure from the original pattern by elongating and narrowing the top bars of the frames so that they would hang in a box as in ordinary frame hives, and access was thus given to supers, while the bottom rail being already narrow, gave access, as in ordinary hives, from beneath the frames ; and hives of this and the original Giotto pattern have many times been exhibited by him, but the judges have given no award. We have many times advocated the principle of the Giotto in respect of the frames being of sufficient width to touch each other at the sides, and we do not despair of enlisting the sympathy of the bee-keeping public in that behalf at no distant date ; for we hold that no hive that has ever been made so closely ap- proaches the requirements of a bee-nest, and the advan- tages of such an arrangement will presently be made obvious. To our mind they are so now ; we have venti- lated our ideas, and at the coming Dairy Show intend to exhibit a hive on the principle we have avowed. A hive, such as we have here illustrated, can be made by any amateur carpenter who can drive a nail and saw off the wood to the length, and though when made it would not be all that is desirable, we do not think it woidd deserve all the hard things that were applied to our suggested hive on a similar principle, on page 73. In the hands of the inexpert, it would probably not be so ' convenient ' as a better class of hive in which con- veniences have to be charged for ; but as a commendable hive for cottager's use, we think its adoption would be a move in the right direction. It would compete with the skep in regard to cost, and the combs in it being moveable ( though under difficulties), gives it an immense advantage ; and considering that in such hives the expert coidd manipulate (the difficulties notwithstanding), the money value of a cottager's bees wotdd be considerably enhanced. Leaving out for a moment the idea of bee-crushing and propolising, or as a set-off against them put the wretched principle of fixism, and the inexpansive and non-contrac- tile nature of the uninvadable skep, and let us see on which side the advantages lajr. The Giotto hive, in its roughest state, is better than any other frame hive, and equal to the skep as a domicile for bees, their comfort only being considered, and in point of conveniences for the bee-keeper, crude though they admittingly would be, it stands prominently in advance of the skep. It can be increased or diminished in size at will, it can be divided at any point for queen- excluding or confining purposes during the honey harvest, a thin board slid in between the frames would make it into a twin hive, or it could be cut up into nuclei for queen-raising purposes, ad lib. : for feeding purposes, a couple of spare frames at the back within the end board, would afford a most secure apartment where robbing would be impossible, and an additional pair of frames in front and as many at the sides as woidd enclose it, would, when covered, form excellent protection from outer cold. Strips of board, \\ inches wide, cut into the desired lengths and nailed together, woidd form the frames, ami two pieces of the size of the frames when made, would form tl nds. and excepting guides, or foundation, an entrance and a roof, the hive, when tied, or otherwise fixed together, would be ready for the reception of the bees. We do not pretend that it would be all that could be desired, but with it the typical ignorant cottager could do all that he could with a skep, October 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 128 and, becoming- more enlightened, would soon get out of the brimstone pit, and pursue the pleasant and profitable path of bee-euLTURB. — Ed. B. B. J. Query No. 860. — A curious case of dispute about bees occurred in this neighbourhood. A had a first swarm swarmed on the l!)th June. B had a second swarm swarmed on the 8th Jul}-, and they were both put into empty hives and conveyed some distance to the clover, where they stood there near each other. A's hive swarmed a virgin swarm on 10th August, and a swarm was found on the ^'Jtli August, and was claimed by B. Was it possible that his second could swarm ? Your opinion will oblige. — Bee-keeper, Thankerton. Reply to Query No. 350. — It is possible for a second swarm to swarm, but such occurrences are by no means common. If B found the swarm in question, he has a fair claim to it ; but if he argues that it came from his hive, a reference to the combs would help to clear up any doubt, for if it did, there would be queen-cells in the usual way. The law decides that whoever finds a stray swarm may claim it ; but it is not clear whether your question is as to ownership, or the possibility or proba- bility of a cast swarming. — Ed. Query No. 351. — Preserving Pollen. — How can I keep combs that contain pollen sound for next spring's use, as they are getting mouldy? — W. H. J. Reply to Query No. 351. — By adopting the means the bees do, i.e., by filling the pollen cells full up with honey, and sealing them over. This may be done by pouring honey or syrup into the cells, wiping off all superfluity, and brushing over lightly with hot wax. If this be not thought practicable, the combs could be placed close together in a tin case, and all interstices and cells filled up with syrup, to which a little salicylic acid has been added. Such combs woidd, when drained, be admirable as helps to poor stocks in spring. The syrup should be poured into the can very gently, or it would not find its way into the cells. — Ed. Query No. .'!o2. — Breeding and Feeding. — I am very much puzzled by conflicting statements about the period when breeding ceases. I went to Grantham Show to learn something, and did so. One of the ' swells ' how- ever, told me not to feed now, but to feed in January instead. Baldwin said, when I mentioned this, Feed slowly a month, then quick, which seems to correspond with all I have read (Root, &c), and common sense. But, as if to prove the contrary, I found no brood at all in two hives, which have, or had till lately, queens. These two hives I have been feeding as directed. Am I to suppose them queenless ? To one of them I united a hive of condemned bees a fortnight ago. They seemed to be friendly enough ; but there's no brood. As I am not a good hand at spotting the queen, I can't be sure. A line in your next issue I should esteem a favour. — H. V. E., Oakb-ook. Reply to Query No. 352. — It is by no means easy or safe to lay down rides respecting the internal economy of a bee-hive; but in a general sense breeding will not be continued if there is not an incoming of honey which will warrant the increase of the population. Bees com- mence, and continue breeding under the influence of excitement, however produced, — a broad statement, the broadest we could devise, and so long as the excitement is kept up, so long will breeding be continued. In the spring, a few fine days, and the opportunity for flight, without actual incoming of houey, may be the exciting cause ; in summer, as indeed at all times, the income from orchards and fields is sure to cause ovipositing by the queen, and its continuance will warrant the workers in raising brood from the eggs so laid, but as soon as the incoming ceases eggs and larva1 will disappear: and if the cessation has been sudden, immature, white bees will be found at the entrance of the hive, thrown out to prevent tin- production of other consumers. In winter, in the coldest weather, the great quantity of honey con- sumed in the production of the heat necessary to life, will excite bees to breeding. The excitement consequent upon a dysenteric condition — the bees dying by scores daily, and the hive being most unhealthy — will induce breeding; and it will continue while the excitement lasts. The probability of an aged queen dying, or becoming unfertile, though it be in the depth of winter, will in- duce the laying of a few eggs, and the raising of a new queen, though the young one will (often) remain with, and be as useless as, the unfertile one; and there are many other phenomena in respect of breeding with bees, that can only be traced (pace the class of 'swells' above alluded to) to excitement. So far as we know, this suggestion starts ' a new hare,' and probably it will be well hunted ; but we have every faith in the argu- ment implied in the theory. Our corre ponden. may rest assured that the continu- ance of breading in autumn is governed by the incoming of honey as a ride. When the latter fails, breeding will cease, but may be continued by prolonging the incoming artificially. See our Leaflet on Feeding, price \d. Que it y No. 353. — White Brood. — Can you explain the following ? I opened a hive on Monday and found dead brood ; not presenting am' of the appearances of foul brood, as described in books, but more like chilled brood. The caps of the cells had been opened, and some of the larva? were at the bottom of the cells, looking like white bees after they have been sucked, merely the skins being left ; others were intact, but dead. The hive had done well during the summer, and the queen is all right. I am very pleased with the Combination Hive you sup- plied me with ; so much so, that in f uture I intend using no other. — Edgar S., Sept. 15, 1880. Reply to Query- No. 353. — The symptoms suggest that the harvest is over, and that the bees have suddenly found themselves without income, and perhaps (through having been ' deprived ' ) ( ? ) without stores ; and being in danger of starvation, have determined to stop the pro- duction of consumers. 'Feeding ' is the remedy for such a stat" of matters, as so often advised in Bee Journal. — En. Query No. 354. — Quilt and Ventilation. — The quilt that 1 use with my hives consists of a sheet of linen and four or more folds of bagging. I find that the bees have cemented the linen sheet to the upper bars, and have coated the under side of the sheet between the bars with a layer of wax or propolis, making the sheet nearly, if not quite, impervious to moisture. I should be glad if you would state in your next number whether I should remove the sheet and substitute a clean one, or leave the present sheet as it is during the winter. — W. B. H. Reply to Query No. 354.— It is perfectly natural for bees to stop up with propolis every means by which heat can escape from a hive, or draught, or enemies obtain admission. But it has been demonstrated that upward ventilation without draught is absolutely neces- sary to safe wintering ; and, therefore, during October, when bees have ceased ' gathering,' we advise the re- moval of the impervious quilt, and the substitution of a new, or at any rate, a clean one, which will then keep both clean and porous. — Ed. Query No. 355. — Winter Crowding. War M»tli. — Is it really advisable to contract the size of hives for the winter season, and if so, what is the best method of keeping the surplus frames of comb (some of them con- taining a little sealed syrup), so that they may not be receptacles for the eggs of wax-moth ? Our hives at present are square boxes, 1 4j by 14J by 8| in. inside, and have not a dummy or moveable side, so shall have to extemporise. — A. L. S. Reply to Query No. ■'<'>'). — It is advisable ; and we strongly recommend you to confine the bees to as few combs as they can occupy, it having been proved that 124 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [October 1, 1880. they winter best when crowded together. One of the advantages we claim for our wood-foundation is, that combs can be made to fit the hive, and thus render special division boards unnecessary ; and as the cellular comb is much less convec-tive of heat than anything solid, we have faith that it will eventually be largely used for the purpose. To preserve combs from wax- moth we hang them in a dry, airy room, where they can be seen and examined, and find that they e-cape the attacks of that pest. It would appear that the larva? of the moth cannot exist without moisture, which may be the reason for their immunity ; but now that foundation is so cheap we prefer to melt up all combs rather than give them warehouse room, as one is able to produce new combs in a short time and prevent many risks. — Ed. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS. Burwash Common. — Hiving bees f mm a house partition. — Quiet them in the usual way, as per leaflet on the subject, remove the boarding and cut out the combs, and after brushing the bees into the hive, tie the combs into the frames, and put them in their places. When all are transferred, place the hive as near the old nest as possible, and if the queen has been put into the new home the bees will take possession, if not she must be sought in the old nest, and transferred to the hive. At night the latter should be taken away a distance of two miles, and the entrance-way to the old nest completely blocked up. The Bingham smoker here is 5s. Run Honey Candying. — We know of no way of pre- venting honey candying except by the admixture of material that would be considered in the nature of adulteration. Can anyone help a lady bee-keeper who wishes to preserve her honey in a liquid state F Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — Transferring, — If the quantity of bees to be added to the contents of the skep will fill the hive to which they are to be transferred the work if the bees will be lightened, and cheapened by the introduction of large sheets of Abbott's fiat-bottomed foundation. We mention this particular kind because it is least likely to break down or sag. In the present case it would be well to put it interstitially between the frames that are filled with the comb from the skep. Leave a quarter inch of space at both sides of frame and at the bottom to provide for possible stretching. Bournemouth. — The Quilt. — The quilt is intended to supersede the crown-board and to lie close upon the frames, thus preventing the too rapid diffusion of the warmth of the hive, yet permitting gentle upward ventilation. A feed-hole can be cut in any part, to be covered with a feeding-stage or piece of perforated zinc. The pieces cut out will form a pad to cover the aperture when the bottle is not in position. J. K., Cumberland. — Showing Sees to Visitors. — We do not think any good could arise from publishing the letter to you, as it is more of private than a public nature. Your friend has wearied of showing his bees for nought, and the charge named (10s. Qd. per visit) is evidently intended to be prohibitory. It is not every one who can afford the time and the loss to his bees which promiscuous exhibitions entail. We have many times devoted nearly whole days to showing half-a- dozen visitors the same or similar things, whereas if they had all come at once, an hour and the opening of one stock of bees would have sufficed. You should get the Bee Tent to visit your neighbourhood, and then all could see how easy it is to perform the various operations, and there would be no hardship to any individual. *„* Though ire have given four pages extra this month, we lire reluctantly rompelfcrl to postpone some most interesting information respecting tin1 progress of Apiculture in New Zealand, and other communications. BEE AND HONEY SHOWS FIXED FOB 1880. Oct. 26 to 29. — British Dairy Farmers' Association, Agricultural Hall, London. Bronze Medal awarded for Straw Sleeps at the Great Crystal Palace Slww, 1875. Sixteenth Edition. Price One Shilling.. SEVENTY POUNDS A-YEAR: HOW I MAKE IT BY MY BEES. By the late J. W. Pagden. Also, by the same Author, price Sixpence. Early Artificial Bee- Swarming. No watching required. Apply to Mrs. J. W. Pagden, The Chestnuts, Alfriston, Sussex, by whom the same manufacturers of ' Economical Bee Fmniture ' are employed as formerly. fo. 23. MANUAL OF THE APIARY, By A. J. COOK, Professor of Entomology in the Michigan State Agricultural College. 286 pp. large 12mo. 112 Illustrations. Published by THOMAS G. NEWMAN & SON, Chicago. Price, bound in cloth, 5s.; postage, id. ABBOTT BROS., FAIRLAWN, SOUTHALL. THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. Is published monthly, at Chicago, 111. at 2 dollars a-year. It is the oldest, largest, best, and most reliable Bee paper in the English language. Price, including Postage, 6s. 6d. 972 and 974 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois. ODERN BEE-KEEPING. A Handbook for M Bee-Keepehs' Assiciation, B. B. Journal Office. Post free, 7 stamps. Now Ready. rriHE A B C OP BEE CULTURE. By A. I. Root, Medina, Ohio, U. S., Editor of ' Gleanings.' ' Invaluable to beginners, and also as a book of reference.' Price, in paper covers, 4s.; in cloth, 5s., Post free. Abbott Bbothebs, Southall, London, Middlesex. Clje grttblj |kc Journal AND BEE-KEEPERS ADVISER. The British Bee Journal is published monthly, and contains the best practical information for the time being, showing what, to do, and when and how to do it. Subscribers to the Journal are first, second, and third class. First class are those who subscribe 10s. 6d. per annum, from any date, who are entitled to immediate re- plies, per post, to their queries, when a stamped directed envelope is sent. Second class are those who subscribe 6s. per annum, and whose queries can only be replied to through the columns of tiie Journal ; and Third are Clubs of Cot- tagers, each consisting of not less tban six, to whom the charge will be 4s. 6d. each Member. Subscriptions, Correspondence, and Inquiries to be addressed to C. N. ABBOTT, Bee Master, School of Apiculture, Fairlawn, Southall, London. A BBOTT'S BEE BARLEY SUGAR, best Food J\ for Bees in Winter. Made expressly, so that it shall all deliquesce and not leave a white shell to be thrown out by the Bees. lOd. per lb., in 14 lb. Tins, or 7 lb. Boxes, or 4; lb. Bottles; tius, boxes, and packing not charged for. THE n Journal, [No. 91. Vol. VIII.] NOVEMBER, 1880. [Published Monthly.] Oibitorial, |lotucs, $t> NOVEMBER. Now that the last announced Exhibition of Hives, Bees, and their Produce, held by the British Bee-keepers' Association in conjunction with the Annual Dairy Show of British Farmers at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, has been held, and bees have gone into winter quarters, it may fairly be assumed that ' the season ' of 1880 is really over ; and so far ai the bees are concerned, we hope it is so, for, should there arise any necessity for interference with them, it will be because they have not been prepared for ' wintering.' Whatever may occur in re- spect of the bees themselves, though we trust they will be comfortable during the next four months — and they will be, if our directions have been adhered to — we must not forget that the long winter evenings give splendid oppor- tunities for imparting the knowledge of bee- culture, which is so essential to those who keep bees with the expectation of profiting by their labour. Bee-keeping, thanks to the British Bee- keepers' Association, has become a recognised industry throughout England and Scotland, and county and other local associations have, in response to its call, sprung up in all direc- tions, and have done great things in spreading a taste for, and a knowledge of, the science and art by which it is made profitable ; but very much remains to be done. Ireland has been made the subject of special care; the Tent of the British (the central) Association has been through three divisions of that beautiful and highly fertile land, and by its exhibitions has stirred up the people, and through the press the profitable nature of the pursuit has been made widely known, and will be largely entered upon. The Principality of AVales has not yet been (to our knowledge) the scene of a bee exhibition, nor has it established an association for the promotion of bee-culture ; but we have the certain knowledge that there are within its boundaries many advanced bee- keepers, and that the leaven of improvement is working well. All this is highly satisfactory as far as it goes, but we want to see — and every lover of bees is with us — a general determination to carry the knowledge of bee- keeping home to the people in every village in the kingdom ; and now, thanks to the British Bee-keepers' Association, whose diagrams and key give all needful assistance to the expert bee-keeper, there is nothing to prevent this being done, if only the will to do be present. We have no desire to encourage the employ- ment of a professional lecturer, who may have learned his lesson by rote, and who will deliver it with parrot-like precision. We want to see volunteer-instructors in every village, or drawn from their vicinities; menwhohavehadsuccessful experience in the management of bees, and who will be able to impart their experience in language that will be understanded by the people. We hope to see means devised by which the prejudice of individual districts may be broken down ; we have had ample experience of its existence, and in our experiments at ex- hibitions of manipulation have never so well satisfied our audiences as when we have operated on the bees of their own localities — we there- fore feel that to be convincing on the merits of bee-keeping, and to give weight to opinions on the best methods of management, the speaker should be a local man, who has been successful beyond a doubt in the practice of the principles he recommends. We are fully aware of the difficulties that stand in the way of obtaining from the ordinary ranks of country life men willing to address their fellows ; we quite under- stand, having felt the terror which the sound of one's own voice when first addressing an audience, inspires in the heart of a speaker, and do not counsel that first attempts should pretend to exhaustiveness, or that they should take even the form of ' lectures,' which, as a 126 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [November 1, 1880. rule, are like sermons meant to be listened to, but not discussed in the presence of the speaker. Our inclination is towards a more humble, yet not less efficient, way of reaching the minds and disturbing the prejudices of the class for whom bee-keeping is prescribed as useful, aud in whose behalf all our Bee-keepers' Associa- tions have been especially formed. We would suggest that Conversations on Bees should be encouraged, we prefer an English term as less likely to alarm the timid, which might take place at any of the usual places of amuse- ments, conjointly with music, singing, penny readings, or other attractions, or alone when sufficient interest has been created to attract an audience. At such meetings a very few words from the presiding chairman would he sufficient to introduce the subject ; and instead of it being left to the volition of the ' expert ' to give a formal address, the chairman might gently lead him to explain the objects brought for exhibi- tion,-— the hives, supers, diagrams, bees, combs, queen-cells, &c, and thus elicit in drops the golden experiences that, nugget-like, are stored away unkenned in many an humble mind. These things are possible in every village in England, and in many elsewhere ; but who is to take the initiative ? As a rule, the clergy are ever ready to do whatever may be possibly helpful to their parishioners let the suggestion come whence it may, and others will doubtless accept the suggestion. The clergy are at the head and front, and on all sides of that which will im- prove the condition of their people, they are, as a class, the best bee-keepers in the land, and afford the best examples ; but the peasant mind can scarcely be brought to believe, either by their exhortation or example, that there is not something necessary beyond the means of the cottager to secure profit by the improved methods of bee-keeping. We, therefore, strongly urge those who have opportunities to try the effect of the means we have suggested : there are club -rooms, school - rooms, working men's institutes, reading-rooms, coffee taverns, and the like, the frequenters of which can best be ' got at ' by men of their own standing, and with a little help from the prime mover, who should be able to draw largely from his county or neighbouring association for the means of illustration, much good might be done. While upon this topic, we cannot but refer to what we conceive to be the duty of every Association, according to its strength, and the influence it has at its command. In the first place, there shoidd, for winter use, be a lecture- box, to be lent on loan in aid of any demonstra- tion that may be about to be made on behalf of bee-keeping within its lawful radius, such box to contain a frame-hive of a kind suited for cottagers' use, and with it all the requisites that the complete system demands, so that in the presence of the audience the speaker might show how every needf id fitting could be rigged, and how all expensive apparatus could be dis- pensed with ; while at the same time there might be displayed examples of the results of the improved method of bee-management. The loan of the box shoidd be gratuitous ; the mem- bers of Associations should learn that their sub- scriptions are doing good in the direction for which they were given, and it should not seem that every effort that is put forth is but a pre- text for obtaining money. There is, however, one item the loan of which we hope to see dis- couraged— we allude to the Diagrams illustrat- ing the bees, &c , that have been published hy the British Bee-keepers' Association. We have had many applications for them in the way mentioned, the would-be borrowers offering to pay for their use ; but in all cases we have steadily declined to lend them, because we think it woidd be exceedingly unfair to that Association, and because we think that every village ought to possess them for the use of those frequenting their respective rendezvous. This suggestion may not accord with others' ideas, and mfcy not be approved by the Associa- tion in whose interest it is put forward, but it is ' ours ; ' and considering that the B. B. K. A have incurred a large expense in providing their diagrams, and practically give (in them) a guinea's worth for eight shillings to non-mem- bers, and for five shillings and sixpence to members of their Association, in common justice we think there shoidd be no lending of them to interfere with their legitimate circulation. Nevertheless, and to prevent the idea that our suggestion springs from illiberal motives, we offer to any one who wishes to acquire the diagrams and key for illustrative purposes, as suggested, the use of a box containing a set of samples, such as we have named, including the said diagrams, for the sum of eight shillings and carriage both ways, the diagrams to remain the property of the hirer, who will, as a matter of course, be held responsible for the safety of the samples sent. We trust all our Associa- tions and caterers will do likewise. ABBOTT'S IRISH HIVE. In devising a hive for Ireland, we have taken into account the heavy cost of transit from England and Scotland, and over all the Irish railways, and have endeavoured in its construc- tion to eliminate all that may puzzle the peasant mind, cither in its manufacture or use. The cost of transit induced us, in the first instance, to prepare a hive in pieces, to be put together on arrival at its destination ; but seeing that, except in the hands of an expert, the pieces, November 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 127 like those of the latest 'Simplicity' from America, might require a model to enable their recipient to put them together, we abandoned the idea, and made a pattern that any one may readily copy who can use a saw and hammer. To minimise first cost to the purchaser, the hive is so constructed that for travelling purposes it may be packed complete in a parcel not more than 12 inches high, the length and breadth being, of course, that of the boards of which it is constructed, as would be the case with a hive in pieces. No packing-case is needed, there being no parts exposed that can be injured in ordinary traffic ; and when received nothing will be ne- cessary but to set it right side up, and insert the wax-sheets or guides to ensure straight combs, and to introduce the bees to them. In planning a hive for a new country, even a country in which there are not already a host of hives or hive-makers, whose existence could not be ignored, we have been guided by the light of our own experience, and encouraged by that of others, to give preference to the form which chiefly obtains in the best Conti- nental apiaries, and which has been introduced into England in Abbott's ' Combination ' hive. Accepting the principle involved therein as the best for all practical purposes, we have arranged our Irish hive of capacity to contain about ten frames, more or less, of Woodbury type ; but having the Abbott's top bars, which are uni- versally esteemed of the best shape for ordinary I use since they keep their own distances from each other, and their broad ends give steadiness to them individually, features not to be found in any others ; and any number of sections may be placed at the top, or at the back of the brood-nest. The hive will be made of inch pine-boards, after the manner of the Com- bination hive, and can be used in all respects in the same way, the frames will be placed parallel to the entrance, and for summer use will he to the front, but for winter will (or should be) put nearer the centre for protective purposes, as explained on p. 103 of Journal. For convenience of transit, the roof has been arranged so that the body of the hive shall slip into it, as far as may he, thereby contracting it telescopically, and reducing it for storage. As will be seen from the figure, which suggests the outline of the hive from the front, the roof or super-case would slide over the body-box; but to prevent this while in use, ._ , ledges are nailed on to the sides of the latter at a a, and the roof resting upon them keeps all snugly confined, and amply protected. As will be seen in fig. 2, the hive is capable of use as a twin-hive, itbeing competent for b, or c, to be used for storing honey, or for breeding purposes. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. When packed for transit, the body of the hive is inverted into the super-case, and the floor-board Fig. 3. fixed upon the quilt and frames gives them perfect steadiness and security, when the whole will present a compact appearance, b being occupied with frames, c with sections, and d with the wax-guides or foundation, which is to be fixed into the frames. We have here outlined our plan ; we provide for all reasonable contingencies, the hive is expansive and contractile ; may be used in various ways, and to our mind cannot be im- proved except by the use of frames that touch each other, as in our modification of the Giotto hive, of which we have often had occasion to write. In our next we propose to give ample directions for making the Irish hive, and in the meantime shall be prepared to supply jiatterns, at lowest cost to those who prefer them. BEE-KEEPING IN NEW ZEALAND. Ligurians not theke. — We have had the pleasure of supplj'ing a parcel of Ligurians to Mr. Charles Chaplin, late of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, who lately has 'swarmed' off to the anti- podes. The queens were sent at the request of Dr. James Irving, late of Nottingham, the President of the Canterbury Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation, who, seeing by the Journal for March last, that Mr. Chaplin was going out, wrote : — ' Dear Mr. Abbott, — I read with great interest Mr. Chaplin's letter in the March No. of B. B. J. just re- ceived. Have written to him to ask him to communicate with you, with a view to bringing us out some Ligurians, 128 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [November 1, 1880. which, I assure you, do not exist here or in Austral'a. The Americans won't do. Please do what you can to help us in this. ' Believe me, yours truly, ' Nottingham Lodge, ' James Irving. ' Ohristehwch, New Zealand, < May 2nd, 1880.' Our farewell was taken of Mr. Chaplin at the South Kensington Show, and the Irish tour prevented personal assistance to him in the preparation of the queens for the journey. Our junior supplied Mr. Chaplin with five, in full vigour, from our hives, in which they had been well rested ; and to that able bee-keeper will belong the credit of delivery in New Zealand should they survive the passage, which they should do if care and attention will ensure it. Dr. Irving's assurance that Ligurians do not at present exist in New Zealand or Australia, may be fully relied on. — Ed. B. B. J. The Editor of the Canterbury Times (March 13, 1880) remarking on a communication respecting hives and frames, says : — ' Our correspondent will doubtless have observed that the object of the Rev. G. Wilks has simply been to de- sign such a modification of the bar-frame hive as to enable cottagers to ad< pt the system at a nominal cost. The reverend gen'leman will in future u?e the Abbott frame (the standard adopted by the Canterbury Associa- tion) in all hives issued under his supervision. Wo shall be glad to receive diagrams and explanation of the Giotto hive, as used by Mr. Caldwell. This indicates that the Canterbury Bee-keepers' Association, under the able presidency of Dr. Irving, has profited by seeing the mistake of our British Association, in not at first adopting a ' standard frame.' We urged the question some years ago, when hive-makers were few, and uni- formity could have been secured at small cost ; and now that hive-makers' difficulties have multiplied exceedingly, we find the Judges at the late Ken- sington Show recommending the idea. See report of Judges in Class 27, p. 67 B. B. J. We are pleased to see that Dr. James Irving is taking a leading part in the antipodes in promoting scientific bee-culture, and is rapidly making converts. The Canterbury Times gives a good report of his doings, and the interest that necessarily attaches to the earnest efforts of a former subscriber and per- sonal friend is our excuse, if one be needed, for extracting from that paper. Under the heading, ' Dr. Irving's Experiments,' we read : — '.At four o'clock yesterday afternoon, the company had reassembled, for they were most anxious not to miss the opportunity ; and the doctor's promise was that in the event of the weather being unfavourable on Monday, he would attend on the first fine afternoon. The doctor was punctual, and the entertainment given by him was unique. Nothing at all approaching it, I believe, has ever before been witnessed in this colony, and everyone was both astonished and delighted. Dr. Irving's first care was to explain to his audience what were the requirements of a complete hive; and in giving these (45) fundamental rules, he enlarged upon them, some- times replying to a long string of questions from one and another of" the audience, and at times quite an animated debate was proceeding. An empty hive was used to explain every detail, and it was made abundantly evident that with a framed-hive as planned by Br. Irving, absolutely anything in reason could be done with the bees. ' Old Louis Langlois was looking on, quietly smoking his short pipe with intense satisfaction, and I asked him what he thought of such a plan of bee-keeping as that. He expressed himself as being well pleased so far, but he preferred to withhold any definite opinion until we had inspected the tenanted hive, towards which we were now moving. Langlois was evidently disturbed about something, but I could not yet understand what it was. There was a short halt, just before approaching the bees, to enable the visitors to don their bee dresses, and certainly the appearance which was soon presented was ludicrous in the extreme. Some had provided themselves with heavy-looking black veils, extending at a considerable distance from their faces by means of an enormously large false hat-brim of cardboard, and they might have been taken for some new o.der of priests. One gentleman, in addition to his big veil, had a broad strap tightly buckled roung his chest, lest perchance some prying bee should insinuate itself beneath the closely-buttoned coat. His hands were encased in hedging gloves, with added gauntlets, and . a liberal application of twine to the bottoms of his bifurcated garments had made all secure in that quarter. " Aha ! zee bees won't sting to-day, and zere will be no fun." Louis Langlois was at my elbow, and he it was who spoke. I took the hint, and thrust back the veil which I was in the act of taking out. There was a fair sprink- ling of uncovered faces and hands, for some of the spectators knew that they would experience no ill effect from a sting, and so were secure in their immunity from suffering. ' The cover of the hive being gently lifted off, the frames and their contained combs were exposed to view, with the bees about them in rich brown clusters. They had been tenants of this new home only twelve days, but the work they had done was marvellous. The doctor took out the combs one by one, explaining the mode of construction followed by the insect architects and builders, and the variation of worker, drone, and queen bee cells. For some time he could not find the queen, so thickly were the bees crowding about the golden walls, but she was at length detected, and the frame containing the comb over which she was travel- ling was gently lifted out, and placed in an exhibition hive. This hive consists of a bottom, ends, and top of polished wood, the sides being of glass, and the distance of the glass sides from each other is only sufficient to admit of one sheet of comb and the attendant bees being included. On the hive being closed, no bees can escape, and their movements can be minutely examined. There was something extremely beautiful in the stately march of the queen, elegantly shaped, deliberate in all her movements, and obsequiously made way for by her loyal subjects. But of far more practical interest was the proof given that in a hive of suitable construction the bees are made to build perfectly flat sheets of comb, and that at any time a slice may be taken without injuring a single bee. For an hour and a half Dr. Irving entertained his visitors, and during the greater part of that time he was giving explanatory illustrations with the crowded hive, yet so far as coidd be ascertained there was no sacrifice of the life of even a single bee, and so little did they appear to be disturbed by the mode of inspection adopted, that no one even felt a sting. The doctor also showed i slinger, made on the American principle, for extracting honey from the combs, and a large sheet of comb was emptied in less than half a minute. It will readily be perceived that by this method of taking honey, the empty comb can be returned to the hive, to be cleaned, repaired, and refilled, and that as a result the labour of the bees is economised, and the produce of honey materially aug- November 1. 1SS0.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 129 mented. An ingeniously simple apparatus for feeding- bees in unfavourable weather was also shown. Both the feeder and the slinger were manufactured by Mr. G. P. Day, Colombo Street. ' I was now made aware of the reasons for the uneasiness which Louis Langlois had shown. Champion of the old system of bee-keeping though he was, he frankly admit- ted that he was delighted with the new plan; but he was disappointed that the bees had not shown their irritability and " made ze people dance about." He was also, perhaps, a little disappointed that he had not been afforded an opportunity of displaying his powers. He determined to create that opportunity. Calling a few of us to him, he led the way to a large wooden hive, over- stocked with bees, and so having an immense cluster of the insects on the outside, immediately above the entrance, as if preparing to swarm. Quietly stepping up to the hive, he gathered up the bees in his bare hands, as if they were so man}- dead flies, and carried the living mats to us. The bees clung to his hands, working about in confused heaps, and only one inserted its sting. Langlois was pleased at this, and with great glee he desired us to notice how the little brown chap was vainly trying to withdraw the barbed lance. He then dropped the bees repeatedly from one hand to the other, and finally replaced them on the flight-board of their hive. Curiously enough, not one of these bees attempted to fly. ' At the conclusion of the experiments, Dr. Irving was heartily thanked for the gratification he had afforded, and he kindly undertook to repeat the exhibition on next Monday afternoon, at four o'clock. Stops will then be taken to form a Bee-keep 'rs' Society, by means of which members may exchange experience andvideas, and be enable to perfect their knowledge of a sultject of intense interest.' From further reports it will be evident that a Bee-keepers' Association has been formed : 'Tht? Apiarian Association. — At a meeting of the Committee of the Bee-keepers' Association held on Tuesday evening, it was decided that the standard size bar frames adopted by the Association, should be issued to members at 2s. per set of ten, and that the price to non-members should be 2s. 6d. The Committee was empowered to procure specimens of the cheapest hives that could be designed for use with the bar-frames, such hives to be complete with roof, &c. It was also resolved to grant members of the Association the thse of a honey extractor, at a charge of Is. per day ; also, to prepare a list of flowering plants, which should, if possible, be grown by all apiarians. Various items of business were then disposed of, and some preliminary steps were taken in connexion with an illustrated bee lecture, to be given during the winter season. ' Bee Demonstration. — Dr. Irving gave a practical illustration of the process of transferring a swarm of bees from an old hive to one of the modern bar-frame structures. At three o'clock a considerable number of people hud assembled in the public gardens, some of the country visitors having come from Timaru. The weather being favourable, Dr. Irving promptly decided upon adopting the driving process instead of using chloroform, in order that the demonstration might be of greater practical value to country visitors. The box hive, which had been kindly supplied" by Mr. Armstrong, was a very heavy one, and the very large amount of young bees and brood comb well illustrated the generally observed results of the present season. In the driving process, the old hive had to be turned upside down, and an empty box inverted upon it. Then, by drumming upon the sides of the hive, the bees are frightened, and induced to leave the combs, and tale refuge in the upper box. The pre- sence of so many young bees, however, rendered the experiment only partially successful. The elder bees ascended quickly, but a large number of the younger ones clung tenaciously to the combs. This, notwithstanding, the transfer was successfully effected, and the sheets of heavily laden comb were duly transferred to bar-frames. At the same time, some of the combs were deprived of their contained honey by the use of the ingeniously sim- ple Abbott sLinger, and indeed every possible detail was demonstrated and carefully explained, the transfer being thus made a really valuable means of education in apicul- ture. All present seemed to be much pleased, and Dr. Irving certainly had the satisfaction of knowing that his efforts for the extension of bee-keeping had been fully appreciated.' A lecture on ' The Honey Extractor ' has also been delivered by Dr. Irving, an extract from which will be read with interest : — ' The extractor is undoubtedly the greatest invention of late years in aid of bee culture, as it enables the bee- keeper to double the honey produce of his bees. The bar- frame principle of_hives brought the mysteries of the hive to light, gave Hf'MHeS'f or management, and enabled the bee-master to help himself to their honey without destroying the bees, or materially injuring their home or prospects; but it does not enable the bees to store one ounce more than they could or would do in an old- fashioned slab or box-hive. The ingathering of honey depends entirely on the nature of the locality and the seasons, and is regulated mainly, as far as quantity per hive goes, by the strength (numerically) of the stock. Bees do not make honey, as some people think, any more than man can make fruit. They simply gather itj. wb n, by a happy combination of circumstances.it has l« .,,n secreted in the nectaries of flowers and blossoms, and having collected it, what they do not require for their own sustenance they store in their combs. ' As a matter of course, when it is explained that bees do not make honey, and that they can only collect it when naturally secreted ; that, moreover, it is not secreted in cold weather, and that if it were the bees could not get abroad to gather it, this is the first lesson to be learned in bee culture. As a rule, the honey season is short in England, but. it may be, and probably is, longer here ; but whether long or short, stocks should be kept strong by cultivation, so as to he ready to take every advantage of a glut of honey. Stocks that are not strong cannot have much surplus honey, if any. That is lesson number two. Another lesson has also to be learned, and that is, as to the value of combs as built by the bees. It has been ascertained that for every pound of honey stored in new comb, a full pound has already been consumed in secreting the wax with which the new comb was built, or, in other words, every pound of comb-honey represents two pounds of honey as collected by the bees. Now, the extractor enables the bee-keeper to prevent the extra- ordinary loss that results from the bees having to build new comb in which to store their surplus honey ; and where honey-getting is the object, the result will posi- tively be doubled by its use. If two stocks of bees — similar in all respects — be setside by side, for every ten pounds of honey stored by one in new comb, twenty pounds at least could be obtained from the other by the aid of the extractor, and the latter would be stronger in bees, and therefore better able to stand the winter. Bearing these facts in mind, can anyone who -n ants honey for sale or for home consumption, doubt the expediency of using the extractor ? ' When bees appear lazy and will not take to supers, it is often because the combs are f idl to repletion. The use of the extractor will relieve the combs, the queen will set to work, having room now to lay eggs ; anil all will go on again as it should do, and you will get a hive full of young bees with which to face the winter, instead of old and halt worn-out bees, which gradually die out during the winter, and leave a very sparingly populated hive, to 130 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [November 1, 1880. begin the work of resuscitation in the early spring. I am quite well aware that some apiarians urge, that comb foundation so largely aids the bees in forming new comb, that the waste is not nearly so great as formerly. True, but the extractor, too, does away with the expense of both comb foundation in supers and the supers themselves, and where honey is simply the object sought, its value is self-apparent.' WIRED FOUNDATION. Mr. James Heddon, in an article in the American Bee Journal, p. 424, writes enthusi- astically in favour of the ' Given ' wired-found- ation, and prefers it to the Diuihani or any other, he says : — 'I do not want to keep "foundation " in its place ! only want to put it in its proper position when ihe swarm is put in, and then know that it will keep itself there for ever.' He further says, ' I was forcibly re- minded how much behind our British cousins are when I read Mr. Cheshire's article on p. 372, containing state- ment after statement that is the exact reverse of the experience of many of our leading apiarists in this country. He talks of pulling out the wires — I would not have the wires withdrawn from my combs at 50 cents per hive. I know that a No. 86 tinned wire sunk level with the surface of the septum will cause no trouble whatever to bees or keeper.' [When doctors differ, who shall decide ? — Ed.] COMB-FOUNDATION MADE ON WOOD. Mr. C. F. Echard, Woodside, L. I., N. York, claims to have invented foundation on wood long since, and says he has had in it use for two years ; ' but on the whole did not make much noise about it, as he intended taking out a patent on it as soon as he had thoroughly tested it. This was now done, and he was just about to apply for a patent when he was startled by seeing Mr. Jones's letter about Mr. Abbott's wooden-foundation.' We are naturally sorry if our efforts have forestalled the chance of a patent on this article in the land of patents, because, had that insur- ance on brain effort been effected, the world would have heard ' considerable ' noise about the advantages which it possesses over the sagging, bending, stretching and breaking stuff about which the American patentees of ordinary foundation are squabbling eternally. It is un- fortunate, too, in other respects, that the only foundation that will not break, and in which new swarms may be sent hundreds of miles in safety, was not perfected by an American in- stead of an Englishman ; had it been, it would long ere this have been applauded to the echo, and proclaimed a triumph of art, and every- body would have been craving for it, and, at least, it would have led to extensive experiences. As it is, it has been tried as a curiosity simply ; and of it Mr. T. G. Newman, Editor of the American B. J., writes : — ' About the Otli July Mr. D. A. Jones sent us a sheet of Abbott's foundation made on a wooden base. The board is about T« of an inch thick ; this is coated on both sides with wax, then placed between plates which are put in the press, and a flat-bottomed impression made in the wax. This waxed board was tacked in a frame, and placed in the brood chamber of a strong colony. The bees took to it speedily, and at thii time every cell is built out and occupied with brood or honey.' In a summary of his opinions, in which he avers the ' Dunham. ' foundation to be the best, he writes : — ' Bees will readily accept foundation with a wooden base, but for ordinary use in the apiary, unless much cheaper in price, it will not be preferred.' Perhaps it is only natural for every one to believe in the wares in which he has an interest — every crow thinks his own offspring swans, at least so runs the fable. BEE-KEEPING IN ENGLAND IN 1880. By the Rev. H. R. Peel, Hon. Secretary of the British Bee-keepers' Association. Being a Lecture delivered on September 8th, at the Assembly Rooms, Boston. ' Those of you who are familiar with the writings of the late Mr. Charles Dickens, and especially with the Pickwick Papers, will remember a garden-party which was given by, Mrs, Leo Hunter to her friends and acquaintances at Eatanswill. Mr. Samuel Pickwick was introduced on this occasion to Count Smorltork, a dis- tinguished foreigner, who was writing a book on England which was to embrace " music, picture, science, poetry, poltic, all tings." " The word politics," said Mr. Pick- wick, " comprises in itself a difficult study of no incon- siderable magnitude." The same may be said of Bee- keeping. It is a study which presents many difficulties, all of which, however, may be overcome by energy and perseverance, and it is a study of no inconsiderable magnitude. Indeed, the great charm of bee-keeping is that so many persons can take an interest in it from different reasons and motives — that there are so many points of view from which it may be regarded. A scientific mind may look upon it as a science ; a practical mind may regard it as an art ; the gardener may take an interest in Bee-keeping from its bearings upon horti- culture, and the farmer from its connexion with agri- culture ; whilst the philanthropist may take up bee- keeping and feel an interest in it because he can discern in it a means of improving both the temporal and the spiritual condition of his fellow-creatures. I must inform you that I belong to the latter category, and do not pretend to being either a scientific or a practical bee- keeper. As Secretary of the British Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation, I see and hear a good deal about bee-keepers and bees ; and from being obliged to take a general view of the matter, instead of looking at it from one point exclusively, I can perhaps tell you as well as any one else what is the present position and what are the future prospects of bee-keeping in the year 1880. ' 1. »We will look upon bee-keeping first as a science. What constitutes a science ? The science of Astronomy, for instance— what is that? Is it not the knowledge of the heavenly bodies which has been gained, not by guess- work or speculation, but by observation and experiment? There have been many writers upon bees, notably Virgil, and our own great dramatist Shakespeare, whom we may read with t'le greatest possible pleasure and admira- tion, but whom we cannot call scientific bee-keepers. Virgil seems to have collected all the legends about bees which he could learn from the peasants of Mantua or Calabria, and to have made them into a poem. But Virgil would be a poor guide for any Lincolnshire bee- November 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 131 keeper to follow. One who had lost his bees, for in- stance, would hardly do well to sacrifice a young bull under two years old at the beginning of winter in the belief that bees would be hatched out of his buried carcase in the spring. Aristotle, on the other hand, who lived long before Virgil, was a scientific inquirer into bee life, and laid the foundation of scientific bee-keeping. He knew more about bees three hundred years before the birth of Christ than some Cornish bee-keepers do in the present day. He would have repudiated their belief that "the drones be they as lay the eggs, and that the little ones as work be the he-bees," and woidd have con- tended that the queen has something more to do in a hive than to be " a land of a governor like among 'em." I doubt whether Aristotle would have quite seen the necessity for putting two pilchards into a hive when he took a swarm of bees. But just as astronomical obser- vations could not be carried on with much success before the introduction of telescopes and observatories, so the science of bee-keeping could make but little way until Maraldi invented the first Observatory Hive at the beginning of the last century, and the microscope began to be used in anatomical studies. I could mention a long list of the names of those who advanced the science of bee-keeping by their own individual researches ; but the greatest advance which has been made in England was the formation of the British Bee-keepers' Associa- tion in the year 1874, when these individual efforts were all brought together and concentrated upon one common object. You may rely upon it that the English bee- keepers of generations yet to come will feel that they owe a greater debt to the founder of that Association than they do to Aristotle or any other individual inquirers. The Exhibitions which have been held by the British Bee-keepers' Association have brought together all the appliances and inventions which could throw light upon the anatomy and habits of the bee, and reveal all the mysteries of the bee-hive. These diagrams which I have brought with me are an outcome from those Exhi- bitions. The originals from which these two sheets are taken were generally considered to be of such merit that an application was made last year to the Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Educa- tion, with a view to their being recommended by the Department to the many schools throughout the country which are connected with it. This was a step towards the recognition of bee-keeping as a science ; but one of the members of our Committee (the Rev. E. Bartrum) was not satisfied with this. He had been an eye-witness of the good done by the Schools of Cookery established in so many towns through the teaching of Mr. Buck- master, and he thought a more thorough knowledge of bee-keeping might be diffused through England if the Government would endow a Professorship of Bee-keep- ing, and form a School of Bee-keeping at South Kensing- ton. Mr. Bartrum was not unmindful of the assistance given from the public funds in Germany to the many Bee Societies established in that country, where every sehoolmaster is obliged to hold a certificate that he has a competent knowledge of bee-keeping. In accordance with Mr. Bartrum's suggestion, a letter was this year addressed to Earl Spencer as President of the Educa- tional Council, begging him to take the subject under his consideration. His reply was most prompt and en- couraging, and he evinced his personal appreciation of the grounds for the request by visiting the Exhibition of 1880 in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, and witnessing the manipulations which were being carried on in the Bee Tent. On the day following Earl Spencer's visit the Exhibition was inspected by Professors Huxley and Norman Lockyer, who both seemed pleased and interested by what they saw and heard. Since then I have been asked by Colonel Donnelly to nominate some gentleman who would give two lectures on bee-keeping to certain students who wore qualifying themselves for becoming teachers of agricultural science ; and have also received another communication from the Science and Art Department suggesting that two collec- tions of the best hives and appliances used in bee-keeping should be formed at the Museum at South Kensington and at the Branch Museum at Bethnal Green. Mr. Frank Cheshire delivered the two lectures to the future teachers of agricultural science to the satisfaction of all who heard him. The collections for the two Museums are in the process of formation. On the whole, I think that the position of bee-culture as a recognised branch of natural science in 1880 is more hopeful and encouraging than it has been in any previous year. '2. I must now say a few words upon bee-keeping re- garded as an art, and as I defined a science as knowledge obtained by observation and experiment, so I think I •may define an art as such knowledge applied to practice. Mr. Squeers' method of teaching his philosophical class was right in theory : he went upon the practical mode of teaching. When a boy knew that " winder " spelt " window," he went and cleaned the window of the back parlour. When a boy knew that " bot-tin-ney " meant a knowledge of plants, he was set to weed the garden. An art, however, may be practised without the science having been first mastered. Many a man practises the art of photography without understanding the science of it, and it is the same with bee-keeping. The art is often practised without regard to the science. The art of bee - keeping consists in obtaining as much honey from your hives as possible in the most attractive and, I think we may add, in the most portable form. This art has had many phases. I received a letter last year from an English officer in the Himalaya Mountains, asking for assistance in teaching the natives to domesti- cate their bees. The art of bee-keeping, as practised in that part of the world, he described as being very primitive. The native thrusts a long-necked bottle through the mud wall of his house, with the mouth out- wards, and trusts to the chance of a swarm of bees coming to occupy the bottle. Should the bees make this their home, the proprietor of the bottle in due time suffocates the bees, breaks the bottle, and takes the honey. In Egypt the hive consists of a clay pipe, like a draining-tile. The early Britons seem to have practised the art of bee-keeping in an equally primitive but less economical method. They marked the hollow trees which swarms of bees had chosen for their homes, and, when the time came for honey-gathering, cut down the tree and took the honey. I suppose that the Romans must have introduced the well-known skep into Britain, for Virgil speaks of hives "constructed from the limber osier " as being common in his day. The coldness of our climate probably caused the " limber osier " to be super- seded by straw, and when the dome-shape was intro- duced— with the object, I suppose, of giving the bees greater facility in fixing their combs — there was the straw skep complete. Under the straw skep the bees abode in peace for many generations, enjoying, however, mostly but a yearly tenancy, as the greater number were suffocated in the autumn. The good which the straw skep effected was in getting bees domesticated at all. Once in the skep, the bees were (except in the case of very skilful bee-masters) completely emancipated from the control of their owners. The skep was to them what the shell is to the tortoise, or, according to Sidney Smith, the dome of St. Paul's is to its Dean and Chapter. It was an immense advance in the art of bee-keeping when the " moveable comb hive " was invented almost simul- taneously by Dzierzon and Langstioth. To sum up briefly the great advantages which the hive with move- able frames and combs possesses over the straw skep, we may say that it is — 1. An observatory hive, as you can :it any time take out and examine the combs and bees. 2. It admits of the use of comb foundation, with the aid of which a hive has been known to be filled with combs 132 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [November 1, 1880. within the space of three days. 3. It allows the use of the extractor, through which the large quantity of liquid honey now seen at our shows is so easily obtained, whilst room is given to the queen for the deposition of her eggs as occasion may require. 4. It affords great facilities for the storing of honey in supers, both on the top of the frames and also in what are illogically known as " side " supers, o. It makes the process of artificial swarming a much more simple and feasible one. It must not be thought, however, that Art has done nothing for the adherent of the straw skep in these latter days. It has taught him how to make his bees docile and harm- less by means of a Utile piece of smoking-rag or fustLn. It has taught him how to drive his bees from one hive to another, and how to transfer his combs from a skip to a frame-hive, if he be so minded. It has taught him the value of feeding his bees in autumn and in spring, so as to encourage both late and early breeding in the hive. It has made him acquainted with an admirable sub- stitute for pollen, when that most necessary component of bee-food is not oltainable in the shape of pea-flour. It has fortified the hearts of the timid by protecting them with veils, gloves, and bee-dresses, and soi ithed the agony of the wounded by the application of bee-lotions. The British Bee Journal (which 1 recommend you all to take in) is continually announcing some new advance which has been made in the art of bee-keeping, and fresh inventions and appliances appear annually at the Exhibi- tion of the British Bee-keepers' Association. Bee-keeping should be a combination of science and art, and as such it has been recognised by the Science and Art Department of the Council on Education. I hope that the collections of hives and bee appliances which are being formed for the Museums of South Kensington and Bethnal Green may require frequent additions to be made to them, and that the specimens which we now think to be the perfection of an art may soon have to give place to more perfect and more serviceable inventions. ' 3. Hives, as a rule, are placed in gardens, and the gar- dener is very often put in charge of his master's bees, and is supposed to know all about them. The gardener, however, seldom knows how much he is indebted to the bees ; and, indeed, the relations of bees to horticulture are only beginning to be unfolded. I have just been speaking of pollen as a component part of bee food. This is not, however, the only use of pollen. Without being much of a botanist, any one may know that amongst plants some are called male plants and some female. The male produces the pollen, the female receives it. The male plant is provided with a stamen terminating in an anther, which holds the pollen. The female is provided with a pistil, terminating in a stigma, which detains the pollen. Some plants contain both these organs — both the stamen and the pistil — as you see in Mr. Cheshire's dia- grams. Now the pollen must be brought from the male to the female plant, or from the male to the female organ. Sometimes the wind does this : but it does it very imper- fectly. The other alternative is the agency of insects, and amongst these bees play the principal part. The flower produces the honey in its nectary, and attracts the bee to it by its bright and varied colours. The bee visits the flower, and carries off the pollen on its tongue or on its back from the anther of the stamen and lets it fall on the stigma. Then a thread is spun from the pollen, falls from the stigma down to the ovary, and generates the seed. But there is something more to be said. You may think, if a plant possesses both stamen and pistil, both the male and female organ, that the transfer of the pollen is a very simple matter. Not so : it becomes more difficult. A plant to be strong and vigorous must not be self-fertilised. Nature abhors self-fertilisation, as much as she abhors a vacuum. Any breeder of live- stock, or any poultry breeder, will confirm this. "You must introduce fredi blood from time to time, either on the male or the female side, or your stock will degenerate.. There are villages in Switzerland where from intermar- riages the inhabitants are mostly ' cretins.' A man may not marry his grandmother, and it is often said that he would be a fool if he did ; but whether this were the case or no, it would not be unlikely that his son would be a fool. Mr. Cheshire in these diagrams has shown you some of the devices which plants adopt to escape self- fertilisation. Here the pistil keeps herself in the back- ground until the anthers have withered and died down ; there the anthers are in retirement until the pistil has been fertilised from the anthers of some other flower. Every gardener (as well as every bee-keeper) ought to have a set of these diagrams in his house to teach him how much he owes to the bePS. Many gar- deners I know have lost no time in purchasing them ; and many who have kept bees hitherto, not for getting honey, but the setting, i.e. the seeding of their peaches, have told me that they have been perfectly amazed at the revelation of the intimate connexion between the flower and the bee. The bee-keeper and the gardener are in fact becoming intimate friend-). The bee-keeper is led to study the nature and organization of plants, and the gardener is led to take an interest in the nature and habits of the bee. The outward and visible sign of this friend -hip is the cordial welcome given annually to the British Bee-keepers' Association by the Royal Horticultural Society in their Gardens at South Kensington, and the eagerness displayed by secre- taries of horticultural and cottage garden societies to secure the atten lance of the Bee Tent as an additional attraction to their exhibition One of the principal gar- deners in your county of Lincolnshire invited the mem- bers of the Bee-keepers' Association this year to visit the grounds of Belvoir Castle, that they might learn for themselves what flowers offer the earliest pasture to the bee in the spring-time of the year. And at the Show held lately by the Hertfordshire Bee-keepers' Associa- tion, a county flower-show was held at St. Albans for the first time, at which some of the best gardeners in the kingdom gave their services as judges gratuitously as a mark of their good-will towards the bee-keepers. I should mention also that the Royal Horticultural Society, with their habitual kindness, lent the Hertford Bee-keepers two of their largest tents for the occasion. ' 4. It may seem more difficult to establish a connexion between bee-keeping and agriculture, and when the British Bee-keepers' Association hoisted their flag last year at the show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, many people asked what on earth bee-keeping- had to do with agriculture ? But I think that we can easily establish a connexion between them. Just as the gardener depends upon the bee for the fertilisation of his plants, so does the farmer depend upon the bee, though he may not know it, for the fertilisation of many of the crops on which the live stock is fed. At one of our meet- ings in the early part of the year, the Rev. George Raynor informed us that in Essex generally the white clover crop had been a failure last year, but that in his own neighbourhood, where a great number of bees are kept, the crop had been very abundant. The Rev. William Cotton introduced bees into New Zealand with the express object, of encouraging the growth' of clover, which would not seed for want of its natural fertilisers. That which does good to his horses and to his live stock, should be a matter of interest to the farmer ; and if any- one could keep bees under favourable conditions, a farmer ought certainly to be able to do so. The advice given generally to a farmer in these days — and he gets plenty of advice just now — is that he must not think of com- peting with America in growing wheat, but turn his attention more to the breeding of live stock, and the sale of eggs and poultry. He must no longer despise what are known as the minor industries, and of these the pro- duction of honey is one. There is one point of sympathy between the farmer and the bee-keeper which must tend November 1, 1880. j THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 133 to bring them together in a companionship of either re- joicing or mourning, and this is as regards the weather. The fine summer weather which rejoices the heart of the farmer, produces a corresponding impression upon that of the bee-keeper ; whilst the continual downpour — such as that which last year converted the soil of Kilburn into an ocean of mud — produces an equal depression upon the mental barometer of the farmer and the bee-keeper. The farmers are indeed rather courting the bee-keepers just now. The Royal Agricultural Society of England was so much pleased with our efforts at Kilburn, that a sum of 20/. was offered to us to defray the expenses of send- ing one of our bee-tents to the Show held this year at Carlisle. But the Royal Agricultural Society did more than this to connect bee-keeping with agriculture, when they decided that if hives and bee appliances were ex- hibited, they should be ranked in the category of Agri- cultural Implements, and thereby subjected to a lesser scale of fees for the space occupied. The dairy farmers, too, have begun to revive the old associations between milk and honey, and bees and their produce will be found amongst the other exhibits this year at the Show held by the British Dairy Farmers' Associa- tion, in the Agricultural Hall at Islington. In the tour which was made through Ireland this year by Messrs. Abbott and Carr, the first appearance which they made with the Bee-Tent was at the Show of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland at Clonmel. Now, ladies and gentlemen, if we are invited by Agri ultural Societies to attend their shows ; if hives and bee ap- pliances are regarded as agricultural implements ; if bee- masters are invited to give lectures on bee-keeping to teachers of agricultural science, who shall say that there is no connexion between bee-keeping and agri- culture ? ' 5. I might have added another reason why a farmer should take an interest in bee-keeping even if he does not keep bees himself. If he should have a warm corner in his heart for the bees because they fertilise the crops which feed his sheep and cattle, he should surely have a good word for them also, if they benefit the labourer who tends his stock. Every farmer would, I should think, sooner have labourers in his employ who p y their rent regularly, whose cottages are neat and tidy, and whose wives and children are well fed and clothed. And what an assistance to the labourer in these respects may be the keeping of a few hives of bees ! He cannot well keep fowls or goats unless he lives on a common ; but, at least, if he has a garden, and any regard for it, fowls must be shut up and goats tethered, but there need be no restraint on his bees. If he can offer them no pasture in his own garden, the}' will find it in the gardens of other people. ' It has been asked how much profit a labouring man can make out of his bees ? My answer would he that it depends entirely upon himself, — upon his own intel- ligence, industry, and perseverance. I could name several cottagers who make a large profit out of their hives. One was presented to Earl Spencer at South Kensington, who I think convinced his lordship that there was a profit to be made out of bee-keeping if a man was only willing to serve an apprenticeship to it. No one can expect to make a large profit out of any trade or occupation the first year or two that he embarks in it. But labourers are not the stupid Boeotian race which they were before the schoolmaster went abroad, and I have no fear but that the English peasant will soon rival the bee- keepers of Germany and America, and make that SI. out of each hive which has been fixed as the mark at which he ought to aim. ' There is one more aspect in which bee-keeping may be regarded, and for the sake of which many are found to take an interest in it. What he shall eat, what he shall drink, and wherewithal he shall be clothed, is not the one engrossing thought of the labourers mind. He is as susceptible of religious impressions as any other member of the community. Paley, in his book on Natural Theology, has imagined a savage finding a watch and examining its construction, and then being irresistibly led to the conclusion that the watch must have had a maker, and a maker endowed with great skill and intelligence. Shall the English peasant be more dense and stupid than the savage ? Shall he have all the wonders of bee-life unfolded to him ? Shall he learn 'now the flower is adapted to the bee and the bee to the flower, and then fail to rise in thought to some appreciation of the goodness and the wisdom of Him who designed all this ? If he does, let a heathen teach him a lesson? Dryden has translated the writings of Virgil so faithfully, that the utterances of that poet are within the compass of every English reader. What did he say about bees ? ' " Induced by such examples, some have taught That bees have portions of ethereal thought, Endowed with particles of heavenly fires, For God the whole created mass inspires. O'er heaven and earth and ocean's depths He throws His influence round, and kindles as He goes ; Hence flocks and herds, and men and beasts and fowls, With life are quickened, and attract their souls ; Hence take the form His prescience did ordain, And into Him at last return again." ' These thoughts had been anticipated long before, and they are but the echo of the confession which we find in perhaps the oldest of all the books of the Bible. ' " Who knoweth not that the hand of the Lord is in all this, ' " In whom is the breath of every living thing, and the life of all mankind?" ' BRITISH DAIRY-FARMERS' ASSOCIATION. The Exhibition of Hives and Honey promoted by the British Bee-keepers' Association, in connexion with the Dairy Show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, was opened on Tuesday, the 26th ult., and created, ap- parently-, as much Interest amongst visitors as the ex- hibitions of cattle, goats, and poultry, if we may judge from the crowds besieging the various stands on each day of the show, — extending over four days, — despite the unfavourable weather. The exhibits commenced with Class 93, for observatory hives, in which we noticed three entries only, each obtaining a prize, that of Mr. Abbott being placed first. This hive, sub- stantially and neatly constructed of polished mahogany and plate-glass, offers great facility for wintering the bees, the combs remaining in the same position as in an ordi- nary bar-frame hive, but, by a simple contrivance, being easily separated and examined on both sides. Thefour sides' and top of the hive are of plate-glass of the finest quality, thus allowing a full view of the whole interior of the hive, at the same time admitting of free ventila- tion, and, by means of a quilted cover, sufficient warmth during the winter months. In Class 94, for the best moveable comb-hive for general use, price not to exceed 15;)., the first prize was taken by Mr. Blake with a hive which seemed to strike everyone as a model of cheapness and simplicity, with stand and cover complete, and of most substantial work- manship, build, and material. Mr. Baldwin, the well- known expert of the Association, obtained second place in this class with a neat hive of simple construction, and Mr. Abbott third. In Class 96, Mr. Blake's hive, first prize, priced at 6s. <5d. only, was all that could be desired. The honey classes were a great success, and we have no hesitation in pronouncing this as the show of the season. Want of space forbids a full report of this de- partment of the show ; suffice it to say, that the com- I mended, and some of the unnoticed, exhibits were of 134 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [November 1, 1880. quality and magnitude sufficient to have gained the highest honours at any show at which we have hitherto . been present. Amongst the winners of prizes in this department we noticed the well-known names of Messrs. Cowan, Thorne, Kusbridge, Neighbour, Scott, &c, and we were particu- larly struck by the fineness of quality and delightful aroma of the greater part of the honey exhibited, both comb and extracted. These remarks apply parlicularly to Mr. Rusbridge's samples of hawthorn and clover extracted honey and the other prize exhibits. The super of 6H lbs. exhibited by this gentleman, which deservedly obtained the first prize in Class 99, was the finest thing of the kind ever brought under our notice, the evenness, uniformity, solidity, and quality leaving nothing to be desired. Class 100. — For the largest and best exhibition of run or extracted honey, was simply a superb class, and we cannot refrain from a short notice of one exhibit to which the judges awarded an ' extra 3rd prize,' viz. that of Mrs. Spencer, of Renhold "Vicarage, Bedford. This consisted of three cases, each containing thirty 1 lb. glass jars of fine extracted honey — in all 90 lbs. It is to the construction of the cases we wish to call atten- tion, and to the reasonable price of each — 7s. 6d. Each case consisted of three shelves, into which the jars were fitted — ten upon each, — with a sliding bar of iron in front keeping the jars in their places, over which a kind of shutter, on hinges, closed and locked, rendering all compact and safe for travelling — a great desideratum in these days of hurried railway rushing and speed, when, if not securely packed, so fragile an article as honey runs great risk of breakage. The judges, who had no easy task to perform, and who devoted much time and patience to making their awards, were— the Revs. George Raynor and J. L. Sisson, and Mr. Willard, head-gardener to the Baroness Burdett- Coutts. That their awards should have given full satis- faction to all exhibitors, is more than could have been expected, especially in some of the classes where the com- petition was unusually severe. This desirable achieve- ment, we fear, will not be attained until the millennium of judges arrives. On the whole, however, we heard of few complaints. In conclusion, we heartily congratulate the Associa- tion on the success of its show, and more especially on the immense strides effected in bee-culture during the six short years of its existence. We append the list of prizes : — Bee Hives. — For the best Observatory Hive, stocked with Bees and their Queen. — 1, J. A. Abbott. 2, Neigh- bour and Son. 3, C. N. Abbott. For the best Moveable Comb Hive for general use. Prices not to exceed 15s. — 1, A. Blake. 2, S. J. Baldwin. 3, C. N. Abbott. For the best Moveable Comb Hive for Cottagers' use. Price not to exceed 10s.— 1, A. Blake. 2, C. N. Abbott. 8, S. J. Baldwin. Honey. — For the best display of Comb Honey in sections, exceeding 12 in number, each section not more than 3 lbs. in weight.— 1, J. T. Thorne. 2. T. W. Cowan. 3, Neighbour and Son. Extra 3, W. E. Warren, For the best 12 sections of Comb Honey, each section not more than; 3 lbs. in weight. — 1, T. W. Cowan. 2, A. Rusbridge. 3. J. T. Thorne. vhc, S. Thorne. For the best 6 sections of Comb Honev, each section of not more than 3 lbs. in weight.— 1, T. W. Cowan. 2, C. N. Brooks. 3, S. Thorne. Extra 3, J. T. Thorne. For the best exhibition of Comb Honey in one or more supers, of any material, Sectional Supers excluded. 1, A. Rus- bridge. 2, T. W. Cowan. 3, Neighbour and Son. For the largest and best exhibition of Run or Extracted Honey in glass jars or bottles, each entry to consist of not less than 20 lbs. — 1 , A. Rusbridge. 2, R. Scott. 3, Mrs. R. Spencer, vhc, C. N. Brooks. For the best ex- hibition ot Run or Extracted Honey in small glass jars, not to exceed 2 lbs. each, each entry to consist of not less than 10 jars. — 1, R. Scott. 2, A. Rusbridge. 2, F. M. Smith. ' Beeswax. — For the largest and best display of Pure Beeswax, in bars or cakes, from 1 to 3 lbs. each. — 1, C. N. Abbott, 2, W. Hunt. 3, R. Scott. On Wednesday evening a Conversazione of the Associa- tion was held, at which a paper was read by the Rev. E. Bartrum, M.A., Head-Master of Berkhampstead School, on ' The Stewarton Hive.' This paper, and the dis- cussion thereon, we reserve to the December number. — Communicated. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. •The usual monthly meeting of the Committee was held at 105 Jermyn Street, on Wednesday, October 16th. Present, Rev. E. Bartrum (in the chair). Mr. J. M. Hooker, W. O'B. Glennie (Treasurer), and Rev. H. R. Peel (Hon. Sec). The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the Secretary reported that in accordance with the resolution passed at the last Committee meeting, a circular had been sent to all those members who were in arrears with their subscrip- tions ; and that Mr. Cheshire and himself had visited the South Kensington Museum, and made the requisite arrangements for the exhibition of hives and other appliances in accordance with the request received from the Educavion Department, It was resolved that copies of the Diagrams should be sent to all ihe leading London papers for criticism on an early date. The balance sheet for the month ending Sept. 30th was read, showing a balance in hand of upwards of 20/. The account of receipts and expenses relating to the Irish tour was presented, showing a deficiency of 45/. 6s. 83d. The Secretary announced that he had received a donation of 25/. from the President of the Association on account of this deficiency, and that he himself would give a donation of 20/. for the same object. The Quarterly Meeting of the Committee for conferring with the Representatives of County Bee- keepers' Associations was held in the Board Room of the National Chamber of Trade, 446 Strand at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27th. Present, Mr. T. W. Cowan (in the chair), Rev. George Raynor, Rev. E. Bartrum, Mr. F. Cheshire, Rev. H. R. Peel, Hon. Sec. There were also present, as representatives of County Associa- tions: Mr. \V. II. Dunman, Dorsetshire ; Mr. Jesse Gar- ratt and Mr. George Allen, West Kent; Captain Camp- bell and Mr. F. Lemare, Surrey ; Rev. W. Stuart Wal- ford, and Rev. R. A. White, Suffolk. Mr. W. H. Dunman suggested, ' That a tent in which exhibits might, be displayed should be provided by the Central or British Association, and lent out to County Associations on terms to be hereafter decided, inde- pendently of the Bee Tent,' Moved by the Hon. Sec, and seconded by Rev. E. Bartrum, ' That this suggestion be referred to the Committee of the British Bee-keepers' Association.' Mr. W. H. Dunman also suggested, ' That lecturers be provided by the Central Association, and sent down to the counties, the Central Association being responsible for all expenses, and taking all the proceeds.' Moved by the Rev. E. Bartrum, and seconded by Rev. G. Raynor, 'That this suggestion be also referred to the Central Committee.' Moved by the Hon. Sec, and seconded by the Rev. E. Bartrum, ' That the Reports and Balance Sheets of the County Associations should be transmitted to the Secretary of the Central Association, not later than the first day of February in each year.' This resolution was carried by the unanimous vote of all the representatives of County Associations present. It being explained that the intention was to induce the November 1, 1880. J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 135 County Associations to hold their Annual General Meetings in the month of January, so as to prevent any delay in the holding; of the General Meeting of the British Bee-keepers' Association, which should take place in the month of February. Moved by Mr. T. W. Cowan, and seconded by the Rev. E. Bartruru, ' That the conditions of affiliation, as thus amended be now adopted, and that printed copies of the same be forwarded to the Secretary of each affiliated County Association.' Carried unanimously. The Honorary Secretary reminded the Secretaries of the County Associations present, that according to the conditions now passed, he must request them to furnish him with the names of the winners of the silver and bronze medals, and also of the certificates awarded by the British Bee-keepers' Association at the County Shows of 1880. The Secretaries of the Dorsetshire, West Kent, and Suffolk Associations, complied immediately with the request. Moved by Mr. F. Cheshire, and seconded by the Rev. G. Raynor, ' That Modern Bee-keeping, a Hand-book for Cottagers, be placed in the hands of some publisher, to be selected by the Committee, with a view to its general distribution in the book trade.' Moved by the Rev. E. Bartrum, and seconded by Mr. T. W. Cowan, ' That the Hon. Sec. be requested to communicate with the President of the Education De- partment, and ascertain whether he is willing to receive a Deputation from the British Bee-keepers' Association, respecting the appointment of a Professor of Bee Culture.' • ' WARWICKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSO- CIATION. This Society held its first Fxhibition of Honey, Hives, and Bees, in connexion with the Warwickshire Agricul- tural Society at Leamington last month. The Associa- tion has purchased its own Tent for manipulations, and this was the chief attraction of the Show, visitors swarm- ing into the Tent to see and learn from Messrs. Baldwin and Walton, the manipulators, the art of bee-culture. Very great interest was taken, and many questions asked and answered, several ladies even venturing inside the gauze for a handful of bees. The manipulations were accompanied by lectures ; and much surprise evinced upon hearing the wonders of the honey extractor, which was illustrated. A most creditable display of honey, hives, bees, and bee-furniture, was exhibited in a separate text, which also caused much interest, the tent being full all day with visitors. The Hon. and Rev. C. J. Feilding (Salop") and Mr. Shufflebotharu (Coventry) very kindlv acted as judges, and their judgments gave every satisfaction. We learn from all parts of Warwickshire that bee-cul- ture is making great progress, many cottagers who have been known for years past to burn their bees now drive and unite them. CALEDONIAN APIARLVN AND ENTOMOLO- GICAL SOCIETY. Report of closing meetingof Seventh Session, held 13th October, 1880. Present— Rev. John Irvine (Innellan), Messrs. Sword, Bennett, Wilkie, Johnstone, Kinloch. Garvie, Wood, Baillie, Laughland, Ellis, Sinclair, and Hutcheson. The Minutes of last meeting were read and approved of. Letters of apology were read from Messrs. Paterson (Struan), Raitt (Blairgowrie), A. Cameron (Blair Athole), Thomson (Blantyre), Thomson (Dalbeattie), and Ander- son (Dairy). The Rev. J. Irvine, of Innellan, presided. The Treasurer's statement was read and approved. It was stated that the Kelso Show had resulted in a deficit of 41/. 15s. 6d. The Treasurer had communicated with Mr. Menzies, of the Highland and Agricultural Society, in regard to the adverse balance, and read reply from him. In the discussion that ensued on the Kelso Show, it was suggested there should be in future a check bar at the entrance. The Secretary was instructed to draw up and forward to the patrons and members of the Society a statement of the funds, and requesting them to liquidate the debt. A letter was then read from Mr. Raitt, the Secretary of the East of Scotland Bee- keepers' Association, suggesting that the Society be re- constituted on a national footing, affiliating all local societies. Numerous letters were read from various members on the same subject. A long discussion en- sued, after which, on the motion of Mr. Wilkie, it was resolved to instruct the Secretary to forward to the secretaries of the various societies "in Scotland copies of the new rules anent affiliation, and otherwise, correspond with them on the matter. The proposal for a Honey Fair, to be held in Glasgow in September yearly, was remitted to the Committee to be brought up at the meeting in March. On the motion of Mr. Sword a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman. The Rev. Mr. Irvine kindly agreed to give a lecture on Bee-culture in Stirling next March to forward the science and otherwise interest county proprietors and bee-keepers in our next Show, which takes place in con- nexion with the Highland and Agricultural Society's Show in July, 1881. DORSET BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. _ A meeting of the committee and friends of this Asso- ciation was held in the Alington Hall, Dorchester, on Monday, Oct. 11th. Amongst those present were : Rev. H. Everett, Rev. J. Stanton, E. Burnett, Esq., T. Coombs, Esq., Messrs. W. IT. Dunman, ran. (honorary secretary), Stickland, and Vatcher. Mr. Dunman was appointed to represent the Association at the forthcoming meeting of the British Bee-keepers' Association in London for the discussion of rules relating to county associations. It was also decided to arrange for a series of lectures to be delivered in various towns and villages throughout the county during the coming winter, and to secure sets of mounted diagrams and other things required for such occasions. During the proceedings a letter was read from a member who was unable to be present, and it contained the following hints : 'The question of funds is sure to crop up. Well, most of us can get an additional subscriber or two. Let us try. We can all help in some way. One can give, another can beg ; some can work, and others can talk. Our secretary has the real work to do, and ought to be relieved of all anxiety about money. I shall be pleased to double my subscription next year, and perhaps others will follow the example. Moreover, if the other members of the committee will do the same, I will undertake to get new subscribers to the value of 1/. within a given time, or pay the money. This would enable us to go into the lecture season with spirit ; and there is very little doubt about the result, for the com- mittee-men who attend the lectures should make a point of canvassing for new subscribers on each occasion. All dummies should be got rid of forthwith. Strike off all unpaying members. Retain no one on the committee who does not help in some way : either by subscriptions or donations, lectures or other 'forms of advocacy, atten- dance at committee meetings, giving active assistance at, or sending exhibits to, the country or local shows. We must all do something if the Association is to be a success.' SCIENCE SCHOOLS AND BEE-KEEPING. We are informed by a correspondent in the Western Gazette _' that the memorial presented to Earl Spencer by the British Bee-keepers' Association has not been without 136 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [November 1, 1880. some effect, although, at present, a professor of bee-keeping has not been appointed in connexion with the Science and Art Department. A few days ago it was announced by Professor Tanner to the science teachers who are now attending his lectures that an extra day would be added to the course for the purpose of enabling those teachers who wished to attend two special lectures from Mr. F. Cheshire on bee-keeping. It was considered that it was advisable the daughters, as well as the sons, of the farmers and others interested in agriculture, should have instruc- tion in agricultural matters from the teachers now pre- pai ing themselves for the purpose ; and for this reason bee-keeping, and also every matter connected with the dairy, should have full attention. One lesson learnt was, certainly, that, unless British dairy farmers, as well as bee-keepers, study their occupations a little more closely, they will be left behind in the race by their cousins across the Atlantic' PARIS UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION, 1878. Official Re-port of Her Majesty's Commissioners on ' Class 83. — Useful Insects and Noxious Insects. ' Bees, Silkworms, and other varieties of the Bombyx tribe — Cochineal Insects — Apparatus used in the Cul- ture of Bees and Silkworms — Apparatus and Processes used for the Destruction of Noxious Insects.' ' Very little has been done in Great Britain with respect to the introduction and propagation of useful insects. Attempts have been made, from time to time, to promote the rearing of silkworms in this country, but no considerable progress has been made in this direction, our climate not being favourable. The Alianthus worm and the Japanese-oak silkmoth have been raised, but more as experiments and for amusements than as profitable industries. Bee- keeping is practised in many quarters of the king- dom, but not on an extensive or systematic scale in any locality. We import honey yearly to the value of from 10,000;. to 25,000Z. A British Bee-keepers' Association was formed in 1874, which held an ex- hibition of hives, bees, and their produce, at the Crystal Palace, in the close of that year ; but neither this nor the formation of a Silk Supply Association has, as yet, done much in carrying out these in- dustries on a national scale, nor have they estab- lished annual meetings for the display of insects and their products, useful and noxious, as is done in Paris. ' The insect products that enter into commerce are cochineal, lac, galls, cantharides, and wax, and some small quantity of brilliant insects for orna- ments for ladies. The value of the products im- ported at the two periods under consideration was as follows : — Articles. 1867. 1876. £ £ Cochineal 777,534 343,885 Galls 77,221 64,704 Lac products 169,779 530,017 Bees' wax 77,868 146,677 ' From its insular position and variable climate Great Britain has not hitherto been subject to any very extensive or periodical attacks from noxious insects. The hop-vines and some field and garden crops suffer, however, occasionally from insect depre- dations. Much useful information on the subject of economic entomology has of late years been given by the display of illustrative cases in the Bethnal Green Museum, under the directions of the Depart- ment of Science and Art, showing the stages of progress, ravages, and products, . B, Ii. ./.] DECEMBER. The winter, which began on the 20th of October with a severe snowstorm, caught many with apiaries unprepared for its early coming, and its continuance, with intervals of ' all sorts ' of weather, has done no inconsiderable amount of mischief. Bees that have been properly prepared for wintering need little attention, and those that have not will probably be a source of trouble, vexation, and loss. Dysentery. — Already we hear of dysentery — or, as some are pleased to name it, ' abdo- minal distention' — decimating hives, the poor bees staggering out of the entrances to obtain relief by a purifying night, but falling to the ground through being overcharged with faecal matter, and perishing through cold and inability to rise on the wing and discharge it, a con- dition of things that would have been pre- vented had the directions in this Journal in regard to winter preparation been adopted in time. Dysentery is the winter scourge of the procrastinating bee-keeper ; if he would but ' feed ' early, so that the bees might evaporate the superfluous water and seal over the food, and at the same time give them due protection and ventilation, the disease could not exist ; but with unsealed watery food that absorbs the vapours of the hive and becomes sour, the bees soon become dysenteric, and the food turns into poison, and in cold weather, when it is almost impossible to help them, or for them to help themselves, the disease gains groimd, and the fate of the colony is sealed. Dysenteric bees appear to be unable to dis- charge themselves except when on the wing, which appears to be a wise provision, or the interior of their hives would become filthy indeed ; but stress of circumstances often causes them to burst and die within, and then the disease, like/typhus fever, rims ' a muck' among the population. The stench arising from the discharged matter is abominable, the unsealed honey becomes worse affected, the whole atmo- sphere tainted, and, poisoned by both air and food, the poor bees quickly die, and, if not ob- served, the hive will become the prey of robber bees, the poison of the hive will be dissemi- nated, and, according to our theory, ' foul- brood' will be the result ; and then ' woe betide' the apiary. When a hive is attacked with dysentery, the first steps necessary for the era- dication of the disease are the removal of the unsealed honey from the combs, and giving a purifying flight to the bees ; but these are usually difficult of attainment when the disease is most likely to exist, viz. in cold and wet weather. Giving wholesome food will be help- ful, and the admixture with it of salicylic acid December 1, 1880.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. 147 in solution as in cases of foul-brood, will be further beneficial ; and if the bees can be induced to take, and deposit it with the unwholesome honey, the disease will in a measure be stayed ; but nothing will be so truly helpful to the affected bees, as a purifying flight. Had we a case of dysentery under the conditions named, we should provide a box of the same size as the hive affected, the box to have a glass front, and to contain a layer of chloralum powder as a dry disinfectant ; we should then set the affected hive upon it, remove all but sufficient of the quilt to keep the bees confined, carry it to a warm, well-lighted room, and set it before a bright fire so that heat and light should have full operation for an hour or so. The effect would be that the lower box being well lighted, and the bees warmed into life, woidd descend into it, and have the opportunity of flying, which is essential under the circumstances, and the chloralum would absorb and deodorise what- ever might fall into it, while the hive woidd be considerably dried, and the vapours escape through the thin quilt cover left upon it. This is the best help that we can suggest under the circumstances ; but when the weather permitted we woidd open the hive, force the bees to fly, and having extracted all the loose honey, would spray the combs with salicylic solution, and feed with barley-sugar. The worst feature in connexion with dysentery is in its having usually done a vast amount of mischief before it discovers itself at the entrance of a hive. The causes act chiefly on the bees* during cold weather ; often when protracted frost has kept them clustered for a long time so that the living could not remove the dead, and the affected could not attempt to fly, and the hive has consequently become a pest-house. When discovered, the appearance of a few dead or dying bees on the alighting-board is but an index of the mischief within, and the bee- keeper cannot too quickly take the case in hand, and by the means suggested give the living bees a chance of clearing the dead from their cluster, and of rendering themselves more comfortable. Searching with a Wire. — In cold weather, when bees are not able to throw out their dead, and show to their owner that all is not well within, it is a good plan to visit the hives occa- sionally during evening, and pass a hooked wire into the entrance, sweeping the floor-board in search of dead bees, or other impedimenta, as thereby the bees will be protected against the danger arising from accumulations of their dead, and the presence of dangerous conditions will be the more quickly discovered. In hives where the entrances are sunk into {i.e. cut out of) the floor-board, this is not so readily performed, owing to the slope of the entrance-way being different to the level of the other parts of the floor-board ; hence we prefer that entrances should be cut out of the bottom of hives, and the floor-boards left quite plain and flat. AMATEUR LECTURING. ' I have read with much interest your last number of the British Bee Jottrnal, and note with pleasure that you recommend us bee-keepers to try and extend the know- ledge of the art. Now I wish to read a paper on bees to a Society in a neighbouring town, but am a little con- fused as to where I am to begin, the subject is so very wide. Now I think it would be a good thing if you could give in your next issue a few hints as to how the subject should be handled.— Robert Brown, Donogh- more, Tyrone, Ireland, Nov. 8, 1880.' The subject is, indeed, a wide one, and when we find so great an authority as Dr. Dzierzon declaring that the little we know of bees is but as the shells on the sea-shore in comparison with the wealth of the ocean, we may well conclude that it is inexhaustible (see p. 107). For the purpose intended, i.e., the encouragement ^ of bee-keeping as a pleasant and profitable in- dustry, we do not think it will be advisable or necessary to more than skirt the fringe of the natural history and anatomy of the bee ; they are subjects too large to be dealt with satis- factorily before audiences such as are hoped for on the proposed occasions. Papers on bees, to be read before scientific associations, may deal with particular branches of either of the above- named subjects, and in each the more the writer dwells upon the minutiae of every par- ticular, the more interesting will his paper be to the scientists addressed. The queen, the worker, the drone, the brood, the wax, the cells, the honey, the pollen, and the propolis, would form subjects for long dissertation in the natural history of the bee ere they could lie exhaustively examined, and the same may be said of every part of the bee's anatomy ; but it is questionable whether a mixed audience woidd care to listen to them, or would profit by the scientific information given. There is, unfor- tunately, a tendency in lecturers, as in writers, to let the world see' how learned they are rather than to be popular instructors, they get upon stilts and parade themselves before the multi- tude, and though looked up to by the throng, are not under stood by one in a thousand. We do not seek to disparage expositions of scientific research, they are invaluable in the right place, but as inducements to cottagers to adopt the improved methods of bee-keeping, they are of doubtful value, since the technicalities employed frighten the ordinary mind, instead of enlisting its sympathy. In proposing a lecture or reading in fulfil- ment of the purpose intended, we think the 148 THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. title given to it should convey an idea of its immediate purport — whether a description of the bee, the hive, the method of management, the advantages to be derived from their cidture, or any branch of either, when, except the one particular subject, neither of the others need be treated of, except incidentally, by way of introduction or explanation. From our point of view, the purpose would be best served by lectures or readings On the Advantages to be ob- tained by the modern method of Bee-culture. This would give scope for a short introduction and explanation of the queen, the worker, and the drone, and the phases through which they pass, and all that is necessary in that respect may be gleaned from the excellent paper entitled Bees, written for the Science and Arts (Educa- tional) Department, South Kensington, and published by us (by permission) as a ' leaflet.' Then would follow a description of the waste- ful and cruel method of management, which so long prevailed throughout the country, instances occurring in the locality being cited, and the hive (the skep or box with its fixed combs) with its contents, explained, its unsuitability for in- vestigation and depriving being dwelt upon. Then would come a description of the improve- ments that have from time to time been made in both hive and management, aided by such examples as may be at hand, to be followed by a comparison between the results of the new versus the old system, illustrated by the ex- hibition of pure extracted, and comb-honey in sections, as against the run-honey and supers of former days. In advocating the new system, there will be opportunity for explaining the use of the ex- tractor, the various methods of making swarms artificially, the methods of queen-raising, in nuclei and otherwise, the use and value of comb-foundation, the advantages of moveable combs, the adaptability of sections for honey- storing, the easy way in which honey may be taken, the facility with which hives may be strengthened and equalised, how they may be invaded and investigated, the facilities for the study of bees which they afford, and ' a hundred and one ' other matters which the ingenuity of the lecturer, or the questions of the audience, may supply. Our contribution in aid of the foregoing, alluded to on p. 126, consists in An Irish Hive, in which we have placed, for illustrative pur- poses, the following articles, labelled thus : — 1 . A Woodbury frame, with fitted American worker guide-comb foundation sufficient to ensure straightness in comb-building. The cell bases of natural size and shape. 2. A Woodbury frame fitted with Abbotts' flat- bottomed foundation. 3. A Woodbury frame fitted with Abbotts' flat- bottomed foundation of a cheaper kind. 4. A Woodbury frame fitted with Abbotts' wood foundation ready to be given to the bees. 5. A Woodbury frame fitted with a full sheet of Abbotts' wooden foundation. 6. A Woodbury frame with a sheet of wooden foundation partly worked out into comb. 7. A Woodbury frame, containing a comb trans- ferred from a straw skep, and enlarged by the bees. 8. A Woodbury frame, containing an old natural comb, with five old queen-cells in the centre. 9. A dummy frame filled with Abbotts' wood found- ation. 10. Mechanical dummy. No. 40 in catalogue. 11. Queen excluder. No. 35. 12. An Abbotts' new-idea frame. No. 57. 13. 1 can and shovel for feeding purposes. No. 41. 14. 1 bottle for feeding. No. 42. 15. 1 specialt3' feeder. No. 43. 16. 1 Vale of York feeding stage. No 46. 17. 1 scraper for cleaning floor boards, &c. No. 48. 18. 1 Abbotts' Little Wonder Extractor. No. 53. 19. 1 Abbotts' honey-knife. No. 55. 20. 1 Bingham ditto. No. 56. 21. 1 Bingham and Hetherington smoker. No. 64a. 22. 1 steel gauge. No. 74. 23. 1 Olutton bee-trap. No. 77. 24. 1 Drone trap. No. 78. 25. 1 simple queen cage. No. 80. 26. 1 make-shift ditto. 81. 27. 1 Abbott ditto. No. 82. 28. 1 pair India-rubber gloves. No. 83. 29. 1 net veil. No. 84. 30. 1 Dr. Pine veil. No. 85. 31. 1 wax smelter. No. 89. 32. 1 American tin-feeder and stage — not catalogued. 33. Seven bottles containing (in spirit) Cyprian bees, Syrian bees, Cyprian queens, Hybridbees (Ligurian and En- glish), Hybrid bees (Syrian and Ligurians), Hybrid drones (Ligurian and English), Ligurian queens, Ligurian drones. "With these ' aids ' a bee-keeper with average ability will be enabled to interest and entertain an audience for an hour or two, and if he can exhibit from his own apiary or locality some samples of honey in sections or otherwise, show- ing the residts of improved management, with statistics to prove its greater value, the interest created will be sure to bear fruit, and bee- keepers will be multiplied. The set of Association Diagrams costing 8s., and which accompany the foregoing, will be the property of the hirer of this ' box of tricks :' the charge for hire is 8s., and carriage both ways ; and the hirer will be responsible for the safety of the goods, and must undertake to pay for all damages and losses while out of our possession. It is hoped that no one will keep the box long on hand ; it is an expensive 'move ' on our part, and we ask ' hirers ' to take every possible care of the goods, that we may be saved more trouble than the effort naturally causes. At the late meeting of the British Bee-keepers' Association we suggested that some such box should be sent out under its auspices, as an aid to the develop- ment of bee interest at lectures, flower shows, &c, where there may be willing exponents of bee- keeping who lack the necessary means of illustrat- ing its economy, and have every reason to believe that the suggestion will be carried into effect. December 1, 1880.J THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. 149 THE ASSOCIATION LIBRARY. This excellent institution may now be said to be fairly afloat, and promises to do well in the future. It owes its birth to the persevering energy of J. P. Jackson, Esq., formerly of Bull Mill Apiary, Herts, but now removed to a new scene of usefulness in Lancashire, so that we may expect a County Association to rise up shortly under his bold hand in that unrepre- sented shire. Mr. Jackson has given the Asso- ciation Library a good start, as may he gathered from the following list, which it is needless to say the Committee will be glad to see increased hy the contributions of those who have the in- terest of bee-culture at heart, and have dupli- cate copies of works not already subscribed. The Baroness Burdett-Coutts, with her usual liberality, has given 51. as the nucleus of a Library fund, additions to which will also be welcomed. Mr. F. Cheshire is appointed Hon- orary Librarian. Bee-keeping : Manuals for the Many. L'Apicoltore. Gleanings in Bee-culture. (America.) Bees : their Management and Culture. • Bevan's History and Management of the Honey-bee. Bee-keeping, by ' The Times Bee-master.' Bees : Habits and Management, hy J. G. Wood. Honey as Food and Medicine. The Bishop's Advice, ' Keep Bees.' Cook's Manual. Bienen Zuchter. 50 Nos. of various German periodicals relating to bee- keeping. 12 Nos. of Gleanings in Bee Culture. Langstroth's Hive and Honey-bee. Bienen Zeitung, 3 vols. British Bee Journal, 6 vols. (Including one unbound.) American Bee Journal, 3 vols. Moon's Bee World, 1 vol. Gleanings in Bee-culture, 1 vol. English Bee-keeper. Bee-keepers' Magazine. Kirby and Spence's Entomology. Bevan on the Honey-bee. Seventy Pounds a-year. How I make it hy my Bees. A Book for Bee-keepers. Pettitt's Management of Bees. Cheshire's Practical Bee-keeping. BEE TENT IN IRELAND. Our Irish friends are making forced marches into public favour if we may accept as evidence of the progress that has been made, the reply of the Royal Dublin Society to the application of the newly-formed Irish Bee-keepers' Asso- ciation to admit their Bee Tent to future shows in the Society's grounds at Dublin, as fol- lows : — 'Royal Dublin Society, ' Nov. 2Zrd, 1880. ' Dear Sir, — At the last meeting of the committee on agriculture, a resolution was passed granting the Irish Bee-keepers' Association permission to erect a tent in the grounds at the forthcoming Spring Show, and to charge sixpence per head admission. ' It is very unusual for the Society to make an arrange- ment of this sort, and I trust that it will prove satisfac- tory, and assist in promoting the objects of the Association. No arrangements are yet made for the Horse Show in August. ' I remain, dear sir, yours f aithfullv, J. Traynor, Esq., ' R. J. Moss, The Cottage, Tinahely. Registrar.' The tent heing an accomplished fact, arrange- ments can now be made for exhibitions of manipulations at local shows ; and in the hands of such energetic promoters as Ireland can now hoast, there is little doubt but that they will hecome the order of the day ; and we confi- dently expect to see a full programme arranged for next summer, and the British Bee-keepers' Association will have the satisfaction of knowing that their missionary -like enterprise of 1880 was not made in vain. — Ed. ABBOTT'S IRISH HIVE. In the manufacture of this hive, outlined on pp. 126-7 of the present volume of the Journal, it will be necessary to procure inch pine for the body-box and floor-board, and § inch * for the roof, unless yellow deal is preferred as being more economical. We prefer pine for the parts of the hive in which warmth is of importance, as heing of a soft texture, it is not so good a conductor of heat as wood of harder grain, and therefore we use it chiefly in the manufacture of the body-hox, which will contain the brood- nest. To make the hody-box, two pieces of inch pine will be required for the hack and front, each 16^ inches long, and 8f inches deep, and in each there should he, at a distance of about three inches from the ends, and of J of an inch from the top, two holes in which screws 1| inch long should be inserted, so as to stand out f of an inch, the purpose of which will he discovered as we proceed. For the sides of the hive two pieces will he wanted, each 20 inches long, and 8 inches wide, cut square at the ends ; and on to these the front and back should be nailed, so that they shall form a hottomless box 20 inches long and 14J inches wide inside, with the back and front standing | of an inch above the sides. Now take two pieces of wood, each 20 inches long and § of an inch square, and brad (nail) one of them to the top of each hive-side fair and flush with the insidef for the hive's frames * Pine is ordinarily eleven inches wide, and we are presuming that width will be purchased, the pieces cut off being utilised for fillets, plinths, and ledges ; or to make a fire to work by when the weather is cold. t In practice, this is left solid on the hive side ; but in writing for amateurs of saw and hammer calibre, we prefer to show how the work may be accomplished in the readiest way. 150 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. to run on when all is completed. This will still leave the hive sides f of an inch lower than the back and front ; but the frames, when laid upon them in use, will raise all to the same level. To finish the body-box, two strips, 16i inches long, one inch wide, and half an inch thick, should be nailed flat against the front and back of the hive, close under the screws that are already there, and two pieces, each 23 inches long, and one inch square, should be nailed along both sides to meet them, the four pieces forming a half-inch ledge around the hive for the roof to rest upon.* Nothing more is needed but the entrance, or entrances, if more than one be determined on, and plinths nailed along the sides and back to overhang the floor- board and keep out the wet ; but these, and the porch-piece, and entrance-slides, are too self- apparent to need description. For the floor -board, two pieces, each 22 inches long, and 8j inches wide, will be wanted, the strips off the sides (they being originally eleven inches wide) being used for ledges to nail across them and hold them together, and it will then be of the exact size of the body- box, and Ave would advise that it be temporarily nailed or screwed on, to keep the hive Arm and square while the roof is being made and fitted to it. Originally we proposed to form the roof on the American pattern with a flat top, but as there is little more trouble in making it to slope a little, and cast the wet behind it instead of allowing it to trickle down the sides, we have adopted the slope ; and to get it and economise the materials, take a piece of f inch board 22| inches long, and cut it diagonally as indicated, leaving each piece 7 inches wide at one end, and four at the other, as nearly as may be. Now cut two other pieces 7 inches and 4 inches wide respectively, and 18 inches long, and nail them on to the others yf then nail two pieces 25 or 26 inches long, 11 inches wide, side by side upon them, and nail a strip * Our dimensions are correct in this particular, as the frame-ends overhang the sides, hut not the front and hack of the hive; those who choose to do so may shorten the ends if they please, hut we consider the projections valuable as a means of lifting or moving frames without mixing one's ringers with the bees, or messing them with propolis. t In good work, the top surfaces of the roof walls would be planed even so that the roof-boards would bed fairly; but as ventilation is requisite, it is not absolutely necessary that they should touch all round. If made to do so, holes must be bored, and covered with perforated zinc, but every one can exercise his own judgment and taste therein. about 2 inches wide over the joint in the middle, and the roof will be complete. The roof is now ready to be placed upon the hive, and when there it will be foimd resting upon the four screws that have been inserted in the front and back pieces. Hence four half- circidar notches will have to be cut into the lower edge of the roof-walls to let the roof clown on to the ledge that runs round the hive. The purpose of the screws will now be dis- covered, for they, fitting into the notches, will keep the roof from shifting sideways, while they will be equal to hinges on which the roof may be raised at either end, the heads forming knuckles, which will prevent it slipping when so raised and lowered. This ingenious device originated with the Hon. and Rev. Henry Bligh, formerly of Nettlebed and Abingdon Vicarages, and who presided at the meeting of bee-keepers at which the British Bee-keepers' Association had birth. The height of the roof, as is the case in all other hives, may not be sufficient to satisfy those who have high faith hi supering, but it is tall enough to admit American sec- tions over the brood-nest, and to permit of bottle-feeding ; and when this is deemed in- sufficient, an inch or two may easily be added to its lower edge, and sufficient space thus be made to receive any ordinary super, or pile of sections. It is possible also that the length of the hive internally (20 inches) may not be sufficient in many districts, but there again the maker is not bound by the dimensions given, for by elongating such parts as form the length of the hive, he may suit his own convenience. Individually, we would prefer the interior to be 30 inches long instead of 20, but many bee-keepers would stand aghast at such a hive, because it woidd seem impossible (to them) for bees to fill it. Nevertheless, as it could be made smaller by contraction from the rear, and empty back space could do no harm, we prefer the larger measure, if only for use as a depository for gloves, empty feeding-bottle, and honey- knife, or as a safe place for a few empty frames or sections. Tn making the frame-bars for the ulterior, it is not essential that their ends should be pointed, December 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 151 as on p. 127 ;* but the widening is important, as they thus become their own distance-keepers, thev mav be made by cutting strips of deal an [. . Mi inches . o I inch wide, and half an inch thick, and braiding other pieces on the ends, each half an inch square. The strips for the bars should be long enough to overrun the walls of the hive for convenience in handling, and the pieces nailed on should extend from the ends to the inside of the hive -walls, leaving 14+ inches between them, as indicated in the above figure. The bars will then be half an inch thick all along, but the parts resting on the hive-walls should be reduced so as to form shoulders to prevent longitudinal movements ; a sixteenth of an inch will be sufficient. In furnishing the hive's interior, one can scarcely gauge' the wishes of the bee-keeper, or the requirements of his locale, but for practical work and cottager's purposes, we would suggest eight frames as ordinarily sufficient for a swarm's reception, one of which shoidd contain our wooden comb-foundation of the full size of the hive, to act as a divider, or dummy, to shut off, or enclose, the space or frames at will. The other frames shouldbe fitted with guides, or foun- dation, as may be determined, though now that it is so cheap and effective, the bee-keeper who does not use it will not be adopting the best means to the end in view, viz., securing a har- vest of honey. The frame of wood-foundation may have a slot cut in its bottom edge to give passage to bees, either to a feeder at back, or to sections for honey storage. The advantage of a divider, or dummy, made of comb (which cannot be broken) is inestimable. There is no known material that can be used for the pur- pose that is so bad a conductor of heat, and common sense would suggest that comb (even with wood-foundation) is more acceptable to the bees than plain sheets of wood, glass, or metal. And when the side exposed to the swarm has been built out and stored with honey or brood, what so likely to attract the bees to the sections in rear, as their own handiwork and treasure, enticements readily brought to bear by siniply turning the frame of foundation round so that the honey or brood is brought within the storage department, the queen being kept out by a slip of long-holed zinc. In this * The illustration correctly shows the principle of Abbott's frame-bars, but not the way in which the ends are made. The engraver drew them from a photograph, and they are made to appear inverted. way there would be space in the back of the brood-nest for four sets of sections, and others could be piled on top. But suppose the hive were made of greater length, say 30 inches, there wotdd be space for, say ten frames and five sets of sections, with a zinc excluder between Zinc. Dummy Comb. Space for Bottle, Frames. Sections. them, and the enticing comb of wood- founda- tion at the hack, and honey might be fed to the bees in the back space to get thorn well on to building in the sections, while, if desired, other sections might be placed all over the top, and storing facilities thus greatly mtdtiplied. If there are any parts 'of this description which are not easily understandable, or any missing link in the" chain of description, we shall be very glad to furnish them hi our next issue hi reply to queries hi the usual way. BEE-KEEPING IN IRELAND. We are glad to find that an energetic en- deavour is being made to establish a Bee-keepers' Association for Ireland, and cheerfully comply with a request that the circular of the promo- ters may be published ; and we hope that all who wish well for Irish bee-keeping will as readily acquiesce in its objects. ' A number of Irish gentlemen interested in apiculture are desirous of starting an Irish Bee-keepers' Association on the plan of, and" to work in harmony with, the British Bee-keepers' Association, which has done so much to improve the practice of apiculture in the sister isle. The objects of the Association will be to introduce bee-keeping among the small farmers and peasantry ; and in districts where bee-keeping is at present carried on; to instruct the bee-keepers by means of leaflets, &c, in the most improved methods of increasing the quantity of honev gathered, and getting it of a finer quality, which, if successful, will tend to keep money in the country, which is at present sent to America for honey, wax, &c. It is proposed that the minimum subscription for ordinary members should be, for gentlemen, 7s. 6d., for ladies 5s. per annum, and for members of the Council 1/. Is. I shall be glad to be favoured with your views on the subject, and any suggestions which may occur to you: also to know whether you would be disposed to loin the Association if Btarted. — Robbbt Sprovle. 4 Clonliffe Terrace, East, C/onliffe Road, Dublin, th November, 1880.' The circular was sent to us by Brother Joseph, of Loughrea, who writes : — ' I enclose one of our circulars, hoping you may refer to it in next Journal, and invite all Irish bee-keepers to join the Association. Mr. Sproule, Mr. Traynor, and myself are working verv hard to establish it. We have 152 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. already about fifteen names. Mr. Sproule has kindly consented to act as secretary. We could not have a better man. I have the greatest confidence the Asso- ciation -will prosper under his management. — Brother Joseph, Nov. 12, 1880.' That the subject is gaining ground may be inferred from the following, a short leader in the Irish Freeman of Nov. 6, which we com- mend to the notice of the Dublin Society : — ' We have reason to believe that what we have lately ■written on bee-keeping has attracted much attention in Ireland. Bee-keeping is an industry that is peculiarly suited to our country, and yet, strange to say, this is almost the only country in Europe where it is not prac- tised. There was an attempt made to exhibit bees in connexion with the annual Show held in Dublin last September ; but the committee refused to admit bees to the show ground. There is not another Agricultural Society in any part of Europe who would have acted in a similar manner, for we see everywhere prizes are offered, and bee-keepers induced to compete for them. The British Bee-keepers' Association visited Ireland last autumn, and held shows in Clonmel, Newry, and Parsons- town, and were very successful in creating an interest in bee-culture, and we have reason to believe there are now in Ireland — north, south, east, and west — many who are very successful, and even enthusiastic, in the study and cultivation of bees, according to the modern and humane system. But there is a want of union, which is so ne- cessary to spread the knowledge among the cottagers of Ireland. We trust that something will be done before next season for the formation of a Bee Association, and that we shall have the pleasure of seeing the Bee Tent at the next Agricultural Show in the metropolis, as is , done every year at the Kensington Show, and we may say at every agricultural show in England. We have no doubt but the Bee Tent, under the management of an Irish Bee Association, would be one of the most attractive features of the show. Seven years ago bee- keeping was very backward in England, but a few earnest bee-keepers held a show at the Crystal Palace, and founded the British Bee Association. Then they were few in number ; now the numbers can be counted by hundreds. They have as their President the Baroness Burdett-Coutts. We find also that there is scarcely a county in England which has not its own Association affiliated to the principal one, having an earl here and a lord there as its president ; and we have no doubt but a similar patronage would be extended to the Irish Asso- ciation, if once established.' A COTTAGER EXPERT IN SHALLOW WATER. At the late Committee Meeting of the British Bee-keepers' Association, the Rev. H. R. Peel men- tioned the case of Mr. Martin, the cottager-bee- keeper of High Wycombe, Bucks, whose example as a most successful honey-producer and prize-winner for several years past, while giving him considerable prominence, afforded a most valuable stimulus to others, and greatly aided the advancement of cot- tage bee-keeping. He has recently left the em- ployment of Messrs. Neighbour and Sons ; and with the winter before him, his own apiary dis- established, a crippled, helpless son on his hands, and himself lately become a widower, he is casting about for employment in bee-culture ; and it is hoped that, by his case being made known through these columns, he may find that which is more congenial to his taste than chair-making, which was his calling ere his success as a bee-keeper brought him to the front in the bee-world. He hopes to be able to place his son in a ' home ' for incurables, but has not the means under present circumstances. But to help him to this end, a sum of thirty shillings was subscribed forthwith, and we shall be willing to add to that sum any donations that kindly hands may send us. He feels competent to undertake the management of a bee-farm, and go out as Association expert, or to assist other bee- keepers in managing their apiaries. In the preface to the Association's Handbook, it is stated that, ' a County Association is no sooner formed, than a County Show is instituted, the Bee Tent arrives from London, with an expert who shows the cottager how to drive his bees, transfer his combs from skeps to hives, how to make artificial swarms, and in short how to keep bees intelligently and profitably.' And we would suggest to County Associations that William Martin would be just the man to employ for the above purposes ; for, while doing him a service, they would be ad- vancing the interests of bee-keeping in their re- spective districts. William Martin can make both skep and frame-hives,'and do all that is necessary in the economy of apiculture j and knowing him to be a sober, civil, and willing hand, we trust he may find the kind of employment he is seeking. His address is Mr. William Martin, Plummer's Hill, High Wycombe, Bucks. — Ed. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The Monthly Meeting of the Committee was held at 105 Jermyn Street on Wednesday, November 17th. Present Mr. T. W. Cowan (in the chair)} Messrs. C. N. Abbott, Rev. E. Bartrum, F. Cheshire, J. M. Hooker, and the Hon. Secretary. The minutes of the last Committee Meeting having been confirmed and signed, Mr. Abbott presented ' the report of Mr. Carr and himself relating to their Irish tour. Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to Messrs. Carr and Abbott for their labours in Ireland. The Secretary reported that as a result of the visit of the Bee Tent in Ireland, an Association was now in course of formation for that country, the labours of such movement having been undertaken by Mr. Sproule, of Dublin (who was a member of the British Bee-keepers' Association), and other gentlemen. A letter was read from the Science and Art Depart- ment, South Kensington, stating 'That the Diagrams published by the Association had been included in the department's fist of apparatus towards which aid was granted to Science Schools and Classes.' A letter was also read from Messrs. Longman & Co., of Paternoster Row, expressing their willingness to undertake the publishing of the Handbook for Cottagers. Resolved, ' That the Chairman, Mr. Cheshire, and Mr. Hooker, form the sub-committee for the purpose of mak- ing the necessary arrangements for the publication of the second edition 'of the Handbook to consist of_ five thousand copies ; and that Mr. Cheshire have an inter- view with Messrs. Longman & Co. in reference thereto, and at the same time to ascertain if Messrs. Longman & Co. would undertake the publishing of the Diagrams on the same terms.' Mr. Cheshire was unanimously elected Honorary Librarian of the Association, and votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman and Mr. Jackson for donations of books to the library. December 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 153 The Secretary was requested to communicate with the Royal Agricultural Society with the view of the Asso- ciation being represented at the Eoyal Agricultural Show at Derby next year. Resolved, 'That Mr. Kirchner be appointed Auditor of the present year's accounts, and that the Secretary prepare the annual report at the close of the year.' The balance-sheet for the month ending October 31st was read, showing a balance in hand of '291. 13s. 7d. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' CONVERSAZIONE. This took place at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27th, at the conclusion of the Conference with the Comity Representatives. The Rev. W. Stuart Walford, Hon. Sec. of the Suffolk County Association, presided ; and there were present the Revs. T. Lawson Sisson, J. L. Sissons, H. R. Peel ; Captain Campbell, R.N. ; Messrs. J. R. Jackson, T. W. Cowan, F. Cheshire, J. Littleboy, J. Garrett, R. A. Boissier, P. E. Martin, J. Abbott, F. Lyon, E. S. Whealler, J. Lemare, R. Jonas, H. R. Vin- cent, J. W. Wright, J. Camaschella, W. Martin, W. Allen, and others. The Rev. E. Bartrum, M.A., Head-Master of Great Berkhamsted School, read the following paper on — The Stewabton Hive. I hope I shall not be considered presumptuous in bring- ing the Stewarton Hive before the notice of the British Bee-keepers' Association. When I first determined to become a bee-keeper, and consequently was compelled to select some form of the hive, I found that those who had used the Stewarton claimed to have obtained results which certainly were not surpassed, even if equalled, by others who had confined themselves to the straw skep or the ordinary bar-frame. Three years' trial of this hive, in conjunction with other kinds, has convinced me that its merits are very great, and that it only requires to be better known to be'more highly appreciated. Notwith- standing the able advocacy of 'The Renfrewshire Bee- keeper,' the hive which he has . made almost his own, or, at all events, has vastly improved, is seldom seen across the border; and even persons in England who have adopted it are not all of them aware how best to manage it. I trust, therefore, that I may be able to contribute something towards the advancement of bee- keeping by dwelling in detail upon the Stewarton Hive. The subject of my paper derives its name from the town of Stewarton or Stuart-town, in the north of Ayr- shire, on/ the borders of Renfrewshire. It is said to have been invented about the year 1819, by a cabinets maker named Robert Kerr, of that place, a man as remarkable for his skill in bee-keeping, as in the secrets of his particular trade. ' Bee Robin ' was the nick- name given by his neighbours to Robert Kerr, and we can well imagine that his skill as a workman assisted him in no slight degree in improving the form of the wooden boxes in which he kept his bees. The octagonal form of the Stewarton hive was without a doubt known before Kerr's time. ' The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper' informs me that its invention is generally ascribed to the Rev. William Mewe, minister of Eastlington in Gloucestershire, about the year 1652. In April, 1675, John Gedde obtained a patent from Charles II. for his octagon boxes. They appear, however, to have been used in Scotland with good success before that date. These octagons consisted simply of a series of boxes of uniform depth, with a 5-inch square central hole in each top. Robert Kerr seems to have introduced the moveable slides of wood working in grooves in li inch bars on the top of what are called the body boxes. Of late years various changes have been introduced by 'the Renfrewshire Bee-keeper,' so that the hive, as sent out by the makers at Stewarton, is as follows: — There are one, two, or three breeding or body boxes, octagonal in form, about 14 inches wide inside, 7 dr 9 inches deep, and having eight bars, the six in the centre one inch and an eighth broad, the two at the ends where the honey is stored lg. The bars are secured by ^-inch brass screws, and are supposed to be removeable at pleasure, though sometimes they require a sharper wrench than seems desirable. The screws, however, need not always be fastened, and, like screws of another kiud, their absence is often better than their presence. Frames are added to the four centre-bars so that combs may be interchanged just as in ordinary bar-frames. The sides of the boxes are dovetailed, and if the boxes are accurately constructed, as I have always found to be the case, they fit exactly one upon the other. There is a window with a moveable shutter on the back and front of each box, wooden buttons on each to keep the boxes together, handles for lifting, and also hooks or screws for lashing the boxes; but these I have never found occasion to use, the buttons answering every necessary purpose. In each box is an entrance 3j inches wide, and half an inch deep, with a sliding piece of wood for closing or contracting it. Experience has proved that three entrances are none too many if the hive is prosperous and the weather warm ; but in cold weather one will be found sufficient. In addition to the breeding or body boxes, supers or honey-boxes are also required. These correspond in width with the other boxes, but they are 4 inches only in depth, and are each furnished with seven bars, 1£ inches broad, whereas the central bars of the body boxes are one inch and an eighth only. The shallowness of the supers, the thickness of the combs, and the additional depth of the cells, all tend to deter the queen from con- verting these supers into breeding-boxes. The number of honey-boxes required for each Stewarton set is some- what uncertain ; my Stewartons this season have been made up of three body and four honey-boxes or supers, but probably the best Stewarton super exhibited last year was obtained, I believe, from a single body-box. Very much, of course, depends on the season and neigh- bourhood ; but I may saj' that I do not at all despair of filling six, eight, or even ten honey-boxes placed on the top of one Stewarton hive whenever we have a favour- able season. Besides all these boxes, the wood ul ,\hich is only five-eighths of an inch thick, an outer covering of some kind or other seems to me to be absolutely neces- sary, and the cost of the hive is thereby increased. This covering, like the hive itself, must be capable of expansion or contraction. Mine consists of two or more cases, each about 19 inches square, 11 inches deep, with a rim 2 inches wide fastened round the bottom, so that it fits on to another case. A moveable top will also be required, and one of the cases must have a wide opening at the bottom for the admission of the bees. In this case the rim must not be added on the side where the opening is made, so that the case may fit the floor-board. The floor-board should be also 19 inches square, witli a projection in front slightly sloping outwards that the water may run off. Two cross pieces of wood should be nailed at the bottom of the floor-board to keep it from warping, and protect it from the damp. ' The Ren- frewshire Bee-keeper' recommends 'an outer octagon case, with a nicely-bevelled roof and an ornamental vase on the top;' but the moveable cases of square form fitting into each other are very convenient, as you can easily remove them if you wish to inspect the boxes. My bees," moreover, were hanging by thousands near the end of June at night-time, when the weather was very warm, between the inner octagons and the outer case, although the three body-boxes and the four supers were full, and in this way the outside covering forms an important protection against that bane of a bee-keeper's life— I mean the tendency of the bees to swarm. These cases can also be used to protect ordinary bar-frame hives constructed with a single wall, and if, as I have found necessary, three tiers of sectional supers are 154 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. on at one time, a second case can be added above the first with a moveable roof to crown the whole. Having now our breeding and honey boxes, and also our outer cases, we may proceed to fill our hives with bees, and see how this complex system works. In a famous passage quoted from the B. B. J., vol. i. page 14, in Mr. Hunter's book, 'the Renfrewshire Bee-keeper' has described the general method of manipulating the Stewarton hive. His system of combining swarms deserves close attention on the part of those beginning bee-keeping. I do not, however, propose to repeat what he has written, but will give you the history of my latest Octagon. At the end of June last year, I placed a swarm in a body box on a platform about nine inches from the ground, in the hope that I might be able to add a second swarm within a few days, as recommended by the writer to whom I have referred. The weather, however, was so unpropitkms, that no swarm came, and moreover I was compelled to feed the bees. This was done by cutting one of the central slides, and drawing one of the pieces out some little distance. Above the hole I placed a feeder, made by Messrs. Green & Sons, of Rainham, Kent, recommended to my notice by Mr. Cheshire, whose recommendation I can thoroughly endorse. Over this box, when winter approached, I placed a square case, adding dry fern between the hive and the case, covering the top also with fern. Thus the bees were kept both warm and dry. For months they were left almost unnoticed, until the fine weather on March 1st enabled me to examine them, when I found that they still had food in abundance, and were evidently thriving. Soon a second box, with combs already con- structed, was placed below the first, the slides from the top of the second box were all withdrawn, so that the bees could readily enter their new apartments, and slow feeding was commenced. Ere long the population increased so rapidly that I claced a honey-box fitted with guide-comb on the top, ' '- - <-^n outer slides on either side of the rkers to deposit their writes ' the Renfrew- lccessful management ee of the wants of the bees. mo openinj ater side of the box, occasioned by the withdrawal of the slides, were stopped by the wooden pegs made for the purpose. If the outer slides only are drawn, the queen will not, as a rule, enter the honey box ; nor have I found any occasion for queen or drone excluders, as in the ordinary bar- frame. ' The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper ' asserts that he never found eggs laid in a honey-box, so effectual is this simple plan of drawing the slides only where the honey is stored. This honey-box was fastened to the body-box by the wooden buttons mentioned before, and thick paper was also gummed or pasted over the part where the boxes meet, so that air was excluded, and the beat of the hive increased. The super was carefully covered with flannel or old carpet, so as still more to raise the temperature, and induce comb-building. The bees at once occupied the super, and no great interval elapsed before white comb began to approach the windows. It soon became evident that more room was wanted ; a third body-box, with the frames filled with foundation-comb, was added below, and all the slides between the body-boxes with- drawn ; then three more honey-boxes were added above, and three entrances, one in each box, allowed to the bees. Thus my seven-inch box had grown to a height of more than three feet; at the end of June it was full from top to bottom, though we had had very little honey from the apple-blossom ; large clusters of bees, moreover, were hanging between the outer cases and the inner octagons whenever the nights were very warm, and I entertained a sanguine hope that I should obtain an enormous har- vest from a single hive. But the incessant rains of July and the loss of the lime harvest occasioned by unending- wet weather, prevented the fulfilment of these anticipa- tions. Nevertheless, I was rewarded with 70 lbs. of super honey in addition to the contents of one of the breeding boxes. I may add that my other Stewarton, treated in a similar manner, gave me a very similar result. Some of the boxes from these two hives were shown at South Kensington, St. Albans, and Boston, and won four prizes. In 1878, the first year I tried this special hive, I showed a honey-box on two occasions, and won two prizes. This brings me to another feature of our subject, I mean the extraordinary harvests which the friends of the Stewarton assert it has secured. ' The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper' tells us that in the year 1868 he had ten octagon supers from one hive, and obtained 164 lbs. of super honey in addition to 30 lbs. in the body-boxes. Mr. Briscoe, of Albrighton, Wolverhampton, has put the fact on record, that in 1876 he had obtained 144 lbs. of the purest super honey from seven octagon boxes by August 6th, and that after the supers were removed, the three body-boxes weighed over 70 lbs. A second set of boxes, fitted with an artificial swarm, yielded 75 lbs. of equally pure virgin honey-comb. The eminent Scotch bee-master, to whom I have so often referred, obtained nine octagon supers in that year from one hive, and eight from another. In 1878, a verv poor honey year, he obtained over 80 lbs. of super honey ; and a Scotch parish clergyman, we are informed, from eight octagon colonies secured 445 lbs. of the purest comb, entirely free from pollen, brood, or the slightest impurity. One colony contributed 92i, the next best 88 lbs. " Mr. Briscoe, in the March number of the British Bee Journal, 1878, has given an interesting account of his Stewartons for several 3rears in succession, in which he also tells us that in his own case a good harvest from the Stewarton is the rule rather than the exception. And some of j'ou may remember that last year a dis- tinguished member of our committee was able to show a beautiful Stewarton box, one of the very few good exhibits of 1879, which he obtained during a short spell of tine weather, while the lime-trees were in blossom. A hive, then, that has secured such remarkable results, must have features connected with it of unusual merit, and on these I shall now venture for a while to dwell. 1. First and foremost comes the remarkable power pos- sessed by this hive of expansion and contraction, and consequently the ready prevention of swarming if the bee-keeper does not wish his bees to swarm. The prize octagon of last year to which I have alluded was ob- tained from a single body-box, yet sometimes as many as ten supers, each 4 inches deep, three body-boxes each 7 inches deep, and an eke below of 2 inches, are em- ployed, though not necessarily all at one time, as the lower supers when completed may be removed and empty boxes substituted on top. The first super, or, at all events, some completing super, should remain until the end of the honey-harvest, as the queen, should she pay a visit to this portion of her domain, will return, finding every cell filled with honey, and no opening therefore left for her energies. The outer case protects the hive itself from the sun, and this fact again lessens the chances of swarming. By altering slightly the position of the moveable top, a current of air will in the hottest weather be created, and the three entrances will still still further tend to cool the hive. Those who have tried the Stewarton assert that the bees very rarely swarm if room above and below is given in due time, whereas in the ordinary bar-frame the tendency to swarm is often irresistible in spite of every effort that can be employed. 2. Secondly, this hive is essentially the hive of the busv man, as satisfactory results can be secured without December 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 155 the expenditure of the time and trouble required by the ordinary bar-frame. From one of my bar-frames this year obtained more than 70 lbs. of super honey ; but the trouble it demanded was at times excessive. Every section required some guide comb; to cut out and fix this comb in seventy sec- tions must cost well-nigh seventj- times seven minutes. When the sections were on they evidently were in want of something to bind them together and exclude the air, so that at each junction we pasted or gummed some paper. The time this cost would not be difficult to calcu- late. The numbers soon increased so rapidly that, in spite of three tiers of sections, swarming seemed imminent. All the supers were therefore taken off, and the hive examined. What infuriates the bees more than the removal of their honey? The task of cutting out queen- cells under such circumstances demands time as well as courage, and so I found. No cell was discovered inside the hive, but on examining the sections we came upon unpleasant traces of the queen, as well as a queen-cell. Thus the sections each required inspection, until at last I exclaimed, in spite of a splendid harvest, 'Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle.' A very busy man must, in my opinion, avoid the ordinary bar-frame, whereas he may succeed with the Stewart on. •'!. Thirdly, the Stewarton winters well if only ordinary and proper care be taken. The thinness of the erown- board, a quarter of an inch only, is advantageous in sunmier, as it allows the heat of the hive to enter the honey-box, and in winter permits the moisture to eva- porate. Hitherto I have not withdrawn the slides in winter, but henceforth I shall follow with one or more of my octagons the advice of the Renfrewshire Bee Master, draw the slides entirely out, and over the top of the hive fasten some Indian matting, securing it with tacks to keep it straight. Under this matting I shall put some flour-cake, above and around dry fern or chaff, protected from the wet by the outer case, so that the. bees within will be warm and dry, and probably breed through some portion of the winter. It has been said that the octagon shape is superior to the oblong for wintering, that in the ordinary bar-frame some of the frames at either end should be removed to prevent mouldiness, whereas nothing of the kind is required in the Stewarton ; that the octagon shape gets rid of the awkward corners ; that the small size of the Stewarton box enables a higher temperature to be maintained with less difficulty than in most of the ordinary bar-frames ; and that the massive honey-comb at either end of the breeding-box tends to keep out the cold. In a very able and interesting article entitled 'The Philosophy of Hive Shape,' which appears in the British Bee Journal of September, 1874, Mr. Cheshire has assailed the first assertion; and I am not prepared to controvert his views. But I am expressing not only my own, but also the opinion of others better fitted to form an accurate judgment, when I say that the bees will pass the winter well in a Stewarton Hive properly managed. Now let me put the other side of the question. Ob- jection is made to the slides, which are often difficult to move or remove. Again I venture to quote Mr. Cheshire, who has suggested that a little tallow added at intervals will make them run more smoothly : a small screw-driver at one end, and a pair of pincers at the other, will always solve the difficulty. A heated iron applied to the slides is also said to be sufficient to loosen them. Another and a formidable objection is that the large supers are sometimes unsaleable. If even every bee- keeper desired to obtain honey for the purpose of selling it, the objection would have weight, but some of us do not. It happens in many cases that articles in universal demand are at times unsaleable, because the right means have not been employed, or sufficient trouble taken. If proper jars be used, if the agents and experts of this Association exert themselves for the members, as I trust the}7 do, and will, I cannot but think that honey of the purest quality will find a ready sale. ' The Renfrewshire Bee-keeper' tells me that he has been accustomed to receive Is. Gd. per lb. for his honey, and that in 1878 he obtained 16/. for surplus supers. Another objection brought against the Stewarton is its costliness. No doubt a set of octagons, with the floor- hoard and outer cases, costs more than a simple bar- frame, but for my own part, I have not yet come upon a cheap bar-framed hive that has produced great results. Body-boxes can be obtained from Stewarton at 5s. 3d. each, or 15s. for three, honey-boxes for 2s. Qd. each, a floor-board for Is. 6c?.* Thus 11. 6s. 6c!. will provide three body and four honey-boxes, and an amount of ac- commodation sufficient for the most prosperous stock. L: you are also to have an effectual outer covering, you will require two cases at least of the size I have named, as well as a moveable roof. My carpenter's! charge for two outer cases with the roof, each with three coats of paint, is 13s. The total cost of the hive and cases will thus exceed 21., as carriage from Scotland must be included ; but this sum compre- hends almost if not everything that can he desired. For purposes of manipulation, of interchange of frames, for use of the extractor, for the pn iduction of marketable sections, it must, I think, be admitted that the ordinaiy bar-frame has the decided advantage. Any one who wishes to become an advanced and skilled bee-keeper will never be without bar-frame hives, provided only he he has the time to spare as well as the patience. In conclusion, I may say that few things are more pleasing to me as a bee-keeper than to watch a pros- perous Stewarton on a fine summer's day. The roar of the myriads of bees rushing to and fro resounds far and wide; the air is filled with their merry music, and as they disappear in the distance, the mind travels with them, and wonders what fields they will traverse, what flowers they will visit before they return. Life to them seems full of joy; they are seeking the sweetesl of all created things, they wander only in pleasant paths, and in doing good to themselves diffuse fertility and new forms of life everywhere around them. As the day declines, they return to their home, teaching us day by day the lesson that so few of us are willing to learn, that while we must not be over anxious about the future, yet that in spring and summer we must prepare for the autumn and winter ; that however bright the sun may be to-day, we must not forget the duty of providing and Preparing for the future, as the Great Ruler of the Iniverse may grant us opportunity. [The discussion on the above paper we reserve for our next issue. — Ed.] WEST KENT BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the above Association was held on Wednesday evening, Nov. 17, at St. Mary Cray; the Rev. Andrew Welch was in the chair, and there was a good attendance. Mr. Cheshire explained in his usual able and interesting manner the different and peculiar methods in which the bee entered the various flowers in search of honey, and also for the purpose of fertilisation, which, in many cases, no other insects were skilful enough to succeed in doing. The speaker also showed, by several experiments, the manner in which the bee secreted the honey, and converted it into wax, explaining the peculiar formation of the insect's thorax and stomach. The Chairman then reported the progress which the Association had made since the last annual meeting ; an * These prices have been obtained from Mr. J. Allan, Stewarton. t Mr. .T. Matthews, Castle Street, Berkhamsted. 156 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. important branch having been formed at Bromley, which he hoped before long to see one of the most successful bee-keeping districts in the country. Dr. Beeby, of Bromley, contributed greatly to the interest of the pro- ceedings by exhibiting, through the microscope, various Sarts of the bee ; demonstrating clearly the accuracy of [r. Cheshire's theories. Mr. Baldwin, an expert of the Association, gave encouraging information respecting practical and profitable bee-keeping. A draw by the cottagers for a bar-frame hive resulted in favour of Mr. John Tough, sen. A number of ladies and gentlemen contributed both vocal and instrumental music during the evening, their efforts to entertain being fully appre- ciated, and altogether an exceedingly instructive and enjoyable evening was spent. Information can be ob- tained by intending members upon application to Mr. Soanies, of Ravenscroft, Mason's Hill, Bromley. THE CONGRESS OF BEE-MASTERS AT COLOGNE. (Concluded from p. 143). The distribution of prizes by the chief Burgomaster took place in the Victoria Hall on Thursday morning, the 9th September. Mr. Vogel received the gold medal of the Ministry of Instruction, and to Mr. Gravenhorst was awarded the gold one presented by the city of Cologne. Then followed the presentation of the ten silver medals granted by the State. When my name was called, and I advanced to the table as the others had done, I felt that I was then a representative Englishman, and took my medal from the hand of the dignified Burgomaster. On returning to my seat I was warmly congratulated by those near. Next followed the five silver medals of the city of Cologne. Mr. Dennler carried off one of them. The Silver Medal of the Rhenish Westphalian Bee- keepers' Association was won by Mr. Thoelke, estate- proprietor of Alvern, for a colony of Luneberg bees. Then followed ten first class Diplomas of Merit. After this ten bron?e medals by the City of Cologne for dif- ferent exhibits severally named. In addition to the above, a large number of Diplomas of Merit and money prizes were awarded, which, of course, cannot all be enumerated here. I must not omit to say something about the lottery tickets, which were freely sold at half a mark (6d. each) during the Exhibition, and the successful winners received their allotments. I took some tickets, but the numbers were not among the fortunate ones. The law of Eng- land does not allow of lotteries, so we shall not take pattern in this respect. There is one thing to be said in favour of them, and that is, that a great many exhibits were purchased that otherwise would not have found a customer. In closing the meeting, the chief Burgomaster pro- posed three cheers for His Majesty the Emperor, which was heartily responded to; and we, bee-keepers, separated to meet again on board the steamer, which bad been hired to take us to Rolandseck to enjoy an excursion on the Rhine. We embarked from the quay in goodly numbers; and had on board Dr. Dzierzon, Baroness Lina Von Berlepsch, Herr Vogel, Mr. Schmid, editor of the Bienen Zeitunt/, Count Pfeil, Pfarrer Rabbow, &c. Our vessel was gaily decked with flags, and as we steamed along with our band of music, we were the objects of repeated salutations. Rolandseck is a pleasure place beyond Bonn. Arrived here, we marched in procossion (headed by the band) to what is called ' The Beer Gardens,' where some par- took of light refreshments, and the greater number strolled to the heights overlooking the Rhine, visited tho ruins of an old castle, sang some national songs, and returned to the steamer as the shadows of evening were drawing on. Our return voyage was commenced amid the booming of cannon, burning of coloured fire, and the. hurrahs of the lads and lasses of the village. To relieve the tediousness of our homeward journey in the darkness, some of the active members of the Committee provided a bowl of punch in the well-lighted cabin of the vessel. Under its flowing influence many eloquent speeches were made. One young lady, of prepossessing appearance, delivered a very animated address ; not so much under the prompting of the flowing bowl as that of a young gentleman who sat near and refreshed her memory from notes whenever she was at a loss for a word. The speech was evidently prepared, and made a great impression on the company, her utterances being constantly cheered with the cries of Bravo, and at the conclusion, all that could do so anxiously stretched for- ward to clink glasses with her. I understood that the subject of the young lady's discourse was to show the many excellent lessons and examples that may be derived from the study of bees and bee-keeping. One gentleman, who was very active on the Com- mittee, p" ajjosed a toast in honour of England (or Fair Albion I nk he said) in very flattering terms, and as I was ti only English exhibitor present, the company paid me the honour of touching glasses, &c. Thus ter- minated a very pleasant day, and a long-to-be-remem- bered visit to the Cologne Bee Meeting. On my mentioning to a gentleman on the Committee my admiration of the excellent way they had man- aged the arduous duty thus devolved upon them, he replied, 'We have done our best, and no one can do more.' He also told me that the expenses were some- thing over 300/., and that 100/. was granted them by the State. After the close of the Exhibition, my friend and myself (for I was accompanied from London b}r M* S. Stutterd, of Banbury, who is conversant with the German language) spent a day at the Diisseldorf Exhibition, which was exceedingly interesting. There was a large collection of painting's, and iron-work, with engineering generally, was well represented. We found nothing on show appertaining to bees, but met with many of our bee friends, who, like ourselves, had come over from Cologne (the distance is about twenty miles by rail). Amongst them we fell in with the Baroness Von Berlepsch, accom- panied by Mr. Schmid, of Eichstadt, and some others. That night we returned to Cologne, and next day started on a tour, partly pedestrian, into the adjacent country districts in order to obtain some insight into the mode of keeping bees in Germany. Our first call was on Mr. A. Schlosser, at Ehrenfeld, near Cologne (to whose exhibits at the Show reference has already been made). He is a fruit-grower on a large scale, as well as an apiarian, and has a commodious house and garden. On applying at the door, my friend asked for Mr. Schlosser, explaining that he had called to see his apiary. The maid-servant asked, ' Are you Bienen Briiders ? ' (Bee brothers) to which a reply was given in the affirmative. By her manner, we perceived that we had struck ' a key-note,' for she hastened to tell her master of the two strangers ' that stood before the gate.' Mr. Schlosser shortly appeared, and at once con- ducted us to his bee-house, and politely gave us all the information asked for. His bee-house is in the form of a cross having four doors. Each one of the four wings projects nearly 11 feet, and is the same in breadth, which, adding the space of the interior, gives a diameter from door to door of nearly 33 feet. One half the space of the interior is required for the necessary manipula- tions ; tho other half to the right and left is occupied by the hives. The first shelf is about two feet from the ground. The second tier is the same distance above, and the third is also two feet higher. The hives are ' Mehring's ' twin frame-hives, and of much the same construction as Dzierzon's. Each shelf accommodates December 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 157 foul- twin stocks, so that openings are cut in the boarding for eight entrances, thus there are twenty-four colonies on each of the eight sides. The house therefore holds, when filled, 192 hives of bees. At the time I was there many hives had been sent to the moors, consequently only a few were at home. The house is of wood, closely boarded, and has a tiled roof. There is no admission of light except when the doors are thrown open. The hives open at the back, and are thus easily manipulated, without molestation by robber bees. Exit for any bees that are outside the hives is found through the open door. There is plenty of space to work the extractor in the centre of the building. On inquiring if there was an apparent difference in the prosperity of the hives in the various aspects, Mr. Schldsser said that those exposed to the afternoon and evening sun, which induced the bees to fly out again, are placed in the most unfavourabl position, but that as long as the entrances are nou ex- posed to the direct rays of the sun, it makes no difference whether they face north, south, east, or west, and that the only drawback that he finds to his ' Pavilion,' is that the colonies are placed in too close proximity when quite filled with stocks, which causes the loss of many queens on their return from their wedding flights. This is an objection that might be expected, and favours our English plan of keeping hives on separate stands in the open. The German arrangement has an advantage in being able to keep a large number of stocks in a comparatively small space, and also secures them from the depredations of thieves. Mr. Schlosser regaled us with lihine wine, mead, grapes, &c, at his house, and showed us the medals that had been awarded him. I left with him a copy of Modem Bee-keeping , which he said his brother would translate. We took our leave and proceeded to Diiren. Here we called on an exhibitor of honey, but did not visit any bee-keepers in that town. We then proceeded to Nideggen, which is situated amongst picturesque scenery, and afterwards to the town of Zulpich, where there are several apiarians. One of them, Mr. Schmid, who follows the occupation of a tanner, and on whom we called, received us very courteously. Learning that we wished to see the mode of keeping bees in that locality, he not only showed his own, but escorted us to two or three others. Here, also, many hives were aivay at the moors. The bee- houses were mostly simple sheds, not closely boarded, but well secured from robbers, with spaces for twelve, eighteen, or twenty-four, as the case might be. There were generally three rows, one above the other. The hives were the usual sorts that are kept in Germany, and which have been before described. Mr. Schmid saw us off by the train, and on my companion apologising for taking up so much of his time, he replied, 'We can work every day, but could not have the pleasure of receiving visits from English bee friends every day.' We went by rail to Aix-la-Chapelle, thence on to Brussels, where we spent a day at the Exposition, but failed to find any exhibit in the bee way. I never heard that the Belgians bestowed much attention on the pro- duction of honey. The Exposition was, however, an exceedingly good one, and well worthy of a visit. — Alfred Neighbour, Seyent Street, London. Bee-killing with a Vengeance. — A ' Zummerzet ' bee-keeper near Frome has hit upon a new way of getting rid of robber -bees. He sets box -traps baited with enticing syrup to tempt them to enter, and when they are thick upon it crushes them. In this way, he boasts, he has destroyed ' packs ' of bees. His own apiary is in a very impoverished state, and he cannot be persuaded but ' it's the robbers wnt's done it.' When he has suc- ceeded in so reducing his colonies, that they will die out entirely, the robbers will doubtless get blamed, for the simpleton cannot believe that he is trapping his own bees. Cnrospoitircnit * ^* These columns are open to subscribers, so that their queries, replies, correspondence, and experiences may be fully and faithfully recorded ; and for the discussion of all theories and systems in Bee-culture, and of tlie relative merits of all hives and appurtenances, that the truth regarding them may be ascertained. The Editor, therejore, must not be ex- pected to coincide with all tlie views expressed by the various writers. All Correspondence is addressed to the Editor. enc BBOTT'S FOUNDATION ON WOOD. morally, when anything new is introduced, and it promises to be of use, there are a number of per- sons ready to claim it, or, at any rate, claim that they have been working at it with a view to its perfection previous to taking out a patent. Although this often occurs in England, it is notoriously so in America, and I have repeatedly observed that our American friends have a great reluctance to give any but their own countrymen the credit of intro- ducing a new invention, and that if ever such an invention is brought out in any other country, they forthwith claim to have tried the thing years ago. Now in the case of the wooden foundation, although you may not have been the original inventor of it, you have, so far as I know, been the only one who has worked at it to bring it to its present state, there- fore you are entitled to the credit of introducing it. I have searched the Bee-keepers' Magazine and Glean- ings from the first number to the present time, also the American Bee Journal from 1875, and fail to find any mention of foundation on wood previous to yours. Palmam qui meruit ferat. The first comb-foundation on wood which I had seen was exhibited at South Kensington last year by Mons. Dennler. This he presented to me, and I have it now in my bee museum. Its total thick- ness is | of an inch, the septmn being a board an -J- of an inch in thickness, coated on both sides with wax, and passed through an ordinary foundation- machine. As the cells are not flat-bottomed, there is an enormous waste of wax, and such foundation could never be of p'-vy use, owing to its expense. In the early part of this season, you sent me a frame of foundation, which you had made with flat- bottomed cells. The foundation was a board Jg- of an inch thick, which had been coated with wax, and passed through rollers, but in such a manner that all the wax had been pressed out, leaving the bases of cells bare, and only the thick cell walls of wax projecting from the board. This was intro- duced into one of my hives and examined the next day, when I found that instead of elongating the cell-walls, the bees had carefully nibbled off the wax from the wood, and had built projections at right angles to the septum, and on these had started pieces of comb in an irregular manner on both sides. You subsequently wrote to say that you had experienced a similar result, and that you had im- proved the foundation by leaving on the wood a sufficient covering of wax for the bases of the cells. I also received at the same time two sheets of your improved wood-foundation and flat-bottomed wax- 158 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. foundation. The wooden foundations were fitted into frames, and inserted in hives on the 2nd June, and examined next day, when I found them well started, and they certainly showed a very great improvement on the first I had. One of the frames has been worked out to within f of an inch of the sides, and has had brood in it all the season ; and the only difference in this and the ordinary founda- tion that I can see is that the bees do not extend the cells to the full length quite to the outside of the frames. The brood was as healthy, and the bees hatched out as strong, as those on any other sort of foundation. There is a defect in the sheets I have, but this can be easily remedied in the manu- facture, and it is that the impressions of the cells are not distributed with the same geometrical accuracy as on some other foundations. In some narts there are 5J cells to the inch, and in others nly 41 Where these irregularities occur, the bees have started in many instances three cells, and as they lengthened out the walls, they converted them into two cells. This, I presume, is owing to a fault in not engraving the rolls with sufficient geometrical precision.* This style of foundation, I think, will be useful where the extractor is used, as there would be no risk of breaking the combs, however rapidly the machine were driven. It must also be of great service to those who send their bees to the heather, as there certainly would be no risk of combs break- ing down. The flat-bottomed wax-foundation was tried in the following way : One sheet was fixed to the top bar of frame by running wax from a smelter on both sides, and the other one was fixed in with the Cheshire fixers. They were both examined next * The fault was not in the rollers, but arose from want of experience of the tricks such things will sometimes play, One would think that between two high-pressure rollers, deeply cut as those in question are/the ' bite ' on the dipped wood would be sufficient to take ' the pride ' out of it, and force it to receive a correct impression, but in practice it is not so. It was (and is) necessary that a coating of wax should be left on the wood at the base of the cells (or as our esteemed correspondent proves, the bees would not work upon it as they ought to do), and that was the cause, of the diffi- culty. The rollers had to make their impression in the wax, on wood that they did not touch, and they did their work well so long as there was exactly the right quantity of wax upon it ; but when there was an excess, it accumulated in rear of the rollers, and formed cushions on both sides of the sheet that retarded its progress ; and though the rollers formed the cells correctly, they delivered them a little faster than they delivered the wooden base on which they were made, and thus they became a little crowded, and in one direction were not of correct dimensions. To obviate this, our expert assisted the rollers by pushing the wood from the rear, and occasionally overdid it, sending it in advance of the cells, and dragging the latter slightly before then delivery from the engraved mould which formed them, and hence they became a trifle too large. ' Experience teaches,' however, and while it has enabled us to overcome the difficulty, it has taught that bees will accept an imperfect article, and ' make the best of it,' even though it be flat-bottomed foun- dation with a wooden basis ; and when bee-keepers rise above their prejudices, and learn not to condemn a thing because it is new, perhaps they will accept it too. Regard- ing the wired-foundation, we can only repeat an oft-told fact that we have never been able to try it, having disposed of all we had ere becoming aware that no more was forth- 1 oxtiing. Sit. day, and I found them both started. The fixers were removed, and since then both combs have been worked out and bred in several times. They are as straight as can be desired, and there has been no sign of buckling in either of them. I hope next year to be able to make further experiments on a larger scale both with the wooden and the flat- bottomed foundations. I have had opportunities this season of examining combs worked on the wired-foundation, and I must say that they were anything but satisfactory. I do not know how the tinned wire may act upon the grubs, but the wire in the foundation introduced into this country certainly has a deleterious effect upon them. There was a strong stock of bees exhibited in one of your observatory hives at Windsor. The combs were beautifully filled with brood, but you could trace the line of every wire in the foundation, for wherever the base of the cells touched the wire, the cell was empty. Of course a number of empty cells in each comb reduced considerably the breeding- space in a hive. I also had the opportunity of seeing the same thing on a larger scale in Mr. Cheshire's apiary, and I should like to know if others who have used wired-foundation in this coun- try have experienced similar results. I understand that you are wintering some stocks on your wooden- foundation, and look forward with interest to your report in the spring. — T. W. Cowan, Comptrms Lea, Horsham, Nov. 19, 1880. KELSO SHOW. — COWAN'S EXTRACTOR. RAPID My attention has been drawn to a letter in last month's Journal from Mr. R. J. Bennett, who says ' that Steele of Fowlis writes to him that he had never seen "Cowan's " extractor when he invented his own ;' and he further states ' that there is a de- scription of his in the British Bee-keepers' Associa- tion's new book.' The ' Rapid ' extractor illustrated and described in British Bee-keepers' Association's book was in- vented and introduced by me in 1875. It is twice described in the British Bee Journal of that year, and illustrated. It was also described and fully illustrated in the Journal of Horticulture, and has been described in a great number of papers both here and abroad, and in all the American Bee Journals. It has been constantly before the public since that time. Mr. Lee advertised it every month in the Bee Journal, and it has been described and illustrated in Hunter's Manual and other bee books. Lastly, the block of illustration of the ' Rapid ' extractor was lent by me for the British Associa- tion's Bee Book. The invention has been freely given to the public. Any one is at liberty to make it, and any manufacturer may make and sell it : but I do not think it right he should pass it off as 'his' invention, but should be satisfied with deriving the profit without the credit. Mr. Steele has for the first time made and shown an extractor at Kelso similar to mine (and known as 'Cowan's Rapid' extractor); December 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 1.39 and is, therefore, not entitled to any credit in introducing an invention which has already been before the bee-keeping public for such a length of time, and of which I am the sole inventor. 0 hnitatores ! servum pecus. — Thos. Wit Cowan, Comptmis Lea, Horsham, '23rd Nov., 1880. IRISH HONEY-MARKET. In your September issue Mr. J. Traynor writes of a Dublin firm requiring several tons of this season's honey. In the interest of a gentleman who had a large quantity of section-honey for sale I called on the firm referred to, and was informed that they only bought skep-honey, for which they would not give more than 4c?. to 5d. per lb. gross weight. My object in writing is to prevent possible disappoint- ment to your readers. — Robert Sproule. HIVES FOR CONVENIENCE. Will you kindly give me your opinion on the hive I am about to describe and say what you see against it] To a person engaged in business it makes some difference to be able to manipulate your bees and examine your sections quickly, and what I propose hereafter is with that view. Take a Woodbury Standard to be the hive on the plan of your Irish hive, with en- trance at e, say a to con- tain ten frames for the brood-nest, b other frames, six or eight or ten as the case may be holding sec- tions. Let a division board k run through with a slit in the bottom of it, say eight or ten inches long, same size as the one at the opposite end of hive, for allowing the bees to go in and out, and fit to the same two slides like those • in your good hives, only allow them to come through the hive so that they can be pulled out or pushed in from the outside. When the brood-nest a is fall, and you want your bees to work in the sec- tions in b, you just go to your hive and pull out these slides, one at each side, and then the bees can run in and work. Inside along the bottom of the division board k a piece of excluding zinc should be fixed to keep back the queen and drones. Well, when you want to examine the sections, in place of waiting to make all the bees quiet in the hive, just go and push the slides into k, and then you have only those to deal with that are in the department B ; well, have one or two slits, say one at each side of b, the same as at front of hive, say six inches long, with slides attached, and open these and let the bees go out when done with the sections, which I suppose they would soon do; and have outside each slit a bee-trap so that although the bees could go out they could not return. It seems to me that if this plan would do it should save a lot of time, and when one was busy and yet wanted to examine the sections, by thus dealing with a number of hives they would soon be ready for examination, and one might be doing something else the meantime. In order that the bees should not be idle at such a time, or a be overcrowded, I would have a crate of sections over the ten frames in which they could work or amuse themselves until allowed into b again, or, if this plan suited, one could have sections on each of three sides of the brood-nest — x, y. X A B Y From your experience I am sure you will be able to point out the defects in this system, and hope I am not intruding on your valuable time. — A. Davis, Limerick, Nov. 9, 1880. [We have not a word to say against the principle of the hive, since it embodies the chief features of our Royal Standard hive, for which first honours were awarded at Kilburn and other shows in 1879, but some of the details will bear discussing. The advantage of a long hive having entrances available at will on all sides of the hive is self-evident, and our Cottager's hive at Kensington this year was so provided, since it can be divided and made available as a twin hive, or, as our correspondent suggests, can be increased in size by the addition of side boxes — equivalent, to the collateral spaces in our Royal Standard (p. 113, vol. vii.) The division board K being a fixture is of questionable value, a divider, or, as it is more often called, ' a dummy,' is a necessity in such a hive, but it should be moveable that the capacity of the brood department A may be regulated to the requirements of the colony, or the exigencies of the season, and therefore the entrance-way from A to B would have to be independent, of the hive sides, and controllable from above. The value of the side slits in B, as a means of escape for the bees and effecting- the easy clearance of the sections, may also be questioned, since the bees, being used to the passage through the division board K, would crowd towards it when alarmed, as the}' would be if it were suddenly closed. A better plan woidd be to force some smoke into the back of b to drive the bees forward, and when the majority have left B to close the passage through K, and operate at once while the intellect of the bees is beclouded. We have not much faith either in the position of the receptacles x and Y, and would prefer, if increased space be necessary, that they shoidd be put on either side of B instead of A, as being more in accord with the known principle of bee-secretiveness. — Ed.] FEEDING AND BREEDING. I am greatly obliged for your reply to my question. One of our most advanced apiarians (in Derbyshire), to whom I afterwards mentioned the matter, in- formed me that he considered that one reason of non-autumnal breeding was the much colder climate we have compared with your own; and another, the lack of flowering pollen plants in this neighbourhood. If this is the case, it proves the wisdom of the little creatures who know their own business best, and who in seven cases — my hives only number seven! — 160 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. refused to breed, though tempted to do so by slow feeding. I may, however, mention that I did not begin to feed early enough — i.e., just when the honey harvest was over. Is that possibly the reason 1 — Goosequill. [We have many times observed that suspension of breeding is almost sure to result from cessation of in- come, and have repeatedly cautioned our readers on the very point raised by our correspondent in the last para- graph of his communication. Once discontinued (par- ticularly in autumn), it is very difficult to induce the bees to renew the nursing business; the queen will quickly respond to the heat-creating process of feeding, and will lay eggs freely, but the bees, having got ' out of the groove,' do not seem to care to take up the burden again. Coldness of climate and lack of pollen plants may have an effect, but that they do not stop breeding, is evidenced by the fact that we have often found bees breeding heavily during severe frosts, when, as a matter of fact, we had bees dubious of their being able to main- tain themselves. We do not consider midwinter breed- ing a Jiealthy sign, but we prefer that the bees remain perfectly quiet until the crocuses show their beautiful blossoms. — Ed.] SUGAR FOR SYRUP. Will you kindly tell me whether there is any good reason for using only loaf sugar in making syrup 1 I use it because I am told to do so by those who understand the matter better than I do, but I have never heard any evidence in its favour. In the present day most manufactured sugars are made more or less from beet, which I have always understood has less nourishing quality than cane, in addition to which I believe much of the saccharine matter is taken out by refining and whitening, to say nothing of what is put in by blueing. Now, Demerara sugar is boiled, brought to a high temperature (280°, I think), and crystallized ; is to all appearance unadulterated, and certainly contains more sweetening properties than refined of any sort. I cannot, therefore, understand why this is not as good as, or indeed better, than loaf. —J. H. V. [The reasons have been many times given. Loaf sugar does not contain any of the water of crystalliza- tion, and consequently will make more syrup, and is cheaper than moist, and is not so liable to fermentation. —Ed.] LOCAL AND CHAMPION PRIZES. Don't you think, Mr. Editor, that the time has come for establishing classes for champions at our local shows, or trying a kind of handicapping? Two or three exhibitors in our district sweep every- thing before them in the honey line. Now, this has gone on for three seasons, and others are getting discouraged, for the trio referred to take money and medals year after year. I know the old argument, that the best ought to win. That is quite true, but policy says, ' Keep the champions in one class for a time, and give the others a chance:' at any rate the subject is worth venti- lating. There is another thing too. Is it right to enter the same exhibit in several classes 1 It is often done, and the result is that the exhibitor who takes the prize (say) for the largest exhibit of super honey, also takes with portions of the same entry, the award for the largest harvest from a single stock, the prize for the heaviest super, and so on. With the experience of recent shows fresh in our memories, we can now think over these things for next season. — Somerset. A STING IN THE THROAT. I was stung last summer by a black bee in the larynx, or top of the throat, soon after the singular death at Peterborough, as published in vol. vi. p. 56. Feeling thirsty, some beer had been provided, but a bee took the liberty of drinking first, and got into it, and when I drank it left its sting in the top of my throat ; this was about three p.m., and then the trouble began. The first unpleasantness was that I could scarcely swallow; fivep.m.,couldnotswallowatall; I gradually got worse, and feeling ' stuffled ' I walked about, or lay down, but kept continually trying to force a passage with saliva. At nine p.m. I took a little liquid food with great difficulty, and felt as if suf- fering severely from quinsy. I was in a profuse perspiration, owing to the difficulty of breathing. At bedtime my wife got some goose-grease, aud rubbed my throat for about forty minutes, and then wrapped it with flannel, and I went to bed, but awoke several times during the night. Next morning I took a little breakfast, and the swelling gradually reduced. My throat felt most painful about four or five hours after the occurrence, and for forty-eight hours after I could slightly feel the pain. I am following a calling where a medical man is always stationed, but, thinking it a small matter, I never mentioned it to him ; and it might have been said of me as of the German soldier of Goldberg who had braved with impunity two campaigns, that I had dealt with the most violent lunatics in asylums for upwards of ten years, yet perished from the sting of a hive-bee at last. — Jas. Page, Jericho, Bury Lane, Oct. 25, 1880. HIVES— UNITING WEAK STOCKS. My bees do very badly ; the smoke in our Black Country seems to kill the greater part of the flowers, but I keep them for the love of it, having begun at eight with a Huber leaf-hive, and am this year forty-eight finding how much preferable are the Woodburys. I am very fond of your ' Combina- tion,' but have one objection to it. I prefer the usual hive for doubling, as I fancy that perfect quiet is the sine qua non of success. I kill one queen, take' the top off intended permanent box, blow in some smoke and sprinkle some scented syrup; then a blow of smoke into entrance of second box, wait a minute, lift second quietly up and place it on the first, take off top from number two, blow a little smoke to keep bees from rising, sprinkle freely with syrup, replace the quilt and let them be for three or four days. I then shake bees off combs in upper box and remove upper box, and December 1, 1880.J THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 1G1 if need be feed up for the winter and say 'good-bye, my dears,' till end of January or February accord- ing to season. Acting thus I have never failed, but whenever I have stirred them up (as ordinarily recommended) I have always had a row, ending generally in a free fight. So that for this one purpose I regard the ordinary box preferable to your Combination. I am inclined to think on the whole that bees more naturally store honey uphill, and so an overhead super seems better than one at far end of box, but, on the other hand, they naturally store honey in outside combs as well as at top, and so your Combination has nothing in it repugnant to nature and habit. — T. W. B., Haden Cross, Dudley, Nov. 10, 1880. [The objection herein will apply equally to all hives with fixed legs, and the under-arrangement for rendering the floor-board moveable, but it does not seem to have been recognised that long hives on the Combination principle offer back space in which the contents of second weak hives could be placed and gently united. Reference to the diagrams in the letter of Mr. Davis on p. 159, will show the space B, and the letter will suggest the mode of procedure. — Ed.] BEES IN GIPPLAND, AUSTRALIA. Talk about bees, your hon. secretary should be in Gippland, where he might obtain honey by the ton instead of pounds ? Honey there is used by the selectors (i.e., purchasers) like as treacle would be by English children. Felix (my son) has taken two nests from one tree. He always knows where to get a nest when he wants one ; he has some hives in the timber (woods), but takes no care of them. Sometimes he will go and take 20 or 30 lbs. out. The climate being so mild the bees can work most of the year. The eucalyptus blossoms in the winter and early spring, so there is food nearly all the year through. All the bees in this part died or left their hives three years ago, some even leaving plenty of honey. We had six hives ; some died in the winter, although fed on honey and sugar ; some lived even till the spring flowers opened into bloom, and then died slowly off till all were gone. We frequently used to see a swarm pass and gave chase, but since the mortality among them I have not seen one. A farmer in Bungaree, who got the name of Beehive Cameron, through his fancy to possess other people's stocks, had about 120 hives, but scarcely any of them were alive the last time I inquired of him. Felix, taking two nests out of one tree, found one queen, and then put both together in a gin case, which they half filled, — probably three gallons of bees ! The honey was so thick, they had to warm it to make it run. An amusing scene took place in their hut. They were annoyed by hosts of the little black ants that are so numerous in Australia, so that they hung the honey up. Some was left in the bottom cup of a bottle, the ants got in, but the honey stuck to their feet, so that they could not conveniently get at the main portion. Then they went and got little pieces of stringy bark, and laid on the glass to walk on dry-footed, in this way they stole all the honey, and then to induce a fresh supply took up very carefully each piece of the bark and brought it to the edge of the glass and pitched it over. There was sagacity. You may rely on this anecdote as a fact, for my boys watched them carefully. — Samuel Richardson, Sept. 22nd. HEATHER HONEY — A HINT TO SECRETARIES. I have heard complaints from exhibitors, that they have no chance of competing with those who live near the heather. How is the difficulty to be got over, and healthy competition to be kept up ] Would it do to keep heather honey and that gathered from fruit blossom separate ; or could any stipula- tion as to quality be introduced into our prize- lists "\ — Dorset. [Our good friends in Scotland have for many years recognised the importance of separating the ' heather ' from ' flower ' honey, as may he seen by reference to their schedules of prizes for competition. — Ed.] WELL DONE, DORSET ! In reply to a question asked by a friend who has been looking up local reports, Mr. J. Brown, of Maiden Newton, writes : — ' I began the season with seven or eight hives, and have now about sixteen, all good, after joining several and finding two hives queenless and'uearly bee-less, but with a fair quantity of honey. My first swarm was from a straw hive, on May 20th ; second, from same hive on June 4th ; third, from same on June 17th, three weeks after the first, which is very unusual. The first of these swarms threw two others, both large ; but the second cast was returned. All these four products of this straw hive were put in frame hives, partly supplied with comb or foundation, and all were filled and gave supers, the best being from the third swarm. I could sell more honey than I get, if I had it of the same quality. Comb honey brings Is. &d. per lb., and run honey Is. 2d. I have taken about 200 lbs., half in supers, the rest extracted. There is no heath near or I should have much more, but it would not sell so well. All my stocks are well stored, perhaps over full.' An excellent report has also been received from Mr. M. H. Tilley, of Dorchester, who is a most successful skeppist. We are glad to hear that the local clergy and gentry are rallying round the honorary secretary in the most encouraging manner. — D. AN ENCOURAGING REPORT. The honorary secretary of the Dorsetshire Bee- keepers' Association has received the following cheery letter from Mr. J. J. Alsford, of Blandford, and we are glad to hear that steps were at once taken to comply with his wishes : — ' I was very glad to read in the November issue of British Bee Journal the report of your meeting at Dorchester, and to find that the committee have arranged for lectures, &c, in towns and villages. I hope Bland- ford will not be overlooked. There is a fine field for operators here. The ground is partially broken 162 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. up. I have induced at least twenty persons to give up the old system, and to become converts to the new and improved method of bee-culture, and have, by practical demonstration, taught about half as many again the art of driving and uniting bees. The largest number of stocks I ever undertook at one apiary was twent3'-two, in August this year, which I drove and united to twenty others ; twelve of the stocks I drove in two hours. I was the first to introduce bar-frame hives and to practise driving in this neighbourhood, and I need not tell you I have had something to contend against from the adherents to the old system. I am happy to say that a good deal of that prejudice is being broken down, but much remains to be done. One friend at your meeting observed that some could work, but not talk. This is my case, or nothing would delight me more than to help you by lecturing on the subject. But if I can assist you in any other way, it will be my greatest pleasure. I have been trying lately to get a few friends together for mutual intercourse, but find a difficulty in getting any- one to preside, but I intend, as soon as I can walk again, to try one or two clergymen in the neighbourhood. I wish the committee would take Blandford into their consideration and give us a lecture. I would supply hives, supers, and other things for exhibition, to save them the trouble of sending them, or help in any other way. When I was on the committee I succeeded in getting some subscribers, and have no doubt that if a stir was made many more might be got ; but when I was a member I could hear of no committee meeting for a whole year, so could see no use or profit in being con- nected with the society, and therefore withdrew. Perhaps being so far from the centre of operations was the reason. I should be glad to hear from you if you can furnish me with anything new, or offer any suggestion.' GOLD MEDALS AT COLOGNE SHOW. Here Gravenhorst a Recipient. I have been asked by Mr. Dennler to make an important rectification in my account of the Cologne Bee Show, in respect to the prizes distributed there. Most especially is this necessary in regard to Herr Gravenhorst, our old friend at London of the year previous, who, as well as Herr Vogel, had a gold medal granted him for his devotion to apiculture, as well as his literary studies. The omission was due to the fact that Herr Gravenhorst was not himself at Cologne at all. I should be very sorry if he should be annoyed at my failing to notice him, for, as a bee-master, he is held in the highest esteem and respect in Germany, as has been proved by the honour conferred on him at Cologne. Besides this, there were distributed sixteen silver and twenty-one bronze medals for machines, hives, live bees, and bee literature. — G. F. Pearson. BEES BUSY, OR ROBBING? Please say in next issue what there is growing at this time of the year to induce bees to be active, as mine have on several occasions this month, when the weather has been a little milder, extremely busy, especially so to-day ; or is it they are only em- bracing the opportunity of taking a flight 1 — Robert Ranker, Mnidrnhntd, Nov. 24. [We know of nothing but ivy that is likely to tempt bees to honest industry. The probability is that they are robbing other bees, or, which will be equally dis- agreeable, that they ate being nibbed. Unusual activity should always provoke inquiry ; stocks that are robbing or being robbed seem equally busy, and the unsuspicious bee-keeper looks on with satisfaction ; but presently the robbed hive will be found tenantless, and perhaps the robbers will have imported the cause of the weakness (disease) that made them their prey into their own hives. — Ed.] LIGURIANS IN NEW ZEALAND. I see by the August number of British Bee Journal that Mr. J. J. Potter has written that Ligurians, at that time, had not been introduced into New Zealand. I am now very glad to say that two good stocks were safely landed here two months back, from San Francisco ; one I can vouch for as doing well, as I am about taking the management of them, the others are in Christchurch, and I believe from what I have heard doing well also. It seemed quite like old times to see the bright li±tle fellows after having worked amongst none but blacks for the past two years. The advice Mr. J. J. Potter gives to intending emigrants is of the best character, for unless they have someone to come to for help, there is little chance of their doing any- thing, things are regularly at a standstill. I hope I shall be able to give you good accounts of the Ligurians as the season advances. I hope you are well at Fairlawn, and that the past season has been kind to you. — Frank C. Parish, Goromandel Apiary, Auckland, Oct, 7, 1880. [There are many in England who will be glad to know that our esteemed friend, and for some years able assistant, ' Frank,' is doing well, and the bee-keepers of New Zealand may rely on their new importation being well eared for and safe in his hands. Being intelligent, able, willing, and ingenious, and gentlemanly withal, he is an acquisition anywhere amongst bees and bee-keepers, and is sure to make his way. There were many who could have been better spared from England, and, should circumstances bring him back, there would be no lack of service for him. Such men are needed both here and in •Ireland. — Ed.] BEE-KEEPING IN IRELAND.— REPORT FROM CLONMEL.— AN IRISH ASSOCIATION. According to promise, I give you a report of my honey produce for the past season. To my loss, but not dis- appointment, it has not been as great as you anticipated when you visited my apiary on the 10th of August. The season proved a very disappointing one. From the middle of May to about the 13th of June it was most promising, and all that you saw of my supers on the day of your visit had been completed before the end of the first week of June. Then came an interval of nearly eight weeks, during which the fields were white with clover bloom, and later the hundreds of lime-trees covered with bloom ; but owing to the inclement storms and rains, not a bee was to be seen on field or tree, and my bees were feeding on my raspberries and strawberries. Consequently, the stores accumulated in the earlier time were very much exhausted before the change of weather, of which your visit was the harbinger ; but the distance of the great heather range and the excessive heat ren- dered it improbable to me, and, as events show, impos- sible to my little pets, who did the best to make up for lost time ; besides every supered box, except three, threw out a swarm (or I should say swarms), but I returned after-casts. Under these circumstances, I could scarcely expect a return adequate to the number of my stocks. However, 1 have disposed of 040 lbs. of my super-comb, December 1, 1880.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 163 and 140 lbs. of extracted fluid-honey, and I Lave over 200 sections from 10 inches by 5 inches to 7 inches by 5 inches, more or less filled with comb, from which I have extracted the unsealed honey, and nearly forty Lang- stroth frames, which not being completed to saleable condition, I have subjected to similar treatment. All these remain as a foundation for next year's hopes. But besides the above, my forty-two boxes are heavily over-stocked with sealed comb, which I have left with them until spring, when (D. V.) I will remove the sur- plus, as I have found it difficult to dispose of extracted honey in bulk, not having yet used bottles. With far fewer stocks in 1878 I cleared nearly 201. more, but then the best part of the season, from June 15 to August 1, was fine; but a clear profit on management in a pre- carious season of 251. is not to be despised, bearing in mind that the expense, without any return of 1870, is included per contra against this year's profit. If you nave not yet heard it, I am sure it will gratify you to find that, as a result of your tour last August, a great stir has been made among apiarians in Ireland, and it has been determined that we shall have an ' Irish Apiarian Association.' The work has been initiated, and will, I doubt not, succeed. I am working it up in my own neighbourhood, but our infantile efforts, I am sure, will be watched by our elder sister, with which (I was going to say, we hope to be affiliated, which woidd be rather an Irishism) we hope to be associated, with interest. — George A. Proctob, Tullamelan, Clonmel, Nov. 20, 1880. Newspaper Bee-keepixo. From the Standard. — A Melbourne correspondent writes : — ' A singular cir- cumstance is reported from a hot dry valley in New South Wales. Last year the drought there was of long duration, and the denizens of the apiaries suffered much from it. This year the bees have made provisions against a similar emergency. They have filled a large number of the external cells in every hive with pure water instead of honev. It is thought that the instinct of the little creatures leads them to anticipate a hot summer. But that they should have gone further, and, by an act which, as far as I know, is without precedent in the habits and customs of their tribes, have created reservoirs to tide over the water-famine is a noteworthy fact indeed. If they had been American irstead of Australian bees, the process would doubtless have been patented ere this. As it is, our artificers give all beedom the benefit of their inventiveness.' (Srbacs from % |Stbcs. Chester-le-Street, Durham. — Furious matters. — Pre- venting Eecrystallisation of Syrup. — ' I have been venti- ating the ideas taught in the Journal in the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle, and have since the first letter ap- peared been deluged for information. The most lamen- table ignorance prevails upon bee-culture! To give vou a specimen, a week after my first article on bee-keeping appeared, a person walked over ten miles to ask me the best method of requeening a hive without any bees. He had heard of Neighbour's advertisement for queen- bees, and, after really understanding what he required, I found he had an idea of purchasing a queen, and placing her in a hive of empty combs, fully believing that a stock could be obtained by that means. I showed to his astonished eyes frames, hives, combs, foundations, and honey extractor, and Italian and black bees, and the result was his ideas became a little bsformed, and he ex|ir ased his gratification at what he had seen. ' This is my first failure in having a good honey yield, and I account for it by our having several very wet weeks during the honey harvest : however, my bees are in first -class trim, and very strong. I noticed the Italians gave over breeding before the blacks, as little food was coming in. They had been on the alert sooner, however, and as soon as I found how matters stood, commenced to feed, and breeding has recommenced. 1 do not know whether it is generally known amongst bee-keepers that glucose is a most unfailing agent in preventing crystallisation of sugar under any conditions, about a pint to 14 lbs. of sugar. There is, I find, great difference in the tendency of different sugars to crystal- lisation, and this, no doubt, accounts for the diversity of opinion as to the most effective means of preventing it forming crystals ; however, it is well known to con- fectioners that glucose will effectually prevent any sugar from recrystallising. The progeny of the Ligurian I received from you last 3-ear are the prettiest yellow bees I have ever had, and ever}' way satisfactory. I well remember one Italian I had breeding jet-black bees, perfect little demons ; and I was not at all sorry to dethrone her, and substitute another monarch. Wish- ing every success to you and the Bee Journal.' — W. Crisp. Stretton Parsonage, Stafford. — Combination Hive. — ' As I am writing, I may mention that I made a Combination, and fitted it with frames, which I have found good and like it very much. The July rains spoiled our harvest here, but the bees did better in the Combination than in any of my other hives. The principle is the same as that recommended to me by a relation in Italy as the hive which gave him most honey. In the sketch he sent me, the frames were kept together by a cord bound round a screw in back and front and a groove in floor-board. I have lost the sketch, but think Floor-board with frame running in nroove. this was the plan, but I fancy the Combination is the most convenient.' — J. W. Napier. [The Italian hive alluded to was doubtless some modi- fication of the Giotto, as illustrated last September. The frames are widened and extended at the bottom bars, which are run in groove-rabbet in bottom-board as indi- cated. Several frames thus set together would be kept in place by a string round them near the top, and it is evident that they could not fall. about or blow over. — Ed.] Dunoon, Argyllshire. — 'My bees have just begun to kill the drones. I never knew them to be so late. I suppose it is owing to the very fine weather which we have been favoured with in the west of Scotland during the month of Septemb sr and up to this date ; in fact, the summer and autumn have been exceptionally tine, and all our advanced apiarians have had an abund- ant honey harvest. I commenced this spring with three boxes on the bar principle, two of which were inter- changeable witli three that I made the previous winter. 164 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [December 1, 1880. I transferred the queens from the two boxes, with plenty of brood and honey, to the new boxes on the 7th of June, and they became quite strong in about three weeks. Having an empty box, I parted one of these boxes a second time, putting the queen and about half the brood, comb, and honey, into the new box on the 2.">rd of July (just in time for the heather), which became very strong, tilling nine bars with comb in about three weeks, and splendid supers of 24 lbs. by the end of August. Of course the box, or rather the colony, that had to provide themselves two queens, was not so productive as the others, but I took several bars from them, and they are now in fine condition for the winter. My honey harvest in all amounted to 210 lbs., for which I have realized 12/., besides giving away several poimds in presents and keeping a supply for home consumption.' — Duncan Stuart. Dublin, Oct. 22. — The Weather. — Late Breeding, and late Drones. — ' One of the queens was dead in the cage — the other five are all right. Introduced them just in time, as now we have it very cold, with frost and snow. It may interest you to know that the hives were full of brood, young bees and drones, owing to the fineness of the weather, and the abundance of ivy blossom.' — E. W. Maidenhead, Oct. 2±th. — ' Is it not late for bees to be carrying pollen into hives, Oct. 19th ? Three out of eleven were doing so, though the next morning they were white with snow. To-day, a bright day, all seem strong. Have been well fed, and will to-morrow be closely covered down until February-' — M. A. R. Selkirk, N.B., Oct. 25.— 'I have got twenty 2-lb. sectional supers, and about 40 lbs. out of the inside of a Standard hive, and 18 lbs. off another, and the same out of the inside ; but I did not take any swarms from these two hives. It may not be so good as it is in some districts, but it is something new here. The old bee- keepers here that have ten or more stocks of bees in straw hives have not got as much honey of the ten as I have got of two.' — Sidney Roebuck. dfHtcncs anb Jlcpltcs. Query No. 362. — Frames across hives. — In your next month's Journal, will you please tell me what is the advantage of Abbott's frame-hives having the entrance at the sides of the frames instead of opposite the ends ? — Richard Coulton, Towhaio, Darlington. Reply to Query No. 362. — The advantages are chiefly in the conveniences the principle affords for enlarging or reducing the space to meet the requirements of the bees and the exigencies of the season, there being nothing in the habits of the bees against it. — Ed. Query No. 363. — Will you kindly give me your advice through the columns of the Bee Journal f Towards the end of the honey-harvest, one of the comlis in my bar- frame fell down, and as it was composed of 'drone-comb chiefly, full of honey, ami quite pure and white, 1 removed it for use, putting in an empty frame. Before packing up the hive for the winter, I took out this frame, and another also (which is full of honey with some pollen), and put in a piece of wood in order to con- fine the bees to a smaller space When would be the best time to put back these frames? and ought I to put them on the outside from whence I took them? or should I put them nearer to the middle of the hive? I nun add that I do not intend to use the honey in the other frame which I removed, and that my hive is one of your Makeshift Standards. I have left the bees six train's nearlj full of sealed honey.— A Lady Bee-keEPER, Carlisle. I >' i i ■ i . v to Query No. 3B8. It will not be neoe arj to return the frames of comb until the bees show symp- toms of crowding in the spring, unless, in the meantime, they need food, when the frame of honey and pollen may safely be given to them. Should the latter con- tingency arise, it will be best to place it next to the clustering bees, so that they may not have to go far to find it, in preference to putting it amongst them, with the chance of loss their disturbance in winter might cause. Should they not need the frames until the spring, they may be replaced amongst the brood, the cells being first unsealed, when the bees will immediately empty them, and the queen will occupy them with eggs, and rapid increase will be provoked. — Ed. Query No. 364. — Hive-making. — What size of hive would be the best for this district, using sections at the back of brood nest ? We have within easy flight market and private gardens, also Wimbledon Common, which last has a fair quantity of heather. Barnes Common is within 200 yards of the hives I have at present, and also has a fair quantity of heather, broom, gorse, &c Should the frames touch the sides of the hive ? and which are the best, Woodbury or Standard size ? Coidd you supply me with working drawings to scale ? Would |-inch outer and f-inch inner walls, with a space of 1 inch between, do for body box, or might the wood be thinner with safety ? — P. B. A., Queene's Hyde, Barnes Common, S. TV. Reply to Query No. 364. — The Woodbury size of the kind described herein as the Irish hive would be excellent for the purpose. The frames should hang clear of the sides, a \ inch space between being the proper distance. Each piece required is accurately de- scribed in this month's Journal, j-inch inner and outer- casings, with dead air between, will do very well, or. inch pine alone, considering that the front and back can be well packed for wintering, will be sufficient. — Ed. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS A. F. Rostheyer. — Robbing (?) — The weather having changed to fine and warm, it is probable that the bees were taking an airing flight. Robbery does not begin or cease suddenly, and would not be likely to occur in four of the stocks without warning. If the symp- toms recur, dust the bees at one of the hives with flour, and watch if any of the marked ones go into another hive. By doing this with different coloured powders, the question of robbing versus airing flight will soon be settled, for if only the latter, the bees of each hive (and colour) will enter their own hive only. It must not be held to be a proof of robbery that only a few stocks disport themselves at the same hour, there may be influences to this which are not apparent to the onlooker. Late feeding will often make the necessity for an airing flight urgent, and the bees will take even an unfavourable opportunity, while others in better condition will not be moving. Subscriptions Due. — There are several hundreds of pink wrappers sent out with this issue of the Bee Journal, indicating that subscriptions are due, or in arrear; and we earnestly hope that our friends will respond to them without delay. To each of them it can be only a small question, entailing a very little trouble, but to us it is a large one of serious conse- quence. We work very hard in the cause of bee- culture, we give our best ideas on the subject, and put every facility in the way of our readers for them to acquire whatever they wish for in the readiest and eheapesl possible way, and we really think they oiil'Io not to force upon us the expense and difficulties con- nected with the keeping of open accounts for the Journal. The year L880 is very nearly at an end, it will he one of happy memory for many thousands of bee-keepers, anil we ask them to make it memorable to us by purging our subscription-list of the many pink stains upon it, and making a clean si t for L881 ; and in the hope that this will be done, we ill all sincerity wish our readers, and all the world, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. itittsh THE [No. 93. Vol. VIII.] JANUARY, 1881. [Published Monthly.] ^bhnruil, Botucs, #c. JANUARY. Christmas has passed, and we trust it has been a merry one in all senses ; and we most sincerely wish all our readers and their friends a Happy New Year, and ' many ov 'em.' Coming after a year of disaster like 1879, which had itself been preceded by a ' trying ' year, the season '80 was a blessing for which none of us can be too grateful, for it gave in profusion all that the earth could produce, and more abund- antly favoured its culturists. May God give us thankful hearts ! Fortunately for all out-door occupations, the winter weather thus far has been mild and comparatively dry, so that the work necessary in preparation for the year upon whose threshold we stand has progressed almost without hindrance, and (leaving out the question of rents, taxes, &c, the discussion of which is no part of our business) the prospect for agriculture, in all its branches, is a good one. In our speciality — bee-culture — there is eminent ground for satis- faction ; two years ago we were threatened with the extermination of our industry by the inpouring of vast consignments of honey from America, and elsewhere, which could, it was said, be produced and delivered here so cheaply, and in such readily saleable parcels, as to render its home growth unremunerative, and a kind of ' scare ' was the immediate consequence. But, happily, American honey is not English, and not all the fancy labels or packages in the universe will cheat the English palate, or per- suade the people to swallow an inferior article if a good one can be had ; and as a consequence, it has been found that importing even the best American product does not pay. Naturally, in times of scarcity almost anything will sell ; but the honey of home growth will always command the trade, and, thanks to the good year 1880, and the impetus given to bee-keeping by the Journal, the Associations, and the Shows, we have been enabled to hold our own and produce a supply of delicious nectar that sets the foreigner at defiance. We must not, however, attempt to deny that the great import of American honey was a surprise, nor that it frightened many ; nor will we pretend that its preparation did not exhibit a superior knowledge of the means of cultivating the bee to that which had been pre- viously shown in this country, but we are glad to say that instead of producing general or permanent alarm, it acted as a stimulus ; and British bee-keepers are now able to supply the market with honey in the comb far superior in quality, and equal in beauty and appearance, to that of any other country in the world. The rapid advance, also, that has been made during the past year in the manufacture and use of comb-foundation is most gratifying ; a few years since it cost five shillings per lb., and was little used ; now it can be had for half the money, and is tenfold more in demand. Formerly it could only be used in narrow slips through fear of its breaking with the weight of the bees ; but now frames are filled with it (nearly) with confidence and satisfaction, so that while bees were ten to fourteen days filling their hives with combs, they now do the work in three, and are free for immediate honey gathering and storing for profit. The rapid increase in the number of Bee- keepers' Associations is a hopeful sign of the times ; and the extension of the knowledge of improved bee-culture to Ireland, and of the formation of a Central Association there, are facts happily accomplished. The endeavour to establish a Professorship under Government has, unfortunately, not been quite successful ; but great interest has been aroused ; and there is reason to hope that in the ensuing year the application will be favourably received, when bee-culture becoming a branch of national edu- cation, the cobwebs of ignorance and super- stition will be swept out of the apiary, and England will cease to be a laughing-stock amongst Continental bee-keepers. The intro- duction of bees direct from Cyprus was another achievement of the year, as was also the associ- 106 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [January 1, 1881. ation of bee-keeping with dairy farming at the Agricultural Hall on the occasion of the great show of Dairy Farming Produce in October. The publication of the Handbook for Cottagers, and the diagrams for lecturers on bees and bee- keeping, are also among the ' events ' of the year ; and there are many other facts accom- plished that will render the yTear a memorable one. Turning now to the future, we cannot pretend to unveil what is hidden, we are told by Dr. Dzierzon, one of the greatest Continental bee- masters, that the little we know of bees is but as the sand on the shore in comparison with the treasures of the ocean ; and we can scarcely hope that the waves of a year, or even a lifetime, will reveal them. But gradually they will be brought to light ; step by step, one by one, the secrets of nature are unravelled, and the mind of man bounds with delight as the beauty of the glorious fitness of things, and the mutuality of their relations, are discovered. Light has of late been let into the mystery which, for ages, had enveloped and shrouded the trans- formation of worker larvaa to queens ; much had been discovered by Huber and others, but in the paper read by Dr. Donhoff at the Congress of Austrian and German bee-masters at Cologne, and published in the December number of this Journal through the kind favour of S. Stutterd, Esq., of Banbury, the keynote to the mystery has been sounded, and ' the relation of bees to flowers ' illustrated in a remarkably striking way. Many scien- tific minds are bent upon the solution of other mysteries, and rapid strides are being made whose results will appear in due course ; but leaving the vista of speculation, the elysium of scientists, whose view is beyond the ken of ordinary minds, we will return to the practical, the bread-and-cheese of bee-keeping, and en- deavour to suggest improvement where experi- ence has shown the dubiety of present con- ditions. Want of space will prevent long discussion of the subjects at the present moment ; and in mentioning them we have but the one broad object that has formed our governing principle as public exponents, viz. the improvement of bee-culture ; and though we may sometimes be upon delicate ground, we trust that we may not, even by accident or implication, touch even the fringe of per- sonality, or be thought to be airing personal grievances. The subjects we propose for dis- cussion will embrace the following, and we respectfully commend them to the considera- tion of Associations and Committees, to whom they properly belong, and invite the opinions of individuals for publication in this Journal. 1. The establishment of rides, on set prin- ciples, for the guidance of judges at Exhibi- tions ; and, as far as may be practicable, the appointment and maintenance of special sets of permanent judges for the various depart- ments, or subdivisions of departments. 2. That in offering prizes for manufactured goods, the principles of construction required shall be stated in the schedule ; and prizes only to be given for improvements on former exhibits in the same classes. 3. That with a view to establishing a Standard frame for the United Kingdom, Associations should offer prizes for hives only that contain frames of a size, or of sizes, to be determined on by a congress of experts, that the manufac- ture of hives, &c, with only sufficient variation in size of frames, &c, to prevent their inter- changeability may be discouraged. 4. That prizes for manufactured goods shall only be awarded to manufacturers on the understanding that they shall supply the public with counterparts of the exhibits at the prices stated on their entry papers. 5. That any member of an Association who receives payment for services rendered to such Association shall be disqualified from acting on its committee of management. 6. The propriety of property, or subscription, qualifications for committeemanship — plurality of votes in respect thereof, and the power of manufacturing votes under such circumstances. 7. The policy of Associations becoming shop- keepers, &c, &c. 8. The policy of establishing juries in lieu of the present system of independent, promiscuous judges and inviting criticism of exhibits before such juries who shall afterwards make their awards. 9. The necessity for every exhibitor having an opportunity of explaining any new features he may have imported into his exhibit. These and any kindred matters that may suggest themselves we propose to make subjects of comment from time to time, and trust the effect will be for the common good of all. WORK FOR THE MONTH. The chief work of January is ' preparation ' for the coming spring. Next month, when the crocuses appear, artificial pollen will be in request. It will be well, therefore, to purchase some in readiness. Get it direct from the manufacturer if possible, or it may not be fresh, and stale etuff is disappointing, for the bees will not take it. Pea -flour is the best, all things considered, and from large experience we can safely recommend it. Those whose bees have access to large beds of crocuses, arabis, and the like, from which they can get large quantities of natural pollen, will not be January 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 1C7 at all keen upon the artificial. We have this year ahout 18,000 crocuses coming up, any quantity of Arabia alpinus, some scores of pollen-hearing willows, and several thousands of the new and excellent Limnanthes Doughmi, so we shall not probably require much pea-flour, although in bygone years our bees have con- sumed a shilling' sworth (more or less) daily, or every day they could fly during crocus-time. We wish we could induce bee-keepers to provide a stock of temporary hives, cheap boxes holding frames of the size they use in general, that they may be ready for emergency. Every year we sound the same warning note, 'Be ready ! ' but ' the thief of time ' suggests that there is time enough yet, and things are put off until they are indispensable, and it is ' too late.' By preparing a few boxes, holding say half- a-dozen frames each, in advance, one is always ready for a chance swarm from one's own or another's apiary, and one is independent of the hive-manufacturer during the busiest time, while others have to wait while hives, &c. are being made. After so good a season (generally) as 1880, we confidently anticipate a vast in- crease in the number of bee-keepers ; and though hive-makers will do their utmost to provide for the demands that will certainly be made upon them, there will surely be some who will have to wait. By ordering early the customer can get his goods by the cheapest route, viz., by ' goods ' instead of passenger train, or express messenger, and there is the time for painting and arranging as may be necessary. Last year we had three telegrams in June to say the bees had swarmed, there were no hives ready, and we were to send a messenger with hives forth- with, doubling the cost of the hives, and risking the loss of the swarms, besides which, the hives we were able to send were not of the pattern required. ' A word to the wise is sufficient for them ; ' others must put up with the consequences of procrastination. ABBOTT'S LONG-HOLED EXCLUDER ZINC. An American correspondent, writing to Mr. A. I. Root, Editor of Gleanings in Bee-cult arc, asks for tinner's punches of suitable size for punching holes in tin separators, with which he says there is a widespread dissatisfaction ; and Mr. Root, in reply, writes : — ' The subject is being considerably agitated now, friend H., but I fear you will not be able to get a punch to perforate the separators you now have, because it would bulge and curl up the tin, unless a die was made to work witli the punch. Who among- us has the necessary skill and tools to make such a machine for a small amount of inuiit'Y? Friend Jones is very enthusiastic on a separa- tor made to divide off the hive, so that the queen and drones can be " fenced off," as it were, from the workers. The holes are to be oblong, and he says that if made exactly right, the workers pass and repass without trouble, but the queen and drones are effectually excluded. The separators are made of zinc, and with a pair of them he claims to be able to make the bees store all the honey they gather in section-boxes, in the body of the hive, and in the centre of the brood-nest if we wish, and that, too, without getting either brood or pollen in them. The idea, I believe, comes mainly from our English friends. If I am correct, no surplus-boxes are used on top, but all are placed in one brood apartment, and the frame is to be a deep one — much like the old American frame that has been used so extensively, and mostly discarded, if I mistake not. Our usual frame of sections, placed on each side of the brood-nest, it seems to me, covers about the whole of this ground, but perhaps I am not right about it. I have no doubt but that the perforated separa- tors will be a great advance ; but I cannot see how it will pay to perforate the metal by hand, unless one has much spare time on his hands.' While thanking Mr. Root for conceding to English bee-keepers the credit of introducing excluder-zinc to bee uses we feel bound to caution American friends generally against the misapprehension as to its utilities that is ap- parent in his reply. Zinc with round-holed perforations was first brought into public notice for queen-excluding purposes by Mr. Obed Poole, of Uphill, Weston- super-Mare, in 1875; and a letter of his will be found in page 75 of the British Bee Journal for that year, in which he stated that he had used it 'for some years.' Mr. Poole also said, ' Another good feature in the zinc is, I believe, that it is almost impossible for a bee to get through with a load of pollen' ; and this fact is an important one as distinguishing the round- holed zinc from the long-holed of later intro- duction. The zinc used by Mr. Poole had 3-16-inch perforations, but after considerable experience it was found to be a little too large ; and on the recommendation of Mr. Cowan, that having 5-24 came generally into use ; and it was with this kind we covered our ' new idea ' frame of 1877, a full description of which was given in Journal, page 62, of that year, and which Mr. D. A. Jones, of Ontario, is now introducing into America. Subsequent to that date, and through correspondence and personal contact with Colonel Pearson, of Nancy, France, — who will ever be rememberedinconnexionwith improved bee-culture both there and here — we were made aware that the late venerable Abbe Collin had been for years using sheet-iron with oblong holes in it for excluding purposes, and having obtained samples, presently succeeded in obtaining the correct thing in zinc, as it is now largely used in all English apiaries. The round-hole perforation admits the body of a worker, but gives it a scraping squeeze all round, thereby effectually preventing thepassao-e of pollen. The Abbe" Collin had abandoned the round hole on this very account, and adopted the long but narrower hole through which a 168 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [January 1, 1881. queen cannot pass her thorax, while a worker can easily pass through with very slight pres- sure, and with no hindrance to her pollen- carrying. We trust the advanced Americans who follow Mr. Jones' lead with his Anglo- French contribution to improvement in bee- culture will not be disappointed if their first experiments are not entirely satisfactory — the round holes that will barely admit the abdomen of a worker, and keep out the pollen, will sometimes admit the thorax of a queen (her largest diameter), while the narrower long hole which is an efficient excluder to the queen, yet will permit the passage of a worker with slight flattening pressure, will admit its load of pollen also. Probably a slightly elliptical hole is the sine qua non for all purposes ; but with a knowledge of the above facts we get along very well. We had the pleasure of supplying Mr. Jones with the zinc with which he has been experimenting when he was here in May last, and are glad he is able to commend it. — Ed. B. B. J. STINGLESS BEE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. A 'cute bee-keeper of Rochester, N T., is asking the co-operation of at least a hundred of those who have ten dollars to spare to en- able him to visit Brazil in search of bees exist- ing there that have ' no stingers ; ' and in return they are to have one stingiess bee queen each, ' guaranteed safe arrival.' If two hundred subscribers turn ujp they are each to have two queens ; and if three hundred (he does not want more), then each is to have three queens of 'the very best variety.' The promoter under- takes to go to Brazil and take charge of the enterprise (and the 6007., of course), and do his level best. He is calmly satisfied that his announcement on the 15th September last was the first ever given in the United States that stingiess bees existed ' anywhere on the habitable globe,' and that being so we in England claim to be a little in advance, for our friend, W. Carr, Esq., of Newton Heath, Manchester, rather fully described such bees in the second volume of our Journal, under the heading ' Trigona, or Brazilian Stingiess Bees.' Our American friend has discovered that there are no less than eighteen distinct varieties of bees, instead of one (where ? — En.) ; but Mr. Carr tells us of ' about seventy ' in Brazil, and moreover that, although they cannot sting, they bite most unmercifully, and when provoked make ' a terrible attack ' on their disturber, and usually ' cut off his hair.' (See page 174, Vol. IV., B. B. J.) Our Yankee friend does not tell us about this ' barber '-ous propensity of the bees of his ambition, perhaps because, in addition to hair-cutting, they have a penchant for ' shaving.' ' MODERN BEE-KEEPING ' AND DIAGRAMS. We are requested to state that Modem Bee- keeping : A Handbook for Cottagers, and the ' Diagrams illustrating Bee Life and Culture, and the Relations of Bees to Flowering Plants,' and which have now been included in the list of apparatus for Science Schools by the Science and Art Department at South Kensington, are about to be published for the British Bee- keepers' Association by Messrs. Longman & Co., the well-known educational and other pub- lishers, of Paternoster Row. The second edition of the Handbook, consisting of five thousand copies, will shortly be issued. Persons who are desirous of advertising in the same are re- quested to make early application for space to the Assistant Secretary, Mr. J. Huckle, King's Langley, Watford, Herts. For charges for advertisements, see Report of Committee meet- ing of B.B.K.A. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The Committee Meetingof the B. B. K. A., was held at 105 Jerinyn Street, St. James's, on Wednesday, December 8th. Present : Mr. T. W. Cowan (in the chair), Rev. E. Bartrum, F. Cheshire, J. M. Hooker, W. O'B. Glennie (Treasurer), and Rev. H. R. Peel (Hon. Sec). The minutes of the last Committee Meeting were read and confirmed. The balance-sheet for the month ending Nov. 30th was read, showing a balance in hand of 7s. 5d. The Chairman reported, on behalf of the sub-committee, ' That the arrangements for the publication of the second edition of "Modern Bee-keeping" were now complete; the work had been revised, and Mr. Cheshire had pre- pared an extra chapter on " Robbing.'" It was resolved that Mr. Cheshire be empowered to obtain a block for illustrating the chapter on robbing ; and that the fol- lowing prices be charged for advertisements in the new edition of the Handbook, viz., whole page, 40s.; half page, 22s. 6d.; third page, 15s. The Honorary Secretary moved and the Rev. E. Bartrum seconded, ' That the silver and bronze medals and certificate offered for competition at the annual shows of affiliated Societies should be open for compe- tition only to members of the County Association re- siding within the county.' (Carried unanimously.) With regard to the practice of private sales effected at shows, and not being transacted at the sales office, which had been found productive of much confusion and inconvenience, it was resolved, ' That a more stringent rule should be drawn up, relating to the payment of commissions on sales and inserted in all future schedules, for the purpose of making the payment of commission on all sales, by whatever means effected, compulsory.' The Honorary Secretary announced that though from special circumstances he would gladly be relieved of his office at the close of 1880, he would still undertake to discharge the duties of Honorary Secretary if such were the wish of the General Meeting, and they con- tinued the payment of the salary of the Assistant Secretary. The next Quarterly Meeting of the Association will take place on Wednesday, January 19th, when a paper will be read by Frank Lyon, Esq., on 'Cheap Bar- Frame Hives for Cottagers'' Use.' The Annual General Meeting of the Association will take place on Wednesday, February lOlh. January 1, 1881 .j THE BKITISH BEE JOURNAL. n;y BEITISH BEE-KEEPERS' CONVERSAZIONE. Discussion on the Rev. E. Bartrunis Paper on the Stewarton Hive. The discussion was commenced by Mr. T. W. Cowan, who said that after sixteen years' experience with the Stewarton hive, he might be expected to say something about it. He was not prepared to condemn it, but on the contrary, he considered it a very useful hive, which certainly held an intermediate position between the straw skep and the moveable comb hive. It was far superior to the straw skep, but did not come up to the moveable comb hive. This gave the bee-master complete control over his bees, and allowed him to perform operations with ease which would be extremely difficult if he only used the Stewarton hive. He had adopted several variations in working the Stewarton system, and had found generally two body-boxes and an eke sufficient. Instead of having an entrance to each body-box, he preferred the three entrances in the lower body-box, as recommended by 'the Renfrewshire Bee-keeper.' There were only four frames in a Stewarton box, and these were screwed down, and before they could be made moveable or an examination of the hive take place they had to be unscrewed. To examine the side combs the boxes have to be turned up, and unless the frames are screwed down they fall out. He had witnessed an accident of this sort last summer when visiting a friend who had a Stewarton hive. His friend had forgotten that he had not screwed down the frames, and on turning over the hives, frames, combs, and bees all fell to the ground in one confused mass. The trouble of making a thorough examination of Stewarton hives is, moreover, gieatly increased by having to go through the same operation in each box ; and when these are taken apart and are full of bees, it is not such an easy matter. He had stocked Stewarton hives with as many as five swarms, but had found by ex- perience that two good swarms placed in the body-boxes did better than a larger number. Mr. Bartrum had mentioned as one of the advantages of the Stewarton hive the side slits for admitting the bees into supers, and preventing the queens going up into them ; but the same plan was adopted by those who used moveable comb-hives for the same purpose. Here, however, he would admit that the Stewartons had the advantage, as in these the queen would rarely visit the outer combs if she had sufficient room for laying in the centre of the hive. His opinion was in favour of frame-hives, as in them you can make the bees increase more rapidly. By following out his plan, publi-hed some years ago and now universally adopted by advanced bee-keepers, viz. that of contracting the brood-chamber of a hive so that the bees cover every comb and spreading the brood, it is astonishing how rapidly a weak hive may be built up and become strong, and that under conditions which would prove fatal to a Stewarton. Bees are more inclined to extend their brood-chamber laterally, but this is prevented in the Stewarton hive by the outer combs, which act like blocks of ice, compelling the bees to extend their brood nest downwards. Although he had been for many years a successful exhibitor of Stewarton supers, he could not allow that sections gave so much trouble to the bee-keeper as Mr. Bartrum would make out. He did not see why it was necessary to have three tiers of sections when one would do as well, or better. He used a rack of twenty-one sections, and had found this by proper management quite suf- ficient for a whole season, for as fast as any of the sections become filled they are removed, and empty ones put in their places. There is a great advantage in being able to remove a comb as soon as finished, as the bees do not discolour it or increase the thickness of the wax covering to the cells, as they do if left too long on the hive ; and as the centre combs are com- pleted before the outer ones, much time is saved by their removal. With a Stewarton hive you have to wait until the outside combs of the supers are sealed over, or they do not look well ; and by the time this is done, unless the flow of honey is very great, the centre combs are overdone. He thought that the plan of giving bees additional breeding space, at the rate of one or two frames at a time, preferable to giving them a whole bodj'-box, as in the Stewarton, because the heat of the hive is better utilised if the hive is enlarged only in proportion to the requirements of the colony. He had prevented swarming in moveable comb-hives by removing some of the combs and filling up their places with comb foundation or empty combs ; this gave the queen more breeding room. Also, the free use of the extractor assisted very much in checking swarming, and was only advantageously applicable to moveable comb hives. Mr. Bartrum had mentioned 164 lbs. of super honey and 30 lbs. from body-boxes as being the largest harvest of honey from a Stewarton ; but he would mention that he had taken 120 lbs. of super honey, and S'.ilbs. of extracted honey from one frame- hive, and this showed a balance in favour of the frame- hive. Had the extractor been used entirely he had no doubt this quantity might have been doubled. He did not see the use of the buttons on the Stewarton boxes and thought they were only in the way. He had not found the slides much trouble, and if the hives were strong enough in bees the internal temperature of the hive would always be sufficient to prevent their being too firmly fixed in the grooves. As to manipulations, such as cutting out queen-cells, removing brood, and artificial swarming, no one can deny that they are carried on much more easily in a moveable comb-hive. He wished to say one word as to feeding. The idea occurred to him that it would be a great advantage if in the autumn one hive could be made to do the work of a whole apiary. Those who were feeding their bees know that last week the cold put a sudden stop to it. Now all honey or syrup unsealed ought to be extracted, or the stocks would be liable to dysentery. Instead of feeding up each hive separately, he had fitted up a paraffin stove in one of his bee-houses, and kept one hive at a high temperature day and night. He had had a large feeder made to hold half a gallon, which was placed on the top of the hive, and was replenished as fast as the bees carried the syrup down. In this way he had got these bees to fill and seal their combs from top to bottom, and as fast as they were completed he removed them, and distributed them amongst those hives requiring stores. So far the experiment had been satisfactory. Mr. Cheshire considered Mr. Bartrum 's paper to con- tain so much that was excellent and valuable, and which withal made out such a strong case, that he did not feel disposed to attack the Stewarton at all sharply. He said it was difficult in a Stewarton hive to overhaul the stock, and finding the queen was often impossible, though by putting side slips to the outside bars, the difficulty is considerably lessened. No doubt the great advantage of the Stewarton hive is its elasticity. With regard to the moveable comb hive, we have not all of us yet attained perfection, and indeed ordinary management left the frame-hive practically inelastic. The common idea used to be that bees were to be put into a bar- frame hive, and expected to fill the supers without any further trouble on the part of the bee-keeper. An intel- ligent bee-keeper would not think now of putting a few bees to ramble ad libitum over a large empty hive, and fill it as they best could. He who knows how to manage would narrow the space in which his bees are placed by the means of dummies, and then, as the bees multiply, keep on expanding that space until li is hive is quite full of bees. The Stewarton is certainly not so gradually ex- pansible as the frame-hive, as one must pass at once from 170 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [January 1, 1881. one box to two, or at best to a box and eke. Though much may be done in the Stewarton towards preventing swarming, the same may be accomplished in the bar- framed hive by continual expansion. The great secret of success is to increase the brood-nest gradually, and to obtain a large quantity of bees before the beginning of the honey harvest. He had obtained such results last year by acting on this principle, as could not have been obtained in any other way. A principal desideratum in any form of hive lies in its expansibility and its contractibility ; the lack of which, even if it had no other drawback, would put the skep utterly out of court in the opinion of those who have learnt modern plans. There is a change of opinion discernible as to the size of hives. The Americans begin to say that their hives are too big, and smaller hives are coming into favour. The less room you have in the brood-box, the more bees you must, of course, have in your sections. Give the queen room enough, but short of this all hives should be contracted as much as possible when supers are put on ; all combs containing no brood being removed. With regard to feeding, Mr. Cheshire had now tried flour-cake for two seasons, and could speak of it in the highest terms of ap- proval. He had used tallow to grease the slides of his Stewarton hives, and had found that this prevented the bees from fastening them down with propolis. He men- tioned in reference to the number of swarms which might be put into a Stewarton hive, that some French experiments show clearly that 67,000 bees give the best results, and that little good is done if swarms are added after 12 lbs. of bees have been massed together. Mr. Cheshire disapproved of the buttons on the Stewarton hive, as the bees would fix the boxes together, quite well enough for themselves. In conclusion, Mr. Cheshire allowed that much was to be said for the Stewarton hive, but declared his belief that as bee-keepers go on with the ordinary frame-hive, and learn by experience how much may be done with it, the latter will come more and more exclusively to the front. The Rev. George Kaynor had worked the Stewarton hive for twenty years, but not in its improved form. The frames were originally not removeable, and in that form the hive was not to be encouraged, fie had tried greasing the slides, and had not found it to answer, as the bees removed the tallow, and then propolised. With regard to facility of manipulations he was of opinion that the Stewarton must yield to the bar-frame hive. Captain Campbell regarded the Stewarton hive as a convenience. Some friends of his had asked him to take care of their Stewarton hives during their absence from home, and he had soon found out the difficulty arising from the side frames being screwed down. He had turned them all into moveable frames, and had put them into the Slinger. He found the Stewarton supers un- wieldy and inconvenient. It was also difficult to find purchasers for supers weighing 20 lbs.; but he was fond of taking a holiday now and then ; and as his frame-hives kept him rather too much at work, he admitted the con- venience of the Stewarton for those who could not be always attending to their hives. He made his own Stewarton boxes for one shilling each, and thought five shillings too much to give for them. He found no diffi- culty in overcoming the propolising of the grooves and slides by prising them open with a thin knife. Buttons he thought an abomination, and took them away, winding a cloth round the hives. He thought that three entrances to a hive were a mistake, and that there should be but one entrance. Bees wintered in Stewartons, perhaps, better than in frame-hives, ;ii id the boxes were very easily turned over, so that you could see all that was going on inside. In replying to the remarks made upon his paper, Mr. Bartrum said that lie had "o wish lo place the Stewarton above tin: moveable comb hive ; hut lie thought that the Stewarton should have a place in the apiary. Bar- framed hives require constant attention : sections must be put on and taken off, the extractor must be in constant use, queen-cells must be cut out, and the hives frequently examined, and a busy man has not time to attend to them. Many persons wanted a hive which they could keep and work without constant supervision, and for such persons the Stewarton was a very valuable hive. No doubt the bar-frame hive was the best for a skilful bee-keeper who had the time and patience to bestow upon it, but the Stewarton was the hive for the busy man, and he was anxious that it should have a place in the bee kingdom. Mr. T. W. Cowan, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Bartrum for his excellent and valuable paper, was quite prepared to allow the value of the Stewarton hive. Management was, however, the great thing after all. With good management almost any hive will succeed. Bee-keepers are unsuccessful because they do not manage their hives rightly. He had had a frame-hive this season reduced to five frames, in each of which there was brood to the top bar, and it had given him some beautiful sections. He advised all bee-keepers to com- press their bees with dummies, and to reduce the size of their hives to the number of bees which they contain. The motion for a vote of thanks was seconded by the Kev. George Raynor. The Rev. E. Bartrum moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the Rev. W. Stuart Walford, whom he com- mended as being one of the chief promoters of the Suffolk County Bee-keepers' Association, which had at- tained the distinction of having purchased a bee tent during the first year of its existence. Mr. Bartrum also mentioned the very successful show which had been held this year at Ipswich mainly through the exertions of their Chairman for the evening. Captain Campbell seconded the motion. The Chairman, in responding, regretted the absence of the Rev. R. A. White, the Vicar of Ipswich, who had been obliged to leave at the conclusion of the earlier meeting held on that day. Mr. White had achieved great success with his Stewarton hives, and had taken 140 lbs. from one this year. Mr. Walford supposed that success was, as Mr. Cowan had said, to a great extent, a question of management, both with the Stewarton and the Bar-frame. With reference to a question asked by the Chairman as to the efficacy of tallow in keeping away the bee- moth, Mr. F. Lyon stated that he had found a mixture of tallow and black-lead very useful for that purpose. THE STEWARTON HIVE. By the Renfrewshire Bee-keeper. While perusing with much interest the Rev. E. Bartrum's excellent lecture in last month's B.B.J, on my favourite hive, the Stewarton, I could not hut regret that other engagements prevented me being present to hear it delivered, when I would have been delighted to have borne the brunt of the fire of criticism to which it was subjected, down to its most minute part- -the buttons ; and having seen a report of the discussion which followed, I would take the earliest opportunity of craving a little space to try and remove some of the misconception-smoke left hanging around it. Having for many years disinterestedly endeavoured to spread more widely a knowledge of the splendid results obtained by the hive and system of bee-manage- ment I had done something to improve, I felt the fullest sympathy with the rev. lecturer, who, true to the instincts of his profession, finding its great value, pro- ceeded to proclaim it before his brethren of the British Bee-ieepers' Association, and what he has so well said leaves but little to supplement. Although the wooden covers I use keep the hives nice and dry, parties to whom their cost is an object must understand that is an outlay not absolutely necessary in January 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 171 conjunction with the hive ; a good thick straw hackle is a useful although not so good a protection, provided the hive-hoard stands as it ought, some twenty inches ahove the level of the ground on a 6-ineh fire-clay fawcet pipe sunk 16 to 18 inches. There should be three entrances to each body-box, and these I regularly widen to 5 inches long by three-quarters of an inch deep. All are kept closed with the sliding doors save those in the lowest box, and there the side ones are similarly kept shut except during the full heat of the supering season. The central door, or ' mouth- piece,' I divide into two equal portions, for regulating the entrance in the centre. So placed, and the hive drawn close to the cover-front, bees are effectually excluded from the cover. No doubt in hives destined to swarm, drawing back the hive and admitting the bees afford them the f idlest protection from sunshine and shower ; but in non- swarming Stewartons these idlers are much better drawn up to secrete wax on the guides of added supers. When once the supering season is fairly on, the hive is stripped for action — the cover removed entirety, the hive drawn back to the flush end of the board, thus giving the fullest alighting room in front and keeping out damp behind. From the iron weighing-hooks in the body-box I cord tight down the supers to prevent their displacement by the four-ply thick crumb-cloth or other warm woollen stuff folded and tied tightly around them. The moveable top of the cover is then set on, and from its vase on the apex is suspended, on the sunny side, a full-sized Archangel bast-mat. After the three doors of the lower box are fully drawn, thus shaded with 15 inches of door space for air, egress, and ingress, and ample and gradual expansion of super space, swarming is reduced to the minimum : indeed during the bypast season not a single swarm attempted to emerge from one of my many Stewarton stocks ; and to see such colonies at full work is a real pleasure to every true lover of the bee. But to return to the discussion. The assault was led by Mr. T. W. Cowan, who considered the Stewarton as an intermediate step between the straw skep and the move- able comb hive ; but the Stewarton under discussion it so happens is a moveable comb hive. It is against all rule to have any entrance but through the lower body-box. He admitted the frames and bars are fixed with half -inch brass screws by makers to retain these in position on their journey, and are still useful for inversion to receive a swarm up in a tree ; but so soon as the hive is peopled, the screws are at once withdrawn, and at the present moment there is not a single screw in my apiary, but had Ioccasionto send ahive away orto the moors, to keep all safe I would certainly reinsert them. I prefer sweeping the bees from the combs of my hives, but for those choosing to drive the screws afford the facility. I am glad to hear that one of the best and most original features of the Stewarton hive, excluding queens from supers, has been copied in square frame hives ; presum- ably by zinc excluders, which was all along effected in the former so simply by the slides. The Stewarton being essentially a strong hive system, its disciples are for- tunately better accustomed to expand than ' contract the space;' and as for 'spreading the brood,' they more wisely leave that to be l-egulated by the numbers and instinct of the nurse bees. I entirely dissent from Mr. Cowan's theory that bees will extend their combs and multiply more rapidly in a square than a Stewarton hive, having in novitiate days abundantly proved the contrary. The heat emanating from the central cluster ascends to keep the brood overhead warm, which liberates so many more bees to increase the cluster. Wax- secreting and comb-building progress more rapidly in a downward direction than when the cluster is divided and combs built at either end. With regard to the question of sections, I quite agree with Mr. Bartrum that Stewarton supers give more hone}' with much less trouble. Mr. Cowan, I fear, labours under a misappre- hension as to the completion of the Stewarton supers : the bees ascend and cluster on the end bars, and from thence the work gradually progresses towards the centre, where the windows are purposely placed ; and it is an axiom in the Stewarton system, that so soon as the central combs are seen to be sealed out, the super can be safely removed complete ; and in all my experience of this hive I do not remember meeting with a single exception to the rule. But I have had much trouble when I wrought square supers on square hives, of unsealed end combs and corners. To contrast harvest results, one year and one district of country against others, affords no criterion as to the comparative value of any hive or system. Mr. Cheshire followed by saying he did not feel dis- posed to attack the Stewarton at all sharply, and it woidd be very ungrateful if he did after finding for him the premier super in the honey famine season of 1879 — the proof of the pudding is at all times the eating of it. I was first attracted to bee-keeping through opening up several colonies long established in the roof of the house here, and there learned the true ' Philosophy of Hive Shape ' in the five or six feet stretches of comb I measured in the narrower, while the wider they as heartily eschewed, as they afterwards did the collateral additions of my 'Pavilions of Nature' of the much-vaunted Nutt's hive; and every conceivable plan of lateral extension the enthusiasm of the novice could invent proved an utter failure, the bees persistently carrying the brood-combs downwards and the honey-comb upw-ards, with the regu- larity of the piston of a steam-engine. When I found the Stewarton, I discovered what I considered the nearest approach to their beau ideal; it yielded me harvests unknown before for quantity as well as quality : for, after all, what is the bee-keeper's great desideratum ? — the maximum of honey with the minimum of trouble, other points follow after, as subsidiary. There was now no removing the end combs in autumn as in the square hives, no contracting of space iu spring, but expansion into lower box, the usual large surplus store saving all feeding; only trouble, a pleasant morning's task in putting on and afterwards removing filled supers. There are, how- ever, a class of bee-keepers who must continually be pottering amongst their bees ; such disturbed hives don't usually give great returns. According to a recent work the ' bee-farming ' of the future is to be carried out in 12-inch square boxes, no supers tolerated; the greatest harvests known are to be obtained by continually passing the end frames through the extractor as quickly as gathered. On the farm, fancy already hears the stillness of the summer evening broken by the rattle of the tin extractor and tin milking-pail as they are passed on to the bee-house and cow-house respectively ; and our industrious little favourites may thus be saved the second .swallowing, flitting, and disgorging task. Mr. Petti- grew depicts them as nightly engaged in performing thus iu his big straws ; but many of us may feel thankful we are not bee-farmers. Applying the moveable comb principle to my roof- bees, and believing in it from the beginning, I carried it out with every part of the Stewarton from their frames ; I raise my queens in nucleus four-frame boxes. These, when full, are transferred to form young colonies. End combs I had at first in frames similar to the centre, hut afterwards dispensed with them, finding those end combs being carried out to the sides helped to concentrate the central heat of the brood-nest better, and isolate more effectually the breeding from the h mey-storing depart- ment. A thin-bladed old table-knife easily severs any little comb attachments of those end combs should a queen have hidden there from off the brood-net. I quite agree with Mr. Cheshire as to the modern frame hive being practically inelastic, and to my view, for practical bee-keeping a grave fault, the inner being inseparable from the outer shell — moveable combs in a 172 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [January 1, 1881. hive filed to legs and cover. A friend in the island of Bute last spring using some Perthshire frame-hives con- sulted me as to the best plan of joining a queenless to a queened stock, and I suggested sprinkling a little flavoured syrup, and after puffing smoke to both, to place the queened one on the other, so easily managed with the Stewarton ; but I had a reply that the legs forbade the union. I had promised to Italianise a couple of stocks to the same friend, but as the hives had to be conveyed some distance to it, and afterwards by steamer, then rail, and a good way from station here. As they stood it was out of the question ; so the bee-keeper had to incur the expense of having two hives made, with boards to carry the stocks, and when shut in a man took both on his head. It would be a most hazardous procedure to move a Stewarton colony anywhere unbuttoned. Rev. George Raynor, by drawing any one slide on top of a Stewarton, and then moving the frame closer to blank side, the next can be lifted out, if preferred, with- out drawing at all, and so on. Slides never gave me any trouble ; by drawing one either side, any particular frame can be inspected without disturbance, to rest. Tallow and black lead are unpleasant associations for a bee-hive. Captain Campbell is perfectly right in saying the Stewarton hive is a convenience, and gives little ti-ouble. Possibly hives made so cheaply as a shilling a-piece may lack the exactness of fit as to render the buttons ' an abomination,' and from the same cause ventilation may be so amply provided as to justify the triple entrance ' a mistake.' I work two sizes of Stewarton supers; one •'U inches deep contain 15, the other 4 inches, 20 lbs. of comb honey. It may not be generally known that the Stewarton, if not the first hive to carry a super, has possibly a yet better claim to carry the first sectionals. Its supers, twenty-five to thirty years ago, I am informed, were commonly divided into halves and quarters ; but on turning my attention to improve this hive I preferred to retain the super entire as ' a crate,' and to render its seven combs moveable, as seven sections. I give away most of my honey to friends in this way attached to the bars, and it is commonly so sold in Glasgow Italian warehouses in single bars at a higher price per lb. than the entire super brings. The bars can be replaced at \d. each. APIARIAN NOTES FOP 1880. By Mr. Robert J. Bennett. (Read before the Natural Society of Glasgow.) After alluding to 1870, which proved to be the worst season experienced for the previous twenty years, and which left to the present year a veiy unfortunate begin- ning for bee-culture, Mr. Bennett referred to the advice he then gave to all who had stocks left to have recourse to a generous artificial feeding if they wished to preserve their bees from starvation. He then proceeded to notice the mode in which he managed his apiary during the year. In January, which opened unfavourably, there were some fine days, of which the bees availed them- selves; and by the middle of February breeding had commenced in most of the hives. In March, which is generally a trying month, the weather was favourable until about the middle, when a sharp frost set in, which greatly retarded breeding. April was bleak and cold until the 18th, and stimulative feeding had to be resorted to. May opened well, and the hives were full of bees, but feeding was still necessary. On the 27th Mr. Jones, from America, arrived in London from Cyprus and Palestine, where he had been for a few months to pro- cure queens. Two were ordered from Abbott Bros., of Southall, and arrived last month, and are doing well, and give promise that next season a pure swarm may be shown in an observatory hive. Bees continued to swarm until near the end of July. Being in London, the British Bee-keepers' Show was visited, and it was found that considerable progress had been made during the last three years. By August, swarming having ceased, the bees began to enter the supers. These were rapidly filled during September, and by the end of the month one Stewarton hive had reached the enormous weight of 165 lbs. The harvest was the finest Mr. Bennett had ever seen, and those who kept their bees strong reaped the benefit. His apiary has repaid all the outlay and original cost, and all the stocks have been put into win- ter quarters with more store in the hives than they have had for many seasons. If all goes well, there should be early swarming in 1881. HERTFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The Annual General Meeting of this Association will be held at the Town Hall, St. Albans, on Tuesday, January 11th. The Chair will be taken by the President, the Earl of Verulam. The following important subject will be discussed at this meeting, viz., ' The advisability of making arrangements for annual inspections of Mem- bers' hives and bees by the Association's expert in the spring and autumn of each year.' This Association numbers nearly 300 members. A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BEE. By Dr. Donhoff. (Continued from p. 146.) 2. — On the Derivation of the Organic Powers of the Bee from Sugar. Formerly it was believed that the motive powers of the muscles were derived from decomposition of muscular tissue. But when Julius Robert Mayer had made us acquainted with the greatest of all the laws of Nature, the principle of the conserva- tion of energy, — when we had learned to understand that forms of energy are transmutable into one another, it was found that the powers, which are set free in the decomposition of muscular tissue, do not suffice to explain motion. The chief powers, which are transmuted into motion, were now sought in fat and sugar. The empirical proof, especially for the bees, and according to analogy for other animals, is given by the following experiment : Take a bee from the hive entrance, enclose it in a glass at a temperature of 25° Cent. (773 Fahr.) ; after an hour and a half it is incapable of flight ; after about two hours and a half it is dead. In a higher temperature it dies earlier, in a lower one later. The honey which it had in the honey-bag is used up. If the bee has become incapable of flight, and is thrown up into the air, it falls down per- pendicularly. I let it now take its fill of syrup. After about three minutes and a half, if I throw it into the air, it does not fall down again perpendi- cularly, but diverging about a foot from it ; after another half-minute it falls yet further away ; after some minutes it ceases to fall, and flies to the window. But if a bee has given to it, instead of sugar, pollen and water, they do not affect it ; its capability of flight is not restored — it dies. In the chyle-forming stomach there is still to be found a supply of albumen. If flight resulted from decomposition of muscular tissue, the capacity for flight could not have ceased, since the muscles are intact, and albumen is in the stomach to replace wasted tissue. Motion is restored by sugar, which January 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 173 is not one uf the elements of muscular tissue, but is consumed in the blood as sugar, or as sebacic acid derived from it. Muscular contraction arises, therefore, from combustion of the sugar, which with, and in the blood, is imbibed by the muscles. Since without sugar death occurs, it follows from the experiment mentioned, that with the bees not merely muscular power, but similarly all powers of animal life (the sense of feeling, brain-power) as well as all powers of vegetative life (cell-formation, glandular secretion, ). And again : ' They [small hives] are prolific in one thing — that is swarms' (p. 4). Swarms aie here apparently condemned, but presently they are a valuable commodity. He says : ' Taking swarms into consideration, as part of the profits of the bee-farm, we know of no trade so lucrative as that of a bee-farina- ' (p. 8). ' Which is best, a swarm that may be sold for 10s., or may be worth three times this sum to you, or two or three pounds of honey at most, as the result of superingr1' 'Our way never prevents swarming, for the bees, ever active and industrious, go on storing honey day by day ' (p. 7). Large hives are soon, apparently, recommended, for the author says : ' When a stock is taken from a hollow tree, it is not uncommon to secure " an " hundredweight of honey ;' and in the next paragraph, ' The old-fashioned small skep must be abolished if success is to be secured ' (p. 4). ' Remember your stock will swarm long before your neighbours if you adopt the bee-farmer's hive, — hence your special need of preparation ' (p. 21). Then follows an absurdly contradictory statement, or rather, a series of them : ' The only hive we have found successful is one not more than 12 inches square, internally. This is taught us by the fact that our cottagers' wives who use the old-fashioned skep of about 12 inches square (sic), can generally succeed in having a fair honey-harvest when their neighbours, who employ large hives such as the Woodbury, can seldom obtain much honey from them ' (p. 6). 'The best hive, all points considered, is the bar-frame hive called the " Woodbury hive." Carr's improved Woodbury is too small, and from this cause alone worthless' (p. 0). 'The "modifications" of the Woodbury hive include such as Carr's, Siebert on the Wold, Major Munns' bar-frame hives, Pettitt's bar- frame, Pettitt's Temple, Lees' Octagon hive, Lees' Wood- bury, and others too numerous to mention ' (p. 9). ' But a chief point is the size of the hive.' (Here, in a long paragraph, the ordinary-sized Woodbury hive is utterly condemned), — ' They are too large, — the bees never fill them ; the bees are dispirited, — never swarm, and yield a poor return ' (p. 10). Fancy ' Lees' Octagon hive ' being a modification of the Woodbury ! (The Wood- bury hive is recognised, on page 24, as being 14A inches square.) On page 19, the inside measurements of the 'Farmers' hive ' are given: ' It is made 12 inches long, 1 If wide and 10 inches deep ; ' but it is to be made with two pieces of board 1 1 1 inches long and 10 inches deep for the front and back, and two pieces of the same dimensions for the sides. The top-board is 16 inches square, and the floor-board K5J inches square ' (p. 10). ' The six hoards constituting the hive must be made of inch deal, well seasoned, and they are to be painted in three coats of stone-coloured paint, inside and out ' (p. 20); and presently, 'The boaids of the bar-hive should, if possible, be one and a half inch in thickness' (P-24)' Our readers will have some difficulty in reconciling these statements, and will scarcely accept them as highly commendatory of the bee-farmer's hive, the dimensions of which are given above, which will contain eight frames, of small size be it remembered. This hive we assume, however, is considered the sine qua non to sue- 182 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [January 1, 1881. cess, and all the honey is to be taken by the aid of the Italian extractor, an instrument we would advise every- one to have on trial before purchasing one. Supering is condemned in unmistakable terms as fol- lows : ' We advise all our readers never to use supers on the hive; let the bees manage their own affairs and send out swarms as often as they like.' ' Placing supers may seem pleasant to a novice, but it deters the bees from swarming ' (p. 7). He says : ' The super, whether it be in the form of a bellglass,or a small square wooden box plactd on the top of a hive, in nine cases out of ten prevents swarming ; thus it is " penny wise and pound foolish " ' (p. 17). ' Many foolish bee-keepers place an eke at the bottom of the hive to make it larger when the bees show signs of swarming ; this results in the loss of the swarm,' &c. (p. 17). ' If you are wise you will never employ either the dreaded super or the eke in your apiary. If nothing else will teach you, the heavy loss and dwindling stocks, year by year, will bring our words to your re- membrance when too late ' (p. 16). If people are foolish enough to believe the assertions made in this wretched book, every other cultural in- dustry woidd soon give place to* bee-farming. The author says: ' A poor curate, vicar, or cottager working all day on the neighbouring farm, may add to their present small income 100/. annually from bee-farming' (p. 2). ' Our system, if followed honestly, should bring an annual income of ten pounds per hive.' ' In poor seasons it should clear six pounds ' (p. 8). The author, avoiding supering as he would poison, says : ' Our way never prevents swarming, for the bees, ever active and industrious, go on storing honey day by day ; the plan then is this : — About twice a-week, in the height of the honey-season, puff a little smoke,' &c, and ' slip out the. bar at each end of the hive, cut off the tops or caps over the cells, place it in the extractor, — two or three whirls round completely empty it of all the hone}' ; then give it back to the bees, the comb not being in the slightest degree injured, is again filled in three or four days, to be again emptied out. At each operation, not less than six pounds of pure, limpid honey come out of the extractor. This is worth nine shillings, if sold privately.' We are not told how long the height of the honey- season is supposed to last, but presuming each hive to yield two swarms of the value (10s. each) set down by the author, it ought to continue unintermittingly for fifteen weeks to produce the sum total of 10/., the "profit promised in a good season. There is not, throughout the book, one word on the subject of comb-foundation, sections for honey-storing, and not a single allusion to the work carried on by the British, or its kindred Bee-keepers' Associations; aiidwe can only regret that such a book has been put before the public. Time and space prevent further allusion to its absurdities, but we will return to the task in time to prevent, if possible, some of the mistakes that may be made if its dictates are followed ; for the present we con- clude with, 'How to prepare barley-sugar for feeding.' The author says : ' Put two pounds of loaf-sugar into a saucepan of water, and two spoonfuls of best vinegar ; put it on a gentle fire, let it boil for about twenty minutes,' &c. We presume any size of saucepan, or spoon, will do equally well. (Sdjocs from % |)ibes. Trieste, 6th December, 1880. —'We have fine weather here, and my Cyprians have nearly every day a flight during over a fortnight. It is a pity that we cannot enjoy such weather the winter all round. — A. Schroder, jun/ Weston, Leamington. — ' Splendid open weather we have had here lately for bees to fly, and which they appear to have thoroughly enjoyed, after the sharp weather we had three weeks ago. — A Warwickshire Bee-keeper, Weston, Leamington, Dec. 15, 1880.' Deanfoot, N. £., Dec. 18, 1880.—' This has not been a year for much honey here, but rather for increasing stocks, and every bee-keeper has greatly increased them. Last year there were thirty kept here, this year there are seventy. I have not had as many swarms as my neigh- bours, but had some well-filled sections instead, which I showed at an Industrial Exhibition, and got a good price for ; also a frame-hive with sections complete, and an observatory hive with Ligurian bees, which those present took a good deal of intere t in. My bees are all in frame- hives, and never were as comfortable as at present. There is more in wintering bees than most bee-keepers are aware of, and I am of opinion that the cause of spring dwindling might be traced to the winter cold. Dysentery will never occur in a hive that has received proper win- ter care and protection. The hardest frost this winter was thirty-five degrees; snow and frost has again set in eighteen degrees this morning. — Francis Baillie.' Maidenhead, Dec. 18, 1880. — A Lady Bee-keeper writes : ' My nine stocks of last winter did well with me for an amateur, their numbers increasing by August to twenty-two. I have no difficulty in getting them to make use of supers, either glass, wood, or straw ; but they take to large-sized supers much better than small. This neighbourhood chiefly depends upon hme -trees, therefore it was not a good season for us, as, during the three weeks of their being in bloom, there was constant rain. Notwithstanding this, I secured 115 lbs. 7 ozs., of super virgin comb, and of dript 107 lbs. 4 ozs., and 6 lbs. of wax. I have a ready sale for any super-comb I have to spare at 2s. and Is. for run-honey, and our chemist buys the wax at Is. 3d. per lb. The twenty-two hives were reduced to twelve — four in bar-frames, the rest in large cottage-hives, without any of the bees being de- stroyed on the 26th of August. This is written to en- courage other lady bee-keepers. I have had Martin hitherto to take up my own hives, but I drive those of the cottagers myself. Several say next jear they shall be able to do their own now they have seen it done by me. I am very glad you have not to send to me the Bee Journal in a " pink wrapper ; " I should not like your rap at all ; it is shameful.' (fumes anb JU»tks. Query No. 365. — Barley-sugar — Bee Trees. — Will you please tell me why my barley-sugar, after boiling, turns intr < tuff just like lump-sugar, instead of being clear ai hard ? Also, are there any trees bees most prefer to swarm upon ? — Chas. H. Edwards, The Chalet, Mill Hill, N. Hendon. Reply to Query No. 365. — We presume there has not been sufficient acid added to the sugar to effect the necessary change. Bees, as far we have ever seen, have no favourite trees for swarming to ; but it is quite cer- tain that where one swarm has clustered another is very likely to come another day ; a fact, due, moue likely, to the odour left about the spot than to any special affection for a particular kind of tree. — Ed. Query No. 366. — The Jrish Hive. — I am going to use the wooden comb-foundation in one of your Irish hives to act as a divider, as you suggest, and put sections be- hind it. Should the slot at the bottom be covered with excluder-zinc, and will it want moving more forward at the end of the season ? — It. A. S., Borobridge. Reply to Query No. 366. — It will doubtless render the exclusion of the queen more certain if the zinc be January 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 183 used, otherwise, the wood being thin, a slot could be cut of the right width, that might answer for excluding pur- poses. We rather incline to the use of a zinc divider between brood and sections, and the placing of the wooden comb at the back of the sections as shown in figure on page 151. At the end of the season the sections should be removed and the brood-nest enclosed with the ' divider.' — Ed. Query No. 367. — Late Drones. — Will you kindly favour me with an explanation of the following case ? Of seven stalls of bees an early swarm of this season shows a very large proportion of drones, probably more than half. They are in a bar-hive full of honey. Of late the whole have been active and the other stalls en- gaged in feeding on the blossom of the broad-leaved Algerian ivy, a very late variety. To-day the drone stall in question is alone restless, simply buzzing outside and working in and out. Not a bee is moving elsewhere where all was activity yesterday, nor at any time of late have drones been seen, with slight exceptions, at the other stalls. — A Lady, Arundel, Dec. 7th, 1880. Reply to Query No. 367. — We have little doubt but that the stock is queenless from some unexplained cause. Having become so, the bees would have no brood to attend to after about ten days, and would therefore be at liberty to gather honey, which not being required as food for embryo bees, they would store largely, and the hive would in a good season, such as the past, attain great weight. When the time came for slaying the drones, this hive (having no queen) would become a refuge for those of other hives, a fact which will account for the large number now present. The activity at the hive entrance was not of the same character as that of the other hives ; they were working and gathering this petu- lant idleness. — Ed. Query' No. 368. — Irish Hive. — 1. In your description of the Irish hive, a piece of wood f square inch nailed on the top of the sides flush with the inside, this leaves a § rabbet on the outside, what is this for, as the frames are made to project over the sides ? And should not the frame-bars be reduced s instead of -fs at the shoulders ? as then it will bring them exactly level with the back and front, the sides having been left § lower, and the bar being originally ^ inch thick. I am delighted that you have simplified the bar ends. 2. Am I right in making the frame ends of the same width as the bars, that is, about 1 inch ? 3. I shall, I expect, be changing my residence about March to a distance of twelve miles. How and when had I better move my bees ? They are in wooden hives, of your Crystal Palace Cottager's and Improved Woodbury type, and one original Woodbury. As there is no one about here who understands bee-keeping, I look to you for all my advice, if not troubling you too much. — R. A. S., Borobridge. Reply to Query No. 368. — 1. The object in leaving the rabbet is that there shall not be a broad surface for the frame-ends to rest upon, to lessen the chances of crushing bees. In strictness we ought to have said an eighth as the amount of reduction of the frame-ends, but as the top surface of the bars is usually planed, practically a sixteenth is sufficient. It is as well in making the hive to cut the front and back a trifle wider than is described (8f inches), and having fitted the frames, to plane them (the front and back) down to a level ; but in making many, due regard ought to be paid to exactness. The simplification of the bar-ends has made hive-making and ordinary management much more easy, fully repay- ing the small additional cost of their production. 2. This is a point on which many of our experts and judges do not agree with us — we would prefer for bee- comfort that the frame-ends should be of the width of the widened shoulders of their top bars, as so often ex- plained in reference to the Giotto principle of hive ; but the public have been taught to dread the propolising that would ensue if the junctions of the frame-ends were not perfect, and thus we are compelled to make them as you suggest. 3. We would remove the bees when the weather will give them opportunity for flight after their journey. If it were only a mile or two, and they could be carried by hand, they might be moved at any time with safety, bat as they will probably be jolted, and caused to fill themselves with honey, a flight afterwards will be desirable. Their combs should be rendered secure from falling and breaking, and the hive should be thoroughly ventilated at the top, a covering of perforated zinc or cheese-cloth over the frames being the best. Tie the floor-boards securely, and let the bees travel in a light spring cart with plenty of hay or shavings for a cushion. —Ed. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS. J. Dunlop, Downpatrick. — Excluder zinc. — Abbott's long-holed excluder is no hindrance to the bees; strips one inch wide will be sufficient for admission to the supers. Breeds of Bees. — For industry, hybrids, i. e., the cross between a pure-bred Ligurian queen and an English drone. Beauty, Cyprian bees (these have an excellent character from their last place). Fertility, Ligurian or C3'prian. Suitability to the Irish Climate, Hybrids as described above. The introduction of a few Ligurian queens will soon effect an improvement in the race of bees. Heather. — It is the common variety that our bees get their chief supplies from, the 'bottle' heather being available to bees with longer tongues. Newtown, Rostrevor. — Nearness of Hives. — Ordi- narily, if placed in groups of two, three, or four, about four feet from hive to hive, and eight from group to group, they will be sufficiently isolated ; but distance is not all that is required for safety. There ought to be such a difference in the aspect, i.e. in the actual appearance of each hive and group, that bees could not make a mistake, or they will be liable to get mixed up, and difficulties will be sure to arise. At the South Kensington Show, 1880, the hives of bees on exhi- bition were several feet apart in a straight row, the entrance-ways to them being through holes cut in the sash-frames of the huge arched windows. These win- dows extended in various directions for hundreds of yards, and there was sufficient similarity to deceive almost any one, and it is not to be wondered at that the bees made serious mistakes. They went into wrong hives and encased the queens, and into some of the arched windows in which there were no entrance- ways, or hives, and settled and clustered in corners similar to their allotted corners, producing terrible con- fusion, and causing much loss of bee-life, and injury to the stocks. We would, therefore, recommend that as much variety as possible should be exhibited in the ap- pearance of the hives and groups, trees, as permanent landmarks, being taken into account in the selection of sites for them. We strongly recommend that every hive stand alone, either on its own legs, or having none, on a separate stand of its own. Forms or benches are liable to be shaken when hives are being examined, and bees are thereby disturbed when they had better be left quiet. J. II. V. — Spring Feeding. — Full directions for spring feeding will* be given in the February No. of Journal. If bees need food sooner, i.e., if they are approaching starvation, the}' should have a little barley-sugar, two or three ounces at a time put into the feeding-hole and covered up with a piece of cloth, flannel, or carpet will do well enough. When the crocuses come into bloom will be the right time to give pea-flour as arti- 184 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [January 1, 1881. ficial pollen. Removing and Transferring Bees. — Our leaflet on transferring, post-free Id., will tell how that is done. The shed may be removed at once, if you have provided hives with individual covers that can be placed on the existing hives; and its removal will so alter the aspect of the place, that the hives may be moved a few yards with safety, forthwith, if desired. C. T. — The Quilt. — In supering, the quilt is entirely re- moved, and you may nse an adapter of wood with £f- inch slits or one of long-holed perforated zinc, as you prefer. Many, however, set the sections down upon the frames, crosswise, trusting to the space between the sections being of correct width (which all are not) for excluding purposes. Durdanach, Pitlochry. — IAgurianising and Foul Brood. — Imported bees as a rule become dysenteric on the journey, and believing that the sporules of that disease generate foul brood, we advise that queens (which do not suffer from it) should be introduced alone on arrival. The practice too often commended of putting the imported box of dysenteric bees and dirty honey over the feeding-hole with zinc between, and allowing the bees of the hive to unite with those in the box, and carry the honey down into their hive is very likely indeed to set up the disease in question. Closing Entrances. — Notwithstanding' the opinions and practices of others, we are much averse to closing the entrances of hives, except for very temporary purposes. Bees will not be tempted out into the snow if the bright sunlight be kept from the entrance. Sunlight in winter attracts bees, and they come forth unwarrantably when there is no snow, and perish of cold ; but when snow is on the ground their corpses are more easily seen, hence the snow is charged with being the cause of their ventui'esomeness, whereas it is really the light. BEE FLOWERS. CROCUSES are all gone, — those not sold have been planted, — but we have a few thousands of the new Bee-plant, Limnanthes Douglasii, which will follow Arabis Alpinus in blooming, and is much liked by the Bees. Price, free on rail, at Southall, Is. 6/. sterling from each hive — a very good average, — (italics mine). In another article he describes what seemed to me a very good description of the American ' Eclectic ' hive, with some of the Lanarkshire hive's properties. Mr. Thomson tells us that this is the Dalbeattie hive he has improved after some years ; then tells us that Mr. R. 'Wilson is the sole maker. I was much amused at Mr. Thomson's letter, and would have put some questions to him through the Journal in which it appeared. One of them would have been, How long had Mr. Thomson used bar-frame hives !" as I was under the impression that it was only after the Bee Show in connexion with the Highland Royal Agricultural Show, held at Dumfries in 1878, that he had adopted the frame-hive. But that Journal refuses to insert any correction of error I send. Should the fore- going meet Mr. Thomson's eye, perhaps he will favour us with the progress of his inventions, and what it was that prompted him to so rapid a success. But apart from this I happened to have an intimate acquaintance thirty years ago of an old bee-keeper — a perfect genius, who used to recount to me his career in bee-keeping, as well as his inventions. One of these was what 1 observed was also claimed by the Americans, viz. his plan of a gun being fired on a swarm issuing from a hive. So far as I can recollect this plan would be invented ninety years since. Long before the per- cussion cap was in use he invented something of the kind, but being a common tradesman, was uncommon in being a very quiet and unassuming being. Yet, nevertheless, his presence was courted by many men of talent. His power in mechanism was great, fond of firearms, and though not a professional, made beau- tiful fowling-pieces. He dreaded mice getting inside a hive, knowing well that the smell of these rodents was highly injurious to bees. He kept trained cats to kill the vermin. On the death of one of these — a favourite — the old man was said to have shed tears. So loath was he at its loss that he preserved the cat, and formed it into a very ingenious trap, so that when set its jaws were extended with a tempting bait, and the mice it caught after death were perhaps equal to those it caught while in life. I am perhaps digressing from my subject. The selling of the old man's effects, twenty-eight years ago, devolved on me. Some of his hives were of a very ingenious description, the most of them had moveable bars, and several had frames, while not one of them lacked floor ventilation, and all of them possessed the outside case which held the hive and packing. I have mentioned these facts to prove that long before the Americans knew anything of chaff, the Scotch in the west had 'brains' to be able to invent nearly a cen- tury since what Mr. Raitt boasts of the Northerns (see Vol. V., page 199) having 'brains' to adopt. And pass over, perhaps, a further improvement in that of the Stewarton hive, condemning contemptuously the very hives that gave birth to scientific bee-culture, and which he knew nothing about. I quite agree with you, Mr. Editor, when you advised that something should be done to give honour to whom honour is due with inventions ; it is a subject that should be taken up by some disinterested parties con- nected with Bee Associations; and as a beginning, 1 would suggest that a memorial and testimonial begot up amongst us who have benefited so much by comb-foun- dation the last twenty years, and present it to the German, the inventor of comb-foundation, and ma- chinery for making the same. It is he who deserves the name of Public Benefactor, and who has been the means of so much improvements in hives. And instead of giving prizes year after year for the same thing, let that be done away with, and let a memorial be awarded for new inventions only, so that it will preclude the possibility of any one stealing and , glorying in the invention of others. In regard to judging at Shows, there has been so much bungling that I think the time has come that prizes should bi' awarded to tile highest merit, decided by owners of the articles pleading the properties of their exhibits after 224 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 1, 1881. the manner of our County Courts, before a qualified Judge, whose duty it would lie to see that exhibits possessed the properties claimed, which would he satis- factory to all, and at same time ideas would he retained by the inventor. — A Lanarkshire Bee-keeper. Papeb for Hives. — Employment of cardboard in hive-mal. — Mi.ving-up of Queens. Encase- ment on Uniting. Value of Imported Queens. Sections in rear of Brood-nest v. Supers. — I united three black stocks in autumn. Two of the queens I found dead, and the survivor apparently all right and laying within two days. On the third da}- I prepared to add a fourth stock, with a hybrid queen, to bring it up to the sufficient strength. The two hives were alongside each other, and on opening the one with the three swarms, to remove the black queen it contained, I found her encased, and, with difficult}', rescued her. Looking a little fiuther I found a yellow queen in the same predicament. Concluding that the queen of the hive alongside must, somehow, have got lost, I opened it up, to find the same state of matters there — a yellow queen being furiously assailed. It seemed very odd, and oii looking up some nuclei about ten yards distant, one of the queens was missing. I infer that she liail gone into the hive with the hybrid queen, who, de- clining- to fight, sought refuge next door. I attempted tu prove that this was so by putting the first-found yel- low queen into the adjoining hive, whence I inferred she had come ; but she flew off on my dropping her on to a comb, and spoiled my proof. Is such a mi.xing-up as this common, and how do you explain it ? 2. I find my attempts at uniting met by obstacles. In one case in autumn, after scenting and smoking most thoroughly, the queen I left to head the colony was en- cased at once, and it was a week before she could be safely uncaged, three sets of queen-cells having been raised meantime. Is this difficulty a frequent, one prac- tically ? The theory, of course, I know, but theory and practice have a knack of falling out. 3. What is the experience of apiarians in regard to the value of imported Ligurian queens ? I am told by a very considerable number of friends that few of them live beyond a year. My own experience of Italians only dates from last season, so that I do not know. But of the queens I had then, 70 per cent, or thereby were prac- tical failures. Even when introduced all right they made no headway. Those that gut established did very well; I do not know but they stood good for themselves and their less fortunate sisters. I should like tu know, however, what experience says on the point, lias the large demand for queens led to the producing of large numbers under unfavourable conditions, so that they reach us, after their long journey, in a state (if exhaustion from which they never recover? If they come tu hand * Tost free Id., from this office. alive it is held to be all right ; but there is a life which is next step to death, and that is reached in the hands of the unfortunate buyer, who gets blamed for awkwardness. 4. I should like to hear more on ' Storing in the Com- bination hive versus Supers.' My experience is entirely iu favour of the latter. That is, whenever my bees get a chance of space above the brood-nest they take it in preference to space on a level with it, whether behind or at the sides. This last season I had to be from home for a month, and put supers on hives that were working in sections below, as I thought they should do more than till them. On returning I found they had taken posses- sion of the supers, and all but filled them, while the sec- tions below remained exactly as they were. I understand you to affirm that the space behind the brood-frames should be taken to with equal readiness. — Fifeshibe, January, 1881. Beplies to Queries No. 375. — 1. It is not easy to account for the ' mixing-up ' which occurred, but it is probable that some of the bees of the united (?) stocks got into the nucleus hives containing the yellow queens, and caused one of them to abdicate, and that she at- tempted to join the most populous and busy, and so caused the cjmmotion. The black queen first left with the united swarms, appears to have been comfortably accepted, and laying until this occurred; and it is possible (and a debateable point) that her encasement was the result of love on the part of her own bees and for her protection, as the encasement of the yellow aueen was of hatred and dislike. Such cases do not often happen, and when they do it is usually through the hives being in too close proximity to each other — a feature of which we have no evidence. 2. The difficulty experienced in uniting is fully in ac- cordance with theory, supposing one of the lots of bees to have been aged and broodless, and the queen of the other lot to be the one selected to head the colony, as is generally, and with reason, the case. We have many times alluded to the difficulty of uniting aged bees; the custom, arising from long experience, has been to join both bees and queens, as was done in the case of the three stocks, and let the bees settle which shall be allowed to live. Had this been done in the present case it is probable that one would have been accepted, and the chances are that it would have teen the one belonging to the more pugna- cious— i.e. the more aged and least civilised bees. This is a suggestion only, the result of close experience, and it may not apply in all respects in the present instance, but it is worth consideration, and may help to solve the question. 3. It cannot reasonably be doubted but that privation, confinement with sickly bees, and the other ills likely to arise from queens being sent on long journeys, is detri- mental to them, and in many instances shortens their life, or interferes with their fecundity. They are never (?) sent forth until they have begun to lay, and then their energies are suddenly cut short, and they are put up in boxes, and the business and pleasure of their life sus- pended in the heyday of its enjoyment — a measure that cannot be beneficial to them. The evil arising- is common to all violent interference with nature, but we are not prepared t<> admit that it is so great as our querist sug- gests. That many bee-keepers lose 70 per cent of their imported queens is more often their own fault than they are willing to admit ; and much of the loss and the seem- ing want of fecundity in the queens arises from the ab- surdity uf uniting, or attempting tu unite, them to weak and queen less stocks, instead uf tu g 1, prosperous bleed- ing colonies, which will generally accept them under due precaution, and give them the opportunity uf displaying their power and energy. Queens apparently dead from fatigue or neglect cannot be any the better for their trial ; but we never hesitate to introduce such, if by any possi- bility life can be restored, and in full colonies the heat and surroundings enable them to do well. The evil for- 220 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [March 1, 1881. tune too often attending imported queens arises, as we have said, from their being- put into poor stocks. Hun- dreds of bee-keepers never think of purchasing a queen for the natural purpose — the improvement of their bees ; but as soon as they find a stock queenless they send for a Ligurian queen, which, nine times out of ten, gets en- cased and injured on her introduction to the queenless, broodless old bees, or, if accepted, is unable to perform her enjoyable duty through the bees' incapacity to assist her. These are our experiences, gathered, not from our own apiary alone, but from the regretful reports of others, too often in the face of warnings. Our advice to those who intend to introduce the Ligurian element is, to do it by swarms if possible, or by the introduction of queens to full colonies, the dethroned queens of which will be quite good enough to risk with old queenless bees or with those containing fertile workers. 4. We quite agree that bees will be more likely to go into supers than they will into side or rear boxes, if they are all available in a hive at the same time, because the super being the warmest (being above the main body) will present the greatest attraction and afford the most congenial conditions, under the circumstances, for storing ; but the fact in no way disproves our argument, nor does the experience in any degree affect it. It is acknowledged on all hands that bees store in the warmest parts of the hive — notably immediately around and above the brood- nest ; and it is the unwelcome experience of thousands of bee-keepers that they will not enter supers at all — or having entered, remain there — except under the most favourable conditions of population, temperature, and surroundings ; yet they will always (income permitting) store hone}' in the body-hive, even to the limitation of their brood-nest and the prevention of egg-laying by the queen. Everybody (?) knows that as soon as bees gather more than they consume they store it, and what so reason- able as to give them facilities in the chamber they love for storing it in the form most agreeable to their owner. The experience our querist reports is beside the question. If he wishes to try the case, and convince himself, or convict us of false reasoning, let him place six colonies, of equal strength in all respects, in an enclosure, under even conditions as regards position and the chances of well-doing, and fairly try them, simultaneously and al- ternately, on the 'supering' and 'combination' or longi- tudinal principles, and we shall be content to abide the result. Give (to the bees) the choice of two chambers in the same hive, they will naturally choose the least disagreeable ; but simply enlarging from time to time ' the temple of nature ' in which they worship, commends itself to the common sense of bee-keepers, and is proved to be in accord with the instinct of the bees themselves, and on their evidence we are content to rest our case.- •• Ed. Query No. 37fi. — One of my best and strongest hives has died this winter. It is a plain wood-hive, about 12 inches square, and was filled with comb to about 2 inches from the bottom. In the autumn the bees ap- peared in perfect health, and were very strong; they are now all dead, with plenty of provisions in the hive, and a very large quantity of dead bees si ill amongst the combs. There does not appear to be any trace of dysentery ; the hive, sides, and bottom board, were very damp when I examined them. What do you suppose must have been the cause of death P The hive was standing in a bee- house, and was well covered up with straw ; on the top were two perforated zinc slides, and over these some canvas of three or four thicknesses. — J. P., Wiiton Gilbert, near Dereham. Reply to Query No. .'570. — There being no evidence of disease, and no suggestion of queenlessness and old age of the bees, we can only conclude that they were imprisoned by the cold between (or amongst) combs from which they had consumed all the honey, and were not able to get to the stores in another part of the hive Box-hives, fixed combs, and no winter passages through them ! Oh, mi !— Ed. Query No. .377. — Extracting Honey. — Will you please inform me if the comb will not be very liable to break cut of the frame whilst in the extractor? — J. P., Witton Gilbert. Beply to Query No. 377.— Crooked combs, and those not built evenly within the frames, are liable to injury; but those built straight and even ought not to be damaged at all. The combs should be placed flat against the wirework of the cage or revolver, and the machine set in motion without jerking. — Ed. Queries No. 378. — I have several stocks, and among them two Ligurian casts of last year, which, not being strong, I intend to unite next month. Kindly tell me — 1. Will it be too early to make a small swarm from a black stock, and introduce one of the Ligurian queens into the black stock, putting the black swarm into a hive with comb-foundation? 2. Will the swarm and the stock with Ligurian queen be likely to swarm during the summer, and can I prevent them doing so ? 3. Would cutting out constantly queen-cells prevent them swarming ? But I do not like disturbing them so often during the honey season. — Mat. Steele, Heath House, Runcorn, Feb. 16th, 1881. Beplies to Queries No. 378. — 1. It will be very much too early to make swarms with the hope of success. May is early enough, as a rule. You propose to unite two lots, and divide a strong one, which will not, we take it, improve matters very much. Better sacrifice one queen than ruin a stock in trying to utilise her. 2. They would be much more likely to dwindle and die before the summer comes through the cold and ab- sence of every thing swarms and weakened stocks most need. 3. Cutting out queen-cells will not absolutely prevent swarming. Bees often swarm out when no such prepa- ration has been made. Disturbance in the honey season would be less dangerous than the proposed operations at the present time. — Ed. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS Professional Bee-keepers. — On Page 211 of this Journal will be found an extraordinary and libellous re- mark by Mr. Cheshire with regard to his 'professional' brethren, which in their behalf, and for his own credit sake, we think he ought to explain, and we sincerely trust he will do so, if he can. — Ed. B. B. J. Mr. J. Delwiler, Toledo, Ohio. — The British Bee Journal maybe had from here direct for 6s. Qd. per annum; whoever is charging you more is swindling you. We exchange in bulk with Gleanings, Medina, Ohio j The Bee-keepers' Magazine, Park Place, N. Y. ; The Bee- keepers' Guide, Kendeldville, Indiana ; and The Bee- keepers' Exchange, Canajoharie, N. Y. ; and they ought to supply American bee-keepers at the same rate we offer the Journal here ; we ask no premium on their journals here. Use of Salicylic Acid. — Divested of all technicality, simple as A. B C, Mr. Cowan's recipe directs that an ounce of salicylic acid and an ounce of powdered borax shall be dissolved in two quarts of water ; it is then the ' salicylic solution ' for painting hives, &c, for dis- infecting purposes. To disinfect bees one ounce of the solution should be mixed with a gallon of syrup, or a teaspoonful with a pint will give the same strength, and we do not know of any better formula. M. A. L., riimleg.— Want of ventilation is, without doubt, the cause of the floor-boards becoming thickly covered with dead bees during the protracted season of cold. We appear to be everlastingly giving directions in the March 1, 1881]. THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. 227 Journal which, if bee-keepers would accept as the out- come of actual experience, and act upon them, would he the means of saving an immense amount of trouble and loss. Our suggestions are often, however, not complied with because the more limited experience of many of Our readers has not taught their value, and hence their calamity comes upon them suddenly and with dire effect, when, as a matter of fact, disorder should be well-nigh impossible. We find it, as a rule, very much easier to guard against bee misfortunes than to advise as to their reparation, particularly when the subjects of them have gone through some of the stages that generally terminate in foul brood. Having already dried the hive with warm tiles, we can only suggest that the crown-board be perforated, to facilitate the upward escape of foul vapours, and that the bees be fed liberally for a few days with sali- cylised syrup, in the hope that they may disinfect, not only themselves, but the cells in which their loose honey is stored. The perforations in the crown-board (which is a fixture) may be four or five, an inch and a half over, covered with perforated zinc and flannel, to permit ventilation and prevent draught. Fishponds, Bristol. — Stocking Observatory-hive. — Our correspondent has made a square observatory, after the pattern of that described on p. -y !'", Vol. VII., ' Abbott's observatory-hive,' but, unfortunately for his own comfort and convenience, has not made it of suit- able size to receive the frames of the hives in his apiary, and he is now at a loss to know the best means of stocking it in the coming spring. As ' our ' hive is of similar shape and make to ordinary hives, except that it is of glass, and can be manipulated for observa- tion purposes without being opened, we see no reason why it should not be stocked with a swarm in the usual way. We would fit up as many frames with comb-foundation as the swarm will be able to occup}', and put them in the front part of the hive, covering them with a quilt in the usual way, and darkening them, and, when the time comes, would pour the swarm into the back part, that they might run under and amongst the frames of foundation. It would be well to have the extreme back frame filled with wooden or other foundation that will not stretch, as many bees may at first cluster on it, and if flimsv, distort it ; and when they have taken possession, would cover them snugly, as in an ordinary hive. After a day or two the quilt may be removed, and the glass- cover (crown) put on, and the bees watched as they proceed with their wonderful work, and frames of foundation added as they may be required. Uniting Bees. — Our leaflet, and many repetitions in Journul, advise that bees to be united should be made to gorge themselves with scented syrup, and reduced to a common state of poverty (with nothing to defend, their combs all being removed), and that they be then mixed up in one lot, before being restored to the combs in which they are to live. The method adopted of adding a driven lot to another lot already in possession of their combs ended, as is commonly the case, in the slaughter of vast numbers of them — a result our direc- tions are intended to prevent ; and the fact that bees will sometimes unite peaceably without such precaution is no argument against that they are intended to advise. Mildewed Combs and 1'ollcn. — If left with the bees, they will clean up the comb, and throw away the pollen, at great cost of labour and material ; for in extracting the pollen pellets they will destroy and have to rebuild a large number of the cell walls. We would prefer to remove the comb altogether, and substitute a sheet of foundation ; it will be saving the labour of the bees, and there will be no liability to ill effect from the mil- dew. Old combs are really not worth preserving;; now that foundation is so cheap. 6 TJ EESWING'S ADVICE to BEE-KEEPERS.' I) Can anyone supply a Copy to Advertiser? The little Work was published some years since at Hereford. Apply to Editor, Fairlawn, Southall. MANUAL OF THE APIARY, By A. J. COOK, Professor of Entomology in the Michigan State Agricultural College. 286 pp. large 12mo. 112 Illustrations. Published by THOMAS G. NEWMAN & SON, Chicago. Price, bound in cloth, 5s.; postage, id. ABBOTT BROS., FAIELAWN, SOUTHALL. CLUBBING. v> fi LEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. By A. I. VJT Boot, of Medina, Ohio. 4s. 6rf. per annum. THE BEE-KEEPERS' MAGAZINE. By A. J. King, of New York. 4s. Gd. per annum. nnflE BEE-KEEPERS' GUIDE. By A. G. X Hill, Kenclallville, Indiana. 2s. 6(7. per annum. All the above may be obtained direct from the Office of the British Bee Journal ; arrangements for a Monthly Supply having been entered into. The whole set, commencing May last, shall be sent for a year, post free, for 10s. Office : British Bee Journal, Southall, Middlesex. DIAGRAMS FOR LECTURES, by the British Bee-Keepers' Association, with descriptive Pam- phlet, 8s., free on rail. Abbott Bros., Southall, Middlesex. FOR SALE.— SIX STRONG STOCKS OE BEES in Woodbury Bar-frame Hives. Perthshire. Letters to Editor, Fairlawn, Southall. fo. 58. FOR SALE.— BEE-HOUSE to hold 8 Hives and Supers, with Folding Doors at back. Price 21. Apply to C. Cadoux, Countesthorpe, near Eugby. fo. 56 COMB FOUNDATION. GUARANTEED Pure Wax, good colour and with Thick Side-walls, in Sheets "i6 by 8, or 12 by 8, either Polled or Cast (own make) at 2s. 6;/. per lb. ; 5 lbs. and upwards, 2s. 3d. per lb. for Cash with Order. Address W. Hollands, Hive Maker, &c, Croydon. A quantity of Clean Wax wanted, send price and particu- lars as above. fo. 56 LIGURIAN QUEENS. JOSEPHINE CHINNI offers to supply QUEENS ej of Purity and Splendour from her New Establishment as follow : — April and May, 8 frs. ; June, 7 frs. ; July, 6 frs. ; August, 5 frs. ; September, 4 frs. SWARMS OF BEES, April and May, 18 frs.; and Two Francs less per month after, to September. RUSTIC BEE-HIVES, April and May, 12 frs.; June, 20 frs. ; July, 18 frs. ; August, 16 frs. ; September, 15 frs. Free of Carriage to the Railway Station at Bologna. Josephine Chinni, Bologna fuora porta Saragossa, N 1442 Italie. fo. 19 SURPLUS SWARMS OF BEES. ABBOTT BROS, are open to Purchase SWARMS OF BEES by weight in any quantity. Early arrange- ments should be made. LIGURIAN QUEENS. ABBOTT BROS, will be prepared to supply LIGURIAN QUEENS, of Choicest Breed, in April, about the 20th. Price 12s. each — safe arrival guaranteed — if ordered during the present month (March). Address Fairlawn, Southall. ADVERTISEMENTS TO THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [Mar. 1, 1881. WANTED, a Situation as BEE-KEEPER to a Gentleman, would fill up time at Amateur Hive- making, or assist in Garden. Attend to Poultry or a Cow. Age 27. Married. Address W. M., Fairlawn Cottage, Southall, Middlesex. FOE SALE.— 5 Stocks of Italian and Hybrid Bees, in double-walled Bar-frame Hives, very strong and healthy ; 1 Abbott's Observation Hive, 1 Abbott's Combi- nation Hive, 2 Abbott's Standards, 2 ditto, larger size, with dummies ; 2 smaller Hives for Makeshift, 1 Abbott's Ame- rican Honey Slinger, quantity of Supers, 1 large square oblong perforated Zinc, 1 square (18 by 18) Vulcanite, 18 Feeding Bottles, Smoker, 6 bottles Bee Lotion, and different odds wanted in Bee-culture. Also Bee Journal from be- ginning till present time, bound. A capital opportunity for a beginner, as everything is perfect. Enquire, Talfourd Villa, Eeigate. fo. 55 One Half-penny each. crystal palace leaflets, FOE COTTAGEES. EACH Leaflet giving full instruction on a par- ticular branch of Bee-keeping. Price 6d. per doz. Post free. Sample Leaflet, Id. Stamp ; 3s. per 100, 25s. per 1000, assorted or otherwise. Address C. N. Abbott, Bee Master, School of Apiculture, Southall, near London. ARTIFICIAL POLLEN, newly ground and direct from the Mills, 6d. per lb. In 7 lb. bags, packed free and delivered to Southall Bailway Station for 3s. 6rf. per bag. Guaranteed perfectly fresh, and if put into Crocus cups the Bees will take it madly, affording most interesting study of the use of the tongue, the fore-legs, and the pollen- baskets, and highly stimulative to the Bees. Address Abbott Bros., Fairlawn, Southall. BEE FLOWERS. CROCUSES are all gone —and "Wallflowers have been killed, — but we have a few thousands of the new Bee-plant, Limnanthes Douglasii, which will follow Arabis Alpinus in blooming ; it is much liked by the Bees, will grow and propagate itself like a weed, and is as hardy as Groundsel. Price, free on rail, at Southall, Is. 6d. per hundred, or 10s. Gd. per thousand, package included. Abbott Bros., Southall, Middlesex. This plant literally throws up ' heaps ' of blossoms, and bees come at it in droves. It lasts in bloom a month or more. ROYAL SOCIETY for the PREVENTION of CEUELTY to ANIMALS. MONTHLY EETUEN of CONVICTIONS (not includ- ing those obtained by the Police or by kindred Societies) obtained DUEING NOVEMBEE, 1880, as follows :— Horses — Working in an unfit state 167 Horses — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c. ... 28 Horses — Overdriving and overloading 4 Horses — Starving by withholding food 1 Donkeys — Working in an unfit state 7 Donkeys — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c. ... 9 Cattle — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c 4 Cattle — Overstocking (distending udders) ... 2 Cattle — Cutting for identification 1 Cattle — Improperly killing 2 Sheep — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c 3 Pigs — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c 1 Dogs — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c 7 Dogs — Starving by withholding food 2 Cats — Setting dogs to worry 1 Cats — Cutting tails off 3 Fowls — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c 1 Fowls — Overcrowding in baskets 2 Fowls — Allowing to remain in toothed trap ... 1 Geese — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c 1 Pigeons — Improperly conveying 4 Hyenas — Burning during menagerie perform- ances 1 Argali — Beating, kicking, stabbing, &c. ... 1 Various — Owners causing above offences ... 70 Total, during November, 1880 323 Twenty-three offenders were committed to prison (full costs paid by the Society), 300 offenders paid pecuniary penalties (penalties are not received by the Society) ; 50 convictions were obtained in Metropolitan Courts, and 273 in Provincial Courts. JOHN COLAM, Secretary. 105 Jermyn Street, London. SUBSCEIPTIONS and DONATIONS are TJBGENTLY NEEDED, the income having been seriously reduced by commercial depression. The public are therefore earnestly solicited to forward remittances, payable to the Secretary, to whom all letters should be addressed. ARABIS ALPINUS, the best early Honey- yielding Flower, blooms from March to July, or all the year round by successive plantings. It has been bloom- ing with us from March to February. Price, Is. 6le, though at present unsus- pected by the country at large. The Hon. Sees. are the Reverend H. W. Lett and G. Greer, Esq., both indefatigable in their exertions, and full of courage and determination, and we shall be glad to give them every possible aid in the voluntary and arduous duties they have under- taken. March, true to its character, has been a month of many weathers, much of it of the unkindest, but bee-keepers will be grateful for the dry, tine, and sunny half-hours that gave the bees opportunity for flight, and the ingathering of such stimulating supplies as were naturally or artificially offered. On the 21st, when the sun ' crosses the line,' and the weather for the next six months is supposed by many to be portended by its then condition, the weather prophets in our locality were puzzled with its tangled condition ; the morning was cloudy ; about eleven o'clock the sim shone for a few minutes, and between that and one o'clock we had every sort of weather, with the exception of a thunderstorm. It rained, it hailed, it blew, it ' snew,' while now and then the sun shone gloriously ; and in the later afternoon it became so fine that the bees became delightfully busy with the crocuses, the arabis, and the ' big sun- flower' which contained the artificial pollen. Surely the weather-wise will not be far wrong if, after that, they prophesy that the weather in the future will be variable, and never to be depiendcd on. It will, perhaps, scarcely be believed, but the few fine days which occurred prior to the 20th made many of our over-anxious friends busy at work which should not have been undertaken until fully a month later, and ' transferring,' ' spreading the brood,' and ' queen-raising,' have occupied their minds most unhealthily for the bees whoso si^ns of progress suggested the manipulations. Such operations, with the cer- tainty of recurring bad weather, do far more harm than they can possibly do good; the first necessitates the production of wax and the performance of labour that is exhaustive to the bees, when they require careful nursing ; the second, should a spell of cold ensue, will cause the bees to desert their brood, and cluster to promote heat for their own protection ; and the third, by stopping the production of brood is surely mischievous, while the probability of raising queens that will be useful is most remote, seeing that drones wiU not come forth in chilly weather, and the queens through seeking them are liable to be lost, or by lapse of time become incapable of fertilisation. AVHAT TO DO, AND WHEN AND HOW TO DO IT. Preparation. — We often feel obliged to caution our readers against precipitancy in their bee management, but far oftener is it necessary to urge them to ' trim their lamps ' and be ready for the work that is before them. Before the end of the present month the bees in many places will be ready for swarming, but how many of their owners have thought of the necessity of providing for them? That some have we know full well, and commend them for their foresight ; but, as caterers for the public, we also know from past experience that a great number will put off preparation, and the busy time will arrive to find them 'bound in shallows, and in miseries.' Beginners should purchase swarms, and fit up their hives with comb-foundation. This method will be far cheaper and safer than purchasing stocks, and risking the chance of damage in transit, and of disease. Comb Foundation, except that with the wooden base, should be put into frames as indicated in wood- cut, i. e. fixed at top and hangingquarter of an inch clear of the sides and about three-quarters clear of the bottom. This will provide for any slight stretching that may take place, and will give the bees opportunity for building a little drone comb on the very place in the comb where it should be, viz. on the margin. There have been many plans devised for fixing foundation to top bars ; but all appear to have objections. To be helpful, then, we would suggest that all top bars should be cut straight through the top, from end to end for preference, and the two halves fitted together and fixed with the sheet of foundation between them. A readier way, however, offers itself, viz. cutting the top bar nearly all along, and then half through. The front part will then pull open, and when the sheet has been put in its place, the screw should be turned home, and the work April 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 231 will be clone. This will not appreciably weaken the top bar, the cut being so near the shoulder. There arc several grades of foun- dation that will not bear to be used more than a few inches deep, and of these the bee-keeper must beware. Too much Foundation. — In giving full sheets care should be taken not to give more than the bees can cluster in and cover on both sides. Small swarms would possibly only require three or four frames of Woodbury size, and that number should be shut off with a divider, because if the outer part of the cluster come on the inside only of the foundation, the weight of the bees will pull it out of perpen- dicular, and when they have built the cells on the inner side it will not come straight again, but will throw all beyond it out of order. When the inner combs are nearly finished, ('. c. in twenty-four or thirty-six hours, an outside frame may be dropped into centre, or a new one may be given, the comb chamber being in- creased by moving the divider. Large swarms are equally liable to distort outer frames of foundation, if too many be given them. It is a capital plan to have the doubtful outside one of wooden based foundation, as that cannot bend by the weight of bees on one side only, and it will be highly useful as a divider. The Quilt, and Feeding. — Many are puzzled how to feed through the quilt, and the devices resorted to Avould be amusing if recorded. We recommend that when the quilt is in position and feeding necessary, a small hole, say an inch and a half long should be clean cut out between two of the frames a little on one side of the centre of the hive, as in the dia- gram, and the feed- ing - stage placed over it. When the stage is not in use, the reversal of the will cover finement. Queen Wasts. — These should be destroyed without mere}', to prevent the production of hordes of the insects later on. Nucleus Hives. — A great deal of ingenuity and much money have been wasted in the pro- duction of nucleus hives with small frames to fit, after queen-raising is over, into larger hives, but the trouble and difficulty of management, together with the necessity for the possession and storage of a quantity of the small gear that can only be in use a part of the year, have induced the largest and most experienced bee- keepers of America to prefer narrow chambers in ordinary hives for queen-raising. These give all the facilities required. A Woodbury sized upper layers of the quilt the hole and keep the bees in con- LU hive can be easily made to hold two nuclei, a three frames of comb and bees being shut off from each other by dividers. The en- trances could be made either at a, a, or c, e. A great advantage is that the bees of both can be easily joined to form one colony when queen-raising is over. Weak Stocks and Ligurian Queens. — If a weak or queenless stock be discovered, do not send to the ' bee man,' whoever he may be, for a Ligurian or other costly queen in the belief that she will be able to raise the poor stock from its weak and perhaps moribund condition. The chances are that the bees of such stock will not accept an imposed queen, and the, almost, cer- tainty is that she will not, in such weak stock, be able to display her fecund power. She would be like a general without an army, capable of a great deal, but unable to carry it into execution. To get the fidl value out of high-class queens, they shoidd be united to strong stocks that can help them to carry out their superior powers. Almost any queen is good enough to offer to old queenless bees. Avoid Transferring. — With comb founda- tion so cheap it will never pay to transfer good stocks of bees from hives in which they are prospering. We would prefer to let them swarm, and give the swarm a set of frames fitted with foundation, as per suggestion above. Twenty-one days afterwards, when all the worker brood will have hatched out and the young queen will have become fertile (all being well), a second swarm should be made, consisting of all the bees of the hive, and treated like the first one ; the combs and honey bein priated and used, or melted up after-swarm follow the first, as is usual about nine days after, it should be returned to the hive the same night, a measure that will generally stop further swarming. Honey Jars. — We arc still willing to take orders, for transmission to Birmingham, for the honey jars which by that means may be so cheaply obtained. They are of the pattern indicated in the woodcut, of pale green tinted glass (window glass) and the price at Birmingham is 15s. per gross for pound jars and 18s. for 2 lb. jars, and the cost of packing, including cask and hay, is 5 appro- Should an and 2s. 6d. per gross respectively. There are no agencies and no store is kept. They arc made by a working trades- man, and if wanted must be ordered early. We do not solicit orders for them, as they bear no profit, and we cannot be responsible for losses by 232 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 1, 1881. breakage or otherwise. They are sent from Birmingham at goods rates per railway. Sun and Rain Screen for Skep Entrances. — A piece of tin or zinc, cut as indicated, pressed into the front of the hive and bent downwards will form an ex- cellent screen for skep en- trances. An American meat or canned fruit tin coidd be used for the purpose. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. (Continued from page 213.) Discussion on Mr. Lyon's Paper. The Eight Rev. Chairman said he had very little ex- perience, since he kept bees, of bar-frame hives. As chairman of the meeting, he must express his thanks to Mr. Lyon for the amazingly clear way in which he had put his theory before them. If he might compare two efforts with the same end and object, he should compare that which fell perfectly still-born on the bee-keepers of the country, in the shape of two little pamphlets by Mr. Cotton, but the mode adopted by Mr. Lyon seemed to be as much the right way as Mr. Cotton's was in the wrong way. The thing they had to consider was how they could best photograph what they had heard, and bring it before the intelligence of the labouring classes, whom they wanted to influence in this matter. Mr. Cheshire, who rose to the call of the Chairman, said that he thought Mr. Lyon had worked out his hive with the materials to which he had limited himself with a good deal of ingenuity, and that nothing seemed to remain to be suggested which would not add to the cost. If he said anything which would tend to show that the hive under discussion was not perfect, he must not be understood to be detracting from the value of the good work Mr. Lyon had in hand. Yet with the expenditure of very little more money the hive might be made much more serviceable, especially for winter, than in its present form ; but before explaining how, he would refer to one or two points occurring incidentally in the paper read. Mr. Lyon had spoken disparagingly of distance-tacks, but he ventured to predict that they would hold their own very much longer than the broad-shouldered frames, which were unconquerably inconvenient in several direc- tions, always getting fixed, and only removable by a wrench most irritating to the bees, while the more usual form of frame on a metal runner admitted of slipping backwards and forwards, half-a-dozen at a time, in the readiest manner. [Mr. Hooker : These broad-shoulders are always shrinking and swelling, and so are always either too tight or too loose.] The question also has been raised whether pitch used for waterproofing would be a success, but he could assure Mr. Lyon that the plan he had devised and first suggested in Practical Bee- keeping, seven years before, had been most serviceable to cottagers, as he had often been able to notice. It was only necessary to cover roughly with pitch the wooden article to be waterproofed, and then spread paper over it. The outside of the paper was now pressed down with a heated flat-iron. The running pitch settled into all cracks, and soaked the paper, preventing the weather from afterwards affecting it, and preserving it for years. Mr. Cheshire said that the main objection he should make to Mr. Lyon's hive was the thinness of its walls. Nothing was really more essential than high non-conduct- ivity, and many so-called cheap hives, through failing here, had much to answer for. lie had lately had a correspondence with a gentleman of the sister island upon this very point, and the result had been a determi- nation on his (Mr. Cheshire's) part to put the whole thing to the test of experiment, the results of which he nowr presented to the Meeting. Mr. Cheshire illustrated his remarks with a number of boxes of different makes. He said, ' I have here a number of tin chambers all capable of holding twelve ounces of water. I placed these in the several boxes before us after filling them with water at 200°, and ex- posed them under equal conditions, and noting carefully the times occupied in each case by the water in falling through a certain number of degrees of temperature. This very delicate thermometer was used, and the calcu- lations were made according to " Newton's law of cooling," which, applied to our purpose, is in effect that tempera- ture changes in direct proportion to the difference between the temperature of the body under experiment and the surrounding air. I found that if the non-con- ductivity of the single hive side of f-in. pine be repre- sented by 1, that of the double side as we have in this second box, with one inch of dead-air, would be repre- sented by 4. I now proceeded to compare this dead-air space with the same space packed with chaff, and found that this in preventing loss of heat was twice and a half as effective as dead-air, or, in other words, that its non- conductivity shoidd be represented by 10. I had fore- seen the superiority of the chaff to the air-space, but was not prepared for so great a difference. It has been argued air is a better non-conductor than any solid sub- stance, therefore it is better than any form of packing, but the fallacy lies in this, that the so-called dead-nil- is not dead, but circulating. It rises against the inner skin of the hive, and falls where it touches the outer, and so is ever acting as a distributor of heat. In the same way a man in bed might argue that the air is a better non-con- ductor than the bed-elotheSj therefore he would say, I shall be warmer without them, but universal experience contradicts the supposition. The bed-clothes are useful because they prevent the circulation of air, and that next the body being warmed is imprisoned instead of passing away for cold to take its place. ' The advantage of a non-couductive packing being proved I now asked whether chaff was the best material at command for this purpose, and cork-dust as used for packing Spanish grapes at once occurred to me as a waste product to be had generally for the asking ; and trying this I found that it was much more effective than chaff, giving me a non-conductivity of 14 instead of 10. I had now a hive-side oj times as good as the air-space and double skin of wood, and which has for the cottager and amateur this great advantage, that while accurate car- pentry is needed to secure dead (?) air, the cork packing makes the air practically dead, even if the wood-joints be most defective in their fit. The cottager, with very little trouble, could convert the hive, as shown by Mr. Lyon, into a cork-packed one, thus he would secure a second box so much larger than the one used for the hive-body that the latter would go into it with a space of an inch or so between them, lie would complete his hive, but omit the alighting-board, and now putting the former into position, would make a little wooden bridge, which would act as a tunnel, permitting the bees to pass from the inner box through the outer one into the air. Cork- dust would now be somewdiat tightly packed between them, and covered above by wooden slips, when the cot- tager would possess a hive superior for wintering to the most costly ones now in common use. The bottom would be a fixture, but this woidd be no disadvantage in such a hive as it would then be. ' With hive sides made as described, small lots of bees may be wintered with success, almost incredible to those using thin hives only. A tea-cup full of bees placed on two frames in a twin hive ■'! in. thick, and chaff-packed, has gone on well since the end of October till now, the queen breeding continually on the frame against the division-board. Five other nuclei I have similarly win- tered with no casualty. In thin hives the sides are too April 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 233 cold to permit the bees to touch them in hard weather, so that they are driven to remaining in the middle of their frames exposed on all sides, while they often are lost in detachments because they cannot get from comb to comb, but in these they winter by preference against the hive wall, and are thus only exposed on one side, while they close the frame ends for themselves, and can pass always freely from comb to comb without a possi- bility of getting separated from one another. The ad- vantage may be seen at once by stating that a thin wall would pass as much heat through it in a week as the cork-packed one would in three months, and that if we take the heat of the cluster as 65° Fahrenheit, a little cal- culation based upon Newton's law (which, though lately proved not absolutely accurate for extreme temperatures, is sufficiently so for such as those with which we have to do), we shall find that myliive-side will be as bearable to the bees with an external temperature of 20°, as that of 1-inch pine would be with the outside air at 50°.' Mr. Cheshire added, ' I have not made any experiments in re- ference to straw. These experiments of course involve cost, but I nevertheless intend not to leave straw untried.' Mr. T. W. Cowan said they were all indebted to Mr. Lyon for bringing the subject of cheap hives before them in such an interesting manner, more particularly as their object was to teach cottagers to keep bees on the most improved system. He'questioned whether they were really doing good in giving them such a very cheap hive as the one shown. With an amateur or expert it would do, but cottagers required something more sub- stantial. One of the objections he had to the hive shown was the thinness of its sides; but this was an evil that could be got over by having an outer casing, and adopting one of the methods of packing just alluded to by Mr. Cheshire. He was much interested in the dexterous way in which Mr. Lyon manufactured these frames, but he was afraid the ingenuity displayed was more than the average cottager in England coidd be accredited with. If the Association desired to do good in this matter, it would be well of them to carry out Mr. Lyon's suggestion, — get the frames made accurately by a manu- facturer, and supply them to cottagers at a cheap rate. All bee-keepers had their crotchets ; some preferred dis- tance-pins, others broad shoulders, his crotchet was to have nothing of the kind, and to adjust the frames by the touch and the eye. Any one who hail practised a little would be able to do just as well without distance- tacks. The objection he had to broad-shouldered frames was the propolisation. and not being able to vary the distance between the frames when necessary. He did not object to the size of frame, but should prefer to see them much longer than the}' were in the specimen hive; the reason being, that the queen was inclined to spread out her brood on one frame in early spring more rapidly than she would if she had to move from one frame to another ; therefore, he preferred the longer frames, and the depth might be with advantage a little less than those shown by Mr. Lyon. Beyond these objections, which are all easily remedied, he had little to say against the hive except that he had noticed the entrance to the specimen one was only three inches long, and three- eighths of an inch in depth. In hives of the same capacity he had eight-inch openings ; and even these, if the weather was very hot and the hive crowded, he had found hardly sufficient, and had raised the hives to in- crease the opening. lie was afraid so small an opening would inconvenience the bees if much crowded. Mr. Cheshire : My hives have eight- inch openings. Mr. Cowan said, now that he had disposed of Mr. Lyon's hive, he should like to say a few words upon what Mr. Cheshire had been speaking about, and he was sure the Association's thanks were due to that gentle- man for his experiments. For the last two years he had been making experiments with chaff-hives, although ho had not carried them out to the extent Mr. Cheshire had. He had found bees winter infinitely better in chaff-hives than they did in hives with dead-air space. He reduced all his hives to six frames for wintering ; and this year had tried, by way of experiment, wintering one lot on two frames only, with perfect success. He had a hive of two frames on which the queen had been breeding all through the winter. He did not think she had ceased at all, but of course there was a very small amount of brood. This hive had been fed with pea-flour candy, and the bees had had nothing but this to live upon all the winter ; notwithstanding which they were no less in number than before. With regard to the snow, he found on the 18th January some of his hives covered with drifted snow to a depth of six feet; he had heard that many bee-keepers removed the snow, but he did not do so, and the bees did not suffer any inconvenience. His reason for adopting this course was, that when in Russia he had noticed the hives were sometimes covered to a depth of eight or nine feet, but the bees were never disturbed, and the losses were few. As soon as the late severe frost broke up, he examined his hives, and was pleased to say that not one of them had suffered from the severe weather. So that chaff-hives certainly had an advantage over other hives filled with dead-air space. The Rev. G. Raynor said his hives, occupying a very exposed position, were nearly filled with snow on the 18th of January, but he succeeded in transferring them to other hives with very little loss. The hive shown by Mr. Lyonwasjustthekindof thing they should introduce to the cottager. In the course of Mr. Cheshire's remarks it occurred to him whether it was really advisable to keep bees so much warmer in the winter months, and whether it would not encourage breeding at a time when the quean required rest. The advanced American bee- keepers all appeared to approve of the chaff-hives, but it had occurred to him whether the advantage was as great as would appear at first sight. Mr. Baldwin asked if it would not be an improvement to Mr. Lyon's hive to have the floor-board protected, in order to "prevent the water drawing under. This could be done by making plinths, and carrying them round the bottom of the hive. He had been rather amused with Mr. Lyon's ingenuity, but he believed it was pretty well conceded that distance-tacks were much better than the wide shoulders. Mr. Cowan said, with regard to the advisability of keeping bees at a high temperature in the winter, he might saj- that, if we did not do so, the bees would try and do it themselves. The object was to let the bees remain as quiet as possible at such times, and then they would consume less food than if they were obliged to exert themselves to maintain the necessary heat of the hive. The temperature of a cluster of bees in winter was about 65 degrees. Another of his crotchets was with regard to queen-bees : he preferred young prolific ones, and replaced all his old ones by such at the end of the second season. With our forcing system of breeding, he considered queens were at their best, or, as the farmers say, in ' full profit,' in the second year, after which time he got rid of them as their breeding powers decreased. He thought if queens were breeding all the winter to any great extent, their egg-laying powers might be exhausted before the end of the second season. Mr. Baldwin considered there was not sufficient ven- tilation in the top of Mr. Lyon's hive. Mr. Cheshire argued that there was no fear of bees becoming too warm. They regulated their temperature by their breathing through their spiracles and the more heat they had to provide the more they were exhausted. They became quiescent if little heat vas demanded of them, bid intense cold, if they were imperfectly defended, caused them heavy exertion and great exhaustion. Hy- bernation would "explain the matter. Bats in cluster during the winter in ordinary low temperatures hreatho 234 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 1, 1881. but very little, and consume the store of material within them but very slowly ; and as the temperature falls they become more and niore dormant up to a certain point, but this being passed, dormancy would soon lead to death, and then the increased cold renders them more active. The breathing is quickened, and the store within more quickly oxidised in order that temperature sufficient to maintain vitality may be preserved. In like manner with bees, apart from the exhaustion incident to the feeding of brood, the measure of heat necessary to be produced is the measure of wear and the measure of the consumption of store likewise. Mr. Martin, a cottager, said he had adopted chaff- hives for some time with considerable success. Mr. Lyon then replied : With regard to distance- tacks, he was sorry he had trodden on a favourite corn of Mr. Cheshire's ; but he was simply advocating wide shoulder-frames in contradistinction to the distance- tacks. He had carefully avoided recommending any kind of waterproofing, because he thought that pitch run in hot weather, but he was glad to have learned that it did not. Concerning the propolisation of these frames, he used black-lead and tallow to prevent it ; and as to the size of the frames, they could easily be increased by placing them lengthwise over the box. In answer to Mr. Baldwin, he might say that he had several of these hives in use, and practically the wet did not come in, but the ventilation at the top of the hive might be improved by the insertion of a small piece of perforated zinc in the lid. The discussion then concluded by a vote of thanks to Mr. Lyon for his paper ; by the Rev. G. Eaynor to Mr. Cheshire for the experiments, which he remarked would he felt sure bear fruit in other countries as well as their own ; and to the Chairman for his conduct in the chair. BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the Committee was held at 105 Jermyn Street, on Wednesday, March 0th. Present, Mr. T. W. Cowan in the chair, Rev. E. Bartrum, Rev. G. Raynor, Dr. Lionel S. Beale, J. M. Hooker, F. Cheshire, II. Jonas, E. S. Whealler, W. O'B. Glennie (treasurer), and the assistant secretary. The minutes of the last committee meeting having been read, confirmed, and signed, the Assistant Secretary reported, on behalf of the lion, secretary, that Mr. C. N. Abbott had promised to read a paper at the next quarterly conversazione, subject, ' The Hive for the Advancing Bee - Keeper.' It was resolved that the next quarterly meeting should take place on Wednesday, April 0th, at 446 Strand (opposite Charing Cross Railway Station). Q,uinby's New Bee- Keeping having been presented to the library by Mr. John Y. Detwiler, of Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A., through the Editor of the British Bee Journal, it was resolved, ' That the best thanks of the Association be given to Mr. Detwiler for his valuable gift.' It was resolved that the name of the chairman be added to the Sub-committee appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the formation of the collec- tions of hives, &c, at South Kensington. It was also resolved that the librarian be empowered to purchase various periodicals, viz., The British Bee Journal, The American Bee Journal, Gleanings in Bee Culture, and the Bienenzuchter, and that the same be bound and added to the library at the end of the jear. The Prize Schedule, as published in our columns, for the forthcoming show at South Kensington, was arranged. The balance-sheet for the month ending February :28th, showed a balance in hand of 181. 14*. Sd,, having been read, il>>' meeting terminated, the Committee having sat three hours and a half. Tho Hon. Secretary lias received numerous communi- cations respecting Mr. Lyon's paper, read at the last quarterly conversazione, more especially in reference to where the ' pine-boards ' coidd be purchased at the price named by Mr. Lyon. Mr. Lyon writes as follows : — ' The pieces of board used at the conversazione were purchased at Mr. Burrows' Timber Yard, Camberwell Green. In the neighbourhood of Hackney and Bethnal Green, where cheap furniture is made, pine plank, 11 inches wide, is quoted at 2s. 9d. per 12 feet at almost every yard. Upon inquiry, I find this to be rough stuff ; but at 4s. very fair quality may be purchased. Eaeh cut costs 2jC?., so that five cut costs 10r/. the board.' Particulars relating to the South Kensington Show and for prizes offered for collections of bee furniture at the Royal Agricultural Show will be found upon reference to our advertising columns. We regret exceedingly that by inadvertence the name of the Rev. Robert Stanley was omitted from our Report of the February meeting of the above Association, he having attended as a representative of the Herts Countv Association. — Ed. B. B.J. CALEDONIAN APIARIAN SOCIETY. The first quarterly meeting of the seventh session was held in MTnnes' Temperance Hotel, Gordon Street, on Wednesday, the 10th March. Present : Rev. J. Irving ; Messrs. Sword, Wood, Cameron, Thomson, Johnstone, Hutcheson, and Bennett. The Secretary read the inti- mation calling the meeting, and regretted that of the seventy members to whom postcards had been sent so few had put in an appearance. On the motion of Mr. Wood, the Rev. Mr. Irving was called to the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, after which a letter of apology from Mr. Young was read. On the motion of Mr. Hutcheson, seconded by Mr. Johnston, John M. Martin, Esq., of Bloomhill, Cardross, was elected president for 1881. Messrs. Cameron and Wood were elected members of committee. Mr. Bennett reported that he had seen Mr. Menzies regarding the Stirling Show, and that the usual grant of 20/. and two medals would be given by the Highland and Agricultural Society, also Gl. would be offered by the Highland and Agricultural Society for the best essay on ' Bee Culture adapted to Scotland,' particulars of which would be given on an early date. A committee was ap- pointed to draw up a prize schedule for the Stirling Show. Mr. Bennett said he was much indebted to Mr. Peel for his kindness in replying to all his questions, and also for the proof-sheet of the prize schedule he had sent. The Rev. Mr. Irving kindly consented to deliver a lecture on ' Bee Culture,' in Stirling, on 20th April. On the motion of Mr. Sword, a vote of thanks was given to the chairman. AVARWICKSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. This Association, in connexion with the British Bee- keepers' Association, was instituted September, 1879. President: Right Hon. Lord Leigh. Vice-Presidents : The Lord Bishop of Worcester, the Earl of Bradford, the Earl of Denbigh, Lord Dartmouth, Lord Newport, Lord Windsor, AV. S. Dugdale, Esq. Provisional Com- mittee : Chairman, Rev. Canon Evans; Rev. K. R. Bed- ford, Mr. William Beech, Mr. V. Blackmore, Rev. J. Christopherson, Mr. Charles Couchman, Mr. T. Cox, Mr. A. Charles, Capt. Deykin, Mr. A. Hodgson, J. P. ; Lev. R. W. Johnson, Rev. O. Mordaunt, Mr. II. Mapple- beck, Mr. Morley, Mr. F. W. Nash, Mr. E. M. Pearson, Mr. J. Pumphrev, Rev. L. T. Rendell, Rev. A. II. M. Russell, Lev. J. E. Sale, Rev. J. Short, Mr. Alfred Sale, Mr. W. Southall, Mr. II. Spencer, Mr. E. Stanbury, Mr. J. 1'. Turner, Mr. John Walton. Hon. Treasurer : Mr. April 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. James Leigh, General Manager, Birmingham Banking' J Company (Limited), Birmingham. Hon. Secretary : Mr. James Noble Bower, Knowle, Warwickshire. The Annual Meeting was held on March 10th at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, the Kev. Canon Evans pre- siding, in the absence of Lord Leigh. There was a good attendance. The report, read by the Hon. Secretary, stated that during the past year much progress had been made in the advancement of apiculture in Warwickshire by means of this Association. Its chief objects were the advocating of a more humane and intelligent treatment of the honey-bee, and the improvement of the condition of agricultural and labouring cottagers. There were in all eighty-five members, with every prospect of increase during the ensuing season. The Association now pos- sessed a tent, which had been in great demand at various horticultural shows, which had been attended by experts, who imparted much practical knowledge on the improved methods of bee-keeping. The following places had been visited : — Sutton Coldfield, Kenilworth, Tachbrook, Kagley Park, IleweU Park, Knowle, Hall Green, Broms- grove, and Leamington. The County Show was held at Leamington, September 7 and 8, in conjunction with the Warwickshire Agricultural Show. The weather being flue, a very large number of people attended the mani- pulations in the tent. Many members of the Association were present, and kindly assisted in explaining and answering numerous questions. The financial statement showed that the expenditure of the past year had been 111/. 8s. 10tf., and that owing to the exceptional expen- diture in the purchase of a tent there was a balance owing to the treasurer of 121. 9s. Qd. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said it was not two years since the Association was launched, but it appeared already to have achieved con- siderable success. The proceeds of exhibitions during the past year had amounted to G2/. 12s. id., and he thought they need have no misgiving as to the financial position of the Association. He had no doubt that with sunnier skies, provided that they could get skilful experts to exhibit the manipulation of bees, the exhibitions con- nected with the Society would produce a sum sufficient to cover all demands upon it. It was very gratifying to hear, as he had done incidentally, that apiculture wa3 making progress amongst the labouring class, for whose benefit those who promoted the Association felt most keenly. He had heard in many quarters of labouring men taking great interest in the keeping of bees. He did not think it was well to dwell too much upon the profitable side of such an occupation, because they might in some cases be raising hopes which might not be realised ; but the occupation itself was most valuable in giving those who took part in it a subject of higher interest than their every-day avocations, and in keeping them away from dangerous temptations and associations. Mr. Pumphrey seconded the adoption of the report, and expressed his opinion that the Association gave promise of much usefulness. Mr. J. Morley suggested that if they could start a Bee Farm in connexion with the Association, people would be more ready to go to it for information than to private keepers. Mr. Bower said the suggestion was a good one, and might possibly be carried out when the Association grew stronger, and possessed the necessary funds. The report was adopted. A ballot afterwards took place for a bee-hive, the winner being Mr. Forsey, of Atherstone. Votes of thanks were then passed, and officers were appointed for the ensuing year. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. We are glad to be able to announce that the sum, due to the Treasurer was quickly subscribed after the meeting, and the Association has now a fair balance-sheet, with valuable ' assets ' in hand. BERKS AND BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION. We have been favoured with the report and balance- sheet of this promising Association. Established in 1879 under Royal patronage it made good headway, and last year an exceedingly well-managed and interesting exhibition was held in the Home Park, Windsor, which resulted in a balance of 1/. 6s. \Qd. The general account is still more favourable, 5/. 13s. Ad. showing on the right side. At the end of the year there were sixty-six mem- bers, of whom Messrs. W. T. Darby, St. Stephen's Villas, Clewer ; and G. P. Cartland, of Victoria Street, Windsor, are the Hon. Sees. ; and the Rev. S. R. Wilkinson, of Great Marlow ; Mr. W. Carter, of Maidenhead ; and Mr. John Filbee, of High Wycombe, are corresponding- members ;• and either of them will be glad to receive the names of others wishing to join the Association, which is affiliated to the British Bee-keepers' Association. The Committee are most anxious to encourage local shows in the distant parts of the counties, and will be glad to co-operate with gentlemen willing to act as local Hon. Sees, or with Secretaries of Horticultural Associa- tions with that object. The Association deserves, and, we are assured, will achieve great success. HERTFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. The annual show of this Association will take place at St. Albans during the second week in August, and will be held in connexion with a large t'ouuty Flower and Fruit Show. The Committee have made arrange- ments for their expert to visit every member of the As- sociation during the present spring, for the purpose of giving them advice in the management of then- bees. The expert is allowed to devote one hour to each member if required ; all extra time, beyond the stated time of one hour, to be paid for at the rate of 2s. Gd. per hour. The Association now numbers o00 members. COUNTY ARMAGH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIA- TION, IRELAND. The meeting for the purpose of founding a bee-keepers' association for the County Armagh was held on Saturday, the 12th ult, and was quite successful. Sir Wm. Verner, who it was hoped would preside, was obliged, owing to his duties as High Sheriff, to send an apology at the last moment, and the chair was accordingly taken by Mr. R. J. M'Crumm. Letters were read from Mr. J. N. Richardson and Mr. Maxwell C. Close, the County members, expressing their warm approval of the move- ment— the former promising a subscription of 51. It was then proposed by Sir. George Greer, and seconded by the Rev. II. W. Lett, ' That an association be formed, to be called the County Armagh Bee-beepers' Association, for the purpose of encouraging the intelligent, humane, and more profitable keeping of bees.' It was then pro- posed by Mr. M'Caughy, seconded by Dr. Lynn, and re- solved, *' That the Association consist of members and associates ; the annual subscription for members to be one shilling, and that for associates not less than five shillings.' The following were appointed officers for the current year : Patron— the Right Hon. Lord Lurgan, K.P. Pre- sident—The Baroness Von Steiglite. Vice-Presidents— Sir Wm. Verner, James N. Richardson, Esq., M.P., Maxwell C. Close, Esq., M.D., Major Stewart Blacker, and John Hancock, Esq. Committee— Mr. Allen, James Ussher, Esq., Dr. Lynn, Mr. Thomas Best, and G. Hazktt, Esq., with po« er to add to their number. Hon. Treasurer T. G. Peel, Esq., and Hon. Secretaries— G. Greer, Esq., and the Rev. II. W. Lett. The idea has been warmly taken tip, and the Associa- tion continues to increase iii numbers. The meeting was very fully reported in the local and provincial papers. 236 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 1, 1881. BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION FOR FORFAR, N.B. An association has been formed for Forfar, and an ex- hibition of bees, hives, hone}', and manipulation, will take place on 26th and 27th August next, when numerous money prizes will be awarded. Mr. J. Saddler, of High Street, h the hon. sec. BEE-KEEPING AT BUXTON. On the 21st of February the Rev. II. M. Stallybrass delivered a lecture on ' Bees and Modern Bee Culture,' in the new Congregational School Room, Ilardwick Square, Buxton. The chair was taken by the Rev. J. Blore. There was a good attendance. The audience seemed in- terested, and many remained after the lecture to examine the appliances, and the new diagrams of the British Bee- keepers' Society. A collection was made at the close of the lecture on behalf of the School Building Fund. A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BEE. By Dr. Donhoff. (Continued from 2). 217.) i. — Every Bee an Individual chemically unique. Every man is characterised by a different odour; the dog discovers the track of his master out of a thousand : he sceuts, as experiments have taught me, his master at a hundred paces. Every bee, too, appears to give forth a scent which is different from the scent of every other bee. I caught the queens out of a second swarm, placed every one in a different queen-cage, and hung up every one of these on a different tree in the garden. The swarm, after it had flown about for a time, collected around one of the cages. The bees did not trouble them- selves about the other cages ; only once did I see a bee on one of fhem, and it was just as quickly away again. I now placed the cage, about which the swarm had collected, in the house. After some time the swarm flew away, and after it had flown about in the air for a while it returned again into the hive, without a single bee troubling itself about the queens. The queen, about which the bees had collected, was manifestly the one that had been free in the hive. It might now be concluded she had acquired the scent of the hive, and on that account the bees distinguished her. But the air of the hive penetrates into the queen-cells (for other- wise the queens would die) just as well as an ex- change of air is effected through the calcareous shell of an egg. Therefore, the queens, which till then had been shut in, must have acquired the air of the hive, especially since air penetrates besides through the feeding-hole. I can only think that every queen originally smells differently. The different odour of every man depends, in- deed, on this, that the quantitative proportion of volatile products, as butyric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, is a different one ; as indeed the proportion of the elements of milk is a different one in every cow, and with the bees there will be similar conditions. If every queen has a specific odour there is ground for assuming that every worker and every drone has a different odour. 5. — Comb Construction an Argument against Darwinism. The form of the comb construction is absolutely perfect — that is, the form is of that kind, that the proportion of capacity to surfaces is a larger one than with any other conceivable form, so that the smallest quantity of wax is necessary for construction. This form is a circular outline for the isolated construction of the queen-cell, and a six - sided prism for the combined con- struction and the large angle of the bottom trapezium 109° 28J'. According to Darwin, the bee has originated gradually from other species. The primitive an- cestors were other animals, which did not build. Then there arose accidentally an animal which built, other successors built more suitably, on which the first succumbed in the struggle for existence, but the last survived. In- this way there came bees that ever built more perfectly, until at last our bee was produced. Since the bees have not existed from eternity, there could only be a limited number of species of bees, there could only have arisen a limited number of methods of construction. I will just assume that a trillion species of bees had arisen, and a trillion methods of construction. The number of possible methods of construction is infinite ; the probability that a bee should build on the absolutely perfect method of construction of our bee is jnfin;tY , that is, it is equal to nothing. If 100,000 lots are in a lottery, and I take a lot, the probability that I win the big prize is jooooO' The probability of the assumption of Darwin is infinitely small ; it is equal to no- thing. The comb construction of our bee puts to shame all attempts to explain the adaptation in nature by accidents; it gives us presage of a higher Power before whom all problems of mathe- matics and of nature are solved. MEAD WINE. There are different kinds of this wine ; but those generally made are two, namely, sack-mead and cowslip- mead. Sack-mead is made thus: — To every gallon of water put four pounds of honey and boil it three-quarters of an hour, taking care properly to skim it. To each gallon add half an ounce of hops, then boil it half an hour, and let it stand till the next day. Then put it into your cask ; and to thirteen gallons of the liquor add a quart of brandy or sack. Let it be tightly closed till the fermentation is over, and then stop it up very close. If you make as much as fills a large cask, you must not bottle it off till it has stood a year. To make cowslip-mead, you must proceed thus : — Put thirty pounds of honey into fifteen gallons of water, and boil it till one gallon is wasted ; slum it, take it off the fire, and have ready sixteen lemons, cut in half. Take a gallon of the liquor and put it to the lemons. Pour the rest of the liquor into a tub with seven pecks of cowslips, and let them stand all night ; then put in the liquor with the lemons, eight spoonfuls of new yeast, and a handful of sweet-briar. Stir all well together and let it work three or four days. Then strain it, pour it into your cask, let it stand six months, and then bottle off for use. It has been the peculiar study of the writer of this April 1, 1881.] THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. 237 work to render it the most perfect, and consequently the most useful composition of the kind hitherto formed. To effect this lie has endeavoured to enlarge and improve his own knowledge from that of others in the various subjects contained in this work ; and from his extensive connexions has met with many favourable opportunities of gratifying his wishes. One instance, among the rest, is in the article now before us, which was obtained from a lady in the coimtry, who has always been particularly attached to mead wine, and whose manner of making we shall give iu her own words, as sent by post in the month of January last : — ' To 120 gallons of pure water, the softer the better, I put fifteen gallons of clarified honey. When the honey is well mixed with the water I fill my copper, the same as I use for brewing, which only holds sixty gallons, and boil it till it is reduced a fourth part. I then draw it off and boil the remainder in the same manner. When this last is about a fourth part wasted, I fill up the copper with some of that which was first boiled, and continue boiling it and filling it up till the copper contains the whole of the liquor, by which time it will, of course, be half evaporated. I must observe, that in boiling I ne\er take off the scum, but, on the contrary, have it well mixed with the liquor whilst boiling by means of a jet. AYheii this is done, I draw it off into underbacks, by a cock at the bottom of the copper, in which I let it remain till it is only as warm as new milk. At this time I turn it up, and suffer it to ferment in the vessel, where it will form a thick head. As soon as it is done working, I stop it up very close, in order to keep the air from it as much as possible. I keep this, as well as my mead, in a cellar or vault I have for the purpose, being very deep and cool, and the door shut so close as to keep out in a maimer all the outward air, so that the liquor is always in the same temperature, being not at f 11 affected by the change of weather. To this I attribute, in a great measure, the goodness of my mead. Another proportion I have of making mead is to allow eighty pounds of purified honey to 120 gallons of soft water, which I manage in the making in all respects like the before-mentioned, and it proves very pleasant, good, light drinking, and is by many preferred to the other, which is much richer and has a fuller flavour ; but at the same time it is more inebriating, and apt to make the head ache if drunken in too large quantities. I imagine, therefore, upon the whole, the last to be the proportion, that makes the wholesomest liquor for common drink, the other being rather, when properly preserved, a rich cordial, something like fine old Malaga, which, when in peifection, is justly esteemed the belt of the Spanish wines. I choose, in genera], to have the liquor pure and genuine, though many like it best when it lias an aromatic flavour, and for this purpose they mix elder, rosemary, and marjoram flowers with it ; and also use cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamums in various proportions, according to their taste. But I do not approve of thh last practice at all, as green herbs are apt to make mead drink flat ; and too many cloves, besides being predominant in the taste, make it too high a colour. 1 never bottle my mead before it is half-a-year old, and when I do I take care to have it well corked and keep it in the same vault wherein it stood whilst in the cask.' Saragossa Wine, or English Sack : — To every quart of water put a sprig of rue, and to every gallon put a handful of fennel roots. Boil these half-an-hour, then strain, and to every gallon of liquor put three pounds of honey. Boil it two hours, and skim it well. When it is cold, pour it off, and turn it into a cask or vessel that will just hold it. Keep it twelve months and then bottle it off. — From The Housekeeper's Instructor, by W. A. Henderson. Corrected by Jacob Christopher Sehuebbelie, late appren- tice to Messrs. Tupp and Perry, Oxford Street ; afterwards principal cook at Mehon's Hotel, Bath, and now of the Albany. London, 1805. SHOWS AND BEE TENT ENGAGEMENTS IN 1881. May 25 & 26.— Oxfordshire Agricultural Show at Thame. July 13-18. — Royal Agricultural Show at Derby. July 26-August 1.— Annual Show B. B.K. A.,\South Kensington. August 18. — Berks and Bucks B.K. A. at Maidenhead. August 30. — Horticultural Show at Long Buckby. forasponijcuxc. IRISH ASSOCIATION.— IVY HONEY.— STANDARD FRAME FOR IRELAND. Believing the suggestion of Mr. Aldridge in last number of Journal to be an admirable one, namely, that members of the Irish Association should try to influence others to join, I have been endeavouring to carry it out in my own case, not quite unsuccessfully I am glad to say. Two friends have promised to join the Association, a third has given a half promise, while I hope to obtain the consent of a few more very shortly. How is one to account for the presence of crys- tallised honey in combs of a strong stock early last autumn 1 These combs being examined a few weeks ago, some of the honey, even in the same comb, was found to be candied and some not. Would this point to a difference in the honey, or does all good honey, not covered by the bees, crystallise and then liquefy again according as the bees cover if? Much of this honey was obtained from ivy, and perhaps that might have any thing to do with it. Perhaps you would kindly refer to the subject in next Journal. I should also be much obliged if you would be good enough to give in next number (April) the exact out- side dimensions of standard Woodbury frame, if there is a standard. Hitherto I have used a somewhat small frame, but, recognising the wisdom of having some standard frame (as recommended by you in a late number of Journal) and believing the Woodbury to be the most suitable size for this country, I have determined to have all my frames of that size in future. Hence my anxiety for exact dimensions. — R. Smyth, Westmeath. [Hurrah ! for the Association. It will prosper in such willing hands, and the example will surely be followed. Ivy honey candies, as heather congeals, almost imme- diately after it is gathered, fact.; that seem to imply a wise arrangement in respect of bees, for if their late- gathered Stores continued watery, and incapable of being sealed, the bees woidd quickly become diseased. Early honey remains watery, and bees while breeding require an abundance of water. Late honey dries up almost in- stantly, when water in the hive would be injurious; what a beautiful ' fitness ' in things ! These facts have been remarked on several times in Journal, since attention was called to ivy honey by an Irish correspondent in 1S74, p. 140, vol. ii. of Journal. A Woodbury hive is 14i inches square and 8| inches deep, and the frame should be even with the top, | inch from each side (or end), and (pro- perly) J inch from the bottom board, but we advise about fths, to allow for shrinkage in the hive walls, which would practically reduce the depth. There are those who still insist on a fth space above the frames, created by sinking the frame ends into rabbets in the hive walls, a practice that necessarily reduces the size of the frames. Now that Ireland has awakened to the importance of bee 238 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 1, 1881. culture we would most earnestly advise the adoption by the Association of a standard frame, and that they should recognise no other. We urged this measure in England years ago without effect, and the result justifies our fore- sight and opinion ; for this country is swamped with framee of whimsical variety; but with only just sufficient difference in their dimensions to vender them non-inter- changeable. If associations would agree to adopt one standard, and offer prizes for hives containing that size only, uniformity would soon be brought about, and judges at shows would find their labours consider- ably lightened, while the public would be immensely the gainers. — Ed.] THE IRISH BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. There are now over fifty names on the list of members of the Irish Bee-Keepers' Association. Amongst those who have joined recently are the Earl of Kosse, Lords Clonbrock and Ardilann, the Hon. Mrs. Pollok, the Hon. Richard Bellew, th, 1831. — 'It is ray intention to start a bee-farm on a small scale as I have a large garden, and I will, at an early date, do myself the pleasure of a visit to your establishment. I am hon. secretary to the Horticultural Society here, and at our show in August next, the Suffolk Bee Association are intending to exhibit their bee-tent and system of driving.' — Sam. Baege. Whittingham Hall, Fressingjield, near Harleston, Nor- folk, 7th March, 1881. — ' I am thankful to say, my stocks have all parsed through this trying winter with safety, owing principally, I believe, to the quilt ; now they require different management.' — S. F. Cltttten. Kingsbridge, Devon, March 8th, 1881. — High Braise. — ' What a delightful number the last B. B. Journal is ! — in- teresting and instructive. The. publication not only keeps up its interest, but in every way increases in interest. My eighteen stocks are tearing at the pea-flour, — I never saw anything like it. There are no flowers about ; even the crocuses do not open well, owing to so much wet weather, and laurustinus is killed. The pea-flour is an established fact. My hives are all in good condition — dry, healthy, and strong, — nolosses this winter. Ihavebeen making some very fair drone foundation for 2-lb. section supers, thin and white, from plaster casts ; but am now electrotyping a sheet of foundation selected, as the casts will not bear much work. I back up the electro with metal. My worker-sheets are quite good enough from my casts, and enough wax from my bees for my purpose. I expect we shall have a good season, and I never, since 1841, took such delight in my bees as now. Thanks, again and again, for your B. B. Journal, — it is the making of us apiarians.' — George Fox. Monifeth, March 12th. — Early Queen Cells. — ' I have been looking over six hives this afternoon, and I found brood in them all, and I took out six queen-cells from one hive. I was afraid the old queen was dead, but I found her all right. I was astonished to see so many queen-cells at, this season, after such a winter, but it is a fact.' — G. C. New Court, Boss, March 15, 1881. — Queens leaving the Hives in March. — ' Last Friday being very warm here, my bees were out pretty strongly. One hive being weak, I protected from robbers with a piece of perforated zinc, leaving only a small entrance. On going to look at them in the afternoon, I found the bees of this stock running about on the alighting-board, and thought at first that they were on the look-out for robbers ; but on looking on the ground I found a small bunch of bees, and on examining them, found the queen perfectly well and lively on the ground. Why she should have come out of the hive I cannot, imagine, for when I put her back again the bees received her with great demonstrations of joy, and she has stayed at, home since. She is a fine black queen of last year, and is laying. I shall be greatly April 1, 1881.] THE BEITISH BEE JOURNAL. 243 obliged for any information on this matter in the next Journal. — W. S. Clarke. [It is difficult to assign a ' reason ' for what seems more like a freak than as having occurred through as- signable cause. Queens occasionally make mistakes, as did the unfortunate swallow that came over too early, and did ' not make a summer.' — Ed.] Cranbrooh, March 17th, 1881. — 'My bees have wintered very well indeed ; they have consumed very little food. I packed them (five frames of sealed store covered with bees) with chaff at sides and at top, and put stops at the frame ends, and when I opened them the other day, I found nearly half their food still left ; I unsealed some of the cells and substituted for the fullest comb without any brood, an empty one ; there is now brood in all stages, and some bees hatched out. I shall now gently feed them till the flowers are well out ; they work pea-flour well.' — E. J. Holmes. Sevenoaks. — ' I thought of making up nine stocks for the winter, but under the instructions of the British Bee Journal I have managed to save thirteen stocks, by making use of driven bees from my neighbours, who don't do any of the new-fangled tricks, as they call ' driving.' Bad as the season has been, the bees are all out working (March 5). It is rather mild, but damp and foggy. I saw in the Journal that Mr. Cheshire stated that a hive would give a profit of 5^. I only took notice (novice- like) of one of my boxes last year, and on the 7th of Jul}' I took off one super, weighing 201bs. (in sections), and I also took off 10 lbs. more afterwards, which I had no trouble in selling at Is. Gd. per lb., and I had one good swarm, value 15s., besides a cast. I think I am doing well, considering the short time I have started in this business.' — Or. Sands. Weston, Leamington. — Wintering. — Dry Sugarfor Bees. ■ — 'During the lastweek in February, finding two stocks of bees starved, I looked over the whole of my sixty stocks. I found two others that had lost half their bees, the queens being all right ; and another that had lost its queen and half the bees ; the rest are in fair condition. The stock I drove last autumn, and gave four combs and just a little syrup, and a large lump of loaf sugar on top of the frames, are in good condition; and thinking that perhaps the sugar was thrown on the floor-board, I lifted them off and found just a few chibblings of what appeared to be comb or cappings, and one dead bee only. The bees had entirely eaten through the centre of the sugar, but had not consumed I should think more than two-thirds of the whole. I feel satisfied that if those two stocks that were starved had had about 2 lbs. each of dry loaf sugar on the top of their frames, they would not have been lost.' — A Warwickshire Bee-Keeper. Liverpool. — ' I have seven stocks in bar-frames, but have not examined them since winter. I should like to work ■ out your idea about contracting the brood-nest, for that must be the reason of the lateness in swarming from frame-hives.' — John M. Sadler. Blair Athol. — ' The severest of winters is about ended. The bees are in splendid condition, and prospects bright — if we can but get bright weather.' — A. C. Fonthill. — ' Have overhauled my hives and find them on the whole in wonderful condition. The bees simply swarm to the artificial pollen this year.' — A. CI. I!. Stwminster, Newton. — 'The people that I am living with have been bee-keepers on a large scale ; but their bees are all dead now, and they are surprised to find mine are all alive, which is the result of feeding and hints from your paper.' — C. C. C. Association for Cheltenham and District. — 'I should like to start a Bee-keepers' Association in this neighbour- hood, if I could get some others to join me, but there does not seem to be any one else who takes an interest in bees about here.' — Thomas Baker, Farmcote, Wristcombe, Cheltenham. (gmrits anb Dalies. Query No. 379. — Wishing to make my stocks of bees strong and not increase their number, should I do rightly with a middle of May swarm, when the nights may be still cold, to drive out all the bees with the swarm, re- moving one queen, hive them and place them back on the old stand from which they swarmed ? Then I propose to take the eight frames, with comb denuded of bees, with queen-cells removed and join to another eight in one of your Combination hives, giving the bees thus sixteen combs of brood, &c, to keep warm and tend; are these too many ? Would you advise the foreign frames to be placed at the back of those already in the hive, or alter- nately with them, or only in the centre ? Also, should the swarm and rest of the bees, when hived, be supered at once, as they will be very numerous ? — K. C. J. Reply to Query- No. 379. — The queen of the swarm must on no account be removed, or, the bees having no means of raising another, will come to grief. Otherwise the plan proposed will most probable prevent increase of stock. We question if the great increase of the brood- nest in No. 2 stock will not tend to retard the filling of supers, and cause the honey to be deposited in the combs on the ground-floor. The nights being admittedly cold, we would carefully place all the brood-combs together in No. 2 hive, that the bees may find no difficulty in doing their doubled duty and keeping the brood warm. It will, therefore, be wiser to super ' at once.' — Ed. Query No. 380. — The Steirarton Hire. — I have a si mug stock of bees in a Stewarton hive of three divi- sions. At the right time, after drawing all the slides, can I make an artificial swarm by drumming the sides Y or should I succeed better by taking the two top divisions away and placing them on a new- stand ? — R. II. Reply to Q.uery No. 380. — Either of the proposed plans will answer the purpose, but the very best way will be to catch the queen, put her into a new hive fitted with comb foundation, and place it upon the stand of the present stock (when the time comes), when the bees, such as would form a natural swarm, will go to it and form the artificial one. — Ed. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS & INQUIRERS. Stratford-on-Avon. — Preventing after-swarms. — Cut- ting out the queen-cells, less one, a week after a first swarm has issued, will generally prevent after-swarming ; lint if a swarm should issue after such treatment, it should be returned to the hive in the evening. Surplus Honey-. — If in sectional supers, there should be no difficulty in selling it to neighbouring grocers for them to retail it to the public, but run honey is too often, and with reason, looked upon with suspicion. Mr. Baldwin, the Association expert, has been appointed agent for the sale of honey, the property of members. — See letter in Journal of March last, also refer to ' Honey Market,' p. 140 of present vol. of Journal. J. A. — Weak Hive. — It maybe too weak to be worth joining, and it will be useless to raise a queen in it, unless there are drones at the time, which you will know better than we. J.Fitz H., Dorset. — Duplication of Eggs. — It is unusual for queens to put two eggs in single cells, and that is all that need be said of it ; but fertile workers often deposit as many as twenty in a cell. Vacancy on the B. B. K. A. Committee. — We are sorry to announce that Mr. Edmund Whealler, of The Waldrons, Croydon, one of the newly-elected mem- bers of the above Committee, will shortly be leaving England for China. He wishes us to convey to all friends his regret on leaving them, and to express his 244 THE BRITISH BEE JOURNAL. [April 1, 1881. sorrow for the trouble they took to elect him to the Committee. Mr. Whealler is so active and energetic a bee-keeper, that we have every confidence he will carry the bee-keeping ' mania ' with him to the celestial land of his adoption. Bee-keepers' Almanac. — Barley - sugar. — Captain Martin wishes us to correct an error in the recipe given for making the above; for 'half -a -pint ' of vinegar, please read, half a wineglass -fill, and pro- ceed as directed. Cheshire Entrances. — This device is not applicable to hives whose entrances are sunk into (or cut out of) the floor-board. They will doubtless answer their intended purpose as light-excluders, but in cases of robbing we should prefer the perforated zinc tube described on first page of March number of Journal. Crooked and tunnelled entrances are liable to become choked with dead or struggling bees, as many have found to their cost. Cheap Pine. — I/yon Hives, Northumbria. — Mr. Lyon is entirely wrong in his quotation for best pine. Instead of 4s. for a 12 feet 3 x 11 plank of first (or best) quality, the charge will be lis. First quality pine should contain neither knots nor shakes, and it should be straight-grained, as described by Mr. Lyon. That which differs in these respects in only moderate degree, is called ' seconds,' and anything worse is called ' thirds ; ' and it is this last named that is sold by timber merchants at 4s. per plank, 12 feet 3 x 11. For bee-hive making, the pine at 4s. per plank will be found very useful, but the purchaser must not expect to be able to make actual use of more than one half of it ; he must cut and contrive to avoid the knots and shakes, but unless very fortunate, half the plank will be left for firewood, though, even then, it will be far cheaper than the ' high-priced,' which is not always what is promised. T. Baker, Cheltenliam. — Best Hive for Cottager. — Should be a frame-hive. Mr. Lyon's paper describes a cheap one if he be able to make it, or our leaflet on Starting with Bees shows how to obtain a box and frames which may be added to. If all must be pur- chased, the catalogues of traders should be obtained, and one at a price suitable selected. A prize was given for a very cheap hive for cottagers, at the last Dairy Show, but we are not able to give an account of it, not having seen it. Clarifying Wax.— We know of no better means than rernelting and throwing it into cold water, where it will part with the dirt and float on top ; but it will be no easy task to turn ' dirty brown wax ' to ' bright yellow.' Can any of our readers give any help ? Witton Gilbert. — It is as easy to put dividers between the sections at back of brood nest, as on top. Excluders would be certain to prevent the queens getting to the super, or to the sections in rear. Foundations should hang clear of frame ends, and about f inch from the bottom bar. Cutting down the cell-walls of old comb, whether on wood or all wax, will cause the bees to build anew ; but if you clean off all the wax from the wooden, and simply give it a new coat with- out its being properly impressed, it will be a failure. We cannot tell you the cost of a mould; our machine co?t about 91. Hives made on our Combination or Irish principle, offer special facilities for the removal of frames, the back of the brood-nest being removable, giving opportunity for parting the frames at any point and withdrawing them. The quilt should always be used, except when supers are on the hive. Hives rich in Autumn, would naturally have kept up their breeding at that, time, and would go into winter quarters with plenty of young bees, which will account for their being in good order in the spring. Covers for binding Volumes of the British Bee Journal may be had from our office, Southall, Middlesex, price one shilling, postage 2i<#. The Index to Volume VIII. will be found in the April number. COZCTTZRIZBTTTOIRS TO VOL. "VIII. Adams, A., 94, 218 Adams, John E., 179 Aldridge, Eev. J. M., 220 Amateur, 239 A. W., 118 A. W. C, 16 A. W. M., 138 Barrell, G. F., 36 Bartrum, Bev. E., 153 Beale-Browne, T., 73, 116 ' Bee Brother,' a, 218 Bennett, B. J., 140, 172 Blandford, 198. Booker-Hill, A., 71, 179, 198 Breen, D., 56 Brooks, C. W., 71 Bruce, H., jun., 197 Bruce, James, 17 Cameron, A., 59 Carr, W., 94 C. C. B., 198 C. E. F., 16 Cheshire, F., 174, 196 C. J. B., 137 Clarke, A. J., 178 Clarke, S., 35 Clarke, W. S., 180 Clutten, S. F., 16 Cockburn, A., 20, 35, 120 Country Parson, 176 Cowan, T. W., 115, 120, 157, 158, 220, 241 Crisp, W., 19, 163, 217 C. B. S., 58, 93 C. T., 119, 140 Cumberland Parson, a, 219 Cuthbert, J. G., 57 Davies, John, 93 Davis, A., 159, 175, 177 Denuler, Herr, 34 Desborough, J. G., 73 Detwiler, J. X., 217 Donhoff, Dr., 145, 172, 194, 215, 236, 241 Dorset, 161 Douglas, Jos. P., 198, 199 Dunman, W. H., jun., 57 Edwards, C. H., 16 Enock, J., 18 Feilding, C, 96 F. H. H., 138 Fox, George, 71, 72 Fuggle, H., 199 Fust, H. Jenner, 57 F. W. S., 20 G. A. E., 39, 139 Garratt, J., 21, 56 G. C. E., 55 Goosequill, 159 G. B., 38 G. E. (Diss), 73, 200 G. W. 72, 93 Hadfield, J., 31 Haig, J. E., 75 H. B. W., 217 H. C. S., 38 Head, 117 H. F., 21 Hunter, J., 55 Jackson, J. P., 8, 17 Janes. James, 18 J. A. E., 37, 180 J. H. D., 36, 141 J. H. V., 160 J. M. B., 177 Jones, D. A., 33 Joyce, W. T., 36, 201 J. S. (Arbroath), 74 J. W. L., 57 Kewley, Bev. J. E., 68 King, David, 39 Lanarkshire Bee-keeper, 221 Larbert, D. S., 72 Lemare, F. H., 15, 72 L. E. E., 21, 96 Lister, E. W., 200 LlonRborth, 140 Lyon, F., 211 Macdonnell, S., 116, 201 Measures, J. W., 70 Neighbour, G., 142, 156 Neubert, A., 18 Newtownards Bee-keeper, a, 221 Nicholl, Bev. S., 73, 92, 143, 178 Ommanney, O., 199 Page, J., 160 Parish, F., 162, 239 Parson, H„ 20, 238 Partridge, E. W., 17 Pearson, G. F., 58, 107, 162, 195 Peel, Eev. H. E., 68 Phillips, P. H., 118 Potter, J. J., 72 Procter, Eev. G. A., 162 Questioner, a, 35 Eamsay, D., 21 Banger, Bobert, 162 Benfrewshire Bee-keeper, a, 54, 55, 153, 154, 170, 240 Bichardson, S., 161 E. J. E., 57 E. J. T., 118 Sands, G., 117 Shufflebotham, C, 38, 39 Sisson, J. Lawson, 218, 238 Smith, C. W., 197 Smyth, E., 237 Somerset, 140, 160 Sproule, E., 159, 175, 176, 197, 219, 238 Sturges, Eev. H., 139 Thomson, John, 241 Tolhurst, J., 138 Travnor. J., 38, 59, 119, 177 T. W. B.; 161 Tyrrell, Bay, 56 Urell, J., 117, 140 Vincent, H. Eussell, 117 Walker, W, jun., 18 Ward, T. B., 239 Warren, H., 18 Warwickshire Bee-keeper, a, 199 W. B., 180 Whitehouse, T., 35 Wilcox, Bev. H. J., 71, 116 Wood, J. S., 92, 137, 138 j!^m " %i