Chapter D: H. OGDEN, Wooster, O

We guess it must be the _King_ friend O., for we feel sure the _Queen_ is not to blame. Our very best colony in 1873, dwindled down to the weakest in the spring of ’74. They went down to a mere handful, swarmed out twice, and it was only by giving them hatching brood several times that we could barely get the Queen through until July, and then she proved herself fully equal to what she had been the season before; in fact she kept putting two or more eggs in a cell all through the spring months. It is only the _workers_ that die off as soon as brood rearing commences. The very same process is now going on in our forcing house (Feb. 5th.) yet the brood will get ahead we think. Keeping the sick bees warm in the lamp nursery revives them some but they soon die nevertheless. The idea advanced that it is a kind of _fly_ that kills the bees, can certainly have nothing to do with our losses.

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NOW FOR THE HOT-BED.

Jan. 22nd, we let the sun in to the pit and at 2 P. M. there was a perfect jollification, just like a lot of young bees playing in summer. And they _did_ “spot” things inside the pit at a great rate, showing they needed a fly. As soon as it began to cool down they all went in to the hives except some dead ones on the straw, no more than would have been found if they had flown the natural way, and about two-thirds of a tea-cupful which were stuck on the sash in groups from one to a dozen. These latter we brushed out on a dust pan and put in top of one of the hives, as they were still alive, and said hive was mighty “sassy” too; seemed strong in bees, plenty of honey, and combs dry. The pit was not dug till after the ground was frozen 8 inches deep, consequently there was considerable frost on the glass which we swept off as soon as the sun loosened it a little. The dampness inside the pit was soon dried and everything went lovely.

We were going to hoist our hat for the hot-bed, but guess we’ll wait till spring before we shout too loud.

Don’t forget the “Medley” for we want to see Katie Grimm, Mr. Grimm, and all the rest.

W. M. KELLOGG, Oneida, Knox Co., Ills.

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A Mr. Abbot, of Wakeman, O., uses leather instead of Quilts. He says
the leather is cheaper and does not rattle or stick. He fits them
tight on the top of frames and they did not mould last winter and
the bees wintered better than under quilts or tight frames. My bees
in my hot-house when it has been warm enough for them to fly (no
fire as yet) readily find their way back to their own hives, while
those on their summer stands (though protected on the top and north
sides) died by hundreds if not thousands on the snow as they lit and
fell on it last week.

T. L. WAITE, Berea, O. Feb. 4th. ’75.

We had an intimation some time ago that Mr. Abbot had a remedy for propolis, above the frames. Leather being porous, might do very well, but will it not kill bees when pressed down on them? Again, can we get a piece that will cover a hive for the price of a quilt, and what kind of leather is best? Mr. Abbot claimed that he had some valuable information _to sell_, on the subject. We presume most of you have discovered that those who claim to be possessed of valuable information, _not to be found in books_, are generally somewhat of a fraud; never mind friend Abbot, if you have by experimenting got hold of something valuable, bring it along. We will pay you for your time and trouble.

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I had to-day to open the entrance full size to almost all hives.
Bees keep up a lively hum and are carrying in loads of pollen equal
to spring work. Considering your mortality from disease and cold in
the North and your continual _trouble_ and _anxiety_, I think we
have far the advantage of you.

I lost one very weak swarm this winter by robbers. This is by far
the worst enemy I have to contend with.

J. B. RAMSEY, Abbeville, La. Jan. 21st, ’75.

And with your advantages, friend R., why do you not build up larger Apiaries, and raise honey by the car load as do our friends in California? We can imagine the smile of relief that would spread over the faces of _some_ of our readers, had they no worse trouble than _robbers_ to contend with.

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When I ordered the two first volumes I thought I could do without
GLEANINGS 3rd Vol.—But it won’t DO. Don’t forget the Jan. number.
’TWONT DO! No, if “blue eyes” falls down over the boards you _must
stop and help her up_. In our haste, don’t let us make a God of our
Bees.

Have 35 stands in box to be transferred, have adopted the Standard.
Shall want an extractor etc.