Chapter L: Carson

Frederick, O., March 24, 1881.

=Bees Wintered Well.=--Bees on the summer stands without protection have wintered poorly in this vicinity. I have fifty colonies in Quinby hives, packed in oat chaff and cut straw, that have all wintered well so far. Most of the bees in this vicinity are in box hives, and nearly ½ of them are dead as far as heard from.

E. DEUEL.

Portlandville, N. Y., March 24, 1881.

=Bees in fair Condition.=--My bees are in a fair condition, on the summer stands. I put into winter quarters 66 colonies; lost 3 and bought 14, making 75 in fair condition. Owing to old age and poor health I intend to sell my bees, although I regret it very much. Last year was a very poor one for honey. I obtained about 600 lbs. of comb honey, which I sold for 15 cts. a lb., and I had one swarm. I like the Weekly BEE JOURNAL very much. I had one colony of bees swarm out on the 15th of this month; they flew around about half an hour and then went back into the hive again. I examined them on the 17th and found the colony strong, with combs all dry and nice, and about 25 lbs. of honey, some pollen, with eggs and brood in all stages. They are now satisfied.

J. J. QUINN.

Corydon, Ky., March 25, 1881.

=The Survival of the Fittest.=--Another blizzard struck us yesterday; the weather is not so cold, but the high winds and heavy fall of snow make it more disagreeable than any day of the cold zero weather. Bees will get another set-back by their brood chilling. Those that come out in good condition this spring can be considered tough citizens, and no mistake.

JOS. M. BROOKS.

Columbus, Ind., March 30, 1881.

=Half of the Bees Dead.=--There is a loss of more than one-half of the bees in this county. I am well pleased with the Weekly BEE JOURNAL.

W. A. HERRON.

Indianola, Iowa, March 28, 1881.

=Wintered Without Loss.=--I believe I am the only one in this county that has not lost more or less bees this winter. My bees were all transferred from box hives last fall, their stores taken away, and they were fed on syrup. They have wintered without any loss of bees. I have bought of Mr. Muth, of Cincinnati, some extracted basswood honey, and shall dilute it with sugar syrup and feed this spring. My bees all have more or less brood now.

W. T. CLARY.

Clarysville, Ky., March 29, 1881.

=Wintered Safely.=--Bees are dying very rapidly in this section of country. I have 18 colonies; 2 are weak, but I have lost none so far. I bought a Cyprian queen from a firm in the East. She wintered all right, but her workers are hybrid Italians. I lost one last fall by foul brood. I am much pleased with the Weekly BEE JOURNAL.

WM. H. GARIHAN.

Northumberland, Pa., March 28, 1881.

=Chaff Did Not Save the Bees.=--The bees in this vicinity are mostly dead. Chaff did not save them from the effects of the past severe winter.