Chapter M: F. B

Indianapolis, Ind.

ANSWER.—It is possible that worms are at work, and the brood is thrown out where they have gnawed away the cappings or some part of the cells. Possibly a cold spell may have made the cluster contract so much as to leave the brood unprotected, when the brood was chilled and afterward thrown out.

=Capons and Caponizing=, by Edward Warren Sawyer, M. D., Fanny Field, and others. It shows in clear language and illustrations all about caponizing fowls; and thus how to make the most money in poultry-raising. Every poultry-keeper should have it. Price, postpaid, 30 cents; or clubbed with BEE JOURNAL one year, for $1.10.

Langstroth]

No. 66.—Edward Kretchmer.

The subject of our sketch this week is another of the leading bee-keepers whom we had the pleasure of meeting often during the World's Fair last summer, and whom it was always a delight to see on our weekly visits to the apiarian department in the "White City."

The _Progressive Bee-Keeper_—the paper from which we take the subjoined sketch—says this of our Iowa friend:

Mr. Kretchmer is one of the pioneers of Western apiculture, a
man of whom the bee-keeping fraternity may be proud, and one
who has received many honors, both from those of his calling,
and the public at large.

As mentioned on another page, it was Bro. Kretchmer who superintended the Iowa honey exhibit at the World's Fair, and his successful efforts are well attested by a glance at the illustration on page 104, and also by the awards secured. Incidentally, we may say that he is one of the largest manufacturers and dealers in bee-keepers' supplies west of the "Mississippi creek."

As we doubtless could add nothing further of interest regarding Bro. Kretchmer, we are glad to give the sketch referred to before, written by his 12-year-old daughter, Valencia, who is not only a member of the Iowa State Bee-Keepers' Association, but also of the North American. Here is what she writes about "her papa"—and she ought to know him pretty well:

Edward Kretchmer was born on the Atlantic ocean in 1844, on
the American merchant vessel, "Louisiana;" and though of
German parentage, he is an American by birth. He was brought
up in Selicia, Prussia. His father was one of the prominent
bee-keepers of his time, and the originator of the first
rolls that manufactured "mid-rib," or our earlier form of
comb foundation; which, by writers, is frequently confounded
with that of Mehring's, whose invention presented the edge
of a full thickness of comb, or the beginning of a top-bar.
Hence the German translation, "foundation."

Mr. Kretchmer resided about five miles from Dr. Dzierzon, the
world-renowned author and apiarist, and from whom, during
a season's stay, he received the first lessons in advanced
bee-culture. In 1858 he received a colony of Italian bees as
a birthday present, and since that time, with the exception
of three years, he has been a breeder of Italian bees.

He came to the United States, and to the State of Iowa, about
the year 1859, and in the summer of 1860 purchased the first
Italian queen that crossed the Mississippi river. In 1861 he
entered the army. During his absence, his father sold the
original colony to W. H. Furman, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the
owner of the Langstroth patent for that State.

After his discharge from the army, he again engaged in
bee-culture, and while a visitor at the Iowa State Fair, an
incident occurred which brought him to public notice, as a
well-informed bee-keeper. The incident referred to was this:

An oddly-dressed man, with bees in his hat, was selling
little vials of scented water as a "bee-charm," taking
dollars right and left, stating that with it bees were
rendered peaceable enough to open a hive without being
stung. Mr. Kretchmer remarked that he could do that
without the drug. The drug vender promptly challenged the
youthful-looking German, no doubt expecting him to "back
down" from his statement, but on the contrary Mr. K.
secured a little smoke, and promptly opened the colony of
bees of another exhibitor, quickly found the queen, and
exhibited the combs, covered with bees, to a multitude
of spectators, without a sting. He was, in consequence
thereof, requested by several to communicate his method
through some of the journals, and he soon became a noted
writer—writing both in the German and English language. In
the older files of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, his name may
be found to numerous articles. He also issued "Winke Fur
Bienen Zuchter"—"Intimation to Bee-Keepers;" "The Amateur
Bee-Keepers' Guide," written in 1866, and "The Bee-Keepers'
Guide-Book," the latter, a neat volume of 256 pages, issued
in 1872.

In 1867 he removed from eastern Iowa to Coburg, Iowa, where
he was postmaster for eight years, mayor of the town, and for
two terms chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Montgomery
county; he declining a re-election, and also the nomination
for State Senator.

The demand for better shipping facilities induced him to
remove his entire factory to Red Oak in 1890, which is his
present residence.

He is a prominent Odd Fellow, and an enthusiastic Mason,
being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, as
well as of the Degree of Rebecca, and the Eastern Star, both
of which he is now the presiding officer.

On the recommendation of the President of the Iowa
Bee-Keepers' Association, he was appointed by the Iowa
Columbian Commission to take charge of the Iowa honey exhibit
at the World's Fair. This appointment he very reluctantly
accepted about the middle of last January, 1893, after which
time he labored for the success of that exhibit, without the
hope of fee or reward, although a very unfavorable honey
season made such an undertaking a difficult task. He is
now conducting various experiments with new implements in
bee-culture.

VALENCIA KRETCHMER.

CONDUCTED BY
MRS. JENNIE ATCHLEY,
BEEVILLE, TEXAS.

=Bee-Keeping and Poultry for Women.=

While I was looking over the index of the BEE JOURNAL for 1893, I came across the above subject, and as I have not time to turn back and find what was said on the subject, I wish to add a word more concerning poultry combined with bees for women.

Now, when we take a right view of our surroundings, and look at human nature a moment, we will see that but very few people wish to engage in a business that will give no rest at all, as it will sooner or later, become a drag, and we become tired, and long for recreation. Well, I for one do not count idleness recreation; but some other light work for rest of mind and body is sought for, and for women (and I will say men, too) I think poultry is first choice to go with bees. I know that it gives me rest and pleasure when tired of working with the bees, to get some grain and call up the chicks, and pet them awhile, and see to their wants—such as good, comfortable nests, roosts, etc.; and this kind of rest proves to me profitable, as well as rest and pleasure.

I know that too much business of any kind is worse than not enough business, and I think we should avoid having too many irons in the fire at one time, but I do believe that to get the best of enjoyment and pleasure, we should have something else to go with bees, whether it pays or not; and I believe that nearly all successful bee-keepers are lovers of flowers and poultry. Am I right?

I have a flock of fine Plymouth Rock chickens, and a bunch of White Holland turkeys, and, oh! how I do enjoy a rest sometimes among my pet chickens and turkeys!

JENNIE ATCHLEY.

* * * * *

=Out With a Load of Preachers.=

As I have promised to tell more about southwest Texas, I will proceed by saying that Charlie has just returned (Dec. 28th) with a wagon load of preachers that he carried out hunting two weeks ago. I will relate their success.

They killed 20 wild turkeys, 4 wild geese, and a number of ducks, squirrels, armadillo, and a lot of other small game, and one deer. Charles says that of all the lively crowds he ever saw, it is a wagon load of preachers. They made it a rule that the first man that entered camp with a loaded gun should cook a day, and soon they had plenty of cooks.

Charles says that he and one of the preachers went out one day together, and they espied a deer off 50 or 75 yards, and the preacher was to have first shot, then if he missed his aim Charles was to try it. The preacher's gun snapped, and failed to fire, and then Charles fired away and missed the deer. The preacher told him that he had the "buck ague," and so why he missed it. But Charles says that he was laughing at the hard Sunday-school words the preacher was saying because his gun failed to fire, so it turned out that neither of them bagged that deer.

All the preachers got lost, and lay out one night about 15 miles from camp. They had killed a deer, but could not carry it all. A large 12-spike buck would have weighed 200 pounds. Well, they took off the hams, and took turns about carrying it, and they got bewildered, and night overtook them. But about dusk they espied a log-cabin, and went to it, but found no one at home, and from the best they could make out, it was the home of one of the "fence-riders," or where one of the guards lived that looked after the ranch to keep fence cutters and hunters out. The preachers were so nearly famished and tired that they remained all night at the cabin, and no owner came that night, but the preachers found some dried beef and some flour and black molasses, so they were fixed, and soon filled their empty "bread-baskets," as they called them.

They would not sleep on the bed, as they found a six shooter under the pillow, but they laid on the floor, and one kept watch while the others slept, up until midnight, when all fell asleep. The reason they kept watch was, that they feared the owner would come home and take them for robbers, and fire into them without warning. But no owner came, so in the morning they arose early and ate breakfast, and Charles says the preachers say they left some money and a note on the table, to show the owner that they were not robbers, but they longed for a fence-rider to overtake them, as they had gotten in on forbidden ground, and did not know how to get out. As there were 170,000 acres in the pasture, you see they had a hard time of it.

But before night the following day they reached camp O. K., but nearly worn out, and they said they did not expect to find Charles there, as none of them would have staid alone at that camp among the wolves, panthers, wild cats, cougars, bears, etc. But Charles said he made it all right without any trouble, but the coyote wolves kept him plenty of company with their howling. However, the preachers made up their minds that if that 14-year-old boy had remained at the camp ten miles from anybody all alone, they would each give him a dollar, which they did, though Charles says he thanked them and offered the money back; but no, they said that a boy with all that courage justly deserved the money, and they insisted on his keeping it, which he did.

They then went into conference, and delegated two to go after the rest of that big fat deer, when lo, and behold, _they_ got lost, and just barely made it into camp by night, without finding the treasure. They then called together the "court" and discussed the matter of adjournment, as most of them had to get home in time to preach the Christmas sermon at their several churches. Well, they broke camp on the morning of Dec. 22nd, and Charles started home with his wagon load of Baptist ministers.

You will remember that I have told you of our bee-wagon being enclosed with wire-cloth, and resembles a lion's cage. Well, after they got started on their way home, they concluded to play lion awhile, and one of them was a little fellow, and Charles says that the larger preachers tore his clothes nearly all off of him, and when they arrived at the hotel at Beeville, he wrapped himself up in his overcoat and went in, and they had to go out and buy some clothes for him. They wanted him to preach that night in Beeville, but he would not because they had torn his clothes off.

Charlie says that he has been out with lots of crowds, but the preachers were the liveliest set he ever saw. He says they had him promise to haul them out again a year hence, as they were coming if the Lord was willing, and when they could get as brave a boy as he was they were sure of success. Charles says they were very prompt, and paid him $1.00 per day, besides the premium for his bravery, and he will surely take them out whenever they come.

The preachers killed so many turkeys that they rotted on their hands, and they agreed to knock the first one down that mentioned turkey in a month.

JENNIE ATCHLEY.

* * * * *

=How to Draw Brood.=

It will be understood that we keep some out yards to draw brood from to keep up the nuclei in the queen-rearing yards. We injured some colonies very much by injudicious drawing of brood. If we do not wish to run the colonies down to nothing, we should mark X on the top-bars of two or three brood-frames, and do not take them when we are drawing brood. I find that two Langstroth frames in the center of the brood-nest will keep the colony up pretty well, but three are better—that leaves about three frames to draw on, when 8-frame hives are used, as the two outside combs seldom have brood, or not as much as the center ones.

The best plan to control an apiary that persists in swarming, is to draw brood from it and recruit or build nuclei with the brood. It would likely astonish any one to know how much brood can be drawn from a good queen during the season. I am satisfied that we have drawn as much as 50 frames of brood from a single colony during one season of eight to ten months, and then get some honey, and have a fine colony for winter in the colony we draw from. But if we draw at random, and take any and all the frames, we are likely to ruin the colonies.

JENNIE ATCHLEY.

* * * * *

=Honey as Food and Medicine= is just the thing to help sell honey, as it shows the various ways in which honey may be used as a food and as a medicine. Try 100 copies of it, and see what good "salesmen" they are. See the third page of this number of the BEE JOURNAL for description and prices.

Color of Queens Regardless of Mating.

=Query 907.=—If you were buying Italian queens, what color
would you expect them to be, regardless of how they are
mated?—Iowa.

Yellow.—E. FRANCE.

Yellow, of course.—JAS. A. STONE.

The color of Italian queens.—EUGENE SECOR.

At least three-banded.—J. M. HAMBAUGH.

Any color from yellow to dark leather color.—M. MAHIN.

That depends upon what breeder you are buying from.—P. H. ELWOOD.

I should not anticipate. A leather-colored queen is satisfactory to me.—MRS. L. HARRISON.

Italians vary very much in color. It is hard to tell in a sentence, what color they should be.—EMERSON T. ABBOTT.

The imported are dark, but American skill has bred them "doubtless pure" to a very bright yellow to the tip.—J. H. LARRABEE.

I should expect them to be somewhere from light yellow to nearly black, and should prefer a dark leather color.—C. C. MILLER.

I should certainly expect them to show three well-developed yellow bands, but would prefer the dark, to the very light yellow queens.—C. H. DIBBERN.

If I "were buying Italian queens," I should _expect_ them to be the color of Italians. I prefer such as are known as "leather-colored."—A. B. MASON.

The color is not sure proof, but they should have three distinct yellow bands. They may be brown, light or dark, and still be Italians.—MRS. J. N. HEATER.

Anywhere from a light yellow to a full black, and with all sorts of shades and markings between. Queens may be bred so as to be nearly uniform in color and markings, and the same brood, with a little difference in manipulation, will produce queens several shades darker.—J. A. GREEN.

We do not care for color, if they have the yellow rings, and their workers are gentle and stay on the combs when we raise them out of the hive.—DADANT & SON.

Yellow, or a dark brown color. However, in rare instances I have seen queens as dark as black queens produce fine 3-banded Italian bees.—MRS. JENNIE ATCHLEY.

If I were buying "Italian queens," and knew nothing of their mating, I would expect the three yellow bands, with the other Italian characteristics.—H. D. CUTTING.

I would have to depend on the advertisement of the breeder, and expect what he promised; it might be light or leather-colored, three or five banded.—S. I. FREEBORN.

Anywhere from nearly black to a nearly yellow abdomen, just in accord with their being reared from an imported queen, or the mother of 5-banded bees.—G. M. DOOLITTLE.

Italian queens vary from almost coal-black to almost golden yellow, and in purchasing many I should expect to get almost all shades of color between those two extremes.—R. L. TAYLOR.

I should expect them to show a yellow abdomen all except the tip. But it is said on good authority that some of the imported Italian queens of undoubted purity are quite dark all over.—G. L. TINKER.

Pure Italian queens vary very much in color from bright yellow to dark. Imported queens generally average darker than homebred. I have had some nearly as dark as some black queens.—J. P. H. BROWN.

I should prefer a dark strain, and would expect each worker to be marked with three yellow bands. I have never found the very bright yellow bees so good as gatherers, though usually very amiable.—A. J. COOK.

Of at least three bands of golden yellow; with legs and lower part of the abdomen same color—balance, grayish black. The queen should show nearly the entire abdomen of orange yellow; though the shade varies greatly.—WILL M. BARNUM.

I would expect them to have yellow or leather-colored abdomens, except perhaps some dark color at the tip. _Stripes_ around the abdomen is a sign of black blood. But sometimes pure Italian stock will show outcroppings of black blood, and this is often seen in nearly black queens, but such "outcrops" did do it when I reared queens for sale. Remember, the Italian is a "thoroughbred," not a pure-blood race.—G. W. DEMAREE.

I should not care what the color would be. I have found very black queens give very light-colored workers, and _vice versa_. Nothing can be told in this direction from the color of the queen; the mating drone usually governs the color.—J. E. POND.

Selling Extracted Honey at Retail.

_Written for the American Bee Journal_

BY H. M. MELBEE.

My attention is called to some remarks by Dr. Miller, on page 817 of the BEE JOURNAL for Dec. 28, 1893, on the subject of selling extracted honey. Judging from what I see between the lines, I do not think the Doctor desires any instructions that would insure him 24 cents per pound, at retail, for extracted honey, nor any other price, in fact, whether remunerative or otherwise. The reason, perhaps, for this, is because the Doctor does not produce honey at all in the extracted form, but confines himself entirely to the production of comb honey.

There seems to be all through the Doctor's remarks, a vein of _ridicule_, and this may be accounted for by reason of the fact that certain parties have been, and still are, able to dispose of extracted honey, at retail, at a higher figure than the Doctor can secure for that in the comb. The Doctor says he is sure that he could do nothing of the kind himself, but that should surprise no one, nor should it discourage others from trying to do so. Not many years ago the Doctor stated publicly, if my memory is not at fault, that he could not produce first-grade comb honey under a special classification, whereas there were others who thought they could. And, judging from what was shown at the World's Fair honey exhibit last year, it was plain to see that the Doctor was right in what he thought he could not do in that direction.

Some of the imaginary talk the Doctor gives with that imaginary lady, plainly shows that he has had no experience, worth copying, in selling extracted honey. In short, he imagines a talk, which, in some respects, I have never met with in more than 20 years' experience. An agent, properly instructed, who could not have silenced that lady's remarks, would not be worth his salt to me.

I know from experience, not theory nor imagination, that any lady or gentleman competent to sell books, can be instructed to sell extracted honey in thousands of cities and villages, and at remunerative prices. But the agent must have proper instructions, and then must follow them. But I never attempt to give those instructions to any one who has no desire to know them. I have now had in my employ three agents who have always sold extracted honey at my prices, and profitably, by following my instructions. One of these agents was a lady—the other two young men.

No, Doctor, I do not live in a mountainous country, nor where the people I trade with live miles away from groceries, nor where honey-producers are unknown. The country where I live is just about as level as where the Doctor resides, and groceries are just about as convenient and numerous. I presume the people are just about as wealthy and intelligent, with possibly one or two exceptions, as those in the Doctor's neighborhood This being the case, the Doctor does not seem to understand why my customers do not find out that they can buy honey at a lower price than they pay me. Why, doctor, they do know they can buy comb honey, in wooden sections, at about the price you mention, but they have intelligence enough to know that when they pay for a section of wood and honey they do not get, on an average, to exceed 12 ounces of honey. And, with some assistance, they reason thus: If they have to pay 20, or even 18, cents for three-fourths of a pound of honey, they might as well pay my price, or 24 cents, and get 16 ounces, or a full pound.

Again: Neither Melbee nor his agents, when soliciting orders for honey, have ever yet been found guilty of carrying around with them a bee-paper of any description, for the express purpose of showing to would-be purchasers the market reports, as prepared and manipulated by commission merchants, nor do they ever intend to be guilty of doing so. On the other hand, the Doctor perhaps would not approve of such an un-business-like procedure. I presume the Doctor would carry a sample of honey in one hand, and a sample of one of those market reports in the other, and then call the special attention of his patrons to both samples. That, of course, would be just like the Doctor!

The Doctor seems to think that Melbee might be a wealthy man if he would only set a score or so of agents to work selling honey for him on his terms and at his prices. Perhaps the Doctor is right for once. On the other hand, the Doctor perhaps might have been also wealthy, if he had stuck to the music trade at a salary of—say $2,500 per year. But as he did not do so, perhaps we have a right to infer that he has become exceedingly wealthy from the sale of his honey crops.

The Doctor attempts to make it appear that the difference between 7 cents wholesale, and 24 cents retail, is all profit. A novice might think so, but a bee-keeper of Dr. Miller's experience should know better. Evidently the Doctor has had no experience as to the expense connected with the sale of extracted honey, by the plan pursued by myself and my agents, or else he desires to misrepresent the profits we obtain. I am frank to confess that we do get a good profit, but no larger than thousands of others might secure by knowing how.

To conclude: Melbee desires it to be distinctly understood that he does not follow the honey-trade simply for health and pleasure, but mainly for dollars and cents.

Honeyville, Beeland.

Positive Prevention of After-Swarming.

_Written for the American Bee Journal_

BY FRANK COVERDALE.

James Heddon, I believe, was the first to give us a practical method for the control of after-swarming; however, the method could not be absolutely depended upon to do the work, but was a grand step in the right direction. Who knows, to a certainty, just when the first queen-cell will hatch in the old hive—whether it will be 5 days or 15 days? A second swarm might issue before the old hive was ever moved to its permanent stand, and again after it had been moved, on account of the first cell hatching so late.

It was when I was busy making hay, when an occasional swarm would leave me, causing much vexation in my mind, and many hours of deep study, how I should overcome this difficulty; and it came, to my mind that a bee-escape might do the work, so I attached one to a hive, at the first opportunity. A 1½-inch hole was bored in the center of one side near the bottom edge, and a wire-screen cone fitted in the hole, and the entrance entirely closed; the newly-hived swarm was placed close by its side, with the entrance just under the above prepared cone, and every bee that left the old hive became an occupant of the new hive.

In three days an examination was made in the old hive, for I was afraid that too many bees would leave the brood, and destruction be the result. But, oh, how I was delighted! All was lovely still. In three days more another examination was made, with like results, and still another three days later, making nine days. Then I began boring holes in other hives, and treating them as above, with the same results, until all (60 colonies) that swarmed were in the same condition.

Some of the old hives were moved to their new stands in 12, others in 13, 14 and 16 days, the last being rather too long a time—14 days is about right in my location. Then these old colonies can be given a ripe queen-cell, or a queen, or the entrance be opened and left so until all the young bees are hatched, when the entrance can be again closed, and it will unite with the new swarm, and the combs will be empty. In fact, you may have full control of the matter, as to managing against second swarms.

The first two years I used the bored holes, covering them over when through, with a piece of section tacked over them; but since then an escape has been used at the entrance; however, at times the latter would get clogged, causing some annoyance, and I now think the bored hole at the side is best.

If the reader will carefully look over the back numbers of the BEE JOURNAL, it will be seen that I have touched upon this point before, but dare not recommend it as being entirely practicable. But I hesitate no longer, but advise all who stand in need, to try and be convinced how this plan lessens labor, cost and vexation of after-swarms; and in my location greatly increases a crop of comb honey, and of finer quality than it otherwise would have been.

Fear not that the new swarms will be overcrowded in numbers, and swarm again, but furnish each new hive with starters below and full sheets of comb foundation in all the sections above, and you will soon begin to wonder whether it is best to "prevent swarming" or not. It is nice to have wood-zinc queen-excluders, then all can be arranged at the time of hiving—such as moving the partly-finished sections from the parent colony immediately to the newly-hived swarm, and not have to wait two or three days for the queen to establish her brood-nest below.

Welton, Iowa.

Making Sugar Syrup for Feeding Bees.

_Written for the American Bee Journal_

BY G. M. DOOLITTLE.

The following has come to hand from some one who forgot to sign his or her name, so I will answer through the BEE JOURNAL, as requested.

"Will you tell us through the columns of the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL just how you make sugar syrup for feeding bees, as I have some bees which will need feeding before long? I think you have given this before, but I cannot find where it is. If I remember rightly, you use honey to a certain extent, and, if so, is there no danger of getting foul brood, where one may have to buy honey for this purpose?"

In answering the above, it may be well, and interesting to the reader, to know just how I came to hit on the formula for sugar syrup, which I have given several times before in the different bee-papers, as hinted at by our correspondent.

Some years ago, after a poor season, I found that all of my queen-rearing colonies would have to be fed, as well as some of the others, so I set about looking up recipes for making the feed, as I had no surplus combs of honey. I found plenty of recipes telling how to make it, using vinegar, cream-of-tartar and tartaric acid in greater or less quantities to keep the syrup from candying or crystallizing. When about concluding to use one of these, I ran across one that said all that was necessary to do was to pour boiling water on the granulated sugar, stirring both together as long as the water would dissolve any more sugar. As this seemed so simple I concluded to use this.

Having the syrup made and the feeders in the hive, I proceeded to feed, all going well the first feed. When I came to feed the second night, I found the feed skimmed over with a crust of sugar which had formed on the surface during the 24 hours it had been standing. I also found that it had granulated on the bottom and sides of the can, and upon going to the hives I found a little on the bottom and sides of the feeders. However, I persisted in feeding it, as the one giving the plan said nothing was needed to keep the syrup from crystallizing, as the bees put acid enough into it in manipulating to keep it a liquid.

After a few days, I noticed bees out at the entrance of the hive of each colony fed, having little grains of sugar on their wings and bodies, trying to fly, but most of them had so much on them that they could only hop around, making a purring sound with their wings. I next looked inside of the hive, when I found that fully one-fifth of the bees had more or less of these sugar crystals on them, while the inside of the feeders was all covered with crystals. Upon looking into the cells containing the syrup, I found that in many of them crystallization had commenced to such an extent that the crystals were easily seen. I said this would not answer, so when the next batch of syrup was made, I put vinegar in the water before stirring in the sugar. While the vinegar helped about the crystals, it also gave a taste to the syrup which I did not like, so in the next I tried cream of tartar, and then tartaric acid; but in spite of them all, the syrup would crystallize some, unless I added so much that a disagreeable taste was given the syrup.

It now came to me, how in early years I had used, owing to scarcity of honey at our house, honey and sugar mixed, on the table, in which case neither the honey nor sugar granulated, so the next batch of syrup was made as follows:

Fifteen pounds of water was put into a large tin dish and brought to a boil, when 30 pounds of granulated sugar was poured in and stirred for a moment till it had mostly dissolved, when it was left over the fire till it boiled again. Upon taking from the fire, five pounds of honey was poured in, and the whole stirred enough to mix thoroughly. I found in this a syrup of about the consistency of honey, which remained a liquid from day to day—a syrup that any bee-keeper could easily make, and one which would not crystallize on the bees, feeders or in the cells. I have kept this syrup standing in an open dish for months at a time without its crystallizing or souring.

It has now been some 10 or 12 years since the experiments above given were tried, and during all that time I have never found how I could improve on this food for feeding bees for winter stores. For spring feeding, I would use 25 pounds of water to the same amount of sugar and honey, as this gives better results in brood-rearing than does the thicker syrup.

As to there being any danger, should it so happen that honey from a foul-broody colony was used, I would say that there need be no fears, for if the honey is stirred in as above given, it will all be scalded, and the scalding of honey anything else having the germs of foul brood about or in it, effectually kills these germs. However, care should be used in handling honey which may have come from a foul-broody hive, as the least bit of it carelessly left where the bees can get it, while in its raw state, will carry with it the seeds of foul brood, just as surely as corn grows from seed corn.

There is one other item I wish to notice before closing, and that is where our correspondent hints at its being necessary to feed his bees before long. If, as I suspect, the correspondent lives in the North, he should have fed the bees in October what they needed to carry them through the winter. This is a duty he not only owes to himself, but to the bees also, for, while bees often do come through the winter when fed during cold weather, yet the chances are that a loss of colonies will not only waste the bees, but the syrup fed as well.

Borodino, N. Y.

Bees in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

_Written for the American Bee Journal_

BY S. L. WATKINS.

The honey season, the past year, was above the average, and bees have paid well. The last, two or three seasons I have not kept so many bees as I formerly did. I took up a piece of land here in the upper Sierras, and have been improving it. I have started in the nursery business, and I find that this goes splendidly with the bee-business. From now on, I shall increase my bees up, and go into the business extensively again. I shall place all my hives in a straight row, and build a car track behind them, and I can easily run all my honey into the extracting house. This will facilitate things greatly. The past summer I had my hives set on stumps, and I tell you it was a job to carry the combs to the house where I extracted.

Some will ask, why I kept my bees on stumps. Well, I had no other place to put them. This country is heavily timbered with yellow pine, sugar pine, incense cedar, cypress, spruce, fir, madrona, oaks, etc.; and it is extremely hard to clean, but after the land is once cleaned, it is very valuable.

Land that was one year ago covered with pine stumps, is now covered with strawberry plants, fruit trees, and ornamental plants, and they look splendidly, too. It took an immense amount of work, but it pays well.

The bee-hive that I use, and the one that I expect to use for a long time, takes frames about 7x14 inches; the hive is about 14 inches wide; two stories comprise a hive, which is about 16 inches high. I tier up several stories high in the honey season. I find that I can handle bees very rapidly; can shake the bees from the combs without even breaking the comb loose from the frame; with the Langstroth hive, or frame, rather, the combs will give way occasionally in hot weather, if not wired.

I think that I shall always run for extracted honey at this apiary. In Placerville, Calif., where I used to rear bees for sale, I had a decided preference for Carniolan bees. I think that I shall rear them largely. The so-called Golden Italian bees—if I can prove to my satisfaction that they will equal the Carniolans, I will insert a number of queens.

When I was extensively engaged in rearing queen-bees, the call was for the leather-colored Italians—and very few of the light-colored queens were called for; now it seems to be the reverse, all queen-breeders are advertising the Golden Italian bees and queens.

The Holy Land and Cyprian bees seem to have gone out of fashion; so also the Albino. I see that the Carniolan race is not much advertised in the bee-papers any more. Well, I shall pin my faith to them for awhile yet, until I find something better.

A cross between the Carniolan and Italian race of honey-bees, makes wonderfully energetic bees; they protect their hives well, and are marvelous honey-gatherers.

There has been a greater interest manifested in bees this season than for a long time, and I contemplate, from now on, that a great many will engage in this industry in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

I am pleased to see that the AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL is improving so steadily. Later on I shall give you some bee-notes for its columns.

Grizzly Flats, Calif.

Danger in Climbing for Swarms, Etc.

_Written for the American Bee Journal_

BY LEWIS K. SMITH.

As a caution to my brother bee-keepers, I will say: Don't climb unless you are sure of your footing. On the 26th of last May, I was called on to hive a swarm of bees that had settled high up in an apple tree. Having been a great climber from childhood's days, I bounded up to the top of the tree, and sawed off the limb containing the swarm while I stood on a limb below. The additional weight of the bees and limb split off the one on which I stood, and down came Smith, bees and all—a distance of 22 feet. That it did not kill me I am humbly thankful to Him who holds us in the hollow of his hand. For nearly two days I was partly paralyzed, and was finally relieved by the application of an electric battery, and other means applied by two eminent physicians who were unremitting in their attentions day and night.

Do we sufficiently appreciate the arduous labors of those men of science, working day and night with both mind and body, taxing every energy, and enlisting every sympathy of their being? Is it wonderful that they wear out, break down, and die suddenly? Whenever I think of those terrible hours of suffering, when my digestive system was completely paralyzed, and my life was wavering in the balance, my heart goes out in thanksgiving to a merciful Providence, and I treasure the faithful ministrations of my physicians and friends.

DRUMMING BEES FROM A HIVE WITH CROSSWISE COMBS.

Let me add one suggestion to the instructions to F. M. L., on page 716 of the BEE JOURNAL for Dec. 7, 1893, relative to drumming bees out of a hive with cross combs, into a box above. If he will go to some hive having nice, straight comb, and get a frame or two with unsealed brood, and put in the upper box or hive, I am of the opinion his bees will go up more readily, and stay better contented. Then, too, it will be much easier to find the queen if he desires to supersede her.

RESULTS OF THE PAST SEASON.

From 66 colonies, spring count, some of them nuclei, my crop of section honey was between 400 and 500 pounds. This surplus was stored by a few extra-good colonies—one of them filling 78 sections, and not swarming. The queen of this colony was reared in 1892 from an imported Italian mother.

Another that did well, was a cross between the Italian and Carniolan stock. On the whole, I find the Carniolans much less desirable than the Italians. It may be that my Carniolans were not pure, but they are extra-good fighters, vindictive, and often pounce on me without provocation. So I've been superseding the queens for two years.

Gainesboro, Tenn.

Brace-Combs—Cause and Prevention.

_Written for the American Bee Journal_

BY E. J. CRONKLETON.

Brace-combs and bees must be studied in connection, in order to arrive at correct conclusions about brace-combs. I think I will be able to convince every well-informed bee-keeper—one who has well learned the nature, habits and instincts of the bee—that there is some truth in my theory, or at least it will cause him to do a little thinking, and that is healthful.

We all know how irritable the bee is, especially by a jar—the least little jar will bring a response from every bee in the hive. Well, suppose it does, what of that? Well, nothing particular, only we learn something by it. Suppose the frames are loose at their bearings, resting on metal bearings for your convenience, and a perfect torment to the bees—torment because they cannot glue them down at the ends, and their walking over the combs causes them to tremble, and a bee cannot stand that—it is a constant annoyance. What is the result? Why, brace-combs are the inevitable result? They go right at it, and brace up and strengthen those combs, just as long as there is the least jar or tremble about them.

Years ago, when I was taking my first lessons in the art of bee-culture, I had but few brace-combs; but the metal-bearing craze was sprung on me. I had considerable trouble prying the frames loose from their bearings, so I thought this will be nice—I can just pick the combs out—it will be a pleasure indeed. The result was just as fine a lot of brace-combs as any one ever saw. The bees literally filled the spaces between the top-bars up, only leaving here and there a hole to pass through to the section.

Well, I looked at them as I examined hive after hive, and I thought I was undone entirely. It looked very much as though my elegant scheme had miscarried, while the bees had made a perfect success of theirs, though I, at that time, had not the remotest idea what caused the bees to interlace the combs in that manner.

I could easily see that I would better fall back on first principles, which I did, and brace-combs have disappeared ever since, with me, in proportion to the pains that I have taken to have the combs well fastened in the hives. I have no scheme for fastening the frames, just so they will not tremble and shake when the bees travel over them.

Mr. Heddon's thumb-screw business would be just the thing. The Hoffman frame can be used to advantage. Suit yourselves, and use your own judgment, and your own resources.

I have said nothing about burr-combs, from the fact that I am not certain that I know anything about them. I see a difference, but I think their mission is the same.

Try this, and I am satisfied you will see that I am right for once.

Dunlap, Iowa.

Convention Notices.

WISCONSIN.—The Wisconsin Bee-Keepers' Association will meet
in Madison, Wis., on Feb. 7 and 8, 1894. An interesting
meeting is expected. It is earnestly hoped there may be a
full attendance.

J. W. VANCE, Cor. Sec.

Madison. Wis.

KANSAS.—There will be a meeting of the Southeastern Kansas
Bee-Keepers' Association on March 10, 1894, at the apiaries
of Thomas Willett, 5 miles northeast of Bronson, Bourbon Co.,
Kansas. All are invited to come.

J. C. BALCH, Sec.

Bronson, Kans.

* * * * *

=A Binder= for holding a year's numbers of the BEE JOURNAL we mail for only 50 cents; or clubbed with the JOURNAL for $1.40.

Proceedings]

The Michigan State Convention.

_Reported for the "American Bee Journal"_

BY W. Z. HUTCHINSON.

The Michigan Bee-Keepers' Association held their 28th annual convention on Jan. 2 and 3, 1894, in the Common Council Chambers in the city of Flint. The convention was called to order by President Taylor, and the following members paid their dues: