346 STATE BOAED OF AGEICUI.TUKE. 



the Eiravf fdling out. This is not only an excellent absorbent, but preserves 

 the beat, if allowed to remain, till tlie following June. 



I have found it advantageous, when prepariug my bees for winter, in October, 

 to contract tlie chamber by use of a division board. This h very desirable if 

 wintered out doors, and with frames a foot square is very easily accomplished. 

 By use of eight frames the space (one cubic foot) is very compact, and serves 

 to economize the heat, not only in winter, but in spring. 



Perhaps I ought to say that all colonies should be strong in autumn. But I 

 have said before, never have weak colonies. Yet for fear some have been neg- 

 ligent, I remark that weak colonies should be united in preparing for winter. 

 To do this, approximate the colonies each day four or five feet till they are side 

 by side. Now remove the poorest queen, then smoke thoroughl}^, sprinkle both 

 colonies with sweetened water scented with essence of peppermint, putting a suf- 

 ficient number of the best frames and all the bees into one of the hives, and 

 then set this midway between the position of the hives at the commencement of 

 the uniting. The bees will unite peaceably, and make a strong colony. Uni- 

 ting of colonies may pay at other seasons. It may seem rash to some, yet I 

 fully believe that if the above suggestions are caiTied out in full, I may gua,ran- 

 tee successful wintering. But if we do lose our bees, with all our hives, combs, 

 and honey, vv^e can buy colonies in the spring, with a perfect certainty of making 

 300 or 400 per cent, on our investment. Even with the worst condition of 

 things, we are still ahead, in way of profit, of most other vocations. 



FOUL BROOD. 



Just hero it is very proper to speak of this dreaded disease. This disease, 

 thoudi it has occurred in our State as well as in States about us, is not familiar 

 to me, I having never seen but one case, and that on Kelly's Island, the past 

 summer, where I found it had reduced the colonies on that Island to two. 



The symptoms are as follows : Decline in the prosperity of tlie colony, be- 

 cause of failure to rear brood. The brood seems to putrefy, becomes black and 

 gives oil a stench which is by no means agreeable, while later the caps have a 

 little hole through them. So far, the cause is obscure, tliough tlie disease seem.s 

 to be gendered by feeding upon the honey. 



It is stated by some that transferring the bees to an empty hive, and prevent- 

 ing brood-rearing till all the honey conveyed in tlie bees' stomachs is consumed, 

 is a cure. In this case the honey from the old liive must be kept from all the 

 bees, or the spread of the disease will be certain. Others advise total destruc- 

 tion of affected colonies, honey, hives, and all. The disease is a very serious 

 one, and the symptoms should be understood by all, that its spread may be pre- 

 vented. More, the whole subject should be investigated by tlie most competent 

 scientific authorities. What better work for the bee-keepers of our country 

 than to memorialize Congress on this subject. 



ALL SHOULD KEEP ONLY ITALIANS. 



The advantages of the Italians, which have been already considered as fully 

 as necessary, are more than sufficient to warrant the exclusion of any other bees 

 from the apiary. Truly no one need to be urged to a course that adds to "the 

 ease, profit, and agreeableness of his vocation. 



HOW TO ITALIANIZE. 



From what has been already explained as to the natural histor}' of bees, it 

 will be seen that all we have to do to change our bees, is to change our queens. 



