60 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to be expected. Of the colonics buried, five were entirely beneath the surface 

 level of the earth, M'hile the other two were set above, and all covered with two 

 layers each of straw and earth alternating with each otlier. The five wintered 

 perfectly, the two colonics above died. Tliis indicates as we should expect, 

 that burying beneath the surface level is very desirable, as a uniform tempera- 

 ture is t'iius maintained. All of my experiments go to show that there is no 

 method so safe and cheap, as that of burying, if all tlio rc(]uirenients are 

 fulfilled. 



In one of our colonies the mice took np their abode. I became aware of this 

 •early in the winter, but sullered them to remain, tiiat I might know by direct 

 experiment, how grievous a pest they might become. The experiment was a 

 signal success, as the bees were worried to death, the comb so mutilated as to 

 be worthless, and the hive made the abode of intolerable filth. It is con- 

 clusively proved that mice should never be permitted to enter the hives in 

 winter. Tacking a piece of perforated tin over the openings of hives buried or 

 wintered in the cellars will effect this. If the hives are to remain on their 

 summer stands, either wither without packing, the tin should not reach nearer 

 than three-sixteenths of an inch of the bottom, so that the bees may pass 

 in and out. 



Kot having skilled assistants to aid me in caring for the bees, and having to 

 depend solely on students' labor, which can be commanded but for five days 

 in the week, and then only three hours each afternoon, it was thought best to sell 

 part of the colonies in the spring. Seventeen of the twenty-four were sold. 

 The seven remaining we have increased to fifteen. 



KEW IMPLEMENTS. 



Among the donations to the College Apiary which we have tried the following 

 are worthy of commendation : Bingham's, and the Quinby Smoker. Tliese are 

 both excellent. For a time there seemed little choice; but after three months' 

 use, the Bingham showed a marked superiority. The Doolittle hive was also 

 among the donations. In my opinion there is none better. Tlie King and Shuck 

 feeders are admirable. The Everette Extractor is a fine machine. 



FOUNDATION. 



We have used this another year, and are free to say that no Apiarist can 

 •afford to be without it. 



I5KE PLANTS. 



Our beds of bee plants have been a source of interest and attraction to many, 

 and have been closely studied by the students as well as by visitors. We have 

 been especially pleased with the mustards, catnip, and motherwort. They seem 

 to secrete honey at all times and to be favorites with the bees. Cleome, which 

 may be made to bloom from the last of July till frost, is not only very beauti- 

 ful, but is a very excellent honey plant. I have decided that a cheap way to 

 practice stimulative feeding is to cultivate a few plants that will bloom in the 

 intervals of the usual bloom. The mustards, rape, mignonette, and cleome 

 seem admirably adapted for tliis purpose. 



We have ex})erimented with a large number of foreign plants, none of wiiich 

 have given much promise, though some of them come to us highly recom- 

 mended. One season's results are hardly a fair test of their value. 



