ILLINOIS STATE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. 91 



that they could not run back to the entrance. It would seem to me like 

 a matter of convenience if.a box-hive is as tight at the top as they usually 

 are, to turn it upside down, when you start your driving process they 

 have no means of running down. 



Mr. Pitner, — I want to explain that we have a little fishing club 

 at home and some of the men had put up a hollow log with an opening 

 at the side, with an end hole and with a board over the top and bottom 

 and with a squirrel's nest in it. The bees drove the squirrel out and I 

 conceived the idea I would Uke that hive of bees, so I stopped up the 

 opening and, naturally, the top being up I tried to get them out at 

 the top. I drummed until I was black in the face and I got no results. 

 Then I remembered hearing something that one should turn it upside 

 down and I took the bottom off and commenced drumming and the 

 bees came out. 



Mr. Heinzel. — I have driven one hundred colonies in a season 

 and I never turned a box upside down. I always drive them through 

 the top. 



Mr. Dadant. — I think they got pretty well drummed before 

 you turned them upside down. They were ready to go. I am of the 

 opinion that the bees had not been sufficiently frightened when the 

 first attempt was made and by the time the balance of it was done they 

 were so badly frightened and all filled with honey that they were 

 ready to swarm. If they could not be driven out, perhaps it was 

 because their brood was nearer to the opening when they were 

 overturned, that is possible. There was a long space of honey to go over, 

 while in the other case the brood was undoubtedly next to the opening. 



The President. — Don't you believe that the bee would naturally, 

 regardless of the hive being upside down, would naturally go to the 

 old entrance to get out, just the same as you would run to the front 

 door if the house was on fire? 



Mr. Kildow. — I do not think it makes a particle of difference. 

 I have handled bees in all conceivable ways, I have never had any trou- 

 ble. It is pretty hard to force them down, yet you can force them, 

 but it is harder to force them through their natural entrance than it 

 is to force them out through the top. I have had hundreds and never 

 had any trouble to get them to go. Sometimes they will be stubborn 

 for a few minutes. 



The Secretary. — I think when he turned the bees upside down 

 they were lost and they did not know of any place to go. Turn a 

 person upside down and see what the result is. I have gone along the 

 road in the front all my life, but putting me at the back side of the 

 buildings, I do not know where I am. 



Mr. Pitner. — How about cane and beet sugar? 



The President. — Can anyone answer the sugar question, is there 

 any difference between beet sugar and can sugar? 



Mr. Kildow. — I understand it is practically the same. 



The President. — At one time there was a little difference be- 

 tween cane sugar and beet sugar, that was simply in the manufacture 

 and in the refining and if you will remember, the housewife said it 

 caused foaming, but that does not take place any more. At this 



