Mar. 24, 1904. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



215 



pertain only to the hive of modern style, and not to the old 

 straw-skep. There is certainly nothing in the shape of the 

 latter to suggest such a thought. Indeed, quite the opposite 

 idea is conveyed, for if we recall the comparison expressed 

 by Benjamin F. Taylor, our fancy will carry us to the 

 poet's old-time garden, where were seen — 



"The hives of a fashion quaint, classic, and old, 

 Where the l)ees went and came with their burdens of gold— 

 'Twas an African village of straw-woven cones 

 Within humming-range of those m.vrtle-draped stones." 



For practicability and convenience the hive of to-day is 

 undoubtedly superior to the old straw-skep, but for grace- 

 fulness of shape and picturesque appearance the straw-skep 

 alone possesses this charm. Likewise, a square frame- 

 house lacks the picturesqueness of an Indian wigwam. How 

 clumsy-looking theone — how graceful appearing the other 1 

 We can justly admire the utility of the modern hive, but its 

 architecture fails to inspire us with esthetic thoughts. 

 Alas ! in this instance, we are as hopelessly destitute of 

 poetical ideas as was that country maid whom Touchstone 

 vainly wished that the gods had made poetical. 



Dr. C. C. Miller says that " just so far as the bees them- 

 selves are concerned, the nearer a hive comes to the globu- 

 lar form the better it will suit them, and, in reference to 

 this fact, further adds that " the old-fashioned straw-skep 

 is no floubt a better dwelling-place for bees than any mod- 

 ern hive, but it would not suit the bee-keeper." Perhaps, 

 too, the spherical form pleases the esthetic ideas of a bee, 

 for surely this fairy-like little botanist, familiar with ex- 

 quisite curves in flower and leaf, beholds beauty in the 

 bending line of the old straw-hive. Bien-entendu — this 

 must be true ! 



Although the straw-skep is discarded in the apiary of 

 the model bee-keeper, yet its image will always be used as 

 an emblem of industry. " A thing of beauty is a joy for- 

 ever," therefore the eye loves to dwell upon the simple, 

 graceful shape of the old straw-hive, whether we see it 

 pictured on the covers or works pertaining to apiculture, on 

 the Chart of Freemasonry, or on the State seal of Utah. 

 Never, indeed, while the language of symbols is taught will 

 this image, with its embodied lesson, " pass into nothing- 

 ness." 



As our spirit of romance is shocked whenever we think 

 of an Indian living elsewhere than in a wigwam, so our 

 spirit of poetry always associates the bee as an indweller of 

 the old straw-hive. But notwithstanding the poetic side of 

 the question, we are truly thankful for movable frames, 

 supers and sections, and whether bees abide in modern 

 hives, or in those woven of straw, they still sing the same 

 old songs that once gladdened the heart of Pan — that same 

 old happy hum which Harriet E. Prescott describes as "the 

 murmuring expression of all pleasant things, the chord of 

 sunshine, and perfume, and flowers." 



Wayne Co., Ind. Kate V. Austin. 



I am told that in Germany to-day, many of the bee- 

 keepers — even those that are up-to-date — use hives made of 



straw. 



Mending Smoker-Bellows With Canvas- 

 ferringr Bees. 



-Trans- 



1. Can a smoker-bellows be fixed with canvas instead of 

 leather ? If so, how ? 



2. Our spring is here, peach and plum trees are in 

 bloom, and the bees are at work carrying in pollen and some 

 honey. They are all healthy, and doing finely. I had to 

 feed only two late swarms. We think some have too much 

 honey, as they are lying out now. Is there any danger of 

 swarming as early as this ? If so, would you advise moving 

 some honey ? 



3. We caught a fine swarm in a dry-goods box last year, 

 and did not get it transferred ; they nearly filled the box, 

 by far too much to keep them there. Would you advise 

 transferring them to a new hive? 



We have a good location here for bees, and are anxious 

 to learn all we can about them. My son takes the American 

 Bee Journal, and we all read it as it is such a help. We are 

 from the North ; that is why we are taking the Journal. 

 The people here are 100 years behind the times. 



Lampasas Co., Tex. Mrs. Mellik Lowe. 



1. I don't know, but I do not think it would work. 



2. An occasional swarm comes off in fruit-bloom, but it 

 is hardly advisable to do anything with the honey. 



3. Yes, you can transfer any time after fruit-bloom be- 



gins, or you can wait until they swarm, and then transfer 

 21 days afterward. 



Working- Off Second-Grade Honey. 



As we do not use an extractor, working only for comb 

 honey, the past season being so wet and cold our honey was 

 somewhat disappointing. The frost killed the maple 

 bloom, and the cold rains seemed to affect the apple and 

 basswood blossoms ; all of the honey was dark, some very 

 dark indeed. The raspberry was very good flavor, and sold 

 readily, but we \\3.C quite a quantity we strained and used in 

 candy and cake making, giving samples to our friends, and 

 in this way have done a good deal of advertising, quite a 

 number trying honey in their own baking. While we hope 

 never to have such a season again, we know we can find 

 market for all second grade. We have never had enough 

 comb honey to supply customers. 



We have kept bees three seasons. The highest price 

 for comb honey has been 25 cents per Ideal section, and 

 last season we sold for 15 and 17 cents. 



Monroe Co., N. Y. Sarah B. Bowerman. 





Dr. Miller's Answers 



Send Questions either to the office of the American Bee Journal, 

 or to Dr. C. C. Miller, Marengo, 111. 





Feeding at the Rear of the Hive. 



How would it do to take out a piece of the rear cleat of 

 the bottom-board so as to use a 2-quart Boardman feeder at 

 the rear of the hive, instead of at the entrance ? 



Idaho. 



Answer. — You would succeed very well by taking one 

 or more frames of brood with adhering bees, thus forming 

 a nucleus and giving a queen to each ; but it will be hardly 

 advisable to do this before about the time when swarms are 

 likely to issue. 



Some of your views as to bees are hardly according to 

 the general belief, and it would be an excellent thing for 

 you to get a bee-book in which to study up such things, 

 after which your observations would have much more in- 

 terest for you. 



Increase-Transferrlng-Perhaps Disease-Hoffman 



Frames vs. Closed-End -Splints Instead of 



Wires. 



1. I intend to increase my apiary by the nucleus plan. 

 Now after I divide the frames of the old colony among the 3 

 hives, I do not wish to put back the old queen that I took 

 from the old colony, but a pure Italian. How long after I 

 take the nuclei from the old hive is it correct to introduce 

 the new queen ? 



2. I have 2 colonies in hives which measure 11^3xl3'2X 

 12 inches deep, but I wish to transfer them to Langstroth 

 hives. How will I proceed to do it, as the frames of my 

 hives will not fit Langstroth hives ? 



3. I had 12 colonies die this winter, and upon examining 

 the comb of some I find small patches of dead brood. The 

 cappings are a dark brown, and have a rough appearance, 

 the dead brood is nearly dried up, but soft, and when punc- 

 tured a kind of matter runs out. It also has a very offen- 

 sive smell. Whatever you think it is, is it contagious ? 



4. What is your opinion regarding Hoffman frames as 

 compared with the closed-end frames ? 



5. I notice something said about small sticks used in 

 frames instead of wire. Are they as good? and which way 

 should they run ? Ontario. 



Answers. — 1. Take away the old queen two or three 

 days before making your nuclei. That gives you queen- 

 less bees for your nuclei, and they are the best to stay 

 where they are put. Then you can give the new queen at 

 the same time you make the nuclei, preferably in a candied 

 cage for the bees to liberate. 



2. Your Langstroth frames are 8 inches or more deep 

 inside, the exact depth depending upon thickness of top and 



