406 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



were quite abundant. Stocks are now light. If the weather is 

 favorable through the spring all will go right ; but should change- 

 able weather occur and cut ofl' Secretions of honey, they must starve 

 unless fed. They should be frequently examined to ascertain their 

 true condition. With the movable comb hive, the exact amount 

 of stores may be seen at any time, by simply lifting out the combs. 

 Do not depend on any amount of bee-])read to sustain them ; they 

 must have honey or a substitute. If no honey is on hand to feed, 

 oood sugar ma}- be dissolved into a syiup about the consistence 

 of honey, and poured into some of the combs ; a small stream, 

 when held at a proper bight, fills cells readily. With the box 

 hive it is more difficult to ascertain their true condition, and when 

 they have to be fed it must be done differently. A shallow dish, 

 set on the top of the hive, with some means possible for the bees 

 to creep into it readily, and fine straw, shavings, or some floating 

 matter, to prevent drowning. One or two holes should be opened 

 on the top for a passage to the honey. Trail a little over the side 

 of the dish and down through the holes to teach them the way. 

 Cover with a close box to keep away outsiders. Just at night is 

 the best time. After feeding has once commenced it will be 

 required steadily, as they use more in nursing the brood. Feed- 

 ing is not lost by any means, even if not required to prevent starv- 

 ino-. The colony will be in condition enough better to pay, pro- 

 vidino- it has been done judiciously enough to prevent robbing. 

 All the advantages of a good, thrifty cow, in earl}' spring, over 

 one desperately poor, may be realized in a thrifty^ swarm of bees 

 over a lean one. Avoid excess even in feeding, and do not neglect 

 them. 

 f laiPROVED Bridle Bits. 



Mr. R. R. McKnight, Ontario, Ohio, writes, in answer to an 

 enquiry concerning bridle-bits for a " hard bitted " horse, that he 

 had a pair of bits mads by a common blacksmith, which suliserve 

 an excellent purpose. The bits have a joint in the middle, similar 

 to the jointed round bits ; and instead of being round, are made 

 four-square, having the corners filed up sharp. No difficulty will 

 be experienced in managing a horse with such a bit as this. 



Six Best Varieties of Potatoes. 



Mr. N. Robert Yates, Orleans county. — I desire to know the 

 best six varieties, in their order. 



