64 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Jan. 15. 



THE POKTER SPRING ESCAPE 



FOR HONEY-ROOM WINDOWS. 



Bv R. ct E. C. Porter. 



Having quite a quantity of honey to extract 

 during the excessively hot weather of last Sep- 

 tember, when no nectar was to be had and rob- 

 bing was at its worst, and knowing too well 

 how ineffective cone escapes used on extract- 

 ing-room windows or escapes, made by extend- 

 ing the screen wire to a considerable extent 

 above them with a bee-space between it and 

 the sides of the building were for excluding 

 robbers at suiih a time, to enable us to get 

 through with the work without annoyance we 

 made, for this purpose, the escape shown in the 

 accompanying illustraiion. This escape is a 

 modification of the well known form of the 

 Porter spring escape, now si extensively used 

 for freeing the surplus honey from bees auto- 

 matically before removal from the hives, the 

 principle used being the same. It differs from 

 that only in the details of construction neces- 

 sary to adapt it to this particular use. 



The top. or oval part, is perforated along the 

 edges, so that the escape may be readily tacked 

 to the casing or window-frame. The body is 

 made of perforated tin, to admit light; and its 

 open end is extended into a cone to prevent 

 robbers crawling in at the sides of the springs 

 and interfering with the bees passing out, 

 which would occur if 'it were left open full 

 width. As compared with the other form, the 



, , , _ JiiiiiiSiiBiJp'X /^'SIplll'SlV ■ 



interior part is reversed In position; the springs 

 used are somewhat broader, and set slightly 

 more open. 



The method of applying these escapes to the 

 window is almost too apparent to require ex- 

 planation. Merely make M or % inch holes 

 through the screen wire at its upper corners; 

 or, in case it is desirable to make holes without 

 injury to the wire cloth, thus leaving it so that 

 it can be replaced when the escapes are remov- 

 ed, if desired, remove the tacks from the cor- 

 ners and turn them down till triangular holes 

 of corresponding size are formed, and then tack 

 the escapes in a vertical position over these 



openings so that the bees can pass through 

 them into the escapes. In case the window is 

 provided with an escape made by extending the 

 wire cloth above it, close the bee-space with a 

 strip flush with the top of the window, and 

 proceed as before. If escapes are not to be 

 used on all the windows of the honey-room, 

 preference should be given to those opening to 

 the south or west, so that, on cold days, the 

 bees may have the benefit of the afternoon sun. 



After putting these escapes to the severest 

 possible test under the most trying conditions, 

 we have found them to meet all the require- 

 ments of a perfect device for this purpose. 

 Since using them we realize as never before 

 how many of the disagreeable features of bee- 

 keeping are removed, and how much pleasure 

 and satisfaction are added to the pursuit by hav- 

 ing all windows of honey and extracting rooms 

 supplied with escapes through which all bees 

 that get in when doors are being opened or 

 closed, or in any of the other ways these persis- 

 tent little insects have of effecting this end, can 

 pass out easily and rapidly, and not a single 

 robber can enter. 



While this form of escape was made primari- 

 ly for our own convenience, yet our experience 

 with it^o impressed us with its value and use- 

 fulness to bee-keepers that we have arranged 

 to make it for the trade. It will be sold through 

 The A. I. Root Co. 



Lewistown. 111., Nov. 15. 



DANZENBAKER'S 10-32 HIVE. 



COMPLETE READY FOR A SWARM. 



Consists of 10 brood-frames, 15>ix6K inches 

 net comb surface; 33 sections 5x3%, 7 to the 

 foot, supported in the case on 8 section-holders; 

 the title signifying what constitutes a complete 

 hive as used with a swarm. They have square 

 edges fitting tightly together for tiering up, 

 and extra bodies or supers may be used where 

 conditions require it; but for average yields 

 and localities this form will give the best results 

 in comb honey, with good queens to crowd it 

 with brood, and force the bees to store the hon- 

 ey in the sections. <~-j 



The hives are made by The A. I. Root Co., 

 with machinery specially adapted for the pur- 

 pose of dovetailing, with smooth, accurately 

 square cuts that come together true and square 



