1889 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



97 



lation enough below, either through a hole 

 made in the bottom of the hive, or by hav- 

 ing a good-sized entrance. If the entrance 

 gets clogged, or is small, a sheet of burlap 

 over the bees might save them, when they 

 would die with the enamel cloth. 



Question 104.— How and in what way can a bee- 

 keeper best employ his leisure hours in the winter 

 montlis, to advantage:' 



Prepare for next season's work. Geo. Grimm. 



Making hives, selling honey, and reading. 



Dadant & Son. 

 Making preparations for the next season, and 

 writing for the bee-journals. H. R. Boardman. 



Feeding his chickens, tending the baby, and mak- 

 ing himself generally useful. Mns. L. Harrison. 



There are many ways to do good during the win- 

 ter months, too numerous to mention. 



Chas. F. Muth. 



This can hardly be answered. He can arrange for 

 the coming season; can market his honey at retail, 

 often at a good paying remuneration. It depends 

 much on his tastes and adaptability. A. J. Cook. 



Reading and studying the theory of his business, 

 and doing such apiary work as can be done at that 

 time of year. He can read other good literature, 

 get acquainted with his family, and have a good 

 time generally, besides. James Heddon. 



In doing all such work as can be done at this 

 season, to be in readiness for the busy season with 

 the bees. Don't wait till you need hives, boxes, 

 frames, etc., before preparing them. Some time 

 should also be given to reading and study. 



L. C. Root. 



Work at the trade he had before he was a bee- 

 keeper; teach school; chop cord wood— no, I guess 

 you mean as a bee-keeper. Read, read, think, plan, 

 subscribe for more bee-journals, get more bee- 

 books, attend conventions, visit other bee-keepers 

 (if he thinks it won't bore them), get ready his 

 hives, sections, and other things he'll need for the 

 coming season. C. C. Miller. 



If he has not made bee-keeping pay during the 

 last five years, he had better spend his time in look- 

 ing up some other business to take its place or add 

 to it. 1 say this because 1 think we can not for the 

 next five years look for any thing better. Supplies 

 can begot ready for another season. If these are 

 all ready, and he can not think of any thing that 

 needs doing, he can— hibernate! P. H. Elwood. 



In getting every thing he may need ready for the 

 busy season— that is, taking for granted that they 

 are in other business, which the majority are. For 

 my part 1 give part of these leisure hours to field 

 sport, as I find that I enjoy better appetite and 

 health when 1 take a hunt every week during the 

 winter. A few hours in the field, with good bird- 

 dogs and a good gun is not only a pleasure but a 

 fine tonic. P. L. Viallon. 



Circumstances surrounding each individual bee- 

 keeper vary so much that each one will have to an- 

 swer this question for himself. Of course, he will 

 have no leisure time until all work in preparation 

 for next season's operations in the apiary, that can 

 be done in the winter, is done. Some occupy their 



time in study, some in teaching school, some in 

 chopping wood, and other work for wages. This 

 is an important question to all persons whose trades 

 can not be followed during the winter, and each 

 one will have to do that work which is the nearest 

 him that he is fitted to do. O. O. Poppleton. 



I can recommend my own way, without much 

 fear that any one will name a better way. Spend 

 the spare hours, both winter and summer, in 

 spreading the knowledge of the truth as it is in 

 Jesus Christ. Still, many brethren would vote my 

 way one of the worst that could be invented, and 

 pronounce all who hold the faith as I hold it, to be 

 mere vermin, beneath notice. E. E. Hastv. 



If employment outside of bee-keeping is meant, 

 each must decide for himself according to circum- 

 stances, and his own opportunities and capabilities. 

 There are two ways in which a bee-keeper may 

 very profitably employ his winter months. The 

 first is in preparing every thing needed in the 

 apiary, ready for immediate use the next summer. 

 The second is in putting his product in the best 

 possible condition for market, and then disposing 

 of it to the best possible advantage. A little etfort 

 in this direction will bring very large returns. 

 Many bee-keepers do not get nearly as much for 

 their honey as they might. James A. Green. 



First, in serving God and doing our part in pre- 

 paring for that future state of existence upon 

 which we must all soon enter. Need I say that a 

 large part of this work is in making yourself lova- 

 ble by being always cheerful, and doing good to 

 those about you for Christ's sake, thus allowing the 

 light that is in you to shine out before the world 

 for the Master's honor and glory? Get away from 

 self, and enter heartily into that which shall make 

 the world better, and advance the cause of our God 

 and his kingdom. Second, post yourself intellec- 

 tually regarding our beloved pursuit, bee-keeping, 

 by reading what you can on the subject. Third, get 

 every thing ready for the busy season of the next 

 year, so as to be prepared for the large yield of 

 honey which is coming. G. M. Doolittle. 



A bee-keeper should have no leisure hours; that 

 is, hours in which he has nothing to do. Hours in 

 which we do nothing but rest, both mentally and 

 physically, are sometimes the most profitably spent. 

 If the welfare of the spiritual part has not been 

 provided for, I know of nothing in which the bee- 

 keeper could better employ his leisure or any other 

 hours than in making such provision for it as is de- 

 sirable for present and eternal enjoyment. 



'Tis religion that can give 



Sweetest pleasure while we live; 



'Tis religion must supply 



Solid comfort w r hen we die. 

 Another profitable way is to become better ac- 

 quainted with one's neighbors. Oh, dear! I give it 

 up; I can't answer that question. It is too "big" 

 for the Question- Box. I never saw the time in 

 which 1 didn't have or couldn't fiud something to 

 do. I wish the hours were twice as long, then per- 

 haps 1 could come nearer doing all that 1 should 

 like to do. Now, don't let any one pitch into mo 

 for a discussion on the subject of religion, unless 

 he incloses stamps for reply, and to pay for time, 

 paper, and envelopes. There, Ernest, that looks 

 pretty long for the Question-Box. Cut it to suit 

 you, or leave it out entirely, Pr. A. B. Mason. 



