394 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



May 



this spring- 1 found a beautiful small Italian colony, 

 large enougli to build up by the time white clover 

 blooms. Now, I wish to ask why those black bees 

 died off so fast the fore part of winter. Was it not 

 because their vitality was injured by caring for so 

 much brood? They had a very vigorous queen, and 

 I must have taken away eight or ten combs of cap- 

 ped brood. Mr. Axtell said it was a pity to kill any 

 queen so productive, even if she was a black hy- 

 brid. Mrs. L. C. Axtei.l. 

 Roseville. 111., April, 1887. 



I tliiuk you are doitbtless correct in the 

 matter. The black bees died off because 

 they had been so severely taxed, and were 

 perhaps prematiirely old. The younger Ital- 

 ians doubtless took their place, and saved 

 the colony from ruin. 



AWOTHEK WAY TO MAKE T TINS. 



I have accidentally learned how to make the T 

 tins, using the common folder found in every tin- 

 shop. Although of no benefit to you with your ma- 

 chinery for nuiking it of one piece of tin, it may 

 prove of benefit to liuudreds of others who may 

 want a few tins quicker than they can get them of 

 you. I was having some L tins made of light tin, 

 for use not connected with bee culture, and our 

 tinner suggested that if 1 wanted them stitfer he 

 could fold one edge on 's inch before they were 

 folded into the L shape, which left them like 

 Fig. 1, and very much stronger; and t)y slip- 

 ping two together I found 1 had quite a strong foi- 

 T, and no solder required to hold them — simply 

 prick punch them in a few places, and they seem as 

 firm as if made of one piece, and I think they are 

 as strong (or a little stronger) than if made of one 

 piece, as there are three thicknesses of tin at the 

 top edge. To make them I would cut one-half of 

 the tins 3-16 wider than the others, and fold one 

 edge 8-16, and then ^ they are both of a 



width, as in Fig. 2; fig. 2. then fold each one 

 into the Li *ind slip the tins together, and 

 then you have a T, as in Fig. 3, and j'ou 

 will be surprised at its firmness. I trust nn- 3. 

 that you will get the idea, and take it for what it 

 is worth. O. R. Coe. 



Windham, N. Y., March 25, 1887. 



Thanks, friend C; but we had already 

 made them on this plan some time ago. It 

 makes very nice stitf strong ones ; biit it is 

 more work than to make them as we now 

 do with special machinery. The idea may 

 be of value to many of our readers. 



HOW TO MAKE ROBBERS BECOME DISGUSTED WITH 

 PILFERING. 



I undertook to look through a hive a day or two 

 ago, but got a job on hand by it, and had to close 

 them up again quick, as another colony commenc- 

 ed robbing them'with a will. 1 have noticed that 

 some object to Italians on that account. I have 

 but one colony of Italians, and can control them 

 as far as their disposition to rob is concerned, much 

 easier thnn^some blacks I have. My Italians start 

 often, but I can stop them with b\it little trouble 

 so far. One C(jlony of blacks, however, in particular, 

 I h.ave most trouble with. My i>lar( for stopping 

 may not be new; but as I am a new hand with bees 

 it is new with me. I made a light frame, and cov- 

 ered it with wire cloth. It jqst fits in the portico ol 

 the bive, and extends out some six inohos. When 1 



find the bees are robbing a hive 1 put it on until I 

 have a considerable number of the robbers caught 

 as they come out loaded. I then take it off, and, 

 holding the open end down, step away a few feet 

 from the hive, turn it up, and let the caged robbers 

 fly out. I can then easily see where the most of 

 them go. I next put my wire cage on the hive 

 where the most of the robbers are, and leave it 

 there some time, keeping any more from coming 

 out. After those coming in worry around awhile, 

 I slip it out, when the incoming bees pile in in a 

 hurry. I put it on again, keeping the inmates in 

 the hive some time. They get bothered so that they 

 conclude to stay at home. I usually conquer them 

 in a short time by this means. The Italians so far 

 have been easily conquered in this way, but it takes 

 longer to satisfy that one hive of blacks. 



K. J. Mathews. 

 Riverton, Bolivar Co., Miss., Feb. 1.5. 1887. 



The plan you suggest, friend M., is ingen- 

 ious, and, so far as I know, it seems to be 

 new. Most of the robbing is usually done 

 by a few certain hives, and sometimes it is 

 one hive that is keeping the whole apiary in 

 an uproar. Another plan to determine 

 which hive it is that is guilty is to sprinkle 

 Hour on the backs of the bees as they come 

 out of the hive that is being robbed. While 

 doing this, have an attendant watch the en- 

 trances of your different hives. Shutting 

 up the robbers has been tried to some ex- 

 tent ; and with a hive that has a portico on 

 it, it may do very well; \n\t in hot weather 

 there is always danger of smothering, unless 

 a large opening like a portico can be covered 

 with wire cloth. 



HONEY stolen. 



On the night of the ITth of this month the build- 

 ing in which I had my honey stored was entered by 

 thieves, and about 300 lbs. of honey stolen. There 

 were 16 crates already put up and stamped with my 

 name in two places; also another stamp in which 

 to insert gross tare and net weight of honey, ready 

 for market; the rest was in cases (Heddon), just as 

 I had taken them off the hives, and some loose sec- 

 tions. They also jammed some sections in a box, 

 etc., which they left in a greatly damaged condition. 

 My loss is about !j*35.00. The greater part consisted 

 of white clover and basswood. I have always been 

 free to g-ive to my neighbors and friends ever since 

 I have kept bees. I have given away several dol- 

 lars' worth, and have the good will and respect of 

 all of them so far as I know, having lived here 43 

 years. 1 think the parties who took it would steal 

 my pocket-book, horses, or any other property. I 

 write this, trusting that it may serve as a warning 

 to the fraternity to keep a lookout. Any sugges- 

 tions from you as to what steps I should take to 

 trace it, or to prevent a like occurrence, will be 

 thankfully received, as I have about 1500 lbs. left 

 which they may try again, if they are successful 

 this time. Wm. H. Graves. 



Duncan, 111., Nov. 35, 1886. 



As a rule, friend G., I believe a crop of 

 honey should be kept under lock and key — 

 not only to keep the honey from being 

 stolen, but to remove temptation, and to 

 keep people hcmest. L think I should try 

 pretty hard to find where such a quantity of 

 h:>ney went, it' possible. The good of your 

 community demands that the culprit be 



