DECEMBER 1, 1913 



859 



production is incomparably broader than 

 where the conditions are reversed. While 

 this theory concerning the method of ex- 

 1 telling the excess of water may be regarded 

 by some as unorthodox, it can be verified by 

 external observation, and, undoubtedly, by 

 a correct knowledge of bee anatomy. 



I was also led to this conclusion by the 

 result of subsequent experiments, Avhere the 

 density of the feed was increased to a ratio 

 of 21/2 parts of sugar to one of boiling 

 water. Several colonies were included in 

 ! Iiese experiments, and on several occasions, 

 with similar results. The fact that this 

 feeding was done for another purpose did 

 not change the results. In this case feeding 

 was continued during the same period, and 

 the bees were given all they would take 

 from a feeder under the hives. An examin- 

 ation of the internal conditions within these 

 liives at the close of operations showed a 

 marked difference in conditions. Some 

 colonies evidently had extra-prolific queens. 

 These seemed to be in a perfectly normal 

 condition with plenty of brood and bees. 

 While others, apparently having less pro- 

 lific queens, coupled with the habit of Ital- 

 ians to store honey in the brood-chamber, 

 resulted in the diminution of brood, hence a 

 dwindling of the working force was notice- 

 able. Since this was evidently due to croAvd- 

 ing out the queen by long-continued heavy 

 feeding it proved nothing. 



In an article on page 729, October 15th, 

 by J. A. Heberle, B. S., of Bavaria, Ger- 

 many, he quotes Dr. U. Kramer, an eminent 

 scientist of Zurich, Switzerland, to the effect 

 that the weakened vitality resulting from 

 feeding sugar syrup is due to copious drafts 

 of albumen from the body of bees while 

 inverting it. Since the evil effects resulting 

 from the feeding of thin sweetened water 

 are far more sweeping in their devastating 

 effects than is found in the feeding of syrup 

 of greater density it is evident that such a 

 practice, if carried to any considerable ex- 

 tent, will not be without its deleterious 

 effects upon the bees as well as upon the 

 following honey crop ; for in view of this 

 convincing evidence no appreciable harm 

 will result from the feeding of sugar syrup 

 of a proper density in any quantity. In my 

 estimation the proper density of sugar 

 syrup for feeding bees under all conditions 

 is 2V2 sugar to one of water (boiling). 



In view of the disastrous results that are 

 likely to follow the injudicious feeding of 

 half-and-half sugar syrun, as usually prac- 

 ticed, undoubtedly the inexperienced Avill 

 find it to their interest to refrain from 

 feeding sugar syrup, except as a last resort, 

 to recuperate depleted stores. Personally I 

 prefer solid sheets of candy molded in wired 



flames while hot, and placed one on each 

 side, close to the brood-nest. If left too 

 long, however, the candy will be consumed, 

 and combs built in their stead that will be 

 likely to comprise a large percentage of 

 drone-cells. It may be in order to state 

 further that, ^in conducting these experi- 

 ments, in every case ample provision was 

 made for storage above the brood-chamber. 

 Birmingliam, Ohio. 



HONEY SHIPPED SUCCESSFULLY BY PARCEL 

 POST 



BY C. W. DAYTON 



Dr. Miller's experience, as stated on p. 

 333, May 15, and Dr. Moody's experiments 

 as given on p. 653, Sept. 15, do not agree 

 with my experience in shipping extracted 

 honey by parcel post. I have shipjDed about 

 300 parcels, and have had but one leakage, 

 and that happened where I put up three 12- 

 oz. soldered cans in a sack loosely, without 

 any other i^acking material for protection. 

 And even then I believe the tin would not 

 have loosened if it had been soldered as 

 strong as it ought to have been. In solder- 

 ing there should be enough solder put on to 

 fill the groove nearly, not merely enough to 

 stop the crevice. For 12 or 16 oz. tins I 

 take 14 sheets of common newspaper, 12x8 

 inches, and wrap it around the long way 

 and fasten with a piece of wire. Then I 

 wrap four of these packages in anothei' 

 heavy wrapping paper and rope them tight- 

 ly in all directions, twisting the twine at 

 every crossing. I then put on the tag, and 

 the package goes safely. Gallons and half- 

 gallons I am sending out by mail nearly 

 every day, and the recipients write me that 

 there is safe and sound arrival. 



The cans should completely fill the box. 

 The gallons and half-gallons are the round- 

 cornered square cans boxed with wood. They 

 have % ends and %,-inch sides, thoroughly 

 nailed. Then 1 wrap around each end a 

 strong wire and twist it up tight with pliers- 

 Then another short piece is put on for a 

 handle. I also paste on the box my honey 

 price list and a red label giving directions 

 to handle with care. The postmaster also 

 puts the packages in a special sack intend- 

 ed for fragile packages. Beekeepers should 

 look after these affairs when mailing honey. 



I have shipped tliese packages up to 10 

 lbs. to all parts of the United States and 

 several foreign countries, and have coaipli- 

 mentary letters from the receivers of the 

 honey from these distant countries on the 

 safe arrival of the honey. 



The finest thing that has happened (o 

 bee culture in many a long year is fh.Q 



