Mar. 1. 1912 



the results from the sweet clover, as it is so 

 much more hardy. He has now bought 

 seed to change his alfalfa-iield into sweet 

 clover, as the alfalfa won't stand being pas- 

 tured. A few more farmers in this neigh- 

 borhood have secured seed, and will have 

 hog-pastures just like this one. 



The field shown is identical with our own, 

 especially our hog-pasture. I have come to 

 the conclusion that every farmer can and 

 should have a hog-pasture like it. Every 

 one around here who has come to my 

 knowledge is very enthusiastic over the suc- 

 cess, and is securing new supplies of seed 

 to be sown next spring. This fact speaks 

 louder than any other. My seed is all sold. 



Delmar. Iowa. 



141 



THE EASTERN NEW YORK BEEKEEPERS' 

 MEETING 



BY S. DAVENPORT, SECRETARY. 



The Eastern New York Beekeepers' As- 

 sociation held its fourth annual convention 

 Dec. -1, in the City Hall, Albany. Owing 

 to unfavorable circumstances only a short 

 notice could be given, and consequently 

 there was a more limited attendance than 

 usual, only about thirty beekeepers being 

 present. 



President W. D. Wright, of Altamont, 

 presided. 



The jiroceedings consisted mostly of rou- 

 tine business and the consideration of tech- 

 nical questions pertaining to beekeeping. 



The members reported the past season 

 as the poorest in many years. The produc- 

 tion of honey was less than half of an average 

 crop; but with the optimism characteristic 

 of beekeepers, all hold bright hopes for the 

 future. 



The secretary's report showed a list of 103 

 members since the organization of the asso- 

 ciation four years ago. The treasurer re- 

 ported a neat balance on hand. 



The president, in his address, reviewed 

 the condition of the industry, referring to 

 the very un favor vble season and the shortage 

 of the honey crop, and noting that a materi- 

 al advance in prices had resulted, which, it 

 was hoped, might be maintained in the fu- 

 ture. He called attention to the action of 

 the National Heekeepers' Association in re- 

 organizing that body and adopting a new 

 constitution for the working of the associa- 

 tion on a new and entirely different plan. 



Much consideration was given to this sub- 

 ject, and many expressions of disapproval 

 were offered. It was decided unanimously 

 to take a vote by mail of all the members 

 on the question: Shall we renew our mem- 

 bership in the National Association under 

 the provisions of the new constitution? 



The annual election was held, and result- 

 ed in the rei-lection of the entire board of 

 officers as follows: President, W. 1). Wright, 

 of Altamont; First Vice-president, A. .lohn- 

 son, Schoharie; Second Vice-i)resident, C. 

 W. Hays, Brook view; Secretary, 8. Daven- 



port, Indian Fields; Treasurer, M. A. King- 

 man, East Oreenbush. 



This will make Mr. Wright's fifth term as 

 president. 



A communication from the Hon. R. A. 

 Pearson, State Commissioner of Agriculture^ 

 was read, requesting the appointment of a 

 delegate to represent the association at the 

 annual meeting of the New York State Agri- 

 cultural Society. S. Davenport was elected 

 as such delegate. 



A communication to the State College of 

 Agriculture had been directed to be made, 

 requesting that experiments be made along 

 the line of reducing the length of the corolla 

 of the red-clover blossom, to enable the hon- 

 eybee to gather the nectar from it. C. B. 

 Loomis, of East Greenbush, presented a 

 communication on the subject from Prof. 

 H. W. Webber, of the State Agricultural 

 College. 



C. B. Loomis presented for examination 

 and consideration a sample copy of a writ- 

 ing-pad for the use of schoolchildren, having 

 appropriate illustrations of the honeybee, 

 queen, and drone, and a descriptive article 

 on the honeybee and the desirability of 

 honey as a food. This pad is issued by the 

 New York State Association of Beekeepers' 

 Societies with the object of advertising hon- 

 ey and increasing the sale of it. 



A proposition to establish a honey ex- 

 change at Albany, for the purpose of dis- 

 posing of the honey crop of members of the 

 association, was discussed, and a committee 

 of six appointed to investigate, consider, 

 and report. 



This gathering of beekeepers proved to be 

 one of the most satisfactory conventions 

 ever held by the association. 



Indian Fields, N. Y. 



HATCHING OF EGGS DEPENDS UPON CONDI- 

 TIONS WHICH SUIT THE BEES 



BY M. Y. CAIiCUTT. 



I notice that Mr. Wm. L. Couper, p. 660, 

 Nov. 1, takes issue with the editor, and in- 

 clines toward Dr. Miller, that a queen very 

 seldom lays eggs that will not hatch. I al- 

 so am inclined to think that the doctor is 

 right in this respect. I think Mr. Couper 

 must have overlooked the real reason why 

 the eggs mentioned in his article were not 

 hatched by the bees. My experience is from 

 long study with one of the best observation 

 hives which I have seen. The hive is con- 

 structed so as to take four single frames, 

 one above the other, having glass on both 

 sides of the frames, with a single bee space 

 between comb and glass, the hive doors 

 opening on the north and south sides so as 

 to let the sun hine through the comb when 

 desired. By throwing a dark cover over my- 

 self I am enabled to get a fine view from 

 the north side, with the sun shining through 

 from the .south, especially when I have a 

 new white wax comb. 



I have found that eggs do not hatch un- 

 til the bees want them hatched; and when 



