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THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Oct. 22, 



this device are its simplicity and cheapness, and after the 

 breeding season is past, and there is little need of watering, 

 the jar is of as much utility in the kitchen as it was last year 

 while the good house-wife was putting up the winter's supply 

 of fruit. 



Again, when the weather is S" mild that the bee can fly in 

 quest of water, the sun's rays shining upon the water through 

 the inverted jar, warms its contents quickly, and the bee gets 

 a supply without being chilled or a failure to return with the 

 much-needed water or even a danger of wet feet. To avoid 

 the difficulty of readily attracting the bee to its new watering 



\ w ^/ 



Hon. E. Whitcomb, Friend, Nebr. 



place, I would recommend slightly sweetening the water in 

 these jars for a day or two, and everything will move on 

 smoothly afterwards. 



So far as our observation has gnne, during the height of 

 brood-rearing, and taking no note of evaporations, five well- 

 stocked colonies will use the majority of one of these jars of 

 water daily. 



Thus the careful, far seeing apiarist will be able at once 

 to see the iTiiporiance of watering in the apiary, and also of 

 lessening the flight to and fro, and assuring its purity and 

 temperature best suited to the delicate organism of the honey- 

 bee. E. Whitcomb. 



After Mr. Whitcomb had read his paper, he said he had a 

 jar with him with which he would like to illustrate his method 

 of watering, it having been illustrated in the institute work of 

 the State. He said : 



"I water my bees in the most crude manner possible, by 

 taking a quart jar, fill it with water, inveit it and set it on 

 a block about eight inches square, in which you will see 

 grooves are cut. Enough water seeps out to afford the bees 

 drink. Mr Davidsun, of Omaha, desired me to come to see 

 him. I went, and together we looked over his bee-yard. I 

 found he had chosen a very good place for his apiary ; the 

 man declared as we went along that his bees were not there. 

 It was sheltered where his apiary was, and it was warm where 

 we were, but they must have water. He went to the hydrant 

 and found them there, where they got the cold water and 

 could not get hack, and he said he had lost many of them. 

 After this experience, he got a few jars, and has since said 

 that his bees were doing finely. A few months ago I visited 

 him, and found him delighted with his new plan." 



Pres. Root — Yoa do not tell of the gallon jar, but only of 

 the quart. 



Mr. Whitcomb — The size is immaterial. 



Mrs. A. L. Amos, Coburg, Nebr. — I would like to say that 

 we must not depend too much upon the jars. I had quite a 

 number, and they will break. 



Dr. C. C. Miller, Marengo, III. — Do you keep these jars 

 going all the time ? We don't need as many jars in the fall 

 as we do at the time of breeding. The bee must have water 

 in order to carry on breeding, and many of them never get 

 back if they encounter some cold wave. 



L. D. Stilson, York, Nebr. — I use hotbed sash to save 

 the lives of my bees. I set the glass up so that the rays of 

 the sun will reflect upon the jars, and I find this adds to 

 warmth and to saving the life of the bee. Two hotbed sash 

 will cover a dozen jars or more. 



Rev. E. T. Abbott, St. Joseph, Mo. — Cannot tin cans be 

 used ? 



Mr. Abbott's question was answered in the affirmative. 



J. H. Masters, Nebraska City, Nebr. — I have always 

 watered my bees, but I have a difi'erent plan. I have what 

 we call a goose-neck hydrant. This is a pipe we use, and we 

 can run off the water at any time. I use an old stove bottom, 

 put in some hay or straw, and then set it under the 

 hydrant and turn it on so that it will just drip. I then set it 

 where the sun's rays can strike it, and it gets warmed up. 

 This is the best plan for watering that I have ever tried. X 

 am satisfied that the only reason that I have never been 

 troubled with spring dwindling of bees is the fact that I have 

 always kept my bees watered. I notice that the bees prefer 

 cool water; they have been seen In great numbers around the 

 drippings from the ice-box instead of going to the hybrant : if 

 the days are a little cool they go to the hydrant all the time. 



J. S. Lovell, Council Bluffs, Iowa — I was never so im- 

 pressed with the fact that bees are no exception to the animate 

 nature, as I was last summer when crossing Valley county, 

 this State. I found the bees at the pump ; they were there in 

 great numbers, hundreds of them, so we could hardly lead the 

 stock there to drink. We went on farther and nitched ; these 

 bees went there and took possession of that water-tub. I 

 shall tell the gentleman to fix to water his bees. I believe 

 they get thirsty and must drink. 



T. R. DeLong, Angus, Nebr. — I am interested in bee-work 

 somewhat, and I have been thinking ever since Mr. Whitcomb 

 read his paper that I had neglected my bee-watering in the 

 apiary. My bees went to the water-tank, but the principal 

 reason why I have not adopted that system of watering is the 

 fact that the Little Blue river runs near my apiary, which is 

 protected and well shaded by fruit-trees. I never let the bees 

 out in cool weather, and I don't think I have ever suffered any 

 loss. 1 shall try this system of watering in my orchard, and 

 have it adopted throughout the community in which I live. I 

 don't think I suffered any loss from a cool current of atmos- 

 phere. 



Question — How do you keep your bees from flying ? 



Mr. DeLong — I close the openings. I am real interested 

 in bee-culture ; when I hear the bees humming I can usually 

 tell the condition of the atmosphere. 



Dr. Miller — I would like to ask how many there are pres- 

 ent who make provision for watering their bees? I suppose 

 many don't do anything with this matter. 



This question was put ; seven watered their bees and 

 four do not water them, others not voting. 



Fred Biesemier, Sterling, Nebr. — I make provision for 

 watering my bees, and I would say that I use the jars, and 

 never have any trouble as to losing bees, by their getting 

 chilled. 



Mr. Stilson — In regard to watering bees, I would say that 

 my apiary is located in such a manner as to be sheltered on 

 three sides by frame buildings, and a fence on the other side ; 

 and 150 feet from my apiary is a pond. I have another pond 

 200 feet away, and I find that bees watered in this manner go 

 to the nearer place ; in going this distance in cold weather 

 many freeze. 



Some member arose and said : " I use stone jars holding 

 5 or 6 gallons, and I think there is no better plan than this." 



Mr. Stilson — I have a word to say with reference to the 

 jars being placed in the sun. This is a good plan, as the sun's 

 rays will warm the atmosphere around the jars, and also the 

 reflection of the sun on the jar will warm the water. Some 

 times, in cool weather, I have taken a sheet of glass and put 



