'Pmm HMEERICTCn; WMM J0^RIf2S]L. 



123 



of snidke directly into the eiiti-auce of 

 the hive ; then ((uicklj' remove the 

 super and the honey-board, turning 

 the latter bottom side up on the <;round 

 in front of the liive, when you will find 

 the qneen among the bees on the 

 honey-board. 



If you are not successful at least al- 

 most every time, be assured either that 

 your eyes are not trained to recognize 

 the queen readily, or that you have not 

 followed carefully the directions. 



SOME APICULTDRAL ITEMS. 



I noticed last autumn that my bees, 

 during their last flights, si)otted their 

 hives somewhat. Was that anj- indica- 

 tion of poor stores, or of a poor condi- 

 tion for successful wintering ? 



We are confronted by a fact, and not 

 a theory, in the condition of our honey 

 markets. We had a poor crop, and 

 yet honey is a drug at low prices. Is 

 this condition of things owing to the 

 mild weather, to the hard limes, or to 

 over-production ? The crop is barely 

 2 pounds ^icr crt^Mte of our population. 

 Do we not fail in getting it suliiciently 

 within reach of the people ? 



Like all things mundane, we have 

 found that bee-keeping moves in a cir- 

 cle ; now it is at the zenith, now at the 

 nadir, and, with most of us, it is slow 

 in passing this lowest jioint. But I 

 have faith in the future. All things are 

 his who only waits. The ascent is 

 again begun. Discouragement is un- 

 profitable, even in a financial point of 

 view. Let us be prepared to make the 

 most of "the good time coming." 

 There is yet a call for the exercise of 

 all our abilities to compel the choicest 

 favors of Fortune. 



It is now, if I mistake not, 7 years 

 since our Association was organized. 

 For a local society, when we consider 

 the frequent lean years latterly in bee- 

 keeping, we have enjojed verj- pleasant 

 and profitable annual gatherings. I 

 hope for, and e.xpect, an increasing 

 interest in this Association. Michigan 

 is noted for its bee-keepers. Our State 

 bee-keepers' association is recognized 

 as the leader of its class. There is no 

 reason why our Northeastern should 

 not — if it does not already — stand ne.xt 

 to that of the State Association. These 

 meetings are pleasant and profitable 

 in more ways than one. Each one 

 should do something to add to their 

 interest. Every one can ask questions, 

 and they are a very effective means of 

 arousing discussion and eliciting in- 

 formation. R. L. Taylor. 



Following the President's address, 

 the first subject discussed was, 



FOUL BROOD AMONG BEES. 



The nature of this disease attacks 

 the young brood before it is fully 

 hatched out ; it is also very contagious. 



increases with great rapidity, and soon 

 destroys the whole colony, unless a 

 remedy is appliiul. There is also dan- 

 ger of transferring the disease from 

 one colony to another, by diseased 

 combs. 



A cure for this troublesome disease 

 can be eflected l)y simply shaking tlie 

 bees into a clean liive, with only foun- 

 dation, or empty frames, and no comb 

 in it ; this effects a cure, so far as the 

 bees are concerned ; then put the hives, 

 and everything about them, into water, 

 and boil them thoroughly. This will 

 make the cure sure. 



The next subjects considered were 

 the following : 



SPRING MANAGEMENT — RACES OF BEES. 



In this matter it was agreed to better 

 protect the bees in early spring-time, 

 Ijy packing the hives in saw-dust, 

 shavings, or something similar until 

 settled warm weather is assured. 



The races of bees mostly in use now 

 are known as the Italians, hybrids, 

 blacks, Carniolans, Syrians and Cyp- 

 rians, Some prefer one, some anothei-. 

 Italians are gentle, cling to the combs 

 well, and are good honey-gatherers. 

 They are excellent where the honey- 

 flow is not abundant. 



Blacks are good workers in an abun- 

 dant honey-flow, and of little account 

 unless such is the case. They build 

 the straightest combs and store the 

 whitest honey, and they build their 

 combs more readilj'. They are irrita- 

 ble and easily shaken from the combs. 



Some hybrids are a cross between 

 the Italians and blacks, and have the 

 good qualities of both, but are very ir- 

 ritable, and must be handled with care. 



Carniolans are much like the blacks, 

 except that they are quiet and gentle, 

 and cling to the combs better. 



Syrians, in appearance, are like the 

 Italians — yellow bees — and have most 

 of their good qualities, except that they 

 are irritable, and do not yield readily 

 to smoke. 



VARIOUS BEE-KEEPING QUESTIONS. 



"How do you determine when a col- 

 ony is queenless ?" The best way to 

 tell is, by the shape of the capping to 

 the honey. The caps will be of oval 

 shape, rather than flat ; by the uneasi- 

 ness of the bees in the hive; by the bees 

 coming out at the entrance of the hive 

 and looking about, as if in search of 

 something; bees set up a humming 

 and shaking of their wings — then, last 

 but not least, remove the frame and 

 look into the hive. 



"How can we keep honey out of the 

 brood-nest?" Give the bees plenty of 

 room in the supers ; also, have a little 

 black " blood " in the bees, 



"The prevention of robbing :" Close 

 the entrance to give passage but for a 



singhf \)t;(: at a timi!. This is elVcctive, 

 if the b('(^s will defend themselves ; if 

 not, remov(t them to a cellar for a few 

 days, th(!n phu^e them on a new stand, 

 or exchange places with the colony 

 that is the robber. 



"Keeping comb honey:" Put in a 

 dry, warm place, with a uniform tem- 

 ])er.ature — the warmer, the better. 

 Eighty degrees is a good warmth. 



"The utility of wooden combs:' 

 Their use was considered doubtful as- 

 to any advantage to be derived. 



" Spraying fruit trees :" It should 

 not be done until the blossoms are 

 dropping off, or otherwise it might pos- 

 sibly injure the bees; besides, there is 

 no advantage to be gained as far as the 

 fruit is concerned. It is rather a loss 

 of labor and capital. 



The following officers were cho.sen 

 for the coming year : Presiaent, Hon. 

 R. L. Taylor, of Lapeer ; Vice-Presi- 

 dent, G. W. Baldwin, of Port Huron ; 

 Secretary, W, Z. Hutchinson, of Flint f 

 and Treasurer, W. E. Gordon, of Union- 

 ville. 



It was decided to hold the next an- 

 nual meeting at Port Huron, Mich., the 

 first Wednesday of February, 1891. 



The members were entertained at 

 supper at the residence of Hon. R. L. 

 Taylor. 



The evening session consisted of a 

 non - conventional discussion, after 

 which the convention adjourned, the 

 members being pleased with the day's 

 deliberations. 



A Special Club Rate. 



A Magazine of the choice literary charac- 

 ter which the Illustrated Home Journal. 

 sustains, will add many pleasures to any 

 "family circle." Its beautiful illustrations 

 and interesting reading-matter will make it 

 heartily welcomed at every " fireside " in 

 the land. 



We desire that every one of our readers 

 should secure its regular visits during the 

 year 1890, and in order to induce them to 

 do so, we will make this tempting offer: 



We will Club the American Bee Journal 

 and the Illustrated Home Journal, and 

 mail both periodicals during the whole year 

 1890 for SI-***' if the order is received at 

 this office by March 31, 1890— when this 

 offer will end, the regular rate being $1.75. 



Postal I^otes are no safer to use in 

 letters than bank bills. Any one can get 

 the money on them. A Money Order can 

 be obtained at the post-ofBce or at the ex- 

 press office for 5 cents (only 2 cents more 

 than a Postal Note), and is perfectly safe; 

 if lost it can be re-issued. 



Clults of 5 for $4,00, to any addresses. 

 Ten for $7,50, if all are sent at one time. 



