THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



[For the Americau Bee Journal.] 



Experience with Bee Stings. 



I am glad Mr. Gallup has related some of his 

 experience wiili bee stings; and also tliat he 

 has roconimended water treatment. When I 

 commenced beekeeping a stiug was a formida- 

 bio affiiir, swelling for several days and ob- 

 structing mj^ sight if inflicted near the eyes. 

 Now, although tlie pain is sharp at first, in a 

 few hours the swelling is at its height, and is 

 generally not noticed. Probably my system 

 has become accustomed to it. 



Having tried the water treatment several 

 years, not ojly in my own case, but for others, 

 i am satisfied that it, is the best remedy I have 

 tried, and 1 have tried many. I have a brother 

 to whom a bee sting is very poisonous. Several 

 years ago he was stung in his upper lip, Avhicli 

 swelled badly. A few days afterwards he was 

 suing slightly on his body. Within five min- 

 utes liis upper lip began to swell; then his face, 

 especially under his Jliws, giving him somewhat 

 the appearance of a severe case of mumps. He 

 then began to feel oppressed for breath, and 

 blotches began to come out over his body and 

 limbs, which looked like nettle-rash, aud 

 caused him to feel uncomfortable and alarmed. 

 At the same time he felt sick and chilly. We 

 removed his clothing and sponged hi3 body 

 with tepid water, fie then began to feel re- 

 lieved and after lying down a sliorl time felt 

 much better, SubseQ_^uently, when stung, his 

 upper lip would begin to swell within three or 

 four minutes; but at no other time have the 

 symptoms been as serious as at the time men- 

 tioned. 



I should have said that the sting which pro- 

 duced such a marked ettect was inflicted by a 

 bee whicli accident. y flew into his shirt bossom, 

 and it appeared to be very slight. If T remember 

 correct!}', it was nearly over his stomach; 

 which may account, in some degree, for the 

 remarkable eff'est produced. But at the same 

 time it must be remembered that a bee sting 

 was and is a serious aff"air for him whenever 

 inflicted. 



A person who intends to keep bees should 

 expect occasional stings, aud Ije determined to 

 bear them with fortitude. This will take away 

 at least half the suff"ering occasioned by them. 

 By experience a person will know when to ex- 

 pect cross bees, and be prepared lor them. I 

 have had swarms intolerably cross when hiving 

 them, and a day or two afterwards would open 

 the hive and handle them with no protector 

 and not a cross bee. 



J. L. Hubbard. 



Walpole, N. H., December, 1868. 



[For tlje Americau Bee Journal.] 



Camphor vs. Robbing Bees. 



A person who has familiarized himself to bees, 

 can by means of the passion of fear impressed 

 upon them, and b}' that dexterity in the man- 

 agement of them, which can only be acquired 

 by practice, manage bees as he pleases. — Wild- 

 man. 



I noticed an article in the April number of 

 the BtiE JouKNAL from A. Grimm, about using 

 camphor to stop bees robbing. 



I had two stocks ot bees that were being rob- 

 bed, and I did not think it possible to save 

 them, without removing them into the cellar.; 

 but thought I would try the camphor. I had no 

 gum eaufphor in the house, and therefore took 

 some of the liquid in a teaspoon, and turned it 

 on the bottom board near the front entrance (in- 

 side) ; and in less than one minute every rob- 

 ber bee had disappeared. I never saw such a 

 scampering, to leave. Upon examination both 

 stocks proved to be queenless. 



G. R. Atres. 



Springfield, III., April 26, 1869. 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



A Gentle Reminder. 



Mr. Editor :— I have been a reader of the 

 Bee Journal for three years, and peruse its 

 Images witli more interest than any other reading 

 matter that comes to hand. I wish I could get 

 a number every week. 



Bees are cultivated with some taste in this 

 place. There is one man in town cultivating 

 the honey bee without the Bee Journal. 

 That is, he does not take it. He borrows it oc- 

 casionally. I don't like very well to lend the 

 numbers. They are gone sometimes when we 

 want them ourselves. Our friend over the way 

 is a clever fellow (as you know all bee-men are); 

 aud we will try to get him to send for the next 

 volume. 



We got an average yield of honey here last 

 season. Some bees have died through the win- 

 ter. We are looking for a good time this sum- 

 mer. I will not tax your patience further. 



A. P. Durant. 



Athens, Ohio. 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



Bees in Connecticut 



Mr. Editor : — My bees have wintered fine- 

 ly, under an open shed, covered with straw, 

 cobs, carpet, &c. They have been gathering 

 pollen now two weeks, and are brooding fast. 



I look uiion your Journal as indispensable 

 to the beekeeper. I would not part with the 

 information contained in three certain articles 

 from your very valuable contributor, Mr. E. 

 Gallup, for the price of a volume. 



About "that division board." A very good 

 one can be made by tacking a piece of paste- 

 board, of the size required, on one of the 

 frames. It will be found light and convenient. 



W. H. Kirk, 

 West Cheshire, Conn. 



