2-16 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOUENAL. 



The Past and the Future. 



Translated for the American Bee Journal. 



At the opening not only of a new volume but 

 on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establish- 

 ment of the Bienenzeitung, the editor and his 

 respected correspondents may well look back 

 with gratification on the results attained by their 

 conjoint labors. During the y)eriod just elapsed 

 bee-culture has been advanced both in theory 

 and in practice, more than in centuries pre- 

 viously. Specially important for theory are the 

 truths evolved by investigation and amid mani- 

 fold controversies. When the Bienenzeitung was 

 started many important points were still involved 

 in obscurity and doubt. The origin and fertili- 

 zation of the queen ; the origin, purpose and sex 

 of the drones; and the existence of fertile work- 

 ers, were all still subjects of debate and con- 

 troversy, and opinions or notions regarding them 

 were entertained and advanced, of which the 

 veriest tyro in bee-culture would now feel 

 ashamed, since the truth has been so clearly elu- 

 cidated. The change became possible only when 

 by the publication of the Bienenzeitung a me- 

 dium was provided through which the observa- 

 tions of numerous careful investigators could be 

 made common property, and a general inter- 

 change of sentiments effected among bee-keepers. 

 If the Italian bee has contributed greatly to dis- 

 pel the darkness in which many points were 

 shrouded, to the Bienenzeitung still pertains the 

 credit of having first directed attention to the 

 fact that the yellow-banded bee might be used 

 for many interesting and instructive purposes. 

 Had the first communication of Captain Balden- 

 stein respecting the Italian bee, not found a 

 place in the Bienenzeitung, that bee would hardly 

 yet have been introdeed into Germany, or as 

 extensively dilTused as it has been. 



But not less great and gratifying is the pi-o- 

 gress that has been made in the sphere of prac- 

 tice. Progress in theory is necessarily followed 

 hy improvement in practice, whatever method be 

 employed. And here again the Bienenzeitung, 

 by innumerable hints, suggestions, explanations, 

 descriptions and elucidations, has contributed 

 essentially to the disseminati(m and elevation of 

 rational bee-culture, not only in Germany but 

 also far beyond tlie borders of that country. 



In view then of what has been accomplished, 

 shall the Bienenzeitung — in the spirit of him who 

 when asked, a quarter of a century ago, to be- 

 come a colaborer in the good Avork, excused 

 himself by pleading indisposition, and saying 

 that it was not likely that any one could teach him 

 aught new in bee-culture — exclaim "It is finished," 

 close the volume and repose on the laurels it has 

 gathered. Ah ! no ! Man'-e true duty is to 

 strive perpetuallj^ for the attainment of greater 

 perfection, and the maxim — "He who doea not 

 advance retrogrades " — finds its application in 

 bee culture also. There is many a veil yet to be 

 lifted, even in the theory, and many a problem 

 still to be solved in practice. We are still ig- 

 norant, for instance, of the source and cure of 

 foul brood— that dread disease, the greatest 

 calamity that can befall us in .bee-culture. Nay, 



even the problem how the simplest and best 

 hive may be constructed, is not j-et satisfactorily 

 solved, and for the purpose and in the hope of 

 advancing this — one of the most important in 

 practical operations — somewhat- nearer to solu- 

 tion, I will shortly submit some remarks on the 

 construction of a hive embracing the utmost 

 possible simplicity combined with cheapness and 

 adaptation. 



Dzierzon. 

 Carslmarkt, December 18, 1869. 



31- the Americaa Bee Journal.] 



R. M. Argo's Report, &e. 



As April 10th was the day agreed upon be- 

 tween Novice and myself to write our reports of • 

 last year's operations, and as that day comes on 

 Sunday, and I, being a Sabbath keeper, ftever 

 write on that day, Avill have to write to-day, the 

 0th, because to defer it until Monday may be too 

 late to reach Washington by the 15th, consider- 

 ing, the distance at which I live, and I will not 

 bother you with communications coming too 

 late. 



On page 14, July No., vol. 5, it will be seen 

 that I began the spring Avith thirteen weak 

 stands ; and on page 61, September No. of same 

 volume, I had fifty-two stands up to July 7th. 

 The last sAvarm, put in the old round gum on, 

 that day, Avent up during the first cold snap in 

 November, leaving the hive half full of nice 

 worker comb, uninjured by the moth, but no 

 honey. My impression is that they deserted, as 

 no bees Avere in it Avhen discovered, which was 

 Avhile fixing up for winter. Tliis, with the 

 exception of a third swarm, late in June, lost in 

 March, is all the loss I have sustained for the 

 past three winters. Presently I shall say more 

 of those I lost. 



As to the amount of cap honey, I tried to x 

 keep an account, but some was fed to weak 

 swarms in the fall, and some given aAvay, for- 

 getting to "Weigh, so that the nearest figure I 

 can arrive at is 420 lbs. Some, not included in 

 this Aveight, was made in full lengtli frames in 

 the top of other hives, and given to late frames. 

 No feeding Avas required through the winter, 

 neither in the spring, only for stimulating breed- 

 ing. All the stands, with the exception of per- 

 haps about a dozen, have too much honey. Had 

 I a melextractor I might safely take away from 

 200 to 400 pounds, with great benefit to the 

 bees, as will be shoAvn presently. I must have 

 a melextractor, I am only waiting to get the 

 best, Avhich is always the cheapest, no matter 

 what it costs. But as everybody thinks he has 

 the best in use, how am I toUnd out where to 

 get the best ? If Gallup knows the truth he will 

 tell it. He keeps notliingback that will advance 

 the good of bee-keepers. 



I commenced feeding rye flour February 10th, 

 and fed two bushels to April 2d. No natural 

 pollen was gathered until this Aveek, as nearly 

 all the winter we had Avas from February 18th 

 to April 5th. All stands worked freely on rye 

 flour, except No. 27. I examined that one on 

 the 12th of March, and found plenty of drone 



