86 



THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST. 



has been done those who have 

 worked for the interests of api- 

 culture, because we lacked the 

 proper means to decide upon this 

 question ! 



We might enter upon a careful 

 explanation of the means whereby 

 we can regulate these matters, but 

 deem it best to throw out these 

 suggestive hints hoping thereby to 

 call out the opinions of others re- 

 garding them. The Nortlieastern 

 Association, as a state association, 

 is a noble example of the lesson 

 which we would inculcate, and when 

 each state in the Union has such 

 an association sending paid dele- 

 gates each year to represent its in- 

 terests at a national convention, 

 matters will assume a far ditterent 

 aspect. 



Those who would appeal from 

 the decisions of such associations 

 are generally those who have in- 

 terests which conflict with the best 

 good of the majority, and such 

 parties will endeavor to thwart 

 every attempt to establish a sj'stem , 

 of mutual benefit for the good of 

 the largest number. 



Only a short time since, as we 

 have mentioned elsewhere, the 

 Maine beekeepers' association for- 

 ever settled a question which has 

 needed attention for years. 



The question now is. Will the 

 beekeepers rally to the work of 

 bringing about this needed reform ? 

 We trust that they will, and that 

 in regard to this matter of educa- 

 tion, our fondest hopes will be real- 

 ized. 



BEE NOTES. 



The long severe winter through 

 which we have passed is almost 

 gone and yet a long time must en- 

 sue ere the bees begin to store sur- 

 plus honey, especially in the north- 

 ern portion of our country. Now 

 the question is. What shall we do 

 with our bees? And how may we 

 bring them into the best condition 

 to gather the honey flow when it 

 comes? 



We referred to this matter in our 

 last number, but it is of sufficient 

 importance to warrant still a few 

 more words of caution and advice. 

 INIany persons think that the bees 

 are wintered when they are first 

 placed upon the summer stands but 

 this is not the case. 



As a rule, bees seldom die until 

 the last portion of winter and dur- 

 ing early spring, and it is now that 

 the most careful attention is needed 

 as it is the most trying time in the 

 season. 



Again, in order to have first-class 

 strong colonies of bees which shall 

 gather the flow of honey when it 

 comes we must begin now to lay 

 the foundation of such stocks. 



Many of the bees in the colonies 

 have died during winter and when 

 the weather is warm enough each 

 colony should be examined, and ev- 

 ery comb that the bees cannot cover 

 should be removed. This is one 

 preventive of spring dwindling ; 

 for it is foolish to leave a small 

 cluster of bees in the centre of a 

 large brood nest surrounded with 

 damp and mouldy combs. Just try 

 this contracting of the brood cham- 

 ber, then pack your bees warm and 

 snug with a cushion over the top 

 of Ihe brood nest, cover the frames 

 with something that will retain the 

 moisture, and if the bees cannot 

 reach the honey easily use the stim- 

 ulative feeder over the cluster and 

 you will find that it will pay you 

 well. llemember that bees need 



