152 



IRE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 



in several hives, and there was not a 

 frame in the lot that could be lifted 

 out. The combs were in all sorts of 

 shapes, and the best that could be 

 done was to take off the cafe contain- 

 ing the frames, and after getting the 

 bees out of them to cut out the honey 

 at a disadvantage. A plain box 

 would have been better for her than a 

 frame hive. On the following dav I 

 visited a gentleman friend who wanted 

 me to look into his hives and see 

 what the bees were doing. He had 

 had several large swarms which he 

 had hived in frames of his own make. 

 The)' were a little deeper than the 

 old style American, witnout the move- 

 able side, and the frames had no comb 

 guides. The bees had done splendidly, 

 the hives being full from top to bottom, 

 but not a comb could be moved. It 

 is possible that my friend could learn 

 to manage bees with success, but I 

 doubt. To be a successful apiarist 

 one needs to have some good degree 

 of mechanical skill. That skill is 

 necessary if hives, sections, comb 

 foundation, and everything are pur- 

 chased from manufacturers and dealers, 

 and it is all the more so if the bee- 

 keeper undertakes to make his own 

 hives and fixtures. Another indis- 

 pensable requisite is the fearlessness 

 and patience necessary to manipulate 

 the hives, and perform all necessary 

 operations when they ought to be per- 

 formed. And a still more important 

 requisite is a general interest in the 

 bees and their habits and work. 

 Without this, complete success is im- 

 possible, for without it one will not 

 become familiar with the instincts of 

 the bees and the economy of the hives, 

 so as to know what needs to be done, 

 and when and how. I know a good 



many bee-keepers who would promote 

 the interests of their pockets if they 

 would sell their bees and buy the 

 honey they want of some one who 

 makes a success of the pursuit. -Mahin, 

 (Ind.) 



HINTS TO BEGINNERS 



All arrangements for winter should 

 be made this month, except in the 

 Smith, and there where the honey flow 

 has ceased. All hives that are to 

 remain on summer stands should be 

 looked over very carefully, and if 

 feed isrequiied, give it to them at once; 

 pack them well on each side with 

 chaff and remove all frames, but those 

 that the bees can conveniently cover; 

 put good absorbing material on top of 

 the frames, with holes in each cap for 

 ventilation; lay a stick over top of 

 frames under cushion tor a winter 

 passage, and contract entrances so as 

 to keep out the mice. Unite all 

 weak or queenless colonies. Super- 

 sede all old queens, by introducing 

 young ones. If care has been taken 

 queens could have been reared by 

 keeping one strong stock queenless so 

 it would retain drones for fertilization. 

 If some stocks have more than enough 

 honey, equalize them by sharing it 

 with the stocks less fortunate. It 

 is well to have a space in bottom of 

 center combs empty for the bees to 

 cluster on. If your section is par- 

 ticularly cold, you may cut holes 

 through the combs to serve as winter 

 passages in addition to sticks laid 

 over frames, and remember that the 

 success in wintering depends to a 

 great extent on having lots of young 

 bees, a good, fertile queen, plenty of 

 good sealed honey easily accessible, 

 and warmth with proper ventilation. 

 Those wintering in cellars should 



