130 



THE AMBEIOAN BEE JOUENAL. 



the hives despoiled were already occupied by 

 the moth ■worm. 



On one occasion I bought a box hive of black 

 bees that would make no atteinpt to protect 

 their stores; and after trying every way to stir 

 up their auger and make them show fight, in 

 despair I shook about a teacupiul of young 

 Italians into the hive one evening, and by con- 

 tracting the entrance these lew young bees next 

 morning repelled a host of Ijlack robbers that 

 had got well started too, as they had previously 

 carried off nearly half of the contents. 



I have no fear of Italians being robbed, 

 whether queenless or not. 



As an experiment I put two black queens in 

 one hive, and after half an hour found both 

 well treated, as the stranger had been from the 

 first; but they were on separate frames. In 

 fact I do not know whether I removed the one 

 I put in, Qv the original. Could not queens be 

 introduced in that Avt'y, without the bees being 

 conscious of any loss at allV 



A second experiment of the same kind re- 

 sulted in finding one queen dead at the entrance 

 of the hive after an hour's time. I could not 

 tell which one, as I had not marked the stran- 

 ger. 



At the third experiment, I found the two 

 queens both well treated, on the same side of 

 the same comb, after about an hour. The bees 

 were working but very little at the time. 



One more item and I am through. 



As I have been at considerable expense in 

 trying both the Langstioth and the American 

 hive, I was deeply interested in two articles on 

 hives in the December number of the Bee 

 Journal, and must say the ideas given me in 

 them are worth more than all I have paid for 

 the JouRKAL many times over. The first year 

 the bee3 were in the American hive, I had but 

 little trouble in opening them. But a few days 

 ago, in trying to open some of my heavy stocks 

 in cool weather, I found much troul)le in get- 

 ting the movable side out, and more in getting 

 the frames apart, and finally so exasperated the 

 bees in closing them that they came up to the 

 top of the frames, so that I had to resoit to 

 smoke — something I very seldom do. Again, 

 in attempting to exchange some thick heavy 

 combs for light thin ones, I was obliged to give 

 it up on account of the frames being kept at 

 equal distances. 



If I succeed in wintering in the Langstroth 

 hive this Aviuter, as well as the American hive, 

 I think I shall conclude that Mr. Langstroth 

 knew what he was doing when he made his 

 hives the shape he did. 



I certainly have had more surplus honey from 

 the Langstroth hives this year than from the 

 American, but have been trying in vain to find 

 some other reason for it. I used the shallow 

 boxes made for the American hive, put them 

 directly on the frames, and put an empty one 

 under when half full. I have had no trouble 

 with brood in the boxes, but in some cases some 

 pollen. 



This winter I have made an inch and a half 

 hole in the end of the Langstroth caps, covered 

 with wire cloth, and then tilled the cap closely 

 with straw, replacing the whole after removing 



the honey-board. T alwaj's Avinter in the open 

 air. At present — December 10 — they are dry 

 and healthy. 



An earnest desire for improA"ement, and good 

 AviU among all beekeepers, is the prayer of 



Novice. 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



Proposals Wanted. 



In the October number of the Journal, page 

 73, we find an article under the above heading. 

 Well, friend Marvin, we will propose. 



First. If Ave understand you, you intimate 

 that hybrids are better workers than pure Ital- 

 ians. If so, Avhy not be satisfied Avith them? 

 Or if not in possession of them, why not Avish 

 proposals for them? 



Secondly. We can furnish you Avith such a 

 queen as Avill reproduce others like herself to 

 an indefinite number, and all counterparts of 

 herself, particularlj^ if all made in one mould. 



Thirdljr. A queen as yellow as beaten gold, 

 and which will reproduce others in any num- 

 ber, of course for the same price. 



Fourthly. As to the prolincness of this queen 

 Ave cannot speak. That would perhaps depend 

 on the purse of the purchaser. As to the Avork- 

 ers and drones they Avould certainly be yelioAV, 

 like the queen, unless Ave should fancy to have 

 their feathers dyed. As to their docility, Ave 

 can speak in the highest terms; but of their lo- 

 comotive poAvers Ave cannot say much. The 

 piice Avill certainly be high; and Avhy should it 

 not be for such extra stock? We cannot state 

 the exact sum until Ave consult a goldsmith. 



But, seriously, Avith articles like that referred 

 to, breeders of Italian queens have much trou- 

 ble. They have a tendency to produce doubt 

 as to the purity of Italian bees, in the minds of 

 many Avho contemplate introducing the Italian 

 variety in their apiaries. Wh}'- not be satisfied 

 Avitli the Italians as Ave liaAa^. them? Yea, Ave 

 should be grateful for a kind of bees that so 

 much interest us, and adds so largely charms of 

 apiarian knowledge; and not only this, but adds 

 at the same time to our pecuniary resources. 



Again we say, Avhy inquire for a thing that 

 has no existence? Perhaps, indeed, the article 

 was intended for such persons as come before 

 us boasting great things and displaying cuts, 

 &c. If so, Ave say amen! but it should have been 

 intimated. 11. B. Oj>dt. 



Neav Berlin, Pa. 



— iriliii 



[[2^ Where it is intended to perform an opera- 

 tion on a populous colony, Avhich is likely to re- 

 ciuire much time, it shouUl be undertaken about 

 noon on a clear and calm ilay, Avhen many of the 

 bees are abroad. The combs are then less croAvd- 

 ed, and the honey-laden bees returning from their 

 foraging excursions, are less irritable than under 

 other circumstances. A still better plan is to 

 remove the hive to some distance and set an 

 empty or decoy hive in its place on tlie stand, 

 till the intended operation has been performed. 



Bt^Send us names of bee-keepers Avith their 

 post oflice address. 



