440 



Preparation for Winter. 



This is the last opportunity of the 

 season to caution bee-keepers to know 

 the precise condition of their bees. 

 Examine every colony thoroughly and 

 critically. If they are short of winter 

 stores, supply more this month ; if you 

 find a colony weak, double it up 

 with the next weakest ; if you find a 

 colony queenless, give it a good queen 

 immediately. Get your cellar ready 

 this month for putting your bees in, 

 should a cold snap catch them next 

 month ; see that it is dry ; put in your 

 ventilators now and prepare the win- 

 dows for darkening at a moment's 

 notice. If you conclude to winter out- 

 of-doors, do your packing this month — 

 the sooner the better, for rains are com- 

 ing on, to be succeeded by cold, frosty 

 nights. Leave nothing to chance ; but 

 perform your duty promptly, conscien- 

 tiously, thoroughly. If you have 

 fine stock, you prepare proper food and 

 stabling for them ; you are under as 

 great obligations to provide for your 

 bees, which are more helpless. 



'' Blasted Hopes" in California. 



We were favored a few days since 

 with a short visit from Mr. Harbison, 

 who was en route to the Eastern States 

 from Southern California. He reports 

 the honey crop in his portion of Cali- 

 fornia as a total failure ; so much so, 

 that instead of realizing a surplus from 

 his 3,000 colonies of bees, his cousin, 

 Mr. J. S. Harbison, has been obliged to 

 feed largely to prevent actual starva- 

 tion. The unfavorable weather of the 

 early spring and the drouth of summer, 

 combining to prevent a nectar secre- 

 tion in the bloom of the white sage, 

 which has heretofore been their main 

 dependence for a surplus yield. In 

 Northern California bee-keepers have 

 been somewhat more fortunate, but 

 even with them the yield will be far 

 less than an average, and they will have 

 none to spare to throw on the general 

 market. 



Exhibits for the Convention. 



As there are many who may wish to 

 forward articles of machinery, samples 

 of manufactures, and specimens of pro- 

 duction for exhibition in the Conven- 

 tion, we would suggest that they be sent 

 a few days in advance, in order to make 

 a better disposition of them. If for- 

 warded by Express, with charges pre- 

 paid, we will look after them to the 

 best of our ability, and endeavor to 

 give all an impartial showing ; but we 

 can in no case be responsible for any 

 damage that may occur. 



i^Mr. J. Pometta, whose arrival 

 from Swiss-Italy with a large lot of 

 pure Italian queens was noticed in 

 September number of the Bee Jour- 

 nal, will leave for his native country 

 on the 2d inst. He expresses himself 

 highly impressed with the improve- 

 ments made in bee-culture in this coun- 

 try, and much gratified with our meth- 

 ods and machinery. He will take with 

 him an American bred Italian queen 

 from the American Bee Journal 

 apiary, with a view of still further im- 

 proving his stock in the old country ; 

 also takes with him a foundation ma- 

 chine, Barnes foot-power saw, and va- 

 rious other implements for manufactu- 

 ring and as samples. 



pg°At the Kentucky Agricultural and 

 Mechanical Association Fair, held Aug. 

 36th, Messrs. Williamson & Bro. were 

 awarded a premium, certificate and diploma 

 on best display of honey ; also, special 

 premium in addition to the above for the 

 best display of honey, of a handsome silver 

 medal offered by the Central Kentucky 

 Bee-Keepers' Association ; also, premium, 

 certificate and diploma on best display of 

 bee-keepers' supplies. We feel quite confi- 

 dent these honors were well merited, as 

 Messrs. Williamson are among the most 

 progressive of the Kentucky bee-keepers, 

 who are progressing in scientific bee-keep- 

 ing as rapidly as in any other section of the 

 Union. 



$W Especial attention is directed to the 

 list of Essays on pp. 438-439, this number. 



