1871.] 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



17 



[For the American Bee Journal] 



Modes of Investigation. 



Mr. Editor : — I believe I have never intruded 

 upou your columns, notwithstanding I am the 

 IDOSsessor of over a hundred colonies of bees, aiid 

 have made the study and practice of bee-culture 

 a specialty for several years past. To com- 

 mence, will say that, thus far, my experience is 

 that the greatest difficulties new beginners labor 

 under arise from the conflicting opinions given 

 as facts in the books and papers ; and the only 

 safe way to succeed and to avoid becoming dis- 

 couraged is to ''make haste slowly." 'Then, 

 after hearing what others have to say on the 

 various subjects under discussion, apply the test 

 of reason to such assertions as are not backed by 

 established facts, and, if up to the standard of 

 probability, further test by experiment. By 

 this course one can at least claim the right to an 

 opinion of his own ; and by comparing notes 

 much useful practical information may be col- 

 lected. 



Among the unsettled questions of the day, the 

 following will be put to the above tests again 

 this season by me, and the results noted for 

 future reference : 



First. — Artificial impregnation of queens by 

 confinement. 



Second. — The Italian bees as compared with 

 blacks. 



Third. — The use of empty combs given to new 

 swarms, compared with no combs furnished. 



Fourth. — Artificial swarming compared with 

 natural ; and 



FiftlL.—T!o v/hich. side of the drone question 

 I belong? 



At present, I acknowlaldge my scepticism in 

 the first, and doubt its utility or even practica- 

 bility. 



The second, doubtless, will not maintain the 

 standard given it by many, yet am favorably 

 impressed with the Italians and expect satisfac- 

 tory results. I am an advocate of the empty 

 comb system, whenever combs can be procured. 

 Even cell bases are better than no start at all, 

 in my opinion. As to artificial swarming, I be- 

 lieve the best and only way to make it a success, 

 is to do it long before the natural swarming 

 season ; otherwise nature's plan is best. At least 

 this is my opinion. Am warm on the third 

 proposition. 



F. Brewer. 

 Waynesville, Mo., May 8, 1871. 



Another question which our correspondent 

 could place in his curriculum for the summer might 

 be this — Is it well or wise to accept Ayres' or Hos- 

 teiter's almanacs, a smedical 2xriodicaU, and look to 

 them for disinterested and useful information iu 

 hygiene ? 



Nothing is wanting but good hives, good pas- 

 ture, cleanliness, and attention to insure a rich 

 reward to those who engage in bee culture ; but 

 training is quite as necessary to the full compre- 

 hension of the occupation, as it is in the trade of 

 a carpenter or shoemaker. — Mrs. Griffith. 



[for the Americau Bee Journal.] 



More Light Wanted, &c. 



Mr. Editor : — For information's sake I would, 

 through your Journal, like to have a little more 

 talk with Mr. A. Grimm. In the May No. of Vol. 

 VI., page 243, he has kindly furnislied me and 

 the public an answer to my question whether 

 " the allowed superiority of the Italian bees over 

 the black bees was a natural quality, or only the 

 result of imnrovement." He affirms it to be a 

 natural quality, and cites as proof that for the 

 last four years he has bought all the black colo- 

 nies in his neighborhood (to get them out of the 

 way) ,and brought them home. " Treated them 

 exactly like the Italians, they have, nevertheless, 

 in every instance, fallen greatly behind in produc- 

 tiveness." This is not quite definite enough. 

 When he says that the black bees received tlie 

 like treatment with the Italians, we presume he 

 means after they were received by him. We 

 wish to ask him if, before he bought them, they 

 had been cross-bred with' black bees of other 

 apiaries, or even with other hives in their own 

 apiary? Whether, in breeding them, pains had 

 been taken to breed from the most prolific 

 queens, and also from the greatest workers ? 

 (This has been done with the Italians, not to 

 mention other improvements.) If not, his com- 

 parison is between wwimproved black bees and 

 improved Italians. Of course it does not touch 

 the merits of this question. Either both must 

 be unimpioved, or each receive the same hn- 

 provement, and then the comparison will be 

 just. 



From accounts in the Bee Journal, I believe 

 that most of the Italian bees in this country 

 have been much improved (for which I am 

 heartily glad). I believe the black bees capable 

 of as much improvement (which they have not 

 received) ; and when they have received it, they 

 will not be inferior to Italian bees. 



Alo>;zo Barnard. 



Bangor, Me., May, 1871. 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



Inquiry for a Good Honey District. 



Mr. Editor : — Having become wearied with 

 professional life, I was induced by the various 

 representations through the journals, and books 

 on ajjiculture, to give bees some attention. And 

 after several years' study and attention, with the 

 rights and agencies, and the use of the most ap- 

 proved inventions and facilities, I have become 

 greatly attached to my new vocation, and would 

 be greatly obliged to the numerous contributors, 

 or any one of them, who could direct me to a 

 locality where I can certainly, without feeding, 

 receive an average yield of forty or fifty pounds 

 of nice box honey, i)er hive, and without en- 

 dangering the lives of my colonies. 



I have now twenty colonies at the home ajjiary, 

 which have given oft' but one swarm (Italian), 

 and no box honey yet ; and I have deliberately 

 concluded that it is no use iu trying to make 



