1872.] 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



283 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL 



Washington, June, 1872. 



All commuuications and letters of business should 

 be addressed to 



GEO. S. WAGNER, 



Office of the American Bee Journal, 

 Washington, D. C. 



With this number closes the 7th volume of the 

 American Bee Journal. We think this a fitting occa- 

 sion to return our thanks to those kind friends who 

 have stood by us, and so efficiently aided us in con- 

 ducting the Journal since the sudden death of its late 

 editor. Called so unexpectedly to assume the charge 

 of the Journal, and burdened with many other 

 weighty duties, we would have been unable without 

 their aid to conduct it. 



The Journal will in the future pursue the same in- 

 dependent course that it has in the past, seeking the 

 true development and improvement of bee-culture in 

 this country ; and will continue unhesitatingly to ex- 

 pose whatever it believes to be fraud and deception. 



We doubt whether any class of interests have suf- 

 fered more in this country than bee-culture, from the^ 

 intrigues and deceptions of designing persons, and 

 the only way to defeat the plans of these persons, is 

 exposure. It is disagreeable, and at times painful, 

 but is nevertheless a positive duty of a journalist who 

 desires the true and complete development of the 

 cause he advocates. Mere personal controversies we 

 deprecate, and shall endeavor to close the columns of 

 the Journal to all who seek to engage in them. 



Although the beekeepers of this country have during 

 the past winter sustained heavy losses, it is gratifying 

 to know that few intend to abandon bee-culture. 

 The great majority are going to ti-y again, thinking 

 that they have discovered the cause of their troubles. 

 We trust they have, and will not again be called upon 

 to meet such heavy losses. 



The many friends of Dr. Bohrer will be pained to 

 learn of the calamity with which he met when just 

 about leaving for Europe, and which has resulted in 

 his abandoning his trip, and will join with us in hop- 

 ing that his new venture will prove more successful. 



Rev. Mr. Langstroth, we are happy to inform the 

 readers of the American Bee Journal, has safely 

 reached his home in Oxford, Ohio. His foot is heal- 

 ing rapidly, and we hope soon to hear of his being 

 able to throw aside his crutches, and have again the 

 full use of his foot. 



The locust trees in this city are done blossoming. 

 While in blossom, they were alive with bees. The 

 Mnden is just coming into blossom. 



A prompt renewal of subscriptions and payment of 

 arrearage, would be of great aid to us at present. 



In answer to many inquiries, we would say, that we 

 are unable to furnish complete sets of the present 

 volume of the Journal, the supply of the July and 

 January numbers being exhausted. Having moved 

 from our former residence, we have been compelled 

 to pack up all the back numbers of the Journal, but 

 shall keep a list of those desiring them, and will send 

 them before long. 



We will, during the coming month, send bills to 

 all in arrearages, and shall expect a prompt settle- 

 ment. AH subscriptions must be paid in advance ; 

 no Journals will be sent after the expiration of the 

 time for which the subscription has been paid. 



[For the Americaa Bee Journal.] 



Cliautauqiia Beekeepers' Association. 



The 5th semi-annual meeting of the Chautau- 

 qua Beekeepers' Association met at the Ameri- 

 can House, Jamestown, N Y., Tuesday after- 

 noon. J. M. Beebe, President. Notwithstanding 

 the very unfavorable weatiier, and the almost 

 impassable condition of the roads, a good num- 

 ber of beekeepers were in attendance. The 

 first subject for discussion was wintering bees. 

 As many persons had lost a large portion of 

 their stock during the past winter, they were 

 naturally anxious to learn the cause, and ascer- 

 tain the proper remedy. 



Mr. Beebe stated that he had lost two weak 

 swarms only ; had thirty swarms last fall. He 

 had constructed a house to winter his bees in, 

 costing him $110, but he preferred to winter them 

 upon their summer stands. He fed stocks defi- 

 cient in stores ; thought all should have 35 lbs. 

 each to be safe, although the less honey they 

 consume the better. His feed is sugar syrup ; 

 to 10 lbs. of coft'ee sugar add 5 lbs. of water, 

 and let it boil five minutes. 



Mr. Cook started with 70 swarms and lost 

 one-tenth. The winter he regarded as a very 

 hard one, owing to the excessive cold, inter- 

 mingled with frequent warm sj^ells. He fed the 

 same as Mr. Beebe, only he mixed honey with 

 the syrup. 



He gave upward ventilation. Tlie most of 

 the swarms he lost, he attributed to honey dew, 

 causing dysentery. There is usually about six 

 weeks of honey season proper, but only four 

 last year. He considered last season as the worst 

 for the beekeepers he ever knew, but even then 

 the incentment paid. 



Mr. Philips lo.st 44 swarms out of fifty. He 

 wintered apart out of doors, a part in the cellar, 

 and the rest in the kitchen. He lost the most in 

 the kitchen. Gave ample ventilation, had no 

 dysenteiy or foul brood in his young swarms. 

 All the stocks tha,t died left an abundance of 

 honey. In reply to a question as to the quality 

 of honey in California, where he had resided for 

 many years, he stated that it was as white and 



