1872.] 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



11 



brood, with the adhering bees, place them in 

 the center of the hive containing the fertile 

 workers. 



To introduce a queen with success, put the 

 queen with a few of her own workers, into a 

 small wire cage, having the opening at one end 

 stopped with wax ; suspend the cage in the 

 center of the hive ; if the bees fail to release 

 the queen within forty-eight hours, assist her by 

 reducing the quantity of wax at the end of the 

 cage. 



Upon invitation, a number of those present 

 signed the constitution and became members of 

 the Association. 



The committee on subjects then presented the 

 following subjects for discussion : 



1st. Hives and summer management of bees. 



2d. Are Italians preferable to black bees? 



3d. Are honey extractors beneficial? 



4th. The best mode of uniting bees. 



Mr. Brooks then opened the discussion on 

 hives by recommending the movable comb hive, 

 as the only hive that should be used, the prefer- 

 ence being given to the hive in which the bees 

 could be handled with the greatest ease ' and 

 profit. 



Mr. McGrew agreed with Mr. Brooks on the 

 movable comb hive, even though the bees should 

 build their combs crosswise in the frames. Combs 

 should be changed once in two or three years. 

 He then exhibited a model of his hive, and spoke 

 at length on its merits. 



Mr. Benton, of Michigan, said the larger the 

 colony, the more profitable will they be ; they 

 need protection as well as cattle, &c. He has a 

 hive claimed to be proof against moth and in- 

 sects, from the fact that it is used suspended by 

 a bail or handle to the limb of a tree or other 

 suitable place, with open bottom. 



E. A. Gastman, of Decatur, did not believe 

 that the moth does the bee any injury, as when 

 the moth is formed the damage is done ; it is the 

 caterpillar that does the harm. 



Mr. Benton said the moth would eat through 

 the combs and spin their webs and thus injure 

 the combs and bee. 



J. V. Brooks said the moth works not among 

 the old bees and honey, but among the brood 

 and young bees, thus working destruction to the 

 colony. Strong colonies are safe against the rav- 

 ages of the moth. Bees should be handled only 

 when necessary and when the temperature of 

 the air is warm. If some colonies have more 

 stores than needed, divide with the needy ones, 

 or feed them with sugar syrup. Take off boxes 

 as soon as the bees cease working in them, thus 

 preventing the soiling of the comb. Put on 

 boxes as soon as the honey season commences. 



Dr. J. Johnson, of Hudson, thinks there is a 

 difference of opinion with reference, to the moth 

 attacking the bee and the bee attacking the 

 moth. 



Mr. Wolcott said that bees will attack the 

 moth: also recommended salt for the destruc- 

 tion of ants, and that bees have a supply of 

 water. 



Mr. Gastman has seen the bee attack the moth 

 and carry it off from the hive. 



Mr. Ogsbury said bees will cut out comb con- 

 taining moth ; also attack the moth worm. 



J. W. Gladding, of Normal, was asked to ex- 

 plain the merits of his round honey-box, but not 

 having a model, distributed his circulars among 

 those present. 



Adjourned to meet at two o'clock. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



2d. Topic— Are Italians preferable to common 

 bees f 



Mr. Gastman thinks them better ; they gather 

 honey when the black bees will not, and are 

 more prolific. 



Mr. Ogsbury's experience is that the Italians 

 are far superior to the black bees. 



Mr. Brooks said that some years the Italians 

 will work on the second crop of red clover. 



Dr. Johnson said his theory was that the Ital- 

 ian bee would eventually run out. 



Mr. Brooks' views were far different from that 

 of the doctor. He thought the old-fashioned bee 

 would have to get the stripes upon his back or 

 leave the country.' 



8d Topic. — Are honey-extractors beneficial? 



Mr. Wolcott would not be without them ; they 

 are beneficial. 



Mr. Sawyer— The honey extractor needs no 

 defence ; it speaks for itself in the saving of 

 comb and honey, and is of great advantage to 

 beekeepers. 



The Atkinson & Barber extractor was exhib- 

 ited by Mr. Wolcott, of Bloomington. The Pea- 

 body extractor by Mr. Sawyer, of Normal. 



Mr. Brooks has used the honey-extractor with 

 entire satisfaction, yielding him a profit of at 

 least 100 per cent, in honey, and nearly all the 

 combs, which is a great economy, as it takes 

 about twenty pounds of honey to make one 

 pound of wax. 



4th Topic. — The best manner of wintering bees. 



Mr. Wolcott commenced the winter with one 

 hundred and forty-five colonies ; kept the most 

 of them upon their summer stands ; lost but 

 three colonies ; would recommend wintering 

 upon the summer stands, with proper protection. 



E. A. Gastman at the beginning of winter had 

 thirty-eight colonies ; has now not to exceed ten 

 colonies, but less in proportion among those 

 wintered on their summer stands. 



J. V. Brooks reports a loss of seven out of 

 forty colonies wintered in a bee-house ; disease, 

 in part, dysentery; is at a loss to explain the 

 cause of the great loss among bees this winter ; 

 found sour honey in the capped cells. 



Mr. Sawyer, of Normal, reports a loss of about 

 fifty out of about seventy colonies; cannot tell 

 the cause. 



A number of others made reports of about the 

 same average loss. 



5th Topic. — General remarks on bee-culture. 



It is necessary to put bees in the spring on the 

 same stand they occupied the previous year. No 

 danger in moving bees one-half mile or more, 

 this season of the year. Artificial better than 

 natural swarms in some cases. Strong colonies 

 needed for surplus honey. Cleanse old, unclean 

 combs by exposing them to the fumes of burn- 

 ing sulphur. 



