1873.] 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



205 



demonstrated the growing interest. As the produc- 

 tion of honey increased, the demand for it was 

 found to increase proportionately. Success in any 

 pursuit is measured by the magnitude of resulting 

 good, and the pioneers of apiarian science have 

 ample reason to feel satisfied with the result of 

 their labors. 



A LETTER. 



A letter was read from Rev. W. F. Clarke, Presi- 

 dent of the North-American Bee-Keepers' Society, 

 stating his inability to attend, and the same was put 

 on file. 



MOVABLE FRAMES. 



The association took up the question, " Does this 

 association think it advisable for farmers to adopt 

 the movable frame hive. 



Mr. Alexander, while not advocating the use of 

 box hives thought some persons succeeded best with 

 that hive, for the reason that they did not take care 

 of their bees, no matter what hives they used. 



Mr. Root said one reason why some bee-keepers 

 succeeded best with box hives was because the 

 hives were better shaped for the good of the bees 

 than some of the patent frame hives in use. A 

 hive should be nearly square. Many frame hives 

 are too flat, and, as a result, bees winter poorly in 

 them. The advantages of the frame hive are too 

 many to mention. The following are a few points 

 of superiority : The honey emptying machine can 

 be used, whereby the yield of honey can be greatly 

 increased. Again, stocks can be equalized in the 

 fall, benefiting both the strong and the weak. 

 Stocks sometimes have so much honey stored in 

 their combs that they cannot cluster close enough 

 to keep warm in winter. If frame hives are used, 

 this honey can be removed. These are but a few of 

 the advantages claimed. 



Mr. Herrington, of Ohio, said that the moth worm 

 could not be easily removed from box hives, and 

 that the queen bee could never be seen or the bees 

 handled. If combs became mouldy or mice got in 

 the hive, there was no convenient remedy. 



Capt. Hetherington said that where bees were 

 never attended to, he would as soon advise the use 

 of box hives as of frame hives. The man who 

 neglects his bees cannot expect to make bee-keep- 

 ing pay with either. He thought frame hives 

 offered better advantages for acquiring a knowledge 

 of this fertile science, and he certainly gave the 

 preference to frame hives. The bulk of testimony 

 stands preeminently in their favor. 



DRONE COMB. 



The next question discussed was the best time 

 for removing drone comb from hives. 



Mr. Root said it should be done when honey is 

 being gathered, and the opening should be filled 

 with a piece of clean, empty, worker comb. The 

 bees then quickly weld the pieces together. The 

 drone comb should be used in the surplus boxes. 



TRANSFERRING. 



In regard to transferring stocks from box to 

 frame hives, Mr. Alexander stated that he had 

 made artificial swarms more than twenty years 

 ago. For making swarms, and transferring comb, 

 he always threw a sheet over the box-hive, after it 

 was inverted, which had a loop directly in the 



center. By taking hold of the loop and raising the 

 sheet, an opening was made in which the bees 

 found it very convenient to cluster. The sheet 

 should be doubled until no light could penetrate it. 

 The bees could then be put in a box until the 

 combs were transferred. The hive is drummed, as 

 in driving them into a box. 



The association then adjourned until 9 a. m. next 

 day. 



The association was called to order at 9 a. m., 

 pursuant to adjournment. The room at the Butter- 

 field House was well filled, and the attendance 

 much larger than on the previous day. 



THE NORTH AMERICAN BEE-KEEPERS' SOCIETY. 



Mr. Nellis offered the following preamble and 

 resolution, which was adopted : 



Whereas, Rev. W. F. Clarke, president of the 

 North American Bee-keepers' Society, has issued a 

 circular requesting bee-keepers all over the land to 

 organize societies auxiliary to that ; therefore 



Resolved, That this association recognize the call 

 and appoint delegates to attend the next meeting of 

 the North American Bee-keepers' Society, to be 

 held at Louisville, Kentucky. 



Resolved, That the president of this association 

 be instructed to invite all county or local societies 

 of New England or this state, to cooperate with 

 this association by sending delegates to attend its 

 meetings, or by corresponding with its officers. 



On motion of Mr. Root, it was resolved to leave 

 the appointment of delegates to the National Society 

 in the hands of the executive committee of this 

 association. 



PROFITS OF THE APIARY. 



The question, "How may the greatest profit be 

 obtained from the apiary ; by increasing stocks, 

 or by preventing the same?" was then taken up 

 for discussion. 



Mr. Sisson was in doubt as to which position to 

 take. Raising stocks to sell at $20 each, or selling 

 at moderate rates, made a decided difference in the 

 matter. Where only a moderate price can be 

 obtained, he would not advise an increase of stocks, 

 but would endeavor to secure box honey, giving 

 plenty of room. He used the machine exclusively, 

 and can effectually prevent swarming by its use. 



Mr. Root thought Mr. Sisson' s position well taken. 

 Bees should not be allowed to remain idle in 

 attempts to swarm. He would recommend a mod- 

 erate increase of stocks, one new from two old 

 ones. 



Mr. Sisson did not favor putting swarms in hives 

 filled with empty comb, when box honey is wanted, 

 as bees are not compelled to work by the necessity 

 for comb, and are very uncertain in their efforts to 

 fill the boxes. When the machine is used, he would 

 use empty comb. When an increase of swarms is 

 wanted, division should be made early, He would 

 not, under ordinary circumstances, more than 

 double his stocks, as greater increase was not 

 usually safe. 



Mr. Van Deusen had, during the past season, 

 taken 167 pounds of extracted honey from one stock, 

 and made three good stocks from what was at first 

 but one. 



