THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



157 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY, 1869. 



C^~The American Bee Journal is now 

 published monthly, in the City of Washington, 

 (D. C.,) at $2 per annum in advance. All com- 

 munications should be addressed to the Editor, 

 at that place. 



Unavoidable circumstances constrained us to 

 furnish "copy" for this number of the Ree Jour- 

 nal at an earlier period in the month than usual, 

 and thus several articles intended for it had to 

 be deferred — among these the description and 

 illustrations of the Eureka hive. 



In addition to the account of the bee disease 

 in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, &c, contained in 

 this number, we have received several other 

 communications too late for insertion this 

 month. The disease is most generally attributed 

 to the want of pollen. We doubt whether this 

 js correct. The want of pollen might restrict 

 and finally prevent the production of brood and 

 wax; but we do not think the effect would be 

 so sudden, sweeping, and widespread. 



A correspondent desires to know whether 

 any mode of feeding rye, oat, or buckwheat meal 

 to bees, in the interior of the hive, in early 

 spring, has been devised; and, if so, would be 

 pleased to have the process communicated 

 through the Bee Journal. 



We have received from Mr. J. Winfield, of 

 Canfield, Ohio, a neat pair of forceps or tweez- 

 ers, intended to be used for removing dead bees 

 from cells in which they died. We consider it 

 a useful and convenient implement, now that 

 the value of empty combs is properly appreci- 

 ated. Mr. W., we understand, would send a few 

 by mail, postage prepaid, at fifty cents each, to 

 such as may desire to have them. 



The article on Foulbrood contained in our 

 present number, is a close and accurate transla- 

 tion of the essay on that subject by Dr. Preuss, 

 recently published in the German Bienenzeitung, 

 for which we are under obligations to the "De- 

 vonshire Beekeeper," Mr. Woodbury, of Mount 

 Radford, England. 



The series of articles on that subject contained 

 in this and the two preceding numbers of the 



Bee Journal deserve to be carefully studied 

 by all those in whose apiaries the malady treated 

 of has been introduced. We do not, indeed, 

 wholly concur in the opinions of the writers, 

 but think that, between them, substantial truth 

 has been reached. From a review of the matter 

 as now presented, it seems most probable that 

 the disease originates in putrescent pollen, as 

 Mr. Lambrecht claims; and is diffused and per- 

 petuated, according to Dr. Preus, by the fun- 

 gus which finds a soil congenial to its develope- 

 ment in that decaying substance. If this be so, 

 the remedy is to be sought in the removal of the 

 pollen, and the application of means to arrest and 

 suppress the fungus. 



The "Beekeeper's Guide Book," by E. 

 Kretchmer, of Red Oak Junction, Iowa, of 

 which we have just received a copy, is an ex- 

 cellent little manual, embracing much informa- 

 tion in practical bee-culture, which beginners 

 especially will find serviceable. 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



Introducing Queens, and 

 Bees. 



Wintering 



Letter from Portland, Maine. 



Having about a dozen hives of black bees that 

 I wanted to Italianize, I invited J. L. Hubbard, 

 Esq., of Walpole, N. H., to visit me and bring 

 his pocket full of Italian queens. He accepted 

 my invitation, although we were strangers, 

 brought a beautiful lot of Italian queens, took 

 out my black queens and introduced the Ital- 

 ians. It was really interesting, instructive, and 

 amusing to witness his manner of handling 

 bees. I think I could Italianize an apiary now 

 with safety. Still, if I had it to do, I would in- 

 vite Mr. Hubbard to help me, as he is so well 

 posted and his charges are very moderate. 



In order to assist in forwarding the bee enter- 

 prise of this State, I have bought twenty hives 

 of Italian bees to distribute in this vicinity 

 next spring. A part of these are already sold. 



I have removed my bees into my store cellar, 

 where I invite my friends to look at them almost 

 daily. I set them on a hanging shelf about 

 three feet from the ground. This keeps the rats 

 and mice from them, and enables me to pour 

 my ashes under them to absorb moisture. The 

 temperature ranges from 40° to 44°. Tbe bees 

 appear to be doing well, and are comfortable 

 and content. 



The cellar is not quite dark, but the bees are 

 not stopped in. I had one colony stopped in, 

 and although they had abv.ndant ventilation, 

 they were still so very uneasy that I was 

 obliged to let them out, when they soon became 

 quiet. 



You may hear from me again, if no one better 

 qualified keeps you posted up in the beeologyof 

 this State. M. G. Palmer. 



Portland, Me., December 25, 1868. 



