656 



American Bee Journal 



Aug. ?, 1906 



linck ; the latter, however, not being English, but a native of Holland 

 or Belgium, I believe. 



Another feature of the book is that among the portraits of bee- 

 keepers I notice those of several Roman Catholic clergymen. The 

 author, I should suppose, is a Protestant minister. It would seem 

 that the old animosities between Catholics, Presbyterians, Episcopa- 

 lians and other sects are fast disappearing in that island that was 

 cursed by religious strife since Cromwell made an unhappy land of it 

 by his iron sway and unjust governmental innovations. 



May the busy bee and the author of the "Irish Bee Guide" 

 cement the good feeling already begun, and bring peace and plenty to 

 the Gresn Isle of saints, warriors, statesmen, and, as some humorists 

 have said, " American policemen." W. A. Petal. 



The "Irish Bee Guide," by Rev. J. G. Digges, M. A., 

 editor of the Irish Bee Journal, and expert member of the 

 Examining Board of the Irish Bee-Keepers' Association, is 

 sent postpaid for $1.00. Orders may be sent to the office of 

 the American Bee Journal, or to the author, at Lough Rynn, 

 Dromod, County Leitrim, Ireland. 



fit /iastyJs 



The " Old Reliable" as seen through New and Unreliable Glasses. 

 By E. E. Hasty, Sta. B. Rural, Toledo, Ohio. 



Bees Destroying Cells With Live Queens 



In his racket with Mr. Alley, about bees never destroy- 

 ing cells containing live queens, Allen Latham seems to 

 "make good "in the main. Perhaps we may concede to 

 Mr. Alley that the queen usually makes the first puncture, 

 and often stings as well— with some contras in the first 

 case, and many in the second. Natural to suppose that im- 

 prisoned bees would be much more given to naughty tricks 

 than free ones. I have noticed that sometimes bees will 

 spare an alien cell not sealed over yet, when they are death 

 to sealed ones. (Think it absurd to work so hard digging a 

 hole when the top is still wide open.) If I should say bees 

 never destroy a good-sized larva in an open queen-cell, I 

 wonder if Allen Latham would "pitch into me." Page 504. 



Honey Ripe Before and After Sealing 



Others, also, as well as Mr. Dadant, have told us that 

 honey is sometimes sealed before it is ripe, and sometimes 

 ripe before it is sealed. Sound, I guess. But here's a 

 thorny club for the fellow who always says that when he 

 wants to extract green honey. Good thing, among the 

 good things of the article, is calling our attention to this 

 fact. A lightly screened tank in a hot room can oft be had 

 with no extra expense worth mentioning ; and more ripen- 

 ing surely won't hurt the honey any. By the way, I pro- 

 test this use of the word " ripening " as a misuse. Ripen- 

 ing takes place inside the hive. What takes place in an 

 open vessel outside is something else, and inferior. At least 

 three important elements of the natural process, practically 

 are not reproduced outside the hive. Page 504. 



Early Pollen— Bees Value Sound Pollen 

 Thanks to Mr. Doolittle for his description of skunk- 

 cabbage bloom. Although it grows not far distant from 

 me, I have never seen its bloom (almost ashamed to say). 

 Through a wide region of country, I think tag-alder is the 

 first pollen-source. Here it usually gets through before any 

 bees get out to gather, but not always. Hazel is also very 

 early. Wonder if Doolittle is sure that soft-maple pollen 

 has a reddish tinge. Claytonia's bloom at about the same 

 time, and yield lots of prettily tinged pollen— little, insig- 

 nificant creatures that they are— on the ground beneath the 

 trees. 



Guess Doolittle is right that bees never throw away 

 sound pollen. And I will venture still further to the con- 

 clusion that for the keeper to take out combs of pollen from 

 the hive, or to move it around in the hive, is usually useless 

 meddling. Page 505. 



Floats Used When Feeding Bees 



I think A. H. Snowberger's ideal float will eventually 

 get so water will come on top, and theu after a bit sink alto- 

 gether. A great invention just dawns upon me that I think 

 will save the situation. Get four thrown-away medicine 

 bottles— the pinched, flat, untruthful kind that say, " I hold 

 lots of salvation " (two lies neatly told). Cork them tightly, 

 and put one under each corner of the sinking float. No 

 need to clean the dirty things inside — but don't let any of 

 the medicine remain daubed on the outside — too vile an in- 

 sult, and possibly harm, to useful and blameless creatures. 

 Should either bottle prove too buoyant, a little stone of suit- 

 able size can be laid over it. Page 509. 



A "Hybrid" Suggestion and Question 



Second your motion ! Let Ernest try hybrids, and see 

 if hybrid chickens won't stand editorial manipulation. You 

 see I'm " in it," too. Took charge of three big goslings (as- 

 the only way in sight to keep them out of unendurable mis- 

 chief) and one is dead, and one I lamed on a tame-goose 

 chase. The demise is charged to my account — and the 

 lameness I have not much chance to plead not guilty on. 

 As there are hybrids and hybrids, let him preferably take 

 Old Blue Hen crossed with original, eat-off-a-barrel Shang- 

 hai rooster. What would be the proper hybrid gosling for 

 me ? Page 523. 



Italians Swa?med and Blacks Worked 



So G. W. McGuire's experience as a beginner was that 

 his new Italians wasted their energy in swarming, while 

 his old blacks kept their heads level and stored some honey. 

 I reckon Mr. G. was not the only Columbus to discover that 

 island, Page 510. 



Those Two Long Fellows 



On the title page of No. 25, I gladly ken the faces and 

 figures of my two " companions in tribulation," the two 

 long fellows. "Long may they wave." No; long may 

 they be up " the staff," but never may they wave. 



Two Slumbering Secrets 



'Nother secret now. Grand total of two in our posses- 

 sion, or tempting our possession. How does Davenport 

 prevent swarming? Why did the St. Croix fellows saw 

 themselves off ? Which secret would you give the most 

 for ? Page 521. 



Honey as a Health-Food. — This is a 16-page honey- 

 pamphlet intended to help increase the demand for honey. 

 The first part of it contains a short article on "Honey as 

 Food,"' written by Dr. C. C. Miller. It tells where to keep 

 honey, how to liquefy it, etc. The last part is devoted to 

 "Honey-Cooking Recipes" and "Remedies Using Honey." 

 It should be widely circulated by those selling honey. The 

 more the people are educated on the value and uses of 

 honey, the more honey they will buy. 



Prices, prepaid — Sample copy for a two-cent stamp; SO* 

 copies for 70 cts.; 100 for $1.25; 2S0 for $2.25; 500 for $4.00; 

 or 1,000 for $7.50. Your business card printed free at the 

 bottom of front page on all orders for 100 or more copies. 

 Send all orders to the office of the American Bee Journal. 



Our Wood Binder (or Holder) is made to take all the 

 copies of the American Bee Journal for a year. It is sent 

 by mail for 20 cents. Full directions accompany. The Bee 

 Journals can be inserted as soon as they are received, and 

 thus preserved for future reference. Or we will send it 

 with the American Bee Journal a year — both for $1.10. 

 Address the office of the American Bee Journal. 



Amerikanische Bienenzucht, by Hans Buschbauer, is 

 a bee-keeper's hand-book of 138 pages, which is just what 

 our German friends will want. It is fully illustrated, and 

 neatly bound in cloth. Price, postpaid, $1.00; or with the 

 American Bee Journal one year — both for $1.75. Address 

 all orders to this office. 



