vinced of the superiority of the tl more 

 excellent way," to cast on one side the 

 mode of management of his early days, 

 and to advance— foot to foot, and shoul- 

 der to shoulder— with the most expert 

 of bee-masters. The late Mr. Cotton 

 was the elder brother of Lord Justice 

 Cotton, and died a bachelor. 



Newton Heath Apiary, Near Man- 

 chester, England. 



For the American Uee Journal. 



Ladies and the National Association. 



MRS. L. HARRISON. 



The following letter was sent to me 

 through the courtesy of the Editor of 

 the Bee Journal: 



Fineastle, Ind., Dec. 9, 1879. 

 Reading a letter from a lady bee- 

 keeper in the Bee Journal for Decem- 

 ber, whose name was not given, I ad- 

 dress this to you through the Bee 

 Journal Office. It is a subject over 

 which I have exercised many thoughts. 

 I admire your reproof of the gentlemen 

 for their course towards the ladies who 

 attended the late National Convention, 

 in search of information . Perhaps those 

 timid ones you complain of, felt some 

 delicacy in frankly discussing all sub- 

 jects connected with bee-culture in the 

 presence of the fair sex. However, we 

 are aware, all persons having the man- 

 agement of bees, should have a proper 

 knowledge of all things connected with 

 apiculture. Consequently, would it not 

 be more appropriate for' ladies to form 

 an Association among themselves. 

 They could discuss subjects of import- 

 ance, and learn to think and act for 

 themselves accomplishing more than 

 under the present system. There are 

 quite a number in the business and 

 many competent to teach if they would 

 unite. Some say that it is not suitable 

 for ladies to engage in, as they cannot 

 perform all the requirements. 1 think 

 differently, when made a profession. 

 If not able to do the heavy work she 

 could get assistance ; this would give 

 healthy employment to idle women, and 

 "in union there is strength. 1 ' I am 

 sure, I feel amply paid for all labor and 

 capital invested ; we have managed all 

 the time to keep at top prices, selling 

 our surplus comb-honey readily at 20 to 

 25c. per pound, without any effort on 

 our part, except to have it put up in 

 neat and attractive shape. 



Mary Brothers. 



I differ with the writer, as to the 

 desirableness of forming an Associa- 

 tion, composed entirely of ladies. I 



always thought that the Lord knew 

 what was best when he said, " it is not 

 good for the man to be alone. 1 ' As our 

 country should know no North or 

 South, so should bee-keepers as such, 

 be treated equally, without reference to 

 sex. At the late meeting in Chicago, 

 there were bee-keepers all the way from 

 Canada to Texas, and it was none too 

 large. We can learn bee-culture theo- 

 retically at our homes, by studying the 

 books that have been published, and the 

 " Monthlies " keep us posted on any 

 improvements that are being made. 

 We can read at our leisure the essays 

 and discussions that take place in the 

 Conventions ; but our object in attend- 

 ing is to become acquainted with promi- 

 nent bee-keepers personally, meeting 

 them in a social way. 

 Peoria, 111., Dec. 16, 1879. 



For the American Bee Journal. 



Wintering— Dysentery, &c. 



W. A. HORTON. 



I beg leave to offer an objection to an 

 idea expressed in Mr. Doolittle's article 

 in the December number, in regard to 

 the so-called dysentery among bees. 



He takes the position that long con- 

 finement is the cause, and asks the 

 question : " Do we see the bees soiling 

 their combs and hives at any other 

 times, except after a long continued 

 confinement ?" I, for one, answer. 

 Yes I A few of my colonies (very weak 

 of course and which I had not put up 

 for winter) had not been con lined to 

 their hives more than a month when 

 they commenced soiling the insides of 

 their hives, soon after the first cold snap 

 in November. The experience I have 

 had in bee-keeping in northern Indiana, 

 teaches me that severe cold is as much 

 the cause of the trouble as long confine- 

 ment ; but the two combined, i.e. long 

 confinement and severe cold produce 

 the mischief. 



I have tried but four ways of winter- 

 ing bees, six years out of doors, without 

 protection; eight years in the cellar; 

 two years in a bee house, with walls 12 

 inches thick. Idled in with sawdust; 

 and the last four years in outer cases 

 with 5 inches of chaff all around and 

 underneath, with coffee sacks Idled 

 with chaff and laid on the top of the 

 hives, after the honey boards were taken 

 off; the boxes were then covered to 

 keep out rain and snow. If my to colo- 

 nies come out in good condition (except 

 a few that will be queenless. &c.) I ex- 

 pect to throw up my hat and shout for 

 chaff for winter and summer. 



