For the American Bee Journal. 



Honor Justly Bestowed. 



P. P. COLLIER. 



In looking over the proceedings of 

 the meeting of the North American 

 Bee-Keepers' Society at Cincinnati, I 

 find many things of interest and 

 practical utility — both to the young and 

 old, to the learned as well as unlearned ; 

 indeed it would be a great blank in api- 

 culture were it not for this association — 

 this source of information indispensable 

 to the interest of progressive thought, 

 and progressive work in all branches of 

 apiculture. I rind that the subjects 

 treated upon, were handled with great 

 ability. 



While for 2 years there has been at 

 the head of this association one who 

 has given it honor, credit and influence, 

 both at home and abroad, one who has 

 worked hard for the success of this 

 Society, and one who every American 

 feels proud of, and sincerely thanks for 

 his success in building up this Associa- 

 tion—while we regret to give him up, 

 yet we feel proud to say that the selec- 

 tion made as a successor is every way 

 befitting, and an "honor justly 

 bestowed." 



Dr. Nathan Perry Allen, of Smith's 

 Grove, Ky., our new President, is one 

 whom I have been acquainted with 

 from my youth up ; almost my first 

 schooling was under his direction, and 

 having been very intimately connected 

 as neighbors and friends, I know 

 whereof I speak. Almost my first les- 

 sons in bee-culture were learned in his 

 apiary and under his instructions. Well 

 do I remember his first colony in a 

 " gum " given to him by his father for 

 " good luck " on going to house-keeping. 

 His first honey was taken in tubs, 

 but a better day came, a " patent" hive 

 (standing some three feet from the 

 ground) was purchased, moth-proof, 

 everything but a " real bee hive." But 

 this was soon abandoned with many 

 others until the Langstroth hive made 

 its advent. This the Dr. seized, and to- 

 day hundreds are using this truly 

 meritorious hive, from his influence. 

 The first bee orgaization I ever attended 

 and the first ever in Southern Kentucky 

 to my knowledge, was organized at his 

 magnificent residence— the Southern 

 Kentucky Bee-Keepers' Association," 

 and through his labors as its presi- 

 dent, " it became a power in the land," 

 and its influence will long be felt. 



The Dr. is one of the best dentists in 

 southwest Kentucky ; one of the best 

 farmers, as well as his superior knowl- 

 edge in handling and propagating fine 



sheep, cattle and hogs — indeed it is only 

 necessary for an effort to be made and 

 success seems to crown his labors. I 

 believe the Association to which he is 

 elected President will grow under his 

 administration. 



Our bees seem to be in fair condition 

 for winter ; early frost killed late buck- 

 wheat and it gave but little honey. 



Mexico, Mo., Nov. 8, 1880. 



Prairie Farmer. 



Preparation for Winter Quarters. 



MRS. L. HARRISON. 



In what ever way bees are wintered, 

 whether in a cellar, or in a receptacle 

 built purposely for them, or upon their 

 summer stands, the conditions should 

 be such, that they will be dry at all 

 times. Bees can stand cold but not 

 dampness. Every one who owns bees, 

 whether his colonies are few or many, 

 should make the best use of the means 

 at his command, to protect them against 

 the severities of the coming season. In 

 order for a farmer to sleep well, his 

 farm must be well fenced and free from 

 mortgage, and if the bee-keeper wishes 

 to enjoy cracking jokes and nuts around 

 his fireside, while there is a howling 

 blast without, he must know that his 

 " little pets " are comfortable. 



We winter our bees upon their sum- 

 mer stands, and with the light we now 

 have, we think in this locality, taking 

 the seasons as they run, some warm and 

 others cold, it is as good a way as any. 

 To winter successfully the colony should 

 be of fair size, with plenty of young 

 bees and well ripened sealed honey, and 

 last but not least, a good warm hive 

 with a tight roof. 



In lieu of theory, we will now tell our 

 readers how we have prepared our bees 

 for winter. The honey season did not 

 close with us until the 15th of October ; 

 during the early part of that month, 

 honey came in freely and as fast as a 

 bee hatched, the cell was filled, until 

 the main hive was almost solid honey. 

 Fearing for the safety of our apiary, we 

 procured an extractor, and threw out 

 the honey from two combs of each hive, 

 thus giving them room to rear young, 

 and to cluster in. The first days that 

 we were extracting, honey and pollen 

 came in freely, but before we were 

 through the season closed. After the 

 cappings were drained, we fed them 

 to the bees every fine day. and they 

 sucked them dry, and no bad results by 

 robbing followed. 



After scrubbing until it was free from 

 dust, some old, red and white Chinese 

 matting, we cut sheets from it, of the 



