138 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



For tho American Bee Gazette. 



Do Drones Go from One Apiary to 

 Another, and Enter a Strange Hive ? 



This is a question that I should be pleased to 

 see answered. I am inclined to believe that 

 they do. First, because Italian drones ]\ave 

 been found in hives of black bees. Second, be- 

 cause bees bearing marks of Italian blood have 

 been in stocks of black bees in this section of 

 the country, at least foiu- miles from where 

 any Italians were known to be kept, two in- 

 stances last season, and one this season. This 

 is the first season that I have kept Italians; and 

 in opening hives of black bees I found Italian 

 drones in some of them. This induces me to 

 believe that they go from one apiary to another, 

 and are v.-ell received. If this be the fact in the 

 case, it will be difficult to keep Italians pure 

 while there are any black bees left in the country, 

 and that it is true is not contrary to the nature 

 and habits of the honey bee. 



I have written the above in order to bring 

 that particular subject before the public, as I 

 think it a subject of importance to bee-keepers. 



You are at liberty to tVrow this in the fire if 

 you think proper to do so. 

 Yours, very truly, 



MoREia Smith. 



Hermaphrodite Insects 



Mr. Bond has exhibited to the Entomological 

 Society, hermaphrodites of the AntocJiaris Gar- 

 damines and Papilio MdcJiaon^ the former cap- 

 tured near London, the latter from Whittlesea 

 Mere. In both specimens the right side of the 

 insect was of the female form, and the left side 

 of the male form. 



The President of the Society has also shown 

 drawings of two hermaphrodites of the honey- 

 bee. In the first specimen the right side par- 

 took of the male characters, the antenna, eye, 

 anterior and intermediate leg being male, 

 whilst the Aving and posterior leg were female 

 or worker, and the left side was entirely 

 worker. The second specimen was partly 

 male and partly worker, the left side partaking 

 of the male characters; the left eye, antennae, 

 wing, anterior, intermediate, and posterior leg 

 being of the true male form; the abdomen was 

 considerably enlarged on the left side. — Year 

 Booh of Facts, 18G4. 



For tlie American Bee Gazette. 

 Langstroth says : "It should, therefore, be 

 considered a first princi])le in bee-culture never 

 U) melt good combs.-" But how is the honey 

 lo be obtained ? I have not been able to re- 

 move the honey from ncAV combs without melt- 

 ing them. I find tho application of heat suffi- 

 cient to cause tlie honey to drain, makes new 

 comb very soft. Will some of your readers say 

 how lioney can be taken, and the combs pre- 

 served ? Also, what is tiie best manual for 

 beginners in apiculture? 



Novice. 



For the American Bee Gazette. 



Editor Bee Gazette: 



It is a long time since I promised something 

 occasionally for your paper. I have been too 

 much engaged to fulfil that pledge till now, 

 when I am just ready to begin, and trust for the 

 next few months at least I may be able to make 

 amends. Let me say, however, that I think 

 you have done quite as well without me. A 

 few articles only need criticism, otherwise, you 

 have given us a great deal of valuable inform- 

 ation. 



In the one article relative to the new process 

 of straining honey, I hope we have the germ 

 that will grow into results of more real value 

 than anything that has been given us in a long 

 while. The idea of obtaining the honey from 

 the old combs of the hive pure, free from all 

 taste of bee-bread, preserving the combs to be 

 filled again, gives me vision of a revolution in 

 bee-culture; of how we shall establish another 

 character for the flavor of our strained honey, 

 with an increased demand. Of how we shall 

 get along with a simple hive — having the honey 

 stored in the hive — and relieve the patent 

 vender from all further contrivance for supers. 

 Of how we shall doul^le or treble that quantity 

 of our surplus by having it stored in the body 

 of the hive, with the combs ready made, &c., 

 &c. As but few bee-keepers can realize the ad- 

 vantage of this, I will not venture any further 

 anticipations just now. 



I do not feel quite sure of success, but have 

 sufficient faith to make a trial some time next 

 season. I shall make the strainer. If it Avill 

 begin to do what is claimed for it, I cannot 

 afford to cfo Avithout it, let it cost wiiat it will. 

 In its construction I may not follow the pattern 

 exactly, but retain the principle, and if the re- 

 sult is anything valuable, or otherwise, it shall 

 be made known through the Gazette. I hate 

 monopolies; and I here enter a protest, if the 

 thing does Avork, and any one makes an im- 

 provement or alteration claimed as such, that 

 it shall not be covered Avith a patent. 



M. QUINBY. 



St. JOHNSAaLLE, N. Y. 



For tho American Bee Gazette. 



Mixing of Black acd Italian Bees. 



I liaA'c just read the article on this subject in 

 the October number of the Gazette, and tliink- 

 ing that an instance of it, Avhich came under 

 my notice, might be interesting to some of your 

 readers, I take the liberty of sending it. 



This spring, AA'hile watching an after-SAvarm 

 belonging to one of my neiglibors, which Avas 

 cast by a'hive of black bees, I Avas mucli sur- 

 prised to sec that about half the bees were Avell- 

 marked Italians. Noav at this time I kneAV 

 that tlicre were no Italian hives nearer than 

 three miles, where tliere Avas a single hive, and 

 at the distance of seven miles there was a large 

 Italian apiary. Noav the drone Avhich met this 

 queen must have flown at least three nules 

 from his hive. W. 



Elkridge, Md., Nov. 7, 180G. 



