1897 



THE AMERICAN BEE KEEPER. 



143 



Gr. DeM., Crawford Co. , Pa., says: 

 ' ' Brood rearing in the sections spoil- 

 ed quite a lot of honey for me last 

 year, though the trouble was confined 

 to one or two hives, while a number 

 of others were run for comb honey. 

 Can you tell me the cause ? " 



In producing comb honey it is es- 

 sential that the bees be crowded 

 somewhat, as well as that the sections 

 come as nearly as possible to the 

 brood frames, so that where slatted 

 honey boards or perforated zinc are 

 not used, the trouble you mention is 

 occasionally encountered. We do not 

 recommend their use, however, as they 

 tend to exclude the workers as well 

 as the queen from the sections. In- 

 sufficient room below to meet her 

 laying capacity is often the cause ; 

 yet there should be no more room 

 given than the queen will keep in use. 

 "When swarms are hived upon founda- 

 tion or starters, if the super is trans- 

 ferred before the queen becomes es- 

 tablished and begins laying below, she 

 is likely to think those drawn combs 

 above are better suited to her busi- 

 ness than foundation, and again there 

 is trouble. Another, and more fre- 

 quent cause, is — primarily— the use 

 of starters instead of full sheets in 

 the sections. A colony that has de- 

 veloped the swarming fever is loth to 

 store honey in drone comb, while the 

 queen is quick to use every available 

 drone cell, and is often thus attracted 

 to the super. 



There are indications of a good 

 honey season in all parts of the coun- 

 try, and judging fro pi the numerous 

 orders we are receiving bee keepers 

 everywhere are preparing for it. 



If you intend to buy any bees this 

 spring the best time to get them is 

 during the early part of this month, 

 as colonies are then strong and ready 

 for the honey flow. 



In England the bee keepers expect 

 a very busy year. The indications 

 for a bountiful honey harvest are 

 very promising. 



The next subject to interest bee 

 keepers will be " swarming devices." 



Prices of Sections. 



Prices of sections for the season of 

 1897 will remain as follows: 



No. 1. No. 2. No.l. No. 2. 



Per 100—$ .50. S .40. Per 1000 @ $3,00 $2..50. 



" 250— .85. .75. " 2000® 2.85 2.35. 



'• 500— 1.50. 1.25. " 3000 ® 2.75 2.25 



5000 @ $2.50 per M. 



Large quantities will be quoted on 

 application. 



The above prices are the same as 

 will be charged by all manufacturers 

 of and dealers in first class sections. 

 Further changes of prices of supplies 

 will be found in our 1897 catalog 

 which is now ready, and wnll be mail- 

 ed free to anyone asking for it. 



GREAT YEAR AT CHAUTAUQUA. 



IMPORTANT CONCESSION BY RAILWAYS — 

 FREE STATE SUMMER SCHOOL. 



So far as can be judged at this date the 

 original Chautauqua on Chautauqua lake 

 will have a great season in 1897. Con- 

 cessions in rates have been made by rail- 

 ways which will enable many to attend 

 who have been hitherto debarred by the 

 expense. Early in July and early in 

 August excursions will be run from Chi- 



