BEE KEEPERS. 453 



their varied industries, to the front, placing them on the same footing with them- 

 selves, and to-day the Indiana State Board of Agriculture is the only State Board 

 in the Union that has thus given the women these opportunities, and I feel that all 

 honor should be given to them. This year our department has grown so as to oc- 

 cupy one-half the upper floor, and at the next fair will probably use all the upper 

 floor of the Exposition Hall. I aim to ask an appropriation from the Agricultural 

 Board at their February meeting. A large number of women are employed in 

 various enterprises, and we ask for a separate appropriation for a display of their 

 business with others. T would like a lady bee keeper of this Association be ap- 

 pointed to aid in this work, that those who are not here may be informed ; that 

 they be invited to begin to make arrangements for an exhibit of this industry that 

 may be worthy of the Association." 



The following delegates were appointed to attend the National Bee Convention 

 at Detroit, Mich.: C. F. Muth, J. Scholl, I. N. Cotton, F. L. Daugherty, Mr. Lem- 

 ing and Mrs. E. Stout. 



C. F. Muth, J. Scholl and I. N. Cotton were appointed to attend the Bee Con- 

 gress at New Orleans as delegates. 



FEEDING BEES. 



Mr. Barker. There is good in feeding, if done judiciously. Feeding too early 

 stimulates them to brood, and if a cold snap comes it chills the brood. 



Mr. Davis. We practice feeding our bees in spring. I do not think it is advis- 

 able to feed very early, not before along in March, to excite them to brood raising. 

 About the time it is warm enough for them to fly, then begin and feed regular a little 

 molasses, and you will find your bees increasing very fast. If you commence they 

 breed up fast, and if they get out of honey or molasses they take the young brood 

 out and ruin your colonies. My opinion regarding spring dwindling is, that it is 

 occasioned by old bees, but if your colonies are made up of young bees you won't 

 have so much spring dwindling. When you commence feeding to stimulate brood 

 raising give molasses or honey every day and a little rye meal, and let them run 

 to it. If my colonies have plenty of honey I prefer to feed but little, and that in 

 the last of March, to stimulate the spring brood. 



Mr. Anderson. How long before apple blossom ? 



Mr. Davis. The last of March. If they get short of honey and stores you had 

 better feed now. 



Mr. Scholl. This question means stimulating feed to increase brood, and not to 

 prevent starving. Where they have an abundance of honey additional feed will 

 not be of any advantage. 



Mr. Muth. As far as I am concerned I have never yet done the matter justice 

 with stimulating food. A hive is in good condition when they have plenty of 

 honey, capped or uncapped. The hive should also be dry and warm. 



Mr. Leming. I believe that stimulating food will increase brood faster than 

 sealed honey. If you give your bees a thin syrup it is more like the natural honey 

 from the flowers. You notice whenever the honey comes in the spring they go to 



