112 THE BEE-KEEPERS REVIEW 



The convention of l)ee-kee]jers ])roug"ht to a close the meeting 

 of three affihated bodies which liave been in session here since Wed- 

 nesday, the horticulturists, nurserymen and bee-keepers. Many of 

 the members of each association belong to the others also, as the 

 pursuits are connected closely in an economic way. 



Report of the Washington State Convention. 



Reported l)y Geok(,e W. "^'okk, Sandpoint, Idaho. 



The AVashington State Bee-Keepers' Association met at Norih 

 Yakima, Jan. 8th and 9th, 1913. There were present some of the 

 most extensive specialist bee-keepers of the state, those numbering 

 their colonies b}' the 400 and 500, and some with perhaps more than 

 that number. 



The opening session was at al)Out 11 a. m., instead of 9 a. m., as 

 many were delayed in arriving, on account of the heavy snow storms 

 which interfered with the railroad trains. Judge 'Milroy, in the lui- 

 avoidable absence of Mayor Splawn, welcomed the convention to the 

 city in a very pleasing address. North Yakima is a city of about 

 17,000 population, located in one of the greatest fruit-growing dis- 

 tricts in the world, some of the bearing apple orchards selling at 

 from $3,000.00 to $3,000.00 an acre. 



President A. E. Burdick arrived at this point in the proceedings. 

 and as it was so near the noon hour, it was thought best to adjourn 

 till 1 :30 p. m., when Robt. Cissna talked briefly on 



"si'Kixr, ?j.\\.\c.i:mi:x r oi" i-.ici's." 



He advised a careful examination of the apiary, especially weak 

 and c[ueenless colonies. The practical bee-keeper need not waste 

 time on examining some colonies, for he could tell from external ap- 

 pearances that they were all right. When asked just Iwzv this could 

 be done, Air. Cissna said it was impossible to describe it, but the ex- 

 perienced bee-keeper "just knew" from the way the bees acted. 



He marks only the weak and queenless colonies, and unites, put- 

 ting the colony with the queen on top. Be sure the bees have 

 enough honey to carr}- them along. The loss cjf a few (more or less) 

 colonies does not worry Mr. Cissna, for he has so many that it 

 makes practically no difference in the end. More loss is occasioned 

 through star^'ation in winter than from an}- other cause. Feed the 

 weak colonies if worth saving, with comljs of honey taken from 

 stronger colonies, if vou have no extra combs of honey on hand from 

 the previous season. 



E. E. Starkcy — A\'oul(l }'ou equalize stores in the falP 



Mr. Cissna — Yes. It's a good plan. Give only combs of honey 

 to weak colonies. At evening is the best time. Take plenty of bees 



