isy7. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



613 



queens in my yard the present season, but the openini? of a 

 rich honey-flow intercepted my plans. 



Altho the season has been variable in extremes of tem- 

 perature, still, bee-keepers in Michigan have experienced an 

 old-time honey-yield ; and altho a single season cannot fully 

 com [lensate for the failure of many in succession, still, 1 am 

 thai liful that Nature has not exhausted her resources, and 

 hopeful that a cycle of good years has returned. 



The temperature of late has been rather low for rapid 

 storage of honey, however, there is ample time for an abun- 

 dance of buckwheat and autumn flowers, if accompanied by 

 warm nights which are likely to follow the cool spell. In the 

 meantime these periods of rest will be productive of a larger 

 force of workers, and will fully compensate for the present 

 Inactivity. Such was the condition previous to white clover 

 bloom in June. The cool weather served to increase the num- 

 ber of field-bees by reason of inactivity. These periods of rest 

 are furnisht by Nature to all creatures, otherwise constant 

 wear would detract from any advantage that might be gained. 

 Towards the close of a season it is but natural to take a 

 retrospective view. In looking back I see where I failed in 

 neglecting to clip the wings of all my virgin queens. For 

 some unaccountable reason more than the usual number 

 have mismated. It is probably due to a natural increase of 

 the surrounding bees in good seasons, 1S96 being favorable 

 to such a result. 



The mismated ones in my yard among the unclipt aver- 

 aged one in every four. The results attendant upon clipping 

 are highly satisfactory ; the mismates averaging but two in 

 every 24, or one in 12. With a larger number, the results 

 might have been still more satisfactory. 



It is also satisfactory to note that none were lost in the 

 marital flight ; particularly so, as many had more than one- 

 sixteenth of an inch dipt from their wings. It may be well 

 to note that great accuracy was observed in clipping to main- 

 tain a uniform length, and preserve the balancing power re- 

 quisite in flight. 



With September comes the removal of all sections. I 

 usually employ a few strong colonies to complete all unfinisht 

 ones as the supers are emptied. The best will often contain a 

 few, possibly one or two at the corners, particularly so if the 

 weather has been cool. Working on this plan I had no un- 

 finisht ones from white clover. However, the chances are 

 less favorable towards the close of the season. 



The passing of the honey season confronts us with prep- 

 parations for winter. I am an advocate for heavy stores, and 

 believe such preparation in autumn is a requisite to success 

 the following season. There are those who contend that an 

 excess of winter stores is objectionable, and liable to contami- 

 nate the comb honey when not consumed for breeding pur- 

 poses. Inasmuch as colonies differ in the amount consumed, 

 no rule as to a limited amount can be given. I, therefore, pre- 

 fer to occupy the sure ground of an abundance. Furthermore, 

 breeding is pusht forward more rapidly in the spring with re- 

 sources at hand. Even if a few sections contain a little old 

 or dark honey, it is clear gain, taking into consideration the 

 increast production which accrues from strong colonies. I 

 will state that sugar syrup used in feeding is generally con- 

 sumed first, being stored in the central combs, so that little or 

 none remains until the general honey-flow, hence, will find no 

 place in the surplus departments. 



Believing as I do that an abundance should be provided 

 for all colonies, the matter of feeding should receive careful 

 consideration. Successful wintering depends largely upon 

 location of the stores ; an abundance in the outside combs will 

 not compensate for any deficiency in the central ones where 

 the most is required. Such an expedient as Hill's device as a 

 make-shift will answer in the South or for cellar-wintering, 

 but for out-door wintering it serves no purpose whatever. 



aside from affording space which is usually soiled with ex- 

 crement. 



In consideration of the foregoing facts I invariably defer 

 feeding until all the brood has matured, thus giving place for 

 storage accessible to the cluster. We should bear in mind that 

 the central combs which usually contain the least honey, are 

 occupied by the greatest number of bees. 



The delay of feeding until breeding is over usually brings 

 the work into October for Michigan latitude; which with 

 thick syrup necessitates a better feeder than either the Miller 

 or Heddon. Feeders upon that principle compel a distance of 

 travel favorable to warm weather only, and at a season when 

 least required. Altho not a manufacturer of feeders, I have 

 constructed and used one for several years which supplies the 

 food directly above the cluster. It is atmospheric, and holds 

 about 12 pounds. 



I am also an advocate for thick syrup. The bee instinc- 

 tively prepares her stores by evaporating all the moisture or 

 watery portion previous to sealing the cells. Possibly a trace 

 may be left, as honey even after being sealed Improves with 

 age unless exposed to dampness. Let us bear in mind that 

 honey primarily is the food of bees, and that water is not. 

 We shall then be better able to understand the cause of losses 

 attendant upon out-door wintering. We appropriate the early 

 and well cured stores of our bees, leaving the late and partly 

 cured for them, and wonder why so much fatality occurs in 

 wintering. Pure honey, well cured, is almost entirely appro- 

 priated by the system of the bee ; water cannot be appro- 

 priated in any quantity, consequently must be voided, neces- 

 sitating many unseasonable cleansing flights. 



In making syrup I prefer to use about 12 or 14 pounds 

 of confectioners' A sugar to a quart of water, bringing it to a 

 boiling point for two or three minutes, at which time I add 

 less than a half teaspoonful of tartaric acid dissolved in a lit- 

 tle water, to prevent granulation. Vinegar will not answer. 

 I know many who have followed the old beaten path will con- 

 tend that such syrup is too thick, and in the next breath 

 recommend candy for wintering. While I have no use for 

 candy, I do recommend the feeding of syrup just as thick as 

 can possibly be used. It tends to concentrate the food, also 

 the storage of it, by reason of which the colony remains more 

 impact, conserving its vitality. Colonies prepared as before 

 stated for out-door wintering in properly constructed hives 

 will furnish abundant evidence of its success, not only the 

 following spring, but throughout the season. With abundant 

 stores, of concentrated food, accessible to the cluster, I would 

 just as quickly insure a colony in properly constructed hives 

 against loss in winters, as any other live stock. 



With the failure of honey a tendency to rob is often mani- 

 fested. I scarcely believe the tendency is inherent, but has 

 been developt by the careless exposure of honey for genera- 

 tions. Bees are susceptible of lasting impressions. This is 

 evinced by their ability to combat the bee-moth, which, upon 

 its first appearance in this country, was much more destruc- 

 tive than in later years. The bees patrol the hive-entrance 

 each evening to prevent their inroads. The exposure of 

 honey also makes au impression, which they not only remem- 

 ber during life, but by some means transmit to the younger 

 ones. 



I have never experienced any trouble from robbing. I 

 leave no honey or sweets exposed in any form. All colonies 

 are maintained strong. All entrances are contracted accord- 

 ing to the strength of the colonies.— Review. 



Jackson Co., Mich., Aug. 18. 



Xlie 9Iail who gets up early in the morning may be 

 all right, but the one who is widest awake after he gets up is 

 apt to get ahead of him. — Campbell's Soil Culture. 



