1891 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



703 



dation-makiiig is due to the fact that we used 

 this way of cleaning less than several others to 

 our knowledge, thus presei'ving the natural bee 

 smell in the greater part of the foundation. 

 Hamilton, 111., Aug. 22. C. P. Daoaxt. 



[Thanks, friend C. P. I hope it is not my 

 policy to demolish every thing in the way of 

 objection to fixed distances: but I can not help 

 saying that all those who have tried fixed dis- 

 tances, such as El wood, Hetherington. and 

 many others, do not experience that trouble in 

 Interchanging. Indeed, I saw Hoifman and 

 Elwood both interchanging their combs; nei- 

 ther have we run aci'oss any of this unpleasant 

 bulging, except where a frame of foundation 

 was inserted in the height of the honey season, 

 between two combs. The bees would bulge the 

 latter into the frame of foundation. This does 

 not prove serious, because, when we put the 

 two fat sides of two combs together, the bees 

 will shave them down, and reduce every thing 

 to an even thickness. This we do every year 

 with loose frames to restore them to normal 

 thickness. Still, as I have said a number of 

 times before, I know there are many who do 

 not like fixed distances, on account of their 

 methods of working and habits of thought. I 

 am glad, therefore, you have stuck up for our 

 friend Bangs. Some, like yourself, prefer a 

 large frame, while others think a Langstroth is 

 all-sufficient; so with regard to fixed and un- 

 fixed distances. 



Yes, I realize all you say, that top- bars for 

 the first season, either thick or thin, are not as 

 apt to have burr-combs as when they have 

 been in use a number of seasons. But, friend 

 Camille, I have been trying both thin top-bars, 

 % inch wide, alongside of thick top-bars one 

 inch wide. After two years of use, there are 

 burr-combs built on top of the thin bars, but 

 none on the thick ones. Nearly all of the thin 

 and narrow bars that we have put into the 

 apiary have burr-combs — at least a few — the 

 first season; and, besides all that, there have 

 been reports from those who have tried thick 

 and wide top-bars seven or eight seasons, and 

 have had no burr-combs. Hoffman had frames 

 that I saw that had been in use some twelve or 

 fifteen years, quite free from these little nui- 

 sances on top. 



Although we may disagree in regard to fixed 

 distances, we join hands on your method of 

 wiring. I am glad to know that the credit of 

 originality belongs to Mr. Vandervort. Is he 

 the one who discovered that drawing the wires 

 loose makes all the difiference between success 

 and failure? 



As you are the largest foundation-makers in 

 the world, it may be well for us to heed your 

 warning and go a little slow in this matter of 

 rendering wax with sulphuric acid. So far we 

 have used it only in our dirtiest refuse, such as 

 we could not render in any other way. We 

 have tried, however, a few very black cakes of 

 wax. to see if we could not lighten them up, 

 and the result has been highly satisfactory as 

 to color. Since you have spoken of it. I notice 

 a little odor, though very slight, clinging to the 

 wax so treated: huti think that, if it is melted 

 up into foundation again, this odor will disap- 

 pear. In the first place, the acid is diluted 

 some .300 or 400 times — so weak, indeed, that the 

 hands can be dipped into it with impunity, and 

 I do not know but we could drink quite a quan- 

 tity of it with no injurious results. It certain- 

 ly can not be poisonous to man or to bees any 

 more, it seems to me, than soap used for lubri- 

 cating rolls in foundation -making. We find 

 that there is a very slight residue of particles of 

 soap left on the foundation, and this is not ob- 

 jectionable to bees.— See Editorials.] E. E,. 



With Replies from our best Authorities on Bees. 



Question 193. Do you think you ivoidd have 

 been richer or poorer to-day if you liad never 

 had any thing to do ivith bees f 



Poorer. 

 California. S. 



R. Wilkin. 



I don't know, but I am going on with the bees. 

 Illinois. N. C. J. A. Gkeen. 



Been a deal poorei', and not nearly as fat and 

 well. 

 Illinois. N. W. C. Mrs. L. Harrison. 



I should have becm poorer in wordly goods, 

 and much poorer in pleasurable experiences. 

 Michigan. C. A. J. Cook. 



I am sure that the bees have increased my 

 possessions, as I am richei' on account of the 

 bees. 



Wisconsin. S. W. E. France. 



I believe I should have been poorer; for. till 

 this season, my bees have been a source of in- 

 come, and the attention given them has not 

 materially interfered with my other business. 



Ohio. N. W. A. B. Mason. 



Well, that's an awful question. I certainly 

 could not have been poorer. As to whether I 

 should have been richer or not, the Lord only 

 knows — I don't. 



New York. E. Rambler. 



There is no "thinking" about it, when we 

 know thy result. I have always realized a good 

 interest on my investments and troubles. There 

 is no living in it except for specialists, unless a 

 large number of colonies are kept. 



Louisiana. E. C. P. L. Viallon. 



We certainly can not tell; but what we now 

 have was nearly all made from the bees. It is 

 true, that we are supply-dealers; but up to 1883 

 it was our honey crops that gave us profits. 

 Our honey crop of 1883 netted $3800, labor and 

 expenses paid. 



Illinois. N. W. Dadant & Son. 



That depends upon the success I might have 

 had in some other kind of business. I might 

 have had more money and less knowledge of 

 the laws of nature, and perhaps less enjoyment, 

 had I never kept bees. Dollars are not the only 

 riches we should strive for while passing 

 through this stage of eternity. 



Vermont. N. W. A. E. Manum. 



A question like tho above reflects suspicion 

 on the pursuit of bee-keeping, but amounts to 

 nothing. Apply the same question to any 

 branch of home production, as, for instance, 

 wheat culture, corn or potato production, hog, 

 cattle, or sheep raising, and see what an amount 

 of blasted hopes you will stir up. We pray for 

 better times. 



Ohio. S. W. • C. F. MuTH. 



Richer! Almost every one thinks he would 

 have made more money with less work if he 

 had gone into something else, no matter what 

 his occupation. We know of more thorns in 

 our own pathway, because it is better known. 

 It is strange that bee-keepers do not speedily 

 become rich, when the bees work for nothing 



