224 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CUI.TURE. 



Mar. 15. 



Fig. 1 shows one that makes use of the ordi- 

 nary shallow entrance ; but the side and end 

 cleats are so constructed that ventilation may 

 be secured all around the hive, simply by slip- 

 ping out the cleats S, S, S, etc. 



Fig. 2 shows a deep bottom-board having 

 the rear end so it can be tilted out, something 

 like a shutter. This is exactly the same idea 

 that was advanced by father Langstroth in 

 some of his hives away back in the early 60's. 



Still another idea is represented in Fig. 3. 

 Extra ventilation is secured by sliding the 

 hive-body forward, much as we used to do the 

 old Simplicity body ; but in this case it leaves 

 an opening at the rear as well as at the front. 



It does not, however, provide ventilation at 

 the sides. Of the three styles of bottom-boards 

 above shown, the one given in Fig. 1, submit- 

 ted to us by Stoughton Cooley, May wood, Ills., 

 is the best. Of it he writes: 



With the bottom-board so prepared I began the sea- 

 son with the front closed down to about three inches 



during the cold spring days. This was gradually wid- 

 ened as the weather warmed and the bees multiplied 

 till the entrance'-blocks were entirely removed. When 

 still more ventilation was needed a section of the strip 

 on each side of the front end of the hive was removed. 

 This was easily done by inserting the end of a screw- 

 driver at the front of the hive, and gently lifting till 

 the weight was removed from that end of the bottom- 

 board. The strips come out ea.sily because the propo- 

 lis at that time of year is soft. When still more venti- 

 lation was needed I removed the two pieces at the 

 back part of the hive, and finally the one at the back 

 end. By this time the hive-body was resting on six 

 supports, which kept it in the position it was in when 

 closed, with the frames the .same distance from the 

 bottom-board, giving the bees no excuse for building 

 comb-ladders to climb up on, and at the same time 

 there was free ventilation ou all sides and ends. 



When the harvest was over the proce.ss was reversed. 

 As the weather grew cooler the strips were replaced 

 as nearly as I thought the bees wanted them replaced, 

 until, when the cold weather came, they were all clos- 

 ed up as snug as you please. 



Every one can test the value of extra venti- 

 lation during the height of the honey-flow by 

 lifting his hives up on four blocks, providing 

 he is progressive enough to have his hives on 

 movable bottom-boards. 



Ill several letters of late the suggestion has 

 been made that we increase the bottom venti- 

 lation to a hive by lifting the cover enough 

 to let the excess of hot air pass out of the top 

 of the hive. Some have asserted that they are 

 positive they secure more honey, and have less 

 swarming, with hives so manipulated. But 

 there is another class, however, who insist that 

 the super must be hot and air-tight ; the drafts 

 of air must not be permitted in the supers 

 while the bees are ripening and sealing honey; 

 that neither process can go on satislactorily 

 under such conditions ; that ventilation must 

 be secured wholly from the bottom. 



THE PURE-FOOD CONGRESS. 



It will be remembered that Emerson T. 

 Abbott, Eugene Secor, and Dr. Mason (who 

 didn't go) were appointed delegates from the 

 United States Bee-keepers' Union to attend 

 the Pure-food Congress that met in Washing- 

 ton March 2d. We have just received the 

 following from Mr. Abbott, which will explain 

 itself: 



I returned from Washington on Sunday morning. 

 Mr. Secor went with me. The Food Congress was a 

 grand success, and the industries of the country were 

 thoroughly represented. The bee-keepers received 

 full recognition, and our delegates were placed on all 

 the important committees. We got all that we asked 

 for, and I do not think the industry was ever before so 

 thoroughly identified with the other industries of the 

 community. I do not think there is any doubt that we 

 shall get a national pure-food law ; ancl the bee-keep- 

 ers will be able to take some credit to them.selves for 

 its success. I will write the matter up fully for the 

 March issue of the i>«.vi' Bee^ which will be out in a few 

 days. Emerson T. Abbott. 



The U. S. B. K. U. has already done a good 

 work in sending delegates to this important 

 meeting, and I have no doubt the results will 

 be sufficient to justify the expectations of the 

 members and friends of the Union. Let the 

 membership continue to " roll up, tumble up, 

 any way to get up." We wish the outside 

 world to know that we are somebody, and 

 that, when we ask for something in the way 

 of protection against the evils of adulteration, 

 we are strong enough to back up our de- 

 mands. 



