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GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Aug. I. 



the colonies in an apiary can be noted, and 

 those with longest tongues used as breeders. 

 If the longest tongues are chosen each year, 

 please tell me why constant progress will not 

 be made by any one. Please bear in mind 

 that differences in length now exist, and that 

 variations are of constant occurrence. All we 

 are to do is to take advantage of the differ- 

 ences and the variations. When some one has 

 made a successful find, let him divide up with 

 the rest, getting a substantial return for his 

 dividend. Mr. Editor, please announce the 

 price of glossometers, and let us all go at the 

 work. At the same time let us all be on the 

 lookout for short-tubed clover. 



For our encouragement we have the fact 

 that there have been red-clover queens and red- 

 clover bees. In general, a little is done by 

 bees everywhere on red clover. A little effort 

 ought to bring a little increase in the amount 

 of red-clover honey secured, and united effort 

 ought to bring entire success. It would be a 

 shame to American enterprise if, within a 

 short time, bee-keepers of this country do not 

 succeed in bringing together tongues and tubes 

 so that tons of honey now wasted may be ta- 

 ken. Shall we all help? 



Marengo, 111., July 21. 



[Bee-keepers are apt to go by fads ; and 

 when the fad is on, they push it for all there 

 is in it ; but, unfortunately, before any prac- 

 tical results have been accomplished they too 

 often sicken and tire of it (the new toy) just 

 when new possibilities are almost within grasp. 

 I do not know but this peculiarity, if we may 

 style it such, is true of all human nature. But, 

 as you say, it was E. E. Hasty who started 

 this same idea in regard to short-tubed clo- 

 vers, and at the time considerable enthusiasm 

 was manifested ; but the enthusiasm died out 

 before any thing practical was accomplished. 

 For years, at different times, there has been a 

 demand for long-tongued bees and bees all 

 yellow. But the effort has all been expended 

 on the last-named, and, pray tell, what have 

 we got — beauty, with little else. If the same 

 effort had been spent on long tongues, bee- 

 keepers would now be getting tons of honey 

 from red clover. Just read what Uncle Ivisha 

 says on this point in this issue. 



If any thing is to be accomplished in the 

 way of getting tongues long enough to reach 

 into the red clover we must stick to this fad 

 until we get sotnething. It will not do for us 

 to assume that the " other fellow " will do it, 

 and that we can buy the seed of short-tubed 

 clover and the bees with long tongues. If, as 

 you say, thousands will give a little attention 

 to the matter, it will do more than one man 

 spending all his time in the search. 



Now about glossometers. I do not like to 

 throw cold water on them, but somehow even 

 now I can not take much stock in them. 

 They are complicated and expensive. A far 

 beUer way is to chloroform and decapitate the 

 bees, spread their tongues on a micrometer 

 scale measuring hundredths, and then count 

 the hundredths off through a good magnifier. 

 Vox p2irposes of comparison, this simple device 

 will beat the best glossometer ever invented. 



The little micrometer scales can be bought 

 for 30 or 40 cents at any of the large hardware 

 stores. If they can't be bought, we can fur- 

 nish them at the latter figure by mail, post- 

 paid, I think. — Ed.] 



CAUSE OF GREASY CAPPINGS. 



Some Good Evidence Showing that the Queen is 

 Responsible ; a New Kink in Queen-rearing. 



BY C. RUSSEIvL. 



I supposed it was generally understood that 

 the queen (or, rather, her bees) was at fault in 

 capping the honey close to give it the greasy 

 appearance. But of late I have noticed a 

 number of prominent writers attribute these 

 greasy cappings to hot weather, a poor honey- 

 flow, etc. I am aware that a colony which 

 caps its honey close will make a poorer job 

 when the honey-flow is light. Location may 

 also have something to do in the case. But I 

 think the main fault is in the strain. To make 

 all plain, let me give a little experience of my 

 own in this connection. 



I have been in the bee business (not very 

 extensively) for about twenty years. During 

 that time I have bought perhaps thirty or for- 

 ty queens, nearly all select breeders ; and for 

 twelve or fifteen years I have been very much 



UNCAPPING WITH THK DADKNT INC.\PPING- 

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