O^l^anwgs tn Tin ffiultur^ 



Published by The A. I. Root Co., Medina, Ohio. 



H H. ROOT, Assistant Editor E. R, Root, Editor A. L. Boyden, Advertising Manager 



A.' I. Root, Editor Home Department J- T. Calvekt, Business Manager 



Entered at the Postoffice. Medina. Ohio, as Second-class Matter 



VOL. XXXIX 



MARCH 15, 1911 



NO. 6 



Editorial 



THE HONEY-COOKING RECIPES. 



In response to our two requests for cook- 

 ing recipes, using honey, a large number 

 were sent us. After having thrown out du- 

 phcates, also all which were practically the 

 same as those given in back numbers of 

 Gleanings or in the ABC and X Y Z of 

 Bee Culture, we still have a list of nearly 

 100 which appear to us most excellent. The 

 list includes cake, cookies, bread, biscuits, 

 gems, doughnuts, jelly and preserves, candy, 

 popcorn balls, salad dressing, pancakes, ce- 

 real coffee, puddings, vegetables, pie, baked 

 apples, custard, junket, layer-cake filling, 

 mince meat, etc. We have been very glad 

 to issue the proper credits that we promised. 

 So far as possible, in the case of duplicates, 

 credits were issued for those received first; 

 but there were many that were practically 

 the same as the ones in the ABC and X Y 

 Z of Bee Culture, and for these, of course, 

 we could allow nothing. 



We believe that a book or booklet giving 

 a large number of practical ways of using 

 honey in cooking will help considerably in 

 educating the public as to its value as a food; 

 and honey is not expensive when the qual- 

 ity of the product is compared with that 

 made with cheap molasses and glucose. 



the question of a winter nest and its 

 relation to locality. 



In the general discussion that has appear- 

 ed between Mr. J. L. Byer and ourselves it 

 might appear that there was a vital differ- 

 ence between us as to our practice and be- 

 lief; but a more careful reading of the articles 

 and the footnotes on pages 19 to 21, .Ian. 1, 

 and 65 to 67, Feb. 1, as well as pages 184 and 

 135, March 1, show that we are nearly if not 

 entirely of the same mind when we take in- 

 to account the difference in the localities 

 south of the lakes and that portion north of 

 the lakes where Mr. Byer lives. 



Our correspondent has sent in another ar- 

 ticle, and this ought properly to appear in 

 this (March 15th) issue before the reader 

 loses all connection or is ready to turn his 

 attention to matters relating to spring rath- 

 er than winter management. But. by the 

 time this article was sent to us in Florida 

 (where we are temporarily residing) it was 

 too late for it to get back in time for that 



issue, and hence the only alternative is to 

 use a portion of it in the editorial depart- 

 ment, which is printed on the last form. 

 The articles in our March 1st issue, together 

 with the general footnote, which our cor- 

 respondent had not seen, very largely antic- 

 ipate some things that he has to say, so we 

 will omit that portion. Apparently labor- 

 ing under the impression that we are still 

 wide apart he says: 



In the footnote to my article the editor refers to 

 my admission that, in the cold spell, I found the 

 bees for the most part below the honey, and says 

 that on this point there is no diflference between 

 us. Please remember that this was in January 

 when the examination was made, and that over the 

 bees there was " at least four or five inches of seal- 

 ed honey '" at that time — indeed, in many of the col- 

 onies there would be six inches. How much honey 

 would there be in the top of combs at that date, if 

 in the fall there had been but two or three inches 

 of honey? Here in Ontario by the first of February, 

 or along that date, there would be none, and, just as 

 sure as fate, in this present winter, colonies that 

 were in that condition in the fall will be dead, ei- 

 ther of starvation or dysentery, before spring. Now, 

 while I was not advocating xolid combs of honey in 

 the center of the brood-nest, I wish to remove a 

 wrong impression given in regard to Mr. McEvoy's 

 practice of wintering outdoors on that system. It 

 will be noted that I specified that I would want 

 the combs in the center of the brood-nest filled at 

 least halfway down. One of friend McEvfiy's strong- 

 est arguments in defense of his system is that it 

 prevents the colony starting a lot of brood early 

 in January, when we generally have a week or so 

 of comparatively warm weather — not often mild 

 enough to allow a flight, yet enough so to start a 

 lot of brood in colonies ha\ ing a lot of empty comb 

 in the center of the brood-nest. 



Notice he says he is not recommending 

 "solid combs of honey;" that he has advo- 

 cated that he would "want the combs in 

 the center of the brood-nest filled at least 

 half way down." For a locality much cold- 

 er than ours we say amen to every word of 

 this. We based our original statements on 

 pages 19 to 21 on conditions as they exist in 

 the average locality where bees are wintered 

 outdoors. In a locality as cold as that in 

 which Mr. Byer lives, the great majority of 

 bee-keepers winter indoors. Mr. Byer's lo- 

 cality represents unusual conditions, or, 

 rather, we should say, conditions in respect 

 to cold not found in localities where bees 

 are wintered outdoors. As editor of a bee- 

 paper we try to fit the average locality in 

 any directions that M-e may give. When a 

 locality has a condition that is out of the 

 ordinary for the practice recommended, due 

 allowance must be made. We therefore 

 cheerfully accept Mr. Byer's recommenda- 

 tion or correction, if you please, for a locali- 

 ty as far north or as cold as he has. That 

 bees need more honey above the cluster for 

 colder regions is but natural. 



