434 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



in the process of ripening and of evaporation. "Hon- 

 ey candies on standing," says Dr. Headden, Chemist 

 at the Colorado Experiment Station, Fort Collins, 

 Col., "because of the ability of its dextrose to as- 

 sume a crystalline form much more readily than the 

 levulose." 



Ordinary honey contains a combination of dex- 

 trose, levulose, and vs^ater in approximately equal 

 proportions. Some honeys will granulate much more 

 readily than others because they contain more dex- 

 trose in proportion to levulose. 



We can not say what the chemical action of vine- 

 gar would be in preventing granulation, if it pre- 

 vents it at all. In any event its use for the purpose 

 would be a violation of the national and State pure- 

 food laws. — Ed.] 



Dry Pulverized Powdered Sugar Mixed witii Com- 

 mon Flour as a Substitute for Natural Pollen 



Referring to page 283, April 15, article about 

 artificial pollen, why not try some dry pulverized or 

 powdered sugar, mixed with the flour, say one part 

 to ten parts of flour, and have water near at hand 

 for the bees to drink, so that they assimiliate the 

 mixture to the proper consistency of natural pollen? 

 This may seem a foolish idea; but one can never tell 

 until the plan has been given a trial, remembering 

 the old saw, " If at first-you don't succeed, try, try 

 again." 



Lacrosse, Wis., April 27. Thomas D. Budd. 



[The idea is worth trying; but at this time of the 

 year there will be no dearth of natural pollen, either 

 north or south. But we can remember the sugges- 

 tion for next year. — Ed.] 



Queen Laying Several Eggs in One Cell 



] have a stand of bees that, to me, acts peculiarly. 

 Last summer a pound of bees were put in a hive 

 containing full sheets of foundation, and as fast as it 

 ^^ as drawn the queen placed as many as three eggs 

 in a cell. 



This spring we find in many cells five or six eggs 

 in each. In others there is just one. They are in 

 fine condition, but I can't understand why so many 

 {ggs are laid in some cells. 



Greenville, S. C, April 13. J. T. Burgard. 



[In your case this condition may be due to the 

 fact that the queen is very prolific, and capable of 

 laying in a larger area of comb than the bees can 

 cover ; and rather than go outside of the cluster she 

 places the surplus eggs in cells where she has al- 

 ready laid. The bees usually remove all such eggs 

 except one, which is properly cared for. After your 

 colony becomes strong you will no doubt find that 

 this condition will disappear.— Ed.] 



Building Combs from Starters in Wired Frames 



Is it practicable to use starters in frames that are 

 wired? In building down from starters will the bees 

 attach combs to the wire, or should I use full sheets? 



Concord, N. C, April 13. W. D. YORK. 



[It is a difficult matter to get bees to build combs 

 in a satisfactory manner in wired frames from foun- 

 dation starters only. If the hive is set level so that 

 the comb will hang straight in the frame the bees 

 will build over the wires; but when they come to 

 them they are verj' likely to make a row of faulty 

 cells. Owing to the large amount of drone comb 

 usually built on starters, it is more economical to use 

 full sheets. — Ed.] 



Maricopa County, Arizona, Overstocked 



From the report of our efficient foul-brood inspec- 

 tor, Hon. J. P. Ivy, I find that we have 19,858 

 colonies in Maricopa Co. For some time I have been 

 replying to questions regarding locations, etc., but I 

 wish to say that the apiaries are overlapping each 



other already. Our rigid foul-brood law has kept 

 many from locating here with diseased apiaries, and 

 I think we shall be able to exterminate foul brood 

 entirely in the near future. 



Phoenix, Ariz. Wm. Lossing. 



Proper Ventilation Removes Moisture within the 

 Hive 



I have noticed paint " blister " on some of my 

 hives, but have usually attributed it to the use of 

 poor paint or failure to shellac boards showing ex- 

 cess of pitch. 



There may be some difference in the amount of 

 heat reflected or absorbed from the sun's rays by 

 painted and unpainted hives ; but ventilation will 

 dispose of internal moisture more effectually than to 

 depend on the walls of the hive to absorb it. 



Rocky Ford, Col., March 11. A. S. Parson. 



Enclosing Hives in Cloth Bags to Make Them Safe 

 for Moving 



Most beekeepers have a great time telling how to 

 fasten the bees in the hive so that they will be safe 

 under nil circumstances. The best way I can find 

 to fasten them is to get for each hive two yards of 

 sheeting; put the ends together, and sew up the 

 sides. Tills makes a bag. Draw this over the hive 

 and tif the end like a sack of grain. None will come 

 out, n I difference how far you move them, and you 

 do not need to close the entrance. 



Emerson, 111., March 17. W. H. H. Stewart. 



Borax to Keep Cockroaches Away from Bees 



I have found borax the best remedy for cock- 

 roaches and ants. It acts rather slowly, however, 

 for it takes about a week to have much effect. 



Covington, Pa. H. P. Knowlton. 



[We ourselves have found borax a good remedy 

 for cockroaches. If scattered around where they are 

 found they seem to keep away after a few days; but 

 it usually has to be scattered around quite frequent 

 ly. So far as we know, it would do no harm to the 

 bees. — Ed. ] 



Heavy Fruit Bloom ; Good Prospects 



Bees in this locality are doing finely; very heavy 

 fruit-bloom ; also best prospects for a bouncer clover 

 bloom and basswood ; supers mostly have all been 

 placed on over the brood-nests, and bees have com- 

 menced work in them. Bees in this vicinity came 

 through the winter exceedingly well. 



Glen Easton, W. V., May 8. James I. Lutes. 



Ferguson Whiteside's remedy for backache when 

 moving bees. 



