laying just as the swarm left. I have in 

 mind Mr. Miller's article on the subject, p. 

 363, May 1, and I am trying with those 

 which swarmed, leaving them in possession 

 of the whole box as he says — three combs, 

 one feeder, and the empty space remote 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



from the' entrance. Of course this just 

 halves the mating capacity of the twin 

 boxes. Again, the editor says in the ABC 

 that these boxes do not do so well with one 

 compartment empty. 

 Renwick, N. Z. 



THE MIRACLE OF LIFE 



BT GRACE ALLEN 



Within a beehive in the spring 

 There lies a very wondrous thing — 

 So frail an egg, it almost seems 

 A mote to float thru fairy dreams 

 In dews at night when silver light 

 Comes dancing down in streams. 



Yet life is in this tiny thing. 



And growth, and future eye and wing, 



Sure instinct, and the love of light, 



And treasured heritage of flight. 



(O wing of bees! And eye that sees 



With such a different sight!) 



Wee egg, what miracle befell 

 To couch you in this fragile cell? 

 What miracle shall yet befall 

 When winged life thru waxen wall 

 Shall break its way some summer day 

 To follow life's far call? 



How vain my questions, egg in cell! 

 You cannot understand' nor tell. 

 I cannot understand nor know 

 How life can come and life can grow. 

 All wonder seems to end in dreams. 

 Perhaps we worship so. 



I 



These photos are interesting, mainly as showing the Alexander bee-hat in use; a method of opening a 

 hive by which any rush of bees is directed away from the operator, a little smoke sufficing; the operator 

 working barehanded, but having the smoker (held between the knees) handy for quick use; a hive-tool in 

 the right hand ; hive tilted slightly forward to slied water better ; extended and sloped alighting-boards ; 

 simple hive-stand which has been previously described and illustrated in Gleanings. The hives are located 

 among young fruit-trees, and bees are plainly shown on the wing before the hive. 



B. Keep, New Jersey. 



