GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



November, 1917 



frames. This extra space Avas jn'ovided by 

 placing two or three blocks of % square 

 stuff, or corncobs, crosswise of the center 

 of the frames. Over all was placed a bur- 

 lap sheet. 



For a number of years manufacturers 

 sold what was called the Hill device, a little 

 framework something like that shown in the 

 illustration below. This was placed over 

 the tops, of the combs, and a burlap sheet 

 over all ; but in late years the Hill device has 

 disappeared fi-om the catalogs of the manu- 

 factui'ei's. 



"I'll? qnesliori is, " Has the top-chuctoriptr- 

 sjiace scheme for outdoor-wintered colonies 

 been abandoned?" Yes and no. In later 

 years it has been the practice to place a thin 

 iaoard (commonly called a super cover) over 

 the tops of the frames. This allows a bee- 

 space over the entire top of the hive, and 

 it has usually been considered sufficient; 

 but the qnestiou is, whether it would not be 

 advisable to go back to old principles by 

 allowing an inch or more space between the 

 covering and the top of the frames. In lo- 

 calities where the absorbing principle* is 

 used, the space of aii inch over the tops of 

 the combs is almost a necessity. To accom- 

 plish this it has been the practice to place a 

 bridgework under the packing so that the 

 bees can pass from over the tops of the 

 combs as fast as they consume the stores 

 and move over to other stores. In other lo- 

 calities, where the climate is more mild, a 

 thin super cover not sealed down seems to 

 provide ample room. 



During the last year or so beehive manu- 

 facturers have been putting out for inner 

 cavers, under the telescope outer cover, 

 boards bound on four sides with % cleats. 

 A hole in the center for a bee-escape is left 

 open for the passage of the moisture into 

 the packing above. By placing the eleated 

 side of the board down there will be left 

 a space of % inch over the top of the 

 frames for clustering. Those who have the 

 latest-made hives can very easily give this 

 am.ount of space over the frames, and we 

 certainly would advise it. The old-style 

 super-covers might better be eleated in the 

 same manner; and if a hole is cut in the 



cenfer large enough to afford a bee-escape 

 the moist II le can pass upward. 



In our locality we have made no provision 

 for this escape of moisture, and find that 

 bees winter nicely. But some of our best 

 authorities in tlie colder climates insist on 

 the importance of having the covering on 

 top of the cluster made so that the moisture 

 can pass upward in the packing above. We 

 are inclined to take a middle ground, and 

 therefore believe that the escape - board 

 when reversed gives all the top clustering- 

 space tliat is needed, and at the same time 

 affords an opportunity for the moisture to 

 go above. 



ELSEWHERE in the Just News depart- 

 ment of this issue .it will be noted that 

 John C. Bull, secretary 

 CONVENTION of the National Bee- 

 DATES keepers' Association, 



has arranged to have 

 tlie dates of the various state conventions 

 consecutive as nearly as possible. Some 

 effort along this line has been made in the 

 jiast in this direction; but even then, several 

 important dates conflicted. 



it is. perhaps, unnecessary to explain 

 that, by having the dates consecutive, it 

 enables speakers like Dr. E. F. Phillips, 

 or others of national reputation, to go to 

 any one or all of the conventions. It is 

 certainly desirable to have Dr. Phillips, 

 apicultural expert of the national Govern- 

 ment, get in close personal touch with all of 

 the state associations; and speakers who 

 have been all over the United States can 

 soruetimes give out information that Hs 

 valuable to local societies. Moreover, they 

 help boost the attendance. 



Gleanings expects to be represented at 

 most of the conventions — pi'obably in the 

 person of E. R. Root. C. P. Dadant, of the 

 American Bee Journal, will attend several. 

 See .Tust News. 



* This consists of a porous covering so that thp 

 moisture can pass upward into the packing above. 



The picture appearing on our cover this 

 issue is the royal palm, with the algarrobos 

 in the background. The photo was pre- 

 sented to us by U. Trista, of Santa Clara, 

 Cuba, as Avas also the picture of the papaya 

 carrisa, a tree we have previously mention- 

 ed as growing in A. I. 'Root's southern gar- 

 den. 



This papaj'a, we are told, is a tree gi-ow- 

 ing on Mr. Trista's bee-farm, and, altho but 

 one year old, it has produced forty-one 

 fruits, some as long as seventeen inches. 

 All three of these trees are very good honey- 

 producers. 



