1881 



GLE^VNINGS IN BEE CULTUIIE. 



4! to 



a close observation of ihem shows that they are 

 lighter under the abdomen, have a jrold shield be- 

 tween the wiugs, the third black segment being of 

 crescent shape, and the tip of the abdomen jet black. 

 But their sensitiveness and quick temper are what 

 will strike the observer most forcibly; at all events, 

 these impressed my mind the most, and they would 

 have impressed my body too, but that I took the 

 precaution of wearinji- a veil. 



But Jones eagerly awaits the advent of the .4pi.s 

 (li)rmta. He is fairly ilaft on that insect. 1 hope the 

 Cyprians will be abolished before he gets it. An 

 Ai)is ihirsata sting and a Cyprian temper would in- 

 deed be " too utterly utter." Still, we do want a bee 

 with length enough of tongue to rifle the clover- 

 heads of their large store of sweetness. If Mr. J. 

 can procure or develop a bee that will gather the 

 red-clover harvest of honey, he will crown his apia- 

 rian achievements with a feat that will send his 

 name down to posterity with a halo of glory around 

 it that will make him the wonder of coming genera- 

 tions, and the apicultural hero of all time. This is 

 what he is working for. Meantime, he reports 

 progress thus: "I recommend the Holy-Land bees, 

 and think they will outstrip all others thus far ob- 

 tained." Still, I think we shall hang to the Italians 

 for some time yet. They are among bees what Wil- 

 son's Albany is among strawberries. The Holy-Land 

 bees are new comers, and a new broom sweeps clean. 

 I am inclined to believe these three races have had 

 a common oiigin, their comparatively slight dis- 

 tinctions being attributable to local and climatic in- 

 fluences. Even if Apis dorsata does not come along, 

 we ought to be able, with the four races now in 

 hand, to produce a bee better than any of them. 



WlLtilAM F. Cl.^rke. 



Listowell, Canada, Sept. 3, 18S1. 

 Many tlianks. friend Clarke. It may be 

 that all of our readers are not faiuiliar "with 

 the fact, that the writer of the above was at 

 one time editor of the American Bee Journal. 

 I mention this, because his wide experience 

 adds weight to his observations and opin- 

 ions in regard to the enterprise of friend 

 Jones. I presimie, from the talks I have had 

 with friend J., that the food he uses is gran- 

 ulated sugar ; but I would also like to know 

 if he linds it necessary to furnish a substi- 

 tute for pollen, or does he find enough of 

 that V If not, our friends who complain so 

 much of an excess of pollen might save up 

 combs full for him. By all means, friend J., 

 go on ; and when yoii lack means, tell us 

 how we can help yoit. The IIoly-Land bees 

 certainly have some strong points of differ- 

 ence that ]jromise well. We often send them 

 out to till orders, and T have never yet heard 

 them called any thing else than nice Italians. 

 The bees would please almost anybody in ap- 

 pearance, and we have never yet had a com- 

 plaint of their being cross, like some of the 

 Cyprians, 



What time of the year do they gather.' 

 Xt any time of the year when food is plen- 

 ty and the weather not severely cold. 



How do they gather and deposit their honey? 



They lick it out of the blossoms ; and 

 when they get a load they deposit it in the 

 cell by throwing it out "through the same 

 brush-like tongue through which they take 

 it from the blossoms. 



How do they seal their honey-cups? 



With the same little scales of wax men- 

 tioned, by warming it in their mouths, or 

 under their chins, until it is almost in a 

 melted state. 



Do bees get lazy? 



I am inclined to think they sometimes do. 



What causes bees to get lazy? 



As nearly as I can tell, because they have 

 nothing to stir up their ambition. Just take 

 away some of their honey with the extractor, 

 Avhen their hives are full to repletion, and 

 they will generally get over being lazy. 



Do bees ever have any disease? 



Bees have very few diseases, compared 

 with the rest of the animal kingdom. 



What remedy is the best? 



AVell, that is a big question, friend M.; 

 but I am inclined to think I would treat 

 them as I would the human family for most 

 diseases. G ive them plenty of the best food, 

 plenty of good air, proper protection from 

 the weather, and after that, a severe letting 

 alone, that nature may do the curing. 



How far will bees go after honey? 



I think they do not often go more than 

 two or three miles ; perhaps not over a mile 

 and a half profitably ; but Doolittle puts it, 

 if I am correct, nearly twice as far. I think 

 it very likely they would go much further, 

 if they could start out of hives in a valley, 

 load up on the hills or mountains, and then 

 sail down home with their loads. 



What do bees do with the water that they draw 

 from the earth and carry in the gum? 



After publishing this, I hope your readers will an- 

 swer these questions. H. H. McDaniel. 



Marquez, Leon Co., Texas, Aug. 19, 1881. 



In very hot weather, I am inclined to think 

 they carry it in to make the hive cool, much 

 as we sprinkle the floor. When rearing 

 brood largely, and confined to the hives with 

 only thick hcuey, they use a great deal to 

 prepare the food of the infant bees. Now if 

 the "readers"' don't agree, let them give 

 their views. 



SOME QUESTIONS" BY A YOUNG HAND. 



SENDING QUEENS LONG DISTANCES 



DURING THH DRY WEATHER OF AUGUST. 



S I am a young hand in raising bees, I would 

 like to ask a few questions in regard to rais- 

 ing them. 



How do bees gather the hone3--comb? Where do 

 they get it? 



By pulling it in little scales from between 

 the rings that form their bodies. 



flHE queens were received safely, and In fine con- 

 dition, last Monday, Aug. 22d. One solitary 

 — ■ attending bee in one of the cages was dead, 

 but all the rest were as lively and bright-looking fel- 

 lows as one need wish to see. Your method of ship- 

 ping this time, merits my approval. I like the 

 double cage, giving ample space for bees, and, best 

 of all, the two bottles of water. Many thanks, my 

 dear friend, for the pains you have taken to fill my 

 order. You remember we have been trying for over 



