174 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



June 1, 



South East Michigan Convention. 



An adjourned meeting of the South 

 Eastern Michigan Bee-Keepers Assoc- 

 iation conveneed in the Court House at 

 Ann Arbor, on Thursday, May 12, at 9 

 a. m. The meeting was called to order 

 by the President. The Secretary being 

 absent, G. G. Pease was chosen Secre- 

 tary pro tern. The attendance was not 

 as large as was expected, on account of 

 the busy season, and the discourage- 

 ment attendant on wintering. The 

 best method of wintering was the prin- 

 cipal subject of discusion. Heavy 

 losses were reported. 



Mr. Douglas had only 5 left out of 29 

 in the Langstroth hive. 



Mr. Ashley did not know what was 

 the best method. Of 72 colonies last 

 full, only 10 were now alive ; bethought 

 the box hives had shown the best 

 results. 



Mr. Gooddell had 4 in Gallup simplic- 

 ity hives, put up in straw and chaff, 

 winch went through safely. 



Mr. Bennett had only lost 18 out of 68 

 colonies of Italians in Langstroth hives 

 in the cellar. 



Mr. Bodwell had 41 ; some in simplic- 

 ity and some in box hives ; 15 came 

 through, but they had dwindled since. 



Mr. J. Hick saved 11 out of 16. 



Mr. Pease had 4 colonies of Italians 

 in Gallup simplicity hives on the sum- 

 mer stands, which came through in fine 

 order; they were packed with chaff and 

 straw. 



N. A. Prudden had 42 in the fall. 5 in 

 chaff hives of his own construction and 

 pattern ; they came through in good 

 order. Out of 18 put in the cellar 

 November 6, not taken out until April 

 6, 2 starved ; the rest came through 

 safely. He packed 15 on the summer 

 stands with more loss. His 4 tenement 

 hives packed in chaff all around the 

 outside, come through in fine condi- 

 tion; he saved 30 out of 42 in all. 

 Hives, 10 to 12 frame Gallup simplicity. 



Others lost heavily, one 40 out of 70; 

 another 20 out of 30 ; several lost all in 

 box hives. The per cent, of loss is 

 about 75 per cent. No general agree- 

 ment as to the best method of winter- 

 ing was arrived at. The subject of 

 importing bees was discussed, and 

 decided that further importation of Ital- 

 ian stock at present whs unnecessary, 

 as the Italians we now have are better 

 than imported stock. 



A committee, consisting .of N. A. 

 Prudden, N. Eastwood, L. W. Bodwell. 

 G. G. Pease and R. Gooddell, were 

 appointed to recommend a proper per- 

 son for the office of commissioner on 

 foul brood, in accordance with the 

 recent act of the legislature. 



The time and place for holding the 

 next meeting was discussed at length. 

 Some desired a union with the Eastern 

 Michigan Association at Detroit; and 

 others favored a meeting at Jackson, 

 sometime during the State Fair. The 

 matter was finally left to the decision 

 of the executive committee, N. A. 

 Prudden, G. G. Pease and R. Gooddell. 



To the Bee-Keepers of Jackson and 

 other parts of the district, I would say : 

 Take the matter into consideration and 

 correspond with me, and see if we can- 

 not have a meeting at that time, and 

 choose officers for another year. Let 

 us hear from the bee-keepers of Jack- 

 son in particular. 



N. A. Prudden Pres., 

 and Chairman of Com. 



{Michigan Farmer please copy.) 



From the Michigan Farmer. 



Coopersville Michigan Convention. 



A meeting of bee-keepers was held at 

 Coopersville. Mich., lately, with J. J. 

 Robinson .as Chairman, and Dr. E. P. 

 Cummings as Secretary. Dr. Walling, 

 who was called upon to state the condi- 

 tions under which contagious diseases 

 among bees developed themselves, said 

 in answer that he thought foul brood 

 among our bees was caused by a speci- 

 fic poison of a zymotic character, aris- 

 ing from dead bees, broods, and 



uncleanly surroundings which under 

 suitable putrifying conditions propa- 

 gate a specific poison, sporadic in char- 

 acter, which is undoubtedly transferred 

 to healthy bees after plunder. The 

 remedy must be something to destroy 

 the spores and antizymic in its charac- 

 ter. When bad, destroy the hive and 

 its contents. Mr. Robinson remarked 

 that he had ^reat confidence in the vir- 

 tue of salicylic acid as a remedy. Mr. 

 Harling believed that what they called 

 foul brood was dead brood ; being 

 exposed by swarming, the bees not 

 being able to keep the brood warm, it 

 died, became putrid and they called it 

 foul brood. Mr. A. A. Dodge said he 

 had seen the real disease and that it 

 was a very different thing; very offen- 

 sive to the smell and a mass of putrifi- 

 cation and contagion. 



Central Michigan Convention. 



The Central Michigan Bee-Keepers' 

 Association held its sixth annual ses- 

 sion in the Pioneer Rooms of the Capi- 

 tol building, at Lansing, on May 5, 1881, 

 The day was pleasant and the atten- 

 dance was large. For some time it had 

 been announced that Thos. G. Newman, 

 the gentlemanly editor of the Ameri- 

 can Bee Journal, would be present 

 and deliver one of his instructive lec- 

 tnres ; in addition to this, Prof. Cook, 

 of the State Agricultural College, was 

 to give an address on wintering bees. 



At 9:30 a. m. Mr. Geo. L. Perry, the 

 Secretary of the Association, escorted 

 Mr. Newman from the Michigan Cen- 

 tral depot to the Chapman House. Af- 

 ter breakfast they went to the Capitol 

 building, where Mr. Newman was for- 

 mallv received by Rev. W. J. As worth. 

 President, and other members of the 

 Association. 



At 10 a. m. President Ashworth 

 called the meeting to order, and made 

 a few well chosen remarks, reviewing 

 the history of the Association for the 

 past 6 years, giving the contrasts be- 

 tween the first and the present year, 

 and pointing out the many benefits de- 

 rived from, and the pleasure received in 

 the prudent management of the apiary. 

 He mentioned our distinguished visitor 

 and gave him the following introduc- 

 tion : Ladies and gentlemen, I have the 

 honor and pleasure of introducing to you 

 Mr. Newman, of Bee Journal, fame. 



This occasioned loud and continued 

 applause. A large number of Senators 

 were present who favored the passing 

 of the Root Adulteration Bill (a bill to 

 prevent adulteration of food now be- 

 fore the Legislature), and understand- 

 ing that Mr. Newman was the ''Chicago 

 man " that " so energetically opposed 

 the adulteration of honey with glucose," 

 they had a little cheer of their own. 



Following this was the usual proceed- 

 ings of conventions, viz : Secretary and 

 Treasurer's report, election of officers 

 for the ensuing year, appointing com- 

 mittees of inspection, etc. 



Mr. Baker moved that the President 

 call for wintering reports, and requested 

 the Secretary to report them in the 

 minutes. 



Prof. Cook then entered the room and 

 brought with him his usual amount of 

 good feeling and advice. 



Mr. Brown described how he had 

 buried 11 colonies, similar to the 

 method that farmers bury potatoes, but 

 with more care. Mr. Brown states that 

 he gave upward ventilation by the use 

 of tile, that his loss was but 2, and that 

 his confidence in this method sufficient 

 to induce him to try it next winter. 

 He gave this plan at the State Conven- 

 tion last fall, which was looked upon 

 with doubt by Prof. Cook, T. F. Bing- 

 ham and James Harper. His state- 

 ment of success caused some further in- 

 quiry. 



Mr. Newman said it was a similar 

 plan to that recommended by Mr. 

 Cjuinby. It was successful some win- 

 ters, but he advised caution. 



Prof. Cook said he had made careful 

 experiments in this method of winter- 

 ing and considered it nothing more nor 

 less than a cellar, with the disadvan- 

 tage of admitting of no examination. 

 The Professor gave some experiments 

 of the same method made at the Col- 

 lege, and thought Mr. Brown's experi- 

 ence was the exception and not the rule. 



Mr. Robinson, of Pewamo. one of the 

 largest bee-keepers in Michigan, said he 

 had wintered over 200 colonies in a bee- 

 house at his home apiary, a large num- 

 ber at his branch apiary, and had com- 

 paratively little loss ; he thought much 

 of the loss in bees resulted from neglect 

 in preparing them for winter. 



Mr. Baker described his method of 

 successfully wintering in the cellar, as 

 did many others. 



Mr. C. Case, of Eagle, showed the 

 best record of any one present, having 

 made a fall count of 65 and only lost 4 

 in winter. Mr. Case is a thoroughly 

 practical bee-keeper and devotes his 

 whole time to his bees. He wintered 

 in a single-walled hive, in a dry cellar 

 well ventilated, and kept it perfectly 

 dark. 



Mr. C. E. Waldo, of Grand Ledge, 

 lost % of 86 colonies. He had tried cel- 

 lar and out-door packing ; he also had 

 a number in chaff hives. His loss was 

 about the same by the 3 methods. Mr. 

 Waldo considered the long confinement 

 the cause of loss in winter, for he had 

 taken every means to save his bees. 



Mr. Geo. L. Perry, the only one in 

 this vicinity that makes a special use 

 of the chaff hive, had only 13 left out of 

 43 last fall. He considered the chaff 

 hive all that is claimed for it, viz : that 

 it will keep bees from freezing, for he 

 lost no bees until March 20 ; he had a 

 cider mill within 60 rods of his apiary, 

 and the bees worked on the pomace for 

 10 days, and had much sour honey in 

 the combs gathered after packing for 

 winter. 



Many others spoke of their winter- 

 ing, but all gave statements of 50 per 

 cent. loss. 



Prof. Cook gave the college report; 10 

 were put in the cellar and only 5 are 

 now alive ; 4 packed in one foot of 

 straw, all dead ; one in Shuck hive, 

 dead. 



Mr. Newman said that lie had made a 

 thorough canvass from his large cor- 

 respondence, from Maine to California, 

 and the loss was 50 per cent all over 

 the Northern States. Michigan and Il- 

 linois reports were not more favorable 

 than Kansas or New York ; it is only 

 one of the adversities common to 

 any business. As the prospect is flat- 

 tering for a good honey yield, the few 

 bees left will be likely to gather more 

 honey this year than the many did last 

 season. 



The Secretary, having made the can- 

 vass of the Convention, found that out 

 of 743 colonies shut up last fall only 238 

 are reported alive, and many of them 

 weak and not out of danger. Many 

 old bee-keepers that have grown gray 

 in the science said that the last winter 

 was the worst they ever knew. All 

 but one said that the long confinement 

 was the cause of their losses, and he 

 (poor fellow) said he used 2 sheets of 

 foundation and knew that the patent 

 stuff killed his bees. 



The meeting then adjourned to give 

 time for the examination of the num- 

 erous exhibits. 



The afternoon session was even more 

 interesting than the morning ; many 

 citizens came in. Several of the lead- 

 ing papers of the State were repre- 

 sented, and a large number of ladies 

 were present. After calling to order, 

 the Association was entertained by an 

 address from Mr. Newman. His sub- 

 ject, selected by the Association, was: 

 ■' The rise, progress, present condi- 

 tion and future prospect of American 

 Apiculture." Mr. Newman spoke ex- 

 temporaneously, and delivered an ad- 

 dress in his usual free and sprightly 

 manner, interweaving occasional wit, 

 sufficient to command applause. 



The following were unanimously 

 elected officers for the ensuing year : 

 President, Rev. J. W. Ashworth ; Vice 

 Presidents: Eaton Co., C. E. Waldo; 

 Ingham Co., James Harper; Clinton 

 Co., C. Case; Sliiawasse Co., L. P. 

 Bailey; Livingston Co.. W. K. Cole; 

 Calhoun Co., B. Salisbury; Jackson 

 Co., C. B. Smith ; Secretary, George L. 

 Perry ; Treasurer, L. B Baker. 



Prof. A. J. Cook read the essay on 

 wintering bdes at the College, as pub- 

 lished on page 155 of the Weekly Bee 

 Journal. After closing his remarks 

 Prof. Cook invited Dr. Root, member 

 of the Senate and mover of the famous 

 " Michigan Adulteration Bill," to favor 

 the Convention with a few remarks. 



Dr. Root, in a slow and easy manner, 

 made some fitting remarks on the sci- 

 ence of apiculture, and the rights of 

 bee-keepers generally. Finally, touch- 

 ing the subject of adulteration, he 

 warmed up to that quick, positive tone 

 and expression that so characterizes 

 his speeches on the floor of the Senate. 



The Convention next listened to some 

 timely remarks by Mr. Robinson, of 

 Pewamo, giving his methods of man- 

 agement of bees in his extensive yards, 

 and advice concerning the care of 

 combs and comb honey. 



After some further remarks by mem- 

 bers present the President declared the 

 " question drawer" open, and appointed 

 Messrs. Newman, Cook and Harper a 

 committee to answer the questions. 

 Many of the usual questions were asked 

 and much intelligence imported by their 

 answers. 



The exhibit of the hives and supplies 

 was quite large ; a chaff hive from 111. 

 was there, but owing to the many parts 

 it contained found but little favor. 

 Bingham's smoker was as usual the 

 " pet." Time was given to examine 

 the books and publications on exhibi- 

 bition. Mr. Brown, of Lansing, ex- 

 hibited a section machine and founda- 

 tion fastener ; Mr. Newbrow a clamp to 

 raise frames from the hive. 



After being called to order, Mr. Case, 

 of Eagle, offered resolutions in honor 

 of Messrs. Newman and Senator Root; 

 both gentleman were elected honorary 

 members of the Society. On motion, 

 the Convention adjourned to Oct. 27. 

 Rev. J. Ashworth, Pres. 



Geo. Perry, Sec. 



Honey and Beeswaz Market. 



BUYERS' QUOTATIONS. 



CHICAGO. 



HONEY- The market Is plentifully supplied with 

 honey, and sales are slow at weak, easy prices. Quo- 

 table at IS431180. for strictly choice white cumb in 1 

 and 2 lb. boxes; at 10OI2C. for common dark-colored 

 ami broken lots. Extracted, 7H@9Hc. 



BEESWAX.-Choice yellow, 20»23c; dark, 15@17. 



NEW YORK. 



HONEY. — Best white comb honey, small neat 

 packages, 14wl7c; dark 11(5112 ; large boxes 2c. less.— 

 White extracted. 9®10c; dark, 7(<v8c. 



BEESWAX.-Prime quality, 20@25c. 



CINCINNATI. 



HONE Y.— The market for extracted clover honey 

 is good, at h@ loc. Comb honey is of slow sale at 16c. 

 for the best. 



BKESWAX-18®22c. C. F. MUTH. 



SAN FRANCISCO. 



HONEY— Most of the honey now in market, both 

 in tirst and second hands, has been either withdrawn 

 or placed at a limit above current rates. This action 

 is confirmatory of the unfavorable prospects here- 

 tofore referred to. We quote white comb, 12(stl4c.; 

 dark to go d. 1K«)11C. Extracted, choice to extra 

 white, 5U@69lG.; dark and candied, 4&i5^c. 



BEESWAX— 2Hs)22c, as to color. 



Stearns & Smith. 423 Front Street. 



San Francisco. Cal., May 21, 1881. 



CLUBBING LIST. 



We supply the Weekly American Bee Journal 



and any of the following periodicals, for 1881, at the 

 prices quoted in the last column of figures. The 

 first column gives the regular price of both : 



Publishers' Price. 



The Weekly Bee Journal (T. G. Newman) 



and Gleanings in Bee-Culture (A. 1. Hoot) 3 00. 



Bee-Keepers' Magazine (A..). King).. 3 00 



Bee-Keepers' Exchange (J. H.Nellls). 2 75. 



The 4 above-named papers 4 75. 



Bee-Keepers' Instructor I W. Thomas) 2 50. 



Bee-Keepers' Guide (A.G.Hill) 2 60. 



Theti above-named papers 5 75, 



Prof. Cook's Manual (bound in cloth) 3 25. 



Bee-Culture (T.G. Newman 1 2 40. 



For Semi-monthly Bee Journal, $1.00 less. 

 For Monthly Bee Journal. $1.50 less. 



Cluo. 

 ,»2 00 

 . 2 75 

 2 60 

 . 2 50 

 . 3 75 

 . 235 

 . 236 

 . 600 

 . 300 

 . 225 



Local Convention Directory. 



1881. Time and Place of Meeting. 



Sept.— —National, at Lexington. Ky. 



-Kentucky State, at Louisville, Ky. 

 Ocl, 11. 12— Northern Michigan, at Maple Rapids. 

 12 -Ky. State, in Exposition B'd'g, Loulsvllle.Ky. 

 W. Williamson, Sec, Lexington, Ky. 



U" In order to have this Table complete, Secreta- 

 ries are requested to forward full particulars of time 

 and place of future meetings.— ED. 



Nana's Daughter. — T. B. Peterson & 

 Brothers have just published a remark- 

 able book which will create a great sen- 

 sation, being no less than a continua- 

 tion of, and sequel to Emile Zola's 

 great Paris realistic novel of " Nana," 

 being a far superior book ; which can be 

 appreciated by all. it is entitled 

 "Nana's Daughter," and is one of the 

 most exciting and absorbing stories 

 ever given to the public. The heroine 

 is elevated upon the stage of Parisian 

 fashion, and is more natural than rea- 

 listic. Look out for another eruption. 



