1903 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



61 



where. Indeed, it is a well-known fact that 

 in Kansas and Nebraska it is one of the 

 most important sources of honey. If I re- 

 member correctl}', one man in Nebraska 

 once reported a yield of 400 lbs. from two 

 colonies, or an average yield of 200 lbs. 

 from forty or sixt}' colonies. Mr. Whitcomb 

 seemed to be decidedly of the opinion that 

 the large amount of honey in the hives in 

 Dr. Gandy's yard was largely from hearts- 

 ease. The bees were piling into the hives, 

 evidently loaded with nectar. He got down 

 on his hands and knees, and placed his 

 face near the entrance. "Yes," said he, 

 rising, "that is heartsease, for it has the 

 characteristic smell." 



Dr. Gandy has several very fine blood- 

 hounils. Some of the older dogs have been 

 trained to service; and it was really inter- 

 esting to see how they would take scent, 

 track the individual, and then when they 

 got "hot on the trail" would give that deep 

 bay that would, I should &ay, make the one 

 tracked think the very devil or a lot of them 

 were after him. 



Mr. Vhitcomb took along two of the pup- 

 pies, siying, with that dry smile of his, 

 "Mrs. Whitcomb will probably raise a 

 rumpus when she sees these pups." Later 

 Mr. W. told me his wife had become recon- 

 ■ciled to the pup*;, and that they were grow- 

 ing rapidly. 



OFFENSIVE ODORS FROM THE HIVES IN THE 

 FALL. 



What is the cause of an extremely offen- 

 sive odor, noticeable about bee-hives at times 

 during the fall? Would any honey that 

 chanced to be on in the supers ever become 

 fit to eat, or could it be made so? Will 

 you kindly give prevention and cure? 



Nellie G. Bassett. 



Mulberry Corners, O., Nov. 8. 



[Very often in the fall of the year bees 

 will gather honey from some fall flower 

 which, before it is ripened, or is in the 

 process of ripening, gives out a sort of sick- 

 ening odor from the entrance of all hives in 

 which such honey is stored. I know, for 

 example, that unripe heartsease hone}' in a 

 hive gives out a sickening smell, or at least 

 it is sickening to me. There are others 

 that at times give off similar odors. It is 

 well known that the process of ripening 



FIG. 4.— WILD CUCUMBr-:K, showing the leaves ^ND BLOSSOMS (ONF-THIRD S Zi;). 



