86 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Mr. Walker had used various kinds 

 of honey-boards, and had no trouble 

 with brace-combs, whether break-joint 

 or otherwise. 



Mr. Root thought we had better go 

 slow in the matter of thick top-bars, and 

 the many new devices. It is expensive, 

 and that was a serious matter. Regard- 

 ing dovetailed hives, he said that they 

 could be made and shipped cheaper than 

 to cut them square. 



EVENING SESSION. 



" In what do we profit by the importa- 

 tion of queens ?" by D. A. Jones, was the 

 next essay read. 



A. I. Root said that he would be very 

 glad of suggestions. They were import- 

 ing 200 queens per year, and after test- 

 ing all other resources, they knew of 

 nothing better than the best importa- 

 tions from Italy. 



Mr. Perry thought the people went a 

 great deal by looks. They were usually 

 pleased at* first with a yellow queen ; but 

 many times would become dissatisfied 

 when their qualities were tested. Many 

 of the darker ones proved more satis- 

 factory. 



Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson thought that 

 the importation of queens at the present 

 time was of no value, as we had and 

 could breed as good queens as the world 

 contained. 



President Cook thought that the 

 American breeders were not doing as 

 much for themselves as Nature was 

 doing for the bees in Italy ; if they were 

 we would be exporting queens. 



Mr. Berg could not see how we could 

 accomplish much in that direction, so 

 long as men differed so much in opinions. 

 We cannot control the crossing as we 

 can with our stock. 



Mr. Timpe was of the same opinion. 

 He preferred the "golden Italians," 

 while his neighbor would not have them. 



QuESTiox-Box. — What are the relative 

 merits of the dovetailed-corner, and the 

 square or halved-corners. 



John G.Kundinger had a sample of the 

 dovetailed work on exhibition, and it 

 was decided in favor of the dovetailed- 

 corner. 



"Is as much foundation as we are using 

 advisable ?" 



Mr. Taylor — Yes ; use full sheets every 

 time. He had tried the Hutchinson 

 plan, and had more combs built on that 

 plan than he wanted. 



W. Z. Hutchinson had no trouble in 

 getting worker-comb without full sheets 

 with young queens ; but, with old queens, 

 they would build drone-comb. 



A rising vote showed 16 in favor of 

 full sheets, and 4 in favor of starters. 



Dr. Mason said that the practical dif- 

 ference with him was nothing, whether 

 he used foundation or not. 



Mr.' Walker wished to qualify his vote. 

 He used full sheets in the outside sec- 

 tions, and starters in the center ones. 



Mr. Heddon thought that this would 

 give drone-comb in the centre sections. 



" Shall we use closed end-bars?" 



Mr. Hunt — I would not. 



Mr. Taylor would, because they stay 

 there. 



Dr. Mason — Yes ; that is just what 

 they do, and if you want to get them out, 

 they all have to come out, and sometimes 

 I have to get on top of them to get them 

 out. 



MORNING SESSION— JAN. 2. 



" The benfits to be derived from api- 

 cultural associations," by R. F. Holter- 

 mann, was the first essay read. 



Mr. Root said if we were not careful 

 we would find ourselves like the rickety 

 old man described in "Pilgrim's Pro- 

 gress ;" and he hoped, if any one saw 

 him hanging back in the matter of Con- 

 ventions, he wanted them to take him by 

 the collar and straighten him up. 



Dr. Mason said that it was a good 

 essay, but all might not "agree with the 

 writer. He could not, in the matter of 

 judges. He had judged at Fairs, and 

 other places, many times, and could do 

 better justice to all parties alone, than 

 with two or three others. 



Mr. Berg said he had hesitated about 

 spending the time and money to come so 

 far, but he was amply paid, and should 

 go home rejoicing. 



Dr. Walter agreed with Mr. Berg, and 

 was well paid for his efl'orts. 



Prof. Cook rejoiced in the fact that so 

 many, who formerly were opposed to 

 Conventions, now endorsed them, and he 

 was happy in the thought that some 

 whom he had labored with, were now 

 experiencing a change of heart ; yes, 

 they were converted. 



QuESTiox-Box. — Honey adulteration. 

 Mr. Heddon suggested a "trade mark " 

 for our honey, and it was referred to the 

 committee on resolutions. 



It was moved and supported that the 

 matter of prosecution for the adultera- 

 tion of honey be referred to the Bee- 

 Keepers' Union. Carried. 



The next essay read, was entitled, 

 " Cellar vs, out-door wintering," by Dr. 

 A. B. Mason. 



Mr. Heddon said that that paper was 

 just what he would have written three 

 or four years ago, but he had learned 



