THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. 



ed and cleaned up by the bees before they 

 are put away for winter, and the most ar- 

 dent champion of the case does not pretend 

 that sections in cases can be extracted as 

 readily as those in frames. I have changed 

 sections from the case to the frame and 

 from the frame back again to the case until 

 it seemed to me that this alone was quite 

 enough to suggest a preference for the wide 

 frame system. 



I use wooden separators which are all re- 

 moved from the frames and cleaned of pro- 

 polis; as are also the frames, and the sections 

 that are carried over. 



I shall, for the present, adjust my sections 

 on the hives in wide frames by hives full, 

 and use wooden separators, until I learn of a 

 better way. 



I think, perhaps, that I would use cases, 

 but not without separators, if I had only a 

 small apiary and plenty of time to look after 

 it; as, under the circumstances, by putting 

 them on with sufficient caution, not getting 

 more surplus room than needed; there would 

 be an economy in surplus fixtures, especially 

 in short or poor seasons like the last three. 



I have no doubt but the kind of hives used, 

 or the locality, has something to do with the 

 success or failure of certain methods or fix- 

 tures; and it is not unlikely that my hive is 

 better adapted to the methods and fixtures I 

 prefer than some other hive would be. 



East Townsend, Ohio, 



Dec. 1, 1888. 



While we sympathize most sincerely with 

 our modest friend, it does not seem advisa- 

 ble to drop the introductory editorials, or 

 "leaders." " Leader " is a very appropriate 

 name, as they lead all the discussions in the 

 proper direction. To simply announce the 

 special topic in advance would be insuffi- 

 cient; as one correspondent would discuss it 

 from one point, and another from a diiTerent 

 one, while it is the mission of the Review to 

 bring together the views of the beat bee- 

 keepers upon the same points. As we strive 

 most earnestly to be strictly impartial and 

 honest in the writing of cur editorials, so we 

 sincerely desire that all correspondents will 

 freely express their views, regardless of their 

 agreement or disagreement with our own. 



We are pleased to learn, from so good au- 

 thority as Mr. Boardman, that no loss results 

 from giving the bees an abundance of room, 

 and that from the start. We have never used 

 wide frames in full hives, but we have been 

 led to believe that the bees would commence 

 work first in the lower sections, and that in 

 completing the upper sections these lower 

 ones would become travel-stained. If the 

 honey flow comes with a rush, and is soon 

 over, it is quite clear that all the sections 

 will be filled and completed so quickly that 

 none will be stained. Neither is there any 



difficulty in comprehending how tiering-up, 

 with cases, might result in more unfinished 

 sections at the end of the season than the 

 plan of putting on a full hive of sections and 

 leaving them undisturbed until the end of 

 the season. These matters must be man- 

 aged with judgement. All the advantages 

 claimed by Bro. Boardman for wide frames 

 in full hives, unless it be that of extracting 

 unfinished sections at the end of the season, 

 can be secured with (lases; while they are less 

 expensive, easier handled, quicker emptied, 

 better adapted to feeding back, they furnish 

 the most practical means of tiering up, and, 

 by putting two together, their capacity is 

 equal to a full hive. 



Moisture; Diarrhoea; Etc. 



G. W. DEMABEE. 



'HILE reading the November issue 

 of the Review, I felt inclined to 

 make some observations on the 

 above subjects. Referring to the 

 question of "Moisture;" I believe tliat noth- 

 ing that possesses life can exist without it. 

 It is a question then, not of moisture simply, 

 but of normality as pertains to bees in their 

 winter confinement. What excess of mois- 

 ture, above that of normal condition, be- 

 comes injurious to bees in winter confine- 

 ment? This seems to me to be the question. 

 And I think it is safe to say that an excess 

 of moisture is injurious to bees at all times, 

 and especially when in winter confinement. 

 No doubt but temperature may be so regu- 

 lated as to counteract the bad effects of too 

 much moisture, but this does not change the 

 facts. A cellar neither too dry nor too moist, 

 that is, in a normal condition, must necessa- 

 rily be best for the health of the bees and 

 for the convenience of the apiarist; because 

 such a cellar is more easily managed as per- 

 tains to temperature etc. But I may refer 

 more particularly to the effects of excessive 

 moisture under the heading of: 



SO-CALLED DIAREHOeA IN BEES. 



Some of our most accurate writers on bees 

 object to the word "Dysentery" as descrip- 

 tive of the winter troubles formerly known 

 by that name. They insist that diarrhoea is 

 the proper term. So far as my observations 

 go I do not see how either of these medical 

 terms can apply accurately to a case of simple 

 retention on the part of the bees; voluntary 

 on their part to the extent of their powers, 

 to avert destruction as a resultant filthy con- 

 dition of the brood-nest, and wherein, aside 

 from the deadly eft'ects of the filth, a simple 

 discharge brings about a permanent cure. 

 I am not to be understood as saying that 

 long retention may result in poisoning the 

 system, but no physician would call such a 

 condition diarrhoea or dysentery. The re- 

 tention of the faeces when in confinement is 

 not a disease, it is natural with bees. Did 



