!^«M io M^m and f on^g, 



And Peace ou Earth and Good Will toward Men. 





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HOW IT CAME ABOUT — ABOT^T PATENT HIVES — WHAT FRAME OR HIVE TO USE — 

 SHALL WE USE AX EXTRACTOR, OR RAISE COMB HONEY V— ITALIANS— THE 

 BEE MOTH. 



He s()t sick, the engraver did, and so I did not get anj- picture for this month, but if I am to 

 judge from the letters and postals of inquiry that come in, you will probably be better satisfied 

 with the following: "opinions", than with any picture I could possibly study up. My friend's have 

 you any idea of what an enquiring' people bee-keepers are? I am sorry that I am not wiser, 

 strong-er, more patient, and better fitted in every way for the work that seems devolving on me. 

 I know you are willing- to pay me for all the trouble you make, for you have already sent me 

 kind letters and money, far more than I have deser\ed I fear, liut then there is such an "awful 

 lot" of you that it makes me feel as if I wasn't yet "big enough," for all this responsibility, and 

 the worst of it is, I am afraid I ne\er shall be. 



While I earnestly try to maintain a broad "charity for all, and malice toward none," and while 

 I do not wish to take upon myself the res|)onsil)ility of dictating a course for others, I feel it a 

 duty to discourage with all my might, both li.\- pirccpt and example, everything in the shape of 

 patented bee hives, or patents on liiiything |>citaiiiing to liec-culture. On the other hand I shall 

 try to encourage every one to do iill in their power to adxance tlie eonniion good of all. I do not 

 believe the world "selfish and grasiiing," but have unlimited contideiicc in the ilisposition of our 

 people to desire to pay for everything they get, and to reward those wiio work for them disinter- 

 estedly, when they oiiee get a clear understanding of the matter. If you have made a valuable 

 invention or disco"\cry, give it to the people rejoicing that you have been enabled to contribute 

 yfiur mite to the cominon good, and in seeing others happy, and sooner or later, you will surely 

 have your reward. 



I recommend the Langstroth frame for everybody, and for everj^ purpose whatever, in pref- 

 erence to anything else, and I have pretty thonnighly e.xperiniented witn all shapes and sizesr; 

 There may be other forms that will give just as good results, but I do not believe there are any 

 better. For all general purpose, I advise the Simplicity hi^•e liolding ten of the above frames. 

 The hive is made of 'a lumber, and is 2OI4 by in inches outside measure. The Langstroth frames 

 as our gauges make them, are IT'^a by O's outside measure. As the chaff hive is the same thing 

 with an outer shell to hold the chair "that i)rote(ts the hive from the winter's frosts, as well as 

 summer's sun, no confusion can result from using both in the same apiary. 



Produce just whichever pays best in your own market, and no one can tell so well as you, 

 yourself, can by trying both ; you can perhaps produce a nice article of extracted for about 15c., 

 as cheaply as comb honey for 30c. You can produce thin, raw, unripened honey without any 

 trouble for 10c. or less, but it will probably pay you best to give j'our customers an article as good 

 in every respect as that found in the incest comb honey. 



The comparative advantages of the black or common bees and Italians, Is a matter that no 

 longer admits of discussion, and I must consiiler the very few individuals who write in favor of 

 the former as lii'longing to that chiss of unfo;tunates who seem to delight in being contrary. If 

 tons of honey are to be considered a proof, the matter has long ago been amicably settled in favor 

 of the Italians. 



The bee moth need hardly be mentioned now, unless it is to advise you to drive them out with 

 Italians, for whenever they come into a neighborhood, the moths get out without any farther 

 troul)Ie or botlKM-. This one feature alone, is enough to justify introducing Italian queens in 

 place (d' the blacks. 



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