FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 127 



the 72 colonies spring count. If reduced to pounds it would 

 probably be about 244 pounds per colony. 



The number of finished, marketable sections was 17,684, or 

 245.6 sections per colony, spring count. Reduced to pounds, 

 that would be something like 225 pounds per colony. 



Returning to the total credits, the poorest colony was 

 credited with 68 sections, the best with 402. Only 10 colonies 

 gave less than 200 sections each. The best 6 colonies gave 

 respectively 383, 384, 384, 390, 395, 402. 



Whether you count the total 266.47 sections per colony, or 

 only the 245.6 finished sections, I think that 1913 crop stands as 

 the world's record for the best yield of comb honey for as many 

 as 72 colonies. It could hardly be expected that I should not feel 

 a little proud of holding such a record ; but I am not proud that 

 in such a season there should be as many as 10 colonies giving 

 less than 200 sections each. I can take no pride in the season ; 

 that's one of God's good gifts; I can only take pride in good 

 management and careful breeding; and for those am I nut 

 equally indebted to the same God ? 



SHOP FOE BEE-WORK. 



The shop (Fig. 71) in which the filled supers are stored is 

 a plain wooden building 18 x 24, two-story, with a bee-cellar 

 under it. The bee-cellar, however, has not been used for some 

 years. The upper story is used for storing empty supers, hives, 

 and other articles not very heavy, or such as are not often 

 needed. The outside door opens into the middle of the east side 

 of the house into a store-room; immediately in front of you as 

 you enter are the stairs leading to the upper story, and at your 

 right a door opens into the work-room. In this work-room is a 

 coal-stove, and the room, being ceiled up, is comfortable in the 

 severest weather. 



ROOM FOE QUEEN. 



Up to the time of putting on supers the queen has had 

 unlimited room with the design of encouraging the rearing of 

 as much brood as possible. When the harvest begins, she may 

 have as much as 6, 9, 11, even up to 14 frames well occupied 



