104 
THE AUSTRALIAN BEEKEEPERS’ JOURNAL. 
brood chamber only contains one compartment, 
and although all the interior of the hive cannot 
be observed, yet I know, from my own practical 
experience of more than twenty-five years 
with hives with a pane of glass in the back, 
that from a glance I could tell the condition 
of tho hive If “Apis” has not got this J 
experience yet, it is not the fault of Mr. j 
Abram. Whenever I went to one of my 
hives during the winter months, and with- 
drew the slide covering the glass, I could at 
once tell whether there was food in the hive 
or not, or when I could not observe some of 
the inmates a slight tap with my fingers 
would soon convince me whether the bees 
were lively or dormant. I need not go further 
on with this subject, or 1 could very soon con- 
vince the reader that a glass window in a 
hive is a matter of vast importance to one j 
who keeps bees, not only for profit, but for 
pleasure also. There is yet another article I 
should like to say a little about, and that is 
the one so ably written by our friend Coleman, 
across the border. I could not improve on it ; 
still I would give this good friend, and not 
only him, but all those who manufacture 
foundation, this one advice, that is, do as I 
do, and instead of using such disagreeable 
stuff as soapsuds as a lubricator, use syrup 
made from extracted honey and warm water. 
Gentlemen readers, this is perfection; once try 
it, and you will never regret it. It gives the 
foundation a beautiful glossy appearance, it 
makes it more pliable, and it never gets, even 
if kept on hand from one season to another, 
so brittle as that on which starch has been 
used as a lubricator; and the best of all is, the 
bees accept it far more readily than any I 
have ever used before. 
H. Naveau. 
Hamilton, Victoria, 
16th September, 1886. 
[To the Editor of the Beekeepers' Journal.) 
Sir, — We have established a Beekeepers’ 
Association with very good prospects. The 
attendance at the first and subsequent meet- 
ings showed the interest our beemen are 
taking in the matter, and from all parts of the 
Colony, beekeepers are sending in their names 
and subscriptions. 
The first monthly meeting was an interest- 
ing one, free conversation on a variety of bee 
topics being indulged in. 
The adulteration of honey by some dealers 
and exporters was freely canvassed, and it 
was decided to have samples produced when- 
ever adulteration is discovered — exposure to 
follow. 
The necessity for more correct information 
on the bee flora (native) was acknowledged, 
and efforts will be made to have a list com- 
piled, giving as full information thereon as 
possible. 
The prospects of the coming season were dis- 
cussed, and the general opinion was expressed 
that a good ingathering, with large increase 
of stocks, may be fully expected and prepared 
for. 
We have had a remarkably mild and moist 
winter, and the spring is unusually favourable, 
scarcely a week without some rain. Vegeta- 
tion is luxuriant, flowers plentiful— the native 
bush promises to be a mass of blossom in a 
very short time. This, together with the fact 
that the boxes are full of bees and the combs 
more completely filled with brood than is 
sometimes the case at this particular time of 
year — plenty of the stocks with light frames 
(Langstroth) as nearly full of brood as may be 
just a fringe of honey, betok< ns an immense 
yield if the stocks are properly managed. 
I heard of some swarms in August, but 
nights came in chilly again and checked it. 
There will be fun in the bee yards in a few 
days hence, when the atmosphere warms up 
a bit. I have been working a solar wax 
extractor with considerable success, and pre- 
dict this will become universal, cheap, clean, 
effective, and no trouble. 
My friend, Mr. Naveau, has tried to smooth 
matters between Mr. Abram and myself, anent 
the German hive. I am quite aware of the 
distinction set up for the Berlepsch hive, 
Dr. Rzierzon uses two kinds, and is par- 
ticularly partial to one with a top bar only. 
I have worked this plan ; it is no good for 
the extractor. Dzierzon’s hanging frame, two 
storeys to each hive, that is, a stock and super 
is so much like the Berlepsch, that the 
principle is the same in both, and it is the 
principle, not the details, that I object to, for 
the reasons so fully set forth by “ Apis " and 
supported by Mr. Naveau. Root’s chaff hive, 
two storeys, will give Mr. Naveau the hive 
par excellence for out door wintering in 
Victoria, and for protection against sudden 
changes, or hot wind days too.— Yours, 
' Chas. Fullwood. 
Brisbane, 16th Sept., 1886. 
NEW BOOKS, REVIEWS AND 
EXTRACTS 
FROM FOREIGN JOURNALS. 
Strengthening Weak Colonies. 
Doolittle’s Plan of Doing it. 
WHEN spring arrives, most beekeepers find 
that they have more or less weak colonies, 
even when their bees as a rule winter well ; 
while row and then a spring finds some of us 
