52 
[February, 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
that underlie the right practice'of farming. Thus 
guess-work, and the great waste that it brings, 
are done away with, and light of inestimable value 
is thrown upon the doubtful problems of our agri¬ 
culture. 
The Experiment Stations belong to the tillers of 
the soil. The first one was established by some en¬ 
terprising farmers, aided by agricultural societies, 
at Moeckern, in Saxony, in 1851. So successful was 
this, that others soon followed. In 1850 there were 
5 ; in 1861, 15; in 1866, 30; in 1871, 56 ; and there 
are now about 70 Experimented Stations in differ¬ 
ent parts of Europe. The yearly expenses vary 
from 81,000 to 810,000 each, and are borne in part 
by the government, in part by agricultural societies, 
and in part by private individuals. 
the roadway, or wherever a path is desired, and the 
snow is packed and pressed down smoothly, with¬ 
out leaving any ridges. Our correspondent thinks 
this a better plan than that of the snow-plow 
described in the December American Agriculturist. 
-- 
That the European Experiment Stations save di¬ 
rectly much more money than they cost, is shown 
by tlie willingness with which the farmers them¬ 
selves unite in supporting them with their influence 
and their money. And yet this advantage is very 
slight in comparison with that which results from 
the interest they awaken in science, and the addi¬ 
tions they make to the sum of our knowledge. He 
who has shared in the labors of the Stations, has 
seen the enthusiasm of the workers there for the 
science they are cultivating, has observed the eager¬ 
ness with which the results of the work are re¬ 
ceived by the farmers among whom the work is 
done, has noticed how these results are applied to 
practice, and has then compared the culture of the 
soil, the crops raised, and the love of knowledge 
which exists there, with those where this science is 
less fostered, will be well persuaded of their value. 
Attempts have been made with varying success 
to establish Experiment Stations in this country. 
The most promising is the Bussey Institution, of 
Harvard University. A large number of intelligent 
farmers in Connecticut, arc making a vigorous 
effort to establish an Experiment Station in that 
State. The project was started at the annual State 
Farmers’ Convention over a year ago. It has since 
been brought before the people in public meetings 
and otherwise, and has met their hearty approval. 
A bill providing an appropriation of money to es¬ 
tablish a Station was presented at the last Legisla¬ 
ture, but was deferred until the next session, 
which convenes next May. Meanwhile the farmers 
are determined that something shall be done. At 
the annual Farmers’ Convention last December, it 
was proposed that some investigations be com¬ 
menced at once. Several hundred dollars were 
subscribed, with the promise of more, for defraying 
the expenses. A most essential and fortunate en¬ 
couragement for the plan was given in an assurance 
by Mr. Orange Judd, of the American Agriculturist , 
in behalf of the trustees of the Wesleyan University, 
at Middletown, of the free use for the purpose, of 
all needful room and appliances in the chemical 
laboratory, which occupies a large space with 
abundant conveniences for manipulation, in the 
magnificent Judd Hall of Natural Science, gener¬ 
ously donated by him to the University. 
In no country, not even in the best cultivated 
districts of Germany, is the average intelligence of 
the cultivators of the soil so great as it is here. 
Yet, with us, one thing is lacking. We need more 
system, more definite knowledge, more applied 
science in our agriculture. We want this much, 
for the money it will save, more to improve our 
methods of farming, and most of all for the addi¬ 
tion it will make to our knowledge, and the stimu¬ 
lus it will give to our minds. For these, let us have 
Agricultural Experimental Stations. 
breaking Roads in the Snow. 
“ S. E. T.’ - sends , j loiiowing plan of breaking 
roads aftc snow-storm, with a sketch from which 
an engraving lies been made He uses a common 
sled, and in front, before the first pair of knees, and 
between the reve and the runner, as shown in the 
illustration, he places a wide board, six feet long, 
or two boards battened together in a sloping direc¬ 
tion. After a fall of snow the sled is drawn along 
Voices from the Bee Hive. 
INTERPRETED BY M. QUINBY. 
Although the sting seems to be the only language that 
many human beings can understand, the indications now 
are, that some few begin to move on a higher plane. The 
experiment has been tried of practicing towards us 
something a little nearer justice; and our response has 
been most gratifying. Our sting was given us as a 
means of defense, and it is to be hoped after being kindly 
treated for a much less time than we have been abused, 
we shall forget it, or use it so seldom that it will seem 
useless. Our guardian after studying dilligcntly, will 
find it necessary to discard many habits, theories, and 
impressions already formed; must train himself to 
avoid all collisions. He must rid liitnself of the idea 
that he can take all, and give nothing in return. We 
desire to he dealt with fairly, and will reciprocate every 
indulgence to the extent of our power Too many think 
they lose time by working carefully, when the truth is, 
it is economy to work slowly, as rash handling rouses 
our temper, often destroys our lives, and tends to pur 
keeper's loss generally. Let this truth be repeated until 
better understood. Let us tell you how to make a hive, to 
suit us much better than many yet offered. When cal¬ 
culating on the advantages of having the walls of the 
hive of good thickness, and a non-conductor of heat, 
you must bear in mind that the human body generates 
heat until a temperature of near 100° is reached. This 
is maintained until the surrounding atmosphere is colder 
and reduces it. Clothing surrounds the body, to keep 
it comfortable, by preventing this heat from passing off 
too rapidly. A swarm of bees are in a similar condi¬ 
tion. Heat enough is generated for our comfort, as long 
as the hive given us is sufficient to retain it. If the 
material of which it is composed, is a non-conductor, 
and our family is large, and there is no escape for the 
warmth generated through any hole or crevise, we keep 
warm enough. A perfect non-conductor we have not 
yet had. A small family can not generate warmth 
enough in a cold atmosphere' to keep comfortable. 
When such a family is placed in a hive with 
thick wails, the rays of the sun do not strike 
through as quickly as if they were thin, and we 
are not as much warmed in consequence, by a 
few hours of sunshine. We recommend ma¬ 
terial for this hive, only half an inch in thick¬ 
ness. If the warmth of the cluster passes off faster 
through such, we shall probably be wanned up by the 
sun’s rays quicker, to make up the difference. We shall 
recommend a part of the hive described in the American 
Agriculturist, in June, 1873, as that constitutes one 
answering ail purposes, for which wo, and many of our 
owners want it. If desired, this hive can at any time be 
converted into the one referred to. This modification, 
or part of said hive, can be made almost as cheaply as 
the box hive. But as many will not recall the one de¬ 
scribed. a repetition may be necessary. 
1st. Get out the bottom hoard. Let it bo 11 inches 
wide, by about 20 long, aud about 1 inch thick. Put 
cleats on the under side, to prevent warping. Piano the 
upper side smooth. Get a piece of hoop iron, 11 inches 
long, i wide ; J inch from one edge, make six or eight 
holes through, to drive nails. Put under the hoop iron 
a strip of veneering of hard wood, driving nails through 
this as well as hoop iron. Nail it across about an inch 
from the end of bottom board. The hoop iron should 
project over the piece under it, of an inch. This will 
give a space to hook on the frame. The bottom will 
appear like fig. 1. 
Next, get material for frame. Let two pieces be 11 
inches long, .1 inch thick and 1 1 wide, measurments 
exact. Two pieces, 18$ inches long, from inch boards, 
and thick. Nail through the shortest pieces into the 
longest ones, just} inch from both top and bottom, and 
you have a frame like .fig. 2. Nail firmly with finishing 
nails. Guides for straight combs should be in the top. 
The frame is held in position by a piece of hoop iron, 
3 inches long, bent into an angle like fig. 3. Two holes 
are made through it to fasten it with nails to the lower 
corner of one end of the frame, as at a fig. 4, and it 
is ready to hook under the hoop iron on the bottom’ 
board, and the frame will stand upright. . A small nail 
dropped in loosely, prevents unhooking. A half dozen 
will set on the bottom board. A wider board can be 
made if wanted, to make the hive iafger, or two can be 
joined together. Directly under the center, where the 
front end of the frame sets on the bottom board, an 
entrance can be made. Let it be cut out of the bottom 
hoard, half an inch in depth, and three-fourths wide, 
extending four inches under each frame. The sides and 
top are made of half-inch hoards, planed smoothly just 
the size of frames, with &leats nailed on each end, to 
prevent warping. Put one on each side, and one on top, 
and tie together with a stout rubber cord. It will hold 
every thing snug, and the hive is done. It is convenient 
for our actual needs. But as our owners may desire 
surplus honey in boxes, as well as to extract, arrange¬ 
ments may be made for them. Have the bottom board 
wider than specified above, and a number more frames, 
according to the strength of the colony. Then make a 
number of small frames—be sure and have enough. The 
boards of which they are made, need he only J inch in. 
thickness, and 1} in width, and the length just right 
to make a box when nailed together, 5X6 inches square. 
Six of these will go in one of the large frames, appearing 
like fig. 4. If they do not stay in properly, a little 
wedge will hold them firmly. A guide can be put in the 
top of each. As many frames as a colony can possibly 
need, should be prepared, a part, or all, may be put into 
the hive with the others, and all shut up closely. If 
only two are put in, let one be on each outside of the 
others, they will need but little attention until full. But 
if bees are crowded outside, more should be put between 
the full combs of the hive. A number of these frames 
with combs started in them, may be put together on the 
top of the hive, covered with a box—holes in the bottom 
of course—glass or boards on the outside. These combs 
will be filled in less time, if first put in the main hive, 
and then removed to the top. When these little frames 
are put between the full combs of the hive, they will 
need looking at once in five or six days, to see that 
brood is not started; in which case they should be 
removed, and replaced with empty ones. The former to 
Fig. 4.—FRAME WITH SMALLER FRAMES FILLED. 
be set away until the brood is chilled, before they are 
put on the top. as maturing brood will darken the combs. 
The hive alluded to iff much more convenient, ana 
much more trouble to make. Those who have not time, 
or fool too indolent to take so much trouble to get a 
nice thing, must submit to be rewarded in proportion. 
