1852. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
145 
yp^^y-rwsyygr, pp^ta ~T 
Long-wooled ram and ewe, which received the first- 
premium for stock over two years old, at the Show of 
the New-York State Agricultural Society, 1851. The 
ram belonged to J. McDonald, Warren, Otsego, Co., 
N. Y., and the ewe to Williams Rathbone, Springfield, 
in the same county. 
droves, and well matched. At three years old. they will 
do as much work as a common span of horses, and con¬ 
tinue to improve for ten years. It appears to me that 
farmers might save much by substituting mules for horses. 
I suppose that in the United States there are three 
millions of working horses, whose place might he equal¬ 
ly well supplied by mules. In my estimate, I made 
the balance in favor of the mule over $50 yearly; but 
allowing it to he only $20, the annual saving of expense 
would be sixty million dollars. Yours truly, D. D. T. 
More. Watervliet , N. Y., Feh. 1852. 
Management of Bees. 
In a short article on bees in the January number, I 
stated that I use Weeks’ Vermont hive. Many patterns 
of hives are now in use, each of which, no doubt, has its 
excellencies. It is not my purpose to decry any of them. 
I shall speak of the one I have used, and which has done 
me good service. As I write to encourage a more ex¬ 
tensive cultivation of bees, so that every family residing 
in the country, may at least provide, at a cheap rate, 
sufficient honey for its own consumption, I will give some 
familiar hints on the mode of management, which, in an 
experience of some ten years, I have found successful. 
Let me premise, that every person, whether male or 
female, who has strength to carry to its place a hive con¬ 
taining a new swarm of bees, can readily become a bee 
manager. I have had in my employ, a female who could 
hive a swarm as skillfully and composedly as myself. 
The fear of being stung is what deters most persons from 
attempting to keep bees. It is. however, an easy matter 
to provide against them. I never expose myself to their 
displeasure unprotected. A pair of thick woolen mit¬ 
tens and a veil made of a yard of bobinet lace, formed 
into a sack and drawn over the head, will render one en¬ 
tirely safe among them. The most timid person, who 
will make the trial of going among bees thus equipped, 
will soon be rid of his fears, and will find them the most 
harmless and agreeable stock he has ever attended. A 
successful bee-keeper can hardly fail to become enthu¬ 
siastic in his attachment to his colonies of industrious 
little honey-gatherers. He is charmed with the thought 
that such mjuiads of winged insects are so entirely at his 
control and subservient to his interest, storing up with 
consummate skill, one of the richest luxuries of his ta¬ 
ble. 
Addressing myself to one desirous of commencing the 
culture of bees, I would say, procure and read attentive¬ 
ly a copy of the latest edition of Mr. Week’s book on 
the management of bees. It is eminently a practical 
work, composed by one long used to the business. For 
a time you will hardly dare to do all he recommends, but 
gradual familiarity with your new laborers will inspire 
confidence, and careful observation will initiate you into 
the nature and degree of attention you will need to be¬ 
stow on them. Obtain the right to use the hive ; then 
purchase four swarms, already in such hives if possible ; 
or make some hives, and have new swarms put into them 
at the time of swarming, by some neighbor who keeps 
bees. Put only four hives on a frame thirteen feet long. 
Make the hives of inch and a quarter pine plank, and 
paint them white, to guard against warping, and the in¬ 
fluence of extreme temperatures. Make your boxes 
half the size of the chamber, having the sides and front 
entirely of glass, with ten holes for access from below, 
instead of four, thus equalizing the temperature and in¬ 
viting the bees to commence much earlier to fill the boxes. 
White honey in this latitude is all gathered before the 
middle of August, and it is desirable to secure as much 
as possible of this for use. 
When a swarm comes out, observe where it settles j 
put on your defenses, set your hive near the front, eleva¬ 
ted an inch, bold a tin pan close under the bees and with 
a table brush, gently detach a portion of the swarm filling 
the pan, pour them very gently at the front of the hive, 
