which is mentioned by Aristotle was only a robber, with its [illegible] and
jetty, but am now of the opinion, that he meant to characterize the whole
race of black bees. The black bee is a thief, a very mean thief too. 
 (13th) 70 to 86 degrees. Weather of precisely the same kind. Gave two queen cells
to a colony just deprived laying of queen, one was opened a little on the
side, just such a peep hole as I often make, soon closed again
by the bees. Pollen a very scarce article now. My nuclei have to be
supplied with it. Bees very busy on Ironweed, get very little
pollen from it. Evidently a splendid bee plant in this region where
late forage is so scarce. Some bees on Solidago in my field. 
Must get some roots of the right sort. Had a visit from Mr. Adam
Grim of Jefferson, Wisconsin, a very large and [illegible] beekeeper. 
Some interesting facts as to duration of life in Italian worker, see Li. 
 (14th) 70 to 86 degrees. Weather of same kind, thunder showers at a distance. 
Some many queens, and queen cells. Young fertile queens evidently are
more shy in laying. Shall make no more nuclei, but begin to unite
them. The want of pollen for nuclei will justify me in selling
queens from a strong stock early in the season so as to have it
become pollen crowded, as I can later use such combs to very
great advantage. (15th) 72 to 86 degrees. Wonderful weather. Bees are now
even when well fed beginning to molest the drones. Have three
which are at it. Two have young queens just impregnated, the
other has old imported Dzierzon queen. Must tomorrow remove
the queens. Shall now begin to unite stocks, by giving largely the
brood from colonies which I mean to break up to those which I wish
to strengthen, leaving enough bees etc. in the weaker ones to serve still as
nuclei. Shall also feed say a half tumbler full of syrup to all
the stocks to be wintered every night, so as to encourage as much as
possible late breeding. If I can get the queen to make a good
spread of brood for the next week or two it will be of immense
benefit to my stocks in getting in them late bred bees for wintering. 
August is month to rear Italian queens, get them then to
average better for color. (16th) 70 to 84 degrees. No change in weather, bees are working
wonderfully well on Ironweed. This is a great thing. Dr. from Lexington
Kentucky, informs me that it is very abundant with him, but he never saw a bee upon
it, his only black bees. I never saw a black bee upon it.