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diff --git a/25185.txt b/25185.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ebbbddd --- /dev/null +++ b/25185.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12733 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained, by M. Quinby + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained + +Author: M. Quinby + +Release Date: April 26, 2008 [EBook #25185] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF BEE-KEEPING EXPLAINED *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Giacomelli and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images produced by Core Historical Literature +in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University) + + + + + + +MYSTERIES + +OF + +BEE-KEEPING EXPLAINED: + +BEING A COMPLETE + +ANALYSIS OF THE WHOLE SUBJECT; + +CONSISTING OF + +THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BEES, DIRECTIONS FOR OBTAINING THE GREATEST +AMOUNT OF PURE SURPLUS HONEY WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE +EXPENSE, REMEDIES FOR LOSSES GIVEN, AND THE SCIENCE OF +"LUCK" FULLY ILLUSTRATED--THE RESULT OF MORE +THAN TWENTY YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN +EXTENSIVE APIARIES. + + + +BY M. QUINBY, + +PRACTICAL BEE-KEEPER. + + + +NEW YORK: + +C. M. SAXTON, AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHER +152 FULTON STREET. +1853. + + +Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by +M. QUINBY, +in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New York. + +E. O. JENKINS, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, +114 NASSAU STREET, N. YORK. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. + +BRIEF HISTORY. + +Three kinds of Bees, 9 +Queen described, 9 +Description and Duty of Workers, 10 +Description of Drones, 11 +Most Brood in Spring, 11 +Their Industry, 12 + + +CHAPTER II. + +HIVES. + +Hives to be thoroughly made, 13 +Different opinions about them, 14 +The Author has no Patent to recommend, 14 +Speculators supported long enough, 15 +Prefix of Patent a bad recommendation, 15 +Ignorance of affairs and committees, 15 +Opposition to simplicity, 16 +By gaining one point produce another evil, 16 +First Delusion, 17 +Chamber Hive, 17 +Mrs. Griffith's Hive, 18 +Weeks' Improvement, 18 +Inclined Bottom-Boards do not throw out all the worms, 19 +Objections to suspended hives, 19 +See bees often, 20 +Hall's Patent, 21 +Jones's Patent, 21 +An Experiment, 21 +Reason of failure in dividing hive, 22 +Cause of starving in such hives, 23 +Advantages of the changeable hive considered, 24 +Variation of these hives, 25 +Expense in constructing changeable hives, 25 +The surplus honey will contain bee-bread, 26 +Description of Cutting's changeable hive, 26 +First objection cost of construction, 28 +Hives can be made with less expense, 29 +Old breeding cells will last a long time, 29 +Cells larger than necessary at first, 30 +Expense of renewing combs, 30 +Best to use old combs as long as they will last, 31 +Method for Pruning when necessary, 31 +Tools for Pruning, 32 +Use of Tobacco Smoke, 33 +Further objections to a sectional hive, 34 +Non-Swarmers, 35 +Contrast of profit, 35 +Principle of swarming not understood, 36 +Not to be depended upon, 37 +Hives not always full before swarming, 37 +Size of hives needed, 37 +An Experiment, 37 +Bees do not increase if full after the first year in same hive, 38 +Gillmore's system doubted, 39 +Utility of moth-proof hives doubted, 39 +Instincts of the bee always the same, 40 +Profit the object, 41 +Common hive recommended, 42 +Size Important, 42 +Small hives most liable to accidents, 42 +Apt to deceive, 43 +Unprofitable if too large, 43 +Correct size between two extremes, 43 +Size for warm latitudes, 44 +Larger hives more safe for long Winters or backward Spring, 44 +2,000 inches safe for this section, 45 +Kind of Wood, width of Board, &c., 46 +Shape of little consequence, 46 +Directions for making hives, 47 +Size of cap and boxes, 48 +Miner's Hive, 48 +Directions for making holes, 49 +A Suggestion, 50 +Glass boxes preferred, 51 +Glass boxes--how made, 51 +Guide-combs necessary, 52 +Wood Boxes, 53 +Cover for Hives, 54 +Jars and Tumblers--how prepared, 54 +Perfect Observatory Hive described, 55 +One like Common Hive preferred, 56 +What may be seen, 56 +Directions for making Glass Hive, 57 +Plate for Hive, 61 + + +CHAPTER III. + +BREEDING. + +Imperfectly Understood, 62 +Good stocks seldom without brood, 63 +How small stocks commence, 64 +Different with larger ones, 65 +How Pollen is stored in the breeding season, 65 +Operation of Laying, and the Eggs described, 66 +Time from the Egg to the perfect Bee, 67 +Rough treatment of the young Bee, 67 +Guess-work, 68 +Terms applied to young Bees, 69 +Discrepancy in time in rearing brood as given by Huber, 70 +The number of Eggs deposited by the Queen guessed at, 71 +A test for the presence of a Queen, 73 +When Drones are reared, 74 +When Queens, 74 +Liability of being destroyed, 76 +Drones destroyed when honey is scarce, 77 +Old Queen leaves with the first swarm, 78 +A young Queen takes the place of her mother in the old stock, 79 +Other Theories, 80 +Subject not understood, 80 +Necessity for further observation, 84 +Two sides of the question, 85 + + +CHAPTER IV. + +BEE PASTURAGE. + +Substitute for Pollen, 88 +Manner of packing it, 89 +Alder yields the first, 89 +Fruit Flowers important in good weather, 91 +Red Raspberry a favorite, 91 +Catnip, Mother-wort and Hoarhound, are sought after, 92 +Singular fatality attendant on Silkweed, 93 +Large yield from Basswood, 96 +Garden Flowers unimportant, 97 +Honey-dew, 97 +Singular Secretion, 98 +Secretions of the Aphis, 98 +Advantages of Buckwheat, 101 +Amount of honey collected from it, 101 +Do Bees injure the crop? 102 +Are not Bees an advantage to vegetation? 103 +A test for the presence of Queen doubted, 106 +An extra quantity of Pollen not always detrimental, 107 +What combs are generally free from Bee-bread, 108 +Manner of packing stores, 108 +Philosophy in filling a cell with honey, 109 +Long cells sometimes turned upward, 110 +Is a dry or wet season best for honey? 111 +How many Stocks should be kept, 112 +Three principal sources of honey, 112 + + +CHAPTER V. + +WAX. + +Is Pollen converted into Wax? 115 +How is it obtained? 115 +Huber's account of a commencement of comb, 117 +Best time to witness comb-making, 118 +Manner of working Wax, 119 +Are crooked Combs a disadvantage? 120 +Uncertainty in weight of Bees, 122 +Some wax wasted, 124 +Water necessary in Comb-making, 124 +Remarks, 126 + + +CHAPTER VI. + +PROPOLIS. + +What used for, 128 +Is it an elaborate or natural substance? 129 +Huber's Opinion, 129 +Further Proof, 129 +Remarks, 132 + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE APIARY. + +Its location, 132 +Decide Early, 133 +Bees mark their location on leaving the hive, 134 +Changing stand attended with loss, 134 +Can be taken some distance, 135 +Danger of setting Stocks too close, 135 +Space between Hives, 136 +Small Matters, 136 +Economy, 137 +Cheap arrangement of stands, 138 +Canal Bottom-board discarded, 139 +Some advantage in being near the earth, 139 +Utility of Bee-Houses doubted, 141 + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ROBBERIES. + +Not properly understood, 142 +Improper Remedies, 143 +Difficulty in deciding, 144 +Weak families in most danger, 144 +Their Battles, 145 +Bad policy to raise in Hives, 146 +Indications of Robbers, 146 +A Duty, 147 +A Test, 147 +Robbing usually commences on a warm day, 148 +Remedies, 149 +Common Opinion, 149 +A case in point, 149 +Further Directions, 150 +Common cause of commencing, 151 +Spring the worst time, 152 +No necessity to have Bees plundered in the fall, 153 + + +CHAPTER IX. + +FEEDING BEES. + +Should be a last resort, 154 +Care needed, 154 +Apparent contradiction when feeding causes starvation, 155 +How long it will do to wait before feeding, 156 +Directions for feeding, 157 +Whole Families may desert the Hive, 158 +Objections to general feeding, 159 +Arrangement for feeding, 159 +Feeding to induce early swarms, 161 +What may be fed, 162 +Is candied honey injurious? 162 + + +CHAPTER X. + +DESTRUCTION OF WORMS. + +Some in the best Stocks, 164 +How Found, 165 +A tool for their destruction, 165 +Mistaken Conclusions, 167 +Objections to suspended Bottom-board, 167 +Advantage of the Hive close to the board, 168 +Objection Answered, 169 +Insufficiency of inclined Bottom-board 169 +A Moth can go where Bees can, 170 +Trap to catch Worms, 170 +Box for Wren, 171 + + +CHAPTER XI. + +PUTTING ON AND TAKING OFF BOXES. + +Advantage of the Patent Vender, 172 +Time of putting on--Rule, 172 +Making holes after the Hive is full, 174 +Advantage of proper arrangement, 174 +Directions for boring holes in full Stock, 176 +To be taken off when filled, 177 +Time taken to fill a box, 178 +When to take off boxes part full, 178 +Tobacco Smoke preferred to Slides, 178 +Manner of disposing of the Bees in the boxes, 179 +Bees disposed to carry away honey, 179 +Not disposed to sting, 180 +Rule, 181 + + +CHAPTER XII. + +SECURING HONEY FROM THE MOTH. + +Two things to be prevented, 181 +Apt to be deceived about the Worms, 182 +Their progress described, 182 +A Solution offered, 183 +Method of killing Worms in boxes, 185 +Freezing destroys them, 186 +Objection to using Boxes before the Hive is full, 187 + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +SWARMING. + +Time to expect them, 187 +All Bee-Keepers should understand it as it is, 188 +Means of understanding it, 188 +Inverting a stock rather formidable at first, 189 +Requisites before preparation of Queen's cells, 189 +State of Queen-cell when used, 190 +State when swarms issue, 190 +Clustering outside not always to be depended upon, 191 +Examinations--the result, 191 +Remarks, 192 +Conflicting Theories, 192 +Both Old and Young leave with swarms, 192 +Cause of the Queen's inability to fly suggested, 193 +Evidence of the Old Queen's leaving, 193 +Mr. Weeks's Theory not satisfactory, 194 +Particular directions for testing the matter, 196 +Empty Hives to be ready, 197 +Bottom-boards for hiving, 197 +Description of swarm issuing, 198 +Manner of hiving can be varied, 199 +Usual Methods, 199 +When out of reach, 200 +When they cannot be shaken off, 202 +All should be made to enter, 203 +Should be taken to the stand immediately, 203 +Protection from the Sun necessary, 203 +Clustering Bushes, 204 +How swarms are generally managed that leave for the woods, 205 +Nothing but Bees needed in a Hive, 206 +Seldom go off without clustering, 207 +Do swarms choose a location before swarming? 207 +Means of arresting a swarm, 208 +Some Compulsion, 208 +How far will they go in search of honey? 209 +Two or more swarms liable to unite, 211 +Disadvantage, 211 +Can often be prevented, 212 +Indications of swarming inside the Hive, 212 +Preventing a swarm issuing for a time, 213 +To prevent swarms uniting with those already hived, 213 +When two have united--the method of separating, 214 +No danger of a sting by the Queen, 215 +Some precautions in hiving two swarms together, 216 +How to find Queen when two strangers are together, 217 +Boxes for double swarms immediately, 218 +Returning a part to the old stock, 218 +Method of uniting, 219 +When care is necessary, 219 +Swarm-Catcher, 220 +Swarms sometimes return, 222 +Repetition prevented, 222 +Liability to enter wrong stocks, 223 +First issues generally choose fair weather, 224 +After Swarms, 225 +Their Size, 225 +Time after the first, 225 +Piping of the Queen, 225 +May always be heard before and after swarm, 226 +Time of continuance varies, 226 +Time between second and third issues, 227 +Not always to be depended upon, 227 +A Rule for the time of these issues, 228 +When it is useless to expect more swarms, 229 +Plurality of Queens destroyed, 229 +The Manner, 230 +Theory doubted, 231 +After-swarms different in appearance from the first, + when about to issue, 232 +Time of day, weather, &c., 233 +Swarms necessary to be seen, 233 +Returning after-swarms to the old stock, 235 +When they should be returned, 235 +Method of doing it, 235 +More care needed by After-swarms when hived, 237 +Two may be united, 237 + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +LOSS OF QUEENS. + +Of swarms that lose their Queen, 238 +A suggestion and an answer, 239 +A disputed question, 240 +A multitude of Drones needed, 241 +The Queen liable to be lost in her excursions, 243 +The time when it occurs, 243 +Indications of the loss, 244 +The Result, 245 +Age of Bees indicated, 246 +Necessity of care, 246 +Remedy, 247 +Mark the date of swarms on the Hive, 248 +Obtaining a Queen from worker brood, 249 +They are poor dependence, 249 + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ARTIFICIAL SWARMS. + +Principles should be understood, 252 +Some Experiments, 253 +The result unsatisfactory, 253 +Further Experiments, 254 +A successful method, 256 +Advantages of this method, 257 +Artificial swarms only safe near the swarming season, 259 +Sometimes hazardous, 259 +Some Objections, 259 +Natural and artificial swarms equally prosperous, 260 +This matter too often delayed, 261 +Is the age of the Queen important? 261 + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PRUNING. + +Different opinions as to time, 262 +Another time preferred, 263 +Should not be delayed, 263 +Objection to Pruning, 264 +Stocks pruned now are better for winter, 265 + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +DISEASED BROOD. + +Not generally understood, 266 +My own experience, 267 +Description of Disease, 267 +The cause uncertain, 268 +Remedial Experiments, 268 +Public inquiry and answers, 268 +Answers not satisfactory, 270 +A cause suggested, 270 +Reasons for the opinion, 272 +Cause of its spreading, 273 +Not easily detected at first, 274 +Symptoms to be observed, 274 +Scalding the honey to destroy the poison for feeding, 275 +When to examine stocks that have swarmed, 275 +Care in selecting stock-hives for winter, 276 +Accusations not always right, 276 + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +IRRITABILITY OF BEES. + +Their means of defence, 277 +Time of greatest Irritability, 278 +Proper Conduct, 278 +How to proceed when attacked, 279 +A person's breath offensive, and other causes, 279 +Their manner of attack, 279 +Smoker described, 280 +Effect of Tobacco Smoke, 281 +Sting described, 282 +Does its loss prove fatal? 283 +Means of protection, 284 +Remedies for stings, 285 + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ENEMIES OF BEES. + +Are they all guilty? 286 +Rats and Mice, 287 +Are all the Birds guilty? 288 +King-bird--one word in his favor, 288 +Cat-bird acquitted, 289 +Toad got clear, 290 +Wasps and Hornets not favored, 290 +Ants--a word in their favor, 291 +Spider condemned, 292 +Wax-Moth unrivalled for mischief, 293 +Indications of their presence, 296 +Management, 296 +Care in turning over Hives, 297 +Other symptoms of Worms, 298 +When they grow larger than usual, 299 +Time of Growth, 299 +Time of Transformation, 300 +Freezing destroys Worms, Cocoon, and Moth, 300 +How they pass the Winter, 301 +Stocks more liable to be destroyed last of Summer, 301 +When Bees are safe, 302 +Means to destroy them, 302 +Making them drunk and their execution by Chickens, 303 + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MELTING DOWN OF COMBS. + +The Cause, 304 +Effects, 304 +First Indications, 305 +Prevention, 305 + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +FALL MANAGEMENT. + +First care, 307 +Strong Stocks disposed to plunder, 307 +Bees Changeable, 308 +Requisites for good Stocks, 308 +Great disadvantage of killing the Bees, 309 +Section of country may make a difference in + what poor stocks need, 309 +When Bees are needed, 310 +Caution, 311 +Principal Difficulty, 311 +How Avoided, 311 +Advantages of making one good stock from two poor ones, 312 +Two families together will not consume as much as if separate, 312 +An Experiment, 312 +Season for operating, 313 +The Fumigator, 314 +Directions for uniting two families, 315 +Uniting with Tobacco Smoke, 317 +Condition of Stocks in 1851, 318 +How they were managed, 318 +Cause of their superior Thrift, 319 +Swarms partly filled pay better than to cut out the honey, 320 +Advantages in transferring, 320 +Another method of uniting two families, 321 +Uniting Comb and Honey as well as Bees, 322 +When feeding should be done for Stock Hives, 323 + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +WINTERING BEES. + +Different methods have been adopted, 325 +The idea of Bees not freezing has led to errors in practice, 326 +Appearance of Bees in cold weather, 326 +How part of the swarm is frozen, 327 +How a small family may all freeze, 327 +Frost and Ice sometimes smother Bees, 328 +Frost and Ice in a Hive accounted for, 329 +The effect of Ice or Frost on Bees and Comb, 330 +Frost may cause starvation, 330 +Other Difficulties, 330 +Further Illustrations, 332 +Accumulation of Faeces described by some writers as a disease, 336 +The Author's remedy, 337 +Buying Bees, 337 +Experiments of the Author to get rid of the Frost, 338 +Success in this matter, 338 +Bees when in the house should be kept perfectly dark, 339 +A room made for wintering Bees, 339 +Manner of stowing away Hives, 340 +Temperature of room, 341 +Too much Honey may sometimes be stored, 342 +Management of room towards Spring, 342 +Time for setting out Bees, 343 +Not too many stocks taken out at once, 343 +Families may be equalized, 344 +Snow need not always prevent carrying out Bees, 344 +Does not Analogy prove that Bees should be kept warm in Winter? 345 +The next best place for wintering Bees, 346 +Evils of wintering in the open air considered, 347 +But little risk with good stocks, 348 +Effect of keeping second-rate stocks out of the sun, 348 +Effects of Snow considered, 349 +Stocks to be protected on some occasions, 350 +Do the Bees eat more when allowed to come out + occasionally in Winter? 352 + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SAGACITY OF BEES. + +Are not Bees directed alone by instinct? 353 +What they do with Propolis, 353 +Mending broken Combs, 354 +Making passages to every part of their Combs, 355 + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +STRAINING HONEY AND WAX. + +Methods of removing Combs from the Hive, 357 +Different modes of straining Honey, 358 +Getting out Wax--different methods, 360 + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +PURCHASING STOCKS AND TRANSPORTING BEES. + +Why the word luck is applied to Bees, 362 +Rule in taking Bees for a share, 364 +A man may sell his "luck," 364 +First-rate stocks recommended to begin with, 365 +Old stocks are good as any if healthy, 365 +Caution respecting diseased brood, 366 +Result of ignorance in purchasing, 366 +Size of Hives important, 367 +How large Hives can be made smaller, 368 +Moderate weather best to remove Bees, 369 +Preparations for transporting Bees, 370 +Securing Bees in the Hive, 370 +Best Conveyance, 370 +Hive to be inverted, 371 +Conclusion, 372 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Before the reader decides that an apology is necessary for the +introduction of another work on bees into the presence of those already +before the public, it is hoped that he will have the patience to +examine the contents of this. + +The writer of the following pages commenced beekeeping in 1828, without +any knowledge of the business to assist him, save a few directions +about hiving, smoking them with sulphur, &c. Nearly all the information +to be had was so mingled with erroneous whims and notions, that it +required a long experience to separate essential and consistent points. +It was _impossible_ to procure a work that gave the information +necessary for practice. From that time to the present, no sufficient +guide for the inexperienced has appeared. European works, republished +here, are of but little value. Weeks, Townley, Miner, and others, +writers of this country, within a few years, have given us treatises, +valuable to some extent, but have entirely neglected several chapters, +very important and essential to the beginner. Keeping bees _has_ been, +and is now, by the majority, deemed a hazardous enterprise. The ravages +of the moth had been so great, and loss so frequent, that but little +attention was given to the subject for a long time. Mr. Weeks lost his +entire stock three times in fifteen years. But soon after the discovery +was promulgated, that honey could be taken from a stock without +destroying the bees, an additional attention was manifest, increasing +to a rage in many places. It seems to be easily understood, that +_profit_ must attend success, in this branch of the farmer's stock; +inasmuch as the "bees work for nothing and find themselves." This +interest in bees should be encouraged to continue till enough are kept +to collect all the honey now wasted; which, compared with the present +collections, would be more than a thousand pounds to one. But to +succeed, that is the difficulty. Some eighteen years since, after a +propitious season, an aged and esteemed friend said to me, "It is not +to be expected that you will have such luck always; you must expect +they will run out after a time. I have always noticed, when people have +first-rate luck for a time, that the bees generally take a turn, and +are gone in a few years." + +I am not sure but, to the above remarks, may be traced the cause of my +subsequent success. It stimulated me to observation and inquiry. I soon +found that good seasons were the "lucky" ones, and that many lost in an +adverse season, all they had before gained. Also, that strong families +were the only ones on which I could depend for protection against the +moth. This induced the effort to ascertain causes tending to diminish +the size of families, and the application of remedies. Whether success +has attended my efforts or not, the reader can judge, after a perusal +of the work. + +It is time that the word "_luck_," as applied to beekeeping, was +discarded. The prevailing opinion, that bees will prosper for one +person more than another, under the same circumstances, is fallacious. +As well might it be applied to the mechanic and farmer. The careless, +ignorant farmer, might occasionally succeed in raising a crop with a +poor fence; but would be liable, at any time, to lose it by trespassing +cattle. He might have suitable soil in the beginning, but without +knowledge, for the proper application of manures, it might fail to +produce; unless a _chance_ application _happened_ to be right. + +But with the _intelligent_ farmer the case is different: fences in +order, manures judiciously applied, and with propitious seasons, he +makes a sure thing of it. Call him "_lucky_" if you please; it is his +knowledge, and care, that render him so. So with bee-keeping, the +careful man is the "lucky" one. There can be no effect without a +preceding cause. If you lose a stock of bees, there is a cause or +causes producing it, just as certain as the failure of a crop with the +unthrifty farmer, can be traced to a poor fence, or unfruitful soil. +You may rest assured, that a rail is off your fence of management +somewhere, or the proper applications have not been made. In relation +to bees, these things may not be quite so apparent, yet nevertheless +true. Why is there so much more uncertainty in apiarian science than +other farming operations? It must be attributed to the fact, that among +the thousands who are engaged in, and have studied agriculture, perhaps +not more than one has given his energies to the nature and habits of +bees. If knowledge is elicited in the same ratio, we ought to have a +thousand times more light on one subject than the other, and still +there are some things, even in agriculture, that may yet be learned. + +It is supposed, by many, that we already have all the knowledge that +the subject of _bees_ affords. This is not surprising; a person that +was never furnished with a full treatise, might arrive at such +conclusions. Unless his own experience goes deeper, he can have no +means of judging what is yet behind. + +In conversation relative to this work, with a person of considerable +scientific attainments, he remarked, "You do not want to give the +natural history of bees at all; that is already sufficiently +understood." And how is it understood; as Huber gives it, or in +accordance with some of our own writers? If we take Huber as a guide, +we find many points recently contradicted. If we compare authors of our +day, we find them contradicting each other. One recommends a peculiarly +constructed hive, as just the thing adapted to their nature and +instincts. If a single point is in accordance with their nature, he +labors to twist all the others to his purpose, although it may involve +a fundamental principle impossible to reconcile. Some one else succeeds +in another point, and proceeds to recommend something altogether +different. False and contradictory assertions are made either through +ignorance, or interest. Interest may blind the judgment, and spurious +history may deceive. + +It is folly to expect success in bee-keeping for any length of time, +without a correct knowledge of their nature and instincts; and this we +shall never obtain by the course hitherto pursued. As much of their +labor is performed in the dark, and difficult to be observed, it has +given rise to conjecture and false reasoning, leading to false +conclusions. + +When _I_ say a thing _is so_, or say it is _not so_, what evidence has +the reader that it is proved or demonstrated? _My_ mere assertions are +not expected to be taken in preference to another's; of such proof, we +have more than enough. Most people have not the time, patience, or +ability, to set down quietly with close observation, and investigate +the subject thoroughly. Hence it has been found easier to receive error +for truth, than to make the exertion necessary to confute it; the more +so, because there is no guide to direct the investigation. I shall, +therefore, pursue a different course; and for every _assertion_ +endeavor to give a test, that the reader may apply and satisfy himself, +and trust to no one. As for theories, I shall try to keep them separate +from facts, and offer such evidence as I have, either for or against +them. If the reader has further proof that presents the matter in +another light, of course he will exercise the right to a difference of +opinion. + +I could give a set of rules for practice, and be very brief, but this +would be unsatisfactory. When we are told a thing _must be done_, most +of us, like the "inquisitive Yankee," have a desire to know _why_ it is +necessary; and then like to know _how_ to do it. This gives us +confidence that we are right. Hence, I shall endeavor to give the +practical part, in as close connection with the natural history, that +dictates it, as possible. + +This work will contain several chapters entirely new to the public: the +result of my own experience, that will be of the utmost value to all +who desire to realize the greatest possible advantages from their bees. + +The additions to chapters already partially discussed by others, will +contain much original matter not to be found elsewhere. When many +stocks are kept, the chapter on "Loss of Queens," alone, will, with +attention, save to any one, not in the secret, enough in one season to +be worth more in value than many times the cost of this work. The same +might be said of those on diseased brood, artificial swarms, wintering +bees, and many others. + +If such a work could have been placed in my hands twenty years ago, I +should have realized hundreds of dollars by the information. But +instead of this, my course has been, first to suffer a loss, and then +find out the remedy, or preventive; from which the reader may be +exempt, as I can confidently recommend these directions. + +Another new feature will be found in the duties of each season being +kept by itself, commencing with the spring and ending with the winter +management. + +In my anxiety to be understood by all classes of readers, I am aware +that I have made the elegant construction and arrangement of sentences +of secondary importance; therefore justly liable to criticism. But to +the reader, whose object is information on this subject, it can be of +but little consequence. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +A BRIEF HISTORY. + + +THREE KINDS OF BEES. + +Every prosperous swarm, or family of bees, must contain one queen, +several thousand workers, and, part of the year, a few hundred drones. + +[Illustration: QUEEN.] [Illustration: WORKER.] [Illustration: DRONE.] + + +QUEEN DESCRIBED. + +The queen is the mother of the entire family; her duty appears to be +only to deposit eggs in the cells. Her abdomen has its full size very +abruptly where it joins the trunk or body, and then gradually tapers to +a point. She is longer than either the drones or workers, but her size, +in other respects, is a medium between the two. In shape she resembles +the worker more than the drone; and, like the worker, has a sting, but +will not use it for anything below royalty. She is nearly destitute of +down, or hairs; a very little may be seen about her head and trunk. +This gives her a dark, shining appearance, on the upper side--some are +nearly black. Her legs are somewhat longer than those of a worker; the +two posterior ones, and the under surface, are often of a bright copper +color. In some of them a yellow stripe nearly encircles the abdomen at +the joints, and meets on the back. Her wings are about the same as the +workers, but as her abdomen is much longer, they only reach about +two-thirds the length of it. For the first few days after leaving the +cell, her size is much less than after she has assumed her maternal +duties. She seldom, perhaps never, leaves the hive, except when leading +a swarm, and when but a few days old, to meet the drones, in the air, +for the purpose of fecundation. The manner of the queen's impregnation +is yet a disputed point, and probably never witnessed by any one. The +majority of close observers, I believe, are of opinion that the drones +are the males, and that sexual connection takes place in the air,[1] +performing their amours while on the wing, like the humble-bee and some +other insects. It appears that one impregnation is operative during her +life, as old queens are not afterwards seen coming out for that purpose. + + [1] The objectors to this hypothesis will be generally found + among those who are unable to give a more plausible elucidation. + Those who oppose the fact that one bee is the mother of the whole + family, will probably be in the same class. + + +DESCRIPTION AND DUTY OF WORKERS. + +As all labor devolves on the workers, they are provided with a sack, or +bag, for honey. Basket-like cavities are on their legs, where they pack +the pollen of flowers into little pellets, convenient to bring home. +They are also provided with a sting, and a virulent poison, although +they will not use it abroad when unmolested, but, if attacked, will +generally defend themselves sufficient to escape. They range the fields +for honey and pollen, secrete wax, construct combs, prepare food, nurse +the young, bring water for the use of the community, obtain propolis to +seal up all crevices about the hive, stand guard, and keep out +intruders, robbers, &c., &c. + + +DESCRIPTION OF DRONES. + +When the family is large and honey abundant, a brood of drones is +reared; the number, probably, depends on the yield of honey, and size +of the swarm, more than anything else. As honey becomes scarce, they +are destroyed. Their bodies are large and rather clumsy, covered with +short hairs or bristles. Their abdomen terminates very abruptly, +without the symmetry of the queen or worker. Their buzzing, when on the +wing, is louder, and altogether different from the others. They seem to +be of the least value of any in the hive. Perhaps not more than one in +a thousand is ever called upon to perform the duty for which they were +designed. Yet they assist, on some occasions, to keep up the animal +heat necessary in the old hive after a swarm has left. + + +MOST BROOD IN SPRING. + +In spring and first of summer, when nearly all the combs are empty, and +food abundant, they rear brood more extensively than at any other +period, (towards fall more combs are filled with honey, giving less +room for brood.) The hive soon becomes crowded with bees, and royal +cells are constructed, in which the queen deposits her eggs. When some +of these young queens are advanced sufficiently to be sealed over, the +old one, and the greater part of her subjects, leave for a new +location, (termed swarming.) They soon collect in a cluster, and, if +put into an empty hive, commence anew their labors; constructing combs, +rearing brood, and storing honey, to be abandoned on the succeeding +year for another tenement. One in a hundred may do it the same season, +if the hive is filled and crowded again in time to warrant it. Only +large early swarms do this. + + +THEIR INDUSTRY. + +Industry belongs to their nature. When the flowers yield honey, and the +weather is fine, they need no impulse from man to perform their part. +When their tenement is supplied with all things necessary to reach +another spring, or their store-house full, and no necessity or room for +an addition, and we supply them with more space, they assiduously toil +to fill it up. Rather than to waste time in idleness, during a +bounteous yield of honey, they have been known to deposit their surplus +in combs outside the hive, or under the stand. This natural industrious +habit lies at the foundation of all the advantages in bee-keeping; +consequently our hives must be constructed with this end in view; and +at the same time not interfere with other points of their nature; but +this subject will be discussed in the next chapter. Those peculiar +traits in their nature, mentioned in this, will be more fully discussed +in different parts of this work, as they appear to be called for, and +where proof will be offered to sustain the positions here assumed, +which as yet are nothing more than mere assertions. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +HIVES. + + +HIVES TO BE THOROUGHLY MADE. + +Hives should be constructed of good materials, boards of good +thickness, free from flaws and cracks, well fitted and thoroughly +nailed. + +The time of making them is not very particular, providing it is done in +season. It certainly should not be put off till the swarming period, to +be made as wanted, because if they are to be painted; it should be done +as long as possible before, as the rank smell of oil and paint, just +applied, might be offensive to the bees. + +But what kind of hive shall be made? + +In answer, some less than a thousand forms have been given. The +advantages of bee-keeping depend as much upon the construction of +hives, as any one thing; yet there is no subject pertaining to them on +which there is such a variety of opinions, and I have but little hopes +of reconciling all these conflicting views, opinions, prejudices, and +interests. + + +DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THEM. + +One is in favor of the old box, and the cruel practice of killing the +bees to obtain the honey, as the only means to obtain "luck;" "they are +sure to run out if they meddle with them." Another will rush to the +opposite extreme, and advocate all the extravagant fancies of the +itinerant patent-vender, as the _ne plus ultra_ of all hives, when +perhaps it would be worth more for fire-wood than the apiary. + + +THE AUTHOR HAS NO PATENT TO RECOMMEND. + +To remove from the mind of the reader all apprehension that I am about +condemning one patent to recommend another, I would say in the +beginning, that I have _no patent to praise, no interest in deceiving_, +and I hope no prejudices to influence me, in advocating or condemning +_any_ system. I wish to make bee-keeping plain, simple, economical, and +profitable; so that when we sum up the profit "it shall not be found in +the other pocket." + +It is a principle recognized by our statute, that no person is suitable +as a Juror, who is biased either by interest or prejudice. Now whether +I am the impartial Jurist, is not for me to say: but I wish to discuss +the subject fairly. I hope some few will be enabled to see their own +interest: at any rate, dismiss prejudice, as far as possible, while we +examine wherein _one class_ in community is unprofitable to +bee-keepers. + + +SPECULATORS SUPPORTED LONG ENOUGH. + +We have faithfully supported a host of speculators on our business for +a long time; often not caring one straw about our success, after +pocketing the fee of successful "humbuggery." One is no sooner gone, +than we are beset by another, with something altogether different, and +of course the acme of perfection. + + +PREFIX OF PATENT A BAD RECOMMENDATION. + +This has been done until the very prefix of patent, or premium, +attached to a hive, renders it almost certain that there must be +something deleterious to the apiarian; either in expense of +construction or intricate and perplexing in management, requiring an +engineer to manage, and a skilful architect to construct. + +What does the American savage, who without difficulty can track the +panther or wolf, know of the principles of chemistry? What does the +Chemist know of following a track in the forest, when nothing but +withered leaves can guide him? Each understands principles, the +_minutiae_ of which the other never dreamed. + + +IGNORANCE OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. + +Thus it appears to be with granting patents and premiums, if we take +what has been patented and praised by our committees and officers as +improvements in bee-culture. These men may be capable, intelligent, and +well fitted for their sphere, but in bee matters, about as capable of +judging, as the Hottentot would be of the merits of an intricate +steam-engine. Knowledge and experience are the only qualifications +competent to decide. + + +OPPOSITION TO SIMPLICITY. + +I am aware that among the thousands whose direct interest is opposed to +my simple, plain manner of getting along, many will be ready to contend +with me for every departure from their patent, improved or premium +hives, as the case may be. + + +BY GAINING ONE POINT, PRODUCE ANOTHER EVIL. + +I think it will be an easy matter to show that every departure from +simplicity to gain _one_ point, is attended in another by a +correspondent evil, that often exceeds the advantage gained. That we +have made vast improvements in art and science, and in every department +of human affairs, no one will deny; consequently, it is assumed we must +correspondingly improve in a bee-hive; forgetting that nature has fixed +limits to the instinct of the bee, beyond which she will not go! + +It will be necessary to point out the advantages and objections to +these pretended improvements, and then we will see if we cannot avoid +the objections, _and retain the advantages, without the expense_, by a +simple addition to the common hive; because if we expect to encourage +bee-keeping, they must have better success than a neighbor of mine, who +expended fifty dollars for bees and a patent, and lost all in three +years! Most bee-keepers are farmers; very few are engineers sufficient +to work them successfully. I would say to all such as do not understand +the nature of bees, adhere to simplicity until you do, and then I am +quite sure you will have no desire for a change. + + +FIRST DELUSION. + +Probably the first delusion in the patent line originated with the +idea, that to obtain surplus honey, it was absolutely necessary to have +a chamber hive. To get rid of the depredations of mice, the suspended +hive was contrived. The inclined bottom-board was then added to throw +out the worms. To prevent the combs from sliding down, the lower end +was contracted. + +The principle of bees rearing queens from worker-eggs when destitute, +gave rise to the dividing hive in several forms. Comb, when used +several years, becomes thickened and black, and needs changing; hence +the changeable hives, Non-swarmers have been introduced to save risk +and trouble. Moth-proof hives to prevent the ravages of worms, &c., &c. + + +CHAMBER HIVE. + +The chamber hive is made with two apartments; the lower and largest is +for the permanent residence of the bees, the upper or chamber for the +boxes. Its merits are these: the chamber affords all the protection +necessary for glass boxes; considered as a cover, it is never lost. Its +demerits are inconvenience in handling; it occupies more room if put in +the house in the winter; if glass boxes are used, only one end can be +seen, and this may be full when the other may hold some pounds yet, and +we cannot possibly know until it is taken out. I know we are told to +return such boxes when not full "and the bees will soon finish them," +but this will depend on the yield of honey at the time; if abundant, it +will be filled; if not, they will be very likely to take a hint, and +remove below what there is in the box; whereas if the chamber was +separate from the hive, and was not a chamber but a loose cap to cover +the boxes, it could be raised at any time without disturbing a single +bee, and the precise time of the boxes being filled ascertained, (that +is, when they are of glass.) + + +MRS. GRIFFITH'S HIVE. + +Mrs. Griffith, of New Jersey, is said to have invented the suspended +chamber hive with the inclined bottom-board. One would suppose this was +sufficiently inconvenient to use, and difficult and expensive to +construct. + + +WEEKS' IMPROVEMENT. + +Yet Mr. Weeks makes an alteration, calls it an improvement, the expense +is but a trifle more; it is sufficient to be sanctioned by a patent. +From front to rear, the bottom is about three inches narrower than the +top, somewhat wedge-shape; it has the merit to prevent the combs from +slipping down, when they _happen_ to be made, to have the edges +supported. The objections are, that filth from the bees will not fall +as readily to the bottom as if every side was perpendicular, and the +extra trouble in constructing. + + +INCLINED BOTTOM-BOARDS DO NOT THROW OUT ALL THE WORMS. + +Inclined bottom-boards form the basis of one or two patents, said to be +good to roll out the worms. I can imagine a pea rolling off such a +board; but a worm is not often found in a rolling condition. Most of us +know, that when a worm drops from the combs, it is like the spider, +with a thread attached above. The only way that I can imagine one to be +thrown out by these boards, is to have it dead when it strikes it, or +so cold that it cannot spin a thread, and wind to shake the board, till +it rolls off. The objections to these boards are coupled with the +suspended hive, with which they are usually connected. + + +OBJECTIONS TO SUSPENDED HIVES. + +All suspended hives _must be objectionable_ to any one who wishes to +know the _true_ condition of his bees at all times. Only think of the +trouble of unhooking the bottom-board, and getting down on your back, +or twisting your neck till your head is dizzy, to look up among the +combs, and then see nothing satisfactory for want of light; or to lift +the hive from its supporters, and turn it over. The operation is too +formidable for an indolent man, or one that has much other business. +The examination would very probably be put off till quite sure it would +do no longer, and sometimes a few days after that, when you will very +often find your bees past remedy. + + +SEE BEES OFTEN. + +"_See your bees often_," is a choice recipe,--it is worth five hundred +dollars at interest, even when you have but few stocks. How necessary +then that we have every facility for a close and minute inspection. How +much easier to turn up a hive that simply rests on a stand. Sometimes +it is necessary to turn the hive, even bottom up, and let the rays of +the sun directly among the combs, to see _all_ the particulars. By this +close inspection, I have often ascertained the cause of some +difficulty, and provided a remedy, thus saving a good many that in a +short time would have been lost; yet, with a little help, were as +valuable as any by another year. + + +HALL'S PATENT. + +Mr. Hall has added a lower section to his hive, about four inches deep, +with two boards inside, like the roof of a house, to discharge the +worms, &c.; but as these boards would interfere with close inspection, +they are objectionable. Several other variations of inclined +bottom-boards and suspended hives have been contrived, to obtain a +patent, but the objections offered will apply to most of them. I shall +not weary the reader by noticing in detail _every_ hive that has been +patented; I think if I notice the _principles of each kind_, it will +test his patience sufficiently. + + +JONES' PATENT. + +Jones' dividing hive was probably suggested by this instinctive +principle of the bee, viz.: when a stock by any accident loses its +queen, and the combs contain eggs or very young larvae, they will rear +another. Now if a hive is constructed so as to divide the brood-combs, +it would seem quite certain that the half without a queen, would raise +one; and we could multiply our stocks without swarms, the trouble of +hiving, and risk of their going to the woods, &c. + + +AN EXPERIMENT. + +Several years ago, I thought I had obtained a principle that would +revolutionize the whole system of bee management. In 1840 I constructed +such hives, and put in the bees to test by actual experiment, the +utility of what seemed so very plausible in theory. It would appear +that this principle suggested the same idea to Mr. Jones; perhaps with +this difference: I think he did not wait to test the plan thoroughly, +before obtaining his patent in '42. One vender of rights asserted that +63 stocks were made from one in three years; but somehow a great many +that obtained the rights, failed in their expectations. From my +experiments, I think I could guess at some of the reasons. + +Mr. A.--"Well, what are the reasons? give us your experience, if you +please, I am interested; I had the right for such a hive, and had a lot +made to order, that cost more money in the end than I shall ever pay +again for anything about bees." + +Do not be too hasty, friend, I think I can instruct you to keep bees on +principles in accordance with their nature, which is very simple, so +that if you can be induced to try again, we will have the _hives_ cost +but little, at any rate. + + +REASONS OF FAILURE IN DIVIDING HIVES. + +The greatest difficulty with dividing hives, appeared to be here. It +must be constructed with a partition or division to keep the combs in +each apartment separate; otherwise, we make tearing work in the +division. When bees are first put into such hives, unless the swarm is +very large, and honey abundant, one apartment will be filled to the +bottom before a commencement is made in the other. + +Mr. A.--"What difference can that make? It is necessary to have the +hive full; if it cannot be all filled at once, why let them fill part." + +The difference is this. The first combs built by a swarm are for brood, +and store-combs afterwards, as needed; one apartment will be nearly +filled with all brood-combs, and the other with store-combs and honey. +Now in the two kinds of cells there is a great difference; those for +breeding are near half an inch in length, while those for storing are +sometimes two inches or more; totally unfit for breeding; until the +bees cut them off to the proper length, which they will not do, unless +compelled for want of room, consequently this side of store-combs is +but little used for brood. When such hive is divided, the chances are +not more than one in four, that this apartment will have any young bees +of the proper age from which to raise a queen; if not, and the old +queen is in the part with the brood-comb, where she will be ninety-nine +times in a hundred, one half of the hive is lost for want of a queen. + +Mr. A.--"Ah! I think I now understand how I lost one-half of nearly +every hive I divided. I also lost some of them in the winter; there was +plenty of bees as well as honey; can you tell the cause of this?" + +I will guess that they starved. + +Mr. A.--"Starved! why, I said there was plenty of honey." + +I understood it, but nevertheless feel quite sure. + +Mr. A.--"I would like to see that made plain; I can't understand how +they could starve when there was honey!" + + +CAUSE OF STARVING IN SUCH HIVES. + +I said one apartment would be filled with brood-combs; this will be +occupied, at least partially, with brood as long as the yield of honey +lasts; consequently, there will be but little room for storing here, +but the other side may be full throughout. The bees will take up their +winter quarters among the brood-combs. Now suppose the honey in this +apartment is all exhausted during a severe turn of cold weather, what +can the bees do? If one should leave the mass and go among the frosty +combs for a supply, its fate would be as certain as starvation. Without +frequent intervals of warm weather to melt all frost on the combs, and +allow the bees to go into the other apartment for honey, they _must_ +starve. + +The cost of construction is another objection to this hive, as the +labor bestowed on one is more than would finish two, that would be much +better. + + +ADVANTAGES OF THE CHANGEABLE HIVE CONSIDERED. + +The value of changeable hives is based upon the following +principle:--Each young bee when it first hatches from the egg, is +neither more nor less than a worm; when it receives the necessary food, +the bees seal it over; it will then spin a cocoon, or line its cell +with a coating of silk, less in thickness than the thinnest paper: this +remains after the bee leaves it. It is evident, therefore, that after a +few hundreds have been reared in a cell, and each one has left its +cocoon, that such cell must be somewhat diminished, although the +thickness of a dozen cocoons could not be measured; and this old cell +needs removing, that the bees may replace it with a new one. But how +shall it be done? This is a feat for the display of ingenuity. A common +man might go about it in a very sensible, simple manner, might possibly +turn the hive over, and cut out the old combs when necessary, without +knowing perhaps that the patent-vender could _sell_ a receipt to do the +thing _scientifically_, the benefit of which would be many times on the +principle of a surgeon cutting off your head, to get a good chance to +tie a small artery according to system; or would show you a roundabout +way of half a dozen miles to accomplish what the same number of rods +would do. Had we not ocular demonstration of the fact, we could not +suppose so many variations for the same end could be invented. But if +we reward ingenuity, it will be stimulated to great exertions. Perhaps +if we describe the merits of one or two of this class, the utility of +this principle may be comprehended. + + +VARIATION OF THESE HIVES. + +First, then, the sectional hive of various patterns has been patented; +it consists generally of about three boxes, one above another; the top +of each has one large hole, or several small ones, or cross-bars, about +an inch wide, and half an inch apart; these holes or spaces allowing +the bees to pass from one box to the other. When all are full, the +upper one is removed, and an empty one put under the bottom; in this +way all are changed, and the combs renewed in three years; very easily +and quietly done. This is as far as a patent-vender wishes the subject +investigated; and some of his customers have not gone beyond this +point. As an offset for these advantages, we will first look at the +cost of such hive. + + +EXPENSE IN CONSTRUCTING CHANGEABLE HIVES. + +It is as much work to construct each separate section, as a common +hive; consequently, it is three times the expense to begin with. It is +objectionable for wintering bees, on the same principle as the dividing +hive. I object to it on another point: our surplus honey will never be +pure, as each section must be used for breeding, and every cell so +used, will contain cocoons corresponding to the number of bees raised. + + +SURPLUS HONEY WILL CONTAIN BEE-BREAD. + +Also pollen, or bee-bread, is always stored in the vicinity of the +young brood; some of this will remain mixed with the honey, to please +the palate with its _exquisite flavor_. The majority will probably +prefer all surplus honey stored in pure comb, where it will be with +proper management. + +I will here give a full description of a hive on this principle, as I +have the description from one of its advocates, in the Dollar +Newspaper, Philadelphia: called Cutting's Patent Changeable Hive. + + +DESCRIPTION OF CUTTING'S CHANGEABLE HIVE. + +"The size of the changeable hive most used in this section, has an +outside shell, made of inch boards, about two feet high and sixteen and +a half inches square, with a door hung in the rear. On the inside are +three boxes or drawers, which will hold about one thousand cubic inches +each, and when filled with honey, usually weigh about thirty-five +pounds, which is a sufficient amount of honey to winter a large swarm. +The sides of these drawers are made of boards, about half an inch +thick; the tops and bottoms of the lower drawers and ends of the upper +drawers should be three-fourths of an inch, and the drawers should be +fourteen inches high, fourteen inches from front to rear, and six and +three-fourths inches wide. Two of these drawers stand side by side, +with the third placed flatwise upon the two, with a free communication +from one drawer to another, by means of thirty three-fourth inch holes +on the side of each drawer, and twenty-four in the bottom of the upper +drawer, and holes in the top and bottom of the lower drawers, to +correspond, and slides to cut off the communication when occasion may +require. Thus we see our hive may be one hive, with communication +sufficiently free throughout, or we may have three hives combined. The +drawers have tubes made in them, (for the bees to pass and repass), +which are made to go through the front side of the hive. The back-side +of the drawers are doors, with glass set in them. These drawers set up +from the bottom of the hive, and rest on pieces of wood, closely fitted +in such a way, as to make a space under the drawers for the _dirt_, +_dead bees_, and _water_, which collect in the bottom of hives in +winter; between the drawers and the outside is an air space of about +one-third of an inch. + +These hives, when well made and painted, will last many years, and +those doing much in the business will find it an advantage to have a +few extra drawers. Having given you some idea of the construction of +the changeable hive, I will proceed to notice some of the most +important reasons why I prefer this hive to any I have yet seen. First +because the hive, being constructed upon the changeable principle, so +that by taking out a full drawer, and placing an empty one in its +stead, our comb is always kept new, wherefore, the size of the bee is +preserved, and kept in a more healthy, or prosperous state, or +condition, than when obliged to remain and continue to breed, in the +old comb, when the cells have become small. Secondly, because small, +late swarms may be easily united. Thirdly, because large swarms may be +easily divided. Fourthly, because however late a swarm may come off, it +may be easily supplied with honey for the winter, by taking from a full +hive a surplus drawer, and placing it in the hive of the late swarm. +Fifthly, because a column of air between the drawers and the outside of +the hive is a non-conductor of both heat and cold, preventing the +melting of the comb, and securing the bees against frost and cold." + +Now here is a full description of perhaps as good a hive as any of its +class; it is given for the benefit of those who wish to go miles +instead of rods; they may know the road, especially as they can have +the privilege by paying for it: for myself, I had rather be +excused,--why, reading the description has nearly exhausted my +patience; what should I do if I attempted to make one? + + +FIRST OBJECTION, COST OF CONSTRUCTION. + +The first obstacle in the way (after the right is obtained) is the +construction. Let's see; we want inch boards to make the shell, +three-quarter inch boards for the tops and bottoms of drawers, half +inch for sides, hinges to hang a door, glass for back of drawers, tubes +for the egress of the bees, and slides to cut off communication. It +will be necessary to get a mechanic, and a workman too. Those 108 holes +that must be bored, _must match_, or it is of no use to make them. But +few farmers would have the tools requisite, a still less number the +skill and patience to do it. What the cost might be by the time a hive +was ready to receive the bees, I could not say; but guess it might be +some three or four dollars. + + +HIVES CAN BE MADE WITH LESS EXPENSE. + +The one I shall recommend, without paint, will not cost, or need not, +over 37-1/2 cents, with cover, etc. Now, if we wish hives for ornament, +it is well enough to expend something for the purpose; but it is well +not to refine too much, as there are limits which, if passed, will +render it unfit for bees. Therefore, when profit is an object, the +extra expense will or ought to be made up by the bees, in return for an +expensive domicil. But will they do it? The merits of the one under +consideration are fully given. "First, by taking out a full drawer and +putting in an empty one in its stead, the combs are always kept new, +and cells of full size." Now this fear of bees becoming dwarfs in +consequence of being reared in cells too small, has done more mischief +among the bees, and their owners' pockets, than if the fact had never +been thought, or heard of. + + +OLD BREEDING CELLS WILL LAST A LONG TIME. + +These old cells do not need renewing half as often as has been +represented. It is the interest of these patent-venders to sell rights; +this interest either blinds their eyes as to facts, or lulls the +internal monitor of right, while acquisitiveness is gratified. The same +cells can be used for breeding six or eight years, perhaps longer, and +no one can tell the difference by the size of the bees; I have two +stocks now in their tenth year without renewal of comb. A neighbor of +mine kept a stock twelve years in the same combs; it proved as +prosperous as any. I have heard of their lasting twenty, and am +inclined to believe it. + + +CELLS LARGER THAN NECESSARY AT FIRST. + +The bees seem to make a provision for this emergency, the sheets of +comb are farther apart than actually necessary at first, the diameter +of the cell is also a little larger than the size of the young bee +requires. _Of this we are certain_--great many young bees _can_ be +raised in a cell, and not be diminished in size, sufficient to be +detected. The bottom fills up faster than at the sides, and as they do +so, the bees add a little to the length, until the ends of these cells +on two parallel combs approximate too close to allow the bees to pass +freely; before which time it is unnecessary to remove comb for being +old. + + +EXPENSE OF RENEWING COMBS. + +One important item should be considered in this matter, by those who +are so eager for new combs. It is doubtful whether one in 500 ever +thought of the expense of renewing comb. I find it estimated by one +writer,[2] that twenty-five lbs. of honey was consumed in elaborating +about half lb. wax. This without doubt is an over estimate, but no one +will deny that some is used. + + [2] See Appendix of Cottage Bee-keeper, page 118. + + +BEST TO USE OLD COMBS AS LONG AS THEY WILL ANSWER. + +I am satisfied of this much, from actual experience, that every time +the bees have to renew their brood-combs in a hive, they would make +from ten to twenty-five lbs. in boxes, hence I infer that their time +can be more profitably employed than in constructing brood-combs _every +year_. I would also suggest that when combs have been once used for +breeding it is the best use they can be applied to, after that, as the +cocoons render it unfit for much else than a little wax. + + +METHOD FOR PRUNING WHEN NECESSARY. + +But when the combs do actually need removing, I prefer the following +method of pruning, to driving the bees out entirely, as has been +recommended. It can be done in about an hour. As we are comparing the +merits of different methods of getting rid of old combs, I shall give +mine here, notwithstanding it may seem a little out of place. + +The best time is a little before night. The first movement is to blow +under the hive some tobacco smoke (the best means of charming them I +ever found); the bees, deprived of all disposition to sting, retreat up +among the combs to get away from the smoke; now raise the hive from the +stand and carefully turn it bottom upwards, avoiding any jar, as some +of the bees that were in the top when the smoke was introduced, and did +not get a taste, will now come to the bottom to ascertain the cause of +the disturbance; these should receive a share, and they will +immediately return to the top, perfectly satisfied. When so many bees +are in the hive, as to be in the way in pruning, (which if there is not +it is not worth it,) get an empty hive the size of the old one, and set +it over, stopping the holes; now strike the lower hive with a hammer or +stick, lightly and rapidly, five or ten minutes, when nearly all the +bees will be in the upper hive, and set that on the stand. There being +now nothing in the way, except a few scattering bees, that I will +_warrant not to sting, unless you pinch or get them fast_. + +[Illustration: TOOLS FOR CUTTING OUT COMB.] + +The broad one is very readily made from a piece of an old scythe, about +18 inches long, by any blacksmith, by simply taking off the back, and +forming a shank for a handle at the heel. The end should be ground all +on one side, and square across like a carpenter's chisel. This is for +cutting down the sides of the hive; the level will keep it close the +whole length, when you wish to remove all the combs; it being square +instead of pointed or rounded, no difficulty will be found in guiding +it,--it being very thin; no combs are mashed by crowding. + +The other tool is for cutting off combs at the top or any other place. +It is merely a rod of steel three-eighths of an inch diameter, about +two feet long, with a thin blade at right angles, one and a half inches +long, and a quarter inch wide, both edges sharp, upper side bevelled, +bottom flat, &c. You will find these tools very convenient; be sure and +get them by all means, the cost cannot be compared to the advantages. + +Now with the tools just described, proceed to remove the brood-combs +from the centre of the hive. The combs near the top and outside are +used but little for breeding, and are generally filled with honey; +these should be left as a good start for refilling, but take out all +that is necessary, while you are about it; then reverse the hives, +putting the one containing the bees under the other; by the next +morning all are up; now put it on the stand, and this job is done +without one cent extra expense for a patent to help you, and the bees +are much better off for the honey left, which has to be taken away with +all patent plans that I have seen, and this, as has been remarked, is +not worth much, occupied as it is with a few cocoons and bee-bread. It +is worth much more to the bees, and they will give us pure comb and +honey for it. + + +USE OF TOBACCO SMOKE. + +"I would not do it for fifty dollars, the bees would sting me to +death." Stop a moment, if you never tried the efficacy of tobacco +smoke, you know nothing of a powerful agent; this is the grand secret +of success; without it, I admit it would be somewhat hazardous; but +with it, I have done it time after time without receiving a single +sting, and no protection whatever, for either hands or face. + +But is there no difficulty with our sectional or changeable hive, when +this feat is to be performed? The combs will be made in the two drawers +similar to the dividing hive, brood-combs in one side, and store-combs +in the other. We wish to remove the one with brood-combs of course, (as +that is the one where the combs are thick and bad, &c.) Where will the +queen be? With the brood-comb, where her duty is most likely to be; +well, this is the one we want, and we take it out. How is she to get +back? She must go back, or we have three chances in four of losing the +stock; but her majesty will remain perfectly easy, as well as some of +the workers, wherever you put the drawer. + + +FURTHER OBJECTIONS TO A SECTIONAL HIVE. + +I can see no other way but to break the box, look her up, and help the +helpless thing home, (the chances of being stung may be here too.) Now, +for a time at least, they must use the other drawer for breeding, where +most of the cells are unfit. There is altogether too great a proportion +of drone-cells; these, as well as the other size, will nearly all be +much too long, and will have to be cut off to the proper length, a +waste of wax as well as labor. Another thing might be set down per +disadvantage of Mr. Cutting's hive; the job of getting a swarm into +such hive, at first, I fancy would not be desirable to many. Now, when +we strike the balance, putting expense, difficulties, and perplexities +on one side, and simplicity and economy on the other, it appears like a +"great cry for little wool." But stop a moment, four other advantages +are enumerated in its favor: second, third, and fourth are borrowed +from the common hive, or are all available here when required. But +fifthly, allows a "column of air between the drawers and outside of the +hive, is a non-conductor of heat and cold," &c. This is an advantage +not possessed by the common hive; neither does the common hive offer +such advantages to the moth, by affording such snug quarters for worms +to spin their cocoons, when they cannot be destroyed without +considerable trouble. + + +NON-SWARMERS. + +Here I will endeavor to be brief; I feel anxious to get through with +this disagreeable part, where every word I say will clash with +somebody's interest or prejudice. The merits of this hive are to obtain +surplus honey with but little trouble, which often succeeds in +satisfying people of its utility. The principal objection is found on +the score of profit. Suppose we start with one, call it worth five +dollars in the beginning, at the end of ten years it is worth no more, +very likely not as much, (the chances of its failing, short of that +time, we will not take into the account;) we might get annually, say +five dollars worth of surplus honey, amounting to fifty dollars. + + +CONTRAST OF PROFIT. + +The swarming hive, we suppose, will throw off one swarm annually, and +make us one dollar's worth of surplus honey, (we will not reckon that +yielded by the first swarm, which is often more than that from the old +stocks,) about one third of the average in good seasons. The second +year there will be two to do the same; take this rate for ten years, we +have 512 stocks, either of them worth as much as the non-swarmer, and +about a thousand dollars worth of surplus honey. Call these stocks +worth five dollars each, which makes $2,560, all added together will +make the snug little sum of about $3,500, against $55. It is not to be +expected that any of us will realize profits to this extent, but it is +a forcible illustration of the advantages of the swarming hive over the +non-swarmer. + + +PRINCIPLE OF SWARMING NOT UNDERSTOOD. + +But many of these non-swarmers, 'tis said, can be changed to swarmers +to suit the convenience of the apiarian--Colton's is one. It is +asserted that it can be made to swarm within two days at any time, +merely by taking off the six boxes or drawers that are very ingeniously +attached; as this contracts the room, the bees are forced out. Now I +will candidly confess that I could never get this thing to work at all. +Of this I am quite positive, that he (Mr. Colton) is either ignorant of +the necessary and regular preparations that bees make before swarming, +or supposes others are. Mr. Weeks has advocated the same principle: he +says, "There is no queen in any stage of existence, in the old stock, +immediately after the first swarm leaves it." I have examined this +matter till I am satisfied I risk but little in the bold assertion, +that not one stock in fifty will cast a swarm short of a week after +commencing preparations. This opinion will be adopted by whoever will +take the trouble to investigate for themselves. (The chapter on +swarming will give the necessary instructions for examining this point, +if you wish.) + + +NOT TO BE DEPENDED UPON. + +Further, these non-swarmers are not always to be depended upon as such. +They will sometimes throw off swarms when there is abundant room in the +hive as well as in the boxes. + + +HIVES NOT ALWAYS FULL BEFORE SWARMING. + +I know Weeks, Colton, Miner and others, tell us the hive _must be full_ +before we need expect a swarm; but experience is against them. Bees do +sometimes cast a swarm before filling the hive. From close observation, +I find when a hive is very large, say 4,000 cubic inches, and is filled +with comb, the first season, that such seldom swarm except in very good +years. + + +SIZE OF HIVES NEEDED. + +But if such hive is only half full, or 2,000 inches, it is very common +for them to swarm without adding any new comb; proving very +conclusively that a hive that size, is sufficient for all their wants +in the breeding season. When about 1,200 inches only had been filled +the first year, I have known them to add combs until they had filled +about 1,800, and then cast a swarm, proving also that a little less +than 2,000 will do for breeding. I have tested the principle of giving +room to prevent swarming, a little further. + + +AN EXPERIMENT. + +In the spring of '47, I placed under five full hives, containing 2,000 +solid or cubic inches, as many empty ones, the same size, without the +top. I had a swarm from each; but two had added any new comb, and these +but little. If these hives had been filled to the bottom with comb in +the spring, it is very doubtful whether either of them would have +swarmed. The only place we can put a good stock and not expect it to +swarm in good seasons, is inside a building, where it is perfectly +dark, and even here a few have been known to do it. If we could manage +to get _a very large hive_ filled with combs, it would perhaps be as +good a preventive as any. All the bees that could be reared in one +season, would have sufficient room in the combs ready made for their +labors, and there would be no necessity for their emigration. "But what +becomes of all the bees raised in the course of several years?" To this +question I shall not probably be able to give a satisfactory answer at +present. + + +BEES DO NOT INCREASE, IF FULL, AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, IN SAME HIVE. + +I only will notice the fact, that the bees somehow disappear, and there +is no more at the end of five years than at the end of one. A stock of +bees may contain 6,000 the first of May, and raise 20,000 in the course +of the year; by the first of the next May, as a general thing, not one +more will be found, even when no swarm had issued. + + +GILLMORE'S SYSTEM DOUBTED. + +Now this fact is not known by a recent patentee from the State of +Maine, (else he supposes others do not,) as he recommends placing bees +in a house, and empty hives in connection with the one containing bees, +and in a few years all will be full. He has discovered a mixture to +feed bees, (to be noticed hereafter); this may account for an unusual +quantity being stored by an ordinary sized family. He said another +thing, that is, each of these added hives would contain a queen! This +would seem to explain away the first difficulty of the continued +increase of bees, and so it would if it did not get into another +equally erroneous; one error never made another true. This idea of bees +raising a queen, merely because they have a side box to the main hive, +is contrary to all my experience, and to the experience of all writers +(except himself) that I have consulted. If the principle is correct, +why not sometimes raise a queen in a box on the top or side for us? I +never discovered a single instance, where two perfect queens were +quietly about their duties in connection with one hive. The deadly +hostility of queens is known to all observing apiarians. Not having the +least faith in the principle, I will leave it. + + +UTILITY OF MOTH-PROOF HIVES DOUBTED. + +As for moth-proof hives, I have but little to say, as I have not the +least faith in one of them. When I come to speak of that insect, I will +show, I think, conclusively, that no place where bees are allowed to +enter is safe from them. + +Several other _perfect hives_ might be mentioned; yet I believe that I +have noticed the principles of each. Have I not said enough? Such as +are not satisfied now would not be if I filled a volume. Our view of +things is the result of a thousand various causes; the most powerful is +interest, or prejudice. + +It is said that in Europe, the same ingenuity is displayed in twisting +and torturing the bee, to adapt her natural instinct to unnatural +tenements; tenements invented not because the bee needs them, but +because this is a means available for a little change. "Patent men" +have found the people generally too ignorant of apiarian science. But +let us hope that their days of prosperity in this line are about +numbered. + + +INSTINCTS OF THE BEE ALWAYS THE SAME. + +Let us fully understand that the nature of the bee, when viewed under +any condition, climate, or circumstance, is the same. Instincts first +implanted by the hand of the Creator, have passed through millions of +generations, unimpaired, to the present day, and will continue +unchanged through all future time, till the last bee passes from the +earth. We may, we have, to gratify acquisitiveness, forced them to +labor under every disadvantage; yes, we have compelled them to +sacrifice their industry, prosperity, and even their lives have been +yielded, but never their instincts. We may destroy life, but cannot +improve or take from their nature. The laws that govern them are fixed +and immutable as the Universe. + +Spring returns to its annual task; dissolves the frost, warms into life +nature's dormant powers. Flowers with a smile of joy, expand their +delicate petals in grateful thanks, while the stamens sustain upon +their tapering points the anthers covered with the fertilizing pollen, +and the pistil springs from a cup of liquid nectar, imparting to each +passing breeze delicious fragrance, inviting the bee as with a thousand +tongues to the sumptuous banquet. She does not need an artificial +stimulus from man, as an inducement to partake of the feast; without +his aid or assistance she visits each wasting cup of sweetness, and +secures the tiny drop, while the superabundant farina, dislodged from +the nodding anthers, covers her body, to be brushed together and +kneaded into bread. All she requires at the hands of man, is a suitable +storehouse for her treasures. In good seasons, her nature Will prompt +the gathering for her own use an over supply. This surplus man may +appropriate to his own use, without detriment to his bees, providing +his management is in accordance with their nature. + + +PROFIT THE OBJECT. + +To give the bees all necessary advantages, and obtain the greatest +possible amount of profit, with the least possible expense, has been my +study for years. I might keep a few stocks for amusement, even if it +was attended with no dollar and cent profit, but the number would be +_very small_; I will honestly confess then, that _profit_ is the +actuating principle with me. I have a strong suspicion that the +majority of readers have similar motives. I am sure, then, that all of +us with these views, will consider it a pity, when a stock produces +five dollars worth of surplus honey, to be obliged to pay three or four +of it for patent and other useless fixings. + + +COMMON HIVE RECOMMENDED. + +I would not exchange the hive I have used for the last ten years for +any patent I ever saw, if furnished gratis. I will guarantee that it +affords means to obtain surplus honey, as much in quantity and in any +way which fancy may dictate, whether in wood or glass, and what is more +than all, it shall cost nothing for the privilege of using. + + +SIZE IMPORTANT. + +After deciding what kind of hive we want, the next important point is +the size. Dr. Bevan, an English author, recommends a size "eleven and +three-eighths inches square, by nine deep in the clear," making only +about 1,200 inches, and so few pounds necessary to winter the bees, +that when I read it, I found myself wondering if the English inch and +pound were the same as ours. + + +SMALL HIVES MORE LIABLE TO ACCIDENTS. + +At all events, I think it too small for our Yankee bees in any place. +We must remember, that the queen needs room for all her eggs, and the +bees need space to store their winter provisions; for reasons before +given, this should be in one apartment. When this is too small, the +consequences will be, their winter supply of food is liable to run out. +The swarms from such will be smaller and the stock much more liable to +accidents, which soon finish them off. + + +APT TO DECEIVE. + +Yet I can imagine how one can be deceived by such a small hive, and +recommend it strongly; especially if patented. Suppose you locate a +large swarm in a hive near the size of Dr. Bevan's; the bees would +occupy nearly all the room with brood-combs; now if you put on boxes, +and as soon as filled put on empty ones, the amount of surplus honey +would be great; very satisfactory for the first summer, but in a year +or two your little hive is gone. This result will be in proportion as +we enlarge our hives, until we arrive at the opposite extreme. + + +UNPROFITABLE IF TOO LARGE. + +If too large, more honey will be stored than is required for their +winter use. It is evident a portion might have been taken, if it had +been stored in boxes. The swarms will not be proportionably large when +they do issue, which is seldom--but there is this advantage, they last +a long time, and are but little profit in surplus honey, or swarms. + + +CORRECT SIZE BETWEEN TWO EXTREMES. + +Between the two extremes, like most other cases, is found the correct +place. A hive twelve inches square, each way, inside, has been +recommended as the correct size. Here are 1,728 cubic inches. This, I +think, is sufficient for many places, as the queen probably has all the +room necessary for depositing her eggs; and as the swarms are more +numerous, and nearly as large as from hives much larger; also, there is +room for honey sufficient to carry the bees through the winter, at +least, in many sections south of 40 degrees latitude, where the winter +is somewhat short. + + +SIZE FOR WARM LATITUDES. + +This size will also do in this latitude (42 degrees,) in some seasons, +but not at all in others.[3] Not one swarm in fifty will consume +twenty-five lbs. of honey through the winter, that is, from the last of +_September_ to the first of April, (six months). The average loss in +that time is about eighteen lbs.; but the critical time is later; about +the last of May, or first of June, in many places. + + [3] When Mr. Miner wrote his manual recommending this size, 1,728 + inches, for all situations, it should be remembered he lived on + Long Island. Since removing to Oneida County in this State, + either his own experience or _some other cause_ has changed his + views, as he now recommends my size, viz., 2,000 inches. + + +LARGER HIVE MORE SAFE FOR LONG WINTERS OR BACKWARD SPRING. + +About the first of April they commence collecting pollen and rearing +their young; by the middle of May all good stocks will occupy nearly, +if not quite all, their brood-combs for that purpose, but _little honey +is obtained_ before fruit blossoms appear; when these are gone, no more +of any amount is obtained until clover appears, which is some ten days +later. (I am speaking now particularly of this section; I am aware it +is very different in other places, where different flowers exist.) Now +if this season of fruit flowers should be accompanied by high winds, or +cold rainy weather, but little honey is obtained; and our bees have a +numerous brood on hand that _must be fed_. In this emergency, if no +honey is on hand of the previous year, a famine ensues; they destroy +their drones, perhaps some of their brood, and for aught I know put the +old bees on short allowance. This I do know, that the whole family has +actually starved at this season; sometimes in small hives. This of +course depends on the season; when favorable, nothing of the kind +occurs. Prudence therefore dictates the necessity of a provision for +this emergency, by making the hive a little larger for northern +latitudes, as a little more honey will be stored to take them through +this critical period. From a series of experiments closely observed. + + +2,000 INCHES SAFE FOR THIS SECTION. + +I am satisfied that 2,000 inches in the clear, is the proper size for +safety in this section, and consequently, profit. On an average, swarms +from this size are as large as any. + +The dimensions should be uniform in all cases, whatever size is decided +on. It is folly to accommodate each swarm with a hive corresponding in +size; a very small family this year, may be very large next, and a very +large one, very small, &c. A queen belonging to a small swarm will be +capable of depositing as many eggs, as another belonging to a barrel +full. A small family able to get through the winter and spring, may be +expected by another year to be as numerous as any. + + +KIND OF WOOD, WIDTH OF BOARD, ETC. + +Of the kinds of wood for hives, pine is preferable, still other kinds +will do; I have no faith in bees liking one kind better than another, +and less likely to leave on that account. Hemlock is cheaper, and used +to a great extent; when _perfectly sound_ is as good as anything, but +is very liable to split, even after the bees have been in them some +time. It should be used only when better wood cannot be obtained. Bass +wood when used for hives should _always be painted_, and then will be +very liable to warp from the moisture arising from the bees inside. +When not painted outside, and allowed to get wet, if only for a few +hours, so much moisture is absorbed that it will bend outward, and +cleave from the combs and crack them. A few days of dry weather will +relieve the outside of water, and the inside kept moist by the bees, +the bending will be reversed, and the combs pressed inward, keeping the +bees fixing that which will not "stay fixed." Perhaps there is wood as +suitable or better than pine, but it is not as common. + + +SHAPE OF NO CONSEQUENCE. + +Boards should be selected, if possible, that will be the proper width +to make the hive about square, of the right size. Say twelve inches +square, inside, by fourteen deep. I prefer this shape to any other, yet +it is not all important. I have had some ten inches square by twenty in +length; they were awkward looking, but that was all, I could discover +no difference in their prosperity. Also, I have had them twelve inches +deep by thirteen square, with the same result. Hence, if we avoid +extremes, and give the required room, the shape can make but little +difference. + +It has been recommended to plane the boards for hives, "inside and +out;" but bees, when first put into such hive, find much difficulty in +holding fast until they get their combs started, hence this trouble is +worse than useless. + + +DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING HIVES. + +If hives are not desired of the cheapest possible construction, the +outside may be planed and painted; but it is doubtful whether strict +economy would demand it. Yet a painted hive appears so much better, +that it ought to be done, especially as the paint adds almost enough to +its durability to pay the expense. The color may be whatever fancy +dictates; the moth will not probably be attracted by one color more +than another. White is affected the least by the sun in hot weather. +Lime is put on as white-wash, annually, by many, as a protection +against insects. + +When hives are not painted, the grain should never be crosswise, having +the width of boards form the height; not that the bees would have any +dislike to such, but nails will not hold firmly, they draw out in a few +years. The size, shape, materials, and manner of putting together, are +now sufficiently understood, for what I want. Sticks half an inch in +diameter, should cross each way through the centre, to help support the +combs. A hole about an inch diameter in the front side, half way to the +top, is a great convenience for the bees to enter when coming home +heavy laden. + +It now remains to make the top, cover, and boxes, (the bottom-board +will be described in another chapter.) The tops should be all alike; +boards fifteen inches square are just the right size; three-fourths of +an inch is the best thickness, (inch will do;) plane the upper side, +rabbet out around the edge of the upper side one inch wide, and +three-eighths deep; this will leave the top inside the rabbeting, just +thirteen inches. + + +SIZE OF CAP AND BOXES. + +A box for a cover or cap, that size inside, will fit any hive. The +height of this box should be seven inches. Of course other sizes will +do, but it is best to commence with one that we can adhere to +uniformly, and no vexations arise by covers not fitting exactly, &c. I +think this size is as near correct as we shall be likely to get; we +want all the room in the boxes that the majority of our stocks demand +for storing in a yield of honey,[4] at the same time not be +necessitated to give too much of the room in the height. They will +commence work in a box five inches high, much sooner than one seven or +eight. To give the requisite room, and have the boxes less than five +inches high, would require more than thirteen inches on the top, this +would make the hive too much out of shape; it would appear top-heavy. + + [4] I have added a side box occasionally, but it has seldom paid + me for the trouble. + + +MINER'S HIVE. + +Miner's Equilateral Hive has a cap somewhat smaller than this in +diameter; consequently, if we have the requisite room, it must be in +its height. But by making the cap of his a little larger, and a few +trifling alterations, it would do very well for a patent. And if any +one _must_ have a patent hive, my advice is to get that; it costs but +two dollars for the right of using, and is nearer what we want for +bees, than any I ever saw. I prefer rabbeting around the edge of the +top, instead of nailing on a thin board the size of the inside of the +cover, with room for a slide under it; it affords too nice a place for +worms to spin their cocoons. Also, without the rabbeting water may get +under the cap, and pass along the top till a hole lets it among the +bees. As for slides, I do not approve of them at all; in shutting off +communication, it is almost certain to crush a few bees. This makes +them irritable for a week; they are unnecessary for me, at least. We +will now finish the hive. + + +DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING HOLES. + +After the top is got out as directed, strike a line through the centre, +three and a quarter inches from this, make another on each side, now +measure on one of the last lines, two and a half inches for the first +hole, two inches for the next, and so on till five are marked on this, +and the same number on the other side, ten in all; these holes should +be about an inch diameter, a pattern three and a quarter inches wide, +and thirteen in length, with places for holes marked on it, will save +time when many are made. When this top is nailed on, the hive is ready. +A less number of holes is often used, and one is thought by some to be +sufficient; experience has satisfied me that the more room bees have to +enter boxes, the less reluctance is manifested in commencing their work +in them; but here is another extreme to be avoided: when the holes are +much larger, or more of them, or even one very large one, the queen is +very apt to go into the boxes and deposit her eggs, which renders the +comb tough, dark, &c., also bee-bread is stored near the brood. Dr. +Bevan's and Miner's cross-bar hives are objectionable on this account, +they offer too free access to the boxes; we want all the room that will +answer, and no more. + + +A SUGGESTION. + +Mr. Miner's cross-bar hive is intended to make the bees construct all +straight combs, and probably will do it. But the disadvantage of +bee-bread and brood in the boxes will not be made up by straight combs. + +For the benefit of those who have been made to believe straight combs +_all important_, and perhaps have purchased the right to make the hive, +and had some constructed, and have found bee-bread in their surplus +honey, I would suggest an improvement, (that is, if it is thought the +straight combs will pay. If you have not the right for the cross-bar +hive, and you wish to use it, I would say, buy the right, and remove +all grounds of complaint with him.) Put in the bars and hive your bees +as he directs. After all the combs are started, instead of setting the +open bottom boxes (which are also unsuitable for sending to market) +directly on the bars as he recommends, take off the cloth, and with +screws fasten on a top with ten holes, that I have just described; and +then you will have the straight combs, and surplus honey in the boxes +pure. + + +GLASS BOXES PREFERRED. + +Having told how I make a hive, I will now give some reasons for +preferring a particular kind of boxes. I have taken great quantities of +honey to market, put up in every style, such as tumblers, glass jars, +glass boxes, wooden boxes with glass ends, and boxes all wood. I have +found the square glass boxes the most profitable; the honey in such +appears to the best possible advantage, so much so, that the majority +of purchasers prefer paying for the box at the same rate as the honey, +than the wood box, and have the tare allowed. This rate of selling +boxes always pays the cost, while we get nothing for the wood. Another +advantage in this kind of boxes is, while being filled, the progress +can be watched, and the time they are finished known precisely, when +they should be taken off, as every day they remain after that, soils +the purity of the combs. + + +GLASS BOXES--HOW TO MAKE. + +_Directions for making._--Select half-inch boards of pine or other soft +light wood, cut the length twelve and three-quarters inches, width six +and three-eighths inches, dress down the thickness to three-eighths or +less, two pieces for a box, top and bottom, in the bottom bore five +holes throughout the centre to match with those in the top of the hive, +(the pattern used in marking the top of hives is just the one to mark +these). Next, get out the corner posts, five-eighths of an inch square, +and five inches in length; with a saw, thick enough to fit the glass, +cut a channel length-wise on two sides, one-fourth of an inch deep, +one-eighth from the corner, for the glass. A small lath nail through +each corner of the bottom into the posts will hold them; it is now +ready for the glass--10x12 is the right size to get--have them cut +through the centre the longest way for the sides, and they are right, +and again the other way, five and five-eighths long for the ends. These +can now be slipped into the channels of the posts, and the top nailed +on like the bottom, and the box is ready. + + +GUIDE-COMBS NECESSARY. + +It will be found a great advantage, previous to nailing on the top, to +stick fast to it some pieces of guide-combs in the direction you wish +the bees to work. They are also an inducement for them to commence +several days sooner, than if they had to start combs for themselves;[5] +a piece an inch square will do; it is well to start every comb you want +in the box; two inches apart is about the right distance to look well. +To make these pieces hold fast, melt one edge by the fire, or candle, +or melt some bees-wax, and dip one edge in that, and apply it before +cooling; with a little practice you can make them stick without +difficulty. For a supply of such combs, save all empty, clean, white +pieces you can, when removing combs from a hive. + + [5] A line of bees-wax made with a guide-plate, or other means, + is found to be of but little use. + +If you have any way superior to this for making glass boxes, so much +the better, make them so by all means: "The best way is as good as +any." I give my method to be used only when better is not convenient. +If you sell honey, I think you will find it an advantage to have glass +boxes made in some way. Two of this size when full weigh 25 lbs. If +preferred, four boxes six and three-eighths inches square, can be used +for a hive instead of two; the expense of making is a little more for +the same number of lbs., yet, when it is in market, a few customers +will prefer this size. + + +WOOD BOXES. + +For home consumption, the wood-box will answer equally well for all +purposes of obtaining the honey, but will give no chance to watch the +progress of the bees, unless a glass is inserted for the purpose, and +then it will need a door to keep it dark, or a cover over the whole +like the one for glass boxes, may be put on. Wood boxes are generally +made with open bottom, and set on the top of the hive. A passage for +the bees out of the box to the open air is unnecessary, and worse than +useless. They like to store their honey as far from the entrance as +possible. Unless crowded for room, they will not store much there when +such entrances are made. + +Whether we intend to consume our surplus honey or not, it is as well to +have the hives and covers made in a manner that we can use glass, when +we are likely to have some to spare. I am not sure, but it would pay to +make hives in this way, even if glass boxes were never used; the +rabbeting prevents light as well as water from passing under the cover; +imagine a box set on a plain board nailed on for a top, without the +rabbeting; the warping or bending admits the light and water, +especially when hives are out in the weather, (and I shall not +recommend any other way of keeping them.) + + +COVER FOR HIVES. + +I have termed the cap or box a cover; but this should also be covered +with a board laid on, if nothing else. A good roof for each hive can be +made by fastening two boards together like the roof of a building; let +it be about 18 by 24 inches; it being loose, can be changed in +accordance with the season; in spring, let the sun strike the hive; but +in hot weather let the longest end project over the south side, &c. You +can ornament this hive, if you choose, by mouldings or dentals, under +the top, where it projects over the body of the hive, also the cap can +have the top projected a little and receive the same addition. + + +JARS AND TUMBLERS--HOW PREPARED. + +When jars, tumblers, or other vessels, that are all glass, are used, it +is _absolutely necessary_ to fasten as many pieces of combs as you wish +made, in the top, for a beginning, or fasten a piece of wood there; as +they seldom commence building on glass, without a start. + +Some of you may have seen paraded at our fairs, or in the public parts +of some of our cities, hives containing tumblers, some of them neatly +filled, others empty, and this meagre sentence written upon them, _not +to be filled_! Pretending to govern the bees, as the juggler sometimes +does his tricks, by mysterious incantations! I once encountered an +agent of this humbug, and modestly suggested to him that I had a +counter charm: that I could put a tumbler on his hive and it would be +filled if the others were, however much he might forbid it by written +charms! He saw at a glance how the matter stood; I was not the customer +he wanted, and intimated that the show was only intended for the +extreme verdancy of most visitors. It no doubt assisted in displaying +his profound knowledge in bee management, which he wished to establish, +as he had a little work on the subject to sell, also hives, and bees. +The reader no doubt will guess as I did, the reason that those tumblers +were not filled, was because no combs were put in for a start. + + +PERFECT OBSERVATORY HIVE DESCRIBED. + +There are many things pertaining to bees that cannot be properly +examined and understood, without a glass hive of some sort. Yet a +perfect observatory hive containing but one comb, is not a perfect hive +for the bees. We can see very well what the bees are doing, but it is +not a tenement they would choose if left to themselves. It forces them +to labor in an unnatural manner, is unsuitable for wintering bees, and +otherwise but little profit. If the satisfaction of witnessing some of +their operations more perfectly than in glass hives of another kind +will not pay, it is doubtful if we get it. I will describe as briefly +as possible. Two frames or sashes about two and a half feet square, +containing glass, are so fastened together as to leave room for only +one comb between them, about an inch and three-fourths apart. A comb of +this size will not support itself by the top and edges; hence, it is +necessary to put in numerous cross-bars to assist in supporting it. +Outside the glass are doors to keep the whole dark, to be opened when +we wish to inspect proceedings. Under the bottom is a board or frame, +to keep it in an upright position, &c. Probably but few will be induced +to make one. I will therefore describe another; a hive that I think +will pay better. + + +ONE LIKE COMMON HIVE PREFERRED. + +If we expect to know what bees are doing in ordinary hives, we must +have one similar in every respect, in size, shape, number of bees, &c. +The construction of royal cells will be watched by most observers with +the greatest interest; now these are generally on one edge of the +combs. The bees leave a space half an inch or more between the edges of +the combs and one side of the hive, near half the length of it, +apparently for no other purpose but to have room for these cells, as +the other edges of the same combs are generally attached to the hive at +the bottom. + + +WHAT MAY BE SEEN. + +Now instead of having one piece or pane of glass in the side of several +hives, I would recommend having one or more with glass on every side; +because we might have it on three sides, and not the fourth; and this +might contain all the queen cells, and we should miss an important +sight. There are many other things to be witnessed in such a hive. The +queen may be often seen depositing her eggs! We may see the workers +detach the scales of wax from their abdomen, and apply them to the +combs during the process of construction, see them deposit pollen from +their legs, store their honey, feed the queen, each other, their young +brood, seal over cells containing brood, honey, &c. It is further +useful as a guide for putting boxes on other hives, (that is, if it is +a good one, which it should be); we can easily ascertain whether our +bees are gaining or losing. + + +DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING GLASS HIVE. + +My method of making them is as follows: The top is like those for other +hives, fifteen inches square, adapted to boxes and cover. This hive we +want to be as profitable as any, giving us surplus honey, and swarms +like others. Four posts are then got out, two inches square, and +thirteen in length; care should be taken to have the ends perfectly +square. + +A frame is then to be made, just fourteen inches square outside, for +the bottom; the pieces are one inch thick, by two in width, halved +together at the corners. A guage-mark is then made around the under +side of the top, half an inch from the edge, a post is then set inside +of each corner of this mark, and thoroughly nailed, the bottom is +nailed on with the posts even with the outside corners. Four pieces an +inch thick, and an inch and a half wide, are fitted between the posts, +even with the guage-mark on the top. Sixteen strips, about one quarter +by half an inch, are got out, eight to be ten, and eight twelve inches +long. + +A gauge-mark one inch from posts, bottom, &c., is the place to nail +these strips; very small nails or tacks will hold them. The panes of +glass are to rest against them, which are held in their places by small +pieces of tin, or brads. The doors are the size of the glass, 10x12, +about three-fourths of an inch thick; these doors are cut a little too +short, and the pieces, to prevent warping, are nailed on the ends; +these are hung to a post on one side, and secured by a button on the +other. On two opposite sides inside the posts, half way up, two strips, +half an inch by three quarters, are nailed, with holes in them for the +cross-sticks; one way is enough if you have guide-combs for a start, +like those recommended for boxes, so that the sheets will be at right +angles with them; otherwise, let the sticks cross both ways, about +three each way will be needed, as the glass at the edges is not so good +a support as wood. + +The cap can be made of half inch boards; the top to project over like +the hive, or let it be a little more than half an inch, it will admit a +heavier moulding, which should surround it here, as well as at the top +of the hive, or if it is prefered, dentals can be used, and look +equally well--when no ornament is wanted, omit it. But painting seems +necessary for such hives, to prevent warping, and the swelling of the +doors in wet weather; these want to open and shut without rubbing or +sticking, otherwise we disturb the bees every time a door is stirred. +Putty should not be used to hold the glass, as the bees in the course +of a few years will cover it with propolis; it is then necessary to +take it out, and scrape, clean, and return it, when, if fastened with +putty, it would be difficult; cold weather is the time for this +operation. I am aware that a hive can be more substantially made than +the one here described; but I have endeavored to make one as cheap as +possible, and if properly made, will answer. The cost will be much less +than many patents, and the satisfaction much more, at least, with many. +When our hive contains a swarm of bees, and they are thoroughly in +operation, we must not let them pass out at the bottom on every side, +as they are frequently allowed to do from other hives; because, should +one come out a little excited in consequence of a slight jar, +accidentally given the hive, on opening the door or some other way, and +should find our face within a foot of their house, peering in the +window among their works, it would be very likely to give us _a gentle +hint_ that it was a mark of low breeding, that we were not wanted there +at all, and that it was none of our business what they were doing. To +prevent this as far as possible, a bottom-board, somewhat different +from the common one, is needed. Four posts of chestnut or other lasting +wood, about two inches square, are driven into the earth in the form of +a square, far enough apart to come under the corners of the +bottom-board, (fifteen inches,) and high enough for convenience when +looking into the hive. The ends of these posts are to be perfectly +level, and to which the bottom is to be nailed fast. As the hive is to +sit perfectly close to the board, a passage must be made through it, as +well as means for ventilation in hot weather, without raising the hive +for that purpose. It requires a board about fifteen inches square, +planed smooth, the ends clamped to prevent warping or splitting; a +portion of the centre is taken out, say six inches by ten, and wire +cloth nailed over, four-ounce tacks will hold it, fasten it just enough +to keep the bees from getting through; very likely it will want to be +taken off occasionally and cleaned from the propolis that will be +spread over it. It is easiest done in freezing weather. + +Take an edge in each hand, and rock the wires a few times out of +square, and it will readily crumble and fall out. In warm weather it +must be scalded or burnt off. To close this space, a moving slide is +fixed in grooves under-side, fastened to the posts or board. The slide +is to be moved in accordance with the weather, when cold, close it, +when hot, withdraw it, and give the bees as much air as possible, +without raising the hive, the whole of such space is as much +ventilation as ordinary hives raised an inch. (Wire cloth is needed for +other purposes, it is best to procure some, even at considerable +trouble and expense.) On the side of the board intended for the front, +two inches from the edge of the wire cloth, a passage is cut for the +bees, three-eights of an inch wide, by eleven in length. "But how is +the bees to get to this place, so inconvenient, something is needed to +assist them?" Certainly, Sir; an alighting board, eleven inches wide, +and about two feet long, (not planed), is placed at an angle of +forty-five degrees, between the two front posts of your stand, the +upper end passing under the bottom, far enough back; to be just even +with the back-side of the passage for the bees. The bees alight on this +board, and walk up into the hive without difficulty. When the bees are +at work pretty freely, and a door of this hive is opened, those that +are about departing will be very likely to get on the glass, instead of +through the opening at the bottom; seeing the light through the glass, +they endeavor to escape by the nearest route. When so many gather here +as to prevent a good view, and you wish to observe further, shut the +door a moment and they will leave through their own passage, when you +can open your door again, for a short time. After the hive is filled +with combs, the number attracted to the glass on opening a door will be +much less. + +The plate on the preceding page represents a glass hive, cover, and +stand. The common hive can be made equally ornamental, if you choose; +this kind of stand is unnecessary for them. I use such as are +recommended on page 138. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +BREEDING. + + +IMPERFECTLY UNDERSTOOD. + +The time that bees commence raising their young brood is but +imperfectly understood by most people. Many persons that have kept them +for years, have bestowed so little attention on this point, that they +are unable to tell at what time they commence, how they progress, or +when they cease. A kind of an idea that one swarm, and occasionally two +or three, are reared sometime in June, or fore part of summer, is about +the extent of their reflections on the subject. Whether the drones +deposit the eggs, or that a portion of the workers are females, and +each raise a young one or two, or whether the "king bee" is the chap +for laying eggs, is a matter beyond their ability to answer. It is but +a few years since, that a correspondent of a Journal of Agriculture +denied the existence of a queen bee, giving the best reasons he had, no +doubt, that is, he had never seen one. But bee-keepers of this class +are so few, it is unnecessary to waste time to convince them; suffice +it to say, that a queen exists with every prosperous swarm, and all +apiarians with much pretensions to science, acknowledge the fact, also, +that she is the mother of the whole family. + +The period at which they commence depositing eggs probably depends on +the strength of the colony, amount of honey on hand, &c., and not the +time they commence gathering food. + + +GOOD STOCK SELDOM WITHOUT BROOD. + +I once removed the bees from a hive on the tenth of January, and found +brood amounting to about five hundred, sealed over, and others in every +stage of growth down to the egg. + +This hive had been in the house, and kept warm; it will doubtless be +supposed that being kept warm was the cause; but this is not a solitary +instance. A neighbor lost a hive the fourteenth February, in weather +cold enough to seal the entrance with ice, and smother the bees. I +assisted to remove the combs, and found young brood in abundance, from +the perfect bee, through all stages of growth. This stock had been in +the cold all winter. I have further noticed, when sweeping out the +litter under the hives early in spring, say the first of March, that +young bees would often be found under the best stocks. Hence it appears +there is but little time, and perhaps none, when our best stocks have +no broods. Yet stocks, when very weak, do not commence till warm +weather. It seems that a certain degree of warmth is necessary to +perfect the brood, which a small family cannot generate. + + +HOW SMALL STOCKS COMMENCE. + +The first eggs are deposited in the centre of the cluster of bees, in a +small family; it may not be in the centre of the hive in _all_ cases; +but the middle of the cluster is the warmest place, wherever located. +Here the queen will first commence; a few cells, or a space not larger +than a dollar, is first used, those exactly opposite on the same comb +are next occupied. If the warmth of the hive will allow, whether mild +weather produces it, or the family be large enough to generate that +which is artificial, appears to make no difference; she will then take +the next combs exactly corresponding with the first commencement but +not quite as large a place is used as in the first comb. The circle of +eggs in the first is then enlarged, and more are added in the next, +&c., continuing to spread to the next combs, keeping the distance to +the outside of the circle of eggs, to the centre or place of beginning, +about equal on all sides, until they occupy the outside comb. Long +before the outside comb is occupied, the first eggs deposited are +matured, and the queen will return to the centre, and use these cells +again, but is not so particular this time to fill so many in such exact +order as at first. This is the general process of small or medium sized +families. I have removed the bees from such, in all stages of breeding, +and always found their proceedings as described. + + +DIFFERENT WITH LARGER ONES. + +But with very large families, their proceedings are different: as any +part of the cluster of bees is warm enough for breeding, there is less +necessity for economizing heat, and having all the eggs confined to one +small spot, some unoccupied cells will be found among the brood; a few +will contain honey and bee-bread. + + +HOW POLLEN IS STORED IN THE BREEDING SEASON. + +But in the height of the breeding season, a circle of cells nearly all +bee-bread, an inch or two wide, will border the sheets of comb +containing brood. As bee-bread is probably the principal food of the +young bee, it is thus very convenient. + +When pollen is abundant, and the swarm is in prosperous condition, they +soon reach the outside sheets of comb with the brood. At this period, +when the hive is about full, and the queen is forced to the outside +combs to find a place for her eggs, it is interesting to witness +operations in a glass hive. I have seen her several times during one +day, on the same piece of comb (next the glass). The light has no +immediate effect on her "Highness," as she will quietly continue about +her duty, not the least embarrassed by curious eyes at the window. +Before depositing an egg, she enters the cell head first, probably to +ascertain if it is in proper condition to receive it; as a cell part +filled with bee-bread or honey is never used. If the area of combs is +small, or the family is small, and cannot protect a large space with +the necessary heat, she will often deposit two, and sometimes three, in +one cell (the supernumeraries I suppose are removed by the workers). +But under prosperous circumstances, with a hive of suitable size, &c., +this emergency is avoided. + + +OPERATION OF LAYING AND THE EGGS DESCRIBED. + +When a cell is in a condition to receive the egg, on withdrawing her +head she immediately curves her abdomen, and inserts it a few seconds. +After leaving it, an egg may be seen attached by one end to the bottom; +about the sixteenth of an inch in length, slightly curved, very small, +nearly uniform the whole length, abruptly rounded at the ends, +semi-transparent, and covered with a very thin and extremely delicate +coat, often breaking with the slightest touch. + +After the egg has been about three days in the cell, a small white worm +may be seen coiled in the bottom, surrounded with a milky-like +substance, which is its food, without doubt. How this food is prepared, +is merely guess-work. The hypothesis of its being chiefly composed of +pollen, I have no objection to; as it is sufficiently proved by the +quantities that accumulate in hives that lose their queen, and rear no +brood (that is, when a requisite number of workers are so left). The +workers may be seen entering the cell every few minutes, probably, to +supply this food.[6] + + [6] When the comb in our glass hive is new, and white, these + operations can be seen more distinctly than when very old and + dark. + + +TIME FROM THE EGG TO THE PERFECT BEE. + +In about six days it is sealed over with a convex waxen lid. It is now +hidden from our sight for about twelve days, when it bites off the +cover, and comes forth a perfect bee. The period from the egg to the +perfect bee varies from twenty to twenty-four days; average about +twenty-two for workers, twenty-four for drones. The temperature of the +hive will vary some with the atmosphere; it is also governed by the +number of bees. A low temperature probably retards the development, +while a high one facilitates it. You may have seen accounts of the +assiduous attentions given to the young bee when it first emerges from +the cell: 'tis said they "lick it all over, feed it with honey," &c., +desperately pleased with their new acquisition. + + +ROUGH TREATMENT OF THE YOUNG BEE. + +Now, if you expect to see anything of this, you must watch a little +closer than I have. I have seen hundreds when biting their way out. +Instead of care or notice, they often receive rather rough treatment: +the workers, intent on other matters, will sometimes come in contact +with one part way out the cell, with force sufficient to almost +dislocate its neck; yet they do not stop to see if any harm is done, or +beg pardon. The little sufferer, after this rude lesson, scrambles back +as soon as possible out of the way; enlarges the prison door a little, +and attempts again, with perhaps the same success: a dozen trials are +often made before they succeed. When it does actually leave, it seems +like a stranger in a multitude, with no friend to counsel, or mother to +direct. It wanders about uncared for and unheeded, and rarely finds one +sufficiently benevolent to bestow even the necessaries of life; but +does sometimes. It is _generally_ forced to learn the important lesson +of looking out for itself, the day it leaves the cradle. A cell +containing honey is sought for, where its immediate wants are all +supplied. + + +GUESS WORK. + +The time before it is ready to leave the hive for honey, I might guess +would be two or three days. Others have said "it would leave _the day +it left the cell_;" but I guess they guess at this point. They tell us, +too, that after the bees seal over the cells containing the larvae, +"they immediately commence spinning their cocoons, which takes just +about thirty-six hours." I think it very likely; but when I admit it, I +cannot imagine how it was ascertained;--the faculty of looking through +a mill-stone I do not possess, and it requires about the same optical +penetration to look into one of these cells after it is sealed over, as +it is all perfect darkness. Suppose we drive away the bees and open the +cell, to give us a look at the interior: the little insect stops its +labor in a moment, probably from the effect of air and light. I never +could detect one in its labor. Suppose we open these cells every hour +after sealing; can we tell anything about their progress by the +appearance of these cocoons, or even tell when they are finished? The +thickness of a dozen would not exceed common writing paper. When a +subject is obscure, or difficult to ascertain, like this, why not tell +us how they found out the particulars; and if they were guessed at, be +honest, and say so? When the bee leaves the cell, a cocoon remains, and +that is about all we _know_ about it. + + +TERMS APPLIED TO YOUNG BEES. + +The young bee, when it first leaves the egg, is termed grub, maggot, +worm, or larva; from this state it changes to the shape of the perfect +bee, which is said to be three days after finishing the cocoon; from +the time of this change, till it is ready to leave the cell, the terms +nymph, pupa, and chrysalis, are applied. The lid of the drone's cell is +rather more convex than that of the worker's, and when removed by the +young bee to work its way out, is left nearly perfect; being cut off +around the edges, a good coat or lining of silk keeps it whole; while +the covering of the worker's cell is mostly wax, and is pretty well cut +to pieces by the time the bee gets out. The covering to the queen's +cell is like the drone's, but larger in diameter, and thicker, being +lined with a little more silk. + + +DISCREPANCY IN TIME IN REARING BROOD AS GIVEN BY HUBER. + +We are told by most writers, the period of time necessary to perfect +from the egg, the three different kinds of bees. Huber leads the way, +and the rest, _supposing him to be right_, repeat in substance his +account as follows: That the whole time necessary to perfect a queen +from the egg is sixteen days, the worker twenty, and the drone +twenty-four days; Huber (as quoted by Harpers) gives the time of each +stage of development belonging to each kind of bee; but is rather +unfortunate in arithmetic; the items, or stages, when added together, +"do not prove," as the school-boys say; that is, he gains time by +making his bee by degrees. He says, first, of the worker, "It remains +three days in the egg, five in the grub state, it is thirty-six hours +in spinning its cocoon; in three days it changes to a nymph, passes six +in that form, and then comes forth a perfect bee." How do the items add? + + The egg, 3 days. + Grub, 5 " + Spinning cocoon, 1-1/2 " + Changing to a nymph, 3 " + In that form, 6 " + ------- + 18-1/2 days. + +One and a half days short. We will next see how the figures with the +royal insect match; recollect sixteen days are all she has allowed; +then, of the different stages, "three days in the egg, is five a worm, +when the bees close its cell, and it immediately begins its cocoon, +which is finished in twenty-four hours. During eleven days, and even +sixteen hours of the twelfth, it remains in a state of complete repose. +Its transformation into a nymph then takes place, in which state four +days and part of the fifth are passed." Now let us add the items: + + The egg, 3 days. + A worm, 5 " + Spinning a cocoon, (24 hours), 1 " + Reposes eleven days and 16 hours, 11-2/3 " + A nymph four days, and part of the fifth, 4-1/3 " + ------- + 25 days. + +Now, reader, what do you make of such palpable blundering guess-work? A +difference of nine days--the merest school-boy ought to know better! +Can we rely on such history? Does it not prove the necessity of going +over the whole ground, applying a test to every assertion, and a +revision of the whole matter throughout? My object is not to find +fault, but to get at _facts_. When I see such guess-work as the above +published to the world, in this enlightened age, gravely told to the +rising generation, as a portion of natural history, I feel it a duty +not to resist the inclination to expose the absurdity. + + +THE NUMBER OF EGGS DEPOSITED BY THE QUEEN GUESSED AT. + +The number of eggs that a queen will deposit is often another point of +guess-work. When the estimate does not exceed 200 per diem, I have no +reason to dispute it; the number will probably fall short in some +cases, and exceed it in others. Some writers suppose that this number +"would never produce a swarm, as the bees that are lost daily amount +to, or even exceed that number," and give us instead from eight hundred +to four thousand eggs in a day, from one queen. The only way to test +the matter accurately, is by actually counting, in an observatory hive, +or in one with sufficient empty combs to hold _all the eggs_ she will +deposit for a few days, when, by removing the bees, and counting +carefully, we might ascertain, and yet several would have to be +examined, before we could get at the average. The nearest I ever came +to knowing anything about it happened as follows: A swarm left, and the +queen from some cause was unable to cluster with it, and was found, +after some trouble, in the grass a few rods off. She was put in the +hive with the swarm about 11 o'clock, A.M.; the next morning, at +sunrise, I found on the bottom-board, among the scales of wax, 118 eggs +that had been discharged in that time. Probably a few escaped notice, +as the color is the same as wax scales; also, they might already have +had combs containing some. I have several times found a few the next +morning, under swarms hived the day previous, but never over thirty, +except in this one instance. The reason of this queen not being able to +fly well might have been an unusual burden of eggs. Perhaps it would be +as well to mention here, that in all cases where eggs are found in this +way, that they must be first swarms which are accompanied by the old +queens. + +Schirach estimates "the eggs a single female will lay, from 70,000 to +100,000 in a season." Reaumer and Huber do not estimate so high. +Another writer estimates 90,000, in three months. Let the number be as +it may, probably thousands are never perfected. During the spring +months, in medium and small families, where the bees can protect with +animal heat but a few combs, I have often found cells containing a +plurality of eggs, two, three, and occasionally four, in a single cell. +These supernumeraries must be removed, and frequently may be found +amongst the dust on the bottom-board. + + +A TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF A QUEEN. + +If you have a hive that you suspect has lost a queen at this season, +her presence can be ascertained nine times in ten by this method. Sweep +off the board clean, and look the next day or two after for these eggs. +Take care that ants, or mice, have no chance to get them; they might +deceive you, being as fond of eggs for breakfast as anyone.[7] When one +or more is found, or any immature bees, it is sufficient, no further +proof of the presence of a queen is needed. + + [7] It is said that the bees will devour these eggs also. + +Another portion of eggs is wasted whenever a supply of their food +fails; if we remove the bees from a stock during a scarcity, when the +hive is light, we will be very likely to find hundreds of eggs in the +cells, and but very few advancing from that stage towards maturity. I +have thus found it in the fall, in July, and sometimes the first of +June, or at any time when maturing the brood would be likely to exhaust +their stores, to endanger the family's supply. Now, instead of the +fertility of the queen being greater in spring and first of summer than +at other times, (as we are often told), I would suggest the probability +that a greater abundance of food at this season, and a greater number +of empty cells, may be the reason of the greater number of bees +matured. + + +WHEN DRONES ARE REARED. + +Whenever the hive is well supplied with honey, and plenty of bees, a +portion of eggs are deposited in the drone-cells, which three or four +days more are necessary to mature than the worker. + + +WHEN QUEENS ARE REARED. + +Also, when the combs become crowded with bees, and honey plenty, the +preparations for young queens commence: as the first step towards +swarming, from one to twenty royal cells are begun; when about half +completed, the queen (if all continues favorable) will deposit eggs in +them, these will be glued fast by one end like those for the workers; +there is no doubt but they are precisely the same kind of eggs that +produce other bees. When hatched, the little worm will be supplied with +a superabundance of food; at least, it appears so from the fact, that a +few times I have found a quantity remaining in the cell after the queen +had left. The consistence of this food is about like cream, the color +some lighter, or just tinged with yellow. If it was thin like water, or +even honey, I cannot imagine how it could be made to stay in the upper +end of an inverted cell of that size in such quantities as are put in, +as the bees often fill it near half full. Sometimes a cell of this kind +will contain this food, and no worm to feed upon it. I _guessed_ the +bees had compounded more than their present necessities required, and +that they stored it there to have it ready, also, that being there all +might know it was for royalty. + +[Illustration: PLATE OF THE THREE KINDS OF CELLS.] + +The taste is said to be "more pungent" than food given to the worker, +and the difference in food changes the bee from a worker to a queen. I +have nothing to say against this hypothesis; it may be so, or the young +bee being obliged to stand on its head may effect it, or both causes +combined may effect the change. I never tasted this food, or found any +test to apply. + +The preceding plate represents a piece of comb containing all the +different cells--those at the left hand the size for drones. In the +centre are few that appear sealed over, others nearly covered, others +the larva in different stages of growth, as well as the eggs. _Fig. 1_ +represents a queen's cell just commenced. They are usually started thus +far the first season, very frequently when the hive is only half or +two-thirds full. _Fig. 2_ is a cell sufficiently advanced to receive +the egg. _Fig. 3_ one finished, the stage when the first swarm leaves. +_Fig. 4_ when a queen has been perfected and left. _Fig. 5_ is a cell +where its occupant has been destroyed by a rival, and removed by the +workers. It will be perceived that each finished queen's cell contains +as much wax as fifty made for the workers. + + +LIABILITY OF BEING DESTROYED. + +In any stage from the egg to maturity these royal insects are liable to +be destroyed;--if honey fails from any cause sufficient to make the +existence of a swarm any way hazardous, the preparations are abandoned, +and these young queens destroyed; (I would here request the reader not +to condemn me for telling more than I can prove, until he has had the +whole story; in the swarming season, I will give further particulars.) + + +DRONES DESTROYED WHEN HONEY IS SCARCE. + +When an occurrence like the above happens, the drones next fall victims +to the failure of honey. A brief existence only is theirs; such as are +perfect, are destroyed without mercy; those in the chrysalis state are +often dragged out, and sacrificed to the necessities of the family. +Such as are allowed to hatch, instead of being fed and protected as +they would be if honey was abundant, are allowed, while yet weak from +the effects of hunger, to wander from the hive, and fall to the earth +by hundreds. These effects attend only a scarcity in the early part of +the season. The massacre of July and September is quite different. The +drones then have age and strength--an effort is apparently first made +by the workers to drive them out without proceeding to extremes; they +are harassed sometimes for several days; the workers feigning only to +sting, or else they cannot, as I never succeeded in seeing but very few +dispatched in that way; yet there is evidence proving beyond doubt that +the sting is used. Hundreds will often be collected together in a +compact body at the bottom of the hive; this mutual protection +affording a few hours' respite from their tormentors, who do not cease +to worry them. In a few days they are gone, and it is a hard matter to +tell what has become of them, at least the majority. If the hive in +September is well supplied with honey, a portion of the drones have a +longer lease of life given them; I have seen them as late as December. +In some seasons, when the best hives are poorly supplied with stores, +the ensuing spring the bees will rear no drones, until the flowers +yield a good supply. I have known one or two years in which no drones +appeared before the last of June; at other times, thousands are matured +by the first of May. + + +OLD QUEEN LEAVES WITH THE FIRST SWARM. + +The old queen leaves with the first swarm; as soon as cells are ready +in the new hive she will deposit her eggs in them, at first for +workers; the number perfected will correspond with the supply of honey +and size of the swarm. When the supply fails before leaving the old +stock, she remains _there_, and continues laying throughout the season; +but the bees matured after the 20th of July (in this section) are not +more than sufficient to keep the number good. As many die, or are lost +during their excursions, as the young ones will replace; in fact, they +often lose rather than gain; so that by the next spring, a hive that +has cast no swarm, is no better for a stock than one from which a swarm +has issued. We are apt to be deceived by bees clustering outside, +towards the latter end of the season, and suppose it hardly possible +for them all to get in, when it may be caused by hot weather, full +stores, &c. + + +A YOUNG QUEEN TAKES THE PLACE OF HER MOTHER IN THE OLD STOCK. + +In ordinary circumstances, when a swarm has left a stock, the oldest of +the young queens is ready to emerge from her cell in about eight or +nine days; if no second swarm is sent out, she will take her mother's +place, and begin to lay eggs in about ten days, or a little less. Two +or three weeks is the only time throughout the whole season, but what +eggs can be found in all prosperous hives. Whenever a copious yield of +honey occurs, drones are reared; as it becomes scarce, they are +destroyed. + +The relative number of drones and workers that exist when they are most +numerous, doubtless depends on the size of the hive, whether one in +ten, or one in thirty. + +When a swarm is first hived, the first cells are the size for working; +if the hive be very small, and bees numerous, it may be filled before +they are fully aware of it, and but few drone-cells constructed; +consequently, but few can be raised; whereas if the hive be large, long +before it is full, considerable honey will be stored. Cells for storing +honey are usually the size for drones; these will be made as soon as +the requisite number for workers is provided. An abundant yield of +honey during the process of filling a large hive, would therefore cause +a great proportion of these cells to be built--the amount of +drone-brood being governed by the same cause, is a strong argument +against large hives, as affording room for too many of these cells, +where an unnecessary number of drones will be reared, causing a useless +expenditure of honey, &c. + + +OTHER THEORIES. + +Theories differing materially from the foregoing, are advanced by +nearly all writers. One says, "In spring the queen lays about 2,000 +eggs of males, resumes it again in August, but during the rest of the +intervals she exclusively lays worker eggs. The queen must be at least +eleven months old before she begins to lay the eggs of males." Mr. +Townley makes the same assertion. Dr. Bevan says, "the great laying of +drone eggs usually commences about the end of April." Another author +repeats about the same, and appears to have investigated farther, as he +has found out that the eggs for the two kinds of bees are germinated +separately, and the queen knows when each kind is ready, as well as the +workers, &c. Now, I beg leave to differ a little from these authors. +Either there exists no difference in the eggs germinated, and any, or +all will produce drones or workers, just as they happen to be deposited +and fed; or else the periods of laying drone eggs are much more +frequent than any writer with which I am acquainted has been willing to +allow. + + +SUBJECT NOT UNDERSTOOD. + +I am not anxious to establish a new theory, but to get at facts. If we +pretend to understand natural history, it is important that we have it +correct; and if we do not understand it, say so, and leave it open for +further investigation. It is my opinion that we _know_ but very little +about this point. I wish to induce closer observation, and would +recommend no _positive_ decision, until all the facts that will apply +have been examined. Whether these drone-egg theories have been too +hastily adopted, the reader can decide; I shall offer a few more facts, +somewhat difficult to reconcile with them. + +First, in relation to the queen being "eleven months old" before laying +drone eggs. We _all_ agree, I believe, that the old queen goes with the +first swarm, and a young one remains in the old stock. Now suppose the +first swarm leaves in June, and the old stock yet contains a numerous +family. The flowers of buckwheat in August yield a bountiful harvest of +honey. This old stock rears a large brood of drones. Is it not proved +in this case that the queen was but two months old, instead of eleven? +We further agree that young queens accompany second or after-swarms. +When these happen to be large and prosperous, they never fail to rear a +brood of drones at this season. What is the age of these? I apprehend +that this eleven months theory originated in sections where there are +no crops of buckwheat raised, or in small quantities. Clover generally +fails in August, and May, or June, of another year comes round, before +there is a sufficient yield to produce the brood. With these +observations _only_, how very rational to conclude that it must be a +law of their nature, instead of being governed by the yield of honey, +and size of the family? If the periods of drone egg laying are limited +to only two or three, it would seem that all queens ought to be ready +with this kind of egg, about the same period of the season, but how are +the facts? + +I would like to inquire what becomes of the first series of drone eggs, +the last of April, or the first of May, when the stocks are poorly +supplied with honey, or when a family is small and but little honey +through the summer? No drone brood is matured in these cases. It is not +pretended that the queen has any control over the germination of these +eggs, yet somehow she has them ready whenever the situation of the hive +will warrant it. Two stocks may have an equal number of bees the first +of May; one may have forty pounds of honey, the other four pounds; the +latter cannot afford to rear a drone, while the other will have +hundreds. Let two stocks have but four pounds each at any time in +summer when honey is scarce, now feed one of them plentifully, and a +brood of drones is sure to appear, while the other will not produce +one. Whenever stocks are well stored with honey, and full of bees, the +first of May will find drone-cells containing brood. If the flowers +continue to yield a full supply, these cells may be examined every week +from that period till the first swarm leaves, and I will engage that +drone brood may be found in all stages from the egg to maturity; and +the worker brood the same. In twenty-four days after the first swarm +leaves, the last drone eggs left by the old queen will be just about +matured. When transferring bees from old to new hives, I generally do +it about twenty-one or twenty-two days after the first swarm, (this is +the time to avoid destroying the worker-brood; the particulars will be +given in another place.) I have transferred a great many, and _never +failed_ to find a few drones about ready to leave the combs. Whether +the swarm had left the last of May, or middle of July, there was no +difference, they were on hand. + +A very early swarm in good seasons, will often fill the hive, and send +out an issue in from four to six weeks: the usual amount of drone-brood +may be found in these cases. The following circumstance would appear to +indicate that all the eggs are alike, and if they are laid in +drone-cells, the bees give the proper food and make drones; if in +worker-cells, workers, just as they make a queen from a worker-egg, +when put in a royal cell. + +In a glass hive, one sheet of comb next the glass, and parallel with +it, was full size; about three-quarters of this sheet was worker-cells, +the remainder drone-cells. The family had been rather small, but now +had increased to a full swarm; a few drones had matured in the middle +of the hive. It was about the middle of June, 1850, when I discovered +the bees on this outside sheet, preparing it, as I thought, for brood, +by cutting off the cells to the proper length. They had been used for +storing honey, and were much too long, being about an inch and a half +deep. In a day or two after I saw a few eggs in both worker and +drone-cells; four or five days afterwards, on opening the door, I found +her "majesty" engaged in depositing eggs in the drone cells. Nearly +every one already contained an egg; most of these she examined, but did +not use them; six or eight, it appeared, were all that were unoccupied; +in each of these she immediately deposited an egg. She continued to +search for more empty cells, and in doing so, she got on the part of +the comb containing worker-cells, where she found a dozen or more +empty, in each of which, she laid one. The whole time perhaps thirty +minutes. Query? Was her series of drone eggs exhausted just at this +time? If so, it would appear that she was not aware of it, because she +examined several drone-cells after laying the last one there, before +leaving that part of the comb, and acted exactly as if she would have +used them had they not been pre-occupied. Did the worker-cells receive +some eggs that would have produced drones, but for the circumstance of +being deposited in worker-cells? I know we are told that an egg may be +transferred from a worker-cell to one for drones, or an egg taken from +a drone-cell and deposited in a worker-cell; that the exchange will +make no difference, the bee will be just what the first deposit would +have made it. How the knowledge for this assertion was obtained, we are +not informed, at least of the practical part. That an egg was ever +detached from the bottom of one cell safely and successfully deposited +in another, without breaking or injuring it in some manner, to make the +bees refuse it, permit me at present to doubt. + + +NECESSITY FOR FURTHER OBSERVATION. + +Cannot some experiments, practicable to all, be instituted that will +throw more light on this subject? The old hypothesis of limiting +drone-egg laying to two or three periods, is evidently at fault. + + +TWO SIDES OF THE QUESTION. + +If we suppose that the eggs are all alike, and the subsequent treatment +makes either workers, drones, or queens, and look to analogy for +support, we shall find much against, as well as for it. For instance, +we find in almost every department of animated nature, that the sex of +the germ of a future being is decided before being separated from the +parent, as the eggs of fowls, &c. Another fact, some queens (averaging +one in sixty or eighty) deposit eggs that produce only drones,[8] +whether in worker or drone-cells, proving that sex is decided in this +case beyond controversy. Hence it would appear reasonable, if sex was +decided by the ovaries of the queen, in one case, it would be in +another. + + [8] I have had several such. It made no difference whether the + eggs were in the worker-cells or drone-cells, the brood was all + drones. When in the worker-cells, (and the majority was there,) + they required to be lengthened about one-third. In an occurrence + of this kind, the colony of workers will rapidly diminish in + number, until too few are left to protect the combs from the + moth. It occurs most frequently in spring, but I once had a case + the last of summer. The first indications are an unusual number + of caps, or covers of cells, being under and about the hive; the + workers, instead of increasing, grow less in number. When you + fear this state of things, make a thorough examination, blow + under the hive some tobacco smoke, as directed in pruning, invert + the hive, part the combs till you can see the brood; if the + worker-cells contain drones, they are readily perceived, as they + project beyond the usual even surface, being very irregular, here + and there a few, or perhaps but one sticking out. The worker-brood, + when in their own cells, form nearly an even surface; so of the + drones. The only remedy that I have found is to destroy this + queen, and substitute another, which can be obtained in the + swarming season, or in the fall, better than at other times. To + find the queen, paralyze with puff-ball, &c. For directions see + fall management. + +To allow the bees the power of making three kinds of bees from one kind +of eggs, which would be virtually constituting a third sex, an anomaly +not often found. The drones being males, and workers imperfect females +with generative organs undeveloped, renders the anomaly of the third +sex unnecessary. On the other side it might be said in reply: That if +food and treatment would create or produce organs of generation in the +female, by making an egg destined for a worker into a queen, (a fact +which all apiarians admit,) why not food and treatment make the drone? +Is the difficulty of developing _one_ kind of sexual organs greater +than another? + +Respecting the anomaly of the eggs of some queens producing only +drones, the question might be asked, Is this more of an anomaly than +that of ordinary queens which are said to germinate eggs in distinct +series? It is all out of the usual line. Other animals or insects +usually produce the sexes promiscuously. As we are ignorant of causes +deciding sex in any case, we must acknowledge mystery to belong to both +sides of the question here. The stumbling-block of more than two sexes, +which seems so necessary to make plain, is no greater here than with +some species of ants, that have, as we are told, king, queen, soldier +and laborer. Four distinct and differently formed bodies, all belonging +to one nest, and descended from one mother. Whether there are four +distinct kinds of eggs producing them, or the power is given to the +workers to develop such as are wanted, from one kind, we cannot say. If +we make two kinds of eggs, it helps the matter but very little. There +is still an anomaly. There is but one perfect female in a nest to +germinate eggs, and the myriads produced (being over 80,000 in +twenty-four hours, according to some historians) shows that the +fecundity of our queen-bee is not a parallel case by any means. And yet +they are similar, by having their offspring provided for without an +effort of their own. + +I shall leave this matter for the present, hoping that _something +conclusive_ may occur in the course of my experiments, or those of +others. At present I am inclined to think that the eggs are all alike, +but am not fully satisfied. + +I am aware that this matter is of but little value or interest to many, +but myself and a few others have "Yankee inquisitiveness" pretty well +developed, and would like to _know_ how it _was_ managed. + +As for workers proving occasionally fertile, I have but little to say. +After years of close observation directed to this point, I have been +unable to discover anything to establish this opinion. Neither have I +found the black bees described by some authors. It is true that in the +middle or latter part of summer a portion will be much darker than +others, and perhaps rather smaller, and some of them with their wings +somewhat worn, probably the result of continued labor, peculiar food, +or some incidental circumstance. + +I have a few times found a humble-bee under the hive, that had entered, +and not finding his way out readily, was speedily shorn of his +beautiful "locks," and consequently his strength--that is, every +particle of hair, down, feathers, bristles, or whatever he had been +covered with, was completely removed by the bees, who had no regard for +his beautiful alternating stripes of yellow and brown; which left him +the very picture of darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +BEE PASTURAGE. + + +In some seasons the earth is covered with snow much later than others. +When this occurs, a greater number of warm days are necessary to melt +it, and start the flowers, than otherwise. + + +SUBSTITUTE FOR POLLEN. + +During these warm days, while waiting for the flowers, the bees are +anxious to do something. It is then interesting to watch them, and see +what will be used as substitutes for pollen and honey. At such times, I +have seen hundreds engaged on a heap of sawdust, gathering the minute +particles into little pellets on their legs, seeming quite pleased with +the acquisition. Rotten wood, when crumbled into powder, and dry, is +also collected. Flour, when scattered near the hive, I have known to be +taken up in considerable quantities. Some apiarians have fed it to +their bees at this season, and consider it a great advantage; I have +not tested it sufficient to give an opinion. A substitute for honey is +sap from a few kinds of trees, yet it all amounts to but very little. +All these unnatural sources are abandoned when the flowers appear. + + +MANNER OF PACKING IT. + +The particular manner of obtaining pollen has been witnessed by but +very few persons, as it is generally brushed from their bodies and +packed on their legs, while on the wing, thereby preventing a fair +chance to inspect operations. When collecting only pollen they alight +on the flowers, passing rapidly over the stamens, detaching a portion +of the dust, which lodges on most parts of them, to be brushed together +and packed into pellets when again on the wing. Thus they keep +alternately flying and alighting until a load is obtained, when they +immediately return to the hive; each bee bringing several loads in a +day. Honey, as it is collected, is deposited in the abdomen, and kept +out of sight till stored in the hive. + + +ALDER YIELDS THE FIRST. + +The first material gathered from flowers is pollen. Candle-alder +(_Alnus Rubra_)[9] yields the first supply. The time of flowering +varies from the 10th of March to the 20th of April. The amount afforded +is also variable. Cold, freezing weather frequently destroys a great +portion of these flowers after they are out. These staminate flowers +are nearly perfected the season previous, and a few warm days in spring +will bring them out, even before any leaves appear. When the weather +continues fine, great quantities of farina are secured. + + [9] The botanical names are from Wood's Class-Book. + +The time that bees commence their labors does not govern the time of +swarming by any means; this matter depends on the weather through April +and May. These remarks apply particularly to this section, Green +County, New York, in latitude about 42 degrees. In other places many +different trees, shrubs, and herbs, may be found yielding honey and +pollen that scarcely exist here, producing far different results. + +Our swamps produce several varieties of willow, (salix,) that put out +their blossoms very irregularly. Some of these bushes are a month +earlier than others, and some of the buds on the same bush are a week +or two later than the rest. These also afford only pollen, but are much +more dependence than alder, as a turn of cold weather cannot at any +time destroy more than a small part. Next comes the aspen, (_Populus +Tremuloides_); of this we have more than is necessary for any purpose. +It is not a particular favorite with the bees, as but few, +comparatively, visit it. It is followed very soon by an abundance of +the red maple (_Acer Rubrum_), that suits them better, but this, like +the others, is often lost by freezing. The first honey obtained of any +account is from the golden willow (_Salix Vitellina_); it yields no +pollen, and is seldom injured by frost. Gooseberries, currants, +cherries, pear and peach trees, add a share of both honey and pollen. +Sugar maple (_Acer Saccharinum_) now throws out its ten thousand silken +tassels, beautiful as gold. Strawberries modestly open their petals in +invitation, but, like "obscure virtues," are often neglected for the +more conspicuous Dandelion, and the showy appearance and flagrant +blossoms of the apple-trees, which now open their stores, offering to +their acceptance a real harvest. + + +FRUIT FLOWERS IMPORTANT IN GOOD WEATHER. + +In good weather, sometimes a gain of twenty lbs. is added to their +stores, during this period of apple-tree blossoms. But we are seldom +fortunate enough to have good weather all through this period, it being +rainy, cloudy, cool, or windy, which is very detrimental. Sometimes a +frost at this time destroys all, and the gain of our bees is reversed, +that is, they are lighter at the end than at the beginning of these +flowers. Yet this is the season that decides their prosperity for the +summer, whether they do _first rate_ or otherwise. If good weather now, +we expect our first swarms about the first of June; if not, no +subsequent yield of honey will make up for this deficiency. We now have +a time of several days, from ten to fourteen, in which but few flowers +exist. If our hives are poorly supplied when this scarcity occurs, it +will so disarrange their plans for swarming, that no preparations are +again made much before July, and sometimes not at all. In sections +where the wild cherry (_Cerasus Seratina_) abounds, the flowers of this +will appear and fill this time of scarcity, which this section annually +presents. + + +RED RASPBERRY A FAVORITE. + +The red raspberry (_Rubus Strigosus_) next presents the stamens as the +most conspicuous part of the flower, soliciting the embrace of the bee, +by pouring out bounteous libations more prized by our industrious +insect than wine. For several weeks they are allowed to partake of this +exquisite beverage; it is secreted at all hours and in all kinds of +weather. When the morning is warm we often hear their cheerful humming +among the leaves and flowers of this shrub, ere the sun appears above +the horizon. The gentle shower, sufficient to induce man to seek a +shelter, is often unheeded by the bee when luxuriating among these +flowers; even white clover, important as it is in furnishing the +greatest part of their stores, at this season, would be neglected if +there was only a full supply of this. Clover begins to blossom with the +raspberry, and continues longer. We have an insufficient supply (in +this section) in most seasons. Red clover probably secretes as much +honey as the white, but the tube of the corolla being longer, the bee +appears to be unable to reach it. Yet I have seen a few at work even +here but it appeared like slow business. Sorrel, (_Rumex Acetosella_) +the pest of many farmers, is brought under contribution, and furnishes +the precious dust in any quantity. Morning is the only part of the day +appropriated to its collection. + + +CATNIP, MOTHER-WORT, AND HOARHOUND ARE SOUGHT AFTER. + +Catnip, (_Nepeta Cataria_,) Mother-wort, (_Leonurus Cardiaca_,) and +Hoarhound, (_Marrubium Vulgare_,) about the middle of June, put forth +their flowers, rich in sweetness, and like the Raspberry, the bees +visit them at all hours and in nearly all kinds of weather. They last +from four to six weeks; the catnip I have known to last twelve in a few +instances, yielding honey during the whole time. Ox-eye daisy, +(_Leucanthemum Vulgare_,) that beautiful and splendid flower, in +pasture and meadow, and worth but little in either, also contains some +honey. The flower is compound, and each little floret contains +particles so minute, that the task of obtaining a load is very tedious. +It is only visited when the more copious honey-yielding flowers are +scarce. Snap-dragon,(_Linaria Vulgaris_,) with its nauseous and +sickening odor, troubling the farmer with its vile presence, is made to +bestow the only good thing about it, except its beauty, upon our +insect. The flower is large and tubular, and the bee to reach the honey +must enter it; to see the bee almost disappear within the folds of the +corolla, one would think that it was about being swallowed, when the +hideous mouth was gaping to receive it; but unharmed, soon it emerges +from the yellow prison, covered with dust; this is not brushed into +pellets on its legs, like the pollen from some other flowers, but a +part adheres to its back between the wings, which it is apparently +unable to remove, as it remains there sometimes for months, making a +cluster outside the hive, appear quite speckled. Bush honey-suckle +(_Diervilla Trifida_) is another particular favorite. + + +SINGULAR FATALITY ATTENDANT ON SILKWEED. + +Silkweed (_Asclepias Cornuti_) is also another honey-yielding +perennial, but a singular fatality attends many bees while gathering +it, that I never yet saw noticed. I had observed during the period this +plant was in bloom, that a number of the bees belonging to swarms, +before the hive was full, were unable to ascend the sides to the comb; +there would be sometimes thirty or more at the bottom in the morning. +On searching for the cause, I found from one to ten thin yellow scales, +attached to their feet, triangular, or somewhat wedge shape, in size +about the twentieth part of an inch. On the longest point or angle, was +a black thread-like point, from a sixteenth to an eighth of an inch in +length; on this stem was either hooks, barbs, or a glutinous matter, +that firmly adhered to each foot or claw of the bee, rendering it +useless as far as climbing the sides of the hive was concerned. I found +also among bees clustered outside of full hives, this ornament +attached, but to them it appeared no inconvenience. Among the scales of +wax and waste matter that accumulates about the swarms to the amount of +a handful, I found a great many of these scales, which the bees had +worked from their feet. The question then arose, were these scales a +foreign substance, accidentally entangled in their claws, or was it +something formed there by nature, or _rather_ an unnatural appendage? +It was soon decided. From the number of bees carrying it, I was +satisfied that if it was the product of any flower, it belonged to a +species somewhat abundant. I set about a close examination of all such +as were then in bloom. I found the flowers of the Silkweed, (or +Milkweed, as some call it,) sometimes holding a dead bee by the foot, +secured by this appendage. Both sepals and petals of this flower are +re-curved, that is, turned backward towards the stem, forming five +acute angles, or notches, just the thing for a trap for a bee with +_strings_ of _beads_ on its toes; when at work they are very liable to +slip a foot into one of these notches; the flower being thick and firm, +holds it fast; pulling only draws it deeper into the wedge-like cavity. +The bee must either perish or break loose; their instincts fail them in +this emergency; they know nothing about getting it out by a gentle pull +the other way. I never saw one do it except by accident. By examining +the buds of this plant just before opening, I found this fatal +appendage, by which great numbers of our bees are lost.[10] When I +point out a loss among our bees, I would like to give a remedy; but +here I am at a loss, unless all these plants are destroyed, and this is +impracticable in many places. After all I am not sure but honey enough +is obtained by such bees as do escape, to counterbalance what we lose. +This would depend on the amount of honey yielded by other flowers at +the same time. + + [10] In Wood's Class-book of Botany, "Order CII.," in a plate + showing the parts of this plant, it is thus described: "Fig. 11, + a pair of pollen masses suspended from the glands at an angle of + the antheridium," &c. + + One, when reading this simple botanical description, and seeing + the plate, or the Botanist with his glasses, when he minutely + inspects the parts, would not suspect anything fatal to bees + about it. + +Whitewood (_Liriodendron Tulipifera_) yields something eagerly sought +for by the bees, but whether honey, or pollen, or both, I have never +been able to ascertain. All the flowers of this kind, with us, are too +high. It is very scarce, as well as Basswood, (_Tilia Americana_,)--that +in some places is abundant, and yields honey clear and transparent as +water, superior in appearance, but inferior in flavor to clover; it +also appears much thinner when first collected. + + +LARGE YIELD FROM BASSWOOD. + +During the time this tree is in bloom, a period of two or three weeks +in many sections, astonishing quantities are obtained. A person once +assured me that he had known "ten pounds collected by one swarm in a +day, by weighing the hive in the morning and again at evening." I have +some doubt of the statement, and think half the amount would be a good +day's work; but I had but a small chance to know, as only a few trees, +as a specimen, grow in this section. I have weighed hives during +seasons of apple-tree blossoms and buckwheat, the two best yields of +honey we have, and three and a half pounds was the best for one day +that I ever had. Sumach, (_Rhus Glabra_,) in some sections, affords +considerable honey. Mustard (_Sinapis Nigra_) is also a great favorite. + +I have now mentioned most of the honey-producing trees and plants that +come on before the middle of July. The course of these flowers is +termed the first yield. In sections where there are no crops of +buckwheat, it constitutes the only full one. Other flowers continue to +bloom till cold weather. Where white clover is abundant and the fields +are used for pasture, it will continue to throw out fresh flowers, +sometimes, throughout the summer; yet the bees consume about all they +collect in rearing their brood, &c. Thus it appears in some sections +six or eight weeks is about all the time they have to provide for +winter. + + +GARDEN FLOWERS UNIMPORTANT. + +In passing along I have not mentioned garden flowers, because the +amount obtained here is a small item, compared to the forest and +fields--especially ornamental flowers. It is true that the Hollyhock, +(_Altha Rosea_,) Mallows, (_Malva Rotundifolia_) and many others yield +honey, but what does it amount to? A person expecting his hives to be +filled from such a source would very likely be disappointed, especially +when many are kept together. + + +HONEY-DEW. + +Honey-dew is said to be a source from whence large collections are made +in some places. When or where it appears or disappears is more than I +can tell. I have seen the accounts of it, but accounts I have learned +to doubt until I find something corroborative in my own experience. I +find too many errors copied merely because they happen to be in company +with several truths. Huber discovered many important truths, and has +given them to the world; too many writers take it for granted when two +points of his are true, the third _must be also_. It is no proof that +there is no such article merely because I never discovered it. In the +many fruitless endeavors that I have made to get a view of this +substance, it may be I have lacked close observation; or possibly there +is none showered upon this region; or I may have failed to bring my +imagination to assist me to convert common dew into the real article. + + +SINGULAR SECRETION. + +I once discovered bees collecting a secretion unconnected with flowers; +but was not honey-dew, as it has been described. I was passing a bush +of Witch-hazel, (_Hamamelis Virginiana_,) and was arrested by an +unusual humming of bees. At first I supposed that a swarm was about me, +yet it was late in the season, (it being about the 25th July.) On close +inspection, I found the bush contained numerous warty excrescences, the +size and shape of a hickory-nut. These proved to be only a shell--the +inside lined with thousands of minute insects, a species of aphis. +These appeared to be engaged sucking the juices, and discharging a +clear, transparent fluid. Near the stem was an orifice about an eighth +of an inch in diameter, out of which this liquid would gradually exude. +So eager were the bees for this secretion, that several would crowd +around one orifice at a time, each endeavoring to thrust the other +away. This occurred several years ago, and I never have been able to +find anything like it since; neither have I learned whether it is +common in other sections. + + +SECRETIONS OF THE APHIS. + +The liquid ejected by the aphis, (plant louse,) when feeding or sucking +the juices of tender leaves, and received by the ants that are always +in attendance, is something like it; but in this case the bees were in +attendance instead of ants. + +This mode of elaborating honey, although not generally collected by +bees, perhaps may not be too much out of place here. Also, it may +furnish a clue to the cause or substantiate some theory of honey-dew. + +These insects (_Aphis_) have been very appropriately termed "ants' +cows," as they are regarded by them with the most tender care and +solicitude. In July or August, when the majority of the leaves of our +apple trees are matured, there is often a few sprouts or suckers about +the bottom or trunk, that continue growing and putting out fresh +leaves. On the under side of these, you will find the _aphis_ by +hundreds, of all sizes, from those just hatched to the perfect insect +with wings. All appear to be engaged in sucking the bitter juice from +the tender leaf and stalk. The ants are among them by scores. (They are +often accused by the careless observer of the injury, instead of the +_aphis_.) Occasionally there will issue from their abdomen a small, +transparent globule, which the ant is ever ready to receive. When a +load is obtained it descends to the nest; others may be seen going and +returning continually. Many other kinds of trees, shrubs and plants are +used by the ants as "cow pasture," and most kinds of ants are engaged +in this dairy business.[11] Would the bees attend on the _aphis_ for +this secretion, (for it appears to be honey,) if the ant was not there +first? Or if there were no ants or bees, would this secretion be +discharged, and falling on the leaves below them, be honey-dew? If they +were situated on some lofty trees, and it lodged on the leaves of small +bushes near the earth, it would, with some authors. + + [11] The history of insects, as published by Harpers, gives more + particulars on this interesting subject. + +These questions I shall not answer, at present. As for theory, I shall +probably have enough before I get through, where I hope the subject may +be more interesting.[12] + + [12] Since the foregoing was written, I have made some further + observations on this subject. In August, 1852, I noticed, on + passing under some willow trees, (_Salix Vitellina_,) that + leaves, grass, and stones, were covered with a wet or shining + substance. On looking among the branches, I found nearly all the + smallest were covered with a species of large black _aphis_, + apparently engaged in sucking the juices, and occasionally + discharging a minute drop of a transparent liquid. I _guessed_ + this might be the honey-dew. As this was early in the morning, I + resolved to visit this place again, as soon as the sun got up far + enough to start out the bees, and see if they collected any of + it. On my return I found not only bees in hundreds, but ants, + hornets, and wasps. Some were on the branches with the _aphis_, + others on the leaves and larger branches. Some of them were even + on the stones and grass under the trees, collecting it. + +We will now return to the flowers, and see what few there are yet to +appear, after the middle of July. The button-ball bush (_Cephalanthus +Occidentalis_) is now much frequented for honey. Also, our vines, +melons, cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins. The latter are visited only +in the morning, and honey is the only thing obtained; notwithstanding +the bee is covered with farina, it is not kneaded into pellets on its +legs. I have seen it stated that bees never get honey early in the +morning, but pollen instead. Now it is not best always to take our +word, who pretend to know all about it, but look for yourselves into +some of these matters. Take a look some warm morning, when the pumpkins +are in bloom, and see whether it is honey or pollen they are in quest +of. Also please make an observation when they are at work on the red +raspberry, motherwort, or catnip; you will thus ascertain a fact so +easily, that you will wonder any one with the least pretension to +apiarian science could be ignorant of it. I mention this, not because +it is of much importance in itself, but to show the fallibility of us +all, as we sometimes copy the mistaken assertions of others. + + +ADVANTAGES OF BUCKWHEAT. + +Under some circumstances, clover will continue to bloom through this +part of the season; also, a few other flowers; but I find by weighing, +a loss from one to six pounds, between the 20th July and the 10th of +August, when the flowers of buckwheat begin to yield honey, which +generally proves a second harvest. In many places it is their main +dependence for surplus honey. It is considered by many an inferior +quality. The color, when separated from comb, resembles molasses of +medium shade. The taste is more pungent than clover honey; it is +particularly prized on that account by some, and disliked by others for +the same reason. In the same temperature it is a little thicker than +other honey, and is sooner candied. + + +AMOUNT OF HONEY COLLECTED FROM IT. + +Swarms issuing as late as the 15th July, when they commence on +buckwheat, sometimes contain not over five pounds of stores, and yet +make good stocks for winter, whereas, without this yield, they might +not live through October. It fails about once in ten years. I have +known a swarm to gain in one week sixteen pounds, and construct comb to +store it at the same time. At another time I had a swarm issue the 18th +August, that obtained thirty pounds in about eighteen days. But such +buckwheat swarms, in ordinary seasons, seldom get over fifteen pounds. +The flowers last from three to five weeks. The time of sowing the grain +varies in different sections, from the 10th of June to the 20th July. +Farmers wish to give it just time to ripen before frost, as the yield +of grain is considered better, but as the time of frost is a matter of +guess-work, some will sow several days earlier than others. Whenever an +abundant crop of this grain is realized, a proportionate quantity of +honey is obtained. + + +DO BEES INJURE THE CROP? + +Many people contend that bees are an injury to this crop, by taking +away the substance that would be formed into grain. The best reasons +for this opinion that I have obtained are these: "I believe it, and +have thought so a long time." "It is reasonable if a portion of this +plant is taken away by the bees, there must be a less quantity of +material left for the formation of seed, &c." Most of us have learned +that a person's opinion is not the strongest kind of proof, unless he +can exhibit substantial reasons for it. Are the above reasons +satisfactory? How are the facts? The flowers expand, and a set of +vessels pour into the cup or nectary a minute portion of honey. I am +not aware that any one contends that the plant has another set of +vessels prepared to again absorb this honey and convert it into grain. +But strong testimony proves very plainly that it never again enters the +stalk or flower, but evaporates like water. We all know that animal +matter when putrid will be dissolved into particles small enough to +float in the atmosphere, too minute for the naked eye. When passing off +in this way this real flesh and blood would escape notice perhaps +altogether, and never be detected, were it not for the olfactories, +which on some occasions notify us of its presence very forcibly. In +passing a field of buckwheat in bloom, by the same means we are assured +of the presence of honey in the air. Now what is the difference whether +this honey passes off in the air, or is collected by the bees? If any +difference, the advantage appears to be in favor of the bees getting +it, for the reason that it thus answers another important end in the +economy of nature, consistent with her provisions in ten thousand +different ways of adapting means to ends. Most breeders of domestic +animals are aware of the deteriorating qualities induced by in-and-in +breeding; a change of breed is found necessary for perfection, &c. + + +ARE NOT BEES AN ADVANTAGE TO VEGETATION? + +Vegetable physiology seems to indicate a similar necessity in that +department. The stamens and pistils of flowers answer the different +organs of the two sexes in animals. The pistil is connected with the +ovaries, the stamens furnish the pollen that must come in contact with +the pistil; in other words, it _must be impregnated_ by this dust from +the stamens, or no fruit will be produced. Now if it be necessary to +change the breed, or essential that the pollen produced by the stamens +of one flower shall fertilize the pistil of another, to prevent +barrenness, what should we contrive better than the arrangement already +made by Him who knew the necessity and planned it accordingly? And it +works so admirably, that we can hardly avoid the conclusion _that bees +were intended for this important purpose_! It is thus planned! Their +wants and their food shall consist of honey and pollen; each flower +secretes but little, just enough to attract the bee; nothing like a +full load is obtained from one; were it thus, the end in view would not +be answered; but a hundred or more flowers are often visited in one +excursion; the pollen obtained from the first may fertilize many, +previous to the bees' returning to the hive; thus a field of buckwheat +may be kept in health and vigor in its future productions. A field of +wheat produces long slender stalks that yield to the influence of the +breeze, and one ear is made to bestow its pollen on a neighboring ear +several feet distant, thereby effecting just what bees do for +buckwheat. Corn, from its manner of growth, the upright stalk bearing +the stamens some feet above the pistils, on the ears below, seems to +need no agency of bees; the superabundant pollen from the tassel is +wafted by the winds rods from the producing stalk, and there does its +office of fertilizing a distant ear, as is proved by different +varieties mixing at some distance. But how is it with our vines +trailing on the earth, a part of these flowers producing stamens, the +other only pistils? Now it _is absolutely essential_ that pollen from +the staminate flowers shall be introduced into the pistillate to +produce fruit; because if a failure occurs in this matter the germ will +wither and die. Here we have the agent ready for our purpose; these +flowers are visited by the bee promiscuously; no pollen (as was said) +is kneaded into pellets, (particularly that from pumpkins,) but it +adheres to every part of their body, rendering it next to impossible +for a bee thus covered with dust to enter the pistillated flower +without fulfilling the important duty designed, and leave a portion of +the fertilizing dust in its proper place. Hence it is reasonably +inferred by many, that if it was not for this agent among our vines, +the uncertainty of a crop from non-fertilization would render the +cultivation of them a useless task. + +When the aphis is located on the stalk or leaf of a plant it is +furnished with means to pierce the surface and extract the juices +essential to the formation of the plant, thereby preventing vigorous +growth and a full development. This idea is too apt to be associated +with the bee when she visits the flower, as if she was armed with a +spear, to pierce bark or stem and rob it of its nourishment. Her real +structure is lost sight of, or perhaps never known; her slender +brush-like tongue folded closely under her neck, and seldom seen except +when in use, is not fitted to pierce the most delicate substance; all +that it can be used for is to sweep or lick up the nectar as it exudes +from the pores of the flower, secreted, it would seem, for no other +purpose but to attract her--while there she obtains nothing but what +nature has provided for her and given her the means of obtaining, and +the most delicate petal receives no injury. + +During an excursion the bee seldom visits more than a single species of +flower; were it otherwise, and all kinds of flowers were visited +promiscuously, by fertilizing one species with the pollen from another, +the vegetable kingdom would be very likely to get into confusion. +Writers, when noticing the peculiarity of instinct governing the bee +here, cannot be content always, but must add other marvels. They follow +this trait into the hive, and make her store every kind by itself +there. Relative to honey it is not an easy matter to be positive; but +pollen is of a variety of colors, generally yellow, yet sometimes +pale-green, and reddish or dark-brown. Now I think a little patient +inspection would have satisfied any one that two kinds _are_ sometimes +packed in one cell, and prevented the assertion to the contrary. I will +admit that two colors are seldom found packed together, but sometimes +will be. I have thus found it, and it has entirely ruined that theory +for me. + + +A TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF QUEEN DOUBTED. + +It is further asserted that if a hive loses its queen "no pollen is +collected." Also, "that such quantities are sometimes collected, and +fill so many cells, that too little room is left for brood, and the +stock rapidly dwindles away in consequence." The first of these +assertions has been given as a test to decide whether the hive contains +a queen or not. Now my bees have such a habit of doing things wrong +that the above is no test whatever. It is made to appear very well in +theory, but wants the truth in practice. I will say what I have known +on this point, and perhaps clear up the difficulty of a stock +containing an unusual quantity of bee-bread with the honey, and instead +of being the cause of its having but few bees, it is the effect. Stocks +and sometimes swarms lose their queen in the swarming season, (the +particulars will be given in another place,) when, instead of remaining +idle, the usual quantity of both _pollen and honey is collected_ +(unless the family is very small). There being no larvae to consume the +bread, the consequence is, more than half the breeding cells will +contain it; they will be packed about two-thirds full, and finished out +with honey. I have known a large family left under such circumstances, +and about all the cells in the hive would be occupied. Whereas, in a +stock containing a queen and rearing brood, _a portion of the combs +will be used for this purpose until the flowers fail_, and then such +comb will be found empty. + + +AN EXTRA QUANTITY OF POLLEN NOT ALWAYS DETRIMENTAL. + +To test whether this extra quantity of bee-bread was so _very_ +detrimental, I have introduced into such hive in the fall a family with +a queen and wintered them in it, and watched their prosperity another +year, and never found them less profitable on that account. I am so +well satisfied of this, that whenever I now have a hive in such a +situation, it is a rule to introduce a swarm. + +It is calculated, I believe, generally, that when medium-sized hives +are full, about seven-eighths of the cells are made the proper diameter +for raising the workers, the remainder for drones, except a few for +queens. Here is one circumstance I do not remember to have seen +mentioned, and that is, bee-bread is generally packed exclusively in +the worker cells. I would say always; but I would do better to be +careful, especially as I find my bees doing things so differently from +some others. I might as well remark here, that when taking combs from a +hive filled with honey, if such pieces were selected as contained only +the large or drone cells, but little risk of bee-bread would occur; of +the other combs, the outside sheets and the corners of the others near +the top are the next best. The sheets of comb used principally for +raising workers, and the cells next those so used, for an inch or two +in width, are nearly all packed with pollen, and much of it will +remain, when the breeding season is past. Smaller portions are found in +the worker cells in nearly all parts of the hive; even the boxes will +sometimes contain a little. + + +MANNER OF PACKING STORES. + +In a glass hive, the bees may be seen depositing their load of pollen; +the legs holding the pellets are thrust into the cell, (not their +heads), and a motion like rubbing them together is made for a half +minute, when they are withdrawn, and the two little loaves of bread may +be seen at the bottom. This bee appears to take no farther care about +them, but another will soon come along, and enter the cell head first, +and pack it close; this cell is filled about two-thirds of its length +in this way, and when sealed over a little honey is used to fill it +out. + + +PHILOSOPHY IN FILLING A CELL WITH HONEY. + +To witness the operation of depositing honey, a glass hive or box is +requisite; the edges of the combs will be attached to the glass--when +honey is abundant, most of these cells next the glass will contain +some. Now is the time to see the operation, glass forming one side of +such as are in contact, &c. The bee may be seen to enter the cell till +it reaches the bottom; with its tongue, the first particle is +deposited, and brushed into the corners or angles, carefully excluding +all the air from behind it--as it is filled, that next the sides of the +cell is kept in advance of the centre. The bee does not put its tongue +in the centre and pour out its load there, but carefully brushes the +sides as it fills, excluding every particle of air, and keeps the +surface concave instead of convex. This is just as a philosopher would +say it should be. If it was filled at once and no care taken to attach +it to the sides, why, the external air would never keep it there, which +it does effectually when of ordinary length. When the cell is about +one-fourth of an inch deep they often commence filling it, and as it is +lengthened they add to it, keeping it within an eighth of an inch of +the end; it is never quite full till nearly sealed over, and often not +then. In cells of the worker size, the sealing seldom touches the +honey. But in the size for drones the case is different; the honey on +the end touches the sealing, about half the diameter on the lower side; +it is kept in the same shape while being filled; but being somewhat +larger, the atmospheric pressure is less effectual in keeping the honey +in its place; consequently, when they commence sealing these cells they +begin on the lower side and finish at the top. + + +LONG CELLS SOMETIMES TURNED UPWARD. + +When storing honey in boxes, cells of this size are usually much +longer, in which case they are crooked, the ends turning upward, +sometimes half an inch or more; this, of course, will prevent the honey +from running, but if the box is taken off and turned over before such +cells are sealed, they are very sure to spill most of their contents. +The cells in the breeding apartment, of ordinary length, will hold the +honey well enough as long as horizontal; but turn the hive on its side, +and bring the open end downward, in hot weather, or break out a piece +and hold it in that position, the air will not sustain it in them, but +will, in the size suitable for workers. + +When the hive is fully supplied with bees and honey, (unless destitute +of a queen,) I never examined one, winter or summer, but it had a +number of unsealed cells containing honey, as well as pollen; it is so +when they have stored fifty pounds in boxes, even when so crowded for +room as to store honey outside or under the bottom-board; ever having +some cells open for a ready supply. + +Young swarms seem unwilling to construct combs faster than needed for +use; it would appear, at first thought, to be a lack of economy. When +no honey is to be obtained and nothing to do, then it would seem to be +a fine chance for getting ready for a yield; but this is not _their_ +way of doing business; whether they cannot spare the honey already +collected to elaborate the wax, or whether they find it more difficult +to keep the worms from a large quantity of comb, I shall not decide. Of +this I am satisfied, that it is better arranged by their instincts, +than we could do it. Large swarms, when first located, if honey is +abundant, will extend their combs from top to bottom in a little more +than two weeks; but such hive is not yet full; some sheets of comb may +contain honey throughout their whole length, and not a cell be sealed +over; but, however, they generally find time to finish up within a few +inches of the lower end as they proceed. Whenever unfinished cells +contain honey, it will generally be removed soon after the flowers +fail, and used before that which is sealed; and the cells will remain +empty till another year. + + +IS A DRY OR WET SEASON BEST FOR HONEY? + +The inquiry is often made, "What kind of season is best for bees, wet +or dry?" This point I have watched very closely, and have found that a +medium between the two extremes produces most honey. When farmers begin +to express fears of a drought, then is the time (if in the season of +flowers) that most honey is obtained; but if dry weather passes these +limits, the quantity is greatly diminished. Of the two extremes, +perhaps very wet is the worst. + + +HOW MANY STOCKS SHOULD BE KEPT. + +"What number of stocks can there be kept in one place?" is another +question often asked. This is like Mr. A. asking farmer B. how many +cattle could be pastured in a lot of ten acres. Farmer B. would first +wish to know how much pasture said lot would produce, before he could +begin to answer; since one lot of that size might produce ten times as +much as the other. So with bees, one apiary of two hundred stocks might +find honey in abundance for all, and another of forty might almost +starve. Like the cattle, it depends on pasture. + + +THREE PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF HONEY. + +There are three principal sources of honey, viz.:--clover, basswood, +and buckwheat. But clover is the only universal dependance; as that is +almost everywhere, to some extent, in the country. Buckwheat in some +places is the main source; in others, basswood, which is of brief +duration. Where all three are abundant, there is the true El Dorado of +the apiarian! With plenty of clover and buckwheat, it is nearly as +well. Even with clover alone, enormous quantities of honey are +obtained. I have said what was our dependence in this section. I will +further say that within a circle of three or four miles, there are kept +about three hundred stocks. I have had for several years, three +apiaries about two miles apart, averaging in spring a little more than +fifty in each. When a good season for clover occurs, as many more would +probably do equally well, but in some other seasons I have had too +many; on an average nearly right. When clover furnishes too little +honey for the number, buckwheat usually supplies more than is +collected. Of surplus honey, the proportion is about fifteen pounds of +buckwheat to one of clover. I have now been speaking of large apiaries. +There can hardly be a section of country found, that man can procure +his living, but what a few stocks would thrive, even if there were no +dependence on the sources just mentioned. There will be some +honey-yielding flowers in nearly all places. The evil of over-stocking +is of short duration, and will work its own cure speedily. Some +judgment is required here as well as in other matters. + +Another question of some interest, is the distance that a bee will +travel in search of honey in flowers--it is evident that it will be +farther than they will go to plunder a stock. I have heard of their +being found seven miles from home. It was said they ascertained, by +sprinkling flour on them as they left the hive in the morning, and then +saw the same bees that distance away. When we consider the chances of +finding a bee even one mile from the hive thus marked, it appears like +a "poor look;" and then pollen the color of flour might deceive us. It +is difficult to prove that bees go even two miles. Let us say we guess +at it, for the present. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +WAX. + + +The careless, unreflecting observer, when seeing the bees enter the +hive with a pellet of pollen on each of their posterior legs, is very +apt to conclude that it must be material for comb, as it appears unlike +honey. So little regard is paid to the matter by many people, that they +are unable to imagine any other use for it. Others suppose that it will +change from that to honey, after being stored a time in the hive, and +wonder at the curious phenomenon; but when asked how long a time must +elapse before it takes place, they cannot tell exactly, but they "have +found cells where it began to change, as a portion near the outer end +of the cell had become honey, and no doubt the remainder would in +time." It has been remarked that cells were only filled about +two-thirds full of this, and finished with honey; now when any one +finds a cell filled to the brim with pollen, and no honey, such +reasoning will apply better. If this was the case, by examining at +different periods through the summer, we certainly should find some +cells before the change had commenced, instead of their always being in +just this stage of transition. + + +IS POLLEN CONVERTED INTO WAX? + +As for pollen being converted into wax or comb, a simple question will +show its fallacy. Do not the bees belonging to a hive that is full of +combs, and no more wax for that purpose needed, bring home as much and +often more pollen than one half full? Any person who has watched two +such hives five minutes when busily engaged at work, can answer. It is +evident, then, that pollen is for something else besides wax. + + +HOW IS IT OBTAINED? + +The inquiry is now made, "Where do they get it from, if not from +pollen?" I might with propriety answer, they don't get it at all. +"Stop, there, if you please; if you expect us to credit you, you must +not give us too much absurdity." Well, let me ask a question. Do +cattle when grazing actually obtain flesh, bone, &c., or only the +materials from which these parts are secreted? As to the production of +wax, I believe all close observers (that I have found) agree that it is +a secretion natural only to the bee. With the ox, fruit, grain, or +grass may be converted into tallow; with the bee, honey and syrup made +of sugar may be converted into wax. These are probably the only two +substances yet discovered from which they extract it. Some writers have +pretended that pollen is also used, but they have failed to prove that +the old bees consume it at any time; which they must in this case if it +is converted into wax. From experiments related by Huber, either of +these substances, mixed with a little water, is all sufficient for its +production. From experiments of my own, I am satisfied that he is +correct. The experiment is tried by shutting up a swarm when first +hived; feeding them with honey--a few of the bees will probably have +some pollen, though not enough to make a comb three inches square, yet +it is something--and to be certain, time must be given them to exhaust +it. In three or four days take out the bees and remove the combs; +inclose them again, and feed with honey as before. Repeat the process, +until satisfied that no pollen is needed in the composition of wax. +Huber removed the combs "five times," with the same result at every +trial. Whenever bees are _confined_ in hot weather, _air and water are +absolutely necessary_. + +We will now describe the first appearance of wax, and how it is +produced. When a swarm of bees is about leaving the parent stock, +three-fourths or more of them will fill their sacks with honey. When +located in their new home, of course no cells exist to hold it; it must +remain in the stomach or sack for several hours. The consequence is, +that thin white scales of wax the sixteenth of an inch in diameter, +somewhat circular, are formed between the rings of the abdomen, under +side. With the claws of one of their hind legs one of these is detached +and conveyed to the mouth, and there pinched with their forceps or +teeth, until one edge is worked somewhat rough; it is then applied to +the comb being constructed, or to the roof of the hive. The first +rudiments of comb are often applied within the first half hour after +the swarm is hived. In the history of insects before noticed, is a +minute account of the first foundation of combs, somewhat amusing, if +not instructive. + + +HUBER'S ACCOUNT OF A COMMENCEMENT OF COMB. + +Huber, it is said, "having provided a hive with honey and water, it was +resorted to in crowds by bees, who, having satisfied their appetite, +returned to the hive. They formed festoons, remained motionless for +twenty-four hours, and after a time scales of wax appeared. An adequate +supply of wax for the construction of a comb having been elaborated, +one of them disengaged itself from the centre of the group, and +clearing a space about an inch in diameter, at the top of the hive, +applied the pincers of one of its legs to its side, detached a scale of +wax, and immediately began to mince it with the tongue. During the +operation, this organ was made to assume every variety of shape; +sometimes it appeared like a trowel, then flattened like a spatula, and +at other times like a pencil, ending in a point. The scale, moistened +with a frothy liquid, became glutinous, and was drawn out like a +riband. This bee then attached all the wax it could concoct to the +vault of the hive, and went its way. A second now succeeded, and did +the like; a third followed, but owing to some blunder did not put the +wax in the same line with its predecessor; upon which another bee, +apparently sensible of the defect, removed the displaced wax, and +carrying it to the former heap, deposited it there, exactly in the +order and direction pointed out." Now I have some objections to make to +this account. First, in the usual course of swarming, it is unnecessary +to provide the honey and water, as they come laden with honey from the +parent stock. Next, to form festoons and remain motionless twenty-four +hours to concoct the wax, is not the way they generally manage affairs. +They either swallow the honey before leaving home long enough to have +the wax ready, or less time than twenty-four hours is needed to produce +it. I have frequently found lumps, half the size of a pin's head, +attached to the branch of a tree where they had clustered, when they +had not been there over twenty-five minutes. I have had occasion a few +times to change the swarm to another tenement, an hour or two after +being hived, and found places on the top nearly covered with wax. How +it was managed to see a bee quit the "group," is more than I can +comprehend; and then the tongue to be the only instrument used to mould +the scale of wax, is another difficulty; to witness the whole process +minutely in this stage of comb-making has never been my good fortune, +and I am sometimes inclined to doubt the success of others. I have had +glass hives, and put swarms in them, and always found the first +rudiments of comb so entirely covered with bees as to prevent my seeing +anything. + + +BEST TIME TO WITNESS COMB-MAKING. + +The only time when I have witnessed the process with any degree of +satisfaction is when the combs approach the glass, and but few bees in +the way; then, by watching patiently a few minutes, some part of the +process may be seen. + + +MANNER OF WORKING WAX. + +Transferring the swarms to different hives from one to forty-eight +hours after being hived, will show their progress. I have found that +wax is attached to the top of the hive at first promiscuously, that is, +without the least order, until some of the blocks or lumps are +sufficiently advanced for them to begin cells. The scales of wax are +welded on the edge quite thick, without regard to the shape of the +cell, then an excavation is made on one side for the bottom of a cell, +and two others on the opposite side; the division between them exactly +opposite the centre of the first. When this piece is an inch or two in +length, two other pieces at equal distances on each side are commenced. +If the swarm is large, and honey abundant, it is common for two pieces +of comb to be started at one time on different parts of the top; the +sheets in the two places are often at right angles, or any other way, +just as chance happens to give direction. The little lumps that are +placed at random at first are all removed as they advance. + +While the combs are in progress, the edges are always kept much the +thickest, and the base of the cell is worked down to the proper +thickness with their teeth, and polished smooth as glass. The ends of +the cell also, as they lengthen them, will always be found much thicker +than any other part of it when finished. + +When two combs approach each other in the middle of the hive at nearly +right angles, an edge of comb is left there; but when an obtuse angle, +the edges are generally joined, making a sheet of crooked comb. It is +evident where the two combs join, there must be some irregular cells +unfit for rearing brood. + + +CROOKED COMBS A DISADVANTAGE. + +These few irregular cells have been considered a great disadvantage. It +is thought, or pretended, that there is a vast difference between the +prosperity of a stock with straight combs and one with crooked ones. To +avoid them, or cause the bees to make them all straight, has given rise +to much contrivance, as if a few such cells could effect much. Suppose +there were a dozen sheets of comb in a hive, and each one had a row or +more of such irregular cells from top to bottom, what proportion would +they hold to those that were perfect? Perhaps not one in a thousand. +Hence we infer that in a hive of the proper size, the difference in +amount of brood never could be perceived. This is the only difference +it can make, because such cells can be used for storing honey as well +as others. But sometimes there will be corners and spaces not wide +enough for two combs, and too wide for one of the proper thickness for +breeding. As bees use all their room economically, and generally at the +best advantage, a thick comb will be the result. It is said they never +use such thick combs for breeding. How are the facts? I have just such +a space in a glass hive; one comb two inches thick. How is it managed? +Towards fall this sheet is filled with honey; the cells outside are +lengthened until there is just room for a bee to pass between them and +the glass, when they are sealed over. In spring these long cells are +all cut down (except at the top and upper corners) to the proper length +for breeding, and used for this purpose. This has been done for five +years in succession. + +I will grant that there is a little waste room in such spaces, for part +of the year. It amounts to but little, as it is only outside. They are +necessitated to make such combs, because the inside combs, if built in +a breeding apartment, however crooked one may be, the next one will +generally match it, the right distance from it. But when they are built +expressly for storing honey, in such as are made in boxes, the right +distance is not so well preserved; hence it is not recommended to +compel bees to use such storing apartment for breeding. But suppose we +should compel a swarm to labor under these disadvantages, I should not +apprehend such disastrous results, (providing they have a proper +proportion of worker cells,) as no swarms, or even no surplus honey, as +has been represented. Imagine a hive filled with combs that are all too +thick, and room wasted when cut down, to the amount of one-fourth of +all that is in the hive. Now here are combs enough left to mature +three-fourths as many bees as in an ordinary hive, where all are right. +We can now suppose a good swarm will bring home the same amount of +honey as though it belonged to other hives; only three-fourths as much +can be fed to the brood, and stored in the hive; and the result ought +to be, that we get a quarter more surplus honey in boxes. Even if we +get no swarm, I cannot see how our surplus honey can be less, as in +this case there would be more bees at all times than in a hive that had +been reduced by swarming. + +Does experience substantiate the theory that stocks with crooked combs +are as profitable as when they are straight? When combs are built +expressly for breeding, I could never discover any difference. Any +person can easily test it by a little observation; not by taking a +solitary instance of only one hive, because some other cause might +produce the result. Take a half-dozen at least with straight combs, and +as many with them crooked; have them all alike in other respects, and +carefully watch the result. I think you will have but little interest +which way the combs are made, providing _they are made_, as far as +profit is concerned. It is true, it would gratify order to have them +all straight, and if it was not attended with more trouble than the +result would pay for, it would be well to have them so. + +In ordinary circumstances, when a swarm is first hived, they set about +comb-making immediately; yet sometimes they will remain two days, and +not make a particle. I have known them to swarm out and cluster in the +usual way, and when rehived, commence at once. This seems to prove that +they can retain the wax, or prevent secreting it, till wanted. This +seldom occurs. + + +UNCERTAINTY IN WEIGHT OF BEES. + +A large swarm will probably carry with them some five or six pounds of +honey from the parent stock. I only guess at this, because I am +uncertain what the bees weigh exactly. "I can tell you," some one +exclaims, "I saw some weighed,--so many weigh just eight ounces." Are +you sure there was nothing but bees weighed? Was there no honey, +bee-bread, faeces, or other substance, that might deceive you? "Can't +say; I never thought of that!" Now it is important, if we weigh bees to +know _their_ weight, to be sure we weigh nothing else. It is evident, +that if five thousand weigh three pounds, when nothing is in their +sacks, they would weigh, when filled with honey, several pounds more. +Hence, the fallacy of judging of the size of a swarm by weight, as one +swarm might issue with half the honey of another. Perhaps eight pounds, +for large swarms, might be an average for bees and honey. This honey, +whatever it amounts to, cannot be stored till combs are constructed to +hold it. This principle holds good till the hive is full. That is, +whenever they have more honey than the combs will hold, if there is +room in the hive, they construct more. But they seem to go no farther +than this in comb-making. However large the swarm may be, this +compulsion appears necessary to fill the hive. Drone-cells are seldom +made in the top of the hive, but a part are generally joined on the +worker-cells, a little distance from the top; others near the bottom. +There seems to be no rule about the number of such cells. Some hives +will contain twice the number of others. It may depend on the yield of +honey at the time; when very plenty, more drone-cells, &c. If the hive +be very large, no doubt an unprofitable number would be constructed. +Where the large and small cells join, there will be some cells of +irregular shape; some with four or five angles; the distance from one +angle to the other is also varied. Even where two combs of cells the +same size join, making a straight comb, they are not always perfect. + + +SOME WAX WASTED. + +When constructing comb, they are constantly wasting wax, either +accidentally or voluntarily. The next morning after a swarm is located, +the scales may be found, and will continue to increase as long as they +are working it; the quantity often amounts to a handful or more. It is +the best test of comb-making that I can give. Clean off the board and +look the next morning, you will find the scales in proportion to their +progress. Some will be nearly round as at first; others more or less +worked up, and a part will be like fine saw-dust. + +Huber and some others have divided the working bees into different +classes, denominating some wax-workers, others nurses, and pollen +gatherers, &c. It may be partially true, but how it was found out is +the mystery. + +The angles in the cells used for brood, are gradually filled, and after +a time become round, both at the ends and sides. + + +WATER NECESSARY TO COMB-MAKING. + +Whenever bees are engaged making comb, a supply of water is absolutely +necessary. Some think it requisite in rearing brood. It may be needed +for that, or it may be required for both purposes; but yet I have +doubts if a particle is given to the young bee, besides what the honey +contains. June, and first part of July, and most part of August (the +season of buckwheat,) are periods of extensive comb-making; they then +use most water; breeding is carried on from March till October, and as +extensively in May, perhaps more so, than in August, yet not a tenth +part of the water is used in May. + +I have known stocks repeatedly to mature brood from the egg to the +perfect bee, when shut in a dark room for months, when it was +impossible to obtain a drop; also stocks that stand in the cold, (if +good,) will mature some brood whether the bees can leave the hive or +not. These facts prove that some are reared without water. As they get +sufficient honey to require more comb to store it, they will at the +same time have a brood; and it is easy to guess they need it for brood +as comb, without a little investigation. This much is certain, that +they use water at such times for some purpose, and when no pond, brook, +spring, or other source is within convenient distance, the apiarian +would find it economy to place some within their reach, as it would +save much valuable time, if they would otherwise have to go a great +distance, when they might be more profitably employed; it always +happens in a season of honey. It should be so situated that the bees +may obtain it without jeopardizing their lives;--a barrel or pail has +sides so steep that a great many will slip off and drown. A trough made +very shallow, with a good broad strip around the edge to afford an +alighting place, should be provided. The middle should contain a float, +or a handful of shavings spread in the water with a few small stones +laid on them to prevent their being blown away when the water is out, +is very convenient. A tin dish an inch or so in depth, will do very +well. The quantity needed may be ascertained by what is used--only give +them enough, and change it daily. I have no trouble of this kind, as +there is a stream of water within a few rods of the hives; but I have +an opportunity to witness something of the number engaged in carrying +it. Thousands may be seen (in June and August) filling their sacks, +while a continual stream is on the wing, going and returning. + + +REMARKS. + +The exact and uniform size of their cells is perhaps as great a mystery +as anything pertaining to them; yet, we find the second wonder before +we are done with the first. In building comb, they have no square or +compass as a guide; no master mechanic takes the lead, measuring and +marking for the workmen; each individual among them is a finished +mechanic! No time is lost as an apprentice, no service given in return +for instruction! Each is accomplished from birth! All are alike; what +one begins, a dozen may help to finish! A specimen of their work shows +itself to be from the hands of master workmen, and may be taken as a +model of perfection! He, who arranged the universe, was their +instructor. Yes, a profound geometrician planned the first cell, and +knowing what would be their wants, implanted in the sensorium of the +first bee, all things pertaining to their welfare; the impress then +given, is yet retained unimpaired! They need no lectures on domestic +economy to tell them, by using the base of one set of cells on one side +of their combs, for the base of those on the opposite, will save both +labor and wax; no mathematician that a pyramidal base, just three +angles, with just such an inclination, will be the exact shape needed, +and consume much less wax than round or square--that the base of one +cell of three angles, would form a part of the base of three other +cells on the opposite side of the comb--that each of the six sides of +one cell forms one side of six others around it--that these angles and +these only would answer their ends. + +"The bees appear," says Reaumer, "to have a problem to solve, which +would puzzle many a mathematician. A quantity of matter being given, it +is required to form out of it cells, which shall be equal, and similar, +and of a determinate size, but the largest possible with relation to +the quantity of matter employed, while they shall occupy the least +possible space!" + +How little does the epicure heed, when feasting on the fruits of their +industry, that each morsel tasted must destroy the most perfect +specimens of workmanship! that in a moment he can demolish what it has +taken hours, yes days, perhaps weeks, of assiduous toil and labor, for +the bees to accomplish! + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +PROPOLIS. + + +WHAT USED FOR. + +This substance is first used to solder up all the cracks, flaws, and +irregularities about the hive. A coat is then spread over the inside +throughout; when the hive is full, and many bees cluster outside, the +latter part of summer, a coat of it is also spread there. An additional +coat it seems is annually applied, as old hives will be coated with a +thickness proportionate to its age, providing it has been occupied with +a strong family. Huber has said it was also used to strengthen the +cells when first made, by mixing it with the wax. If it was their +practice at that time, the practice has been abandoned by our bees to a +great extent. I have made examinations when comb was first made, when +it contained eggs, and when it contained larvae, and have never been +able to find anything other than pure wax composing it. After a young +bee has matured in a cell, the coating or cocoon that it leaves is of a +dark color, somewhat resembling it, and may have given rise to the +supposition. How the article is obtained, appears to be the mystery. +This is a subject about which apiarians have failed to agree. A few +contend that it is an elaborated substance; while others assert it to +be a resinous gum, exuding from certain trees, and collected by the +bees like pollen. It differs materially from wax, being more tenacious, +and when it gets a little age, much harder. + + +IS IT AN ELABORATE OR NATURAL SUBSTANCE? + +No modern observer has ever been able to detect the bees in the act of +gathering it. + + +HUBER'S OPINION. + +Huber tells us, that "near the outlet of one of his hives, he placed +some of the branches of the poplar, which exuded a transparent juice, +the color of garnet. Several workers were soon seen perched upon these +branches,--having detached some of this resinous gum, they formed it +into pellets, and deposited them in the baskets of their thighs; thus +loaded, they flew to the hive, where some of their fellow-laborers +instantly came to assist them in detaching this viscid substance from +their baskets." Some of our modern apiarians have doubted this account +of Huber's. Now, in the absence of anything positive on this subject, I +am inclined to adopt this theory; that it is a resin or gum produced by +trees. (I cannot say that I am exactly satisfied with the story of +bringing the "branches and laying them by the hive," &c.) That bees +gather it in its natural state, is in accordance with my own +observation. + + +FURTHER PROOF. + +Our first swarms that issue in May, or first of June, seldom use much +of the article pure for soldering and plastering; but instead, a +composition, the most of which is wax. I have noticed at this season, +when old pieces of boards that had been used for hives, were left in +the sun, that this old propolis would become soft in the middle of the +day. Here I have frequently seen the bees at work, packing it upon +their legs; it was detached in small particles, and the process of +packing was seen distinctly, as the bee did not fly during the +operation, as in the case of packing pollen. It is asserted that when +bees need it they always have it, indicating that they can elaborate it +like wax. I can see no reason why they do not need it in June as much +as August; yet, in the latter month, they use more than a hundred times +the quantity. At this time, they manifest no disposition to gather any +from the old boards, &c. It would seem they prefer the article new, +which they now have in abundance. Boxes filled in June contain but very +little, sometimes none. Why not, if they have enough of it? but when +filled in August, they always have the corners, and sometimes the top +and sides, lined with a good coat. Cracks, large enough for bees to +pass through, are sometimes completely filled with it. In this season, +a little before sunset of some fair day, I have frequently seen the +bees enter the hive with what I supposed to be the pure article on +their legs, like pollen, except the surface, which would be smooth and +glossy; the color much lighter than when it gets age. I have also seen +them through the glass inside, when they seemed unable to dislodge it +themselves, like pollen, and were continually running around among +those engaged in soldering and plastering; when one required a little, +it seized hold of the pellet with its teeth or forceps, and detached a +portion. The whole lump will not cleave off at once; but firmly adheres +to the leg; from its tenacity, perhaps a string an inch long will be +formed in separating, the piece obtained is immediately applied to +their work, and the bee is ready to supply another with a portion; it +doubtless gets rid of its load in this way; it is difficult to watch it +till it is freed from the whole, as it is soon lost among its fellows. +Now if this substance is not found in its natural state, how does it +happen that they pack it on their legs just as they do when getting it +from a board of an old hive, or pollen, when collected? They never take +the trouble to pack the wax there, when elaborated. Do not these +circumstances strongly favor the idea of its being a vegetable +substance? Perhaps the reason of its being collected at this season in +greater abundance, may be found in the fact, that the buds of trees and +shrubs are now generally formed. Many kinds are protected from rain and +frost, by a kind of gum or resinous coating. It may be found in many +species of Populus, particularly the balsam poplar, (_Populus +Balsamifera_) and the Balm of Gilead, (_Populus Candicans_). By boiling +the buds of these trees, an aromatic resin or gum may be obtained, +(used sometimes for making salve;) the odor is very similar to that +emitted by propolis, when first gathered by the bees, or by heating it +afterwards. In the absence of facts, we are apt to substitute theory. +This appears to me to be very plausible. Yet I am ready to yield it as +soon as facts decide differently. Perhaps not one bee in a thousand is +engaged in collecting this substance--there being so few may be one +reason why they are not often detected, yet few as they are, a few of +us should set about close observation; something certain might decide. +Apiarian science is sadly neglected; a large amount of error is mixed +up with truth, that patient, scrutinizing investigation must separate. + + +REMARKS. + +I feel anxious to get to the practical part of this work, which I hope +will interest some readers who care but little about the natural +history. I shall begin with spring, and will now endeavor to mix more +of the practical with it, as we proceed to the end of the year. In +order to illustrate some points of practice, I may have occasion to +repeat some things already mentioned. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE APIARY. + + +ITS LOCATION. + +In the location of the apiary, one important consideration is, that it +is convenient to watch in the swarming season; that the bees may be +seen at any time from a door or window, when a swarm rises, without the +trouble of taking many steps to accomplish it; because if much trouble +is to be taken, it is too often neglected. Also, if possible, the hives +should stand where the wind will have but little effect, especially +from the northwest. If no hills or building offer a protection, a +close, high board fence should be put up for the purpose. It is economy +to do it--bees enough may be saved to pay the expense. During the first +spring months, the stocks contain fewer bees than at any other season. +It is then that a numerous family is important, for the purpose of +creating animal heat to rear the brood, if for nothing else. One bee is +of more consequence now than a half dozen in midsummer. When the hive +stands in a bleak place, the bees returning with heavy loads, in a high +wind, are frequently unable to strike the hive, and are blown to the +ground; become chilled, and die. A chilly south wind is equally fatal, +but not so frequent. When protected from winds, the hives may front any +point you choose; east or south is generally preferred. A location near +ponds, lakes, large rivers, &c., will be attended with some loss. Hard +winds will fatigue the bees when on the wing, often causing them to +alight in the water; where it is impossible to rise again until wafted +ashore, and then, unless in very warm weather, they are so chilled as +to be past the effort. I do not mention this to discourage any one from +keeping them, when so situated, because some few must keep them thus or +not at all. I am so situated myself. There is a pond of four acres, +some twelve rods off. In spring, during high winds, a great many may be +found drowned, and driven on shore. Although we cannot miss so few from +a stock, it is nevertheless a loss as far as it goes. + + +DECIDE EARLY. + +Whatever location is chosen, it should be decided upon as early in the +spring as possible; because, when the chilling winds of winter have +ceased for a day, and the sun, unobstructed, is sending his first warm +rays to a frozen earth, the bees that have been inactive for months, +feel the cheering influence, and come forth to enjoy the balmy air. As +they come from their door, they pause a moment to rub their eyes, which +have long been obscured in darkness. + + +BEES MARK THEIR LOCATION ON LEAVING THE HIVE. + +They rise on the wing, but do not leave in a direct line, but +immediately turn their heads towards the entrance of their tenement, +describing a circle of only a few inches at first, but enlarge as they +recede, until an area of several rods have been _viewed and marked_. + + +CHANGING STAND ATTENDED WITH LOSS. + +After a few excursions, when surrounding objects have become familiar, +this precaution is not taken, and they leave in a direct line for their +destination, and return by their way-marks without difficulty. Man with +his reason is guided on the same principles. There are a great many +people who suppose the bee knows its hive by a kind of instinct, or is +attracted towards it, like the steel to the magnet. At least, they act +as if they did; as they often move their bees a few rods, or feet, +after the location is thus marked, and what is the consequence? The +stocks are materially injured by loss of bees, and sometimes entirely +ruined. Let us trace the cause. As I remarked, the bees have marked the +location. They leave the hive without any precaution, as surrounding +objects are familiar. They return to their old stand and find no home. +If there is more than one stock, and the removal has been from four to +twenty feet, some of the bees may find a hive, but just as liable to +enter the wrong one as the right. Probably they would not go over +twenty feet, and very likely not that, unless the new situation was +very conspicuous. If a person had but one stock, very likely the loss +would be less, as every bee finding a hive, would be sure to be home, +and none killed, as is generally the case when a few enter a strange +hive. + + +CAN BE TAKEN SOME DISTANCE. + +When bees are taken beyond their knowledge of country, some two miles +or more, the case seems to be somewhat different, but not always +without loss, especially if many hives are set too close. They leave +the hive of course without knowing that the situation has been changed; +perhaps get a few feet before strange objects warn them of the fact. +When they return, the immediate vicinity is strange, and they often +enter their neighbors' domicil. + + +DANGER OF SETTING STOCKS TOO CLOSE. + +A case in point occurred in the spring of '49. I sold over twenty +stocks to one person. He had constructed a bee-house, and his +arrangement brought the hives within four inches of each other. The +result was, he entirely lost several stocks; some of them were the +best; others were materially injured, yet he had a few made better by +the addition of bees from other hives; (sometimes a stock will allow +strange bees to unite with them, but it is seldom, unless a large +number enters--it is safest to keep each family by itself, under +ordinary circumstances). These stocks, before they were moved, had been +collecting pollen, and had their location well marked. Had they been +placed six feet apart, instead of four inches, he probably would not +have lost any, or even two feet might have saved them. I have often +moved them at this season, and placed them at three feet distance, and +had no bad results. + +Facts like the foregoing, satisfied me long since that stocks should +occupy their situation for the summer, as early as possible in the +spring, at least before they mark the location; or if they must be +moved after that, let it be nothing short of a mile and a half, and +plenty of room between the hives. + + +SPACE BETWEEN HIVES. + +As regards the distance between hives generally, I would say let it be +as great as convenience will allow. Want of room makes it necessary +sometimes to set them close; where such necessity exists, if the hives +were dissimilar in color, some dark, others light, alternately, it +would greatly assist the bees in knowing their own hive. But it should +be borne in mind, that whenever economy of space dictates less than two +feet, there are often bees enough lost by entering the wrong hive, +which, if saved, would pay the rent of a small addition to a garden, or +bee-yard. I have several other reasons to offer for giving plenty of +room between hives, which will be mentioned hereafter. + + +SMALL MATTERS. + +The reader who is accustomed to doing things on gigantic principles, +will consider this long "yarn" about saving a few bees in spring, a +rather small affair, and so it is; yet small matters must be attended +to if we succeed; "a small leak will sink a ship." A grain of wheat is +a small matter; 'tis only in the aggregate that its importance is +manifest. The bee is small, the load of honey brought home by it is +still less, and the quantity secreted in the nectary of each flower, +yet _more minute_. The patient bee visits each, and obtains but a tiny +morsel; by perseverance a load is obtained, and deposited in the hive; +it is only by the accumulation of such loads that we find an object +worthy our notice: here is a lesson; look to little things, and the +manner in which they are multiplied, and preserved. It is much better +to save our bees than waste them, and wait for others to be raised; "a +penny saved is worth two-pence earned." If a stock is lost by small +means, a corresponding effort is only necessary to save it. This +trifling care is sometimes neglected through indolence. But I hope for +better things generally; I am willing to believe it is thorough +ignorance, not knowing what kind of care is necessary--how, when, and +where to bestow it. This is what now appears to be my duty to tell. You +will now sufficiently understand the cause of loss on this point; +therefore, let it be a rule to have all ready in spring, before the +bees leave their hives--the stands, bee-house, etc., and not change +them. + + +ECONOMY. + +If we keep bees for ornament, it would be well to build a bee-house, +paint the hives, &c.; but as I expect the majority of readers will be +interested in the profit of the thing, I will say that the bees will +not pay a cent towards extra expenses; they will not do a whit more +labor in a painted house, than if it was thatched with straw. When +profit is the only object, economy would dictate that labor shall be +bestowed only where there will be a remuneration. + + +CHEAP ARRANGEMENT OF STANDS. + +So many kinds of bee-houses and stands have been recommended--all so +different from what I prefer, that I perhaps ought to feel some +hesitancy in offering one so cheap and simple; but as profit is my +object, I shall offer no other apology. I have fifteen years' +experience to prove its efficacy, and have no fears on this score in +recommending it. I make stands in this way: a board about fifteen +inches wide is cut off two feet long; a piece of chestnut or other +wood, two inches square, is nailed on each end; this raises the board +just two inches from the earth, and will project in front of the hive +some ten inches, making it admirably convenient for the bees to alight +before entering the hive, (when the grass and weeds are kept down, +which is but little trouble). A separate piece for each hive is better +than to have several on a bench together, as there can then be no +communication by bees running to and fro. Also we are apt to give more +room between them; and a board or plank will make a stand for as many +stocks when cut in pieces, as if left whole; (and it ought to make +more). + + +CANAL BOTTOM-BOARD DISCARDED. + +I used what is termed a canal bottom-board, until I found out it did +not pay expense, and have now discarded it, and succeed just as well. +It is generally recommended as a preventive of robberies, and keeping +out the moth. It may prevent one hive in fifty from being robbed; but +as for keeping out the moth, it is about as good an assistant for it as +can be contrived. It is a place of great convenience for the worms to +spin their cocoons, and some ingenuity of the apiarian is requisite to +get at them. + + +SOME ADVANTAGE IN BEING NEAR THE EARTH. + +I am aware that I go counter to most apiarians, in recommending the +stands so near the earth; less than two or three feet between the bees +and the earth, it is said, will not answer any way. Mr. Miner is very +positive on this point, in his Manual. I ventured to suggest to him, +that there was more against it in theory, than in practice, and gave +him my experience. In less than two years from that time I visited him, +and found his bees close to the earth. Experience is worth a dozen +theories; in fact, it is the only test to be depended upon. I shall not +urge the adoption of any rule, that I have not proved by my own +practice. The objection raised, is dampness from the earth, when too +near; I am unable to perceive the least bad effect. Now let us compare +advantages and disadvantages a little farther. One hive or a row of +hives suspended, or standing on a bench, two or three feet from the +earth, when approached by the bees on a chilly afternoon, (and we have +many such in spring,) towards evening, even if there is not much wind, +they are very apt to miss the hive and bottom, and fall to the ground, +so benumbed with cold, as to be unable to rise again, and by the next +morning are "no use" whatever. On the other hand, if they are near the +earth, with a board as described, there is no _possibility_ of their +alighting under the hive, and if they should come short, and get on the +ground, they can always creep, long after they are too cold to fly, and +are able, and often do enter the hive without the necessity of using +their wings. + +Enough may be saved in one spring, from a few hives, in this way, to +make a good swarm, which taken from several is not perceived; yet, as +much profit from them might be realized, as if they were a swarm by +themselves. A little contrivance is all that is needed to save them. To +such as _must_ and _will_ have them up away from the earth, I would +say, do suggest some plan to save this portion of your best and most +willing servants; have an alighting board project in front of the hive +at least one foot, or a board long enough to reach from the bottom of +the hive to the ground, that they may get on that, and crawl up to the +hive. Do you want the inducement? Examine minutely the earth about your +hives, towards sunset, some day in April, when the day has been fair, +with some wind, and chilly towards night, and you will be astonished at +the numbers that perish. Most of them will be loaded with pollen, +proving them martyrs to their own industry and your negligence. When I +see a bench three feet high and no wider than the bottom of the hive, +perhaps a little less, and no place for the bees to enter but at the +bottom, and as many hives crowded on as it will hold, I no longer +wonder that "bee-keeping is all in luck;" the wonder is how they keep +them at all. Yet it proves that, with proper management, it is not so +very precarious after all. + +The necessary protection from the weather, for stocks, is a subject +that I have taken some pains to ascertain; the result has been, that +the cheapest covering is just as good as any; something to keep the +rain and rays of the sun from the top, is all sufficient. Covers for +each hive, like the bottom-board, should be separate, and some larger +than the top. + + +UTILITY OF BEE-HOUSES DOUBTED. + +I have used bee-houses, but they will not pay, and are also discarded. +They are objectionable on account of preventing a free circulation of +air; also, it is difficult to construct them, so that the sun may +strike the hives both in the morning and afternoon; which in spring is +very essential. If they front the south, the middle of the day is the +only time when the sun can reach all the hives at once; this is just +when they need it least; and in hot weather, sometimes injurious by +melting the combs. But when the hives stand far enough apart, on my +plan, it is very easily arranged to have the sun strike the hive in the +morning and afternoon, and shaded from ten o'clock, till two or three, +in hot weather. + +Notwithstanding our prodigality in building a splendid bee-house, we +think of economy when we come to put our hives in, and get them _too +close_. "Can't afford to build a house, and give them so much room, no +how." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +ROBBERIES. + + +Robbing is another source of occasional loss to the apiarian. It is +frequent in spring, and at any time in warm weather when honey is +scarce. It is very annoying, and sometimes gets neighbors in +contention, when perhaps neither is to blame, farther than ignorance of +the matter. + + +NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD. + +A person keeping many hives must expect to be accountable for all +losses in his neighborhood, whether they are lost by mismanagement or +want of management. Many people suppose, if one person has but one +stock, and another has ten, that the ten will combine for plundering +the one. There are no facts, showing any communication between +different families of the same apiary, that I can discover. It is true, +when one family finds another weak and defenceless, possessing +treasure, they have no conscientious scruples about carrying off the +last particle. The hurry and bustle attending it seldom escape the +notice of the other families; and when one hive has been robbed in an +apiary, perhaps two-thirds of the other families, sometimes all, have +participated in the plunder. One family, if it be large, is just as +likely, and more so, to find a weak one among the ten, and commence +plundering, as the other way. + + +IMPROPER REMEDIES. + +Notwithstanding it is common to hear remarks like this, "I had a +_first-rate_ hive of bees," (when the fact was he had not looked +particularly at his bees for a month, to know whether it was so or not, +and if he had, very likely would not know,) "and Mr. A.'s bees began to +rob them. I tried every thing to stop it; I moved them around in +several places to prevent their finding the hive. It did no good; the +first I knew they were all gone--bees, honey, and all! The bees all +joined the robbers." Now the fact is, that not one _good_ stock of bees +in fifty, will ever be robbed, if let alone; that is, if the entrance +is properly protected. This moving the hive was enough to ruin any +stock; bees were lost at every change, until nothing was left but honey +to tempt the robbers; whereas, if left on its stand, it might have +escaped. + +A great many remedies have been given me gratis, which, had one-half +been followed, would have ruined them. The fact is, with many people, +the remedies are often the cause of the disease. The most fatal is, to +move them a few rods; another, to close the hive entirely, (very liable +to smother them); or, break out some comb and set the honey to running. +There are some charms that affect them but little any way. Probably +there are but few bee-keepers able to tell at once, _when bees are +being robbed_. It requires the closest scrutinizing observation to +decide. + + +DIFFICULTY IN DECIDING. + +There is nothing about the apiary more difficult to determine, nothing +more likely than to be deceived. It is generally supposed, when a +number are outside fighting, that it is conclusive that they are also +robbing, which is seldom the case. On the contrary, a show of +resistance indicates a strong colony, and that they are disposed to +defend their treasures. I no longer have any fears for a stock that has +courage to repel an attack. + + +WEAK FAMILIES IN MOST DANGER. + +It is weak families, that show no resistance, where we find the most +danger. In seasons of scarcity, all _good_ stocks maintain or keep +sentinels about the entrance, whose duty it appears to be to examine +every bee that attempts to enter. If it is a member of the community, +it is allowed to pass; if not, it is examined on the spot. It would +seem that a password was requisite for admittance, for no sooner does a +stranger-bee endeavor to get in, than it is known. If without necessary +credentials, there is evidence enough against it. Each bee is a +qualified jurist, judge, and executioner. There is no delay; no waiting +for witnesses for defence. The more a bee attempts to escape, the more +likely it will be to receive a sting, unless it succeeds. How strange +bees are known, would be nothing but theory, if I should attempt to +explain. Let it suffice that they are known. + + +THEIR BATTLES. + +I will here describe some of their battles. I have in the spring +frequently seen the whole front side of the hive covered with the +combatants, (but for such hives I have no fears; they are able to +defend themselves.) Several will surround one stranger; one or two will +bite its legs, another the wings; another will make a feint of +stinging, while another is ready to take what honey it has, when +worried sufficient to make it willing. It is sometimes allowed to go +after yielding all its honey, but at others, is dispatched with a +sting, which is almost instantly fatal. A bee is killed sooner by a +sting, than by any other means, except crushing. Sometimes a leg will +tremble, for a minute; the legs are drawn close to the body; the +abdomen contracts to half its usual size, unless filled with honey. I +have known a pint accidentally to enter a neighboring stock, and be +killed in five minutes. The only places the sting will penetrate a bee +are the joints of the abdomen, legs, the neck, &c. I have occasionally +seen one bee drag about the dead body of its victim, being unable to +withdraw its sting from a joint in the leg. During the fight, if it be +to keep off those in search of plunder, a few bees may be seen buzzing +around in search of a place unguarded to enter the hive. If such is +found, it alights and enters in a moment. At other times, when about to +enter, it meets a soldier on duty, and is on the wing again in an +instant. But another time it may be more unfortunate, and be nabbed by +a policeman, when it must either break away, or suffer the penalty of +insect justice, which is generally of the utmost severity. + + +BAD POLICY TO RAISE THE HIVES. + +A great many apiarians raise their hives an inch from the board early +in spring. They seem to disregard the chance it gives robbers to enter +on every side. It is like setting the door of your own house open, to +tempt the thief, and then complain of depravity. + +Let it be understood, then, that all good stocks, under ordinary +circumstances, will take care of themselves. Nature has provided means +of defence, with instinct to direct its use. Non-resistance may do for +highly cultivated intellect in man, but not here. + + +INDICATIONS OF ROBBERS. + +We will now notice the appearance about a weak hive that makes no +resistance, and show the result to be a total loss of the stock, +without timely interference. Each robber, when leaving the hive, +instead of flying in a direct line to its home, will turn its head +towards the hive to mark the spot, that it may know where to return for +another load, in the same manner that they do when leaving their hive +in the spring. The first time the young bees leave home, they mark +their location, by the same process. A few of these begin to hatch from +the cells very early; in all good stocks, often before the weather is +warm enough for _any to leave the hive_. Consequently, it cannot be too +early for them at any time in spring. These young bees, about the +middle of each fair day, or a little later, take a turn of flying out +very thickly for a short time. The inexperienced observer would be very +likely to suppose such stock very prosperous, from the number of +inhabitants in motion. This unusual bustle is the first indication of +foul play, and should be regarded with suspicion; yet it is not +conclusive. + + +A DUTY. + +It is the duty of every bee-keeper, who expects to succeed, to know +which his weak stocks are; an examination some cool morning, can be +made by turning the hive bottom up, and letting the sun among the +combs. The number of inhabitants in them is easily seen. When weak, +close the entrance, till there is just room for one bee to pass at +once. The first real pleasant days, at any time before honey is +obtained plentifully, a little after noon, look out for them to +commence robbing. Whenever a weak stock is taken with what appears to +be a fit of unusual industry, it is quite certain they are either +robbers or young bees; the difficulty is to decide which. Their motions +are alike, but there is a little difference in color--the young bees +are a shade lighter; the abdomen of the robbers, when filled with +honey, is a little larger. It requires close, patient observation, to +decide this point, and when you have watched close enough to detect +this difference, you can decide without trouble. + + +A TEST. + +But while you are learning this nice distinction, your bees may be +ruined. We will, therefore, give some other means of protection. + +Bees, when they have been stealing a sack of honey from a neighboring +hive, will generally run several inches from the entrance before +flying: kill some of these; if filled with honey, they are robbers; +because it is very suspicious, to be filled with honey when leaving the +hive; or sprinkle some flour on them as they come out, and have some +one watch by the others to see if they enter. Another way is less +trouble, but will take longer, before they are checked, if robbing. +Visit them again in the course of half an hour or more, after the young +bees have had time to get back, (if it should happen to be them); but +if the bustle continues or increases, it is time to interfere. When the +entrance has been contracted as directed, close it entirely till near +sunset. When it has been left without, it should now be done, (giving +room for only one bee at a time). This will allow all that belong to +the hive to get in, and others to get out, and materially retard the +progress of the robbers. + + +ROBBING USUALLY COMMENCES ON A WARM DAY. + +Unless it should be cool, they will continue their operations till +evening. Very often some are unable to get home in the dark, and are +lost. This, by the way, is another good test of robbing. Visit the +hives every warm evening. They _commence_ depredations on the warmest +days; seldom otherwise. If any are at work when honest laborers should +be at home, they need attention. + + +REMEDIES. + +As for remedies, I have tried several. The least trouble is to remove +the weak hive in the morning to the cellar, or some dark, cool place, +for a few days, until at least two or three warm days have passed, that +they may abandon the search. The robbers will then probably attack the +stock on the next stand. Contract the entrance of this in accordance +with the number of bees that are to pass. If strong, no danger need be +apprehended; they may fight, and even kill some; perhaps a little +chastisement is necessary, to a sense of their duty. + + +COMMON OPINION. + +There is an opinion prevalent that robbers often go to a neighboring +stock, kill off the bees first, and then take possession of the +treasures. To corroborate this matter, I have never yet discovered one +fact, although I have watched very closely. Whenever bees have had all +their stores taken, at a period when nothing was to be had in the +flowers, it is evident they must starve, and last but a day or two +before they are gone. This would naturally give rise to the supposition +that they were either killed, or gone with the robbers. + + +A CASE IN POINT. + +I have a case in point. Having been from home a couple of days, I +found, on my return, a swarm of medium strength, that had been +carelessly exposed, had been plundered of about fifteen pounds of +honey, every particle they had.[13] About the usual number of bees were +among the combs, to all appearance, very disconsolate. I at once +removed them to the cellar, and fed them for a few days. The other bees +gave over looking for more plunder, in the meantime. It was then +returned to the stand, entrance nearly closed, as directed, &c. In a +short time it made a valuable stock; but had I left it twenty-four +hours longer, it probably would not have been worth a straw. + + [13] It occurred the last of July. + + +FURTHER DIRECTIONS. + +When a stock has been removed, if the next stand contains a weak, +instead of a strong one, it is best to take that in also; to be +returned to the stand as soon as the robbers will allow it. If a second +attack is made, put them in again, or if practicable, remove them a +mile or two out of their knowledge of country; they would then lose no +time from labor. Where but few stocks are kept, and not more than one +or two stocks are engaged, sprinkle a little flour on them as they +leave, to ascertain which the robbers are; then reverse the hives, +putting the weak one in the place of the strong, and the strong one in +the place of the weak one. The weak stock will generally become the +strongest, and put a stop to their operations; but this method is often +impracticable in a large apiary; because several stocks are usually +engaged, very soon after one commences, and a dozen may be robbing one. +Another method is, when you are _sure_ a stock is being robbed, take a +time when there are as many plunderers inside as you can get, and close +the hive at once, (wire-cloth, or something to admit air, and at the +same time confine the bees, is necessary;) carry in, as before +directed, for two or three days, when they may be set out. The strange +bees thus enclosed will join the weak family, and will be as eager to +defend what is now _their_ treasure, as they were before to carry it +off. This principle of forgetting home and uniting with others, after a +lapse of a few days, (writers say, twenty-four hours is sufficient for +them to forget home) can be recommended in this case. It succeeds about +four times in five, when a proper number is enclosed. Weak stocks are +strengthened in this way very easily; and the bees being taken from a +number of hives, are hardly missed. The difficulty is, to know when +there are enough to be about equal, to what belongs to the weak stock; +if too few are enclosed, they are surely destroyed. + + +COMMON CAUSE OF COMMENCING. + +After all, bees being robbed is like being destroyed by worms; a kind +of secondary matter; that is, not one strong stock in a hundred will +ever be attacked and plundered on the first onset. Bees must be first +tempted, and rendered furious by a weak hive; a dish of refuse honey +set near them is sometimes sufficient to set them at work, also where +they have been fed and not had a full supply. After they have once +commenced, it takes an astonishing quantity to satiate their appetite. +They seem to be perfectly intoxicated, and regardless of danger; they +venture on to certain destruction! I have known a few instances where +good stocks by this means were reduced, until they in turn fell a prey +to others. I have for several years kept about one hundred stocks away +from home, where I could not see them much, to prevent robbing. Yet I +never lost a stock by this cause. I simply keep the entrance closed, +except a passage for the bees at work during spring. It is true I have +lost a few stocks, when the other bees took the honey, but they would +have been lost any way. + + +SPRING THE WORST TIME. + +As I before remarked in the commencement of this chapter, bees will +plunder and fight at any time through the summer, when honey cannot be +collected; but _spring_ is the only time that such desperate and +persevering efforts are made to obtain it. It is the only time the +apiarian can be excused for having his hives plundered, or letting them +stand in a situation for it. We then often have families reduced in +winter and spring, from various causes, and when protected through this +season, generally make good stocks. It is then we wish them to form +steady, industrious habits, and not live by plunder. Prevention is +better than cure; evil propensities should be checked in the beginning. +The bee, like man, when this disposition has been indulged for a time, +it is hard breaking the habit; a severe chastisement is the only cure; +they too go on the principle of much wanting more. + + +NO NECESSITY TO HAVE THE BEES PLUNDERED IN THE FALL. + +The apiarian having his bees plundered in the fall, is not fit to have +charge of them; their efforts are seldom as strong as in spring, +(unless there is a general scarcity,) the weak hives are usually better +supplied with bees, and consequently a less number is exposed; but yet, +when there are some very weak families, these should be taken away as +soon as the flowers fail, or strengthened with bees from another hive. +Particulars in fall management. + +I have sometimes made my swarms equal, early in spring, by the +following method, and I have also failed. Bees, when wintered together +in a room, will seldom quarrel when first set out. When one stock has +an over supply of bees, and another a very few, the next day or two +after being out, I change the weak one to the stand of the strong one, +(as mentioned a page or two back,) and all bees that have marked the +location return to that place. The failure is, when too many leave the +strong stock, making that the weak one, when nothing is gained. If it +could be done when they had been out of the house just long enough for +the proper number to have marked the location, success would be quite +certain. But before an exchange of this kind is made, it would be well, +if possible; to ascertain what is the cause of a stock being weak; if +it is from the loss of a queen, (which is sometimes the case,) we only +make the matter worse by the operation. To ascertain whether the queen +be present, do not depend on the bees carrying in pollen; as most +writers assert they will not, when the queen is gone; because I have +_known_ them do it so many times without, that I can assure the reader +again, it is no test whatever. The test given in chapter III. page 73, +is always certain. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +FEEDING. + + +SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT. + +Feeding bees in spring is sometimes absolutely necessary; but in +ordinary seasons and circumstances, it is somewhat doubtful if it is +the surest road to success, for the apiarian to attempt wintering any +stock so poorly supplied with honey, that he feels satisfied will need +feeding in the spring or before. I will recommend in another place (in +fall management) what I consider a better disposition of such light +families. But as some stocks are either robbed, or from some other +cause, consume more honey than we expect, a little trouble and care may +save a loss. Also bees are often fed at this season to promote early +swarming, and filling boxes with surplus honey. + + +CARE NEEDED. + +Considerable care is requisite, and but few know how to manage it +properly. Honey fed to bees, is almost certain to get up quarrels among +them. Sometimes strong stocks scent the honey given to weak ones, and +carry it off as fast as supplied. + + +APPARENT CONTRADICTION WHEN FEEDING CAUSING STARVATION. + +It is possible that feeding a stock of bees in spring, may cause them +to starve! whereas, if let alone, they might escape. Notwithstanding +this looks like a contradiction, I think it appears reasonable. +Whenever the supply of honey is short, probably not more than one egg +in twenty which the queen deposits, will be matured--their means not +allowing the young brood to be fed. This appears from the fact that +several eggs may be found in one cell. I transferred over twenty stocks +in March, 1852--most of the cells occupied with eggs contained a +plurality; two, three, and even four, were found in one cell; it is +evident that all could not be perfected. Also, the fact of these eggs +being at this season on the bottom-board. Now suppose you give such a +stock two or three pounds of honey, and they are encouraged to feed a +large brood, and your supply fails before they are half grown. What are +they to do? destroy the brood and lose all they have fed, or draw on +their old stores for a small quantity to help them in this emergency, +and trust to chance for themselves? The latter alternative will +probably be adopted, and then, without a timely intervention of +favorable weather, the bees starve. The same effect is sometimes +produced by the changes of the weather; a week or two may be very fine +and bring out the flowers in abundance--a sudden change, perhaps frost, +may destroy all for a few days. This makes it necessary to use +considerable vigilance, as these turns of cold weather (when they +occur) make it unsafe, till white clover appears; but if the spring is +favorable, there is but little danger, unless they are robbed. If you +take the necessary care about worms, you will know which are light, and +which heavy, unless your hives are suspended; even then, it is a duty +to know their true condition, in this respect. This is another +advantage of the _simple_ hive; merely raising one edge to destroy +worms, tells you something about the honey on hand. To be very exact, +the hive should be weighed when ready for the bees, and the weight +marked on it; by weighing at any time after, tells at once within a few +pounds of what honey there is on hand. Some allowance must be made for +the age of the combs, the quantity of brood, &c. It is wrong to begin +to feed without being prepared to continue to do so, as the supply must +be kept up till honey is abundant. + + +HOW LONG IT WILL DO TO WAIT BEFORE FEEDING. + +If it is wished to wait as long as possible, and not lose the bees, a +test will be necessary to decide how long it will do to delay feeding. +In this case, _strict attention will be necessary; they will need +examination every morning_. If a light tap on the hive is answered b; a +brisk, lively buzzing, they are not suffering yet; but if no answer is +returned to your inquiry, it indicates a want of strength. Extreme +destitution destroys all disposition to repel an attack. Sometimes a +part of the bees will be too weak to remain among the combs, and will +be lying on the bottom, and some few outside. If the weather is cool, +they appear to be lifeless; yet they can be revived, and now _must he +fed_. + + +DIRECTIONS FOR FEEDING. + +Those among the combs may be able to move, though feebly. When this is +the condition of things, invert the hive, gather up all the scattered +bees, and put them in. Get some honey; if candied, heat it till it +dissolves; comb honey is not so good without mashing; if no honey is to +be had, brown sugar may be taken instead; add a little water, and boil +it till about the consistence of honey, and skim it; when cool enough, +pour a quantity among the combs, directly on the bees; cover the bottom +of the hive with a cloth, securing it firmly, and bring to the fire to +warm up. In two or three hours they will be revived, and may be +returned to the stand, providing the honey given is all taken up; on no +account let any honey run out around the bottom. The necessity of a +daily visit to the hives is apparent from the fact, that if left over +for one day, in the situation just described, it will be too late to +revive them. At night, if you have a box cover, such as I have +recommended, you may open the holes in the top of the hive; fill a +small baking dish with honey or syrup, and set it on the top; put in +some shavings to keep the bees from drowning, or a float may be used if +you choose; it should be made of some very light wood, very thin, and +full of holes or narrow channels, made with a saw. At the commencement +of feeding, a few drops should be scattered on the top of the hive and +trailed to the side of the dish, to teach them the way; after feeding a +few times, they will know the road. When the weather is warm enough for +them to take it during the night, it is best to feed at evening,--from +four to eight ounces daily, is sufficient. If the family is very small, +what honey is left in the morning may attract other bees; it is then +best to take it out, or carry the hive in the house to a dark room, +sufficiently warm, and feed them enough to last several days, and then +return them to the stand; keeping a good lookout that they are not +plundered, and again in a starving condition, until flowers produce +honey sufficient. + + +WHOLE FAMILIES MAY DESERT THE HIVE. + +When you have the means to keep up a supply of food, and time requisite +to make feeding secure, perhaps it would not be advisable to wait till +the last extremity before feeding, as a small family will sometimes +entirely desert the hive, when destitute, if it occurs before they have +much brood. In these cases, they issue precisely as a swarm; after +flying a long time, they either return, or unite with some other stock. +If they return, they need attention immediately. You may be certain +there is something wrong, let the desertion take place when it may; in +spring it may be destitution, or mouldy combs; at other times the +presence of worms, diseased brood, &c. By whatever cause it is +produced, ascertain it, and apply the remedy. + + +OBJECTIONS TO GENERAL FEEDING. + +I have known it recommended, and practised by some apiarians, to feed +bees all at once in the open air, in a large trough; but whoever +realizes much profit by this method, will be very fortunate, as every +stock in the neighborhood will soon scent it out, and carry off a good +share, and nearly every stock at home will be in contention, and great +numbers killed; the moment the honey is out, their attention is +directed to other stocks. Another objection to this general feeding is, +that some stocks are not necessitated at all, while others need it; but +the strongest stock is pretty sure to get the most. NOW, as I cannot +afford to divide with my neighbors in this way of feeding, and I +suppose but few will be found who are willing to do it, I will give my +method, which, when once arranged, is but little trouble. + + +ARRANGEMENT FOR FEEDING. + +I got a tinman to make some dishes, two inches deep, 10x12 inches +square, and perpendicular sides. A board was then got out, fifteen +inches wide, and two feet long; two inches from one end, a hole is cut +out the longest way, just the size of the dish, so that it will set in +just even with the upper side of the board; a good fit should be made, +so that no bees can get in around it; cleats should be nailed on the +under side of the board, some over an inch thick, to prevent crowding +the dish out. This is to go directly under the hive, but it is not +ready yet, because if such dish is filled with honey under a hive, the +bees would drown; if a float is put on to keep them out, it will settle +to the bottom when the honey is out, and the bees cannot creep up the +sides of tin very easily. Another thing, there is nothing to prevent +the bees from making their combs to the bottom of this dish, two inches +below the bottom of the hive; these things are to be prevented. Get out +two pieces of half-inch board, ten inches long, one to be two inches +wide, the other one and a half inches. With a coarse or thick saw, cut +channels in the side of the strips, one-fourth inch deep, three-eighths +or half an inch apart, crosswise the whole length. You will then want a +number corresponding to the places sawed, of very thin shingles, or +strips, say one-eighth of an inch thick, and one and three-fourths +wide, and nine and a half long; these are to stand edgewise in the +dish; the first two are to hold them in the channels at the ends. The +narrow one needs a block one-half inch square, nailed on each end; on +the edge, a strip of wire cloth is then nailed on, making the whole +width just two inches. This is now put in the dish, wire cloth at the +bottom, two inches from one end; two pins to act as braces will keep it +there; the other wide one is placed against the other end, and pressed +down even with the top of the dish. The thin pieces are now slipped +into the channels even with the top; it is now ready to go under the +hive to be fed. Let the two-inch space project out on the back side of +the hive. A narrow board should be provided, some more than two inches +wide, to cover it. Let the hive stand close on this board; the hole in +the side is sufficient for the passage of bees at work, till very hot +weather. Thus you see that the hive covers all but the space behind, +which the board covers, and not a strange bee can get at the honey, +without entering the hole at the side, and passing through among the +bees belonging to the hive, which they will not often do; if the family +is numerous, it makes it as safe as feeding on the top; with this +advantage, there are no bees in the way to interfere while pouring in +the food. When the bees are to be fed, raise the board at the back and +pour in the honey; the wire-cloth in the bottom prevents all bees from +entering this space, at the same time will let the honey pass through +directly under the bees, which will take it up quicker than from any +other place that I can put it; they will work all night even when the +weather is quite cool. This board and feeder can be taken out when done +feeding, and put away till wanted again; if left under through the +summer, it affords the worms a place rather too convenient to spin +their cocoons, where they are not easily destroyed. + + +FEEDING TO INDUCE EARLY SWARMS. + +If the object in feeding is to induce early swarms, of course the best +stocks should be chosen for the purpose; but some care is necessary not +to give too much, and fill the combs with honey, that ought to be +filled with brood, and thereby defeat your object; one pound per day is +enough, perhaps too much. The quantity obtained from flowers is a +partial guide; when plenty, feed less; when scarce, more. Begin as soon +as you can make them take it up in spring, and continue in accordance +with the weather, till white clover blossoms, or swarms issue. Another +object in feeding bees at this period, is to have the store combs all +filled with inferior honey, so that when clover appears, (which yields +our best honey,) there is no room except in the boxes to store it, +which are now put on, and rapidly filled. When this last object is +alone wished for, it is not much matter how much is given at a time, +providing it is all taken up through the night; it will then take no +time in day-light, when they might work on flowers; also, the bees +would have no trouble in repelling any attempt of others to get at it. + + +WHAT MAY BE FED. + +Inferior honey may be used for this purpose; Southern or West India is +good, and costs but little. Even molasses sugar mixed with it will do; +but they do not relish it so well when fed without the honey. I have +usually taken about equal quantities of each, adding a pint of water to +ten pounds of this mixture, and making it as hot as it will bear +without boiling over, and skimming it. + + +IS CANDIED HONEY INJURIOUS? + +There has an idea been advanced, that candied honey is injurious to +bees, even said to be fatal. I never could discover any thing further, +than it was a perfect waste, while in this state. When boiled, and a +little water added, it appears to be just as good as any. Nearly every +stock will have more or less of it on hand at this season; but as warm +weather approaches, and the bees increase to warm the hive, it seems to +get liquified, from this cause alone. The bees, when compelled to use +honey from these cells, thus candied, waste a large portion; a part is +liquid, and the rest is grained like sugar, which may be seen on the +bottom-board, as the bees work it out very often. Another object in +feeding bees, is to give inferior honey, mixed with sugar and flavored +to suit the taste, to the bees, and let them store it in boxes for +market. Now, I have no faith in honey undergoing any chemical change in +the stomach of the bee,[14] and cannot recommend this as the honest +course. Neither do I think it would be very profitable, feeding to this +extent, under any circumstances. I have a few times had some boxes +nearly finished and fit for market at the end of the honey season; a +little more added would make them answer. I have then fed a few pounds +of good honey, but always found that several pounds had to be given the +bees to get one in the boxes. + + [14] Mr. Gillman's patent for feeding bees, is based on the + principle of a chemical change. It is said that the food he gives + to the bees, when poured into the cells, becomes honey of the + first quality. This appears extremely mysterious; for it is well + understood that when a bee has filled its sack it will go to the + hive, deposit its load, and return immediately for more; and will + continue its labor throughout the day, or until the supply fails; + each load occupying but few minutes. The time in going from the + feeder to the hive is so short that a change so important is not + at all probable. The nature of bees seems to be to _collect_ + honey, not _make_ it; hence we find, when bees are gathering from + clover, they store quite a different article than when from + buckwheat,--or when we feed West India honey, in quantities + sufficient to have it stored _pure_ in the boxes, we find that it + has lost none of its bad taste in passing through the sacks of + our northern bees. + + It appears most probable that, if Southern honey and cheap sugar + form the basis of his food, (which it is said to,) that it is + flavored with something to disguise the disagreeable qualities of + the compound. Should this be the secret, it would seem like a + waste to feed it to bees--a portion would be given to the brood, + and possibly the old bees might not always refrain from sipping a + little of the tempting nectar. Why not, when the compound was + ready,--instead of wasting it by this process,--put it directly + in market? Or, is it necessary to have it in the combs to help + psychologize the consumer into the belief that it is honey of a + pure quality? + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +DESTRUCTION OF WORMS. + + +I shall not give a full history of the moth in this chapter, as spring +is not the time they are most destructive. It will be further noticed +under the head of Enemies of Bees. But as this is a duty belonging to +spring, a partial history seems necessary. + +As soon as the bees commence their labors, the worms are generally +ready to begin theirs. + + +SOME IN THE BEST STOCKS. + +You will probably find some in your best stocks; but don't be +frightened; this is not the season when they often destroy your stocks, +yet they injure them some. + + +HOW FOUND. + +In the morning, when cool, raise the hive, and you will find them on +the board. You must not suppose that these chaps are bred outside the +hive, got their growth, and are now on their way among the bees, but +the reverse. They are _bred in the hive_, and most of them are on the +way out, and this is the precise time to arrest them and bring them to +justice for their crimes. + + +A TOOL FOR THEIR DESTRUCTION. + +I have used a simple tool, made in a few minutes, and very convenient +in this business. Any one can make it. Get a piece of narrow hoop-iron, +(steel would be better,) three-fourth inch wide, five inches long; +taper from one side three inches from the end to a point; then grind +each edge sharp; make three or four holes through the wide end, to +admit small nails through it in the handle, which should be about two +feet long and about half an inch square. Armed with this weapon, you +can proceed. Raise the hive on one edge, and with the point of your +sword you may pick a worm out of the closest corner, and easily scrape +all from under the hive with it. Now, _be sure and dispatch every one_; +not that the "little victim" will itself, personally, do much mischief; +but through its descendants the mischief is to be apprehended. Very +likely half of all you find will have finished their course of +destruction, among the combs, and have voluntarily left them for a +place to spin their cocoons. They are worried by the bees, if they are +numerous, until satisfied that it is no safe place among them to make a +shroud and remain helpless two or three weeks. Accordingly, when they +get their growth they leave, get on the board on the bottom, become +chilled and helpless in the morning, but again active by the middle of +the day. Now, if they are merely thrown on the earth, a place there +will be selected, if no better is found, for transformation; and a moth +perfected ten feet from the hive is just as capable of depositing five +hundred eggs in your hive, as if she had never left it. + +Several generations are matured in the course of one summer: +consequently, one destroyed at this season, may prevent the existence +of thousands before the summer is over. + +This is another subject of theoretical reasoning, and imposition, (at +least in my opinion.) I wish the reader to judge for himself; get rid +of whims and prejudice, and look at the subject candidly and fair; and +if there is no corroborative testimony comes up to confirm any position +that I assume, I shall not complain if my assertions fare no better +than some others. Only defer judgment till you _know_ for yourself. + +Bees have ever received my especial regard and attention; and my +enthusiasm may blind my judgment. I may be prejudiced, but will not be +wilfully wrong. I have found so many theories utterly false, when +carried out in practice, that I can depend on no one's hypothesis, +however plausible, without facts in practice to support it. No one +should be fully credited without a test. To return to our subject. + + +MISTAKEN CONCLUSIONS. + +It is supposed by many, when these worms are found on the board, they +get there by accident, having dropped from the combs above. They seem +not to understand that the worm generally travels on safe principles; +that is, he attaches a thread to whatever he travels over. To be +satisfied on this point, I have many times carefully detached his +foot-hold, when on the side of the hive or other place, where he would +fall a few inches, and always found him with a thread fast at the place +he left, to enable him to regain his position if he chose. Is it not +probable, then, that whenever he leaves the combs for the bottom-board, +he can readily ascend again? No doubt he often does, to be driven down +again by the bees. Now, what I wish to get at by all this preamble, is +simply this: that all our trouble and worrying to prevent the worms +from again ascending to the combs--by wire hooks, wire pins, screws, +nails, turned pins, clam-shells, blocks of wood, &c., is perfect +nonsense, when half or more of them would not harm the bees any more if +they did, and might as well go there as any where else. Besides, these +useless "fixins" are very often a positive injury to the bees. + + +OBJECTIONS TO SUSPENDED BOTTOM-BOARD. + +Suppose, if you please, that the worm has no thread attached above, and +your board is far enough from the bottom of the hive to prevent his +reaching it. Of course, he can't get up; but how are your bees to do +any better? The worm can reach as high as they can. The bee can fly up, +you think; so it will, sometimes; but will try a dozen times first to +get up without, and when it does, it is a very bad position to start +from, being a smooth board. In hot weather it does better. Did you ever +watch by a hive thus raised, in April or May, towards night, when it +was a little cool, and see the industrious little insects arrive with a +load as heavy as they could possibly carry, all chilly, and nearly out +of breath, scarcely able to reach home, and there witness their vain +attempts to get among their fellows above them? If you never witnessed +this, I wish you would take some pains for it, and when you find them +giving up in despair, when too chilly to fly, and perishing after many +fruitless attempts for life, I think, if you possess sympathy, +benevolence, or even selfishness, you will be induced to do as I +did--discard at once wire hooks and all else from under the hive in the +spring, and give the bees, when they do get home with a load, under +such circumstances, what they richly deserve, and that is, +_protection_. + + +ADVANTAGE OF THE HIVE CLOSE TO THE BOARD. + +An inch hole in the side of the hive, a few inches from the bottom, as +a passage for the bees, is needed, as I shall recommend letting the +hive close to the board; it is essential on account of robbing; also, +it is necessary to confine as much as possible the animal heat, in most +hives, during the season the bees are engaged in rearing young brood; +and warmth is necessary to hatch the eggs, and develop the larvae; we +all know that when the hive is close, less heat will pass off than if +raised an inch. + + +OBJECTION ANSWERED. + +You object to this, and tell me, "the worms will get between the bottom +of the hive and the board." Well, I think they will, and what then? Why +I expect if you intend to succeed, that you will get them out, and +crush their heads; if you cannot give as much attention as this, better +not keep them, or let some one have the care of them that will. I am as +willing to find a worm under the edge of the hive, and dispatch it, as +to have it creep into some place out of sight, and change to the moth. +I once trimmed off the bottom of my hives to a thin edge, so they did +not have this place for their cocoons, but now prefer to have them +square. _All profit_ is seldom obtained with anything. If you plant a +field with corn, you do not expect that the whole work for the crop is +finished. Neither should you expect when you set up a stock of bees, +that a full yield will be realized without something more. If you are +remunerated by keeping the weeds from your corn, be assured it is +equally profitable to weed out your bees. + + +INSUFFICIENCY OF INCLINED BOTTOM-BOARD. + +Now do not be deceived in this matter, and through indolence be induced +to get those hives with descending bottom-boards, to throw out the +worms as they fall, and hope by that means to get rid of the trouble; +(I have already, in another chapter, expressed doubts of this). But we +will _now_ suppose such descending bottom-boards capable of throwing +every worm that touches it "heels over head" to the ground; what have +we gained? His neck is not broken, nor any other _bone_ of his body! As +if nothing extraordinary had happened, he quietly gathers himself up, +and looks about for snug quarters; he cares not a fig for the hive now; +he gormandized on the combs until satisfied, before he left them, and +is glad to get away from the bees any how. A place large enough for a +cocoon is easily found, and when he again becomes desirous of visiting +the hives, it is not to satisfy his own wants, but to accommodate his +progeny; he is then furnished with wings ample to carry him to any +height that you choose to put your bees. + + +A MOTH CAN GO WHERE BEES CAN. + +A hive that is proof against the moth, is yet to be constructed. We +frequently hear of them, but when they come to be tested, somehow these +worms get where the bees are. When your hives become so full of bees, +that they cover the board in a cool morning, the worms will be seldom +found there, except under the edge of the hive. + + +TRAP TO CATCH WORMS. + +You may now raise it, but you may still catch the worms by laying under +the bees a narrow shingle, a stick of elder split in two lengthwise, +and the pith scraped out, or anything else that will afford them +protection from the bees, and where they may spin their cocoons. These +should be removed every few days, and the worms destroyed, and the trap +put back. Do not neglect it till they change to the moth, and you have +nothing but to remove the empty cocoon. + + +BOX FOR WREN. + +If you would take the trouble to put up a cage or two for the wren to +nest in, he would be a valuable assistant in this department of your +labor. He would be on the lookout when you were away, and many worms, +while looking up a hiding-place in some corner, would be relieved from +all further trouble by being deposited in his crop. The cage for him +need not be more than four inches square; it may be fastened near as +possible to the bees; to a post, tree, or side of some building a few +feet high. I have seen the skull of some animal (horse or ox) used, and +is very convenient for them, the cavity for the brains being used for +the nest. A person once told me the wren would not build in one that he +had put up. On examination, the stake to support it was found driven +into the only entrance. I mention this to show how little some people +understand what they do. It is sometimes well enough to know why a +thing is to be done, as to know it _must_ be done. I could tell you to +do a great many things, but then you would like to know _why_, then +_how_ to do it. Now if this prolixity is unnecessary for you, another +may need it. You must remember I am endeavoring to teach some few to +keep bees, who are not over supplied with ingenuity. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +PUTTING ON AND TAKING OFF BOXES. + + +Putting on boxes may be considered a duty intermediate between spring +and summer management. I cannot recommend putting them on as early as +the last of April, or first of May, in ordinary circumstances. It is +possible to find a case that it would be best. But before the hive is +full of bees it is generally useless, very likely a disadvantage, by +allowing a portion of animal heat to escape that is needed in the hive +to mature the brood. Also, moisture may accumulate until the inside +moulds, &c. Some experience and judgment is necessary to know about +what time boxes are needed. That boxes _are needed_ at the proper +season, I think I shall not need an argument to convince any one, in +the present day. Bee-keepers have generally discarded the barbarous +practice of killing the bees to obtain the honey. Many of them have +learned that a good swarm will store sufficient honey for winter, +besides several dollars worth as profit in boxes. + + +ADVANTAGE OF THE PATENT VENDER. + +Here is where the patent vender has taken the advantage of our ignorance, +by pretending that no other hive but _his ever obtained such quantities, +or so pure in quality_. + + +TIME OF PUTTING ON--RULE. + +It is probable a great many readers will need the necessary observation +to tell precisely when the hive is full of honey; it may be full of +bees, and not of honey. And yet the only rule that I can give to be +generally applied, is, when the bees begin to be crowded out, but a day +or two before would be just the right time, that is, when they are +obtaining honey--(for it should be remembered that they do not always +get honey when beginning to cluster out). This guide will do in place +of a better one, which close observation and experience only can give. +By observing a glass hive attentively, in those cells that touch the +glass on the edge of the combs, whenever honey is being deposited here +abundantly, it is quite evident that the flowers are yielding it just +then, and other stocks are obtaining it also. Now is the time, if any +cluster out, to put on the boxes. When boxes are made as I have +recommended, that is, the size containing 360 solid inches, it is +advisable to put on only one at first; when this is full either of bees +or honey, and yet bees are crowded outside, the other can be added. +This is before swarming; too much room might retard the swarming a few +days, but if crowded outside, it indicates want of room, and the boxes +can make but little difference. It is better to have one box well +filled than two half full, which might be the case if the bees were not +numerous. The object of putting on boxes before swarming, is to employ +a portion of the bees, that otherwise would remain idly clustering +outside two or three weeks, as they often do, while preparing the young +queens for swarming. But when all the bees can be profitably engaged in +the body of the hive, more room is unnecessary. + + +MAKING HOLES AFTER THE HIVE IS FULL. + +Whenever it is required to put boxes on a hive that has no holes +through the top, it need not prevent your getting a few pounds of the +purest honey that may be had, just as well as to have a portion of the +bees idle. I always endeavor to ascertain in what direction the sheets +of comb are made, and then mark off the row of holes on the top, at +right angles with them. + + +ADVANTAGE OF PROPER ARRANGEMENT. + +Two inches being nearly the right distance, each one will be so made +that a bee arriving at the top of the hive between any two sheets will +be able to find a passage into the box, without the task of a long +search for it; which I can imagine to be the case when only one hole +for a passage is made, or when the row of holes is parallel with the +combs. A hive might contain eight or ten sheets of comb, and a bee +desirous of entering the box might go up between any two, many times, +before it found the passage. It has been urged that every bee soon +learns all passages and places about the hive, and consequently will +know the direct road to the box. This may be true, but when we +recollect that all within the hive is perfect darkness--that this path +must be found by the sense of feeling alone--that this sense must be +its guide in all its future travels--that perhaps a thousand or two +young workers are added every week, and these have to learn by the same +means--it would seem, if we studied our own interest, we would give +them all the facility possible for entering the boxes. What way so easy +for them as to have a passage, when they get to the top, between each +comb? That bees do not know all roads about the hive, can be partially +proved by opening the door of a glass hive. Most of the bees about +leaving, instead of going to the bottom for their exit, where they have +departed many times, seem to know nothing of the way, but vainly try to +get out through the glass, whenever light is admitted. + +I am so well convinced of this, that I take some pains to accommodate +them with a passage between each comb; they will then at least lose no +time by mistakes between the wrong combs, crowding and elbowing their +way back through a dense mass of bees which impede every step, until +again at the top perhaps between the same combs, perhaps right, perhaps +farther off than at first; when I suppose they try it again; as boxes +are filled sometimes under just such circumstances. + +To assist them as much as possible, when new hives are used for swarms, +I wait till the hive is nearly filled before making the holes to +ascertain the direction of the combs. We all know it is uncertain which +way the combs will be built, when the swarm is put in, unless +guide-combs are used.[15] When holes are made before the bees are put +in, guide-combs as directed for boxes should be put in; (of course they +should cross at right angles the row of holes). + + [15] Perhaps Miner's cross-bar hive would do it. + + +DIRECTIONS FOR BORING HOLES IN FULL STOCKS. + +_To make holes in the top after the combs are made_,--Mark out the top +as directed for making hives and boxes. A centre bit or an auger bit +with a lip or barb is best, as that cuts down a little faster than the +chip is taken out, leaving it smooth; when nearly through, a pointed +knife can cut the remainder of the chip loose, and it can be taken out; +if it is between the combs, it is well; if directly over the centre of +one, it is a little better; with the knife take out a piece as large as +a walnut; even if honey is in it, no harm will be done. The bees will +then have a passage through from either side of the comb. + +After you have opened one hole, very likely the bees will want to see +what is going on over head, and walk out to reconnoitre. To prevent +their interference, use some tobacco-smoke, and send them down out of +your way, till your hole is finished. Now lay over this a small stone +or block of wood, and make the others in the same way. When all are +done, blow in some smoke as you uncover them, and put on your box. This +process is not half so formidable as it appears; I have in this way +bored hundreds. You will remember my hives are not as high as many +others keep them, they are in about as convenient a position as I can +get them. This method saves me the trouble of sticking the guide-combs +in my hives; also, the necessity of covering or stopping the holes. Dr. +Bevan and some others have made a cross-bar hive, instead of nailing on +a top in the usual way; a half-inch board of the right length is cut +into strips, some over an inch wide, and half an inch apart, across the +top. It is plain that in such a hive a bee can pass into the box +whenever it arrives at the top, without difficulty. I will here repeat +the objection to allowing too much room, to pass into the boxes, that +you may see the disadvantages of the extremes of too little and too +much room. In these cross-bar hives, the animal heat rises into the box +from the main hive, making it as warm as below; the queen goes up with +the bees, and finding it warm and convenient for breeding, deposits her +eggs; and young brood as well as honey is found there. When we think it +full, it is then indispensable to return it, if taken off, till they +hatch, (otherwise they spoil it by moulding), which makes the combs +dark, tough, &c. Another objection to such open tops is, that open +bottom boxes must be used, which are not half as neat for market. + + +TO BE TAKEN OFF WHEN FILLED. + +This advantage attends glass boxes: while being filled, the progress +can be watched till finished, when they should be taken off to preserve +the purity of the combs. Every day the bees are allowed to run over +them, renders them darker. Consequently, when our bees are a long time +filling a box, it is not as purely white as when filled expeditiously. + + +TIME TAKEN TO FILL A BOX. + +Two weeks is the shortest time I ever had any filled and finished. +This, of course, depends on the yield of honey, and size of the swarm; +three or four weeks are usually taken for the purpose. I have before +said that the first yield of honey nearly fails in this section, +usually about the 20th of July; there are some variations, later or +earlier, according to the season. In other places it may be much later. + + +WHEN TO TAKE OFF BOXES PART FULL. + +It can be ascertained by occasionally raising the cover to your glass +boxes. When no more is being added, all boxes that are worth the +trouble should be taken off; if left longer the comb gets darker, and +such cells of honey as are not sealed over, (and sometimes the majority +are such,) the bees generally remove down into the hive. + + +TOBACCO SMOKE PREFERRED TO SLIDES. + +When boxes are to be taken off, if a slide of tin, zinc, &c., is used +to close the holes, some of the bees are apt to be crushed, others will +find themselves minus a head, leg, or abdomen, and all of them be +irritable for several days. A little tobacco smoke is preferable, as it +keeps all quiet. Just raise the box to be taken off sufficient to puff +under it some smoke, and the bees will leave the vicinity of the holes +in an instant; the box can then be removed, and another put on if +necessary, without exciting their anger in the least. + + +MANNER OF DISPOSING OF THE BEES IN THE BOXES. + +Arouse the bees by striking the box lightly four or five times. If all +the cells are finished, and honey is still obtained, turn the box +bottom up, near the hive from which it was taken, so that the bees can +enter it without flying; by this means you can save several young bees, +that have never left the hive and marked the location, and a few others +too weak to fly, but will follow the others into the hive; (such are +lost when we are obliged to carry them at a distance.) Boxes can be +taken off either in the morning or evening; if in the morning, it may +stand several hours when the sun is not too hot, but on no account let +it stand in the sun in the middle of the day, as the combs will melt. +The bees will all leave, sometimes in an hour; at others they will not +be out in three. They may be taken off at evening and stand till +morning, in fair weather; if not too cool, they are generally all out; +but here is some risk of the moth finding it and depositing her eggs; +perhaps one in fifty may be thus found. + + +BEES DISPOSED TO CARRY AWAY HONEY. + +When boxes are taken off at the end of the honey season, a different +method of getting rid of the bees must be adopted, or we lose our +honey. Unless the combs are all finished, we lose some then any way, as +most of the bees fill themselves before leaving; they carry it home and +return for more immediately, and take it all, if not prevented. It has +been recommended to take it to some dark room with a small opening to +let the bees out; in the course of the day they will sometimes all +leave; but this method I have found unsafe, as they sometimes find the +way back. When a large number of boxes are to be managed, a more +expeditious mode is, to have a large box with close joints, or an empty +hogshead, or a few barrels with one head out, set in some convenient +place; put the boxes in, one above another, but not in a manner to stop +the holes; over the top throw a sheet of one thickness, a thin one is +best, as it will let through more light. The bees will leave the boxes, +creep to the top, and get on the sheet; take this off and turn it over +a few times; in this way all may be got rid of without the possibility +of carrying off much honey. All that know the way will return to the +hive, but a few young ones are lost. + + +NOT DISPOSED TO STING. + +They seldom offer to sting during this part of the operation, even when +the box is taken off without tobacco smoke, and carried away from the +hive; after a little time, the bees finding themselves away from home, +lose all animosity. + +As honey becomes scarce, less brood is reared; a great many cells that +they occupied are soon empty; also, several cells that contained honey +have been drained, and used to mature the portion of brood just started +at the time of the failure. We can now understand, or think we do, why +our best stocks that are very heavy, that but a few days before were +crowded for room and storing in boxes, are now eager for honey to store +in the hive; as there is abundant room for several pounds. They will +quickly remove to the hive the contents of any box left exposed; or +even risk their lives by entering a neighboring hive for it; after +being allowed to make a beginning, under such circumstances. + + +RULE. + +During a yield of honey, take off boxes as fast as they are filled, and +put on empty ones. At the end of the season take all off. Not one stock +in a hundred will starve that has worked in boxes, that is, when the +hive is the proper size, and full before adding the boxes, unless +robbed or other casualty. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +SECURING HONEY FROM THE MOTH. + + +TWO THINGS TO BE PREVENTED. + +When the boxes are free from the bees, two things are to be prevented, +if we wish to save our honey till cold weather. One is to keep out the +worms, the other to prevent souring. The last may be new to many, but +some few of us have had it caused by dampness in warm weather. The +combs become covered with moisture, a portion of the honey becomes thin +like water, and instead of the saccharine qualities we have the acid. +Remedy: keep perfectly dry and cool, if you can, but dry at any rate. + + +APT TO BE DECEIVED ABOUT THE WORMS. + +But the worms, you can surely keep them out, you think, since you can +seal up the boxes perfectly close, preventing the moth or even the +smallest ant from entering! Yes, you may do this effectually, but the +worms will often be there somehow, unless in a very low temperature, +such as a very cool cellar, or in house, and then you have dampness to +guard against. I have a little experience in this matter that spoils +your theory entirely. I have taken off glass jars, and watched them +till the bees were all out, and was _certain the moth did not come +near_ them, then immediately sealed them up; absolutely preventing +access afterwards, (I could do this with a jar more effectually than a +box which is made of several pieces,) I then felt quite sure that I was +ahead, and should have no trouble with the worms, as had often been the +case before. I was sadly mistaken. + + +THEIR PROGRESS DESCRIBED. + +In a few days, I could see at first a little white dust, like flour, on +the side of the combs, and on the bottom of the jar. As the worms grew +larger, this dust was coarser. By looking closely at the combs, a small +white thread-like line was first perceptible, enlarging as the worm +progressed. + +When combs are filled with honey, they go only on the surface, eating +nothing but the sealing of the cells; seldom penetrating to the centre, +without an empty cell to give the chance. Disgusting as they seem to +be, they dislike being daubed with honey. _Wax, and not honey, is their +food._ + +The reader would like to know how these worms came in the jars, when, +to all appearance, it _was a physical impossibility_. I would like to +tell positively, but cannot. But I will guess, if you will allow it. I +will first premise, that I do not suppose they are generated +spontaneously! Their being found there, then, would indicate some agent +or means not readily perceived. + + +A SOLUTION OFFERED. + +The hypothesis that I offer is original and new, and therefore open for +criticism; if there is a better way to account for the mystery, I would +be glad to know it. + +From the first of June till late in the fall, the moth may be found +around our hives, active at night, but still in the day. The only +object probably is to find a suitable place to deposit its eggs, that +the young may have food; if no proper and convenient place is found, +why, I suppose it will take up with such as it _can_ find; their eggs +_must_ be deposited somewhere, it may be in the cracks in the hive, in +the dust at the bottom, or outside, as near the entrance as they dare +approach. The bees running over them may get one or more of these eggs +attached to their feet or bodies, and carry it among the combs, where +it may be left to hatch. It is not at all probable that the moth ever +passed through the hive among the bees, to deposit her eggs in the jars +before mentioned. Had these jars been left on the hive, not a worm +would have ever defaced a comb; because, when the bees are numerous, +each worm as soon as it commences its work of destruction will be +removed, that is, when it works on the surface, as in the boxes of +honey--in breeding combs, they get in the centre and are more difficult +to remove. By taking off these jars and removing the bees, it gave all +the eggs that happened to be there a fair chance. Many writers finding +the combs undisturbed when left on the hive till cold weather, +recommend that as the only safe way, preferring to have the combs a +little darker, than the risk of being destroyed by the worms. But I +object to dark combs, and leaving the boxes will effectually prevent +empty ones taking their places, which are necessary to get all the +profits. I will offer a few more remarks in favor of my theory, and +then give my remedy for the worms. I have found in all hives where the +bees have been removed in warm weather, say between the middle of June +and September, (and it has been a great many,) moth eggs enough among +the combs to destroy them in a very short time, unless kept in a very +cool place; this result has been uniform. Any person doubting this, may +remove the bees from a hive that is full of combs in July or August; +and close it to prevent the _possibility_ of a moth entering, set it +away in a temperature ranging from sixty to ninety, and if there are +not worms enough to satisfy him that this is correct, he will have +better success than I ever did. Yet, no such result will follow, when +the bees are left among the combs, unless the swarm be very small; then +the injury done will be in proportion. A strong stock may have as many +moth eggs among the combs as a weak one, yet one will be scarcely +injured, while the other may be nearly or quite destroyed. + +Now, if this theory be correct, and the bees do actually carry these +eggs among the combs, is there not a great deal of lost labor in trying +to construct a moth-proof hive? The moth, or rather the worms, are ever +present to devour the combs, whenever the bees have left them in this +season. + + +METHOD OF KILLING WORMS IN BOXES. + +Now, whether you are satisfied or not with the foregoing, we will +proceed with the remedy. Perhaps you may find one box in ten that will +have no worms about it, others may contain from one to twenty when they +have been off a week or more. All the eggs should have a chance to +hatch, which in cool weather may be three weeks. They should be +watched, that no worms get large enough to injure the combs much, +before they are destroyed. Get a close barrel or box that will exclude +the air as much as possible; in this put the boxes, with the holes or +bottom open. In one corner leave a place for a cup or dish of some +kind, to hold some sulphur matches while burning. (They are made by +dipping paper or rags in melted sulphur.) When all is ready, ignite the +matches, and cover close for several hours. A little care is required +to have it just right: if too little is used, the worms are not killed; +if too much, it gives the combs a green color. A little experience will +soon enable you to judge. If the worms are not killed on the first +trial, another dose must be administered. Much less sulphur will adhere +to paper or rags, if it is very hot, when dipped, than when just above +the temperature necessary to melt it; this should be considered, as +well as the number of boxes to be smoked, size of the vessel used in +smoking them, &c. + +Whether this gas from burning sulphur will destroy the eggs of the moth +before the worm appears, I have not tested sufficiently to decide; but +I do know that it is an effectual quietus for the larvae! + + +FREEZING DESTROYS THEM. + +Boxes taken off at the end of warm weather, and exposed in a freezing +situation through the winter, appear to have all the worms as well as +eggs for them destroyed by the cold; consequently, all boxes so +exposed, may be kept any length of time; the only care being necessary, +to shut out the moth effectually. But don't forget to look out for all +combs from which the bees have been removed in warm weather. I prefer +taking off all boxes at the end of the first yield of honey, even when +I expect to put them on again for buckwheat honey. The bees at this +season collect a great abundance of propolis, which they spread over +the inside of the boxes as well as hive; in some instances it is spread +on the glass so thick as to prevent the quality of honey being seen. +There is no necessity for boxes on a hive at any season when there is +no yield of honey to fill them. Sometimes even in a yield of buckwheat +honey, a stock may contain too few bees to fill boxes, but just a few +may go into them and put on the propolis; this should not be allowed, +as it makes it look bad when used another year. At this season, +(August) some old stocks may be full of combs, and but few bees, but +swarms when they have got the hive full in time, are very sure to have +bees enough to go into the boxes to work. I have known them to do so in +three weeks after being hived. + + +OBJECTION TO USING BOXES BEFORE THE HIVE IS FULL. + +Some put on boxes at the time of hiving the bees. In such cases the box +is often filled first, and nearly as often will contain brood. I +consider it no advantage, and often a damage to do so; as I want the +hive full any way--and then if they have time let them into boxes, +although it may be buckwheat, instead of clover honey that we get. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +SWARMING. + + +TIME TO EXPECT THEM. + +The season for regular swarms in this section, I have known to commence +the 15th of May, and in some seasons the 1st of July. The end is about +the 15th of the latter month, with some exceptions. I have had one as +late as the 21st; also a few buckwheat swarms between the 12th and 25th +of August. + +The subject now before us is one of thrilling interest. To the apiarian +the prospect of an increase of stocks is sufficient to create some +interest, even when the phenomenon of swarming would fail to awaken it. +But to the naturalist this season has charms that the indifferent +beholder can never realize. + + +ALL BEE-KEEPERS SHOULD UNDERSTAND IT AS IT IS. + +As a guide in many cases, it is important that the practical apiarian +should understand this matter _as it is_, and not as said to be by many +authors. I shall be under the necessity of differing from nearly all in +many points. + + +MEANS OF UNDERSTANDING IT. + +This is another case of "when doctors disagree, who shall decide?" You, +reader, are just the person. There is no need of a doctor at all in +this matter. I will endeavor to give a test for most of my assertions. +To make this subject as plain as possible in this place, I may repeat +some things said before. The facts related have come under my own +observation. I have probably taken more pains than most bee-keepers, to +understand this matter to the bottom _from the beginning_, (I mean the +bottom of the cells). But few apiarians have made the number of +examinations that I have to get at the _modus operandi_ of swarming. +Perhaps I ought not to expect full credit for veracity, when I assure +the reader that I have inverted more than one hundred stocks to get a +peep at the royal cells, some of them near a dozen times in one summer. +I have inverted them frequently for the purpose of obtaining cells. But +generally to see when such cells are being made, when they contain +eggs, when these eggs are sufficiently matured for swarming, or +abandoned and destroyed, &c. + +By these signs I predict with certainty (almost) when to expect swarms, +and when to cease looking for them. + + +INVERTING A STOCK RATHER FORMIDABLE AT FIRST. + +To a person that has never inverted a hive full of bees, even to +overflowing, or never has seen it done, it appears like a great +undertaking, as well as the probability of ruining the stock! But after +the first trial, the magnitude of the performance is greatly +diminished, and will grow less with every repetition of the feat, until +there is not the least dread attending it. Without tobacco smoke I +hardly think it practicable, but with it, there is not the least +difficulty. It would be very unsatisfactory to turn over a hive and +nothing to drive the bees away from the very places on the combs that +you wish particularly to inspect. The smoke is just the thing to do it! +As for the bad effects of such overturning and smoking, I never +discovered any. + + +REQUISITES BEFORE PREPARATION OF QUEEN'S CELLS. + +I have found the process for all regular swarms something like this: +before they commence, two or three things are requisite. The combs must +be crowded with bees; they must contain a numerous brood advancing from +the egg to maturity; the bees must be obtaining honey either by being +fed or from flowers. Being crowded with bees in a scarce time of honey +is insufficient to bring out the swarm, neither is an abundance +sufficient, without the bees and the brood. The period that all these +requisites happen together, and remain long enough, will vary with +different stocks, and many times do not happen at all through the +season, with some. + +These causes then appear to produce a few queen-cells, generally begun +before the hive is filled, (sometimes when only half full, but usually +remain as rudiments till the next year, when the foregoing conditions +of the stock may require their use). + + +STATE OF QUEEN'S CELL WHEN USED. + +They are about half finished, when they receive the eggs; as these eggs +hatch into larvae, others are begun, and receive eggs at different +periods for several days later. The number of such cells seem to be +governed by the prosperity of the bees: when the family is numerous, +and the yield of honey abundant, they may amount to twenty, at other +times perhaps not more than two or three; although several such cells +may remain empty. I have already said that a failure, (or even a +partial one), in the yield of honey at any time from the depositing of +royal eggs till the sealing of the cells, (which is about ten days), +would be likely to bring about their destruction. Even after being +sealed, I have found a few instances where they were destroyed. + + +STATE WHEN SWARMS ISSUE. + +But when there is nothing precarious about the honey, the sealing of +these cells is the time to expect the first swarm, which will generally +issue the first fair day after one or more are finished. I never missed +a prediction for a swarm 48 hours, when I have judged from these signs, +in a prosperous season. When there is a partial failure of honey, the +swarm sometimes will wait several days after finishing them. + + +CLUSTERING OUTSIDE NOT ALWAYS TO BE DEPENDED UPON. + +The clustering out of the bees I find but a poor criterion to judge +from, further than full hives do swarm--many such do not. + + +EXAMINATIONS--THE RESULT. + +I will detail a few circumstances, that have led to these conclusions. +Some years ago the honey began to fail, when only about one third of my +good stocks had cast swarms; and all at once, the issues began to "be +few and far between." I had previously examined, and found they had +gone into preparations pretty extensively; by having not only +constructed cells, but occupied them with royal eggs and larvae. Now I +examined again, and found five out of six had destroyed them, (at the +same time the bees clustered out extensively). This put an end to all +hopes of swarms here. Some few had finished their cells, and these, I +had some hopes, would send out the swarms; but the dry weather caused +some misgivings. After waiting three or four days and none coming, I +found these sealed cells destroyed also, and had no more swarms that +season. Subsequent observations have fully confirmed these things. One +season some of the hives commenced preparations at two different +periods, and then abandoned them without swarming at all, through the +summer. The first time it was the last of May, the next in July. + + +REMARKS. + +The failure of honey was the cause, without any doubt. And who shall +say, these bees were not wise in their conduct? What prudent man would +emigrate with a family, if the prospect of a famine was plainly +indicated, when, by remaining at home, there was enough, at least for +the present? Who can help but admire this wise and beautiful +arrangement? The combs must contain brood; the bees must find honey +during the rearing of the queens. If a swarm were to issue the moment +of obtaining honey, the consequence might be fatal, as there would not +be a numerous brood to hatch out, and replenish the old stock with bees +sufficient to keep out the worms. Were they to issue at any time, as +soon as the bees had increased enough in numbers to spare a swarm, +without regard to the yield of honey, they might starve. + + +CONFLICTING THEORIES. + +I find many theories conflicting with these views, which appear to call +for some remarks. It is generally supposed that a young queen must be +matured to issue with the swarms, and the old one with the old bees are +permanent residents of the old hive. + + +BOTH OLD AND YOUNG LEAVE WITH SWARMS. + +It is probable that no rule governs the issue of workers. Old and young +come out promiscuously. That old bees come out may be known sometimes, +by so many leaving, that not a quarter as many will be left, as +commenced work in the spring. That young bees leave, any one may be +satisfied on seeing a swarm issue; a great many too young and weak to +fly will drop down in front of the hive, having come out now for the +first time, and perhaps some of them had not been out of the cell an +hour; these very young bees are known by the color. + + +CAUSE OF THE QUEEN'S INABILITY TO FLY SUGGESTED. + +The old queen often gets down in the same way; but I would assign +another cause for her inability to fly; that is, I would suggest it to +be her burden of eggs. + + +EVIDENCE OF THE OLD QUEEN'S LEAVING. + +That the old queen does leave with the first swarm is indicated by +several things: one is, eggs may often be found on the board the next +morning; another, when the first swarm has left, and before any of +these royal cells hatch, the bees may be driven out and no queen will +be found, or you may drive out the bees at the end of three weeks, and +the brood of workers will be about all hatched, the drone brood not +quite as near. The combs may also contain some eggs, and perhaps some +very young larvae, that have been deposited by the young queen, which +begins to lay usually sixteen or eighteen days after the first swarm. +This shows a cessation of laying eggs for about two weeks. First swarms +will have eggs in the cells as soon as they are made to hold them, +which is often within 24 hours after being hived; occasionally a new +piece of comb will fall down, and, if the cells are deep enough, they +are almost certain to contain eggs. I could add other proof, but the +attentive observer will discover it himself. + + +MR. WEEKS' THEORY NOT SATISFACTORY. + +Mr. J. M. Weeks, in his work on bees, says, "Two causes and two only +can be assigned why bees ever swarm: the first, the crowded state of +the hive; the second, to avoid the battle of the queens." The first +cause producing first swarms, the other second, third, &c. Mr. Colton's +patent hive, it is said, can be made to swarm "at any time within two +days," merely for want of room. By removing the six boxes attached to +it, the bees are compelled to crowd into the main body of the hive, and +swarm out in consequence. Now, if merely crowding the hive with bees is +the only cause of first swarms, how is it that half or more of mine +refused to swarm, when a great many, for want of room, were crowded +outside for weeks, and great numbers maturing every day to crowd them +still more? To me the reason is plain, that some of the +before-mentioned requisites were wanting. Mr. Weeks further says, when +the first swarm has left, "not a single queen, in any stage of +minority, is left in the old hive; the bees, destitute of a queen, set +about constructing several royal cells, take larvae or eggs and put in +them, and feed with royal jelly, and in a few days have a queen." +Although I had not had much experience at the time of getting his work, +I had some doubts, because I found that all hives that became full and +began to run over, did not swarm, and some others swarmed before being +quite full; it seemed as if something like a preparation beforehand was +requisite. I knew of no means, for a long time, that would decide +_positively_; when it occurred to me, if I examined the old stock +immediately after the first swarm had left, I should find some +preparations if there were any; a thing so simple and easy that I felt +somewhat mortified not to have thought of it before. The first stock I +looked at revealed the secret. I examined it the evening of the day +that a swarm had left; I was gratified by finding two finished cells on +the lower edges of the combs; other cells were in different stages of +progression, from those containing an egg to the full developed larva. +Several more hives showed the same result. I now got bold enough to +examine some previous to swarming, as I have already explained. + + +MR. MINER NOT CORRECT. + +Mr. T. B. Miner, in his work, has allowed the preparation of queen +cells previous to swarming, but he has put off the time of the swarm +issuing eight or nine days too long. That is, he has the young queen +matured so that she commences piping first, which does not occur more +than one time in fifty. + +Now I think it more than probable that many readers will have some +doubts in regard to my statements about this swarming matter. Yet I +think I can give directions sufficiently particular that they may +remove them themselves. They should bear in mind that they have no +right to be _positive_ on any subject without an investigation. + + +PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS FOR TESTING THE MATTER. + +I will now give more minute directions for an examination. Full hives +require a little more care than those containing fewer bees. Don't let +the crowded state of the hive, even if some are outside, deter you from +gratifying a laudable curiosity, (such hives are most likely to possess +these cells.) Let the satisfaction of ascertaining a few facts for +yourselves stimulate you to this exertion, the risk is not much; what I +have done you may do. This is better than to rely on any man's "_ipse +dixit_." I do it without any protection whatever for face or hands; +but, if you have too much fear of stings, a veil to protect the face +may be put on, but do without it, if you can find the courage, as you +will want a good view. The best time is, when most of the bees are out +at work near the middle of the day; but then the bees from the other +hives are sometimes cross, and interfere. On that account I prefer +morning or evening, although there are more bees to be smoked out of +the way. If you are accustomed to smoking tobacco, you will find a pipe +just the thing for making a smoke here; if not, vide a description of +an apparatus in chap. 18th, p. 281. When you are ready to proceed, some +smoke must be blown under the hive before you touch it; then raise the +front side a few inches, and blow in some more; now carefully lift the +hive from the stand, avoiding any jar, as this would arouse their +anger; turn it bottom upwards; also, be careful all the time not to +breathe among them. More smoke will now make them crowd among the combs +out of your way while you examine. It is very common for the bees to +set up a buzzing, and rush up the sides of the hive, but a little smoke +will drive them back; get them out of the way as much as possible, and +look on the edges of the combs for the queens' cells, where most of +them are. If the hive is fully supplied with honey, they will be near +the bottom, if not, farther up among the combs; in some hives they +cannot be seen even where they exist. Yet they may be found in four out +of five, by a thorough search. I have found nine within two inches of +the bottom, some on the extreme ends of the comb. I would here give a +caution about turning over hives with very new combs, before they are +attached to the sides of the hive, as they are apt to bend over. + + +EMPTY HIVES TO BE READY. + +We will now suppose that some of your stocks are ready to cast their +swarms: we will also presume that your empty hives for the reception of +swarms are ready before this period; to prepare a hive after the swarm +has issued is bad management; negligence here argues negligence +elsewhere; it is one of the premonitions of "bad luck." + + +BOTTOM-BOARDS FOR HIVING. + +You will want also a number of bottom-boards, expressly for hiving; get +a board a little larger than the bottom of the hive, nail strips across +the ends on the under side to prevent warping; in the middle cut out a +space five or six inches square, and cover with wire cloth. These are +for your large swarms in very hot weather, to be used for four or five +days. They are much safer than to raise the hive an inch or more for +ventilation. They are also essential for many other occasions. I would +not do without them, even if the expense was ten times what it is. + + +DESCRIPTION OF SWARM ISSUING. + +When the day is fair and not too much wind, first swarms generally +issue from ten o'clock till three; if you are on the lookout, the first +outside indication of a swarm, will be an unusual number of bees around +the entrance, from one to sixty minutes before they start. The utmost +confusion seems to prevail, bees running about in every direction; the +entrance apparently closed with the mass of bees, (perhaps one +exception in twenty,) presently a column from the interior forces a +passage to the open air; they come rushing out by hundreds, all +vibrating their wings as they march out; and when a few inches from the +entrance, rise in the air; some run up the side of the hive, others to +the edge of the bottom-board. If you have seen the old queen come +rushing out the first one, and the rest following her, as we are often +told she does, you have seen what I never did in a first swarm! Second +and third swarms conduct themselves quite differently. I have seen the +old queen issue a few times, but not till half the swarm was out. + +The bees when first rising from the hive, describe circles of but few +feet, but as they recede, they spread over an area of several rods. +Their movement are much slower than usual, in a few minutes thousands +may be seen revolving in every possible direction! A swarm may be seen +and heard, at a distance, where fifty hives, ordinarily at work, would +not be noticed! When about out of the hive, or soon after, some branch +of a tree or bush is usually selected on which to cluster. In less than +half a minute after the spot is indicated, even when the bees are +spread over an acre, they are gathered in the immediate vicinity, and +all cluster in a body from five to ten minutes after leaving the hive. +They should now be hived immediately, as they show impatience if left +long, especially in the sun; also, if another stock should send out a +swarm while they were hanging there, they would be quite sure to mix +together. + + +MANNER OF HIVING CAN BE VARIED. + +It makes but little difference what way they are put in the hive, +providing they are all made to go in. Proceed as is most convenient; an +old table or bench is very good to keep them out of the grass if there +should happen to be any; if there is not much in the way, lay your +bottom-board on the ground, make it level, set your hive on it, and +raise one edge an inch or more to give the bees a chance to enter. + + +USUAL METHOD. + +Cut off the branch with the bees, if it can be done as well as not, and +shake it in front of the hive, a portion will discover it, and will at +once commence a vibration of their wings; this, I suppose, is a call +for the others. A knowledge of a new home being found seems to be +communicated in this way, as it is kept up until all are in. A great +many are apt to stop about the entrance, thereby nearly or quite +closing it, and preventing others going in, when they will gather on +the outside. You can expedite the matter with a stick or quill, by +gently pushing them away; and another portion will enter. When gentle +means will not induce them to go in, in a reasonable time, and they +appear obstinate, a little water sprinkled on them will facilitate +operations greatly, when nothing else will. (Be careful and not over-do +the matter, by using too much water, they can be so wet as not to move +at all.) + +When they cluster on a branch that you do not wish to cut off, place +your bottom-board as near as convenient; on it lay two sticks about an +inch in diameter, of the same length: try the hive, and see that all is +right; then turn it bottom up, directly under the main part of the +cluster; if you have an assistant, let him jar the branch sufficiently +to detach the bees; most of them will fall directly into the hive. If +no assistant is at hand it is unnecessary to wait, (I have done it a +hundred times without help); with the bottom of the hive strike the +under side of the branch hard enough to dislodge them, then turn it on +the board; the sticks will prevent the bottom crushing many bees. + + +WHEN OUT OF REACH. + +I have gone up a ladder fifteen feet, got the bees in the hive in this +way, and backed down without difficulty. After putting the hive in its +place, sometimes a part will go back; in that case, a small branch full +of leaves should be held directly under and close to them, and as many +jarred on it as possible. Hold this still, and shake the other to +prevent their clustering there; you will soon have them all collected, +ready to bring down, and put by the hive. A handle basket or large tin +pan may be taken up the ladder instead of the hive, when they can be +readily emptied before it. But very few will fly out in coming down. If +you succeed in getting nearly all the bees in the first effort, and but +few are left, merely shaking the branch will be sufficient to prevent +their holding fast, and will turn their attention to those below, where +those which have already found a hive will be doing their best to call +them. When the hive is first turned over, most of the bees fall on the +board and rush out, but as soon as it is realized that a home is found, +a buzzing commences inside; this quickly communicates the fact to those +outside, which immediately turn about, facing the hive and hum in +concert, while marching in. + +Another plan may be adopted, even if fifteen feet high; when the branch +is not too large, and there is not too much in the way below it. Have +ready two or three light poles of suitable length; select such as have +a branch at the upper end, large enough to hold a two-bushel basket. +This is raised directly under the swarm; with another pole, the bees +are all dislodged, and fall into the basket, and are quickly let down. +Now, if you have got about all, throw a sheet over for a few moments, +to prevent their escape. They soon become quiet, and may be hived +without many going back to the branch, as they do, when attempting to +hive them immediately. + +I often have them begin to cluster near the ground, very conveniently +for hiving. In such a case, I do not wait for all to collect, but as +soon as such place is indicated, I get the board and hive ready. When a +quart or so are gathered, shake them in a hive, and set it up; the +swarm will now go to that, instead of the branch, especially if the +latter is shaken a little. Where many stocks are kept, it is advisable +to be as expeditious as possible. A swarm will thus hive itself much +sooner than when it is allowed to cluster. + + +WHEN THEY CANNOT BE SHAKEN OFF. + +Swarms will sometimes get in places where it is impossible to jar them +off, or cut off a branch, such as the trunk of a tree, or a large limb +near it. In which case place the hive near, as first directed; take a +large tin dipper, a vessel most convenient for the purpose, and dip it +full of bees; with one hand turn back the hive; with the other throw +the bees into it; some of them will discover that a home is provided, +and set up the call for the rest, (by the vibration of their wings), +and the remainder may be emptied in front of the hive as you dip them +off. I have known a few instances when the first dipper full all ran +out, and joined the others without making the discovery that they were +in a hive, but this is seldom the case. When you get the queen in, +there is no trouble with the remainder, even if there are many left; as +soon as they ascertain that the queen is no longer among them, it may +be known by their uneasy movements, and they will soon leave, and join +those in the hive; but if the queen is yet on the tree, and but a dozen +with her, they will leave the hive and cluster again. + + +ALL SHOULD BE MADE TO ENTER. + +In all cases be sure to get them all to enter; a cluster outside of it +may contain the queen, unconscious of a home so near; and the probable +consequence might be, she would leave for a miserable one in the woods. + + +SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE STAND IMMEDIATELY. + +When all are in, except a few that will be flying, let the hive down +close to the board; take hold of this and carry it at once to the stand +they are to occupy, and raise the front edge half an inch; let the back +rest on the board; this will give them means to re-ascend, if they +chance to drop, which large swarms often do in hot weather. If the +bottom is an inch or more from the board when the bees fall, there is +nothing to prevent their rushing out on every side--their means of +getting up again are bad--if the queen comes out with the rush, there +are some chances for their leaving. + + +PROTECTION FROM THE SUN NECESSARY. + +Another thing is very important; _swarms should be protected from the +sun for several days, in hot weather_, from nine o'clock till three or +four; and then if the heat is very oppressive, and the bees cluster +outside, sprinkle them with water and drive them in; and by wetting the +hive occasionally, it will carry off a large portion of the heat, and +make it much more comfortable. + + +CLUSTERING BUSHES. + +If there are no large trees in the vicinity of your apiary, all the +better, as there will then be no danger of your swarms lighting on +them; but all bee-keepers are not so fortunate, myself being one of the +number. In such a place it is necessary to provide something for them +to cluster on; get some bushes six or eight feet high (hemlock is +preferable); cut off the ends of the branches, except a few near the +top: secure the whole with strings to prevent swaying in ordinary +winds; make a hole in the earth deep enough to hold them, and large +enough to be lifted out easily. The bees will be likely to cluster on +some of these; they can then be raised out, and the bees hived without +difficulty. A bunch of dry mullein tops tied together on the end of a +pole, makes a very good place for clustering; it so nearly resembles a +swarm that the bees themselves appear to be sometimes deceived. I have +frequently known them leave a branch where they had begun to cluster, +and settle on this when held near. + +The motives for immediately removing the swarm to the stand are, that +they are generally more convenient to watch in case they are disposed +to leave; also many bees can be saved. All that leave the hive, mark +the location the same as in spring; several hundreds will probably +leave the first day; a few may leave several times; when removed at +night, such will return to the stand of the previous day, and generally +are lost; whereas, if they are carried at once to a permanent stand, +this loss is avoided. + +Those that are left flying at the time, return to the old stock, which +those that return from the swarm the next day will not always do. The +time for moving them now is no more than at another. It is unnecessary +to object, and say, that "it will take too long to wait for the bees to +get in;" this will not do. I shall insist on your getting all the bees +to enter before leaving any way. I consider this an essential feature +in the management. I will not say that my directions will _always_ +prevent their going to the woods, but this I do say, that out of the +hundreds that I have hived, not one has ever left. It is possible +proper management has had no influence in my success, yet something +like an opinion of this kind has been indulged for a long time. + + +HOW SWARMS ARE GENERALLY MANAGED THAT LEAVE FOR THE WOODS. + +Some of my neighboring bee-keepers lose a quarter or half of their +swarms by flight, and how do they manage? When the word is given out, +"Bees swarming," a tin-horn, tin-pan, bells, or anything to make a +"horrible din," is seized upon in the hurry of the moment, and as much +noise made as possible, to _make_ them cluster; (which they naturally +would do without the music, at least all mine have. This probably gave +rise to the opinion of one old lady, who _knew_ "drumming on a pan did +good, for she had tried it.") Very often a hive is to be constructed, +or an old one unfit to use any way, needs some sticks across, or +something to take time. When the hive is obtained, it must be washed +with something nice to make the bees like it; a little honey must be +daubed on the inside; sugar and water, molasses and water, salt and +water, or salt and water rubbed on with hickory leaves, "is the best +thing in the world;" several other things are just as good, and some +are better. Even whisky, that bane of man, has been offered them as a +bribe to stay, and sometimes they are persuaded and go to work. + + +NOTHING BUT BEES NEEDED IN A HIVE. + +Now I cannot say positively that these things do harm, yet I am quite +sure they do no good, as nothing but bees is needed in a hive. Is it +reasonable to suppose they are fond of all the "knick-knacks" given +them? I have never used any, and could not possibly have done better. I +am careful to have the hive sweet and clean, and not too smooth inside; +an old hive that has been used before is scalded and scraped. + +But to the manner they get the bees in, after the hive is ready. A +table is set out, and a cloth spread on it; sticks are put on to raise +the hive an inch or more: if they succeed in getting the swarm even on +the outside of the hive it is left; if they go in, it is well; if they +go off, why hope for "better luck next time." The hive is left +unsheltered in the hot sun and when there is no wind, the heat is soon +insupportable, or at least very oppressive; the bees hang in loose +strings, instead of a compact body, as when kept cool; they are very +apt to fall, and when they do, will rush out from every side: if the +queen chances to drop with them, they _may_ "step out." Two thirds of +all the bees that go to the woods are managed in this, or a similar +manner, and may it not be said, they are fairly driven off? + + +SELDOM GO OFF WITHOUT CLUSTERING. + +Perhaps one swarm in three hundred will depart for the woods without +first clustering. I have had three times that number, not one of which +has ever left me thus. Yet I have evidence not to be disputed that some +will do it. Three instances have occurred near me that satisfied me of +the fact. Two were lost, the other was followed to a tree, half a mile +off; I assisted in cutting the tree, and hiving them. The cavity where +they entered was very small, and contained old comb, made by a swarm a +year or two previous, which had probably starved, as there was too +little room for storing sufficient honey for winter. This swarm, when +hived and carried home, remained perfectly contented. + + +DO SWARMS CHOOSE A LOCATION BEFORE SWARMING? + +The inquiry is often made, Do all swarms have a place looked out before +leaving the parent stock? The answer to this must ever be guess-work. I +could offer some circumstances indicating the affirmative very +strongly, and as much for the negative; and will let it pass at that. +Yet I think if bees are properly cared for, that ninety-nine swarms in +a hundred will prefer a good clean hive to a rotten tree in the woods. + + +MEANS OF ARRESTING A SWARM. + +I have had three swarms that were exceptions to general rules, giving +me some trouble by swarming out after being hived; the third and fourth +time they left, I threw water among them, causing quite a shower; when +my pail-full was out, I used earth; they went but a short distance, and +clustered in the usual way. Now were these bees intending to leave, and +had their designs frustrated by the water and earth? I am not quite as +sure as the old lady, who _knew_ that "drumming on a tin-pan did good," +but I am inclined to think it had some effect. I have heard of several +instances where swarms were apparently stopped, by having earth thrown +among them, while passing over a field where men were at work. We know +they dislike being wet, as we see them hastening home on the approach +of a shower; or we can at any time drive them in the hive by sprinkling +them with water. Throwing water in the swarm is a kind of imitation +shower, and earth is something like it. Whether useful or not, these +swarms leaving the hive was rather suspicious, and I should try it +again under similar circumstances. + + +SOME COMPULSION. + +After getting them in the hive for the fourth time, I resolved not to +be baffled or have much more such trouble, and perhaps go to the woods +at last, thereby setting a bad example. I put under the hive the +wire-cloth bottom-board, opened two or three holes on the top, and +covered these also with wire-cloth, (this was to let the air +circulate); a quantity of honey and water was given them and they were +then carried to the cellar, and kept prisoners four days, except half +an hour before sunset; when too late to leave for a journey, I set them +out to provide a few necessaries, and then returned them to the cellar. +In four days, when _honey enough_ is given them, a good swarm will half +fill an ordinary hive with combs. Some of the first eggs deposited will +be about hatching into larvae, all of which would seem like too much to +leave. I now set them out, and gave them liberty; shading the hive, +&c., as before directed. They all proved faithful and industrious, +prospering like others. If their design was for a distant location, +they put a good face on the matter in the end. + + +HOW FAR WILL THEY GO IN SEARCH OF A HOME? + +How far they will travel in search of a home, is also uncertain. I have +heard of their going seven miles, but could not learn how the fact was +proved. I have no experience of my own in this matter, but will relate +a circumstance that happened near me a few years since. A neighbor was +ploughing, when a swarm passed over him; being near the earth, he +"pelted them heartily" with the loose dirt he had ploughed up, which +seemed to bring them up, or rather down, as they clustered on a very +low bush; they were hived, and gave no further trouble. A man living +some three miles from this neighbor, on that day hived a swarm about +eleven o'clock, and left them to warm up in the sun as described a page +or two back; about three o'clock their stock of patience was probably +exhausted, when they resolved to seek a better shelter. They put off in +a great hurry, not even waiting to thank their owner for the spread on +his table, and the sweet-scented "yarbs" and good things with which he +had rubbed their hive. They gave him no notice whatever of their +intention to "quit," until they were moving! With all their goods ready +packed, they were soon under way, accompanied by their owner with +music; but whether they marched with martial precision, keeping time, +is uncertain. In this case the bees took the lead; the man with his +tin-pan music kept the rear, and was soon at a respectful distance. +They were either not in a mood, just then, to be charmed by melodious +sounds, or their business was too urgent to allow them to stop and +listen! Their means of locomotion being superior to his, he gave up in +despair, out of breath, after following about a mile. Another person, +about the same time in the day, saw a swarm moving in the same +direction of the first; he also followed them till compelled to yield +to their greater travelling facilities. A third discovered their flight +and attempted a race, but like the others soon came out behind. The +before-mentioned neighbor saw them, and thought of the fresh earth that +he had ploughed up, which he threw among them till they stopped. How +much farther they would have gone, if any, would be guessing. That it +was the same swarm that started three miles away, appears almost +certain; the direction was the same as seen by all, until they were +stopped; the time in the day also exactly corresponded. + +We will now return to the issuing of the swarms. There will be some +emergencies to provide for, and some exceptions to notice. + + +TWO OR MORE SWARMS LIABLE TO UNITE. + +If we expect to keep many stocks, the chances are that two or more may +issue at one time; and when they do, they nearly always cluster +together (I once knew an instance where only three stocks were kept; +they all swarmed and clustered together). It is plain that the greater +the number of stocks, the more such chances are multiplied. + + +DISADVANTAGE. + +One first swarm, if of the usual size, will contain bees enough for +profit, yet two such will work together without quarrelling, and will +store about one-third more than either would alone; that is, if each +single swarm would get 50 lbs., the two together would not get over 70 +lbs., perhaps less. Here, then, is a loss of 30 lbs., besides one of +the swarms is about lost for another year; because such double swarms +are not generally any better the next spring as a stock, and often not +as good as a single one. You will therefore see the advantage of +keeping the first swarms separate. + + +CAN OFTEN BE PREVENTED. + +"Prevention is better than cure." We can, if we keep a good lookout, +often prevent more than one issuing at a time. This depends on our +knowledge of indications, in a great measure. I have said that before +starting to fly off, they were about the entrance in great numbers; +there may be one exception in twenty, where the first indications will +be a column of bees rushing from the hive. To take this matter a little +farther from the surface, we will take a peep at the interior; that is, +if our hives contain glass boxes, such as have been recommended. It is +an advantage to know which are about to cast their swarms, as long +beforehand as possible. + + +INDICATIONS OF SWARMING INSIDE THE HIVE. + +These glass boxes are usually filled with bees; before leaving they may +be seen in commotion, long before any unusual stir is visible outside, +sometimes for near an hour. The same may be noticed in a glass hive. +Now, in good weather, when we have reason to expect many swarms, it is +our duty to watch closely, especially when the weather has been +unfavorable for several days previous. A number of stocks may have +finished their queen-cells during the bad weather, and be ready to come +out within the first hour of sunshine that occurs in the middle of the +day. We must expect some such occurrences, and in large apiaries there +is apt to be trouble, unless you take some precautions. If you have +taken no care (which but few will), by previous examinations, to know +which are ready, as soon as one has started or commenced flying, look +at all the rest that are in condition to swarm; or, what is much +better, look before any have started. Even if nothing unusual is seen +about the entrance, raise the cover to the boxes. If the bees in them +are all quiet as usual, no swarm need be immediately apprehended, and +you will probably have time to hive one or two first. + + +PREVENTING A SWARM ISSUING FOR A TIME. + +But should you discover the bees running to and fro in great commotion, +although there may be but few about the entrance, you should lose no +time in sprinkling those outside with water from a watering-pot, or +other means. They will immediately enter the hive to avoid the supposed +shower. In half an hour they will be ready to start again, in which +time the others may be secured. I have had, in one apiary, twelve hives +all ready in one day, and did actually swarm; several of which would +have started at once, had they not been kept back with water, allowing +only one at a time, thus keeping them separate. They had been kept back +by the clouds, which broke away about noon. + + +TO PREVENT SWARMS UNITING WITH THOSE ALREADY HIVED. + +When any of the subsequent swarms were disposed to unite with those +already hived, a sheet was thrown over to keep them out. I had four so +covered at once. An assistant, in such cases, is very important; one +can watch symptoms and keep them back, while the other hives the +swarms. + +Occasionally, when ready for a swarm and waiting for one to start, two +may do so at once. Whenever a part have got on the wing, I never +succeeded in stopping the issue: consequently I have found it useless +trying to drive or coax them back in such cases. To succeed, the means +must be used in season, before any of the swarm leaves. + + +WHEN TWO HAVE UNITED, THE METHOD OF SEPARATING. + +Two or more swarms will cluster together, and not quarrel, if put in +one hive; I have already told you the disadvantages. Unless business is +very urgent, your time cannot be better employed than in dividing them. +First, it is necessary to provide a good stock of patience, as it may +be a short job, or it may be a long one. Get two empty hives, and +divide the bees as nearly equal as possible. It is generally the best +way to spread a sheet on the ground, and shake the bees in the centre, +and set the hives each side of the mass, their edges raised to allow +the bees to enter; if too many are disposed to enter one hive, set it +farther off. If they cluster in a situation where they cannot be got to +the earth in a body, they must be dipped off as before directed, but, +in this case, putting a dipper full in each hive alternately, until all +are in. They should be made to hurry some in going in; keep the +entrance clear, and stir them up often; or sprinkle a very little water +on them, as they should not be allowed to stop their humming until all +are in. We have one chance in two of getting a queen in each. The two +hives should now be placed twenty feet apart; if there is a queen in +each, the bees in both will remain quiet, and the work is done; but if +not, the bees in the one destitute will soon manifest it by running +about in all directions, and, when the queen cannot be found, will +leave for the other hive, where there are probably two, a few going at +a time. Now there are two or three methods of separating these queens; +one is, to empty the bees out and proceed as before, a kind of chance +game, that may succeed at the next trial, and may have to be repeated. +Another way is, that, as soon as it is ascertained which is without a +queen, before many bees leave, spread down a sheet; set this hive on +it, and tie the corners over the top to secure the bees for the +present, turn the hive on its side for the present to give them air; or +it may be let down on a wire cloth bottom-board and the hole in the +side stopped, and this would be less likely to smother the bees, if it +could be secured to the bottom, and have the hive lie on its side; when +this division is secured, get another hive, and jar out those with the +queens; let them enter as before, and then set them apart, &c., +watching the result; if the queens are not yet separate, it will be +known by the same appearances. The process must be continued till +separate, or the number with the queens may be easily looked over, and +one of them found; indeed, a sharp lookout should be kept up from the +beginning, and the queens caught, if possible. + + +NO DANGER OF A STING BY THE QUEEN. + +No danger of her sting need be apprehended, as she will not demean +herself to use that for a common foe; she must have a _royal_ +antagonist. When successful in obtaining one, it is sufficient; put her +in a tumbler or some safe place; then put your bees in two hives, place +them as directed, and you will soon learn where your queen is needed. +After all is done, the two hives should not be nearer than twenty feet, +at least the first day; perhaps forty would be still better. When two +swarms are mixed, and then separated, it is evident that a portion of +each swarm must be in both hives. A queen in each must of course be a +stranger to at least a part of the bees; these might, if their own +mother was too near, discover her, and leave the stranger for an old +acquaintance, and, in the act of going, call or attract the whole with +them, including the queen. I have known a few instances of the kind. + + +SOME PRECAUTIONS IN HIVING TWO SWARMS TOGETHER. + +If you are disposed to separate them, but are afraid to work among them +to this extent in the middle of the day, or if there is danger of more +issuing, to mix with them, and add to your perplexity, of which you +already have enough, then you can hive them as a single swarm; but, +instead of a bottom-board, invert an empty hive and set the one with +the swarm on this, and insert a wedge between them, for ventilation. As +many bees are liable to drop down, in this case the lower hive will +catch them, and there is less danger of leaving. Let them remain till +near sunset, when another course may be taken to find a queen, though +by that time one is sometimes killed; yet it is well to know the fact. +Take them to some place out of the sun, as a less number will fly +during the operation. + + +HOW TO FIND QUEEN, WHEN TWO STRANGERS ARE TOGETHER. + +First, look into the lower hive for a dead queen, and, if none is found +there, look thoroughly, as far as possible, for a little compact +cluster of bees, the size of a hen's egg, that may be rolled about +without separating. Secure this cluster in a tumbler; it is quite sure +one of the queens is a prisoner in the middle;[16] should two be seen, +get both. Then divide the bees, and give the one destitute, a queen; +or, if you have two, one to each, as the case may be. It would be well +first to see if the queen was alive, by removing the bees from about +her. But should you find nothing of the kind, spread a sheet on the +ground, shake the bees on one end of it, and set the hive on the other; +they will immediately begin a march for the hive. You may now see the +cluster, and may not; but they will spread out in marching, and give a +good chance to see her majesty, when a tumbler is the most convenient +thing to set over her. No matter if a few bees are shut up with her, +there is no risk, then, in your eagerness to get the queen, of taking +hold of a worker or two. A piece of window-glass can be slipped under, +and you have her safe, and by this time you will know what is to be +done next. This operation could not well be done in the middle of the +day, or in the sun, as too many bees would be flying, and greatly +interfere. + + [16] All stranger queens, introduced into a stock or swarm, are + secured and detained in this manner by the workers, but whether + _they_ dispatch them, or this is a means adopted to incite them + to a deadly conflict, writers do not agree, and I shall not + attempt a decision, as I never saw the bees voluntarily release a + queen thus confined. But I have seen queens, when no bees + interfered, rush together in a fatal rencounter, and one of them + was soon left a fallen victim of the contest. 'Tis said it + _never_ happens that both are killed in these battles,--perhaps + not. As I never saw _quite all_ of these royal combats, of course + I cannot decide. + +Should you fail in finding a queen, and cannot succeed in making a +division in consequence, or should you resolve, from want of time, +patience or energy, to let them remain together in the beginning, it is +unnecessary to get a hive any larger than usual for two swarms; they +will certainly find room by cold weather: if more than two, they +_should_ be divided by all means; it will be a disadvantage for another +year. For the first four days, when two large swarms are together, it +is necessary to keep an inverted hive under them, but much longer it +would not do, as they might extend their combs into the lower hive. + + +BOXES FOR DOUBLE SWARMS IMMEDIATELY. + +It should then be taken out, and boxes immediately put on, which should +be changed for empty ones, as fast as they are filled. Yet, this extra +honey is not quite as much advantage as increase of stocks; when that +is an object, I will recommend another disposition. + + +RETURNING A PART TO THE OLD STOCK. + +Separate one-third or more of the two swarms, being sure there is no +queen with this part, (by the test given of setting them at a distance) +and then return them to one of the old stocks; they will immediately +enter without contention, and issue again in about nine days, or as +soon as a young queen is matured to go with them. There may be an +exception to this, of one in twenty. I would have recommended this +course in all cases of the kind, but there will be a loss of time for +the bees in the old stock; because they are apt to be rather idle, even +when they might labor in the boxes; and here there is a loss of some +eight or ten days. The collections of a good swarm may be estimated at +least one pound a day, (often two or three.) A swarm that just fills +the hive, would make at least ten pounds box-honey, if it could have +been located ten days earlier. Still another method may be adopted when +you have a very small swarm, one that is not likely to fill the hive, +and has not been hived more than two or three days. A third of your two +swarms may be put in with that; taking care, as before, not to let your +only queen go with them. + + +METHOD OF UNITING. + +The manner of doing it is very simple; get them in a hive as before +directed, and jar them out in front of the one you wish them to enter, +or invert it, setting the other over, and let them run up. + + +WHEN CARE IS NECESSARY. + +Except on the day of swarming, care is necessary not to introduce a +small number with a large swarm; they are liable to be destroyed. The +danger is much greater than to put together about an equal number, or a +large number put in with a few. The day that swarms issue, they will +generally mix peaceably, but in proportion as time intervenes between +the issues, so will be the liability to quarrel. Yet, I have united two +families of about equal numbers in the fall and spring, and, with a few +exceptions, have had no difficulty. + + +SWARM-CATCHER. + +There is another method of keeping swarms separate, contrived and used +by a Mr. Loucks, of Herkimer Co., N.Y. He calls it a swarm-catcher; he +has a half dozen of them, and says he would not do without for one +season, for fifty dollars, as he has a large apiary. I made one as near +as I could from seeing his, without taking the exact measure. I got out +four light posts four and half feet long, one inch square; then twelve +pieces of one-quarter inch stuff, four inches wide; the four for the +top twelve inches long, for the bottom two were fourteen inches long, +and two were twenty. These were thoroughly nailed on the ends of the +posts, making it into an upright frame, the other four pieces were +nailed around the middle, which made the frame firmer. I made a frame +for the top, of four pieces, each an inch and a half in width, and half +inch thick, halved at the ends and nailed together, and fastened by +hinges to one side of the top, and a catch to hold it shut. The whole +was now covered with very thin cloth to admit the light, but not so +open as to let the bees through, (Mr. Loucks used cloth made for +cheese-strainers.) I now had a covered frame four and half feet high, +12 inches square at the top, at the bottom 14 by 20, with a door or lid +at the top, to let out the bees. On each side of the bottom I tacked a +piece of common muslin, near a yard in length. When a swarm is ready to +issue, the bottom of this frame is set up before the hive, one edge of +the bottom rests on the bottom-board, the other against the side of the +hive; the top sets off from the hive at an angle of about 45 degrees, +under which a brace is set to hold it. The muslin at the bottom is to +wrap around the hive at the side to prevent the escape of the bees. The +swarm rushes into this without any hesitation. + +When done coming out, the muslin at the bottom is drawn over it, and +the frame is set in an upright position, and allowed to stand a few +minutes for the bees to get quiet in the top. It is now to be laid on +its side, the door opened, and the bees hived. In the few trials that I +have given it, I succeeded without difficulty. But I would remark, that +stocks from which swarms are caught in this way, must not be raised at +the back side, as a part of the swarm would issue there, and not get +into the net. Mr. Loucks had his hive directly on the board; and he +told me he kept them so through the season: the only places of entrance +was a sprout out of the bottom of the front side, about three inches +wide by half inch deep, and a hole in the side a few inches up. You +will thus perceive that stocks from which swarms are hived in this way +must be prepared for it previously. Also, it will be no use to such +bee-keepers as depend on seeing their swarms in the air. It will be +beneficial only in large apiaries, where several swarms are liable to +issue at once; the swarming indications well understood, and the +apiarian on the lookout. + + +SWARMS SOMETIMES RETURN. + +Occasionally a swarm will issue, and in a few minutes return to the old +stock. Mr. Miner gives a cause for this, very ingenious, and romantic, +but unfortunately there are but few facts to sustain this hypothesis, +(at least I have not discovered them.) There are other causes that +appear to me more reasonable; the most common is the inability of the +old queen to fly, on account of her burden of eggs, old age, or +something else. I have sometimes, after the swarm had returned found +the queen near the stock, and put her back, and the next day she would +come out again, and fly without difficulty, (perhaps she had discharged +some of her eggs.) + +Their returning is more frequent in windy weather, or when the sun is +partially obscured by clouds. About three-fourths of them will not +re-issue until a young queen is matured, eight or ten days afterwards; +and a few, not at all. But when the queen returns with the swarm, they +usually come out again the next day, or day after, and some not till +the third or fourth. I have known two instances where they issued again +the same day. + + +REPETITION PREVENTED. + +Sometimes a swarm will issue and return three or four days in +succession, but this I generally remedy, as it is often owing to some +inability of the queen, and she may be frequently found while the swarm +is leaving outside the hive, unable to fly. In such cases it is only +necessary to have a tumbler ready, and watch for her; and as soon as +she appears, secure her, get the empty hive for the swarm, a sheet, and +put down a bottom-board a few feet from the stock. The swarm is sure to +come back; the first bees that alight on the hive will set up the call; +as soon as this is perceived, lose no time in setting the old stock on +the board, and throwing the sheet over it to keep out the bees. Put the +new one in its place on the stand, and the queen in it; in a few +minutes the swarm will be in the _new_ hive, when it can be removed, +and the old one replaced. This I have done many times. But should the +swarm begin to cluster in a convenient place, when you have so caught +the queen, by being expeditious she may be put with the swarm, before +they have missed her and may be hived in the usual way. + + +LIABILITY TO ENTER WRONG STOCKS. + +In all cases, whether you set a new hive in place of the old one or +not, whenever a swarm returns, if other stocks stand close on each +side, they are quite sure to receive a portion of the bees--probably a +few hundreds; these are certain to be massacred. To prevent which, it +is necessary to throw sheets over them until the swarm has gathered on +their own hive. This is another reason for plenty of room between +stocks. Should no queen be discovered during their issue, or return, +she should be sought for in the vicinity of the hive, and put back if +found, and the swarm will be likely to issue several days earlier, than +to wait for a young queen. + +When the old queen is actually lost, and the bees have returned to wait +for a young one, it is often ready to leave one or two days short of +the time required for second swarms. Whether a greater number of bees +in the old stock creating more animal heat, matures the chrysalis in +less time than a stock thinned by casting a swarm, or some other cause, +I cannot say. I mention it because I have known it to occur frequently, +but not invariably. A swarm flying, unaccompanied by a queen, is +scattered more than usual. + + +FIRST ISSUES GENERALLY CHOOSE FAIR WEATHER. + +First swarms are commonly more particular as to weather than after +swarms. They have several days from which to choose, after these royal +cells are ready, and before the queens are matured; and they usually +take a fair one. But here again are exceptions. I once had two first +swarms issue in a wind that kept every branch of tree and bush in +agitation to such a degree that it was impossible to find any such +place to cluster. I expected their return to the old hive; but here +were more exceptions. After repeating a fruitless attempt at the +branches, they gave it up, and came down amongst the grass on "terra +firma." This occurred after several days of rainy weather. The next day +being pleasant, twelve issued; almost proving that the wind the +preceding day kept back a part. I also knew one to issue in a shower, +that beat many of them to the ground before they could cluster. In this +case the shower was sudden, the sun shone almost up to the time it +began to rain. About this time the swarm started when it seemed they +were unwilling to turn about. + + +AFTER SWARMS. + +After swarms are second and third issues (or all after the first) from +a stock; and quite a different affair from the first, as also are some +first swarms, when the old queen has been lost, being led out by young +queens. + + +THEIR SIZE. + +Second swarms are usually half as large as the first, the third half as +large as the second, the fourth still less; with some variations. I +give general features, noticing only the exceptions that occur most +frequently; others sometimes happen, but so seldom that mentioning them +is deemed unnecessary. + + +TIME AFTER THE FIRST. + +Whenever the first swarm in a prosperous season _was not kept back by +foul weather_, the first of the young queens in the old stock is ready +to emerge in about eight days. We will suppose the first swarm issued +on Sunday; a week from the next Tuesday will be usually as soon as the +second one need be expected. + + +PIPING OF THE QUEEN. + +On the Monday evening previous, or on Tuesday morning, by putting your +ear close to the hive, and listening attentively five minutes, you will +hear a distinct piping noise, like the word _peep, peep_, uttered +several times in succession, and then an interval of silence; two or +more may be often heard at the same time; that of one will be shrill +and fine, of another hoarse, short and quick. This piping is easily +heard by _any_ one not actually deaf, and not the least danger of its +being taken for any humming; in fact, it is not to be mistaken for +anything else _but piping_, even when you hear it for the first time. +These notes can probably never be heard except when the hive contains a +plurality of queens. + + +MAY ALWAYS BE HEARD BEFORE AND AFTER SWARM. + +I _never failed to hear it_, previous to a second swarm, or any after +the first, whenever I listened; and whenever I have listened and not +heard it at the proper time, I never knew a second swarm to issue! + + +TIME OF CONTINUANCE VARIES. + +The time of commencing will be later than this rule in some stocks, if +the weather is cool, or not many bees left; it may be ten or twelve +days. I once found it fourteen before I heard it. Also the swarm may +not issue in two or three days after you hear it. The longer the swarm +delays, the louder will be the piping; I have heard it distinctly +twenty feet, by listening attentively when I knew one was thus engaged; +but at first it is rather faint. By putting your ear against the hive +it may be heard even in the middle of the day, or at any time before +issuing. The length of time it may be heard beforehand seems to be +governed again by the yield of honey; when abundant it is common for +them to issue the next day; but when somewhat scarce, they will be much +longer--very often three or four days. In these cases third swarms +seldom occur. + + +TIME BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD ISSUES. + +Piping for third swarms (when they issue) may usually be heard the +evening after the second has left, though one day commonly intervenes +between their issues. + +Here my experience is at variance with many writers, who give several +days between the second and third. I do not recollect an instance of +more than three days between, but many in less, several the next, and +one the same day of the second! I had an instance of a swarm losing its +queen (the old one) on its first sally, and returned to wait for the +young ones; when they were ready, an uncommon number of bees were +present; three swarms issued in three days! On the fourth, another came +out and returned; the fifth day it left; making four regular swarms in +five days. On the eighth, the fifth swarm left! Although I never had +five swarms from a stock before, yet I expected this, from the fact of +hearing the piping on the next evening after the fourth one had left. +The piping had continued in this hive from the evening previous to the +first swarm till the last one had left. + + +NOT ALWAYS TO BE DEPENDED UPON. + +One stock in fifteen may commence piping, yet send out no swarm. The +bees will change their minds about coming out, and kill their queens, +or allow the eldest one of them to destroy the others, or some other +way, as they do not always swarm in such circumstances. But when the +piping continues over twenty-four hours, I never knew _but one +failure_! I have known a few (two or three) to commence this piping, +while I supposed the old queen was yet present, and had not left the +hive, on account of bad weather, but a swarm issued soon after. Also, +three instances where I supposed the old queen lost, from some other +cause than leading out a swarm, and the stock reared some young ones to +supply her place. It occurred in or near the swarming season, and one +or two issues was the consequence. One case was three weeks in advance +of the season, and the swarm was about half the usual size. When a +swarm has been out, and returned at the last of the swarming season, it +is much more probable to re-issue, than if it depended on an old queen +for a leader, that had not been out. Such will sometimes be a week or +ten days later than others. Once I had the first swarm kept back by wet +weather, and the second came out on the fifth day after; several other +instances on the seventh and eighth; and one as late as the sixteenth, +after the first. + + +A RULE FOR THE TIME OF THESE ISSUES. + +This may be put down as a rule, that all after swarms _must_ be out by +the eighteenth day from the first. I never found an exception, unless +the following may be considered so: When a swarm left the middle of +May, and another the first of July, seven weeks after, but two cases of +this kind have come up, and these I consider rather in the light of +first swarms, as they leave under the same circumstances, leaving the +combs in the old stock filled with brood, queen-cells finished, &c. A +stock may cast swarms in June, and a buckwheat swarm in August, on the +same principle. + + +WHEN IT IS USELESS TO EXPECT MORE SWARMS. + +Therefore, bee-keepers having but few stocks, will find it unnecessary +to watch their bees when the last of the first swarms came out sixteen +or eighteen days before. Much trouble may be thus saved by +understanding this matter. During my early days in beekeeping, I wished +for the greatest possible increase of stocks. I had some that had cast +the first swarm, and soon after clustered out again. I vainly watched +them for weeks and months, expecting another swarm. But had I +understood the _modus operandi_, as the reader may now understand it, I +should have been through with all my anxiety, as well as watching, in a +fortnight. As it was, it lasted two months. I found no one to give me +any light on this subject, or even tell me when the swarming season was +over, and I came very near watching all summer! + + +PLURALITY OF QUEENS DESTROYED. + +When the bees, queens, or all together, decide that no more swarms are +to issue, the plurality of queens is destroyed, and but one is left. It +is probable that the oldest and strongest queen dispatches the others, +generally while in the cells. + +I once had some artificial queens reared, as an experiment, from common +eggs, on the top of a hive, in a small glass box, where there was room +for but one comb, which allowed me to see all particulars. + + +THE MANNER. + +After the first queen was matured, and had left her cell, I caught her +within six hours, taking advantage of her younger sisters, which were +yet sealed up, and of course could offer no resistance. She first made +an opening that would allow her to reach the abdomen of her competitor +(probably this is the most vulnerable). As soon as this was +sufficiently large to admit her body, she thrust it in, inflicting the +fatal sting. This was then left for another, that soon shared the same +fate. If quick and spiteful movements are any indications of hatred, it +was manifested here very plainly. The bees enlarged the orifice and +dragged out the now dead queens. + +Now, if I should say that all queens were dispatched in this way, +merely because I witnessed it in this case, it would be carrying out +the principle I am endeavoring to avoid: that is, judging all cases +from one or two solitary facts. As it is, it is somewhat confirmatory +of what some others have said. I will suppose, then, until further +evidence contradicts it, that the first perfect queen leaving her cell, +makes it her business to destroy all rivals in their cradle, as soon as +it is decided that no more swarms shall issue. By keeping grass, weeds, +&c., away from about the stock, these dead queens, as they are brought +out, may be frequently found. Such as are removed during the night may +be often found on the floor-board in the morning. I have found a dozen +by one stock. Should the stock send out but one swarm, they may be +found about the time, or a little before you would listen for the +piping. But should after swarms come out, they will, or may be found +the next morning after it is decided that no more are to issue. It is +very seldom that all the queens reared are needed. They make it a rule, +as far as they have control, to go on safe principles, by having a +little more than just enough. When several such bodies are thrown out, +and no piping is heard, no further swarming need be expected. But +should you hear the piping a day or two after finding a dead queen, you +may yet look for the swarm. + + +THEORY DOUBTED. + +It is stated that when the bees decide an after swarm shall issue, the +first queen matured is not allowed to leave her cell, but kept a +prisoner there, and fed until wanted to go forth with the swarm. This +may be true in some cases (though not satisfactorily proved), but I am +quite sure it is not in all. + +When she is confined to her cell, how does she ascertain the presence +of others? By leaving the cell, this knowledge is easily obtained. +Huber says she does, and is "enraged at the existence of others, and +endeavors to destroy them while yet in the cell, which the workers will +not allow; this is so irritating to her majesty that she utters this +peculiar sound." Also second and third swarms may contain several +queens, frequently two, three, and four; even six at one time come out. +If these had to bite their way out, after the workers had decided it +was time to start (for it _must be they_ decide it when the queens are +shut up), they would hardly be in season. + + +AFTER SWARMS DIFFERENT IN APPEARANCE FROM THE FIRST WHEN ABOUT TO +ISSUE. + +Another thing, when after swarms start, the appearance about the +entrance is altogether different from first ones, unless there is an +unusual number of bees. I have said that for a little time beforehand, +that such were in an apparent tumult, &c. But after swarms seldom give +any such notice. One or more of the young queens may sometimes be seen +to run out, and back, several times in a few minutes, in a perfect +frenzy; sometimes fly a short distance, and return before the swarm +will get started (which she could not do if confined). The workers seem +more reluctant about leaving than in first swarms, when a mother +instead of a sister is leader. Even after the swarm is in motion, she +may return and enter the hive a moment. No doubt she finds it necessary +to animate or induce as many as possible to leave with her. A person +watching the issue of a second swarm under these circumstances, for the +first time, and finding the queen leaving first, would very likely +_guess_ all must be alike. Perhaps the next one would be different; the +first thing seen might be the swarm leaving, and no queen discovered at +all. But to return to the imprisonment of the queens. I have one other +fact in objection. I once saw a queen running about in a glass hive, +while they were piping for a second swarm. She was near the glass, +appeared agitated, stopping occasionally to vibrate her wings, which +was simultaneous with the piping, and seemed to make it. The workers +appeared to take but little notice of her. The next day the swarm left. +Here was one instance, at least, of her not being confined till the +time of leaving, making an exception, if not a rule. Let this matter be +as it may, I admit it makes but little difference to the practical +apiarian, either way; but to the reader whose interest is the natural +history of the bee, the truth is important. + + +TIME OF DAY, WEATHER, ETC. + +These after swarms are not very particular about the weather; heavy +winds, a few clouds, and sometimes a slight sprinkling of rain, will +not _always_ deter them. Neither are they very precise about the time +of day. I have known them in a warm morning to issue before seven +o'clock, and after five P.M. These things should be understood; +because, when after swarms are expected (of which the piping will give +warning), it is necessary to watch them in weather, and at times when +first ones would not venture to leave. + + +SWARMS NECESSARY TO BE SEEN. + +It is essential that you see them, that you may know where they +cluster, otherwise it might be difficult to find them. They are apt to +go farther from the parent stock than others; sometimes fifty rods, and +then settle in two places, perhaps that distance apart, in some high or +inconvenient place to get at. (Let me not be misunderstood: I do not +say they all do so, or even the majority; but I wish to say that a +greater portion of these swarms do so than of the first.) If they +cluster in two places, a queen may be in each, and they will remain, +and when you have hived one part you may think you have all. If one +cluster is without a queen, they will join the other if near; but when +distant, will be very likely to return to the old stock soon, unless +put together. I had a swarm light in two places, in exactly opposite +directions from the stock. In one, a good swarm had clustered; in the +other, some less than a pint. The small part had one or more queens, +the other none. It was perceived at once by their movements. Now, if we +provide a hive for a swarm, and get a few to set up the call or +buzzing, they will not leave till that is stopped. There is generally +no difficulty to start it. The surest way is to jar a portion or all +directly into the hive. It takes a few minutes to get composed, and +miss the queen. In my case I got them in the hive, and before they +missed the queen, carried them to the small cluster, which I got in a +dipper and emptied in front of the hive; they entered, and all were +peaceable. You will therefore see the necessity of watching such +swarms, to see if there is no separation, if nothing else. + + +RETURNING AFTER SWARMS TO THE OLD STOCK. + +Much has been said about returning all after swarms to the old stock; +the advantages of which will depend on the time of issuing; whether +late or early, the yield of honey, etc. It would be unusual to have +many after swarms without a liberal yield of honey, for the time being; +but to tell of its continuance is the question to be answered. Second, +and even third swarms, if early in the season, and the honey continues +plentiful, may be hived, and these, together with the old stock, will +prosper. Here the apiarian needs a little judgment and experience to +guide him. + + +WHEN THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED. + +It is always best, if possible, to have good strong families. When +after swarms are late it is safest to return them, as the old stock +will need them to replenish the hive, and prepare for winter. Also a +less number of worms will infest it, when well provided with bees; and +the chances of box honey are greater. + + +METHOD OF DOING IT. + +But the process of returning such requires some little patience and +perseverance. I have said there may be a dozen young queens in the old +stock. Now suppose one, two, or more leave with the swarm, and you +return the whole together, there is nothing to prevent their leading +out the swarm again the next day. Therefore it is policy to keep the +queens back. The least trouble is to hive in the usual way, and let +them stand till the next morning. It will save you the trouble of +looking for more than one, if there should be more, for all but that +are destroyed by that time. There is a chance, also, for the old stock +to decide that no more should issue, and allow all but one to be slain +there. When this is the case, and you find the one with the swarm, you +will have no further trouble by their re-issuing. They should be +returned as soon as the next morning, otherwise they might not agree, +even when put in the old home. To return them, and find a queen easily, +get a wide board a few feet long; let one end rest on the ground, the +other near the entrance, that they may enter the hive without flying; +then shake out the swarm on the lower end of the board; but few will +fly, but soon commence running up towards the hive; the first one that +discovers the entrance will set up the call for the others. If they do +not discover it, which is the case sometimes, scatter some of them near +it, and they will soon commence marching up, when you should look out +for, and secure the queen, as they spread and give a good chance. By +applying your ear to the hive, the piping will tell you if they are to +issue again. It is evident, if you follow these directions, that the +swarm cannot issue many times before their stock of royalty will be +exhausted; and when but one queen remains the piping will cease, and no +further trouble will be had. To prevent these after swarms, some +writers recommend turning over the hive and cutting out all the royal +cells but one. This I have found impracticable with a great many +stocks. Some of the cells are too near the top to be seen, consequently +this cannot always be depended upon. As for a rule about returning, it +is somewhat difficult to give one. If I should say, return all such as +issue after the 20th of June, the variation in the season might be two +or three weeks, even in the same latitude; i.e., the course of flowers +that had bloomed by that date in one season might, another year, +require two weeks more to bring out. Also, the 20th of June, in +latitude of New York City, is as late as the 4th of July in many places +further north. I once had a second swarm on the 11th of July, that +wintered well, having nearly filled the hive. Yet, in some seasons, the +first swarms, of the last of June, have failed to get enough. In +sections where much buckwheat is raised, late swarms do more towards +filling their hives than where there is none. + + +MORE CARE NEEDED BY AFTER SWARMS WHEN HIVED. + +Should it be thought best to hive after swarms, and risk the chances, +they should receive a little extra attention after the first week or +two, to destroy the worms; a little timely care may prevent +considerable injury. They are apt to construct more combs in proportion +to the number of bees, than others; consequently, such combs cannot be +properly covered and protected. The moth has an opportunity to deposit +her eggs on them, and, sometimes, entirely destroy them. + + +TWO MAY BE UNITED. + +Whenever these swarms issue near enough together, it is best to unite +them. I have said second swarms were generally half as large as the +first. By this rule, two second swarms would contain as many bees as a +first one, and four of the third, or one of the second issue, and two +of the third, &c. If the first and second are of the ordinary size, I +think it advisable always to return the third. But in large apiaries it +is common for them to issue without any previous warning, just when a +first one is leaving, and crowd themselves into their company, and +seeming to be as much at home as though they were equally respectable. + +Whenever the hives containing our swarms are full or very near it, the +boxes should be put on without delay, unless the season of honey is so +nearly gone as to make it unnecessary. + +I have found it an advantage to hive a few of these very small swarms, +on purpose to preserve queens, to supply some old stocks that sometimes +lose their own at the extreme end of the swarming season. The cases to +be mentioned at the last of the next chapter. I try and save one for +about every twenty stocks that have swarmed. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +LOSS OF QUEENS. + + +OF SWARMS THAT LOSE THEIR QUEEN. + +Swarms that lose their queen the first few hours after being hived, +generally return to the parent stock; with the exception that they +sometimes unite with some other. If much time has elapsed before the +loss, they remain, unless standing on the same bench with another. On a +separate stand they continue their labor, but a large swarm diminishes +rapidly, and seldom fills an ordinary-sized hive. One singular +circumstance attends a swarm that is constructing combs without a +queen. I have never seen it noticed by any one, and may not always be +the case, but _every_ instance that has come under my notice, I have so +found it. That is, four-fifths of the combs are drone-cells; why they +thus construct them is another subject for speculation, from which I +will endeavor in this instance to refrain. + + +A SUGGESTION AND AN ANSWER. + +It has been suggested as a profitable speculation, "to hive a large +swarm without a queen, and give them a piece of brood-comb containing +eggs, to rear one, and then as soon as it is matured, deprive them of +it, giving them another piece of comb, and continue it throughout the +summer, putting on boxes for surplus honey. The bees having no young +brood to consume any honey, no time will be lost, or taken to nurse +them, and as a consequence they will be enabled to store large +quantities of surplus honey." + +This appears very plausible, and to a person without experience +somewhat conclusive. If success depended on some animal whose lease of +life was a little longer, it would answer better to calculate in this +way. But as a bee seldom sees the anniversary of its birthday, and most +of them perish the first few months of their existence, it is bad +economy. It will be found that the largest amount of our surplus honey +is obtained from our prolific stocks. Therefore it is all-important +that every swarm and stock has a queen to repair this constant loss. + + +A DISPUTED QUESTION. + +We now approach another disputed point in natural history, relative to +the queen leaving at any time except when leading out a swarm. Most +writers say that the young queen leaves the hive, and meets her +paramour, the drone, on the wing. Others deny this _positively_, having +watched a whole summer without seeing her highness leave. Consequently +they have arrived at the very plausible and apparently consistent +conclusion, that nature never intended it to be so, since it must +happen at a time when the existence of the whole family depends +entirely on the life of the queen. The stock at such times contains no +eggs or larvae, from which to rear another, if she should be lost. "The +chances at such times of being devoured by birds, blown away by the +winds, and other casualties, are too many, and it is not probable the +Creator would have so arranged it." But facts are stubborn things; they +will not yield one jot to favor the most "finely-spun hypothesis;" they +are most provokingly obstinate, many times. When man, without the +necessary observation, takes a survey through animated nature, and +finds with scarcely an exception that male and female are about equal +in number, he is ready, and often does conclude that one bee among +thousands cannot be the only one capable of reproduction or depositing +eggs. Why, the idea is preposterous! And yet only a little observation +will upset this very consistent and analogous reasoning. So it appears +to be with the excursions of the young queens. I was compelled, though +reluctantly, to admit that they leave the hive. That their purpose is +to meet the drones, I cannot at present contradict. Also, that, when +the queen is once impregnated, it is operative for life, (yet it is +another anomaly), as I never detected her coming out again for that +purpose. What then is the use of the ten thousand drones that never +fulfil this important duty? It seems, indeed, like a useless waste of +labor and honey, for each stock to rear some twelve or fifteen hundred, +when perhaps but one, sometimes not any of the whole number is of any +use. If the risk is great in the queen's leaving, we find it arranged +admirably in its not being too frequent. + + +A MULTITUDE OF DRONES NEEDED. + +Instinct teaches the bee to make the matters left to them as nearly +_sure_ as possible. When they want one queen, they raise half a dozen. +If one drone or only half a dozen were reared, the chances of the queen +meeting one in the air would be very much reduced. But when a thousand +are in the air instead of one, the chances are a thousand times +multiplied. If a stock casts a swarm, there is a young queen to be +impregnated, and be got safely back, or the stock is lost. Every time +she leaves, there is a chance of her being lost, (one in fifteen). If +the number of drones was any less than it is, the queen would have to +repeat her excursions in proportion, before successful. As it is, some +have to leave several times. The chances and consequences are so great, +that on the whole no doubt but it is better to rear a thousand +unnecessarily, than to lack one just in time of need. Therefore let us +endeavor to be content with the present arrangement, inasmuch as we +could not better it, and probably had we been consulted, would have so +fixed "the thing, that it would not go at all." + +But what is the use of the drones in hives that do not swarm, and do +not intend it, situated in a large room or very large hives? Such +circumstances seldom produce swarms, yet as regular as the return of +summer, a brood of drones appear. What are they for? Suppose the old +queen in such hive dies, leaving eggs or young larvae, and a young queen +is reared to supply her place. How is she to be impregnated without the +drones? Perhaps they are taught that whenever they can afford it, they +should have some on hand to be ready for an emergency. I have already +said when bees are numerous, and honey abundant, they never fail to +provide them. I once put a swarm in a glass hive. The queen was a +cripple, having lost one of her posterior legs; in two months after she +was replaced by one young and perfect. Here was an instance of drones +being needed, when no intention of swarming was indicated; the hive was +but little more than half full. + + +THE QUEEN LIABLE TO BE LOST IN HER EXCURSIONS. + +This excursion of the queen, whenever I have witnessed it, always took +place a little after the middle of the day, when the drones were out in +the greatest numbers. At such times I have seen them leave amid rather +more commotion than usual among the workers. I have watched their +return, which varied from three minutes to half an hour, and seen them +hover around their own hive, apparently in doubt whether they belonged +in that, or the next; in a few instances they have actually settled on +the neighboring hive, and would have there perished, but for my +assistance in putting them right. + + +THE TIME WHEN IT OCCURS. + +Thus we see that queens are lost on these occasions from some cause, +and part of them by entering the wrong hive, perhaps most of them; if +so, it is another good reason for not packing stocks too close. The +hives are very often nearly alike in color and appearance. The queen +coming out for the first time in her life, is no doubt confused by this +similarity. + +The number of such losses in a season has varied: one year the average +was one in nine, another it was one in thirteen, and another one in +twenty. The time from the first swarm also varies from twelve to twenty +days. The inexperienced reader should not forget that it is the old +stocks which have cast swarms, where these accidents happen; the old +queen having left with the first swarm. Also all after swarms are +liable to the same loss. I would suggest that these have abundant room +given between the hives; if it is necessary to pack close, let it be +the first swarms, where the old queen has no occasion to leave. Having +never seen this matter fully discussed, I wish to be somewhat +particular, and flatter myself that I shall be able to direct the +careful apiarian how to save a few stocks and swarms annually, that is, +if he keeps many. A few years ago, I wrote an article for the Albany +Cultivator. A subscriber of that paper told me a year afterwards that +he saved two stocks the next summer by the information; they were worth +at least five dollars each, enough to pay for his paper ten years or +more. + +When a stock casts but one swarm, the queen having no competitors to +interfere with her movements, will leave in about fourteen days, if the +weather is fair; but should an after swarm leave, the oldest of the +young queens will probably go with that, of course: then, it must be +later before the next is ready: it may be twenty days, or even more; +those with after swarms will vary from one to six. It _always must_ +occur when no eggs or larvae exist, and no means left to repair this +loss; a loss it is, and a serious one; the bees are in as much trouble +as their owner, and a great deal more, they seeming to understand the +consequences, and he, if he knows nothing of the matter, has no +trouble. Should he now, for the first time, learn the nature of it, he +will at the same time understand the remedy. + + +INDICATIONS OF THE LOSS. + +The next morning after a loss of this kind has occurred, and +occasionally at evening, the bees may be seen running about in the +greatest consternation, outside, to and fro on the sides. Some will fly +off a short distance and return; one will run to another, and then to +another, still in hopes, no doubt, of finding their lost sovereign! A +neighboring hive close by, on the same bench, will probably receive a +portion, which will seldom resist an accession under such +circumstances. All this will be going on while other hives are quiet. +Towards the middle of the day, this confusion will be less marked; but +the next morning it will be exhibited again, though not so plainly, and +cease after the third, when they become apparently reconciled to their +fate. + +They will continue their labors as usual, bringing in pollen and honey. +Here I am obliged to differ with writers who tell us that all labor +will now cease. I hope the reader will not be deceived by supposing +that because the bees are bringing in pollen, that they _must_ have a +queen; I can assure you it is not always the case. + + +THE RESULT. + +The number of bees will gradually decrease, and be all gone by the +early part of winter, leaving a good supply of honey, and an extra +quantity of bee-bread, as before mentioned, because there has been no +young brood to consume it. This is the case when a large family was +left at the time of the loss. When but few bees are left, it is very +different; the combs are unprotected by a covering of bees; the moth +deposits her eggs on them, and the worms soon finish up the whole. Yet +the bees from the other stocks will generally first remove the honey. + + +AGE OF BEES INDICATED. + +Hundreds of bee-keepers lose some of their stocks in this way, and can +assign no reasonable cause. "Why," say they, "there wasn't twenty bees +in the hive; it was all full of honey," or worms, as the case may be. +"Only a short time before, it was full of bees; I got three good swarms +from it, and it always had been first rate, but all at once the bees +were gone. I don't understand it!" Such bee-keepers cannot understand +how rapidly a family of bees diminish, when there is no queen to +replenish with young this mortality of the old ones. I doubt whether +the largest and best family possibly could be made to exist six months, +without a queen for their renewal, except, perhaps, through the winter. + +When standing close on one bench, they are gone sooner than if on +separate stands, as they often join a neighboring hive when they can +walk to it. + + +NECESSITY OF CARE. + +As this tumult cannot be seen but a few days at most, it is well--yes, +it is necessary--to make it a duty to glance at the hives at this +period after swarming, _every morning_; a glance is sufficient to tell +you of the fact. Remember to reckon from the date of the first issue; +this occurs when the first royal cells are sealed over, and is the best +criterion as to when the queen will leave. If the first swarm issue and +return, it can make no difference; reckon from their first issuing. + + +REMEDY. + +When you discover a loss, first ascertain if there is any after swarm +to be expected from another stock, (by listening for the piping); if +so, wait till it issues, and obtain a queen from that for your stock; +even if there is but one, take it, and let the bees return; they would +be likely to come out again the next day; if not, it is very often no +great loss. + +Should no such swarm be indicated, go to a stock that has cast a first +swarm within a week; smoke it and turn it over, as before directed, +find a royal cell, and with a broad knife cut it out, being careful not +to injure it. This must now be secured in the other hive in its natural +position, the lower end free from any obstacle, that would interfere +with the queen leaving it. It will make but little difference whether +at the top or bottom, providing it is secure from falling. + +I generally introduce it through a hole in the top, taking care to find +one that will allow the cell to pass down between two combs. It being +largest at the upper end, the combs each side will sustain it, and +leave the lower end free. In a few hours the bees will secure it +permanently to the combs with wax. This operation cannot be performed +in a chamber hive, as it is impossible to see the arrangement of the +combs through the holes. To put it in at the bottom is some more +trouble; the difficulty is, to fasten it, and prevent it resting on the +end. I have done it as follows: Get an _old_ thick piece of dry comb +some three inches square; cut out an inch of the middle. At right +angles with this, in one edge in the centre, make another to intersect +it, just the size of the cell, and have the lower end reach into the +opening. This comb will keep it in the right position, and may rest on +the floor-board. It can now be put in the hive, cutting out a piece of +comb to make room for it if necessary. + +Soon after such cell is introduced, the bees are quiet. In a few days +it hatches, and they have a queen as perfect as if it had been one of +their own rearing. This queen of course will be necessitated to leave +the hive, and will be just as liable to be lost, but no more so than +others, and must be watched the same. It is unnecessary to look for a +cell in a stock that has cast its first swarm more than a week before, +as they are generally destroyed by that time, (sometimes short of it,) +unless they intend to send out an after swarm. + + +MARK THE DATE OF SWARMS ON THE HIVE. + +Should you have so many stocks that you cannot remember the date of +each swarm without difficulty, it is a good plan to mark the date on +one side or corner of the hive, as it issues. You can then tell at once +where to look for a cell when wanted. + +It will sometimes happen that a queen may be lost at the extreme end of +the swarming season, when no other stock contains such cells. I then +look around for the poorest stock or swarm that I have on hand, one +that I can afford to sacrifice, if it possesses a queen, to save the +one that has sustained this loss; this is not often the case, but is +sometimes. I have a few times put just bees enough with the queen to +keep her in a box, and kept them for this purpose, as was mentioned in +the last chapter. When introduced, the bees are generally killed, but +the queen is preserved. + + +OBTAINING A QUEEN FROM WORKER BROOD. + +There is yet another method to be adopted, and that is, to obtain a +piece of brood-comb containing workers' eggs, or larvae very young. You +will generally find it without much trouble, in a young swarm that is +making combs; the lower ends usually contain eggs; take a piece from +one of the middle sheets, two or three inches long, (you will probably +use smoke by this time without telling). Invert the hive that is to +receive it, put the piece edgewise between the combs, if you can spread +them apart enough for the purpose; they will hold it there, and then +there will be ample room to make the cells. They will nearly always +rear several queens. I have counted nine several times, which were all +they had room for. But yet I have very little confidence in such +queens, they are almost certain to be lost. + + +THEY ARE POOR DEPENDENCE. + +Therefore I would recommend getting a royal cell whenever it is +practical. There is yet another advantage; you will have a queen ready +to lay eggs two or three weeks earlier, than when they are compelled to +commence with the egg. I have put such piece of brood-comb in a small +glass box on the top of the hive instead of the bottom, because it was +less trouble, but in this case the eggs were all removed in a short +time; whether a queen was reared in the hive or not I cannot say; but +this I know, I never obtained a prolific queen, after repeated +experiments in this way. + +It would appear that I have been more unfortunate with queens reared in +this way, than most experimenters. I have no difficulty to get them +formed to all appearance perfect, but lose them afterwards. Now whether +this arose from some lack of physical development, by taking grubs too +far advanced to make a perfect change, or whether they were reared so +late in the season, that most of the drones were destroyed, and the +queen to meet one had to repeat her excursions till lost, I am yet +unable to _fully_ determine. To test the first of these questions, I +have a few times removed all the larvae from the comb; leaving nothing +but eggs, that all the food given them might be "royal pap," from the +commencement, and had no better success so far. Yet occasionally +prolific queens have been reared when I could account for their origin +in no other way but from worker eggs. But you will find they are not to +be depended upon generally. + +Sometimes, after all our endeavors, a stock or two will remain +destitute of a queen. These, if they escape the worms, will generally +store honey enough in this section to winter a good family. This will +have to be introduced, of course, from another hive, containing a +queen; but this belongs to Fall management. + +As respects the time that elapses from the impregnation of the queen +till the commencement of egg laying, I cannot tell, but guess it might +be about two or three days. I have driven out the bees twenty-one days +after the first swarm, when no second swarm had issued--the young queen +came out on the fourteenth day. I found eggs and some very young larvae. +When it is remembered that eggs remain three days before they hatch, it +shows that the first of these must have been deposited some four or +five days. When writers tell us the exact time to an hour (46 or 48) +from impregnation to laying, I am willing to admit the thing in this +case, but feel just as if I would like to ask how they managed to find +out the fact; by what sign they knew when a queen returned from an +excursion, whether she had been successful or not, in her amours; or, +whether another effort would have to be made; and then, how they +managed to know exactly when the first egg was laid. + +Occasionally a queen is lost at other than the swarming season, +averaging about one in forty. It is most frequent in spring; at least +it is generally discovered then. The queen may die in the winter, and +the bees not give us any indications till they come out in spring. +(Occasionally they may all desert the hive, and join another.) If we +expect to ascertain when a queen is lost at this season, we must notice +them just before dark on the first warm days--because the mornings are +apt to be too cool for any bees to be outside--any unusual stir, or +commotion, similar to what has been described, shows the loss. This is +the worst time in the year to provide the remedy, unless there should +happen to be some very poor stock containing a queen, that we might +lose any way--then it might be advisable to sacrifice it to save the +other, especially if the last contained all the requisites of a good +stock except a queen. Some eight or ten, that I have managed in this +way, have given me full satisfaction. I have at other times let them go +till the swarming season, and then procured a queen, or introduced a +small swarm; at which time they are so reduced as to be worth but +little, even when not affected by the worms. To obviate this loss in +this way, it might be an advantage to transfer the bees to the next +stock, if it was not too full already; or the bees of the next stock to +this. Let the age and condition of the combs, quantity of stores, &c., +decide. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ARTIFICIAL SWARMS. + + +PRINCIPLES SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD. + +Artificial swarms can be made with safety at the proper season. To the +bee-keeper who wishes to increase his stocks, it will be an advantage +to understand some of the principles. I have had some little experience +that has led to different conclusions from those of some others. I have +seen it stated, and found the assertion repeated by nearly every +writer, that "whenever bees were deprived of their queen, if they only +possessed eggs or young larvae, they would not fail to rear another," +&c. There are numerous instances of their doing this, but it is not to +be depended upon, especially when left in a hive full of combs, as the +following experiments tend to prove. + + +SOME EXPERIMENTS. + +Several years since I had a few stocks well supplied with bees, and +every indication of swarming present, such as clustering out, &c., but +they pertinaciously adhered to the old stock, through the whole +swarming season! Others apparently not as well supplied with bees threw +off swarms. I had but few stocks, and was very anxious to increase the +number; but these were provokingly indifferent to my wishes. Taking the +assertions of these authors for facts, I reasoned thus: In all +probability there are eggs enough in each of those stocks. Why not +drive out a portion of the bees, with the old queen, and leave about as +many as if a swarm had issued? Those left will then raise a queen, and +continue the old stock, and I shall have six instead of the three, that +have been so obstinate. Accordingly, I divided each, examined and found +eggs and larvae. Of course all _must be right_. Now, thought I, my +stocks can be doubled at least annually. If they do not swarm, I can +drive them. + + +THE RESULT UNSATISFACTORY. + +My swarms prospered, the old stocks seemed industrious, bringing in +pollen in abundance, which to me at _that_ time, was conclusive that +they had a queen, or soon would have. I continued to watch them with +much interest, but somehow, after a few weeks, there did not seem to be +quite as many bees; a few days later, I was quite _sure_ there was not. +I examined the combs, and behold there was not a cell containing a +young bee of any age, not even an egg in any one of these old stocks. +My visionary anticipations of future success speedily retrograded about +this time. + +I had, it is true, my new swarms in condition to winter, although not +quite full; but the old ones were not, and nothing was gained. I had +some honey, a great deal of bee-bread and old black comb. Had I let +them alone, and put on boxes, I should have probably obtained +twenty-five or thirty pounds of pure honey from each, worth five times +as much as what I did get; besides, the old stocks, even with the old +comb, would have been better supplied with both honey and bees; +altogether much better, as stocks for wintering. Here was a +considerable loss, merely by not understanding the matter. + +I carefully looked the bees over, and ascertained to a certainty that +neither of them had a queen. I smothered what few there was left in the +fall. I then knew of no better way. I had been told that the barbarous +use of fire and brimstone was part of the "luck;" that a more +benevolent system would cause the bees "to run out," &c. + + +FURTHER EXPERIMENTS. + +Subsequent to these experiments, I thought perhaps the jarring of the +hives in driving might have some effect on the bees, and prevent their +rearing a queen. This idea suggested the dividing hive, when the +division could be made quietly; but success was yet uncertain. I was +told to confine the bees in the old stock twenty-four hours or more, +after driving out a swarm; this I tried, with no better results. Again, +I drove out the swarm, looked out the queen, and returned her to the +old stock, compelling the new swarm to raise one. To be certain they +did so, I constructed a small box about four inches square, by two in +thickness; the sides glass. In this I put the piece of brood-comb +containing eggs and larvae, and then put it on the hive containing the +swarm, having holes for communication, a cover to keep it dark, &c. +They were very sure to rear queens, but from some cause were lost after +they were matured. + +Now, if others have been more successful in these experiments than +myself, it indicates that some favorable circumstances attended them +that did not me. I have not the least doubt but the result will be +favorable sometimes. Yet from the foregoing, I became satisfied that +not one of these methods could be relied upon. Instead of constructing +a queen's cell, and then removing the egg or larva to it from another +cell, I always found that the cell containing such egg or larva was +changed from the horizontal to the perpendicular; such cells as were in +the way below were cut off, probably using the material in forming one +for royalty, which, when finished, contains as much material as fifty +or a hundred others. + +My experiments did not end here. I can now make artificial swarms, and +succeed nine times in ten with the first effort, and the reader can as +easily do the same. It must be in the swarming season, or as soon as +the first regular swarm issues. You want some finished royal cells that +any stock having cast a swarm will furnish, (unless in rare instances, +where they are too far up among the combs to be seen.) + + +A SUCCESSFUL METHOD. + +When you are all ready, take a stock that can spare a swarm; if bees +are on the outside, raise the hive on wedges, and drive them in with a +little water, and disturb them gently with a stick. Now smoke and +invert it, setting the empty hive over. If the two hives are of one +size, and have been made by a workman, there will be no chance for the +bees to escape, except the holes in the side; these you will stop; (no +matter about a sheet tied around it.) With a light hammer or stick, +strike the hive a few times lightly, and then let it remain five +minutes. This is very essential, because most of the bees, if allowed +the opportunity, will fill themselves with honey after such +disturbance. + +All regular swarms go forth so laden. A supply is necessary when bad +weather follows soon after. It is also used in forming wax, a very +necessary article in a new hive. The amount of honey carried out of a +stock by a good swarm, together with the weight of the bees (which is +not much), will vary from five to eight pounds. + +This, allowing time for the bees to fill their sacks, and supplying the +old stock with a royal cell, I believe is entirely original: the +importance of which the reader can judge. + + +ADVANTAGES OF THIS METHOD. + +It is very plain that a queen from such finished cell must be ready to +deposit eggs several days sooner than by any other method that we can +adopt. It is also clear that if we have a dozen queens depositing eggs +by the 10th of June, that our bees are increasing faster, on the whole, +than if but half that number are engaged in it for a month later. There +is yet another advantage. The sooner a young queen can take the place +of the old one in maternal duties, the less time will be lost in +breeding, the more bees there will be to defend the combs from the +moth, and the surest guaranty for surplus honey. + +When the bees have filled their sacks, proceed to drive them into the +upper hive by striking the lower one rapidly from five to ten minutes. +A loud humming will mark their first movement. When you think half or +two-thirds are out, raise the hive and inspect progress. They are not +at all disposed to sting in this stage of proceeding, even when they +escape outside. If full of honey, they are seldom provoked to +resentment. The only care will be not to crush too many that get +between the edges of the hives. The loud buzzing is no sign of anger. +If your swarm is not large enough, continue to drive till it is. When +done, the new hive should be set on the stand of the old one. A few +minutes will decide whether you have the queen with the swarm, as they +remain quiet: otherwise uneasy, and run about, when it will be +necessary to drive again. + +If both hives are one color, set the old one two feet in front; but if +of different colors, a little more. I prefer this position to setting +the old stock on one side, even when there is room; yet it can make but +little difference. Should you set it on one side, let the distance be +less. When the old stock is taken much farther than this rule, all the +bees that have marked the location (and all the old ones will have done +so) will go back to the old stand, and none but young bees that have +never left home will remain. The same will be the case with the new +swarm if moved off. It will not do to depend on the old queen keeping +them, as she does when they swarm out naturally. This has been my +experience. Try it, reader, and be satisfied, by putting either of the +hives fifteen or twenty feet distant. + +Before you turn over the old stock, look among the combs as far as +possible for queens' cells; if any contain eggs or larvae, you may +safely risk their rearing a queen; but otherwise wait till next +morning, or at least twenty-four hours, then go to a stock that has +cast a swarm, and obtain a finished royal cell, as before directed, and +introduce it. You will have a queen here as soon as if it had been left +in the original hive, and no risk of an after swarm, because there is +but one. But when there are young queens in the cells at the time of +driving, after swarms may issue. Should a queen-cell be introduced +immediately, it is more liable to be destroyed than after waiting +twenty-four hours; and then is not always safe. After it has had time +to hatch, (which is about eight days after being sealed), cut it out, +and examine it: if the lower end is open, it indicates that a perfect +queen has left it, and all is safe; but if it is mutilated or open at +the side, it is probable that the queen was destroyed before maturity, +in which case, another cell will have to be given them. + + +ARTIFICIAL SWARMS ONLY SAFE NEAR THE SWARMING SEASON. + +By what I have said about artificial swarms, it would appear that it is +unsafe at any time but the swarming season; that is my opinion. It may +do a little in advance or a little after, providing royal cells can be +had. By feeding as directed, (in Chapter IX.) you may induce a stock to +send out a swarm some days in advance of the regular season, thereby +giving you a chance for these cells somewhat early. + + +SOMETIMES HAZARDOUS. + +To make such swarms at any time when the bees are destroying drones, +would be extremely hazardous, not only on account of the young queen +being impregnated, but their massacre denotes a scarcity of honey. +Therefore I would advise never to make swarms, or drive out bees at +such periods, when it can be avoided, without spare honey is on hand to +feed them. + + +SOME OBJECTIONS. + +It has been argued by some, and with much reason, that "nature is the +best guide, and it is better to let the bees have their own way about +swarming--if honey is abundant, and the stock is in condition to spare +a swarm, their own instincts will teach them to construct royal cells; +if it fails before they are ready, and the royal brood is destroyed, it +is because the existence of the swarm would be precarious, and it is +best not to issue." I will grant that in many instances it is better. +The chance is better for surplus honey; the stock is quite sure to be +in condition to winter; and some judgment is required to tell when a +stock can spare a swarm. + +But yet, we are sometimes anxious to increase our stocks to the utmost +that safety will allow, and often have some that can spare a swarm as +well as not, but refuse to leave; perhaps commence preparations, and in +a few days abandon them. Now it is evident that as long as many +continue such preparation, that honey is sufficiently abundant to put +the safety of the swarm beyond hazard; some stocks will swarm while +these others just as good, (that had abandoned it before) and have not +now begun again, to be in time before a partial failure of honey, and +some may not have commenced in season. + + +NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SWARMS EQUALLY PROSPEROUS. + +I can see no difference in artificial or natural swarms of equal size, +at the same time. By taking the matter in time into our own hands, with +the rules given, we make a sure thing of it, that is, we are sure to +get the swarms, when if left to the bees it would be uncertain, and no +greater risk afterwards than with natural issues. + + +THIS MATTER TOO OFTEN DELAYED. + +I am aware that this matter will be apt to be put off too long; "wait +and see if they don't swarm," will be the motto of too many, and when +the season is over, drive them. Perhaps a good swarm has set outside +the hive, all through the best of the honey season, and done nothing, +while they could have half filled a hive; but this is all lost now, as +well as the best chances for getting cells. Let me impress the +necessity of doing it in season, when it will pay. If you intend to +have a swarm from every stock that can spare one, begin when nature +points out the proper time, which is, when the regular ones begin to +issue. It must, indeed, be a poor season when there are none. + + +IS THE AGE OF THE QUEEN IMPORTANT? + +There is another object effected in this way, considered by some +apiarians as very important. It is the change of the queens in the old +stock. A young queen is thought to be "much more prolific than an old +one." They even recommend keeping none "over two or three years old," +and give directions how they may be renewed. But as I have been unable +to discover any difference in relation to the age in this respect, I +shall not at present take much time to discuss it. It is well enough, +when we can take our choice without trouble, to preserve a young queen. +When we consider that there are but few queens but what will deposit +three times as many eggs in a season as are matured, it looks as if it +would hardly pay to take much trouble to change them. At what time the +queen becomes barren from old age, I presume has never yet been fully +determined. + +A friend of mine has had a stock in a large room eight years, that has +never swarmed, and is still prosperous! I think it very probable that +this queen will gradually decay, and possibly become barren, some weeks +before she dies; if so, this stock will soon die off. A few such cases +will probably occur in swarming hives, perhaps one in fifty, but +generally such old and feeble queens are lost when they leave with the +swarm, especially in windy weather. As long as they are able to go with +the swarm, and sometimes when they are not, I have found them +sufficiently prolific for all purposes. I would rather risk their +fecundity, and hive the swarm, than to allow the bees to return to the +parent stock, and wait eight or nine days for a young queen to mature. +A great many will remain idle, even if there is room to work in the +boxes. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PRUNING. + + +Notwithstanding I have given the method of pruning in the chapter on +hives, (page 23, Chapter II.) it will be necessary to give the tyro in +bee-culture a few more particulars. The season for doing it is of +importance. + + +DIFFERENT OPINIONS AS TO TIME. + +The month of March has been recommended by several; others prefer +April, August, or September. Here, as usual, I shall have to differ +from them all, preferring still another period, for which I offer my +reasons, supposing, of course, that the reader is conscious of a +freeman's privilege, that is, to adopt whatever method he thinks +proper, on this, as on any other point. + + +ANOTHER TIME PREFERRED. + +There is but one period from February till October, when prosperous +stocks are free from young brood in the combs. If combs are taken out +when occupied, there must be a loss of all the young bees they contain; +which may be avoided. The old queen leaves with the first swarm; all +the eggs she leaves in the worker-cells will be matured in about +twenty-one days, consequently this is the time to clear out the old +combs with the least waste. A few drones will be found in the cells, +that would require a few days more to hatch, but these are of no +account. Also a few very young larvae and some eggs may be sometimes +found, the product of the young queen; these few must be wasted, but as +the bees have expended no labor upon them as yet, it is better to +sacrifice these than the greater number left by her mother, which have +consumed their portion of food; the bees have sealed them up, and now +only require the necessary time to mature, to make a valuable addition +to the stock. + + +SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED. + +Should this operation be put off for a time much longer than three +weeks, the young queen will so fill the combs again as to make it a +serious loss. Therefore, I wish to urge strongly attention to this +point at the proper season. If you think it unimportant to mark the +date of your first swarms for the purposes mentioned in another place, +it will be found very convenient here, for those that need pruning. + +It is also recommended by some, to take only a part, say one-third or +half, in a season; thereby taking two or three years to renew the +combs. This is advisable only when the family is very small. As this +space made by pruning cannot be filled without wax and labor, our +surplus honey will be proportionate to its extent. Now suppose we take +out half the old combs, and get half a yield of box honey this year, +and the same next, or make a full operation of it and get none this +year, and a full one next. What is the difference? There is none in +point of honey, but some in trouble, and that is in favor of a full +operation at once. We have to go through with about the same trouble to +get one-third or half as to take the whole. + + +OBJECTION TO PRUNING. + +The objection to this mode of renewing combs generally, will be the +fear of getting stung. But I can assure you there is but little danger, +not as much as to walk among the hives in a warm day. Only begin right, +use the smoke, and work carefully, without pinching them, and you will +escape unhurt generally. + + +STOCKS PRUNED NOW ARE BETTER FOR WINTER. + +Besides the advantage of saving a large brood by pruning at this +season, such stocks will usually refill before fall, and are much +better for wintering, which is not the case when it is done later. We +must of necessity then waste the brood, and have a large space +unoccupied with combs through the winter. But few combs can then be +made, and those few must be at the expense of their winter stores, +unless we resort to feeding. + +These objections apply with greater force to pruning in March or April. +The loss of brood is of much more consequence now, than in mid-summer, +or even later, and a space to be filled with combs is a serious +disadvantage. It is important that the bees should devote their whole +attention now to rearing brood, and be ready to cast their swarms as +early as possible. One _early_ swarm is worth two late ones. Suppose a +stock, instead of collecting food and nursing its young, is compelled +to expend its honey and labor in secreting wax and constructing combs +before it can proceed with breeding advantageously, it _must of +necessity_ be some weeks later. + +Further, I have always found it best to have the bees out of the way, +during this operation. It will be found much more difficult to drive +the bees out of a hive in the cool weather of March or April, than in +summer, as they seem unwilling to shift their warm quarters and go into +a cold hive. + +It is presumed the reader will bear in mind the disadvantages already +given of too frequently renewing combs; the little value of combs for +storing honey, _for our use_, after being once used for breeding; the +necessity of the bees using them as long as they possibly will answer; +and not compel them to be filling the hive, when they might be storing +honey of the purest quality in boxes, &c. + +Vide remarks on this subject on page 22, Chapter II. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +DISEASED BROOD. + + +This, like many other chapters in this work, is probably new, as I, +never saw one thus headed. A few newspaper discussions are about all +that have yet appeared on this subject. + + +NOT GENERALLY UNDERSTOOD. + +This disease is probably of recent origin. Mr. Miner, it appears, knew +nothing of it until he moved from Long Island to Oneida County, in this +State. Mr. Weeks, in a communication to the N.E. Farmer, says, "Since +the potato rot commenced, I have lost one-fourth of my stocks annually, +by this disease;" at the same time adds his fears, that "this race of +insects will become extinct from this cause, if not arrested." (Perhaps +I ought to mention, that he speaks of it as attacking the "chrysalis" +instead of the larva; but as every thing else about it agrees exactly, +there is but little, doubt of its being all one thing.) + + +MY OWN EXPERIENCE. + +My first experience will probably go back to a date beyond many others; +it is almost twenty years since the first case was noticed. I had kept +bees but four or five years when I discovered it in one of my best +stocks; in fact, it was No. 1 in May and first of June. It cast no +swarm through the summer; and now, instead of being crowded with bees, +it contained but very few; so few, that I dared not attempt to winter +it. What was the matter? I had then never dreamed of ascertaining the +condition of a stock while there were bees in the way, but was like the +unskilful physician who is obliged to wait for the death of his +patient, that he may dissect and discover the cause. I accordingly +consigned what few bees there were to the "brimstone pit." + + +DESCRIPTION OF DISEASE. + +A "_post mortem_" examination revealed the following circumstances: +Nine-tenths of the breeding-cells were found to contain young bees in +the larva state, stretched out at full length, sealed over, dead, +black, putrid, and emitting a disagreeable stench. Now here was one +link in the chain of cause and effect. I learned why there was a +scarcity of bees in the hive. What should have constituted their +increase, had died in the cells; none of them were removed, +consequently but few cells, where any bees could be matured, were left. + + +THE CAUSE UNCERTAIN. + +But when I attempted the next link in the chain (to wit) What caused +the death of this brood just at this stage of development? I was +obliged to stop. Not the least satisfaction could be obtained. All +inquiries among the bee-keepers of my acquaintance were met with +profound ignorance. They had "never heard of it!" No work on bees that +I consulted ever mentioned it. + +Subsequently, I had more stocks in the same situation. I found, +whenever the disease existed to any extent, that the few bees matured +were insufficient to replace those that were lost; that the colony +rapidly declined, and _never afterwards cast a swarm_! + + +REMEDIAL EXPERIMENTS. + +As for remedies, I tried pruning out all those combs containing brood, +leaving only such as contained honey, and let the bees construct new +for breeding. It was "no use," these new combs were invariably filled +with diseased brood! The only thing effectual was to drive out the +bees, into an empty hive. In this way, when done in season, I generally +succeeded in rearing a healthy stock. But here was a loss of all +surplus honey, and a swarm or two that might have been obtained from a +healthy one. + + +PUBLIC INQUIRY AND ANSWERS. + +I had so many cases of the kind, that I became somewhat alarmed, and +made inquiry through the Cultivator, (an agricultural paper,) as to a +cause, and remedy, offering a "reward for one that would not fail when +thoroughly tested," &c. Mr. Weeks, in answer, said, "that cold weather +in spring chilling the brood was the cause." (This was several years +prior to his article in the N.E. Farmer.) Another gentleman said, "dead +bees and filth that accumulated during winter, when suffered to remain +in the spring, was the cause." A few years after, another correspondent +appeared in the Cultivator, giving particulars of his experience, +proving very conclusively to himself and many others, that cold was the +cause. Having mislaid the paper containing his article, I will endeavor +to quote correctly from memory. He had "three swarms issue in one day; +the weather during the day changed from very hot to the other extreme, +producing frost in many places the next morning. These swarms had left +but few bees in the old stocks, and the cold forced them up among the +combs for mutual warmth; the brood near the bottom, thus left without +bees to protect it with animal heat, became chilled, and the +consequence was diseased larvae." He then reasoned thus: "If the eggs of +a fowl, at any time near the end of incubation, become chilled from any +cause, it stops all further development. Bees are developed by +continued heat, on the same principle, and a chill produces the same +effect, &c.; afterwards, other swarms issued under precisely similar +circumstances; but these old stocks were covered with a blanket through +the night, which enabled the bees to keep at the bottom of the hive. In +a few days, enough were hatched to render this trouble unnecessary. +These last remained healthy." He further says, that "last spring was +the first time I ever knew them to become diseased before swarming had +thinned the population. The weather was remarkably pleasant through +April. The bees obtained great quantities of pollen and honey, and by +this means extended their brood further than usual at this season. +Subsequent chilly weather in May, caused the bees to desert a portion +of brood, which were destroyed by the chill." + +Now this is reasoning from cause to effect very consistently. + + +ANSWERS NOT SATISFACTORY. + +Had I no experience further than this, I should, perhaps, rest +satisfied as to the cause, and should endeavor to apply the remedy. +Several other writers have appeared in different papers, on this +subject, and nearly all who assign a cause have given this one as the +most probable. Now I have known the chrysalis in a few stocks to be +chilled and destroyed by a sudden turn of cold weather, yet these were +removed by the bees soon after, and the stocks remained healthy. To me +the cause assigned appears inadequate to produce _all_ the results with +the larvae. After close, patient observation of fifteen years, I have +never yet been wholly satisfied that any one instance among my bees, +was thus produced. + + +A CAUSE SUGGESTED. + +We are all familiar to some extent with the contagious diseases of the +human family, such as small-pox, whooping-cough, and measles, and their +rapid spread from a given point, &c. We must also admit that some cause +or causes, adequate to the effect, must have produced the first case. +To contagion, then, I would attribute the spread of this disease of our +bees, at least nineteen cases in twenty. I will admit, if you please, +that one stock in twenty or fifty may be somewhat affected by a chill +to a small extent. It is only a portion of the brood that is in +danger--only such as have been sealed over, and before they have +progressed to the chrysalis state, are attacked. How many then can +there be in a hive at any one time, in just the right stage of +development to receive the fatal chill? Of course there will be some; +but they should be confined to the cells near the bottom, where the +bees had left them exposed. These should be all; and these few would +never seriously damage the stock. Why then does this disease, when +thoroughly started, spread so rapidly throughout all the combs in the +hive? Will it be said that the chill is repeated every few days through +the summer? Or will it be admitted that something else may continue it? + +I think there must be other causes, besides the chill, even to start +it, in most cases. As our practice will be in accordance with the view +we take of this matter, and the result of our course will be somewhat +important, I will give some of the reasons that have led to this +conclusion. + + +REASONS FOR THE OPINION. + +For instance, I had all the bees of a good swarm leave the hive in +March; after flying a time, they united with another good stock, making +double the usual number of bees at this season; enough to keep the +brood sufficiently warm at any time; if other stocks with half or a +quarter of the number could. By the middle of June, the bees were much +reduced, and had not cast a swarm. It was examined, and the brood was +found badly diseased. My best and most populous stocks, in spring, are +just as liable, and I might add more so, than smaller or weaker +families. I have had two large swarms unite, and were hived together, +that were diseased the next autumn. These cases prove strongly, if not +conclusively, that animal heat is not the only requisite. The fact that +when I had pruned out all affected comb from a diseased stock, and left +honey in the top and outside pieces, and the bees constructed new for +breeding, and the brood in such were invariably affected, though only a +few at first, and increasing as the combs were extended; led me to +suppose that it was a contagious disease, and the virus was contained +in the honey. Some of it had been left in these stocks, and very +probably the bees had fed it to the brood. To test this principle still +further, I drove all the bees from such diseased stocks, strained the +honey, and fed it to several young healthy swarms soon after being +hived. When examined a few weeks after, every one, without an +exception, had caught the contagion. + +Here then is a clue to the cause of this disease spreading, whether we +have its origin or not. We will now see if we can trace it through, if +there is any consistency in its transfer from one stock to another. + + +CAUSE OF ITS SPREADING. + +Suppose one stock has caught the infection, but a small portion of the +brood is dead. In the heat of the hive, it soon becomes putrid; other +cells adjoining with larvae of the right age are soon in the same +condition. All the breeding combs in the hive become one putrid mass, +with an exception, perhaps, of one in ten, twenty or a hundred, that +may perfect a bee. Thus the increase of bees is not enough to replace +the old ones that are continually dying off. It is plain, therefore, +that this stock _must_ soon dwindle down to a very small family. Now +let a scarcity of honey occur in the fields, this poor stock cannot be +properly guarded, and is easily plundered of its contents by the +others. Honey is taken that is in close proximity to dead bodies, +corrupting by thousands, creating a pestilential vapor, of which it has +probably absorbed a portion. The seeds of destruction are by this means +carried into healthy stocks. In a short time, these in turn fall +victims to the scourge; and soon dwindle away, when some other strong +stock is able to carry off _their_ stores; and only stop, perhaps, at +the last stock! The moth is ever ready with her burden of eggs, which +she now without hindrance deposits directly on the combs. In a short +time the worms finish up the whole business, and are judged guilty of +the whole charge; merely because they are found carrying out effects +that speedily follow such causes. + +Let the reader who doubts this theory, simply strain out honey, +vitiated in this way, and feed it to a few stocks or swarms, that are +healthy; and if they escape, communicate the fact to the public. But +should he become satisfied that such honey is poison to his bees, he +will with me, and all others interested, wish to stop this growing +evil. + + +NOT EASILY DETECTED AT FIRST. + +It is very difficult to detect the first hundred or two that die in a +stock. But when nine-tenths of the breeding cells hold putrid larvae, +there is but very little trouble in making out a correct diagnosis. The +bees are few and inactive. When passing the hive our olfactories are +saluted with a nauseous effluvia, arising from this corrupting mass. +Now, if we wish, or expect to escape, the most severe penalty, our +neglect must never allow this extent of progression before such a stock +is removed. Therefore, we must watch symptoms--ascertain the presence +of the disease _at the earliest moment possible_. + + +SYMPTOMS TO BE OBSERVED. + +As no part of the breeding season is exempt, the stocks should be +carefully observed during spring, and fore part of summer, relative to +increase of bees. When one or more is much behind others in this +respect, make an examination immediately. (I would here urge again the +convenience of the simple, common hive, over those more complicated, or +suspended, and difficult to turn over. In one case we might make an +examination in season; in the other, too much trouble and difficulty +might cause it to be put off too long.) The hive must be inverted, and +the bees smoked out of the way. Our attention is to be directed to the +breeding cells; with a sharp-pointed knife, proceed to cut off the ends +of some of them that appear to be the oldest; bearing in mind that +young bees are always white, until some time after they take the +chrysalis state. Therefore, if a larva is found of a dark color, it is +dead! Should a dozen such be found, the stock should be condemned at +once, and all the bees driven into an empty hive. (The directions for +this have been given, see page 31.) If honey should be scarce, at the +time, they should be fed. + + +SCALDING THE HONEY TO DESTROY THE POISON FOR FEEDING. + +The honey from the old hive may be used, if you will only first destroy +the virus. This, I have ascertained, may be done by scalding: add a +half-pint of water to about ten lbs.; stir it well, and heat it to the +boiling point, and carefully remove all the scum. + +Stocks in which the disease has not progressed too far, will generally +swarm. + + +WHEN TO EXAMINE STOCKS THAT HAVE SWARMED. + +Three weeks from the first swarm, will be the time to examine them. I +make it a rule to inspect all my stocks at this period. It is easily +done now, as about all the healthy brood (except drones) should be +matured in that time. By perseverance in these rules, I allow no stocks +to dwindle away until they are plundered by others. If all my neighbors +were equally careful, this disease would probably soon disappear. This +is like one careless farmer allowing a noxious weed to mature seeds, to +be wafted by winds on the lands of a careful neighbor, who must fortify +his mind to continual vigilance, or endure the injury of a foul pest. +So with the successful apiarian; in sections where the disease has +appeared (it has not in all), he must be continually on the watch; it +is the price of success. + + +CARE IN SELECTING STOCK HIVES FOR WINTER. + +Again, after the breeding season is over, in the fall, _every stock +should be thoroughly inspected, and all diseased ones condemned for +stock hives_. It is better to do it, even if it should take the last +one. It would pay much better to procure others instead, that are +healthy. + +Persons wishing to eat the honey from such hives, will experience no +bad effects from it, if they are careful to remove all the dead brood, +as they take it out of the hive. + +The greatest distance that I ever knew bees to go, and plunder a +defenceless stock of its contents, was three-fourths of a mile. Very +likely they would go farther on some occasions, but not often. + + +ACCUSATIONS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT. + +Careless bee-keepers, when their hives are thus robbed, feel regret, or +are more often vexed at somebody--at the result of their carelessness. +The person, keeping most bees in a neighborhood, must expect to be +accountable for all effects of their ignorance, mismanagement, or +carelessness, and consequent "bad luck;" when all the honey thus +obtained, probably carries with it more mischief than can be eradicated +in a twelvemonth, thereby giving the real cause of complaint to the +other party. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +IRRITABILITY OF BEES. + + +Keeping bees good-natured, offers a pretty fair subject for ridicule: +it seems rather too absurd to teach _a bee_ anything! Nevertheless, it +is worth while to think of it a little. Most of us know that by +injudicious training, horses, cattle, dogs, &c., may be rendered +extremely vicious. If there is no perceptible analogy between these and +bees, experience proves that they may be made ten times more irritable +than they naturally would be. + + +THEIR MEANS OF DEFENCE. + +Nature has armed them with means to defend their stores, and provided +them with combativeness sufficient to use them when necessary. This +could not be bettered. If they were powerless to repel an enemy, there +are a thousand lazy depredators, man not excepted, who would prey upon +the fruits of their industry, leaving them to starve. Had it been so +arranged, this industrious insect would probably have long since been +extinct. + + +TIME OF GREATEST IRRITABILITY. + +The season of their greatest caution, in this section, is August, +during the flowers of buckwheat. It is then their stores are greatest. +As soon as a stock is pretty well supplied with this world's goods, +like some bipeds, they become very haughty, proud, aristocratic, and +insolent. A great many things are construed into insults, that in their +days of adversity would pass unnoticed; but now it is becoming and +proper for their honor to show a "just resentment." It behooves us, +therefore, to ascertain what are considered insults. + + +PROPER CONDUCT. + +First, all quick motions, such as running, striking, &c., about them, +are noticed. If our movements among them are slow, cautious, humble, +and respectful, we are often let to pass unmolested, having manifested +a becoming deportment. Yet the exhalations from some persons appear +very offensive, as they attack them much sooner than others; though I +apprehend there is not so great a difference as many suppose. Whenever +an attack is made, and a sting follows, the venom thus imparted to the +air, if by only one, is perceived by others at some distance, which +will immediately approach the scene, and more stings are likely to +follow than if the first had not been. + + +HOW TO PROCEED WHEN ATTACKED. + +Striking them down renders them ten times more furious. Not in the +least daunted, they return to the attack. Not the least show of fear is +perceived. Even after losing their sting, they obstinately refuse to +desist. It is much the best way to walk as quietly as possible to the +shelter of some bush, or to the house. They will seldom go inside of +the door. + + +A PERSON'S BREATH OFFENSIVE, AND OTHER CAUSES. + +The breath of a person inside the hive, or among them, when clustered +outside, is considered in the tribunals of their insect wisdom as the +greatest indignity. A sudden jar, sometimes made by carelessly turning +up the hive, is another. After being once thoroughly irritated in this +way, they remember it for weeks, and are continually on the alert; the +moment the hive is touched, they are ready to salute a person's face. +When slides of tin or zinc are used to cut off the communication +between the hives and boxes, some of the bees are apt to be crushed or +cut in two. This they remember, and retaliate, as occasion offers; and +it may be when quietly walking in the apiary. + + +THEIR MANNER OF ATTACK. + +I must disagree with any one who says we always have warning before +being stung. I have been stung _a few times_ myself. Two-thirds of them +were received without the least notice--the first intimation was the +"blow." At other times, when fully determined on vengeance, I have had +them strike my hat and remain a moment endeavoring to effect their +object. In this case, I have warning to hold down my face to protect it +from the next attempt, which is quite sure to follow. As they fly +horizontally, the face held in that position is not so liable to be +attacked. When they are not so thoroughly charged with anger, they +often approach in merely a threatening attitude, buzzing around very +provokingly for several minutes in close proximity to our ears and +face, apparently to ascertain our intentions. If nothing hostile or +displeasing is perceived, they will generally leave; but should a quick +motion or offensive breath offend them, the dreaded result is almost +sure to follow. Too many people are apt to take these threatening +manifestations as positive intentions to sting. When these things can +be quietly endured, and at the same time leave their vicinity, it +generally ends peaceably. They never make an attack while away from +their home in quest of honey, or on their return, until they have +entered the hive. It is only in the hive and its vicinity that we +expect to meet this irascible temperament, which should not be allowed, +or at least may be subdued in a great measure, if not entirely, by +doing things in a quiet manner, and, by the use of tobacco smoke. Any +person having the care of bees should go armed with this powerful +weapon. As bees are not much affected with smoke, while flying in the +air, but will have their own way, we must take them in the hive as the +place to teach _them_ a proper deportment! + +Those who are accustomed to smoking will find a pipe or segar very +convenient here. But such as are not would do better, perhaps, not to +learn a bad habit. I will therefore give a simple substitute. + + +SMOKER DESCRIBED. + +Get a tube of tin about five-eighths of an inch diameter, five or six +inches in length; make stoppers of wood to fit both ends, two and a +half or three inches long; with your nail-gimlet make a hole through +them lengthwise: when put together it should be about ten inches. The +ends may be tapered. On one end leave a notch, that it may be held with +the teeth, which is the most convenient way, as you will often want to +use both hands: it is also always ready, without any trouble to blow +through, and also to keep the tobacco burning. When ready to operate, +fill the tube with tobacco, ignite it, and put in the stoppers; by +blowing through it you keep the tobacco burning while the smoke issues +at the other end. + + +EFFECT OF TOBACCO SMOKE. + +We can now subdue these combative propensities, or render them +harmless; turn their anger to submission, and make them yield their +treasures to the hands of the spoiler without an effort of resistance! +When once overpowered, they seem to lose all knowledge of their +strength, and no slave can be more submissive! After the effects of the +smoke have passed off, their former animosity will return. Should any +resentment be shown on raising a hive, blow in the smoke; they +immediately retreat, "begging pardon." After a few times, they learn +"it's no use," and allow an inspection. If you wish to take off a box, +raise it just enough to blow under the smoke; there is no trouble; you +can replace it with another; the bees are kept out of the way with a +little more smoke, _and no anger created about it to be remembered_. +Those in the box are all submission; they can be carried away and +handled as you please, without a possibility of getting them irritated, +until they once more get home, and then are much more "amiable" than if +the box had been taken without the smoke. They seem to forget, or do +not realize anything of the transaction. When bees are to be +transferred to a new hive, it is unnecessary to be so very particular +about the escape of a single bee; no fears need be entertained of such +as get out. In driving, the loud humming indicates their submission; +the upper hive can then be safely raised at any time. After being thus +driven out, they may be pushed about with impunity, and still be quiet! +In short, by using smoke on all occasions where they would be likely to +be disturbed without it by our meddling with them, it has a tendency to +keep dormant their combative propensities. When these have never been +aroused, there is much less danger from their attacks while walking or +looking among them. Any one wishing further proof, I would recommend +the experiment of managing one year with smoke, and the next without. + + +STING DESCRIBED. + +Their sting, as it appears to the naked eye, is but a tiny instrument +of war; so small, indeed, that its wound would pass unheeded by all the +larger animals, if it was not for the poison introduced at the same +instant. It has been described as being "composed of three parts, a +sheath and two darts. Both the darts are furnished with small points or +barbs like a fishhook," that hold it when introduced into the flesh; +the bee being compelled to leave it behind. + + +DOES ITS LOSS PROVE FATAL? + +It is said "to the bee itself this mutilation proves fatal." This last +is another assertion for fact, so often repeated, that perhaps we might +as well admit it; seeing the difficulty we should have in disproving +it. Only think of the impossibility of keeping our eye, for five +minutes, on a bee that is flying about, after it has left its sting. +Yet there are some persons so very particular about what they receive +as facts, that they would require this very unreasonable thing of +watching a bee till it died, before they could be _positively sure_ +that the loss of its sting caused its death. (It is much easier to +guess.) They might even take analogy, and say that other insects +possess so little sensation that they have been known to recover after +much more extensive mutilation--that beetles have lived for months +under circumstances that would have instantly killed some of the higher +animals--that spiders often reproduce a leg, even lobsters can replace +a lost claw, &c. I have put off describing any protection against their +attacks, because I wish to get up a little more courage in our doings +among them. Yet it is folly to expect all will manage successfully +without something for defence. + + +MEANS OF PROTECTION. + +The face and hands are most exposed; for the latter, thick woollen +mittens or gloves are best; the sting is generally left when thrust +into a leather glove. For the face procure one and a half yards of thin +muslin or calico, sew the ends together, the upper end gathered on a +string small enough to prevent it slipping over the head when put on. +An arm-hole is to be cut out on each side; below is another string to +gather it close to the body. As I do not expect you to work in the +dark, we will have a place cut out in front, and a piece of coarse lace +inserted; that which will just prevent a bee from passing, is best, as +it gives us a better chance to see. To keep it from falling against the +face, a wire is bent around and sewed fast. Any person that knows how +to put on a shirt will manage this. When thus equipped, and other +garments of proper thickness, the most timid ought not to hesitate to +venture among them, when necessary. I cannot avoid cautioning you again +to beware of irritating your bees, until this protection is necessary, +as it is a rather bad state of things. With this on, you cannot +conveniently use any smoke. To put this on and off is considerable +trouble, and every time you go among them, if you have to resort to +this, I fear some necessary duties will be neglected. Whenever a +partial protection will do, I would recommend a handkerchief; it is +always at hand, and can be put on in a moment; throw it over the head, +letting the ends fall around the neck and shoulders, covering all but +the face. The hat can come on over it. As for the face, whenever a bee +comes around in a menacing attitude, hold it down--unless he stings at +the first onset, there is not much risk. + + +REMEDIES FOR STINGS. + +Concerning the remedies for stings, it is a hard matter to tell which +is the best. There is so much difference in the effect in different +individuals, and the different parts of the body, as well as the depth +the sting reaches, that a great variety of remedies are recommended. + +A person is slightly stung, and applies something as an antidote; the +effect of the sting is trifling, as perhaps it would have been without +anything, and the medicine is forthwith extolled as a sovereign remedy. +I have been thus deceived; when slightly stung applied what I thought +cured in one case, when in the next the sting might have penetrated +deeper, or in some other place, and the remedy would seem to have no +effect. For the last few years, I have not made any application +whatever for myself, and the effect is no worse, nor even as bad as +formerly. (This, I am told, is because the system is hardened, and now +can resist or throw off the effects.) Among the remedies recommended, +are saleratus and water, salt and water, soft-soap mixed with salt, a +raw onion cut in two and one-half applied, mud or clay mixed pretty wet +and changed often, tobacco wet and rubbed thoroughly to get at the +strength, and cold water constantly applied. To cure the smart, the +application of tobacco is strongly urged, and cold water is spoken of +with equal favor to prevent the swelling. + +When stung in the throat, drinking often of salt and water is said will +prevent serious consequences. + +Whether any of these remedies are applied or not, I suppose it is +unnecessary to say that the sting should be pulled out as soon as +practicable. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ENEMIES OF BEES. + + +Among the enemies of bees, there are included rats, mice, birds, toads, +and insects. + + +ARE THEY ALL GUILTY? + +But some of these are probably clear of any actual mischief. I strongly +suspect that the spirit of destructiveness with many people is +altogether too active. There are some farmers, with this principle +predominant, so short-sighted, that if it was in their power they would +destroy a whole class of birds, because some of them had picked a few +cherries, or dug out a few hills of corn, when, at the same time, they +are indebted to their activity in devouring worms, insects, &c., that +would otherwise have destroyed entire crops! It will be well, +therefore, before condemnation, to see if on the whole we are to be +gainers or losers by an indiscriminate slaughter, without judge or +jury. + + +RATS AND MICE. + +Rats and mice are never troublesome, except in cold weather. The +entrances of all hives standing out are too small to admit a rat. It is +only when in the house that much damage need be apprehended. They +appear to be fond of honey, and when it is accessible will eat several +pounds in a short time. + +Mice will often enter the hive when standing on the bench, and make +extensive depredations. Sometimes, after eating a space in the combs, +they will there make their nest. The animal heat created by the bees +will make a snug, warm place for winter quarters. There are two kinds: +one the common class, belonging to the house; the other called +"deer-mouse"--the under side perfectly white, the back much lighter +than the other kind. The latter seems to be particularly fond of the +bees, while the first appears to relish the honey. Whether they take +bees that are alive, or only such as are already dead, I cannot say. +Only a part of the bee is eaten; and if we take the fragments left to +judge of the number consumed, the circumstance will go some ways to +prove the sacrifice of quite a number. Whether bees or honey is wasted, +a little care to prevent their depredations is well worthy of bestowal. +As rats and mice have so long since been condemned and sentenced for +being a universal plague, and without a redeeming trait, I will say +nothing in their favor, and am perfectly willing they shall be hanged +till dead. + + +ARE ALL THE BIRDS GUILTY? + +But for some of the birds accused of preying upon bees, I would say a +word. + + +KING-BIRD--ONE WORD IN HIS FAVOR. + +The king-bird stands at the head of the list of depredators! With a +fair trial he will be found guilty, though not so heinously criminal as +many suppose. I think we shall find him guilty of taking only the +drones. In the afternoon of a fair day he may be seen perched upon some +dry branch of a shrub or tree near the apiary, watching for his +victims, occasionally darting to seize them. I have shot him down and +examined his crop, after seeing him devour a goodly number; but in +every instance the bees were so crushed to pieces, that it was +impossible to distinguish workers from drones. We are told of great +numbers of workers being counted. It may be so, or it may be thus +represented by a spice of prejudice. I have found the brutal +gratification of taking life so strong with some, that a natural +antipathy is allowed to take the place of justice, and a proper defence +is not allowed in such cases where the suffering party has not the +power to enforce it. If he was satisfied with workers as well as +drones, why does he not visit the apiary long before noon, and fill his +crop with them? But instead, he waits till afternoon for the drones; +and if none are flying, he watches quietly till one appears, although +workers may be out by hundreds continually. If the question is asked, +how they tell the difference in the two kinds of bees, I might suggest +that _instinct_ has taught most animals the proper kind of food, and +might direct the birds in this case. If it was not sufficient, a little +experience in catching bees provided with stings, might impart the +important difference, in one or two lessons. I once had a chicken that +knew the difference by some means, and would stand by the hive and +devour every drone, the moment it touched the board, while the workers +would pass by him in scores untouched! + +Now, whether this taking the drones is a disadvantage or otherwise, +would depend entirely upon circumstances. If honey was a little scarce, +the less we had of them the better; it would also save the bees some +trouble in dispatching them. It is probably a matter of so little +moment to our bees, that it will not pay for powder to shoot them. + +Martins, and a kind of swallows, are said to be guilty of taking bees +on some occasions; but as they pursue them on the wing (if they do), +the same remarks will apply as to the king-bird. + + +CAT-BIRD ACQUITTED. + +The cat-bird also comes in for a share of censure. It is said "they +will get right down by the hive, and pick up bees by the hundred." Yet, +right in the face of this charge, I am disposed to acquit him. With the +closest observation, I find him about the hive, picking up _only_ young +and immature bees, such as are removed from the combs and thrown out. +They may be seen as soon as the first rays of light make objects +visible about the apiary, looking for their morning supply, as well as +frequent visits during the day. Should an unlucky worm be in sight just +then, while looking up a place for spinning a cocoon, or a moth +reposing on some corner of the hive, their fate is at once decided. +Before destroying this bird, it would be well to judge by actual +observation as to facts; otherwise we might "destroy a friend instead +of a foe." + + +TOAD GOT CLEAR. + +A toad is discovered near the hives, and forthwith he is executed as a +bee-eater. "He ought to be killed for his looks, if nothing else!" He +is thus often sacrificed _really_ on account of his appearance, while +pretending he is a villain. It is true his "feathers" will not vie in +brilliancy with the plumage of the humming-bird, and do not gratify +ideality--therefore he is dispatched. The next week the complaint is +made that the little bugs, that he might have destroyed, "have eaten up +all the little cucumbers and cabbages." His food is probably small +insects. Whoever has seen him swallow bees, must have watched closer +than I ever did. + + +WASPS AND HORNETS NOT FAVORED. + +As for the frequent visits of the black-wasp in the sunny days of +spring, but little can be said in their favor--they seem to have no +other object but to tease and irritate the bees. I never could discover +that they entered the hive for the purpose of plunder. They have +frequent battles with the bees, but I never saw any bees devoured or +carried off, nor even killed. After the first of June they are seldom +troublesome. The yellow wasp or hornet, that is around in autumn, is of +but little account; their object is honey, which they take when they +can get it, but are not apt to enter the hive among the bees. + + +ANTS--A WORD IN THEIR FAVOR. + +Ants come in for a share of condemnation. This little industrious +insect shall have my endeavors for a fair hearing; I think I can +understand why they are so frequently accused of robbing bees. Many +bee-keepers are wholly ignorant, most of the time, of the real +condition of their stocks. Many causes independent of ants, induce a +reduction of population. Suppose the bees are so reduced as to leave +the combs unprotected, and the ants enter and appropriate some of the +honey to themselves, and should the owner come along just then and see +them engaged, "Ha! you are the rascals that have destroyed my bees," +without a thought of looking for causes, beyond present appearances. +They are often unjustly accused by the farmer of injuring the growth of +his little trees, by causing the tender leaves to curl and wither. +Inquiries are often made in some of the agricultural papers for means +to destroy them, merely because they are found on them; when the real +cause of the mischief is with the plant louse, (aphis) that is upon the +leaves or stalk in hundreds, robbing them of their important juices, +and secreting a fluid greatly prized by the ants. By destroying the +lice, you remove all the attraction of the ants. The peculiar habits of +the small black ants, probably give rise to a suspicion of mischief in +this way. They live in communities of thousands--their nests are +usually in old walls, in old timber, under stones, and in the earth. +From their nests a string may be traced sometimes for rods, going +after, and returning laden with food. During a spell of wet weather, +such as would make the earth and many other places too damp and cold +for a nest, they look out for better quarters. The top or chamber of +our bee-hives affords shelter from rain. The animal heat from the bees +renders it perfectly comfortable. How then can we blame them for +choosing such a location, so completely answering all their wants? As +long as the bees are not disturbed, we can put up with it better. But +the careless observer having discovered their train to and fro from +their nest on the hive, exclaims: "Why, I have seen them going in a +continual stream to the hive after honey;" when a little scrutiny into +the matter would show that only the nest was on the top of the hive, +and they were going somewhere else for food; not one to be seen +entering the hive among the bees for honey, (at least I never could +detect it.) + +When honey is unprotected by bees, or boxes of it placed where they can +have access, as a natural consequence, they will carry off some; but it +is easily secured. + + +SPIDER CONDEMNED. + +Spiders are a source of considerable annoyance to the apiarian, as well +as to the bees; not so much on account of the number of bees consumed, +as their habit of spinning a web about the hive, that will occasionally +take a moth, and will probably entangle fifty bees the whilst. They are +either in fear of the bees, or they are not relished as food; +particularly, as a bee caught in the morning is frequently untouched +during the day. This web is often exactly before the entrance, +entangling the bees as they go out and return; irritating and hindering +them considerably. They often escape after repeated struggles. I have +removed a web from the same place every morning, for a week, that was +renewed at night with astonishing perseverance! I can generally look +out his hiding-place, which is in some corner near by, and dispatch +him. His redeeming qualities are few, and are more than balanced by the +evil, as far as I have discovered. Their sagacity in some instances +will find a place of concealment not easily discovered. At the approach +of cold weather, the box or chamber of the hive being a little warmer +than other places, will attract a great many there to deposit their +eggs. Little piles of webbing or silk may be seen attached to the top +of the hive, or sides of boxes. These contain eggs for the next year's +brood. This is the time to destroy them and save trouble for the +future. + +If we combine into one phalanx all the depredators yet named, and +compare their ability for mischief with the wax moth, we shall find +their powers of destruction but a small item! Of the moth itself we +would have nothing to fear were it not for her progeny, that consist of +a hundred or a thousand vile worms, whose food is principally wax or +comb. + +As the instinct of the flesh-fly directs her to a putrid carcass to +deposit her eggs, that her offspring may have their proper food, so the +moth seeks the hive containing combs, and where its natural food is at +hand to furnish a supply. During the day a rusty brown miller, with its +wings wrapped close around the body, may be often seen lying perfectly +motionless on the side of the hive on one corner, or the under edge of +the top, where it projects over--they are more frequent at the corners +than anywhere else, one-third of their length projecting beyond it; +appearing much like a sliver on the edge of a board that is somewhat +weather-beaten. Their color so closely resembles old wood, that I have +no doubt their enemies are often deceived, and let them escape with +their lives. As soon as daylight shuts out the view, and no danger of +their movements being discovered by their enemies, they throw off their +inactivity, and commence searching for a place to deposit their eggs, +and woe to the stock that has not bees sufficient to drive them from +the comb. Although their larvae has a skin that the bee cannot pierce +with its sting, in most cases, it is not so with the moth, and of this +fact they seem to be aware, for whenever a bee approaches they dart +away with speed ten times greater than that of any bee, disposed to +follow! They enter the hive and dodge out in a moment, having either +encountered a bee, or fear they may do so. Now it needs no argument to +prove that when all our stocks are well protected, that it must be a +poor chance to deposit eggs, on the combs of such hives, where their +instinct has taught them is the proper place. But they _must_ leave +them somewhere. When driven from all the combs within, the next best +place is the cracks and flaws about the hive, that are lined with +propolis; and the dust and chips that fall on the floor-board of a +young swarm not full will be used. This last material is mostly wax, +and answers very well instead of comb. The eggs will here hatch and the +worms sometimes ascend to the combs; hence the necessity of keeping the +bottom brushed off clean. It will prevent those that are on the bottom +from going up; also the bees from taking up any eggs, if this should +happen to be the method. I can conceive of no other way by which they +get among the combs of a populous stock; where they are often detected, +having been deposited by some means. A worm lodged in the comb, makes +his way to the centre, and then eats a passage as he proceeds, lining +it with a shroud of silk, gradually enlarging it, as he increases in +size. (When combs are filled with honey, they work on the surface, +eating only the sealing.) In very weak families this silken passageway +is left untouched,--but removed by all the stronger ones. I have found +it asserted that "the worms would be all immediately destroyed by the +bees, were it not for a kind of dread in touching them until compelled +to by necessity." As the facts which led to this conclusion are not +given, and I can find none confirming it, perhaps I shall be excused if +I have no faith. On the contrary, I find to all appearance an +instinctive antipathy to all such intruders, and are removed +immediately when possessing the power. + +When a worm is in a comb filled with brood, its passage being in the +centre, it is not at first discovered. The bees, to get it out, must +bite away half the thickness, removing the brood in one or two rows of +cells, sometimes for several inches. This will account for so many +immature bees found on the bottom board at morning, in the spring; as +well as in stocks and swarms but partially protected after the swarming +season. + + +INDICATIONS OF THEIR PRESENCE. + +Sometimes a half dozen young bees, nearly mature, will be removed +alive, all webbed together, fastened by legs, wings, &c. All their +efforts for breaking loose prove unavailing. Also others that are +separate may be seen running about with their wings mutilated, or part +of their legs eaten off, or tied together! These generally are the +first symptoms of worms in our stock at this season. Although +unfavorable, it might be worse. It shows that the bees are not +discouraged yet,--that when finding the worms present, have sufficient +energy left to make an effort to rid themselves of the nuisance. + + +MANAGEMENT. + +Should the apiarian now give them a little assistance for a few days, +they will soon be in a prosperous condition. The hive should be +frequently raised, and everything brushed out clean. If it is a new +swarm half full, that presents these indications, it should be turned +over a few times, perhaps once a week, till the worms are mastered; and +the corners below the bees examined for the cocoons, that will very +often be found there, and are easily detached and destroyed. In turning +over a hive part full, in warm weather, you should first observe the +position of the combs, and let the edges rest against the side of the +hive, otherwise they might bend over and break loose when the hive was +again set up, (by simply making a pencil mark across the top in the +direction of the combs, you may know any time after first looking). + + +CARE IN TURNING OVER HIVES. + +When a hive is full of combs, the edges are usually attached sufficient +to steady them, and it is of less consequence which way it is turned, +yet in very warm weather the honey will run out of drone cells if +perpendicular. + +In _very_ small swarms, hundreds of the young brood may be frequently +seen with their heads out of the cells, endeavoring to escape, but are +firmly held inside by these webs. I have known a few instances in such +circumstances, where it appeared as if the bees had cut off the whole +sheet of comb and let it drop, thereby ridding themselves of all +further trouble (or would be rid of it, if their owner only did his +part by taking out what fell down.) + + +OTHER SYMPTOMS OF WORMS. + +But when the bees make no effort to dislodge the enemy or his works in +old stocks, the case is somewhat desperate! Instead of the foregoing +symptoms we must look for something entirely different. But few young +bees will be found. In their place we may find the faeces of the worms +dropped on the board. During winter and spring the bees, in biting off +the covering of cells to get at the honey, drop chips closely +resembling it. To detect the difference and distinguish one from the +other requires a little close inspection. The color of the faeces varies +with the comb on which they feed, from white to brown and black. The +size of these grains will be in proportion to the worm--from a mere +speck to nearly as large as a pin-head: shape cylindrical, with obtuse +ends: length about twice its diameter. By the quantity we can judge of +the number. If the hive is full of combs the lower ends may appear +perfect, while the middle or upper part is sometimes a mat of webs! + +Whenever our stocks have become reduced from over-swarming or other +cause, this is the next effect in succession that we must expect. Here +is another important reason that we know the _actual_ condition of our +bees at all times; we can then detect the worms very soon after they +commence. In some instances we might save the stock by breaking out +most of the combs, leaving just enough to be covered by the bees. When +success attends this operation, it _must_ be done before the worms have +progressed to a thorough lodgment. When the stock is weak, and +appearances indicate the presence of many, it is generally the safest, +and will be the least trouble in the end, to drive out the bees at once +and secure the honey and wax. The bees when put into a new hive _may_ +do a little, but if they should do nothing, it would be no worse. It +cannot be as bad any way as to have left them in the old hive till the +worms had destroyed all and matured a thousand or two moths in addition +to those otherwise produced, thereby multiplying the chances of damage +to other stocks a thousand-fold. It is probably remembered that I said +when bees are removed from a hive in warm weather, if it was not +infested with worms at the time, it soon would be, unless smoked with +sulphur. + + +WHEN THEY GROW LARGER THAN USUAL. + +In a hive thus left without bees to interfere, the worms will increase +to one-half or two-thirds larger than where their right to the combs is +disputed. In one case they often have their growth, and actually wind +up in their cocoon when less than an inch in length: in the other they +will quietly fatten till they are an inch and a half long and as large +as a pipe-stem. + + +TIME OF GROWTH. + +When first hatched from the egg, it requires very close inspection to +see them with the naked eye. The rapidity of growth depends on the +temperature in which they are, as much or more than their good living. +A few days in hot weather might develop the full-grown worm, while in a +lower temperature it would require weeks and even months in some cases, +perhaps from fall till spring. + + +TIME OF TRANSFORMATION. + +The worm, after spinning its cocoon, soon changes to a chrysalis, and +remains inactive for several days, when it makes an opening in one end +and crawls out. The time taken for this transformation is also governed +by the temperature, although I think but few ever pass the winter in +this state. It is a rare thing to find a moth before the end of May, +and not many till the middle of June; but after this time they are more +numerous till the end of the season. + + +FREEZING DESTROYS WORMS, COCOON AND MOTH. + +It is pretty well demonstrated that the moth, its eggs, larvae and +chrysalis cannot pass the winter without warmth of some kind to prevent +their freezing to death. The following facts indicate this. I have +taken all the bees out of a hive in the fall, and without disturbing +the comb or honey, put it in a cold chamber where it could freeze +thoroughly. In the following March bees were again introduced, and when +not on a bench with some other stock that had worms, not a single +instance in forty cases has ever produced a worm before the middle of +June, or until the eggs of some moth matured in another hive has had +time to hatch. I have sometimes, instead of putting bees in these in +March, kept them till June for swarms, perfectly free from any +appearance of worms! + + +HOW THEY PASS THE WINTER. + +But it is altogether a different thing with our hives in which bees are +wintered; they are seldom or never entirely exempt! Perhaps it is +impossible to winter bees without preserving some eggs of the moth or a +few worms at the same time. The perfect moth perhaps never survives the +winter; the only place that the chrysalis would be safe, I think must +be in the vicinity of the bees--and a good stock will never allow it +there--but eggs, it would appear, are suffered to remain. In the fall, +at the approach of cold weather, the bees are apt to leave the ends of +the combs exposed; the moth can now enter and deposit her eggs directly +upon them; these, together with what are carried in by means before +suggested, are enough to prevent losing the breed. The warmth generated +by the bees will keep these eggs from freezing and preserve their +vitality. When warm weather approaches in the spring, those nearest the +bees are probably hatched first, and commence depredations and are +removed by the bees. As the bees increase and occupy more comb, more +are warmed up and hatched. In this way, even a small family of bees +will hatch, and get rid of all the eggs that happen to be in their +combs, and not be destroyed. This is the time that the apiarian may be +of service in destroying the worms, as the bees get them on the floor. + + +STOCKS MORE LIABLE TO BE DESTROYED LAST OF SUMMER. + +But in July and August it is different in this respect; a single moth +may enter the hive when exposed, and deposit her whole burden of +several hundred eggs, as in the other case, but the heat from the bees +is now unnecessary to hatch them. The weather at this season will make +any part of the hive warm enough to set her whole brood at work at +once, and in three weeks all may be destroyed! This, and the fact that +more moths exist now than before, may account for the greater number of +stocks being destroyed at this season. Yet it is considered extremely +bad management to allow honey or combs to be devoured by this +disgusting creature. A little care to know the condition of the stocks +_is necessary_ to prevent their getting the start. These duties should +be fully considered before we take the responsibility of the care of +bees. + + +WHEN BEES ARE SAFE. + +The only condition when we can rest and feel safe is when _we know all +our stocks are full of bees_. Even the "moth-proof" hive containing +combs will be scented out by the moth, when there are no bees to guard +it. An argument to show that a moth can enter where a bee can go is +unnecessary, and a little observation, I think, will prove that her +eggs sometimes go where she is not allowed. + + +MEANS TO DESTROY THEM. + +At this season, (July and August), it is a good plan to put a few +pieces of old dry combs near the hives, in a box, or other place, as a +decoy, where the moth may have access. She will deposit a great many of +her eggs here, instead of the hive, and can be easily destroyed. As we +cannot always have our bees in a situation to feel safe, it will be +well to adopt some of the means recommended to diminish the number of +moths. First destroy all the worms that can be found at any time, +particularly in spring; second, all cocoons that can be got at. A great +many worms can be enticed to web up, under a trap of elder, &c., when +it is an easy matter to dispatch them. Thirdly, destroy all the moths +possible that can be seen about the hive. They are very much like the +flea, "when you put your finger on him he is not there;" a careful move +is necessary to crush him at once, otherwise he darts away at the least +disturbance. Probably the most expeditious mode is to make them drunk. + + +MAKING THEM DRUNK, AND THEIR EXECUTION BY CHICKENS. + +Mix with water just enough molasses and vinegar to make it palatable; +this is to be put in white saucers or other dishes, and set among the +hives at night. Like nobler beings, if not wiser, when once they have +tasted the fatal beverage, they seem to lose all power to leave the +fascinating cup; but give way to appetite and excitement till a fatal +step plunges them into destruction! The next morning finds them yet +wallowing in filth, weak and feeble. Whether they would recover from +the effects of their carousal if lifted out of the mire, and carefully +nursed like other specimens of creation, I never ascertained. With but +little trouble a chicken or two will learn to be on hand, and greedily +devour every one. Hundreds are caught in this way, although many other +kinds besides the bee-moth will be mixed with them. This drink may be +used till dried up, occasionally adding a little water; perhaps it is +better after fermenting. This recipe appeared some years ago in some +paper; I have forgotten where. Salt has been recommended to prevent the +mischief of the worms, as well as a benefit to the bees. I used it +pretty extensively for several years, as I thought without much +benefit, and got tired. I then tried salting a part, and let the rest +do entirely without, and found no difference in their prosperity. Since +then, some ten years ago, I abandoned its use altogether, and succeed +just as well. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +MELTING DOWN OF COMBS. + + +THE CAUSE. + +When extreme hot weather occurs immediately after the bees have been +gathering from a plentiful harvest for two or three weeks, or even +during the yield, the wax composing new combs is very liable to be +softened, till they break loose from their fastenings and settle to the +bottom. + + +EFFECTS. + +Sometimes the injury is trifling, only a piece or two slipping down; at +other times the whole contents fall in a confused and broken mass, the +weight pressing out the honey, and besmearing the bees, which in that +situation creep out, and away, from the hive in every direction. + +I once had some new stocks ruined, and several others injured by hot +weather, in this way, about the first of September, immediately after +the flowers of buckwheat. The bees, or most of them, being covered with +honey, together with what ran out of the hive, at once attracted bees +from the others to the spot, which carried off the entire contents in a +few hours. This was an uncommon occurrence; I have known but one season +in twenty-five years when it occurred after the failure of honey in the +flowers. It usually happens during a plenteous yield, and then other +stocks are not apt to be troublesome. + + +FIRST INDICATIONS. + +The first indications of such an accident will be, the bees outside in +clusters, when the hive is perhaps only half or two-thirds full, and +the honey running out from the bottom, (this is when part has fallen.) + + +PREVENTION. + +To prevent such occurrences as far as possible, ventilate by raising +the hives on little blocks at the corners, and _effectually protect +them from the sun_; and if necessary, wet the outside with _cold_ +water. At the time of losing those before mentioned, I kept all the +rest of the young swarms wet through the middle of the day, and I have +no doubt but I saved several by this means. I had some trouble with +such as had only a piece or two come down, and started just honey +enough to attract other bees. It was not safe to close the hive to +prevent the robbers, as this would have made the heat still greater, +and been certain destruction. + +The best protection I found, was to put around the bottom of the hive a +few stems of asparagus; this gave a free circulation of air, and at the +same time, made it very difficult for the robbers to approach the +entrance, without first creeping through this hedge and encountering +some bees that belonged to the hive; which, with this assistance, were +enabled to defend themselves till all wasting honey was taken up. + +When the hive is nearly full, and but one or two sheets come down, the +lower edge will rest on the floor, and the other combs will keep it in +an upright position, until the bees fasten it again. It is generally as +well to leave such pieces as they are. If the hive is but half full or +little more, and such pieces are not kept perpendicular by the +remaining combs, they are apt to be broken and crushed badly, by +falling so far; and most of the honey will be wasted. To save this, it +will be necessary to remove it, (unless a dish can be made to catch +it). Be careful not to turn the hive on its side, and break the +remaining combs, if any are left. Such combs as contain brood and but +little honey, might be left for the brood to mature. Should the bees be +able to take the honey or not waste much, it might be advisable to +leave it, till the contents were taken up; it would greatly assist in +filling up. But these broken pieces should be removed before they +interfere with the combs extending to the bottom. A part of the bees +are generally destroyed, but the majority will escape; even such as are +covered with honey, (if they are not crushed) will clean it off and +soon be in working order, when others do not interfere officiously, +assisting to remove it. A good yield of honey is the best protection +against this disposition to pillage. After the first year combs become +thicker, and are not so liable to give way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +FALL MANAGEMENT. + + +FIRST CARE. + +When the flowers fail at the end of the season, the first thing +necessary is to ascertain which are the weakest stocks, and all that +cannot defend themselves should either be removed or reinforced. The +strength of all stocks is pretty thoroughly tested within a few days +after a failure of honey. Should any be found with too few bees for +defence, they are quite sure to be plundered. Hence the necessity of +action in season, that we may secure the contents in advance of the +robbers. + + +STRONG STOCKS DISPOSED TO PLUNDER. + +Strong stocks, that during a yield have occupied every cell with brood +and honey, when it fails, will soon have empty cells left by the young +bees, hatching. These empty cells, without honey to fill them, appear +to be a source of much uneasiness. Although such hive and caps may be +well stored, I have ever found them to be the worst in the apiary, much +more disposed to plunder, than weaker ones with half the honey. As weak +stocks cannot be bettered now, it is best to remove them at once, and +put the temptation out of the way. Carelessness is but a sorry excuse, +for letting bees establish this habit of dishonesty. Should any stocks +be weak from disease, the consequences would be even more disastrous +than bad habits; the reasons why such impure honey should not go into +thrifty stocks, have already been given. If we want the least possible +trouble with our bees, none but the best should be selected for winter. +But what constitutes a good stock, seems to be but partially +understood; if we judge from the number lost annually, too many are +careless, or ignorant in the selection; supposing, perhaps, because a +stock has been good one winter and swarmed well, it must of course be +right; the mistake is often fatal. + + +BEES CHANGEABLE. + +Bees are so changeable, especially in the summer and swarming season, +that we can seldom be certain what they are, by what they have been. It +is safest, therefore, _to know what they are now_. + + +REQUISITES FOR GOOD STOCKS. + +The proper requisites for a good stock are a full hive of proper shape +and size, (viz., 2,000 inches,) well stored with honey; a large family +of bees, and in a healthy condition, which must be ascertained by +actual inspection. The age is not important till over eight years old. +Stocks possessing these points, can be wintered with but little +trouble. But it cannot be expected that all will be in this condition. +Many bee-keepers will wish to increase their stocks and keep all that +is practicable, by supplying any deficiency. I shall endeavor to make +it appear profitable to do so, until bees enough are kept in the +country, to get all the honey that is now wasted. + +All can understand why it is a loss to have bees eat honey part of the +winter and then die--that the honey consumed might have been +saved--that it makes no great difference to the bees whether they are +killed in the fall or sacrificed in the winter. I am not an advocate +for fire and brimstone as the reward of all unfortunate stocks, and +shall recommend it only when its use will make it no worse. We will see +how far it can be dispensed with. + + +GREAT DISADVANTAGE OF KILLING THE BEES. + +Those rustic bee-keepers who are in the habit of making their hives +very large, such as will hold from 100 to 140 lbs., and killing the +bees in the fall, and sending the honey to market, will probably +continue the use of sulphur, unless we can convince them of the greater +advantage of making the hive smaller and have fifty or eighty lbs. of +this honey in boxes which will sell for more than can be realized for +their larger hive full, and at the same time, save their bees for a +stock-hive, making a better return in the long run, than one hundred +dollars at interest. When hives are made the proper size, the honey +will not be an object sufficient to pay for destroying the bees. + + +SECTION OF COUNTRY MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT POOR STOCKS NEED. + +The kind of requisite to be supplied to our deficient stocks, will +probably depend on the section of country. Where the principal source +is clover and basswood, it will fail partially, at least, before the +end of warm weather. + +Some poor or medium stocks will continue to rear brood too extensively +for their means, and exhaust their winter stores in consequence; such +will need a supply of honey. But where great quantities of buckwheat +are sown, cold weather follows almost immediately after this yield, and +stops the breeding. Consequently a scarcity of bees is more frequent +than honey. There are exceptions, of course; I am speaking of these +cases generally. My experience has mostly been in a section where this +crop is raised, and will say that there is not more than one season in +ten, but that the honey will be in proportion with the bees the first +of September; that is, if there are bees enough, there will be honey +enough. + + +WHEN BEES ARE NEEDED. + +I have frequently had stocks with stores amply sufficient to carry a +good family through the winter, and yet too few bees to last till +January, or even to defend themselves from the robbers. Hence I am in +the habit of supplying bees oftener than honey. + +I usually have some few hives with too little honey, as well as too few +bees. Now it is very plain if the bees of one or more of this class +were united with the first successfully, we should have a respectable +family. I have made additions to stocks in this way that proved +first-rate. + + +CAUTION. + +Whenever we make additions in this manner, it would be well first to +ascertain what was the cause of a scarcity of bees; if it was +over-swarming or loss of queen, it is well enough--but if from disease, +reject them, unless the bees are to be transferred the next spring, and +then, when too many cells are occupied with dead brood, as the bees +cannot be successfully wintered. + + +PRINCIPAL DIFFICULTY. + +The greatest difficulty in uniting two families or more in this manner, +is where they have to be taken from different places in the same +apiary; where the locations have been marked. It is sufficiently shown +that bees return to the old stand. + +To prevent these results, it has been recommended "to set an empty hive +with some pieces of comb, fastened in the top in the place of the one +removed, to catch the bees that go back to the old stand, and remove +them at night for a few times, when they remain." This should be done +only when we cannot do better; it is considerable trouble; besides +this, we do not always succeed to our satisfaction. + + +HOW AVOIDED. + +I like the plan of bringing them a mile or more for this purpose, and +have no after trouble about it. Two neighbors being that distance +apart, each having stocks in this condition might exchange bees, making +the benefit mutual. I have done so, and considered myself well paid for +the trouble. But latterly I have had several apiaries away from home, +and now manage without difficulty. + + +ADVANTAGES OF MAKING ONE GOOD STOCK FROM TWO POOR ONES. + +This making one good stock out of two poor ones, cannot be too highly +recommended; aside from its advantages, it relieves us from all +disagreeable feelings in taking life, that we can with but little +trouble preserve. + + +TWO FAMILIES TOGETHER WILL NOT CONSUME AS MUCH AS IF SEPARATE. + +Even when a stock already contains bees enough to make it safe for +winter, another of the same number of bees may be added, and _the +consumption of honey will not be five lbs. more than one swarm would +consume alone_. If they should be wintered in the cold, the difference +might not be one pound. Why more bees do not consume a proportionate +quantity of honey, (which the experience of others as well as myself +has thoroughly proved), is a mystery, unless the greater number of bees +creates more animal heat, and being warm, eat less, is a solution, +(which if it is, is a strong reason for keeping bees warm in winter.) + + +AN EXPERIMENT. + +Notwithstanding all this, I cannot recommend making a _good_ stock +better by adding the bees from another good one as a source of profit. +I tried it a few times. I had purchased some large hives for market, +and wished to dispose of the bees without sulphur, and try the +experiment of uniting two or more. The next spring when they commenced +work such double stocks promised much; but when the swarming season +arrived, the single swarms, such as were good and had just about bees +enough, were in the best condition, in ordinary seasons. Whether this +was owing to the circumstance of there being already bees enough that +were beginning to crowd and interfere with each other's labors, and +less brood raised in consequence, or to some other reason, I cannot +say. I have often noticed, (as others have), that stocks which have +cast no swarms, are no better the next spring than others. The same +cause might operate in both cases. Therefore it would appear +unnecessary to unite two or more _good swarms_, unless it is to spare +our feelings in destroying the bees. The two extremes may generally be +avoided, and not have too many or too few bees. + + +SEASON FOR OPERATING. + +The season for operating is, generally, when all the brood has matured +and left the cells. The exceptions are when there are not bees enough +to protect the stores; it may then be necessary, immediately after the +failure of honey. + +Col. H. K. Oliver, of Salem, Mass., is said to be the inventor of the +fumigator, an instrument to burn fungus (_puff-ball_). By the aid of +this the smoke is blown in the hive, paralyzing the bees in a few +minutes; when they fall to the bottom, apparently dead, but will +recover in a few minutes, on receiving fresh air. + + +THE FUMIGATOR. + +I am indebted to a communication from J. M. Weeks, published on page +151 of the Cultivator for 1841, for this method. The description of the +fumigator that I constructed will vary a trifle from his, but will +retain the principle. I obtained a tin tube four inches long, and two +in diameter. Next, I made a stopper of soft wood, three inches long, to +exactly fit one end of the tube when driven in half an inch, and +secured it by little nails driven through the tin. Through the centre +of this stopper I made a hole one-fourth of an inch in diameter. To +prevent this hole filling up, the end in the tube was covered over with +wire cloth, made a little convex. The end of this stopper was cut down +to about half an inch, tapering it from the tin. For the other end a +similar piece of wood is fitted, though a little longer, and not to be +fastened, as it must be taken out for every operation. The outer end of +this is cut down into a shape to be taken into the mouth, or attached +to the pipe of a bellows. (I fitted them in the turning lathe, but +have seen them fixed very nicely without.) It could all be made of tin; +but then it is necessary to use solder, which is liable to melt and +cause leaks. + +[Illustration: FUMIGATOR.] + +"The puff-balls must not be too much injured by remaining in the +weather, and should be picked, if possible, just before they are ripe +and burst open. When not thoroughly dry, put them in the oven after the +bread is out." When used, the cuticle or rind must be carefully +removed; ignite it by a lamp or coal (it will not blaze in burning), +blow it, and get it thoroughly started, before putting it in the tube. +Put in the stopper, and blow through it; if it smokes well, you are +ready to proceed. When it does not burn freely, unstop and shake it +out. The dry air is much better than moist breath at the commencement. + + +DIRECTIONS FOR UNITING TWO FAMILIES. + +The hive to receive the bees is inverted, the other set over it right +end up, all crevices stopped to prevent the escape of the smoke. Now +insert the end of the fumigator into a hole in the side of the hive +(which if not made before will need to be now); blow into the other +end, this forces the smoke into the hive; in two minutes you may hear +the bees begin to fall. Both hives should be smoked; the upper one the +most, as we want all the bees out of that. The other only needs enough +to make the scent of the bees similar to those introduced. At the end +of eight or ten minutes, the upper hive may be raised, and any bees +sticking between the combs brushed down with a quill. The two queens in +this case are of course together; one will be destroyed, and no +difficulty arise. But if either of them is a young one, and you have +been convinced by some "bee-doctor" that such are much more prolific, +and happen to know which hive contains her, and wish that one to be +preserved, you can do so by varying the process a little. Instead of +inverting one hive, set them both on a cloth right side up, and smoke +the bees; the queens are easily found, while they are all paralyzed; +then put the bees all together. The hive should now have a thin cloth +tied over the bottom, to prevent the escape of the bees. Before they +are fully recovered, they seem rather bewildered, and some of them get +away. Set the hive right end up, and raise it an inch; the bees drop on +the cloth, and fresh air passing under soon revives them. In from +twelve to twenty-four hours, they may be let out. + +Families put together in this way will seldom quarrel (not more than +one in twenty), but remain together, defending themselves against +intruders as one swarm. + +I once had a stock nearly destitute of bees, with abundant stores for +wintering a large family. I had let it down on the floor-board, and was +on the lookout for an attack. The other bees soon discovered this +weakness, and commenced carrying off the honey. I had brought home a +swarm to reinforce them only the day before, and immediately united +them by means of the fumigator. The next morning I let them out, +allowing them to issue only at the hole in the side of the hive. It was +amusing to witness the apparent consternation of the robbers that were +on hand for more plunder; they had been there only the day before, and +had been allowed to enter and depart without even being questioned. But +lo! a change had come over the matter. Instead of open doors and a free +passage, the first bee that touched the hive was seized and very rudely +handled, and at last dispatched with a sting. A few others receiving +similar treatment, they began to exercise a little caution, then tried +to find admission on the back side, and other places; and attempted one +or two others on either side, perhaps thinking they were mistaken in +the hive; but these being strong, repulsed them, and they finally gave +it up. I mention this to show how easy it is, with a little care, to +prevent robberies at this season. Too many complaints are made about +bees being robbed; it is very disagreeable. Suppose that _none were +plundered through carelessness_; this complaint would soon be a rare +thing. + + +UNITING WITH TOBACCO SMOKE. + +By the use of tobacco smoke, bees may be united with nearly the same +success. First, smoke the two to be united, thoroughly; disturb them +and smoke again, that all may become partially drunk, and acquire the +same scent. Then invert both hives, and with your pruning tools, cut +the combs down on the sides of the hive, and across the top, and take +out one comb at a time with the bees on it, and brush them with a quill +into the other hive; they immediately go down among the combs, without +once thinking it necessary to sting you. When done, the bees are to be +confined, the same as in the other method. I do not like this method as +well as the first, and do not resort to it when I can get the +puff-ball. The bees are more liable to disagree, and it compels me to +take out the comb, which I do not always like to do at the time. To +avoid it, I have tried to drive them, but when the hive is only part +full of combs, or contains but few bees, it is a slow job; and more so +in cool weather. + + +CONDITION OF STOCKS IN 1851. + +The latter part of the summer of 1851 was very dry and cold; the yield +of buckwheat honey was not a tenth of the usual quantity; the +consequence was, that none but early swarms had sufficient honey for +winter; twenty-five pounds is required to make it _safe_ in this +section. I had over thirty young swarms with less than that quantity. +Feeding for winter I avoid when I can; they would not winter as they +were; and yet I made the most of them good stocks for the next summer +by the following plan. + + +HOW THEY WERE MANAGED. + +I had about twenty old stocks with diseased brood, and but few bees, +yet _honey enough_. Now this honey appears healthy enough for the old +bees, and fatal only to the young brood. + +I transferred the bees of these new swarms to the old stocks with black +comb and diseased brood. The bees were thus wintered on honey of but +little account any way, and all that was in the others, new and +healthy, was saved. These new hives were set in a cold dry place for +winter; _right end up_, to prevent much of the honey from dripping out +of the cells; some will leak then, but not as much as when the hive is +bottom up. Honey that runs out, when the hive is bottom up, will soak +into the wood at the base of the combs; this will have a tendency to +loosen the fastenings, and render them liable to fall, &c. + +The next March the bees were again transferred from the old to the new +hives. My method is as follows: As the combs in the hive to receive the +bees are rather cold, I set them by the fire, or in a warm room, for +several hours previous. I take a warm room before a window, and as some +few bees fly off, they will collect there. The new hive is turned +bottom up on the floor; the old one on a bench by the side of it, +having smoked the bees to keep them quiet. One comb at a time is taken +out, and the bees brushed into the new hive; (a little smoke will keep +them there). When through, I get the few on the window, and tie over a +cloth to confine them, and keep them warm for a few hours longer. +Paralyzing with puff-ball will answer instead, but they do not always +all fall out of the combs when the hive is filled to the bottom, and it +is possible that if a few were left, the queen might be one. Also a +very few bees are worth saving at this season, and the combs might have +to be broken out at last, for this purpose. + +When a good-sized family is put in a hive containing fifteen or twenty +pounds of honey, and near half full of clean new comb, they are about +as sure to fill up and cast a swarm, as another that is full and has +wintered a swarm. + + +CAUSE OF THEIR SUPERIOR THRIFT. + +One cause of superior thrift may be found in the circumstance, that all +moth eggs and worms are frozen to death, and the bees are not troubled +with a single worm before June. No young bees have to be removed to +work them out. Nearly every young bee that is fed and sealed up, comes +forth perfect, and of course makes a vast difference in the increase. + + +SWARMS PARTLY FILLED PAY BETTER THAN TO CUT OUT THE HONEY. + +Any person wishing to increase his stocks to the utmost, will find this +plan of saving all part-filled hives, of much more advantage than to +break it out for sale. Suppose you have an old stock that needs +pruning, and have neglected it, or it has refused to swarm, and give +you a chance without destroying too much brood. You can let it be, and +put on the boxes; perhaps get twenty-five pounds of cap honey; and then +winter the bees as described, and in the spring transfer them to the +new combs. Again, if there is no stocks to be transferred in the +spring, keep them till the swarming season. If a swarm put into an +empty hive would just fill it, the same swarm put into one containing +fifteen pounds of honey, it seems plain, would make that number of +pounds in boxes. The advantage is, in the comparative value of box or +cap honey over that stored in the hive; the difference being from +thirty to a hundred per cent. + + +ADVANTAGES IN TRANSFERRING. + +I would now like to show the advantages I derived in transferring the +twenty swarms before mentioned. We will suppose that each family, from +the first of October till April, consumed twenty pounds of honey. That +in the centre combs, where there is most bee-bread, &c., is eaten +first; if any is left, it is at the top and outside. If I had attempted +to take out and strain this twenty pounds in the fall, it would have +been so mixed with dead brood, and bee-bread, that I probably should +have rejected most of it. The remainder, when strained, might have been +five pounds, not more. The market price for it is about ten cents per +pound; amount fifty cents. We will say the new hive kept through the +winter to receive the bees in the spring contained fifteen pounds; this +would also have averaged about ten cents per pound, amounting to $1.50. +All that a stock of this kind costs me appears to be just $2.00, and +worth at least $5.00. The advantage in changing twenty would be $60.00. +The labor of transferring will offset against the trouble of straining, +preparing, and the expense of getting the honey to market. + + +ANOTHER METHOD OF UNITING TWO FAMILIES. + +I have occasionally adopted yet another method of making a good stock +from two poor ones, which the reader may prefer. When all your old +stocks have been reinforced that need it, and you still have some +swarms with too few bees and too little honey for safety as they are, +two or more can be united. The fact, which has been thoroughly tested, +that two families of bees, when united and wintered in one hive, will +consume but little, if any more, than each of them would separately, is +a very important principle in this matter. If each family should have +fifteen pounds of honey, they would consume it all, and probably starve +at last, after eating thirty pounds. But if the contents of both were +in one hive, it would be amply sufficient, and some to spare in the +spring. + + +UNITING COMB AND HONEY AS WELL AS BEES. + +The process of uniting them is simple. Smoke both the stocks or swarms +thoroughly, and turn them over. Choose the one with the straightest +combs, or the one nearest full, to receive the contents of the other; +trim off the points of the combs to make them square across, and this +one is ready; remove the sticks from the other, and with your tools +take out the combs with the bees on as before directed, one at a time, +and carefully set them on the edges of the other; if the shape will +admit it, let the edges match; if not, let them cross. Small bits of +wood or rolls of paper will be needed between them, to preserve the +right distance. When both hives are of one size, the transferred combs +will exactly fit, if you are careful to place them as they were before. +You will now want to know, "what is to prevent these combs from falling +out when the hive is turned over?" This hive is to remain bottom up in +some dark place for some time, or till spring. (See method of wintering +bees.) The bees will immediately join these combs fast; the hive being +inverted, the honey in these combs will be consumed first; and when the +hive is again set out in spring, it will be a rare occurrence for any +pieces to drop out. Should any pieces project beyond the bottom of the +hive, they may be trimmed off even after they are fastened, any time +before setting out. An additional cross-stick may pass under the bottom +of the combs, to assist in holding them, if you desire. You will +probably never discover any difference in the subsequent prosperity in +consequence of the joining or crossing of the combs in the middle. I +have had them in this way, when they were among the most prosperous of +my stocks. As this operation is to be put off till November, it will be +an advantage in another way; that is, families of the same apiary can +be united, and will mostly forget the old location by spring, and no +difficulty arise by returning to the old stand, etc. + + +WHEN FEEDING SHOULD BE DONE FOR STOCK HIVES. + +In some sections of country the _honey_ is more frequently wanting than +bees, or comb, and some seasons in this; in such cases, it will be +found an advantage to feed, until enough is stored for winter. This +should be done in September or October. But if they lack comb as well +as honey, and you wish to try feeding, (which I seldom do lately,) it +should be done if possible in warm weather, as they cannot work combs +to advantage in the cold. While feeding bees, it requires a great deal +of caution to prevent others from scenting the honey, and their +contentions about it. The safest place is on the top of the hive, with +a good cap over; but they will not work quite as fast, especially if +the weather is cool. The next best place is under the bottom in the +manner described in Chapter IX. + +Setting out honey to feed all at once, I condemn wholly. These +disadvantages attend it: strong stocks that do not need an ounce, will +get two or three pounds, while those weaker ones, needing it more, will +not get one. Nearly every stock, in a short time, will be fighting. +Probably the first bee that comes home with a load, will inform a +number of its fellows that a treasure is close at hand. A number will +sally out immediately, without waiting for particular directions for +finding it; and mistaking other hives for the place, alight there, are +seized and probably dispatched. As soon as the honey given them is +gone, the tumult is greatly increased, and great numbers are destroyed. +If any of your neighbors near you have bees, you must expect to divide +with them. + +If the honey to be fed is in the comb, and your hives are not full, and +they are to be wintered in the house, bottom up, it may be done at any +time through the winter, merely by laying pieces with honey on those in +the hive. The bees readily remove the contents into their own combs; +when empty, remove them and put in more until they have a full supply. +They will join such pieces of comb to their own; yet there will be no +harm in breaking them loose. The principal objection to feeding in this +way, will be found in the tendency to make them uneasy and disposed to +leave the hive, when we want them as quiet as possible, A thin muslin +cloth, or other means, will be necessary to confine them to the hive. + +I have now given directions to avoid killing any family of bees worth +saving, if we choose. + +When such as need feeding have been fed, and all weak families made +strong by additions, etc., but little more fall work is needed in the +apiary. It is only when you have weak stocks, unfit to winter, that it +is necessary to be on the lookout every warm day to prevent pillage. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +WINTERING BEES. + + +There is almost as much diversity of opinion with respect to wintering +bees as in the construction of hives, and about as difficult to +reconcile. + + +DIFFERENT METHODS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED. + +One will tell you to keep them warm, another to keep them cold; to keep +them in the sun, out of the sun, bury them in the ground, put them in +the cellar, the chamber, wood-house, and other places, and no places at +all; that is, to let them remain as they are, without any attention. +Here are plans enough to drive the inexperienced into despair. Yet I +have no doubt but that bees have been sometimes successfully wintered +by all these contradictory methods. That some of these methods are +superior to others, needs no argument to illustrate. But what method +_is best_, is our province to inquire. Let us endeavor to examine the +subject without prejudice to bias our judgment. + + +THE IDEA OF BEES NOT FREEZING HAS LED TO ERRORS IN PRACTICE. + +By close observation we shall probably discover that the assertion so +often repeated, that bees have never frozen except when without honey, +has led to an erroneous practice. + + +APPEARANCE OF BEES IN COLD WEATHER. + +We will first endeavor to examine the condition of a stock left to +nature, without any care, and see if it affords any hints for our +guidance, when to assist and protect with artificial means. + +Warmth being the first requisite, a family of bees at the approach of +cold weather crowd together in a globular form, into a compass +corresponding to the degree of cold; when at zero it is much less than +at thirty above. Those on the outside of this cluster are somewhat +stiffened with cold; while those inside are as brisk and lively as in +summer. In severe weather every possible space within their circle is +occupied; even each cell not containing pollen or honey will hold a +bee. Suppose this cluster is sufficiently compact for mutual warmth, +with the mercury at 40, and a sudden change brings it down to zero, in +a few hours, this body of bees, like most other things, speedily +contracts by the cold. The bees on the outside, being already chilled, +a portion of them that does not keep up with the shrinking mass, is +left exposed at a distance from their fellows, and receive but little +benefit of the warmth generated there; they part with their vitality, +and are lost. + + +HOW PART OF THE SWARM IS FROZEN. + +A good family will form a ball or circle about eight inches in +diameter, generally about equal every way, and must occupy the spaces +between four or five combs. As combs must separate them into divisions, +the two outer ones are smallest, and most exposed of any; these are +often found frozen to death in severe weather. Should evidence be +wanting from other sources to show that bees will freeze to death, the +above would seem to furnish it. It is said, "that in Poland bees are +wintered in a semi-torpid state, in consequence of the extreme cold." +We must either doubt the correctness of this relation, or suppose the +bee of that country a different insect from ours--a kind of semi-wasp, +that will live through the winter, and eat little or nothing. The +reader can have no difficulty in deciding which is the most probable, +whether _bees are bees_ throughout the world, endowed with the same +faculties and instincts, or that the facts as they are, are not +precisely given, especially when we see what our own apiarians tell us +about their never freezing. + +Here I might use strong language in contradiction; but as I am aware +that such a course is not always the most convincing, I prefer the test +of close observation. If bees will freeze, it is important to know it, +and in what circumstances. + + +HOW A SMALL FAMILY MAY ALL FREEZE. + +Suppose a quart of bees were put in a box or hive where all the cells +were filled and lengthened out with honey; the spaces between the combs +would be about one-fourth of an inch--only room for one thickness of +bees to spread through. The combs would perhaps be one and a half or +two inches thick. All the warmth that could be generated then, would be +by one course or layer of bees, an inch and a half apart. Although +every bee would have food in abundance without changing its position, +the first turn of severe weather would probably destroy the whole. +This, it may be said, "is an unnatural situation." I will admit that it +is; the case was only supposed for illustration. I know that their +winter quarters are among the brood combs, where the hatching of the +brood leaves most of the cells empty; and the space between the combs +is half an inch; a wise and beautiful arrangement; as ten times the +number of bees can pack themselves within a circle of six inches, as +can in the other case; and in consequence the same number of bees can +secure much more animal heat, and endure the cold much better; but a +_small_ family, even here, will often be found frozen, as well as +starving. + + +FROST AND ICE SOMETIMES SMOTHER BEES. + +Besides freezing, there are other facts to be observed in stocks which +stand in the cold. If we examine the interior of a hive containing a +medium-sized swarm, on the first severely cold morning, except in the +immediate vicinity of the bees, we shall find the combs and sides of +the hive covered with a white frost. In the middle of the day, or as +soon as the temperature is slightly raised, this begins to melt,--first +next to the bees, then at the sides. A succession of cold nights will +prevent the evaporation of this moisture; and this process of freezing +and thawing, at the end of a week or two, will form icicles sometimes +as large as a man's finger, attached to the combs and the sides of the +hive. When the bottom of the hive is close to the floor, it forms a +sealing around the edges, perfectly air-tight, and your bees are +smothered. I have frequently heard bee-keepers say in these cases, "The +storm blew in, and formed ice all round the bottom, and froze my bees +to death." Others that have had their bees in a cold room, finding them +thus, "could not see how the water and ice could get there any way; +were quite sure it was not there when carried in," &c. Probably they +never dreamed of its being accounted for philosophically, and to +analyze anything pertaining to bees would be rather small business. But +what way can it be accounted for? + + +FROST AND ICE IN A HIVE ACCOUNTED FOR. + +Physiologists tell us "that innumerable pores in the cuticle of the +human body are continually throwing off waste or worn out matter; that +every exhalation of air carries with it a portion of water from the +system, in warm weather unperceived, but will be condensed into +particles large enough to be seen in a cold atmosphere." Now, if +analogy be allowed here, we will say the bee throws of waste matter and +water in the same way. Its food being liquid, nearly all will be +exhaled--in moderate weather it will pass off, but in the cold it is +condensed--the particles lodge on the combs in form of frost, and +accumulate as long as the weather is very severe, a portion melting in +the day, and freezing again at night. + + +THE EFFECT OF ICE OR FROST ON BEES AND COMB. + +When the bees are not smothered, this water in the hive is the source +of other mischief. The combs are quite certain to mould. The water +mould or dampness on the honey renders it thin, and unhealthy for the +bees, causing dysentery, or the accumulation of faeces that they are +unable to retain. When the hive contains a very large family, or a very +small one, there will be less frost on the combs,--the animal heat of +the first will drive it off; in the latter there will be but little +exhaled. + + +FROST MAY CAUSE STARVATION. + +This frost is frequently the cause of medium or small families starving +in cold weather, even when there is plenty of honey in the hive. +Suppose all the honey in the immediate vicinity of the cluster of bees +is exhausted, and, the combs in every direction from them are covered +with frost; if a bee should leave the mass and venture among them for a +supply, its fate would be as certain as starvation. And without timely +intervention of warmer weather, they _must_ perish! + + +OTHER DIFFICULTIES. + +Should they escape starving, there is another difficulty often +attending them in continued cold weather. I said that small families +exhaled but little. Let us see if we can explain the effect. + +There is not sufficient animal heat generated to exhale the aqueous +portion of their food. The philosophy that explains why a man in warm +blood and in profuse perspiration would throw off or exhale more +moisture than in a quiet state, will illustrate this. The bees in these +circumstances must retain the water with the excrementitious part, +which soon distends their bodies to the utmost, rendering them unable +to endure it long. Their cleanly habits, that ordinarily save the combs +from being soiled, is not a sure protection now, and they are compelled +to leave the mass very often in the severest weather, to expel this +unnatural accumulation of faeces. It is frequently discharged even +before leaving the comb, but most of it at the entrance; also some +scattered on the front side of the hive, and a short distance from it. +In a moderately warm day, more bees will issue from a hive in this +condition than from others; it appears that a part of them are unable +to discharge their burden--their weight prevents their flying--they get +down and are lost. When cold weather is too long continued, they cannot +wait for warm days to leave, but continue to come out at any time; and +not one of such can then return. The cluster inside the hive is thus +reduced in numbers till they are unable to generate heat sufficient to +keep from freezing. With the indications attendant upon such losses, my +own observation has made me somewhat familiar, as the following +conversation will illustrate. + + +FURTHER ILLUSTRATIONS. + +A neighbor who wished to purchase some stock hives in the fall, +requested my assistance in selecting them. We applied to a perfect +stranger; his bees had passed the previous winter in the open air. I +found on looking among them that he had lost some of them from this +cause, as the excrement was yet about the entrance of one old +weather-beaten hive, that was now occupied by a young swarm, and was +about half filled with combs. + +I saw at once what had been the matter, and felt quite confident that I +could give its owner a correct history of it. "Sir," said I, "you have +been unfortunate with the bees that were in this hive last winter; I +think I can give you some particulars respecting it." + +"Ah, what makes you think so? I would like to hear you guess; to +encourage you, I will admit that there has been something rather +peculiar about it." + +"One year ago you considered that a good stock-hive; it was well filled +with honey, a good family of bees, and two or three years old or more. +You had as much confidence in its wintering as any other; but during +the cold weather, somehow, the bees unaccountably disappeared, leaving +but a very few, and they were found frozen to death. You discovered it +towards spring, on a warm day. When you removed the combs, you probably +noticed a great many spots of excrement deposited on them, as well as +on the sides of the hive, particularly near the entrance. Also one-half +or more of the breeding cells contained dead brood, in a putrid state; +and this summer you have used the old hive for a new swarm." + +"You are right, sir, in every particular. Now, I would like to know +what gave you the idea of my losing the bees in that hive? I can see +nothing peculiar about that old hive, more than this one," pointing to +another that also contained a new swarm. "You will greatly oblige me if +you will point out the signs particularly." + +"I will do so with pleasure" (feeling quite willing to give him the +impression that I was "posted up" on this subject, notwithstanding it +savored strongly of boasting). + +I then directed his attention to the entrance in the side of the hive, +where the bees had discharged their faeces, on the moment they issued, +until it was near the eighth of an inch thick, and two or three inches +broad; that yet remained, and just began to cleave off. "You see this +brown substance around this hole in the hive?" + +"Yes, it is bee-glue (_propolis_); it is very common on old hives." + +"I think not; if you will examine it closely, you will perceive it is +not so hard and bright; it already begins to crumble; bee-glue is not +affected by the weather for years." + +"Just so, but what is it, and what has that to do with your +guess-work?" + +"It is the excrement of the bees. In consequence of a great many cells +containing dead brood, which the bees could not enter, they were unable +to pack themselves close enough to secure sufficient animal heat to +exhale or drive off the water in their food, it was therefore retained +in their bodies till they were distended beyond endurance--they were +unable to wait for a warm day--necessity compelled them to issue daily +during the coldest weather, discharging their faeces the moment of +passing the entrance, and part of them before. They were immediately +chilled, and could not return; the quantity left about this entrance +shows that a great many must have come out. That they came out in cold +weather is proved by its being left on the hive, because in warm +weather they _leave_ the hive for this purpose." + +"This is a new idea; at present it seems to be correct; I will think it +over. But how did you know that it was not a new swarm; that it was +well filled?" + +"When looking under it just now, I saw that combs of a dark color had +been attached to the sides near the bottom, below where those are at +present; this indicates that it had been full, and the dark color that +it was not new. Also, a swarm early and large enough to fill such a +hive the first season, would not be very likely to be affected by the +cold in this way." + +"Why not? I think this hive was crowded with bees as much as any of my +new swarms." + +"I have no doubt they appeared so; but we are very liable to be +deceived in such cases, by the dead brood in the combs. A +moderate-sized family in such a hive will make more show than some +larger ones that have empty cells to creep into, and can pack closer." + +"But how did you know about the dead brood?" + +"Because old stocks are thus often reduced and lost." + +"What were the indications of its being filled with honey?" + +"Combs are seldom attached to the side of the hive farther down than +they are filled with honey. In this hive the combs had been attached to +the bottom, consequently must have been full. Another thing, unless the +family is very much reduced, the hive is generally well stored, even +when diseased." + +"Why did you suppose it was near spring before I discovered it?" + +"I took the chances of guessing. The majority of bee-keepers, you know, +are rather careless, and when they have fixed their bees for winter, +seldom give them much more attention, till they begin to fly out in the +spring." + +"But what should I have done had I discovered the bees coming out?" + +"As it was affected with dead brood, it was but little use to do +anything; you would have lost it eventually. But if it had been a stock +otherwise healthy, and was affected in this way only because it was a +small family, or the severity of the weather, you could have taken it +to a warm room, and turned it bottom up; the animal heat would then +convert the most of the water contained in their food into vapor; that +would rise from the hive, and the bees could retain the excrementitious +portion without difficulty till spring." + +"I suppose you must get along without losing many through the winter, +if I may judge by your confident explanations." + +"I can assure you I have but little fear on this head. If I can have +the privilege of selecting proper stocks, I will engage not to lose one +in a hundred." + +"How do you manage? I would be glad to obtain a method in which I could +feel as perfectly safe as you appear to." + +"The first important requisite is to have all good ones to start with. +Enough weak families are united together till they are strong, or some +other disposition made of them." I then gave him an outline of my +method of wintering, which I can confidently recommend to the reader. + + +ACCUMULATION OF FAECES DESCRIBED BY SOME WRITERS AS A DISEASE. + +This accumulation of faeces is considered by many writers as a +disease--a kind of dysentery. It is described as affecting them towards +spring, and several remedies are given. Now if what I have been +describing is not the dysentery, why I must think I never had a case of +it; but I shall still persist in guessing it to be the same, and +suppose that inattention with many must be the reason that it is not +discovered in cold weather, at the time that it takes place. Some +stocks may be badly affected, yet not lost entirely, when moderate +weather will stop its progress. When a remedy is applied in the spring, +long after the cause ceases to operate, it would be singular if it was +not effectual. I have no doubt but some have taken the natural +discharge of faeces, that always takes place in spring when the bees +leave the hive, for a disease. Others, when looking for a cause for +diseased brood, and found the combs and hive somewhat besmeared, have +assigned this as sufficient; but according to my view, have reversed +it, giving the effect before the cause. + + +THE AUTHOR'S REMEDY. + +For a time, I supposed that this moisture on the combs gradually mixed +with the honey, making it thin, and that the bees eating so much water +with their food, would affect them as described. Some experiments that +followed, induced me to assign cold as the cause, as I always found, +when I put them where it was sufficiently warm, that an immediate cure +was the result, or at least, it enabled them to retain their faeces till +set out in the spring. + + +BURYING BEES. + +Burying bees in the earth below the frost, has been recommended as a +superior method of wintering, for small families. I have known it +confidently asserted, that they would lose nothing in weight, and no +bees would die. I found, in testing it, that a medium quantity of honey +sufficed, and but very few were lost, perhaps less than by any other +method. Yet the combs were mouldy, and unfit for further use. There was +no escape for the vapor and dampness of the earth. This did not satisfy +me; it only cured "one disease by instituting another." I saved the +bees, (and perhaps some honey), but the combs were spoiled. + + +EXPERIMENTS OF THE AUTHOR TO GET RID OF THE FROST. + +I wished to keep them warm, and save the bees as well as honey, and at +the same time, get rid of the moisture. I found that a large family +expelled it much better than small ones; and if all were put together +in a close room, the animal heat from a large number combined, would be +an advantage to the weak ones, at least,--this proved of some benefit. +Yet I found on the sides of a glass hive, that large drops of water +would stand for weeks. + + +SUCCESS IN THIS MATTER. + +The following suggestion then came to my relief. If this hive was +bottom up, what would prevent all this vapor as it arises from the bees +from passing off? (It always rises when warm, if permitted.) The hive +was inverted; in a few hours the glass was dry. + +This was so perfectly simple, that I wondered I had not thought of it +before, and wondered still more that some one of the many intelligent +apiarians had never discovered it. I immediately inverted every hive in +the room, and kept them in this way till spring; when the combs were +perfectly bright, not a particle of mould to be seen, and was well +satisfied with the result of my experiment. Although I was fearful that +more bees would leave the hives when inverted, than if right side up, +yet the result showed no difference. I had now tried both methods, and +had some means of judging. + + +BEES WHEN IN THE HOUSE SHOULD BE KEPT PERFECTLY DARK. + +When not kept perfectly dark, a few would leave the hives in either +case. I have found it much better to make the room dark to keep the +bees in the hive, than to tie over them a thin muslin cloth, as that +prevents a free passage of the vapor, and a great number of full stocks +were not at all satisfied in confinement; and were continually +worrying, and biting at the cloth, till they had made several holes +through it for passages out. Thus the little good was attended by an +evil, as an offset. Even wire cloth put over to confine them, which +would be effectual, would not save bees enough to pay expense. I have +thus wintered them for the last ten years, and am extremely doubtful if +a better way can be found.[17] For several years I made use of a small +bed-room in the house, made perfectly dark, in which I put about 100 +stocks. It was lathed and plastered, and no air admitted, except what +might come through the floor. It was single, and laid rather close, +though not matched. + + [17] I was so well pleased with my success, especially with small + families, that I detailed the most important points in a + communication to the Dollar Newspaper, Philadelphia, published + November, 1848. + + +A ROOM MADE FOR WINTERING BEES. + +In the fall of 1849 I built a room for this purpose; the frame was +eight by sixteen feet square, and seven high, without any windows. A +good coat of plaster was put on the inside, a space of four inches +between the siding and lath was filled with saw-dust; under the bottom +I constructed a passage for the admission of air, from the north side; +another over head for its exit, to be closed and opened at pleasure, in +moderate weather, to give them fresh air, but closed when cold, and so +arranged as to exclude all the light. + +A partition was extended across near the centre. This was to prevent +disturbing the whole by letting in light when carrying them out in the +spring. By closing the door of this partition, those in one room only +need be disturbed at once. + + +MANNER OF STOWING AWAY BEES. + +Shelves to receive the hives were arranged in tiers one above the +other; they were loose, to be taken down and put up at pleasure. +Suppose we begin at the back end: the first row is turned directly on +the floor, a shelf is then put across a few inches above them, and +filled, and then another shelf, still above, when we again begin on the +floor, and continue thus till the room is full; or if the room is not +to be filled, the shelves may be fixed around the sides of the room in +two or three courses. This last arrangement will make it very +convenient to inspect them at any time through the winter, yet they +should be disturbed as little as possible. The manner of stowing each +one is to open the holes in the top, then lay down two square sticks, +such as are made by splitting a board, of suitable length, into pieces +about an inch wide. The hive is inverted on these; it gives a free +circulation through the hive, and carries off all the moisture as fast +as generated. + + +TEMPERATURE OF ROOM. + +The temperature of such a room will vary according to the number and +strength of the stocks put in; 100 or more would be very sure to keep +it above the freezing point at all times. Putting a very few into such +a room, and depending on the bees to make it warm enough, would be of +doubtful utility. If these means will not keep the proper temperature, +probably some other method would be better. All full stocks would do +well enough, as they would almost any way. Yet I shall recommend +housing them whenever practicable. If the number of stocks is few, let +the room be proportionably small.[18] It is the smallest families that +are most trouble: if they are too cold, it may be known by bees leaving +the hive in cold weather, and spots of excrement on the combs; they +should then have some additional protection; close part or all of the +holes in the top, cover the open bottom partially or wholly, and +confine to the hive as much as possible the animal heat; when these +means fail, it may be necessary to take them to a warm room, during the +coldest weather. + + [18] As an additional proof that this method of inverting hives + in the house for winter is valuable, I would say that Mr. Miner, + author of the American Bee-Keeper's Manual, seems fully to + appreciate it. In. the fall of 1850, I communicated to him this + method; giving my reasons for preferring it to the cold method + recommended in his Manual. The trial of one winter, it appears, + satisfied him of its superiority, so much so that within a year + from that time he published an essay recommending it; but advised + confining the bees with muslin, &c. + + +TOO MUCH HONEY MAY SOMETIMES BE STORED. + +After the flowers fail, and all the brood has matured and left the +combs, it sometimes happens that a stock has an opportunity of +plundering, and rapidly filling all those cells that had been occupied +with brood during the yield of honey, and which then effectually +prevents their storing in them. This, then, prevents close packing, +which is all-important for warmth. Although a large family, as much +care is needed as with the smaller ones. Also such as are affected with +diseased brood should receive extra attention for the same reason. + +Some bee-keepers are unwilling to risk the bold measure of inverting +the hive, but content themselves by merely opening the holes in the +top; this is better than no ventilation, but not so effectual, as all +of the moisture cannot escape. There are some who cannot divest +themselves of the idea, that if the hive is turned over, the bees must +also stand on their heads all winter! + +Rats and mice, when they find their way into such room, are less bold +with their mischief than if the hive is in its natural position. + + +MANAGEMENT OF ROOM TOWARDS SPRING. + +A few warm days will often occur, towards spring, before we can get our +bees out. In these cases, a bushel or two of snow or ice pounded up +should be spread on the floor; it will absorb and carry off as it melts +much of the heat, that is now unnecessary, and will keep them quiet +much longer than without it; (provision for getting rid of this water +should be made when putting down the floor.) + + +TIME FOR SETTING OUT BEES. + +The time for carrying out bees is generally in March, but some seasons +later. A warm pleasant day is the best, and one quite cold, better than +one only _moderately_ warm. + +After their long confinement, the light attracts them out at once, +(unless very cold air prevents), and if the rays of a warm sun do not +keep them active, they will soon be chilled and lost. + +Some bee-keepers take out their stocks at evening. If we could be +always sure of having the next day a fair one, it would probably be the +best time; but should it be only moderate, or cloudy, it would be +attended with considerable loss--or if the next day should be quite +cold, but few would leave, and then the only risk would be to get _a +good day_, before one that was just warm enough to make them leave the +hive, but not quite enough to enable them to return. + + +NOT TOO MANY STOCKS TAKEN OUT AT ONCE. + +When too many are taken out at once, the rush from all the hives is so +much like a swarm, that it appears to confuse them. Some of the stocks +by this means will get more bees than actually belong to them, while +others are proportionably short, which is unprofitable, and to equalize +them is some trouble; yet it may be done. Being all wintered in one +room, the scent or the means of distinguishing their own family from +strangers, becomes so much alike, that they mix together without +contention. + + +FAMILIES MAY BE EQUALIZED. + +By taking advantage of this immediately, or before the scent has again +changed, and each hive has something peculiar to _itself_, you can +change the stands of very weak and very strong families. + +To prevent, as far as possible, some of these bad effects, I prefer +waiting for a fair day to begin, and then not until the day has become +sufficiently warm to make it safe from chill. + + +SNOW NEED NOT ALWAYS PREVENT CARRYING OUT BEES. + +I am not particular about the snow being gone--if it has only lain long +enough to have melted a part of it, it is "terra firma" to a bee, and +answers equally well as the bare earth. When the day is right, about +ten o'clock I put out twelve or fifteen, taking care that each hive +occupies its old stand, at the same time endeavoring to take such as +will be as far apart as possible; (to make this convenient, they should +be carried in in the manner that you wish them to come out.) When the +rush from these hives is over, and the majority of the bees has gone +back, I set out as many more about twelve o'clock, and when the day +continues fair, another lot about two. In the morning, while cool, I +move from the back to the first apartment, about as many as I wish to +set out in a day, except a few at the last. + +To do this in the middle of the day, while warm, would induce a good +many bees to leave the hive, while the light was admitted, and which +would be lost. It will be supposed generally that their long +confinement makes them thus impatient to get out; but I have frequently +returned stocks during a cold turn of weather after they had been out, +and always found such equally as anxious to come out, as those which +had been confined throughout the winter; without the airings, I have +kept them thus confined, for five months, without difficulty! The +important requisites are, sufficient warmth and perfect darkness. + + +DOES NOT ANALOGY PROVE THAT BEES SHOULD BE KEPT WARM IN WINTER? + +Opposition to this method of wintering will arise with those who have +always thought that bees must be kept cold; "the colder the better." I +would suggest for their consideration the possibility of some analogy +between bees and some of the warm-blooded animals--the horse, ox, and +sheep, for instance, that require a constant supply of food, that they +may generate as much caloric as is thrown off on the cold air. This +seems to be regulated by the degree of cold, else why do they refuse +the large quantity of tempting provender in the warm days of spring, +and greedily devour it in the pelting storm? The fact is pretty well +demonstrated, that the quantity of food needed for the same condition +in spring, is much less when protected from the inclemency of the +weather, than when exposed to the severe cold. The bee, unlike the +wasp, when once penetrated with frost, is dead--_their temperature must +be kept considerably above the freezing point, and to do this, food is +required_. Now if the bees are governed by the same laws, and cold air +carries off more heat than warm, and their source of renewing it is in +the consumption of honey in proportion to the degree of cold, common +sense would say, keep them warm as possible. As a certain degree of +heat is necessary in all stocks, it may take about such a quantity of +honey to produce it, and this may explain why a small family requires +about the same amount of food as others that are very large. + + +THE NEXT BEST PLACE FOR WINTERING BEES. + +A _dry_, warm cellar is the next best place for wintering them; the +apiarian having one perfectly dark, with room to spare, will find it a +very good place, in the absence of a room above ground. If a large +number was put in, some means of ventilation should be contrived for +warm turns of weather. I know an apiarian, who by my suggestion has +wintered from sixty to eighty stocks in this way, for the last six +years, with perfect success, not having lost one. Another has wintered +thirty with equal safety. + +As for burying them in the earth, I have not the least doubt, if a dry +place should be selected, the hive inverted, and surrounded with hay, +straw, or some substance to absorb the moisture, and protected from the +rain, at the top of the covering, that perfect success would attend the +experiment. But this is only theory; when I tried the experiment of +burying, and had the combs mould, the hives ware right side up. + + +EVILS OF WINTERINGS IN THE OPEN AIR CONSIDERED. + +As a great many bee-keepers will find it inconvenient, or be unable to +avail themselves of my method of wintering, it will be well enough to +see how far the evils of the open air, which we have already glanced +at, may be successfully avoided. I am told by those who have tried +wintering them in straw hives, that in this respect they are much safer +than those made of boards; probably the straw will absorb the moisture. +But as these hives are more trouble to construct, and their shape will +prevent the use of suitable boxes for surplus honey, this one advantage +will hardly balance the loss. They are said also to be more liable to +injury from the moth. We want a hive that will unite advantageously as +many points as possible. + +It should be remembered that bees always need air, especially in the +cold.[19] With this in view, we will try to dispose of the vapor or +frost. If the hive is raised sufficient to let it out, it will let in +the mice; to prevent which, it should be raised only about one-fourth +of an inch. The hole in the side should be nearly covered with wire +cloth to keep out the mice; but give a passage for the bees; otherwise +they collect here, endeavoring to get out, and remain till chilled, and +thus perish by hundreds. The boxes on the top must be removed, but not +the cap or cover; the holes all opened, to let the vapor pass up into +the chamber; if this is made with perfectly close joints, so that no +air escapes, it should be raised a very little; otherwise not. The +moisture will condense on the sides and top, when it melts will follow +the sides to the bottom, and pass out; the rabbeting around the top of +the hive will prevent its getting to the holes, and down among the +bees. It will be easily comprehended, that a hole between each two +combs at the top, (as mentioned in the subject of putting on the +boxes,) will ventilate the hive much better than where there is but one +or two, or where there is a row of several, and all are between two +combs. + + [19] It is presumed that the inexperienced will soon learn to + distinguish such bees, as die from old age or natural causes, + from those affected by the cold. + + +BUT LITTLE RISK WITH GOOD STOCKS. + +All _good stocks_ may be wintered in this way, with but little risk in +most situations. Whether in the bleak north-wind, buried in a +snow-bank, or situated warm and pleasant, it will make no great +difference. The mice cannot enter; the holes give them air, and carry +off moisture, &c. But second-rate stocks are not equally safe in cold +situations. + + +EFFECT OF KEEPING SECOND-RATE STOCKS OUT OF THE SUN. + +It has been strongly urged, without regard to the strength of the +stock, to keep them all out of the sun; because an occasional warm day +would call out the bees, when they get on the snow, and perish; this is +a loss, to be sure, but there is such a thing as inducing a greater one +by endeavoring to avoid this. I have said in another place that second +rate or poor stocks might occasionally starve, with plenty of stores in +the hive, on account of frosty combs. If the hive is kept from the sun, +in the cold, the periods of temperate weather might not occur as often, +as the bees would exhaust the honey within their circle or cluster. But +on the contrary, when the sun can strike the hive, it warms up the +bees, and melts the frost more frequently. The bees may then go among +their stores and obtain a supply, generally, as often as needed. We +seldom have a winter without sunny days enough for this purpose; but +should such an one occur, stocks of this class should be brought into a +warm room, once in four or five days, for a few hours at a time, to +give them a chance to get at the honey. Stocks much below second-rate +cannot be wintered successfully in this climate; the only place for +them is the warm room. I have known bees thoroughly covered in a +snow-drift, and their owner was at considerable trouble to shovel the +snow away, fearing it would smother them. This is unnecessary, when +protected from the mice and ventilated as just directed; a snow-bank is +about as comfortable a place as they can have, except in the house. +When examined a short time after being so covered, the snow for a space +of about four inches on every side of the hive is found melted, and +none but quite poor stocks would be likely to suffer with this +protection. A little snow around the bottom, without a vent in the side +of the hive, might smother them. + + +EFFECTS OF SNOW CONSIDERED. + +As for bees getting on the snow, I apprehend that not many more are +lost there, than on the frozen earth; that is, in the same kind of +weather. I have seen them chilled, and lost on the ground by hundreds, +when a casual observer would not have noticed them; whereas, had they +been on the snow, at the distance of several rods, every bee would have +been conspicuous. Snow is not to be dreaded as much as chilly air. +Suppose a hive stands in the sun throughout the winter, and bees are +allowed to leave when they choose, and a portion are lost on the snow, +and that it was possible to number all that were lost by getting +chilled, throughout the season, on the bare earth--the proportion (in +my opinion) lost on the snow would not be one in twenty. A person that +has not closely observed during damp or chilly weather, in April, May, +or even the summer months, has no adequate conception of the number. +Yet, I do not wish to be understood that it is of no consequence what +are lost on the snow, by any means. On the contrary, a great many are +lost, that might be saved with proper care. But I would like to impress +the fact, that frozen earth is not safe without warm air, any more than +snow, when crusted, or a little hard. Even when snow is melting, it is +solid footing for a bee; they can and do rise from it, with the same +ease as from the earth. Bees that perish on snow in these +circumstances, would be likely to be lost if there was none. + + +STOCKS TO BE PROTECTED ON SOME OCCASIONS. + +The worst time for them to leave the hive is immediately after a new +snow has fallen, because if they light on it then, it does not sustain +their weight; and they soon work themselves down out of the rays of the +sun, and perish. Should it clear off pleasant, after a storm of this +kind, a little attention will probably be remunerated. Also, when the +weather is moderately warm, and not sufficiently so to be safe, they +should be kept in, whether snow is on the ground or otherwise. + +For this purpose, a wide board should be set up before the hive to +protect it from the sun, at least above the entrance in the side. But +if it grows sufficiently warm so that bees leave the hive when so +shaded, it is a fair test by which to tell when it will do to let them +have a good chance to sally out freely, except in cases of a new snow, +when it is advisable to confine them to the hive. The hive might be let +down on the floor-board, and the wire-cloth cover the passage in the +side, and made dark for the present; raising the hive at night again, +as before. I have known hundreds of stocks wintered successfully +without any such care being taken, and the bees allowed to come out +whenever they chose to do so. Their subsequent health and prosperity +proving that it is not altogether ruinous. It has been recommended to +enclose the whole hive by a large box set over it, and made perfectly +dark, with means for ventilation, &c. (A snow-bank would answer equally +well, if not better.) For large families it would do well enough, as +would also other methods. But I would much rather take the chances of +letting them all stand in the sun, and issue as they please, than to +have the warmth of the sun entirely excluded from the moderate-sized +families. I never knew a whole stock lost by this cause alone.[20] Yet, +I have known a great many starved, merely because the sun was not +allowed to melt the frost on the combs, and give them a chance to get +at their stores. + + [20] Vide other causes of loss, a few pages back. + + +DO THE BEES EAT MORE WHEN ALLOWED TO COME OUT OCCASIONALLY IN WINTER? + +Besides the loss of bees on the snow when standing in the sun, and +taking an airing occasionally, there are some economical bee-keepers +who urge this disadvantage, "that every time bees come out in winter +they discharge their excrement, and eat more honey in consequence of +the vacant room." What a ridiculous absurdity it would be to apply this +principle to the horse, whose health, strength, and vital heat is +sustained by the assimilation of food! and the farmer is not to be +found who would think of saving his provender by the same means. That +bees are supported in cold weather on the same principle is indicated +strongly, if not conclusively. + +Is it not better (if what has been said on the subject of wintering +bees is correct) to keep our bees warm and comfortable when +practicable, as a means of saving honey? + +To winter bees in the best manner, considerable care is required. +Whenever you are disposed to neglect them, you should bear in mind that +one early swarm is worth two late ones; their condition in spring will +often decide this point. Like a team of cattle or horses when well +wintered, they are ready for a good season's work, but when poorly +wintered have to recruit a long time before they are worth much. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SAGACITY OF BEES. + + +ARE NOT BEES DIRECTED ALONE BY INSTINCT? + +On this subject I have but little to say, as I have failed to discover +anything uncommonly remarkable, separate and distinct in one swarm, +that another would not exhibit. I have found one swarm guided alone by +instinct, doing just what another would under the same circumstances. + +Writers, not contented with the astonishing results of instinct, with +their love of the marvellous, must add a good share of reason to their +other faculties,--"an adaptation of means to ends, that reason alone +could produce." It is very true, without close inspection, and +comparing the results of different swarms in similar cases, one might +arrive at such conclusion. It is difficult, as all will admit, "to tell +where instinct ends, and reason begins." Instances of sagacity, like +the following, have been mentioned. "When the weather is warm, and the +heat inside is somewhat oppressive, a number of bees may be seen +stationed around the entrance, vibrating their wings. Those inside will +turn their heads towards the passage, while those outside will turn +theirs the other way. A constant agitation of air is thus created, +thereby ventilating the hive more effectually." _All full stocks do +this in hot weather._ + + +WHAT THEY DO WITH PROPOLIS. + +"A snail had entered the hive and fixed itself against the glass side. +The bees, unable to penetrate it with their stings, the cunning +economists fixed it immovably, by cementing merely the edge of the +orifice of the shell to the glass with resin, (propolis), and thus it +became a prisoner for life." Now the instinct that prompts the +gathering of propolis in August, and filling every crack, flaw, or +inequality about the hive, would cement the edges of the snail-shell to +the glass, and a small stone, block of wood, chip, or any substance +that they are unable to remove, would be fastened with it in the same +manner. The edges or bottom of the hive, when in close proximity to the +bottom, is joined to it with this substance. Whatever the obstacle may +be, it is pretty sure to receive a coating of this. The stoppers for +the holes at the top are held in their places on the same principle; +and the unaccountable sagacity that once fastened a little door, might +possibly be nothing more than the same instinct. + +Another principle, I think, will be found to be universal with them, +instead of sagacious reasoning. + +Whenever the combs in a hive have been broken, or when combs have been +added, as was mentioned in the chapter on fall management, the first +duty of the bees appears to be to fasten them as they are; when the +edges are near the side of the hive, or two combs in contact, a portion +of wax is detached and used for joining them together, or to the side. + + +MENDING BROKEN COMBS. + +Where two combs do not touch, and yet are close together, a small bar +is constructed from one to the other, preventing any nearer approach. +(This may be illustrated by turning the hive a few inches from the +perpendicular after being filled with combs in warm weather.) + + +MAKING PASSAGES TO EVERY PART OF THEIR COMBS. + +Should nearly all the combs in the hive become detached from any cause, +and lie on the bottom in one "grand smash of ruin," their first steps +are, as just described, pillars from one to the other to keep them as +they are. In a few days, in warm weather, they will have made passages +by biting away combs where they are in contact, throughout every part +of the mass; little columns of wax below, supporting the combs +above,--irregular, to be sure, but as well as circumstances admit. Not +a single piece can be removed without breaking it from the others, and +the whole will be firmly cemented together. A piece of comb filled with +honey, and sealed up, may be put in a glass box with the ends of these +cells so sealed, touching the glass. The principle of allowing no part +of their tenement to be in a situation inaccessible, is soon +manifested. They immediately bite off the ends of the cells, remove the +honey that is in the way, and make a passage next to the glass, leaving +a few bars from it to the comb, to steady and keep it in its position. +A single sheet of comb lying flat on the bottom-board of a populous +swarm is cut away under side, for a passage in every direction, +numerous little pillars of wax being left for its support. How any +person in the habit of watching their proceedings, with any degree of +attention, could come at the conclusion that the bees raised such comb +by mechanical means and then put under the props for its support, is +somewhat singular. Their efforts united for such a purpose like +reasonable beings, I never witnessed. + +These things, considered as the effect of instinct, are none the less +wonderful on that account. I am not sure but the display of wisdom is +even greater than if the power of planning their own operations had +been given them. + +I have mentioned these, to show that a course of action called forth by +the peculiar situation of one family, would be copied by another in a +similar emergency, without being aware of its ever being done before. +Were I engaged in a work of fiction, I might let fancy reign and +endeavor to amuse, but this is not the object. Let us endeavor then to +be content with truth, and not murmur with its reality. When we take a +survey of the astonishing regularity with which they construct their +combs without a teacher, and remember that the waxen material is formed +in the rings of their body, that for the first time in life, without an +experienced leader's direction, they apply a claw to detach it, that +they go forth to the fields and gather stores unbidden by a tyrant's +mandate, and throughout the whole cycle of their operations, one law +and power governs. Whoever would seek mind as the directing power, must +look beyond the sensorium of the bee for the source of all we behold in +them! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +STRAINING HONEY AND WAX. + + +When about to remove the contents of a hive, I have never found it +necessary to use all the precautions often recommended to prevent the +access of bees. I have seen it stated that a room in which there was a +chimney open, would be unsuitable, as the bees would scent the honey, +and thus find their way down into the room. I never was thus troubled +by their perpendicular travelling. It is true, if the day was warm, and +a door or window was standing open, the bees would find their way in +during a scarcity of honey. But with doors and windows closed no +difficulty need be apprehended. + + +METHODS OF REMOVING COMBS FROM THE HIVE. + +The most convenient way to remove combs from the hive is to take off +one of its sides, but this is apt to split the boards, if it was +properly nailed, and injure it for subsequent use. With tools such as +have been described, it may be done very nicely, and leave the hive +whole. The chisel should have the bevel all on one side, like those +used by carpenters. When you commence, turn the flat side next the +board of the hive, and the bevel crowded by the combs will follow it +close the whole length; with the other tool they are cut across the +top, and readily lifted out. If preferred, they may be cut across near +the centre and take out half a sheet at a time; this is sometimes +necessary on account of the cross-sticks. + + +DIFFERENT METHODS OF STRAINING HONEY. + +Such combs as are taken from the middle or vicinity of brood-cells, are +generally unfit for the table; such should be strained. There are +several methods of doing it. One is, to mash the comb and put it in a +bag, and hang it over some vessel to catch the honey as it drains out. +This will do very well for small quantities in warm weather, or in the +fall before there is any of it candied. Another method is to put such +combs into a colander, and set this over a pan, and introduce it into +an oven after the bread is out. This melts the combs. The honey and a +portion of the wax run out together. The wax rises to the top and cools +in a cake. It is somewhat liable to burn, and requires some care. Many +prefer this method, as there is less taste of bee-bread, no cells +containing it being disturbed, but all the honey is not certain to +drain out without stirring it. If disposed, two qualities may be made, +by keeping the first separate. Another method is merely to break the +combs finely, and put them into a colander, and allow the honey to +drain out without much heat, and afterwards skim off the small +particles that rise to the top, or when very particular, pass the honey +through a cloth, or piece of lace. But for large quantities, a more +expeditious mode is to have a can and strainer, made for the purpose, +where fifty pounds or more can be worked out at once. The can is made +of tin, twelve or fourteen inches deep, by about ten or twelve +diameter, with handles on each side at the top, for lifting it. The +strainer is just enough smaller to go down inside the can; the height +may be considerably less, providing there are handles on each side to +pass out at the top; the bottom is perforated with holes like a +colander, combs are put into this, and the whole set into a kettle of +boiling water, and heated without any risk of burning, until all the +wax is melted, (which may be ascertained by stirring it,) when it may +be taken out. All the wax, bee-bread, &c., will rise in a few minutes. +The strainer can now be raised out of the top and set on a frame for +the purpose, or by merely tipping it slightly on one side it will rest +on the top of the can. It might be left to cool before raising the +strainer, were it not liable to stick to the sides of the can; the +honey would be full as pure, and separate nearly as clean from the wax +and bee-bread, &c. When raised out before cooling, the contents should +be repeatedly stirred, or considerable honey will remain. Two qualities +may be made by keeping the first that runs through separate from the +last, (as stirring it works out the bee-bread). Even a third quality +maybe obtained by adding a little water, and repeating the process. +This is worth but little. By boiling out the water, without burning, +and removing the scum, it will do to feed bees. By adding water until +it will just bear a potato, boiling and skimming, and letting it +ferment, it will make metheglin, or by letting the fermentation proceed +it will make vinegar. Honey that has been heated thoroughly, will not +candy as readily as when strained without heat. A little water may be +added to prevent its getting too hard; but should it get so in cold +weather, it can at any time be warmed, and water added until it is of +the right consistence. + + +GETTING OUT WAX--DIFFERENT METHODS. + +Several methods have been adopted for separating the wax. I never found +any means of getting out the _whole_. Yet I suppose I came as near it +as any one. Some recommend heating it in an oven, similar to the method +of straining honey through the colander, but I have found it to waste +more than when melted with water. A better way for small quantities, is +to half fill a coarse stout bag with refuse comb and a few +cobble-stones to sink it, and boil it in a kettle of water, pressing +and turning it frequently till the wax ceases to rise. When the +contents of the bag are emptied, by squeezing a handful, the particles +of wax may be seen, and you may thereby judge of the quantity thrown +away. For large quantities the foregoing process is rather tedious. It +can be facilitated by having two levers four or five feet long and +about four inches wide, and fastened at the lower end by a strong +hinge. The combs are put into a kettle of boiling water, and will melt +almost immediately; it is then put into the bag, and taken between the +levers in a wash-tub or other large vessel and pressed, the contents of +the bag shaken, and turned, several times during the process, and if +need be returned to the boiling water and squeezed again. The wax, with +a little water, is now to be remelted and strained again through finer +cloth, into vessels that will mould it into the desired shape. As the +sediment settles to the bottom of the wax when melted, a portion may be +dipped off nearly pure without straining. + +Wax in cool weather may be whitened in a short time in the sun, but it +must be in very thin flakes; it is readily obtained in this shape by +having a very thin board or shingle, which should be first thoroughly +wet, and then dipped into pure melted wax; enough will adhere to make +it the desired thickness, and will cool instantly on being withdrawn. +Draw a knife along the edges, and it will readily cleave off. Exposed +to the sun in a window or on the snow, it will become perfectly white, +when it can be made into cakes for market, where it commands a much +higher price than the yellow. It is said there is a chemical process +that whitens it readily, but I am not acquainted with it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +PURCHASING STOCKS AND TRANSPORTING BEES. + + +If the reader has no bees, and yet has had interest or patience to +follow me thus far, it is presumptive evidence that he would possess +the requisite perseverance to take charge of them. It would be well, +however, to remember the anxieties, perplexities, and time necessary to +take the proper care, as well as the advantages and profit. + +But if you are disposed to try the experiment, very likely some +directions for a commencement would be acceptable. + + +WHY THE WORD LUCK IS APPLIED TO BEES. + +There has been so much uncertainty in stock of this kind, that the word +_luck_ has been made to express too much. Some have been successful, +while others have failed entirely; this has suggested the idea that +_luck_ depended on the manner that the stocks were obtained; and here +again there seems to be a variety of opinions, as is the case always, +when a thing is guessed at. One will assert that the "fickle dame" is +charmed into favor by stealing a stock or two to begin with, and +returning them after a start. Another, (a little more conscientious, +perhaps) that you must take them without _liberty_, to be sure, but +leave an equivalent in money on the stand. Another, that the only way +to get up an effectual charm, is to exchange sheep for them; and still +another says, that _bees must always be a gift_. I have had all these +methods offered me gratis, with gravity, suitable to make an +impression. And, finally, there has yet another method been found out, +and that is, when you want a few stocks of bees go and buy them, yes, +and pay for them too, in dollars and cents, or take them for a share of +the increase for a time, if it suits your pecuniary resources best. And +you need not depend on any _charm_ or mystic power for your success--if +you do, I cannot avoid the unfavorable prediction of a failure. It is +true that a few have accidentally prospered for a few years; I say +accidentally, because when they have no true principles of management, +it must be the result of accident. It is a saying with some, that "one +man can't have luck but few years at once," and others none at all, +although he tries the whole routine of charms. Nearly twenty years ago, +when my respected neighbor predicted a "turn in my luck, because it was +always so," I could not understand the force of this reasoning, unless +it belonged to the nature of bees to deteriorate, and consequently run +out. I at once determined to ascertain this point. I could understand +how a farmer would often fail to raise a crop, if he depended on chance +or luck for success, instead of fixed natural principles. It was +possible that bees might be similar. I found that in good seasons the +majority of people had luck, but in poor seasons, the reverse, and when +two or three occurred in succession, then was the time to lose their +luck. It was evident, then, if I could pass in safety the poor seasons +by any means, I should do well enough in good ones.[21] The result has +given me but little reason to complain. My advice therefore is, that +reliance should be placed on proper management, instead of luck, +arising from the manner the first stock was obtained. Should any one +feel disposed to make you a present of a stock or two of bees, I would +advise you to accept the offer and be thankful, discarding all +apprehension of a failure on that account. Or if any one is willing you +should take some on shares, this is a cheap way to get a start, and you +have no risk of loss in the old stock. Yet if bees prosper, the +interest on the money that stocks cost is a mere trifle in comparison +to the value of increase, and you have the same trouble. On the other +hand, the owner of bees can afford to take care of a few hives more, +for half the profits, which he has to give if another takes them; this +is apt to be the case, especially, with such as have no faith in charms. + + [21] There are sections of country where the difference in + seasons is less than in this. + + +RULE IN TAKING BEES FOR A SHARE. + +The rule generally adopted for taking bees is this. One or more stocks +are taken for a term of years, the person taking them finding hives, +boxes, and bestowing whatsoever care is necessary, and returning the +old stocks to the owner with half the increase and profits. + + +A MAN MAY SELL HIS "LUCK." + +There are yet a few persons who refuse to sell a stock of bees, because +it is "bad luck." There is often some grounds for this notion. It might +arise under the following circumstances. Suppose a person has a half +dozen hives, three extra good, the others of the opposite extreme. He +sells for the sake of the better price his three best; there is but +little doubt but his best "luck" would go too! But should his poorest +be taken, the result would be different, without doubt. + +But there are cases where an apiarian has more stocks than he wishes to +keep. (It has been the case with myself frequently.) Persons wishing to +sell, are the proper ones of which to buy. Purchasers seldom want any +but first-rate stocks, they are generally cheapest in the end. There is +usually a difference of about a dollar in the spring and fall prices, +and five and six dollars are common charges. I have known them sell at +auction at eight, but in some sections they are less. + + +FIRST-RATE STOCKS RECOMMENDED TO BEGIN WITH. + +For a beginning then, I would recommend purchasing none but first-rate +stocks; it will make but little difference in the risk, whether you +obtain them in the spring, or fall, if you have read my remarks on +winter management with attention; I have already said the requisites +for a good stock for winter, were a numerous family and plenty of +honey, and that the cluster of bees should extend through nearly all +the combs, &c. To avoid as far as possible diseased brood, find an +apiary where it has never made its appearance, to make purchases. There +are some who have lost bees by it, and yet are totally ignorant of the +cause. It would be well, therefore, to inquire if any stocks have been +lost, and then for the cause--be careful that secondary are not +mistaken for primary causes. + + +OLD STOCKS ARE GOOD AS ANY, IF HEALTHY. + +When it appears that all are exempt, (by a thorough examination, if not +satisfied without,) you need not object to stocks two or three years +old; they are just as good as any, sometimes better, (providing they +have swarmed the season previous, according to one author; because such +always have young queens, which are more prolific than old ones, that +will be in all first swarms). + +Old stocks are as prosperous as any, as long as they are healthy, yet +they are more liable to become diseased. + + +CAUTION RESPECTING DISEASED BROOD. + +When no apiary from which to purchase can be found, but where the +disease _has made_ its appearance, and you are necessitated to purchase +from such, or not at all, you cannot be too cautious about it. It would +be safest in this case to take none but young swarms, as it is not so +common for them to be affected the first season, yet they are not +always exempt. But here, again, you may not be allowed to take all +young stocks; in which case let the weather be pretty cold, the bees +will be further up among the combs, and give a chance to inspect the +combs. At this season, say not earlier than November, all the healthy +brood will be hatched. Sometimes, a few young bees may be left that +have their mature shape, and probably had been chilled by sudden cold +weather--these are not the result of disease, the bees will remove them +the next season, and no bad results follow. In warm weather a +satisfactory inspection can be had no other way, but by the use of +tobacco smoke. Be particular to reject all that are affected with the +disease in the least; better do without, than take such to begin with. +(A full description has been given of this disease in another place.) + + +RESULT OF IGNORANCE IN PURCHASING. + +A neighbor purchased thirteen stock-hives; six were old ones, the +others swarms of the last season. As the old hives were heavy, he of +course thought them good; either he knew nothing of the disease, or +took no trouble to examine; five of the six old ones were badly +affected. Four were lost outright, except the honey; the fifth lasted +through the winter, and then had to be transferred. He had flattered +himself that they were obtained very cheaply, but when he made out what +his good ones cost, he found no great reason, in this respect, for +congratulation. + + +SIZES OF HIVES IMPORTANT. + +Another point is worthy of consideration: endeavor to get hives as near +the right size as possible, _viz._, 2,000 cubic inches; better too +large than too small. If too large, they may be cut off, leaving them +the proper size. But yet, it often makes an ungainly shape, being too +large square for the height. As the shape probably makes no difference +in the prosperity of the bees, the appearance is the principal +objection, after being cut off. + +An acquaintance had purchased a lot of bees in very large hives, and +called on me to know what to do with them, as he feared such would not +swarm well in consequence; I told him it would be doubtful, unless he +cut them off to the right size. + +"Cut 'em off! how can that be done? there is bees in 'em." + +"So I expected, but it can be done nearly as well as if empty." + +"But don't you get stung dreadfully?" + +"Not often: if it is to be done in warm weather, I smoke them well +before I begin; _in very cold weather_ is the best time, then it is +unnecessary; simply turn the hive bottom up, mark off the proper size, +and with a sharp saw take it off without trouble." + +"Some are filled with combs; you don't cut off such, do you?" + +"Certainly; I consider all the room for combs in a hive over 2,000 +inches as worse than lost." + +"What will you ask to cut mine off? If I could see it done once, I +might do it next time." + +"The charge will be light; but if you intend to keep bees, you should +learn to do everything pertaining to them, and not be dependent on any +one; I did it before I ever saw or heard of its being done." I then +gave him full directions how to manage, but could not persuade him to +undertake. + + +HOW LARGE HIVES CAN BE MADE SMALLER. + +A short time after, I attended, on a cold day, with a sharp saw, +square, &c. I found his hives fourteen inches square inside, and +eighteen deep, holding about 3,500 inches. Of this square, a little +more than ten inches in height, would make just the right size. To work +convenient, I inverted the hive on a barrel, set on end, marked the +length, and sawed it off, without a bee leaving. It was very cold, +(mercury at 6 deg.) The bees came to the edges of the combs, but the +cold drove them back. In a short time I had taken off six; four when +done were just about full; the other two were so when I began, but they +were marked and sawed like the rest; when the combs were attached, they +were severed with a knife, and the piece of the hive thus loose, was +raised off, leaving several inches of the combs projecting out of the +hive. I now cut off the first comb, even with the bottom of the hive. +On the next comb there were a few bees; with a quill these were brushed +down into the hive; this piece was then removed, and the bees on the +other side of it were brushed down also. In this way all others were +removed, and left the hive just full. The other full hive, after it was +sawed on each side, a small wire was drawn through, parallel with the +sheets, and severed all the combs at once; each piece was taken out, +and the bees that were clustered on them brushed back; removing the +loose part of the hive, was the last thing to be done. This last method +was preferred to the other by my employer; yet it was all performed to +his satisfaction, no sting or other difficulty about it, except the +trouble of warming fingers rather frequently. Tobacco smoke would have +kept them quiet during the operation, nearly as well. If preferred, a +hive may stand right side up while sawing it. + + +MODERATE WEATHER BEST TO REMOVE BEES. + +In transporting your bees, avoid if possible the two extremes of very +cold, or very warm weather. In the latter the combs are so nearly +melted, that the weight of the honey will bend them, bursting the +cells, spilling the honey, and besmearing the bees. In very cold +weather, the combs are brittle, and easily detached from the sides of +the hive. When necessitated to move them in very cold weather, they +should be put up an hour or so before starting. The agitation of the +bees after being disturbed will create considerable heat; a portion of +this will be imparted to the combs, and add to their strength. + + +PREPARATIONS FOR TRANSPORTING BEES. + +To prepare for moving them, pieces of thin muslin about half a yard +square is as good as anything, secured by carpet tacks. + + +SECURING BEES IN THE HIVE. + +The hive is inverted, and the cloth put over, neatly folded, and +fastened with a tack at the corners, and another in the middle. The +tack is crowed in about two-thirds of its length, it then presents the +head convenient to pull out. If the bees are to go a great distance, +and require to be shut up several days, the muslin will be hardly +sufficient, as they would probably bite their way out. Something more +substantial would then be required. Take a board the size of the +bottom, cut out a place in the middle, and cover with wire cloth, (like +the one recommended for hiving,) and fasten it with tacks. This board +is to be nailed on the hive. After the nails are driven, with the +hammer start it off about the eighth of an inch; it will admit a little +air around the sides as well as the middle, quite necessary for heavy +stocks. But very small families might be safe without the wire cloth; +air enough would pass between the hive and board, except in warm +weather. New combs break easier than old. + + +BEST CONVEYANCE. + +Probably the best conveyance is a wagon with elliptic springs. But a +wagon without springs is bad, especially for young stocks. Yet I have +known them moved safely in this way, but it required some care in +packing with hay, or straw, under and around them, and careful driving. +Good sleighing will answer very well, and by some thought to be the +best time. + + +HIVE TO BE INVERTED. + +Whatever conveyance is employed, the hive should be inverted. The combs +will then all rest closely on the top, and are less liable to break +than when right end up, because then the whole weight of the combs must +depend upon the fastenings at the top and sides for support, and are +easily detached and fall. When moving bees, so reversed, they will +creep upward; in stocks part full, they will often nearly all leave the +combs, and get upon the covering. In a short time after being set up, +they will return, except in very cold weather, when a few will +sometimes freeze; consequently a warm room is required to put them in +for a short time. + +After carrying them a few miles, the disposition to sting is generally +gone, yet there are a few exceptions. In moderate weather, when bees +are confined, they manifest a persevering determination to find their +way out, particularly after being moved, and somewhat disturbed. I have +known them to bite holes through muslin in three days. The same +difficulty is often attendant on attempting to confine them to the hive +by muslin when in the house in the winter, except when kept in a cold +situation. Should any combs become broken, or detached from their +fastenings, in hives not full, by moving or other accident, rendering +them liable to fall when set up, the hive may remain inverted on the +stand till warm weather, if necessary, and the bees have again fastened +them, which they do soon after commencing work in the spring. If they +are so badly broken that they bend over, rolls of paper may be put +between them to preserve the proper distance till secured. When they +commence making new combs, or before, it is time to turn the right end +up. While the hive is inverted, it is essential that a hole is in the +side, through which the bees may work. A board should fit close over +the bottom, and covered, to effectually prevent any water from getting +among the bees, &c. + + +CONCLUSION. + +In conclusion I would say, that the apiarian who has followed me +attentively, and has added nothing of value to his stock of +information, possesses an enviable experience that all should strive to +obtain. + +It has been said that "three out of five who commence an apiary must +fail;" but let us suppose it is through ignorance or inattention, and +not inherent with the bees. To the beginner then I would say,--if you +expect to succeed in obtaining one of the most delectable of sweets for +your own consumption, or the profit in dollars and cents, you will find +something more requisite than merely holding the dish to obtain the +porridge. "SEE YOUR BEES OFTEN," and know at all times their actual +condition. This one recipe is worth more than all others that can be +given; it is at the head of the class of duties; _all others begin +here_. Even the grand secret of successfully combating the worms,--KEEP +YOUR BEES STRONG, must take its rise at this point. With the above +motto acted upon, carried out fully, and with perseverance, you cannot +well fail to realize all reasonable expectations. Avoid over-anxiety +for a rapid increase in stocks; try and be satisfied with one good +swarm from a stock annually, your chances are better than with more; do +not anticipate the golden harvest too soon. You will probably be +necessitated to discard some of the _extravagant_ reports of profits +from the apiary. Yet you will find one stock trebling, perhaps +quadrupling its price or value in products, while the one beside it +does nothing. In some seasons particularly favorable your stocks +collectively will yield a return of one or two hundred per cent.--in +others, hardly make a return for trouble. The proper estimate can be +made only after a number of years, when, if they have been judiciously +managed, and your ideas have not been too extravagant, you will be +fully satisfied. I have known a single stock in one season to produce +more than twenty dollars in swarms and honey, and ninety stocks to +produce over nine hundred dollars, when a few of the number added not a +farthing to the amount. I do not wish to hold out inducements for any +one to commence bee-keeping, and end it in disgust and disappointment. +But I would encourage all suitable persons to try their skill in bee +management. I say suitable persons, because there are many, very many, +not qualified for the charge. The careless, inattentive man, who leaves +his bees unnoticed from October till May, will be likely to complain of +ill success. + +Whoever cannot find time to give his bees the needed care, but can +spend an hour each day obtaining gossip at the neighborhood tavern, is +unfit for this business. But he who has a home, and finds his +affections beginning to be divided between that and his companions of +the bar-room, and wishes to withdraw his interest from unprofitable +associates, and yet has nothing of sufficient power to break the bond, +to what can he apply with a better prospect of success, than to engage +in keeping bees? They make ample returns for each little care. +Pecuniary advantages are not all that may be gained--a great many +points concerning their natural history are yet in the dark, and many +are disputed. Would it not be a source of satisfaction to be able to +contribute a few more facts to this interesting subject, adding to the +science, and holding a share in the general fund? Supposing all the +mysteries pertaining to their economy discovered and elucidated, +precluding all chance of further additions, would the study be dry and +monotonous? On the contrary, the verification witnessed by ourselves +would be so fascinating and instructive, that we cannot avoid pitying +the condition of that man who finds gratification only in the gross and +sensual. It has been remarked, that "he who cannot find in this and +other branches of natural history a salutary exercise for his mental +faculties, inducing a habit of observation and reflection, a pleasure +so easily obtained, unalloyed by any debasing mixture--tending to +expand and harmonize his mind, and elevate it to conceptions of the +majestic, sublime, serene, and beautiful arrangements instituted by the +God of nature, must possess an organization sadly deficient, or be +surrounded by circumstances indeed lamentable." I would recommend the +study of the honey-bee as one best calculated to awaken the interest of +the indifferent. What can arrest the attention like their +structure--their diligence in collecting stores for the future--their +secretion of wax and moulding it into structures with a mathematical +precision astonishing the profoundest philosophers--their maternal and +fraternal affection in regarding the mother's every want, and assiduous +care in nursing her offspring to maturity--their unaccountable display +of instinct in emergencies or accidents, filling the beholder with +wonder and amazement? The mind thus contemplating such astonishing +operations, cannot well avoid looking beyond these results to their +divine Author. Therefore let every mind that perceives one ray of light +from nature's mysterious transactions, and is capable of receiving the +least enjoyment therefrom, pursue the path still inviting onward in the +pursuit. Every new acquisition will bring an additional satisfaction, +and assist in the next attempt, which will be commenced with a renewed +and constantly increasing zest; and will arise from the contemplation a +wiser, better, and a nobler being, far superior to those who have never +soared beyond the gratifications of the mere animal, grovelling in the +dark. Is there, in the whole circle of nature's exhaustless storehouse, +any one science more inviting than this? What more exalting and +refining, and at the same time making a return in profits as a +pecuniary reward? + +What would be the result in the aggregate of all the honey produced in +the flowers of the United States annually? Suppose we estimate the +productions of one acre to be one pound of honey, which is but a small +part of the real product in most places; yet, as a great many acres are +covered with water and forest,[22] this estimate is probably enough for +the average. This State (New York) contains 47,000 square miles; 640 +acres in a square mile will multiply into a little more than +30,000,000, and each acre producing its pound of honey, we have the +grand result of 30,000,000 lbs. of honey. If we add the States of +Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, we have an amount of over 126,000,000 +lbs. What it might be by including all the States, those disposed may +ascertain. Enough for our purpose is made clear, and that is, a small +item only of an enormous amount is now secured. + + [22] It should not be forgotten that forest trees are valuable, + especially when there is basswood, or even maple. + + + + * * * * * + + + +BOOKS PUBLISHED BY +J. M. SAXTON, AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHER, +152 FULTON STREET, NEW YORK, + +Suitable for + +School, Town, Agricultural and Private Libraries. + + * * * + +FOR SALE BY + +A. S. 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Neat half muslin binding, $3 25; morocco backs, $4. + +Compendium of English Literature. + A Compendium of English Literature, chronologically arranged, from + Sir John Mandeville (14th century) to William Cowper (close of the + 18th century); consisting of Biographical Sketches of the Authors, + choice selections from their works; with Notes explanatory and + illustrative, and directing to the best editions, and to various + criticisms. Designed as a text-book to the higher classes in + Schools and Academies, as well as for private reading. By Charles + D. Cleveland. $1 50. + +An Elementary Treatise on Statics. + By Gaspard Monge. With a Biographical Notice of the Author. + Translated from the French by Woods Baker, A.M., of the U.S. Coast + Survey. $1 25. + +Harrison on the English Language. + The Rise, Progress and present Structure of the English Language, + by the Rev. Matthew Harrison, A.M., Rector of Church Oakley, Hants. + and Late Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford. $1. + +The Progressive Farmer. + By J. A. Nash. 50 cents. + +The American Florist's Guide. + 75 cents. + +Agricultural Dynamics. + By J. J. Thomas. + + + + * * * * * + + + +THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER'S MANUAL. + +BY T. B. MINER. + +350 pp. 12mo. 35 ENGRAVINGS. PRICE $1. + +PUBLISHED BY C. M. SAXTON, 152 FULTON ST., N.Y. + + * * * + +OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. + +"The most complete work on the Bee and Bee-keeping we have yet +seen."--_N.Y. Tribune._ + +"Mr. Miner has handled this subject in a masterly manner."--_N.Y. True +Sun._ + +"He has written a work of the most fascinating interest."--_N.Y. Sunday +Dispatch._ + +"It will interest the general reader. It is indeed a charming +volume."--_Commercial Advertiser._ + +"This is a truly valuable work, and very interesting."--_Morning Star._ + +"It is decidedly the best work we have ever seen."--_Boston Daily +Mail._ + +"Mr. Miner has performed his task with signal ability."--_Scientific +American._ + +"It does high credit to the observation and intelligence of the +author."--_Christian Intelligencer._ + +"This is the most comprehensive and valuable work on the Honey-bee that +has ever come under our notice."--_Journal of Commerce._ + +"To appreciate the value of the honey-bee one must get this book and +read it attentively."--_Noah's Messenger._ + +"We like it for its independent tone, and the amount of practical +information that it contains."--_Literary World._ + +"We have been greatly edified and entertained by this book, from which +the reader will collect a great deal of excellent information."--_The +Independent._ + +"This is probably the most complete manual of the kind ever published. +It will richly repay the general reader, too, by the variety of +interesting facts it contains."--_Boston Traveller._ + +"It is a most excellent and useful treatise, and happily supplies a +vacuum that had long existed."--_Boston Times._ + +"This volume has all the charm of a romance and admirably displays the +habits of this insect."--_Organ._ + +"This volume is what it pretends to be, (more than can be said of many +works) and all who want a full and thorough history of the nature and +management of the bee should have it in their possession."--_Scientific +American._ + +"It is neatly printed, well illustrated and clearly written and +contains a great deal of practical information."--_Mirror._ + +"This work probably contains better instructions in regard to bees than +any which have ever appeared."--_Sun._ + +"The practical directions are the result of evident experience, and +being plainly and concisely stated, are excellent, It is so much better +than can be obtained elsewhere that we commend it to favor."--_N.Y. +Evangelist._ + +"It is an excellent book and the best published on the +subject."--_Boston Olive Branch._ + + + + * * * * * + + + +ILLUSTRATED TREATISE ON DOMESTIC ANIMALS, + +Being a history and description of the Horse, Mule, Cattle, Sheep +Swine, Poultry, and Farm Dogs; with Directions for their Management, +Breeding, Crossing, Rearing, Feeding, and preparation for a profitable +market. Also, their Diseases and Remedies; together with Full +Directions for the Management of the Dairy, and the Comparative Economy +and Advantages of Working Animals, the Horse, Mule, Oxen, &c., by R. L. +ALLEN, _Author of "Compend of American Agriculture"_ &c. + +The above work contains more than 40 Engravings and Portraits of +Improved Animals illustrative of the different breeds and various +subjects treated in it. + +The most minute as well as general principles for Breeding, Crossing, +Rearing, Feeding, and Management of all Domestic Animals, are herein +given, to produce the utmost marketable value for the food and +attention bestowed on them; as well as to prevent disease, and save the +immense losses which annually occur from this source. It can be sent by +Mail, in Cloth Binding, for 75 Cents--Paper, 50 Cents. Published by C. +M. SAXTON, 152 Fulton St. New York. For sale by all the Booksellers +throughout the country. + +Agents wanted for _every county_ in every state. Address, _post paid_, +the Publisher. + + +OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. + +The Compactness yet completeness will make it a favorite with +agriculturists.--_Chronicle, Philadelphia._ + +Its greatest worth is, as a complete farrier, showing the diseases of +animals, their treatment, and cure.--_Far. & Mec._ + +The portion which relates to the dairy alone, is worth the cost of the +book.--_Worcester Transcript._ + +It is every way adapted to be serviceable in every household which has +domestic animals.--_D. Adv.; Newark._ + +We believe it a complete guide for the farmer and dairyman in the +purchase, care, and use of animals.--_Jeffersonian._ + +Here is a work which should be in the hands of every farmer.-_-Highland +Courier._ + +We can confidently recommend this work as a very instructive one to +those engaged in farming, raising stock, or husbandry.--_Northampton +Courier._ + +The author is a practical farmer and stockbreeder, and is able to vouch +for the correctness of the remedies for diseases of Domestic Animals, +as well as the best mode of managing them.--_Huron, O. Reflector._ + +It costs but _seventy-five cents_, and cannot fail to be worth _ten +times_ that amount to any farmer.--_Summit S.C. Beacon._ + +It is the best of that character we have yet seen; no farmer should be +without it--_Democrat, Carlisle, Pa._ + +This is just such a book as every owner of stock should be possessed +of.--_Easton Md. Star._ + +Here is a book which all--those who follow the plow, and those who +direct it--can read to profit. It is a library of knowledge, presenting +the latest improvements and discoveries, on all the topics treated of; +and illustrated by a great variety of cuts. The "Allens," one of whom +is the author of the work before us, are quite famous in their especial +_role_, so that what proceeds from them may be confidently credited at +all events. The present book is a most interesting and instructive one, +and must meet with a great sale.--_Sciota Gazette._ + +This work, to the farmer and stock raiser, will be useful, instructive, +and profitable, enabling them to improve the breed of their stock, +preserve them from sickness, and cure them when infected with +disease.--_Herald, Morrisville, Pa._ + +The time has gone by when farmers can expect to _succeed_ without +giving some attention to Book Farming, and we trust they begin to see +it for themselves. We should like to hear that this work was in the +hands of every farmer in the county.--_Mercury, Potsdam, N.Y._ + +The title page of this work gives a good idea of its scope and intent. +It is a comprehensive summary of farm operations, and will prove very +acceptable to the great mass of our farming population. We are informed +that 3,000 copies of this work have been sold since the first of +January. It is well printed and profusely illustrated--_N.Y. Tribune._ + +It is furnished with numerous illustrating cuts, and will form a +complete "vade mecum" for The agriculturist, convenient for reference, +and to be relied on when consulted---_Baltimore American._ + +This is a practical book by a practical man, and will serve extensive +practical ends. It is a companion which every farmer will feel that he +cannot well be without.--_N.Y. Observer._ + +We cheerfully recommend this work to farmers.--_Signal, Juliett, Ill._ + +We anticipate an extensive sale for this work--_Ohio Cultivator._ + +This work ought to be in the hands of every planter.--_N.O. Delta._ + +The author is a gentleman of fine attainments, and who ranks as one of +the most accomplished writers on agricultural subjects in the +country.--_Ala. Planter._ + +Many a valuable animal is lost, every year, for want of the knowledge +here conveyed.--_Eagle Brattleboro, Vt._ + +The author (Mr. Allen), is a practical man, and everything from his +pen, on subjects connected with agriculture and cattle breeding, is +valuable to those who prefer matter of fact to mere theory--_Maine +Farmer._ + + + + * * * * * + + + +_Published by C. M. Saxton._ + + * * * + +AMERICAN MUCK BOOK, + +Treating of the Nature, Properties, Sources, Operations, &c. + +OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL FERTILIZERS AND MANURES IN COMMON USE, WITH +SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS FOR THEIR + +PREPARATION, PRESERVATION, AND APPLICATION + +to Soil and Crops; with the leading principles of Practical and +Scientific Agriculture, &c., &c. By D. J. Browne. 420 pp. 12mo. price +$1. + + * * * + +Opinions of the Press. + +"The Muck Book contains a great deal of valuable matter. This has been +drawn from a large number of the best authorities on the subjects +indicated in the title; the numerous analyses of plants and manures are +particularly valuable, and are not to be found in any other single +treatise. Those who wish to advance towards perfection in the saving, +manufacturing, and judging of the comparative value of manures, and in +applying them with the least possible waste to crops, will find in this +book a vast magazine of suggestions and advice, worth many times its +cost and the labor of perusal."--_Albany Cultivator._ + +"The title 'Muck Book' inadequately describes the character of the +work; for it treats of all kinds of fertilizers, animal, vegetable and +mineral, and in a style to instruct without perplexing. The manner in +which the various manures operate, and the means whereby any required +deficiency in the soil can be supplied, are plainly given; and none +need waste a horn-pith or an old shoe, as many do, for want of +knowledge how to turn it to advantage. + +"We recommend the work to intelligent and inquiring farmers, who desire +to make everything tell in the manure heap, and who would keep their +soil in good heart."--_Journal of Agriculture._ + +"From an attentive examination of the pages of this book, I have come +to the conclusion that it is one of the best works extant, on the +principles of scientific agriculture, and the best compendium of our +most recent knowledge of the nature of manures and their adaptation to +particular soils and crops."--_N.E. Farmer._ + +"Mr. Browne was, we believe, bred and educated a practical farmer +himself, and having a general knowledge of geology, chemistry, &c., and +extensive personal knowledge of farming, gardening, &c, in almost every +soil and climate, having been for five years a traveller and resident +in America, Europe, Western Africa, and the West Indies, his +observation and experience combined, would render him eminently +qualified for the task. This he has accomplished with credit to +himself, and no doubt the result will prove it highly advantageous to +the farming community. It is just such a work as is needed by every +agriculturist, and the very neat and excellent style in which the +enterprising publisher has issued it, will we are very sure commend it +to every friend of the farming interest in the country."--_N.Y. Farmer +and Mechanic._ + +"This is a well-written work of over four hundred pages, printed and +bound in the usual handsome and permanent style of Mr. Saxton. The +importance to every farmer and horticulturist of the great subject of +which it treats cannot fail to make this work invaluable to the library +of every man who tills the soil. One feature of this work which pleases +us, and which will make it universally acceptable is, that the subjects +are treated in such a manner as to be easily understood by the 'working +farmer,' who knows little or nothing of chemical science and learned +technicalities. With such a work as this in his hands, the farmer is +enabled to reclaim his lands, impoverished by his own or his ancestors' +mismanagement, and realize abundant crops where nothing would grow to +reward his toil in the ordinary mode of culture."--_Phrenological +Journal._ + +_The following is from. Dr. C. T. Jackson, of Boston, the best +Agricultural Chemist in the United States_: + + + BOSTON, NOVEMBER 6th, 1851. + + DEAR SIR: I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of a + copy of the "American Muck Book," recently published by you, and + edited by Mr. D. Jay Browne. + + From an attentive examination of the pages of this book, I have come + to the conclusion that it is one of the best works extant, on the + principles of scientific agriculture, and the best compendium of our + most recent knowledge of the nature of manures and their adaptation + to particular soils and crops. It cannot be expected that a single + volume could possibly contain the whole sum of chemical knowledge + applicable to the science of agriculture; but, on looking over the + closely-printed and compact tables of analyses, and the abundant + formulas, which this publication contains, I could not fail to be + surprised at the industry manifested in preparing it. I was also + gratified to find it so well adapted to the American system of + husbandry, and so practical, in its character. Its copious and + accurate index adds not a little to its value. + + I shall certainly recommend it to my agricultural friends as a very + useful book, and one necessary to every scientific farmer. + + I am, respectfully, your ob't servant, + + CHARLES T. JACKSON, State Assayist, &c., &c. + + To C. M. SAXTON, Esq., New York. + + + + * * * * * + + + +THE + +AMERICAN FARM BOOK, + +OR + +COMPEND OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE + +CONTAINING A CONCISE AND PLAINLY-WRITTEN EXPOSITION OF DUTIES PERTAINING +TO THE CULTIVATION OF THE EARTH, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM, &C., &C., +ON PRACTICAL SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES. + +BY R. L. ALLEN. + +_The cheapest and most valuable book for a farmer ever printed; being +a complete guide, both practical and scientific, for the_ + +MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM. + + * * * + +Besides the varied practical knowledge which this book imparts, and +which is indispensable to the proper management of every department of +agriculture, it gives the elements of other information highly +necessary to a successful farmer, as History, Geology, Chemistry, +Botany, Physiology, and Mechanics. These branches of knowledge are +given as applicable to agricultural pursuits, and when properly +understood will essentially aid and assist the farmer. In fact, a +knowledge of these sciences is a sure key to wealth for any +agriculturist. It gives the modes of preparation, and the effects of +all kinds of manures; the origin, texture, divisions, and description +of every variety of soil; the economy of sowing, reaping, and mowing, +irrigation, and draining; cultivation of the grasses, clovers, grains, +and roots; _Southern_ and miscellaneous products, as cotton, hemp, +flax, the sugar cane, rice, tobacco, hops, madder, woad, &c.; the +rearing of fruit--apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapes, &c.; farm +buildings, hedges, &c.; with the best methods of planting, cultivating, +and preparation for market. Illustrated by 100 engravings. + +The reader can form some idea of the above work, from the fact that it +treats of 800 _different subjects_ important to a farmer. It contains +354 pages, and is beautifully bound in cloth, suitable for a library. +_Price only One Dollar._ + + +NOTICES OF THE PRESS. + +The author has been one of the most able contributors to the +agricultural press for the last ten years; aside from this, he is a +practical farmer and stock-breeder, and consequently knows from his own +experience what he is writing about.--_Commercial Advertiser._ + +This work is by a gentleman of known experience; the work is +exceedingly cheap, and the farmer will find it a valuable book of +reference.--_N.Y. Express._ + +It is in fact a brief encyclopedia on the subjects treated, and the +farmer will find appropriate Information on almost any subject coming +within his reach.--_N.Y. Observer._ + +Here is a book for the million, precisely what its title indicates. +Compassed within its pages, the reader will find the subject of soils, +manures, crops, and animals, treated in a style easily comprehended.--_N.Y. +Spirit of the Times._ + +This work is what might be expected from one so well qualified for the +undertaking.--_Boston Cultivator._ + +Why shall not every good farmer economise his muscles by storing his +mind? We hope this book will find its way into many family and school +libraries.--_N.Y. Tribune._ + +We think that Mr. Allen's volume, the basis of which is good practical +farming, as practised by the best cultivators in the United States, +with an intelligent reference to those principles of science which lie +at the root of all successful practice, is likely to be of as muck or +more real service to us, than any work on agriculture yet issued from +the press, and we gladly commend it to the perusal of every one of our +readers engaged in the cultivation of the land.--_Horticulturist._ + + + + * * * * * + + + +THE + +FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER; + +CONTAINING + +PLAIN AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS + +OF ALL THE + +DIFFERENT SPECIES AND VARIETIES + +OF + +CULINARY VEGETABLES: + +BY ROBERT BUIST, + +AUTHOR OF THE AMERICAN FLOWER-GARDEN DIRECTORY, ROSE MANUAL, ETC. + + * * * + +NEW YORK: + +C. M. SAXTON, 152 FULTON STREET, + +ALSO, STRINGER & TOWNSEND, H. LONG & BROTHER, W. F. BURGESS, +DEWITT & DAVENPORT, WILSON & CO., DEXTER & +BROTHER, BOSTON: REDDING & CO. PHILADELPHIA: +W. B. ZIMMER, LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. + + + + * * * * * + + + +THE + +AMERICAN BIRD FANCIER; + +CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO THE +BREEDING, REARING, FEEDING, MANAGEMENT, AND PECULIARITIES +OF + +CAGE AND HOUSE BIRDS. + +Illustrated with Engravings + +BY D. J. BROWNE, + +AUTHOR OF THE SYLVA AMERICANA, THE AMERICAN POULTRY YARD, ETC. + +NEW YORK: + +C. M. SAXTON, 152 FULTON STREET. + +ALSO, STRINGER & TOWNSEND, H. LONG & BROTHER, W. F. BURGESS, +DEWITT & DAVENPORT, WILSON & CO., DEXTER & BROTHER +PHILADELPHIA: W. B. ZIEBER, LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. +BOSTON: REDDING & CO. + + + + * * * * * + + + +LECTURES + +ON THE + +GENERAL RELATIONS WHICH SCIENCE + +BEARS TO + +PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE, + +DELIVERED BEFORE THE + +NEW-YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. + +BY + +JAMES F. W. JOHNSTON, F.R.S.S. L. & E. + +WITH NOTES AND ADDITIONS + + * * * + +NEW YORK: + +C. M. SAXTON, AGRICULTURAL BOOKSELLER. + + + + * * * * * + + + +AN + +ESSAY ON MANURES, + +SUBMITTED TO THE TRUSTEES OF + +THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY + +FOR + +PROMOTING AGRICULTURE, + +FOR THEIR PREMIUM. + +BY SAMUEL L. DANA. + +_From the New York Observer:_ + +ESSAY ON MANURES. By SAMUEL L. DANA + +This Essay contains much useful information for the practical farmer, in +a small compass, in reference to the nature and management of manures +immediately under his control; the knowledge and practice of which will +amply compensate for the expense of ascertaining its value. + + * * * + +NEW YORK: + +C. M. SAXTON, 152 FULTON STREET. + +ALSO, STRINGER & TOWNSEND, H. LONG & BROTHER, W. F. BURGESS, +DEWITT & DAVENPORT, WILSON & CO., DEXTER & +BROTHER. BOSTON: REDDING & CO. PHILADELPHIA: +W. B. ZIEBER, LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. + + + + * * * * * + + + +A PRACTICAL TREATISE + +ON THE + +CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE VINE + +ON OPEN WALLS. + +WITH A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF AN + +IMPROVED METHOD OF PLANTING AND MANAGING + +THE + +ROOTS OF GRAPE VINES. + +BY CLEMENT HOARE + +TO WHICH IS ADDED, + +AN APPENDIX, + +CONTAINING + +REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE VINE IN + +THE UNITED STATES. + + * * * + +NEW YORK: + +C. M. SAXTON, 152 FULTON STREET. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Mysteries of Bee-keeping Explained, by M. 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