BEE-spoke-data/bees-v0 huggingface dataset:
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BEE-KEEPERS' MAGAZINE,
Payable at RED HOK, M. Y.
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The Eastern New York Bee-Keepers Association took a sensible view of the reason for the small attendance at the conventions in New York State this year. There can be no doubt but that the greatest agency in reducing the attendance is the fearful weather which is almost sure to come about the middle and latter part of January. Great cold, snow blockades and winter gales, must deter many from coming who would certainly be present, were it not that home duties, incident to such rigorous weather, compels them to forgo the pleasure of meeting their friends "in convention assembled." Another step in the right direction was the instruction given the executive committee as to the date of the next yearly meeting. Special efforts are to be made for a large and instructive convention.
It is a pleasing thing to note in this association, a liberal mindedness which is to be highly commended. There is an element in the state association whose motto might appropriatly be "I work for myself, first, last and every time." In fact that sentiment was publicly voiced by one of its members. It is to be regretted that such a sentiment prevails. We do not believe that any real progress can ever be made so long as this feeling has the upper hand. If all the world was composed of such persons what a wretched one it would be to live in. One need not necessarily be a philanthropist, but far better _that_, than to be inclined to be selfish. We cannot make ourselves believe that the average bee-keeper is for self, first, last and every time, or one who has no interest in anything but the promotion of his own pecuinary welfare. The lesson taught Cain, is just as true to-day as in the days of Adam, and we should beware lest, in forgetting to a great extent that we are our brothers'keeper, "the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto us her strength."
In the death of Arthur Todd the bekeeping world has lost an earnest advocate. Mr. Todd was a man of energetic temperament. This trait showed itself in marked degree when he established a course of public lectures at the Zoological Gardens at Philadelphia.
The American Bee Journal has put on a new suit of clothes. Apparently Editor Newman thought the old suit worn out. Perhaps it was, but we did not notice it. We fail to find, in looking the old clothes over, that there is any bad bagging at the knees, or that the elbows are "'out." Perhaps there are patches on the "'unmentionables," caused by the _Yournal "'_ sitting "_ so often on the evil doers, but if present, they are entirely covered from public view, by the dignified editorial coat tails.
The offers of books, as found in the Feb. No., also of calculator, will stand good till further notice. We cut the same from our advertising columns in order that we may give our subscribers more reading matter.
For the Bee-Kepers' Magazine,
MOLLY HEATH'S VENTURE,
A Serial Story.
BY JULIA ALLYN.
(Continued,)
part second.
The first week in July was always an exciting one in Warston, especially among the young folks.
During that week the schools were closed and on the Fourth of July, the annual picnic, in which old and young participated, was celebrated.
The closing day of school, which was always Friday, came this year on the first day of. July, and the public examinations which were held on that day caused not a little fear and trembling among the young aspirants for honors. It proved this year to be an unusually eventful day to the Heath family for Rob had been striving during the year to obtain the first rank in his class, and at the close of the examination the first prize for scholarship, a gold eagle which a wealthy member of the committee had offered, was awarded him. It had been a hardly won success, for although Rob was naturally of a studious temp
**off** and he will attend to his school work more effectively."
Little Nan, who, like Rob, was of a
studious disposition and would for
hours pore over an interesting book,
had been greatly benefitted by the arrival of the bees,
Although each school task had been
faithfully performed and she had finished
the term with honor, having taken a
second prize in the class above Rob,
yet from being out of doors so much
and watching the boys at their work,
her pale cheeks had gained a fresh,
healthy color, and her steps, which had
been listless, had acquired an elasticity;
changes over which Molly and her
mother rejoiced greatly.
Nan and Rob were the book-worms
of the family and on them its literary
hopes centered, but Mrs. Heath had
often feared that this tendency to con-
tinuous study might impair their health
and she rejoiced daily that the advent
of the bees seemed to furnish the tonic
the both required.
The Fourth of July was to be celebrated by the American portion of the
citizens of Marsten in a grand picnic.
About a mile from the village, on the
banks of Millbrook river, as the little
stream was called, was a large pine
grove known as Forest Hill Grove and
every one considered this as just the
place for the festivities, as it could be
reached by a pleasant row by boat or
by a shady drive along Elm Avenue
For a week preparations had been
going on indoors for the event. Of
course the children wanted money with
which to buy a suitable amount of
rockets, roman candles and torpedoes;
what boy ever considered Fourth of
July a success without these accompaniments
; and Nan had set her heart on
Chinese lanterns, with which to illuminate the
the cottage grounds in the evening,
as the children were planning to have
a little party then for the fierworks exhibition. Among other
guests they were intending to invite a poor family
from the village.
This family consisted of the four
children of Frank Graham, an industrious
man, who for years had done
chores for the Heaths, and whose wife
had been their washer-woman for a
long time before her death, which had
taken place the year previous. Mary,
the eldest child, about fifteen years of
age, kept house for her father in four
rooms in a tenement house near the
large woolen mill, in which her father
had found employment and with the
aid of kind friends, kept the three
younger children, John and James,
boys of ten and eight, and Bessie a little-
the girl of six years, as tidy as possible.
Mrs: Heath had taken a special interest in them, as had also the children,
who had spoken to their companions
about them and their needs, and Molly
and Nan had induced a little society, to
which they belonged to work for them,
and many old garments had been re-
fitted and many new ones made by the
deft and skillful fingers of the " Busy
Bees," as they styled themselves, and
these had found their way to Mary Gra
ham at times when she sorely needed
them. The Heath children always
included the Grahams in their "good
times" if possible, and thus learned
early the blessedness of " doing good "
to the needy.
A council of ways and means had
been held by the Heaths concerning
the approaching celebration and Molly
had decided that to raise the needed
froms some honey must be sold. As
an outgrowth of this decision on Satur
day morning, the day after the examination, the boys harnessed Fleet, the
pony, into the dog-cart and with Nan
as escort and a dozen of bound boxes
**Grahams, and it was no wonder that**
**after they had laid their heads upon their pillows that night the events of the day should have appeared to them again in bright dreams, and ever foremost in the lovely visions should arise the charming fairy figure of the presiding genius--Mollie.**
**An interesting discussion followed this paper, in which it became apparent that the managers of our State Fair were anxious for the bee-keepers to take hold of this matter, and would gladly help by any means in their power, a suitable exhibit of honey and bees at our State Fair.**
**Is was then moved and seconded that a committee of three be appointed to draft a schedule of prizes for exhibits of honey, bees and apiarian supplies at our State Fair.**
**Messrs. Aspinwall, Vrooman and Parent were then appointed by the Chair, who were instructed to make their report as soon as possible.**
**EVENINGESSION.**
**Several new members were admitted, after President Piece had opened the evening meeting at 7 \(\circ\)clock.**
**Mr. Boombower not being able to be present, his essay on ''Essential points of successful wintering," was then read by the Secretary. This, as well as the other essays read, will appear in succeeding numbers of the Magazine.**
**The discussion on ''Is spring dwinding the immediate outcome of the manner of wintering," was not very aminated. The opinion seemed to prevail that this was a subject pretty well hashed up at subsequent meetings, and that until something radically new is found on the subject it had better be laid to rest with decent obsequies.**
**Many opinions were given as to the requisit amount of ventilation bees should have in wintering out doors and in the cellar. The general conclusion being that there should be either upward or downward ventilation, but not a combination of both.**
**Mr. J. I. Parent, of Charlton, N. Y., read an essay on ''Ought Be-Keepers to Make Exhibits at Fairs '' In this essay, which will be given in full in a later number of the Magazine, he urged the bee-keepers to make exhibits, and showed that in many instances the paucity of exhibits were more the fault of the bee-keepers than the fair managers, owing to the little interest the former took in the exhibiting of honey.**
**M
At the afternoon session quite a number of new members were admitted. The President delivered his address as follows:
president pircce's annual address.
_My Bee-Keeper Friends_.--Through the goodness and blessings of a merciful God, a portion of our members have been permitted to assemble together again, to learn from each other concerning our chosen pursuit.
_I thank you for the honor conferred upon me._
As your presiding. officer I am sorry that I have not been able to make this -convention more interesting than I have. I have sent circulars and programmes to more than so bee-keepers' and circulars to 35 newspapers, as news items, and I think all, or nearly all, published the the same in whole or in part. I am thankful to our worthy Secretary for the interest he has taken in getting out our programmes, and hope that all will learn something that will benefit us and make us anxious to come and get our friends to come with us to our next convention. In this way we will get better acquainted and hearing from each other will be eventually benefited.
The past year has been one of blessings to _us_. No cyclones, no extreme drouth or prolonged rains, yet in other states they have suffered very much.
Our honey crop has been medium, with fair prices.
If agreeable to the convention, I would recommend that supply dealers be invited to attend our conventions, bringing supply samples to exhibit, as that might have a tendency to induce some bee-keepers to meet with us, to learn of the improvements here brought before the public. By so doing I think
our numbers would be increased and our conventions rank among the largest and best, both in numbers and interest.
This is the wish of your humble servant.
T. Pierce.
After the address the election of officers took place. On motion the Secretary was directed to cast a vote for the old officers.
As a result the Secretary read the following list of officers
for the ensuing year : Thos. Pierce, of Gansevoort, N. Y., President ; Frank Boombower, Gallupville, N. Y., Vice President ; John Aspinwall, Barrytown.
N. Y., Secretary ; C. H. Smith, Pittsburgh, Mass., Assistant Secretary ; A. E. Woodward, Grooms Corners, N. Y. Treasurer.
The Secretary then read an essay by Mr. Will M. Kellogg, of Omaha, Ill., entitled " Marketing Honey at Home." This essay was a very able one, and all united in a vote of thanks to Mr. Kellogg for the interesting and instructive matter brought forward in it.
In the discussion of this subject Mr. Adams, of Troy, N. Y., gave some valuable facts. This gentleman makes home marketing not only a specialty, but a great success. Others gave their ideas, and it was generally conceded that the correct thing was to fill up your home market _first_, and then ship to the commission men or wholesale honey merchant.
The Committee appointed to draft a schedule of prizes for exhibits of honey, wax, bees and apiarian supplies made their report, which was accepted, and the Chairman instructed to forward same to the Secretary of the Agricultural Society.
In the evening the subject of "How and When to Market Honey " was discussed, Mr. Wright, of Albany, making a short address on the subject. He strongly advocated great neatness in putting up honey for the general market, and also a uniformity of packages. He contended that the worst feature the honey commission man has to deal with is the variety of package. When an order is received and filled with one package, and later the customer sends word : "Duplicate my last order," the chances are ten to one that the honey man cannot do it. He may have the same grade of honey, but it will be in perhaps an altogether different form of package from the first, and he thus loses the order.
The following question was led by A. E. Manum: What is the best method to prevent an increase of colonies? He had not found it possible to prevent swarming by cutting out queen cells; found he could get more comb honey by allowing the bees to swarm. Then puts two or three swarms together, allowing all the queens but one to return to the old hive with a portion of the swarm. Had prevented increase by hiving on few combs, using a queen, excluding board, and giving plenty of box room, and then destroying the old bees in the fall, as they would be likely to die before spring anyway. Another way is to take the queen away from the colony and return after fifteen days, keeping the queen cells cut out in the meantime.
H. L. Leonard, of Brandon, did not think it practical to prevent swarming, but thought it could be checked; would give plenty of box room and practice the tiering up plan. Would advise compelling bees to care for themselves as much as possible. Would plan to save time as much as any other item.
The following named persons were appointed as committees by the Chair:
On Nominations--H. L. Leonard, Brandon ; O. J. Lowrey, Jericho ; V. N. Forbes, West Haven.
On Awards--J. W. Smith, Stowe ; P. D. Percival, North Ferisburg ; M. F. Cram, Braintree.
On Resolutions--F. H. Wheatley, East Brookfield ; Miss M. A. Douglas, Shoreham.
The question, beekeeping in Vermont, does it pay? was opened by R. H. Holmes, who discussed the question under the following heads, as given by N. G. Webster, who was to lead the discussion, but was not present:
Its hindrances are a poor location, our long, cold winters, lack of a thorough knowledge of the business. A person must have good judgment and a good supply of common sense. Its expenses and profits were set forth in a paper by J. H. Larabee, Larabee's Point. He thought the expense of an apiary of one hundred colonies of bees, with all necessary fixtures and utensils for carrying it on successfully, with the addition of a two hundred dollar honey house, would be worth $1,000. The average yearly expense he placed at $620, which included labor, interest, running expenses, etc. The average yearly income was placed at $800, leaving a net income of $180, to represent the risks of wintering, disease, shipping of honey &c. The question was closed by H. L. Leonard, under the head of bee-keeping as a business. Though nothing was worthy the name of business that would not pay expenses and leave a margin for profit. Thought be-keeping would do this. It has its off years when it will not pay like all other kinds of proouction, but no more so than others. There are but few locations in Vermont where bee-keeping cannot be made to pay to a greater or less extent. There are less enemies to bees than in almost any other section of our country, and the average yield per colony is larger. Bee-keeping in Vermont has paid, and will pay, but said that he takes into consideration that one understands the business and management of the apiary. The Convention was favored with the presence. of Mr. J. Van Deusen, of the State of New York, who manufacturers largely the flat bottom foundation, who said he thought the formation of the hills and valleys of our state was favorable for honey production, as we would be favored with early and late bloom of the honey producing plants.
This discussion was followed by an essay by Mrs. F. A. Wolcott, Shoreham, entitled "The Pleasures and Difficulties of Bee-Keeping." She thought there was pleasure in seeing the clean
## 11 The Bee-Keepers' MAGAZINE
Annual Bee-Keepers' Association return its sincere thanks to all those who did not fail to be present and carry out their respective parts of the programme. To our worthy Secretary for his earnest work in behalf of the Association. To the exhibitors of bee-keepers' supplies for their attractive display. To the proprietor of the Van Voss House for the free use of this hall. To the railroad officials for reduced rates over their several roads. The newly elected officers having assumed their respective positions the discussion, "Is it profitable to use full sheets of foundation in the brood chamber?" was opened by F. H. McFarland, St. Albans. He thinks it is a waste of wax to use full sheets, although more honey may be secured by their use. In full sheets the foundation is sure to say and cause elongated cells near the top which the queen is loth to occupy. Mr. Lowery advocates the use of starters. Mr. Leonard would use full sheets even unwired. Mr. Percival uses full sheets in the middle of the brood chamber with starters on frames at the sides. Mr. Manum said if old combs and starters are placed alternately in the brood box the combs will be bulged. He discouraged the use of foundation for family apiaries simply, but thought the specialist could not afford to do without it. Mr. Davis, on account of expense last year, tested the use of starters, and was sufficiently satisfied with the results to try it again. As to width of starters, some thought an inch better than three or four, while others preferred the latter width. The Question Drawer was then opened by Mr. Manum. In answer to (1) What shall we do with unfinished sections at the close of the honey season? he advised extracting or feeding to the bees, between first bloom and honey-flow. If candied, uncap and place over the brood nest, to be cleaned by the bees. (2.) Is it advisable for bee-keepers to join the Bee-Keepers Union? Yes, by all means. It is the same principle as an insurance on buildings. (3.) Is it profitable to use a bee tent to place over the hive during manipulation to prevent rob-
one feature. We have practiced making swarms queenless for several years and have had good results. There is no system where you can get as much comb honey as by this way. The principal drawback is requeening. When we first adopted this system we had black bees. It is not desireable to let a swarm have a young queen. Mr. Betsinger agreed with Mr. Elwood, except that he preferred not to restore any queen. Mr. Crocker said that he had good success with his methods, the Heddon hive. We ran the hive exclusively for comb honey. While working for comb honey the colony is confined to one section. Mr. Betsinger said he would never be satisfied with the increase of one chamber. Mr. Crocker said the past season was a poor one. He used 46 Heddon hives and 41 Quimby hives. Mr. Goodspeed, of Thornhill, read an essay on " Artificial Fertilization." (Will appear later in Magazine.) Mr. Foster wanted to know whether it was profitable to use combs the second year. Mr. Dickenson--Old combs are not worth using. Mr. Foster said he had taken pains to notice the last year and found nine out of ten combs much inferior. He had met hardly one box that the honey was watery. Mr. Betsinger said when all the water was not taken out of the sections it granulated. Messrs. Aspinwall and Betzinger were added to the Committee on Constitution and By-Laws. The following were named as a Committee on Resolutions : Messrs. Elwood, Taylor and Goodspeed. EVENING SKSSION. At 7:35 P. M. the Convention met and discussed the subject, "How can we increase the demand for honey and maintain present prices?" L. C. Root, of Stamford, Conn., was to have opened the discussion, but owing to illness was unable to be present. He sent a paper, which was read. In it he advised a buger. (Betsinger, 1999). Mr. Root, Chair of the Committee on Question Box, read the queries which had been deposited therein, and answered them as follows : 1. Will a colony of bees swarm if there is only one queen cell, and the queen in that is dead? Very rarely. 2. Has anyone had experience with queens purchased in the Southern States and brought to this latitude, as to the progeny of such queens wintering as well as the native stock? I would like to hear their experience. A. I. Root says he has hundreds of them and can see no difference. 3. Is it best to do away with all natural swarming? Yes, if you can. 4. Receipt for making candy for winter feeding? Use A. I. Root's receipt. 5. Can a bee be frozen solid and brought to life again? No. 6. If you had to move a yard of bees before April 1, would you do it at once or before they fly? Before they fly. 7. Cannot there be a section of glassed honey adopted that will weigh not over a pound? It is impracticable for all markets. 8. Why is it, as a rule, that bee-keepers hold their honey back and not let the purchaser know what his actual crop is? This Convention has no means of knowing.
9. Why should not the buyer know the quantity produced in the State as well as the producer know what the market price is? No reason why.
10. Can there not be a more careful way of grading honey in regard to quality? Yes.
11. Is the horizontal division of the broad chambers a success? It bids favorable.
12. If you had old or partly filled sections with comb would you put them on at the beginning of the honey flow or when the season was half over? Put them on during the best honey flow.
13. Has any one had any experience with hatching queen cells in an incubator? If so with what success? What are the advantages and objections and the temperature maintained during incubation? Yes; good success. Advantages are numerous and no objections.
14. How will bees winter in a temperature of from 30 to 40\({}^{\circ}\)? Winter?other cold.
15. Are shallower frames than we are now generally using of any advantage in the production of comb honey? Reports are conflicting.
16. If ten pounds of sugar and five of water are made into syrup, how many pounds will there be when the bees get it sealed into the hive? From five to twelve pounds.
The subject, "Marketing Comb Honey," was discussed at length, Mr. Betsinger opening the discussion. Other subjects were taken up under the head of miscellaneous subjects.
**THE BEE-KEEPERS' MAGAZINE.**
After further discussion the report on the Committee, which had been declared adopted, was again brought before the Convention by the reconsidering of the vote, and this time was referred back to the Committee for revision. Mr. Elwood was added to the Committee.
The Committee retired for consultation, and the topic of "The Coming Bee" was taken up.
Mr. Betsinger believed the coming bee had arrived in the shape of the Italian hybrid, built on a foundation of pure Italian blood, mixed with black.
Mr. Goodspeed said that producer almost always ordered dark colored queens.
A discussion followed on the subject of breeding and mating queens.