Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-01-03
FARM. GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD
Zee EHI9Nra.

Bee Culture.
The National Beekeepers' Association
recently had an interesting meeting IL
Cleveland, at which many interesting
questions IN relation to Bee Cultur,
were read and valuable papers read
We CLEAN from the Leader fair syn
opsis Of some of them
Mr. z. Rood spoke on EfFoul Broods.
His remarks were in the highest degree
interesting, and he exhibited a knowl-
edge of the important subject which
can only be secured by years of thor
ouch Investigation and experience. The
views which he advanced, provoked
considerable discussion, as he frequent
" called for questions from those pres
ent, and many were found whose views
failed to correspond with his Hn. He
took the position that the disease is
contagious, no one knowing whence If
comes or what is the cure. He spoke
Of various opinions to the contrary
which had been advanced, but consid-
cred them unsupported by the proper
evidence.
He did not consider the disease the
external Influences Of soil or shrubberv,
as eyer9reens, as had been asserted by
some, as he had known of its existence
under q variety Of conditions, and in
localities differing IN all these respects
He mentioned several courses of treat
ment which we will not specify. as the
subject viii undoubtedly be mors fully
considered at a subsequent stage of the
meeting.
Several members asserted that they
had never been troubled with the dis
ease, and that it was certainly unknown
IN their n6lghb0rhoods, and a vote ia
ken upon the question resulted in al
almost equal division, nearly one-halt
having tailed to experience any dam
age from it. Mr. J. W Hicks. Of Indi-
ana, purchased several hives of bees
some time since, and after q .ew weeks
discovered the existence Of a g Fou-
Brood. , He applied a remedy consist
ing Of laudanum and salt, dissolved and
mixed with syrup OF good coffee sugar
The inside of the hive was saturated
with this solution, which proved effica-
cious, and ne had never known it tc
fail, although put to the test on several
occasions since that time
The question why do bees swarm, ,
which elected remarks from Messrs.
r. @. Otis. G.. Buhrer, Fl. II. King. A.
7. Moore, S. W. Cole, A. +. Root, E.
Rood aud e. Oilkin. A short paper
was also read upon the same subject
by Dir. D. L. Adair. The question was
under consideration for an hour, and
the sum of the theories and opinions
Of the several members differed some
what as to the real reason of the swarm
ing Of the bees, it was generally con
ceded that it IS the natural instinct of
the bees to swarm, but as to the times
Of their doing it some thought it to be
Whent the hive had become full by propa-
gatIon or the species and the abundance
ot honey, others that the matter was
entirely governed by the age or inclina
ton OF the queen All the speakers
gave their various experiences and ex-
peftnents II the matter, and made the
subject one Of much interest.
The next question was, EEWhat is the
pe5t method OF swarming bees artifi-
clallyl" upon which Messrg. Root.
Buarer, Moon and Adair and Mre
upper spoke. Dir. Moons and Mrs
Iupper's manner Of accomplishing
this seemed to meet with the most gem
eraI approval Of the meeting
The former said that he
took one card from the cen
Ter OF each Of his full hives, and placed
these IL an empty hive, putting in
their places IN the old one new card
In the new hive there would be in \
few days regular swarm with q good
queen of its own. Mis-. Tupper's plan
was TO take from each full hive tara
cards, and replacing those in the old
ave WITH fresh ones, TO put the newly
formed hive IN the place Of the old and
carry the old hive to another place. A
certain portion Of the bees viii then re
tarn to the old place and new hive and
there form a new swarm, while the old
swarm viii still flourish in the old hive
= What IS the best method of hand
hing bees SO as to avoid anoertno
them n was then proposed for re-
marks, which were made by Messrs
Moon, Mckay, Buhrer and Mrs. Tup
per. The former said that he never
used tobacco smoke for subduiDc the
bees, but set fire TO cotton rags. and
after blowing several whiffs of this
smoke into the hive, he could do any
thing lie wished with the bees without
5Ae slightest danger of being stung bv
them. Mr. Mckay said that he never
used smoke at all, but that he always
approached the hive quieJly, and, by
careful handling Of the bees, had never
raj any trouble with them. None of
fae speakers we're In favor of the use
with.
The next subject was, feWhat are the
Pest o7ao money producing plants ?" Upon
TINS many members spoke, and before
5 . lad got done almost every one of
1he principal honey producing bios
SONS lad ats separate supporters as be-
l9s the best one Of all. Bnckw VI at
Whlte clover, locust, golden rod. linden
poplar and blackberry, were severaii25
recommended for their superior onali.
ties for the food Of the honey makers u
9 2ot' Feed fer stoc4S in Early Spring,
We wish we could in press upon each
one OF our readers, the importance Of