The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-08-03
Scientific Researches In
Practical Agriculture.
BY IL. ID. DAVIS.

Although many have ut times been en-
gagged In agriculture, yet large proportlnn
Of WOuld-be practical apiarists have been
discouraged by the severe losses incurred
every few winters which are caused by bad
food and poor hives. s.,,
These losses have occurred SO frequently
that the business has for years been c0nsid-
cred too risky to embark in.
Within radius of forty miles OF my
apiaries, over three hunored sWarms were
lost last winter from the cause spoken, OF.
| TIE honey when gathered was thin ana Sc
cured too late to properly evap0rate,. ana as
moisture was continually cOndensing In
the hives during ii: long confinement, the
honey sourtd and the bees died in conse-
quence For number of years have de-
voted my time to overcoming these difhcul-
ties and avoiding these risks.
My experiments relate to the science
of agriculture in its special features
ing and manipulation. They consist
in certain novel features of cOnstruc-
ton arrangement and combination of parts
which Will be readily understood by refer
ence to the cuts.
The New Englan No. 7 hive is so con-
structed that in winteri! 6 no foul air is per-
mitted to remain in tire broOd-nest but it
passes off through the packing at the top
without ventilating the cluster of bees.
The constant circulation OF fresh air in the
brOod-nest prevents moisture from cOndens-
ing therein, thus keeping the food and
pollen from becoming sour. This sour
food is the cause o. dySentery and by its
prevention the differ lties Of wintering are
overcome. Spring dwindling is one of the
results of dysentery caused by this sour
food. The acidity Of the food causes them
to have kid of fever which impels them
to fly in the spring before the weather is
warm enough, and thus they are fatigued
and become chilled and waste. What bees
are left in the hive when warm weather
strong in time for the honey flow.
If, in hive, any of the combs are found
to be in the least mOuldy, then that hive
is defective.
l have been experimenting for several
years to secure hive which would over
come the difficulties of having the combs
mouldy and damp and prevent the food
hive is the main cause of all the difficulties
of wintering bees, and the perfect hive
must be constructed to prevent this.
l claim that the New England No. Z
hive is perfect as regards its wintering
qualities and facilities for honey prOduc-
ton, and | have applied for Letters Patent
of the United States on its various i'm
prOvements.
In this hive the consumption of honey
during the winter is greatly lessened.
From twenty-five to thirty pounds is the
amount usually required in an ordinary
hive but during the past winter 125 of my
colonies consumed, by actual weight, on an
average less than fourteen pounds of food
each. Also in the spr ng the queen can
occupy more space and the bees can cover
more brood than in any other hive, and the
bees show no inclination to fly till quite
warm weather, thus preventing the loss of
many bees which would chill and waste by
flying before the weather was suitable.
1t is an indisputable fact that while a
deep frame is required for wintering pur-
poses, shallow frame is necessary for Sc
curing the greatest amount of surplus hon
ey. The arrangement of the hive by which
these two requirements are filled may be
understood by reference to figures and 5.
The great defect in the honey producing
merits of other hives has been and is the
lack of surplus room, which causes the bees
to cluster outside the hive when they
should be at work. This clustering outside
induces the swarming fever as they are
obliged to remain there because of lack of
room, ventilation and easy access to the
apartments of the hive.
am now testing and experimenting with
a swarm catcher. The object of this de-
vice is to lessen the labor and manipula-
lions attendant upon natural swarming.
This swarm catcher is not yet fully tested,
but the wintering arrangements and those
for securing surplus honey are tested.