A6.*1 FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL PRICE LIST I —OF ITALIAN BEES, QUEENS 'AND- BEE KEEPERS' SUPPLIES '^^sERT R. urn. LIBRARY AT "CORNELL UNIVERSi- F. COOMBS & SONS GUILFORD, VT. BRATTLEBORO, VT. Established in 1860 / BEEKEEPERS' SUPPLIES Key to System of Hive Numbers* For the convenience of our customers, we have used foar a number of years a system -whereby the wording" of hive orders is greatly simplified and the liability of error lessened. Each hive and part of a hive is known by a certainletter or number, and any combination of hives may easily be designated by the proper group of letters and numbers. In ordering and billing goods this saves a great amount of writing. For instance, suppose a cus- tomer desires to order five ten-frame hives with old-style % inch bottom board, metal-roof cover, and metal bound super-cover, with frames having foundation for one-inch starters, a super with inside fixtures complete, taking 4x5x1% sections and one-inch foundation starters, the item would-4)e "5BRc64M— 10,'* If, instead of the old-style bottom, he wanted the Danzenbaker bottom it would be '*SARc64M— 10." In most cases the letter is suggested by the name of the article for which it stands, while in some itis simply arbitrary. For instance: B for bottom, C for combination, C for cover, D for Danzenbaker, B for Excelsior, F for flat, G for gable, P for plain, S for slotted, W for winter, etc. The great majority will easily understand the numbering scheme, and will be saved a lot of unnecessary labor in describing what they wish to order, while those who do not understand it do not need to use it. They may describe the articles waijted if they prefer to do so. In the table of prices we describe each hive as regularly furnished, giving the designating letters and figures in the first column to the right. If you want some other kind of cover or bottom than the regular style, change the letter in the regular designating numbers to the one which stands for your choice : as shown in the example above. 1 before a letter designates a super with section-holders, separators, sections, and full sheets of foundation. 2 before a letter designates a super with section-holders, separators, but no seiitions or foundation. ' 3 before a letter designates a super with section-holders, separators, and sections, but no foundation. 4 before a letter designates ajSuperwith section holders, separators, sections, and one-inch foundation starters. 5 designates a hive-body or brood-chamber with frames and followers or division board, no foundation. 6 designates a hive-body or brood cham,ber, with frames and follower or div-board with 1-inch fdn. starters. 7 designates a hive-body or brood chamber, with frames and follower or div-board with full sheets foundation. — 8 foUowingany letter or figure combination of letters and figures, designates the 8-frarae width (13%in.) or size. 8 designates a super with shallow (.5% in.) frames and follower, no foundation. 9 designates a super with shallow (5% in.) frames and follower, with 1-incb foundation starters. designates a super with shallow {5% in.) frames and follower, with full sheets of foundation. —10 following any letter, figure or combination of letters and figures, designates 10-frame width (16K in.) or size. , —GARY following any letter, figure or combination of letters. and figures, designates Gary width (16 in.) or size. —LANG following any letter, figure or combination of letters or figures, designates I^angstroth (width 16K) or size. Any figures repeated means a duplicate of the super or body for which that figure stands. A designates the Danzenbaker bottom-board, Figure 711. B designates the old style Ji inch bottom-board. C designates the combined bottom and hive stand. C designates the metal-bound super cover. Fig. 714,' D before a figure designates the Danzenbaker body or shallow body or super. E designates the Excelsior cover. Fig. 321. F designates the flat board cover cleated both ends. Shown page 18. G designates the ventilated gable cover. Fig. 524. H designates the single hive-stand. 1 following a figure designates the style of super taking the ideal section 3%x5xl}i. It also designates the style of fence used in such super. J before a figure designates the Jumbo or extra deep body or brood-chamber taking 11 K-inch frames. K designfltes the deep (llj^-inch) telescope cap with metal top. L following a figure designates the eight-frame deep super taking 4x5 sections crosswise, and also designates the fence used in such super. M following a figure designates the Danzenbaker snper taking 4x5 sections. It also designates the Danzen- baker fence used in such super. N following a figure, designates the new super taking 4J4x45^xl% sections in N section-frames with Nfences. P following a figure, designates the new super taking plain sections 4Kx4K square. It also designates the fence used in such super. ^ R designates the metal-roofed cover. Fig 602. S following a figure designates the super taking slotted or beeway sections 4Kx4K square. T designates a snper with T tins, also fence used in such super. / designates the chaiT-tray used in a chaff hive. V designates the loose bottom to double or winter hive. U designates the double hive-stand with legs. W designates the double walled or winter hive. Y designates the regular (8-inch) cover for double walled hives. Aunnunrpmpttt for 19 IT We take great pleasure in presenting this 57th annual price list of Bees, Queens, and Bee* keepers' supplies ; the goods offered you in this and the accompanying 64 page catalog of Root's Goods for 1917 will completely supply your wants for the season at very reasonable prices if you consider quality and our facilities for serving you, which is unequalled. By carefully read' ing these catalogs you will find if you" are not already posted in progressive Bee-keeping, much that will be to you both instructive and interesting. We handle Root's goods in car lots which enables us to offer these goods- at manufacturers' prices ; this makes a saving to the purchaser in time and transportation charges, and entitles you to the best that money can buy. BEES. Of all the different races of bees yet brought to America there are none that can equal the Italians. In 1860 Wm. W. Gary, Sr., went to Flushing, Long Island, and cared for the first successful importation of Italian bees to America. It was from the original im- portation that he made a selection of ten nice colonies and brought them to Lyonsville into the apiary we purchased and they have proven the superior qualities claimed for by German Beekeepers before their introduction to America or here. DO BEES INJURE GRAIN OR FRUIT? Many people contend that bees are an injury to Buck-wheat by taking away the substance that would be formed into grain. What are the facts f The flowers open and honey is secreted, if the bees do not gather it, it is wasted. Now what is the difference to the plant whetherthe honey is lost in this way or it is collected by the bees ? If there is any difference the advantage appears to be in favor of col- lection by the bees for the reason that it thus answers an important end to the economy of nature consistent with bee provisions in ten thousand different ways in adopting means to end. Abundant authority may be cited to show that instead of being a hindrance to the per- fect development of grain or fruit, bees are indispensable in the aid they give in fertilization. The man With a fruit farm or green house, and the gardener can no longer get along without the bufey bee. BEES FOR PROFIT AND PLEASURE. If one is situated in a locality \«here the wild bees are in the woods, their fruit blossoms will be visited more or less by them, but one that is fore-sighted will readily see the advantage of the honey bee to the fruit blossoms and will.have a few Italians in his back yard or green-house, and he will find that they are not only a source of profit financially but the pleasure alone derived from watching the busy workers will pay hira for all the trouble he has been to in caring for them. We can furnish bees in one, two, three and five-frame nuclei, and full col- onies in Gary Simplicity, Langstroth Simplicity, eight and ten frame Dove- tailed or Danzenbaker hive, also in pound and half pound packages. The nu- clei are put up in light shipping boxes made of basswood, the top and bottom are covered with wire cloth ; this makes a very light package, with plenty of ventilation and strong enough to stand shipment any reasonable distance. They invariably go through with little or no loss. Bees by the pound are shipped in light wire covered pac- kages, which enables the purchaser to secure a minimum express charge. NUCLEI FULL COLON- IES Somf lOa tor "The Bas-Aeepsr and Fruit Grower. OTTlTI7TV^ Of all the different races, we know of none better. Since 1866 this strain -2^12 \ VTr»C ^^^ been used in preference to any other in the apiary we have purchased. •^ l3/\i>H-/3 For our New England climate they are universally recommended. We have 1 1 A.L(1 ANa one of the best locations in the country for purely mating queens. We have either bought or Italianized all the bees within mating distance of our apiary and we now sel- dom have one mismated, as there are few bees in the woods in this locality. HIVES The simplicity hives are made in two sizes known as the Gary Simplicity and Langstroth Simplicity, for short Gary Sim. and Lang. Sim. The Gary Sim. is 16 in. x 17 in. X 11>^ in. deep and takes a brood frame lOJ^ x 14 outside dimensions. The Lang. Sim. is 16X in. X 20 in. x 9}i in. deep and takes a brood frame 9>i x 17^ outside dimensions. These hives are equipped with metal spaced, Hoffman end spacing, or free hanging frames and metal roof covers, and fi in. metal bound super cover, designated Re. IT|-yc'c' For the convenience of our customers, we are listing the Simplicity hives • lyTf-* and supers in the table form, using letters and figures in describing the same ; •'*■'■ *! each hive or part of a hive is known by a certain letter or number as described SUPERS in thp KEY TO SYSTEM OF' HIVE NUMBERS found on inside of front cover, with the description and cuts of each hive and super. We feel sure that no one will have trouble in ordering by numbers and letters. The customers may describe the article wanted if they wish. The Simplicity hives which have been on the market for over SO years are as yet preferred by many, particularly the Gary size, which is more especially adapted to our New England climate, for successful wintering of the bees. These hives are made in the most thorough manner and of the best white pine, supers are fitted to take the beeway or plain sections. Each super is rabbited to fit the hive, which is a special feature of this outfit. By this you are abje, to hold several supers to each hive without danger of their being easily knocked out of place as is apt to be the case with the fiat surface super. CUTppTTU'/^ All goods will be packed and delivered to the railroad station free of >-^TT rT-iTfo '^^^^S^' ^"'" Railroad Station is Brattleboro and is a Union Station of r A.CilLixl}^ Plain Sections Hive-bodies or brood chambers are furnished empty or with frames and followers or with inch foundation starters of full sheets. No cover or bottom included at these prices- Designating letters and numbers for Hives Nailed and painted each In Flat 1 Body 5 Bodies WEWHI Of 5 BODIES Empty bodies including nails and tin rabbets no inside iixtures . . _ empty 1 Gary body 1 1.ang. IS Gary 1 5-I.ang. j6-CBry i 6-I.ang. ( 7-Cary ) 7-r.ane. $.77 .80 1.20 1.30 1,30 1,40 2,20 2.50 J, 57 .60 .90 1.00 1.00 1.10 1.60 1,85 $2.73 2,85 4,20 4,70 4,45 4,95 7,55 8,80 46 48 62 72 63 Body with frames and division board no foundation Bodies with frames and division board and with inch foundation starters Body with frames, division board and full sheets foun- dation . .- _ .. 73 68 80 Sond for froa booklet ''Eomentlalo of m Oooif Smokor.' BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES Simplicity Slotted-Section Super This Super takes 4Kx4KxlK beeway sections. Kg. 7. Slotted Section Super to use square beeway sections 4J^x4Xxl^. as they are rabbeted to fit the hive. This is a shallow super 4^ inches deep, and is made either Cary or Langstroth size, it takes slot- ted section holders, slotted wood separators, and springs, or with i%-x.i%'x.\yi beeway sections and 1 inch foundation starters, or with full sheets. This is the old style of super and sections most commonly used, and the one to order if you prefer These may be tiered up two or more high in safety Price List of Simplicity Supers tal4 ■ 2 " 2 " IK • Hive-seat and Tool-box. A suitable tool-box is a great labor-saving device in an apiary ; and one who has not used something of this kind has no idea of its con- venience when combined with a comfortable seat. The two outside compartments are large enough for the various tools that are needed, and in the space below the seat there is room for queen cages, cells, hive-records, etc. Mufh time is often lost in running from one end of the hive to the other for small tools and sup- plies, and this combined seat and tool-box saves all this. We have used this form of seat in our yard for years nailed and painted, $1.50 ; no tools included. Price in the flat, 75 cents each; BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES PricB List of Comb Foundation. In ordering foundation be sure to tell which grade and size you want, and give price. Name of Grade When Used Regular Sizes Furnished Price lib. 5 lbs. 10 lbs. Medium Brood. 1 In brood-nest and 1 extracting-fraraes \ In sections for sur- 1 plus comb honey 7Kxl6M for I,, frame ; 6^x16 for Danz. ; 4%xl6M for shal. fr. ; 9?ixl3 for Cary . 35«xl6Kfor4Msec.. 31 lxl4Mfor4xS sec. 67c 69c 75c 80c 65c 67c 73c 7Sc 63c 65c Thin Super Kxtra Thin Super 70c 73c l^r£e quanties furnished at lower prices, which will be quoted on application. Price List of Sections. 4Mx4MxlK BBHWAY SECTIONS styles 1, 2, 3, and 4 Beeway We send IJi style 2 beeway, when your order does not specify style or width wanted. No. A B Weight 100 $ .85 S .75 7 lbs. 250 1.75 1.60 18 " 500 3.00 2.75 35 " 1000 5.75 5.25 70 " PI,AIN OR NO BEEWAY SECTIONS 4Kx4}ixlX ; 4x5xljg. We send 4^x1^4 plain, or what will fit other items in your order, if you do not specify. No. A B Weight 100 I .85 $ .75 6 lbs. 250 1.75 1.60 15 " 500 3.00 2.75 30 " 1000 .5.50 5.00 60 " If sections are wanted by mail, refer to parcel post on third cover page. Regular sections ordered put up will be $1.50 per 100 without foundation starters ; $2.00 per 100 with inch starter ; and $3.00 per 100 with full starters. It is difiicult and expensive to pack them to ship safely put up. Prices of large quantities quoted on application. Full starters are fastened on three sides. Miscellaneous Articles for the Simplicity Hives and Supers. Slotted Section-holders, per 100, C. S. 13'A in. long ; L. S. 18J^ in. long. -$2.30 Same with separators, per 100, C. S. 12}i in. long ; L. S. ISyi in. long 3.50 Slotted sawed separators, per 100, C. S. 12>^ in, long ; L. S. 18}4 in. long 1.20 Plain sawed sepiarators, per 100 - - - - - 1-00 Plain section holders, per 100 ■ - - - 2.00 I. P. S. T. and L. fence separators or sizes to fit the simplicity supers, per 100 - 2.30 Plain division boards Cary size 10^x14, or Langstroth sizes 9>^xl7fi - - .10 Tin bee feeder with wooden floats, capacity six pounds - .40 Wood and zinc excluders, Cary size 15x17 - .... .40 Wood and zinc excluders, Lang, size 15x20 - - .45 Wood and wire excluders, Cary size 15x17, 7 wire - .50 Wood and wire excluders, Lang, size 15x20, 7 wire - - .55 Three wire strips, 16 and 19 inches, per 100 - - - - . - 3,00 Frames Free hanging for Cary hive Free hanging for Langstroth Metal Spaced for Cary hive Metal Spaced for Lang, hive Shallow Extracting Cary size Shallow Extracting Lang, size 5^xl7f^ Hoffman frames We can furnish shallow frames 4>^ in. deep for use in shallow (i^ in.) Root dovetailed super, at same price as regular {SH '«■) shallow frame. All frames will be pierced for wire, if wire is wanted with frames in flat ISc per 100 extra. Metal spacers 40c per 100. Nailed per 100 In flat OUTSIDE EMPTY WITH FDN. WITH FULL NO FOUNDATION MEASURE STARTERS SHEETS 10. 100 10^x14' $5.00 $6.00 $16.00 .40 $3.50 9ysxl7H 5.00 6.00 16.00 .40 3.50 10^x14 6.00 7.00 17.00 .45 4.20 9>^xl7?^ 6.00 7.00 17.00 .45 4.20 SH^UH 4.00 5.00 10.00 .30 2.70 5^xl7f^ 4.00 5.00 11.00 ,30 2.70 9!^xl7fi 5.00 6.00 16.00 .40 3.50 Smnd lOc for booklmt "Tha !/•• of Haimy In Calnklnm" BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES 9 Byard's Universal Foundation Fastener. We are now able to offer a machine for fastening foundation in either VXx\^ or 4xS sections ; known as the Universal Flexible-Plate Foundation Fastener. This is by all odds the best ever put on the market for fastening foundation starters into sections. We feel free to say this as it has given perfect satisfaction in our section room for the past four seasons and is also endorsed by the largest honey producers in New England besides being the favorite among a great many of the smaller users of foundation machines. It has a great many advan- tages over other machines now in use. In most machines a flat plate that comes either in direct contact with or is suspended directly over the sec- tion is used. From this plate dripping wax or soot is sure to soil the section. In some machines the block entering the starters is near the heat of the lamp and often gets so hot that it becomes necessary to suspend operation until the block has been cooled. With this machine all wax adhering to plate is deposited on the inside of the section where the foundation starters is fastened. This makes a brace that you cannot get with other machines, besides the wax is not dripping and wasting. When the section is brought into position to re- ceive the starter the flexible plate comes in con- tact with and heats the wood a little where the starter is to be fastened ; this too helps to make a neat and firm job. As soon as the starter is fas- tened the block that centers the starter falls back in position away from the heat, keeping it cool at all times. A small kerosene lamp with metal chimney is placed under the large plate. A lamp thus equipped will heat the plate without depositing soot. Both top and bottom starters can be fastened in sections without removing the section from the machine. For those who use both top and bottom starters in sections will find this alone worth the price of a machine in one season. This machine can be fastened to the front of your bench with two screws in such a position as to make it convenient for. one to operate the machine handily when sitting in a chair, and this leaves the whole top of the bench for sections, foundation or any thing you may choose to use it for. With this device you can prepare more sections per hour, and it is plain to be seen that the work will be stronger and cleaner. Fieure 22. Price with Lamp $2.50 Price without 2.25 Weieht complete 3% lbs. Reared from a three frame nucleus bought in the Spring. 10 BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES R. G. C. Section Press We are now able to offer you a section press which is unequal to any yet offered at this price ; this section press is made in two sizes, one taking all 4X sections and one taking all sections having one side 5 inches, like the 4x5, or in other words the two sizes of presses will press the joints of every standard section made, and make every joint perfectly square and can be very easily operated by any one able to lift ten pounds. t .50 OUTFIT No. 3. One full colony of bees in any single wall hive, complete with queen, - $12.00 One pair Bee Gloves . - - - , . . gQ One Nickeled Steel Hive Toot - - - - .40 One Glove Bee-veil -...---. 100 Two extra comb honey supers - - - - . 350 One Standard Root Smoker - - . _g5 One A. B. C. and X. Y. Z. Bee Culture - - - - 2.50 SPECIAL OFFER FOR $20.00 Including any one of the following bee papers for one year. Gleanings in Bee Culture, a semi-monthly Magazine. The American Bee Journal for the Bee Keepers' Review. Post paid one year to any one in the United States. GRAFTING WAX. We have been making a Grafting Wax that has met the deinands of the local fruit growers and are prepared to furriisl^ in any quantity. Price per stick - v -,, -i.-j.^ 10 cents Price per pound ■'" -'«•» — - 50 cents Beginner's Outfit for a Start in Bees. Many prospective bee-keepers write me each year stating that they wish to make a start in bees but are unable to make a choice from the catalog. For the guidance of such I have made up several lists, any one of which will make a nice start in bees. OUTFIT No. 1 Full colony of bees with queen in 10 frame Gary or Root hive complete with super and sections Two winter cases for above Empty hive complete for hiving new swarti One extra comb honey super Standard Root Smoker A. B. C. & X. Y.Z. of Bee Culture (730 pages) One pair of bee gloves (small, medium or large size 1 No. 2 Bee-veil One nickeled steel hive tool SPECIAL OFFER FOR $25.00. With any of the following leading magazines, FREE. Glean- ings, American Bee Journal or Bee Keepers' Review, Post paid one year to any address in the United States. OUTFIT No. 2. Gleanings in Bee Culture A. B. C. & X. Y. Z. of Bee Culture, $2.50 The purchaser of limited means can well afiford this outfit which has been carefully selected. The bees are the best Itahan stock on straight worker comb built in wired frames. All articles are strictly first-class in every respect. Satisfaction guaranteed. Gleaning in Bee Culture, post paid, 1 year $1.00 A Biggie Bee-Book .50 A Junior Root Smoker .65 One bee-veil .35 Full colony of bees in Gary Simplicity hive complete with queen 12.00 SPECIAL OFFER FOR $15.00. Including the latest edition of A. B. C. & X. Y. Z. of Bee Culture. This is the leading book of its kind in the country. In many cases a return of $10.00 in honey has been secured the first year from just such outfits as offered above, and in addition one and possibly two swarms may be secured ; this is not an uncommon occurrence when conditions are at all favorable. -USE THIS COUPON Inclosed $ for combinations checked. Name Address-- Sond for freo Booklat "Back Yard Beo-Kneplng." ^▲i u LA L* ▲ A. AA iAJ ^ L* ▲ ▲< Aj lyA >^ ' i|||ll||i:iiiiiiliili;l''i ''!.... "<:.ii Itl II 18 11: ::ii M> |H ]•, 'ji 'Jl ■Jl ..., v:i ■II Vi 21! ■'7 - •><) v; VJ 25 21 V, '^f^ < 2S •!il an 81 = y» ,'iii ;il . < . 1 1 . . ■ 1 ■ . < JltllUMVU. 1 1 ^lllQllSl. = 1 . . 112 3-1 1 2 si < 4 H 7 8 IMol = 1 ,1 I! 7 8, 9 HI II « " 1" 111 H IS III 17 - 1-2 l;i 14 IT) Itl 17 l« . IN as III ■111 21 22 2:1 24 ■; i;ii2u 'n 2-2ly;i -^i *j,". '11 ■»8 . i fHnnh. 1 irt-pfpiiilifi. 1 2i 31 ; 1 , 1 < 4 5 « 7 8 9 Ill r. ,; ^ 11 12 111 14 15 11! IV ' 18 1!) Ml 21 22 23 24 Ifi 17 18 Vi ''II ''1 v; J 25|2(i 27 28 211 .■in .11 2:1 24.2:. 2i) 2'i 2;i! 1 I Slunl. ffiiiolirr. > 1| 2| ,■! 4 ,11 ti 7 . 1 11 yi 3 -i 5 < 8 !i!in 11 12 18 14 71 8 i) HI II i-j|i;! 4 1.^ IC'lT Is iiiiai 21 = 14 15 m;']? in i*.t!-.*o , 2i'a:» it 2(1127 ' •■IIMlll. . , ^ ''^^ij, ■■'''■■■'! - ■ i -i ' . 1 . i . ■ -.1.1-1.1. . 1 .' < i'llni). 1 Koafmba. ;t ^ 1 ' 2 ;i 41 .11 . 1 . 1 . 1 11 2 1 1 11 7 8 11 III '1 12k = 4 6. K 7 8l SJ'ld 1 1", II 16 II! 17 lahii - II ii;'i;!.M lijifi'i- , :ii) 2! 2.' 2.1 24 '",.» 21! - \H m L'li 21 2-jlii.; Ji «H yipiliii 31 ■ -l = 2,i 2ii y7|2H 29 ;in . ; ^ June. ©Etniibcr. ■ 1 ■ ; ■ 1 2' .1 -,- ; 1 ^ 1 .". 4 s| (1 ; 8 11 - fl 4 .-i (i > < 111 'lll'J'l.l u l.s HI ■ i+ Ill II ;;> i;! 14 1.1 4 17 18 111 '10 21 22 2;i = l(i IN ill 211 '>\ 22 1 1 2S2I1 27128 2!l 811 _ ^ 2.H •24 31 2h 2« '27 yw 2;i