ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY B & K Books Hay-On-Wye, UK Bibliography of British '-*** Bee Books entry number .......... oo lllllllllll 111 COR ELL L im f ilTY Ul RARY 111 3 1 CD 2 ^ 67 9 30 78 CO DATE DUE GAYLORD PRINTED IN US. A, ■ So work the Honey Bees. Creatures, that by a rule in Nature, teach The art of order to a peopled kingdom.— Slaikxpeai A PRACTICAL TREATISE OH TUB HIVE AND HONEY-BEE, BY L. L. LANGSTKOTH; AN INTRODUCTION, BY BEY. BOBERT BAIRD, D. D. THIRD EDITION, IOTIBED, AND ILLUSTRATED WITH SEVENTY-SEVEN KNOSAVINGS, PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 18 7 3 . fcPlL C/ s? 5 > 2 > 1811 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, Bl L. t. LANOSTROTH, In tea Clerk’s Office of the District Court of tho Southern District of New Tort INTRODUCTION. I am happy to learn from my friend Mr. Langstroth, lhat a new edition of his work on the Hive and Honey- Bee is called for ; I consider it by far the most valuable treatise on these subjects, which has come under my notice. Some years before it was published, I became acquainted with the main characteristics of his system of Bee-culture, and even then, I believed it to be incompar¬ ably superior to all others of which I had either read or heard. This conviction has been amply strengthened by the testimony of others, as well as by results which have come under my own observation. In my early life I had no inconsiderable experience in the management of bees, and I am bold to say that the hive which Mr. Langstroth has invented, is in all respects greatly superior to any which I have ever seen, either in tins or foreign countries. Indeed, I do not believe that any one who takes an intelligent interest in the rearing of bees, can for a moment hesitate to use it; or, rather, can be induced to use any other, when he becomes acquainted with its nature and merits. At length the true secret has been discovered, of iii iv INTRODUCTION. making these most industrious, interesting, and useful oi insect-communities, work in habitations both comfortable to themselves and wonderfully convenient for their aggre¬ gation, division, and rapid increase; and all this without diminishing their productive labor, or resorting to the cruel measure of destroying them. Mr. Langstroth teaches us in his hook, how bees can be taken care of without great labor, and without the risk of suffering from the weapon which the Creator has given them for self-defence. Even a delicate lady need not fear to undertake the task of cultivating this fascinatin'* branch of Rural Economy. Nothing is easier for any family that resides in a favorable situation, than to have a number of colonies, and this at but little expense. I sincerely hope that many will avail themselves of the facilities now placed before them for prosecuting this easy branch of industry, not only for the sake of the large profit in proportion to its expense, which it may bo made to yield, but also for the substantial pleasure which they may find in observing the habits of these wonderful little creatures. How remarkably does their entire econ¬ omy illustrate the wisdom and skill of the Great Author of all things. I cannot but believe that many Ministers of the Gospel, residing in rural districts, will accept of Mr. Langstrotii’s generous offer to give them the free use of his Invention. With very little labor or expense, they can derive from bee-keeping considerable profit, as well as much pleasure INTRODUCTION. V No industrial or material employment can be more inno¬ cent, or less inconsistent with their proper work. There are few portions of our country which are not admirably adapted to the culture of the Honey-Bee. The wealth of the nation might be increased by millions of dollars, if every family favorably situated for bee-keeping would keep a few hives. No other branch of industry can be named, in which there need be so little loss on the material that is employed, or which so completely derives its profits from the vast and exhaustless domains of Nature. I trust that Mr. Langstrotii’s labors will contribute greatly to promote a department of Rural Economy, which in this country has hitherto received so little scientific attention. He well deserves the name of Benefactor; infinitely more so than many who in all countries and in all ages have received that honorable title. Not many years will pass away without seeing his important inven¬ tion brought into extensive use, both in the Old and New World. Its great merits need only to be known; and this, Time will certainly bring about. ROBERT BAIRD. PREFACE- Encouraged by the favor with which the former edi¬ tions of this work have been received, I submit to the public a Revised Edition, illustrated by additional wood- cuts, and containing my latest discoveries and improve¬ ments. The information which it presents, is adapted not only to those who use the Movable Comb Hive, but to all who aim at profitable bee-keeping, with any hive, or on any system of management. Debarred, to a great extent, by ill-health, from the ap¬ propriate duties of my profession, and compelled to seek an employment calling me as much as possible into the open air, I cherish the hope that my labors in an impor¬ tant department of Rural Economy, may prove service¬ able to the community. Bee-keeping is regarded in Europe as an intellectual pursuit, and no one who studies the wonderful habits of this useful insect, will ever find the materials for new o) iervations exhausted. The Cre¬ ator has stamped the sed of his Infinity on all his works, so that it is impossible, even in the minutest, “ by search¬ ing to find out the Almighty to perfection.” In none vii vm PREFACE. of them, however, has he displayed himself more clearly than in the economy of the Honey-Bee: “ What well-appointed commonwealths! where each Adds to the stock of happiness for all; Wisdom’s own forums ! whose professors teach Eloquent lessons in their vaulted hall! Galleries of art! and schools of industry 1 Stores of rich fragrance 1 Orchestras of song I What marvellous seats of hidden alchemy ! flow oft, when wandering far and erring long, Man might learn truth and virtue from the BEE 1 Bowrino. The attention of Ministers of the Gospel is particularly invited to this branch of Natural History. An intimate acquaintance with the wonders of the Bee-IIive, while beneficial to them in many ways, might lead them, in their preaching, to imitate more closely the example of Him who illustrated his teachings by “ the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field,” as well as the common walks of life, and the busy pursuits of men. It affords me sincere pleasure to acknowledge my obli¬ gations to Mr. Samuel Wagner, of York, Pennsylvania, for material assistance in the preparation of this Treatise. To his extensive and accurate acquaintance with Bee¬ keeping in Germany, my readers will find themselves indebted for much exceedingly valuable information. L. L. LANGSTROTII. Oxford, Butler County, Ouio, March, 1859. TABLE OF CONTENTS. not List of Plates and Explanation of Wood-Cuts Illustrating the Natural History of Bees. B Onims. I. Facts connected with the invention of the Movable-Comb Bee-Hive. 13 II. The Honey-Bee capable of being tamed. 24 III. The Queen, or Mother-Bee.—The Drones.—The Workers. —Facts in their Natural History. 29 IV. Comb. 69 V. Propolis. 16 VI. Pollen, or “ Bee Bread.”. 80 VII. Ventilation of the Bee-Hive. 88 VIII. Requisites of a Complete Hive. 96 IX. Natural Swarming, and Hiving of Swarms. 109 X. Artificial Swarming. 143 XI. Loss of the Queen. 213 XII. The Bee-Moth, and other Enemies of Bees—Diseases of Bees. 328 XIII. Robbing, and how Prevented. 261 XIV. Directions for Feeding Bees. 267 XV. The Apiary.—Procuring Bees to Stock it.—Transferring Bees from Common to Movable-Comb Hives. 279 XVI. Honey. 285 XVII. Bee-Pasturage.—Over-Stocking. 292 ix X TABLE OF CONTENTS. Chapter. page. XVIII. The Anger of Bees.—Remedies for their Stings. 808 XIX. The Italian Honey-Bee. 818 XX. Size, Shape, and Materials for Hires.—Observing-Hives. 829 XXI. Wintering Bees. 835 XXIL Bee-Keeper’s Calendar.—Bee-Keeper’s Axioms. 362 explanation of Wood-Cuts of Movable-Comb Hives, with Bills of Stock for making them. 871 Copious Alphabetical Index. *8* LIST OF PLATES. ^Toutlsnlece. PAGB. Plate XI. .. PAG* -ble-Comb Hive, with full glass “ XII. arrangement.. w XIII Plate I. u XIV .. u II. M XV.... hi. M XVI u IV. “ XVII .. u V. w XVIII “ VI. u XIX u VII. M XX u VIII. u XXI IX... w XXII .. X. u XXIII. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. PLATES L to XI. Inclusive, show the various styles of Movable-Comb Hives, and the Implownts used in the Apiary. For explanation of these plates, see p. 871. PLATE XII.—Fins. 81,82.—Queen-Bee, of magnified and natural size. See p. 80L Figs. 38, 84.—Drone, of magnified and natural size. See p. 49. Figs. 85, 86.—Worker, of magnified and natural size. See p. 54. These Illustrations were copied (with some alterations) from BagsUr. PLATE XIII.—Fiq. 8T.—Scales of Wax, highly magnified. See p. 69. Fig. 88.—Abdomen of a Worker-Bee, magnified, and showing the exuding scales of wax. See p. 69. Fig. 89.—Section of a Ceil, magnified, and showing the usual position of the eg& See p. 44. Fig. 40.— Larv® of Bees, In various stages of development. See p. 44. Fig 41.—Section of a Cell, magnified, and showing Larva. See p. 44. Fig 42.—Worker-Larva, fully grown, and ready to spin its Cocoon. 8ee p. 45t Fig. 48 —Worker-Nymph. See p. 45. Fig. 49.—A Queen-Cell of the natural size. 8eo p. 62. Fig. 60.—A Queen-Cell cut open, to show the unhatched queen. See p. 62. Fig. 44.— Eggs of the Bee-Moth, of natural and magnified size. See p. 284. Fig. 45. —Larv® of the Be^-Moth, fully grown. See p. 23L xi EXPLANATION OF PLATE9, xii Fio. 46.—Female Bee-Moth. Bee p. 229. Fig. 59.—Female Bee-Moth, with Ovipositor extruded, and eggs passing through it. See p. 280. Fia. 60.—Male Bee-Moth. See p. 229. Fig. 61.—Small Male Bee-Moth. See p. 229. Fig. 62.—Head of Mexican Honey-Hornet, magnified. See p. 87. Fig. 68. —Head of Honey-Bee, magnified. See p. 87. Figs. 64, 65. —Jaws of Honey-Hornet and Honey-Bee, magnified. See p. 87. Some of these Illustrations were taken from Swammerdam, Beaumar, aid Huber. PLATE XIV.—For an explanation of this plate, which represents the different kinds of Cells in the Honey-Comb, see p. 66. PLATE XV.—For an explanation of Fig. 48, which represents Worker and Dione- Comb, of natural size, see p. 74. Fig. 58.—A Group of Queen Cells, drawn from a specimen found in the Author’s hive. 8ee p. 191. PLATE XVI.—Fio. 51.—Proboscis of a Worker-Bee, highly magnified. See p. 5A Fig. 68, Plate XIlI.,6hows the Proboscis attached to the head. Fig. 52. —Abdomen of a Worker-Bee, magnified. PLATE XVII.— Fig. 53.—Sting of a Worker, highly magnified. 8ee p. 56. Fig. 54.—Honey-sac, Intestines, Stomach, and Rectum of a Worker-Bee. 8o« p. 56. PLATE XVIII.—For an explanation of this plate, which represents the Ovaries (and adjacent parts) of a Queen-Bee, see p. 85. PLATE XIX.—Fio. 56.—Cocoons spun by Larva of the Bee-Moth. See p. 288. PLATE XX.—Fio. 57.—Mass of Webs, Cocoons, and Excrements loft in a Hiva destroyed by the Larva of the Bee-Moth. See p. 235. PLATE XXI.— Figs. 66, 67, 68, 69, and 70.—German method of Wintering Bees See p. 848. PLATE XXII.— Fig. 71 is the Frontispiece to the First Edition. See p. 8SL PLATE XXIII.—Shows the position in which a Frame is hold when taken from the Movable-Comb Hive.—See p. 171. Movable Comb Hive, with full Class ArroDerement. TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. CHAPTER I. FACTS CONNECTED WITH THE INVENTION OF THE MOVABLE- COMB BEE-HIVE. Practical bee-keeping in this country is in a very depressed condition, being entirely neglected by the mass of those most favorably situated for its pursuit. Notwith¬ standing the numerous hives which have been introduced, the ravages of the bee-moth have increased, and success is becoming more and more precarious. While multi¬ tudes have abandoned the pursuit in disgust, many even of the most experienced are beginning to suspect that all the so called “ Improved Ilives ” are delusions or impos¬ tures; and that they must return to the simple box or hollow log, and “ take up ” their bees with sulphur in the old-fashioned way. In the present state of public opinion, it requires no little confidence to introduce another patent hive, and a new system of management; but believing that a new era in bee-keeping has arrived, I invite the attention of Apiarians to the perusal of this Manual, trusting that it will convince them that there is a better way than any with which they have yet become acquainted. They will bere find a clear explanation of many hitherto mysterious 13 14 THE HIVE AND HONET-BICE. points in the physiology of the honey-bee, together with much valuable information never before communicated to the public. It is now more than twenty years since I turned my attention to the keeping of bees. The state of my health of late years having compelled me to live much in the open air, I have devoted a large portion of my time to a minute investigation of their habits, as well as to a series of careful experiments in the construction and manage¬ ment of hives. Very early in my Apiarian studies I constructed a hive on the plan of the celebrated Huber; and by verifying 6ome of his most valuable discoveries became convinced that the prejudices existing against him were entirely unfounded. Believing that his discoveries laid the founda¬ tion for a more profitable system of bee-keeping, I began to experiment with hives of various construction. Though the result of these investigations fell far short of my expectations, some of these hives now contain vigorous stocks fourteen years old, which without feeding have endured all the vicissitudes of some of the worst seasons ever known for bees. While I felt confident that my hive possessed valuable peculiarities, I still found myself unable to remedy many ol the perplexing casualties to which bee-keeping is liable ; and became convinced that no hive could do this, unless it gave the complete control of the combs , so that any or all of them might be removed at pleasure. The use of the Kuber hive had satisfied me, that with proper precautions the combs might be removed without enraging the bees, and that these insects were capable of being tamed to a surprising degree. Without a knowledge of these facts, I should have regarded a hive permitting the removal of the combs, as quite too dangerous for practical use At MOVABLE-COMB HITE. 15 first, I used movable slats or bars placed on rabbets in the front and back of the hive. The bees began their combs upon these bars, and then fastened them to the sides of the hive. By severing .these attachments, the, combs could be removed adhering to the bars. There was nothing new in the use of such bars—the invention being probably a hundred years old — and the chief peculiarity in my hive was the facility with which they could be removed without enraging the bees, and their combina¬ tion with my improved mode of obtaining the surplus honey. With hives of this construction, I experimented on a larger scale than ever, and soon arrived at very important results. I could dispense entirely with natural swarming, and yet multiply colonies with greater rapidity and cer¬ tainty than by the common methods. All feeble colonies could be strengthened, and those which had lost their queen furnished with the means of obtaining another. If I suspected that any thing was wrong with a hive, I could quickly ascertain its true condition, and apply the proper remedies. In short, I felt satisfied that bee-keeping could be made highly profitable, and as mnch a matter of cer¬ tainty, as most branches of rural economy. One thing, however, was still wanting. The cutting of the combs from their attachments to the sides of the hive, was attended with much loss of time both to myself and the bees. This led me to invent a method by which the combs were attached to movable frames, so suspended in the hives as to touch neither the top, bottom, nor sides. By this device the combs could be refnoved at pleasure, without any cutting, and speedily transferred to another hive. After experimenting largely with hives of this con¬ struction, I find that they fully answer the ends proposed m their invention. 16 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. In the Summer of 1851 I ascertained that bees could be made to work in glass hives, exposed to the full light of day. This discovery procured me the pleasure of an acquaintance with Rev. Dr. Berg, then pastor of a Reformed Dutch Church, in Philadelphia. From him I first learned that a Prussian clergyman of the name of Dzierzon,* was attracting the attention of crowned heads by his discoveries in the management of bees. Before he communicated to me the particulars of these discoveries, I explained to Dr. Berg my own system and showed him my hive. He expressed great astonishment at the won¬ derful similarity in our methods of management, neither of us having any knowledge of the labors of the other. Our hives he found to differ in some very important respects. In Dzierzon’s hive, the combs not being attached to movable frames but to bars, cannot be removed without cutting. In my hive, any comb may be taken out without removing the others; whereas in the Dzierzon hive, it is often necessary to cut and remove many combs to get access to a particular one; thus if the tenth from the end is to be removed, nine must be taken out. The German hive does not furnish the surplus honey in a form the most salable in our markets, or admitting of safe transportation in the comb. Notwith¬ standing these disadvantages, it has achieved a great triumph in Germany, and given a new impulse to the cultivation of bees. The following letter from Samuel Wagner, Esq., Cashier of the Bank of York, in York, Pennsylvania, will show the results obtained in 'Germany by the new system of man¬ agement, and his estimate of the superior value of my liive to those there in use. * Pronounced Tseertaone. MOVABLE-COMB HIVE. 17 “York, Pa., Dec. 24, 1852. “ Dear Sir —The Dzierzon theory and the system of bee-management based thereon, were originally promul¬ gated hypothetically in the ‘ Eichstadt Bienen-zeitung,’ or Bee-Journal, in 1845, and at once arrested my attention. Subsequently, when in 1848 at the instance of the Prus¬ sian Government, the Rev. Mr. Dzierzon published his ‘ Theory and Practice of Bee Culture,’ I imported a copy which reached me in 1849, and which I translated prior to January, 1850. Before the translation was completed I received a visit from my friend the Rev. Dr. Berg, of Philadelphia, and in the course of conversation on bee¬ keeping, mentioned to him the Dzierzon theory and system as one which I regarded as new and very superior, though I had had no opportunity for testing it practically. In February following, when in Philadelphia, I left with him the translation in manuscript — up to which period I doubt whether any other person in this country had any knowledge of the Dzierzon theory; except to Dr. Berg, I had never mentioned it to any one save in very general terms. “In September 1851, Dr. Berg again visited York, and stated to me your investigations, discoveries and inven¬ tions. From the account Dr. Berg gave me, I felt assured that you had devised substantially the same system as that so successfully pursued by Mr. Dzierzon; but how for your hive resembled his I was unable to judge from description alone. I inferred, however, several points of difference. The coincidence as to system, and the princi¬ ples on which it was evidently founded, struck me as exceedingly singular and interesting, because I felt confi¬ dent that you had no more knowledge of Mr. Dzierzon and his labors, before Dr. Berg mentioned him and his book to you, than Mr. Dzierzon had of you. These cir- THE HIVIi AND IIONET-BER. 1 $ cumstances made me very anxious to examine your Lives, and induced me to visit your Apiary in the village of West Philadelphia, last August. In the absence of the keeper I took the liberty to explore the premises thoroughly, opening and inspecting a number of the hives and noticing the internal arrangement of the parts. The result was, that I came away convinced that though your system was based on the same principles as Dzierzon’s, your hive was almost totally different from his both in con¬ struction and arrangement; and that while the same objects substantially are attained by each, your hive is more sim¬ ple, more convenient, and much better adapted for general introduction and use, since the mode of using it can be more easily taught. Of its ultimate and triumphant success I have no doubt. I sincerely believe that when it comes under the notice of Mr. Dzierzon, he will himself prefer it to his own. It in fact combines all the good properties which a hive ought to possess, while it is free from the complication, clumsiness, vain whims and deci¬ dedly objectionable features which characterize most of the inventions which profess to be at all superior to the simple box, or the common chamber hive. “You may certainly claim equal credit with Dzierzon for originality in observation and discovery in the natural history of the honey-bee, and for success in deducing prin- ciples and devising a most valuable system of management from observed facts. But in invention, as far as neatness, compactness, and adaptation of means to ends are con¬ cerned, the sturdy German must yield the palm to you. “I send you herewith some interesting statements respecting Dzierzon, and the estimate in which his system is held in Germany. Very truly yours, Samuel Wagner. Rev. L. L. La-Ngstroth.” MOVABI.E-COMB HIVE. Id The following are the statements to which Mr. Wagner refers: “ As the best test of the value of Mr. Dzierzon’s system .s the results which have been made to flow from it, a brief account of its rise and progress may be found interesting. In 1835, he commenced bee-keeping in the common way with twelve colonies, and after various mis¬ haps which taught him the defects of the common hives and the old mode of management, his stock was so reduced, that, in 1838, he had virtually to begin anew. At this period he contrived his unproved hive, in its ruder form, which gave him the command over all the combs, and ho began to experiment on the theory which observation ami study had enabled him to devise. Thenceforward nis progress was as rapid, as his success was complete and triumphant. Though he met with frequent reverses, about seventy colonies having been stolen from him, sixty destroyed by fire, and twenty-four by a flood, yet, in 1846, his stock had increased to three hundred and sixty colo¬ nies, and he realized from them that year six thousand pounds of honey, besides several hundred weight of wax. At the same time, most of the cultivators in his vicinity who pursued the common methods, had fewer hives than they had when he commenced. “In the year 1848, a fatal pestilence, known by the name of ‘ foul brood,’ prevailed among his bees, and destroyed nearly all his colonies before it could be sub¬ dued, only about ten having escaped the malady which attacked alike the old stocks and his artificial swarms, lie estimates his entire loss that year at over five hundred colonies. Nevertheless, he succeeded so well in multi¬ plying by artificial swarms, the few that remained healthy, that, in the Fall of 1851, his stock consisted of nearly four 20 THE HIVE AND HONE!-BEE. ~ hundred colonies. He must therefore have multiplied his stocks more than three-fold each year. “The highly prosperous condition of his colonies is attested by the Report of the Secretary of the Annual Apiarian Convention, which met in his vicinity last Spring. This Convention, the fourth which has been held, con¬ sisted of one hundred and twelve experienced and enthu¬ siastic bee-keepers from various districts of Germany and neighboring countries, and among them were some who, when they assembled, were strong opposers of his system. “ They visited and personally examined the Apiaries of Mr. Dzierzon. The report speaks in the very highest terms of his success, and of the manifest superiority of liis system of management. He exhibited and satisfac¬ torily explained to bis visitors his practice and principles; and they remarked with astonishment the singular docility of his bees, and the thorough control to which they were subjected. After a full detail of the proceed¬ ings, the Secretary goes on to say : “ ‘ Now that I have seen Dzierzon’s method practically demonstrated, I must admit that it is attended with fewer difficulties than I had supposed. With his hive and system of management, it would seem that bees become at once more docile than they are in other cases. I consider his system the simplest and best means of elevating bee-cul¬ ture to a profitable pursuit, and of spreading it far and wide over the land ; especially as it is adapted to districts in which the bees do not readily and regularly swarm. Ilis eminent success in re-establishing bis stock after suf¬ fering so heavily from the devastating pestilence; in short the recuperative power of the system, demonstrates con¬ clusively that it furnishes the best, perhaps the only means of re-instating bee-culture to a profitable branch oi rural economy. Pi. ATE I. Fig. 1. MOVABLE-COMB HIVE. 21 “ ‘ Dzierzon modestly disclaimed the idea of having attained perfection in his hive. He dwelt rather upon the truth and importance of his theory and system of manage¬ ment.’ “ From the Leipzig Illustrated Almanac — Report on Agriculture for 1846: “ ‘ Bee-culture is no longer regarded as of any import¬ ance in rural economy.’ “ From the same, for 1851 and 1853 : “ ‘ Since Dziorzon’s system has been made known, an entire revolution in bee-culture has been produced. A new era has been created for it, and bee-keepers are turn¬ ing their attention to it with renewed zeal. The merits of his discoveries are appreciated by the Government, and they recommend his system as worthy the attention of the teachers of common schools.’ “ Mr. Dzierzon resides in a poor, sandy district of Lower Silesia, which according to the common notions of Apia¬ rians is unfavorable to bee-culture. Yet, despite of this and of various other mishaps, he has succeeded in realiz¬ ing nine hundred dollars as the product of his bees in one season! “ By bis mode of management, his bees yield even in the poorest years from 10 to 15 per cent, on the capital invested; and where the colonies are produced by the Apiarian’s own skill and labor, they cost him only about one-fourth the price at which they are usually valued. In ordinary seasons, the profit amounts to from 30 to 50 per cent., and in very favorable seasons from 80 to 100 per cent.” In communicating these facts to the public, I take an honest pride in establishing my claim to having matured by my own independent discoveries, the system of bee- 22 THE HIVE AND LIONET-BEE. culture which has excited so much interest in Germany ; I desire also to have the testimony to the merits of my hive, of Mr. Wagner, who is extensively known as an able German scholar. He has taken all the numbers of the Bee- Journal, which has been published monthly for more than nineteen years, in Germany; and he is undoubtedly more familiar than any other man in this country with the state of Apiarian culture abroad. 1 wish, also, to show that the importance which I attach to my system of management, is amply justified by the success of those who, by the same system, even with infe¬ rior hives, have attained results which to common bee¬ keepers seem almost incredible. Inventors are prone to form exaggerated estimates of the value of their labors; and the public has been so often deluded by patent hives which have utterly failed to answer their professed objects, that they can scarcely be blamed for rejecting every new one as unworthy of confidence. An American Bee-Journal, properly conducted, would have great influence in disseminating information, awaken¬ ing enthusiasm, and guarding the public against the miserable impositions to which it has so long been subject¬ ed. Three such journals have been published monthly, in Germany; and their circulation has widely disseminated those principles which must constitute the foundation of any enlightened and profitable system of bee-culture. While many of the principal facts in the physiology of the honey-bee were long ago discovered, it has unfortu¬ nately happened that some of the most important have been the most widely discredited. In themselves, they are so wonderful, and to those who have not witnessed them, ofter so incredible, that it is not strange that they have been rejected as fanciful conceits or bare-faced inventions. MOVABLE-COMB HIVE. For more than half a century, hives have been in use containing onlv one comb inclosed on both sides by glass. These hives are darkened by shutters, and when opened the queen is as much exposed to observation as the other bees. I have discovered that, with proper precautions, colonies can be made to work in observing-hives exposed continually to the full light of day; so that observations may be made at all times, without interrupting by any sudden admission of light the ordinary operations of the bees. In such hives, many intelligent persons from vari¬ ous States in the Union have seen the queen-bee deposit¬ ing her eggs in the cells, while surrounded by an affection¬ ate circle of her devoted children. They have also wit¬ nessed with astonishment and delight, all the mysterious steps in the process of raising queens from eggs, which with the ordinary development would have produced only the common bees. Often for more than three months, there has not been a day in my Apiary in which some colonies were not engaged in rearing new queens to supply the place of those taken from them; and I have had the pleasure of exhibiting these facts to bee-keepers who never before felt willing to credit them. As all my hives are made so that each comb can be taken out and examined at pleasure, those who use them can obtain all the information which they need without taking anything upon trust. May I be permitted to ex¬ press the hope, that the time is now at hand when the number of practical observers will be so multiplied, and the principles of bee-keeping so thoroughly understood, that ignorant and designing men will not be able to im¬ pose their conceits and falsehoods upon the public, by depreciating the discoveries of those who have devoted years of observation to the advancement of Apiarian knowledge! 24 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. CHAPTER II. THE HONEY-BEE CAPABLE OP BEING TAMED. If the bee had not such a formidable weapon both of offence and defence, multitudes who now fear it might easily be induced to enter upon its cultivation. As my system of management takes the greatest possible liberties with this irascible insect, I deem it important to show in the very outset how all necessary operations may be per¬ formed without incurring any serious risk of exciting its anger. Many persons have been unable to suppress their aston¬ ishment, as they have seen me opening hive after hive, removing the combs covered with bees, and shaking them off in front of the hives ; forming new swarms, exhibiting the queen, transferring the bees with all their stores to another hive; and in short, dealing with them as if they were as harmless as flies. I have sometimes been asked, if the hives I was opening had not been subjected to a long course of training; when they contained swarms which had been brought only the day before to my Apiary. 1 shall, in this chapter, anticipate some principles in the natural history of the bee, to convince my readers that any one favorably situated may enjoy the pleasure and profit of a pursuit which has been appropriately styled, “ the poetry of rural economy,” without being made too famil¬ iar with a sharp little weapon which can speedily convert all the poetry into very sorry prose. It must be manifest to every reflecting mind, that the Creator intended the bee, as truly as the horse or the cow for the comfort of man. In the early ages of the world, Plate It. Fip. 8. THE IIONEY-BEE CAPABLE OF BEING TAMEL 25 and indeed until quite modern times, honey was almost the only natural sweet; and the promise of “ a land flowing with milk and honey ” had once a significance which it is difficult for us fully to realize. The honey-bee, therefore, was created not merely to store up its delicious nectar for its own use, but with certain propensities, with¬ out which man could no more subject it to his control, than he could make a useful beast of burden of a lion or a tiger. One of the peculiarities which constitutes the founda¬ tion of my system of management, and indeed of the possibility of domesticating at all so irascible an insect, has never to my knowledge been clearly stated as a great and controlling principle. It may be thus expressed: A honey-bee token filled with honey never volunteers an attack , but acts solely on the defensive. This law of the honeyed tribe is so universal, that a stone might as soon be expected to rise into the air without any propelling power, as a bee well filled with honey to offer to sting, unless crushed or injured by some direct assault. The man who first attempted to hive a swarm of bees, must have been agreeably surprised at the ease with which he was able to accomplish the feat; for it is wisely ordered that bees, when intending to swarm, should fill their honey-bags to their utmost capacity. They are thus so peaceful that they can easily be secured by man, besides having materials for commencing opera¬ tions immediately in their new habitation, and being in no danger of starving if several stormy days should fol¬ low their emigration. Bees issue from their hives in the most peaceable mood imaginable; and unless abused allow themselves to be treated with great familiarity. The hiving of them might always be conducted without risk, if there 2 were 20 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-HEE. not occasionally some improvident or unfortunate ones, who, coming forth without the soothing supply, are filled instead with the bitterest hate against any one daring to meddle with them. Such thriftless radicals are always to be dreaded, for they must vent their spleen on something, even though they perish in the act. If a whole colony on sallying forth possessed such a ferocious spirit, no one could hive them unless clad in a coat of mail, bee-proof; and not even then, until all the windows of his house were closed, his domestic animals bestowed in some place of safety, and sentinels posted at suitable stations to warn all comers to keep at a safe dis¬ tance. In short, if the propensity to be exceedingly good-natured after a hearty meal had not been given to the bee, it could never have been domesticated, and our honey would still be procured from the clefts of rocks or the hollows of trees. A second peculiarity in the nature of the bee, of which we may avail ourselves with great success, may be thus stated : Bees cannot under any circumstances resist the temp¬ tation to fill themselves with liquid sweets. It would be quite as difficult for them to do this, as for an inveterate miser to despise a golden shower of double eagles falling at his feet and soliciting his appropriation. If, then, when we wish to perform any operation which might provoke them, we can contrive to call their atten¬ tion to a treat of flowing sweets, we may be sure that under its genial influence they will allow us to do what we please, so long as we do not hurt them. Special care should be used not to handle them lough- ly, for they will never allow themselves to be pinched oi hurt without thrusting out their sting to resent the in¬ dignity. If, as soon as a hive is opened, the exposed TIIE IIONEY-BEE CAPABLE OF BEING TAMED. 27 / bees are gently sprinkled with water sweetened with sugar, they will help themselves with great eagerness, and in a few moments will be perfectly under control. The truth is, that bees thus managed are always glad to sec visitors, for they expect at every call to receive an acceptable peace-offering. The greatest objection to the use of sweetened water is, the greediness of bees from other hives, who, when there is any scarcity of honey in the fields, will often surround the Apiarian as soon as he presents himself with his watering-pot, and attempt to force their way into any hive he may open, to steal if possible a portion of its treasures. A third peculiarity in the nature of bees gives an al¬ most unlimited control over them, and may be expressed as follows: j Bees when frightened immediately begin to fill them¬ selves with honey f rom their combs. If the Apiarian only succeeds in frightening his little subjects, he can make them as peaceable as though they were incapable of stinging. By the use of a little smoke from decayed wood,* the largest and most fiery colony may at once be brought into complete subjection. As soon as the smoke is blown among them, they retreat from before it, raising a subdued or terrified note; and, seeming to imagine that their honey is to be taken from them, they cram their honey-bags to their utmost capac¬ ity. They act either as if aware that only what they can lodge in this inside pocket is safe, or, as if expecting to be driven away from their stores, they are determined to start with a full supply of provisions for the way. The same result may be obtained by shutting them up in their * Such wood is often callod spunk, or touch wood ; it burns without any flume until consumod ; and its smoko may easily bo diroctod upon the boos, by too Drouth of tbo Apiarian. THE 11IVE AND UONEY-BEE. 88 \ hive and drumming upon it for a short time. The vari¬ ous processes, however, for inducing bees to fill them¬ selves with honey, are more fully explained in the chap¬ ter on Artificial Swarming. Bv the methods above described, I can superintend a large Apiary, performing every operation necessary for pleasure or profit, without as much risk of being stung as must frequently be incurred in attempting to manage a single hive in the ordinary way. Let all your motions about your hives be gentle and slow. Accustom your bees to your presence: never crush or injure them, or breathe upon them in any ope¬ ration ; acquaint yourself fully with the principles of man¬ agement detailed in this treatise, and you will find that you have little more reason to dread the sting of a bee, than the horns of a favorite cow, or the heels of your faithful horse. Equipped with a bee-hat (PI. XI., Figs. 25, 27) and india-rubber gloves, even the most timid, by availing themselves of these principles, may open my hives and deal with their bees with a freedom astonishing to many of the oldest cultivators on the common plan : for in the management of the most extensive Apiary, no operation will ever be necessary, which, by exasperating a whole colony, impels them to assail with almost irresistible fury the person of the bee-keeper. Plate III. Fig. 9. Fig. 10. tb c4 to £ NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 29 CHAPTER III. THE QUEEN, OR MOTIIER-BEE ; THE DRONES ; THE WORKERS J FACTS IN THEIR NATURAL niSTORY. IIoney-Bees can flourish only when associated in largo numbers, as in a colony. In a solitary state, a single bee is almost as helpless as a new-born child, being paralyzed by the chill of a cool Summer night. If a strong colony preparing to swarm is examined, three kinds of bees will be found in the hive. 1st, One bee of peculiar shape, commonly called the Queen-Bee. 2d, Some hundreds and often thousands of large bees, called Drones. 3d, Many thousands of a smaller kind, called Workers, or common bees, such as are seen on the blossoms. Many of the cells will be found to contain honey and bee- bread ; and vast numbers of eggs and immature workers and drones. A few cells of unusual size arc devoted to the rearing of young queens. On Plate XII., the queen, drone, and worker are represented as magnified, and also of the natural size. The queen-bee is the only perfect female in the hive, and all the eggs are laid by her. The drones are the males , and the workers , females whose ovaries, or “ egg- bags,” are so imperfectly developed that they are incapa¬ ble of breeding; and which retain the instinct of females, only so far as to take care of the brood. These facts have been demonstrated so repeatedly, that they are as well established as the most common laws in the breeding of our domestic animals. The knowledge 30 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. of them in tlieir most important hearings, is essential to all who would realize Large profits from improved methods of rearing bees. Those who will not acquire the neces¬ sary information, if they keep bees at all, should manage them in the old-fashioned way, which demands the small¬ est amount of knowledge and skill. I am well aware how difficult it is to reason with bee¬ keepers, who have been so often imposed upon, that they have no faith in statements made by any one interested in a patent hive; or who stigmatize all knowledge which does not square with their own, as mere “ book knowl¬ edge ” unworthy the attention of practical men. If any such read this book, let me remind them that all my assertions may be put to the test. So long as the interior of a hive was to common observers a profound mystery, ignorant or designing men might assert what they pleased of what passed in its dark recesses; but now, when every comb can in a few moments be exposed to the full light of day, the man who publishes his own con¬ ceits for facts, will speedily earn the character both of a fool and an imposter. The Queen-Bee, as she is the common mother of the whole colony, may very "properly be called the mother-bee. She reigns most unquestionably by a divine right, for every good mother ought to be a queen in her own family. Her shape is widely different from that of the other bees. While she is not near so bulky as a drone, her body is onger ; and as it is considerably more tapering, or sugar- loaf in form than that of a worker, she has a somewhat wasp-like appearance. Her wings are much shorter in proportion than those of the drone, or worker ; the under part of her body is of a goldt i color, and the upper part NATURAE HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 31 usually darker than that of the other bees. Her motions are generally slow and matronly, although she can, when she pleases, move with astonishing quickness. No colony can long exist without the presence of this all-important msect; but must as surely perish, as the body without the spirit must hasten to inevitable decay. The queen is treated with the greatest respect and affection by the bees. A circle of her loving offspring constantly surrounds her,* testifying in various ways their dutiful regard; some gently embracing her with their antennae, others offering her honey from time to time, and all of them politely backing out of her way, to give her a clear path when she moves over the combs. If she is taken from them, the whole colony is thrown into a state of the most intense agitation as soon as they ascertain their loss ; all the labors of the hive are abandoned ; the Dees run wildly over the combs, and frequently rush from the hive in anxious search for their beloved mother. If they cannot find her, they return to their desolate home, and by their sorrowful tones reveal their deep sense of so deplorable a calamity. Their note at such times, more especially when they first realize their loss, is of a pecu¬ liarly mournful character; it sounds somewhat like a succession of wailings on the minor key, and can no more be mistaken by an experienced bee-keeper, tor their ordinary happy hum, than the piteous moanings of a sick child could be confounded by the anxious mother with its joyous crowings when overflowing with health and happiness. I know that all this will appear to many much more like romance than sober reality ; but, believing that it is a crime for any observer wilfully to misstate or conceal important truths, I have determined, in writing this' book, • See tbe group of boos on tbo Titlo-Puge. 32 TIIK llfVE AND HONEY-BEE. to give facts, however wonderful, just as they are ; confi¬ dent that in due time they will be universally received ; and hoping that the many wonders in the economy of the honey-bee will not only excite a wider interest in its cul¬ ture, but lead those who observe them to adore the wisdom of Him who gave them such admirable instincts. The fertility of the queen-bee has been entirely under¬ estimated by most writers. During the height of the breeding season, she will often, under favorable circum¬ stances, lay from two to three thousand eggs a day ! In my observing-hives, I have seen her lay at the rate of six eggs a minute. The fecundity of the female of the white ant is, however, much greater than this, being at the rate of sixty eggs a minute ; but her eggs are simply extruded fr om her body, and carried by the workers into suitable nurseries, while the queen-bee herself deposits her eggs in their appropriate cells. It has been noticed that the queen-bee usually com¬ mences laying very early in the season, and always long before there are any males in the hive. How then, are her eggs impregnated ? Francis Huber, of Geneva, by a long course of the most indefatigable observations, threw much light upon this subject. Before stating his discov¬ eries, I must pay my humble tribute of gratitude and ad¬ miration to this wonderful man. It is mortifying to every naturalist, and I might add, to every honest man acquaint¬ ed with the facts, to hear such an Apiarian, as Huber, abused by the veriest novices and imposters; while others, who are indebted to his labors for nearly all that is of value in their works, “Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer.’’ Huber in early manhood lost the use of his eyes. His opponents imagine that to state this fact is to discredit all NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 33 his observations. But to make their case Still stronger, they assert that his servant, Francis Burnens, by whose aid he conducted his experiments, was only an ignorant peasant Now this so-called “ignorant peasant” was a man of strong native intellect, possessing the indefatigable energy and enthusiasm so indispensable to a good ooaer- ver. lie was a noble specimen of a self-made man, and rose to be the chief magistrate in the village where ho resided. Huber has paid an admirable tribute to his intelligence, fidelity, indomitable patience, energy and skill.* It would be difficult to find in any language a better specimen of the inductive system of reasoning, than Huber’s work on bees, and it might be studied as a model of the only way of investigating nature, so as to arrive at reliable results. Huber was assisted in his researches, not only by Bur¬ nens, but by bis own wife, to whom he was betrothed before the loss of his sight, and who nobly persisted in marrying him, notwithstanding his misfortune and the strenuous dissuasions of her friends. They lived longer than the ordinary term of human life in the enjoyment of great domestic happiness, and the amiable naturalist through her assiduous attentions scarcely felt the loss of his sight. Milton is believed by many to have been a better poet in consequence of his blindness ; and it is highly probable that Huber was a better Apiarian from the same cause. His active yet reflective mind demanded constant employ¬ ment ; and he found in the study of the habits of the honey-bee, full scope for his powers. All the observations * A single fact will show the character of the man. It became necessary, in a certain experiment, to examine separately all the bees in two bives. “ Humous spent eleven clays in performing this work, and during the whole time he scarcely allowed himself any relaxation but what the relief of his eyes roquirod ” 34 THIS HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. and experiments of his faithful assistants being dailj reported, many inquiries and suggestions were made b) him, which might not have suggested themselves had he possessed the use of his eyes. Few, like him, have such command of both time and money as to be able to prosecute on so grand a scale, for a series of years, the most costly experiments. Having repeatedly verified his most important observations, I take great delight in holding him up to my countrymen as the Prince op Apiarians. To return to his discoveries on the impregnation of the queen-bee. By a long course of careful experiments, he ascertained that, like many other insects, she was fecund¬ ated in the open air and on the wing; and that the influ¬ ence of this connection lasts for several years, and proba¬ bly for life. He could, however, form no satisfactory con¬ jecture how eggs were fertilized which were not yet developed in her ovaries. Years ago, the celebrated Dr. John Hunter, and others, supposed that there must be a permanent receptacle for the male sperm, opening into the oviduct. Dzierzon, who must be regarded as one of the ablest contributors of modern times to Apiarian sci¬ ence, maintains this opinion, and states that he has found such a receptacle filled with a fluid resembling the semen of the drones. He does not seem to have demonstrated his discoveries by any microscopic examinations. In the Winter of 1851-2, I submitted for scientific examination several queen-bees to Dr. Joseph Lcidy, of Philadelphia, who has the highest reputation both at home and abroad, as a naturalist and microscopic anato¬ mist. He found in making his dissections a small globular sac, about ,g ol an inch in diameter, communicating with the oviduct, and filled with a whitish fluid; this fluid, when examined t nder the microscope, abounded in the NATURAL HISTORY OF THU IIONKY-BRE. 35 spermatozoa which characterizes the seminal fluid. A comparison of this substance, later in the season, with the semen of a drone, proved them to be exactly alike. These examinations have settled, on the impregnable basis of demonstration, the mode in which the eggs of the queen are vivified. In descending the oviduct to bo deposited in the cells, they pass by the mouth of this semi¬ nal sac, or “ sperr.iatlieca ,” and receive a povtion of its fer¬ tilizing contents. Small as it is, it contains sufficient to impregnate hundreds of thousands of eggs. In precisely the same way, the mother-wasps and hornets are fecund¬ ated. The females only of these insects survive the Win¬ ter, and often a single one begins the construction of a nest, in which at first only a few eggs are deposited. IIow could these eggs hatch, if the females had not been impreg¬ nated the previous season ? Dissection proves that they have a spennatheca similar to that of the queen-bee. It never seems to have occurred to the opponents of Huber, that the existence of a permanently impregnated mother-wasp is quite as difficult to be accounted for, as the existence of a similarly impregnated queen-bee. The celebrated Swam¬ merdam, in his observa¬ tions upon insects, made in the latter part of the seventeenth century, has given a highly magni¬ fied drawing of the ova¬ ries of the queen-bee, a reduced copy of which I 36 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. present (Plate XVIII.), to my readers. The small globu- lar sac ( D ), communicating with the oviduct (JS), which he thought secreted a fluid for sticking the eggs to the base of the cells, is the seminal reservoir, or spermatheca. Any one who will carefully dissect a queen-bee, may see th is sac, even with the naked eye. It will be seen that the ovaries (G and II) are double, each consisting of an amazing number of ducts* filled with eggs, which gradually increase in size.f Huber, while experimenting to ascertain how the queen was fecundated, confined some young ones to their hives by contracting the entrances, so that they were more than three weeks old before they could go in search of the drones. To his amazement, the queens whose impregna¬ tion was thus retarded never laid any eggs but such as produced drones! He tried this experiment repeatedly, but always with the same result. Bee-keepers, even from the time ot Aristotle, had observed that all the brood in a hive were occasionally drones. Before attempting to explain this astonishing fact, I must call the attention of the reader to another of the mysteries of the bee-hive. It has already been stated, that the workers are proved by dissection to be females which under ordinary cir¬ cumstances are barren. Occasionally, some of them appear to be sufficiently developed to be capable of laying eggs ; but these eggs, like those of queens whose impreg¬ nation has been retarded, always produce drones! Some- • The ducts in this cut arc represented as more numerous than those in Swam merdam’s drawing. t Siu^e the flrst edition of this work was issued, I have ascertained that Poscl (page 54) describes the oviduct of the queen, the spermatheca and its contents, and the use of tho latter in impregnating the passing egg. His work was published at Munich, in 1784. It seems also from his work (page 36), that boforo the Inves¬ tigations of Huber, Jansha, the bee-keeper royal of Maria Theresa, had discovered tho fact that tho young queens leave their hive insoarch of the drones. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 37 times, when a colony which lias lost its queen despairs of obtaining another, these drone-laying workers are exalted to her place, and treated with equal regard by the bees. Huber ascertained that fertile workers are usually reared in the neighborhood of the young queens, and thought that they received some particles of the peculiar food or jelly on which these queens are fed. He did not pretend to account for the effect on the queen of retarded impregnation ; and made no experiments on the fecunda¬ tion of fertile workers. Since the publication of Huber’s work more than sixty years ago, no light has been shed upon the mysteries of drone laying queens and workers, until quite recently. Dzierzon appears to have been the first to ascertain the truth on this subject; and his discovery must certainly be ranked among the most astonishing facts in all the range of animated nature. It seems at first view so absolutely incredible, that I should not dare mention it, if it were not supported by indubitable evidence, and if I had not determined to state all important and well-ascertained facts, however contrary to the prejudices of the ignorant and conceited. Dzierzon asserts, that all impregnated eggs produce females, either workers or queens ; and all unimpregnated ones, males or drones I He states that in several of 1 1 is hives he found drone-laying queens, whose wings were so imperfect that they could not fly, and which on examina tion proved to be unfecundated. Hence, he concluded that the eggs laid by the queen-bee and fertile worker had, from the previous impregnation of the egg from which they sprung, sufficient vitality to produce the drone, which is a less highly organized insect than the queen or worker. It hid long been known that the queen deposits drone-eggs in the large or drone-cells, and worker-eggs 38 THE ITIVK AND HONET-BEE. in the small or worker-cells, and that she makes no mis¬ takes. Dzierzon inferred, therefore, that there was some way in which she was able to decide the sex of the egg before it was laid, and that she must have such a control over the mouth of the seminal sac as to be able to extrude her eggs, allowing them at will to receive or not a portion of its fertilizing contents. In this way he thought she determined their sex, according to the size of the cells in which she laid them. My friend, Mr. Samuel Wagner, of York, Pennsyl¬ vania, has advanced a highly ingenious theory, which accounts for all the facts, without admitting that the queen has any special knowledge or will on the subject. He supposes that when she deposits her eggs in the worker-cells, her body is slightly compressed by their size, thus causing the eggs as they pass the sperinatheca to receive its vivifying influence. On the contrary, when she is laying in drone-cells, as this compression cannot take place, the mouth of the sperinatheca is kept closed, and the eggs are necessarily unfecundated. In the Autumn of 1852, my assistant found a young queen whose progeny consisted entirely of drones. The colony had been formed by removing a few combs con¬ taining bees, brood, and eggs, from another hive, and had raised a new queen. Some eggs were found in one of the combs, and young bees were already emerging from the cells, all of which were drones. As there were none but worker-cells in the hive, they were reared in them, and not having space for full development, they were dwarfed in size, although the bees had pieced the cells to give more room to their occupants. I was not only surprised to find drones reared in worker- cells, but equally so that a young queen, who at first lays only the eggs of workers, should be laying drone-eggs, NATURAI. history op toe honey-bee. 39 and at once conjectured that this was a case of an unim¬ pregnated drone-laying queen, sufficient time not having elapsed for her impregnation to be unnaturally retarded. All necessary precautions were taken to determine this point. The queen was removed from the hive, and although her wings appeared to be perfect, she could not fly. It seemed probable, therefore, that she had never been able to leave the hive for impregnation. To settle the question beyond the possibility of doubt, I submitted this queen to Professor Leidy for microscopic examination. The following is an extract from his re¬ port. “ The ovaries were filled with eggs, the poison-sac full of fluid ; and the spermatheca distended with a per¬ fectly colorless, transparent, viscid liquid, without a trace of spermatozoa .” This examination demonstrates Dzierzon’s theory that queens do not need impregnation to lay the eggs of males. Considerable doubt seemed to rest on the accuracy of Dzierzon’s statements on this subject, chiefly because of his having hazarded the unfortunate conjecture that the place of the poison bag in the worker is occupied in the queen by the spermatheca. Now this is so completely contrary to fact (PI. XVIII., A, D,) that it was a natural inference that this acute and thoroughly honest observer made no microscopic dissections of the insects which he examined. I consider myself peculiarly fortunate, in having obtained the aid of a naturalist so celebrated for microscopic dissections as Dr. Leidy. On examining tills same colony a few days later, I found satisfactory evidence that these drone-eggs were laid by the queen which had been removed. No fresh eggs had been deposited in the cells, and the bees on missing her had begun to build royal cells, to rear, if possible, another queen; this they would not have done, if a fertile worker 40 TITE IITVE AND HONEY-BEE. hail been present, by which the drone-eggs had been de¬ posited. Another interesting fact proves that all the eggs laid by this queen were drone-eggs. Two of the royal cells were in a short time discontinued; while a third was sealed over in the usual way, to undergo its changes to a perfect queen. As the bees had only a drone-laying queen, whence came the female egg from which they were rearing a queen ? At first I imagined that they might have stolen it from an other hive; but on opening this cell it contained only a dead drone ! Huber had described a similar mistake made by some of his bees. At the base of this cell was an unu¬ sual quantity of the peculiar jelly fed to develop young queens. One might almost imagine that the bees had dosed the unfortunate drone to death; as though they hoped by such liberal feeding to produce a change in his sexual organization. In the Summer of 1854, I found another drone-laying queen in my Apiary, with wings so shrivelled that she could not fly. I gave her successively to several queen¬ less colonies, in all of which she deposited only drone-eggs. On the 14th of July, 1855, a queen in one of my observ- ing-hives began to lay, when nine days old, a few eggs on the edges of the combs, instead of in the cells. She per¬ sisted in this for some days, until I transferred her to a colony which had been queenless for some weeks, hoping that she might, if unimpregnated, make an excursion from their hive to meet the drones. The observing-hive in which she was hatched was exposed to the full light oi day; the entrance small, and difficult to find; and I had noticed on several occasions, that when the drones left the hive in the greatest numbers, the queen seemed un¬ able to find her way out. At such times she manifested NATURAL HISTORY OF TOE HONEY-BEE. 41 unusual excitement, and the whole colony were almost as much agitated as though they were swarming. After she had been in the second hive a short time, I found that she had laid a number of drone-eggs. They were deposited near the bottom and edge of the comb, in cells a little larger than the worker-size, and which the bees had begun to lengthen, to adapt them to the growth of their occu¬ pants. There was no other brood in tbe hive. On the 9th of August, I found the combs nearly filled with worker-brood, in a state considerably less advanced than the drones. Is there any reason to doubt that these drone-eggs were laid by the queen before, and the worker- eggs after, her impregnation ? In Italy there is a variety of the honey-bee differing in size and color from the common kind. If a queen of this variety is crossed with the common drones, her drone- progeny will be Italian , and her worker brood a cross between the two; thus showing that the kind of drones she will produce has no dependence on the male by which she is fecundated. It appears from recent discoveries in physiology, that to impregnate the ovum of an animal it is necessary that tin? spermatozoa should not simply come in contact with it, but actually enter into it through a small opening. In applying this discovery to bees, Prof. Siebold.of Germany, dissected a number of worker-eggs, and found in each from one to three spermatozoa; while he found none in dissecting drone-eggs. Dr. Donhoff, of Germany, in the Summer 1855, reared a worker-larva3 from a drone-egg,* which he had artifi eially impregnated. * I attempted to do this in 1852 ; but to my great disappointment, tlio bees ro moved or devoured all the eggs thus troated ; owing as I then supposed to their nnwih.nguess to raise workers in drouo-cells. If some of the eggs just dopositod in a p* 'co ot drono comb aro toucliod with » flue brush dipped in the dilutod semen 42 THE HIVE AND UONEY-BEE. Aristotle noticed, more than 2,000 years ago, that the eggs which produce drones are like the worker-eggs. With the aid of powerful microscopes we are still unable to detect any difference in the size or appearance of the eggs of the queen. These facts taken in connection, appear to constitute a perfect demonstration that unfecundated queens are not only able to lay eggs, but that their eggs have sufficient vitality to produce drones. It seems to me probable, that after fecundation has been delayed for about three weeks, the organs of the queen-bee are in such a condition that it can no longer be effected; just as the parts of a flower, after a certain time, wither and shut up, and the plant becomes incapa¬ ble of fructification. Perhaps, after a certain time, the queen loses all desire to go in search of the male. The fertile drone-laying workers would seem to be physically incapable of impregnation. There is something analogous to these wonders in the “ aphides ” or green lice, which infest plants. We have undoubted evidence that a fecundated female gives birth to other females, and they in turn to others, all of which without impregnation are able to bring forth young; until, after a number of generations, perfect males and females are produced, and the series starts anew ! However improbable it may appear that an unimpreg¬ nated egg can give birth to a living being, or that sex can depend on impregnation, we are not at liberty to reject facts because we cannot comprehend the reasons of them, lie who allows himself to be guilty of such folly, if he aims to be consistent, must eventually be plunged into the dreary gulf of atheism. Common sense, philosophy, of drones, and given to bees which have neither queon nor brood of any kind, ! believe that quecu ?, workers, and drones, may be raised from them. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE nONEY-BEE. 43 And religion alike teach us to receive, with becoming reverence, all undoubted facts, whether in the natural or spiritual world ; assured that however mysterious they may appear to us, they are beautifully consistent in the eight of Him whose “ understanding is infinite.” All the leading facts in the breeding of bees ought to be as familiar to the Apiarian, as the same class of facts in the rearing of his domestic animals.* A few crude and half-digested notions, however satisfactory to the old-fash¬ ioned bee-keeper, will no longer meet the wants of those who desire to conduct bee-culture on an extended and profitable system. The extraordinary fertility of the queen-bee has already been noticed. The process of laying has been well described by the Rev. W. Dunbar, a Scotch Apiarian. “ When the queen is about to lay, she puts her head into a cell, and remains in that position for a second or two, to ascertain its fitness for the deposit she is about to make. She then withdraws her head, and curving her body downwards,f inserts the lower part of it into the cell: in a few seconds she turns half round upon herself and withdraws, leaving an egg behind her. When she lays a considerable number, she does it equally on each side of the comb, those on the one side being as exactly opposite to those on the other as the relative position of the cells will admit. The effect of this is to produce the utmost possible concentration and economy of heat for developing the various changes of the brood!” Here, as at every step in the economy of the bee, we * “• lr it were possiblo,” said an able Gorman Apiarian, In 1846, “ to ascertain tho reproductive process of boos with as much certainty as that of our domestic ani¬ mals, bee-cuiture might unquestionably bo pursued with positive assurance of profit; and would assume a high rank among tho various branches of rural «lonoray.” t She is thus suro to deposit tho egg in tho selected cell. 44 TEE HIVE AND UONEY-BEE behold, in the perfect adaptation of means to ends, a sagacity which seems scarcely inferior to that of man. “ The eggs of bees* are of a lengthened, oval shape (PI. XIII., Fig. 39), with a slight curvature, and of a bluish white color: being besmeared, at the time of laying, with a glutinous substance, they adhere to the bases of the cells, and remain unchanged in figure or situation for three or four days ; they arc then hatched, the bottom of each cell presenting to view a small white worm. On its grow¬ ing (PI. XIII., Figs. 40, 41), so as to touch the opposite angle of the cell, it coils itself up, to use the language of Swammerdam, like a dog when going to sleep; and floats in a whitish transparent fluid, which is deposited in the cells by the nursing-bees, and by which it is probably nourished ; it becomes gradually enlarged in its dimen¬ sions, till the two extremities touch one another, and form a ring. In this state it is called a larva, or worm. So nicely do the bees calculate the quantity of food which will be required, that none remains in the cell when it is trans¬ formed to a nymph. It is the opinion of many eminent naturalists, that farina does not constitute the sole food of the larva, but that it consists of a mixture of farina, honey, and water, partly digested in the stomachs of the nursing-bees. “ The larva having derived its support, in the manner above described, for four, five, or six days, according to the season, continues to increase during that period, till it occupies the whole breadth, and nearly the length of the cell. The nursing-bees now seal over the cell with a light brown cover, externally more or less convex (the cap of a drone-cell being more convex than that of a worker), and thus differing from that of a honey-cell, which is paler and somewhat concave.” The cap of the brood • “ Ttavan on the Hon sy-Boo ” Fig. 16. Fig. 17. Plate V- NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. *5 cell is made not of pure wax, but of a mixture of bee- bread and wax ; and appears under the microscope to be full of fine holes, to give air to the inclosed insect. From its texture and shape it is easily thrust off by the bee when mature, whereas if it consisted wholly of wax, the insect would either perish for lack of air, or be unable to force its way into the world. Both the material and shape of the lids which close the honey-cells are different: they are of pure wax, and thus air-tight, to prevent the honey from souring or candying in the cells; and are slightly concave, the better to resist the pressure of their contents. To return to Bevan. “ The larva is no sooner perfectly inclosed than it begins to line the cell by spinning round itself, after the manner of the silk worm (PI. XIII., Fig. 42), a whitish silky film, or cocoon, by which it is encased, as it were, in a pod. When it has undergone this change, is has usually borne the name of nymph , or pupa. It has now attained its full growth, and the large amount of nutriment which it has taken serves as a store for devel¬ oping the perfect insect. “The working bee-nymph spins its cocoon in thirty-six hours. After passing about three days in this state of preparation for a new existence, it gradually undergoes so great a change (PI. XIII., Fig. 43) as not to wear a ves¬ tige of its previous form. “ When it has reached the twenty-first day of its exist¬ ence, counting from the time the egg is laid, it comes forth a perfect winged insect. The cocoon is left behind, and forms a closely attached and exact lining to the cell in which it was spun; by this means the breeding cells become smaller, and their partitions stronger, the oftener they change their tenants; and may become so much diminished in size, as not to admit of the perfect develop¬ ment of full-sized bees. 46 THE niVE AND IIONET-BEE. “ Such are the respective stages of the working-bee those of tlie royal bee are as follows: she passes three days in the egg, and is five a worm ; the workers then close her cell, and she immediately begins spinning her cocoon, which occupies her twenty-four hours. On the tenth and eleventh days, and a part of the twelfth, as if exhausted by her labor, she remains in complete repose. Then she passes four days and a part of the fifth as a nymph. It is on the sixteenth, day, therefore, that the perfect state of queen is attained. “The drone passes three days in the egg, and six and a half as a worm, and changes into a perfect insect on the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth day after the egg is laid. “ r lhe development of each species likewise proceeds more slowly when the colonies are weak, or the air cool. Dr. Hunter has observed that the eggs, worms, and nymphs all require a heat above 70° of Fahrenheit for their evolution. Both drones and workers, on emerging from the cell, are at first gray, soft, and comparatively helpless, so that some time elapses before they take wing. “The workers and drones spin complete cocoons, or inclose themselves on every side, while the royal larvae construct only imperfect cocoons , open behind, and envel¬ oping only the head, thorax, and first ring of the abdo¬ men ; and Iluber concludes, without any hesitation, that the final cause of this is, that they may be exposed to the mortal sting of the first hatched queen, whose instinct leads her instantly to seek the destruction of those who would soon become her rivals. “ If the royal larvae spun complete cocoons, the stings of the queens seeking to destroy their rivals might be so entangled in their meshes that they could not be disen¬ gaged. ‘ Such,’ says Huber, ‘ is the instinctive enmity of young queens to each other, that I have seen one of them, NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 47 immediately on its emergence from the cell, rush to those of its sisters, and tear to pieces even the imperfect larvae. Hitherto, philosophers have claimed our admiration of na¬ ture for her care in preserving and multiplying the species. But from these facts, we must now admire her precautions in exposing certain individuals to a mortal hazard.’ ” The cocoon of the royal larvae is very much stronger and coarser than that of the drone or worker,—its texture considerably resembling that spun by the silk-worm. The young queen dees not ordinarily leave her cell until she is quite mature; and as its great size allows the free exercise of her wings, she is usually capable of flying as soon as she quits it. While still in her cell, she makes the fluttering and piping noises so familiar to observant bee-keepers. When the eggs of the queen are fully developed, like those of the domestic hen, they must be extruded ; but some Apiarians believe that she can regulate their devel¬ opment so that few or many are produced, according to the necessities of the colony. That this is true to a cer¬ tain extent, seems highly probable ; for if a queen is taken from a feeble colony, her abdomen seldom appears greatly distended; and yet if put in a strong one, she speedily be¬ comes very prolific. Mr. Wagner says, “ I conceive that she has the power of regulating or repressing the develop¬ ment of her eggs, so that gradually she can diminish the number maturing, and finally cease laying and remain in¬ active, as long as circumstances require. The old queen appears to qualify herself for accompanying a first swarm by repressing* the development of eggs, and as this is done at the most genial season of the year, it does not seem to be the result of atmospheric influence.” It is certain that when the weather is uncongenial, oi the colony too feeble to maintain sufficient heat, fewei * Huber attributes horroducod s : zo before swarming to a wrong cause. 48 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. eggs are matured, just as unfavorable circumstances diminish the number of eggs laid by the hen ; and when the weather is very cold, the queen stops laying in weak colonies. In the latitude of Northern Massachusetts, I have found that the queen ordinarily ceases to lay some time in Octo¬ ber; and begins again, in strong stocks, in the latter part of December. On the 14th of January, 1857 (the previ¬ ous month having been very cold, the thermometer some¬ times sinking to 17° below zero), I examined three hives, and found that the central combs in two contained eggs and unsealed brood; there were a few cells with sealed brood in the third. Strong stocks even in the coldest cli¬ mates usually contain some brood ten months in the year. It is amusing to see how the supernumerary eggs of the queen are disposed of. If the workers are too few to take charge of all her eggs, or there is a deficiency of bee-bread to nourish the young; or if, for any reason, she does not judge best to deposit them in the cells, she stands upon a comb, and simply extrudes them from her oviduct, the workers devouring them as fast as they are laid. I have repeatedly witnessed in observing-hives the sagacity of the queen in thus economising her necessary work, in¬ stead of depositing her egg”, in cells where they are not wanted. What a difference between her and the stupid hen, which so obstinately persists in sitting upon addled eggs, pieces of chalk, and often upon nothing at all! The workers devour also all eggs which are dropped or deposited out of place by the queen ; thus, even a tiny egg, instead of being wasted, is turned to good account. One who carefully watches the habits of bees will often feel inclined to speak of his little favorites as having an intelligence almost if not quite akin to reason; and I have sometimes queried, whether the workers who are so fond Fig. 19. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 49 of a tit-bit in the shape of a newly laid egg, ever experi¬ ence a struggle between appetite and duty; so that they must practice sell-denial to refrain from breakfasting on the eggs so temptingly deposited in the cells. It is well known to breeders of poultry, that the fertility of a hen decreases with age, until at length she may become entirely barren. By the same law, the fecundity of the queen-bee ordinarily diminishes after she has entered her third year. An old queen sometimes ceases to lay worker-eggs; the contents of her spermatheca becoming exhausted, the eggs are no longer impregnated, and pro¬ duce only drones. The queen-bee usually dies of old age in her fourth year, although she has been known to live much longer. There is great advantage, therefore, in hives which allow her, when she has passed the period of her greatest fertility, to be easily removed. Before proceeding farther in the natural history of the queen-bee, I shall describe more particularly the other inmates of the hive. The Drones are, unquestionably, the male bees; dissection proving that they have the appropriate organs of genera¬ tion- They are much larger and stouter than either the queen or workers; although their bodies are not quite so long as that of the queen. They have no sting with which to defend themselves; and no suitable proboscis for gath¬ ering honey from the flowers ; no baskets on their thighs for holding bee-bread, and no pouches on their abdomens for secreting wax. They are, therefore, physically dis¬ qualified for the ordinary work of the hive. Their proper office is to impregnate the young queens, and they are 3 50 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. usually destroyed by the bees soon after this is accom¬ plished. Dr. Evans, an English physician and the author of :i beautiful poem on bees, thus appropriately describes them: “ Their short proboscis sips No luscious nectar from the wild thyme’s lips, From the lime’s leaf uo amber drops they steal, Nor bear their grooveless thighs the foodful meal: On other’s toils in pamper’d leisure thrive The lazy fathers of the industrious hive.” The drones begin to make their appearance in April or May; earlier or later, according to the forwardness of the season, and the strength of the stock. In colonies too weak to swarm, none as a general rule are reared; for in such hives, as no young queens are raised, drones would be only useless consumers. The number of drones in a hive is often very great, amounting not merely to hundreds, but sometimes to thou¬ sands. As a single one will impregnate a queen for life, it would seem that only a few should be reared. But as sexual intercourse always takes place high up in the air, the young queens must necessarily leave the hive; and it is very important to their safety that they should be sure to find a drone without being compelled to make frequent excursions; for being larger than workers, and less active on the wing, queens are more exposed to be caught by birds, or destroyed by sudden gusts of wind. In a large Apiary, a few drones in each hive, or the number usually found in one, would suffice. But under such circumstances bees are not in a state of nature, like a colony living in a forest, which often has no neighbors for miles. A good stock, even in our climate, sometimes sends out three or more swarms, and in the tropical NATURAL HISTORY OF THK IIONKY-BEE. .’ll climates, of which the bee is probably a native, they increase with astonishing rapidity.* Every new swarm, except the first, is led off by a young queen; and as she is never impregnated until she has been established as the head of a separate family, it is important that each should be accompanied by a goodly number of drones: this requires the production of a large number in the parent- hive. As this necessity no longer exists when the bee is domesticated, the breeding of so many drones should be discouraged. Trapsf have been invented to destroy them, but it is much better to save the bees the labor and ex¬ pense of rearing such a host of useless consumers. This can readily be done, when we have the control of the combs; for by removing the drone-comb, and supplying its place with worker-cells, the over production of drones may be easily prevented. Those who object to this, as interfering with nature, should remember that the bee is not in a state of nature; and that the same objection might, with equal force, be urged against killing oil' the supernumerary males of our domestic animals. When a new swarm is building its combs, if the honey-harvest is abundant, the bees will frequently con¬ struct an unusual amount of drone-combs, for storing it. In a state of nature, where bees have plenty of room, as in the hollow of a tree, or cleft of a rock, this excess of drone-comb will be used another season for the same pur¬ pose, and new worker-comb made to meet the enlarged wants of the colony; but in hives of a limited capacity this cannot be done, and thus many stocks become so crowded with drones as to be of little value to their owner. * At Sydney, in Australia, a single colony is stated to have multiplied to 300, in three yoars t Such traps were usod in Aristotle’s time. 52 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. In July or August, or soon after the swarming season is over, the bees usually expel the drones from the hive; though, when the honey-harvest is very abundant, they often allow them to remain much later. They sometimes sting them, or gnaw the roots of their wings, so that when driven from the hive, they cannot return. If not ejected in either of these summary ways, they are so persecuted and starved, tlr „ they soon perish. At such times they often retreat from the comb, and keep by themselves upon the sides or bottom-board of the hive. The hatred of the bees extends even to the unhatched young, which are mercilessly pulled from the cells and destroyed with the rest. How wonderful that instinct which, when there is no longer any occasion for their services, impels the bees to destroy those members of the colony reared but a short time before with such devoted attention ! None of the reasons previously assigned seem fully to account for the necessity of so many drones. I have repeatedly queried, why impregnation might not have taken place in the hive, instead of in the open air. A few dozen drones would then have sufficed for the wants of any colony, even if it swarmed, as in warm climates, half a dozen times, or oftener, in the same season; and the young queens would have incurred no risks by leaving the hive for fecundation. For a long time I could not perceive the wisdom of the existing arrangement; although I never doubted that there was a satisfactory reason for this seeming imperfection. To have supposed otherwise, would have been highly unphilosophical, when we know that with the increase of knowledge many mysteries in nature, once inexplicable, have been fully cleared up. The disposition cherished by many students of nature, to reject some of the doctrines of revealed religion, is noi NATURAL IlISTORT OF TIIE HONEY-BEE. 5'3 prompted by a true philosophy. Neither our ignorance of all the facts necessary to their full elucidation, nor our inability to harmonize these facts in their mutual relations and dependencies, will justify us in rejecting any truth which God has seen fit to reveal, either in the book ot nature, or in His holy word. The man who would substi¬ tute his own speculations for the divine teachings, has embarked without rudder or chart, pilot or compass, on an uncertain ocean of theory and conjecture; unless he turns his prow from its fatal course, storms and whirlwinds will thicken in gloom on his “ voyage of lifeno “ Sun of Righteousness” will ever brighten for him the expanse of dreary waters; no favoring gales will waft his shattered bark to a peaceful haven. The thoughtful reader will require no apology for this moralizing strain, nor blame a clergyman, if sometimes forgetting to speak as the mere naturalist, he endeavors to find “ Tongues in trees, books in running brooks, Sermons in 1 bees,' and 1 God ’ in every tiling.” To return to the attempt to account for the existence of so many drones. If a farmer persists in what is called “ breeding in and in,” that is, without changing t*he blood, the ultimate degeneracy of his stock is the consequence. This law extends, as far as we know, to all animal life, man himself not being exempt from its influence. Have we any reason to suppose that the bee is an exception ? or that degeneracy would not ensue, unless some provision were made to counteract the tendency to “ in and in breeding ?” If fecundation had taken place in the hive, the queen would have been impregnated by drones from a common parent; and the same result must have taken place in each successive generation, until the whole species 51 Tllli HIVK AND HONET-BEK. would eventually have “ run out.” By the present arrange¬ ment, the young queens when they leave the hive, often find the air swarming with drones, many of which belong to other colonies, and thus by crossing the breed pro¬ vision is constantly made to prevent deterioration. Experience has proved that impregnation may be effected not only when there are no drones in the colony of the young queen, but even when there are none in her immediate neighborhood. Intercourse takes place very high in the air (perhaps that less risk may be incurred from birds), and this favors the crossing of stocks. I am strongly persuaded that the decay of many flour¬ ishing stocks, even when managed with great care, maybe attributed to the fact that they have become enfeebled by “ close breeding,” and are thus unable to resist injurious influences, which were comparatively harmless when the bees were in a state of high physical vigor. When a cul¬ tivator has but few colonies, or is remote from other Apiaries, he should guard against this evil by occasionally changing his stocks. The Workers, or common bees, compose the bulk of the population of a hive. A good swarm ought to contain at least 20,000; and in large hives, strong colonies which are not reduced by swarming, frequently number two or three times as many during the height of the breeding season. We are informed by Mr. Dobrogost Chylinski, that from the Polish hives, which often hold several bushels, swarms regularly issue so powerful that “they resemble a little cloud in the air.” It has already been stated, that the workers are all females whose ovaries are too imperfectly developed to admit of their laying eggs. Being for a long time NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 5ft regarded as neither males nor females, they were called Neuters ; hut careful microscopic examinations, by detect¬ ing the rudiments of their ovaries, have determined their sex. The accuracy of these examinations lias been verified by the well known facts respecting fertile workers. Itiem, a German Apiarian, first discovered that workers sometimes lay eggs. Huber subsequently ascertained that such workers were bred in hives that had lost their queen, and near the royal cells in which young queens were being reared. He conjectured that small portions of the peculiar food of these infant queens were accidentally dropped into their cells, by eating which their reproductive organs were more developed than those of other workers. In the Summer of 1854,1 examined a brood-comb which had been given to a queenless colony. It contained eleven sealed queens; and numbers of the cells were capped with a round covering, as though they contained drones. Being opened, some contained drone, and others worker- nymphs. The latter seemed of a little more sugar-loaf shape than the common workers, and their cocoons were of a coarser texture than usual. I had previously noticed the same kind of cells in hives raising artificial queens, but thought they all contained drones. It is a well known fact, that bees often begin more queen-cells than they choose to finish. It seems to me probable, therefore, that when rearing queens artificially, they frequently give a portion of the royal jelly to larvae, which, for some reason, they do not develope as full grown queens; and that such larvae become fertile workers. Huber states that those fertile workers which lay only drone-eggs, prefer large cells in which to deposit them, resorting to small ones, only when unable to find those of greater diameter. A hive in my Apiary having much worker-comb, but only a small piece of drone size, a fertile worker filled the latter 56 TIIK HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. so entirely with eggs that some of the cells contained three or four each. Such workers have, in rare instances, been tolerated in hives containing a fertile, healthy queen. The worker is much smaller than either the queen or the drone. She is furnished with a tongue, or proboscis, so exceedingly curious and complicated, that a separate volume would hardly suffice to describe its structure and uses (PI. XVI., Fig. 51). With this organ she obtains the honey from the blossoms, and conveys it to her honey-bag. This receptacle (PI. XVII., Fig. 54, A), is not larger than a very small pea, and so perfectly transparent as to appear, when filled, of the same color with its contents; it is properly the first stomach, and is surrounded by muscles which enable the bee to compress it, and empty its con¬ tents through her proboscis into the cells. The hinder legs of the worker are furnished with a spoon-shaped hollow, or basket, to receive the pollen which she gathers from the flowers. Every worker is armed with a formidable sting, and when provoked makes instant and effectual use of her natural weapon. When subjected to a microscopic exam¬ ination (PI. XVII., Fig. 53), it exhibits a very intricate mechanism. “ It is moved by muscles* which, though invisible to the eye, are yet strong enough to force the sting, to the depth of one-twelfth of an inch, through the thick skin of a man’s hand. At its root are situated two glands by which the poison is secreted ; these glauds uniting in one duct, eject the venomous liquid along tho groove formed by the junction of the two piercers. There are four barbs on the outside of each piercer ; when the insect is prepared to sting, one of these piercers, having its point a little longer than the other, first darts * Bevfin. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 5'f into the flesh, and being fixed by its foremost beard, the other strikes in also, and they alternately penetrate deeper and deeper, till they acquire a firm hold of the flesh with their barbed hooks, and then follows the sheath, conveying the poison into the wound. ‘The action of the sting,’ says Paley, ‘ affords an example of the union of chemistry and mechanism; of chemistry, in respect to the venom which can produce such powerful effects; of mechanism, as the sting is a compound instrument. The machinery would have been comparatively useless, had it not been for the chemical process by which, in the insect’s body, honey is converted into poison j and on the other hand, the poison would have been ineffectual, without an instru¬ ment to wound, and a syringe to inject it.’ “Upon examining the edge of a very keen razor by the microscope, it appears as broad as the back of a pretty thick knife, rough, uneven, and full of notches and fur¬ rows, and so far from anything like sharpness, that an instrument as blunt as this seemed to be, would not serve even to cleave wood. An exceedingly small needle being also examined, it resembled a rough iron bar out of a smith’s forge. The sting of a bee, viewed through the same instrument, showed everywhere a polish amazingly beautiful, without the least flaw, blemish, or inequality, and ended in a point too fine to be discerned.” As the extremity of the sting is barbed like an arrow, the bee can seldom withdraw it, if the substance into which she darts it is at all tenacious. In losing her sting she parts with a portion of her intestines, and of necessity soon perishes. Although they pay so dearly for the exercise of their patriotic instincts, still, in defence of home and its sacred treasures, they 53 THE l/'VE AND IIONKY-BEE “ Deem life itself to vengeance well resign’d, Die on the wound, and leave their sting behind." Hornets, wasps, and other stinging insects, are able to withdraw their stings from the wound. I have never seen tiie exception in the case of the honey-bee accounted for; but as the Creator intended it for the use* of man, did lie not give it this peculiarity, that it might be more com¬ pletely subject to human control ? Without a sting, it could not have defended its tempting sweets against a host of greedy depredators: while, if it had been able to sting a number of times, its thorough domestication would have been well nigh impossible. The defence of the colony against enemies, the construc¬ tion of the cells, and storing of them with honey and bee- bread, the rearing of the young, and in short, the whole work of the hive, the laying of eggs excepted, is carried on by the industrious little workers. There may be gentlemen of leisure in the commonwealth of bees, but assuredly there are no such ladies , whether of high or low degree. The queen herself has her full share of duties, the royal office being no sinecure, when the mother who fills it must daily superintend the proper deposition of thousands ot eggs. The queen-bee will live four, and sometimes, though very rarely, five or more years. As the life of the drones is usually cut short by violence, it is difficult to ascertain its precise limit. Bevan estimates it not to exceed four months. The workers are supposed by him to live six or • Since the publication of the first edition of this treatise, I have had an opportu¬ nity during a visit to the Mexican frontier, of studying the habits of the honey-hornet, of that region. Its nest, in shape and material, resembles that of our common hor¬ net ; and some of them contain many pounds of delicious honey. This insect, which in those regions is so serviceable to man, like the honey-bee, is unable to withdraw its sting from the wound. It has also a queen, and lives in a colony state during the whole year. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 59 (even months; but theix - age depends very much upon their greater or less exposure to injurious influences, and severe labors. Those reared in the Spring and early part of Summer, upon whom the heaviest labors of the hive devolve, appear to live not more than two or three mouths*; while those bred at the close of Summer, and early in Autumn, being able to spend a large part of. their time in repose, attain a much greater age. It is very evident that “ the bee” (to use the words of a quaint old writer), “ is a Summer birdand that, with the excep¬ tion of the queen, none live«to be a year old. Notched and ragged wings, instead of gray hairs and wrinkled faces, are the signs of old age in the bee, and indicate that its season of toil will soon be over. They appear to die rather suddenly ; and often spend their last days, and sometimes even their last hours, in useful labors. Place yourself before a hive, and see the indefatigable energy of these industrious veterans, toiling along with their heavy burdens, side by side with their more youth¬ ful compeers, and then judge if, while qualified for useful labor, you ought ever to surrender yourself lo slothful indulgence. Let the cheerful hum of their busy old age inspire you with better resolutions, and teach you how much nobler it is to die with harness on, in the active discharge of the duties of life. The age which individual members of the community may attain, must not be confounded with that of the col¬ ony. Bees have been known to occupy the same domicile for a great number of years. I have seen flourishing colo¬ nics more than twenty years old ; the Abbe Della Rocca speaks of some over forty years old; and Stoche says, that he saw acolony, which he was assured had swarmed annually * If an Italian queen be given, in the working season, to a swaru of common oocs, in about throe months t nly a few of the latter will be found in the colony <50 the hive and iioney-bee. for forty-six years! “ Such cases have led to the crroneou opinion, that bees are a long-lived race. But this, as Dr Evans has observed, is just as wise as if a stranger, con- templating a populous city, and personally unacquainted with its inhabitants, should, on paying it a second visit, many years after, and finding it equally populous, imagine that it was peopled by the same individuals, not one of whom might then be living. * Like leaves on trees, the race of bees is found, Now green in youth, now withering on the ground ; Another race the Spring or Fall supplies, They droop successive, and successive rise.’ ” Evans. The cocoons spun by the larvae are never removed by the bees; they adhere so closely to the sides of the cells, that the labor of removal would cost more than it would be worth. As the breeding cells may eventually become too small for the proper development of the young, very old combs should be removed from the hive. It is a great mistake, however, to imagine that the brood-combs ought to be changed every year. If it were desirable, this might easily be done in my hives; but to remove them oftener than once in five or six years, requires a needless consumption of honey to replace them, and injures the bees in Winter, as the new comb is much colder than the old. Inventors of hives have too often been “ men of one ideaand that one, instead of being a well established and important fact in the physiology of the bee, has fre¬ quently (like the necessity for a yearly change of the brood-combs), been merely a conceit of some visionary projector. This might be harmless enough, were no effort made to impose such crudities upon an ignorant public, either in the shape of a patented hive, or worse still, of an NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 61 unpatentecl hive, the pretended right to use which is fraudulently sold to the cheated purchaser.* Apiarians, unaware of the brevity of the bee’s life, ha»e often constructed huge “bee-palaces” and large closets, vainly imagining that the bees would fill them, being una¬ ble to see any reason why a colony should not increase until it numbers its inhabitants by millions or billions. But as the bees can never at one time equal, still less exceed, the number which the queen is capable ol pro¬ ducing in a season, these spacious dwellings have always an abundance of spare rooms. It seems strange that men can be thus deceived, when often in their own Apiary they have healthy stocks, which, though they have not swarmed for a year or more, are no more populous in the Spring, than those which have regularly parted with vigorous colonies. It is certain that the Creator has wisely set a limit to the increase of numbers in a single colony; and I shall venture to assign a reason tor this. Suppose he had given to the bee a length of life as great as that of the horse or the cow, or had made each queen capable of laying daily some hundreds of thousands of eggs ; or had given several hundred queens to each hive ; then a colony must have gone on increasing, until it became a scourge rather than a benefit to man. In the warm climates of which the bee * Hives which have never been patented have been extensively sold a* patent articles by men, who for years have been liable to prosecution for obtaining money under false pretences. Others are disposed of, on the ground that the patent Is still pending, when no application for a patent has ever been made, or has long ago been rejected. Often the patented part of a hive, being a worthless conceit, is carefully concealed, while much ingenuity is displayed, in exhibiting those fea* tures in the hive which any one has a right to use; and yet, which the vender sometimes by implication, and sometimes by direct assertion, leads the purchase’ to believe are essential perts of tlio patent. No one should over purchase a “patent hive,” until ho ascertains two things: 1st, lhat there is really a patent on the invention; and 2d, that the part pateutod Is. in his opinion, worth to him the money asked for the right to use It. 62 TL1H HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. is a native, it would have established itself in some cavern or capacious cleft in the rocks, and would soon have become so powerful as to bid defiance to all attempts to appropriate the avails of its labors. It has already been stated that none, except the mother- wasps and hornets, survive the Winter. Had these in¬ sects, like the bee, been able to commence the season with the accumulated strength of a large colony, they would, long before its close, have proved an intolerable nuisance. If, on the contrary, the queen-bee had been compelled, solitary and alone, to lay the foundations of a new commonwealth, the honey-harvest would have disap peared long before she could become the parent of a numerous family. The process of rearing Queen-Bees will now be more particularly described. Early in the season, if a hive becomes very populous, the bees usually make prepara¬ tions for swarming. A number of royal cells are begun, being commonly constructed upon those edges of the combs (PI. XIV., a, b, c, d), which are not attached to the sides of the hive. These cells somewhat resemble a small pea nut (PI.XIII., Figs. 49, 50), and are about an inch deep, and one-third of an inch in diameter: being very thick, they require much wax for their construction. They are seldom seen in a perfect state after the swarming season, as the bees, after the queen has hatched, cut them down to the shape of a small acorn-cup. (PI. XIV., c.) Those queen-cells, while in progress, receive a very unu¬ sual amount of attention from the workers. There is scarcely a second in which a bee is not peeping into them ; and as fast as one is satisfied, another pops in her head to report progress, or increase the supply of royal jelly. Their importance to the community might easily be NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEK. 63 inferred from their Toeing the center of so much attrac¬ tion. "While the other cells open sideways, the queen-cells always hang with their mouth downwards. Some Apia¬ rians think that this peculiar position affects, in some way, the development of the royal iarvse; while others, having ascertained that they are uninjured if placed in any other position, consider this deviation as among the inscrutable mysteries of the bee-hive. So it seemed to me, until con¬ vinced, by more careful observation, that they open down¬ wards simply to save room. The distance between the parallel ranges of comb in the hive is usually too small for the royal cells to open sideways, without interfering with the opposite cells. To economize space, the bees put them on the unoccupied edges of the comb, where there is plenty of room for such very large cells. The number of royal cells in a hive varies greatly ; sometimes there are only two or three, ordinarily not less than five; and occasionally, more than a dozen. As it is not intended that the young queens should all be of the same age, the royal cells are not all begun at the same time. It is not fully settled how the eggs are deposited in these cells. In some few instances, I have thought that the bees transferred the eggs from common to queen-cells ; and this may be their general method of procedure. I shall hazard the conjecture, that, in a crowded state of the hive, the queen deposits her eggs in cells on the edges of the comb, some of which are afterwards changed by the workers into royal cells. Such is a queen’s instinctive hatred to her own kind, that it seems improbable that she should be intrusted with even the initiatory steps for securing a race of successors. The young queens are much more largely supplied with food than the other larvae ; so that they seem to lie in a 64 TL1E HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. thick bed of jelly, a portion of which may usually bo found at the base of their cells, soon after they have hatched. Unlike the food of the other larvaj, it has a slightly acid taste ; and when fresh, resembles starch ; when old, a light quince jelly. The bees, if confined to their hive and supplied with water, can secrete it from the honey and bee-bread stored in their combs. I submitted some royal jelly to Dr. Charles M. Wethe- rell, of Philadelphia; an interesting account of his analy- sis may be found in the Report of the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences for July, 1852. He speaks of the substance as being a “ truly bread-con¬ taining, albuminous compound.” A comparison of its elements with the food of the drone and worker-larvae, might throw some light on subjects now involved in ob¬ scurity. The effects produced upon the royal larvaj by their peculiar treatment are so wonderful, that they have usually been rejected as idle whims, by those who have neither been eye-witnesses to them, nor acquainted with the op¬ portunities enjoyed by others for accurate observation. They are not only contrary to all common analogies, but so marvellously strange and improbable, that many when asked to believe them, feel that an insult is offered to their common sense. The most important of these effects I shall briefly enumerate. 1st. The peculiar mode in which the worm designed for a queen is treated, causes it to arrive at maturity almost one-third earlier than if it had been reared a worker And yet, as it is to be much more fully developed, according to ordinary analogy, it should have had a slower growth. 2d. Its organs of reproduction are completely developed, so that it can fulfill the office of a mother. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 65 3d. Its size, shape, and color are greatly changed; its lower jaws are shorter, its head rounder, and its abdomen without the receptacles for secreting wax; its legs have neither brushes nor baskets, and its sting is more curved, and one-third longer (PI. XVIII.) than that of a worker. 4th. Its instincts are entirely changed. Reared as a worker, it would have thrust out its sting at the least provocation ; whereas now, it may be pulled limb from limb without attempting to sting. As a worker, it would have treated a queen with the greatest consideration ; but now, if brought in contact with another queen, it seeks to destroy it as a rival. As a worker, it would frequently have left the hive, either for labor or exercise; as a queen, it never leaves it after impregnation, except to accompany a new swarm. 5th. The term of its life is remarkably lengthened. As a worker, it would not have lived more than six or seven months; as a queen, it may live seven or eight times as long. All these wonders rest on the impregnable basis of demonstration, and instead of being witnessed only by a select few, may now, by the use of the movable-comb hive, be familiar sights to any bee-keeper who prefers an acquaintance with facts, to caviling and sneering at the labors of others.* * A brief extract from the celebrated Dr. Boorlmavo's memoir of Swammerdam, ahould put to blush the arrogance of those superficial observers, who are too wise in their own conceit to avail themselves of the knowledge of others. “This treatise on Bees proved so fatiguing a performance, that Swammerdam never afterwards recovered oven the appearance of his former health and vigor, lie was almost continually engaged by day in making observations, and as con¬ stantly by night in recording them by drawings and suitable explanations. “ IIis daily labor began at six in the morning, when the sun afforded him light enough to survey such minute objects; and from that hour till twelve, he continued w ithout interruption, all the while exposed in the open air to the scorching heat of the 8Un, bareheaded, for fear of intercepting his sight, and his head in a manner dissolving into sweat under the irresistible ardors of that powerful luminary. And if he desisted at noon, it was only because the strength of his eyes was too much 66 THE HIVE AND DONEY-BEE. The process of rearing queens to meet some special emergency, is even more wonderful than the one already described. If the bees have worker-eggs, or worms not more than three days old, they make one large cell out , f three, by nibbling away the partitions of two cells adjoining a third. Destroying the eggs or worms in two of these cells, they place before the occupant of the other, the usual food of the young queens; and by enlarging its cell, give it ample space for development. As a security against failure, they usually start a number of queen-cells, although often the work on all, except a few, is soon dis¬ continued. In from eleven to fourteen days, they are in possession of a new queen, in all respects resembling one reared in the natural way ; while the eggs in the adjoining cells, which have been developed as workers, are nearly a week longer in coining to maturity. The beautiful representation of comb, in Plate XVITI., is taken, with important alterations and additions of my own, from Cotton’s “ My Bee-Book,” to which I am also indebted for the group of bees in the title-page. The royal cell (b), is a perfect queen-cell, from which the inmate has not yet emerged. The queen-cell (a), repre¬ sents the cap or lid as it often appears just after the young queen has hatched. The queen-cell {cl), which is open at the side, is one from which a young queen has been vio¬ lently abstracted; the other (c), is one which the bees have nearly reduced to the acorn shape. It also resem- weakenod by the extraordinary afflux of light, and the use of microscopes, to con- tinue any longer upon such small objects. . “ He often wished, the bettor to accomplish his vast, unlimited views, for a year of perpetual heat and light to perfect his inquiries; will, a polar night, to reap all the advantages of them by proper drawings and descriptions.’' NATURAL HISTORY OF TIIE HONEY-BEE. 67 bles one only a few clays old. On the face of the comb is a cell («), just begun for the artificial rearing of a queer., this being the usual position of cells built to meet some unexpected emergency. To bring the points illustrated into a compact compass, the cells are drawn smaller than the natural size. I shall give, in this connection, a description of an inter¬ esting experiment. A populous stock was removed, in the morning, to a new place, and an empty hive put upon its stand. Thous¬ ands of workers which were ranging the fields, or which left the old hive after its removal, returned to the familiar spot. It was truly affecting to witness their grief and despair ; they flew in restless circles about the place where once stood their happy home, entering the empty hive continually, and expressing, in various ways, their lamen¬ tations over so cruel a bereavement. Towards evening, ceasing to take wing, they roamed in restless platoons, in and out of the hive, and over its surface, as if in search of some lost treasure. A small piece of brood-comb was then given to them, containing worker-eggs and worms. The effect produced by its introduction took place much quicker than can be described. Those which first touched it raised a peculiar note, and in a moment, the comb was covered with a dense mass of bees; as they recognized, in this small piece of comb, the means of deliverance, despair gave place to hope, their restless motions and mournful voices ceased, and a cheerful hum proclaimed their delight. If some one should enter a building filled with thousands of persons tearing their hair, beating their breasts, and by piteous cries, as well as frantic gestures, giving vent to their despair, and could by a single word cause all these demonstrations of agony to give place to smiles and congratulations, the 65 THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. change would not be more instantaneous than that pro¬ duced when the bees received the brood-comb ! The Orientals call the honey-bee, “ Deborah: She that speaketh.” Would that this little insect might speak, in words more eloquent than those of man’s device, to those who reject any of the doctrines of revealed religion, with the assertion that they are so improbable, as to labor under a fata' a priori objection. Do not all the steps in the development of a queen from a worker-egg, labor under the very same objection? and have they not, for this reason been always regarded, by many bee-keepers, as unworthy of belief? If the favorite argument of infi¬ dels will not stand the test, when applied to the wonders of the bee-hive, is it entitled to serious weight, when, by objecting to religious truths, they arrogantly take to task the Infinite Jehovah for what He has been pleased to do or to teach ? With no more latitude than is claimed by such objectors, it were easy to prove that a man is under no obligation to believe any of the wonders of the bee-hive, even although he is himself an intelligent eye-witness to their substantial truth. ■Fig. 20. Plate VII. COMB. 69 CHAPTER IV. COMB. Wax is a natural secretion of bees, and may be called theii oil or fat. When gorged with honey, or any liquid sweet, if they remain quietly clustered together, it is secreted in the shape of delicate scales, in small pouches on their abdomen. (PI. XIII., Figs. 37, 38.) Soon after a swann is hived, the bottom-board will usually be covered with tnese scales. The bees seem to loosen them from their bodies by violently shaking themselves as they stand upon the combs. u Thus, filtered through you flutterer’s folded mail, Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. Swift, at the well-known call, the ready train (For not a buz boon Nature breathes in vain) Spring to each falling flake, and bear along Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. These with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth, Pare each excrescence, and each angle smoothe, Till now, in finish’d pride, two radiant rows Of snow white cells one mutual base disclose. Six shining panels gird each polish’d round; The door’s fine rim, with waxen fillet bound ; While walls so thin, with sister walls combined, Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find.” Evans. Most Apiarians before Huber’s time supposed that wax was made from bee-bread, either in a crude or digested state. Confining a new swarm of bees to a hive in a dark and cool room, at the end of five days he found several beautiful white combs in their tenement; these 70 TIIE IIIVE ANT) nONEY-BEE. being taken from them, and the bees supplied with honey and water, new combs were again constructed. Seven times in succession their combs were removed, and were in each instance replaced, the bees being all the time pre¬ vented from ranging the fields to supply themselves with bee-bread. By subsequent experiments, he proved that sugar-syrup answered the same end with honey. Giving an imprisoned swarm an abundance of fruit and bee-bread, he found that they subsisted on the fruit, but refused to touch the pollen ; and that no combs were constructed, nor any wax-scales formed in their pouches. Notwithstanding Huber’s extreme caution and unwearied patience in conducting these experiments, he did not dis¬ cover the whole truth on this important subject. Though he demonstrated that bees can construct comb from honey or sugar, without the aid of bee-bread, and that they can¬ not make it from bee-bread, without honey or sugar, lie did not prove that when permanently deprived of bee- bread they can continue to work in wax, or if they can, that the pollen docs not aid in its elaboration. Some bee-bread is always found in the stomach of wax- producing workers, and they never build comb so rapidly as when they have free access to this article. It must, therefore, either furnish some of the elements of wax, or in some way assist the bee in producing it. Further investigations are necessary, before we can arrive at per¬ fectly accurate results. Confident assertions are easily made, requiring only a little breath, or a few drops of ink; and those who like them best have often the profoundcst contempt for observation and experiment. To establish any controverted truth on the solid foundation of demon¬ strated facts, usually requires severe and protracted labor. Honey and sugar contain by weight about eight pounds of oxygen to one of carbon and hydrogen. When con- COMB. 71 verted into wax, these proportions are remarkably changed, the wax containing only one pound of oxygen to more than sixteen of hydrogen and carbon. Now as oxygen is the grand supporter of animal heat, the large quantity consumed in secreting wax aids in generating that extra¬ ordinary heat which always accompanies comb-building, and which enables the bees to mould the softened wax into such exquisitely delicate and beautiful forms* This interesting instance of adaptation, so clearly pointing to the Divine Wisdom, seems to have escaped the notice of previous writers. Careful experiments prove that from thirteen to twenty pounds of honey are required to make a single pound of wax. As wax is an animal oil, secreted chiefly' from honey', this fact will not appear incredible to those who are aware how many pounds of corn or hay must he fed to cattle to have them gain a single pound of fat. Many bee-keepers are unaware of the value of empty comb. Suppose honey to be worth only fifteen cents per pound, and comb, when rendered into wax, to be worth thirty cents, the Apiarian who melts a pound of comb loses largely by the operation, even without estimating the time his bees have consumed in building it. It should, therefore, be considered a first principle in bee-culture never to melt good combs. A strong stock of bees, in the height of the honey-harvest, will fill them with very great rapidity. Unfortunately, in the ordinary hives but little use can be made of empty comb, unless it is new, and can be put into the surplus honey'-boxes ; but by the use of bars, or movable frames, every good piece of worker-comb may be given to the bees. • According to Dr. Donhoff, the thickness of the sidos of a coll In a now comb is only the ono hundred and eightieth part of an 'nch l 72 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. When new, it maybe easily attached to frames, or spare honey-receptacles, by (lipping the edge into melted wax, and firmly holding it in place until it hardens; if it is old, or the pieces large and full of bee-bread, a mixture of melted wax and resin will secure a firmer adhesion. When comb is put into tumblers, or small receptacles, it may be simply crowded in, so as to keep its place until fastened by the bees. As bees like “ a good start in life,” they prefer receptacles which contain some empty comb. All suitable drone-comb should be put into such recepta¬ cles, instead of being allowed to remain in the breeding apartment of the hive. No one, to my knowledge, has ever attempted to imi¬ tate the delicate mechanism of the bee so closely, as to construct artificial combx for the ordinary uses of the hive. If store-combs could be made of gutta-percha, they might be emptied of their contents, and returned to the hive. In the Summer of 18-54, I ascertained that bees will, under some circumstances, use fine shavings of wax to build - new comb. If this discovery can be made serviceable for practical purposes, it will both facilitate the cheap and rapid multiplication of colonies, and enable the bees to amass unusual quantities of honey. One pound of bees¬ wax might be made to store nearly twenty pounds of honey; and the bee-keeper would gain t he difference in value between one pound of wax, and the honey which bees consume in making a pound of comb. At times when no honey can be procured from the blossoms, strong stocks might be profitably employed in building spare comb, to strengthen feeble stocks, or for any other pur pose. The building of comb is usually carried on with the greatest activity by night, while the honey is gathered by Fig. 21. Plate VIII. >• COMB. 73 day.* Thus no time is lost. When the weather is too forbidding for out-door work, the combs are most rapidly constructed, the labor being vigorously carried on both by day and by night. On the return of a fair day, the bees, having plenty of room for its storage, gather unusual supplies. Thus, by their wise economy, they often lose no time, even if confined for several days to their hive. 11 How doth the little busy bee improve each shining hour 1" The poet might, with equal truth, have described her as improving the gloomy days and dark nights in her use¬ ful labors. It is an interesting fact, which seems hitherto to have escaped notice, that honey-gathering and comb-building go on simultaneously; so that when one stops, the other ceases also. As soon as the honev-harvcst begins to fail, so that consumption is in advance of production, the bees cease to build new comb, even although large portions of their hive are unfilled. "When honey no longer abounds in the fields, it is wisely ordered that they should not con¬ sume, in comb-building, the treasures which may be need¬ ed for Winter use. What safer rule could have been given them ? As wax is a bad conductor, it can be more easily work ed when warmed by the animal heat of the bees, than if it paited with its heat too readily. By this property, the combs aid in keeping the bees warm, and there is less i isk of their cracking with frost, or of the honey candying in the cells. If wax were a good conductor of heat, the combs would often be icy cold, moisture would condense and freeze upon them, and they could not fulfill all their required ends. * On very clear moonlight nights, I have known bees to gather how m the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulip/era). 4 74 TUB HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. The size of the cells in which workers are reared never varies; the same may substantially be said of the drone- cells, which are much larger; those in which honey is stored vary greatly in depth, while in diameter they are of all sizes, from that of worker to that of drone-cells. As five worker, or four drone-cells, will measure about one linear inch, a square inch of comb will contain, on each side, twenty-five worker, or sixteen drone-cells. As bees in building their cells, cannot pass immediately from one size to another, they display an admirable saga¬ city in making the transition by a set of irregular inter¬ mediate cells. Plate XV. (Fig. 48), exhibits an accurate and beautiful representation of comb, drawn for this work from nature, by M. M. Tidd, and engraved by D. T. Smith, both of Boston, Mass. The cells are of the size of nature. The large ones are drone-cells, and the small ones, worker-cells. The irregular, five-sided cells between them, show how bees pass from one size to another. The cells of bees arc found to fulfill perfectly the most subtle conditions of an intricate mathematical problem. Let it be required to find what shape a given quantity of matter must take, in order to have the greatest capacity and strength , occupying, at the same time, the least space , and consuming the least labor in its construction. When this problem is solved by the most refined mathematical processes, the answer is the hexagonal or six-sided cell of the honey-bee, with its three four-sided figures at the base! The shape of these figures cannot be altered ever so lit¬ tle, except for the worse. In addition to the desirable qualities already enumerated, they serve as nurseries for rearing the young, and as small air-tight vessels for pre¬ serving the honey from souring or candying. Every pru¬ dent housewife who carefully stores her preserves in COMB. 75 receptacles excluding the air, can appreciate the value of such an arrangement. “There are only three possible figures of the cells,” says Dr. Reid, “ which can make them all equal and similar, without any useless spaces between them. These are the equilateral triangle, the square, and the regular hexagon. It is well known to mathematicians, that there is not a fourth way possible in which a plane may be cut into lit¬ tle spaces that shall be equal, similar, and regular, with¬ out leaving any interstices.” An equilateral triangle would have made a very uncom¬ fortable tenement for an insect with a round body; and a square cell would have been but little better. A circle seems to be the best shape for the development of t .e larvae; but such a figure would have caused a needl ss sacrifice of space, materials, and strength ; while the horn y, which adheres so admirably to the many angles of 1 ie six-sided cell, would have been much more liable to i an out. The body of the immature insect, as it undergoes its changes, is charged with a superabundance of moisture, which passes off through the reticulated cover of its cell; may not a hexagon, therefore, while approaching so nearly to the shape of a circle, as not to incommode the young bee, furnish, in its six corners, the necessary vacan¬ cies for a more thorough ventilation ? Is it credible that these little insects can unite so many requisites in the construction of their cells, either by chance, or because they are profoundly versed in the most intricate mathematics? Are we not compelled to acknowledge that the mathematics by which they construct a shape so complicated, and yet the only one which can unite so many desirable requirements, must be referred to the Creator, and not to his puny creature ? To an intelligent and can- 76 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. did mind, the smallest piece of honey-comb is a perfect demonstration that there is a “ Great First Cause.” “ On books deep poring, ye pale sons of toil, Who waste in studious trance the midnight oil, Say, can ye emulate, with all your rules, Drawu or from Grecian or from Gothic schools, This artless frame ? Instinct her simple guide, A heaven-taught insect bailies all your pride. Not all you marshall’d orbs, that ride so high, Proclaim more loud a present Deity, Than the nice symmetry of these small cells, Where on each angle genuine science dwells." Eyan3. CHAPTER V. PROTOLIS. This substance is obtained by the bees from the resinous buds and limbs of trees: the different varieties of poplar yield a rich supply. When first gathered, it is usually of a bright golden color, and so adhesive that the bees never deposit it in cells, but apply it at once to the purposes for which they procured it. If a bee is caught while bringing in a load, it will be found to adhere very firmly to her legs. “ Huber planted in Spring some branches of the wild poplar, before the leaves were developed, and placed them in pots near his Apiary ; the bees alighted on them, separated the folds of the large buds with their for¬ ceps, extracted the varnish in threads, and loaded with it, first one thigh and then the other; for they convey it like pollen, transferring it by the first pair of legs to the PKOPOLia. 77 second, by which it is lodged in the hollow of the third.” I have seen them thus remove the warm propolis from old bottom-boards standing in the sun. Propolis is frequently gathered from the alder, horse- chestnut, birch, and willow; and as some think, from pines and other trees of the fir kind. Bees will often enter varnishing shops, attracted evidently by their smell; and in the vicinity of Matamoras, Mexico, where propolis seems to be scarce, I saw them using green paint from win¬ dow-blinds, and pitch from the rigging of a vessel. Bevan mentions the fact of their carrying off a composition of wax and turpentine from trees to which it had been applied. Dr. Evans says he has seen them collect the balsamic varnish which coats the young blossom-buds of the holly¬ hock, and has known them rest at least ten minutes on the same bud, moulding the balsam with their fore feet, and transferring it to the hinder legs, a? described by Huber. 11 With merry hum the Willow’s copse they scale, The Fir’s dark pyramid, or Poplar pale; Scoop from the Alder’s leaf its oozy flood, Or strip the Chestnut’s resin-coated bud; Skim the light tear that tips Narcissus’ ray, Or round the Hollyhock’s hoar fragrance play ; Then waft their nut-brown loads exulting home, That form a fret-work for the future comb; Caulk every chink where rushing winds may roar, And seal their circling ramparts to the floor.” Evans. A mixture of wax and propolis being much more adhesive than wax alone, serves admirably to strengthen the attachments of the combs to the top and sides of the hive. If the combs are not filled with honey or brood soon after they are built, they are varnished with a delicate coating of propolis, which adds greatly to their strength; 78 THE IIIVE AND IIONEY-BICE. but as this natural varnish impairs their snowy whiteness, the bees ought not to be allowed access to combs in the surplus honey-receptacles, except when actively engaged in storing them with honey. Bees make a very liberal use of propolis to fill any crevices about their premises ; and as the natural summer- heat of the hive keeps it soft, the bee-moth selects it as a place of deposit for her eggs. Hives ought, therefore, to be made of lumber entirely free from cracks. The corners, which the bees usually fill with propolis, may have a melted . mixture run into them, consisting of three parts of resin and one of bees-wax; this remaining hard during the hottest weather, will bid defiance to the moth. As bees find it difficult to gather propolis, and equally 60 to work so sticky a material, they should be saved all unnecessary labor in amassing it. To men, time is money ; to bees, it is honey ; and all the arrangements of the hive should be such as to economize it to the utmost. Propolis is sometimes put to a very curious use by the bees. “A snail,* having crept into one of M. Reaumur’s hives early in the morning, after crawling about for some time, adhered, by means of its own slime, to one of the glass panes. The bees having discovered the snail, sur¬ rounded it, and formed a border of propolis round the verge of its shell, and fastened it so securely to the glass that it became immovable. ‘Forever closed the impenetrable door; It naught avails that in its torpid veins Year after year, life’s loitering spark remains.’ Evans. “ Maraldi, another eminent Apiarian, states that a snail without a shell having entered one of his hives, the bees, as soon as they observed it, stung it to death; after which, • Bevan. PROPOLIS. 70 being unable to dislodge it, they covered it all over with an impervious coat of propolis. 1 For soon in fearless ire, their wonder lost, Spring fiercely from the comb the indignant host, Lay the pierced monster breathless on the ground, And clap in joy their victor pinions round : While all in vain concurrent numbers strive To heave the slime-girt giant from the hive — Sure not alone by force instinctive swayed, But blest with reason’s soul-directing aid, Alike in man or bee, they haste to pour, Thick, hard’ning as it falls, the flaky shower; Embalmed in shroud of glue the mummy lies, No worms invade, no foul miasmas rise.* Evans. «In these instances, who can withhold Ids admiration of the ingenuity and judgment of the bees ? In the first case, a troublesome creature gained admission to the hive, which, from its unwieldiness, they could not remove, and which, from the impenetrability of its shell, they could not destroy; here, then, their only resource was to deprive it of locomotion, and to obviate putrefaction ; both which objects they accomplished most skillfully and securely, and, as is usual with these sagacious creatures, at the least possible expense of labor and materials. They applied their cement where alone it was required — round the verge of the shell. In the latter case, to obviate the evil of decay, by the total exclusion of air, they were obliged to be more lavish in the use of their embalming material, and to case over the ‘ slime-girt giant,’ so as to guard themselves from his noisome smell. What means more effectual could human wisdom have devised, under similar circumstances ?” When any member of a family dies, the bees are be¬ lieved by many to know what has happened ; and some 80 THE HIVE ANI) HONEY BEE. are superstitious enough to put the hives in mourning, to pacify their sorrowing occupants ; imagining that, unless this is done, the bees will never afterwards prosper! It has frequently been asserted, that they sometimes take their loss so much to heart, as to alight upon the coflin whenever it is exposed. A clergyman told me, that he attended a funeral, where, as soon as the coffin was brought from the house, the bees gathered upon it so as to excite much alarm. Some years after this occurrence, being engaged in varnishing a table, the bees alighted upon it in such numbers, as to convince him, that love of varnish, rather than sorrow or respect for the dead, was the occasion of their conduct at the funeral. How many superstitions, believed even by intelligent persons, might be as easily explained, if it were possible to ascertain as fully all the facts connected with them! CHAPTER VI. POLLEN, Oil “ BEE-IiKEAD.” Pollen is gathered by the bees from blossoms, and is indispensable to the nourishment of their young — repeat¬ ed experiments having proved that brood cannot be raised without it. It is very rich in the nitrogenous sub¬ stances which are not contained in honey, and without which ample nourishment could not be furnished for the development of the growing bee. Dr. Hunter, on dissecting some immature bees, found that their stomachs contained pollen, but not a particle of honey. We are indebted to Huber for the discovery, that pol¬ len is the principal food of the young bees. As large POLLEN. 81 supplies were often found in hives whose inmates had starved, it was evident that, without honey, it could not support the mature bees; and this led former observers to conclude that it served for the building of comb. Hu¬ ber, after demonstrating that wax can be secreted from an entirely different substance, soon ascertained that pollen was used for the nourishment of the embryo bees. Con¬ fining some bees to their hive without any pollen, he sup¬ plied them with honey, eggs, and larvae. In a short time, the young all perished. A fresh supply of brood being given to them, with an ample allowance of pollen, the development of the larvae proceeded in the natural way. I had an excellent opportunity of testing the value of this substance, in the backward Spring of 1852. On the 5 th of February, I opened a hive containing an artificial swarm of the previous year, and found many ol the cells filled with brood. The combs being examined on the 23d, contained neither eggs, brood, nor bee-bread; and the colony was supplied with pollen from another hive; the next day, a large number of eggs were found in the cells. When this supply was exhausted, laying again ceased, and was only resumed when more was furnished. During the time of these experiments, the weather was so unpromising, that the bees were unable to leave the hive. Dzierzon is of opinion that bees can furnish food for their young, without pollen; although he admits that they can do it only for a short time, and at a great expense of vital energy; just as the strength of an animal nursing its young is rapidly reduced, it, for want of propel tood, tlu very substance of the mother’s body must be converted into milk. The experiment just described does not cor¬ roborate this theory, but confirms Huber’s view, that pollen is indispensable to the development of brood. Gundelacb, an able German Apiarian, says that if a 4* 82 TIIE HITE AND HONEY-BEE. colony with a fertile queen be confined to an empty hive, and supplied with honey, comb will be rapidly built, and the cells filled with eggs, which in due time will be hatched ; but the worms will all die within twenty-loin hours. Some Apiarians believe that bees with an abundance of both pollen and honey, will secrete wax much faster than when supplied with honey alone; and that its secre¬ tion, without pollen, severely taxes their strength. In September, 1856, I put a very large colony of bees into a new hive, to determine some points on which I was then experimenting. The weather was fine, and they gathered pollen, and built comb very rapidly; still, for ten days, the queen-bee deposited no eggs in the cells. During all that time, these bees stored very little pollen in the combs. One of the days being so stormy that they could not go abroad, they were supplied with rye flour (see p. 84), none of which, although very greedily appro¬ priated, could be found in the cells. During all this time, as there was no brood to be fed, the pollen must have been used by the bees either for nourishment, or tc assist them in secreting wax; or, as I believe, for botr. these purposes. Bees prefer to gather fresh bee-bread, even when there are large accumulations of old stores in the cells. With hives giving the control of the combs, the surplus of old colonies may be made to supply the deficiency of young ones; the latter, in Spring, being often destitute of this important article. If honey and pollen can both be obtained from the same blossom, the industrious insect usually gathers a load of each. To prove this, let a few pollen-gatherers be dis¬ sected when honey is plenty; and them honey-sacs will ordinarily be full. I’OLI.F.N. 83 The mode of gathering pollen is very interesting. The body of the bee appears to the naked eye to be covered with fine hairs, to which, when she alights on a flower, the farina adheres. With her legs, she brushes it from her body, and packs it in the hollows, or baskets, one of which is on each of her thighs; these baskets are surrounded by stouter hairs, which hold the load in its place. If from any cause the pollen cannot be readily gathered in balls, the bee will often roll herself in it, and return, all dusted over, to her hive. When the bee brings home a load of pollen, she often shakes her body in a singular manner, to attract the atten¬ tion of other bees, who nibble from her thighs what they want for immediate use; the rest she stores away for future need, by inserting her body in a cell and brush¬ ing it from her legs; it is then carefully packed down, being often covered with honey, and sealed over with wax. Pollen is very rarely deposited in any except worker-cells. ' Aristotle observed, that a bee, in gathering pollen, con¬ fines herself to the kind of blossom on which she begins, even if it is not so abundant as some others; thus a ball of this substance taken from her thigh, is found to be of a uniform color throughout; the load of one insect being yellow, of another, red, and of a third, brown ; the color varying with that of the plant from which the supply was obtained. They may prefer to gather a load from a single species of plant, because the pollen of different kinds does not pack so well together. Bees, by carrying the pollen or fertilizing substance of plants, on their bodies, from blossom to blossom, contribute essentially to their impreg¬ nation. Though the importance of pollen has long been known, it is only of late that any attempts have been made to 34 THK HIVE AN1) HONEY l)EK. furnish a substitute. Dzierzon, early hi the Spring, observed his bees bringing rye-meal to their hives from a neighboring mill, before they could procure any pollen from natural supplies. The hint was not lost; and it is now a common practice in Europe, where bee-keeping is exten¬ sively carried on, to supply the bees early iu the season with this article. Shallow troughs are set in front of the Apiaries, filled about two inches deep with finely ground , dry , unbolted rye-meal. Thousands of bees, when the weather is favorable, resort eagerly to them, and rolling themselves in the meal, return heavily laden to their hives. In fine, mild weather, they labor at this work with great industry; preferring the meal to the old pollen stored in their combs. They thus breed early, and rapidly recruit their numbers. The feeding is continued till, the blos¬ soms furnishing a preferable article, they cease to carry off the meal. The average consumption of each colony is about two pounds. Mr. F. Sontag, a German Apiarian, says, that in the Spring of 1853, he fed one of his colonies with rye-meal, placed in the hive in an old comb; continuing the supply till they could procure fresh pollen abroad. This colony produced four strong swarms that Spring, and an adjoin¬ ing stock not supplied with the meal, only one weak swarm. Another German bee-keeper says, he has used wheat flour with very good results; the bees forsaking the honey furnished them, and engaging actively in carrying in the hour, which was placed about twenty paces in front of their hives. The construction of my hives permits the dour to be easily placed where the bees can get it, without losing time in going abroad, or sud’ering for the want of it, when the weather condnes them at home. P0I.7.KN. 85 The discovery of this substitute removes a very serious obstacle to the culture of bees. In many districts, there is for a short time such an abundant supply of honey, that almost any number of strong colonies will, in a good sea¬ son, lay up enough for themselves, and a large surplus for their owners. In many of these districts, however, the supply of pollen is often quite insufficient, and in Spring, the swarms of the previous year are so destitute, that unless the season is early, the production of brood is seriously checked, and the colony cannot avail itself properly of the superabundant harvest of honey. While the honey-bee is regarded by the best informed horticulturists as a friend, a strong prejudice has been excited against it by many fruit-growers in this country; and in some communities, a man who keeps bees, is con¬ sidered as bad a neighbor, as one who allows his poultry to despoil the gardens of others. Even the warmest friends of the “ busy bee,” may be heard lamenting its propensity to banquet on t'mir beautiful peaches and pears, and choicest grapes and plums. In conversation with a gentleman, I once assigned three reasons, why the bees could not inflict any extensive injury upon his grapes. 1st, that as the Creator appears to have intended both the honey-bee and fruit for the comfort of man, it was difficult to conceive that He would have made one the natural enemy of the other. 2d, that as the supplies of honey from the blossoms had entirely failed, the season (1854) being exceedingly dry, if the numerous colonies in his vicinity had been able to help themselves to his sound grapes, they would have entirely devoured the fruit of his vines. 3d, that the jaws of the bee, being adapted chiefly to the manipulation of wax, vere too feeble to enable it readily to puncture the skiu /en of his most delicate grapes. 8G TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. In reply to these arguments, being invited to go to his vines, and see the depredators in the very act, the result justified my anticipations. Though many bees were seen banqueting on grapes, not one was doing any mischief to the sound fruit. Grapes which were bruised on the vines, or lying on the ground, and the moist stems, from which grapes had recently been plucked, were covered with bees; while other bees were observed to alight upon bunches, which, when found by careful inspection to be sound, they left with evident disappointment. Wasps and hornets, which secrete no wax, being furnish¬ ed with strong, saw-like jaws, for cutting the woody fibre with which they build their combs, can easily penetrate the skin of the toughest fruits. While the bees, therefore, appeared to be comparatively innocent, multitudes of these depredators were seen helping themselves to the best of the grapes. Occasionally, a bee would presume to alight upon a bunch where one of these pests was operating for his own benefit, when the latter would turn and “ show fight,” much after the fashion of a snarling dog, molested by another of his species, while daintily discussing his own private bone. After the mischief has been begun by other insects, or ■wherever a crack , or a spot of decay is seen, the honey¬ bee hastens to help itself, on the principle of “gathering up the fragments, that nothing may be lost.” In this way, they undoubtedly do some mischief; but before war is declared against them, let every fruit-grower inquire if, on the whole, they are not far more useful than injurious. As bees carry on their bodies the pollen, or fertilizing substance, they aid most powerfully in the impregnation of plants, while prying into the blossoms in search of honey or bee-bread. In genial seasons, fruit will often set abundantly, even if no bees are kept in its vicinity; but POLLEN. 87 many Springs are so unpropitious, that often during the critical period of blossoming, the sun shines for only a few hours, so that those only can reasonably expect a remu¬ nerating crop whose trees are all murmuring with the pleasant hum of bees. A large fruit-grower told me that his cherries were a © © very uncertain crop, a cold north-east storm frequently prevailing when they were in blossom. lie had noticed, that if the sun shone only for a couple of hours, the bees secured him a crop. If the horticulturists who regard the bee as an enemy, could exterminate the race, they would act with as little wisdom as those who attempt to banish from their inhos¬ pitable premises every insectivorous bird, which helps itself to a small part of the abundance it has aided in producing. By making judicious c(forts early in the Spring, to entrap the mother-wasps and hornets, which alone survive the Winter, an effectual blow may be struck at some of the worst pests of the orchard and gar¬ den. In Europe, those engaged extensively in the culti¬ vation of fruit, often pay a small sum in the Spring for all wasps and hornets destroyed in their vicinity. Fig. 02 (PI. XIII.), shows the magnified head of a Mexican Iloney-IIornet (p. 58). Fig. 03 shows the mag¬ nified head of the Honey-Bee. Fig. 04 shows the jaws of this Hornet, highly magnified. Fig. 05 shows the jaws of the Honey-Bee, highly magnified. A glance at these figures is enough to convince any intelligent horti¬ culturist of the truth of Aristotle’s remark—made more than two thousand years ago—that “bees hurt no kinds of fruit, but wasps and hornets are very destructive to them.” 88 THE HIVE AND 110NEY-HEE. CHAPTER VII. VENTILATION OF THE ISEE-IIIVE. If a populous stock is examined on a warm day, a num¬ ber of bees may be seen standing upon the alighting- board, with their heads turned towards the entrance of the hive, their abdomens slightly elevated, and their wings in such rapid motion, that they are almost as indistinct as the spokes of a wheel, in swift rotation on its axis. A brisk current of air may be felt proceeding from the hive ; and if a small piece of down be suspended at its entrance, by a thread, it will be blown out from one part and drawn in at another. Why are these bees so deeply ab¬ sorbed in their fanning occupation, that they pay no atten¬ tion to the busy numbers constantly crowding in and out of the hive? and what is the meaning of this double cur¬ rent of air? To Huber, we owe the satisfactory explana¬ tion of these curious phenomena. The bees thus singu¬ larly plying their rapid wings, are ventilating the hive ; and this double current is caused by pure air rushing in, to supply the place of the foul air which is forced out. By a series of beautiful experiments, Huber ascertained that the air of a crowded hive is almost as pure as the sur¬ rounding atmosphere. Now, as the entrance to such a hive is often very small, the air within cannot be renewed, without resort to artificial means. If a lamp is put into a close vessel, with only one small orifice, it will soon ex¬ haust the oxygen, and cease to burn. If another small orifice is made, the same result will follow ; but if a current of air is by some device drawn out from one open- Plate TX. VENTILATION. 89 ing, an equal current will force its way into the other, and the lamp will burn until the oil is exhausted. It is on this principle of maintaining a double current by artificial means , that bees ventilate their crowded habitations. A file of ventilating bees stands inside and outside of the hive, each with head turned to its entrance, and while, by the rapid fanning of their “many twinkling” wings, a brisk current of air is blown out of the hive, an equal current is drawn in. As this important office de¬ mands unusual physical exertion, the exhausted laborers are, from time to time, relieved by fresh detachments. If the interior of the hive permits inspection, many ventila¬ tors will be found scattered through it, in very hot weath¬ er, all busily engaged in their laborious employment. If its entrance is contracted, speedy accessions will be made to their numbers, both inside and outside of the hive; and if it is closed entirely, the heat and impurity quickly in¬ creasing, the whole colony will attempt to renew the air by rapidly vibrating their wings, and in a short time, if unrelieved, will die of suffocation. Careful experiments show that pure air is necessary not only for the respiration of the mature bees, but for hatching the eggs, and developing the larvse; a fine net¬ ting of air-vessels enveloping the eggs, and the cells of the larvse being closed with a covering filled with air-holes. In Winter, if bees are kept in a dark place, which is neither too warm nor too cold, they are almost dormant, and require very little air; but even under such circum¬ stances, they cannot live entirely without it; and if they are excited by atmospheric changes, or in any way dis¬ turbed, a loud humming may be heard in the interior of their hives, and they need almost as much air as in warm weather. If bees are greatly disturbed, it will be unsafe, espe- 90 THIS UIVK AND IIONEY-BEE. cially in warm weather, to confine them, unless they have a very free admission of air ; and even then, unless it is ad¬ mitted above, as well as below the mass of bees, the ven¬ tilators may become clogged with dead bees, and the col¬ ony perish. Bees under close confinement become exces¬ sively heated, and their combs are often melted; if damp¬ ness is added to the injurious influence of bad air, they become diseased; and large numbers, if not the whole colony, may perish from dysentery. Is it not under pre¬ cisely such circumstances that cholera and dysentery prove most fatal to human beings? the filthy, damp, and unven¬ tilated abodes of the abject poor, becoming perfect lazar- houscs to their wretched inmates. I have several tunes examined the bees of new swarms which were brought to my Apiary, so closely confined, that they Lad di. d of suffocation. In each instance, their bodies were distei ded with a yellow' and noisome substance, as though they had perished from dysentery. A few were still alive, and although the colony had been shut up only a few hours, the bodies of both the living and the dead were filled with this same disgustiug fluid, instead of the honey they had when they swarmed. In a medical point of view, these facts are highly inter¬ esting ; showing as they do, under what circumstances, and how speedily, diseases may be produced resembling dysentery or cholera. In very hot weather, if thin hives are exposed to the sun’s direct rays, the bees are excessively annoyed by the intense heat, and have recourse to the most powerful ven¬ tilation, not merely to keep the air of the hive pure, but to lower its temperature. Bees, in such weather, often leave, almost in a body, the interior of the hive, and cluster on the outside, not merely to escape the close heat within, but to guard their VENTILATION. 91 vOmus against the danger of being dissolved. At such times, they are particularly careful not to cluster on new combs containing sealed honey, which, from not being lined with cocoons, and from the extra amount of wax used for their covers, melt more readily than the breeding-cells. Apiarians have noticed that bees often leave their honey-cells almost bare, as soon as they are sealed ; but it seems to have escaped their observation, that this is abso¬ lutely necessary in very hot weather. In cool weather, they may frequently be found clustered among the sealed honey-combs, because there is then no danger of their melting. Few things are so well fitted to impress the mind with their admirable sagacity, as the truly scientific device by which they ventilate their dwellings. In this important matter, the bee is immensely in advance of the great mass of those who are called rational beings. It has, to be sure, no ability to decide, from an elaborate analysis of the chemical constituents of the atmosphere, how large a pro¬ portion of oxygen is essential to the support of life, and how rapidly the process of breathing converts it into a deadly poison: it cannot, like Liebig, demonstrate that God, by setting the animal and the vegetable world, the one over against the other, has provided that the atmos¬ phere shall, through all ages, be as pure as when it first came from His creating hand. But shame upon us ! that with all our boasted intelligence, most of us live as though pure air was of little or no importance; while the bee ventilates with a philosophical precision that should put to the blush our criminal neglect. Is it said that ventilation, in our case, cannot be had without effort? can it then be had for nothing, by the industrious bees? Those ranks of bees, so indefatigably plying their busy wings, are not engaged in idle amuse- 92 T1IE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. ment; nor might they, as some shallow utilitarian may imagine, be better employed in gathering honey, or superintending some other department in the economy of the hive. At great expense of time and labor, they are supplying the rest of the colony with the pure air so con¬ ducive to their health and prosperity. Impure air, one would think, is bad enough; but all its inherent vileness is stimulated to still greater activ¬ ity by air-tight, or rather lung-tight stoves,* which can economize fuel only by squandering health and endan¬ gering life. Not only our private houses, but all our places of public assemblage, are either unprovided with any means of ventilation, or to a great extent, supplied with those so deficient, that they only “ Keep the word of promise to our ear, To break it to our hope.” That ultimate degeneracy must inevitably follow such gross neglect of the laws of health, cannot be doubted; and those who imagine that the physical stamina of a people may be undermined, and their intellectual, moral, and religious health suffer no decay, know little of the intimate connection which the Creator has established between body and mind. Men may, to a certain extent, resist the injurious influ¬ ences of foul air; as their employments usually compel them to live more out of doors: but alas, alas! for the poor women ! In the very land where they are treated with such merited deference and respect, often no pro¬ vision is made to furnish them with that first element of health, cheerfulness and beauty, heaven’s pure, fresh air. * The beautiful open or Franklin stoves, for coal or wood, manufactured by Messrs. Treadwell, Perry & Norton, of Albany, New York, deserve the highest commendation as economizers of life, health, and fuel. VENTILATION. 93 The pallid cheek or hectic flush, the angular form and distorted spine, the enfeebled appearance of so large a por¬ tion of our women, who, to use the lauguage of the lamented Downing, “ in the signs of physical health, com¬ pare most unfavorably with all but the absolutely starving classes in Europe;” all these indications of debility, to say nothing of their care-worn faces and premature wrinkles, proclaim our violation of God’s physical laws, and the dreadful penalty with which He is visiting our transgressions. The man who shall convince the masses of the impor¬ tance of ventilation, and whose inventive mind shall devise some simple, cheap, and efficacious way of furnish¬ ing a copious supply of pure air for our private dwellings, public buildings, and travelling conveyances, will be a greater benefactor than a Jenner or a Watt, a Fulton or a Morse. In the ventilation of my hive, I have endeavored, as far as possible, to meet the necessities of the bees, under all the varying circumstances to which they are exposed in our uncertain climate, whose severe extremes of tempera¬ ture forcibly impress upon the bee-keeper, the maxim of Virgil, “ Utraque vis panter apibus metuenda. “ Extremes of heat or cold, alike are hurtful to the bees.” To be useful to the majority of bee-keepers, artificial ventilation must be simple, and not as in Nutt’s hive, and other labored contrivances, so complicated as to require almost as close supervision as a hot-bed or green¬ house. By furnishing ventilation independent of the entrance, we may improve upon the method which bees, in a state of nature, are often compelled to adopt, when the openings into their hollow trees are so small, that they must employ 94 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. in hot weather, a larger force in ventilation, than would otherwise he necessary. By the use of my movable blocks (PI. V., Fig. 17), the entrance may be kept so small, that only a single bee can go in at once, or it may be entirely closed, without the bees suffering for want of air. While the ventilators afford a sufficient supply, they may be easily controlled, so as not to injure the brood by admitting too strong a current of chilly air. In the chapter on wintering bees, directions are given for ven¬ tilating the hives in cold weather, so as to carry off all superfluous moisture. The construction of my hives allows of ventilation from above; and it should always be used, when bees arc shut up for any length of time, to be moved, that the colony may not be suffocated, by the lower ventilators becoming clogged by dead bees. As the entrance of the hive, may in a moment, be enlarged to any desirable extent, without perplexing the bees, any quantity of air which the bees may require, can be admitted; the ventilator on the back allowing a free current to sweep through the hive. The entrance may be fourteen inches and upwards in length; but as a general rule, in a large colony, it need not, in Summer, exceed four inches; while, during the rest of the year, one or two inches will suffice. In very hot weather, especially if the hive stands in the sun, the bees cannot have too much air; and the ventilators in the upper part of the main hive should all be kept open. REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 95 CHAPTER VIII. REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. In this chapter, I shall enumerate certain advantages which seem essential to the idea of a complete hive. In¬ stead of disparaging other hives, I prefer inviting the attention of bee-keepers to the importance of these requisites; some of which, I believe, are contained in no hive but my own. If, after careful scrutiny, they commend themselves to the judgment of practical cultivators, they will serve to test the comparative merits of the various hives in common use. 1. A complete hive should give the Apiarian such perfect control of all the combs, that they may be easily taken out without cutting them, or enraging the bees. 2. It should permit all necessary operations to be per¬ formed without hurting or killing a single bee. Most hives are so constructed, that they cannot be used without injuring or destroying some of the bees; and the destruction of even a few, materially increases the dillicult y of managing them. 3. It should afford suitable protection against extremes of heat and cold, sudden changes of temperature, and the injurious effects of dampness. The interior of a hive should be dry in Winter, and free in Summer from a pent and almost suffocating heat. 4. It should permit every desirable operation to be performed, without exciting the anger of the bees. 5. Not one unnecessary motion should be required of a single bee. 9C THE IIIVE AND IIONET-BEE. as the honey-harvest, in most locations, is of short con¬ tinuance, all the arrangements of the hive should facilitate, to the utmost, the work of the busy gatherers. Hives which compel them to travel with their heavy burdens through densely crowded combs, are very objectionable. Bees instead of forcing their way through thick clusters, can easily pass into the top surplus honey-boxes of my hives, from any comb in the hive, and into every box, without traveling at all over the combs. o. It should afford suitable facilities for inspecting, at alt times, the condition of the bees. I. It should be capable of being readily adjusted to the wants of either large or small colonics. By means of a movable partition, my hive can be ad¬ justed, in a few moments, to the wants of any colony how¬ ever small; and with equal facility be enlarged, from time to time, or at once restored to its full dimensions. 8. It should allow the combs to be removed without my jarring. Bees manifest the utmost aversion to any motion which tends to loosen or detach their combs. The movable frames, however firmly fastened, can all be loosened in a few moments, without injuring or exciting the bees. 9. It should allow every good piece of comb to be given to the bees, instead of melting it into wax. 10. It should induce the bees to build regular combs. A hive containing too much comb suitable only for storing honey, or raising drones, cannot be expected to prosper. II. It should furnish empty comb, to induce bees to occupy more readily the surplus honey-receptacles. 12. It should prevent the over-production of drones, by permitting the removal of drone-comb from the hive. 13. It should enable the Apiarian, if too many drones Fig. 23. Plate X. REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 97 have been raised, to trap and destroy them, before they Lave largely consumed the honey of the hive. This is effected, in my hives, by adjusting the blocks (PI. III., Figs. 11, 12) which regulate the entrance. 14. It should enable the Apiarian to remove such combs as are too old. The upper part of a comb, being generally used for storing honey, will last for many years. 15. It ought to furnish all needed security against the ravages of the bee-moth. 1G. It should furnish to the Apiarian some accessible place, where the larvae of the bee-moth, when fully grown, may wind themselves in their cocoons. 17. It should enable the Apiarian, by removing the combs, to destroy the worms, if they get the advantage of the bees. 18. The bottom-board should be permanently attached to the hive, for convenience in moving it, and to prevent the depredations of moths and worms. Sooner or later, there will be crevices between every movable bottom-board and the sides of the hive, through which moths will gain admission to lay their eggs, and inder which worms, when fully grown, will retreat to spin heir webs. In my hive, there is no place where the moth *an get in, except at the entrance for the bees, which may he contracted or enlarged, to suit the strength of the col¬ ony ; and which, from its peculiar shape, the bees are easily enabled to defend. If, however, any prefer mova¬ ble bottom-boards, they can be used in my hive. 19. The bottom-board should slant toward the entrance, to facilitate the carrying out of dead bees, and other use¬ less substances ; to aid a colony in protecting itself against robbers; and to carry oil"moisture, and prevent rain from beating into the hive. 5 08 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BICE. 20 The bottom-board should admit of being easily cleared, in cold weather, of dead bees. If suffered to remain, they often become mouldy, and injure the health of the colony. In dragging them out, when the weather moderates, the bees often fall with them on the snow, and are so chilled, that they never rise again ; for a bee, in flying away with the dead, frequently retains its hold, until both fall to the ground. 21. No part of the interior of the hive should be below the level of the place of exit. If this principle is violated, the bees must, at great dis¬ advantage, drag, up hill , their dead, and all the refuse ot the hive. 22. It should afford facilities for feeding bees, both in warm and cold weather. In this respect, the movable-comb hive has unusual ad¬ vantages. In warm weather, sixty colonies may, in less than an hour, receive each a quart of food, without any feeder, and with no risk from robber-bees. 23. It should permit the easy hiving of a swarm, with¬ out injuring any bees, or risking the destruction of the queen. 24. It should admit of the safe transportation of the bees to any distance whatever. The permanent bottom-board, the firm attachment of each comb to a separate frame, and the facility with which air can be given to confined bees, admirably adapt my hive to this purpose. 25. It should furnish bees with air, when the entrance for any cause, must be entirely shut. 26. It should furnish facilities for enlarging, contracting, and closing the entrance, to protect the bees against rob hers, and the bee-moth; and when the entrance is altered, REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 99 the bees ought not, as in most hives, to lose valuable time in searching for it. 27. It should give the requisite ventilation, without en¬ larging the entrance so much as to expose the bees to moths and robbers. 28. It should furnish facilities for admitting at once a large body of air, that the bees may be tempted to ily out and discharge their feces, on warm days in Winter, or early Spring. If such a free admission of air-cannot be given, the bees, by losing a favorable opportunity of emptying themselves, may suffer from diseases resulting from too long confine¬ ment. 29. It should enable the Apiarian to remove the excess of bee-bread from old stocks. (See p. 82.) 30. It should enable the Apiarian to remove the combs, brood, and stores, from a common to an improved hive, so that the bees may be easily able to attach them again in their natural positions. A colony transferred to my hive will repair their combs, in a few days, so as to work as well as before their removal. 31. It should permit the safe and easy dislodgement of the bees from the hive. This requisite is especially important, when it becomes necessary to break up weak stocks, to join them to others. 32. It should allow the bees, together with the heat and odor of the main hive, to pass in the freest manner, to the surplus honey-receptacles. In this respect, all other hives with which I am ac¬ quainted are more or less deficient: the bees being forced to work in receptacles difficult of access, and in which, in cool nights, they find it impossible to maintain the requi- site heat for comb-building. Bees cannot, in such hives, 100 THE HIVE AND HuNEY-BEE. work to advantage in glass tumblers, or other small ves¬ sels. One of the most important arrangements of my hive, is that by which the heat passes into the upper recepta¬ cles for storing honey, as naturally as the warmest air ascends to the top of a heated room. 33. It should permit the surplus honey to be taken away, in the most convenient, beautiful, and salable forms, and without risk of annoyance from the bees. In my hives, it may be made on frames in an upper chamber, in tumblers, glass boxes, wooden boxes, small or large, earthen jars, flower-pots, in short, in any kind of receptacle which may suit the fancy or convenience of the bee-keeper. Or these may all be dispensed with, and the honey taken from the interior of the main hive, by remov¬ ing the full frames, and supplying their places with empty ones. 34. It should admit of the easy removal of good honey from the main hive, when its place can be supplied by the bees with an inferior article. In districts where buckwheat is raised, any vacancies made by removing the choice honey from the hive will be rapidly filled. 35. When quantity and not quality is the object sought, it should allow the greatest yield, that the surplus of strong colonies may be given, in the Fall, to those which have an insufficient supply. ]5y surmounting my hive with a box of the same dimen¬ sions, and transferring the combs to this box, the bees, when they build new comb, will descend and fill the lower frames, using, as first as the brood hatches, the upper box for storing honey. The combs in this box, containing a large amount of bee-bread, and being of a size adapted to the breeding of workers, will be very suitable for aiding weak colonies. REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 101 36. It should be able to compel the force of a colony to be mainly directed to raising young bees; that brood may be on hand to form new colonies, and strengthen feeble stocks. 37. It ought to be so constructed that, while well pro¬ tected from the weather, the sun may be allowed in early Spring to encourage breeding, by warming up the hive. 38. The hive should be equally well adapted to be used as a swarmer, or non-swarmer. In my hives, the bees may be allowed to swarm as in common hives, and be managed in the usual way. Even on this plan, the control of the combs will be found to afford unusual advantages. Non-swarming hives, managed in the ordinary way, are liable to swarm unexpectedly, in spite of all precautions. In my hives, the queen may be prevented from leaving, and a swarm will not depart without her. 39. It should enable the Apiarian to prevent a new swarm from forsaking its hive. This vexatious occurrence can always be prevented, by so adjusting the entrance, for a few days, that the queen cannot leave the hive. 40. It should enable the Apiarian, if he allows his bees to swarm, and wishes to secure surplus honey, to prevent their swarming more than once in a season. 41. It should enable the Apiarian, who relies on natural swarming, and wishes to multiply his colonies as fast as possible, to make vigorous stocks of all his small after- swarms. Such swarms contahi a young queen, and if they can be judiciously strengthened, usually make the best stock- hives. My hives enable me to supply all such swarms at once with combs containing bee-bread, honey, and matur¬ ing brood. 102 Tins IIIVE ANI) HONEY-BEE. 42. It should enable the Apiarian to multiply his colo¬ nies with a certainty and rapidity which are impossible if he depends upon natural swarming. 43. It should enable the Apiarian to supply destitute colonies with the means of obtaining a new queen. Every Apiarian, for this reason alone, would find it to nis advantage to possess, at least, one such hive. 44. It should enable him to catch the queen, for any purpose; especially to remove an old one whose fertility is impaired by age. 45. While a complete hive is adapted to the wants of those who desire to manage their colonies on the most improved plans, it ought to be suited to the wants of those who, from timidity, ignorance, or any other reason, prefer the common way. 40. It should enable a single bee-keeper to superintend the colonies of different individuals. Many persons would keep bees, if an Apiary, like a garden, could be superintended by a competent individual. No person can agree to do this with the common hives. If the bees are allowed to swarm, he may be called in a dozen different directions at once, and if any accident, such as the loss of a queen, happens to the colonies of his customers, he can usually apply no remedy. On my plan, those who desire it, may witness the indus¬ try of this sagacious insect, and gratify their palates with its delicious stores harvested on their own premises, with¬ out incurring either trouble, or risk of annoyance. 47. All the joints of the hive should be water-tight, and there should be no doors or shutters liable to shrink, swell, or get out of order. The importance of this requisite will be obvious to any one who has had the ordinary share of vexatious experi¬ ence will such fixtures. EEQUISITICS OF A COMPLETE niYE. 103 48. It should enable the bee-keeper entirely to dispense v 'th sheds, or costly Apiaries; as the hive itself should si ke defy heat or cold, rain or snow. 49. It ought not to be liable to be blown down in high w nds. My hives may be made so low, for very windy situa- ti ins, that it would require almost a hurricane to upset tl em. 50. A complete hive should have its alighting-board so c( ustructed, as to shelter the bees against wind and wet, tl us facilitating to the utmost their entrance with heavy bnrdens. If this precaution is neglected, the colony cannot be en¬ couraged to use, to the best advantage, the unpromising days which often occur in the working season. 51. A complete hive should be protected against the destructive ravages of mice in Winter. When cold weather approaches, all my hives may have their entrances contracted by the movable blocks, so that a mouse cannot gain admission. 52. It should permit the bees to pass over their combs in the freest manner, both in Summer and Winter. While such easy intercommunication facilitates the Summer work of the hive, it is often, in cold Winters, in¬ dispensable to the life of the colony. 53. It should permit the honey, after the gathering season is over, to be concentrated where the bees will most need it. If the latter part of the season has been unpropitious, the centre combs, in which a colony usually winters, may have very little honey, while the others are well supplied. In hives where this cannot be remedied, it often causes the loss of the bees. 54. It should permit a generous supply of honey to be 104 THE HIVE AND I10NEY-BEE. left, in the Fall, in the hive, without detriment either to the bees, or to their owner. If too much honey is taken, and the Winter prove very unfavorable, the bees may starve. In the common hives, if too much remains, it cannot be removed in the Spring, and it is thus worse than lost to the bee-keeper, by occupying the room needed for raising brood. 55. It should permit the Apiarian to remove such combs as cannot be protected by the bees, to a place of safety. When a colony becomes greatly reduced in numbers, its empty combs may cause its destruction, by affording a harbor to the bee-moth ; or its rich stores of honey may tempt robbing bees to despoil it. In the common hives, often nothing can be effectually done to prevent such casualties. 56. It should permit the space for spare honey recep¬ tacles to be enlarged or contracted at will, without any alteration or destruction of existing parts of the hive. Without the power to do this, the productive force of a colony is in some seasons greatly diminished. 57. It should be so compact as to economize, if possible, every inch of material used in its construction. 58. The hive, while presenting a neat appearance, should admit, if desired, of being made highly orna¬ mental. 59. It should enable an Apiarian to lock up his hives in some cheap and convenient way. As my bottom-boards are not movable, the contents of a hive, when it is locked, can only be reached by carrying it bodily away. 60. It should allow the contents of a hive, bees, combs, and all, to be taken out when it needs any repairs. As movable-comb hives can, at any time, be thoroughly overhauled and repaired, they should last for generations. REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 100 61. A complete hive, while possessing all these requi¬ sites, should, if possible, combine them in a cheap and simple form, adapted to the wants of all who are com¬ petent to cultivate bees. Few would imagine, in reading this long list of desira¬ bles, that any hive can combine them all, without being exceedingly complicated and expensive. On the contrary, the cheapness and simplicity with which the movable-comb hive effects this, is its most striking feature, and the one which has cost me more study than all the other points besides. Bees can work, in this hive, with even greater facility than in a simple box, as the frames being left rough by the saw, give them an admirable support while building their combs; and they can enter the spare honey-boxes with more ease than they could mount to an equal height in the upper part of a common box-hive. There are a few desirables to which my hive, even if it were perfect, could make no pretensions! It promises no splendid results to those who are too ignorant or too careless to be entrusted with the manage¬ ment of bees. In bee-keeping, as in all other pursuits, a man must first understand his business, and then proceed upon the good old maxim, that “ the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” It has no talismanic influence which can convert a bad situation for honey into a good one ; or give the Apiarian an abundant harvest, whether the season is productive or otherwise. As well might a farmer seek for some kind of wheat which will yield an enormous crop, in any soil, and in every season. It cannot enable the cultivator, while rapidly multiply¬ ing his stocks, to secure the largest yield ot honey from his bees. As well might the breeder of poultry pretend, that in the same venr, and from the same stock, he can both IOC THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. f aise the greatest number of chickens, and sell the largest lumber of eggs. f Worse than all, it cannot furnish the many advantages enumerated, and yet be made in as little time, or quite as cheaply, as a hive which, in the end, proves to be a very dear bargain! In the progress of my invention, while undoubtedly attaching undue importance to some points, I have steadily endeavored to avoid constructing a hive in accord¬ ance with crude theories, or mere conjectures. Having carefully studied the nature of the honey-bee, for many years, and compared my observations with those of writers and cultivators who have spent their lives in extending the sphere of Apiarian knowledge, I have endeavored to remedy the many difficulties with which bee-culture is beset, by adapting my invention to the actual habits and wants of the insect. I have also tested the merits of this hive by long continued experiments, made on a large scale, so that I might not, by deceiving both myself and others, add another to the useless contrivances which have deluded and disgusted a too credulous public. I would, however, utterly repudiate all claims to having devised even a perfect bee-hive. Perfection belongs only to the works ot Him, to whose omniscient eye were present all causes and effects, with all their relations, when he spake, and from nothing formed the Universe. For man to stamp the label of perfection upon any work of his own, is to show both his folly and presumption. The culture of bees is confessedly at a low ebb in this country, when thousands can be induced to purchase hives which are in glaring opposition to the plainest dictates of common sense, as well as the simplest principles of Apiarian knowledge. Such have been the losses of deluded pur¬ chasers, that it is no wonder they turn from everything REQUISITES OF A COMPLETE HIVE. 107 offered in the shape of a patent bee-hive, as a worthless' conceit, if not an outrageous swindle. So deleterious has been the influence of the so-called “ Improved Hives ” that, as a general thing, only those who have used hives of the simplest form, have derived much profit from their bees. They have wasted neither time, money, nor bees, upon contrivances which can secure nothing in advance of a simple box-hive, with an upper chamber. A hive of the simplest possible construction, is a close. imitation of the abode of bees in a state of nature; being a mere hollow receptacle, where, protected from the weather, they can lay up their stores. An improved hive, is one which contains an additional, separate apartment, where bees can store their surplus honey for man. Most hives in common use are only modifications of this latter hive, and, as a general rule, are bad, exactly in propor¬ tion as they depart from it. While they tempt the com¬ mon bee-keeper to ruinous departures from the beaten path, they furnish him no remedy for the loss of the queen, or the casualties to which bees are exposed. Such hives, therefore, form no reliable basis for any improved system of management; and hence, the cultivation of bees, hi this country, has declined for the last fifty years, and the A piarian is as dependent as ever upon the caprices of an insect, which more than any of his domestic animals, may be completely subjected to his control. I would respectfully submit, that no hive which does not furnish a thorough control over every comb, can give that substantial advance over the simple improved or chamber hive, which the bee-keeper’s necessities demand. Of such hives, the best are those which best unite cheapness and simplicity, with protection in Winter, and ready access to the spare honey-boxes. 108 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. Having thus enumerated the tests to which all hives ought to be subjected, I submit them to the candid con ¬ sideration of those, who, having the largest experience in the management of bees, are most conversant with the evils of the present system. If, on full trial, they find that the movable-comb hive can abide these tests, they may be willing to endorse the enthusiastic language of an experienced Apiarian, who, on examining its practical work¬ ings, declared that “ it introduced not simply an improve ment, but a complete revolution in bee-keeping.” SWARMING AND HIVING. 109 CHAPTER IX. NATURAL SWARMING, AND HIVING OP SWARMS. The swarming of bees is one of the most beautiful sights in the whole compass of rural economy. Although many who use movable-comb hives prefer the artificial multiplication of colonics, few would be willing entirely to dispense with the pleasing excitement of natural swarm¬ ing. “ Up mounts the chief, and to the cheated eye Ten thousand shuttles dart along the sky ; As swift through inther rise the rushing swarms, Gay dancing to the beam their sun-bright forms ; And each thin form, still ling’ring on the sight, Trails, as it shoots, a line of silver light. High pois’d on buoyant wing, the thoughtful queen, lu gaze attentive, views the varied scene, And soon her far-fetch’d ken discerns below The light laburnum lift her polish’d brow, Wave her green leafy ringlets o’er the glade, And seem to beckon to her friendly shade. Swift as the falcon’s sweep, the monarch bends Her flight abrupt; the following host descends. Round the fine twig, like cluster’d grapes, they close In thickening wreaths, and court a short repose.” Evans. The multiplication of colonies by swarming, both guards the bee against the possibility of extinction, and makes its labors in the highest degree useful to man. The laws of reproduction in insects not living in regular colonies, secure an ample increase of their numbers. The same is true of those which live hi colonies during the warm weather only, as hornets, wasps, and humble-bees. In the 110 TOE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. Fall, the males perish, while the impregnated females, retreating into Winter quarters, remain dormant till warm weather restores them to activity, that each may become the mother of a new family. The honey-bee, however, is so organized that it must live in a community during the entire year; for while the balmy breezes of the Spring will quickly thaw the frozen body of a torpid wasp, the bee is chilled by a temperature no lower than 50° ; and it would be as impossible to re¬ store a frozen bee to animation, as to recall to life the stiffened corpses in the charnel-house of the Convent,of the Great St. Bernard. Bees, therefore, in cool weather, must associate in large numbers, to maintain the heat necessary for their preservation ; and the formation of new colonies, after the manner of wasps and hornets, is out of the question. Even if the young queens, like the mother- wasps, were able, without any assistance, to found new colonies, they could not maintain the warmth requisite for the development of their young. And if this were pos¬ sible, and they were furnished with a proboscis, for gath¬ ering honey, as long as that of a worker, baskets on their thighs for carrying bee-bread, and pouches on their abdo¬ mens for secreting wax, they would still be unable to amass treasures for our use, or even to lay up the stores requisite for their own preservation. IIow admirably are all these difficulties obviated by the present arrangement! Their domicile being well supplied with all the requisite materials, the bees have added thousands, in the full vigor of youth, to their already nu¬ merous population, while such insects as depend upon the heat of the sun arc still dormant. They can thus send off early colonies, strong enough to take full advan¬ tage of the honey-harvest, and to provision the new hive against the approach of Winter. From these considers BW ARMING AND IIIYTNG. Ill tions, it is evident that swarming, so far from being the forced or unnatural event which some imagine, is one, which could not possibly be dispensed with, in a state of nature. Let us now inquire under what circumstances swarm¬ ing ordinarily takes place. The time when new swarms may be expected, depends, of course, upon the climate, the forwardness of the season, and the strength of the stocks. In our Northern and Middle States, they seldom issue before the latter part of May; and June may there be considered as the great swarming month. In Brownsville, Texas, on the lower Rio Grande, bees often swarm quite early in March. In the Spring, as soon as a hive well filled* with comb, can no longer accommodate its teeming population, the bees prepare for emigration, by building a number of royal cells. These cells are begun about the time that the drones make their appearance in the open air; and when the young queens arrive at maturity, the males are usually very numerous. The first swarm is invariably led off by the old queen, unless she has died from accident or disease, when it is ac¬ companied by one of the young ones reared to supply her loss. The old mother, unless delayed by unfavorable weather, usually leaves soon after one or more of the royal cells are sealed over. There are no signs from which the Apiarian can predict the certain issue of a first swarm. For years, I spent much time in the vain attempt to dis¬ cover some infallible indications of first swarming; until facts convinced me that there can be no such indications. * In our Northern and Middle States, bees seldom swarm unless the hive Is filled with comb; in Southern latitudes, however, the swarming instinct seems to bo much more powerful. In Matamoras and Brownsville, I have seen many colonics Issue from hives only partially filled with comb. i 12 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. If the weather is unpleasant, or the blossoms yield an in¬ sufficient supply of honey, bees often change their minds, and refuse to swarm at all, even although their prepara¬ tions have been so fully completed, that, like the traveler whose trunks are packed, they have filled their honey-sacs for their intended journey. If^ in the swarming season, but few bees leave a strong hive, on a clear, calm, and warm day, when other colonies are busily at work, we may look with great confidence for a swarm, unless the weather prove suddenly unfavorable. As the old queens which accompany the first swarm are heavy with eggs, they fly with such difficulty, that they are shy of venturing out, except on fair, still days. If the weather is very sultry, a swarm will sometimes issue as early as seven o’clock in the morning ; but from ten, A.M., to two, P. SI, is the usual time; and the majority of swarms come off when the sun is within an hour of the meridian. Occasionally, a swarm ventures out as late as five, P. SI.; but an old queen is seldom guilty of such an indiscretion. I have repeatedly witnessed, in my observing-hives, the whole process of swarming. On the day fixed for their departure, the queen is very restless, and instead of de¬ positing her eggs in the cells, roams over the combs, and communicates her agitation to the whole colony. The emigrating bees usually fill themselves with honey, just before their departure; but in one instance, I saw them lay in their supplies more than two hours before they leit. A short time before the swarm rises, a few bees may generally be seen sporting in the air, with their heads turned always to the hive; and they occasionally fly in and out, as though impatient for the important event to take place. At length, a violent agitation commences in the hive ; the bees appear almost frantic, whirling around SWARMING AND HIVING. 113 in circles continually enlarging, like those made by a stone thrown into still water, until, at last, the whole hive is in a state of the greatest ferment, and the bees, rushing impetu¬ ously to the entrance, pour forth in one steady stream. Not a bee looks behind, but each pushes straight ahead, as though flying “ for dear life,” or urged on by some in¬ visible power, in its headlong career. Often, the queen docs not come out until .many have left; and she is frequently so heavy, from the number of eggs in her ovaries, that she falls to the ground, incapable of rising with her colony into the air. The bees soon miss her, and a very interesting scene may now be wit¬ nessed. Diligent search is at once made for their lost mother; the swarm scattering in all directions, so that the leaves of the adjoining trees and bushes arc often covered almost as thickly with anxious explorers, as with drops of rain after a copious shower. If she cannot be found, they commonly return to the old hive, in from five to fifteen minutes, though they occasionally attempt to enter a strange one, or to unite with another swarm. The ringing of bells, and beating of kettles and frying- pans, is probably not a whit more efficacious, than the hideous noises of some savage tribes, who, imagining that the sun, in an eclipse, has been swallowed by an enormous dragon, resort to such means to compel his snakeship to disgorge their favorite luminary. Many who have never practised “ tanging,” have never had a swarm leave without settling. Still, as one of the “ country sounds,” and as a relic of the olden times, even the most matter-of-fact bee-man can readily excuse the enthusiasm of that pleasant writer in the London Quarterly Review, who discourses as follows: “ Some fine, warm morning in May or June, the whole atmosphere seems alive with thousands of bees, whirling 114 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. and buzzing, passing and repassing, wheeling about in rapid circles, like a group of maddened bacchanals. Out runs the good housewife, with the frying-pan and key— the orthodox instruments for ringing —and never ceases her rough music, till the bees have settled. This custom, as old as the birth of Jupiter, is one of the most pleasing and exciting of the countryman’s life; and there is an old colored print of bee-ringing still occasionally met with on tlie walls of a country inn, that has charms for us, and makes us think of bright sunny weather in the dreariest November day. Whether, as Aristotle says, it affects them through pleasure or fear, or whether, indeed, they hear* it at all, is still as uncertain as that philosopher left it; but we can wish no better luck to every bee-master that neglects the tradition, than that he may lose every swarm for which he omits to raise this time-honored con¬ cert.” If, before its issue, a swarm has selected a new home, no amount of noise will compel them to alight, but as soon as the emigrating colony have all left the hive, they fly in a “ bee-line” to the chosen spot. I have noticed, that such unceremonious leave-taking, though quite common when bees are neglected, seldom occurs when they are properly cared for. When the Apiarian perceives that a swarm, instead of clustering, rises higher and higher in the air and means to depart, not a moment must be lost: instead of empty noises, he should resort to means much more effective to 6tay their vagrant propensities. Water or dirt thrown among them, will often so disorganize them as to compel them to alight. The most original of all devices for stop- * Tho piping of the qneen has a shrill, metallic sound, which possibly may be overpowered by tho ringing, so as to distract bees which intend to decamp, ano cause them to alight. SWARMING ANL. IUVING. 115 ping them, is to flash the sun’s rays among them, by a looking-glass! I never had occasion to try it, but an anonymous writer says he never knew it fail. If forcibly prevented from eloping, they will be almost sure to leave, soon after hiving, for their selected home, unless the queen is confined. If there is reason to expect desertion, and the queen cannot be confined, the bees may be carried into the cellar, and kept in total darkness, until towards sunset of the third day, being supplied, in the mean time, with water and honey to build their combs. The same precautions must be used when fugitive swarms are re¬ hived. It is always very easy to prevent a new colony from abandoning the movable-comb hive, by regulating the entrance so that, while a loaded worker-bee can just pass, the queen will be unable to leave; or a piece of comb, with unsealed worker-brood, may be transferred to the new hive, when a swarm will seldom forsake it. It may generally be ascertained, soon after hiving a swarm, whether or not it intends to remain. If, on ap- nlying the ear to the side of the hive, a sound be heard, as of gnawing or rubbing, the bees are getting ready for comb-building, and will rarely decamp. If a colony decide to go, they look upon the hive in which they are put as only a temporary stopping-place, and seldom trouble themselves to build any comb. If the hive permits inspection, we may tell at a glance when bees are disgusted with their new residence, and mean to forsake it. They not only refuse to work with the char¬ acteristic energy of a new swarm, but their very attitude, hanging, as they do, with a sort of dogged or supercili¬ ous air, as though they hated even so much as to touch their detested abode, proclaims to the experienced eye, that they are unwilling tenants, and mean to be off as sooa 116 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. as they can. Numerous experiments to compel bees to work in observing-hives exposed to the full light of day, from the moment they were hived, instead of keeping them, as I now do, in darkness for several days, have made me quite familiar with all such do-nothing pro¬ ceedings before their departure. Bees sometimes abandon their hives very early in Spring, or late in Summer or Fall. Although exhibiting the appearance of natural swarming, they leave, not be¬ cause the population is so crowded that they wish to form new colonies, but because it is either so small, or the hive so destitute of supplies, that they are driven to des¬ peration. Seeming to have a presentiment that they must perish if they stay, instead of awaiting the sure approach of famine, they sally out to see if they cannot better their condition. I have known a starving colony to leave their hive on a Spring-like day in December. It may seem strange that the instincts of so provident an insect should not always impel it to select a suitable domicile before venturing to abandon the old home ; since often, before they are housed again, they are exposed to powerful winds and drenching rains, which beat down and destroy many of their number. I solve this bee-problem, like many others, by consider¬ ing how the present arrangement conduces to the advan¬ tage of man. Bees would have been of little service to him, if, instead of tarrying till he had time to hive them, their instincts had impelled them to decamp, without delay, from the restraints of domestication. In this, as in many other things, we see that what on a superficial view seemed an obvious imperfection, proves, on closer examination, to bo a special contrivance to answer important ends. To return to our new swarm. The queen sometimes SWARMING AND HIVING. 117 alights first, and sometimes joins the cluster after it has begun to form. The bees do not usually settle, unless she is with them; and when they do, and then disperse, it is frequently the case that, after first rising with them, she has fallen, from weakness, into some spot where she is unnoticed by the bees. Perceiving a hive in the act of swarming, I, on two oc¬ casions, contracted the entrance, to secure the queen when she should make her appearance. In each case, at least one-third of the bees came out before she joined them. As soon as the swarm ceased searching for her, and were returning to the parent-hive, being placed, with her wings clipped, on a limb of a small evergreen tree, she crawled to the very top of the limb, as if for the express purpose of making herself as conspicuous as possible. The few bees which first noticed her, instead of alighting, darted rapidly to their companions; in a few seconds, the whole colony was apprised of her presence, and flying in a dense cloud, began quietly to cluster around her. Bees when on the whig intercommunicate with such surprising rapidity, that telegraphic signals are scarcely more instan¬ taneous. That bees send out scouts to seek a suitable abode, admits of no serious question. Swarms have been traced directly to their new home, in an air-line flight, either from their hive, or from the place where they clustered after alighting. Now this precision of flight to an un¬ known home, would plainly be impossible, if some of their number, by previous explorations, were not competent to act as guides to the rest. The sight of bees for distant objects is so wonderfully acute, that, after rising to a suffi¬ cient elevation, they can see, at the distance of several miles, any prominent objects in the vicinity of their in¬ tended abode. 118 THE HIVE AND HONET-BEE. Whether bees send out scouts before or after swarming, may admit of more question. When a colony flies to its new home without alighting, the scouts must have been dispatched before swarming. If this were the usual course, we should expect every colony to take the same speedy departure; or if they should cluster for the con¬ venience of the queen, or any bees over-fatigued by the excitement of swarming, we should look for only a tran¬ sient tarrying. Instead of this, they often remain until the next day, and instances are not unfrequent of a much more protracted delay. The stopping of bees in their flight to cluster again, is not inconsistent with these views; for if the weather is hot when they first cluster, and the sun shines directly upon them, they will often leave before they have found a suitable habitation. Sometimes the queen of an emigrating swarm, being heavy with eggs, and unaccustomed to fly, is compelled to alight, before she can reach their intended home. Queens, under such circumstances, are occasionally unwilling to take wing again, and the poor bees sometimes attempt to lay the foun¬ dations of their colony on fence-rails, hay-stacks, or other unsuitable places. Mr. Wagner says, that he once knew a swarm of bees to lodge under the lowermost limb of an isolated oak- tree, in a corn-field. It was not discovered until the corn was harvested, in September. Those who found it, mis¬ took it for a recent swarm, and in brushing it down 1o hive it, broke ofif three pieces of comb, each about eight inches square. Mr. Henry M. Zollickoffer, of Philadelphia, informed me that he knew a swarm to settle on a willow- tree in that city, in a lot owned by the Pennsylvania Hos¬ pital ; it remained there for some time, and the boys pelted it with stones, to get possession of its comb and honey. The necessity for scouts or explorers seems to be unques. SWARMING AND niVING. 119 tionable, unless we can admit that bees have the faculty of flying in an “ air line,” to a hollow tree which they have never seen, and which may be the only one among thous¬ ands where they can find a suitable abode. These views are confirmed by the repeated instances in which a few bees have been noticed inquisitively prying into a hole in a hollow tree, or the cornice of a building, and have, before long, been followed by a whole colony. Having described the method commonly pursued by a new swarm, when left to their natural instincts, we return to the parent-stock from which they emigrated. From the immense number which have abandoned it, we should naturally infer that it must be nearly depopu¬ lated. As bees swarm in the pleasantest part of the day, some suppose that the population is replenished by the return of large numbers from the fields; this, however, cannot often be the case, as it is seldom that many are absent from the hive at the time of swarming. To those who limit the fertility of the queen to four hundred eggs a day, the rapid replenishing of a hive, after swarming, must be inexplicable ; but to those who have seen her lay from one to three thousand eggs a day, it is no myrtery at all. Enough bees remain to carry on the domestic operations of the hive ; and as the old queen departs o»ly when there is a teeming population, and when thousands of young are daily hatching, and tens of thousands rapidly maturing, the hive, in a short time, is almost as populous as it was before swarming. Those who suppose that the new colony consists wholly of young bees, forced to emigrate by the older ones, if they closely examine a new swarm, will find that while some have the ragged wings of age, others are so y«ung as to 1 e barely able to fly. 120 THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. After the tumult of swarming is over, not a bee that did not participate in it, attempts to join the new colony, and not one that did, seeks to return. What determines some to go, and others to stay, we have no certain means of knowing. How wonderful must be the impression made upon an insect, to cause it in a few minutes so com¬ pletely to lose its strong affection for the old home, that when established in a hive only a few feet distant, it pays not the slightest attention to its former abode! When their new domicile is removed—after some have gone to the fields — from the place where the bees were hived, on their return, they often fly for hours in ceaseless cire.?s about the spot where the missing hive stood ; and sonu • times continue the vain search for their companions, until dropping from exhaustion, they perish in close proximity to their old home. It has already been stated that, if the weather is favor¬ able, the old queen usually leaves near the time that the young queens are sealed over to be changed into nymphs. In about a week, one of them hatches ; and the question must be decided whether or not, any more col¬ onies shall be formed that season. If the hive is well filled with bees, and the season is in all respects promising, it is generally decided in the affirmative; although, under such circumstances, some very strong colonies refuse to swarm more than once; while the repeated "warming of weaker ones often ruins both the parent-stock and its after-swarms. If the bees decide to swarm but once, the first hatched queen, being allowed to have her own way, rushes imme¬ diately to the cells of her sisters, and stings them to death. The other bees probably aid her in this murderous trans¬ action ; they certainly tear open the cradles of the slaugh¬ tered innocents (PI. XIV., Fig. 47, d), and remove them Plate XI. Fig. 24. Fig. 25. SWARMING AND HIVING. 121 from the cells. Their dead bodies may often be found on the ground in front of the hive. When a queen has emerged from her cell in the natural way, the bees cut it down (PI. XIV., Fig. 47, c), till only a small acorn-cup remains; but if she met with a violent end, they usually remove the whole cell. By counting these acorn-cups, we can ascertain how many queens have hatched in a hive. If the bees of tne parent-stock decide to send out a second colony, the first hatched queen is prevented from killing the others. A strong guard is kept over their cells, and as often ns she approaches them with murderous intent, she is bitten, 01 given to understand by other most uncourtier-like demonstrations, that even a queen cannot, in all things, do just as she pleases. Like some human beings who cannot have their own way, she is highly offended when thus repulsed, and utters, in a quick succession of notes, a shrill, angry sound, not unlike the rapid utterance of the words, “ peep, peep.” If held m the closed hand, she will make a similar noise. To this angry note, one or more of the unhatched queens will respond, in a somewhat hoarser key, just as a cock, by crowing, bids defiance to its rivals. These sounds, so entirely unlike the usual steady hum of the bees, or the fluttering noises of unhatched queens, are almost infallible indications that a second swarm will soon issue. They arc occasionally so loud as to be heard at some distance from the hive. About a week after first- swarming, the Apiarian should place his ear against the hive, in the morning or evening, when the bees are still, and if the queens are “ piping,” he will readily recognize their peculiar sounds. The young queens are all mature, at the latest, in sixteen days from the departure of the first swarm, even if it left as soon as the royal cells were 6 122 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. begun. If, during this period, these notes are not heard, it is an infallible indication that the first hatched queen has no rivals; and that swarming, in that stock, is over for the season. The second swarm usually issues on the second or third day after piping is heard ; though they sometimes delay coming out until the fifth day, in consequence of an un¬ favorable state of the weather. Occasionally, the weather is so extremely unfavorable, that the bees permit the oldest queen to kill the others, and refuse to swarm again. This is a rare occurrence, as young queens are not so par¬ ticular about the weather as old ones, and sometimes ven¬ ture out, not merely when it is cloudy, but when rain is falling. On this account, if a very close watch is not kept, they are often lost. .As piping ordinarily commences about a week after first-swarming, the second swarm usu¬ ally issues nine days after the first; although it has been known to issue as early as the third, and as late as the seventeenth ; but such cases arc very rare. It frequently happens in the agitation of swarming, that the usual guard over the queen-cells is withdrawn, and sev¬ eral hatch at the same time, and accompany the colony ; in which case, the bees often alight in two or more separate clusters. In my observing-hives, I have repeatedly seer young queens thrust out their tongues from a hole in their cell, to be fed by the bees. If allowed to issue at will, they are pale and weak, like other young bees, and for some time unable to fly; but if confined the usual time, they come forth fully colored, and ready for all emergencies. I have seen them issue in this state, while the excitement caused by removing the combs from a hive, has driven the guard from their cells. The following remarkable instance came under my ob¬ servation, in Matamoras, Mexico. A second swarm ae- SWARMING AND DIVING. 123 serting its abode the second day after being hived, settled upon a tree. On examining the abandoned hive, five young queens were found lying dead on its bottom- board. The swarm was returned, and, the next morning, two more dead queens were found. As the colony after¬ wards prospered, eight queens, at least, must have left the parent-stock in a single swarm ! Young queens, whose ovaries are not burdened with eggs, are much quicker on the wing than old ones, and frequently fly much farther from the parent-stock before they alight. After the departure of the second swarm, the oldest remaining queen leaves her cell; and if another swarm is to come forth, piping will still be heard ; and so before the issue of each swarm after the first. It will sometimes be heard for a short time after the issue of the second swarm, even when the bees do not intend to swarm again. The third swarm usually leaves the hive on the second or third day after the second swarm, and the others, at intervals of about a day. I once had five swarms from one stock, in less than two weeks. In warm latitudes, more than twice this number of swarms have been known to issue, in one season, from a single stock. In after-swarming, the queen sometimes re-enters the hive, after having appeared on the alighting-board. If she docs this once, she will be apt to do it repeatedly, and the swarm, in each instance, will return to the mother- hive. In the Apiary of a friend in Matamoras, when his first swarm issued, there was no tree for it to alight on. The wind was so strong, that the bees did not leave the vicin¬ ity of their hives, but began to settle on a hive near their own. Although the queen was secured, with a portion of her colony, a large part of the swarm entered the adjoin¬ ing stocks. When these stocks swarmed, although a tree 124 TITE, HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. bad boon set out for them to cluster on, the bees which bad returned on the first occasion, did the same thing again, drawing with them the rest of their companions. The only way in which we could obtain a single swarm, was by covering with sheets all the hives in the Apiary as soon as one swarmed, and thus the bees, being unable to enter them, were compelled to alight! It would be difficult to find a better illustration of the folly of neglect¬ ing the old adage, “ A stitch in time saves nine.” After-swarms, or casts—these names are given to all swarms after the first — seriously reduce the strength of the parent-stock; since by the time they issue, nearly all the brood left by the old queen has hatched, and no more eggs can be laid until all swarming is over. It is a wise arrangement, that the second swarm does not ordi¬ narily issue until all the eggs left by the first queen are hatched, and the young mostly sealed over, so as to require no further feeding. Its departure earlier than this, would leave too few laborers to attend to the wants of the young bees. If, after swarming, the weather sud¬ denly becomes chilly, and the hive is thin, or the Apiarian continues the ventilation which was needed only for a crowded colony, the old stock being unable to maintain the requisite heat, great numbers of the brood often perish. The effect on the profits of the Apiary, of too frequent swarming, is discussed in the next chapter. If the bee¬ keeper wants no casts, he can easily prevent their issue from my hives. About five days after the first swarm comes out, the parent-stock may be opened, and all the queen-cells removed, except one. If done earlier than this, the bees may start others, in the place of those re¬ moved. Those only who have thoroughly tried both plans, can appreciate how much better this is, than to attempt to return the after-swarms to the parent hive. SWARMING AND HIVING. 125 The Apiarian who desires by natural swarming to mul¬ tiply his colonies as rapidly as possible, will find full directions in the sequel, for building up all after-swarms, however small, so as to make vigorous stocks. It will be remembered, that both the parent-stock from which the swarm issues, and all the colonies, except tho first, have a young queen. These queens never leave the hive for impregnation, until they are established as heads of independent families. They generally go out for this purpose, early in the afternoon of the first pleasant day, after being thus acknowledged, at which time, the drones are flying most numerously. On leaving their hive, they fly with their heads turned towards it, often entering and departing several times, before they finally soar into the air. Such precautions on the part of a young queen are highly necessary, that she may not, on her return, lose her life, by attempting, through mistake, to enter a strange hive. More queens are thus lost than in any other way. When a young queen leaves for impregnation, the bees, on missing her, are often filled with such alarm that they rush from the hive, as if intending to swarm. Their agita¬ tion is soon quieted, if she returns in safety. The drone perishes in the act of impregnating the queen. Although, when cut into two pieces, each piece will retain its vitality for a long time, I accidentally ascer¬ tained, in the Summer of 1852, that if his abdomen is gently pressed, and sometimes if several are closely held in the warm hand, the male organ will often be perma¬ nently extruded, with a motion very like the popping of roasted pop-corn; and the insect, with a shiver, will curl up and die, as quickly as if blasted with t he lightning’s stroke. This singular provision is unquestionably intended to give additional security to the queen, when she leaves her hive to 126 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. have intercourse with the drone. Huber first discovered that she returned with the male organ torn from the drone, and still adhering to her body. If it were not for this arrangement, her spermatheca could not be filled, unless she remained so long in the air with the drone as to incur a very great risk of being devoured by birds. In one instance, some days after the impregnation of a queen, I found the male organ,* in a dried state, adhering * On page BO of the English translation of Prof. Siebold's work on “ Partheno¬ genesis” (that is, production without intercourse with the male) “of Moths and Bees,” may be found the following extract of a letter to Prof. Siebold, dated ‘21st July, 1853, from the celebrated German Apiarian, the Baron Von Bcrlepsch. “ I succeeded, to-day, in impaling upon a pin, a queen which had flown out to copulate, just as she was about to re-enter the hive. The signs of copulation stand far out. * * * "Will you have the kindness to settle, by dissection: 1, if any, and what, parts of the drone occur in the royal vulva; and 2, what is the condition of the seminal roceptaclo. If there be parts of the drone in the vulva, people will, at last, admit that the drones are the males, and that the copulation takes place outside of the hive. * ♦ * Moreover, if you find the seminal roceptaclo filled with ecmcn, Dzierzon's hypothesis—according to which the ovary is not fertilized, but the seminal receptacle filled with male drone-semen, by copulation—is raised into evidence.” Prof. Siebold says, that “ho was able to establish, that those definitely formed parts in the vagina of the queen were nothing but the torn copulative organs of a male bee (drone). With this condition of the external sexual organs of the queen, the state of the internal generative organs also agreed exactly, for the seminal re¬ ceptacle which is empty in till virgin female insects, was, in this queen, filled to overflowing with seminal filaments (spermatozoids).” I give as interesting, in this connection, the following extract from my journal: « August 25 tb, 1852.— Found the male organ protruding from a young queen; could not remove It without exerting so much force that I feared it would kill her. Dr. Joseph Leldy examined this queen-bee with the microscope, so as to demon strate that—to use his words— ‘ it was the penis and its appendages of a male, corresponding, in all its anatomical peculiarities, with the same organs examined, at the same time, in other drones. The testicles and vatsa deferentia of these drones were found to be full of the spermatic fluid. The spermatheca of the queen was distended with the same semi-fluid, spermatic matter.’ This one exam¬ ination demonstrates that the drones are males, and that they impregnate the queen by actual coition.” Prof. Siebold further says : “ As in the act of copulation of the bees, the penis *>f a drone is completely protruded outwards, and as no particular muscular appa¬ ratus exists for the extrusion of the penis, the circumstance that the drones copu¬ late in flight, has an important signification. * * * During the movement of the wings, the different air-sacs of the tracheal system of the drone are filled with air. SWARMING AND HIVING. 127 so firmly to her body, that it could not be iemoved with¬ out tearing her to pieces. The following facts will show that the impregnation of the queen by^the drone, in the open air, may be made a matter of ocular demonstration: Lewis Shrimplin, of Wellsboro’, Brook County, Virginia, purchased a mova¬ ble-comb hive, in the Spring of 1857, into which he put a second swarm. Finding, after a few days, that the bees had built a number of very straight combs, he called some of his neighbors together, to witness the ease with which he could take out, and replace their combs. While stand¬ ing in front of the hive, he saw the queen coming out, and the idea occurred to him to catch her, and tic a very fine silk thread to one of her thighs. This he accomplished successfully; and as she began to ascend,* the drones by which means these can act by pressure , in the Interior of the body of the bee, upon the neighboring penis which Is to be protruded.” “The following interesting experiment.” (Parthenogenesis, p. 54) “ was made by Berlepsch, in order to confirm the drone-productiveness of a virgin queen, lie contrived the exclusion of queens at the end of September, 1864, and, therefore, at a time when there was no longer any males; he was lucky enough to keep one of them through the Winter, and this produced drone-offspring on the 2d of March, in the following year, furnishing fifteen hundred cells with brood. That this drone¬ bearing queen remained a virgin, was proved by the dissection which Leuckart undertook, at the request of Berlepsch. He found the state and contents of the seminal pouch of this queen to bo exactly of the same nature as tboso found in virgin queens. The seminal receptacle in such females never contains semen- masses, with their characteristic spermatozoids, but only a limpid fluid, destitute of cells and granules, which is produced from the two appendicular glands of the seminal capsule; and, as I suppose, serves the purpose of keeping the semen transferred into the seminal capsule in a fresh state, and the spermatozoids active, nnd, consequently, capable of Impregnation.” By referring to pages 88, 89, the reader will see that Prof. Leidy dissected for mo a drone-laying queen, nearly three years before this examination of Leuckart. Prof. Slobold, in 1843, examined the spermatheca of the quoen-bco, and found It after copulation, filled with the seminal fluid of the drone. At that time, Api¬ arians paid no attention to his views, but considered them, as ho says, to bo only “ theoretical stuff." It seems, then, that Prof. Leidy’s dissection (pp. 84, 85) was not, as I had hitherto supposed, the first, of an impregnated spermatheca. * Dzlerzon supposes that the sound of tho queen's wings, when she is in the air, excites the drones. In the interior of tho hive, they are never seen to optics 128 THE JUTE AND HONEY-BEE. collected around her in very large numbers, After remaining in the air a short time, she returned to the entrance of her hive, exhibiting to the spectators the organs of the drone still protruding from her body. The queen usually begins laying about two days after impregnation, and for the first season, lays almost entirely the eggs of workers; no males* being needed in colonies which will throw no swarm till another season. She is seldom treated with much attention by the bees until after she has begun to replenish the cells with eggs; although if previously deprived of her, they show, by their despair, that they fully appreciated her importance to their welfare. A first swarm will sometimes swarm again, about a month after it is hived; but in Northern climates this is a rare occurrence. In South-western Texas, I have known even second swarms to do the same thing, and colonies often swarm there in September and October, while in tropical climates, swarms issue at any season when forage is abundant. In our Northern and Middle States, swarm¬ ing is usually over, three or four weeks after it begins. Inexperienced bee-keepers, unaware of this, often watch their Apiaries, long after the swarming season has passed. I shall now, while giving such directions for hiving swarms as may aid even some experienced Apiarians, at¬ tempt to make them sufficiently minute to guide those, her; so that she Is not molested, even if thousands are members of the same colony with herself. * Huber supposed that male eggs were not developed in her ovaries until the second year; but as the sex depends upon the impregnation of the eggs, ho was evidently mistaken. In warm climates, where after-swarms swarm again, drones are bred in large numbers in hives having young queens. The bee is evidently a native of a hot climate, although it can live wherever there is a Summer long enough for it to prepare for Winter. Its cornplcto development, however, can be witnessed only in tropical regions, and I am persuaded that many things which, In colder climates, have been regarded as fixed laws, are only exceptional adap¬ tations to unfavorable circumstances. rig. 3i. Pi. ate XII. Fig. 33. Fig. 35. Fig. 32. Fig. 34. SWARMING AND HIVING. 120 who, having never seen a swarm hived, are apt to imagine that the process must be quite formidable. Experience in this, as in other things, will speedily give them the requi¬ site skill and confidence; and the cry of “the bees are' swarming,” will often be hailed with even greater pleasure than an invitation to a sumptuous banquet. The hives for the new swarms should be painted long enough beforehand to be thoroughly dry. The smell of fresh paint is well known to be very injurious to human beings, and is so detested by bees, that they will often desert a new hive sooner than endure it. If the hives cannot be seasonably painted, paints should be used which contain no white-lead, and which are mixed so as to dry as quickly as possible. The following recipe, taken from the Bienenzeitung, for a cheap and durable paint, for rough hives, is said to be preferable to oil paint: “ Two parts, by measure, of fine sand, well sifted ; one of best English cement*; one of curd, from which the whey has been well expressed; one ot buttermilk. These are to be thoroughly mixed. The paint is to be applied, amid repeated stirring, to the hives, by means of a common paint-brush. A second coat is to be given after the lapse of half an hour. When this has become thoroughly dry, which will be in two or three days, it is to be brushed over lightly with a thin coat of boiled linseed oil, to which any desirable color may be given. The boards to which the paint is to be applied should not be planed, but remain rough as the saw leaves them. No more of the paint should be prepared at any one time, than can be used in the course of half an hour, as it quickly hardens. The hive may be used as soon as the paint stiffens.” Ilives that have stood in the sun, ought never to be • Roman, or common Hydraulic cement Is probably meant, or would answer ( 1 * 130 Tire riTVR AND IIONEY-BEE. used lor new swarms. Bees, when they swarm, being unnaturally excited and heated, often refuse to enter such hives, and at best, are slow in taking possession of them. The temperature of the parent-stock, at the moment of swarming, rises very suddenly, and many bees are often so drenched with perspiration, that they are unable to take wing and join the emigrating colony. To attempt to make swarming bees enter a heated hive in a blazing sun, is, therefore, as irrational as it would be to force a panting crowd of human beings into the suffocating at¬ mosphere of a close garret. If the process of hiving can¬ not be conducted in the shade, the hive should be covered with a sheet, or with leafy boughs. In the movable-comb hive, the Apiarian can use all his good worker-comb, by fastening it in the frames. Such, however, is the shape of the artificial guide-combs in these frames, that the bees, even in an empty hive, will almost always build their combs with great regularity, if they are not furnished with too much empty room. I have, in a few instances, known them to build their combs directly across, from frame to frame, so that they could not be removed without cutting them to pieces. This may easily be prevented, by attaching a piece of guide- comb to a single frame (see p. 72). While the hive should be set so as to incline from rear to front, to shed the rain, there ought not to be the least pitch from side to side , or it will prevent the frames from hanging plumb, and compel the bees to build crooked combs. Drone- combs should never be put in the frames, or the bees will follow the pattern, and build comb suitable only for breed¬ ing a horde of useless consumers. Such comb, if white, may be used to great advantage in the surplus honey- boxes ; if old, it should be melted for wax. Every piece of good worker-comb, if large enough to SWARMING AND HIVING. 131 Ij«> Attached to a frame, should be used, both for its intrin¬ sic value, and because bees are so pleased when they find such unexpected treasures in a hive, that they will seldom forsake it. A new swarm often takes possession of a de¬ serted hive, well stored with comb ; whilst, if dozens of empty ones stand in the Apiary, they very seldom enter them of their own accord. It once seemed to me that an instinct impelling them to do so, would have been much better for us than the present arrangement; but further reflection has shown me that, on the contrary, it would have been the fruitful origin of interminable broils among neighboring bee-keepers; and that in this, as in so many other things, the instincts of the honey-bee have been de¬ vised with special reference to the welfare of man. When the frames* are first used for a new swarm, the rabbets on which they rest should be smeared with flour- paste ; this will keep the frames firm, till they are fastened with propolis by the bees. If hives are sweet and clean, the rubbing of them with various kinds of herbs or washes, is always useless, and often positively injurious. If there arc no small trees or bushes near the Apiary, from which the swarms, when clustered, can be easily gathered, limbs of evergreen or other trees may be fastened into the ground, a few rods in front of the hives, which will answer a very good temporary purpose. II' there are high trees near his stocks, the bee-master, unless some special precautions are used, will lose much time in hiving his swarms. Having noticed that a new swarm will almost always alight wherever they see a mass of clustering bees, I find that they can be determined to some selected spot by an old black hat, or even a million stalk, which, when colored black, can hardly be distinguished, at a distance, from a * For tliolr proper adjustment, sco Explanation of Plates. 132 THE HIVE AND HONEl-BEE. clustering swarm. A black woolen stocking or piece of cloth, fastened to a shady limb, in plain sight of the hives, and where the bees can be most conveniently hived, would probably answer as good a purpose. Swarms are not only attracted by the bee-like color of such objects, but are more readily induced to alight upon them, if they furnish something to which they can easily cling, the better to support their grape-like clusters. By proper precautions, before the first swarms issue, the bee-keeper may so edu¬ cate his favorites that they will seldom alight anywhere but on the spot which he has previously selected. The Rev. Thomas P. Hunt, of Wyoming, Penn., has devised an amusing plan, by which he says that he can, at all times, prevent a swarm of bees from leaving his premises. Before his stocks swarm, he collects a number of dead bees, and, stringing them with a needle and thread, as worms are strung for catching eels, he makes of them a ball about the size of an egg, leaving a few strands loose. By carrying—fastened to a pole—this “ bee-bob ,” about his Apiary, when the bees are swarming, or by placing it in some central position, he invariably secures every swarm ! It will inspire the inexperienced Apiarian with more confidence, to remember that almost all the bees in a swarm, are in a very peaceable mood, having filled them¬ selves with honey before leaving the parent-stock. If he is timid, or suffers severely from the sting of a bee, he should, by all means, furnish himself with the protection of a bee-dress. A new swarm should be hived as soon as they have quietly clustered around their queen ; although there is no necessity for the headlong haste practiced by some, which, by exciting profuse perspiration, increases their liability to be stung. Those who show so little self-possession, must, not be surprised, vf they are stung by the bees of other SWAKMTNG AND HIVING. 133 (lives, which, instead of being gorged with honey, are on the alert, and very naturally mistake the object of such excited demonstrations. The fact that the swarm has clustered, makes it almost certain, that, unless the weather is very hot, or they are exposed to the burning heat of the sun, they will not leave for at least one or two hours. All convenient dispatch, however, should be used in hiving a swarm, lest it send out scouts, which may entice it from the new hive, or lest other colonies issue, and attempt to add themselves to it. If my hives are used, the whole entrance should bo opened, that the bees may get in as soon as possible ; and a sheet should be securely fastened to the alighting-board, to keep them from becoming separated, or soiled by dirt; for, if separated, they are a long time in entering ; and a bee covered with dust or dirt is very apt to perish. The common hives should be propped up on the sheet, in such a way as to give the bees the readiest admission. When the limb on which the bees have clustered can be easily reached, it should be shaken, with one hand, so that they may gently fall into a basket held under them, with the other. The basket should be open sufficiently to admit the air freely, but not enough to allow the bet's to get through its sides. They should now be gently sha¬ ken or poured out on the sheet, in front of their new home. If they seem at all reluctant to enter it, gently scoop up a few of them with a large spoon, and shake them close to its entrance. As they go in with fanning wings, Ihey will raise a peculiar note, which communicates to their companions the joyful news that they have found a home; and in a short time, the whole swarm will enter, without injury to a single bee. When bees are once shaken down on the sheet, they are quite unwilling to take wing again ; for, being loaded with 134 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. honey, they desire, like heavily-armed troops, to march slowly and sedately to their place of encampment. Bees are much obstructed in their travel, by any corner , or great inequality of surface ; and if the sheet is not smooth¬ ly stretched, they are often so confused, that they take a long time to find the entrance to the hive. If they are too dilatory in entering the new hive, they may be gently separated, with a spoon, or leafy twig, where they gather in bunches on the sheet; or, they may be carefully “spooned up,” and emptied before the entrance of the hive. If they cluster in the portico of my hive, they should be treated in the same way; or else the queen, mistaking this open place for her intended abode, may decamp with the bees. On first shaking them down into the hiving-basket, some will take wing, and others will remain on the tree ; but if the queen has been secured, they will quickly form a line of communication with those on the sheet. If the queen has not been secured, the bees will either refuse to enter the hive, or will speedily come out, and take wing, to join her again. This happens oftenest with after- swarms, whose young queens, instead of exhibiting the gravity of an old matron, are apt to be frisking in the air. When the bees cluster again on the tree, the process of hiving must be repeated. If the Apiarian has a pair of sharp pruning-shears, and the limb on which the bees have clustered is so small, that it can be cut without jarring them off, they may be gently carried on it to the hiving-sheet. If the bees settle too high to be easily reached, the basket may be fastened to a pole, and raised directly under them ; when a quick upward push will secure most of t he swarm. When the basket cannot be easily elevated to them, it may be carried to the cluster, and the bee- SWARMING AND HIVING. 135 keeper, after slinking the bees into it, may gently lower it, by a string, to an assistant below. When a colony alights on the trunk of a tree, or on anything from which they cannot easily be gathered in a basket, fasten a leafy bough over them, without jarring, by a gimlet, and with a little smoke compel them to ascend it. If the place is inaccessible, they will enter a well-shaded basket, inverted, and elevated just above the mass of the bees. I once hived a neighbor’s swarm which settled in a thicket, on the inaccessible body of a tree, by throwing water upon them, so as to compel them gradually to ascend the tree, and enter an elevated box. If proper alighting places are not furnished, the trouble of hiving a swarm will often be greater than its value. If two swarms cluster together, they may be advan¬ tageously kept together, if abundant room for storing surplus honey can be given them, as in my hives. Large quantities of honey are generally obtained from such stocks, if they issue early, and the season is favorable. If it is desired to separate them, take two hives, and give a portion of the bees to each, sprinkling them, both before and after they are shaken from the basket, sufficiently to keep them from taking wing to unite again. If possible, secure a queen for each hive. If both queens enter the same hive, one will quickly dispose of the other. The bees in the queenless hive will begin to leave as soon as they ascertain their condition. Prevent this, by shutting them up ; and give them a queen, if you have one at your disposal; or supply them with a scaled queen, nearly mature, taken from another hive. For reasons assigned in the next chapter, it will not do to compel them to raise a queen from worker-brood. If the Apiarian who uses the common hives does not succeed in getting a mature 136 THE IIIYE AND nONKY-BEE. queen for each hive, the queenless one wall go back to the old stock. If, while hiving a swarm, the Apiarian wishes to secure the queen, the bees should be shaken from the hiving-bas- ket, a foot or more from the hive, when a quick eye will generally see her as she passes over the sheet. If the bees are reluctant to go in, a few must be directed to the entrance, and care be taken to brush them back, when they press forward in such dense masses that the queen is likely to enter unobserved. An experienced eye readily detects her peculiar color and form. She may be taken up without danger, as she never stings, unless engaged in combat with another queen. It is interesting to witness how speedily a queen passes into the hive, as soon as she recognizes the joyful note announcing that her colony has found a home. She quickly follows in the direction of the moving mass, and her long legs enable her easily to outstrip, in the race for possession, all who attempt to follow her. Other bees linger around the entrance, or fly into the air, or collect in listless knots on the sheet; but a fertile mother, with an air of conscious importance, marches straight forward, and looking neither to the right hand nor to the left, glides into the hive, with the same dispatchful haste that charac¬ terizes a bee returning fully laden from the nectar-bearing fields. Persons unaccustomed to bees, may think that I speak about “ scooping them up,” and “ shaking them out,” al¬ most as coolly as though giving directions to measure so many bushels of wheat; experience will soon convince them, that the ease with which they may be managed is not at all exaggerated. The old-fashioned way of hiving swarms, by mounting trees, and cutting off valuable limbs, should be entirely SWARMING AND HIVING. 137 abandoned; nor should the hive ever be put over the bees, so as to crush any of them, or endanger the life of the queen. A skillful bee-keeper, with his hiving-basket, will often hive six or more swarms, in the time required, by the old plan, for hiving one ; and in large Apiaries managed on the swarming plan, where a number of swarms eotne out on the same day, and there is constant danger of their mixing, this is an object of great importance. Dr. Scudamore, an English physician, who has written a tract on the Formation of Artificial Swarms, says that he once knew as “ many as ten swarms go forth at once, and settle and mingle together, forming, literally, a monster meeting.” There are instances recorded of a still larger number having clustered together. A venerable cler¬ gyman in Western Massachusetts, told me, that in the Apiary of one of his parishioners, five swarms once clus¬ tered together. As he had no hive which would hold them, they were put into a large box, roughly nailed together. When taken up in the Fall, it was evident that the five swarmf had lived together as independent colo¬ nies. Four had begun their works, each near a corner of the box, and the fifth in the middle ; and there was a distinct interval separating the works of the different colonies. In Cotton’s “ My Bee Book,” is a cut illustrat¬ ing a similar separation of two colonies in one hive. By hiving, in a large box, swarms which have settled together, and leaving them undisturbed till the following morning, they would probably be found in separate clusters, and might easily be put into different hives. Swarming bees make a singular hissing or whispering sound, which often causes other hives in the Apiary to swarm. This is a frequent occurrence with discouraged or dissatisfied stocks, and I have occasionally had swarms which had only immature queens in their hive issue, on 13S 1TIE HIVE AND IIONET-BEE. hearing this sound. This peculiar swarming sound may be produced merely by the great numbers of bees flying idly, at such times, to and fro in the air; but it seems to me to differ in its character, as it certainly does in jts effect upon the bees, from the noise produced by the ordinary flight of busy workers, however numerous. My observations on this point, have satisfied me that those Apiarians are mistaken who deny to the bee the sense of hearing. This sense, on the contrary, seems to be acute. If the Apiarian fears that another swarm will issue, to unite with the one he is hiving, he may confine its queen with my movable-blocks ; or he may quickly envelope the swarming hive with a sheet. If his new colony has been shaken upon the swarming-sheet, he may cover it from the sight of other swarms, with another sheet. The hive, with the new swarm, should be removed to its permanent stand as soon as the bees have entered ; or the scouts, on their return, will find them, and will often entice them to flee to the woods. There is the-more danger of this, if the bees remained long on the tree be¬ fore they were hived. I have almost invariably found that swarms which abandon a suitable hive for the woods, were hived near the spot where they clustered, the bee¬ keeper intending to remove them in the evening, or early next morning. Bees which swarm early in the day, will generally begin to range the fields in a few hours after they are hived, or even in a few minutes, if they have empty comb ; and the fewest bees will be lost, when the hive is removed to its permanent stand, as soon ns the bees have entered it. If it is desirable, for any reason, to re¬ move the hive before all the bees have gone in, the sheet, on wifich the bees are lying, may be so folded that the colony can be easily carried to their new stand, where the bees may enter at their leisure. SWARMING AND HIVING. 139 Swarms sometimes come off wlicn no suitable hives are in readiness to receive them. In such an emergency, hive them in any old box, cask, or measure, and j>lace them, with suitable protection against the sun, where their new hive is to stand; when this is ready, they may, by a quick, jerking motion, be easily shaken out before it, on a hiving-sheet. I have endeavored, even at the risk of being thought too minute, to give such directions as will qualify the novice to hive a swarm of bees, under almost any circum¬ stances ; knowing that however necessary, suitable infor¬ mation is seldom found even in the best treatises on bee¬ keeping. Vague or incomplete directions fail, at the very moment that the inexperienced attempt to put them into practice. Natural swarming may, unquestionably, be made highly profitable; and as it is the most obvious way of multiply¬ ing colonics, and requires the least knowledge or skill, it will undoubtedly be the favorite method with most bee¬ keepers, for many years, at least. I shall, therefore, show how it may be conducted more profitably than ever, by the use of my hives; many of its most embarrassing diffi¬ culties being effectually obviated. 1. A serious objection to reliance on natural swarming, is the vexatious fact, that most swarming-hives are so con¬ structed, that, although bees often refuse to swarm at all, they cannot furnish to their crowded occupants the proper accommodations for storing honey. Under such cir¬ cumstances, hordes of useless consumers often blacken, for months, the outside of the hives, to the great loss of their disappointed owners. In the movable-comb hives, an abundance of storage-room can always be given to the bees; so that, if indisposed to swarm, they have recepta¬ cles easily accessible, and made doubly attractive by empty 140 THE HIVE AND IIONET-BEE. comb, in which to store up any quantity of honey they can possibly gather. 2. Another objection to natural swarming arises from the disheartening fact, that bees are liable to swarm so often, as to destroy the value of both the parent-stock, and its after-swarms. Experienced bee-keepers obviate this difficulty, by making one good colony out of two second swarms, and returning to the parent-stock all swarms after the second, and even this if the season is far advanced. Such operations often consume more time than they are worth. By removing all the queen-cells but one, after the first swarm has left, second swarming may be prevented in my hives ; and by removing all but two, provision may be made for the issue of second swarms, and yet all further swarming be prevented. After-swarms, in many instances, have to be returned again and again, before one queen is allowed by the bees to destroy the others. In this way, a large part of the gathering season is wasted; as bees often seem unwilling to work with their wonted energy, so long as the pretensions of several rival queens are unsettled.* 3. Another very serious objection to natural swarming, as practiced with the common hives, is, that it furnishes no facilities for making vigorous stocks of late and small swarms. The time and money devoted to feeding small * Before Inventing the movable-comb hive, I obviated, as far as possible, the evils of after-swarming, by the following plan: the second swarm, as soon as hived, was placed on the top of the parent-stock, or so, that the entrances to the old and new colonics would be near together, and face the same way. If a third swarm issued, it was added, at sunset, to the second swarm, by placing the hive or box containing that swarm, on a sheet, and shaking out the third swarm before its entrance. In three or four days—sufficient time being given for the young queens to become impregnated—the bees in tho after-swarm were added, In the same way, to the paront-stock. One queen would quickly kill the other, and the next morn ing, the conjoined swarms being on a familiar spot, would work as well as though they had never been separated. Tho comb which they had built in tho new hive was used in the spare honey-boxes. SWARMING AND HIVING. 141 colonics are usually wasted ; as the larger portion of them never survive the Winter, and most of those that do, are so enfeebled as to be of little value. If they escape being robbed by stronger stocks, or destroyed by the moth, they seldom recruit in season to swarm, and often, unless the feeding is repeated a second season, they perish at last. Doubtless, many of my readers, from their own experience, can indorse every word of these remarks; having found the attempt to multiply colonies, by nursing and feeding small swarms in the common hives, usually attended with nothing but loss and vexation. The more of such stocks a mail has, the poorer he is; for by their weakness, they constantly tempt his strong swarms to evil courses; until at last, they prefer, as far as they can, to live by stealing, rather than by habits of honest industry; and even if the feeble colonies escape being plundered, they often become nurseries for raising a supply of moths, to infest his Apiary. Suitable directions are furnished, in the chapter upon Feeding Bees, for building up the smallest after-swarms into vigorous stocks, and for strengthening such colonics as are feeble in the Spring. 4. As both the parent-stocks and the after-swarms very frequently lose their young queens after swarming, a hive by which this misfortune can be easily remedied, will be of great service to those who practice natural swarming. An intelligent bee-keeper once assured me that he should use one movable-comb hive in his Apiary, for this purpose, at least, even if it had no merit in other respects. 5. In the comnion hives, but little can be done to dis¬ lodge the bee-moth, when it has gained the ascendency; whereas, in mine, it can be easily extirpated. (See remarks on the Bee-Moth.) 6. In the common hives, it is difficult to remove an old 142 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. queen when her fertility is impaired; whereas, in mine, it can easily be done ; and an Apiarian may always hav e queens in the full vigor of their reproductive powers. Intelligent Apiarians will sec, from these remarks, tliat with movable-comb hives, natural swarming can be carried on with greater certainty than ever before, many of the perplexing discouragements under which they have hith¬ erto prosecuted it, being effectually remedied. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 143 CHAPTER X. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. The numerous efforts made for more than fifty years, to dispense with natural swarming, show the anxiety of Al >iarians to find some better mode of increasing their colonies. Although, by the control of the combs, bees may be propagated by natural swarming, with a rapidity and cer¬ tainty hitherto unattainable, still, there are difficulties in¬ herent to this mode of increase, and therefore incapable of being removed by any kind of hive. Before describing the various methods which have been contrived for in creasing colonies by artificial means, these difficulties will be briefly enumerated, so that every bee-keeper may decide intelligently which is his best way to multiply his stocks. 1. The numerous swarms lost every year is a strong argument against natural swarming. An eminent Apiarian has estimated, that taking into account all who keep bees, one-fourth of the best swarms are lost every season. While some bee-keepers seldom lose a swarm, the majority suffer serious losses by the flight of their bees to the woods; and it is next to impos¬ sible, even for the most careful, to prevent such occur¬ rences, if their bees arc allowed to swarm. 2. Natural swarming is objectionable, on account of the time and labor which it requires. The Apiary must be closely watched during the whole swarming-season; and if this business is intrusted to thoughtless children, or careless adults, many swarms will 3*4 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. be lost. If many colonies are kept, a competent person should always be on hand, in the height of the season, to attend to the bees. Even the Sabbath cannot be observed as a day of rest; as the bee-keeper is often compelled to spend it in hard work among his bees. Although it is as proper for him to hive his bees on that day, as it is to take care of his other stock, still, the liability to such labor de¬ ters many from Apiarian pursuits. Many merchants, mechanics, and professional men, vv ho wish to keep bees, cannot superintend them during the swarming-season ; and are thus often kept from a pursuit intensely fascinating to an inquiring mind.* No man who spends some of his leisure in studying the wonderful in¬ stincts of bees, will ever complain that lie can find nothing to fill up his time, out of the range of his business or the gratification of his appetites. Bees may be kept with great advantage, even in large cities, and those who are debarred from rural pursuits may still listen to their sooth¬ ing hum, and harvest annually tlicir delicious nectar. If the Apiarian could always be at home during the swarming-season, it would still be oftentimes very incon¬ venient for him to attend to his bees. The farmer, for instance, may be interrupted in the business of hay-mak¬ ing, by the cry that his bees are swarming; and by the time he has hived them, perhaps a shower comes up, and his hay is injured more than the swarm is worth. Thus, the keeping of a few bees, instead of being a source of profit, may prove an expensive luxury; while in a largo Apiary, the embarrassments are often seriously increased. If, after a succession of days unfavorable for swarming, the weather becomes pleasant, it often happens that * “Bee-life,” says Prof. Slebold, “does not merely serve to furnish man vritb wax, honey, and mead, but constitutes an extremely Important link in the grcai and most multifariously-composed chain of animal existence.” Plate XIII. Fig. 37. Fig. 42. Fig. 38. Fig. 30. Fig. 40. ^ 5 J 3 Fig. 43. Fig. 40. Fig. 41. Fig. 50. Fig. 59. Fig. 44. Fig. 60. Fig. 61. Fig. 45. Fig. 62. Fig. 63. Fig. 64. Fig. 65. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 14b several swarms rise at once, and cluster together ; and not unfrequently, in the noise and confusion, other swarms fly off, and are lost. I have seen the bee-master, under such circumstances, so perplexed and exhausted as to be almost ready to wish he had never seen a bee. 3. The multiplying of bees by natural swarming, must, in our country, almost entirely prevent the establishment of large Apiaries. The swarming season is, with most bee-keepers, the busiest part of the year, and if they keep a large number of swarming-hives, they must devote nearly all their time, for a number of weeks, to their supervision; and at a season when labor commands the highest price, they may also be obliged to hire additional assistance. To keep a few colonies in swarming-hives, often costs more than they are worth, while the supervision of a large number can be made profitable, only by those who can de¬ vote nearly all the Summer months to their bees. The number of such persons, in this country, must be very small; and hence there are few who have succeeded in making bee-keeping anything more than a subordinate pursuit. 4. A serious objection to natural swarming, is the dis¬ couraging fact that bees often refuse to swarm at all; thus the Apiarian finds it impossible to multiply his colonies with any certainty or rapidity, even although he may be favorably situated for conducting bee-culture on an exten¬ sive scale. Many of the most careful bee-keepers have fewer stocks than they had years ago, although they have sought to increase them to the extent of their power. Few in¬ telligent Apiarians believe that there are half as many colonies in our Northern and Middle States, as there were twenty years ago ; and most of them would abandon bee- 7 146 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. keeping, if they did not regard it as a source of pleasant recreation, rather than of pecuniary profit; while others do not hesitate to say that much more money has, ot late years, been spent upon patent hives, than those who have used them have realized from their bees. It is an easy matter to make calculations on paper* al¬ most as flattering as an imaginary tour to the gold mines of Australia or California. Only purchase a patent bee¬ hive, and if it fulfills the promises of its sanguine inventor, a fortune must be realized in a few years; but such are the disappointments resulting from bees refusing to swarm, that if the hive could remedy all other difficulties, it would still fail to answer the reasonable wishes of the experienced Apiarian. If every swarm of bees could be made to yield a profit of twenty dollars a year, the bee-keeper could not multiply his stocks, by natural swarming, so as to meet * The following calculation ot possible profits from bee-culture, taken from “Sydserff’s Treatios on Bees,” published in England, in 1792, is a perfect gem of its kind: “Suppose a swarm of bees at the first to cost 10s. 6d., and neither them nor the swarms to be taken, but to do well, and swarm once every year”—bees mu6t be naughty, Indeed, if they dare to do otherwise 1—“ what will bo the product for four¬ teen years, and what the profit, if each hive is sold at 10s. 6d. ? Years. Hives. 1 2 3 4 • * 1 2 4 8 * * 14 8192 Profits. £ s. s hf>ve built combs nearly four Inches thick; and have afterwards pieced their lower ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 15 j by dividing the old hive, the queenlcss part has thousands of cells filled with brood and eggs, and yout g bees will be hatching for at least three weeks : by this time, the young queen will ordinarily be laying eggs, so that there will be an interval of not more than three weeks, during which the colony will receive no accessions. But when a new swarm is formed, in the way above described, not an egg will be laid for nearly three weeks, and not a bee hatched for nearly six. During all this time, the colony will rapidly decrease ;* and by the time the progeny of the young queen begins to mature, the new hive will have so few bees, that it would seldom be of any value, even if its combs were of the best construction. After thoroughly testing this last plan of artificial swarming, I have found that it has not the least practical value; and as this is the method which Apiarians have usually tried, it is not strange that hitherto, they have almost unanimously condemned artificial swarming. Another method of artificial swarming has been zeal¬ ously advocated, which, seeming to require the smallest amount of labor or skill, would be everywhere practiced, if it could only be made effectual. A number of hives are to be connected by holes, so as to allow the bees to travel from any one to all the others. The bees, on this plan, are to colonize Ihe/nseloes , and it is asserted that in due time, edge with worker-cells, for the accommodation of the young queen. So uniformly do bees with an uuhatched queen build coarse, or drone-comb, that ofton a glance at the combs of a now colony, will show either that it is queenless, or that, having been so, it has just reared a now queen. It i3 not necessary that a queen should have commenced laying eggs to Induce her colony to build worker-cells; I have known a strong swarm with a virgin queen, almost to fill their hive with beautiful worker-comb, before a singlo egg was deposited in the colls. * Every observing bee-keeper must have noticed how rapidly even a large swarm diminishes in number, for the first three woeks after it has been hived, bo groat is the mortality of bees during the height of the working-season, that often, in h**s than that time, it docs not contain one half its original number. 152 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. a single swarm, of its own accord, will form a large num¬ ber ot independent families, each possessing its own queen, and all living in perfect harmony. This method, so fascinating in theory, though repeat¬ edly tried 'with various ingenious modifications, has in every instance proved an entire failure. If the -bees are allowed to pass from one hive to another, they will confine their breeding operations mostly to a single apartment, if it is of the ordinary size, and will use the others chielly for storing honey. This is almost invariably the case, if the additional room is given by collateral or side boxes, as the queen seldom enters such apartments for the pur pose of breeding; if, however, the new hive is directly below that in which the swarm was first lodged, and the con¬ nections are suitable, she will be almost certain to descend and lay her eggs in the new combs, as soon as they are begun by the bees. The upper hive being now almost en¬ tirely abandoned by her, the bees fill the cells with honey, as fast as the brood is hatched, their instinct impelling them to keep their stores of honey, if possible, above the breeding-cells. So long as bees have an abundance of room below their main hive, they very seldom swarm ; but if it is on the sides of their hive, or above them, they often swarm rather than take possession of it. In none of these cases, however, do they ever form independent colonies, if left to themselves. The skillful Apiarian may, doubtless, compel his bees to rear an artificial colony, by separating from the main hive, by a slide, an apartment that happens to contain brood; but unless his hives admit of thorough inspection, as he can never know their exact condition, he will be far more likely to fail than to succeed. This plausible theory, there¬ fore, to be reduced to even an empirical and precarious ARTIFICIAL 6\VARMING. 153 practice, requires more skill, care, labor, an 1 time, than are necessary to manage the ordinary swarming-hives. The failure, on the part of experienced, as well as inex¬ perienced Apiarians, of so many attempts to increase col¬ onies by artificial means, has led many to adv ocate the general use of non-swarming hives. In such hives, very large harvests of honey are often obtained from strong Stocks of bees; but it is evident that if the formation of new colonies were generally discouraged, the insect would soon be exterminated. Although the movable-comb hive may be made more effectually to prevent swarming than any with which I am acquainted, still there are some objections to the non¬ swarming plan which cannot be removed. To say nothing of its preventing the increase of stocks, bees usually work with diminished vigor, after they have been kept in a non¬ swarming hive for several seasons. This will be obvious to any one who will compare the super-abounding energy of a new swarm, with the more sluggish working of even a much stronger non-swarming stock. An old queen, whose fertility has become impaired, can be easily caught and removed, in the movable-comb hive; but when hives are used in which this cannot be done, the Apiary will contain queens that have passed their prime, and some which may die when there are no eggs from which others can be reared. On no subject has the author of this work experimented more fully than on that of Artificial Swarming; and those bee-keepers to whom this chapter may, at first, seem need¬ lessly diffuse, will find that it contains many important principles, which, in any other connection, would probably have required even more fullness of detail. Before detailing the various methods of Artificial Swarming which may be practiced in the movable-comb 154 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. hives, I shall describe one which may be used with almost any hive, by those who have sufficient confidence to man¬ age bees. About the season of natural swarming, what 1 shall call a forced swarm , may be obtained from a populous stock,* by the following process. Choose that part of a pleasant day, when many bees are abroad, and if any are clustered on the bottom-board or outside of the hive, puff among them a few whiffs of smoke — that from spunk is best—so as to drive them up among the combs. The bees will go up more readily if the hive is tipped back, or ele¬ vated by small wedges, about one-quarter of an inch above the bottom-board. Have in readiness a box — which I shall call the forcitu/ box —whose diameter is about the same with that of tlie hive from which you intend to drive the swarm. Lift the Live from its bottom-board without the slightest jar, turn it over, and carefully carry it off about a rod, as bees, if disturbed, are much more inclined to be peaceable, when removed a short distance from their fami¬ liar stand. If the hive is gently placed upside down on the ground, scarcely a bee will fly out, and there will be little danger of being stung. The timid and inexperienced should protect themselves with a bee-dress, and may gently sprinkle the bees with sugar-water, or blow more smoke among them, as soon as the hive is inverted. After placing it on the ground, the forcing-box must be put over it, and every opening between it and the hive, from which a bee might escapcf, should be stopped with paper, or any convenient material. The forcing-box, if smooth inside, ♦“Driving succeeds best in warm weather, and with populous stocks; for if the combs be not worked down to the floor-board, the bees are upt to colloit in the open space instead of ascending Into the upper box.”— Bevan. t In my own practice, I use a box, the inside edges of which are beveled, to facilitate the ascent of the bees, and the back hinged, so that it can bo opened for seeing the queen as she goes up with them. The few bees that may escape, even If not full of honey are too bewildered by their change of position, to make any attack. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 155 should have slats fastened one-third of the distance from die top, to aid the bees in clustering. As soon as the Apiarian has confined the bees, he should place an empty hive—which I shall call the decoy-hive — apon their old stand, which those returning from the fields may enter, instead of dispersing to other hives, to meet, perhaps, with a most ungracious reception. As a general rule, however, a bee with a load of honey or bee-bread, after the extent of his resources is ascertained, is pretty sui-e to be welcomed by any hive to which he may carry his treasure; while a poverty-stricken unfortu¬ nate that presumes to claim their hospitality is, usually, at once destroyed. The one meets with as flattering a recep¬ tion as a wealthy gentleman proposing to take up his abode in a country village, while the other is as much an object of dislike as a poor man, who bids fair to become a public charge. To return to our imprisoned bees: their hive should be beaten smartly with the palms of the hands, or two small rods, on the sides to which the combs are attached, so as to run no risk of loosening* them. These “rappings,” although not of a very “ spiritual ” character, produce, nevertheless, a decided eflect upon the bees. Their first impulse, if no smoke were used, would be to sally out, and wreak their vengeance on those who thus rudely assail their honied dome ; but as soon as they inhale its fumes, and feel the terrible concussions of their once stable abode, a sudden fear that they are to be driven from their treas¬ ures, takes possession of them. Determined to prepare for this unceremonious writ of ejection, by carrying oil' what they can, each bee begins to lay in a supply, and in * There Is little danger of loosening the combs of an old stock, but the greatost camion is necessary when tho combs of a lilvo are new. If, In inverting such a hive, the l^nd aides of tho combs, instead of their «tf(7«f,are inclined downwards, tbn heat, and weight of the bees, may loosen the combs, and ruin the stock. 156 THE HIVK AND HONET-BSR. about five minutes, all are filled to their utmost capacity. A prodigious humming is now heard, as they begin to mount int^the upper box; and in about fifteen minutes from the time the rapping began—if it has been continued with but slight intermissions—the mass of the bees, with their queen, will hang clustered in the forcing-box, like any natural swarm, and may, at the proper time, be readily shaken out, on a sheet, in front of their intended hive. If the forced swarm could now be put on the old stand, and the parent-hive removed to a new place in the Apiary; or if the latter could be returned to its usual position, and the former be put somewhere else, it would simplify very much the making of artificial swarms. Neither method, however, can be pursued without serious loss; for if the position of a colony lias been changed by the bee-keeper , the bees will not adhere to the new place, as they do when they swarm of their own accord. In every case when the position of its hive has been changed, each bee, as it sallies out, flies with its head turned towards it, that by marking the surrounding objects, it may find its way back. If, however, the bees did not emigrate of their own free will , most of them appearing to forget that their location has been changed, return to the familiar spot; for it would seem that, “ A ‘ bee removed ’ against its will, Is of the same opinion still. ” Should the Apiarian, ignorant of this fact, place the forced swarm on the old stand, and remove the parent- stock to a new place, the latter would lose so many of the bees which ought to be retained in it, that most of its unsealed brood would perish from neglect. If, on the contrary, he should remove the forced swarm to a new position, it would be so depopulated as to be of little value ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 157 These difficulties may be obviated by removing either colony about half a mile from its former home, in which case, if forage is abundant, nearly all will remain in their proper hive. Some recommend that they should be car¬ ried off at least three miles; but I have found that this is unnecessary, unless there is a deficiency of blossoms in the immediate vicinity of their new home. If the colonies are carried off, the precautions given elsewhere* for mov¬ ing bees must be carefully followed; also the directions for retaining a sufficient number of bees in the parent- stock. Those not carried off must be put on their old stands. As the transportation of colonies is laborious, and often¬ times expensive, I shall describe the methods which, after years of experimenting, I have devised for dispensing with it. I have ascertained that, if a hive is removed, most of the bees returning from abroad and alighting upon a neighboring hive, if kindly received, will not go back to their former stand. Even the temporary loss of their old home is followed by a distraction which makes on them such a permanent impression, that they mark their new location as carefully as a new swarm. Now I find that, on the same principle, nearly all the bees which have returned from the fields, while a swarm is being forced from the parent-hive, will enter this hive if it is put upon its old stand, and adhere to it afterwards wherever it may be placed. As soon, therefore, as the bee-keeper has forced a swarm, the forcing-box must be gently lifted off, and set in a shady place where the bees will have plenty of air. The parent-stock should now be put, without crushing any bees, on the old stand, so that all which have returned from foraging may enter it. The bees, which before this were * The copious alphabetical Index at tho end, makes it easy to refer to any. sub¬ ject discussed in this book. 158 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. running in and out of the decoy-hive, in a state of the greatest distraction, will crowd into their old home, and afterwards adhere to it wherever placed! It should now be removed to a new stand, and its entrance* closed-until sunset. Unless this precaution is adopted, the bees in other hives, ascertaining its weak and queenless condition, may attempt to rob it. If the stock from which the artificial colony was driven, were intending to swarm, it will contain maturing queens, one of which will soon take the place of the old one, as in natural swarming. If no royal cells were in progress, the bees 11411 proceed to construct them. Artificial colonies should not be formed until drones have made their appearance, or the young queen may fail to be impregnated, and the parent-stock may perish. We return now to our forced swarm. The bees should be shaken out of the forcing-box, and hived like a new swarm, when, if placed on their old stand, they will work as vigorously as a natural swarm. If they were driven, at first, into a hive which will suit the Apiarian, it may be returned to their old location, without disturbing the bees. If, in driving the swarm, or in transferring it from the forcing-box, the queen was not seen, it may be certainly known, in from five to fifteen minutes after the bees have entered their new hive, whether or not she is with them. As soon as the bees are clustered in the hive, if they do not find her, a few will come out and run about, as if anxiously searching for something they have lost. The alarm is rapidly communicated to the whole colony; the ♦ In closing tlio entrance, the bee-koeper will see that sufficient air is admitted, but not enough to chill the brood. If the woather should suddenly become very cool, and the hive is quite thin, it will be advisable to cover it with something that will aid in preserving its internal heat. The samo precautions are often important in hives which have swarmed naturally artificial swarming. 159 explorers are rapidly reinforced, tlie ventilators suspend their operations, and soon the air is filled with bees. If they cannot find the queen, they return to their old stand, and if no hive is there, will soon enter one of the adjoin¬ ing colonies. If their queen is restored to them soon after they miss her, those running out of the hive will make a half-circle, and return; the joyful news is quickly communicated to those on the wing, who forthwith alight and enter the hive ; all appearance of agitated running about on the outside of the hive, ceases, and ventilation, with its joyful hum, is again resumed.* If the bees re¬ main quiet in the new hive, for about fifteen minutes, the queen is almost certainly with them. If the Apiarian, in making his artificial swarm, does not see the queen, he must wait until the bees show, by their conduct, whether she is with them or not. If they begin to leave the hive, the entrance must be closed, to confine them until the parent-stock can be drummed again, and the queen, if possible, secured. If she cannot be induced to leave the parent-stock, and another cannot be had to supply her place, the bees must be returned, and the driving resumed at another time. A queen, however, which does not go up the first time, is very apt to persist in her refusal. In forcing a swarm, I have directed that it be done when * To witness these interesting proceedings, it Is only necessary to catch the queen, and keep her until she is missed by her colony. For greater security, I usually confine her, when taken from the bees, in a small paper-funnel, with twisted ends, from which she may be easily taken. It is a mistake to suppose that a swarm will not enter a hive unless the queen Is with them. If some start for it, the others will speedily follow, all seeming to take foi granted that the queen is somewhere among them. Even after they begin to disperse in search of her, they may often be induced to leturn, by pour- Ine out a fresh lot of bees, which, by entering the hive with fanning wings, cause tho others to believe that the queen is coming at last. Hoes which miss their quoon, under such circumstances, will accept of any one -list may bo 0 ffore d tnurn; and may often be pacified with worker-comb. 160 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. many workers are abroad, in order that they may he induced to adhere to the parent-stock. Many bee-keepers, however, may prefer to make their swarms early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, when few bees are at work. In this case, a proper number of adherents may he obtained for the parent-stock, by shaking out the bees from the forcing-box on a sheet, that as they enter the hive in which they are permanently to reside, many may take wing, and return to the decoy-hive. If the number is still too small, after most of the bees have entered the new hive, the sheet with some adhering to it may be carried to the decoy-hive. After these bees show that they miss their queen, by running in great confusion in and out and over the hive, the parent-hive must be presented to them, and when they have entered it, removed to a new position in the Apiary, and the forced swarm returned to the old 6tand. If one-quarter of the bees are left in the parent- stock, the supply will be ample; larger, indeed, than is usually left in natural swarming. If there are in the Apiary several old stocks standing close together, it is highly desirable in performing these various operations, that the decoy-hive, and that for the forced swarm, should be of the same shape and even color with that of the parent-stock. If they are very unlike, and the returning bees attempt to enter a neighboring hive, because it resembles their old home, the adjoining hives should have sheets thrown over them, to hide them from the bees, until the operation is completed. I have sometimes obtained a supply of adhering bees for the parent-stock, by placing it on the old stand, and removing the forced swarm to a new location. The larger part of the bees will of course return to their former home; some, however, will remain with their queen, and begin tc labor in the new hive. In two or three days, exchange the ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 161 position of the two hives, when enough bees which have become accustomed to the new place, will return t< it, to carry on their operations in the parent-stock. This plan has the advantage of retaining most of the bees in tho parent-stock, until the cells for rearing young queens are begun ; it will also suit bee-keepers who are pressed for time, and are obliged to force their stocks, early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when but few bees are abroad in the fields. If the parent-stock stands at some distance from others, and resembles in shape, size, and color, that intended for the forced swarm, a proper division of the bees may be effected as follows: Place the parent-stock about six inches to the right of the old stand, and the forced swarm as fai to the left; so that the position of the old entrance shall be about equally distant from each. If either colony con¬ tains too few bees, it may bo moved a little nearer to the old entrance; or it may be reinforced, after the bees have gone to work, by closing the entrance of the stronger hive until dark. If the old stocks stand close together, some prefer another mode of forming the artificial swarm. After the bees have been driven from the parent-stock, the forced swarm is at once placed on the old stand, while the parent- stock in which the proper number of bees has been left, is set in a cool place, and shut up — care being taken to give them air — until late in the afternoon of the third day. It may now be put on its permanent stand, and opened an hour or two before sunset, when the bees will take wing almost as if intending to swarm. Some will join the forced swarm on the old stand, but most, after hovering a short time in the air, will re-enter their hive. While the entrance was closed, thousands of young bees were hatch¬ ed, and these, knowing no other home, will all unite in the 162 TUK HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. labors of th 3 hive. The imprisoned bees ought to be supplied with water, to enable them to prepare food for the larva). In the common hive this may be injected with a straw through a gimlet-hole. Where artificial swarming is practiced on a large scale, I have devised a plan which I very much prefer to any pre¬ viously described. Let the Apiarian obtain a forced swarm* from some bee-keeper, a mile or two off, or from one of his own stocks, carried that distance before the bees began to work in the Spring. Bringing it home, according to the directions subsequently given for transporting bees, let it be confined in a cool place, so as to have plenty of air. Late in the afternoon, or early next morning, let him force four or fivef swarms, placing them, at once, on the stands of the parent-stocks, and these latter where it is in¬ tended they shall permanently remain. The forced swarm, brought from a distance, should now be shaken out on a sheet, a foot or more from a hive, and gently sprinkled, so as to prevent any bees from taking wing. With a saucer, scoop up, without hurting any of them, as many bees as you can, and carry them to the mouth of one of the old stocks, from which you have driven a swarm. Continue to do this, until you have about equally apportioned the bees, and if any remain on the sheet, carry it to the mouth of the hive which has received the least.J These bees, having no previous home in your Apiary, will adhere to the different hives in which they arc placed, and thus, * If he delays artificial swarming until natural swarms begin to Issue, bo may ase them in the same way. t An expert will force them all In tho timo usually taken by a novice to force one. As soon as a forcing-box Is placed over one hive, he will remove another •rom its stand, and then the rest, and in drumming them will pass from one to anotlior, so as to lose not a moment’s timo in the whole operation. Ten artificial swarms, or even more, may be made, in this way, in loss than an houi after sun¬ rise or before sunset. X The queen should be lookod for, and tho hive noted to which she is givon. II %ho has ontered the empty hive, sho may be easily secured. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 163 without any further trouble, your parent-stocks and forced swarms will alike prosper. One great advantage which this method has over all others, is, that it secures, so simply and effectually, the necessary number of bees for the parent-stocks. Inexpe¬ rienced persons, instead of being perplexed to know how many bees they shall leave in the forced stocks, may drive from them, if they can, every bee. If the bee-keeper can¬ not conveniently obtain a swarm from a distance, he may use, for this purpose, the first natural swarm which comes off in his own Apiary; and by delaying to make artificial colonies until natural swarms begin to issue, every such swarm may be used for forming at least four artificial swarms. Or, by the method recommended by Dr. Don- hoff, of Germany, he may secure a colony, which, when divided in the way above mentioned, will adhere to their new locations: “On an evening, when the next day promises to be clear and warm, drive out a swarm, and set it in the place of the parent-stock. Next day, when it is warm, pour some honey among the bees in the box, and in a few hours they will swarm.”* The directions given for the formation of artificial colo¬ nies, differ, in some important respects, from any furnished by other writers, and arc so simple that any one accustomed to handle bees can easily follow them. They enable the » A forced swartn may be made to adhere to Its now location ns follows: Secure their queen, when they are shaken out of the hive; and when they show that they miss her, conflno them to their hive, until their agitation has reached its height. Then open the hive, and as the bees begin to take wing, present to them their queen (see p. 159). When they have clustered around her, they may be treated like a natural swarm. To do this with every forced swarm would take too much timo; but It would nnswor well when the forced swarm is to be divided, as above, into four or five parts. Mr. P. J. Mahan, of Philadelphia, informs mo that ho has several times suc¬ ceeded in making an old colony adhere to a new place in the Apiary, by healing tbo hive, after the beos have been shut in, oven at the risk of slightly injurlngsomo of itc combs. When It is opened, tho bees will fly out In great numbers, out neaily an will return to their hive on the now stand. 164 THE HTVE AND HONEY-BEE. Apiarian, let him use what hive he will, to be entirely independent of natural swarming. It will he obvious, however, that artificial swarming, to be successful, requires a knowledge of the laws which con¬ trol the breeding of bees. Those, therefore, who are ig¬ norant of the economy of the bee-hive, cannot safely depart from the old-fashioned mode of management; as emergencies which they are unprepared to meet, may at any moment occur. An Apiarian may use the common hives* a whole life-time, and, unless he gains his infor¬ mation from other sources, may yet remain ignorant of some of the most important principles in the physiology of the honey-bee: while any intelligent cultivator may, with movable-combs, in a single season, verify for himself the discoveries which have been made only by tlie-accu- mulated toil of many observers, for more than two thou¬ sand years. By the aid of movable-comb liives, artificial swarming * “ An opportunity of beholding the proceedings of the qneon, in hives of tho usual form, is so very rarely afforded, that many Apiarians have passed their lives without enjoying it; and Reaumur liimsolf, even with the assistance of a glass-hive, acknowledges that he was many years before he had that pleasure.”— Bevan. Swammerdam, who wrote his wonderful treatise on bees, before the invention of glass hives, was obliged to tear hives to pieces in making his investigations I When wo see what Important results these great geniuses obtained, with means so Imperfect, if compared with the facilities which the veriest tyro may now possess, it ought to teach us a becoming lesson of humility. Tho sentiments of tho following extract from Swammerdam, ought to be engraven upon the hearts of all engaged in investigating the works of God: “ 1 would not have any one think that I say this from a lovo of fault-finding"—ho had been criticising some incorrect drawings and descriptions—“ my sole design is to have the true face and disposition of Nature exposed to sight. I wish others may pass the like censure, when due, on my works; for I doubt not that I have made many mistakes, although I can, from the heart, say, that I have not, in this treatiso designed to mislead. * * * The desire of writing is so prevalent, that men publish books filled only with the fancies of their brain, and thus misrepresent God and his works. God forbid that I should ever do this. Truth, and a religious scrupu¬ lousness of mind, ought everywhere to prevail in describing natural things; for they are the Bibles of the divine miracles. If he who writes aims to deceive him self and others, let him know that in duo timo all things will bo revealed." ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 165 may be easily and quickly performed. An empty hive, with its frames properly arranged, must be in readiness to receive the new swarm; and before carrying the parent- stock from its stand, a little smoke should be pulled into the entrance, which should then be closed with the movable-blocks. Remove, now, one or two of the tins that cover the holes on the spare honey-board (PI. VIII., Fig- 21), and blow smoke into the hive, until the bees begin to make a loud humming, when the honey-board may be loosened with a knife, and safely removed, care being taken to set it on its edge, so as not to crush the bees with which its under surface is usually covered. No danger need be apprehended from these bees, as they are completely bewildered by their sudden exposure to the light, and removal from the hive. Any of the large “ supers ”* used in my hives, or any other box of suitable dimensions, may now be set over the bees, into which they may be driven, in the way described on page 155. A little more smoke blown into the entrance of the hive, will obviate the necessity of much rapping, and materially quicken the ascent of the bees.f After they have been driver, from the parent-stock, the directions must be fol¬ lowed which have already been so minutely described. Whenever the bee-keeper learns how to handle safely the movable-frames—full directions for doing which will soon be given—he may,dispense with the forcing-box, and make his swarms by lifting out the frames from the parent- stock, and shaking the bees from them, by a quick jerking motion, upon a sheet, directly in front of the new hive. As soon as a comb is deprived of its bees, it should be re¬ turned to the parent-stock. If one or two combs contain- • This term is used by Apiarians to designate any upper box placed over the train lower-hive. An empty hive, like that in Pi. I„ Fig. 1., or a hive like that ia Pi. III., Fig. 2.—if invortod—will answer for a forcing-box. t Time will bo saved by arranging (p. 162) to force several swarms at onoe. THE HIVE AND H0NEV-BEE. 166 ing brood, eggs, and stores, are given to the forced swarm, it will be much encouraged, and will need no feeding, if the weather should be unfavorable. In removing the frames, the bee-keeper should look for the queen, and give the comb on which she is, to the forced swarm, without shaking oil’ the bees. If he does not see her on the combs, he will seldom fail to notice her, after a little prac¬ tice, as she is shaken on the sheet, and crawls towards the new hive. The queen is seldom left on a frame after it has been shaken so that most of the bees fall off. As soon as the necessary number of bees have been transferred to the new hive, the precautions previously given must be used to obtain adhering bees for the parent-stock. If the proper allowance of bees is secured for the parent- stock by the method described on page 162, the hive for the forced swarm may be placed at once on the old stand, and the bees from the parent-stock shaken from the frames upon a sheet, so placed that they can easily run into their new hive. If the forced swarms were made a short time before natural swarming would have taken place, some of the parent-stocks will contain a number of maturing queens, which may be removed, a few days before hatching, and given to such as have started none. By making a few forced swarms, about a week or ten days before tbe time in which thj» most are to be made, there will be an abundance of sealed queens, almost ma¬ ture, so that every parent-stock may have one. If an un¬ hatched queen can be given, on her frame, to each stock that needs it, so much the better; but if there are not enough frames with sealed queens, while some contain two or more, the bee-keeper must proceed as follows: With a sharp pen-knife, carefully remove a piece of comb, an inch or more square, that contains a queen-cell; and in ARTIFICIAL SWAIMING. 167 one of the combs of the hive to which this cell is to bo given, cut a place just large enough to receive and hold it in a natural position. If it is not secure, apply, with a feather, a little melted wax, where the edges meet, and the bees will soon fasten it to suit themselves. Unless very great care is used in transferring a royal cell, its inmate will be destroyed, as her body, until she is nearly mature, is so exceedingly soft, that a slight com¬ pression of her cell—especially near the base, where there is no cocoon—generally proves fatal. For this reason, it is best to defer removing them, until they are within three or four days of hatching. A queen-cell, nearly mature, may be known by its having the wax removed from the lid, by the bees, so as to give it a brown appearance. The forcing of a swarm ought not to be attempted when the weather is so cool as to chill the brood; and never unless there is sufficient light not only to enable the Apiarian to see distinctly, but for the bees that take wing to direct their flight to the entrance of their hive. Bees are always much more irascible when their hives are dis¬ turbed after it is dark, and as they cannot see where to fly, they will alight on the person of the bee-keeper, who will be almost sure to be stung. It is seldom that night work is attempted upon bees, without the operator having occasion to repent his folly. If the weather is not too cool, early in the morning, before the bees are stirring, is the best time for most operations, as there will then bo the least danger of annoyance from robber-bees. To some of my readers, it may appear almost incredible hat bees can be dealt with in the summary ways that have been described, without becoming greatly enraged ; so far, however, is this from being the case, that in my operations, I often use neither smoke, sugar-water, nor bee-dress, although I by no means advise the neglect of 168 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. such precautions. While the timid, if unprotected, are al¬ most sure to he stung, there is something in the determined aspect and movements of a courageous and skillful opera¬ tor, that seems often to strike bees with instant terror, so that they become perfectly submissive to his will. Artificial swarms may be created with perfect safety, even at mid-day, as the thousands of bees returning with their loads, never make an attack, while those at home can be easily pacified. The arrangement which permits the top of the movable- comb hive to be easily removed, and the sugar-water to be sprinkled upon the bees, before they attempt to take wing, has great advantages. If the hive opened on the side, like Dzierzon’s, it would be impossible to make the sweetened water run down between all the ranges of comb, and it would be necessary to use smoke* in every operation. The use of smoke frequently causes the queen to leave the combs, for greater security. This often causes great delay in the formation of artificial swarms by removing the frames, and in operations where it is de¬ sirable to catch the queen, or to examine her upon the comb. Huber thus speaks of the pacific effect produced upon the bees by the use of his loaf-hive: “ On opening the hive, no stings are to be dreaded, for one of the most singular and valuable properties attending my construc¬ tion, is its rendering the bees tractable. I ascribe their tranquillity to the manner in which they are affected by the sudden admission of light; they appear rather to testify fear than anger. Many retire, and entering the cells, seem to conceal themselves.” Huber has here fallen ♦ After using smoke sometimes two or three times a day, to open a hive upon which I was experimenting, I found that, at last, the cunning creatures, instead of filling themselves with honey, rushed out to attack me! A colony will lover refuse the sweetened water, however often it may be presented to them. Fig. 47. Plate XIV. ;xapllll Hili i 1 1 x c-c whaWwilHSai llill >| nr SsriteMHHMBHMlii ~trc ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 169 into an error which he probably would not have made, had he used his own eyes. The bees are, indeed, bewil¬ dered by the sudden admission of light, and will enter the cells, unless provoked by a sudden jar, or the breath of the operator; not, however, “ to conceal themselves but imagining that their sweets, thus unceremoniously ex¬ posed, are to be taken from them, they gorge themselves almost to bursting, to save what they can. They will always appropriate the contents of the open cells, as soon as their frames are removed from the hive. It is not merely the sudden admission of light, but its introduction from an unexpected quarter , that for the time disarms the hostility of the bees. They appear, for a few moments, almost as much confounded as a man would be, if, without any warning, the roof and ceiling of his house should suddenly be torn from over his head. Before they recover from their amazement, the sweet libation* is poured upon them, and their surprise is quickly changed into pleasure; or they are saluted with a puff of smoke, which, by alarming them for the safety of their treasures, induces them to snatch whatever they can. In the work¬ ing season, the bees near the top are gorged with honey; and those coming from below are met in their threatening ascent, either by an avalanche of nectar, which, like “ a soft answer,” most effectually “ turneth away wrath,” or a harmless smoke, which excites their fears, but leaves no unpleasant smell behind. No genuine lover of bees ought ever to use the sickening fumes of tobacco. The greatest care should be taken to repress, by the * If, when the hive Is first opened, honey-water Is used, instead of sugar-water or smoke, in sprinkling the bees, Its smell will be very apt to entice marauders from other hives. When the honey-harvest is abundant—and this is the best time for forcing swarms—bees are seldom Inclined to rob, if proper precautions are used. It is sometimes difficult to induce them to notice honey-combs, even when put in an exposed situation. 8 170 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. sweetened water or smoke, the first manifestations of anger; for as bees communicate their sensations to each other with almost magic celerity, while a whole colony will quickly catch the pleased or subdued notes uttered by a few, it will be roused to instant fury by the shrill note of anger from a single bee. When once they are thor¬ oughly excited, it will be found very difficult to subdue them, and the unfortunate operator, if inexperienced, will often abandon the attempt in despair. It cannot be too deeply impressed upon the beginner, that nothing irritates bees more than breathing upon them or jarring their combs. Every motion should be deliberate, and no attempt whatever made to strike at them. If inclined to be cross, they will often resent even a quick pointing at them with the finger, by darting upon it, and leaving their stings behind. A novice, or a person liable to be stung, will, of course, protect his face and hands. Directions have been given (p. 165), for removing the spare honey-board from the hive. As soon as it is dis¬ posed of, the Apiarian should sprinkle the bees with the sweet solution. This should descend from the watering- pot in a fine stream, so as not to drench the bees, and should fall upon the tops of the frames, as well as between the ranges of comb. The bees, accepting the proffered treat, will begin to lap it up, as peaceably as so many chickens helping themselves to corn. While they are thus engaged, the frames which have been glued fast to the rabbets by the bees, must be very gently pried loose; this may be done without any serious jar, and without wounding or enraging a single bee; the rabbets being wide enough to allow the frames to be pried from the rear to th c front, or vice versa. If the rabbets were only just wide enough to receive the shoulders of the frames, artificial swarming. 171 it would be necessary, in loosening the frames, to pry them laterally, or towards each other, by which they might be brought so close together, as to crush the bees, injure the brood, disfigure the combs, or even kill the queen. The frames may be all loosened for removal in less than a minute :* by this time the sprinkled bees will have filled themselves, or if all have not, the intelligence that sweets have been furnished, will diffuse an unusual good nature through the honied realm. The Apiarian should now gently push the third frame from either end of the hive, a little nearer to the fourth frame; and then the second as near as he can to the third, to get ample room to lifl out the end one, without crushing its comb, or injuring any of the bees. To remove it, he should take hold of its two shoulders which rest upon the rabbets, and carefully lift it, so as to crush no bees by letting it touch the sides of the hive, or the next frame. If it is desired to remove any particular frame, room must be gained by moving, in the same way, the adjoining ones on each side. As bees usually build their combs slightly waving, it will be found impossible to remove a frame safely, without making room for it in this way; and if the tops of the frames have not sufficient play on the rabbets, and between each other, the frames cannot be lifted out of the hive, without crush¬ ing the combs, and killing the bees. In handling the frames, be careful not to incline them from their perpen- dicidar, or the combs will be liable to break from their own weight, and fall out of the frames. If more combs are to be examined, afler lifting out the * Without smoke or sweetened water, ten minutes may be spont in opening and shutting a single frame in a Huber-hive, and oven then some of the bees will probably oe crushed. The great caution recommended by Huber in opening his hives, shows that he did not know how to make himself independent of tho anger the bee* 172 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. outside frame, set it carefully on end, near the hive,* when the second one may be easily moved towards the vacant space, and lifted out. After examination, put it in the place of the one first removed; in the same way, examine the third, and put it in place of the second, and so proceed until all have been examined. If the bees are to be removed, they must, of course, be shaken off on a sheet, as previously described. If the comb first taken out will fit, it may be put in the place of that last taken out; if it will not fit, and cannot be made to do so by a little trimming, the frames must be slid on the rabbets back to their former places, when this first comb may be returned to its old position. The inexperienced operator, who sees that the bees have built some small pieces of comb between the outside of the frames, and the sides of the hive, or slightly fastened together some parts of their combs, may imagine that the frames cannot be removed at all. Such slight attach¬ ments, however, offer no practical difficulty to their removal.f The great point to be gained, is to secure a single comb on each frame; and this is eflected by the use of the triangular comb-guides. If bees were disposed to fly away from their combs, as soon as they are taken out, instead of adhering to them with such remarkable tenacity, it would be far more diffi¬ cult to manage them; but even if their combs, when re- • If the frames, as they are removed, are put Into an empty hive, they may 1 o protected from the cold, and from robber-bees. t If sufficient room for storing surplus honey Is not given to a strong stock, In Its anxiety to amass as much as possible, it will fill the smallest accessible places. If the bees build comb between the tops of the frames, and the under side of tho spare honey-board, it can be easily cut off, and used for wax. If this shallow chamber were not used, they would fasten tho honey-board to tho frames so tightly, that it would be very difficult to remove it; and every time it was taken off, they would glue it still faster, so that, at last, it would bo well nigh impossible, in getting it off, not U start the frames so as to crush the bees between the combs. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 173 moved, are all arranged in a continued line, the bees, instead of leaving them, will stoutly defend them against the thieving pi ipensities of other bees. In returning the frames, care must be taken not to crush the bees between them and the rabbets on which they rest; they should be put in so slowly , that a bee, on feeling the slightest pressure, may have a chance to crcej. from under them before it is hurt. In shutting up the hive, the surplus honey-board should be carefully slid on, so that any bees which are in the way may be pushed before it, instead of being crushed. A beginner will find it to his advantage to practice — using an empty hive—the directions for opening and shutting hives, and lifting out the frames, until confident that he fully understands them. If any bees are where they would be imprisoned by clos¬ ing the upper cover, it should be propped up a little, until they have flown to the entrance of the hive: (PI. VII., Fig. 20.) An artificial colony may be made in five minutes from the time a hive is opened, if the queen is seen as quickly as she often is, by an expert. Fifteen minutes is, on ar. average, ample time to complete the whole work. In less than a week, if the weather is pleasant, an Apiarian with a hundred old stocks, by devoting to them a few hours every day, can, without any assistance, easily finish the business of swarming for the whole season. But if the formation of artificial swarms is delayed, as it always should be (p. - ), till near the time* for natural swarming, how can the bee-keeper, unless constantly on hand, escape the risk of losing some of his best swarms ? If he prefers to dispense entirely with natural swarming, he may deprive his fertile queens of their wings: (see ♦ It will bo easy—with movable-comb hives—to determine, by an occasional inspection, when the season for naturul swarming is approaching. 174 TIIIC HIVE AND HONKY-BEE. chapter on Loss of the Queen.) As an old queen leaves the hive only with a new swarm, the loss of her wings* in no way interferes with her usefulness, or the attachment of the bees. If, in spite of her inability to fly, she is bent on emigrating, though she has a “ will,” she can find “ no way,” but helplessly falls to the ground, instead of gaily mounting into the air. If the bees find her, they cluster around her, and may be easily secured by the Apiarian; if she is not found, they return to the parent-stock, to await the maturity of the young queens. As soon as the piping of the first-hatched queen is heard (p. 121), the Apiarian may force his swarm, unless—having fair warning of their intentions—he prefers to allow them to swarm in the natural way. The number of queens nearly ready to hatch which are usually found in such a stock, may be profitably used in the swarming season. As the queen can not get through an opening 5-32dsf of an inch high, which will just pass a loaded worker, if the entrance to the hive be contracted to this dimension, she will not be able to leave with a swarm : (see PI. III., Figs. 11, 12.) This method of preventing swarming,! requires great * Bees communicate with each other by their antenna, and Huber has proved that queens deprived of these, drop their eggs without care, and are unfit for pre¬ siding over a hive. t Huber does not give the size necessary for confining a queen; but lfe speaks of adjusting a glass tube , so as to pass out a worker, and not a queen. The small¬ est queen I ever saw, could not pass through my blocks. Although the workers are at first slightly annoyed by them, they soon become accustomed to them, os they do not confuse them, by presenting tho entrance in a new place. The ventila¬ tion not depending on this contracted entrance, abundance of air can be given to die bees, when the blocks are adjusted to confine the queen. \ Ill health, for the last two Summers, has prevented mo from giving this nethod of swarming such a full trial that I can confidently indorse it, except for temporary purposes; though I hove little doubt that it may be made entirely to prevent the issue of swarms. If so, it will bo of groat sorvice to those who fear to open a hive to remove the royal cells, or cut off the wings of a queen. If as soon as piping is heard, the entrance is contracted for about a week, tho bees may allow the young queens to engage in mortal combat. In this case, the block* ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. i75 accuracy of measurement, for a very trifling deviation from the dimensions given, will either shut out the loaded workers, or let out the queen. It should be used only to imprison old queens; for young ones, if confined to the hive, cannot be impregnated. These blocks, if firmly fastened, will exclude mice from the hive in the Winter. When used to prevent all swarming, it will be necessary to adjust them a little after sunrise and before sunset, to allow the bees to carry out any drones that have died. Some bee-keepers, while reading these various processes for making artificial swarms, have probably thought that it would be much better to double the colonies by trans¬ ferring half the combs and bees of a full stock to an empty hive; but for reasons already assigned (p. 156), such a course, though apparently more simple, would be injuri¬ ous to the bees. Having detailed the methods which can be most advan¬ tageously used for doubling stocks in one season, by arti¬ ficial swarming, it seems proper to discuss the question whether it will be best to aim at a rate of increase more or less rapid than this.* might be usod to prevent the Issue of second os well os first swarms. If the simple turning over of two blocks will prevent oil swarming, snd without any ulterior evil consequences to the colony, it will moot the wonts of n lorge cluss of bee¬ keepers. The difference between theoretical conjectures and prnctlcol results is often so great, thnt nothing In the bee-line, or indeed in nny other line, should be considered os established, until by being submitted to rigorous demonstration, it has triumph- untly passed from the mere regions of the brain, to those of actual fact. A theory which may seem so plausible as almost to amount to positive demonstration, when put to the working test, may ho encumbered by some unforeseen difficulty, which speedily convinces even the most sanguine that it has no practical value. Nine things out of ten may work to a charm, and yet the tenth may be so connected with tho other nine, thnt its failure renders their success of no account. * As soon as persons find thnt colonies can be multiplied at will, they arc very apt to so ovordo the matter, ns to risk losing thoir bees. Notwithstanding repented cautions to “make haste slowly,” sorno have multiplied so rapidly, as to ruin their stocks, and bring groat discredit on n.y hive, and system of management. Others will probably do tho same thing; for it would Beem that nothing but a sad expert- 176 the hive and honey-bee. The Apiarian who aims at obtaining much surplus honey in any season, cannot, usually, at the furthest, more than double his stocks; nor even that, unless all are strong, and the season is favorable. If, in any season that is not favorable, he attempts a more rapid increase, he must not only expect no surplus honey, but must even purchase food for his bees, to keep them from starving. The time, care, skill, and food required in our uncertain climate for the rapid increase of colonies, are so great, that not one bee-keeper in a hundred* can make it profitable ; while most who attempt it, will be almost sure, at the close of the season, to find themselves in possession of stocks which have been managed to death. To make this matter plain, let us suppose a colony to swarm. Nearly forty pounds of honey will be ordinarily used by the new swarm in filling their hive with comb. If the season is favorable, and the swarm large and early, the bees may gather enough to build and store this comb, and a surplus besides. If the parent-stock does not swarm again, it will rapidly replenish its numbers, and having no new comb to build in the main hive, will be able besides to store up a generous allowance in the upper boxes. If, however, the season should be unfavorable, neither the first swarm nor the parent-stock can ordinarily gather more than enough for their own use; and if the honey-harvest is very deficient, both may require feeding. The bee-keeper’s profits in such an unfortunate season, will be the increase of his stocks. If the parent-stock is weak in the Spring, the early ence of Its folly, in bee-keeping, as well as in other pursuits, can ever convince men of the danger of “making haste to be rich.” If, in spite of all that can be said, the inexperienced will persist in the rapid multiplication of stocks, it is hoped tliat they will at least have candor enough to attribute their losses to their own folly. * Many a person who reads this will probably imagine that he is the ono in a hundred. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 177 honey-harvest will pass away, and the bees be able to ob¬ tain very little from it. During all tliis time of meagre accumulations, the orchards may present “ Oue bouudless blush, one white empurpled shower Of niiugled blossoms | and tens of thousands of bees from stronger stocks may be engaged all day in sipping the fragrant sweets, so that every gale which “ Ians its odoriferous wings ” about their dwellings, dispenses “ Native perfumes, and whispers whence they stole Those balmy spoils.”* By the time the feeble stock is prepared—if at all—to swarm, the lioney-harvest is almost over, and the new colony, instead of gathering enough for its own use, may starve, unless fed. Bee-keeping, with colonies which aro feeble in the Spring, except in extraordinary seasons and locations, is emphatically nothing but “ folly and vexation of spirit.” I have shown how a handsome profit may, in a favorable season, be realized from a strong stock, which has swarmed early, and but once. If the parent-stock throws a second swarm, unless it issues early, and the honey-season is good, it will seldom prove of any value, if managed on the ordi¬ nary plan. It usually perishes in the Winter, unless pre viously destroyed, and the parent-stock will not only gather no surplus honey—unless it was secured before the first swarm issued—but will often perish also. Thus the novice who was so delighted with the rapid increase of his colonics, begins the next season with no more than he had the previous year, and with the entire loss of all the time bestowed upon his bees. • The scent of the hives, during the height of the gathering season, usually indicates from what sources the bees have gathered their supplies. 8 * 178 THE IIIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. With the movable-comb hives, the death of the bees may be prevented, and all the feeble colonies made strong and powerful; but only by abandoning the idea of obtain¬ ing a single pound of surplus honey. From the parent- stock, and first swarm, combs containing maturing brood must be taken to strengthen the weak swarms, and instead of being able to store their combs with honey, they will be constantly tasked in replacing those taken away, so that when the honey-harvest closes, they must be fed to save them from starving. Any one intelligent enough to keep bees, can, from these remarks, understand exactly why colonies cannot be rapidly multiplied, in ordinary seasons, and yet be made to yield large supplies of surplus honey. Even the doubling of stocks will often be too rapid an increase for the greatest yield of spare honey. I would strongly dissuade any but the most experienced Apiarians, from attempting, at the furthest, to do more than treble their stocks in one year. Another book would be needed, to furnish directions for rapid multiplication, sufficiently full and explicit for the inexperienced; and even then, most who should undertake it, would be sure, at first, to fail. With ten strong stocks of bees, in movable-comb hives, in one propitious season, I could so increase them, in a favorable location, as to have, on the approach of Winter, one hundred good colonies; but I should expect to purchase hundreds of pounds of honey, devoting nearly all my time to their management, and bringing to the work the experience of many years, and the judgment acquired by numerous lamentable failures.* * In one season, being called from home after my colonies had been greatly mul¬ tiplied, the honey-harvest was suddenly cut short by a drought, and I found, on my retu n, that most of my stocks were mined. The bees, not having been fed, hud ;one Into the groceries, and perished by hundreds of thousands. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 179 A certain rather than a rapid multiplication of stocks, is most needed. A single colony, doubling every year, would in ten years increase to 1,024 stocks, and in twenty years to over a million ! At this rate, our whole co untry might, in a few years, be stocked with bees; an increase of one-tliird, annually, would soon give us enough. This latter rate of increase should be encouraged, even if, in the Fall, the stocks are reduced (see Union of Stocks), to the Spring number; as, in the long run, it will both keep the colonies in the most prosperous condition, and secure the largest yield of honey. I have never myself hesitated to sacrifice several colo¬ nies, in order to ascertain a single fact; and it would require a large volume, to detail my various experiments on the single subject of artificial swarming. The practical bee-keeper, however, should never lose sight of the im¬ portant distinction between an Apiary managed princi¬ pally for purposes of observation and discovery, and one conducted exclusively with reference to pecuniary profit.* Any bee-keeper can easily experiment with my hives; but he should do it, at first, only on a small scale, and if pecuniary profit is his object, should follow my directions, until he is sure that he has discovered others which are better. These cautions are given to prevent serious losses in using hives which, by facilitating all manner of experi¬ ments, may tempt the inexperienced into rash and un¬ profitable courses. Beginners, especially, should follow my directions as closely as possible; for, although they may doubtless be modified and improved, it can only be done by those experienced in managing bees. Let me not be understood as wishing to intimate that perfection has been so nearly attained, that no more * Prof. Slebold says, that Borlepsch told him, that some of his hives 44 had been very much prejudiced by the various scientific experiments." 130 THE 1IIVE AND HONEY-BEE. important discoveries remain to be made. On the coji. trary, I should be glad if those who have time and means would experiment on a large scale with the movable-comb hives; and I hope that every intelligent bee-keeper who uses them, will experiment at least on a small scale. In this way, we may hope that those points in the natural history of the bee still involved in doubt, will, ere long, be satisfactorily explained. The practical bee-keeper should remember that the less he disturbs the stocks on which he relies for surplus honey , the better. Their hives ought not to be needlessly opened, and the bees should never be so much interfered with, as to feel that they hold their possessions by an uncertain tenure ; as such an impression will often impair their zeal for accumulation.* The object of giving the control over every comb in the hive, is not to enable the bee-keeper to be incessantly taking them in and out, and subjecting the bees to all sorts of annoyances. Unless he is conducting a course of experiments, such interference will be almost as silly as the conduct of children who dig up the seeds they have planted, to see how much they have grown. Having described how forced swarms are made, both in common and movable-comb hives, when the Apiarian wishes in one season to double his colonics, I shall now show how he can secure the largest yield of honey, by forming only one new colony from two old ones. When it is time to form artificial colonies, drum a strong stock—which call A —so as to secure all its bees, and put the forced swarm on the old stand. If any bees are abroad when this is done, they will join this new colony. Remove to a new stand in the Apiary a second strong stock—which call B —and put A in its place. ♦ These remarks apply more particularly to stocks engaged In storing honey in receptacles not in the main hive. The experience of Dzierzon and myself, shows that opening the hiv«'s ordinarily interrupts their labors for only a few minutes. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 181 Thousands of the bees that belong to B, as the) return from the fields,* will enter A, which thus secures enough to develop the brood, rear a new queen, and gather, if the season is favorable, large surplus stores. If B had been first forced, and then removed, it would (p. 15G) have been seriously injured ; but as it loses fewer bees than if it had swarmed, and retains its queen, it will soon become ; lmost as powerful as before it was re¬ moved.! This method of forming colonies may be practiced, on any pleasant day, from sunrise until late in the afternoon ; for if no bees are abroad to recruit the drummed hive, it may be shut up, until it can be put upon the stand of any strong stock which has already begun to fly with vigor. Of all the methods which I have devised for prac¬ ticing artificial swarming,J with almost any kind of hive, this appears to be one of the simplest, safest, and * It is quite amusing to observe the actions of these bees, when they return to their old stand, if the strange hive is like their own in size and outward appear¬ ance, they go in as though all was right, but soon rush out in violent agitation, imagining that by some unaccountable mistake, they have entered the wrong pluce. Taking wing to correct their blunder, they find, to their increasing surprise that they had directed their flight to the proper spot; again they enter, and again they tumble out, in bewildered crowds, until at length if they find a queen, or the means of raising one, they make up their minds that if the strange hive is not home, it looks like it, stands where it ought to be, and is, at all events, the only homo they ore likely to get. No doubt they often feel that a very hard bargain has been imposed upon them, but they are generally wise enough to make the best of it. They will be altogether too much disconcerted to quarrel with any bees that were left in the hive when It was forced, who on their part give them a wel¬ come reception. t Might not a forced swarm bo made to adhere to a new location, by thoroughly shaklug them in an empty box — see note on p. 168—and then setting them ou their new stand, and permitting them to fly ? The queen might be confined, for safety, in a queeu-cage. X The Apiarian, by treating a natural swarm as ho has beeu directed to treat a ‘breed one, can secure an increase of one colony from two; and of ull the methods of conducting natural swarming, in regions where rapid increase is not profitable, this is the best, provided the colonies do not stand too closo together, and the hives Ased in the process are alike in shape and color. 182 TUE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. best. It not only secures a reasonable increase of colonies, but maintains them all in high vigor; and in ordinary seasons will yield, in good locations, more surplus honey, than if all increase of colonies was discouraged. If every bee-keeper would adopt this plan, our country might soon be like the ancient Palestine, “ a land flowing with milk and honey.” In all the modes of artificial increase thus far given, the parent or mother-stock —as I shall call it in this connection —after parting with the forced swarm, was either supplied with a scaled royal cell, or left to raise a new queen from worker-brood. By the use of movable-comb hives , it may be at once supplied with a fertile young queen. Before showing how this is done, its extraordinary advantages will be described. It sometimes happens that the mother-stock, when de¬ prived of its queen, perishes, either because it takes no steps to supply her loss, or because it fails in the attempt. If it raises several queens, it may become reduced by after-swarming; and, at all events, its young queen must run the usual risks in meeting the drones. When all goes right, it will usually be from two to three weeks before any eggs are laid in the mother-stock; and when the brood left by the old queen has all matured, the number ‘of the bees will so rapidly decrease, before any of the brood of the young queen hatches, that she will not have a fair chance, seasonably to replenish the hive. Again; while the system that gives no hatched queen to the mother-stock, exposes it to be robbed if forage is scarce, the presence of a fertile mother emboldens it to a much more determined resistance. If the mother-stock has not been supplied with a fertile queen, it cannot, for a long time, part with another colony, without being seriously weakened. Second swarming— artificial swarming. 183 as is well known—often very much injures the parent- stock, although its queeijs are rapidly maturing ; but the forced mother-stock may have to start theirs almost from the egg. By giving it a fertile queen, and retaining enough adhering bees to develop the brood, a moderate swarm may be safely taken away in ten or twelve days, and the mother-stock left in a far better condition than if it had parted with two natural swarms. In favorable seasons and localities, this process may be repeated four or five times, at intervals of ten days, and if no combs are removed, the mother-stock will still be well supplied with brood and mature bees. Indeed, the judicious removal of bees, at proper* intervals, often leaves it, at the close of the Summer, better supplied than non-swarming stocks with maturing brood ; the latter having—in the expressive language of an old writer—“ waxed over fat.”f I have had stocks which, after parting with four swarms in the way above described, have stored their hives with buck¬ wheat honey, besides yielding a surplus in boxes. This method of artificial increase, which resembles * If a strong stock of bees, in a hive of moderate size, is examined, at the height of the honey-harvest, nearly all the cells will often be found full of brood, honey, or bee-bread. The great laying of the queen is over—not as some imagine, be¬ cause her fertility has decreased, but simply for want of room for more brood. A q iceu in such a colony, or In a hivo having few bees, often appears almost as slender as one still unfertile; but if she has plenty of bees and empty comb given to her, her proportions will soon bocome very much enlarged. (P. 47.) t Columella had noticed that, in very productive seasons, strong stocks, If left to themselves, fill up their brood-combs with honey, instead of rearing young bees, lie advises the unskillful, instead of being pleased with this apparent gain, to shut up their hives every third day, and thus compel the bees to attend to breeding I This gives the queen a chance to deposit eggs in the cells from which the young bees hatch, before they are filled with honey; and no bettor plan can be devised for the common hives. In the movable-comb hives, a few of the combs nearest the ends may be taken out, and as many empty frames put between every two of the central combs; theso will at once be supplied with combs, in which the queen will deposit eggs. It would seem that, while the instincts of the bees teach them to reap all the egga deposited in cells, their avaricious properties often—ns in human beings—got the 184 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. natural swarming, in not disturbing the combs of the mother-stock, is not only superior to it, in leaving a fertile queen, but obviates almost entirely all risk of after- swarming ; for the old queen, when given to the forced swarm, very seldom attempts to lead forth a new colony (p. 128); and the young one, which is given to the mother-stock, is equally content—except in very warm climates—to stay where she is put. Even if the old queen is allowed to remain in the mother-stock, she will seldom leave, if sufficient room is given for storing surplus honey ; and it makes no difference—as far as liability of swarming is concerned—where the young one is put.* The bee-keeper can double his stocks in one season, even better in this way, than by the method described on page 162; and in favorable seasons and locations, this rate of increase will yield a large surplus of honey. For bee-keepers who may desire a more rapid increase of colonies, I shall give the methods, which—after years of experimenting—I have found to bo the best; referring them to the cautions already given, lest, at the end of the season, they find that their fancied gains consist only of large investments in dearly bought experience. If they are cautious and slcillful, in good seasons and locations, they may safely increase their colonies three-fold, and may, possibly, by liberal feeding, increase them five or six¬ fold, or even more. The plan of artificial swarming, described on page 180, when combined with the giving of a fertile young queen better of them, so that they give their queen no chance to lav, and thus incur the risk of perishing, In order to become over-rich. * 1'have frequently noticed that after-swarms aro much less inclined than first swarms to build drone-comb—their young queens seldom laying many drone-eggs the first season. If we can cause the new colonies to fill their hives almost entirely with worker-combs, merely by supplying them with y ung queens, bee¬ keeping will take another Important step In advance. ARTIFICIAL swarming. 185 to the mother-stock, instead of Stopping short with an increase of one from two, may be expanded to any rate of increase that can possibly be secured ; 'while it has this admirable peculiarity, that each step in advance is entirely independent of any that are subsequently to be made; and the process may be stopped at any time when forage fails, or the bee-keeper chooses—from any cause—to carry it no further. If it is used for doubling the stocks, proceed as follows: Let a fertile young queen be given to A (p. 180) as soon as it is forced, and in ten days force a swarm from B, which I shall call I). Put I) on the stand of B, and after removing A to a new place, set B where A stood, giving to I) a fertile young queen. If another colony, E, is to be formed, make it in the same way, by forcing A, and transposing with B; and so continue, by the transposition of A and B — forcing the new colony alternately from each—to make successively, at intervals of about ten days, F, G, II, &c. ; A and B being sup plied with a fertile queen as often as they are forced. To make this process more intelligible, let A and B represent the first positions, in the Apiary, of the original stocks: Original stocks, A, B. Position after 1st forcing, C, A, B. 2d “ C, B, D, A. 3d “ C, A, D, E, B. 4th “ C, B, D, E, F, A. 5th “ C, A, D, E, F, G, B. 6th “ C, B, I), E, F, G, II, A. By looking at this table,* it will be seen that the new * The table Is not Intended to recommend setting hives in rows, close together. A and B may be anywhere in the Apiary, and C y Z>, E , as far apart as is at all desirable. (See Chap, on Loss of Queen.) I8G THE HHE AND HONEY-BEE. colonies, C, D, E, , E, E, <&c., at intervals of ten days.f Then, as before, C, A, and Jl (p. 185), represent the positions of the colonies on the 1st of June, and the other columns, their places on the 10th, 20th, &c. Now, let /and II represent the nuclei—I use * Those who rely entirely on natural swarming, may often secure fertile queons by catching the supernumerary young queens of after-swarms (p. 122), and hiving them, with a few bees, in any small box containing a piece of worker-comb. t Of course, no one will imagine, that operations which depend so much op season, climate, and weather, can always bo conducted with the mathematical accuracy with which they »re set forth in such an illustration. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 191 this name when speaking of more than one nucleus—and II' represent them when each has a queen; 1 2 , II 2 , when each has raised its second queen; I 3 , II 3 , when each has its third, and so on, it being always understood that I, II, without the small numbers above them, indicate that the nuclei are at that time rearing queens. The first nucleus will be formed May 10th, and the second May 20tli. May 10th, I, June 20th, I 3 , II, “ 20th, I, II, “ 30th, I, II 2 , June 1st, I 1 , II, July 10th, I 3 , II, “ 10th, I, II', “ 20th, I, II 3 , &c., &c. As it may often be desirable to remove the queen of a nucleus, before she has begun to lay eggs, if her colony is supplied with a sealed royal cell from another nucleus, no time will be lost, and much trouble saved. The following, from the pen of Rev. Mr. Kleine, one of the ablest German Apiarians, will be interesting in this connection:—“ Dzierzon recently intimated that, as Huber, by introducing some royal jelly into cells containing worker-brood, obtained queens, it may be possible to in¬ duce bees to construct royal cells where the Apiarian pre¬ fers to have them, by inserting a small portion of royal jelly in cells containing worker-larvae ! If left to them¬ selves, the bees often so crowd their royal cells together ” —see PI. XV.—“ that it is difficult to remove one, without fatally injuring the others; as, when such a cell is cut into, the destruction and removal of the larva usually follows. To prevent such losses, I usually proceed as follows: When I have selected a comb with unsealed brood, for rearing queens, I shake or brush off the bees, and trim off, if necessary, the empty cells at its margin. I then take an unsealed royal cell—which usually contains an excess of royal jelly—and remove from it a portion of the jelly, THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. LD2 on the point of a knife or pen, and by placing it on the inner margin of any worker-cells, feel confident that the larvae in them will he reared as queens; and as these royal cells are separate , and on the margin of the comb, they can be easily and safely removed. This is another import¬ ant advance in practical bee-culture, for which we are in¬ debted to the sagacity of Dzierzon.”— Bienenzeitung, 1858, p. 199. Translated by Mr. Wagner. If the spare queen-cells are cut out (p. 166) from I, be¬ fore the first queen matures, other nuclei may be formed by similar processes; indeed, with movable combs, any number of queens may be raised, and kept where, when wanted, they can be readily secured.* Both the original nuclei, I and II, and those made from their sealed queens, may be formed by bringing from another Apiary, in a small box, the few adhering bees which are wanted (p. 162) ; and as many may be returned in it, to be used for a similar purpose. The expert will also be able to catch up adhering bees, by slightly movingf the parent-stocks (p. 161), and in various other ways, which will readily suggest themselves. , Dzierzon estimates a fertile queen to bo worth, in the swarming season, one- half the price of a new swarm. t If the ailhering bees are thus obtainod, and there is not a cluster of bees on the brood-comb, they may be so dissatisfied with its deserted appearance, as to re¬ fuse to stay. If they intend to submit to this system of forced colonization, they will, however much agitated at first, soon join the cluster of bees on the comb; otherwise, they will quickly abandon the hive, carrying oil with them all that were put in with tbo comb. While It is admitted that bees can raise a queen from any worker-egg or young larva, is It certain that workers of any age are able or disposed to do it? Huber speaks of two kinds of workers: “ One of those is, In general, destined for the elaboration of wax, and its size is considerably enlarged when full of honey; the other immediately imparts what It has collected, to its companions; its abdomen undergoes nos jnsible change, or it retains only the honey necessary for its own sub¬ sistence. The particular function of the bees of this kind is to take care of the young, for they are not charged with provisioning the hive. In opposition to tlio wax-workers, we shall call them small bees, or niarses. » Although the external difference be inconsiderable, this is not an Imaginary Fig- 48. Pr.ATB XV ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 193 One queen can be made to supply several hives witn brood, while they are constantly engaged in raising spare queens. Deprive two colonies, 1 and 2, at intervals of a week, each of its queen, using these queens for artificial swarms. As soon as the royal cells in 1 are old enough for use, remove them, and give 1 a queen from another hive, 3. When the royal cells in 2 are removed, this queen may be taken from 1—where she will have laid abundantly—and given to 2. By this time, the queen- cells in 3 being sealed over, may be removed, and the queen restored to her own stock. She has thus made one circuit, and supplied 1 and 2 with eggs; and after replen¬ ishing her own hive, she may be sent again on her per¬ ambulating mission. By this device, I can obtain, from a few stocks, a large number of queens. A few ctays after a nucleus is formed, it should be ex¬ amined, and if royal cells are not begun, or there are no larva; in them, the bees must be shaken from the comb, which should then be exchanged for another. Bees sometimes commence queen-cells, which, in a few distinction. Anatomical observations prove that the stomach Is not tho same; ex¬ periments have ascertained that one of the species cannot fulfill all the funcUons shared among the workers of a hive. We painted thoso of each class with different colors, in order to study their proceedings; nnd those were not interchanged. In another experiment, after supplying a hive, deprived of a queen, with brood nnd pollen, we saw tho small bees quickly occupied In nutrition of tho larvffi, whilo those of the wax-working class neglected them. Small bees also produco wax, but In a very inferior quantity to what is elaborated by the real wax workers.” Now, as Huber’s statements have proved to be uncommonly reliable, perhaps " nen bees refuse to cluster on the brood-comb, to rear a now queen, it Is because some of tho conditions necessary for success are wanting. Either there may not be enough wax-workers to enlarge the cells, or nurses to take charge of the larva). If Huber had possessed the same facilities for observation with Dr. Dunkcff (see page i94). he would, probably, have come to the same conclusions. If any imagine that the careful experiments required to establish facts upon the Solid basis of demonstration, are easily made, lot them attempt to prove or disprove the truth of either of these conjectures; and they will probably find tho task more difflen't than to cover whole reams of paper with careless assertions 194 THE HIVE AMU HONEl'-BEE. days, are found to be untenanted. At the second attempt they usually start a larger number, and seldom fail of suc¬ cess. Does practice make them more perfect ? or were some of the necessary conditions wanting at first ? The following able communication, from the pen of Dr. Donhoff, may throw some light on this subject“ Dzier- zon states it as a fact, that worker-bees attend more ex¬ clusively to the domestic concerns of the colony in the early period of life ; assuming the discharge of the more active out-door duties only during the later periods of their existence. The Italian bees furnished me with suit¬ able means to test the correctness of this opinion. “On the 18th of April, 1855, I introduced an Italian queen into a colony of common bees; and on the 10th of May following, the first Italian workers emerged from the cells. On the ensuing day, they emerged in great numbers, as the colony had been kept in good condition by regular and plentiful feeding. I will arrange my observations under the following heads: “1. On the 10th of May the first Italian workers emerged; and on the 17th they made their first appear¬ ance outside of the hive. On the next day, and then An extract from Huber's preface will be interesting In this connection. After speaking of his bllpdness, and prnising tho extraordinary taste for Natural nistory, of his assistant, Burnens, “ who was born with tho talents of an observer,” he says : “Every one of the facts I now publish, we have seen, over and over again, during the period of eight years, which wo have employed in making our observations on bees. It is Impossible to form a just idea of tho patience and skill with which Burnens has carried out tho experiments which I am about to describe; he has often watched some of the working bees of our hives, which wo had reason to think fertile, for the space of twenty-four hours, without distraction * * * • and he counted fatigue and pain as nothing, compared with tho great desire he felt to know tho results. If, then, there bo any merit In our discoveries, I must sharo the honor with him; and I have great satisfaction in rendering him this act of publio justice." And yot the man who was too noble to appropriate the merits of his servant, has by many, been consldorod base enough to attempt to Impose upon tho world, aa well established facts, things scarcely more probable than tho Actions of 1 Sinbnd the Sailor." ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 195 daily till the 29th, they came forth about noon, disporting in front of the hive, in the rays of the sun. They, how¬ ever, manifestly, did not issue for the purpose of gathering honey or pollen, for during that time none were noticed returning with pellets; none were seen alighting on any of the flowers in my garden; and I found no honey in the stomachs of such as I caught and killed for examina¬ tion. The gathering was done exclusively by the old bees of the original stock, until the 29th of May, when the Italian bees began to labor in that vocation also—being then 19 days old. “ 2. On the feeding troughs placed in my garden, and which were constantly crowded with common bees, I saw no Italian bees till the 27th of May, seventeen days after the first had emerged from the cells. “ From the 10th of May on, I daily presented to Italian bees, in the hive, a stick dipped in honey. The younger ones never attempted to lick any of it; the older occasion¬ ally seemed to sip a little, but immediately left it and moved away. The common bees always eagerly licked it up, never leaving it till they had filled their honey-bags. Not till the 25th of May did I see any Italian bee lick up honey eagerly, as the common bees did from the begin¬ ning. “These repeated observations force me to conclude that, during the first two weeks of the worker-bee’s life, the impulse for gathering honey and pollen does not exist, or at least is not developed; and that the development of this impulse proceeds slowly and gradually. At first the young bee will not even touch the honey presented to her; some days later she will simply taste it, and only after a further lapse of time will she consume it eagerly. Two weeks elapse before she readily eats honey, and nearly three weeks pass, before the gathering impulse is 196 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. sufficiently developed to impel her to fly abroad, and seek for honey .and pollen among the flowers. “ I made, further, the following observations respecting the domestic employments of the young Italian bees: “ 1 . On the 20th of May, I took out of the hive all the combs it contained, and replaced them after examination. On inspecting them half an hour later, I was surprised to see that the edges of the combs, which had been cut on removal, were covered by Italian bees exclusively. On closer examination, I found that they were busily engaged in re-attaching the combs to the sides of the hive. When I brushed them away, they instantly returned, in eager haste, to resume their labors. “ 2. After making the foregoing observations, I inserted in the hive a bar from which a comb had been cut, to as¬ certain whether the rebuilding of comb would be under¬ taken by the Italian bees. I took it out again a few hours subsequently, and found it covered almost exclusively by Italian workers, though the colony, at that time, still con¬ tained a large majority of common bees. I saw that they were sedulously engaged in building comb ; and they prosecuted the work unremittingly, whilst I held the bar m my hand.* I repeated this experiment several days in succession, and satisfied myself that the bees engaged in this work were always almost exclusively of the Italian race. Many of them had scales of wax visibly protruding between their abdominal rings. These observations show that, in the early stage of their existence, the impulse for comb-building is stronger than later in life. “ 3. Whenever I examined the colony during the first three weeks after the Italian bees emerged, I found the brood-combs covered principally by bees of that race: * I have had a queen which continued to lay eggs in a comb, after It was removed from the hive. ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 197 and it is, hence, probable that the brood* is chiefly attended to and nursed by the younger bees. The evi¬ dence, however, is not so conclusive as in the case of comb¬ building, inasmuch as they may have congregated on the brood-combs because these are warmer than the others. “I may add another interesting observation. The faeces in the intestines of the young Italian bees was viscid and yellow; that of the common or old bees was thin and limpid, like that of the queen-bee. This is confirmatory of the opinion, that, for the production of W'ax and jelly, the bees require pollen; but do not need any for their own sustenance.”— B. Z. 1855, p. 163. S. Wagner. If the colonies are to be multiplied rapidly, the nuclei must never be allowed to become too much reduced in numbers, or to be destitute of brood or honey. With these precautions, the oftener their queen is taken from them, the more intent they usually become in supplying her loss. There is one trait in the character of bees which is wor¬ thy of profound respect. Such is their indomitable energy and perseverance, that under circumstances apparently hopeless, they labor to the utmost to retrieve their losses, and sustain the sinking State. So long as they have a queen, or any prospect of raising one, they struggle vigor¬ ously against impending ruin, and never give up until their condition is absolutely desperate. I once knew a colony of bees not large enough to cover a piece of comb four inches square, to attempt to raise a queen. For * I once had a colony which, after it had been quoenless for some time, not only wfused to make royal cells, but even devoured the eggs which were given to them. Similar facts have been noticed by other observers. When a colony which refuses to rear a queen, has a comb given to it containing maturing bees, those motherless innocents will at once procood to supply their loss. Dr. DiinhofTs observation* account for these facta. 198 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. two whole weeks, they adhered to their forlorn hope; until at last, when they had dwindled to less than one half of their original number, their new queen emerged, but with wings so imperfect that she could not fly. Crippled as she was, they treated her with almost as much respect as though she were fertile. In the course of a week more, scarce a dozen workers remained in the hive, and a few days later, the queen was gone, and only a few dis¬ consolate wretches were left on the comb. Shame on the faint-hearted of our race, who, when overtaken by calamity, instead of nobly breasting the stormy waters of affliction, meanly resign themselves to an ignoble fate, and perish, where they ought to have lived and triumphed ! and double shame upon those who, living in a Christian land, thus “ faint in the day of adversity,” when if they would only believe the word of God, they might behold, with the eye of faith, his “ bow of promise” spanning the still stormy clouds, and hear his voice of love bidding them trust in Him as a “ Strong Deliverer!” In the previous editions of this work, with other methods of artificial swarming, very full directions were furnished for increasing colonies, by giving to the nuclei a second comb with maturing brood, as soon as their queens began to lay eggs, and then, at proper intervals, a third, and a fourth, until they were strong enough to take care of themselves. This mode of increase is laborious, and requires skill and judgment which few possess: it is also peculiarly liable to cause robbing among the bees, requiring the hives to be too frequently opened, to remove the combs needed in the various processes. As a number of nuclei are to be simultaneously strengthened, the Apiarian cannot complete his artificial processes by a single operation, and must always be on hand, or incur me risk of ending the season with a number of staiving ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 199 colonies. For these and other reasons, I much prefer the methods which I have devised, for dispensing with so much opening of hives and handling of combs. If, however, any of the new colonies are weak enough to need it, they may be helped to combs from stronger stocks. Whatever method of artificial increase is pursued by the Apiarian, he should never reduce the strength of his mother-stocks , so as seriously to cripple the reproductive power of their queens. This principle should be to him as “the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth notfor while a queen, with an abundance of worker- comb and bees, may, in a single season, become the parent of a number of prosperous families, if her colony, at the beginning of the swarming season, is divided into three or four parts, not one of them will ordinarily acquire stores enough to survive the Winter. If the Apiarian is in the vicinity of sugar-houses, con¬ fectioneries, or other tempting places of bee-resort, he will find his stocks, both old and new, so depopulated by their zeal for ill-gotten gains, as to be in danger of perishing. In such situations, all attempts at rapid increase are entirely futile. Artificial operations of all kinds are most successful when bee-forage is abundant ; when it is scarce they are quite precarious, even if the colonies are well supplied with food. When bees arc not busy in honey-gathering, they have leisure to ascertain the condition of weak stocks, which are almost certain to be robbed, if they are incautiously opened. When forage is scarce, the hives should be opened before sunrise, or after sunset, or when very few bees are flying abroad; and if it is necessary to open them at other times, they must be removed out of the reach of annoyance from other colonies. The Apiarian who doe* 200 THE HIVE A XL HONEY-BEE. not guard against robbing, will seriously impair the value of his stocks, and entail upon himself much useless and vexatious labor. Beware of demoralizing bees, by tempt¬ ing them to rob each other ! In an Apiary where hives very unlike in size, shape, and color, are crowded together , artificial operations will often be exceedingly hazardous, as the bees will be con¬ tinually liable to enter the wrong hives. If the stocks must be kept very close together, even if the hives are all of the same color and pattern, it will be best to carry to a second Apiary, either the forced swarms, or the mother-stocks from which they were made. The bee-keeper has already been reminded that caution is needed in giving to bees a stranger-queen. Huber thus describes the way in which a new queen is usually re¬ ceived by a hive: “ If another queen is introduced into the hive within twelve hours after the removal of the reigning one, they surround, seize, and keep her a very long time captive, in an impenetrable cluster, and she commonly dies either from hunger or want of air. If eighteen hours elapse before the substitution of a stranger-queen, she is treated, at first, in the same way, but the bees leave her sooner, nor is the surrounding cluster so close; they gradually disperse, and the queen is at last liberated; she moves languidly, and sometimes expires in a few minutes. Some, however, escape in good health, and afterwards reign in the hive. If twenty-four hours elapse before substituting the stranger-queen, she will be well received, from the moment of her introduction. “ Reaumur affirms, that, should the original queen be removed, and another introduced, this new one will be perfectly well received from the beginning * * * He in- ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 201 duced four or five hundred bees to leave their hive, and enter a glass-box, containing a small piece of comb. At first, they were in great agitation, but from the moment that he presented a new queen the tumult ceased, and the stranger was received with all respect. “ I do not dispute the truth of this experiment, but Reaumur’s bees were too much removed from their natural condition to allow him to judge of their instincts and dis¬ positions. He has himself observed, that their industry and activity are affected by reducing their numbers too much. To render such an experiment truly conclusive, it must be made in a populous hive; and on removing the native queen, the stranger must be immediately substituted in her place.” It would seem, from his use of the word immediately , that Huber must have been aware of the fact, that if a strange queen is given to a colony, before its agitation is calmed down (p. 158), and before royal cells are begun, she will usually be well received. If the bees of a colony are made to fill themselves with honey, by drumming, smoking, or giving them liquid sweets, and often, if they are removed to a new stand, they will readily accept of any queen offered them, in place of their own. Bees, in possession of a fertile queen, are often quite reluctant to accept of an unimpregnated one in her stead ; indeed, it requires much experience to be able to give a strange queen to a colony, and yet be sure of securing for her a good reception. In several instances, the workers have stung a strange queen to death, while I was holding her in my fingers, to be able to remove her if she was not kindly welcomed. To prevent accidents, it will bo well 10 confine a queen — when given to a strange colony — in what the Germans call a “ queen-cage,” which may 202 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. be made by boring a bole into a block, and covering it with wire-gauze, or any perforated cover. The bees will cultivate an acquaintance with the imprisoned mother, by thrusting their antcnnaj through the openings, and the next day she may be safely given to them. Queens bent on escaping to the woods, may be confined in the same way. A pasteboard box, pierced with holes, answers equally well, or even a match-box, properly scalded. If the cage is put with its small openings over one of the holes on the spare honey-board, or set inside of the hive, the bees will be as quiet as though the queen had her liberty. Such a cage will be very convenient for any temporary confinement of a queen. In catching a queen, she should be gently taken, with the fingers, from among the bees, and if none are crushed, there is no risk of being stung. The queen, although she will not sting, even if roughly handled, will sometimes, when closely confined, bite the hand of the operator so as to cause a little uneasiness — her jaws, which are intended for gnawing into the base of the royal cells, being larger and stronger than those of a common bee. If she is allowed to fly, she may be lost, by attempting to enter a strange hive. As a fertile queen can lay several thousand eggs a day, it is not strange that she should quickly become exhausted, if taken from the bees. “ Ex nihilo nihil Jit ” — from nothing, nothing comes — and the arduous duties of maternity compel her to be an enormous eater. After an absence from the bees of only fifteen minutes, she will solicit honey, when returned ; and if kept away for an hour or upwards, she must either be fed by the Apiarian, or have a few bees, gorged with honey, given to her to supply her wants. One which I sent by express, in a ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 203 queen-enge, with a suite of well-fed workers, arrived in safety, at the Apiary of a friend, on the next day. Great caution is not only requisite in giving a hive a strange queen, but in all attempts to mix bees belonging to different colonies. Bees having a fertile queen will almost always quarrel with those having an unimpregnated one; and this is one reason why a furious contest, in which thousands perish, often ensues when new swarms attempt to mingle. Members of different colonies appear to recognize their hive-companions by the sense of smell, and if there should be a thousand stocks in the Apiary, any one will readily detect a strange bee; just as each mother in a large flock of sheep is able, by the same sense, in the darkest night, to distinguish her own lamb from all the others. It would seem, therefore, that colonies might always be safely mingled, by sprinkling them with sugar-water, scented with peppermint or any other .strong odor, which would make them all smell alike. A few seasons ago, however, I discovered that bees often recognize strangers by their actions, even when they have the same scent; for a frightened bee curls himself up with a coiced look, which unmistakably proclaims that he is conscious of being an intruder. If, therefore, the bees of one colony are left on their own st.and, and the others are suddenly introduced, the latter, even when both colonies have the same smell, are often so frightened that they are discovered to be strangers, and are instantly killed. If, however, both colonies are removed to a new stand, and shaken out together on a sheet, they will peaceably mingle, when scented alike.* * I find substantially the same thing recommended, in 1778, by Thomas Wild* man (page 280 of tlio 8rd edition of his valuablo work on Bees), who says, that boes will “ unite while in fear and distress, without fighting, as thej would be apl '•u do, if strange bees were added to a hive in possession of its honey ' 204 TIIK IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. If, when two colonies are put together, the bees in the one on the old stand are not gorged with honey, they will often attack the others, which are loaded, and speedily sting them to death, in spite of all their attempts to purchase immunity, by offering their honey. Mr. Win. W. Cary, of Coleraine, Massachusetts, who has long been an accurate observer of the habits of bees, unites colonies very suc¬ cessfully, by alarming those that are on the old stand ; as soon as they show, by their notes, that they are subdued, he gives them the new comers. The alarm which causes them to gorge themselves with honey (p. 27), puts them, doubtless, upon their good behavior, long enough to give the others a fair chance. It has been stated already, that a queen-bee cannot be induced to sting, by any kind of treatment, however severe. The reason of this strange unwillingness will bo obvious, when we consider that the preservation of her life is indispensable to the existence of the colony, and that, although the loss of her sting would be fatal to her¬ self, it could avail no more for their defense, in case of an attack, than the single sword of a Washington or a Wel¬ lington could decide a great battle. While the common bees are ready to sally forth and sacrifice their lives on the slightest provocation, a queen-bee only buries herself Of all the old writers, Wildman appears to have made the nearest approaches to the modern methods of taming and handling bees. Twenty-five years before Huber’s investigations on the origin of wax, this acute observer had noticed the scales of wax on the abdomen of tho workers; and he was so thoroughly convinced that wax was secreted from honey, that be recommended feeding new swarms, when the weather is stormy, that they may sooner build comb for the eggs of the queen. Mr. Wagner refers uie to “Oreriieck's Glo&naHum Melliturgium"— Bremen, 1765, p. 89—in which tho origin of wax is claimed, more then 20 years before the date of that work—say 1745—for a Hanoverian Pastor, named Herman C. Horu- Dostel. He gave his discoveries to the world in the so-called m Hav«uuoii Library,” vol. 2, p. 45; ami they are so particularly described as to leave no 4oul»» of their correctness. artificial swarming. 205 more deeply among tlie clustering thousands, and will never use her sting, except when engaged in mortal com¬ bat with another queen. When two rivals meet, they clinch, at once, wita every demonstration of the most vindictive hatred. Why, then, are not both often de¬ stroyed? We can never sufficiently admire the provision so simple, and yet so effectual, by which such a calamity is prevented. A queen never stings, unless she has such an advantage that she can curve her body under that of her rival, so as to inflict a deadly wound, without any risk to herself—the moment the position of the two combat¬ ants is such that neither has the advantage, but both are liable to perish, they not only refuse to sting, but disengage themselves, and suspend their conflict for a short time! The following interesting statements were furnished to the Neio England Farmer (Oct. 1855), by Hon. Simon Brown, Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in 1855. “On the 17th of July last, we placed in our dining¬ room window one of Mr. Langstroth’s observing bee-hives, constructed of glass, so that all the operations of the bees could be plainly and conveniently seen. A comb about a foot square was placed in it, containing some brood, with plenty of workers and drones, but without a queen. The hive was then carefully observed by one of the ladies of the family, who has given us the following account of their doings. ‘“The first business the bees attended to, was to com¬ mence cells for a queen, and they prosecuted it with energy for two days. At the end of that time, a queen was taken from another colony and placed with them, upon which they pulled down the cells they had made, in less than half the time it had required to construct them, and then 206 t:ik hive and itonf.y-bee. began to piece out and repair the comb which needed a corner. The queen at once commenced laying, and soon filled tire unoccupied cells, when she was again removed, and the bees once more began the construction of queen- cells. “ ‘ The young bees now began to hatch forth, and in two weeks the family increased so fast as to make it necessary for them to prepare to emigrate. They had built six queen- cells, and in about twelve days the first queen was hatched. As soon as she was fairly born, she marched rapidly, and in the most energetic manner, over the comb, and visited the other cells in which were the embryo queens, seeming at times furious to destroy them. The workers, however, surrounded her, and prevented such wholesale murder. But for two days she was intent upon her fell purpose, and kept in almost continuous motion to effect it. On the fourteenth day, the second queen was ready to come out, piping and making various noises to attract attention. “‘A part of the colony then seemed to conclude that it was time to take the first queen and go, but by some mis¬ take she remained in the hive after the swarm had left. The second queen came out as soon as possible after the others had gone, and then there were now two hatched queens in the hive! they ran about on the comb, which was now nearly empty, so that they could be distinctly seen. But they had not, apparently, noticed each other, while the workers were in a state of great uneasiness and commotion, seeming impatient for the destruction of one of them. The mode they adopted to accomplish it was of the most deliberate and cold-blooded kind. A circle of bees kept one queen stationary, while another party dragged the other up to her, so that their heads nearly touched, and then the bees stood back, leaving a fair field for the combatants, in which one was to gain her laurels, ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 207 and the other to die ! The battle was fierce ana sanguinary. They grappled each other, and, like expert wrestlers, strove to inflict the fatal blow by some sudden or adroit movement. But for some moments the parties seemed equally matched ; no advantage could be gained on either side. The bees stood looking calmly on the dreadful affray, as though they themselves had been the heroes of a hundred wars. But the battle, like all others, had its close; one fell upon the field, and was immediately taken by the workers and carried out of the hive. By this time, the bees which had swarmed made the discovery that their queen was missing, and although they had been hived without any trouble, came rushing back, but not in season to witness the fatal battle, and the fall of their poor slain queen, who should have gone forth with them to seek a future home.’ ”* The Apiarian has already been reminded of the import¬ ance of securing straight worker-combs for his stocks. To a stock-hive, such combs are like cash capital to a business man; and so long as they are fit for use, they should never be destroyed (p. 60).f Those who have plenty of good worker-comb, will unquestionably find it to their advantage to use it in the place of the artificial guides (PI. I., Fig. 2, w).\ Those who use the guides, * “ Wo introduced a queen into a hive,” says Huber, 41 after painting her thorax, to distinguish her from the reigning queen. A circle of bees formed so closely uround the stranger, that in scarcely a minute she lost her liberty. Other workers a* the same time collected around the reigning queen, and restrained her motions. * * * They retained their prisoners only when they appeared to withdraw from each other; and if one, less restrained, seemed desirous of approaching her rival, all the bees forming the clusters gave way, to allow her full liberty of attack; then, if they showed a disposition to fly, they returned to inclose them.” t Mr. 8. Wagner has a colony over 21 years old, whose young bees appear to be as large as any others in his Apiary. $ 8«e Explanation of Plates of Hives, for a description of the various styles of movable frames 203 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. should examine a swarm two or three days after it is hived, when, by a little management, any irregularities in their combs may be easily corrected Some combs may need a little compression, to bring them into their proper positions, and others may even require to be cut out, and ’ fastened as guides in other frames; but no pains should be spared to see that they are all right, before the work has gone so far as to make it laborious to remedy any defects. If a colony is small it ought to be confined, by a movable partition, to such a space in the hive as it can occupy with comb — as well for its encouragement, as to economize its animal heat, and guard against irregularities in comb-building. Varro, who flourished before the Christian Era, says (Liber III., Cap. xviii.), that bees be¬ come dispirited, when placed in hives that are too large. The possession of five frames of straight worker-comb, may be made to answer an admirable end, if given to a new swarm, so as to alternate with its empty frames. After the bees have had possession of them two or three days, they may be politely informed that these worker- combs were only loaned to them as patterns, and their new combs may be alternated with empty frames. Five combs may thus be used for many successive swarms. As the artificial guides increase the expense of the frames, and cannot be invariably relied on , the practical Apiarian will aim, as far as possible, to dispense with their use. I have devised a plan — which will be elsewhere de¬ scribed — for superseding them, and enabling the beginner to compel his bees, without any comb, to build in the frames with entire regularity. It must be obvious to every intelligent bee-Jceeper , that the perfect control of the combs of the hive is the sold of a system of practical management , which may be modi¬ fied to suit the wants of all who cultivate bees. Even the ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 209 old-fashioned bee-keeper cars, with movable combs, destroy his faithful laborers quite as speedily as by setting them over a sulphur-pit; thus preserving his honey from dis¬ gusting fumes, while he secures it on frames from which it may be conveniently cut, and preserves all empty comb for future use (p. 'll). As many who would like to keep bees are so much afraid of being stung, that they object entirely even to natural swarming, how, it may be asked, can such persons open hives, lift out the combs, shake or brush off the bees, and practice other processes which seem like bearding a lion in its very den ? The truth is, that some persons are so timid, or suffer so dreadfully when stung, that they are every way disqualified from having anything to do with bees, and ought either to have none upon their premises, or to entrust the care of them to others. With the direc¬ tions furnished in this treatise, almost any one, however, by using a bee-dress, can learn to superintend bees with very little risk. I find, in short, that the risk of being stung is really diminished by the use of my hives; although it is very difficult for those who have not seen them in use, to believe that this can be so. The ignorance of most bee-keepers of the almost tin- limited control which may be peaceably acquired over bees , has ever been regarded by the author of this treatise as the greatest obstacle to the speedy introduction of movable-comb hives. He might easily have invented con¬ trivances which, by adapting themselves to this ignorance, would, at first, have proved much more lucrative to him, had he thought it just, either to the community or to himself, to have taken such a course. Such ignorance has led to the invention of costly and complicated hives,* * I have before me a small pamphlet, published la London in 1851, describing the eynstruction of the “Bar and Frame Hivo” of W. A. Munn, Esq. The object 210 TIIK HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. all the ingenuity and expense lavished upon which, are known, by the better informed, to be as unnecessary as a costly machine for lifting up bread and butter, and gently pushing it into the mouth and down the throat of an active and healthy child. The Rev. John Thorley, in his “ Female Monarchy ,” published at London, in 1744, appears to have first intro¬ duced the practice of stupefying bees by the narcotic fumes of the “ puff ball ” (Fungus pulverulentus), dried till it will hold fire like tinder. The same effect has been produced by pushing a rag, saturated with chloro¬ form or ether, into the entrance of the hive, and closing all tight, to prevent the escape of the fumes. The bees soon drop motionless from their combs, and recover again after a short exposure to the air. Some of my readers may suppose that such an easy mode of stupefying bees would very greatly facilitate the of this Invention Is to elevate frames, ono at a time, into a case with glass st f es, so that they may bo examined without risk of annoyance from the bees. Great Ingenuity Is exhibited by the Invontor of this very costly nnd very complicated hive, who seems to Imagine that smoko “ must bo Injurious both to the bees and their brood.” Even If a little smoko Is so injurious, the Apiarian, by sweotoned water, or by drumming upon a hlvo, after closing its entrance, can cause the bees to All themselves with honey (p. 27), when all their combs may be safely lifted out. A Huber-hlve, or ono with movable bars, may bo much more safely managed than any one which proposes to elevate the frames, with .at permitting them to ho pushed apart (p. 150). A single hive, the arrangomo e of which are such as to maim and irritate bees, is more to bo dreaded in o» Apiary than a thousand of proper construction ; as It educates bees to regard * iclr keoper in the light of an enemy. On p. 15, I have spoken of the bar-hive, as at 'oast ono hundred years old. From “ A Journey Into Greece, by Goorgo Wlu'Mor, Esq.,” made in 1676-0, It appoars that It was, at that time, In common use fie re, and, probably, even then an old invention ; he describes how It was used for forming artificial swarms, and re¬ moving spare honey. As the new swarms w'*ve made by dividing the combs be¬ tween two hives, nnd no mention Is made %< giving the quoenless ono a royal coll —those old observers were probably acquainted with the fact that they could rear one from the worker-brood. Huber *oys: — “ Monticclll, a Neapolitan Professor, claims that the plan of artificial swa* ulngwas borrowed from Favlgnana, nnd that the practice Is so ancient tlut ovo led, white, blue, yellow, &c., in form of a half-moon, or square, that the bees may the better know their own home.” Such precautions preserved the stocks from becoming queenless, although they were not adopted for that end. Fig. 51 Fig. 52. Pi. ate XVI. LOSS OF TUF, QUEEN. 217 by other bees, or fall a prey to the moth, or gradually dwindle away. As the bee-keeper, from limited space or other reasons, may prefer to keep his colonies close together, I have de¬ vised a way of effecting it, without risking the loss of the young queens :— If he relies upon natural swarming, he should remove the mother-stoclc , as soon as it has swarmed, to a new posi¬ tion, giving it two or three quarts of bees from the swarm, before they have entered the new hive, which is to be put on the old stand. These bees having the swarming propensity, will supply the place (p. 156) of those which subsequently leave. If artificial swarming is practiced, the entrances to the hives of the nuclei should be marked with a leafy twig, and, if possible, made to face differently (p. 189) from those of the adjoining stocks. The new colonies should be formed as directed on page 186. If two Apiaries are used, the artificial swarms may be made in any of the ways previously described, and those colonies which have queens to be impregnated, removed to the second Apiary. The bees are sometimes so excessively agitated when their queen leaves for impregnation, that they exhibit all the appearance of swarming. They seem to have an in¬ stinctive perception of the dangers which await her, and I have known them to gather around her and confine her, as though they could not bear to have her leave. If a queen is lost in what the Germans call “her wedding ex¬ cursion,” the bees of an old stock will gradually decline ; those of an after-swarm, will either unite with another jolony, or speedily dwindle away. It would be interesting, could we learn how bees become informed of the loss of their queen. When she is taken from them, undei circumstances that excite the whole 10 218 the hive and honey-bee. colony, we can easily see how they find it out; for as a tender mother, in time of danger, is all anxiety for her helpless children, so bees, when alarmed, always seek first to assure themselves of the safety of their queen. If, however, the queen is very carefully removed, a day, or even more, may elapse, before they realize their loss* How do they first become aware of it? Perhaps some dutiful bee, anxious to embrace her mother, makes diligent search for her through the hive. The intelligence that she cannot be found being noised abroad, the \vhole family is speedily alarmed. At such times, instead of calmly conversing, by touching each other’s antennae, they may be seen violently striking them together, and by the most impassioned demonstrations manifesting their agony and despair. I once removed the queen of a small colony, the bees of which took wing and filled the air, in search of her. Although she was returned in a few minutes, royal cells were found two days later. The queen was unhurt, and the cells untenanted. Was this work begun by some that did not believe the others, when assured that she was safe ? or from the apprehension that she might be removed again ? All colonies whose queens are to be impregnated should be watched, that the Apiarian maybe seasonably apprised of their loss. Such colonies, if provided with suitable brood-comb, will seldom forsake the hive, if the queen is lost. An old stock which cannot be suppplied with a queen or the means of raising one, should be broken up, • “ For eighteen hours after the queen was tnkon away, the usual labors of tho hive proceeded as regularly as If she were still present; but no sooner was her loss discovered than all was agitation and tumult—tho bees hurried backward and for ward over tho combs, with a loud noise, rushed In crowds out of tho hive, os 11 going to swarm, and in short, exhibited all the symptoms cf bereavement and de •pair.”—B evan, p. 24. LOSS OF THE QUEEN. 219 and the bees added to another colony; a new swarin, unless a queen nearly mature can be given to it (p. 149 ), should always be broken up. If the new colony is large, it will be better, instead of breaking it up, to give it a queen from some old stock which can easily raise another. It; however, the Apiarian uses movable-comb hives, and pursues the nucleus system (p. 188), he will always have queens on hand for all emergencies. Huber has proved that bees do not ordinarily transport the eggs of the queen from one cell to another. I have, however, in several instances,known them to carry worker- eggs into royal cells. Mr. Wagner put some queenless bees, brought from a distance, into empty combs that had lain for two years in his garret. When supplied with brood, they raised their queen in this old comb! Mr. Richard Colvin, of Baltimore, and other Apiarian friends, have communicated to me instances almost as striking. O Having described the precautions necessary to prevent the loss of queens, it remains to show how the bee-keeper can ascertain that a hive is queenless, and how he can remedy such a misfortune. As soon as the bees begin to fly briskly in the Spring, a stock which docs not industri¬ ously gather pollen,* or accept of rye flour, and which refuses clean water, given to it in an empty comb, is almost certain to have no queen, or one that is not fertile— unless it is on the eve of being destroyed by worms, or of perishing from starvation. A stock is sure to be queenless, if, after taking its first Spring-flight, the bees, by roaming, in an inquiring manner, in and out of the hive (p. 67), show that some great * “Mr. Randolph Peters, of Philadelphia, had a stock which ho was satisfied was queenless, ns the bees did not carry in pollen for 28 days. I put a queen into the hive, he holding a M'atch in his hand, and in &X minutes from the time she was Introduced, a bee was seen to enter with pollen on its legsl We both observed the entrance for some time, and saw many bees carry in pollen." — P. J Mahan. *220 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. calamity has befallen them. Those that come from the fields, instead of entering the hive with that dispatchful haste so characteristic of a bee returning, well loaded, to a prosperous home, usually linger about the entrance with an idle and dissatisfied appearance, and the colony is rest¬ less, late in the day, when other stocks are quiet Their home, like that of a man who is cursed in his domestic relations, is a melancholy place, and they enter it only with reluctant and slow-moving steps. And here, if permitted to address a word of friendly advice, I would say to every wife — Do all that you can ♦o make your husband’s home a place of attraction. When absent from it, let his heart glow at the thought of returning to its dear enjoyments ; as he approaches it, let his countenance involuntarily assume a more cheerful ex¬ pression, while his joy-quickened steps proclaim that he feels that there is no place like the cheerful home where his chosen wife and companion presides as its happy and honored Queen* If your home is not full of dear de¬ lights, try all the virtue of winning words and smiles, and the cheerful discharge of household duties, and ex¬ haust the utmost possible efficacy of love, and faith, and prayer, before those words of fearful agony, “ Anywhere, anywhere Out of the world 1" are extorted from your despairing lips, as you realize that there is no home for you, until you have passed into that habitation not fashioned by human hands, or inhabited by human hearts. Although when bees commence their work in the Spring, • 41 The tenth and Inst species of women were mndo out of n bee; nnd happy Is the man who gets such a one for his wife. She Is full of virtue and prudence, and (« the best wife that Jupiter can bestow.”/— Spectator. No. 209. LOSS OF Til 10 QUEEN. 221 they usually give reliable evidence either that all is well, or that ruin lurks within, if their first flight is not noticed, it is sometimes difficult, in the common hives, to get at the truth. If the bees are driven up among the combs, by smoke, the presence or absence of brood may often be ascertained. If a few imperfect bees are found on the bottom-board, or in front of the entrance, it shows that the hive has a fertile queen. I strongly advise giving every movable-comb hive a thorough examination, as soon as the bees begin to work in the Spring.* The combs, with the adhering bees, may be put into a clean hive, and the old one, after being cleansed from everything offensive to the delicate senses of the bees, may be given to another stock. In making this thorough cleansing of his hives, the Apiarian will learn which require aid, and which can lend a helping hand to others; and any one needing repairs, may be put in order before being used again. Such hives, if occasionally re-painted, will last for generations, and prove cheaper, in the long run, than any other kind. If, in the Spring examination, a hive has no queen, it should be supplied, if populous, with one from a weaker stock. If it is small, comb, with hatching bees,f should be given to it from a stronger colony. Or it may change * I woold refer those, who think that “ it is too muck trouble” to examlno their hives in the Spring, to the practice of the ancient bee-keepers, as set forth by Columella:—“ The hives should be opened in the Spring, that all the filth which was gathered in them during the Winter may be removed. Spiders, which spoil their combs, and the worms from which the moths proceed, must be killed. When the hive has been thus cleaned, the bees will apply themselves to work with the greater diligence and resolution.” The sooner thoso abandon bee-keeping, who consider the proper care of their bees as “ too much trouble,” the bettor for them¬ selves and their unfortunate bees. + That class of bee-keepers who suppose that all such operations are the “new¬ fangled " inventions of modern times, will be surprised to learn that Columella, 1800 years ago, recommended strengthening feeble stocks, by cutting out combf from stronger colonies, containing workors “just gnawing out of their 00113.” 222 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. stands with a strong stock, when the bees are actively gathering stores; or bees brought from a distance may be added to it * If it raises a queen before she can be seasonably impregnated, she may be killed, and more brood-comb given to them. The smallest stocks may thus be preserved until the drones appear, by which time they may be made as strong as is desired. The stocks deprived of their queens should be managed in the same way. By this device, every queenless stock, however feeble, that survives the Winter, may be nursed into profitable strength. A vigilant eye should be kept upon every colony that has not an impregnated queen; and when its queen is about a week old it should be examined, and if she has become fertile, she will usually be found supplying one of the central combs with eggs. If neither queen nor eggs can be found, and there are no certain indications that she is lost, the hive should be examined a few days later, for some queens are longer in becoming impregnated than others, and it is often difficult to find an unimpregnated one, on account of her adroit way of hiding among the bees. If the Apiarian relics on artificial swarming, he may deprive his queens of their wings, as soon as they are im¬ pregnated.! In a large Apiary, where many swarms might otherwise come off together, this will greatly di- • If a common Live la found, In the Spring, to be very much reduced in numbers, It can be recruited In the last two ways, provided Ithaa a healthy queen. If It has no queen, and la not sufficiently strong to justify giving It one from a weaker stock, the hees should be joined to another colony, and the hive reserved, with Its combs, for future swarms. It should, however, be kept out of the reach of the bee-moth, and before it is used again a few of the central combs should be broken out, to see that it is not infested by worms. + Virgil speaks of clipping the wings of queens, to prevent them from escaping with a swarm. John Mills (1766) quotes the following from an account published of the sheep of Spain:— 41 The number of bee-hives kept in Spain is incredible. I am almost ashamed *.o give under my hand, that I knew a parish priest who had five thousand hives. The bees suck all their honey from tho aromatic 'lowers LOSS OF THE QUEEN. 223 minish the labor and perplexity of the bee-keeper. I have devised a way of doing this, so as to designate the age of the queens : — With a pair of scissors, let the wings, on one side, of a young queen be carefully cut off: when the hives are examined next year, let one of her two remain¬ ing wings be removed, and the last one the third year. The fertility of queens usually decreases after the second year, and before they die of old age the contents of their spermathecas sometimes become exhausted, and they lay only drone-eggs.* Unless, therefore, queens' are unusually fertile, it will be safer to remove them after they have entered on their third year.f A young queen, or a sealed royal cell, should be given to a colony, the second day after the old one is removed— for if they raise a queen from the egg, she may find nearly all the cells filled with honey or bee-bread, and the popu¬ lation greatly reduced. Early in October — when some brood is usually found in every healthy stock, and when all the colonies should be examined, with reference to the coming Winter—if any are found to be queenless, they should be united to other stocks. If, however, the old queens were seasonably re¬ moved, and the stocks that raised young ones were properly attended to, few queenless colonies will be found in which enamel and perfume two-thirds of the sheep-walks. This priest cautiously seizes the queens In a small crape fly-catch, and then clips off their wings. He assured me that he never lost a swarm from the day of this discovery to the day ho saw me, which was, I think, five years after.”—p. 77. • Piisel says, that a queen that has suffered from hunger for 24 hours never re¬ covers her wonted fertility. I shall show, in another place, that after recovering from sovcro cold, queens cease to lay worker-eggs. t “ Queens differ much as to the degree of their fertility. Those are best which deposit their eggs with uniform regularity, leaving no cells unsupplied—aa tho brood hatches at tho same time on tho same range of comb, which can bo again supplied: the queen thus losing no time in searching for empty cells.”— Dziereon. In bee-life, as woll as in human affairs, those who are systematic, ordinarily accom* plish the most 224 THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. the Fall. At this season, or as soon as forage fails, such stocks may usually be detected by the incessant attempts of other colonies to rob them. The neglect of a colony to expel its drones, when they are destroyed in other hives, is always a suspicious sign, and generally an indication that it has no queen. Healthy stocks almost always destroy the drones , as soon as forage becomes scarce. In the vicinity of Philadelphia, there were only a few days in June, 1858, when it did not rain, and in that month the drones were destroyed in most of the hives. When the weather became more propitious, others were bred to take their place. In seasons when the honey-harvest has been abundant and long protracted, I have known the drones to be retained, in Northern Massachusetts, until the 1st of November. If bees could gather honey and could swarm the whole year, the drones would probably die a natural death. The importance of preventing the over-production of drones has been corroborated by the discovery of Mr. P. J. Mahan, that those leaving the hive have quite a large drop of honey in their stomachs—while those returning from their pleasure excursions, having digested their dinners, are prepared for a new supply* “ The drone,” says quaint old Butler, “ is a gross, sting¬ less bee, that spendeth his time in gluttony and idleness. For howsoever he brave it, with his round velvet cap, his side gown, his full paunch, and his loud voice, yet is ho but an idle companion, living by the sweat of others’ brows. * Aristotle (History of Animals, Book IX., Chap. XI.), speaks of the irregular and thick combs built by some stocks, and the superabundance of drones issuing from them, no notices, also, the destruction of the drones when bee-forage falls, and describes their excursions as follows“The drones, when they go abroad, riBe Into the air with a circular flight, as though to take violent exercise, and when they have taken enough, return home, and gorge themselves with honey." Columella says, that the proper time for removing the surplus honoy Is when the bees expel the drones. LOSS OF THE QUEEN. 225 He worketh not at all, either at home or abroad, and yet spendeth as much as two laborers: you shall never find his maw without a drop of the purest nectar. In the heat of the day he flieth abroad, aloft and about, and that with no small noise, as though he would do some great act; but it is only for his pleasure, and to get him a stomach, and then returns he presently to his cheer.” It has already been stated (p. 51), that the bee-keepers in Aristotle’s time were in the habit of destroying the excess of drones. They excluded them from the hive— when taking their accustomed airing — by contracting the entrance with a kind of basket work. Butler recommends a similar trap, which he calls a “ drone-pot." The arrange¬ ment used in my hives to prevent swarming, will servo also to exclude the drones. Towards dark, or early in the morning — when clustered, for warmth, in the portico — they may be brushed into a vessel of water, and given to chickens, which will soon learn to devour them. In ex¬ cluding them from hives having an uniinpregnated queen, the entrance must be adjusted to let her pass. It is interesting to notice the actions of the drones when they are excluded from the hive. For a while they eagerly search for a wider entrance, or strive to force their bulky bodies through the narrow gateway. Finding this to be in vain, they solicit honey from the workers, and when refreshed, renew their efforts for admission, ex¬ pressing, all the while, with plaintive notes, their deep sense of such a cruel exclusion. The bee-keeper, however, is deaf to their entreaties; it is better for him that they should stay without, and better for them — if they only knew it — to perish by his hands, than to be starved or butchered by the unfeeling workers. With movable- corni hives, pity and profit may be perfectly reconciled 10* 220 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. (p. 51), by removing all excess of drone-comb from the breeding apartment.* In the Summer of 1853, I discovered that after a queen is taken from a paper cone (p. 159), the bees will run in and out of it for a long time, thus proving that they recog¬ nize ner peculiar scent. It is this odor which causes them to run inquiringly over our hands, after we have caught a queen, and over any spot where she alighted when her swarm came forth. This scent of the queen was probably known in Aristo¬ tle’s time, who says: “ When the bees swarm, if the king (queen) is lost, we are told that they all search for him, and follow him with their sagacious smell, until they find him.” Wildman says : “ The scent of her body is so at¬ tractive to them, that the slightest touch of her along any place or substance will attract the bees to it, and induce them to pursue any path she takes.”f The intelligent bee-keeper will readily perceive not only how the loss of queens may be remedied, by the movable- comb hive, but how any operation, which in other hives is performed with difficulty, if at all, is in this rendered easy and certain. No hive, however, can make the ignorant or negligent very successful, unless they live in a region where the climate is so propitious, and the honey resources so abundant, that bees will prosper in spite of mismanagement or neglect. Those who have not the leisure or disposition to manage their own bees, may, with my hives, entrust the care of * If a number of drones are confined in a small box, they give forth a strong odor: Swammerdam supposed that the queen was impregnated by this scent ( aura seminaUn ”) of the drones. t Before becoming acquainted with these authors, I supposed myself to have made an original discovery. Mr. 1'. J. Mahan informs me that after handling the queen bo has had bees several times alight upon his fingers, when he »vas a mile or more from his Auiary. LOSS OF THE QCKEN. 227 them to competent persons. The business of the gardener seems naturally associated with that of the Apiarian ; and practical gardeners may find the management of bees, for their employers, quite a lucrative part of their profession. With but little trouble, they cau make new colonics, re¬ move the surplus honey, and on the approach of Win for prepare the bees to resist its rigors. 223 TOE IIIVE AND UONEY-BEE. CHAPTER XII. 1 tin, BEE-MOTH, AND OTHER ENEMIES OF BEES-DISEASE* on BEES. The Beo-Moth ( Tinea mellonella) is mentioned by Aristotle, Virgil, Columella and other ancient authors, as one of the most formidable enemies of the honey-bee. Modern writers, almost without exception, have regarded it as the plague of their Apiaries; while in this country its ravages have been so fatal, that the majority of culti¬ vators have abandoned bee-keeping in despair. Most of the contrivances devised against it have proved worthless, and not a few have aided its nefarious designs. Having closely studied its habits, I am able to show how careful bee-keepers may protect their colonies from being ruined by its assaults. The careless will obtain a “ moth-proof ” hive only when the sluggard finds a “ weed-proof ” soil. Before stating how to circumvent the moth, its habits will be briefly described. Swammerdam speaks of two species of the bee-moth (called in his time the “ bee-wolf"), one much larger than the other. Linnaeus and Reaumur also describe two kir.ds — Tinea cereana and Tinea mellonella. Most writers suppose the former to be the male, and the latter the female of the same species. The following description is abridged from Dr. Harris’ Report on the Insects of Massachusetts: “ Very few of the Tinea} exceed or even equal it in size. In its adult state it is a winged moth, or miller, measuring, from the head to the tip of the closed wings, ENEMIES OF BEES. 229 from five-eighths to three-quarters of an inch in length, and its wings expand from one inch and one-tenth to one inch and four-tenths. The fore-wings shut together flatly on the top of the hack, slope steeply downwards at the sides, and are turned up at the end somewhat like the tail of a fowl. The female is much larger than the male, and much darker-colored. There are two broods of these insects in the course of the year. Some winged moths of the first brood begin to appear towards the end of April or early in May—earlier or later, according to climate and season. Those of the second brood are most abundant in August; but some may be found between these periods, and even much later.” No writer with whom I am acquainted has given such an exact description of the difference between the sexes, that they can always be readily distinguished. The beautiful wood-cuts of the moths, larvae, and cocoons, which I present to my readers, were drawn from nature, by Mr. M. M. Tidd, of Boston, Mass., and engraved by Mr, D. T. Smith, of the same city. A large number of specimens were furnished to Mr. Tidd, and great accuracy has been secured. He seems first to have noticed that the tongue of the female projects so as to resemble a beak, while that of the male is very short.* While some males are larger than some females, and some females much lighter-colored than the average of males, and occasionally some males as dark as the darkest females, the peculiarity of the tongue of the female is so marked , that she may always be distinguished at a glance. * Dr. Harris speaks of the tongue of the moth ns “very short, anil harillt risible.” This is true only of that of the male. Male. Female. 230 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. The tongue of the female is double, and. the line of separation is shown in the figure in which she is repre¬ sented as lying on her back. Both male and female were accurately copied from specimens of the average size and form. In this sketch, an under-sized male is represented.* His color was so dark that, but for the tongue, he might easily have been mistaken for a female of a different and much smaller species.f These insects are seldom seen on the wing, unless started from their lurking places about the hives, until towards dark. On cloudy days, however, the female may be noticed endeavoring, before sunset, to gain an entrance into the hives. “ If disturbed in the daytime,” says Dr. Harris, “they open their wings a little, and spring or glide swiftly away, so that it is very difficult to seize or to hold them.J In the evening, they take wing, when the * The legs are shown In this figure. In the sitting position, they are usually concealed, as in the preceding figures. Those drawings appear to better advantage in Plnte XIII. + As all the specimens submitted to Mr. Tidd were taken from two adjoining hives, very late in the Fall, it is possible that observations at some other season, and in different localities, may confirm the view of those who believe that there arc two species. Mr. Tidd, while experimenting to ascertain the sexes, found that a female, as soon as she was pinned fast, thrust out her ovipositor, which works with a telescopic motion, and began to feel for some crevice in which to deposit her eggs. Some cracks being made with a small penknife in the wood to which »he was fastened, she at once proceeded to fill them with eggs. Her abdomen was tbci cut off, and the egg-laying process continued as before, while tho rest of I he body leisurely walked away! The abdomen was now dissected, so as to show tho ducts of the ovaries, and, even in this mutilated condition, she thrust out her ovipositor, all the while carefully seeking for appropriate crevices In which to deposit her eggs I I have repeated, with similar results, these experiments, so sug* gestive of curious speculations as to insoct volition. \ They are surprisingly agile, both on foot and on the wing, the motions of a bee being very slow, in comparison. “ They are,” says Reaumur, “ the most nimble* footed creatures that I know.” Small Male. ENEMIES OF BEES. 231 bees are at rest, and hover around the hive, till, having found the door, they go in and lay their eggs ” “ If the approach to the Apiary,” says Bevan, “ be observed of a moonlight evening, the moths will be found flying or running round the hives, watching an opportunity to en¬ ter, whilst the bees that have to guard the entrances against their intrusion, will be seen acting as vigilant sentinels, performing continual rounds near this important post, extending their antennas to the utmost, and moving them to the right and left alternately. Woe to the un¬ fortunate moth that comes within their reach !” “ It is curious,” says Huber, “ to observe how artfully the moth knows how to profit by the disadvantage of the bees, which require much light for seeing objects, and the pre¬ cautions taken by the latter in reconnoitering and expel¬ ling so dangerous an enemy.” “ Those that are prevented from getting within the hive, lay their eggs in cracks on the outside; and the little worm-like caterpillars hatched therefrom, easily creep into the hive through the cracks, or gnaw a passage for them¬ selves under the edges of it.”*—D r. Harris. “ As soon as hatched, the worm encloses itself in a case of white silk, which it spins around its body; at first it is like a mere thread, but gradually increases in size, and, during its growth, feeds upon the cells around it, for which purpose it has only to put forth its head, and find its wants supplied. It devours its food with great avidity, and, consequently, increases so much in bulk, that its gal¬ lery soon becomes too short and narrow, and the creature is oblig'-d to thrust itself forward and lengthen the gal¬ lery, as well to obtain more room as to procure an addi- * If movable bottom-boards are used, It will bo next to impossible to prevent ♦.he moth from laying her eggs between them and the edges of the hives. The smallest opening will enable her to thrust in her ovipositor, and place her egg* whero her progeny will find an easy admission to the hive. 0°0 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. tional supply of food. Its augmented size exposing it to attacks from surrounding foes, the wary insect fortifies its new abode with additional strength and thickness, by blending with the filaments of its silken covering a mix¬ ture of wax and its own excrement, for the external barrier of a new gallery,* the interior and partitions of which are liued with a smooth surface of white silk, which admits the occasional movements of the insect, without injury to its delicate texture. In performing these opera¬ tions, the insect might be expected to meet with opposi¬ tion from the bees, and to be gradually rendered more assailable as it advanced in age. It never, however, exposes any part but its head and neck, both of which are covered with stout helmets, or scales, impenetrable to the sting of a bee, as is the composition of the galleries that surround it.”— Bevan. The worm is here given of full size, and with all its peculiarities carefully repre¬ sented. The scaly head is shown in one of the worms; while the three pairs of claw¬ like fore legs, and the five pairs of hind ones, which are suckers, are clearly delineated. The tail is also furnished with two of these suckers. The breathing holes are seen on the back. • This representation of the web, or gallery of the worm, was cooled from Swammerdam. ENEMIES OF BEES. 233 Wax is the chief food of these worms.* When obliged to steal their living among a strong stock of bees, they seldom fare well enough to reach the size which they attain when rioting at pleasure among the full combs of a discouraged population. In about three weeks, the larva) stop eating, and seek a suitable place for encasing them¬ selves in their silky shroud. In hives where they reign unmolested, almost any place will answer their purpose, and they often pile their cocoons one on another, or join them together in long rows. They sometimes occupy the empty combs, so that their cocoons resemble the capping of the honey-cells. In Plate XIX., Fig. 50, Mr. Tidd has given a drawing, accurate in size and form, of a curious instance of this kind. The black spots, resembling grains of gunpowder, are the excrements of the worms. In hives strongly guarded by healthy bees, many a worm, while prying about to find a snug hiding place, is seized by the nape of the neck, and served with an instant writ of ejectment. If a hive is thoroughly made, it runs a dangerous gauntlet, as it passes, in search of some crevice, through the ranks of its enraged foes. Its mo¬ tions, however, are exceedingly quick, and it is full of cunning devices, being able to crawl backwards, to twist round on itself, to curl up almost into a knot, and to flat¬ ten itself out like a pancake. If obliged to leave the hive, it gets under some board or concealed crack, spins its cocoon, and patiently awaits its transformation. In most hives, it readily finds a crack into which it can creep, or a small space between the movable bottom- • “Larvoe fed exclusively on pure wax will die, wax boing a non-nltrogenoua substance, and not furnishing the aliment required for their perfect develop¬ ment/’ — DO nhoff. Tnle statement agrees with the fact, that tho larvro prefer the brood-combs, and that the combs of an old stock are more liable to be devoured than those of 8 new one. 2S4 THE HIVE AND UONKY-BL'E. board and the edges of the hive. It can pass through a very small crevice, and as soon as safe from the bees, it will begin to enlarge its cramped tenement, by gnawing into the solid wood. The time required for the larvae to break forth into winged insects, varies with the tempera¬ ture to which they are exposed, and the season of the year when they spin their cocoons.* I have known them to spin and hatch in ten or eleven days; and they often spin so late in the Fall, as not to emerge until the ensuing Spring. The male usually keeps away from the hive, but the female seeks in every way to gain an entrance. If the stock is weak and discouraged, she lays her eggsf among * In November (1S5S), I procured a large number of cocoons for winter obser¬ vations. From many of them, the moths quickly emerged. In others, the larvae slowly changed into pupa) or crysalids; while, in others still, after being exposed for more than two months to a summer temperature, they remained in the worm state. A few were exposed for six weeks to a uniform temperature of over 80°, and only one passed into tho winged moth. Some, after being taken out of their cocoons six times, would envelop themselves in a new shroud. Dr. Donhoif says, that the larvie become motionless at a temperature of from 8S° to 40°, and entirely torpid at a lower temperature. A number which he left all Winter in his summer-house, revived in tho Spring, and passed through their natural changes. He appears to have been more successful than myself in induc¬ ing them to develop in Winter, by artificial heat; but this may be owing to the fact that he experimented with larvre which greedily ate the food given to them, and not as I did , with worms which had spun their cocoons. Further experi¬ ments are needed, in order to determine whether dilatory development is peculiar to those reaching maturity late in the Fall, or is caused by the sudden check given by cold weather. u If, when tho thermometer stood at 10°, I dissocted a chrysalis, it was notfrozon, but congealed Immediately afterwards. This shows that, at so low a temperature, the vital force is sufficient to resist frost. In the hive, tho chrysalids and larvie, in various stages of development, pass the Winter in a state of torpor, in corners and crevices, and among tho waste on tho bottom-boards. In March or April, they revive, and tho boes of strong colonies commence operations for dislodging them.” — Donuoff. Some larviB which I exposed to a temperature of 6° below zero, froze 6olid, and never revived. Others, after remaining for 8 hours in a temperature of about 12°, seemed, after reviving, to remain for weeks in a crippled condition. t w The eggs of the bee-moth (see Plate XIII., Fig. 44) are perfectly round, and very small, being only about one-eighth of a line in diameter. In the ducts of tho ovarium, they are ranged togethei in tho form of a rosary. They are not developed ENEMIES OF BEES. 235 the combs, or inserts them in the corners or crevices, or among the refuse wax and bee-broad on the bottom- board, where her progeny can be concealed and nourished till they are able to reach the combs. In Plate XX., Fig. 57, Mr. Tidd has faithfully de¬ lineated, and Mr. Smith skillfully engraved, the black mass of tangled webs, cocoons, excrements, and perfo¬ rated combs, which may be found in a hive where the worms have completed their work of destruction. The entrance of the moth into a hive and the ravages committed by her progeny, forcibly illustrate the havoc which vice often makes when admitted to prey unchecked on the precious treasures of the human heart. Only some tiny eggs are deposited by the insidious moth, which give birth to very innocent-looking worms ; but let them once get the control, and the fragrance* of the honied dome is soon corrupted, the hum of happy industry stilled, and everything useful and beautiful ruthlessly destroyed. The honey-bee is not a native of the New World, and, when brought here, was called by the Indians the consecutively, like those of the queen bee, but are found in the ducts, fully and perfectly formed, a few days after the female moth emerges from the cocoon. She deposits them, usually, in little clusters on the combs. If we wish to witness the discharge of the eggs, it is only necessary to seize a female moth, two or three days old, with finger and thumb, by the head—she will instantly protrude her ovipo¬ sitor, and tho eggs may then bo distinctly seen passing along through the semi¬ transparent duct. (See Plate XIII., Fig. 46, C.) “Last Summer I reared a boo-moth larva in a small box. It spun a cocoon, from which issued a female moth. Holding her by the bead, I allowed her to deposit eggs on a piece of honey-comb. Three weoks afterwards, I examined tho comb, and found on it some web and two larva}. The eggs were all shrivelled and dried up, except a few which were perforated, and from which, I suppose, the larvre emerged. This appears to bo a case of true parthenogenesis in the bee moth .”—Translated from Da. Ponhoff by 8. Waoner. As among hundreds of specimens furnished to Mr. Tidd very few males were noticed, I conjectured that the eggs of those females would hatch without impreg¬ nation, and took measures to have Dr. Joseph Leidy investigate tho subject 14 seems, however, that in this matter, our German brethren have tho priority • The cdor of tho moth and la vib Is very offensive. 236 TI1E HIVE AND IlxJNEY-BHE. white man’s fly.* Longfellow, in his “ Song of Hiawatha,” in describing the advent of the European to the New World, makes his Indian warrior say of the bee and the white clover:— “ Wheresoe’er they move, before them Swarms the stinging fly, the Ahmo, Swarms the bee, the honey-maker ; Wheresoe’er they tread, beneath them Springs a flower unknown among us, Springs the White Man’s Foot in blossom.” As the bees flourished for years undisturbed by the moth, it seems probable that it was not brought over in the first hives, but at a much later period. In whatever way it was introduced, it has so multiplied in our propi¬ tious climate of hot summers, that few districts are now exempt from its ravages. Fifty years ago our markets were proportionablv better supplied with honey than they now are, and largo tubs filled with snow-white combs were a common sight. Many Apiarians contend that newly-settled countries are most favorable to the bee; and an old German adage runs thus:— “ Bolls’ ding dong, And choral song, Deter the bee From industry: But hoot of owl, And ‘ wolf’s long howl,’ Incite to moil And steady foil.” • ** It Is suprising In what countless swarms tho bees liavo overspread the far West within but a moderate nnmhor of years. Tho Indians consider them the harbingers of the wliit^i man, os the butfalo is of tho red man, and say that, in proportion as the bee advances, tho Indian and tho butfalo retire. They have been the heralds of civilization, steadily preceding it as it advances from the Atlantlo borders; and some of the ancient settlers of the West pretend to give tho v *'ry year when the houey-beo first crossed tho Mississippi. At present it swarm ENEMIES OF BEES. 237 Others affirm that our colonies are too numerous to find sufficient food. That neither of these reasons account for the change, will be subsequently shown. Others lay all the blame on the moth, and others still, on our departure from the old-fashioned mode of keeping bees. It is undoubtedly true that the moth so super-abounds in many districts, that no profit can be derived from managing bees in the simple way which was once so suc¬ cessful. Often the old bee-keeper, aft er hiving his swarms, never looked at them again until the Fall, when all the colonies which had too few bees, or were too light to survive the Winter, were condemned to the brimstone pit. Some of the heaviest were also killed for the sake of their honey, and the very best were reserved for stock hives. In a newly-settled country, where weeds are almost unknown, the farmer who plants his corn and “lets it alone,” may often harvest a remunerative crop. If, in process of time, as the weeds increase, he continues to plough and plant in the “ good old way,” he will only bo. laughed at for complaining that the pestiferous weeds have caused his corn to “ run out.” And yet, with equal folly, many bee-keepers do not understand why plans which answered when moths were unknown or were very scarce, cannot be made to succeed at the present time. If the old plans had been rigidly adhered to, the ravages of the moth, destructive as they must have been, would never have been as great as they now are. The use of patent hives has contributed to fill the land with myriads in the noble groves and forests that skirt and intersect the prairies, a^d extend along the alluvial bottoms of the rivers. It seems to me as if these beauti¬ ful regions answer literally to the description of the land of promise — ‘aland flow* ing with milk and honeyfor the rich pasturage of the prairies is calculated to sustain herds of cattle as countless ns the snn Is upon the sea-shore, while the flowers with which they are enamelled render them a very paradise for the nectar- seeking bee.” — Washington Ibving, Tour on the Prairies , Chap. IX, 238 T1IE HIVE AMD HONEY-BEE. the devouring pest. Ever since their introduction, the notion has almost universally prevailed that stocks must not, under any circumstances, be voluntarily destroyed; and hence, thousands of colonies, which, under the old system, were mercifully killed, are now left to perish by slow starvation, while thousands more arc so feeble in the Spring that they serve only to breed a host of moths to bo the pest of the Apiary. The truth is, that improved hives, without an improved system of management, have done, on the whole, more harm than good. In no country have they been so exten¬ sively used as in our own, and no where has the moth so completely gained the ascendency. Just so far as they have discouraged ordinary bee-keepers from the old plan of “ taking up” their weak swarms in the Fall, just so far have they extended “ aid and comfort” to the moth. Some of them might, unquestionably, be so managed as, in ordinary cases, to protect the bees against the moth ; but no hive which does not give the control of the combs, can be relied on for all emergencies. As for many of the complicated contrivances, which have been devised by men ignorant of the first principles of bee-keeping, and the “swindle-traps” of sharpers, who, to fill their own pockets, would be glad to kill all the bees in the world, they not only afford no more security against the moth, than the old box-hive, but are full of fixtures, which serve no end but to annoy the bees and multiply lurking-places for moths and worms. The more they are used, the worse the condition of the bees ; just as the more a man uses the nostrums of the lying quack, the farther he gets from health.* * An intelligent mnn informed me that he paid ten dollars to a w bee-qvaclc" professing to have an infallible secret for protecting beos against the moth. Aftor parting with his money, and learning that this secret consisted in ‘‘always keep* lug stTong stocks," ho felt that ho had been as grossly imposed upon, as if, aftei ENEMIES OF BEES. 230 While freely admitting that the old plan of killing the bees has, in the hands of the ignorant, met with the best success, I am persuaded that a more humane and enlight cried system can be made much more profitable. The use of movable frames permitting, as they do, the weakest stocks to be strengthened or united to others, will, I trust, in due time, introduce the happy era when the following epitaph, taken from a German work, might properly be placed over every pit of brimstoned bees :* HERE RESTS, CUT OFF FROM USEFUL LABOR, A COLONY OF INDUSTRIOUS BEES, BASELY MURDERED BY ITS UNGRATEFUL AND IGNORANT OWNER. To the epitaph should be appended Thompson’s verses • “ Ah, see, where robbed and murdered in that pit, Lies the still heaving hive! at evening snatched, Beneath the cloud of guilt-concealing night, And fixed o’er sulphur! while, not dreaming ill, The happy people, in their waxen cells, Sat tending public cares. Sudden, the dark, oppressive steam ascends, And, used to milder scents, the tender race, By thousands, tumble from their honied dome Into a gulf of blue sulphureous flame!” The following letter, on the first appearance of the bee-moth in this country, from Dr. Jared P. Kirtland, of puying a large sum for an infallible life-preserving secret, bo had been tnrned off with tho truism that, to live forever, one must keep well! * Killing bees for their honey was, unquestionably, an Invention of tho dark ages, when the human family had lost — in Apiarian pursuits as well as in otbei things—the skill of former ages. In the times of Aristotle, Varro, Columella, and '“liny, such a narbarous practice did not exist. Tho old cultivators took only what their boos could spare, killing no stocks, except such as were feeble or diseased. THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. ‘ 2-10 Cleveland, Ohio, who is so widely known for his interest iiv Horticultural and Apiarian pursuits, will he read with great interest: “Cleveland, Feb. 19th, 1859. “Dear Sir: —Until 1805, the honey-bee flourished in the United States. At the commencement of the present century, a majority of the farmers and mechanics in the State of Connecticut cultivated the bee. Few, if any, unfavorable contingencies interfered with that pursuit; the simplest form of box-hives was usually employed, though, occasionally, a hollow gum, and, in a few instances, the conical straw sleep supplied their place. “ In Autumn, the weak colonies, and such of the old as were depreciating in value, were destroyed by fire and brimstone. The honey thus obtained was sufficiently abundant to satisfy the demand ; hence, in those days, caps, drawers, and side-boxes, for robbing bees, were not employed. “During the Spring of the year 1800,1 read an article, in the Boston Patriot , describing the miller and worm, and their depredations, and representing them as of re¬ cent appearance in the vicinity of that city. A few months subsequently, a neighbor informed me that they were depredating extensively on his colonies ; and within two years of that time, four-fifths of all the Apiaries in that vicinity were abandoned.* * Judge Fishback, of Batavia, Ohio, Bays that the ravages of the inoth, in his Apiary, were much more destructive the second season after its appearance, than at any subsequent period. I can only account for this, by supposing that, at first, the bees were ignorant of its nature, and took no special precautions to prevent it from entering their hives. In Europe, where it has been well known for more than two thousand years, its ravages have never been of such a wholesale character. As both worms and moth have a peculiar smell, the bees would soon learn to repel from their hives, a moth smelling so much like the worms that were devouring their combs. That bees can learn to defend themselves against new enemies, is proved by tho beta related by Uuber, of their narrowing their entrances with propolis to keep Fig. 53. Plate XVII. Fig. 54. ENEMIES OF BEES. 241 “ Since that period, a succession of patent hives, whose originators were ignorant of the habits of the moth, has appeared as its auxiliaries, and the two combined, have nearly exterminated the bee from that section of the country. The efforts of a few individuals, of more than usual perseverance and ingenuity, were occasionally attended with limited success. “In the Summer of 1810, I resided in the county of Trumbull, Ohio. The moth had not reached this part of the country, and bee-culture was extensively pursued, and with a success I have never witnessed elsewhere. The rich German farmers were on a strife to excel each other in the number of their colonics. Two or three hundred they frequently attained. “In 1818, I again visited that county, and permanently located there in 1823, and at both periods found that pursuit still prospering. In August, 1828, while visiting a sick family in Mercer Co., Pa., I observed that a large Apiary was suffering severely from the attacks of the worm. The proprietor informed me that it had made its appearance for the first time the present season. Within another year, it spread over all of Northern Ohio, and in the Winter of 1831-2, I learned, from members of the Legislature, that it had reached every part of our State. Similar results followed its progress here, as in the New England States. “Until the introduction of your system of movable frames, no successful means of counteracting its ravages were devised. I am happy to say that, by the aid of your hives, I have not the least difficulty in meeting it. “ With great respect, yours, <&c., “ Rkv. L. h. Langstroth. “ Jared P. Kirti.and.” nut the large death-head moth (Sphinx atropo»\ a single one of which can swallow ft tablespoonful of honey. An Apiarian, from Ohio, sent mo some honey-eating moths, much larger than the boe-moth, which entered his weak hives and gorged thomselves with honey. U 242 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. Almost anything hollow will often, for a series of years, be successfully tenanted by bees. To see hives, with large, open cracks, whose owners are ignorant and care¬ less, bidding defiance to the moth, may, at first sight, impair confidence in the value of any precautions. While stocks often flourish in such log-cabin hives, others, in costly “Bee-Palaces,” are frequently devoured by the worms—their owner, with all the newest devices in the Apiarian line, being unable to protect them against their enemies, or to explain why some colonies, like the chil¬ dren of the poor, appear almost to thrive upon neglect, while others, like the offspring of the rich, are feeble, apparently in exact proportion to the care lavished on them * I shall now explain why some stocks flourish in spite of neglect, while others, most cared for, fall a prey to the moth, and shall show how, in suitable hives, and with proper precautions, the moth may be kept from seriously annoying the bees. A feeble colony being unable to cover its combs, they are often filled with the eggs of the moth, and, frequently, their owner becomes aware of their condition only when their ruin is completed. But how, can the novice know when a stock, in a common hive, is seriouslyf in¬ fested with these all-devouring worms ? The discouraged aspect of the bees plainly indicates that there is trouble of some kind within, and the bottom-board will be cov¬ ered with pieces of bee-bread mixed with the excrement of the worms, which looks like grains of gunpowder.\ ♦ It is very common to hear bee-keepers speak of having 11 g >od luck,” or “ bad luck,” with tlieir bees; and, as bees are managed, success or failure often seems to depend almost entirely upon what is called “ luck.” t Inexperienced bee-keepers, who imagine that a colony is nearly ruined when they find a few worms, should remember that almost every old stock, however strong or heulthy, has some of these enemies lurking about its premises. t When bees in the Spring prepare their cells for brood, the bottom-board is often covered with small pieces of comb and bee-bread; but if these are not mixed with the black excrement, they are proofs of Industry, instoad of signs of ruin. ENEMIES OF BEES. ‘243 Early in the Spring, before the stocks become populous, the bees should be driven up among their combs by smoke, and the bottom-boards cleansed (p. 221). It too frequently happens that, in the common hives, nothing can be effectually done, even when the bee-keeper is aware of the plague within. With movable frames, however, the combs, and all parts of the hives, may be carefully cleansed, and if a stock is weak or queenless, the proper remedies may be easily applied. If a feeble stock cannot be strengthened so as to protect its empty combs, they may be taken away until the bees are numerous enough to need them. If the bee-moth were so constituted as to require but a small amount of heat for its full development, it would become exceedingly numerous early in the Spring, antf might easily enter the hives and deposit its eggs where it pleases: for at this season, not only is there no guard maintained by the bees at night, but large portions of their comb are quite unprotected. How does every tact in the history of the bee, when properly investigated, point with unerring certainty to the wisdom of Ilim who made it 1 Combs having no brood, may be smoked with the fumes of burning sulphur, to kill the eggs or worms of the moth. If kept from the bees, they should be carefully protected, in a dry place, from the moth, and examined occasionally, to be smoked again if any worms are found. Directions have been given on page 140 for preventing common hives from swarming so often that they cannot protect their empty combs. If not prevented from over-swarming, in the movable-comb hives, by methods which have been so fully described, some of the combs of the mother-stock may be given to the. after-swarms, 244 TDK UIVE AND HONEY-BEE. instead of being left where they may be attacked by the moth. The most fruitful cause of the ravages of the moth still remains to be described. If a colony becomes hopelessly queenless, it must, unless otherwise destroyed, inevitably full a prey to the bee-moth. By watching, in glass hives, the proceedings of colonies purposely made queenless, I have ascertained that they make little or no resistance to her entrance, and allow her to lay her eggs where she pleases. The worms, after hatching, appear to have their own way, and are even more at home than the dispirited bees.* How worthless, then, to a queenless colony, are all the traps and other devices which, of late years, have been so much relied upon. Any passage which admits a bee is large enough for the moth, and if a single female enters such a hive, she will lay eggs enough to destroy it, how¬ ever strong. Under a low estimate, she would lay, at least, two hundred eggs in the hive, and the second gene¬ ration will count by thousands, while those of the third will exceed a million.f Not only do the bees of a hopelessly quecnless hive * The fact that quecnless stocks n at Fontainebleau—was nothing to this."— London Quarterly RettiV*. 264 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. until tlicy have tested the strength of every hive. Even if all the colonies are able to defend themselves, many bees will be lost in these encounters, and much time wasted ; for bees, whether engaged in robbing, or battling against the robbery of others, lose both the disposition and the ability to engage in useful labors* By keeping the movable entrance-blocks of my hives very close together, when a colony is feeble, if thieves try to slip in, they are almost sure to be overhauled and put to death ; and if robbers are bold enough to attempt to force an entrance, as the bottom-board slants forward, it gives the occupants of the hive a decided advantage. If any succeed in entering, they find hundreds standing in battle-array, and fare as badly as a forlorn hope that has stormed the walls of a beleaguered fortress, only to perish among thousands of enraged enemies. By putting these blocks before the entrance of a hive which has ceased to offer any effectual resistance, the dispirited colony will often recover heart, and drive off their assailants. When bees are actively engaged in robbing, they sally out with the first peep of light, and often continue their depredations until it is so late that they cannot find the entrance to their hive. When robbing has become a habit, they are sometimes so infatuated with it as to neglect their own brood 1 The cloud of robbers arriving and departing need * If the Apiarian would guard his bees against dishonest courses, ho must be exceedingly careful, in his various operations, not to leave any combs where strange bees can find them (see note, p. 172); for, after once getting a taste or stolen honey, they will hover round him as soon os they seo him operating on f. hive, all ready to pounce upon it and snatch what they can of Its exposed treasures. Some bee-keepers question whether a bee that once learns to steal ever returns to honest courses. I have known tho value of an Apiary to be so seriously Im¬ paired by the bees beginning early in the season to rob each other, that the owner waa often tempted to wish that he had never seen a bee. Fig. 55. Pi.ate XV r IH. ROBBING. 265 never be mistaken for honest laborers carrying, with un¬ wieldy flight, their heavy burdens to the hive. These bold plunderers, as they enter a hive, are almost as hungry-looking as Pharaoh’s lean kine, while, on coming out, they show by their burly looks that, like aldermen who have dined at the expense of the city, they are stuffed to their utmost capacity. When robbing-bees have fairly overcome a colony, the attempt to stop them—by shutting up the hive or by moving it to a new stand—if improperly conducted, is often far more disastrous than to allow them to finish their work. The air will be quickly filled with greedy bees, who, unable to bear their disappointment, will assail, with almost frantic desperation, some of the adjoining stocks. In this way, the strongest colonies are sometimes over¬ powered, or thousands of bees slain in the desperate contest. When an Apiarian perceives that a colony is being robbed, he should contract the entrance, and, if the assailants persist in forcing their way in, he must close it entirely. In a few minutes the hive will be black with the greedy cormorants, who will not abandon it till they have attempted to squeeze themselves through the smallest openings. Before they assail a neighboring colony, they should be thoroughly sprinkled with cold water, which will make them glad to return to their homes. Unless the bees that were shut up can have an abund¬ ant of air, they should be carried to a cool and dark* • 41 In Germany, when colonies In common hives are being robbed, they are ofton removed to a distant location, or put in a dark cellar. A hive, similar in appear¬ ance, is placed on their stand, and leaves of wormwood and the oppressed juice of the plant are put on the bottom-board. Bees have such an antipathy to the odor of this plant, that the robbers speedily forsake the place, and the assailed colony may then bo brought back. “ The Rev. Mr. Klelne says, that robbers may be rcpcllod by imparting to the 12 266 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. place. Early the next morning they may be examined, and, if necessary, united to another stock. There is a kind of pillage which is carried on so secretly as often to escape all notice. The bees engaged in it do not enter in large numbers, no fighting is visible, and the labors of the hive appear to be progressing with their usual quietness. All the while, however, strange bees are carrying off the honey as fast as it is gathered. After watching such a colony for some days, it occurred to me, one evening, as it had an unhatched queen, to give it a fertile one. On the next morning, rising before the rogues were up, I had the pleasure of seeing them meet with such a warm reception, that they were glad to make a speedy retreat. May not the fertile mother give to each hive (p 203) its distinguishing scent ? And may not a hive without such a queen be so pleased (p. 226) with the odor of other bees, as to let them do what they will with its stores ? As bees are seldom engaged in raising young queens, except in the swarming season, when honey is so plenty that they are not inclined to rob, this may, if my conjec¬ tures are correct, account for-the scarcity of this kind of pillage. hivo some intensely powerful and unaccustomed odor. lie effects this the most readily by placing In it, in the evening, a small portion of musk, and on the follow¬ ing morning the bees, if they have a healthy queen, will boldly meet their Assailants. Those are nonplussed by the unwonted odor, and, if any of thorn enter the hive and carry off some of the coveted booty, on their return home, having a strange smell, they will be killed by their own household. The robbing is thus soon brought to a close. 1 '— S. Waqneb. • Jt will usually be found that a stock which is overpowered by robbors has no queen, or one that is diseased (p. 244, nott). FKEDINO. 267 CHAPTER XIV. DIRECTIONS FOR FEEDING BEES. Few things in practical bee-keeping are more important tlian the feeding of bees; yet none have been more grossly mismanaged or neglected. Since the sulphur-pit has been discarded, thousands of feeble colonies starve in the Winter, or early Spring; while often, when an unfa¬ vorable Summer is followed by a severe Winter and late Spring, many persons lose most of their stocks, and abandon bee-keeping in disgust. In the Spring , the prudent bee-keeper will no more neglect to feed his destitute colonies , than to provide for his own table. At this season, being stimulated by the returning warmth, and being largely engaged in breed¬ ing, bees require a liberal supply of food, and many populous stocks perish, which might have been saved with but trifling trouble or expense.* “If e'er dark Autumn, with untimely storm, The honey’d harvest of the year deform; Or the chill blast from Eurus’ mildew wing, Blight the fair promise of returning Spring ; Full many a hive, but late alert and gay, Droops in the lap of all-inspiring May.”—E vans. • “ If tho Spring Is not favorable to boos, they should be fed, because that Is the season of their greatost expense in honey, for feeding their yonng. Having plenty at that time, enables them to yield early and strong swarms.*’— Wii.t>man. A bee-keeper, whose stocks are allowed to perish after the Spring has opened, is on a level with a farmer whose cattle are allowed to starve in their stalls; while those who withhold from them the needed aid. In seasons when they cannot gather a supply, resemble the merchant who burns up his ships, if they have made an unfavorable voyage. Columella gives minute instructions for feeding needy stocks, and c^notes approv- 208 THE HIVE ANT) HONEY-BEE. When bees first begin to fly in the Spring, it is well to feed them a little , even when they have abundant stores, as a small addition to their hoards encourages the pro¬ duction of brood. Great caution, however, should be used to prevent robbing, and as soon as forage abounds, the feeding should be discontinued. It a colony is over¬ fed, the bees will fill their brood-combs, so as to inter¬ fere with the production of young, and thus the honey given to them is worse than thrown away. The over-feeding of bees resembles, in its results, the noxious influences under which too many children ot the rich are reared. Pampered and fed to the full, how often does their wealth prove only a legacy of withering curses, as, bankrupt in purse and character, they prema¬ turely sink to dishonored graves. The prudent Apiarian will regard the feeding of bees —the little given by way of encouragement excepted— as an evil to be submitted to only when it cannot be avoided, and will much prefer that they should obtain their supplies in the manner so beautifully described by him whose inimitable writings furnish us, on almost every subject, with the happiest illustrations: “ So work the honey bees, Creatures that, by a rule in Nature, teach The art of order to a peopled kingdom. They have a king and officers of sorts, Where some, like magistrates, correct at home , Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad ; Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings, Make boot upon the Summer’s velvet buds ; Which pillage they, with merry march, bring homo To the tent royal of their emperor, Who, busied in his majesty, surveys ln?ly the directions of Hyglnus—whose writings nre no longer extant—that this matter should bo most carefully (“dt ligenti«sime''i attended to. FEEDING. 2C9 The singing masons building roofs of gold; The civil citizens kneading up the honey; The poor mechanic porters crowding in Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate ; The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum, Delivering o’er, to executors pale, The lazy, yawning drone.” Shakspeare’s Henry V., Act /., Scene 2. Impoverished stocks, if in common hives, may be fed by inverting the hives and pouring a teacupfull of honey among the combs in which the bees are clustered. A bee deluged by sweets, when away from home, is a sorry spectacle; but what is thus given them does no harm, and they will lick each other clean, with as much satisfaction as a little child sucks its fingers while feasting on sugar candy. When the bees have taken up what has been poured upon them, the hive may be replaced, and the operation repeated, at intervals, as often as is needed. If the stock is in a movable-comb hive, the food may bo put into an empty comb, and placed where it can be easily reached by the bees. If a colony has too few bees, its population must be replenished (p. 221) before it is fed. If it has but a small quantity of brood-combs, unless fed very moder¬ ately, it will fill the cells with honey instead of brood. If the Apiarian wishes the bees to build new comb, the food must be given so regularly as to resemble natural supplies, or they will store it in the cells already built. To build up small colonies by feeding , requires more care and judgment than any other process in bee-culture, and will rarely be required by those who have movable- comb hives. It can only succeed when everything is made subservient to the most rapid production of brood. By the time the honey-harvest closes, all the colonies ought to be strong in numbers; and, in favorable sea- 270 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. sons, their aggregate resources should be such that, when an equal division is made, there will be enougli food lor all. If some have more and others less than they need, an equitable division may usually be effected in movable- comb hives. Such an agrarian procedure would soon overthrow human society; but bees thus helped, will not spend the next season in idleness; nor will those w'liich were deprived of their surplus, limit their gatherings to a bare competency. Early iu October—in northern latitudes, by the mid¬ dle of September—if forage is over, all feeding required for wintering bees should be carefully attended to. If delayed to a later period, the bees may not have sufficient time to seal over their honey, which, by attracting moist¬ ure and souring, may expose them (p. 250) to dysentery. Such colonies as have too few bees to winter well, should be added to other stocks. West India honey is, ordinarily, the cheapest liquid bee-food. To remove its impurities, and prevent it from souring or candying in the cells, it should have a little water added to it, and, after boiling a few minutes, should be set to cool; the scum on the top should then be removed. A mixture of three lbs. of honey, two of brown sugar, and one of water, prepared as above, has been used by me (p. 257) for many years, without injury to my bees. It is desirable to get through with feeding as rapidly as possible,* as the bees are so excited by it, that they consume more food than they otherwise would. In my hives, the feeder may be put over one of the holes of the honey-board, into which the heat ascends. The bees can then get their food without being chilled in cold weather, * Feeding stocks, driven late In the Fall Into empty hives, unless combs (p. 73) can be given to them, will seldom pay expenses. FEEDING. 271 and its smell »„ aot so likely to attract robber bees. To make a cheap and convenient feeder (see Plate XI., Fig. 26), take any wooden box holding at least two quarts; about two inches from one end put a thin partition, com¬ ing within half an inch of the top; cut a hole in the bottom of the small apartment, so that when the feeder is put over any hole, the bees can pass into it and get access to the division holding the food. The joints of the feeding apartment should be made honey-tight , by running into the comers a mixture (p. 78) of wax and rosin ; and if the sides are washed with the same hot mixture, the wood, absorbing no honey, will keep sweet. The lid should have a piece of glass, to show when the feeder needs replenishing, and a hole, for pouring in the food, made and closed like those admitting the bees to the spare honey receptacles. Some clean straw, cut short enough to sink readily, as the bees consume the honey, will prevent them from being drowned.* Water is indispensable to bees when building comb or raising brood. They take advantage of any warm Win¬ ter day (see Chapter on Wintering Bees) to bring it to their hives; and, in early Spring, may be seen busily drinking around pumps, drains, and other moist places. Later in the season, they sip the dew from the grass and leaves. Every careful bee-keeper will see that his bees are well supplied with water.f If he has not some sunny spot where they can safely obtain it, he will furnish them with ♦ If sucli a box is covered thickly with cotton or wool, so as to retain the ascending heat, it may be used all Winter as a honey or water-feeder. Columella recommends wool, soaked in honey, for feeding bees. When the weathor is not too cold, a saucer, bowl, or vessel of any kind, filled with straw, will make a convenient feeder. t An old Grecian bee-keeper says, “ that if the weather is such that the bees are prevented from flying, for only a few days, the brood will perish from want of *ater.” 272 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-DEE. shallow wooden troughs, or vessels filled with floats or straw, from which—sheltered from cold winds, and warmed by the genial rays of the sun — they can drink without risk of drowning. Bees seem to be so fond of salt, that they will alight upon our hands to lick up the saline perspiration. “ During the early part of the breeding season,” says Dr. Bevan, “ till the beginning of May, I keep a constant supply of salt and water near my Apiary, and find it thronged with bees from early morn till late in the evening. About this period, the quantity they consume is considerable, but afterwards they seem indifferent to it. The eagerness they evince for it at one period of the season, and their indifference at another, may account for the opposite opinions entertained respecting it.” The Rev. Mr. Weigel, of Silesia, recommends plain sugar-candy as a substitute for liquid honey. If bees can get access to it, without being chilled, they will cluster on it, and, when supplied with water, will gradually eat it up. Four pounds of candy* will, it is said, sustain a colony having scarcely any winter stores. It is cheaper than liquid food, and less liable to sour in the cells. If the common hives are inverted, and sticks of candy placed gently between the combs where the bees are clustered, they may be easily fed in the coldest weather. In my hives, if the spare honey-board, or cover, is elevated on strips of wood, about an inch and a half above the frames, and the candy laid on them just above the clus¬ tered bees, it will be accessible to them in the coldest * To make candy for bce-fced: add water to the sugar, and clarify the syrop with eggs; put about a teaspoonful of cream of tartnr to about 20 lbs. of sugar, and boil until the water Is evaporated. To know when It is done, dip your finger first into cold water and tlion into the syrup. If what adheres Is brittle when chewed, It Is boiled enough. Pour it Into shallow pans, slightly greasod, and, when cold, break It Into pieces of a suitable size. After boiling, balm, or any other flavor agreeable to bees, may bo put into the syrup. FEEDING. 273 weather. It may also be gently put between the combs, in an upright position, among the bees* Mr. Wagner has furnished me with the following interesting facts, translated by him from the JBiencn- zeitung: “ ‘ The use of sugar-candy for feeding bees,’ says the Rev. Mr. Kleine, 1 gives to bee-keeping a security -which it did not possess before. Still, we must not base over-sanguine calculations on it, >r attempt to winter very weak stocks, which a prudent Apiarian would at once unite with a stronger colony. I have used sugar- candy for feeding, for the last five years, and made many experi¬ ments with it, which satisfy me that it cannot be too strongly recommended, especially after unfavorable Summers. Colonies well furnished with comb, and having plenty of pollen, though deficient in honey, may be very profitably fed with candy, and will richly repay the service thus rendered them. “ 1 Sugar-candy, dissolved in a small quantity of water, may be safely fed to bees late in the Fall, and even in Winter, if abso¬ lutely necessary. It is prepared by dissolving two pounds of candy in a quart of water, and evaporating, by boiling, about two gills of the solution ; then skimming and straining through a hair sieve. Three quarts of this solution, fed in Autumn, will carry a colony safely through the Winter, in an ordinary location and season. The bees will carry it up into the cells of such combs as they prefer, where it speedily thickens and becomes covered with a thin film, which keeps it from souring. “ ‘ Grape-sugar , for correcting sour wines, is now extensively made from potato-starch, in various places on the Rhine, and has been highly recommended for bee-food. It can be obtained at a much lower price than cane-sugar, and is better adapted to the constitution of the bee, as it constitutes the saccharine matter of honey, and hence, is frequently termed honey-sugar. “ ‘ It may be fed either diluted with boiling-water, or in its raw * By sliding a few sticks of candy iwlor their frames, a small colony may bo fed In warm wcathor, without tempting robbors by tho smell of liquid honey. If a small quantity of liquid food Is n wled in Sumrnor, loaf sugar dissolved in water, having little smell, is the best. THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 274 state, moist, as it comes from the faclory. In the latter condition, bees consume it slowly, and, as there is not the waste that occurs when candy is fed, I think it is better winter-food.’ “The llev. Mr. Sholz, of Silesia, recommends the following as a substitute for sugar-candy in feeding bees : ‘“Take one pint of honey and four pounds of pounded lump- sugar; heat the honey, without adding water, and mix it with the sugar, working it together to a stiff doughy mass. When thus thoroughly incorporated, cut it into slices, or form it into cakes or lumps, and wrap them in a piece of coarse linen and place them in the frames. Thin slices, enclosed in linen, may be pushed down between the combs. The plasticity of the mass enables the Apiarian to apply the food in any manner he may desire. The bees have less difficulty in appropriating this kind of food than where candy is used, and there is no waste,’ “ Mr. Kleine grates# candy, for a winter bee-food, into cells previously dampened with sweetened water.” It is impossible to say how much honey will be needed to carry a colony safely through the Winter. Much will depend (see Chapter on Wintering Bees) on the way in which they are wintered, whether in the open air or in special depositaries, where they are protected against the undue excitement caused by sudden and severe atmos¬ pheric changes; much, also, on the length of the Winters, which vary so much in different latitudes, and the for¬ wardness of the ensuing Spring. In some of our Northern States, bees will often gather nothing for more than six months, while, in the extreme South, they are seldom deprived of all natural supplies for as many weeks. In all our Northern and Middle States, if the stocks are to * Granulated loaf-sugar would probably make a good bce-foed, and, by wetting the combs after It has been sifted into them, It might easily be made to stay in the cells. Neither sugar nor candy can be used by bees unless they have water to dis¬ solve them. I have seon bees flock by thousands around the mills where the Chinese sugar¬ cane ( Sorghum ) was being ground. The value, as u bee-food, of the raw juice aud the syrup should bo carefully tested. FEEDING. 275 be wintered out of doors, they should have at least twenty-five pounds* of honey. All attempts to derive profit from selling cheap honey fed to bees, have invariably proved unsuccessful. The notion that they can change all sweets , however poor their quality, into good honey,\ on the same principle that cows secrete milk from any acceptable food, is a complete delusion. It is true that they can make white comb from almost every liquid sweet, because wax being a natural secretion of the bee, can be made from all saccharine substances, as fat can be put upon the ribs of an ox by any kind of nourishing food. But the quality of the comb has nothing to do with its c< nte its; and the attempt to sell, as a prime article, inferior honey, stored in beautiful comb, is as truly a fraud as to offer for good money, coins which, although pure on the outside, contain a baser metal within. The quality of honey depends very little, if any, upon the secretions of the bees; and hence, apple-blossom, white clover, buckwheat, and most other varieties of honey, have each its peculiar flavor \ * In movable-comb hives, the amount of stores may bo easily ascertained by actual inspection. Tho weight of hives is not always a safe criterion, ns old combs are heavier than new ones, besides being often over-stored (p. 82) with bee- bread. t When the bees are rapidly storing their combs, they disgorge the contents of their honey-sacs as soon as they return from the fields. That tho honey undergoes no change during the short time it remains in their sacs cannot positively bo affirmed, but that it can undergo only a very slight change is evident from tho fact that the different kinds of honey or sugar-syrup fed to the boes can be almost as readily dis¬ tinguished, after they have sealed them up, as before. 'I ho Golden Age of bee-keeping, in which bees are to transmute inferior sweets Into such balmy spoils as were gathered on llybla or Hymettus, is as far from prosaic realitv ns the visions of the poet, who saw— “ A golden hive, on a golden bank, Where golden bees, by alchemical prank, Gather gold Instead of honey.” X 44 That bees gather honey, but do not secrete it, is argued from the fact that bee-keepers find cells tilled with honey (in new swarms) on the first or second day.'* —A •'iatotle. THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. The evaporation* of its watery particles is the only well marked change that honey appears to undergo from its natural state in the nectaries of the blossoms, and bees are very unwilling to seal it over until it has been brought to such a consistency that it is in no danger of becoming acid in the cells.f Even if cheap honey could be “made oner” by the bees so as to be of the best quality, it would cost the pro¬ ducer, taking into account the amount consumed (p. 71) in elaborating wax, almost, if not quite, as much as the market price of white clover honey; and, if he feeds his bees alter the natural supplies are over, they will suffer from filling up their brood cells.J The experienced Apiarian will fully appreciate the * If a strong colony is put on a platform scale, it will bo found, during the height of the honey harvest, to gain a number of pounds on a pleasant day. Much of this weight, however, will be lost In the night from the evaporation of the newly* gathered honey, the water from which often runs in a stream from the bottom- board. The Rev. Levi Wheaton, of North Falmouth, Mass., is of opinion that ven tilation will greatly a'.d the bees in evaporating the water from their unsealed honey. The thorough upward ventilation which I now give to my hivos may, therefore, contribute to increase the yield of honey. t Aristotlo notices this fact, which I once thought a discovery of my own. The remarks of this wonderful genius on the generation of bees show that he appre¬ ciated the difficulties which, until of late, have so much perplexed modern Apiarians. After discussing this topic, he says: “All pertaining to this subject has not yet been sufficiently ascertained; but, if it ever should be, then we must place more confidence in our observations than in our reasonings. Theory, how¬ ever, as far as it conforms to facts observed, is worthy of credit.” Have wo not here the inductive systom as well guarded and as well expressed as ever it was by Bacon ? t The following is my recipe for a beautiful liquid honey, which the best judges have pronounced one of the most luscious articles they ever tasted: Put two pounds of the purest white sugar in as much hot water as will dissolve it; take one pound of strained white clover honey—any honey of good flavor will answer— and add it warm to the syrup, thoroughly stirring them together. As refined loaf sugar Is a pure and inodorous sweet, one pound of honey will give its flavor to two pounds of sugar, and the compound will be free from that smarting taste which pure honey often has, and will usually agree with those who cannot eat the latter v. ith impunity. Any desired flavor may be added to it. Although no profit can be realized from inducing bees to store this mixture in boxes or glasses, the amateur may choose, in bad seasons, or in districts whe-T th* poncT is ooor. to secure in this way choice specimens for his table. FEEDING. 277 necessity of preventing his bees getting a taste of for¬ bidden sweets, and the inexperienced, if incautious, will soon learn a salutary lesson. Bees were intended to gather their supplies from the nectaries of flowers, and, while following their natural instincts, have little disposi¬ tion to meddle with property that does not belong to them ; but, if their incautious owner tempts them with liquid food, especially at times when they can obtain no¬ thing from the blossoms, they become so infatuated with such easy gatherings as to lose all discretion, and will perish by thousands if the vessels which contain the food are not furnished with floats, on which they can safely stand to help themselves. As the fly was not intended to banquet on blossoms, but on substances in which it might easily be drowned, it cautiously alights on the edge of any vessel containing liquid food, and warily helps itself; while the poor bee, plunging in headlong, speedily perishes. The sad fate of their unfortunate companions does not in the least deter others who approach the tempting lure, from madly alight¬ ing on the bodies of the dying and the dead, to share the same miserable end ! No one can understand the extent of their infatuation, until he has seen a confectioner’s shop assailed by myriads of hungry bees. I have seen thou¬ sands strained out from the syrups in which they had perished; thousands more alighting even upon the boiling sweets; the floors covered and windows darkened with bees, some crawling, others flying, and others still, so completely besmeared as to be able neither to crawl nor fly—not one in ten able to carry home its ill-gotten spoils, and yet the air filled with new hosts of thoughtless comers. I once furnished a candy-shop, in the vicinity of my Apiary, with guaze-wire windows and doors, after the 278 THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. bees had commenced their depredations. On finding themselves excluded, they alighted on the wire by thou¬ sands, fairly squealing with vexation as they vainly tried to force a passage through the meshes. Baffled in every effort, they attempted to descend the chimney, reeking with sweet odors, even although most who entered it fell with scorched wings into the fire, and it became necessary to put wire-guaze over the top of the chimney also.* As I have seen thousands of bees destroyed in such places, thousands more hopelessly struggling in the delud¬ ing sweets, and yet increasing thousands, all unmindful of their danger, blindly hovering over and alighting on them, how often have they reminded me of the infatuation of those who abandon themselves to the intoxicating cup. Even although such persons see the miserable victims of this degrading vice falling all around them into premature graves, they still press madly on, trampling, as it were, over their dead bodies, that they too may sink into the same abyss, and their sun also go down in hopeless gloom. The avaricious bee that, despising the slow process of extracting nectar from “ every opening flower,” plunges recklessly into the tempting sweets, has ample time to bewail its folly. Even if it does not forfeit its life, it returns home with a woe-begone look, and sorrowful note, in marked contrast with the bright hues and merry sounds with which its industrious fellows come back from their happy rovings amid “ budding honey-flowers and sweetly-breathing fields.” * Manufacturers of candies and syrups will And It to tlielr interest to fit such guards to their premises; for, if only one boo in a hundred escapes with its load, » considerable loss will be 1 currod in the course of the season. THE APIARY. 27'J CHAPTER XV. HIE APIARY-PROCURING BEES TO STOCK IT-TRANSFER- RING BEES FROM COMMON TO MOYABLE-COMB HIVES. An intimate acquaintance with the honey resources of the country is highly important to those desirous of engaging largely in bee-culture. While, in some localities, bees will accumulate large stores, in others, only a mile or two distant, they may yield but a small profit.* Wherever the Apiary is established, great pains should be taken to protect the bees against high winds.f Their hives should be placed where they will not be annoyed by foot passengers or cattle, and should never be very near places where sweaty horses must stand or pass. If managed on the swarming plan, it is very desirable that they should be in full sight of the rooms most occupied, or at least where the sound of their swarming will be easily heard. In the Northern and Middle States, the hives should have a south-eastern exposure, to give the bees the benefit of the sun when it will be most conducive to their welfare. By using my movable stands (Plate V., Fig. 16), the hives may be made to face in any desired direction. The plot occupied by the Apiary should be in grass, mowed frequently, and kept free from weeds. Hives are too * 11 Wlille Huber resided at Cour, and afterwards at Vival, bis bees suffered so much from scanty pasturage, that he could only preserve them by feeding, although stocks that were but two miles from him were, in each case, storing their hives abundantly.”— Bkv an. By tacking a piece of muslin to the alighting-board and the projecting parts of she stand (Plate V., Fig. 16), the bees, as thoy slack up, will alight on the cloth— to escape being bruised or blown away—and thus will easily gain their hives. In windy situations, thousands of bees (p. 186) may be thus saved. 280 THE HIVE AND 1IONEY-BEE. often placed where many bees perish by falling into tho dirt, or among the tall weeds and grass, where spiders and toads find their choicest lurking-places. Covered Apiaries, unless built at great expense, affoi d little or no protection against extreme heat or cold, and much increase the risk of losing the queens. In the Summer, no place is so congenial to bees as the shade of trees, if it is not too dense, or their branches so low as to interfere with their flight. As the weathei becomes cool, they can easily be moved to any more desirable Winter location. If colonies are moved in the line of their flight, and a short distance at a time , no loss of bees will be incurred; but, if moved only a few yards, all at once , many will often be lost. By a gradual pro¬ cess, the hives in an Apiary may, in the Fall, be brought into a narrow compass, so that they can be easily shel tered from the bleak Winter winds. In the Spring, they may be gradually returned to their old positions.* PROCURING BEES TO STOCK AN AriARY. The beginner will ordinarily find it best to stock his Apiary with swarms of the current year, thus avoiding, until he can prepare himself to meet them, the perplexi¬ ties which often accompany either natural or artificial swarming. If new swarms are purchased, unless they aie large and early, they may only prove a bill of expense. If old stocks are purchased, such only should be selected as are healthy and populous. If removed after the work¬ ing season has begun, they should be brought from a distance of at least two miles (p. 150). * By removing tho strongest stocks in on Apiary the first day, and others not so strong the next,and continuing the process until all were removed, I have safely changed the location of my Apiary, when compelled to move my bees in the work¬ ing reason. On tho removal of the lost hive, but few bees returned to the old spot. The change, us thus conducted, strengthened tho weaker stocks. STOCKING THU A I'IAIIY. 281 If the bees are not all at home when the hive is to be removed, blow a little smoke into its entrance, to cause those within to fill themselves with honey, and to prevent them from leaving for the fields. Repeat this process from time to time, and in about half an hour all will have returned. If any are clustered on the outside, they may be driven within by smoke. The common hives may be prepared for removal by inverting them and tacking a coarse towel over them, or strips of lath may be laid over wire-cloth, and brads driven through them into the edges of the hive. Confine the hive, so that it cannot be jolted, to a bed of straw in a wagon with springs, and be sure, before starting, that it is impossible for a bee to get out. The inverted position of the hive will give the bees what air they need, and guard their combs from being loosened. It will be next to impossible, in warm weather, to move a hive which contains much new comb. New swarms may be brought home in any old box which has ample ventilation. A tea-chest, with wire- cloth on the top, sides, and bottom-board, will be found very convenient. The bees may be shut up in this box as soon as they are hived. New swarms require even more air than old stocks , being full of honey, and closely clus¬ tered together. They should be set in a cool place, and, if the weather is very sultry, should not be removed until night. Many swarms are suffocated by the neglect of these precautions. The bees may be easily shaken out from this temporary hive (p. 139). When movable-comb hives are sent away to receive a swarm, two strips of wood, with small pieces nailed to them to go between the frames and keep them apart, should be laid over the frames. The cover, or honey-board, should then be screwed fast, and, if the strips are of proper 2S2 THK IIIVK AND HONEY-BEE. thickness, one-eighth of an inch air-space will be left all around the hive, which, with the other ventilators, will give air enough. If an old stock, in hot weather, is to be moved any distance in such a hive, it will be advisable to fasten wire-cloth in front of the portico, so that the bees can leave their combs (p. 91) and cluster there. Ilives with movable frames should be arranged in such a posi¬ tion that the frames run from front to rear , and not from side to side , in the carriage. My glass hives ought never to be sent off for swarms. Inexperienced persons will seldom find it profitable to begin bee-keeping on a large scale. By using movable- comb hives, they can rapidly increase their stocks after they have acquired skill, and have ascertained, not simply that money can be made by keeping bees, but that they can make it. While large profits can be realized by care¬ ful and experienced bee-keepers, those who are otherwise will be almost sure to find their outlay result only in vexatious losses. An Apiary neglected or mismanaged is worse than a farm overgrown with weeds or exhausted by ignorant tillage; for the land, by prudent management, may again be made fertile, but the bees, when once destroyed, are a total loss. TRANSFERRING BEES FROM COMMON TO MOVABLE-COMB HIVES. This process may be easily effected whenever the weather is warm enough for bees to fly.* It is conducted as follows: Drive the bees into a forcing-box (p. 154), which put on their old stand, and carry the parent-hive to some place where you cannot be annoyed by other bees. Have on hand tools for prying off a side of the hive; a * It has frequently been done, in Winter, for purposes of experiment, by rent"* Ing the boes into a warm room. STOCKING THE APIARY. 283 large knife for cutting out the corahs; vessels for the honey; a table or board, on which to lay the brood- corabs; cotton-twine or tape, for fastening them into the frames; and water for washing off, from time to time, the honey which will stick to your hands. Having selected the working combs, carefully cut them rather large, so that they will just crowd into the frames, and retain their places in their natural position until the bees have time to fasten them. It will be well to wind some twine or tape, which should be subsequently removed, around the upper and lower slats of the frames, as an additional security. Small pieces of empty comb may be fastened with melted wax and resin (p. 72).* When the hive is thus prepared, the bees may be put into it and confined, water being given to them, until they have time to make all secure against robbers. When the weather is cool, the transfer should be made in a warm room, to prevent the brood from being fatally chilled. An expert Apiarian can easily complete the whole operation—from the driving of the bees to the returning of them to their new hive—in about half an hour, and with the loss of very few bees, old or young. The best time for transferring bees is about ten days after a swarm has issued or been forced from the old hive. The brood will then be sealed over, and able to bear considerable ex¬ posure. Until the feasibility of transferring bees by movable frames had been thoroughly tested, I felt irreconcilably * The ltev. Lovl Wheaton prefers to use combs for guides, and confines them by a thin strip of wood sprung between the uprights of the frames, so as to press against the lower edges of the combs. Mr. Wm. W. Cary, in transferring, uses strips three-eighths of au inch wide and one-eighth thick, cut from any springy wood, and half au inch longer than the depth of the frames. lie fastons them together In pairs, with strings which keep them just far enough apart to pass over the tops and bottoms of the frames. Two pairs will be needed for each frame, and they must be removed after the combs are firmly secured by the bees, which will be done in two or three days. 284 • THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. opposed to any attempt to dislodge them from their previous habitations. The process, as it has been ordi¬ narily conducted, has resulted in the wanton sacrifice of thousands of stocks. Dr. Kirtland thus speaks of the results of transferring some of his colonies to the movable-comb hives: “I had three stocks transferred to an equal number of Mr. Lanerstroth’s hives. The first had not swarmed in two years, and had long ceased to manifest any industry; the others had never swarmed. All the hives were filled with black and filthy comb, candied honey, concrete bee-bread, and an accumulation of the cocoons and larvae of the moth. Within twenty-four hours, each colony became reconciled to its new tenement, and began to labor with far greater activity than any of my old stocks. I have now no stronger colonies than these, which I consi¬ dered of little value till my acquaintance with this new hive.”— Ohio Farmer, Dec. 12, 1857. HONEY. 285 CHAPTER XVI. HONEY. That hone y is a vegetable product, was known to the ancient Jews, one of whose Rabbins asks: “ Since we may not eat bees, which are unclean, why are we allowed to eat honey?” and replies: “Because bees do not make honey, but only gather it from plants and flowers.” Bees often obtain a saccharine substance from the honey-dews, which are found on the foliage of many trees, and are sometimes merely an exudation from their leaves, though oftener a discharge from the bodies of small aphides or “ plant-lice.”* Messrs. Kirby and Spence, in their interesting work on Entomology, have given a description of the honey-dew furnished by the aphides: “ The loves of the ants and the aphides have long been celo- biated; you will always find the former very busy on those trees and plants on which the latter abound; and, if you examine somewhat more closely, you will discover that the object of the ants, in thus attending upon the aphides, is to obtain the saccha¬ rine fluid secreted by them, which may well be denominated their milk. This fluid, which is scarcely inferior to honey in sweet¬ ness, issues in limpid drops from the abdomen of these insects, not only by the ordinary passage, but also by two setiform tubes, placed one on each side, just above it. Their sucker being inserted in the tender bark, is. without intermission, employed in absorb- • The Abbe SoUxitr de Samagm, In “1672, described very fully and accurately these two species of honey-dew. The first kind, ho says, has the saino origin with tile manna on the ash and maple trees of Calabria and Briancon, where it flows plentifully from their leaves and trunks, and thickens in the form in which it is usually seen. 1 I have received specimens of a honey-dew from California, which is sain to fall from the oak trees in stalactites of considerable size. 286 THK HIVE AND HONKY-BEE. mg the sap, which, after it lias passed through these organs, they keep continually discharging. When no ants attend them, liy a certain jerk of the body, which takes place at regular intervals, they ejaculate it to a distance.” “ Mr. Knight once observed a shower of honey-dew descending in innumerable small globules, near one of his oak trees. He cut off one of the branches, took it into the house, and, holding it in a stream of light admitted through a small opening, distinctly saw the aphides ejecting the fluid from their bodies with considerable force, and this accounts for its being frequently found in situations where it could not have arrived by the mere influence of gravita¬ tion. The drops that are thus spurted out, unless interrupted by the surrounding foliage, or some other interposing body, fall upon the ground; and the spots may often be observed, lor some time, beneath and around the trees, affected with honey-dew, till washed away by the rain. The power which these insects possess of ejecting the fluid from their bodies, seems to have been wisely instituted to preserve cleanliness in each individual fly, and, indeed, for the preservation of the whole family ; for, pressing as they do upon one another, they would otherwise soon be glued together, and rendered incapable of stirring. On looking stead¬ fastly at a group of these insects (Aphides salicis) while feeding on the bark of the willow, their superior size enabled us to per¬ ceive some of them elevating their bodies and emitting a trans¬ parent substance in the form of a small shower : *' * Nor scorn ye now, fond elves, the foliage sear, When the light aphids, arm’d with puny spear, Probe each emulgent vein, till bright below, Like falling stars, clear drops of nectar glow.’ — E vans. “ Honey-dew usually appears upon the leaves as a viscid transparent substance, as sweet as honey itself, sometimes in the form of globules, at others resembling a syrup. It is generally most abundant from the middle of June to the middle of July — sometimes as late as September. “ It is found chiefly upon the oak, the elm , the maple , the plane, the sycamore , the lime, the hazel, and the blackberry ; oeca- HONKT. 287 sionally also on the cherry, currant, and other fruit trees. Some¬ times only one species of trees is affected at a time. The oak generally affords the largest quantity. At the season of its greatest abundance, the happy, humming noise of the bees may be heard at a considerable distance, sometimes nearly equalling in loudness the united hum of swarming .' 1 —Bevan. In some seasons, bees gather large supplies from these honey-dews, but it is usually abundant only once in three or four years. The honey obtained from it, though seldom light-colored, is generally of a good quality. The quality of honey varies very much: some kinds are bitter, and others very unwholesome, being gathered from poisonous flowers. A Mandingo African informed a lady of my acquaintance that his countrymen eat none that is unsealed until it has been boiled. In some of our Southern States, all that is unsealed is rejected. The noxious properties of honey gathered from poisonous flowers would seem to be mostly evaporated (p. 276) before it is sealed over by the bees. The boiling, how¬ ever expels them still more effectually, for some persons cannot eat even the best, when raw, with impunity. When honey is taken from the bees, it should be put where it will be safe from all intruders, and not exposed to so low a temperature as to candy in the cells. The little red and the large black ant are extravagantly fond of it, and will carry off large quantities if within their reach. Old honey is more wholesome than that freshly gathered by the bees.* * The following extract from the work of Sir J. More, London , 1707, will show the extravagant estimate which the old writers set upon beo-products: “ Natural wax is altered by distillation into an oyl of marvellous vertuo: it Is rather a Divine medicine than humnne, because, in wounds or inward diseases, it workoth miracles. The bee hclpeth to cure all your diseasos, and Is the best little friend a man has In tho world. Honey Is of subtil parts, and therefore doth plerco ns oyl, and easily passoth the parts of the body; it openeth obstructions, and rlearoth tho heart and lights of those humors which fall from tho head; it purgotb the foulness of the body curetb phlegmatlck mattor, and sharpenoth tho stomach; 2S8 THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. To drain honey from virgin combs, bring it to the boil¬ ing point in any clean vessel, and, when cool, the wax will float on the top, and the honey may be strained and poured into bottles or jars, which should be tightly covered, to exclude the air. Should it candy, these may be put into cold water, and brought to the boiling-point., when the honey will be as nice as ever. Combs which contain bee-bread should be kept separate from the others, as the honey from them is of an inferior quality.* Empty comb which cannot be used in the hive or spare honey-boxes (p. 71), maybe put into water and boiled, when the pure wax will float upon the top, and harden if poured into cold water. If meited again, and run into vessels slightly greased, the impurities will settle at the bottom. Combs which have been so long used by bees for breeding that they will not readily part with their wax, maybe put into a coarse woolen bag, with a flat-iron on the top to make it sink, and boiled until the wax has risen to the top of the kettle. Very old brood-combs are seldom worth rendering into wax. New swarms, unless very large, ought not to bo admitted to the surplus honey receptacles until they have been hived three or four days. Old stocks should have access to them quite early in the season. If the hives stand in the sun, and the weather is warm, ample venti- lationf should be given, while bees are storing honey. it purgeth those things which hurt the clearness of the eyes, breedeth good blood, *ti -rcthup natural heat, and prolongetli life; it keepeth all things uncorrupt which are put into it, and is a sovereign medicament, both for outward and inward mala¬ dies; ithelpoth the greifof the jaws, the kernels growing within the mouth, aud the squinancy; It is drank against the biting of a serpent or a mad dog; It is good for such os have eaten mushrooms, for the falling sickness, and against the surfeit. Being boiled, it is lighter of digestion, and more nourishing.” ♦ In Russia and Germany, very little honey is sold in the comb. Purchasers in this country should beware of the inferior Wetit India honey, which is often sold in cans as a auperior article, for two or three times its cost. + My hives admit of such complete ventilation, that they may be safely put anywhere except where there is a pent heat Fig. 56. Plats XIX. HONET. 289 The surplus honey may be taken from my hives in a Threat variety of ways: (1st.) The hive maybe made so long that it can be taken from the ends on frames; and if these ends be separated from the main body of the hive by movable or permanent partitions, the purest honey will be deposited in them. The partitions should be kept about a quarter of an inch from the top and bottom, to allow the bees to pass freely into the ends.* (2d.) The surplus honey may be stored in large or small frames, put in an upper box or hive (see Plates III., V., and VII., Figs. 9, 10, and 20). Such a box,f when full, may, by a little smoke, be easily removed, and the bees driven from it. Its contents may be sold in gross, or by the single frame. In all my hives, any additional storage-room may be given, which the season or locality can ever require. The experienced bee-keeper well knows that bees will make much more honey in a large box, than in several small ones whose united capacity is the same. In small boxes, they cannot so well maintain their animal heat, and their effective force is thus often wasted at the height of the honey-harvest, when time is, to the last degree, precious.J * Such n hive, holding n dozen frames In the central apartment, nnd six In each of the end ones may be cheaply made. The side apartmonta may bo rabbeted so ns to receive short frames running from the ends to the partitions, or long ones from front to rear. + In a fiivorftble season, I have taken two such boxes, each holding over fifty pounds, from a non-swarming liivo, nnd, in good locations, still larger returns may often be realized. The boxes may be set over the main hivo, and, us the bees can pass into them without being obliged to travel over the combs, the unusual height will not annoy them. t l am not aware that the attention of Apiarians lias ever been called to the loss Incurred by compelling bees to store their surplus honey in small roceptacles. The bee-keeper cannot afford to sell honey stored in small receptacles, except at a considerable advance over Its value in large boxes. By movable frames, the usual objections to large boxes are removed, as honev may be conveniently takoo from them for sale or use. 13 290 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. No metallic slides are needed for removing surplus honey-boxes. By blowing smoke into them, before they are taken off most of the bees will retreat to the main hive, and, if removed early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, and placed on a sheet fastened to the hive, the bees, attracted by the hum of their companions, will speedily leave them, but not until they have swallowed all that they can hold. When gorged, they are very reluctant to tly, and this is the reason they are so long in leaving when boxes are carried from the hive. The sooner the bees are driven from them the better, and c.uc must be taken to protect them from robbers, who would soon carry their contents to their own hives. If any of the frames contain brood, they may be returned to the bees. Should the queen be in the box, many bees will refuse to leave it until she is returned to the hive. (3rd.) Glass vessels, of almost any size or form, make beautiful receptacles for the spare honey j they should have a piece of comb fastened in them, and should be covered with something warm if the weather is cool.* (4th.) If small boxes are used for surplus honey, the one shown in Plate XI, Fig. 24, the dimensions of which are given in the Explanation of Hives, will probably be found the simplest, cheapest, and best.f To remove surplus honey stored in small receptacles, * Honey stored in tumblers just large enough to receive one comb, may bo placed In an elegant form upon the table. While all small receptacles waste the time of the bees, the shallow colls, so many of which must bo made In any cylin¬ drical vessel, roqulro as largo a consumption of time and materials for their covers and bottoms as those which hold moro than twice as much honey. t Such a box, which should be furnished eithor with guides or pieces of comb, will hold three store-combs, weighing together over four pounds, and, by removing a glass, one may be cut out without disturbing the others. If all the joints of a box are made air-tight by a molted mixture of wax and res n, the bees will be saved much labor in stopping them with propolis; and, when th# entrance is closed and covered with too same mixture, the honey may be trans¬ ported without leakage, even if the combs aro broken. Boxes containing honey should be very carefully packed, and lifted without the slightest jarring. EONEY. 291 slowly pass a thiu knife or spatula under the box, to loosen its attachments to the hive; then, before raising it enough to allow any bees to escape, blow smoke under it, and, when they have gorged themselves, it may be safely removed, the hole from the hive being closed or covered with another box. The few bees remaining in the receptacle that is taken off, will quickly fly to their hive. Those who are very timid, may use a slide to prevent any bees from escaping from the hole. Smoke, however, is altogether preferable. While the most timid may, with proper instructions, safely remove honey, even from the mam hive (p. 169'., a child ten years old may learn to take oil' small boxes o* glasses. 292 THE IIIYE AND HONEY-BEE. CHAPTER XVII. II ICE-PASTURAGE — OVER-STOCKING. Every bee-keeper should carefully acquaint himself with the honey-resources of his own neighborhood. My limits will allow me to mention only some of the most important plants from which bees draw their supplies. Since D/.ierzon’s discovery of the use which may be made of rye flour, early blossoms, producing pollen only , are not so important. All the varieties of willow abound in both bee-bread and honey, and their early blossoming gives them a special value: “ First the gray willow’s glossy pearls they steal, Or rob the hazel of its golden meal, While the gay crocus and the violet blue, Yield to their flexile trunks ambrosial dew ” —Evans. The sugar-maple (Acer saccharbius) yields a large supply of delicious honey, and its blossoms, hanging in graceful fringes, will be alive with bees. Of the fruit trees, the apricot, peach, plum, cherry, and pear, are great favorites; but none furnishes so much honey as the apple. The dandelion, whose blossoms furnish pollen and honey, when the yield from the fruit trees is nearly over, is worthy of a high rank among honey-producing plants. The tulip tree [Liriodcndron), often called “ poplar ” and “ white wood,” is one of the greatest honey-producing trees in the world. As its blossoms expand in succession, new swarms will sometimes till their hives from this TASTL'RAGE. 2P3 source alone. Tlie honey, though dark,* is of a good flavor. This tree often attains a height of over one hun¬ dred feet, and its rich foliage, with its large blossoms of mingled green and yellow, make it a most, beautiful sight. The linden, or bass-wood (71 ilia Americana ) yields an abundance of white honey of a delicious flavor, and, as it blossoms when both the swarms and parent-stocks are usually populous, the weather settled, and other bee- forage scarce, its value to the bee-keeper is very great.f “ Here their delicious task, the fervent bees In swarming millions tend: around, athwart, Through the soft air the busy nations fly, Cling to the bud, and with inserted tube, Suck its pure essence, its etherial soul.”— Thomson. This majestic tree, adorned, so late in the season, with beautiful clusters of fragrant blossoms, is well worth attention as an ornamental shade-tree. By adorning our villages and country residences with a fair allowance of tulip, linden, and such other trees as are not only beautiful to the eye, but attractive to bees, the honey-resources of the country might, in process of time, be greatly increased. The common locust is a very desirable tree for the vicinity of an Apiary, yielding much honey when it is peculiarly needed by the bees. In many districts, locust and bass-wood plantations would be valuable for their timber alone. Hives in the vicinity of extensive beds of seed-onions will speedily become very heavy; the offensive odor of * The honey of Ilymettus, which hits boen so celebrated from the most ancient times, Is of a fair golden color. The lightest-colored honey Is by no means always the bost. t Judge Flshback says thnt near y all his surplus honey Is gathered from the linden. A correspondent of the Bienemeitung , In Wisconsin, states that, In 18.53, several of his hives increased in weight one hundred pounds each, while this tr*“ was in blossom. 294 TOE DIVE ANI) HONEY-BEE. the freshly-gathered honey disappears before it is sealed over by the bees. Of all the sources from which bees derive their supplies, white clover is usually the most important. It yields large quantities of very pure white honey, and wherever it abounds, the bee will find a rich harvest. In most parts of this country, it seems to be the chief reliance of the Apiary. Blossoming at a season of the year when the weather is usually both dry and hot, and the bees gather¬ ing its honey after the sun has dried off the dew, it is ready to be sealed over almost at once. This clover ought to be much more extensively cultivated than it now is. The Hon. Frederick Holbrook, of Brattleboro’, Ver¬ mont, one of New England’s ablest practical farmers and writers on agricultural subjects, thus speaks of its value: “ Red-top. red clover, and white clover seeds, sown together, produce a quality of hay universally relished by stock. My prac¬ tice is, to seed all dry,* sandy, and gravelly lands with this mix¬ ture. The red and white clover pretty much make the crop the first year ; the second year, the red clover begins to disappear, and the red-top to take its place ; and after that, the red-top and white clover have full possession, and make the very best hay for horses or oxen, milch cows or young stock, that I have been able to pro¬ duce. The crop per acre, as compared with herds-grass (timothy) is not so bulky; but, tested by weight and by spending quality in the Winter, it is much the more valuable.” For years I sought in vain to procure a cross between the red and white clover, having the honey and hay- producing properties of the red, with a short blossom, into which the domestic bee might insert its proboscis. Such a variety, originating in Sweden, has been imported * Mr. Wagner says: “ The yield of honey from various plants and trees depends not only on the character of the season, but on the kind of soil, In which they grow. Marshy meadows are inferior t» those of a dvlor soil for boo-pasturage. White clover growing in the latter will be visited by bees, whoD that growing in tho former is neglectod by them.” PASTURAGE. 295 by Mr. B. C. Rogers, of Philadelphia It grows as tall as the red clover, bears many blossoms on a stalk, in size resembling the white, and, while it answers admirably for lees, is said to be preferred by cattle to almost any other kind of grass. It is known by the name of Alsike, or Swedish white clover. Mr. Wagner thus speaks of it: “ The views of the value of Swedish white clover, presented by reports from twelve different agricultural societies in the dis¬ trict of Dresden, are the result of careful experiments, made in localities differing greatly in soil and exposure. We recapitulate the chief points: “ 1. That Swedish white clover is not so liable as red clover to suffer from cold and wet weather. 2. That on dry and sandy soils it is not so certain or valuable a crop as common white clover, but succeeds admirably on more loamy soils, and, on such, surpasses either of the other kinds. 3. That, in any rotation, it may safely follow the. common red clover. 4. That the yield per acre of the first mowing is not inferior to that of the red clover, but that, ordinarily, the aftermath, or rowen, is not so abundant. 5. That, for soiling purposes, it should not be mown till it is in full blossom. 6. That, when cured, it is, as hay, a highly nutri tious fodder, and is preferred, by cattle and milch cows, to that made from red clover. 7. That the aftermath is followed by a dense and excellent growth, furnishing most valuable pasturage till late in the season. 8. That it yields an abundance of seed, easily threshed out by flail or machine, three or four days after mowing. 9. That Swedish white clover is fed to most advantage after it has fully matured its blossoms; whilst red clover, if allowed to stand to this stage, will have already lost a consider¬ able portion of its nutritive properties. “ K. Fiirst. the editor of the Frauendorfer Blatter , says that this clover is pre-eminent, both in quality and quantity of product, and is especially valuable for the continued suceulency of the stalk, even when the plant is in full bloom. It requires a less fertile soil than the red clover, and is less liable to be thrown out THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 2l>6 by fiost in Winter. It also yields a heavier second crop than the common white clover.” The blossoms of buckwheat often furnish, late in tht season, a very valuable bee-food.* Buckwheat is uncertainf in its honey-vielding qualities, and, in some seasons, hardly a bee will be seen upon large fields of it. Our best agriculturists are agreed that, on many soils, it is a very profitable crop, and every Apiary ought to have some in its vicinity.J The Canada thistle yields copious supplies of very pure honey, after the white clover has begun to fail. If farmers will tolerate its growth, it is interesting to know that it can be turned to so good an account. The raspberry furnishes a most delicious honey. In flavor it is superior to that from the white clover, whilo its delicate comb almost melts in the mouth. The sides of the roads, the borders of the fields, and the pastures of much of the “hill-country” of New- England, abound with the wild red raspberry, and, in such favored loca¬ tions, numerous colonies of bees may be kept. When it is in blossom, bees hold even the white clover in light * This honey is usually gathered when the atmosphere is moist, and in wet sea¬ sons, is somewhat liable to sour in the cells. Iloney gathered when the atmosphere Is dry is usually of the thickest consistency. t The secretion of honey in plants, like the flow of the sap from the sugar-maple, depends on a variety of causes, many of which elude our closest scrutiny. In some seasons the saccharine juices abound, while in others they are so deficient that bees can obtain scarcely any food from fields all white with clovor. A change in the secretion of honey will often tako place so suddenly, that the bees will, in a few hours, pass from Idleness to great activity. X Dzierzon says: M In the stubble of Winter grain, buckwheat might bo sown, whereby ample forage would be secured to the bees, late in the season, and a remune¬ rating crop of grain garnered besides. This plant, growing so rapidly and maturing so soon, so productive in favorable seasons, and so well adapted to cleanse the land, certainly deserves more attention from furmers than it receives; and its more frequent and general culture would greatly enhance the profits of bee-keeping. Its long-continued and frequently-renewed blossoms yield honey so abundantly, that a populous colony may easily collect fifty pounds in two weeks, if the weather is fhvorable." PASTl' R.VGF.. 297 esteem. Its drooping blossoms protect the honey from moisture, and they can work upon it when the weather is so wet that they can obtain nothing from the upright blossoms of the clover. As it furnishes a succession of flowers for some weeks, it yields a supply almost as lasting as the white clover. The precipitous and rocky lands, where it most abounds, might be made almost as valuable as some of the vine-clad terraces of the mountain districts of Europe. Dr. Bevan suggests the use of lemon-thyme as an edging for garden walks and flower beds. No material good, however, can be done to a large colony by the few plants that can be sown around a bee-houso. The bee is too much of a roamer to take pleasure in trim gardens.* It is the wild tracts of heath and furze, the broad acres of bean-fields and buckwheat, the lime avenues, the hedge-row flowers, and the clover meadows, that furnish her haunts and fill her ceils. To those who wish to watch their habits, a plot of bee- llowers is important, and we know not the bee that could refuse the following beautiful invitation of Professor Sinythe : “ ‘ Thou cheerful Bee! come, freely come, And travel round my woodbine bower; Delight me with thy wandering hum, And rouse me from my musing hour: Oh! try no more those tedious fields ; Come, taste the sweets my garden yields: The treasures of each blooming mine, The buds, the blossoms — all are thine 1 And, careless of this noontide heat, I’ll folio v as thy ramble guides, To watch thee pause and chafe thy feet, And sweep them o’er thy downy sides; Then in a flower’s bell nestling lie, And all thy envied ardor ply ! Then o’er the stem, though fair it grow, With touch rejecting, glance and go. • 1 should almost as soon expect, fVom a small grass-plot, to furnish (hod (he herd of cuttle, as to provision bees from garden plants. 13* *298 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. 0 Nature kind ! 0 laborer wise ! That roam’st along the Summer’s ray, Glean’st every bliss thy life supplies, And meet’st prepared thy wintry day! Go, envied, go—with crowded gates, The hive thy rich return awaits; Bear home thy store in triumph gay, And shame each idler of the day !’ ” London Quarterly Review. If there is any plant which would justify cultivation exclusively for bees, it is the borage (Borago officinalis). It blossoms continually from June until severe frost, and, like the raspberry, is frequented by bees even in moist weather. The honey from it is of a superior quality, and an acre would support a large number of stocks. The golden-rod ( Solidago) affords a late and very valuable pasturage for bees, yielding, in some regions and seasons, an important part of their Winter stores. Some of the earlier-flowering varieties are of no value to bees; but those which blossom in September abound in honey of a superior quality. The numerous species of asters, lining, in many dis¬ tricts, the road-sides and the borders of fields, are almost as valuable to the bees as the golden-rod. Where these two plants abound, bees should not be fed until they have passed out of bloom, as light but populous stocks will often obtain from them all the Winter stores they need. The following catalogue of bee-plants, which might easily be enlarged, is taken from Nutt, an English Apiarian: ‘■Alder, almond, althea frutex, alyssum, amaranthus, apple, apricot, arbutus, ash, asparagus, aspin. aster, balm, bean, beach, betony, blackberry, borage, box, bramble, broom, bugloss (viper's), buckwheat, burnet, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cherry, chestnut, cliickweed, clover, cole or coleseed, coltsfoot, coriander, crocus. OYER-STOCKING. 299 crowfoot, crown imperial, cucumber, currants, Cyprus, daffodil, dandelion, dogberry, elder, elm, endive, fennel, furze, golden-rod, gooseberry, gourd, hawthorn, hazel, heath, holly, hollyhock (trumpet), honeysuckle, honeywort (cerinthc), hyacinth, hyssop, ivy, jonquil, kidney bean, laurel, laurustinus, lavender, leek, lemon, lily (water), lily (white), lime, linden ( bass-wood), liquidamber, liriodendron, locust, lucerne, mallow (marsh), marigold (French), marigold (single), maple, marjoram (sweet), mellilot, melons, mezercon, mignionette, mustard, nasturtium, nectarine, nettle (while), oak, onion, orange, ozier, parsnip, pea, peach, pear, peppermint, plane, plum, poplar, poppy, primrose, privet, radish, ragweed, raspberry, rosemary (wild), roses (single), rud- beckise, saffron, sage, saintfoin, St. John’s wort, savory (winter), snowdrop, snowberry, stock (single), strawberry, sunflower, syca¬ more, squash, tansy (wild), tare, teasel, thistles, thjme (lemon), thyme (wild), trefoil, turnip, vetch, violet (single), wallflower (single), woad, willow-herb, willow tree, yellow weasel-snout.” OUR COUNTRY NOT IN DANGER OF BEING OVERSTOCKED WITH BEES. If the opinions commonly entertained on the danger of overstocking are correct, bee-keeping must, in this country, be always an insignificant pursuit. It is difficult to repress a smile when the owner of a few hives, in a district where as many hundreds might be made to prosper, gravely imputes his ill-success to the fact, that too many bees are kept in his vicinity. If, in the Spring, a colony of bees is prosperous and healthy, it will gather abundant stores, in a favorable season, even if hundreds equally strong are in its immediate vicinity ; while, if it is feeble, it will be of little or no value, even if it is in “ a land flowing with milk and honey,” aud there is not another stock within a dozen miles of it. As the great Napoleon gained many of his victories by having an overwhelming force at the right place, in the right time, so the bee-keeper must have strong colonies, 300 TllK IIIVK ANI> llONKY-UKK. when numbers can be turned to the best account. If his stocks become strong only when they can do nothing but consume what little honey has been previously gathered, he is like a farmer who suffers his crops tc rot on the ground, and then hires a set of idlers to eat him out of house and home. There is probably not a square mile in this whole country which is overstocked with bees, unless it is so unsuitable for bee-keeping as to make it unprofitable to keep them at all. Such an assertion may seem unguarded, but I am happy to be able to confirm it by the following letter from Mr. Wagner, showing the experience of the largest cultivators in Europe : “ Dear Sir : — In reply to your inquiry respecting the overstock¬ ing of a district, I would say, that tho present opinion of the cor¬ respondents of the Biencnzeitung, appears to be, that it cannot readily be done. Dzierzon says, in practice at least, ‘ it never is done and Dr. Radlkofcr, of Munich, the President of the second Apiarian Convention, declares that his apprehensions on that score were dissipated by observations which he had opportunity and occasion to make when on his way home from the Convention. I have numerous accounts of Apiaries in pretty close proximity, containing from 200 to 300 colonies each. Ehrenfels had a thou¬ sand hives, at three separate establishments, indeed, but so close to each other that he could visit them all in half an hour’s ride : and he says that, in 1801, the average net yield of his Apiaries was two dollars per hive. In Russia and Hungary. Apiaries num¬ bering from 2.000 to 5,000 colonies are said not to be unfrequent; and we know that as many as 4,000 hives are oftentimes congre¬ gated, in Autumn, at one point on the heaths of Germany. Hence, I think we need not fear that any district of this country, so distinguished for abundant natural vegetation and diversified culture, will very speedily be overstocked, particularly, after tho importance of having stocks populous early in the Spring conies to be appreciated. A week or ten days of favorable weather a’ (hat season, when pasturage abounds, will enable a strong colonv OVER-STOCKING. 301 to lay up an ample supply for the year, if its labor be properly directed. “Mr. Kaclcn, one of the oldest contributors to the Bicnenzeitung , .11 the number for December, 1852, noticing the communication trom Dr. Radlkofer, says; ‘I also concur in the opinion that t- district of country cannot bo overstocked with bees, and that, how ever numerous the colonies, all can procure sufficient sustenance, if the surrounding country contain honey-yielding plants and vegetables, in the usual degree. Where utter barrenness prevails, the case is different, of course, as well as rare.’ “ The Fifteenth Annual Meeting of German Agriculturists was held in the city of Hanover, on the 10th of September, 1852. and in compliance with the suggestions of the Apiarian Convention, a distinct section devoted to bee-culture was instituted. The pro¬ gramme propounded sixteen questions for discussion, the fourth of which was as follows : “‘Can a district of country embracing meadows, arable land, orchards, and forests, be so overstocked with bees, that these may no longer find adequate sustenance, and yield a remunerating surplus of their products ?’ “ This question was debated with considerable animation. The Rev. Mr. Kleine—nine-tenths of the correspondents of the Bee- Journal are Clergymen—president of the section, gave it as his opinion that ‘ it was hardly conceivable that such a country could be overstocked with bees.’ Counsellor Herwig, and the Rev. Mr. Wilkens, on the contrary, maintained that ‘it might be over¬ stocked.’ In reply, Assessor Ileyne remarked that, ‘whatever might be supposed possible, as an extreme case, it was certain that, as regards the kingdom of Hanover, it could not be even remotely apprehended that too many Apiaries would ever be established ; and that, consequently, the greatest possible multi¬ plication of colonies might safely -be aimed at and encouraged At. the same time, he advised a proper distribution of Apiaries.’ ■‘ I might easily furnish you with more matter of this sort, and designate a considerable number of Apiaries in various parts of Germany, containing from twenty-five to five hundred colonics. But the question would still recur, do not these Apiaries occupy 302 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. comparatively isolated positions ? and, at this distance from the scene it would obviously be impossible to give a perfectly satis¬ factory answer. “According to the statistical tables of the kingdom of Hanover, the annual production of bees-wax in the province of Lunenberg is 300,000 lbs., about one-half of which is exported : and, assum¬ ing one pound of wax as the yield of each hive, we must suppose that 300,000 hives are annually 1 brimstoncd’ in the province; and assuming further, in view of casualties, local influences, un¬ favorable seasons, &c., that only one-half of the whole number of colonies maintained, produce a swarm each every year, it would require a total of at least 600.000 colonies (141 to each square mile) to secure the result given in the tables. The number of square miles stocked, even to this extent, in this country, arc, I suspect, ‘ few and far between.’ It, is very evident that this country is far from being overstocked; nor is it likely that it ever will be. “ A German writer alleges that ‘ the bees of Lunenberg pay all the taxes assessed on their proprietors, and leave a surplus besides.’ The importance attached to bee-culture accounts, in part, for the remarkable fact that the people of a district so barren, that it has been called : the Arabia of Germany,’ are. almost without exception, in easy and comfortable circumstances. Could not still more favorable resulls be obtained in this country, under a rational system of management, availing itself of the aid of science, art, and skill ? “ But I am digressing. My design was, to furnish you with an account of bee-culture as it exists in an entire district of country , in the hands of the common peasantry. This, I thought, would be more satisfactory, and convey a better idea of what may be done on a large scale, than any number of instances which might, be selected of splendid success in isolated cases.—Very truly yours. “ Rev. L. L. Langstroth. Samuel Wagner ’ I am persuaded that, even in the poorest parts of New England, there arc hut few districts which could not he made to yield as large returns as the province of Lnnen- OVER-STOCKING. 30S berg, even if the old-fashioned plan of management was adhered to. The following interesting statements have been furnished to me by Mr. Wagner: “ ‘ When a large flock of sheep,’ says Octtl, 1 is grazing on a limited area, there may soon be a deficiency of pasturage. But this cannot be asserted of bees, as a good honey-district cannot readily be overstocked with them. To-day, when the air is moist and warm, the plants may yield a superabundance of neclar; while to-morrow, being cold and wet, there may be a total want of it. When there is sufficient heat and moisture, the saccharine juices of plants will readily fill the nectaries, and will be quickly replenished when carried off by the bees. Every cold night checks the flow of honey, and every clear, warm day re¬ opens the fountain. The flowers expanded to-day must be visited while open ; for, if left to wither, their stores are lost. The same remarks will apply substanlially in the case of honey-dews. Hence, bees cannot, as many suppose, collect to-morrow what is left ungathered to-day, as sheep may graze hereafter on the pas¬ turage they do not need now. Strong colonies and large Apiaries are in a position to collect ample stores when forage suddenly abounds, while, by patient, persevering industry, they may still gather a sufficiency, and even a surplus, when the supply is small, but more regular and protracted.’ “ The same able Apiarian, whose golden rule in bee-keeping is, to keep none but strong colonies, says that, in the lapse of twenty years since he established his Apiary, there has not occurred a season in which the bees did not procure adequate supplies for themselves, and a surplus besides. Sometimes, indeed, he came near despairing, when April, May, and June were continually cold, wet, and unproductive; but in July, his strong colonies speedily filled their garners, and stored up some treasure for him ; while, in such seasons, small colonies could not even gather enough to keep them from starvation. “ Mr. A. Braun states, in the Bienenzeitung, September, 1854, Vnat he has a mammoth hive furnished with combs containing at least 184,230 cells,* and placed on a platform scale, that its weight • Such a litvo would hold about three bushels WlWmnn -ays that “a clergy 304 THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. way readily be ascertained at stated periods. On the 18th of May it gained eighteen pounds and a half. On the eighteenth of June, a swarm weighing seven pounds issued from it, and the following day it gained over six pounds in weight. Ten days ol abundant pasturage would enable such a colony to gather a large surplus, while five limes the number of equally favorable opportunities would be of small avail to a feeble stock. ‘•The island of Corsica paid to Rome an annual tribute of 200.000 lbs. of wax, which presupposes the production of from two to three million pounds of honey yearly. The island contains 3790 square miles. “ According to Oet.tl (p. 389), Bohemia contained 160,000 colonies in 1853, from a careful estimate, and he thinks the country could readily support four times that number. The kingdom contains 20.200 square miles. “ In the province of Attica, in Greece, containing forty-five square miles, and 20,000 inhabitants, 20,000 hives are kept, each yielding, on an average, thirty pounds of honey and two pounds of wax. “ Fast Friesland, a province of Holland, containing 1,200 square miles, maintains an average of 2,000 colonics per square mile.— (Heubel, Bienenzeitung, 1854, p. 11.) !! According to an official report, there were in Denmark, in 1838, eighty-six thousand and thirty-six colonies of bees. The annual product of honey appears to be about 1,841,800 lbs. In 1855, the export of wax from that country was 118,379 lbs. “In 1856, according to official returns, there were 58,964 colonies of bees in the kingdom of Wurtemberg. “ In 1857, tiie yield of honey and wax in the empire of Austria was estimated to be worth over seven millions of dollars.” Doubtless, in these districts, where honey is so largely produced, great attention is paid to the cultivation of crops which, while in themselves profitable, afford abun¬ dant pasturage for bees. man set o well-stocked hive of bees on n tub turned bottom up, after having made a hole through the bottom, and took from the tub four hundied and twenty pound* of honey.” OVICR-STOCKTNG. 305 Although bees will fly, in search of food, over three miles,* still, if it is not within a circle of about two miles in every direction from the Apiary, they will be able to store but little surplus lioney.f If pasturage abounds within a quarter of a mile from their hives, so much the better; there is no great advantage, however, in having it close to them, unless there is a great supply, as bees, when they leave the hive, seldom alight upon the neigh¬ boring flowers. The instinct to fly some distance seems to have been given them to prevent them from wasting their time in prying into flowers already despoiled of their sweets by previous gatherers. In all my arrangements, I have aimed to save every step for the bees that I possibly can. With the alighting- board properly arranged, and covered, in windy situations, with cotton cloth (p. 279), bees will be able to store more honey, even if they have to go a considerable distance for it, than they otherwise could from pasturage nearer at hand. Many bee-keepers utterly neglect all suitable pre¬ cautions to facilitate the labors of their bees, as though they imagined them to be miniature locomotives, always • “ Mr. Kaden, of Mayence, thinks that the range of the bee’s flight does not usually extend move than three miles in all directions. Several years ago, a vessel, laden with sugar, anchored off Mayence, and was soon visited by the bees of the neigh¬ borhood,which continued to pass to and from the vessel from dawn to dark. One morning, when the bees were in full flight, the vessel sailed up the river. For a short time, the bees continued to fly as numerously as before; but gradually the number diminished, and, in the course of hall* an hour, all had ceased to follow the vessel, which had, meanwhile, sailed more than four miles.”— Bienenzeilwnff t 1854, p. 83. t “Judging from the sweep that bees take from the side of a railroad train in motion, we should estimate their paco at about thirty miles an hour. This would give them four minutes to reach the extremity of their common range. “ Mr. Cotton saw a man in Germany who kept all his numerous stocks rich by changing their places as soon as the honey-season varied. ‘Sometimes he sends them to the moors, sometimes to the meadows, sometimes to the forest, and some¬ times to the hills. In France — and the same practice has existed in Egypt from the most ancient times—they often put hundrods of hives in a boat, which floats ■iown the stream by night and stops by day.’ London Quarterly Review. 306 TIIE IIIVE AND HONEY-CEE. fired up, and capable of an indefinite amount of exertion. A bee cannot put forth more than a certain amount of physical effort, and a large portion of this ought not to be spent in contending against difficulties from which it might easily be guarded. They may often be seen pant¬ ing after their return from labor, and so exhausted as to need rest before they enter the hive. Dzierzon’s* experience as to the profits of bee-keeping has already been given (p. 21). With proper manage¬ ment, five dollars’ worth of honey may, on an average of years, be obtained for each stock that is wintered in good condition. The worth of the new colonies I set off against ♦ “ It Is by no means easy to devise a rule for estimating the profits of bee-culture, whether we regard the number of colonies or the numbor of square miles. lie is not the best Apiarian who obtains the largest yield from a single hive, but keeps only one or two. By very jndicious and careful management, a hundred colonies might yield a large profit, yet fall far short of whut three hundred would have yielded in the same location and same season, with much less supervision and atten¬ tion. He is not the most successful farmer who produces the most extraordinary yield from a single rod of ground, but ho who secures the amplest crops from an extensive area, well cultivated. The swarming system may be very advantageous in certain localities, In spite of its manifest wastefulness; though, in other localities, it would, because of that unavoidable wastefulness, render bee-keeping a decidedly losing business, since the system involves a vast expenditure of honey for the pro¬ duction and maintenance of brood, which scarcely matures before it is doomed to the brimstone-pit, leaving to its owner often a smaller quantity of honey than the swarm would have produced if taken up three weeks after it was hived. “ Confine the queen of an artificial swarm, so as to prevent her from depositing eggs in the combs, and the colony will, in a short time in the gathering season, accumulate much larger stores of honey than one whose queen is left at liberty, though equal in age and population. Thus, also, a colony having a very prolific queen, will, oven in favorable seasons, lay up much less honey, unless ample store¬ room is given them, than one whose queen lays fewer eggs. 1 rom these and similar facts, which might bo enumerated, it is evident that a very large number of particulars must be taken Into consideration when endeavoring to form some goncral rule for estimating the profits of bee-culture.”— Dzibrzon. The old-fashioned bee-keeper should know well the honey-resourees of his district, in order to decide upon the best time for “taking up” his bees. If bce9 are smothered, it will be found decidedly advantageous to remove and destroy thoir ^ueons, at least three weeks before taking their honey. In this way, the produc¬ tion of brood and consumption of honey will be checked, and the combs will be In a much bettor condition for melting. ' OVKR-STOCKING. 307 the labor of superintendence, cost of hives, and interest on the capital invested. A careful man, who, with my hives, will begin bee-keep¬ ing on a prudent* scale, enlarging his operations as his skill and experience increase, will find, in any region where honey commands a good price, that the preceding estimate is a moderate one. In favorable localities, a much larger profit may be realized. * Bee-keepers cannot bo too cautious in entering largely npon new systems of management, until they have ascertained, not only that they are good, but that they can make a good use of them. There Is, however, a golden mean between the etuDid conservatism that tries nothing new, and that rash experimenting, on an extravagant scale, which is so characteristic of the American people. 308 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. CHAPTER XVIII. THE ANGER OF BEES - REMEDIES FOR THEIR STINGS. The gentleness of bees, when properly managed, makes them wonderfully subject to human control. When gorged with honey, they may he taken up by handfuls, and suffered to run over the face, and may even have their glossy backs gently smoothed as they rest on our persons ; and all the feats of the celebrated Wildman may be safely imitated by experts, who, by securing the queen, can make the bees hang in large festoons from their chin, without incurring any risk of being taken by the beard. “ Such was the spell, which round a Wildman’a arm, Twin’d in dark wreaths the fascinated swarm ; Bright o’er his breast the glittering legions led, Or with a living garland bound his head. His dextrous hand, with firm yet hurtless hold, Could seize the chief, known by her scales of gold, Prune ’mid the wondering train her filmy wing, Or o’er her folds the silken fetter fling.” M. Lombard, a skillful French Apiarian, narrates the following interesting occurrence, to show how peaceable bees are in swarming time, and how easily managed by those who have both skill and confidence : “ A young girl of my acquainlance, who was much afraid of bees, was completely cured of her fear by the following incident: A swarm having come off, I observed the queen alight by herself at a little distance from the Apiary. 1 immediately called my little friend, that I might show her the queen ; she wished to see her more nearly ; so, after having caused her to put on her gloves, 1 gave the queen into her hand. We were in an instant surrounded by the whole bees of the swarm. In this emergency, I encouraged ANGER OF BEES. 309 the girl to be steady, bidding her be silent and fear nothing, and remaining myself close by her. I then made her stretch out her right hand, which held the queen, and covered her head and shoulders with a very thin handkerchief. The swarm soon fixed on her hand, and hung from it, as from the branch of a tree. The little girl was delighted above measure at the novel sight, and so entirely free from all fear, that she bade me uncover her face. The spectators were charmed with the interesting spectacle. At length I brought a hive, and, shaking the swarm from her hand, it was lodged in safety, and without indicting a single wound.” A practical acquaintance with the principles set forth in this Treatise, will render it unnecessary, under any cir¬ cumstances , to provoke to fury a colony of bees. When thoroughly aroused, by the overturning, or violent jar- An Unfortunate Beb-lng. 310 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. ing of their hive, or by the presence of a sweaty horse, or any offensive animal, they are terribly vindictive and severe, and even dangerous consequences may ensue. As our domestic animals may, by ill-treatment, be roused to such fury as to endanger our lives, so the most peaceful family of bees may be quickly taught to attack any living thing that approaches their domicile. When a colony of bees is unskilfully dealt with, they will “compass about” their assailant with savage feroc¬ ity ; and wo be to him, if they can creep up his clothes, or find a single unprotected spot on his person. lie will fare as badly as the “Unfortunate Bee-ing ,” so ludi¬ crously depicted in “ Hood’s Comic Sketches.” Those who have much to do with bees, should wear a bee-hat , unless they are proof against the venom of their stings; for, while tens of thousands will continue their pursuits without annoying those who do not molest them, a few dyspeptic bees (p. 256), will come buzzing around their ears, determined to sting, without the slightest provocation. Even these, however, retain some touch of grace, amidst all their desperation. Like the scold, whoso elevated voice gives timely warning to escape the sound of her tongue, so a bee bent on mischief, by raising its note far above the peaceable pitch, gives fair warning that danger is impending. Even then, if it has not been pro¬ voked to madness, it will seldom sting, unless it can plant its weapon on the face of its victim, and, if possible, near the eye ; for, like all the stinging tribe, it has an intuitive perception that this is the most vulnerable spot. If the head is quietly lowered, and the face covered with tha hands, they will follow a person, often for rods, all the time sounding their war-note in his ears, and daring the sneak¬ ing fellow to allow them to catch but a glimpse of his coward face. ANGER OF BEES. 311 Cotton, quoting from Butler, who, in these remarks, follows mainly Columella, says: “ Listen to the words of an old writer:— 1 If thou wilt have the favour of thy bees, that they sting thee not, thou must avoid such things as offend them : thou must not be unchaste or uncleanly; for impurity and sluttiness (themselves being most chaste and neat) they utterly abhor; thou must not come among them smell¬ ing of sweat, or having a stinking breath, caused either through eating of leeks, onions, garlick, and the like, or by any other means, the noisomeness whereof is corrected by a cup of beer, thou must not be given to surfeiting or drunkenness ; thou must hot come puffing or blowing unto them, neither hastily stir among them, nor resolutely defend thyself when they seem to threaten thee; but softly moving thy hand before thy face, gently put them by ; and lastly, thou must be no stranger unto them. In a word, thou must be chaste, cleanly, sweet, sober, quiet, and familiar; so will they love thee, and know thee from all others. When nothing hath angered them, one may safely walk along by them ; but if he stand still before them in the heat of the day, it is a marvel but one or other spying him, will have a cast at him.’* “ Above all, never blowf on them; they will try to sting directly, if you do. “ If you want to catch any of the bees, make a bold sweep at them with your hand; and if you catch them without pressing them, they will not sting. I have so caught three or four at a time. If you want to do anything to a single bee, catch him ‘as if you loved him,’ between your finger and thumb, where the tail joins on to the body, and he cannot hurt you.” If a person is attacked by angry bees, not the slightest * Many persons Imagine themselves to be quite safe, if they stand at a consider* able distance from the hives; whereas, cross bees delight to attack those whoso more distant position makes them a surer mark to their long-sighted vision, than persons who are close to their hives. t While bees resent the warm breath exhaled slowly from the lungs, I have ascertained, that they will run from a blast of cold air blown upon them by the mouth of the operator, almost as quickly as from smoke. Before employing smoker l oiten used a pair of bellows. 312 TUB HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. attempt should be made to act on the offensive ; for, if a single one is struck at, others will avenge the insult; and it resistance is continued, hundreds, and at last, thousands, will join them. The assailed party should quickly retreat to the protection of a building, or, if none is near, should hide in a clump of bushes, and lie perfectly still, with his head covered, until the bees leave him. When no bushes are at hand, they will generally give over the attack, if he lies still on the grass, with his face to the ground. Those who are alarmed if a bee enters the house, or approaches them in the garden or fields, are ignorant of the important fact, that a bee at a distance from its hire , never volunteers an attack. Even if assaulted, the) 1 ' seek only to escape, and never sting, unless they are hurt. If they were as easily provoked away from home, as when called to defend those sacred precincts, a tithe of the merry gambols in which our domestic animals indulge, would speedily bring about them a swarm of infuriated enemies; we should no longer be safe in our quiet ram¬ bles among the green fields ; and no jocund mower could whet or swing his peaceful scythe, unless clad in a dress impervious to their stings. The bee, instead of being the friend of man, would, like savage wild beasts, provoke his utmost efforts for its extermination. Let none, however, take encouragement from the con¬ trast between the conduct of bees at home and abroad, to reserve all their pleasant ways for other places than the domestic roof; for, towards the members of its own family the bee is all kindness and devotion ; and while, among human beings, a mother is often treated by her own chil¬ dren with disrespect or neglect, among bees she is always waited upon with reverence and affection. It is true, that if any members of a colony become una¬ ble to perform their share of labor, they are dragged from Plate XX. Fig. 57 . r-iocfi. ANGER OF BEES. 313 the hive by their pitiless companions. It is, however, a necessary law of their economy, that those who cannot work, shall not eat; nor is there anything in the nature of a bee, that can be benefitted by nursing the sick, while the noblest traits of humanity are often developed by the incessant care bestowed upon the weak and helpless. Huber has demonstrated, that bees have an exceedingly acute sense of smell, and that unpleasant odors quickly excite their anger.* Long before his time, Butler said, “ Their smelling is excellent, whereby, when they fly aloft into the air, they will quickly perceive anything under them that they like, even though it be covered.” They have, therefore, a special dislike to those whose habits are not neat,f and who bear about them a perfume not in the least resembling “ Subcan odors From the spicy shores of Araby the blest.” A sweaty horse is detested by bees, and, when assailed by them, is often killed ; as, instead of running away, like most other animals, it will plunge and kick until it falls overpowered. The Apiary should be fenced in, to prevent horses and cattle from molesting the hives. The sting of a bee, upon some persons, produces very painful, and even dangerous effects. I have often noticed that, while those whose systems are not sensitive to the venom, are rarely molested by bees, they seem to take a malicious pleasure in stinging those upon whom their ♦ strong perfumes, however pleasant to us, are disagreeable to bees; and Aris¬ totle observes, that they will sting those scented with them. I bnvo known per¬ sons Ignorant of this fact to be severely treated by bees. t Some persons, however cleanly, are assaulted by bees ns soon as they approach their hives. It Is related of a distinguished Apiarian that, after a sovero nttaek of fever, he was never able to bo on good terms with his bees. That they can readily perceive the slightest differences in smell, is nppnrent from the fact that any number of colonies, fed from a common vessel, will be gentlo towards each other, while they will assail the first strange bee that alights on the foeder. 314 THK IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. poison produces the most virulent effect. Something in the secretions of such persons may both provoke the attack and render its consequences more severe. The smell of their own poison produces a very irritating effect upon bees. A small portion ol it oflered to them on a stick, will excite their anger* “If you are stung,” says old Butler, “ or any one in the company—yea, though a "bee hath stricken but your clothes, especially in hot weather—you were best be packing as fast as you can, for the other bees, smelling the rank flavor of the poison, will come about you as thick as hail.” REMEDIES FOR THE STING OF A BEE. If only a few of the host of cures, so zealously advo¬ cated, could be made effectual, there would be little reason to dread being stung. The first thing to be done after being stung, is to pull the sting out of the wound as quickly as possible. When torn from the bee, the poison-bag, and all the muscles which control the sting, accompany it; and it penetrates deeper and deeper into the flesh, injecting continually more and more poison into the wound. It extracted at once, it will very rarely produce any serious consequences. After the sting is removed, the utmost care should be taken not to irritate the wound by the slightest rubbing. However intense the smarting, and the disposition to apply friction to the wound, it should never be done , for the moment that the blood is put into violent circulation, the poison is quickly diffused over a large part of the system, and severe pain and swelling may ensue. On the same principle, by severe friction, the bite of a mos¬ quito, even after the lapse of several days, may be made • When bees thrust out their stings in a threaten ng manner, a minuto drop of poison can be seen on their points, some of which is occasionally flirted into the eyo of the Apiarian, and causes severe irritation. REMEDIES FOR THE STING OF A BEE. 315 to swell again. As most of the popular remedies are rubbed in , they are worse than nothing. If the mouth is applied to the wound, unpleasant conse¬ quences may follow; for, while the poison of snakes, affecting only the circulating system, may be swallowed with impunity, the poison of the bee acts with great power on the organs of digestion. Distressing headaches are ollen produced by it, as any one who has been stung or has tasted the poison, very well knows.* Mr. Wagner says : “ The juice of the ripe berry of the common coral honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium) is the best remedy I have ever used for the sting of bees, wasps, hornets, &c. The berries or the expressed juice may bo preserved in a bottle well closed, and will keep their efficacy more than a year.” The milky juice of the white poppy is highly recom¬ mended. An old German writer states that it will instan¬ taneously allay the pain and prevent swelling. Others recommend the juice of tobacco as a sovereign panacea. Relief has unquestionably been found, by different persons, from each of these remedies, and there is as little reason to expect that one remedy will answer for all, as that the same disease can always be cured by the same medicines. In my own case, I have found cold water to be the best remedy for a bee-sting. The poison being very volatile, is quickly dissolved in it; and the coldness of the water has also a powerful tendency to check inflammation. The leaves of the plantain, crushed and applied to the wound, are a very good substitute when water cannot at * An old writer says; w If bees, when dond, aro dried to powder, and given ts either man or beast, this medicine will often give immediate ease in the most excruciating pain, and remove a stoppage in the body when nil other means have failed.” A tea made by pouring boiling water upon bees has recently been pro¬ scribed, by high medical authority, for violent strangury; while the poison of the^ bee, under the name of apis , is a great homoeopathic remedy. 316 TI1IC 1I1VE AND HONEY-BEE. once be procured. Bevan recommends the use of spirits of hartshorn, and says that, in cases of severe stinging, its internal use is also beneficial.* Timid Apiarians, and all who suffer severely from the sting of a bee, should by all means protect themselves with a bee-dress The great objection to such a dress, as usually made, is, that it obstructs clear vision, so highly important in all operations, besides producing such exces¬ sive heat and perspiration, as to make one using it pecu¬ liarly offensive to the bees. I prefer what I call a bee-hat (Plate XI., Fig. 25), of entirely novel construction. It is made of wire-cloth, the meshes of which are too fine to admit a bee, but coarse enough to allow a free circulation of air, and to permit distinct sight. The wire-cloth should be first sewed together like a hat, and made large enough to go very easily over the head ; its top may be of cotton cloth, and the same material should be fastened around its lower edge. If the top is made of sole leather, it will serve a better purpose. A piece of wire-cloth one foot * It may bo some comfort to novices to know that the poison will produce less and less effect upon their system. Old bee-keepers, like Mithridates, appear almost to thrive upon poison itself. When I first became interested in bees, a sting was quite a formidable thing, the pain being often very intense, and the wound swelling so as sometimes to obstruct my sight. At present, the pain is usunlly slight, and, If the sting is quickly extracted, no unpleasant consequences ensue, even if no remedies arc used. Huish speaks of seeing the hahl head of Bonner, a celebrated practical Apiarian, covered with stings, which seemed to produce upon him no un¬ pleasant effects. The Rev. Mr. Kleine advises beginners to suffer themselves to bo stung frequently, assuring them that, in two seasons, their system will become accustomed to the poison I An old English Apiarian advises a person who has been stung, to catch as speedily as possible another bee, and make it sting on the same spot. Even an enthusiastic disciple of Huber might hesitate to venture on such a singular homoeopathic remedy; but as this old writer had stated, what I had verified in my own expe¬ rience, that the oftener a person was stung the less ho suffered from the venom, I determined to make trial of his prescription. Allowing a sting to remain until it had discharged all its poison, 1 compelled another bee to insert its sting, as nearly us possible, in the same spot. I used no remedies of any kind, and bad the satisfac¬ tion., in my zeal for new discoveries, of suffering more from the pain and swelling than for years before. REMEDIES FOR THE STING OF A BEE. 217 wide, by two and a half feet long, will make a good fit for most persons. With such a hat, there is no danger from waspish bees, and its cape may be tucked under the coat, or so securely fastened, as to defy all assailants. The hands may be protected by india-rubber gloves, such as are now in common use. These gloves, while impenetrable to the sting of a bee, do not materially interfere with the operations of the Apiarian. As soon, however, as the bee-keeper acquires confidence and skill, he will much prefer to use nothing but the bee-hat, even at the expense of an occasional sting on his hands. If the bands are wet with honey, they will seldom be stung. Woolen gloves are objectionable, as everything rough or hairy has an extremely irritating influence upon bees. This is probably owing to the fact that, in a state of nature, bears, foxes, and other hairy animals, are their principal enemies. No sooner do they feel the touch of anything rough or hairy, than they dart out their stings. Butler says: “ They use their stings against such things as have outwardly some offensive excrement, such as hair or feathers, the touch whereof provoketh them to sting. If they alight upon the hair of the head or beard, they will sting if they can reach the skin. When they are angry, their aim is most commonly at the face, but the bare hand, that is not hairy, they will seldom sting, unless they be much offended.” 318 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. CHAPTER XIX. THE ITALIAN HONEY-BEE. Aristotie speaks of three different species of the honey¬ bee, as well known in his time. The best variety he des¬ cribes as “ fiixpa, xai iroixiXrj”—that is, small and round in size and shape, and variegated in color. Virgil ( Georgicon , lib. IV., 98) speaks of two kinds as flourishing in his time; the better of the two, he thus describes: Elucent alias, ct fulgore coruscant, Ardentcs auro, et paribus iita corpora guttis. Haec potior soboles; hinc cceli tempore certo Dulcia mella premes.” The better variety, it will be seen, he characterizes as spotted or variegated, and of a beautiful golden color. The attention of bee-keepers has recently been called to this variety of the honey-bee, which, after the lapse of more than two thousand years, still exists distinct and pure from the common kind. The following letter from Mr. Wagner will show the importance attached to this species, by some of the most skillful and successful Apia¬ rians in Europe: “York, Pa., August 5, 18 6. “ My Dear Sir : —The first account we have of the Italian bees, as a distinct race or variety, is that given by Capt. Baldcn- stein, in the Menenzcitung, 1848, p. 26.* Being stationed in * The Bov. E. W. Glbnan, of Bangor Maine, has recently directed my attention to Spinola's “Irmectorum Liguria xper.ieft nova aut rariorev from which It appears, that Splnola accurately described all the peculiarities of this boo, which ho round In Piedmont, In 1S05. He fully Identified it with the bee described by Aris¬ totle, and calls It the Ligurian Bee, a r.aino now very generally adopted In Europe Till', ITALIAN BEE. 319 Italy, during part of the Napoleonic wars, he noticed that the bees, in the Lombardo-Venetian district of Valtelin, and on the borders of Lake Como, differed in color from the common kind, and seem¬ ed to be more industrious. At the close of the war, he retired from the army, and returned to his ancestral castle, on the Rhae- tian Alps, in Switzerland ; and to occupy his leisure, had recourse to bee-culture, which had been his favorite hobby in earlier years. While studying the natural history, habits, and instincts of these insects, he remembered what he had observed in Italy, and resolved to procure a colony from that country. Accordingly, he sent two men thither, who purchased one. and carried it over the mountain, to his residence, in September, 1843. “ In May, 1847, this colony, the queen of which had never failed to produce genuine Italian brood, began to show signs of weak¬ ness, but suddenly recovered in the following month ; and it was evident that it had supplied itself with a new queen, which had fortunately been impregnated by an Italian drone, as she produced genuine, or pure brood. On the loth of May, 1848, this queen issued with a swarm, and he hoped that, as he had placed the parent-hive in a rather isolated location, her successor would be impregnated by an Italian drone. But in this, he was doomed to disappointment; she produced a bastard progeny, while the emi¬ grant queen produced genuine brood, as before. Similar disap¬ pointments awaited him from year to year; and in June. 1851, he possessed only one colony of the pure stock. u Among the points which he considered as definitely estab¬ lished, by his observations on the Italian bee, arc the following: 1 . The queen, if healthy, retains her proper fertility at least three or four years. 2. The Italian bee is more industrious, and the queen more prolific, than the common kind ; because, in a most unfavorable year, when other colonies produced few swarms and little honey, his Italian colony produced three swarms, which filled their hives with comb, and, together with the parent-stock, laid up ample stores for Winter; the latter yielding, besides, a box well filled with honey. The three young colonies were among the best in his Apiary. 3. The workers do not, at most, live longer than one year; for, though the been and brood in the 32C THE IIIVE AND HONEY-BEE. parent-hive, when the first swarm and old queen left, were of the Italian stock exclusively, few of this kind remained in the Fall, and none survived the Winter. 4. The young queen is impreg¬ nated soon after she is established in a colony, and continues fer¬ tile during life. Were this not so, the genuine queens would not have continued to produce pure brood during those seven succes¬ sive years. 5. The queen leaves the hive to meet the drones. If not. it would scarcely have happened, that all the young queens bred in those seven years, with only one exception, were impreg¬ nated by common drones, and produced a bastard progeny. 6. The old queen regularly leaves with the first swarm, or the genuine Italian brood would not invariably have been the product of the swarm, but occasionally, at least, of the parent colony, which never happened in all that time. “ These observations and inferences impelled Dzierzon_who had previously ascertained that the cells of the Italian and com¬ mon bees were of the same size—to make an effort to procure the Italian bee; and, by the aid of the Austrian Agricultural Society at Vienna,# he succeeded in obtaining, late in February, 1853, a colony from Mira, near Venice. On the following day, he trans¬ ferred the combs and bees into one of his own hives, and, when the season opened, placed the hive on a stand in his Apiary, and screwed it last, that it might not be stolen. He never moved it during the ensuing Summer, but took from it combs with workei and drone-brood, at regular intervals, supplying their place with empty comb. In this way, he succeeded in rearing nearly fifty young queens, about one-half of which were impregnated by Italian drones, and produced genuine brood. The other half produced a bastard progeny. He continued thus to multiply queens by the removal of brood, till the parent-stock, and several of his artificial colonies, suddenly killed off their drones, on the 25th of June. The bees of the original colony still labored very assiduously, but • Some of the Governments of Europe have recently taken groat interest in ills- geminating among their people a knowledge of Dzierzon’s system of Boe-Culturo. Prussia furnishes annually a number of persons from different parts of the King¬ dom, with the means of acquiring a practical knowledge of this system ; white the Bavarian Government hao prescribed instruction in Dzierzon’s theory and practice of hoe.culture, as a part of the regular course of studios in Its teachers’ Seminaries THE ITALIAN BEE. 321 gradually became less diligent, till when the buck-wheat came into blossom, they were surpassed in industry by many colonics of the common bees. But, as young bees continued to make their appearance he felt satisfied that the colony was in a healthy con¬ dition. Later in the season, he unfastened the hive, preparatory to putting it into winter quarters; and on attempting to lift it, found he was scarcely able to move it. He now discovered why it had so greatly fallen behind the other colonies in industry. Having early rid itself of drones (as probably is done instinctively ill Italy), it had, in consequence of its extraordinary activity, filled all the cells with honey, in a very short time, and was thencefor¬ ward doomed to involuntary idleness. It had attained a weight which scarcely any of his colonies reached in the Summer of 1846, when pasturage was so superabundant; whereas, the Sum¬ mer of 1853 was a very ordinary one in this respect.* ‘The general diffusion of this species of bee,’ says Dzierzon, 1 will form as marked an era in the bee-culture of Germany, as did the introduction of my improved hives.f The profit derived by the farmer from feeding stock, depends not alone on due atten¬ tion to the habits and wants of the animals, but mainly on the * “His experiments on this colony made it manifest, that frequent disturbance had not produced any injurious effect. Until Midsummer, he not only removed a brood-comb containing about 5000 cells, every other day, but had, on numerous other occasions, taken out comb after comb, several times a day, to find the queen, and show her to bee-keeping friends, who visited him. When, in consequence of such interruptions, the queen retreated to the opposite end of the hive, ho usually found her, half an hour thereafter, on the same comb she had occupied before, engaged in laying eggs. Such disturbances, if the combs be not broken, or ma¬ terially damaged, he thinks, do no injury; but that, on the contrary they not unfrcquently produco a certain excitement among the bees, which impels them to issue in greater numbers, and labor with increased assiduity.”— S. Wagner. + After my application for a patent on the movable-frames was favorably decided upon, the Baron Von Berlepsch, of Soebach, Thuringia (see p. 126), invented frames of a somewhat similar character. Carl T. E. Von Siebold, Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, in the University of Munich, thus speaks of these frames: “As tho lateral adhesion of the combs built down from the bars” ‘see pp 15, 16 of this Treatise), “frequently rendorod their removal difficult, Berlepsch tried to avoid this inconvenience, in a very ingenious way, by suspend¬ ing in his hives, instead of the bars, small quadrangular frames, the vacuity of which tho bees All up with thoir comb, by which tho removal and suspension of the combs are greatly facilitated, and altogether such a convenient arrangement is given to the Ozlerzon-hlve, that nothing more remains to be desired.” 14* 322 Til?: IIIYE AND HONEY-BEE. character of ttio breed itself. So also with the bee. We find marked differences in point of industry, even among our common bees; but the Italian bee surpasses these in every respect. A chief diiliculty in the way of a more general attention to bee- culture, arises from the almost universal dread of the sting of this insect. Many fear even the momentary pain which it inflicts, though no other unpleasant consequences follow; but in some per¬ sons it causes severe and long-protracted swelling and inflamma¬ tion. This, especially, deters ladies from engaging in this pur¬ suit. All this can be avoided by the introduction of the Italian bee, which is by no means an irascible insect.* It will sting only when it happens to be injured, when it is intentionally annoyed, or when it is attacked by robbing bees : then it will defend itself with undaunted courage, and such are its extraordi¬ nary vigor and agility, that it is never overpowered, so long as the colony is in a normal condition. Colonies of common bees may speedily be converted into Italian stocks, by simply removing the queen from each, and, after the lapse of two or three days, or as soon as the workers decidedly manifest consciousness of the deprivation, supplying them with an Italian queen. We are thereby also enabled to note the gradual disappearance of the old race, as it becomes supplanted by the new. Besides the increased profit thus derivable from bce-culture, this species also furnishes us with no small gratification, in studying the nature, habits, and economy of the insect to greater advantage, because, by means of it, the most interesting experiments, investigations, and observa¬ tions may bo instituted, and thus the remaining doubts and diffi¬ culties be cleared up.’ “ He further says : ‘It has been questioned, even by experienced and expert Apiarians, whether the Italian race can be preserved in its purity, in countries where the common kind prevail. Thero need be no uneasiness on this score. Their preservation could bo accomplished, even if natural swarming had to be relied on. because they swarm earlier in the season than the common kind, * Splnoln speaks of the moro peacoable disposition of this beo; and Columella, 1800 years ago, had noticed the same peculiarity, describing It os “ milior mori* bus." Both its superior industr and peaceableness have been noticed from tbs earliest ages. TIIK ITALIAN BKK. 323 and also more frequently. Captain Baldenstein’s want ot succes* was most probably the result of a deficiency of drone-comb* in Ins Italian hives, as a consequence, of which, only few drones were produced.’ *• The main thing to be attended to in any localities where common bees are found or kept, is to secure the production of drones in numbers overwhelmingly large; though Dzierzon is under the impression, that where both kinds ot drones exist in about equal numbers, the Italian queens will usually encounter Italian drones, both queens and drones being more active and agile than the common kind. Besides, the wings of both queens and drones are finer and more delicate than those of the common kind, and the sounds produced in flying are clearer and higher- toned. Hence, probably, they are readily able to distinguish each other when on the wing t ‘ The Baron of Berlepsch, one of the most enthusiastic and skillful Apiarians, on a large scale, in Germany, says he can. from his own experience confirm the statements of Dzierzon, in relation to the Italian bee, having found, * “Dzierzon guarded ngunst this, by giving to a very large colony, which ordi¬ narily produced drones In great numbers, a fertile queen very early in the season. Thousands of drones soon mado their appearance, and he immediately formed an artificial colony by removing this queen, with a sufficient number of workers, adding worker-brood from other colonies. On the twelfth day following, he henrd a young queen ‘teeiiny in the parent hive and, to his surprise, a large swarm issued from it on the same day, though the weather was then cool and cloudy. This swarm came forth suddenly, without any previous Indication of its intention, just ns after-swarms usually do. On a similar day, Dzierzon says, he had nevor seen a first swarm of common bees leave. So cold was the weather, that some of the bees became chilled before the swarm was hived. As the swarm was unusually large, he divided it into two, ns ho was able to procure an additional queen from tho parent hive. Both throvo well, and ench of tho queens wa 3 Impregnated by an Italian drone. From this occurrence, he judged that these bees have nil instinctive proclivity to swarm early. Our common kind would liavo lingered long, rather I ban 'swarm-in weather so cold and cloudy.”’— S. Wagner. t “ If, at the timo when young queens are emerging, the bees and drones be tempted to sully out earlier than usual In the day, hours before the common drones come forth, by feeding them with diluted honey, the perpetuation of the genuine meed will the more probably be secured. But this end will the most certainly bo attained, if measures are taken to have Italian queens and drones bred early In tho season, before the common drones niako their nppoaranco; and again late, after the latter liavo been 1 killed off.' This may readily he done hy the Improved hlvo, and the application of certain known principles in bee-culture."—S. Wagner. THE I1IVE AND HONEY-BEE. 324 11 1. That the Italian bees are less sensitive to cold than the common kind. 2. That their queens are more prolific. 3. That the colonies swarm earlier and more frequently, though of this he has less experience Ilian Dzierzon. 4. That they are less apt tc s.ing. Not only are they less apt, but scarcely are they hiclined to sting, though they will do so if intentionally annoyed or irri¬ tated. 5. That they are more industrious. Of this fact he had but one Summer’s experience, but all the results and indications go to confirm Dzierzon’s statements, and satisfy him of the superiority of this kind in every point of view. 6. That they are more disposed to rob than common bees, and more courageous and active in self-defence. They strive on all hands to force their way into colonies of common bees; but when strange bees attack their hives, they fight with great fierceness, and with an incredible adroitness.* ‘‘From one Italian queen sent him by Dzierzon, Berlepsch suc¬ ceeded in obtaining, in the ensuing season, one hundred and thirty- nine fertile young queens, of which number about fifty produced pure Italian progeny f ,! Busch [Die Honig-bicne , Gotha, 1855) describes the Italian bee as follows: ‘ The workers are smooth and glossy, and the color of their abdominal rings is a medium between the pale yellow of straw and the deeper yellow of ochre. These rings have a narrow black edge or border, so that the yellow (which might * Spinola speaks of these bees as “ velociores moUt ”—quicker in their motions than the common bees. + “ It is a remarkable fact that an Italian queen, impregnated by a common drone and a common queen impregnated by an Italian drone, do not produce workers of a uniform intermediate cast, or hybrids; but some of the workers bred from the eggs of each queen will be purely of the Italian, and others as purely of the common race, only a few of them, indeed, being apparently hybrids. Berlepsch also had several bastardized queens, which at first produced Italian workers exclu¬ sively, and afterwards common workers as exclusively. Some such queens pro¬ duced fully three-fourths Italian workers; others, common workers in the same proportion. Nay, he states that he had one beautiful orange-yellow bastardized Italian queen which did not produce a single Italian worker, but only common workers, perhaps a shade lighter in color. The drones , however, produced by a bastardized Italian queen are uniformly of the Italian race, and this fact, besides demonstrating the truth of Dzierzon’s theory, renders the preservation and per¬ petuation of the Italian race, in its purifcv, ontircly feasible in any country where they may bo •ntroduced.”—S. Waonkh. THE ITALIAN BEE. 325 be called leather-colored) constitutes the ground, and is seemingly barred over by these slight black edges, or borders. This is most distinctly perceptible when a brood-comb, on which bees are densely crowded, is taken out of a hive. The drones differ from the workers in having the upper half of their abdominal rings black, and the lower half an oehry-yellow, thus causing the abdomen, when viewed from above, to appear annulated. The queen differs from the common kind chiefly in the greater bright¬ ness and brilliancy of her colors.’ i; Otto Kadlkofer, Jr., of Munich, in a communication to the Bienenzeitung , says that a colony of Italian bees, which he trans¬ ferred in February, began to build new comb before the middle of March, while his common bees had not, at the date of his commu¬ nication (the last of April), begun to build any new comb. 1 Not only,’ says Mr. Radlkofer, ‘ are the Italian bees distinguished by an earlier-awakened impulse to activity and labor, but they are remarkable also for the sedulous use they make of every opening flower, visiting some on which common bees aye seldom or never seen. They have also demonstrated their superior agility in self- defence ; nay, they would not tolerate the presence of other bees on comb that had been strewed with flour for their common use. In all these respects, the palm of superiorily must be awarded to the Italian bee.’ Considerable difficulty has been encountered, even by expe¬ rienced Apiarians, in inducing a colony of common bees, deprived of its queen, to accept an Italian queen in its stead, and many failures have occurred, involving the loss of the offered queen, and causing grievous disappointment. The safest course appears to be, to remove the queen several days before the substitution is intended to be made, and to destroy all the royal cells and embryo queens the day before the Italian queen is introduced. At the time of her introduction, the combs should again bo thoroughly examined, and. if any more royal cells have been started, they must likewise be destroyed. The Italian queen should be placed in a cage for her protection, and a small quantity of pure honey in open cells should be put in the cage. The condu t of the workers will speedily show whether and when 326 THU HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. they will receive her. Mr. Lange advises that the Italian queen be introduced immediately after the bees of a deprived colony manifest undoubted consciousness of the loss they have sustained, and before they have started any royal cells, or made arrangements for doing so.—Yours truly, Samuel Warner.” “Rev. L. L. Langstroth.” The chief obstacle to the rapid diffusion of this valuable variety has been the difficulty experienced by the ablest German Apiarians in preserving the breed pure, even Berlepsch having failed entirely to do so. By means of my non-swarmer, however, this difficulty may be readily overcome. Let the bee-keeper who obtains an Italian queen in the Spring, give her, with proper precautions (p. 200), to a populous colony, whose hive is well furnished with drone- combs, having first deprived it of its queen. When the drone cells are filled with sealed brood, let nuclei (p. 189) be formed from this stock, and replace the combs removed, with others containing workers ready to hatch. By thus keeping the parent-stock always populous, a large number of nuclei may be foianed from it. Just before the young Italian queens mature, adjust the non- swarmer (Plates II., V., Figs. 5, 17) to all the hives con¬ taining common drones, so as to shut them in, while free egress is given to queens and workers. As only the drones bred by the Italian queen have their liberty, all the young females will be fertilized by them. As fast as the queens of the nuclei become fertile, they may be given to the various stocks, and from these, in a short time, other nuclei which will raise Italian queens, maybe formed. In this way, an expert, who can be sure of having Italian drones until late in the season, might easily convert an Apiary of a thousand or more hives into stocks containing none but the new variety. THK ITALIAN BEE. 327 To secure tlie requisite number of drones, part of the Italian drone-brood should be given to some of the nuclei, so that, in case the parent-stock kills its drones, others may be on hand. If the Apiarian removes the queen from this colony before the drones are killed, the bees will tolerate their presence much longer. The same object may also be accomplished by liberal feeding ab soon as natural forage fails (p. 224). Dzierzon found that a queen which had been refri¬ gerated for a long time, after being brought to life by warmth, laid only male eggs, whilst previously she had also laid female eggs. Berlepsch refrigerated three queens by placing them thirty-six hours in an ice-house,* two of which never revived, and the third laid, as before, thousands of eggs, but from all of them only males were evolved. In two instances, Mr. Mahan has, at my sug¬ gestion, tried similar experiments, and with like results. It does not seem to have occurred to the German Apiarians that by this refrigerating process we may secure as many Italian drones as we need. All that is necessary is to convert by it one or more of the queens of the nuclei into drone-layers. The reception of an Italian queen quite late in the season may thus be turned to good account. If the Apiarian is in the vicinity of hives to which he cannot apply the non-swarmer, it will be necessary for him to seek some place where the common drones cannot interfere with his proceedings. Unless the breed is kept pure, the advantages proposed by its introduction cannot be secured. Italian queens may be safely sent in my hives to any part of the country. A hive for this purpose should be * A short exposure of a queen to pounded Ice and salt, will answer evory pur¬ pose The SLermatozolds are in some way rendered Inoperative bv severe cold. 328 THE HIVE ANT) IIONEY-BEE. made to hold only one comb, which ought to be old and very securely fastened. Into such a hive, suitably pro¬ visioned, an Italian queen may be introduced, with a lew hundred bees to keep her company, and, if sufficient ven¬ tilation is given, with a little water daily, they will bear a journey of many days. If received at a season unsuit¬ able for rearing new queens, she may be given to some strong colony and reserved for future operations. It is hardly necessary to say, that a species of the honey-bee so much more productive than the common kind, and so much less sensitive to cold, will be of very great value to all sections of our country.* Its superior docility would make it worthy of high regard, even if in other respects it had no peculiar merits. Its introduction into this country will, it is confidently believed, constitute a new era in bee-keeping, and impart an interest to its pur¬ suit which will enable us, ere long, to vie with any part of the world in the production of honey. « An attempt was made in 1856, by Mr. Wagner, to import tho Italian bees; but, unfortunately, tho colonics perished on tho voyage. Tho first living Italian bees landed on this continent were imported in the fall of 1859 by Mr. Wagner and Mr. Richard Colvin, of Baltimore, from Dzierzon’s apiary. Mr. P. G. Mahan, of Philadelphia, brought over at tho same timo a few colonies. In tho spring of I860, Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, L. I., imported a number of colonies from Italy. Mr. William G.Rosc, of New York, in 1861, imported also from Italy. Mr. Colvin has made a number of importations from Dzierzon's apiary; and in the fall -. 1S63 and 1864 I also imported quoens from tho same apiary. This valuable variety of the honey-bee is now quite extensively disseminated in North America. SIZE OF HIVES. 329 CHAPTER XX. SIZE, SHAPE, AND MATERIALS FOR HIVES—OBSERVING HIVES. Notwithstanding the almost innumerable experiments which have been made to determine the best size, shape, and materials for bee-hives, the ablest practical Apiarians are still at variance on these points. In most districts in this country, it is pretty generally agreed that hives hold¬ ing less than a bushel, in the main apartment, are not profitable in the long run. As regards, however, the size, both of the main hive and the apartments for spare honey, so much depends on seasons and localities, and on whether the bees swarm or not, that no rule, applicable to all cases, '■an be given. Every bee-keeper must determine these questions by reference to the honey-resources of his own district. As the plan of my hives admits of their being enlarged and again contracted, without destruction or alteration of existing parts, the size, either of the main hive or surplus storage room, may be varied at pleasure. Being able to remove any surplus, I prefer to make the interior of my hives considerably larger than a bushel. Many hives cannot hold one-quarter of the bees, comb, and honey which, in a good season, may be found in my large hives ; while their owners wonder that they obtain so little profit from their bees. A good swarm of bees, put, in a good season, into a diminutive hive, maybe com¬ pared to a powerful team of horses harnessed to a baby wagon, or a noble fall of water wasted in turning a petty water-wheel. A. hive tall in proportion to its other dimensions, has » me obvious advantages; for, as bees are disposed to 330 the iiive and honey-bfe. carry their stores as far as possible from the entrance, they will fill its upper part with honey, using the lower part mainly for brood, thus escaping the danger of being caught, in cold weather, among empty ranges of comb, •while they still have honey unconsumed. If the top of this hive, like that of an old-fashioned churn, is made (on the Polish plan) considerably smaller than the bottom, it will be better adapted to a cold climate, besides being more secure against high winds. Such a hive is deficient in top-surface for the storing of honey in boxes, and it would be impossible to use frames* in it to any advantage; but, to those who prefer to keep bees on the old plan,f one of this shape, made to hold not less than a bushel and a half, is decidedly the best. A. hive long from front to rear , and moderately low and narrow, seems, on the whole, to unite the most advantages. Such a hive resembles a tall one, laid upon its side, and, while affording ample top-surface for surplus honey, it greatly facilitates the handling of the frames, besides diminishing their number and cost.J; * The deeper the frames, the moro difficult it is to make them hang true on the rabbets, and the greater the difficulty of handling them without crushing the bees or bi raking the combs. + It Is instructive to see how the very first departure from the olden way proves the truth, in bee-culture at least, of the hackneyed quotation: “ A little knowledge is a daDgerous thing." Even so simple an Improvement as that of top-boxes will, ns used by many, eventually destroy their bees; for, while in favorable years such boxes may be safely romovod, in others the surplus honey which they contain, Is the life of the bees. $ Mr. M. Quinby, of St. Johnsvlllc, New York, in calling my attention to some stocks, which he had purchased in box bives of this shape, informed me that bees wintered In them about ns well as in tall hives, the bees drawing back among their stores in cold weather, Just ns in tall hives they draw up emong them. My hive, as at first constructed, was fourteen and one-cighth Inches from front to rear, eighteen and one-eighth Inches from sldo to side, and nlno inches deep, holding twelve frames. After Mr. Quinby called my attention to the wintering of bees in bis long box-hives, I constructed one that measured twenty-four inches from front to rear, twelve itches from side to side, and ten inches deep, bolding eight frames. MATERIALS OF HIVES. 531 The common Dzicrzon hive* is long and flat, bui, as the combs run fom side to side, instead of from front to rear, the bees, unless the hive is uncommonly well pro¬ tected, will suffer from cold in Winter. As the German Apiarian uses slats instead of frames, it would be incon¬ venient for him to remove any very long combs from his hive. The variety of opinions respecting the best materials for hives, has been almost as great as on the subject of their proper size and shape. Columella and Virgil recom¬ mend the hollowed trunk of the corlc tree , than which no material would be more admirable if it could only be cheaply procured. Straw hives have been used for ages, and are warm in Winter and cool in Summer. The diffi¬ culty of making them take and retain the proper shape for improved bee-keeping, is an insuperable objection to their use. Hives made of wood are, at the present time, fast superseding all others. The lighter and more spongy the wood, the poorer will be its power of conducting heat, and the warmer the hive in Winter and the cooler in Summer.f Cedar, bass-wood, poplar, tulip-tree, and soft pine, afford excellent materials for bee-hives. The Apiarian must be governed, in his choice of lumber, by the cheapness with which any suitable kind can be ob¬ tained in his own immediate vicinity. I have since preferred to make my hives eighteen and one-eighth inches from front to rear, fourteen and one-eighth inches from side to side, and ten inches deep. Mr. Quinby prefers to make my movable frames longer and deeper. ♦.Dzierzon builds hives in structures for two, four, and even many more colonies. On Plate XXII., Fig. 71 (the Frontispiece to the first edition of my work), I have given a representation of a triple hive. The little that can be saved in the first cost of such hives, seems to me to bo more than lost by the great Inconvenience of handling them. t Mr. Wagner informs mo that Scholz, a German Apiarian, recommends hives made of adobe —in which frames or slats may be used—as cheaply constructed, and admirable for Summer and Winter. Such structures, however, cannot be moved. But in many parts of our country, where both lumber and saw-mills are scarce, and where people are accustomed to build adobe houses, they might prove desir¬ able. The material is plastic clay, mixed with cut straw, waste tow. dwu 332 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. Asenous disadvantage attaching to all kinds of wooden hives, is the ease with which they conduct heat, causing them to become cold and damp in Winter, and, if exposed to the sun, so hot in Summer as often to melt the combs. The Winter inconveniences are greatly increased if the hives are well painted, while, if this is neglected, they cannot ordinarily be exposed to sun or weather without serious injury* To make the movable-comb hives to the best advan¬ tage, the frames at least should be cut out by a circular saw, driven by steam, water, or horse-power. In build¬ ings where such saws are used, the frames may be made from the small pieces of lumber, seldom of anyusi, except for fuel, and may be packed almost solid in a box, or in a hive which will afterwards serve for a patter... One frame in such a box, properly nailed together, will serve as a guide for the rest. The other parts of the hive can easily and cheaply be made by any one who can handle tools, and can never be profitably manufactured to be sent far, unless made where lumber is cheap, and the parts closely packed, to be put together after reaching their destination. MOVABLE-COMB OBSERVING HIVES. Each comb in these hives is attached to a movable frame, and, as both sides admit of inspection, all the won¬ ders of the bee-hive may be exposed to the light of day, as well as that of (pp. 23, 11G) lamps and gas. In the common observing-hive, experiments are con¬ ducted only by cutting away parts of the comb ; whereas, in this, they can be performed by the simple removal of a frame; and if a colony becomes reduced in numbers, it ♦ The abundant ventilation now given to my hives, will enable the Apiarian to dispense with paint, except on tho joints and roofs; and if the latter are, In Summer, covered with straw, battened to them so that tho air can circulate under It, they may be safely placed in tho sun, if not exposed to a close, suffocating heat. OBSERVING HIVES. 33.4 may be recruited, in a few minutes, by giving it maturing brood from another hive.* These observing-hives may be constructed to accommo date a full swarm. I do not, however, recommend such a hive for ordinary purposes, but one holding only a sin¬ gleframe (PI. IV., Figs. 14, 15), which, while it gratifies curiosity, admits of easy control, an i requires only a few bees to be diverted from more profitable hives. A parlor observing-hive of this form may be conveni¬ ently placed in any room in the house—the alighting- board being outside, and the whole arrangement such that the bees may be inspected at all hours, day, or night, without the slightest risk of their stinging. Two such hives may be placed before one window, and put up or taken down in a few minutes, without cutting or defacing the wood-work of the house. In one, the queen may always be shown, and in the other, the process of rearing young queens from worker-eggs. These miniature hives may ue stocked in the same way that a nucleus is formed, or a small after-swarm may be hived in them. An observing-hive will prove an unfailing source of pleasure and instruction ; and those who live in crowded cities, may enjoy it to the full, even if condemned to the penance of what the poet has so feelingly described as an “ endless meal of brick.” The nimble wings of these agile gatherers will quickly waft them above and beyond “the smoky chimney-potsand they will bear back to their city homes the balmy spoils of many a rustic flower, “blushing unseen,” in simple loveliness. Might not their * A writer, in a description of the different hives exhibited at the World’s Fair, n London, laments that nomethod has yet been devised, to enable bees to cluster, m cold weather, in an observinsc-hive, so as to preserve them alive in Winter, oven m the moderate climate of Groat Britain. By the use of movable frames, this Jiftlculty can be easily obviated, as, on the approach of cold woather, the frames, with the boes, may be put into a suitable hive, and returned in the Spring to their /Id abode. 334 THE HIVE AND IIONEY-BKE. pleasant murmurings awaken in some the memory of long-forgotten joys, when the happy country child listened to their soothing music, while intently watching them in the old homestead-garden, or roved with them amid pas¬ tures and hill-sides, to gather the flowers still rejoicing in their “ meadow-sweet breath,” or whispering of the precious perfumes of their forest home ! “ To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm than all the gloss of art; Spontaneous joys, where nature has its play, The soul adopts and owns their first-born sway; Lightly they frolie o’er the vacant mind, Unenvied, unmolested, unconfincd. But the long pomp, the midnight masquerade, With all the freaks of wanton wealth array’d, In these, ere triflers half their wish obtain, The toilsome pleasure sickens into pain ; And e’en while fashion’s brightest arts decoy, The heart distrusting asks, if tiiii joy.” Goi.dbmite. WINTERING BEES. 335 CHAPTER XXI. WINTERING BEES. As soon as frosty weather arrives, bees cluster com¬ pactly together in their hives, to keep warm. They are never dormant, like wasps and hornets (p. 110), and a thermometer pushed up among them will show a Summer temperature, even when, in the open air, it is many degrees below zero. When the cold becomes intense, they keep up an incessant tremulous motion, in order to develop more heat by active exercise; and, as those on the outside of the cluster become chilled, they are re¬ placed by others. As all muscular exertion requires food to supply the waste of the system, the more quiet bees can be kept, the less they will eat. It is, therefore, highly important to preserve them, as far as possible, in Winter, from every degree, either of heat or cold, which will arouse them to great activity. The usual mode of allowing them to remain all Winter on their Summer stands, is, in cold climates, very objec¬ tionable. In those parts of the country, however, where the cold is seldom so severe as to prevent them from Hying, at frequent intervals, from their hives, perhaps no better way, all things considered, can be devised. In such favored regions, bees are but little removed from their native climate, and their wants may be easily sup¬ plied, without those injurious effects which commonly result from disturbing them when the weather is so cold as to confine them entirely to their hives. If the stocks are to be wintered in the open air, thej 336 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. should all be made populous, and rich in stores, even if to do it requires the number of colonies to be reduced one- half, or more.* The bee-keeper who has ten strong stocks in the Spring, will, by judicious management with movable-comb hives, be able to close the season with a larger Apiary than one who begins it with thirty, or more, feeble colonies. If two or more colonies, which are to be united in the Fall, are not close together, their hives must be gradually approximated (p. 280), and the bees may then, with proper precautions (p. 203), be put into the same hive. If the central combs of the hive are not well stored with honey, they should be exchanged for such as are, so that, when the cold compels the bees to recede from the (.liter combs, they may cluster among their stores. If the fullest honey-combs are not of worker size, the caps of their cells may be sliced off, and the combs put in the upper apartment, where the bees can remove the honey, and store it in the centre of the hive. In districts where bees gather but little honey in the Fall, such precautions, in cold climates, will be specially needed, as, often, after breeding is over, their central combs will be almost empty. As bees are natives of a warm climate, they do not instinctively place their honey where it will be most acces¬ sible to them in cold weather, but simply where it will least interfere with the raising of brood. Neither, if, while the weather is warm, they can easily communicate through the combs of the hive, can they be depended on to make such passages through them, as will allow them to pass readily, in cold weather, from one to another. * Small colonics consume, proportionally much more food than large ones, and »ften perish from Inability to maintain sufficient heat. Stocks should not, how¬ ever, be made over-papidout, as their great internal heat would create restlessness *jd engender dysentery, by leading to an inordinate consumption of food (p. 2T>6). WINTERING BEES. 337 The Apiarian, should, therefore, late in the Fall, cut, with a pen-knife, a hole, an inch in diameter, in the centre of each comb, about one-third from the top* Great care should be taken to shelter hives from the pieicing winds, which in inter so powerfully exhaust the animal heat of the bees; for, like human beings, if sheltered from the wind, they will endure a low°tem- perature far better than a continuous current of very much warmer air.f In some parts of the est, where bees suffer much from cold winds, their hives are protected, in Winter, by sheaves of straw, fastened so as to defend them from both cold and wet. With a little ingenuity, farmers might easily turn their waste straw to a valuable account in sheltering their bees. If the colonies are wintered in the open air, the entiance to their hives must be large enough to allow the bees to fly at pleasure. Many, it is true, will be lost, but a large part ot these are diseased; and, even if they were not, it is better to lose some healthy bees than to incur the risk of losing, or greatly injuring, a whole ♦ If these holes are made before they feel the need of them, they will frequently close them. Mr. Win. W. Cary (p. 204) has Invented a process of making these holes without removing the combs. Ho makes a hole in the aide of the hire, which, when not In nsc, is covered with a button or plug (PL V., Fig. 10), through which he slowly worms an Instrument in the shape of a flour or butter-taatrr (sharpened at the end), until It strikes tho opposite side of the hive. By this process of making tho Winter passages, only a very few bees are hurt. As tho queen always runs away from danger, she is not liable to be hurt. An application for a patent on this devico is now pending. If the patent issues, the right to use it will be free to all owning tho right to use the movable-comb hive. I strongly advise every one using my hives to make Winter passages for their hoes. As the frames touch neither the top, bottom, nor sides of the hives, the bees have such extraordinary facilities for intercommunication, that they cannrt be depended on to lenve any holes in their combs, t The Winter of 1855-0 will long be remembered, not only for the unconmoo egree and duration of its cold, but for the tremendous winds, which, ofte:t for days together, swept like a Polar tornado over the land. Apiaries standi;ig In wepoeed situations were. In many instances, nearly ruined. 15 338 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. colony by the excitement created by confining them when the weather is warm enough to entice them abroad.* The best Apiarians are still at variance as to how much air should be given to bees in Winter, and whether hives should have upward ventilation , or not. It the hives ha\ e no upward ventilation, then I believe that they need as much, or even more, air, than in Summer. If upward ventilation is given, the smaller the lower openings the better, as it is not desirable that there should be a stiong current of cold air passing through the hives. In my hives, all the lower passages can easily be closed air-tight, and the bees allowed to go in and out through the 'Winter-entrance, which is made at the top of the hive (PI. I., Fig. 1! PI- V., Fig. I7).f If the hive has an upper box-cover, as in PI. III., Fig. 9, the holes in the honey-board must be left open, or closed only with wire-cloth, that the dampness, which would otherwise condense or freeze on the combs and iuteiioi walls of the hive, may escape without injuring the bees. If an upper hive, as in Plate V., Fig. 16, is placed on the top of the one in which the bees are wintered, its roof should be slightly elevated, to allow the escape of moisture. If a single hive, like that in Plate I., Fig. 1, or Plate V., Fig. 17, is used, the same opening must bo allowed for the escape of dampness^. » If the sun is warm anil the ground covered with new-fallen snow, the light may so blind the bees, that they will fall into this ileecy snow, and quickly perish. At such times, it would probably be best to confine them to their hives. If the snow Is hard enough to bear up a healthy bee, it is seldom lost, unless tempted to fly by the sun shining full upon its hive ns It stands in a sheltered place. + The lower entrance may be closed in the Fall, while the bees nro still flying, and they will quickly acoustom themselves to the upper one. Mr. Wheaton sug¬ gests making this Winter-entrance in the bnck of the hive, and in the Fall rovers¬ ing the pile, stand and all. Thin entrance is merely proposed for trial. $ Small strips of wood, one-eighth of an inch thick, may bo placed between the sides of the hive and the under-surface of the roof, and, when the roof Is securely fastened, the dampness can escape from the front and roar of the hive, where the openings are sheltered by the clamps, from the snow and rain. WINTERING BEKS. 339 As facts observed have a value far above theories, I shall give the substance of numerous observations made by me, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, in the Winter of 1856-7, on wintering bees in the open air : Jan. 9tii, 1857. —Examined a number of stocks with Winter-passages in their combs, and with all the holes in their honey-board uncovered. The previous month had been extremely cold, and, for three days before the exami¬ nation, the thermometer had been one-half of the time below zero, and only once ten above, the wind blowing an almost continuous gale. In none of these hives could I find any frost or dampness, or any bees killed by being caught away from the main body of the colony. In a tempera¬ ture below zero, they would rush up from their combs on the slightest jar of their hives, rapidly pouring through the Winter-passages, and showing their ability to reach any of their stores.* In a few colonies, to which no up¬ ward ventilation had been given, the interior walls of the hive, and many of the combs were coated with frost. Jan. 14tii. —Carefully examined three hives. No. 1, made of boards seven-eighths of an inch thick, had stood with its honey-board removed, the same as would show by removing (/) in Plate HI., Fig. 9. It had a good stock of bees, and, although the mercury in the morning was 10)° below zero, there was scarcely any frost in the hive. The bees were dry and lively, and the central combs con¬ tained eggs and unsealed brood. No. 2 contained an equally strong stock, in a thin hive holding eighteen frames, ten of which (five on each side) had no combs. This hive had no upward ventilation, and was very frosty. * On a cold November day, I have found bees, in a hive without any Winter- passages, separated from the main cluster, and so chilled as not to be able to move; while, with the thermometer many degrees below zero, I have repeatedly noticed, in other hives, at one of the holes made in the comb, a cluster, varying in size, ready to rush out at the slightest jar of their hive. 840 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. The central combs had eggs and unsealed brood. No. 3 was most thoroughly protected by double sides, filled in with charcoal, and all the holes in its honey-board were left open. It had a little frost, as No. 1. and its central combs contained eggs and some sealed brood. Although it had a better stock of bees than either of the others, it ap¬ peared to have begun to breed only a few days earlier. Jan. 30tii. —This month has been the coldest on record for more than fifty years. My hives have been exposed to a temperature of 30° below zero, and for forty-eight hours together the wind blew a strong gale, and the mer¬ cury rose only once to 0° below zero. No. 1 was again examined, and the bees found in good condition. The central comb was almost filled with sealed brood, nearly mature; all the combs were free from mould, and the interior of the hive was dry. In a hive as well protected as No. 3, but which had no upward ventilation , the vapor, or breath of the lees , which had frozen in it, having melted in consequence of a sudden thaw, both combs and bees were in a wretched condition. As long as the vapor remains congealed, it can only injure the bees by keeping them from stores which they need; but, as soon as a thaw sets in, hives which have no upward ventilation are in danger of being ruined.* Mr. E. T. Sturtcvant, of East Cleveland, Ohio, so widely known as an experienced Apiarian, in a letter to me, thus gives his experience in wintering bees in the open air: No extremity of cold that we ever have in this climate, will injure bees, if their breath is allowed to pass ofT, so that they aro • In March, 1856, I lost some of my best colonics, under the followirg circum¬ stances: The Winter had been Intensely cold, and the hives, having no uyrcnrd ven¬ tilation, were filled with frost, and, in some instances, the ice on their glass sides was nearly a quarter of an Inch thick. A few days of mild weather, in which the frost began to thaw, were followed by a temperature below zero, accompanied by furious winds, and in many of the hives, the bees, which were still wet from tlia Shaw, were frozen together in an almost solid mass. WINTERING BEES. 341 dry. I never lost a good stock that was dry, and had plenty of honey. “ In the Winter of 1855-6,1 had twenty stocks standing in a row, all but one of which would have been regarded as in a good con¬ dition for wintering—not too tight below, nor yet too open above. One was in a hive suspended twenty inches from the ground, and without any bottom-board. The chamber for surplus honey-boxes was open to the north; and had eight one-inch holes, all uncov¬ ered. “ I left home about the 12th of February, the weather being very cold, and the hives all banked up with drifted snow. Return¬ ing the last of the month, I examined the whole row, and found the nineteen thawed out, but in a sadly wet and miserable plight. If I could have taken them into a room, out of the reach of the frost, until they were dry, they might have been saved. The weather changed to severe freezing before the next morning, and all the nineteen swarms soon died ; while the one that was apparently so neglected, came out strong and healthy. Before adopting upward ventilation, I had lost my best swarms in this way, until I became discouraged.” In the coldest parts of our country, if upward ventila¬ tion is neglected , no amount of protection that can be given to hives, in the open air, will prevent them from becoming damp and mouldy, even if f rost is excluded. Often, the more they are protected, the greater the risk from dampness. A very thin hive unpainted , so that it may readily absorb the heat of the sun, will dry inside much sooner than one painted white, and in every way most thoroughly protected against the cold. The first, like a garret , will suffer from dampness for a short time only; while the other, like a cellar , may bo so long in drying, as to injure, if not destroy, the bees. Much has been said in Germany, within the last few years, of the danger of bees that have upward ventilation perishing in Winter for want of water. Mr. Wagner has furnished me with a translation of an able article in the 342 TIIE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. Bienenzeitung , by Yon Berlepsch, and G. Eberhardt, the substance of which is as follows: “ The Creator has given the bee an instinct to store up honey and pollen, which are not always to be procured, but not water, which is always accessible in her native regions. In northern latitudes, when confined to the hive, often for months together, they can obtain the water they need only from the watery parti¬ cles contained in the honey, the perspiration which condenses on the colder parts of the hive, or the humidity of the air which enters their hives. ‘•'Vital energy in the bee is at its lowest point in November and December. If, at this time, an unusual degree of cold does not force her to resort (o muscular action, she remains almost motion¬ less, a death-like silence prevailing in the hive; and we know, by actual experiment, that much less food is consumed than at any other time. Breeding having ceased, the weather-bound bees have no demands made on their vital action, and we have never known them at this time to suffer for want of water. As soon, however, as the queen begins to lay, which occurs in many colo¬ nies early in January, and in some by Christmas, the workers must eat more freely both honey and pollen, to supply jelly for the larvae, and wax for sealing their cells. Much more water is needed for these purposes, than when they can procure the fresh nectar of flowers; and the want of it begins to be felt about the middle of January. The unmistakable signs of the dearth of water in a colony , are found in the granules of candied honey lying on the bottom of the hive. The suffering bees will now open cell after cell of the sealed honey, to obtain what remains uncandicd, and when these supplies of moisture fail, will attack the unsealed larvae, and devour the eggs, if any arc still laid. They now give way to despair, disperse through the hive, if the cold docs no! prevent, as though they had lost their queen, and perish amid stores of honey, unless milder weather permits them to go in search of water, or the Apiarian supplies it in their hive, when order will again be restored. “ After protracted and severe Winters, of every six bees that perish, five die for want of water, and not, as was hitherto sup- WINTERING BEES. 343 posed, from undue accumulation of faeces. Dysentery is one of the direct consequences of water-dearth , the bees, in dire need of water, consuming honey immoderately, and taking cold by roam¬ ing about the combs. “ On the 11th of February, we examined a number of colonies, on whose bottom-boards we noticed particles of candied honey , and found that in all of them, the sealed honey had been opened in various points, and that breeding had entirely ceased. The colo¬ nies that we had supplied with water on discovering that they needed it. contained healthy brood , in every stage of development. “ In March and April, the rapidly increasing amount of brood causes an increased demand for water; and when the thermome¬ ter is as low as 45°, bees maybe seen carrying it in at noon, even on windy days, although many are sure to perish from cold. In these months, in 1856, during a protracted period of unfavorable weather, we gave all our bees water, and they remained at home in quiet, whi 1st those of ot her Apiaries were flying briskly in search of water. At the beginning of May, our hives were crowded with bees ; whilst the colonies of our neighbors were mostly weak. “The consumption of water in March and April, in a populous colony, is very great, and in 1856, one hundred stocks required eleven Berlin quarts per week, to keep on breeding uninterruptedly. In Springs where the bees can fly safely almost every day, the want of water will not be felt. “ The loss of bees by water-dearth, is the result of climate, and no form of hive, or mode of wintering, can furnish an absolutely efficient security against it. The colonies may be put in yard- long lager-hives , or in towering standards, in shapeless gums, in neat straw hives, or in well lined Dzicrzons : in wood, or straw, or clay domiciles ; or may dwell in hollow trees, or clefts of rocks; they may remain unshielded on their Summer stands; be protected by a covering of pine shatters or chaff; or be stored in dark cham¬ bers or vaults—still, water-dearth may occur, here and there, earlier or later, and more or less injuriously ; because it is counter to the original instincts of the bee to dwell in Northern climates , confined to its habitation for months. “ If water is regularly given to the bees, from the middle of 344 Tire HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. January till the Spring fairly opens (unless the weather permit* them to fly safely), they will not suffer. This water may be placed in a wot sponge in a feeding-box, directly over the bees, and protected by a cushion of moss. A hundred or more colonies may thus, without disturbance, be quickly supplied.” That bees cannot raise brood without water, has been known from the times of Aristotle. Buera, of Athens (Cotton, p. 104), aged 80 years, said in 1797 : “Bees daily supply the worms with water; should the state of the weather be such as to prevent the bees from fetching water for a few days, the worms would perish. These dead bees are removed out of the hive by the working- bees, if they are healthy and strong ; otherwise, the stock perishes from their putrid exhalations.” I have repeat¬ edly known colonies to suffer severe losses, for want of water; and iu my correspondence with bee-keepers, the last Winter (1858-9),* have directed their attention to this point, and have had my estimate of the value of -water to bees in Winter greatly increased. But as yet, I have had no satisfactory evidence that any colonies, whose hone;/ was not candied , have died from water-dearth. The Baron Yon Berlepsch says, that “ death from this cause more rarely occurs in districts where there is late Fall bee-forage than in those like his own, where pas¬ turage fails occasionally in July, and usually early in August. In such regions, the honey becomes very thick in Winter, and sometimes thoroughly candiedf before • I am particularly Indebted to Mr. William W. Cary, Mr. Richard Colvin, Rev. J. C. Bod well, Mr. E. T. Sturtcvant, and Rev. Levi Wheaton, for careful observa¬ tions made—last Winter, at my suggestion—on wintering bees. t Madame Vicat, in somo observations on bees, published in 17G4—see Wild- man, p. 281—speaks of finding, “on the 24th of March, when the weather was so cold that the bees of her other hives did not go abroad, much candied honey on the bottom of a hive, and bees which seemed to be expiring. A singular noise was made .n the hive, at Intervals, and at such times numbers of bees would fall into tho candied honey, and perish. The bees not being able to swallow the candied honey emptied it out of their combs to get at such as they could swallow.” WINTERING BEES. 345 Spring.” It is fortunate that, in the coldest parts of our country, late forage is usually abundant. Berlepseh and Eberhardt not only condemn upward ventilation, as depriving the bees of the moisture which they need, but insist that it often hastens the ruin of a stock, by causing an excess of dampness among the bees, although they are actually in want of water. Dzierzon thinks that these acute observers have here fallen into a great mistake; and, did my limits permit, I could show that their objections to upward ventilation do not accord with facts, as observed in this country. So far from its being true “ that the hive in which perceptible condensation of moisture occurs needs water, and that in which it does not take place needs none”—moisture often condenses so as to wet the combs and the bees,* showing plainly that there is an excess of water instead of a defi¬ ciency. The following facts, which have been furnished to me by the Rev. J. C. Bodwell, of Framingham, Mas¬ sachusetts, are highly important in this connection. His colonies were wintered in a very dry cellar: “About the beginning of the year (1859). opened my single class hive, and found the bees abundant, and apparently healthy, but no eggs nor brood. “ Feb. 2.—Examined the same hive, and found sealed brood, and unsealed, but no eggs. A considerable part of the brood had perished, probably from lack of water. “Opened another hive, not so full of bees, and found the same state of things, except that less of the brood had perished. Combs dry in both, and many honey-cells open. Gave water to all, to thlir evident joy, and closed up the glass hive at the top, for expe¬ riment as to dampness, leaving the rest with upward ventilation. “ Feb. 5 —Examined both hives. No eggs in glass hive. The • In very cold weather. Ice and moisture may super-ahound In a hive, but It may be so far from the cluster tint they cannot obtain it, even when perishing for the want of It. 15 * $46 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. bees had been busy expelling dead brood. In the other, found eggs in moderate quantity. Very small larvae in both. “Feb. 11.—Opened glass hive, and found the cells mostly emptied of dead brood, and abundance of eggs, and larvtB just hatched. Discovered an opening between the hive and top-board, permitting upward ventilation, and closed it. “March 1.—Made a thorough examination of both hives. Eggs, larva:, and sealed brood in both. The glass hive very wet , water standing on the tops of the frames, and at least a gill on the bottom- board ; combs mouldy, and whole aspect of things comfortless. The other, quite dry , both hive and combs. Examined two other glass hives, having top ventilation, and found them dry All have been treated precisely alike, except that the closed-up hive has had less water, as the bees did not seem to want it—manifesting no pleasure at receiving it. This hive had not so many eggs as the other, though much the larger stock, and appeared in a less healthy condition generally.” In any of my hives which have an upper cover, the bees can be easily supplied with water, and in those which have none, it may be injected with a straw into the winter entrance, or poured through the roof by a small hole, stopped with a plug, care being taken not to give too much.* If the colonies are strong in numbers and stores , have upward ventilation , easy communication from comb to comb , and water when needed — and the hive entrances are * Mr. Wheaton finds that they will easily supply themselves with water from a sponge put over a hole, nnd covered with a tumbler: “ If the water is sweetened, they will always drain the spongo; if not, they pay little attention to it, unless prevented from going abroad.” Mr. Wagner suggests that a picco of roofing-slate, fustenod to the underside of the bottom-board, will cause the water to condense over the bees, where they can easily get access to it, Mr. Cary, at my suggestion, has placed a pane of glass on the frames directly over the bees, nnd the water condensed on it has seemed to supply all their wants. It should be elevated, so tbut the bees cun pass undor it. It may be found that, by some such simple device, we can, without any super¬ vision, supply all the moisture that a strong colony needs In the coldest weather, before breeding has begun very actively. There Is little doubt that It would unswei fo- bees that are not wintered in the open air. WINTERING BEES. 347 sheltered jrom piercing winds, they have all the condi¬ tions essential to wintering successfully in the open air. Great injury is often done by disturbing a colony of bees when the weather is so cold that they cannot fly Many which are tempted to leave the cluster, perish before they can regain it, and every disturbance, by rousing them to needless activity, causes an increased consumption of food. About once in six weeks, however, it will be advisable to clean the bottom-boards of hives wintered in the open air, of dead bees, and other refuse. Where permanent bottom-boards are used, this may be done with a scraper (Plate XI., Fig. 30), made of a piece of iron-wire, about two feet long; this, when heated, is bent about tour inches, and flattened to one-quarter of au inch wide, both edges being made sharp.* Bees very rarely discharge their fteces in the hive, unless they are diseased or greatly disturbed. If the Winter has been uncommonly severe, and they have had no opportunity to lly, their abdomens, before Spring, often become greatly distended, and they are very liable to be lost in the snow, if the weather, on their first flight, is not unusually favorable. After they have once discharged their faeces, they will not venture from their hives, in un¬ suitable weather, if well supplied with water. Having given the necessary precautions for wintering bees out of doors, the methods for defending them against atmospheric changes, by placing them in special depositories, will be described. In some parts of Europe, it is customary to winter all * Where a ventilator is made on the back of the hive (Plate V., Fig. 16), any refuse umy be blown out by a pair of bellows. A very little smoke should be used before cleaning the bottom-board. Palladium who flourished nearly two thousand years ago, says that bees ought not to be disturbed in Winter, except for the pun pose of cleaning their hives of dead bees, &c. 348 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. the stocks of a village in a common vault or cellar. Dzierzon says: “ A dry cellar is very well adapted lor wintering bees. eveB though it be not wholly secure from frost; the temperature will be much milder, and more uniform than in the open air; the bees will be more secure from disturbance, and will be protected from the piercing cold winds, which cause mere injury than the greatest degree of cold when the air is calm. “ Universal experience teaches that the more effectually bees are protected from disturbance and from the variations of tempe¬ rature, the better will they pass the Winter, the less will they consume of their stores, and the more vigorous and numerous will they be in the Spring. I have, therefore, constructed a special Winter repository for my bees, near my Apiary. It is weather- boarded both outside and within, and the intervening space is filled with hay or tan, &c.; the ground plat enclosed is dug out to the depth of three or four feet, so as to secure a more moderate and equable temperature. When my hives are placed in this depository, and the door locked, the darkness, uniform tempera¬ ture, and entire repose the bees enjoy, enable them to pass the Winter securely. 1 usually place here my weaker colonies, and those whose hives are not made of the warmest materials, and they always do well. If such a structure is to be partly under, ground, a very dry site must be selected for it.” Mr. Quittby, who has probably the largest Apiary in the United States, has for many years wintered his bees, with great success, in a room specially adapted to the pur¬ pose. To get rid of the dampness, he inverts the com¬ mon hives, and removes the board that covers my frames. Mr. Wagner has furnished me with the following trans¬ lation of a very able article from the Bienenzeitung. The author, the Rev. Mr. Sclioltz, of Lower Silesia, is widely known in Germany for his skill in bee-keeping: “ Farmers have long been in the habit of placing apples, potatoes, turnips, &c., in clamps , to preserve them during Winter. They WINTERING BEES. 349 ate piled in a pyiainidal form, on a bed of straw, and covered six or eight inches thick, with the same material, evenly spread, as in thatching; and the whole is covered, in a conical form, with a layer of earth twelve inches thick, taken from a trench which is dug around the clamp. The proper finish is given by beating this earth smooth and even, with the back of the spade. This mode of preservation, when well executed, is found to keep fruit, tuber¬ ous roots, &c., in better condition during cold weather, than can be effected in cellars or vaults. “ These facts suggested to me the idea of protecting bees during the Winter, in a similar manner. It was evident, however, that a bee-clamp would require various modifications, to secure proper ventilation, to prevent undue development of heat, and to obviate an accumulation of moisture; and an arrangement, also, for readily ascerlaining, and effectually regulating the temperature. All this, too, without seriously disturbing the bees, after the hives have been deposiled in the clamp. “To attain fhese objects, a circular space, sufficiently large for the intended purpose, is to be marked ofT on the driest and most elevated part of a garden, or other suitable spot of ground. The surface-soil containing vegetable matter, liable to decay, is then to be removed, and in the central part of the plot, a pit, three feet square, and three feet deep (see Fig. 66), is to be dug, spreading the earth taken therefrom evenly around, and treading it down hard. This pit is designed to serve as an air-chamber, as will be fully explained hereafter. “ The area having been properly prepared, four trenches, one inch and a half wide and deep, are to be dug; one extending from the middle of each of the four sides of the pit, to the outer edge of the periphery of the plot (PI. XXL, Fig. 66). Into each of these trenches, a lead pipe, one inch in diameter, is to be laid, so as to form a communication between the pit and the air outside of the clamp when finished (PI. XXL, Fig. 66). When these pipes are covered with earth, and the ground again leveled, a narrow strip of board should be laid thereon, to designate the position of the tubes, that they may not be injured in subsequent operations THE HIVE ANT) HONEY-BEE. b«0 “ The area, including the air-chamber, is now to be covered with pieces of four-inch scantling, placed radiating from the centre, as nearly as practicable at regular distances apart, to serve as a plat¬ form on which the lower tier of hives is to be placed. The scant¬ ling should be cut of unequal lengths, and placed end to end, four inches apart, so as to leave interstices for the free circulation of air; and where required, as the space widens towards the circum¬ ference, additional pieces are to be laid in, so that the hives may be set firm and level. On this platform, the hives are to be built up in tiers, so that the clamp, when completed, shall present the form of a pyramid. Thus, the lower tier may consist of four ranges, of four hives each; the second, of three ranges, of three hives each ; and the third, of two ranges, of two hives each. The fourth, or apex, however, must be formed of two hives, instead of one, for reasons which will hereafter appear (PI. XXI., Fig. 68). The whole will thus form a four-sided pyramid, consisting of thirty-one hives, which, if Dzierzon’s double hives be used, will contain sixty-two colonies, in a comparatively small space. The oblong clamp (PI. XXL, Fig 70), is constructed on similar princi¬ ples, with the requisite variation in shape. “ These hives, which are placed on the platform directly over the pit, or air-chamber, must be set six inches apart, so that a con¬ tinuous funnel, or direct air-passage, may be formed from the centre of the air-chambcr below, to the apex of the clamp ; and on the opposite fronts of the two uppermost hives, is to be placed a kind of chimney (see p. 351), made of four pieces of hoard, eight inches broad, and thirty inches long, having a movable cap, with a suitable slope, to prevent the entrance of rain. Holes are to be made in the sides of the chimney, below the cap. to allow the upward passage of air from the interior of the clamp. The rest of the hives may bo placed closer together, though it is advanta¬ geous that they should not touch each other, so as to obstruct cir¬ culation in the interior, as it is important that the proprietor should be able to regulate the internal temperature uniformly. Very great exactness in arranging the hives, is, however, noi. requisite. It is essential only that they be set firm and level, so ur to constitute a regular pyramid. Care must also be taken, not Plate XXI. Fig. 66 Fig. 70. Fig. 69. 351 WINTERING BEK8. 353 to commence by placing the hives too near the periphery of the area; because, between the outer edge of the lower tier of the luves, and the exterior mouths of the ventilating tubes, sufficient space must be reserved for the external covering, or mantle of the clamp (PI. XXI , Fig. 69). “ When the hives have been arranged in the manner described, and the chimney has been placed on the two upper ones, over the flue communicating with the pit, they are to be covered in with boards, cut to proper lengths, and placed vertically, side by side, around the sides of the pyramid. On and against these boards is to be laid a thick layer of rushes or old dry straw, forming a regular and dense coating, from base to apex. This coating is, in turn, to be covered with a layer of earth, five or six inches thick, spread as evenly as practicable, commencing below and proceed¬ ing upward to the chimney, so that the latter, having already bceii secured in its place by the boards and the straw or rushes, is now covered by the earth, to within six or seven inches of its top. The earth for covering, is taken directly from the base of the clamp, around which a trench six inches deep, and eighteen inches wide, is now to be dug, so as to expose the mouths of the ventilating tubes at the upper edge of the interior side of the trench. In dig¬ ging the trench, care must be taken not to close or injure the mouths of the tubes, which should, moreover, be secured by a per¬ forated tin cap, to exclude mice, and other vermin, and yet allow the free passage of air. The trench will serve to receive and carry off rain or snow-water, during the Winter ; and to effect this more perfectly, several gutters or furrows should be drawn from it outwards. If sufficient earth be not obtained from the trench to cover in the straw or rushes completely, at least five inches thick, the deficiency must be supplied from other souices. The earth covering should be dressed smooth and even with the back of a spade. “ lu this state, the clamp should be allowed to remain till severe frosts recur, w'hen an additional coat of leaves or pine shatters (S to be giver This should be five or six inches thick, and applied as evenly as possible, from base to apex, leaving only about four inches of the chimney exposed. This material should the hive and honey-bee. 354 be applied wet, as it will thus pack more closely, and afterwards better confine the heat. When finished, it should be well sprinkled with waler from a watering-can, and allowed to freeze. A \ery compact structure will thus be formed (Figs. 69 and 70). The mouths of the ventilating tubes should next be protected, by plac¬ ing a piece of board before each of them j and the trenches are then to he filled loosely with tangled straw. “ All this labor must be performed gently, so as to disturb the confined bees as little as practicable. The covering of leaves or pine-shatters should not be applied till after cold weather sets in, and it may be deferred till after the earlier snows have fallen and melted, and the severer weather of December or January makes additional protection desirable. “If an extensive Apiary renders a clamp of larger dimensions necessary, two or three pits, or air-chambers, with their appur¬ tenant ventilating tubes and chimneys (PI- XXI., Fig. 70) may be introduced. n On clear, mild days, the protecting boards may be removed from the mouth of the ventilating tubes, that fresh air may freely enter the clamp, and carry ofT any dampness which may have formed within ; and, as the entire interior is in direct co , munication with the air-chambcr, a dry and healthy atmosphere will speedily be diffused throughout, by means of the draught of the chimney. Towards evening, the protecting-boards should be replaced. On the return of milder weather, or on the termination of severe and protracted frosts, the mouths of the ventilating tubes may be uncovered, and left open, day and night, to prevent the undue development of heat in the interior ; but in clear weather, the direct rays of the sun should be excluded from the mouths of the tubes. If the holes in the sides of the chimney should at any time become closed with snow, the obstructions must be removed, by means of a rake or other convenient implement. When the exterior of the clamp is covered with snow, the mouth of one of the ventilating tubes should be kept open, even in cold weather, and of all of them, when the weather is moderate, because the r.now covering causes great internal warmth. “ To ascertain the interior temperature, a thermometer attached WINTERING BEES. 355 to a long rod may be introduced into the air-chamber, through tha chimney, on removing the cap. This should be done frequently, to serve as a guide for opening or closing the mouths of the venti¬ lating tubes. Ventilation seems, however, according to the nu¬ merous experiments which 1 have made, to be of less importance to the health of the bees, than to preserve the combs and interior of the hives from dampness and mould ; and it is in view of this faet, that I have adopted the peculiar arrangement of my clamps, which places it in the power of the Apiarian, at almost any time, to cause an adequate circulation of pure dry air within them. Apart from their cheapness, these clamps are far superior, for the purpose intended, to the best vaults or cellars ordinarily accessible. It might be objected to this mode of wintering bees, that the hives cannot be inspected during the Winter, however desirable such inspection might seem to be. That is so; but, in devising my clamps, I really had no reference whatever to that class of bee-keepers who are in the habit of operating among their colonies in Winter. Their case, in fact, seems to me to be a rather hopeless one at best, since colonics that are thus treated at that season, will scarcely ever enable their owner to found an Apiary worthy of tho name. 1 prefer to let my bees remain undisturbed during cold weather, satisfied that if they were in good condition when inclosed in the Fall, they will pass the Winter uninjured, and be found with adequate supplies of honey even in April. Of this 1 am the more assured, since I have ascertained that bees preserved in clamps consume scarcely one-half of the quantity of honey required by such as are wintered in the open air, or in the Apiary. “ To instilute a comparison between different modes of winter¬ ing bees, I placed a portion of my colonies in a clamp of the fore¬ going construction, on the 17th of November, 1856, and transferred tho remainder into a well-protected dark chamber in my dwelling- house. Of some of the latter, I closed the entrances, but gave them air through a grate or ventilating-passage in tho rear of their hives. Of the remainder, the entrances, as well as the ventilat- ing-passages, were shut close. Several of those placed in the clamp were designedly selected as having only eight rr ten pounds 850 THE HIVE AND HONET-BEE. of honey each, that I might ascertain whether they would survive with so small a supply of food. I placed therein, also, a late after-swarm, which had built only a few short combs, and con¬ tained not more than four or five pounds of honey. All the others had ample stores. I closed the entrance and vcntilating- passage of one strong colony, and placed some pieces of empty comb in the rear of the hive, to test whether, if moisture were generated from want of ventilation, mould would form on those combs. “From the 18th to the 23rd of November, the weather was very mild, and the ventilating-tubes were, therefore, all left open day and night. On the 24th, the clamp was covered with snow, and I closed three of the ventilating-tubes. On the 26th, a thaw commenced, and the weather continued to be very moderate to the end of the month, the thermometer standing at 33° in the open air. Two of the tubes were kept open. From the 1st to the 3rd of December, ten inches of snow fell, with the thermo¬ meter ranging from 20° to 22°; and 1 kept only one tube open. On the 6th, the weather moderated ; from the 7th to the 12th, the thermometer stood at from 54° to 66°, and I again opened all the lubes, and kept them open till the end of the month, and to the 5th of January. On the 6th, the weather became cold and freez¬ ing, and I now added the outer mantle, or coating of leaves and pine shatters, closing all the tubes. The cold spell continued till the 17th of January. From the 18tli till the end of the month, we had continuous fair, mild weather, and I opened all the venti- lating-tubcs. In February, the weather was particularly jnild and fair, and, from the 18th to the 21st, the thermometer ranged from 76° to 78°. The bees belonging to some of my neighbors, and which were wintered in the open air, were now flying briskly every day, and most of the colonies in my chamber became so restless that I was constrained to remove them out of their Winter quarters. 1 did so with the less reluctance, as we had all the indications of an early Spring. The fair weather continuing, I deemed it wrong to keep my colonies longer confined in the clamp, and accordingly opened it on the 27th of February, to release them. “ Though the clamp had been exposed to the direct rays of the WINTERING BEES. 357 noonday sun, and the thermometer had daily ranged at from 76® to 78° for some time previous, yet, on removing the outer mantle, I found the earth-covering below it still frozen, so that it had to be removed with a hoe—a satisfactory proof that the interior of the clamp could not have been affected by external variations of temperature. I now became exceedingly anxious to see whether rain or snow-water had penetrated to the straw covering, as 1 apprehended might be the case, having had no previous expe¬ rience in such matters. To my surprise and gratification, how¬ ever, I found it thoroughly dry—showing conclusively that the earth-covering had sufficed effectually to shed off the rain and snow-water, and that the ample and efficient internal ventilation had prevented the formation of moisture and mould. On remov¬ ing the straw, I perceived no symptom of dampness on the boards ; and when, finally, these latter were taken away, the hives pre¬ sented themselves as clean and dry as when put there in the Fall. “ Anxious now to ascertain the condition of their inmates, 1 tapped against the hives, but, to my dismay, heard no response 1 seized a stick, and, tapping harder and harder, finally proceeded to blows; still all remained mute within. An old man from the neighboring village, who chanced to be present, seemed vastly gratified at my chagrin and consternation, as he and his neigh¬ bors had kept bees for many years, but had no fancy for such novel contrivances and experiments as mine. I must admit that I was, for the moment, thoroughly disconcerted on finding, as I then supposed, all my anticipations and confident calculations thus suddenly and effectually nullified. But, resolved to know the worst, I removed the hives to the Apiary, where the sun shone bright and warm ; and scarcely were the entrances opened, when the bees began to pour forth in masses, humming joyously, to my irrepressible delight, and to the utter discomfiture of the eld villager. With special gratification did I notice that the bees came forth from their long imprisonment with bodies as attenuate and slender as they had in the preceding Autumn, wffiilst those which had been wintered in the dark chamber soiled their hives and all surrounding objects, by profuse discharges of fsecal matter. This led mo to conjecture that these colonies had consumed 'xmi- 353 THE HIVE AND HONET-BEE. paratively little honey, which was found to be the fact on open¬ ing the hives and examining the condition of their stores. Those colonies which had only eight or ten pounds of honey in the Fall, had still a surplus remaining, and were healthy and strong; while the poor little after-swarm had not only well preserved its num¬ bers, but had the greater portion of its small supply of honey still in reserve. Few dead bees were found, and those probably died of old age. The loss of bees was very much greater in the colonies which had been wintered in the house, and more than double the quantity of honey had been consumed by each of them ; so that a very important saving can manifestly be effected by means of clamps, apart from the oilier important advantages which this mode of wintering bees possesses. The combs in all the colonies were clean and free from mould, and I could perceive no differ¬ ence in this particular between the hives which had their entrances and ventilating passages closed, and those in which the latter had been left open, the pieces of old comb, even, having remained dry and free from mould. Satisfactory proof was thus furnished that, where the temperature is moderate and uniform throughout, con¬ densation of moisture will not result from close confinement. Still, from various considerations, I would recommend ventilation in every hive; and previous experience has taught me that bees will remain more tranquil during the Winter in hives duly venti¬ lated, than in such as are closed. A number of the colonies deposited in my dark room were purposely confined without ven¬ tilation. Three of these became very restless, consumed a dis¬ proportionate amount of their stores, and very many of the bees perished. Precisely these three colonies, though still strong and healthy in the Spring, were yet the weakest of the whole lot, though in as good condition as the others when removed from the Apiary in Autumn. Nothing similar occurred in the colonies which had even partial ventilation. “ Having thub. by these diversified experiments in wintering bees, arrived at certain and satisfactory results, I shall nevei hereafter winter my movable colonies otherwise than in clamps. “Since the publication of my mode of wintering bees in clamps, some objections have been urged against it, which I shall WINTERING BEES. 359 briefly notice, before giving the results of my further experience in this matter. “ The expense of constructing.the clamps has been alleged as an objection to the use of them. In my case, the cost of labor was simply the hire, for one day, of two men, who assisted me in pre¬ paring the area, carrying the hives thither, and arranging and enclosing them. The materials used, with the exception of the scantling, cost literally nothing, as any old boards can be made to serve the purpose, and the rushes, or straw, leaves, &c., em¬ ployed. are always worth their cost for litter. “A second objection is, that rats and mice will be induced to collect and harbor in the clamps, if straw be used. I never use any but old straw, thoroughly divested of grain, and prefer using rushes when they can conveniently be procured. I have, how¬ ever, thus far, not been annoyed by rats or mice. “ To show how very superior clamps are for wintering bees, in thin hives especially, I will state that one of my neighbors, whose hives are made of inch boards, and who invariably lost many bees, and frequently entire colonies, when he left them to winter, as he usually did, in his open Apiary, was induced by my success to place his hives in a clamp last Fall. They were put in on the 11th of November, 1857, and remained undisturbed till the 29th of March, 1858. When opened, all the colonics proved to be in excellent condition, strong, and entirely free from mould or moisture. Never, in any previous season, had he been equally successful, nor had his bees ever before required or received so little personal attention from him. He was ‘ a doubting Thomas,’ when he saw me arranging my first clamp, but is now a thorough converl to the system, and declares that he will, in future, use no other mode, as ho cannot conceive that a better could be devised. “'My own colonies remained in the clamp from tl>« 13th of November to the 29th of March, 1858, and were perfeei.lv sound and heallny when I opened them. The earth under the outer mantle was still frozen, and had to be removed with a hoe. as in the previous year, thus showing that the "bees were not affected by the prevalent mild weather. Long confinement had oot 3'JO THE HIVE ANI) HONEY-BEE. injured them in the least degree, because, reposing in a low and equable temperature, they had consumed proportionably little honey, and remained without excitement or disturbance during .‘.he whole period. I am now fully convinced that bees may remain confined in this manner during the most protracted Winter, not only without injury, but with positive benefit, as they are altogether secure from the always detrimental, and frequently ruinous, effects of exposure to the vicissitudes of the weather in our variable climate. n To simplify the construction of the clamps, I made my last one longer and lower than the one I prepared the previous Fall; and I was thus able to apply the successive covers, or mantles, more easily and conveniently. I also dispensed with the chimney, and could thus close the top more regularly and perfectly, laying over the apex, boards weighted down with stones to keep them in place. 1 found no disadvantage resulting from discarding the chimney, as the ventilating-tubes enabled me still to regulate the internal temperature, and give the bees a sufficient supply of fresh air. 1 also enlarged the air-chamber, making it three feet deep, as before, by only thirty inches broad, and lengthening it so as to extend the whole length of the interior diameter of the clamp. In every other respect, the construction remained the same.'’ When hives are wintered in a special repository, I should advise giving them upward ventilation. If they are in cellars or rooms, the upper cover may be entirely removed ; and, if put in clamps, then it may be fastened, as advised on page 338, and some air be allowed to enter at the lower part of the hive. In all the northern parts of this country, it is very obvious that those who mean to establish large Apiaries will have to so winter their bees, that they shall not be exposed to the usual atmospheric changes. What way precisely is the best can only be determined by careful and long-continued experiments. These ought not to be conducted so as to hazard too much in one venture. Fig. 71. Plate XXII. % 1 la Jl -S5 c; -o d • is° o jfo |1 WINTERING BEES. 361 Great loss is often incurred in replacing upon their Summer stands the stocks which have been kept in special depositories. Unless the day when they are put out is very favorable, many will be lost when they fly to dis- chaige their faeces. In movable-comb hives, this risk can be greatly diminished, by removing the cover from the fiames, and allowing the sun to shine directly upon the bees; this will warm them up so quickly, that they will all discharge their faeces in a very short time.* Aftei the stocks are placed on their Summer stands,! the precautions already described should be taken to strengthen feeble or impoverished colonies (p. 221). * The following is an extract from my journal: “ Jan. 31st, 185T.— Removed the upper cover, exposing the bees to the full heat of the sun, the thermometer being 80° In the shade, and the atmosphere calm. The hive standing on the sunny side of the house, the bees quickly took wing and discharged their fames. Very few were lost on the snow, and nearly all that alighted on it took wing without being chilled. More bees wore lost from other hives which were not opened, as few which left were able to return; while, in the ono with the cover removed, the returning bees were able to alight at once among their warm companions.” t Dzierzon advises placing them on their former stands, as many bees still rememb'r tho old Bpot. Mr. Qulnby uses this time for equalizing the "colonies v bo finds that, “being all wintered in oo 6 room, their scent Is so much allk that they mis togethor without contention. 10 362 THE HIVE ADD HODEY-BEE. CHAPTER XXII. bee-keeper’s calendar—bee-keeper’s axioms. This Chapter gives to the inexperienced bee-keeper brief directions for each month in the year* and, by means of the full Alphabetical Index, all that is said on any topic can easily be referred to. January. —In cold climates, bees are now usually in a state of repose. If the colonies have had proper attention in the Fall, nothing will ordinarily need to be done that will excite them to an injurious activity. In very cold climates, however, when a severe temperature is of long continuance, it will be necessary, unless the hives have thorough upward (p. 340) ventilation, to bring them into a warm room (p. 341), to thaw out the ice, remove the dampness, and allow the bees to get access to their sup¬ plies. In January there are occasionally, even it very cold latitudes, days so pleasant that bees can fly out to discharge their faeces ; do not confine them (p. 337), even if some are lost on the snow. In this month clean the bottom-boards (p. 347), but disturb the bees as little as possible. See, also, that they are properly supplied with water (p. 344), as healthy stocks have already begun to breed (p. 239). February.— This month is sometimes colder tlian January, and then the directions given for the previous month must be followed. In mild seasons, however, and in warm regions, bees begin to fly quite lively in February, and in some locations they gather pollen. The bottom- . Palladia who wroto on bees nearly 2,000 years ago, arranges his remarks 1. tbo form of a monthly calendar. BEE-KEKPElt’s CALENDAR. 363 board should be again attended to, as soon as the bees are actively on the wing, and, if any hives are suspiciously light, sugar-candy (p. 272) should be given them. Strong colonies will now begin to breed considerably, but nothing should be done to excite them to premature activity. See that the bees are supplied with water (p. 344 ) March.- In our Northern States, the inhospitable reign ol ^Vinter still continues, and the directions given for the two previous months are applicable to this. If there should be a pleasant day, when bees arc able to fly briskly, seize the opportunity to remove the covers (p. 361); carefully clean out the hives (p. 221), and learn the exact condition of every colony. See that your bees have water (p. 344), and are well supplied with rye-flour (p. 84). In this month, weak stocks commonly begin to breed, while strong ones increase quite rapidly. If the n eather is favorable, colonies which have been kept in a special Winter depository, may now be put upon their proper stands (p. 361). As soon as severe Winter weather is over, it will be necessary to shut off" all upward ventila¬ tion. April.— Bees will ordinarily begin to gather much pollen in this month, and sometimes considerable honey. As brood is now very rapidly maturing, there is a largely increased demand for honey, and great care should bo taken to prevent the bees from suffering for want of food. If the supplies are at all deficient, breeding will be checked, even if much of the brood does not perish, or the whole colony die of starvation. If the weather is pro¬ pitious, feeding to promote a more rapid increase of young (]> 268) may now be commenced. Feeble colonies must now be reinforced (p. 221), and should the weather con¬ tinue cold for several days at a time, the bees ought to be supplied with water (p. 344) in their hives. In April, 304 Til 1C HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. if not before, the larvae of the bee-moth will begin to make their appearance, and should be carefully destioycd (p. 248). May. _As the weather becomes more genial, the increase of bees in the colonies is exceedingly rapid, and drones, if they have not previously made their appearance, begin to issue from the hives. In some locations, the bees will now gather much honey, and it will often be advisa¬ ble to give them access to the spare honey receptacles ;* but in some seasons and locations, either from long and cold storms, or a deficiency of forage, stocks not ell sup¬ plied with honey will exhaust their stores, and perish, unless they are fed. In favorable seasons, swarms may be expected in this month, even in the Northern States. These May swarms often issue near the close of the blos¬ soming of fruit-trees, and just before the later supplies of forage, and if the weather becomes suddenly unfavorable, may starve, unless they are fed. Even if there is no dan¬ ger of this, they will make so little progress in comb¬ building and breeding, when food is scarce, as to be sur- passed by much later swarms. The Apiarian should have hives in readiness to receive new swarms, however early they may issue, or be formed. If new colonies are to be made by artificial processes, a seasonable supply of queens (p. 188 ) should be reared. June.— This is the great swarming month in all our Northern and Middle States. As bees keep up a high temperature in their hives, they are by no means so de¬ pendent upon the weather for forwardness, as plants, and as most other insects necessarily are. I have had as early swarms in Northern Massachusetts, as in the vicinity of Philadelphia. * If natural swarms are want.d, tho bees should not be allowed to occupy too much aurpiur storage-room. bee-keeper's calendar. 36 5 If the Apiary is not carefully watched, the bee-keeper, after a short absence, should examine the neighboring bushes and trees, on some of which he will often find a swarm clustered, preparatory to their departure for anew home.* As fast as the surplus honey-receptacles are filled,f and the cells capped over, they should be removed, and empty ones put in their place. Careless bee-keepers often lose much, by neglecting to do this in season, thereby con¬ demning their colonies to a very unwilling idleness. The Apiarian will bear in mind, that all small swarms which come off late in this month, should be either aided, doubled, or returned to the mother-stock. With my hives, the issue of such swarms may be prevented, by removing, in season, the supernumerary queen-cells. During all the swarming season, and, indeed, at all other times when young queens are being bred, the bee-keeper must ascer¬ tain seasonably, that the hives which contain them, suc¬ ceed in securing a fertile mother (p. 218 ). July. — In some seasons and districts, this is the great swarming month ; while in others, bees issuing so late, are of small account. In Northern Massachusetts, I have known swarms coming after the Fourth of July, to fill their hives, and make large quantities of surplus honey besides. In this month, all the choicest spare honey should be removed from the hives, before the delicate * M As it may often be important to know from which hive the swarm has Issued, alter it has been hived and removed to its new stand, let a cup-full of bees be taken from it, and thrown into the air, near the Apiary; they will soon return to the parent-stock, and may easily bo recognized, by their standing at the entrance, and fanning, like ventilating boos.” — Dziekzon. In my hives, it will be easy, from the back ventilator, to dccldo whether a stock is full enough to swarm, or has rooentiy swa- 394 INDEX, Ject9, acute, 117; commotion of, during absence of queen for impregnation, 125, 217; native of hot climate, 128 (note); detest smell of fresh paint, 129; often perspire while swarming, and reluctant to enter heated hives, 130; pleased to find comb in hive, 131 ; inodes ot securing swarms in difficult places, 135; acute of hearing, 138; re¬ fusing to swarm, should have plenty of storage-room, 13d; may be advan¬ tageously kept in cities, 144; often refuse to swarm, 145 ; seldom colonize unless blossoms abound in honey, 147; ability of, to rear queens from worker-brood, when discovered, 148; without mature queens, build combs with largo cells, 149, 150 (and note); diminish rapidly in number after swarming, 151 (and note); will not form independent colonies in inter¬ communicating hives, 152; work bet¬ ter in new swarms than in old colo¬ nies, 153; laden with stores, welcomed by strange swarms, 155; without stores, expelled, 165; frightened by rapping* ou the hive, 155; disposition of, when moved, to return to old lo¬ cation, 156; oft'ect on. of temporary loss of h<*me, 157; how to make ad¬ here to old home, wherever put, 157 ; losing their queens, will accept of others, 159 (note); more irascible at night, 1G7; confounded by sudden in¬ troduction of light into their hives, 168, 169; difficult to subdue when once thoroughly excited, 170 ; use all available space for honey, 172 (note 2 ); tenacious adherence of, to thoir combs, 172; losing their queen when swarming, return to parent stock, 174; their mode of communication, 174 (note 1); storing surplus honey to be unmolested, 180 (and note 1); amusing conduct of, on finding a strange hive where their own should be, 181 (notel); emboldened to self- defence by presence of queen, 182; judicious renewal of, for swarms, not injurious to mother-stocks, 183; their instinct to become over-rich, 183 (note 2); their passion for forage, 186 (note 1); when destitute of queen, will rear young ones, if they have brood-comb, 188; need water When confined, 189 (note); how encouraged to work in an upper hive, 189; do not always cluster on brood-comb in nu¬ clei, 192 (note); sometimes start queen-cells that fail, 193; young do inside, and old, outside work, 194; young are wax-worker*, 196; their occasional refusal to make royal cells explained, 197 (note); a worthy trait of, 197; their treatment of strange queens, 200; to cause, to rcceivo I strange queens kindly, 201; of differ ent colonies may be united, 203; dis¬ tinguish their hive companions by smell and actions, 203; conduct of, when frightened, 203; when disturbed and scented, will readily mingle, 203 (and note); in too large hives, become uispiritod, 208; in largo apiaries, if the hives are alike, liable to mistake them, 214; effect on, of loss of queen, 217; enemies of, 228-255 ; vigilance of, against the moth, 231; not a native of the New World, 235; a harbinger of civilization, 236 (note); cun learn to defend themselves against new enemies, 240; destroyed by mice and by birds, 252 ; by toads and bears, 254; diseases of, 255-260; propensities of, to rob, and appearance of thieving bees, 261 ; habitual robbers become black, 262 (and note); sometimes rob the humble-bee, 262; grand battles of, 263; of conquered colonies, incor¬ porate themselves with the victors, 263; frantic fury of robbers, when de¬ prived of thoir spoil, 265 ; how to cool them into temporary honesty, 265; feeling of, 267-278; are fond of salt, 272; infatuation of, for confectionery, 277 ; compared to intemperate men, 278; the avaricious, folly of, 278; foml of shade, 280; procuring for an apiary, 280; transferring from common to mov. comb hives, 282; get supplies from honey-dews, 287 ; flight of, its extent, 305; pacific temper of, 308; incident illustrating good nature of, while swarming, 308; readily taught by ill treatment to be vindictive, 310; human breath offensive to, 311; at a distance from their hives, never sting unless hurt, 312; kindness of, at Irnine, a lesson for man, 312; thoir treatment of the sick, 312; thoir sense of smell, 313; dead, medicinal qualities of, 315 (note); will more surely sting hairy than bare parts, 317 ; maintain a high temperature in Winter. 335; eat less in Winter whon kept quiet, 335, 355; wintering of, 335-361; uniting small colonies of, for wintering, 336; do not store honey so as always to be accessible in Winter, 336; cannot bo relied on to make Winter passages in combs, 336 ; should bo protected from Winter winds, 337, 348; if out of doors in Winter, should be allowed to fly, 337 ; sometimes per¬ ish in snow, 338 (note 1); experiments on wintering, by author, 339; need water in cold weather, 342-346; need water to eat candied honey, 342-344; injured by being disturbed in Winter, 347,355; seldom discharge thoir froces in the hive, 347; on wintering in dry cellars, 348; in special depositories INDEX. 395 349-360; eat less and fewer die in clamps than in other special Winter depositories, 355, 358. Bee-keepers, common hives do not teach the laws of bee-breeding;, 164; if timid, should use bee-dress, 209; ig¬ norance of, the greatest obstacle to speedy introduction of may. comb hive, 209; often captivated by shallow devices, 211; scepticism of many, in regard to the wonders of the bee¬ hive, 211; often mistake the cause of the loss of their queens, 216; careless, will he unsuccessful, 226. 250; should not encourage the destruction of birds, 253; specimen of, opposed to improve¬ ments, 357. Bee-quack's secret, 238 (note). Bees, queen of, see Queen Bees. Beginners, should be cautious in ex¬ perimenting, 179, 30". Berg, Rev. Dr., first informed author of Dzierzon's discoveries, 16. Berlepsch, Baron of, his stocks injured by scientific experiments, 179 (note); Uses frames similar to the author’s, 321 (note 2); experiments on impreg¬ nation of queens, 120 (note); Italian bee. 323; his experiments on the ef¬ fect of cold on queens, 327; shows that bees need water in winter, 342 Bevan, on eggs, and larva? of bees, 44- 47; on “driving” or forced swarming (note) 154; an experiment of, in re¬ moving a queen, 218 (note); feeds salt to bees, 272; his description of huuey- dow, 280. Birds, bee-devouring, 252; why they should not be destroyed, 253 (and note). Blocks, entrance regulating (Plate III., Figs. 11, 12); useful to prevent swarming, 174 (and note); security against mice, 175, 252; against rob¬ ber-bees, 264. Bodwell, J. C., experiments of, in win¬ tering bees, 345. Boerhave’s account of Swammerdam's labors, 65 (note). Bohemia, its production of honey, 304. Boiling honey improves it, 287. Borage, valuable for bees, 29$. Bottom-boards should be permanently fixed to hive, 97: should slant to¬ wards entrance, 97; cleaning id', 98; dangers of movable, from the moth, 231; Spring cleaning of, 243; Winter cleaning of, 347. Boxes for spare honey, 289, 290. Bruum, Mr. A., his experiment to as¬ certain the increase of honey in a hive, 303. Breath, human, oftensivo to bees, 170, 311. Bretding, “in-and-in,” injurious, 54; early, encouraged by spring-feeding, Brood, temperature necessary for its development 46, 48 ; attended to by young bees, 197 ; production of, chocked by over-feeding, 268; found in hives in Winter, 48, 339. Brood-comb, see Comb. Brown, Hon. Simon, his description of a combat between two queens, 205. Buckwheat, valuable for late bee-pas¬ ture, 296; its yield and quality of honey variable, 296 (and notes 1 and 2); its cultivation recommended, 296 (and note 3): blossoming of, may cause swarming, 366. Bnera, on the need of water for bees, 34*4. Bunions, great merits of, as an ob¬ server, 33; laborious experiment of, 33 (note); Huber's tribute to, 194 (note). Busch, his description of the Italian bee, 32 4. Butler’s description of the drone, 221; his drone-pot, 225; anecdote of a honey hunting swain, 254; his direc¬ tions for procuring the favor of bees, 311, 317. C. Cage, see Queen Cage. Calendar, bee-keeper’s, 362-370. Candied honey, bees need water to dis¬ solve, 342-344. Candy, sugar, recommended for bee- feed, 272; recipe for making, 272 (note). Cary, Win, W., his mode of uniting colonies, 204; of fastening comb in frames, 283 (note); his mode of mak¬ ing Winter passages in combs, 337 (note); on wintering bees, 346 (note 2 )- Casts, see After-Swarms. Catalogue of bee-plants, 298. Cellars, dry, good for wintering bees, 315, 348. Cells, of bees, their contents, 29 ; covers of, 44; lor breeding, become too small, 60; wood-cuts of, Plates XIII., XIV., and XV.; royal, 62.218; thin¬ ness of their sides, 71 (note); size of, 74 (PI. XV., Fig. 48; demonstrate tho existence of God, 75. Cherry-tree yields honey, 202. Chickens, curious use of, 248. Children of the rich, compared to pam¬ pered bees, 26S; may learn from bees how to treat their mothers, 312. Chloride of lime, useful as a disinfect¬ ant of foul hives, 257. Chloroform, subdues bees by stupefac¬ tion, 210. Chimps, for wintering hoes, 348-360 Clover, white, most important source of honey, 294; Mr. Holbrook, on the value of, for stock, 294; Swedish 291 396 INDEX, Clustering of swarms, 113, 116. Cocoon, complete one, spun l»y drone and worker-larva;, -16; imperfect one, by queen-larva?, 40; of larva;, never removed from cells, 60; of the moth, 231 (PI. XIX.). Cold, moderate, makes bees almost dor¬ mant, 89; chills bees, 110; water, use¬ ful in subduing robbers, 265. C donies, of bees (see also Stocks of Bees); rapid increase of, in Australia, 51 (note); ago of, 59; new, composed of young and old bees, 119; impos¬ sible to multiply rapidly, by natural swarming, 147 ; folly of attempting to multiply, by dividing hives, 149; to remove, from old locations, 156, 157; artificial, not t«» be formed till drones appear, 158; artificial, time necessary to form, 173; cautions against too rapid increase of, 175 (note). 176-178; work, eas'lv strengthened by use of more comb hive, 178; possible extent of multiplication of, 178; most profit¬ able rate of increase, 179 ; to form one new colony from two old ones, 18v robbers, 264; how to regulate in Winter, 338. Epitaph on bees killed by sulphur, 239. Ether used for stupefying bees, 210. Evans, Dr., quotations from poem of, on bees, 50, 60 , GJ, 76, 77, 78, 79, 109, 267, 292. Experiments, an interesting one, 67 ; of Huber, showing the use of pollen, 80; author’s to the same effect, 81; nu¬ merous, of author, 179; cautions con¬ cerning, to begiuncrs, 179; bee-keep¬ ers invited to make, 180; of Huber, showing two kinds of workers, 193 (note}; difficulty of demonstration by, 193 (note); Dr. Ddnhoff’s, showing that young bees are nurses and old bees honey-gatherers, 194; of author, in wintering bees, 339; of E. T. Stur- tevant, 310; of Uerlepscli and Eber- hardt, 342; of J. C. Bodwell, 345; of Mr. Scholtz, 348; further, needed, in wintering bees, 360. Examination of combs and bees in hive, importance of, in Spring, 221. Experience renders bee-keeping profit¬ able, 282. F. Facts, however wonderful, should be received, 42. Fasces, appearance of, in young and old bees, different, 197; healthy bees do not discharge, in hive, 347; how to make bees in mov. comb hives, safely discharge, 361 (and note). Faint-heartedness, rebuked, 198. Famine causes bees to ubaudou hives, 116. Four, effect of, in taming beos, 27; in uniting swurms, 204. I Feeble stocks unprofitable, 141,177,269 I 336. Feeder, convenience of, in mov. comb hive, 270; construction of, 271; PI. XI-., Fig. 26 Feeding beos, 267-278; few things more important in practical bee-keeping, 267 ; Spring feeding specially neces¬ sary, 267 (and note;; caution in, re¬ quired, 268; over-feeding, like pam¬ pering children, 268 ; to be submitted to only in extremities, 268 ; how done in common hives, 269; difficult to build up small colonies by, 269; equi¬ table division of resources in, 270; when it should be done for Winter, 270; what should bo used in, 270; un¬ profitable in late Fall stocks, 270 (note); mode of, by means of a feeder, 271; water should be supplied, 271, 312: importance of salt in, 272; sugar- candy a good and cheap article for, 272 (and note), and 273(note); Kloine’s mode of using candy. 273, 274; value of grape-sugar for, 273; Sholz’ sugar- honoy for, 274; granulated sugar for, 274 (and note); quantity of honey needed for, to Winter bees, 274; weight of hives, unsafe standard to determine amount of honey for, 275 (note); caution to lie observed in, 277 ; should not be too early in the Fall, 298; cheap honey, to sell again, un¬ profitable in, 275. Fertility of queens, 32; diminishes with age, 141,223; diminished by hunger and cold, 223 (note 1). Fishback, Judge, his precautions to pre¬ vent loss of young queens, 216; his experience witli the bee-moth, 240 (note). Flight of bees, its extent, 305; its rapid¬ ity, 305 (note 2). Flowers for bees, Nutt’s catalogue of, 298; garden, furnish littlo bee-pasture, 297. Foul-brood, its malignity, 19, 256; dry and moist, 256; remedy, 257, 258; a disease exclusively of the larva?, 259; supposed cause, 256 (note), 259 ; liable to appear the second time, 259. Forcing-box, its size and use, 154, 165. Frames, movable, invented by author, 15; how they must bo made to bo lifted out of hive, 150,171, 209 (note); process of removing from the hivo, 171, 370(PI. XXIV.); with comb used for patterns, 208; effect on boo cul¬ ture, 211 (note); a protection against the ravages of the moth, 239, 241 ; render the cleaning of hivo easy, 243; used by Uerlepscli, 321 (note 2); ap¬ proved of by Siebold, 321 (note 2) ; not well adapted to tall hives, 330. Friesland, East, its productiveness in honey, 304. INDEX 399 Fruit, honey-bees beneficial to, 85-87 ; wasps and hornets injurious to, 86. Fruit trees, blossoms of, yield honey, 292. Fumigation of hives with puff-ball, ob¬ jectionable, 210. O. Gardeners might manage their employ¬ ers’ bees in mov. comb hive, 226. Garden plants insufficient to furnish bee-pasture, 297. Glass, vessels of, for spare honey, should have guide-combs, 290 ; objections to, 290 (note). Gloves, india-rubber, to protect the hands, 317 (1*1. XI., Fig. 27); woollen, objectionable, 317. Goldsmith, on spontaneous and fashion¬ able joys, 331. “Good old way” of corn-raising, 237. Golden-rod, some varieties of, furnish food for bees, 298. Governments, of Europe, interest of some in disseminating knowledge of bee-culture, 320 (note). Grape-sugar, as food for bees, 273. Guide for combs, artificial, secure regu¬ larity in building comb, 130, 207 ; can¬ not bo invariably relied on, 208; Ger¬ man invention of (PI. VI., Fig. 72). Gundelach, on the necessity of pollen for rearing brood, 81. II. Hairy objects, why offensive to bees, 317. IL irris. Dr., his account of the bee moth, 228. Hartshorn, spirits of, remedy for bee¬ stings, 316. Health, bad ventilation of houses im¬ pairs, 92. Hearing in bees, acute, 138. Heat, degree required to hatch the eggs of bees and develop the pupa, 46; great, attendant on comb-building, 71. Hens, too much crowded, mistake their nests, 215; not good tenders of moth- traps, 218. Heyne, on over-stocking, 301. I liver, basket for, 133. Hives (see Mov. Comb Ilive), Huber’s, author’s experiments with, 14; made with slats, 15, 210 (note); should be made of sound lumber, 78; mixture let sealing corners of, 78; thin, an¬ noying to bees in hot weather, 90; sixty-ono requisites for complete, 95- 108; size of, should admit of varia¬ tion, 96; “improved,” often bad, 107 ; qualities of best, 107 ; paint on, should be very dry before hiving, 129 ; heated in the sun, should not be used for new swarms, 129; should incline forward, but stand level from side to side, 130; if clean, need no washing or rubbing with herbs, 131; five stocks in one, 137 ; should be placed where it is to stand, as soon as swarm is secured, 138; if not ready to swarm, how to proceed, 139; difficult to rid of bee- moth, 141 ; common, difficult to re¬ move unfertile queen from, 141; Hu¬ ber’s, 148; “dividing,” and objections to, 149; self-colonizing, ineffectual, 151 ; thorough inspection of, neces¬ sary for success, 152 ; non-swarming, likely to exterminate the bee, if gen¬ erally used, 153; decoy, when to be used, 155; for surplus honey, should be undisturbed, 18J (and note); like Dzierzon's, even with movable frames, give inadequate control of bees, 187 (note); should be opened before or after sunlight, when forage is scarce, 199; royal combat witnessed in au¬ thor’s observing, 205; with poor ar¬ rangements, educate bees to regard their keeper as an enemy, 210(note); wonders of, unknown by many bee¬ keepers, 211; in crowded apiary, 214- 216; condition of, should bo ascer¬ tained, 221; patent, evil results of, 237, 241 ; should be cleaned in early Spring, 243; common, furnish no re¬ liable remedy for loss of queen, 245; infected with foul-brood, to disinfect, 257 ; common, how prepared for re¬ moval when occupied by stocks, 281 ; to transfer bees from commou to mov. comb, 282; size, shape, and materials for, 329-332; size of author’s can bo varied at pleasure, 329; tall, advan¬ tages and disadvantages of, 329; most advantageous form of, 330; Dzierzon’s, disadvantages of, 331 ; double and triple, 331 (note); proper materials for, 331 ; suggestions us to making mov. comb, 332. Hives, mov. comb, see Movable Comb Hives. Hives, patent, see Patent Hives. Hiving bees, directions for, 129 ; expert¬ ness in, makes pleasant, 129; should be conducted in shade, 130; should be attended to soon after swarm set¬ tles, 132; process of, 133; basket for, 133; sheet for, how arranged, 133; how to expedite, 133 ; process of, must be repeated when queen not secured, 134 ; when settled out of reach, how to secure the swarm, 134; when swarm alights in difficult place, or two swarms cluster together, 135; how to secure the queen, 136; old- fashioned way of, bad, 136; so as to prevent swarms uniting, 138; whoa 400 INDEX, done, remove swarms to proper stands, 138; danger of delaying, 138; wliat to do if no hive is ready, 139. Holbrook, Hon. F., on cultivation of white clover, 294. Home, should be made attractive, 220. Honey, 285-292; its elements, 70; quan¬ tity consumed in secreting wax, 71, 17(3; gathered by day, 72; sometimes gathered by moonlight, 73 (note); honey-gathering and comb-building simultaneous, 73 ; surplus, incompati¬ ble with rapid increase of colonies, 176; how to secure the largest yield of, 180; more abundant fifty years ago than now, 236 ; reasons assigned for the deficiency, 237; foreign, supposed cause of foul-brood, 256, 258; from foul-brood colonies, infections, 256 (note 2); infected, how purified, 257 ; West India, used for bee-feed, 256 (note), 270; and sugar (Skolz' compo¬ sition), 274; quantity of, necessary for wintering stocks, 274; poor, not con¬ vertible into good, 275; not a secre¬ tion of the bee, 275 (and note 2); re¬ tains the flavor of the blossoms from whence it is taken, 275; evaporation produces the principal changes In, 276 (and note 1); “ making over” honey not profitable, 276; recipe for artificial, 276 (note) ; a vegetable pro¬ duct, 285 ; qualities of, vary, 287 ; hurtful qualities cured by boiling, 287 (and note) ; should not be exposed to low temperature, 287; old, more wholesome than new, 287 ; virtues as¬ cribed to it by old writers, 287 (note); to drain from the comb, 288, 366; to make liquid when candied, 288; cau¬ tion as to West India, 288 (note); of Ilymettus, 293 (note); yield of, af¬ fected by soil, 294 (note); from the raspberry, delicious, 296; yield of, by plants, uncertain, 296 (note 2) ; large amount gathered in a day, 303; on the hands, protects them against bee¬ stings. 317 ; bees eat less in Winter, when kept quiet. 335,348, 358; how to get in centre of hive, for Winter, 336; candied, bees need water to dissolve, 342-344. Honey-bag, worker’s, 56(1*1. XVII, Fig. 54). Honey-bees, see Bees. Honey-board, spare, holes in, left open in Winter, 338; sometimes strongly glued bv bees, 172 (note); care in placing necessary, 173. Iloncy-dews, 285; of California, 285 (note); when most abundant and where found, 286. Honey-hornets, Mexican, 58 (note), 87. Honey resources, how to increase, 293. Honey-suckle, juice of, a remedy for bee-stiugs, 315. Honey,^ surplus, much, incompatible with rapid multiplication of stocks, 176, 178; best yield of, from undis¬ turbed stocks, 180; receptacles tor, when to admit bees to, 288, 364; how secured, 289; quantity from one stock, 289 (note 2); large boxes more profit¬ able than small, for, 289 (and note 2), 290 (note 1); glass vessels and small boxes, for, 290; air-tight boxes, to preserve, 290 (note 2); receptacles of, how and when to remove them, 291, 365; boxes for, bees reluctant to fill, late in the season, 366. Honey-water, objectionable for subdu¬ ing bees, 169 (note). Hornets, fecundation of, 35; Mexican, honey, 58 (note), 87 ; injure fruit, 86; should be destroyed iu Spring, 87 ; torpid in Winter, 109. Horses sweaty, very offensive to bees, 279, 313. Horticulturists, honey bees their friends 85, 87. Houses, ventilation of, neglected, 91. Huber, Francis, tribute to, 32-34; dis¬ covered how queens are impregnated, 34; that unfecunded queens produce only drones, 36; experiments of, to tost the secretion of wax, 69; to show the use of pollen, 80; his discovery of ventilation by bees, 88; his suppo¬ sition as to development ill queen of male eggs, 128 (note); his plan for artificial swarming and its objections, 148; effect of his leaf hive iu pacifying bees, HxS; his mistake as to the ca of honey-bee, development of, 44 (PI. XIII., Figs. 40,41, 42); royal, 64; perish without ventilation, 89; of bee- moth, see bee-moth, Larvce of; of honey-bee, disease of, 259. Leidy, l)r. Joseph, his dissection of fer¬ tile and drone-laying queens, 34, 39, 213 (note); of a queen just impreg¬ nated, 126 (note). Light, bees will work when exposed to, 16, 205, 332; its sudden admission, effect of, on bees, 168, 169; of day, needed for operations about the hive, 167. Ligurian, or Italian bee, 318 (note). Lindon, or bass-wood tree, yields much honey, 293 (and note). Llriodendron, yields much honey, 292. Locust, valuable for bees, 293. 402 INDEX. Lombard, his interesting anecdote of swarming, 3(>8. Longfellow, II. W., lii.a Indian warrior’s description of the bee. 236. Lossofquoen, 213-227; frequent, though the queen is usually the last to perish in any casualty, 213; when, by old age, bees prepare for her successor, 213; occurs oftenest when queen leaves hive for impregnation, 213, 214; how occasioned, by queeus mistaking their hives, 214, 215; bees, like hens in this respect, 215; Judge Fishback’s preventive of, 210; author’s prevent¬ ive, 217; effect of, on stocks, 217; sometimes not discovered by bees for some time, 218 (ami note); excitement in hive when discovered, 218; will not cause bees to abandon the hive if they are supplied with brood-comb, 218; nucleus system will remedy it, 219; indications of, 219; the most common cause of destruction of stocks by bee- moth, 219. Lunenburg, number of colonies of bees in, 302; bees of, more than pay all the tuxes, 302. M. Mahan, P. J., on causing bees to adhere to new locations, 1G3 (note); interest¬ ing observations of, 219 (note); his discovery that drones leave their hives with honey and return without any, 224; on the odor of the queen, 226 (note 2). Maple-tree a source of honey, 292. Marahli, anecdote from, of bees and a snail, 78. Materials for hives, 331. Meal, a substitute for pollen, 84, 219. Medicine, poison of bee, used for, 315 (note). Mice, ravages of, and protection against, 252. Miller, see Bee-moth. Mills, John, on marking hives with dif¬ ferent colors, 216 (note). Mixing of bees, of different colonies, 2(»3 ; precautions concerning, 203. Months of the year, direction for treat¬ ing bees in, 362-369. Moonlight, bees sometimes gathor honey by, 73 (note). More, Sir J., on the sovereign virtues of honey, 287 (note). Moth, see Bee-moth. Moth, death-head, 240 (note). Moth, largo honey-eating, from Ohio, 2-11 (note). Mothers, unkind treatment of, reproved by bees, 312. Mother-stock, in forced swarming, easily supplied with fertile queen, 182; oxposed to perish without a prompt supply of queen, and by over- swarming, if left to supply itself, 182; also to be robbed, 182; advantage of supplying with fertile queen, 183. Moth-proof hives a delusion, 228, 238, 247. Moths, honey-eating, ravages of, 240 (and note). Motions, in operating on hives should be deliberate, 170. Movable-comb hive, invention of, 13-23; superiority to Dzierzon’s, 16, 18; en¬ ables each bee-keeper to observe for himself, 23, 164; admits of easy re¬ moval of old comb, 60; bees in it easily supplied with empty comb, 71; its fa¬ cilities for ventilation, 94, 276 (note 1); size of, adjustable to the wants of colony, 96, 829; facilities of, for se¬ curing surplus honey, 100, 289, 329; advantages of, for preventing after- swarming, 124, 140; enables one per¬ son to superintend various colonies, 102, 226; not easily blown down, 103; may be made secure against mice, 103,252, and thieves, 104; durability of, 104; cheapness and simplicity of, 105; some desirables it does not pos¬ sess, 105; invention of, result of ex¬ perience, 105; perfection disclaimed for, 105: merits of, submitted to ex¬ perienced bee-keepers, 108; desertion of, by swarms, easily prevented, 115 ; by use of, can employ all good worker comb, 130 ; furnishes storage-room for non-swarming bees, 139; importance of, in supplying extra queens, 141, 188; easily cleared of the bee-moth, 246; best for non-swarming plan, 153; enables the apiarian to learn the laws regulating the internal economy of hoes, 164; enables artificial swarming to he quickly performed, 164; advan¬ tages of movable top of, 168 ; affords facilities for supply of fertile quoons to mother-stocks, in forced swarming, 182, 192; danger of being stung, di¬ minished by use of, 209; the greatest obstacle to its 6poody introduction, 209; the author sanguine of its exten¬ sive use by skilful bee-keepers, 211; should he thoroughly examined in Spring, 221; durable and cheap, if properly taken care of, 221; advan¬ tages of readily perceived by intelli¬ gent bee-keepers, 226; adaptation of, to protect stocks from the moth, 249; enables the apiarian to know the amount of honey stocks contain, 275 (note); how prepared for transporting bees, 2H1; to transfer into, from com¬ mon hive, 283; designed to economize the labor of beos, 305; experiments concerning tho size of, 330 (note 3); suggestions as to making, 332; ob- INDEX. 403 serving. 332; how to get honey in centre of, for Winter, 336; how to make Winter passages in combs of, 837 (and note 1); how to ventilate, in Winter, 338; bills of stock, for mak¬ ing, 371. Movable entrnnce blocks, see Blocks, entrance regulating. Movable bottom-boards, dangerous, 231. Movable stands for hives, 270. Moving stocks, 281. Munn, W. A., his “ bar and frame hive,” 209 (note). Musk, used to stop robbing, 265 (note). N. Narcotics, in managing boos, worse than useless, 211. Natural swarming and hiving of swarms, 109-142; guards against extinction of bees, 109; not unnatural. 111; time of, 111; seldom occurs in northern climates, when hives are not well filled with comb, 111 (note); signs of, 111; only in fair weather, 112; time of day of, 112; preparation of bees for, 112; queen often lost in, 113; ringing of bells and tanging, useless, 113; how to stop a fugitive swarm, 314; after, ventilation should be regu¬ lated, 124; hiving should be done in shade, or hive bo covered, 130; should bo promptly attended to after swarm settles, 132; process of, 133; basket for, 133 ; sheet for. 133; how arranged, 133; howto expedite, if bees are dila¬ tory, 133, 134 ; must be repeated if queen not secured, 134; small limbs cut with pruning shears in, 134; when swarm out of reach, how to secure, 134; when in difficult places, or two s warms cluster together, 135; how to secure queen, 136; old-fashioned way, objectionable, 136; moro than one 8 warm in a hive, 137 ; to prevent swarms uniting while hiving, 138; swarms, as soon as hived, should bo removed to their stands, 138; an ex¬ pedient, if no hive bo ready, 139; sug¬ gestions for making moro* profitable, 139-142; excessive, prevented by use of mov. comb hive, 140; affords no fa¬ cilities for strengthening lato and feeble stocks, 140; objections to, 139- 147; uncertainty of, 147; why somo stocks refuse to swarm, 147. “New England Farmer,” extract from, describing a combat of queens, 205. Night-work, on bees, hazardous, 167. Non-swarmer, author's,prevents swarm¬ ing, 174; excludes drones, 228; facili¬ ties it offers to preserve pure the Italian bee, 320 ; wood-cut of, PI. II., Fig. 6. Non-swarming colonies, may lose their queens, or queens become unfertile, in common hive, 153; queens may be supplied to, in mov. comb hive, 153. Non-swarming hive, advocated by many, 154; objections to, 153; mov. comb hive best for, 153. Nuclei, what they are, and how to form them, 189; to obtain adhering bees for, 192 (and note); must not be al¬ lowed to get too much reduced, 197; always furnish plenty of queens, 219. Nutt, his list of bee flowers, 298. Nymph, bee, see Pupa. 0 . Objections to natural swarming,143-147. Observing-hive, mov. comb, 332-334; lion. S. Brown’s experiment with, 205; its facilities for observing the internal operations of the bees, 332; for wintering, 332 (note); those with single frames recommended, 333; adapted for the parlor, 333; how to stock with bees, 333; source of plea¬ sure and instruction, 333; may bo kept in cities, 333. Odor, of queens, 226, 266; of drones, 226 (note 1); of workers, 203. Odors, unpleasant, offensive to bees, 313; used to prevent robberies, 265 (note); excite bees to anger, 313. Oettl, remarks of, on over-stocking, 303; his golden rule in bee-keeping, 303; his statistics of bee-culture, 303. Old age, signs of in bees, 59. Oliver, II. lv., observations of, on bee- motli, 251. Onions, blossoms of, yield much honey, 293. Ovaries of queen-bee, 35 (PI. XVIII.); of workers, are undeveloped, 29, 64. Over-stocking, 299-307; no danger of. 299; Wagner’s letter on, 300; Oettl and Braun's statistics on, 303. Ovum, what necessary to impregnate it, 41. P. Paint, smell of fresh, detested by beos, 129; if fresh be used, it should con¬ tain no white lead, and be made to dry quickly, 129; recipe for, preferable to oil paint, 129; color of, for hives, 368. Pasturage for bees, 292; effect, of, on removal of colonies, 157; honey- yielding trees and plants, 292-299; gardens too limited for, 297 ; catalogue of bee-plants, 298; range of, 305. Patent hives, deceptions in vending, 61 (note), 106, 146 (note); have greatlj multiplied the bee-moth, 237; and 404 INDEX, done more harm than good, 237, 241. Peach-tree yields honey, 292. Pear-tree yields honey, 292. Peppermint, use of in uniting colonies, 203. Perfection, folly of claiming for hives, 106. Perfumes, disagreeable to bees, 313 (note). Perseverance of bees, worthy of imita¬ tion by man, 197. Persons attacked by bees, directions for, 312, 314. Peters, Randolph, interesting experi¬ ment of, 219 (note). Pillage of hives, secret, cause and rem¬ edy of, 266. Piping of queens, an indication of after- swarming, 121. Plantain, a remedy for bee-stings, 315. Plum-tree a source of honey, 292. Poison of bees, smell of, strong and ir¬ ritating to bees, 314; effect of, on the eye, 314 (note); remedies for, 314- 317 ; effect of, when taken into the mouth, 315; cold water the best rem¬ edy for, 315; a homoeopathic remedy, 315 (note); the human system can be inured to, 316 (note). Poisonous honey, and how to remove its injurious qualities, 287. Pollen, or bee-bread, 80-87; found in stomachs of wax-makers, 80; may aid in secretion of wax, 80; whence ob¬ tained, 80; food of immature bees, as shown by Huber’s experiments, 80; author’s, to the same effect, 81 ; Gun- delach's opinion of, 81; useful in se¬ cretion of wax, 82; bees preTer fresh to old, 82; in mov. comb hives, excess of, in old stocks, can bo given to others, 82; how gathered and stored by bees, 83; bees gathering, aid in impregnating plants, 83 ; bees collect, only from one kind of flower at a time, 83; wheat and rye moal a substitute for, 81; necessary for the production of wax and jelly, 197 ; the gathering of, by bees, indicates a fertile queen in the hive, 219 (and note). Pollen-basket, on log of bee, 56. Poppy, white, a remedy for bee-stings, 315. Posel, discovery of, on use of sperma- thecu, 36 (note). Proboscis of a worker. 56; wood-cuts of, Plates XIII., XVI., Figs. 63, 51. Profits of bee-keeping, Dziorzon's expe¬ rience in, 21 ; Sydserff’s calculation of, 146 (note); dependent on strong stocks, 176; difficulty of estimating, 306 (note), safe estimate of, 306. Propolis, 76-80; whonco obtained, 76; curious sources of, in Mexico, 77 ; its uses, 77; bee-moth lays her eggs in, 78; curious anecdotes, illustrating its uses, 78. Prussia, bee-keeping encouraged by government of, 320 (nolo). Pupa, or boo-nymph, 45; heat required for its development, 46. Punk, smoke of, subdues bees, 27, 154. Q. Quoen-bee, wood-cut of (natural and magnified size), PI. XII., Figs. 31, 32; wood-cut of ovaries and spermatheca of, 35, PI. XVIII.; description of, 30; tho mother of the whole colony, 30; affectionate treatment of, by the other bees, 31; effect of her loss on the colony, 31; her fertility, 32; how her eggs are fecundated, 34-41; Huber discovers impregnation of, to take place out of hive, 34; dissection of, by Dr. Leidy, 34, 126 (note), 213 (note); effect of retarded impregnation ou, 36; she determines the sex of the egg, 38; Dr. Leidy’s dissection of a droue- luying, 38, 126 (note), 213 (note); at¬ tempt of bees to rear, from a drone- egg, 39; account of a drone laying, afterwards laying worker eggs, 40; a drone laying, with shrivelled wings, 40; Italian, impregnated by common drones, produce Italian drones, while tho females are a cross, 41, 324 (note 2); becomes incapable of impregna¬ tion, 42; process of laying, 43; devel¬ opment of. in pupa state, 46; enmity of, to each other, 46,120, 205-207 ; can regulate development of eggs in her ovaries, 47 ; disposition by, of super¬ numerary eggs, 48; fertility of, de¬ creases with age, 49, 223; longevity of, 49, 58; when superannuated, lays only drone-eggs, 49; why impreg¬ nated in tho air, 53 ; office of, no sine¬ cure, 58; Italian, use of, to show how long workers live, 59; manner of rear¬ ing, 62; larva) of, effects o\ royal jelly on, 63; process of rearing in special emergency, 66; development of, an argument against infidelity, 68; old, loads first swarm, 111; often lost in swarming, 112; loss of, in swarming, causes bees to return to parent stock, 113; howto prevent, from deserting new hivo, 115; influence of, in causing hoes to cluster, 117 ; prevented by bees from killing inmates of royal cells, 121; piping of, 121; several sometimes accompany after-swarms,122; emerges from her cell mature, 122; young more active ou wing than old, 123; young often reluctant to leave hive, 123; young, does not leave for impregna¬ tion till established as solo head, 51, 125; her precautions to regain he* INDEX, 405 hivo, 125; never molested by drones in hive, 127 (note); begins laying two days after impregnation, 128; lays mostly worker-eggs the first year, 128; never stings, except in combat with other queens, 136, 201; alacrity of, in entering hive for new swarm, 136; young, often lost after swarm¬ ing, 141 ; her loss easily remedied by mov. comb hive, 141; unfertile, diffi¬ cult to remove in common hives, 141; when immature, bees do not build worker-comb, 149; seldom enters side apartments, 152; signs indicating her presence or absence in forced swarms, 158; supply of sealed, for forced swarming, how to secure, 166; how to cut sealed ones from comb, 166; fertile, deprived of wings, to prevent swarming, 173; may be confined to prevent swarming, 171; unfertile, should not be confined, 175; fertile, easily supplied to destitute mother- stocks, 182; young, in after-swarms, lay few drone-eggs, 184 (note); to raise, for artificial swarming, 188; when to bo given to newly-forced swarms, 189; to induce bees to raise, on what part of the comb you please, 191; her value, 192 (note) ; can she be developed from any worker-larva*? 192 (note 2); made to supply several stocks with eggs, 193; will lay eggs while under inspection, 196 (note); caution needed in giving, to strange stocks, 200; stranger, how to induce stocks to receive, 201 ; protected by queen-cage, 201; care to be used in catching, 202; never stings, but sometimes bites, 202, 204 ; may be lost if allowed to fly, 202; her great appetite, 202; her life indispensable to the safety of the colony, 204 ; loss of, see “Loss of Queen young, dan¬ gers besetting, 213; should be given to queenless stocks in Spring, 221 ; when unimpregnated, colony should be watched, 222 ; when unimpreg¬ nated, hides, 222; wings of, may bo clipped for artificial swarming, 222; how to mark the age of, 223; fertility of, diminished by hunger and cold, 223 (note 1); should be removed in their third year, and new one given, 223; regular and systematic, best, 223 (note 2); odor of, 226; removal of, a remedy for foul-brood, 258; sur¬ plus, reared by Dzierzon, in suspected hives, 260 ; deserted by her subjects when they have been conquered by stronger stocks, 263 (and note ); should bo removed before smothering the bees, when stocks are broken up for their honey, 306 (note) ; Italian, how to propagate, 326; after being chilled, lay only drono-eggs, 327. Queen-bees, why, when two fight, both are not killed, 205; combat of, as wit¬ nessed in one of uuthor’s observing hives, 205. Queen-cage, use and construction of, 201, 325. Queen cells, see Royal cells. Queenless stocks, signs of, 219, 245; to be supplied with queens, 221; in Oc¬ tober, should be united with other stocks, 223; a sure prey to the moth, if not protected in time, 224 (and note). Quinby, M., author of a very valuable work on bee-keeping, 249 (note); on the ravages of the larvse of bee-moth, 249 (note); on shape of mov. comb hives, 330 (note 3); on wintering bees, 348; on equalizing colonies when re¬ moved from Winter repository, 361 (note 2); on making bees work in a double tier of surplus honey-boxes, 365 (note). R. Radlkofer, Doctor, on over-stocking, 300; on the Italian bee, 325. Rapping on hives, its effect on bees, 27, 155, 204. Raspberry, one of the best bee-plants, and very abundant in hill towns of New England, 296. Reaumur, his account of a snail covered with propolis, by bees, 78; his error as to the treatment of strange queens by bees, 201; thought there were two species of bee-moth, 228. Reid, Dr., on the shape of honey-cells, 75. Religion, revealed, appeal to those who reject, 52. Remedies for bee-stings, 314-317. Riem, the first to notice fertile workers, 55. Ringing bells, in swarming time, use¬ less, 113. Requisites of a complete hive, 95-108. Robbers, highway, bees sometimes act the part of, 262. Robbing, by bees, frequent, when for¬ age is scarce, and caution against, 199, 261, 263; how prevented, 261- 266; committed chiefly on feeble or queonless colonies, 261; signs indicat¬ ing a bee engaged in, 261,265 ; begets a disrelish for honest pursuits, 262, 264 (and note); movable entrance blocks protect bees against, 264; infatuation produced by, on bees, 264; caution needed in checking, when a hive is vigorously attacked, 265; how to stop bees engaged in, 265; secret, its rem¬ edy, 266. Royal colls, described, 62; wood-cuts of, Plates XIII., XIV., and XV.; atten¬ tion paid to, by workers, 62; why they open downwards, 63; number o£ 406 INDEX, In a hire, 63; how supplied with eggs, 63; description of, 66; when built, 111; queens prevented from destroy¬ ing, 121; remains of, indicate number of queens hatched, 121; may be re¬ moved in mov. comb hives, to pre¬ vent alter-swarming, 124 ; how to de¬ cide whether inmate of has been hatched or killed, 121; how to cut out of combs, 166; sign that the queens in, are nearly mature, 167; how to make bees rear, in convenient places on the comb, 191; to be given to colonies second day after removal of queen, 223. Royal jelly, see Jelly, royal Rye meal, see Meal. S. Sagacity of bees. 47, 48. Salt, fondness of bees for, 272. Scent, see Smell and Odor. Schirach, on artificial rearing of queens, 148. Scouts sent out by swarms to find a new home, 117 ; necessity of, 118. Scraper for cleansing the bottom-board of mov. comb hive, 347. Scudamore, Dr., on many swarms clus¬ tering together, 137. Secret recipe for keeping stocks strong, 6hnm vendor of, 238. Scholtz, Mr., on wintering bees in clamps, 348-360. Sex of bees, determined by queen, 38. Shakspeare’s description of the Hive,268. Shrimplin, experiment of, showing im¬ pregnation to take place in the air, 127. Sick persons, the care of, beneficial to man, 313. Siehold, Professor, extracts from his Parthenogenesis, 126 (note); his dis¬ section of spermatheca, 127 (note); found spermatozoa in worker, but not in drone eggs, 41 ; on bee life, 144 (note); recommends movable frames, 321 (note 2). Sight of bees, acute, for distant objects, 117. Signs of swarming, 111; of queenless colonies, 219,224; of preseuce of moths in hive, 242. Size of hives, 329-332. Smell, of hives, in gathering season, 177 (note); strange bees distinguished by, 208; the same, to be given in uniting colonies, 203; sense of, in bees, acute, 313; of their own poison, irritates bees, 314. Smoke, importance of, in subduing bees, 27,154 ; its use in forced swarm¬ ing, 165,168, 169; its use of, vory an¬ cient, 210; drives clustered bees in¬ side of hive, 281; useful in removing surplus honey, 289. Smothering bees, cautions for prevent¬ ing, 281. Snails, sometimes covered by bees with propolis, 78. Snow, bees perish on, when carrying out their dead, 98; sometimes fatal to bees, 338 (note 1); often harmless to bees, 361 (note 1). Solidago, see Golden Rod. Sontag, F., on meal as a substitute for potion, 84. Spare honey, see Honey, surplus. Spermatheca, of the queen-bee, wood- cut and description of, 35; PI. XVIII., Fig. 55; dissection of, 34, 126 (note), 213 (note). Spermatozoa, found in spermatheca of queen-bee, 34,126 (note). Sphinx Atropos, see Moth, Death-head. Spinola, described the Italian bee, 318 (note). Spring, importance of sun-hent in, to hives, 101; feeble stocks in, unprofit¬ able, 177 ; examination of bees, in, im¬ portant, 221; colonies should be fed, in, 267, 268. Sprinkling bees, should not be done to excess, 170; cools their robbing fren¬ zy, 203. Starving of bees, often happens when there is honey in the hive, 336, 342. Sting, Revan’s description of, 66; PI. XVII., Fig. 53; microscopic appear¬ ance of, 57 ; loss of, fatal to bees, 57 ; loss of, in stinging, a benefit to man, 68; of queen, 65; wood-cut of queen’s, PI. XVIII. Sting, poison of, dangerous to some, 813; remedies for, 314-317; smell ot poison of, irritating to bees, 314; in¬ stant extraction of important, 314; rubbing the wound made by, should be avoided, 314; Mr.'Wagner's rem¬ edy for, 315; different remedies an¬ swer for different persons, 315; hu¬ man system may bo inured to, 316 (note); amusing remedy for, 310 (note). Stinging, bees, when gorged, disinclined to, 25, 169, 3«8; little risk of, unless bees are irritated, 28, 168, 170; risk of, diminished by use of mov. comb hive, 209; diseased bees inclined to, 310; risk of, not increased by prox¬ imity to the hive, 211 (note); not to be feared from a bee away from its hive, 312; effect of, sometimes dan¬ gerous, 312; Italian bee less inclined to, than common bee, 322, 324. Stocks, of bees (see also colonies of bees), enfeebled by “ in-and-in breed¬ ing,” 54; strong, will rapidly fill empty comb, 71; often lose young queens after swarming, 141; fowor in this INDEX, 407 country than they were years ago, 145; often refuse to swarm, 139, 145, 147; new, work better than old, 153; if weak in Spring, usually unprofit¬ able, and sometimes require to be fed, 177; the less disturbed, the better for surplus honey, 18(>; best mode for rapid increase of. 184; doubling, tre¬ bling, &c., 185; subject to great loss of bees in storms, 180; rapid increase of, hopeless in vicinity of sugar- houses, &c., 199; hostility of, to strange queens, 2U0; when united, the bees should be gorged with honey, 2U1; will adhere to the hive when the queen is lost, if supplied with brood- comb, 218; queeniess, should be brokeu up, if not supplied with a queen or brood-comb, 218; Spring care of, 221; healthy, destroy the drones when forage is scarce, 224; weak, with uncovered comb, infested by moths, 242; suffering from hunger, are an easy prey to the moth, 246 (and note). Stocks, union of, see Union of colonies. Stomach of worker, wood-cut of, PI. XVII., Fig. 54. Stoves, air-tight, deficient in ventila¬ tion, 92; Franklin, a good kind of, 92 (note). Straw, use of, for protecting hives, 337. Stupefaction of bees, by smoko, chloro¬ form, and ether, 210. Sturtevant, E. T., on wintering bees, 840. Suffocation of bees, symptoms, 00. Sugar, its elements, 70. Sugar-candy, see Candy. Sugar-water, use of to pacify boos, 26; 154, 168-170; how to apply it, 170; used in mingling stocks, 203. Sulphur, use of, in killing eggs and worms of bee-moth, 243. Sun, heat of, importun t to bees in Spring, 101, 368. Superstitions about bees, 79. Surplus honey, see Iloney, surplus. Swallow, address of Grecian poet to a bee-eating, 253. Swammerdam, his drawing of queen’s ovaries described, 35; great merits of, as an observer, 65 (note); his drawing of queen’s ovaries, PI. XVIII.; how he learned the internal economy of the hive, and his reverence in study¬ ing the works of Nature, 164 (note); spoke of two species of bee-moth, 228. Swarms, new, often construct drone- comb to store lionoy, 51; number of bees in a good one, 64; first ones led by old queens, 111; no sure indica¬ tions at first, 111; will settle without ringing of bells, &c., 113; more in¬ clined to olopo, if bees aro neglected, 114; how to arrest a fugitive, 114; how to prevent, from deserting a new hive, 115; indications of intonded de- sortion, 115; clustering of, before de¬ parture, of special benefit to man, 1 16; send out scouts, 117 ; sometimes build comb of fence-rails, &c., 118; bow parent hive is repopulated, after de¬ parture of, 119; composed of young and old bees, 119; none of the bees of new, return to parent hive, 120; signs and time of second, 122; sometimes settle in several clusters, 122; singu¬ lar instance of plurality of queens (in Mexico), 122; signs ami time of third, 123; first, sometimes swarms again, 128; new, reluctant to enter heated hives, 130; often taken possession of deserted hives stored with comb, but 8 el don i of empty hives, 131; trees con¬ venient for clustering of, 131 : can be mado to alight on a selected spot, 131 ; hiving of, should not be delayed, 132; several, clustering together, 137 ; may be separated by hiving in large hive, 137 ; hissing sound of bees while swarming, causes other stocks to swarm, 137 ; how to prevent their mingling, 138 ; should be placed where intended to stand, as soon as hived, 138; how to proceed when hivo is not ready to receive, 139; feeble after- swarms, of little value, 140,141; strong, tempted to evil courses, 141; many, annually lost, 143; danger of losing, in swarming season, 144 ; decrease of in bees, after swarming, 151 (ami note); new, have greater energy than old, 153; forced, 154; will enter hives without the queen, 159 (note); when forced, how to induce to adhere to new locations, 163 (and note); to avoid risk of losing, in swanning- time, 173; too rapid multiplication of, unprofitable, 176; Rccond, usually valueless, unless early, and season good, 177; weak, may bo strength¬ ened by use of mov. comb hive, 17S ; one new, made from two old ones, 181 (note 3); artificial, rapid increase of with move, comb hive, 183; dangers attending, in large apiaries where the hives are uniform in appearance and near together, 216; how to avoid the danger, 217 ; Washington Irving’s ac¬ count of, in the West, 236 (note) ; new, need more air than old, 2S1; precautions in moving, 281; a late one, 366. Swarming, signs of, 111; indisposes bees to return to parent hive, 120; unsea¬ sonable, often caused by famine, 116 ; causes bees to mark the place of their new abode, 120; incident in, in Mex¬ ico, 123; aftor, caro needed to pro¬ servo young brood in parent hive, 124; in tropical climates, at all 6ea- 408 INDEX. sons, 12S; season of, 128; inconven¬ iences of, 189-147; artificial, mode of for common hives. 154; best pre¬ vented by use of Author's hive, 153; for the season, can be accomplished in lew days with author’s Hive, 173; time of natural, easily determined in author’s hive, 173 (note); prevented by clipping wings of queen, 173, 223; prevented by contracting the entrance of hive, 174; last plan not thoroughly tested, 174 (note 3); frequent, unprof¬ itable, 176; best mode of artificial, 181; how to obtain extra queens in natural, 190 (note) ; interesting anec¬ dote of, 308. Swarming, artificial, see Artificial Swarming. * Swarming, natural, see Natural Swarm¬ ing. Swarming season, commencement and duration of, 111, 128. Sweaty horses, detested and often killed by bees, 313. Sydserff’s calculation of profits of bee culture, 146 (note). T. Table, illustrating the increase of stocks by artificial swarming, 185; of form¬ ing nuclei, 191. “Taking up bees,” facilitated by mov. comb hive, 209; suggestions as to time of, 306 (note). Temperature of hive, rises at time of swarming, 130. Theories often fail, when put to a prac¬ tical test, 175 (note). Thistle, Canada, a good bee-plant, 296. Thomson, poetical extract from, upon killing bees, 239; on bees in linden trees, 293. Thorley, John, first stupefied bees by puff-ball smoke, 210. Tidd, M. M , his experiment on a female moth, 230 (note 2); notices the differ¬ ence between tongue of the male and female moth, 230. Time of bees, economized in mov. comb hive, 95, 96; importance of saving, 305. Timid persons may safely remove sur¬ plus honey, 289-291 ; should use bee- dress while hiving bees, 132, 154; often stung while other persons sol- dom are, 168; some should not at¬ tempt to rear bees, 209. Toads, eat bees, 254. Tobacco, should not be used for subdu¬ ing bees, 169. Top-boxes, for surplus honey, should be used with caution, 330 (note). Transferring bees from common to mov. comb hive, 282-284; mode of, 282; best time for, 283; results of, 284. Transportation of bees, easy in mov. comb hive, 281. Traps for moths, usually worthless, 244. Trees, combs built on, by bees, 118; apiaries should bo near, 131; substi¬ tute for, 131; limbs of, need not be cut, in hiving bees, 133; shade of, agreeable to bees, 280; honey-pro¬ ducing, 292. Tulip (poplar, or white wood), tree yields great quantities of honey, 292. U. Union of colonies, facilitated by giving them the same smell, 203; mode ot, 203, 204; for wintering, 336. Unbelief in revelation not prompted by true philosophy, 52. Uncleanly persons disagreeable to boos, 313. V. Varnish, used by bees in place of propo¬ lis, 80. Vnrro, his romark that bees in largo hives become dispirited, 208. Ventilation, furnished to larvro by shape of cells, 75; of the hive, 88-94; pro¬ duced l»y the fanning of bees, 88; Iluber on, 88; its necessity, 89; re¬ marks on, in human dwellings, 91; provided for and easily controlled in mov. comb hive, 93, 94; artificial, must bo simple to he useful, 93; should be attended to after swarming, 124; ample, should be given while bees art* storing honey, 288,366; how to give, in Winter, 338; upward, needed in Winter, 338, 340 (note), 241, 360. Vice, effect of, on man. compared to ravages of the moth, 235. Virgil, described the Italian boo, 318. W. Wagner, Samuel, letter of, on mov. comb hives, 17-18; theory of, on how queen determines sex of egg, 38; his account of bees building comb on a tree, 118 ; on the offset of soil on tho quality of honey-yielding plants, 294 (note); on tho Swedish white clover, for bees and stock, 295; letter of, on over-stocking, 300; letter of, on the Italian bee, 317; extracts from, on preserving the purity of the Italian bee, 323 (notes); states a remarkablo fact concerning hybrid beos, 324 (note INDEX. 40 ? 2); attempt of, to import Italian beo, 3*28 (note); translation of Scboltz on wintering bees, 318-300. War, how waged by different colonies, 263. Wasps, fecundation of, 35; injure fruit, 86 ; should be destroyed in Spring, 87 ; torpid in Winter, 109. Water, necessary to be supplied for bees confined, 189 (and note); the re¬ fusal of, in Spring, by bees, indicative of a queenless colony, 219 (and note); cold, useful iu checking robbery, 265; indispensable to bees when building comb, or rearing brood, 271, 342-346; bees need, in cold weather, 342-340; advantages of giving, to bees in cold Springs, 343. Wax, scales of, wood-cuts, PI. XIII., Figs. 37 and 38; secreted from honey, G9, 275; pouches for, 69; wood-cut of, PI. XIII., Fig. 38; Huber’s experi¬ ments on secretion of, 69; pollen may aid its secretion, 70; its elements, 71; large quantity of honey consumed in secretion of, 71; shavings of, used by bees, to build new comb, 72; a ball conductor of heat, 73; pollen useful in its secretion, 82, 197; origin of, dis¬ covered by Ilornbostel, 204 (note); the food of the larva? of the beo-moth, 233, 247 ; how to render, from comb, 288. Weather, unpleasant, delays of pre¬ vents swarming, 112. West India honey, as bee-food, 256 (note), 270. Wetherell, I)r. C. BI., his analysis of royal jelly, 64. Wheaton, Levi, on upward ventilation, 276 (note 1); on wintering bees, 346 (note 1). White clover, see Clover, white. Weigel, Rev. Mr., first recommended candy as bee-feed, 272. Wheeler, George, on ancient bar-hives, 210 (note). Willow, varieties of, abound iu honey and pollen, 292. Wildman, Thomas, feats of, in handling bees, 308; states the fact that fear disposes colonies to unite, 203 (note); his approach to modern modes of taming bees, 204 (note); on the queen’s odor, 226. Winds, bees should be protected against, 103, 180, 279. Wings of qneonR, may be made to mark their ago, 223. Winter, wasps and hornets, but not bees, torpid in, 109, 335; quantity of honey needed by a stock in, 274 ; bees eat less in, when kept quiet, 335, 365, 358; bees should bo protected from winds of, 337 ; bees in, if out of doors, should be allowed to fly, 337, how to ventilate hives in, 338; snow in, when injurious to bees, 338 (note 1); bees need water in. 342-346; when honey is candied in. bees need water, 342-344; disturbing bees in, injurious, 347, 355; fewer bees die in, when hives are in clamps, than when in other special depositories, 358; tem¬ porary removal of colonics in, to a warm room, 341, 362. Wintering bees, 335-361 ; objections to, in the open air, 335; how to get honey for, in centre of hive, 336; bee pas¬ sages in comb for, 337 (and note 1), 339 (and note); in a dry vault or cel¬ lar, 348; in special repositories, 348- 360; further experiments in, needed, 360; requires caution in removing them from winter quarters, 361. Wives, a friendly word to, 220. Wood-cuts, explanation of, 11, 371. Women, Americuu, suffer from bnd ven¬ tilation, 92. Worker-comb, size of the cells of, 74; all good, can be used in mov. comb hive, 130; not built uuless bees have a mature queen, 149. Worker-bees, are females, with unde¬ veloped ovaries, 29; when fertile, their progeny always drones, 36; Huber’s theory concerning fertile, 37, 55; sometimes exalted to bo queens, 37; one raised from a drono egg, hy Dr. DdnholT, 41; incapable of impregnation. 42; wood-cuts of, PI. XII., Figs. 35, 36; number of, in swarm, 54; author’s opinion respect¬ ing fertile, 55; fertile prefer to lay in drone cells, 55; honey-bag, 56; repre¬ sentation of, Pi. XVII., Fig. 54, A.; use of proboscis of, 56; wood-cut of probos¬ cis of, PI. XVI., Fig. 51; pollen-basket, 56; sting, 56; wood-cut of, PI. XVII., Fig. 53; loss of sting, fatal, 57 ; do all the work oft he hive, 58; their age, 58; lesson of industry from, 59; attention to royal cells, 62; wood-cut of abdo¬ men of, PI. XVI., Fig. 52; two kinds of, described by Huber, 192 (note 2); differently occupied in different peri¬ ods of life, 194 ; impulse of, to gather honey, undeveloped in early life, 195. Worms, see Bee-nioth, larva? of. Wormwood, use of. for driving away robbing bees, 265 (note). Wurtemberg, number of its colouies of beos, 304. Z. Zollickoffer, II. M., his account of bees building combs on a troe, 118. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. PHILADELPHIA. Will be sent by mail, fast paid, on receipt of the price. The Albert IV’ Yanza. Great Basin of the Nile, and Explorations of the Nile Sources. By Sir Samuel White Baker, M. A., F. R. G. S., &c. With Maps and numerous Illus¬ trations, from sketches by Mr. Baker. New edition. Crown 8vo. 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