A ^ >**- V t LIBRARY OF COW] HESS, t 'vx,/ sr5a3 '??: ■/. /"/■ \lTKi) STATES OF AMURICi.S »m»»»^ttA*A^^AAH,i,AAAAAttit*AtAii aM^©^i ®©© ®@®k§ l^Ji^lrotection afforded by these absentees, who, when they return, offer the necessary care to preserve the household with its interests. When a new colony leaves the hive, and goes off without alighting on a shrub or bush, it is, as a gen- eral thing, tiiose swarms which hang upon the out- side of the iiive. It is an unusual occurrence, that swarms which hang upon the outside of the hive, leave until they have sent oft' ambassadors to select a suitable home for their future abode. Now, if bees are hived immediately after they have alighted, or before they have despatched their agents to select a new tenement, they will not leave at all, if their new residence has been made agreeable, and clear of everything offensive to them, and sufficiently commodious (for it is want of room that causes swarming.) Tlien, to secure the new swarm, we re- commend *' artificial swarming." This is easily and effectually accomplished in my new "Book Hivr:," a description, together with the mode of operating, is hereafter given. 13 "W. A. Flanders' Movable-Comb Bee-Hives. Eacli successive year places these Mves still higher in the estimation of an appreciative piil)lic. It is now past fiiteen years since my first improvement in bee-hives was oiiered to the apiarians of the United States. Since which time I have been employed in handling and experimenting with the honey bee, in the Eastern and Western States. I now commence another year of study and experience with renewed cheerfulness, on account of the discoveries relative to the habits, disposition, and other general charac- teristics, which have been made by me, only to incite me to further study. I likewise feel happy that my humble efforts have met with such generous appre- ciation. Valuable improvements have been added to my hives the past year, as well as having made many important discoveries in the nature and working economy of this interesting insect. Many things are yet, without doubt, to be learned ; and whatever ob- servations or discoveries may be made in the future, shall be freely announced to the public. No fear is entertained that succeeding revalations will in any wise be contradictory or annihilatory of principles already laid down in any of my publications, as they have been satisfactorily established as natural laws, and have been abundantly verified. To enable the cultivator to avail himself of all the advantages of the already known habits of the bee, in order to promote their pros]3erity, and enable the common bee-keeper to learn practically all that be- longs to its culture, I have invented a hive upon a modified plan of the celebrated "Debeauvoy Hive of 1851," diflering materially from the " Common Mova- ble-Comb Hive " of the present day. I have com- pleted a series of observations with it, all of which have been highly satisfactory and profitable. Its structure, its commodiousuess, its accommodating departments, are skillfully adapted for the home of 14 these fruitful little artizans. It is denominated the " Book Bee-Hive," and is advertised with that title. Fig. 1. — Book Bee-Hive. (Patented by W. A. Flanders.) The above and following cuts representW. A. Flan- ders' latest improvement, which is a modilicatiou of Debeauvoy's Movable-Comb Hive of 1851, and W. A. Flanders' Patented Movable Comb Hive of April 5th, 1864, with subsequent improvements. This hive, it will be seen, opens in the rear; the Comb Frames, being hung on suitable hinges, may be opened readi- ly, removed and returned, without injury to the combs or bees, by removing the top boxes and cap above them Figure 1 shows the front and side of the hive. Figure 2 shows the side and rear of the hive, with one side opened, the frames articulating on their hinges. 15 Fig. 2.— Book Bee-Hive— Side and Back View. (Patented by W. A. Flanders.) Our Patents and Claims. We will uow explain our patents and improve- ments, as embraced in tlie above hives. United States Letters Patent No. 42,181, granted to W. A. Flanders, April 5tli, 1864. "Claims." First — I claim in combination with a dividing hive constructed substantially as specified, hinging the comb frames, by means of the extension hinge E F, to the back or front walls, so that, in opening the hive, the comb frames are brought out of the hive in the manner and for the purposes set forth. Second — I claim so hinging the back or front of the hive, and attaching the comb frames thereto, that on opening the hive, ail the comb frames attached to one section may be swung out of the hive together, as and for the i^urposes specified. 16 Third — I claim in combination the curtained tube J, the division board H, tube H', and glass H", oper- ating as described for the x>urpose specified. Fourth — I claim the Queen and Drone cages, when constructed and operated as specified. ,Pifth — I claim the disk K, with the openings 1, 2, 3 and 4, in combination with the oi)eniug L, arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth. Sixth — I claim forming the joints of any portion of the bee-hive that opens and shuts so that the angle and edge of the parts forming the joint or joints will not separate upon opening the hive, or impinge upon each other when the parts are being closed, substan- tially as specified, for the i^urpose set forth W. A. FLANDERS. Witneesea- ^Jno. H. Cox, vvitncBses. ^^^j^ Farrington. " General Claims." Ist. I claim the sanded or glassed paper for the comb guides, as set forth. 2d. I claim the sanded surfaces for the interor of the bee-hives to prevent the bees sticking or gluing the parts together. 3d. I claim the use of sanded paper for lining the passages which communicate from comb to comb, ensuring an easy communication for the bees to the outside combs for supplies in winter. 4tli. I claim the necessary ways or passages for the bees, from the breeding chamber of the hive up through the comb frames into the surplus honey boxes above, as set forth. 5th. I claim the reversable front entrance having the diverging ways, or passages for the bees to enter, to the right and left of the common entrance, for the purpose of excluding the sunlight, moths, robber bees, and storms from the interior of the hive, and producing a uniform temperature in total darkness, while the bees are allowed to i)riss and repass with- out hindrance, thus protecting them from the dan- gers which beset them at any time of the year. 6th. I claim the preserver filled with calcined clay 17 or pounded brick, placed on the frames and in com- bination with the hive and frames in winter, as specified. Ttli. I claim ventilating the hive through the out- side of the comb frames and the diverging "ways" of the common entrance, as set forth. W. A. FLANDERS. Witnesses • 5 J' ^- BuECKBiLL, \V jnesses . ^ .p ^^ Wiggins. General Remarks. From the above it may be seen that we have se- cured more advantages than any other hives possess. I claim that with my improvements as above, no swarm properly provisioned and prepared need ever " freeze out " in the coldest climate, when wintered on their "summer stands" in tlie open air. Nor will they fly out in the sunniest days, and die upon the ground in cold weather, but remain quietly in a semi-torpid .state in the dark, while no moisture is near them. I have by experiment satisfied the most skeptical that a "shallow chamber" above and in connection with the frames, is a " shallow concern," of no use, but a positive injury to the bees in the win- ter, while it can (better) be dispensed with at all times So also with "movable honey boards," the toj) of the comb frames form the best "honey board," or foundation for the honey recej^tacles ; at the same time the queen should be i)revented from going be- tween the frames into the honey boxes, to injure the box honey with her brood. This is accomplished in my hives, while the "necessary passages for the bees are i^reserved." From the most extensive experi- ments, I am satisfied that the size and shape which M. Quinby has adopted is the safest and best that can be used in any country. I am satisfied " as much de- pends on the shape and size of a bee-hive as any one thing," as Mr. Quinby remarks. I can not make the matter more explicit than to give Mr. Quinby's ex- planation of the most suitable dimensions for a hive : " Size of the brooding chamber, (inside measure) 12^ inches high, 12 inches wide, and 19^ inches long." 18 Mr, Quinby's Remarks on Hives. " I will notice some of the different forms, and tlie reader may decide for himself whicli, nnder the cir- cumstances, suit him hest, and let this be an answer to all who would write me to inquire which I con- sider the hest hive, witli the shape of the hive : — (12xl9^xr2J, tfec.) I am satisfied, the depth is all that the comb will sustain when filled with honey, and the oreater lenifth of each requires a less num- ber (8 frames) to fill the hive The bees will store the back end with honey and rear their brood in the front end, and use nearly every comb for both purposes. This is the rule in properly managed stocks. When the winter approaches there are empty cells in the front end, and honey enough in the other to last through the cold weather, without obliging the bees to change from one comb to another to obtain it. They have only to move backward as the honey is consumed, on the same principle that they would move upward in a hive erfect bee. /, eggs clianging to larva ; e the worlier bees just before hatching out ; n shows a "Eoyal'Cell" with the grub in it,' three days old ; g is the drono brood capped over. 26 QUEEN-CELLS Fig. 5. Fig. 5 represents the edge of a piece of comb with im- l>erfect queen-cells attached ; d shows where the embryo, qneen has met a violent death, rival queens having toin the sides of the cell open ; c shows the wav the workers reduce the cells to an a'Com shape after they liave been demolished by a rival queen. Fig. 2 is natural size. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are reduced one-half. Fig. 4. Fig. 4 represents the edge of a comb with two queen- cells attached. a shows where the queen has just emerged from the cell and left the cap attached at its back edge where she made her exit below, head fore- most ; b shows a perfect qixeen-cell, from which the queen has not hatched. Raising and Supplying Queens to Destitute S"warnis. This snhject is r('i)lete ^vith interest. It forms the mostr important chapter in the scientific cnlture of hecs. It is important because necessary. It is scien- tific hecause of the general and unchangeal)le laws pertaining to it. Every bee-keeper should give it his practical attention, accompanied with close observa- tiou and study. Bee-culture without queen-raising, 27 can only be temporal prosperity, and " trust in luck^^ for remuneration. Hives, by frequent misfortunes, are destitue of re- gality witli its stimulating encouragements for its subjects, and central power, Hives which are thus queenless, often, if they have the eggs, repair their loss : but should a hive become in such a state, by changing a frame, containing eggs, from one hive to another (and introducing it into a warm place be- tween the'combs), we can remedy the loss by supply- ing them with eggs for their royal nursery, from which issues a queen, upon whom their aftections concentrate. (See Fig. 3.) The unsettled state of the swarm, their indisposi- tion for labor, and other characteristic movements of a colony whose government has met with the extinc- tion of royalty, are certain proofs of a queenless swarm. A swarm thus situated should be instantly supplied with eggs. If not furnished they will in- evitably perish. The former spirit of industry will vanish. "Confusion worse confounded" permeates the entire realm. The hum of jealous activity is changed to the strange buzz of discontent, only to languish into inevitable death, or to associate with a neighboring swarm, whose hospitable and kind re- ception oifers them aid to convey the stores to their newly found home. By dividing a few stocks ten days before practicing artificial swarming, the bees will have an extra lot of queens sealed in their cells ready to supply other swarms. To do this, exchange the frames that con- tain the sealed queens for others in the queenless hive ; or transfer them by cutting them out and care- fully placing them in a situation as near as possible to that from which they have been subtracted, in a swarm which you desire to supply. The excavation should be made with a small knife, and the piece of comb containing the queen-cell should be carefully inserted in a similar place cut in the comb in which you desire to insert it (see Fig. 2). If the queen-cell is slightly mutilated, there is sus- picion that its inmate may be injured. Tliere should be a space sufficiently large below the fjuci n-cell, to permit her departure from the cell head foremost, or the bees may attack her and destroy her. 28 Whenever a swarm of bees are found to be queeu- less in the fall, after the drones are gone, the bee- manager mnst follow the directions which are found under *' October management." Should he desire to " Italianize " his bees, it is now an excellent oi)por- tunity to introduce the " Italian Queen" to queenless stocks. It will be cheerfully accepted, and in pro- cess of time transmute the stock to that of the Italian breed. Send for our circulars. Surplus Honey. When a large amount of box honey is desired, owe artificial swarm should be made from two stock hives. This plan is strongly nu'ommended, as an in- crease of stock to the amount of one-third annually. It has been proved by actTial experiment to be tlie most successful way of insuring an increase, besides profitably managing an apiary. Sometimes when the season is a very favorable one, and the bee-keeper has had experience, a larger increase may be effected. It is impossible to get both a large increase in swarms and a large amount of honey in the same season, without skill and experience in manage- ment. With an increase of one-third each year, com- mencing with only two swarms, you may safely in- crease them, so that in ten years a stock of fifty swarms may be obtained, together with a large amount of surplus honey. By this method many vexations attending a more rapid increase may be avoided. The above estimate is reliable. To Hive Bees into a Movable-Comb Hive from the Bush. Take ofi" the cap and honey boxes, and shake the bees ofi' on the top of the frames. Blow the breath powerfully on them, or sprinkle them slightly with water, and they will speedily go below. Now replace the boxes and cap, and the straggling bees may be shaken at the moiith of the hive and they will enter speedily. Should tliej^ enter reluctantly, disturb them with a feather and sprinkle them with water 29 very slightly. This will hurry them into the hive. Should the weather prove unfavorable for collecting honey for several days, a frame filled with comb and brood without bees, should be given them from another hive, or they should be fed until the weather will permit them to commence out-door oi)erations. When a comb of honey and brood is given to them, they will not leave it and depart to the woods, be- cause they are set to "houselieeping" at once in a home of their own. It is well to rub a little bees- wax on the underside of the top of the frames, before you put the bees iuto the hive, as it is very accept- able to them, and sweetens the air of the hive. Robbing. When an attack is commenced, turn over the " Reg- ulating Entrance" so that tlie bees can pass and re- pass singly. This checlis operations, and robbing will cease at once. If this is not done, capture the robbers according to my " instructions " for putting disloyal bees to work in a hive by themselves. Removing Surplus Honey. When the honey is capped over in the boxes, it should be removed immediately, and other boxes fur- nished. They may be raised and a little smoke. blown under them to make the bees retire, Avhen they may be removed, or the " Bee Charm" may be used. Transferring Bees. This part of the management of bees should incite deep interest in the mind of the bee operator. It has temporal, because the preservation of bees enhances the quantity of the delicious products. It has a moral, because we are accountable for all acts de- structive of present enjoyments, whether of appetite or miud. We cannot favor the idea that producers shoukl be barbarously massacred, in order that the products should be enjoyed. There can be no justifi- cation for the act of destroying a colony of indus- trious insects by " fire and brimstone," when the in- 30 ventive genius of man has supplied methods bj which a momentary subjugation suffices to obtain a supply of their products, which can be justly con- sidered as a recompense for the fostering care be- stowed on them. To do this siicccssfully has been the desire of hundreds. It is gratifying to announce to the bee-keeper, that success has always attended the transfer of bees from the box and other hives to the Book Hive. The best time is known to be either before the swarming season commences, or about twenty days after the first swarm issues. They should not be transferred after the drones disappear as the queen miglit unfortunately be killed. In which case, though the bees rear another, there would be no drones to impregnate, the queens, and the stock would become extinct, unless a supply should be given. This is important and should be remembered. Operation. The old stock hive should be sprinkled with water to drive the bees all into the hive ; after which gently remove the stock hive to a short distance under the shade of a tree or outhouse. Set it down bottom side up. Blow a little smoke upon them, to induce them to fill themselves with honey and remain quiet. Before commencing, it may be advisable to secure the face by a head-dress, unless you have the ''Bee Charm." Now return to the old stand and place an empty hive where the stock hive stood, to decoy the bees and keep them contented as they return from abroad. Put a box of the same size as the stock hive over this in such a Avay as to confine tlie bees and prevent them from escaping. Take two sticks and rap smartly on the sides of the hive, not too hard, lest the combs may be detached, until the bees have nearly all gone into the temporary attic above, which they will do in about twenty minutes. Then lay down on the ground two sticks of wood so as to raise the hive about two inches from the ground, and set the box containing the bees upon them ; sprinkle the box with water. We now have 31 the stock hive without the bees, the sides of which should be pried oif by rmminf^ a long-bladed knife, or a hand-saw, between the sides of the hive and the combs to diseuga<>e the sides. The combs can then be carefully removed, one by one. Lay them on a table and put a comb frame on them. Cut the combs to fit it and seal them closely into the frame with melted rosin, by pouring it around the inside of the frames and combs. The combs should be placed into the frames in the same manner that they were orig- inally built (top side up), as the cells incline up- ward. The frames should be put into the new hive, which they are to occupy permanently, as fast as filled. The combs having been all transferred, shake the bees on the top of the combs and frames. Sprin- kle them with water or blow them down, as directed in the chapter on " Hiving Swarms." After the bees are hived, the hive should be partially closed, as di- rected, to prevent robbing, and set on the old stand exactli/ where the stock originally stood, and in twen- ty-four hours the bees will have put the house in order. I may add that it will accommodate them to clear the bottom board for them two or three times. The " drone cells " may be known by being very much enlarged. These should be thrown aside and rejected as only a few drones are necessary. There is consumed from three to five pounds of honey daily in some hives by the drones. This should satisfy any one of the advantages of destroying these '' gentle- men loafers." An operation so often neglected yet highly important in a proper aud remunerative man- agement of these interesting insects. Directions for Stocking the Apiary, with Rules for Purchasing Bees. Select two year old stocks of large size, that swarmed the previous year. It has been demon- strated that such stocks have young and vigorous queens, and are generally well conditioned, prom- ising a healthy generation. A very old stock should be rejected, even if it swarmed the year before and contained a yearling queen, for the obvious reason tliat the l>cos having been l)rod in the old contracted cells, will be found of small size and insignificant in numbers. If yon take your hive away to get a swarm placed into it, always purchase the first or prime swarm, and see that it is given to you Do not be put oh' with a second or late swarm. Choose you a stock to commence with as you would clioose a wife — "get the best you am findy If you obtain one in the old box hive, invert it and secure the bees by a cloth tiicked securely over the bottom. Take it home when the air is cool, attend to it regularly, obey the direc- tions as given, and then congratulate yourself as having started right. In the purchase of bees, there are many things it is well to observe. Remember if stock hives are to be procured, ascertain the age of the queen. To select a young healthful mother seems to be a for- ward step towards a vigorous progeny. -:^ How the Ravages of the Moth can be Prevented. It should be impressed on the minds of all who undertake the culture of bees, that great arid profit- able success depcuds on four indispensable conditions, viz : A good cultivator ; a good season ; a good bee- hive, and when these arc obtained the fourth requi- site is certain to follow, that is, " strong stocks," the Alpha and Omega in bee-keeping, without which all other conditions fiiil in giving success. All bee-hives will contain the fruits of the moth- miller, more or less. If the bee-keeper strictly ad- heres to artificial swarming, and thereby keeps strong stocks, no serious trouble will ensue on account of the depredations of the moth. It is advisable to keep the bottom-board cleared of filth. With a Mov- able-Comb or Book Hive, if worms are contained, they are easily removed from time to time ; because they are easily opened and re-adjusted. I do uot find any trouble with moth in Italian stocks. Taming Bees. By skilfully operating upon the five senses of the bees, viz : seeing, hearing, touch, taste and smell, they 33 c.in be subjected to the control and will of the bee- master. An entire swarm can be tamed in two min- utes, so that they can be handled fearless of their defensive weai)on. Reason teaches us that they should be carefully handled, avoiding all jostling or i^ressnre. Man him- self, when abused or roughly handled, is not free from a feeling of resistance, or quick defense. Why should bees then, armed defensively by nature, not retort when under a sense of pain or restriction, caused by any attack on themselves or their posses- sions? One rule bears thoughtfulness. Never manifest fear while operating with them. Whatever is attempted let no cowardice be witnessed by the bees. Avoid all offensive motions of the body, such as striking, or attempt to disperse those surrounding your person. You may imagine that their intention when they swarm around you is to sting you, when really they do not. By no means let a "];)anic" seize you and a retreat be sounded. Let their buzzing arm your confidence, stand firm ; they will not sting until the "buzz" is reduced to a liner note, when, by looking steadily on the ground with head bowed down, or putting your face in shrubbery, they will soon leave you. But should you decide on a hasty retreat, let it be done only as a " military necessity." Change your " base " quickly, and fall back silently, that the attacking party may be ignorant of your designs. In case the bee-keeper should excite his bees, and they become cross and ungovernable, it is then advisable for him as a j)recautionary measure to make use of a bee x)ro- tector or head-dress. The best preventive of an at- tack is the " Bee Charm," which will be forwarded by mail, post paid, for fifty cents per box, with in- structions for preparing it. W. A. Flanders' Bee Charm. This is composed of the extract of the Queen Bee, anise, fenugreek and other vegetable productions, which, if used according to directions, will quiet the irate disposition of the most angry swarm, so that 34 they can be haudled regardless of their animosity, and fearless of stiugs. It has a remarkable persua- sive influence over the bee. It at once lulls them into a quiescent state, Avithout physical injury to them in any way, and renders the bee-keeper a tamer of the ferocity of these insects with a speed and se- curity beyond that boasted of by the renowned Van Amburgh among the savage animals of the forest. While his l)ut illustrates the sole dominion of man over the mighty beasts of the forest, without any fruits beyond the admiring applause of an excited and breathless throng ; this holds these insects un- der a captivating inliuence in order to yield the luxury of luxuries for man's delicious enjoyment It is the apiarian's power ; his magic wand ; his pride. He dismisses, with a conscious ]>leasure the barbarous code of the past, by which colony after colony suffered total extirpation, and congratulates himself that now he accumulates the regal wealth of an insect tribe with a conquest not of barbarity and devastation, but with one accompanied by the pleasurable emo- tions of love and pure enthusiasm. To Use the Bee Charm. The bee keeper should rub three or four drops on the fingers, lips and face. Then blow his breath on the swarm, strongly and constantly, as long as he can for three or four times, at such a distance as will ensure a cool breath. This will greet them and sud- denly '' charm" them so effectively that they will not show any hostility towards the operator. It will af- fect them less when they are raising young queens than at any other times. I have repeatedly offered one hundred dollars, while in attendance at different State and County fairs, to any person who would furnish a stock so incensed and irritable, that I could not put its bees in my mouth in three minutes after they have been in my possessi(ui. I have invarialdy lieen successful in lul- ling their angry passions and bringing them under }my control. Although bee keepers, who have at first been ske^Jtical and desirous of trial, have brought to me many exceedingly ill disposed stocks, I have uni- 35 versally satisfied them of the magnetizing proijerties of this wonderful charm. I have, to satisfy a crowd, repeatedly shaken a swarm on its heads without a sting being inflicted, or fear ajiprehended. Feeding Bees. Bees should he so reared as to yield the apiarian a supply of their luxurious stores, rather than demand a supply from him. We, however, admit that advan- tages are often derived from feeding bees. Many stocks sometimes perish for the want of sufficient food to keep them alive for a few days. This is a material loss and disadvantage to their owner. At other times, if they are fed a little, it greatly for- wards the brood; and it is often discovered that stocks fed in the early part of spring generally in- crease more in one week in numbers, than they would do in two weeks where no feed is allowed They sliould be in such a condition in September as to allow them to winter safely without feeding. They should weigh in my hives, twenty-five pounds above the weight of the hive, on the first of October for safe wintering on tlieir own collection of stores. If they fall below that weight in September, they should be joined or united with other stocks similar- ly proA^ded with honey, or be judiciously fed in Sep- tember, until they do contain twenty-five pounds net, which, together with the weight of the hive, will average seventy-five pounds. All hives and fixtures for the reception of bees and honey, should be weighed and the weight indelibly marked, with weight before bees are put into it. This is important." It not only confirms the bee- keeper in his systematic management, but it is actu- ally requisite in order to judge of the weight of stocks, and ascertain if feeding be required. Feeding unbolted rye or buckwheat flour, in the early part of spring, is a good preventive against " robbing." Honey is the best "bee-feed," and with my Book Hive, a stoek of bees can be kept alive through the winter on two-thirds of the honey it would require 36 to keep the same in the box hives. The rea- son is x>lain. The honey can he eqnally distrihnted to all the stock. If any' of the stock wants more at any time dnring the winter, on fair days '' rob Peter to pay Paul," by changing combs from strong stocks to the weaker ones, and by thus equalizing the stores the advantages of preservation of such stocks by the Movable-Comb Hive which can not be secured in the Box Hive. Ventilating Bees. For healthful ventilation, air should be supplied to the Hive, in a sufficient quantity to keep the Hive dry and sweet inside. JFor winter ventilation, the air should be admitted through the top of the hive, and on the outside of the comb frames only, so that the air will commingle with the rarilied air within, and thus equalize tlie temperature of the Hive. The old method of vent- ilating a hive at the bottom is the worst that can be adopted. Air is as necessary to the bee as to man. Their existence depends on its supply. Our Book Hive is ventilated perfectly. (See " General Re- marks," page 17.) To Keep Bees in a Hive from Year to Year "Without Running Out. This is accomplished by swarming bees artificially, that is by dividing them with the aid of my " Book Hive," whereby one-half of the comb is renewed an- nually. It is necessary every fourth year to remove the old comb, instead of dividing the swarm, while the bees are allowed to remain in the hive and refill it. This is easily done by lifting off the side contain- ing the old comb, and shaking the bees into the other part. One comb at a time is all that is necessary to be removed, after which they may be returned. The bees will continue in a healthy and active condition for years. It has been recommended to destroy all 37 the old queens, that are three years old and upward. But how are we to arrive at her age ? It could ouly be doue by marking the queens, uialving a registra- tion of royal births, or cutting olf one wing each year. The latter savors of the Jewish royal edict of Herod, that all children under two years, in Bethle- hem, should be slain. With the majority of bee keejj- ers it would not be etFectual. It cannot be commend- ed for practice. We insist that by renewing the combs once in four years, and dividing the stock hive as detailed above, is the only rational method to pre- serve bees in a prosperous condition for an indehuite time, and prevent their " running out." Order Italian Queens. We offer Italian Queens very loiv, at " club rates," to enable i)ersons who have large apiaries to Italian- ize them at once. By getting up a club for a few in a neighborhood, the express charges or postage on the queens will be less. We send queens by mail anywhere. Send for our irkk circulars in February in each vear, for yourself and friends. Send orders to W. A. FLANDERS & CO., Shelby, Ohio. Mrs. Tupper's Letter.— In the spring of 18C6 we sent one of our "Book Hives" to Mrs. E. S. Tupper, of Iowa, for trial, and on the 29th of June, 1866, she wrote us as follows: "The bees in your hive have filled it, also two of the boxes. The hive is much ad- mired, and opens with i)erfect ease; all the combs siraight and nice. I am preparing an article on " hives " for our county paper, which I will send you. In great haste, E. S. TUPPER. General Management of Bees. January Management. While there is little else to do with the bees, the bee keepers should study the habits and characteris- tics of the bees, as given in this manual, or other au- thors. Build hives for the following spring. Send 38 orders to my address, in season, for Hives, Books, Bee Charm, Circulars, etc. My motto is, '' first come, first served." February Management. Look well to your bees during this month, and see that they have a sufficiency of food. Should there be a want of honey, through inattention during- Sep- tember, attend to them as directed in the chapter on " Feeding." One thing the bee keeper should under- stand — "Proper and judicious bee culture forbids feeding in cold weather." A word to the wise is suf- ficient. Send for our circulars. March Management. Look to the bees with the same scrutiny as in Feb- ruary. See that your hives are finished for the en- suing year. If the climate and weather permit, put your bees out of doors. Take care that they have honey. April Management. Should your bees yet remain in winter quarters, this is the month that they should be set out in the summer residence. The willow now will afibrd them labor, from which they collect their "bee bread." A few stocks should only be set out at one time, as they be required to settle into their right hives. Those that are deficient in "bee bread," can be supplied with a composition of the yolks of eggs (hard boiled) and unbolted rye or buckwheat flower, mixed with a little honey. This is an excellent preparation for bees in spring. It infuses vigor and strength into the queen, and causes her to lay rapidly. All com- municatious above the hives should now be closed, to assist early breeding and keep the bees out of the caps. May Management. The flowers and fruit trees now put forth their blossoms, redolent with the sweet scents of honey and perfume. The l)usy bee enjoys the rich harvest with its diurnal toils. The bee keeper should be no 39 less assiduous in his attentions to tlieso faithful la- borers. Then look to your bees ; see that they are iu good condition — in good working trim. About the twentieth is an excellent time to divide a few of your strongest stocks, in order that your queenless hives will have ten days to construct the royal cells. These you will need to supj)ly your stocks created artificially, and which are queenless, a week before natural swarms issue. Study the chap- ter on ''Artificial Swarming," and follow the text closely. About the last of the month, if the season is favorable, artificial gwarming may commence, pro- vided the drones are numerous, and the weather has become from its cold and chilly nature to warm, abounding in thunder storms. ( See " Artificial Swarming.") Send the names of bee keepers to us. June Management. Surplus boxes should be supplied to all hives this month. This may be considered the swarming month. Place small pieces of comb into your surplus honey boxes to start the bees Visit them often, and when natural swarming is allowed, watch them closely. About the time secession is at its height, and swarm after swarm escapes to the woods, amid the din and confusion of beating pans and kettles, the value of the Book Hive seems priceless. No less valuable are the ''instructions" for returning fugitive swarms. When swarms issue, proceed as directed in the chapters on "Natiiral Swarming" and "Preventing Overswarming." Remove all honey boxes and re- place them with empty ones. Use a little smoke to quiet the bees during the exchange of boxes. Order Italian queens now. July Management. The directions for this month are like those of June. Remove the honey boxes when full. Study September management. August Management. Be untiring in attor.tion. Watch the moth and robbers — two enemies of auccess. Thus, by care and 40 watchfulness, the api.irian has an interesting? and highly remunerative employment; without them, loss and vexatious di;-;a|>pointment. SErXEMKER MaNAGEIMENT IN A MoVABLE-COMB Hive. During this month the surplus honey should be re- moved and the stocks thoroughly exaudned, to see that they all have queens. The hives may he open- ed, and if no eggs or brood is seen, the owner should mark it " Queenless." Thus designated, it will be ready for union with another swarm in October, or to Italianize at once. Should there be a dehciency of honey (twenty-five pounds above the weight of the hive), supply them with food, in order that they may fully come up to that weight. If any young swarms are deficient of " bread," change a comb or two with an old stock that has an excess. (See ''Feeding Bees.") N. B. — Always brush the bees back into the origi- nal hive, for the safety of the queen. Septembek and Octobeu Management with Common Hives. This is the season that the unfeeling bee keeper resorts to the " Brimstone Practice," and confiscates the honey to apply it to his own use, in payment for his self-supposed generosity in furnishing his bees with a supper, with mtl^jhur for dessert. October Management. Close the hive so as to prevent "robbers" from gaining admittance, allowing only a passage for the bees to pass singly into the hive. It is now the proper time to unite swarms, that Avill not winter, with other stocks. Open the poorest hive and look the comb over until jou see the queen ; catch her (she never stings) with the fingers, and put her in a queen cage, as you may want her to place in your hives marked " Queenless" in September. (See remarks on our " queen cages," page 49, " Introducing Queens ") Then join this hive with another, after smoking them. 41 unless jovLV bees are in the Book Hive; in which case you will unite them by chanf^ing the halves of each hive, according to the directions given in an- other place. (See uniting swarms, under Natural Swarming and Hiving Bees.) November Management with Box Hives. Put them into "winter quarters" (if in New Eng- land.) — A dry, dark, cool place is best. Invert and set them on blocks, bottom side upward. Cover them over with a thin cloth. Look after them once in a while during the winter. Place them out in April. With the Book Hives, see that they remain without robbing, is sufficient. December Management with Movable-Comb Hive. If the weather is cold, the bees can be protected by turning a dry goods box, or something of a similar construction, over the hives. If you have a cellar that is dry, dark and cool, put them into it on joists laid on the cellar floor, that raises them from the ground. (See Method of Ventilating, also Improved Method of Wintering Bees.) Wintering Bees— Improved Method. Great diversity of opinion has always prevailed among practical apiarians, in relation to the protec- tion of bees during the inclemency, frosts and change- ableness of the winter season. Many practice bury- ing them in the ground ; some carry them into out- houses, cellars and other protected localities ; others leave them remain on the summer stand, risking their welfare and perpetuity to Providence or the care of nature. All these liave serious objections. They not unfrequently induce disease, mouldiness of comb, or incidents fraught with damage and perhaps total ex- tinction. To leave them remain on their stands, they are subject to the fickle character of the weather. One day the air is balmy, inviting an outdoor visit ; the next, piercing cold, causes a closer nestling for warmth, while the stiffened limbs soon unnerves the 4 42 bee, and hurries certain death. The rapid changes from warm to cokl have their consumptive forebod- ings, and the bee tribe is no hiSs subject to the ill- effects of changes than man. To obviate the risks ran by these common metliods, with their colhiteral damages, I have invented an improved bee wintering plan. It at once overcomes all the objections to the various plans of general usage, and secures the fol- lowing happy results : First, it furnishes an equal and uniform temperature during the season ; second, the bees nre kept dormant, in a cool, dry, and jierfecthj darlc situation, so safely that hives need not bo closed at all. This "winter aj)iary" is built wdth straw, tightly compressed into walls, having an inside and an out- side wall, between Avhich tan-bark and planing shav- ings or saw-dust may be packed. The general con- struction is as follows : Select a dry jdace as conven- ient to visit as possible, near to the dwelling, away from stock, shed or yard, &,c. Prepare a foundation of the requisite width and length for your hives. Where a large number has to be housed, eight feet is the best width, as that distance will allow the hives to be placed on each side, and admit an aisle between the rows of hives. Joists should be laid twi the ground and well ballasted with earth. A floor is then laid, and a two-inch plank should be htted around the outside, on the top of the joists, under the walls of the house ; these serve as sills. They should be a foot in width. Draw a line two and one- half inches from each edge, on this plank, and another line on the middle of the plank. Bore a hole six inches from the end of the plank, and about two inch- es in diameter. Let it go through the plank and sill. Continue to bore similar holes at a foot distant around the building, on each line drawn ; thus three rows of auger holes will be made. " Uprights" may be taken from the woods if studding cannot be con- veniently obtained, (I prefer the former) These posts or uprights should l)e three inches in diameter, and perfectly straight. For the back part of the building, the posts should be about six feet in height, the front and ends about seven and a half to eight feet, ranging the end posts so as to give the roof a 43 suitable "pitch" when complete. These uprights are driven into the auger holes ; we then have two frames complete, ready for the filling of straw. This is laid between the uprights, in a horizontal position, and broken " round the corners." Beat it down well as each course is laid, so as to secure solidity. As the filling of straw progresses, the space between the walls is filled with any suitable material. At equal distances of three feet, withes are woven in between the upright posts, to bind the structure together. A straight edge may be used on the upright posts, back and front, at the ends, in order to mark the proper pitch of roof. Having completed the walls, a cord or wire should tie the upright posts at the top. Make a " clam]>ed roof," of straw for the top, then let shin- gles or boards complete the roof. A door should bo put into one end. A thin partition of straw should first be made across the room, about four feet within the outside door. In this partition insert a door, then complete your building by an outside door. It needs no window, as it is a primary object to secure perfect darkness. This architecture of straw, poles, &.C., forms a se- cure habitation for bees, against the fickle blasts of winter. The expense is altogether a trifle ; the ma- terials can be found on any farm ; while at moments when released from the labor of the farm, it can be erected. You can visit them frequently. Be careful when entering to close the outside door before open- ing the inner one, and let no sunlight enter the inte- rior. The passage between the doors has claims for its usefulness. Irt the spring, when bees are to be changed to the summer stand, one or two hives can be placed in this vestibule, with the outer door closed, and after closing the inner door, their removal will not permit tl e sunlight to enter. The iDreparation of the winter hives is as follows : If a Movable-Comb or Book Hive, open it, and with a small knife cut an inch hole through each comb. Bend a piece of sand pajier around the forefinger, and slii^ the sand paper into the hole to remain. This secures a winter passage through all the combs, and enables the bees to obtain feed at all times. The u holes slionld be cut about two-thirds the height from the bottom, and near the centre. The hives being prepared for "winter quarters," should be removed to them, at the time that jierma- nent cold weather arrives. Set them on benches two feet in height. (See "Ventilating" for instructions on that subject.) It would "be advisable to construct the apiary about eight inches wider at the top than bottom, to prevent the snow and rain from lodging on it. The walls should be well braced on the inside, by strips, to pre- vent the wind from dislodging it. I never have had a stock of bees die in winter, properly housed in an apiary of this construction, and well regarded for in the passages .'uid ventila- tion. Persons adopting this plan will usr i]o other. Parties purchasing my hives, &c., will have the right to construct the "Straw Apiary," as above. Any infringement will not be allowed. When only a hive or two are kept, "caps" or " clamps " may be made to cover single hives. They are of little exj)ense, and are easily hoisted off when an examination is desirable. Dzierzon Theory. The following propositions (which were published for the first time in English by the " American Bee Journal,") embraces, substantially, the entire Dzeir- zon Theory. "They are, as far as they contain or propound anything novel, deducted from the person- al observations and experiments of that celebrated Apiarian." Having demonstrated the truthfulness of this theory in all its practical bearings ux)on bee cul- ture, I am satisfied that the culture of the honey bee cannot be conducted with the judgment and skill re- quisite to justify an expectation of successful results without an accurate and familiar acquaintance with this theory. " The practical operations must be based upon the theory, which hence becomes a proper sub- ject for study."' The theory is embraced in the fol- lowing propositions : FiEST. A colony of bees in its normal condition consists of three characteristically different kinds of 45 individuals — the queen, workers, and (at certain pe- riods,) the drones. Second. In the normal condition of a colony, the queen is the only perfect female present in the hive, and lays all the eggs found therein. These eggs are male and female. From the former proceed the drones ; fi'om the latter, if laid in narrow cells, pro- ceed the workers or undeveloped females ; and from them, also, iflaid or removed into wider, acorn-shaped and vertically suspended, so-called royal cells, lav- ishly supplied with a peculiar pabulum or jelly, pro- ceed the queens. Thiiid. The queen possesses the ability to lay male or female eggs at pleasure, as the particular cell she is at any time supjdying may require. Fourth. In order to become qualified to lay both male and female eggs, the queen must be fecundated by a drone or male bee. Fifth. The fecundation of the queen is always effected outside of the hive, in the open air, and while on the wing. Consequently, in order to hecome fully fertile, that is, capable of laying both male and female eggs, the queen must leave her hive at least once. Sixth. In the act of copulation the genitalia of the drone enters the valva of the queen, and the drone simultaneously perishes. Seventh. The fecundation of the queen, once ac- complished, is efficacious during her life, or so long as she remains healthy and vigorous ; and she never afterwards leaves the hive, except when issuing with a swarm. Eighth. The ovary of the queen is not impreg- nated in co]3ulation ; but a small visicle or sac situa- ted near the termination of the oviduct, and commu- nicating therewith, becomes charged with the semen of the drone. Ninth. All eggs germinated in the ovary of the queen tend to develop as males and do develop as such, unless impregnated by the male sperm while passing the month of the seminal sac or spermatheca, when descending to the oviduct. If they be thus impregnated in the downward passage (which im- pregnation the queen can effect or omit at pleasure) they develop a female. 46 Tenth. If a queen remains unfecundatetl, slie or- dinarily does not lay ei^gs. Still, exceptional cases do sometimes occur, and tlie eggs then laid produce drones only. (She is called a drone layer ) Eleventh. If, in consequence of superanuation, the contents of the spermatheca of a fecundated queen become exhausted ; or if, from enervation or accident she lose the power of using the muscles con- nected with the spermatheca so as to he unable to impregnate the passing egg, she will thenceforward lay drone eggs only. Twelfth. As some unfccundated queens occas- ionally lay drone eggs, so also in queenless colonies, no longer having the requisite means of rearing a queen, common workers are sometimes found, that lay eggs from which drones and drones only, proceed. These workers are likewise unfecundated ; and the eggs are uniformly laid by some individual bee, re- garded more or less by her companions as their queen. Thirteenth. So long as a fertile queen is present in the hive, the bees do not tolerate a fertile worker. Nor do they tolerate one while cherishing a hope of being able to rear a queen. In rare instances, how- ever, exceptional cases occur. Fertile workers are sometimes found in hives immediately after the death of the queen ; and even in the presence of a young queen, so long as she has not herself hecome fertile^ Ligurian or Golden Bee, from Italy. DRONE. QUEEN. Our Italian Bees. WORKER. 47 KELLEY'S island ITALIAN BEE APIARY, AND BEE- KEEPERS' INSTITUTE, ON KELLEY'S ISLAND, OHIO : ESTABLISHED A.D. 1866, BY W. A. FLANDERS, & CO. In offering our circular for this season we tender our thanks to the public for a liberal patronage the past year, and hope by strict attention to the wants of our patrons to merit a continuance of the same. Onr object in selecting this beautiful Island, was to isolate our Italian bees by removing them away from the native bees, that we might secure absolute certain- ty in furnishing pure bred stock to bee-keepers at reasonable rates. This we have accomplished, as there were no bees on the Island until we brought ours here, and it is several miles across the water to any place where the native bees are kept. We employ the best cultivators, who are capable to teach the science and art of theoretical and practical bee-cul- ture. Kelley's Island (so celebrated for grapes and wine) is about twelve miles from Sandusky City, Erie coun- ty, Ohio, on Lake Erie. It is one of the most beauti- ful places for " Summer Resort " found on the lakes. Steamboats, carrying the mail and express, run be- tween the Island and Sandusky City daily. In size, the island is about equal to an ordinary township — ten square miles : 1 1 is thickly inhabited and healthy — society all that can be desired. We guarantee satisfaction to our patrons, or make no charge for instruction. Our charge is $25 per term, of five weeks, which will give you a good understanding of our system, as well as the general principles of bee-culture. OUR ITALIAN BEES. The above are correct representations of our late importation of Italian bees. The golden color on the bees is represented by the light color in the cuts- They are remarkably delicate and slender in form, with colors clear and &rirotected in their original position, and after they hatch, they can be introduced to full stocks or nucleus boxes. By rearing a set of queens for each of your swarms from the Italian queen we send you, the^'rs^ season, and the next season another set from the queen we send you to replace those you reared the first season, you will Italize your whole apiary. The modus operandi is as follows : The first lot of queens you rear will i)roduce hybrids, as the young queens will be fertilized by your native drones, but the next season these hybridized queens will pro- duce pure drones, which will fertilize your second year's brood of queens. Occasionally a queen will meet a drone from a neighbor's hive and produce hy- brids. Such queens may be replaced. Parties who expect to i^ractice queen-raising extensively, should attend our ''Institute.'^ (See Dzierzon's Theory.) Introducing Queens. Our improved " Queen Cage " will be sent with each queen, the queen being safely protected in it from injury on the route. The black queen must be removed and the stock examined for '^queen-cells" (if in the swarming season) Destroy all such cells, and let the otock remain quiet for about eight days, and then examine it again, and cut away or destroy 50 every queen-cell started, and take off the little cap from the artificial qiieeu-cell at the bottom of the cage we send the queen to you in, and touch the jioint of the cell in a little melted beeswax, so as to form a thin cap over the end of it. When the " wax cap " is cooled, stick a pin through the wax so as to allow the queen to put her bill tlirough it to notify the bees of her desire to escape, and place the cage between the ranges of combs, taking care that no obstruction is near the bottom of the artificial cell to prevent the queen's exit. As all the queens we ship are confined when received (with the exception of putting in the back slide), the introduction is easily done, and the queens can be kept,safely in our improved ''shipping cage," in a moderately warm place (in darkness), until her introduction, and fed as easily as a canary bird, without removing her from the cage, as she goes down through the artificial cell in the cage and feeds from a reservoir of liquid honey the same as when on the route. Wlien she is received she must he kept from the sunlight, and the reservoir taken off and some honey put into it (about a tea- spoonful) ; after which the reservoir is to be put on the cell again, and the caged queen put into the stock that the black queen was removed from to remain until the swarm is in the proper condition for her introduction. We will notify our joatrons some ten DAYS, before we ship queens, of the day we will ship them, in order to have the swarms prepared for them. A stock cannot be expected to be reared from the few bees we ship with each queen. (See Shijjpiug Queens by Mail.) Wlien we notify you of the shipment of your queens, all instructions will be sent you not explain- ed here. In concluding this article we will give Mrs. E. S. Tupper's experience with the Italians. She is a prac- tical bee-keeper, and is in every way worty of full credit for her statements. It is what may be expected from the Italians in any good locality, with proper management : Mrs Tiqjper's Experienee with the Italians. '' In the summer of 1863 I had but two stands of 51 the Italian bees, and those not pure. One of these stored 110 pounds of honey, besides givin