plainly as they can when fixing up for winter, no upward ventilation. They seal up every crevice both air and water-tight that is above them.

I have found by experience that when put in the cellar, that if a small crevice is left, say one-fourth by two inches, at one of the upper corners of the hive, by turning back the burlap cover, that the moisture generated in the hive by the bees will pass off and leave the combs dry when the bees are taken out in the spring; otherwise they will be damp and sometimes moldy. The reason is obvious why bees stop all upward ventilation. Instinct did not teach the bees that their owner was going to put them in an underground repository. They made their arrangements to be wintered on their summer stands. Here is where scientific bee-keeping comes in.

I finished taking bees out of the cellar this year on the 12th day of April. It is a bad plan to take them out too early; better to wait until the weather is settled and the trees far enough advanced that they will yield pollen. Some colonies were gathering pollen the same day they were put out. Put them on the same stand they occupied the previous season.

SPRING MANAGEMENT.

Go through each colony the first day that is warm enough, and the weather otherwise suitable, to ascertain whether they all have queens, brood, and honey. Next ascertain whether any need transferring; that is, if the hive is daubed up or there are many dead in it. If so take the frames out of the old hive, and all adhering bees, and put them in a clean one. This will occupy about five minutes to the colony. If you find a colony that is queenless, unite them with some other colony that has a queen, but is weak in bees, if there is such, provided you have not a spare queen to give them. If the colony is strong in bees, go to some other colony and take a comb containing eggs and give it to the one that is queenless and let them raise a queen of their own. However, I would not advise the tyro to adopt this plan if the bees are all old, for, not knowing how to manage his colony, they would be very weak before the bees from the young queen would be able to take the place of the older ones. To remedy this, a few days after giving them the card containing eggs, and they have queen cells well started, give them a card of brood just ready to gnaw out, from some other colony that is strong. This may be repeated in ten days, and this will keep your colony strong until the queen is laying.

The desideratum of the apiarist is to have his colonies strong as possible at the commence. ment of the honey flow. Bonaparte was about correct when he said that, "Providence is on the side of the heaviest battalions." So with the bee-keeper: he who has the millions of bees, instead of the thousands, at the proper time, is the one who will get the honey.!

The first honey flow in my section, of any importance, is from the basswood. It usually lasts thirteen or fourteen days. The average number of pounds per colony in Sylvan Retreat apiary in 1885 was eighty-three, while last year, 1887, it was only fifty pounds. The absence of white clover in this county makes a material difference in the profits of the bee-keeper.

INCREASE.

The most successful apiarists do not work for increase in number of colonies. Many meth ods have been devised to prevent swarming entirely. No one has yet succeeded, although we hear of non-swarming hives and non-swarming systems. Ample room at the right time seems to be the most effectual remedy. The increase in this apiary for 1887 was only one swarm from five colonies, and they were all prime swarms.

A prime swarm is the first that issues from the colony, and is accompanied by the old queen. This takes place when the first queen cells are capped over, if the weather is favorable. All the other swarms that may issue from the same colony are called after-swarms. Success has attended my efforts in preventing after-swarms, the details of which are too lengthy for this article.

DISCUSSION.

MRS. HEATER.-I winter both in cellar and on the summer stands, but prefer out door with chaff protection. I use a hive similar to the Root and Story chaff hive, with two inches of chaff at sides, ends, and bottom, and six inches of chaff over the brood chamber. I have wintered bees in this way for about eight years, and without loss. I am satisfied that bees wintered in this way come out in better condition in the spring than when removed from a cellar. I have never had a case of spring dwindling. I prepare my bees in early fall-not later than the middle of October - and remove the chaff covering at from the first to the middle of May.

MR. TOWER.-I prefer wintering in the cellar.

MR. TRESTER.-I use a chaff hive like Mrs. Heater's, and have met with heavy losses.

MRS. HEATER.-My hive is quite different from Mr. Trester's. Instead of the top narrowing to the top of the brood chamber, it is the same size all the way up to the roof. I also have two inches of chaff in bottom.

DOES IT PAY TO PLANT FOR HONEY?

BY A. C. TYRREL.

Some time ago I wrote to your secretary asking for a programme of proceedings, and stating that I for one would be pleased to have the question discussed as to the practicability of planting for honey in Nebraska.

In reply to my letter I was informed that I was expected to prepare an article or make a speech, taking the above topic for my subject.

Such being the case, I will briefly give my ideas, and some of the results of my experiments, fearful, however, that my desultory remarks will not prove as entertaining and as instructive as the importance of the case demands.

If it pays the farmers to break up the wild prairie soil, which for decades furnished an bundance of nutritious food for stock, as a matter of course it will pay apiarists to plant largely for honey, thereby encouraging their bees to

"Improve each shining hour, And gather honey every day

From every opening flower,"

Not for a limited period and during a honey flow from white clover, (if there happens to be any in their locality, and the conditions are favorable for the secretion of nectar, and "if and if,") and golden-rod, and other fall flowers.

As the demand for farm products increases, farmers, actuated by laudable desires to add to their possessions, buy more land, break more ground, and carefully save and distribute over their farms all the fertilizers at their command; and if the seasons are favorable, the demand never exceeds the supply.

Within my recollection, this portion of the state furnished more than enough wild grass for all the cattle and horses raised here, but now the need of more hay is badly felt, and farmers generally are sowing timothy, clover, and millet, besides saving other fodder, which formerly was wasted; in other words, they are growing two spears of grass where one grew before.

By the same parity of reasoning, I contend that apiculturists should grow a thousand honeyproducing plants where one is growing now.

Nebraska, under the present management of bee-keepers, does not produce enough honey to supply one-tenth of her population, and never can, unless a different system is inaugurated. I have never sold comb-honey for less than twenty cents a section at home, and have not been able to supply the demand at those figures. Consequently, after my surplus is disposed of, honey is shipped in from California and other states, which should be produced at home.

At present the demand must exceed the supply for the reason that nature has not been very lavish of her gifts in the line of honey-producing plants, although, growing on the banks of the stream running through a portion of town, are found in abundance, cherries, plums, gooseberries, and wild cucumbers, said by some writers to be excellent; honey-producers; and the prairies are dotted with goldenrod and other fall flowers in close proximity to our apiary; but for a number of years have failed to produce honey in paying quantities.

I have never seen a bee at work on golden-rod or fall aster; and wild cucumbers are not attractive to bees.

Carpenter's-square, or "Simpson's honey-plant," is an excellent honey-producer, but very difficult to grow in this locality; and the same is true of sweet clover.

The "Rocky mountain bee plant" sometimes yields nectar, but is subject to ravages by the small black fly so destructive to early cabbages, and for this reason, and because the honey it yields is so strong and dark colored, I have discarded it altogether.

Considerable small fruit is grown in town, and white clover is getting a firm foot-hold in places, but from all these sources our bees could not gather honey enough to keep them alive,

and until I commenced cultivating honey plants on a large scale, surplus was a minus quantity in our apiary.

According to reports from all portions of the United States, Europe, and Canada, published from time to time in the leading bee journals, thousands of colonies have died of starvation and diseases attributable to improper stores bees were forced to gather, owing to the failure of plants to secrete nectar.

Under such distressing circumstances the pursuit of apiculturists, especially if all their little income is invested in bees, is hazardous and expensive, and must eventually drive them out of the business, unless there is a radical change for the better in the laws governing the secretion of nectar in those plants once considered reliable under all circumstances and conditions.

Is it possible that nature, following the example of men, is trying to form a corner on honey and drive all the small producers to the wall? Heretofore nature has not been charged with being a monopolist, for she has showered her gifts equally upon the rich and poor; the small farmer and the man or corporation owning whole townships of land; and the bee-keeper with his five colonies of bees received as much at her hands, in proportion to his requirements, as the man counting his colonies by the hundreds and thousands.

All seems to be changed; two poor seasons and more to follow, perhaps.

Bee-keepers in every portion of the country are predicting a good honey-flow in 1889. Why? Because it is their desire. If a man has been disappointed once or twice it does not follow that thereafter every effort to better his condition will be crowned with success. Many have desired to become wealthy; many have invested their last dollar in a lottery, but failed to draw the capital prize.

It has been demonstrated to our satisfaction during the two seasons last past, that white clover and basswood can no longer be depended upon; we look out upon fields white as the driven snow to-day; to-morrow they are blasted — and so are our hopes.

What are we to do about it? Follow the example of farmers. If one source of supply fails, try some other plan, and keep trying till you succeed.

I believe that bee farms, (or ranches, in western parlance,) will be established in the near future, and associations with abundant capital will control the product of the hives, as sugar trusts and other corporations monopolize nearly all the great industries of the country.

While we do not look kindly upon associations whose interests are inimical to ours, we should, before passing judgment, consider that we alone will be to blame if we suddenly find our "occupation gone." If we cannot or will not supply the demand, others more enterprising

will.

I am not prepared to give the exact number of bee-keepers in the state, but this I do know, that there is room "for millions more;" and then I greatly doubt if our already great and rapidly-increasing population would be supplied. They certainly would not unless better and more modern methods are adopted by our bee-keepers.

Last summer a neighbor requested me to divide a colony, as he was anxious for an increase -was on the point of becoming an enthusiastic apiarist. Although we had sold him a simplicity hive with movable frames, I found he had made a box of rough lumber and fastened sticks crosswise to support the combs; and the upper story had no supports whatever. Had he produced tons of honey, it could not be sold in this market, for our people are accustomed to buying the neat one-pound sections.

There may be more favored localities than mine in Nebraska, but notwithstanding hundreds of colonies have died of starvation, losses from this cause will continue, unless a special effort is made to provide bee pasturage. My plan for the future is to sow alsike clover for an early honey flow, and a honey plant I have been growing since 1881, called Melissa, for a late crop. By this plan we keep our bees at work nearly the entire season. Besides, we are satisfied they are not filling up their hives with improper food, thus having the matter of wholesome stores under our control. Bees will not bring in foreign substances if we provide what their instincts teach them is the proper food for winter.

I am strongly of the opinion that it does not pay to raise white clover in this locality, for any purpose whatever, as it is so easily killed by drouth—at least, it fails to produce honey in very dry weather.

Alsike clover is an excellent honey-producer, not easily affected by drouth. It roots fully as deep, and the roots reach out as far, if not farther, than red clover. The blossoms are more fragrant than white clover, and more attractive to bees. For an early honey flow there is nothing yet discovered as valuable. For pasturage and hay it is equal to timothy or red clover,

and should be grown by every farmer and apiarist who is a land-owner. If he does not own land, he should rent, or furnish farmers with seed, conditioned that they allow it to blossom before cutting for hay. Farmers will not refuse to sow all the seed you furnish, when they understand the benefit they will derive thereby. I cannot refrain from calling your attention to an article written by Mr. R. L. Taylor, for American Apiculturist, discouraging the planting for 'honey alone." One argument in support of his position was that it tended to an increased spread of brood late in the season, which was not desirable. Last season he wrote at the close of the honey-flow that his hives were empty, not a pound of honey to a colony, etc. I planted two acres of Melissa the same season, for honey alone; result, 1,500 pounds of honey of an excellent quality. I do not consider an increased spread of brood, "even as late as August 1st," to be greatly deplored, for my experience is that late swarms winter with little loss of bees, and are much stronger in the spring, especially if wintered in a cellar or cave, than old colonies or early swarms. There is a scientific reason therefor: colonies of bees whose race is nearly run, when put into the cellar, soon die, clog up the entrance, become moldy, and poison the air, thus endangering the health of all the colonies.

DISCUSSION.

MR. JOHNSON agreed with the essayist in recommending planting for honey, and advised adding alfalfa to the list of profitable plants.

MR. TOWER Suggested that buckwheat ought to be added.

MR. MUIR thought it hardly advisable to plant for honey except in the case of Melissa. MR. HARDY favored all of the plants mentioned, but thought that none of them would pay to plant for honey alone.

MR. ABBOTT had visited Colorado, and was much pleased with alfalfa. He said that it produces excellent honey and makes good feed for stock.

MR. WHITCOMB recommended alfalfa if planted where it could be irrigated, or in soil that is not too deep to water.

REPORT OF THE SEASON'S WORK.

BY R. R. RYAN, OF BRADSHAW, NEBRASKA.

The spring was cold and backward. Commenced the season May 1st, with forty-eight colonies, eight of them being weak, the balance in good condition. I increased to ninety-six colonies during the season, and sold two at $10.00 each. Sold ten queens at $1.00 each. Took an average of twenty pounds of honey per colony, and sold it at fifteen and twenty cents per pound, all at home. Four were robbed by bees in the fall while I was away from home, and one robbed by thieves of a lower class, called man.

The most of my bees are wintering on the summer stands. The weather has been so fine that they have had numerous flights. All have plenty of honey to carry them through the winter in fine shape.

I increased by dividing, and giving good queens or cells. I have them in two apiaries, four miles apart, and have the following strains of bees: Italians, Albinoes, and Carnolians. I shall divide them into three apiaries next season, and will run two of them for extracted and the other for comb honey. My experience teaches me that it is more profitable to produce extracted than comb, considering cost and amount that I can get. I can also keep my bees stronger, and with much less trouble and expense.

I do all my increasing by July 15th, by taking one frame of bees and brood from, say, six or seven hives, and place them all in another hive. This I do at the close of the day's work, and the next morning I introduce a laying queen, either with a cage for that purpose, or by sprinkling the bees and queen with peppermint or sweetened water. With me this has been a very poor year for raising queens. The bees failed to provide enough royal jelly to bring forth fine, prolific queens. I allow each colony to have about one-fourth of a Langstroth frame or drone comb, and I consider this a great plenty.

DISCUSSION.

MR. HEATER.-If increase is desired and made by dividing, I think it should be done when a colony swarms. Divide the brood in as many nuclei as there are good queen cells. The apiarist could, if he chose, add brood and young bees from other strong colonies. If divisions are made at this time you will have queens reared under the swarming impulse.

MR. M. TOWER.-Just as good queens can be raised without the swarming impulse as with it. MR. A. TOWER.-Good or poor queens can be raised either way.

MRS. HEATER.-Good queens can be raised in colonies that are strong whether under the swarming impulse or not; but I would prefer them reared under the swarming impulse, and from the egg, not larva.

MR. ABBOT.-I prefer to have my queens reared under the swarming impulse.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE MOST HONEY IN THE BEST MARKETABLE SHAPE.

BY MRS. J. N. HEATER, COLUMBUS, NEB.

In considering this question, a vast field for discussion is opened; but we propose merely to set forth a few prominent principles, rather than to enter into the details. There are several conditions to be considered, each of which would be a topic in itself for a long essay, but which we can only briefly refer to.

First of these would be natural resources, for, with bees, fair weather, knowledge, and everything else necessary for the production of honey, without an abundance of suitable flora will avail but little. Therefore pasturage is of first importance.

And next of importance is a good, prolific queen. For with all the flowers in Nebraska, and a queen which cannot keep the hive overflowing with bees, much, if not all, the apiarist's labor is in vain.

Being thoroughly conversant with our resources, and having a good queen, our third consideration would be to have each hive crowded with bees at the time our surplus-producing flowers are in bloom. This can readily be accomplished by giving the queen plenty of room. If a sufficient amount of honey is coming in to crowd the queen, full frames of honey may be removed from the brood nest, and the vacancies supplied with empty.comb or f'dn. But in case of honey dearth, stimulative feeding may be resorted to with telling effect. In our own locality we have a honey dearth in June every year. Previous to that, however, the fruit bloom yielded sufficient nectar to keep our queens on full duty. And after the raspberry vines have gone out of bloom, we give each colony from two tablespoonfuls to half a teacupful of sugar syrup just after sunset every evening, for about two weeks. This gives us thousands of bees ready to go into the field when the cleonie and goldenrod (from which we get the most of our surplus) open, in the latter part of July and August.

Fourth.- Great care should be exercised in giving the sections in the proper time, quantity, and condition. For if this be neglected until the swarming fever has set in and queen cells are started, as a general rule no amount of room will change their procedure. And we all know that excessive swarming during a heavy honey flow is a death blow to our honey crop. But if, on the other hand, surplus receptacles are given too soon, or too many at first, the work in them is actually retarded. We do not expect a challenge from any one present when we say the most honey can be secured by using sections filled with f'dn instead of starters only; or better still, give each colony a few drawn sections which were not filled the previous season.

Fifth. To secure sections in marketable shape, they must not be given until needed, and must be removed as soon as finished. And for the production of extracted honey, I most stoutly advocate the use of queen excluders, and to extract from the upper story only; for the filthy mass out of which has been strained dead larvæ and bees, I do not consider a marketable article at all.

Sixth.-A suitable hive in which can be maintained an equitable temperature both night and day in this latitude is an all-important factor to be taken into account. And last but not least the best results can only be obtained under the management of a skilled apiarist, who must work hard, think harder, and be ever on the alert for new developments. As eternal vigi. lance is the price of all things, he cannot expect any exception to be made in his case.