Honey Sections.—In the Bee Journal of March 2d Mr. Heddon says he prefers a section that he can press to any angle and have it solid, but I fail to see that any other angle than square is of any advantage. Again, Mr. H. asks, “Is it not better to wait and see which goes into general use?” Perhaps the following figures may show which has gone into general use, at least with our customers. I make any kind that are wanted, and therefore the figures will show which are the most desirable. In 1879, the first year that the one piece sections were put upon the market, and at a higher price than other kinds, my sales were:
104,578 one piece sections. 124,058 dovetailed. 38,270 nailed. In 1880, the following are the figures:
233,898 one-piece sections. 47,980 dovetailed. 50,950 nailed. According to Mr. Heddon's test, therefore, the one-piece sections are the most desirable, because they have gone into general use.
G. B. Lewis.
Watertown, Wis., March 8, 1881.
| 104,578 | one piece sections. |
| 124,058 | dovetailed. |
| 38,270 | nailed. |
| 233,898 | one-piece sections. |
| 47,980 | dovetailed. |
| 50,950 | nailed. |
Bees in Good Condition.—The Weekly Bee Journal is a welcome visitor and is the first paper I read when I return home on Friday evening. It is a friend that introduces me to my fellow bee-keepers, and their manner of manipulating our pets. My bees are in good spirits, yet they had but 2 flights this winter. I have them packed in a shed in new Langstroth hives, manipulating sides. They are 6 inches apart and packed all around with straw, excepting the fronts. They face the south, with a division board on each side of the frames, leaving a dead air space.
John W. Sturwold.
Haymond, Ind., Feb. 7, 1881.
Wintered Without Loss.—I have kept bees for 7 years and my greatest trouble has been wintering them, but I think I have that perfect now. I winter on summer stands packed in chaff. Last fall I had 72 colonies, and on Feb. 9 all were right. I think I shall have to feed them. Last fall some had 15 lbs. and others 25 lbs of honey; that is if bees and comb weighed 10 lbs. The combs were all new, and it may be that 10 lbs. was allowing too much.
George Wickwire.
Weston Mills, N. Y., March 4, 1881.
Mourning for the Bees.—It is lamentable to hear the reports throughout this country. Some have lost all; others all but 1 or 2. I think about four-fifths of the bees are dead through this country; as nearly all left their bees unprotected, they had to suffer losses. But I think the present winter will in part decide the best methods of wintering. I started last spring with 4 colonies, increased to 6, but obtained no surplus. In Sept. I bought 2 Italian colonies which are doing well. I packed 2 in chaff and 6 I put into the cellar, but 2 of these died, 1 starved, and the other had the dysentery. Those packed in chaff had a good flight on Feb. 26. Those in the cellar had no flight since Nov. 1. The weather is now breaking up, the snow has nearly all gone, and the roads are muddy. I am highly pleased with the Weekly Bee Journal. I could not be persuaded to do without it.
H. Cripe.
North Manchester, Ind., Mar., 8, 1881.