Wintering.—My experience of over 25 years in trying all modes of wintering is as follows: On summer stands, and in the cellar for 10 years; I then built a house to winter in, used that 2 years and then abandoned it. The last 3 years I have been using the chaff hive and winter on summer stands, with the least loss of any way I have tried. My bees had a splendid fly on the 11th, it being the first chance for them since the 8th of Nov. I think they will go through all right now unless we have a very late spring. I prepared 148 colonies for winter, (123 in chaff hives and 25 in the common box hive.) I have lost but one in chaff hive yet, and 10 in the box hive already, and doubt if one-half of what are left will see the middle of April. I wish to congratulate our editor on the success of the Bee Journal. I have received it regular since assuming its new form, and think it just splendid, and if I had but 1 colony of bees I would try to take the Weekly Bee Journal to aid me to make a success of that 1. I hope the editor may be liberally supported by the bee-keepers of America, for I believe with his experience and that of his able contributors, he can give us a paper that we cannot afford to do without.
J. M. France.
Auburn, Pa. Feb. 24, 1881.
Vexatious to Sell Honey.—I only realized $300 last year from my bees. I put 50 colonies in winter quarters in the fall of 1879; lost none, but doubled up on account of queenlessness, weakness, etc., to 45, all in first class order. I bought 50 colonies in old-fashioned Langstroth hives; they were wintered in a good cellar, and were, with a few exceptions, weak in bees, combs in bad order, short of stores, and badly managed the preceding season. I united them down to 27 before I moved them. At the beginning of honey harvest (basswood bloom) I doubled up to 15, so that when the honey season opened I had 60 first class colonies, and obtained 3,500 lbs. of summer honey. I extracted only once. I increased by natural swarming to 88, and at the close of the season doubled up to 74. I have lost 1 this winter through my own fault. I winter out-doors, but would winter indoors if I had a proper place. I sell nearly all my honey to the consumers, but confess this is a vexatious way of disposing of it; it is the most annoying part of the business; in fact, I feel disgusted when I think of it. People cry fraud, fraud, when there is no fraud; but when a spurious article is offered, they swallow it as quietly as desired.
George W. Horner.
Dubuque, Iowa, Feb. 15, 1881.
Prospects Better.—This has been a fine day; my bees had a cleansing flight to-day. They are all alive and strong, and seem to be in splendid condition, with plenty of honey and perfectly dry. I think all the danger is over with them now. I am in favor of double-walled hives, but not packed with chaff, for I have noticed that where there is chaff there is frost on the inside wall. I prefer a dead air space, for then it is always dry. What is the use of changing black bees for Italians, if Mr. Loucks, of California, can get so much honey from the black bees, they surely must be the “boss” bees? I think we had better take our bees to California, where milk and honey flows.
David Hohenshell.
Collins, Ill., March 6, 1881.
All Alive.—My bees are all alive and in fine condition. They were wintered out of doors, in shed, packed around with straw, but open to the east.
J. R. Mead.
Wichita, Kas., March 7, 1881.
Winter yet in Kentucky.—Bees are wintering very badly here, and 2 of my neighbors have lost all they had. The ground is covered with snow, and looks as much like winter as it did a month ago.
A. E. Foster.
Covington, Ky., March 5, 1881.