No Surplus nor Increase.—This has been a hard winter on the bees. I think all that were not protected and those partially protected will die. There was no surplus nor increase here worth mentioning, last summer.
James Nipe.
Spring Prairie, Wis., Feb. 26, 1881.
Great Loss of Bees.—The bees in McDonough county that were wintered on the summer stands are nearly all dead. Those in double-walled hives, and those packed in straw, dying the same as those in single-walled hives. My loss is about 95 out of 100.
S. H. Black.
Sciota, Ill., March 5, 1881.
Bees in Prime Condition.—I have 110 colonies in the cellar in prime condition. Nearly all bees out-doors are dead.
C. H. Dibbern.
Milan, Ill., Mar. 9, 1881.
Paris Green.—It is not very good for bees, as I had an opportunity last spring to find out. I have in my garden a 10 year old plum tree that never perfected any fruit and knowing that Paris green would kill bugs I thought it might also kill the “little turk,” or Curculio. Acting upon the suggestion I mixed some Paris green in a watering can and put up through the branches of the tree a long ladder, from the top of which I sprinkled the whole top of the tree just before dark, and a day or 2 before the bloom went off. Next day afternoon as I was passing through my bee yard I was very much surprised to see on the ground a good many bees in a dying condition which I could not account for. I came at last, however, to the conclusion that they had gone to the plum tree in the morning before it was dry and partaken of the poison. I lost a good many bees but I have learned this lesson, “never to put Paris green on trees when in bloom;” still I am satisfied that by sprinkling or syringing 2 or 3 times, when the plum is in its incipient state, it will insure a crop. Who will try this spring and report?
Geo. Thompson.
Geneva, Ill.
Making Progress.—Although behind some other States, yet we have made some progress. Bees seem to do best in the newer counties, where the timber has not been cut off. It might be supposed that the northern portion of this State was not favorable for bees, but Aroostook county, in the extreme north, produces nearly as much honey as all the other 15 counties, and the honey is put up in the most marketable shape; but I fear the bees are not protected as they should be in this northern climate. We have had a cold winter, and the loss has been very great. I winter my bees in the cellar with success, and obtain much pleasure, as well as profit, from the time I devote to them. The Weekly Bee Journal is my constant companion.
Isaac F. Plummer.
Augusta, Maine.