_Wenham, Mass._, Aug. 8, 1870.
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[For the American Bee Journal]
Bees in Central New Hampshire.
The limited number of bee-keepers that are found in this section of the
country is sufficient evidence that the securing of honey is not here
regarded as the royal road to wealth. Many a farmer may have some four
or five hives, which are but a small taxation upon his time. From them
he is furnished with a luxury which if not secured in this manner,
probably no money would purchase.
Last year, (1869,) we secured five hundred pounds in boxes--beginning in
the spring with twelve colonies. The harvest began on the 14th or 15th
of June, and closed the 16th of July. The season was considered by
bee-keepers generally in this section of the country, as being a very
poor one. But few hives yielded any surplus honey, save those that
received extra attention.
On the 12th of November we placed fifteen colonies in the cellar, where
they remained till the 9th of April, 1870. In our opinion, proper
ventilation is the necessary lesson to learn in order to secure success;
and every man should be fully persuaded in his own mind what course is
best for him to pursue. We have had some experience with corn-cobs,
paper coverings, wire screens, straw mats, and old carpets. With us, the
last of these articles proves to be the most satisfactory.
Thirteen colonies passed the five months incarceration and came out
fresh and fair. The remaining two nearly failed us, as we attempted to
have them live without much change of air. Those hives from which we
removed the honey-boards and covered the frames with two thicknesses of
good woolen carpets, all came out in the spring beautifully neat and
clean. We shall anticipate the same favorable results for the coming
winter.
As the surplus honey harvest for 1870 has already passed, we can begin
to count our actual gains. Comb-building began about the first of June,
and ceased the first week in July. Since that date very little honey has
been deposited in the boxes, even when the bees were furnished with nice
frames of comb. The white clover blossomed very profusely, and ripened
rapidly, and the bees were thus soon deprived of their largest and best
harvest field.
Thus far we have secured somewhat over four hundred pounds of No. 1
honey, and shall probably realize enough more to make _five hundred_
pounds, when all the boxes are removed and the hives taken up that are
not wanted for winter. Thus far we have not succeeded so well as we have
wished in combining colonies. We would not destroy any with brimstone,
because that is so very unkind; but when we add colony to colony many
bees will kill each other. Tobacco smoke and fragrant waters have at
times failed to produce harmony of feeling. Perhaps it would be better
to sell the colonies we do not wish to keep.
We have, however, reason to be thankful for the sweet blessing we have
already received, and are also thankful that our friends, west and
south, are having such bountiful returns.
Dear Editor, we have just returned from a visit to the school. The
scholars were engaged in reading their themes, it being Saturday
afternoon. Among the many subjects, one little girl had selected the
Honey Bee. It interested us so much that we have taken the liberty to
send you a copy, that you may see what one of our little Shaker girls,
nine years of age, has written