(_Concluded._)
In the last article I promised to give some evidence confirming my
conclusions, but before doing so I want to say a word in regard to
“large vs. small hives.” In the discussion of the subject in the
different bee journals from time to time, I neglected to note the size
of the frame used by the advocates of a large hive, but I imagine they
use a deeper frame than the “L,” and if so they are evidently right in
advocating a large hive, for such a hive would be better proportioned,
and would conform nearer to the natural requirements of the bees than a
small hive with shallow frames.
In _Gleanings_ for July 15th, page 553, friend C. J. H. Gravenhurst, in
speaking of “handling hives instead of frames,” hits on the same ideas
given in these articles in regard to the winter problem. He tells us
that the bees winter better in the straw skeps than they do in the
movable frame hives, as made and used at present. This is because the
bees in the skeps have their hives propolished overhead which prevents
upward ventilation and keeps the bees dry. He also says he gets more
honey with less labor and cost; then he shows how he sought to combine
the skeps with the movable frame hive, advocating about the same
advantages that I have given in these articles.
But the most clinching arguments in favor of doing away with the useless
Hill device &c., is found in Ernest R. Root’s review of G. R. Pierce’s
book, “The Winter Problem in Bee-Keeping,” which appeared in _Gleanings_
for December 16, ’91, page 952. Mr. Pierce says the pollen theory is not
the cause of diarrhea; that diarrhea in bees is caused by cold and lack
of stores, and is only intestinal catarrh.
Chaff cushions, or other porous material over a sealed cover are all
right and serve a good purpose.
Mr. Pierce is a thorough advocate of protection and packing around the
bees; but the cover must be sealed down that no heat can escape into the
packing above. In the first of this series of articles I took this same
position. I said “Therefore I have drawn the conclusion that a thin
walled hive, protected by a movable winter case, and packed on all sides
with a cushion made of felt and filled with some non-conducting
material--one that will prevent all radiation of heat will be
best”--and, in substance, that we could remove cases and packing on warm
days and have our hives purified by the sun and air and protect our bees
by wrapping them up with the warm cushions and prevent the radiation of
heat at night. In the second article (See AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER, page 164)
I said the “pollen” theory, and upward ventilation, cut no figure in the
winter problem in my locality. Now if we place a thin board down solid
on the top bars of our brood frames early enough in the fall for the
bees to glue up the crevices and thus prevent all air currents from
passing up through our hives, we again get even with our box hive
brethren, and when we prevent all radiation of heat by placing a cushion
on top of this board, the same as we do the sides. And further, in
spring and early summer, when we give our bees just the ventilation
required by raising this board, we are another long step ahead of them.
In the winter of 1891 I had The W. T. Falconer Manf’g.’ Co. make for me
closed end frames with winter passages through the top bars, and boards
to be sealed down for the purpose of carrying out my plan as given
above.
“Ernest” tells us of his experiments in using thin boards and pieces of
glass imbedded with white lead paste, as it was too cold for the bees to
seal them down with propolis. Under the glass he placed a thermometer,
which, when the weather outside in the wind was ten degrees above zero,
registered 45 to 50, and “_the hive was perfectly dry inside_.” These
are valuable experiments in the right line.
My ideas, as it is plain to be seen, were given to the public before
friend Pierce’s book made its appearance, and before “Ernest” tried any
experiments on this plan.
On page 592 of _Gleanings_, L. Stachelhausen tells us that having found
out the advantages of closed end frames, he will use no other. The
closed end frames have only to be given a fair trial to prove their
superiority over all hanging frames. All the “rattle traps and
nuisances” I have mentioned in these articles will soon give way to
something better and more simple.
Friend Lowry Johnson also is of my way of thinking, as his article in
the AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER for December, ’91, page 182, will show. Also
Brother Quigley of the _Missouri Bee-Keeper_, is advising his readers
that a board sealed down on top of frames is better for wintering than
cushions next to the bees. See his answer to a correspondent to his
paper, page 144.
These articles end here, but I would like the opinion of the reader on
the points taken in them.
_Concord Church, W. Va._
A Talk on Bee Hives--Fixed Races--Honey Crops, Etc.