_Colfax, Ind., Feb. 8, 1892_.
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ED. AM. BEE-KEEPER, Dear Sir: I have neglected sending in my
subscription but will do so now. You will find inclosed $1.00 to pay
arrearages and also for another year’s subscription. We like the
BEE-KEEPER very much and think every bee-keeper should take it.
The winter of ’90 and ’91 was a hard one in Maine for us bee men. I lost
all but three swarms. Did not get a drop of surplus honey; something
that has not happened before in the forty years we have had bees. Up to
date what few I have appear to be getting through the winter all right.
The weather has been quite mild with but little snow.
Yours, &c., EZRA WITHEE,
_Pittsfield, Me., Feb., 8, 1892_.
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ED. AM. BEE-KEEPER, Dear Sir: I think the AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER is the
best paper for the novice there is published. It does not publish things
unconcerning bee business, like others, as for instance, in regard to
tobacco, gardening, &c.
I will tell you how I pack my bees for wintering. I had 12 strong
colonies in ten frame simplicity hives about Nov. 20th, I did not molest
them in the brood chamber at all. I just took off the top of the hive
and set on top of the frames a super without any sections in it and
filled it with buckwheat chaff and packed it tight. To be sure the
enameled cloth was on top of the frames under the chaff. There was
enough ventilation between the super and the side of the top of hive or
upper story, as I do not think the caps on the hives were any too light
to prevent the foul air from escaping. I will tell you in the spring
what success I will have had in wintering.
Yours truly, OTIS CALLAHAN.
_Wellsboro Pa., Jan. 25, 1892._
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ED. AM. BEE-KEEPER, Dear Sir: Bees are wintering well in Michigan; at
least mine are wintering well on their summer stands. Had a good flight
February 12th. In looking through them I find they have plenty of
stores. My crop of honey last year from seven colonies was very good. I
increased to twenty colonies and got 450 lbs. of comb honey besides, in
one pound sections. This is my third year in the bee business and I like
it very well and intend to keep at it.