Many thanks friend J. We would be very glad to offer _you_ something in
this case, but at 50c each there is scarcely any margin at all after
paying expenses.
* * * * *
FRIEND NOVICE:—My hives are 15½ inches wide for ten frames; would
they be any better if narrower? Will bees work as well in small
frames for surplus honey as in boxes? Do you think the bee business
will ever be over-done in the United States?
H. LIBBY, Lewiston, Me. Dec. 14th, 1874.
If you mean that you put ten frames in a space of 15½ inches we should
advise using eleven frames instead of ten. If you mean 15½ is the length
of top bar, we should consider it as good as any unless you use your
hives two story, in which case a little longer frame might be better.
Small frames put inside of larger ones, have often been tried but there
are many difficulties; they must be made very accurately, to stay in
place, the bees do not seem to like so much wood in their way, every
thing is covered with propolis, and their owner generally concludes that
the arrangement is too much bother to use on a large number of hives. We
have just as much fear that too much butter and cheese will be produced,
or too many eggs, as that the market will ever be overstocked with
honey. What has been the result with small fruits? Remember too that
they are perishable goods, while honey will keep safely for years.
* * * * *
In answer to _J. H. Irwin_ in Feb. No., page 22: He can find as much
comb honey in Langstroth frames as he may need, by writing Paul
Dunken, Freeman, Cass Co., Mo. He has 500 to 700 frames.
W. G. SMITH, St. Louis, Mo. Feb. 4th, 1875.
* * * * *
I thought it was quite settled now that to raise brood, bees are
obliged to have farina in some shape, but I was amazed to find what
a quantity they consume, by starting my three colonies with only
brood and 25 or 30 bees to a hive. I thought I was liberal in
supplying them and they got on swimmingly at first, then the dead
brood commenced appearing and I gave them more pollen and all went
well again. I found out too that _very young bees_ in an emergency
like that, gather pollen as well as older ones.
ANNIE SAUNDERS, Woodville, Miss.
* * * * *
In ’73 my bees paid in honey sold $22.50, in ’74 about $12.00 per
hive. I have had your experience for the last two years in the loss
of bees.
H. W. MINER, Saranac, Ionia Co., Mich.
* * * * *
Excellent season for bees, had between 1500 and 2000 lbs. surplus in
boxes. Sold, for from 18 to 25c per lb. Box hive man—can see no
better way yet.
J. F. TEMPLE, Ridgeway, Lenawee Co., Mich.
* * * * *
GLEANINGS is indispensable, but my wife says I get some new hobby
from every number.
WM. H. ROOT, Port Byron, N. Y.
Tell your wife that healthy, wholesome hobbies are always productive of
good, and that we shall always strive to have GLEANINGS teach none
other.
* * * * *
Can I make a bee hive and use a movable frame such as Mr. Quinby
describes, without paying for the individual right? And if I have to
pay for the right, who is the proper person to be paid? and how much
will it cost to make and use for myself, say one or more?
T. H. APPLE, Meadville, Pa.
We are happy to be able to say that you may make hives, in any way you
desire, so far as we know, without the least necessity of paying any
body a right for any thing.
* * * * *
We got up a resolution at our convention, to apply to our
Legislature for a law to label all packages of honey with the
producer’s name, and let the seller be responsible for adulteration,
if not mentioned,—subject to a penalty when detected, etc., etc. Can
you give us advice how to act?