Sing Sing, N. Y.
[Pure green tea, well steeped, is used by many to detect the
presence of glucose in honey. If the honey dissolves without
changing the color of the tea, it is supposed to be pure.
But in these days of “enterprise,” it is frequently a matter
of doubt whether the tea is pure; again, if, as is claimed,
glucose is sometimes manufactured without leaving sulphuric
acid or other deleterious substances in it, then the tea
would hardly expose it when mixed with honey. Alcohol is also
used to detect the presence of glucose; but besides being
frequently inconvenient to obtain, it requires considerable
skill in its use.
Thousands of bee-keepers will unite with us in thanking
Prof. Kedzie, of the Michigan Agricultural College, for a
simple test to detect adulterations in honey and syrups, and
instructions for its application.—ED.]
=Three-Fourths of the Bees Dead.=—The present severe winter has killed
¾ of the bees in this section. Bees have not had a thorough cleansing
flight since Nov. 8. One apiary of 61 colonies, well packed in chaff
and plenty of good stores, will not go through with over 50 per cent.
Mine have been confined in the cellar for 118 days, have wintered well
so far, but are becoming uneasy.