Linden, Mich., March 8, 1881.
=A Slim Living.=—I prepared 21 colonies on Dec. 1st, for
wintering on summer stands. Hives were sitting on 4 inch
blocks, and the colonies were all strong. I placed woolen
blankets over the tops of the frames, then the honey-boards
and covers, and left them for the winter—my usual way. Always
heretofore they have come out bright. Feb. 22nd I felt uneasy
about them, and being a bright day, I opened the hives to
find 11 dead out or 21 colonies, and the remaining 10 weak.
The hives were filled with frost and ice, and blankets wet
with water; 5 out of the 11 dead had Italian queens, which
I purchased from Mr. A. H. Newman last summer. I am not
discouraged. If I had to make a living from bees it would be
slim. I can learn more in 1 week about taking care of bees
from the BEE JOURNAL, than I could in 1 year without it.