Weston Mills, N. Y., March 4, 1881.
=Mourning for the Bees.=—It is lamentable to hear the reports
throughout this country. Some have lost all; others all but 1
or 2. I think about four-fifths of the bees are dead through
this country; as nearly all left their bees unprotected,
they had to suffer losses. But I think the present winter
will in part decide the best methods of wintering. I started
last spring with 4 colonies, increased to 6, but obtained no
surplus. In Sept. I bought 2 Italian colonies which are doing
well. I packed 2 in chaff and 6 I put into the cellar, but 2
of these died, 1 starved, and the other had the dysentery.
Those packed in chaff had a good flight on Feb. 26. Those in
the cellar had no flight since Nov. 1. The weather is now
breaking up, the snow has nearly all gone, and the roads are
muddy. I am highly pleased with the Weekly BEE JOURNAL. I
could not be persuaded to do without it.