Dubuque, Iowa, Feb. 15, 1881.
=Prospects Better.=—This has been a fine day; my bees had a
cleansing flight to-day. They are all alive and strong, and
seem to be in splendid condition, with plenty of honey and
perfectly dry. I think all the danger is over with them now.
I am in favor of double-walled hives, but not packed with
chaff, for I have noticed that where there is chaff there is
frost on the inside wall. I prefer a dead air space, for then
it is always dry. What is the use of changing black bees for
Italians, if Mr. Loucks, of California, can get so much honey
from the black bees, they surely must be the “boss” bees? I
think we had better take our bees to California, where milk
and honey flows.