Emporia, Kans., March 2, 1881.
[When your colonies are strong in the spring, give the moldy combs;
they will soon utilize them, if not given too fast. The combs with
dead bees should be kept in a dry place, and after the bees have
become dried and shrunken, you can easily shake them out of the cells.
If moths get in the combs, treat them in the manner suggested by Mr.
Doolittle, page 74, BEE JOURNAL of March 9th. One pound of sulphur,
however, to each 100 cubic feet, seems a large amount; this would
require 10 lbs. for a room 10 feet square. We have had no experience
in sulphuring combs, but think 1 lb. would be sufficient for 1,000
cubic feet, in a close room.—ED.]
=Palestine Bees.=—We are having a hard winter on bees: they
have not had a fly since last Oct. 28. Bees that were here
kept in old-style boxes are nearly all dead, many that were
packed in chaff are dead or have the dysentery, and are
flying out on our coldest days, and of course never return.
My bees that are in chaff tenement hives are in the best
condition of any I have seen. My Palestine bees are standing
the lonely confinement in the hives better than the Italians;
they are quieter, and do not fly out so much and get lost on
the snow. I much like the Weekly BEE JOURNAL, and when I got
the JOURNAL of Feb. 2d out of the office I felt like grasping
the hand of the Editor, and having a shake, but alas it was
not flesh and blood, but a very good likeness. Many thanks
for giving us a chance to view it.