same writer says " Movable frame hives may be made without buying a patent, by making a chest of the capacity of one bushel, say fifteen inches square inside, and make ten frames of strips of board an inch and a half wide, nailed together flatwise at the ends, so as to form sashes that will set in the box and just fill it; bore holes for the entrance of the bees through the sides of the box and frames; the lid of the chest shuts tight and may be locked. When you wish to draw a frame, insert a common wood screw or two to pull it out by. You can tell, as you lift it, whether it is full or not; if not, try another."

Now, if this writer knew any more about bees than a wild bushman knows of algebra, he must have written this purposely to deceive. It will be noticed that the hive is fifteen inches in the clear, ten frames one and a half inches will just fill it, making a solid lining for the hive. Any one who ever saw the inside of a hive knows that bees, in such a hive, would never build their combs, each in a separate frame. They might possibly build them across the hive from side to side; but, in ninety-nine cases in a hundred, they would build them diagonally from one corner to the opposite. We should suppose it would require not only one screw but a number, and those powerful ones, to lift one of the frames after the bees had possession, as they fill with propolis every joint and crevice in the hive.

We have alluded to these cases of false information, simply because we have known instances of people putting in practice some of these absurd theories, and, having failed (as any intelligent bee keeper would have known at the start,) condemn all improved hives and give up bee keeping, or return to the old method of destroying the bees with sulphur; and if any person keeping bees wilfully shuts his eyes and refuses to learn from his own experience and that of others how to manage bees, we think destroying his weaker swarms in the fall is about the best for himself and bees, which he can do. He would then save his best, and of course his strongest

swarms, and over the graves of his victims he might put the German epitah:

Here Rests,

cut off from useful labor,
a colony of

INDUSTRIOUS BEES,

Basely Murdered

By their

Ungrateful and Ignorant Owner.

Who could suffocate the busy bee after reading from Thompson's seasons?

"Ah, see, where robbed and murdered in that pit
Lies the still heaving hive! at evening snatched,
Beneath the cloud of guilt-concealing night,
And fixed o'er sulphur! while, not dreaming ill,
The happy people, in their waxen cells,
Sat tending public cares.

Sudden the dark, oppressive steam ascends,
And, used to milder scents, the tender race,
By thousands, tumble from the honied dome
Into a gulf of blue sulphureous flame!"

In our report last year, we remarked that our experience was, that when bees clustered on the outside of the hive, we should not expect them to swarm. This was so contrary to all we had heard or read on the subject that we hesitated about advancing it; but we have since seen, in a book published in London in 1726, the same idea advanced. This writer says: "For when the bees have once taken to lie without, the hive will always seem empty, and they will have no mind to swarm. He recommends placing a large pewter charger under them to reflect the sun so as to drive them into the hive; probably a looking-glass would do better.

In regard to hiving a swarm What is the process? we are often asked. We will give our method, but first we will relate what we saw within a few years. We were riding one day and heard one of the most unearthly dins which ever

saluted mortal ears. On nearing the place we found it proceeded from tin pans, tin pails, brass kettles, warming pan, and in the hands of apparently a whole family, because the "bees were swarming." By this time the bees had settled on a tree some four feet from the ground. Two men, with stakes and pitch-forks, propped up the limb on which the bees had settled (the noise all the time continuing ;) .then mounted on barrels, with a crosscut saw they proceeded to saw off the limb, laying it, with what bees had not been jarred off, on the ground, placing the hive over the bees and leaving them to go up, which sometimes they will not do. Our experience is, the less noise made when bees are swarming, the better. The custom of making a noise when bees are swarming, originated in this way: In the Eastern countries, where almost every cottager kept bees, it was the custom, when a swarm was up, for the owner to make a noise (tanging,) to give notice to his neighbors that it was his swarm; and if it settled on their land he could claim them, if he could prove he "tanged" them.

Our method of hiving a swarm is this: When we perceive a swarm rising, we sit down and wait till they settle, which ours have invariably done near the hive. We then, with as little noise as possible, place a hive near them, within three feet; we then fasten a sheet, or any cotton cloth, one edge to the alighting board or entrance of the hive, and fasten the opposite edge of the cloth, so as to come in contact with the under side of the cluster, if it can be gathered up around the side of the cluster opposite to the hive so much the better, we then take a few bees from the cluster and strew them gently along to the hive. The news is immediately telegraphed along the line that they have found a home, and the whole cluster are quickly in motion, striving to outrun each other in the race for a home. The hive should be about on a level with the bees, and the nearer the better, unless you wish to see the queen, in which case you must place it so far that you will have time to see every bee. Of course, if the

bees settle on a high tree, this plan will not answer. I have used it fifteen feet from the ground by placing two ladders and laying a board between them and placing the hive on the board. Some plan can be devised to get at them at any reasonable height, and will be found much better than sawing off limbs of valuable trees.

Persons who handle bees should have some protection for the face, in case of accidents; and besides, it gives the operator confidence. Langstroth's bee-hat is the best we have seen. To make it, take a piece of wire cloth, one foot wide and two and one half feet long (just fine enough to keep out bees ;) sew the ends together; sew in one end of the cylinder a piece of cloth or leather for a crown; around the other end, sew a piece of cloth a foot wide, for a cape; when it is used, let the lower edge rest on the shoulders, tuck the cape inside the coat or jacket, and your face will be safe among any quantity of bees. Perhaps some people will prefer to wear gloves; if so, rubber gloves answer a good purpose. But we prefer to handle them with bare hands. Sometimes, by accidentally squeezing a bee, we get a sting, but, for our consolation, it is generally believed that the more we are stung the less we shall feel it."

Some people are not poisoned at all by a sting. A friend of ours, who has kept bees, tells us stinging has no effect on him, causing no swelling and no inconvenience. The best remedy we know for the sting of a bee is the do-nothing policy. We have tried many remedies, and have come to the conclusion that it is the best to let it alone. After extracting the sting, perhaps pouring a little cold water on the part stung might be a benefit; but the slightest friction or rubbing on the part will cause inflammation and swelling.

We hope hereafter to see statements from the twenty or thirty competitors for gratuities, which will give us facts and the experience of bee-keepers from all parts of the county. This will awaken an interest in the subject, and we shall be progressing on to the "good time coming," when every farmer will keep bees, and his better-half will know how to

make good bread, and our county will be literally a land of good bread and honey.

Respectfully submitted,- Edmund Smith, Chairman.

FARM IMPLEMENTS.

The Committee on Farm Implements report:

That the number of articles entered in their department is 30, and of these, we regret to say, but few were furnished by residents of our county. For the large balance we are indebted chiefly to Parker, Gannet & Co., and Whittemore, Belcher & Co., of Boston. The following gratuities are awarded:

To Amos Poor, Jr, of West Newbury, for Union Mower, Whitcomb's Wheel Horse Rake, and Granite State Corn Sheller, $6.00.

To Whittemore, Belcher & Co., of Boston, for Ploughs, Clothes Washer and Wringer, Horse Pitch Fork, Carriage Jack, and Root Cutter, $5.50.

To Parker, Gannet & Osgood, of Boston, for Hay Tedder, Hay Cutter, Bailey's Washing and Wringing Machine, and Horse Pitch Fork, $4.50.

To Abraham Patch, of Danvers, for Water Drawer, $1.00. To H. W Headon, of Haverhill, for Washing and Wringing Machine, $1.00.

To A. S. Bunker, of Lawrence, for eight Pumps, $1.00. To Saunders & Basford, of Boston, for Clothes Dryer, 50 cts. To Luther Thayer, of Brighton, for Feed Cutter, 50 cts. David Choate, Hiram Rogers, J. Austin Lunt, John T. Wood, Committee.