Posted below is a page from the March 1849 issue of The Genesee Farmer, a pioneering agricultural journal published in Rochester, New York. The most prominent feature of the page is an illustrated advertisement and descriptive article for Wheeler's Patent Horse Power and Thresher, manufactured by H. L. Emery (1818-1891) of Albany, New York. This machine utilized an "endless chain" treadmill system, allowing one or two horses to power essential farm tasks like threshing grain, sawing wood, and cutting straw. The editors highly recommend the device for farmers with limited space or smaller operations, noting its portability and durability.
Below the machinery feature is a detailed article titled "Management of Bees" by the West Bloomfield, New York red earthenware potter Alvin Wilcox (1801-1862). Wilcox's article states that it is based on his twenty-five years of experience as both a mechanic and a beekeeper in West Bloomfield. In the article, he offers practical advice on winter care and the prevention of "robber" bees.
Wilcox emphasizes that the most common cause of bee mortality in winter is suffocation caused by poor ventilation. He explains that moisture from the bees' breath accumulates as frost at the top of the hive and, upon melting, runs down and seals the lower passage. To prevent this, he suggests keeping the bottom board clean and maintaining a small opening above it to allow for consistent airflow.Additionally, Wilcox warns that "robber bees" are a major threat during the first warm days of spring, as they target weaker hives to steal honey. He advises beekeepers to inspect their hives early in the season and reduce the entrance size for any feeble colonies, making it easier for the resident bees to defend their store. He also notes that larger swarms are more profitable, recalling a successful 1836 season where a brother-in-law's 220 swarms produced over 4,000 pounds of honey. For those looking to start beekeeping, Wilcox recommends purchasing swarms from the previous season to ensure they have enough honey to survive the winter and remain productive.
Note: For more information - see a cover story I wrote for the November 14, 2025 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth: The Father Of American Beekeeping: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/11/new-published-cover-story-in-antiques.html.
Also see my recently published two-volume, ninth book, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York: https://historicbeverly.net/product/americas-great-awakening-and-migration-the-red-earthenware-of-western-new-york/.
Bees by Wilcox: The Published Article
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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