258 TRANSACTIONS 0¥ THE HORTICULTURAL 



placed iu the cellar over winter many barrels would not become vin- 

 egar within two years. Do not make the mistake, however, of leav- 

 ing vinegar already made exposed to the frost. One object in having 

 the vinegar in an upper story is to escape that pest of the vinegar- 

 maker, the barrel-worm. But this essay is already too long, and I 

 will close, thanking you for your kind attention. 



Dr. Humphrey — The plan of canning cider, referred to by the 

 essayist, is an excellent one. It is a pleasant and healthful drink. 

 Does the use of salycilic acid injure cider for making vinegar? 



H. M. Dimlap — No, not in the least. 



Prof. Burrill — What is the effect on the human system? 



H. M. Dunlap — The quantity used is so small that it cannot be 

 detected. 



Dr. Humphrey — I never give drugs, but hav^e known men who 

 were suffering with rheumatism to buy a barrel of cider preserved 

 with salicylic acid which cured them. 



BEES IN HORTICULTURE. 

 BY C. L. BOWERS, ELMAVOOD. 



Bees play a more important part in horticulture than many 

 know, or are willing to allow them. Suppose they do destroy a very 

 little fruit, can we afford to do without them, taking into considera- 

 tion the great good they do in fertilizing the fruit and berry blos- 

 soms? They are accused by some of eating apples, peaches, grapes, 

 and many kinds of berries, and have caused many law-suits, some- 

 times settled in favor of the bees, and as often against them. Many 

 good men, both in the horticulture and honey business, have taken 

 great pains to decide this vexed question, and have generally decided 

 that, on the whole, the injury bears no comparison to they good they 

 do. They confine their work to over-ripe fruit, or that which has 

 the skin broken from other causes besides the bees' teeth. I have 

 kept bees for years under the shade of Concord grapes, and have never 

 had my grapes injured by them; have watched closely, and know 

 it. In looking up this subject 1 read of two grape-growers who each 

 kept a few bees. Their grapes were being destroyed by bees, as they 

 supposed, and each one killed his bees, when, too late, they found it 

 was the common wasp and the yellow-jacket that were doing the 

 mischief. Mr. Wasp would tear a strip of skin off the grape, through 

 pure wantonness, not even tasting it; while the yellow-jacket would 

 tear a like strip, and suck some of the juice, as they ])assed from one 

 grape to another, while the bees followed up and finished the work. 



