SECRETARY'S REPORT. 45 



with a coat of mail and have it girt on, as closely as they did Saul's 

 on David, when they wanted him to go out and meet Goliah, why 

 we could not blam^ the bees if they should chase such an one into 

 the house and quite down cellar. We have never found the least 

 difficulty with our bees, when we have been familiar with them. 

 If occasion requires, go amongst them with your coat off" and 

 sleeves rolled up. If in hiving any should need the helping hand, 

 be not afraid to extend to them the naked hand, for in so doing 

 they soon learn that you are their friend. Avoid all jerking move- 

 ments. Let your moderation be known to all, particularly to the 

 bees. 



In the next place we say have good hives — such as show at once 

 good common sense in regard to pattern. And as for materials 

 and workmanship, let those points be well attended to. If there 

 is any thing about the farm or kitchen garden that needs the real 

 old pumpkin pine lumber in its construction, it is the bee hive. 

 And in putting it together, let no wood butcher be employed, but 

 let there be the best of joints and those well fastened, for it will be 

 thoroughly tested by intense heat, and at times, severe cold. 

 We are well aware that it used to be said in olden times ' the bees 

 loved a rough house,' and if they did they got it. And what did 

 they get besides ? After they had worked hard early and late, 

 during the entire summer, a hole would be dug in the ground, a 

 fire made in it, with a large dose of brimstone on it and the rough 

 house, as it was called, filled with the most industrious of all 

 God's creation placed over it. If ever our souls melted at the 

 doings of men pretending to be christians, they have over the bar- 

 barous treatment alluded to. 



In conclusion we would say, if you want pleasure and profit 

 combined, keep the ' honey bee.' Have them well protected from 

 the burning rays of the sun at noonday, and if possible give them 

 the morning sun." 



The following resolves were introduced by Mr. Bean : 



Resolved, That northern Maine offers better facilities for laboring 

 men than any other part of the United States. 



Mr. Dill presented one, as follows : 



Resolved, That as one of the most direct means of developing the 

 agricultural resoui-ces of the State, we recommend the opening of 

 roads in the unsettled and fertile sections thereof, and in lotting out 

 the State lands for settlement. 



Mr. Bean remarked that large numbers of our young men annu- 



