THE APIAEY. 429 



3. Does the bcc add anything to nectar in changing it into honey? On this 

 point there is wide difference of opinion. But I know of no experiments hav- 

 ing been tried to settle the matter. Perfectly pure honey, that has been dried 

 completely, contains about 1 per cent of nitrogen. Does the bee supply this 

 nitrogenous matter? To decide this, I gathered some nectar from flowers in 

 the Agricultural College greenhouse (from the azalia, rhododendron, and 

 fuchsia, but principally from the last), and carefully tested it for nitrogen. 

 The result of my experiments is that nectar does contain traces of nitrogen. 

 Therefore, the fact that honey contains nitrogen does not prove that it was fur- 

 nished by the bee. May not this question be decided by feeding bees upon 

 pure white sugar, which contains no nitrogen, and afterwards examining the 

 honey to see if any nitrogenous matter has been added to it? 



3. After honey has stood for a certain length of time, a part of the grape 

 sugar crystalizes out, and granulation or candying is the result. The cause of 

 this change is not known. May not the conditions under which granulation 

 occurs be determined by a series of experiments, by keeping honey at different 

 temperatures, etc. ? 



Answers to these questions may not advance the market value of honey a 

 particle, but we shall enjoy the satisfaction of knowing the truth of the whole 

 matter. 



R. F. Kedzie. 



Agricultural College, Lansing, Mich. 



SHALL FARMERS KEEP BEES? 



READ BEFORE THE MICHIGAN ASSOCIATIOX, HELD AT LAXSING, MARCH, 1877. 



It is much to be regretted that there is any necessity for the discussion of 

 this question. It is unfortunate that there still remains any doubt upon a ques- 

 tion of so much practical value to the agriculturists of this country. In its 

 consideration I shall briefly endeavor to answer some of the reasons which are 

 given by farmers why they do not keep bees. 



The objections raised may be said to be these : First, a lack of time ; second, 

 fear of being stung ; and, third, a lack of information in management. 



First — As to a lack of time. A few pertinent questions as to the average 

 farmer develops the fact that the principal object sought in tilling the soil is 

 gain. That this principal has a governing influence in determining the kind 

 of crops raised and the system of management; that wheat is sown because the 

 crop pays better than oats, that hops pay better than buckwheat; that the rais- 

 ing of cattle pays better than mules. The question is then a mere question of 

 profit. And if $100 invested in bees will give a larger profit than the same 

 amount invested in most branches of agriculture, then the first objection will 

 be answered. 



A farmer located in any average agricultural district in ]\[ichigan can pur- 

 chase ten hives of bees (and if not in movable frame hives can transfer them to 

 such), an extractor, honey knives, bee hat, and other necessary appliances at a 

 total cost of not over 8100. The time necessary to care for them each season 



