78 STATE HORTICULTUR&.L SOCIETY. 



They were never intended for scavengers, like flies, nor to sip 

 their food from sweets in bulk, as in such cases they always plunge in 

 and are drowned. 



I want it understood that I am not defending all kinds of bees 

 against these charges, but the domestic hive bee only; for nearly if 

 not all the many kinds of solitary bees are provided with powerful 

 cutting mandibles, with which they excavate cavities for their nests in 

 various substances, and also cut up the material of which they con- 

 struct their nests and cells. 



The same is true of all the numerous wasp and hornet families. 

 Hence nearly all these varieties of insects are capable of cutting the 

 skin of fruit, and actually do perform, with birds, terrapins, etc., most 

 of the initiative work of destruction for which domestic bees get the 

 credit, because they are found in bad company, utilizing the wasting 

 juices. 



I think it quite probable that when honey is scarce, even our hive- 

 bees do sometimes destroy fruit that is only partially injured by being 

 slightly cracked, or cut by birds, wasps, etc., that might otherwise be 

 merchantable ; but these cases are rather rare, and the damage is but 

 small when it does occur. 



Yet I admit they are considerably in the way of gathering fruit at 

 such times, and very annoying to pickers, and cause some inconve- 

 nience. 



Suppose we reverse the telescope and view this subject the other 

 way: what about the souring juices of frnit being injurious to bees ? 

 Has anyone a better right to establish a vineyard or set up a cider-mill 

 in the vicinity of an apiary, and thus Dreed disorder among the bees, 

 than the bee-keeper would have to establish his apiary in the midst of 

 fruitgrowers, even if bees do occasion some loss and inconvenience? 

 Is it not possible that there is ground for complaint on both sides'? 

 When the mutual benefits are considered, would it not be well for both 

 parties to learn to bear and forbear in a neighborly spirit ? 



The bee was made for man's assistant and co-laborer, especially so 

 if he is engaged in fruit-growing, as in the garden of Eden, and to be 

 an example of industry, honesty, loyalty and bravery. The bee seldom 

 violates the God-given instincts unless its appetite is either tempted 

 or perverted by the neglect or bad management of man, its intended 

 master, keeper and friend. 



