528 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



cessive years the average for those four years did not exceed ten pounds 

 of surplus honey, and the fifth year following, owing to very late summer 

 and fall rains, we had an abundant yield of goldenrod and heartsease 

 honey, and the yield exceeded 400 lbs. extracted honey, so that even after 

 a failure of four years, we get an average yield of about 90 lbs. for the five 

 years. 



I presume that Iowa may take the credit of being the first to ship 

 queens by mail any great distance. From my record it appears that in 

 1866 we shipped queens to Stockton, California, a greater distance of which 

 was by the so-called pony mail. For this purpose the writer obtained a 

 patent for the mailing cage, consisting of a drum shaped cage of wire 

 cloth, in which was suspended a small frame which contained comb, which 

 would hang perpendicular regardless of what shape the cage might be 

 placed. At that time it was believed that bees could only be shipped on 

 combs, which must always be perpendicular. 



During the World's Fair in Chicago, 1893, the writer had charge of the 

 Iowa honey exhibit, where over 12,00'0 pounds of honey at various times 

 was displayed, and seven different persons received awards, including a 

 medal and diploma awarded to the writer for extracted and comb honey. 



Among the comb honey exhibits were the words "Iowa Honey" built 

 by the bees in letters six inches high, which attracted an unusual amount 

 of attention, as also did the curved nozzle smoker and the horizontal di- 

 visible brood chamber hive. 



In 1875, I think, we organized the first Iowa Beekeepers' Association, 

 with the writer elected as president, but at that time the professional 

 beekeepers, or beekeepers who kept a large number of colonies were very 

 few — hence, the attendance was very limited. Farmers who had only a 

 few colonies could not be induced to attend, and after holding two meet- 

 ings, it was decided that the organization was premature, and the subject 

 matter was dropped. But now I am glad to know a rousing Beekeepers' 

 Association has been formed, and trust v/ill be continued — and now I can 

 only repeat my regret of inability to be present, but trust that I may have 

 the pleasure of meeting the members at future meetings. 



INDIVIDUAL AND CO-OPERATIVE METHODS OF MARKETING 



HONEY. 



WESLEY FOSTEE, BOULDER, COLORADO. 



We must get as direct and short a line to the consumer as possible. If 

 we cannot get such a line we find that the profits in honey production 

 are microscopic except in the best of years. We can view our situation 

 perhaps with more calmness than the fruit growers or potato growers 

 who often have such a poor market that the fruit is left unpicked or the 

 potatoes undug. Our crop will keep and it always pays to get the surplus 

 off the hives though the market may be slow. 



