406 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



named, and an experience would be gone through which otherwise 

 would be gained only by many years of individual effort without 

 such actual and practical instructions. I know that it is a popular 

 notion today that our children must be passed through many courses 

 of book knowledge, and whatever I might say against many of these 

 unproductive branches of this so-called "higher education" would 

 be received with disapproval by many who may listen to this article. 

 However, although the graduates may have diplomas to burn, they 

 will be all "vanity and vexation of spirit" so far as conducting a suc- 

 cessful apiary. 



I quote two verses from Saxe on the Queen's visit to Solomon : 



"The windows opened at the king's command, 

 Within the room the eager insects flew, 

 And so the king and all his courtiers knew 



That wreath was Nature's ; and the baffled queen 



Returned to tell the wonders she had seen. 



"My story teaches (every tale should bear 

 A fitting moral) in trifles light as air 



Some useful lesson to enrich the mind, 

 Some truth designed to profit or to please, 

 As Israel's king- learned wisdom from the bees. 



There is a mine of wealth, pleasure and instruction as well as an 

 unfolding of God's plans and purposes in these occupations, but un- 

 less we use these advantages along thorough and practical lines we 

 can expect but meager results. 



"When Spring with warm and balmy air 

 Dresses the fruit trees in summer clothes, 



Man's soul aspires to do and dare 

 For better things his heart o'erflows. 



"On every side the fragrant flower 

 Bursts out to mantle winter's wreck, 



And, Heaven — endowed with fertilizing power, 

 The honey bee is always first on deck." 



