STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 145 



Mr. Pearce had kept bees iu the city, and thought a serious objec- 

 tion to them was the damage they did in alighting on clothing hung 

 to dry. 



Prof. Porter said as a rule bees will deposit all their excrement with- 

 in a short distance of the hive. This dilficulty would only be ob- 

 served iu the spring of the year. 



Mr. Danforth said they hung their clothes near the apiary, and 

 never had any difficulty of that kind. 



Mr. Urie said the objection referred to applied only to^the first day's- 

 flight in the spring. Some ])eople find fault without reason and con- 

 demn the whole honey business without any good grounds. 



Mr. Hillman said he did not hail from Vermont, although when at 

 boy he used to look wistfully at the wonderful mountains of that 

 State from the hills of Washington county, N. Y., where he took his- 

 first lessons in bee culture. It was a profitable business, and he had 

 been much interested in the discussion of the subject this after- 

 noon. 



Prof. Porter here suggested that the Amber Cane Association should 

 unite with the State Horticultural Society. There was no sufiicient 

 reason for maintaining separate organizations. This subject ot Api- 

 culture and Amber cane culture might just as well be considered in 

 the meetings of the Horticultural Society as to maintain separate as- 

 sociations. The time had come when they could profitably consoli- 

 date. 



Mr. Kenney felt very kindly towards these industries or any other 

 that would help promote the interests of the farming classes, and 

 thought the suggestion of Prof. Porter a good one. 



Mr. Harris said he saw no objection to uniting the two societies. It 

 might have a tendency to add strength to the Horticultural Society^ 

 and as he was a thorough horticulturist he did not wish to oppose it. 

 It might be well for the officers of each association to consider the 

 matter and take such action as was necessary. 



.Mr. Elliott moved that the matter of uniting with the Horticul- 

 tural Society be referred to the executive committee, which was car- 

 ried. 



Mr. Dartt said he felt inclined to favor the bee men, and was a 

 friend to the honey bee. Bees were good .fertilizers of the flowers. 

 Why not arrange so that the bee men could come in with the Amber 

 cane growers every year? 



Mr. Wilcox. And why not add maple sugar? 

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