HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 263 



ures so lavishly spread before us and profit by the most favorable 

 condition, for the pecuniary success of our industry. 



In New England and the east and most parts of Europe an an- 

 nual average product of 20 or 30 lbs per colony is obtained while 

 in California, the lauded paradise of beekeepers, 50 to 60 lbs is 

 considered a good average. But here in "cold Minnesota" the 

 beekeeper that does not average 100 lbs or more of surplus per 

 colony is behind the times and fails to take advantage of the cir- 

 cumstances surrounding him. And I believe it is perfectly prac- 

 ticable to produce the finest grades of honey ready for the mar- 

 kets of the world at 5c per lb or less and I look forward to the day 

 when it will be deemed a necessity instead of a luxury upon every 

 table in our land. In considering the spread and development of 

 apiculture we should lay aside all selfish motives and look only to 

 the public good, and inculcate such lessons as will aid the begin- 

 ner as well as those in a more hopeless condition who have adhered 

 to the practices of their fathers and have not heard the tramp of 

 those who are leaving them behind in the onward march of pro- 

 gress. 



THE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION. 



When called to act as president of this society, a little more than 

 one year ago, I had no adequate idea of the labor it would involve 

 the pleasant acquaintances it would make, or the opportunities for 

 disseminating a knowledge of improved methods it would bring. 

 With no money in the treasury, and no appropriation from the state, 

 we have proceeded on in the even tenor of our way, until we meet 

 to-day with 40 more members than we had one year ago, and the 

 solid support of the bee-keepers of the state behind us. And be- 

 fore another year, by wise counsels and persistent effort, I expect 

 to see our membership surpass any similar organization in the 

 United States. No class of men are more intelligent and better 

 appreciate the advantages of an association, and but two men whom 

 I have asked, have refused to cast their lot with us. So we have 

 reason to believe that from the 700 bee-keepers in the state, at 

 least 500 will, with proper solicit ition, unite with us. 



Several questions of public policy demand your attention at this, 

 time; one of which is the advisability of an effort to secure proper 

 recognition in the agricultural instruction and experimental work 

 being done for the benefit of our state. No branch of practical 

 agriculture taught in connection with the University adds one half 

 to the wealth producing resources of our state as would be done by 

 proper instruction in the practical application of science and im- 

 proved processes to its agricultural interests. More than one half 

 of the farmers who keep bees use the old box hives and kill them 

 off in the fall to get honey or let them die in winter from ignor- 

 ance; and no one has tried to teach them better. So others seeing 

 their loss hesitate to engage in the pursuit. What farmer could 

 raise wheat at 50c a bushel, or oats at 15c, except by the use of the 

 best improved machinery? Yet the methods employed in agricul- 

 ture 30 years ago and followed by many of our farmers to-day are 

 as much out of date and behind the practices of our most skillful 



