322 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Pres. Wilcox: Gentlemen we have discussed this matter far 

 enough, and we are all anxious to listen to an address from 

 our new president. I have the pleasure of introducing to you 

 Mr. West.' 



Mr. West then addressed the association as follows: 



Mr. President and Fellow Bee- Keepers: 



Our constitution does not provide that the new president 

 shall make an address in assuming the duties of his office, but 

 it does provide that the president retiring shall, which I think 

 he should do. 



In assuming the responsible position to which you have 

 elected me, I wish to thank you for the honor conferred. I 

 realize the importance of the position, for my whole heart is 

 in this work. I am here for the reason that I wish to see this 

 society prosper, and I am willing to do everything I can in that 

 direction. 



I do not set myself up as an expert in agriculture, neither 

 do I assume that I can teach you in the mysteries of bee-keep- 

 ing. I commenced to keep bees in 1878, in the south part of 

 the state where there was neither clover or timber. I was suc- 

 cessful, and consider that I know something about bees. Hav- 

 ing accepted the duties of deputy public examiner for the state 

 I was compelled to dispose of my bees, and have not had any 

 for the last three years, but I have made up my mind to start 

 an apiary, and have always been sorry that I disposed of all 

 my bees. 



Now so far as this society is concerned I will do all I can to 

 make it prosper. 



I believe that in a few years this society will be one of the 

 most important in the state of Minnesota, and I ask you to give 

 me all the assistance you can to make it such. (Applause.) 



Pres. Wilcox: I am satisfied that our friend West is pecul- 

 iarly well situated to build up this society. The duties of his 

 office require him to visit every county in the state. It will give 

 him excellent facilities for building up the interests of this so- 

 ciety, and from my acquaintance with him I know he is just as 

 much of a bee ' 'crank" as the rest of us, and I look forward to 

 the grand prospects that are open to this society, and all we 

 need is the co-operation of its members. If every member of 

 this society makes himself a committee of one to secure other 

 members in his own neighborhood we cannot help but have 

 good results. I feel very much gratified to see the large and 



