Nov. 24, 1904. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



789 



Mr. Dittmer himself studied out all of his comb-foun- 

 dation methods, except, of course, the roller mills through 

 which the long, plain sheets of beeswax pass and receive 

 the impressions of the comb-cells. It took him several 

 years to perfect his beeswax melting, purifying, and sheet- 

 ing processes. It all involves much labor and care, but 

 when his beeswax is ready for the foundation-mill it is 

 almost as transparent and free from impurities as glass, 

 comparatively speaking. 



Mr. Dittmer's output of comb foundation this year 

 (1904) will be about 25,000 pounds. His daily capacity is 

 about 1500 pounds. We were surprised to learn this. The 

 fact is, his product has been received with such general 

 favor among bee-keepers that the demand has steadily in- 

 creased until he is now, we believe, third in the list of comb- 



GUS. DITTMKR. 



foundation makers in this country. Next year, if the sea- 

 son proves good, we shouldn't be surprised to see him 

 occupy second place. He is so energetic and enthusiastic, 

 and there is such a " get there " way about him and his 

 whole family, that he is bound to succeed. Well, he deserves 

 all the success that may come to him. All men like to see 

 an honest, industrious man win. Gus Dittmer is a winner. 

 You can put that down somewhere. He is grateful for the 

 patronage that has come to him, and is ready to welcome 

 more. 



It is truly wonderful to see what Mr. Dittmer has 

 accomplished since the disastrous factory fire which almost 

 wiped him out last February. An ordinary mortal would 

 have given up the battle. But not so with Mr. Dittmer. 

 He and his faithful family gathered themselves together 

 as quickly as possible. Loyal friends and neighbors vol- 

 unteered all kinds of assistance. Some ofiFered him all the 

 cash he might need. Mrs. Dittmer said it was almost worth 

 the fire loss to see how true were proven some of their 

 friendships. It strengthened their faith in humanity. 

 But, after all, the fiie was a hard blow in another way, as it 

 put off several years the long-hoped-for new dwelling-house. 

 Still, that will be on hand shortly, and will be appreciated 

 all the more when it does come. 



Augusta is a town of about 1500 inhabitants, in a rich 

 agricultural district. Mr. Dittmer has resided there prac- 

 tically all his life, althou)j;h he was born in Prussia, (Ger- 

 many. He is a prominem citizen in his town and county, 



and active in all good causes. His habits have been such 

 as would invariably produce the best in character as well as 

 in substantial results, as the world measures success. 

 These characteristics are shared in by Mrs. Dittmer, and 

 thus they are bequeathing to their children a legacy richer 

 and more enduring than that of financial wealth or earthly 

 position. Character and education — the best of life's 

 equipments — can not be purchased, or even transferred by 

 order. They are the result of a steady growth and develop- 

 ment throughout the years. Hence, their higher and more 

 lasting value. 



The Illinois State Bee-Keepers' Association held 

 its convention last week Tuesday and Wednesday, in 

 Springfield. There was the largest attendance in years. 

 Mr. N. E. France, the General Manager of the National 

 Bee-Keepers' Association, was present, and gave an in- 

 teresting talk on foul brood and the inspector's work in 

 general. A number of very important actions were taken, 

 looking toward the promotion of the bee-keepers' interests 

 in Illinois. The election of officers for the ensuing year re- 

 sulted as follows: President, J. Q. Smith ; 1st vice-presi- 

 dent, A. Coppin ; 2d vice-president, S. N. Black ; 3d vice- 

 president, J. W. Primm ; 4th vice-president, J. W. Bowen ; 

 5th vice-president, James Poindexter ; secretary, James A. 

 Stone, R. 4, Springfield, 111.; and treasurer, Charles Becker. 

 The three principal officers were all re-elections, thus testi- 

 fying to their efficiency and interest in the work. 



Probably the most important action taken was that 

 looking toward the affiliation of all local associations in 

 Illinois with the State Association, on the payment of a 

 membership fee of 25 cents each, whenever a local associa- 

 tion joins the State in a body. 



We expect later to publish a full report of the proceed- 

 ings of this convention. 



Geo. E. Hilton, of Newaygo Co., Mich., writing us Nov. 

 12, reported that he was just recovering from the most 

 severe illness of his life, not having seen his office for over 

 six weeks, and then able to sit up only a part of the time. 

 He hoped soon to be all right again, but it seemed a slow 

 process. Mr. Hilton is one of Michigan's best-known bee- 

 keepers. Over 20 years ago he attended his first bee-keep- 

 ers' convention in Chicago. It is hoped that he, with many 

 other old-time bee-keepers, will be able to be here again 

 next week Wednesday and Thursday, when the Chicago- 

 Northwestern holds its annual meeting. 



Honey as a Health-Food.— This is a 16-page honey- 

 pamphlet intended to help increase the demand for honey. 

 The first part of it contains a short article on " Honey as 

 Food ", written by Dr. C. C. Miller. It tells where to keep 

 honey, how to liquefy it, etc. The last part is devoted to 

 " Honey-Cooking Recipes" and "Remedies Using Honey ". 

 It should be widely circulated by those selling honey. The 

 more the people are educated on the value and uses of honey 

 the more honey they will buy. 



Prices, prepaid — Sample copy for a two-cent stamp ; 50 

 copies for 70 cts.; 100 for SI. 25 : 250 for $2.25 ; 500 for $4.00 ; 

 or 1000 for $7.50. Your business card printed free at the 

 bottom of the front page on all orders for 100 or more copies. 

 Send all orders to the office of the American Bee Journal. 



Some Facts About Honey and Bees.— This is the 

 subject of an article written by Mr. J. E. Johnson, and pub- 

 lished on pages 581 82 of the American Bee Journal for 

 Aug. 25, 1904. We have republished it in 4-page leaflet 

 form for general distribution, and furnish it, postpaid, at 

 35 cents per 100 copies. Send all orders to the office of the 

 American Bee Journal. 



