1893 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



481 



tion of the parachute had no effect. When 

 within about 1000 feet of the ground I hung by 

 my hands, and soon landed on my feet 1}4 miles 

 away, with the same force of jumping (i or 8 

 feet. The whole voyage consumed Ave minutes, 

 and the descent was made in one minute. 



The sensations of ballooning are so delightful 

 that nearly all who muster the courage to make 

 the trial tri-p become aeronauts, whether adapt- 

 ed to the business or not, which is the cause of 

 so many fatal accidents. Nearly ail accidents 

 in parachuting have been from a lack of 

 mechanical ingenuity and coolness. Coolness, 

 good judgment, and mechanical skill, are the 

 indespensable qualities of a successful aero 

 naut. W. T. Heddon. 



Lad/es' Conversazione. 



A LETTER FROM MRS. HARRISON. 



I left my southern home at St. Andrew's Bay, 

 Fla., May 2, for my old home in Peoria. III., 

 and took passage at 3 p. m. upon the "Gulf 

 City," a steamer running between Apalachicola 

 and Mobile. When the steamer loosened her 

 moorings we went upon deck and watched our 

 friends waving their handkerchiefs, and wish- 

 ing us a pleasant journey, as they stood upon 

 the fast-receding pier. All on board anticipated 

 a pleasant trip across the Gulf of Mexico; but. 

 "the best-laid plans of mice and men gang aft 

 aglee." I stayed upon the deck, enjoying the 

 pure, soft, sweet southern air, the lovely scenery 

 of the shores, and watched the white boiling 

 waters and the gambols of the porpoise. It was 

 with regret that we took our departure from that 

 lovely sheet of water known as St. Andrew's 

 Bay, and passed out upon the Gulf of Mexico. 

 The sailors talked of its being " lumpy," and, 

 procuring my knitting, worked industriously, 

 and, with teeth clenched, tried to still the fast- 

 surging billows within. I commanded the tem- 

 pest within me to " be still; I shall not be sick; 

 what if the steamer does roll?" The captain 

 said, "Lady, if you desire to go below, let me 

 know and I'll go with you." The strong will 

 was conquered at last; the knitting laid aside, 

 and I laid me down upon the deck, my head 

 pillowed upon a coil of rope. 



As night drew near, a sailor came and escort- 

 ed me to a state-room. The captain, in his 

 rounds, looking after the comfort and safety of 

 his passengers, inquired if I would have some 

 tea. The idea! Tea! Holding on to prevent 

 rolling from the berth! I commanded the surg- 

 ing billows within to " be still," and calmly 

 waited events. At an upheaval, I leaped from 

 the berth and sought a receptacle upon a stand, 

 tied firmly to a friendly post, which I grasped. 

 A comfortable arm-chair stood near, in which I 

 sat, and I was soon traveling with lightning 

 speed from one side of the vessel to the other, 

 when I was rescued from my perilous condition 

 by the strong arms of a Numidian Hercules, 

 and conducted to my berth, into which I rolled, 

 striking my head against the window-sill, rais- 

 ing a lump as large as an egg. 



That great storm, which had originated in 

 Texas, and was crossing the gulf on its way to 

 the Atlantic coast, had crossed our track and 

 handled us roughly. When we passed from the 

 Gulf of Mexico into Pensacola Bay the steamer 

 stopped rolling, and I looked from my state-room 

 window nut upon the dark waters, and enjoyed 

 a magnificent view of the moonlight upon the 

 water. When daylight dawned I dressed and 

 went upon deck, and had a view of the light- 

 house, navy-yard, and quarantine station, 



where we moored. We received a clean bill of 

 health, and were soon wending our way through 

 the ships of all nations, to our pier. 



As I wended my way through the streets of 

 Pensacola my bee-keeping eye was on the alert 

 to discover honey-secreting flowers. My sight 

 was gladdened by the sight of a magnificent 

 magnolia-tree. Words fail me to describe its 

 grandeur. Towering aloft with spreading 

 branches, covered with thick, large, well-var- 

 nished leaves, were pearly-white flowers, as 

 large as oyster-bowls, with petals five inches in 

 length. I was not able to learn whether the 

 magnolia is rich in nectar. I saw a number of 

 large umbrella-trees, with their small purplish 

 flowers hanging in panicles. These trees are 

 correctly named, as their long pointed leaves 

 overlap each other, producing a perfect shade, 

 and protection from rain. 



OBSERVATIONS DURING TRAVEL. 



I saw no bee-hives during the route north. 

 In Alabama, dogwoods and honeysuckles were 

 in bloom; and these and the red clay soil were in- 

 dications of good fruit- land. During a day spent 

 at Nashville, I visited the grounds of Vander- 

 bilt University, comprising 7(5 acres, which were 

 planted to trees of various kinds. I noticed one, 

 at a distance, resembling a locust in full bloom; 

 but on a nearer approach to it I discovered it 

 was not the bloom, as it did not resemble the 

 locust in having two wings, a banner, and a 

 keel, but it hung in a loose panicle, and the 

 branches had a drooping effect, like a weeping- 

 willow. I am sure it must be a honey-tree, 

 though I saw no bees at work upon the bloom. 

 A resident told me bethought it was a moun- 

 tain-beech, and quite rare in that locality. 

 Another tree that interested me resembled a 

 catalpa in leaf and spray, but the bloom was 

 bell-shaped, in color purple, and the seed round 

 like a nut, and not growing in a pod like the ca- 

 talpa. If any of our readers who are acquaint- 

 ed with these trees will give us a description of 

 them it will be gratefully received. 



Peoria, 111. Mrs. L. Harrison. 



HOW TO BE WELL. 



SOMETHING ABOUT " BREAD AND MII.K." 



Mr. Root: — We have been much interested in 

 your articles on diet. For several years we 

 have been using entire-wheat flour for bread 

 and gems. I have been expecting you to tell 

 us how much better entire-wheat flour is than 

 fine white flour. I know it is not much used in 

 a good many places; and as you have not 

 spoken of it I concluded to senfl you a few 

 recipes for preparing it. Some of us who have 

 weak stomachs find that eating graham flour 

 for a length of time is apt to be hurtful. It will 

 start the " beer-plant" very soon. The entire- 

 wheat flour is as sweet as graham, and lacks 

 the coarse taste. 



We were especially pleased with what you 

 said about milk. We have found a way of 

 preparing it that makes it not only the best 

 drink on earth, but a powerful stimulant. I 

 will copy from the work of one of Chicago's 

 best physicians, Dr. Alice Stockham; and I am 

 sure that, if you will try it a few days, you will 

 find it a wonderful help "when you feel worn 

 out and run down. 



Add to new milk one-tenth water, and heat 

 over a water bath to a temperature of 130°. 

 Cheese-makers testify that the addition of 

 water prevents rennet from coagulating the 

 casein. In the stomach, also, warm water 

 prevents the pepsin from curdling the milk. If 

 it is as warm as the stomach, and does not 



