1896 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



225 



Since our editorial notice, stating that F. I. 

 Sage & Son had failed, we have received cor- 

 rections from several sources, stating that they 

 had not failed, but had "skipped out for parts 

 unknown." Only a little stock was left in their 

 store, and those who were so unfortunate as to 

 have sent them a consignment will probably 

 lose it. Up to within a month or two they ap- 

 peared to have done a perfectly straight and 

 honorable business. The store is now in the 

 hands of the sheriff. 



F. H. Jewhurst, of Richmond, Va., sends us 

 a sample of crimson-clover honey that I should 

 call fully equal in every respect to any clover 

 honey I ever saw. It is very thick; in fact, 

 it could hardly be made to run out of the bottle 

 in a warm room. There is no trace of candy- 

 ing, and the flavor is just exquisite. The color, 

 of course, is a light straw— the regular ortho- 

 dox honey color. I wish friend J. would tell us 

 a little more about it. If all honey from crim- 

 son clover is to be like this, then bee-keepers 

 may rejoice. 



The California Honey-producers' Exchange 

 gives every evidence of being a success. It 

 has, or soon will have, good financial backing; 

 is well officered, and is organized on thorough 

 business principles. The California bee-keep- 

 ers who are members of it will get supplies 

 cheaper, and better prices for their honey. If 

 this Exchange shall prove to be a success, no 

 doubt similar exchanges will be organized in 

 other sections of the country. Gleanings 

 will help in every way possible. In the mean 

 time, bee-keepers of the land of gold should 

 rally to the support of the Exchange. 



us, if, having attempteil to raise funds for a suit- 

 able monument, we should fail. 



benton'.s bee-book; shall, the government 



ISSUE A free edition FOR CIRCU- 

 LATION AMONG BEIi-KEEPERS ? 



The following, in relation to Benton's bee- 

 book, was received from the Hon. Geo. E. 

 Hilton: 



Dear Ernest:—! shall read with interest Bro. 

 Smith's objections to the publication of Mr. Benton's 

 Bulletin No. 1. I can not imagine what his objec- 

 tions are, unless it is the number, and we mnst not 

 expect all we ask for in this world. The book is all 

 electrotyped, and the cost of printing is very small. 

 My Senator, Mr. J. C. Burrows, informs me his 

 joint resolution for the printing of 1.5,000 has pass- 

 ed the Senate, and it will pass the House. I have 

 sent in a list of all my customers of 1895, and some 

 others; and I learn they have all been notified of 

 my action, and that they will receive a copy as soon 

 as published. So you see Michigan will get her 

 share. In addition to this I shall get allotments 

 from from my Senators and Congressmen, that I 

 shall distribute to my new customers the coming 

 season. Yes, I am a protectionist, and believe in 

 looking out for my friends. It is "bread cast upon 

 the water," and it is beneath the dignity of a nation 

 like this to publish only 1000 copies of such a work. 

 You know it would not supply either Ohio or Mich- 

 igan alone. 



Fremont, Mich., March 6. Geo. E. Hilton. 



The principal objection seems to be against 

 the printing of such a large edition, at the ex- 

 pense of the general public. Surely an edition 

 of l."),000 copies, now that the plates are gotten 

 out, would cost little or nothing, comparatively; 

 and I myself believe that the edition will do 

 good in educating a certain class who feel that 

 they can not afford to buy any bee-book or bee- 

 journal. I am selfish enough to believe that, 

 having received this copy, a thirst for more 

 information will be seen in the increased de- 

 mand for bee-literature sold at a orice, rather 

 than to discourage it. Personally I am in hopes 

 that the 15.000 will be printed. 



It will be remembered that, a few issues ago, 

 a movement was started to build a suitable 

 monument over the grave of father Langstroth, 

 said monument to be purchased with subscrip- 

 tions received from bee-keepers. I regret to 

 say that so far only a few subscriptions have 

 been received. lean not believe it is because 

 of a lack of appreciation nor because times are 

 so very hard, but because it has been put off. 

 I wish to say that even small subscriptions are 

 very acceptable — amounts of 50 cts. and $1.00. 

 These, as fast as received, will be credited and 

 acknowledged; but if sent with other remit- 

 tances, be sure to designate which is for the 

 Langstroth monument fund. I believe that all 

 the supply manufacturers, if not a good many 

 of the dealers, should be willing to give more 

 largely than bee-keepers who buy of them; but 

 in the mean time let the small subscriptions 

 come in. It would indeed be a reproach upon 



OPEN LETTEK TO THE BEE-KEEPERS OF THE 

 UNITED STATES. 



The following, just recently come to hand, 

 will explain itself: 



tWlow Bcekcepi:rti:—Vf{i have prepared for circula- 

 tion a petition asking the Secretary of Agriculture 

 of the United States to take steps to secure and in- 

 troduce Apis dorsata, the giant bee of India, into 

 this country. It is a duty that the government 

 owes and is willing to render our industry (see Re- 

 port of Secretary of Agriculture, 1893, page 26). 

 Owing to the rapid disappearance of the bumble- 

 bee, the introduction of these bees will soon be a 

 necessity in the successful growing of red clover 

 for seed, if for no other purpose. That these are 

 a distinct and large race of bees, there is no doubt: 

 but of their practical value we know nothing, and 

 never shall until we have thoroughly tested them. 

 As progressive bee-keepers and honey-producers, 

 we should not rest until every spot on earth has 

 been searched, and tverj' race of honey-bees has 

 been tested. We should do it for the advancement 



