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GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



May 1. 



tion of our business by the government, who 

 will help educate. Senators and Representa- 

 tives know nothing about the pursuit, but they 

 are doubtless willing to learn a little. At the 

 same time, we might take the newspaper men 

 under our wing and give them a bagful of 

 news. One of the features of European life is 

 shows or exhibitions of many home pursuits. 

 Lately Americans have taken very kindly to 

 similar affairs at home, and we now see poul- 

 try, dog, horse, and even cat shows an annual 

 "function." Now, does it not seem rather 

 strange that the cat-men were able to hold the 

 attention of the public, and yet no effort made 

 to advertise the industrious bee and its deli- 

 cious product? 



What I now propose is that we have a nation- 

 al bee and honey show, and that we hold the 

 firstexhibition in the city of Washington, in the 

 month of September, 1896, and intrust the local 

 management to theofficials of the United States 

 Agricultural Department. It would serve to 

 enlighten them in regard to the value of bee 

 culture, and stir up their energies. The oppor- 

 tunity ought to be taken to have an immense 

 sale of honey after the show. The honey-deal- 

 ers of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, 

 and New York would need to be there, and buy 

 their honey on the spot. No -'sight unseen" 

 about this method. My reasons for selecting 

 Washington are that we could secure more help 

 there, as our cities do not contain, as a rule, 

 many large bee-keepers. Another thing, it 

 would secure a support from Congress that can 

 not be had otherwise. In fact, the officers of 

 the government could shut their eyes no longer 

 to the importance of the bee-keepers' art. 



Many comments have appeared from time to 

 time in regard to the unjust treatment accord- 

 ed the apiarian interest; but I think we may 

 blame that on our laxity in asking for help. A 

 large acquaintance with the members of both 

 houses of Congress leads me to say that there 

 are but few of them who would not vote money 

 freely to assist us, provided we are true to our- 

 selves. All they ask of us is that we bee-keep- 

 ers show what we can do. Cities often throw 

 out inducements for a good show, and Wash- 

 ington is not behind the age in any respect. 



Over every entrance, and placarded all about, 

 would be an inscription reading like this: "Ten 

 thousand dollars reward to any man who can 

 make a piece of comb honey by machinery, or 

 who can produce any proven to have been made 

 by any means other than bees." Our supply- 

 dealers would all make a good show at such a 

 display. This alone would assist the public to 

 a better knowledge of the bee and honey trade. 

 Persons having large quantities of honey for 

 sale would send it to the show to be sold. Suit- 

 able displays of all apiarian inventions would 

 attract many observers. There should be a 

 good display of honey-flowers. The bottle- 



manufacturers would not forget us. Methods 

 of using honey would not be overlooked, and so 

 on. The North American could be held there, 

 with a chance of an audience. Last, but not 

 least, every bee-keeper who intended visiting 

 the show would send a letter to his Congress- 

 man, telling him of his anticipated trip, invit- 

 ing, him to meet him at the show. 1 see no 

 reason why bee-keepers should remain in the 

 background any longer. 

 Devonshire, Bermuda. 



[Mr. Morrison makes a good point when he 

 suggests that we need to secure the assistance 

 of the general press to educate consumers in 

 regard to our industry. The press, through 

 the instrumentality of Prof. Wiley, did us a 

 most irreparable damage, and this same agency 

 is the one to repair the damage, if done at all. 

 I believe friend Morrison's plan is feasible, and 

 Gleanings is ready to assist in any way pos- 

 sible; but I would suggest that the plan be laid 

 before the Bee-keepers' Union or the North 

 American, or, better still, before the new Union 

 that may be organized. If sanctioned by such 

 a body it could then be taken up by the bee- 

 iournals, and pushed for all there is in it. 

 With a big bee and honey show in Washington 

 there is no question at all but that the news- 

 papers of the country would give us long write- 

 ups; and such notices would go a long way to 

 counteract the Wiley " pleasantry." 



If the other industries of the country can 

 afford to have such shows, the bee-keepers of 

 the land ought to have them; and if we can 

 not secure the funds from the national govern- 

 ment to defray the expense, let the Union take 

 hold of it, and, if necessary, disburse some of its 

 funds already in the treasury. I can see no 

 way in which money could be more judiciously 

 expended than in that line. The supply-dealers 

 of the country will be willing, I think, to do 

 their share. 



I should like to have this subject discussed, 

 so that it may, after proper deliberation, be 

 laid before some national organization of bee- 

 keepers. — Ed.] 



A CAPITAL METHOD OF SELLING HONEY DIRECT, 

 WITHOUT SOLICITING OR PEDDLING. 



Some years ago, when I began to produce 

 honey by the ton, I relinquished the home mar- 

 ket, leaving it to small producers, although I 

 have still a considerable local demand. I have 

 not offered a pound of honey to any one in this 

 town of 8000 inhabitants for over ten years, and 

 I have never since been able to meet the de- 

 mand without purchasing from others. How 

 have I found my customers? you may ask. This 

 is how: I took up " Bradstreet's Report," and 

 turned to Manitoba and the Canadian North- 

 west. In every city, town, and village I select- 

 ed and listed the names of grocers, druggists, 

 and fruit-dealers, taking great care to enter the 

 names of none but those who were rated as 

 "good." To each of these I mailed a price list 

 (one of which I inclose, which you will notice 

 is dated seven years ago, and is the last I need- 

 ed to send out). From that day to the present 

 I have not had to seek a customer. 



Owen Sound, Ont. R. McKnight. 



