1890 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



fiOl 



active pupa, which at last comes forth, crawls up 

 some twig or tree, splits open on the back, and the 

 beautiful mature cicada goes forth to enjoy its 

 nuptials with song and merry-making. 

 Agricultural College, Aug. 6. A. J. Cook. 



THE RATTLESNAKE THE EMBLEM 

 OF A NATION. 



SOME OF ITS peculiarities; by one who has 



SLAIN OVER 1100 OF THE REPTILES IN 

 ONE season. 



I SEE in Gleanings of July 15 that Prof. Cook is 

 delighted with his pet rattlesnakes, and wishes all 

 of the readers of Gleanings could walk into bis 

 laboratory and take a peep at them. I have, per- 

 haps, killed as many of these " varmints " as the 

 average western man, having herded cattle in a 

 very early day on the wide wild prairies of Central 

 Illinois and Iowa. As my diary shows, I actually 

 killed in one season 1100, having destroyed as many 

 as 33 in one day. They were of the small prairie 

 variety, but still they were poisonous, and would 

 often bite the steers. 



I wonder how many of the readers of Gleanings 

 know that this reptile was at one time placed upon 

 the flag of the nation The great union flag of 

 Great Britain was brought by the colonists to 

 America: and when the thirteen colonies began to 

 feel the pressure of British rule they placed upon 

 their banner a rattlesnake, cut in thirteen pieces, 

 representing the thirteen colonies, with the words, 

 " Join or die."' But when the thirteen colonies be- 

 came more united in their purpose of resistance to 

 British tyranny they placed upon their banner a 

 large well-formed rattlesnake in the attitude of one 

 about to strike, with these words: " Don't tread on 

 me." The rattlesnake is truly an American " bird," 

 found only on this continent; and how fitting the 

 choice for an emblem! In many countries the ser- 

 pent is considered as an emblem of wisdom, and, in 

 some attidudes, of endless duration. Its eye is ex- 

 ceedingly bright, and without eyelids— an emblem 

 of vigilance, and it never begins an attack; and it 

 never surrenders, which is an emblem of magna- 

 nimity and courage. It never wounds even its 

 enemies, till it generously gives them warning 

 not to tread on it, which is emblematical of the 

 spirit of the people who inhabit this country. It 

 appears weak and defenseless; but itsVeapons are 

 nevertheless formidable. Its poison is the necessa- 

 ry means for the digestion of its food, but certain 

 destruction to its enemies, showing the power of 

 American resources. Its thirteen rattles, the only 

 part which increases in number, are distinct from 

 each other, and yet so united that they can not be 

 disconnected without breaking them to pieces, 

 showing the impossibility of an American republic 

 of the original thirteen without a union of States. 

 A single rattle will give no sound alone; but the 

 ringing of the thirteen together is sufficient to 

 startle the boldest man alive. It is beautiful in 

 youth, which increases with age. Its tongue is 

 forked like the lightning, and its abode is among 

 the impenetrable rocks. 



This description has reference to the large moun- 

 tain rattlesnake, which was known only to the East- 

 ern people. They are many times larger in body. 

 You can hear the sound of the rattling to a greater 

 •distance than the small Western prairie rattlesnake. 



Perhaps when Prof. Cook gives the article he has 

 promised he will tell us more about the little pets. 



A GOOD MANY CrXtES READY TO COME OFF. 



My bees are doing fairly well. It has been almost 

 too dry and cool a part of the time. Some late 

 showers have started up the white clover afresh, 

 and the bees are still at work. I have a good many 

 crates just ready to come ott'. I have taken some 

 new honey. I have had more trouble from robbers 

 than ever before. I live near the big timber. I 

 have thought the robbers came from there. I had 

 two swarms come to me from there, I suppose. 



Atwood, 111., July 30. J. W. C. Gray. 



FROM DIFFERENT FIELDS, 



THE DETROIT EXPOSITION. 



The following is a copy of a little slip 

 written by U. 1). Cutting, and which we 

 take pleasure in presenting to our sub- 

 scribers : 



I should like to call the attention of all bee-keep- 

 ers to tnis fact: It being an extra poor season for 

 honey, an extra e.xertion must be made to secure a 

 good attendance of exhibitors. 



The Exposition Company have granted every 

 thing we have asked for— given us an extra space 

 to show our products, the lareest premium list ever 

 offered in this country for this department, also an 

 expert judge with a "world-wide reputation." If 

 we do not make a good exhibit, and fill the space al- 

 lotted to us, next year the list will he reduced. 

 They have been very liberal with us. with the ex- 

 pectation that we are to make a large, fine, and at- 

 tractive exhibit. 



Now, fellow hoe keepers, do not let this Hp a fail- 

 ure, but show the penp'e that, in the face of a crop 

 failure, we ean and will sustain the good reputation 

 already formed, and make this a fine and attractive 

 exhibit. If you do find it impossible to be present, 

 and have any thing pertaining to this department 

 that you wished placed on exhibition, you can send 

 it by express, charges prepaid, to H. D. Cutting, 

 Superintendent of the Bee and Honey Department, 

 Detroit, Mich. It will be delivered to me in the 

 building, when it will receive good care, and be 

 placed on exhibition. Also send me instructions 

 what to do with articles at the close of the exhibit. 



Mr. W. Z. Hutchinson, of the Review, has suggested 

 that all bee-keepers intending to visit the Exposi- 

 tion, meet "just after the judging" on the first 

 week, and visit the Exposition in a body. You will 

 be received by a committee at the bee-keepers' 

 headquarters, and shown over the buildings and 

 grounds, taking in all objects of interest. Please 

 be with us as visitors, if you can not come as exhib- 

 itors. Bee-keepers' day will be Friday, Aug. 39. 



H. D. Cutting. 



We trust that the Detroit Exposition may 

 not be lacking in a honey display, even if, 

 as friend Cutting says, the season has been 

 extra poor. 



HOW BEES BRUSH THEIR EYES. 



Mr. Root.— In watching my bees I have noticed 

 that every one, when leaving the hive, rubs its 

 fore legs over the head, and so on down over the 

 horns, or feelers. The old ones will perhaps give 

 only one brush over, but the young bees will stand 

 and rub for a minute at a time, the drones also do- 

 ing considerable in the same hive. I should like to 

 know if any one can tell the reason for this, as it is 

 evidently for some purpose, as the Creator never 

 made any thing in \ain. E W. Howes, M. D. 



Chatham. N. Y., July -ZS, 1890. 



AVe referred the matter to Prof. Cook, 

 who replies : 



