April, 1916. 



121 



American liee Journal 



the house. 



There are several associations now 

 organized to help the apiarists. But 

 among them we know of only one 

 which is a positive success so far, 

 "The Colorado Honey Producers." 

 Their manner of organizing was de- 

 scribed in the American Bee Journal 

 for April, 1915, by their secretary, Mr. 

 Rauchfuss, who may be called one of 

 the most efficient men in our pursuit, 

 for he is a practical beekeeper, an effi- 

 cient salesman and a good manager. 

 As Dr. Miller wrote, "A Frank Rauch- 

 fuss is not to be found growing on 

 every tree." This is true. Yet in or- 

 der to succeed in organizing the bee- 

 keepers of America in the manner in 

 which the citrus growers are organized, 

 it will take a "Rauchfuss" in each of 

 many different districts of this im- 

 mense country. When an organization 

 is made, and in successful activity, in 

 each of 20 or 30 honey-producing dis- 

 tricts, cooperation between these will 

 become an easy matter. They will then 

 be able to send to some central meet- 

 ing their most capable managers with 

 clear understanding of what is needed. 



Is this not plausible and do our 

 friends see any other way to succeed ? 



We must not expect such a scheme 

 to mature in one day, or even in one 

 year. But if we are agreed that co- 

 operation "from the bottom up" is 

 likely to be a success, let us try to 

 gather the stones that will wall the 

 cellar upon which the structure is to 

 be erected. Let each locality, where 

 half a dozen producers or more can 

 get together, organize a nucleus asso- 

 ciation, having in view the improve- 

 ment of the market and the securing 

 of supplies for its members. Each 

 step must be taken with deliberation. 

 None but careful, honest and industri- 

 ous men must be selected to be en- 

 trusted with the interests of their mem- 

 bers. 



Since the greatest difficulties in the 

 way of organization are caused by the 

 isolation of the bulk of our producers, 

 it is quite likely that many spots will 

 remain unorganized for a long time. 

 This should not deter those who are 

 close together from associating. Thus 

 far, little has been done but discuss 

 points in apiary management at any of 

 the local meetings. Let the question 

 be widened to mutual help in honey 

 selling. 



Success for the beekeepers, in dis- 

 posing of their product at remunera- 

 tive prices, means success for the bee- 

 magazines. It means also success for 

 the queen-breeders, for the writers of 

 bee-books, for the manufacturers of 

 bee-material, for everybody who is in 



any way connected with bees and their 

 product. We should, therefore, all push 

 together to get the band wagon out of 

 the rut. 



The National (Jouveiitioii 



The attendance at the National which 

 met at Chicago Feb. 22-24, was fully up 

 to expectations. Since the delegate 

 plan of representation was adopted the 

 attendance has never been up to former 

 years. Only five States were repre- 

 sented by delegates: Minnesota, Michi- 

 gan, Tennessee, Montana and Idaho. 

 Neither Pres. Gates nor Sec. Foster 

 was present, and there was serious talk 

 of disbanding the organization. After 

 much discussion it was decided to 

 elect new officers and to reorganize on 

 the old plan. During the coming year 

 an effort will be made to eliminate the 

 last of the objectionable features of the 

 new organization, which is the repre- 

 sentation by delegates. The Review 

 has been sold to Editor Townsend, 

 who will conduct the journal on his 

 own responsibility. It should be greatly 

 to the advantage of that publication to 

 be separated from the National, owing 

 to the differences that have developed. 

 Mr. Townsend is a capable beekeeper 

 of long experience, and it would seem 

 that there is ample room for the pres- 

 ent number of bee journals without 

 conflict. 



Prof. Francis Jager, of Minnesota, 

 was elected president, Dr. Copenhaver, 

 of Montana, vice-president, and F. K. 

 Millen, of Michigan, secretary. A bet- 

 ter selection of officers could not have 



Francis Jager, of Minnesota. 

 National Association President 



been made, in the opinion of the 

 writer, who is himself one of the retir- 

 ing officers. Prof. Jager is an exceed- 

 ingly efficient and active educator. Mr. 

 Millen has proven a very expert and 

 diligent secretary in the Michigan 

 Association, and Dr. Copenhaver is a 

 new man who ably represents the far 

 West. All three of them were in at- 

 tendance. 



Miss Emma Wilson was elected to 

 membership in the board of directors. 

 In order to eliminate all unnecessary 

 machinery, the three executive officers 

 were also elected directors. The pres- 

 ent constitution provides for individual 

 membership in the association whether 

 or not a State association is affiliated. 

 It was understood that at the next 

 meeting the association would be 

 placed on a basis which would give 

 every member in attendance at the 

 conventions full authority to vote on 

 every question before the organization 

 and that the activities of the organiza- 

 tion in the future would be confined 

 entirely to educational matters. 



A resolution was adopted calling 

 upon Congress to provide for exten- 

 sion work in beekeeping through the 

 United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture. 



An interesting demonstration of the 

 Ferguson uncapping machine was 

 made by its inventor. After long 

 periods of experiment this machine at 

 last bids fair to be successful. By 

 means of electric current or steam the 

 instrument is kept warm, much like the 

 steam knife is heated. Some adjust- 

 ment to uneven combs is also possible. 

 The writer, for the first time, feels that 

 a practical uncapping machine is now 

 within sight. 



Among those present three aged 

 men who have been closely associated 

 with the organization and with the de- 

 velopment of beekeeping for many 

 years deserve especial mention. Each 

 in turn was introduced to the audience 

 and requested to say something. Dr. 

 C. C. Miller, because of his prolific 

 writings and unusual success is per- 

 haps the most widely known living 

 beekeeper. He was accorded a warm 

 demonstration and listened to with 

 marked attention. M. M. Baldridge is 

 also well known, and told of his ac- 

 quaintance with Langstroth and of the 

 introduction of the Italian bee. F. 

 Wilcox, of Wisconsin, was the third 

 man of the trio. 



It is to be hoped that the change of 

 policy will enable the National to re- 

 sume its old time interest, and that 

 future conventions where all members 

 enjoy equal privileges will be largely 

 attended once more. f. c. p. 



