loC 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Apr. 



the facts that have already been given in 

 these pages. It would probably be a kind- 

 ness to Mitchell, as well as to innocent ones 

 that he is duping continually. 



About your hives, I don't know what to do. Mr. 

 Mitchell, from Indinapolis, claims that all persons 

 using the cushion division are infringing on his pa- 

 tent. He has 2 authorized agents at Kelly's Point, 

 a short distance from here. Joseph Spotts. 



Kelly Cross Roads, Union Co., Penn., Max. 8, 1880. 



Show this to those two agents, and tell 

 them you will have them arrested for trying 

 to obtain money under false pretenses, un- 

 less they at once stop it. I will furnish you 

 all the documents necessary, including a 

 copy of Mitchell's pretended patent, which 

 has been given from time to time in nearly 

 all of the bee journals. Such agents are but 

 little better than highway robbers, and 

 should not be tolerated a moment in any 

 respectable community. Point them out to 

 all the people round about you. 



Can Mitchell prosecute and collect for using- his 

 division boards? D. H. & H. L. Rugg. 



Tuscarora Valley, Pa., March 16, 1880. 



I would like two division boards, in case I can use 

 them without infringing on Mitchell's patent. His 

 agent lives but a short distance from here, and 

 claims T can not use them without purchasing a 

 $5.00 right of him. Irwin E. Stevenson. 



Canal Winchester, Franklin Co., O., March 16, 1880. 



On one of the last pages of Mitchell's yel- 

 low-covered circular, he says it makes no 

 difference if division boards were in use 

 years before he used them, he can legally 

 collect damages all the same. It seems that 

 no one in our land should be found who 

 would listen to such statements, but as these 

 letters show there are, it seems to me we 

 have good grounds for asking the P. O. 

 Department to refuse to deliver any mail to 

 him, as is now being done with the great 

 swindlers of the cities. I will write to 

 Washington to-day, and present the case of 

 both Mitchell and Mrs. Cotton, and, mean- 

 while, I wish all that have lost money by 

 them would give me a brief statement of the 

 matter. Perhaps we can, in this way, induce 

 them to straighten up old scores, and do 

 business honestly, like other people. 



Mitchell's agents are trying to make me pay for 

 using a plain division-board. I don't intend to do 

 so, unless the law compels me. A. A. Harrison. 



McLane, Erie Co., Pa., March 17, 1880. 



% »%rcMms" 



[This department is to be kept for the benefit of 

 those who are dissatisfied; and when anything is 

 amiss, I hope you will "talk right out." As a rule 

 we will omit names and addresses, to avoid being 

 too personal.] 



W 



FOR THE GROWLERY. 



IjRTEND ROOT: — I have ju*t received Glean- 

 ings and read the "Growlery," and as you have 

 so much patience with us will you not permit 

 me to "growl" a little at the "growlers?" When I 

 first came into possession of a copy of Gleanings, 

 among the first things I noticed was the clubbing 

 list. I thought, "How liberal! Here is a publisher 

 who means to do well by his subscribers. He will 

 send a sample free, and they can take that and se- 

 cure subscribers enough in a short time to get their 



own subscription free. Each one of the subscribers, 

 or any one else, can do the same." The growlers 

 seem to overlook the fact that this is a general offer, 

 and not one made to the favored few. Why did not 

 friend J. spend the same time and mental effort at 

 the state grange last Feb., in securing 10 subscribers 

 to Gleanings that he did on that letter? I think 

 from $2 to $1 of commission would have changed 

 his views. I think our friends will find it difficult to 

 change the laws of nature and of trade. The one 

 who has a disposition to work and take advantage 

 of opportunities will find the offer to agents liberal, 

 and consider you liberal and just to your subscri- 

 bers. You seem yourself a little piqued, because 

 agents use the mails instead of their feet, to offer 

 Gleanings to the public. You must, of course, be 

 aware that the matter is thus brought to the atten- 

 tion of thousands who would be reached in no other 

 way. 



You must also be aware that if agents offered 

 Gleanings at the same rate you do, they would on- 

 ly beat the bush for you to catch the bird. All the 

 subscribers would send directly to you. When your 

 friends wish your assistance to increase their busi- 

 ness, you demand very properly so much per line, 

 and in return offer all who will help you so much 

 apiece. Where is thei-e anything more just and fair? 

 These "growls" savor of communism. If one man 

 has superior advantages, is it not right that he 

 should use them? and why should those who prefer 

 quietly to take one copy of a paper and stay at home, 

 "growl" because the publisher is willing to give 

 good pay for good work. 



There is but a very short step between these de- 

 mands, and that of setting up a buzz saw and de- 

 manding, in the name of fair dealing, that friend 

 Root divide his business with them, saying- that he 

 ought not to take advantage of his superior energies 

 advertising facilities to advance his interests alone. 



And now, frieuds, before you write again to the 

 Growlery, just remember, if agents are paid too 

 much, that situation is still open. 



Just send for specimen copies of each of the maga- 

 zines, show them to your friends and see if it does 

 not look better. H. P. Sayles. 



Hartford, Wis., Mar. 8, 1880. 



I guess I won't say anything, friend S., 

 for you fellows just corner me up in a tight 

 place every time. If I'm not very smart, my 

 wife is, and I will just have to ask her what 



to say next. 



• 



^& 



av 



MY FIRST SEASON AMONG THE BEES. 



m BOUT the middle of April, 1879, 1 had 29 colo- 

 r\ nies, of which there were 3 pure Italians, 4 

 ' nearly pure, 7 blacks, and the rest hybrids. 

 1 increased to 50, and Italianized all but those near- 

 ly pure. We took about 300 lbs. of extracted, and 

 200 lbs. of comb honey. The colonies seemed strong 

 and well prepared for winter; 50 were packed with 

 chaff on their summer stands, and 2 were put in the 

 cellar. We have an observing hive, which stands in 

 our bay window during the summer, and is a source 

 of much pleasure to ourselves and others, while 

 watching the various changes and developments in- 

 side. I reared several queens in it during the sea- 

 son. 



