7t3B 



(;i.eani:ngs in bee gultuhe. 



Oct. 



REPORT FROM O. M. BLANTON. 



ONLY HALF A CROP, BUT 20,000 LBS. OF HONEY AFTER 

 ALL. 



fKO. ROOT:— Here I am, far away from home, 

 at Mont Eagle, Grunrly Co., Tenn., on the 

 Sewanoe range of the Cumberland Moun- 

 tains, 3300 feet abov'e the level of the sea. 

 This is a health-resort, conducted on the plan 

 of Chautauqua, in New York, where persons can 

 enjoy themselves in religious exercises, lectures on 

 various scientific subjects, and the study of all 

 branches of learning in the schools here establish- 

 ed for the mental improvement of the visitors as- 

 sembled. 



The atmosphere is balmy and health-giving, with 

 a temperature during the summer months of 65 to 

 8.5 degrees. 



The top of this moujitain-rauge is a plateau ex- 

 tending fifty by about five miles wide, with some of 

 the grandest scenery the lover of nature could de- 

 sire. 



I here met Mr. Albert Wells, of South Pittsburg, 

 Tenn., an old bee keeper who has an apiary of 30 

 colonies three miles from this village, located on a 

 cliff thatcommands the view of Battle Creek Valley, 

 with its grand palisades, coves, and chasms. On 

 the plateau there is a great variety of honey-plants, 

 such as goldenrod, eupatorium (boneset), asters, 

 and lespedeza (Japan clover); also trees and shrubs; 

 chestnut, black locust, sourwood, and sumac. I ob- 

 served in the fields, on the commons, roadsides, 

 and every open space in the forests, lespedeza 

 growing in the gi-eatest luxuriance. As to its ca- 

 pacity to produce nectar for bees, I know nothing; 

 but for its presence, cattle would suffer during the 

 winter months. 



The sides of the mountains and the valleys below 

 are rich in the most valuable timber, such as pop- 

 lar, basswood, black locust, walnut, oak, and hick- 

 ory, with redbud, dogwood, and red haw. The usual 

 wild flowers (perennials) abound, and are prolific in 

 nectar, owing to the rich and damp soil with its 

 many delightful springs. 



The bowels of the earth abound in coal and iron. 

 The railroad running along the crest of the moun-' 

 tain was constructed for the conveyance of coal 

 and coke from the mines. I consider this a para- 

 dise for the bee-keeper, especially when in quest of 

 health. 



With the exception of friend Wells, all keep 

 their bees in gums, as their forefathers did. Mr. 

 Wells' bees are in good condition, although his 

 yield of honey has been small, owing to ill health 

 preventing the proper attention being given them. 

 I shall try a few here next year, as an experiment 

 and pleasant pastime, with the hope of stimulating 

 the old-fashioned bee-keepers to scientific methods 

 of handling bees. 



My apiaries at home, Greenville, Miss., I farmed 

 out to my head bee-keeper, Mr. Alfred Latia, on 

 shares; and from what I can learn they will not 

 yield more than half a crop— about 20,000 lbs. 



The cold spring, with excessive rains in June and 

 July, and severe drought in August and September, 

 are the causes. I return home in a few days, as the 

 forests are putting on the sere and yellow leaf, and 

 the cotton harvest of the valley is demanding ray 

 attention. O. M. Blanton. 



Mont Eagle, Tenn., Sept. 28, 1887. 



OUR P. BENSON LETTER. 



A OWED TO THE HUNNY BEE. 



. O inseck brite 



Whitch sails in the lite, 

 And never gits tite 

 Like sum men at nite. 



i. At don of day 

 You fly away. 

 As hi as our old rooster. 

 Or hire than he yooster. 



I. You skare the wimmen. 

 When you cum a skimmen 

 Around in the air 

 Evrywhair. 



. You git hunny from the flowers 

 At all hours. 

 Also from the vines 

 And dandolines 

 And things. It's sweet 

 And verry good to eet. » 



I. How doth the littel bizzy bee 

 Whitch we within the hive do see 



Improve each shinin ower 



With all its energy and power 

 And gather hunny all the day 

 And bee bred too so brite and gay 



From evry openin flour 



To store away in our 

 Noo hexagony hive. 



"CUM AND SIT AWHILE WITH ME." 



6. Pirty little birdling bee 

 Cum and sit awhile with me 

 Beneath the shadow of this tree 

 While I do raise my fee- 



Ble vols to sing a pome 

 In praises of thy home. 



7. But pleas doant sit too near to me 

 Beneath the shadow of this tree. 



For while thy i)rniscs I do sing 



I fear the sharp point of your sting. 



8. O thing of buty brite and neet. 

 How I do fondly lov to eet 



Yure bred and butter and hunny. 



For then you git the wiirth of your miinny 



9. Fond insex now adool 

 Go sale aloft in the u- 

 Ni verse of bloo, 



O do. Adoo: 

 The abuv pome was koraposed and rit by P. Ben- 

 son A. B. S. Me and Watts made the 5th verce. 



