GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



KOOTENAY BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION, BRITISH COLUMBIA 



BY W. J. SHEPPARD, HONORARY SECRETARY-TREASURER 



A well-attended and enthusiastic general 

 meeting of the newly formed Kootenay Bee- 

 keepers' Association, the first one of the 

 kind to be organized in British Columbia, 

 was held at the City Hall, Nelson, Nov. 27, 

 for the purpose of electing officers and 

 passing a constitution and by-laws. The 

 meeting was also a thoroughly representa- 

 tive one, beekeepers from many of the out- 

 lying districts of the east and west Koote- 

 nays and boundary, the territory covered by 

 the association, being present. 



It has been recognized for some time that, 

 in order to stimulate the beekeeping indus- 

 try, and assist beekeepers in disposing of 

 their honey, a system of co-operation has 

 become absolutely necessarj". Since honey 

 of uniformly good qualitj^ in any quantity 

 is capable of being produced in this section 

 of the Province it could not be expected that 

 it would be possible to dispose of it at re- 

 munerative prices unless a uniform sj'stem 

 of putting it up for market could be pro- 

 vided. The beekeepers have also had con- 

 siderable ditficulty in the past in obtaining 

 bee-supi^lies, owing to heavy freight rates 

 and other causes, and also to get hives suit- 

 able to the climatic requirements of this 

 region. Thousands of fruit-trees have been 

 planted all over the territory during the 

 past few years, and for this reason alone 

 the keeping of bees has become essential. 

 It is hoped, therefore, that the association 

 will be able to accomplish useful work. 

 That the movement is appreciated can be 

 gauged by the fact that nearly half the 

 beekeepers in the territory have already 

 become members and paid the annual sub- 

 scription of $1.00. 



The objects of the association as set fortli 

 in the constitution and by-laws adopted at 

 the meeting are as follows: 



The objects of the association shall be to 

 promote and encourage the keeping of bees 

 and tlie most suitable methods for their 

 profitable management. 



To assist members of the association in 

 disposing of their produce to the best ad- 

 vantage by the adoption of uniformity in 

 its " getup " for market, and the provision 

 of a special distinctive honey-label, for the 

 use of members only, which should ultimate- 

 ly tend to be looked upon by the purchaser 

 as a guarantee of excellence and ])urity. 



To obtain the most advantageous terms 

 for members in the purchase of bee-supplies. 



To promote and regulate local exhibitions 

 of honey and other bee products, and ar- 

 range for the competent judging thereof. 



To advocate the more general growing 

 and cultivation of nectar-yielding trees and 

 plants, such a.s linden or basswood {Tilia 

 Americana), alsike clover {Tri folium hybri- 

 dum), etc. 



To aid in the dissemination of reliable 

 and practical information with regard to 

 the beekeeping industry, and further its 

 progTess in every way possible in the inter- 

 ests of the members. 



The following officers were unanimously 

 elected for the year ending September 30, 

 1915 : 



President, G. Fleming, Nelson; vice-pres- 

 idents, James Johnstone, Nelson, and Ma- 

 jor-Genei'al Lord Aylmer, Queens Bay; 

 honorary secretary-treasurer, W. J. Shep- 

 pard. Nelson ; executive committee, J. J, 

 Campbell. Willow Point; Mrs. Casler, Nel- 

 son ; J. Hyslop, Nelson ; C. G. Johnson, 

 Nelson ; W. H. Rixen, Nelson ; W. J. Mohr, 

 Nelson ; J. Blinco, Creston ; B. Lockwood, 

 Fruitvale; E. Alpaugh, Kaslo; R. E. Plew- 

 man. Rossland; J. H. Vestrup, Nakusp; H. 

 W. Collins, Grand Forks; H. G. Slater, 

 Robson; T. S. Gill, Cranbrook; G. F. At- 

 tree, Queens Bay; Auditor, J. D. Kerr, 

 Longbeach. 



BV GRACE ALLEN 



On a vacation ramble among the Tennessee hills 

 more than thirty miles from a railroad, we came 

 upon this charming couple, aged seventy-six and 

 sixty-six respectively. In an orchard on their farm 

 were about fifty stands of bees, in old-fashioned 

 " gums." 



In their cottage yard we found them, 



Back among the trees, 

 White-haired beefolk on a hillside, 



With their countless bees 

 Humming happily around them, 



And a quiet calm 

 Like an ancient benadiction 



Or a psalm. 



Now when crowded days come bringing 



Tasks that never cease. 

 We recall the gentle beefolk 



With their steadfast peace, 

 And we seem to hear a singing 



On a far-off hill, 

 Wlipre our spirit-s pause and listen, 



And grow still. 



