OCTOBIR, 1919 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



645 



toes, maple syrup, cotton, and flour have ad- 

 vanced an average of 135 per cent and these 

 16 representative products are a fair guide 

 as to the increased value and cost of nearly 

 every thing we use. 



"In 1912 the best extracted honey was 

 quoted wholesale at from 9 to 12 cents per 

 pound, and comb honey at 15 to 20 cents, or 

 an average of about 10 and 17 cents respec- 

 tively; and it is natural and logical that 

 these 1912 values in honey should be increas- 

 ed to conform to the values of all other ne- 

 cessities. An advance of 135 per cent on 

 the 1912 values of honey is, in fact, neces- 

 sary to the honey-producer in order that he 

 may continue his standard of living as it 

 was some five years ago, which would bring 

 the wholesale prices of extracted honey up 

 to 23 to 27 cents per pound and of comb 

 honey up to 40 to 45 cents for the best fancy 

 grades. 



"Notwithstanding comparisons are said to 

 be odious, I wish to refer to the comparative 

 prices of beekeepers ' supplies for the years 

 1912 and 1919. By selecting nine represen- 



Tent used at beekeepers' chautauqua held at Madi- 

 son, Wis. 



tative objects of beekeepers' supplies, viz.: 

 One-story hives in lots of 10, bodies in lots 

 of 10, both 10-frame size, sections, smokers, 

 4 frame automatic honey-extractors, medium 

 brood foundation, honey-knives, silk bee- 

 veils, and 5-gallon tin cans, it is found that 

 the average advance has been 84 per cent. 

 When this is compared with the advance of 

 135 per cent, as shown in the 16 representa- 

 tive commodities before mentioned, I am 

 impressed with the belief that we are get- 

 ting our beekeepers ' sujjplies at a very rea- 

 sonable rate, and I confess some surprise at 

 what I discovered to be the facts. ' ' 



Mr. Hershiser was followed by Kennith 

 Hawkins, lately of the Bureau of Entomolo- 

 gy, but now with the G. B. Lewis Co., 

 Watertowu, Wis. He spoke of the value of 

 protection and good colonies. He empha- 

 sized particularly the importance of better 

 beekeeping. Mr. Hawkins was followed bv 

 Geo. H. Eea, E. E. Eoot of Medina, H. L. 

 Case, S. D. House, and others. 



Geo. H. Rea, bee extension man, addressing the bee- 

 keepers at the annual field meet at Newark, N. Y. 



An effort was made looking toward an 

 organization similar to the Exchange of 

 California, thru which its members could 

 not only sell their honey in a co-operative 

 way but also buy their supplies. A com- 

 mittee was appointed to report at a later 

 time. 



One feature of the day was a j^icnic din- 

 ner. The beekeepers formed themselves into 

 groups or families, each furnishing their own 

 lunch. The Taylor Co. presented the crowd 

 with some ice cream of extra-fine quality. 

 Finally the lunchers began to ask Mr. Tay- 

 lor what made that ice cream so nice. He 

 answered in one word — honey. 



addressing the Ohio field meet at 

 Delphos, O. 



