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GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Nov. 1 



The only reliable, ever-ready, self-adjusting hive-lifter. It is adapted to all localities, is easily and quickly placed in position, 

 and easily managed. Every lady bee-keeper should have one. — J. L. Anderson, Harvard, 111. 



THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 



What it is Doing for Apiculture. 



BY RALPH BENTON, 

 Instructor in Entomology, 



We are interested in observing the general 

 movement in the direction of apiculture in our 

 agricultural colleges and experiment stations. 

 This subject in the University of California was 

 first taught during the academic year of 1893-'4, 

 and since that time it has formed a part of the 

 regular instruction in this institution. The 

 present instructor in entomology in charge of 

 apiculture came in touch with the work in Cali- 

 fornia in the spring of 1905 when serving as As- 

 sistant in Apiculture in the Montana Agricultu- 

 ral College, where, under the direction of the 

 entomologist, he has been in charge of the teach- 

 ing and experimental work in apiculture since 

 the year 1901. 



The past three years have witnessed a distinct 

 advance in the amount and scope of the work be- 

 ing done in apiculture. The number of courses 

 offered, from two repeated twice a year, has been 

 augmented to seven, three of these being repeat- 

 ed twice a year, and two being capable of election 

 indefinitely without repetition of work as research 

 courses. The distinctly apicultural courses are 

 now announced separately from entomology, giv- 

 ing apiculture a recognition and permanence co- 

 ordinate with entomology as a sub-department 

 under agriculture such as has never before been 

 given to this subject in any institution of higher 

 learning in America. It is now not only possi- 

 ble for a student to get his B. S. degree in api- 

 culture, but increased facilities are being provid- 



ed for research work looking toward higher de- 

 grees for those qualified for such studies. 



The University apiary numbers forty colonies, 

 and has representatives of each of the six varieties 

 of bees of economic importance. There is now 

 available equipment for thorough instruction in 

 comb and extracted honey production, wax pro- 

 duction and manipulation, queen-rearing opera- 

 tions, and bee disease investigations. Apiculture 

 will from the first form a part of the school work 

 on the University farm at Davis, where instruc- 

 tion is to be begun this winter. In connection 

 with this instruction work on the farm there is to 

 be established a well-appointed experimental api- 

 ary with an apiarist in charge. There are also 

 three out-apiaries with the owners of which the 

 University has made arrangements for co-opera- 

 tive tests of methods of practice and varieties of 

 bees on a more extensive scale. Arrangements 

 have been made with several more of the larger 

 commercial apiaries of the State for advanced 

 students to spend their summers in practical ex- 

 perience in apiary management. 



Whether this work of the past fifteen years, 

 culminating in the more recent rapid advances, 

 is to be permp.nent or ephemeral, as has been the 

 case in every other institution in this country 

 where apiculture has received attention, remains 

 largely with the bee-keeping public. The au- 

 thorities have been responsive. This has been 

 true in some instances elsewhere. But there 

 seems to be a normal limit to the amount of work 

 that State institutions are willing to do in these 

 untrodden lines, without precedent, merely upon 

 the suggestions and recommendations of those 

 personally engaged in the work. The rank and 

 file of bee-keepers must plead their case incessant- 

 ly and concertedly if they would finally triumph. 



