236 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Apr LS 



best. Combs in Hoffman L. frames liave been 

 decapped on both sides in six seconds, counting 

 from the time the fingers let go the frame until 

 it was delivered below. Such speed is not likely 

 to be kept up for long periods any more than is 

 lightning work with a hand knife. 



The machine is designed to be driven by hand, 

 but any other power may be used. 



The machines are all of metal, hence there is 

 nothing to shrink, swell, or twist. Accumula- 

 tion of propolis does not hinder the operation of 

 the machine nor does the accidental dropping of 

 a broken comb into it, as ample clearance is pro- 

 vided wherever needed As far as possible every 

 contingency has been provided for. 



[Along with this came a private note explain- 

 ing the name " decapper " which we use here. — 

 Ed.] 



I use the term " decapper," which I believe 

 fits the case better than uncapping-machine. The 

 i/^capper literally cuts off the caps, while to ««cap 

 means getting them off in any old way — literally 

 what the hand knife is usually made to do. But 

 merely as a matter of euphony I prefer "decap- 

 per. " 



Providence, R. I., March 27. 



[See editorial reference elsewhere — Ed.] 



ORANGE-TREES. 



Their Introduction into this Country; 

 Their Nectar-bearing Value. 



BY W. A. PRYAL. 



The orange is probably the most attractive as 

 well as the most interesting nectar-secreting tree 

 grown in the United States. It calls forth admi- 

 ration on account of its remarkable growth — load- 

 ed with fruit in various stages of development, 

 and in bud and blossom all at the same time. Its 

 blossom, though comparatively small, is pretty, 

 and wonderfully fragrant, and, like the lily, it 

 may be said to be a symbol of purity, and per- 

 haps for this reason more than any other it is the 

 favorite flower of young brides. The fruit, of 



ORANGE-BLOSSOMS. 



late years, owing to improved varieties, is much 

 sought, and, on account of its peculiar salts and 

 medicinal properties, is very healthful. The con- 

 sumption of this fruit in the United States has 

 progressed ama/ingly. Thirty years ago our 

 supply came from foreign countries, while to-day 

 it is almost all home-grown. 



There are three well-defined orange regions in 

 this country; namely, Florida, the Mississippi- 

 delta region, and California. Arizona and Texas 

 may be regarded as another region if they can 

 not be classed with California. 



It is said this fruit was one of the first brought 

 to this country by the very early settlers, Florida 

 being its first home. Indians, no doubt, scat- 

 tered the seed, so that orange-groves were com- 

 mon in Florida for a century or more before 1865. 

 It was not until after the close of the civil war 

 that attention was attracted to the fruit commer- 

 cially. The advent of the navel variety, which 

 was introduced from Brazil by the Agricultural 

 Department, in 18/0, marked the beginning of 

 the growth of a great industry in Florida and 

 California. It was in the '80's that the planting 

 spread like wild fire. It had risen to a high 

 point in Florida when it met a stunning blow by 

 the big frost of 1894-5. I believe it has now re- 

 covered from that shock. 



In California the introduction of the orange 

 dates from the coming of the missionary padres 

 — the progenitors of religion, civilization, and 

 horticulture in the golden West. The first vari- 

 eties were of inferior sorts. The citrus belt of 

 California extends from the southernmost point 

 well toward the north, a distance of some seven 

 hundred miles, and from the ocean to the foot- 

 hills of the Sierra Nevadas. The oranges of Cal- 

 ifornia, especially the foothill regions, are more 

 hardy than chose of Florida, and can stand a 

 freeze that would put the fruit-trees of the southern 

 State out of commission. And, strange as it may 

 seem, these oranges are not only sweeter but ear- 

 lier than those from the more evenly temperate 

 climate. 



Owing to the large acreage of oranges and 

 lemons grown in California, and owing, also, to 

 their richness in nectar, they are an excellent 



forage for the 

 bees. If it were 

 not for the fact 

 that this fruit 

 blooms almost 

 entirely during 

 the winter there 

 would be large 

 crops of this 

 honey placed 

 upon the mar- 

 ket. As it is, 

 most of the 

 honey so gath- 

 ered is used for 

 the bees in 

 brood - rearing. 

 Where the pe- 

 riod of inflor- 

 escence is pro- 

 longed into 

 spring, and the 

 colonies have 

 built up strong 



