1909 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE II 



AS THE ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT SEES IT 



many who have the ability and the time at their disposal to market a part or 

 all of their crops direct. Now, this means advertising in some form. This may 

 not be merely newspaper publicity — indeed, there may be no printed adver- 

 tisements at all. In this connection we submit the attached report from one 

 bee-keeper who has advertised his honey in an entirely different way. 



My dear Mr. Boyden : — Since I regard you as a sort of father to my bee in- 

 dustry, I wish to submit to you my second report. The first report from origi- 

 nal purchase of two hives was 260 lbs. of comb honey; two swarms lost; one 

 (division swarm) saved; sold $45.00 worth for cash — put three hives in winter 

 quarters in fine shape. 



I began the season of 1909 with three hives; took 362 sections of fine honey. 

 I have spent about $100 since my beginning. The whole outfit is worth over 

 $200, besides having taken 622 sections of honey, and selling about $115 worth. 



I think I ought to tell you of my means of selling. You will remember I am 

 a musician, and our musical union of New York consists of over 5000 members. 

 At our headquarters one may see about 2000 musicians every day from 12 to 

 2:30 P.M., where they meet to transact their business, making a regular ex- 

 change. All these musicians know I live in the country, and have bees, and 

 you would be surprised to see how they clamor for the honey I carry in to them. 

 All my honey sells for 25 cts. per section, and I sell out just as fast as I can de- 

 liver it. I believe that, if I had 2000 lbs., I could retail it all out during the win- 

 ter. One man took 40 sections, and has placed his order already for 60 next 

 summer. You have no idea how ready and willing those fellows are to get and 

 pay well for any thing coming directly and honestly from the country. 



I am much more enthusiastic over my bees now than when I started, and I 

 have no doubt that, with your assistance to educate me along the proper lines, 

 I will, in the course of time, have quite an apiary — at least such is my present 

 ambition. W. S. Wygrant. 



Nov. 6. 



We publish this merely as a suggestion of what may be done if beekeepers 

 will be on the lookout for many outlets for their honey. In most of the larger 

 cities, and in many smaller towns, local bee-keepers have been very successful 

 in disposing of large quantities direct or through canvassers employed by them. 

 Many others could do well to follow some such plan as that advocated in this 

 paper some months ago by W. Z. Hutchinson. The opportunities for work 

 along this line are unlimited; but the chance for losses must always be kept in 

 mind, and every precaution taken to avoid such. The loss of a single ship- 

 ment sent to an unreliable party, or occasioned by careless packing, or through 

 some other neglect, may mean the wiping-out of all the profits of the work 

 of an entire season. Having taken pains to produce fancy honey, put it up in 

 a manner worthy of its quality, and find a market that will appreciate and pay 

 for something a little better than the average. 



