GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



Beekeeping in California 



p. C. Chadwick, Redlands, Cal. 



A rosy hue has begun to make its ap- 

 pearance on the iDrospects of the season, 

 for just now we are enjoying an old-fash- 

 ioned Vet spell that makes the heart of the 

 California beekeej^er glad. Four and one- 

 half inches for the past 24 hours (Feb. 24) 

 is the report from Los Angeles, though at 

 this place we got but half an inch. The 

 sage seems to be damaged in the interior 

 foothill region much worse than nearer the 

 coast; in fact, Mr. M. H. Mendleson, of 

 Ventura, tells me it is not injured in that 

 vicinity. The prospect for orange bloom is 

 fine at this time, as the buds are starting 

 in almost the usual quantity. 



* * * 



I am in receipt of a section of comb hon- 

 ey by parcel post from Paul Hunter, of 

 Somerset, Col. The tin section, with its neat 

 covers, makes a handsome and durable hold- 

 er tliat stood the trip through the mails, ar- 

 riving in perfect condition. I am of the 

 opinion, however, that the package is too 

 expensive for common use, and will not dis- 

 place the wooden ones very fast. Mr. 

 Hunter has demonstrated to my entire sat- 

 isfaction that these packages will stand the 

 knocks received in the mails, yet the postage 

 on the one section was 16 cts., which would 

 make the delivery by parcel post prohibi- 

 tive, at least beyond the first zone. 

 « * * 



A meeting of the executive committee of 

 the C. S. B. A. was called at Los Angeles 

 on the 12th of February. Final action was 

 taken on the matter of publishing an asso- 

 ciation journal. It is to be about the size 

 of the Beekeepers' Review^ to be issued 

 monthly, and its name will be The Western 

 lloneyhee. Mr. Geo. L. Emerson, of Los 

 Angeles, is the editor. The committee on 

 marketing, which is composed of the presi- 

 dents of affiliated clubs, elected Mr. T. 0. 

 Andrews, of Corona, chairman, and Mr, C. 

 Hauser, of Sacramento, secretary. The 

 matter of establishing retail markets was 

 left for future action. The purchasing of 

 cans and cases was under consideration, but 

 no definite action was taken, though plans 

 Mere given out that indicate the association 

 will be able to get cans at a good reduction, 

 and cases in the flat by the carload at a 

 \ery low figure, making the combined cost 

 a substantial reduction over last year's 

 1 rices. 



* * » 



Mr. Editor, I read " Subscriber's " article 

 on p. 59, Jan. 15, and was beginning to get 



rather warm until I saw your comment at 

 the end. That soothed me somewhat, but I 

 want to come to the defense of our bee- 

 keepers with a few more remarks. " Sub- 

 scriber " seems to be sore at the entire bee- 

 keeping fraternity of this State, and all be- 

 cause of the treatment from one man. He 

 received $30.00 per month with no experi- 

 ence, which is farm wages, and the green 

 hand is dear at that price in the bee busi- 

 ness. The average bee-ranch is not within 

 reach of butcher-shops, and he is lucky to 

 get fresh meat at all. He was very lucky 

 in not having to do his own cooking and to 

 clean up his own dirt. The average native 

 would rather sleep out of doors than in, and 

 blankets are considered all that is necessary. 

 I liave slept that way many a night, and 

 have enjoyed it. The California beekeeper, 

 on the average, is no worse than any other 

 class of men anywhere else. 



I want to harp a little more on the mat- 

 ter of our exhibit at the Panama Pacific 

 Exposition. As I am secretaiy of the ex- 

 hibit committee, much of the work of get- 

 ting the means together, with which we ex- 

 pect to make the finest exhibit of the kind 

 the world has even seen, will fall on me. 

 I want to say at the beginning that this is 

 not to be in any sense an association affair, 

 but an exhibit of the beekeepers of the State 

 of California. The State Association has 

 taken the matter up to push it through, as 

 it is necessary to have an organization to 

 work through, and to whom those handling 

 the funds are responsible. The i")lans the 

 exhibit committee have under consideration 

 are of immense proportions and will require 

 much honey, wax, and money. We must 

 have liberal support to be able to complete 

 the plans we have under consideration. 

 Every beekeeper in the State will confer a 

 favor on the exhibit committee if he will 

 notify me at the earliest possible time just 

 what quantity of honey they are willing to 

 donate, let it be any number of cases; or if 

 it is preferable for some to give cash we 

 want to know the amount we can figure on 

 for the work. There are expenses to be met 

 almost immediately in order to get the de- 

 tails worked on time and the work started. 



Every beekeeper can also donate some 

 wax, and of this we shall need all we can 

 get. If you are a member of an affiliated 

 club, give your jDledge to the secretary of 

 your club. Others who will help, please 

 write direct to me. Get busy, boys. We 

 must m.ake a success of this. 



