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AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Report to indicate that there were any 

 '• affiliated " associations at that time. If 

 not, why not ? 



Then, again, what benefit is to be de- 

 rived from becoming " affiliated ?" 



These are merely questions thrown out to 

 provoke an expression of opinion, if possi- 

 ble, on the part of our leading bee-keepers. 



It is a truth which no one can gainsay, 

 that it is human nature not to remain 

 '• affiliated" very long when no benefit of 

 any kind is to be derived from the affilia- 

 tion. I can see how every individual who 

 attends a meeting of the North American 

 can be greatly benefited, but I confess I do 

 not see where the benefit is to accrue to 

 those who are only " affiliated," and never 

 attend any of the meetings. It seems to 

 me that it ought to be possible to identify 

 the interest of all local societies more 

 closely than they are at present with that 

 of the National. I do not know just how 

 this can be done, but I want to suggest a 

 plan by which I think it could be brought 

 about at our next meeting, in October. I 

 should like very much to see this the larg- 

 est meeting that was ever held in the in- 

 terest of apiculture on this continent. 



This can be done with very little effort, 

 if we all set about it at once in the right 

 way. I would suggest, first, that every 

 county in the United States, where there is 

 a sufficient number of bee-keepers, organize 

 at once a local society. Let each member 

 pay in a fee of 50 cents, and then proceed 

 to elect a delegate to the North American, 

 and equip him with money enough to pay 

 his expenses, and $1.00 for the annual mem- 

 bership fee. Discuss thoroughly what you 

 would like to have him present to the 

 North American, and send him out in- 

 structed to vote every time for the thing 

 that comes the nearest representing what 

 the local society desires. As part pay for 

 the benefit this delegate is to derive per-* 

 sonally from attending the North American, 

 he should be required to write up fully the 

 entire trip and the doings of the North 

 American, and present this to the next 

 meeting of the local society. Our Canadian 

 friends should do the same in every Prov- 

 ince in Canada. In this way we could 

 secure a very large attendance, and create 

 sufficient enthusiasm to put the North 

 American in a way to be a power in the 

 land. What say you ? What County or 

 Province will be the first to respond to this 

 proposition ? 



1 am making local arrangements for a 

 big crowd, and a good time generally. The 

 Commmercial Club, of tliis city, has come 

 to the front, and tendered me the use of 

 their rooms in which to hold our meetings, 

 and they are doing all they can to lielp 

 secure reduced rates on the railroads. Just 

 as soon as the matter of rates is settled, it 

 will be published, but 1 trust no one will 

 wait for this before making up his or lier 

 mind to come. The Commercial Club has 

 one of the finest j-ooms in the city, centrally 

 located, and near to good hotels which have 

 made me liberal rates for our meeting. 



We have been promised essays from some 

 of the leading bee-keepers of the world. 



Mr. Benton is working hard to prepare a 

 good programme— one that will be both en- 

 tertaining and profitable. Dr. Miller, and 

 a host of others who are a whole Conven- 

 tion in themselves, will be here, and the 

 meeting cannot fail to be beneficial to all 

 who may attend. If you have but one 

 colony, come and learn how to care for 

 more. 



Friend iStilson has struck the right key in 

 the last JVebra.sJM JJee-Keeper. He says: 

 " Let's make up a carload or more and 

 start from Lincoln." 



That's the way to talk ; come on with 

 your carloads, and this city of the "wild 

 and woolly West " will try to do her part. 



I have received a number of letters and 

 cards from those who expect to be here, 

 but still there is room for more. Let them 

 come, and come fast ! Every one counts, 

 and helps to swell the swarm of bee-keepers 

 that will be buzzing in the air in our fair 

 city on Oct. 16th, 17th and l.sth. 



We will furnish the hive, if the people 

 will only " swarm." 



Emerson T. Abbott, Pres. 



St. Joseph, Mo. 



We think Pres. Abbott has given a grand 

 key-note in the foregoing. At the coming 

 convention something of value should be 

 decided upon, so that prospective affiliating 

 associations may have some tangible object 

 to work for in urging such affiliation among 

 their local members. Let there be brought 

 to bear upon this subject the best thought 

 and minds of the bee-fraternity up to and 

 during the convention in October, so that, 

 as Bro. Abbott wisely says, the North 

 American may become " a power in the 

 land." Certainly there is wisdom enough 

 in the ranks of bee-keepers to evolve some- 

 thing that shall bring great profit, and 

 grace and glory, to the honorable pursuit 

 of apiculture. 



Profitable Bee-lieeping-, by Mrs. 

 Atchley, will continue for some time in her 

 department of the Bee Jouknal, at least 

 each alternate week. Until further notice 

 we can furnish the back numbers from May 

 1st, beginning with her " Lessons," to new 

 subscribers who pay $1.00 for a year's sub- 

 scription to the Bee Jouknal— that is, we 

 can commence their year with the number 

 having the first lesson, if they so desire. 



'*I'Vm1 ISi-ood ; Its Natural History 

 and Rational Treatment," is the title of an 

 interesting booklet by Dr. Wm. R. Howard, 

 of Texas. It also contains a review of the 

 work of others on the same subject. It is 

 being sold at the office of the Bee Jouk- 

 nal. Price, postpaid, '25 cents; or clubbed 

 with the Bee JouiiNAL for one year— both 

 together for $1.15. 



