308 AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



H0:KHY-BHBS AXD HORTICUI.'rURE. 



BY H. C. FINNEY. 



The honey-bee is made the scape-goat for a good many ills that horticulture is 

 heir to, as well as depredations from the numerous and natural enemies of fruit. 

 The honey-bee is one of the greatest benefactors and friends the horticulturist has, 

 fertilizing bloom that would otherwise remain unfertilized. It has been frequently 

 and fully demonstrated that in districts where there were large orchards unvisited 

 by the honey-bee, they were much less productive than orchards in close proximity 

 to an apiary, all other conditions being equal. In a Massachsetts town, some years 

 ago, a number of citizens petitioned the council for an ordinance prohibiting the 

 keeping of bees within the city limits, because they sucked the honey from the 

 bloom, causing injury to the full and perfect development of the fruit. The prayer 

 was granted, and the bee had to go. Result : The next year the orchards were 

 filled with bloom. The wise ones predicted an unprecedented crop, now that the 

 bee was disposed of. Earvest time came, but there was less of fruit by half than in 

 the preceding years. Year followed year of almost failure, then the cry went up, 

 " Bring back the bees !" 



Nearly every community has some victim who has suffered pecuniarily from the 

 ravages of the honey-bee ! Birds, grasshoppers, nor insects ever molest; they have 

 a sort of tender regard for his feelings, and his ripening fruits, in fact, are never 

 seen, could not be enticed to partake, no, sir ; but the accursed honey-bee (perhaps 

 an offspring of that Massachusetts bee) swoops down upon his vineyard, scores and 

 lacerates, bites and tears the ripe clusters from bottom to top, leaving them a bleed- 

 ing mass for wasps and thrips to gorge upon ! He relates his woes and losses to 

 sympathizing friends, and they condole with him in his misfortune, and pass reso- 

 lutions to the effect that the bee is a mighty mean animal, and the man who keeps 

 him Is a worse one, and ought to be prosecuted for maintaining a nuisance ! 



Now, for the facts : It has been repeatedly demonstrated that it is impossible 

 for a honey-bee to puncture a smooth-skin fruit, and any one who will take the 

 trouble to examine the structure of one, can satisfy himself of the absurdity of the 

 thing. Experiments have been made all over Europe, as well as this country, and 

 as yet not a single case has been found where the honey-bee punctured the fruit. 

 Yes, sir, they will eat or suck the fruit after it has been punctured by wasps or 

 thrips, but not before. I have a little experimental station of my own, and invite 

 all who feel disposed to visit it, and satisfy themselves in this matter of fruit-eating. 



To make a practical test of the theory of puncturing fruit, I selected bunches of 

 the ripest and sweetest grapes, placed them on the frames over the brood-chamber 

 in the hives where the bees could have free access to them. This was three weeks 

 ago. The grapes are there to-day, and untouched. The bees run over them, but 

 pay no more attention to them than they would to so many marbles. I will guar- 

 antee any one immunity from stings who may wish to verify this statement, and 

 satisfy himself. 



There are several brother btiO-keepers in this vicinity who have been to consid- 

 erable expense trying to build up an industry that will partially fill a long felt want, 

 viz.: A pure article of honey, both comb and extracted. It is an industry that 

 should be encouraged instead of discouraged. Apiculture and horticulture should 

 go hand in hand; the field is large and inviting, and by attention and energy will 

 return fair profits. I have heard the honey-bee maligned and misrepresented, so 

 wrongfully accused of mischief that belonged elsewhere, that I raise my voice in its 

 defense, and in behalf of my brother bee-keepers. Council Grove, Kans 



