JULY 15, 1912 435 



p. C. Chadwick, Redlands, Cal. 



I wonder what California would do with 

 her honey if all conditions should be just 

 right once. The crop would be enormous. 



* # « 



From letters received I am led to the con- 

 clusion that San Bernardino County is not 

 the only place where the foul-brood inspec- 

 tor is not giving satisfaction. 



* * * 



My youngest son has discovered that 

 bare legs in the apiary are i^referable to 

 legs covered with black stockings so far as 

 the number of stings received is concerned. 



* » * 



"It is an ill wind that blows no good." 

 For weeks we fretted and fumed because 

 of the dark cool weather holding the bees 

 back; but many failed to realize that other 

 thing's were being held back at the same 

 time. At this date, June 1, there is still 

 some orange bloom, this being the latest 

 date my knowledge records for tliis bloom. 



* * * 



The well-known phrase, "Keep more 

 bees," is all right in a way, but it is nec- 

 essary to have the way as well as the means. 

 No one would like to increase his holdings 

 more than the writer, and I am trying to 

 accomplish it as fast as possible ; but so long 

 as family exjDenses are more certain than 

 honey crops, and with six childi'en to feed, 

 clothe, and educate, I must go carefully and 

 look first to the welfare of a growing fami- 

 ly, branching out as the way opens. 



* * » 



There is a fast-growing sentiment against 

 gi'ading honey water-white. There is a very 

 small amount produced that is actually 

 water-white, and what there is should com- 

 mand a fancy price over the next-best 

 grade. Buyers are largely responsible for 

 the dissatisfaction in this grade. Contracts 

 are taken early in the season for water- 

 white. If the season is poor and the supply 

 limited, any fair grade is usually taken un- 

 der the contract; but if the season is good 

 and the supply large, much quibbling is 

 done over color, and only the very best lots 

 are accepted without question. 



* * * 



Mr. E. D. Bullock, of this city, has se- 

 cured 8 tons of orange honey from 240 

 colonies moved in from the sage-fields. 

 This is the largest amount per colony se- 

 cured by any one, so far as I have learned. 

 In a recent conversation with Mir. Bullock 

 he told me of having fixed a watering-place 



for his bees, which was used freely until 

 the orange bloomed, after which it was de- 

 serted — the conclusion being that they se- 

 cured an ample supply of water from the 

 thin nectar of the orange. 



* * * 



Some orange honey has been secured. 

 The weather has been very favorable since 

 May 12, sage yielding well, but the bloom 

 being very limited, and no prospect for a 

 large amount being stored. The sage wee\il 

 has been the worst for years, many buttons 

 being entirely destroyed before blooming. 

 A slow flow for some weeks is probable 

 from alfalfa (wild) and white sage; the 

 button variety will soon be finished. Late 

 buckwheat should yield well this season. 

 Many who are located out of reach of early 

 pollen and nectar yielding plants, owing to 

 the extremely dry winter, will secure only 

 a very limited crop. 



* * * 



HOW TO REACH THOSE WHO DON'T TAKE BEE 

 JOURNALS. 



I have been criticised for saying so much 

 about foul-brood conditions in our State. 

 I believe I have wi-itten nothing but the 

 truth regarding this matter. The chief ob- 

 jection seemed to be that, in giving these 

 facts to be published, 1 have been scatter- 

 ing it all over the world, wlien it concerns ' 

 only us in California. If I am reacliing the 

 beekeepers of the world by trying to wake 

 up our California readers to the extent of 

 their danger, all well and good ; but how to 

 wake up a few thousand that take no bee ' 

 paper is a puzzle to m.e. Considering the 

 number engaged to a greater or less extent 

 in the industry I believe California can 

 show up a greater, per cent of ignorance 

 than any other State in the Union. This 

 is not saying, however, that we do not have 

 some of the foremost producers in the 

 world. 



There is a general sentiment in favor of 

 a new and better foul-brood law, but some 

 jealousy exists between different factions 

 and individuals. This should not be carried 

 to a point that Tyill jeopardize the enact- 

 ment of a new law. Every association, 

 club, and indi\'idual should help secure this 

 much-needed legislation. This campaign 

 will be my last effort to help secure a new 

 law. It is not a selfish effort on my part, 

 for, from a selfish standiDoint, I would rath- 

 er let the disease spread and clean about 

 two-thirds of the bees from the ranges. I 

 can take care of myself. 



