22 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Jan. 9, 



Mr. York cited a case in Chicago of a man having six col- 

 onies of bees, who had a yield of 900 poands of honey this 

 year. Not a very poor year there. 



The resolution which the Secretary had been instructed to 

 prepare the day before, came up, was duly considered, and 

 finally adopted as follows : 



Whekeas, It is the opinion of this Association, that 

 measures should be taken to increase both membership in our 

 Association and attendance upon the same, and thereby form 

 an association that will be large enough to make its influence 

 felt — as well in our legislative halls as elsewhere ; therefore, 

 be it 



Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to give notice 

 to bee-keepers throughout Illinois, that upon receipt of $1.00 

 by him, the sender will be entitled to receive the American 

 Bee Journal, of Chicago, (as the official organ of the State Asso- 

 ciation) for one year, as well as a membership in the State 

 Bee-Keepers' Association for one year, with whatever benefits 

 may result therefrom ; including a copy of the Second Annual 

 Report, and anything further which may follow during the 

 time of membership. 



Mr. Becker offered a resolution that the President ap- 

 point a committee of three, to ask of the Superintendent at 

 the State Fair, that a permanent place be assigned for bees, 

 honey, etc., all together, in one part of the building, and that 

 they be asked to place a freight elevator in the Dome Build- 

 ing for the use of exhibitors. This was laid on the table. 



The report of the Committee on the State Fair was read 

 and accepted as follows : 



The committee appointed to represent our interests before 

 the State Board of Agriculture and the State Experimental 

 Station, beg leave to report as follows : 



We revised last year's premium list, offered by the State 

 Fair Association, on bees and honey, making a list aggregat- 

 ing .?312, and presented the same to the State Board of Agri- 

 culture, who, in considering our petition, raised objections to 

 allowing any premiums whatever on implements and devices 

 of any sort, and ruled out all premiums offered upon them. 

 The petition was then referred to the Superintendent of the 

 Farm Products' Department — Hon. D. W. Vittum, of Canton, 

 III. — who told us he could allow us about $2.50 out of the 

 amount allowed him for premiums. The committee then re- 

 vised the list according to the ruling of the State Board, which 

 revision was accepted, as was also the Code of Rules for mak- 

 ing awards, as recommended by this Association. 



Your committee were also asked to recommend a judge, 

 capable of judging fairly, and recommended Mr. J. A. Green, 

 whose efHcient services were obtained. Our List and Rules 

 brought at least seven exhibitors from our State, one from 

 Indiana, and one from New York, who placed about 5,000 

 pounds of honey on exhibition, and made a creditable display 

 of other articles, there being as high as 13 entries for one 

 premium. 



Supt. Vittum did all he could to increase our premium list, 

 and assisted us in every way possible, and expressed himself 

 as well pleased with our exhibit, hoping to be able to allow us 

 a larger list the coming year. And in view of the importance 

 of the pursuit in our State, and the standing of our State 

 among the other States, we think an increase ought surely to 

 be made. 



The committee also memorialized the President of the 

 State University — Dr. Draper — praying the establishment of an 

 Experimental Station for bee-keepers, who referred the same 

 to the Board of Directors, who replied by letter as previously 

 read. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Jas. a. Stone, 1 



Geo. F. Robbins, [Committee. 



W. J. Finch, Jr., \ 



On motion the following committee was appointed on 

 State Fair work : Geo. F. Robbins, Chas. Becker, and W. J. 

 Finch, Jr. 



The convention then adjourned to 1:30 p.m. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



The meeting was called to order by Pres. Smith. 



The following resolutions by Geo. F. Robbins were read 

 and adopted : 



Resolved, That the thanks of the bee-keepers of Illinois 

 are due, and are hereby tendered, to the State Board of Agri- 

 culture for their liberal premium list, and for their general 

 good treatment of bee-keepers and the apiarian industry. 



Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the 

 Board at their next meeting. 



The election of officers for the ensuing year was held at 

 this time, with the following result: 



of alfalfa in the 

 have cut it four 

 I have never seen 



President, Dr. C. C. Miller, of Marengo ; Vice-Presidents — 

 1st, J. Q. Smith, of Lincoln ; 2nd, C. P. Dadant, of Hamilton; 

 3rd, S. N. Black, of Clayton ; ith, Mrs. L. Harrison, of 

 Peoria ; 5th, Geo. F. Bobbins, of Mechanicsburg ; Secretary, 

 .Fas. A. Stone, of Bradfordton ; and Treasurer, A. N. Draper, 

 01 Upper Alton. 



It was voted that all the money in the treasury (which is 

 §-l:.27) be paid to the Secretary for his services up to date. 



The prospects for the coming year were then considered. 



Mr. Bobbins said that when clover is well-rooted it does 

 not winter-kill. 



Mr. York said that B. Taylor, of Minnesota, predicts a 

 good season next year. 



Mr. Dadant — I think there is no one that can tell. 



Mr. Black — We cannot tell anything from the prospects 

 a year ahead. In our part of the State we have a good pros- 

 pect for the year ahead. Three or four dry years cuts out 

 heart's-ease, etc. No man can tell a year ahead. 



Dr. Miller — I think next year will be a good one. It is 

 remarkable to have a long series of failures. The longer the 

 failures the more likely the next will succeed. 



Mr. Becker — If there is a supply of white clover in the 

 fall, the next year is probable; but there is none in my 

 vicinity. 



Mr. Black — I know of only one honey-plant that is to be 

 depended upon, and that is sweet clover. 



Dr. Miller — I saw a large field of alfafa, and but few bees 

 on it. 



Mr. Dadant — Alfalfa is a good honey-plant in Europe, and 

 I don't see why it should not be here. 



The Secretary — I have a small patch 

 garden — this is the second year. I could 

 times, but for waiting for seed to mature, 

 many bees working on it at any time. 



Dr. Miller— I think that alfalfa will make a good forage 

 plant, but that is not what we are after, if it is not good for 

 honey as well. I think the day will come when sweet clover 

 will be used as a forage plant. I know of the stock liking it 

 in localities where it is widely grown ; and I know of a place 

 where stock are driven by it, along the road, where they keep 

 it eaten down. Alsike is the best clover I have ever used. It 

 does not produce as much hay as red clover, but a finer and 

 better quality. 



Mr. Dadant — When we have abundance of white clover it 

 does not matter about the other clovers. I think it is a help 

 to sweet clover to cut it, as it then blooms more profusely. 



Mr. Robbins— We can't depend on white clover, and 

 we should encourage the raising of Alsike. 



The Pres.— The trouble with Alsike— they pasture it too 

 closely, and then claim it doesn't pay. 



Mr. Robbins asked: "Will artificial rearing of queens 

 breed out the swarming fever?" 



The President— When the queen quits laying the swarm- 

 ing will end. 



On the adulteration of honey, Mr. Dadant said that if 

 honey colors tea, it is not pure. Pure honey will not tarnish 

 tin. 



Mr. York— We ought to have a law against the adultera- 

 tion of honey, then something could be done to prevent it. 



Mr. Becker — If we have pure honey we can always sell it. 



Mr. Black— But adulterated honey destroys the taste for 

 pure honey. 



Mr. York— Bee-keepers ought to supply their customers 

 by buying, when they cannot fill their orders from their own 

 crop. 



Mr. Dadant— Spanish-needle and smart-weed honey sell 

 the best, because it has such a strong taste that people are 

 sure it is honey. 



The convention adjourned sine die. 



Jas. a. Stone, Secretary. 



A Neiv Binder for holding a year's numbers of the 

 American Bee Journal, we propose to mail, postpaid, to every 

 subscriber who sends us 20 cents in addition to paying for his 

 or her subscription for 1896. It is called "The Wood 

 Binder," is patented, and is an entirely new and very simple 

 arrangement. Full printed directions accompany each Binder. 

 Every reader should get it, and preserve the copies of the Bee 

 Journal as fast as they are received. Why not begin with 

 Jan. 1 to save them ? They are invaluable for reference, and 

 at the low price of the Binder you can afford to get it yearly. 



If your subscription is already paid for 1896, send 20 

 cents for the Binder. If- any one desires two of the Binders — 

 one for 189.5 and one for 1896— send 30 cents, and they will 

 be mailed to you. 



