THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



373 



By examining my sales here, at the 

 Agricultural Coiiese, I find, at the low- 

 est estimate, tliat by taliiiig proper pains 

 to stimulate, and attract custom, a com- 

 munity of 300 persons will take the proceeds 

 of at least ten colonies of bees. Thus we 

 see if we would give more heed to our mar- 

 kets and marketing, our apiaries might be 

 vastly increased in size and numbers, and 

 still the markets would be uuclogged and 

 prices firm. 



In Lansing there is a population of about 

 8,000. There are about 25 groceries. One of 

 these and that about an average one, as to 

 the wealth and standing of its patrons, has 

 been supplied with honey from the apiary 

 or Mrs. L. B. Baker— well may we of the 

 sterner sex, take lessons of our apiarian sis- 

 ters in the preparation of honey for market, 

 —which numbered at the commencement of 

 the season 18 colonies, and yet though we 

 have had a fair honey season, and though 

 Mrs. B. knows how, and gives all needed 

 attention to secure the best yield of honey, 

 this apiary has not been able to supply this 

 one grocery during the honey season and I 

 have been called to the rescue. Hence, we 

 conclude that Lansing should and might 

 give generous custom to 25 such apiaries, 

 just during the honey season. In winter 

 much more honey is consumed than in sum- 

 mer. Hence, we see that even a small town 

 may be led to consume the honey product of 

 near a thousand colonies of bees. This 

 fondness too, like any taste or passion would 

 grow by what it fed upon, so the demand 

 would even go on increasing. 



Thus we come to our fourth and last point, 

 What is our policy in the premises? 



First we should see that every grocer 

 about us had constantly on hand a supply of 

 honey, both comb and extracted. 



Secondly, this should not only be properly 

 graded, but should always be in inviting 

 form. 



If comb honey, it should look neat, be so 

 built that it would all show, and in one or 

 two pound boxes or frames, so that all could 

 buy. If made in small frames, about six 

 inches square, these held in the larger 

 frames, wiiich are like the common brood 

 frames, except that they are two inches 

 deep— and beyond question, this puts our 

 honey in the most inviting form and secures 

 the most, if we seek comb honey — then tins 

 should be nailed on to the large frames, 

 separating the spaces to receive comb, so 

 that contiguous combs will not be fastened 

 together and thus soil the honey and box. 



The box made to contain these frames 

 while awaiting purchase in the grocery, 

 shonld be like a new-idea hive, with a per- 

 fectly tight bottom, so that sliould the combs 

 leak, the box will not allow any dripping. 

 This box shonld be made neatly, nicely 

 painted, and with a hinged cover with straps 

 like a trunk, so that it may be opened easily 

 in removing honey. Atoneend there should 

 be glass so all who come in will see the 

 beautiful comb for themselves. 



On the top of the lid shonld be a label, 

 neatly printed, in large letters giving grade 

 and kind of honey and in very large letters, 

 tlie name of the apiary, so that the prestige 

 obtained by all this pains, shall come to the 

 riglitful owner. 



The labels must be made adjustable, so 

 that they may be changed with the grade 

 and kind of honey. 



Extracted honey should he extracted. 

 Let us not confess an inferiority, whicli we 

 do not feel by inserting a piece of comb, but 

 trust our extracted honey on its own merits, 

 vi'hich are truly ample to commend it to 

 public favor. It should be put in small glass 

 receptacles, so that each cup may be sold at 

 the most for 35 cents. It should be deliv- 

 ered in small quantities so that it will not 

 granulate on the grocer's hands; or else he 

 should be told all about granulation, and the 

 way to again liquify the honey. A large 

 neat label framed and under glass should 

 call attention to the quality and kind of 

 honey; to its extraction and to the apiary 

 from whence it came. The cups I think 

 had better be jelly cups. The size is favora- 

 ble, and they help sell the honey, as they 

 are always in demand and the buyer thinks 

 he cets these thrown in. 



The delivering of honej% and filling of 

 cups, if the labor of the apiarist himself, 

 will be more likely to be done "decently 

 and in order." 



But, do you say, this involves so much 

 trouble. Yes, but it is just the trouble that 

 pays a tremendous per cent. J ust the trouble 

 that will fill this slough of despond in re- 

 gard to our markets. 



Biit may we not exaggerate the trouble? 

 In this way we can secure a market for all 

 our produce in one village or city near by, 

 and at good prices. Except in May and June 

 we can easily get away for a day each month 

 and in a single day re-stock all the groceries 

 to be supplied, and see to it ourselves. In 

 winter we can arrange to supply other deal- 

 ers as our production may demand, though 

 from my own experience I judge that very 

 soon the seeking on our part, will be in the 

 passive voice. 



A further advantage, in sooth, will come 

 with the prestige that is sure to grow out of 

 such care and pains, so that if any one finds 

 a market it will be sure to be ourselves. 

 While the indirect advantage arising from 

 the bettered methods of preparing honey for 

 market, generally adopted, because of our 

 example, thus toning up the whole business, 

 will be by no means inconsiderable. 



Let us then study the art of neatness; let 

 our products be their own solicitors; let 

 every grocery in the land be conslantly sup- 

 plied with honey so prepared, that its very 

 style will make it irresistible. Do all this 

 and I fully believe that we shall scatter the 

 threatening clouds of glutted markets, by 

 the golden sunshine of— bring us more. 



A vote of thanks was passed to Prof. Cook 

 for his very able and interesting essay. 



Mr. Trimble said he was a consumer, and 

 had seen the excellent display at the Ameri- 

 can Institute, and wanted to see more like 

 it all over the country. He found it difficult 

 to procure good honey, and thought this 

 display and convention w(nild do much to- 

 wards bringing honey into more general 

 demand. If honey was put up in such at- 

 tractive shape as he had seen it there, and 

 as reconimended by the essay just read, 

 there Avould be no trouble in finding ready 

 sale for all that could be produced. 



L. C. Root was glad that we had the pres- 

 ence and views of consumers. Such Avere 

 just what we needed. In putting our honey 

 in proper shape for the market we should 

 consult their desires and wants. 



J. F. Callbreath said he had marketed 

 honey— both buckwheat and dark— and the 



