but I assure you I am expressing a candid 

 opinion. 



I often envy tlie independence of tlie man 

 who, wlien liis bees are iioused for tlie win- 

 ter, has a considerable period in vvliicii to 

 visit his friends, and in whicii to improve 

 his Itnowled^e and intellect. The social ad- 

 vantage of these periods cannot be over- 

 estimated. 



Of course. I would advise all apiarists to 

 make ample and intelligent preparaticms be- 

 fore the busy season comes, for, be it remem- 

 bered, in summer, the man with leisure in 

 winter lias his abilities taxed to their full 

 capacity. 



1 apprehend not so much the over-stocking 

 of the markets with honey as of localities 

 with bees. Note this carefully, and locate 

 your apiary so as not to injure each other. 



The great honey product of California 

 will very soon be transported to Europe di- 

 rectly by water, thus leaving us a clear field. 

 Our duty, then, is to thoroughly master our 

 occupati(ni, and use our influence to bring 

 honey into general use— first, by making it 

 compete in price witli other sweets ; and 

 secondly, by educating the public to its gen- 

 eral use. Mr. Newman, of the American 

 Bee Journal, has issued a very useful 

 little work that all bee-keepers should cir- 

 culate in their neighborhoods. I refer to the 

 pamphlet, "Honey as Food and Medicine." 



OurEnglish brethren, although not as well 

 advanced as we in bee-culture, liave put us 

 to shame in the matter of conventions and 

 displays of bees and their products. I think 

 their manner of exhibiting the manipula- 

 tions of l>ees to the general public worth j' of 

 our consideration and emulation. 



At our last meeting a committee was ap- 

 pointed to consider the best plans for plac- 

 ing the Nntional Association on a permanent 

 footing. I hope the committee can at this 

 time report some feasible method. 



System and concerted action are what we 

 need to permanently establish our occupa- 

 tion, and make it take rank among the im- 

 portant industries of the nation. No stronger 

 argument can be presented for encouraging 

 the representative plan of holding conven- 

 tions than this : That system in manage- 

 mtMit, system in the style of surplus 

 receptacles, and system in marketing of 

 honey, can be developed, while at the same 

 time we come in contact with each other, and 

 with the buyers and consumers of our pro- 

 ducts, and thus learn their wants and our 

 deficiencies. " Order is heaven's first law." 

 and order and concerted action are necessary 

 to the proper development of any business. 



In one of our papers I notice an article 

 regarding tlie purity of Italian bees, and the 

 writer ursres the necessity for an established, 

 recognized standard by whicli to determine 

 the purity of those bees. 1 fully endorse 

 that snsrgestion, and recommend that the 

 matter be c(msidered in this Convention. I 

 throw out as a suggestion, that possibly we 

 can improve the hardy qualities of our bees. 

 You are aware that flies, wasps, bumble- 

 bees, and many other insects, do not chill or 

 get benumbed as quickly as honey-bees. 

 By long and careful breeding, may we not 

 improve our bees in this particular, making 

 them hardier and able to work in weather 



too cool for them now ? I leave this matter 

 to your consideration. 



In closing, let ine draw your attention to 

 a bad precedent established at the last Con- 

 vention, viz. : The giving of a present to the 

 retiring President. I suggest that this be 

 not repeated, lest it become an established 

 and pernicious custom. 



Eequesting that with unselfish purpose, 

 we adjourn from here to some prominent 

 city of the West, I shall not burden you 

 longer. 



The Secretary read the following as his 

 report for the past year : 



To paid for tables, &c.. In Am. Instistitute Fair. $15 50 

 To paid for printing addresses and postage 25 00 



$40 50 



Received from late Treasurer $5 00 



Received membership fees S4 00 



$39 00 



Deficit $1 50 



In accordance with the resolution passed at our 

 last meeting, your Secretary has had 1,5(10 copies of 

 " The Facts for the People" printed and mailed to 

 the most influential papers of the nation, and has 

 had marked copies returned containing the State- 

 ment of Facts. 



Postage. 1,500- Ic $15 00 



Envelopes and printing 1,500 copies 10 00 



$25 00 



Report of committee on " the best means 

 of promoting and advancing the interests of 

 the National Bee-Keepers's Society, and to 

 increase its usefulness :" 



"Strike while the iron is hot," is a com- 

 mon saying, and a very good one. It indi- 

 cates thedangerof delay and the importance 

 of prompt action ; but Cromwell said, 

 " Make the iron hot by striking."— thus en- 

 forcing another thought, that " Where there 

 is a will there is a way ;" that to good sense, 

 industry and perseverance, no rhiht thing 

 is impossible! As by continual striking, 

 the cold iron can be heated, so, by constant 

 and well directed work, the most difficult 

 undertakings may be conducted to success ! 



Two years ago, when we met at Philadel- 

 phia, the question was : " Shdll the Society 

 continue to exist?"— now it is : " How to 

 incredse its usefiilnes-s ?" We have had to 

 take Cromwell's advice, and "Make the iron 

 hot by striking !" Now let us "not be weary 

 in well-doing" — and continue the vigorous 

 use of our sledge-hammers ; let us demon- 

 strate that we both can and loHl bring our 

 undertaking— though it be difficult— to a 

 complete success. 



I will not weary your patience, but come 

 at once to our recommendations. Three 

 thiuL'S are essential to the usefulness of the 

 Society, and these three things will "pro- 

 mote" and "advance" its interests : 



1. It should fosterLocnf Societies, seeking 

 a delegation from such at its annual sittings 

 — making this Society, as nearly as possible, 

 a representative body. 



2. It should encourage a Local State Exhi- 

 bition once a year, having manipulations 

 with bees in each State and Territory. 



3. It should give i(s hearty support to these 

 "Bee and Honey Shows," by appointing a 

 suitable person or persons to attend them, 

 and in its name and by its authority, to 

 award a suitable medal for the best exhibit 

 of honey in the most marketable sliape, and 



