harmoTiy that has prevailed so far, and now, 

 as tlie time will be mainly jiiven up to dis- 

 cussions of themes of vast importance — 

 themes upon which we liave not arrived 

 at a union of sentiment, let tlie arguments 

 be strong and well matured, but let uohitrsh 

 word mar the beauty or strength of even 

 one ar>,'ument or speech. Let us all re- 

 nieuiber that we speak not only to the 

 hundreds tiiat are present, but also to the 

 thdusands that are absent, who in almost 

 breathless silence anxiously await the pub- 

 lislied report of our proceedings. A steno- 

 graphic reporter is present who will take 

 down every word we utter — "Let us, there- 

 fore.»take heed t(i our lips, that we offend not 

 with our tongue." 



What we need is co-operation ! Concert 

 of action ! Oh ! how the weary and bur- 

 dened soldier on the battle-field, likes to feel 

 that he is not alone — that his elbows touch 

 those of his comrade ! Ilow refreshing!; it is 

 to him to know that a brother is fif^htinfj by 

 liis side for the same soul-inspiring cause, 

 in defense of the same hallowed principles ! 

 How it adds to his assurance, strenf>thens 

 his nerves, and cheers his spirits ! 



As a band of brothers we should stand 

 side by side with our fellows, and cheer by 

 our presence, our counsel, and our inspira- 

 ti<m, while tijjhting for the same result. 



By a bold and united dash, we may storm 

 the citadel of public opinion — and having 

 "the best honey in the most marketable 

 shape," inscribed upon our banners, we may 

 scale the walls of a "weak market," placing 

 upon the topmost round of public (iemand 

 an unceasing call for " Delicious and Pure 

 Honey" — while the people from the rising 

 even unto the settintr of the sun, may cry, 

 "MORE ! MOKE ! GIVE US MORE!" 



It was nmved that the President be re- 

 quested to correspond with the bee-keepers 

 of the country, to induce them to take more 

 interest in Conventions, and to use every 

 means within their power to create a home 

 demand for honey ; and as honey shows, 

 once a year, in every State or District, would 



greatly assist in placing honey in its time- 

 onored position as nuvn's natural sweet, it 

 is earnestly desired that such may be insti- 

 tuted, and our President is requested to give 

 the Vice Presidents all the assistance he can 

 to make such honey shows a success. 



Mr. Newman thought that all corrfesnond- 

 ence should be conducted by the Corre- 

 sponding Secretary. 



Mr. Ilasbrouck thought that the President 

 would have more influence with the bee- 

 keeiiers of the country. 



L. C. Root was of the same opinion. 



Mr. Newman said he had the interests of 

 the apiary deeply at heart, and would not 

 shrink from any duty assigned him. Carried. 



READING OF CORRESPONDENCE. 



A letter from the Rev. L. L. Langstroth, 

 regretting his inability to be present. He 

 would have met with a very hearty welcome. 



Letters were also read from Mrs. Dunham, 

 A. H. Hart, Wni. M. Kello-g, D. D. Palmer, 

 R. M. Argo, J. M. Siiuck, John H. Keippart, 

 J. Whitman, Jr., and Gen. W. G. LeDuc, 

 Conunissioner of Agriculture, giving much 

 valuable statistical information. 



The following letter from Louisiana was 

 then read : 



Brother Bee-Keepers of the National 

 Associdtion: i 



As the Southern States will probably 

 have little or no representation at your 

 annual meeting, I beg to address you a few 

 words in their behalf. The great distance, 

 consequent heavy traveling expense, scant 

 purses, and busy work of securing our fall 

 iioney crop, which comes to us in bountiful 

 quantity just at this time, almost precludes 

 the possibility of our bee-keepers taking an 

 active part in your labors for the general 

 good, but we feel a pride and a deep interest 

 in your work, and hope that at some future 

 day we will have the pleasure of assisting 

 in your discussions of bee-keeping and 

 honey marketing mysteries. We could not 

 offer yon any valuable advice or soothing 

 consolation on the subject of wintering, 

 nor could we reasonably hope to win the 



Srize medal for section honej' against your 

 oolittle, Betsinger. Hetheringtou, Martin 

 and others, but coming to acres of nice yel- 

 low bees and tons of liquid nectar, we 

 would ask your kind consideration. That 

 all sections of our country may take a deeper 

 interest in your efforts and proceedings 

 and feel that it is really a national society, I 

 would suggest that your membership might 

 be largely increased, your treasury receipts 

 brought up to a working basis, and your 

 powers and influence for the general good 

 greatly augmented, by appointing the meet- 

 ing for a different place each year— say next 

 year in Chicago. Cincinnati or St. Louis, the 

 year following in New Orleans or Atlanta, 

 the next in Baltimore, and so on. If such a 

 plan should be adopted I feel sure our peo- 

 ple in the South would lend a helping hand. 



We have as yet very few well organized 

 and efficient bee-keepers' societies in the 

 South, but they are increasing gradually. 

 The introduction of the Italian bee, the 

 wonderful improvements in hives and apia- 

 rian implements, and the innnense success 

 of all who have engaged in the business, 

 has attracted the attention of the whole 

 country, and many are now buying bees and 

 locating large apiaries as specialists. Many 

 experienced apiarists are coming to us from 

 the North and West, and with honey-yield- 

 ing flowers in endless variety and profusion, 

 blooming almost the year round; no expense 

 of cellars, double hives and chaff packing, 

 and no losses of bees from "wintering" and 

 foul brood, who will say that we may not 

 soon astonish the world with our honey pro- 

 ductions ? 



Yet, with all these advantages, we have 

 some drawbacks that cannot be speedily 

 overcome without organized co-operation. 

 The principal of these is the lack of a home 

 market. Cane sugars and syrups are pro- 

 duced in such abundance, and at such cheap 

 prices, and the people so nuich accustomea 

 to their use, that there is no demand for 

 honey in our villages, and very little in the 

 large cities. Hence, we are comnelled to 

 ship our entire productions to the Northern 

 or Western markets, or to Europe. For this 

 we have cheap transportation by the 

 Mississippi river and the cotton-ships at 

 New Orleans. We have made no shipment 

 direct to Europe yet, but it is probable that 



