20 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



manner in a limited space," and thinks 

 he will be able to allow but one hundred 

 square feet of space for each State 

 exhibit. 



It has somewhat dampened my ardor 

 to think that our large and growing in- 

 dustry is likely to be assigned a back 

 seat, as regards space in which to show 

 itself. Why, the Colorado State Bee- 

 Keepers' Association has already applied 

 to me for a thousand feet of space, and 

 if Colorado needs that amount of space, 

 what will be done with California, Wis- 

 consin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New 

 York, and other large honey-producing 

 States ? 



My idea is that the State Bee-Keepers' 

 'Associations of the different States mak- 

 ing an exhibit should ask their State 

 Boards of Commissioners for the Colum- 

 bian Exposition to put the matter of pre- 

 paring and making the exhibit in their 

 hands, and that the Associations 

 appoint committees of one or more 

 thoroughly competent persons to pre- 

 pare and make the exhibit, and care for 

 it during the Exposition. The Michigan, 

 Ohio and Colorado State Associations 

 have already appointed committees for 

 this work. 



The expense of preparing and making 

 the exhibit should be provided for by the 

 State Commissioners, in the same man- 

 ner as that for other industries. It 

 seems to me that no special appropria- 

 tion should be asked for our especial 

 benefit, but, as we represent one of the 

 important industries of our respective 

 States, we should not allow ourselves to 

 be slighted or ignored. 



As each State will have a building of 

 its own in which to exhibit its special 

 products, it will devolve upon the bee- 

 keepers of each State to prepare an 

 exhibit there, as well as in the general 

 exhibit of all the States. 



I am not sure what will be the best 

 plan for securing the honey, etc., for 

 exhibition. I believi; the Colorado As- 

 sociation has suggested, or asked, the 

 bee-keepers of the State to put aside for 

 the Exposition any especially fine honey 

 they may s((cure during the coming sea- 

 son. As exhibits will have to be on the 

 grounds by April 1,1.893, it will be nec- 

 essary to do whatever is done in the way 

 of securing comb-hon(!y in fanciful and 

 attractive shapes during the coming sea- 

 son. If every bee-keeper can be induced 

 to put aside the very finest of their crop, 

 to b(! used at the Exposition, tluu'e will 

 l)e a great abundance, and an individual 

 intercist will be seciin^d in the success of 

 llio undfu'takiug. Of course, it will be 

 expected that each one will be remun- 



erated for what they may furnish. We 

 cannot be expected to work for glory 

 alone, but pride should be a large ele- 

 ment in urging us to use our best efforts 

 to make our specialty show off to the 

 greatest advantage. 



It seems quite desirable, if not an abso- 

 lute necessity, that the Exposition man- 

 agers at once appoint some one to have 

 charge of the Apiarian Department, to 

 whom we could apply for space and 

 instructions as to what we can do, and 

 what will be required of us, and it seems 

 to me that this Association should take 

 the matter in hand, and see to it that 

 we are recognized, and have a repre- 

 sentative to spealv and act for us. 



Would it not be well to appoint a com- 

 mittee to look after this matter ? And 

 this same committee should have author- 

 ity to act for us, and in our name, in any 

 matter needing our action, at any time 

 when the Association is not in session. 

 Should the Superintendent, through 

 sickness or death, or any other unavoid- 

 able cause, be incapacitated for the dis- 

 charge of his duties as Superintendent, 

 the committee should have power to act 

 for us, and recommend the appointment 

 of some one to take his place, and the 

 Superintendent should be made an ex 

 officio member of the committee. 



I had hoped and expected to be with 

 you at this "annual feast," but circum- 

 stances beyond my control prevents it, 

 but I send you my cordial and kindly 

 greeting, and wish you all a pleasant 

 and profitable time. A. B. Mason. 



The following essay by Mr. George H. 

 Knickerbocker, was read at the after- 

 noon session, on 



Points of Excellence in Bees. 



"The Italian bee — what the principal 

 points of excellence, and to which quali- 

 ties should we give the preference with 

 a scale of markings as for neat stock ?" 



The Italian bee, as its name implies, 

 is a native of Italy, and was first suc- 

 cessfully imported to this country in 

 18B0. Since that tinn; the race has 

 been multiplii^d by American breeders 

 until you can scarcely find a colony of 

 of our black, or native bees, that do not 

 show indications of an admixture of 

 Italian blood ; yet large numbers are 

 still imported each year, which is a good 

 proof of their superior qualities. 



Although we get two distinct types 

 from Italy, tlu^ dark, or leatiier-colorcd 

 Italians in the north, and the smaller 

 and brighter yellow in the south, the 

 three yellow bands have usually been 

 (considered the sole test of purity. 



