AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



313 



Bee-Keepers' Association is also elastic 

 enough to permit me to become a mem- 

 ber when I may find it convenient to 

 cross the line. If we cannot aiBliate in 

 name, we can, I am sure, associate in 

 heart and spirit. Those of us in the 

 United States who have felt the cordial 

 entertainment from that fine body of 

 Canadians while the North American 

 Bee-Keepers' Association has been in 

 session on their territory, would not 

 willingly break loose every tie of fellow- 

 ship. Ernest R. Root. 

 Medina, O., Feb. 25, 1892. 



'What Kunny things do sometimes 

 occur ! One day, last week, we received 

 two letters so diametrically opposed to 

 each other, while estimating personal 

 character, that we think it will be quite 

 interesting to insert them here. 



One, which comes to us without sig- 

 nature or address, was sent to another 

 bee-keeper, who, it seems, was thinking 

 of submitting some description of an 

 invention to us, for some purpose, and 

 reads thus : 



"You can send your letter and patent 

 to him, but I want to warn you, before 

 hand, that Newman is a dealer in api- 

 arian goods, and he is not going to do 

 anything fcr you, or anybody else, if it 

 does not pay him to do it. The business 

 world is utterly selfish, and our friends 

 Newman and the Roots are no exception 

 to the rule." — — . 



In view of the fact that at least one- 

 half of our time is spent in work which 

 brings us no pay, and in which person- 

 ally we have no financial interest — the 

 above letter is very unfair and ungener- 

 ous ! Then, on the other hand, the 

 following letter dated Feb. 20, 1892, is 

 from one of our most prominent apicul- 

 tural writers, whose good opinion we 

 value more than fine gold : 



"Friend Newman : — I wish especially 

 to thank you for that reply to Jennie 

 Atchley, found on page 262 of the last 

 American Bee Journal. When I com- 

 menced to read the reply I almost ex- 

 pected to find after each sentence, 'but, 

 so and so," as I find in all other papers 

 dealing in supplies, where any bee- 

 keeper has the courage to stand up in 

 opposition to the editor, as did Sister A. 



Your fairness and candor has always 

 won my admiration during all these 

 years you have published the American 

 Bee Journal. Long may you live to 

 be at the helm of that best of weeklies — 

 the American Bee Journal." 



We wish to thank the brother for his 

 kind words, for we know that they are 

 not intended to flatter us. Such helps 

 one to bear the many burdens of life. 

 We are not perfect by any means, but 

 we try to be fair and honorable ! 



It is preposterous to think that our 

 estimate of an invention is controlled by 

 our interest in the sale of supplies. The 

 supply department is wholly in charge 

 of the "junior" member of the firm, 

 and the editor does not concern himself 

 about what is or is not kept for sale. 

 Unless requested to give an opinion on 

 the value of something new, he knows 

 nothing about that department. 



On the other hand, the "junior" 

 knows nothing about the matter pre- 

 pared for he Bee Journal, and seldom 

 sees any article until he reads it after it 

 is printed. 



Those who visit this office are well 

 aware of this division of departmental 

 labor, and can appreciate the unfairness 

 of the first letter quoted. 



As it is so easy to misjudge our fellow- 

 men, we should be very careful not to 

 wound their feelings unnecessarily. 



Xlie Madison and Oneida County 

 Bee-Keepers' Association will hold its 

 annual meeting at Oneida, N. Y., on 

 March 9, 1892. It is hoped that there 

 may be a good representation of the bee- 

 keepers of that region. 



Canadian Postage Stamps. 



— We have a superabundance of- them, 

 and we would suggest that when Cana- 

 dians desire to send fractions of a dollar 

 that they inclose paper currency, and 

 we will return the "change " in stamps. 

 That will turn the tables, and relieve 

 our supply, which consists of 1, 2, 3, 5 

 and 10 cent stamps. 



