536 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



Ooverntuental Aid for the pur- 

 suit of apiculture is at once so appar- 

 ent in its necessity and advisability, 

 that scarcely any discussion of the sub- 

 ject is demanded. Some of the princi- 

 pal points relating to the subjects to be 

 investigated by the proposed aid, are 

 fully and clearly indicated in the able 

 article by Mr. P. H. Elwood, ex-Presi- 

 dont of the North American Bee-Keep- 

 ers' Association, as published on page 

 542 of this issue of the Bee Journal. 



It has been very evident for years that 

 the importance of the apicultural in- 

 terests of the United States entitles it 

 to fully as much, if not more, considera- 

 tion at the hands of the Government 

 than do those of silk-culture and ornith- 

 ology, which are now elevated to In- 

 dependent Divisions in the Department 

 of Agriculture. To be recognized as a 

 " section " in the Division of Entomology 

 is something, certainly, but compared to 

 the position which the great pursuit of 

 apiculture is entitled to, it is far beneath 

 its just duo. 



We believe that when there is a united 

 demand, on the part of the progressive 

 apiarists of our country, for proper 

 recognition on the part of our Govern- 

 ment, such aid as we now so much need 

 in the line of helpful experimentation 

 in various directions, will be accorded to 

 us ; and then will we begin to witness 

 such forward strides, both in scientific 

 and practical bee-keeping, the like of 

 which has not as yet been dreamed of 

 by our most imaginative apiarian 

 dreamers and enthusiasts. 



Mr. Elwood has named a few, and 

 we will not attempt to enumerate more, 

 of the live, unsettled questions that 

 such an experiment apiary established 

 at Washington might undertake to an- 

 swer and settle by careful and pains- 

 taking invt;stigation, as proposed in the 

 suggestions mentioned in the article 

 under consideration. After those already 

 named have received the necessary at- 

 tention to arrive at a settlement, others 

 will bo forthcoming with sufficient 

 rapidity to claim all the time and means 



at the command of the Superintendent 

 and assistant of such Apicultural Divi- 

 sion as is proposed. 



Let the subject be agitated until our 

 just requirements are allowed, and the 

 National Government extends its foster- 

 ing care. Let every bee-keeper's in- 

 fluence be used to the attainment of 

 their rights and privileges as worthy 

 agriculturists and patriots. Let the 

 united assistance and wisdom of every 

 lover of our useful pursuit be enlisted in 

 this common cause, until victory shall 

 be won, and apiculture takes its rightful 

 position among the most honored indus- 

 tries of the world. 



Mr. Alpausrli^ of Canada, claims 

 to have discovered a new system of bee- 

 keeping, which as yet is not made pub- 

 lic. Mr. D. A. Jones has described in 

 the Canadian Bee Journal what he 

 thinks he knows about it. From that, 

 a correspondent presents this condensed 

 statement : 



The system is, I think, that of placiYig 

 a hive between 2 colonies and starting a 

 colony in the central hive. The colony 

 in the central hive is to be devoted to 

 the storing of the surplus, while the two 

 outside colonies are to be "feeders "to 

 the central colony. 



These outside colonies are to be ma- 

 nipulated something as the old hive is 

 managed by the Heddon system of pre- 

 venting after-swarming. 



When the three hives are standing all 

 in a row, close to each other, the en- 

 trances all facing one way, the outside 

 hives are to be reversed — their entrances 

 turned in the opposite directions. This 

 would throw the working force all into 

 the central hive. Tlie outside hives are 

 again brought gradually around so that 

 their entrances are the same as that of 

 the central hive, only to be again re- 

 versed, throwing another force of bees 

 into the central hive. 



Swarming is prevented, and great 

 crops secured. Just how all this is to 

 be managed to make of it a success Mr. 

 Alpangh has not yet told, but he is 

 wonderfully enthusiastic over his plan. 



Hveii One colony of bees, if a suc- 

 cess, will produce honey enough to 

 furnish much enjoyment to the family. 



