1903 THE AMERICAN B£E-KEEPER 89 



broad claims of superiority for their 60 colonies each, they bring to this 



own stock, and the general condemna- market abou,t 20 barrels of honey, in 



tion of the product of others, which is all. We are introducing into this coun- 



being indulged in by certain breeders ty sweet clover and other honey plants, 



at jhis time, there is very good reason as most of the honey-producing forest 



to believe that Editor Root is quite trees, vines, etc., are being cut away 



correct in his surmise. Some of the for the cultivation of cot,ton; though 



poorest queens that we have ever vve find the cotton bloom excellent for 



bought, came from those who do the honey." Here is an example of the 



loudest talking about .their superior kind of business enthusiasm that wins 



strains and methods. Unfortunately, success. 



mere assertions do not materially effect ~ 



the quality of stock in this line. It is Writing from Chicago, under date 



the practical test that tells the story, of Jan. 9, R. A. Burnett & Co., a large 



and the bee-keeper who invests his concern which deals in honey, has this 



cash in queens is loth to accept verbal to say: "The demand for honey is not 



or written claims instead of intrinsic more than usual; hence, stocks are suf- 



merit. ficienc, especially as Cuba has now 



comb honey on this market. This 13 



The Rocky Mountain Bee Journal a new source of supply, and is a factor 



says of the Cuban bell flower: "It that must be reckoned with, as it ob- 



yields a light, mild-tlavored honey that viates the necessity of laying in a stock 



is in every way fitted to successfully during, the summer and autumn to draw 



compete with the best products of the from in the winter and spring months." 



states. The honey resources of this Carry the news to Morrison. Last 



rich tropical isle are just beginning June Mr. Morrison hooted the idea 



to be exploited in characteristic Yan- that West Indian honey was to become 



kee style and the production will in- a "factor" in American markets. Edi- 



crease wi,th amazing rapidity in the tor Root approved his view, and Mr. 



next few years." Truer words were R. A. Burnett, whose firm is quo,ted 



never spoken. The Cuban product, above, took occasion to corroborate 



from this source, is "number one," and Mr. Root's observations. Mr. Root 



the business of production is fast com- then followed up Mr. Burnett's testi- 



ing into the hands of capable and en- mony in this wise: "I do not think 



terprising apiarists. The result may the bee-keepers of ,the United States 



be easily foreseen. Editor Morehouse need to worry a particle over any pos- 



says commercial co-operation is the sible effect that Cuban honey may have 



remedy to apply if this competition is on American markets." Whether we 



to be forestalled, and he is doubtless worry or not. the fact presents itself 



correct. that the .tropics give promise of the 



s,trongest competition with which the 



Dr. O. M. Blanton, of Greenville, American producer of the future will 



Miss., one of the progressive veterans have to contend. 



who is now in his 75th year, and in 



excellent health, writes us that he is One of fflie young queen breeders, 

 making preparations to increase his just becoming known to the bee-keep- 

 195 colonies during the present year to ing world, recently informed us that his 

 400. Speaking of his locality (the Mis- firm's greatest difficulty was to keep 

 sissipi Delta.) and conditions, the doc- pace with the orders for its stock, and 

 tor writes: "I have all the different this rush of business was a result of ad- 

 strains of bees, but am at a loss as to vertising but periodically in but one of 

 which are the best honey gatherer*, the apiarian journals. He was per- 

 This country is a very good locality for fectly satisfied wi,th the volume of busi- 

 bee-keepers, as we never have an entire ness coming his way, and could foresee 

 failure, and often secure very large naught but a disastrous flood of orders 

 yields. Strange to say, there are bu,t in case of extending his advertising. 

 six bee-keepers in this county (Wash- It must, indeed, be pleasant to have 

 ington), and three of these are negroes one's business ambition 30 fully grati- 

 who have taken it up after working fied; but is it not exceedingly unfor- 

 with whites; and with an average of tunate that such stock — stock for which 



