202 



THE AMERICAN APIGULTURIST. 



faithfulness, and in asking tlial our 

 endeavors be crowned with a ricli 

 and abundant fruitage. 



We would therefore especially di- 

 rect the attention of our readers to 

 the notices of such meetings that 

 have been forwarded us, and trust 

 that they will be more than ever im- 

 pressed with the importance of these 

 organizations and the hel]3 they afford 

 to the individual beekeeper. 



To this end, we can but repeat the 

 advice given in our Editorial of last 

 month to "make the subject of asso- 

 ciation work the theme and burden 

 of your talk at conventions." The 

 two are so intimately blended, so 

 closely interdependent, that we feel 

 in recognizing the necessity of the 

 one, the importance of the other is 

 already acknowledged. 



Association — the very name is 

 pregnant with meaning. Implying, 

 as it does, Sl coming together, for work 

 or for counsel, we must feel that it 

 contains the elements, which, if 

 rightly employed, will contribute 

 greatly to our advancement. Our 

 only misfortune is that either we 

 have no faith at all in this cardinal 

 fact, or our faith is so weak as to be 

 practically inert and inoperative. 



Let us then awake to duty, and 

 show by our presence at the conven- 

 tions, that we are ready for work. 



One organization cannot act here, 

 and another there, without any co- 

 operation, with any efficiency. To 

 do our work well, there must be 

 united action. Money would be 

 wasted, labor would be lost without 

 it. We shall be false to ourselves 

 and to our fellow beekeepers unless 

 we arise to a just conception of our 



great work, and gird ourselves to 

 perform it witli tlie strong armor of 

 justice and right. It seems as if very 

 little argument, it any, were needed 

 to convince us all that we cannot do 

 the work we arc called upon to do 

 without cordial, active, earnest co- 

 operation. The interchange of 

 thought and opinion which we here 

 obtain, is of vastly more value to us 

 than we are willing to admit. This 

 may seem to be a very trifling thing. 

 But just as the massive oak springs 

 from the insignificant acorn, so we 

 find the insignificant in life ; but it is 

 there for the sake of the infinite. 

 Grasp then, its possibilities, and so 

 respond that all hearts shall be glad, 

 and a new era Ije inaugurated in 

 our labors to advance the cause 

 which we represent. 



Apprehending this fiict, you will 

 see the importance of bringing 

 thither your best thoughts, a thorough 

 knowledge of general principles, or 

 a ready activity to learn of those al- 

 ready versed therein, and a lofty 

 courage to grapple with wliatever 

 difficulties may be in the way. 



The time is coming, and is not 

 far distant, when the science of api- 

 culture shall assume a higher posi- 

 tion than it has yet occupied. Freed 

 entirely from conventional restraints 

 on the one hand, which have limited 

 its range of thoughtand observation, 

 and from petty jealousy and suspi- 

 cion on the other, lest it should be 

 straying beyond its sphere, it will 

 speak not in the uncertain language 

 of theory, nor with the wayward 

 tones of private speculation ; but 

 with an impetus gained from present 

 experience it will gather its treasures 



