382 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



scraped and polished until scarcely a stain from the bees remains. 

 The sections are then sorted and graded, — a task, as Mr. Holmes 

 tells us, which requires the most extreme care and experience. Only 

 the heaviest and most perfect sections are put into the first quality. 

 We have seen case after case of twenty sections weigh as high as 23 

 pounds; that is surely giving full weight. After sorting, the sections 

 are put into cartons and then packed into spotless cases, holding, as we 

 said, 20-pound sections each. The whole is then ready for shipment. 



It is frequently necessary to fumigate the combs, in order to prevent 

 the work of the wax worms. This can be done in several ways; by 

 confining the sections either in a room or in a tight box, where they are 

 disinfected with carbon bisulphide, hydrocyanic gas or formaldehyde. 



The key to success in marketing is the neatness with which all is 

 done, the maintaining of the flavor and fragrance of the honey by 

 properly storing it in a dry, warm atmosphere; in a word, by pre- 

 senting a thoroughly clean, wholesome, fragrant and inviting package. 



Never store honey of any kind in an ice box or other damp, cold atmos- 

 phere. 



All the suggestions that we could give, if we were to continue for 

 pages, would not help you to progress as much as a little practical ex- 

 perience. Work intelligently with your bees, trying to bring the best 

 results possible, and you will succeed. Keep in touch with what others 

 are doing, by reading. Read all the bee literature you can get hold of, 

 from the four corners of the earth. Some of it, to be sure, will not be 

 worth while, but it is the only way to keep in the advance. 



Bee Keepers' Societies. 



Besides reading, untold benefit can be derived from a society. At 

 these meetings enthusiasm runs high ; you are in contact with the most 

 active bee keepers of your section, and can, through verbal discussion, 

 learn more than by much reading. 



Massachusetts now has two societies. Most central in the State is 

 the Worcester County Bee Keeper's Association, which holds regular 

 meetings the second Saturday of each winter month, beginning in 

 November, in Horticultural Hall, Worcester, at 2 o'clock p.m. The 

 fee of this society is but 50 cents for membership until an assessment 

 becomes necessary, which as yet has never been the case. Full partic- 

 ulars may be learned of Mr. Adin A. Hixon, secretary, Horticultural 

 Hall, Worcester, Mass. 



The other society, the Massachusetts Bee Keeper's Society, holds its 

 meetings in Boston, monthly, in places voted at each previous meeting. 

 Mr. F. H. Farmer, president, 15 Chardon Street, Boston, Mass., will 

 gladly furnish details. The fee is 50 cents per annum. 



We strongly urge you to co-operate with these societies. They need 

 your support; they will help support and promote you. Through 

 their work and influence largely, the greatest advance and progress in 

 bee keeping are to be expected. 



