THE AMERICAN APICULTUBIST. 



149 



When the young apiarists are 

 attacked in conventions, the bee- 

 keepers do not unite in a body, 

 and demand that the assertions be 

 proven, thus making their accus- 

 ers feel tlie power of tlieir num- 

 bers, and to realize the magnitude 

 of the cause, and wish they had 

 not touched upon such vexatious 

 and far-reaching questions ; but 

 the}' allow a few representative 

 members to attend the conventions 

 and very mildly and respectfully 

 request that the important interests 

 which have been attacked be de- 

 fended. 



If, perchance, there be an editor 

 or correspondent of some bee-jour- 

 nal in the convention (and there 

 ahva^'s is) the j'oung beekeepers 

 who desire reform will too often re- 

 main quiet, fearing to have their 

 names and motives abused and 

 misrepresented through the press ; 

 or, if attacked, they will meekly 

 and quietly submit to the insult, 

 and when it gets too warm and their 

 interests are in danger of being in- 

 jured, instead of calling a mass 

 meeting of beekeepers and demand- 

 ing their rights, they will urge a 

 compromise and agree to almost 

 anything rather than prolong the 

 agitation. This was done when 

 the standard size of frame, winter- 

 ing bees, and other important sub- 

 jects came up for consideration, 

 and the supply dealers and editors 

 opposed the honey producers very 

 strongly. 



There have been prominent and 

 noteworthy exceptions to this rule, 

 but when one has been courageous 

 and bold enough to brave the re- 



sults, they have been set one side 

 and their leadership ignored. 



The apiarists complain among 

 themselves, discuss the situation 

 with one another, and mildlj^ in- 

 terview the magnates of the con- 

 ventions, but the}^ do not rise in 

 their might, take action collectively 

 and determine as a body to have 

 justice done them. They are even 

 afraid to write to our journals, and 

 open a discussion on the subject, 

 lest some terrible consequence 

 should result or some condign 

 punishment be visited upon them 

 for their temerity. 



The apiarists in other countries 

 do not seem to be so timid and ir- 

 resolute as our American brethren, 

 who have gained the credit abroad 

 for having such an enterprising 

 and energetic spirit. In England, 

 an apiarist demands a hearing 

 from his opponents. If his appeals 

 are not acceded to, he does not 

 hesitate to. com plain so loudl}^ that 

 with so man}' of his neighbors who 

 join with him in his demands, he 

 is rewarded with proper attention 

 and respectful consideration. The 

 apiarists of this country are not 

 conscious of their strength. This 

 great American industry is a sleep- 

 ing giant which needs to be 

 aroused ; so large has he grown 

 that his presence is felt in every na- 

 tion on the globe, but his own 

 professed friends lop off his limbs 

 in their endeavors to arrest his 

 further growth. Subordinate offi- 

 cers in conventions snub the good- 

 natured giant and the poor thing 

 tamely submits to unjust decision 

 without an audible murmur, and 



