THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST. 



171 



years experience in rearing qneens, 

 could not rear better queens than 

 the beginner, it would be an excep- 

 tion to a rule which applies to a 

 certainty to all other pursuits. 



What I urge is that our queens be 

 secured where the_y can be reared un- 

 der most favorable circumstances. 

 "Whether reared by ourselves, or se- 

 cured from those who make a spe- 

 cialty of rearing them, let our aim 

 be better, rather than cheaper, 

 queens. 



Mohawk, N. T., July 15, 1884. 



OUR PRESENT SITUATION 



By Geo. W. House. 



Is there an apiarist in America 

 who is fully satisfied with the pres- 

 ent situation of apiculture ? With- 

 out doubt this question is answered 

 as a unit. No. Is there one, inter- 

 ested in this pursuit, who would not 

 gladly do his share to correct the 

 man^^ wrongs, and remove the 

 stumbling blocks which now pre- 

 sent themselves in a very formida- 

 ble manner, threatening not only to 

 depreciate the values of our prod- 

 ucts, but the ruination of our busi- 

 ness? I do not believe there is a 

 dissenting voice, especially if we 

 were satisfied that the desired re- 

 forms can be easily and quickly ac- 

 complished, lean say with renewed 

 confidence that the end in view is 

 within our grasp. Then, why not 

 take hold one and all, in an earnest 

 manner and thus inaugurate s?/siems 

 that will lessen our labor, perfect 

 bureaus that will give us valuable 



information, and enhance the vahie 

 of our productions, e^iact latos for 

 the protection of our interests, and 

 form associations that will enlighten 

 the fraternity and advance apicul- 

 ture ? 



But some one asks. How can all 

 this be accomplished? I can as- 

 sure you it will not be by contentions 

 and selfishness ; nor by a broken 

 link in the chain ; not b}^ one wait- 

 ing for another, nor by some wait- 

 ing to see the result before lending 

 their assistance ; but it must be by 

 united action, or, if I may be per- 

 mitted to use that favorite term, 

 " cooperation." 



Some may call this a hobby of 

 mine, but think what you will, we 

 must sooner or later own the coin, 

 and acknowledge our weakness. 

 I, for one, will advocate this cause, 

 so long as I have the strength to 

 wield my pen, and the power of 

 speech. 



I have just received information 

 that foul brood is raging in the west- 

 ern part of this state, and that the 

 beekeepers of Wyoming and Liv- 

 ingston counties are about to hold 

 a meeting to take some action in 

 the matter. This may be all well 

 enough for self-protection and the 

 enforcement of laws ; but so long 

 as we have no laws to enforce, the 

 meeting would be of little or no 

 consequence. It wants the united 

 action of every beekeeper in the 

 state to perfect anything definite in 

 such cases. In time past the bee- 

 keepers have been appealed to for 

 assistance in enacting such laws, 

 but from sheer negligence they 

 have omitted to lend a helping 



