What does it Mean ? — A corres- 

 pondent wishes an answer to the follow- 

 ing, but as we prefer to have the author 

 explain it, we here ask him to reply in 

 next Journal. Here is the question : 



L. C. Root said in his essay, at National 

 Bee-keepers' Convention, published in Dec. 

 No. American Bee Journal, on " Hints 

 to Beginners," "Spring is the preferable 

 time to purchase bees, and if they are 

 transported long distances, they will be 

 benefitted by the shipment.''' 1 Please an- 

 swer in Journal— Why So ? 



Being at late National Beekeepers' Con- 

 vention, held in New York. I was favor- 

 ably impressed with its purpose ; and not 

 particularly as a compliment to you, person- 

 ally—let me say, the Journal you repre- 

 sent is a perfect reflex of an efficient officer, 

 and with your genius so well adapted, the 

 ■enterprise must receive a wonderful impetus 

 in the practical handling of the industrious 

 creatures. Sentiment, boys' talk, self in- 

 terest, too often, heretofore, have found 

 vent in extolling the great works of 

 Lilliputians. A. E. Wenzel. 



We are glad that Mr. Wenzel dis- 

 claims the idea of a personal compli- 

 ment in the latter clause. We will do 

 all we can to further the interests of the 

 National Association, and it is exceed- 

 ingly gratifying to us to hear from all 

 quarters that so many of our prominent 

 apiarists are coming to the next Conven- 

 tion in Chicago. It now appears that 

 that meeting will be the most important 

 and enthusiastic one ever held in 

 America. We must make arrangements 

 for an immense gathering. From the 

 East, West, North and South, come the 

 promises of attendance. 



The Blessed Bees is the title of a 

 new book of 169 pages, by John Allen. A 

 copy of it is on our table, and we must con- 

 fess, it possesses such a pleasant style that 

 its perusa. was a great pleasure. Its con- 

 tents cover all the ground in bee-keeping 

 from "Beginning" to "Marketing." it will 

 be read by every one with as much delight 

 as the lover of light reading experiences 

 over the latest novel — for really that 

 is the style in which it is written. It is 

 published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 102 Fifth 

 Avenue N. Y., at the popular price of $1.00. 



^W We have receive a model showing 

 how Mr. J. H. Murdock packs his bees for 

 wintering on their summer stands. An 

 article explanatory will appear next month. 



Self-Accusations. — If a man's esti- 

 mate of himself should be the measure 

 for others to form their opinions, Nov- 

 ice's "Gleanings" for December reads 

 very strangely; ''Our Homes" being 

 filled with the meanest pen-pictures 

 ever heard of. Novice charges himself 

 with " stealing in the dead of night," 

 swearing, quarreling, and the like ! On 

 one occasion, coming home in the even- 

 ing and finding the back door bolted (a 

 very proper thing at such times), he says : 



" In my rage and frenzy I kicked one of 

 the panels out. The next time, I aimed for 

 the center piece of the door, but missed it, 

 and kicked out the opposite panel; at the 

 third blow I broke the whole center of the 

 door out, and then stood before the affrighted 

 but innocent four (wife and children) my 

 face livid and my voice hoarse with passion." 



In the name of decency, give us some- 

 thing more pleasing, if we must be 

 treated to these personal descriptions. 



In excusing himself for the improper 



credit given to a quotation from Lang- 



stroth's book, Novice says he quoted it 



without "looking it up," &c, then adds : 



" One of the hardest things I have ever 

 tried to do in all my life, is to learn to tell 

 the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but 

 the truth, under all circumstances, and upon 

 all occasions." 



This self-accusation is not only un- 

 necessary, but disgusting! Had any 

 one else made such charges against him, 

 he could have been almost excused for 

 "getting mad and smashing things!" 

 But we did not intend to say anything 

 further than to protest against such un- 

 wise personal accusations in a bee pub- 

 lication. 



We have received quite a number of 

 letters criticising " Gleanings" for De- 

 cember, but have only room for the fol- 

 lowing, from a prominent clergyman and 

 bee-keeper. 



"Gleanings in Bee Culture" for Decem- 

 ber is on my table. I have read it through. 

 If its editor would publish this communica- 

 tion, expressing my indignation and disgust 

 at his gushing cant and his canting gush, I 

 should send it to him. But not a few of us 

 know, by experience, that any frank and 

 manly expression of disagreement with him 

 is refused admission to his organ. 1 there- 

 fore send it to the Bee Journal. 



Probably most of the readers of the 

 Journal and of Gleanings have a reverent 

 faith in Truth and Goodness, in that Infinite 

 l'ower that is above, and through, and in us 



