343 



age, and they will sell at almost any 

 price to realize ; in fact, far below pay- 

 ing prices for the specialist, who is de- 

 pendent on his honey for an income. 



As will be seen on another page, the 

 American honey took the grand pre- 

 mium at the great Bee and Honey Show 

 in England. This will do much towerd 

 removing the prejudice which has ex- 

 isted to a considerable extent in that 

 country against our honey, both comb 

 and extracted, and, of course the taste 

 of England will be more or less conta- 

 gious and extend to other countries. 

 With the dense population of Europe 

 honey must eventually become a favor- 

 ite, and now that the American pro- 

 duct takes the lead in attractiveness, 

 the outlook abroad is altogether flatter- 

 ing. At home, the great surplus of 

 last season was not altogether a source 

 of regret, although a slight periodical 

 hardship, as it has been the means of 

 familiarizing its use in thousands of 

 families where it would have been many 

 years in being introduced, but for its 

 very low price. In Chicago and other 

 great marts, there are scores of grocers 

 who keep it regularly on sale, where a 

 few years ago it was a rare thing to be 

 seen. This evidences a growing and 

 steady demand for it, and like a!l pro- 

 gress in civilization and taste it cannot 

 retrograde. When Congress shall have 

 passed a general law against adultera- 

 tions (which sooner or later will be 

 done), it will force honest syrups to 

 compete with honey in the public taste, 

 and force out the vile adulteration com- 

 monly known as " strained honey." 

 Then the apiarist can offer his extrac- 

 ted nectar without fear of his honesty 

 being impugned ; then will there be a 

 standard price for honey as there now 

 is for any other necessary product; 

 then can the apiarist count up his pro- 

 spective gains almost as certainly as 

 can he who is tilling the soil, or raising 

 cattle, or hogs or sheep ; then will the 

 most beautiful of God's fair creation 

 not bloom in vain, and the most in- 

 dustrious of His animal creation not 

 toil without appreciation. 



Hints About Honey Exhibits. 



President National Bee-Keepers' Associa- 

 tion : 



I have these suggestions to make in re- 

 gard to the premiums to be awarded for the 

 best display of honey. Honey differs very 

 much in appearance according to locality, 

 giving those accessible to basswood, white 

 clover, etc., much the advantage over those 

 having none of them ; yet the apiarist may 

 try as hard to secure a premium sample as 

 those more favorably located. Now, if we 

 could have a premium for each State, given 

 for its merits and not for its intrinsic value, 

 and would give all a chance besides, it 

 would have a tendency to create a State 

 competition that would not otherwise exist, 

 and do justice to all parties. And if it be not 

 incompatible with the rules of the Associa- 

 tion, I would suggest that you notify the 

 Vice President of each State to select speci- 

 mens of honey to be exhibited before the 

 National Bee-Keepers' Association at its 

 next meeting. I for one will do all in my 

 power to have Missouri represented in both 

 box and extracted honey. If favorable, I 

 will have published throughout the State, 

 as far as 1 can your decision, giving all a 

 chance to enter as competitors. Hoping 

 you will give this your consideration, 



I am yours, etc., P. P. Collier, 

 Vice President for Missouri. 

 Benton City, Mo., June 16, 1879. 



This is a good suggestion, and one al- 

 ready acted upon in the State Honey Shows. 

 If honey exhibits are sent to the National 

 Association it is but just that a diploma be 

 given for each State, and we have no doubt 

 but that the next meeting of the Associa- 

 tion will so order it. 



Bee-Keeping— Its Magnitude. 



We find the following article going 

 the rounds of the press. It gives a 

 comprehensive view of the bee-keeping 

 interest in the United States, and the 

 necessity for congressional legislation 

 for its protection— not in the way of 

 tariff or exclusive monopoly, but to 

 place an honest article in competition 

 with honest competitors. While we 

 would have a law passed making it a 

 misdemeanor to use glucose, grape 

 sugar, or dextrine in extracted honey, 

 but throwing it upon the market as a 

 pure article, we would have the same 

 law apply as well to the " doctored " 

 syrups, oleomargarine, and, in fact, 

 everything sold for consumption. Or, 

 if susceptible of adulteration without 

 deterioration, let it be labeled to that 



