1872.] 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOUBNAL. 



127 



[For the American Bee Journal.] 



Imprudence of Beekeepers. 



In an article in the Bee Journal for July No., 

 "Headed Imprudence of Bee-keeping," we find 

 remarks that we take exceptions too. At first, 

 we thought that the writer had written in that 

 style for a sort of burlesque. But as we always 

 take the side that we think is right, never leav- 

 ing it for argument sake, thinking if we did so, 

 that our influence might go in the wrong direc- 

 tion. 



So we have undertaken to try and correct the 

 gentleman, or some of his readers, in relation to 

 the ''Imprudence of Beekeepers." (We think 

 that beekeeper might be substituted.) 



To investigate this subject properly, we must 

 go back to primitive beekeeping, when the "Old 

 Box Hive" was all that was thought necessary. 

 When the "King Bee" ruled supreme, and the 

 music of "Tin Pans" charmed the forthcoming 

 swarm to listening quiet on some old "Mullain 

 Stalk, " when a man would never dare sell a 

 "Gum," for fear of losing his luck, and must 

 of a necessity steal one to start successfully. 

 (That reminds us of our having one stole this 

 summer, but somehow he did not have the luck 

 to keep it.) At that time, would our "Impru- 

 dent Beekeeping Writer" been succesful in "hid- 

 ing his light" under a box hive. 



In those times, beekeepers had to kill their 

 bees to get of them. (How different from last 

 winter.) Some persons are somewhat Rip Van 

 Winkle in their ideas, and give their views 

 accordingly. Our friend does not tell us how 

 we should do to be prudent ; therefore, we must 

 suppose that we must do directly opposite, from 

 an imprudent one. To do this, every one must 

 form himself into a secret society, and keep 

 what little he knows locked up for safe keeping. 



Compare the results of such a course with the 

 beekeeping of the present day, it needs no argu- 

 ment to any one, who believes in progression, 

 and those who do not, will go back where they 

 need not fear "Competition!" 



Mr. Editor, Your correspondent seems to 

 blame those who let their "light shine;" sup- 

 posing a part is gas light, yet it helps to find the 

 path of truth. We should be as willing to learn 

 others, as we are to learn of others. 



Mr. Greene is afraid of overstocking the coun- 

 try with "Beekeepers," the cause of which he 

 gives by the many giving their experience, etc., 

 causing " Multitudes to come over." In this 

 he mistakes human nature. Let one beekeeper 

 in each neighborhood be succesful, and yet be 

 on the "sly," and he will make two converts 

 where he would make one, by trying to induce 

 others to join in the business. 



He says, "Suppose fellow Beekeepers, that 

 our numbers increased for the next ten or fifteen 

 years, as they have for the last two years. 

 "Where will be our market," yes, and suppose 

 that a majority of them do all in their power to 

 make converts by putting their "Exaggerated 

 notes" into our journal, and pay their subscrip- 

 tion too as they should. We think Mr. Editor, 



your acknowledment list would show a different 

 footing. 



What if we should produce honey enough to 

 ruin the South and Indies, by superseding the 

 sugar cane, what if France had to go back on 

 her sugar beet, and sugar maple become a staple 

 article of fire wood, would not the world be the 

 better for it, should we not save something that 

 is now wasted. 



We have no statistics at hand to show our 

 increase for the past two years, but we will ven- 

 ture to assert, that our numbers have not quad- 

 rupled, nor even doubled, but we will suppose 

 that we doubled every year, at the end of fifteen 

 years, we would not then overstock the market, 

 but we believe that honey would be in better 

 demand and at better prices then at present. 



To accomplish this, we will reduce the price . 

 at first, and enable it to be introduced into every 

 household. It will then become a staple article. 



Cheese is not a necessary, but it has become a 

 staple article, and its price has doubled in conse- 

 quence. 



At present, there are but few who supply their 

 table with honey every day, but those who do, 

 will testify, that it is the chepest, and best 

 sauce, that can be had for the money. On the 

 other hand, those who have it now and then, 

 find its taste so palatable, that they forget while 

 eating, that it costs money, but are reminded 

 of it alter finding how much they have eaten, 

 and cannot afford it at such prices. 



But every one is not going to keep bees, be it 

 ever so remunerative. Some are too careless to 

 succeed, others too careful of their feelings to be 

 imposed upon by the imposing things. Some 

 do not know enough, others do not care to know, 

 while others know too much ; it is often the case 

 when asked to subscribe for the journal, they 

 will say, "I know more now then I practice," 

 Ignorance and prejudice are the real Moth and 

 Foulbrood of the apiary. 



Now as to overstocking the country with bees, 

 we " can't" see it, for several reasons. First, if 

 we gain for the next five years as we have for 

 the past two years, we will have to figure thus : 

 100—50 per cent , for winter killing x 5 per 

 cent., for swarms -f- 15 years, and we can see 

 where we will stand. 



Next if we overstock the market with honey, 

 we cannot increase in swarms, then our comb 

 must be built, and it all takes honey and vice 

 versa. The demand will increase the supply of 

 pasturage. Clover must take the place of thistles 

 quack grass, etc., basswood groves will resusi- 

 tate worn out lands, and help to keep our 

 water wheels in motion, by an increase of mois- 

 ture, the locust will help to build our fences. 

 Fruit large and small might overstock the mar- 

 ket, promote health, and beautify, and adorn 

 our honey. With buckwheat we can subsoil, 

 and with buckwheat cakes we can manage a lit- 

 tle candid honey on a winter's morning. 



By using the extractor in the proper season, 

 we can enable the bees to double the quantity 

 gathered. 



In our own State, "Minnesota," where there 

 is basswood, we are confident that a thousand 

 colonies can be kept where only one is now kept. 



