204 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



[March 



its accomplishment. Simple belief that it may be 

 so stimulates to exertion in that direction. Let a 

 thousand enthusiastic bee-keepers start the inquiry, 

 "How to do it?" and perhaps move in as many dif- 

 ferent directions, who can doubt that something will 

 be discovered. If we are unable to see it, are we 

 justified in continuing the effort? We must not 

 suppose that we have examined all the evidence 

 that has been presented to the thousand different 

 minds, and judge as if it had all been examined by 

 the small ray of light presented to our own. 



Only a few years ago a friend out west, who had 

 been to hear Mr. Morse lecture, wrote: "Who 

 knows but we may be talking to you in a few years 

 by lightning?" This, and more, has been accom- 

 plished. We can even hold converse with Victoria 

 on her throne! Our diminutive intellect did not 

 comprehend it, and would not, if we had endeavored 

 to penetrate the future, at the time of Franklin's 

 first guiding the electric fluid from the clouds. We 

 cannot, even now, divine the manifold treasures 

 which the future will yet unfold, aided by this 

 agent. Here, again, we see that improvement does 

 not stop with the first success. We have already 

 started, with this principle in one direction, that 

 promises much. Each colony of bees require, on an 

 average, thirty pounds of honey to take them 

 through the next season's honey harvest. When 

 they have stored this, and no surplus, we propose 

 taking it all with the extractor, and feeding the 

 bees on coarser fare ; something worth in market, 

 one-half, one-quarter, or one-tenth as much as 

 honey. The step already taken, is quite satisfac- 

 tory. We want to ascertain the cheapest material 

 possible, consistent with the health and well-being 

 of the bee. 



We know, that in some seasons, there will be 

 times when the flowers will secrete honey in abun- 

 dance, at other times very little, or none at all. It 

 would be interesting to understand the conditions 

 that produce it. Whether the elements are in the 

 earth or atmosphere. Who knows but that some 

 day we may control this, as the farmer increases 

 his crops by the use of proper fertilizers. Let us 

 inquire. 



The farmer has inquired, if the flowers of clover 

 and kindred grasses, when robbed of their sweets, 

 are of the same value for dairying purposes? If 

 the blossoms of the orchard will yield the same 

 fruit when robbed of their sweet secretions? If 

 the vineyard with its ripened fruit, is of the same 

 value as without the bees ? These questions should 

 be carefully, fairly and honestly examined. We 

 should also inquire if the farmer is aided by the 

 agency of the bee in any of his crops? 



I would suggest that, like some other institutions, 

 we deposit some of our questions in a box, to be 

 drawn out at random, and answered as best we can. 

 I think we have no selfish, undivided interest 

 among us to prevent our answering candidly and 

 for the interest of all. Not one is bound to twist 

 replies to suit any one's particular views, theory, or 

 patent hive. Nothing like discussion for arriving 

 at the truth. I proposed to the North American 

 Bee-keepers' Society three questions : 



1st. What caused the loss of bees last winter? 



2d. Is it possible to improve the nature of the 

 bee by judicious handling? 



3d. Does the patent hive promote bee culture? 



The first two were discussed, the third forgotten. 

 A great many conflicting interests would come in, to 

 discuss it there. Nothing here to fear from it. In 

 relating an anecdote, I do not wish to insinuate 

 that the subject was forgotten, but say I was only 

 reminded of it. The groom, in recommending a 

 horse to a purchaser, said he had three faults. 

 What were they? 1st. The horse being white, shed 

 some white hairs on his rider's new clothes, which 

 looked badly. 2d. He plunged his nose in the 

 water, on going to drink, so as to spatter water all 

 over the new bridle. The third he could not think 

 of, but it was bad, very bad. The bargain closed, 

 the purchaser endeavored to lead him into the 

 stable, when he nearly knocked his brains out 

 against the door-post. Here, you rascal, this horse 

 is as blind as a bat. Why did you not tell me? 

 Oh! that is the fault I couldn't think of. 



A unanimous vote of thanks was tendered the 

 president for his able address. 



ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 



An opportunity to join the association being 

 offered, a goodly number of new names was enrolled, 

 after which occurred the election of officers for the 

 ensuing year. The following were elected : 



President, M. Quinby, St. Johnsville; Vice- 

 President, R. Bacon, Verona; Secretary, J. H. 

 Nellis, Canajoharie; Treasurer, J. E. Hetherington, 

 Cherry Valley. 



PLASTER OF PARIS HIVES. 



After some unimportant discussion, Captain 

 Hetherington was called on to give the result of his 

 experiments with plaster of Paris as a material for 

 the construction of bee-hives. 



In reply that gentleman said that it had been 

 claimed that the use of this material would cheapen 

 the cost of hives. He did not consider this as 

 important as other features. First, plaster of Paris 

 being universally recognized as a non-conductor of 

 heat, it would materially assist the swarm in main- 

 taining an even temperature. Second, being made 

 porous by increasing the proportion of water when 

 cast, it was found to be an excellent conductor of 

 moisture, and this would carry off the interior 

 dampness of the hive. Both these were important 

 features in an improved hive, and both qualities 

 were essential in hives used for wintering purposes. 



Captain Hetherington has experimented exten- 

 sively during the winter, and the detailed account 

 which he gave of his experiments was listened to 

 with close attention and deep interest. He did not 

 recommend the adoption of plaster of Paris on ac- 

 count of economy alone, but advised experiment 

 with a view to adoption for wintering purposes. 



The association adjourned until 7 o'clock in the 

 evening. 



EVENING SESSION. 



The association being called to order, the minutes 

 of the afternoon session were read and approved. 



The association was addressed by Mr. Alexander. 

 After listening to Mr. Quinby' s address he had 

 meditated on the fortune to which the president 

 alluded. He thought the president's experience 

 proved the truth of the promise: "Cast thy bread 

 upon the waters and it shall return to thee after 

 many days." The attendance at the association 



