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(Entered at the Post-OfHce at Chicago as Second-Class Mail-Matter.) 

 Published Weekly at $t.OO a Year, by George W. York & Co., 334 Dearborn St. 



ufcOkUE W. YORK, Editor 



CHICAGO, ILL, JUNE 14, 1906 



VoL XLVI— No. 24 



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Cbitortal Hotes 

 anb Comments 



Denatured Alcohol and Poorer Grades of Honey 



There is general rejoicing that Congress has freed de- 

 natured alcohol from the burden that has been upon it, and 

 that now alcohol can be used to compete with gasoline and 

 kerosene. Bee-keepers share in the general interest, and 

 have besides a special interest from the fact that it may 

 make an outlet for the poorer grades of honey. Whether 

 that shall amount to anything or not depends upon the 

 worth of a gallon of denatured alcohol, and how much 

 honey it takes to make a gallon of alcohol. Probably we 

 shall know definitely about that before the new law goes 

 into effect — Jan. 1, next. 



It sounds just a bit strange to find bee-papers rejoicing 

 at the cheapening of alcohol, when none of them would 

 advocate the use of alcoholic drinks ; but denatured alcohol 

 is not an alcoholic drink in the proper sense of the word. It 

 can no more be used as a drink than can gasoline, but it 

 can be used as a fuel, and in other ways. The only wonder 

 is that the powerful lobbies that are generally credited with 

 controlling Congress, should have allowed the Bill to pass. 

 But whenever the people rise in their power, then even 

 " powerful lobbies " in Washington, or anywhere else, have 

 to take a back seat. Some of these days " the people " will 

 arise and dethrone King Alcohol as a beverage ; and then 

 there will be rejoicing, not only on earth, but in Heaven as 

 well. May that day speedily come 1 



worst of the bargain under the present arrangement. While nearly 

 all of the exports from Cuba come to our port6, only a little more 

 than one-third of the imports into Cuba are furnished by American 

 farmers and merchants. 



Therefore, in framing the new treaty some changes of the utmost 

 importance have been made in the tariff schedules, and in all cases 

 these are calculated to increase the advantages of American shippers. 

 Existing rates of duty have been lowered on goods entering Cuba, and 

 other amendments have been made that officials say will redound to 

 American advantage. 



On the face of it there is nothing said in the foregoing 

 that threatens any change inimical to the interests of 

 honey-producers in the United States. The statement is 

 that important changes have been made in the proposed 

 new treaty, but that in all cases these are to the advantage 

 of American shippers. Certainly there is nothing in that 

 to alarm American bee-keepers. 



Yet when our solons at Washington begin tinkering 

 with a tariff there is no telling what will be its shape when 

 they are through with it. The whole question, however, is 

 rather one of politics than of beekeeping, and it is a little 

 doubtful that bee-keepers could agree unanimously as to 

 what would suit them if the whole question were left to 

 their decision. Certainly, however, they have the right 

 to protest against any injustice, and it will do no harm to 

 keep informed. 



"The present treaty does not expire by its own term for 

 3 years," and it may be that " the new treaty will be with- 

 held from the Senate until next session." 



Cuban and Porto Rlcan Honey and the Tariff 



Editor American Bee Journal — 



Dear Sir : — I have been reading bee-literature for the past 4 years, 

 and in that time I have heard nothing said about a tariff on foreign 

 honey high enough to protect the American article. With the present 

 tariff of only l' ; , cents per pound on Cuban honey, is it any wonder 

 that honey does not bring a higher price? 



It will be 6een from enclosed clipping from the New York Tribune 

 of April 9, that the American honey producer has still more to fear in 

 the way of Cuban competition. If the California fruitgrowers could 

 ask for and get a protective duty on oranges, which they did (I think 

 it was in 1896), I don't see why the honey-producers of the entire 

 United States and her adopted children (one of which is Porto Rico) 

 should not wake up and try to do the same. 



I hope the American Bee Journal, and also the National Bee- 

 Keepers' Association, will give this matter theirattention. 



Porto Rico, April 24. W. J. Yors 



The clipping referred to states that there has been a 

 conference between the officials of the United States and of 

 Cuba, "with the purpose of framing a new reciprocity 

 treaty to replace the existing convention," and says : 



The reason for the preparation of the new treaty is th:: 1 the 

 officials here have become convinced that America is getting by far the 



Coverdale's Oilcloth-Super Feeder 



Frank Coverdale, of Iowa, tells about it in the Bee-Keep- 

 ers' Review. With an idle super on hand, less than 5 cents 

 for oilcloth completes the feeder, which may be used over or 

 under a hive, or it may be used as an open-air feeder. Mr. 

 Coverdale says : 



It is extremely simple; a dovetailed comb-honey super i6 lined 

 with oilcloth which costs here 12 1 .. cents a yard; and it makes a 

 feeder that will hold about 3 gallons, and costs only 4 cent6 each, or 

 25 feeders for only $1.00. I believe the cloths will last for years. I 

 have fed 3 times with some of mine, and can see no sign of injury. 



These feeders set on top of the hive, or the hive may be raised 

 from the bottom-board, and the feeder set underneath, after the re- 

 quired amount of syrup has been put into it. Long grass or hay 

 must be thrown in ; this is to prevent the bees from getting drowned. 



Every comb-honey producer will usually have plenty of empty 

 supers, and it is handy to fix them for this business. These cloths 

 may be used in any super that will support them; even the different 

 apartments of the T-supers may be fitted to take them. A shingle 

 may be let down to the tins in one or all of the apartments, care being 

 taken to see that the bees always have access to the feed ; or if placed 

 underneath be sure there is an opening in front to allow the bees to fly 

 out at all times. 



Those who use dovetailed supers or section-holders can key up the 

 supers. When putting in the oilcloth fold the corners so as not to 

 allow any chance for leakage. Push in a little 1 sharp tack at each 

 corner, close to the top edge of the cloth. Do this to keep the cloth 

 sound from holes. Use just enough of these brads to hold it in place. 



We use the cheap grade of oilcloth, and, so far, have met no ob- 

 stacle. See that you get sound cloth. Hold it up to the light, and if 

 there ale any defects they will show. 



