AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



25 



which but few have. The subject is 

 worthy of attention. Michigan was cited 

 as having done much for apiculture by 

 the much respected Prof. Cook, as 

 teacher of apiculture at its agrcultural 

 college. 



THE BEE-KEErERS' UNION. 



" The Bee-Keepers' Union ; what it is, 

 and who should belong to it ;" was dis- 

 cussed with much interest. The Union 

 is a national organization of bee-keep- 

 ers, banded together to defend its mem- 

 bers against malicious prosecutions, etc. 

 It has already done much to make it 

 respected by bee-keepers and others 

 who respect the rights of man. A reso- 

 lution recommending all bee-keepers to 

 become members of the Union was unan- 

 imously adopted. 



VAEIOUS SUB.JECTS DISCUSSED. 



"What are the best frames to be used 

 for rapid and profitable work in the 

 apiary?" The general opinion was that 

 the hanging frames of any of the Lang- 

 stroth or modified Langstroth variety is 

 as good as any. if not better than any 

 other. One member uses the Heddon 

 frame, a few use the Hoffman frame, all 

 with good results. 



The question, "Should the govern- 

 ment aid in apiculture, and to what ex- 

 tent?" received some attention, but it 

 was thought as long as a lawyer who 

 does not seem to have much love for tiie 

 farmer, but more for railroad corpora- 

 tions, is secretary of agriculture, time 

 in considering the subject was wasted. 

 All were mindful and thankful for what 

 had. been done by the government 

 through the efforts of the former secre- 

 tary of agriculture. 



" How to begin right in the apiary." 

 To begin right is first to know what you 

 are going to do. l!et but a few colonies 

 — better just one. Read bee-books and 

 bee-papers, and work with some one 

 who has made bee-keeping a success, for 

 a full season, after which a beginner 

 can commence in a small way with hopes 

 of succeeding. 



" Who should keep bees and why the 

 farmer should be a bee-keeper," was dis- 

 cussed, but resulted in a repetition of 

 what had been said on other topics. 



" Self-hivers — are they a success ?" No 

 person could tell from experience. Bee- 

 escapes had been used by several with 

 good satisfaction. 



"Re-queening — wlien necessary, and 

 best method of rearing and introducing 

 queens." Always re-queen when you 

 know you have a worthless or old, 

 played-out queen. Most bee-keepers let 



the bees do their own re-queening. Re- 

 queen when you want to improve your 

 stock by new blood. The safest way to 

 introduce a queen is to take a frame or 

 two of hatching brood, put into a hive 

 the same as for a nucleus, and insert 

 the queen. After the bees hatch, unite 

 with another queenless colony. 



A resolution was introduced and 

 passed, requesting the State Board of 

 Agriculture for the counties represented 

 at this convention to have the subject of 

 apiculture placed on the program at 

 each farmers' institute the coming sea- 

 sou. A committee of one from each 

 county represented was appointed to 

 confer with the member of the State 

 Board and notify him of the request of 

 tjie convention. 



The 14th annual session was not 

 largely attended, but better than the 

 three previous sessions. The interest 

 from first to last was good, and those 

 who attended were well paid for time 

 and money spent. 



The convention adjourned to meet in 

 Corry, Pa., in the fall of 1894. 



George Spitler, Sec. 



[For years, bee-keepers have felt that they 

 owed the Rev. L. L. Laug-stroth— the Father 

 of American bee-culture— a debt that they 

 can never very well pay, for his invention of 

 the Movable-Frame Hive which so completely 

 revolutionized bee-keeping- throug-hout all the 

 world. In order that his few remaining- years 

 may be made as happj' and as comfortable as 

 possible, we feel tliat we should undertake a 

 plan by which those bee-keepers who consider 

 it a privilege as well as a dutj% might have an 

 opportunity to contribute something- toward 

 a fund that should be gathered and forwarded 

 to Father Langstroth as aslig-ht token of their 

 appreciation, and regard fell for him by bee- 

 keepers everywhere. No amount above $1.00 

 is expected from any person at one time— but 

 any sum, however large or small, we will of 

 course receive and turn over to Father L. 

 All receipts will be ackuowledg-ed here.— Ed.] 



L,ist of Contributors. 



Previously Reported $77 70 



Edw. Smith, Carpenter. Ills 25 



C. Klock, Pearsall, Tex 1 00 



W. J. Finch, Jr., Springfield, Dls 1 00 



Total $79 95 



A Binder for holding a year's num 

 bers of the Bee Journal, we mail for 

 only 50 cents; or clubbed wit! the 

 Journal for $1.40. 



