108 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAj 



Furman, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the 

 owner of the Langstroth patent for that 



State. , , 



After his discharge from the army, he 

 again engaged in bee-culture, and while 

 a visitor at the Iowa State Fair, an in- 

 cident occurred which brought him to 

 public notice, as a well-informed bee- 

 keeper. The incident referred to was 



this: .^, , 



An oddly-dressed man, with bees m 

 his hat, was selling little vials of scented 

 water as a "bee-charm," taking dollars 

 right and left, stating that with it bees 

 were rendered peaceable enough to open 

 a hive without being stung. Mr. Kretch- 

 mer remarked that he could do that 

 without the drug. The drug vender 

 promptly challenged the youthful-look- 

 ing German, no doubt expecting him to 

 "back down " from his statement, but 

 on the contrary Mr. K. secured a little 

 smoke, and promptly opened the colony 

 of bees of another exhibitor, quickly 

 found the queen, and exhibited the 

 combs, covered with bees, to a multi- 

 tude of spectators, without a sting. He 

 was, in consequence thereof, requested 

 by several to communicate his method 

 through some of the journals, and he 

 soon became a noted writer— writing 

 both in the German and English lan- 

 guage. In the older flies of the Ameri- 

 can Bee Jouknal, his name may be 

 found to numerous articles. He also 

 Issued " Winke Fur Bienen Zuchter"— 

 "Intimation to Bee-Keepers ;" "The 

 Amateur Bee-Keepers' Guide," written 

 in 1866, and "The Bee-Keepers' Guide- 

 Book," the latter, a neat volume of 256 

 pages, issued in 1872. 



In 1867 he removed from eastern 

 Iowa to Coburg, Iowa, where he was 

 postmaster for eight years, mayor of the 

 town, and for two terms chairman of 

 the Board of Supervisors for Montgom- 

 ery county ; he declining a re-election, 

 and also the nomination for State Sena- 

 tor. , . . .... 



The demand for better shipping facili- 

 ties induced him to remove hrs entire 

 factory to Red Oak in 1890, which is 

 his present residence. 



He is a prominent Odd Felbw, and an 

 enthusiastic Mason, being a member of 

 the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Comman- 

 dery, as well as of the Degree of Re- 

 becca, and the Eastern Star, both of 

 which he is now the presiding officer. 



On the recommendation of the Presi- 

 dent of the Iowa Bee-Keepers' Associa- 

 tion, he was appointed by the Iowa Co- 

 lumbian Commission to take charge of 

 the Iowa honey exhibit at the World's 

 Fair. This appointment he very re- 



luctantly accepted about the middle of 

 last January, 1893, after which time he 

 labored for the success of that exhibit, 

 without the hope of fee or reward, al- 

 though a very unfavorable honey season 

 made such an undertaking a di£l5cult 

 task. He is now conducting various ex- 

 periments with new implements in bee- 

 culture. Valencia Keetchmer. 



CONDUCTED BY 



MRS. JENNIE ATCHLEY. 



BEEViiiLE, Texas. 



Bee-Keeping and Poultry for Women. 



While I was looking over the index of 

 the Bee Journal for 1893, I came 

 across the above subject, and as I have 

 not time to turn back and find what was 

 said on the subcct, I wish to add a word 

 more concerning poultry combined with 

 bees for women. 



Now, when we take a right view of 

 our surroundings, and look at human 

 nature a moment, we will see that but 

 very few people wish to engage in a 

 business that will give no rest at all, as 

 it will sooner or later, become a drag, 

 and we become tired, and long for recre- 

 ation. Well, I for one do not count 

 idleness recreation ; but some other 

 light work for rest of mind and body is 

 sought for, and for women (and I will 

 say men, too) I think poultry is first 

 choice to go with bees. I know that it 

 gives me rest and pleasure when tired 

 of working with the bees, to get some 

 grain and call up the chicks, and pet 

 them awhile, and sec to their wants — 

 such as good, comfortable nests, roosts, 

 etc.: and this kind of rest proves to me 

 profitable, as well as rest and pleasure. 



I know that too much business of any 

 kind is worse than not enough business, 

 and I think we should avoid having too 

 many irons in. the fire at one time, but I 

 do believe that to get the best of enjoy- 

 ment and pleasure, we should have 

 something else to go with bees, whether 

 it pays or not; and I believe that nearly 



