44 



THE AMEEICA2^ BEE JOURNAL. 



cl 



nt^timmq 



W. F. CLARKE, Editor. 



CHICAGO, FEBRUARY, 1874. 



Bee-keepers' Meetings. 



The importance of association, when 

 there are common objects to carry out, 

 is readily conceded by all intelligent 

 people. The value of consultation about 

 matters, in regard to which there is 

 room for difference of opinion and prac- 

 tice, is also generally admitted. Our 

 business interests are represented and 

 protected by Boards of Trade. AVe 

 have Agricultural Societies, Farmers' 

 Olubs, and Granges, to look after the 

 great foundation industry. Conven- 

 tions and meetings, almost without 

 number, are held to advance the multi- 

 farious enterprises, which have been 

 set on foot by the active mind of man. 

 No sensible individual undertakes to 

 carry out, solitary and alone, the ends 

 he is aiming to accomplish, when there 

 are others, equally anxious to succeed 

 in the same direction, with whom he 

 can consult and co-operate. 



One would suppose that very little 

 reflection or argument would suffice to 

 convince Bee-keepers that their inter- 

 •ests call for organization and associa- 

 tion. Yet it seems more difficult to 

 bring them together for united counsel 

 .and action, than almost any other class 

 of people who have interests in common. 

 The patent hive business is no doubt 

 largely responsible for this. It has in- 

 troduced and fostered an Ishmaelitish 

 spirit among Bee-keepers. Apiculture 

 has come to be regarded, not as a peace- 

 ful field where all might work harmoni- 

 ously, and i-eap a harvest of sweetness, 

 but rather an a hunting gr(tiin(l. where 



prey is to be chased and spoil secured. 

 We are glad to know that this state of < 

 things is j)assing away, and that a bet- ■ 

 ter day is manifestly coming, in which 

 the clashing of pecuniary interests and 

 antagonistic aims shall no longer oper- 

 ate to keep apiarians asunder. Alread}' 

 some progress has been made in the 

 establishment of organizations, and the 

 holding of meetings, but it is only a 

 few of the great host of Bee-keepers 

 who have allied themselves together, 

 and met as " friends in council" for the 

 advancement of apiculture. Indiffer- 

 ence has, no doubt, had quite as much 

 to do in keeping Bee-men apart, as busi- 

 ness rivalry. It is remarkable how 

 apathetic some are, even when their 

 own advantage is manifestly involved. 

 We do not believe that any thoughtful 

 attendant at a Bee meeting, where ex- 

 perienced apiarians gave their views 

 freely and fully, ever went away with- 

 out feeling that the cost of coming was 

 a mere bagatelle, compared with the 

 benefit obtained. A single wise sug- 

 gestion may turn the scale of a year's 

 operations of the apiary, from loss to 

 profit. Questions may be asked, and 

 answered, to which no Bee-book furn- 

 ishes a repl}'. The mind may obtain a 

 clue, or be put upon a track, the results 

 of which will be highly valuable. A 

 Bee meeting is a school for beginners, 

 and a college for those more advanced. 

 We can help on the cause of apiculture 

 on such an occasion, both by imparting 

 what we know to others less informed 

 than ourselves, and by sitting at the 

 feet of apiarian doctors who have far 

 outstripped us. There is moreover, the 

 pleasure and ])rofit connected with ma- 

 king the personal acquaintance of fel- 

 low-Bee-keepers, especially those of 

 note, whose writings we have read 

 with interest, and whom it is a great 

 satisfaction to meet face to face, and 



