THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



85 



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wliioh properly inanagt'd and honey extraet- 

 ecl, (wliic'li tor". surplus is tlie most rational 

 nu'tliotl vft (levisf(l) would give an average 

 of atleast l,(KHtll)s. 



liesides. every enlightened eultivator 

 knows that fertali/.inu of all fruits and 

 grains is thereby seeured to a much greater 

 extent. When satisfied of these facts, what 

 is the best courst^ for those wishing to en- 

 gage in the busini'ss ? 1 would ailvise to 

 associate themselves as jiartners or other- 

 wise, with those who by experience and 

 study had so far mastered" the science as to 

 be competent instructors— in one word learn 

 the trade— reach in this way the knowledge 

 which has cost years of study to attain ; for 

 it is my luunble oi)inion. and I have kept 

 bees more or less of the time for the last 40 

 years, that there is no business or occupa- 

 tion that man ever prosecuted or engaged 

 in, that the scientific or right way is so dif- 

 ferent from the old way as bee-keeping. 

 Having raised it above all chance or luck, 

 except the occurrence of unfavorable sea- 

 sons, the truly enlightened apiarian will 

 have liis stocks in a situation to make avail- 

 able every advantage which may arise. 

 Strong at the proper time, less in numbers 

 when bees can do nothing but eat, recogniz- 

 ing them as active, never being entirely 

 dorment, keeping them in a comfortable 

 and suitable temperature, health and condi- 

 tion ; with this knowledge, with this care, I 

 think the very worst seasons will afford as 

 much for the credit side of the ledger, as 

 most other occupations under like discord- 

 ent circumstances, fori l)clieve that there 

 is no occupation where the same amount of 

 capital, will be subject to less drawbacks. 



I would not like to guarantee that ten per 

 cent, of those who engage in apiculture will 

 succeed. No power on eartli can make 

 them painstaking, persevering, intelligent 

 and determined. The few will prosper, the 

 rest will fail and scatter the seeds of disease 

 and destruction among their neighbors, and 

 then say bee-keeping is a humbug. I have 

 tried it. A few will persevere, will read, 

 will w'rite, will meet together for the pur- 

 pose of nuitual instruction, and their suc- 

 cess and satisfaction at having enhanced 

 the means of enjoyment, secured a pecuni- 

 ary compensation and opened a wide field 

 for industry and enterprise. 



Though the most advanced in the science 

 of apiculture, like the desciples of other 

 science, never exp(.^ct to reacn perfection, 

 yet already much has been attained ; and 

 the agitation of thought is the beginning of 

 wisdom, in this as in every other attainable 

 acquisition. Mind, the great motor, will 

 devise methods, recognizing law, not 

 chance, as the true principle, from affects 

 deducing causes, acting in harmony with 

 our industrious pets, making their instincts 

 available for our advantage, and while 

 benefitting ourselves, make the world and 

 its sentient creatures better and happier 

 fi"om our having lived. 



Upoa motion of Mr. Nellis, Messrs. L. 

 C. Root, J. E. Hetherington and C. C. 

 VanDeuseu, were constituted a committee 

 to open a question drawer. It was moved 

 that a committee be appointed to exaniine 

 the minutes of the North American Bee- 

 Keepers' Society in order to see whetlier 

 there was anything of which this society 

 should take cognizance. Messrs. J. II. 



Nellis and N. N. Betsingcr were appoint- 

 ed the committee. 



The election of otliccrs was then effect- 

 ed with the following result : 



President, J. E. Hetherington, Cherry 

 Valley ; Vice Presidents, (t. li. Seeley, 

 Syracuse, S. Alexander, Camden, I. L. 

 Scotield, Chenango Bridge, N. C Fisk, 

 Abbotsford, Prov. Quebec, Canada, G. G. 

 Dains, Antwerp, (>. II. Byrns, Pratt's 

 Hollow ; Secretary, .]. II. Nellis, Cana- 

 joharie ; Treasurer, L. C. Hoot, Mohawk. 



A discussion ensued concerning stings, 

 and a.ssurance was given that with deter- 

 mination and intelligent action and pre- 

 caution, the danger of stings may be over- 

 come and fear removed. 



The Association adjourned until half- 

 past eight o'clock the morning. In the 

 evening an informal meeting was held at 

 the Butterfield House, which was greatly 

 enjoyed by those present. 



SECOND DAY. 



The second day's meetings began at 

 nine o'clock, Thursday morning, the new- 

 ly chosen president, Capt. Hetherington, 

 in the chair. 



J. H. Nellis, reviewing the proceedings 

 of the North American Bee-Keepers' So- 

 ciety, noted the fact that preparations are 

 being made for a honey display at the 

 Centennial ; that the Society adopted 

 strong resolutions denouncing the trade 

 in adulterated honey ; that a standing 

 committee was appointed to arrange a 

 system of premiums for Italian queens 

 and full colonies for the next meeting of 

 the Society ; that the next place of meet- 

 ing will be Toledo, Ohio, and the time, 

 the first Wednesday in December, 1875 ; 

 also that a receipt was read which it was 

 claimed, will prevent syrup or honey from 

 souring or granulating. The receipt is, 

 flavoring extract of lemon, 1 teaspoonful 

 to 1 gallon of syrup or honey. 



Mr, Van Deuseu moved that the Presi- 

 dent and Secretary act as a committee on 

 behalf of this Association to do what is 

 necessary toward a representation of the 

 Association and the productions of its in- 

 dustry at the Centennial. The motion 

 was carried. 



Considerable doubt was expressed as to 

 the feasibility of the plan and the ability 

 to judge of the merits of bees and queens 

 bytheir appearance, in order to give pre- 

 miums or diplomas. 



Mr. Root thought the flavoring extract 

 of lemon should be classed among honey 

 adulterations and denounced. Educate 

 the people to know that the granulation of 

 honey is a good sign of its purity. 



This seemed to be the general opinion 

 of the Association. 



