440 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



adapting them to the bee business, also to the poultry business. 1 have attempted 

 something of that kind, knowing that I can divide my time when not with the 

 bees. I am also engaged to some extent in the small fruit business, which fur- 

 nishes blossoms for my bees ; and again, I am in the sorghum business, and actu- 

 ally experimenting with queens and feeding sorghum syrup to my bees. I had 

 one neighbor who fed 125 gallons to his bees. If I can feed my bees with this I 

 make considerable ; however, some think it won't do. I am in charge of a farm 

 that needs bringing up, and clover, I think, -will do it — the Alsike clover is good 

 for this purpose. A man may run his bees in such a way as to make much money 

 with his other interests. 



Mr^ Kennedy. How do you prepare the sorghum, and do they live on it as well 

 as sugar syrup? 



Mrs. Harrison, of Illinois. I live in Peoria, 111., and have three lots with 150 

 feet front. I am engaged somewhat in bee culture. My idea is that every hive 

 shall pay its rent. I do not want hives to stand all the season without any in- 

 crease. Some seasons we have taken 5,000 pounds of honey. The Illinois river 

 bottom has an abundance of flowers and foliage which is excellent pasture for 

 bees. I often say that I could support myself at keeping bees. It seems to me 

 that bee keeping is an industry in which we could employ all our time. 



3fr. Muth. Sometimes we make money and other times not. Last year I was 

 foolish enough to buy clover honey from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana to the 

 amount of $20,000 worth, and have $5,000 or $6,000 worth on hand. We paid 

 higher then than it is now. The dark honey which I have on hands goes all the 

 time for manufacturing purposes, and we can buy it cheap. Clover hoaey is 

 much higher. 



3Irs. Harrison. I find the grocery men don't want extracted honey. If we sell 

 our honey around at private houses it creates a demand and takes a great deal of 

 time, yet we get more money by retailing it. 



Mr. Muth. I am sure I coincide with Mrs. Harrison. We should all take 

 pains to sell to consumers. We get higher prices by so doing. Some folks can't 

 take time to go around from house to house, but the more we do the better. We 

 should try to get better prices ; the only way is to show pure honey and expose 

 adulterated honey, and show it in what manner it should be shown. There is 

 little cane sugar used for mechanical purposes now. If we get folks to use honey 

 the price will raise. It costs us money to make an effort. 



Mr. Bull. I sell much honey at home and usually sell it in the case. I think 

 the demand is increasing every year. 



HOW BEST TO BUV BEES. 



Secretary Daugherty. It is expensive for beginners to buy and transfer them. 

 He can buy a little cheaper, but not in the end, after the work is done. Half the 

 colonies he buys and transfers, the comb will not pay him for the transfer. It is 

 better for the beginner to buy bees in the movable hives, even at double prices, 

 than to buy in box hives and transfer at this late day. 



Mr. Iteming. The inexperienced man, to go and buy bees and transfer them. 



