300 



THE BEE-KEEPERS' REVIEW. 



of literature for bee keepers. Already 

 its effect is visible in the department of 

 Stray Straws, Gleanings. As this includes 

 both Dr. Miller and the editor, each of 

 whom command my highest regard, a 

 passing word is due in lieu of an apology. 

 Most of us at times have indulged some- 

 what in slang. We are differently con- 

 stituted. The jovial natures of the gen- 

 tlemen referred to is manifest in their 

 writings. But, with advanced years and 

 knowledge we substitute the purer lan- 

 guage, and reflex thought brings approba- 

 tion to our minds for making the change. 

 My name was first to receive a blow 

 from the department of criticism, page 

 150, and I was pleased with the gentle- 

 manly stroke of its editor. However, 

 like Dr. Miller and others I will try and 

 defend myself in the future by being 

 more explicit, as well as thorough in my 

 investigations. My impression is that 

 propolis is composed of two parts — that 

 which is soluble in hot water, and a resid- 

 uum, thick and plastic in its texture. 

 It is certainly soluble with formic acid 

 and saliva as the bee prepares it for var- 

 nish stain on new comb and cappings, 

 also through the action of concentrated 

 lye as given by Dr. Miller. Having a 

 large quantity on hand, obtained by use 

 of the section cleaner, I will experiment 

 somewhat in the near future with a view 

 of determining the true facts. 



Jackson, Mich. Sept. 30, 189S, 

 DISCUSSIONS. 



The Need of them. Some of the Difficulties 

 in the way of their Proper ManaKement. 



F. L. THOMPSON. 



n^HP^ immediate cause of this article 

 T^ is an editorial foot-note on page 180 

 of the American Bee Journal, shutting off 

 a discussion. In so doing an implication 

 is made that every reader of a foot-note 



on page 628 of 1897 will apply to me. 

 The editor tells me privately he did not 

 dream of referring to me; but refuses to 

 make a public statement to that effect. 

 I do not object so much to the discussion 

 itself being cut off (though of course I 

 have my own opinion about that) as to 

 the manner in which it was done. But I 

 have no more than the ordinary stock of 

 patience, and will not discuss this matter 

 here. However, it has by emphasis re- 

 vived a train of thought which had pre- 

 viously often occurred to me, even before 

 Mr. Hasty's remarks on page 1S6 of last 

 year's Review, which I fully endorse. 



An editor has a technical right to do 

 anything he wants to, short of libel. Has 

 he a moral right to cut off any discussion 

 he pleases ? We can easily imagine dis- 

 cussions that would have to be stopped. 

 But let us do no imagining, but take act- 

 ual illustrations. A few years ago Messrs. 

 McEyo}' and Clarke had a scrap in the 

 American Bee Journal about some details 

 of foul brood inspection. The editor 

 printed a long article by each, then said 

 that each had had his say, and no more 

 would be accepted, or something to that 

 effect. This is one of those assertions 

 which impose on the unthinking by their 

 very audacity — in other words, a "bluff." 

 One, at least, had not had his say, for the 

 other had made fresh statements, and 

 thus the matter already printed was ren- 

 dered worse than useless; and this state 

 of things was taken to support the editor's 

 Stan Ipjiat — a curious example of reason- 

 ing in a circle. 



A discussion on evolution between Chas. 

 Dadant and Rev. I. Templin in the Amer- 

 ican Bee Journal was treated on the same 

 plan; the latter being given the last word, 

 which he employed with a great flourish 

 of trumpets, but very shallow arguments. 



Another on the same subject in that 

 paper, between Allen Pringle and W. F. 

 Clarke, was likewise squelched just as it 

 became interesting, and the evolutionist's 

 opponent would have again been given 

 the last word, had not Mr. Pringle risen 

 to a point of order; and, strange to say, 

 was recognized by the editor. But that 



