1894 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



719 



lonesome and secluded plact^ occupied, she 

 takes hold of the situation bravely. When we 

 crossed Mi'. M.'s path in Ventura he was in- 

 dulging in dreams of bean honey. Every year 

 he moves an apiary into tho-^e great bean-fields. 

 An eighty-acre grove of those tall gum-trees 

 gives shelter, and makes a beautiful place in 

 which to plant an apiary. Mr. M. calls this 

 his movable apiary. Every thing is fitted for 

 moving in the shortest space of time in prepar- 

 ation. The extracting-house is so constucted 

 that it can be taken apart in sections, and fold- 

 ed into a small space. The upper half is sur- 

 rounded with wire-cloth screen; through this 

 the swarming operation can be watched, and it 



neighbors, has several times paid quite liberal 

 damages. No method. It seem«i, can be devised 

 to prevent the bees working on fruit. To cover 

 with screens is too expensive; to shut the bees 

 in thiiir hives is also expensive, and trouble- 

 some and dangerous to the bees. It might be 

 asked why the apricot-grower does not dry by 

 artificial heat. While it is done for .''oine fruits, 

 it is evidently cheaper to dry by the natural 

 heat of the sun, for it is sure to shine every day 

 for months. 



Mr. Mendelson is an enthusiast in the bee- 

 business, and, for the sake of continuing in it, 

 he has thrown many mercantile chances over 

 his shoulder, and does not seem to regret it. 



MENDELSON S MOVABLE BEAN-FIELD APIARY. 



also serves the gentleman's hobby of thorough 

 ventilation. The twelve-step step-ladder and 

 Manum swarm-catcher, Mr. M. thinks, are in- 

 valuable aids where the bees persist in getting 

 to the top of those tall trees. 



The bean-field apiary is usually worked with 

 200 colonies; and, being located three miles 

 from water, the fluid is hauled to them in one 

 of those big sixteen-barrel tanks so common in 

 this region. 



Mr. M. has had much experience with out- 

 apiaries, having at one time four upon his 

 hands. He thinks he can work two to better 

 advantage than he can a greater number. The 

 greater number requires more helpers and more 

 expense. 



Fruit-drying interferes with bee-keeping in 

 this valley. Thousands of apricot-trees dot the 

 landscape. The fruit is dried largely, and bees 

 will work much upon ihn drying fruit. Mr. 

 M., in order to live in ppace with his fruit- 



There is one point in Mr. M.'s management 

 that shows his business qualities; and that is, 

 he usually gets a good price for his honey, or a 

 little better than the rest of us. With that re- 

 mark I will leave Mr. M. until our next. 



THE PERFECTION OF FRUIT GRO'WN ON AN 

 ISLAND WHERE NO BEES ARE KEPT. 



BEES DO NOT IN.IURE GRAPES: SOME INTER- 



E.STING OBSERVATIONS FROM AN OLD 



SUBSCRIBER. 



7??/ Thailileu.s Smith. 



A week ago I spent several days at Sandusky, 

 Put-in-Bay, and Middle Bass Island, my ob- 

 jective point being Mr. George M. High's, on 

 the latter island, to see what success was made 

 this year in growing fruit where bees do not 

 visit. On ray return home I found Gleanings, 

 with your account of your visit to Catawba 

 Island, etc. It would have been a great plea- 



