766 



gleaninCtS In bee cuLtuiiJ:. 



Oct. 



be approached, even from quite a distance, with- 

 out danger of stings. In such cases, if we have 

 near neighbors we must not work with the bees; 

 or if necessity compels such work, never worV; with- 

 out a hee-Unt . Then we do not cause the bees to 

 become irascible; we get no stings ourselves when 

 at work, and we run much less danger of inciting 

 the bees to rob. Just this one precaution may 

 save a neighborhood quarrel. If in September 

 we find our bees are greatly troubling our neigh- 

 bor with hi.s fruit, can't we shut the bees up, put 

 them in the cellar, or even remove them a mile or 

 two, rather than awaken the displeasure of our 

 neighbors? 



Again, if we find our neighbors are troubled, 

 why not go to them with a heart full of love and 

 our hands full of nice honey, and say we regret 

 this annoyance, and talk over the matter, asking 

 for forbearance, and promising all possible cau- 

 tion? Such a course will win our neighbor, and 

 what more glorious than that? When the grand 

 apostle Paul said, "As much as lieth in you, live 

 peaceably with all men," he was simply urging 

 against quarrels, for a quarrel is very difficult 

 when one of the parties has only love in his heart. 

 Next to a perfectly harmonious home is a per- 

 fectly united neighborhood. Let each of us bee- 

 keepersdo our part to secure just such a one at our 

 place, and I believe there will be few occasions to 

 invoke the aid of law, and few to c;ill for the aid of 

 " the Union." 



THE L.\W, AND BKE-KEEPEKS' UNION. 



No doubt some have feared that the "Union" 

 might become a sort of heartless monopoly, a 

 huge sort of "boycotter," whose tendency would 

 be to stir up broils. Very likely there will arise 

 cases like that in Wisconsin, when, with even the 

 greatest care, litigation can not be avoided. In 

 places like California, where the fruit-interest is 

 of such magnitude, it ms(,y be almost impossible to 

 avoid pi-osecution at the hands of the law. Good 

 men may possibly feel th-t bees and bee keepers 

 are really a nuisance, and call upon legal author- 

 ities to settle the matter. In all such cases the 

 case of each bee-keeper is that of all, and I see no 

 justice in making the one unfortunate bear all 

 of what might have come to any one of us; hence 

 I believe in the " Union," and feel glad to support 

 it. But I also feel that the " Union" must be very 

 wary. It must see that in all casea the bee-keeper 

 has done all in Mk p >wer to preserve peace, be- 

 fore it lend its aid. If a bee-keeper is "cranky" 

 and irritable, and tries to provoke, rather than 

 allay strife, then he should be forced to bear his 

 own burdens. It is to be hoped that the " Union " 

 will, in every case, fully investigate, and never 

 come to the rescue unless it find that the bee- 

 keeper has done all in his power to make all sat- 

 isfactory without appeal to law. What a grand 

 lesson our ".'Alabama-claims arbitration " gave to 

 the world! Let us all profit by it. If, however, we 

 find that circumstances make it imperative that 

 the law settle some of the equities which bear up- 

 on bees and their relations to fruit, then let us all 

 help bear the burden; for we all share the benefits 

 of a verdict which we need not fear. 



A. J. Cook. 



Agricultural CoMBge, Mich., Sept. 32, 1886. 



Friend Cook, I loi^w we should get some- 

 thing good and substantial from yoti in re- 

 gard to this matter. I had not thought of 



shutting the bees in their hives at the time 

 they soil clothes, but I think it can be done 

 with plenty of wire cloth, without harming 

 the bees ; and after tlte bee-keeper has done 

 that, it may transpire that the bees that do 

 the mischief come from somewhere else. 

 This happened at one time when we had 

 our troubles with the " eider-mill man.'' 

 We watched the Italians that were working 

 on the sweet cider, and then showed him 

 that the greater part of them went oft' in an- 

 other direction, and obliged him to admit 

 it. A great many times innocent bee-men 

 are blamed, when the bees that are doing 

 the mischief come from the woods or from 

 some other apiary. If it is found to be im- 

 practicable to shut up the hives. I would 

 move the bees away temporarily. I am sure 

 this would be better in the end than law- 

 suits and hard feelings.— In regard to the 

 Bee-keepers' Union, I hope and pray that 

 those who have the matter in charge riiay be 

 very careful that it never show its power 

 unless it is absolutely necessary. — Now in 

 reply to our good friend F., who "opens this 

 article, can't he profit by some of Prof. 

 (-ook's advice, and so present the matter to 

 the council that the banishment may be un- 

 necessary? Let us all remember Paul's 

 wonderful text, "■ If meat make my brother 

 to ott'end, I will eat no flesh while the world 

 standeth." 



THE NORTH-AMIJRICAN CONVENTION. 



IS IT THE DUTV OF BEE-KEEPERS TO MAKE SOME 

 EXERTION TO ATTEND IT? 



1^ RE another number of Gleanings is printed, 

 N3) ^'^^ North-American Bee-keepers' Associa- 

 1^ f tion, the Northwestern Bee-Keepers' Asso- 

 ■*" elation, the Indiana State Bee-Keepers' Asso- 

 ciation, and I don't know how many other 

 district and county associations, will have met in p 

 grand convention at Indianapolis. Association is a 

 great thing; it fosters, encourages, brings out, and 

 makes known individual efforts, plans, and inven- 

 tions; not only this, but the friction of mind 

 against mind seems to bring about a polish and 

 sharpness that can be secured in no other manner. 

 We think better of our fellows by coming in con- 

 tact with them. The corners are thereby knocked 

 ofl'. We learn to measure ourseJcett; to see our 

 faults and failings; possibly to discover some hid- 

 den excellencies that we knew not before that we 

 possessed. 



The social feature of these meetings is the grand- 

 est of all; it does one good to grasp the hand of an 

 old friend, look in his face, and listen to his words, 

 or to meet some one whose writings we have fol- 

 lowed for years, and whom we have often wished to 

 see. Then there are the little chats in by-places, at 

 the table, and ttie long-continued, half-coufldential 

 talks indulged in long after Morpheus has beckon- 

 ed with outstretched arms. But why say more? 

 Those who have attended a good bee-convention 

 know exactly what a "flow of soul " there is, and 

 that all go home greatly encouraged, feeling more 

 than ever that they can and iviU make a success of 

 bee-keeping. 



I think that we as a people go too little for plea- 

 sure or leoration. Where had a bee-keeper rather 

 go, even for pleaaure, than to a grand national con- 



