964 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



1)EC. 



sound fruit. While they are physically able to do 

 so, theii" experiences and methods of work make it 

 utterly impossible for them to do it. They have no 

 motive or knowledge to prompt them to such ac- 

 tion, and, like ourselves, they are not prone to dig: 

 for nothing. A. J. Cook. 



Agricultural College, Michigan. 



We feel quite sure, friend Cook, you are 

 Correct. Our own investigations with the 

 microscope confirm what you say regarding 

 the structure of bees' jaws. Yoii are quite 

 right in saying that the bees can do it ; but 

 that they do do it is improbable, and contra- 

 ry to general observation. It is only un- 

 sound fruit, or fruit that has been punctured 

 by other insects, that is attacked by the 

 bees. Our pets are not then the prime mov- 

 ers in the mischief, although we shall have 

 to admit, that, if it is once started, they will 

 make matters considerably worse. Now, 

 friend Cook, we should like to have you tell 

 Us what insect makes this chain-shot perfor- 

 ation that friend Miller describes at the 

 close of his article. Is there not some in- 

 sect whose mouth parts structurally would 

 make such a wound ? It is an interesting 

 subject, and we hope our readers, professors 

 or otherwise, will make close observations. 



RAMBLE NO. 9. 



HIS OUTING EXPEDITION IN THE VICINITY OF 

 LAKE GEORGE AND ITS MOUNTAINS. 



fHOSE who attended the N. Y. State Conven- 

 tion in Albany in 18S7 will perhaps remem- 

 ber the kind and almost urgent invitation 

 extended by Mr. Andrews to bee-keepers 

 and their wives, who desired to visit Lake 

 George for a week's outing; to come to his cottages 

 on the shores of this historic and famous summer 

 resort, and have a full and free enjoyment of the 

 same with him. Mr. A. was in hopes that enough 

 interest would be manifested to have a sort of bee- 

 keepers' convention; but it seems that the Ram- 

 bler is the only one who has thus far answered the 

 generous call; and my sojourn of four days was of 

 such a pleasant nature that it is far beyond the 

 power of my feeble pen to portray the many things 

 to enjoy and make happy. I wish my descriptive 

 powers could supplement Bro. A.'s invitation, and 

 yet draw many bee-keepers here next September, 

 for a few days of enjoyment and change from the 

 routine of home duties. 



Answering to an early morning call, the Rambler 

 rigged himself out for the lake, twelve miles dis- 

 tant. Our party consisted of Mr. Andrews ( "Un- 

 cle .Tohn," as he is familiarly called), Mr. Lockhart, 

 Dr. Vandernierker. and the Rambler. 1 felt quite 

 safe against accidents and sickness, with a doctor 

 along; and I was encouraged to keep trudging 

 along, though I was greatly fatigued. 1 thought if 

 I faltered, a blue pill or a bottle of inexpressible bit- 

 terness would be offered to me; but when we safe- 

 ly reached the cottages, or Camp Andrews, as it is 

 locally named, I found Dr. V. to be a homeopath, 

 and carried nothing but harmless sugar pills. 



Our first duty was to unpack our burdens and get 

 dinner. I found my companions adepts in the 

 cooking line, which was never the Rambler's forte. 

 Washing dishes, however, is an accomplishment 



upon which he prides himself. Years ago his best 

 girl gave him unlimited praise on this point. 



it was Saturday, and we thought it proper to try 

 our skill with hook and line. With Uncle John for 

 pilot, we rowed out to the fishing-ground, and in a 

 few hours had enough to last us over Sunday. 

 Uncle John is a correct Methodist ; and it is a mark 

 ih favor of Camp Andrews to learn that none of the 

 summer occupants indulge in lishing on Sunday, 

 though occasionally church members in other 

 camps often forget their vows in this respect, or, in 

 other words, leave their religion at home while 

 camping. 



As there was no church within several miles of 

 us, a stroll in the woods gave our limbs exercise, 

 and our mind subjects of thought, until we found 

 ourselves upon the top of Buck Mountain, a bold 

 mountain that not only elevates the body into in- 

 vigorating air, but the mind also, to which the eye 

 reveals a broad expanse of landscape. Beneath us 



THE KAMBIjER rigged b'OR THE LAKE. 



lay the beautiful lake, which could be traced near- 

 ly its whole length, 30 miles, studded with its 36.'> 

 beautiful islands (just as many islands as days in 

 the year). As it lay before us on this quiet Sab- 

 bath day we were led to thank God for the beauti- 

 ful scenes he has given us to enjoy. The Rambler 

 had a sense of ownership in the grand old moun- 

 tain, in the lake, and in the sky. It was all mine to 

 enjoy; and not only mine to enjoy for the few 

 moments, but it was mine to take with me in' 

 memory, and to recall, and to enjoy again and 

 again while life and reason last. It is a consola- 

 tion to a poor man to have this sense of owner- 

 ship; and the Rambler has often thought of Bun- 

 yan's vivid picture of the man with the muck rake, 

 intent upon the sordid things of this world, which 

 were as straws, while over his head was a crown 

 he could have by turning his elTorts in that direc- 

 tion. So in the legal ownership of land, or an 

 elegant mansion, the man who sees only dollars in 

 it, and is boasting of the dollars he has paid for It, 

 does not enjoy it so well, so deeply, or so lastingly, 

 as the poor man who looks higher for his inspiring 

 motive. 



Mr. L., the doctor, and the Rambler, enjoyed 

 this mountain scene. Mr. A. felt that his age 

 would not permit the climb, though he had ram- 

 bled these vales and mountains in years gone by, 

 in pursuit ol' deer, bears, other wild game, and in 

 bee-hunting. We descended the mountain, and 



