535 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



ii li 



. i. i, 



mmmammmMmnifm 



The prize comb honey, Hartford Fair. 



bees could be more distinctly traced and the 

 queen more readily found. Mr. A. W. 

 Yates, who is superintendent of the bee and 

 honey exhibit, strongly advocates a uniform 

 glass nucleus hive which shall be utilized by 

 each exhibitor. This adds to the attractive- 

 ness of the display, and facilitates in com- 

 parisons and judging. 



Beeswax to the extent of 100 jDounds or 

 more was also exhibited. 



Among the numerous calls in the premi- 

 um schedule was that for a display illustra- 

 tive of queen-rearing methods. The first 

 premium was won by Mr. Yates, and is 

 pictured on next page. 



Of the competitive displays. Inspector W. 

 p. Wright, of Altamont, N. Y., wqs the 

 judge. Below is a list of prize-winners, and 

 above is the photograph of the pile of pre- 

 mium comb honey. 



It cannot be too strongly advocated, as 

 an attraction Avhieh will draw crowds, espe- 



Exhibit of beekeepers' appliances, Hartford Pair. 



cially to the concessioners who have honey 

 for sale, to have a demonstrational cage in 

 which live bees are from time to time han- 

 dled. Nothing is probably more sensational 

 on the fairgrounds. The writer has fre- 

 quently heard remarks that these demonstra- 

 tions eclipse the snake charmer in the fakir 

 row. The public, not knowing too much 

 about bees, is always amazed at the non- 

 concern of the demonstrator in the cage. 

 Mysticism seems to protect the operator. If 

 he is a teacher he will, of course, lecture as 

 he demonstrates to the public, explaining 

 how he manipulates the bees, and, inciden- 

 tally but strongly, instruct in the value of 

 honey as a food. 



The beekeepers of Connecticut are in- 

 debted to Mr. Yates for his untiring efforts 

 in promoting beekeeping interests. One of 

 his maxims is, " Let the bees draw the 

 crowd." This is entirely practicable. Its 

 magnetism may be judged by the numerous 

 oifhand remarks of 

 spectators. As the 

 crowd drifts along the 

 fairgrounds it may 

 commonly be heard, 

 " Oh, see the bees ! " 

 Then a group will turn 

 into the display build- 

 ing where they ob- 

 serve a hundred or 

 more lined up and 

 waiting for honey 

 sandwiches at the 

 sandwich-booths, or a 

 gTOup anxiously=avi^ait- 

 ing their turn for hon- 

 ey fizz. Impelled by 

 the interest of others, 

 more fall in line. Thus 

 it continues for hours. 



