1906 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



ADVERTISING TALKS 



BY THE AD. MAN. 



339 



Beginning with this number we shall here- 

 after include this page in each issue of 

 Gleanings. Here we shall make such in- 

 troiuctions, our readers to our advertisers, 

 as may be necessary. Here we shall tell 

 some of our own aims— sort o' let you in on 

 our secrets. 



May be we shall undertake to make sug- 

 gestions on how to advertise successfully, 

 for the benefit of some of our bee-keepers 

 and supply men who have asked for our help. 

 Of course, we are willing to lend our aid to 

 any of our readers or advertisers at any 

 time should they wish to counsel us on this 

 publicity question. 



'Tis certain that there will appear en this 

 page from time to time little notices or re- 

 marks that will greatly interest you, and we 

 hope you will help us in making "Advertis- 

 ing Talks ' ' another valuable feature of 

 Gleanings. 



It is our aim to insert in Gleanings ad- 

 vertisements of only such articles as are ac- 

 tually used by our readers. If at any time 

 you wish to purchase an article or articles 

 which you have not seen advertised in this 

 paper, kindly let us know and we will try to 

 publish such an advertisement. We can al- 

 most always tell such of our readers as de- 

 sire the information where a certain article 

 can be procured, and you may send your list 

 of needs to us without hesitancy. We shall 

 greatly appreciate your co-operation in this 

 way. 



Just now queen-breeders and bee-keepers 

 who have bees and queens for sale are the 

 most numerous among our advertisers. 



We have followed our usual plan in accept- 

 ing these advertisements— that is, we have 

 investigated the facilities and business 

 methods of each advertiser, and sincerely 

 believe that any one of them is worthy of 

 the confidence of our readers. 



We have on file in our office a record from 

 nearly every one of these advertisers, tell- 

 ing how many colonies of bees they keep, 

 what their queen- rearing facilities are, and 

 what experience they have had in this work. 



We shall be glad to let you have this in- 

 formation at any time you may desire it. 



Messrs. F. E. Myers & Bro., Ashland, Ohio, manufac- 

 turers of pumps, sprays, hay-tools, etc., suffered a loss 

 of their shipping warehouse a short time ago, and were 

 afraid that they would not be able to keep up with their 

 orders. They tell us, however, in a letter to-day, that 

 they solved the problem by increasing their forse and 

 working night and day. Now their new machine-shop 

 is ready, and they are in a better position than ever be- 

 fore to give the needs of their many customers their 

 most careful attention. Messrs. Myers will send a free 

 descriptive circular if you will just let them know what 

 you are interested in in their line. 



We are not very familiar with the question of beri-y- 

 baskets, crates, or other conveniences for conveying 

 small fruits: but we know that it must be a great exas- 

 peration to have the baskets you have bought pull apart 

 or break up very pasily. 



Mr. H. H. Aultfather, Minerva, Ohio, has just sent 

 us a copy of his 1906 "Catalog and price list. From his 

 descripiion and the illustrations shown we do not think 

 that his baskets are the kind that would give shippers 

 trouble. They appear to be strong and well made. Mr. 

 Aultfather, being a grower of berries, makes the 

 baskets strong enough to satisfy himself, and thf re is 

 no doubt that they would satisfy you. You can secure 

 a price list by sending your name on a postal. 



What do you do with an inquiry when you 

 receive it? Answer promptly? How soon 

 after the inquiry comes is your catalog mail- 

 ed? 



It is always a pretty good plan to figure 

 that the man who writes to you for your cat- 

 alog or prices has probably written to some 

 other dealer at the same time; and you do 

 not want to create the impression that your 

 business methods are behind those of your 

 competitor, do you ? 



One other point: When a man writes, and 

 asks what you charge for queens, bees, or 

 supplies, give him enough information to 

 make him feel that you are interested in him 

 —interested in your business. Tell him what 

 your facilities are for carrying on the busi- 

 ness in which you are engaged. If you are 

 a leader in your particular line, and well 

 known, only a slight reference to your ex- 

 perience will be fiecessary. But do not with- 

 hold one word of information that the in- 

 quirer's letter would indicate that he would 

 like to have. 



Don't throw the letter away as soon as 

 answered. Write again after a few diys, 

 just to show that you are still seeking busi- 

 ness. 



Several years ago we ran small notices in 

 Gleanings for bee-keepers who had black 

 and hybrid queens for sale, free of charge. 



Just now it seems to us that if we were to 

 devote a small amount of space in the April 

 and May numbers for such notices, that 

 many of our subscribers would be glad to 

 take advantage of this opportunity for get- 

 ting in t)uch with a possible buyer of their 

 old races. 



We shall, therefore, be very glad to give 

 one free insertion of a brief offer to sev- 

 eral of our subscribers; but, as we formerly 

 stated, we will assume no responsibility for 

 any of these transactions. Only one notice 

 this season without charge. We would ad- 

 vise that you state in your notice just what 

 you have— the price for each and the price 

 for the lot. Thus you will avoid correspon- 

 ence. Let us hear from you quickly if you 

 want your notice in April 1st. 



