404 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



it does not do every conceivable kind of mischief on every con- 

 ceivable kind of fruit. 



But we are not writing a prize essay, and therefore return 

 to the exhibition itself, to express our opinion of what we saw 

 in your exhibition hall. 



We saw Dr. Eddy's Protective Bee Hive, and Dr. Eddy him- 

 self, and Mr. W. S. Damrell's bees in the hive, and some beau- 

 tiful drawers of honey, belonging either to the bees or Mr. 

 Damrell, as sound ethics may determine. "We heard the state- 

 ments of the doctor concerning the hive, and are prepared con- 

 scientiously to say that we believe he has accomplished a work 

 in which all others have failed — that of protecting the bee from 

 the moth. No intelligent miller would attempt an invasion. 

 Every joint is secured ; or if by inadvertence one little crevice 

 is exposed, he could penetrate no farther than a Jew can pene- 

 trate the Mosque of Omar. He might perchance smell the 

 honey ; but to reach it is a stubborn impossibility. Further- 

 more, the doctor has provided for a most judicious ventilation, 

 which, equalizing the temperature of the hive, is well adapted to 

 preserve the operatives in an amiable spirit and excite them to 

 an exemplary diligence — two objects to be attained in respect 

 to other hives. 



"We think Mr. Damrell's bees did creditably and profitably, 

 and presented an interesting feature of your exhibition; and 

 we think also that the whole subject of raising honey is yet 

 open to discussion, experiment, and the establishing of facts. 

 We have not altered, however, but rather cling more tenacious- 

 ly to, our opinion, that ambitious fruit growers may observe 

 caution in regard to the bee enterprise. 



We make these strictures, however, as applicable to Norfolk 

 County, and those around Boston particularly, and not applica- 

 ble to our central or western counties. 



The bee loves the clover field (the white clover) as the hum- 

 ming bird loves the honeysuckle, and will forsake many a fruit 

 and many a flower for a sip out of the chalice of the clover. It 

 loves also the buckwheat ; and, when the field is fair and beau- 

 tiful with its blossoms, your car may catch the constant hum of 

 the bee in drowsy sweetness, lulling the senses into quietude 

 and peace. Raise your honey where the clover and the buck- 



