cyj^' 



DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF THE PRODUCERS OF 



VOL. XX. 



CHICAGO, ILL., JANUARY 2, 1884. 



No. 1. 



Published every Wednesday, by 



THOMAS G. NEWMAN, 



Editor and Proprietor, 



The Opening Year— 1884. 



Twenty-four years ago to-day, our 

 worthy predecessor, Mr. Samuel Wag- 

 ner, launched the first number of the 

 J5ee Journal upon the sea of the 

 journalism of the World. Up to that 

 time, no periodical devoted exclusively 

 to bee-culture had been published in 

 America, and the pursuit was indeed 

 in its infancy. Now, seven Monthlies 

 and one AVeekly are being regularly 

 published in the United States, num- 

 bering their subscribers in all, from 

 40 to 50 thousand ! Truly tliis shows 

 progress in a quarter of a century ! 

 what the next 25 years may reveal in 

 this direction, it is difficult to conjec- 

 ture. 



These facts give a comprehensive 

 view of the mission before us, as well 

 as the exalted possibilities which 

 should inspire us to fresh zeal and 

 grander achievement. Behold, how 

 invention and improvement have fol- 

 lowed our pursuit — elevating it, in 

 fact, to the position it now occupies ! 



Now, in order that we may realize 

 the great possibilities before us, five 

 things are. above all others, essential; 



1. We should encourage planting 

 bee-pasturage, that there may be, 

 every season, a crop of honey to gather, 

 in order to make apiculture a certain 

 occupation. 



2. Foster district aud local societies 

 to afford mutual instruction, and 

 strengthen fraternization. 



3. Institute large and attractive 

 honey and apiarian exhibits at all 

 Fairs, to educate the community to the 

 desirableness of a superior product. 



4. Cultivate a discriminating domes- 

 tic market, to encourage superiority 

 and excellence. 



5. Sell at all times, and in all places, 

 an honest article under an honest 

 name. 



The object of the existence of bee 

 papers is not only to record the news 

 of matters and things transpiring in 

 the apicultural world, but to discuss 

 the newest ideas and inventions as 

 they develop. While giving the 

 strongest arguments, therefore, all 

 should be careful not to use words 

 that may wound the feelings of those 

 whose views may difier with their 

 own. Aye, we should allendeavor to 

 "spread liberally the cement of 

 brotherly-love and affection — that ce- 

 ment which unites us into a society of 

 friends and brothers "—having but 

 one object, and that, the furtherance 

 of the science and art of progressive 

 bee-culture. 



We hope our correspondents will 

 endeavor to be guided by the senti- 

 ment just expressed, and thus help to 

 bring about a reform in the manner of 

 discussing questions as they develop. 



the following notice in the 

 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Times, we learn 

 that Mr. Quinlan, of that enterpris- 

 ing city, is making an aggressive war 

 on adulterated table syrups. He has 

 " hit upon " just the right thing to 

 " tell " on the^denizens of that "burg." 

 His notice reads thus : 



" Just the thing to eat on your 

 buckwheat cakes — some of Quinlan's 

 extracted honey." 



He solicits orders by postal card, 

 and offers to deliver it to any part of 

 the city. That is the way to increase 

 the consumption of pure honey in 

 place of the vile table syrups which 

 entail both disease and death to the 

 users. Honey, that life-preserving 

 and health-giving sweet should take 

 its place on the tables of all, no mat- 

 ter whether rich or poor. It is cheap- 

 er, sweeter, and better in every way. 



Planning for Next Season's Work. 



i^The Bee Journal is printed on 

 new type, which makes it very reada- 

 ble, and its mechanical execution is 

 something we feel proud of. 



Brains tell everywhere, but nowhere 

 do they play a more important part 

 than in bee-keeping. It is said that 

 some one asked Opie by what wonder- 

 ful process he mixed his magnificent 

 colors. He replied, " I mix them with 

 my brains, sir." Every one who would 

 excel in any undertaking must use his 

 brains; and by thought, plaiuiing, 

 contriving and inventing, overcome 

 the difficulties that stand in the way, 

 and thus develop the needed improve- 

 ment. 



If "necessity is the mother of in- 

 vention," we may well claim that a 

 Yankee is its father — for Americans 

 are proverbially inventors. The best 

 labor-saving machinery in the world 

 emanate from the American conti- 

 nent, and it has revolutionized the 

 labor of the civilized world. As ex- 

 amples note the magnificent farm 

 machinery and the mammoth printing 

 presses. 



Many complaints were made last 

 season because bee-keepers could not 

 get their supplies when they wanted 

 them. This was the result of not 

 ordering them in time to have them 

 on hand when wanted. No thought- 

 ful bee-keeper should wait until he 

 wants implements or supplies before 

 ordering. Think ahead — plan for the 

 campaign, get what will be needed, 

 and — be happy. 



Do not put off necessary work in 

 the apiary, but do it when it should 

 be done— never putting off until to- 

 morrow what should be done to-day. 

 Sufficient for the day is the work 

 thereof. 



We might enlarge upon the details, 

 but each can think them out for them- 

 selves. 



1^" The new Catalogue of D. S. 

 Given & Co., Hoopeston, Ills., is on 

 our desk. It is nicely gotten up, and 

 has quite an array of certificates from 

 those who are using the Given foun- 

 dation press. 



