1895. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



519 



would have a better idea than to know only the total crop. 

 Better than all would be to say, " I averaged so much per 

 colony from so many colonies." For a man might get an 

 average of 300 pounds with only two colonies, but only an 

 average of 50 pounds if he had 100 colonies on the same 

 ground. Sometimes, too, it makes quite a difference about 

 understanding a thing to have dates given. Friends, please 

 give us all the items needed for a full understanding. 



[Suppose, Doctor, you give your 1895 report as an exam- 

 ple for others to follow, as to style of expression. — Editor.] 



Don't Jump at Conclusions. — On page 486, Jas. F. 

 Wood advises to breed from pure blacks rather than from 

 hybrids, no matter how desirable the hybrid colony. Three 

 pages farther on, B. T. Stone says a high grade of hybrids 

 are the best honey-gatherers in existence. I suppose by a 

 high grade of hybrids he means those in which the Italian 

 blood predominates, and I don't know of any possible way of 

 getting such bees without breeding from hybrids. Very likely 

 each one has had experience that he thinks justifies him in 

 holding his present view, but it is quite possible that further 

 experience might make one, or even both, change views. One 

 great trouble in bee-keeping is that one can seldom feel safe 

 in settling down in any one belief without the fear that the 

 next day's experience will upset that belief. 



Be Fair, Bro. Abbott. — When I read that arraignment 

 of Root's "A B C," on page 495, for calling a worker-bee 

 " he," I said, "Sick 'im !" But I protest, Bro. Abbott, against 

 being made to share in any responsibility for what is Just as 

 great a crime in my eyes as in yours. Please understand that 

 when I read a book for errors it doesn't follow that the author 

 must always think just as I do, nor that I am responsible for 

 his error if he persists in it. I entered a decided protest 

 against calling a " she " " he," and that's all 1 could do. Pum- 

 mel away at the Roots all you like — they deserve it richly ; 

 but please let up on Doolittle and me. 



CLipriNG Queens. — On page 494, quite a plea is made 

 against the practice of clipping queens' wings, winding up 

 with an argument from "Mrs. Anna Dickinson." (Isn't the 

 gentle Anna still a Miss?) I admit that it pains a queen to 

 be clipped, and that she is a millionth of a degree less beauti- 

 ful, but that's a very small thing compared with the advantage 

 of feeling that she can't fly away with a swarm some fine day 

 when you're not looking. 



As to the matter of looks, that's not only mere sentiment, 

 but I think it's largely imagination. When the large wing on 

 one side is clipped, leaving the smaller one intact, you must 

 look somewhat closely to see whether she is clipped or not. 

 More than once I have caught a queen to clip her, supposing 

 all her wings were whole, when, on catching her, I have found 

 that the large wing on one side was already clipped. So that 

 doesn't look as though her looks were much changed by the 

 clipping. 



Isn't there some imagination in the case, too, when the 

 writer talks of the "probable" effect of weakening the wing- 

 power of worker or queen by clipping ? If such " unfavorable 

 results may be induced within the brief space of one or two 

 seasons," ought not some of the many who have continued the 

 practice through many times "one or two seasons," have so 

 reduced the wing-power that it could not fail to be noticeable? 

 Colonies have been known to continue in existence for years 

 without swarming, and in such case the queen has never 

 flown except once in her life. Have the progeny of such 

 queens a diminution of wing-power? And if the wings are 

 never to be used after the one flight, what difference whether 

 they are longer or shorter? I don't think I'll stop having ray 

 hair cut for fear my posterity may have to wear wigs. 



How Much ? — I've no objection to the advertising of good 

 books in the reading columns whenever publishers so desire, 

 but when you go so far as to awaken interest in a book, why 

 not finish up the matter by giving the price, so we may know 

 whether it comes within the limit of our pocket-books ? This 

 is anent that wild flower book on page 495 ; also previous 

 cases. [Bro. Abbott will please tell "how much," hereafter. — 

 Editor.] Marengo, 111. 



Apiarian Exhibits at the Illinois State Fair. 



BY GEO. F. ROBBINS. 



I want to urge the bee-keepers of Illinois to make the 

 best possible exhibit at the State Fair, Sept. 23 to 28, inclu- 

 sive, at Springfield. We all know that the apiarian industry 

 has heretofore been rather poorly recognized at our State 

 Fairs — largely, perhaps, because it has been poorly repre- 

 sented. But the Board of Agriculture has this year offered 

 a magnificent schedule of premiums (see page 172). Now it 

 behooves us to respond to their advances by making a magnifi- 

 cent exhibit. It is only by doing so that we may hope for con- 

 tined consideration at their hands. The better display we 

 make the higher our standing will be. Standing, you know, 

 counts for a great deal. So far as the Fair is concerned, it 

 means not only a good premium list, but also place and space 

 for our show. The bee-keepers' exhibit is very apt to be 

 crowded back into some dark, inaccessible corner. But now 

 that the Fair is permanently located, new buildings are going 

 up, and we should do our best to merit a good, eligible loca- 

 tion. This we can do if we are there in force, for we can com- 

 bine more of beauty and novelty in a given space than almost 

 any other class of exhibits. 



It may be hard this year to do the matter justice, since 

 the honey crop in this State seems to be so general a failure. 

 If any one has honey from any source fit to show, bring it on. 

 Also best wax, bees, queens, implements, etc. No premiums 

 are offered on implements, but space will be allowed to ex- 

 hibit, and every little helps, you know. If you have invented 

 any new devices — good, bad or indifferent — we want to see 

 them any way. 



Write to W. C. Garrard, Secretary of the Board of Agri- 

 culture, Springfield, II!., for a premium list. Send in your 

 application for entries early, so that they will know you are 

 coming. Mechanicsburg, III. 



[It has been requested that " the code of rules and stan- 

 dards for grading apiarian exhibits at Fairs," as adopted by 

 the Illinois State Bee-Keepers' Association, be published for 

 the benefit of all interested. As they may also aid judges 

 in other States, I comply with the request, and give them as 

 they app3ar in the "Second Annual Report," issued by the 

 Illinois Association : — Editor.] 



COMB HONEY. 



Rule 1. Comb honey should be marked on a scale of 100, 

 as follows : 



Quantity 40 



Quality 40 



Style of display 20 



Rule 2. Points of quality should be : 



Variety 5 



Clearness of capping 10 



Completeness of capping 5 



Completeness of tilling 5 



Straightness of comb 5 



Uniformity 5 



Sty le of section 5 



Remarks, 1. By variety, is meant different kinds, with 

 regard to the sources from which the honey is gathered, which 

 adds much interest to an exhibit. 



2. By clearness of capping, is meant freedom from travel- 

 stain and a water-soaked appearance. This point is marked 

 a little high because it is a most important one. There is no 

 better test of the quality of comb honey than the appearance 



