1895. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



807 



under the knowledge of bee-hunting instead of bee-keeping, 

 and possibly some would not understand the former. Proba- 

 bly this is not the last that will be heard of the matter, as no 

 doubt the experts will be giving particular attention to size, 

 shape, markings, etc., if the weather will permit. Dr. Miller 

 will be given all the praise of having furnished food for 

 thought, for the claim is not mine. Lockwood, N. Y. 



Amalgamation of the " North American " and 

 the " Union." 



BY GEO. W. BRODBBCK. 



I have restrained ray promptings on this subject, awaiting 

 the report of the committee so as to be more capable of intel- 

 ligently digesting the project presented. The committee 

 selected by the North American Bee-Keepers' Association was 

 appointed Sept. 6, and the report of said committee came to 

 hand Dec. 4, with the suggestion—" If the consolidation is 

 effected it would be desirable for it to go into effect Jan. 1, 

 189*^." The subject of consolidation has been in the hands of 

 the Committee now for almost three months, and in the mean- 

 time the bee-periodicals have seemingly combined to strain 

 every nerve in support of this project of amalgamation, and 

 thus, taking all this into consideration, it would be but right 

 and just to extend the time for an intelligent discussion of this 

 subject by the members of the National Bee-Keepers' Union, 

 until March 1, 1896. The members of the North American 

 Bee-Keepers' Association in a body, and as individuals, have 

 been given time for full and free discussion, and as a member 

 of the Union I demand a just and equitable indulgence. 



I have no thought or intention to cast any reflection on 

 the Committee, in their endeavor to thus force the members 

 of the Union to a hasty conclusion. I have the highest es- 

 teem for each and every member on this Committee, and three 

 of the number I know in person, and I say, without fear of 

 contradiction, that a better selection could not have been 

 made ; but we are all human, consequently all of us are likely 

 to err, so in their zeal to hasten this consummation, in all 

 probability they have not taken the scattered membership of 

 the Union into consideration as fully as they might have done, 

 so we trust in the ready assent of a longer delay, when all will 

 result in "seeing fair play." [The Committee have already 

 revised their Report to read thus : "If the consolidation is 

 effected, it would be desirable for it to go into effect as soon as 

 posslhle." — Editor. ] 



The subject of amalgamation is of far greater import to 

 the members of the Bee-Keepers' Union than to the members 

 of the North American. The Union has a record that no 

 other like organization can point to with such just pride, and 

 its membership to-day stands with an unbroken front from 

 Maine to California ; but let us remember that we have not 

 reached our present stage in a day, month or year, but that it 

 has taken ten long years, and those years to some have been 

 years of unceasing toil and care, and the brunt of all this fell 

 upon that indefatigable worker and staunch friend of Amer- 

 ican bee-keepers — Thomas G. Newman ; and to him, more 

 than to any one else, is due the success of the National Bee- 

 Keepers' Union. 



On the other hand, we have the North American Bee- 

 Keepers' Association, and as a social organization it also can 

 take just pride in its record of members, comprising some of 

 the brightest lights of modern bee-keeping, and who have 

 written their names upon the hearts of every intelligent bee- 

 keeper on this continent, and thoughts of whom will always 

 be thoughts of pleasure. I indeed feel sad to think of the 

 possibility of its speedy dissolution, but as it comes to us as an 

 admitted failure, is it advisable for us to take unto ourselves 

 such a " helpmate," and in doing so surrender our birthright 

 and enter into a new field of speculation and adventure ? An 

 old adage just here presents itself, and I advise every mem- 

 ber of the Union to " be sure you're right then go ahead ;" but 

 unless you are, "let well enough alone." 



The Committee claim two organizations to accomplish the 

 work is not necesssary — and right here we agree ; but they 

 forget to state that the work of the two organizations are en- 

 tirely different, and thus requiring two separate and distinct 

 associations. The Union is purely a business organization, 

 and its sole object is protection, and no one can say that it 

 has not fulfilled its mission. On the other hand, the North 

 American is a social organization, and to tack on social fea- 

 tures to a business organization will result in failure to both, 

 for past experience has proved that you cannot combine busi- 

 ness with pleasure. 



I firmly believe in the need of two separate organizations, 

 and I am willing to pledge my earnest support to both ; and 



while I never had the pleasure of attending but one session of 

 the North American, yet if provision bad been made by 

 change of Constitution and By-Laws, I would have willingly 

 sent in my yearly dues, the same as I have in years past in 

 connection with the Union. 



If the Union enlarges its field by extending a protecting 

 arm over Canada, our present court decisions in this country 

 would be of no avail there; and like decisions there would be 

 of no use here. Then if we unite on a protective basis, pro- 

 tection must be equal and jusl to all, and if our laws come in 

 conflict with our organization in either country, to place us 

 on an equality, it will be necessary for us to use our influence 

 to do away with these laws ; and if we are so fortunate as to 

 induce our Government to aid us by an appropriation, it would 

 be right and just to utilize the funds in the interest of our 

 Canadian brethren as well as on this side ; then, to be broth- 

 erly, we would expect our neighbors to exert like influence 

 with their Government, so I but naturally ask the question. 

 Is this all feasible? 



The Constitution presented on page 757, does not desig- 

 nate any place of business, consequently it is optional with the 

 Board of Directors whether it is in Canada or the United 

 States. The present place of business of the Union is Chi- 

 cago, and almost any one knows where that is ; but the pro- 

 posed new place is a myth. 



I now come to one part that is extremely exhilarating, 

 and that is — all disposal of funds is within the hands of the 

 Directors (officers), and can be used for any purpose in con- 

 nection with bee-culture; so if this project is a success, I want 

 the members to elect Prof. Cook, "Rambler," or myself, one 

 of the Directors, to secure funds in the establishment of our 

 prospective California Honey Exchange ; for you see this is in 

 connection with bee-keeping, and would be far more profitable 

 than an investment in prize essays, and in payment of possi- 

 ble junketing expeditions, all of which is possible, for the 

 duties of the Directors only require their own indorsement ; 

 and then, if the funds run low, all that is required to replen- 

 ish the exchequer is to assess each member for the amount 

 necessary (note this) ; and, of course, to retain membership in 

 this organization compliance to this would be necessary. 



Now, Mr. Editor, to close, I desire to say that I have 

 written this with all candor, and malice towards none ; and, if, 

 after careful consideration, the members of the Union posi- 

 tively decide on accepting the propositions presented by the 

 Committee, I am with the majority ; but for the present I am 

 for the perpetuation of the National Bee-Keepers' Union. 



Los Angeles, Calif., Dec. 4. 



Sweet Clover — T Supers and Pattern Slats. 



BY PETER .T. 8CHARTZ. 



For a continuous honey-flow I would prefer sweet clover to 

 all other honey-plants. The honey cannot be excelled by any 

 other, no matter from what source it is taken. 



Sweet clover comes in bloom about the first part of June 

 here, and blooms till killed by frost. It grows on any soil, 

 among stone-piles, along roadsides ami other waste places. If 

 bee-keepers would sow it, their bees would not have to be fed. 

 Just think of taking 100 to 150 pounds of sweet clover honey 

 per colony in dry seasons, and if nut too wet securing still 

 more ! It is self-seeding, and only needs sowing once, when 

 it is good for all time. For feed it is not very good unless cut 

 very early, and then it would not be of any benefit to the bee- 

 keeper. 



It all bee-keepers would contract for a piece of land, 

 say four or five acres, and sow it with sweet clover close to the 

 apiary, it would be a good investment. 



To secure fall honey from it, cut half of it down about the 

 middle of August, and one week later cut the rest of it down, 

 and that will give you pasture till killed by frost. By cutting 

 it down, the second crop will bloom for the balance of the sea- 

 son. 



T SUPERS AND PATTERN SLATS. 



I want to say something in regard to the T super. I think 

 that Dr. Miller is right in using it, for several reasons which I 

 will give from experience. 



I have used the dove-tailed hive one season, with the sec- 

 tion slats and flat hive-cover. There is a ;4-inch bee-space 

 above the brood-frames, and the slats are flush with the bot- 

 tom of the super. I put the super on the hive with the sections 

 and slats fastened up tight. Two weeks after, I took off the 

 cover and cloth to see how the bees were getting along. I 

 -ound the slats and sections had slipped down on the brood- 

 .rames, and all glued fast by the bees, with wax and propolis. 



