1883 



JUVENILE gleani:ngs. 



567 



Lansing, where I took the next train for Fliut. On 

 arriving here T was duly informed that Rogersville, 

 Mr. Hutchinson's postoflBce, was from 13 to 15 miles 

 out, and that the train would not start till 4 p.m. I 

 also had the satisfaction of knowing that there was 

 no stage line to this point, and that a livery could 

 be had for $;i 00, when it cost only half that from 

 Lansing to Flint. To wait all day in Flint when time 

 was precious did not strike me favorably. Finding 

 that a train would take me 4 miles of the distance, 

 I took advantage of this, and walked the remainder. 

 In due time I arrived at the "Banner Apiarj'," and 

 found W. Z. Hutchinson at work in his shop. It did 

 not take long to make his acquaintance, and we 

 were soon engaged in matters pertaining to bee 

 culture. The lirst thing that met my eye was that 

 foot-power buzz-saw which he described in Glean- 

 ings a short time ago. Of course, Yankee like, I 

 had to try it the first thing, and to my surprise it 

 worked splendidly. With this he has made most of 

 his hives and frames; and from the working of it I 

 should judge it would do ordinary hive-work with- 

 out much difficulty. In an adjoining room was his 

 honey, which was put up in crates ready for sale. 

 He, as well as Mr. Hunt, has a very fine lot of honey, 

 and I understand they are to exhiliit at the Detroit 

 State Fair. They have both made great prepara- 

 tions; and from what has been seen already, I am 

 of the opinion that it will be the finest display in 

 this line that Detroit has ever had. Next Mr. Hutch- 

 inson showed me his lamp nursery, where he had a 

 nice lot of cells. During the whole time I was there 

 the nursery varied onlyone degree; andinthat time, 

 toward evening he had taken the lamp out about 

 an hour to show me some things he wished me to see. 

 After having had a very pleasant bee-talk with Mr. 

 H. I took the morning train for the town of the 

 Linswik sisters. Arriving there toward evening I 

 soon made my way to " Our Clearing," situated in the 

 midst of the forest. Located here was a very pretty 

 frame house, at a place, too, where one would hardly 

 expect any thing but a log-house. Although my ar- 

 rival was entirely unexpected, I soon made myself 

 known. Next morning we took a look through the 

 apiary. Here were about 60 colonies of as fine and 

 gentle Italian bees as I have seen. Although the 

 season was somewhat backward in this locality, they 

 had gathered quite a little honey. In tkis lot I saw 

 some prize sections, which I think were the best I 

 have seen while on my trip through Michigan. It 

 seemed to me a little curious that these ladies could 

 manage 60 full colonies; and yet they told me that 

 no one else helped them, except to put the bees into 

 winter quarters. This, then, demonstrates that 

 women can handle bees, and make it pay too, though 

 it is not all of them who are thus successful. 

 Manistee, Mich., Sept., 1883. E. R. Root. 



You see, friends, Ernest and T talked the 

 matter over, and we concluded that, with 

 over 6000 stibscribers, Gleanings ought to 

 have a traveling correspondent, or a travel- 

 ing editor, if you choose, and so I suggested 

 that he start out and send in notes of travel, 

 and I think he has done pretty well ; don't 

 youV WelI,along with his notes of travel 

 he sent in some kind words that he did not 

 intend for print; but as the Juvenilk is 

 privilegedun the way of kind words, I think 

 I will give it, after all. When we get our 

 project started, we shall perhaps give notice 

 where we expect to go, that we may be able 



to call on the friends who would be especial- 

 ly glad to see us. But for the present, 

 Ernest must go back to school, and I shall 

 have to shoulder the editorial and factory 

 work until the boys complete their educa- 

 tion. I say hoys, for there are several of 

 them who are going through college with 

 an especial view of fitting themselves to as- 

 sist in the management of the " Home of 

 the Honey-bees." Here are the kind words. 

 You see, they did not all come from Ernest 

 himself. 



Dear Father: — I have had a most splendid visit 

 among the bee-friends. Everywhere I received the 

 most cordial welcome, and that, too, from friends 

 whom I have never seen. I never realized before 

 what it was for you to have so many friends. Just 

 as soon as I mentioned your name they knew mo 

 right away. Everywhere I stopped I have felt per- 

 fectly at home. The ideas that I have gathered 

 since being away have been of great value to me. 

 Inclosed you will find an account of my travels. I 

 have not sent my notes along as soon as I had ex- 

 pected; but the fact is, I have been just as busy as 

 a bee, and it has not been till I arrived at Aunt 

 Sarah's that I have had time to write them up. 



Your son,— Ernest. 



DEPARTMENT FOR THOSE WHO SAY GOODS 

 WERE NOT THERE. 



f' RECEIVED your shipping-bill of goods on yes- 

 terday, and went for the goods to day. The bill 

 ' was all right as I ordered, but I could not find 

 the circular saw, which I sent for. Every thing else 

 is all right, so far as I can see. I suppose it was a 

 mistake in packing the goods. I hope you will send 

 it, and the cheapest way. Chas. Matthews. 



Fredericksburg, Ohio, Aug. 18, 1883. 



On receipt of the above we had the proper 

 clerks hunt up the whole matter ; and when 

 they found it was the foreman of the pack- 

 ing-room who put up the goods, they wrote 

 as follows: — 



Friend M.: -Your goods were put up by our most 

 careful clerk — one who rarely makes mistakes. He 

 states that he put the saw in the last thing himself. 

 We can not but think, friend M., that the saw must 

 be in the pkg. We think, if you will again look care- 

 fully, you will find it. 



After a few days we got the following:— 



I have found the saw. I did not unpack the 

 boards at the time I got the package. I found the 

 rabbets, queen-cages, and cards all together, and I 

 supposed the saw was forgotten. 



Fredericksburg, O. Chas. Matthews. 



Now, friends, this is a small matter, it is 

 true ; but we have to keep constantly two 

 pretty good clerks hunting up correspond- 

 ence, adjusting just such complaints as this. 

 And a great many times it happens as above, 

 just because the, one:. who ^unpacked the 

 goods was heedless. I admit, weihave some 

 carelessness here ; but when the one who 

 sent the goods, and the one who gets them 

 are both careless, you^see it makes.a'heavy 

 bill of expense. Another thing : how can I 

 very well ask a clerk to pay for his mistakes, 

 with these cases in view? Perhaps if I keep 

 this department constantly before you, it 

 may help all to do better. 



