AMERICAN BEE JOURNA 



215 



at that time of the year to flit from 

 flower to flower. The body of the 

 honey-bee is wisely adapted to this pur- 

 pose, being covered with fine hairs, in- 

 visible to the naked eye, which brush off 

 and carry the fertilizing powder to the 

 germ that requires it. The fruit sets 

 better eveu when the tree has perfect 

 flowers, containing both pistils and 

 stamens, if pollen from another flower, 

 or better, still, from another tree, is 

 brushed upon its germs. Who has not 

 observed that a long-continued rain- 

 storm, occurring during fruit bloom, and 

 preventing these little messengers from 

 their rounds, is followed by a failure of 

 fruit? 



The bee-keepers and horticulturists 

 should, therefore, always bo fast friends 

 —their interests are linked together in a 

 way which should make them "brothers, 

 all !'■ The prosperity of the one aids in 

 the advancement of the other ! 



We have written this out because the 

 Secretary of the Horticultural Society 

 requested us to do so, so that it may be 

 published in the State Reports, which 

 are printed and circulated among all the 

 horticulturists of the State. 



In this way it will be more useful in 

 bringing facts to the notice of many who 

 never see any bee-periodical, and if they 

 did, would perhaps have no interest in 

 perusing it. 



When light and truth enters the 

 human mind, they drive away much of 

 the foolish opposition and disagreeable 

 feeling which is born of envy, and 

 'flourishes most among the uninformed 

 and easily-persuaded people, who think 

 that their rights are invaded, or their 

 revenues decreased by some other voca- 

 tion. 



Mr. A. Barnes, a horticulturist located 

 at Waupaca, Wis., said that he was so sure 

 that the bees were highly essential to 

 fruit, that he would gladly lease, free of 

 charge, to a bee-keeper, a place for an 

 apiary near his orchards— and he would 

 be well paid by the bees in the extra 

 amount and quality of his fruit. Here 

 is a nice opportunity for mutual pleasure 

 and profit. 



iW The report of the Wisconsin State 

 Convention will be published as soon as 

 it comes from the Secretary. 



National Bee-Keepers' Union. 



At the Convention at Madfson, last 

 week, we were called upon for an ad- 

 dress on the work of the National Bee- 

 Keepers' Union. We recited in detail 

 the work of the Union, and what it had 

 accomplished, and then replied to the 

 question on the programme, "Why do 

 You Not Join the Bee-Keepers' Union ?" 

 in this language : 



It is often asked why bee-keepers do 

 not en masse join their own Union, but 

 as yet no one has solved the problem ! 

 Such an organization is a mountain of 

 strength to the pursuit in general—a 

 tower of defense ! 



The annual fee of one dollar is so 

 small that there can be no reasonable 

 excuse for any one remaining outside— 

 the only word that can convey the exact 

 condition of affairs is apathy. It is a 

 kind of selfish indifference— a feeling of 

 " don't care, as long as I am left alone." 

 Is it not quite time to 



Shake off dull sloth, and early rise 

 To make so small a sacrifice ? 



Admit that you do not personally need 

 the protection which the Union en- 

 deavors to give, is it not the duty of 

 every apiarist to assist in upholding the 

 pursuit, and secure to its devotees their 

 rights and privileges ? 



The ignorant and jealous often make a 

 charge against the bees— that "they eat 

 the peaches," and "they destroy young 

 ducks !" The envious declare that they 

 destroy their slieep pasture, ruin their 

 grapes, and sting their operatives. None 

 of us know who may be assailed next. 

 If you want the Union to defend you in 

 your rights, you must become a member 

 of it. 



At the conclusion of our address, 

 12 new members were added to the list 

 for 1891. 



We Club the American Bee Journal 

 and the Illustrated Home Journal, one 

 year for $1.35, Both of these and 

 Gleanings in Bee Culture, for one year, 

 for $2. 15. 



Only a Few complete volumes for 

 1890 are on hand. If anyone desires to have 

 a full set of numbers for binding, they 

 should be sent for soon. 



