42 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL 

 SOCIETY. 



At a meeting of this association, January G, Col. 

 M. P. Wilder, who had long presided over its delib- 

 erations, devoting much time and talent to its inter- 

 ef>ts, retired from the chair, after a few appropriate 

 remarks in regard to the prosperity of the society, 

 expressing his grateful acknowledgments for the 

 confidence and respect that had been shown in his 

 jn-efcrment, and the kindness and support he had 

 received from his associates, for whom he should 

 chei-isli an affection next to that for family and 

 home. 



lie then introduced Samuel "Walker, Esq., his 

 successor, who made a brief inaufjiiral address, ex- 

 pressing his gratitude for the distinction that had 

 been shown him, his consciousness of the responsi- 

 bilities and duties of the office, and his hearty desire 

 to cooperate with the association in promoting its 

 prosperity. 



Hon. B. V. French, Vice President, presented the 

 following resolutions, which were unanimously 

 adopted : — 



WJicrcas, Marshall P. Wilder, s-Esq., has during a 

 period of eight years discharged the duties of Presi- 

 dent of tills Society to the satisfaction of its mem- 

 bers ; and 



Whereas, Mr. Wilder's administration has been 

 marked ■\\ith energy and zeal in disseminating horti- 

 cultural science ; and 



Whereas, We believe the interest of the Society 

 has been greatly advanced by his services, and its 

 influences extended by his practical skill, and the 

 many specimens exhibited by him from his garden 

 and conservatory of almost all the varieties of fruits 

 and flowers ; and 



Whereas, \Vc also fully believe, that the public, as 

 well as the members of this Society, are indebted to 

 him for his practical and successful labors ; — There- 

 fore, 



Voted, That the thanks of the Society be tendered 

 to Marshall P. AVilder, Esq. for his services during 

 the period he was President thereof; and also 



Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by 

 the Chair to purchase a piece of plate not exceeding 

 in value one hundred and fifly dollars, and cause a 

 suitable inscription to be placed thereon, and to pre- 

 ,sent the same, with the above vote of thanks, to 

 Marshall P. Wilder, in behalf of the Society, as a 

 tribute of the regard and esteem of its members. 



Mr. C. M. Hovey presented the following vote, 

 which Avas passed unanimously : — 



Voted, That the Society's gold medal be presented 

 to Gen. n. A. S. Dearborn, the first President of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society, for the essential 

 services he rendered to the science of horticulture, 

 and the interest of the Society, during the period he 

 presided over its affairs. 



Dr. E. Wight proposed the following resolutions, 

 which were unanimously adopted : — 



Resolved, That this Society hold in high estimation 

 the eminent attainments of James E. Teschemachcr, 

 Esq., in the various departments of literature and 

 science. 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be ten- 

 dered to Mr. Teschemachcr for his valuable services 

 as Corresponding Secretary for many years, and as 

 Chairman of the Committee of Publication. 



Resolved, That as a token of approbation and re- 

 spect, and in consideration of these services, that a 

 piece of silver plate, of the value oi fifty dollars, be 



presented to Mr. Teschemachcr ; or such other article 

 of like value as he may please to designate. 



TTius closed the ceremonies of the New Year, with 

 great unanimity and satisfaction as to the past, and 

 high hopes for the future. Lest these things should 

 be regarded as unimportant by some, we would re- 

 mark, that the happy influence of this institute will 

 aid in adorning various scenes with fine fruits and 

 beautiful flowers thi-oughout oixr land, in monuments 

 that shall flourish as long as the sun shall give its 

 genial glow, and skill and enterprise inspirit the cul- 

 tivator, while the doings of many august assemblies 

 shall moulder in the dust, or sleep on the shelves of 

 the antiquarian. 



PROTECTION AGAINST THE BEE MOTH. 



The bee moth is too formidable for bees to contend 

 with, as it spreads out its web and protects itself as 

 it advances, and when it attacks a feeble swarm, it is 

 sure destruction to this useful insect. The bee can 

 drive man and animals of every description ; even 

 the noble horse Iras not only been conquered, but has 

 sometimes fallen a victim to their rage. Yet a con- 

 temi)tible worm takes i>osscssion of the neat and 

 beautiful hive, protects himself like a skilful and 

 powerful warrior, despoils the sweet home of the 

 bee, and converts it into a place of filth, and the un- 

 hap])y possessor retires in disgust from an enemy 

 against whom he has no means of defence. 



As the winter is a good time for the constiniction 

 of hives and houses, the following article may be 

 acceptable to our readers : — 



A SURE WAY TO PIIOTECT TUE BEE FKOJI THE MILLER. 



Messrs. Editors : I was this summer witness, in a 

 western state, to a contrivance for protecting the 

 bee from the miller, Avhich was novel to me, and, in- 

 deed, to the contriver himself, until it struck his 

 mind in the beginning of the season. 



Thinking it may be a novelty to all your readers, I 

 will give a description of it. 



The contrivance I witnessed was this : " A bee- 

 house eight feet square and eight feet high, sur- 

 mounted by a roof running up into a spii-c, with a 

 weathercock. In the middle of each of the four 

 sides of the house was a close fitting door of suffi- 

 cient width and height to allow persons to enter with 

 ease standing erect. Within was a series of throe 

 shelves or platforms, one over the other, four feet 

 square, supported by corner posts reaching from the 

 ground to the toj^ of the Avails, and mortised perhaps 

 into cross pieces from the top of the Avails. These 

 platforms Avould accommodate from twelve to sixteen 

 common hiA'es. In the daytime, all these doors were 

 fastened open ; but as soon as the bees loere in at eveniny, 

 they were elosed. Early in the morning, they Avere 

 again throAvn open, and the little prisoner let forth to 

 his toil. In the Avinter, the doors arc to be kept 

 locked, excoj^t Avhen access is Avanted to the hiA'c." 



By the means aboA'e stated, the miller Avas kept 

 completely from the hives. He Avould often be seen 

 coming round in the evening, and knocking in \'ain 

 for admittance. One morning, indeed, I believe a 

 fcAV millers Avere found in the house, Avhen the doora 

 had been closed at too late an hour in the evening 

 previous. But they had evidently found themselves 

 entirely in the dark, and had done no mischief. It 

 is obvious that the house, Avith its internal arrange- 

 ment, could be of any size that common sense may 

 dictate. — N. Y. Farmer. 



