PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB, 39 



Broadway, ami, diniiijjf a conversation witli Mr. A. D. Frye, spoko of the 

 advantaj^es ot the climate of Califnniia for tlic production of iioiioy. Mr. 

 Kryc observed that it would be a fortune to any one that w(ndd take the 

 honey-bee to California, as h«' had nut seen any during' his travels in that 

 country. 



In fact tiiis little creature had never been known in California; the Rocky 

 Mountains were impassable to it, and the great heat of the Isthmus de- 

 Htrcyed the wax of the honey -comb, so as to render it extremely diflicult 

 to Carry tiie bees across it; even sealinf;^ wax on letters melts in the transit- 

 Mr. t^heltt)n had just returned from California, where he had been en- 

 gaged in agricultural and iiorticultural pursuits; he attended some of the 

 jiiietings of the Club. I mentioned to him the observations made by Mr 

 Frye, and advised him to take out with liim some hives of bees. 



Mr. Shelton procured fifteen hives. A friend of mine, who went 

 fellow passenger with him, informed me that eleven of the hives were lost 

 in crossing the Isthmus, by the excessive heat melting down the combs and 

 smothering the bees with the honey they contained. 



He arrived in San Francisco, in the spring of 1853, with four of the 

 hives in fine condition; he intended to locate them on the Stockton Ranch^ 

 at Santa Clara, but Providence ordained it otherwise, as Mr. Siielton 

 was unfortunately killed by the explosion of the boiler on board a steam 

 vessel while making an experimental trip. 



^^r. Shelton sold one of the hives on his arrival at San Francisco, 

 at a fabulous price, the others were disposed of after his decease. 



I take this opportunit}', while the subject is under discussion, of giving 

 credit to Mr. Shelton for introducing the honey-bee into California, as 

 1 believe his bees were the first introduced, and their swarms have spread 

 over the whole country. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



May 24, 1864. 

 Mr. Nathan C. El}- in the chair. 



Manure for Wuite Beans. 



Frank B. Mills writes from Dunbarton, N. II.: "What is the best ferti- 

 lizer for white beans on light, sandy loam ?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — The answer to this is very simple. Tlic best is 

 thon^ughly decomposed stable manure. The next best is good compo.st. of 

 which home-made poudrette stands first. This is the opinion of all present 

 including some farmers who " know beans." 



Protection to Cucumber Vines. 



E. M. Bullard, Grand Rapids, Mich., says that he fthds the plan fully suc- 

 cessful, which ha.s been so often recommended by this Club, to protect 

 squash vines from bugs, by putting a box around the hill. He uses six 

 inch siding. He also says that he is building a machine that will dig 

 ditches for drain tile, and one to fill them again by horse power. 



