54 FiRst Anni!al Report v 



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because it is absorbed into tho system without change, and, because, unlike 

 sugars, it does not easily undergo fermentation. The formic acid which is an 

 ingredient of honey prevents chemical change and the morbid processes 

 arising from decomposition of sugar. 



"Let me repeat the points of difference in ordinary sugars and syrups, and 

 their comparative inferiority to honey as a saccharine food. Honey is an in- 

 verted sugar consisting of laevulose( fruit-sugar) and dextrose{starch-sugar)and 

 readily absorbed into the system without being acted upon by the gastric juice, 

 converting, as it is expressed in chemical language, inverting it into dextrose 

 and Isevulous before it is susceptible of absorption aud assimilation in the 

 blood. When thus acted upon by the digestive organs, it is assimilable, but 

 in case of weakness of digestion, this action does not occur, and decomposi- 

 tion is sure to follow. Honey is not only a delicious form of sweet but is a 

 very healthful and nutritious form of food. It aids the natural functions of 

 the alimentary canal. It is recommended by those who have thus used it, as 

 a refreshing drink, diluted with water in the proportion of from 2 to 5 per 

 cent,' 



"Pure honey should always be freely used in every family — honey eaten 

 upon wheat bread is very beneficial to health. 



"Further, in regard to bee-pasture we will again speak of clover. The 

 same pasture that is best for sheep is best for bees, and that is Alsike clover. 

 The value of this plant to the bee-keeper makes it worth his while to extend 

 its culture in every possible way. In inducing his farmer neighbors to grow 

 it he not only benefits himself but also his neighbors as well. Few appreciate 

 its value. Rightly managed it may be made to yield three pi oducts— honey, 

 hay and seed. Which in a little more than a year are equal in value to the 

 land on which it grows. 



"With isuitable soil and in competent hands ten bushels of seed to the 

 acre is a possible yield, which at the present prices (I7.50 to $g per bushel) 

 will purchase an acre of good farming land almost anywhere. Then there 

 are, besides the seed, the hay and honey. What is honey? It is a vegetable 

 product, not made, but gathered from flowers where it is secreted according 

 to the rules of nature . Each flower yields honey of its own peculiar flavor 

 which is generally recognized. It is a common expression that honey is a 

 luxury, having nothing to do with the life giving principle. This is an error. 

 Honey is food in one of its most concentrated forms. True, it does not add 

 so much to the growth of muscle as beef steak, but it does impart other 

 properties no less necessary to health. It gives warmth to the system, 

 arouses nervous energy and gives vigor to all the vital functions . To the 

 laborer it gives strength, to the business man mental force. 



"Mr. Teft offers the following : 



"Sweeten your tea and coffee with extracted honey and if you are 

 troubled with gravel it will cure you. It is a true brain and nerve food and 



