State Bee-Keepers' Association. 



t35 



better chance to get at the nectar. A hundred acres treated thus I shonld 

 think would yield honey in appreciable quantities. I have nut seen this 

 thoroughly tested, but I have seen indications that it might be as I have 

 said. 



22. All the way from blacks to fine-branded Italians, tnink I rather pre- 

 fer hybrids . 



23. Hybrids possess about all the good points of Italians except quiet- 

 ness. They are better breeders, take the season through. When Italians 

 are stuffing the brood frames with the honey that should go above, hybrids 

 have their combs filled with brood to the top bar — indeed in this respect they 

 surpass either race in their purity — and they incline to breed later in the fail- 

 They, of course, go into sections more readily, and cap their honey, as a rule, 

 somewhat whiter than Italians. They are more excitable, but in the hands of a 

 bee master, one who has acquired the mystic, indescribable art of handling 

 bees, they are not so black as they are painted . Some specimens to be sure are 

 so hot headed that they will charge out in a stream if you stir a bla 'e of 

 grass near their hive, but they can be easily fixed, just catch the queen and 

 squeeze her. 



24. On summer stands. 



25. My actual winter loss is perhaps 3 per cent , but by uniting queen- 

 less colonies and thos- with failing queens or other A'ise weak, in tli;; apiary, 

 my loss foots up some 8 or 10 per cent. 



28. No. 



29 No. 



31. Do not know. I have not yet reached the limit of my field, and 

 there are from 60 to 70 stands within two mils ot me. 



32. I suppose the first point is to exhibit. It devolves upon us bee- 

 keepers to see that' our industry is properly represented at the fairs. We 

 must begin with the boards oi management, work up premium lists and get 

 suitable accommodations; then second the efforts of the managers. We 

 must show them that we mean business . There are various ways in which 

 this can be done. I think we should, in some cases, offer premiums our- 

 selves — on honey extractors, perhaps, or pickles made with honey vinegar. 

 Work up special premiums, but most all of exhibit. And while we are at it let 

 us make our exhibitions educating to the public. Let us keep in mind him 

 whom we desire to make a consumer. Show him what we are doing and 

 what we have got, make his mouth water for honey. 



33. We do not want to strive very hard to draw more into the business, 

 neither do we need to educate every farmer as amateur bee-keepers. The 

 quicker most of them fizzle out the better for all concerned, and if you see 

 any headed that way do not stop them; but if you find a man who is disposed 

 to take an intelligent, practical interest in bee culture, one who wants to be- 

 come your competitor in the market, thai is the very man you want to help . 

 Get him into our conventions, get him to read books and journals, furnish 



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