STATE bee-keepers' ASSOCIATION. 189 



Mr. Wheeler — The matter of honey-dew is important. 

 If there was any honey-due in our honey we might be ac- 

 cused of adulterating our honey. 



Mr. Root — Mr. Selser and Prof. Eaton agree exactly as 

 to the proper definition for honey, but this point raised by 

 Mr. Wheeler is really most important. Suppose I am a 

 beginner, and I unknowingly put honey-dew upon the mar- 

 ket, there is danger of prosecution, in which injustice will 

 be done. 



Prof. Eaton — I might say that I do not agree with 

 Prof. Cook in every point. One point is that I do not be- 

 lieve that when bees are fed cane-sugar the result is true 

 honey. It would be lacking in the natural flavor of true 

 honey. In regard to the best definition for honey I think 

 that practical bee-keepers are the best judges as to what 

 this definition should be. The matter is really important, 

 however, as decisions in important suits may turn upon the 

 definition that the courts are guided by. 



It was moved by Mr. Moore that the chair appoint a 

 committee of three to look after this matter of securing a 

 proper definition for honey. Dr. Miller, C. P. Dadant and 

 E. T. Abbott were appointed. 



Upon motion of Mr. Horstmann it was voted the Asso- 

 ciation pay the Secretary $20 for his services. 



DEFINITION AND STANDARD FOR HONEY. 



In reply to a question, Prof. Eaton said that he con- 

 sidered 25 percent of water in honey was a high percentage 

 for a standard. About 22 percent is as much water as was 

 ever found, but he thought it better to be safe, and put it 

 at 25 percent. Eight percent sucrose is also a high per- 

 centage. He had no objections to offer to the standard as 

 proposed for honey. 



Mr. France — I suppose that these standards will become 

 authority. If they do, and the proposed definition is also 

 made authentic, then I am ready to quit bee-keeping. My 

 honey this year would be pronounced adulterated if judged 

 by the proposed definition. 



Upon motion of Mr. Moore, a vote of thanks was given 

 Prof. Eaton for his paper. Thanks were also tendered the 

 proprietor of the Revere house for his courtesy and kindness 

 in furnishing a room for the meeting. Mr. Root was also 

 remembered with a vote of thanks for his entertainment with 

 the stereopticon. 



The convention then adjourned to meet at the call of 

 the Executive Committee. 



