32 Ten Texas Topics 



making it a staple and certain source of revenue to those 

 engaged in it. As yet there are millions of acres in this 

 section where no bee has ever yet made its appearance, and 

 the opportunities and prospects for developing are unlim- 

 ited." 



The above conversation proved very interesting to me, 

 and, as can be easily imagined, I took copious notes of it for 

 future reference, and they have herein served me a good 

 purpose. To the remarks quoted I have very little to add. 

 I will'state, however, that while bee-keeping is remunerative, 

 it is at the same time very interesting and it costs very 

 little time and money to conduct it, even where it is depend- 

 ed upon for a livelihood. While you are resting or asleep 

 your thousands of little workers are busy in your interest, 

 and all they ask is to be let alone in their determination to 

 serve you. Their hives can be left on the summer stands 

 the whole winter through and chaff hives are unknown to 

 the Texas bee. The fields from which they reap are co- 

 extensive with the power of their flight, and hardly a plant 

 grows in Texas that does not yield nectar fit for the gods to 

 sip. For this reason I will not undertake to name those 

 that are best adapted for honey-making. The list of those 

 plants not laid under tribute by the bees would be short 

 indeed as compared with that of those that almost drip with 

 honey throughout the year. 



Indeed and in truth is Texas a thrice blessed State. 

 The husbandman has only to tickle the surface of the earth 

 to reap this reward; the miner goes down a few feet to be 

 paid in the gushing stream of oil, or to bring forth the 

 valuable metals; while the bee-keeper has only to make a 

 few inexpensive preparations to find a flow of honey in suf- 

 ficient quantity to fill his stomach, clothe his back and 

 furnish all the other necessities of life. Allow me to repeat, 

 Texas is the promised land, and, like the Canaan of old, 

 a land that flows with milk and honey. 



