92 FANCIERS’ 
JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 


He claims that he has as much right to employ his time and 
spend his money in the enjoyment of his peculiar fancy, as 
others have in theirs. Of course, this claim cannot be 
questioned, so long as he does not interfere with the rights 
of others. 
I confess that I have my fancy, but it is not for lawsuits, 
nor for dogs nor rabbits, and not much for poultry, although 
I take considerable pleasure in feeding and admiring, and 
especially in eating my Light Brahmas. My fancy is for 
bees, and I suppose Iam about as wild on this subject as 
others are on dogs, and rabbits, and pigeons, or even as my 
Hoosier friend is on lawsuits. I confess that I have ‘ bee 
on the brain,” and have had it for some years, and do not 
realize any strong symptoms of the abatement of the disease. 
As the Fanciers’ Journal is projected as a medium for the 
interchange of the views of fanciers upon their favorite 
themes, I have consented to contribute an occasional article 
upon what I consider the most fascinating as well as the 
most profitable of all pastimes—Bee-keeping. 
I may be a little too enthusiastic upon this subject; but 
after several years of study and practical experience in the 
apiary, I am convinced that the honey-bee, in its natural 
history, its habits and instincts, and, I may almost say, in 
its reasoning faculties, is the most wonderful and mysterious 
being below man. 
When the bee was first domesticated is not known. We 
read of it away back in the early history of the Israelites, 
where their ‘‘promised Jand’’ was described as ‘ flowing 
with milk and honey;’’ where its rich stores abounded in 
the rocks and caves of their mountains, and was even found 
within the carcasses of their wild beasts. It was known 
and prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and attracted 
the attention and furnished themes for the pens of their 
poets and philosophers. 
But it was not until within the last quarter of a century, 
that apiculture was reduced to what might be called a 
science. The invention and introduction to the public of 
the movable frame-hive, forms the great epoch between an- 
cient and modern bee-keeping. Before this the internal 
workings of the hive were wrapt in almost impenetrable 
mystery; but now the bee-keeper can and should be as 
familiar with the nature, and instincts, and habits of his 
bees, as with those of his most domesticated animals. 
I presume that many of the readers of the Journal are 
proficients in apiculture ; but, for the benefit of those who 
have not made it a study, I shall, in my proposed articles, 
endeayor to give such information as will enable the inex- 
perienced to keep bees with pleasure and with profit. 
Hoosier B. Lover. 

a 
Epitor FANCIERS’ JOURNAL. 
Dear Sire: A friend of mine has a hen of the ‘“‘common 
breed ’’ that two days in each week lays a very large ege. 
One that I now have on exhibition at my store, laid this 
week, measures 84 inches in circumference the long way, 
and 6} inches the short way. On the alternate days she 
sometimes lays an ege somewhat smaller—the smallest mea- 
suring 74 by 5} inches. Who beats? 
Yours truly, 
J. F. Furris. 

pes John A. Lord, Kennebunk, Maine, won two silver 
cups, three specials, and eight Society premiums at the late 
Maine State Poultry Show. 

BUFFALO SHOW. 
Churchman’s $100 Gold Prize for best D. B. Hen. 
As it was generally expected by the Dark Brahma fan- 
ciers, that the clause in the Premium List would be inforced, 
requiring all fowls entered for this prize to be between the 
age of twenty and twenty-four months, only four entries 
were made: one by Wm. H. Churchman, Claymont, Del. ; 
one by Chas. A. Sweet, Buffalo, N. Y.; and two by D. W. 
Herstine, of Philadelphia. 
Entry No. Points. Judge. 
725, owned by W.H. Churchman. 93 J. K. Felch. 
: 89 P. W. Hudson. 
94 P. Williams. 
598, owned by Charles A. Sweet. 954 J. K. Felch. 
97° BP. W. Hudsont 
94 P. Williams. 
1053, owned by D. W. Herstine. 914 J. K. Felch. 
81 P. W. Hudson. 
74 P. Williams. 
1054, owned by D. W. Herstine, 91 J. K. Felch. 
83 P. W. Hudson. 
74 P. Williams. 
The decision was arrived at by adding the points together, 
as given by the three judges, and dividing by three, showing 
that the prize was taken by Chas. A. Sweet, of Buffalo, N. Y. 
We believe this to be the largest prize on record. Besides 
the $100 in gold, Mr. Sweet also takes the other three hens 
which were entered for this prize, the poorest of which must 
be worth, at least, $50. 

Soe 
CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITIONS IN 1874. 
1. Grand Show of Pigeons, by the members of the Peris- 
teronic Society, Second “Tuesday in January. 
. Cage Bird Show, February 14th to 19th. 
. Mule and Donkey Show, April 28th to 30th. 
Spring Flower Show, May 16th. 
Dog Show, June 9th to 12th. 
Great Rose Show, June 20th. 
Autumn Fruit and Flower Show, Sept. 8th to 10th. 
. Cat Show, Sept. 26th to 29th. 
. Poultry Show, November 16th to 19th. 
COOIBDAPWNES 


NATIONAL COLUMBARIAN SOCIETY. . 
THE first annual meeting took place at the rooms of the 
Society on January 14th. 
The reports of the officers show the Society to be in a 
very flourishing condition. The committee on nominations 
reported the following list of officers for 1874, which, on 
being balloted for, were unanimously elected : 
PRESIDENT, 
‘Wo. Simpson, JR., of West Farms, New York. 
VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
Maine, . Joun W. Harris, . . Eastport. 
New Hawai e, . V. G. GILMAN, - Nashua. 
Massachusetts, . PHILANDER WILLIAMS, Taunton. 
Rhode Island, . J. BF. Peckyam,. . Providence, 
Connecticut, . . HE. P. Tirrany, . Hartford. 
New York, . ANDREW SCHELD, - Brooklyn. 
Canada, . R. Heap, . Lauzon. 
. Jos. RB. eaneen 
. Wo. H. CourcHMan, 
Pennsylvania, . 
Delaware, . °. 
. Philadelphia. 
. Wilmington. 
Maryland, . THos. S. GappEss, - Baltimore. 
District Columbia, E.S8. Minzer, . Washington. 
Ohio, : . J. C. Lona, JR.,. . Ravenna. 
Hlorids) ae «J. Howey, . Pilatka. 
California, . . . TT. EH. Finuey, . San Francisco. 
al i i i 
