American bee journal (1915) (17931236159)

Title: American bee journal
Identifier: americanbeejourn551915hami (find matches)
Year: 1861 (1860s)
Authors:
Subjects: Bee culture; Bees
Publisher: (Hamilton, Ill. , etc. , Dadant & Sons)
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: UMass Amherst Libraries



Text Appearing Before Image:
^S^Mjec^nrn^^^^^ October. 1916. American Hee Jonrnal
Text Appearing After Image:
Beekeepers in Attendance at the Tri-State Field Neet Held at thtDidant Home Apiary at Hamilton, Illinois, September 7, 1915 thing new, and much interest was manifested in every stage of the work. When the dinner hour arrived the guests were seated at long tables where they were served with a bounteous spread. The ladies of the Presbyterian church had the dinner in charge, and seldom has the writer seen such a crowd served so promptly and well. The hungry crowd, many of whom had been traveling for 24 hours, did ample justice to the meal. Seats were provided under the big trees where for many years the late Charles Dadant had delighted in car- ing for his bees. No set program had been announced for the day, but sev- eral prominent men were called upon for short talks. N. E. France, State Inspector of Wisconsin, E. R. Root, editor of Gleanings in Bee Culture, Dr. E, F. Phillips, of the United States De- partment of Agriculture, Dr. L. H. Pammel, Botanist of the Iowa Agricul- tural College, Frank Coverdale of sweet clover fame, and others gave in- teresting addresses. During a short recess in the program the crowd posed for the picture shown in this issue. Late in the afternoon the automo- biles were again called into service to convey the visitors to the big dam across the Mississippi river. A special guide was provided to conduct the party through the power house and to explain the wonderful machinery by which the electric current is generated. The street cars of St. Louis are run by power from this plant, and her streets are lighted from its electricity also. The visitors were invited to the home of C. P. Dadant to spend the evening. A most pleasant hour was spent in listening to personal recollec- tions of prominent beekeepers who have passed on. Mr. E. J. Baxter told of Charles Dadant, E. R. Root men- tioned interesting visits with Lang- stroth, N. E. France gave an account of his acquaintance with Adam Grimm, and both Root and France were called on to tell something of their impres- sions of W. Z. Hutchinson. So much regret was expressed be- cause Dr. C. C. Miller was unable to be present that Dr. E. F. Phillips was asked to give his impressions of the most popular living writer on bee- keeping. The following morning the automo- biles were ready to convey the guests to the historic town of Nauvoo. Many interesting things were seen on this trip, among which may be mentioned the former homes of the Mormon lead- ers, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. The party also visited the home and apiary of E. J. Baxter, president of the Illinois State Beekeepers' Association. The pressure for time in order to get back to Keokuk for the second days' meeting made it necessary to forego visiting some interesting points. The forenoon session at Keokuk was given over to the study of honey-pro- ducing plants. Dr. L. H. Pammell gave an address on " Place of Botany in the Beekeepers' Education," which will be reproduced in the Bee Journal, after which he identified a large number of flowers and plants brought in by Miss Mitchell, of Keokuk, and answered questions concerning the honey-pro- ducing flora. The afternoon session was given over to the conference of bee inspec- tors and problems of inspection and control of disease were discussed. N. E. France proposed joint action of the inspectors of the various States through the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture. Since there is always difficulty in controlling disease along the borders of a State because of its presence just across the line, Mr. France's suggestion seemed very timely and he was appointed to represent the inspectors and Dr. Phillips to repre- sent the Government in formulating a plan of action. A paper by Mr. J. E. Crane, of Ver- mont, was read, as Mr. Crane was un- able to be present. Dr. Phillips outlined some important work in connection with the inspec- tor's official duties. He especially called attention to the importance of the educational work which an inspec- tor is in position to do. Several in- spectors were present and it is be- lieved that important results will come from this conference. The discussions brought out the need of information as to how European foulbrood is spread. At present there is no definite information on the subject. There are plenty of guesses but no positive knowledge. Nothing was overlooked to add to the comfort or convenience of the visi- tors. A few were missed at the trains because the drivers did not recognize them, but as soon as they were located they were well cared for. Arrangements were made for an- other interstate meeting next year, the time and place to be settled by a com- mittee composed of N. E. France ana the presidents of the Iowa and Illinois associations. Some city along the Mississippi river will probably be se- lected. Atlantic, Iowa. Selling Honey by Nail BY DB. A. F. BONNEY. I HAVE made several adventures into the domain of advertising to sell honey by mail, and find one serious handicap, the breaking of containers by careless mail clerks and others who handle the sacks. These men, or many of them, seem to have an inherent hatred of parcel post packages that are at all heavy, and a "fragile" tag is little or no protection. In this connection let me suggest that it is unfortunate that the laity can- not be educated to know that candied or granulated honey is certain to be free from glucose, in other words, that it is pure, for once the consumers are aware of it, honey producers could let their honey solidify in the containers and thus insure safe ship- ment. One man at least is on the right track, for in a catalog of labels re- cently received I find the following: "Take Notice. — As manufactured adulterated honey cannot be made to imitate the granulation or'candying' 01 pure honey, granulation has been lound to be the only ready test of pure honey. I, therefore, do not ship ex- •racted honey before it is thoroughly granulated by cold weather; I u^arrant every pound put up and shipped by me '0 be absolutely pure honey as collected from the blossoms by the bees. To restore to the original form and retain the original honey flavor, set the can in warm water and remove cover, but do not heat honey to the boiling point. Let cool before using." I am seriously inclined to begin using a label similar to the above and send out only solidified honey up to and including (iOpound pails, instruct- ing them regarding the reliquefying of the honey, but urging the customer to first try eating the candied honey. Per- sonally I prefer it to either the liquid e.xtracted or comb honey. I am now going to suggest that bee- keepers begin circulating the fact that candied or granulated honey is pure.