Your beautiful book, Vols. I and II of the “American Apiculturist,” is
before me and its contents noted. It seems to fill the bill, being
replete with items of importance especially to the more advanced
apiarist. While we cannot forget the labors of a Langstroth, a Quinby,
and a few other dear names, your work fills a more modern want, and if
you keep in view the interest of honey producers, as I do not doubt you
will, you ought to meet with success. I have been in the business of
raising and marketing comb-honey about 35 years. Made a little at it
once, but of late years it hardly pays. The injudicious use of the honey
extractor has been a great damage to us as beekeepers, and it is the
only thing I know of that can injure your success. This engine bee
business is a mistake. Some are clamoring for a large iron extractor,
that will extract not less than four combs in no time. I suppose their
reason for it is that the larvæ will not expire under the operation.
Some do not relish larval honey anyway, and Joseph prefers quality to
quantity, nor does he believe it benefits brood or comb to be violently
whirled in the vortex of death.
They talk about a glutted market. Well! well! honey is down and the
mourners go about the streets. What shall we do? Create a home demand? I
think friend L. C. Root has answered this question on page 48, Vol. II,
“American Apiculturist” when he says “we must devise some means of
producing smaller crops,” and I would add without diminishing our income
that we annihilate the extractor. What other method can we rationally
adopt to curtail the quantity and enhance the quality and thus keep up a
demand at home and abroad? Self interest for one is self interest for
all honey producers. It is better to make a little pay than a good deal
not pay. I am not talking for the supply business; if I were, I should
undoubtedly advocate the extractor, because what bees it does not kill
in the larval state are hastened to an untimely death by a cruel and
barbarous system, which creates a demand for fresh victims, fresh queens
and fresh workers, so that now the supply dealer alone makes anything.
When a law is passed by the Legislature against the wicked practice of
extracting honey as now carried on, it will be the happiest day that the
bee, or the beekeeper who keeps bees for profit, has seen. Of course I
do not hope to do justice to this question in so short an article, but
would submit it to your thoughtful consideration as one of the most
important questions touching the interest of the American beekeeper.
Be gentle with the little bee
Which toils the summer day,
To bring its treasures to your home
From every hidden way.
The fragile insect needs the care
And kindness of your heart,
If you would win his services
To aid you in a start.