Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-03-01
pce.Keepers Meeting.

about matters, in regard to which
there is room for difference of opinion
and practice, is also generally admit
ted. Our business interests are repre-
scented and protected by Boards of
Trade. We have Agricultural Socie-
ties, Farmers Clubs and Oranges to
look after the great foundation indus
try. Conventions and meetings al
vance the multifariOus enterprises
which have been set on foot by the
active mind of man. No sensible in
dividual undertakes to carry out, sOli-
tary and alone, the ends he is aiming
to accomplish, when there are others,
equally anxious to succeed in the
same direction, with whom he can
consult and cooperate.
One would suppose, that very little
reflection or argument would suffice
to convince bee-keepers that their in
terests call for organization and asso-
citation. Yet it seems more difficult
to bring them together for united
counsel and action than almost any
other class of people who have inter
ests in common. The patent hive
business is no doubt largely response
BILE for this. 1t has introduced and
fostered an Ishmaelitish spirit among
bee-keepers. Agriculture has come
to be regarded, not as peaceful field
where all might work harmOni-
ously and reap n harvest of sweet
ness, but rather as q hunting-ground
where prey is to be chased and spoil
secured. We are glad to know
that this state of things is passing
away, and that q better day is mani
testify coming, in which the clashing
of pecuniary interests and antagonistic
aims shall no longer operate to keep
apiarians asunder. Already some pro-
gress has been made in the establish
nlent Of organizations and the holding
of meetings, but it is only few of the
great host of bee-keepers who have
allied themselves together and met as
/" friends i'm council" for the advance
ment of agriculture. Indifference has,
no doubt, had quite as much to do in
keeping bee-men apart as business
rivalry. 1t is remarkable how apa-
thetic some are, even when their own
advantage is manifestly involved.
We do not believe that any thoughtful
apiarians gave their views freely and
fully ever went away without feeling
that the cost of coming was mere
bagatelle compared with the benefit
obtained. A single wise suggestion
may turn the scale of a years opera
lions of the apiary from loss to profit.
Questions may be asked and answered
to which no bedrock furnishes Il re-
ply. The mind may obtain clue or
be put upon a track the results of
which will be highly valuable. A
bee-meeting is school for new begin
ners, and a college for those more adj
vanced. We can help on the cause of
agriculture on such an occasion, both
by imparting what we know to others
less informed than oul selves. and
by sitting at the feet of apiarian
doctors who have far outstripped
u.s. There is, moreover, the pleasure
and profit connected with making the
personal acquaintance of fellow-bee-
keepers, especially those of note,
whose writings we have read
with interest, and whom it is
II great satisfaction to meet
face to face, and think of afterwards,
as no longer strangers, but friends.
Yet, Observation-Disclosures and other
obvious advantages of association, how
difficult it is to obtain large MEM
bership, or to secure large attend
ance. How rarely do we read in the
reports of these meetings, that they
were unanimously attended or marked
by any enthusiasm. Even the Ma
tional Society has never made such
muster as might reasonably have been
expected at it's annual session. Yet,
if all had been imbued with the earn
estness of sOme-if every one had
come. who could as we'll have done so,
as those actually present, there would
have been no cause of complaint, but
rather abundant reason for jubilation.
Let every officer and member resolve,
that the next meeting shall be the best
ever held. .......... Too much stress cam
not be laid on the Importance of get
ting up and vigorously sustaining
neighborhOOd meetings in all those To-
calities where bees are kept by num-
Der of parties. Even if they are at
tended only by a few, they will result
in much good. We do not know of u
pleasanter or better method of pro-
noting agriculture, than by holding
weekly or 'fortnightly meeting from
house to house around the little neigh
borhood of bee-keepers. A case in
point occurs to our recollection. 1t is
that of three bee-keepers, who have
for several years been in the habit of
meeting in this way. They discuss
each others methods and experiences,
read and criticise agricultural puhlica-
tions, and concoct questions, answers
and articles for the bee journals. 1t
need hardly be said that they are a
most intelligent trio of bee-keepers;
and that it is a high treat to spend an
evening in their company. We could
wish to see their example followed
wherever an association even as mod
estly small as theirs, can be found and
worked.-[ American Bee Journal.
The yield ofcsmall grain will be