Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-12-01
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
racts CONCERNING c.Kccplur.

in session at New York, Oct. 16 to 10Th,
1877, aware Of the general lack OF infor-
nation concerning improved methods of
agriculture and its products, respectfully
submits the following statement OF facts
for general information concerning a
large source Of personal and national
revenue in preserving the honey which
God has caused TO flow so a|bundantly IN
the vast and varied fora of our country
1t is now only a few years since the
invention Of movable comb hives has
opened up q new era in ee,keeping, and
placed it on the basis OF q successful
business pursuit. Such hives, adapted
to climate, furnish every facility for in
telligent management of bees by regu
lating swarming, guarding against moths,
and manipulating both bees and comb.
The inventors of the extractor or
honey singer, a machine which empties
the honey from the combs by centrifugal
force, without injury, 30 that the combs
may he returned to the bees, marks
another great step in agriculture. Thus
virgin honey, free from foreign adj
mixture is obtained, having the flavor of
the flower from which it is drawn.
The further invention of artificial
comb foundation, made of pure wax, first
successfully used to a large extent this
season, completes the requisites for plac'
ing Bookkeeping on the basis of a great
industry in our country. Bees receive
this artificial comb foundation with
readiness as receptacles both for honey
and brood.
Simultaneous with the first and all of
these Improvements, the introduction of
Italian bees and improved modes of rear
ing queens, of transporting and intro.
ducing them to colonies, has greatly
improved the value of the honey gath
crers, both because Of the superiority of
the Italian bee and the introduction of
new blood. New blood prevents the
danger from in.and-in breeding,
The great drawback to agriculture is
the sting of the bee. Danger from this
source is now largely overcome By tine
simple appliance used for the protection
of the person and for subduing the bees,
The most vicious colony may be subdued
in a very few minutes.
To consumers of honey, a few facts are
necessary in this article to preserve them
from imposition. Nice white comb speaks
for itself and is generally admired, but
tie price many lovers OF honey cannot
afford, 1t makes Il beautiful dish for the
table but it is no better than extracted
honey. All comb is wax, and wax in the
stomach is perfectly indigestible. Elk
trscted honey is pure liquid honey as it
il taken from the combs by the honey
singers, free from any foreign admixture.
1t is entireIy different from what is known
in tire market as strained honey. Con
Sumers help to impose upon themselves
by the false idea that pure honey will
not g~ranulate. They desire ungranu-
lated honey and dealers will attempt TO
supply the demand. Almost all pure
honey will granulate when exposed for
some time to light and cold. The gran
ulated state is a fine evidence of pure
honey. Much of the jar honey hereto
fore sold in the market, and recommended
not o granulate, lisa very inferior article,
composed largely of glucose or some
inferior substance. GRADUATED honey
can be reduced to its liquid state in a
few moments by placing the jar in warm
water, When thus liquifed it so remains
for some time before again Crystalizing,
Consumers may be sure Of a e good whole
some article by purchasing graduated
honey and reducing it.
To producers. Byfull Use of improve
ments in Bookkeeping, the honey crop Of
America may be almost indefinitely
increased and become a great source OF
national revenue None need fear over.
production. The home demand and
consumption is largely increased when.
ever people learn to know the superior.
ity OF such honey. Dealers in New York
have already commenced a large export
trade, and they tell us that their only
difficulty is in procuring honey in proper
shape and quantity to supply the grow
ing demaud. Trade demands that they
be put up in nice, attractive packages
and in small parcels or jars so as to be
readily handled by gr0ccrS and Consum'
ers, Honey was for centuries the prin.
cibal sweet known, and Is one OF the
most healthful of all. Improvement ir
, refining sugars have within the last two
or three centuries led to It's general adop
l tion. Why may not also new improve
, mepts in agriculture restore it to its tru,
place as a general favorite which was los,
, by bad management and the ~consequen.
5 corresponding limited supply?
! We believe that Improvements in bee
! keeping as compared with old method
I are not less than those seen in railroad
and steamboats, as compared with forme
modes of travel.
t For mutual information we woul,
4, advise the organization of local societic
! and conventions to further this bushes
y among all interested in agriculture.