The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-11-29
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMBNT.
Facts COneerutnE 8ee.zeepEne.

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Facts UOneerutnE 8se.ReepEng.
The national bee-keepers convention.
In session at New York, Oct. Is to 18th.
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 abUndaBtly Ia
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 a new era in bee keeping. and
placed it on the basis of successful
business pursuit. Such hives, adapted
to climate, furnish every facility for in
teltigent management of bees bv regu-
latlng sWarming, guarding against moths,
and manipulating both bees and comb.
The inventors of the extractor or
honey singer, machine which empties
the honey from the combs by centrifugal
force, without injury, so that the combs
may be returned to the bees, marks
another great step in agriculture. Thus
virgin honey, free from foreign ad-
mixture is obtained, having the flaw. of
the flower from which it is drawn.
The further invention of artificial
comb foundation, made of pure wax, first
successfully used to large extent this
season, completes the requisites for plac-
ing bee~keeping 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
erers, 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 BIZ the
simple appliance used for the protection
of the person and for subduing the bees.
The most vicious colony may be subdued
in 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
the price many lovers of honey cannot
afford. 1t makes a beautiful dish fer the
table but it is no better than extracted
honey. All comb is wax, and wax in the
| stomach is perfectly indigestible. Elk.
tracted honey is pure liquid honey as IT
IS taken from the combs by the honey
singers, free from any foreign admixture
1t Is entirely different from what is known
IN the market as strained honey. Con.
sumers help to impose upon themselves
by the false idea that pure honey will
not granulate. They desire ungranu.
lated honey and dealers will attempt te
| supply the demand. Almost all l,urf
honey will granulate when exposed fol
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 to granulate, is a very inferior article
composed largely of glucose or some
! inferior substance, 4ranuIated honey
can be reduced to its liquid state in 8
| few moments by placing tine jar in warm
! water. When thus iquifed it 50 remains
for some time before again crystalizing
Consumers may be sure of good whole.
some article by purchasing granulated
money anu reducing IL. .r
To producers. By full 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,
| lty 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 b.
readily Handled by grOcers and consum-
ers. Honey was for centuries the prin.
clpal sweet known, and is one of the
most healthful of all. Improvement il
refining sugars have within the last two
or three centuries led to Its general adop
ton. Why may not also new improve
ments in agriculture restore it to it's true
place as a general favoTite which was los
| by bad management and the CONSEQUENT
corresponding limited supply?
We believe that improvements in bee
keeping as compared with old method
are not less than those seen in railroad
and steamboats, as compared with former
modes Of travel.
For mutual information We would
advise the organization of local societies
and conventions to further this business
among all interested in agriculture.