The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-16
INDIANA BEE KEEPERS.
Condition of the Apiaries of the State
Officers Elected.

The Indiana Bee-keepers' Association began
its annual meeting yesterday, with over hun
bred members in attendance. In the absence of
the president Sylvester Johnson the vice presi-
dent presided during the morning session The
report of the secretary, Frank L. Daugherty,
was presented, and the treasurer, Mrs L. Stout,
submitted statement of the receipts and ex-
penditures, showing balance in the treasury of
only 90 cents.
The spring management of bees was discussed
at considerable length during the morning. Mr..
Davis, of Hendricks county, said that he began
feeding his bees early IN the season to promote
breeding, and then, as the colony would admit,
he spread the brood by spreading the comb.
Their tendency was, he had noticed, to work
sugar water. Almost any kind of food would do
for early feeding. but in the fall none but the
best sugar should be used. Mr.. Lane, of
Boone county, thought it important that the
hive should be thoroughly cleaned in the spring.
Rye meal, or some other substitute should be fed
until pollen makes its appearance, when the bees
will cease work on the meal. In answer to the
question, rs maple mOlasses good for spring
feedF Mr.. Buntain stated that he had some ex-
perience in feeding maple, but did not believe
it should be fed without first diluting with
water. Mr. Cotton had fed maple syrup for
eight years, and thought it good article of food.
In the afternoon the annual address of the
President was delivered, There are now a com
paratively small number of colonies of bees in
April, 1883 there were 70, 526 colonies in the
State, and they had gathered 798 1868 pounds of
honey. 1t has been claimed, that ON an average
zoo, 600 pounds of honey go to waste every year
In each county because there are
no bees to gather it. Reducing this estimates
one-half, and the honey bearing trees and plants
of Indiana would produce annually 100000
pounds in each county, making the total annual
production in the State 300, 900 pounds. This
ungathered honey, at the present retail price,
would bring nearly 100000 all of which is
now lost to the State.
A letter from President Smart of Purdue
University, to the president of the association,
was read stating that he would recommend to
the trustees that an effort should be
made to encourage the apiary branch of
economic industry II do not doubt" he SAYS,
that the project will be approved provided the
Legislature makes an appropriation sufficiently
large to enable us to carry on our present work
and to add what is suggested. Purdue ought to
spend at least s., 900 annually on an experiment
tai station. A half success is only mild term
for failure, and as Purdue cannot command
funds for first-class apiary at present it seems
prudent to postpone the undertaking till money
can be secured to make the enterprise creditable
to the university and real benefit to the
State"
An hour was devoted to the discussion of
questions relating to the keeping of bees. The
officers for the next year were elected Mrs
Irwin Robbins, Sylvester johnson, Mr.. Schulz
and /. n. Cotton were nominated for president,
but after the first ballot Mrs. Robbins was
elected by a unanimous vote Just as the bees
have their queen, so shall the bee keepers have
queen was the idea advanced, and it met with
general approval. The officers elected were:
President-Mrs Irwin Robbins, of Indianapo-
lis.
Secretary Frank L. Daugherty, Indianapolis
Treasurer-Mrs. l.. Stout, Indianapolis
The association will continuein session to-day