The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-08-27

.t .luutcul. ..s .Hil. uG Hu1r-sst'l
5r STATE min
BEHS AND HONEY
as indeed very mach surprised
lIfsad what Captain EJ-'r had
y Lout 'dcspising the boss" and
M hat must arise I'm heir defense.
Chou shouldst not despise any of
Gods creatures. He certainly created
the Je, for noble and wise purpose.
Without il we would be minus of a
great many good things that we now
enjoy. He admits its industry, con-
rcdes its usefulness as an example of
industry, patience frugaIity," and
even acknowledges its claim as u
distiler Of nectar, which is often rel
ished by human beings too lazy to
gather it for themselves" We'll, VOL!
who ever heard of bees distiling n
tar before? This is certainly news to
me. had been thinking all
these years that the "nectarn was
55ctetod by he fl)werS AMI simply
gathered by the bees and stored in the
comb for the purpose Of perpetuating
their race, and also for the use of man.
But now Capt. Edgar tells us that the
hec is a distiller Of nectar. Mr.. Web
Ster defines distiller, "Ono who dis
Jills; one whose occupation is to eX-
tract spirit by evaporation and con-
donsation." This, perhaps, accounts
for the great antipathy existing be-
tween the captain and the bees; they
being a peculiar kind with which I
am uuac1uainted-from above cannot
say that their acquaintance is at all
desired. Are we to understand that
is only lazy people who are fond of
honey. How in the world would
smart ones go about gathering it
without the aid and assistance of the
bee: Please answer.
Seriously l wish to thank Capt Ed
gar for the nice notice he gave in THE
STATESMAN Of my exhibit at institute
and wish also to say that bookkeeping
in The United States is not such a
small industry as many imagine.
Careful estimate puts the bce-keepers
AT 800, 900; over 10000 Of this number
keep moro than 500 colonies each.
The value of honey produced by them
in 1889 was over 500, 900, 900, and the
value Of bees wax produced for the
same year exceeded SIT 900, COOP
american Bee JOurnal.) Italian bees
are much more docile and easily
handled; less liable to sting than the
tive blacks. My son was at
nome from last October till
first Of June most of the time,
and was not stung during his
stay. often work with my bees for
days together extracting hundreds of
pounds of honey without being stunG,
1 have this off year taken 20OO pounds
of honey without any aid or assistance
whatever and have received but few
stings, The sting of bee amounts to
very little any way if one understands
the peculiar construction of the sting
and viii scrape it out instead of pull
lug 1t out with the fingers, as most
persons do, for, by this means they
force the virus or poison into the flesh,
thus greatly increasing the pain in
stead Of relieving it. After scraping
the sting out with knife, just puff
little warm smoke from the smoker
ON the part stung and in a few mo-
lnents you will forget all about it,.
SALlDo, Tex, Aug. 10, 1891.
Mrs. sherman gives figures to show
the extent and value of the bee indus
try In the United States, which will
surprise many who do not "take
stock" in such small cattle. | am
afraid Mrs. Sherman thinks | under
value the insect as II wealth producer.
If so she is in error. Not only does it
contribute to the wealth of the coun-
try, but it is at present indispensable
rs manufacturer of wax, to say
nothing Of honey. The only objection
J have TO the bee is its singing ar
rangement, but now that Mrs. Sher-
man assures me that "the sting of the
hee amounts to very little anyway"
and shows that any Inconvenience |
nave felt has been due to my bung-
ing way of removing the sting, am
half Inclined to eXclaim, "thou almost |
persuadest me to become bee
keepor.H This decision is helped by
- '"'''i iPlO vi HOllCl hlHuIN |
sent from the Salado apiary. The
tiavor and purity Of the article prove
that Mrs, Shearman's little workers
know how and where to find the IA
hled nectar and convert it into matter
OF fact merchantable honey; and
lutther hat the lady knows how to
handle The product and turn it out in
attractive shape.
Mrs. Sherman takes me to task for
stating nat bees "distil nectar,u and
hurls Chunk of Webster at me. but
~ J saw ,5 coming 1 lodged and it
oldD't M me. AS one of the craft,
Mrs. She nan should know that edi-
tors and uoets are not bound by the
common Jules of grammar, or the dog
matte q ctum of the lexicograpber.
Weighed n the same balance nv fair
critic would be found wanting, for She
says that or years she has understood
tbat nee.8r twas secreted by the flow
ers, AMI imply gathered by the bees
and stored in the comb.n When |
wrote Of nectar" and its distillation
by the gaa, did not consult nv die