Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-07

The Southern California Bee Keepers
association met in the chamber of COM
merce yesterday morning. There were
about fifty members present, and great
interest was manifested by all in the
proceedings. The association was called
to order by Vice-President McIntire. in
the absence of the president, and J. w.
Fence acted as secretary. Two distin-
guished guests of the association pres
ent were Prof. Cook of the Michigan Ag-
ricultural college, and Mr.. A. Root of
Ohio, the largest beekeeper in the
United States.
Prof. Cook suggested little talk from
the members about the failure of the
past year. Mr.. Cora attributed he fail
ure OF the past year to too low temper
ature during the honey season. He
thinks from so to 100 degrees most favor
able to good crop. Mr.. Mellen said he
thought the secret of success in honey
producing was IN being on hand and at
tending to business. Mr.. Martin said
that his observations led him TO think
that there was great difference in the
location, especially in California.
One speaker thought an important
point would be gained in protecting the
honey industry by preventing the adul-
teration Of the article by jobbers.
Speaking of the failure of the past
year, Mr.. Root said there was need of
more enthusiasm and thorough work.
In any industry which was partly de-
pendent on the conditions of nature
there was two-fold work-man's work
and the Almighty's = and if the
former was faithfully performed we could
always depend on the latter.
Adjourned to l 80 p. m.
At the afternoon session President
Abbott, having arrived, took the chair.
A question box was introduced, and the
question. Bees versus fruit, was sug-
gested by the president.
Professor Cook opened the discussion.
He said that bee positively could not
puncture the skin OF fruit. All that
fruit men need to understand is that
bees cannot damage fruit until it is first
punctured by birds or insects. In Mich
igan and Ohio the fruit and bee men are
in perfect harmony. Mr.. Root stated
that some one had informed him that
fruit grower had bought seventy or
eighty colonies of bees to fertilize the
blossoms.
Mr.. Cora suggested that every bee
keeper raise fruit to convince the fruit
raisers that bees could not hurt sound
fruit, and also to keep the bees at home.
Mr.. Kenny said that if we could Sc
cure legislation against linnets and
yellow Jackets there would not be much
"kicking" about bees injuring furit.
Mr.. Cora said that bees would not
molest sulphured fruit.
Mr.. Mellen thought that the fruit
raisers did not stop to consider the act
ual benefits of bees to fruit culture.
About three fourths of the bee keepers
present were fruit growers. The pre-
vailing opinion is that italian bees are
the best honey gatherers; but that
blacks and hybrids make the best comb
honey.
Mr.. Hitler spoke favorably of the
Carnolian bee.
One gentleman wanted to know if
there was any thing in bees favoring
certain bee keepers and following them
from place to place in case OF removals.
He cited one instance of a bee keeper
who removed quite long distance from
his former location and several addi-
tional swarms of bees came to his place.
"Did they come in the day or night ~ ~
asked Professor Cook. w
This raised laugh, and the questit.4
went over for future cogitation.
Professor Cook was called upon to
give his opinion about foul brood. He
said that Mr.. Quinby's method of trans
ferring on to foundation seems to be sat
isfactory, but one should be very careful.
The meeting adjourned to 7 p. m.
At the evening session the merits of
different kinds of hives were thoroughly
discussed, as well as the best plans for
caring for bees. The advisability of
forming a state association came up for
discussion. and will be acted on at this
mornings session.