The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-07

them by mechanical action, centrifugally
applied. Ihe honey extractor is q simple
contrivanee, made of one or more wire cages,
or baskets. the size of a comb If honey
arranged IN the shape OF q fivwheel, with a
shaft and crank attachment, the fiywheel
being incl0sed IN a metal tank with suit
able covering. A few rapid turns of the
crank eXpei every particle of honey from
the combs, the Gaping of the cells having
first been sliced of. Honey should be stored
one or two months in a dry and perfectly
dark place 10 Tipen before ii Is marketed.
California extracted honey is shipped to
the market In five-gailon cans, similar to
cOal-uil cans, holding about 90 pounds each,
two cans being packed in case. This
makes the product very compact and con-
venient for shipment The comm is son
men or other buyers put up the honey in
glass jars OF various attractive shapes.
Much California honey now goes to Europe
and other parts of the Cd World. England
and Germany are especially good customers
There is vast room for the extension of the
market as the people OF almost every coun-
try are fond of honey. Even China imports
large quantities.
As to varieties all bees now in the State
are bybTIds. The Italian bee was intro
dueed and made cross with those already
here. The wild bees. of which there are so
many in the State, will hybridize everything
IN the shape OF new varieties that may be
imported. Experiments are at present
being made with a new variety called Car
NOLAN. The Department of Agriculture has
sent 10 India for certain giant bees, which
a:e wild In that country. II is said that
they are the largest species known in tho
world aud great producers of both honey
aud wax, large quantities Of which are ex-
ported from ldia.
The business of raising queen bees is pro-
htable Tor those that understand it, Well
bred queens, Of Italian and Cyprian breed
sell at from So to So each. and the so-called
mi 81. nod L.
Many, however, believe the latter to be an
old variety under new name.
The bee men OF this section would like to
see the State University devote a little
more attention 10 the bee business. There
should be an experimental station for bee
culture. Such an institution has been
talked OF. but nothing has yet been accom-
pushed. In the University of Michigan
there is chair OF bee culture, with a prac-
teal beekeeper in charge of the works.
a disease known as foul BROOD did
much damage among the hives in 1877 and
again last year. There is an inspector, who
has been as a rule aided by the beekeeDers,
and there Is little complaint of the disease
this season, at least as far as Los An
eeles County Is concerned. Another evil
with which the bee men have to contend
is the occurrence of mountain fires. After
such fires sage seed should be plan ted at
once to renew the feed and keep out other
growths OF useless character. Beekeepers
should also be careful not 10 cut down any
trees that bear nectaryIelding bloom, sueh
as the OAK, sycamore, manzanita, willow
and walnut The pepper tree, so common
In the cities and towns of Southern Cali
tornia, Is the bette nOir OF the beekeeper.
honey made by bees which have access to it
being unmarketable.
The Southern California beekeepers have
an organization known as the Southern
California Beekeepers' Association. Last
Marcn State organization was formed in
Los Angeles, known as the California State
Beekeepers Association. At meeting of
the local association. in January last a reso-
luton was presented To petition Congress
Tor bounty on honey. the object being to
compete with the bounty on sugar.
Bee-keeplng In California is an attractive
industry. especially 10 those of small means
or impaired health. Many invalids have
1ound new lie and hope on mountain bee
ranches. The capital and experience re-
CURED are both very small, and the work
light, covering only a few months of the
year. ANY one who possesses the inclina-
ton ana moderate amount OF intelligence
can. in very short time. acquire the neces-
sary knowledge. There are MANY thou
SANDS OF acres of Government land through
out the State, vet unoccupled, which are
well adapted to the business. OF course, the
beekeeper must be prepared to lead n more
or less isolated life. but many will consider
good health and the promise of compe-
tence as more than n compen sation for the
pleasures of city life
III is dlftlcult to name any industry that
offers such good returns tor so small an in
vestment OIL time and money. A friend Of
mine helped man to take a swarm of bees
from crevice In rock. near Cotton in
1856 That year few pounds of honey
were produced. and they had increased to
five swarms. In 1887 they had increased to
IL swarms. and the honey yield sold for
S100. At the end of the season of 1888 there
were 60 swarms and the honey netted $780,
East year. which was very poor year, the
receipts for honey amounted to $1,000, and
this season, which is still worse than the
previous one. the man has already sold five
tons of honey from the increase of that sim
gle swarm taken from cleft in the rock six
years ago. What is more, the man knows
nothing OF the bee business. His wife has
done all the necessary work, in addition to
performing her other duties
HARRY ELLINGTON BROOKS.
Los Angeles. july Is