BY W. Z. HUTCHINSON.
The Michigan Bee-Keepers' Association held their 28th annual convention on Jan. 2 and 3, 1894, in the Common Council Chambers in the city of Flint. The convention was called to order by President Taylor, and the following members paid their dues:
M. H. Hunt, Bell Branch.
L. A. Aspinwall, Jackson.
Hon. R. L. Taylor, Lapeer.
Wm. Anderson, Imlay City.
H. D. Cutting, Tecumseh.
W. Z. Hutchinson, Flint.
August Koeppen, Flint.
Earl Post, Atlas.
E. M. Miller, Swartz Creek.
M. S. West, Flint.
H. Webster, Byron.
H. L. Hutchinson, Mayville.
E. G. Grimes, Vernon.
Byron Walker, Evart.
Chas. Koeppen, Flint.
Andre Torry, Flint.
M. McWain, Grand Blanc.
L. H. Root, Prattville.
Jas. Cowe, Imlay City.
Jno. Cowe, Imlay City.
Pres. Taylor then read the following essay, entitled,
Apicultural Work at Experiment
Stations.
If I appear to any to go into devious paths in a brief treatment of the topic assigned me, it is owing to the latitude which the topic itself gives me.
And first I ask, do bee-keepers want it? that is, do they want that sort of work at the stations? I am sometimes in doubt about it. I judge somewhat from the course of my own feelings in the matter. Before I became connected with the work and began to study into it, I was not inclined to esteem it over highly, but now if I were to express my thoughts and feelings freely, you would no doubt think me on the verge of the domain whose inhabitants are called cranks. Such is the effect of contact and acquaintance. Now, while the great body of bee-keepers has not the enthusiasm which close contemplation begets, yet if called upon they would vote pretty unanimously in favor of the work.
Then the question suggests itself, why would they vote for it? Provision has been made by the general government by which the agricultural college of each State is to receive annually a certain sum of money to be devoted to the support of an experiment station in the interest of agriculture and kindred pursuits generally. This sum was to be in the first instance, as I understand it, $15,000, and after that to be increased by the sum of $1,000 each year until the amount of $250,000 is reached, which is then to remain fixed at that point. That is, that is to be the course of affairs, unless the ideas of economy of the present administration at Washington require that this money be kept in the general treasury. This is a considerable sum of money, and apiculture is equitably entitled to all and more than it is now getting in this State.
Now is it simply because they are equitably entitled to it, that the bee-keepers would claim a just share to be devoted to apicultural work, like a school-boy unwilling that his fellow should use his sled whether he wants it himself or not? Or is it because they feel it is not only their right, but to their advantage? Have they such a lively faith in the probable value of results that they will scrutinize and study them? That bee-keepers should have an active interest in these matters is of the utmost importance if the work is to go on. Those in authority are generally quite ready to be directed by the will of those they serve, if they can learn certainly what that will is.