Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1870 — Do Bees Make or Simply Gather Honey! [ARTICLE]

Do Bees Make or Simply Gather Honey!

Whitdcb bees ma*< or limply peOsr honey, seems yet to be s disputed point. There are writers who assert that the nectar of the flowers gathered by the bee is simply a portion of Its food and drink, and that the honey deposited in the cells come from the honey-secreting glands, which are analogous to the milk-secreting glands of other animals; that the honey bag of the bee performs the same office as does the udder of the cow. In other words, that bees make their honey. Such writers argue that if it were not so, when a bee gathers molasses it would deposit molasses, etc., while the fact is, that the various kinds of materials upon which the bee works, simply modify the character of the honey. There are others who reason quite diferently—who assert that the bee simply gathers honey formed by Nature in the flowers.. Such persons attribute the difference which is observed in honey that every kind of flower secrets a melliflo substance peculiar to itself, partaking, to a greater or less extent, of the properties of the plant upon which it is found. Hence, some kinds of honey are very ob-noxious-others even poisonous In some loosllties, people think it is not safe to eat honey at all, until after It has been boiled —a process which is thought to evaporate the poisonous qualities. When “doctors” so disagree, it might be considered presumption for even the Scientific Pm* to decide. So we leave this matter still an open question. We believe, however, it is generally agreed that bees never mix the different kinds of honey when depositing them in the hive. If they commence to work on white clover (which makes the best honey), so long as that kind of “feed” can bo obtained, they will work on nothing else; and all the white clover is deposited in cells by itself. When they leave that for buckwheat or any other food, they commence depositing in adjoining cells, or on a separate piece of comb. Experienced bee-kesperS, who arc aware of this instinct, often remove too combs which are filled during the continuance of the clover; because after toe cells are all filled It is difficult to distinguish this from any other. Exhibitors of honey at fairs not unfrequently take advantage of this to secure a choice white article, with which to secure the highest prize, when the balance or average of the stock would be quite inferioj,—Scientific Press. _ it« admitted on all hands that Grant’s administration is a failure. It has failed to be as extravagant as Johnson's, as weak as Buchanan’s, as ignoble aa Pierce’s, and as obstinate as Jackson’s. Bat it can’t be denied that toe President smokes cigars. He has saved the country w hundred millions of money, but he continues to puff! Let toe Democracy make note of this horrifying fact. It is about the only consolation they have got. —Chicago Poet. Iy The Democratic papers are inclined to question the correctness of the census returns of New York city, aa it k now probable that the population of the city proper will not much exceed 875,000 when all the returns are in. The Timet says: “It is not strange that Democratic organa should cry ont against the .official proof that onr population is not increasing, for it affords damaging evidence that their heavy major ities in the city are chiefly fictitious. |3T It being charged that a Louisville negro voted twice at the recent election, the New York Commercial remarks that it could put up will* theft, murder, elopomeat with white heiresses, and all ether claims to social equality, but when me negro sinks to a level with the Democratic repeater, there is room for the apprehension that emancipation may prove a failure indeed. j Iy Hon. James 8. Orr has published a letter announcing his adhesion to the Republican party in South Carolina. He says that for many years to come that party must control the State, and opposition to it will only augment and .perpetuate existing evils.